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HISTORY 

X 


-OF- 


Windham  County, 


CONNECTICUT. 


Vv^ITTFI     ILLTJSXRATIOMS. 


EDITED    BY 

RICHARD    M.    BAYLE3. 


Land  of  my  sires; — Wliat  tnortal  hand 
Can  e'er  untie  the  filial  hand- 
That  knits  me  to  tTiy  rugged  strand.'" 


SCOTT. 


New  York: 
W.  W.  PEESTON  &  CO. 

1889. 


THIS  VOLUME  DOES  NOT 
■     CiHCUlArE 


f 

65 


Press  of  J.  HENRY  PROBST, 
36  Vesey  St.,  New  Yopk. 


«  * 


iibl^ 


PREFACE. 


The  interest  which  one  feels  in  knowing  and  preserving  the 
record  of  events  connected  with  his  own  locality,  is  both  natural 
and  commendable.  The  good  citizen  must  everywhere  learn 
that  the  roots  of  the  present  are  in  the  past,  and  that  only  by  study- 
ing the  past  can  he  know  the  primal  circumstances  out  of  whicix 
have  grown  the  conditions  by  which  he  is  at  present  surrounded. 
By  this  study  of  cause  and  effect  as  seen  in  his  local  surround- 
ings he  is  prepared,  as  every  patriotic  citizen  wishes  to  be  pre- 
pared, to  plant  more  intelligently  the  "roots  which  shall  secure 
to  his  local  society  in  the  future  the  richest  fruits  of  prosperity 
and  happiness.  As  our  standard  of  intelligence  advances  the 
interest  of  the  people  in  their  local  history  increases,  and  we  see 
a  constantly  growing  desire  to  preserve  the  story  of  local  events, 
local  traditions,  and  the  facts  connected  with  the  lives  of  those 
persons  who  are  or  have  been  conspicuous  in  the  local  society, 
and  whose  influence  has  given  tone  and  direction  to  its  life, 
character  and  history. 

The  editor  congratulates  himself  and  the  people  of  Windham 
county  on  the  fact  that  in  this -work  he  has  been  able  to  bring 
together  the  labors  of  many  earnest,  enthusiastic  students  of 
local  history,  crystalized  in  this  compilation,  w^here  the  sons  and 
daughters  of  old  Windham  and  of  new  Windham  may  refer  to 
them  to  decide  those  questions  which  increasing  interest  in  local 
surroundings  will  ever  thrust  upon  their  attention.  It  would 
afford  him  pleasure  to  acknowledge  personally,  all  and  singular 
the  favprs  and  encouragement  he  has  received  from  generous 
friends  while  engaged  in  the  preparation  of  this  work.    But  this 


iv  PREFACE. 

pleasure  must  be  foregone,  for  reasons  which  are  obvious.  Be- 
sides the  draught  which  by  special  arrangement  with  Miss  Lar- 
ned  the  editor  has  been  permitted  to  make  upon  her  previously 
published  History  of  Windham  County,  he  has  been  ably  assisted 
in  this  work  by  Miss  Larned  herself,  who  has  prepared  specially 
for  us  a  very  considerable  part  of  the  work.  The  co-operation 
in  important  sections  of  the  subject,  of  Reverend  Francis  Wil- 
liams and  Miss  Jane  Gay  Fuller,  will  also  add  greatly  to  the 
substantial  and  literary  value  of  the  history. 

Asking  the  charitable  forbearance  of  such  exacting  critics  as 
have  never  known  aught  of  the  difficulties  which  beset  the  path- 
way of  the  editor  and  compiler  of  a  work  on  local  history,  and 
expressing  the  most  sincere  thanks  to  all  those  who  hav'e  aided 
him  in  his  labors,  the  editor  closes  the  work  of  compilation, 
trusting  that  its  readers  may  find  it  as  pleasing  to  peruse  as  he 
has  found  it  exhaustive  to  prepare. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


CHxiPTER  I. 

GEOGRAPHICAL   AND  DESCRIPTIVE.  PAGE. 

Physical  Features. — Location. — Shape  and  Area. — Subdivisions. — Surface. — 
Rivers  and  Brooks. — Agricultural  and  Manufacturing  Advantages. — 
Productions. — Manufactures. — Railroads  and  Transportation. — Old  Stage 

ny^A  XVoJo-Vif  TAron-ons  ToT-OT-ns  (\f   +ha  r)^,^or,  Ti'ina  Tho    TTillt-nn    SetHf»- 

ments. — Romantic  Scenery  and  Historic  Associations. — Geological  I'or- 
mation  and  Resources. — Elevations  of  Land 1 

CHAPTER  II. 

THE  ABORIGINAL   OCCUPANTS. 

Algonquin  Tribes. — Tlie  Mohegans. — The  Nipmucks.— The  Wabbaquassets. — 
Narragansett  Claims. — The  Quinebaugs. — The  Pequot  Ascendency. — 
Language  and  Customs  of  the  Indians. — Their  Implements  and  Arts. — 
Superstitions. — Indian  Allegiance. — The  Whetstone  Country. — Intertribal 
•  Warfare. — Avenging  an  Insult.— Uncas  and  Owaneco.— Christian  Influ- 
ence and  the  "Praying  Indians.'"— Visit  of  Eliot  and  Gookin. — King 
Philip's  War. — Its  Disastrous  Effect  upon  the  "Praying  Towns." — Unjust 
Treatment  of  the  Indians  by  the  English. — Indian  Shrewdness. — Close  of 
King  Philip's  War 10 

CHAPTER   III. 

SETTLEMENT. 

First  Attempts  at  Settlement. — The  Inter-Colonial  Route. — Purchase  of  Land 
by  John  Winthrop. — Indian  Title  and  Subsequent  Confirmation. — Dis- 
pute as  to  Colonial  Jurisdiction. — Indian  Claims  Revived. — Land  in  the 
Market. — Influx  of  Speculators. — First  Lands  Laid  Out. — Boundary  Dis- 
putes with  Massachusetts. — Claims  of  Uncas  to  the  AVabbaquasset  Coun- 
try.— Land  on  the  Quinebaug  Sold, — Owaneco  Appoints  James  Fitch  his 
Attorney  or  Guardian. — IMakes  over  to  him  jMoliegan  and  Wabbaquasset 
Lands. — Fitch  Sells  Land  to  Roxbury. — Joshua  Bequeaths  Land  to  Six- 
teen Norwich  Gentlemen. — Agreement  of  the  Legatees. — Windham  Set- 
tlements Made. — Depression  of  Improvements  under  Andros. — Slow 
Progress  of  Settlement. — Religious  and  Social  Affairs. — Settlement  of 
the  Disputed  Section  in  the  Southeast  Part  of  the  County. — Some  of  the 
Early  Settlers. — Early  Days  of  the  Quinebaug  Country. — Settlement  in 
the  Whetstone  Country  and  the  Volunteers'  Land 23 


VI  TABLE   OF   CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

EARLY    EVENTS.  PAGE. 

Windham  County  Organized. — General  Condition  of  Society. — Valuations  of 
Property  and  Productions. — Public  Morals. — Their  Houses. — Social  Con- 
ditions.— Organization  of  Courts. — Court  House  and  Jail. — Militia  Organ- 
ization and  Training. — Woodstock  Annexed  to  Worcester  County. — 
Transferred  to  Windiiam  County. — Organization  of  Probate  Districts. — 
Emigrations  of  Inhabitants. — Colonization  to  AVyoming,  N.  Y. — The 
Susquehanna  and  Delaware  Companies. — Settlement  of  Wyoming 40 

CHAPTER  V. 

THE   FRENCH   AND  INDIAN   WAR. 

Military  Spirit  of  the  People.— Expedition  against  Crown  Point. — Fasting 
and  Prayer  by  the  People  at  Home. — Eastern  Connecticut  Regiment  at 
Lake  George. — Distinguished  Sons  of  Windham. — Defeat  of  Braddock. — 
Earthquake. — Popular  Alarm. — Filling  the  Ranks  with  Recruits. — List 
of  Soldiers. — Official  Honors. — Capture  of  Fort  William  Henry  by  Mont- 
calm.— Enlistments  and  Names  of  Recruits. — Sufferings  of  the  Soldiers, 
and  of  their  Families  at  Home. — First  Census  of  Connecticut  in  1756. — 
Population,  Valuation,  Churches  and  Schools. — General  Progress. 53 

CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  KEVOLCTIONARY  PERIOD. 

Spirit  of  the  People. — Influence  of  their  Leading  Patriots,  Dyer,  Durkee  and 
Putnam. — Indignation  at  the  Stamp  Act  of  1765.— Burning  Effigies. — 
Positive  Demonstrations. — Treatment  of  Stamp  Agents. — Sons  of  Liberty 
in  Windham. — Popular  Outburst  in  1767. — Determination  of  the  Peof^le 
against  using  English  Goods. — Closing  of  the  Port  of  Boston. — Windham 
tlie  first  to  send  Relief. — Rough  Handling  of  Royal  Agents. — The  "  Boy- 
cott "  applied  to  an  Adherent  of  the  King. — "  Windham  Boys  "  noted 
for  their  Aggressive  Patriotism. — Fever  Heat  of  the  Public  Mind. — 
Alarm  from  Boston,  September,  1774,  heralded  through  the- Towns,  and 
answered  by  Putnam  and  two  hundred  Volunteers. — Convention  of  Del- 
egates at  Norwich. — Providing  Ammunition. — Preparing  for  War. — 
Organization  of  Slilitia. — Unity  of  Sentiment. — Answering  the  Call 
from  Lexington  April  9,  177.'>. — Gathering  of  Troops. — Windham  County 
first  to  send  Troops  to  the  Scene  of  Conflict. — One-fourth  of  the  Militia 
called  out. — Officers  of  Windham  Troops. — Manufacturing  Munitions  of 
War.— Windham  Soldiers  at  Bunker  Hill.— Earnest  Work  of  the  Men 
at  Home. — Energetic  Women  help  on  the  Cause. — Windham  Soldiers 
after  Bunker  Hill.— Encouragement  at  the  Withdrawal  of  British  Troops 
from  Boston  in  1776.-~Mauufacture  of  Powder,  Balls  and  Guns  at 
Home. — More  Troops  wanted.— At  the  Battle  of  Long  Island. — Organiz- 
ation of  the  Troops,  1776. — Tlie  "  Oliver  Cromwell  "  fitted  out. — Depress- 
ing IMonotony  of  the  long  continued  War. — Windham  County  Losses. — 
Raising  their  Quotas. — Massacre  by  the  Indians  in  the  Wyoming  Valley. 
— Attempt  upon  Newport,  1778. — Constancy  of  Windham  Patriots. — 
Self-sacrificing  Women. — The  Fallen  Heroes. — Young  Men  in  the  Field. 


TABLE   OF   CONTENTS.  Vll 

PAGE. 

— Raising  Troops,  1780. — Armies  en  route  through  Windham  County. — 
Cessation  of  Hostihties. — Return  of  Peace. — Dealing  with  the  few  Tories. 
— Scanty  Pay  o^f  ihe  Soldiei's.— Organization  of  new  Towns. — Adopting 
the  new  Constitution,  1788. — Windham's  Representatives  in  the  Conven- 
tion      60 

CHAPTER  VII. 

WINDHAM  COUNTY   UNDER  THE  CONSTITUTION. 

Progi'ess  after  the  War. — Inxmigration  and  Commercial  Enterprise. — The  lot 
of  the  Farmers. — Moral  and  Religious  Declension. — Slavery  disappear- 
ing.— Remnants  of  Indian  Tribes. — Educational  Interests. — ^Teachers. — 
Newspapers. — Social  Conditions. — Domestic  Customs. — Manufacturing 
Enterprises  begin. — The  War  of  1812. — Party  Spirit. — Revival  of  the 
Patriotic  Spirit. — Recruiting. — Organization  of  Troops. — First  Summons 
to  Arms,  June  21st,  1813. — Another  Call  in  September. — To  Relief  of 
New  London,  August  9th,  1814. — On  Guai-d  at  Stonington. — Peace  re- 
stored, 1815. — Appropriate  Celebrations  of  the  Event : 88 

CTT    A    T-lTTrTTn       TTTTT 

THE   CIVIL  WAR. 

An  Age  of  Prosperity. — Growth  of  the  Union  and  Anti-Slavery  Sentiment. — 
The  Strongest  Republican  County  in  Connecticut. — Outbreak  of  the  Re- 
bellion.— County  Mass  Meeting. — Volunteer  Companies  Formed. — The 
Uprising,  of  the  Martial  Spirit. — Popular  Excitement. — Raising  the  Flag. 
— Recruiting.— Death  of  General  Nathaniel  Lyon, — Windham's  Interest 
in  General  McClellan. — Organizations  Represented  by  Windham  County 
Soldiers. — Responses  to  Later  Calls. — The  Eighteenth  Regiment — Work 
of  the  Sanitary  and  Christian  Commissions  at  Home. — The  Martyrs  to 
the  Union  Cause 99 

CHAPTER  IX. 

WINDHAM   COUNTY   OF   TO-DAY. 

Its  Towns  and  their  present  condition. — Their  Population  at  different 
periods.  —  Conspicuous  Citizens.  —  Presidential  Candidates.  —  Honored 
Sons  of  Windham. — State  Senators. — Presidents  pro  tetn.  of  the  Senate. — 
Speakers  of  the  House.  —Present  Representatives. — The  Courts. — County 
Officers. —  Literary  Associations. —  Agricidtiu-al'  Society'. — Temperance 
Society. — Temperance  Movements. . . 105 

CHAPTER  X. 

PUBLIC   CHARITIES  AND   CORRECTIONS. 

The  Towns'  Poor. — Early  Methods  of  dealing  with  Dependents.— -Increase  of 
Burdens  by  the  French  War. — Meagre  Fare  and  Accommodations. — Emi- 
gration and  Temperance  decreases  the  Burdens. — Present  Costs  and  Man- 
agement of  the  Poor. — Children's  Temporary  Home. — Its  Management 
and  present  successful  Work. — The  Record  of  Crime  in  Windham  Coun- 
ty.— Capital  Punishment. — Execution  of  Criminals. — Elizabeth  Shaw, 
Caleb  Adams,  Samuel  Freeman,  Oliver  Watkins. — Other  notable  Crimes. 
— Jail  Buildings. — Their  Occupants. — Removal  from  Windham  to  Brook- 
lyn.— Official  Keepers. — Statistics  of  the  present  Jail. IIT 


Vlll  TABLE    OF   CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XI. 

TEE  BENCH  AND  BAR  OF  WINDHAM  COUNTY.  PAGE. 

Early  Attorneys. — Elisha  Paine. — Samuel  Huntington. — Jabez  Fitch. — Elipli- 
alet  Dyer. — Jedidiah  Elderkin. — Zephaniah  Swift. — Tlioruas  Stedman. — 
David  Bolles. — Sylvanus  Backus. — Daniel  Kies. — Other  Windham  County 
Lawyers  of  Former  Times. — Courts  Removed  to  Brooklyn. — The  Wind- 
ham County  Bar  in  1820. — Chauncey  F.  Cleveland. — Glimpses  of  ]Many 
Practicing  Attorneys. — William  Smith  Scarborough. — Lucius  H.  Rick- 
ard.— Elliot  B.  Sumner. — Abiel  Converse. — Earl  Martin. — Edward  Ciin- 
dall. — John  J.  Penrose. — George  W.  Melony. — Seymour  A.  Tingier. — Ben- 
jamin S.  Wai'ner. — Calvin  M.  Brooks. — Albert  McC.  Mathewson. — 
Andrew  Jackson  Bowen. — John  L.  Hunter. — George  A.  Conant. — Arthur 
G.  Bill.  — Gilbert  W\  PhiUips.— Randolph  H.  Chandler.— Eric  H.  John- 
son.— Charles  E.  Searls. — Samuel  H.  Seward. — Edgar  M.  Warner. — 
William  G.  Buteau. — Ebenezer  Stoddard. — Louis  B.  Cleveland. — Thom- 
as E.  Graves. — G.  S.  F.  Stoddard. — John  M.  Hall. — James  H.  Potter. — 
George  Earned. — Simon  Davis , 13-8 

CHAPTER  XIL 

THE   MEDICAL  FRATERNITY. 

The  first  Physicians  in  the  different  Towns. — Their  influence  on  Society. — 
Later  Practitioners. — Conspicuous  Members. — Jonathan  Huntington. — 
Albigence  Waldo. — Samuel  Lee. — Benjamin  Hubbai-d. — Elisha  Perkins. 
— After  the  Revolution. — Raising  the  Professional  Standard. — Glimpses 
of  tlie  Physicians  practicing  in  the  early  years  of  the  Century. — The 
County  Medical  Society. — Lewis  Williams. — Justin  Hammond. — Samuel 
Hutchins. — Charles  H.  Rogers. — Ernest  D.  Klimball. — Frank  E.  Guild. — 
Che^ter  Hunt. — David  C.  Card. — E.  D.  Card. — Eliphalet  Huntington. — 
Charles  James  Fox. — Theodore  R.  Parker. — Samuel  David. — Oliver  B. 
Griggs. — Dewitt  C.  Lathrop. — Francis  X.  Barolet. — Gardner  L.  Miller. — 
Frederic  A.  Morrell. — Omer  La  Rue. — Daniel  B.  Plimpton. — Lowell  Hol- 
brook. — Ichabod  L.  Bradley. — Louis  Oude  ^Morasse. — Willam  Richardson. 
— Levi  A.  Bliss. — Frederick  G.  Sawtelle. — Seth  Rogers. — John  B.  Kent. — 
Elisha  K.  Robbins. — S.  P.  Ladd. — F.  S.  Burgess. — Nathaniel  Hibbard — 
Henry  L.  Hammond. — Harvey  L.  Converse. — James  F.  Mcintosh. — Jesse 
M.  Coburn.— S.  C.  Chase.— AVilliam  H.  Judson.- Orin  Witter,  Sr.— Orin 
Witter,  Jr. — Hiram  Holt. — William  Witter. — Henry  R.  Lowe. — William 
A.  Lewis — Isaac  B.  Gallup 169 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

ANECDOTE   AND  LOCAL  STORY  OF   OLD   WINDHAM. 

The  IMystery  of  Gates.— The  Battle  of  the  Frogs.— Revolutionaiy  Anecdotes. 
—That  Little  God  Bacchus.- The  House  the  Women  Raised.— The  Black 
Sheep. — A  Character.— •' Tea-total." — Doctor  Cogswell  and  Phyllis. — An 
Old  Family  of  Scotland.— The  Story  of  Micah  Rood.—"  No  blood  rela- 
tion of  mine." — The  Fine.— Story  of  Abijah  Fuller.— Sabbath  Breaking. 
— Strong  minded  Women. — Tne  First  Locomotive. — Windham  Wags. — 
Old  Time  Pedagogues 205 


TABLE    OF    CONTENTS.  IX 

CHAPTER   XIV. 

THE  TOWN   OF   -VVINDHAM.  PAGE. 

Geographical  Description. — Settlement. — Town  Charter  and  Organization. — 
The  Early  Settlers. — Laying  out  the  Land. — County  Relations. — Early 
Town  Officers. — Enlargement  of  Territory. -^-Settlement  of  the  Elastem 
Quarter. — Mechanical  and  Commercial  Trades  Introduced, — Division  of 
Town  and  Formation  of  Mansfield. — Various  Phases  of  Public  Interest. — 
Growth  of  the  Northeast  Section,  called  Canada  Parish. — Society  Organi- 
zation.— Probate  Court  Established. — Some  Prominent  Families. — Wind- 
harn  made  Shiretown. — Attempts  at  Manufacturing. — Scotland  Society 
Organized. — Town  Action. — Schools. — Early  Taverns. — Pro.=;perity  of  the 
Town. — Industries. — Under  the  War  Clouds. — Removal  of  the  Courts. — 
Reduction  of  Territory. — Through  the  Revolution. — Material  Prosperity. 
— Social  Innovations. — Roads  and  Bridges 253 

CHAPTER  XV. 

THE  TOWN   OF  WINDHAM   (CONCLUDED). 

Employing  a  Minister. — Building  a  Church. — Withdrawal  of  3Iansfield. — 
Successive  Pastors. — The  Separate  Movement. — Religious  Declension. — 
The  Father  of  President  Cleveland. — Gradual  Dissolving  of  the  Town 
Church  into  the  Windham  Centre  (local)  Church.— Schools  of  the  Town, 
—Early  Newspaper. — Old-time  Taverns.— Manufacturing  Begun. — Gun- 
powder, Silk  and  Paper. — Windham  Centre. — (Cemetery. — Congregation- 
al, Episcopal  and  Baptist  Churches. — South  Windham. — Manizfacturing 
Enterprises. — Congregational  Church. — North  Windham. — Manufactor- 
ies.— Church,  Cemetery  and  School.— BiogTaphical  Sketches 279 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

WILLIMANTIC. 

General  Description. — Communication  with  the  World. — Some  Public  Feat- 
ures.— Retrospect  of  Haifa  Century. — Early  Stages  of  the  Cotton  Mill  In- 
dustries.— Starting  of  the  Windham  and  Smithville  Companies. — First 
Steps  of  the  Linen  Company's  Plant. — Early  Builders  of  the  Village. — 
The  Post  Office. — Incorporation  of  the  Borough. — Fire  Companies  and 
Engines. — Fire  Department. — Destructive  Fires. — Water  Works. — Public 
Schools. — 'Libraries. — Churches  :  Congregational,  Baptist,  jMethodist, 
Catholic,  Episcopal,  Spiritualist,  Mission  Hall,  Camp  fleeting. — Growth 
of  IManufacturing.— Windham  Company. — Smithville  Company. — Linen 
Company. — Holland  Silk  Company. — Morrison  Company. — Chaffee  & 
Son. — Turner  Silk  Mill. — Natchaug  Silk  Company. — Foundry.— Builders 
and  Other  Manufacturers. — Board  of  Trade, — Cemeteries.— Masonic  His- 
tory.— Benefit  Societies. — Banks. — Buildings. — Newspapers,  Printing 
and-^Wood  Type, — Biographical  Sketches 310 

CHAPTER   XVII. 

THE  TOWN   OF   HAMPTON. 

Beautiful  Scenery. — Location  and  Description. — Settlement. — A  Part  of  Wind- 
ham.— Organized  as  Canada  Parish. — Its  Historic  Hills. — As  Windham 


X  TABLE    OF    CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 
Village. — Constituted  a  Town. — Facts  and  Figures. — Bridges. — Pound. — 
Poor  Dependents. — Town  Business. — Heroic  Women  of  the  Revolution. — 
Military  Matters. — Business  Activity. — ^Manufacturing  Pi'ojects. — Tiie 
Railroad. — School  Matters. — The  Town  Church. — Baptists. — Abbe-ites. — 
Christ-ians. — Roman  Catholic  Church. — Library.  — Little  River  Grange. — 
Mills  and  Manufactories. — Biographical  Sketclies 372 

CHAPTER   XVin. 

THE  TOWN   OF  SCOTLAND. 

Description. — Original  Connection. — First  Settler. — Early  Attractions. — Set- 
tlers coming  in. — Church  Association. — Disquiet  in  Society  Relations. — 
Scotland  Society  Organized. — Minister  Employed  and  a  Meeting  House 
Built. — Peace  and  Prosperity. — Tlie  Separate  Movement. — Separate 
Church. — The  Standing  Church  and  the  Schools. — Leading  Men  in  So- 
ciety.— Successive  Pastors. — Period  of  the  Revolution. — The  Congrega- 
tional Church  in  Later  Days. — Universalism. — Business  and  Industry  in 
the  Town. — Organization  of  the  Town. — Its  Size  and  Growth. — Illustri- 
ous Citizens. — Present  Status. — Shetucket  Grange. — Tlie  Green  and  its 
Surroundings 315* 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

THE   TOWN   OF   CHAPLIN. 

General  Description. — Settlement  of  the  Region. — An  Ecclesiastical  Society 
Organized. — Town  Privileges  Obtained. — General  Progress. — Manufac- 
tures.— Paper  Mills,  Lumber  Mills,  and  Manufactories  of  Wheelbarrows, 
Plow-beams,  Spools,  Woolen  Cloth,  Boxes  and  Shingles. — Schools  and 
Teachers. — The  Church  of  Chewink  Plains. — A  Protestant  Methodist 
Church. — Deacon  Benjamin  Chaplin. — The  Congregational  Church. — 
Its  Successive  Pastors. — Biographical  Sketches 411 

CHAPTER   XX. 

THE  TOWN   OF   PLAINFIELB. 

Description. — Statistics.— Settlement  and  Settlers. — The  Town  Organized.— 
Coatiicting  Land  Claims. — The  Gospel  iMinistry. — Division  of  Lands. — 
Indian  War. — Settlement  of  Land  Disputes. — Progress  of  the  Settle- 
ment.— An  Epidemic. — The  Separate  Movement. — French  Prisoners  of 
War.— Town  Officers,  1765. — Facilities  of  Commerce.— Old  Tavern. — The 
Poor  and  the  Oppressed. — Emigration. — During  the  Revolution. — Re- 
vival of  ^Business  Enterprises. — Increase  of  ^Manufacturing. — Highways 
and  Bridges.— The  Ecclesiastical  Society  and  Church.— Congregational 
Church  of  Plainfield  Street.— The  "September  Gale."— The  Separate 
Church. — Quaker  Meeting  House •  ■  •  •  4^28 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

THE  TOWN   OF   PLAINFIELD  {CONCLUDED). 

Plainfield  of  To-day.— The  [Methodist  Church.— Union  Baptist  Church.— Con- 
gregational Church,  Central  A'illage.— Wauregan,  Mills,  Congregational 
Church  and  Village.— All  Hallows  R.  C.  Church,  Moosup.— Schools  of 
the  Town. — Plainfield  Academy. — Eminent  IMen  of  Plainfield. — Village 


TABLE   OF   CONTENTS.  XI 

PAGE. 

Schools. — Manufactures. — Wauregan. — Moosup. — Central  Village. — Ken- 
nedy City.— Plainfield  Junction.— The  Freshet  of  18S6.— Fraternal 
Societies. — Prominent  Names  of  a  Former  Generation. — Biographical 
Sketches 451 

CHAPTER   XXII.  - 

THE  TOWN  OF  CANTEEBXJRY. 

Canterbury  Geography. — Statistics. — Settlement  of  the  Quinebaug  Planta- 
tion,— Major  Fitch. — Fitch  and  Winthrop  Conflicting  Claims. — Town 
Charter  and  Organization. — Boundary  Disputes. — First  Meeting  House. — 
Dividing  Line  Established. — Adjusting  Land  Titles. — Distribution  of 
Common  Lands, — Ecclesiastical  History. — Separate  Movement. — West- 
minster Church  and  Society  Formed. — Restoration  of  Harmony. — The 
Methodist  Churches. — Roads  and  Bridges. — Accident  on  the  Shetucket. — 
Bridges,  Dams  and  Floods. — Turnpike  Projects  and  Other  Highways. — 
Public  Education. — Miss  Prudence  Crandall's  School.— General  Town 
Progress. — Immigration  and  Entei-prise. — Westminster  Society. — Can- 
terbury Manufacturing. — Canterbury  Separate  Church. — Baptists  and 
Episcopalians. — Packerville  Baptist  Church. — Packerville  Growth.— 
Masonic  Lodge. — Biographical  Sketches 481 

CHAPTER   XXIII. 

THE  TOWN   OF  POMFEET. 

Description, — The  Wabbaquasset  Country. — Purchase  by  Roxbury  Men. — 
The  Mashamoquet  Tract.— Blackwell's  Purchase.— The  Mortlake  Patent. 
— The  Mashamoquet  Purchase  Allotted. — Town  Privileges  Obtained. — 
Indian  War.— Settlers  and  Settlement.— Progress.— The  Town  Fully 
Organized. — Mortlake  Management. — Mashamoquet  Proprietors. — In- 
creasing Popiilation. — Prosperity  of  the  Settlement. — Good  Health  of 
the  People.— Slow  Progress  of  Mortlake. — Inhabitants  in  1731. — Abington 
Society  Erected, — IMortlake  Transferred  to  New  Proprietors. — Social 
Character  of  the  People. — Business  Fluctuations. — Literary  Movements. 
— Libraries. — Pomfret  Hall. — Schools. — Roads  and  Bridges. — Improve- 
ments in  the  Quinebaug. — Great  Thoroughfares. — Ecclesiastical  History. 
— First  Society  and  Church. — Disturbing  Controversies. — Baptist  Church. 
— Christ  Church. — Quakers. — Methodists. — Roman  Catholic  Church. — 
Pomfret  Landing. — Biographical  Sketches 517 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

THE   SOCIETY  OF   ABINGTON. 

Organization.  —  Settlers.  —  Schools.  —  Church  Progress.  --  Congregational 
Church. — Church  of  the  Messiah.— Second  Advent  Church. — Libraries. — 
Hall. — Manufacturing. — Charles  Osgood 557 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

THE  TOWN   OF  BROOKLYN. 

Facts  and  Figures. — Movement  of  Settlers. — Richard  Adams, — Isolated  Set- 
tlers.— Division  of  Vacant  Lands. — The  Stoddard  Tract. — Heterogeneous 
Settlement. — A    Minister    Employed. — Organii^ation    of    "The    Society 


Xll  •  TABLE    OF    CONTEXTS. 

PAGE. 

taken  out  of  Pomfret,  Canterbury  and  Mortlake." — Becomes  Brooklrn 
Parish. — The  Town  Chartered. — List  of  Inhabitants. — Business  and 
Public  Questions.— The  County  Seat  iMoved  Here. — Brooklyn  Newspa- 
pers.— Putnam  and  the  Wolf. — General  Putnam. — Godfrey  Malbone. — 
Roads  and  Bridges. — Manufacturing  Enterprises. — School  Accommoda- 
tions.— Church  History,  early  and  late. — Banks. — Insurance  Company. — 
Agricultural  Society. — Creamery. — Decline  of  Manufactures. — Biograph- 
ical Sketches 564 

CHAPTER    XXYJ. 

THE  TOWN   OF  STERLING? 

Geographical  Description. — The  Volunteers'  Land. — Settlement  as  Volun- 
town. — Division  of  the  Land. — Town  Privileges. — Presbyterian  Cliurch 
Organized. — Lands  Laid  Out. — Sterling  Town  Organized. — Meeting 
House  Erected. — General  Progress. — Public  Highways. — School  Mat- 
ters.— The  Voluntown  and  Sterling  Church. — Line  iMeeting  House. — 
Sterling  Hill  Baptist  Church. — Other  Churches. — Manufacturing. — 
Rocks  and  Quarries. — Oneco. — Decline  of  Manufactures. — The  Grange. 
— Biographical  Sketches 605 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

THE   TOWN   OF  THOMPSON. 

Location,  Description,  Geology. — Pre-historic  Occupants. — The  Indians  of 
this  Region. — Early  White  Settle;  s. — Quinnatisset  Hill. — Increase  of 
Population. — Land  Controversies. — Pattaquatic. — Highways  in  the  Wil- 
derness.— Bridge  Building. — Samuel  Morris. — Early  Attempt  to  secure  • 
Town  Privileges. — Second  or  North  Society  of  Killingly. — Thompson 
Parish. — Land  west  of  the  Quinebaug  annexed. — Building  the  Meeting 
House. — Religious  Worship  Established. — Military  Company. — Non-resi- 
dent Land-owners. — Various  Improvements. — Schools. — Town  Affairs. — 
The  French  War.— The  Old  Red  Tavern.— Business  and  Finance.— The 
Revolutionary  Period. — Quadic  Shipyard. — Petitions  for  Town  Priv- 
ileges   624 

CHAPTER  XXVIII,  , 

THE   TOWN   OF   THOMPSON   (CONTlNrED). 

Organization. — Affairs  of  the  Body  Corporate. — Foreign  Trade  and  Traffic. — 
Highways. — Thompson  Turnpike. — Fourth  of  July  Celebration. — Pro- 
tection against  Small-pox. — General  Progress. — New  Town  Scheme.— 
The  Civil  War. — Temperance  Sentiment. — Modern  Improvements. — 
Town  Expenses  and  Government. — The  Public  Schools. — First  Church 
of  Thompson. — First  Baptist  Church. — Baptist  Church  of  Thompson 
Hill. — Methodists  at  West  Thompson. — Fisherville  Methodist  Church.— 
East  Thompson     Methodist  Church 647 

CHAPTER   XXIX. 

THE   TOWN   OF  THOMPSON  (CONCLUDED). 

Manufactures. — The  Swamp  Factory.— Fisherville  Factory. — Water  Priv- 
ileges.— Grosvenor  Dale,  Masonville. — North  Grosvenor  Dale. — Clianges 


TABLE    OF   CONTENTS.  Xlll 

PAGE. 

Wrought  by  the  Manufacturing  Interests. — Catholic  Churches. — The 
Swedish  Church  of  Grosv^nor  Dale. — Connecticut  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany.— The  "  Brick  "  Factory.— West  Thompson. — MechanicsvUle. — Qua- 
dic  Manufacturing  Conapany. — Brandy  Hill. — The  Northeast  Section. — 
Wilsonville. — New  Boston. — Thomp?on  Tillage. — A  "Boom"  to  Thomp- 
son Hill. — Old-Time  Taverns. — Social  Customs. — Raih-oad  Opening. — 
Thompson  Bank. — Fire  Engine  Company. — Some  Prominent  People. — 
Summer  Inhabitants. — The  Sons  of  Thompson. — Thompson  Grange. — 
Biographical  Sketches. . 683 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

THE  TOWN  OF  PUTNAM. 

Incorporation  and  General  Description. — Early  History. — First  Settlers. — 
West  of  the  Quinebaug. — The  South  Neighborhood. — Early  Improve- 
ment of  Water  Privileges. — Roads  and  Bridges. — The  Stone  Mills. — 
Early  Homestead  Residents. — The  French  War. — The  Revolution. — After 
the  War. — Cargill's  Mills. — Quinebaug  High  Falls. — Educational  and  Re- 
ligious.— Klillingly  Hill. — Beginning  of  Cotton  Manufacturing. — Pomfret 
Factory. — During  the  War  of  1812. — Residents  and  Managers  of  the  Fac- 
tory.— Rhodesville. — Building  up  of  Additional  Factories. — Rival  and 
Conflicting  Interests  of  Three  Adjoining  Towns. — Various  Propositions 
and  Controversy. — Organization  of  the  new  Town  of  Putnam 749 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 

THE  TOWN  OF  PUTNAM  (CONCLUDED). 

Officers  and  Statistics. — Layout  of  Roads  and  Naming  Streets. — Establish- 
ment of  Churches. — Baptist  Church. — Congregational  Church. — Metho- 
dist Church. — Catholic  Church. — Episcopal  Church. — Advent  Christian 
Church. — Other  Religious  Societies. — Schools. — Cotton  Manufactures. — 
Pomfret  Factory  Woolen  Co. — Silk  Manufactures. — Shoe  Manufacture. — 
Artisans  and  Mechanics.— Business  Men's  Association. — Village  Develop- 
ment.— ^Various  Manufacturing  Enterprises. — Creamery. — Water  Works, 
— Commercial  Ho\ises.— Business  Blocks. — Hotels. — Banks.— Fire  Depart- 
ment.— Fraternal  Societies. — Celebrations. — Temperance  Movements. — 
'  Library  Association. — Newspapers.  —Orchestral  Music. — Antique  Art 
Loan  Exhibition. — Village  Cemetery. — Other  Burial  Grounds. — Old  Kill- 
in  gly  Hill,  now  Putnam  Heights. — East  Putnam. — Its  Local  Institu- 
tions.— Biographical  Sketches 778 

CHAPTER    XXXIL 

THE  TOWN  OF  WOODSTOCK. 

General  Description  and  Geology. — Aborigines. — Visit  of  Eliot  and  Gookin. — 
The  Narragansett  War. — New  Roxbury  Colony.— Incorporation  as  Wood- 
stock and  Subsequent  Events. — Indian  Troubles. — Important  Changes. — 
Final  Division  of  Roxbury's  Half  of  Woodstock. — Second.  Meeting  House. 
— Ministerial  Troubles. — Indian  Alarms. — Land  Divisions. — Worcester 
County  Erected. — Early  Schools. — Controver.«y  with  Colonel  Chandler. — 
Settlement  of  West  Woodstock. — Precinct  Organized. — Building  of  Meet- 
ing House. — Organization  of  Churcli. — Woodstock's  Revolt. — Contest 
between  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut.— Cliurch  Division. — Various 
Town  Affairs 831 


/ 


XIV  TABLE   OF   CONTENTS. 

CHAPTEE   XXXnL 

^         *    -         *•    THE  TOWN  OF  WOODSTOCK  (CONCLUDED).  PAGE. 

Early  Industries. — Manufacturing. — Decline  of  Manufacturing. — Agriculture. 
— Woodstock  Agricultural  Society. — Senexet  Grange. — Theft  Detecting 
Society. — Woodstock  Academy. — Chiu^ch  on  Woodstock  Hill. — The  Sec- 
ond Church. — Baptist  Chvirches. — East  Woodstock  Church. — Methodism. 
— Universalist  Church. — Advent  Christian  Church. — Present  Condition. 
— Public  Celebrations. — Biographical  Sketches. 876 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

THE  TOWN  OF  KILUNGLY. 

Location  and  Description. — Original  Killingly. — The  Whetstone  Country. — 
First  Proprietors. — Attempts  at  Settlement. — Bounds  and  Claims, — Set- 
tlers and  Settlement. — The  Town  Organized. — LocaUties.— Counterfeit- 
ers.— General  Progress. — Taking  Care  of  the  Poor. — Highways. — Early 
Manufactuiing. — Prosperity  of  Manufacturing  Interests. — The  Gospel 
Ministry. — Meeting  House  Controversy. — The  Second  Society  formed. — 
South  KHlingly  Church 931 

CHAPTER   XXXV. 

THE  TOWN  OF  KILLINGLY  (CONCLUDED). 

Cliestnut  Hm.— Baptist  Churches.— Cottoti  :klills.— Elliottville  Mills.— Elm- 
ville  Mills.— Attawaugan  Mills.- M.  E.  Church.- Ballouville.— Dayville. 
— Manufactories. — Churches. — Societies. — WilUamsville. — The  Borough 
of  Danielsonville, — Public  Works. — Great  Freshet.— Schools. — Churches. 
— Banks. — Music  Hall. — Manufacturing  Establishments. — Masonic  and 
other  Societies. — Newspapers. — Biographical  Sketches 948 

CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

THE  TOWN  OF  ASHFORD. 

The  Wabbaquasset  Country. — Land  Speculators. — Settlement  of  Ashford. — 
Major  Fitch. — James  Corbin. — New  Scituate. — The  Town  Established. — 
Titles  Confirmed. — Common  Proprietors. — Land  Controvei-sies. — Civil 
Disorder. — L-Iilitary  Company. — Population  and  Growth. — Public  Morals 
ajKi  Order. — Growth  of  the  Settlement.— Early  Town  Officers. — Land 
Title  War. — Days  of  the  Revolution. — Visit  of  President  Washington. — 
Post  Office,  Taverns  and  Pi-obate  Court. — Honored  Sons. — Roads  and 
Bridges.— Schools. — Ecclesiastical  History. — Fu-st  Chm-ch. — The  Great 
Revival  and  the  Separates. — We.-tford  Congregational  Church. — Meet- 
ing Houses  and  Ministers. — Firot  Baptist  Church. — Eminent  Men  of 
Westford.— Baptist  Church  of  Westford. — Manufacturing  in  Westford. — 
Warrenville  Baptist  Church. — Manufacturing  and  Business  at  Warreu- 
vLUe. — Eminent  Sons  of  Ashford. — Babcock  Library  and  Band. — Bio- 
graphical Sketch  990 

CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

THE  TOWN   OF    EASTFORD, 

Location  and  Description. — Organized  as  an  Ecclesiastical  Society. — Cotton 
Mills. — Search  for  Gold. — Latham  Twine  Mill. — Smith  Snow. — Crystal 
Lake. — Factories    of    Eastford    Village, — Cotton    and  Woolen,  Wagon 


TABLE   OF  CONTENTS.  XV 

-  PAGE. 

Wheels,  Leather,  Boots  and  Shoes,  Axes  and  Hatchets,  Carriages, 
Scythes,  Plow  Etandles  and  Beams,  Bobbins.— Tovm  Incorporation. — 
Communication. — Honored  Sons. — Congregational  Church.  —The  Society 
of  North  Ashford. — The  Methodist  Church.— Slinisters  and  Teachers,— 
The  "Church  of  Bacchus." — Creamery. — Biographical  Sketch... 1027 

.     CHAPTER  XXXYin. 
Personal  Paragpraphs. ..1042 


PORTRAITS.  

Aldiich,  David  L 468 

Aldrich,  Edward. 720 

Arnold,  WUHam  S 815 

Atwood,  James  S. •  •..■..... 470 

Atwood,  William  A •••'.•  •  •  ■  ■  • •  •  982 

Babcock,  WiUiam  S ...-'. 471 

Baldwin,  Lloyd  E. , ... ... . . . . . ... ... ... 365 

Bartholomew,  William  I ...^ 550 

Bates,  Ambrose  H 620 

Bates,  Gustavus  D 817 

Bates,  Jerome  E -  721 

Beebe,  William  S. 722 

Bishop,  Ebenezer . .  909 

Bowen,  Stephen  O 1040 

Briggs,  Lucius 728 

Buck,  George 816 

Bugbee,  Edwin  H 984 

Burgess,  Frank  S 195 

Card,  David  C 182 

Carpenter,  Elisha 146 

Carpenter,  John  A 818 

Chaffee,  J.  Dwight 367 

Child,  Abel 910 

Cleveland,  Edward  Spicer 389 

Converse,  Abiel 150 

Converse,  Elisha  S 782 

Converse,  James  W , 730 

Cranska,  Floyd 472 

Dean,  Ezra ..... 912 

Elliott,  Henry 734 

Evans,  Thomas  J 986 

Fox,  John  0 819 

Fuller,  Lucius  H 820 

Green,  Marquis 913 

Greene,  Albert  C 473 

Greenslit,  David 390 

Griggs,  David  A 424 

Grosvenor,  William 736 

Haskins,  Rufus  T 407 

Hatch,  Jonathan 306 

Holt,  George  W.,  Jr 822 

Hopkins,  Timothy  E 987 


XVI  TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

.  PAGE. 

Hutchins,  Joseph 474 

Jillson,  William  C 368 

Knowlton,  Danford 1024 

Lamed,  Ellen  D 714 

Lincoln,  Edgar  S 425 

Lyon,  WiUiani,  4th 914 

McClellan,  John 915 

Manning,  James  W 824 

Mathewson,  Rufus  S , , 552 

May,  Charles  H. 916 

Messenger,  Frank  M 739 

Miller,  Gardner  L 188 

Milner,  Edwin '. 476 

Morse,  George  M 827 

Morse,  Joseph  M , 918 

Morse,  Milton  S 826 

Moseley,  Samuel  S 392 

Moulton,  George  S 307 

Murdock,  George  T ,   740 

Murdock,  G.  Thurston 741 

Nichols,  Franklin 743 

Osgood,  Charles  H 554 

Paine,  Almond  M. 988 

Palmer,  William  F. . . . .. 408  ' 

Parker,  Alfred  M 828 

Penrose,  John  J 154 

Perry,  Oliver  H 920 

Phillips,  Gilbert  W 158 

Phipps,  Benjamin  F 744 

Pike,  James 622 

Putnam,  William  H. 602 

Ross,  William 426 

Sanger,  Marvin  H ' 514 

Scarborough,  George 604 

Seai-ls,  Charles  E .-. . .  160 

^ Smith,  Guilford 308 

^Spalding,  Chandler  A 830 

Sprague,  Samuel  B^ 410 

Stanton,  Avery  A " 623 

Stranahan,  J.  S.  T 478 

Thayer,  Charles  D 745 

Towne,  Marcus  F. 746 

Warner,  Alexander 556 

Westcott,  Henry 989 

Williams,  Francis 423 

Witter,  William  C 370 

Wood,  Darius 5l6 

VIENA/S,    ETC. 

Map  of  Windham  County 1 

Residence  of  George  Lothrop  Bradley 704 

The  "  Ben-Grosvenor  " 710 


ill] 
CONNECTICUT. 


W.  W.  PRESTOS  &  CO., 
■Pti'blisliers. 


HISTORY  OF  WINDHAM  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  I. 


GEOGRAPHICAL    AND    DESCRIPTIVE. 


Physical  Features. — Location. — Shape  and  Area. —  Subdivisions. —  Surface. — 
Rivers  and  Brooks. — Agricultural  and  Manufacturing  Advantages. — Pro- 
ductions.— Manufactures. — Railroads  and  Transportation. — Old  Stage  and 
Freight  Wagons. — Taverns  of  the  Olden  Time. — The  Hilltop  Settlements. — 
Romantic  Scenery  and  Historic  Associations. — Geological  Formation  and 
Resources. — Elevations  of  Land. 


WINDHAM  COUNTY  occupies  the  northeastern  corner 
of  the  state  of  Connecticut,  bordering  Worcester  county, 
Massachusetts,  lying  on  the  north,  and  Providence  and 
Kent  counties  in  Rhode  Island  on  the  east.  New  London  county 
bounds  it  on  the  south  and  Tolland  on  the  west.  Its  greatest 
length,  from  north  to  south,  is  twenty-seven  miles,  and  its 
greatest  width,  from  east  to  west,  is  twenty-three  miles.  Its 
north,  east  and  south  sides  are  nearly  straight  lines,  while  on 
the  west  side  its  territory  interchanges  offsets  with  Tolland. 
The  greatest  variation  in  the  line  made  by  these  offsets,  how- 
ever, does  not  exceed  six  miles.  This  occurs  on  the  northwest 
corner,  where  the  town  of  Union  makes  an  advance  of  about  the 
distance  mentioned.  We  may  explain  that  the  longest  north 
and  south  line  would  be  drawn  from  the  northwest  corner  of 
Thompson  to  the  southwest  corner  of  Plainfield,  and  the  longest 
east  and  west  line  would  be  drawn  from  the  northwest  corner 
of  Windham  to  the  Rhode  Island  line,  about  the  middle  of 
Sterling. 

The  county  contains  an  area  of  six  hundred  and  twenty  square 
miles  and  a  population,  by  the  last  census,  of  43,866.    This  num- 
ber, however,  comprehends  the  population  of  VoluntOAvn,  then 
1,186,  which   has   since  been   set  off   from  Windham   to   New 
1 


2  HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

London.  The  population  at  present  would  doubtless  still  ex- 
ceed that  of  the  census  year,  since  the  rapid  growth  of  seYcral 
of  its  manufacturing  villages  would,  several  times  make  up  the 
deficiency  caused  by  the  loss  of  that  town.  The  county  as  now 
constituted  contains  the  towns  of  Ashford,  Brooklyn,  Canterbury, 
Chaplin,  Eastford,  Hampton,  Killingly,  Plainfield,  Pomfret,  Put- 
nam, Scotland,  Sterling,  Thompson,  Windham  and  Woodstock, 
fifteen  in  all ;  and  included  in  these  towns  are  the  incorporated 
borouehs  of  Danielsonville  and  Willimantic. 

The  surface  is  rugged  and  broken.    But  few  spots  of  level  land 
to  any  considerable  extent  of  area  may  be  found  in  the  county.- 
The  most  noticeable  is  the  stretch  of  tolerably  level  valley  that 
extends  in  a  northeasterly  and  southwesterl)'  direction  through 
the  heart  of  Plainfield  and  southern  part  of  Canterbury.     This 
covers  a  length  of  perhaps  ten  miles,  and,  though  in  some  parts 
of  the  country  it  would  be  called  decidedly  rolling,  its  character 
is  by  comparison  with  its  surroundings  so  nearl}-  level   that  it 
was  called  by  the  early  settlers  the  "  plains,"  and  so  gave  name 
to  the  town  of  Plainfield. 
r     The  rugged  character  of  the  surface,  of  which  we  have  spoken, 
while  it  is  opposed  to  the  most  felicitous  advancement  of  the 
arts  of  agriculture,  affords  two  features  of  great  advantage  to 
the  county,  and  which  are  indeed  the  main  sources  of  prosperity, 
.  either  realized  in  the  present  or  expected  in  the  future.     These 
are  the  copious  streams  and  rapid  falls,  which  have  invited  the 
.   numerous   manufacturing   industries  for  which  the  county  is 
'C^noted,  and  the  never  ending  variety  and  natural  magnificence 
of  its  scenery  which  have  fascinated  thousands,  and  for  which 
the  county  is  equally  celebrated.     Although  the  hills  have  no 
regular  grouping,  yet  in  general  they  are  cast  into  ridges  run- 
ning north  and  south,  and  down  the  valleys  so  formed  numerous 
streams  flow  in  a  generally  southward  direction.     So  numerous 
are  these  streams  that  hardly  a  square  mile  can  be  found  in  the 
whole  county  but  upon  it  may  be  found  a  site  for  a  saw  mill  or 
some  more  considerable  manufacturing  enterprise.    With  a  very 
slight  exception,  in  the  northwestern   part  of  Woodstock,  the 
entire  county  is  drained  by  the  Quinebaug,  Natchaug,  Willi- 
mantic and  Shetucket  rivers,  the  waters  of  all  of  which  finally 
empty  into  the  ocean  through  the  Thames. 

Along  the  valleys  of  these  streams  the  soil  is  fertile,  and  upon 
the  hillsides  in  years  gone  by  agriculture  was  successfully  car- 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  3 

ried  on.  This  industry,  however,  has  in  many  parts  of  the 
county  greatly  declined,  and  the  agricultural  population  has 
decreased  in  numbers,  while  the  manufacturing  population  in 
the  villages  has  largely  increased.  The  agricultural  interests  of 
the  county  are  still  important.  The  value  of  farms,  with  im- 
provements and  buildings  thereon,  is  about  nine  million  dollars, 
and  the  county  contains  one  hundred  and  ninety  thousand  acres 
of  improved  farm  land,  divided  into  three  thousand  farms.  It  is 
estimated  that  these  farms  annually  produce  about  one  and  a 
half  million  dollars  worth.  The  most  important  of  these  pro- 
ductions are  annually  about  180,000  bushels  of  Indian  corn, 
140,000  bushels  of  oats,  275,000  bushels  of  potatoes,  50,000  tons 
of  hay,  20,000  bushels  of  buckwheat,  17,000  bushels  of  rye,  4,000 
bushels  of  barley  and  about  $15,000  worth  of  orchard  fruit.  The 
dairy  products  consist  of  about  three  hundred  and  fifty  tons  of 
butter  and  eighty  tons  of  cheese.  In  the  last  mentioned  product 
it  exceeds  any  other  county  in  the  state  except  Litchfield.  There 
are  employed  on  farms  some  five  thousand  horses  and  about  half 
the  number  of  working  oxen.  The  facilities  for  grazing  accom- 
modate about  twenty  thousand  head  of  cattle,  twelve  thousand 
of  which  are  milch  cows.  Sheep  husbandry  receives  some  at- 
tention, about  seven  thousand  sheep  being  kept,  and  their  an- 
nual fleece  amounts  to  twenty-nine  thousand  pounds  of  wool. 
About  seven  thousand  hogs  are  annually  fattened.  The  forest 
growth  of  the  county  is  considerable.  Besides  wood  for  various 
manufacturing  purposes  considerable  lumber,  including  shingles, 
is  obtained  from  the  forests  which  cover  large  areas  of  the  hills. 
The  most  common  kinds  of  wood  are  the  hickory,  oak,  elm, 
beech,  pine  and  other  trees. 

The  largest  river  of  the  county  is  the  Quinebaug.  This  rises 
in  Worcester  county,  Mass.,  and  flowing  the  entire  length  of 
this  county,  joins  the  Shetucket  in  New  London  county.  Its 
course  is  through  the  eastern  part  of  Windham  county,  where  it 
forms  the  entire  western  boundary  of  Killingly  and  the  eastern 
boundary  of  Brooklyn,  as  well  as  partial  boundary  of  Plainfield, 
Canterbury,  Pomfret  and  Putnam.  In  its  course  through  the 
county  it  receives  numerous  tributaries,  the  most  important  of 
which  are  Muddy  brook  from  Woodstock,  the  Assawaga  or  Five 
Mile  river  from  Thompson,  Putnam  and  Killingly,  the  Masha- 
moquet  from  Pomfret,  Blackwell's  brook  from  Brooklyn,  and  the 
Moosup  river  from  Plainfield  and  Sterling.     The  western  part 


4  HISTORY   OF   WIXDHAM    COUNTY. 

of  the  county  is  drained  by  the  Natchaug  river,  which  receives 
the  waters  of  several  brooks  from  Ashford,  which  form  Mount 
Hope  river,  as  well  as  several  other  branches  from  Woodstock, 
Ashford  and  Chaplin.  The  Natchaug  joins  the  Willimantic  a 
short  distance  east  of  the  village  of  the  latter  name,  and  the 
union  thus  formed  takes  the  name  Shetucket.  Little  river, 
draining  Hampton  and  the  west  side  of  Canterbury,  flows  into 
the  Shetucket  beyond  the  limits  of  the  county.  These  streams 
afford  power  for  a  large  number  of  manufacturing  establishments 
of  various  kinds  and  magnitude,  from  the  large  cotton,  silk  and 
thread  mills,  employing  hundreds  of  operatives,  down  to  the 
Woodside  saw  mill  tended  by  a  single  pair  of  hands. 

Windham  county  has  extensive  manufactures  of  cotton,woolen, 
silk  and  linen  thread,  besides  various  other  kinds.  The  last 
census  shows  288  establishments  engaged  in  this  branch  of  in- 
dustry. The  capital  employed  in  manufacturing  was  $14,026,975. 
The  number  of  operatives  employed  in  these  establishments  was 
4,789  men,  3,296  women,  and  1,643  children  and  youth  under  the 
ages  of  sixteen  years  for  males  and  fifteen  years  for  females. 
The  total  amount  of  wages  annually  earned  by  these  operatives 
was  $2,607,418.  The  value  of  material  used  was  $7,951,403 ;  and 
the  value  of  products  annually  finished  was  $14,022,290.  The 
principal  manufacturing  villages  are  Willimantic,  Danielsonville 
and  Putnam.  The  villages  of  Moosup,  Central  Village, Wauregan, 
Dayville  and  North  Grosvenor  Dale  are  also  prospering  under 
(^     the  stimulus  of  this  industry. 

The  county  is  fairly  supplied  with  railroad  facilities,  especi- 
ally through  the  central,  southern  and  eastern  parts.  i\n  ex- 
ception to  this  rem.ark  must  be  made  for  the  northwestern  part. 
The  towns  of  Woodstock,  Eastford  and  Ashford  are  not  touched 
by  any  railroad.  The  same  is  true  of  Brooklyn,  though  it  is 
almost  surrounded  by  railroads  but  a  short  distance  beyond  its 
borders.  Canterbury,  Scotland  and  Chaplin  each  have  a  railroad 
cutting  across  a  corner  of  the  town.  Altogether  the  county 
is  traversed  by  about  one  hundred  miles  of  railroad  line.  The 
New  York  &  New  England  railroad  traverses  the  county 
diagonally  from  the  southwest  corner  to  the  northeast  corner,  a 
distance  of  about  thirty-five  miles.  This  is  a  well  equipped, 
double  track  railroad.  The  Norwich  &  Worcester  railroad 
traverses  the  eastern  part  of  the  county,  from  north  to  south, 
making  a  length  within  the  county  of  twenty-eight  miles.     The 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  5 

Hartford  &  Providence  railroad  crosses  the  southeastern  cor- 
ner of  the  county,  making  within  it  a  distance  of  thirteen  miles. 
The  New  London  Northern  railroad  has  about  seven  miles  of 
its  length  in  the  southwest  corner,  and  the  Stockbridge  railroad 
has  about  five  miles  of  its  line  in  the  northeastern  corner. 

It  is  largely  to  these  railroad  facilities  that  the  present  pros- 
perity of  the  county  is  due.  A  native  writer  of  prominence  says  : 
"  Modern  Windham  dates  its  birth  from  the  first  whistle  of  the 
steam  engine.  That  clarion  cry  awoke  the  sleeping  valleys. 
Energy,  enterprise,  progress  followed  its  course.  At  every  stop- 
ping place  new  life  sprung  up.  Factory  villages  received  im- 
mediate impetus,  and  plentiful  supply  of  cotton.  Larger  manu- 
facturing enterprises  were  speedily  planned  and  executed,  for- 
eign help  brought  in  ;  capital  and  labor,  business  and  invention 
rushed  to  the  railroad  stations ;  innumerable  interests  and  in- 
dustries developed,  and  in  less  than  a  score  of  years  the  county 
w^as  revolutionized.  The  first  had  become  last  and  the  last  first. 
The  turnpike  was  overgrown,  stage  coach  and  cotton  team  had 
vanished,  the  old  hill  villages  had  lost  the  leadership,  and  new 
railroad  centers  held  the  balance  of  power  and  drew  to  them- 
selves the  best  bio  3d  and  energies  of  the  towns." 

The  Norwich  &  Worcester  railroad  was  commenced  in  the 
year  1 835,  and  was  opened  for  traffic  here  in  the  early  part  of  1839. 
The  Hartford  &  Providence  railroad  was  completed  as  far  as 
Willimantic  and  opened  for  use  December  1st,  1849.  That  por- 
tion of  the  road  which  extends  eastward  from  the  latter  point  to 
Providence  was  completed  and  opened  for  use  October  2d,  1854. 
The  New  York  &  New  England  main  line,  a  later  enterprise, 
was  completed  between  Willimantic  and  Putnam  in  1872,  and 
opened  for  use  in  August  of  that  year. 

Before  the  advent  of  railroads  raw  material  was  brought  into 
the  county,  and  the  manufactured  products  sent  out  by  means 
of  heavily  loaded  teams  hauling  long  distances  over  the  numer- 
ous turnpikes  and  public  roads  which  were  then  much  frequented 
thoroughfares,  but  are  now  many  of  them  almost  deserted  roads. 
Great  lines  of  travel  for  stage  coaches,  mail  routes  and  hauling 
goods  from  Boston  to  Hartford  and  New  York,  and  from  Provi- 
dence to  Hartford,  and  from  Worcester  to  Norwich  and  New 
London,  lay  through  this  county.  These  roads  in  those  days 
presented  scenes  of  considerable  activity.  Heavily  loaded  wagons, 
sometimes  with  eiarht  draft  horses  before  a  single  wagon,  made 


6  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNT W 

a  business  of  hauling  goods  back  and  forth  and  were  constantly 
on  the  road.  The  principal  manufacturing  village  of  this  county 
Avas  then  as  now  Willimantic,  and  stock  and  goods  were  inter- 
changed in  this  way  between  that  village  and  the  three  outlet 
cities  of  Hartford,  Providence  and  Norwich.  The  round  trip  to 
Hartford  or  Norwich  and  return  was  made  in  two  days,  while 
that  to  Providence  occupied  five  days.  Three  different  routes 
were  used  by  the  through  travel  from  the  eastern  cities  to  Hart- 
ford and  New  York;  a  southern  one,  passing  through  Plainfield, 
a  central  one  through  Windham  Centre  and  Scotland,  and  one 
more  northerly  passing  through  Brooklyn  and  Danielsonville. 
Then  there  were  other  routes  intersecting  some  of  the  more 
northern  towns. 

As  might  naturally  be  expected  houses  of  "  entertainment  for 
man  and  beast  "  were  frequent  all  along  these  routes.  These 
old  time  hostelries  were  commodious  and  afforded  the  means  of 
making  guests  comfortable  without  much  assumption  of  cold 
formalities.  However,  it  must  not  be  supposed  that  the  enter- 
tainers of  those  days  were  such  boorish  rustics  as  not  to  be  able 
on  occasion  to  display  such  dignified  graces  as  were  appropriate 
to  the  position.  But  the  material  cheer  to  be  found  in  the  well 
supplied  table  and  full  stocked  bar-room,  with  the  ample  accom- 
modations at  the  barn  for  their  horses,  was  what  the  traveling 
public  looked  for  with  more  interest  than  graces  of  manner. 
Many  of  these  old  inns  remain,  in  different  parts  of  the  county, 
to  remind  us  of  the  customs  of  our  fathers  and  grandfathers. 
Very  few  of  them,  however,  are  still  occupied  as  public  houses. 
The  spacious  stables,  often  capable  of  accommodating  twenty  to 
forty  horses,  which  were  a  necessary  accompaniment  to  these 
houses,  have  in  most  cases  been  removed  or  are  in  an  advanced 
stage  of  dilapidation.  But  whether  occupied  now  as  private 
dwellings  or  half  deserted  hotels,  they  have  their  own  several 
memories  and  legends  which  are  faithfully  preserved,  and  many 
are  the  noteworthy  traditions  related  by  their  occupants,  of  the 
general  character  of  the  house,  the  arrangement  of  its  accom- 
modations, the  entertainment  of  some  distinguished  guest,  the 
■jokes  of  some  regular  patron,  the  enactment  of  some  hair-stiffen- 
ing tragedy,  the  excessive  jubilations  of  some  disciple  of  Bacchus, 
or  the  winter  night  revelries,  when  the  moon  was  full  and  "  the 
snow  was  crusted  o'er,"  of  the  young  blood  of  generations  whose 
scattered  remnant  are  now  in  their  decay.     A  few  of  these  old 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  7 

thoroug-h fares  were  "  turnpikes,"  and  had  toll  gates  upon  them, 
while  others  were  public  roads  exacting  no  toll.  But  the  toll- 
gate  pike,  the  stage  coach,  the  long  line  freight  wagons  and  the 
roadside  inn  are  things  of  the  past. 

The  main  settlements  of  early  date  in  many  of  the  towns  of 
this  county  are  located  on  hilltops.  This  remarkable  feature, 
while  it  is  not  without  some  advantages,  has  also  its  disadvan- 
tages. Among  the  latter  may  be  mentioned  difficulty  of  access 
from  neighboring  towns  or  even  the  surrounding  valleys,  a;s 
well  as  exposure  to  the  cold  winds  of  winter.  On  the  other  hand 
the  magnificent  outlook  thus  afforded  to  the  residents  is  a  "thing 
of  beauty"  on  a  grand  scale,  and  therefore  must  be  a  "  joy  for- 
ever." It  is  said  that  those  who  planned  these  settlements  con- 
sidered such  elevated  locations  more  safe  from  the  attacks  of 
Indians  than  valley  sites  would  be.  Certainly  an  approaching 
band  of  Indians  could  be  more  readily  discovered  from  the  hill- 
top than  from  the  low  ground.  But  though  no  such  necessity 
for  precaution  exists  at  this  time,  we  think  it  would  be  with  re- 
luctance that  the  people  would  remove  their  homes  from  these 
commanding  sites  to  the  valleys  below.  These  villages  are  of 
the  true  New  England  type.  A  wide  street,  which  might  with 
more  propriety  be  called  a  lawn,  is  lined  on  either  side  with 
comfortable  and  commodious  dwellings,  sufficiently  separated 
to  eive  each  some  sense  of  retirement.  Shade  trees  that  have 
grown  to  massive  proportions  wave  in  luxuriant  stateliness  over 
broad  stretches  of  the  greenest  and  smoothest  lawn,  that  lie  on 
either  side  of  the  beaten  roadway.  In  the  central  part  of  the 
village  this  velvet  lined  street  widens  into  a  sort  of  public 
square,  of  the  same  green  carpeting  and  under  the  same  canopy 
of  dark  foliage.  Here  one  or  two  churches  and  sometimes  a 
town  hall  appear.  Looking  from  the  immediate  surroundings, 
which  seem  too  pure  and  guileless  and  restful — like  a  hallowed 
Sabbath  crystalized  into  living  realization — to  come  into  contact 
with  the  contaminating  arts  and  usages  of  trade  and  business, 
the  prospect  as  the  eye  sweeps  almost  the  circle  of  the  horizon, 
is  one  Avhich  the  citizens  of  many  sections  of  our  country  would 
make  long  pilgrimages  to  see.  The  most  elaborate  description 
of  the  distant  objects — winding  stream,  darkening  vale,  hillside 
woods,  cultivated  farms,  nestling  cottages,  factory  village  and 
mill,  railroad  trail  through  cut  or  over  embankment,  moving 
trains,  tell-tale  church  spires,  and  numberless  other  points  upon 


8  HISTORY   OF    WIXDHAM    COUNTY. 

which  the  eye  rests  as  we  sweep  the  circle,  all  of  which  are 
half  enshrouded  in  the  mist  of  distance,  that  distance  which 
"lends  enchantment" — the  most  elaborate  description  of  all 
these,  we  say,  cannot  give  the  charming  and  inspiriting  im- 
pression which  this  cycloramic  view  inspires. 

Abounding  as  it  does,  in  some  of  the  most  enchanting  scenery 
that  picturesque  New  England  can  present,  the  local  story  and 
circumstance  and  character  of  its  people,  of  former  as  well  as 
present  generations,  are  no  less  full  of  enrapturing  interest. 
The  part  that  Windham  has  played  in  affairs  concerning  the 
state  and  nation  has  ever  been  an  honorable  one,  and  the  sons 
of  Windham  have  inscribed  their  names  high  among  those 
whom  Columbia  delights  to  honor.  Well  may  those  whose 
nativity  is  here  be  proud  of  their  honorable  birthright,  and 
those  who  at  later  periods  have  made  this  count}^  their  home 
may  safely  feel  that  they  have  gained  a  place  in  a  grander  so- 
ciety than  that  to  which  men  aspired  in  ancient  times  when 
"  with  a  great  price  "  they  purchased  the  liberty  of  Roman  citi- 
zenship. 
,    The  geological  resources  of  this  county  are  not   rich.     The 

/valuable  minerals  which  add  to  the  wealth  of  many  sections  in 
the  central  and  western  parts  of  the  state  are  almost  entirely 
wanting  here.  The  surface  is  of  secondary  formation,  and  con- 
tains no  minerals  such  as  are  found  in  the  ranges  of  trap  rock 

I  which  pass  through  the  central  and  western  parts  of  the  state. 
It  may  be  that  underlying  the  surface  formation  at  considerable 
depth  there  are  layers  of  red  sandstone  or  freestone  such  as  ap- 
pear on  the  borders  of  and  underlying  the  trap  ranges  along  the 
valley  of  the  Connecticut  river.  It  is  not  probable  that  coal 
formation  exists  at  all  beneath  the  surface  of  this  county.  Widely 
differing  from  the  ridges  of  western  Connecticut,  so  rich  in  their 
varied  deposits  of  building  stone,  micaceous  slate,  copper,  lead, 
silver,  bayrites,  hydraulic  lime,. cobalt,  hematite  iron  ore,  monu- 
mental limestone,  slate  and  marble,  this  whole  section  is  granitic 
and  metamorphic,  and  is  thrown  into  gentle  and  sometimes 
rugged  hills  which  are  capable  of  cultivation  to  their  very  sum- 
mits. Clay,  suitable  for  the  manufacture  of  bricks,  is  found  in 
different  parts  of  the  county,  and  this  is  being  worked  to  some 
extent,  especially  in  the  valley  of  the  Quinebaug.  In  the  valleys 
may  be  seen  evidences  of  glacial  action,  and  immense  drift  de- 
posits.    One  of  the  most  curious  examples  of  this  kind  may  be 


^  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  9 

seen  in  the  valley  just  northeast  of  Hampton  hill,  where  an 
almost  perfect  dome  of  earth  an  acre  or  more  in  extent  rests 
upon  the  bosom  of  the  deep  valley,  plainly  showing  that  it  was 
deposited  there  by  the  settling  of  a  glacial  burden  beneath  the 
flood  of  pre-historic  waters,  and  then  its  sides  were  .smoothed 
and  rounded  by  the  action  of  those  waters  as  they  receded.  This 
mound  is  now  beautifully  occupied  as  a  burial  place  for  the  dead. 
The  azoic  rocks,  which  are  of  granitic  or  gneissoid  character, 
are  with  very  few  and  inconsiderable  exceptions,  buried  many 
feet  beneath  the  surface  with  these  drift  deposits. 

The  general  trend  of  these  hills  and  valleys  is  north  and  south, 
though  they  are  in  many  places  so  very  irregular  as  hardly  to 
have  any  perceptible  uniformity  in  this  respect.  They  are  gen- 
erally composed  of  sand,  varying  in  fineness,  gravel  and  coarser 
stones,  all  of  which  bear  evidences  of  attrition  with  water.  In 
some  of  the  valleys  a  loamy  soil  appears,  and  as  we  have  pre- 
viously stated  beds  of  clay  are  found  in  some  places.  These 
hills  rise  to  a  height  of  from  fifty  to  three  hundred  feet,  and 
their  western  slopes  rise  gradually  from  the  average  level,  while 
their  eastern  slopes  are  generally  more  decidedly  abrupt  and 
sometimes  precipitous. 


CHAPTER  II, 


THE    ABORIGINAL    OCCUPANTS. 


Algonquin  Tribes. — The  Mohegans. — The  Nipmucks. — TheWabbaqua^setf. — Nar- 
ragansett  Claims. — The  Quinebaugs. — The  Pequot  Ascendency. — Language 
and  Customs  of  the  Indians. — Their  Implements  and  Arts. — Superstitions. — 
Indian  Allegiance. — The  "Whetstone  Country. — Intertribal  Warfare. — Aveng- 
ing an  Insult.— Uncas  and  Owaneco. — Christian  Influence  and  the  "  Praying 
Indians." — Visit  of  Eliot  and  Gookin. — King  Philip's  War. — Its  Disastrous 
Effect  upon  the  "  Praying  Towns." — Unjust  Treatment  of  the  Indians  by  the 
English. — Indian  Shrewdness. — Close  of  King  Philip's  War. 


WHEN  our  eyes  look  abroad  over  the  beautiful  scenery 
which  has  been  made  still  more  beautiful  by  the  arts 
of  civilized  man,  it  is  but  a  natural  instinct  that 
prompts  us  to  inquire  what  were  the  conditions  under  which 
civilization  was  planted  here,  and  what  was  the  social  condition 
w^hich  preceded  it.  We  know  that  but  a  short  quarter  millennium 
has  passed  since  the  country  now  occupied  by  grand  old  Wind- 
ham county  was  the  home  and  undisputed  domain  of  the  un- 
lettered savage.  But  where  he  had  come  from,  or  how  long  he 
had  occupied  these  commanding  hills  and  graceful  valleys,  or 
whom  he  had  supplanted,  or  what  had  been  the  vicissitudes  of 
his  weal  and  woe  in  the  dim  and  distant  past,  were  questions 
that  evoked  no  response  beyond  their  own  echoes.  The  story 
of  human  love  and  hatred,  hope  and  despair,  success  and  failure, 
which  made  up  the  lives  of  those  who  had  for  unknown  cen- 
turies occupied  these  hills  and  valleys,  brooks  and  lakes,  forests 
and  glens,  was  to  the  civilized  world  a  sealed  book,  which  noth- 
ing but  the  thunder  that  shall  wake  the  dead  at  the  last  day  will 
ever  open.  But  the  students  of  Indian  history  have  expended  great 
labor  and  pains  upon  the  subject,  and  to  them  we  are  indebted 
for  the  translation  of  some  of  the  Indian  traditions  which  had 
'  well  nigh  passed  into  oblivion,  from  which  we  may  gather  ma- 
terial for  conjecture  amounting  to  even  probability  in  regard  to 
some  of  the  Indian  history  of  the  dark  period. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  11 

The  North  American  Indians  were  subdivided  into  a  great 
many  tribes  of  more  or  less  nnmerical  magnitude.  These  were 
scattered  over  the  country  with  no  organized  association  what- 
ever, and  took  their  names  from  the  natural  features  of  the 
country  where  they  frequented,  whether  mountain,  lake,  river, 
bay  or  island.  But  from  similarity  in  language  and  some  other 
respects  it  has  been  possible  to  group  these  fragmentary  tribes 
into  some  show  of  order  in  a  few  great  families  or  nations  of 
aboriginal  people.  Of  these  the  Algonquin  tribes  were  numeri- 
cally the  most  powerful  in  America,  though  others  may  have 
been  superior  in  warlike  vigor  and  prowess.  All  the  Indians  of 
New  England  were  branches  of  this  stock,  those  of  the  territory 
occupied  by  Windham  county  being  generally  included  in  the 
Mohegan  tribe,  a  subdivision  of  the  Algonquin.  The  Indian 
neighbors  on  the  south  were  the  famous  and  fiercely  warlike 
Pequots,  whose  sachem  held  his  residence  in  a  large  fortress  on 
a  commanding  hill  in  what  is  now  Groton,  thence  making  fre- 
quent incursions  into  the  surrounding  country  and  retiring  to  his 
stronghold  whenever  he  could  not  safely  keep  the  field.  To  the 
honor  of  the  Mohegan  tribe  it  may  be  said  that  they  from  first 
to  last  proved  friendly  to  the  whites.  It  is  asserted  that  no  other 
Indian  tribe  in  New  England  can  claim  this  honor.  The  Mo- 
hegans  had  gained  by  conquest  a  portion  of  the  territory  of  the 
Nipmuck  tribe,  to  which  the  Indians  of  this  locality  had  be- 
longed, and  thus  the  Mohegan  jurisdiction  was  made  to  corres- 
pond generally  with  the  northern  border  of  Connecticut.  The 
Nipmuck  Indians  were  named  from  the  circumstance  that  they 
occupied  land  remote  from  the  seashore,  in  "the  fresh  water 
country."  One  of  their  favorite  resorts  was  the  great  lake, 
Chaubunnagunggamaug  or  Chabanakongkomuch,  meaning  the 
"boundary  fishing  place."  This  was  recognized  as  the  dividing 
line  or  bound  between  the  Nipmuck  and  the  Narragansett  ter- 
ritory. It  lies  a  few  rods  north  of  the  present  northern  boundary 
line  of  Windham  county,  and  the  Nipmucks  at  one  time  claimed 
land  some  eighteen  or  twenty  miles  south  of  it. 

The  northwestern  part  of  the  present  county  was  called  by 
the  Indians  Wabbaquasset,  meaning  the  "mat  producing  coun- 
try," on  account  of  the  reeds  or  rushes  that  grew  abundantly  in 
some  of  the  marshes.  The  natives  living  there,  as  was  usually 
the  case,  took  the  name  of  the  locality.  This  Wabbaquasset 
country  was  bounded  on  the  east  by  the  Quinebaug  river,  and 


12  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

extended  as  far  south  as  a  line  running  northwesterly  from  the 
junction  of  the  Assawaga  with  the  Quinebaug. 

The  hills  of  this  Wabbaquasset  countr}^  were  then,  as  now, 
abundant  in  fertility  and  famous  for  their  product  of  maize. 
Some  of  these  friendly  Indians,  it  is  said,  were  among  the  first 
of  the  natives  of  the  interior  to  meet  the  New  England  settlers 
at  Boston  in  commercial  transactions.  It  is  related  that  as  early 
as  1630  a  party  of  Indians  from  here,  with  Aquittimaug,  one  of 
their  number  as  leader,  loaded  themselves  with  sacks  of  corn 
and  tugged  it  on  their  backs  all  the  way  to  Boston  to  sell  to 
Winthrop's  infant  colony,  which  happened  then  to  be  in  great 
need  and  stood  ready  to  pay  a  good  price  therefor. 

The  Narragansetts. claimed  the  territory  east  of  the  Quine- 
baug, and  at  times  fiercely  contested  it  with  the  Nipmucks.  A 
quarry  of  rock  which  possessed  qualities  for  grinding  or  sharp- 
ening tools  lay  in  this  section  near  the  mouth  of  a  branch  of  the 
Assawaga  which  from  this  circumstance  took  the  name  Whet- 
stone brook.  This  quarry  was  called  Mahumsqueeg,  or  Mahmun- 
squeeg,  which  name  soon  became  applied  to  a  considerable 
stretch  of  land  north  and  south  on  the  east  side  of  the  Quine- 
baug, the  limits  of  course  being  altogether  indefinite. 

On  the  south  of  Wabbaquasset  and  Mahmunsqueeg  lay  the 
Quinebatig  country,  the  principal  part  of  which  was  the  territory 
now  occupied  by  Plainfield  and  Canterbury.  To  the  west  of  this 
and  covering  the  southwest  part  of  the  county  as  well  as  parts 
of  neighboring  divisions,was  an  indefinite  tract  of  country  bear- 
ing the  name  Mamasqueeg. 

Some  twenty  years  or  more  before  the  settlement  of  Connec- 
ticut by  white  men  the  Pequots  had  subdued  the  Quinebaugs 
and  Wabbaquassets  and  assumed  jurisdiction  over  all  the  terri- 
tory now  occupied  by  Windham  county,  supplanting  here  both 
the  Nipmucks  and  the  Narragansetts.  But  their  reign  w^as  to 
be  a  short  one.  They  in  turn  were  soon  supplanted  by  the  su- 
perior forces  of  English  civilization. 

Of  the  Indians  but  little  is  known.  They  were  subject  clans 
.of  little  spirit  or  distinctive  character.  They  were  few  in  num- 
bers and  scattered  in  location  of  their  favorite  residences.  The 
most  favorable  localities  were  occupied  by  a  few  families  while 
large  sections  were  left  vacant  and  desolate.  Their  dwellings 
were  poor,  their  weapons  and  utensils  rude  and  scanty.  They 
raised  corn  and  beans  and  made  baskets  and  mats.    A  few  rude 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  13 

forts  were  maintained  at  different  places.  They  were  evidently 
on  the  decline. 

But  little  has  been  preserved  of  their  language  or  their  cus- 
toms. They  lived  by  hunting  the  wild  game  upon  the  land  and 
fishing  from  the  lakes  and  cultivating  in  a  rude  way  the  soil. 
As  none  of  the  Indians  of  the  country  knew  anything  of  the  art 
of  working  iron  or  any  of  the  metallic  ores,  for  making  imple- 
ments of  any  kind,  they  were  compelled  to  supply  this  want 
with  sharp  stones,  shells,  claws  of  birds  and  wild  beasts,  pieces 
of  bones  and  other  things  of  that  kind  whenever  they  wished 
to  make  hatchets,  knives  and  such  instruments.  These  early 
implements  were  at  once  abandoned  as  soon  as  the  Europeans 
came  and  brought  them  metal  instruments.  These  were  at  once 
eagerly  sought  by  the  Indians  in  exchange  for  skins,  corn,  the 
flesh  of  animals  or  whatever  nature  had  placed  at  their  disposal 
that  was  of  value  to  the  whites. 

The  primitive  hatchets  were  made  of  stone,  and  were  nothing 
more  than  clumsy  wedges  about  six  inches  long  and  of  pro- 
portionate width.  For  a  handle  a  stick  was  split  at  one  end  and 
the  stone  inserted  in  the  cleft, where  it  was  firmly  tied.  A  groove 
was  generally  made  around  the  hatchet  to  receive  the  jaws  of 
the  split  stick.  Some  were  not  handled  at  all,  but  were  held  in 
the  hand  while  being  used.  Thongs  made  of  sinews  of  animals, 
strips  of  skin  or  perhaps  twisted  or  braided  shreds  of  grass  or 
bark  were  used  in  the  place  of  cords  or  ropes  to  tie  with.  The 
hatchets  were  mostly  made  of  a  hard  kind  of  rock  stone,  but 
some  were  made  of  a  fine,  hard,  apyrous  stone. 

One  of  the  most  important  uses  which  the  hatchet  served  was 
for  girdling  trees.  The  object  in  this  was  to  prepare  ground  for 
maize  fields.  Trees  thus  treated  would  soon  die,  and  then,  if 
small  trees,  they  were  pulled  out,  root  and  branches,  but  if  too 
large  for  that  they  were  not  materially  in  the  way  so  long  as 
they  were  dead  so  that  their  roots  drew  no  sustenance  from  the 
ground,  and  their  branches,  bearing  no  leaves,  could  offer  no 
shade  to  the  growing  corn.  In  this  way  they  cleared  the  land 
they  used  for  cultivation,  which  was  done  by  the  use  of  sharp 
sticks,  with  which  the  ground  was  rudely  and  imperfectly  torn  up. 
For  the  purposes  of  knives  they  used  sharp  pieces  of  flint  or 
quartz  or  some  other  kind  of  hard  stone,  and  sometimes  sharp- 
ened shells  or  pieces  of  bone. 


14  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Narrow,  angulated  pieces  of  stone  were  fastened  to  the  ends 
of  their  arrows  so  as  to  form  sharpened  points.  These  stones 
were  inserted  in  a  cleft  in  the  end  of  their  arrows  and  firmly 
bound  in  place  with  fine  cords.  They  were  commonl}"  made  of 
pieces  of  flint  or  quartz,  but  sometimes  other  hard  stones  were 
used,  and  sometimes  these  were  substituted  by  the  bones  of  ani- 
mals or  the  claws  of  birds  and  beasts. 

For  pounding  maize  they  generally  used  stone  pestles,  which 
were  about  a  foot  long  and  as  thick  as  a  man's  arm.  Sometimes 
wooden  pestles  were  used.  Their  mortars  were  made  of  the 
stumps  or  butts  of  trees,  the  end  being  hollowed  out  by  means 
of  fire.  The  pounded  maize  was  a  common  article  of  food  with 
them.  The  Indians  were  astonished  beyond  measure  when  they 
beheld  the  mills  erected  by  the  Europeans  for  grinding  corn  or 
other  grains.  When  they  saw  the  first  windmills  they  came  m 
numbers,  some  of  them  long  distances,  to  view  the  wonder,  and 
it  is  said  they  would  sit  for  days  together  observing  the  mill  at 
its  work.  They  were  slow  to  believe  that  it  was  driven  by  the 
wind.  Such  an  assertion  was  nonsense  to  them.  For  a  long 
time  they  held  the  opinion  that  the  mill  was  driven  by  the 
spirits  who  lived  within  it.  With  something  of  the  same  in- 
credulity they  witnessed  the  first  water  mills,  but  as  water  is  a 
more  tangible  element  than  wind  they  were  more  ready  to  ad- 
mit its  physical  effect  in  driving  the  mill. 

The  old  boilers  or  kettles  of  the  Indians  were  made  either 
of  clay  or  of  different  kinds  of  pot-stone  {Lapisollaris).  The  former 
consisted  of  a  dark  clay  mixed  with  grains  of  white  sand  or 
quartz  and  burnt  in  the  fire.  Many  of  these  kettles  had  two 
holes  near  the  upper  edge  on  opposite  sides,  through  which  a 
stick  could  be  passed,  by  means  of  w^hich  the  kettle  was  hung 
over  the  fire.  They  seldom  had  feet  and  were  never  glazed 
either  outside  or  inside.  Many  of  the  stones  used  in  the  manu- 
facture of  the  implements  spoken  of  were  not  found  in  this 
locality  but  were  brought  hither  from  some  other  part  of  the 
country,  either  in  the  raw  material  or  in  the  manufactured  form, 
some  of  them  perhaps  from  quite  remote  localities. 

The  old  tobacco  pipes  were  also  made  of  clay  or  pot-stone,  or 
serpentine  stone.  The  first  were  shaped  like  our  common  pipes 
of  that  material,  though  they  were  of  much  coarser  texture  and 
not  so  well  made.  The  stem  was  thick  and  short,  often  not 
more  than  an  inch  long,  though  sometimes  as  long  as  a  finger. 


■HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  15 

Their  color  resembled  that  of  our  clay  pipes  that  have  been  used 
for  a  long  time.  Some  of  the  pipes  that  were  made  of  pot-stone 
were  well  made.  Still  another  kind  of  tobacco  pipe  was  made 
of  a  very  fine,  red  pot-stone  or  a  kind  of  serpentine  marble. 
These  were  formed  with  great  ingenuity,  were  very  scarce,  and 
were  almost  never  used  by  any  others  than  the  chiefs.  The 
stone  of  which  these  were  formed  was  brought  from  a  long  dis- 
tance and  was  very  scarce.  Pipes  of  this  material  were  valued 
by  the  Indians  higher  than  the  same  bulk  of  silver.  The  cele- 
brated "pipe  of  peace"  was  made  of  this  kind  of  stone. 

After  the  overthrow  of  the  Pequots  their  lands,  according  to 
custom,  lapsed  to  their  conquerors.  Uncas,  having  joined  the 
English  against  the  Pequot  chieftain  Sassacus,  now  claimed  his 
land  on  the  ground  of  relationship,  and  to  his  claim  the  timid 
Wabbaquassets  quite  readily  yielded,  "  and  paid  him  homage 
and  obligations  and  yearly  tribute  of  white  deer  skins,  bear  skins 
and  black  wolf  skins."  With  the  Quinebaugs  Uncas  was  not  so 
successful.  His  right  to  their  allegiance  was  disputed  by  the 
Narragansetts,  and  for  many  years  the  land  was  in  contention, 
Uncas  extorting  tribute  when  he  could,  and  the  Quinebaugs 
yielding  homage  to  whichever  power  happened  for  the  time 
being  to  be  in  the  ascendency.  For  a  time  "  they  had  no  resi- 
dent sachem  and  went  as  they  pleased."  Afterward  they  con- 
sented to  receive  three  renegade  Narragansetts  whom.  Uncas 
allowed  to  dwell  among  and  exercise  authority  over  them.  These 
were  Allumps  [alias  Hyems),  Massashowett  and  Aguntus.  They 
were  wild,  ambitious  and  quarrelsome.  They  built  a  fort  at 
Egunk  hill,  another  near  Greenwich  Path,  and  a  third  at  Wanun- 
gatuck  hill,  where  they  were  compelled  to  dwell  a  whole  year 
for  fear  of  the  Narragansetts. 

The  Whetstone  country  was  also  in  conflict.  Uncas  claimed 
that  his  northern  bound  extended  to  the  quarry,  and  his  fol- 
lowers were  accustomed  to  resort  thither  for  whetstones,  but  its 
Nipmuck  inhabitants  "turned  off  to  the  Narragansetts."  Nemo 
and  Azzogut,  who  built  a  fort  at  Acquiunk,  a  point  at  the  junction 
of  the  Quinebaug  and  Assawaga  rivers,  now  in  Danielsonville, 
"  carried  presents  sometimes  to  Uncas,  sometimes  to  Pessacus." 
The  latter  was  at  a  time  sachem  of  the  Narragansetts,  being  the 
successor  of  Miantonomi.  This  fort  was  eleven  rods  fifteen 
inches  in  circumference,  four  or  five  feet  in  height,  and  occupied 
by  four  families.    Tradition  also  marks  this  spot  as  an  aboriginal 


16  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

battle  field,  the  scene  of  the  only  Indian  rencontre  that  is  re- 
ported with  any  fair  degree  of  distinctness. 

The  tragedy  referred  to  appears  to  have  developed  on  this 
wise.  The  Narragansetts  invited  their  Nipmuck  tributaries  to 
visit  them  at  the  shore  and  partake  of  a  feast  of  shell-fish.  The 
Nipmucks  later  returned  the  civility  by  inviting  the  former  to  a 
banquet  of  lamprey  eels.  The  shell-fish  were  greatly  relished 
by  the  Nipmucks  but  the  eels,  for  lack  of  dressing,  were  dis- 
tasteful to  the  Narragansetts.  Glum  looks  and  untasted  food 
roused  the  ire  of  the  Nipmucks.  Taunts  and  retorts  were  soon 
followed  by  blows  and  developed  into  a  free  fight,  in  which 
the  visitors,  being  unarmed,  suffered  most  disastrous  conse- 
quences. With  such  terrible  vengeance  did  the  Nipmucks  fall 
upon  them  that  only  two  of  their  number  escaped  to  carry  home 
the  news  of  the  massacre. 

The  Narragansetts  now  determined  to  avenge  the  blood  of 
their  fallen  comrades.  A  body  of  w^arriors  was  at  once  dis- 
patched to  the  land  of  the  Nipmucks,  where  they  found  them 
intrenched  at  Acquiunk,  on  the  east  of  the  Quinebaug.  Unable 
to  cross  the  stream  that  lay  between  them  and  their  foes  they 
threw  up  embankments  and  for  three  days  waged  war  across 
the  stream.  Many  were  slain  on  both  sides,  but  the  Nipmucks 
were  again  triumphant  and  forced  their  assailants  to  retire  with 
loss,  leaving  their  dead  on  the  field.  The  bodies  of  the  slain 
Nipmucks  were  buried  in  deep  pits  on  the  battle  ground,  which 
has  ever  since  been  known  as  the  Indian  Burying  Ground.  Nu- 
merous bones  and  trinkets  found  on  that  spot  give  some  credulity 
to  this  legend,  which  aged  Indians  took  great  delight  in  relating 
to  the  first  settlers  of  Killingly. 

During  the  years  of  settlement  of  the  neighboring  country, 
and  while  attempts  were  occasionally  being  made  by  the  strange 
white  people  to  establish  themselves  in  possession  of  some  of 
this  land,  and  while  sanguinary  conflicts  were  depleting  the 
numbers  of  the  neighboring  tribes,  the  Wabbaquassets  patiently 
submitted  to  the  authority  of  Uncas,  and  when  his  oldest  son, 
Owaneco,  was  grown  up,  received  him  as  their  sachem,  "their 
own  chief  men  ruling  in  his  absence."  In  1670  a  new  light 
dawned  upon  them.  The  influence  of  the  faithful  Indian  apostle, 
Eliot,  reached  this  benighted  region.  Young  Indians  trained  at 
Natick  went  into  the  Nipmuck  wilderness  and  gathered  the 
natives   into  "new  praying   towns"  and   churches.     Of  seven 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  17 

churches  gathered  three  were  in  the  territory  now  covered  by 
Windliam  county.  These  were  Myanexet  or  Manexet,  now  the 
northern  part  of  Woodstock,  Quinnatisset,  now  Thompson,  and 
Wabbaquasset,  now  the  southeastern  part  of  Woodstock. 

Joseph  and  Sampson,  only  sons  of  Petavit,  sachem  of  Haman- 
nesset,  now  Grafton,  came  as  Christian  missionaries  to  Wabba- 
quasset, and  for  four  years  labored  and  preached  faithfully 
throughout  this  region.  The  simple  and  tractable  Wabbaquassets 
hearkened  willingly  unto  the  gospel  thus  preached,  and  many 
were  persuaded  to  unite  in  church  estate  and  assume  some  of 
the  habits  of  civilization. 

They  observed  the  Sabbath,  they  cultivated  their  lands,  they 
gathered  into  villages.  The  largest  village,  comprising  some 
thirty  families,  was  called  Wabbaquasset.  Its  locality  has  not 
been  exactly  identified,  but  it  is  known  to  be  included  in  the 
present  town  of  Woodstock,  either  on  Woodstock  hill  or  in  its 
vicinity.  The  teacher  Sampson  had  his  residence  here,  and  un- 
der his  direction  wigwams  were  built,  the  like  of  which  were 
seen  in  no  other  part  of  the  country.  Of  the  magnitude  or  ex- 
act location  of  the  settlement  of  Myanexet  we  have  still  less 
knowledge.  It  is  said  to  have  been  upon  the  west  side  of  the 
Quinebaug  river  in  a  very  fertile  country,  and  comprised  about 
one  hundred  souls.  The  third  settlement,  Quinnatisset,  is  sup- 
posed to  have  been  on  Thompson  hill  and  to  have  been  about 
equal  in  size  with  the  second.  These  villages  and  their  in- 
habitants were  under  the  care  and  guidance  of  the  faithful 
Sampson,  who  held  religious  services  statedly,  and  endeavored 
to  civilize  and  elevate  them. 

In  September,  1674,  Major  Daniel  Gookin,  who  had  been  ap- 
pointed by  the  general  court  of  Massachusetts  as  a  magistrate 
over  the  Prajdng  Indians,  with  power  to  hold  courts  and  dis- 
charge other  similar  functions,  visited  these  villages  on  this 
errand.  He  was  accompanied  by  J\Ir.  Eliot  and  several  others, 
who  were  deeply  interested  in  witnessing  the  effects  of  civili- 
zation and  Christianity  upon  the  Indians.  The  object  of  the 
visit  was  to  confirm  the  churches,  settle  teachers  over  them  and 
to  establish  civil  government.  Religious  services  were  held, 
Mr.  Eliot  preaching  in  the  Indian  tongue.  On  September  15th 
they  reached  Myanexet,  where  John  Moqua  was  appropriately 
installed  as  their  minister.  Difficulties  being  in  the  way  they 
did  not  visit  Quinnatisset,  but  appointed  a  young  man  of  Natick, 
3 


18  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

called  Daniel,  to  be  their  minister,  the  appointment  being  ac- 
ceptable to  the  people  there. 

The  party  arrived  at  Wabbaquasset  on  the  evening  of  the  15th. 
Here  they  found  a  good  soil  and  a  ripening  crop  of  corn  which 
would  yield  not  less  than  forty  bushels  to  the  acre.  A  spacious 
wigwam,  about  sixty  feet  long  and  twenty  wide,  was  the  resi- 
dence of  the  sachem,  who  was  inclined  to  religion  and  had  the 
meetings  on  Sabbath  days  at  his  house.  The  sachem  was  absent 
but  his  squaw  admitted  them  and  hospitably  entertained  them. 
The  people  were  called  together,  among  them  Sampson,  their 
teacher,  and  a  good  part  of  the  night  was  spent  in  religious  ex- 
ercises and  conference.  One  grim  Indian  alone  sat  mute  and 
took  no  part  in  what  was  passing.  At  length,  after  a  great  space, 
he  arose  and  spoke,  declaring  himself  a  messenger  from  Uncas, 
sachem  of  the  Mohegans,  who  challenged  right  to  and  dominion 
over  this  people  of  AVabbaquasset.  "  Uncas,"  said  he,  "  is  not 
well  pleased  that  the  English  should  pass  over  Mohegan  river 
[Quinebaug]  to  call  his  Indians  to  pray  to  God." 

The  timid  Wabbaquassets  quailed  at  this  lofty  message  from 
their  sovereign  master,  but  Mr.  Eliot  answered  calmly,  "  that  it 
was  his  work  to  call  upon  men  everywhere  to  repent  and  em- 
brace the  Gospel,  but  he  did  not  meddle  with  civil  right  or  juris- 
diction." Gookin,  with  the  authority  befitting  his  office  as 
magistrate,  then  declared  unto  him  and  desired  him  to  inform 
Uncas  "  that  Wabbaquasset  was  within  the  jurisdiction  of  IMassa- 
chusetts,  and  that  the  government  of  that  people  did  belong  to 
them,  and  they  look  upon  themselves  concerned  to  promote  the 
good  of  all  people  within  their  limits,  especially  if  they  em- 
brace Christianity — 5^et  it  was  not  intended  to  abridge  the  Indian 
sachems  of  their  just  and  ancient  rights  over  the  Indians  in 
respect  of  paying  tribute  or  any  other  dues,  but  the  main  design 
of  the  JEnglish  was  to  bring  them  to  the  good  knowledge  of  God 
in  Christ,  and  to  suppress  among  them  their  sins  of  drunkenness, 
idolatry,  powwowing  and  witchcraft.  As  for  the  English,  thc}^ 
had  taken  no  tribute  from  them,  nor  taxed  them  with  anything 
of  that  kind."  At  this  the  meeting  ended  and  no  more  was 
heard  of  the  messenger  from  Uncas. 

On  the  day  following,  September  16th,  1674,  religious  services 
were  held  at  which  the  people  of  this  and  the  other  two  villages 
were  present,  after  which  Major  Gookin  held  a  court  and  estab- 
lished civil  government  among  them.  Sampson,  who  was  spoken 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  19 

of  as  "  an  active  and  ingenious  person,  Avho  spake  good  English 
and  read  well,"  was  approved  as  teacher  among  them,  and  Black 
James  was  appointed  constable.  Each  was  inducted  into  the 
office  to  which  he  was  appointed  with  an  appropriate  charge  to 
be  diligent  and  faithful  in  their  places,  and  the  people  were  ex- 
horted to  yield  them  proper  obedience  in  the  Gospel  of  Christ. 
He  then  published  a  warrant  or  order,  empowering  the  constable 
to  suppress  drunkenness  and  Sabbath  breaking,  and  especially 
powwowing  and  idolatry,  and  after  giving  due  warning,  to  appre- 
hend all  delinquents  and  bring  them  before  authority  to  answer 
for  their  misdeeds.  For  offenses  of  lesser  magnitude  he  was  to 
bring  them  before  Wattasa  Companum  of  Hassanamesset,  "  a 
grave  and  pious  man  of  the  chief  sachem's  blood," — but  for 
serious  offenses  like  idolatry  and  powwowing  to  bring  them  be- 
fore the  magistrate  Gookin  himself. 

Mr.  Eliot,  Major  Gookin  and  their  party  returned  the  same  day, 
being  well  pleased  with  the  success  of  the  efforts  which  had  been 
made  to  civilize  and  Christianize  the  Indians.  Seventy  families 
in  Windham  territory  had  been  brought  under  the  influence  of 
these  efforts  and  the  results  were  encouraging  to  the  expectation 
that  from  this  fair  beginning  light  would  shine  into  all  the  dark 
region  around  them. 

These  hopeful  prospects  were  soon  blighted.  The  Narra- 
gansett  (King  Philip's)  war  broke  out  in  the  following  summer 
and  swept  away  at  once  the  result  of  years  of  missionary  labor. 
The  villages  were  deserted,  the  churches  fell  to  pieces  and  the 
Praying  Indians  relapsed  into  savages.  The  Nipmucks  east  of 
the  Quinebaug  joined  the  Narragansetts,  and  the  f earful  Wabba- 
quassets  left  their  pleasant  villages  and  planting  fields  and 
threw  themselves  under  the  protection  of  Uncas  at  Mohegan. 
Early  in  August,  1675,  a  company  of  Providence  men,  under 
Captain  Nathaniel  Thomas,  went  out  in  pursuit  of  Philip,  who 
had  just  effected  his  escape  to  the  Nipmuck  country,  and  on  the 
night  of  August  3d,  reached  the  second  fort  in  that  country, 
"  called  by  the  Indians  Wapososhequash  "  (Wabbaquasset).  This 
was  on  a  hill  a  mile  or  two  south  of  w^hat  is  now  Woodstock  hill. 
Captain  Thomas  reports  "  a  very  good  inland  country,  well 
watered  with  rivers  and  brooks,  special  good  land,  great  quanti- 
ties of  special  good  corn  and  beans,  and  stately  wigwams  as  I 
never  saw  the  like ;  but  not  one  Indian  to  be  seen."  The  Wabba- 
-quassets  were  then  serving  wath  the   Mohegans,  and  aided  in 


20  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

various  forays  and  expeditions,  bringing  in  on  one  occasion 
over  a  hundred  of  Philip's  men,  so  that  each  warrior,  at  the  close 
of  the  campaign  of  1675,  was  rewarded  for  his  services  by  "a 
payre  of  breechis  "  from,  the  Connecticut  government. 

No  battle  or  skirmish  is  reported  during  the  war  as  occurring 
within  the  present  Windham  county  territory,  but  it  was  re- 
peatedly traversed  by  scouting  parties,  and  companies  of  soldiers 
were  sent  at  different  times  to  "  gather  all  the  corne  and  secure 
all  the  swine  that  could  be  found  therein."  In  June,  1676,  Major 
Talcot  went  out  from  Norwich  on  an  expedition  through  the  Nip- 
muck  country  with  240  English  soldiers  and  200  Indian  warriors. 
They  marched  first  to  Egunk,  where  they  hoped  to  salute  the 
enemy,  and  thence  to  Wabbaquasset,  scouring  the  woods  through 
this  long  tract,  but  found  the  country  everywhere  deserted.  At 
Wabbaquasset  they  found  a  fort  and  about  fort}^  acres  of  corn 
growing,  but  no  enemy.  The  village,  with  its  "  stately  wigwams," 
had  perhaps  been  previously  destroyed.  They  demolished  the 
fort,  destroyed  the  corn,  and  then  proceeded  to  Chaubongagum, 
where  they  killed  and  captured  fifty-two  of  the  enemy. 

In  this  connection  it  will  be  of  interest  to  quote  the  following 
paragraphs  from  an  article  by  Reverend  Martin  Moore  in  the 
American  Quarterly  Register  for  February,  1843.  Speaking  of 
the  Praying  Indians  in  both  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut,  he 
sa^^s : 

"  Philip's  war  produced  a  disastrous  effect  upon  these  praying 
towns.  He  formed  a  confederacy  among  the  natives  for  the 
purpose  of  exterminating  the  English.  He  used  every  possible 
art  to  draw  the  Praying  Indians  into  this  league.  The  English 
on  the  other  hand  feared  that  they  would  turn  traitors.  The 
praying  Indians  stood  between  two  fires.  Both  parties  needed 
their  assistance,  and  neither  of  them  dared  trust  them.  The 
number  of  praying  Indians  was  about  3,000.  The  whole  num- 
ber of  English  was  about  20,000.  Philip's  confederacy  probably 
numbered  less.  It  was  quite  an  object  with  both  parties,  who 
were  nearly  balanced,  to  secure  the  praying  Indians.  The  Eng- 
lish were  so  fearful  of  them  that  at  the  commencement  of  the 
contest  they  dared  not  take  them  to  the  war.  The  general 
court  finally  removed  them  to  Deer  island  in  Boston  harbor.  In 
December,  1675,  General  Gookin  and  Mr.  Eliot  visited  them. 
'  I  observed  in  all  my  visit  to  them,'  says  Gookin,  '  that  they 
carried  themselves  patiently,  humbly  and  piously,  without  mur- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  21 

nmi-in;j  or  complaining  against  the  English  for  their  sufferings 
(which  were  not  few),  for  they  chiefly  lived  upon  clams  and 
shell-fish  that  they  digged  out  of  the  sand  at  low  water.  The 
island  was  bleak  and  cold  ;  their  wigwams  were  poor  and  mean ; 
their  clothes  few  and  thin.  Some  little  corn  they  had  of  their 
own  which  the  court  ordered  to  be  fetched  from  their  planta- 
tions, and  conveyed  to  them  by  little  and  little  ;  also  a  boat  and 
man  was  appointed  to  look  after  them.  I  may  say  in  the  words 
of  truth  that  there  appeared  much  of  practical  Christianity  in 
this  time  of  their  trial.'  One  of  their  number  thus  bewailed  his 
condition  to  Mr.  Eliot :  '  Oh,  sir,'  said  he,  '  I  am  greatly  distressed 
this  day  on  every  side  ;  the  English  have  taken  away  some  of 
my  estate,  my  corn,  my  cattle,  my  plow,  cart,  chain  and  other 
goods.  The  enemy  Indians  have  taken  part  of  what  I  had  ;  and 
the  wicked  Indians  mock  and  scoff  at  me,  saying,  "  now  what  is 
come  of  your  praying  to  God?  "  The  English  also  censure  me 
and  say  I  am  a  hypocrite.  In  this  distress  I  have  nowhere  to 
look  but  up  to  God  in  the  heavens  to  help  me.  Now  my  dear 
wife  and  eldest  son  (through  the  English  threatening)  run  away, 
and  I  fear  will  perish  in  the  woods  for  want  of  food  ;  also  ni}^ 
aged  mother  is  lost,  and  all  this  doth  aggravate  my  grief.  Yet  I 
desire  to  look  up  to  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  in  whom  alone  is  help.' 
Being  asked  whether  he  had  not  assisted  the  enemy  in  their 
wars  when  he  was  amongst  them,  he  answered,  '  I  never  joined 
with  thern.  against  the  English.  Indeed  they  often  solicited  me, 
but  I  utterly  denied  and  refused  them.  I  thought  within  myself, 
it  is  better  to  die  than  fight  against  the  church  of  Christ.'  After 
the  war  had  raged  for  a  while  the  minds  of  the  English  were 
.softened  toward  them.  The)^  let  them  go  forth  to  the  war  under 
the  command  of  English  officers.  General  Gookin  says  that 
they  took  and  destroyed  not  less  than  four  hundred  of  Philip's 
men." 

"  Tradition  has  handed  down  to  us  some  anecdotes  respecting 
individuals,  which  exhibit  the  shrewdness  of  the  Indian  char- 
acter. Waban,  at  whose  wigwam  at  Nonantum  Mr.  Eliot  began 
to  preach,  was  commissioned  as  a  justice  of  the  peace.  Instead 
of  having  a  long  warrant,  needlessly  multiplying  Avords,  as  legal 
instruments  do  at  the  present  day,  he  was  accustomed  to  issue 
his  precepts  in  a  very  laconic  form.  When  he  directed  his  war- 
rant to  a  constable,  he  simply  wrote :  '  Quick  you  catch  um,  fast 
you  hold  um,  and  bring  um  before  me,  Justice  Waban.'     On  an- 


22  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

other  occasion  a  young  justice  asked  him  what  he  should  do 
with  Indians  after  they  had  had  a  drunken  fight,  and  entered 
a  complaint  against  any  of  their  number?  His  reply  was,  '  Whip 
um  plaintiff,  whip  um  defendant  and  whip  um  witnesses.' 

The  death  of  Philip  in  August,  1676,  closed  this  bloody  and 
destructive  war.  The  Nipmucks  found  themselves  almost  anni- 
hilated, "  I  went  to  Connecticut,"  said  Sagamore  Sam  of  Nash- 
away,  "  about  the  captives  there  and  found  the  English  had  de- 
stroyed those  Indians,  and  when  I  came  home  we  were  also 
destroyed."  The  grave  and  pious  Wattasa  Companum,  enticed 
away  by  Philip's  men,  was  executed  in  Boston.  Gookin  was  the 
only  magistrate  who  opposed  the  people  in  their  rage  against 
the  wretched  natives.  The  few  remaining  Nipmucks  found  a 
refuge  with  some  distant  tribes,  the  Wabbaquassets  remaining 
with  Uncas  at  ]Mohegan.  The  aboriginal  inhabitants  of  the 
future  Windham  county  were  destroyed  or  scattered,  and  their 
territory  opened  to  English  settlement  and  occupation. 


CHAPTER  III. 


SETTLEMENT. 


First  Attempts  at  Settlement. — The  Inter-Colonial  Route. — Purchase  of  Land  by 
John  Winthrop. — Indian  Title  and  Subsequent  Confirmation. — Dispute  as  to 
Colonial  Jurisdiction. — Indian  Claims  Revived. — Land  in  the  Market. — 
Influx  of  Speculators. — First  Lands  Laid  Out. — Boundary  Disputes  with 
Massachusetts. — Claims  of  Uncas  to  the  Wabbaquasset  Country. — Land  on 
the  Quinebaug  Sold. — Owaneco  Appoints  James  Fitch  his  Attorney  or  Guar- 
dian.— Makes  over  to  him  Mohegan  and  Wabbaquasset  Lands. — Fitch  Sells 
Land  to  Roxbury. — Joshua  Bequeaths  Land  to  Sixteen  Norwich  Gentlemen. 
— Agreement  of  the  Legatees. — Windham  Settlements  Made. — Depression  of 
Improvements  under  Andros — Slow  Progress  of  Settlement. — Religious  and 
Social  Affaii's. — Settlement  of  the  Disputed  Section  in  the  Southeast  Part  of 
the  County. — Some  of  the  Early  Settlers. — Early  Days  of  the  Quinebaug 
Country. — Settlement  in  the  Whetstone  Country  and  tlie  Volunteer's  Land. 


IN  the  early  commerce  between  the  colonies  of  Massachusetts 
and  Connecticut  a  popular  route  over  the  land  was  through 
the  region  now  covered  by  Windham  county.  Remote  from 
the  sea  shore,  and  possessing  no  navigable  lakes  or  rivers,  it  was 
perfectly  reasonable  that  this  territory  should  be  for  a  time 
overlooked,  or  rather  that  it  should  be  passed  by  as  a  goodly 
land  for  the  home-seekers  in  a  new  w^orld  to  locate  upon.  Ac- 
cessibility by  water  was  to  the  first  settlers  an  almost  absolutely 
essential  feature  in  any  site  chosen  by  them  for  the  planting  of 
a  little  colony.  But  w^e  may  well  imagine  that  the  fertile  valleys 
and  hills  of  this  beautiful  region,  and  the  picturesque  attractions 
of  the  future  Windham  did  not  long  remain  unnoticed.  The 
land  became  known  to  the  English  about  the  year  1635.  When, 
about  that  time,  the  early  colonists  began  to  traverse  the  "  hide- 
ous and  trackless  wilderness,"  on  the  way  from  Massachusetts 
to  the  Connecticut  river,  tradition  tells  us  their  encampment 
for  the  night  was  on  Pine  hill  in  Ashford.  A  rude  track,  called 
the  Connecticut  Path,  obliquely  crossing  the  Wabbaquasset 
country,  became  the  main  thoroughfare  of  travel  between  the 
two  colonies.    Hundreds  of  families  toiled  over  it  to  new  homes 


24  HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

in  the  wilderness.  The  fathers  of  Hartford  and  New  Haven, 
ministers  and  governors,  captains  and  commissioners,  govern- 
ment officials  and  land  speculators,  crossed  and  recrossed  over  it. 
Civilization  passed  to  regions  beyond  but  made  no  abiding  place 
here  for  more  than  half  a  century. 

One  of  the  most  indefatigable  land  speculators  of  that  period 
was  Mr.  John  Winthrop.  In  Massachusetts,  in  Rhode  Island,  in 
Connecticut  and  upon  Long  Island  his  tracks  may  be  seen,  as, 
first  in  one  locality  and  then  in  another,  he  obtained  title  more 
or  less  perfect  to  the  wild  lands  occupied  by  the  Indians.  Here 
in  the  territory  now  occupied  by  Windham  county  he  w^as  the 
first  Englishman  to  receive  from  the  natives  a  deed  for  an  in- 
definite quantity  of  land.  This  conveyance  bears  date  Novem- 
ber 2d,  1G53,  and  purports  to  have  been  given  b}^  James,  sachem 
of  Quinebaug,  and  confirmed  by  Massashowitt,  his  brother,  and 
also  to  have  been  made  with  the  consent,  "  full  and  free,"  of 
Aguntus,  Pumquanon,  Massitiarno,  his  brother,  and  Moas,  "  and 
all  the  rest  of  the  chief  men  of  these  parts."  The  confirmation 
by  others  than  James  was  made  on  the  25th  of  the  same  month, 
the  writings  being  witnessed  by  Richard  Smith,  Samuel  Smith, 
John  Gallop,  James  Avery  and  William  Weloma.  The  consid- 
erations named  were  "great  friendship  formerly  from  Mr.  Win- 
throp, sometime  governor  of  Massachusetts,"  the  father  of  the 
grantee,  and  the  fact  that  the  latter  had  erected  a  saw  mill  at 
Pequot.  which  the  grantors  consider  as  a  great  prospective 
means  for  developing  the  forest  resources  of  the  country.  The 
description  of  land  conveyed  was  as  follows :  "  the  bounds  thereof 
to  be  from  the  present  plot  of  the  Indians'  planting  ground 
at  OuinebauQ;,  where  lames,  his  fort  is,  on  a  hill  at  the  said 
Pautuxett,  and  so  down  towards  Shautuxkett  so  farr  as  the 
right  of  the  said  James  doth  reach  or  any  of  his  men  ;  so  farr  on 
both  sides  the  river  as  ye  right  of  ye  said  James  doth  reach  or 
any  of  his  men,  with  all  the  swamps  of  cedar,  pine,  spruce  or 
any  other  timber  and  wood  whatever."  The  name  Pautuxett,  a 
general  name  for  "  falls,"  here  refers  to  the  falls  at  Acquiunk. 

In  the  transactions  connected  with  this  conveyance  we  are 
told  a  Pequot  Indian,  well  known  by  the  name  of  Robin  Cassa- 
minon,  acted  as  interpreter.  One  of  the  Indians  named,  Aguntus, 
was  dissatisfied  with  the  transaction  and  accused  James,  also 
named  Hyems,  of  "  selling  land  that  was  not  his,"  and  com- 
pelled him,  in  the  presence  of  Winthrop,  to  pull  off  a  coat  which 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  25 

he  had  received  in  payment.  Aguntus's  dissatisfied  spirit,  how- 
ever, was  appeased  by  the  presentation  of  "  a  roll  of  trucking- 
cloth,  two  rolls  of  red  cotton,  %vampum,  stockings,  tobacco-pipes 
and  tobacco."  According  to  Trumbull  there  was  a  small  num- 
ber of  white  families  on  the  lands  at  the  time  of  the  purchase, 
but  no  trace  of  them  has  been  recovered.  An  Englishman  had 
attempted  to  settle  in  Quinebaug  about  the  year  1650,  but  was 
driven  off  by  the  threat  of  Hyems,  "  to  bury  him  alive  unless 
he  went  away. 

Governor  Winthrop  took  great  pains  to  secure  legal  confirma- 
tion of  this  purchase.  The  Narragansetts  were  precluded  from 
prosecuting  their  ancient  claim  to  this  territory  by  an  especial 
clause  in  the  agreement  made  by  himself  and  John  Clarke  as 
agents  for  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island,  concerning  the  divid- 
ing line  between  their  respective  governments,  which  provided 
that  "  if  any  part  of  that  purchase  at  Quinebaug  doth  lie  along 
upon  the  east  side  of  that  river  that  goeth  down  by  New  London, 
within  six  miles  of  the  said  river,  then  it  shall  wholly  belong  to 
Connecticut  Colony,  as  well  as  the  rest  which  lieth  on  the  west- 
ern side  of  the  aforesaid  river."  The  general  court  of  Connec- 
ticut in  October,  1671,  allowed  Governor  Winthrop  his  Indian 
purchase  at  Quinebaug,  and  gave  him  liberty  to  erect  thereon  a 
plantation,  but  none  appears  ever  to  have  been  attempted  under 
this  permission. 

As  a  result  of  its  border  location  the  territory  of  Windham 
was  long  in  dispute  as  to  jurisdiction.  The  northern  part  was 
for  a  long  time  held  by  Massachusetts.  The  patent  of  Connec- 
ticut allowed  her  territory  to  extend  northward  to  the  head  of 
Narragansett  river,  but  the  prior  grant  to  Massachusetts  re- 
stricted it  to  the  southern  bound  of  the  Bay  Colony,  "  three  miles 
south  of  every  part  of  Charles  River."  In  1642  the  southern 
boundary  line  was  run  out  from  a  point  on  Wrentham  Plain, 
which  was  settled  upon  as  being  three  miles  south  of  Charles 
river,  to  a  point  in  Windsor,  Connecticut,  which  was  really  ten 
or  twelve  miles  farther  south  than  the  starting  point.  This  was 
the  famous  Woodward  and  Saffery's  line,  and  it  was  maintained 
by  Massachusetts  as  her  southern  boundary  for  seventy  years, 
even  against  the  repeated  remonstrances  of  Connecticut.  By  this 
deflection  the  land  now  included  in  Woodstock  and  Thompson 
belonged  to  Massachusetts,  and  as  a  part  of  the  vacant  Nipmuck 
country  awaited  the  action  of  that  colony  in  its  disposal,  which, 


26  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

on  account  of  being  weakened  by  the  Indian  \yar,  was  delayed 
for  several  years  until  she  could  recover  sufficient  pioneering 
vigor  to  take  hold  of  it. 

After  the  scenes  of  King  Philip's  war  had   closed  and  quiet 
and  confidence  were  gradually  restored,  many  of  the  Indians,  re- 
covering from  the  shock  of  defeat,  gathered  again  around  their 
old  homes  and  laid  claim  to  various  sections.     To  adjust  these 
claims  the  general  court  of  Massachusetts  in  May,  1681,  appointed 
William  Stoughton  and  Joseph  Dudley,  two  men  of  prominence 
in  public  affairs  there,  to  investigate  the  basis  of  Indian  claims 
in  the   Nipmuck  country.     A  hearing  was  accordingly  held  by 
them  in  June,  and  Mr.  John  Eliot  acted  as  interpreter  on  that 
occasion.    Black  James,  the  former  constable  at  Chaubongagum, 
now  appeared  as  claimant  for  the  south  part  of  the  Nipmuck 
country.    The  commissioners  found  the  Indians  "  willing  enough 
to  make  claim  to  the  whole  country,  but  litigious  and  doubtful 
among  themselves."     They  then   adjourned  to  September,  in 
the  meantime  hoping  that  some  mutual  agreement  might  be 
arrived  at.     Then  they  .spent  a  week  exploring  the  country,  at- 
tended by  the  principal  claimants.   They  reported  Black  James' 
claim  as  being  "  capable  of  good  settlement,  if  not  too  scant  of 
meadow,  though  uncertain  what  will  fall  within  our  boimds  if 
our  line  be  to  be  questioned."    They  further  recommended  that 
some  compensation  be  made  to  the  claimants  and  that  the  latter 
surrender  all  their  lands  to  the  government  and  company  of 
Massachusetts.     This  advice  was  accepted  and  Stoughton  and 
Dudley  were  authorized  to  negotiate  with  the   claimants  and 
enter  into  an   agreement  with  them  upon  the  best  terms  ob- 
tainable.    As  a  result  of  these  negotiations  the  whole  Nipmuck 
country  from  the  northern  part  of  Massachusetts  to  Nashaway, 
at  the  junction  of  the  Quinebaug  and  French  rivers  in  Connec- 
ticut, a  tract  fifty  miles  long  by  twenty  wide,  was,  on  the  10th  of 
February,  1682,  made  over  to  the  Massachusetts  government  for 
the  sum  of  fifty  pounds.     Black  James  received,  for  himself  and 
some  forty  followers,  twenty  pounds  in  money  and  a  reservation 
of  land  five  miles  square. 

This  Indian  reservation  was  laid  out  in  two  tracts  of  land,  one 
on  the  east  of    the  Quinebaug  at  Myanexet,  now  included  in- 
the  towns  of    Dudley,  Webster   and  Thompson  ;    the  other  at 
Quinnatisset,  now  the  south  part  of  Thompson.     Five  thousand 
acres  at  Ouinnatissei  and   a  large  tract  at  Myanexet,  being  a 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  27' 

moiety  or  full  half  of  the  whole  reservation,  were  immediately 
conveyed  to  Stoughton  and  Dudley  for  the  sum  of  ten  pounds.. 
A  deed  for  this  was  given  by  Black  James  and  his  associates, 
the  native  proprietors,  November  10th,  1682.  These  commis- 
sioners, Stoughton  and  Dudley,  thus  became  personally  the  first 
white  proprietors  of  Windham's  share  of  the  Nipmuck  country.. 
Dudley  retained  for  a  long  time  his  fine  farm  on  the  Quinebaug.. 
The  Quinnatisset  land  was  soon  subdivided  to  other  pur- 
chasers. 

Such  a  large  tract  of  country  being  thrown  into  the  market  at 
once  incited  a  rage  for  land  speculation,  and  capitalists  hastened 
to  secure  possession  of  favorable  localities.  June  18th,  1683, 
Joseph  Dudley,  for  two  hundred  and  fifty  pounds,  conveyed  tO' 
Thomas  Freak,  of  Hamington,  Wells  county,  England,  two 
thousand  acres  of  forest  land  in  the  Nipmuck  country,  part  of  a 
greater  quantity  purchased  of  Black  James.  Two  thousand  acres 
in  upland  and  meadow  at  Quinnatisset  were  also  made  over  by 
Stoughton  to  Robert  Thompson  of  North  Newington,  Middlesex, 
England,  for  two  hundred  pounds,  English  money.  This  Thomp- 
son was  a  very  noted  person,  president  of  the  Society  for  the 
Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts,  and  a  devoted  friend 
of  the  colonies.  The  land  was  laid  out  by  John  Gore,  of  Rox- 
bury,  under  the  supervision  of  Colonel  William  Dudley,  in  June, 
1684.  This  land  remained  in  the  family  of  Thompson  for  up- 
wards of  a  hundred  years,  and  the  town  which  subsequently  in- 
cluded it  was  named  in  his  honor.  Freak's  farm  included  the 
site  of  the  present  village  of  Thompson.  The  line  dividing  it 
from  Thompson's  ran  through  an  old  Indian  fort  on  a  hill  a  mile 
eastwa.rd.  Five  hundred  acres  south  of  Freak's  were  laid  out  to 
Gore,  and  five  hundred  on  the  north  to  Benjamin  Gambling,  of 
Roxbury,  an  assistant  surveyor. 

These  Quinnatisset  tracts  were  not  only  the  first  lands  laid  out 
in  the  northern  part  of  Windham,  but  are  invested  with  additional 
interest  by  their  connection  with  the  disputed  southern  bound- 
ary of  Massachusetts.  Woodward  and  Saffery's  line  crossed  the 
Quinebaug  at  its  junction  with  the  French  river,  and  thence  ran 
northeasterly  to  Rhode  Island  and  Wrentham.  It  was  intended 
to  make  this  line  the  south  bound  of  the  Quinnatisset  farms, 
but  by  an  unfortunate  blunder  the  greater  part  of  Thompson's- 
land  and  an  angle  of  Gore's  fell  south  of  it,  intruding  upon  what 
even  Massachusetts  acknowledged  as  Connecticut  territory — an. 


28  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

intrusion  which  ga.\'e  rise  to  much  controversy  and  confusion. 
No  attempt  was  made  b}-  their  OAvners  to  occupy  or  cultivate 
these  lands. 

A  tract  of  twelve  hundred  acres  lying  between  the  Ouinebaug 
and  French  rivers  was  sold  by  Nanasogegog,  of  Nipmuck,  with 
the  consent  of  Black  James,  to  Jonathan  Curtis,  Thomas  Dudley, 
Samuel  Rice  and  others,  in  1684  ;  but  other  claimants  apparently 
secured  it.  John  Collins  and  John  Cotton  had  each  of  them  five 
hundred  acres  granted  to  them  by  the  Massachusetts  govern- 
ment, laid  out  on  the  east  side  of  the  Quinebaug  in  Ouinnatisset. 
On  the  south  of  Lake  Chaubongagum  a  tract  of  one  thousand 
acres  was  granted  to  the  children  of  Mr.  William  Whiting, 
sometime  of  Hartford. 

In  the  adjustment  of  Indian  claims  Uncas  assumed  the  right 
to  a  large  share  of  eastern  Connecticut.  Massachusetts  yielded 
to  his  claim  the  whole  Wabbaquasset  country.  The  tract  con- 
firmed to  him  as  the  hereditary  territory  of  the  Mohegans  was 
bounded  on  the  north  by  a  line  running  from  Mahmunsook  on 
Whetstone  brook  to  the  junction  of  the  Quinebaug  and  Assa- 
waga  at  Acquiunk,  thence  westward  to  the  Willimantic  and  far 
beyond  it.  The  Wabbaquasset  country  was  held  by  him  as  a 
Pequot  conquest.  It  extended  from  the  Mohegan  north  bound 
far  into  Massachusetts,  and  westward  from  the  Quinebaug  to  a 
line  running  through  the  "  great  pond  Snipsic,"  now  in  Tolland. 
This  large  tract  was  given  by  Uncas  to  his  second  son,  Owaneco, 
while  the  land  between  the  Appaquage  and  Willimantic  rivers 
was  assigned  by  him  to  his  third  son,  Atanawahood  or  Joshua, 
sachem  of  the  Western  Niantics.  The  latter  died  in  May,  ]676, 
bequeathing  the  land  between  the  Willimantic  and  Appaquage  to 
Captain  John  Mason  and  fifteen  other  men  "  in  trust  for  a  plan- 
tation." His  estate  was  settled  according  to  the  terms  of  his 
will,  the  general  assembly  of  Connecticut  allowing  the  Norwich 
legatees  the  lands  bequeathed  to  them  at  Appaquage,  which,  as 
soon  as  practicable,  was  incorporated  as  the  township  of  Wind- 
ham. 

In  the  year  1679  some  of  the  Mohegan  Indians  in  a  drunken 
carousal  set  fire  to  the  New  London  county  prison  and  destroyed 
it.  The  county  court  in  September  of  that  year  ordered  that 
Uncas  and  Owaneco  should  render  satisfaction  for  the  damage 
by  surrendering  their  right  to  six  hundred  acres  of  land.  The 
general  court  at  Hartford  in  October  confirmed  this  judgment 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  29 

and  ordered  the  county  treasurer,  James  Fitcli,  Jr.,  to  dispose  of 
the  land.  A  tract  of  six  hundred  acres  was  accordingly  selected 
lying  on  both  sides  of  the  Quinebaug,  extending  from  Wanan- 
gatuck  on  the  north  to  a  brook,  now  known  as  Rowland's  brook, 
on  the  south..  This  was  included  in  Winthrop's  purchase  of  1653. 
It  was  sold  for  forty  pounds  to  John,  Solomon  and  Daniel  Tracy 
and  Richard  Bushnell,  the  survey  being  made  in  June,  1680. 
A  farm  south  of  John  Tracy's  division,  adjoining  the  river  island, 
Peagscomsueck,  which  gave  its  name  to  this  section  of  the 
Quinebaug  valley,  was  given  to  James  Fitch  by  Owaneco,  and 
laid  out  during  the  summer  of  the  same  year. 

Notwithstanding  the  general  court  had  allowed  Governor  John 
Winthrop  his  purchase  at  Quinebaug,  some  nine  years  before, 
yet  in  May,  1680,  that  body  ordered  that  "  if  Uncas  hath  right 
to  any  land  about  Quinebaug  he  may  make  it  out  and  dispose  of 
it  to  his  son  Owaneco  and  such  gentlemen  as  he  shall  see  cause. 
Under  this  sanction  Owaneco  assumed  the  right  to  the  whole 
Quinebaug  country  as  well  as  Wabbaquasset.  Swarms  of  greedy 
land  hunters  now  assailed  the  Mohegan  chieftain,  eager  to  ob- 
tain possession  of  these  lands  upon  any  pretext.  Their  chief 
friends  and  patrons  were  the  sons  of  Major  John  Mason,  the  re- 
nowned conqueror  of  the  Pequots,  Mr.  Fitch,  the  excellent  min- 
ister of  Norwich,  and  James  Fitch,  his  son. 

Uncas  was  now  in  the  years  of  his  decay  and  Owaneco  was 
drunken  and  incapable  of  managing  business  affairs  with  pru- 
dence and  skill.  The  latter,  however,  was  induced  to  consent  to 
place  his  land  claims  in  the  hands  of  the  younger  James  Fitch,  to 
act  for  him  as  a  sort  of  guardian,  and  accordingly  gave  Fitch  a 
writing  in  effect  a  power  of  attorney,  to  dispose  of  all  his  lands 
and  meadows  upon  the  Quinebaug  river,  according  to  his  discre- 
tion. This  was  done  December  22d,  1680.  By  a  formal  deed  of 
conveyance  which  was  further  confirmed  by  the  general  court  of 
Connecticut,  Owaneco,  in  1684,  made  over  to  Captain  James  Fitch 
also  the  whole  Wabbaquasset  country.  The  Mohegan  and 
Wabbaquasset  lands  were  then  for  the  first  time  surveyed  and 
bounded,  and  their  bounds  confirmed  by  the  assembly.  The 
whole  of  the  territory  now  embraced  in  Windham  county,  with 
the  exception  of  two  tracts,  was  thus  placed  in  the  hands  of  one 
individual,  who  was  destined  to  play  a  very  prominent  part  in 
its  early  history  and  subsequent  development.  The  two  excepted 
tracts  above  referred  to  were  that  of  Joshua's,  between  the  Willi- 


30  HISTORY   OF   WIXDHAM    COUNTY, 

mantic  and  Appaquage  rivers,  and  a  strip  east  of  the  Ouinebaug 
which  had  been  divided  between  the  colonies  of  ^Massachusetts 
and  Connecticut. 

James  Fitch,  at  first  captain,  and  afterward  known  as  major, 
was  a  man  of  great  energy,  shrewdness  and  business  capacity. 
As  soon  as  he  gained  possession  of  this  land  he  threw  it  into 
the  market.  Personal  interest,  as  well  as  the  good  of  the  public, 
led  him  to  seek  to  dispose  of  these  vast  tracts  to  good  and  sub- 
stantial settlers — to  colonies  and  toAvns  rather  than  to  indi- 
viduals and  speculators.  The  northern  part  of  the  Wabbaquasset 
tract  was  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Massachusetts,  and  to  a 
Massachusetts  company  Fitch  sold  his  first  township.  This  was 
the  town  of  Roxbury,  which  had  grown  so  large  that  it  was  con- 
sidered advisable  to  send  out  some  of  its  members  to  plant  a  new 
town  somewhere  in  the  wilderness.  Accordingly,  after  extended 
deliberations  and  due  consideration  of  the  preliminary  measures, 
a  tract  about  seven  miles  square  was  purchased,  and  about 
the  first  of  April,  16SG,  thirteen  pioneers  began  to  break  up 
the  ground  and  prepare  for  the  improvement  of  Xew  Roxbury, 
afterward  Woodstock.  The  further  particulars  in  regard  to  this 
tract  will  be  given  in  connection  with  the  history  of  "Woodstock 
in  another  part  of  this  work. 

Four  months  previous  to  the  division  and  distribution  of  land 
for  actual  settlement  in  the  upper  end  of  Windham  county,  steps 
in  a  similar  direction  were  being  taken  in  the  lower  end  of  the 
territor3\  The  fact  that  land  here  had  been  confirmed  in  title 
to  Joshua,  the  third  son  of  Uncas,  has  already  been  alluded  to. 
By  bequest  this  tract  was  granted  to  sixteen  gentlemen  of  Ncr- 
^vich  and  adjoining  towns.  Their  names  were  Captain  John 
Mason,  Lieutenant  Samuel  Mason,  Lieutenant  Daniel  Mason, 
Reverend  James  Fitch,  Captain  James  Fitch,  John  Birchard, 
Thomas  Tracy,  Thomas  Adgate,  Lieutenant  Thomas  Leffing- 
well,  John  Olmstead,  Simon  Huntington,  William  Hide,  William 
Backus,  Hugh  Calkins,  Captain  George  Denison  and  Daniel 
Wetherell. 

Joshua's  will,  granting  the  very  extensive  tract,  which  will  be 
presently  described,  was  allowed  and  established  by  the  general 
court  of  Connecticut  in  'May,  1678,  and  the  persons  named  were 
.allowed  to  possess  all  of  Joshua's  rights  in  the  land,  provided 
they  should  comply  with  the  conditions  therein  named.  Though 
.the  legality  of  Joshua's  title  to  various  other  tracts  conveyed  by 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  31 

'ithis  will  occasioned  much  subsequent  controversy  and  litigation, 

.'the  Norwich  legatees  secured  their  portion  with  little  difficulty 
and  no  apparent  opposition.     Robin  Cassasinamon — governor  of 

:the  surviving  Pequots— was  commissioned  by  Uncas  to  show 
these  men  the  bounds  of  their  tract,  and  soon  after  its  confirma- 
tion by  the  general  court  he  set  out  with  a  party  of  the  legatees 
and  a  surveyor  by  the  name  of  Bushnell  into  the  wilderness 

'.north  of  Norwich.  Passing  through  Mamosqueage,  a  strip  north 
of  Norwich  reserved  for  Joshua's  children,  they  followed  an  old 
Indian  trail  eight  miles  northward,  the  trail  being  known  in 
those  days  as  the  Nipmuck  Path,  to  a  flag  meadow  which  was 

.called  Appaquage.     Here  their  bounds  were  to   begin.     After 

.encamping  for  the  night,  the  next  morning  they  struck  through 

-the  woods  ten  miles  to  the  Willimantic  river,  where  they  spent 
the  second  night.  Thence  they  followed  Robin  down  the  Wil- 
limantic to  Mamosqueage.  Soon  after  this  priliminary  explor- 
ation Bushnell  and  Joseph  Huntington  were  sent  by  the  lega- 
tees "  to  measure  down  eight  m.iles  from  Appaquage,  by  the  said 
Nipmuck  Path,"  which  they  did,  "and  marked  a  white   oak   at 

;,the  end  of  said  eight  miles,  west  side  of  path."  The  lines  of  the 
whole  tract  were  soon  afterward  run  by  Simon  Huntington, 
Thomas  Leffingwell,  Jr.,  and  Richard  Bushnell,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Uncas.  In  October,  1681,  Captain  Robert  Chapman, 
Captain  James  Fitch  and  Thomas  Buckingham  were  appointed 
administrators  of  Joshua's  estate,  and  they,  during  the  following 
Avinter  conveyed  according  to  the  terms  of  the  will,  "a  tract  of 
land  lying  to  the  west  of  Appaquage,  east  from  Willimantic 
River,  south  from  Appaquage  Pond,  eight  miles  broad,"  to  the 
legatees  whose  names  have  already  been  given. 

The  recipients  of  this  princely  gift  were  all  gentlemen  of  high 

,  character  and  standing.  Samuel  and  Daniel  Mason  resided  in 
Stonington,  Mr.  Wetherell  in  New  London,  and  the  others  in 

.  Norwich.  The  following  agreement  was  signed  by  the  legatees 
February  17th,  1682: 

"  I.  God  willing,  plantation  work  shall  be  carried  on  and  a 

;  town  settled  within  the  space  of  four  years,  that  is  to  say,  we, 

.  after  the  above-mentioned  time  is  expired,  will  bear  all  such 
public  charges  according  to  our  just  proportion  for  the  carrying 

•  on  plantation  work. 

"  II.  Those  that  find  they  are  not  in  a  capacity  to  manage  the 

„ -several  allotments  for  the  carrying  on  of  the  true  intendm.ent 


32  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

and  end  of  a  plantation  shall  resign  up  their  allotments  to  such 
wholesome  inhabitants  as  the  said  company  shall  see  reason  to 
admit,  upon  reasonable  and  moderate  terms. 

"  III.  We  having  received  the  land,  and  upon  a  view  judge 
that  it  wall  afford  an  allotment  for  every  thousand  acres,  accord- 
ing to  the  distribution  made  by  Uncas  (who  was  appointed  by 
the  deceased  son  to  act),  with  some  other  allotments  for  public 
uses  in  the  several  divisions,  first,  second,  and  third  of  the  land 
bequeathed  to  us. 

"  IV.  It  is  agreed  that  the  allotments  be  laid  out  in  an  equal 
manner,  every  one  contenting  himself  with  the  place  where 
God  by  his  providence  shall  determine,  by  a  lot  drawn  for  that 
end,  and  the  drawing  of  one  lot  shall  answer  for  the  home-lot 
and  for  the  first  division  of  upland  and  meadow.  It  is  also 
agreed  that  Simon  Huntington,  William  Backus,  John  Post  and 
John  Birchard  shall  lay  out  the  same  according  to  the  order  and 
manner  above  specified." 

Three  years  passed  without  any  material  progress  being  made 
toward  the  settlement  of  this  large  tract.  In  February,  1685,  it 
was  agreed  to  make  settlements  in  three  different  places,  for  the 
convenience  of  lands  and  meadows.  By  the  following  spring 
the  surveys  and  divisions  were  completed  and  the  land  was 
ready  for  distribution.  Beginning  at  Appaquage— "  a  flaggy 
meadow," — now  at  or  near  the  southeast  corner  of  Eastford,  the 
boundary  line  of  the  tract  ran  south  eight  miles,  large  measure, 
on  the  west  side  of  Nipmuck  Path ;  thence  due  west  to  the  She- 
tucket,  running  a  little  south  of  the  present  site  of  Windham 
Green  ;  thence  eight  miles  northwest,  up  the  Shetucket  and  Wil- 
limantic,  and  thence  ten  miles  east  to  Appaquage.  A  large  part 
of  the  present  territory  of  Windham,  Mansfield,  Chaplin,  Hamp- 
ton and  Scotland  townships  was  comprised  in  this  royal  gift, 
which  was  laid  out  in  forty-eight  shares,  each  containing  a 
thousand  acres.  Each  share  included  a  home-lot  in  one  of  the 
three  villages  planned,  and  portions  of  meadow,  pasture  and 
upland  in  different  localities.  The  three  village  sites  selected 
were  the  Hither-place  or  Southeast  Quarter,  now  Old  Windham, 
village  ;  the  Ponde-place,  at  Naubesatuck,  now  Mansfield  Cen- 
tre ;  and  the  valley  of  the  Willimantic,  near  the  site  of  the  pres- 
ent borough  of  that  name.  Fifteen  home-lots  were  laid  out  at 
the  Hither-place,  twenty-one  at  the  Ponde-place,  and  twelve  at 
Willimantic.     Highways   were   laid   out   through   each  village 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  33 

plat  and  from  the  Hither-place  to  the  Ponde-place.  The  com- 
mittee spent  five  days  in  making  the  surveys  and  measurements, 
and  were  paid  for  their  services  at  the  rate  of  three  shillings  a 
day,  but  those  who  ran  lines  received  an  extra  shilling  a  day. 

The  allotments  were  made  to  individuals  by  drawing,  on  the 
1st  of  May,  1686.  The  common  owners  were  probably  all  pres- 
ent, either  in  person  or  by  representatives.  Captain  John  Mason, 
William  Hide  and  John  Olmstead,  having  previously  died,  were 
represented  by  their  heirs  or  administrators.  It  is  a  fact  worthy 
of  note  that  these  men  assembled  on  this  occasion  recognized 
the  superi-ntendence  of  an  all  seeing  Providence,  and  impressed 
with  the  thought  that  this  was  serious,  earnest  business,  and 
that  consequences  far  greater  than  they  could  foresee  might 
hang  upon  the  results  of  their  work,  did  not  enter  upon  that 
work  until  "  after  prayer  for  direction  and  blessing."  They  then 
drew  lots  for  their  respective  portions  ;  some  receiving  one  and 
some  six  shares,  according  to  the  royal  pleasure  of  Uncas,  who 
had  ordered  the  distribution.  Three  shares  were  reserved  for 
the  ministry  and  other  public  purposes,  according  to  previous 
agreement. 

The  settlement  and  improvement  of  this  great  tract  was  at 
first  slow.  This  will  not  seem  so  strange  when  we  remember 
that  the  events  which  we  are  noticing  occurred  about  the  time 
when  the  status  of  liberty  in  the  colonies  was  wavering  in  the 
balance.  Connecticut,  like  other  colonies,  was  suffering  from 
the  encroachments  of  King  James.  Her  privileges  were  cut  off, 
her  chaii'ter  demanded,  and  her  government  assumed  by  that 
unsavory  administrator.  Sir  Edmond  Andross.  Under  his  arbi- 
trary rule  attempts  at  settlement  were  discouraged.  He  con- 
sidered an  "  Indian  deed  worth  no  more  than  the  scratch  of  a 
bear's  paw,"  and  would  have  scouted  the  right  of  the  legatees  to' 
land  bequeathed  by  an  Indian  chieftain.  There  is  no  record  of 
any  attempt  to  secure  confirmation  of  title  from  Andross.  It 
was  doubtless  thought  more  prudent  to  wait  in  silence  and  in 
the  meantime  make  what  few  improvements  might  be  practica- 
ble until  some  turn  of  political  affairs  should  bring  them  better 
opportunities. 

Some  transfers  of  title  were  made  among  the  legatees,  but  no 

substantial  settlement  was  made  until  after  the  restoration  of 

charter  government  in   1689.     Captain  vSamuel  Mason  in  1677 

transferred  a  thousand  acre  right  to  his  brother-in-law.  Captain 

3 


34  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

John  BroAvn.  In  1686  Captain  James  Fitch  sold  a  similar  right 
to  Josiah  Standish,  of  Duxbury,  who  conveyed  the  same  to  Jacob 
Dingley,  of  Hingham,  two  years  later.  May  26th,  1688,  Richard 
Bushnell  sold  to  Jeremiah  Ripley,  also  of  Hingham,  a  similar 
share.  Daniel  Wetherell  at  the  same  date  sold  to  Joshua  Rip- 
ley an  allotment.  During  the  same  summer  also  Calkins  sold  a 
right  to  Jonathan  Hough,  and  Backus  a  right  to  Hough,  Abel 
and  Rudd.  In  this  way  the  different  shares  and  rights  began  to 
be  transferred  and  their  ownership  divided  and  subdivided  un- 
til in  a  short  time  one  who  should  attempt  to  follow  them  would 
find  himself  in  a  perplexing  labyrinth  of  titles. 

For  many  years  this  tract  appears  to  have  been  uninhabited 
and  unoccupied  except  as  an  occasional  hunting  ground.  The 
Indians  had  left  it  many  years  before,  and  the  white  settlers 
were  slow  in  improving  it.  John  Cates  is  said  to  have  been  the 
first  actual  settler  upon  it.  Having  bought  an  allotment  of  Dan- 
iel Mason  at  the  Hither-place,  he  built  a  house  upon  it  in  the 
summer  of  1689.  Some  other  lots  were  fenced  in,  ground  pre- 
pared and  timber  made  ready  for  building  during  that  summer. 
A  division  of  pasture  land  was  also  laid  out  and  distributed. 
The  second  settler  is  said  to  have  been  Jonathan  Ginnings,  who 
bought  land  of  John  Birchard,  and  took  possession  in  1690. 
Other  settlers  soon  followed,  but  it  is  a  fact  which  may  be  men- 
tioned as  somewhat  a  curiosity  that  none  of  the  original  lega- 
tees made  any  actual  settlement  or  improvements  upon  their 
rights.  The  nearest  to  such  a  thing  done  by  any  of  them  was 
that  the  share  of  Reverend  James  Fitch  was  improved  by  his 
son  John  ;  William  Backus  resigned  his  rights  to  his  two  sons ; 
Huntington's  right  was  made  over  to  a  son  and  nephew ;  and 
John  Birchard's  land  was  occupied  by  two  of  his  sons.  The 
other  legatees  sold  their  rights,  in  accordance  with  the  compact, 
"to  wholesome  inhabitants." 

Some  improvements  were  made  during  the  year  1691.  Joshua 
and  Jeremiah  Ripley,  John  Crane,  Richard  Hendee,  Thomas  and 
Joseph  Huntington,  William  and  Joseph  Backus  and  John  Lar- 
rabee,  had  broken  land,  built  houses  and  established  themselves 
in  the  Hither-place.  This  w^as  on  w^hat  is  now  the  west  side  of 
Windham  street.  Crane  was  a  blacksmith  and  bought  land  of 
Calkins.  Hendee  bought  land  of  Captain  James  Fitch.  It  is 
somewhere  recorded  that  the  young  Backus  brothers  sold  their 
accommodations  in  Norwich  "  to  remove  to  the  new,  nameless 


HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY.  35 

town    springing  up  in   the  wilderness  ten   miles  northwest  of 
Norwich." 

The  social  conditions  scon  began  to  run  in  the  channels  usual 
to  civilized  communities,  as  nearly  as  the  peculiar  surroundings 
would  permit.  Family  affairs  were  not  forgotten.  The  first 
child  born  in  the  settlement  was  a  daughter  to  Jonathan  Gin- 
nings,  and  the  date  was  February  10th,  1691.  The  first  public 
meeting  of  the  settlers  of  which  we  have  any  knowledge  was  on 
the  18th  of  May,  1691.  Joshua  Ripley,  Jonathan  Crane,  William 
Backus  and  Joseph  Backus  were  then  directed,  "  To  run  the 
town  lines  from  Appaquage  eight  miles  south,  and  thence  south 
west  to  Willimantic  River."  This  work  was  accomplished  by 
the  28th  of  the  same  month.  During  this  summer  a  grist  mill 
was  established  and  set  in  operation  by  Jonathan  Crane.  This 
stood  on  the  site  of  the  present  Bingham's  Mills.  A  pound  was 
also  constructed  on  the  Hither-place,  and  preparations  were 
made  for  settling  at  the  Ponde-place.  Religious  services  were 
held  occasionally  by  the  Reverend  Mr.  Fitch  and  his  son  Jabez. 
On  such  occasions  the  settlers  and  their  families,  with  whatever 
wandering  natives  happened  to  be  with  them,  assembled  under 
a  tree  to  listen  to  the  preaching  and  engage  in  the  other  exer- 
cises of  the  hour.  These  settlers  were  mostly  connected  with 
the  Norwich  church,  and  attended  divine  worship  there  when- 
ever practicable.  The  old  Nipmuck  Path,  on  the  east  of  the 
tract,  and  a  rough  way  made  by  the  first  surveyors,  connected 
the  settlements.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  (1691)  the  prospects  of 
the  settlement  becoming  permanent  were  sufficiently  bright  to 
encourage  the  settlers  to  petition  the  general  court  of  Connecti- 
cut to  grant  them  a  charter  as  a  town.  This  resulted  in  the  or- 
ganization of  the  town  of  Windham  under  authority  of  an  order 
of  the  court  granted  May  12th,  1692,  and  consummated  by  the 
act  of  the  people  on  the  12th  of  June  following.  Further  par- 
ticulars of  this  will  be  found  in  the  chapters  of  this  work  de- 
voted to  the  history  of  Windham  town. 

We  have  now  reviewed  in  brief  the  purchases  from  the  In- 
dians and  the  first  steps  toward  settlement  in  the  two  great  and 
early  sections  of  Windham  county  civilization.  These  are  the 
north  end  and  the  southwestern  part.  There  was  still  a  large 
tract  of  undeveloped  land  in  the  southeastern  part,  called  the 
Quinebaug  country.  Here  was  the  third  center  of  civilization 
in  the  present  limits  of  the  county.     This  Quinebaug  country, 


36  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

extending  from  the  junction  of  the  Quinebaug  and  Assawaga 
rivers  to  the  north  bound  of  Norwich  town,  and  from  the  Appa- 
quage  or  Little  river  eastward  to  Egunk,  was  claimed  by  two 
powerful  parties, — the  heirs  of  Governor  John  Winthrop  and 
Major  James  Fitch  as  guardian  of  the  Indian  Owaneco.  The 
Winthrop  claim  was  founded  on  the  deed  of  1653,  which  has 
previously  been  noticed  in  particular;  while  Fitch  was  the  ad- 
vocate of  the  hereditary  title  of  the  Mohegan  sachems.  The 
general  court  of  Connecticut  had  to  some  extent  recognized 
both  claims.  It  had  "  allowed  the  Governor  his  purchase,  and 
it  had  also  allowed  Uncas  to  dispose  of  Quinebaug  lands  to 
Owaneco." 

The  first  land  laid  out  in  this  disputed  section  was  the  six 
hundred  acres,  already  mentioned  as  being  sold  from  the  pos- 
sessions of  Uncas  to  make  restitution  for  damages  committed  by 
his  men  in  burning  the  New  London  county  prison.  This  tract 
comprised  some  of  the  richest  land  in  the  Quinebaug  valley,  on 
both  sides  of  the  river.  By  deeds  bearing  date  June  23d,  1680, 
it  was  conveyed  to  John,  Daniel  and  Solomon  Tracy  and  Richard 
Bushnell.  They  at  once  took  possession  of  it  and  their  occu- 
pancy was  undisputed.  A  neck  of  land,  below  the  river  island, 
Peagscomsuck,  granted  by  Owaneco  to  Fitch,  was  also  laid  out 
in  1680.  Other  large  tracts  in  this  territory  were  given  by 
Owaneco  to  Fitch.  The  boundaries  in  these  are  described  as 
follows,  in  part: — "Land  and  meadow  east  of  the  Quinebaug, 
bounded  south  on  Norwich  town  line,  thence  northeast  to  the 
great  brook  that  comes  in  at  Peagscomsuck,"  (excepting  that  al- 
ready sold  to  John  Tracy) ;  "  Land  both  sides  the  Little  River, 
that  comes  in  at  Wequanock,  bounded  south  on  Norwich  town 
line,  west  on  New  Plantation,  land  of  Joshua,  deceased,"  &c.; 
and  "  Land  east  side  of .  Little  River,  taking  all  the  corne  and 
plaine,  improvable  land,  a  mile  in  breadth  from  Appaquage  to 
the  Quinebaug,  bounded  north  on  the  Wabbaquasset  Country, 
east  on  the  Quinebaug,  west  on  New  Plantation  and  south  on 
common  land." 

Neither  Fitch  nor  the  Winthrops  attempted  settlement  of  this 
land  during  the  troubled  years  of  the  Andross  administration, 
but  as  soon  as  practicable  after  the  restoration  of  charter  gov- 
ernment, both  were  in  the  field.  This  conflict  of  claim  was  a 
hindrance  to  settlement.  No  organized  company  would  venture 
to  settle  upon  such  ground.     But  the  natural  features  of  the  ter- 


PIISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  37 

ritory  were  attractive,  and  venturesome  individuals,  in  a  hap- 
hazard way  assumed  the  risks  and  began  to  improve  the  land. 
The  confusion  of  titles  forbids  tracing  the  order  of  settlement, 
as  deeds  subsequently  pronounced  invalid  were  not  recorded  on 
the  books  of  the  town  afterward  organized.  The  Winthrop 
sons,  Fitz  John  and  AVait,  in  October,  1690,  asked  the  general 
court  to  confirm  their  title,  for  the  benefit  of  those  about  to  set- 
tle there,  but  no  action  was  taken  in  that  direction  by  the  court. 
The  plantation,  however,  was  begun.  A  number  of  Massa- 
chusetts families  took  possession  of  Quinebaug  land,  east  of  the 
river,  purchased  of  the  Winthrops  soon  after  1690.  The  greater 
part  of  them  located  south  of  the  present  village  of  Plainfield, 
though  some  took  up  land  as  far  north  as  the  mouth  of  Moosup 
river.  Most  of  them  received  deeds  for  their  land  from  the 
Winthrops,  but  a  few  bought  land  from  Fitch.  Connecticut 
families  were  also  represented  in  the  settlers  of  this  section.  It 
will  be  interesting  to  know  who  some  of  these  early,  independ- 
ent settlers  were,  and  where  they  had  come  from. 

Timothy  and  Thomas  Pierce  came  from  Woburn ;  Thomas 
Williams  from  Stow ;  Joseph  Parkhurst,  Jacob  Warren,  and  Ed- 
ward, Joseph  and  Benjamin  Spalding  from  Chelmsford;  Mat- 
thias Button  and  James  Kingsbury  from  Haverhill ;  Ebenezer 
Harris  and  John  Fellows  from  Ipswich ;  Isaac  Wheeler,  Isaac 
and  Samuel  Shepard,  and  their  stepfather  Nathaniel  Jewell 
from  Concord  ;  Peter  Crery,  James  Deane,  William  Marsh  and 
Edward  Yeomans  from  Stonington ;  William  Douglas  and 
others  from  New  London  and  that  vicinity.  Several  sons  of 
Captain  John  Gallup,  of  Stonington,  purchased  land  here,  and 
perhaps  settled  upon  it.  James  Welch,  Thomas  Harris,  James 
and  John  Deane,  and  Philip  Bump  purchased  land  of  Fitch  and 
John  Trac}^  The  most  northerly  settlers  were  the  young  Shep- 
ard brothers,  who  were  sons  of  Ralph  Shepard,  of  Maiden,  then 
deceased.  Their  land  at  the  mouth  of  the  Moosup  river  was 
that  which  had  been  given  by  Owaneco  to  Samuel  Lathrop,  of 
Norwich. 

Very  little  is  known  of  the  early  days  of  the  Quinebaug  plan- 
tation. No  organization  was  effected,  nor  indeed  was  any  at- 
tempt made  in  that  direction  for  several  3'ears.  The  settlers 
broke  up  their  land,  built  rude  habitations  and  made  some  few 
improvements.  The  valley  of  the  Quinebaug  was  found  to  pro- 
duce very  good  crops  of  corn,  and  in  spite  of  Fitch  and  Trac)" 


38  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

injunctions,  was  used  by  the  settlers  as  a  common  cornfield. 
Parts  of  this  field  were  set  aside  for  their  Indian  neighbors,  who 
were  then  quite  numerous,  but  peaceable  and  friendly.  Fears 
were  at  first  entertained  on  their  account,  and  garrison  houses 
were  provided,  but  it  does  not  appear  that  they  were  ever  called 
into  necessary  use.  No  attempt  was  made  to  lay  out  any  public 
highways.  The  old  Greenwich  Path  had  then  been  trodden  out 
and  led  from  here  to  Providence  on  the  east.  A  continuation  of 
it  westward  to  Windham,  became  in  after  years  a  much  used 
thoroughfare  betw^ee-n  Hartford  and  Providence.  Besides  this, 
rough  paths  were  trodden  out  to  Norwich  and  New  London,  and 
by  means  of  these  communication  with  the  neighboring  towns 
was  maintained. 

The  double  land  claim  of  Fitch  and  Winthrop  kept  society  for 
a  long  time  in  an  unsettled  condition.  The  friends  of  these 
conflicting  claimants  were  at  open  war  with  each  other.  There 
was  no  local  organization,  and  consequently  no  law  to  protect 
local  interests  or  secure  the  peace  of  the  community  or  the  pro- 
tection of  individual  rights.  The  court  of  New  London  county 
was  the  nearest  tribunal  that  had  any  jurisdiction  here,  and 
much  violence  and  misdemeanor  might  be  practiced  before  re- 
dress could  be  obtained  through  appeal  to  that  body.  Its  pro- 
tection was,  however,  frequently  appealed  to.  Cutting  grass  on 
land  claimed  by  another,  gathering  crops  of  grain  belonging  to 
others,  personal  assault,  refusal  to  pay  rent,  profanity  and 
threatening  the  life  of  another,  extortionate  demands  of  land- 
lords and  creditors,  oppressive  acts  of  officers  of  the  law,  stealing 
timber,  hay,  logs,  rails  and  other  depredations  upon  property 
and  person  were  among  the  charges  brought  against  individuals 
by  others  who  had  suffered  from  their  injustice.  The  New  Lon- 
don court  was  largely  occupied  with  cases  from  the  Quinebaug 
country.  Fines  were  levied  and  whipping  and  imprisonment 
inflicted.  The  Gallups  were  leaders  of  the  Winthrop  faction, 
and  the  largCvSt  resident  landowners.  One  of  them,  according  to 
tradition,  gave  such  offense  to  the  planters,  by  greed  and  over- 
measurement,  that  he  was  driven  out  of  the  plantation  as  a 
"land  grabber."  In  1699  the  Winthrops  attempted  to  bring  the 
question  of  proprietorship  to  an  issue  by  entering  complaints 
against  Major  Fitch  and  Judge  Tracy  for  entering  upon  lands 
belonging  to  the  plaintiffs.  The  cases  were  tried  before  the 
court  of  common  pleas  for  New  London  county,  and  resulted 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAiNI    COUNTY,  39 

in  a  verdict  for  the  defendants.  An  appeal  was  taken  and  the 
question  remained  unsettled  indefinitely,  while  each  party  con- 
tinued to  sell  and  occupy  what  land  they  could.  In  spite  of 
these  disturbances  the  Quinebaug  plantation  gained  in  numbers 
and  strength. 

We  have  now  noticed  the  three  first  settlements  of  Windham 
county  territory  while  in  their  first  or  unorganized  condition. 
The  brief  glance  which  we  have  given  to  the  subject  of  the  ac- 
quirement of  Indian  title  covers  the  whole  territory  of  the 
county,  with  perhaps  a  few  unimportant  exceptions.  Fitch,  as 
the  representative  of  Owaneco,  claimed  the  northwestern  part 
of  the  county,  by  virtue  of  the  conveyance  of  the  latter  in  1684 
More  particular  delineation  of  the  acquirement  of  title,  division 
of  land  and  organization  of  government  will  be  given  under  the 
particular  head  of  each  town.  It  may  be  proper  to  mention  be- 
fore dismissing  the  subject,  however,  that  the  Whetstone  coun- 
try, a  considerable  tract  on  the  east  of  the  Quinebaug,  was 
owned  by  the  colony  of  Connecticut  and  remained  unoccupied 
for  many  years,  though  grants  of  land,  in  consideration  of  ser- 
vices rendered  by  individuals,  were  occasionally  made  with  very 
indefinite  descriptions.  On  this  territory  Killingly  was  laid  out 
in  1708,  and  about  the  same  time  Voluntown  was  surveyed  and 
distributed  to  a  large  number  of  military  volunteers. 


CHAPTER   IV. 

EARLY    EVENTS 


Windham  County  Organized. — General  Condition  of  Society. — Valuations  of 
Property  and  Productions. — Public  Morals. — Their  Houses. — Social  Condi- 
tions.— Organization  of  Courts. — Court  House  and  Jail. — Militia  Organiza- 
tion and  Training. — Woodstock  Annexed  to  Worcester  County. — Transferred 
to  Windham  County. — Organization  of  Probate  Districts. — Emigrations  of 
Inhabitants. — Colonization  to  Wyoming,  N.  Y. — The  Susquehanna  and  Dela- 
ware Companies. — Settlement  of  Wyoming. 


WINDHAM  COUNTY  was  organized  in  1726.  By  that 
time  many  improvements  had  been  made  in  the  wil- 
derness of  northeastern  Connecticut.  The  present  ter- 
ritory then  contained  eight  organized  towns,  namely,  Ashford, 
Canterbury,  Killingly,  Plainfield,  Pomfret,  Voluntown,  Wind- 
ham and  Woodstock.  Forests  had  been  leveled,  roads  con- 
structed, streams  bridged,  and  land  subdued  and  brought  under 
cultivation.  The  aboriginal  inhabitants  were  fast  passing  away. 
The  wigwam  was  superseded  by  the  farm  house,  and  the  toma- 
hawk by  the  woodman's  axe  and  the  plow.  Several  hundred 
families  were  now  settled  here,  with  comfortable  prospects 
ahead.  Some  favored  towns  had  made  rapid  progress  while 
others  had  been  impeded  in  growth  by  vexatious  land  title  con- 
troversies and  other  obstacles.  In  each,  however,  a  church  with 
a  "  learned  and  orthodox  minister,"  and  schools  had  been  estab- 
lished, and  military  organization  effected.  Mills  and  tanneries 
had  been  set  up,  and  public  roads  had  been  opened.  By  these 
roads  each  town  was  connected  with  one  or  all  of  the  leading- 
business  centers  of  New  England — Boston,  Hartford  and  Provi- 
dence— and  so  great  was  the  travel  on  these  thoroughfares  that 
almost  every  house  on  them  served  for  a  tavern.  The  town  of 
Woodstock  was  then  claimed  by  Suffolk  county,  Mass.;  Wind- 
ham and  Ashford  by  Hartford  county ;  and  the  other  five  by 
New  London  county. 

The  remoteness  of  these  towns  from  their  county  seat  made 
them   much   inconvenience,  and  as  early  as  1717  efforts  were 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  41 

made  to  secure  the  organization  of  a  new  county.  Failing  at 
first  to  secure  tlie  necessary  legislation,  efforts  were  repeated 
until  in  May,  1726,  the  "  Governor,  Council  and  Representatives 
in  General  Court  assembled"  enacted,  "That  the  west  bounds 
of  the  town  of  Lebanon,  the  north  bounds  of  Coventry,  the  north 
bounds  of  Mansfield,  till  it  meets  with  the  southwest  bounds  of  ■ 
Ashford,  the  west  bounds  of  Ashford,  the  east  bounds  of  Stafford, 
the  Massachusetts  line  on  the  north,  the  Rhode  Island  line  on  the 
east,  the  north  bounds  of  Preston  and  north  bounds  of  Norwich, 
containing  the  towns  of  Windham,  Lebanon,  Canterbury,  Mans- 
field, Plainfield,  Coventry,  Pomfret,  Killingly,  Ashford,  Volun- 
town  and  Mortlake,  shall  be  one  entire  county,  and  called  by  the 
name  of  Windham."  The  act  further  set  forth  that  the  town  of 
Windham  should  be  the  county  seat,  and  that  two  county  courts 
should  be  held  there  annually — one  on  the  fourth  Tuesday  in 
June,  and  one  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  December — and  two 
superior  courts — one  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  March,  and  the 
other  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  vSeptember  of  each  year. 

Three  towns,  it  will  be  seen,  were  originally  included  in 
Windham  county,  which  are  now  outside  its  limits.  Lebanon, 
southwest  from  Windham,  was  organized  as  a  town  in  1700. 
Mansfield,  at  first  a  part  of  Windham  township,  was  set  off  as  a 
distinct  incorporation  in  1703.  Coventry,  west  of  Mansfield,  was 
made  a  town  in  1711.  These  were  all  large  and  important 
towns,  and  added  much  to  the  strength  of  the  new  county.  The 
little  irregfular  Mortlake  Manor  was  included  in  a  distinct  town- 
ship. 

It  is  now  impossible  to  form  anything  like  a  definite  estimate 
of  the  population  of  that  period.  It  is  doubtful  if  any  town  ex- 
cept Windham  numbered  a  hundred  families.  Windham  was 
then  the  leading  town  of  northeastern  Connecticut,  and  no  one 
disputed  her  right  to  be  the  county  seat  of  the  new  county.  In 
population,  wealth,  cultivation  and  political  influence  she  had 
far  outstripped  her  sister  townships,  and  was  at  once  recognized 
and  received  as  their  rightful  head  and  leader.  A  few  hundred 
Indians,  chiefly  Wabbaquassets  and  Quinebaugs,  were  residents 
of  the  new  county.  Mohegans  and  Shetuckets  roved  freely 
through  the  towns  of  Canterburv  and  Windham.  A  small  num- 
ber  of  negroes  were  held  as  slaves  in  the  more  wealthy  families. 
As  to  the  ratable  property  of  each  town,  the  following  figures 
give  some  idea ;    Ashford  and  Voluntown  not  being  in  that  year 


42  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

(1726)  sufficiently  organized  to  be  assessed,  their  names  do  not 
appear  on  the  list:  Windham,  i^l0,7()9,  10s.;  Lebanon,  ;!l"13.S75,- 
15s.,4d.;  Mansfield,  i;5,817,()s.,6d.:  Coventry,  i;4,490,7s.,6d.;  Plain- 
field,  ^6,632,14s.;  Canterbury,  i:6,229,ls.,6d.;  Pomfret,  i:6.474; 
Killingly,  i:5,302,10s. 

Property  was  very  unequally  distributed.  Such  settlers  as 
were  able  to  buy  their  land  at  the  outset  were  soon  in  comforta- 
ble circumstances,  but  the  great  mass  of  the  people  were  poor 
and  found  it  difficult  to  pay  their  taxes.  Money  was  scarce,  and 
so  were  commodities  that  brought  in  money,  and  many  could 
scarcely  raise  sufficient  food  for  home  consumption.  Wheat,, 
rye,  corn,  barley,  flax  and  hemp  were  the  chief  staples  of  pro- 
duction. Manufactures  were  limited  to  leather,  potash,  coarse 
pottery,  and  domestic  fabrics  of  linen  and  woolen.  The  people 
labored  hard  and  suffered  many  trials  and  privations,  mcrey 
was  scarce,  food  sometimes  scanty  and  comforts  few.  This  was 
especially  true  in  the  later  towns,  which  were  remote  from  the 
older  settlements.  Among  the  men  of  the  time  there  was  much 
coarseness  and  roughness,  much  bickering  and  backbiting,  but 
withal  a  high  sense  of  personal  dignity,  w^hich  was  easily  offend- 
ed by  the  tongue  of  slander.  The  first  generation  reared  in 
these  new  towns  was  probably  inferior  in  education  and  culture 
to  the  standard  of  their  fathers.  Schools,  poor  at  best,  were 
maintained  with  great  difficulty,  and  books  were  scarce.  Inter- 
course w4th  older  towns  was  infrequent.  Home  training,  the 
church  and  the  town  meeting— the  only  educating,  refining  and 
stimulating  agencies — could  not  fully  counteract  the  demoraliz- 
ing influences  and  tendencies  of  their  isolated  position.  The 
court  records  furnish  abundant  testimony  to  the  roughness  and 
violence  of  the  times,  and  church  records  bear  equal  evidence  to 
much  looseness  of  morals  among  the  people.  With  all  their 
strictness  in  Sabbath  keeping  and  catechizing,  in  family  and 
church  discipline,  there  was  great  license  in  speech  and  manner,, 
much  hard  drinking  and  rude  merry-making,  with  occasional 
outbreaks  of  border  ruffianism.  Training  days  were  the  great 
festive  occasions  in  all  the  townships. 

Houses  were  small  and  rough,  and  the  furniture  in  them  was 
rude  and  scanty.  Food  and  clothing  were  mainly  of  home  pro- 
duction, and  the  ordinary  style  of  living  was  very  plain  and  sim- 
ple. Class  distinctions,  however,  were  brought  here  with  the 
settlers,  and  soon  began  to  show  themselves  in  increased  devel- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  43 

opment.  A  few  families  were  able  to  adopt  and  maintain  a 
style  of  comparative  luxury.  Ministers  were  looked  up  to  as 
social  as  well  as  religious  leaders,  and  with  tlieir  unincumbered 
homesteads,  a  salary  of  sixty  to  one  hundred  pounds,  and  abuVi- 
dance  of  free  firewood,  were  probably  much  better  provided  for 
than  the  majority  of  the  people.  The  inventory  of  Mr.  Whit- 
ing's estate,  taken  in  1725,  and  that  of  Mr.  Estabrook's,  two 
years  later,  show  that  these  ministers  were  in  very  comfortable 
circumstances,  and  left  ample  provision  for  the  maintenance  and 
education  of  their  children.  Both  left  valuable  libraries,  num- 
bering nearly  two  hundred  volumes  of  standard  works.  A  large 
supply  of  bedding  was  included  in  their  hoUvSehold  furniture,  a 
goodly  array  of  pewter  and  brass,  a  little  silver,  some  chairs  and 
high  chests.  Carpets  and  bureaus  Avere  then  unknown,  and 
earthenware  was  rarer  than  silver.  The  inventory  of  wearing 
apparel  belonging  to  Mrs.  Estabrook  affords  some  interesting 
hints  as  to  the  customs  of  ladies  in  those  days.  It  included  "3 
black  crape  gowns  and  petticoats,  1  silk  stuff  double  gown  and 
petticoat,  1  silk  poplin  gown  and  petticoat,  1  silk  crape  gown,  1 
white  flannel  wrought  petticoat,  1  stuff  petticoat,  3  linen  and 
woolen  petticoats,  1  linen  and  woolen  (home)  gown  and  petticoat, 

I  new  camblet  riding-hood,  1  serge  riding-hood,  1  gauze  hood,  1 
black  silk  hood,  2  bonnets,  1  silk  scarf,  1  pair  stays,  1  head  dress, 

II  night  caps,  8  linen  aprons,  6  linen  aprons,  3  linen  and  woolen 
aprons,  2  calico  aprons,  2  checkered  aprons,  9  speckled  h.  d. 
k.  fs.,  9  pairs  gloves,  2  fans,  4  waist-ribbons,  amber  beads,  4 
pairs  stockings,  2  pairs  shoes,  &c." 

After  the  organization  of  the  county  the  first  court  of  common 
pleas  was  held  at  Windham  Green,  June  26th,  1726.  Timothy 
Pierce,  of  Plainfield,  who  had  been  judge  of  probate,  was  ap- 
pointed by  the  general  assembly  judge  of  the  county  court.  The 
justices  of  the  quorum,  who  attended  that  first  court  were  Joshua 
Ripley,  of  Windham  ;  Thomas  Huntington,  of  Mansfield  ;  Joseph 
Adams,  of  Canterbury,  and  Ebenezer  West,  of  Lebanon.  Rich- 
ard Abbe  was  appointed  treasurer  of  the  county.  The  jury  of 
this  court  was  composed  of  Eleazer  Cary,  Jonathan  Crane,  Joseph 
Ripley,  Jr.,  Joseph  Huntington,  Thomas  Root  and  Nathaniel 
Rust.  The  first  act  of  the  court  was  "  to  inquire  into  the  circum- 
stances "  of  the  unfortunate  Peter  Davison,  of  Mortlake,  then 
under  the  charge  of  Justice  Adams,  in  pursuance  of  a  recommen- 
dation from  the  county  court  of  New  London,  "that  this  Court 


44  HISTORY   OF    WIXDHAM    COUNTY. 

should  make  some  provision  for  the  further  support  and  main- 
tenance of  said  idiot."     Joseph  Backus,  of  Norwich,  appeared  as 
attorney  for  New  London  county.     The  court  was  of  opinion 
that  it  had  "no  power   or  authority  to  assign  said  idiot  to  any 
particular  place  or  person  for  his  future   support."     Forty-six 
cases  were  tried  at  this  first  session  of  the  court.     Licenses  were 
also  granted  to  Thomas  vStevens,  of  Plainfield ;  Sampson  Howe 
and  Isaac  Cutler,  of  Killingly ;  Solomon  Tracy,  Edward  Spald- 
ing and  Richard  Pellet,  of  Canterbury ;  Francis  Smith  and  Oba- 
diah  Rhodes,  of  Voluntown,  "to  keep   houses  of   public  enter- 
tainment for  strangers,  travelers  and  others,  and  also  to  retail 
strong  drink,"  and  to  James  Lassel,  of  Windham  "to  use  and  oc- 
cupy ye  art  and  mystery  of  tanning."     At  the  December  session 
Samuel  Backus  was  arraigned  for  speaking  "vile,  ungodly  and 
profane  language,"  and  Joseph  Bolles,  of  New  London,  "for  de- 
claring to  ye  worshipful   Judge   Timothy   Pierce,    'You    fight 
against   God   and   you  are  perverting   wretches.'"     Mehitable 
Morris  was  arraigned  for  unseemly  conduct,  was  sentenced  to 
pay  ten  pounds,  or  be  whipped  ten  stripes  upon  her  naked  body. 
A  jail  was  at  once  provided  for  the  use  of  the  county  prisoners. 
August  18th,  1726,  the  justices  planned  a  building  to  be  erected 
for  this  purpose,  "with  all  possible  expedition,"  and  pending  the 
completion    of   that  building   the  back  room  of   Mr.    Richard 
Abbe's  dwelling  house  w^as  engaged  to  be  used  as  a  jail.     ISIore 
particular  accounts  of  this  reformatory  institution  and  its   suc- 
cessive buildings  will  be  found  in  another  chapter.     In  April, 
1729,  the  justices  began  to  take  steps  toward  building  a  "  state- 
house  "  for  the  county.     A  court  house  forty  feet  long,  twenty- 
four  feet  wide  and  twenty  feet  high  was  decided  upon,  and  a 
committee  was  appointed  to  memorialize  the  assembly,  "pray- 
ing their  approbation  in  this  affair,  and  also,  that  something  be 
granted  to  said  county  out  of  the  duties  of  goods  imported  into 
this  Government  to  assist  them  in  building  said  house ;  also, 
that  something  be  allowed  them  from  the  counties  of  Hartford 
and  New  London,  in  consideration  of  what  we  paid  for  build- 
ing the  state  houses  while  we  belonged  to  said  counties;    also, 
that  the  town  of  Windham  may  be  under  the  same  regulations 
as  to  keeping  and  maintaining  a  grammar  school  in  said  town 
as  the  other  head  towns  of  other  counties  in  this  Colony." 

The  petition  appears  to  have  been  granted,  and  its  purposes 
accomplished    except  in  regard  to  reimbursement  from    New 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY,  45 

London  and  Hartford  counties  on  account  of  what  the  towns  of 
Windham  niight  have  contributed  toward  building  their  court 
houses.  The  assembly  gave  permission  for  those  counties  to  do 
this,  but  it  does  not  appear  that  they  ever  did  anything  in  that 
direction.  The  new  court  house  was  erected,  probably  in  1730. 
It  stood  on  a  corner  of  Windham  Green,-  and  was  considered  a 
handsome  building  for  the  time. 

Captain  John  Sabin,  the  first  settler  of  Pomfret  and  a  leading 
citizen  of  northeastern  Connecticut,  was  appointed  by  the  as- 
sembly in  October,  1726,  "  Major  of  the  Regiment  in  the  County 
of  Windham."  Upon  the  petition  of  several  persons,  the  assem- 
bly ordered  Major  Sabin,  a  year  later,  "to  raise  a  troop  in  the 
County  of  Windham,  and  to  enroll  such  suitable  persons  as  will 
voluntarily  enlist  themselves  and  engage  to  equip  themselves 
well  for  that  service ;  and  if  there  appear  and  enlist  to  the  num- 
ber of  fifty  persons,  the  major  then  lead  them  to  the  choice  of 
all  proper  officers."  It  appears  that  the  required  number  pre- 
sented themselves  and  the  troop  was  organized  in  May  follow- 
ing, Joseph  Trumbull  being  chosen  captain  ;  Jabez  Huntington, 
lieutenant;  Ebenezer  Metcalf,  cornet ;  and  Thomas  Newcomb, 
quartermaster. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  at  this  time  the  important  town  of 
Woodstock  was  not  included  in  the  county  of  Windham.  It  had 
been  held  by  Massachusetts  as  a  part  of  the  very  extensive 
county  of  Suffolk,  but  the  need  of  different  county  associations 
were  sorely  felt.  A  movement  to  effect  this  object  was  begun 
in  1721,  and  renewed  during  the  years  that  followed  until  ten 
years  later,  when  in  1731  it  was  incorporated  with  many  towns 
to  the  north  of  it  into  the  county  of  Worcester.  Colonel  John 
Chandler,  one  of  the  most  prominent  citizens,  and  a  member  of 
a  very  influential  family,  w^as  a  very  active  and  persistent  advo- 
cate of  the  measure.  The  distinguished  position  held  by  the 
Chandler  family,  with  the  general  prosperity  and  advancement 
of  the  town,  gave  Woodstock  a  very  prominent  place  in  Worcester 
county.  In  point  of  wealth  it  was  only  exceeded  by  the  older 
towns,  Leicester  and  Mendon.  Its  quota  of  tax  for  building  the 
new  Worcester  county  court  house  was  thirty-two  pounds. 

We  have  said  before  that  Woodstock  was  held  by  Massachu- 
setts. Although  lying  south  of  the  southern  boundary  line  of 
that  colony,  Massachusetts  having  in  a  sense  purchased  the  land 
for  her  offspring  to  settle  upon,  continued  to  exercise  powers 


46  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

and  rights  of  jurisdiction  as  well  as  rights  of  proprietorship.  As 
the  people  had  faYored  this  course,  the  colony  of  Connecticut 
had  neglected  to  assert  her  rights  of  jurisdiction  oYer  this  terri- 
tory, which  clearly  fell  within  her  bounds.  But  the  people  of 
Woodstock  now  began  to  see  that  it  would  be  more  desirable 
for  them  to  be  associated  with  the  colony  of  Connecticut.  Their 
taxes  would  be  lighter  and  their  privileges  greater.  Notwith- 
standing the  original  settlers  came  from  a  ^Massachusetts  town, 
a  new  generation  was  now  in  public  life,  less  personally  con- 
nected with  the  mother  colony.  The  death  of  Colonel  Chandler 
severed  the  strongest  tie  that  bound  Woodstock  to  Massachu- 
setts. That  the  grant  of  the  king  gave  Woodstock  territory  to 
Connecticut  was  admitted  by  all  parties,  although  an  agreement 
between  the  colonies  had  yielded  it  to  Massachusetts.  The 
Woodstock  people  maintained  that  this  agreement,  which  had 
never  been  confirmed  by  the  king,  was  invalid  ;  that  a  title  of 
land  could  only  be  annulled  or  transferred  by  the  power  which 
had  granted  it,  and  that  they  were  thus  within  Connecticut 
limits,-  and  entitled  to  the  privileges  of  its  government. 

The  geographical  position  of  Woodstock  was  similar  to  Somers, 
Suffield  and  Enfield,  further  west,  in  regard  to  the  Massachusetts 
line.  These  three  towns  lay  south  of  the  proper  Massachusetts 
line,  while  between  Woodstock  and  Somers  a  large  tract  of  Con- 
necticut land  (undisputed)  ran  up  to  the  line,  the  territory  being 
nearly  the  same  as  that  now  occupied  by  the  towns  of  Stafford 
and  Union.  These  Massachusetts  towns  extending  into  Con- 
necticut territory  were  called  "  indented  towns."  As  earl}'  as 
March  31st,  1737,  Woodstock  appointed  by  its  vote  a  committee. 
Colonel  William  Chandler,  to  join  with  the  other  "  indented 
towns  "  in  a  petition  to  the  assembly  of  Connecticut  to  take  them 
under  its  jurisdiction.  The  assembly  appointed  a  committee  to 
confer  with  a  Massachusetts  committee  in  regard  to  the  matter, 
but  the  assembly  of  that  colony  indignantly  refused  to  consider 
the  question  or  to  appoint  a  committee  to  confer  with  the  other 
in  regard  to  it.  Woodstock  and  her  neighbors,  however,  pressed 
the  question  during  the  years  of  a  decade,  and  the  assembly  in 
May,  1749,  acted  on  the  matter,  declaring  "  that  all  the  said  in- 
habitants which  lie  south  of  the  line  fixed  by  the  Massachusetts 
Charter  are  within  and  have  right  to  the  privileges  of  this  Gov- 
■ernment,  the  aforesaid  agreement  notwithstanding."  A  com- 
mittee was  also  appointed  to  join  with  a  Massachusetts  commit- 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  47 

'  tee  in  running-  and  fixing  the  line  between  the  colonies,  and  if 
the  latter  should  refuse  to  participate,  then  the  committee  should 
through  their  agent  in  Great  Britain  appeal  to  the  king'  to  "  ap- 
point commissioners  to  run  and  ascertain  the  division  line." 

Woodstock  now  called  a  meeting  of  her  inhabitants  and  or- 
ganized as  a  town  of  Windham  county  inConnecticut,  July  28th, 
1749,  seventy-four  freemen  being  at  that  time  admitted  to  the 
privileges  of  citizenship.  After  sixty-three  years'  subjection  to 
the  government  of  Massachusetts,  Woodstock  thus  triumphantly 
effected  her  own  secession.  No  longer  an  appended  indentation 
but  an  integral  part  of  her  rightful  commonwealth,  she  was  now 
organized  under  Connecticut  laws  and  formally  enrolled  among 
Windham  county  townships.  It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that 
Massachusetts  quietly  submitted  to  this  secession  of  towns  over 
which  she  had  held  jurisdiction.     A  considerable  of  diplomatic 

.  fire  and  smoke  followed,  but  the  association  of  Woodstock  with 
Connecticut  and  with  Windham  county  was  maintained. 

The  northern  towns  of  the  county  were  at  this  time  included 
in  the  Plainfield  probate  district,  but  this  being  an  inconvenient 
arrangement  for  them,  in  1752  a  new  district  was  formed  com- 
prising the  towns  of  Woodstock,  Pomfret,  Ashford,  Killingly, 
Mortlake  and  Union.  Paul  Bowen  was  appointed  clerk  of  this 
court,  and  he  kept  its  records  in  his  dwelling  house  on  Wood- 
stock hill. 

The  migratory  impulse  which  has  ever  been  a  characteristic 
-of  the  New  Englanders,  which  indeed  has  led  the  sons  of  the 
Pilgrims  from  Plymouth  Rock  to  the  coast  of  the  Pacific,  was 
•early  manifested  in  Windham  county.  The  settlement  of  this 
field  had  not  been  consummated  ere  the  people  were  look- 
ing westward  in  search  of  new  fields  and  pastures  green  for 
-their  restless  feet  to  tread  upon.  As  early  as  1735,  residents  of 
Ashford  and  Killingly  joined  with  others  from  towns  in  Massa- 
.chusetts  in  petitioning  for  a  township  among  the  "  Equivalent 
Lands"  allowed  to  Connecticut,  and  received  a  grant,  which  was 
.afterward  laid  out  as  Town  Number  One,  of  Vermont.  Wind- 
ham settlers  followed  in  1737,  asking  for  a  town  east  of  Salisbury, 
and  although,  their  request  was  refused,  many  residents  from 
that  and  other  towns  of  the  county,  removed  with  their  families 
to  the  new  towns  in  Litchfield  county.  A  more  decided  out- 
break of  this  emigration  spirit,  however,  occurred  about  the 
year  1750.     The„charter  rights  of  Connecticut  to  a  strip  of  land 


48  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

forty  leagues  wide,  extending-  southwest  across  the  continent  to 
the  Pacific  ocean,  had  never  been  yielded.  A  proposition  was 
now  put  forth  to  plant  a  colony  in  the  Susquehanna  valley  and 
thus  incorporate  it  into  the  jurisdiction  of  Connecticut.  The 
marvelous  richness  and  beauty  of  the  proposed  field  of  settle- 
ment was  then  well  known,  and  the  enthusiastic  originators  and 
promulgators  of  the  scheme  painted  it  in  glowing  colors.  March 
29th,  1753,  the  assembly  was  petitioned  by  ninety-three  inhabi- 
tants of  Farmington,  Windham,  Canterbury,  Plainfield,  Volun- 
town  and  several  other  towns,  not  specified  in  the  petition,  to 
grant  a  quit-claim  on  a  tract  of  land  sixteen  miles  square  on 
both  sides  of  the  Susquehanna  river.  The  petitioners  represent- 
ed that  the  tract  in  question  was  occupied  by  Indians,  whose 
claim  they  proposed  to  purchase,  and  that  no  English  inhabi- 
tant lived  upon  or  near  to  it.  They  further  proposed  to  go  and 
settle  upon  it.  No  formal  answer  appears  to  have  been  given, 
but  the  petitioners  evidently  received  encouragement  to  go  on 
with  their  plans  for  the  proposed  settlement.  The  project  now 
gathered  additional  strength.  A  blaze  of  enthusiasm  seemed  to 
invest  the  people.  A  meeting  to  form  a  company  to  carry  out 
the  plan  was  held  at  Windham  July  18th,  1753,  at  which  articles 
of  agreement  were  signed  by  more  than  two  hundred  and  fifty 
persons.  A  committee,  consisting  of  Jonathan  Skinner,  Jabez 
Fitch,  Eliphalet  Dyer,  John  Smith  and  Captain  Robert  Dixon, 
was  appointed  to  prospect  the  land,  purchase  the  Indian  claim, 
and  lay  out  and  convey  the  tract  to  the  settlers.  The  subscribers 
agreed  each  to  pay  in  advance,  two  "  Spanish  milled  dollars," 
toward  the  expense  of  the  committee,  and  on  their  return  to 
make  up  any  deficiency  by  equal  shares  in  the  amount.  The 
committee,  however,  was  limited  to  one  thousand  pounds  in  the 
expense  they  were  to  incur.  They  were  to  secure  a  tract  twen- 
ty miles  one  way  by  ten  miles  the  other.  This  movement,  orig- 
inating in  Windham,  soon  attracted  the  interest  of  inhabitants 
of  neighboring  towns,  until  it  extended  to  every  corner  of  Con- 
necticut. Meetings  were  held  here  and  there  and  step  by  step 
the  interest  grew.  At  Windham,  January  4th,  1754,  an  import- 
ant meeting  was  held,  when  in  answer  to  applications  for  mem- 
bership in  the  company  it  was  agreed  to  admit  forty  persons 
each  from  the  counties  of  New  Haven,  Fairfield  and  Litchfield  ; 
thirty  from  Hartford  county ;  twenty  from  New  London  county  ; 
and  ten  more  from  Windham.     The  price  of  a  share  was  now 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  49 

raised  to  four  dollars  instead  of  two,  but  this  advance  did  not 
check  the  applications  for  membership,  which  now  poured  in  so 
rapidly  that  in  May  it  was  determined  to  admit  five  hundred 
more,  at  a  still  further  advance  in  price  to  five  dollars  per  share. 
The  most  keen  sighted  and  public-spirited  men  were  engaged 
in  promoting  this  scheme. 

The  land  upon  which  the  colony  proposed  to  locate  was  held 
by  the  Six  Nations.  During  the  summer  negotiations  were  en- 
tered into  with  them  by  Messrs.  Woodbridge  and  Dyer  repre- 
senting the  company,  and  a  deed  was  secured  for  a  tract  of  land 
called  Ouiwaumuck  or  Wyoming,  in  the  Susquehanna  Valley. 
The  company  had  now  outgrown  the  limits  of  Windham  county, 
and  its  next  meeting  was  held  at  Hartford  on  the  27th  of  No- 
vember, 1754.  At  this  meeting  a  committee  was  appointed  to 
petition  the  king  for  a  confirmation  of  the  purchase.  This  com- 
mittee was  composed  of  Phinehas  Lyman,  George  Wyllis,  Dan- 
iel Edwards  and  Eliphalet  Dyer.  The  limit  of  numbers  now 
fixed  for  the  company  was  eight  hundred  "wholesome  persons," 
and  the  entrance  fee  for  new  subscribers  was  advanced  to  nine 
dollars.  Samuel  Talcott,  of  Hartford ;  Isaac  Tracy,  of  Norwich  ; 
Samuel  Gray,  of  Windham  ;  Oliver  Wolcott,  of  Litchfield  ;  Sam- 
uel Bishop,  of  New  Haven,  and  Joseph  Wakeman,  of-  Fairfield, 
were  appointed  to  manage  the  affairs  of  the  company  in  their 
respective  counties.  In  May  of  the  following  year  the  assembly 
was  petitioned  to  incorporate  the  colony  under  a  charter,  but 
though  fully  acquiescing  in  the  measure  it  was  not  willing  to 
commit  itself  to  any  action  in  advance  of  the  decision  of  the 
king.  The  company  was  thus  forced  to  await  the  result  of  its 
appeal  to  the  Crown,  and  this  being  presented  just  at  a  time 
when  the  difficulties  between  England  and  France  were  absorb- 
ing the  royal  mind,  received  for  the  time  no  attention,  and  the 
outbreak  of  hostilities  here  still  further  compelled  the  develop- 
ment of  the  Susquehanna  colony  to  submit  to  an  indefinite  post- 
ponement. 

After  the  return  of  peace,  five  years  later,  renewed  efforts 
were  made  and  the  Susquehanna  Company  resumed  active  oper- 
ations. At  a  meeting  held  in  Hartford  March  12th,  1760,  the 
committee  previously  appointed  were  directed  to  go  forward 
with  the  work  entrusted  to  them  with  all  possible  dispatch.  An- 
other company,  known  as  the  Delaware  Company,  was  engaged 
in  a  similar  scheme  of  locating  a  colony  in  the  Susquehanna 
4 


50  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Valley.  Both  these  companies  joined  in  sending  an  agent  to 
England  to  get  a  confirmation  of  their  purchases  from  the 
Crown,  but  in  this  they  failed.  The  assembly  of  Connecticut 
also  refused  to  issue  a  charter  for  town  settlements  or  incorpor- 
ation in  territor}^  which  was  claimed  with  so  much  reason  by 
the  government  of  Pennsylvania.  Powerful  Indian  tribes  also 
contested  the  ground.  Before  all  the  Indian  claimants  had  been 
satisfied  the  company  gave  liberty  to  individuals  to  begin  set- 
tlement there.  This  liberty  was  improved  by  several  Connecti- 
cut families,  who  effected  a  settlement  in  the  Wj^^oming  valley 
in  the  years  1762  and  1763,  but  were  soon  attacked  by  the  hos- 
tile savages  and  butchered  without  mercy.  On  the  return  of 
Eliphalet  Dyer,  who  had  been  sent  as  the  agent  of  the  Delaware 
and  Susquehanna  companies  to  Great  Britain  on  a  fruitless  er- 
rand to  the  king,  both  companies  were  summoned  to  Windham 
court  house  January  16th,  1765,  to  hear  his  report. 

Undeterred  by  rebuff  and  threatened  opposition,  the  Susque- 
hanna Company  continued  its  efforts.  Renewed  attempts  were 
made  to  gain  the  sanction  of  Connecticut,  but  that  government 
was  too  wise  to  expose  itself  to  collision  with  Pennsylvania,  and 
discreetly  withheld  its  formal  endorsement  of  the  enterprise. 
Colonel  Dyer  in  particular,  so  warmly  pleaded  its  cause,  and  so 
glowingly  depicted  the  charms  of  the  Wyoming  Valley  as  to 
call  out  from  one  of  the  wits  of  the  day  the  poetic  impromptu : 

"  Canaan  of  old,  as  we  are  told, 

Where  it  did  rain  down  Manna, 
Wa'n't  half  so  good  for  heavenly  food 

As  Dyer  makes  Susqviehanna."' 

The  vSusquehanna  Company  was,  however,  too  powerful  an  or- 
ganization and  too  strongly  entrenched  in  popular  favor,  to  be 
repressed  by  lack  of  official  aid  or  recognition.  At  a  meeting  in 
Hartford  in  1768,  it  was  voted  that  five  townships,  five  miles 
square,  should  be  surveyed  and  granted  each  to  forty  settlers, 
being  proprietors,  on  condition  that  these  settlers  should  remain 
upon  the  ground  and  defend  themselves  and  each  other  from 
the  intrusion  of  all  rival  claimants.  To  encourage  them  still 
further,  the  sum  of  two  hundred  pounds  was  appropriated  to 
provide  implements  of  husbandry  and  provisions.  Great  as  the 
risk  was,  there  were  many  ready  to  meet  it.  The  chance  of 
gaining  a  home  in  the  beautiful  valley  was  worth  a  contest,  and 
indeed  to  some  who  had  shared  in  the  exciting  service  of  the 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  51 

French  war,  the  prospect  of  a  brush  with  the  "Pennymites " 
may  have  furnished  an  additional  incentive. 

Early  in  1769,  forty  adventurous  Yankees  descended  upon 
Wyoming.  Foremost  among  them  were  old  French  war  cam- 
paigners, Captain  Zebulon  Butler,  of  Lyme,  and  Captain  John 
Durkee,  once  of  Windham,  now  of  Norwich.  Thomas  Dyer, 
Vine  Elderkin,  Nathaniel  Wales  and  Nathan  Denison,  of  Wind- 
ham ;  and  Timothy  Pierce,  of  Plainfield,  were  also  among  the 
heroic  "forty."  They  found  the  "  Pennymites "  already  in  pos- 
session of  the  field,  but  they  gave  battle,  and  after  a  sharp  and 
spirited  contest  were  obliged  to  quit  the  field,  leaving  Durkee 
and  other  leading  men  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  Colonel 
Dyer  and  Major  Elderkin  were  equally  unsuccessful  in  attempt- 
ing to  negotiate  an  amicable  settlement  with  the  proprietary 
government  of  Pennsylvania.  Funds  were  raised  by  the  activity 
of  Ebenezer  Backus  and  Captains  Joseph  Eaton  and  Robert 
Durkee,  with  other  men  in  other  parts  of  Connecticut,  for  the 
relief  and  support  of  the  prisoners. 

A  still  larger  force  returned  to  the  charge  in  1770,  and  a  more 
serious  contest  ensued,  but  they  were  also  compelled  to  retire 
with  loss  of  life  and  destruction  of  property.  After  taking  and 
losing  Fort  Durkee  in  the  course  of  the  following  winter,  the 
Yankees  opened  the  siege  in  the  spring  of  1771,  with  fresh 
forces  and  leaders,  resolved  to  carry  on  the  war  to  the  last  ex- 
tremity. The  "  Pennymites  "  met  them  with  their  usual  spirit 
and  gallantry,  though  greatly  crippled  in  resources.  After  de- 
fending the  fort  for  several  months  they  were  at  last  forced  to 
accept  articles  of  capitulation,  and  withdrew  from  Wyoming, 
leaving  the  rejoicing  Yankees  in  possession  of  the  land  so 
valiantly  contested. 

Organization  was  now  speedily  effected.  The  towns  already 
laid  out  were  divided  into  farms  and  distributed.  Those  who 
had  fought  for  the  prize  were  rewarded  by  bountiful  homesteads, 
and  many  other  families  from  all  parts  of  Connecticut  eagerly 
sought  a  share.  Windham  county,  so  active  in  proposing  and 
promoting  the  establishment  of  the  colony,  was  equally  ready  to 
take  possession,  and  scores  of  valuable  families  removed  thither 
in  the  course  of  a  few  years.  Among  them  may  be  mentioned 
Stephen  Fuller,  John  and  Stephen  Abbott,  John  Carey,  Elisha 
Babcock  and  Robert  Durkee,  of  Windham ;  Simon  Spalding, 
Ezekiel  Pierce  and  John  Perkins,  of  Plainfield ;    Captain  Samuel 


52  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Ransom,  Captain  James  Bidlack  and  Elisha  Williams,  of  Canter- 
bury ;  George  and  John  Dorrance,  Robert  Jameson  and  Cyrus 
Kinne,  of  Voluntown  ;  Anderson  Dana,  Joseph  Biles  and  Stephen 
Whiton,  of  Ashford.  Many  of  these  were  men  in  the  prime  of 
life,  with  large  families,  accustomed  to  the  management  of  af- 
fairs, and  eminently  fitted  to  aid  in  laying  the  foundation  of 
social  order  and  moulding  the  new  settlement  after  the  pattern 
of  Connecticut.  The  fertility  of  the  soil,  the  mildness  of  the 
climate,  the  beauty  of  the  country  and  the  abundance  of  its  re- 
sources far  exceeded  the  expectations,  and  such  glowing  reports 
came  back  to  the  rocky  farms  of  Windham  county,  that  emi- 
gration raged  for  a  time  like  an  epidemic,  and  seemed  likely  to 
sweep  away  a  great  part  of  the  population. 


CHAPTER  V. 


THE    FRENCH   AND    INDIAN   WAR. 


Military  Spirit  of  tlie  People. — Expedition  against  Crown  Point.— Fasting  and 
Prayer  by  the  People  at  Home. — Eastern  Connecticut  Regiment  at  Lake 
George. — Distinguished  Sons  of  Windham. — Defeat  of  Braddock. — Earth- 
quake.— Popular  Alarm. — Filling  the  Ranks  with  Recruits. — List  of  Soldiers. 
— Official  Honors. — Capture  of  Fort  William  Henry  by  Montcalm.— Enlist- 
mpnts  and  Names  of  Recruits. — Sufferings  of  the  Soldiers,  and  of  their  Fam- 
ilies at  Home. — First  Census  of  Connecticut  in  1756. — Population,  Valuation, 
Churches  and  Schools. — General  Progress. 


THE  French  and  Indian  war  interested  Windham  county 
in  common  with  her  sister  counties  in  this  and  other 
New  England  colonies.  In  August,  1755,  a  regiment 
was  raised  in  eastern  Connecticut  to  assist  in  the  proposed 
expedition  against  Crown  Point.  Eliphalet  Dyer  was  appointed 
lieutenant  colonel  of  this  regiment.  Each  town  of  the  county 
was  ordered  to  furnish  its  proportion  of  men.  John  Grosvenor 
was  captain  of  the  company  in  Pomfret,  and  Nehemiah  Tyler 
and  Israel  Putnam  first  and  second  lieutenants,  respectively. 
Notwithstanding  the  dangers  and  difficulties  of  the  service,  the 
requisite  number  of  recruits  was  speedily  secured.  A  strong 
military  spirit  pervaded  the  people,  to  which  was  added  a  sense 
of  religious  and  patriotic  obligation,  and  these  prompted  the 
people  to  ready  obedience  to  what  they  considered  the  call  of 
duty.  But  not  with  the  hilarious  spirit  of  reckless  adventurers 
did  they  meet  this  call.  Rather  with  a  spirit  of  humble  reliance 
on  a  higher  power  who  was  able  to  lead  them  through  the  dark 
and  uncertain  way  which  lay  before  them,  did  they  face  the 
practical  and  serious  question  of  the  hour.  As  an  example,  we 
may  quote  the  record  of  the  vote  passed  by  the  people  of  Ash- 
ford  at  a  church  meeting,  September  9th,  which  was,  "to  keep  a 
day  of  fasting  and  prayer  one  day  in  a  month  to  Almighty  God, 
in  behalf  of  our  friends  that  are  gone  and  going  to  defend  our 
land  against  an  encroaching  foe  ;  that  they  may  be  preserved 


54  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

and  have  success."  And  on  the  same  day  it  was  voted  in  town 
meeting,  "  That  the  town  do  concur  with  the  church  in  keeping- 
a  day  of  fasting  once  a  month." 

The  Eastern  Connecticut  regiment  at  once  joined  the  forces 
at  Lake  George,  and  did  good  service  during  the  remainder  of 
the  campaign.  Those  heroic  qualities  which  afterward  made 
Putnam  famous  were  at  once  shown  and  recognized.  Associ- 
ating himself  with  a  company  of  rangers  under  command  of 
Captain  Robert  Rogers,  he  engaged  with  great  ardor  and  bold- 
ness in  the  most  exciting  and  hazardous  service.  The  official 
report  of  his  first  thirty  days'  service  is  a  series  of  hair-breadth 
escapes  and  thrilling  adventures.  Alone,  or  with  but  a  single 
companion,  he  passed  night  after  night  in  reconnoisances ; 
creeping  under  bushes  into  encampments  of  hundreds  of  hostile 
Indians,  and  lying  all  night  within  reach  of  their  muskets,  ven- 
turing on  one  occasion,  at  Crown  Point,  within  a  rod  of  the 
sentry,  and  having  his  blanket  shot  through  in  different  places 
as  he  was  retreating  from  his  perilous  position. 

Another  son  of  Windham  county  distinguished  himself  during 
this  first  campaign.  This  was  Nathan  Whiting,  youngest  son 
of  Reverend  Samuel  Whiting,  of  Windham,  who  had  established 
himself  in  business  at  New  Haven,  but  went  to  the  front  as 
lieutenant  colonel  of  the  First  Connecticut  regiment.  By  his 
resolute  action  and  skillful  management  on  the  field  of  battle  at 
Fort  Edward,  he  rallied  his  regiment  from  a  destructive  panic 
which  followed  the  death  of  their  colonel  and  other  leaders  in 
the  fight,  and  largely  influenced  the  turning  of  the  tide  which 
routed  the  French  under  Dieskau  and  secured  a  victory  for  the 
English  arms.  "  For  his  extraordinary  services,"  upon  this  and 
other  occasions,  a  reward  was  granted  him  by  the  assembly  of 
Connecticut.  His  brothers,  William  and  Samuel,  also  served  as 
colonels  during  this  war. 

In  addition'  to  the  depression  felt  by  the  colonists  in  view  of 
the  defeat  of  Braddock  and  the  failure  of  several  projected  expe- 
ditions, the  public  mind  was  greatly  alarmed  by  a  severe  earth- 
quake shock,  felt  in  all  parts  of  the  country,  which  occurred 
about  four  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  November  18th,  1755.  The 
air  was  clear  and  calm,  the  moon  was  shining  with  her  usual 
placidity,  but  the  sea  was  roaring  on  the  shore  with  such  a  noise 
as  hardly  ever  was  known.  The  first  shock  lasted  about  one 
and  a  half  minutes,  being  succeeded  by  a  second  one  still  more 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  55 

terrific.  Mr.  Stiles,  of  Woodstock,  reports:  "The  terra  viotus  in 
this  place  very  severe,  lasting  about  two  minutes — earth  violently 
shaken."  This  unusual  phenomenon  was  considered  an  omen 
of  further  reverses  and  disasters.  Alarming  sickness  and  mor- 
tality already  prevailed  among  the  soldiers.  One  of  the  first 
victims  of  the  war  was  the  beloved  young  Separate  minister, 
Thomas  Stevens,  dying  at  his  father's  house  on  Thanksgiving 
day,  of  disease  contracted  while  serving  in  the  army  as  a  chap- 
lain. In  this  hour  of  darkness  the  Windham  County  Associa- 
tion, early  in  1756,  recommended  a  day  of  prayer  to  be  observed 
in  all  the  churches,  "  on  account  of  frequent  and  amazing  earth- 
quakes ;  strange,  unusual  and  distressing  war  ;  awful  growth  and 
spread  of  vice,  infidelity  and  iniquity ;  /.  t\,  some  hour  of  the 
afternoon  of  the  last  Thursday  in  every  month,  leaving  it  dis- 
cretionary with  the  ministers  whether  to  spend  the  whole  time 
in  prayer  only,  or  give  the  people  a  sermon  suitable  to  the 
occasion." 

These  untoward  events  and  gloomy  forebodings  did  not,  how- 
ever, discourage  enlistments. and  preparations  for  further  action. 
In  November  Israel  Putnam  received  a  commission  as  captain, 
and  was  ordered  to  raise  a  company  of  men  to  hold  Fort  Edward 
during  the  ensuing  winter.  Many  young  men  in  Pomfret  and 
adjacent  towns  were  eager  to  serve  with  so  spirited  and  popular 
a  leader,  and  the  ranks  were  soon  filled,  as  follows:  Captain, 
Israel  Putnam  ;  lieutenants,  Nathaniel  Porter  and  Henry  Chapin  ; 
sergeants,  Henry  Pearson,  Peter  Leavens,  Peleg  Sunderland  and 
William  Manning ;  corporals,  David  Cleveland,  Nathan  Hale, 
David  Whitmore  and  Thomas  Lyon  ;  drummer,  Nathan  Bacon  ; 
clerk,  Isaac  Dean  ;  soldiers,  Robert  Austin,  Matthew  Davis, 
Daniel  Isham,  Micajah  Torrey,  Eliphalet  Carpenter,  Samuel 
White,  Littlefield  Nash,  Jeremiah  Jackson,  Peter  Bowen,  Tim- 
othy Harrington,  Giles  Harris,Ebenezer  Cary,  John  Austin,  Aaron 
Dewey,  John  Waters,  Eli  Lewis,  Samuel  Horton,  Ezekiel  White, 
Robert  Newell,  Samuel  Webb,  Gideon  Webb,  Solomon  Mack, 
Zaccheus  Crow,  Roger  Crow,  Charles  Biles,  Edward  Try  on, 
Edad  Parson,  Stephen  Pease,  Wareham  Pease,  Thomas  Brigdon, 
James  Hartford,  Thomas  Eddy,  George  Gregory,  John  Metcalf, 
John  Philips,  John  Hutchinson  and  Benjamin  Shipman. 

The  forcesunder  Johnson  during  the  winter  of  1755-56  remained 
in  their  quarters  at  Fort  Edward,  vStrengthening  it  and  complet- 
ing and  equipping  F'ort  William  Henry  at  the  southwestern  ex- 


56  HISTORY   OF   WIXDHAM    COUNTY. 

tremity  of  Lake  George,  and  constructing  a  more  commodious 
road  between  these  two  important  positions.  Putnam's  company- 
was  chiefly  occupied  with  the  congenial  service  of  scouting  and 
ranging,  carrying  on  a  sharp  guerilla  warfare  with  the  bands  of 
hostile  savages  which  infested  that  region.  So  efficient  was  this 
service  that,  in  May,  Captain  Putnam  received  from  the  general 
assembly  a  grant  of  fifty  vSpanish  milled  dollars  in  recognition 
of  his  "  extraordinary  services  and  good  conduct  in  ranging  and 
scouting  the  winter  past  for  the  annoyance  of  the  enem}^  near 
Crown  Point,  and  discovery  of  their  motions." 

It  is  now  impossible  to  give  any  definite  account  of  the  partici- 
pation of  the  towns  in  the  county  in  this  war,  as  they  preserved 
no  lists  of  the  men  who  went  from  these  towns.  But  there  is 
sufficient  evidence  to  show  that  Windham  county  took  hold  of 
the  matter  of  frontier  defense  with  no  laggard  or  indifferent 
spirit.  Among  the  Windham  county  names,  the  following  were 
honored  with  the  rank  of  captain :  John  Payson,  Nathan  Pay- 
son,  William  Whiting,  Samuel  Whiting,  Eleazer  Fitch,  John 
Grosvenor,  Ebenezer  Williams,  Aaron  Cleveland,  of  Canterbury  ; 
Edward  Marc3%  of  Ashford ;  Ezekiel  Pierce  and  Benjamin  Lee, 
of  Plainfield;  Robert  Durkee,  of  Canada  Parish  ;  David  Holmes, 
of  Woodstock;  Benjamin  Crary  and  John  Keigwin,  of  Volun- 
town ;  John  Leavens  and  Samuel  Fairbanks,  of  Killingly;  Sam- 
uel Earned,  of  Thompson  Parish,  Joseph  Paine,  of  Pomfret. 
The  company  headed  by  Captain  Eleazer  Fitch  comprised  the 
following  men,  most  of  whom  were  from  Windham ;  James 
Tracy  and  Ezekiel  Fitch,  lieutentants  :  Elijah  Simons  and  Asa 
Richardson,  sergeants;  Nathan  Lilly,  Peter  Bowditch  and  Wil- 
liam Parish,  corporals ;  Edward  Bibbins,  Nathaniel  Ripley,  Da- 
rius Waterman,  Joseph  Farnum,  Asa  Stevens,  Isaac  Canada, 
Aaron  -Eaton,  Henry  Brewster,  Jonathan  Knight,  Benjamin 
Holden,  Josiah  Fuller,  vSimon  Cady,  Stephen  Baker,  Caleb  Aus- 
tin, George  Parker,  John  Watson,  jNIichael  Watson,  David 
W^oodworth,  Daniel  Moulton,  James  Hide,  George  Dunham, 
Joseph  Truesdell,  Jonathan  Canada,  Daniel  Squier,  ]\loses 
Sparks,  Phinehas  Manning,  Benjamin  Cary,  Cyrus  Richards, 
Joshua  Hebard,  Samuel  Morris,  William  Gordon,  Benjamin 
Paul,  Roger  Crary  and  Enos  Bartholomew,  privates.  Putnam's 
second  company  was  mostly  made  up  from  Plainfield  and  Voltm- 
town  ;  among  its  members  were  Thomas  Gallup,  as  lieutenant; 
George  Creary,  as  sergeant ;    Ebenezer  Davis  and  David  Shep- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  57 

ard,  as  corporals,  and  Robert  Dixon,  Benjamin  Parks,  Elijah 
Cady,  Ezekiel  Whiting,  James  Ashley  and  Thomas  Rudd  as 
soldiers.  -  .-c-^ 

Directly  following  the  alarm  caused  by  the  capture  of  Fort 
William  Henry  by  Montcalm,  four  volunteer  companies  marched 
from  Windham  county,  commanded  respectively  by  Abner 
Baker,  of  Ashford  ;  John  Carpenter,  of  Woodstock  :  Isaac  Coit, 
of  Plainfield,  and  John  Grosvenor,  of  Pomfret.  As  these  volun- 
teers were  mostly  men  advanced  in  life  it  seems  highly  proba- 
ble that  most  of  the  young  men  were  already  in  the  service. 
Captain  Carpenter's  company  was  made  up  as  follows :  Sergeants, 
Josiah  Child,  William  Manning  and  Stephen  Marcy;  lieuten- 
ant, Diah  Johnson ;  corporals,  Timothy  Perrin  and  Jonathan 
Knapp  ;  privates,  Isaac  Stone,  Benjamin  Joslin,  Zebediah  Sabin, 
Elisha  Marcy,  Daniel  Corbin,  Jesse  Carpenter,  Benjamin  Bacon, 
Joseph  Bishop,  Thomas  Fox,  Abraham  Frizzel,  Abijah  Griggs, 
Abel  Hammond,  Jeremiah  Tucker,  Abner  Darling,  Abijah 
Nichols,  Nathaniel  Ormsbee,  Joseph  Perry,  Joseph  Peake,  Joseph 
Frizzel,  David  Barret,  Henry  Lyon,  Daniel  Bacon,  Uriah  Marcy, 
George  Lyon,  Jonathan  Nelson,  Ephraim  Peake,  Joseph  Bug- 
bee,  Benjamin  Deming,  Elisha  Child,  Ezra  Child,  Nathaniel 
Ellithorp,  Luke  Upham,  Nathaniel  Saunders,  Elnathan  Walker, 
Eliphalet  Goodell,  Samuel  Dodge,  Ezra  Abbe,  Benjamin  Marcy, 
Zebulon  Alarcy,  Elisha  Goodell,  Daniel  AUard,  Increase  Child, 
Benjamin  Dana,  Samuel  Lyon,  vStephen  Lyon,  Daniel  Lyon, 
Joseph  Town,  Joseph  Newell,  Nathan  Bixby,  Peter  Leavens, 
William  Marsh,  Noah  Barrows,  John  Barrows,  Thcmas  Shapley, 
and  Calvin  Torrey.  Captain  Grosvenor's  company  comprised 
Ebenezer  Holbrook  and  John  Cotton,  lieutenants  ;  Joseph  Rob- 
bins,  Moses  Earl,  Joseph  Johnson  and  Josiah  Sabin,  sergeants; 
Josiah  Brown,  Jonathan  Fisk,  Benoni  Cutler  and  Jonathan  Coy, 
corporals  ;  Nathaniel  Stowell,  clerk,  and  the  following  privates  : 
Elijah  Sharpe,  Joseph  Sumner,  Elijah  Chandler,  James  Williams, 
Coy, Danielson,  Simeon  Lee,  Jonathan  JefEards,  Jon- 
athan Saunders,  James  Holmes,  Nathaniel  Goodell,  William 
Blackmar,  Nathaniel  Barnes,  Joseph  Coller,  John  Patton,  James 
Anderson,  Thomas  Gould,  Joseph  Grover,  Joseph  Sprague,  Eli- 
jah Cady,  Stephen  Brown,  Benjamin  Tucker,  Benjamin  Craft, 
Jacob  Whitmore,  Ebenezer  Covill,  Jonathan  Cutler,  and  men  by 
the  name  of  Hyde,  Hubbard,  Goodell,  Aldrich  and  Alton. 


58  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

These  lists  contain  but  a  small  part  of  the  names  of  those  who 
served  in  the  Avar.  It  is  probable  that  but  few  families  in  the 
county  were  without  one  or  more  representatives  in  the  army. 
In  addition  to  those  who  went  to  fill  Windham's  quota,  others 
went  to  make  up  the  quotas  of  other  places.  As  an  example, 
Darias  Sessions,  who  had  removed  hence  to  Providence,  returned 
and  raised  a  company  of  recruits  in  Pomfret  and  Abington  to 
serve  for  Rhode  Island.  During  the  war  Eliphalet  Dyer  was 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  colonel ;  Nathan  Payson  and  Israel  Put- 
nam to  that  of  lieutenant  colonel  ;  and  Elisha  Lord,  of  Abing- 
ton, was  a  surgeon.  Many  others  distinguished  themselves,  and 
gained  experience  Avhich  fitted  them  for  still  more  notable 
achievements  in  the  revolutionary  struggle  which  was  soon  to 
follow. 

The  sufferings  of  the  soldiers,  great  as  they  were,  could  hardly 
exceed  those  of  their  families  at  home,  not  only  from  suspense 
and  anxiety,  but  from  actual  privation  and  destitution.  Very 
little  definite  knowledge  can,  however,  be  gained.  We  only 
know  that  the  currency  was  greatly  demoralized,  provisions  and 
clothing  were  scarce,  and  all  the  resources  of  the  country  were 
very  limited.  As  an  instance,  it  is  told  on  very  good  authority 
that  the  family  of  Ensign  Samuel  Perrin,  of  Pomfret,  subsisted 
through  one  entire  winter  mainly  on  a  crop  of  carrots  which 
Mrs.  Perrin  had  raised. 

The  first  census  of  Connecticut  was  taken  in  1756.  The  towns 
of  Windham  county  numbered  at  that  time  as  follows:  Ashford, 
1,245  white;  Canterbury,  1,240  white,  20  black;  Killingly,  2,100 
white;  Plainfield,  1,751  white,  49  black;  Pomfret,  1,677  white, 
50  black;  Voluntown,  1,029  white,  19  black;  Windham,  2,406 
white,  40  black;  Woodstock,  1,336  white,  30  black;  Coventry, 
1,617  white,  18  black;  Lebanon,  3,171  white,  103  black;  Mans- 
field, 1,598  white,  16  black  ;  Union,  500  white.  Taking  from  the 
list  the  five  towns  which  have  since  been  withdrawn  to  other 
counties,  the  population  of  the  territory  now  embraced  by 
Windham  county  was  11,755  whites  and  189  blacks.  These 
blacks  were  mostly  owned  as  slaves  by  the  more  opulent  fam- 
ilies. They  Avere  generally  employed  as  house  or  body  servants, 
and  Avere  treated  Avith  great  favor  and  indulgence.  No  instances 
of  cruelty  or  neglect  have  been  reported,  and  no  complaint 
against  any  master  has  been  found  on  the  court  records.  The 
Indian  residents  were  not  enumerated  at  this  time.     Though 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  59 

greatly  reduced  in  number,  they  still  occupied  their  old  haunts 
in  several  towns.  Mohegans  still  asserted  their  rights  to  the 
Quinebaug  country,  and  exercised  the  privilege  of  fishing  in  the 
river,  cutting  down  trees,  and,  in  general,  taking  whatever  they 
needed. 

The  rate-list  of  1759  gives  to  the  towns  of  tl^e  present  Wind- 
ham county  the  following  valuations:  Ashford,  i^l2,6()8  9^-.  6^.; 
Canterbury,  i;i6,333  3s.  3./.;  Killingly,  ^21,837;  Plainfield,  i;i2,- 
341  19^.  6d. ;  Pomfret,  i;20,113  13^.  3d. ;  Windham,  i:26,952  Is.  4d.; 
Woodstock,  ^16,500.  The  unsettled  condition  of  the  currency 
at  this  date  makes  it  difficult  to  know  the  real  value  of  this  esti- 
mate, but  it  was  not  probably  equal  to  one-third  of  the  amount 
in  silver. 

Churches  at  that  time  were  organized  and  in  active  work  in 
the  towns  as  then  constituted,  as  follows :  In  Ashford,  one  ;  in 
Canterbury,  two  ;  in  Killingly,  five  ;  in  Plainfield,  two  ;  in  Pom- 
fret,  three;  in  Voluntown,  one;  in  Windham,  four;  and  in 
Woodstock,  three.  Schools,  though  poor  and  insufficient,  were 
gradually  improving.  Towns  and  societies  were  now  divided 
into  districts,  each  maintaining  its  own  school.  High  schools 
and  academies  were  yet  unknown.  Those  wishing  further  ad- 
vancement than  the  common  schools  could  give  them  repaired 
to  the  ministers.  The  influence  and  authority  of  the  clergy 
were  by  this  means  greatly  strengthened.  The  best  educated 
men  of  the  day,  leaders  in  church  and  state,  honored  them  as 
their  instructors  and  spiritual  fathers.  Ministers  of  the  town  as 
well  as  of  the  church,  they  occupied  a  most  prominent  and  dig- 
nified position,  and  were  usually  treated  with  great  respect  and 
deference. 

Very  little  progress  had  yet  been  made  in  the  manufactures. 
The  iew  articles  needed  for  domestic  use  were  made  in  the 
home  circle  or  by  neighborhood  itinerants.  Inventories  of 
estates  show  a  gradual  improvement  in  household  furniture  and 
conveniences.  The  poverty  and  limited  resources  of  the  peo- 
ple, domestic  broils  and  foreign  war,  however,  had  greatly  im- 
peded progress,  and  it  is  probable  that  no  marked  change  had 
been  Avrought,  either  in  the  face  of  the  country  or  the  condition 
and  manners  of  the  people,  since  the  organization  of  the  county 
in  1726.  Yet,  in  the  face  of  many  opposing  obstacles,  much  had 
been  accomplished.  Settlements  had  been  made,  towns  founded, 
institutions  established,  and  a  good  foundation  had  been  laid, 
upon  which  the  coming  generations  might  build. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


THE  REVOLUTIONARY  PERIOD. 


Spirit  of  the  People. — Influence  of  their  Leading  Patriots,  Dyer,  Durkee  and  Put- 
nam.— Indignation  at  the  Stamp  Act  of  1765.— Burning  Effigies. — Positive 
Demonstrations. — Treatment  of  Stamp  Agents. — Sons  of  Liberty  in  Wind- 
ham.— Popular  Outburst  in  1767. — Determination  of  the  Peoj'le  against  using 
English  Goods. — Closing  of  the  Port  of  Boston. — Windham  the  flrst  to  send 
Relief. — Rough  Handling  of  Royal  Agents. ^ — The  "  Boycott"  applied  to  an 
Adherent  of  the  King. — "Windham  Boys"  noted  for  their  Aggi'ess-ive 
Patriotism. — Fever  Heat  of  the  Public  Mind. — Alarm  from  Boston,  Septem- 
ber, 1774,  heralded  through  the  Towns,  and  answered  by  Putnam  and  two 
hundred  Volunteers. — Convention  of  Delegates  at  Norwich. — Providing 
Ammunition. — Preparing  for  War. — Organization  of  Militia. — Unity  of  Sen- 
timent.— Answering  the  Call  from  Lexington  April  9,  1775. — Gathering  of 
Troops. — Windham  County  first  to  send  Troops  to  the  Scene  of  Conflict. — 
One-fourth  of  the  Militia  called  out. — Officers  of  Windham  Troops. — Manu- 
facturing Munitions  of  War. — Windham  Soldiers  at  Bunker  Hill. — Earnest 
Work  of  the  Men  at  Home. — Energetic  Women  help  on  the  Cause. — Wind- 
ham Soldiers  after  Bunker  Hill. — Encouragement  at  the  Withdrawal  of  Brit- 
ish Troops  from  Boston  in  1776. — Manufacture  of  Powder,  Balls  and  Guns  at 
Home. — More  Troops  wanted. — At  the  Battle  of  Long  Island. — Organization 
of  the  Troops,  1776.— The  "Oliver  Cromwell"  fitted  out.— Depressing  Mo- 
notony of  the  long  continued  War. — Windham  County  Losses. — Raising  their 
Quotas. — Massacre  by  the  Indians  in  the  Wyoming  Valley. — Attempt  upon 
Newport,  1778. — Constancy  of  Windham  Patriots. — Self-sacrificing  Women. 
— The  fallen  Heroes. — Young  Men  in  the  Field. — Raising  Troops,  1780. — 
Armies  en  route  through  Windham  County. — Cessation  of  Hostilities. — 
Return  of  Peace. — Dealing  with  the  few  Tories. — Scanty  Pay  of  the  Soldiers. 
— Organization  of  new  Towns. — Adopting  the  new  Constitution,  1788. — 
Windham's  Representatives  in  the  Convention. 


WE  come  now  to  that  period  which,  of  all  periods  in  its 
history,  is  to  the  American  nation  the  most  import- 
ant— the  period  of  the  revolution.  After  what  we  have 
noticed  of  the  action  and  sentiment  of  the  people  of  Windham 
in  the  French  war,  we  should  naturally  expect  to  find  them 
taking-  an  active  interest  in  the  vital  questions  of  this  trying 
era.  And  in  this  we  are  not  disappointed.  The  citizens  of 
Windham  county  had  been  reared  to  an  intelligent  participation 
in  the  government  of  Connecticut.     As  soon  as  a  town  was  able 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  61 

to  pay  its  part  of  the  public  expenses  it  had  sent  representatives 
to  the  general  assembly,  and  the  proceedings  and  reports  of 
those  representatives  were  closely  scrutinized  and  debated  at 
home.  The  management  of  their  public  affairs  had  developed 
a  spirit  of  self-reliance  and  independent  judgment,  and  as  a  con- 
sequence wise  leaders  and  administrators  were  to  be  found  in 
every  community.  Taxation  for  the  support  of  civil  govern- 
ment had  been  associated  with  a  voice  in  its  administration. 
No  town  presumed  to  send  deputies  till  it  could  pay  public 
charges.  An  additional  cause  of  interest  which  the  people  of 
this  county  had  in  the  national  uprising  lay  in  the  fact  that 
their  position  on  the  main  thoroughfares  of  travel  brought  them 
into  very  close  and  constant  communication  with  the  leading 
towns  of  the  northern  colonies.  Filial  and  fraternal  relations 
connected  them  with  the  flaming  patriots  of  Boston  and  Prov- 
idence. The  earnest  words  and  warnings  of  Colonel  Dyer,  who 
was  then  in  London,  where  he  could  well  judge  the  aims  and 
temper  of  the  British  government,  made  a  deep  impression  upon 
the  citizens  of  Windham — "  If  the  colonists  do  not  now  unite, 
they  may  bid  farewell  to  liberty,  burn  their  charters,  and  make 
their  boast  of  thraldom."  A  still  more  potent  stimulus  was 
found  in  the  pervading  influence  of  Putnam,  Durkee,  and  other 
popular  military  leaders,  men  of  mettle  and  experience,  quick  to 
apprehend  the  exigency,  and  most  effective  in  appeal  to  popular 
sympathy. 

When  the  opprobrious  stamp  act  in  1765  was  passed  by  the 
British  parliament,  the  people  of  Windham  county  were  among 
the  first  to  join  in  the  popular  indignation  which  found  a  chorus 
of  expression  throughout  the  colonies.  It  was  learned  that  one 
of  their  own  number  had  been  appointed  a  deputy  stamp-master 
under  Ingersoll.  The  excitement  caused  by  this  news  was 
intense.  The  prospective  officer  was  waited  upon  by  a  self 
appointed  vigilance  committee  and  compelled  to  give  up  his  let- 
ter of  appointment  and  solemnly  promise  to  decline  the  office. 
On  the  morning  of  August  26th,  in  concert  with  the  action  of 
many  other  towns,  Windham  publicly  hung  this  person  in  effigy 
upon  Windham  Green,  where  a  large  concourse  of  people 
assembled  to  witness  the  mock  tragedy.  Effigies  of  other  sus- 
pected and  unpopular  individuals  were  successively  brought 
forward  and  hung  up,  amid  the  jeers  of  the  excited  multitude. 
After  hanging  all  day  they  were  taken  down  at  evening  and 


62  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

paraded  about  the  village,  and  then  burned  upon  a  huge  bon- 
fire. The  neighboring  town  of  Lebanon  observed  the  day  with 
niDre  dignity  and  solemnity,  draping  her  public  buildings  with 
black,  and  subjecting  her  effigies  to  a  formal  trial  and  sentence 
before  proceeding  to  hang  and  burn  them. 

The  citizens  of  Windham  and  New  London  counties  were 
fully  determined  to  prevent  the  distribution  of  the  stamps. 
When  it  was  found  out  that  Governor  Fitch  was  preparing  to 
carry  out  the  instructions  of  the  king,  and  that  the  colony 
agent,  Jared  Ingersoll  had  accepted  the  position  of  stamp-master, 
they  sallied  out  in  great  force  to  end  the  matter  at  once  and 
forever.  Five  hundred  horsemen,  armed  with  clubs  and  other 
weapons,  and  provided  with  eight  days'  provision,  marched 
across  the  country  under  the  leadership  of  Captain  John  Durkee, 
and  intercepting  Ingersoll  on  his  way  to  Hartford,  compelled 
him  to  write  his  name  to  a  formal  resignation  which  had  been 
prepared  for  him.  Putnam  was  accredited  with  a  prominent 
share  in  the  instigation  of  this  irruption,  though  at  the  time  he 
was  prevented  by  sickness  from  taking  an  active  part  in  its  ex- 
ecution. As  soon  as  possible,  however,  he  waited  upon  Gov- 
ernor Fitch  in  behalf  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  to  ensure  that  no 
other  stamp-master  should  be  appointed,  and  no  further  attempt 
made  to  enforce  the  act,  and  with  his  usual  directness  he  assured 
the  governor  that  if  he  refused  to  relinquish  control  of  the 
stamped  paper  his  house  would  be  "  leveled  with  the  dust  in  five 
minutes."  Nathan  Frink,  king's  attorney  in  Pomfret,  was  ap- 
pointed deputy  stamp-master  for  the  northern  part  of  the  county. 
After  building  an  office  for  their  reception  he  was  assured  by 
his  fellow-citizens  that  he  would  never  be  allowed  to  use  it  for 
that  purpose.  The  words  "  Liberty  &  Equality.  Down  with 
THE  Stamp  Act,"  were  inscribed  upon  a  stone  tablet  which  was 
raised  to  a  conspicuous  position  above  the  door  of  Mr.  Manning's 
dwelling,  near  Manning's  bridge  in  the  south  part  of  W^indham 
town. 

In  the  various  convocations  of  patriots  during  this  eventful 
time  Windham  bore  a  conspicuous  part.  Colonel  Dyer  was  sent 
as  a  delegate  to  the  first  general  congress  held  in  New  York  in 
October.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty  in  Hartford 
March  25th,  1766,  which  was  said  to  be  "much  more  generally 
attended  by  the  two  eastern  counties  of  Connecticut,"  Colonel 
Putnam,  Major   Durkee  and   Captain   Ledlie  were  appointed  a 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  63 

committee  to  arrange  a  correspondence  with  the  loyal  Sons  of 
Liberty  in  other  colonies  ;  and  Ledlie,  then  a  resident  of  Wind- 
ham, was  sent  as  a  representative  to  a  general  convention  of 
that  order  in  Annapolis.  Such  vigorous  resistance  and  the  gen- 
eral suppression  of  business  which  it  induced,  excited  the  com- 
mercial men  and  statesmen  of  Great  Britain  to  plead  for  the  re- 
peal of  the  odious  act,  which  was  soon  accomplished. 

In  1767  Great  Britain  again  laid  the  hand  of  oppression  upon 
the  colonies  by  imposing  a  tax  upon  paper,  glass,  painters' 
colors  and  tea.  This  again  roused  a  tornado  of  excitement  and 
opposition  throughout  the  colonies.  A  meeting  in  Boston  in 
October  called  upon  the  people  to  act  unitedly  in  refusing  to  use 
the  imported  articles  on  which  tax  was  laid.  In  this  sentiment 
the  towns  of  this  county  heartily  acquiesced.  All  were  ready  to 
pledge  themselves  to  abstinence  from  foreign  luxuries.  On  De- 
cember 7th  Windham  met  and  appointed  a  committee  to  draft  a 
response  to  the  appeal  of  the  selectmen  of  Boston,  which  response 
was  a  month  later  reported  and  unanimously  adopted  by  the 
townspeople.  This  response  was  virtually  a  pledge  of  the  peo- 
ple not  to  use  any  goods  imported,  mentioned  in  the  list  w^hich 
was  embodied  in  it.  Other  recommendations  were  also  given 
tending  toward  economy  in  living  and  thus  increasing  the  pos- 
sibilities of  independence  among  the  colonies.  Comm.ittees  of 
correspondence  were  also  appointed,  to  keep  up  internal  com- 
munication so  that  the  sentiments  and  action  of  the  sister  towns 
of  this  and  neighboring  counties  might  be  known  and  as  far  as 
possible  in  harmony  with  each  other.  Imported  luxuries,  in 
food,  drink  and  dress  were  given  up,  and  the  theory  of  practical 
independence  was  put  to  a  rigid  test.  Ashford  held  a  similar 
meeting  on  December  14th,  and  Canterbury  fell  into  the  line  on 
the  21st.  Other  towns  followed.  The  sentiments  expressed  and 
action  taken  were  harmonious.  The  closing  of  the  port  of  Bo.s- 
ton  by  the  British  parliament  in  1774  again  aroused  the  people 
to  expressions  of  sympathy  and  indignation.  Meetings  were 
held  in  the  different  towns,  and  resolutions  of  sympathy  were 
passed.  These  resolutions  were  not  empty  ebulitions  of  wordy 
and  windy  patriotism,  but  were  expressions  of  hearty  feeling, 
and  were  backed  up  by  substantial  contributions  for  the  relief  of 
the  oppressed  town  of  Boston.  Windham  town  has  the  honor 
of  being  the  first  to  send  such  relief.  This  was  given  m  the 
form  of  a  flock  of  two  hundred  and  fifty-eight  sheep  which  were 


64  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

driven  to  Boston  during  the  last  few  days  of  June,  as  a  volun- 
tary offering.  Other  towns  of  the  county  were  soon  in  the  field 
with  contributions  from  their  flocks,  which  at  that  time  were  a 
considerable  part  of  their  available  means.  Contributions  of 
other  animals  and  substantial  tokens  in  other  forms  were  for- 
warded. 

As  the  clouds  thickened  for  war  the  people  of  Windham 
county  proved  themselves  ready  for  action,  as  well  as  for  verbal 
expressions.  Mr.  Francis  Green,  of  Boston,  one  of  the  "  address- 
ers "and  adherents  of  Governor  Hutchinson,  having  ventured 
into  Connecticut  to  collect  debts  and  transact  private  businet;  , 
was  forcibly  expelled  from  Windham  town,  as  well  as  from . 
Norwich.  On  returning  to  Boston  he  advertised  a  reward  of 
one  hundred  dollars  for  the  apprehension  "of  five  ruffians  call- 
ing themselves  by  the  names  of  Hezekiah  Bissell,  Benjamin 
Lathrop.  Timothy  Larrabee,  Ebenezer  Backus  and  Nathaniel 
Warren,"  all  of  them  belonging  in  Windham,  and  who  he  de- 
clares did  with  the  help  of  a  great  number  of  others,  "assault 
the  subscriber,  surround  the  house  in  which  he  was  stopping, 
forcibly  enter  the  same,  and  with  threats  and  intimidations  in- 
sist upon  his  immediate  departure."  By  the  patriot  journals  Mr. 
Green's  ejectment  was  called  "  the  cool,  deliberate  remonstrance 
of  the  Sons  of  Freedom."  In  reference  to  the  affair  Colonel 
Eleazer  Fitch,  high  sheriff  of  the  county,  and  an  adherent  of  the 
king,  declared  "that  the  Norwich  and  Windham  people  had 
acted  like  scoundrels  in  treating  Mr.  Green  as  they  did."  The 
people  thus  stigmatized  came  together  in  great  wrath  and  firmly 
resolved  and  declared  that  they  would  administer  tar  and  feath- 
ers to  any  blacksmith,  barber,  miller,  or  common  laborer  "who 
should  aid  said  Fitch  in  any  way,"  and  as  these  expressions  were 
known  to  be  no  idle  forms  of  speech,  they  were  heeded  to  such 
an  extent  that  no  one  dare  harvest  his  wheat  and  grass,  and  so 
they  stood  till  they  rotted  and  fell  down  on  the  ground.  Also  a 
considerable  trade  was  withdrawn  from  him,  thus  executing  a 
most  effectual  "boycott." 

Another  instance  which  serves  to  illustrate  the  spirit  of  the 
time  in  Windham  county  was  that  of  John  Stevens,  of  Ashford, 
a  man  of  considerable  landed  property  and  a  prominent  citizen. 
He  was  suspected  of  being  an  enemy  to  the  "constitutional 
rights  of  American  liberty,"  and  a  committee  waited  upon  him, 
and  obtained  his  confession  that  he  had    spoken  against  the 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  65 

chartered  rights  of  the  American  colonists.  He  was  compelled 
to  sign  a  paper  in  which  he  humbly  asked  forgiveness  for  this 
offense,  and  declared  that  he  would  never  say  or  do  anything 
against  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  but  was  himself  a  true  Son  of  Liberty 
and  would  remain  so  to  the  end  of  his  life. 

The  zeal  of  Windham  patriots  was  too  ardent  and  effusive  to 
be  restricted  to  the  limits  of  the  county.  Their  intense  enthu- 
siasm in  the  popular  cause  led  them  to  take  an  active  part  in  all 
aggressive  demonstrations.  Inspectory  committees  were  con- 
stantly on  the  alert,  and  "Windham  boys"  were  ever  ready  to  aid 
in  forays  upon  suspected  tories.  Colonel  Abijah  Willard,  of 
Lancaster,  Mass.,  a  man  of  large  wealth  and  high  character,  had 
made  himself  obnoxious  to  the  people  by  accepting  the  office  of 
mandamus  councilor  to  Governor  Gage.  He  had  business  in- 
terests in  Connecticut  which  were  intrusted  to  two  attorneys  in 
Windham,  whom  he  invited  to  meet  with  him  for  consultation 
in  the  town  of  Union.  A  report  of  his  intended  visit  took  wing 
and  when  he  arrived  in  Union  he  was  met  by  hundreds  of  ardent 
patriots  from  Windham  and  adjoining  towns  who  took  him  into 
their  keeping,  guarding  him  through  the  night,  and  conveyed 
him  next  morning  over  the  line  into  Brimfield,  where  they  for- 
mally delivered  him  over  to  a  body  of  Massachusetts  citizens, 
by  whom  he  was  compelled,  under  pain  of  being  put  to  work  in 
the  Simsbury  mines,  to  ask  "  forgiveness  of  all  honest  men  for 
having  taken  the  oath  of  office,"  and  to  promise  not  to  exercise 
the  functions  of  the  office. 

The  public  mind  was  in  a  condition  of  fever  heat,  ready  to 
burst  out  at  any  moment  into  a  demonstrative  upriwSing  of  the 
people  to  arms.  On  the  2d  of  September,  1774,  a  rumor  started 
from  Boston  that  the  British  soldiers  there  had  fired  upon  the 
people.  The  news  was  brought  to  Colonel  Putnam  at  Pomfret, 
and  he  at  once  forwarded  it  to  other  towns  south  and  west.  The 
following  day,  being  Sabbath,  Putnam's  message  was  read  in 
many  assembled  congregations,  and  the  men  left  their  places  in 
the  worshipping  assembly  to  take  up  arms  and  go  to  the  defense 
of  Boston  and  the  country.  Two  hundred  volunteers  left  the 
town  of  Windham  by  sunrise  on  the  morning  of  the  4th,  and 
bodies  of  men  were  dispatched  also  from  all  the  other  towns  of 
the  county.  They  had  scarcely  passed  the  Massachusetts  line, 
however,  when  they  were  met  by  a  contradiction  of  the  alarm. 

This  revelation  that  the  people  throughout  the  colonies  were 

5 


66  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

read}'  to  take  up  arms  wheneYer  occasion  should  call  them  to 
do  so,  greatly  cheered  the  patriot  leaders  and  stimulated  them 
to  further  resistance.  The  report  of  this  uprising  excited  much 
interest  at  home  and  abroad.  FIyc  hundred  men  ^vere  under 
arms  in  Pomfret,  and  Putnam  in  behalf  of  them  wrote  :  "  Words 
cannot  express  the  gladness  discovered  by  everj-  one  at  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  door  being  opened  to  avenge  the  many  abuses 
and  insults  which  those  foes  to  liberty  have  offered  to  our  breth- 
ren in  your  town  and  province.  But  for  counter  intelligence  we 
should  have  had  forty  thousand  well  equipped  and  ready  to 
march  this  morning.  Send  a  written  express  to  the  foreman 
of  this  committee  when  you  have  occasion  for  our  martial  as- 
sistance." 

These  circumstances  suggested  to  the  people  the  necessity  for 
all  possible  provision  for  the  conflict,  which  even  then  must 
have  seemed  inevitable.  A  convention  of  delegates  from  New 
London  and  Windham  counties  was  held  at  Norwich  on  the  9th 
of  the  same  month,  having  for  its  object  a  preparation  for  future 
emergency.  It  was  then  decided  that  every  town  should  supply 
itself  as  speedily  as  possible  with  a  full  complement  of  ammuni- 
tion and  militar}^  stores,  that  every  military  company  should 
equip  themselves  at  once  and  perfect  themselves  in  the  practice 
of  military  exercises  by  calling  together  the  companies  and  giv- 
ing instructions  to  those  unfamiliar  with  handling  arms  and 
military  movements,  and  the  officers  were  called  upon  to  stud}- 
more  completely  their  duties,  and  see  that  the  militia  were  made 
thoroughly  familiar  with  the  arts  of  war  and  military  skill  and 
discipline.  The  general  assembly  in  October  directed  that  each 
town  in  the  colony  should  provide  double  the  quantity  of  powder, 
balls  and  flints  that  they  had  heretofore  been  required  to  keep 
on  hand. 

The  suggestions  with  regard  to  military  preparations  were 
carried  out  with  promptness  and  alacrity  by  all  the  towns.  The 
military  ardor  of  the  citizens  needed  little  stimulus,  but  there 
was  great  lack  of  drill  and  discipline.  Company  trainings  had 
been  statedly  observed  in  every  neighborhood,  but  the  pre- 
scribed regimental  reviews  had  been  to  a  great  degree  omitted. 
A  grand  military  parade  had  indeed  been  held  in  Plainfield 
some  time  in  1773,  especially  memorable  for  inciting  the  first 
stirrings  of  military  enthusiasm  in  the  heart  of  a  young  Rhode 
Island  Quaker,  Nathaniel  Greene,  who,  with  hundreds  of  other 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  67 

spectators,  rode  many  miles  to  witness  tlie  scene.  A  review  of 
the  Eleventh  regiment  had  also  been  held  at  Woodstock  in  May, 
1774,  which  was  very  notable  for  the  large  numbers  present,  as 
well  as  for  the  patriotic  enthusiasm  exhibited.  Field  officers 
and  commissioners  from  New  London  and  Windham  counties 
now  planned  a  great  regimental  meeting  to  be  held  at  Windham 
town  in  the  spring  of  1775.  Ten  colonels  were  associated  in  it, 
and  a  corresponding  number  of  regiments  were  included.  The 
military  companies  in  Plainfield,  Canterbury,  Voluntown,  and 
the  south  part  of  Killingly  now  formed  the  Twenty-first  regi- 
ment. The  others  remained  as  before,  viz. :  Companies  of 
Windham,  Mansfield,  Coventry  and  Ashford  formed  the  Fifth 
regiment,  of  which  Jedediah  Elderkin  was  colonel,  Experience 
Storrs  lieutenant-colonel,  and  Thomas  Brown  major.  Pomfret, 
Woodstock,  and  the  north  and  central  companies  of  Killingly 
were  included  in  the  Eleventh  regiment,  of  which  Ebenezer 
Williams  was  colonel  and  William  Danielson  major.  Lebanon 
was  included  in  the  Twelfth  regiment  and  Union  in  the  Twenty- 
second.  A  troop  of  horse  was  attached  to  each  regiment.  Com- 
pany trainings  were  held  at  least  once  a  month  during  the  winter, 
and  special  preparation  was  made  for  the  parade  in  April.  Lib- 
erty poles  were  set  up  in  many  of  the  towns,  with  appropriate 
exercises.  A  great  crowd  assembled  on  Killingly  hill  and 
hoisted  two  long  sticks  of  timber  united  by  a  couple  of  cross- 
ties.  From  the  top  of  this  high  pole  a  flag  was  flung  to  the 
breeze,  decorated  with  a  rising  sun  and  other  suggestive  devices. 
A  stray  Englishman  who  had  settled  in  the  neighborhood 
smiled  scornfully  at  the  demonstrations.  "Ah  !  "  said  he,  "  you 
know  nothing  of  Old  England  ;  she  will  come  and  cut  down 
your  liberty  pole  for  you." 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  that  a  remarkable  unity  of  senti- 
ment existed  among  the  people  of  Windham  county  at  this  time. 
Tories  were  very  few,  and  those  who  did  entertain  sentiments 
in  favor  of  the  mother  country  were  careful  about  flaunting 
those  sentiments  too  strongly  in  the  face  of  their  neighbors. 
They  were,  instead,  but  quiet  factors,  looking  passively  on  and 
taking  no  part  in  the  demonstrations  that  the  people  were  mak- 
ing around  them,  and  at  the  same  time  raising  no  voice  to  op- 
pose them. 

Following  the  rencontre  between  the  king's  troops  and  the 
provincials  at  Lexington  on  the  morning  of  April  9th,  despatches 


68  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

were  received  in  the  towns  of  this  county  on  the  next  day,  and 
the  call  for  help  met  with  a  ready  response  from  thousands  who 
had  been  preparing  for  such  an  emergency.  Putnam,  plowing 
in  the  pleasant  April  morning,  heard  the  summons,  and  leaving 
his  son  to  unyoke  the  team,  hurried  off  for  consultation  with 
town  committees  and  military  officers.  A  second  express,  com- 
ing by  way  of  Woodstock,  was  brought  to  Colonel  Ebenezer 
Williams,  of  Pomfret,  at  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  for- 
warded at  once  to  Colonel  Obadiah  Johnson,  of  Canterbury,  wath 
a  postscript  stating  that  a  thousand  of  our  troops  had  surrounded 
the  First  brigade  at  Boston,  and  that  fifty  of  our  men  and  one 
hundred  of  the  enemy  were  killed.  Almost  the  entire  male  pop- 
ulation of  Windham  county  was  now  up  in  arms,  ready  to  go  to 
the  scene  of  the  conflict.  Putnam,  on  returning  from  his  con- 
sultations, found  hundreds  of  men  already  assembled  on  the 
Green  at  Brooklyn,  awaiting  his  orders.  He  bade  them  wait  un- 
til regularly  called  out  as  militia,  and  then,  without  rest  or 
refreshment,  he  started  at  sunset  on  his  memorable  ride  b}"  night 
to  Cambridofe.  There  is  evidence  that  the  news  was  received 
in  Killingly  at  an  earlier  hour  that  morning  than  it  had  been 
received  at  Brooklyn.  An  express  from  Boston  came  to  Mr. 
Hezekiah  Cutler,  who,  on  receiving  it,  rose  from  his  bed  and 
fired  three  guns  as  an  alarm.  This  was  answered  by  fifteen 
men,  who,  with  Mr,  Cutler,  were  on  the  road  toward  Cambridge 
before  sunrise. 

Friday,  the  20th  of  April,  was  a  day  of  activity  and  excite- 
ment in  Windham  county.  Preparations  were  everywhere  in 
progress.  Officers  were  riding  rapidly  around  in  every  direc- 
tion, bullets  were  being  cast  and  accoutrements  and  rations 
provided.  Many,  especially  in  the  northern  towns,  shouldered 
their  guns  and  started  without  awaiting  any  organized  move- 
ment. Killingly's  stock  of  powder  was  stored  in  the  meeting 
house,  under  the  charge  of  Hezekiah  Cutler,  who  had  left  orders 
that  each  volunteer  should  be  furnished  with  a  half  pound  ;  and 
the  house  was  thronged  all  day  with  squads  of  men  coming  in 
to  receive  their  portion  before  starting  on  their  self  directed 
march  for  Cambridge. 

On  Saturday  fifteen  companies  gathered  at  Pomfret,  the  place 
agreed  upon  as  the  rendezvous  for  the  Windham  county  volun- 
teers. There  the  officers  were  entertained  for  the  night  by  Mr. 
Ebenezer  Grosvenor,  and  the  men  bivouacked  where  it  was  most 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  69 

convenient  for  them.  More  than  a  thousand  men  had  offered 
themselves.  On  Sunday  morning  they  attended  prayers  led  by 
Reverend  Mr.  Putnam,  after  which  a  letter  from  Colonel  Putnam 
at  Cambridge  was  read,  and  regimental  orders  were  received 
from  Colonel  Elderkin.  A  council  of  officers  being  held,  it  was 
decided  that  only  one-fifth  of  the  men  present  should  be  sent 
forward,  and  that  the  remainder  should  return  to  their  homes. 
The  whole  Ashford  company,  consisting  of  seventy-eight  men 
under  Captain  Thomas  Knowlton,  a  large  number  from  Pomfret 
under  Captain  Ingalls,  with  a  few  selected  from  the  other  com- 
panies present,  were  taken.  These,  under  command  of  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  Storrs,  marched  that  afternoon  to  Woodstock, 
where,  at  Moulton's  tavern,  they  passed  the  night.  Next  morn- 
ing they  moved  forward.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Storrs  proceeding 
with  them  as  far  as  Dudley,  when  he  left  them  to  pursue  their 
way  under  charge  of  Major  Brown  and  Captain  Knowlton. 
Their  orderly  and  soldierly  bearing  attracted  great  attention  on 
their  march,  and  they  were  received  at  Cambridge  with  special 
distinction  as  the  first  trained  companies  that  had  come  from 
outside  her  limits  to  the  aid  of  Massachusetts.  Thus  Windham 
county  for  the  second  time  gained  the  honor  of  being  first  to 
respond  with  aid  to  the  needs  of  Boston — the  first  instance  being 
the  forwarding  of  a  flock  of  sheep  when  the  port  was  officially 
closed,  mention  of  which  has  already  been  made. 

Other  companies  were  soon  called  for,  and  followed  on  as  rap- 
idly as  the  circumstances  M'-ould  permit.  Besides  troops  of  horse, 
of  which  each  town  contributed  its  proportion,  Woodstock  sent 
140  men,  under  Captains  Benjamin  and  Daniel  Lyon,  Ephraim 
Manning,  Nathaniel  Marcy,  and  Lieutenant  Mark  Elwell ;  Wind- 
ham 159  men,  under  Captains  William  Warner,  James  Stedman, 
John  Kingsley  and  Lieutenant  Melatiah  Bingham ;  Canterbury 
70  men,  under  Captains  Aaron  Cleveland,  Joseph  Burgess  and 
Sherebiah  Butts ;  Ashford  78  men,  under  Captain  Thomas 
Knowlton ;  Pomfret  89  men,  under  Captain  Zebulon  Ingalls ; 
Plainfield  54  men,  under  Captain  Andrew  Backus  ;  Killingly  146 
men,  under  Major  William  Danielson  and  Captains  Joseph  Cady 
and  Joseph  Elliott.  The  great  regimental  muster  which  had 
been  planned  for  April  was,  by  the  logic  of  ei^ents,  transferred 
from  Windham  Green  to  Cambridge.  In  some  towns  it  is  slid 
that  every  able  bodied  man  went  to  the  scene  of  war,  leaving 
the  country  at  home  so  destitute  of  active  life  as  to  give  it  a 
quite  desolate  and  deserted  appearance. 


70  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

The  government  of  Connecticut  now  decided  that  one-fcurth 
of  the  militia  throughout  the  colony  should  be  called  out  and 
equipped  for  the  defense  of  the  colony.  They  were  to  be  formed 
into  companies  of  one  hundred  men  each,  and  all  were  com- 
prised in  six  regiments.  Israel  Putnam  w^as  appointed  second 
brigadier  general  of  these  troops.  Under  this  regulation  the 
Windham  county  men  were  mostly  enrolled  in  the  Third  regi- 
ment, of  which  Putnam  was  colonel.  The  officers  of  these  com- 
panies, as  far  as  they  belonged  to  the  towns  of  present  Wind- 
ham, were  as  follows :  Company  1 — Israel  Putnam,  captain  ;  Jon- 
athan Kingsley,  Scotland,  first  lieutenant ;  Thomas  Grosvenor, 
Pomfret,  second  lieutenant ;  Elijah  Loomis,  ensign.  Company 
2 — Experience  Storrs,  captain  ;  James  Dana,  Ashford,  first  lieu- 
tenant ;  Ebenezer  Gray,  Windham,  second  lieutenant ;  Isaac 
Farwell,  ensign.  Company  4 — Obediah  Johnson,  captain  ;  Eph- 
raim  Lyon,  first  lieutenant ;  Wells  Clift,  second  lieutenant ;  Isaac 
Hide,  Jr.,  ensign  ;  Lieutenant  Clift  of  Windham,  the  others  of 
Canterbury.  Company  5 — Thomas  Knowlton,  captain  ;  Reuben 
Marcy,  first  lieutenant ;  John  Keyes,  second  lieutenant ;  Daniel 
Allen,  Jr.,  ensign  ;  all  of  Ashford.  Company  7 — Ephraim  Man- 
ning, captain  ;  Stephen  Lyon,  first  lieutenant ;  Asa  Morris,  sec- 
ond lieutenant ;  William  Frizzell,  ensign ;  all  of  Woodstock. 
Company  8 — Joseph  Elliott,  captain  ;  Benoni  Cutler,  first  lieu- 
tenant ;  Daniel  Waters,  second  lieutenant ;  Comfort  Day,  ensign  ; 
all  of  Killingly.  Company  9 — Ebenezer  Mosely,  captain ; 
Stephen  Brown,  first  lieutenant ;  Melatiah  Bingham,  second  lieu- 
tenant ;  Nathaniel  Wales,  ensign ;  Brown  of  Pomfret,  all  the 
other  officers  and  men  from  Windham.  Company  10 — Israel 
Putnam,  Jr.,  captain  ;  Samuel  Robinson,  Jr.,  first  lieutenant ; 
Amos  Avery,  second  lieutenant ;  Caleb  Stanley,  ensign  ;  all  of 
Brooklyn. 

Many  who  had  gone  out  on  the  first  alarm  were  mustered  into 
this  regiment  without  returning  home.  The  men  by  whom 
Windham  county  was  at  this  time  represented  in  the  colonial 
assembly  were  as  follows :  Windham — Colonel  Jedidiah  Elder- 
kin,  Ebenezer  Devotion ;  Lebanon — ^Colonel  William  Williams, 
Jonathan  Trumbull,  Jr. ;  Mansfield — Lieutenant  Colonel  Exper- 
ience vStorrs,  Nathaniel  Atwood ;  Woodstock — Captain  Elisha 
Child,  Captain  Samuel  McClellan  ;  Coventry — Captain  Ebenezer 
Kingsbury,  Jeremiah  Ripley  ;  Canterbury — David  Paine,  Eli- 
ashib    Adams ;    Killingly — Stephen    Crosby,    Eleazer   Warren  ; 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  71 

Pomfret — General  Israel  Putnam,  Doctor  Elisha  Lord  ;  Asliford — 
Captain  Benjamin  Sumner,  Ichabod  Ward  ;  Plainfield — Captain 
James  Bradford,  William  Robinson  ;  Voluntown — ]Major  James 
Gordon,  Robert  Hunter. 

While  the  "bone  and  sinew  "  of  the  county  was  absent  at  the 
front,  there  was  still  left  Avilling  hands  and  active  brains  at  home 
to  work  for  the  common  cause  at  such  labors  as  lay  Avithin  their 
reach.  And  these  were  neither  few  nor  insignificant ;  scarce  a 
household  that  had  not  some  concern  with  fitting-  out  men  and 
sending  supplies  to  them.  All  private  interests  seem  to  have 
been  laid  aside  that  every  thought  and  energy  might  be  devoted 
to  the  common  cause.  Large  bodies  of  men  were  now  passing 
across  the  territory  of  Windham  county,  over  the  great  thor- 
oughfares, from  the  western  and  southern  sections  of  the  coun- 
try to  the  seat  of  war.  New  taverns  had  to  be  opened  along  the 
way  and  largely  increased  facilities  provided  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  these  augmented  numbers  of  travelers.  The  assembly 
offered  bounties  for  the  manufacture  of  fire  arms  and  saltpetre. 
Hezekiah  Huntington,  of  Windham,  opened  a  shop  at  Williman- 
tic  for  the  repair  and  manufacture  of  fire  arms,  and  John  Brown 
carried  on  the  manufacture  of  saltpetre  in  the  same  locality. 
Nathan  Frink  projected  a  similar  establishment  at  Pomfret. 
Samuel  Nott  and  Moses  C.  Welch  devoted  their  mental  energies 
to  experiments  with  saltpetre  and  explosives.  Colonel  Elderkin 
and  Nathaniel  Wales,  Jr.,  arranged  for  the  construction  of  a 
powder  mill. 

The  excitement  of  the  hour  and  the  reports  of  successful  skir- 
mishes with  the  enemy  kept  the  people  in  high  spirits.  Hope 
and  enthusiasm  were  inspired,  and  the  prospects  looked  bright 
before  the  eyes  of  the  Windham  county  patriots.  When  the 
battle  of  Bunker  Hill  passed  into  history,  an  honorable  share  of 
its  glory  fell  to  the  credit  of  Windham  county.  Of  the  two 
hundred  Connecticut  men  detailed  under  Captain  Knowlton  for 
special  service  on  Bunker  Hill  on  the  evening  of  June  16th, 
1775,  one  hundred  and  twenty  were  taken  from  the  companies 
of  this  county,  being  drafted  from  the  first,  second,  fourth  and 
fifth  companies.  Thirty-two  men  were  also  drafted  from  Cap- 
tain Chester's  company,  in  the  Second  regiment,  and  probably  a 
similar  number  from  Captain  Coit's  company.  These  were  the 
men  who  toiled  all  night  and  in  the  early  morn  upon  Prescott's 
redoubt,  banked  with  wet  grass  the  famous  rail  fence,  and,  aided 


72  HISTORY   OF    WIXDHAM    COUNTY. 

by  "  Hampshire  boys  "  under  Stark,  and  Connecticut  reinforce- 
ments led  by  Captains  Chester,  Clark,  Colt,  and  Major  Durkee, 
drove  back  from  it  again  and  again,  with  great  slaughter,  the 
serried  columns  of  the  advancing  British,  and  saved  the  retreat- 
ing garrison  from  capture  or  annihilation.  Many  incidents  of 
the  fight  were  carried  home  to  Windham  county.  Josiah  Cleve- 
land, of  Canterbury,  kept  guard  through  the  night  while  the 
men  were  digging  entrenchments,  and  heard  the  unsuspicious 
sentinels  on  the  opposite  shore  pronounce  their  watch  calls, 
"All's  well!"  Abijah  Fuller,  from  Windham,  helped  Gridley 
draw  the  lines  of  the  fortification  on  Breed's  hill.  Knowlton,  in 
his  shirt  sleeves,  walked  before  his  breastwork,  cheering  his  men 
and  firing  his  own  musket  until  it  was  wrenched  from  his  grasp 
by  a  cannon  ball,  bending  the  barrel  so  as  to  render  it  useless. 
Lieutenant  Dana  was  the  first  to  detect  the  flank  movement  of 
the  enemy,  and  having  given  the  alarm,  was  the  first  to  fire  upon 
the  advancing  army.  Lieutenant  Grosvenor  fired  with  the  same 
precision  and  deliberation  that  he  was  accustomed  to  exercise 
in  shooting  a  fox,  and  saw  a  man  fall  at  each  discharge  of  his 
piece.  "  Boys,"  said  Putnam,  to  several  veterans  of  the  French 
war,  as  he  passed  them  on  the  field,  "  do  you  remember  my 
orders  at  Ticonderoga?"  Promptly  came  the  response,  "  You 
told  us  not  to  fire  till  we  could  see  the  whites  of  the  enemy's 
eyes."  "Well,"  said  Putnam,"!  give  the  same  order  now;" 
and  most  literally  it  was  obeyed.  Timothy  Cleveland,  of  Can- 
terbury, had  the  breech  of  his  gun  stock  shot  off  when  in  full 
retreat,  and  exclaiming,  "  The  darned  British  shall  have  no  part 
of  my  gun,"  ran  back  and  secured  the  broken  piece  in  the  very 
face  of  the  advancing  enemy.  Putnam  stood  by  a  deserted 
field  piece  urging  the  retreating  troops  to  make  one  more  stand 
until  the  bayonets  of  the  foe  were  almost  upon  him.  Robert 
Hale,  a  saucy  Ashford  boy,  discharged  an  artillery  piece  in  the 
very  teeth  of  the  foe,  and  escaped  unscathed.  Abiel  Bugbee, 
also  of  Ashford,  was  one  who  held  his  ground  to  the  very  last 
of  the  fight,  throwing  j-/cw£'j- when  his  ammunition  was  expended. 
A  few  Windham  county  men  were  killed  and  several  others 
more  or  less  wounded  in  this  engagement,  but  their  loss  was 
much  lighter  than  that  of  many  other  sections.  In  recognition 
of  Putnam's  distinguished  services  he  was  immediately  pro- 
moted to  the  rank  of  major  general,  fourth  in  command  in  the 
American  army.     Knowlton  and   Dana  were  also  highly  com- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  73 

mended,  and  soon  afterward  promoted,  the  former  to  the  posi- 
tion of  major  and  the  latter  to  that  of  captain. 

Other  men  than  those  mentioned  went  to  the  w^ar  from  Wind- 
ham county.  These  were  in  the  Eightli  regiment,  of  which  Jed- 
idiah  Huntington,  of  Norwich,  was  colonel;  John  Douglas,  of 
Plainfield,  lieutenant  colonel ;  Reverend  John  Fu.ller,  of  Plain- 
field,  chaplain  ;  Dr.  Elisha  Perkins,  of  the  same  toMm,  surgeon  ; 
and  Albigence  Waldo,  of  Pomfret,  assistant.  A  company  of 
Canterbury  militia,  under  Captain  Ephraim  Lyon,  was  sent  to 
Norwich  in  August,  upon  an  alarm  occasioned  "  by  vessels 
prowling  about  the  Sound,"  and  were  retained  to  build  a  battery 
or  redoubt  at  Waterman's  Point.  Ephraim  Squier,  of  Ashford, 
with  Simeon  Tyler  and  Asa  Davison,  probably  of  Brooklyn,  left 
their  companies  at  Cambridge  in  September  to  join  in  the  north- 
ern expedition  of  Colonel  Benedict  Arnold,  but  after  suffering 
incredible  hardships  on  their  journey  up  the  Kennebec  and 
through  the  wilderness  of  Maine,  they  were  among  those  who 
were  ordered  home  again  ;  and  after  ten  weeks"  absence  they 
arrived  in  Cambridge  on  Thanksgiving  day,  November  23d, 
as  the  account  says,  "  abundantly  satisfied." 

Everybody  at  home  during  this  period  was  engaged  in  doing 
double  duty,  in  farm  work,  gathering  up  supplies,  or  manufact- 
uring military  munitions.  Town  and  county  civil  affairs  were 
almost  forgotten.  All  thoughts  and  energies  were  absorbed  in 
the  war.  The  county  court  met  in  June,  1775,  and  licensed  some 
fifty  taverns,  granted  executions  in  a  few  cases,  and  adjourned. 
The  arts  of  preparing  munitions  of  war  had  made  some  prog- 
ress here.  Hezekiah  Huntington  had  wrought  to  such  good 
purpose  as  to  receive  from  the  treasury  of  the  colony  in  the 
autumn  a  bounty  of  thirteen  pounds  "  for  fifty-two  guns  well 
made  and  wrought,"  besides  repairing  and  refitting  great  num- 
bers of  old  guns.  Timothy  Larrabee  assured  the  assembly  that 
he  had  applied  himself  to  making  saltpetre,  and  had  succeeded  in 
mastering  the  art,  which  he  claimed  could  be  carried  on  as  well 
in  the  colonies  as  elsewhere  in  the  world. 

The  Windham  soldiers  chafed  under  the  restraints  of  camp 
life  during  the  long  period  of  inaction  which  followed  the  bat- 
tle of  Bunker  Hill.  Forty  of  them  marched  home  about  the 
time  of  the  expiration  of  their  term  of  enlistment,  without  wait- 
ing to  be  discharged,  ignorant  of  the  fact  that  by  so  doing  they 
were  liable  to  be   treated  as  deserters.     Washing-ton  sent   for 


74  HISTORY   OF   ^^TXDHA^[    COUNTY. 

them,  but  Governor  Trumbull,  better  understandirg  their 
motives,  refused  to  give  them  up.  The  same  men,  however,  re- 
enlisted  soon  after,  and  served  in  many  subsequent  campaigns 
with  honor  and  fidelity. 

The  majority  of  Putnam's  regiment  are  believed  to  have  re- 
mained upon  the  field,  re -enlisting  in  the  Twentieth  regiment 
of  the  continental  army.  Of  this  regiment  Benedict  Arnold  was 
appointed  colonel ;  John  Durkee,  of  Norwich,  lieutenant  colonel; 
Thomas  Knowlton,  major.  Its  companies  were  officered  as  fol- 
lows: Company  1,  Ephraim  Manning,  captain  ;  Nathaniel  Webb, 
lieutenant;  Brown,  ensign.  Company  2,  Jedidiah  Water- 
man, captain;  John  Waterman,  lieutenant;  Walter  Clark,  en- 
sign. Company  3,  Thomas  Dyer,  captain ;  Daniel  Tilden,  first 
lieutenant;  Nehemiah  Holt,  second  lieutenant;  Joseph  Durkee, 
ensign.  Company  4,  Wells  Clift,  captain.  Company  5,  Thomas 
Grosvenor,  captain;  Joseph  Cleveland,  ensign.  Company  6, 
Stephen  Brown,  captain.  Company  7,  John  Keyes,  captain. 
Company  8,  John  Robinson,  captain.  Other  subalterns,  whose 
companies  cannot  now  be  determined,  were  Lieutenants  Mela- 
tiah  Bingham,  William  xVdams,  Beriah  Bill,  Robert  Hallam, 
Samuel  Brown,  Seth  Phelps,  Josiah  Fuller,  Nathaniel  Bishop, 
James  Holt,  Daniel  Putnam  and  Ensigns  Briant  Brown,  Silas 
Goodell  and  John  Buel.  The  chaplain  of  the  regiment  was  Rev- 
erend Abiel  Leonard ;  quartermaster.  Lieutenant  Ebenezer 
Gray;  surgeon.  Doctor  John  Spaulding ;  assistant  surgeon, 
Luther  Waterman.  This  regiment  formed  a  part  of  the  central 
division  of  the  army,  and  thus  in  position  became  a  sort  of  body 
guard  to  the  commander-in-chief.  The  continued  absence  of  Ar- 
nold left  it  in  charge  of  Durkee  and  Knowlton,  under  whose 
efficient  training  it  attained  the  same  enviable  position  as  to  dis- 
cipline and  soldierly  deportment  that  Knowlton's  own  company 
had  previously  held.  Other  Windham  county  soldiers  re-enlist- 
ed in  Huntington's  and  Patterson's  regiments,  and  a  still  larger 
number  in  a  militia  regiment  sent  to  Boston  early  in  January^ 
to  take  the  place  of  those  whose  term  of  service  had  expired.  Of 
this  regiment  John  Douglas,  of  Plainfield,  was  colonel;  Doctor 
Elisha  Perkins,  surgeon  ;  Thomas  Gray,  assistant  surgeon  ;  and 
Reverend  John  Fuller,  chaplain. 

The  withdrawal  of  the  British  troops  from  Boston  to  New 
York  in  1776,  inspired  the  Windham  patriots  with  new  courage 
and  enthusiasm,  and  stimulated  them  to  greater  activity  in  prep- 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  75 

arations  for  the  summer  campaign.  The  powder  mill  at  Willi- 
mantic  was  now  tinder  full  headway,  sending  out  large  supplies 
to  the  continental  army.  All  the  saltpetre  which  could  by 
any  method  be  fabricated  was  quickly  swallowed  up  by  this  im- 
portant establishment,  w-hich  was  guarded  day  and  night  at  the 
expense  of  the  government.  Black  lead  for  its  consumption  was 
taken  from  the  hills  of  Union.  So  great  was  the  throng  of  peo- 
ple and  teams  resorting  thither  that  David  Young  was  ordered 
to  open  a  house  of  public  entertainment  in  its  vicinity.  Travel 
was  also  greatly  increased  by  the  passage  of  many  regiments 
and  long  trains  of  military  stores  through  the  county  on  the 
way  from  Boston  and  the  east  to  the  seat  of  war  at  New  York. 
Demands  for  supplies  called  out  the  utmost  energies  of  the  peo- 
ple. Commissaries  and  jobbers  were  scouring  the  towns  for 
provisions,  taking  off  all  the  pork,  beef  and  sheep  that  could  be 
spared  from  home  consumption.  Selectmen  were  now  making 
requisitions  for  scales,  clock  w^eights,  anything  that  could  be 
transformed  into  ammunition.  Orders  for  knit  stockings,  tow 
cloth  for  tents,  and  home-made  shirtings  and  vestings  kept  thou- 
sands of  nimble  fingers  at  work.  Great  quantities  of  military 
stores  were  lodged  in  Plainfield,  Windham  and  Canterbury. 
Depots  were  constructed  for  their  reception,  and  carefully 
guarded,  and  teams  were  constantly  occupied  hauling  them  to 
and  fro.  A  large  number  of  prisoners,  dangerous  tories,  cap- 
tured seamen  and  soldiers,  confined  in  Windham  jail  and  neigh- 
boring towns,  required  much  care  and  attention. 

On  the  1st  of  August,  Trumbull  issued  a  special  circular  beg- 
ging for  more  recruits  at  the  earliest  moment.  The  call  was 
sent  to  every  town,  and  read  from  many  pulpits  at  the  close  of 
service.  Windham  county  responded  with  her  usual  prompti- 
tude and  spirit.  Many  were  enlisted  in  the  First  regiment,  of 
which  Andrew  Ward  was  colonel ;  Obadiah  Johnson  lieutenant 
colonel,  and  William  Douglas  major.  James  Stedman,  Nathan- 
iel Wales,  3d,  Waterman  Clift,  Daniel  Allen,  Jonathan  Nichols, 
Jr.,  James  Dana,  Elijah  Sharp,  James  Arnold,  Benoni  Cutler, 
William  ]Manning,  Joseph  Durkee  and  Obadiah  Child  were  ofE- 
cers  in  this  regiment.  Reverend  Benjamin  Trumbull,  the  his- 
torian of  Connecticut,  was  chaplain,  and  Royal  Flint,  of  Wind- 
ham, paymaster.  The  seventh  company  of  the  first  batallion 
sent  to  the  relief  of  the  northern  department  was  from  Wind- 
ham county.     Of  this  company  Vine  Elderkin  was  captain,  Wil- 


76  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

liam  Frizzell  first  lieutenant,  Abner  Robinson  second  lieutenant 
and  Lemuel  Grosvenor  ensign.  In  the  third  battalion,  raised  for 
service  in  New  York,  Comfort  Sage,  colonel :  Company  1  was 
from  Lebanon,  James  Clark,  captain.  Company  3  from  Volun- 
town,  John  Dixon,  captain.  Company  5,  from  Killingly,  Stephen 
Crosby,  captain;  Josiah  Robbins,  first  lieutenant;  Jonathan 
Buck,  second  lieutenant ;  Sylvanus  Perry,  ensign.  The  sixth 
battalion,  Colonel  John  Chester,  contained  at  least  three  Wind- 
ham county  companies :  Company  4  from  Ashford,  Reuben 
Marcy,  captain ;  John  Holmes,  first  lieutenant;  vSamuel  Marcy, 
second  lieutenant;  Daniel  Knowlton,  ensign,  and  79  privates; 
Company  5  from  Woodstock,  Stephen  Lyon,  captain ;  Josiah 
Child,  first  lieutenant ;  and  Company  6  from  Canterbury,  Asa 
Baker,  captain;  Abner  Bacon,  first  lieutenant;  Aaron  Cleve- 
land, ensign. 

At  the  disastrous  battle  of  Long  Island  in  August,  1776,  Wind- 
ham  county  men  in  the  line  suffered  severel}-.  More  than  a 
hundred  and  fifty  officers  and  privates  were  missing  from  Hun- 
tington's regiment  alone.  Several  men  from  Pomfret  were 
killed,  and  others  taken  prisoners,  among  whom  was  Surgeon 
David  Holmes.  Durkee's  and  Chandler's  regiments  were  de- 
tailed by  Washington  to  cover  the  retreat  from  Long  Island  to 
New  York.  Knowlton,  whose  sterling  qualities  had  made  him 
a  conspicuous  figure  and  promised  to  secure  his  rapid  promotion 
to  the  highest  military  honors,  fell  on  the  field  at  Harlem  on  the 
16th  of  September,  and  was  buried  there  on  the  following  day, 
amid  impressive  martial  ceremonies,  and  deeply  mourned  by  all 
his  comrades  and  soldiers.  In  the  engagements  w^hich  attended 
the  gradual  falling  back  of  the  American  forces  up  into  West- 
chester and  across  into  New  Jersey  many  sons  of  Windham  fell. 
The  militia  regiments  of  the  county  were  repeatedly  called  on 
to  go  to  the  defense  of  some  point  where  it  was  expected  the 
British  were  intending  to  make  an  attack.  When  Rhode  Island 
was  threatened,  the  Fifth,  under  Major  Thomas  Brown  and  the 
Eleventh  under  Major  Samuel  McClellan  and  the  troops  of  horse 
under  Major  Backus  started  for  the  scene,  but  before  they 
reached  there  Newport  and  its  surroundings  were  seized  by  a 
strong  body  of  British  and  fortified  against  the  militia.  During 
the  autumn  additional  recruits  were  enlisted  in  the  continental 
army,  and  the  militia  was  re-organized  in  six  brigades.  The 
Windham  county  regiments  were  included  in  the  Fifth  brigade. 


HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM   COUNTY.  77 

of  which  Eliphalet  Dyer  was  made  the  general.  He  soon  after 
resigned  the  appointment,  and  John  Douglas  was  appointed  in 
his  stead.  William  Danielson,  of  Killingly,  was  now  appointed 
colonel  of  the  Eleventh  regiment,  and  Samuel  McClellan  lieu- 
tenant colonel.  Company  officers  w^ere  as  follows:  Company  1, 
Daniel  Lyon,  captain;  Benjamin  Ruggles,  lieutenant ;  Nathan- 
iel Brown,  ensign.  Company  2,  Caleb  Clark,  captain  ;  John  Wells, 
lieutenant;  Stephen  Griggs,  ensign.  Company  3,  Amos  Paine, 
captain;  Thomas  Baker,  lieutenant;  William  Lyon,  ensign. 
Company  4,  Joseph  Cady,  captain;  Jonathan  Cady,  lieutenant ; 
Elisha  Lawrence,  ensign.  Company  5,  Ephraim  Warren,  cap- 
tain ;  Daniel  Waters,  lieutenant.  Company  6,  Stephen  Tucker, 
lieutenant ;  Phinehas  Walker,  ensign.  Company  7,  Paine  Con- 
verse, lieutenant.  Company  8,  Zebulon  Ingalls,  captain ;  Wil- 
liam Osgood,  lieutenant;  Robert  Sharpe,  ensign.  Company  9, 
John  Green,  captain  ;  Obadiah  Clough,  lieutenant;  Daniel  Earned, 
ensign.  Company  10,  Jonathan  Morris,  lieutenant ;  Richard 
Peabody,  ensign.  Company  11,  Samuel  Chandler,  captain  ;  John 
Holbrook,  lieutenant;    John  Whitmore,  ensign. 

During  the  autumn  of  1776  Windham  county  was  interested 
in  fitting  out  at  Norwich  the  schooner  "  Oliver  Cromwell "  for 
privateer  service.  This  vessel  had  been  built  at  Essex,  Conn.,  by 
Uriah  Hayden,  during  the  previous  year.  She  was  built  for  the 
colony  of  Connecticut,  and  furnished  with  twenty-four  guns. 
She  was  afterward  presented  to  the  general  government,  being 
one  of  the  first  if  not  the  first  gunboat  ever  owned  by  the  United 
States  as  a  nation.  At  the  time  of  her  fitting  out  at  Norwich 
William  Coit  of  that  town  was  her  captain,  and  among  the  crew 
were  Phinehas  Cary,  Solomon  Lord,  Eleazer  Welsh,  Eleazer 
Spofford,  Lemuel  Stoddard,  Hezekiah  Abbe  and  Arad  Simmons, 
of  Windham,  and  Thomas  Holbrook,  of  Lebanon.  Doctor  Sam- 
uel Lee,  of  Windham,  was  appointed  surgeon  on  board,  but  was 
soon  after  succeeded  by  Doctor  Albigence  Waldo.  Doctor  Lee, 
with  Doctors  John  Clark,  Elisha  Lord  and  James  Cogswell,  and 
other  physicians  from  different  parts  of  the  state  were  made  a 
committee  for  examining  persons  who  offered  themselves  for 
the  army. 

The  spring  of  1777  found  the  citizens  of  Windham  county  pre- 
paring themselves  for  the  long  continued  war  which  was  now  in 
prospect.  Again  meeting  and  deliberating  in  their  public  town 
meetings,  which  had   been  almost  suspended  during  the  two 


78  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

previous  years,  they  prepared  to  meet  the  demands  \Yhich  fell 
upon  them  to  furnish  recruits  for  the  army,  bounties  for  soldiers 
and  provision  for  their  families  in  their  absence.  The  deprecia- 
tion of  the  currency  and  the  increased  price  of  the  necessaries 
of  life,  the  scarcity  of  breadstuffs  and  salt,  were  among  the  im- 
portant questions  with  which  they  had  to  deal.  The  citizens 
were  required  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  state.  Com- 
mittees were  appointed  by  the  towns  to  provide  for  their  public 
needs  and  to  confer  with  similar  committees  from  other  towns 
in  regard  to  questions  of  common  interest. 

The  Windham  County  Association  of  Alinisters  now  gave 
voice  to  their  sentiments  in  regard  to  the  general  situation  as 
follows :  "  Considering  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  our  land 
during  the  present  calamities  of  war,  wherewith  the  holy  and 
righteous  God  is  pleased  to  exercise  us ;  the  decline  of  religion 
and  prevalence  of  iniquity  ;  think  it  our  duty  to  stir  up  our- 
selves and  the  people  of  our  charge  to  additional  attention  to  our 
duties,  and  propose  to  General  Association  to  recommend  pro- 
fessors of  religion  to  renew  their  covenant  with  God  that  family 
religion  and  order  might  be  maintained."  A  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  prepare  a  suitable  address  which  was  published,  and 
a  thousand  copies  of  it  were  distributed  among  the  twenty 
parishes  of  Windham  county. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1777  the  second  company  of  the 
Fourth  Regiment  of  Light  Horse  was  reorganized  with  Perley 
Howe  of  Killingly,  captain,  Asa  Wilder,  lieutenant,  Stephen 
Tucker,  cornet  and  Davis  Flint  quartermaster.  Some  enter- 
prising citizens  of  Brooklyn  having  offered  to  furnish  three  or 
four  light  field  pieces,  fitted  for  service,  Daniel  Tyler,  Jr.,  and 
thirty-five  others  formed  an  independent  matross  company,  sub- 
ject only  to  be  commanded  by  the  commander  in  chief  or  either 
of  the  major  or  brigadier  generals  of  the  state  of  Connecticut. 
Arrangements  for  the  manufacture  of  saltpetre  and  powder 
were  now  so  far  perfected  that  ammunition  was  more  plenty. 
Private  individuals  in  every  town  were  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  saltpetre,  and  this  work  had  become  so  general  that 
the  powder  mill  at  Willimantic  received  from  the  towns  of  the 
county  42,666  pounds  of  it  during  the  three  months  ending  with 
February.  This  was  received  in  various  lots,  ranging  in  quan- 
tity from  twenty  up  to  nine  hundred  pounds.  Eight  hundred 
and  eighty-one  pounds  of  scale  and  clock  weights,  shot  and  bar 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  79 

lead  were  also  reported  as  received  at  the  mill.  The  recruits  of 
Windham  were  scattered  among  the  various  departments  of  the 
■continental  army  and  at  the  scenes  of  conflict  in  different 
quarters,  sustaining  losses  here  and  there  as  might  be  expected. 
Captain  vStephen  Brown,  of  Pomfret,  successor  of  Knowlton  in 
command,  ^vas  instantly  killed  by  a  shot  from  a  ship  while  gal- 
lantly defending  Fort  Mifflin.  Captain  Daniel  Clark  was  killed 
in  battle  at  Stillwater,  September  19th.  Chaplains  Fuller  and 
Leonard  also  died.  Mrs.  Putnam  died  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy 
as  a  prisoner  of  war.  Colonel  William  Douglas  died  during  this 
year.  These  losses  of  some  of  the  most  prominent  of  Wind- 
ham's patriots  caused  great  depression  of  the  public  spirits.  To 
.add  to  their  discouragement  the  powder  mill  at  Willimantic 
blew  up,  killing  one  man  and  destroying  valuable  machinery 
and  material.  This  occurred  on  the  18th  of  December.  Then 
followed  the  winter  of  1777-78,  when  the  patriots  of  Washing- 
ton's army  were  suffering  memorable  hardships  at  Valley  Forge. 
Windham  shared  in  the  depression  which  affected  the  whole 
country  in  that  dark  hour.  The  people  had  spent  their  means 
and  energies  in  the  common  cause,  and  were  reduced  to  a  con- 
dition of  extreme  want.  However,  they  managed  to  hold  up 
their  hands  and  to  meet  the  demands  of  the  country  upon  them, 
both  in  the  matter  of  supplying  their  quotas  of  men  and  in  con- 
tributing means  to  sustain  the  patriot  cause.  The  Articles  of 
Confederation  recommended  by  the  congress  were  approved 
and  formally  adopted. 

In  the  spring  of  1778  prompt  and  liberal  provision  was  made 
by  all  the  towns  for  raising  their  respective  quotas,  and  bounties 
were  accordingly  offered  as  liberally  as  the  means  of  the  people 
-would  warrant.  The  outlook  was  more  encouraging.  Favorable 
news  from  France  revived  the  spirits  of  the  downhearted  patriots, 
and  soldiers  went  out  again  with  hopeful  hearts,  while  the  people 
at  home  labored  with  new  courage,  hoping  that  brighter  days 
were  at  hand. 

But  while  the  national  skies  seemed  brightening  over  theii 
heads,  a  new  source  of  grief  called  for  their  deepest  mourning. 
Rumors  of  the  terrible  Indian  descent  and  massacre  in  the  Wy- 
oming Valley  came  to  them  like  the  bursting  of  a  thunder  storm 
from  a  fair  morning  sky.  Among  the  many  of  the  sons  of  Wind- 
ham county  who  had  been  most  barbarously  tortured  and  butch- 
ered were  Robert   Durkee,  Robert   Jameson,  Anderson    Dana, 


80  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

George  Dorrance,  James  Bidlack,  Thomas  and  Stephen  Fuller, 
vStephen  Whiton,  John  Abbot,  Samuel  Ransom,  Elisha  Williams, 
Timothy  Pierce  and  John  Perkins.  Their  homes  had  been 
burned,  their  farms  ravaged,  and  their  families  taken  prisoners 
or  driven  out  naked  and  starving  into  the  wilderness.  Aged 
fathers  and  mothers  here  waited  in  harrowing  suspense  to  hear 
from  their  lost  children,  and  after  many  anxious  days  received 
the  remnants  of  these  stricken  families  as  one  by  one  they  found 
their  way  back  to  the  old  hearthstone.  Among  the  many  in- 
stances of  suffering  arising  from  this  calamity,  the  brief  records 
of  a  few  have  been  preserved.  Mrs.  John  Abbot  and  Mrs. 
Thomas  Fuller,  each  with  nine  children  and  utterly  destitute, 
begged  their  way  back  as  best  they  could  to  their  Windham 
homes.  Mrs.  Stephen  Fuller  came  on  horseback,  with  her  little 
daughter  Polly,  Mrs.  Anderson  Dana,  with  her  widowed  daugh- 
ter, Mrs.  Whiton,  who  had  been  married  but  a  few  weeks,  and 
six  younger  children,  toiled  back  to  Ashford,  bringing  with  her 
what  she  could  save  of  the  valuable  papers  belonging  to  her 
husband.  Mrs.  Elisha  Williams  left  on  that  field  of  carnage  her 
husband,  two  promising  sons,  and  a  daughter's  husband,  and 
with  her  five  surviving  children  sought  refuge  at  her  father's 
house  in  Canterbury.  Mrs.  Esther  Minor  Yorke,  with  her  twelve 
children,  barefoot  and  starving,  after  many  months  had  passed 
and  they  had  been  given  up  for  lost,  reached  her  old  home  in 
Voluntown,  having  with  great  difficulty  escaped  from  their  In- 
dian captors  and  accomplished  the  perilous  journey,  the  baby 
dying  on  the  way  from  cold  and  exposure.  Another  hunted 
fuo-itive,  Rufus  Baldwin,  arrived  at  about  the  same  time  from 
Newport,  New  York,  where  he  had  killed  an  Indian  and  was 
obliged  to  flee  for  his  life,  traveling  through  the  wilderness  to 
Canterbury  with  only  a  chunk  of  raw  salt  pork  in  his  pocket  to 
subsist  upon. 

In  the  attempt  made  by  Sullivan  and  the  French  fleet  under 
D'Estaing,  August  10th,  1778,  to  recapture  Newport,  the  militia 
of  Windham  county  had  a  part,  and  several  of  them  were  killed 
and  others  wounded.  Others  suffered  from  exposure  to  the 
severe  storm  which  prevailed  at  that  .time  and  contributed  so 
much  to  the  failure  of  the  enterprise.  Requisition  was  made  by 
Governor  Trumbull  upon  Ebenezer  Devotion,  of  Scotland  Parish, 
for  one  hundred  barrels  of  musket  powder. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  81 

The  attempt  to  recapture  Newport  was  unsuccessful  and  the 
prospects  of  American  independence  were  shrouded  with  doubt. 
And  with  little  improvement  of  the  situation  time  wore  on.  The 
people  all  over  the  land  were  weary,  depressed  and  discouraged. 
Their  property  was  becoming-  worthless  and  the  comforts  and 
even  necessaries  of  life  almost  unattainable.  Other  factors 
helped  to  make  the  situation  still  more  discouraging.  There  was 
demoralization,  degeneration  and  defection.  Young  men  came 
back  wrecked  in  health  and  character,  dissolute  in  habit,  and 
infidel  in  principle.  Even  Windham  county,  with  all  its  self- 
sacrificing  and  almost  unanimous  patriotism,  was  not  without 
its  Arnold.  Nathan  Frink,  a  successful  lawyer,  seeing  no  hope 
of  future  success  on  the  patriot  side,  left  home  and  friends  and 
offered  himself  and  his  services  to  the  British  commander  in 
New  York,  causing  overwhelming  sorrow,  shame  and  resent- 
ment among  his  family  and  friends,  and  bringing  the  gray  hairs 
of  his  father  indeed  "  with  sorrow  to  the  grave."  Even  among 
those  who  claimed  to  be  patriots  there  were  things  that  caused 
sadness  and  discouragement.  Selfishness  prompted  men  to  keep 
back  their  goods  for  a  price,  though  they  knew  their  soldiers 
were  starving  and  naked.  The  brief  sessions  of  the  county 
court  were  chiefly  occupied  with  hearing  complaints  against 
various  people  for  selling  cattle  and  swine  at  foreign  markets  or 
for  unauthorized  prices,  and  for  other  breaches  of  wholesome 
laws  made  to  encourage  fair  dealing  and  restrain  and  punish 
sharpers  and  oppressors. 

Yet  in  the  face  of  all  these  discouragements  and  difficulties, 
Windham  county  continued  steadfast,  trusting  in  the  justice  of 
the  patriot  cause  and  in  that  Providence  which  had  so  wonder- 
fully led  and  sustained  the  people  of  America.  In  darkest  days 
she  stood  firm  and  unwavering,  striving  with  unceasing  diligence 
to  strengthen  the  hands  of  government  and  carry  forward  the 
war.  Year  after  year  the  towns  taxed  themselves  heavily  to 
pay  bounties,  furnish  clothing,  and  provide  for  the  families  of 
the  soldiers.  General  Douglas,  of  Plainfield,  Colonels  Williams, 
Danielson  and  Johnson,  though  now  advanced  in  years,  led  the 
militia  many  times  on  alarm  of  danger,  and  Major  Backus  time 
after  time  hurried  his  troops  of  horse  to  the  relief  of  New  Lon- 
don and  Rhode  Island.  McClellan  not  only  served  almost  con- 
tinuously in  the  field,  but  paid  his  regiment  out  of  his  own 
pocket  when  the  public  treasury  was  empty.     General  Douglas, 


82  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Colonel  Johnson,  ]\Iajor  Ripley,  Commissary  Waldo,  and  indeed 
very  many  of  those  leading  men  who  had  money  at  command, 
advanced  it  repeatedly  to  pay  off  bounties  or  to  fit  out  expedi- 
tions. 

Men  went  out  to  battle  and  council  and  provide  for  public  de- 
mands, and  the  women  labored  as  efficiently  in  their  own  special 
fields  of  action  and  usefulness.  The  burdens  and  distresses  of  the 
war  fell  very  heavily  upon  them.  They  sent  out  husbands, 
brothers  and  sons  to  the  battle  field,  and  then  labored  heroically 
to  fill  their  places  at  home.  Farm  work  was  added  to  their  or- 
dinary domestic  duties.  They  had  to  take  care  of  their  stock 
as  well  as  of  their  children,  to  plant  and  reap  as  well  as  to  spin 
and  weave,  to  cure  herbs  for  their  own  tea,  and  manufacture 
their  molasses  out  of  corn  stalks.  These  various  demands  upon 
them  stimulated  ingenuity,  so  that  whatever  the  call  the}^  were 
ready  to  meet  it. 

With  such  support  and  sympathy  from  town  and  fireside  the 
soldiers  sent  out  from  Windham  county  could  hardly  fail  to  do 
her  honor.  Their  early  reputation  for  courage  and  good  con- 
duct was  abundantly  sustained.  Many  who  had  sallied  out  at 
the  first  cry  from  Lexington  remained  in  service  throughout  the 
war.  The  officers  of  Putnam's  first  regiment,  the  Connecticut 
Third,  of  1775,  thus  served  with  but  few  exceptions.  Lieuten- 
ant Thomas  Grosvenor  went  on  from  rank  to  rank,  succeeding 
Durkee  in  command  when  that  valiant  leader  was  compelled  by 
ill  health  to  retire  from  active  service.  Lieutenant  Ebenezer 
Gray  served  the  whole  seven  years,  attaining  the  rank  of  lieu- 
tenant colonel.  Captain  Mosely  was  often  called  to  command 
the  militia  in  special  service  at  Rhode  Island  or  New  London. 
Captains  Dana,  Clark,  Cleft  and  Manning,  and  Lieutenants  Dan- 
iel Marcy,  John  Keyes,  Daniel  Allen,  John  Adams,  Melatiah 
Bingham,  Benoni  Cutler,  Josiah  Cleveland,  Nathaniel  Webb, 
William  and  Stephen  Lyon  served  with  distinction  through  suc- 
cessive campaigns,  and  were  honored  by  various  promotions. 

The  system  of  enrollment  at  that  time  was  so  confused  and 
imperfect  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  learn  the  whole  number 
sent  out  from  any  section,  and  very  difficult  to  form  even  an  ap- 
proximate estimate.  It  appears,  however,  certain  that  the  sev- 
eral towns  of  Windham  county  fulfilled  every  requisition  for 
continental  or  militia  service.  The  burden  of  the  war  was  borne 
by  the  whole  population,  and  a  complete  muster-roll  of  Wind- 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  83 

ham's  revolutionary  soldiers  would  probably  include  the  name 
of  nearly  every  family  in  the  county,  while  man}'  families  sent 
very  large  representations.  It  is  said  that  seventeen  cousins  by 
the  name  of  Fuller  were  in  the  service  from  Windham's  Second 
Society.  The  Adamses  and  Cleveland s  w^ere  almost  without 
number.  Peter  Adams,  of  Brooklyn,  and  Ephraim  Fisk,  of  Kil- 
lingly,  each  had  six  sons  in  the  army,  and  Barzillai  Fisher  and 
Lusher  Gay  each  had  four. 

A  notable  feature  of  the  later  years  of  the  war  was  the  num- 
ber of  very  young  men,  lads  of  fourteen  and  upwards,  who  en- 
listed if  permitted  to  do  so,  or  attached  themselves  to  some  pop- 
ular officer.  Samuel  Calvin  Adams,  of  Canterbury,  not  then 
quite  fourteen  years  of  age,  waited  upon  Captain  Aaron  Cleve- 
land at  the  time  of  Governor  Tryon's  assault  upon  Horse-Neck, 
and  saw  General  Putnam  plunge  down  the  steep  bluff,  while  the 
bullets  of  the  baffled  dragoons  were  whizzing  around  him  and 
some  even  passing  through  his  hat.  William  Eaton  of  Wood- 
stock, at  the  age  of  sixteen  ran  away  from  home  to  join  the  army, 
and  prevailed  upon  Captain  Dana  to  receive  him  as  his  servant. 
John  Pettengill,  of  Windham,  enlisted  at  fourteen  and  served 
till  the  close  of  the  war  under  the  same  popular  leader.  Levi 
Bingham,  of  Windham,  entered  the  service  at  fifteen.  Daniel 
Waldo,  at  seventeen  served  a  month  under  Captain  William 
Howard  at  New  London,  and  then  enlisted  under  Captain  Na- 
thaniel Wales  for  continental  service.  Many  a  household  was 
forced  reluctantly  to  part  with  even  its  Benjamin.  Laban, 
the  youngest  son  of  Barzillai  Fisher,  appeared  before  his  aunt 
one  morning  at  daylight  w4th  a  gun  upon  his  shoulder.  "  O, 
Laban,  you  are  not  going  !  "  besought  his  distressed  aunt.  "  Yes," 
he  answered  cheerily,  "but  don't  tell  father,"  and  off  he  went  to 
suffer  and  die  in  the  Jersey  prison  ship. 

After  the  removal  of  the  seat  of  war  to  the  Southern  states 
Windham  had  less  occasion  for  active  participation,  though  still 
called  to  raise  her  quota  of  men  and  supplies  for  protection  of 
the  state  and  continental  service.  Of  fifteen  hundred  men 
raised  by  Connecticut  in  May,  1780,  for  six  months'  continental 
service  the  quotas  of  the  towns  of  Windham  were  as  follows: 
Ashford,  17 ;  Canterbur}',  9  ;  Coventry,  18  ;  Killingly,  37 ;  Lebanon, 
36;  Mansfield,  20;  Plainfield,  16  ;  Pomfret,25  ;  Union,  6  ;  Volun- 
town,  17  ;  Windham  34,  and  Woodstock  20.  The  towns  at  once 
made  provision  for  enlisting  these  men,  but  before  it  was  ac- 


84  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

complished  a  thousand  men  were  called  for  to  serve  for  three 
years.  Windham  offered  ^20  in  money,  equal  to  wheat  at  five 
shillings  a  bushel,  as  a  bounty  for  recruits.  In  December  she 
offered  i^l2  in  silver  money  as  a  bounty  for  the  first  year  and  £'d 
silver  for  each  succeeding  year.  Plain  field  offered  ;^100  to  any 
five  men  who  would  enlist  for  three  years.  Other  towns  were 
equally  generous  in  offering  bounties,  and  the  quotas  were  filled 
without  resorting  to  a  draft. 

Notwithstanding  the  continued  demand  for  men,monev  and 
supplies,  and  the  little  apparent  progress  m.ade  by  the  conti- 
nental arms,  the  prospects  were  brightening.  La  Fayette  had 
returned  full  of  hope  and  courage.  France  was  taking  part  in 
favor  of  American  liberty  more  decidedly  and  heartily.  The 
marching  of  Gates  and  his  division  through  Plainfield,  Canter- 
bury and  Windham  on  their  withdrawal  from  Newport,  the 
quartering  of  the  French  Huzzars  at  Windham  for  a  week  and 
at  Lebanon  through  the  winter  of  1780-81,  gave  new  life  and 
stimulus,  and  encouraged  the  people  to  hope  for  better  days.  In 
1781  the  patriots  of  Windham,  eagerly  watching  the  signs  of  the 
times,  heard  dim  rumors  of  more  fleets  and  troops  on  the  way 
from  France,  and  treasure  to  the  amount  of  fifteen  tons  of  silver 
in  French  hornpipes ;  and  in  June  they  were  treated  to  the  sight 
of  Rochambeau's  grand  army  as  it  marched  from  Newport  to 
Hartford.  "  Magnificent  in  appearance,  superb  in  discipline," 
with  banners  and  music,  it  passed  in  four  divisions  through  the 
county.  The  major  part  took  the  great  highway  through  Volun- 
town,  Plainfield,  Canterbury  and  Windham,  where  all  the  coun- 
try people  from  far  and  wide  flocked  to  the  Providence  road  to 
see  the  brave  array  pass  by.  Barrack  masters  appointed  by  the 
governor  and  his  council  met  them  at  every  stopping  place  and 
provided  suitable  accommodations.  A  hundred  eager  school 
boys  in  Plainfield  village  gave  them  vociferous  welcome.  In 
Windham  they  encamped  for  a  day  or  two,  where  they  were 
visited  by  all  the  leading  patriots.  It  is  supposed  that  one  of 
these  divisions  took  the  more  northerly  route  to  Hartford, 
through  Killingly,  Pomfret  and  Ashford.  Tradition  confidently 
asserts  the  passing  of  the  French  army  through  these  towns, 
and  points  out  the  very  place  of  their  encampment  in  Abington. 
The  accompanying  tradition  that  Washington  and  La  Fayette 
were  with  the  army  appears  hardly  probable,  as  the  latter  was 
with  the  southern  forces  in  June,  1781,  at  which  time  the  army 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  85 

is  supposed  to  have  passed  through  here.  It  seems  more  prob- 
able that  the  visit  of  the  two  generals  was  at  some  other  time, 
perhaps  after  the  cessation  of  hostilities.  They  are  reported  to 
have  passed  a  night  at  Grosvenor's,  in  Pomfret,  waited  for 
breakfast  at  the  hearth-stone  of  the  Randall  house  in  Abington, 
and  spent  another  night  at  Clark's  tavern  in  Ashford,  where 
their  names  are  still  to  be  seen  upon  an  antique  window  pane. 

April  19th,  1783,  Washington  announced  the  cessation  of  hos- 
tilities. We  hear  but  little  of  festivities  and  noisy  demonstra- 
tions of  rejoicing  on  the  reception  of  this  welcome  tidings.  The 
joy  of  the  citizens  of  Windham  county  was  perhaps  too  deep  for 
such  expression.  It  had  been  a  long,  hard,  earnest  struggle — 
one  that  involved  questions  of  life  and  death.  Many  precious 
lives  had  been  sacrificed.  There  had  been  great  expenditure  of 
money  and  forces ;  there  were  hard  problems  still  to  face  ;  and 
so  the  rejoicings  were  mostly  expressed  by  religious  solemni- 
ties. As  the  people  repaired  to  the  sanctuary  when  they  sent 
out  the  first  soldiers  to  the  war,  so  when  the  war  closed  and  the 
soldiers  returned,  they  again  found  their  way  to  the  house  of 
God  to  give  expression  to  the  mingled  feelings  which  must  have 
filled  their  bosoms.  It  may  have  been  difficult  indeed  to  discern 
the  noise  of  the  shout  of  joy  from  that  of  the  weeping  of  the 
people,  for  in  the  galleries  and  in  the  great  pews  there  were 
many  vacant  places.  The  aged  deacons  who  sat  beneath  the 
pulpit  had  laid  their  precious  sons  upon  the  altar.  There  were 
other  parents  there  whose  sons  had  been  stricken ;  there  were 
widows  bowed  with  grief ;  there  were  children  who  were  father- 
less ;  there  were  fair  young  girls  whose  hearts  still  yearned  for 
missing  lover  and  brother,  and  thanks  for  the  great  blessings  of 
peace  and  independence  were  hallowed  by  a  deep  consciousness 
of  the  great  price  that  had  been  paid  for  them. 

With  the  close  of  the  war  and  the  return  of  peace  the  attention 
of  the  people  was  turned  to  the  question  of  organizing  society 
anew  and  resuming  the  ordinary  labors  and  habits  of  a  time  of 
peace.  The  citizens  of  Windham  county  went  vigorously  to 
work,  adapting  themselves  to  the  new  social  and  political  condi- 
tions with  which  the  establishment  of  a  new  form  of  government 
surrounded  them.  One  of  the  first  things  to  be  done  was  to  rid 
society  of  the  few  tories  which  infested  it.  No  formal  process  of 
ejection  was  served  upon  them,  but  somehow  they  were  given 
to  understand  that  they  would  be  no  longer  tolerated  here,  and 


S6  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

it  appears  that  they  heeded  the  admonitions  of  the  situation. 
The  principles  of  the  modern  "  boycott "  were  applied  to  them. 
The  Sons  of  Liberty  had  ordered  that  no  mills  should  grind  for 
a  tory,  and  that  no  merchant  should  sell  goods  to  one  of  that 
class.  By  various  means  the  lives  of  tories  were  made  so  tin- 
comfortable  here  that  most  of  them  preferred  to  leave  the  coun- 
ty rather  than  endure  the  conditions  of  remaining.  A  few  were 
among  that  notable  band  of  refugees  who  left  New  York  in  Sep- 
tember, 1783,  to  seek  new  homes  in  Nova  Scotia.  Only  a  few  re- 
mained and  suffered  the  partial  sacrifice  of  their  property  by 
confiscation. 

Now  arose  a  voice  of  complaint  which,  though  raised  before, 
had  been  stifled  amid  the  confusion  of  louder  calls  upon  the 
public  ear,  but  now  sounded  with  more  distinct  and  conspicu- 
ous force.  This  voice  of  complaint  came  from  the  soldiers  who 
had  fought  the  battles  of  the  revolution  and  had  returned  with- 
out satisfactory  pay  for  their  services.  Some  had  received  no 
pay  at  all,  while  others  who  were  nominally  paid  received  their 
pay  in  scrip  which  was  little  better  than  worihless.  So  thorough- 
ly demoralized  were  the  finances  of  the  country,  and  to  such  an 
extent  had  the  continental  currency  depreciated  that  a  hundred 
dollars  of  it  would  hardly  buy  a  meal's  victuals.  With  such  a 
low  condition  of  the  circulating  medium  it  is  easy  to  see  what 
extremes  of  injustice  might  result  to  those  who  had  loaned 
money  or  entered  into  contracts  when  the  nominal  unit  of  value 
was  fifty  or  a  hundred  fold  greater  than  it  was  at  this  time  and 
they  were  compelled  to  receive  pay  in  the  depreciated  currency. 

Various  attempts  were  now  made  to  organize  other  towns,  and 
one  even  to  organize  a  new  county,  but  nothing  was  effected  ex- 
cept that  the  towns  of  Union  and  Coventry  were  withdrawn 
from  this  county  to  become  parts  of  the  newly  formed  county  of 
Tolland,  which  was  organized  by  act  of  general  assembly  in 
1786. 

The  consideration  of  the  new  constitution  of  the  United 
States  now  involved  much  of  the  attention  of  the  people.  Public 
opinion  was  at  first  greatly  divided  in  regard  to  it.  In  Novem- 
ber, 1787,  the  towns  of  the  county  were  instructing  their  dele- 
gates in  the  general  assembly  in  regard  to  it.  The  proposed 
document  was  publicly  read  and  warmly  debated  in  the  several 
towns,  assembled  for  the  purpose.  By  many  it  was  looked  upon 
with  suspicion,  as  calculated  to  rob  their  state  of  its  rights  and 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  87 

give  too  much  power  to  the  general  governrnent.  But  the  coun- 
sels of  wisdom  prevailed  and  most  of  the  towns  accepted  the 
constitution,  though  Pomfret,  Woodstock,  Mansfield  and  one  of 
the  Lebanon  delegates  withheld  their  consent.  The  great  ma- 
jority of  the  people  of  the  county,  however,  approved  of  the  ac- 
tion of  the  state  convention  in  adopting  the  constitution  and  the 
final  result  was  ratified  with  general  rejoicings.  At  the  conven- 
tion which  assembled  at  Hartford  January  3d,  1788,  adopting 
the  constitution,  Windham  county  was  represented  by  the  fol- 
lowing delegates :  Windham — Eliphalet  Dyer  and  Jedidiah  El- 
derkin  ;  Canterbury — Asa  Witter  and  Moses  Cleveland  ;  Ash- 
ford — Simeon  Smith  and  Hendrick  Dow ;  Woodstock — Stephen 
Paine  and  Timothy  Perrin  ;  Thompson — Daniel  Darned  ;  Kil- 
lingly — Sampson  Howe  and  William  Danielson  ;  Pomfret — Jon- 
athan Randall  and  Simon  Cotton  ;  Brooklyn — Seth  Paine ;, 
Plainfield — James  Bradford  and  Joshua  Dunlap  ;  Voluntown — 
Moses  Campbell  and  Benjamin  Dow ;  Lebanon — William  Wil- 
liams and  Ephraim  Carpenter;  ]\Iansfield — Constant  Southworth 
and  Nathaniel  Atwood. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


WINDHAM  COUNTY  UNDER  THE  CONSTITUTION. 


Pro.^ress  after  the  War. — Immigration  and  Commercial  Enterprise. — The  lot  of 
the  Farmers. — Moral  and  Religious  Declension. — Slavery  disappearing. — 
Remnants  of  Indian  Tribes. — Educational  Interests. — Teachers. — Newspajiers. 
— Social  Conditions. — Domestic  Customs. — Manufacturing  Enterprises  begin. 
—The  War  of  1812.— Party  Spirit.— Revival  of  the  Patriotic  Spirit.— Recruit- 
ing.—Organization  of  Troops. — First  Summons  to  Arms,  June  21st,  1813. — 
Another  Call  in  September.— To  Relief  of  New  London.  August  9th,  1814.— 
On  Guai'd  at  Stonington. — Peace  restored.  1815. — ApproiDriate  Celebrations 
of  the  Event. 


PASSING  over  a  period  of  about  twenty-five  years,  we  pause 
to  look  again  at  the  condition  of  the  people  of  Windham 
county,  and  to  note  the  changes  that  have  been  made  in 
the  course  of  that  time  as  the  citizens  went  forward  with  the 
work  of  building  up  a  prosperity  which  should  in  after  years 
make  them  strong  and  vigorous  of  muscle,  means  and  principle 
to  maintain  the  contests  into  which  subsequent  years  were  to 
bring  them.  We  find  that  the  twenty-five  years  was  a  period 
of  growth  and  advancement,  though  the  outflow  of  population 
to  newer  parts  of  our  vast  country  had  somewhat  checked  the 
increase  of  population.  The  census  of  1800  showed  a  gain  of 
only  728  .since  1774  and  an  actual  loss  of  699  since  1790.  Busi- 
ness enterprise,  however,  had  been  stimulated  by  the  opening 
of  new  avenues  of  trade,  turnpike  roads  and  mechanical  inven- 
tions. Several  business  firms  traded  directly  with  the  West  In- 
dies, owning  their  vessels  and  buying  up  surplus  produce  here, 
thus  enriching  themselves  and  at  the  same  time  greatly  benefit- 
ting the  farming  interests  of  many  of  these  towns.  Other  towns, 
in  which  the  facilities  for  farming  were  fewer,  had  turned  their 
attention  to  manufacturing.  Keen  eyes  watched  with  eager  in- 
terest the  various  attempts  now  made  to  supersede  by  machinery 
the  slow  and  painful  processes  of  hand  labor.  Machines  for 
carding  wool  were  brought  into  the  county  as  early  as  1806. 
The  manufacture  of  paper,  potash,  pottery,  bricks,  boots,  shoes 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  89 

and  hats  was  carried  on  to  a  considerable  extent.  At  that  time, 
however,  wealth  had  not  begun  to  roll  into  the  laps  of  the  fav- 
ored ones  in  such  masses  as  has  been  seen  in  later  times. 
Money  making  as  a  fine  art  was  probably  not  the  absorbing 
theme  of  the  minds  of  that  time.  Rich  men  were  few.  The 
farmer  who  owned  land  free  from  incumbrance,  professional 
men  and  traders  might  indeed  secure  a  competence,  but  it  is 
doubtful  if  a  majority  of  the  population  could  do  much  more 
than  make  a  scanty  livelihood.  Children  were  numerous,  trades 
few  and  wages  low.  Three  shillings  a  day,  paid  in  produce,  was 
the  common  price  for  farm  laborers,  and  a  workingwoman  would 
drudge  through  the  week  for  two  and  sixpence.  Ten  dollars  a 
month  for  a  schoolmaster  and  five  shillings  a  week  for  a 
schoolma'am  were  deemed  ample  wages.  Young  men  roved 
about  in  spring,  swingling  flax  and  tow  on  shares  and  picking 
up  such  odd  jobs  as  they  could  find.  Young  men  found  it  very 
difficult  to  make  their  way  in  the  world,  and  it  was  only  after 
years  of  hard,  self-sacrificing  labor  that  they  could  save  enough 
to  stock  a  farm,  even  in  the  most  meagre  manner.  Clothing 
was  expensive,  and  partly  owing  to  this  fact  and  partly  owing 
to  the  more  favorable  fact  that  it  was  durable  in  those  days, 
it  was  common  for  a  good  suit  of  clothes  to  be  worn  almost  a 
life  time,  and  until  men  could  be  distinguished  as  far  as  the 
eye  could  see  them  by  the  well  known  peculiarity  of  some  feat- 
ure of  their  clothing. 

In  morals,  there  had  appeared  at  the  beginning  of  this  period 
a  marked  deterioration.  Rum  was  used  without  stint ;  Sabbath- 
breaking,  profanity  and  loose  living  were  increasingly  preva- 
lent. But  there  was  now  evidence  of  a  turn  in  the  tide.  The 
immediate  effects  of  the  war,  always  demoralizing,  were  being 
obliterated,  and  the  public  mind  was  awaking  to  a  sense  of 
its  condition.  Intemperance  in  drinking  intoxicants  was  de- 
nounced, and  plans  were  discussed  for  the  suppression  of  vice 
and  immoralities.  The  evils  of  rum  drinking  were  set  forth  by 
printed  publications  intended  to  arrest  the  attention  of  the 
thoughtful  and  instruct  the  young  to  avoid  the  snare  of  the 
drinking  habit.  A  religious  revival  had  preceded  this  attempted 
reformation  in  morals.  Methodism  had  done  a  good  work  in 
reaching  a  class  removed  from  religious  and  restraining  influ- 
ences, and  the  ministry  at  large  was  awaking  more  and  more  to 
the  demands  of  the  hour  and  striving  to  arouse  the  churches  to 


90  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

a  higher  sense  of  individual  responsibility  and  a  more  general 
co-operation  in  aggressive  Christian  labor.  There  were  in  the 
county  in  1806,  about  forty  religious  societies,  each  having  a 
church  organization  and  a  place  of  worship.  Of  these,  twenty 
were  Congregational,  thirteen  Baptist,  four  Methodist,  two  Sep- 
arate, and  one  Episcopal. 

In  accordance  with  the  statutes  of  1783,  forbidding  the  im- 
portation of  slaves  and  providing  for  the  gradual  emancipation 
of  slave  children,  the  institution  had  nearly  died  out.  Uncon- 
genial as  it  was  with  the  spirit  of  society  here,  it  died  almost 
unnoticed,  of  its  own  spontaneous  decay.  Negroes  who  had 
served  during  the  revolution  generally  received  their  freedom 
at  that  time.  Many  born  in  slavery  were  manumitted  by  their 
owners.  The  old  house  servants  were  generally  retained  for  life, 
and  were  comfortably  supported.  Many  of  the  younger  negroes 
sought  employment  in  the  large  towns. 

The  aboriginal  inhabitants  also  were  fast  disappearing.  Rem- 
nants of  ancient  tribes  might  still  be  found  on  reservations  in 
Woodstock  and  Brooklyn,  as  alien  from  the  people  around  them 
as  if  they  belonged  to  another  order  of  beings.  Almost  every 
town  had  its  one  Indian  family,  familiar  to  all,  and  regarded  as 
a  sort  of  common  charge.  A  few  wandering  Indians  with  no 
fixed  home  roved  about  from  town  to  town,  extorting  tribute  of 
food  and  cider.  Noah  Uncas,  Little  Olive,  Eunice  Squib  and 
Hannah  Leathercoat  were  familiar  figures  of  this  class,  grim, 
gaunt  and  taciturn,  stalking  in  single  file  along  highway  or  turn- 
pike. Mohegans  still  made  their  annual  pilgrimages  up  the 
Quinebaug.  These  various  representatives  of  a  fallen  dynasty 
were  usually  treated  with  kindness  and  consideration,  strongly 
seasoned,  however,  with  contempt,  the  Indian  of  that  period 
holding  much  the  same  position  as  the  negro  of  a  later  period. 

The  educational  interests  were,  at  the  time  of  which  we  speak, 
receiving  more  intelligent  consideration.  Public  schools  had 
received  a  new  impulse  from  the  creation  of  the  school  fund 
and  more  stringent  supervision.  The  district  system  was  more 
fully  carried  out,  bringing  a  school  within  the  reach  of  every 
family,  and  schools  were  maintained  with  greater  regularity  and 
efficiency.  But  the  ordinary  school  house  was  yet  very  rude 
and  primitive.  A  typical  house  of  this  class  has  been  described 
by  a  man  who  knew  it  as  a  boy,  as  follows  :  "  It  was  a  wooden 
building   about  twenty  feet  square,  underpinned    at    the  four 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  91 

corners  with  common  stones.  It  was  boarded,  clapboarded,  the 
roof  shingled,  and  an  outer  door,  no  porch  or  entry,  at  the  south- 
east corner.  It  had  a  loose  floor  made  of  unplaned  boards,  and 
a  ceiling  of  the  same,  a  chimney  in  one  corner  built  of  rough 
stone.  There  was  a  long  writing  table,  reaching  across  one 
side  and  one  end  of  the  room,  and  the  scholars  sat  on  both 
sides  of  the  table,  facing  each  other.  They  had  no  desks  or 
drawers,  nothing  of  the  kind.  The  idea  of  being  comfortable 
there  never  entered  our  minds.  While  we  wrote,  our  ink  would 
freeze  in  our  pens,  so  that  we  were  frequently  obliged  to  hold 
them  up  to  our- mouths  and  thaw  it  with  our  breaths." 

The  standard  of  qualifications  of  teachers  was  low,  compared 
with  that  of  the  present  time,  the  range  of  subjects  beingmainly 
reading,  writing,  arithmetic,  sewing  and  the  catechism ;  the 
price  paid  teachers  was  correspondingly  low ;  but  the  results 
show  that  they  were  more  efficient  in  securing  the  vital  objects 
of  public  education  than  the  popular  voice  of  the  present  boast- 
ing age  would  permit  us  to  believe.  The  brightest  and  most 
capable  young  men  generally  secured  the  position  of  teachers, 
and  the  energy  of  their  youthful  blood  sustained  the  enthu- 
siasm of  their  minds  and  inspired  their  younger  charges  to  the 
most  effective  mental  achievements.  The  few  subjects  taught 
were  thoroughly  learned,  and  often  a  thirst  for  investigation 
and  further  knowledge  was  excited  which  found  gratification  in 
the  solid,  standard  w^orks  to  be  found  in  the  different  town 
libraries.  Increasing  interest  in  education  was  manifested  m 
the  establishment  of  academies  and  high  schools  and  the  mul- 
tiplication of  these  useful  libraries. 

The  people  of  Windham  county  were  among  the  foremost  in 
recognizing  the  value  of  the  newspaper  as  a  popular  educator. 
When  we  speak  of  the  newspaper  as  a  popular  educator  we 
mean  the  newspaper  of  that  time  and  the  class  of  later  times 
that  are  aiming  to  elevate  mankind  by  wholesome  teachings 
and  profitable  intelligence — not  the  indiscriminate  newspaper 
which  daily  or  weekly  throws  to  its  readers  a  mass  of  the 
slimiest  filth  that  it  dare  put  in  print,  or  at  best  the  most 
worthless  literary  froth  which  its  hireling  writers  can  spin  out. 
While  other  localities  similarly  circumstanced  in  most  other  re- 
spects were  counting  their  newspaper  subscribers  by  twos  or 
threes,  the  towns  of  this  county  were  counting  theirs  by  scores. 
For  example,  in  1778,  Joseph  Carter,  of  Canterbury,  a  post-rider, 


92  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

carried  the  Hartford  Ga::cttc  to  twenty-fiYe  families  in  vScotland 
parish,  to  forty-three  in  Westminster  parish,  and  to  forty-fiYe  in 
the  First  Society  of  Canterbury.  The  Providence  papers  were 
also  widely  circulated,  and  the  WindJiani  Herald  hsid  twelve  hund- 
red subscribers  early  in  the  present  century.  Almost  every 
town  had  its  "  newspaper  class,"  neighbors  joining  together  that 
they  might  have  a  larger  variety. 

The  social  conditions  of  that  time  have  so  completely  passed 
away  that  the  historian  must  in  justice  review  them  to  prevent 
the  memory  of  them  entirely  passing  from  the  knowledge  of 
men.  The  great  kitchen,  with  its  log  fire  in  the  huge  chimney, 
and  its  high-backed  settle  keeping  the  draughts  out,  its  bare 
sanded  floor,  and  round-topped  table  tipping  back  into  an  arm 
chair,  its  wheels  and  reels  and  various  working  appurtenances, 
its  porridge  kettle  on  the  crane,  and  dye  pot  in  the  chimney 
corner,  was  still  the  general  abiding  place  of  the  whole  family, 
for  there  alone  could  be  conveniently  carried  on  the  diversified 
operations  of  the  domestic  routine.  The  fabrication  of  cloth 
taxed  the  united  energies  of  the  household.  Strong  arms  were 
needed  to  break  and  swingle  the  stubborn  iiax  fibre,  cleanse  and 
separate  the  matted  fleece,  ere  feminine  hands  could  undertake 
the  hatcheling  and  carding.  Children,  grandparents  and  feeble 
folk  could  wind  up  the  quills  and  turn  the  reel  while  the  sturdy 
matron  and  her  grown-up  daughters  accomplished  their  "  day's 
work  "  at  the  loom  or  spinning  wheel.  The  various  kinds  and 
grades  of  cloth  needful  for  family  use — sheeting,  toweling, 
blankets,  coverlets,  heavy  woolen  cloth  for  men's  wear  in  winter 
and  tow  cloth  for  summer,  woolen  stuff,  linsey-woolsey  and 
ginghams  for  women  and  children — were  mainly  manufactured 
at  home.  And  when  to  this  Herculean  labor  was  added  the 
making  of  butter  and  cheese,  the  care  of  pickling  and  preserv- 
ing a  year's  supply  of  beef  and  pork,  making  sausages,  running 
candles  and  other  necessary  work,  but  little  time  was  left  for 
labors  of  fancy  and  ornamentation.  The  homespun  gowns 
were  made  up  in  the  simplest  fashion.  Perambulating  tailors 
cut  and  made  the  heavy  garments  for  men,  and  itinerant  shoe- 
makers fashioned  the  family  shoes  from  cowhides  and  calfskins 
produced  on  the  premises.  Bean  porridge,  baked  pork  and 
beans,  boiled  meat  and  vegetables,  rye  and  Indian  bread,  milk, 
cheese  and  cider,  with  plenty  of  shad  and  salmon  in  their  sea- 
son, and  a  good  goose  or  turkey  at  Thanksgiving,  made  up  the 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY,  93 

bill  of  fare.  Butchers  and  markets  were  yet  almost  unknown, 
but  a  self-regulating  meat  exchange  was  found  in  every  com- 
munity, several  neighbors  by  mutual  understanding  slaughter- 
ing each  an  animal  in  turn,  and  exchanging  the  fresh  meat,  so 
each  was  served  with  fresh  meat  during  a  considerable  part  of 
the  season.  The  salt  then  used  was  bought  in  great  chunks, 
and  had  to  be  ground  at  the  grist  mills,  where  a  day  was  occa- 
sionally set  apart  for  this  specific  kind  of  work. 

The  beginnings  of  the  manufacturing  era,  to  which  Windham 
county  mainly  owes  its  present  material  prosperity,  may  be  set 
down  as  about  the  close  of  the  last  century,  or  the  early  years  of 
the  present  one.  Arthur  and  John  Scholfield,  who  came  from 
England  in  1793,  succeeded  after  ten  or  twelve  years'  experi- 
mental effort  in  making  ready  for  market  "  double  carding  ma- 
chines, upon  a  new  and  improved  plan."  A  machine  for  carding 
sheep's  wool  was  set  up  by  John  Scholfield,  Jr.,  in  Jewett  City, 
in  1804,  who  accommodated  numerous  customers  by  picking, 
breaking,  carding  and  oiling  wool  at  twelve  cents  a  pound. 
Families  in  adjacent  parts  of  this  county  availed  themselves  of 
this  improved  method  of  getting  their  work  done,  and  the  busi- 
ness prospered  so  much  as  to  stimulate  others  to  engage  in  it. 
In  1806  Cyrus  Brewster  established  a  mill  on  the  falls  of  the 
Willimantic,  where  he  did  the  same  work  as  that  mentioned  above 
for  nine  cents  a  pound  in  cash,  or  eleven  cents  "other  pay." 
Other  machines  in  other  parts  of  the  county  soon  followed. 
About  this  time  the  introduction  of  machinery  for  manufactur- 
ing cotton  furnished  new  food  for  the  enterprise  and  activity  of 
the  people.  This  was  the  establishment  of  the  Pomfret  Manu- 
facturing Company  at  the  present  site  of  the  village  of  Putnam, 
the  first  cotton  factory  in  Windham  county.  The  works  were 
set  in  operation  April  1st,  1807.  Other  cotton  factories  followed 
in  the  neighboring  towns  with  such  rapidity  as  to  cause  alarm 
in  the  minds  of  some.  The  Windham  Herald  in  November,  1811, 
after  stating  that  the  number  of  cotton  mills  within  thirty  miles 
of  Providence  had  increased  within  two  years  from  thirty -nine 
to  seventy-four,  asks  the  startling  question :  "  Are  not  the  peo- 
ple running  cotton-mill  mad? ''  But  for  all  that  the  cotton  mills 
continued  to  be  erected  and  the  people  connected  with  them 
prospered. 

We  come  now  to  a  period  when  the  clouds  of  war  hovered 
over  our  land.     The  war  of  1812-14,  with  the  questions  of  public 


94  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

policy  associated  with  it,  excited  great  interest  among  the  peo- 
ple of  this  county.  Party  spirit  was  aroused  to  a  high  pitch,  and 
political  animosities  were  kindled  into  vivid  flame.  The  old 
Federalists  as  a  party  denounced  the  war  and  its  advocates,  and 
quite  overbore  for  a  time  the  influence  of  the  sympathizing  Jef- 
fersonians.  After  the  embargo  act  of  "1807,  the  occasion  being 
designated  as  an  "  alarming  crisis,"  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of 
Windham  county  was  held  at  the  court  house  to  consider  the 
situation.  The  voice  of  this  meeting  disapproved  this  act  as  a 
thing  unnecessary,  at  the  same  time  declaring  that  "  the  same 
patriotic  spirit  which  conducted  us  to  Liberty  and  Indepen- 
dence will  now  animate  us  when  that  Liberty  and  Independence 
are  in  danger,  and  that  the  American  Nation  are  prepared  to 
sacrifice  their  lives  and  fortunes  in  defence  of  the  only  Free  Re- 
publican Government  on  Earth  against  the  insidious  wiles  or 
the  open  attack  of  any  foreign  power." 

Notwithstanding  the  dominance  of  the  federal  party  and  the 
strong  influence  of  such  men  as  Swift  and  Goddard,  personal  ex- 
perience of  the  exactions  and  insolence  of  Great  Britain,  as  well 
as  the  spirit  of  party,  led  many  to  welcome  the  prospect  and  de- 
claration of  war.  Windham  sailors  had  been  taken  from  Amer- 
ican ships  under  false  pretenses  and  made  to  serve  for  years  in 
the  British  navy.  The  brisk  little  *' Windham"  and  other  craft 
had  been  seized  and  confiscated  under  Berlin  Decrees  and  Or- 
ders in  Council.  The  military  spirit,  revived  in  the  hearts  of  the 
young  men  by  what  they  heard  their  fathers  tell  of  the  revolu- 
tion, prompted  many  to  accept  the  tempting  inducements  held 
out  by  recruiting  officers  and  join  the  military  companies  that 
were  forming.  The  following  call,  issued  through  the  columns 
of  the  WindJiain  Herald,  illustrates  the  methods  of  obtaining  re- 
cruits. 

''RECRUITING    SERVICE!! 

"TO   MEN   OF   PATRIOTISM,   COURAGE    AND   ENTER- 
PRISE. 

"  Every  able-bodied  MAN,  from  the  age  of  J8  to  45  years,  who 
shall  be  enlisted  for  the  ARMY  of  the  United  States,  for  the 
term  of  five  years,  will  be  paid  a  bounty  of  SIXTEEN  DOL- 
LARS ;  and  whenever  he  shall  have  served  the  term  for  which 
he  enlisted,  and  obtained  an  honorable  discharge,  stating  that 
he  had  faithfully  performed  his  duty  while  in  service,  he  shall 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  95 

be  allowed  and  paid  in  addition  to  the  aforesaid  bounty, 
THREE  MONTHS  PAY,  and  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  SIX- 
TY ACRES  OF  LAND  ;  and  in  case  he  shall  be  killed  in  action, 
or  die  in  the  service,  his  heirs  and  representatives  will  be  en- 
titled to  the  said  three  months  pay,  and  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  land,  to  be  designated,  surveyed,  and  laid  off  at  publick 
expense. 

"  Henry  Dyer, 

"  Lieut.  U.  S.  Infantry. 
"  Rendezvous,  WineiJiavi, 

"  May  11th,  mm. 

"  N.  B.— A  good  DRUMMER  and  FIFER  are  wanted  imme- 
diately." 

It  is  hardly  to  be  expected  that  the  above  appeal  should  have 
■called  out  a  full  army  at  once.  It  doubtless  met  with  a  ready 
response,  however.  But  what  patriot  could  resist  the  following, 
which  was  also  promulgated  through  the  columns  of  the  Winei- 
Jiam  Herald  : 

"  The  subscriber  gives  this  public  notification  to  all  young 
Gentlemen  who  have  an  inclination  of  serving  their  country  and 
gaining  immortal  honor  to  themselves  and  their  posterity,  that 
he  has  lately  received  fresh  orders  of  Inlistment  from  govern- 
ment, which  are  much  more  favorable  than  those  he  formerly 
had.  The  period  for  inlistment  is  now  fixed  at  five  years,  unless 
sooner  discharged,  after  which  time  an  honorable  discharge  will 
be  given,  where  it  is  merited.  Let  no  male  or  female  disorgan- 
izer  discourage  you  from  engaging  in  this  most  laudable  under- 
taking, but  voluntarily  step  forth  and  tell  the  world  that  no 
usurpers  shall  maintain  ground  on  Columbia's  shore,  but  that 
America  is,  and  shall  be  a  distinct  republic.  Come,  my  good 
.souls,  come  forward,  let  me  see  you  at  the  rendezvous  at  Mr. 
.Staniford's,  where  you  will  get  further  information,  and  some- 
thing good  to  cheer  the  heart. 

"William  Young,  Jun.,  Capt." 

Troops  were  raised  by  Connecticut,  subject,  how^ever,  only  to 
the  order  of  her  governor.  Of  these  troops  in  Windham  county, 
Daniel  Putnam  was  made  colonel  of  the  Second  regiment,  raised 
for  special  service.  Of  the  Second  company  in  this  regiment 
Asa  Copeland,  of  Pomfret,  was  captain ;  Ebenezer  Grosvenor, 
first  lieutenant ;  Jonathan  Copeland,  Jr.,  of  Thompson,  second 
.lieutenant ;  Jeremiah  Scarborough,  of  Brooklyn,  ensign.    In  the 


96  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Third  company  George  Middleton,  of  Plainfield,  was  captain  ; 
Elkanah  Eaton,  first  lieutenant ;  George  W.  Kies,  second  lieu- 
tenant ;  Jared  Wilson,  of  Sterling,  ensign.  Of  the  Third  com- 
pany of  Cavalry  Thomas  Hubbard  was  captain ;  William  Trow- 
bridge, first  lieutenant ;  William  Cotton,  second  lieutenant ;  Ralph 
Hall,  cornet.  Citizens  exempt  by  age  or  official  position  from  mil- 
itary service  were  enrolled  as  the  First  regiment  of  a  volunteer 
brigade  under  command  of  General  David  Humphreys.  Of  this 
regiment  Honorable  Thomas  Grosvenor  was  colonel ;  Eliphalet 
Holmes,  lieutenant  colonel ;  James  Danielson,  first  major.  Such 
men  as  Lemuel  Ingalls,  Chester  Child.  Hobart  Torrey,  Abel  An- 
drus,  Moses  Arnold,  Shubael  Hutchins,  Ebenezer  Eaton,  Syl- 
vanus  Backus,  John  Davis,  Luther  Warren  and  Jeremiah  Kins- 
man were  officers  m  this  regiment. 

The  first  summons  to  arms  created  considerable  excitement. 
June  21st,  1813,  men  were  ordered  to  rendezvous  in  the  central 
taverns  of  their  respective  towns,  "  complete  in  arms  to  go  to 
Xew  London  as  there  were  British  there."  Soldiers  meeting  at 
the  taverns  were  in  some  instances  marched  to  the  meeting 
houses,  where  they  were  treated  to  stirring  addresses  to  nerve 
them  for  the  prospective  scenes.  Whole  companies  were  drawn 
up  in  line  ready  to  march  in  an  amazingly  short  space  of  time. 
Marching  to  New  London,  they  remained  on  guard  there  about 
three  weeks. 

Another  call  came  in  September.  Artemus  Bruce,  Stephen 
Ricard,  Charles  Howard  and  some  twelve  or  fifteen  other  Pom- 
fret  boys  went  out  under  Captain  Copeland  and  Ensign  Gros- 
venor. Meeting  others  from  Ashford,  Windham  and  other 
towns,  in  Norwich,  they  formed  a  company  ninety-six  strong. 
They  embarked  in  a  sloop  next  da}^  and  proceeded  to  New  Lon- 
don, where  they  encamped.  Here  they  remained  seven  weeks, 
but  were  not  called  upon  to  do  any  fighting.  A  detachment  of 
cavalry  from  the  Fifth  regiment  was  stationed  at  New  London 
and  Groton  from  September  1st  to  October  31st.  These  were : 
Comfort  S.Hyde,  of  Canterbury,  lieutenant ;  John  C.Howard 
and  Jacob  Dresser,  sergeants;  John  Kendall  and  David  Hutch- 
inson, corporals ;  Rhodes  Arnold,  Henry  Angell,  Charles  Bar- 
rows, Elisha  P.  Barstow,  Zachariah  Cone,  Ichabod  Davis,  Abial 
Durkee,  John  Gallup,  Arnold  Hosmer,  Jonathan  Hammet,  Jr., 
Edward  vS.  Keyes,  Dana  Lyon,  Hezekiah  Loomis,  William  Morse, 
Zeba  Phelps,  Elisha  Paine,  Bela  Post,  Shubael  Strong,  Otis  Stod- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  97 

dard  and  Jasper  Woodward,  privates.  Many  others  of  the  sons 
of  Windham,  but  who  had  gone  out  to  other  fields  of  life  and 
labor,  had  entered  the  service  of  the  country  and  were  honoring 
themselves,  their  country  and  the  locality  of  their  nativity  by 
their  valorous  acquittal  of  the  trusts  imposed  upon  them.  Of 
these  we  cannot  now  speak  particularly. 

The  summons  to  the  relief  of  New  London  when  invasion 
actually  came,  August  9th,  1814,  awakened  something  of  the 
old  revolutionary  enthusiasm.  Lieutenant  Hough,  of  Canter- 
bury, with  a  small  body  of  militia,  helped  to  defend  Stonington 
from  the  attack  of  the  British  fleet,  and  he  was  himself  knocked 
down  by  a  shell,  and  taken  up  for  dead.  David  Fuller,  of  Scot- 
land, begged  leave  of  Captain  Palmer  to  lead  the  first  company, 
warned  the  men  at  sunrise,  and  at  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon 
marched  off  with  seventeen  men  directly  for  New  London. 
Other  companies,  drafted  from  the  militia  of  different  towns, 
followed  as  soon  as  possible.  Marvin  Adams,  David  Walden  and 
others,  from  Scotland,  reached  Norwich  town  August  23d  and 
lodged  in  the  old  court  house.  Joining  other  companies  at 
Norwich,  they  proceeded  the  next  day  to  New  London,  running 
races  by  the  way  and  giving  but  little  attention  to  military 
order.  After  remaining  in  New  London  about  six  days,  they 
proceeded  to  Stonington,  where  they  acted  as  a  sort  of  guard  to 
the  town.  Some  of  the  men  were  in  uniform,  and  others  Avore 
their  Sunday  suits.  Discipline  was  easy  and  so  were  the  duties 
of  the  men.  Substitutes  in  standing  guard  could  be  obtained  at 
any  time  for  a  pint  of  whiskey.  No  fighting  was  called  for,  and 
after  enjoying  a  sort  of  protracted  picnic  for  several  weeks  the 
men  returned  home  in  safety. 

Many  scenes  and  events  of  that  period  would  afford  pleasure 
in  their  recital,  but  the  space  cannot  be  afforded  to  offer  them 
here.  Though  suffering  visited  many  parts  of  our  land,  where 
the  sterner  scenes  of  war  were  enacted,  and  dangers  hovered 
about  the  coast  near  this  part  of  Connecticut,  yet  the  participa- 
tion of  Windham  county  in  the  war  really  amounted  to  hardly 
more  than  a  farce.  This  fact,  however,  did  not  prevent  the 
news  of  peace  being  hailed  with  many  and  hearty  demonstra- 
tions of  rejoicing.  The  news  of  Jackson's  triumphant  victory  at 
New  Orleans  reached  Windham  simultaneously  with  that  of  the 
signing  of  the  treaty  of  peace.  The  conjunction  of  good  tidings 
7 


98  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

was  announced  b}-  the  Wimiliam  Herald,  February  16th,  1815,  in 
the  following  language : 

"  We  congratulate  our  readers  on  the  heart-cheering  news 
which  they  will  find  in  our  paper  of  this  day.  The  rumor  of  the 
glad  tidings  of  PEACE  reached  this  place  ]\londay  afternoon. 
It  was  immediately  announced  by  loud  peals  from  the  belfry  of 
the  meeting  house.  In  the  course  of  the  evening  this  gratifying 
news  was  fully  confirmed  by  handbills  from  Hartford,  etc.  No 
event  since  the  peace  of  the  revolutionary  war  could  have  dif- 
fused such  general  joy.  Every  countenance  appeared  glad,  and 
mutual  gratulations  were  reciprocated  without  distinction  of 
party.  The  rejoicings  were  resumed  the  next  day  by  the  ring- 
ing- of  the  bell,  firing  of  cannon  and  other  demonstrations  of 
joy." 

Appropriate  celebrations  were  held  in  most  of  the  Windham 
county  towns,  the  old  field-piece  of  the  Brooklyn  Matross  Com- 
pany doing  triple  service  in  honor  of  the  occasion.  All  parties 
rejoiced  that  the  war  was  ended,  and  even  the  bluest  federalist 
exulted  in  the  triumph  of  his  countrymen.  So  the  war  of  1812 
passed  into  history,  and  Windham  county  had  from  it  but  little 
to  darken  the  peaceful  trend  of  its  *own  experiences.  In  later 
years  the  government  made  liberal  provision  by  pensions  for 
those  who  served  their  country  in  any  way  during  that  period. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


THE   CIVIL   WAR. 


An  Age  of  Prosperity. — Growth  of  the  Union  and  Anti-Slavery  Sentiment.— The 
Strongest  Republican  County  in  Connecticut. — Outbreak  of  the  Rebellion. — 
County  Mass  Meeting. — Volunteer  Companies  Formed. — The  Uprising  of 
the  Martial  Spirit. — Popular  Excitement. — Raising  the  Flag. — Recruiting. — 
Death  of  General  Nathaniel  Lyon, — Windham's  Interest  in  General  Mc- 
Clellan. — Organizations  Represented  by  Windham  County  Soldiers. — Re- 
sponses to  Later  Calls.— The  Eighteenth  Regiment.— Work  of  the  Sanitary 
and  Christian  Commissions  at  Home. — The  Martvrs  to  the  Union  Cause. 


FOLLOWING  the  war  of  1812-14  a  long  period  of  peace  and 
material  growth  blessed  the  land  with  its  strengthening 
effects.  Windham  county  during  this  period  was  absorbed 
in  building  up  her  manufacturing  enterprises  and  educating  her 
sons  in  the  principles  which  were  to  be  put  to  the  fearful  test  of 
a  four  years'  war.  During  all  those  years  of  peace  the  principles 
which  w^ere  at  last  to  be  involved  in  war  were  taking  root  and 
firmly  establishing  themselves  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  of  this 
county  in  common  with  hundreds  of  other  counties  in  the  north- 
ern states  of  the  Union.  Though  but  one  of  the  many  in  this 
respect,  still  it  may  be  said  of  Windham  that  she  was  at  least  one 
of  the  conspicuous  ones  in  her  devotion  to  the  principles  of 
human  freedom  and  support  of  the  general  union  of  the  states. 

Though  the  resources  of  Windham  county  were  relatively 
limited,  yet  her  political  status  enabled  her  to  extend  most 
hearty  aid  and  comfort  to  the  central  government.  The  strong 
anti-slavery  sentiment  early  developed,  deepened  and  strength- 
ened by  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  Compromise  and  concurrent 
events,  overcame  partisan  and  political  bias,  and  made  her  the 
strongest  republican  county  in  Connecticut.  The  call  to  aid  in 
putting  down  the  rebellion  at  the  South  met  with  immediate  re- 
sponse in  this  county.  Meetings  were  at  once  held  in  all  the 
prominent  villages,  and  measures  w^ere  instituted  for  carrj'ing 
out  patriotic  resolutions.     Revolutionary  scenes  were  re-enacted. 


100  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Young  men  hurried  to  cities  to  enlist,  or  joined  in  company  drill 
at  home ;   women  came  together  to  prepare  clothing  and  lint ; 
towns   hastened    to   make  provision  for  raising  and  supplying 
their  prospective  quotas.     A  county  mass  meeting  was  held  in 
Brooklyn,  April  22d,  1861,  at  which  Governor  Cleveland  presided. 
A  committee  on  resolutions,  consisting  of  Daniel  P.  Tyler,  W. 
H.  Chandler,  B.  F.  Palmer,  H.  Hammond,  W.  Simpson,  J.  Q.  A. 
Stone,  B.  P.  Spaulding  and  Jeremiah  Olney,-  declared  that  "  citi- 
zens of  Windham  County  would  expend  their  last  dollar,  and 
exhaust  the  last  drop  of  their  blood  ere  they  would  submit  to  a 
disruption  of  the  Nation."     Stirring,  patriotic   addresses  were 
made  by  many  earnest  speakers.     Sixty  volunteers  offered   to 
take  the  field  at  once,  and  six  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  was 
pledged  for  the  support  of  the  government,  Mr.  W.  H.  Chandler 
heading   the   list  with   five  hundred   dollars.     Many  volunteer 
companies  were  formed  in  the  several  towns  in  advance  of  state 
requisition.     E.  W.  Whitaker  and  Daniel  Whitaker,  of  Ashford, 
and  Lester  E.  Braley,  of  Windham,  gained  admittance  into  the 
First  reg-iment  of  Connecticut  volunteers.     No  man  rendered 
such  service  in  oro-anizing  Connecticut's  forces  as  the  colonel  of 
this  regiment,  Daniel  Tyler,  of  Norwich,  a  worthy  representa- 
tive of  the  father  and  grandfather  bearing  the  same  name,  so 
long  honored  in    Brooklyn  and  throughout  Windham   county. 
Sixteen  Windham  county  residents  enlisted  in  the  Second  regi- 
ment, under  Colonel  Terry,  and  a  small  number  in  the  Third,  of 
which  Alexander  Warner,  of  Woodstock,  was  major,  and  Doctor 
John  McGregor,  of  Thompson,  surgeon.     These  regiments  were 
hurried  on  to  the  seat  of  war,  and  took  part  in  the  action  at  Bull 
Run,  where  Doctor  McGregor  was  taken  prisoner. 

In  all  the  events  which  crowded  upon  each  other  during  those 
early  years  of  the  war  Windham  county  took  a  deep  interest. 
The  excitement  and  strange  fascination  which  seized  the  people 
when  the  blare  of  martial  movements  swept  like  a  noontide  con- 
flagration over  the  land  will  be  remembered  by  those  who  were 
living  at  the  time  as  long  as  memory  shall  serve  its  mission  to 
them.  But  how  like  a  dream  it  has  already  become  !  Were  it 
not  for  an  occasional  mound  in  the  graveyard,  an  empty  sleeve 
or  otherwise  disfigured  body,  or  the  face  of  a  loved  one  whom 
the  fortunes  of  war  have  never  returned  to  the  home  whence  he 
went  out  in  the  freshness  and  vigor  of  his  young  manhood,  we 
might  almost  be  tempted  to  set  our  recollections  of  the  war  down 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  101 

as  a  dreamy  illusion  of  our  minds — a  picture  of  the  past  con- 
jured up  by  the  imagination  laboring  under  some  strange  spell 
of  abnormal  excitement.  But  there  are  enough  of  these  sad 
material  evidences  to  painfully  refresh  our  fading  memories 
and  make  real  the  misty  recollections  of  the  scenes  associated 
with  the  great  civil  war.  The  people  of  Windham  county  heard 
the  strains  of  martial  music,  as  one  after  another  companies  of 
soldiers,  in  progress  of  forming  and  filling  their  ranks  and 
marching  to  some  rendezvous  to  enter  the  service,  came  through 
the  different  towns  and  villages.  They  heartily  joined  in  rais- 
ing the  dishonored  flag  to  every  position  of  prominence  where 
it  could  float  on  the  pure  breezes  of  these  immortal  hills  and 
proclaim  to  the  stars  of  heaven  and  to  the  noon  sun  their  de- 
termination to  avenge  the  dishonor  that  had  been  attempted 
upon  it,  and  to  preserve,  at  the  cost  of  their  treasures  or  their 
lives,  the  fullness  of  its  emblematic  significance.  One  of  the 
prominent  figures  of  the  early  part  of  the  war  was  General 
Nathaniel  Lyon,  a  son  of  this  county,  and  one  of  the  early  and 
conspicuous  martyrs  to  the  cause  of  the  Union.  His  death  was 
deeply  mourned  by  the  whole  loyal  country,  but  to  Windham 
county  the  death  was  one  of  augmented  importance  from  the 
fact  already  mentioned  of  his  association  with  the  county,  and 
still  further  from  the  fact  that  hither  his  remains  were  brought 
and  laid  away  in  their  final  resting  place  amid  impressive  cere- 
monies, which  were  witnessed  by  the  largest  concourse  of  people 
ever  assembled  within  the  county.  It  was  estimated  that  his 
funeral  and  interment  at  Eastford  was  attended  by  twenty  thou- 
sand people.  A  more  particular  account  of  it  will  be  found  in 
connection  with  the  history  of  that  town. 

The  promotion  of  General  George  B.  McClellan  to  the  com- 
mand of  the  Union  army  was  another  event  in  which  Windham 
county  was  peculiarly  interested  by  local  association.  He  was 
the  son  of  Doctor  George  McClellan,  a  distinguished  Philadelphia 
surgeon,  whose  boyhood  was  well  remembered  in  Woodstock. 
James,  the  father  of  the  latter,  was  the  son  of  General  Samuel 
McClellan,  who  was  among  the  prominent  figures  of  this  county 
during  the  revolution.  Thus  the  name  could  not  but  awaken 
enthusiasm  and  hope  for  his  success  in  the  hearts  of  the  Wind- 
ham county  people,  and  only  the  unwelcome  conviction  that  the 
modern  general  lacked  something  of  the  fire  of  his  ancestors, 
and  did  not  share  their  anti-slavery  views,  overcame  this  early 
predilection. 


102  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

The  events  to  which  we  have  referred  in  general  and  in  par> 
ticular,  all  awakened  the  deepest  interest  in  Windham  county, 
stimulating  activity  in  enlistment  and  military  preparation. 
Young  men  kept  back  by  the  reiterated  declaration  that  they 
would  not  be  needed,  were  mustered  by  hundreds  into  the 
quickly  forming  regiments.  About  fifty  were  included  in  the 
Fourth  regiment.  Company  H,  of  the  Fifth  regiment,  Captain 
Albert  S.  Granger,  of  Putnam ;  Company  A,  of  the  Sixth,  Cap- 
tain Thomas  K.  Bates,  of  Brooklyn  :  Company  K,  of  the  Seventh, 
Captain  Charles  Burton,  of  Killingly,  who  was  succeeded  by  Cap- 
tain Jerome  Tourtellotte,  of  Putnam ;  and  Company  F,  of  the 
Eighth,  Captain  Elijah  T.  Smith,  of  Plainfield,  were  almost 
wholly  filled  with  Windham  county  men,  while  others  still  en- 
listed in  other  companies.  The  Whitakers  and  Edwin  L.  Lyon, 
of  Ashford,  were  enrolled  in  Cavalry  Company  B.  Judson  M. 
Lyon,  of  Woodstock,  was  major  of  First  regiment  cavalry,  and 
Andrew  B.  Bowen  captain  of  Company  A,  with  some  thirty  men 
from  Woodstock  and  towns  adjacent.  The  Eleventh  regiment 
was  greatly  beloved  in  Windham  county.  Officers  of  this  regi- 
ment from  here  were  Charles  Matthewson,  of  Pomfret,  lieuten- 
ant colonel ;  Reverend  George  Soule,  of  Hampton,  chaplain ; 
Doctor  James  R.  Whitcomb,  of  Brooklyn,  surgeon ;  George  W. 
Davis,  of  Thompson,  quartermaster  sergeant.  The  companies 
of  Captain  Clapp,  of  Pomfret,  and  Captam  Hyde,  of  Plainfield, 
were  mostly  made  up  from  this  county.  Many  from  the  south- 
ern towns  enlisted  in  Company  G,  of  the  Twelfth  regiment, 
sometimes  called  the  "  Lyon  Guards,"  under  the  veteran  Captain 
Braley,  of  Windham.  Alexander  Warner,  of  Woodstock,  went 
out  as  lieutenant  colonel  of  the  Thirteenth.  Windham's  contri- 
bution to  this  regiment  were  mostly  included  in  Company  E,  of 
which  E.  E.  Graves,  of  Thompson,  was  first  lieutenant. 

These  soldiers  received  generous  bounties  from  their  respec- 
tive towns  and  ample  provision  for  their  families,  and  went  out 
hopefully  to  their  varied  posts  of  duty  and  service.  After  six 
months  of  military  vicissitudes,  culminating  in  the  withdrawal 
from  the  sieofe  of  Richmond,  the  towns  were  again  called  to 
raise  their  proportion  of  "  three  hundred  thousand  more."  East- 
ern Connecticut  responded  with  such  alacrity  that  the  Eighteenh 
regiment,  raised  in  New  London  and  W^indham  counties,  though 
the  last  one  summoned,  was  the  first  one  to  be  ready  to  leave. 
This  regiment  was  in  line  of  march  by  the  22d  of  August,  1862. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  103 

Enlistment  in  it,  especially  in  the  north  part  of  the  county, 
was  greatly  stimulated  by  the  return  of  Doctor  McGregor,  after 
more  than  a  year  spent  in  captivity.  A  public  reception  given 
him  on  Thompson  Green  was  very  largely  attended,  and  his 
changed  appearance  and  affecting  story  made  a  very  deep  im- 
pression, rousing  sober,  thoughtful  men  to  a  truer  apprehension 
of  the  nature  of  the  contest.  The  Eighteenth  was  the  most 
emphatically  representative  regiment  of  Windham  county.  Col- 
onel Ely  was  of  Killingly  parentage.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Nich- 
ols, a  favored  son  of  Thompson,  was  widely  known  in  other 
towns  Major  Keach  was  a  Killingly  veteran,  while  Assistant 
Surgeons  Harrington  and  Hough  were  familiar  residents  of 
Sterling  and  Putnam.  Companies  of  Windham  county  men 
were  commanded  by  Captains  T.  K.  Bates,  of  Brooklyn;  Joseph 
Matthewson,  of  Pomfret ;  G.  W.  Warner,  of  Woodstock ;  C.  D, 
Bowen,  of  Windham,  and  E.  J.  Matthewson,  of  Killingly.  Doc- 
tor Lowell  Holbrook,  of  Thompson,  and  Reverend  W.  C.  Walker, 
of  Putnam,  at  a  later  date  went  out  as  surgeon  and  chaplain  re- 
spectively, of  this  favorite  regiment.  Windham  was  also  well 
represented  in  Companies  D,  J,  and  K,  in  the  Twenty-first  regi- 
ment, and  in  Company  G,  of  the  Twenty-sixth.  Addison  G. 
Warner,  of  Putnam,  having  recruited  more  than  a  hundred  men 
for  the  First  Cavalry,  was  commissioned  captain,  in  January,  1864. 

Windham  also  furnished  recruits  for  the  artillery  and  other 
regiments,  and  paid  her  proportion  for  the  colored  regiments, 
promptly  fulfilling  from  the  first  to  the  last  every  requisition  of 
government.  More  earnest  in  filling  her  quotas  than  in  seeking 
for  office,  she  furnished  proportionably  more  subalterns  than 
commanders,  though  many  of  Windham  birth  or  stock  who 
went  out  from  other  places,  gained  a  high  rank  and  rendered 
distinguished  service.  At  home  as  in  other  sections  there  was 
great  outflow  of  private  liberality,  money  and  labor  being  freely 
expended  in  sending  comforts  to  friends  who  had  gone  to  the 
front,  and  to  the  Sanitary  and  Christian  Commissions,  in  every 
neighborhood  Soldiers'  Aid  Societies  were  busily  at  work,  and 
"  prayer  was  without  ceasing  of  the  church  unto  God  "  for  help 
and  deliverance. 

Of  the  service  rendered  by  the  men  sent  out  from  Windham 
county  it  is  impossible  here  to  give  a  detailed  report,  but  there 
is  good  reason  for  belief  that  it  compared  favorably  with  that  of 
the  great  mass  of  volunteers,  and  in  many  instances  was  sig- 


104  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

nally  effective.  Still  less  can  we  speak  in  detail  of  the  lives  that 
were  sacrificed.  Each  town  has  its  death-roll  and  its  honored 
graves,  which  the  people  yearly  decorate.  Some  of  these  heroes 
were  among  the  best  and  brightest  young  men  of  Windham 
county  ;  most  worthy  to  be  remembered  with  those  of  a  previous 
generation,  who  like  them  had  given  their  lives  for  their  coun- 
try. We  need  not  fear  that  their  names  or  their  deeds  will  be 
forgotten.  Enrolled  in  the  archives  of  the  state  and  nation,  em- 
balmed in  ever}^  patriot  heart,  their  fame  will  but  grow  brighter 
with  the  lapse  of  years.  Mustered  into  the  great  army  that 
from  age  to  age  in  every  clime  has  raised  the  "battle-cry  of 
Freedom,"  the  men  whose  names  are  inscribed  on  Windham's 
latest  war  record  may  be  sure  of  imperishable  remembrance. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


WINDHAM  COUNTY  OF  TO-DAY. 

Its  Towns  and  their  present  condition. — Their  Population  at  different  periods. — 
Conspicuous  Citizens. — Presidential  Candidates. — Honored  Sons  of  Windham. 
— State  Senators. — Presidents  pro  tern,  of  the  Senate. — Speakers  of  the  House. 
— Present  RepresentatiTes. — The  Courts. — County  Officers. — Literary  Asso- 
ciations.— Agricultural  Society. — Temperance  Society. — Temperance  Move- 
ments. 


THE  towns  at  present  comprising  Windham  county  are  fif- 
teen in  number,  viz.,  Ashford,  Brooklyn,  Canterbury, 
Chaplin,  Eastford,  Hampton,  Killingly,  Plainfield,  Pom- 
fret,  Putnam,  Scotland,  Sterling,  Thompson,  Windham  and 
Woodstock.  In  these  are  also  included  the  incorporated  bor- 
oughs of  Danielsonville  and  Willimantic.  The  following  brief 
S3mopsis  of  them  will  assist  the  reader  to  a  better  understand- 
ing of  them.  Ashford,  first  mentioned  in  1710,  lies  in  the  north- 
western part,  is  an  agricultural  town,  and  has  a  population  of 
1,041.  Its  grand  list  amounts  to  $275,534.  It  has  no  railroad 
within  its  borders.  The  post  offices  in  it  are  Ashford,  Westford, 
West  Ashford  and  Warrenville.  Brooklyn,  the  county  town, 
was  incorporated  in  May,  1786,  the  territory  composing  it  being 
taken  from  Pomfret  and  Canterbury.  It  has  a  population  of 
2,308,  and  its  grand  list  amounts  to  $1,451,404.  Its  principal  in- 
dustries are  agriculture  and  the  manufacture  of  cotton  goods. 
Canterbury  was  incorporated  in  1703,  being  formed  from  Plain- 
field.  It  is  an  agricultural  town  and  has  a  population  of  1,272. 
Its  grand  list  is  $482,166.  It  is  located  in  the  southern  part  of 
the  county,  and  contains  post  offices  Canterbury,  South  Canter- 
bury, Westminster  and  Packerville.  Chaplin,  lying  on  the  west- 
ern border  of  the  county,  was  taken  from  Mansfield  and  Hamp- 
ton, and  was  incorporated  in  May,  1822.  It  has  a  population  of 
627,  and  its  grand  list  is  $204,730.  The  principal  industries 
are  agriculture  and  paper  making.  Its  only  post  office  is  Chap- 
lin.     Eastford  lies  in  the    northwest  part  of   the  county,  and 


106  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

contains  a  population  of  8o5.  It  was  incorporated  in  Alay, 
1847,  being  formed  from  Ashford.  The  grand  list  amounts  to 
$203,127,  the  principal  industries  being  agriculture  and  twine 
making.  It  contains  post  offices  Eastford,  Phoenixville  and 
North  Ashford.  Hampton,  situated  in  the  western  part  of  the 
county,  was  incorporated  in  October,  1786.  It  was  formed  from 
parts  of  Windham,  Pomfret,  Brooklyn,  Canterbury  and  Mans- 
field. It  has  a  population  of  827,  and  a  grand  list  of  §839,104. 
The  principal  industry  is  agriculture.  Its  post  offices  are 
Hampton,  Rawson  and  Clark's  Corner.  Killingly  was  incorpo- 
rated in  May,  1708.  It  lies  midway  of  the  county,  on  the  east- 
ern border.  It  has  a  population  of  6,921,  of  which  2,210  are  in- 
cluded in  the  borough  of  Danielsonville.  The  grand  list 
amounts  to  $2,144,153,  and  that  of  the  borough  of  Danielsonville 
to  $1,200,717.  Agriculture  and  the  manufacture  of  cotton  and 
woolen  goods  are  the  leading  industries.  Post  offices  in  the 
town  are  Danielsonville,  Killingly,  Ballouville,  East  Killingly 
and  South  Killingly.  Plainfield,  situated  in  the  southeastern 
part,  has  a  population  of  4,021,  and  a  grand  list  of  $1,735,640. 
It  was  incorporated  in  May,  1699.  The  principal  industries  are 
agriculture  and  the  manufacture  of  cotton  and  woolen  goods, 
bricks,  carriages,  and  other  articles.  Within  its  limits  are  post 
offices  Plainfield,  Central  Village,  Moosup,  Wauregan  and  Pack- 
erville.  Pomfret  lies  in  the  central  part  of  the  county  and  has 
a  population  of  1,470.  Its  name  appears  as  early  as  1730.  The 
principal  industries  are  agriculture  and  entertaining  summer 
boarders,  the  beauty  of  its  scenery  being  famous.  Its  grand 
list  amounts  to  $801,711.  Post  offices  in  the  town,  Pomfret, 
Pomfret  Center,  Pomfret  Landing,  Abington  and  Elliott's.  Put- 
nam, formed  from  parts  of  Thompson,  Pomfret  and<-  Killingly, 
was  incorporated  in  May,  1855.  Its  population  is  5,827,  a  consid- 
erable part  of  which  is  in  the  compact  village.  The  grand  list 
is  $1,995,008.  The  principal  industries  are  the  manufacture  of 
cotton,  woolen  and  silk  goods,  shoes,  steam  heaters  and  other 
goods,  and  agriculture.  The  town  lies  near  the  northwestern 
part  of  the  county,  and  contains  the  post  offices  Putnam  and 
Putnam  Heights.  Scotland,  taken  from  Windham,  was  incorpo- 
rated in  May,  1857.  It  has  a  population  of  590,  a  grand  list  of 
$267,423,  and  its  principal  industry  is  agriculture.  It  lies  on  the 
southern  border,  near  the  southwest  corner  of  the  county.  Ster- 
ling, taken    from  Voluntown,  which   was   then  a  part   of   this 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  107 

county,  was  incorporated  in  May,  1794.  ItvS  population  is  957 
and  its  grand  list  $259,263.  The  town  now  occupies  the  extreme 
southeast  corner  of  the  county.  Its  principal  industries  are  ag- 
riculture, dyeing  and  bleaching  and  some  other  manufacturing, 
and  granite  quarrying.  The  post  offices  Sterling,  Oneco,  Ekonk 
and  North  Sterling  are  in  this  town.  Thompson,  located  in  the 
extreme  northeast  corner  of  the  county,  was  incorporated  in  May, 
1785.  Its  territory  was  taken  from  the  northern  part  of  Killingly. 
Its  population  is  5,051  and  its  grand  list  $1,713,420.  The  princi- 
pal industries  are  agriculture  and  the  manufacture  of  cotton  and 
woolen  goods.  It  has  post  offices  Thompson,  West  Thompson, 
East  Thompson,  Grosvenor  Dale,  North  Grosvenor  Dale,  Wil- 
sonville,  Mechanicsville,  New  Boston  and  Quinebaug.  Wind- 
ham, occupying  the  extreme  southwest  corner  of  the  county, 
was  incorporated  in  May,  1692.  Its  present  population  is  8,264, 
being  greater  than  that  of  any  other  town  in  the  county,  while 
in  territory  it  is  one  of  the  smallest.  Its  grand  list  amounts  to 
$4,  146,127,  while  that  of  the  borough  of  Willimantic,  which  is 
included  within  its  limits,  amounts  to  $3,505,044.  The  principal 
industries  are  the  manufacture  of  spool  cotton,  silk  twist,  cotton 
fabrics,  silk  and  other  machinery,  carriages  and  other  articles, 
and  agriculture.  It  contains  the  post  offices  Willimantic,  Wind- 
ham, North  Windham  and  South  Windham.  Woodstock,  in  the 
northwest  part  of  the  county,  is  the  largest  in  territory  of  all  the 
towns  of  the  county.  It  was  incorporated  as  a  town  of  Massa- 
chusetts in  March,  1690,  and  annexed  to  Connecticut  in  May, 
1749.  Its  population  is  2,639  ;  grand  list  $943,536.  The  princi- 
pal industries  are  agriculture  and  the  manufacture  of  cotton 
twine.  Its  post  offices  are  Woodstock,  North  Woodstock,  South 
Woodstock,, East  Woodstock,  West  Woodstock  and  Woodstock 
Valley. 

Some  idea  of  the  growth  of  the  towns  of  this  county  may  be 
gained  from  the  following  figures  which  show  the  population  of 
each  town  at  various  periods:  Ashford — 1756,  1,245;  1775,  2,241 
1800,  2,445;  1870,  1,242;  1880,  1,041.  Brooklyn- 1800,  1,202 
1870,  2,355;  1880,  2,308.  Canterbury— 1766,  1,260;  1775,2,444 
1800,1,812;  1870,1,552;  1880,1,272.  Chaplin— 1870,  704 ;  1880 
627.  Eastford— 1870,  984;  1880,  885.  Hampton— 1800,  1,379 
1870,891;  1880,827.  Killingly— 1756,  2,100;  1775,3,486;  1800 
2,279  ;  1870, 5,712  ;  1880, 6,921.  Plainfield— 1756, 1,800  ;  1775, 1,562 
1800,  1,619  ;  1870,  4,521 ;  1880,  4,021.     Pomf ret— 1756,  1,727 ;  1775 


108  HISTORY   OF   WIXDHAM    COUXTY. 

2,306;  1800, 1,802;  1870, 1,488;  1880. 1,470.  Putnam— 1870, 4,192;  1880, 
5,827.  Scotland— 1870,  648;  1880,  690.  Sterling— 1800,  908;  1870. 
1,022;  1880,  957.  Thompson— 1880,  2,341;  1870,  3,804;  1880,  5,051. 
Windham— 1756,  2,446;  1775,  3,528;  1800,  2,644;  1870,  5,413;  1880, 
8,264.  Woodstock— 1756,  1,366;  1775,  2,054;  1800,  2,463;  1870, 
2,955 ;  1880,  2,639. 

Citizens  of  Windham  county  haYC  often  been  honored  with 
positions  of  importance  and  trust  under  the  state  government 
or  the  colonial  government  in  pre-revolutionar}^  times.  Some  of 
those  we  shall  notice  in  the  following  lists,  which  are  in  some  in- 
stances complete,  and  in  others  as  nearh^  so  as  accessible  mater- 
ial will  allow.  Among  the  governors  of  the  state  were  Samuel 
Huntington,  Jonathan  Trumbull  and  Chauncey  F.  Cleveland. 
Among  those  who  have  been  lieutenant  governors  are  the  names 
of  Samuel  Huntington,  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Ebenezer  Stoddard 
and  David  Gallup.  Among  those  who  have  held  the  office  of 
state  secretary  are  Marvin  H.  Sanger,  of  Canterbury,  who  served 
four  years,  1873-77 ;  Charles  E.  Searls,  of  Thompson,  who  served 
two  years,  1881-83 ;  and  Charles  A.  Russell,  of  Killingly,  who 
served  two  years,  1885-87. 

It  may  not  be  amiss  to  mention  in  passing,  while  having  in 
mind  the  sons  of  Windham  who  have  come  into  prominence, 
that  some  associated  at  least  with  this  county  have  aspired  to 
the  presidential  chair  of  the  nation.  We  have  already  seen  that 
General  George  B.  McClellan  was  a  descendant  of  Windham 
county  stock.  If  we  have  been  rightly  informed,  the  ancestors 
of  ex-President  Grover  Cleveland  were  citizens  of  Windham 
county.  And  the  late  candidate  of  the  prohibition  party  for  the 
presidency.  General  Clinton  B.  Fisk,  in  a  speech  at  Roseland 
Park  during  the  campaign,  said  :  '•'  I  count  it  no  light  honor  that 
my  father  and  mother  were  born  in  Windham  county;  that  but 
a  few  miles  from  here,  on  the  Five  Mile  river,  the  village  black- 
smith in  the  first  decades  of  this  century  was  my  father ;  that  in 
the  little  church  at  Killingly  my  mother  was  one  of  the  sweetest 
singers  in  the  choir."  If  this  reference  to  men  of  prominence 
be  considered  a  digression  here,  we  trust  our  charitable  reader 
will  pardon  it,  while  we  briefly  mention  others  who  have  been 
honored  in  other  than  political  fields  and  other  localities  county 
wise.  Scattered  throughout  the  land,  in  almost  every  state,  are 
found  the  descendants  of  Windham,  among  the  solid,  sterling 
citizens  who  have  built  up  society  and  maintain  civil  and  relig- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  .109 

ious  institutions.  The  world  has  heard  of  our  Morses  and 
Holmes,  Generals  Eaton,  and  Lyon  and  Commodore  Morris. 
Dartmouth,  Williamstown,  Union,  Andover,  Yale,  Middlebury 
and  Bangor  honor  the  memory  of  the  good  men  that  Windham 
has  given  them — Presidents  Wheelock,  Fitch,  Nott,  and  Profes- 
sors Adams,  Kingsley,  Hubbard,  Larned,  Hough  and  Shepard. 
Rhode  Island  will  never  forget  the  services  of  Lieutenant  Gov- 
ernor Sessions.  William  Larned  Marcy  and  Elisha  Williams 
hold  a  high  rank  among  the  great  men  of  the  empire  state. 
Ohio  gratefully  remembers  Doctor  Manasseh  Cutler  and  Gen- 
eral Moses  Cleveland.  Edmond  and  George  Badger  won  suc- 
cess and  honor  in  North  Carolina,  and  New  Orleans  still  bears 
witness  to  the  eloquence  of  Sylvester  Larned  and  Chief  Justice 
Bradford.  Colonel  Craft,  of  Vermont ;  Governor  Williams,  of 
New  Hampshire  ;  Senator  Ruggles,  of  Ohio ;  Hon.  Thomas  P. 
Grosvenor,  of  Maryland,  has  each  an  honorable  record  in  his 
adopted  state.  New  Haven  owes  to  Windham  her  respected 
Whitings  and  Whites,  and  the  late  excellent  mayor,  Hon.  Aaron 
Skinner,  while  Hartford  is  indebted  for  distinguished  and  use- 
ful physicians — Doctors  Coggswell,  Welch  and  Sumner.  Wind- 
ham is  largely  represented  in  the  ministerial  ranks,  sending  out 
the  ancestors  of  Dr.  Bacon,  of  New  Haven  ;  Dr.  Storrs,  of  Brook- 
lyn ;  Dr.  William  Adams,  of  New  York  ;  Dr.  George  L.  Walker, 
of  Hartford,  and  a  host  of  lesser  luminaries.  She  has  given  to 
art  Miss  Anne  Hall,  Samuel  Waldo,  Frank  Alexander,  Henry 
Dexter  and  Ithiel  Town,  architect  of  national  fame.  The  Gros- 
venor Library  of  Buffalo  perpetuates  the  name  and  munificence 
of  the  son  of  one  of  Windham's  honored  families,  Hon.  Seth 
Grosvenor,  of  New  York.  The  works  of  E.  G.  Squier,  Alice  and 
Phebe  Gary,  Mrs.  Botta,  Mrs.  Lippincott  (Grace  Greenwood),  and 
E.  C.  Stedman,  do  honor  to  their  Windham  ancestry.  And  here 
we  should  not  forget  the  name  of  Henry  C.  Bowen,  the  indefat- 
igable pu-blisher  of  the  Nezv  York  Independent,  whose  interest  in 
Windham  county  is  "  known  and  read  of  all  men."  Then  we 
find  among  the  residents  of  the  county  also  those  whose  literary 
works  are  known  beyond  the  limits  of  the  county,  among  whom 
may  be  mentioned  Miss  Jane  Gay  Fuller,  of  Scotland ;  Mrs.  C. 
N.  W.  Thomas,  of  Killingly ;  Mrs.  Corbin,  Mrs.  Louise  Chandler 
Moulton,  whose  summer  home  is  at  Pomfret;  Mrs.  Charles 
Thompson  of  the  same  place,  and  Miss  Sarah  S.  Hall,  of  West 
Killingly. 


110  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Of  those  ^vho  haYe  held  official  positions  in  the  state  we  may 
mention  state  treasurers  Jedidiah  Huntington,  1789-90;  Ezra 
Dean,  1861-62;  Henry  G.  Taintor,  1866-67;  Edwin.  A.  Buck, 
1877-79,  and  Alexander  Warner,  1887  to  the  present  time.  Of 
comptrollers  may  be  mentioned  Roger  Huntington,  1834-35; 
Mason  Cleveland,  1846-47;  Jesse  Olney,  1867-69;  James  W. 
Manning,  1869-70  and  1871-73. 

State  senators  from  this  county  since  1819  have  been  as  fol- 
lows, the  number  directly  following  each  name  being  the  num- 
ber of  the  senatorial  district  represented  by  him :  William 
Alexander,  14,  1843;  John  C.  Ames,  13,  1849;  Thomas  Backus, 
14,  1835,38;  Clark  E.  Barrows,  16,  1883,84;  Joseph  D.  Barrows, 
14, 1869,  70  ;  Ira  D.  Bates,  16, 1887,  88 ;  Eugene  S.  Boss,  17, 1882,  83; 
Lucius  Briggs,  14,  1875  ;  Calvin  B.  Bromley,  13,  1863  ;  William 
Brown,  13,  1857;  Edwin  A.  Buck,  13,  1876;  Edwin  H.  Bugbee, 
14,  1865,68;  Ichabod  Bulkeley,  14,  1836,37;  Gilbert  W.  Phillips 
to  January  7th  and  Richmond  M.  Bullock  succeeding,  14,  1880  ; 
Mowry  Burgess,  13,  1844;  James  Burnett,  13,  1872;  Harvey 
Campbell,  13,  1861  ;  Elisha  Carpenter,  14,  1857,58;  George  S. 
Catlin,  13,  1850;  William  H.  Chandler,  14,  1867;  Thomas  G. 
Clarke,  17,  1884,85;  Mason  Cleveland,  13,  1842;  William  H. 
Coggswell,  13,  1860  ;  James  M.  Cook,  11,  1886;  S.  Storrs  Cotton, 
14,  1871,72;  Edward  L.  Cundall,  13,  1864;  Albert  Day,  13,  1873; 
Ezra  Dean,  14,  1852,53;  John  S.  Dean,  14,  1877,78;  Archibald 
Douglass,  13,  1848 ;  Edwin  Eaton,  13,  1852 ;  Joseph  Eaton,  13, 
1840,41 ;  Edward  Eldridge,  14,  1841,  42  ;  Samuel  M.  Fenner,  14, 
1873,74;  William  Field,  14,1849,50;  Archibald  Fry,  13,  1853; 
Amos  J.  Gallup,  13,  1858,  67;  David  Gallup,  13,  1869;  John  Gal- 
lup, 13,  1856 ;  David  Greenslit,  13,  1866 ;  Edwin  C.  Griggs,  13, 
1868  ;  Charles  W.  Grosvenor,  17, 1886  ;  Dixon  Hall,  13,  1821,  22  ; 
Henry  Hammond,  14,  1881  and  16,  1882 ;  Whiting  Hayden,  13, 
1874 ;  Thomas  Hubbard,  1829  ;  Joseph  Hutchins,  17,  1887,  88  ; 
Andrew  T.  Judson,  13,  1830;  John  Kendall,  13,  1843;  David 
Keyes,  1823,24;  Samuel  Lee,  13,  1855;  William  A.  Lewis,  13, 
1880,81  ;  William  Lyon,  3d,  14,  1844,45;  Thomas  S.  Marlor,  13, 
1875;  Charles  Matthewson,  14,  1854,56;  John  McGregor,  14, 
1866  ;  Chauncey  Morse,  13, 1865  ;  George  S.  Moulton,  13,  1877,  79; 
Faxon  Nichols,  14,  1847;  John  Nichols,  1828,29;  Jonathan 
Nichols,  14,  1833,  34;  Daniel  Packer,  13,  1831  ;  George  A.  Paine, 
14,  1859,  60 ;  Stephen  F.  Palmer,  14,  1830,  32 ;  Philip  Pearl,  13, 
1832,33,39;  Porter  B.  Peck,   13,   1859;  Gilbert  W.  Phillips,  14, 


HISTORV    (JF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  Ill 

1862,  68,  79  to  January,  1880,  when  lie   resigned  ;  Elislia  Potter, 

13,  1845 ;  Hezekiah  S.  Ramsdell,  14,  1851  ;  Jared   D.  Richmond, 

14,  1848  ;  Wilham  S.  Scarboroug-h,  14,  1846  ;  John  H.  Simmons, 
14,  1861,  64  ;  George  Spafford,  13,  1834,  38  ;  Bela  P.  Spaulding,  13, 
1837;  Ebenezer  Stoddard,  1825,27;  Elliot  B.  Sumner,  1.3,  1871; 
Henr}^  G.  Taintor,  13,  1851 ;  James  B.  Tatem,  16,  1885,  86;  Oscar 
Tourtellotte,  14,  1876  ;  John  Tracy,  13, 1862  ;  Peter  Webb,  1819, 
20;  Samuel  Webb,  13,  1846;  Joel  W.  White,  13,  1835,36;  Job 
Williams,  14,  1839,  40  ;  Walter  Williams,  13, 1854  ;  William  Wit- 
ter, 13,  1847;  Ebenezer  Young,  1823,25. 

This  county  has  furnished  the  following  presidents  pro  tcin.  of 
the  senate :  Ichabod  Bulkley,  of  Ashford,  1837 ;  Elisha  Carpen- 
ter, of  Killingly,  1858;  Gilbert  W.  Phillips,  of  Putnam,  1863; 
Amos  J.  Gallup  of  Sterling,  1867;  Edwin  H.  Bugbee,  of  Kil- 
lingly, 1868;  David  Gallup,  of  Plainfield,  1869  ;  S.  vStorrs  Cotton, 
■of  Pomfret,  1872,  and  Gilbert  W.  Phillips,  of  Putnam,  1879,  till 
his  resignation  in  January,  1880.  Windham  has  not  been  so 
popular  a  field  for  the  selection  of  clerks  of  the  senate,  the  only 
one  of  whom  we  have  any  knowledge  being  Edgar  M.  Warner, 
of  Plainfield  at  the  time,  later  of  Putnam,  who  held  the  position 
in  1880.  The  following  speakers  of  the  house  of  representatives 
(state)  have  been  selected  from  Windham  county :  Ebenezer 
Young,  of  Killingly,  1827,  28  ;  Chauncey  F.  Cleveland,  of  Hamp- 
ton, 1835,  36 ;  Alfred  A.  Burnham,  of  Windham,  1858  ;  Chauncey 
F.  Cleveland,  of  Hampton,  1863  ;  David  Gallup,  of  Plainfield, 
1866;  Alfred  A.  Burnham,  of  Windham,  1870;  Edwin  H.  Bug- 
bee,  of  Killingly,  1871  ;  John  M.  Hall,  of  Willimantic,  1882. 
Clerks  of  the  house  from  this  county  have  been  as  follows : 
Jonathan  A.  W^elch,  of  Brooklyn,  1840  ;  Edward  B.  Bennett,  of 
Hampton,  1870,  and  Edgar  M.  Warner,  of  Plainfield,  1878-79. 

The  senators  for  this  county  in  1888  were :  Ira  D.  Bates,  of 
Thompson,  for  the  Sixteenth  Senatorial  district,  and  Joseph 
Hutchins,  of  Plainfield,  for  the  Seventeenth  district.  The  pres- 
ent representatives  from  this  county  are:  Vine  R.  Franklin, 
Brooklyn;  Davis  A.  Baker  and  Newell  S.  Delphia,  Ashford; 
Marvin  H.  Sanger  and  C.  S.  Burlingame,  Canterbury ;  William 
A.  Clark,  Chaplin  ;  Charles  A.  Wheaton,  Eastford  ;  Joseph  W. 
Congdon,  Hampton  ;  William  P.  Kelley  and  Milton  A.  Shum- 
way,  Killingly  ;  Edwin  Milner  and  Edward  G.  Bugbee,  Plain- 
field;  Charles  O.  Thompson  and  Charles  F.  Martin,  Pomfret; 
•Charles    D.    Torrey   and    Gustavus    D.    Bates,    Putnam ;  Caleb 


112  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Anthony,  Scotland  ;  William  C.  Pike,  vSterling;  Byron  S.  Thomp- 
son and  Alonzo  O.  Woodard,  Thompson  ;  J.  Griffin  Martin  and 
Albert  R.  Morrison,  Windham  ;  John  M.  Allen  and  Albert  A. 
Paine.  Woodstock. 

There  are  within  this  county  two  commissioners  of  the 
United  States  court,  viz.,  Abiel  Converse,  of  Thompson,  and 
John  ]M.  Hall,  of  Willimantic.  In  its  relations  to  the  supreme 
court  of  errors,  this  county  is  a  part  of  the  First  Judicial  dis- 
trict, which  comprises  all  the  northern  counties  of  the  state, 
the  courts  in  which  are  held  at  Hartford  on  the  first  Tues- 
days of  January,  March,  May  and  October.  The  superior  court 
is  deemed  to  be  open  in  each  county  for  certain  purposes  at  all 
times.  Stated  terms  and  sessions  are  provided  for  by  law  in 
the  different  counties.  Those  provided  for  Windham  county 
are :  a  "  term  and  session  "  for  civil  and  criminal  business, 
opening  at  Brooklyn  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  May  ;  session  at 
Windham  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  December.  A  criminal  term 
also  begins  at  Brooklyn  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  September. 
The  probate  courts  of  this  county  are  divided  by  districts  co- 
incident with  the  towns,  with  the  exception  that  the  Windham 
district  comprises  with  that  town  the  town  of  Scotland.  The 
judges  are :  Huber  Clark,  Windham  ;  Davis  A.  Baker,  Ashford  ; 
William  Woodbridge,  Brooklyn  ;  Marvin  H.Sanger,  Canterbury  ; 
C.Edwin  Griggs,  Chaplin;  Stephen  O.  Bowen,  Eastford ;  Pat- 
rick H.  Pearl,  Hampton  ;  Arthur  G.  Bill,  Killingly  ;  Waldo  Til- 
linghast,  Plainfield  ;  Edward  P.  Mathewson,  Pomfret ;  John  A. 
Carpenter,  Putnam  ;  Gilbert  C.  Brown,  Sterling ;  George  Flint, 
Thompson  ;  Oliver  H.  Perry,  Woodstock. 

The  county  officers  are  as  follows  :  Commissioners — Edwin 
H.  Hall,  Windham,  1888 ;  John  Kelly,  Killingly,  1889  ;  A.  A. 
Stanton,  Sterling,  1891 ;  county  treasurer,  John  P.  Wood,  Brook- 
lyn ;  state's  attorney,  John  J.  Penrose,  Central  Village ;  clerk  of 
courts,  vSamuel  H.  Seward,  Putnam  ;  assistant  clerk,  Huber  Clark, 
Willimantic ;  sheriff,  Charles  B.  Pomeroy,  Willimantic ;  depu- 
ties— Frank  E.  Baker,  Brooklyn  ;  Nathaniel  P.  Thompson,  Cen- 
tral Village ;  William  W.  Cummings,  Thompson  ;  Oliver  W. 
Bowen,  Danielsonville ;  E.  C.  Vinton,  Woodstock ;  Henry  A. 
Braman,  Eastford ;  coroner,  Arthur  G.  Bill,  Danielsonville ; 
medical  examiners — Windham,  Scotland  and  Chaplin,  Charles 
James  Fox,  of  Willimantic;  Brooklyn,  Alfred  H.  Tanner;  Ash- 
ford,  John  H.  vSimmons ;  Canterbury,  W.  A.  Lewis;  Eastford, 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  113 

E.  K.  Robbins ;  Hampton,  H.  H.  Converse  ;  Killingly,  Rienzi 
Robinson,  of  Danielsonville  ;  Plainfieldand  Sterling,  William  A. 
Lewis,  of  Moosup;  Pomfret,  F.  G.  Sawtelle  ;  Putnam,  J.  B.Kent; 
Thompson,  Lowell  Holbrook ;  Woodstock,  George  A.  Bowen  ; 
prosecuting  agents— D.  S.  Simmons  and  Joseph  Snow,  Daniel- 
sonville ;  George  U.  Carver  and  John  Davenport,  Putnam ; 
George  A.  Conant  and  E.  B.  Sumner,  Willimantic. 

Before  closing  this  general  review  of  the  county,  we  shall 
turn  aside,  even  at  the  risk  of  being  charged  with  digression, 
to  notice  an  institution  of  a  literary  character,  which  had  its 
beginning  at  a  time  when  the  ripened  literature  of  the  world 
was  not  scattered,  as  now,  about  every  man's  door  almost  as 
plentifully  and  as  free  as  the  autumn  leaves  are  borne  to  us  on 
the  winds  of  the  dying  year.  The  institution  to  which  we  refer 
was  the  United  Library  Association.  As  early  as  1739  the  as- 
pirations of  the  people  were  reaching  out  after  more  extended 
opportunities  of  reading  the  best  authors,  and  a  more  complete 
culture  of  the  mental  powers  of  the  people  in  this  new  country. 
A  meeting  was  held  September  25th  of  that  year,  at  which  the 
ministers  and  leading  men  of  the  northern  towns  of  the  county 
especially  were  present.  An  organization  was  effected,  with  a 
dignified  and  perhaps  rather  severe  set  of  laws  and  regulations, 
and  a  title  which  ran  as  follows  :  "  The  United  Society  or  Com- 
pany for  Propagating  Christian  and  Useful  Knowledge."  Its 
field  of  operation  was  to  be  the  towns  of  Woodstock,  Pomfret, 
Mortlake  and  Killingly,  and  the  west  part  of  Thompson  par- 
ish. The  names  of  the  original  members  of  this  society  and  the 
amount  subscribed  by  each  to  the  funds  of  the  library  were  as 
follows :  John  Chandler,  Esq.,  £%)  ;  Abel  Stiles,  ;^30 ;  John  May, 
^^15  ;  Benjamin  Child,  £\{)  \  Penuel  Bowen,  i;]2  ;  Thomas  Mather, 
£\^\  Abiel  Cheney,  £\^\  Ebenezer  Holbrook,  ^20 ;  Joseph 
Bowman,  ;^20  ;  Joseph  Dana,  i^lO  ;  Ephraim  Hide,  £\^  ;  Eph- 
raim  Avery,  ;^20;  William  Williams,  £'^'d  ;  Ebenezer  Williams, 
£Ak)\  John  Fisk,  £m\  Marston  Cabot,  i:20 ;  Joseph  Cady,  £\Q; 
John  Hallowell,  ^16  ;  William  Chandler,  £\^\  Samuel  Morris, 
Jun.,  ;^10;  Hezekiah  Sabin,  £\^\  Noah  Sabin,  i;20;  Edward 
Payson,  £\Q\  Joseph  Craft,  £\0\  Timothy  Sabin,  ^10;  Jacob 
Dana,  i^lO  ;  Isaac  Dana,  £\^  ;  Darius  Sessions,  ^^20  ;  Seth  Paine, 
£\^  ;  vSamuel  Perrin,  ^^15  ;  Nehemiah  Sabin,  £\^  ;  Samuel  Sum- 
ner, i;iO;  Benjamin  Griffin,  ^^20;  John  Payson,  £\^;  Samuel 
Dana,  ^10.     Two  of  the  first  books  obtained  for  the  foundation 


114  HISTORY   OF   ^YINDHA^I    COUNTY. 

of  the  library  ^vere  "  Dr.  Guise's  Paraphrase  on  ye  4  EYangelists," 
which  \vas  presented  by  the  author,  and  "  Stackhouse's  Bod}^  of 
Divinity."  About  forty  books  were  obtained,  all  but  those 
named  above  being  sent  for  to  England.  In  1741  the  librar}^ 
was  much  increased,  though  it  still  numbered  less  than  a  hund- 
red books.  The  scheme  of  conducting  a  library  for  the 
benefit  of  so  large  a  field,  however,  ^vas  found  to  be 
inconvenient,  and  in  1745  the  library  was  divided.  Woodstock 
and  Killingly  now  received  thirty-nine  volumes,  and  the  remain- 
ing books  were  given  to  Pomfret  and  Mortlake,  the  latter  so- 
ciety now  numbering  twenty-one  members. 

One  of  the  first  agricultural  societies  in  the  country,  possibly 
the  first  in  existence  here,  was  organized  at  Pomfret  as  early  as 
1809,  and  how  long  before  that  time  it  existed  we  are  not  able 
to  learn.  It  was  in  operation  then,  and  on  December  19th  of 
that  3^ear,  the  following  officers  were  elected :  Benjamin  Duick, 
president ;  Amos  Paine  and  John  Williams,  vice  presidents ;  Syl- 
vanus  Backus,  Esq.,  treasurer,  and  Darius  ]\Iathewson,  of  Brook- 
lyn ;  Benjamin  Duick,  of  Pomfret ;  James  McClellan,  of  Wood- 
stock, correspondence  committee. 

Nothing  further  is  heard  of  its  progress  until  1818,  when  it 
doubtless  had  been  revived  by  the  incoming  of  fresh  residents, 
and  a  step  forward  was  taken.  Premiums  were  in  that  year  of- 
fered for  the  largest  and  best  fattened  animal  for  beef,  $10 :  next 
best,  $5;  the  best  or  most  valuable  crop  of  flax,  $5;  next  best, 
$2.50;  most  fruitful  acre  of  clear  spring  wheat,  $5;  for  the 
largest  yield  of  barley  on  an  acre,  $5 ;  the  largest  or  most  val- 
uable crop  of  potatoes,  $6 ;  best  pair  of  working  oxen,  not  more 
than  five  years  old,  $5 ;  best  lot  of  pork  made  from  spring 
pigs,  not  to  exceed  ten  months  old  when  killed,  and  not  less 
than  six  in  number,  $6 ;  and  for  the  best  fattened  and  largest 
spring  pigs,  two  in  number,  of  a  different  lot,  $4.  Stimulated 
by  this  society,  new  inhabitants  and  fresh  importations  of  stock, 
the  dairy  business  was  now  pursued  to  an  extent  and  with  a 
success  that  was  said  to  be  "scarcely  surpassed."  Not  only 
were  cheese  and  butter  among  the  surplus  productions  of  the 
farmers,  but  pork,  lard  and  beef,  as  well.  Wool  had  also  been 
added  to  the  agricultural  products  of  the  locality,  and  consid- 
erable rye,  corn  and  oats  were  raised. 

An  institution,  which  for  the  good  work  it  has  done  in  the 
county  should  be  held  in  grateful  remembrance,  is  the  Wind- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  115 

ham  County  Temperance  Society.  Beginning  with  the  3^ear 
1828  local  temperance  societies  were  organized  in  the  different 
towns,  and  April  20th,  1829,  a  meeting  was  held  at  the  court 
house  in  Brooklyn  at  which  a  county  society  was  organized. 
The  first  officers  of  this  society  were :  Darius  Matthewson,  pres- 
ident;  Daniel  Frost,  George  Benson  and  Hon.  Ebenezer  Stod- 
dard, vice  presidents;  Reverend  Ambrose  Edson,  secretary; 
Edwin  Newbury,  treasurer;  Reverend  Samuel  J.  May,  Thomas 
Hough,  Uriel  Fuller,  Esq.,  John  Holbrook,  Esq.,  and  Major  Asa 
May,  executive  committee.  In  the  organization  of  the  count}^ 
society  local  societies  were  represented,  having  an  aggregate 
membership  of  four  hundred  and  seventy-five,  from  the  follow- 
ing places:  Canterbury,  Brooklyn,  Pomfret,  Killingly,  Hamp- 
ton, Chaplin,  North  Woodstock  and  West  W^oodstock.  A  year 
later  the  membership  represented  was  increased  by  some  three 
hundred  more,  and  additional  societies  were  represented  from 
Ashford,  Eastford,  North  Killingly  and  Plainfield. 

It  would  be  interesting  to  recite  many  of  the  episodes  of  that 
attempt  of  progressive  men  to  bring  under  subjection  the  great 
curse  of  intemperance.  Earnest  work  was  done,  and  the  friends 
of  sobriety  rallied  to  the  support  of  the  cause.  Temperance 
lectures  were  delivered,  the  pledge  circulated  and  personal  in- 
fluence of  men  and  women  enlisted  in  the  work.  A  marked 
change  was  discoverable  ere  many  months  had  passed  away. 
The  quantity  of  liquors  sold  was  very  perceptibly  lessened.  But 
the  advocates  of  temperance  had  much  to  contend  with  both 
from  the  rum-drinkers  and  rum-sellers  and  those  who  professed 
to  be  favorable  to  sobriety  and  good  order  as  well.  Tippling ' 
was  not  then  as  unpopular  as  it  is  now,  and  those  who  took  a 
stand  to  oppose  it  were  obliged  to  face  popular  notions  of  long 
standing  and  firm  hold  upon  the  appetites,  interests  or  prejudices 
of  the  people.  Public  quarterly  meetings  of  the  society  were 
held  successively  at  Ashford,  Pomfret,  Woodstock  and  Canter- 
bury. At  the  meeting  held  at  Pomfret  the  celebrated  lecture 
by  Doctor  John  Marsh,  entitled  "  Putnam  and  the  Wolf,  or  the 
Monster  destroyed,"  was  delivered.  This  was  immediately  pub- 
lished and  very  widely  circulated.  The  proprietors  of  factories 
and  factory  villages  were  generally  temperance  men  and  they 
encouraged  their  employees,  as  much  as  possible,  to  sign  the 
pledge  and  to  become  accustomed  to  temperance  habits.  In 
Eastford  the  people  had  occasion  to  move  their  meeting  house 


116  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

down  a  steep  hill-side,  the  building  having  been  sold  to  a  private 
party.  A  great  crowd  of  people  were  present,  to  help  as  help  on 
such  occasions  is  generally  furnished.  With  the  help  of  nearly 
a  hundred  oxen  they  had  started  the  building  down  its  perilous 
descent  when  a  chain  broke.  In  accordance  with  the  custom  in 
such  cases,  treat  was  demanded,  but  the  purchaser  of  the  build- 
ing, being  a  temparence  man,  refused.  High  words  and  threats 
followed,  but  they  failed  to  bring  forth  the  "treat."  Finally  the 
men  became  so  huffed  that  they  decamped,  taking  their  oxen 
with  them,  leaving  the  meeting  house  suspended.  But  there 
were  temperance  men  enough  in  the  vicinity,  and  they  quickly 
rallied  and  the  removal  of  the  building  was  carried  forward  to 
completion,  without  a  drop  of  liquor. 

At  the  anniversary  of  the  Windham  County  Temperance  So- 
ciety, July  4th,  1830,  Reverend  Daniel  Dow  was  the  orator  of  the 
day.  At  the  following  anniversary,  that  of  1831,  which  was  held 
at  Pomfret,  a  stirring  and  eloquent  address  was  delivered  by 
Doctor  Wilbur  Fisk  of  Wesleyan  University.  For  several 
years  the  work  of  temparence  reform  was  carried  forward  by 
this  society  with  unabated  vigor.  Meetings  were  frequently 
held,  both  in  the  meeting  houses  and  in  the  different  school 
houses,  and  the  question  was  kept  thoroughly  agitated  and  the 
people  were  in.structed.  Successive  presidents  of  the  society 
were,  after  Mr.  Frost,  George  S.  White,  Solomon  Payne  and  An- 
drew T.  Judson.  In  1834  the  membership  numbered  635,  which 
number  may  have  increased  somewhat  in  later  years,  but  was 
probably  never  greatly  augmented. 


CHAPTER  X. 


PUBLIC  CHARITIES  AND  CORRECTIONS. 


The  Towns'  Poor. — Early  Methods  of  dealing  with  Dependents. — Increase  of 
Burdens  by  the  French  War. — Meagre  Fare  and  Accommodations. — Emi- 
gration and  Temperance  decreases  the  Burdens. — Present  Costs  and  Manage- 
ment of  the  Poor. — Children's  Temporary  Home. — Its  Management  and  pres- 
ent successful  Work. — The  Record  of  Crime  in  Windham  County. — Capital 
Punishment.— Execution  of  Criminals. — Elizabeth  Shaw,  Caleb  Adams, 
Samuel  Freeman,  Oliver  Watkms. — Other  notable  Crimes. — Jail  Buildings. — 
Their  Occupants. — Removal  from  Windham  to  Brooklyn. — Official  Keepers. 
— Statistics  of  the  present  Jail. 


THE  poor  ye  have  always  with  you  ; "  yet  in  the  early  days 
of  Windham  county  history  there  was  little  call  for  pub- 
lic aid.  In  a  certain  sense,  everybody  was  poor.  Even 
those  who  owned  farms  and  houses  had  few  ways  of  gaining 
money.  The  old  and  feeble,  idiotic  and  insane,  were  cared  for 
by  their  own  families  if  it  were  in  any  way  practicable.  An 
amended  act  of  assembly,  May,  1715,  expressly  provided  that 
the  relations  of  such  poor  impotent  persons,  in  the  line  or  de- 
gree of  father  or  grandfather,  mother  or  grandmother,  children 
or  grandchildren,  shall  relieve  such  poor  persons,  ...  on  pain 
that  every  one  failing  therein  shall  forfeit  twenty  shillings  for 
every  month's  neglect,  etc.  Much  neighborly  sympathy  and  aid 
lightened  these  heavy  burdens.  If  through  age  or  misfortune 
any  of  the  stated  inhabitants  of  the  town  became  greatly  im- 
poverished, their  fellow  townsmen  considered  these  circum- 
stances and  in  many  cases  granted  relief  from  taxpaying  and 
public  burdens.  Their  charity,  however,  began  and  ended  at 
home.  For  stragglers,  vagabonds,  transients,  there  was  no  re- 
lief nor  mercy.  Citizens  harboring  such  strangers  for  even  a 
few  days  without  certifying  the  selectmen  of  the  town  were 
liable  to  fine  or  heavy  damages.  New  comers  preparing  to  set- 
tle in  a  town  were  subjected  to  severe  scrutiny,  and  if  they 
could  not  give  good  account  of  themselves,  or  seemed  likely  to 
prove  "unwholesome"  or  undesirable    inhabitants,  they  were 


118  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

peremptorily  ordered  to  depart.  It  is  traditionally  affirmed  that 
some  families  which  in  time  attained  good  position  and  wealth 
were  at  first  "  warned  otit  of  town."  It  was  thought  wiser  policy 
to  pay  constables'  bills  for  "  traveling  after  such  persons  to  warn 
them  out  of  town  "  than  to  run  the  risk  of  a  longer  sojourn. 
Yet,  with  all  their  care,  impositions  were  not  always  evaded. 
One  Christian  Challenge,  a  wandering  beggar  woman,  having 
been  "  rode  over  on  the  Sabbath  day,  either  wilfully  or  care- 
lessly," brought  "extraordinary  charges"  upon  Norwich  and 
Windham.  The  case  of. Peter  Davison,  the  idiot  son  of  a  wid- 
owed mother,  having  her  residence  in  Mortlake  manor  (now 
Brooklyn),  involved  Pomfret  in  troublesome  and  expensive  con- 
troversy. Mortlake  having  no  town  officers,  Mrs.  Davison  ap- 
plied to  the  selectmen  of  Pomfret  for  aid,  whereupon  it  was 
voted  in  town  meeting  "  That  we  are  not  obliged  by  law  nor 
conscience  to  take  the  charge  upon  ourselves,  .  .  .  and  if  she  do 
offer  to  impose  the  same  upon  the  town,  we  desire  the  selectmen 
to  follow  her  in  the  law  as  a  trespasser  at  the  town  charge." 
The  poor  boy  was  then  hustled  off  to  Norwich,  his  birthplace, 
but  as  "it  was  none  of  their  business,"  the  town  officers  straight- 
way sent  him  back  to  Pomfret.  The  matter  was  finally  referred 
to  the  newly  organized  court  of  Windam  county,  June,  1726, 
which  affirmed  that  it  "  had  no  power  or  authority  to  assign  said 
idiot  to  any  particular  place  or  provide  for  his  future  support ;  " 
and  thus  he  was  left  in  charge  of  needy  relatives.  Another 
"  distracted  person,"  Robert  Culborn,  who  had  the  added  mis- 
fortune of  living  upon  disputed  territory,  was  bowled  back  and 
forth  between  Windham  and  Canterbury,  each  town  refusing  to 
assume  his  support — a  process  little  calculated  to  modify  his  dis- 
traction. In  ordinary  cases,  where  the  claim  of  the  applicant 
was  undisputed,  the  selectmen  of  a  town  took  charge  of  such 
persons  or  families  as  needed  help,  procuring  nurse  and  med- 
ical attendance,  and  speeding  them  on  their  way  as  soon  as  cir- 
cumstances permitted.  As,  for  example,  Joseph  A.'s  wife,  of 
Woodstock,  "  unable  to  take  care  of  herself  and  in  a  suffering 
condition,"  the  selectmen  having  taken  care  of  her  at  the  town's 
cost,  these  officials  were  desired  "  to  take  the  prudentest  care, 
and  move  her  as  soon  as  they  can,  and  keep  her  husband  to  work, 
as  the  law  directs." 

The  public  charges  brought  upon   the  towns  by  the   French 
and  Indian  war,  together  Avith  the  support  of  French  refugees 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  119 

wlio  were  distributed  among  them,  made  the  care  of  their  own 
poor  more  burdensome.  The  large  town  of  Killingly  was 
especially  burdened,  so  that  it  was  compelled  to  raise  a  tax  of  a 
penny  a  pound  for  the  support  of  its  poor — persons  taking  charge 
of  such  poor  receiving  their  pay  in  specie,  /.  e.,  in  corn,  rye, 
wheat,  beans,  pork  and  flax,  at  specified  price.  Between  1765 
and  1770,  an  almost  simultaneous  attempt  was  made  by  the  sev- 
eral towns  to  procure  a  permanent  home  for  the  poor,  which 
home  was  also  to  be  a  workhouse  that  idle  and  dissolute  persons 
might  be  put  therein  and  employed  ;  but  it  is  doubtful  if  in  any 
town  these  efforts  were  successful. 

The  number  of  poor  claiming  and  receiving  public  aid  was 
largely  multiplied  after  the  war  of  the  revolution,  while  the  re- 
sources of  the  towns  were  proportionately,  crippled.  To  many 
disabled  veterans,  war  widows  and  fatherless  children  were  now 
added  the  victims  of  intemperate  drinking,  which  had  become 
very  prevalent  during  that  period.  The  towns  found  it  exceed- 
ingly difficult  to  find  places  in  private  homes  for  all  that  needed 
them.  Many  who  had  places  of  residence  and  friends  to  care  for 
them,  but  no  means  of  support,  received  aid  from  the  public 
treasury  toward  vital  necessities,  rum  and  medical  attendance. 
The  strictest  economy  was  observed  in  all  these  expenditures. 
The  selectmen  were  emphatically  enjoined  "  to  let  out  the  poor 
to  the  lowest  bidder."  Pomfret,  with  unusual  consideration,  en- 
acted "  to  make  the  best  disposition  of  the  poor  for  their  comfort 
and  the  least  expense  to  the  town  by  putting  them  to  one  man 
or  otherwise."  The  custom  then  came  into  vogue  of  "  putting  up 
the  poor  at  vendue  "  on  town  meeting  days,  to  be  bid  off  by 
such  as  were  willing  to  assume  the  charge.  Prices  varied  from 
one  and  sixpence  to  five  shillings  a  week,  according  to  the  in- 
firmity of  the  subject  or  the  work  that  could  be  gotten  out  of 
him.  This  practice,  though  perhaps  less  inhuman  than  appears 
on  the  surface,  was  distasteful  to  the  towns,  and  continual  efforts 
were  made  to  secure  a  permanent  home  for  those  who  were 
public  charges.  Pomfret  was  apparently  the  first  to  succeed  in 
these  efforts,  voting  in  1796  "to  build  a  house  for  the  poor  on 
land  belonging  to  the  town,  now  occupied  by  William  Stone — 
to  be  60x14  feet,  4  rooms,  one  story  high,  2  stacks  of  chimneys, 
2  cellars — Selectmen  to  have  charge  of  the  same."  Other  towns 
succeeded  in  time  in  buying  or  hiring  houses  for  the  accommo- 
dation  of  their   poor,    entrusting   their  care   to  the   man   who 


120  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

"would  do  it  cheapest."  It  is  doubtful  if  the  comfort  of  the 
poor  was  enhanced  by  thus  bringing  them  together  under  one 
keeper  or  master.  ''  Poorhouscs'''  \.\iqy  were  in  every  sense  of 
the  word.  "  How  do  you  like  your  new  home?"  was  asked  of 
old  Martha  Sousaman,  the  last  Indian  in  Killingly,  taken  to  the 
poorhouse  when  her  wigwam  was  blown  over.  "  Pretty  well," 
she  answered,  "  'cos  they  live  just  like  Injuns."  The  adminis- 
trative policy  of  those  days  was  stern  and  rigid.  Drunkenness, 
laziness,  shiftlessness,  brought  the  great  majority  to  the  poor- 
house,  and  justice  demanded  that  they  should  bear  the  penalty. 
That  innocent  women  and  children  should  suffer  for  the  sins  of 
husbands  and  fathers  was  but  in  accordance  with  Divine  com- 
mand and  prophecy.  To  pamper  paupers  was  inexpedient  if 
not  wrong.  A  bare  living  for  those  who  would  starve  without 
aid  was  all  that  justice  demanded  of  the  towns.  Under  this 
Gradgrind  theory  the  poorhouses  were  administered  with  little 
or  no  regard  for  the  comfort  and  well-being  of  their  inmates. 
Men,  women  and  children,  the  deceased,  vicious,  imbecile  and 
lunatic,  were  huddled  together  in  cramped,  unhealthy  quarters 
and  supplied  with  the  cheapest  and  plainest  articles  of  food. 
The  very  thought  of  the  town's  poorhouse  was  a  terror  to  the 
respectable  poor,  who  would  suffer  extremity  of  want  before 
yielding  to  this  dire  necessity.  Yet  cases  of  actual  abuse  and 
ill  usage,  such  as  were  common  in  English  workhouses  or  in 
larger  cities  in  our  own  country,  were  apparently  unknown. 
The  selectmen,  if  harsh,  were  honest  and  conscientious  in  their 
treatment,  and  as  in  other  New  England  communities,  "  neisfh- 
bors  "  served  as  self-appointed  "vigilance  committees,"  eager  to 
spy  out  and  report  any  act  of  abuse  or  neglect. 

As  westward  emigration,  the  temperance  reform,  enlarged 
business  operations  and  multiplied  manufactories  diminished 
the  number  which  demanded  public  aid,  their  condition  was 
greatly  improved.  Pomfret  again  took  the  lead  as  early  as  1820 
in  voting  to  purchase  real  estate  for  the  benefit  of  the  poor,  and 
one  by  one  the  other  towns  fell  into  line  in  purchasing  a  town 
farm,  furnishing  a  permanent  home  for  all  that  needed  it,  and 
healthful  exercise  for  those  who  were  not  disabled.  The  style 
of  living  was  gradually  improved,  the  sick  and  aged  better  cared 
for,  old  people  indulged  with  an  occasional  cup  of  tea  and  even 
allowed  to  sweeten  it.  Within  the  present  generation  there  is  a 
return  to  the  old  method  of  helping  needy  poor  in  their  own 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  121 

homes,  so  that  the  number  of  permanent  residents  at  the  several 
poorhouses  is  much  reduced,  especially  in  the  farming  towns. 
These  permanent  inmates  are  almost  invariably  of  pure  New 
England  stock,  Catholics,  foreigners  and  colored  people  prefer- 
ring to  be  cared  for  by  their  own  churches  or  by  their  family 
and  society  connection.  A  few  disabled,  or  superannuated  or  im- 
becile mien  and  women  find  comfortable  homes  and  thoughtful 
care  in  the  houses  provided  by  the  towns.  Insane  or  dangerous 
persons  are  now  transferred  to  the  State  Lunatic  Asylum  ;  chil- 
dren are  sent  to  their  special  Home,  provided  by  the  county. 
The  number  of  these  permanent  residents  in  the  old  farming 
towns  averages  less  than  ten  in  each.  Woodstock,  with  a  popu- 
lation of  2,639,  paid  for  her  poorhouse  in  1887,  $1,196.47;  for 
outside  poor,  $1,653.98.  Thompson,  population  5,051,  paid  for 
poorhouse  in  1888,  $1,157.70;  for  outside  poor,  $1,901.69.  In 
towns  where  manufacturing  prevails  the  conditions  are  changed, 
and  a  much  larger  number  require  temporary  aid.  Killingl}^  is 
especially  noted  for  its  interest  in  her  permanent  beneficiaries, 
numbering  among  her  institutions  an  annual  New  Year's  visit 
to  the  poorhouse.  The  foreign  element  in  Willimantic,  its 
large  manufactories  and  abnormal  growth  bring  very  heavy  ex- 
penses upon  the  town  of  Windham,  especially  in  relation  to  its 
poor.  Thirteen  insane  and  idiotic  persons  are  supported  by 
the  town.  During  the  past  year  an  average  of  forty-one  per- 
sons was  maintained  at  the  almshouse  at  the  cost  of  $5,667.10. 
A  large  number  of  outside  poor  were  also  assisted  in  various 
ways,  costing  the  town  $2,510.54.  Convenient  buildings  have 
been  provided  and  great  pains  have  been  taken  to  make  the 
Windham  almshouse  a  model  institution. 

For  many  years  the  condition  of  children  growing  up  in  the 
poorhouses  of  Connecticut  was  exceedingly  unfavorable.  Not 
only  was  it  impossible  to  give  them  proper  physical,  mental  or 
moral  training,  but  the  continued  association  with  a  class  of 
v/orn  out,  diseased,  demoralized  and  sometimes  des^raded  town 
charges,  was  in  every  way  depressing  and  uUvSalutory.  It 
seemed  almost  a  miracle  that  such  children  should  rise  above 
their  surroundings,  and  in  too  many  cases  they  were  graduated 
from  the  poorhouse  to  the  reform  school  or  penitentiary.  It 
was  the  policy  and  practice  of  the  selectmen  to  find  homes  for 
these  homeless  children,  but  in  many  cases  they  were  seriously 
injured  before  removal.     The  state  board  of  charities  interested 


122  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

itself  in  their  behalf  and  by  persistent  agitation  procured  the 
passage  of  a  legislative  act  in  1883,  providing  that  each  county 
in  the  state  should  establish  a  home  for  orphan  or  homeless 
children  by  January  1st,  1884,  and  appropriating  $1,000  to  each 
county  to  start  and  furnish  the  same,  and  empowering  the  coun- 
ty commissioners  to  purchase  or  hire  property  for  that  purpose. 
Windham  county  was  one  of  the  first  in  the  state  to  take  ad- 
vantage of  this  act  and  opportunity.  Messrs.  J.  D.  Converse, 
Thompson,  and  E.  H.  Hall,  Willimantic,  county  commissioners, 
visited  several  towns  in  search  of  a  suitable  location,  and  m.ade 
temporary  choice  of  the  house  of  H.  O.  Preston,  Putnam 
Heights,  where  the  home  was  opened  November  20th,  1883,  un- 
der charge  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Preston.  Three  children  from 
Thompson  were  the  first  admitted  and  during  the  first  year  the 
number  continued  very  small.  Town  officers  and  tax  pa3'ers, 
already  burdened  with  heavy  charges  for  the  poorhouse,  out- 
side poor  and  other  expenses,  opposed  the  new^  institution  as  an 
unnecessary  outlay,  and  the  general  public  was  slow  to  appre- 
hend its  value.  One  or  two  special  cases  of  relief  to  children 
suddenly  left  destitute  opened  the  eyes  of  some,  and  the  im- 
proved condition  of  the  children  as  se.en  at  the  annual  meeting 
deepened  the  good  impression.  When  it  was  understood  that 
the  home  was  intended  as  a  temporary  abiding  place,  and  that 
the  children  therein  cared  for  were  much  more  readily  adopted 
into  suitable  families,  and  much  more  likely  to  grow  up  into  use- 
ful members  of  society,  the  prejudice  wore  away,  and  the  towns 
began  to  send  their  poorhouse  children  more  freely.  During 
the  three  years'  continuance  at  Putnam  Heights  under  the  faith- 
ful care  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Preston  the  children's  home  gained  in 
public  favor  and  the  number  of  applicants  steadily  increased. 
In  August,  1886,  the  county  had  the  good  fortune  to  receive  a 
deed  of  the  Giles  farm  in  Putnam,  with  all  its  buildings  and  im- 
provements, and  a  good  supply  of  water  at  house  and  barn,  for 
the  very  moderate  sum  of  $4,250.  Although  so  far  north  in  the 
county,  yet  the  easy  access  to  the  railroad  center  at  Putnam  vil- 
lage, connecting  by  railroad  and  mail  stage  wnth  most  of  the 
towns,  makes  the  location  very  convenient  and  accessible.  Sub- 
sequent addition  of  kitchen  and  dormitories,  with  a  steam  heater 
and  modern  conveniences,  make  a  very  complete  and  beautiful 
establishment,  with  ample  grounds  and  play-rccm,  most  admir- 
ably adapted  to  its  purpose.     Mr.  John  D.  Converse  assumed  the 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  123 

superintendency  of  the  home  November  1st,  1886,  when  the  chil- 
dren were  removed  to  the  new  building.  The  present  number 
of  children  under  his  care  is  22,  which  is  about  the  average. 
During  the  past  year  24  were  admitted  and  15  placed  in  private 
homes.  The  whole  number  received  since  the  institution  of  the 
home  is  83.  The  children  attend  school  at  the  public  school 
house  near  by,  and  are  intelligent  and  tractable.  Many  of  them 
attend  church  and  Sabbath  school  at  the  Baptist  .church  in 
Thompson  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Converse.  It  would  be  hard  to 
find  a  company  of  happier  and  healthier  children.  They  wear 
no  uniform,  no  badge  to  mark  them  from  other  children  unless 
it  be  their  superior  good  behavior.  One  only  needs  to  contrast 
them  in  thought  with  the  forlorn  specimens  seen  in  the  ordinary 
poorhouse  to  appreciate  the  good  results  of  this  philanthropic 
institution.  It  is  almost  an  ideal  home,  where  homeless  outcasts 
receive  most  kind  and  judicious  care,  training  and  instruction, 
and  one  which  Windham  county  will  value  more  and  more. 
Each  town  has  the  privilege  of  appointing  a  lady  visitor,  who 
is  allowed  full  liberty  of  inspection  and  suggestion.  The  annual 
meeting  of  all  officials  connected  with  the  home,  together  with 
town  officers  and  any  persons  specially  interested,  is  made  a  very 
pleasant  occasion.  All  its  affairs  are  seen  to  be  administered 
with  wise  forethought  and  economy,  the  board  for  children  re- 
ceived from  the  towns,  and  the  profits  of  the  farm,  paying  all 
ordinary  expenses. 

The  court  records  of  Hartford  and  New  London  before  the 
erection  of  Windham  county  preserve  no  heavier  charges 
against  the  inhabitants  of  its  infant  towns  than  such  rude  as- 
saults and  misdemeanors  as  are  incident  in  any  early  settlement, 
with  the  one  exception  of  Ashford.  Joseph  Wilson,  a  young 
farmer  of  that  town,  while  wrestling  with  a  neighbor,  John 
Aplin,  over  a  disputed  game  at  pennies,  received  an  inward  in- 
jury which  caused  his  death  in  a  few  days.  The  jurors  sum- 
moned on  inquest  gave  verdict :  "  That  Wilson  came  to  his  death 
by  some  strain,  or  wrench,  or  blow,  or  fall,  or  broke  something 
within  his  body.  We  all  conclude  that  was  the  occasion  of  his 
death — John  Aplin  being  with  him  when  he  received  hurt 
Dec.  28,  1720." 

Aplin  was  at  once  indicted  on  the  charge  of  manslaughter  and 
bound  over  for  trial  before  the  superior  court  at  Hartford,  the 
leading   men  of    the  town    giving   bonds   for   his   appearance. 


124  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Though  clearly  free  from  any  charge  of  design  or  malice,  yet 
being  also  clearly  accessory  to  Wilson's  death,  great  fears  were 
entertained  as  to  the  result  of  the  trial.  The  situation  of  the 
young  man  called  out  deep  sympathy  and  compassion — "  grieved 
and  broken  at  heart  that  he  should  have  been  in  such  a  manner 
instrumental  in  the  death  of  his  friend,"  and  yet  exposed  to 
severe  penalty.  The  dying  man  had  himself  absolved  Aplin 
from  intentional  blame,  and  even  his  wife  "did  reckon  one  as 
much  to  blame  as  the  other."  Neighbors  and  friends  interested 
themselves  strenuously  in  his  behalf,  especially  urging  that  he 
might  not  be  sent  to  the  dismal,  fireless  jail  at  Hartford  to  await 
his  trial.  A  letter  forwarded  to  Governor  Pitkin  by  Captain 
John  Fitch,  of  Windham,  from  old  friends  who  had  known  him 
from  childhood  and  testified  to  his  "peaceable  and  quiet  con- 
versation," obtained  this  boon.  Aplin  was  allowed  to  remain  in 
Ashford  till  his  trial,  March  21st,  1721,  when  he  was  acquitted 
and  discharged.  The  tenderness  and  humane  consideration 
manifested  in  this  instance  were  very  rare  at  that  period. 

The  first  criminal  trial  after  the  organization  of  Windham 
county  resulted  in  conviction  and  execution.  Elisabeth  Shaw, 
of  Canada  parish  (now  Hampton),  Windham,  was  publicly  exe- 
cuted December  18th,  1745,  for  child  murder.  She  was  a  poor, 
simple  minded  girl,  decidedly  lacking  in  mental  capacity.  Noth- 
ing is  known  of  the  circumstances  of  the  case  except  that,  hav- 
ing given  birth  secretly  to  a  living  child,  she  contrived  to  get 
away  with  it  and  leave  it  hidden  in  a  ledge  of  rocks  not  far  from 
her  residence.  Her  father,  a  straight  laced  Puritan,  suspected, 
watched  her,  and  perhaps  unable  to  force  her  to  confession,  him- 
self preferred  accusation  to  the  town  authorities.  Search  was 
made  and  the  dead  body  found.  The  grand  jurors  found  Elisa- 
beth Shaw  guilty  of  murder,  and  committed  her  for  trial.  This 
was  held  September  17th,  1745,  Roger  Wolcott,  chief  judge. 
The  facts  of  the  case  were  easily  proved — "  that  Elisabeth  Shaw 
did  secretly  hide  and  dispose  of  her  living  child  in  the  woods  in 
said  Windham,  and  did  cause  to  perish  said  child."  Extenu- 
ating circumstances  had  no  weight.  The  mental  or  physical 
condition  of  the  unfortunate  girl  seemed  not  to  have  been  taken 
into  consideration,  and  the  supreme  penalty  of  the  law  was  pro- 
nounced against  her.  No  public  effort  was  apparently  made  to 
obtain  remission  or  commutation  of  sentence.  In  those  stern 
days  the  rigid  enforcement  of  law  was  deemed  the  onl}-  safeguard 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  125 

of  morality.  A  doubtful  tradition  hints  that  Elisabeth's  stern 
father,  repentant  too  late,  hurried  on  to  Hartford  and  procured 
a  reprieve  from  the  governor,  but  that  a  sudden  storm  brought 
on  a  freshet,  which  delayed  his  return  until  after  the  execution. 
On  the  appointed  day  a  gallows  was  set  up  on  a  hill  a  mile  south- 
west from  Windham  Green.  An  immense  crowd  of  spectators 
gathered  there  to  meet  the  mournful  procession,  reaching  from 
hill  to  jail,  headed  by  the  cart  in  which  upon  her  coffin  sat  the 
condemned  victim,  praying  continuously  "Oh  Jesus,  have  mercy 
upon  my  soul  !  "  through  the  dreadful  "  death  march  "  and  the 
prescribed  religious  ceremonies.  One  official  entry  completes 
the  harrowing-chronicle  :  "  Allowed  Mr.  Sheriff  Huntington,  for 
cost  and  expense  of  doing  execution  on  Elisabeth  Shaw,  i^29,  5s." 

The  second  murder  reported  in  Windham  county  was  com- 
mitted by  Anne,  a  negro  girl  twelve  years  of  age,  owned  by  Mr. 
Samuel  Clark,  of  Pomfret,  in  November,  1795.  While  playing 
with  her  master's  daughter,  Martha,  a  little  girl  of  five  years, 
she  was  made  so  angry  by  some  trifling  circumstance,  "  not  hav- 
ing the  fear  of  God  before  her  eyes,  but  moved  by  the  Devil," 
that  she  snatched  a  sharp  knife  that  chanced  to  be  near  her  and 
cut  the  child's  throat  so  that  she  bled  to  death  almost  instantly. 
With  remarkable  coolness  and  cunning  she  immediately  rushed 
out  and  gave  the  alarm,  crying  out  that  "  a  shack  had  killed 
little  Martha."  Her  story  was  at  first  believed  by  the  distressed 
household  and  neighbors,  but  suspicious  circumstances  appear- 
ing, a  skillful  cross-examination  elicited  the  truth.  Anne  was 
taken  to  Windham  jail,  tried,  convicted  and  sentenced.  Thirty- 
nine  lashes  were  inflicted  upon  her  naked  body,  the  letter  M 
stamped  upon  her  hand,  and  she  was  confined  for  life  within 
the  jail  limits. 

Eight  years  later  another  child  was  murdered  in  Pomfret,  un- 
der circumstances  of  cool  deliberation  and  settled  malice.  This 
occurred  in  the  little  neighborhood  now  known  as  Jericho,  in 
Abington  parish,  near  the  residence  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reuben 
Sharpe,  a  kindly  elderly  pair,  uncle  and  aunt  to  the  whole  com- 
munity. Childless  themselves,  they  often  cared  for  homeless 
children,  and  according  to  a  frequent  custom  had  bound  them- 
selves to  the  care  of  Caleb  Adams,  a  motherless  boy  of  weak 
intellect  and  morbid  temper,  whom  they  treated  with  great  kind- 
ness. When  Caleb  was  about  seventeen  years  old  they  took  a 
younger  boy  into  their  family,  Oliver  Woodworth,  nephew  to 


126  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Uncle  Reuben,  a  very  bright  and  winning  little  fellow,  who. nat- 
urally became  the  pet  of  the  household.  Caleb's  jealous  disposi- 
tion was  excited  by  the  attention  paid  to  Oliver,  and  his  spleen 
was  further  aggravated  b}'  the  pranks  and  tricks  of  the  little 
boy,  who  took  a  childish  delight  in  teasing  his  surly  comrade. 
One  day  when  Caleb  was  pulling  beans  in  the  field,  Oliver  came 
out  to  him  with  his  sled  and  asked  him  togo  a-graping  withhim, 
and  agreed  at  first  to  wait  for  him  and  help  him  on  his  job,  but 
soon  became  tired  of  it  and  asked  him  for  his  sled,  which  Caleb 
had  put  over  the  wall.  Upon  Caleb's  refusal,  Oliver  went  him- 
self for  the  sled,  whereupon  Caleb  snatched  it  away  and  flung  it 
up  into  an  apple  tree,  telling  the  boy  that  if  he  got  it  again  he 
would  be  sorry  for  it.  Oliver  immediately  pulled  it  down,  and 
doubtless  looked  defiance  at  the  big  boy  who  was  trying  to 
master  him.  Caleb  at  once  determined  to  kill  his  childish  ad- 
versary, and  laid  his  plans  accordingly.  Quite  possibly  the 
murder  of  Martha  Clarke,  which  he  must  have  heard  discussed, 
might  suggest  to  him  this  way  of  ridding  himself  of  a  trouble- 
some rival.  Calmly  and  pleasantly  he  now  volunteered  to  go  at 
once  for  the  grapes,  first  helping  to  get  a  new  tongue  for  the 
sled.  The  delighted  boy  went  with  him  back  to  the  house, 
helped  grind  the  butcher's  knife  and  carry  the  implements  for 
his  own  destruction,  and  went  gaily  prattling  with  his  compan- 
ion into  the  deep  woods,  when  a  blow  from  the  axe  stunned 
and  felled  him. 

And  then  his  senses  came  back  to  him.  From  the  moment  of 
"  that  first  fierce  impulse  unto  crime,"  Caleb  had  thought  of 
nothing  but  how  he  should  carry  it  out.  He  thought  of  no  re- 
sulting consequences.  "  The  devil,"  he  said,  "  led  me  on  till  I 
had  done  it  and  then  left  me."  He  could  not  even  carry  out  his 
design  of  flaying  the  boy  and  hanging  him  up  like  a  butchered 
animal.  His  impulse  now  led  him  to  shrink  from  the  vsight  of 
men  and  he  traveled  off  some  miles  to  the  residence  of  an  uncle. 
Night  brought  no  boys  to  Uncle  Reuben's  hearthstone.  Neigh- 
bors were  aroused,  search  made,  and  the  ma«ngled  body  of  the 
little  favorite  brought  to  light.  Caleb  was  traced  and  examined. 
At  first  denying  the  charge  he  was  soon  brought  to  make  con- 
fession of  the  crime  and  committed  to  Windham  jail  September 
15th,  1803.  The  greatest  interest  in  the  case  was  manifested 
throughout  the  county,  and  the  attendance  upon  the  trial  was  so 
large  that  the  court  adjourned  to  the  meeting  house.     No  in- 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  127 

vestigation  could  lessen  the  blackness  of  the  deed,  the  question 
at  issue  was  the  responsibility  of  its  perpetrator.     The  criminal 
had  been  tainted  even  before  his  birth.    It  was  affirmed  and  "sup- 
ported by  credible  testimony,"  that  before  the  birth  of  Caleb  his 
father   had   become   so  infatuated  with  a  woman  of  the  vilest 
character  as  to  persist  in  keeping  her  at  his  own  house  with  her 
idiot  child,  to  the  infinite  distress  of  his  outraged  wife,  who  died 
from  grief  and  mortification  a  few  months  after  the  birth  of  her 
son.     Two  months  after  her  death  Adams  married  his  paramour, 
who  took  charge  of  Caleb  until  her  own  death,  after  which  he 
was  left  in  the  hands  of  any  one  who  would  keep  him  for  a  trifle. 
It  was  said  that  his  general  aspect  and  facial  motions  thorough- 
ly resembled  those  of  the  idiot  child  whose  presence  had  so  dis- 
tressed his  mother,  and  that  he  now  exhibited  an  innate  and  ab- 
normal delight  in  inflicting  torture  upon  animals,  together  with 
a  strong  predisposition  for  lying,  stealing  and  other  vicious  prac- 
tices, while  he  had  been  debarred  from  counteracting  influences 
and  judicious  training.     But  all  these  facts  and  the  alleged  in- 
sanity of  his  father  which  might  indicate  hereditary  mental  un- 
soundness, only  served  to  convince  judge  and  jury  of  his  unfit- 
ness to  live  and  the  necessity  of  keeping  him  from  further  mis- 
chief.    A  petition  signed  by  many  sympathetic  persons  was  laid 
before  the  general  assembly  in  his  behalf,  but  that  body  declined 
to  interfere  with  what  it  called  "the  course  of  justice."     Ver}^ 
great  interest  was  manifested  in  the  prisoner's  religious  condi- 
tion, many  ministers  and   Christian  people  visiting  him  in  his 
•cell  and  laboring  to  bring  him  to  right  views  of  himself  and  his 
situation.     He  had  an  especially  affecting  interview  with   his 
kind  friends,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reuben  Sharpe — when  Mrs.  Sharpe 
in  particular  was  reported  as  "very  tenderl}^  affected  towards 
him,  and  treated  him  with  Christian  compassion,  freely  forgiv- 
ing him  and  hoping  that  God  would  also  forgive  him."     As  is 
frequent  in  such  cases,  Caleb  seemed  quite  to  enjoy  his  notoriety 
.and  played  his  part  with  great   propriety.     His  execution,  No- 
vember 20th,  1803,  was  made  a  grand  scenic  exhibition,  affording 
the  highest  satisfaction  to  many  thousand  sympathetic  specta- 
tors.    Divine  service  was  held  on  the  Green  before  the  meeting 
liouse.     Caleb  walked  to  the   place   of   public   worship   accom- 
panied by  the  high  sheriff,  Shubael  Abbe,  and  a  number  of  min- 
isters, "  exhibiting  on  a  serene  countenance  signs  of  deep  and 
.solemn  thought."     Reverend  Samuel  Nott,  of  Franklin,  opened 


128  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

the  service  with  a  pathetic  and  well-adapted  prayer,  which  was 
followed  by  a  sermon  from  Reverend  Elijah  Waterman,  of 
Windham,  upon  Luke  xi,  35 — "  Take  heed  therefore,  that  the 
light  that  is  in  thee  be  not  darkness" — a  solemn  and  appropriate 
discourse  upon  the  nature  and  power  of  conscience.  The  im- 
mense congregation  was  then  told  that  Caleb  had  specially  re- 
quested to  receive  the  ordinance  of  baptism  before  execution, 
and  leave  his  dying  testimony  in  favor  of  the  religion  that 
supported  him.  He  then  ascended  the  stage  or  temporary  pul- 
pit, and  made  audible  confession  of  his  faith  and  was  baptized 
by  Reverend  Walter  Lyon,  of  Abington,  his  former  pastor.  On 
his  way  to  the  gallows  he  conversed  freely  upon  the  ground  of 
his  hope  and  the  support  it  gave  him  that  through  Jesus  Christ 
he  should  find  mercy,  and  gazed  upon  it  with  countenance  un- 
moved, finding  strength  in  prayer  and  passages  of  Scripture. 
An  address  was  now  made  by  Reverend  Moses  C.  Welch,  of 
Mansfield,  stating  some  facts  in  the  prisoner's  life  with  appro- 
priate reflections  and  remarks.  Before  and  after  this  address, 
Caleb  kneeled  and  prayed  with  composure  in  words  well  suited 
to  convey  his  feelings  and  desires — that  he  might  obtain  mercy 
and  final  forgiveness  of  sins  through  Christ ;  that  he  might  be 
supported  in  the  trying  moment ;  that  all  might  be  for  the  glory 
of  God  ;  and  particularly,  that  the  people  might  take  warning  by 
his  end  and  forsake  the  ways  of  sin.  Mr.  Lyon  "then  addressed 
the  Throne  of  Grace  in  language  the  most  interesting  and  affec- 
tionate, at  the  close  of  which  the  criminal  was  launched  into 
eternity."  The  tender-hearted  sheriff  burst  into  tears  after  per- 
forming his  most  painful,  duty,  and  a  deep  and  lasting  impres- 
sion was  made  upon  all  who  had  witnessed  this  remarkable 
ceremony. 

In  less  than  two  years,  on  November  6th,  1805,  Windham  was 
treated  to  its  third  public  execution — that  of  Samuel  F'reeman, 
of  Rhode  Island,  a  temporary  resident  of  Ashford,  a  colored  man 
of  mixed  Negro  and  Indian  blood  and  vicious  character,  who  in 
a  fit  of  drunken  rage  took  the  life  of  an  Indian  woman  with 
whom  he  was  consorting.  The  trial  and  execution  were  con- 
ducted with  the  customaiy  formalities  and  attracted  the  inevita- 
ble crowd  of  spectators,  whose  satisfaction  in  this  case  was  un- 
alloyed with  any  troublesome  questionings  as  to  the  justice  of 
the  penalty,  or  any  sentimental  sympathy  with  the  degraded 
subject. 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  129 

The  murder  of  one  of  Woodstock's  most  promising  young 
men  the  same  November  called  out  very  different  emotions. 
Marcus  Lyon,  a  descendant  of  one  of  Woodstock's  substantial 
old  families,  returning  from  a  summer  sojourn  at  Cazenovia, 
New  York,  was  attacked  by  two  desperate  ruffians  at  Wilbra- 
ham,  Mass.,  most  barbarously  murdered,  robbed  and  thrown 
into  Chicopee  river.  Some  peculiar  indications  observed  and 
reported  by  a  little  boy  led  to  the  discovery  of  the  body,  which 
was  taken  out  and  identified  and  tidings  sent  to  his  home  in 
West  Woodstock.  The  story  spread  like  wildfire  through  the 
town  and  the  population  sallied  out  en  viassc  to  meet  the  mourn- 
ful procession  bringing  the  murdered  man  back  to  his  old  home. 
A  still  greater  multitude  assembled  at  the  Baptist  meeting 
house  to  witness  the  funeral  ceremonies  conducted  by  Reverend 
Biel  Ledoyt.  The  shocking  circumstances,  the  tears  and  lamien- 
tations  of  mourning  friends,  the  deep  emotion  permeating  the 
vast  assembly  presented  a  scene  seldom  witnessed  in  a  rural 
township.  Several  elegies  and  ballads  were  called  out  by  this 
event,  perpetuating  the  memory  of  this  lamented  youth.  We 
quote  from  one  giving  full  details : 

' '  A  shocking  story  to  relate 
When  on  his  way  from  New  YorL:  state 
To  Woodstock,  to  his  native  home, 
As  far  as  Wilbraham  he  come. 
Tlien  some  past  noon  on  Saturday 
Two  ruffians  did  this  man  waylay, 
They  murdered  him  most  barbarously 
And  threw  him  in  a  river  nigh 
Four  rods  from  whence  they  murdered  him. 
They  left  the  body  in  the  stream; 
The  stone  they  did  uj^on  hini  lay 
Upwards  of  sixty  jjounds  did  weigh. 
A  boy  he  sees  them  on  the  ground 
Where  marks  of  violence  were  found; 
Blood  in  abundance  to  be  seen , 
He  tells  the  place,  describes  the  men. 
On  Sunday  evening  light  they  took 
Along  the  river  for  to  look  ; 
One  says:  '  Come  here,  I  something  see, 
Near  to  that  rock  it  seems  to  be.' 
Then  on  it  he  attempts  to  get. 
The  stone  gave  way  under  his  feet — 
Oh,  what  a  sight  !  Oh,  what  a  sight ! 
For  to  behold  here  in  the  night; 
The  stone  slips  off,  then  did  arise 
A  bloody  corpse  before  their  eyes  ! 


130  HISTORY   OF   WIXDHA.M    COUNTY. 

A  jury  then  was  summoned 

The  incjuefit  of  the  murdered: 

His  skull  was  broke,  his  side  shot  through, 

His  face  disfigured  by  a  blow, 

Two  pistols  near  the  place  were  found. 

Much  bruised  the  trimmings  all  around, 

Besmeared  with  blood  and  human  hair 

To  all  beholders  did  appear 

At  dead  of  night  the  people  send 
The  heavy  news  unto  his  friends. 
Before  sunrise  his  mother  had 
News  that  her  son  was  murdered. 
His  mother  said,  '  Oh!  in  this  way 
I  never  thought  my  child  to  seel 
I've  husband  lost  and  children  too 
Trouble  like  this  I  never  knew.'  .... 
On  Wednesday  was  the  funeral; 
Hard  hearts  indeed  not  here  to  feel. 
Such  bitter  mourning  never  was — 
Knowing  the  corpse  and  then  the  cause. 
His  mother  lost  a  lovely  son. 
His  only  brother  left  alone; 
Three  sisters  to  bemoan  the  fate 
Of  their  dear  brother,  died  of  late. 
Among  the  mourning  friends  we  find 
To  mourn  he  left  his  love  behind. 
Who  did  expect  the  coming  spring- 
In  mutual  love  to  marry  him. 
Dejected  now,  disconsolate, 
Often  his  cruel  death  relates, 
Then  wipes  her  eyes  again,  again, 
Telling  the  cruelty  to  him. 
His  age  was  nearly  twenty-three, 
Was  mild,  affectionate  and  free, 
His  heart  benevolent  and  kind. 
His  equal  scarcely  can  we  find. 
A  pretty  youth  beloved  by  all, 
By  old  and  young,  by  great  and  small. 
By  rich  and  poor,  by  high  and  low, 
By  every  one  who  did  him  know."' 

By  a  quite  remarkable  chance  the  murderers  were  discovered 
and  publicly  hung  in  Worcester,  a  large  number  of  Windham 
county  residents  enjoying  the  privilege  of  attendance. 

The  tendency  of  certain  crimes  to  become  epidemic  is  often 
marked.  Even  the  decorous  and  conservative  town  of  Thomp- 
son indulged  in  a  murder  excitement  and  trial  at  about  the  same 
date  of  the  preceding.  Ebenezer  Starr,  the  popular  landlord  of 
the  Brandy  Hill  tavern,  while  violently  disputing  with  the  well 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  131 

known  physician,  Doctor  Thomas  Weaver,  died  instantly  from 
rupture  on  the  brain.  Though  it  was  quite  obvious  that  "  passion 
was  the  cause  of  his  death,"  public  opinion  demanded  the  arrest 
and  trial  of  Doctor  Weaver  on  charg-e  of  manslaughter.  He  was 
acquitted  of  the  crime,  but  nevertheless  sentenced  to  a  public 
whipping  and  branding  on  the  hand  as  a  punishment  for  his 
assumed  agency  in  arousing  such  angry  passions. 

Thompson  was  also  variously  implicated  in  the  counterfeiting 
epidemic,  which  was  exceedingly  prevalent  in  those  days  of  pov- 
erty and  bad  money.  Its  frontier  position,  cornering  upon  Mas- 
sachusetts and  Rhode  Island,  furnished  admirable  facilities  for 
illicit  enterprise,  enabling  fugitives  from  justice  to  dodge  back 
and  forth  from  pursuing  officers.  A  professional  expert  from 
New  Hampshire  availed  himself  of  these  peculiar  advantages, 
brought  down  die  and  tools,  and  enticed  a  simple  minded  rustic 
to  join  with  him  in  counterfeiting  silver  money.  This  work  was 
carried  on  in  a  cave  in  the  Buck  hill  woods,  while  the  simple 
young  man  engaged  in  outside  trade,  buying  up  produce  and 
stock,  for  which  he  paid  in  spurious  coin.  One  good  silver  dol- 
lar was  made  to  cover  a  number  of  the  counterfeit,  and  money 
became  very  abundant.  It  is  said  that  man}^  recipients  sus- 
pected something  wrong,  but  quietly  connived  in  the  young 
man's  business  operations.  His  own  folly  at  length  brought  the 
matter  to  light.  "The  goose  that  laid  the  golden  eggs  "  com- 
mitted suicide  in  this  instance.  Intoxicated  with  the  rare  de- 
light of  plenty  of  spending  money,  the  young  man  insisted  upon 
treating  all  his  friends  in  all  the  taverns  about  town,  squaring 
the  accounts  with  his  new  silver  dollars.  Such  unprecedented 
freeness  and  fiushness  aroused  suspicions  which  led  to  investi- 
gation and  discovery.  His  sudden  arrest  carried  consternation 
to  his  self-seeking  aiders  and  abettors,  who  -hid  away  in  meal 
chests  and  outhouses  till  the  excitement  subsided.  The  crafty 
old  offender  evaded  capture  ;  his  victim  escaped  trial  by  forfeit- 
ure of  bonds  and  went  out  west,  returning  after  a  few  years  a 
sadder  and  wiser  man  to  settle  down  into  a  sober  and  law  abid- 
ing citizen.  Some  years  later,  a  larger  gang,  in  the  same  vicin- 
ity, engaged  in  manufacturing  fraudulent  bank  notes,  Avhich 
ended  in  exposure  and  punishment,  the  ringleaders  suffering 
prolonged  imprisonment. 

The  first  and  only  execution  after  the  removal  of  the  county 
seat  to  Brooklyn  was  that  of  Oliver  Watkins,  a  resident  of  Ster- 


132         •  HISTORY   OF   WIXDHA.M    COUNTY. 

ling,  for  strangling  his  wife.  The  crime  was  clearly  proYen, 
although  Watkins  refused  to  make  confession,  and  denied  his 
guilt  with  his  latest  breath.  The  trial,  sentence  and  preparations 
for  execution  excited  the  usual  interest.  Captain  David  Keyes, 
of  Ashford,  resigned  his  position  of  high  sheriff  to  escape  offi- 
cial service.  Roger  Coit,  of  Plainfield,  w^as  appointed  to  succeed 
him,  and  carried  through  the  law's  requirements.  In  expecta- 
tion of  the  coming  influx,  landlords  and  liquor  sellers  provided 
vast  supplies  of  all  kinds  of  liquor,  and  hired  a  special  guard  to 
keep  watch  of  the  criminal  the  night  before  execution,  lest  he 
should  commit  suicide  or  in  any  way  escape.  A  gallows  was 
set  up  in  a  hollow  between  Brooklyn  and  Danielsonville,  where 
the  vast  multitude  of  spectators  crowding  its  sloping  sides  en- 
joyed a  distinct  view  of  the  whole  proceedings.  Long  before 
the  break  of  day,  August  — ,  1831,  the  various  roads  were 
thronged  with  wagons  and  foot  travelers,  single  men  and  fam- 
ilies, coming  from  all  parts  of  Windham  county  and  adjacent 
states.  The  ceremony  was  conducted  with  the  usual  formal- 
ities. Prayer  was  offered  by  a  well  known  minister,  and  then 
Reverend  George  Tillotson,  the  youthful  pastor  of  the  Congre- 
gational church  of  Brooklyn,  preached  a  most  solemn  and  im- 
pressive sermon  upon  the  words,  "  Be  sure  your  sin  will  find  you 
out,"  followed  by  prayer.  As  he  pronounced  the  fateful  "  Amen  " 
with  such  composure  and  distinctness  as  to  be  heard  by  each  one 
"  of  the  thousands  who  listened  for  it  with  the  most  absorbing 
interest,  in  stillness  that  seemed  rather  of  the  dead  than  of  the 
living,"  the  drop  fell  and  the  forfeited  life  was  taken.  The  deep 
solemnity  which  marked  the  exercises  profoundly  impressed  the 
vicious  minded,  and  it  is  said  that  in  the  religious  revival  that 
followed  "  not  a  few  dated  their  first  heart  purpose  to  turn  from 
their  sins  from  the  sayings  and  scenes  of  that  awful  day."  On 
the  other  hand,  an  eye  witness*  gives  his  testimony,  "that  there 
were  never  half  so  many  drunk  at  any  one  time  and  place  in 
this  county  ; "  that  the  throng  was  so  vast  that  long  before  night 
not  a  mouthful  could  be  procured  in  the  village  either  to  eat  or 
drink  except  water,  and  there  were  reports  of  conduct  which 
ought  "  to  make  a  Feejee  Islander  blush." 

As  soon  as  possible  after  the  formation  of  Windham  county, 
August  18th,  1726,  the  justices  ordered  "  that  a  gaol  be  built  with 
all  possible  expedition,  31  x  18.     The  gaol  to  be  ten   foot  wide, 

*  The  late  Isaac  T.  Hutchins,  "West  Killingly. 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  133 

built  of  logs  all  framed  into  posts,  and  be  divided  into  two 
rooms  by  a  board  partition  ;  one  to  have  a  small  fire-place  or 
chimney.  The  other  end  to  be  for  the  prison-house  ;  to  be  built 
after  the  manner  of  other  ordinary  framed  buildings,  having  a 
chimney  with  the  back  to  the  gaol ;  the  (gaol)  room  to  be 
6^-  feet  between  joints  and  having  a  cellar  under  it  14  x  12." 
This  building  sufficed  for  prison  accommodation  till  the  period 
following  the  great  revival  of  1742,  when  many  Separates  and 
what  were  deemed  religious  schismatics  were  imprisoned  for 
holding  religious  services  contrary  to  law  and  refusing  to  pay 
rates  for  the  support  of  the  stated  churches.  The  Separate  min- 
isters, Elisha  and  Solomon  Paine,  Alexander  and  Peter  Miller, 
Thomas  Marsh,  and  many  zealous  exhorters  and  conscientious 
opposers  of  compulsory  taxation  for  religious  purposes,  were 
thus  imprisoned,  so  that  the  justices  were  compelled  to  add  a 
new  story  to  the  jail  and  send  many  offenders  to  Hartford  for 
safe  keeping.  Very  great  excitement  prevailed  at  this  epoch, 
crowds  of  people  flocking  to  the  jail  to  hear  their  favorite  min- 
isters, who  by  giving  bonds  were  allowed  to  preach  in  the  jail 
yard,  while  law  abiding  citizens  sent  rescripts  to  the  sheriff  de- 
siring him  "to  shut  the  prison  doors  and  keep  the  people  out." 
It  is  evident  that  considerable  liberty  was  allowed  to  prisoners 
at  that  time,  as  some  specially  obnoxious  Separates  complained 
of  being  •'  closely  locked  up  "  and  denied  the  liberty  of  the  yard, 
while  notorious  offenders  confined  on  criminal  charges  were 
allowed  to  go  about  the  town.  Letters  from  worthy  Christian 
ministers  confined  in  Windham  jail  "  on  the  sole  presentment  of 
preaching  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,"  report  their  "  close  con- 
finement in  most  distressing  circumstances  as  to  our  bodies,  and 
their  families  reduced  or  exposed  to  difficulties  too  affecting  to 
relate."  Next  in  number  to  these  religious  offenders  were  the 
imprisoned  debtors  who  were  allowed  a  range  within  certain 
limits,  and  such  as  were  unable  to  pay  worked  out  their  debt  in 
various  services.  In  1762,  the  jail  yard  was  reported  in  a  decay- 
ing state.  In  1774,  extensive  repairs  were  made,  and  a  farthing 
tax  ordered  throughout  the  county  to  meet  the  outlay.  During 
the  early  days  of  the  revolution,  the  citizens  of  Windham  coun- 
ty were  greatly  annoyed  "  by  their  situation  in  regard  to  a 
sheriff,  which  place  in  their  opinion  was  very  badly  supplied," 
the  incumbent.  Colonel  Eleazer  Fitch,  a  very  capable  and  popu- 
lar military  officer,  unfortunately  failing  to  participate   in    the 


134  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

popular  moYement  and  remaining  loyal  to  England  and  its  king, 
yet  so  great  was  his  personal  popularity  that  it  was  not  till  after 
the  escape  of  noted  prisoners  that  citizens  of  the  county  peti- 
tioned for  his  remoYal.  He  was  succeeded  December,  1776,  by 
Captain  Jabez  Huntington,  "whose  principles  were  far  more 
agreeable  "  to  the  public,  as  one  not  likely  to  exhibit  undue 
leniency  to  inimical  Tories  and  prisoners  of  war.  The  jails 
were  now  filled  to  overflowing,  each  encounter  with  the  enemy 
bringing  fresh  recruits,  so  that  it  was  difficult  to  keep  and  guard 
them.  Mr.  A.  E.  Brooks,  Main  street,  Hartford,  has  at  his  place 
of  business  a  rare  and  curious  memento  of  this  period — the 
image  of  Bacchus,  striding  a  wine  cask,  carved  out  of  a  block  of 
pine  in  Windham  jail,  by  four  seamen  of  H.  M.  S.  "Bombrig," 
captured  June  10th,  1776,  by  a  party  under  command  of  Captain 
Nathan  Hale.  Edward  vSneyd,  captain ;  John  Coggin,  boat- 
swain ;  John  Russel,  carpenter,  and  William  Cook,  sailor,  were 
the  aforesaid  prisoners  and  carvers  of  this  remarkable  revolu- 
tionary relic.  They  were  evidently  jolly  fellows,  devotees  of 
the  jovial  god,  and  having  been  permitted  through  the  laxity  of 
Sheriff  Fitch  to  enjoy  the  good  cheer  of  the  Windham  taverns, 
they  left  this  specimen  of  their  handiwork  as  a  parting  testi- 
monial of  gratitude  and  regard  to  the  popular  landlady,  Widow 
Carey,  when  they  made  their  escape  from  the  jail.  Bacchus  was 
immediately  installed  as  an  appropriate  figure-head  for  the 
tavern,  and  for  many  years  occupied  a  high  position  among  the 
tutelary  divinities  of  the  gay  old  town. 

After  the  close  of  the  war  Windham  jail  became  even  more 
popular.  Tories  and  inimical  persons  were  indeed  required  to 
keep  out  of  town,  but  the  number  who  suffered  imprisonment 
for  debts  incurred  in  the  service  of  their  country  was  painfully 
large.  Men  of  high  position  and  character,  earnest  and  self- 
sacrificing  patriots,  were  confined  within  the  jail  limits.  These 
limits  were  defined,  1782,  from  the  jail  to  Captain  Tinker's 
house,  then  to  Samuel  Grey's  trading  shop,  on  to  Thomas  Reed's 
work  shop,  and  to  Major  Harbyton's  blacksmith  shop — then,  a 
straight  line  to  the  tavern  sign  post,  and  west  to  an  elm  tree  in 
front  of  John  Stani£ord's  dwelling  house.  In  1784,  it  was  or- 
dered that  a  yard  twelve  feet  high  be  erected  around  the  jail,  as 
soon  as  the  money  could  be  procured  from  the  county.  The 
limits  of  the  jail  were  again  confirmed  in  1786,  but  prisoners 
were  forbidden  to  enter  dwelling  houses  :  allowed  to  enter  work 
shops  used  for  mechanical  purposes. 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  135 

Very  little  can  be  learned  of  the  condition  of  Windham  jail 
from  this  date  onward  till  its  removal  to  Brooklyn.  During  this 
interval  a  new  building  was  probably  erected,  but  the  precise 
date  is  difficult  to  ascertain.  Very  little  can  be  learned  either  of 
the  treatment  of  prisoners,  but  it  was  probably  such  as  prevailed 
in  other  jails  during  that  period,  modified  by  an  unusual  degree 
of  outside  liberty.  Exposure  to  cold,  damp  and  filthy  quarters 
and  the  promiscuous  herding  of  all  grades  of  criminals,  were  its 
most  repulsive  features. 

After  an  arduous  struggle  the  county  seat  was  removed  from 
Windham.  July  26th,  1820,  it  was  found  that  a  convenient  court 
house  and  jail  had  been  provided  in  Brooklyn.  The  court  house 
was  newly  erected ;  jail  and  prisoners  had  been  removed  from 
Windham  to  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  Episcopal  church. 
Jail  limits  were  assigned  and  Ebenezer  Baker  appointed  keeper 
of  the  jail,  but  was  soon  succeeded  by  William  Tyber.  Attempts 
were  soon  made  to  establish  a  county  work-  house  and  house  of 
correction.  Among  the  great  reformatory  movements  for  bet- 
tering the  condition  of  mankind  the  treatment  of  criminals  Avas 
included.  Philanthropists  labored  to  reduce  crime  and  reform 
the  criminal ;  town  officers  to  reduce  the  tax  list.  Under  this 
double  stimulus  great  changes  were  made.  The  feasibility  of 
providing  remunerative  labor  for  prisoners  in  confinement  was 
carefully  considered.  Six  acres  of  land  were  procured  a  little 
west  of  the  village  and  new  brick  buildings  erected.  In  1842 
the  prisoners  were  removed  to  this  new  Windham  county  jail, 
and  thenceforward  employed,  when  practicable,  in  cultivating 
the  land  and  other  outdoor  labor.  The  good  effect  of  this  ex- 
periment upon  the  health  and  conduct  of  the  prisoners  led  to  its 
permanent  adoption.  Under  the  judicious  and  careful  manage- 
ment of  Mr.  John  S.  Searls,  appointed  jailor  in  1847,  the  outdoor 
working  of  the  prisoners  was  much  extended  and  systematized. 
Continued  employment  was  sought  out  both  in  summer  and 
winter,  in  digging,  carting,  wood  cutting,  harvesting  and  any 
specie  of  out  labor  for  all  such  as  were  not  compelled  to  be  kept 
in  close  confinement,  their  wages  accruing  to  the  county.  Acom.- 
mittee  on  prisons,  appointed  by  the  general' assembly,  May,18G5, 
the  late  Charles  Osgood,  of  Pomfret,  chairman,  reports  of 
Windham : 

"  The  jail  at  Windham  is  a  substantial  brick  building,  erected 
in  1842,  pleasantly  located   near  the   village,  and  with  the  out- 


136-  HISTURV    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

buildings,  including  a  spacious  barn  recentl}-  erected,  and  all 
its  surroundings  in  first  class  order.  The  prisoners  for  years 
past  have  been  employed  almost  wholly  at  outdoor  labor,  at 
whatever  kind  of  work  and  wherever  they  could  be  employed 
to  the  best  advantage.  The  commissioners  receive  $3.00  per  day 
and  no  charge  for  travel  or  expenses. 

"  Number  of  prisoners  in  jail,  June  17,  five.  The  present  in- 
debtedness of  the  county  is  $367.31,  occasioned  by  building  a 
barn  and  an  addition  to  the  jail  for  a  female  department  in  1863, 
at  an  expense  of  nearly  $2,000. 

"  The  result  in  this  county  of  the  prudent  management  of  its 
affairs,  the  manner  of  working  prisoners  and  the  reasonable  and 
honest  charges  of  its  officials,  is,  that  all  the  ordinary  and  the 
greater  part  of  the  extraordinary  expenses  of  the  county,  in- 
cluding extensive  repairs  and  additions  to  the  court  house  and 
jail  and  the  erection  of  new  buildings,  have  been  paid  2csi^  that, 
too,  without  calling  upon  the  towns  in  the  county  for  either  tax, 
contribution  or  assessment  for  vwrc  than  tiventy  yearsy 

This  good  record  was  maintained  through  the  twenty-six  years 
of  Mr.  Searls'  faithful  service,  and  has  been  mainly  attained  by 
his  successors,  though  in  consequence  of  the  increasing  demands 
and  large  expenditure  of  the  present  era  the  county  cannot  al- 
ways succeed  in  carrying  out  its  ideal  of  making  its  prisoners 
pay  all  its  running  expenses.  Their  earnings,  however,  added 
to  what  is  received  from  the  state  for  board  of  prisoners,  make 
the  jail  considerably  more  than  self-supporting  j^ear  by  3'ear, 
and  provide  for  repairs,  additions  and  modern  improvements, 
with  a  balance  in  favor  of  the  county.  Fortunately  in  this  rural 
town  there  is  no  conflict  with  other  classes  of  laborers.  Farm 
help  has  become  so  scarce  and  dear  that  the  farmers  welcome 
aid  from  this  source,  and  in  many  cases  can  carry  on  their  farms 
with  prisoners'  help  at  special  seasons.  Perhaps  ten  thousand 
bushels  of  corn  were  husked  and  as  many  bushels  of  potatoes 
dug  by  the  prisoners  last  autumn,  and  there  is  no  difficulty  in 
finding  jobs  of  work  throughout  the  year.  The  physical  effect 
of  this  outdoor  labor  is  very  marked _  and  the  consumption  of 
food  proportionably  larger  than  by  prisoners  kept  in  close 
confinement.  Continual  efforts  are  made  for  their  mental  and 
moral  improvement.  Through  the  forethought  of  Mr.  Sibley, 
the  present  jailor,  a  prison  library  has  been  instituted,  supplied 
with  suitable  books  and  papers,  which  are  constantly  in  demand 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  137 

and  greatly  appreciated.  A  religious  service  is  held  once  in  two 
weeks  by  the  chaplain,  Reverend  E,  S.  Beard,  and  a  monthly 
meeting  is  held  by  the  Women's  Christian  Temperance  Union. 
This  temperance  effort  is  especially  called  for  as  at  least  three- 
fourths  of  the  prisoners  are  brought  there  through  the  use  and 
abuse  of  liquor.  Yet  though  great  pains  are  taken  to  enlighten 
and  reform,  it  is  to  be  feared  that  the  good  impressions  produced 
are  seldom  lasting.  Much  good  seed  falls  apparently  on  stony 
ground,  but  it  can  at  least  be  said  that  the  influence  of  prison 
life  is  salutary,  and  that  no  man  or  woman  is  the  Avorse  for  con- 
finement in  Windham  county  jail.  With  regard  to  women  the 
question  has  scarcely  been  tested,  so  few  is  the  number  that 
have  been  committed  to  its  precincts.  The  whole  number  com- 
mitted to  jail  in  the  year  ending  June  30th,  1887,  was  225;  num- 
ber discharged,  218;  average  number  in  confinement,  34.  By  far 
the  larger  proportion  were  received  during  the  winter  when  work 
was  not  attainable.  Over  21  5^ears,  190  ;  under  21  years,  35  ;  na- 
tives of  Connecticut,  62  ;  of  other  states,  71 ;  other  countries,  92. 
One  man  from  Connecticut,  four  from  other  countries,  could  not 
read  or  write.  Drunkenness  was  the  direct  charge  against  129  ; 
106  called  themsel«ves  moderate  drinkers;  one,  habitually  in- 
temperate ;  18  strictly  temperate  ;  113  had  been  previously  in 
prison  ;  19  were  committed  as  tramps.  Receipts  from  earnings 
of  prisoners,  §1,857.11  ;  total  jail  receipts,  $6,426.87;  total  jail  ex- 
penditures, $4,988.37. 


CHAPTER  XL 


THE  BENCH  AND  BAR  OF  WINDHAM  COUNTY. 


Early  Attorneys. — Elisha  Paine. — Samuel  Huntington. — Jabez  Fitch. — Eliphalet 
Dyer.— Jedidiah  Elderkin. — Zephaniah  Swift. — Thomas  Stedman.— David 
Bolles. — Sylvanus  Backus. — Daniel  Kies. — Other  Windham  County  Law- 
yers of  Former  Times.— Courts  Removed  to  Brooklyn. — The  Windham  Coun- 
ty Bar  in  1820.— Chauncey  F.  Cleveland.— Glimpses  of  Many  Practicing  At- 
torneys.—William  Smith  Scarborough.— Lucius  H.  Rickard.— Elliot  B.  Sum- 
ner.— Abiel  Converse. — Earl  Martin. — Edward  Cundall.— John  J.  Penrose. — 
George  W.  Melony. — Seymour  A.  Tingier. — Benjamin  S.  Warner. — Calvin  M. 
Brooks. — Albert  McC.  Mathewson.— Andrew  Jackson  Bowen. — John  L.  Hun- 
ter.—George  A.  Conant.— Arthur  G.  Bill.— Gilbert  W.  Phillips.— Randolph 
H.  Chandler. — Eric  H.  Johnson. — Charles  E.  Searls. — Samuel  H.  Seward. — 
Edgar  M.  Warner. — William  G.  Buteau. — Ebenezer  Stoddard. — Louis  B. 
Cleveland.— Thomas  E.  Graves.— G.  S.  F.  Stoddard.— John  M.  Hall.— James 
H.  Potter. — George  Larned. — Simon  Davis. 


WITH  the  gradual  adaptation  of  the  new  society  of  Wind- 
ham county  to  the  forms  and  customs  of  civil  order 
and  recognition  of  the  rights  of  individuals,  both  per- 
sonal and  proprietary,  the  need  of  advocates  before  the  consti- 
tuted tribunals  of  justice  began  to  be  felt.  The  profession  of 
the  law,  distinctively  regarded,  does  not  show  itself  as  soon  as 
some  other  professions — conspicuously,  the  ministry,  school 
teaching  and  medicine.  But  the  county  was  not  long  organized 
before  the  field  began  to  open  for  the  work  of  the  lawyer.  At 
the  time  of  the  establishment  of  the  courts  in  1726,  there  was 
probably  no  professional  attorney  residing  in  the  county.  When 
cases  were  brought  before  those  early  courts  requiring  the  ser- 
vices of  an  advocate  they  were  placed  in  the  hands  of  attorneys 
from  some  neighboring  town,  frequently  from  Norwich  or  Hart- 
ford. The  first  son  of  Windham  to  be  admitted  to  its  bar  as  a 
legal  practitioner  of  whom  we  have  learned,  was  Jedidiah  Elder- 
kin,  a  young  man,  who  was  admitted  in  1744.  Soon  after  Eliph- 
alet Dyer,  who  graduated  from  Yale  College  in  1740,  at  the  age 
of  nineteen,  studied  law,  and  in  1746  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of 
Windham  county.     These  young  lawyers  entered  with   much 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  139 

zeal  upon  the  practice  of  their  profession,  and  soon  ranked 
among  the  foremost  public  men  of  the  day.  Law  business  was 
beginning  to  be  somewhat  brisk,  and  a  large  number  of  cases 
were  reported  at  every  session  of  the  courts.  Elisha  Paine,  Jr., 
of  Canterbury,  was  also  practicing  law  about  that  time.  In 
Plainfield,  Timothy  Pierce  was  one  of  its  most  prominent  and 
respected  citizens,  a  member  of  the  governor's  council  and  judge 
of  the  county  and  probate  courts,  all  of  which  offices  he  is  said  to 
have  executed  with  such  diligence  and  care  as  to  be  unblamable. 

Elisha  Paine  was  a  man  of  unusual  breadth  and  force  of  char- 
acter, a  succeSvSful  practitioner  in  law,  and  universally  conceded 
to  have  the  "  best  sense  of  any  one  in  those  parts."  Of  a  specu- 
lative and  inquiring  mind,  he  was  prompted  to  investigate  the 
principles  and  practices  of  the  different  organizations,  then  con- 
ducting public  religious  exercises,  and  was  soon  led  to  enlist  his 
sympathies  with  the  Separate  movement  which  attracted  so 
much  notice  during  that  period.  He  protested  strongly  against 
the  practices  of  the  established  church  and  pronounced  it  sadly 
lacking  in  the  true  religious  spirit.  So  offensive  did  his  position 
on  this  subject  become  that  in  1744  he  was  arrested  and  impris- 
oned for  several  weeks  in  the  county  jail,  but  was  at  last  released 
on  bail.  He  became  absorbed  in  religious  questions  and  finally 
abandoned  the  practice  of  law  for  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel. 
He  received  a  call  to  a  church  at  Bridgehampton,  L.  I.,  and  in 
1752  he  attempted  to  remove  his  family  and  personal  property 
thither  but  was  again  arrested  by  the  collector  of  society  rates 
for  the  support  of  the  established  church,  which  Paine  refused 
to  pay,  and  was  again  imprisoned  in  the  county  jail.  After  re- 
maining there  several  weeks  he  was  again  set  at  liberty. 

About  the  middle  of  the  last  century  Jabez  Fitch,  son  of  Doc- 
tor Jabez  Fitch,  was  practicing  as  an  attorney  in  Canterbury. 
He  was  made  justice  of  the  quorum  in  1755,  and  judge  of  pro- 
bate in  1759.  Samuel  Huntington,  son  of  Nathaniel  Huntino-. 
ton,  of  Scotland,  was  practicing  law  in  that  town  at  this  period. 
Though  early  noted  for  his  fondness  for  books  and  study,  he  was 
apprenticed  to  a  cooper,  but  so  improved  his  leisure  moments 
that  when  he  had  completed  his  apprenticeship  he  had  not  only 
acquired  a  competent  knowledge  of  Latin,  but  had  made  some 
progress  in  the  study  of  law,  from  books  borrowed  of  Jedidiah 
Elderkin.  Adopting  this  as  his  chosen  profession,  he  pursued 
his  studies  with  indefatigable  zeal  and  perseverance,  and  was  re- 


140  HISTORY    OF   WIXDHAM    COUNTY. 

warded  with  abundant  success.  Nathan  Frink,  as  king's  attor- 
ney, was  practicing  law  in  Pomfret  and  adjoining  towns. 
Thomas,  son  of  John  Grosvenor,  Esq.,  after  graduation  from 
Yale  College  in  1765,  and  later  preparatory  legal  studies,  also 
opened  a  law  office  on  Pomfret  street.  Eliphalet  Dyer  and  Jedi- 
diah  Elderkin,  already  mentioned  as  among  the  early  law3-ers  of 
the  county,  were  actively  engaged  for  many  years  in  the  practice 
of  law  at  Windham,  and  ranked  among  the  prominent  public 
men  of  Connecticut.  Among  the  terrible  sounds  which  were 
heard  in  the  great  frog  scare  the  excessively  wrought  imagina- 
tions of  the  populace  could  distinguish  the  vengefuJ  demands  of 
the  approaching  foe  for  the  bodies  of  their  leaders,  Elderkin  and 
Dyer.  Elisha  Paine,  son  of  the  distinguished  advocate  of  the 
Separate  movement  and  sufferer  for  the  cause,  was  about  1765, 
practicing  law  at  Plainfield,  where  he  was  admitted  to  a  promin- 
ent position  in  social  and  civil  affairs. 

After  the  close  of  the  revolution  we  find  among  the  promi- 
nent men  of  the  new  generation  Zephaniah  Swift,  of  Tolland,  es- 
tablished in  Windham  town,  and  winning  immediate  success  as 
a  lawyer.  Jabez  Clark  and  Samuel  Gray,  Jr.,  had  married 
daughters  of  Colonel  Jedidiah  Elderkin,  and  engaged  in  legal 
practice.  Colonel  Ebenezer  Gray  also  resumed  the  practice  of 
the  legal  profession,  and  engaged  in  public  affairs  as  far  as  his 
enfeebled  health  would  permit.  Timothy  Larrabee  and  the  older 
lawyers  still  continued  in  practice. 

Samuel  Huntington,  one  of  the  most  honored  members  of  the 
bar  of  Windham  county,  and  distinguished  citizens  of  the  colony 
of  Connecticut,  has  already  been  mentioned.  He  deserves  a 
more  extended  notice  than  the  means  at  hand  or  space  at  our 
disposal  will  permit  in  this  connection.  He  was  descended  from 
an  ancient  and  respectable  family  of  this  county.  His  childhood 
and  youth  were  distinguished  by  indications  of  an  excellent  un- 
derstanding and  a  taste  for  mental  improvement.  Without  the 
advantage  of  a  collegiate  education  or  that  assistance  in  profes- 
sional studies  which  modern  times  have  wisely  encouraged,  he 
acquired  a  competent  knowledge  of  law  and  was  early  admitted 
to  the  bar  and  became  eminent  in  his  profession.  In  1774  he  was 
made  an  assistant  judge  in  the  superior  court.  In  1775  he  was 
chosen  into  the  council,  and  in  the  same  year  elected  a  delegate 
to  congress.  In  1779  he  was  made  president  of  that  honorable 
body,  and  in  17S0  was  re-elected  to  the  same  station  of  promin- 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  141 

ence.  In  1783  he  was  again  made  a  member  of  congress.  In 
1784  he  was  chosen  lieutenant  governor  and  appointed  chief 
justice  of  the  state.  In  1786  he  was  elected  governor  of  Connec- 
ticut and  was  annually  re-elected  by  the  freemen  with  a  singular 
unanimity  until  his  death.  He  thus  served  in  that  honorable 
position  the  longest  term,  with  but  two  exceptions,  that  has  ever 
been  held  by  any  man  during  the  history  of  the  state.  His  term 
lasted  nine  years  and  eight  months,  closing  with  his  death,  Jan- 
uary 15th,  1796.  The  exceptions  spoken  of  were  Jonathan 
Trumbull,  eleven  years  and  eight  months,  and  Oliver  Wolcott, 
ten  years. 

Thomas,  son  of  Captain  James  Stedman,  opened  a  law  office  on 
Hampton  Hill  about  the  year  1790,  occupying  a  house  built  for 
him  by  his  uncle,  just  north  of  the  meeting  house.  He  greatly 
distinguished  himself  in  his  profession.  He  was  called  "one  of 
the  most  urbane,  genteel,  intelligent  and  obliging  men  of  the 
day."  He  was  rapidly  rising  in  the  estimation  of  the  public,  and 
was  even  mentioned  as  a  candidate  for  the  office  of  governor  of 
the  state,  when  he  was  induced  to  remove  to  MavSsena,  N.  Y., 
where  he  quickly  won  public  confidence  and  respect,  and  ac- 
quired a  large  landed  property.  About  this  time  Colonel  Thomas 
Grosvenor  was  engaged  in  the  legal  profession  in  Pomfret.  He 
served  for  a  time  in  the  governor's  council,  and  was  held  in  high 
repute  throughout  the  state.  His  ofhce  was  a  place  of  constant 
resort  for  soldiers  of  the  revolution,  Indians,  and  all  who  needed 
help  and  counsel.  At  this  time  Zephaniah  Swift,  of  Windham, 
was  called  the  ablest  lawyer  of  eastern  Connecticut.  In  Abing- 
ton  John  Holbrook  was  practicing  law,  occupying  the  homestead 
built  many  years  previous  by  his  grandfather,  Ebenezer  Hol- 
brook. Sylvanus  Backus,  of  Plainfield,  opened  a  law  office  on 
Pomfret  street  and  soon  took  rank  among  the  leading  lawyers  of 
the  county.  His  wife  was  the  only  surviving  daughter  of  Doc- 
tor Waldo.  In  Ashford  William  Perkins,  son  of  Lsaac  Perkins, 
was  practicing  law,  and  was  becoming  a  prominent  man  in  town 
affairs.  David  Bolles,  after  studying  medicine  for  a  while,  turned 
his  attention  to  the  law  and  became  a  competitor  of  Mr.  Perkins 
in  the  practice  of  law  in  Ashford.  He  acquired  a  considerable 
degree  of  success,  and  had  secured  the  favor  of  the  people  called 
"  Sectaries  "  in  that  and  adjoining  towns,  by  his  open  and  uncom- 
promising opposition  to  any  taxation  for  support  of  public  wor- 
ship, and  to  the  religious  constitution  of  Connecticut.     When  a 


142  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

little  boy  six  years  old  he  had  stood  by  his  mother's  side, 
when  her  precious  pewter  was  taken  by  the  collector  and  carried 
to  the  town  post  and  there  sold  at  auction  to  paj^  a  "priest  tax," 
and  her  tears  and  unavailing  remonstrances  had  such  an  effect 
upon  his  childish  mind  that  he  then  and  there  resolved  that 
when  he  became  a  man  he  would  fight  those  laws  that  had  caused 
his  mother  such  distress.  The  surroundings  of  after  years 
strengthened  his  determination,  and  his  manhood  kept  the  boy- 
ish vow.  With  tongue  and  pen  he  fought,  until  he  had  become 
one  of  the  foremost  champions  of  the  Baptist  cause. 

In  Canterbury  John  Dyer  was  a  prominent  man  in  public  af- 
fairs and  legal  matters  as  well.  He  was  colonel  of  the  Eleventh 
regiment,  judge  of  the  county  court,  deputy  in  the  assembly  at 
times  for  forty  years.  In  all  these  public  functions  he  sustained 
an  unblemished  reputation,  and  was  called  "  a  man  of  sound 
judgment  and  unbiased  integrity."  He  died  February  25th, 
1799,  in  the  eight5^-seventh  year  of  his  age.  Moses  Cleveland 
opened  a  law  office  in  the  same  town,  on  his  paternal  homestead, 
and  engaged  with  much  spirit  in  public  and  military  affairs. 
Though  hindered  by  many  other  engagements  from  devoting 
much  time  to  the  practice  of  his  profession  he  could  direct  others, 
and  many  young  men  studied  law  in  his  office.  His  brother, 
William  Pitt  Cleveland,  Asa  Bacon,  Jr.,  and  Rufus  Adams,  were 
among  those  students,  and  all  for  a  time  practiced  law  in  Canter- 
bury. Elisha  Paine  also  opened  a  law  office  in  his  own  house  in 
the  south  part  of  the  town.  William  Dixon,  of  A'oluntown,  en- 
gaged in  the  practice  of  law  in  Plainfield  about  the  year  1790. 

John  Baldwin,  of  Windham,  the  son  of  Ebenezer  Baldwin  and 
his  wife,  Ruth  Swift,  of  Mansfield,  was  born  April  6th,  1772.  He 
was  a  lawyer,  judge  of  the  count}^  court,  served  one  term  in  con- 
gress, and  was  a  man  of  good  abilities  and  considerably  em- 
ployed as  a  counselor  and  in  public  business.  He  died  March 
27th,  1850.  John  McClellan,  son  of  General  Samuel  McClellan, 
graduated  from  Yale  College  in  1781,  studied  law  with  Governor 
Huntinofton  and  his  neighbor,  Hon.  Charles  C.  Chandler,  was  ad- 
mitted  to  the  bar  of  Windham  county  in  August,  1787,  and  re- 
mained for  a  time  at  the  family  homestead  in  Woodstock,  suc- 
ceeding to  the  practice  of  his  honored  instructor.  In  1796  he  re- 
moved to  Woodstock  Hill,  there  to  continue  the  practice  of  his 
profession,  and  a  few  months  later  married  Faith  Williams,  the 
only  daughter  of  Hon.  William  Williams,  of  Lebanon. 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHA.M    COUNTY.  143 

In  Sterling,  Jeremiah  Parish  and  Artemas  Baker  attempted 
legal  practice  about  the  close  of  the  last  century.  During  the 
early  years  of  the  present  century  we  find  Samuel  Perkins,  David 
Young,  John  Baldwin,  John  Fitch  and  Philip  Howard  actively 
engaged  in  legal  practice  in  Windham.  At  Hampton,  Joseph 
Prentice  was  established,  perhaps  as  the  first  lawyer  of  that 
town.  Other  men  had  been  and  were  then  much  consulted  on 
legal  questions,  though  not  formally  credentialled  in  the  profes- 
sion. vSuch  men  were  Amasa  Clark  and  Captain  Silas  Cleveland. 
In  Canterbury  Andrew  T.  Judson,  of  Eastford,  had  already 
gained  a  flourishing  legal  practice.  Other  law^'ers  in  that  town 
were  Rufus  Adams  and  Daniel  Frost.  In  Plainfield  at  this  time 
Calvin  Goddard  was  achieving  an  eminent  degree  of  success  as  a 
lawyer.  His  ambition  led  him  to  seek  a  larger  field,  and  in  1809 
he  removed  to  Norwich,  leaving  the  field  in  this  town  to  be 
■shared  by  Joseph  Eaton  and  Job  Monroe.  Soon  after  this  time 
Calvin  Hibbard,  of  Windham,  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  in 
Sterling.  In  Killingly  Ebenezer  Young  opened  a  law  office  in 
the  rising  village  of  Westfield.  In  Pomfret  Judge  Thomas 
Grosvenor,  Sylvanus  Backus  and  Ebenezer  Grosvenor  were  set- 
tled in  legal  practice.  The  latter  was  a  son  of  General  Lemuel 
Grosvenor,  and  graduated  from  Yale  in  1807.  Sylvanus  Backus 
■served  for  many  years  as  speaker  of  the  house  of  representatives 
in  the  state,  and  was  elected  as  a  representative  to  congress  in 
1817.  To  this  position  he  Avas  chosen  by  the  united  vote  of  all 
parties.  His  friends  anticipated  much  from  him  in  that  position, 
but  ere  the  time  came  for  him  to  take  his  seat  he  was  called 
away  from  this  scene  of  action.  He  died  in  February,  1817. 
Activity  of  mind  and  brilliancy  of  imagination,  combined  with 
much  solidity  and  strength,  made  him  one  of  the  most  influen- 
tial men  of  the  time,  indeed,  a  strong  pillar  of  society  and  the 
state.  He  left  a  widow  and  five  children.  A  few  months  later 
he  was  followed  by  his  brother  attorney,  Ebenezer  Grosvenor, 
^one  of  Pomfret's  most  promising  sons.  Elisha  B.  Perkins,  who 
had-  studied  with  'Squire  Backus,  now  succeeded  to  his  practice. 
John  F.  Williams  at  this  time  practiced  law  at  West  Woodstock. 

About  the  time  of  the  war  of  1812  John  Parish  and  Daniel  Kies 
were  practicing  law  in  Brooklyn.  The  mother  of  the  latter  had 
invented  an  improvement  in  weaving  straw  with  silk  or  thread, 
for  which  she  received  a  patent  in  May,  1809,  and  he  had  become 


144  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

SO  much  absorbed  in  attempting  to  utilize  that  invention  that 
he  suffered  considerable  pecuniary  loss  by  it. 

The  courts  of  Windham  county  were  removed  from  the  vil- 
lage of  Windham  to  Brooklyn  in  July,  1820.  The  bar  of  W^ind- 
ham  county  at  this  time  boasted  a  very  creditable  array  of  legal 
talent,  and  held  a  good  position  in  the  state.  It  was  represented 
in  the  different  towns  as  follows:  Brooklyn — John  Parish,  Daniel 
Kies,  Jonathan  A.  Welch  (son  of  Doctor  Moses  C.  Welch),  Uriel 
Fuller;  Ashford — David  Bolles,  Philip  Hayw^ard,  Samuel  Ash- 
ley ;  Canterbury — Rufus  Adams,  Andrew  T.  Judson,  Daniel 
Frost,  Jr.;  Hampton — Joseph  Prentice,  Chauncey  F.  Cleveland 
(admitted  at  the  last  court  session  in  W^indham);  Killingly — 
Ebenezer  Young ;  Plainfield — Joseph  Eaton,  Ira  Case  ;  Lebanon — 
William  T.  Williams,  Denison  Wattles,  Jr.,  Henry  Huntington  ; 
Pomfret — John  Holbrook,  Elisha  B.  Perkins,  Jonathan  Prescott 
Hall ;  Sterling — Calvin  Hibbard  ;  Thompson — George  Earned, 
Simon  Davis  ;  Windham — Jabez  Clark,  Samuel  Perkins,  David 
Young,  John  Baldwin,  John  Fitch,  Thomas  Gray,  Edwards 
Clarke  ;  Woodstock — John  McClellan,  Ebenezer  vStoddard,  John 
F.  Williams.  Daniel  P.  Tyler  soon  after  commenced  the  prac- 
tice of  law,  at  first  for  a  short  time  in  Pomfret  and  then  in 
Brooklyn,  his  native  town.  About  the  year  183<)  we  find  Francis 
B.  Johnson  in  legal  practice  in  place  of  Ira  Case,  deceased,  in 
Plainfield.  William  Dyer,  of  Canterbury,  opened  a  law  office 
in  Central  Village.  Joseph  Eaton  of  this  town  was  now  also 
chief  judge  of  the  county  court.  George  S.  Catlin,  a  lawyer  of 
brilliant  promise,  was  now  located  in  Windham.  Jabez  Clark, 
of  Windham,  for  a  time  chief  justice  of  the  county  court,  died  in 
1836.  Judge  Ebenezer  Devotion,  who  had  long  been  prominent 
in  Scotland  affairs,  died  in  1829  in  the  eighty-ninth  year  of 
his  age. 

Chauncey  F.  Cleveland,  of  Hampton,  won  immediate  success 
at  the  bar,  evincing  remarkable  skill  in  presenting  a  case  to  a 
jury,  and  was  equally  successful  in  winning  the  suffrages  of  his 
fellow  citizens.  In  1826  he  was  sent  as  a  representative  to  the 
legislature,  and  thenceforward  was  retained  in  public  service. 
He  was  made  judge  of  Windham  probate  district,  and  prosecu- 
ting attorney  for  the  county.  In  Ashford,  Ichabod  Bulkley,  a 
very  able  young  man,  succeeded  to  the  legal  practice  of  David 
Bolles,  who  died  during  the  year  1830.  Mr.  Bulkley  was  also 
made  judge  of  probate.     He  won  a  high  position  at  the  bar,  and 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  145 

was  employed  on  the  celebrated  Crandall  case  and  in  many  other 
important  suits.  He  died  in  1838,  and  after  that  Jared  D.  Rich- 
mond, of  Westford,  established  himself  in  Ashford  village,  and 
practiced  law  for  many  years.  John  F.  Williams  was  practicing 
law  in  West  Woodstock  about  1835.  In  Killingly  a  second  law- 
yer was  established  in  the  person  of  Thomas  Backus,  of  Sterling, 
a  graduate  of  Brown  University,  who  was  made  judge  of  the 
newly  constituted  probate  court  in  1830.  John  Holbrook  was 
practicing  law  in  Abington  in  1836. 

William  Dyer  was  born  at  Canterbury  October  25th,  1802,  and 
was  the  eldest  son  of  Elijah  and  Mary  (Robinson)  Dyer.  He  had 
two  brothers,  the  late  Elijah  Dyer,  M.  D.,  of  Norwich,  Conn.,  a 
physician  well  known  throughout  eastern  Connecticut  and  who 
died  at  Norwich  March  10th,  1882,  after  a  successful  practice  of 
his  profession  of  more  than  half  a  century,  and  Harvey  Robinson 
Dyer,  who  has  retired  from  active  business  pursuits  and  is  still 
a  resident  of  Canterbury  honored  by  all  who  know  him,  and 
one  sister,  Mary  Elizabeth,  who  married  the  late  Kimball 
Kennedy  of  Plainfield.  His  early  life,  like  that  of  so  many  of 
the  young  men  of  his  generation,  was  spent  in  farm  life  with  his 
father,  attending  the  common  schools  of  the  day,  and  afterward 
w^as  a  student  in  Plainfield  Academy,  which  at  the  time  was 
fully  equal  to  any  of  the  academic  institutions  of  New  England. 
As  was  the  custom  of  the  times  he  was  engaged  for  several  win- 
ters in  the  occupation  of  a  school  teacher,  the  better  to  enable 
him  to  obtain  an  education  and  to  meet  the  expenses  incident 
to  preparing  himself  for  his  chosen  profession,  the  law,  which 
he  studied  with  the  late  Honorable  Calvin  Goddard,  afterward 
judge  of  the  superior  court,  and  the  late  Daniel  Frost,  Esq.,  of 
Canterbury,  both  of  whom  were  acknowledged  to  be  among  the 
leaders  at  the  bar.  In  the  year  1831  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar, 
and  removing  to  Plainfield  commenced  the  practice  of  law  at 
Central  Village,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  death  in 
1875.  He  was  pre-eminently  an  office  lawyer,  never  attempting 
to  thoroughly  acquaint  himself  with  the  decisions  of  courts 
upon  questions  of  law,  but  was  alwaj^s  familiar  with  the  statute 
law,  and  the  principles  of  common  law,  which  his  sound  judg- 
ment enabled  him  to  interpret  and  apply  with  remarkable 
accuracy  to  all  the  varied  affairs  of  his  large  constituency  in  the 
section  in  which  he  practiced.  All  classes  of  people  resorted  to 
him  for  advice,  and  such  was  the  confidence  reposed  in  him  that 
10 


146  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

his  instructions  were  regarded  as  law.  He  was  interested  in 
business  matters  outside  the  sphere  of  his  profession,  being  en- 
gaged for  a  term  of  years  in  cotton  manufacturing  and  mer- 
cantile affairs  with  his  brother  Harvey  and  his  brother-in-law, 
Kimball  Kennedy;  He  was  averse  to  accepting  any  public  office 
and  though  often  requested  to  allow  his  name  to  be  used  in 
nomination  for  positions  within  the  realm  of  the  gift  of  the 
people,  he  courteously  but  peremptorily  declined  all  except  such 
as  were  actually  connected  with  the  field  which  he  had  selected 
as  his  workshop,  only  once  accepting  the  position  of  town 
representative,  and  was  house  chairman  of  the  judiciary  com- 
mittee. 

He  was  thrice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Susan,  a  daughter 
of  the  late  Morey  Burgess,  M,  D.,  the  second  Olivia,  the  only 
daughter  of  the  late  Nathan  P.  Sessions,  both  of  Plainfield,  and 
the  third,  Sarah,  daughter  of  the  late  Joseph  James,  of  Cov- 
entry, R.  I.,  who  at  the  time  of  his  death  with  two  children  sur- 
vived him,  viz.,  William  J.  and  Mary. 

In  March,  1888,  the  son  William  J.  died  after  a  short  illness,  in 
the  twenty-second  year  of  his  age.  A  young  man  of  superior  mind 
and  a  fine  education,  he  was  called  away  just  as  the  hopes  of  his 
relatives  and  friends  were  in  expectation  of  a  long,  useful  and 
honorable  life.  He  was  universally  acknowledged  to  be  a  thor- 
ough Christian  gentleman  by  all  who  had  the  pleasure  of  an  in- 
timate acquaintance  with  him. 

Honorable  Elisha  Carpenter  was  born  in  that  part  of  Ashford 
which  is  now  the  town  of  Eastford  on  the  14th  day  of  January, 
1824.  His  parents  had  seven  sons  and  one  daughter,  all  of  whom 
are  now  living.  His  father  died  in  1872  aged  eighty-one  years, 
and  his  mother  ten  years  later  at  the  age  of  eighty-six.  The 
first  representatives  of  the  Carpenter  family  in  this  country 
came  from  England  in  1642  and  settled  at  or  near  Attleboro, 
Mass.  The  first  settlers  and  their  descendants  for  many  genera- 
tions seem  to  have  been  farmers  and  mechanics,  as  it  is  not 
known  that  any  of  them  followed  any  of  the  learned  professions 
until  modern  times.  They  belonged  to  the  middle  class,  indus- 
trious, intelligent  and  respectable  ;  in  short  good  citizens.  The 
same  may  be  said  of  the  ancestors  of  Judge  Carpenter's  mother, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Scarborough. 

The  early  life  of  our  subject  was  spent  upon  the  farm.  His 
early  educational  facilities  were  meagre,  being   such  as  were 


W_V/:prsston^C<?N-'y 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  147 

afforded  by  the  district  school,  which  was  more  than  a  mile  from 
his  home  and  some  five  miles  from  any  village  or  business 
center.  There  he  attended  school  during  the  winter  months, 
assisting  in  the  labor  of  the  farm  in  vSummer,  until  he  was  six- 
teen years  of  age.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  engaged  in  teach- 
ing in  Willington,  Conn.  He  taught  school  for  several  winters, 
attending  school  and  working  summers.  He  fitted  for  college 
at  the  "  Ellington  Institute  "  in  charge  of  Reverend  Richard  S. 
Rust,  succeeded  by  Reverend  Mr.  Buckham.  He  never  entered 
college  but  continued  his  education  in  the  school  room,  the  law 
office  and  in  the  forum. 

He  studied  law  with  the  late  Jonathan  A.  Welch,  Esq.,  of 
Brooklyn,  Conn.,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  December,  1846. 
He  began  practice  in  his  native  town  January  1st,  1847,  and  con- 
tinued there  until  March,  1851,  when  he  succeeded  the  late  Honor- 
able Thomas  Backus  at  Danielsonville.  In  the  summer  of  1851  he 
was  appointed  states  attorney  for  Windham  county  for  one  year, 
and  was  reappointed  in  1854  and  continued  to  hold  the  office  until 
1861.  In  1857  and  1858  he  represented  the  then  Fourteenth  district 
in  the  state  senate,  serving  in  the  latter  year  as  chairman  of  the 
judiciary  committee  and  president  pro  tern,  of  the  senate.  In  1861, 
with  Edwin  H.  Bugbee,  he  represented  Killingly  in  the  lower 
house  of  the  general  assembly  and  served  as  chairman  of  the 
military  committee.  During  this  session  he  was  elected  a  judge 
of  the  superior  court,  succeeding  Judge  Butler,  who  was  elected 
to  the  supreme  court.  In  1865  he  was  elected  a  judge  of  the 
supreme  court  of  errors  to  succeed  Governor  Dutton,  who  re- 
tired by  constitutional  limitation  at  the  age  of  seventy.  His  term 
commenced  in  February,  1866,  and  he  has  held  the  office  by 
successive  reappointments  to  the  present  time.  At  the  organi- 
zation of  the  state  board  of  education  in  1865  he  was  appointed 
a  member  of  that  board,  which  position  he  held  for  eighteen 
years.  He  is  now  a  member  of  the  board  of  pardons  of  the 
state. 

Judge  Carpenter,  in  1848,  was  united  in  marriage  to  Harriet 
Grosvenor  Brown,  daughter  of  Shubael  Brown,  of  Brooklyn,  and 
niece  of  Reverend  John  Brown,  D.D.,  formerly  of  Boston,  who 
died  in  Hadley,  Mass.  Mrs.  Carpenter  died  in  1874,  leaving  one 
son,  who  died  in  1879,  and  three  daughters  who  still  survive.  In 
1876  Judge  Carpenter  was  married  to  SophiaTyler  Cowen,  of  Hart- 
ford, a  daughter  of  the  late  Sidney  J.  Cowen,  of  Saratoga,  and 


148  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

granddaughter  of  Esek  Cowen,  formerly  a  judge  of  the  supreme 
court  off  New  York.  She  is  a  lineal  descendant  of  Thomas  Hooker, 
the  founder  of  Connecticut,  and  of  Jonathan  Edwards,  They 
have  one  son  and  one  daughter. 

The  first  lawyer  who  located  in  the  growing  village  of  Putnam 
was  Harrison  Johnson,  who  established  himself  there  about 
1840.  Chauncey  F.  Cleveland,  commonly  called  Governor  Cleve- 
land, was  practicing  in  Hampton,  where  he  spent  a  long  life, 
and  devoted  himself  to  advancing  the  welfare  of  his  fellow  man, 
both  in  his  own  locality  and  elsewhere.  He  was  greatly  inter- 
ested in  railroad  enterprises,  and  was  largely  instrumental  in 
securing  the  convenience  of  a  railroad  through  his  own  town 
where  it  was  so  much  needed.  Besides  his  law  practice  he  was 
pre-eminently  a  public  servant.  After  two  years  in  the  state 
legislature,  devoted  largely  in  the  encouragement  of  railroad 
enterprise,  he  was  sent  as  a  representative  to  congress  in  1849. 
There  he  gave  his  vote  and  influence  in  opposing  the  extension 
of  slavery,  thus  incurring  the  displeasure  of  the  democratic 
party,  by  whom  he  had  been  nominated.  But  he  was  heartily 
supported  by  a  constituency  in  sympathy  with  his  views  and 
was  re-elected  for  another  term  by  a  much  greater  majority 
than  at  first.  He  soon  became  a  bold  and  vigorous  opposer  of 
slavery,  and  in  the  memorable  campaign  of  1860  was  placed  at 
the  head  of  the  electoral  ticket  which  gave  the  vote  of  the  state 
to  Abraham  Lincoln.  He  was  appointed  by  Governor  Bucking- 
ham one  of  the  delegates  to  the  Washington  Peace  Convention 
.  of  March,  1861,  when  he  used  his  influence  as  best  he  could  to 
avert  the  threatening  war,  but  without  avail.  During  the  war 
he  earnestly  supported  the  administration.  The  term  of  service 
which  gave  him  the  title  "  Governor,"  which  he  afterward  wore, 
was  the  two  years  1842  to  1844.  He  practiced  his  profession  as 
an  advocate  whenever  the  demands  of  official  labors  would  per- 
mit. His  otherwise  happy  and  honored  life,  among  his  own 
people  in  Hampton,  was  shadowed  by  heavy  bereavements — the 
death  of  his  most  promising  son,  John  J.  Cleveland,  in  early 
manhood,  followed  in  less  than  two  years  by  the  death  of  his 
only  surviving  child,  Delia  Diantha,  the  wife  of  Hon.  Alfred  A. 
Burnham. 

William  Smith  Scarborough  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  this  coun- 
ty, August  2d,  1814.  He  graduated  from  Yale  College,  with  the 
famous  class  of  1837,  of  which  class  he  was  a  popular  and  dis- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  149 

tinguished  member.  He  studied  law  in  the  law  school  of  Tran- 
sylvania University  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  and  entered  upon  the 
practice  of  law  in  Thompson,  in  January,  1841.  He  soon  gained 
a  high  position  at  the  bar  of  Windham  county,  and  served  as 
state  senator  in  1846.  On  account  of  failing  health  he  removed 
to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  he  soon  resumed  the  practice  of  his 
profession  with  fidelity  and  success,  serving  there  as  school  com- 
missioner. He  returned  and  again  made  his  home  in  Thomp- 
son, in  1884,  and  still  resides  there. 

Lucius  H.  Richard  was  born  in  Pomf  ret,  October  12th,  1828.  At 
the  age  of  four  years  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Hampton, 
and  four  years  later  to  Killingly,  where  his  home  has  been,  with 
brief  exceptions,  from  that  time  till  the  present.  He  worked  on 
the  farm  and  attended  the  district  school  until  he  was  thirteen 
years  of  age,  when  he  went  to  the  Scituate  Seminary,  in  Rhode 
Island,  remaining  there  four  years.  Afterward  he  attended  the 
East  Greenwich  Seminary  for  six  months,  all  the  time  working 
to  pay  his  own  expenses.  In  October,  1848,  he  went  to  Greene 
county,  N.  Y.,  and  amid  the  rugged  scenery  of  the  Catskill 
mountains  taught  school  in  the  town  of  Hunter  for  two  years. 
During  this  time  he  commenced  the  study  of  law  with  Hon.  Ly- 
man Tremain,  who  was  then  located  at  Durham,  in  Greene  coun- 
ty. Remaining  in  that  county  until  1850,  Mr.  Rickard  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  at  Albany,  during  that  year,  and  the  following 
spring  returned  to  Killingly  and  commenced  the  practice  of  law. 
In  1852  he  was  appointed  to  a  government  position  at  Washing- 
ton by  President  Pierce,  which  position  he  retained  until  during 
President  Buchanan's  administration  he  was  appointed  assistant 
district  attorney  of  Iowa  and  removed  to  that  state.  There  he 
remained  until  1862,  when  he  returned  to  his  old  home  in  Kil- 
lingly. He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  the  United  States 
supreme  court  at  Washington  in  1861.  Since  1862  he  has  con- 
tinued in  the  practice  of  his  profession  here.  He  has  been  five 
times  elected  warden  of  the  borough  of  Danielsonville,  and  at 
the  present  time  is  commissioner  of  the  supreme  court,  justice 
of  the  peace  and  notary  public. 

Elliot  Benjamin  Sumner  was  born  in  Tolland,  Conn.,  August 
23d,  1834.  He  was  the  son  of  William  A.  Sumner  and  Anna 
Washburn  Sumner,  his  mother  being  now  living  at  the  age  of 
ninety-five  years.  Until  he  reached  the  age  of  sixteen  years  he 
lived  on  his  father's  farm  at  Tolland ;  he  then  entered  the  Wes- 


150  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

leyan  Academy  at  Wilbraham,  Mass.,  where  he  was  fitted  for  the 
Wesleyan  University  at  Middletown,  Conn.,  but  circumstances 
prevented  his  pursuing  that  course  of  study.  In  1855  he  com- 
menced the  study  of  law  with  the  late  Judge  Loren  P.  Waldo 
and  Honorable  Alvin  P.  Hyde  at  Tolland,  at  which  place  he  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  August,  1857.  In  the  following  December 
he  opened  an  office  at  Willimantic,  where  he  has  since  been 
steadily  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  occupying  the 
same  office  for  more  than  thirty  years.  In  1861  he  married  Miss 
Sarah  E.  Farnham,who  died  in  1881,  leaving  two  children,  Flor- 
ence A.  Sumner  and  William  A.  Sumner,  who  are  still  living. 
In  1857  Mr.  Sumner  was  assistant  clerk  in  the  house  of  repre- 
sentatives, and  in  1871  senator  from  the  Thirteenth  senatorial 
district.  He  was  then  chairman  of  the  committee  on  federal  re- 
lations and  cities  and  boroughs.  He  has  from  time  to  time  held 
various  county,  town  and  borough  offices.  His  church  relations 
are  with  the  Baptists. 

Abiel  Converse  was  born  in  the  town  of  Thompson,  in  Wind- 
ham county,  on  the  13th  of  December,  1815.  His  early  life  and 
education  were  with  a  primitive  people,  amid  very  primitive 
scenes,  and  in  the  most  primitive  schools.  In  conformity  to  the 
customs  of  the  time,  he  was  subjected  to  the  most  exacting  la- 
bor upon  a  hard  and  rugged  farm  from  childhood  to  the  stature 
of  a  man.  An  abundance  of  simple  and  substantial  food,  and  an 
active  life  in  the  open  air  gave  him  health  and  vigor  for  a  life- 
time. At  about  the  age  of  seventeen  years,  he  began  teaching 
"common  schools"  during  a  few  months  in  the  winter,  continu- 
ing his  farm  labors  the  rest  of  the  year.  Two  or  three  years 
later  he  entered  Wesleyan  Academy  at  Wilbraham,  Mass-.,  pre- 
pared for  college  and  graduated  at  Wesleyan  University  at  Mid- 
dletown, Conn.,  in  1839,  during  all  this  time  teaching  school  oc- 
casionally to  supply  a  chronic  deficiency  in  his  exchequer. 

Soon  after  graduation  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Hon,  Peter 
C.  Bacon,  late  of  Worcester,  Mass.,  as  a  student,  where  he  re- 
mained for  about  two  years,  and  was  then  entered  a  student  of 
Hon.  L.  F.  S.  Foster,  of  Norwich,  Conn.,  after  which  he  was 
called  to  the  bar  of  New  London  county  in  February,  1842.  He 
soon  commenced  the  practice  of  his  chosen  profession  at  Daniel- 
sonville  in  Windham  county,  and  successfully  pursued  the  same 
until  1854,  a  period  of  twelve  years.  At  this  time  he  removed 
to  New  London,  at  once  rose  to  prominence  in  the  profession  and 


'^< 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  151 

secured  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  associates  at  the  bar, 
his  large  clientage  and  of  the  public.  Twenty  years  later  he  re- 
tired from  all  active  business  and  removed  to  his  native  town  of 
Thompson,  where  he  is  still  living  in  the  enjoyment  of  vigorous 
health  and  a  fair  competence. 

On  the  17th  of  November,  1842,  he  was  joined  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Matilda  Sly,  of  Dudley,  Mass.,  an  estimable  young 
lady  who  has  since  shared  his  joys  and  sorrows,  and  still  lives  in 
robust  health,  nearing  gently  and  serenely  the  evening  of  life. 
Two  daughters  crowned  this  union:  to  wit,  Mary  Ellen,  born 
July  17th,  1847,  who  died  November  19th,  1884,  and  Martha  An- 
na, born  October  28th,  1848,  married  to  Major  Charles  C.  Mac- 
Connell  of  the  United  States  army  on  the  26th  of  December, 
1871,  at  New  London,  Conn.,  who  died  in  Fort  Adams  at  New- 
port, January  9th,  1874. 

Mr.  Converse  traces  his  genealogy  for  more  than  eight  hun- 
dred years  back  to  Normandy,  France,  where  the  titled  family 
of  De  Coigniries  held  a  distinguished  place  among  the  Norman 
nobles  of  that  day  in  possession  of  large  estates  around  the 
Chateau  of  Coignir.  A  member  of  this  family,  Roger  De 
Coigniries,  accompanied  William  the  Conqueror  in  his  invasion 
of  England  in  1066,  was  one  of  his  most  trusted  and  able  chief- 
tains, and  so  distinguished  himself  at  the  battle  of  Hastings  that 
his  name  was  entered  upon  the  roll  of  honor  in  the  record  of  the 
battle  and  placed  in  the  abbey  erected  upon  the  battle  field  by 
William  and  called  the  Battle  Abbey.  This  name  after  the  con- 
quest was  changed  to  Coniers  or  Conyers,  and  was  transmitted 
with  vast  estates  by  lords  and  barons  and  nobles  for  more  than 
five  hundred  years  as  the  records  show.  In  1590  in  this  line  was 
born  Edward  Conyers,  who  in  1630  came  with  Winthrop  to 
America,  and  with  him  settled  in  Charlestown  near  Boston.  He 
is  the  ancestor  of  the  family  of  Conyers  or  Convers,  and  later 
Converse,  in  this  country.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
first  church  in  that  town,  now  known  as  the  First  Church  of 
Boston,  also  of  what  is  now  the  First  Church  of  Charlestown, 
and  a  few  years  later  of  the  church  and  town  of  Woburn,  was 
the  first  deacon  of  the  last  named  church,  continuing  such  until 
his  death.  He  became  a  leader  and  distinguished  citizen  of 
that  town,  and  was  honored  with  all  the  offices  in  the  gift  of  its 
inhabitants. 

His  grandson,  Samuel  Convers,  settled  in  the  north  part  of  the 


152  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

town  of  Killingly  in  1710,  then  Thompson  Parish,  and  was  ore 
of  the  very  first  settlers  in  that  remote  section.  From  him  has 
descended  a  large  portion  of  the  people  of  that  name  in  the 
United  States. 

Jonathan  Convers,  sixth  in  the  line  from  Deacon  Edward  of 
Woburn,  was  born  in  Thompson  Parish,  married  Keziah  Hughs, 
and  was  the  father  of  a  large  family  of  children,  the  eldest  being 
Elijah  Convers,  who  married  Experience  Hibbard  and  was  the 
father  of  four  children,  the  youngest  being  Riel  Convers,  who 
married  Alice  Bixby,  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  earliest  settlers 
of  Thompson  Parish. 

Abiel  Converse,  eldest  son  of  Riel  and  Alice,  was  a  born  demo- 
crat, and  very  early  entered  with  characteristic  enthusiasm  the 
arena  of  politics.  While  never  seeking  official  position,  he  was 
honored  by  his  party  with  many  offices  of  trust,  the  duties  of 
which  he  discharged  with  ability,  fidelity  and  integrity. 

In  1844,  he  was  appointed  by  the  court,  attorney  for  the  state 
in  and  for  Windham  county  and  held  the  office  by  reappoint- 
ments for  several  years.  In  1845  he  represented  the  town  of 
Killingly  in  the  general  assembly  of  the  state.  In  1848  and  in 
1849  he  was  appointed  by  the  general  assembly  judge  of  probate 
for  the  district  of  Killingly.  After  his  removal  to'^ew  London 
he  was  clerk  of  the  court  of  probate  for  that  district,  judge  of  the 
city  police  court  and  of  the  city  court  (civil),  and  for  several 
years  city  attorney.  He  has  always  taken  a  deep  interest  in 
public  education  and  been  active  in  school  boards  for  many 
years,  and  in  all  places  where  he  has  resided.  He  has  been 
leader  of  a  forlorn  hope  of  his  party  in  many  contests  against 
overwhelming  odds.  He  was  the  democratic  candidate  for  con- 
gress in  his  district  directly  after  the  civil  war  and  received  the 
full  vote  of  his  party. 

Earl  Martin  was  born  in  Chaplin  in  the  year  1820.  He  was  the 
son  of  Thomas  and  Hannah  Martin.  He  read  law  with  Judge 
Richmond,  of  Ashford,  Conn.,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
1847.  He  removed  to  Danielsonville  in  1849,  and  has  lived  there 
since  that  time.  He  was  judge  of  the  superior  court  of  Connec- 
ticut from  1874  to  1882  inclusive,  and  has  served  one  term  in  the 
legislature  as  a  representative,  being  put  in  nomination  by  the 
democrats.  He  was  married  in  1855  to  C.  Jane  Champlin,  daughter 
of  Deacon  Benjamin  Champlin. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  153 

Edward  Cundall  was  born  in  Killingly,  March  9th,  1831.  He 
was  a  descendant  of  Joseph  Cundall,  who  was  born  in  1692,  and 
came  from  York  county,  England,  to  Boston  and  thence  to  Rhode 
Island,  where  he  engaged  in  woolen  manufacture.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  pursued  a  course  of  study  at  Hopkins  Acad- 
emy and  studied  law  with  Judge  Foster  of  Norwich.  He  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  1851.  From  1866  to  1872  he  was  state's 
attorney  for  Windham  county.  In  1872  he  was  appointed  clerk 
•of  the  superior  and  supreme  courts  for  this  county.  He  held  a 
major's  commission  in  the  Seventh  regiment,  was  a  representa- 
tive in  the  state  legislature  in  1857,  1866  and  1883,  a  senator 
from  the  Thirteenth  district  in  1865,  and  a  member  of  the  com- 
mission to  revise  the  probate  laws  of  Connecticut.  He  was  mar- 
ried November  26th,  1857,  to  Emily  M.  Smith,  of  Killingly. 
They  have  two  children  living,  Arthur  L.  and  Clarence  E.,  who 
graduated  at  Yale  Law  School  in  the  class  of  1888.  He  died  in 
October,  1885. 

John  J.  Penrose. — The  parents  of  the  subject  of  this  biography 
are  William  and  Lydia  Lynch  Penrose.  Their  son,  John  J.  Pen- 
rose, was  born  on  the  12th  of  December,  1821,  in  New  York  city, 
and  when  eight  years  of  age  removed  to  Hampton,  Connecticut. 
His  education  was  received  at  the  common  and  select  schools  of 
the  town,  with  additional  advantages  at  a  later  date  under  a 
private  tutor,  where  he  became  familiar  with  the  Latin  language 
.and  English  history  and  literature.  He  in  his  nineteenth  year 
began  the  study  of  law  with  Governor  Chauncey  F.  Cleveland, 
and  continuing  for  three  years  as  a  student,  was  admitted  to 
practice  at  the  bar  of  Connecticut  in  1843.  Mr.  Penrose  located 
in  Central  Village,  in  the  town  of  Plainfield,  where  he  is  still 
•engaged  in  the  practice  of  the  law.  He  very  soon  attained  a 
prominent  place  in  the  profession,  and  has  been  identified  with 
the  leading  cases  that  have  come  before  the  courts  of  Windham 
and  the  adjacent  counties. 

Always  politically  allied  with  the  democracy  he  was  during 
the  critical  period  of  the  war  a  war  democrat,  and  in  1860  can- 
didate for  the  position  of  elector-at-large  on  the  Douglas  ticket. 
He  has  also  received  the  nomination  for  congressional  honors, 
and  has  for  twenty  years  held  the  position  of  state's  attorney 
for  Windham  county.  He  is  a  trustee  of  the  Windham  County 
Savings  Bank  and  identified  with  other  business  interests  in  the 
■county.     Mr.  Penrose  was  married  in  October,  1869,  to  Rebecca, 


154  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

daughter  of  Henry  Angell,  of  Plainfield,  a  lineal  descendant  of 
Roger  Williams.  Their  children  are  two  daughters,  Kate  and 
Nellie,  and  a  son,  John  J.,  Jr. 

George  W.  Melony  was  born  at  Windham  February  15th,  1850,. 
being  the  second  son  of  Norman  and  Sophia  (Beckwith)  Melony. 
He  graduated  from  the  Natchaug  School  at  Willimantic  in  187], 
and  commenced  the  study  of  law  with  Mr.  E.  B.  Sumner,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Windham  county  in  1874.  He  soon 
after  commenced  the  practice  of  law  in  Willimantic,  in  which 
he  has  since  practiced. 

Seymour  A.  Tingier  (originally  Tinker)  was  the  son  of  Dea- 
con Edward  L.  Tinker  and  Laura  Steele,  and  was  born  in  the 
little  hill  town  of  Tolland,  Hampden  county,  Mass.,  December 
4th,  1829.  After  a  preparatory  course  at  the  Westfield,  Maps., 
Academy  and  Connecticut  Literary  Institution,  of  Suffield,  Conn., 
he  entered  Williams  College,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1855> 
He  then  went  west,  with  the  intention  of  locating  in  Nebraska, 
but  returned  in  1857,  and  was  married,  November  25th  of  that 
year,  to  Sarah  Twining,  the  only  daughter  of  Lyman  Twining,, 
of  Tolland.  He  had  previously  studied  law  in  the  office  of  his 
brother-in-law,  William  F.  Slocum,  at  Grafton,  Mass.  About 
this  time  he  applied  to 'the  Massachusetts  legislature,  and  that 
body  legalized  the  change  of  his  surname  to  Tingier.  In  1858 
he  established  himself  in  the  practice  of  law  at  Webster,  Mass., 
where  he  continued  until  1878,  when  he  removed  over  into  the 
adjoining  town  of  Thompson,  Windham  county.  Conn.  Here 
he  devoted  most  of  his  attention  to  farming,  practicing  law  but 
little,  until  his  death,  July  23d,  1888.  He  held  various  town  of- 
fices in  Webster,  and  during  his  life  in  Thompson  served  on  the 
board  of  assessors,  board  of  relief  and  as  registrar  of  voters. 
His  death  was  the  result  of  a  fall  from  a  scaffold  in  his  barn. 
His  first  wife  died  August  22d,  1864,  leaving  two  children,  both 
born  at  Webster — Lyman  Twining  Tingier,  who  is  now  practic- 
ing law  in  his  native  town,  and  Sarah  P.  Tingier,  who  is  also 
still  living.  In  1870  he  married  Mary  L.  Tucker,  daughter  of 
Charles  Tucker,  of  Webster,  who  survives  him. 

Benjamin  Silliman  Warner  was  born  in  Woodstock,  Conn., 
September  24th,  1856.  He  was  the  son  of  Alexander  and  Mary 
Trumbull  Warner.  His  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Mathewson,  was  the  great-granddaughter  of  William  Williams, 
one  of  the  signers  of  the  declaration  of  independence,  whose 


C^  cP,  ^'A^^^^^^ 


TOTYPE,     E.    8IERSTADT, 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  165 

wife  was  the  daughter  of  Governor  Jonathan  Trumbull,  the  im- 
mortal "  Brother  Jonathan,"  whose  real  name  has  been  taken  as 
the  nick-name  of  a  nation.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  Mr.  Warner's 
lineage,  through  maternal  ancestry,  connects  him  with  two  of  the 
conspicuous  patriots  of  revolutionary  times.  He  lived  in  Wood- 
stock until  he  was  five  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he  went  South 
with  his  mother  who  went  to  join  her  husband,  then  in  command 
of  the  Thirteenth  Connecticut  Volunteers.  They  lived  in  camp 
with  Lieutenant  Colonel  Warner  until  after  the  surrender  of 
Port  Hudson.  Young  Warner  then  lived  in  New  Orleans,  where 
he  attended  school,  till  after  the  close  of  the  war.  His  father 
bought  a  plantation  in  Madison  county.  Miss.,  and  there  they 
lived  for  three  years,  after  which  Benjamin  was  sent  to  school 
for  a  year  and  a  half  at  Lookout  Mountain,  Tenn.  The  follow- 
ing year  he  acted  as  messenger  in  the  senate,  at  Jackson,  Miss. 
In  the  spring  of  1872  he  came  to  Windham  county,  and  for  four 
years  lived  at  the  home  of  his  grandparents  in  Pomfret,  attend- 
ing school  meanwhile  in  Woodstock.  He  graduated  at  the  Put- 
nam High  School  in  1877,  and  then  took  a  special  course  for  one 
year  at  the  Sheffield  Scientific  School.  He  then  began  reading 
law  in  the  office  of  Charles  E.  Searls,  of  Putnam,  and  two  years 
later  attended  the  University  of  the  City  of  New  York,  where 
he  graduated  in  1882,  and  was  immediately  admiitted  to  the  bar 
of  Windham  county.  In  June,  1886,  he  married  Sara  L.  Trow- 
bridge, daughter  of  Edward  and  Sarah  A.  Trowbridge,  of  Brook- 
lyn, N.  Y.  They  have  one  son,  Arthur  Trumbull  Warner.  In 
1877  Colonel  Warner  bought  a  farm  in  Pomfret,  and  here  the 
subject  of  our  sketch  with  his  father  spent  much  of  his  time 
superintending  its  improvement.  They  had  the  finest  herd  of 
Guernsey  cattle  in  the  county,  and  one  of  the  finest  in  the  state. 
Their  herd  gained  a  number  of  gold  and  silver  medals  at  the 
New  England  and  state  fairs.  Mr.  Warner  has  been  justice  of 
the  peace  in  Pomfret,  notary  public,  and  twice  assessor  of  the 
town. 

Calvin  M.  Brooks  is  a  native  of  Worcester  county,  Mass.,  and 
is  now  fifty-eight  years  of  age.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Yale  College, 
and  studied  law  in  Worcester,  Mass.,  where  he  also  practiced  for 
a  considerable  time.  He  also  practiced  law  in  Boston,  Mass.,  in 
the  city  of  New  York,  and  as  counsel  for  the  Russian  legation  at 
Washington,  D.  C.  For  several  years  he  resided  at  Eastford,  in 
this  county,  but  has  since  removed  to  Hartford,  Conn. 


156  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Albert  McClellan  Mathewson  was  born  in  Woodstock  October 
19th,  1860,  and  spent  his  early  boyhood  with  his  parents  on  a 
farm  near  Roseland  Park.  He  attended  Woodstock  Academy 
from  the  spring  of  1870  until  the  close  of  the  year  1877,  when 
he  began  teaching  school  in  the  same  town.  In  the  fall  of  1882 
he  began  a  course  in  the  Law  Department  of  Yale  University, 
and  graduated  with  the  class  of  1884.  He  began  the  practice  of 
law  in  Putnam,  October  19th,  1884,  and  remained  there  until 
July  1st,  1888,  when  he  removed  to  New  Haven,  where  he  is 
now  practicing  his  profession.  He  was  married  June  13th,  1888, 
to  Mary  E.  Foster.  He  is  a  descendant  of  the  renowned  revolu- 
tionary characters,  Jonathan  Trumbull  (Brother  Jonathan)  and 
William  Williams,  signer  of  the  declaration  of  independence. 
His  father  is  William  Williams  Mathewson,  and  his  mother's 
maiden  name  was  Harriet  Augusta  Warner. 

Andrew  Jackson  Bowen  was  born  in  what  is  now  the  town  of 
Eastford,  but  was  then  a  part  of  the  town  of  Ashford,  April  16th, 
1845.  His  ancestors  came  to  this  country  in  1640,  and  settled  in 
the  town  of  Swansea,  Mass.,  which  they  named  after  the  town 
in  Wales  from  which  they  had  come.  His  father,  Oliver  Bowen, 
was  an  active  business  man,  having  been  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  shoes  previous  to  1837,  but  was  afterward  engaged  in 
mercantile  pursuits  and  farming.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  familiar  with  the  latter  occupation,  and  practiced  therein 
during  his  boyhood.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the  com- 
mon school,  with  some  additional  instruction  in  a  private  school, 
after  which  he  engaged  in  teaching  for  a  few  terms.  He  was 
married  December  4th,  1867,  to  Hannah  R.,  youngest  daughter 
of  J.  K.  Rindge,  Esq.,  of  Hampton,  and  they  have  had  three 
children,  Bessie,  Clarence  and  Ernest.  At  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  he  engaged  in  trade,  and  continued  it  for  a  period  of  twelve 
years  with  satisfactory  results,  his  field  of  operation  being  in 
his  native  town.  While  thus  engaged  he  held  the  office  of  post- 
master for  five  years.  He  also  held  local  offices,  was  director  in 
a  savings  bank,  and  represented  his  town  in  the  state  legislature, 
serving  on  the  committee  on  corporations.  He  studied  law 
about  four  years,  part  of  the  time  with  Judge  Richmond,  of  Ash- 
ford, and  was  admitted  to  the  Windham  county  bar  in  May,  1881. 
A  short  time  before  that  he  removed  to  Willimantic,  and  soon 
after  opened  a  law  office,  engaging  at  the  same  time  in  the  fire 
insurance  business.     He  has  been  an  efficient  officer  of  the  Con- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  157 

necticut  Humane  Society,  and  has  also  had  more  than  the  usual 
business  of  a  trial  justice.  Although  named  in  honor  of  a  dis- 
tinguished democratic  president,  he  cast  his  lot  with  the  repub- 
lican party  by  voting  for  U.  S.  Grant  in  1868,  and  in  the  pres- 
idential campaign  of  1888  took  the  stump  for  Harrison  and  pro- 
tection. Since  1865  he  has  been  an  active  member  of  the  Con- 
gregational church. 

John  Lathrop  Hunter  was  born  at  Gardiner,  Maine,  March  13th, 
1834.  He  was  the  oldest  son  of  John  P.  and  Mary  A.  (Stone) 
Hunter,  his  mother  being  the  daughter  of  Colonel  John  Stone, 
of  the  pioneer  stock  of  Maine,  and  one  of  the  early  temperance 
reformers  of  that  state.  Young  Hunter  in  his  youth  attended 
Gardiner  and  Wicasset  Academies,  entered  Bowdoin  College  in 
1851,  and  graduated  there  in  1855.  He  studied  law  in  Gardiner 
with  Charles  Danforth,  now  a  judge  of  the  supreme  court  of 
that  state,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Kennebec  county  bar  in  1859. 
He  commenced  to  practice  law  in  his  native  town,  and  also 
edited  the  Augusta  A^-e  for  a  while.  He  began  the  practice  of 
law  in  Willimantic  in  1871,  and  has  since  been  practicing  here. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Connecticut  legislature  in  1879. 

George  A.  Conant  was  born  at  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  June  27th,  1856. 
He  was  the  only  son  of  Albert  A.  and  Amanda  M.  (Cullender) 
Conant.  He  graduated  from  the  Natchaug  High  School  in 
1874,  and  soon  after  entered  Amherst  College,  where  he  grad- 
uated in  1878.  In  1 879  he  attended  the  Boston  University  Law 
School.  He  studied  law  with  John  M.  Hall,  of  Willimantic, 
and  became  a  member  of  the  Windham  county  bar  in  1880. 

Arthur  G.  Bill  was  born  in  Chaplin  May  29th,  1856.  He 
attended  district  schools  in  that  town  until  1867,  when  he  en- 
tered Natchaug  High  School  at  Willimantic,  and  afterward 
attended  Woodstock  Academy  and  Danielsonville  High  School. 
He  graduated  from  the  latter  in  1874,  and  in  the  fall  of  the  same 
year  entered  the  law  office  of  the  late  Edward  L.  Cundall.  After 
remaining  with  him  for  a  year,  he  entered  the  Yale  Law  School 
and  graduated  from  there  in  1877.  Immediately  after  that  he 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  New  Haven.  He  then  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  law,  being  associated  with  Mr.  Cundall.  In  1882 
they  also  engaged  in  the  insurance  business,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Cundall  &  Bill.  Since  the  death  of  Mr.  Cundall,  in  Oc- 
tober, 1885,  Mr.  Bill  has  succeeded  to  the  law  and  insurance  bus- 
iness of  the  firm.     In  June,  1886,  he  was  appointed  coroner  for 


158  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

this  county,  ^vhich  office  he  still  holds.  In  November,  1886,  he 
was  elected  judge  of  probate  for  the  district  of  Killingly,  and 
in  November,  1888,  was  re-elected  to  that  office.  He  is  also 
largely  interested  in  Western  mortgage  loans  as  agent  for  the 
celebrated  Lombard  Investment  Company,  of  Boston,  Mass.  He 
was  married  to  Miss  Lillian  E.  Chase,  of  Danielsonville,  August 
11th,  1880,  and  now  has  two  daughters,  aged  respectiYcly  five 
and  two  years. 

Gilbert  Wheeler  Phillips  was  born  in  Woodstock,  Connecticut, 
July  22d,  1828.  His  educational  opportunities  were  such  as  were 
afforded  at  the  common  schools  and  in  the  academy  of  his  na- 
tive town,  supplemented  by  a  coiirse  of  instruction  at  the  academy 
in  Dudley,  Massachusetts. 

Determining  upon  the  study  of  law,  he  became  a  student  in 
the  office  of  George  S.  F.  Stoddard  of  Woodstock,  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  1852,  and  at  once  began  professional  work,  laboring 
therein  with  an  enthusiasm  that  never  abated  as  long  as  health 
and  strength  remained.  The  career  of  Mr.  Phillips  was  most 
successful  and  honorable,  and  his  life  in  its  many  phases  com- 
manded from  the  beginning  the  respect  and  confidence  of  those 
with  whom  he  was  brought  into  business  or  social  relations.  He 
was  an  astute  lawyer,  a  keen  observer  of  men  and  things,  usually 
correct  in  his  judgment  of  character  and  motive,  and  admirable 
in  the  preparation  and  presentation  of  a  case.  His  arguments 
were  logical  and  his  delivery  earnest  and  impressive.  He  fully 
realized  both  the  weak  and  strong  points  in  his  case,  and  his 
conclusion  as  to  the  probable  effect  of  certain  evidence  upon 
the  minds  of  the  jury  was  often  surprising  in  its  accuracy.  He 
studied  his  case  before  he  tried  it,  and  understood  it  thoroughly 
when  he  entered  the  court  room.  His  clients  were  numerous 
and  the  strain  of  his  work  often  severe.  For  many  years  he  was 
the  attorney  of  the  New  York  &  New  England  Railroad  Com- 
pany, and  conducted  for  them  a  large  number  of  cases.  He  was 
an  honest  lawyer,  above  all  mean  and  unworthy  expedients,  and 
most  courteous  withal. 

Mr.  Phillips  was  prominent  outside  the  sphere  of  his  pro- 
fession. He  was  assistant  clerk  of  the  Connecticut  house  of  rep- 
resentatives in  1853,  and  in  1860,  1861  and  1872  was  a  member 
of  that  body.  In  1862,  1863  and  1879  he  represented  in  the  sen- 
ate the  Fourteenth  district,  acting  as  chairman  of  the  judiciary 
committee  during  the  last  two  years  of  his  service  there  and 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  159 

president /7'<?  tcm.  in  1879.  He  was  re-elected  in  1880,  but  shortly 
-after  the  opening  of  the  session  resigned  on  account  of  the  press- 
ure of  legal  business. 

In  local  affairs  Mr.  Phillips  manifested  the  deepest  interest ; 
he  was  liberal  and  public  spirited,  ever  ready  to  aid  the  further- 
.anceof  any  object  promotive  of  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the 
town  ;  he  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Putnam  and  until  the  very  last  its  president.  He  was  also  one 
•of  the  corporators  and  trustees  of  the  Putnam  Savings  Bank. 

In  all  the  relations  of  private  life  his  bearing  was  such  as  to 
win  the  respect  of  all  with  whom  he  had  intercourse.  He  was 
a  most  affectionate  husband  and  father,  devoted  to  his  home  and 
family,  never  so  happy  as  when  under- his  own  roof  with  those 
he  loved  about  him.  He  was  a  kind  neighbor  and  a  warm  and 
■constant  friend. 

Mr.  Phillips  for  many  years  prior  to  his  decease  was  a  con- 
sistent member  of  the  Congregational  church  in  Putnam  and 
■one  of  its  most  active  and  liberal  supporters.  His  pastor  thus 
refers  to  the  religious  side  of  his  character  and  his  life: — "  He 
saw  into  and  sensed  the  divineness  of  life  and  of  eternal  things 
and  opened  up  the  Godward  side  of  his  nature  to  them,  and 
while  he  gave  himself  to  a  proper  worldliness  he  joined  with  it 
attention  to  and  prosecution  of  that  other-worldliness  which 
rounds  our  experience  and  makes  us,  as  we  ought  to  be,  men  of 
time  and  men  of  eternity." 

Mr.  Phillips  married  on  the  30th  of  March,  1852,  Jane,  daugh- 
ter of  Lieutenant-Governor  Ebenezer  Stoddard,  of  West  Wood- 
stock, Conn.  Two  sons,  Gilbert  Wheeler,  Jr.,  and  John  Cleve- 
land, survive.  A  daughter,  Genevieve  E.,  is  deceased.  The  death 
of  Mr.  Phillips  occurred  October  24th,  1888. 

Randolph  Henry  Chandler  was  the  only  son  of  William  H. 
and  Martha  H.  (Allen)  Chandler.  He  was  born  at  Thompson, 
January  11th,  1853.  He  entered  Phillips  Academy,  of  Andover, 
Mass.,  at  an  early  age,  and  was  also  a  student  in  Highland  Mil- 
itary Academy,  of  Worcester,  Mass.  He  studied  law  with  Hon- 
orable Charles  E.  Searls,  of  Putnam,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
Windham  county  bar  in  1879.  He  commenced  the  practice  of 
law  in  Putnam  during  the  same  year,  and  in  that  field  of  labor 
he  still  continues.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Connecticut  house 
•of  representatives  in  1879-80,  and  has  held  various  town  offices. 
The  maiden  name  of  his  wife  was  Isadore  E.  Aldrich. 


160  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Eric  H.  Johnson  was  born  in  Putnam,  September  2d,  1855. 
His  early  education  was  obtained  in  the  common  schools,  and  he 
entered  Woodstock  Academy  in  1871,  and  there  prepared  for 
college.  From  there  he  entered  Yale  College,  where  he  gradu- 
ated in  1877.  He  then  taught  school  three  years  in  Putnam,  and 
one  year  at  Orange,  N.  J.  He  then  took  a  course  in  Harvard 
Law  School,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Windham  county  in 
1882.     He  is  now  practicing  law  in  Putnam. 

Charles  E.  Searls  was  born  March  25th,  1846.  The  Searls 
family  originally  came  from  Dorchester,  England,  and  settled  in 
Dorchester,  Massachusetts.  Salter  Searls,  the  first  to  locate  in 
Windham  county,  where  he  engaged  in  farming,  had  eight  sons,, 
among  whom  was  Bela,  the  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this 
biographical  sketch.  He  married  Hannah  Walcott.  But  two  of 
his  children,  Edwin  C.  and  Henry,  grew  to  mature  years.  The 
former  of  these,  Edwin  C,  was  born  in  1815,  in  Chaplin,  Con- 
necticut, and  died  October  3d,  1857.  His  early  career  as  a  mer- 
chant was  familiar  to  many  residents  of  Pomfret,  whence  he  re- 
moved to  New  York  city  and  established  himself  as  a  broken 
He  married  Caroline  Mathewson,  of  Pomfret.  Their  only  son, 
Charles  Edwin  Searls,  was  born  in  Pomfret,  and  in  childhood 
removed  to  Brooklyn,  New  York,  where  his  early  years  were 
passed.  In  the  spring  of  1858  the  town  of  Thompson  became 
his  home,  and  at  this  point  he  has  since  resided.  His  education 
was  received  first  at  private  schools  in  the  city  of  Brooklyn,  and 
later  at  the  Thompson  Academy,  from  which  he  entered  Yale 
University  in  1864,  and  was  graduated  from  that  institution  in 
the  class  of  1868.  He  then  began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office 
of  Honorable  Gilbert  W.  Phillips,  of  Putnam,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  of  Connecticut  in  1870.  Mr.  Searls  at  once  opened  an 
office  in  Putnam,  where  he  has  since  continued  in  the  active  prac- 
tice of  his  profession.  He  very  early  in  his  career  took  a  lead- 
ing place  among  the  attorneys  of  the  county,  is  employed  in  its 
most  important  litigation,  and  represents  in  a  professional  ca- 
pacity nearly  all  the  large  corporations  of  the  vicinity.  Mr.  Searls. 
actively  interests  himself  in  matters  connected  with  his  town. 
As  a  republican  he  was  made  town  clerk  of  Thompson  in  1869, 
has  been  for  years  and  is  still  justice  of  the  peace,  and  was  in 
1871  elected  to  the  Connecticut  house  of  representatives.  In 
1881-82  he  filled  the  office  of  secretary  of  state.  He  was  re- 
elected to  the  legislature  in  1886,  and  was  during  that  session  a 


^''KPreston^  C'VT 


t^^ 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  161 

candidate  for  speaker  of  the  house  of  representatives.  Mr. 
Searls  is  still  much  absorbed  in  a  large  and  increasing  law 
practice. 

Samuel  H.  Seward  was  born  in  Guilford,  Conn.,  April  16th, 
1835,  being  the  eldest  son  of  Samuel  L.  and  Huldah  M.  (Sanford) 
Seward.  In  early  life  he  attended  the  common  school,  also  a 
private  school  in  his  native  town,  studied  law  with  Hon.  Ralph 
D.  Smith,  of  Guilford,  and  was  admitted  to  the  New  Haven 
county  bar  in  November,  1869.  He  was  engaged  in  buvsiness  at 
Waterbury,  Conn.,  for  three  years,  and  for  three  years  more 
was  postmaster  at  Guilford.  He  commenced  to  practice  law  at 
Stafford  Springs,  and  remained  there  until  1873,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Putnam,  where  he  has  since  engaged  in  that  profes- 
sion. August  15th,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  Fourteenth  Connecti- 
cut regiment  as  a  private,  but  was  promoted  to  the  office  of  first 
lieutenant,  and  paymaster,  with  the  rank  of  major.  He  lost  one 
of  his  arms  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  July  9th,  1864.  He 
has  been  twice  married,  first  to  Martha  Smith,  of  Essex,  Conn., 
and  second  to  Sarah  Watson,  of  Beloit,  Wis.  He  has  one  son, 
Walter  L.,  who  resides  in  San  Francisco,  Cal.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  house  of  representatives  in  1880,  and  at  other  times 
has  been  clerk  of  the  courts  and  county  clerk,  and  served  on 
the  state  committee  to  erect  the  Normal  school  at  New  Britain, 
Conn. 

Edgar  M.  Warner  was  born  in  Worcester,  Mass.,  June  16th, 
1850.  He  was  the  youngest  son  of  Earl  and  Adeline  (Lester) 
Warner,  of  that  city.  After  passing  his  boyhood  in  the  com- 
mon schools,  he  attended  Bartlett  High  School,  at  New  Lon- 
don, and  studied  law  with  Hon.  Hiram  Willey,  of  that  city, 
and  with  George  Pratt,  Esq.,  of  Norwich,  He  graduated  from 
Harvard  Law  School  in  1872,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of 
New  London  county  the  same  year.  He  practiced  law  at  Nor- 
wich for  three  years,  and  then,  in  March,  1875,  located  in  Cen- 
tral Village.  In  1885  he  extended  his  practice  by  opening  an 
office  in  Putnam,  and  as  business  increased  he  subsequently  re- 
moved to  that  place.  He  served  in  the  state  legislature  as  clerk 
of  the  house  in  1877  and  1879,  and  as  clerk  of  the  senate  in 
1880.  He  married  Jennie,  the  daughter  of  Judge  John  A. 
Carpenter. 

William  G.  Buteau,  the   youngest   son    of    Henry  and   Mary 
Buteau,  was  born  at  Sprague,  Conn.,  July  9th,  1860.     He  attended 
11 


162  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

the  Mt.  Pleasant  Academy,  at  Providence,  R.  I.,  then  went  to 
the  Sorel  Classical  College,  at  Sorel,  in  the  Province  of  Quebec, 
Canada,  then  took  a  course  at  a  business  college  in  Varennes, 
in  the  same  province,  where  he  graduated  in  1880.  He  then 
attended  Joliette  Classical  College,  graduating  there  in  1884,  and 
receiving  the  degree  of  B.  A.  During  the  latter  part  of  1885  he 
commenced  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Andrew  B.  Patten, 
of  Providence,  R.  I.,  where  he  remained  one  year.  He  then  en- 
tered Yale  Law  School,  and  he  graduated  from  there  in  June, 
1887,  receiving  the  degree  of  LL.  B.  He  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  at  New  Haven,  and  commenced  the  practice  of  law  at  Put- 
nam in  August,  1887,  where  he  is  still  located. 

Ebenezer  Stoddard,  late  of  West  Woodstock,  was  a  lawyer  of 
note  and  a  citizen  of  whom  Windham  county  is  justly  proud  in 
the  preservation  of  his  memory.  He  was  born  at  Pomfret,  May 
6th,  1785,  being  the  son  and  grandson  of  men  bearing  his  own 
name.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Brown  University,  and  practiced 
law  in  Woodstock.  He  represented  this  congressional  district 
in  the  house  of  representatives  at  Washington  in  the  17th 
and  18th  congresses  of  the  United  States.  Twice  he  was  hon- 
ored as  lieutenant  governor  of  the  state,  holding  the  office  one 
year  in  1833-34,  and  three  years,  1835-38.  He  was  a  man  of 
much  influence  and  power  in  his  day.  He  died  in  August, 
1847.  He  married  Lucy  Carrol,  of  South  Woodstock,  and  they 
had  ten  children,  as  follows  :  Amelia,  married  Marcus  May,  and 
died  in  Utica,  N.  Y. ;  John  Marshall  De  Lafayette,  graduated 
from  Yale  and  died  unmarried  at  the  age  of  24 ;  Marietta  Lat- 
ma,  widow  of  Orin  Sumner,  residing  in  Boston  ;  George  Stan- 
ley Faber,  born  June  2d,  1818,  practiced  law  in  Woodstock, 
and  died  there  June  9th,  1888,  having  one  son,  George  De  Bar- 
stow,  a  resident  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  Charles,  who  left  no  fam- 
ily ;  Lucy,  who  died  at  the  age  of  20 ;  Ebenezer,  who  died  in 
West  Woodstock,  leavmg  one  son,  Charles,  a  resident  of  Min- 
nesota ;  Henry,  who  died  at  Springfield,  Mass.,  leaving  a  son, 
John  E.,  and  a  daughter,  Florence  W.,  wife  of  George  Miller,  of 
Springfield  ;  Jane,  widow  of  Gilbert  W.  Phillips,  of  Putnam  ; 
and  Seth,  who  died  at  Putnam,  aged  54  years. 

Louis  Baker  Cleveland,  of  Putnam,  was  born  in  Brooklyn, 
Conn.,  June  30th,  1855.  He  was  the  eldest  son  of  Henry  M.  and 
Mary  C.  (Welch)  Cleveland,  his  mother  being  the  eldest  daugh- 
ter of  Hon.  Jonathan   Ashley  Welch,  of  Brooklyn.     He  is  also 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  163 

grandnephew  of  Hon.  Chaunce}^  F.  Cleveland.  After  attending 
the  district  schools  he  fitted  for  college  at  the  Phillips  Academy, 
of  Andover,  Mass.,  and  entered  Columbia  Law  School  in  New 
York  city  in  1874.  He  graduated  there  in  1876,  receiving  the 
degree  of  bachelor  of  laws.  He  then  studied  law  with  Judge 
S.  T.  Holbrook,  of  Norwich,  Conn.,  for  three  months,  also  with 
Tracy  &  Catlin,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  While  with  that  firm  he  oc- 
cupied the  position  of  chief  clerk  to  General  Tracy  during  the 
famous  Tilton  and  Beecher  trial.  He  passed  his  examination 
and  was  admitted  to  the  New  York  bar  in  July,  1876.  In  the 
following  September  he  came  to  Brooklyn,  Conn.,  and  began  to 
practice  law  at  that  place,  where  he  remained  until  October, 
1888,  when  he  removed  to  Putnam,  and  is  now  located  there. 
For  several  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  examining  committee 
of  the  Windham  county  bar,  has  been  justice  of  the  peace  for 
ten  years,  and  is  a  commissioner  of  the  superior  court. 

Thomas  Eugene  Graves,  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  Windham 
county  bar  for  half  a  century,  practicing  law  for  fifty-one  years» 
was  the  son  of  John  Graves  and  Elizabeth  Peters  (daughter  of 
Governor  Peters),  and  was  born  at  Hebron,  Conn.,  May  15th, 
1814.  When  quite  a  youth  he  was  placed  under  the  care  of  a 
celebrated  Episcopal  clergyman,  who  was  his  tutor  for  several 
years.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  entered  Trinity  College,  with- 
out any  conditions,  but  with  special  honors  in  Latin  and  Greek, 
which  he  held.  He  graduated  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  at  the 
head  of  his  class.  He  then  devoted  three  years  to  the  study  of 
law,  in  the  office  of  Judge  Waldo,  in  Tolland,  who  was  then  one 
of  the  leading  lawyers  of  the  country.  Mr.  Graves  passed  an 
especially  good  examination,  a  rival  of  Judge  Waldo,  hoping 
to  impeach  the  qualification  of  his  student,  subjecting  him  to  a 
severe  examination  for  three  hours,  but  was  at  last  obliged  to 
confess  that  young  Graves  was  the  best  prepared  man  who  had 
ever  applied  for  admittance  to  the  bar.  In  1837  he  opened  an 
office  in  the  town  of  Thompson,  and  had  a  general  law  practice 
in  this  and  New  London  counties  for  several  years.  In  1854,  or 
about  that  time,  he  was  employed  in  the  organization  and  con- 
struction of  the  Boston,  Hartford  &  Erie  railroad.  This  was 
formed  in  part  by  the  purchase  of  the  franchises  of  several  rail- 
roads chartered  by  the  states  of  New  York,  Connecticut,  Rhode 
Island  and  Massachusetts.  The  charters  for  the  new  corpora- 
tion were  compiled,  written  and  procured  in  each  of  these  states 


164  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

by  Mr.  Graves,  who  appeared  before  the  legislatures  and  ob- 
tained the  charters  in  the  face  of  great  opposition  from  rival 
railroad  interests.  The  land  claims  for  hundreds  of  miles  were 
separately  examined  and  settled  by  Mr.  Graves,  and  the  many 
leases,  involving  intricate  questions  of  law  and  financial  bearings, 
called  for  by  the  union  of  several  roads  operated  under  this 
company,  were  all  prepared  by  him.  Until  1878  his  professional 
labors  were  given  almost  entirely  to  this  railroad,  and  his  pres- 
ence was  a  familiar  one  at  the  capitals  of  the  four  states  men- 
tioned. The  requirements  of  this  practice  led  him  to  remove 
his  residence  to  West  Newton,  Mass.,  and  later  to  Beacon  street, 
Boston,  where  he  resided  until  a  few  years  since,  when  he  re- 
turned to  Windham  county  to  spend  the  remainder  of  his  days 
in  the  enjoyment  of  the  fruits  of  his  hard  labors. 

Mr.  Graves  entered  upon  his  professional  life  when  there  were 
but  few  reported  decisions  of  cases,  and  opinions  or  questions  of 
law  were  given  upon  the  interpretation  and  application  of  legal 
principles  laid  down  in  a  few  text  books,  as  understood  by  the 
advocate  or  adviser.  He  was  a  hard  and  close  student  of  such 
books  as  could  then  be  obtained,  and  in  the  course  of  time  sur- 
rounded himself  with  the  finest  private  law  library  in  the  state, 
while  the  many  marks  upon  the  books  still  bear  witness  to  his 
frequent  and  incessant  labor  among  them.  He  aimed  to  possess 
every  book  published  bearing  upon  the  particular  department 
of  law  which  was  his  specialty,  and  to  be  thus  prepared  to  refer 
to  an  authority  for  any  position  taken  by  him  in  the  line  of  his 
daily  work.  He  was  associated  in  the  trial  of  celebrated  railroad 
cases  with  such  men  as  Rufus  Choate,  General  B.  F.  Butler, 
Charles  O'Conner,  and  others,  and  proved  himself  their  peer  in 
legal  knowledge.  For  private  clients  he  had  such  men  as  Com- 
modore Vanderbilt,  Daniel  Drew  and  Jay  Gould,  all  of  whom 
employed  him  upon  railroad  matters,  recognizing  him  as  an  au- 
thority in  that  line  of  subjects.  He  refused  offers  to  act  as  at- 
torney for  several  large  railroads,  preferring  to  remain  with  the 
railroad  with  which  he  was  so  early  and  extensively  identified. 
Hon.  Oakes  Ames  and  Sidney  Dillon  offered  him  the  position  of 
attorney  for  what  is  now  the  Great  Pacific  railroad. 

Mr.  Graves  was  a  man  of  large  patriotism,  and  during  the  late 
war  personally  secured  the  services  of  over  one  hundred  and 
fifty  men  for  the  army,  paying  freely  from  his  own  pocket  large 
sums  to  help  the  Union  cause.     Although  never  holding  an  of- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY,  165 

fice,  he  was  a  staunch  whig-  and  republican,  and  an  acknowledged 
leader  in  the  party.  In  his  younger  days  he  delivered  many 
temperance  addresses,  often  in  association  with  his  friend,  John 
B.  Gough,  The  village  improvement  which  has  given  so  much 
attractiveness  to  the  beautiful  town  of  Thompson  is  a  monument 
to  his  generosity  and  enthusiasm  in  the  public  behalf.  The 
public  green  in  the  center  of  the  village  was  cleared  of  rubbish 
and  unsightly  objects  and  planted  with  noble  shade  trees  mainly 
through  his  personal  efforts  and  generous  contributions  for  the 
enjoyment  of  coming  generations,  who  will  in  gratitude  associate 
his  name  with  the  beautiful  park,  whose  green  carpet  and  de- 
lightful shade  they  annually  enjoy. 

After  he  gave  up  his  railroad  business,  intending  to  retire,  his 
old  love  for  practice  before  judge  and  jury  led  him  to  appear 
once  more  in  the  well  known  court  house  at  Brooklyn.  As  soon 
as  it  was  known  that  he  was  accessible  to  clients  so  much  busi- 
ness rushed  upon  him  that  his  name  almost  monopolized  the 
court  docket,  appearing,  it  is  said,  in  over  two  hundred  cases  at 
one  session.  He  was  naturally  genial,  affable,  and  accommoda- 
ting, and  full  of  fun,  repartee  and  anecdotes  of  his  early  life, 
even  after  fifty  years  of  active  professional  labors.  He  died  in 
January,  1888,  having  been  in  court  only  a  few  weeks  previous. 
He  had  set  his  house  in  order,  and  died  peacefully  and  without 
apparent  disease,  passing  away  as  though  he  had  simply  fallen 
asleep. 

George  Stanley  Faber  Stoddard,  named  in  honor  of  the  Bible 
commentator  of  that  time,  was  the  fourth  child  of  Honorable 
Ebenezer  Stoddard,  and  was  born  at  West  Woodstock,  June  2d, 
1818.  He  received  a  thorough  education  at  the  academies  of 
Woodstock,  Conn.,  and  Dudley,  Mass.,  after  which  he  studied 
law  with  his  father  and  was  admitted  to  the  Windham  county 
bar  about  1840.  Previous  to  this  date  he  was  commissioned  as 
colonel  of  his  regiment  in  the  militia,  while  yet  a  youth  of 
eighteen  years,  and  from  that  time  on  he  was  known  by  that 
title.  His  accomplishments  as  an  equestrian,  for  which  he  was 
noted,  helped  to  gain  him  that  position  and  still  further  qualified 
him  to  grace  it.  After  being  admitted  to  the  bar  he  settled  in 
South  Woodstock,  and  there  spent  his  life  in  the  practice  of  law. 
He  was  several  times  elected  to  the  legislature,  held  the  office  of 
judge  of  probate,  and  at  different  times  most  of  the  important 
offices  of  the  town.     He  was  a  modest,  unpretentious  man,  very 


166  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

fond  of  his  home,  and  unambitious  of  political  preferment.  His 
standing  at  the  bar  was  high,  and  his  superior  abilities  as  a  clear 
and  logical  advocate  were  acknowledged  by  all  the  circle  of  his 
professional  acquaintances.  He  was  a  kind-hearted  and  genial 
man  in  his  social  character,  and  endeared  himself  to  all  with 
whom  he  came  in  contact.  He  was  stricken  with  apoplexy  and 
after  lingering  three  or  four  days,  died  June  9th,  1888.  He  mar- 
ried first,  Mary  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Spaulding  Barstow,  of 
South  Woodstock,  who  died  about  two  years  later,  leaving  an  in- 
fant son,  who  is  still  living,  and  now  resides  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
After  her  death  he  married  Sara  Sumner,  eldest  daughter  of  the 
same  Spaulding  Barstow,  who  survives  him. 

John  M.  Hall,  one  of  the  busiest  members  of  the  legal  frater- 
nity of  Windham  county,  is  a  native  of  Willimantic,  where  he 
was  born  in  October,  1841.  After  the  usual  discipline  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  village,  he  attended  the  Williston  Seminary, 
at  East  Hampton,  Mass.,  where  he  graduated  in  1862,  and  he 
then  entered  Yale  College  and  graduated  there  in  1866.  He  then 
began  the  study  of  law  in  a  prominent  law  office  in  New  York 
city,  at  the  same  time  taking  a  regular  course  at  the  Columbia 
College  Law  School.  In  1868  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  in 
the  spring  of  1869  began  to  practice  law  in  Willimantic,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  He  married  Julia,  daughter  of  Silas  F. 
Loomer,  and  has  three  children,  one  son  and  two  daughters.  So- 
cially he  is  a  man  of  considerable  reserve,  but  professionally 
stands  among  the  foremost,  and  is  recognized  as  an  exceptionally 
brilliant  and  able  lawyer.  He  has  held  many  offices  of  honor  and 
trust  in  his  town  and  among  his  society  brethren.  Among  such 
have  been  the  offices  of  registrar  of  voters,  acting  school  visitor, 
justice  of  the  peace,  clerk  of  the  court  of  probate,  director  of  the 
Dime  Savings  Bank,  delegate  to  the  national  republican  conven- 
tion of  1876,  etc.  His  legislative  experience  covers  a  wider  field, 
perhaps,  than  that  of  any  other  man  of  his  age  in  the  state.  He 
was  a  representative  from  his  town  in  the  house  in  1870,  '71,  '72, 
'81 ,  and  '82,  and  in  the  latter  year  was  speaker  of  the  house.  During 
these  sessions  he  was  a  member  of  the  committee  on  fisheries, 
contested  elections,  constitutional  amendments,  railroads  (of  all 
of  which  he  was  chairman),  judiciary  (twice),  establishment  of 
senatorial  districts,  and  in  1871  was  one  of  the  joint  select  com- 
mittee which  canvassed  the  vote  for  governor  and  other  state 
officers,  in  view  of  alleged  election  frauds  in   New  Haven,  and 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  167 

upon  the  strength  of  whose  report  the  general  assembly  declared 
the  Hon.  Marshall  Jewell  governor  of  the  state. 

James  Hopkins  Potter,  the  youngest  but  two  of  eleven  children 
of  Stephen  H.  and  Esther  (Burgess)  Potter,  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Sempronius,  Cayuga  county,  N.  Y.,  July  17th,  1833,  his  birth- 
place being  a  log  cabin.  At  that  time  the  country  in  that  section 
was- new,  and  the  homes  of  the  settlers  were  primitive  dwellings. 
The  ancCvStry  of  Mr.  Potter  have  for  many  generations  been  con- 
spicuous in  the  state  of  Rhode  Island.  During  the  first  year  of 
his  life  his  parents  removed  from  New  York  state  to  the  town  of 
Killingly,  in  this  county,  where  the  children  had  the  benefit  of 
the  district  schools  until  they  were  old  enough  to  be  employed 
in  cotton  mills.  Long  days  of  labor  throughout  the  year,  with 
holidays  few  and  far  between,  made  up  the  youthful  days  of  Mr. 
Potter.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  graduated  from  this  work  "  in 
the  mill,"  to  a  position  in  a  store,  which  continued  about  five 
years.  His  district  school  education  was  supplemented  by  five 
terms  in  the  West  Killingly  Academy,  where  he  distinguished 
himself  by  obtaining  the  highest  prize  for  English  composition. 
He  paid  his  way  while  attending  the  academy  with  money  earned 
by  teaching  in  the  district  schools  of  Killingly,  and  later  followed 
the  profession  of  teaching  for  about  fourteen  years,  with  much 
success,  being  thus  engaged  about  twelve  years  in  New  Jersey. 
During  this  time  he  took  up  the  study  of  law,  and  upon  retiring 
from  school  work  entered  the  law  office  of  Hon,  E.  M.  White,  in 
the  city  of  Dover,  N.  J.  There  he  actively  engaged  in  the  prac- 
tice of  law  about  two  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Killingly, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  this  county  and  state  in  1875. 
Since  that  time  he  has  practiced  at  Danielsonville. 

In  1861  Mr.  Potter  married  the  only  daughter  of  the  late  Cap- 
tain Erastus  Short,  of  Killingly.  During  most  of  his  life  since 
arriving  at  the  age  of  manhood,  Mr.  Potter  has  held  some  town 
office  in  Killingly,  and  in  1862  he  represented  the  town  in  the 
legislature. 

George  Earned,  son  of  General  Daniel  and  Rebekah  (Wilkin- 
son) Earned,  was  born  in  Thompson  March  13th,  1776.  He  grad- 
uated at  Brown  University  in  1792,  studied  law  in  Canterbury 
and  Eitchfield,  and  established  himself  in  practice  in  Herkimer 
county,  N.  Y.  Here  business  opened  to  him  with  brilliant  pros- 
pects 6i  success,  but  the  death  of  his  father  made  circumstances 
urge  his  removal  to  Thompson.     Here  he  opened  a  law  office  in 


168  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

or  about  the  year  1800,  being  the  first  lawyer  to  locate  in  the 
town.  He  soon  became  very  popular  and  was  an  effective  pleader. 
He  was  known  especially  as  the  "  honest  lawyer."  He  was  twice 
married  and  had  ten  children.  His  first  wife  was  Anna  Dorinda 
Brown,  and  his  second  wife  was  Anna  Spalding  Gay.  He  died 
June  11th,  1858. 

Simon  Davis,  son  of  Captain  Simon  and  Zorinah  (Knight) 
Davis,  was  born  in  Thompson  August  1st,  1781.  He  practiced 
law  in  Thompson,  also  served  as  paymaster  and  pension  agent. 
He  was  a  man  of  exceedingly  courteous  manners  and  sound 
judgment.  He  was  very  widely  known  and  respected.  He  was 
married  three  times — first  to  Rebekah  Larned,  second  to  Harriet 
Ketcham,  and  third  to  Hannah  Ary,  He  had  seven  children. 
His  death  took  place  April  21st,  1850. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


THE    MEDICAL   FRATERNITY. 


The  first  Physicians  in  the  different  Towns.— Their  influence  on  Society.— Later 
Practitioners.— Conspicuous  Members. — Jonathan  Huntington. — Albigence 
Waldo.— Samuel  Lee.— Benjamin  Hubbard.— Elisha  Perkins.— After  the 
Revolution.— Raising  the  Professional  Standard. — Glimpses  of  the  Physicians 
practicing  in  the  early  years  of  the  Century.— The  County  Medical  Society.— 
LewisWilliams.— Justin  Hammond.— Samuel  Hutchins.— Charles  H.  Rogers. 
—Ernest  D.  Kimball.— Frank  E.  Guild.— Chester  Hunt.— David  C.  Card.— E. 
D.  Card.— Eliphalet  Huntington. — Charles  James  Fox.— Theodore  R.  Parker — 
Samuel  David. — Oliver  B.  Griggs.— Dewitt  C.  Lathrop. — Francis  X.  Barolet. — 
Gardner  L.  Miller. — Frederic  A.  Morrell. — Omer  La  Rue. — Daniel  B.  Plimpton. 
— Lowell  Holbrook.— Ichabod  L.  Bradley. — Louis  Oude  Morasse.— William 
Richardson. — Levi  A.  Bliss.— Frederick  G.  Sawtelle.— Seth  Rogers.— John  B. 
Kent. — Elisha  K.  Robbins. — S.  P.  Ladd. — F.  S.  Burgess. — Nathaniel  Hibbard. 
— Henry  L.  Hammond. — Harvey  L.  Converse. — James  F.  Mcintosh. — Jesse 
M.  Coburn.— S.  C.  Chase.— William  H.  Judson.— Orin  Witter,  Sr.— Orin  Wit- 
ter, Jr.— Hiram  Holt.— William  Witter. — Henry  R.  Lowe. — William  A.  Lewis. 
— Isaac  B.  Gallup. 

MANY  of  the  foremost  men  of  Windham  county,  during  all 
the  years  of  its  history,  have  been  found  among  the 
medical  fraternity.  We  regret  the  arbitrary  conditions 
■of  space  limitations  which  compel  us  to  omit  many  interesting 
details.  But  we  must  pass  over  many  honored  names  with 
but  little  more  than  their  mere  mention.  Early  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  county  we  find  the  physicians  assuming  their 
position  of  prominence  among  the  people,  receiving  their  con- 
fidence and  becoming  their  leaders  in  social,  business  and  polit- 
ical movements.  The  first  practicing  physician  regularly  estab- 
lished in  Windham  county,  of  whom  we  can  gain  any  knowledge, 
was  Jonathan  Huntington,  son  of  Joseph,  who  was  one  of  the 
first  settlers.  Doctor  Huntington  belonged  to  an  honored  fam- 
ily, and  resided  at  Windham,  practicing  during  the  early  part 
to  the  middle  of  the  last  century.  Doctor  Thomas  Moffat,  the 
first  physician  practicing  in  Killingly,  was  there  about  the  year 
1740,  and  probably  before  and  after,  but  how  long  we  are  unable 


170  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

to  state.  The  first  practicing  physician  established  in  Pomfret 
was  Doctor  Thomas  Mather,  of  Suffield,  who  purchased  land  of 
Samuel  Nightingale  and  established  himself  here  in  1788.  He 
was  one  of  the  original  members  of  the  "  United  Society  or 
Company  for  propagating  Christian  and  Useful  Knowledge,"'  or- 
ganized in  1739.  He  probably  removed  hence  at  some  time 
previous  to  1760.  Doctor  John  Hallowell  was  at  this  time  also 
practicing  in  Pomfret.  The  first  physician  in  Abington  was- 
Elisha  Lord,  who  purchased  land  "  on  the  road  from  James  In- 
galls,  inn-holder,  to  the  meeting-house,"  in  1760.  He  had  already 
married  Alethea  Ripley,  a  sister  of  Reverend  David  Ripley,  min- 
ister of  the  Abington  church.  Doctor  David  Hall,  son  of  Rev- 
erend David  Hall,  of  Sutton,  was  a  physician  in  Pomfret  about 
1760.  At  about  the  same  time  Doctor  William  Walton  was 
practicing  both  in  Pomfret  and  Killingly.  Doctor  John  Weld 
was  also  among  the  early  physicians  of  Pomfret,  but  the 
date  of  his  practice  is  unknown  to  the  writer.  Doctor 
Elisha  Perkins,  son  of  Doctor  Joseph  Perkins,  of  Newent  So- 
ciety, Norwich,  commenced  practice  in  Plainfield  about  the  year 
1759.  He  afterward  married  the  daughter  of  Captain  Douglass, 
and  was  eminently  successful.  At  this  time  Doctor  Edward 
Robinson  was  also  established  in  practice  in  Plainfield ;  and 
Doctor  Gideon  Welles,  who  graduated  from  Yale  College  in  1753,. 
was  practicing  in  both  Plainfield  and  Canterbury.  Doctor 
Nathan  Arnold  was  a  distinguished  and  successful  physician  in 
his  day.  He  was  the  son  of  John  Arnold,  one  of  the  early  set- 
tlers at  the  "  Ponds  "  of  original  Windham,  and  studied  medicine 
with  Doctor  Jonathan  Huntington.  Jabez  Adams,  a  son  of 
Phineas  Adams,  of  Canterbury,  was  for  many  years  a  prominent 
physician  at  Mansfield.  Doctor  Jabez  Fitch  was  a  leading  cit- 
izen and  practitioner  of  Canterbury  about  1755.  Doctor  Joshua 
Elderkin  was  practicing  in  Windham  about  this  time. 

Albigence  Waldo,  son  of  Zechariah  Waldo,  about  1760  suc- 
ceeded to  the  practice  of  Doctor  David  Hall,  who  removed  to- 
Vermont,  He  studied  for  the  profession  with  Doctor  John 
Spalding,  of  Canterbury,  and  is  said  to  have  been  a  young  man 
of  uncommon  energy  and  promise.  Doctor  vSpalding  was  a  native 
of  Canterbury,  and  established  himself  there  contemporaneously 
with  Doctor  Gideon  Welles.  The  latter  died  in  1811.  Doctor 
David  Adams  also  practiced  considerably  in  vScotland  during  the 
latter  half  of  the  last  century,  though  his  home  meanwhile  was- 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  17-t 

elsewhere.  About  1760  three  young  physicians  were  established 
in  Ashford — Doctors  Joseph  Palmer,  Nehemiah  Howe  and 
Thomas  Huntington.  Doctor  Ebenezer  Gray,  of  Boston,  settled 
in  the  medical  profession  in  Windham  about  this  time.  He  died 
in  1773.  Doctor  Jonathan  Huntington,  now  full  of  years  and 
honors  and  ripe  Christian  virtues,  died  in  1777,  after  a  life 
marked  by  "  piety  to  God  and  benevolence  to  mankind."  The 
place  made  vacant  by  the  death  of  these  two  venerable  practi- 
tioners of  the  healing  art  was  occupied  by  Doctor  Samuel  Lee, 
of  Goshen,  a  young  man  noted  for  his  herculean  strength  and 
agility  and  ardent  patriotism,  and  who  had  been  a  student  of 
Doctor  Ezekiel  Porter,  of  Wethersfield.  John  Brewster,  of  Scot- 
land, after  studying  medicine  with  Dr.  Barker,  of  Franklin,, 
married  a  daughter  of  Captain  William  Durkee,  and  settled  in 
"Windham  Village,"  now  Hampton,  and  gained  there  an  exten- 
sive practice,  being  the  first  physician  located  in  that  vicinity. 

About  the  year  1763  Doctor  Samuel  H.  Torrey,  a  young  man 
of  much  more  thorough  m.edical  training  than  was  common  at 
that  period,  established  himself  at  Killingly,  and  soon  gained  an 
extensive  practice.  He  was  a  brother  of  Joseph  Torrey,  who 
had  preceded  him  hither  from  vSouth  Kingstown,  R.  I.  The 
wife  of  Doctor  Torrey,  Anna  Gould,  of  Branford,  brought  witk 
her  four  slaves,  as  a  part  of  her  marriage  portion.  Doctor  Tor- 
rey identified  himself  with  the  various  movements  of  the  town 
and  church,  and  became  very  active  and  influential.  Doctor 
Samuel  Lee  was  one  of  the  practicing  physicians  of  Windham 
at  the  close  of  the  revolution.  He  died  in  1804,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded in  his  practice  by  his  son  Samuel,  who  had  also  been  as- 
sociated with  him  for  several  years.  The  younger  Doctor  Lee 
had  already  become  somewhat  distinguished  as  the  originator 
and  proprietor  of  "Lee's  Windham  Billions  Pills,"  one  of  the 
first  patent  medicines  that  came  before  the  public.  These  ac- 
quired so  great  a  reputation  that  it  is  said  the  lawyers  at  court 
used  to  maintain  that  a  box  of  them  carried  in  the  pocket  would 
ward  off  disease.  Doctor  Thomas  Gray  also  practiced  in  Wind- 
ham about  the  close  of  and  after  the  revolution.  Doctor  John 
Clark  was  contemporary  with  the  last  mentioned.  About  the 
beginning  of  the  present  century  he  removed  to  central  New^ 
York.  Doctor  Penuel  Cheney  was  very  active  and  useful  in 
town  and  society  matters  in  Scotland  during  the  latter  part  of 
the  last  century.     At  some  time  during  the  early  years  of  the 


172  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

present  century  he  was  succeeded  in  practice  by  Hovey,  who 
practiced  in  this  town  and  Hampton  for  several  years. 

Doctor  John  Brewster  of  Hampton  was  widely  known  about 
the  year  1790,  and  perhaps  for  a  quarter  of  a  century  after  that 
date.  Joseph  Baker  was  a  physician  in  Brooklyn  about  1790. 
Doctor  Elisha  Lord  was  practicing  in  Abington  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  last  century.  Doctor  Jared  Warner  was  cotemporary 
with  him.  Doctor  Jonathan  Hall  was  at  the  same  time  settled 
in  Pomfret  and  in  the  early  years  of  his  practice  gave  promise 
-of  future  eminence.  He  was  held  in  high  repute  at  home  and 
.abroad,  both  professionally  and  socially,  and  his  children,  as 
they  came  upon  the  stage  of  action,  were  shining  ornaments  of 
that  polite  and  refined  society  which  distinguished  Pomfret  at 
that  day.     He  died  about  the  year  1830. 

Perhaps  one  of  the  most  active  and  conspicuous  members  of 
the  medical  profession  of  Windham  county  a  century  ago  was 
Doctor  Albigence  Waldo.  He  was  a  surgeon  in  the  army  dur- 
ing the  revolution,  and  after  its  close  returned  to  practice  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  county.  He  was  a  man  of  much  breadth 
and  energy,  devoted  to  his  profession  and  greatly  interested  in 
scientific  questions  and  discoveries.  He  was  interested  in  the 
.association  of  medical  men,  and  through  his  efforts  in  this  direc- 
tion the  movements  were  set  on  foot  which  led  to  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Medical  Society  which  exists  at  the  present  day  with 
so  much  vigor  and  usefulness.  He  was  also  one  of  the  organizers 
of  the  State  Medical  Society  in  1792.  Doctor  Waldo  was  famed 
for  literary  accomplishments,  and  wrote  much  upon  scientific 
and  political  questions.  He  excelled  in  public  speaking,  especi- 
ally upon  funeral  occasions.  His  eulogies  at  the  burial  of  Put- 
nam and  other  prominent  persons  were  greatly  admired,  as  were 
also  the  eulogies  and  epitaphs  composed  by  him  on  various  oc- 
casions. He  was  born  February  27th,  1750,  and  died  January 
29th,  1794.  Passing  away  in  the  prime  of  life  and  height  of 
professional  eminence,  he  was  greatly  mourned  "  as  a  man  en- 
dowed by  the  God  of  nature  with  the  most  brilliant  and  distin- 
guished abilities,  and  with  a  heart  susceptible  of  all  those  amiable 
and  benevolent  virtues  which  adorn  the  human  breast."  He  left 
many  scientific  and  medical  treatises  which  it  was  hoped  "would 
.afford  great  light  and  benefit  to  future  ages."  He  was  buried 
with  Masonic  honors,  and  his  fellow  Masons  of  Moriah  Lodge 
•erected  a  monument  to  his  memory,  on  which  they  declare  of 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  173" 

him,  "  His  name  was  Charity  ;  His  actions  Humanity  ;  His  inter- 
course with  men  Benevolence  and  Love." 

Doctor  Darius  Hutchins  succeeded  to  the  practice  of  Doctor 
Lord  in  Abington  in  the  early  years  of  the  present  century.  To- 
his  practice  he  also  added  a  store  after  a  few  years.  Doctor 
Thomas  Hubbard,  a  son  of  Benjamin  Hubbard,  a  young  man 
yet  under  age,  one  of  the  pupils  of  Doctor  Waldo,  succeeded  to 
the  practice  of  that  eminent  physician.  He  had  made  such  pro- 
ficiency in  medical  studies  and  had  such  natural  aptitude  for  the- 
profession  as  to  fill  the  position  with  great  credit  and  usefulness,, 
and  gain  in  time  a  reputation  even  surpassing  that  of  his  pre- 
decessor. In  later  years  his  surgical  skill  became  widely  noted, 
attracting  many  students,  who  accompanied  him  on  horseback 
on  his  daily  rounds,  striving  to  keep  pace  with  his  swiftly  run- 
ning sulky,  and  thinking  themselves  most  favored  if  they  could 
ride  a  few  moments  by  his  side  and  catch  his  oracular  opinions 
or  enjoy  his  humorous  anecdotes. 

Doctor  Huntington,  of  Westford,  already  noticed,  was  succeed- 
ed in  the  latter  part  of  the  last  century,  by  a  relative  of  his.  Doc- 
tor Andrew  Huntington,  of  Griswold.  About  the  beginning 
of  the  present  century  Doctor  Nehemiah  Howe  attended  to  his 
patients  and  took  a  prominent  part  in  town  management  in  Ash- 
ford.  He  died  in  a  good  old  age,  about  the  year  1838.  Doctor 
Joseph  Palmer  of  that  town  had  a  son  Joseph  practicing  at  the. 
same  time,  and  still  later  a  son  of  the  latter;  a  third  Doctor 
Palmer  practiced  for  a  while  in  Ashford  and  then  removed  to 
Canterbury.  Doctor  Elisha  Perkins  was  a  prominent  citizen  and 
medicine  man  in  Plainfield  during  the  latter  years  of  the  last 
century.  He  became  much  interested  in  experiments  in  mag- 
netic action  and  effects,  and  invented  instruments  called  "me- 
tallic tractors,"  which  were  widely  known  and  used.  They  were 
patented  in  this  country  and  introduced  into  Europe,  where  they 
received  the  approval  of  medical  and  scientific  men  to  a  greater 
extent  even  than  in  this  country.  In  Copenhagen  twelve  phy- 
sicians and  surgeons  instituted  a  series  of  experiments  which  re- 
sulted in  the  verdict  that  "  PerkinvSm  "  was  "  of  great  import- 
ance to  the  physician."  An  institution  was  established  in  Lon- 
don for  the  purpose  of  applying  the  "  Perkinian  "  principles  in 
the  treatment  chiefly  of  the  poor  which  was  done  without  charge. 
It  was  claimed  at  one  time  that  one  and  a  half  millions  of  cures, 
had  been  effected.     Of  Doctor  Perkins  it  was  said,  "  Few  men  in 


174  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

the  world  were  more  public  spirited,  more  hospitable,  more  free 
from  all  guile."  He  was  ever  active  in  public  matters,  the  friend 
■of  the  poor  and  a  ready  helper  of  those  who  needed  help.  The 
fate  of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Merwin,  who,  with  her  husband  and 
two  children,  died  of  yellow  fever  in  Philadelphia  in  1793,  turned 
his  experiments  in  a  new  direction  and  he  produced  an  antisep- 
tic preparation  which  he  used  as  a  preventive  of  the  disease,  but 
he  fell  a  victim  to  his  own  theories,  dying  of  yellow  fever  in 
New  York  city  in  1799,  where  for  four  weeks  he  had  been  earn- 
.•estly  engaged  in  attending  the  sick. 

Doctor  Robert  Grosvenor,  of  Pomfret,  succeeded  to  the  prac- 
tice of  Doctor  Moffat  in  Killingly,  at  some  time  between  the  close 
of  the  revolution  and  the  close  of  the  century.  After  practicing 
some  thirty  or  forty  years  he  was  assisted  and  succeeded  by  his 
son.  Doctor  William  Grosvenor.  Contemporary  with  the  elder 
Doctor  Grosvenor  was  Doctor  Josiah  Deane,  of  Killingly.  The 
first  resident  physician  in  Thompson  was  Doctor  Daniel  Knight, 
who  was  also  made,  in  1805,  the  first  postmaster  of  that  village. 
About  the  close  of  the  last  century  Doctor  Ephraim  Carroll,  of 
Thompson,  was  established  in  medical  practice  in  Woodstock. 
Doctor  Lathrop  Holmes  was  also  engaged  in  practice  and  also  in 
trade  in  that  town  About  the  same  period  Doctor  Isaac  Backus 
practiced  at  Plainfield,  a  little  later  removing  his  residence  to 
Sterling,  where  he  continued  to  pursue  his  profession.  Doctor 
Charles  Moulton  was  also  practicing  medicine  about  the  same 
time  in  Hampton. 

In  the  early  years  of  the  present  century  the  stand'ard  of  the 
medical  profession  seems  to  have  been  raised  to  a  somewhat 
higher  level.  The  old  class  of  physicians,  who  had  attended 
patients  when  nothing  of  more  importance  was  on  hand,  was 
giving  place  to  younger  men,  who  had  won  by  study  the  title 
prefixed  to  their  names,  and  devoted  themselves  to  their  profes- 
sion with  more  singleness  of  purpose.  Doctor  Andrew  Harris 
at  Canterbury  Green  and  Doctor  Elijah  Baldwin  in  South  Can- 
terbury, harmoniously  occupied  the  field,  the  former  practicing 
more  especially  with  the  knife  and  the  latter  carrying  around 
the  saddle-bags.  Doctor  Johnson  continued  his  daily  rounds 
through  Westminster  Parish.  Doctor  Hough  retained  his  dual 
office,  administering  pills  and  official  whippings  with  equal  lib- 
erality and  alacrity.  Doctor  Gideon  Welles  died  in.  1811.  Doc- 
tors Baldwin  and  Harris  continued  their  practice  for  a  consider- 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  175 

able  term  of  years.  In  1818  Doctors  Thomas  Backus,  John  Part- 
ridge and  Oliver  Howlett  were  reported  as  practicing  physicians 
in  Sterling.  At  this  time  the  list  of  physicians  practicing  in 
Woodstock  embraced  Doctors  Haviland  Morris,  Ebenezer  Bishop, 
Joseph  Seagrave,  Thomas  Morse  Daniel  Lyman,  Amasa  Carrol 
and  Amos  Carrol.  Doctor  Lyman  gave  his  attention  more  par- 
ticularly to  vsurgery.  Doctor  Thomas  Morse,  now  settled  in 
West  Woodstock,  was  noted  as  the  third  Doctor  Morse  who  had 
practiced  within  the  town.  His  grandfather.  Doctor  Parker 
Morse,  Sr.,  was  graduated  from  Harvard  College  about  1735,  and 
settled  in  East  Woodstock  immediately  after  acquiring  his  pro- 
fession, and  was  succeeded  by  his  son  of  the  same  name.  The 
grandson  maintained  the  medical  reputation  of  the  family,  and 
:served  many  years  as  clerk  of  the  County  Medical  Society.  Doc- 
tor Waldo  Hut  chins  was  at  this  time  established  in  medical 
practice  in  Brooklyn.  After  his  death,  some  fifteen  years  later, 
Doctor  James  B.  Whitcomb  engaged  in  the  practice  which  he 
left.  William  Hutchins,  of  Killingly,  and  Thomas  LIuntington, 
of  Norwich,  both  very  promising  and  spirited  young  men,  took 
the  place  of  Doctor  Ebenezer  Baker,  deceased.  A  few  years  later 
we  find  young  Doctors  Burgess  and  Cogswell  in  Plainfield,  shar- 
ing the  field  with  Doctor  Fuller.  In  vSterling  at  this  time  Doc- 
tor William  H.  Campbell  engaged  in  medical  practice,  having 
his  residence  near  the  hill,  also.  Doctor  Nathan  S.  Pike,  who  was 
widely  known  in  the  profession. 

About  1840  we  find  Doctors  John  Hill,  Jr.,  and  William  Wit- 
ter engaged  in  medical  practice  at  Willimantic.  Doctor  Orin 
Witter  had  been  practicing  many  years  in  Chaplin.  He  was  a 
prominent  man  in  society  and  town  matters,  being  the  first 
town  clerk  on  the  organization  of  the  town  in  1822.  In  Hamp- 
ton about  the  time  referred  to  Doctor  Dyer  Hughes  was  practic- 
ing medicine,  assisted  by  his  son  and  Doctor  Clark,  previously 
of  Canterbury.  Doctor  Daniel  Hovey  engaged  in  practice  in  East 
and  South  Killingly.  After  pursuing  his  calling  here  for  nearly 
half  a  century,  Doctor  Hovey  died  some  ten  years  since,  being 
at  the  time  of  his  death  the  oldest  member  of  the  County  Med- 
ical Society.  Doctor  William  Grosvenor  practiced  on  Killingly 
Hill  about  forty  years  ago.  Doctor  Hiram  Holt  practiced  in 
Pomfret  about  fifty  years.  He  was  a  native  of  Hampton,  and 
his  labors  closed  with  his  death  in  1870.  Doctors  Lewis  and 
Elisha  Williams  also  practiced  in  Pomfret.     Doctor  Alexander 


176  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Vinton  practiced  for  a  short  time  in  Abington  before  entering' 
the  church  ministry.  The  first  physicians  of  the  modern  village 
of  Putnam,  about  forty  years  ago,  were  Doctors  Hough,  Plimp- 
ton and  Perry.  Doctor  C.  H.Bromley  practiced  medicine  in  Scot- 
land for  many  years.  Doctors  Orin  Witter,  senior  and  junior, 
occupied  the  field  in  Chaplin  so  long  that  their  names  became 
household  words  among  the  people.  Doctor  Elijah  Baldwin, 
after  practicing  in  Canterbury  and  adjoining  towns  for  more 
than  sixty  years,  died  in  March,  1867.  A  son  of  the  same  name 
succeeded  him  in  practice.  The  third  Doctor  Palmer,  of  Ash- 
ford,  practiced  for  a  time  in  Canterbury  village.  Doctor  Wil- 
liam H.  Cogswell,  of  Plainfield,  after  a  long  life  spent  in  the 
medical  profession,  died  about  ten  years  since.  He  was  widely 
known  in  professional  and  public  life.  His  services  as  agent 
for  Connecticut  in  charge  of  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  during 
the  late  war,  were  especially  valuable.  In  public  and  pri- 
vate, in  church  and  state,  he  was  alike  useful  and  honored. 
Doctor  Charles  A.  Fox  practiced  medicine  in  Thompson  from 
1852  about  to  1860,  when  he  moved  hence.  Doctor  Charles  Har- 
ford practiced  several  years  in  Thompson,  gaining  there  a  very 
strong  constituency.  He  died  March  18th,  1877.  Later,  Doctor 
E.  T.  Morse  practiced  three  or  four  years  on  the  same  field.  He 
came  hither  from  the  lower  towns  of  the  county,  and  removed 
hence  to  East  Hartford.  Doctors  McGregor,  Holbrook  and 
Bowen  have  also  practiced  in  that  town.  Doctor  Lathrop  prac- 
ticed in  Grosvenor  Dale,  and  died  there  several  years  since. 
Doctor  Sargent  also  practiced  in  that  village,  and  afterward  re- 
mxoved  to  Webster,  Mass. 

The  Windham  County  Medical  Society  is  one  of  the  oldest  in 
the  state.  Its  origin  is  largely  due  to  the  active  spirit  of  Doctor 
Albigence  Waldo,  through  whose  efforts  the  leading  physicians 
of  the  county  and  its  vicinity  instituted  a  monthly  meeting  some 
years  previous  to  the  formation  of  the  Connecticut  Medical  So- 
ciety. In  June,  1786,  they  held  a  meeting  at  Dudley ;  in  August 
at  Stafford ;  in  September  at  Cargill's  (now  Putnam) ;  in  October 
at  Canterbury.  At  the  latter  meeting  there  were  present  Doc- 
tors Coit  of  Thompson,  Palmer  of  Ashford,  Gleason  of  Killingly, 
Lord  and  Warner  of  Abington,  Clark  of  Hampton,  Spalding  of 
Mansfield,  and  Huntington  of  Westford.  These  meetings  were 
continued  with  increasing  numbers  and  interest  till  1791,  when 
a  more  formal  organization  of  a  Windham  County  Society  ap- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  177 

pears  to  have  been  effected.  Of  this  organization  no  record  has 
been  preserved,  beyond  the  fact  that  Doctor  Waldo  was  clerk, 
either  of  the  preliminary  organization  or  of  the  new  one.  He 
was  doubtless  a  prominent  figure  in  the  new  society,  and  was 
also  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  State  Society  in  1792. 

The  records  of  the  County  Society  previous  to  1793  have  been 
lost,  but  the  roll  of  members  at  that  time  was  as  follows :  Doc- 
tors Jonathan  Averill,  Thomas  Backus,  Leonard  Bacon,  Joseph 
Baker,  John  Barker,  Samuel  Barker,  Gershom  Beardsley,  John 
Brewster,  Allen  Campbell,  Benjamin  Carter,  Penuel  Cheney, 
John  Clark,  Sen.,  John  Clark,  Jr.,  Thadeus  Clark,  Josiah  Coit, 
Noah  Coleman,  Azal  Ensworth,  Thomas  Glysson,  Daniel  Gordon, 
Jonathan  Hall,  Walter  Hough,  Jacob  Hovey,  Penuel  Hutchins, 
Isaac  Knight,  Elisha  Lord,  Joseph  Palmer,  Elisha  Perkins, 
Thomas  Robinson,  Albigence  Waldo,  Roger  Waldo,  Jared  War- 
ner and  Jesse  Wheaton.  Parts  of  the  records  are  defective,  but 
as  far  as  they  are  complete  enough  to  show  it  the  list  of  presi- 
dents has  been  as  follows  :  John  Clark,  1793  ;  Elisha  Lord,  1794, 
'96 ;  Elisha  Perkins,  1795  ;  John  Brewster,  1797-99,  1801 ;  Joseph 
Baker,  1800,  1802  ;  Thomas  Hubbard,  1803,  1807-8,  1811-12,  '14, 
'18,  '22,  '27,  '29;  Jonathan  Hall,  1806;  Joseph  Palmer,  1809; 
Erastus  Robinson,  1810;  Penuel  Hutchins,  1813,  '15-16,  '19,  '21,  '30, 
'35;  Rufus  Johnson,  1817;  Samuel  Hutchins,  1823;  Josiah  Fuller, 
1824;  Silas  Fuller,  1825;  Darius  Hutchins,  1826,  '28,  '38;  Joseph 
Palmer,  1831,  '33-34;  Andrew  Harris,  1832,  '37,  '39;  Morey  Bur- 
gess, 1836,  '45;  Elijah  Baldwin,  1840,  '44,  '59;  Eleazer  Litchfield, 
1841;  Chester  Hunt,  1842;  Hiram  Holt,  1843,  '46,  '68;  William 
Witter,  1847;  Lorenzo  Marcey,  1848,  '50  ;  William  H.  Cogswell, 
1849,  '52-53,  '57-58,  '61;  Orrin  Witter,  1851,  '55;  Lewis  Williams, 
1856,  '69,  '74;  Harvey  Campbell,  1854,  '65-66;  Samuel  Hutchins, 
1860,  '63,  '80,  '83;  C.  B.  Bromley,  1862,  '64;  James  B.  Whitcomb, 
1867;  Lowell  Holbrook,  1870,  '76;  Milton  Bradford,  1871;  Justin 
Hammond,  1872;  E.  Huntington,  1873;  Elijah  Baldwin,  1875,79; 
William  A.  Lewis,  1877,  '84;  John  Witter,  1878,  '82;  H.  W.  Hough, 
1881;  T.  M.  Hills,  1885;  R.  Robinson,  1886;  Charles  James  Fox, 
1887;  F.  G.  Sawtelle,  1888.  The  successive  secretaries  of  the  so- 
ciety in  the  same  time  have  been  :  Thadeus  Clark,  1793  ;  Jo- 
seph Baker,  1794-95  ;  Thomas  Hubbard,  1796-1800  ;  Josiah  Ful- 
ler, 1801-03;  record  blank,  1804-5;  Thomas  Morse,  1806-10; 
Darius  Hutchins,  1811-13;  William  A.  Brewster,  1814-19  ;  record 
blank,  1820  ;  Waldo  Hutchins,  1821-25  ;  William  Hutchins,  1826- 
12 


178  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

31 ;  James  B.  Whitcomb,  1832-35 ;  William  Hutchins,  1886-41 ; 
James  B.  Whitcomb,  1842-44 ;  AVilliam  Hutchins,  1845  ;  James 
B.  Whitcomb,  1846-61  ;  W.  Woodbridge,  1862 ;  Gideon  F.  Bar- 
stow,  1863-64  ;  Samuel  Hutchins,  1864-75 ;  John  B.  Kent,  1876- 
80;  R.  Robinson,  1881-83 ;  W.  W.  Foster,  1884;  Charles  James 
Fox,  1885-86;  Charles  N.  Allen,  1887-89. 

The  officers  of  the  society  for  1888  were :  President,  Doctor 
F.  G.  Sawtelle,  of  Pomfret ;  vice-president,  Doctor  J.  B.  Kent,  of 
Putnam ;  censors — Doctors  O.  B.  Griggs,  Lowell  Holbrook  and 
H.  F.  Hammond ;  county  reporter.  Doctor  N.  Hibbard,  of  Dan- 
ielsonville ;  clerk,  Doctor  Charles  N.  Allen,  of  Moosup.  The 
present  membership  comprises  Doctors  John  H.  Simmons,  of 
Ashford  ;  A.  E.  Darling,  H.  F.  Hammond,  of  Killingly ;  Edwin 
A.  Hill,  Charles  E.  Hill,  of  East  Killingly ;  Rienzi  Robinson, 
Nathaniel  Hibbard,  W.  H.  Judson,  of  Danielsonville ;  E.  H. 
Davis,  of  Plainfield;  Charles  N.  Allen,  William  A.  Lewis,  of 
Moosup  ;  Charles  H.  Rogers,  of  Central  Village ;  F.  G.  Sawtelle, 
F.  W.  Chapin,  of  Pomfret ;  H.  W.  Hough,  John  Witter,  J.  B. 
Kent,  F.  A.  Morrell,  Omar  La  Rue,  F.  X.  Barolet,  of  Putnam ; 
E.  D.  Kimball,  of  Scotland  ;  Lowell  Holbrook,  of  Thompson  ;  A. 
A.  Latour,  of  Grosvenor  Dale  ;  Frank  N.  Olin,  of  North  Wood- 
stock ;  Frederick  Rogers,  T.  Morton  Hills,  O.  B.  Griggs,  Charles 
J.  Fox,  F.  O.  Bennett,  T.  R.  Parker,  D.  D.  Jacobs,  Samuel  David, 
W.  J.  Connor,  E.  D.  Card,  of  Willimantic ;  F.  E.  Guild,  of  Wind- 
ham ;  and  E.  E.  Gaylord,  of  Woodstock, 

Doctor  Lewis  Williams  was  born  in  the  town  of  Pomfret  in 
1815.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  entered  Amherst  College,  but 
was  prevented  by  disease  of  the  eyes  from  completing  a  reg- 
ular course  at  that  time,  abandoning  his  studies  during  the 
second  year.  Regaining  his  health,  he  began  the  study  of  med- 
icine, and  graduated  at  Harvard  Medical  College  in  1842.  He 
married  Clara  Baldwin,  of  Woburn,  Mass.,  in  1843,  and  com- 
menced practice  in  his  native  town,  where  he  continued  to 
work  almost  unremittingly  for  nearly  forty  years.  He  was  an 
active  member  of  the  Windham  County  Medical  Society,  and 
for  many  years  a  permanent  member  of  the  American  Medical 
Association.  In  1850  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  examining 
committee  for  the  medical  department  of  Yale  College,  serving 
twice  for  a  term  of  three  years  each  time.  For  eleven  years 
before  his  death  he  was  one  of  the  quarterly  visitors  to  the  In. 
sane  Retreat  at  Hartford,  and  his  name  was  associated  with  all 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  179 

the  educational  interests  of  his  own  town.  He  was  for  several  years 
one  of  the  trustees  of  the  State  Normal  school.  He  kept  pace 
with  medical  progress  by  daily  study,  and  remained  a  student 
to  the  end  of  his  life.  He  was  deeply  impressed  with  the  dig- 
nity of  his  profession,  and  of  his  responsibilities  as  one  of  its 
members.  He  stood  forth  prominently  among  his  contempo- 
raries, and  his  counsels  were  always  in  demand.  His  sympathies 
were  on  the  side  of  humanity  and  progress,  and  none  could 
gainsay  the  honesty  of  his  convictions  or  the  integrity  of  his  pur- 
pose. He  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-five,  June  22d,  1881,  thus  clos- 
ing a  life  of  arduous  labors  and  great  usefulness. 

Doctor  Justin  Hammond  was  born  about  the  year  1804.  He 
graduated  at  Brown  University,  and  studied  medicine  with  Doc- 
tor Usher  Parsons,  of  Providence,  R.  I.,  then  graduated  at  Har- 
vard Medical  College.  He  practiced  medicine  in  Killingly  forty- 
three  years,  until  his  death,  in  Ju]y,  1873,  at  which  time  he  was 
sixty-nine  years  of  age.  He  was  widely  known  for  medical  skill 
and  great  devotion  to  his  patients.  He  for  many  years  held  the 
office  of  selectman,  and  represented  the  town  in  the  state  legis- 
lature in  1871. 

Samuel  Hutchins,  M.  D.,  son  of  Doctor  Theophilus  Hutchins, 
was  born  in  Seekonk,  Mass.,  June  3d,  1818.  After  receiving  a 
classical  education  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  he  read  medicine  with 
his  father  and  Doctor  L.  Wilier,  of  the  same  city,  and  attended 
lectures  at  the  Harvard  Medical  College,  where  he  graduated 
in  1841.  He  commenced  practice  in  Danielsonville  in  the  year 
following,  and  continued  in  that  field  until  the  time  of  his  death, 
with  the  exception  of  one  year  spent  in  California.  After  his 
return  from  the  Pacific  coast  he  married  Miss  Ellen  Weather- 
head.  Four  daughters  and  one  son  were  born  to  them.  The 
son  died,  but  the  four  daughters,  as  well  as  their  mother,  still 
survive.  Doctor  Hutchins  was  a  skilled  practitioner  and  an  en- 
thusiast in  his  profession.  He  became  a  member  of  the  Con- 
gregational church  in  Danielsonville  in  1855,  and  was  an  active 
and  respected  member  of  the  society,  often  being  called  to  po- 
sitions of  honor  and  trust  among  his  fellow  citizens.  He  was 
many  years  a  member  of  the  board  of  education  ;  at  one  time 
was  appointed  United  vStates  examiner  for  pensions ;  also  held 
at  different  times  the  offices  of  president  of  the  Windham 
County  Medical  Society  and  vice-president  of  the  Connecticut 
Medical  Society,  which  latter  office  he  held  at  the  time  of  his 


180  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

death,  he  being  then  one  of  the  oldest  physicians  in  the  county. 
He  died  January  16th,  1886,  deeply  mourned  and  universally  re- 
spected. 

Charles  H.  Rogers,  M.  D.,  son  of  Charles  Rogers,  was  born  in 
Pomfret  in  1818.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years  he  entered  a  gram- 
mar school  at  Hartford,  and  in  1840  entered  Yale  College,  whence 
he  graduated  in  the  Arts  in  1844,  and  in  Medicine  in  1847.  He 
began  practice  the  latter  year  in  Woodstock,  and  in  1856  he 
came  to  Central  Village,  where  he  has  been  established  in  prac- 
tice ever  since.  During  the  late  war  he  served  about  two  years 
as  assistant  surgeon  in  the  Eleventh  regiment  of  Connecticut 
Volunteers.  He  held  the  office  of  school  committee  for  sixteen 
years.  He  married  May  28th,  1848,  Sarah  C,  daughter  of  Doctor 
Thomas  Morse,  of  West  Woodstock.  Their  three  children  are 
Mary  P.,  now  Mrs.  Calvin  H.  Lee  ;  Lillian  S.,  now  Mrs.  Charles 
A.  Bock  ;  and  E.  Clinton  Rogers.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Con- 
gregational church  at  Central  Village,  a  member  of  Kilburn 
Post,  G.  A.  R.,  and  of  the  County  Medical  Society. 

Ernest  D.  Kimball,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Scotland,  Conn.,  De- 
cember 17th,  1863,  being  the  son  of  James  D.  Kimball.  He  spent 
most  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  previous  to  his  seventeenth  year 
on  his  grandfather's  farm,  attending  the  district  school  when 
that  was  in  session.  After  attending  a  select  school  for  twenty 
weeks  he  commenced  to  read  medicine  with  Doctor  D.  L.  Ross, 
who  was  then  practicing  in  Scotland,  paying  for  his  board  and 
instruction  by  taking  care  of  the  doctor's  horses.  He  graduated 
from  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  Baltimore,  Md., 
March  15th,  1886.  After  graduating  he  returned  to  his  native 
town  and  commenced  practice,  taking  the  place  of  his  precep- 
tor. He  gives  special  attention  to  particular  diseases,  and  prac- 
tices one  day  in  a  week  at  Willimantic.  March  15th,  1887,  he 
married  Miss  Etta  M.  Parkhurst,  of  Scotland,  by  whom  he  has. 
had  one  child,  which  died  in  infancy.  Doctor  Kimball  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Connecticut  vState  Medical  Society,  and  holds  the 
office  of  medical  examiner  for  the  town  of  Scotland. 

Frank  Eugene  Guild,  M.  D.,  now  of  Windham,  was  born  in 
Thompson,  August  14th,  1853.  He  was  the  son  of  Reverend 
James  B.  Guild,  who  was  at  that  time  pastor  of  the  Brandy  Hill 
Baptist  church,  where  he  died  in  September  following.  The 
mother  of  our  subject,  whose  maiden  name  was  Julia  A.Griggs, 
soon  after  the  death  of  her  husband,  removed  successively  to 


HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY.  181 

West  Woodstock,  Willington,  Killingly  and  Putnam,  where  a 
considerable  part  of  the  youthful  life  of  her  son  Frank  was  spent, 
bringing  him  up  to  his  seventeenth  year.  After  working  a  year 
in  the  shops  of  the  »Stanley  Rule  and  Level  Company,  he  entered 
the  Connecticut  State  Normal  School,  from  which  he  graduated 
in  the  winter  of  1874.  In  August  following,  he  went  to  Matawan, 
N.  J.,  where  he  taught  the  public  schools  of  that  place  until  the 
spring  of  1882,  with  the  exception  of  one  year  spent  at  Grosvenor 
Dale,  in  this  county.  In  the  fall  of  1882  he  entered  the  Long 
Island  College  Hospital,  from  which  he  graduated  June  3d, 
1885.  In  the  autumn  of  that  year  he  received  an  appointment 
as  assistant  physician  to  Kings  County  Hospital,  at  Flatbush, 
L.  I.,  where  he  remained  until  the  17th  of  October,  1886.  Thence 
he  came  directly  to  Windham  and  established  himself  in .  his 
present  field  of  practice.  While  in  college  he  was  assistant  dem- 
onstrator of  anatomy,  and  vice-president  of  his  class.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  county  and  state  medical  societies,  and  yet  un- 
married. 

Chester  Hunt,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Columbia,  Conn.,  February 
24th,  1789.  He  was  the  son  of  Eldad  and  Huldah  (Benton)  Hunt. 
He  studied  medicine  with  Doctor  Cyrus  Fuller,  of  Columbia,  and 
practiced  in  that  town  from  1812  to  1815,  when  he  removed  to 
Windham,  where  he  continued  to  practice  until  his  death, which 
took  place  August  20th,  1869.  He  was  twice  married,  but  at 
the  time  of  his  death  had  but  one  child  living,  Mrs.  Delia  Ben- 
ton, widow  of  James  M.  Hebard. 

David  C.  Card,  M.  D.,  D.  D.  S.,  is  a  grandson  of  Joshua  Card, 
who  resided  in  Sterling,  Windham  county,  where  his  life  was 
devoted  to  the  management  of  a  farm.  His  wife,  formerly  a  Miss 
Clark,  was  the  mother  of  one  son,  Joshua,  and  four  daughters* 
Hannah,  Tabitha,  Sally  and  Ruth.  Their  only  son,  Joshua,  was 
born  December  24th,  1776,  in  Sterling,  where  his  early  life  was 
spent  as  a  teacher.  Later,  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Charlestown, 
Washington  county,  Rhode  Island,  and  was  also  the  landlord  of 
a  popular  public  house.  He  was  a  prominent  citizen,  held  the 
office  of  justice  of  the  peace,  and  did  much  surveying  in  various 
portions  of  the  county.  He  married  Sally,  daughter  of  Benjamin 
Clark,  of  Sterling.  The  children  of  this  marriage  are  :  Sally 
(Mrs.  Amos  Greene),  Mercy  (Mrs.  Perry  Tucker),  Anna  (Mrs. 
William  Tucker),  Joshua  B.,  Lucinda  (Mrs.  Green  Card),  Ben- 
jamin, Welcome,   Betsey  (Mrs.  Simeon  Card),  Alzada  W.  (Mrs. 


182  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Clark  Reynolds),  and  David  Clark,  the  subject  of  this  biog- 
raphy, whose  birth  occurred  on  the  2d  of  March,  1822,  in  Charles- 
town,  Rhode  Island.  Here  his  early  youth  was  spent  as  a  pupil 
of  the  district  school,  after  which  his  studies  were  completed  at 
the  Smithville  Seminary,  at  Scituate,  in  the  same  state.  Decid- 
ing- to  make  the  practice  of  medicine  his  life  work,  he  entered 
the  office  of  Doctor  William  H.  Hubbard,  of  Crompton,  Rhode 
Island,  and  in  accordance  with  the  law  of  that  early  day,  spent 
three  years  in  study  under  his  preceptor.  Then  becoming  a 
student  of  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  New 
York,  he  graduated  and  was  granted  a  diploma  by  that  institu- 
tion in  1849,  Doctor  Valentine  Mott  being  his  professor  in 
surgery. 

Doctor  Card  began  practice  in  1850  at  Clayville,  in  the  same 
state,  and  three  years  later  located  at  Carolina  Mills,  in  Wash- 
ington county,  Rhode  Island.  Here  he  followed  his  profession 
successfully  for  nine  years,  when  Willimantic,  in  1861,  offered  an 
attractive  field  for  his  abilities.  In  1864,  during  the  late  civil 
war,  he  entered  the  service  as  surgeon-in-charge  of  the  right 
wing  of  the  heavy  artillery  located  on  the  James  river  in  Vir- 
ginia, under  General  Butler,  and  continued  until  the  close  of  the 
conflict.  Resuming  his  practice  in  Willimantic,  he  has  until 
the  present  time  been  busily  engaged  in  its  arduous  duties 
throughout  the  county,  and  is  now  among  the  oldest  practition- 
ers in  the  borough.  In  1866  he  was  appointed  examining  sur- 
geon for  his  district  by  the  Commissioner  of  Pensions,  and  con- 
tinued thus  to  act  until  1870.  In  1871  he  spent  a  year  in  Balti- 
more, Maryland,  in  the  study  of  dental  surgery,  and  on  his  re- 
turn added  this  branch  of  practice  to  his  former  profession. 
The  doctor  was  formerly  a  republican  in  politics,  afterward  en- 
tered with  spirit  into  the  liberal  movement  during  the  Greely 
campaign,  and  now  votes  independently  and  for  the  best  man, 
irrespective  of  party.  He  is  a  member  and  trustee  of  the  Wil- 
limantic Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  past  commander  of  St. 
John's  Commandery  No.  11,  of  Willimantic.  Doctor  Card  was 
married  March  25th,  1852,  to  Hannah  T.,  daughter  of  Nathaniel 
Thurber,  of  Foster,  Rhode  Island.  Their  children  are  :  Everett 
D.  C,  a  practicing  physician  in  Willimantic  ;  Huber  D.,  a  student 
in  the  Boston  School  of  Technology  ;  and  two  who  are  deceased, 
Annette  T.  and  David  H. 


''^rS'resiffn  *  C'NT 


^  ^  ^^a^ra^,  ^^.jr^s. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  183 

Everett  D.  C.  Card  graduated  in  1875  from  Hillside  Seminary, 
Norwalk,  Coiin.,  and  then  entered  the  medical  department  of  the 
University  of  the  City  of  New  York,  from  which  institution  he 
received  a  diploma  in  1881.  He  began  practice  in  Willimantic 
in  1882.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Windham  County  Medical 
Society. 

Eliphalet  Huntington,  M.  D.,  was  born  of  a  prominent  family 
of  Windham,  March  3d,  1816.  He  studied  medicine  under  Doc- 
tor William  Webb,  of  his  native  town,  and  received  his  diploma 
from  Dartmouth  College  in  1848.  He  began  to  practice  med- 
icine at  Chicopee,  Mass.,  where  he  remained  five  years.  He  then 
assisted  Doctor  F.  S.  Burgess,  of  Plainfield,  for  a  time,  and  re- 
turned to  his  native  town  about  1855,  where  he  died  December 
30th,  1882. 

Surgeon  General  Charles  James  Fox.  of  Willimantic,  was  born 
in  Wethersfield,  December  21st,  1854.  He  was  thoroughly  edu- 
cated in  district  and  private  schools,  graduated  at  the  Hartford 
High  School,  class  of  1872,  and  fitted  to  enter  college  at  the  age 
of  eighteen.  He  received  the  degree  of  M.  D.,  with  high  hon- 
ors, at  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  New  York, 
in  February,  1876.  After  a  thorough  training  at  Bellevue  and 
Charity  hospitals  of  New  York,  during  the  time  covered  by  the 
dates  given,  he  received  the  appointment  of  house  physician 
and  surgeon  from  March  1st,  1876,  to  March  1st,  1877,  at  the 
Hartford  Hospital.  He  located  at  Willimantic  in  April,  1877, 
where  he  has  since  been  in  active  practice.  He  is  a  member  and 
ex-president  of  the  County  Medical  Society,  a  member  of  the 
State  Medical  Association,  a  permanent  member  of  the  Ameri- 
can Medical  As.sociation  and  of  the  American  Health  Associa- 
tion. He  has  always  interested  himself  in  professional  rather 
than  political  matters.  May  18th,  1887,  he  married  Lillian  Wins- 
low,  daughter  of  Reverend  Horace  Winsloiv,  a  former  pastor  of 
the  Willimantic  Congregational  church.  She  died  of  acute 
Bright's  disease  September  28th,  1888,  leaving  no  children.  A 
frequent  contributor  to  the  leading  medical  journals,  his  writ- 
ings attracted  marked  attention.  The  Journal  of  the  American 
Medical  Association  pays  him  the  high  compliment  of  referring 
to  him  editorially  as  "  one  of  the  most  active  and  intelligent 
members  of  the  profession  in  his  state,"  and  declaring  that, 
though  still  a  young  man,  he  "has  already  attained  distinction 
in  his  profession." 


184  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Doctor  Fox  was  Fellow  from  the  Windham  Medical  Society  to 
the  Connecticut  State  Medical  Society  in  1879,  '81  and  '84,  was 
chairman  of  the  committee  on  matters  of  professional  interest 
to  the  state  in  1885,  and  has  frequently  been  chosen  as  the  rep- 
resentative of  the  state  society  to  other  state  organizations.  He 
was  elected  by  the  American  Medical  Association  to  represent 
that  body  before  the  medical  organizations  of  Europe  in  1881 
and  1882,  and  has  been  medical  examiner  under  the  new  cor- 
oner's law  since  July  1st,  1883.  He  has  also  been  United  States 
examining  surgeon  for  pensioners  since  December,  1888,  and 
was  appointed  surgeon  general  of  the  state  of  Connecticut,  Jan- 
uary 6th,  1887,  which  office  he  still  retains.  Not  oblivious  to 
the  importance  of  improving  the  social  features  of  life,  General 
Fox  is  a  member  of  the  Putnam  Phalanx  of  Hartford,  and  a 
Knight  Templar,  serving  with  high  honor  in  the  chairs  of  the 
various  Masonic  bodies.  Foreseeing  the  great  advantage  of 
such  an  institution  to  Willimantic,  he  became  a  charter  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Trade  of  that  borough.  He  is  also  eminent 
commander  of  St.  John's  Commandery  No.  11,  Knights  Templar, 
of  Willimantic,  and  an  officer  of  the  Grand  Commandery  of  that 
order  in  the  state. 

Doctor  Theodore  Raymond  Parker,  a  native  of  Montville,  New 
London  county,  was  born  July  19th,  1855.  He  was  the  only  son 
of  Augustus  A.  and  Harriet  R.  (Dolbeare)  Parker.  His  early  ed- 
ucation was  obtained  in  the  common  schools,  supplemented  by  a 
classical  course  at  Norwich  Free  Academy,  where  he  graduated 
in  1876.  He  then  studied  one  year  with  Doctor  Lewis  S.  Parker, 
of  Norwich,  after  which  he  entered  Yale  Medical  College,  where 
he  took  three  courses  of  lectures.  In  1886  he  graduated  from 
the  University  of  New  York,  and  commenced  practice  in  the 
same  year  at  Columbia,  Conn.  Remaining  there  till  1882,  he 
then  came  to  Willimantic,  where  he  still  pursues  the  practice  of 
his  profession.  He  is  a  member  of  the  county  and  state  medical 
societies.     His  wife  is  the  daughter  of  Edwin  A.  Buck. 

Samuel  David,  M.  D.,  a  native  of  the  Province  of  Quebec, 
Canada,  where  he  was  born,  at  Chambly,  August  13th,  1822,  has 
practiced  medicine  at  Willimantic  since  1882.  He  was  educated 
at  Chambly  College  and  graduated  from  Montreal  Victoria  Medi- 
cal College  in  1846.  He  practiced  at  St.  Ours  until  he  came  to 
W^illimantic.  He  married  Catharine  Bazin  and  has  had  nine 
children,  two  of  Avhom  died  in  infancy.  The  others  are  :  Hermine, 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  185 

-wife  of  Doctor  Omer  La  Rue,  of  Putnam  ;  Victor  Samuel,  a  lawyer 
residing  in  Canada ;  Charles  H.,  a  practicing  physician  at  Stafford 
Springs,  Conn.;  Emma;  Adelaid  D.,  born  in  St.  Ours,  Canada, 
May  10th,  1862,  educated  at  Sorel  College,  and  now  engaged  in 
the  drug  business  with  his  father  on  Main  street,  Willimantic, 
under  the  firm  name  of  A.  D.  David  &  Co.,  and  still  pursuing 
medical  studies,  expecting  to  finish  the  course  in  the  fall  of  1889; 
and  two  other  daughters,  Angelina  and  Wilhelmina. 

Oliver  B.  Griggs,  M.  D. — The  ancestry  of  this  gentleman  came 
from  Scotland,  in  Europe,  between  1650  and  1700,  and  settled  in 
Roxbury,  Mass.  Thence  two  of  the  name — Joseph  and  Benja- 
min— emigrated  to  New  Roxbury,  Conn.,  where  they  became 
permanent  settlers.  Here  their  descendants  have  ever  since  re- 
sided. The  great-grandfather  of  Doctor  Griggs  served  during  the 
revolutionary  war,  and  Doctor  Griggs  has  in  his  possession  a 
military  commission  granted  in  1771  to  this  ancestor  by  Governor 
Jonathan  Trumbull,  the  original  character  to  whom  the  title 
"  Brother  Jonathan  "  was  given.  Doctor  Griggs'  maternal  grand- 
father, John  ;5urnham,  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill 
and  served  throuofh  the  war,  while  his  grandfather  on  the  other 
side,  Captain  Elijah  Griggs,  commanded  a  company  at  New  Lon- 
don in  the  war  of  1812.  The  father  of  our  subject,  Elijah  Griggs, 
Jr.,  soon  after  his  marriage  removed  from  his  former  home  in 
Pomfret  to  the  town  of  Homer,  Cortland  county,  N.  Y.,  where 
Oliver  was  born,  August  31st,  1823.  About  four  years  later  his 
parents  returned  to  Pomfret,  where  they  continued  to  reside 
while  he  was  growing  up,  surrounded,  meanwhile,  by  the  com- 
fortable circumstances  of  a  well-to-do  farm  homestead.  After 
attending  the  common  school  in  Abington  during  his  boyhood, 
at  the  age  of  seventeen  he  attended  the  academy  at  Lebanon 
one  year  and  later  spent  nearly  two  years  in  Bacon  Academy  at 
Colchester.  He  taught  school  during  five  winters  and  two  sum- 
mers. At  the  age  of  twenty  he  began  to  study  medicine  with 
Doctor  William  Witter,  a  prominent  physician  and  surgeon  of 
Willimantic.  After  being  under  his  tuition  four  years  he  at- 
tended lectures  at  the  Medical  College  of  the  University  of  the 
City  of  New  York,  where  he  graduated  in  March,  1847.  During 
the  same  spring,  being  then  in  his  twenty-fifth  year,  he  com- 
menced the  practice  of  medicine  in  Windsor,  Conn.,  where  he 
remained  until  the  fall  of  1856.  After  this  time  he  removed  to 
Mansfield,  Conn.,  where  he  practiced  till  the  spring  of  1876.    He 


186  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

then    removed   to   Willimantic,    where   he   has   practiced    ever 
since. 

For  several  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  school  board  at 
Windsor,  and  during  part  of  the  time  was  acting  school  visitor. 
In  1858  he  was  elected  town  clerk  and  treasurer  of  Mansfield, 
and  a  year  later,  probate  judge,  justice  of  the  peace  and  member 
of  the  board  of  education.  Other  official  honors  followed  until 
he  held  nine  different  offices,  all  of  which  he  held  continuously 
until  1873,  and  some  of  them  as  long  as  he  remained  in  Mans- 
field. On  the  16th  of  July,  1848,  he  was  married  to  Ann  Eliza 
Norton,  youngest  daughter  of  Theron  Norton,  Esq.,  of  Sanger- 
field,  Oneida  county,  N.  Y.,  her  parents  having,  years  before, 
moved  to  that  place  from  Goshen,  Litchfield  county,  Conn.  Of 
three  children  born  to  Doctor  Griggs,  one  died  in  infancy.  The 
two  surviving  are  Arthur  Burnham,  born  December  21st,  1854, 
and  Theron  Norton,  born  February  27th,  1856. 

Dewitt  Clinton  Lathrop,  M.  D.,  the  eldest  of  four  children  of 
James  and  Clarissa  (Spicer)  Lathrop, was  born  at  Franklin,  Conn., 
June  20th,  1819.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  and  he  secured  a 
common  school  education,  after  which  he  studied  medicine  and 
graduated  from  Yale  Medical  College  in  the  class  of  1845. 
After  receiving  his  diploma  he  practiced  medicine  with  Doctor 
Ashbel  Woodward,  of  his  native  town.  In  1846  he  commenced 
to  practice  by  himself  in  Ashford,  but  in  the  following  year  he 
came  to  Windham  Centre,  where  he  remained  till  1859,  when  he 
removed  to  Norwich.  On  the  outbreak  of  the  civil  war  he  was 
appointed  assistant  surgeon  of  the  Eighth  Connecticut  Infantry, 
and  died  in  the  service  April  18th,  1862,  at  Newbern,  N.  C.  A 
monument  to  his  memory  was  erected  in  the  cemetery  at  Wind- 
ham, by  the  members  of  his  regiment.  His  wife  was  Charlotte 
Gray,  a  native  of  Windham.  Their  three  sons  survive-d  him. 
James  is  master  of  athletics  at  Harvard  College,  William  Webb 
resides  in  Bridgeport,  Conn.,  and  Henry  Clinton  is  cashier  of 
Windham  National  Bank,  at  Willimantic. 

Doctor  Francis  X.  Barolet,  a  native  of  Riviere  Du  Loup,  in 
the  province  of  Quebec,  Canada,  was  educated  at  La  ASvSumption 
College,  and  after  graduating  there  took  a  medical  course  at  the 
University  of  Victoria,  at  Montreal,  from  which  he  gradu- 
ated in  1855.  He  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine  at  St. 
G'uillaume  d'LTpton,  Quebec,  where  he  continued  till  1867, 
when  he  came  to  Baltic,  Conn.     At  the  latter  place  he  spent  but 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  187 

a  short  time,  removing  to  Putnam,  where  he  practiced  about 
twenty  years.  In  1887  he  sold  his  practice  and  returned  to  St^ 
Guillaume,  where  he  now  resides.  His  wife  was  Maria  Luce 
Henrietta  Chenevert.  Of  their  four  children  one  died  in  infancy.. 
The  other  three  are  Louis  Phillip,  a  dentist  at  Pawtucket,  R.  I. ; 
Armand,  born  at  St.  Guillaume,  July  28th,  1863,  graduated  from 
Baltimore  College  of  Dental  Surgery,  married  Rosaline  Jasmin,, 
has  one  child  named  Valmor,  and  is  now  a  surgeon  dentist  in 
Putnam  ;  and  Antonine,  wife  of  Arthur  Jasmin,  and  resides  at  St. 
Guillaume. 

Gardner  L.  Miller,  M.  D.— Augustus  Miller,  the  grandfather 
of  Doctor  Miller,  resided  in  the  town  of  Wales,  Mass.  Among 
his  ten  children  was  a  son  George  W.,  who  removed  to  Spring- 
field, in  the  same  state,  where  he  was  connected  with  the 
Springfield  armory.  By  his  union  with  Eliza,  daughter  of 
Jasper  and  Sophia  Hyde,  of  Stafford,  were  born  Francis  H.  and 
Ella  S.,  both  deceased,  and  Gardner  L.,  the  subject  of  this  biog- 
raphy, whose  birth  occurred  June  13th,  1857,  in  Stafford.  At  the 
age  of  five  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Springfield,  and  on 
attaining  his  eleventh  year  again  made  Stafford  his  home.  Here- 
he  attended  the  public  schools  and  completed  his  academic  edu- 
cation at  the  Monson  Academy.  He  began  the  study  of  medicine 
with  Doctor  C.  S.  Sprague,  of  Stafford,  now  deceased,  and  in 
1877  entered  the  New  York  Homeopathic  Medical  College  from 
which  his  diploma  was  received  in  1880.  He  then  located  in 
Putnam  and  practiced  for  three  years  with  success,  when,  de- 
siring further  opportunities  for  a  thorough  knowledge  of  his 
profession,  he  went  abroad  and  spent  six  months  in  the  Univer- 
sity and  hospitals  of  Vienna.  Doctor  Miller  on  his  return  re- 
sumed practice  in  Putnam  and  has  since  been  thoroughly  en- 
grossed with  the  labors  incident  to  his  profession.  His  field  has 
constantly  increased  in  dimensions,  which  may  be  regarded  as  a 
fair  measure  of  the  success  he  has  attained. 

The  doctor  is  a  member  of  the  State  Homeopathic  Medical 
Society  and  of  the  Worcester  County  Medical  Society  of  Wor- 
cester, Mass.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Electric  Light  Company 
of  Putnam,  and  has  been  somewhat  active  in  local  republican 
movements,  having  served  as  member  and  chairman  of  the  town 
committee,  etc.  No  citizen  has  perhaps  in  so  great  a  degree, 
promoted  the  development  of  the  town  by  the  erection  of  build- 
ings and  the  improvement  of  property.    He  was  the  prime  mover 


188  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

in  the  co-operative  building  association,  and  has  lent  a  willing 
hand  to  all  public  spirited  enterprises.  He  is  a  member  of 
Quinebaug  Lodge,  No.  106,  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of  Put- 
nam and  of  Putnam  Chapter.  Doctor  Miller  married,  in  1880, 
Alice  Holmes,  of  Ware,  Mass.  They  have  two  children,  a 
■daughter,  Florence  H.,  and  a  son,  George  L.,  aged  respectively 
-eight  and  six  years. 

Doctor  Frederic  A.  Morrell  is  a  native  of  the  village  of  Strong, 
Franklin  county,  Maine,  where  he  was  born  October  26th,  1857. 
He  was  the  second  son  of  James  and  Hannah  (Hull)  Morrell. 
After  the  usual  common  school  experiences,  he  finished  his  gen- 
eral education  at  the  Waterville  Classical  Institute.  After  study- 
ing medicine  with  Doctor  P.  Dyer,  of  Farmington,  Me.,  he  spent 
three  years  in  the  Long  Island  College  Hospital,  at  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y.,  and  graduated  there  in  1885.  He  then  spent  a  year  in  the 
Brooklyn  City  Hospital,  after  which,  in  the  fall  of  1886,  he  com- 
menced practice  in  Putnam,  in  company  with  Doctor  J.  B.  Kent. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  state  and  county  medical  societies.  He 
married  Edith  I.  Body,  and  they  have  one  son,  to  whom  they 
liave  given  the  name  of  the  father. 

Omer  La  Rue,  M.  D.,  was  born  at  St.  Dennis,  in  the  province 
of  Quebec,  March  14th,  1849.  He  was  the  second  son  and  fifth 
child  of  Levi  and  Ann  (Laptte)  La  Rue.  From  the  age  of  eleven 
to  nineteen  years  he  was  at  the  College  of  St.  Hyacinthe,  and 
graduated  from  the  University  of  Victoria  at  Montreal  in  1872. 
He  removed  to  Putnam  during  the  same  year,  and  has  since  re- 
sided there,  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine.  Here  he  held 
the  office  of  chairman  of  the  board  of  selectmen  for  1887  and 
1888,  and  clerk  of  that  body  for  1888-89.  He  married  Hermine, 
daughter  of  Doctor  Samuel  David.  They  have  six  children : 
Antonia,  Arthur,  Eudore,  Bella,  Aline  and  Maude.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  county  and  state  medical  societies.  He  is  also  pres- 
ident of  the  St.  John  Baptist  Society  of  Putnam,  and  was  pres- 
ident of  the  first  convention  of  a  benevolent  society  of  French 
Canadians  held  in  Connecticut,  which  took  place  in  Willimantic 
in  1886 ;  also  an  officer  in  a  subsequent  convention  of  the  same 
society,  and  was  delegate  from  Putnam  to  the  national  conven- 
tion of  the  same  organization,  which  was  held  in  Nashville,  Tenn., 
in  1888. 

Daniel  Bacon  Plimpton,  M.  D.,  the  second  son  of  Chauncyand 
'Calista  (Bacon)  Plimpton,  was  born  at  Worcester,  Mass.,  March 


'^'^^Frestonli  C?N-^-^- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  189- 

4th,  1821.  He  received  an  academical  education  at  Monson's 
Academy,  at  Monson,  Mass.,  and  graduated  from  the  medical 
college  at  Woodstock,  Vt.,  in  1841.  He  afterward  attended  a 
course  of  medical  lectures  at  Boston.  In  1846  he  commenced 
the  practice  of  medicine  at  North  Oxford,  Mass.,  where  he  re- 
mained about  one  year  and  a  half,  and  then  spent  four  months  in 
Charlton,  Mass.  In  the  fall  of  1847  he  came  to  Putnam,  and  prac- 
ticed here  until  his  death,  in  April,  1884,  with  the  exception  of 
a  year  and  a  half  spent  in  business  in  Springfield,  Mass.  His  wife 
was  Tamar  Davis,  daughter  of  Asa  Cutler,  a  native  of  Killingly.. 
They  had  two  sons,  Frederick  Clinton  and  James  Manning,  both 
of  whom  are  engaged  in  the  Plimpton  Manufacturing  Company,. 
of  Hartford. 

John  H.  Simmons,  M.  D.,  was  born  November  21st,  1811,  at 
Ashford,  in  this  county.  His  parents  were  Alva  and  Tryphena 
Simmons.  His  childhood  and  youth  were  spent  in  his  native 
place,  he  receiving  his  early  education  in  the  district  school  and 
Ashford  Academy.  He  received  his  diploma  from  the  Medical 
Institution  of  Yale  College  in  1833.  He  was  married  to  Mary 
Smart,  of  Salem,  N.  J.,  May  23d,  1839,  by  whom  he  had  four  chil- 
dren, three  sons  and  one  daughter.  The  three  sons  were  in  the 
United  States  service  in  the  late  war.  The  daughter  died  in 
1879.  He  was  married  the  second  time,  to  Mrs.  Emeline  E. 
Moulton,  November  19th,  1877.  He  began  the  practice  of  med- 
icine in  1833  at  Pomfret  Factory  (now  Putnam).  After  remain- 
ing there  one  year  he  removed  to  Ashford,  where  he  has  contin- 
ued to  practice  till  the  present  time.  A  very  satisfactory  degree 
of  success  has  attended  his  labors,  and  he  is  still  able,  at  the  age 
of  seventy-seven  years,  to  do  a  comfortable  business  in  his  pro- 
fession. He  was  a  member  of  the  state  legislature  in  1855,  and 
was  in  the  state  senate  in  1861  and  1864.  He  held  an  office  in 
the  Internal  Revenue  department  for  five  years,  was  post- 
master in  Ashford  two  years,  registrar  of  voters  fifteen  years,  and 
registrar  of  births,  deaths  and  marriages  ten  years. 

Lowell  Holbrook,  M.  D.,  is  a  native  of  Thompson,  where  he 
has  also  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  from  1849  to 
the  present  time,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  years  spent  in 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  other  years,  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion, 
when  he  was  in  the  service  as  surgeon  of  the  Eighteenth  regi- 
ment of  Connecticut  volunteers.  His  father  and  mother  were 
Horatio  Holbrook  and  Arcena  Richardson,  natives  of  Wrentham,. 


190  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Norfolk  county,  Mass.  His  father,  Doctor  Horatio  Holbrook, 
was  a  practicing  physician  in  Thompson  and  vicinity  from  1815 
to  1856.  The  education  of  the  son,  Doctor  Lowell  Holbrook,  was 
at  Plainfield  Academy,  Monson  Academy,  Mass.,  and  Brown  Uni- 
versity, R.  I.  His  medical  education  was  at  the  New  York  Uni- 
versity, whence  he  received  his  diploma  in  1849.  He  was  married 
in  1845  to  Mary  E.  Fisher,  daughter  of  William  Fisher,  Esq.,  of 
Thompson,  who  was  one  of  the  earliest  cotton  manufacturers  of 
Connecticut.  She  is  still  living,  but  they  have  no  children. 
Among  the  most  important  official  positions  held  by  him  maybe 
named  those  of  representative  of  Thompson  in  the  state  legisla- 
ture in  1879  and  president  of  the  Connecticut  Medical  Society 
in  1884. 

Ichabod  L.  Bradley,  M.D.,was  born  in  Stafford,Conn., April  17th, 
1819,  being  the  youngest  son  of  Elisha  and  Abigail  (Kellogg) 
Bradley.  He  studied  medicine  with  Doctor  Isaac  Sperry,  of  Hart- 
ford, his  practice  being  in  the  botanic  course  of  medicine.  He 
commenced  to  practice  in  Ashford,  in  this  county,  in  1848,  fol- 
lowing the  profession  in  that  town  and  Eastford  for  five  years, 
when  he  came  to  Putnam,  in  which  town  he  practiced  until  his 
death,  November  18th,  1880.  His  wife  was  Adaline,  daughter 
of  Leland  and  Casandana  (Ransom)  Slayton,  a  native  of  Wood- 
stock, Vt.  Her  mother  was  a  sister  of  General  T.  B.  Ransom, 
who  was  killed  in  battle  during  the  Mexican  war.  Their  chil- 
dren were :  Frank  S.,  now  living  in  Newark,  N.  J.;  Jane,  who 
-died  at  the  age  of  nine  years;  Ransom  H.,  who  resides  in  Put- 
nam; George  vS.,  who  resides  in  New  Haven  ;  Carrie  L.,  wife  of 
Reverend  Mortimer  Gascoigne,  a  Methodist  clergyman,  located 
in  Ohio  ;  and  Leland,  who  is  doing  business  in  Southbridge,  but 
makes  his  home  in  Putnam. 

Doctor  Louis  Oude  Morasse  was  born  in  Sorel,  province  of 
Quebec,  Canada,  November  15th,  1860.  He  was  the  eldest  son 
of  Louis  and  Annette  (Pouliob)  Morasse.  At  the  age  of  twelve 
years  he  entered  the  College  of  Sorel,  and  after  remaining  there 
three  years  he  attended  the  Seminary  of  Three  Rivers  two  years. 
He  graduated  from  Sorel  College  in  1878,  and  afterward  attended 
a  medical  course  at  the  University  Victoria,  at  Montreal,  receiv- 
ing his  diploma  in  1884.  He  practiced  in  Sorel  one  year,  and  in 
1885  removed  to  Southbridge,  Mass.,  and  in  1887  came  to  Put- 
nam, taking  there  the  practice  established  by  Doctor  F.  X.  Bar- 
olet.  He  is  a  member  of  the  state  and  county  medical  societies. 
He  was  married  May  3d,  1886,  to  Celia  O.  Bunze. 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  191 

William  Richardson,  M.  D.,  whose  genealogy  is  traced  from 
one  of  the  same  name  who  died  in  1658,  was  a  native  of  London- 
derry, N.  H.  The  early  ancestor  referred  to  was  William  Rich- 
ardson, of  Newbury,  Mass.,  who  married  Elizabeth  Wiseman, 
August  22d,  1654,  and  had  a  son,  Joseph,  born  May  18th,  1655. 
The  wife  of  Joseph,  Margaret  Godfrey,  is  said  to  have  been 
the  first  white  child  born  in  Newbury.  The  youngest  of  their 
eight  children  was  Caleb,  born  June  9th,  1704.  He  married 
Tryphena  Bodwell,  and  they  had  ten  children.  Among  the 
ten  was  William,  born  October  21st,  1756,  a  drummer  in  the  rev- 
olutionary war,  married  Lydia  Messer,  and  died  March  21st, 
1836.  He  had  nine  children,  the  third  of  which  was  William  M., 
born  February  12th,  1795,  married  Betsey  Pettengill,  and  had 
five  children,  the  oldest  of  whom  was  William  P.,  born  July  26th, 
1821,  married  Sarah  Hale  Goodwin,  and  had  four  children.  He 
was  a  blacksmith,  farmer  and  lumber  manufacturer  of  London- 
derry, N.H.  The  second  of  his  four  children  was  William,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch.  He  was  born  February  26th,  1860.  Spending 
his  boyhood  at  work  on  the  farm,  in  the  woods  and  in  the  saw 
mill,  and  gathering  his  early  education  in  the  district  school, 
he  afterward  attended  the  McGaw  Normal  Institute,  at  Reed's 
Ferry,  N.  H.,  several  terms.  In  1880  he  began  the  study  of 
medicine,  attended  three  courses  of  lectures  at  Dartmouth  Med- 
ical College,  and  received  his  diploma  from  that  college  No- 
vember 13th,  1883.  He  began  to  practice  medicine  in  Lowell, 
Mass.,  in  January,  1884,  but  returned  to  Londonderry  in  June 
of  the  same  year,  remaining  there  most  of  the  time  until  June, 
1887,  when  he  settled  in  Westford,  and  has  practiced  there  un- 
til the  present  time.  In  1884  he  practiced  a  few  months  in 
Alexandria  and  Salisbury,  N.  H.,  and  in  1886  spent  part  of  the 
autumn  in  the  New  York  Polyclinic  School.  He  married, 
August  27th,  1884,  Esther  F.  Whidden,  of  Auburn,  N.  H.,  and 
has  had  three  children,  but  one  of  whom  is  now  living,  Flor- 
ence, born  March  28th,  1886. 

Doctor  Levi  A.  Bliss,  now  residing  at  East  Woodstock,  was 
born  and  educated  in  Massachusetts,  his  native  town  being 
Brookfield.  He  was  born  in  August,  1828.  He  practiced  med- 
icine a  number  of  years  in  Woodstock  and  adjoining  towns,  be- 
ing one  of  the  pioneers  in  the  Homeopathic  school  of  practice. 
He  served  in  the  late  war  as  a  member  of  Company  K,  in  the 
Seventh  regiment  of  Connecticut  volunteers,  receiving  in  the 


192  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

service  injuries  which  in  their  subsequent  development  rendered 
him  incapable  of  pursuing  the  practice  of  his  profession.  For 
several  years  he  has  been  an  invalid,  almost  entirely  confined 
to  the  house.  In  the  autumn  of  1850  he  married  Lydia  A. 
Coomes,  of  Woodstock,  who  is  still  living.  They  have  no  chil- 
dren. 

Doctor  Frederic  G.  Sawtelle  was  born  at  Norridgewick,  Me., 
educated  at  the  Long  Island  College  Hospital,  at  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,. 
and  established  himself  in  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Pomfret 
in  1881.  He  engaged  in  this  field  at  the  invitation  of  some 
of  the  citizens,  after  the  death  of  Doctor  Lewis  Williams.  His 
wife  was  Elizabeth  Winthrop  Tappan,  and  they  have  two  chil- 
dren. 

Doctor  Joseph  D'Auray  was  born  in  Ste.  Marie  de  Mannoir, 
Canada,  in  1845.  His  parents  were  Charles  C.  and  Marie  Louise 
(Messier)  D'Auray.  At  an  early  age  he  was  sent  to  college  at 
Ste.  Marie,  where  he  went  through  a  classical  course,  and  grad- 
uated with  distinction  in  1867.  He  then  pursued  the  study  of 
medicine,  and  received  his  degree  at  Bishop  Medical  and  Surg- 
ical Institute,  I.  S.  In  1871  he  commenced  practicing  at  Dan- 
ielsonville.  Six  months  later  he  removed  to  Woonsocket,  R.  I., 
and  practiced  there  for  two  years.  He  published  for  a  time  the 
first  French  newspaper  in  Rhode  Island,  Lc  Canadicn.  In  1872 
he  was  married  and  has  had  ten  children  born  to  him,  five  of 
whom  are  still  living.  He  soon  sold  out  and  returned  to  Daniel- 
sonville,  where  he  has  since  practiced  with  good  success.  He  is 
the  founder  of  two  benevolent  societies  and  a  literary  club,  of 
which  he  was  president,  was  an  instigator  of  the  first  Canadian 
Convention  of  Connecticut,  and  made  president  of  its  first 
executive  committee  in  1884. 

Seth  Rogers,  M.  D,,  although  not  claiming  to  be  a  Windham 
county  physician  in  all  senses  of  the  term,  is  yet  too  much  asso- 
ciated with  our  subject  to  be  passed  without  mention.  He  is 
about  sixty-five  years  of  age,  and  practiced  medicine  thirty 
years,  during  about  ten  of  which  he  had  a  sanitarium.  He  now 
resides  in  Pomfret  Centre,  to  which  place  he  came  from  Wor- 
cester, Mass.,  after  the  civil  war.  He  came  here  for  rest  and 
retirement,  and  during  the  twenty  years  or  more  that  he  has  re- 
sided here  has  not  taken  up  general  practice,  though  he  has  oc- 
casionally been  associated  in  consultation  with  other  physicians. 
"  He  is  a  man  of  fine  education  and  is  well  known  in  the  cities 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  193 

as  a  physician."  This  remark  is  made  on  the  authority  of  one 
of  the  prominent  members  of  the  Windham  county  medical  fra- 
ternity, whose  words  are  few  and  weighty. 

Doctor  John  Bryden  Kent  was  born  in  Truro,  Nova  Scotia, 
November  16th,  1845.  His  parents  were  of  Scotch  descent  witli 
an  admixture  of  English  blood  from  his  maternal  grandmother. 
After  attending  the  common  schools  and  private  school  for  boys 
he  entered  the  Provincial  Academy,  graduating  thence  in  1864. 
In  the  following  year  he  entered  upon  the  study  of  medicine 
with  Doctor  Charles  Bent,  in  his  native  town,  and  in  the  fall  of 
that  year  entered  the  medical  department  of  Harvard  University. 
He  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1869,  and  soon  after  came 
to  Putnam,  and  at  once  began  the  practice  of  his  profession. 
Here  he  still  remains.  In  1882  he  took  a  special  course  at  Belle- 
vue  Hospita],  in  New  York  city,  in  gynecology,  and  has  since 
made  that  subject  a  specialty  in  his  practice.  For  two  years  past 
he  has  been  associated  in  business  with  Doctor  F.  A.  Morrell, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Kent  &  Morrell.  He  was  married  in 
1872  to  Helen  Abbie,  only  daughter  of  Honorable  James  W. 
Manning,  of  Putnam.  They  have  one  son,  Jamie  Manning  Kent, 
now  twelve  years  of  age.  Doctor  Kent  has  been  secretary  of 
the  county  medical  society,  of  which  he  is  a  member,  and  has 
seven  times  represented  the  state  and  county  societies  as  a  dele- 
gate to  the  American  Medical  Society,  of  which  he  is  a  perma- 
nent member.  He  has  been  for  ten  years  a  member  of  the  school 
board,  and  was  most  of  that  time  its  chairman.  He  is  post  sur- 
geon for  the  town,  examining  physician  appointed  by  county 
coroner,  and  acting  examining  surgeon  for  twelve  insurance 
companies. 

Elisha  Keyes  Robbins,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Ashford,  July  21st, 
1821.  His  parents  were  Hosea  C.  and  Alice  Robbins,  of  whose 
ten  children  Elisha  K.  was  the  eldest.  He  received  a  good  com- 
mon school  education,  and  then  studied  dentistry  with  Doctor 
Joshua  Bailey,  of  Colchester  Conn.,  one  year.  This  profession 
not  proving  satisfactory,  he  studied  medicine  with  Doctors  Dick- 
inson and  Holmes  at  the  same  place  for  two  years,  and  with 
Doctor  H.  E.  Cook,  of  East  Haddam,  for  another  year.  He  then 
attended  one  course  of  lectures  at  the  Eclectic  Medical  College 
of  Worcester,  Mass.,  and  another  course  at  the  Metropolitan 
Medical  College  of  New  York,  obtaining  his  diploma  in  May, 
1853.  Since  then  he  practiced  medicine  in  Webster,  Mass.,  four 
13 


194  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

years  and  in  Eastford  the  remainder  of  the  time  to  the  present, 
with  the  exception  of  three  years— July,  1862,  to  August,  1865 — 
spent  in  the  U.  S,  army  hospital.  He  was  married.  May  1st,  1842, 
to  Lucy  Ann,  daughter  of  Captain  Nathan  and  Lucy  Burnham, 
of  Eastford,  and  they  have  one  son,  Erwin  E.,  a  merchant  in 
Putnam.  Doctor  Robbins  has  served  as  registrar  of  births,  mar- 
riages and  deaths  ten  years ;  as  registrar  of  electors  fifteen 
years ;  as  representative  to  state  legislature  for  the  session  of 
1881,  and  as  judge  of  probate  for  the  district  of  Eastford  two 
years,  and  has  now  commenced  on  a  second  term  of  two  years 
in  that  office. 

S.  P.  Ladd,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Franklin,  Conn.,  December  5th, 
1847.  He  was  the  son  of  S.  J.  P.  Ladd,  and  the  maiden  name  of 
his  mother  was  Philena  B.  Hazen.  She  was  a  gifted  woman 
and  a  graduate  of  the  Academy  of  Wilbraham,  Mass.,  and  gave 
her  personal  attention  largely  to  the  education  of  her  son  in  the 
years  of  his  childhood.  He  was  at  the  age  of  ten  years  placed 
under  the  care  of  Reverend  Dr.  S.  J.  Horton,  who  conducted  a 
family  school  for  boys  at  Windham.  Here  he  received  a  most 
thorough  classical  training  for  three  years,  during  which  time 
his  mother  died  and  her  plans  with  regard  to  his  education  were 
abandoned.  His  further  education  was,  however,  pursued  for  a 
few  terms  at  Plainfield  Academy  and  Ellington  High  School. 
Leaving  the  latter  place  in  1864,  he  enlisted  in  the  United  States 
navy,  and  served  until  after  the  close  of  the  war  in  1865.  He 
then  passed  several  months  on  his  father's  farm,  and  in  1866 
found  employment  in  a  country  store  as  a  clerk.  In  April,  1869, 
he  found  a  better  position  in  a  freight  office  in  Hartford.  During 
this  year,  June  7th,  he  married  Miss  Sarah  A.  Meacham,  whose 
acquaintance  he  had  made  while  in  the  Ellington  High  School. 
His  son,  Frederick  P.  Ladd,  was  born  June  11th,  1870.  While 
occupying  these  clerkships.  Doctor  Ladd  ever  preserved  a  vigor- 
ous determination  to  pursue  his  studies,  and  found  some  time  to 
carry  out  that  determination,  and  at  the  same  time  was  able  to 
save  money  enough  to  help  him  in  its  sub.sequent  prosecution, 
though  often  in  the  face  of  very  discouraging  circumstances.  He 
was  thus  enabled,  in  1876,  to  enter  the  medical  department  of 
the  University  of  the  City  of  New  York,  from  which  he  gradu- 
ated in  February,  1879.  He  then  spent  one  year  in  the  Hartford 
Hospital,  the  first  half  as  assistant  and  the  last  half  as  resident 
surgeon  and  physician.     He  then  practiced  in  Portland,  Conn., 


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HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  195 

for  two  year.s  and  a  half,  and  in  Putnam  for  one  and  one-half 
years,  and  in  1884  removed  to  Moosup,  where  he  still  remains, 
and  is  realizing  in  his  practice  a  degree  of  success  exceeding  his 
expectations. 

F.  S.  Burgess,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  the  village  of  Moosup,  Aug- 
ust 15th,  1827,  and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  until 
about  sixteen  years  of  age,  when  he  was  sent  to  a  high  school  in 
Norwich  for  three  years.  After  graduating  there,  he  com- 
menced the  study  of  medicine  with  Doctor  D.  M.  Rose,  of  Her- 
kimer, N.  Y.,  for  two  years.  He  also  spent  one  year  in  the  Al- 
bany Medical  College,  under  the  tutorship  of  Professor  Alden 
March.  He  graduated  from  that  institution  in  the  winter  of 
1849-50.  He  was  married  March  16th,  1852,  to  Miss  Julia 
Wheeler,  of  West  Winfield,  N.  Y.  She  died  August  16th,  1888, 
leaving  no  children.  Doctor  Burgess  began  the  practice  of  med- 
icine in  Jewett  City,  New  London  county,  in  the  autumn  of 
1851.  He  remained  there  until  the  autumn  of  1855,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Moosup,  where  he  has  since  been  established.  He  was 
representative  from  the  town  of  Plainfield  in  the  state  legislature 
in  1857  and  1867,  and  was  surgeon-general  of  the  state  for  four 
successive  years  under  Governor  Charles  R.  Ingersoll.  Doctor 
Burgess  is  still  in  active  practice,  with  a  commendable  degree  of 
professional  enthusiasm,  fully  determined  to  "  die  in  the  har- 
ness." 

Nathaniel  Hibbard,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Maulmain,  Burmah,  a 
town  in  British  India,  June  13th,  1855,  his  parents  being  Ameri- 
can missionaries  to  that  country,  sent  out  by  American  Baptists. 
His  father,  Charles  H.  Hibbard,  was  a  graduate  of  Brown  Uni- 
versity in  1850.  Young  Hibbard  was  brought  to  this  country  at 
five  years  of  age,  and  has  lived  in  New  England  ever  since.  His 
youth  was  spent  in  the  state  of  Vermont.  He  prepared  for  col- 
lege at  the  Worcester  Academy,  and  entered  Brown  University 
in  1874.  Here  he  graduated  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.  in  1878, 
and  after  spending  several  months  of  1879  in  Europe,  entered 
Harvard  Medical  School  in  the  fall  of  that  year.  There  he  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  M.  D.  in  1882.  Since  December  of  that  year 
he  has  practiced  medicine  in  Danielsonville.  He  was  married 
to  Miss  Jennie  Robinson,  of  Providence,  R.  I.,  in  January,  1885, 
and  they  have  one  son. 

Charles  H.  Colgrove,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Lisbon,  New  London 
county.  Conn.,  in  1841,  his  father  being  a  farmer  of  that  place. 


196  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

He  had  an  academical  education,  and  attended  two  courses  of 
medical  lectures  at  Harvard  University,  and  graduated  in  Detroit 
in  1872.  Since  that  time  he  has  practiced  most  of  the  time  in 
Willimantic,  where  he  now  resides.  He  was  married  in  1875, 
and  has  two  children.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Connecticut 
Homeopathic  Medical  Society,  is  contributor  to  two  medical 
journals,  and  examiner  for  two  insurance  companies.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

Doctor  Henry  L.  Hammond  was  born  at  East  Killingly,  Sep- 
tember 7th,  1842.  After  completing  his  studies  in  the  common 
schools,  he  attended  Williston  Seminary,  East  Hampton,  Mass., 
graduating  from  that  institution,  and  later  from  Brown  Univer- 
sity, where  he  received  the  degree  of  B.  P.  in  1864.  He  then 
studied  medicine,  graduating  at  Harvard  Medical  College  in 
1866.  During  the  late  war  he  served  as  acting  assistant  surgeon 
in  the  25th  Army  Corps,  Army  of  the  James,  going  into  Rich- 
mond at  its  .surrender.  He  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine 
in  Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  removing  thence  to  Hudson  City,  N.  J., 
where  he  remained  until  1876,  during  part  of  which  time  he  was 
chosen  city  physician  and  police  surgeon,  and  was  in  charge  of 
the  city  during  the  epidemic  of  small  pox.  In  August,  1870,  he 
married  Emma  Demy  Rawson,  of  Norwich,  Conn.  On  account 
of  his  health,  he  removed  to  and  located  at  Saratoga,  N.  Y.,  and 
later,  his  health  still  failing,  he  was  obliged  to  give  up  his  prac- 
tice there ;  and  then  he  spent  two  years  in  traveling,  during 
which  time  he  visited  the  Azores  and  some  of  the  Canary  islands. 
After  his  return  he  located  in  Killingly,  where  his  father.  Doctor 
Justin  Hammond,  had  practiced  medicine  for  forty  years.  In 
addition  to  a  very  limited  practice,  he  was  appointed  assistant 
surgeon  of  the  Third  regiment  C.  N.  G.,  which  position  he 
still  holds.  In  December,  1884,  he  was  appointed  United  States 
pension  surgeon,  and  assigned  to  duty  at  Norwich,  Conn.,  where 
he  was  made  secretary  of  the  United  States  pension  examining 
board,  which  appointment  he  still  retains.  He  was  post  surgeon 
for  Windham  county  in  1886  and  1888.  He  has  also  been  prom- 
inent in  many  social,  beneficial,  literary  and  professional  organ- 
izations of  the  town  and  county. 

Harvey  H.  Converse  was  born  in  Brimfield,  Mass.,  December 
19th,  1846.  His  mother  dying  when  he  was  five  years  of  age, 
leaving  eight  children  in  limited  circumstances,  of  which  he  was 
the  youngest,  he  was  placed  away  from  home  to  live,  and  under 


HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY.  197 

such  circumstances  he  attended  the  common  school  until  he 
reached  the  age  of  twelve,  after  which  he  attended  a  grammar 
school  in  Southbridge,  Mass.,  one  year,  a  school  in  Worcester  one 
year,  and  a  high  school  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  one  year.  Having 
now  arrived  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  he  went  to  the  war  and 
served  during  three  years,  being  in  twenty-two  general  engage- 
ments, receiving  two  wounds  and  spending  two  months  in  Libby 
Prison.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  had  saved  eight  hundred 
dollars,  with  which  he  set  to  work  preparing  himself  for  his 
future  profession.  In  1878  he  graduated  at  the  American  Uni- 
versity Eclectic  Medical  College  of  Pennsylvania,  and  com- 
menced practice  November  1st,  of  the  same  year,  in  the  town  of 
Stark,  Maine.  After  five  years'  practice  he  was  obliged  by  sick- 
ness to  give  up  his  work.  Later  he  located  in  Hampton  in  this 
county,  where  he  has  been  engaged  in  practice  five  years.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Eclectic  Medical  Association  of  Connecticut, 
and  holds  numerous  positions  of  local  honor  in  the  town,  being 
also  a  member  of  the  National  Eclectic  Medical  Association. 

James  Fabien  Mcintosh,  M.  D.  C.  M.,  was  born  April  2d,  1861, 
at  St.  Polycarpe,  in  the  county  of  Soulanges,  Canada.  In  1870  he 
entered  the  Montreal  College,  beginning  there  his  classical 
course,  and  in  1876  entered  the  Great  Seminary  of  Montreal  to 
study  philosophy.  He  began  his  medical  course  in  Victoria 
University  of  Montreal,  and  in  1886  received  the  degree  of 
M.  D.  C.  M.  In  the  same  year  he  became  a  member  of  the 
Canada  Medical  Association,  and  on  the  9th  of  November  of  the 
same  year  he  came  to  North  Grosvenor  Dale  to  engage  in  the 
practice  of  medicine.  April  19th,  1887,  he  married  Marie  Louise 
Azeline  Mayer,  eldest  daughter  of  Edward  Mayer,  of  Montreal, 
Canada,  an  officer  of  Her  Majesty  the  Queen  Victoria.  They 
have  one  child,  born  January  25th,  1888,  whom  they  have  named 
Marie  Louise  Hermine  Yvonne  Berthe.  The  father  of  Doctor 
Mcintosh  was  a  member  of  the  Hudson  Bay  Company. 

Jesse  M.  Coburn,  M.  D.,  was  born  at  Pittsfield,  N.  H.,  March 
27th,  1853,  being  the  eldest  son  of  the  Reverend  J.  M.  Coburn, 
then  pastor  of  the  Pittsfield  Baptist  church,  but  in  1854  removing 
to  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Manchester,  N.  H. 
Here  the  subject  of  this  sketch  grew  up,  passed  through  the 
graded  public  schools  and  fitted  for  Harvard  College.  He  after- 
ward graduated  at  Pembroke  Academy  and  became  a  student  of 
medicine  in  the  office  of  Doctor  O.  S.  Sanders  at  Boston,  where 


198  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

he  remained  two  years.  He  then  became  associated  with  Doctor 
N.  P.  Clark,  of  New  Boston,  N.  H.,  as  a  student  and  general 
practitioner,  and  later  attended  lectures  at  the  Hahnemann 
Medical  College  of  Philadelphia.  After  graduating  there  he 
entered  the  office  of  Professor  J.  H.  Woodbury,  registrar  of  Bos- 
ton University,  receiving  a  diploma  from  that  institution  in  the 
class  of  1874.  He  settled  at  South  Framingham,  Mass.,  and 
built  up  a  large  practice,  which  at  the  end  of  five  years  he  dis- 
posed of  and  immediately  assumed  the  practice  of  Doctor  Frank 
Brigham,  of  Shrewsbury,  Mass.,  during  the  absence  of  the  latter 
in  Europe.  On  his  return,  in  the  spring  of  1881,  Doctor  Coburn 
removed  to  Brooklyn  in  this  county,  where  he  succeeded  to  the 
practice  of  Doctor  James  B.  Whitcomb.  In  Augu.st,  1879,  he 
married  Abbie  M.  Cutler,  daughter  of  A.  G.  Cutler,  of  Shrews- 
bury, Mass.,  by  whom  he  has  two  sons. 

Doctor  S.  C.  Chase  was  born  in  Killingly,  August  23d,  1817. 
He  has  practiced  magnetism  and  homeopathy  continuously  since 
1856,  and  after  more  than  thirty  years  of  professional  life  he  ex- 
presses himself  as  well  satisfied  with  the  degree  of  success  which 
has  attended  his  labors.  Throughout  a  long  life  he  has  been 
pre-eminently  a  man  of  affairs,  having  held  the  offices  of  con- 
stable, selectman,  and  judge  of  probate,  and  represented  his  na- 
tive town  in  the  state  legislature.  He  is  still  in  practice  at  East 
Killingly. 

William  H.  Judson,  M.  D.,  now  practicing  medicine  at  Daniel- 
sonville,  is  the  son  of  Andrew  Judson,  of  Eastford,  born  August 
26th,  1820,  who  was  the  son  of  Zuinglus  Judson,  also  of  Ashford, 
born  January  30th,  1790,  who  was  the  son  of  Andrew  Judson, 
born  in  Stratford,  Conn.,  in  1749,  and  became  the  first  Congre- 
gational minister  settled  in  Eastford,  and  was  a  direct  descend- 
ant of  William  Judson,  of  Yorkshire,  who  settled  in  Salem  in 
1632.  On  his  mother's  side,  Doctor  Judson  is  connected  with  the 
families  by  the  names  of  Work,  Storrs,  Southworth  and  Mat- 
thews. He  was  born  in  Milford,  Mass.,  June  27th,  1854,  gradu- 
ated at  Jefferson  Medical  School,  of  Philadelphia,  where  he  had 
been  under  the  old  masters,  Panchost,  Gross,  Dacosta,  and  others, 
in  1878,  and  began  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Abington  the 
the  same  year.  In  1879  he  removed  to  Wauregan,  and  in  J  886 
to  Danielsonville,  where  he  still  remains.  In  the  pursuit  of  his 
education  he  worked  his  own  way,  from  the  farm  in  Mendon, 
Mass.,  on  which  he  worked  till  eighteen  years  of  age,  through 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  199 

Phillips,  Exeter,  and  Michigan  University  Medical  School,  and 
one  year  at  Philadelphia.  He  was  married  December  3d,  1886, 
to  Annie  Kinney,  at  Wauregan.     They  have  no  children. 

Doctor  Orin  Witter,  the  elder,  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  Conn., 
July  15th,  1797.  He  studied  medicine  with  Doctor  Hutchins,  of 
his  native  town,  and  with  Doctor  Thomas  Hubbard,  of  Pomfret, 
completing  his  medical  studies  at  Yale  Medical  College  in  the 
year  1820.  During  the  same  year  he  established  himself  in 
Chaplin  as  a  physician,  and  soon  gained  the  confidence  and  ap- 
probation of  the  people.  Two  years  later,  when  the  town  was 
incorporated,  he  was  chosen  the  first  town  clerk.  He  was  later  a 
member  of  the  board  of  education,  and  also  judge  of  probate 
for  the  district.  The  latter  office  he  held  for  a  term  of  years,  in- 
deed until  he  arrived  at  the  age  of  seventy  years,  and  was  thus 
disqualified  for  holding  it  longer.  He  continued  to  practice  med- 
icine for  nearly  fifty  years,  and  until  about  two  years  before  his 
death.  He  was  married  to  Florenda  Preston,  daughter  of  Josh- 
ua Preston,  March  31st,  1824.  They  had  two  daughters  and  one 
son.  One  of  the  daughters  died  in  infancy  ;  Cornelia,  the  other 
daughter,  married  Doctor  E.  C.  Holt,  of  Bennington,  N.  J.;  and 
the  son  retains  the  name  and  profession  of  the  father  at  the 
present  time.     Doctor  Witter,  the  elder,  died  February  2d,  1869. 

Doctor  Orin  Witter,  the  younger,  was  born  in  Chaplin,  April 
25th,  1835.  After  completing  his  academical  course,  he  com- 
menced the  study  of  medicine  under  the  tutorship  of  his  father, 
and  attended  lectures  at  Yale  Medical  College  and  the  College 
of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  New  York  city,  graduating  at  the 
latter  institution  in  the  year  1859.  He  was  married  to  Helen  A. 
Utley,  daughter  of  James  R.  Utley,  May  26th,  1864,  and  they 
have  had  two  children,  a  daughter  who  died  at  four  years  of  age 
and  a  son  who  is  still  living.  After  graduating.  Doctor  Witter 
commenced  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Chaplin  with  his  father, 
and  has  continued  in  that  field  until  the  present  time.  He  has 
never  sought  political  honors,  but  being  pressed  by  the  solicita- 
tions of  friends,  consented  to  be  once  nominated  and  was  elected 
to  represent  the  town  in  the  assembly  in  the  year  1877.  In  the 
town  he  has  held  the  office  of  registrar  of  births,  marriages  and 
deaths  for  a  number  of  years. 

Doctor  Hiram  Holt,  who  for  nearly  fifty  years  was  a  physician 
in  active  practice  at  Pomfret,  was  the  son  of  Nehemiah  Holt  and 
Mary  Lanphear,  his  first  wife,  and  was  born  at  what  is  now  the 


200  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

town  of  Chaplin,  then  Hampton,  January  31st,  1798.  He  was  a 
descendant  of  Nicholas  Holt,  the  ancestor  of  the  most  numerous 
branch  of  the  Holt  family  of  New  England,  who  sailed  from 
Southampton,  England,  on  the  ship  "  James,"  of  London,  and 
landed  at  Boston,  Mass.,  in  1635.  His  name  appears  on  the  ship 
roll  as  Nicholas  Holte,  of  Romsey,  tanner.  He  settled  at  And- 
over,  Mass.,  where  he  died  in  1685. 

His  grandson,  George  Holt,  removed  in  1726  from  Andover  to 
a  part  of  the  town  of  Windham,  then  known  as  the  Canada  Soci- 
ety. There  Doctor  Holt's  ancestors  continued  to  live,  and  there 
he  was  born.  His  grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the  French  war 
of  1756,  and  his  father  in  the  revolutionary  war.  His  ancestors 
from  the  time  of  Nicholas  Holt  were  all  farmers,  and  he  was 
reared  on  the  old  homestead  in  Chaplin,  working  as  a  farmer's 
boy  until  he  was  nearly  of  age.  Then,  by  teaching  school,  he 
saved  money  enough  to  support  himself  while  studying  med- 
icine. He  went  to  Pomfret  in  1821,  and  became  a  student  with 
Doctor  Thomas  Hubbard,  then  the  leading  physician  in  eastern 
Connecticut  and  later  a  professor  in  the  Medical  vSchool  of  Yale 
College.  Doctor  Holt  attended  a  course  of  medical  lectures  at 
that  school,  but  was  not  able  to  complete  the  course  ;  he  how- 
ever received  an  honorary  degree  of  M.  D.  from  Yale  in  1834. 
He  then  settled  in  Pomfret,  where  he  continued  to  reside  and 
actively  practice  his  profession  until  his  death,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  a  short  period  about  the  year  1843,  during  which 
he  resided  at  Mexico,  Oswego  county.  New  York.  He  died  at 
Pomfret,  November  30th,  1870,  in  his  seventy-third  year.  He 
married,  in  1828,  Marian  Chandler,  of  Pomfret,  who  died  in 
1857.  He  subsequently  married  Martha  S.  Cotton,  of  Pomfret. 
Three  children  of  the  first  marriage  are  living. 

Doctor  Holt  had,  for  a  country  physician,  a  large  practice  and 
a  high  professional  reputation.  He  was  especially  fond  of  surg- 
ery, for  which  a  natural  ingenuity  and  cleverness  in  the  devising 
of  appliances  and  the  use  of  instruments  of  all  kinds  naturally 
fitted  him.  He  always  kept  a  complete  set  of  carpenter's  tools 
and  other  mechanical  implements,  the  use  of  which,  in  repairing 
and  making  all  kinds  of  household  things,  was  one  of  his  princi- 
pal recreations,  and  his  natural  ingenuity  in  repairing  fractures 
and  dexterity  in  using  instruments  made  all  surgical  operations 
fascinating  to  him.  Outside  of  his  profession  he  was  a  man  of 
force  in  various  respects.     He  had  by  nature  a  strong  and  log- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  201 

ical  mind,  with  a  masterful  will  and  an  unusually  retentive  mem- 
ory. He  could  quote  by  memory  whole  pages  from  favorite 
authors,  particularly  from  Scott's  poems.  Antiquities  and  local 
history  particularly  interested  him,  and  his  knowledge  of  the 
ancestry  and  family  relations  of  the  people  of  eastern  Connec- 
ticut was  minute  and  accurate.  He  was  a  capital  talker,  having 
a  great  fund  of  odd  and  entertaining  information,  and  was  an 
especially  good  story  teller,  with  a  keen  sense  of  fun  and  ad- 
mirable imitative  powers.  He  was  a  man  of  unusual  energy  and 
activity,  fond  of  labor  for  its  own  sake.  Personally  he  was  a 
good  specimen  of  the  old  type  of  Windham  county  men.  He  was 
of  a  large  and  powerful  frame,  fully  six  feet  high,  with  the 
massive  head  and  strong  face  that  one  sees  in  the  pictures  of  the 
continental  generals  and  the  New  England  men  of  that  time. 
Mrs.  Caroline  F.  Corbin,  herself  a  native  of  Pomfret,  in  a  novel 
published  some  years  ago  called  "  Rebecca,  or  a  Woman's  Secret," 
introduced  Doctor  Holt,  under  another  name  and  a  thin  disguise, 
as  a  character  in  the  book ;  and  the  portrait  which  she  there 
draws  of  him  is,  in  some  respects,  an  accurate  picture,  not  only 
of  the  little  ways  and  mannerisms  which  were  characteristic  of 
him,  but  also  of  the  essentially  good  and  just  character  of  the 
man. 

Doctor  William  Witter  was  born  in  Canterbury  in  1804,  and 
died  in  1851  at  the  age  of  forty-seven.  He  was  the  fifth  in  line 
of  descent  from  Deacon  Ebenezer  Witter  and  his  wife,  Dorothy, 
who  settled  in  Preston,  Conn.,  before  1699,  having  come  thither 
from  Scotland,  though  the  family  is  understood  to  be  English  at 
a  more  remote  period  of  its  history.  The  line  of  descent  is  as 
follows:  Deacon  Ebenezer  Witter,  farmer  and  founder  of  the 
family  in  this  country,  born  1668  and  died  in  1712.  His  son, 
Ebenezer  Witter,  farmer,  born  1700,  lived  in  Preston  and  died 
1790.  He  was  the  father  of  fifteen  children,  and,  as  an  old  ac- 
count quaintly  says,  "  He  was  also  very  punctual  in  family  wor- 
ship, and  when  confined  to  his  bed  with  a  broken  limb  and  on 
his  back  he  led  the  family  in  prayer  morning  and  evening." 
His  son.  Deacon  Asa  Witter,  farmer,  born  1744,  married  Joanna 
Kinne  in  1765,  lived  at  first  in  Preston,  but  after  his  marriage 
removed  to  Canterbury,  and  died  in  1792.  He  was  a  justice  of 
the  peace,  a  representative  in  the  legislature  of  the  state,  and  a 
"  councillor  "  among  his  neighbors.  His  son,  Ebenezer  Witter, 
farmer,  born  1777,  married  Eunice  Bass  in  1799,  lived  in  Canter- 


202  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

bury,  died  in  1833.     His  son,  Doctor  William  Witter,  subject  of 
this  sketch,  was  born  in  1804  and  died  in  1851.     He  married 
Emily  Bingham  in  1829,  lived  in  Canterbury,  studied  medicine, 
graduating  at  the  Medical  School  of  Williams  College,  Williams- 
town,  Mass.,  and  settled  as  a  practicing  physician  in  Willimantic, 
where  he  lived  thenceforward.     He  was  a  learned  man  in  his 
profession,  and  enjoyed  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life  a  surgical 
practice  extending  into  the  larger  cities  and  towns  of  the  state, 
was  a  prominent  citizen,  a  representative  and  senator  at  times, 
and  found  time  even  in  the  midst  of  pressing  professional  duties 
to  exercise  the  interest  he  naturally  took  in  the  cause  of  public 
education.     Many  young  men  who  afterward  became  leading 
physicians,  studied  medicine  in  his  office,  and  he  seems  to  have 
been  willing  also  to  devote  time  to  this  work.     He  was  a  man 
of  sterling  integrity  and  uprightness,  and  was  highly  respected 
by  all  who  knew  him,  and  he  especially  had  the  love  and  esteem 
of  all  his  many  students  as  well  as  patients,  toward  whom  he 
was  uniformly  kind  and  considerate,  and  by  whom  he  was  im- 
plicitly trusted.     On  his  maternal  side  he  was  a  descendant  of 
the  Waldo  family.     His  grandfather,  three  times  removed,  was 
Cornelius  Waldo,who,  coming  from  England,  settled  in  Ipswich, 
Mass.,  in  1654,  and  was  the  grandfather,  twice  removed,  of  Ralph 
Waldo  Emerson.     His    more  ancient  ancestry  includes    Peter 
Waldo,  the  reputed  founder  of  the  sect  of  the  Waldenses,  who 
died  in  1179. 

The  wife  of  Doctor  Witter  was  Emily  Bingham,  a  descendant 
of  Captain  John  Bingham  of  revolutionary  memory.  Of  this 
union  were  born  eight  children,  six  of  whom  survived  early 
youth.  These  were  as  follows :  Frances,  married  Hubert  Foot, 
whom  she  survives  with  an  only  daughter,  F.  Huberta  Foote  : 
Maria,  married  Joseph  Watson,  and  in  second  nuptials  Thomas 
Turner,  whom  she  survives,  both  of  Willimantic  ;  Emily,  mar- 
ried Timothy  Ingraham,  and  they  have  one  daughter,  Gertrude, 
who  married  Ezra  Sanders  of  Cleveland,  Ohio ;  Anne,  married 
Herbert  F.  Palmer,  and  they  have  one  son,  F.  Herbert  Palmer, 
a  graduate  of  Columbia  College ;  William  Clitus,  the  only  son, 
was  born  in  1842,  entered  Brown  University  in  1861,  served  in 
the  United  States  army,  10th  Rhode  Island  Regiment  as  a  non- 
commissioned officer,  during  the  college  vacation  of  1863,  re- 
turning entered  Yale  College  and  graduated  in  1865,  graduated 
from  Columbia  College  Law  School  in  1867,  studied  law  in  the 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  203 

office  of  William  M.  Evarts  in  New  York  city,  and  is  now  senior, 
member  of  the  law  firm  of  Witter  &  Kenyon  in  that  city,  mar-, 
ried  Florence  Wellington,  of  Boston,  Mass.,  in  1871,  and  they 
have  one  child,  Florence  Waldo,  born  January  17th,  1887;  Hor- 
tense,  the  youngest  of  the  six  of  Doctor  Witter's  children,  mar- 
ried Edson  Lewis,  and  died  in  1875,  leaving  one  daughter,  named 
Hortense.  Some  years  after  the  death  of  his  first  wife.  Doctor 
V/itter  married  Cynthia  Barrows,  daughter  of  Daniel  Barrows, 
of  Mansfield,  Conn. 

Henry  R.  Lowe  was  born  at  Mercer,  Maine,  January  20th,  1849. 
His  early  life  was  spent  on  the  farm  until  arriving  at  the  age  of 
twenty-one,  meanwhile  receiving  a  common  school  education. 
He  afterward  attended  the  Eaton  Family  and  Day  School  at  Nor- 
ridgewock,  Maine,  four  years.  He  commenced  the  study  of 
medicine  in  1876  with  William  S.  Robbins,  in  his  native  town, 
and  later  attended  Dartmouth  Medical  College,  from  which  he 
graduated  in  the  fall  of  1882.  He  commenced  the  practice  of 
medicine  at  Worcester,  Mass.,  in  the  spring  of  1883.  He  was 
married  to  Mrs.  Exoa  Stanton,  of  Shrewsbury,  Mass.,  January 
1st,  1884,  and  removed  to  Woodstock  Valley,  Conn.,  in  the  spring 
of  1885,  where  he  continues  to  practice  medicine  at  the  present 
time. 

William  A.  Lewis,  M.D.,  was  born  in  Greenwich,  R.  L,  in  1829. 
He  received  his  education  at  East  Greenwich  Academy,  in  that 
state,  and  studied  medicine  with  Doctor  Nathan  S.  Pike,  of  this 
county.  He  graduated  at  Harvard  Medical  College  in  1851,  and 
since  that  time  has  been  a  practicing  physician  of  this 
county.  He  is  now  located  in  the  town  of  Plainfield,  his  post 
office  address  being  at  Moosup.  He  was  married  in  November, 
1864,  and  has  one  daughter,  now  twenty-one  years  of  age.  Doctor 
Lewis  was  a  member  of  the  Connecticut  house  of  representatives 
in  1873,  and  was  state  senator  from  the  13th  Senatorial  district 
from  1880  to  1882. 

Isaac  B.  Gallup,  M.D.,  of  Willimantic,  was  born  in  West 
Greenwich,  R.  I.,  August  16th,  1846.  After  receiving  an  educa- 
tion in  the  usual  common  and  select  schools  of  the  time,  he  read 
medicine  with  his  father,  Alvan  W.  Gallup,  M.D.,  attended  two 
full  courses  of  lectures  at  the  Eclectic  Medical  College  of  Penn- 
sylvania and  graduated  in  the  winter  of  1870-71.  He  immedi- 
ately located  at  Scotland  in  this  county,  where  he  practiced  medi- 
cine several  years.      In  February,  1878,  he  removed    to  Willi- 


204  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

mantic,  where  he  has  since  remained.  In  the  winter  of  1885-86 
he  attended  lectures  at  the  Eclectic  Medical  College  of  New 
York  city.  He  also  attended,  in  the  winter  of  1888-9,  a  post 
graduate  course  at  the  New  York  Polyclinic  (regular),  visiting 
meanwhile  the  various  hospitals  of  the  city.  He  married  Miss 
Marietta  C.  Hebard,  of  Scotland,  Conn.,  September  16th,  1879, 
and  has  two  children:  Inez  M.,  born  July  8th,  1880,  and  Bertha 
C,  born  April  19th,  1883. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


ANECDOTE  AND  LOCAL  STORY  OF  OLD  WINDHAM. 


By  Miss  Jane  Gay  Fuller. 


The  Mystery  of  Gates. — The  Battle  of  the  Frogs. — Revolutionary  Anecdotes; — 
That  Little  God  Bacchus. — The  House  the  Women  Raised. — The  Black  Sheep. 
— A  Character. — ''Tea-total." — Doctor  Cogswell  and  Phyllis. — An  Old 
Family  of  Scotland. — The  Story  of  Micah  Rood. — "  No  blood  relation  of 
mine." — The  Fine. — Story  of  Abijah  Fuller. — Sabbath  Breaking. — Strong 
minded  Women. — The  First  Locomotive. — Windham  Wags. — Old  Time 
Pedagogues. 


AN  impenetrable  veil  enshrouds  the  name  and  fame  of  Wind- 
ham's first  settler,  a  veil  in  which  many  threads  of  ro- 
mance are  interwoven  with  dark  lines  of  adversity.  An 
English  refugee,  after  long  years  of  wandering  and  exile,  found 
a  resting  place  at  last  in  the  wild  woods  of  Connecticut.  He 
was  a  gentleman  of  culture  and  wealth,  accustomed  to  all  the 
refinements  of  civilization,  the  companion  of  rulers  and  states- 
men. A  Puritan  of  the  Puritans,  firm  and  indomitable  as  their 
great  leader,  he  had  rode  with  Cromwell  and  his  valiant  Iron- 
sides to  battle  in  the  defense  of  Protestantism.  But  a  storm 
cloud  darkened  the  sky  of  England.  The  sudden  death  of  the 
protector  shook  her  political  fabric  from  its  foundation  and 
planted  another  Stuart  on  the  throne.  "  Blood  for  blood  "  was 
now  the  royal  mandate,  and  the  Cromwellian  leaders  were  forced 
to  flee  from  home  and  country  to  escape  the  block  or  gibbet. 
Everywhere  throughout  the  Old  World  and  the  New  were  posted 
directions  for  the  seizure  and  arrest  of  all  persons  known  or  sus- 
pected of  being  implicated  in  the  fate  of  Charles  Stuart.  How 
many  of  these  fearless  men  who  dared  affix  their  signatures  to 
the  death  warrant  of  their  king  escaped  to  this  country  will 
never  be  known  with  any  degree  of  certainty.  That  the  first  set- 
tler of  Windham  was  one  of  them  there  is  little  reason  to  doubt, 
as  tradition  speaks  of  long  journeys  through  the  wilderness  to 


206  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

raset  former  associates,  several  of  whom  were  known  to  be  in 
adjoining  colonies.  But  as  simple  John  Gates  he  preserved  his 
secret  inviolate  to  the  end.  We  only  know  for  a  certainty  that 
after  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  of  weary  wandering, 
everywhere  fearing  the  minions  of  the  king,  he  came  to  Norwich 
and  thence  through  an  untrodden  forest  to  his  final  retreat. 

With  a  faithful  negro  attendant  whom  he  had  purchased  in 
Virginia,  he  dug  a  cellar  in  a  rocky  hillside  a  little  north  of  the 
present  village  of  Windham,  and  in  that  forlorn  spot  spent  the 
long  winter  of  1688-9.  That  he  had  silver  and  gold  remaining 
after  so  long  an  exile  subsequent  events  fully  proved  ;  but  miles 
and  miles  from  a  human  habitation,  it  could  at  first  have  con- 
tributed little  to  their  comfort.  Game  was  abundant,  however, 
and  the  faithful  Joe  ever  on  the  alert ;  so  the  winter  wore  away 
in  safety  and  spring  dawned  happily  for  the  colonies  and  thrice 
happily  for  the  exiles.  The  vindictive  monarch  had  been  de- 
posed and  William  and  Mary  were  seated  on  the  throne.  The 
infamous  Andross  was  driven  from  the  country,  and  the  royal 
offenders  could  now  emerge  from  their  rocks  and  caves  and 
breathe  in  comparative  security. 

The  proprietors  of  the  tract  that  had  afforded  an  asylum  for 
the  English  exile  began  to  take  measures  for  its  immediate 
settlement.  Gates  came  forth  from  his  hiding  place,  purchased 
land,  and  with  his  servant  built  the  first  house  in  the  nameless 
township.  Already  advanced  in  life,  with  a  constitution  im- 
paired by  hardship  and  privation,  he  lived  for  several  years  to 
be  the  firm  ally  and  prudent  counsellor  of  the  youthful  settle- 
ment. His  name  is  often  seen  in  the  early  records  of  the  town, 
and  the  interests  of  education  and  religion  lay  near  his  heart. 
The  first  minister.  Reverend  Samuel  Whiting,  became  his  warm 
friend,  but  not  even  to  him  nor  to  his  trusty  housekeeper  was 
his  identity  ever  revealed.  Only  occasional  allusions  to  his  past 
fell  from  his  lips,  and  he  died  as  he  lived,  unknown. 

To  the  church,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  earliest  members, 
he  bequeathed  a  service  of  plate  and  two  hundred  acres  of  land 
in  trust  for  the  poor.  He  also  gave  two  hundred  acres  as  a  per- 
manent school  fund  to  his  adopted  town.  To  his  friend,  Mr. 
Whiting,  he  gave  a  bed,  a  chest  and  his  wearing  apparel,  also 
the  trusty  servant  who  had  been  the  companion  of  his  dreary 
solitude.  That  he  had  been  a  kind  master  the  inconsolable  grief 
of  Joe  fully  attested,  and  the  poor  fellow  did  not  long  survive 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  207 

him.  Both  were  buried  near  the  place  of  their  first  concealment, 
and  a  rough  stone,  rudely  initialed,  marked  for  a  time  the  spot. 
When  the  first  cemetery  was  laid  out  the  body  of  Gates  was  re- 
moved thither  and  a  stone,  ample  for  the  times,  bore  the  fol- 
lowing inscription  : 

In 

Memory  of 

Mr.  John  Cates. 

He  was  a  gentleman  born 

In  England, 

And  the  first  settler  in  the 

Town  of  Windham. 

By  his  last 

Will  and  testament 

He  gave  a 

Generous  legacy 

To  ye  first 

Church  of  Christ  in 

Windham, 

In  plate  and  a  generous 

Legacy  in  land 

For  ye  support  of  ye  poor. 

And  another 

Legacy  for  ye  support 

Of  ye  school 

In  said  town  forever. 

He  died 

In  Windham 

July  ye  16th,  A.  D. 

1697. 

The  stone  is  mossed  with  age,  and  it  seems  but  just  that  the 
several  towns,  that  for  nearly  two  centuries  have  shared  his 
munificent  bequests,  should  now  unite  in  the  erection  of  a  more 
lasting  monument  to  the  memory  of  their  generous  benefactor — 
the  stranger  and  exile. 

The  Battle  of  the  Frogs. 

"  The  direst  fray  in  all  that  war 
To  shake  King  George's  crown, 
Was  when  the  Bull-frogs  marched  at  night 
Against  old  Windham  Town." 

A  few  years  since,  while  traveling  in  the  Northwest  I  met  a 
party  of  Eastern  tourists  at  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony.  Among 
them  was  our  honored  historian,  George  Bancroft.  After  a  pleas- 
ant introduction  he  exclaimed,  "-From  WindJiam,  Connecticut ! 
A  Bullfrog!"  "Yes,"  I  said,  "  I  acknowledge  the  Frog!    Here  is 


208  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

one  perched  on  one  of  our  bank  notes.  It  is  the  Windham  coat- 
of-arms;"  and  the  note  was  handed  round  with  much  merriment. 
Most  of  the  party  were  familiar  with  the  story  of  the  frogs,  but 
for  the  amusement  of  those  who  were  not,  it  was  briefly  re- 
peated. 

It  was  the  summer  of  1758,  during  the  memorable  French  and 
Indian  war,  when  bloody  incursions  were  being  made  all  along 
the  northern  boundary.  Windham  was  then  a  frontier  town, 
the  most  important  in  eastern  Connecticut.  Colonel  Eliphalet 
Dyer,  a  prominent  citizen  and  one  for  whom  the  enemy  so  loudly 
clamored,  had  just  raised  a  regiment  to  join  the  expedition 
against  Crown  Point,  and  many  of  the  bravest  men  of  the  town 
were  already  in  the  field  with  General  Putnam,  battling  with  the 
savages.  Rumors  of  massacre  and  bloodshed  were  in  the  air, 
and  doubt  and  apprehension  had  taken  possession  of  every 
heart.  No  wonder  the  inhabitants  were  filled  with  alarm  when, 
one  dark,  foggy  night  in  July,  they  were  aroused  from  midnight 
slumber  by  sounds  such  as  no  mortal  had  ever  heard  before. 
Parson  White's  negro,  returning  from  a  nocturnal  carousal,  ap- 
pears to  have  been  the  first  to  hear  the  startling  clamor.  Rush- 
ing frantically  to  his  master  he  exclaimed,  "  O  Massa,  Good 
Lordie  Massa,  don't  you  hear  dem  coming — de  outlandish  ?" 

Sure  enough  the  parson  heard  and  raised  an  alarm  that  brought 
from  their  beds  as  incongruous  a  mass  of  humanity  as  can  well 
be  imagined.  Women  and  children  shrieked  and  cried  and  ran 
hither  and  thither,  adding  to  the  general  din  and  hubbub  ;  while 
men  armed  themselves  valiantly  to  meet  the  foe.  The  night 
was  pitchy  dark  and  the  direction  of  the  sounds  not  easy  to  de- 
termine. At  first  they  seemed  to  fill  the  whole  heavens,  which 
led  many  to  believe  the  day  of  judgment  was  at  hand ;  but  a 
wise  old  darkey  declared  "  de  day  of  judgment  couldn't  come  in 
de  nighty 

Distinct  articulations  were  at  length  imagined,  and  there  was 
no  longer  a  doubt  of  their  source.  An  army  of  French  and  In- 
dians was  at  hand  calling  loudly  for  "  Colonel  Dyer  and  Elderkin 
too  " — their  prominent  lawyers.  Every  man  who  had  a  gun, 
sword  or  pitchfork  rushed  up  the  eastern  hill  whence  the  clamor 
now  seemed  to  proceed,  but  no  foe  was  met  and  darkness  covered 
all.  "  Borne  through  the  hollow  night,"  the  dreadful  sounds 
continued,  while  the  dauntless  pursuers,  utterly  confused  and 
bewildered,  stood  with  their  arms  awaiting  the  dawn.     The  so- 


HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY.  209 

lution  of  the  mystery  was  then  made  clear.  A  mile  away  to  the 
east  of  the  town  was  a  marshy  pond,  the  home  of  thousands  of 
batrachians,  large  greenbackers  and  mottled  little  peepers,  such 
as  often  make  night  hideous.  A  drought  had  reduced  their  pond 
to  a  narrow  rill,  and  for  this  the  poor  thirsty  creatures  had 
fought  and  died  like  Greeks  at  the  pass  of  Thermopylse.  Tradi- 
tion says  thousands  of  the  dead  frogs  were  found  the  next  morn- 
ing on  both  sides  of  the  rill,  and  the  terror-stricken  Wind- 
hamites  turned  their  prayers  to  praises  for  so  gracious  a  de- 
liverance. 

The  above  is  the  simplest  and  we  believe  the  only  authentic 
account  of  the  most  wonderful,  and  at  the  same  time  the  most 
ludicrous  event  in  our  early  history.  The  occurrence  certainly 
made  old  Windham  famous,  but  it  does  not  appear  that  the  ac- 
tors in  the  comedy  very  much  enjoyed  the  merriment  at  their 
expense.  The  Windham  wits  had  long  been  the  terror  of  the 
county.  Their  practical  jokes  are  traditional.  The  tables  were 
fairly  turned  upon  them  now,  and  as  the  story  flew,  gathering 
increased  strength  in  its  flight,  fresh  outbursts  of  retaliatory  fun 
were  borne  in  upon  them  from  every  quarter.  Rhyme  and  dog- 
gerel circulated  freely,  and  ballads  of  the  frog  fight  were  sung 
both  in  high  places  and  low.  Even  grave  clergymen  conde- 
scended to  banter,  and  a  letter  from  the  Reverend  Mr.  Stiles  of 
Woodstock  to  his  nephew,  a  Windham  lawyer,  is  still  extant, 
in  which  the  spirit  of  fun  is  manifest,  while  its  puns  are 
atrocious. 

It  is  related  that  once,  when  Colonel  Eliphalet  Dyer  was  sent 
as  a  delegate  to  the  first  congress  held  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
his  arrival  was  greeted  with  shouts  of  laughter.  Alighting  from 
his  carriage  he  found  a  big  bull-frog  dangling  from  the  hinder 
part,  hung  there,  presumably,  by  some  wag  en  route.  Whatever 
may  have  been  his  feelings  at  the  time,  the  inhabitants  of  Wind- 
ham have  long  since  ceased  to  be  sensitive  in  relation  to  the 
affair.  The  story  is  their  own  and  they  love  it  wherever  it 
is  told,  and  they  love  the  old  pond,  with  its  fragrant  lilies, 
which  vandal  hands  are  attempting  to  drain  and  destroy. 

Of  all  the  exaggerated  accounts  of  the  above,  the  most  mar- 
velous and  untruthful  is  that  of  the  Reverend  Samuel  Peters 
in  his  "  General  History  of  Connecticut,"  which  President  Dwight 
unhesitatingly  called  "  a  mass  of  folly  and  falsehood."  He  stated 
that  "one  night  in  July  the  frogs  of  an  artificial  pond  three 
14 


210  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

m,iles  square  and  five  miles  from  Windham,  finding  the  water 
dried  up,  left  in  a  body  and  marched,  or  hopped,  for  the  Willi- 
mantic  river.  Taking  the  road  through  the  town  which  they 
entered  at  midnight,  bull-frogs  leading,  pipers  following  with- 
out number,  tJicy  filled  a  road  forty  yards  ividc  for  four  miles  in 
length,  and  zvere  several  Jwnrs  in  passing  the  town."  This  is  a  fair 
sample  of  the  whole  book,  and  proves  its  author  a  very  Mun- 
chausen for  veracity. 

As  we  have  stated  before,  the  frog-fight  was  the  theme  of 
many  ballads,  some  founded  on  Peters'  narrative,  others  on  a 
more  truthful  statement  of  facts.  All  are  amusing  relics  of 
the  times,  and  worthy  of  being  preserved  as  curiosities  of  his- 
tory as  well  as  of  literature.  The  following,  believed  to  be  the 
most  ancient,  is  said  to  have  been  composed  by  a  youthful  son 
of  Lebanon,  who  was  undoubtedly  glad  to  have  a  hit  at  his 
rival  townsmen,  and  Windham's  numerous  lawyers.  It  bore  the 
following  lengthy  title : 

"A  true  relation  of  a  strange  battle  tetween  some  Lawyers  and  Bull-frogs,  set 
forth  in  a  new  song,  written  by  a  jolly  farmer  of  New  England." 

LAWYERS  AND  BULL-FROGS. 

"  Good  people  all,  both  great  and  small, 
Of  every  occupation, 
I  pray  draw  near  and  lend  an  ear 
To  this  our  true  relation. 

' '  'Twas  of  a  fright,  happened  one  night, 
Caused  by  the  bull-frog  nation. 
As  strange  an  one  as  ever  was  known 
In  all  our  generation. 

"  The  frogs,  we  hear,  in  bull-frog  shire 
Their  chorister  had  buried ; 
The  saddest  loss  and  greatest  cross 
That  ever  they  endured. 

"  Thus  being  deprived,  they  soon  contrived 
Their  friends  to  send  to  greeting, 
Even  to  all,  both  great  and  small, 
To  hold  a  general  meeting. 

"  Subject  and  lord,  with  one  accord. 
Now  came  with  bowels  yearning, 
For  to  supply  and  qualify, 
And  tit  a  frog  for  learning. 

"  For  to  supply  immediately 
The  place  of  their  deceased ; 
There  did  they  find  one  to  their  mind. 
Which  soon  their  sorrow  eased. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  211 

"  This  being  done,  tlie  glorious  sun 
Going  down,  and  night  advancing, 
With  great  delight  they  spent  the  night 
In  music  and  in  dancing. 

"  And  when  they  sung,  the  air  it  rung, 
And  when  they  broke  in  laughter. 
It  did  surprise  both  learned  and  wise, 
As  you  shall  find  hereafter. 

"  A  negro  man,  we  understand, 
Awoke  and  heard  the  shouting. 
He  ne'er  went  abroad,  but  awaked  his  lord 
Which  filled  their  hearts  with  doubting. 

"  They  then  did  rise,  with  great  surprise, 
And  raised  the  town  or  city, 
Although  before  unto  the  poor 
They  never  would  show  pity. 

"  With  one  accord  they  went  abroad, 
And  stood  awhile  to  wonder, 
The  bull-frog  shout  appears,  no  doubt, 
To  them  like  claps  of  thunder. 

"  Which  made  them  say  the  judgment  day, 
Without  a  doubt  was  coming, 
For  in  the  air,  they  did  declare, 
Was  very  awful  drumming. 

*'  Those  lawyers'  fees  would  give  no  ease. 
Though  well  they're  worth  inditing; 
To  pray  they  kneel — alas!  they  feel 
The  worm  of  conscience  biting. 

"  Being  thus  dismayed,  one  of  them  said. 
He  would  make  restitution; 
He  would  restore  one-half  or  more — 
This  was  his  resolution. 

"  Another's  heart  was  pricked  in  part, 
But  not  touched  to  the  center, 
Eather  than  pay  one-half  away, 
His  soul,  he  said,  he'd  venture. 

"  Then  they  agreed  to  go  with  speed 
And  see  what  was  the  matter; 
And,  as  they  say,  that  by  the  way, 
Repenting  tears  did  scatter. 

' '  They  traveled  still  unto  the  hill 
With  those  men  they  did  rally. 
Then  soon  they  found  the  doleful  sound 
To  come  out  of  the  valley. 


212  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

"  Then  down  they  went  with  one  consent, 
And  found  those  frogs  a-singing, 
Raising  their  voice  for  to  rejoice, 
This  Avas  the  doleful  ringing. 

"  Home  those  great  men  returned  then 
Now  filled  with  wrath  and  malice, 
And  mustered  all,  both  great  and  small, 
From  prison  and  from  palace. 

"  Swearing,  I  say,  thus  in  array, 
To  be  revenged  upon  them; 
Thinking  it  best,  I  do  protest. 
To  go  and  fall  upon  them. 

"  Then  armed  all,  both  great  and  small. 
With  guns  and  swords  and  hatchets. 
An  Indian  king  could  never  bring 
An  army  that  would  match  it. 

"  Old  Stoughton  ran  and  charged  up  his  gun 
And  flourished  his  sword  in  the  air. 
But  not  being  stout  he  at  last  gave  out 
And  fell  on  his  knees  to  prayer. 

"  Then  armed  with  fury,  both  judge  and  jury, 
Unto  the  frog  pond  moved; 
And,  as  they  say,  a  fatal  day 
Unto  the  frogs  it  proved. 

"  This  terrible  night  the  parson  did  fright 
His  people  almost  to  despair. 
For  poor  Windham  souls  among  the  bean  poles 
He  made  a  most  wonderful  prayer. 

"  Lawyer  Lucifer  called  up  his  crew, — 

'  Dyer  and  Elderkin  you  must  come  too.' 
Old  Colonel  Dyer  you  know  well  enough 
He  had  an  old  negro,  his  name  was  Cuff. 

"  '  Now,  massa,'  says  Cuff,  '  I'm  now  glad  enough 
For  what  little  comfort  I  have, 
I  make  it  no  doubt  my  time  is  just  out. 
No  longer  shall  I  be  a  slave.' 

"  As  for  Larabie,  so  guilty  was  he, 
He  durst  not  step  out  of  his  house; 
The  poor  guilty  soul  crept  into  his  hole. 
And  there  lay  as  still  as  a  mouse. 

"  As  for  Jemmy  Flint  he  began  to  repent 
For  a  bible  he  never  had  known. 
His  life  was  so  bad.  he'd  give  half  he  had 
To  old  Father  Stoughton  for  one. 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY,  213 

"  Those  armed  men  they  killed  them, 
And  scalped  about  two  hundred, 
Taking,  I  say,  their  lives  away, 

And  then  their  camp  they  plundered. 

"  Those  lusty  frogs  they  fought  like  dogs, 
For  which  I  do  commend  them, 
But  lost  the  day,  for  want,  I  say, 
Of  weapons  to  defend  them. 

"  Home  those  great  men  returned  then 
Unto  the  town  with  fury, 
And  swore  those  frogs  were  saucy  dogs. 
Before  both  judge  and  jury. 

"  I  had  this  story  before  me 
Just  as  I  have  writ  it, 
It  being  so  new,  so  strange  and  true, 
I  could  not  well  omit  it. 

"  Lawyers,  I  say,  now  from  this  day 
Be  honest  in  your  dealing, 
And  never  more  increase  your  store 
While  you  the  poor  are  killing. 

"  For  if  you  do,  I'U  have  you  know. 
Conscience  again  will  smite  you, 
The  bull-frog  shout  will  ne'er  give  out 
But  rise  again  and  fight  you. 

"  Now  Lawyers,  Parsons,  Bull-frogs,  all, 
I  bid  you  each  farewell ; 
And  unto  you  I  loudly  call 
A  better  tale  to  tell." 

Revolutionary  Anecdotes. 

Old  Windham  was  like  a  bottle  of  champagne,  ever  ready  to 
burst  forth  on  occasion.  Opportunities  to  show  her  spirit  were 
not  wanting-  in  the  eventful  years  preceding  the  revolution. 
News  of  the  stamp  act  created  a  general  fermentation,  and 
when  it  was  ascertained  that  one  of  her  own  citizens  had  ac- 
cepted the  appointment  of  deputy  stamp  master,  he  was  waited 
upon  without  delay  and  forced  to  surrender  his  letter  and  make 
a  solemn  promise  to  decline  the  office.  Nor  was  this  enough. 
The  boys  were  overflowing  with  patriotism,  and  no  doubt  liked 
a  little  fun  withal ;  so  as  an  example  and  warning  it  was  de- 
termined to  hang  and  burn  their  culprit  in  effigy.  Word  was 
dispatched  to  all  the  neighboring  parishes,  and  over  the  Scotland 
hills,  down  the  Mansfield  road  and  up  the  Norwich  pike  came 
throngs  of  the  faithful  to  join  in  the  popular  demonstration. 


214  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

A  g-allows  was  erected  on  Windham  Green,  on  which  the  un- 
fortunate offender  was  suspended,  and  afterward  taken  down  and 
burned  with  loud  acclamations. 

This  was  only  an  introductory  performance.  Finding  that  the 
governor  of  the  colony  had  determined  to  enforce  the  orders  of 
the  king,  a  band  of  five  hundred  horsemen  from  Windham  and 
New  London  counties,  with  several  days'  provisions  in  their 
saddle-bags,  and  armed  with  such  weapons  as  were  within  their 
reach,  sallied  forth  to  intercept  the  newly  appointed  stamp  master 
on  his  way  to  Hartford.  Putnam  is  said  to  have  been  the  in- 
citer of  the  movement,  but  being  too  ill  at  the  time  to  accompany 
the  expedition,  the  command  was  given  to  Captain  John  Durkee, 
a  brave  son  of  Hampton,  or  what  was  then  Canada  Parish. 

The  cavalcade  met  Ingersol  before  he  reached  the  city,  and 
forced  him,  vi  et  arviis,  to  sign  a  resignation  prepared  for  him 
beforehand,  and  return  to  his  legitimate  business.  A  few  days 
later  General  Putnam  waited  upon  the  governor  in  person,  and 
assured  him  that  if  he  made  any  further  attempt  to  force  the 
stamps  upon  the  colony  his  house  would  be  leveled  with  the 
dust  in  five  minutes. 

To  show  how  this  insult  to  the  people's  rights  had  taken  pos- 
session of  the  popular  feeling,  and  what  satisfaction  was  felt  at 
the  repeal  of  the  odious  act,  the  quaint  expression  of  Jonas  Man- 
ning may  be  cited.  Manning  was  a  famous  stone-cutter  and 
epitaph  writer,  and  the  labor  of  his  hands  and  brain  may  still 
be  seen  in  all  of  our  rural  cemeteries.  His  residence  was  in  the 
south  part  of  the  town,  and  inserted  in  the  wall,  over  the  front 
door,  was  a  heavy  stone  slab,  on  which  the  following  lines  were 
chiseled : 

"  Liberty,  Pi'operty,  restored  again 
In  George  ye  Illds  most  gracious  reign; 
Now  Liberty,  Property  and  no  excise, 
God  bless  our  Kings  and  keep  tliem  wise. 

"  Jonas  Manning  1766." 

The  lines  were  copied  from  the  tablet  many  years  ago.  The 
old  house  has  since  been  burned  and  the  historic  stone  was  re- 
duced to  fragments  by  the  fire,  otherwise  it  might  have  stood 
as  a  lasting  memorial  of  the  times  in  the  archives  of  the  state, 
the  Historical  Society  of  Hartford  having  made  overtures  for 
its  purchase. 

The  aggressive  patriotism  of  the  Windhamiteswas  manifested 


HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  215 

again  in  their  summary  dealing  with  the  Reverend  Samuel 
Peters,  of  Hebron,  who  forbade  his  parishioners  taking  tip  arms 
in  the  cause  of  Liberty,  on  that  memorable  Sabbath  when  the 
whole  country  was  aroused  by  the  news  that  powder,  stored  in 
Cambridge,  had  been  removed  to  Boston  by  order  of  General 
Gage. 

This  tory  divine  had  long  been  suspected  of  sending  informa- 
tion abroad,  as  well  as  to  the  resident  colonial  governors  and 
agents.  The  resolutions  of  the  colonists  were  satirized  and 
ridiculed,  while  he  stigmatized  them  as  traitors.  Windham  was 
his  especial  target.  In  a  series  of  insulting  "  Resolves  "  he  says : 
"  Bostonians  would  be  able  to  support  their  own  poor  after 
Windham  and  other  towns  have  paid  their  legal  demands."  And 
again,  "  We  cannot  find  any  good  reasons  why  the  good  people 
of  Windham  undertook  to  arraign  and  condemn  Governor  Hutch- 
inson and  others  for  ignorance,  insult  and  treason  against  law 
and  common  sense  only  for  differing  in  sentiment  with  some  of 
their  neighbors,  since  there  were  a  few  names  in  Sardis,"  etc., 
and  he  recommends  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  "  that  the  sins 
of  this  Jiaiighty  people  may  not  be  laid  to  our  charge  as  a  Govern- 
ment," etc. 

Such  insolent  insinuations  were  not  suited  to  the  Windham 
taste.  A  committee  of  five  of  their  leading  men  was  detailed  to 
visit  and  deal  with  their  reverend  antagonist.  Miss  Larned,  in 
her  very  interesting  history,  gives  a  graphic  account  of  this 
visit,  from  which  we  make  extracts  : 

"  On  Tuesday  Sep.  6th  the  Committee,  accompanied  by  some 
hundred  of  their  fellow  citizens  from  the  surrounding  country, 
proceeded  to  his  house  in  Hebron,  which  they  found  barricaded 
and  filled  with  people,  said  to  be  armed.  A  deputation  was  sent 
in  to  inform  Mr.  Peters  of  their  determination  to  obtain  retraction 
and  satisfaction  for  his  late  conduct.  A  parley  was  held  through 
the  window.  Mr.  Peters  attempted  to  justify  himself,  and  said 
he  had  no  arms  except  two  old  guns  out  of  repair.  They  replied 
they  did  not  care  to  dispute  with  him,  and  advised  him  to  ad- 
dress the  people  who  thronged  about  the  house,  etc.  Putting  on 
his  white  priestly  robe,  he  came  out  with  all  his  official  dignity 
and  proceeded  to  plead  his  cause,  when  the  discharge  of  a  gun 
within  the  house  startled  his  hearers.  The  indignant  patriots 
proceeded  at  once  to  tear  down  the  barricades,  and  rushing  in, 
found  loaded  guns  and  pistols,  swords   and   heavy  clubs,  thus 


216  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

putting  the  lie  to  his  assertion.  Notwithstanding  this  discovery 
he  was  allowed  to  proceed  with  his  harangue  and  retire  un- 
molested, with  the  understanding  that  he  should  draw  up  and 
sign  a  satisfactory  declaration.  Peters  delayed,  equivocated  and 
quibbled  until  the  waiting  crowd  lost  all  patience  and  proceeded 
to  deal  with  him  in  a  more  summary  manner.  Forcing  their 
way  into  the  house  again,  they  seized  the  struggling  divine, 
tearing  his  sacred  Episcopal  gown,  and  putting  him  on  a  cart  he 
was  hauled  by  his  own  oxen  to  the  meeting  house  green,  where 
they  sat  him  upon  the  public  horse  block  and  compelled  him  to 
sign  a  declaration  and  humble  confession,  framed  by  the  com- 
mittee, to  the  intent  that  he  repented  of  his  past  misdeeds  and 
would  give  them  no  further  cause  for  complaint.  He  was  then 
made  to  read  this  paper  aloud,  sentence  by  sentence,  to  the  great 
crowd  surrounding  the  horse  block,  which  thereupon  gave  three 
triumphal  cheers  and  quietly  dispersed." 

In  reporting  this  affair  Peters,  with  his  customary  veracity, 
declared,  "  The  Sons  of  Liberty  destroyed  his  windows,  rent  his 
clothes,  even  his  gown,  almost  killed  one  of  his  church  people, 
tarred  and  feathered  two,  and  abused  others." 

A  few  days  after  he  retired  to  Boston,  and  sailed  for  England 
in  November.  Miss  Earned  very  justly  adds  "that  the  rancor 
of  his  subsequent  letters  is  the  best  apolog}^  for  his  assailants." 
These  letters,  full  of  spite  and  malignity,  were  brought  back 
from  Boston  by  two  of  Peters'  friends  who  accompanied  him 
thither.  A  party  of  patriots  met  them  at  a  tavern,  and  suspect- 
ing they  had  communications  from  Peters,  questioned  them,  but 
allowed  them  to  proceed  on  their  way.  It  appears  they  were  not 
yet  beyond  surveillance.  A  man  hidden  behind  a  fence  over- 
heard them  say  "  they  might  be  searched  before  they  reached 
home  and  get  into  trouble  and  therefore  had  better  hide  their 
letters."  He  watched  them  and  saw  them  alight  near  a  stone 
fence,  then  remount  and  hurry  onward.  The  letters  were  found 
in  the  wall,  the  men  pursued  and  brought  back.  They  denied 
having  letters  and  offered  to  declare  it  upon  oath,  but  when  the 
documents  were  shown  they  were  obliged  to  own  the  bringing 
and  hiding  of  them.  The  town  in  which  this  occurred  was  red 
hot  old  Windham  and  her  ardent  citizens  were  the  detectives 
and  punishers  of  the  unfortunate  wayfarers. 

The  story  of  the  capture  of  "  Peters'  spies  "  was  quickly  noised 
abroad,  and  young  and  old,  men,  women   and   children  hurried 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  217 

to  the  scene  of  action.  Alarmed  for  their  safety  the  convicted 
tale-bearers  begged  for  mercy,  but  public  sentiment  demanded 
their  punishment.  The  victims  were  allowed  the  choice  of 
running  the  gauntlet  or  of  being  whipped  at  the  public  whip- 
ping post.  Finding  there  was  no  help  for  them,  they  decided 
on  the  former,  much  to  the  delight  of  the  spectators  who  could 
all  have  a  hand  in  the  infliction.  After  the  Indian  manner, 
two  opposing  lines  were  formed  stretching  all  the  way  across 
the  village  green  from  the  tavern  to  the  meeting  house.  The 
two  men  were  forced  to  run  between  them  receiving  from  the 
enraged  populace  kicks,  cuffs,  pokes  and  insulting  epithets  to 
the  end  of  the  line. 

This  story  of  "Peters'  spies"  and  their  punishment  by  the 
Windham  boys  and  some  of  the  girls,  if  we  may  believe  the 
tradition,  was  an  especial  favorite  with  the  revolutionary  vet- 
erans, who  added  much  wit  and  drollery  to  their  narration.  The 
letters  in  question  were  to  his  mother,  a  resident  of  Hebron, 
and  to  Doctor  Auchmuty  of  New  York.  In  them  he  affirmed 
that  six  regiments  with  sundry  men  of  war  were  on  their  way 
from  England,  and  as  soon  as  they  came  hanging-work  would 
go  on  ;  destruction  would  first  attend  the  seaport  towns,  etc. 
To  the  doctor  he  added  that  the  clergy  of  Connecticut  with  their 
churches  must  fall  a  sacrifice  to  the  rage  of  the  Puritan  nobility 
if  the  old  serpent,  that  dragon,  is  not  bound.  With  much  else 
he  adds :  "Their  rebellion  is  obvious;  treason  is  common  and 
robbery  their  daily  devotion."  Were  the  reverend  gentleman 
living  at  present  the  descendants  of  those  same  doughty  Puri- 
tans would  undoubtedly  make  him  chaplain  of  the  Annanias 
Club. 

That  Little  God  Bacchus. 

Travelers  on  the  old  stage  route  from  Providence  to  Hartford 
cannot  fail  to  remember  a  quaint  little  figure  perched  on  the 
outstretched  arm  of  a  great  elm  that  stood  directly  in  front  of  the 
Staniford  House.  The  figure  represented  the  jolly  god  Bacchus, 
nude  and  chubby,  sitting  astride  a  cask  and  holding  in  his  arms 
before  him  a  basket  of  fruit,  grapes,  lemons,  peaches  and  pears, 
all  colored  so  naturally  as  to  tempt  the  youthful  passer-by. 

The  image  had  a  saucy  look.  There  were  great  dimples  in 
his  chin  and  cheeks,  a  roguish  laugh  in  his  .shining  black  eyes 
and  on  his  parted  lips.     Grape  leaves  and  clusters  of  grapes  en- 


218  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

circled  his  head.  His  naked  body  had  the  look  of  flesh,  and  he 
sat  astride  his  red  cask  with  an  air  of  festive  enjoyment.  This 
strang-e  figure  had  a  most  singular  history.  On  the  10th  of  June, 
1776,  the  Americans  captured  in  Long  Island  sound  the  British 
ship  "  Bombrig,"  Captain  Sneyd,  of  the  royal  navy,  with  all  her 
officers  and  crew.  Four  of  the  prisoners,  including  the  captain, 
were  brought  to  Windham  and  lodged  in  the  old  jail,  where  they 
remained  for  several  months.  Their  names  were  Edward  Sneyd, 
commander ;  John  Coggin,  boatswain  ;  John  Russel,  ship's  car- 
penter, and  William  Cook,  seaman.  The  fate  of  their  fellow 
prisoners  is  unknown.  The  widow  Carey,  afterward  Mrs.  John 
Fitch,  was  at  that  time  landlady  of  the  inn  adjoining  the  jail, 
and  her  kindness  to  the  prisoners  warmed  their  hearts  with 
gratitude  and  incited  them  to  the  only  return  in  their  power, 
the  carving  of  a  wooden  image  for  a  keepsake.  The  subject  was 
well  chosen  for  those  times  when  conviviality  and  good  cheer 
were  supposed  to  be  the  special  attractions  of  a  country  tavern. 
Russel,  the  carpenter,  was  undoubtedly  the  suggester  and  master 
workman,  as  he  had  served  an  English  apprenticeship  and  un- 
derstood the  carving  of  figure-heads  as  well  as  the  fashioning 
of  masts.  In  some  way  they  got  possession  of  a  huge  pine  log, 
and  with  no  other  implements  than  their  jack  knives,  they  as- 
sailed it  as  the  sculptor  assails  the  block  of  marble  to  bring 
out  the  hidden  image  it  conceals.  Many  days  of  wearisome  cap- 
tivity were  thus  beguiled  and  brightened  by  this  labor  of  love  ; 
but  little  could  they  have  dreamed  that  they  were  thus  tranvS- 
mitting  their  own  names  and  history  to  future  generations. 

In  due  time  the  work  was  completed  and  presented  to  their 
kind  benefactress,  who  placed  it  as  a  sign  in  front  of  her  hotel, 
where  it  remained  until  her  marriage  with  Mr.  John  Fitch,  when 
it  was  removed  to  the  old  Fitch  tavern.  The  heirs  of  Mr.  Fitch 
are  said  to  have  sold  it  to  the  landlord  of  the  Staniford  House, 
by  whom  it  was  placed  on  the  outstretched  arm  of  his  great 
elm  to  smile  a  welcome  to  coming  guests.  For  a  quarter  of  a 
century  it  enjoyed  this  lofty  elevation,  when  a  storm,  more  fierce 
than  had  ever  before  assailed  it,  hurled  poor  Bacchus  to  the 
ground.  One  arm  was  broken,  but  with  the  other  he  clung  firmly 
to  his  basket  of  fruit. 

For  some  time  the  pretty  wine  god  had  been  frowned  upon 
by  some  of  the  straiter  of  the  modern  moralists  as  an  emblem 
of  license,  rather  than  of  hospitality ;  so  with  the  temperance 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  219 

movement,  bruised  and  sore,  the  innocent  little  fellow,  like 
Dickens'  poor  Joe,  was  forced  to  "  move  on,"  and  for  three  years 
lay  in  the  vile  obscurity  of  a  wood  house.  But  better  days  were 
dawning.  A  true  son  of  Windham  discovered  his  retreat  at 
last,  and  for  a  paltry  sum  became  possessed  of  one  of  the  finest 
historical  relics  of  the  revolution. 

After  surgical  treatment  and  a  fresh  coat  of  paint  Bacchus 
was  taken  to  New  York  for  exhibition,  and  old  friends  who 
chanced  to  see  it  were  surprised  to  behold  there  the  pet  of  their 
childhood.  In  1872  it  was  removed  to  Hartford  and  placed  in 
the  window  of  A.  E.  Brooks,  where  it  still  remains,  gazing  ro- 
guishly out  on  the  passers-by  and  telling  its  wonderful  tale  of 
the  past  to  the  thoughtful  inquirer. 

Many  anecdotes  are  related  of  it.  While  on  its  way  to  Hart- 
ford a  lady  in  the  car  saw  it  and  was  filled  with  indignation 
that  a  monstrosity  should  be  allowed  to  travel  thus.  Her  wrath 
was  only  appeased  when  the  history  of  the  singular  traveler 
was  explained  and  comprehended. 

An  old  lady,  leaning  on  a  cane,  was  walking  slowly  up  the 
street  in  Hartford  when  she  came  to  a  sudden  standstill  at  sight 
of  the  well  remembered  image.  "  Why  !  if  there  isn't  Bacchus," 
she  was  heard  to  exclaim.  "  I  haven't  seen  him  for  years  and 
years!"  and  she  went  on  murmuring  "for  so  many,  many 
years."     What  memories  of  childhood  that  figure  evoked. 

Before  closing  this  brief  sketch  it  may  be  of  interest  to  the 
reader  to  know  the  fate  of  those  British  prisoners  who  wrought 
under  so  many  discouragements  so  lasting  a  mark.  Their  story 
was  published  in  the  New  London  Gazette  of  November  29th, 
1776.  By  some  means  the  four  men  had  managed  to  escape 
from  jail  and  make  their  way  to  Norwich,  hoping  to  reach  Long 
Island  and  regain  the  British  army. 

The  Gazette  says:  "  Tuesday  night  last,  one  John  Coggin,  late 
boatswain  of  the  '  Bombrig,'  who,  with  the  three  other  prisoners 
broke  out  of  Windham  jail,  was  foitnd  on  board  a  brig  in  this 
harbor.  He  gives  the  following  account  of  said  prisoners,  viz.: 
That  the  night  after  breaking  out  of  jail  they,  with  one  Lewis, 
who  was  taken  in  a  prize  vessel  captured  in  New  York  harbor 
by  a  party  under  Captain  Nathan  Hale,  stole  a  canoe  near  Nor- 
wich Landing,  in  which  they  attempted  to  cross  the  sound  to 
Long  Island,  but  at  the  entrance  of  the  Race  near  Gull  Island 
the  canoe  upset,  when  all  of  them  except  Coggin  were  drowned." 


220  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Coggins'  story  is  probably  true,  as  nothing  was  ever  heard  of  the 
men  afterward,  although  Captain  Sneyd  was  an  officer  of  ability 
and  high  rank  in  the  British  navy. 

Heartfelt  sorrow  for  the  fate  of  the  gentle  mannered  men 
whom  the  fortune  of  war  had  placed  in  their  midst  for  a  season 
was  undoubtedly  felt  by  many  a  good  Windhamite  who  read 
the  above;  and  the  token  of  their  gratitude,  wrought  with  such 
skill  and  patient  care,  was  the  pride,  not  only  of  its  fair  re- 
cipient, but  of  the  whole  town.  No  one  lives  now  who  looked 
upon  it  then.  Children  and  children's  children  have  passed 
away,  old  animosities  are  forgotten ;  a  New  World  has  sprung 
from  the  wilderness  with  more  than  a  century  of  growth  and 
unparalleled  prosperity,  but  that  little  image  remains  as  a  link 
to  the  past.  Were  it  mine  I  should  write  upon  it  the  names  of 
the  four  prisoners  and  "  Sacred  to  memory." 

The  House  the  Women  Raised. 

The  women  of  the  American  revolution  were  worthy  of  being 
the  wives  and  daughters  of  brave  men.  Strong  and  courageous, 
they  were  not  only  the  inciters  to  patriotism,  but  most  ardent 
workers  in  its  cause.  They  accepted  privation  and  sacrifice 
as  a  pleasure,  and  took  up  the  burdens  imposed  on  them  with 
a  cheerfulness  that  made  them  light.  It  has  often  been  stated 
that  at  one  period  during  the  war  not  an  able  bodied  man  was 
left  in  Canada  parish.  The  women  planted  and  harvested,  then 
had  their  merry  huskings;  pulled  the  flax  and  hatcheled  it,  and 
had  their  spinning  bees ;  thus  aiding  and  encouraging  one  an- 
other while  keeping  the  wolf  from  the  door.  These  same  women 
were  undoubtedly  the  first  celebrators  of  the  declaration  of  Am- 
erican independence,  not  with  cannon  and  drum  beat,  but  in  a 
much  more  novel  manner. 

Only  the  parish  minister,  well  advanced  in  years,  an  old  doc- 
tor, and  a  one-legged  carpenter,  represented  the  adult  manhood 
of  the  place  ;  all  were  in  the  army.  One  of  these  men  who  left 
with  the  first  volunteers  had  been  collecting  lumber  preparatory 
to  the  erection  of  a  new  tenement.-  As  months  passed  and  he 
did  not  return,  it  occurred  to  his  wife  to  set  the  lame  carpenter 
to  work  and  have  the  frame  ready  against  his  coming.  When 
this  was  done  and  still  the  army  claimed  its  soldiers,  another 
idea  was  suggested — a  proposition  to  the  women  to  have  a 
merry-making  on  the  4th  of  July,  and  with  the  instructions  of 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  221 

the  carpenter,  to  raise  the  house.  Never  did  proposal  meet  a 
heartier  response,  and  on  the  morning  designated,  the  young 
girls  and  strong-handed  women  were  assembling  from  every 
quarter  of  the  town,  ready  for  service.  Before  nightfall  a  frame, 
two  stories  and  ample,  was  ready  for  covering,  the  carpenter  in- 
sisting that  never  before  in  his  experience  had  a  building  gone 
up  so  smoothly. 

A  few  years  since,  when  the  good  people  of  Hampton  were 
celebrating  the  4th  of  July,  a  patriotic  address  was  made  by  the 
late  Governor  Cleveland,  in  which  he  told  the  story  of  the 
house  the  women  raised  and  the  names  of  the  parties  interested. 
At  the  close  of  the  exercises  a  procession  was  formed  and 
marched  to  the  spot,  where  three  hearty  cheers  were  given  to 
the  brave  women  who  celebrated  the  4th  of  July  for  the  first 
time  in  so  remarkable  a  manner,  and  who  left  behind  them  a 
monument  of  strength  and  courage,  we  venture  to  say,  unpar- 
alleled in  history. 

The  Black  Sheep. 

"  Baa  !  Baa  !  Black  sheep, 
Have  you  got  any  wool  ?  " 

Some  one  of  our  colonial  ancestors  brought  over  from  the  Old 
World  a  heraldic  bear  with  a  crown  on  its  head,  and  called  it 
the  family  coat-of-arms.  It  became  obsolete  with  our  independ- 
ence.    Were  we  to  choose  another,  it  would  be  a  black  sheep. 

Historic  mention  has  often  been  made  of  the  seventeen  cousins 
from  one  school  district  in  the  second  society  of  Windham  who 
enlisted  in  the  revolutionary  army,  and  of  their  noble  record. 
In  that  cold  winter  of  1777-8,  a  regiment  of  the  continental 
troops  was  ordered  from  Rhode  Island  to  New  Jersey.  The  line 
of  march  lay  through  Connecticut,  only  a  few  miles  south  of  the 
home  of  these  cousins,  the  survivors  of  whom  were  scattered 
far  and  wide  in  the  ranks  of  the  patriot  army. 

One  of  these,  a  mere  youth,  who  had  already  seen  more  than 
a  year  of  hard  service,  was  a  member  of  the  regiment  which 
was  making  its  way  to  New  London.  So  near  his  home,  he  felt 
a  great  desire  to  see  his  mother  and  friends,  and  at  his  request 
his  kind  captain  gave  him  permission  to  turn  aside  for  a  single 
night.  The  February  snow  was  falling  thickly  when  he  reached 
the  homestead,  and  the  ragged  soldier,  powdered  and  white, 
was  not  at  first  recognized.     His  aged  grandmother  was  dozing 


222  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

in  the  corner  arm  chair,  with  her  knitting  work  in  her  lap  ;  his 
mother,  who  had  been  busy  at  her  loom,  left  it  to  question  the 
new  comer  of  news  from  the  army ;  while  his  young  sister  was 
stirring  a  pot  of  bean  soup  for  the  family  dinner.  The  poor  boy 
was  too  much  overcome  at  first  to  speak,  but  a  moment  after 
was  weeping  in  his  mother's  arms — weeping,  not  for  himself, 
but  for  the  darling  son  and  brother  who  went  forth  with  him 
to  return  no  more.  Poor  Willie  had  fallen  in  the  woods  of 
Maine  in  that  terrible  march  of  Arnold  to  Quebec. 

It  was  long  before  the  old  grandmother  would  be  satisfied  that 
the  poor,  ragged,  famished-looking  youth  was  their  own  sturdy 
boy,  her  especial  pet  and  favorite  ;  but  when  convinced  of  his 
identity,  her  knitting  needles  clicked  louder  than  usual,  while 
tears  streamed  down  her  furrowed  cheeks.  "  I  knew  poor  Willie 
would  never  stand  soldiering,"  she  said  after  awhile,  "but  Jim- 
mie  was  stouter — built  just  like  his  grandfather.  He  has  come 
home  all  skin  and  bones." 

"  Not  quite.  Granny  dear,"  he  said,  turning  and  caressing  her 
in  his  old  way  ;  "  you  just  see  me  eat  now  !  " 

His  sister  had  just  placed  before  him  a  bowl  of  warm  soup, 
which  he  devoured  eagerly,  while  his  mother  unbound  the  rags 
from  his  travel-sore  feet  and  washed  them,  then  drew  on  a  pair 
of  warm  socks  and  a  pair  of  his  father's  half-worn  shoes — better 
than  he  had  seen  for  months.  The  clothing  they  sent  him  in 
autumn  never  reached  him,  and  the  government  had  done 
nothing  for  its  soldiers  that  winter,  except  to  furnish  a  scanty 
supply  of  blankets. 

"  Never  mind,  Jimmie,"  his  sister  said,  cheerfully,  "  we  can 
make  you  another  suit  before  you  go.  We  have  just  commenced 
the  summer  cloth." 

"  I  have  to  leave  in  the  morning,"  he  replied,  rather  sadly. 
"  My  regiment  broke  camp  yesterday,  and  is  on  its  wa}^  to  New 
Jersey  to  be  ready  for  some  early  movement.  My  orders  are  to 
be  in  New  London  to-morrow  night." 

What  a  damper  his  words  cast  over  their  joy !  Only  one  night, 
and  what  could  they  do  for  him  in  that  brief  period  ?  There 
was  not  a  yard  of  cloth  in  the  house,  except  a  few  yards  of  white 
flannel  which  had  been  sent  to  the  mill  in  autumn  and  returned 
undressed,  as  the  clothier  had  gone  to  the  army.  There  was  not 
a  yard  in  the  neighborhood,  nor  an  inch  for  sale  in  the  market. 
What  could  they  do?     A  bright  thought  flashed  through    the 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  223 

young  girl's  mind.  Her  little  brother  had  just  come  in  from  the 
barn,  and  was  sitting  on  Jimmie's  knee.  She  whispered  some- 
thing in  his  ear,  and  he  was  off  in  a  moment. 

"  Do  you  remember  Dido,  Jimmie?"  she  asked  her  brother. 

"You'd  better  believe  I  remember  her,"  he  said.  "Whatever 
became  of  the  ugly  imp? " 

"  She  is  alive  and  well,  and  has  turned  patriot." 

Dido  was  a  black  cosset,  given  to  Hettie  by  one  of  the  royal- 
ists, who  left  the  country  at  the  commencement  of  the  war,  and 
was  as  vicious  a  creature  as  could  be  imagined.  Not  another 
sheep  on  the  farm  would  eat  at  the  same  rack  with  her,  and  she 
had  to  be  confined  in  the  winter  in  a  solitary  outhouse.  Before 
her  brothers  left  home  they  advised  their  sister  playfully  "to 
tie  the  king's  documents  around  the  critter's  neck  and  make  a 
colonial  messenger  of  her,  or  else  send  her  to  England  with  the 
other  black  sheep." 

Nevertheless,  Dido  had  been  tenderly  cared  for  by  her  young 
mistress,  to  whom  she  was  uniformly  gentle  and  docile.  The 
little  brother's  orders  were  to  lead  the  cosset  into  the  cellar — 
not  an  easy  task,  for  while  he  slip-noosed  a  cord  aroimd  her 
neck  she  vStamped  at  him,  butted  him  with  her  hard  head,  and 
tried  to  bite  his  knees ;  but  the  boy's  will  was  as  strong  as  her 
own  and  she  was  pulled  into  the  cellar.  Hettie  was  there  before 
them  with  a  large  pair  of  shears  in  her  hand. 

"Now,  Dido,"  she  said,  "you  have  never  made  any  sacrifice 
for  your  country,  but  you  must  do  so  now.  Lie  down,  my  pet, 
and  give  me  your  coat !  " 

At  a  wave  of  her  hand  the  creature  obeyed,  and  caressing 
her,  Nettie  began  to  shear  the  long,  coarse  wool  from  her  back. 

"  Take  this  to  grandma,  Eben,  and  ask  her  to  card  it  before  I 
come  up.  And  then  you  run  as  fast  as  you  can  to  Aunt  Remem- 
ber's,  and  ask  her  and  Cousin  Sallie  to  come  here  right  away,  and 
help  get  Jimmie  off  in  the  morning.  They'll  want  to  see  him 
and  hear  from  the  army." 

It  did  not  take  Hettie  long  to  shear  the  wool  from  Dido's 
body  and  sew  around  it  a  warm  blanket.  Then  she  hastened  up 
the  stairs  with  her  burden,  which  was  laid  at  her  grandmother's 
feet.  The  great  wheel  was  next  brought  nearer  the  fire,  and  the 
rolls,  already  carded,  laid  beside  it. 

"  How  glad  I  am  you  finished  weaving  in  that  web  this  morn- 
ing, mother!  "she  said,  gaily.     "We  can  now  send  Jim  away 


224  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

with  a  new  suit  of  linsey-woolsey  black  as  Dido.  It  will  at  least 
look  better  than  a  white  flannel  one  at  this  season  of  the  year." 

"  Is  the  gal  crazy?"  asked  the  old  grandmother,  resting  for  a 
moment  on  her  cards. 

"  Crazy  with  joy,  then  !  Your  rolls  run  beautifully,  grandma  ; 
warm  from  the  sheep,  you  know.     Jimmie,  can't  you  quill?  " 

A  hearty  laugh,  the  first  they  had  heard  from  the  young  sol- 
dier, did  their  hearts  good.  Hettie's  tongue  buzzed  as  fast  as 
her  wheel.  As  soon  as  she  had  spun  enough  for  a  single  quill, 
she  called  on  her  mother  to  wind  it,  fill  her  shuttle,  and  begin 
the  fabric.  Never  had  they  wrought  more  cheerfully ;  thei  e 
was  no  time  to  think  of  the  morrow.  Cousin  Sally  and  her 
mother  soon  joined  them,  and  another  pair  of  cards  and  another 
wheel  helped  on  the  work.  The  carding  and  spinning  were  fin- 
ished at  nightfall,  and  the  evening  was  not  spent  when  the  fab- 
ric was  cut  from  the  loom.  Aunt  Remember  was  a  tailoress,  and 
while  the  supper  was  preparing  she  measured  Jimmie  for  the 
round  jacket  and  loose  trousers,  which  she  said  could  easily  be 
made  before  morning. 

A  pleasant  night  they  made  of  it  while  the  storm  wind 
whistled  without.  The  boys  cracked  nuts  and  Jimmie  told  camp 
stories  until  after  midnight,  when  the  two  were  sent  to  bed  in 
their  mother's  room,  which  opened  from  the  warm  kitchen. 
Early  the  next  morning  she  stole  softly  in  and  awoke  little  Eben, 
that  he  might  feed  old  Dolly  and  make  ready  for  departure,  as 
he  was  to  accompany  his  brother  on  his  way.  Jimmie  appeared 
at  the  breakfast  table  in  his  new  suit,  and  laughingly  promised 
his  sister  that  Dido  should  have  a  pension  at  the  close  of  the 
war  if  she  was  living. 

When  the  sword  of  Corn wallis  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  their 
beloved  commander-in-chief,  that  broken  band  of  cousins,  with 
their  surviving  comrades,  came  marching  home.  There  was  a 
wedding  at  the  old  homestead  not  long  after,  and  when  Hettie 
left  her  father's  house  for  a  new  home  of  her  own,  proudly  in 
the  train  that  accompanied  her  was  led  the  old  cosset,  with  one 
of  her  lambs  as  black  as  herself  at  her  side.  For  more  than  a 
century  the  story  of  Dido  and  that  linsey-woolsey  suit  has  been 
an  heirloom.  The  children  and  children's  children  have  heard 
it,  and  from  that  day  to  this  a  black  sheep  has  been  the  family 
pet  and  pride. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  225 

A  Character. 

Every  town  has  its — I  will  not  say  vagabonds,  but  easy-go- 
lucky  fellows,  who  flourish,  like  dodder,  with  no  root  in  the 
ground.  Some  years  ago  Scotland  parish  had  one  of  this  sort, 
who  got  his  living  by  fishing,  hunting,  and  occasionally  hooping 
a  tub  or  cask.  It  entered  his  odd  head  at  last  that  a  help-meet 
would  be  in  order,  and  he  applied  to  one  of  the  good  farmers  of 
the  neiafhborhood  for  the  hand  of  one  of  his  daug-hters. 

"What!"  said   the    old  gentleman,  in  astonishment.     '■'You, 

Daniel,  want  a  wife?     What  on  earth  could  you   do  with  one?  " 

"Why,"  returned  the  young  man,  straightening  up  to  his  full 

six  feet,  "  I   can  almost  support  myself,  and  it's  a  darned  poor 

woman  who  couldn't  help  a  little." 

The  farmer  did  not  see  it  so,  but  it  seems  the  daughter  did, 

and  in  spite  of  opposition  she  became  Mrs.  Daniel .     For 

years  they  obtained  a  precarious  livelihood,  the  '' zvoman  help- 
ing  a  little "  by  tending  a  turnpike  gate.  But  turnpike  gates 
became  obsolete  with  the  march  of  improvements,  and  Daniel 
became  rheumatic  and  was  no  longer  able  to  haunt  the  streams 
and  woods ;  then  the  town  became  their  almoner. 

Some  time  after  her  husband's  death  a  small  legacy  fell  to  the 
widow,  when  it  was  suggested  by  a  relative  that  it  would  be  a 
good  time  to  procure  a  stone  to  mark  his  grave.  The  old  lady 
looked  serious  for  a  moment,  as  if  considering  the  matter,  then 
replied:  "  Wal,  now,  I  reckon  if  the  Lord  wants  Daniel  in  the 
day  of  judgment  He  can  fi)id  him  zvitJwut  a  guideboard  !  " 

When  the  old  lady  came  to  her  death-bed  she  was  visited  by  a 
minister,  who,  with  other  inquiries,  asked  her  if  sJie  had  made  her 
peace  with  God.  She  looked  astonished,  and  after  a  little  replied  : 
"  I  don't  remember  as  the  Lord  and  I  ever  had  any  difficulty." 

Tea-total. 

"  The  women  took  the  matter  up 

And  said,  '  We  do  agree 
To  plant  our  gardens  green  with  sage, 

And  drink  it  all,  'ere  we 

Will  taste  the  Tory  tea  ! 
The  barley  malteth  in  the  sun , 

The  raspbez'ry  leaves  are  free, 
And  we  will  teach  the  little  ones 

To  glean  industriously. 

And  tell  them  Liberty 

Is  sweeter  far  than  tea.' 
15 


226  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

' '  And  boys  went  whistling  through  the  street, 

'  Oh,  not  a  fig  care  we 
For  England's  herb-drink — bitter-sweet  ! 

Hurrah  for  Liberty  ! 

We  drink  no  Tory  tea  ! ' 
Brave  lads  they  were;  and  when  the  strife 

In  earnest  was  begun, 
They  dropped  the  school-book  for  a  fife. 

Or  took  a  rusty  gun — 

Still  shouting  valiantly, 

'  Well  drink  no  Tory  tea  ! ' 

"  But  England  sent  the  tea  along, 

Though  men  of  all  degree 
Protested  loud  against  the  wrong. 

And  said,  '  We've  no  idee 

Of  paying  tax  on  tea  ! ' 
And  Boston  men  did  more,  for  when 

The  ships  at  anchor  lay 
Three  hundred  chests  of  tea  were  steeped 

In  Massachusetts  Bay. 

But  who  went  out  to  tea 

Was  not  so  plain  to  see."* 

The  passage  of  the  Boston  port  bill  gave  Windham  a  new 
dragon  to  fight,  and  men,  women  and  children  were  ready  for 
action.  For  years  tea  had  been  the  bete  noir  of  their  special  an- 
tagonism. No  one  was  permitted  to  bring  it  into  the  town,  or 
even  to  taste  a  drop  of  the  "  detested  weed,"  under  penalty  of 
seeing  his  name  gazetted  as  an  enemy  to  his  country,  or  at  the 
risk  of  a  coat  of  tar  and  feathers.  The  venerable  Doctor  Cogs- 
well and  lady,  of  Scotland  parish,  greatly  offended  his  parishion- 
ers by  indulging  in  the  prohibited  beverage  after  returning  from 
the  burial  of  a  beloved  daughter,  whose  sudden  illness  and 
death  had  nearly  prostrated  them.  The  transgression  was  made 
public  and  the  reverend  gentleman  informed  that  the  offense 
would  be  reported  to  the  committee  of  inspection.  Greatly  agi- 
tated, he  went  at  once  to  that  body  and  informed  them  that  the 
tea  had  been  taken  by  advice  of  a  physician,  and  they  promised 
to  waive  proceedings.  But  his  parishioners  were  not  so  easily 
satisfied.  "  Better  to  die,"  they  said,  "than  to  be  guilty  of  so 
evil  an  example  !  "  And  many  worthy  members  refrained  from 
church-going  unless  their  minister  would  make  a  public  confes- 
sion from  the  pulpit ;  and  their  action  was  commended  by  a 
majority  of  the  citizens  of  the  neighboring  parishes. 

*  Extract  from  an  old  poem  by  a  Windham  lady. 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  227 

Nothing  delighted  the  Windhamites  so  much  as  the  tidings  of 
the  destruction  of  those  ship-loads  of  tea  in  Boston  harbor,  and 
nothing  since  the  passage  of  the  stamp  act  had  aroused  their  in- 
dignation to  such  a  pitch  as  the  closing  of  the  harbor  in  conse- 
quence. The  news  reached  Windham  on  Saturday,  and  before 
night  handbills  were  posted  all  over  the  town.  Mr.  White  took 
the  subject  into  the  pulpit  the  next  day,  and  made  a  most  earnest 
appeal  for  their  brave  suffering  brethren,  exhorting  his  listeners 
to  concert  some  speedy  measure  for  carrying  aid  to  the  be- 
leaguered city.  There  was  no  need  of  such  exhortation,  for 
already  had  the  citizens  resolved  in  their  minds  what  they  could 
best  spare  from  their  own  necessities. 

A  town  meeting  was  called  at  once,  and  there  was  a  grand 
rally  from  every  section  of  the  town.  The  old  meeting  house 
was  crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity,  women  and  children  filling 
the  galleries.  Solomon  Huntington  was  moderator,  and  soon 
announced  that  t%vo  hundred  and  fifty-eight  sheep  were  contributed 
and  ready  for  delivery.  A  number  of  the  young  men  volun- 
teered to  go  with  their  offering,  and  remain  to  fight  if  needed. 

Mr.  Bancroft,  in  his  "  History  of  the  American  Revolution," 
makes  very  honorable  mention  of  this  Windham  donation — the 
first  from  Connecticut,  and  the  earliest  save  one  from  any  of  the 
American  colonies. 

Doctor  Cogswell  and  Phyllis. 

Many  anecdotes  are  told  of  Doctor  Cogswell  and  his  two  old 
negro  servants,  Ambrose  and  Phyllis.  Phyllis,  when  young, 
was  brought  from  Africa,  and  it  was  the  theme  of  her  life-long 
thoughts  and  conversation.  She  was  very  fond  of  the  kitchen 
garden,  and  laid  by  every  variety  of  seed  against  the  day  of  her 
death,  when  she  fully  believed  she  should  return  to  her  beloved 
Africa,  bearing  with  her  germs  to  make  the  desert  fruitful. 
Poor  old  slave  !  Toiling  and  easing  her  heavy  burden  with  the 
blessed  balm  of  Hope,  which  never  yet  has  quite  forsaken  the 
wretched.  May  we  not  believe  the  poor  slave's  eyes  have,  ere 
this,  opened  to  scenes  familiar,  that  she  has  sat  in  the  shad- 
ows of  the  palms,  and  tasted  the  cocoa  milk,  so  sweet  to  her 
earthly  childhood,  in  the  home  so  often  regretted  and  longed 
for  in  the  dark  years  that  succeeded?  Surely  the  All-wise  will 
suit  the  future  of  his  poor  creatures  to  their  earnest  longings,  so 
that  no  vShadow  of  disappointment  will  await  the  "  ten  thousand 


228  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

times  ten  thousand,"  whether  their  hopes  stretch  forward  to  the 
"land  of  pure  delight  "  of  the  Christian  or  the  "happy  hunting 
grounds  "  of  the  savage. 

Old  Ambrose  was  allowed  a  small  patch  of  ground  to  till  for 
his  own  personal  benefit,  after  the  custom  of  master  and  slave. 
A  remarkably  fine  turnip  crop  was  the  result  of  one  season's 
sowing,  of  which  he  was  very  proud.  One  day  on  going  to  his 
patch  he  discovered  a  number  of  vacancies,  and  shrewdly  sus- 
pected his  missing  vegetables  had  found  their  way  to  the  par- 
son's table.  A  passer-by  overheard  the  darkey  venting  his  in- 
dignation in  this  sort:  "-Very  rcligiss,  he  is!  Steal  a  niggers 
tu7'nips!  Denid  religiss  !  "  And  the  story  was  not  long  in  getting 
circulated. 

The  doctor  became  very  forgetful  in  his  later  years,  often 
omitting  the  notices  for  the  week.  On  one  occasion  he  forgot 
to  mention  the  lecture  preparatory  for  the  sacrament  on  the 
coming  Sabbath.  Good  old  Deacon  Kingsley,  who,  like  most  of 
the  men  of  his  time,  made  great  account  of  "  training  days,"  arose 
in  his  seat  and  said :  "/  guess  Mr.  Cogsivell  has  forgot  that  next 
Sabba'  day  is  the  first  Monday  in  May.'' 

An  Old  Family  of  Scotland. 

One  of  the  most  distinguished  families  of  the  ancient  township 
of  Windham  was  that  of  Nathaniel  Huntington,  an  early  settler  of 
Scotland  parish.  It  consisted  of  six  sons  and  three  daughters. 
Their  home,  a  fine  old  mansion  with  broad  front  and  sloping 
roof,  after  the  fashion  of  the  time,  is  still  standins^,  with  orreen 
lawn  before  it,  a  few  rods  west  of  Merrick's  brook.  It  was  the 
favorite  gathering  place  of  the  young  people  of  the  parish,  who 
were  drawn  thither  in  part  by  the  attraction  of  music,  for  which 
the  family  was  famed,  and  for  the  wit  and  good  cheer  which 
alwa3^s  abounded.  Three  of  the  sons  were  graduates  of  Yale, 
and  two  of  the  others  became  even  more  distinguished  than  the 
collegians.  The  second  son,  Samuel,  left  a  name  to  live  in  his- 
tory. His  father  intended  him  for  a  mechanic,  and  he  was  ap- 
prenticed to  a  neighboring  cooper,  but  a  little  circumstance 
brought  out  the  spirit  of  the  boy,  who,  it  seems,  "  was  father  to 
the  man."  His  elder  brother  was  fitted  for  Yale,  and  left  home 
one  bright  autumn  morning  clad  in  broadcloth  and  fine  linen. 
Sam  was  sent  to  the  barn  to  hatchel  flax.  Going  thither  some 
time  after  to  see  how  the  work  progressed,  his  father  found  him 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  229 

stripped  to  the  waistband,  while  his  homespun  shirt  was  passing- 
vigorously  through  the  iron  teeth  of  the  hatchel. 

"  What  are  you  doing  there,  boy  ?' '  his  father  demanded  sternly. 
"Trying  to  make  my  shirt  as  soft  as  my  brother's,"  he  replied 
unflinchingly,  never  for  a  moment  pausing  from  his  work.  Beat- 
ing his  shirt  did  not,  however,  clothe  him  in  Holland  or  send 
him  to  Yale.  He  was  duly  apprenticed  and  must  hoop  tubs  until 
he  attained  his  majority,  but  his  mind  refused  to  be  bound. 
Every  spare  moment  was  devoted  to  such  books  as  came  within 
his  reach,  and  at  twenty-one  he  had  more  knowledge  in  his  head 
than  many  college  graduates.  He  taught  himself  Latin,  and  be- 
gan the  study  of  law  in  direct  opposition  to  his  father's  plans 
and  wishes.  But  the  father  of  his  young  playmate  and  sweet- 
heart, Martha  Devotion,  is  said  to  have  encou.raged  him  to  per- 
severe in  spite  of  obstacles,  discerning  qualities  in  the  young 
man  that  fitted  him  for  a  model  statesman.  Nor  was  this  confi- 
dence in  his  abilities  misplaced.  Others  were  not  long  in  dis- 
covering his  fearless  independence,  his  wise  judgment  and  his 
great  purity  and  integrity  of  character.  The  best  offices  in  the 
gift  of  the  people  were  conferred  upon  him.  He  was  made  mem- 
ber of  the  assembly,  associate  judge  of  the  superior  court  of  Con- 
necticut and  delegate  to  congress.  Not  long  after  his  name  was 
enrolled  with  that  immortal  band  "whose  names,"  in  the  lan- 
guage of  our  best  historian,  "  will  be  household  words  as  long 
as  the  principles  of  1776  shall  survive  in  the  hearts  of  the 
people." 

Nor  were  these  his  only  honors.  In  September,  1779,  congress 
elected  him  their  leader  and  president,  an  office  calling  for  the 
highest  wisdom  of  the  jurist  and  the  statesman.  After  his  re- 
turn to  his  home  in  Norwich,  to  recruit  his  exhausted  strength, 
he  was  appointed  chief  justice  of  his  native  state,  and  later  was 
made  its  chief  magistrate,  an  office  he  held  for  ten  years,  until 
the  time  of  his  death,  1796. 

His  father  did  not  survive  to  read  his  eooper  boys  name  among 
the  signers  of  the  declaration  of  independence,  or  to  see  him 
elected  to  the  highest  offices  of  his  state  and  nation  ;  but  he  lived 
long  enough  to  see  him  honored  among  men — the  friend  of 
Washington,  Jefferson,  and  others  of  that  illustrious  band  of 
patriots  whose  names  and  fame  will  not  die,  and  without  doubt 
to  regret  the  stern  parental  misjudgment  that  bound  his  proud 
son  for  so  many  years  to  an  uncongenial  trade. 


230  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Four  of  the  Huntington  brothers  were  in  the  ministry,  and 
honored  their  calling.  One  of  these  was  a  celebrated  musician, 
who  composed  for  the  singers  of  his  native  parish  the  popular 
fugue,  "Scotland's  burning,"  which  has  been  sung  the  world 
over,  like  John  Howard  Paine's  "  Home,  sweet  home."  Music 
appears  to  have  been  a  family  gift,  descending  to  the  next  gen- 
eration. Jonathan,  son  of  Eliphalet,  the  youngest  but  one  of 
the  six  brothers,  possessed  a  voice  of  remarkable  power  and 
sweetness.  He  made  music  his  profession,  and  taught  it  with 
great  success  in  Boston,  Albany  and  St.  Louis,  where  he  died. 

The  old  people  used  to  tell  of  a  quilting  frolic  at  the  family 
mansion  in  Scotland,  where  all  the  belles  of  the  town  were  as- 
sembled, and  where  the  beaux  were  expected  to  join  in  the 
festal  games  and  dances  of  the  evening.  The  sideboard  had  to 
be  replenished,  and  a  member  of  the  family  went  to  one  of  the 
village  inns  for  that  purpose.  There  was  a  little  too  much 
sampling  of  the  liquors,  perhaps,  and  when  the  young  man  re- 
turned and  was  about  to  enter  the  room  where  the  young  ladies 
were  assembled,  he  stumbled  at  the  door  sill  and  fell  headlong. 
His  wit  did  not  forsake  him,  however,  for  quick  as  thought  he 
called  out,  in  the  very  tone  of  their  choir  leader,  ''Sing  Old  Hun- 
dred, ladies;  I  have  given  you  the  pitch.'' 

But  those  were  days  of  hilarity,  when  even  the  clergy  thought 
it  no  sin  to  drink  their  flip  and  crack  a  harmless  joke,  always 
provided  they  held  firmly  to  the  "  Saybrook  Platform  "  and  gave 
dissenters  no  countenance. 

The  Story  of  Micah  Rood. 

A  stranger  turning  over  the  musty  archives  of  one  of  our 
county  towns,  some  years  ago,  came  across  the  following  record  : 
"  Nov.  16,  lim.—Mieah  Rood  died  A\N¥\]i.i.Y r 

"  How  did  he  die? "  was  the  question  propounded  to  the  town 
clerk,  who  could  not  tell,  as  he  was  a  new  comer  and  had  never 
heard  of  the  circumstance  before. 

The  stranger's  curiosity  was  piqued.  "'Died  awfully''  kept 
ringing  in  his  mind  until  another  question  suggested  itself: 
"  Have  you  any  very  aged  persons  in  the  place? " 

The  clerk  spoke  of  two,  one  a  revolutionary  veteran,  very  deaf, 
and  an  aged  widow,  who  remembered  away  back  into  colony 
times,  and  could  tell  stories  forever  without  stopping.  This  last 
seemed  the  very  person  he  wanted,  and  he  inquired  where  he 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  231 

could  find  her,  and  was  directed  to  lier  residence,  a  mile  or  two 
away  on  the  Providence  pike. 

The  place  was  readily  found,  and  after  introducing  himself 
the  stranger  made  known  his  errand. 

"  Have  I  ever  hearn  tell  hoio  Mike  Rood  died?  Why,  man  alive, 
I  remember  all  about  it  myself  the  same  as  though  'twas  yester- 
day, though  I  warn't  no  bigger  when  it  happened  than  this  great- 
grandchild of  mine  here  is  now.  It  had  ben  kinder  snowin'  and 
rainin'  all  day,  and  father  had  ben  to  town,  and  when  he  got 
back  he  said  with  a  shiver,  '  There's  the  awfullest  thing  happened 
you  ever  heerd  on,  mother  ! ' 

"  '  Do  tell  us  what  it  is  ! '  she  said,  turning  dreadfully  white, 
while  I  stood  looking  up  at  him,  all  ears,  you  may  depend. 

"  '  Mike  Rood's  hung  himself  on  that  'arly  apple  tree  there's 
ben  so  much  talk  about.' 

"  '  Did  he  leave  a  confession  ? '  she  avSked. 

"  '  Not's  I  heerd  on.  The  jury  hadn't  got  back  when  I  was 
down  town.  He  must  have  done  it  in  the  night  sometime,  for 
when  he  was  found  in  the  morning  he  was  cold  and  stiff  as  a 
log.' 

"  Father  went  out  wiping  his  eyes,  and  I  run  up  close  to  grand- 
mother, who  was  sittin'  in  her  great  chair  before  the  fire,  and 
hid  my  face  in  her  apron,  half  af eared  I  should  see  the  dead 
man. 

"  '  There  ain't  nothin'  to  be  afeared  on,  Molly,'  she  said, 
'  though  I  guess  if  the  truth  was  all  told,  there  has  been  them 
that  feared  Mike  when  alive.' 

"  '  What  for  ? '  I  asked. 

'"Never  mind  to-day,  child !  Some  long  winter  evening  I'll 
tell  you  all  about  it.' 

"  I  warrant  you  I  didn't  let  her  forgit  her  promise,  for  I  was 
mighty  fond  of  stories  in  them  days."  She  paused  a  moment  to 
take  breath,  and  then  resumed.  "It  was  a  dreadful  strange 
thing  she  told  me  one  night  when  father  and  mother  had  gone 
to  conference  meetin'  and  we  were  left  alone ;  but  everybody 
believed  it  in  these  parts.  You  see,  we'd  jest  ben  in  the  midst 
of  the  old  French  and  Injun  war,  and  folks  was  afeared  of  their 
own  shadders.  Mike  was  a  strange  chap,  and  nobody  knew  ex- 
actly what  to  make  on  him.  Some  folks  thought  he  warn't  very 
cunnin'  ;  others  said  he  had  wit  a  plenty,  only  an  odd  way  of 
showin'  on't.     He  lived  alone  with  his  mother,  who  was  a  poor 


232  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

widder.  His  father  was  killed  a  few  years  afore,  fightin'  French 
and  Injuns,  arter  which  all  the  sperit^Mike^had  "^in  him  was 
turned  agin  the  French. 

"  In  the  fall  of  '59  a  peddler  come  into  town,  bringin'  all  sorts 
of  forrin  notions,  and  everybody  set  to  wonderin';J|who  he  was 
and  where  he  come  from. 

'"//^«^a',' said  Mike.  'He's  a  Frenchman]  andQa  spy,  that's 
jest  what  Jic  is ;  and  I  dare  say,  if  the  truth  was^known,  he  come 
straight  down  here  from  Canada.  But — '  Mike  went  away 
whispering  to  himself,  '  Dead  men  tell  no  tales  !  Likely  as  not, 
mother'd  like  some  of  that  stuff  o'  his'n.' 

"  Nothin'  was  ever  seen  of  the  forrin  peddler  arter  he  went 
to  the  Widder  Rood's  that  night,  and  there'was  some  whisperin' 
around  as  though  Mike  might  not  have  used  him  fair  ;  but  afore 
winter  was  over  everybody  would  have'jben  done  talkin'  about 
it,  only  Mike  wouldn't  let  the  subject  rest. 

"  '  WJiat  makes  the  blows  on  the  'arly  apple  tree  look  so  red  this 
spring?  '  he  would  ask  the  children  on  their  way  to  school.  That 
was  one  of  Mike's  foolish  questions.  And  '  Why  didn't  the  old 
robin  come  back  to  her  tree  this  year,  as  she  alius  had  done 
afore?  There  ain't  another  such  crotch  for  a  nest  in  the  whole 
orchard.'  The  children  couldn't  tell  that,  nuther ;  and  their 
parents  said,  '  Mike  was  half-witted  to  ask  such  foolish  ques- 
tions.'   - 

"  When  the  apples  was  ripe  the  first  of  August,  the  children 
went  up  one  noon-time  to  beg  some.  '  The  apples  is  pizen  this 
year.'  Mike  said,  shakin'  his  head. 

"  '  Give  us  some,  and  we'll  resk  'em.' 

"'I'll  bet  a  copper  you  darsent  eat  one  on  'em,'  he  persisted, 
'  for  there's  a  drop  of  blood  in  'em  all.' 

"  '  You've  got  to  show  it  afore  we'll  believe  it,'  the  children  re- 
turned. So  Mike  went  and  brought  his  hands  full  of  great  mel- 
ler  apples,  and  begun  to  cut  'em  up.  '  There  !  Look  now  ! '  he 
said  ;  '  Didn't  I  tell  ye  ?  You  may  eat  'em  all  if  you  want  to.  / 
eloiit  I ' 

"  Not  a  child  would  put  a  tooth  into  an  apple,  for,  sure  enough, 
every  apple  had  a  drop  of  blood  in't,  as  Mike  had  said.  The 
young  ones  went  home  and  told  their  story,  but  nobody  be- 
lieved a  word  on't  till  they'd  ben  and  examined  for  themselves. 
Then  everybody  from  the  minister  down  said  it  was  a  special 
meracle.  Maybe  'twas  because  the  hand  that  planted  the  tree 
was  cut  off  by  the  blood-thusty  enemy. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  233 

"  Toward  the  last  of  October  suthin'  turned  up  that  set  folks 
thinkin'  and  talkin'  again.  A  reward  of  forty  pounds  was  posted 
up  for  any  information  of  a  young  German,  who  left  Phila- 
delphy  with  an  assortment  of  fancy  goods  the  year  afore.  The 
last  heerd  from  him  he  was  travelin'  in  eastern  Connecticut. 
Everybody  who  read  the  notice  said  straight  off,  that  was  the 
forrin  peddler ;  but  what  become  of  him  was  another  thing. 

"  Mike  read  the  notice  with  the  others  and  thought  he  saw  a 
great  many  eyes  looking  at  him.  '  They'll  hang  me  now,  as  sure 
as  fate,'  he  thought,  as  he  walked  away,  'and  they'll  git  that 
forty  pounds,  beside,  which  is  a  heap  of  money.  I  never  should 
have  teched  the  feller,  only  I  thought  he  was  a  cussed  French- 
man, one  of  the  very  same  as  knocked  over  the  old  man.  Ef  I 
could  manage  now  to  git  that  forty  pounds  for  mother,  and  tie 
the  knot  in  my  own  halter,  they  might  call  Mike  Rood  half 
witted  as  long  as  they  live,  for  all  I  care.' 

"  That  night  as  the  wind  blew  and  howled  round  the  old 
house,  and  his  mother  sat  paring  apples  and  stringin'  'em  on 
strings  to  dry,  he  cut  a  leaf  out  of  his  father's  account  book, 
took  down  the  lead  inkstand  and  begun  to  write — curus-looking 
writin'  it  was  too.  But  as  his  mother  looked  up  and  see  what 
he  was  doin'  she  thought  he  was  real  smart.  There  warn't  no 
better  meanin'  woman  in  the  whole  town  than  the  Widder 
Rood. 

"  '  I've  a'most  forgotten  how  your  writin'  looks,  mother,'  Mike 
said  after  awhile.  '  You  jest  take  the  goose  quill  and  write  your 
name  down  here  where  I  can  see  it,'  and  he  handed  her  the  pen 
with  which  he  had  been  figerin'.  She  put  down  her  dish  of 
apples,  pleased  enough  to  write  her  name.  He  examined  it 
carefully  and  said,  'that's  fust  rate  !  I  declare  you  are  the  best 
writer  in  town,  mother.' 

"  She  smiled  as  she  went  back  to  her  apples  and  said,  '  Your 
father  used  to  say  the  same  when  I  was  young.' 

"  Mike  folded  up  the  paper  and  put  it  in  his  pocket.  '  Got  any 
arrants  up  town  ?'  he  asked.  .,  • 

"  '  Not  to-night !  What  makes  you  go  out  when  it  is  so  windy 
and  cold  ?' 

"  '  Left  one  of  my  cowhides  to  the  shoemaker's  this  mornin'. 
He  said  I  could  have  it  by  eight  o'clock.' 

"  He  went  out  and  set  his  face  toward  the  town,  talkin'  all  the 
way  to   himself    as   he.  went.     ' 'Tis  all  fixed  right   now,    and 


234  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

mother'll  git  \.h.a.t  forty  pounds,  for  didn't  they  promise  it  for  any 
information  on  him.  dead  or  alive!  and  ain't  she  told  'em  if  they'll 
come  and  dig  under  her  arly  apple  tree,  the  fust  on  the  right  side 
of  the  house,  and  ask  her  no  questions,  they'll  find  what  they're 
lookin'  for,  dead  enough,  I  guess !  I'm  awful  sorry  I  hurt  the 
wrong  feller,  but  it  can't  be  helped  now.  The  post-rider  will 
take  the  letter  to  Philadelphy  short  of  a  week,  and  by  that  time 
I  can  git  mother's  wood  cut  up  for  winter  and  be  ready  to  step 
out  afore  they  come  to  sarch.' 

"Poor  Mike,  like  all  boys  foolish  or  witty,  loved  his  mother; 
and  all  that  week  he  went  around  doin'  everything  he  could  find 
to  do  for  her,  and  she  so  happy !  never  dreamin'  what  sorrow 
the  next  week  would  bring,  when  her  boy  was  found  dead  on 
the  arly  apple  tree,  hung  by  his  own  hands,  for  that  was  the  way 
Micah  Rood  died."* 

No    BLOOD-RELATION. 

A  good  story  is  told  at  the  expense  of  one  of  the  Elderkins, 
whose  position  and  popularity  in  his  native  town  was  assured, 
but  whose  habits  of  conviviality  were  a  little  too  marked  even 
for  those  festive  days.  On  town  meeting  occasions  and  sea- 
sons of  general  muster  it  was  not  uncommon. for  him  to  be 
escorted  home  by  some  boon  companion  of  firmer  poise.  On 
one  of  these  occasions  it  was  necessary  that  he  should  have  two 
such  supporters.  When  they  reached  his  door  they  were  met 
by  his  wife,  one  of  the  proudest  and  most  aristocratic  of  the 
Windham  dames,  who  said  to  them  with  great  dignity  of  manner, 
"  Bring  him  in,  gentleme^i  !  Bring  him  in  !  But  thank  the  Lord  he  is  no 
blood-relation  of  mine.'' 

The  Fine. 

Some  people  are  always  prating  about  the  "good  old  times," 
as  though  the  world  had  been  moving  crab-wise  all  the  years 
of  the  nineteenth  century  instead  of  marching  triumphantly  on 
from  good  to  better.  But  my  dear  old-time  worshippers,  let  us 
say  respectfully,  those  times  were  not  all  good ;  only  to  you 
they  may  seem  so,  standing  out  as  they  do,  memory-crowned,  on 
the  blessed  hills  of  youth.  We  like  to  hear  you  speak  of  them, 
although  we  look  on  the  Past  with  the  eye  of  the  Present,  and 

*The  Rood  cqjple  is  still  found  in  many  orchards  with  the  mysterious  red  spot, 
which  has  given  rise  to  so  many  homely  stories. 


HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  235 

regret  not  the  days  of  pain  and  penalty  gone  to  rest  with  bar- 
baric ages.  The  following  is  a  simple,  unvarnished  tale  of  the 
eighteenth  century. 

A  hundred  years  ago  the  young  people  of  one  of  the  parishes 
of  old  Windham  went  on  a  whortleberry  expedition  to  "  Tolera- 
tion Hill."  It  was  on  Saturday,  a  very  bad  day  in  those  times  for 
pleasure  going,  inasmuch  as  the  Sabbath,  commencing  at  sun- 
down and  continuing  until  Monday  morning,  might  not  be  ap- 
proached in  lightsome  mood  nor  the  hem  of  its  sable  garments 
be  touched  by  week-day  fingers  with  impunity.  Nevertheless 
the  grand  berry  party  of  the  season  came  off  on  Saturday  in 
order  to  accommodate  the  village  schoolmaster,  who  was  always 
allowed  a  portion  of  the  day  for  shaving,  shoe-blacking  and  other 
needful  preparations  for  the  "  Day  of  Rest." 

The  schoolmaster  was  a  new  comer  to  Connecticut,  and  was 
already  a  great  favorite  in  the  little  inland  village  which  he 
sought  the  spring  previous  for  the  benefit  of  his  health,  as  well 
as  to  visit  the  resident  physician,  who  was  a  friend  and  classmate 
of  his  father.  Either  the  climate  suited  him  or  some  local  at- 
traction detained  him  beyond  the  period  of  an  ordinary  visit ; 
and  when  it  was  proposed  to  him  to  take  the  Center  school  for  a 
year,  he  accepted  the  offer,  and  at  the  same  time  commenced  the 
study  of  medicine  with  his  father's  friend. 

Young  Sears  was  just  the  person  to  take  in  a  rural  community, 
not  altogether  on  account  of  his  good  looks  and  polivshed  man- 
ners, but  for  a  genuine  heartiness  that  recommended  itself  to 
the  plain  common  sense  of  the  people.  The  young  folks  liked 
him,  and  drew  him  out  as  often  as  possible  to  their  evening  par- 
ties and  merry-makings,  and  no  one  enjoyed  a  primitive  game 
oi  forfeits  better  than  he,  no  one  could  sing  "Rose  in  the  gar- 
den "  with  such  fullness  of  expression  or  richness  of  tone,  and 
not  the  best  player  of  them  all  could  sooner  detect  the  magic 
"  button  "  when  flying  rapidly  through  maiden  fingers. 

The  young  teacher  had  made  many  friends,  and  but  one  en- 
emy ;  that  was  the  son  of  the  first  tithing-man,  who  was  also  one 
of  the  wealthiest  farmers  in  the  parish.  No  one  except  the 
young  man  himself  had  any  suspicions  of  his  feelings  toward 
the  stranger  until  the  whortleberry  party  began  to  be  discussed, 
when  his  aversion  and  its  secret  cause  became  too  apparent  to 
be  mistaken.  The  proposition  to  have  the  party  on  Saturday 
instead  of  Thursday,  as  heretofore,  brought  Enos  Webb  to  his 


236  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

feet.  He  said  the  schoolmaster  counted  but  one  anyway  !  They 
had  always  managed  to  get  along  without  him,  and  could  again. 
His  words  met  with  no  favor,  the  young  men  all  declaring 
that  Doctor  Sears  should  be  one  of  the  party,  if  they  had  one. 

That  same  evening  Enos,  in  his  Sunday  clothes,  was  seen 
directing  his  steps  toward  the  home  of  Sallie  Bingham,  the  ac- 
knowledged belle  of  the  parish.  It  was  the  occasional  walk  of 
the  teacher  in  that  direction  which  had  aroused  the  young  man's 
jealousy  and  ill  will.  A  few  days  before,  he  had  spoken  to  her 
of  the  anticipated  party  and  expressed  a  w4sh  to  join  it,  adding 
at  the  same  time  that  as  he  was  a  strano^er  to  such  Pfatheringfs 
he  hoped  she  would  teach  him  the  etiquette. 

Nothing  would  have  given  her  more  pleasure ;  and  now,  be- 
fore anything  had  been  said,  Enos  must  step  in  to  interfere. 
While  the  young  man  was  making  his  bow  and  getting  at  the 
subject,  Sallie  was  resolving  in  her  own  mind  not  to  join  the 
party  at  all  if  it  came  off  on  Thursday. 

"  I've  come  to  ask  you  to  go  a-huckleberrying,"  he  said  at  last, 
taking  the  offered  seat. 

"It  will  not  be  convenient  for  me  to  go  on  Thursday,"  she 
replied,  coolly. 

"  Then  I'm  happy  to  tell  you  'tain't  till  Saturday,  though  I,  for 
one,  opposed  its  being  put  off  so  till  the  heel  of  the  week.  But 
there's  some  folks  round  here  that  think  nothing  can  be  done 
without  that  city  chap.  Furthermore,  I  told  'em  in  the  store 
this  morning  that  we  alius  had  got  along  without  outsiders,  and 
I  guessed  we  could  agin.  The  fools  wouldn't  listen  to  me,  and 
if  some  on  'em  don't  git  fined  afore  the  scrape  is  over  I'm  mis- 
taken, Aliss  Sallie." 

"  I  wouldn't  go  if  I  felt  as  you  do,  Enos,"  she  replied. 

"  Wall,  I  don't  care  much  about  it,  nohow.  So  if  j'^?/'//stay  to 
home  /will;  and  see  then  how  much  they'll  make  out  of  their 
spark.     What  do  you  say,  now  ? " 

"  I  make  no  promises." 

"You  don't,  hey?  Then  we'll  go!  You'll  ride  behind,  I 
s'pose?" 

"  No,  indeed  !  "  she  answered,  sharply.  "  If  I  go  at  all  I  shall 
ride  my  own  pony.  Fret  loves  the  woods  as  well  as  her  mis- 
tress." 

"  But  she's  too  young  and  frisky  for  such  a  scrape.  Better 
have  your  pillion  buckled  to  my  saddle  and  go  safe.  My  mare 
s    sure." 


HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY.  237 

Sallie  preferred  her  own  way,  and  said  so ;  which  ended  the 
colloquy. 

Saturday  dawned  bright  and  pleasant.  As  soon  as  the  dew 
was  dried  the  young  people  began  to  gather  around  the  village 
inn,  their  place  of  rendezvous.  Their  hands  were  full  of  bas- 
kets, some  of  which  were  filled  with  "  good  cheer;"  for  never 
did  a  New  England  party  go  forth  to  the  fields  without  plenty 
of  refreshments.  The  berry-pickings  of  the  last  century  were 
the  picnics  of  an  utilitarian  age,  when  pleasure  subserved  use. 
The  whortleberries  were  the  plums  of  the  Thanksgiving  pies 
and  cakes  in  the  early  history  of  our  country. 

The  departure  of  the  company  was  watched  with  interest  by 
the  villagers,  who  were  curious  to  see  what  young  lady's  pillion 
was  strapped  to  this  or  that  saddle,  for  thus  were  more  lasting 
alliances  often  foreshown.  Some  exclamations  of  surprise  had 
been  indulged  in  before  Sallie  Bingham  stepped  on  the  horse 
block  and  poutingly  took  Fret's  bridle-rein  from  the  hand  of 
Enos  Webb,  Doctor  Sears  standing  near  to  see  her  safely 
mounted.  Webb  was  not  at  all  pleased  with  the  idea  of  a  part- 
nership, and  said  gruffly  :  "  I  say,  now,  doctor,  if  you  ain't  got  a 
girl  of  your  own  to  look  after,  you  ought  to  had.  I  can  take 
care  of  mine,  anyhow  !  " 

"  If  you  have  no  objection,  Enos,  I  would  like  to  have  Doctor 
Sears  take  this  heavy  basket  from  the  horn  of  my  saddle," 
Sallie  said.  "  Fret  won't  bear  the  pounding  of  it  against  her 
side,  and  I  see  you  have  a  number  of  your  own  to  carry  while  he 
has  none." 

"  Didn't  I  tell  you  at  the  outset  the  critter  was  too  coltish  for 
a  scrape  like  this  ?  Better  have  her  turned  to  clover  now,  and 
borrow  a  pillion  and  go  sensible  like  other  folks." 

The  mirthful  expression  of  Sears's  face,  as  he  quietly  took 
the  basket  and  mounted  his  own  horse,  restrained  the  tempest 
which  was  ready  to  burst  from  the  indignant  girl,  and  the  three 
rode  on  in  silence. 

It  was  a  merry  cavalcade,  certainly,  and  slightly  grotesque,  as 
it  wound  along  the  road  and  up  the  rugged  hill  to  the  far-famed 
berry  pasture.  Shouts  of  merry  laughter  fell  back  on  the  ears 
of  the  disaffected  Enos,  who  exclaimed  at  last:  "They're  having 
fun  alive  ahead  there,  and  that's  the  way  to  go  a-huckleberrying," 

"You  are  right!  "  Sallie  responded,  ashamed  of  her  own  ill 
humor,  and  her  merry  laugh  soon  rang  with  the  loudest.     Be- 


238  HISTORY   OT   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

fore  the  pasture  was  reached  they  were  at  peace  with  one  an- 
other and  with  the  whole  world. 

Alighting  under  the  shade  of  the  tall  oaks,  they  turned  for  a 
moment  to  gaze  on  the  magnificent  panorama  of  field  and  forest 
spread  out  in  the  surrounding  distance.  No  lovelier  landscape 
can  be  found  in  all  the  country.  The  hill  was  soon  dotted  all 
over  with  industrious  gleaners,  but  as  the  sun  grew  warmer  the 
gentlemen  insisted  on  the  ladies  sitting  beneath  the  oaks,  while 
they  loaded  their  arms  with  bushes  and  bore  them  thither. 
A  huge  pile  was  reared,  and  two  or  three  of  the  gentlemen  in 
turn  were  detailed  to  preserve  its  dimensions.  Sears  was  ready 
to  go  with  each  band  of  marauders,  alwa5^s  asserting  his  fingers 
were  too  clumsy  for  picking. 

"  Let  him  go  if  he  wants  to,"  Enos  said  ;  when  the  ladies  pro- 
tested against  his  cutting  another  bush.  "  He's  got  a  first-rate 
knife — a  real  two-blade." 

"  He's  wanted  here  now,  to  help  spread  the  cloths  for  lunch- 
eon, hand  down  the  baskets,  and  pare  the  cucumbers,"  they 
said  ;  and  the  young  man  was  soon  following  directions.  The 
repast  was  worthy  the  fair  hands  that  provided  it,  and  they 
lingered  over  the  tables,  toasting  in  the  currant  and  gooseberry 
wine  the  mothers  at  "home,  until  it  was  suggested  there  was 
more  work  to  be  done.  Then  the  broken  food  was  voted  to 
\.\iQ  ''  Mooches,''  a  family  of  Mohegan  Indians,  w^hose  cabin  was 
was  in  the  neighborhood,  and  labor  was  resumed. 

Before  the  baskets  were  all  filled  the  tall  oaks  cast  long  shad- 
ows eastward,  and  they  must  hasten  home  before  sundown — a 
moral  necessity,  beside  which  the  winter  berries  were  of  little 
consequence.  The  gentlemen  went  to  saddle  the  horses,  and 
it  was  soon  announced  that  Sallie  Bingham's  pony  had  slipped 
her  bridle  and  was  missing.  Enos  wore  a  look  of  blank  dis- 
may. 

"  Didn't  I  tell  you  in  the  fust  place  the  critter  warn't  fit  to 
come  to  a  place  like  this,"  he  said,  tartly.  "We're  in  a  pretty 
fix  now,  Saturday  night  and  almost  sundown  I  What's  to  be 
done  about  it  ?" 

"  Fines  to  be  paid !  "  returned  Sallie,  with  as  grave  a  face  as  she 
could  command.  "You  know  you  said,  Enos,  some  one  would 
get  fined  before  the  scrape  was  through." 

"  I  never  ivas  fined,  Miss  Sallie,  and  more'n  that,  I  never  mean 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  239 

to  be.     If  you  can  ride  home  behind    me  bare-back,  say  so,  and 
we'll  be  off." 

"  I  cannot,"  she  replied,  curtly ;  "  but  I  can  walk."  There  was 
mischief  in  the  young-  lady's  eyes.  She  had  little  fear  for  the 
safety  of  Fret,  who  had  been  known  to  slip  her  bridle  before. 

"  I  think  the  matter  can  be  arranged  comfortably,"  the  doctor 
said,  with  his  customary  gallantry.  "  I  will  put  Miss  Bingham's 
saddle  on  my  horse,  and  walk  beside  her  with  the  baskets.  We 
have  a  full  moon  and  I  can  return  for  my  saddle  in  the  even- 
ing.    Will  this  suit?" 

"■Not  7;/^',"  growled  Enos,  who  perceived  he  was  getting  the 
worst  of  it. 

"  I  think  it  a  slight  improvement  on  riding  home  bare-back," 
Sallie  said,  archly.  "  But  I  don't  mind  the  walk  in  the  least  my- 
self;  I  am  fond  of  walking." 

The  young  lady's  saddle  was  brought  and  put  upon  the  doc- 
tor's horse  without  delay.  The  others  were  mounting-  in  hot 
haste,  for  the  shadows  of  the  oaks  were  stretching  longer  and 
longer  with  a  warning  to  transgressors.  Heavily  laden,  the 
horses  descended  the  rugged  hill  very  slowly,  but  as  soon  as  the 
level  road  was  reached  they  were  put  to  as  great  speed  as  the 
safety  of  belles  and  berries  would  admit  of.  It  was  of  no  use. 
The  sun  was  nearing  the  edge  of  the  horizon,  and  before  they 
reached  the  village  was  quite  lost  sight  of.  Enos  rode  all  the 
way  in  dogged  silence.  They  had  fallen  some  distance  behind 
their  companions,  notwithstanding  the  doctor's  best  endeavors 
to  keep  up,  for  Sallie  refused  to  ride  forward  and  leave  him  on 
foot  and  alone,  and  Enos  determined  not  to  leave  her  behind 
with  his  rival.  The  situation  was  ludicrous.  Sallie  enjoyed  it, 
and  rode  slower  and  slower  every  moment,  joking  about  their 
forlorn  appearance.  "  Don't  you  see,  Enos,  there  is  Constable 
Hibbard  keeping  a  vigilant  eye  upon  us,  as  the  law  directs?  I 
dare  say  this  very  minute  he  is  saying  to  himself,  to  hear  how  it 
will  sound,  '  Be  it  enacted,  that  if  any  young  persons  shall  con- 
vene, or  meet  together  in  company,  in  the  street  or  elsewhere, 
on  the  evening  next  before  or  on  the  evening  next  following 
the  Lord's  day,  or  on  the  evening  next  following  any  public  day 
of  fast,  and  be  thereof  convicted,  the  same  shall  suffer  the  pen- 
alty of  three  shillings,  or  sit  in  the  stocks  not  exceeding  two 
hours.'  Which  will  we  do,  Enos?  I  don't  think  there  is  much 
choice." 


240  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

The  doctor  laughed  heartily,  and  inquired  how  she  had 
learned  so  mvich  statute  law.  "  It  is  the  first  thing  taught  us 
after  the  catechism,"  she  said;  "taught,  you  know,  by  express 
legislation,  and  comes  under  the  '  Act  for  educating  and  gov- 
erning children.'     My  father  was  a  justice  of  the  peace." 

The  fear  of  stocks  or  fine  did  not  rest  heavily  on  the  young 
lady's  mind  as  she  rode  leisurely  along,  attended,  as  she  de- 
clared, by  both  horseman  and  footman,  the  eight  o'clock  bell 
ringing  all  the  while.  Aunt  Zipparah,  who  had  reared  the  mother- 
less girl  from  babyhood,  met  them  at  the  door,  wondering  what 
had  happened  to  detain  them,  and  thankful  it  was  nothing  moie 
serious.  Fret  was  in  the  pasture.  The  good  lady  insisted  on 
the  gentlemen  coming  in  to  supper,  as  the  doctor  must  be  tired 
after  his  long  walk,  and  Sol  should  go  back  for  the  saddle  mean- 
while. The  invitation  was  accepted  by  both,  Enos  remarking 
he  wasn't  in  the  habit  of  being  out  Saturday  nights  but  seeing 
as  the  doctor  was  going  to  stay,  he  guessed  he'd  jine  him,  adding 
"  he  didn't  s'pose  it  would  hurt  a  fellow  any  more  to  be  hung 
for  an  old  sheep  than  for  a  laviby 

The  supper  passed  pleasantly,  their  hostess  helping  her  young 
guests  bountifully,  while  inquiring  as  to  their  success,  and  speak- 
ing of  the  pleasure  she  had  in  such  berry  parties  when  she  was 
younger.  An  open  bible  was  on  the  stand,  with  her  silver 
bowed  spectacles  beside  it,  suggestive  of  the  Sabbath  begun  in 
a  teachable  spirit.  Although  reared  in  the  strictest  Puritanic 
school  of  the  age,  her  faith  was  without  bigotry  or  fanaticism, 
her  religion  full  of  charity  and  good  works.  Her  brother's 
motherless  child  had  crept  into  her  warm  heart  and  filled  the 
place  of  a  broken  idol. 

In  the  interval  between  morning  and  afternoon  service  the 
next  day,  the  town  officers  consulted  together  in  regard  to  the 
trespass  of  the  berry-party  on  the  holy  time  the  night  previous. 
They  were  not  agreed,  the  majority  considering  it  meet  subject 
for  fine,  while  the  minority  pleaded  accidental  detention.  As 
minorities  do  not  rule,  the  offenders  were  waited  upon  the  next 
day  and  their  violation  of  statute  law  suitably  impressed  en 
their  minds  by  the  imposition  of  the  sum.  sanctioned  by  legisla- 
tive authority.  The  fines  were  paid  without  demurring,  srd 
sixty  shillings  found  their  way  that  day  into  the  public 
treasury. 


history  of  windham  county.  241 

Story  of  Abijah  Fuller. 

Of  the  seventeen  cousins  that  Hampton  sent  to  the  revolutionary 
army,  several  were  athletes.  Ralph  Farnham  was  the  heaviest 
man  of  the  Connecticut  soldiery,  and  the  only  man  in  the  army 
that  his  cousin,  Abijah  Fuller,  could  not  throw  in  a  wrestling 
match.  This  same  Fuller  was  Dana's  orderly  sergeant,  and  all 
night  preceding  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  helped  to  draw  the 
lines  of  fortification  on  Breed's  Hill  and  the  line  of  defense  to 
repel  any  flank  movement  of  the  enemy.  Putnam  delighted  to 
call  him  "one  of  his  best  boys,"  and  their  friendship  was  as 
lasting  as  their  lives. 

When  at  the  battle  of  White  Plains  his  cousin  Ralph  fell  wound- 
ed, he  lifted  the  big  fellow  to  his  broad  shoulders,  determined  not 
to  leave  him  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  Powerful  as  he  was,  he 
was  unable  to  keep  pace  with  his  flying  regiment,  and  the  bul- 
lets fell  about  him  like  hail  as  he  gradually  fell  behind  his  com- 
rades. "  Leave  me,  for  God's  sake,  'Bije,  and  save  yourself !  "  was 
the  earnest  entreaty  of  Farnham.  "  Not  while  Abijah  Fuller 
can  put  leg  to  the  ground !  "  was  the  determined  reply.  And  so 
the  retreat  went  on,  the  hooting  and  shouting  of  the  enemy  in 
their  ears. 

Exhausted  at  last,  and  hearing  his  pursuers  close  at  hand,  he 
laid  his  wounded  cousin  gently  on  the  ground,  turned  and  shot 
the  foremost,  then  took  up  his  burden  again  and  went  on  until 
he  neared  an  enclosure,  when,  dropping  the  wounded  Goliah 
once  more,  he  loaded  his  musket,  turned,  and  picked  off  the  next 
in  pursuit,  the  enemy  shouting  and  firing  continually.  Entering 
the  sheltering  barn  yard,  he  deposited  his  wounded  relative 
under  a  cart,  while  he  again  loaded  his  trusty  gun. 

"  Leave  me  here  and  fly !  "  once  more  entreated  his  comrade. 
"  It  will  be  sure  death  to  us  both  if  you  do  not.  Save  yourself 
and  good-bye  !  "  There  seemed  no  help  for  it.  Fuller  was  ut- 
terly exhausted,  for  the  poor  fellows  had  gone  into  the  recent 
conflict  without  food  or  drink,  hungry  and  barefoot.  His  arms 
felt  powerless;  he  could  scarcely  lift  his  gun.  Bidding  his 
friend  a  hurried  farewell,  he  started  to  flee,  and  his  long  strides 
would  soon  have  put  him  beyond  pursuit  had  not  the  derisive 
shouts  of  the  enemy  maddened  him.  Turning  his  steps,  he  sent 
another  ball  to  the  heart  of  the  third  man — a  ball  which  ever 
after  was  a  wound  on  his  conscience.  "I  was  out  of  their  reach," 
16 


242  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

he  would  say,  when  telling  the  story,  "  and  they  had  taken  no 
notice  of  Ralph.  It  was  me  they  were  after,  and  I  was  so  mad 
at  their  mockery  I  had  murder  in  my  heart,  and  shall  have  it  to 
answer  for  at  last,  for  it  was  not  a  shot  in  self-defense,  like  the 
two  first."     This  he  always  affirmed. 

With  three  of  their  number  killed  and  the  giant  rebel  too 
much  for  them,  the  British  soldiers  picked  up  the  bodies  of  their 
dead  companions  and  retraced  their  steps  to  the  victors  of  the 
day,  while  Fuller  conveyed  his  cousin  to  their  broken  regiment. 
Fifty  years  after  the  battle  of  Lexington,  on  the  4th  of  July, 
1^2Q,  fortj'-ttvo  hoary  headed  veterans,  under  their  old  leader, 
Abijah  Fuller,  with  Nat  Farnham  as  drum  major,  Foster-"^  and 
Faville  as  fifers,  put  on  their  revolutionary  regimentals,  and, 
with  a  tattered  battle  flag,  marched  up  and  down  the  main  street 
of  Hampton  to  the  music  of  "  '76."  Some  of  them  were  battle 
scarred,  halt  and  lame,  but  their  hearts  beat  as  high  for  Freedom 
and  Independence  as  they  had  done  fifty  years  before,  when 
they  first  responded  to  their  country's  call.  Persons  who  re- 
member the  impressive  scene  assert  there  was  not  a  dry  eye 
among  the  numerous  spectators.  When  the  marching  was  done 
a  feast  was  spread,  and  with  something  stronger  than  water  in 
their  old  canteens,  they  drank  to  the  memory  of  Putnam,  Knowl- 
ton,  Dana  and  others  of  their  illustrious  leaders  and  friends  who 
had  passed  to  the  invisible  army  beyond. 

The  simple  and  social  habits  of  Windham  county  favored  lon- 
gevity. A  number  of  the  revolutionary  soldiers  neared  a  cen- 
tury. Abijah  Fuller  is  said  to  have  become  quite  religious  in 
his  old  age.  Always  somewhat  opinionated,  he  waged  war  against 
a  salaried  ministry,  insisting  it  was  every  man's  duty  to  preach 
as  he  had  opportunity.  His  fellow  townsmen,  loving  the  old  man, 
and  wishing  to  gratify  him,  urged  him  to  go  into  the  pulpit,  and 
had  a  meeting  appointed  for  him.  Everybody  went  to  hear 
what  the  old  soldier  was  moved  to  say.  A  hymn  was  read  and 
sung,  a  prayer  made,  and  then  he  essayed  to  speak.  Looking 
down  on  the  eagerly  upturned  faces,  he  grew  nervous  and  forgot 
his  train  of  thought.  Hemming  and  hesitating  for  awhile,  the 
honest  old  fellow  said  at  last,  "  My  friends,  if  any  of  you  think 
as  I  did,  that  preaching  is  an  easy  business,  just  come  up  here 
and  try  it !  I  don't  find  it  so." 

*  Joseph  Foster  was  one  of  iicelve  sons,  who,  with  their  father,  all  bore  a  part 
in  the  war  of  the  revolution.  Their  united  service  undoubtedly  exceeded  that  of 
any  other  family  in  the  country. 


history  of  windham  county.  243 

Sabbath-breaking. 

An  early  official  of  the  town,  a  venerable  judge,  was  surprised 
one  Sabbath  morning  to  see  a  man  driving  a  small  flock  of  sheep. 
This  was  an  offense  against  good  morals  not  to  be  overlooked, 
and  the  man  was  at  once  apprehended  and  informed  that  the 
sheep  must  be  impounded,  to  which  he  quietly  acquiesced.  To  do 
this  was  more  easily  said  than  done,  as  the  creatures  belonged  to 
a  genus  described  in  Scripture  parable,  "A  stranger  will  they 
not  follow,  for  they  know  not  the  voice  of  stirangers."  The  old 
gentleman  called  and  called,  but  the  animals  ran  the  other  way, 
baa-ing  piteously.  The  congregation  was  just  assembling  for 
morning  worship,  and  the  judge  shouted  for  help.  A  general 
hubbub  ensued,  the  frightened  sheep  scattering  in  every  direc- 
tion, while  the  Law  ran  hither  and  thither.  It  was  an  uncertain 
chase  until  the  owner  of  the  flock  came  to  the  assistance  of  the 
weary  officer  and  his  auxiliaries  and  quietly  called  the  poor  ani- 
mals into  an  enclosure,  where  they  rested  until  the  "Lord's  Day" 
was  past,  and  the  fine  for  Sabbath-breaking  was  imposed  and 
settled. 

A  later  and  more  ludicrous  story  was  the  following,  told  by  a 
well  known  citizen  of  Windham,  as  a  warning  to  young  officials 
whose  zeal  sometimes  outstripped  their  wisdom. 

When  newly  appointed  a  justice  of  the  peace,  he  felt  it  his 
duty  to  enforce  the  Sunday  laws  with  rigor.  Seeing  a  stranger 
riding  past  his  house  one  Sabbath  morning,  he  accosted  him 
officially,  inquiring  his  name,  place  of  residence,  and  wherefore 
he  was  breaking  the  Sabbath  contrary  to  law.  The  man  replied 
very  frankly,  giving  his  name,  place  of  residence  (Ashford, 
Conn.),  and  his  reason  for  traveling  that  day  his  father  was  ly- 
ing dead  there.  His  replies  were  satisfactory,  and  he  was 
allowed  to  proceed. 

Not  long  after,  the  young  justice  was  at  Brooklyn  attending 
court.  The  affair  occurring  to  him  he  inquired  of  an  Ashford 
lawyer  if  he  knew  the  person  he  named  and  described,  and  was 
answered  in  the  affirmative.  "  He  has  lately  buried  his  father, 
has  he  not?" 

The  reply  was  a  stunner.  "  Why,  bless  you,  his  father  has  been 
dead  twenty  years," 

The  judge,  when  telling  the  story  at  his  own  expense,  added 
that  it  taught  him  a  good  lesson,  and  that  whenever  he  saw  a 


244  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

person  riding  along  quietly  and  peaceably  on  the  Sabbath  never 
to  interrogate  him. 

Strong  Minded  Women. 

Strong  minded  women  are  not  the  exclusive  product  of  the 
present.  Windham  county  scored  a  few  in  the  past.  One  of 
these  was  the  wife  of  Jethro  Rogers,  the  most  inoffensive  man 
in  Canada  parish.  Tradition  speaks  of  her  as  a  virago  of  the 
most  turbulent  type,  who  ruled  her  husband  with  a  tongue  of 
flame.  If  a  visitor  approached  the  house,  she  usually  managed 
to  drive  him  out ;  but  on  one  occasion  the  advent  of  the  min- 
ister gave  him  no  time  to  escape,  so  he  was  ordered  under  the 
bed.  Weary  of  his  hiding  place,  he  ventured  at  last  to  look  out, 
but  her  eyes  met  his  with  a  "  Hoxv  dare  you  ?  "  For  once  his  tem- 
per was  up,  and  he  exclaimed :  "  You  may  wink,  Mrs.  Rogers, 
as  much  as  you've  a  mind  to  ;  hut  as  long  as  I  have  the  spirit  of  a 
man  in  me  I  ivill  peek  !  " 

The  minister  did  not  stop  for  prayer. 

On  another  occasion,  when  sick  to  death  of  her  abuse,  he 
ventured  on  some  words  not  found  in  the  catechism.  The  wo- 
man's surprise  was  supreme,  and  she  exclaimed  fiercely,  "Not 
another  crooked  word,  Jethro  Rogers !  "  But  the  little  man 
drew  himself  up  to  his  full  height  and  said  proudly,  "  Ravishorn, 
if  I  die  for  it  !  " 

Another  of  the  unterrified  was  a  resident  of  one  of  the  north- 
ern towns  of  the  county,  a  woman  who  was  noted  for  her  fond- 
ness for  litigation.  Scarcely  a  term  of  court  that  her  name  was 
not  on  the  docket,  and  her  readiness  to  assist  her  counsel  and 
browbeat  witnesses  so  exasperated  the  judge  on  one  occasion  as 
to  make  him  forget  his  judicial  dignity  and  exclaim  :  "  There 
is  brass  enough  in  your  face,  madam,  to  make  a  five-pailful  ket- 
tle." "  And  sap  enough  in  your  honor's  head  to  fill  it,"  was  the 
quick  retort  that  set  the  house  in  an  uproar.  T]ie  judge  had  to 
confess  Jiiinsclf  beaten. 

The  First  Locomotive. 

When  the  first  steam  engine  thundered  along  the  valley  of 
the  Willimantic,  an  untraveled  laborer  was  chopping  in  the 
North  Windham  woods.  Hearing  the  distant  rumble,  he  listened 
with  awe,  thinking  of  thunder  and  earthquakes,  until  the  sud- 
den scream  of  the   locomotive  froze  him  with  terror.     To  use 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  245 

his  own  words — "  I  then  braced  myself  square  against  a  big  tree, 
lifted  up  my  axe  ready  to  strike,  and  stood  with  hair  on  end  till 
the  sounds  died  away.     /  thought  it  was  a  ivorrin-cagy''^ 

Very  different  was  the  impression  on  the  mind  of  a  venerable 
clergyman  of  Thompson,  who,  gazing  from  his  study  window 
one  evening,  saw  the  first  lighted  train  speeding  along  the 
Quinebaug. 

"  Those  are  none  other  than  the  '  chariots  of  fire '  foretold 
by  the  ancient  prophet,"  he  exclaimed  with  enthusiasm,  "  which 
are  to  waft  the  news  of  salvation  to  the  uttermost  ends  of  the 
earth." 

Windham  Wags. 

The  Windham  boys  were  never  weary  of  practical  jokes.  It 
was  their  annual  custom  to  go  to  the  Shetucket  for  shad,  and  re- 
turn for  a  night  supper  and  a  little  carousal  at  Staniford's.  On 
one  occasion  two  or  three  of  the  young  men  played  off,  promis- 
ing to  help  on  the  preparations  during  the  absence  of  their  com- 
panions. The  piscatorial  party  set  out  with  their  seine  and 
plenty  of  liquid  warmth,  which  they  used  ostensibly  to  prevent 
taking  cold. 

No  sooner  had  the  sound  of  their  wheels  and  the  sound  of 
their  voices  died  out  in  the  distance,  than  the  delinquents  wnth 
another  team  followed  as  noiselessly  as  possible  to  the  well 
known  fishing  ground.  The  evening  was  quite  dusky,  and  they 
succeeded  in  planting  their  wagon  at  a  convenient  distance  un- 
observed by  their  noisy  comrades,  who  had  imbibed  too  freely 
to  be  keenly  observant.  With  shouts  and  jokes  the  great  fish 
were  deposited  in  their  cart  by  the  unsuspecting  youth,  and  just 
as  silently,  one  by  one,  they  were  transferred  to  the  other 
vehicle  by  the  wicked  marauders,  until  only  a  few  of  inferior 
size  remained  to  the  indefatigable  toilers.  Then,  as  noiselessly 
as  they. came,  the  plunderers  returned  to  town,  and  the  luscious 
shad  were  on  the  broilers  when  their  companions  came  with 
loud  demonstrations  of  success  and  drew  their  cart  up  before 
the  kitchen  door.  The  boys  were  on  the  watch  and  did  not  re- 
veal themselves  until  their  crest-fallen  comrades,  looking  in  vain 
for  their  spoils,  asserted  that  the  tail-board  of  their  cart  must 
have  slipped  and  let  out  the  greatest  quantity  of  fish  ever  hauled 
from  the  Shetucket.     Then  their  ears  were  greeted  with,  "  What 

*  Worrin-eag,  a  monster  often  named  by  old  people;  did  they  mean  warriangWi 


246  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

SHAD-oh's  we  are,  and  what  SHAD-oh's  we  pursue  !  "  The  joke 
was  comprehended,  and  the  injured  party  agreed  "  to  pay  the 
shot "  for  their  stupidity  if  no  more  were  said  about  it.  This 
story  was  told  me  by  a  lady  whose  brother  was  one  of  the  mar- 
auders. 

One  of  these  same  Windham  boys  w^as  an  impromptu  rhymer, 
who  frequently  surprised  his  listeners  with  a  happy  doggerel. 
A  man  from  the  outskirts  of  the  town  was  often  seen  on  the 
street,  mounted  on  a  sorrel  mare  and  followed  by  a  colt,  the  very 
miniature  of  its  dam.  The  man  wore  a  butternut  colored  coat, 
corresponding  in  hue  with  his  sandy  hair  and  whiskers.  One 
day  as  he  was  riding  past  a  group  of  hotel  loungers,  the  wag 
arose  and  said  solemnly — 

"  Colt  and  mare,  coat  and  hair, 
All  compare,  I  swear  !  " 

Old  Time  Pedagogues. 

The  school  teachers  of  Connecticut  were  not  exactly  life  in- 
cumbents like  the  clergy,  but  in  many  instances  they  held  their 
offices  until  quite  superannuated.  One  of  these  had  long  pre- 
sided over  the  centre  district  of  Hampton.  Never  perhaps  over- 
learned,  he  became  dogmatic  with  years,  brooking  no  contradic- 
tion. One  of  his  pupils,  a  daughter  of  the  parish  minister,  was 
reading  with  her  class  in  the  New  Testament,  as  was  the  morn- 
ing custom.  She  came  to  the  passage,  "  They  that  be  whole 
need  not  a  physician,  but  they  that  are  sick,"  which  was  rendered 
correctly.  "  Read  that  over,  and  read  it  right,"  growled  the  old 
man.  The  verse  was  read  again  as  before.  "  Didn't  I  tell  you 
to  read  it  right  ?"  persisted  the  teacher.  The  girl  was  bewild- 
ered and  stood  silent,  while  her  sapient  instructor  read,  much  to 
the  amusement  of  the  school,  "  TJiey  that  are  ivJiole  need  not  a 
physic-in,  but  tJiey  that  are  sick  /  "  "  My  father  taught  me  to  read 
it  the  other  way,"  she  ventured  to  say.  "  Humph  !  "  responded 
the  old  man,  savagely  ;  "  Did  your  father  ever  keep  school  ?  " 

That  was  the  old  gentleman's  last  term,  the  district  voting  ]SIr. 
H no  longer  fitted  for  his  office. 

Another  of  the  old  regijne,  who  held  sway  in  the  South  district 
of  Windham  village,  had  a  very  novel  mode  of  punishing  his 
youthful  charges  for  minor  offenses,  such  as  whispering,  tardi- 
ness, imperfect  lessons,  etc.  He  kept  a  basin  of  thoronghivort 
steeping  on  the  stove,  and  forced   a  draught  of  it  upon  little 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY,  247 

offenders,  probably  considering  it  more  salutary  than  the  rod  or 
ferule.  When  relieved  of  his  office,  the  old  man's  great  amuse- 
ment was  attending  funerals  in  his  own  and  all  the  neighboring 
towns.  On  one  occasion  his  grief  was  great  because  two  such 
ceremonies  were  to  take  place  at  the  same  hour,  as  he  could 
necessarily  attend  but  one.  A  lady  who  had  often  tasted  his 
bitter  tea  when  a  pupil  at  the  Old  South,  told  of  a  visit  he 
made  to  her  sick  room  while  she  was  suffering  from  typhoid 
fever.  Weak  and  exhausted,  she  had  lain  for  hours  speechless, 
while  at  the  same  time  she  was  entirely  conscious  of  all  around 
her.  After  gazing  on  her  for  awhile  he  turned  to  her  mother 
and  said  :  "  Harriet  cannot  get  well,  and  I  want  you  to  be  sure 
and  let  me  know  when  the  funeral  is,  as  I  don't  want  to  miss  it." 

Another  case  of  discipline — the  best  on  record — occurred  in 
the  south  district  of  Scotland,  usually  known  as  the  Bakertown 
district.  There  were  many  ludicrous  names  appended  to  the 
school  districts  of  Windham  county.  We  had  in  our  small  par- 
ish a  Bakertown,  a  Brunswick,  a  Pudding  Hill  and  a  Pinch 
Gut,  which  last  obtained  a  small  share  of  the  "means  of  grace  " 
from  the  manifest  aversion  of  ministers  to  making  the  appoint- 
ments. These  districts  are  all  picturesquely  rugged,  like  the 
character  of  the  English  Puritan  Carvers  and  Fullers  and  Rob- 
insons, or  of  the  French  Huguenot  Waldos,  Devotions,  La  Salles 
and  Luces,  whose  pilgrim  feet  found  their  way  to  the  hills  of 
eastern  Connecticut. 

The  Bakertown  school  house  stood  in  a  secluded  spot,  a  spot 
too  barren  for  the  culture  of  anything  save  country  lads  and 
lasses.  But  these  flourished  well  here  under  birchen  rule,  and 
have  gone  forth  noble  men  and  women  to  the  remotest  ends  of 
the  world,  with  a  farewell  to  Bakertown  on  their  lips  and  rich 
memories  of  many  a  Bakertown  frolic  in  their  hearts. 

Our  school  house,  like  the  gospel  house,  was  "founded  on  a 
rock."  Behind  it  rose  a  lofty  ledge  of  granite,  a  natural  forti- 
fication of  the  little  seat  of  learning  below.  Every  winter,  bas- 
tions and  block  houses  of  snow  were  ranged  along  the  summit 
of  this  ledge,  and  youths  with  martial  airs,  armed  with  strange 
looking  weapons,  were  seen  going  hither  and  thither,  as  though 
the  Bakertown  district  were  threatened  with  some  foreign  in- 
vasion. 

At  last,  as  neither  Brunswickers,  Pudding  Hillers  nor  Pinch 
Gutters  came  to  meet  them  in  battle  arra}^  they  began  to  seek  a 


248  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

home  field  for  action.  Their  weapons,  which  have  not  yet  been 
described,  became  instruments  of  offense,  and  led  to  their  de- 
struction. 

Never  in  any  locality  has  the  elder  shrub  {sauibitciis  caprifolicB) 
grown  in  greater  luxuriance  than  in  Bakertown.  Its  hedge-rows, 
crowned  with  myriads  of  white,  umbrella-looking  clusters,  were 
the  summer  fragrance  of  the  fields.  From  some  person — -it  must 
have  been  from  the  parish  minister,  I  suppose,  since  no  one  else 
knew  anything  about  Hcbrezu — we  learned  that  that  nation  form- 
erly made  a  musical  instrument  of  the  elder,  called  a  sambiica, 
whence  its  botanical  name.  It  was  too  learned  a  name  for  the 
Bakertown  boys,  however;  plain  elder  or  popgun-wood  suited 
them  better  and  was  a  deal  more  significant.  "  The  oldest  Jew," 
they  used  to  say  boastingly,  "  never  began  to  see  anything  made 
of  elder  half  equal  to  a  Bakertown  popgim  /"  and  these  were  the 
weapons  of  the  Bakertown  militia.  Every  boy  in  school  had  a 
gun  suited  to  his  size  and  capacity.  Some  of  them  were  pro- 
digious and  carried  a  double  charge,  and  that,  too,  before  the 
days  of  Colt's  revolvers ;  not  of  fire  and  death,  however,  but  only 
of  tozu  wads.  Some  of  our  readers  may  have  heard  of  the  wag's 
logical  way  of  showing  the  true  ruler  of  a  Connecticut  commun- 
ity to  be  the  Yankee  schoolmaster,  "  who  ruled  the  boys,  who 
ruled  their  mothers,  who  ruled  the  men,  who  ruled  the  roost." 
One  winter  our  time-honored  ruler  went  to  seek  his  fortune  else- 
where, and  we  had  a  new  teacher — a  gentle,  book-loving  young 
man,  reared  in  the  neighborhood,  and  consequently,  prophet- 
like, without  honor.  The  old  master  had  long  been  absolute. 
Insubordination  never  prevailed  in  his  realm,  for  every  symptom 
of  disobedience  was  most  effectively  crushed  in  the  bud. 

But  another  order  of  things  came  in  with  the  new  regime.  Was 
not  the  pale,  stripling-looking  youth  the  crazy  old  huckleberry 
woman's  son,  whom  the  children  all  laughed  at,  while  listening 
to  her  strange  stories?  Everybody  in  the  district  knew  "  Granny 
Woodban."  She  was  one  of  the  appurtenances  of  the  locality, 
living  in  the  berry  fields  all  summer,  and  wandering  off,  no  one 
knew  where,  in  winter.  Her  son  was  a  scholar  and  a  genius, 
who  had  fitted  himself  for  college  behind  the  plow  and  in  the 
chimney  corner  of  the  farmer's  kitchen  to  whom  he  was  bound. 

Such  was  the  young  man  who  presumed  to  ask  the  district 
fathers  for  the  privilege  of  guiding  their  sons  and  daughters  a 
little  way  along  the  path  of  science,  and  for  the  consideration 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  249 

of  ten  dollars  a  month  to  fit  him  for  the  university.  For  which 
act  of  presumption  the  martial  youths  voted  him  a  suitable  butt 
for  popgun  aim. 

The  new  teacher  commenced  his  work  with  a  fixed  determin- 
ation to  overcome,  by  faithful,  persevering  kindness,  the  rebel- 
lious dispositions  of  his  young  subjects,  and  bring  them  to 
friendly  allegiance.  Night  after  night,  and  day  after  day,  he 
racked  his  aching  head  for  some  mild  means  of  bringing  them 
to  obedience.  New  books  awoke  no  enthusiasm  ;  evening  spell- 
ing schools  were  fully  attended,  sides  were  chosen,  and  every- 
one praised  ;  but  then  in  the  very  face  and  eyes  of  their  in- 
structor, the  victorious  side  would  fire  a  popgun  volley  at  its 
own  success.  In  all  this  the  young  master  discovered  more  of 
mischief  than  of  malice,  and  acted  accordingly  when  counseled 
to  chastise  the  offenders. 

"  Flog  my  boys  soundly  as  they  deserve,"  said  one  and  another 
of  the  honest  farmers  to  the  patient  preceptor,  "  and  if  that  don't 
supple  them,  we'll  take  'em  in  hand  ourselves."  It  was  friendly 
advice,  and  well  meant,  but  the  stripling  teacher  had  no  thought 
of  matching  his  strength  with  the  sturdy  young  yeomen. 

"They  have  been  driven  with  too  tight  a  check  rein  already, 
and  will  fall  into  a  natural  pace  by-and-by,"  was  the  pleasant  re- 
joinder of  the  master. 

"  Mebbe  so !  But  mind,  Charlie,  and  not  let  'em  run  away 
with  you  fust.  Solomon's  law  was  a  middlin'  good  one — '  A  whip 
for  the  horse,  a  bridle  for  the  ass,  and  a  rod  for  the  fool's  back.' 
The  lads  are  full  on't  and  no  mistake !  " 

"  Full  on't  "  they  were,  indeed,  but  the  long  suffering  teacher 
determined  not  to  lose  his  temper,  though  their  popguns  were 
the  plague  of  his  life.  They  greeted  his  morning  advent  into 
the  school  room  and  his  evening  departure.  More  than  this, 
sometimes  in  the  very  midst  of  a  lesson,  d,  poppop  told  that  some- 
how one  of  the  big  guns  had  discharged  its  twin  wads. 

One  day  they  went  a  step  beyond  the  teacher's  patience  and 
forbearance,  and  a  crisis  was  the  result.  It  was  "  Committee 
Day,"  the  day  when  the  elected  officers  came  to  visit  and  exam- 
ine the  school,  for  the  first  time  that  season.  It  proved  a  com- 
mittee of  one, 'ikidA.  afternoon,  as  only  the  parish  minister  made 
his  appearance.  According  to  custom,  all  rose  at  his  entrance  ; 
but  following  no  precedent  whatever,  the  boys  greeted  his  rev- 


250  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

erence  with  one  of  their  tallest  salutes,  every  one  of  them  push- 
ing his  ramrod  vigorously  at  the  same  moment. 

A  flush  of  mortification  overspread  the  pale  face  of  the  master, 
who  for  a  full  hour  had  been  prescribing  tasks  and  exhorting  to 
good  behavior ;  then  his  pale  face  became  paler  than  before. 

There  was  a  merry  twinkle  in  the  parson's  black  eyes,  and  he 
received  the  salutation  with  a  pleasant  smile,  as  though  it  had 
been  given  by  order  of  their  teacher,  and  not  by  a  band  of  young 
rebels.  It  was  very  kind  in  the  old  man  ;  the  boys  saw  it  so, 
and  did  their  best  at  the  lessons,  and  kept  unusually  quiet  dur- 
ing the  "remarks"  and  in  prayer  time.  Moreover,  when  going 
home  from  school  that  night,  they  declared  they  would  make 
Parson  Fisher  their  chaplain,  as  he  knew  how  to  appreciate  an 
honor.  But  the  days  of  the  Bakertown  militia  were  numbered. 
The  next  morning  the  teacher  appeared  with  a  countenance  as 
serenely  calm  as  ever,  though  some  of  the  rogues  afterward 
affirmed  they  saw  "  a  tiger  in  his  eye  "  from  the  first. 

"We  will  omit  the  usual  exercises  this  morning,"  he  said 
pleasantly,  "  and  have  a  drill !  Captain  Tracy,  call  out  your 
company  !" 

Teacher  and  pupil  exchanged  glances.  There  was  no  mistak- 
ing the  word  of  command.  The  captain  was  chief  no  longer, 
and  prepared  to  obey  the  order  of  his  superior.  The  roll  call 
was  made  and  responded  to  with  military  precision  ;  then  the 
young  soldiers  were  ordered  to  fall  into  line  in  front  of  the  school 
house,  where  a  drill  began  such  as  the  little  company  had  never 
before  undergone.  All  night  the  poor  teacher  had  been  study- 
ing his  lesson  from  an  old  manual  of  arms  which  he  found  in 
the  farmer's  garret. 

The  command  "  Right !  "  was  given  in  a  clear,  full  voice,  and 
every  urchin  did  his  best,  although  two  or  three  of  the  younger 
ones  turned  heads  to  the  left  instead,  and  had  to  be  regulated. 
Then  came  the  second  order,  "  Front ! "  and  every  face  was 
turned  forward.  "  Attention  !  "  and  all  eyes  were  fixed  on  the 
master.  "  Right  face  !  "  and  the  movement  was  performed  ac- 
curately. "  About  face  !  "  was  the  next  command,  and  there  was 
some  blundering,  the  right  feet  getting  too  near  the  left  heels, 
which  the  master  would  by  no  means  allow. 

Captain  Tracy  stood  manfully  by  the  young  teacher's  side, 
watching  with  surprise  and  interest  his  instructions,  and  learn- 
ing more  of  military  tactics  than  he  had  ever  known  before. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  251 

After  the  "  facings  "  were  gone  through  with  ejfficiently,  the. 
principles  of  the  "  ordinary  step  "  were  explained,  and  the  mode 
of  executing  it.  This  was  followed  by  "  Forward — march !  " 
when  the  twenty  boys  were  all  in  motion,  and  kept  in  motion 
until  the  order  "  Halt !  "  arrested  their  steps. 

Four  in  rank,  elbow  to  elbow,  the  young  rascals  were  then 
drilled  in  the  "  Practice  of  Arms,"  and  the  'wscy  th.Q  popguns  were 
handled  for  the  next  hour  was  amusing  to  the  girlish  spectators, 
but  too  tedious  to  detail.  Enough  that  they  "  drew  ramrods," 
"rammed  cartridges  "  "  made  ready,"  "  took  aim,"  and  "fired," 
until  but  one  charge  of  tow  remained.  Then,  at  the  master's 
command,  they  marched  back  into  the  school  room  for  a  last 
gun.     It  was  done,  and  but  one  more  order  was  given. 

"  Captain  Tracy,  I  am  much  pleased  with  your  company.  In- 
struct your  soldiers  now  to  '  Deposit  arms ! '  "  and  he  pointed  sig- 
nificantly to  the  open  Franklin  stove. 

There  was  no  shrinking  nor  hesitation.  With  a  proud  gesture 
the  gallant  young  leader  advanced  and  laid  his  own  weapon  first 
on  the  blazing  fire  ;  every  lad  followed,  and  in  five  minutes  the 
popguns  were  reduced  to  ashes. 

"  We  are  yotu^  boys  for  the  winter,  sir,"  said  the  captain,  a  great, 
noble  hearted  fellow  in  spite  of  his  mischief,  as  he  bowled  to  the 
now  recognized  sovereign  of  the  school  room.  "  We  only 
wanted  to  know  our  master,  and  have  found  him  quite  to  our 
liking." 

The  drill  ended  with  the  kindest  feelings  on  all  sides.  At 
noon  the  popgun  company  was  disbanded  by  mutual  consent. 
A  debating  club  arose  out  of  its  ruins,  and  before  spring  these 
martial  students  were  discussing  questions  of  national  policy 
and  moral  justice,  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  the  district 
fathers,  and  of  the  old  parish  minister,  also,  who  never  to  his 
dying  day  forgot  the  salute  of  the  Bakertown  militia. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


THE  TOWN  OF  WINDHAM. 


Geographical  Description. — Settlement. — Town  Charter  and  Organization. — 
The  Early  Settlers. — Laying  out  the  Land. — County  Relations. — Early 
Town  Officers. — Enlargement  of  Territory. — Settlement  of  the  Eastern 
Quarter. — Mechanical  and  Commercial  Trades  Introduced. — Division  of 
Town  and  Formation  of  Mansfield. — Various  Phases  of  Public  Interest. — 
Growth  of  the  Northeast  Section,  called  Canada  Parish. — Society  Organi- 
zation.— Probate  Court  Established. — Some  Prominent  Families. — Windham 
made  Shiretown. — Attempts  at  Manufacturing. — Scotland  Society  Organ- 
ized.— Town  Action. — Schools. — Early  Taverns. — Prosperity  of  the  Town. — 
Industries. — Under  the  War  Clouds. — Removal  of  the  Courts. — Reduction  of 
Territory. — Through  the  Revolution. — Material  Prosperity. — Social  Innova- 
tions.— Roads  and  Bridges. 


THE  town  of  Windham,  one  of  the  smallest  in  geographical 
size,  but  the  largest  in  population,  wealth  and  business  im- 
portance, occupies  the  extreme  southwest  corner  of  Wind- 
ham county.  Its  area  is  about  two  and  three-fourths  square 
miles.  The  beautiful  valley  of  the  Willimantic  river  extends 
along  the  southern  part,  entering  at  the  extreme  western  point 
and  leaving  at  the  southeastern  corner.  This  river  affords 
abundant  water  power  for  many  factories,  and  to  this  circum- 
stance is  due  the  building  up  and  prosperity  of  the  town.  The 
Natchaug,  a  considerable  stream,  joins  it  a  short  distance  east 
of  the  borough  limits  of  Willimantic.  Back  from  the  river  the 
town  is  broken  into  successive  ridges  of  hills,  rising  about  two 
hundred  feet  above  the  general  level  of  the  intervening  valleys. 
Besides  the  borough  of  Willimantic,  in  the  southwest  part,  the 
smaller  villages  of  North  Windham  in  the  northern  part,  South 
Windham  in  the  southern  part  and  Windham  in  the  central  part, 
are  in  this  town.  Otherwise  the  surface  of  the  town  is  mostly 
covered  with  forest  growth  which  affords  some  valuable  timber. 
The  agricultural  interests  of  the  town  are  not  prominent.  The 
New  York  &  New  England  railroad  extends  through  the  west- 
ern and  northern  parts  and  the   Providence   Division  and  the 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  253 

New  London  Northern  run  along  the  Willimantic  valley  in  the 
southern  part.  The  geographical  size  of  the  original  town  of 
Windham  has  been  greatly  diminished  by  the  formation  of  the 
towns  of  Scotland,  Hampton  and  Chaplin. 

The  acquisition  of  the  Indian  title  to  the  territory  occupied  by 
Windham  has  been  set  forth  in  a  previous  chapter  so  fully  that 
it  will  only  be  necessary  here  to  repeat  that  the  territory  in  ques- 
tion was  a  gift  by  will  of  the  Indian  Joshua  to  sixteen  gentlemen 
of  Norwich,  who  were  intrusted  with  the  business  of  settling  a 
plantation  upon  it.  The  first  settlement  upon  it  is  said  to  have 
been  made  by  one  John  Gates,  an  English  refugee,  in  the  au- 
tumn of  1688.  From  that,  settlement  progressed  slowly  for  three 
years,  when  there  were  upon  the  tract  about  thirty  settlers. 
None  of  the  men  named  in  the  bequest,  however,  became  actual 
settlers.  In  the  autumn  of  1691  application  was  made  for  a  town 
charter,  but  the  grant  was  not  immediatelv  made.  In  the  fol- 
lowing  spring,  however,  the  petition  was  granted,  the  general 
court  of  Connecticut  on  the  12th  of  May,  1692,  enacting  that 
township  privileges  be  granted  to  the  petitioners,  and  that  the 
town  should  be  called  Windham.  These  petitioners  were  Joshua 
Ripley,  John  Cates,  Jeremiah  Ripley,  Jonathan  Crane,  Joseph 
Huntington,  William  Backus,  Jonathan  Ginnings,  Thomas  Hun- 
tington, Richard  Hendee,  John  Backus  and  John  Larrabee. 

Under  the  new  charter  the  first  public  town  meeting  was  held 
June  12th,  1692.  By  this  time  four  more  had  been  added  to  the 
eleven  just  named.  These  were  John  Fitch,  who  had  recently 
removed  to  the  Hither-place,  and  Jonathan  Hough,  Samuel  Hide 
and  John  Royce,  who  had  established  a  settlement  in  the  distant 
Ponde-place.  At  the  first  town  meeting  Joshua  Ripley  was  chosen 
town  clerk ;  Jeremiah  Ripley,  Jonathan  Crane  and  Jonathan 
Hough,  townsmen  ;  Thomas  Huntington  and  John  Royce,  sur- 
veyors ;  Joseph  Huntington,  Jonathan  Hough,  Samuel  Hide  and 
John  Fitch,  to  lay  out  highways.  A  committee  was  also  ap- 
pointed to  carry  on  negotiations  with  a  minister  in  regard  to 
settlement  among  them. 

Previous  to  the  settlement  of  a  minister  Mr.  Jabez  Fitch  offici- 
ated as  religious  leader.  The  house  of  Mr.  John  Fitch,  the  latest 
and  probably  the  best  built  house  in  the  settlement,  was  selected 
to  be  the  meeting  house  until  other  provision  should  be  made. 
The  town  ordered  that  it  be  fortified  and  a  lean-to  built,  "  every 
man  doing  his  share  of  the  fortification."     During  the  summer 


264  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

of  1692  several  new  inhabitants  removed  to  the  Ponde-place,  and 
considerable  progress  was  made  in  that  settlement,  and  alto- 
gether the  growth  of  the  settlement  was  such  that  at  its  town 
meeting  May  30th,  1693,  the  list  of  approved  inhabitants  num- 
bered twenty-two.  Their  names  were  :  Joshua  Ripley,  Jonathan 
Crane,  Jonathan  Ginnings  (or  Jennings),  Joseph  Huntington, 
Thomas  Huntington,  William  Backus,  John  Backus,  John  Lar- 
rabee,  Thomas  Bingham,  John  Rudd,  Jeremiah  Ripley,  John 
Gates,  Richard  Hendee,  James  Birchard,  Jonathan  Hough,  Sam- 
uel Hide,  John  Royce,  Samuel  Birchard,  Robert  Wade,  Peter 
Grosse,  Samuel  Linkon  and  John  Arnold. 

Of  these  twenty-two  inhabitants  the  last  eight  had  settled  at 
the  Ponde-place,  all  others  except  John  Larrabee  (who  kept  the 
ferry  between  the  two  settlements)  being  residents  of  the  Hither- 
place  or  southeast  quarter.  Thomas  Bingham,  who  had  removed 
from  Norwich  with  a  large  family  of  sons  and  daughters,  was  an 
important  acquisition  to  Windham .  He  purchased,  in  March,  1693, 
Captain  John  Mason's  first  lot  at  the  southeast  quarter,  being 
then  about  fifty  years  old.  His  oldest  daughter,  Mary,  had  mar- 
ried John  Backus  the  previous  summer.  John  Arnold  had  been 
a  schoolmaster  in  Norwich,  and  was  one  of  the  most  intelligent 
and  infiuential  of  the  Ponde-place  settlers.  Samuel  and  James 
Birchard  were  the  sons  of  John  Birchard,  one  of  the  Norwich 
legatees.  Improvements  and  accommodations  kept  pace  with 
the  increase  of  population.  Great  care  was  taken  to  provide  for 
the  Ponde-place  people.  Sign  posts  were  ordered  against  Wil- 
liam Backus'  house  at  the  Hither-place,  and  Samuel  Hide's  at  the 
Ponde-place.  A  public  pound  was  provided  and  burying  grounds 
were  laid  out,  one  at  each  settlement.  Jonathan  Ginnings  and 
the  Ripleys  were  granted  the  privilege  of  setting  up  a  saw  mill 
at  "  No-man's-acre  Brook." 

During  that  summer  (1693)  it  was  determined  that  the  dividing 
line  between  the  settlers  in  the  wilderness  from  Hartford  and 
from  Norwich  should  be  the  Willimantic  river,  the  Norwich 
people  holding  on  the  east  of  it  and  the  Hartford  people  holding 
on  the  west  of  it.  In  December  the  town  passed  regulations  in 
regard  to  fences,  cattle,  swine,  timber  and  the  warning  of  town 
meetings.  In.the  following  spring  we  have  the  first  record  of 
the  lay-out  of  a  highway.  This  was  ordered  through  Peter 
Crosse's  division,  extending  from  the  Ponde-place  to  the  Willi- 
mantic river  near  the  falls.     The  meadows  in  this  vicinity  fur- 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  255 

nished  the  Windham  settlers  with  a  great  part  of  their  hay,  and 
to  facilitate  its  conveyance  this  highway  was  ordered  "  four  rods 
wide  from  the  hill  to  the  river,  seven  rods  wide  down  to  the 
meadow  and  four  rods  wide  between  meadow  and  fence."  Twelve 
acres  below  the  falls  were  allowed  to  Mr.  Crosse  in  compensation 
for  land  taken  up  by  this  highway. 

The  home  lots  laid  out  at  Willimantic  were  not  as  yet  taken 
up  by  the  proprietors,  and  in  April,  1694,  they  received  permis- 
sion from  the  town  to  exchange  them  for  allotments  "at  or 
about  the  Crotch  of  the  river  " — that  remarkable  curve  in  the 
Natchaug  near  its  junction  with  the  Willimantic,  also  known  as 
the  Horseshoe.  Seven  lots  were  now  laid  out  in  this  vicinity. 
Joshua  Ripley,  Samuel  Hide,  Joseph  Huntington,  Peter  Crosse 
and  Thomas  Bingham  were  appointed  a  committee  to  select  two 
lots  at  the  "  Crotch  of  the  River,"  one  for  the  minister  and  one 
for  the  ministry.  The  remaining  home  lots  were  sold  to  settlers, 
who  soon  took  possession.  Goodman  William  More,  of  Nor- 
wich, purchased  a  lot  laid  out  to  William  Backus  ;  Benjamin 
Millard,  also  from  Norwich,  bought  of  Thomas  Leffingwell  a 
thousand-acre  allotment  at  the  Horseshoe,  a  part  of  which  is 
still  held  by  his  descendants.  Benjamin  Howard  and  Joseph 
Gary,  of  Norwich,  and  John  Broughton,  of  Northampton,  soon 
settled  in  this  vicinity.  This  new  settlement  was  also  called 
"  The  Centre,"  from  its  position  between  the  older  ones,  and 
seemed  destined  for  a  time  to  become  the  most  important.  The 
seventh  lot  was  chosen  for  the  minister  and  the  sixth  for  the 
ministry,  and  great  efforts  were  made  to  have  the  meeting  house 
built  upon  it. 

Windham  had  previously  manifested  a  desire  to  be  annexed 
to  Hartford  county.  She  had  petitioned  the  general  court  to 
this  end,  and  in  May,  1694,  the  petition  was  granted,  and  this 
town  became  a  factor  of  Hartford  county.  The  town  was  now 
fairly  embarked  upon  its  career  of  ups  and  downs,  and  various 
experiences  common  to  the  towns  of  that  period  and  surround- 
ings. A  military  company  was  founded,  of  which  John  Fitch 
was  lieutenant,  Jonathan  Crane  was  ensign,  and  Samuel  Hide 
sergeant.  Training  days  were  inaugurated,  and  ever  after  cel- 
ebrated with  the  usual  hilarity.  Highways  were  laid  out  such 
as  were  needed  "  on  or  about  the  hill  that  lies  west  of  the  Pond." 
A  custom  was  then  established  by  public  order,  that  at  subse- 


256  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

quent  town  meetings  the  moderator  should  open  the  delibera- 
tions with  prayer. 

Let  us  now  turn  for  a  moment  to  notice  some  of  the  individ- 
ual members  that  were  swelling-  the  body  corporate.  William 
and  Joseph  Hall,  Joshua  and  John  Allen,  Nathaniel  Bassett,  Ben- 
jamin Armstrong,  Samuel  Gifford  and  Robert  Smith  were  now 
settled  at  the  Ponde;  the  Halls  having  come  from  Plymouth,  Bas- 
sett from  Yarmouth,  and  the  others  probably  from  Norwich. 
Joseph  Dingley  now  occupied  the  allotment  purchased  by  Cap- 
tain Standish.  William  Backus  exchanged  his  house  and  accom- 
modations at  the  Hither-place  for  Ensign  Crane's  grist  mill. 
Crane  sold  the  house  and  lot  to  Exercise  Conant  in  1695,  and 
Conant  conveyed  it  to  John  Abbe,  of  Wenham,  July  3d,  1696, 
for  £10  in  silver.  Samuel  Abbe,  probably  a  brother  of  John, 
purchased  half  an  allotment  and  half  a  house  at  the  Centre,  of 
Benjamin  Howard,  in  1697.  John  Waldo,  of  Boston,  a  reported 
descendant  of  Peter  Waldo,  of  Lyons,  purchased  an  allotment 
laid  out  to  Reverend  James  Fitch,  and  was  admitted  an  inhabit- 
ant here  in  1698.  William  Hide,  William  Moulton,  Philip  Paine, 
John  Ashby,  Josiah  Kingsley,  Samuel  Storrs,  Samuel  Storrs,  Jr., 
Robert  and  Joseph  Hebard,  Isaac  Magoon,  John  Howard  and 
Thomas  Denham,  were  also  admitted  inhabitants  in  the  year 
1698,  or  before;  Shubael  Dimmock  in  1699,  and  Abraham 
Mitchell  in  1700.  James  Birchard  sold  his  right  to  Philip  Paine 
in  1696,  and  removed  to  the  West  Farms  of  Norwich.  Samuel 
Abbe  died  a  few  months  after  his  arrival  here,  his  son  Samuel 
succeeded  to  his  estate  at  the  Centre,  and  his  widow  married 
Abraham  Mitchell.  John  Cates,  the  first  Windham  settler,  died 
in  the  summer  of  1697.  He  left  a  service  of  plate  for  the 
communion  service  of  the  church,  two  hundred  acres  of  land 
in  trust  for  the  poor,  and  two  hundred  acres  to  be  applied  to 
schools. 

The  town  officers  elected  for  the  year  1698  were  :  Joshua  Rip- 
ley, town  clerk  ;  Joseph  Dingley  and  Joseph  Hall,  collectors  for 
minister;  Thomas  Huntington  and  Jonathan  Ginnings,  fence 
viewers  for  south  end  of  town  ;  William  More,  surveyor  of  high- 
ways for  south  end  ;  Samuel  Lincoln,  surveyor  for  north  end  ; 
William  Backus,  pound  keeper  and  hayward  for  the  great  field 
at  the  south  end  ;  Benjamin  Millard,  hayward  for  fields  at  Crotch 
of  River  ;  Lieutenant  Fitch  and  vSamuel  Birchard,  to  lay  out 
land.     The  value  set  upon  allotments  at  this  time  was  £^o  each. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  257 

During  this  period  one  of  the  chief  questions  which  agitated 
the  corporate  mind  was  the  location  and  erection  of  a  meeting 
house  and  the  collection  of  taxes  to  pay  the  minister,  these 
things  being,  according  to  the  custom  and  sentiment  of  the  time, 
■legitimately  under  the  care  of  the  town  in  its  capacity  as  a  po- 
litical organization.  After  much  social  commotion  on  the  sub- 
ject, a  site  was  decided  upon,  and  January  30th,  1700,  the  front 
part  of  William  Backus's  home  lot  at  the  southeast  quarter  was 
purchased  by  Mr.  Whiting  and  Ensign  Crane,  and  made  over  by 
them  to  the  town,  for  a  "  meeting-house  plat  or  common."  This 
was  the  nucleus  of  Windham  Green,  on  which  the  first  meeting 
house  was  soon  after  erected.  The  thousand-acre  right  which 
had  been  reserved  for  the  minister  was  soon  afterward  made 
over  to  Reverend  Mr.  Whiting,  the  first  settled  minister  of  this 
town  church,  a  more  detailed  account  of  which  will  be  given  in 
its  appropriate  place. 

The  territory  of  this  town  was  enlarged  by  the  addition  of 
two  considerable  tracts  of  adjacent  land.  The  tract  which  lay 
between  the  former  bounds  of  the  town  and  the  limit  of  Nor- 
wich, called  the  Mamosqueage  lands,  reserved  by  Joshua  for  the 
benefit  of  his  children,  was  contested  by  Owaneco,  and  only  after 
a  long  and  troublesome  controversy  secured  by  Joshua's  son, 
Abimileck,  who  sold  it  to  John  Clark  and  Thomas  Buckingham. 
This  tract,  embracing  about  ten  thousand  acres,  lying  west  of 
Nipmuck  path,  was  purchased  in  1698  by  Messrs.  Crane  and 
Huntington,  in  behalf  of  the  proprietors  of  Windham,  and  in 
1700  made  over  to  Reverend  Samuel  Whiting  and  Jonathan 
Crane,  who  assumed  the  whole  charge  of  it,  laying  it  out  in 
shares  and  selling  it  to  settlers.  Their  right  was  challenged  by 
Lieutenant  Daniel  Mason,  who  had  received  a  deed  of  the  land 
from  Owaneco,  and  in  spite  of  the  decision  adjudging  it  to  Abim- 
ileck, Mason  in  1701  openly  proclaimed  his  right  to  the  lands  at 
Mamosqueage,  and  warned  all  people  against  cumbering  the 
same.  In  September  of  that  year,  however,  the  general  court 
confirmed  the  land  to  Alessrs.  Whiting  and  Crane  and  granted 
them  a  patent  for  it.  The  other  tract  referred  to  was  the  broad 
stretch  of  meadows  west  of  the  Willimantic  river,  which  was 
not  included  in  the  former  grant  to  Windham  or  to  Lebanon. 
Residents  of  both  these  towns  had  purchased  land  in  this  section, 
and  as  settlers  took  possession  the  question  arose  as  to  which 
town  they  belonged.  Upon  application  to  the  general  court,  a 
17 


258  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

committee  was  sent  to  consider  the  situation  and  report.  Upon 
their  report  it  was  decided  that  the  tract  in  question  should  be 
attached  to  Windham,  which  decision  appears  to  have  been 
agreeable  to  all  concerned.  The  boundary  line  between  the  two 
towns  was  satisfactorily  and  permanently  settled  by  a  commit- 
tee from  each  town,  September  23d,  1701. 

About  the  year  1700,  settlement  in  the  quarter  now  known  as 
Scotland  was  begun  by  Isaac  Magoon,  who  had  been  admitted  as 
an  inhabitant  in  1698.  A  hundred-acre  division  of  lands  in  the 
town  was  made  in  1700,  each  proprietor  being  allowed  consider- 
able of  latitude  in  his  choice  of  location,  with  certain  qualifica- 
tions, one  of  which  was  that  they  were  not  to  choose  land  within 
one  mile  of  the  meeting  house. 

With  the  increase  of  population  came  the  establishment  of 
various  trades  and  enterprises  for  the  benefit,  real  or  imaginary, 
of  the  people.  In  1700,  Benjamin  Millard  was  allowed  to  set  up 
the  trade  of  a  tanner.  Lieutenant  Crane  received  permission 
from  the  court  at  Hartford  "  to  keep  a  public  victualing  house 
for  the  entertainment  of  strangers  and  travelers  and  the  retail- 
ing of  strong  drink."  Sergeant  Hide  had  license  to  keep  an  or- 
dinary at  the  Ponde,  and  "  retale  his  mathagiline  so  far  as 
y^  towne  have  power."  Liberty  to  build  a  saw  mill  on  Goodman 
Hebard's  brook,  and  the  privilege  of  the  stream  for  damming  or 
"  ponding,"  was  granted  to  several  petitioners,  or,  "  if  that  would 
not  answer,  take  any  other  stream."  It  was  decided  that  the 
miller  should  grind  corn  for  the  people  every  Monday  and  Tues- 
day, and  if  more  was  brought  than  he  could  grind  in  the  speci- 
fied days,  he  was  to  keep  on  grinding  till  all  was  finished.  In 
December,  1702,  the  town  for  the  first  time  made  provision  for 
a  school,  directing  the  selectmen  to  agree  with  a  school  master 
or  mistrees,  the  "  scoUars  to  pay  what  the  rate  falls  short." 

Soon  after  this  it  began  to  appear  to  the  people  that  the  town 
was  too  large  to  be  advantageously  managed  under  one  local 
government.  Movements  toward  division  which  began  in  1701 
were  consummated  in  May,  1703,  by  the  division  of  the  territory 
into  two  parts,  called  the  northern  and  southern  parts,  though 
more  properly  they  were  the  eastern  and  western.  The  western 
part  of  the  town,  comprising  forty -one  square  miles,  was  erected 
into  the  township  of  Mansfield.  A  part  of  its  original  territory 
is  now  included  in  Chaplin.  A  patent  was  granted  by  the  gen- 
eral court  to  the  new  town  of  Mansfield,  likewise  a  new  patent 


HISTORY    or   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  259 

to  the  town  of  Windham,  thus  reconstructed  of  one-half  of  the 
original  Joshua's  tract  and  the  Clark  and  Buckingham  tract 
added  to  it. 

The  town  thus  reduced  in  size  was  able  to  give  closer  atten- 
tion to  the  details  of  its  own  territory  and  organization.  The 
boundary  line  on  the  east  was  for  many  years  a  matter  of  disa- 
greement and  litigation  with  Canterbury.  In  1708  the  town  also 
agreed  to  have  but  one  "  ordinary "  within  it ;  that  one  to  be 
kept  by  Lieutenant  Crane.  Lieutenant  Fitch  was  chosen  town 
clerk  at  this  time,  a  position  which  he  continued  to  hold  for 
many  years.  When  the  Indian  war  broke  out  in  1704,  the  free- 
holders were  all  required  to  remain  in  the  town  under  penalty 
of  forfeiture  of  their  estates,  or  a  fine  of  ten  pounds  to  be  lev- 
ied on  any  other  male  persons,  not  freeholders,  over  sixteen 
years  of  age,  who  should  leave  the  place.  Knapsacks,  hatchets 
and  snowshoes  were  provided  by  the  selectmen,  to  be  ready  for 
emergencies,  and  ten  pounds  in  silver  were  expended  for  a  stock 
of  ammunition.  The  militia  was  reorganized,  Windham  now 
having  population  sufficient  to  form  a  full  train  band.  John 
Fitch  was  appointed  capt^n,  Jonathan  Crane  lieutenant,  and 
Joseph  Cary  ensign.  A  watch  was  maintained  along  the  front- 
iers, and  houses  were  fortified  according  to  law,  but  the  threat- 
ened danger  passed  without  giving  the  people  any  serious  in- 
convenience. In  1705  an  allotment  of  four  hundred  acres  to 
the  right  was  made,  to  be  laid  out  west  of  the  tract  adjoining 
Canterbury  which  was  in  dispute  with  that  town.  The  disputed 
tract  was  also  laid  out,  Windham  vigorously  persisting  in  exer- 
cising possession  of  it.  This  disputed  land  was  a  gore  piece  ly- 
ing between  two  lines  which  had  been  run  as  the  eastern  bound- 
ary of  Windham.  The  west  line  was  the  line  run  by  Bushnell 
according  to  the  direction  of  Uncas,  as  the  eastern  boundary  of 
Joshua's  tract,  and  it  followed  the  Nipmuck  path,  running  a  lit- 
tle west  of  south.  The  east  line  was  a  due  south  line  from  Ap- 
paquage,  which  had  been  run  in  1691  by  a  committee  appointed 
to  run  out  the  east  line  of  the  town.  At  that  time  there  was  no 
settlement  claiming  on  the  east  of  Windham,  so  the  last  men- 
tioned line  remained  undisputed  until  1700,  when  Plainfield,  be- 
ing laid  out,  claimed  to  the  Nipmuck  path.  The  settlement  of 
what  is  now  Scotland  was  at  this  time  steadily  increasing,  and 
the  value  of  land  was  rising.  Saw  mills  and  grist  mills  were 
erected  on  the  powerful  stream  near  Willimantic  falls.     But  the 


260  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

settlement  at  the  "  Crotch,"  which  had  promised  to  become  the 
center,  ceased  to  hold  its  precedence,  and  with  the  removal  of 
the  gatherings  for  public  worship  to  other  parts  of  the  town,  fell 
into  comparative  obscurity.  Two  of  its  settlers,  Broughton  and 
Howard,  removed  to  other  parts  of  the  town,  and  their  home- 
steads passed  to  other  permanent  residents.  Mr.  Whiting  still 
occupied  the  house  built  for  him,  but  no  village  grew  up  around 
it.     A  twenty-acre  land  division  was  laid  out  here  in  1707. 

In  1706  a  division  of  four  hundred  acres  to  the  right,  in  the 
northeast  part  of  the  town,  was  laid  out.  In  January,  1709, 
David  Canada,  William  Shaw,  Robert  Moulton  and  Edward  Col- 
burn,  all  of  Salem,  purchased  one  hundred  acres  of  land  on  both 
sides  of  Little  river,  of  William  More,  for  ^23,  and  began  the 
settlement  of  a  remote  section,  which  is  now  included  in  the 
township  of  Hampton.  A  road  passing  through  "  the  burnt 
cedar  swamp,"  led  from  Windham  to  this  settlement,  and  thence 
to  the  old  Connecticut  Path.  That  part  of  the  town  known  as 
Windham  Green  soon  became  the  chief  center  of  business  and 
public  affairs.  Here  were  gather||^  together  the  principal  offi- 
cial men  of  the  town,  the  meeting  !^use,  school,  shops,  training 
field  and  Lieutenant  Crane's  "ordinary,"  as  the  tavern  was  called. 

By  a  land  distribution  in  1712  the  northeast  section  of  the 
town  was  opened  for  settlement.  This  section  gained  steadily 
in  population  and  importance,  notwithstanding  its  remoteness 
and  difficulty  of  access.  Its  soil  was  good  and  land  was  cheap, 
its  situation  pleasant  and  the  outlook  commanding.  This  sec- 
tion, then  called  Canada  Parish,  now  known  as  Hampton,  soon 
became  so  strong  as  to  warrant  the  organization  of  its  people 
into  a  distinct  society.  This  was  done  under  an  act  of  the  assem- 
bly in  1717.  In  1718  this  parish  was  also  granted  liberty  to 
organize  and  maintain  a  military  company  within  its  borders. 
The  people  of  the  parish  were  also  empowered  to  levy  an  annual 
tax  for  the  parish  expenses,  of  ten  shillings  on  every  hundred 
acres  of  unimproved  land  lying  within  its  borders.  This  was 
strongly  objected  to  by  the  Windham  proprietors  living  in  other 
parts  of  the  town  who  owned  land  in  this  section.  Their  objec- 
tions, however,  were  oyer-ruled  by  the  assembly,  but  they  never- 
theless caused  a  great  deal  of  trouble  to  the  new  society  in  col- 
lecting such  taxes. 

About  the  year  1725  the  population  of  the  Windham  town 
was  rapidly  increasing.     So  great  was  the  increase  in  Canada 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  261 

parish  that  a  full  military  compan}^  was  formed  there,  with 
Stephen  Howard  for  captain,  Nathaniel  Kingsbury  for  lieuten- 
ant, and  Samuel  Gardner  for  ensign,  and  sixty  privates  between 
the  ages  of  sixteen  and  sixty.  Schools  M^ere  also  provided  there 
and  selectmen,  survevors  and  other  officers  were  chosen  for  that 
section,  so  that  the  parish  was^every  way  well  established  and 
accommodated,  and  its  inhabitants  only  needed  to  repair  to 
Windham  Green  for  town  meetings.  The  society  had  been 
granted  respite  from  paying:  taxes  toward  the  general  expenses 
of  the  colony  for  four  years,  in  accordance  with  the  usual  custom 
of  dealing  with  young  organizations.  But  drought,  short  crops 
and  other  discouragements  prompted  the  Canada  people  to  ask 
the  further  favor  of  the  assembly  in  this  direction.  In  response 
that  body  granted  "one  year  and  no  more,"  after  which  the 
society  was  expected  to  pay  its  share  of  the  common  expenses. 

During  the  early  half  of  the  iast  century  the  town  grew 
apace.  Settlement  at  Scotland  progressed  as  did  also  that  at 
Windham  Green.  A  court  of  probate  was  established  here  in 
October,  1719,  for  the  towns  of  Windham,  Lebanon,  Coventry, 
Mansfield,  Canterbury,  Plainfield,  Killingly,  Pomfret  and  Ash- 
ford,  and  this  added  much  to  its  business  and  importance.  Cap- 
tain John  Fitch,  already  the  honored  town  clerk  of  Windham, 
was  appointed  the  first  judge  of  probate,  still  retaining,  how- 
ever, his  clerkship.  In  1721  the  town  street  was  widened  to 
eight  rods  from  the  southeast  corner  of  Deacon  Bingham's 
house-lot  to  the  northeast  corner  of  Gentleman  Mitchell's  house. 
A  new  pound  was  built  near  the  meeting  house.  The  popula- 
tion of  the  town  had  now  increased  so  that  a  second  military 
company  was  organized,  with  Eleazer  Carey  for  captain,  Edward 
Waldo  for  lieutenant,  and  Nathaniel  Rudd  for  ensign.  Jeremiah 
Ripley  was  then  lieutenant  of  the  first  company. 

The  sons  of  the  first  settlers  were  now  active  in  public  affairs. 
Jonathan  Huntington,  son  of  Joseph,  was  practicing  medicine, 
the  first  regular  physician  of  Windham  town.  His  brother 
Joseph  had  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Joshua  Ripley. 
Joshua  Ripley,  Jr.,  married  a  daughter  of  John  Backus.  John 
Backus,  Jr.,  married  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Whiting.  Jonathan 
Crane's  son  Isaac,  married  Ruth  Waldo,  of  Scotland.  Among 
the  new  inhabitants  of  Windham  was  Thomas  Dyer,  who 
removed  hither  in  1715,  when  twenty-one  years  of  age,  mar- 
ried Lydia,  daughter  of  John  Backus,   was   first  a  shoemaker 


262  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

and  farmer,  but  soon  engaged  in  public  affairs  and  became  one 
of  the  most  prominent  and  wealthy  citizens  of  the  town. 
Eleazer  Carey,  nephew  of  Deacon  Joseph  Carey,  removed  to 
Windham  in  1718.     Deacon  Joseph  died  in  1722. 

John  and  Samuel  Abbe  were  among  the  very  early  settlers  of 
this  town,  and  the  name  has  been  a  prominent,  influential  and 
respected  one  in  the  subsequent  history  of  the  town.  Through 
the  male  and  female  branches  the  blood  has  been  widely  dissemi- 
nated, and  is  diffused  through  alm^ost  the  entire  range  of  Wind- 
ham families.  It  is  supposed  that  they  came  from  Wenham, 
Mass.,  their  ancestors  having  come  from  the  county  of  Norfolk, 
England.  John  purchased  of  Lieutenant  Exercise  Conant  the 
seventh  home-lot  at  Windham  Centre  with  a  house  on  the  west 
side  of  the  town  street  and  the  thousand-acre  right  belonging  to 
it,  July  3d,  1696,  all  for  seventy  pounds  in  silver.  He  was  ad- 
mitted an  inhabitant  December  9th  of  the  same  year,  and  was 
one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Windham  church,  organized 
in  1700.  He  died  suddenly  December  11th  of  the  same  year. 
Samuel  Abbe,  brother  of  the  last  mentioned,  bought  of  Benja- 
min Howard  of  Windham,  for  i^22,  10s.,  one  half  an  allotment 
of  land — a  five  hundred  acre  right — being  number  two  at  the 
Centre,  with  half  the  house,  etc.  He  was  admitted  an  inhabi- 
tant December  21st,  1697,  and  became  the  ancestor  of  the  most 
numerous  branch  of  the  Windham  Abbes,  and  all  of  the  name 
now  living  in  Windham  or  vicinity  are  descended  from  him. 
He  died  at  Windham  in  March,  1698.  One  of  his  female  de- 
scendants, Rachel  Abbe  in  1738-9  married  General  Samuel 
McClellan,  and  so  became  the  great-grandmother  of  the  late 
General  George  B.  McClellan,  of  national  renown.  Paul  and  Phil- 
lip Abbot  came  from  Andover,  Mass.,  and  settled  here,  in  the 
section  of  the  town  now  Hampton,  about  1722.  Their  descend- 
ants have  been  largely  involved  in  the  history  of  this  town. 
Joseph  Allen,  the  ancestor  of  representatives  of  the  same  name 
still  living  in  this  town  and  Scotland,  bought  land  in  this  town, 
now  Scotland.  January  13th,  1731.  Samuel  Ashley  in  April, 
1717,  purchased  two  hundred  acres  of  John  Fitch  in  the  north- 
east part  of  Windham,  on  both  sides  of  Little  river.  This 
homestead  farm  is  in  the  North  Bigelow  district  in  Hampton, 
and  has  remained  in  the  family  ever  since.  Jonathan  Babcock  was 
probably  the  second  permanent  settler  of  that  portion  of  Wind- 
ham which  is  now  included  in  the  villag-e  of  Willimantic.    He  was 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  263 

the  common  ancestor  of  most  of  the  Coventry  and  Mansfield 
Babcocks.  He  bought  the  thousand-acre  right  which  had  been 
laid  out  by  Captain  John  Mason  and  had  passed  through  several 
hands  previous  to  his  purchase  in  1709.  The  home  farm,  con- 
taining 164  acres,  had  been  laid  out  on  this  right,  April  17th, 
1706.  It  lay  just  beyond  the  western  limits  of  the  borough  of 
Willimantic,  near  the  village  cemetery,  and  the  first  house 
erected  upon  it  was  probably  the  second  one  built  in  Williman- 
tic. Babcock  was  admitted  as  an  inhabitant  in  1711.  William 
Backus  settled  in  Windham  as  early  as  1693.  His  father. 
Lieutenant  William  Backus,  was  one  of  the  original  Norwich 
legatees  of  Joshua,  and  had  three  of  the  thousand-acre  shares, 
one  of  which  he  gave  to  his  son  William,  of  whom  we  are  speak- 
ing:. The  home  lot  was  number  seven,  at  Windham  Centre. 
It  was  in  the  center  of  the  present  village  of  Windham.  One 
acre  of  it  was  purchased,  January  30th,  1700,  by  Reverend  Sam- 
uel Whiting  and  Ensign  Jonathan  Crane,  and  presented  by 
them  to  the  town  for  a  "  Meeting  Plot  or  Common."  This  was 
the  original  "Windham  Green."  Many  of  the  descendants  of 
this  settler  still  remain.  Deacon  John  Baker,  probably  son  of 
Samuel  Baker  of  Hull  and  Barnstable,  came  to  Windham  with 
his  sons  Samuel  and  John  (as  is  supposed),  at  some  time  before 
1746,  and  located  in  that  part  of  Windham  now  the  south  part 
of  Scotland.  When  the  descendants  had  become  somewhat 
numerous  the  place  where  the  families  settled  was  called  "  Baker 
Town." 

In  1726  the  courts  of  the  new  county  of  Windham  were  held 
in  this  town.  Being  thus  made  the  shiretown  its  prosperity  re- 
ceived a  fresh  impetus.  The  growth  of  the  village  at  Windham 
Green  was  especially  quickened.  The  court  house  and  jail  were 
soon  erected,  with  stores,  taverns  and  numerous  private  residen- 
ces, and  much  business,  private  as  well  as  public,  centered  here. 
A  grammar  school,  authorized  by  the  general  court,  was  estab- 
lished after  some  delay.  Improvements  were  also  in  progress 
throughout  the  town.  Ichabod  Warner,  in  1727,  was  allowed  to 
make  a  dam  across  Pigeon  Swamp  brook,  and  John  Marcy  and 
Seth  Palmer  to  make  one  on  Merrick's  brook.  The  first  dam 
was  built  across  the  Willimantic  the  same  year,  near  the  site  of 
the  present  stone  dam  of  the  Linen  Company.  The  Iron  Works 
bridge  was  also  erected.  The  forge  and  the  iron  works  were  at 
that  time  in  operation,  but  from  the  frequent  change  of  owners 


264'  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

we  judge  that  they  were  not  very  successful.  Badger  soon  sold 
his  share  to  Ebenezer  Hartshorn,  son  of  Thomas,  the  first  Wil- 
limantic  mill  owner.  Hartshorn  conveyed  it  to  Joshua  Ripley, 
and  he  to  Thomas  Dyer,  together  with  the  adjacent  dwelling 
house,  May  27th,  1731.  Dyer  retained  it  till  1735,  and  then  sold 
out  to  Hathaway,  one  of  the  founders  of  the  company.  These 
Willimantic  Iron  Works  were  maintained  many  years,  and  em- 
ployed a  number  of  laborers,  but  were  never  very  thriving. 
The  privilege  occupied  so  early  by  Thomas  Hartshorn  was  made 
over  by  him  to  his  son  Ebenezer,  of  Charlestown,  who  in  1729 
sold  the  grist  mill,  saw  mill,  water  privilege  and  forty-acre  lot 
to  Joseph  Martin  of  Lebanon,  for  ^^"410.  Thomas  Hartshorn, 
the  first  settler  of  Willimantic,  then  purchased  a  house  of  Ebene- 
zer Jennings,  and  removed  to  Windham  Centre.  An  early  set- 
tler in  this  vicinity,  not  previously  recorded,  was  Stephen,  son  of 
the  Captain  John  Brown,  who  received  a  thousand-acre  right 
from  Captain  Samuel  Mason  in  1677.  The  home  lot  pertaining 
to  this  right  was  laid  out  in  1706,  abutting  southeast  on  Willi- 
mantic river,  near  the  northern  boundary  of  the  town,  and  was 
improved  and  occupied  prior  to  1720,  by  Stephen  Brown. 

The  Scotland  settlement  was  rapidl}^  growing  in  strength, 
and  with  its  growth  developed  the  desire  to  become  a  distinct 
society.  Ecclesiastical  organization  was  the  basis  of  civil  or- 
ganization, and  the  Scotland  settlers  as  early  as  1726  began  to 
discuss  the  question  of  being  independent  of  the  other  part  of 
the  town.  In  May,  1732,  that  part  of  the  town  was  endowed 
with  society  privileges  by  act  of  the  general  court.  Further 
particulars  concerning  it  will  be  found  in  connection  with  the 
history  of  the  town  of  Scotland. 

The  growth  of  the  town  required  an  enlargement  of  the  num- 
ber of  town  officers.  In  1746  there  were  chosen  a  town  clerk 
and  treasurer,  five  selectmen,  three  collectors  of  town  rates,  four 
constables,  six  grand  jurors,  seven  listers,  four  branders,  three 
leather  sealers,  six  fence  viewers,  eight  tithing  men  and  ten  sur- 
veyors. Penalties  at  this  time  were  extremely  severe.  Heavy 
fines,  whippings  and  imprisonment  were  administered  for  slight 
offenses.  Those  unable  to  pay  fines  and  lawful  debts  were  often 
bound  out  as  servants.  In  one  case  a  year's  service  satisfied  a 
judgment  of  ^23.  In  another  case  it  took  five  and  a  half  years 
to  satisfy  a  debt  of  i^50.  Another  was  bound  servant  for  eight 
years  for  a  debt  of  £120. 


HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  265 

An  intimation  of  the  progress  of  education  in  the  town  is  fur- 
nished us  in  the  records  of  1750,  which  tell  us  that  a  good  gram- 
mar school  was  ordered  to  be  kept  the  whole  of  every  year  "  by 
a  master  able  and  sufficient  for  that  purpose."  This  school  was 
moved  about  from  one  society  to  another,  each  of  the  three  so- 
cieties in  the  town  being  entitled  to  have  the  school  kept  within 
its  bounds  during  a  portion  of  the  year,  corresponding  to  the 
proportion  of  money  contributed  by  it  to  the  support  of  the  school, 
the  basis  of  both  being  their  lists  of  property  valuation. 

Jonathan  Trumbull  was  judge  of  the  probate  district  of  Wind- 
ham in  1746.  John  Ripley  was  chosen  town  treasurer  in  1750. 
Samuel  Gray  succeeded  Eliphalet  Dyer  as  town  clerk  in  1755.  A 
receiver  of  provisions  for  the  colony  tax,  an  excise  collector  and 
a  packer  of  tobacco  were  now  added  to  the  town  officers.  The 
deputies  sent  by  Windham  to  the  general  court  between  1746 
and  1760  were  Thomas  Dyer,  Eleazer  Gary,  Jabez  Huntington, 
Eliphalet  Dyer,  Jonathan  Huntington,  Nathaniel  Skiff,  Jedediah 
Elderkin,  Nathaniel  Wales,  Thomas  Stedman,  Jonathan  Rudd, 
Joseph  Kingsbury,  Samuel  MurdoCk  and  Samuel  Gray. 

Among  the  tavern  keepers  scattered  over  the  town  about  the 
middle  of  the  last  century  were  James  Brewster,  David  Ripley, 
John  Backus,  Eleazer  Fitch,  Isaac  Warner,  Benjamin  Lathrop 
and  Isaac  Parish.  The  social  life  of  the  town  was  said  to  be  at 
that  time  very  hilarious  and  enjoyable.  Nearly  all  the  families 
in  the  town  were  connected  by  intermarriage,  and  the  most 
friendly  and  open  intercourse  was  maintained.  A  free  and 
generous  hospitality  prevailed  among  all  classes.  Merry-mak- 
ings of  every  description  were  frequent.  The  residents  of 
Windham  Green  were  especially  noted  for  love  of  fun  and 
frolic,  bantering  and  jesting.  Traditions  of  these  golden  days 
represent  Windham  with  her  two  parishes  like  Judah  and  Israel 
in  the  days  of  Solomon — "  many  as  the  sand  which  is  by  the  sea 
in  multitude,  eating  and  drinking,  and  making  merry." 

During  this  period  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  Windham 
was  marked.  Even  by  contemporary  judges  it  was  estimated  to 
surpass  in  prominence,  and  rapidity  of  growth  and  commercial 
activity,  every  other  inland  town  in  the  colony.  About  1760 
it  had  four  well  trained  military  companies,  four  meeting  houses, 
the  county  buildings,  a  number  of  stores  and  taverns,  and  many 
handsome  private  residences.  The  following  list  of  town 
officers  for  the  year  1760  will  be  of  interest,  both  in  showing 


266  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

the  number  of  officers  required  by  the  town  government  and 
the  men  who  were  in  active  life  at  the  time  to  fill  these  offices : 
Doctor  Joshua  Elderkin,  moderator;  Samuel  Gray,  town  clerk 
(chosen  first  in  175o  in  place  of  Eliphalet  Dyer,  who  had  gone 
into  the  army,  and  retained  in  office  more  than  thirty  years) ; 
Captain  Samuel  Murdoch,  George  Martin,  Captain  Henry  Silsby, 
Samuel  Webb,  Lieutenant  Prince  Tracy,  selectmen  ;  Hezekiah 
Manning,  Paul  Hebard,  Abiel  Abbott,  constables  and  collectors 
of  town  rates ;  Joshua  Reed,  Hezekiah  Huntington,  Nathaniel 
Lord,  John  Manning,  grand  jurymen  ;  William  Warner,  Nath- 
aniel Wales  2d,  Nathaniel  Warren,  John  Clark,  Joseph  Burnham, 
Nathan  Luce,  Joseph  Manning^  tithing-men  ;  Benjamin  Lathrop, 
Jonathan  Babcock,  James  Flint,  Jonathan  Burnap,  Nathaniel 
Mosely,  Andrew  Burnham,  Joseph  Woodward,  listers;  Edward 
Brown,  Ebenezer  Fitch,  Ebenezer  Bingham,  John  Bass,  Isaac 
Andrus,  Gideon  Hebard,  Thomas  Tracy,  Samuel  Murdoch, 
Nathaniel  Huntington,  Daniel  Martin,  Jeremiah  Clark,  Zebadiah 
Coburn,  Stephen  Park,  Jeremiah  Utley,  William  Holt,  Josiah 
Hammond,  Simon  Wood,  Joshua  Farnham,  John  Manning,  Jos- 
eph Woodward,  Richard  Kimball,  Jonathan  Luce,  Joseph  Gin- 
nings,  highway  surveyors ;  Samuel  Webb,  Edward  Brown,  Wil- 
liam Durkee,  Isaac  Ringe,  John  Webb,  David  Ripley,  fence 
viewers;  Hezekiah  Huntington,  John  Fuller,  Elisha  Palmer, Jr., 
Eleazer  Palmer,  branders  and  tollers ;  Edward  Brown,  Isaac 
Ringe,  Reuben  Robinson,  leather  sealers ;  Joseph  Huntington, 
Joseph  Sessions,  Elisha  Palmer,  Jr.,  pound  keepers  ;  Joseph 
Huntington,  Jeremiah  Durkee,  Joseph  Manning,  packers  ;  Sam- 
uel Gray,  town  treasurer  ;  Elijah  Bingham  and  Thomas  Tracy, 
to  take  care  of  the  town  bridge  ;  James  Flint,  receiver  of  pro- 
vision paid  for  discharge  of  colony  tax  ;  John  Abbe,  collector  of 
excise  ;  Hezekiah  Manning  and  Shubael  Palmer,  surveyors  and 
packers  of  tobacco. 

In  the  revival  of  business  following  the  close  of  the  French 
war,  Windham  actively  participated.  Some  enterprising  local 
merchants  opened  commercial  exchange  with  the  West  Indies, 
and  by  this  means  a  market  was  provided  for  the  products  of 
the  town.  Under  this  stimulus  much  attention  was  given  to 
wool  growing,  the  culture  of  hemp,  flax  and  tobacco,  and  the 
making  of  cheese  and  butter.  Great  flocks  of  sheep  and  herds 
of  cattle  ranged  over  Windham  pastures  and  commons.  Wheat 
and  other  cereals  were  extensively  grown  and  exported,  and  so 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  267 

the  agricultural  prosperity  of  the  town  continued  until  the  for- 
eign trade  was  choked  by  English  exactions.  Then  the  Wind- 
ham people  turned  their  energies  to  manufactures.  John  Brown 
of  Willimantic,  in  addition  to  other  branches  of  business,  manu- 
factured potash  and  refined  saltpetre.  Ezekiel  Gary  carried  on 
his  trade  as  tanner  and  currier  in  this  vicinity.  Colonel  Elder- 
kin,  among  his  other  avocations,  interested  himself  in  silk  cul- 
ture, and  set  out  a  fine  orchard  of  mulberry  trees  in  the  south 
part  of  Windham.  His  efforts  reached  a  moderate  degree  of 
success,  and  he  was  able  to  make  a  strong,  coarse  silk,  which  was 
used  for  handkerchiefs  and  vestmgs. 

Through  the  gloomy  days  of  the  revolution  Windham  shared 
the  hardships  and  burdens  common  to  all  the  towns  of  the  county. 
From  her  prominent  position  as  the  shiretown  of  the  county, 
she  saw  much  of  the  military  activity  and  public  demonstrations 
of  the  people,  not  only  of  this  town  but  of  other  neighboring- 
towns  ;  and  bravely  did  the  people  of  the  town  of  Windham 
maintain  their  prominent  position  as  the  banner  town  of  the 
county.  The  conditions  of  the  war  have  been  so  fully  reviewed 
as  to  the  whole  county  that  it  seems  unnecessary  to  go  over  the 
ground  as  to  the  details  of  this  particular  town.  After  the  war 
was  over,  and  when  the  federal  constitution  was  presented  to 
the  people  for  adoption,  Windham,  having  appointed  a  day  for 
its  special  consideration,  after  a  lengthy  and  able  discussion  of 
the  question,  resolved  that  the  proposed  constitution,  being  a 
subject  to  be  acted  upon  by  a  state  convention,  it  was  not  proper 
for  the  town  to  pass  any  vote  upon  it.  There  were  during  sev- 
eral years  succeeding  the  war  many  returned  soldiers  about 
town  destitute  of  employment,  and  many  idlers  hanging  about 
the  village  without  regular  business,  depending  mostly  upon  jobs 
at  court  sessions,  and  the  town  considered  it  necessary  to  instruct 
its  selectmen  "  to  attend  vigilantly  to  the  laws  respecting  idle- 
ness, bad  husbandry  and  tavern  haunting,  and  see  that  the  same  be 
carried  into  effectual  execution  against  such  of  the  inhabitants 
of  the  town  as  shall  in  future  be  guilty  of  a  breach  of  said  law." 
With  the  revival  of  business  and  the  improvement  of  finances 
this  charge  became  less  needful.  The  pressure  of  English  re- 
striction having  been  removed,  the  various  industries  initiated 
in  Windham  before  the  war  were  now  resumed  with  redoubled 
spirit.  Great  attention  was  given  to  stock  raising  and  dairy 
manufactures.     A  large  surplus  of  beef  and  pork  was  barreled 


268  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

on  the  farms  for  market,  and  cheese  became  so  plentiful  that 
"  a  speculator  could  sometimes  buy  a  hundred  thousand  pounds 
in  a  neighborhood."  Wool  was  produced  in  considerable  quan- 
tities, and  many  of  the  industrious  women  of  the  town  found 
profitable  employment  in  knitting  stockings  and  mittens,  which 
found  their  way  to  the  New  York  market.  It  is  estimated  that 
this  industry  annually  brought  several  thousand  dollars  into 
the  town.  As  an  instance  of  the  business  of  importance  carried 
on  at  Windham  may  be  mentioned  the  drug  business  established 
by  Doctor  Benjamin  Dyer,  who  claimed  to  have  the  largest  as- 
sortment of  goods  in  that  line  to  be  found  in  eastern  Connec- 
ticut. Among  his  stock  might  be  found  at  one  time  a  hundred 
and  fifty  pounds  of  wafers,  an  article  which  was  in  every  day 
use  at  that  time,  but  now  almost  unknown.  His  trade  extended 
to  all  the  physicians  in  the  surrounding  country.  At  one  time 
he  was  accustomed  to  import  goods  directly  from  London.  Man- 
ufactures were  also  progressing.  Up  to  January  1st,  1795,  the 
people  were  supplied  with  mail  from  Norwich,  but  on  the  date 
mentioned  a  post  office  was  opened  at  Windham  Green,  John 
Byrne  being  postmaster.  Residents  of  all  the  neighboring  towns 
now  received  mail  through  this  office.  Letters  for  Ashford, 
Brooklyn,  Canterbury,  Hampton,  Mansfield,  Killingly;  and  even 
distant  Thompson,  were  advertised  in  the  Windham  Herald,  which 
had  been  started  in  1791,  and  was  published  by  the  postmaster. 
Thus  for  many  years  Windham  maintained  her  position  of 
prominence  among  Windham  county  towns  ;  but  in  1820  the 
courts  were  transferred  to  Brooklyn,  as  being  a  more  central 
point  in  the  county.  This  was  not  done  without  many  years' 
effort  and  agitation  of  the  question.  As  early  as  1817  public 
meetings  were  held  and  arguments  presented  for  and  against 
different  sites.  The  question  was  referred  to  a  committee,  and 
upon  their  report  the  assembly,  May  29th,  1819,  provided  that  as 
soon  as  a  court  house  and  jail  should  be  erected  in  Brooklyn, 
without  being  any  direct  tax  upon  the  county,  and  the  buildings 
approved  by  the  judges  of  the  county  and  superior  courts  re- 
spectively, the  courts  should  be  held  there,  and  at  the  same  time 
the  county  buildings  and  land  given  up  at  the  old  county  seat 
should  be  the  property  of  the  town  of  Windham.  After  consid- 
erable difficulty  the  necessary  funds  were  raised  and  the  build- 
ings erected.  They  were  approved  by  Chief  Justice  Stephen  T. 
Hosmer  and  Judge  John  T.  Peters,  July  26th,  1820.      Windham 


HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY.  269 

made  a  strong  effort  to  obtain  half-shire  privileges,  but  without 
success.  Then  the  glory  of  Windham  Green  began  to  fade.  In 
addition  to  the  loss  of  all  the  patronage  brought  to  it  by  the 
county  business,  the  upspringing  of  manufacturing  enterprises 
at  Willimantic  Falls  was  drawing  business  rapidly  away  from 
the  old  to  a  new  center.  The  "Green,"  however,  still  kept  its 
place  as  the  head  of  the  town,  exercising  its  ancient  sway  over 
the  border  villages.  Their  growth  at  first  added  in  some  respects 
to  the  importance  of  the  mother  settlement.  Proprietors  and 
managers  of  Willimantic  factories  found  pleasant  homes  at  Wind- 
ham Green,  and  Windham's  six  stores,  bank,  probate  and  town 
clerk's  offices,  accommodated  all  the  villages.  But  this  favor  was 
only  temporary,  for  the  demands  of  the  growing  center  of  Wil- 
limantic were  rapidly  growing  stronger  and  she  could  not  long 
withstand  them.  Gradually  her  stores,  public  offices  and  busi- 
ness interests  lapsed  to  the  borough. 

The  original  territory  of  Windham  has  been  reduced  several 
times.  In  1703  nearly  one-half  of  it  was  taken  by  the  formation 
of  Mansfield  ;  in  1786  the  northern  part  was  taken  by  the  form- 
ation of  Hampton ;  in  1822  it  was  further  reduced  by  the  forma- 
tion of  Chaplin  ;  and  again  in  1857  a  large  part  of  its  remaining 
territory  was  taken  to  form  the  town  of  Scotland. 

During  the  early  years  of  this  town,  the  boundary  dispute 
with  Canterbury  on  the  east  was  one  of  the  chief  sources  of  an- 
noyance. From  time  to  time  the  vexed  question  broke  out 
afresh,  with  ever-increasing  bitterness  and  violence.  Various 
legal  decisions  adjudged  the  disputed  land  to  Canterbury,  but 
were  not  recognized  by  Windham,  who  continued  to  retain  it 
in  possession,  and  kept  an  agent  constantly  in  the  field  to  de- 
fend the  claim  before  the  courts  and  the  assembly.  Another 
grievance  was  the  diminution  of  its  territory.  The  growing 
population  could  barely  find  room  for  the  exercise  of  its  energies 
upon  its  own  soil.  It  is  true  there  was  land  enough  in  the  town, 
but  much  of  it  was  unavailable  hillsides,  and  still  more  was  held 
by  speculators,  who  then  as  now  were  a  burden  upon  the  devel- 
opment of  the  country.  As  a  result,  many  of  the  young  men, 
and  even  the  growing  families,  emigrated  to  other  localities 
where  the  conditions  were  more  favorable.  Many  valued  fam- 
ilies were  lost  to  churches  and  town  by  the  rage  for  emigration. 
The  children  of  Wyoming  emigrants  returned  to  Susquehanna 
valley,  and  gained  possession  of   the   lands  claimed  by   their 


270  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

fathers.  Representatives  of  the  old  Windham  families  were 
scattered  abroad  in  all  parts  of  the  opening  republic.  Thus  mat- 
ters continued  for  half  a  century,  until  the  census  disclosed  an 
actual  decline  in  the  population,  amounting  in  the  decade  be- 
tM^een  1790  and  1800  to  one  hundred  and  twenty. 

During-  the  long  and  trying  struggle  of  the  revolution  the  old 
town  of  Windham  acquitted  herself  nobly,  fully  sustaining  her 
reputation  for  patriotic  devotion,  and  even  gaining  many  fresh 
laurels  to  add  to  her  already  honorable  reputation.  When  the 
port  of  Boston  was  formally  closed  by  the  British  parliament  the 
people  of  this  town  in  public  meeting  passed  vehement  expres- 
sions of  the  popular  sentiment,  asking  the  general  assembly  to 
appoint  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  that  the  impending  calamities 
might  be  averted,  calling  also  for  a  general  congress  of  the  colo- 
nies, and  condemning  the  East  India  Company  and  their  action 
in  the  East  Indies  in  most  extravagant  terms,  a  single  sentence 
of  which  we  quote  by  way  of  illustration  :  "  Let  the  Spanish 
barbarities  in  Mexico,  and  the  name  of  Cortez  sink  in  everlast- 
ing oblivion,  while  such  more  recent  superior  cruelties  bear 
away  the  palm  in  the  late  annals  of  their  rapine  and  cruelty." 
The  sentiment  of  that  meeting  found  expression  in  language  so 
noble  and  pathetic  that  we  cannot  refrain  from  preserving  some 
of  its  most  striking  passages.  "  Let  us,  dear  fellow  Americans, 
for  a  few  years  at  least,  abandon  that  narrow,  contracted  princi- 
ple of  self-love,  which  is  the  source  of  every  vice ;  let  us  once 
feel  for  our  country  and  posterity ;  let  our  hearts  expand  and 
dilate  with  the  noble  and  generous  sentiments  of  benevolence, 
though  attended  with  the  severer  virtue  of  self-denial.  The 
blessings  of  Heaven  attending,  America  is  saved ;  children  yet 
unborn  will  rise  and  call  you  blessed  ;  the  present  generation 
will,  by  future — to  the  latest  period  of  American  glory — be  ex- 
tolled and  celebrated  as  the  happy  instruments,  under  God,  of 
delivering  millions  from  thraldom  and  slavery,  and  secure  per- 
manent freedom  and  liberty  to  Arcerica."  At  that  meeting  the 
people  at  once  set  about  the  practical  demonstration  of  the  sen- 
timent which  they  so  nobly  uttered.  Nine  of  their  most  respected 
citizens,  from  different  parts  of  the  town,  viz. :  Samuel  Gray, 
Nathaniel  Wales,  Ebenezer  Devotion,  Ebenezer  Mosely,  Hezekiah 
Bissel,  Joseph  Ginnings,  William  Durkee,  John  Howard  and 
Hezekiah  Manning,  were  appointed  a  committee  of  correspond- 
ence, and  authorized  to  procure  subscriptions  for  the  aid  of  Bos- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  271 

ton.  Their  appeal  was  most  effectual.  The  fields  and  hills  of 
Windham  abounded  with  fine  flocks  of  sheep,  and  the  generous 
owners  of  them,  whether  rich  or  poor,  were  ready  to  contribute 
from  them  to  make  up  a  flock,  which,  within  five  days  were  on 
the  road  to  Boston.  With  them  was  sent  a  letter,  abounding  in 
expressions  of  sympathy  and  encouragement,  exhorting  the 
people  of  Boston  to  stand  true  to  the  common  cause  of  opposi- 
tion against  the  tyranny  of  the  British  parliament.  This  was 
the  first  contribution  from  outside  towns  to  reach  Boston  in  that 
hour  of  emergency,  and  thus  to  Windham  belongs  the  signal 
honor  of  leading  the  towns  of  New  England  in  a  voluntary 
movement  for  the  relief  of  oppressed  Boston,  and  indeed  we 
might  say  taking  the  first  practical  steps  in  the  direction  of 
American  independence.  The  town  of  Boston  received  the  gift 
with  gratitude,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  following  vote  of  the 
town  passed  July  4th,  1774  : 

"  That  the  thanks  of  this  town  be,  and  hereby  are  given  to  our 
worthy  friends,  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Windham,  Con- 
necticut colony,  for  the  kind  and  generous  assistance  they  have 
granted  this  town  under  its  present  distress  and  calamity  in  vol- 
untarily sending  two  hundred  and  fifty-eight  sheep  as  a  present 
for  the  relief  of  the  poor,  distressed  inhabitants  of  this  place, 
who  by  a  late  oppressive  and  cruel  act  of  parliament  for  block- 
ing up  the  harbor  of  Boston  are  prevented  getting  subsistence 
for  themselves  and  families." 

In  subsequent  events  the  town  of  Windham  participated  with 
other  towns  of  the  county  whose  action  in  general  has  been 
already  noticed  in  another  chapter.  In  1775,  Windham  was 
represented  in  the  general  congress  at  Philadelphia,  by  Colonel 
Dyer,  and  the  action  of  that  body  was  reviewed  in  town  meet- 
ing December  5th,  with  the  resulting  vote  "  That  this  town  does 
accept,  approve  and  adopt  the  doings  of  the  Continental  Con- 
gress held  at  Philadelphia  in  September  last,  and  agree  and 
oblige  ourselves  religiously  to  keep  and  observe  the  same." 

In  1777  the  depreciation  of  the  currency  became  a  cause  of 
great  distress  and  general  embarrassment,  and  regulations  were 
attempted  to  stay  the  evils  resulting  therefrom.  Windham 
voted  March  24th,  "  That  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  will  with 
one  consent  join  with,  and  support  to  the  utmost  of  their  power 
in  carrying  into  execution  the  laws  made  for  regulating  and 
affixing  the  prices  of  certain  articles."    The  town  also  appointed 


272  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

a  committee  to  provide  necessaries  for  the  families  of  soldiers 
belonging-  to  the  town,  who  should  go  into  any  of  the  conti- 
nental armies.  In  the  spring  of  the  following  year  the  quota 
of  this  town  was  thirty-seven  men.  A  bounty  of  six  pounds 
was  offered  every  man  who  would  enlist  for  one  year,  and  this 
in  addition  to  a  like  sum  offered  by  the  state, and  twelve  pounds 
at  the  end  of  the  year,  besides  forty  shillings  a  month,  "all  in 
lawful  money."  To  meet  this  outlay  a  rate  of  sixpence  on  all 
the  polls  and  ratable  estates  was  levied,  to  be  paid  in  beef,  pork, 
flour  and  other  articles  of  produce. 

Messrs.  Elderkin  and  Gray  had  a  powder  mill  in  the  town,ard 
considerable  supplies  were  manufactured  here,  and  Hezekiah 
Huntington  carried  on  the  manufacture  and  repair  of  fire-arms 
at  Willimantic,  so  it  will  be  seen  this  town  was  an  important 
factor  among  its  sister  towns  in  the  great  struggle.  Town  action 
was  unanimous.  No  attempt  was  made  to  evade  military  or 
civil  requisitions.  The  leaders  kept  their  post  and  the  people 
faithfully  upheld  them.  That  spirit  of  detraction  and  suspicion 
which  often  wrought  such  mischief  in  the  patriotic  ranks  was 
here  denounced  and  held  in  abeyance.  Many  anecdotes  of  re- 
markable performances  are  preserved,  some  of  the  more  notable 
ones  being  ably  told  by  Miss  Fuller  in  another  chapter  of  this 
work. 

The  "grand  list  "  of  this  town  in  1775  showed  a  valuation  of 
thirty-two  thousand  two  hundred  and  twenty-two  pounds,  ten 
shillings,  seven  pence.  At  that  time  the  population  consisted  of 
three  thousand  four  hundred  and  thirty-seven  whites,  and  ninety- 
one  negroes.  Among  this  population  were  many  honored  names, 
but  after  the  revolution  they  soon  passed  off  the  stage  of  action; 
having  served  their  generation,  they  rested  from  their  labors, 
while  their  works  followed  them.  Among  such  examples  were 
Colonel  Ebenezer  Gray,  who  after  suffering  greatly  from  disease 
contracted  in  the  service  of  his  country  during  the  war,  died  in 
1795,  greatly  respected  and  beloved.  With  other  Windham  offi- 
cers he  was  an  honored  member  of  the  Cincinnati  Society,  an 
organization  having  for  its  object  the  perpetuation  of  revolu- 
tionary friendships  and  associations,  and  the  relief  of  widov  s 
and  orphans  of  those  who  had  fallen.  His  brother  Thomas 
Gray,  physician  and  merchant,  died  in  1792.  Colonel  Jedidiah 
Elderkin  died  in  1794,  Deacon  Eleazer  Fitch  in  1800,  Elder  Een- 
jamin  Lathrop  in  1804  and  Samuel  Linkon,  in  the  one  hundred 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  273 

and  second  year  of  his  age,  in  1794.  Arthur  Bibbins,  another 
centenarian,  though  he  had  never  known  a  sick  day,  was  thrown 
from  his  horse,  receiving  injuries  which  caused  his  death,  as  we 
might  say,  prematurely,  at  the  age  of  about  one  hundred  and 
two  years.  Colonel  Dyer,  far  advanced  in  years,  but  still  hale 
and  hearty,  though  retired  from  active  participation  in  public 
affairs,  might  often  be  seen  on  Windham  street  raising  his  earn- 
est protest  against  the  alarming  growth  of  radicalism,  Jacobin- 
ism, infidelity  and  immorality.  The  new  generation  of  men  in 
active  life  taking  the  places  of  those  honored  veterans  were 
Swift,  the  compiler  of  a  famous  "  Digest  of  the  laws  of  Connec- 
ticut ;  "  lawyers  Samuel  Perkins,  John  Baldwin  and  David  W. 
Young ;  Henry  Webb,  high  sheriff ;  Charles  Abbe,  deputy 
sheriff;  Phinehas  Abbe,  jailer;  William  Williams,  chief  judge 
of  the  county  court,  succeeded  in  1806  by  Thomas  Grosvenor  of 
Pomfret ;  and  Samuel  Gray,  clerk  of  the  courts.  In  the  year 
1800  the  "grand  list"  of  the  town  amounted  to  $64,272.20,  and 
the  population  was  2,644. 

At  Windham  Green  trade  and  business  continued  lively.  The 
introduction  of  wagons  with  four  wheels,  which  occurred  about 
1809,  was  an  episode  of  wonderful  interest.  Roger  Huntington 
owned  the  first  one  brought  into  town,  and  in  September  of  the 
year  mentioned  he  sent  it  up  to  Leicester,  after  a  load  of  hand 
and  machine  cards.  The  lads  who  drove  the  horse,  George  Webb 
and  Thomas  Gray,  found  themselves  the  objects  of  great  curi- 
osity. People  on  the  road  everywhere  stopped  to  look  at  them, 
and  women  and  children  flocked  to  the  doors  and  windows  as  if 
a  menagerie  was  passing.  At  Woodstock  a  crowd  gathered 
around  them  to  examine  the  new  vehicle,  that  they  predicted 
was  destined  to  kill  all  the  horses.  One  man  had  seen  such  a 
thing  before,  in  Hartford,  "and  the  horse  drawing  it  was  nearly 
fagged  to  death."  When  Leicester  was  reached  at  three  o'clock, 
the  wagon  having  been  driven  from  Pomfret  that  morning,  it 
was  found  that  the  horse  was  neither  dead  nor  badly  tired.  On 
their  return  the  next  day  'Squire  McClellan  and  other  Wood- 
stock people  came  out  to  see  them,  and  as  the  horse  had  traveled 
over  twenty  miles  with  a  load  of  cards  and  still  appeared  fresh, 
they  decided  that  "  perhaps  such  wagons  might  come  into  use 
after  all." 

Projects  for  village  improvement  excited  much  discussion  in 
the  early  years  of  the  present  century.     An  Aqueduct  Company 
18 


274  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

was  formed  in  1807,  which  by  bringing  water  into  the  tow^n 
street  by  means  of  pipes  laid  under  the  ground,  accomplished  a 
great  public  benefit.  The  men  composing  this  company  were 
Jabez  Clark,  Benjamin  Dyer,  Elisha  White,  John  and  Charles 
Taintor,  John  Staniford,  Jr.,  Benjamin  Brewster,  Samuel  Gray, 
John  Byrne  and  Henry  Webb.  The  consent  of  the  town  to 
needed  improvements  in  this  central  district  was  often  difficult 
to  obtain,  consequently  an  act  of  incorporation  was  asked  for 
and  granted,  with  power  to  enact  by-laws  within  certain  limits 
and  to  maintain  a  clerk.  This  was  accomplished  in  1814.  Cat- 
tle and  geese  were  now  forbidden  the  roads,  and  encroachments 
upon  the  highways  were  removed.  Ancient  grants  allowing  tan- 
works,  shops  and  houses  on  the  public  highways  were  revoked. 
Shad  and  salmon  were  up  to  this  time  quite  numerous  in  the 
Willimantic  river,  and  fishing  for  them  was  a  much  relished  and 
exciting  sport. 

But  a  few  years  later  the  energies  of  Windham  were  concen- 
trated upon  the  vital  question  of  the  county  seat.  When  this 
was  decided  against  her,  and  the  courts  removed  to  Brooklyn, 
still  Windham  contended  for  half  shire  privileges,  and  long  and 
earnestly  was  this  contest  maintained.  But  at  last  Windham 
was  obliged  to  yield  to  the  inevitable,  and  accepting  the  situa- 
tion she  then  turned  her  attention  to  new  channels  of  enterprise 
and  new  sources  of  prosperity,  which  were  in  a  short  time  des- 
tined to  prove  far  more  fruitful  than  that  which  she  so  reluc- 
tantly surrendered. 

Roads  and  bridges  were  among  the  most  important  public  im- 
provements for  which  the  people  of  the  town  had  to  provide. 
The  Willimantic  was  a  vigorous  stream  and  the  preservation  of 
bridges  over  it  required  vigilance  and  outlay  of  money  and 
labor.  The  Natchaug  was  also  a  difficult  river  to  cross.  At  first 
no  attempt  was  made  to  bridge  it,  but  it  was  crossed  by  a  ferry. 
One  of  the  first  acts  of  the  town  on  this  subject  was  passed  in 
August,  1692,  to  the  effect  "  That  thirty-five  acres  of  upland  and 
five  of  meadow  be  sequestered  upon  the  account  of  a  ferry — land 
to  be  laid  out  between  ye  two  riding-places."  Twenty-five  acres 
on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  above  the  upper  "  riding-place  " 
were  ordered  to  be  "  measured  and  laid  out  to  John  Larrabee, 
upon  condition  that  he  keep  the  ferry  seven  years,  with  a  good 
and  sufficient  canoe  upon  his  own  cost,  and  in  case  the  towns 
shall  see  cause  to  make  a  boat,  this  likewise  to  be  kept  and  main- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  275 

tained  by  him  for  the  time  aforesaid,  his  charge  being  two-pence 
a  head  for  single  persons ;  hors  and  man  carried  over  in  the 
boat — four-pence."  The  conditions  of  the  grant  were  probably 
carried  out.  But  the  ferry  was  probably  not  satisfactory.  It 
was  too  slow,  and  its  operation  might  be  impeded  or  obstructed 
by  too  many  circumstances.  In  Februar}^,  1695,  a  committee 
was  appointed  "  to  choose  a  place  on  the  Natchauge  river  for  a 
sufficient  bridge  suitable  for  man  and  beast  to  pass  with  a  load, 
the  selectmen  to  agree  with  men  to  make  it,  lay  a  rate  for  the 
same  and  find  help  to  raise  the  bridge."  This  bridge  was  built 
by  Robert  Fenton,  for  the  sum  of  fourteen  pounds. 

Traveling  facilities  up  to  this  time  had  received  but  little  at- 
tention. This  bridge  had  been  built  and  the  one  road  which 
passed  over  it  had  been  laid  out.  The  only  other  roads  were 
those  marked  out  by  the  first  surveyors  of  the  tract  and  as  yet 
but  vaguely  defined  and  unimproved.  The  road  from  the  Crotch 
or  Centre  to  Windham  Green,  it  is  said,  was  never  regularly  laid 
out,  but  gradually  developed  from  an  original  foot-path.  Rude 
bridle-paths  and  foot-trails  led  from  the  settlements  to  the  mills, 
the  meadows,  the  cedar  swamp  and  the  outlying  parts  of  the 
town. 

In  1713  the  highway  surveyors  were  ordered  to  portion  out  the 
town  for  convenience  in  mending  highways.  Joseph  Dingley 
was  appointed  "  to  call  out  the  inhabitants  east  of  the  Williman- 
tic  and  north  from  meeting  house  ;  "  Stephen  Tracey  to  call  out 
those  who  dwelt  west  of  the  Willimantic  and  Shetucket ;  John 
Burnap  and  John  Bemis  were  to  warn  all  who  lived  east  from 
John  Ormsbee's,  the  whole  length  and  breadth  of  the  tract ; 
while  to  Richard  Abbe  was  assigned  "  all  south  of  meeting 
house."  Liberty  was  also  given  to  Plainfield  proprietors  "  to 
join  their  field  with  that  of  proprietors  south  and  west  of  She- 
tucket river,  so  that  the  highway  by  that  river  to  the  mill  and 
that  over  the  upper  riding-place  to  Norwich  might  be  pent-ways 
— provided   Plainfield  makes  and  maintains  good,  handy  gates." 

In  1746  the  matter  of  the  public  highways  appears  to  have 
fallen  into  neglect.  In  that  year  Isaac  Burnap  and  Joseph  Hunt- 
ington were  appointed  a  committee  to  provide  suitable  accom- 
modations for  all  the  people  of  the  town  to  travel  "  to  the  several 
places  of  public  worship."  The  bridge  across  the  Shetucket, 
between  Windham  and  Lebanon,  which  had  for  many  ye^rs  been 
maintained  by  private  enterprise,  was  consigned  to  th^  care  of 


276  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Windham  in  1735,  by  an  act  of  the  assembly.  Robert  Hebard, 
Jr.,  was  chosen  by  the  town  to  inspect  and  take  care  of  it. 

The  burden  of  bridge  making,  always  heavy  in  Windham, 
was  greatly  augmented  by  the  increase  of  travel  consequent 
upon  the  popular  emigration  to  Wyoming  and  other  new  sec- 
tions of  the  country.  An  extraordinary  flood  and  great  accumu- 
lation of  ice  in  1771  demolished  and  carried  away  nearly  every 
bridge  in  the  whole  county,  making  a  clean'  sweep  of  the  Nat- 
chaug,  Willimantic  and  Shetucket.  As  these  bridges  were  upon 
public  highways  much  frequented  by  trains  of  emigrants  travel- 
ing from  other  towns  of  this  colony,  as  well  as  Rhode  Island, 
to  parts  of  Massachusetts,  New  Hampshire  and  New  York,  the 
authorities  of  this  town  refused  to  reconstruct  them  without  aid 
from  other  quarters.  Several  roads  were  thus  rendered  impas- 
sable, travelers  were  compelled  to  go  many  miles  out  of  their 
way  to  find  suitable  fording  places,  and  were  then  often  flung 
from  their  horses  and  placed  in  imminent  danger  of  drowning. 
Complaints  were  laid  before  the  general  assembly  in  regard 
to  the  refusal  of  Windham  to  rebuild  her  bridges.  In  answer 
the  town  replied  that  within  a  few  years  five  large  bridges  had 
been  built  at  an  expense  of  ;{^800,  all  of  which  had  been  swept 
away  by  the  floods ;  that  the  floods  seemed  to  be  increasing  in 
frequency  and  force,  and  that  these  bridges  were  more  for  the 
accommodation  of  other  towns  than  Windham.  Relief  was 
therefore  petitioned.  This,  however,  was  denied,  and  the  town 
was  ordered  to  rebuild  and  maintain  a  bridge  over  the  Shetucket 
on  the  road  from  Windham  to  Hartford,  known  as  the  Old 
Town  bridge,  and  another  over  the  Willimantic  called  the  Iron 
Works  bridge.  Mansfield  was  directed  to  rebuild  the  bridge 
over  the  Natchaug.  In  1774  the  town  of  Windham  was  ordered 
to  build  and  maintain  a  bridge  over  the  Shetucket  upon  a  road 
lately  laid  out  to  New  Hampshire,  to  accommodate  the  travel  to 
the  new  college  in  Hanover. 

About  the  beginning  of  the  present  century  considerable  at- 
tention was  renewed  in  behalf  of  the  improvement  of  highways. 
The  town  was  divided  into  districts  for  the  purpose,  these  dis- 
tricts being  made  identical  with  the  school  districts,  and  author- 
ity was  obtained  to  levy  a  tax  to  keep  the  roads  in  order.  The 
organization  of  turnpike  companies  now  began  to  agitate  the 
public  mind.  The  Windham  Turnpike  Company  was  organized 
in  1799,  for  the  purpose  of  constructing  a  turnpike  from  Plain- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  277 

field  to  Coventry,  past  Windham  court  liouse.  Tlie  original 
members  of  the  company  were  Jeremiah  Ripley,  Timothy  Lar- 
rabee,  Moses  Cleveland,  Luther  Payne  and  James  Gordon,  the 
charter  being  granted  to  them  and  their  associates.  This  turn- 
pike became  a  part  of  the  great  thoroughfare  between  Hartford 
and  Providence.  Efforts  were  made  by  the  town  to  compel  this 
company  to  lay  its  road  over  the  Shetucket  where  the  bridge  was 
already  standing,  so  as  to  place  upon  the  company  the  burden  of 
maintaining  the  bridge  to  the  relief  of  the  town,  but  a  new  cross- 
ing was  determined  upon  by  the  company,  and  the  old  town 
bridge  was  in  1806  abandoned.  The  Windham  and  Mansfield 
Turnpike  Society  was  incorporated  in  1800,  having  for  its  object 
the  opening  of  a  turnpike  from  Joshua  Hide's  dwelling  house 
in  Franklin  to  the  meeting  house  in  Stafford,  connecting  with  a 
turnpike  leading  from  New  London  and  Norwich.  The  leading 
men  in  this  enterprise  were  Timothy  Larrabee,  Charles  Taintor, 
Eleazer  Huntington  and  Roger  Waldo.  Some  other  turnpike 
projects  were  opposed  by  this  town  with  such  energy  that  they 
were  abandoned,  or  at  least  diverted  from  the  designed  course. 
A  proposed  turnpike  from  the  Massachusetts  line  to  New  Lon- 
don was  projected  to  run  through  Scotland  parish,  but  this  town 
opposed  it  so  vigorously  that  it  was  laid  out  further  eastward. 
Another  road  was  planned  to  run  from  Woodstock  through  Ash- 
ford  and  Mansfield  to  Windham  court  house,  but  this  also  was 
defeated  by  Windham.  The  town,  however,  manifested  a  favor- 
able spirit  toward  its  local  roads  and  bridges.  At  the  request  of 
Joseph  Skiff  and  others,  the  Horseshoe  bridge  was  taken  under 
the  charge  of  the  town,  and  two  hundred  dollars  were  appro- 
priated from  its  treasury  for  reducing  the  hills  and  mending  the 
road  from  Scotland  meeting  house  to  Jared  Webb's. 

Still,  as  the  years  advanced,  additional  responsibilities  forced 
themselves  upon  the  town,  in  the  line  of  road  and  bridge  main- 
tenance. Five  great  bridges,  requiring  constant  supervision 
and  frequent  repairs  or  renewal,  were  not  sufficient  to  meet  the 
wants  of  the  growing  communities.  The  growing  village  around 
Taintor  &  Badger's  paper  mill  required  a  new  bridge  and  a  bet- 
ter road  to  Willimantic.  A  new  turnpike  to  Killingly,  and  other 
roads,  were  demanded.  The  petition  for  a  bridge  and  road 
from  the  paper  mill,  referred  to  above,  headed  by  John  Taintor, 
was  opposed  by  a  committee  appointed  for  the  purpose  in  1815, 
but  without  avail,  and  in  1818  the  selectmen  were  authorized  to 


278  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

contract  for  the  building  of  Horseshoe  bridge  over  the  Natchaug 
river  on  the  road  leading  to  the  paper  mill.  The  six  bridges 
thus  maintained  at  the  expense  of  the  town  were  placed  in  charge 
of  overseers,  as  follows :  Manning's  bridge,  Nathaniel  Wales ; 
Newtown  bridge,  Zenas  Howes ;  the  Iron  Works  bridge,  Alfred 
Young ;  the  Horseshoe  bridge,  Waldo  Gary ;  Badger's  bridge. 
Edmond  Badger ;  the  Island  bridge,  Joshua  Smith.  A  few  years 
later  two  newbridgesover  Merrick's  brook  were  granted  to  Scot- 
land ;  one  near  John  Burnett's  house,  called  Church  bridge,  and 
the  other  near  Zaccheus  Waldo's  mill.  Willimantic  manufac- 
turers in  1826  petitioned  for  roads  and  bridges  to  accommodate 
more  fully  the  needs  of  their  growing  business,  but  for  a  time 
such  matters  were  compelled  to  wait  while  the  entire  energies  of 
the  town  were  engaged  in  the  contest  for  the  court  house.  But 
after  that  absorbing  question  was  decided  they  were  able  to  gain 
a  hearing.  A  new  bridge  was  built  to  accommodate  the  Wind- 
ham Company,  and  the  old  public  highway  was  widened  and 
transformed  into  Main  street  of  the  village  of  Willimantic,  and 
along  its  sides  buildings  for  stores  and  otjier  public  uses  soon 
sprang  up. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


THE  TOWN  OF  WINDHAM  (Concluded). 


Employing  a  Minister.— Building- a  Church. — Withdrawal  of  Mansfield. — Succes- 
sive Pastors. — The  Separate  Movement. — Religious  Declension.— The  Father 
of  President  Cleveland . — Gradual  Dissolving  of  the  Town  Church  into  the 
Windham  Centre  (local)  Church.— Schools  of  the  Town.— Early  Newspaper. 
—Old-time  Taverns.— Manufacturing  Begun. — Gunpowder,  Silk  and  Paper. 
— Windham  Centre. — (I!emetery. — Congregational,  Episcopal  and  Baptist 
Clhurches.— South  Windham.— Manufacturing  Enterprises. — Congregational 
Church. — North  Windham. — Manufactories. — Church,  Cemetery  and  School. 
— Biographical  Sketches. 


THE  civil  and  ecclesiastical  association  of  the  people  kept 
pace,  each  with  the  other,  so  uniformly  that  it  is  hard  to 
tell  definitely  which  one  took  the  lead.  We  have  endeav- 
ored to  notice  in  the  preceding  chapter^the  founding  and  growth 
of  the  town  of  Windham  in  its  civil  capacity.  We  shall  now 
turn  our  attention  to  a  brief  review  of  its  founding  and  growth 
as  an  ecclesiastical  body.  Having  held  its  first  town  meeting 
June  12th,  1692,  the  town  was  not  complete  until  a  Gospel  min- 
ister was  settled  among  the  people.  This,  in  fact,  was  one  of 
the  most  conspicuous  conditions  of  the  charter  granted  ,by  the 
general  court  of  Connecticut  on  the  12th  of  May,  preceding,  the 
language  of  which  ran  as  follows :  "  And  the  inhabitants  are 
obliged  to  improve  their  utmost  endeavor  to  procure  and  main- 
tain an  able  and  faithful  ministry  in  the  place,  and  bear  all  other 
town  charges  as  the  law  directs." 

In  pursuance  of  this  requirement  the  town,  at  its  first  town 
meeting,  after  asking  advice  of  a  Mr.  Fitch,  probably  Reverend 
James  Fitch,  appointed  a  committee  to  go  to  -Milford  and  ar- 
range, if  possible,  for  the  services  of  Reverend  Samuel  Whiting 
as  a  minister  to  the  town.  Pending  such  negotiations,  religious 
services  were  conducted  by  Mr.  Jabez  Fitch,  at  his  own  house. 
After  repeated  applications  Mr.  Whiting  was  induced  to  accept 
the  proffered  position,  and  began  his  ministry  on  the  first  day  of 
January,  1693.     In  appropriate  harmony  with  the  circumstances 


280  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

he  began  on  the  first  day  of  the  week,  month  and  year  by  preach- 
ing from  the  first  verse  of  the  first  book  of  the  Bible.  His  stip- 
ulated salary  for  the  first  half  year  was  twenty  pounds  in  pro- 
vision pa}^  and  four  pounds  in  silver.  Collectors  were  duly  au- 
thorized by  the  town  to  collect  the  rate  "  and  if  need  be  sue  or 
distrain  for  it."  His  labors  seem  to  have  proved  satisfactory, 
and  during  the  year  it  was  determined  to  offer  him,  as  a  more 
permanent  inducement  to  remain  with  them,  an  allotment 
through  the  several  divisions  of  land  that  should  be  afterward 
made,  and  fifty  pounds  salary,  and  to  build  for  him  a  house  two 
stories  high  and  eighteen  feet  square,  "  said  house  in  capacity 
like  Joseph  Dingley's,  provided  he  would  stay  four  years."  Mr. 
Whiting  accepted  the  offer.  In  1694  it  was  decided  that  services 
should  be  held  three  Sabbaths  at  the  Hither  Place  and  two  Sab- 
baths at  the  north  end  of  the  town.  Mr.  Whiting  was  a  young 
man,  a  son  of  Reverend  John  Whiting,  of  Hartford,  and  as  yet 
unmarried.  In  1694  the  town  agreed,  among  other  encouraging 
inducements,  to  increase  his  salary  if  he  would  continue,  so  as 
to  make  it  sixty  pounds  a  year  for  three  years,  seventy  pounds  a 
year  for  the  next  three  years,  and  eighty  pounds  a  year  for  the 
following  three  years. 

Up  to  this  time  the  town  had  no  meeting  house.  Early  in  1695 
an  attempt  was  made  to  find  a  place  to  erect  such  a  building. 
A  committee  was  instructed  to  measure  the  town  from  north  to 
south,  "  where  the  path  goes,  and  so  to  find  the  senter  for  meet- 
ing house."  Two  settlements,  "  four  miles  apart  and  with  a  bad 
river  between,"  were  to  be  accommodated.  The  spot  determined 
upon  as  most  desirable  was  at  the  Crotch  or  Horseshoe,  where 
a  little  settlement  was  then  just  commencing.  Its  prospective 
selection  as  the  site  of  the  meeting'  house  drew  other  settlers  to 
it  and  increased  its  importance.  Here  the  minister's  house  was 
built  in  1696,  and  here  also  divine  service  was  held  during  the 
following  winter,  in  the  house  of  Goodman  More.  This  arrange- 
ment was  adopted  in  compliance  with  the  request  of  Mr,  Whit- 
ney. The  ancient  "  Crotch  "  in  later  5'ears  is  known  as  "  Brick- 
top." 

The  people  of  the  southeast  quarter  objected  to  building  a 
meeting  house  at  the  intermediate  point,  believing  that  they 
were  able,  or  soon  would  be,  to  build  a  house  of  worship  in  their 
own  locality.  They  therefore  favored  a  division  of  the  town 
into  two  parishes,  at  least  as  far  as  the  erection  of  houses  of  wor- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  281 

ship  was  concerned,  even  though  they  should  both  unite  in  the 
support  of  the  same  minister.  But  the  people  of  the  northern 
settlement,  who  were  not  as  strong  as  the  former,  desired  to 
build  the  meeting  house  at  the  Crotch.  The  town,  however, 
voted,  January  14th,  1697,  that  each  locality  might  build  a  meet- 
ing house  as  soon  as  it  felt  strong  enough  to  do  so,  but  not  to  be 
exempt  from  its  obligations  to  the  town  until  they  should  be  set 
apart  in  two  distinct  societies.  But  after  much  discussion  of  the 
matter,  a  committee  appointed  for  the  purpose  decided  in  De- 
cember, 1697,  that  the  town  should  not  be  divided,  but  that  the 
original  design  of  building  a  meetinghouse  at  the  Crotch  should 
be  carried  forward.  Before  the  work  was  begun,  however,  the 
question  was  again  opened,  and  discussion  followed  which  re- 
sulted in  an  agreement,  March  16th,  1699,  that  each  settlement 
should  build  a  meeting  house  as  soon  as  it  could,  at  its  own 
charg^e,  the  house  to  be  large  enough  to  accommodate  the  whole 
congregation,  and  that  services  should  be  conducted  in  each 
place  one-half  the  time  between  the  middle  of  March  and  the 
25th  of  December,  for  seven  years,  after  which  each  place  should 
endeavor  to  support  a  minister  by  itself.  By  authority  of  the 
general  assembly,  a  church  was  now  formally  organized.  The 
organization  took  place  at  what  was  known  as  the  Dingley 
House,  a  mile  north  of  Windham  Green,  December  10th,  1700, 
the  following  being  the  names  of  original  members,  as  far  as 
the  list  can  be  read,  names  of  two  males  and  ten  females  being 
now  illegible  :  Samuel  Whiting,  Thomas  Bingham,  Joseph  Carey, 
Joshua  Ripley,  Thomas  Huntington,  John  Backus,  Joseph 
Huntington,  Jeremiah  Ripley,  Jonathan  Crane,  Joseph  Hebbard, 
Samuel  Abbe,  John  Abbe,  Robert  Hebbard,  Mary  Hebbard, 
Hannah  Abbe  and  Rebecca  Huntington.  The  deacons  at  this 
time  chosen  were  Thomas  Bingham,  Joseph  Carey  and  Nathan- 
iel Wales.  Mr.  Whiting  had  been  ordained  on  December  4th, 
1700,  and  the  thousand-acre  right  reserved  by  the  legatees  for 
the  minister  was  soon  afterward  made  over  to  him,  "for  his 
faithful  labors  eight  years  in  the  work  of  the  ministry." 

January  30th,  1700,  the  front  part  of  William  Backus's  home 
lot  at  the  southeast  quarter  was  purchased  for  a  meeting  house 
plat  or  common.  This  was  the  nucleus  of  Windham  Green, 
and  the  first  meeting  house  was  soon  after  erected  upon  it.  This 
was  completed  and  opened  for  worship  in  April,  1703.  The 
building  was  "  clabboarded  from  sill  to  girths  "  around  the  in- 


282  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

side,  and  furnished  with  a  pulpit  and  seats  and  pews.  Then  a 
committee  was  appointed  to  designate  the  particular  places  in 
the  house  to  be  occupied  by  the  several  attendants  upon  service  : 
"  Deacon  Bingham  in  the  right  hand  seat  below  the  pulpit,  and 
his  wife  in  the  pue  answerable  thereto  ;  Deacon  Gary  in  the 
left  hand,  and  his  wife  in  the  pue  adjoining ;  Joshua  Ripley  and 
Lieutenants  Fitch  and  Crane  in  the  foremost  pue ;  Abraham 
Mitchell  at  the  head  of  the  first,  and  Josiah  Palmer  of  the  sec- 
ond seat,  with  their  wives  against  them — and  the  remainder  of 
the  congregation  in  due  order."  The  Green  around  the  meeting 
house  was  now  enlarged  and  appropriated  ;  the  town  voting  De- 
cember 23d,  1702,  "  That  the  land  east  from  Goodman  Brough- 
ton's,  south  from  Thomas  Huntington's,  north  of  the  road  by 
Goodman  Broughton's,  extending  to  three  or  four  acres  of  land 
onto  Stony  Plaine,  should  lay  common  to  perpetuity." 

The  division  of  the  town  having  been  effected,  the  Windham 
church  prospered  and  rapidly  increased  in  strength.  The  Mans- 
field people,  not  finding  it  convenient  to  support  a  minister  by 
themselves,  continued  to  worship  with  the  Windham  people  until 
the  year  1710.  After  the  adoption  of  the  Saybrook  platform  in 
1708,  as  the  established  form  of  church  government  in  Connecti- 
cut, Windham,  by  provisions  therein  contained,  was  included  in 
the  North  Association  of  Hartford  county.  Mr.  Whiting  contin- 
ued to  retain  the  affection  of  his  people,  neither  his  land  opera- 
tions nor  his  interest  in  public  affairs  interfering  in  the  least  with 
his  ministerial  duties  and  usefulness.  As  his  family  increased  his 
salary  was  proportionately  enlarged,  although  the  yearly  allow- 
ance of  eighty  cords  of  wood  which  had  been  given  him  was 
gradually  reduced  to  forty,  each  man  being  required  to  provide 
according  to  his  list  or  forfeit  six  shillings  a  cord.  This  allow- 
ance was  finally  superseded  by  a  ten  pound  rate  for  ministerial 
fire-wood.  The  meeting  house  was  supplied  in  1708,  by  vote  of 
the  town,  with  the  luxury  of  a  "  pulpit  cushion."  During  the 
same  year  a  committee  was  also  appointed  "  to  agree  with  work- 
men to  finish  the  galleries,  repair  the  underpinning  and  the 
breaches  in  the  seats." 

The  growth  of  the  society  demanded  more  room,  and  in  1713 
it  was  resolved  to  enlarge  the  meeting  house,  but  before  the  work 
was  done  it  was  decided  to  build  a  new  house  altogether  on  the 
site  of  the  first.  Deacons  Cary  and  Bingham,  and  Lieutenant 
Crane  were  a  committee  to  conduct  the  work,  which  was  speedi- 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  283 

ly  accomplished.  The  house  was  much  larger  than  the  former 
one,  and  on  its  completion  the  usual  designation  of  seating 
places  was  secured.  Messrs.  Ripley  and  Fitch  were  honored 
with  the  chief  seat  in  front.  The  venerable  Joseph  Dingley  was 
allowed  to  sit  in  the  pulpit  because  of  his  deafness.  Mr.  Whit- 
ing was  allowed  to  build  at  his  own  expense  such  a  pew  as  he 
saw  fit  for  his  family  to  occupy  "  by  the  east  door."  Several  of 
the  young  men,  Joseph  Crane,  Josiah  Bingley,  Zebulon  Webb, 
Jeremiah  Ripley,  Jr.,  Jonathan  Huntington,  David  Ripley  and 
Ebenezer  Wales,  were  allowed  to  build  a  pew  for  themselves, 
probably  in  the  gallery,  on  condition  "  that  if  they  removed  out 
of  the  pue  they  should  deliver  it  to  the  town  without  demolish- 
ment."  To  modify  the  temperature  of  the  unwarmed  house  as 
far  as  possible,  it  was  ordered  that  in  cold  and  windy  weather 
the  windward  doors  should  be  kept  shut,  leeward  ones  only 
opened.  Two  pounds,  provision  pay,  were  allowed  annually  for 
sweeping  the  meeting  house. 

In  1720  and  1721  the  church  enjoyed  a  season  of  revival,  a  cir- 
cumstance quite  remarkable  by  contrast  with  the  generally  cold 
condition  of  surrounding  churches  at  that  time.  Residents  of 
neighboring  towns  were  drawn  to  the  meetings,  and  young  men 
were  converted  who  were  among  the  most  prominent  actors  in 
the  religious  developments  of  a  later  period. 

Mr,  Whiting  died  suddenly,  of  pleurisy,  while  on  a  visit  to 
Enfield,  September  27th,  1725,  being  then  in  the  fifty-sixth  year 
of  his  age.  He  left  a  widow  and  thirteen  children,  the  young- 
est, Nathan,  then  being  but  little  more  than  a  year  old.  The 
sudden  death  of  their  beloved  pastor  filled  the  people  of  Wind- 
ham with  mourning,  and  they  appointed  a  day  of  special  humili- 
ation and  prayer  for  guidance  in  the  work  before  them  of  secur- 
ing a  minister  to  be  his  successor.  The  labors  of  the  committee 
were  successful  in  securing  the  services  of  Reverend  Thomas 
Clap,  of  Scituate,  Mass.,  a  graduate  of  Cambridge  in  the  class  of 
1722.  After  a  trial  of  his  gifts  the  town  gave  him  a  call,  which 
was  accepted,  and  he  was  duly  ordained  August  3d,  1726.  The 
call  to  settlement  offered  him  three  hundred  pounds  for  settle- 
ment and  an  annual  salary  of  one  hundred  pounds  and  fire-wood. 
The  church  had  received  three  hundred  and  eighty-three  mem- 
bers during  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Whiting,  and  had  dismissed 
colonies  to  Mansfield  and  Windham  Village  (Hampton)  and  still 
numbered  two  hundred  and  sixty-four.     The  recent  revival  had 


284  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

increased  its  strength  and  spirituality,  and  Mr.  Clap  began  his 
ministry  under  the  most  favorable  auspices.  New  deacons  were 
now  chosen — Eleazer  Gary,  Joseph  Huntington,  Nathaniel  Wales 
and  Abel  Bingham,  with  whom  were  also  elected  to  act  in  advis- 
ory counsels  three  others,  Joshua  Ripley,  John  Fitch  and  Jona- 
than Crane. 

The  church  was  now  prosperous.  Mr.  'Clap  developed  remark- 
able administrative  capacities,  and  brought  all  ecclesiastical  af- 
fairs under  stringent  laws  and  discipline.  In  1728  it  was  voted, 
"  That  all  baptismal  persons  have  a  right  to  hear  confessions 
for  public  scandal,  and  that  no  such  confessions  shall  be  accept- 
ed unless  made  before  the  congregation  on  the  Sabbath,  or  some 
public  meeting  wherein  all  baptized  persons  have  warning  to  at- 
tend." These  confessions  were  very  frequent.  The  number  of 
delinquents  arraigned  under  the  strict  regimen  of  Mr.  Clap  was 
very  large.  Though  not  brilliant  or  eloquent,  he  was  a  forcible 
preacher,  and  greatly  impressed  the  community  by  his  earnest- 
ness and  strength  of  character.  He  was  married  November  23d, 
1727,  to  Mary  Whiting,  daughter  of  his  predecessor.  He  was 
called  from  this  field  of  labor  to  the  presidency  of  Yale  College, 
and  the  reluctant  people  allowed  him  to  be  dismissed  from  this 
pastorate,  December  10th,  1739,  and  April  2d,  1740,  he  was  in- 
stalled as  president  of  Yale.  He  had  served  Windham  fourteen 
years.  And  in  return  for  having  taken  their  pastor  from  them, 
on  whom  a  settlement  had  been  made  by  the  Windham  people 
in  expectation  of  his  life  services,  the  general  assembly,  in  May, 
1740,  voted  to  reimburse  Windham  to  the  amount  of  three  hun- 
dred and  ten  pounds,  in  the  then  depreciated  currency  of  Con- 
necticut, which  was  equal  in  value  to  about  fifty-three  pounds 
sterling. 

Another  pastor  was  now  secured  in  the  person  of  Reverend 
Stephen  White,  of  New  Haven,  a  graduate  of  Yale  in  the  class 
of  1736.  He  was  mild  and  gentle  in  character,  and  rather  defi- 
cient in  that  administrative  capacity  which  had  been  so  marked 
in  his  predecessor.  He  nevertheless  appears  to  have  been  ac- 
ceptable to  the  people.  A  settlement  of  six  hundred  pounds, 
and  an  annual  salary  of  two  hundred  pounds  were  given  him, 
and  he  was  ordained  December  24th,  1740.  The  membership  of 
the  church  was  then  two  hundred  and  eighty-seven,  and  such 
was  the  excellent  condition  of  the  societ}^  that  every  head  of  a 
household  was  connected  with  the  church,  either  by  profession 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  285 

of  faith  or  by  owning  the  covenant.  Family  prayer  was  observed 
in  every  household,  and  every  child  was  consecrated  by  baptism. 
Profane  swearing  was  but  little  known,  and  open  violations  of 
the  Sabbath  were  very  rare.  Soon  after  his  settlement  Mr.White 
was  married  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Major  Thomas  Dyer.  The 
management  of  ecclesiastical  affairs  by  the  civil  town  was  no 
longer  the  custom,  but  an  organized  society,  connected  with  the 
church,  had  control  of  its  material  affairs.  The  deacons  then  in 
service  were  Joshua  Huntington,  Ralph  Wheelock,  Eleazer  Gary 
and  Nathaniel  Wales. 

In  the  time  of  the  great  revival  and  the  Separate  movement, 
which  took  place  soon  after  the  settlement  of  Mr.White,  the  church 
of  Windham  received  large  accessions,  and  on  the  other  hand  suf- 
fered somewhat  from  the  withdrawal  of  some  to  join  in  the  Sep- 
arate movement.  During  this  period  over  one  hundred  mem- 
bers were  received.  A  number  of  these  converts  a  little  later 
withdrew  and  organized  as  a  Separate  church  in  1747,  ordaining 
their  brother,  Elisha  Marsh,  as  their  pastor.  It  does  not  appear 
that  this  church  was  ever  very  thriving  or  vigOK)US.  The  mild 
temperament  of  the  pastor  prevailed  among  the  church  to  re- 
strain the  more  rigid  disciplinarians  from  exercising  their  extreme 
authority  toward  the  Separatists,  and  they  apparently  allowed 
the  seceding  brethren  to  retire  without  resistance.  The  Sepa- 
rate church,  thus  left  to  itself,  without  any  breeze  of  opposition 
to  fan  its  energies  into  a  flame,  soon  fell  to  pieces.  Its  pastor 
became  a  Baptist,  its  more  moderate  members  returned  to  their 
allegiance,  while  others  were  absorbed  into  the  more  vigorous 
churches  of  Mansfield  and  Scotland  parish. 

After  order  and  the  usual  even  tenor  of  life  were  restored  the 
church  began  to  consider  the  question  of  enlarging  and  rebuild- 
ing their  house  of  worship.  This  work  was  begun  about  1753, 
and  completed  in  1755,  the  new  church  being  large  and  elegant, 
with  a  lofty  and  beautiful  steeple,  in  which  was  hung  the  first 
church  bell  of  Windham  county.  This  latter  accessory  was  pur- 
chased by  a  legacy  of  twenty  pounds  left  for  that  purpose  by 
Mr.  Jonathan  Bingham,  who  died  in  1751,  having  already  greatly 
aided  and  encouraged  the  erection  of  the  new  house  of  worship. 
It  is  also  stated  by  Doctor  Samuel  Peters  that  this  church  had  a 
clock  in  its  steeple.  Eighty  members  had  been  added  to  the 
church  between  1746  and  1760.  Mr.  White  was  greatly  respect- 
ed for  his  amiability  and  uprightness  of  character,  but  had  no 


286  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

very  marked  influence  upon  the  community.  The  senior  dea- 
cons, Joseph  Huntington  and  Ralph  Wheelock,  died  in  1747  and 
1748.  Deacons  Eleazer  Gary  and  Ebenezer  Wales  died  in  1757, 
and  their  places  were  filled  by  Joseph  Huntington  and  Nathan- 
iel Skiff.  The  latter  died  in  1761.  Jonathan  Martin  and  Elijah 
Bingham  were  chosen  junior  deacons  in  1766. 

Now,  we  are  told,  there  followed  a  time  of  religious  declension, 
which  lasted  for  many  years.  During  the  period  covering  the 
revolution,  and  for  several  subsequent  ^^ears,  Universalism  and 
infidelity  had  come  in  and  drawn  away  multitudes  from  the  re- 
ligious faith  of  their  fathers.  A  reaction  seemed  to  have  taken 
place.  Free-thinking  and  free-drinking  were  alike  in  vogue, 
and  a  looseness  of  manners  and  morals  had  replaced  the  ancient 
Puritanic  strictness.  Any  sect  or  church  within  the  state  was 
allowed  the  privilege  of  worshipping  according  to  its  own  no- 
tions, but  still  the  state  insisted  that  every  man  should  worship 
somewhere,  or  at  least  bear  his  part  in  maintaining  some  religious 
worship.  The  Saybrook  Platform  was  dropped  from  the  statute 
book  in  the  revision  of  1784,  but  the  society  organization  was 
retained.  Every  man  within  the  limits  of  a  stated  society  was 
taxed  for  the  support  of  its  religious  worship,  until  he  lodged 
with  the  clerk  of  the  society  a  certificate  of  membership  in  some 
other  society. 

The  Reverend  Stephen  White  died  January  9th,  1793,  in  the 
seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age,  closing  with  his  life  a  pastorate  of 
nearly  fifty-three  years,  It  is  related  of  him  that  his  gentle  and 
lovely  character,  consistent  Christian  life,  and  faithful  ministerial 
service,  had  won  the  regard  of  all  "  whose  approbation  was  worth 
possessing."  He  was  succeeded,  in  the  ministerial  office  by  Eli- 
jah Waterman  of  Bozrah,  who  was  ordained  here  October  1st, 
1794.  He  at  once  devoted  himself  to  his  work  with  great  earn- 
estness, and  by  his  faithful  labors  and  pungent  exhortations 
soon  aroused  a  new  religious  interest  in  his  church,  which  soon 
received  encouraging  accessions  to  its  membership.  He,  like 
his  predecessors,  found  a  wife  among  his  own  people,  Luc}^ 
daughter  of  Shubael  Abbe.  Mr.  Waterman  was  prominent  in 
progressive  movements  in  religious,  educational  and  literary 
matters.  Among  other  enterprises  in  the  latter  directions  he 
collected  materials  for  a  history  of  Windham  county,  which 
materials,  unfortunately,  were  in  subsequent  years  allowed  to 
become  scattered.     His  pastorate  however,  was  not  altogether  a 


J{ISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  287 

peaceful  one.  As  might  be  expected,  his  vigorous  crusade 
against  vice  and  irreligion  aroused  against  him  a  spirit  of  oppo- 
sition, and  some  with  whose  unlawful  sports  he  had  interfered, 
and  others  whom  his  aggressiveness  had  offended,  withdrew  and 
organized  an  Episcopal  society,  thus  evading  the  payment  of  rates 
for  the  support  of  Mr.  Waterman.  This  weakened  the  finances 
of  the  societ}^  and  made  it  difficult  to  raise  the  minister's  salary. 
Added  to  this  the  society  was  still  further  weakened  by  the  sud- 
den death  of  Sheriff  Abbe,  one  of  its  chief  supporters,  which 
occurred  April  16th,  1804.  In  view  of  the  circumstances  Mr. 
Waterman  was  dismissed,  at  his  own  request,  February  12th, 
1805.  Eighty-nine  members  had  been  admitted  to  the  church 
during  his  pastorate,  and  two  deacons  had  been  elected,  viz., 
Samuel  Perkins,  Esq.,  and  Captain  Eliphalet  Murdock.  Deacon 
Samuel  Gray  died  in  1787 ;  Deacon  Jonathan  Martin  in  1795  ; 
.and  Deacon  Elijah  Bingham  in  1798. 

Reverend  Mr.  Andrews  was  ordained  pastor  of  this  church 
August  8th,  1808.  He  was  a  very  serious  and  devout  Christian, 
and  was  distressed  and  discouraged  by  the  lack  of  religious  earn- 
estness among  his  people.  To  such  an  extent  was  he  affected 
that  he  asked  for  dismission  in  1812,  and  though  at  first  opposed, 
he  obtained  it  in  the  following  year.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev- 
erend Cornelius  B.  Everest,  who  was  ordained  November  22d, 
1816,  and  whose  ministry  happily  allayed  all  storms  and  had  a 
most  invigorating  and  healthful  influence.  Many  new  members 
were  added  to  the  church.  Mr.  Everest  was  dismissed  in  1827, 
after  a  peaceful  and  prosperous  ministry.  He  was  succeeded  by 
Reverend  R.  F.  Cleveland,  whose  ministry  of  three  years  was 
equally  successful  and  acceptable.  This  church  lost  considerable 
of  its  strength  by  the  withdrawal  of  members  to  form  the  church 
-at  Willimantic  in  1828,  among  whom  was  Deacon  Charles  Lee. 
Deacon  Thomas  Welch  was  also  dismissed  about  the  same  time, 
to  unite  elsewhere.  Reverend  J.  E.  Tyler  of  East  Windsor,  was 
ordained  and  installed  October  11th,  1837.  Abner  Follet  was 
chosen  deacon  in  1840. 

Subsequent  events  have  made  it  a  matter  of  unusual  interest 
that  an  additional  word  should  be  given  to  Reverend  Richard 
Fally  Cleveland,  who  was  ordained  here  October  15th,  1829.  He 
was  a  native  of  Norwich,  Conn.,  and  a  graduate  of  Yale  College. 
After  remaining  here  three  years  he  was  dismissed  in  October, 
1882.     He  was  the  father  of  ex-President  Grover  Cleveland,  and 


288  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

two  of  his  children  were  born  during  his  pastorate  here.  These 
were  a  daughter,  Ann,  now  Mrs.  Hastings  of  Ceylon,  and  a  son, 
William,  afterward  a  minister.  During  Mr.  Cleveland's  pastorate 
thirty-one  persons  were  added  to  the  church.  He  removed  hence 
to  Portsmouth,  Va.,  and  was  also  stationed  at  different  times  at 
Caldwell,  N.  J.,  and  Fayetteville,  N.  Y.  After  his  pastorate  in 
Windham  different  ones  occupied  the  field  for  short  periods,  but 
no  pastor  was  settled  until  the  installation  of  Mr.  Tyler  in 
1837.  He  was  the  son  of  Reverend  Bennet  Tyler,  D.D.,  presi- 
dent of  East  Windsor  Seminary,  also  known  as  the  Theologi- 
cal Institute  of  Connecticut.  On  account  of  failing  health  Mr. 
Tyler  was  dismissed  at  his  own  request  December  2d,  1851. 
During  his  pastorate  the  church  was  removed  from  Court  House 
square  to  the  site  at  present  occupied.  The  last  sermon  in  the 
old  church  was  given  March  20th,  1848.  The  house  was  torn 
down  and  a  new  house  built,  some  of  the  materials  being  used 
in  the  new  building.  Reverend  George  Ingersoll  Stearns,  a  na- 
tive of  Killingly,  was  ordained  here  September  22d,  1852,  and 
after  a  pastorate  of  nearly  ten  years  he  died  here  March  13th, 
1862.  Samuel  Hopley  began  serving  this  church  January  21st, 
1864,  and  was  dismissed  January  26th,  1866.  Hiram  Day,  the 
eleventh  pastor  of  the  church,  followed  him.  He  was  settled 
May  23d,  1866,  and  resigned,  his  resignation  being  accepted 
March  24th,  1869.  The  next  pastor,  Adelbert  Franklin  Keith, 
was  ordained  and  installed  October  26th,  1870.  During  his  pas- 
torate the  church  was  prosperous  and  the  meeting  house  was  en- 
larged by  being  cut  in  two  and  lengthened.  A  chapel  was  also 
built  under  his  moving  hand  about  1874.  He  was  dismissed  June 
29th,  1874.  His  successor.  Reverend  Frank  Thompson,  was  in. 
stalled  June  8th,  1875.  The  church  prospered  during  his  pas- 
torate, a  revival  occurring  meanwhile,  and  about  forty  members 
were  added  during  his  pastorate.  He  was  dismissed  November 
23d,  1880.  The  church  was  then  a  little  more  than  three  years 
without  any  regular  pastor,  being  served  by  stated  supplies. 
Reverend  Frederick  A.  Holden  was  here  from  the  spring  of  1883 
one  year.  Reverend  William  S.  Kelsey,  the  present  pastor,  a 
graduate  of  the  Hartford  Seminary,  was  ordained  May  27th,  1885. 
During  his  pastorate  thus  far  sixty  members  have  been  added, 
twenty-two  of  which  were  added  during  the  year  1888.  The 
present  membership  is  about  one  hundred  and  twenty.  A  dis- 
astrous fire,  originating  in  the  store  of  William  Swift,  which  ad- 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  289 

joined  the  chtircli,  occurred  May  5th,  1886.  The  church  was 
burned  down.  It  was  rebuilt  on  the  same  site  without  delay. 
The  present  handsome  and  commodious  structure  was  dedicated 
June  16th,  1887. 

Thus  the  institution  which  in  1693  was  an  essential  and  co- 
ordinate part  of  the  town,  and  then  included  members  of  the 
whole  body  politic,  is  now  a  local  institution  known  as  the  Con- 
gregational Church  of  Windham.  From  this,  which  may  em- 
phatically be  called  a  "  mother  church,"  other  churches  have 
been  formed  as  follows :  Mansfield  church,  organized  October 
18th,  1710  ;  Hampton  church,  organized  June  5th,  1723  ;  Scotland 
church,  organized  October  22d,  1735  ;  "  Chewink  Plains  "  church, 
organized  1780,  existed  sixteen  years,  and  after  its  dissolution  thir- 
teen members  returned  to  Windham  church  ;  Willimantic  church, 
organized  January  22d,  1828,  and  South  Windham  church,  or- 
ganized December,  1888.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  deacons 
of  this  church  from  1700  down  to  the  present  time,  with  the  dates 
when  they  were  elected  :  Joseph  Carey,  Thomas  Bingham  and 
Nathaniel  Wales,  1700;  Abel  Bingham,  Joseph  Huntington, 
Ralph  Wheelock  and  Eleazer  Carey,  1729 ;  Nathaniel  Wales, 
1741 ;  Ebenezer  Wales,  1748 ;  Joseph  Huntington  and  Nathaniel 
Skiff,  1754;  Jonathan  Martin  and  Elijah  Bingham,  1765 ;  Samuel 
Gray,  1777 ;  Eleazer  Fitch  and  Hezekiah  Bissel,  1787 ;  Thomas 
Tileston,  1790  ;  Samuel  Perkins,  1796  ;  Eliphalet  Murdock,  1802 ; 
Charles  Lee,  1815  ;  Thomas  Welch,  1824  ;  Abner  Follet,  1840  ; 
De  Witt  C.  Lathrop,  1853 ;  William  Swift  and  Eliphalet  Hun- 
tington, 1862,  and  Joseph  B.  Spencer  and  Casper  Barstow  at 
later  dates. 

In  the  early  history  of  the  town  schools  received  less  attention 
in  Windham  than  might  have  been  expected  in  a  town  of  such 
prosperity  and  intelligence.  "  A  school  to  be  kept  in  Thomas 
Snell's  house  "  appears  to  have  been  for  some  time  the  only  pro- 
vision made  in  that  direction.  The  committee  appointed  to 
manage  the  schools  may  have  ordered  them  in  different  neigh- 
borhoods, however.  In  1711  the  town  voted  to  have  no  more 
school  committees,  but  to  leave  the  matter  in  the  hands  of  the 
selectmen.  In  1713  the  town  ordered  two  school  houses,  one  to 
be  eighteen  feet  square  and  set  upon  the  Green,  "  not  above 
twenty  rods  from  the  meeting-house  ;"  the  other  sixteen  feet 
square,  to  be  set  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town.  John  Backus 
and  James  Badcock  were  chosen  a  commiittee  to  secure  their 
19 


290  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

erection.  The  first  was  soon  completed,  but  the  other  was  de- 
layed a  year  or  two.  The  first  reference  to  schools  which  we 
find  on  the  records  of  the  town  was  made  in  December,  1702, 
when  the  vote  of  the  town  directed  the  selectmen  to  agree  with 
a  schoolmaster  or  mistress — "  scollars  to  pay  what  the  rate  falls 
short." 

Thus  schools  were  managed  in  a  very  imperfect  way,  with 
but  little  improvernent  for  man}^  years.  Soon  after  the  revo- 
lution, however,  some  efforts  were  made  to  raise  the  standard 
of  public  education.  For  a  time  an  academy  was  maintained, 
with  the  learned  Doctor  Pemberton  as  its  principal.  Though 
at  a  later  period,  for  lack  of  permanent  funds,  it  was  unable  to 
retain  so  popular  a  teacher,  yet  it  maintained  a  respectable 
standing,  and  was  well  sustained  by  Windham  and  its  vicinity. 
Public  schools  were  yet  poor,  but  efforts  were  made  for  their 
improvement.  In  1794  thirteen  school  districts  were  set  off, 
each  being  designated,  according  to  the  custom  of  the  time,  by 
the  name  of  some  prominent  resident.  Thus  they  were  num- 
bered and  named  as  follows  :  1,  Frederick  Stanley's  ;  2,  Solomon 
Huntington's;  3,  Jabez  Wolcott's  ;  4,  Timothy  Wales's  ;  5,  Eliph- 
alet  Murdock's ;  6,  William  Preston's ;  7,  Zebediah  Tracy's ; 
8,  Josiah  Palmer's;  9,  James  Gary's;  10,  Joseph  Palmer's;  11, 
William  Gary's  ;  12,  John  Walden's  ;  13,  Zenas  Howe's.  Private 
schools  were  often  sustained  in  different  neighborhoods.  Among 
other  tutors  who  at  times  held  sway  in  the  academy  were  "  Mas- 
ter" Abbott,  Roger  Southworth  and  Socrates  Balcom.  About 
1825  the  growth  of  Willimantic  seemed  to  demand  superior  ac- 
commodation for  its  school,  and  a  new  brick  school  house  was 
built.  The  heterogeneous  collection  of  youthful  representatives 
of  different  nations  and  ideas  was,  however,  a  hard  school  to 
govern,  and  the  school  committee,  it  is  said,  on  one  occasion 
sent  expressly  to  ^Sterling  for  a  schoolmaster  with  a  will  and  a 
hand  strong  enough  to  keep  the  boys  from  cutting  and  marring 
the  woodwork  of  the  school  house. 

The  town  of  Windham  takes  the  lead  in  being  the  first  in 
the  county  to  send  out  that  great  modern  educator,  the  news- 
paper. The  first  effort  of  this  kind  was  made  in  1790.  During 
that  year  John  Byrne,  of  Norwich,  set  up  a  printing  press  in  the 
lower  room  of  the  court  house  in  Windham  Green,  and  early  in 
the  following  year  began  the  publication  of  TJic  Plienix  or  Wind- 
ham Herald.     His  office  was  now  removed  to  a  location  just  north 


HISTQRY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  291 

of  the  court  house.  The  first  issue  was  dated  Saturday,  March 
12th,  1791.  It  was  a  modest  little  sheet,  printed  on  coarse,  blu- 
ish-gray paper,  but  in  most  respects,  if  not  all,  fully  equal  to 
the  average  newspaper  of  its  day.  General  and  foreign  news 
was  furnished  with  customary  promptness — foreign  news  three 
months  after  date,  congressional  reports  in  ten  or  twelve  days, 
and  full  reports  of  Connecticut  elections  three  weeks  after  they 
took  place.  These,  with  advertisements,  short  moral  essays, 
humorous  anecdotes  and  occasional  casualties,  made  up  the 
table  of  contents.  But  few  items  of  local  events  were  printed. 
Meager  as  was  the  paper,  it  satisfied  the  public.  It  was  accepted 
as  the  organ  of  Windham  county,  and  in  a  few  years  was  sup- 
ported by  some  twelve  hundred  subscribers,  being  distributed  in 
all  directions  by  post  riders. 

We  can  hardly  withdraw  our  gaze  f  rom  the  Windham  of  a 
century  ago  without  noticing  for  a  moment  the  taverns  of  the 
olden  time,  and  some  of  the  scenes  of  festivit)^  and  mirth  for 
which  they  were  famous.  With  the  amount  of  business  which 
came  to  the  merchants  and  mechanics  of  Windham  by  reason  of 
its  prominent  position,  its  taverns  might  well  flourish.  Nathan- 
iel Linkon,  John  Flint,  David  Young,  John  Keyes  and  John 
Parish  entertained  the  public  in  different  parts  of  the  town  ; 
Nathaniel  Hebard,  John  Staniford  and  John  Fitch  performed 
similar  offices  on  Windham  Green.  The  "Widow  Gary,"  later 
the  wife  of  John  Fitch,  brought  to  her  new  home  the  jolly  im- 
age of  Bacchus,  occupying  a  conspicuous  perch  on  the  sign-post 
of  the  "old  Fitch  Tavern."  Travelers,  court  attendants  and 
fellow  townspeople  found  agreeable  entertainment  beneath  his 
beaming  countenance,  as  well  as  in  the  other  village  taverns, 
famed  as  they  all  were  for  their  flow  of  wit  and  liquor,  as  well 
as  for  their  more  substantial  fare.  Many  revolutionary  veterans 
who  resided  in  the  vicinity  were  habitual  frequenters  of  these 
resorts,  and  here  fought  over  their  battles,  telling  marvelous 
tales  of  hair-breadth  escape  and  harrowing  adventure.  There 
were  quaint  old  characters,  whose  odd  sayings  and  doings  fur- 
nished exhaustless  merriment.  There  was  one  of  whom  it  was 
said  that  he  could  not  go  past  Hebard's  tavern  without  stopping 
to  get  a  drink  of  rum.  A  frien^  remonstrated  with  him,  and 
finally  made  a  bet  with  him  that  he  could  not  do  so.  The  old 
man  took  the  bet,  and  bracing  his  nerves  and  muscles  to  an  erect 
and  dignified  bearing,  he  walked  triumphantly  past  the  tavern. 


292  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

He  then  returned  to  the  tavern,  saying  to  himself,  "  Now  I'll  go 
back  and  treat  Resolution!'    Once,  when  in  a  bewildered  condition, 
he  wandered  off  into  the  fields  and  went  to  sleep,  and  on  rising 
forgot  to  pick  up  his  hat.     A  boy  found  it  and  brought  it  to 
him.     But    instead  of   manifesting    any  confusion,  he  blandly 
asked  where  he  found  it.      The  boy  replied  "  In  Mr.   White's 
pasture,  near  the  bars."      With  patronizing  dignity  the  reply 
came:  "Well,  boy,  go  take  it   right  back.     That  is  the  place 
where  I  keep  it."     Another  old  wag  had  a  turn  for  rhyming. 
Meeting  one  day  a  rough  looking  countryman  with  tawny  hair 
and  beard,  and  butternut  colored  coat,  riding  on  a  sorrel  nag, 
he  flung  up  his  hat  at  the  sight  and  exclaimed  :  "  Colt  and  mare, 
coat  and  hair,  all  compare,  I  swear!"      Staniford's  house  was 
a  great  place  of  resort,  an  exchange    place  for  all  manner  of 
•quips,  pranks  and  witticisms,  each  one  striving  to  catch  or  out- 
do the  other  in  a  joke  or  exaggerated  tale.     We  can  preserve 
here  but  a  single  specimen  of  these  old-time  tavern  stories.    This 
is  in  relation  to  the  well-known  cold  winter  of  1779-80.     Snow 
lay  on  the  ground  three  feet  on  the  level,  as  the  story  runs.    On 
a  certain  day  it  began  snowing  very  hard,  flakes  falling  some  of 
the  time  as  large  as  small  birds.      All  day  snow  fell  rapidly,  but 
during  an  hour  and  a  half  of  the  time  it  made  depth  an  inch  a 
minute.     It  was  related    that    on    a  very  cold    Sunday  of   that 
winter  one  family  went  to  meeting,  two   miles  away,  leaving 
meanwhile  the    big   dinner   pot    on    the   fire   filled  with  vege- 
tables, boiling   over  a  big   fire    of   logs    in    the   old    fashioned 
fireplace.     During  their  absence  the  kitchen  door    had   blown 
open  so  as  to  let  in  a  cold  blast  of   air,  and    on    their   return 
they  found  the  steam  rising  from  the  pot  had  formed  a  large 
inverted  cone  of  solid  ice    upon    the    pot,  while   the    contents 
were  still   boiling   away  within    and    the    fire    burning  lustily 
below. 

A  large  number  of  waiters,  hostlers,  drivers,  purveyors  and 
the  like  attendants,  cccupied  at  court  times,  had  little  to  do  but 
lounge  around  and  tell  stories  during  the  remainder  of  the  year. 
They  hung  about  the  taverns  and  stores,  and  added  to  the  gen- 
eral merriment.  Negro  men  and  boys  were  very  numerous,  and 
made  much  sport  for  all  classes  with  their  droll  mimicry  and 
endless  tricks  and  capers.  Change  of  status  made  little  differ- 
ence to  this  class.     A  few  went  out  into  the  world  as  freedmen, 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  293 

but  the  larger  number,  even  when  set  free,  chmg  to  their  old 
masters  and  were  always  supported  and  cared  for. 

The  great  industry  that  has  built  up  and  given  prosperity  to 
the  town  of  Windham  is  her  manufacturing.  The  locality  pos- 
sesses remarkable  facilities  for  this  in  the  Natchaug  and  Willi- 
mantic  rivers,  which  are  here  considerable  streams  and  afford 
abundant  power.  The  power  thus  offered  by  Nature  was  soon 
recognized  by  the  early  inhabitants,  and  they  soon  began  to 
utilize  it  for  such  purposes  as  they  wished  to  serve,  and  to  such 
extent  as  their  means  were  sufficient  to  make  it  available. 
Special  favors  were  granted  to  such  as  would  undertake  to  es- 
tablish grist  mills  and  saw  mills  in  the  early  days  of  the  set- 
tlement. In  1692  the  grist  mill  was  made  a  town  charge 
throughout  the  town.  Ginnings  Hendee,  Jeremiah  Ripley  and 
James  Birchard  were  granted  the  privilege  of  the  stream  at 
Beaver  brook  for  building  a  saw  mill,  with  half  a  mile  adjoin- 
ing for  timber  and  pasture,  provided  the  mill  was  completed 
within  one  year,  and  when  the  mill  should  be  abandoned  the 
land  should  revert  to  the  town.  In  the  following  year  Jona- 
than Ginnings  and  the  Ripleys  were  granted  liberty  to  set 
up  a  saw  mill  at  "  No-man's-acre  brook."  In  1700  liberty  to 
build  a  saw  mill  on  Goodman  Hebard's  brook,  and  the  privi- 
lege of  the  stream  for  damming  or  ponding  was  granted  to 
several  petitioners,  with  the  privilege  of  taking  any  other 
stream  if  that  should  not  prove  satisfactory.  The  town  miller 
was  required  to  grind  for  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  every 
Monday  and  Tuesday,  and  if  more  grain  was  brought  than  he 
could  grind  in  those  days  he  was  to  keep  on  until  it  was  fin- 
ished.  , 

In  February,  1706,  the  proprietors  granted  to  Joseph  Gary, 
John  Backus,  Joseph  Dingley  and  John  Waldo  the  privilege  of 
the  stream  at  Willimantic  falls  to  build  a  mill  or  mills  at  one 
particular  place,  wherever  they  might  choose,  on  the  north  side 
of  the  river,  and  to  hold  it  as  long  as  they  and  their  heirs  should 
maintain  a  good  "  sufficient "  mill,  with  the  privilege  of  raising 
a  dam  across  the  stream,  also  the  improvement  of  forty  acres 
of  land  near  by,  timber  free,  so  long  as  the  land  should  be 
left  unfenced.  This  grant  was  not  to  exclude  the  proprietors 
from  granting  other  sites  to  other  parties  for  the  water  privi- 
lege, nor  to  obstruct  highways, "  nor  damnify  lots  in  ye  Crotch." 

Soon  after  the  revolution  Colonel  Elderkin  enlarged  his  or- 


294  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

chard  of  mulberry  trees,  which  he  had  started  years  before, 
and  put  forward  the  work  of  silk  manufacture,  turning  out  an- 
nually some  ten  or  twelve  thousand  pounds  of  hosiery  silk  to 
meet  the  demands  for  fashionable  long  stockings.  Handker- 
chief and  vest  patterns  were  also  manufactured  there  "in  con- 
siderable numbers."  He  procured  a  loom  and  weaver  from 
Europe,  and  succeeded  in  fabricating  sundry  pieces  of  silk 
which  furnished  dresses  for  his  daughters.  He  also  expended 
much  money  and  labor  in  constructing  a  dam  and  flouring 
works  upon  the  Shetucket  in  South  Windham.  He  also  carried 
on  a  grist  mill  at  the  Frog  Pond  brook.  Ezekiel  Gary  about 
this  time  carried  on  a  tannery,  which  was  supplied  with  water 
from  the  Willimantic  river.  Henry  De  Witt  manufactured 
tacks  out  of  such  old  scraps  of  iron  as  could  be  picked  up 
about  the  town  as  of  little  value.  The  silk  factory  of  Colonel 
Elderkin,  after  his  death  passed  into  the  hands  of  Clark  &  Gray, 
and  soon  passed  into  the  hands  of  Mansfield  experimenters 
who  were  making  great  efforts  to  increase  and  improve  silk  man- 
ufacture. Machinery  for  picking,  oiling  and  carding  wool  was 
erected  at  the  mills  of  Clark  &  Gray,  on  the  Falls  of  the  Willi- 
mantic, by  Gyrus  Brewster.  They  were  in  operation  as  early  as 
June  2()th,  1806.  The  price  then  charged  farmers  and  others  for 
"breaking  and  carding,  cash  in  hand,"  was  seven  cents  a  pound; 
for  picking  and  oiling,  two  cents  a  pound,  cash  ;  or  one  cent  more 
in  either  case  where  barter  was  desired.  Similar  machines  were 
introduced  in  other  towns  about  the  same  time.  A  great  saving 
of  labor  to  the  farmer  in  preparing  his  wool  for  domestic  use 
was  effected,  and  an  improved  condition  of  the  wool  waSvSecured. 
The  most  niggardly  farmer,  accustomed  perhaps  to  work  himself 
and  his  family  to  the  bone  rather  than  spend  a  penny,  found 
that  it  was  to  his  advantage  to  pay  out  money  or  barter  for  wool 
carding,  while  women  everywhere  exulted  in  the  beautiful 
white,  soft,  clean,  fleecy  rolls,  which  made  spinning  and  weaving 
a  positive  enjoyment. 

About  the  same  time,  or  possibly  a  little  later,  a  paper  mill  was 
established  by  Clark  &  Gray  at  Willimantic  Falls.  There  were 
then  the  accumulated  manufacturing  industries  at  this  point  of 
a  carding  machine,  a  grist  mill,  a  saw  mill,  a  clothiery  establish- 
ment, a  blacksniith  shop  and  a  paper  mill.  The  Spaffords  and 
Aliens  at  South  Windham  were  experimenting  in  various  direc- 
tions.    Jesse  Spafford  and  Amos  D.  Allen  procured  a  patent  for 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  295 

an  ingenious  planing  knife,  making  bonnet  chip  out  of  shavings. 
Joshua  Smith  carried  on  clothiery  works  at  South  Windham,  as-  ■ 
sisted  by  his  son-in-law,  George  Spafford,  and  made  cloth  for  the 
army,  the  cloth  having  a  high  reputation  for  its  indigo  blue. 
Amos  D.  Allen  carried  on  furniture  manufacture  at  the  family 
homestead,  employing  many  assistants  and  gaining  a  high  rep- 
utation for  superior  workmanship.  Hundreds  of  tall  clock  cases, 
embellished  with  many  quaint  and  curious  designs,  were  sent 
out  from  this  establishment,  and  found  a  ready  market,  especialy 
at  the  South.  The  Taintor  brothers,  with  George  Abbe  and  Ed- 
mond  Badger,  formed  a  partnership  for  the  manufacture  of  paper, 
about  the  year  1810.  They. built  a  mill  on  the  Natchaug,  in  the 
north  part  of  the  town,  which  was  then  called  New  Boston.  They 
made  writing  paper  in  three  grades,  of  strong  texture  but  coarse 
finish.  Elijah  M.  Spafford,  in  1814,  set  up  new  clothiery  works 
at  Willimantic  Falls,  carrying  on  carding,  water  spinning  and 
weaving,  as  well  as  cloth  dressing  and  dyeing. 

From  this  time  forward  the  manufacturing  industry  became 
the  absorbing  interest  of  this  town.  The  manufacture  of  cotton 
was  soon  after  introduced,  and  about  the  close  of  the  first  quar- 
ter century,  cotton  factories  had  been  built  at  Willimantic  and 
unique  manufacturing  industries  were  developing  at  North 
Windham  and  South  Windham.  In  September,  1822,  Perez  O. 
Richmond  bought  of  Waldo  Gary  and  Anson  Young  land  and 
privilege  on  the  Willimantic  near  its  junction  with  the  Natchaug, 
and  soon,  built  up  a  factory  and  a  village.  The  brothers  Jillson, 
of  Dorchester,  in  1824,  purchased  a  site  just  above  the  old  paper 
and  grist  mills,  west  of  the  Iron  W^orks  bridge,  and  put  up  more 
substantial  buildings.  The  Windham  Company  was  next  in  the 
field,  led  by  Hartford  Tingley  and  Matthew  Watson,  of  Prov- 
idence, occupying  a  privilege  farther  westward.  A  small  factory 
in  the  same  vicinity  was  built  and  carried  on  by  Deacon  Charles 
Lee,  of  Windham.  And  from  these  beginnings  have  grown  up 
manufacturing  interests  that  have  gathered  together  and  main- 
tained one  of  the  largest  towns  of  eastern  Connecticut,  and 
gained  for  themselves  individually  reputations  that  are  world 
wide.  They  will  be  noticed  more  particularly  in  connection 
with  the  localities  to  which  they  belong. 

In  the  central  part  of  the  town  and  about  three  miles  east  of 
Willimantic,  lies  the  peaceful  village  of  Windham,  known  also 
as  Windham  Centre.     This  village  exhibits  but  little  of  the  ac- 


296  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

tivity  and  business  life  characteristic  of  the  modern  village,  but 
here  was  once  the  proudest  center  of  business  and  social  and 
political  influence  in  Windham  county.  Here  passed  scenes  of 
political  and  patriotic  prowess,  and  events  of  wide-spread  fame 
which  have  become  famous  in  the  annals  of  the  state,  and  made 
the  name  of  Windham  immortal.  This  was  in  early  days  the 
principal  settlement  of  the  town,  and  it  continued  to  hold  its 
prominence  until  the  new  center  of  Willimantic  came  into  prom- 
inence, when  it  was  compelled  to  yield  the  balance  of  power. 
As  Willimantic  increased  in  size  and  prosperity  this  once  prom- 
inent and  influential  village  correspondingly  receded.  She  yield- 
ed slowly  to  the  demands  of  her  aspiring  off -shoot,  but  was  forced 
to  submit  to  the  will  of  the  stronger.  Windham  is  a  quiet,  lux- 
uriant, well-preserved  and  attractive  village,  and  a  favorite  sum- 
mer resort. 

The  old  cemetery  of  the  town  of  Windham  lies  on  the  west 
side  of  the  road  toward  South  Windham,  about  a  half  mile  from 
the  center  of  the  village.  It  contains  two  acres  or  more,  well 
filled  with  graves.  The  grounds  are  plainly  but  neatly  kept. 
Some  hemlock,  pme  and  fir  trees  are  scattered  about  in  it.  The 
old  part  of  the  ground  has  numerous  old  gray  stones  whose  in- 
scriptions antedate  the  present  century.  The  western  part  of 
the'  ground  is  more  modern  and  contains  several  vaults  and  some 
granite  monuments.  A  neat  hearse  house  stands  by  the  road- 
side. Among  the  family  names  conspicuously  represented  here, 
in  the  old  part  of  the  ground,  are  Allen,  Ripley,  Marsh,  Hebbard, 
Manning,  Webb,  Elderkin,  Huntington,  Welch,  Murdock,  Fitch, 
Gary,  Dodge,  Young,  Wales,  Abbe,  Bingham,  Ginnings,  Flint, 
Warner,  Badcock,  Follet  and  Tracy.  Here  we  are  pointed  to  the 
grave  of  the  first  settler  of  Windham,  and  besides  the  somewhat 
lengthy  inscription  to  his  virtues,  a  copy  of  which  may  be  found 
in  another  chapter  of  this  work,  the  monumental  pile  which  rests 
over  his  remains  also  bears  this  legend — "  Mr.  John  Gates,  This 
Monument  is  Erected  upon  ye  Towns  Gost  in  1769."  One  of  the 
most  fancifully  carved  slabs  of  the  olden  time  contains  this  in- 
scription : — "  This  stone  is  erected  in  memory  of  Mr.  James 
Flint,  who  died  May  23d,  A.  D.  1788,  in  ye  66th  Year  of  his  Age. 
For  30  years  he  was  a  reputable  Merchant  in  Windham,  and 
always  sustained  the  character  of  an  honest  man  and  a  good  citi- 
zen." One  of  the  early  ministers  of  the  town  church  is  thus 
represented  on  stone : — "  Dedicated  To  the  Memory  of  ELDER 


HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  297 

Benjamin  Lathrop  who  after  faithfully  discharging  his  duty  as 
a  Minister  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ — worn  out  with  bodily  Infirm- 
ities calmly  resigned  his  breath  on  the  16th  of  July,  1804,  in  the 
79th  year  of  his  Age."  On  a  heavy  old  brown  stone  table  we 
read  the  epitaph  of  Colonel  Thomas  Dyer,  who  died  May  27th, 
1766,  72  years  of  age.  His  inscription  is  cut  into  the  slab,  but  a 
die  sunk  into  it  bears  the  inscription  to  his  wife  as  follows  : — 
"  Here  lies  Interr'd  the  Remains  of  Mrs.  Lydia  Dyar  the  late 
Consort  of  Col'nl  THOMAS  DYAR  of  Windham.  She  was  born 
January  the  15th  A.  D.  1695,  and  died  March  the  12th  A.  D.  1751 
In  the  57th  Year  of  her  Age,  And  in  firm  Expectation  of  Eter- 
nal Life  Through  the  Merrits  of  JESUS  CHRIST." 

Besides  the  Congregational  church,  which  is  noticed  else- 
where, this  village  contains  a  handsome  stone  structure,  known 
as  St.  Paul's  Episcopal  church.  The  origin  of  the  Episcopal 
church  in  this  village  dates  about  the  beginning  of  the  present 
century,  though  its  first  movements  are  enveloped  in  obscurity. 
Services  were  conducted  about  that  time  by  Reverend  John  Ty- 
ler of  Norwich,  who  visited  this  station  occasionally.  Services 
were  held  in  private  houses  for  a  time,  but  in  1832  a  society  was 
formed  and  in  the  following  year  a  handsome  stone  church  was 
erected,  which  is  still  standing.  The  first  service  was  held  in  it 
December  25th,  1833.  It  was  formally  consecrated  by  the  Right 
Reverend  Thomas  Church  Brownell,  bishop  of  the  diocese  of 
Connecticut,  April  11th,  1834.  The  first  rector  of  this  church 
was  L.  H.  Corson,  whose  ministry  here  began  December  17th, 
]832,  and  ended  in  1836.  Since  that  time  successive  rectors  have 
been— William  A.  Curtis,  1836-7  ;  Charles  J.  Todd,  '37-8  ;  John 
W.  Woodward,  '38-9;  Henry  B.  Sherman,  '39-43;  Giles  H.  De- 
shon,  '43-5;  Abel  Nichols,  '45-6;  A.  Ogden,  '46-7;  Joseph 
Brewster,  '47-  ;  Henry  Edwards,  '50-1 ;  Sanford  J.  Horton,  '51- 
61 ;  John  H.  Anketell,  '62  ;  Alfred  H.  Stubbs,  '65 ;  Clayton  Eddy, 
'66-8  ;  E.  Huntington  Saunders,  '69  ;  Isaac  W.  Hallam,  '69-75  ; 
Richard  K.  Ashley,  '76 ;  Richard  C.  Searing,  '84-6 ;  Henry  B. 
Jefferson,  from  May  2d,  1886,  to  the  present  time.  Mr.  Jefferson 
resides  in  Willimantic  and  has  charge  of  St.  Paul's  church  in  that 
village.  The  church  here  is  in  a  prosperous  condition.  During 
the  last  three  years  the  interior  of  the  church  has  been  greatly 
improved  by  the  efforts  of  the  ladies  of  the  parish.  The  present 
number  of  communicants  is  twenty-three. 

A  Baptist  church  once  existed  in  this  village  for  a  brief  season. 


298  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

It  was  instituted  in  1846.  A  house  of  worship  was  erected,  but 
the  society  was  weak  and  could  give  but  a  feeble  support  to  the 
preaching  of  the  gospel.  After  about  ten  years,  services  were 
abandoned,  and  the  house  was  used  for  a  year  or  two  by  an  Old 
School  Presbyterian  society,  which  also  had  a  feeble  and  short 
existence.  The  church  being  abandoned  altogether,  was  taken 
down  and  removed  to  Baltic  about  twenty  years  since. 

South  Windham  is  a  pleasant  little  village  about  three  and  a 
half  miles  southeast  from  Willimantic.  It  is  beautifully  situated, 
amid  romantic  surroundings  of  hill  and  marsh,  cultivated  field 
and  wooded  plain,  winding  through  all  of  which  the  swift,  dark 
waters  of  the  Shetucket  gracefully  ripple  on  their  merry  course 
to  the  sea.  It  has  stations  on  the  Providence  Division  of  the 
New  York  &  New  England,  and  on  the  New  London  Northern 
railroads.  It  lies  thirteen  miles  north-northwest  from  Norwich. 
It  is  situated  in  the  southern  part  of  the  township,  not  far  from 
the  line.  It  has  a  population  of  about  six  hundred,  and  is  the 
center  of  considerable  manufacturing  interest.  Many  years  ago 
the  facilities  offered  by  the  stream  at  this  point  were  appreciated 
and  turned  to  account  in  various  small  ways.  By  the  develop- 
ment of  inventive  genius  on  the  part  of  men  associated  with  the 
locality  it  was  made  the  seat  of  manufacturing  operations  of 
great  importance  to  the  country.  About  1827  George  Spafford 
of  this  place,  a  man  of  much  mechanical  insight,  having  been 
employed  in  fitting  up  the  Fourdrinier  machine  for  making  paper 
at  North  Windham,  formed  a  partnership  with  James  Phelps, 
and  they  set  to  work  to  construct  a  duplicate.  They  first  began 
work  at  New  Furnace,  in  Stafford,  on  account  of  the  foundry 
facilities  to  be  had  there.  Nine  men,  under  Charles  Smith  as 
foreman,  were  kept  at  work  within  closed  doors,  with  ordinary 
hand  tools  and  a  single  power  lathe.  Yankee  ingenuity  tri- 
umphed over  every  obstacle,  and  completed  an  improvement 
upon  the  original  Fourdrinier  machine.  It  w^as  sold  to  Amos  D. 
Hubbard,  and  put  in  successful  operation  at  Norwich  Falls,  in 
May,  1829.  A  second  machine  was  soon  afterward  completed 
and  sold  to  Henry  Hudson  of  East  Hartford.  Both  yielded  such 
excellent  results  that  the  projectors  were  encouraged  to  make 
preparations  for  the  permanent  continuance  of  the  business,  and 
accordingly  erected  suitable  accommodations  on  the  site  of  an 
old  fulling  mill  at  this  place.  Their  works  were  ready  for  occu- 
pancy early  in   1830.     Here  thc}^  built  mills  for  customers  in 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  299 

many  different  states,  and  supplied  parts  of  machinery.  This, 
it  is  claimed,  was  the  first  paper  making  machinery  successfully 
working  in  this  country.  It  should  have  been  mentioned  that 
the  first  Fourdrinier  machine  was  brought  to  this  country  about 
1827,  from  Germany,  by  an  Englishman  named  Pickering,  who 
employed  Spafford  to  assist  in  setting  it  in  operation.  In  1830 
the  firm  sent  Charles  Pickering,  son  of  the  first  mentioned,  to 
England  to  investigate  the  process  of  steam  drying  used  in  that 
country,  and  soon  after  that  time  Spafford  invented  the  present 
paper  cutter.  The  firm  removed  their  works  to  South  Windham 
in  November,  1830,  and  commenced  operations  in  the  following 
February.  They  then  employed  about  ten  hands  and  finished 
six  to  eight  machines  a  year.  These  machines  were  valued  at 
from  $2,000  to  $3,500  apiece.  About  the  year  1838,  Charles  Smith, 
a  millwright,  and  Harvey  Winchester,  a  blacksmith,  who  had 
been  employees  of  Spafford,  Phelps  &  Co.,  were  admitted  into 
the  firm,  the  capital  stock  of  which  at  that  time  was  $50,000. 
Owing  to  financial  troubles  during  the  years  1838  to  1840,  the 
stock  of  Phelps  and  Spafford  was  sold  to  the  other  partners  and 
the  firm  of  Smith,  Winchester  &  Co.  was  formed.  George  Spafford 
died  soon  after  this,  heavily  involved.  James  Phelps  invented 
Phelps'  patent  washer,  and  accumulated  some  property  before 
his  death.  Since  that  time  the  business  has  been  conducted  un- 
der the  name  of  Smith,  Winchester  &  Co.  They  employ  about 
one  hundred  hands,  and  have  manufactured  machines  that 
weighed  one  hundred  tons  each  and  cost  $20,000.  Where  for- 
merly machines  were  made  from  forty-seven  to  forty-eight  inches 
wide  and  run  forty  feet  a  minute,  they  are  now  made  one  hundred 
inches  wide  and  run  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet  a  minute.  The 
main  features,  however,  remain  the  same  as  when  their  manufac- 
ture was  first  begun.  The  firm  have  again  and  again  been  com- 
pelled to  enlarge  their  works  and  build  new  conveniences  for 
storage.  The  Little  Pigeon  Swamp  brook,  which  sometimes  ran 
dry  during  the  summer,  was  made  permanently  effective  by  the 
construction  of  reservoirs  covering  the  former  swamp.  A  pros- 
perous village  has  grown  up  around  this  establishment,  and  other 
industries  have  been  added. 

Amos  D.  Allen  was  a  manufacturer  of  furniture  at  South 
Windham.  His  son  Edwin  inherited  a  large  share  of  the  inven- 
tive genius  of  the  family.  Incidentally  visiting  a  printing  office 
at  Norwich  one  day,  he  became  interested  in  seeing  a  font  of 


300  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

wood  type,  and  at  once  conceived  the  idea  of  manufacturing  it 
by  machinery.  He  set  to  work  and  soon  had  the  idea  in  practi- 
cal operation,  and  with  such  success  that  about  the  year  1827  he 
established  m  a  small  way  the  business  of  manufacturing  wood 
type  at  this  place.  Though  many  improvements  have  been  made 
in  the  manufacture  of  wood  type  yet  the  principle  of  the  chief 
machines  used  by  Mr.  Allen  is  still  preserved.  The  business 
made  fair  progress  under  his  control,  there  being  at  that  time 
but  one  other  establishment  in  the  country  engaged  in  the  same 
work,  that  being  Darius  Wells  &  Co.,  of  Paterson,  N.  J.  In  1837 
Mr.  Allen  entered  into  partnership  with  George  F.  Nesbit  of 
New  York  city,  who  under  his  own  name  introduced  the  wood 
type  to  the  trade,  while  Mr.  Allen  conducted  the  manufacture  in 
South  Windham.  The  business  made  fair  progress,  though  en- 
countering the  opposition  incident  to  new  inventions.  Later  on 
another  man  came  upon  the  stage  with  an  additional  fund  of 
inventive  geni;Qs  and  executive  ability  in  the  person  of  William 
H.  Page,  of  New  Hampshire.  He  had  served  many  years  in  the 
practical  work  of  a  printing  office,  and  after  considerable  time 
spent  in  experimenting  in  that  direction,  he  obtained  the  ma- 
chinery which  had  been  used  in  the  business  by  others  and 
started  a  factory  on  his  own  account  in  1856.  During  the  next 
year  many  improvements  were  made  in  his  machinery,  and  a 
much  superior  kind  of  type  was  produced.  The  business- sur- 
vived the  panic  of  1857  in  a  healthy  state,  and  in  the  fall  of  that 
year  was  removed  to  Greenville,  in  the  suburbs  of  Norwich, where 
it  was  carried  on  more  extensively. 

Following  another  line  of  the  history  of  wood  type  manufac- 
ture in  this  town  we  will  go  back  again  to  Edwin  Allen.  He 
was  the  originator  of  the  business  here,  and  started  business  in 
an  old  building  which  stood  near  the  machine  shop.  He  after- 
ward erected  a  shop  about  one  mile  west,  on  his  father's  farm, 
where  he  employed  steam  for  power.  His  method  was  original 
and  he  kept  it  a  secret  to  all  except  his  employees.  "  No  Admit- 
tance "  was  painted  upon  the  doors  of  his  shop  and  the  rule  was 
strictly  adhered  to.  This  was  about  the  year  1840.  Some  twelve 
persons  were  employed,  and  type  cases,  galleys  and  other  wood- 
en materials  used  in  printing  offices  were  manufactured,  as  well 
as  wood  type,  and  block  letters  for  signs  were  also  cut  out.  Allen 
failed  in  business,  and  afterward  moved  the  shop  down  to  where 
he  building  now  stands,  being  used  by  the  present  American 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  301 

Wood  Type  Company.  John  G.  Cooley  bought  the  business  and 
removed  it  to  New  York  city.  In  April,  1878,  the  American 
Wood  Type  Company,  then  composed  of  C.  H.Tubbs,  John  Mar- 
tin and  George  L.  Kies,  formerly  connected  with  the  Page  Com- 
pany, began  the  manufacture  of  wood  type  in  the  building  which 
years  before  had  been  occupied  by  Allen.  They  ran  the  busi- 
ness for  five  years,  and  then  the  other  partners  turned  their  in- 
terests over  to  Mr.  Tubbs,who  now  represents  the  company,  and 
the  establishment  is  in  active  operation.  The  shop  has  capacity 
and  machinery  to  employ  seventeen  hands.  They  have  patterns 
on  hand  to  manufacture  two  hundred  different  styles  of  type,  in 
all  sizes  ranging  from  two-line  up  to  100-line.  The  works  are 
run  by  water  power  supplied  by  the  Pigeon  Swamp  brook. 

The  Radial  Thread  Buff  Company  of  South  Windham  was  or- 
ganized in  1883,  for  the  purpose  of  introducing  a  patent  article 
invented  by  Robert  Binns,  which  they  commenced  to  manufact- 
ure in  a  small 'way.  The  patented  article  is  a  wheel  from  eight 
to  twelve  inches  in  diameter,  made  of  cotton  cloth,  the  filling  be- 
ing cotton  rags.  This  wheel  is  used  by  silver  platers  to  burnish 
their  ware.  The  company  also  make  wheels  from  whole  stock, 
but  in  the  manufacture  of  scrap  wheels  they  are  the  only  concern 
in  the  country.  The  present  production  is  from  fifteen  to  twenty 
thousand  monthly,  and  employment  is  given  to  about  fifteen 
hands.  Robert  Binns  was  born  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  January  9th, 
1844,  and  is  of  English  descent,  being  the  eldest  son  of  Robert 
and  Hannah  Binns.  He  is  a  machinist  by  trade,  and  he  came  to 
South  Windham  in  1873.  He  married  Mary  Rue  and  they  have 
six  children :  Mary,  Nancy,  Frederic,  Bertha,  Eva  and  Eugene. 

There  is  also  at  South  Windham  a  grist  mill,  owned  by  Mr 
E.  H.  Holmes.  It  is  situated  in  the  village,  near  the  track  of 
the  New  London  Northern  railroad.  It  was  built  by  Mr.  E.  H. 
Holmes,  the  father  of  the  present  owner,  about  the  year  1848. 
It  has  a  capacity  of  about  eighteen  horse-power,  and  grinds  from 
twenty-five  to  thirty  thousand  bushels  a  year.  One  room  in  this 
grist  mill  is  occupied  by  Robert  Binns  in  the  manufacture  of  a 
patent  slitter  blade,  which  is  self  sharpening  and  has  an  im- 
proved slitter  hub.  Slitter  blades  are  a  pair  of  cutting  disks 
with  edges  working  together  like  the  edges  of  a  pair  of  scissors. 
This  manufacture  is  a  new  enterprise,  but  it  is  meeting  with  de- 
served success. 

Thf     alv  church  of  this  villagfe  is  an  offshoot  from  the  Con- 


302  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

greg-ational  church  of  Windham.  For  twenty-five  ^'•ears,  more 
or  less,  services  have  been  conducted  here  on  occasional  Sab- 
baths or  on  week-day  evenings.  The  old  Fitch  school  house  is 
used  for  religious  services.  This  is  a  building  once  intended  for 
a  private  school,  and  is  rented  of  private  owners  for  religious 
services.  It  stands  near  and  is  connected  with  the  Warner 
House,  a  hotel  of  commodious  size  standing  near  the  depot  of 
the  New  London  Northern  railroad.  It  is  now  owned  by  Alfred 
Kinne.  For  a  few' years  back  religious  services  on  Sunday  have 
been  omitted,  but  in  March,  1888,  a  Society  of  Christian  En- 
deavor was  formed  here,  and  in  the  following  December  a 
church  was  organized,  which  now  numbers  eighteen  members. 
During  the  winter  a  revival  occurred.  Since  December  7th, 
1888,  preaching  services  have  been  held  every  Sunday  afternoon 
by  the  pastor  of  the  old  church  at  Windham  Centre.  A  Sunday 
school  is  also  maintained  here. 

South  Windham  is  a  pleasant  village,  with  wide  streets  and 
elm-shaded  walks,  lighted  with  gas.  The  surrounding  country 
is  hilly,  and  on  an  eminence  on  the  west  stands  a  modern  an- 
tique structure  of  respectable  dimensions,  just  completed  for  a 
summer  hotel.  It  overlooks  the  village  and  surroundings,  and 
is  a  conspicuous  object  for  miles  around.  Its  site  affords  charm- 
ing landscapes  of  the  Shetucket  valley  and  the  surrounding 
country.  The  road  from  South  Windham  northerly  toward 
the  old  center  of  the  town  crosses  the  Shetucket  over  a  covered 
wooden  bridge  252  feet  long,  over  the  portals  of  which  may  be 
read  the  usual  legend  of  warning,  in  great  black  letters  on  a 
white  ground,  "The  riding  or  driving  any  Horses,  Teams  or 
Carriages  on  this  Bridge  in  a  Gait  faster  than  a  Walk  is  by  Law 
prohibited."  On  the  east  side  of  the  river  is  the  depot  of  the 
Providence  Division  of  the  New  England  railroad,  about  one- 
eighth  of  a  mile  from  the  other.  Cleared  farms  occupy  most  of 
the  hills  of  the  vicinity,  which  are  somewhat  bold  and  rugged, 
while  among  them  the  Shetucket,  a  beautiful  stream,  swiftly 
and  gracefully  glides  in  many  a  rippling  curve. 

In  the  northwest  corner  of  the  town,  on  the  Natchaug  river 
and  the  New  York  and  New  England  railroad,  lies  the  post  vil- 
lage of  North  Windham.  It  is  situated  on  a  comparatively  level 
step  on  the  northwest  border  of  the  hilly  section  of  the  town, 
and  about  four  miles  north  of  Willimantic.  The  village  contains 
some  four  hundred  inhabitants,  and  its  principal  institution  is  a 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  303 

manufactory  of  thread.  This  locality  was  formerly  called  New 
Boston,  and  about  the  year  1810  Edmond  Badger  and  others 
built  a  mill  here  and  began  the  manufacture  of  writing  paper. 
This  enterprise  gave  some  impetus  to  the  growth  of  the  village 
for  awhile,  but  it  was  abandoned  by  Badger  in  1825,  and  after 
further  failures  to  make  it  a  success,  it  fell  into  the  hands  of  an 
Englishman  named  Joseph  Pickering,  who  with  great  labor  and 
difficulty  had  succeeded  in  bringing  to  America  the  first  im- 
ported Fourdrinier  machine  for  the  manufacture  of  paper.  He 
was  joined  by  J.  A.  H.  Frost,  of  Boston,  and  they  bought  the 
dilapidated  paper  mill  at  a  low  price,  and  here  set  up  the  ma- 
chine which  was  to  effect  a  revolution  in  paper  making.  This 
firm  soon  became  bankrupt,  and  their  Boston  creditors  attempt- 
ed to  carry  on  the  business,  but  they  were  equally  unsuccessful. 
The  Fourdrinier  machine  was  moved  to  Andover,  Conn.,  and 
finally  to  York,  Pa. 

In  1831  the  mill  property  above  spoken  of  came  into  the 
hands  of  Mr.  Justin  Swift,  who  transformed  it  into  a  cotton  fac- 
tory. Under  his  management  a  successful  manufacturing  estab- 
lishment was  maintained.  The  mill  employed  about  forty 
hands  and  was  a  benefit  to  the  neighborhood.  Oft  the  16th  of 
July,  1860,  the  mill  took  fire  and  was  destroyed.  It  was  rebuilt 
and  Mr.  Swift,  in  the  fall  of  1862,  leased  it  to  the  Merrick 
Brothers,  who  converted  it  into  a  mill  for  the  manufacture  of 
thread  in  the  skein.  They  retained  occupancy  of  the  premises 
till  1872,  when  the  property  was  bought  by  E.  H.  Hall  &  Son, 
the  father  having  been  superintendent  of  the  mill  for  Merrick 
Brothers,  and  the  son  having  been  connected  with  the  same  firm 
in  their  works  at  Holyoke,  Mass.  Since  that  time  the  capacity 
of  the  mill  has  been  increased  about  one-half,  and  thirty-six 
feet  have  been  added  to  the  original  length  of  the  building. 
The  mill  is  run  wholly  by  water,  and  forty  hands  are  employed, 
the  manufactured  product  amounting  to  about  three  thousand 
pounds  a  week. 

Edwin  H.Hall,  the  senior  member  of  this  firm,  was  the  second 
youngest  son  of  a  family  of  thirteen  children  of  Nathan  and 
Philomella  Hall,  and  he  was  born  in  Mansfield,  Conn.,  May  26th, 
1821.  He  married  Sophia,  daughter  of  Major  Henry  Prentice, 
and  had  five  children,  viz.  :  Luthera,  wife  of  Charles  S.  Lyman, 
overseer  of  Merrick  Thread  Company,  of  Holyoke,  Mass. ;  Ella 
M.,  Edwin  H.,  Alice  A.,  wife  of  P.  A.  Poland,  agent  at  Boston 


304  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

for  the  ]\Ierrick  Thread  Company  ;  and  Francois  P.,  who  died  in 
childhood.  Edwin  H.  was  born  in  Willimantic,  December  29th, 
1847.  He  married  Maria  Ayers,  a  native  of  South  Coventry, 
Conn.,  and  they  had  one  child,  Francois  L.,  also  an  adopted 
daughter,  Nettie  M.     Edwin  H.  died  December  12th,  1884. 

The  settlement  of  North  Windham  had,  in  the  first  half  of  the 
century,  a  fulling  and  carding  mill,  owned  by  the  Lincolns. 
This  they  afterward  transformed  into  a  manufactory  of  felting 
used  in  working  the  Fourdrinier  machine,  they  having  acquired 
the  art  by  picking  to  pieces  and  reconstructing  the  English 
specimens  first  imported.  The  village  had  attained  sufficient 
importance  to  be  favored  with  a  post  office  in  1838,  and  Mr.  Ralph 
Lincoln  was  appointed  postmaster,  which  office  he  retained  for 
many  years. 

The  North  Windham  Cemetery  is  a  tract  of  land  about  one 
acre  in  extent,  located  near  the  center  of  the  village.  Jonah 
Lincoln  probably  donated  ground  for  it.  The  society  took 
charge  of  it  for  awhile,  but  later  the  toWn  has  taken  charge  of  it 
and  enlarged  it.  It  is  well  filled  with  graves  and  is  neatly  kept. 
It  lies  on  the  east  side  of  the  Windham  road,  and  on  either  side 
of  it  are  the  institutions  of  the  place,  the  church  and  the  school 
house.  These  buildings  are  white  and  of  similar  model,  and 
not  greatly  different  in  size.  The  meeting  house,  which  stands 
north  of  the  cemetery,  is  a  little  larger  in  size.  Each  is  sur- 
mounted by  a  belfry.  The  church,  cemetery  and  school  house 
are  about  one-fourth  of  a  mile  west  of  the  railroad  station. 

The  Christian  Society  which  occupies  and  owns  the  meeting 
house  referred  to  is  an  undenominational  society  composed 
simply  of  those  who  contribute  to  its  financial  support.  The  ob- 
ject is  to  maintain  a  Christian  rhinistry  or  preaching  of  the  Gos- 
pel regardless  of  denominational  creeds.  The  preamble  and  res- 
olutions aofreeingf  to  certain  broad  and  liberal  conditions  bears 
date  March  15th,  1830.  Meetings  were  first  held  in  a  school 
house.  At  the  organization,  Jonah  Lincoln  acted  as  moderator, 
and  the  name  then  adopted  was  the  "  New  Boston  Christian  So- 
ciety," after  the  name  which  was  held  by  the  locality  at  that 
time.  January  7th,  1857,  the  name  was  changed  by  vote  of  the 
society  to  "  North  Windham  Christian  Society."  The  meeting 
house  was  built  in  1844.  The  first  members  of  the  society,  that 
is,  those  who  joined  it  previous  to  1840,  were  Jonah  Lincoln, 
Elias  Sharp,  Levi  Johnson,  Daniel  Lincoln,  Jacob  Flint,  Ralph 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  306 

Lincoln,  Samuel  Flint,  James  Lincoln,  Warren  Clark,  Charles  W. 
Warren,  Lester  Lincoln,  Benjamin  Perry,  W^arner  Lincoln, 
Nathaniel  Lincoln,  John  Flint,  Robert  W.  Robinson,  Bnrr  Lin- 
coln, Asa  Bates,  Henry  Lincoln,  David  Lincoln,  Samuel  A.  Lin- 
coln, Stowel  Lincoln,  Darias  Spafford,  Shubael  Cross,  George 
Backus,  Erastus  Martin,  Thomas  Robinson,  Rufus  Burnham, 
Nathan  Gallup,  Moses  Coffin,  William  M.  Johnson,  Horace  Flint, 
Sherman  Simons,  Thomas  Baldwin,  Schuyler  Chamberlin,  Sam- 
uel Flint  2d,  Moses  C.  Abbe,  Marvin  Lincoln,  Nelson  Simms, 
James  L.  Brown,  Philip  R.  Capen,  Luther  Burnham,  William  L. 
Dexter,  John  J.  Burnham,  Levi  Allen,  Mason  Lincoln,  Frank  M. 
Lincoln  and  Allen  Lincoln.  From  1840  up  to  later  dates,  as  giv- 
en in  the  list  following,  other  subscribers  joined  the  society  as 
follows :  Charles  Card,  Hezekiah  P.  Brown,  N.  F.  Ackley,  Reu- 
ben Peck,  Porter  B.  Peck,  Charles  Collar,  Pearl  L.  Peck,  Albert 
Lincoln,  1847;  George  Lincoln,  Oren  F.  Lincoln,  Freeman  D. 
Spencer,  Dwight  F.  Lincoln,  1849 ;  Lorin  Lincoln,  Jared  W.  Lin- 
coln, Sumner  Lincoln,  Thomas  T.  Upton,  Lucius  Ingraham, 
Lucius  Flint,  Henry  E.  Gurley,  1853 ;  Lucius  H.  Cross,  Martin 
Flint,  1858;  Edward  L.  Burnham,  Charles  Johnson,  Seymour 
Davenport,  Joel  W.  Webb,  1859  ;  Pardon  Parker,  Charles  Squires, 
Stowel  Burnham,  Chester  Welden,  1871  ;  Albert  Hartson,  Ed- 
win H.  Hall,  1873 ;  Charles  E.  Peck,  Henry  A.  Jones,  George  E. 
Bennett,  1880 ;  David  Nichols,  Abner  P.  Smith,  Robert  Harley, 
C.  F.  Spencer,  M.  A.  Bates,  William  Sibley. 

The  society  for  many  years  employed  regular  ministers,  who 
resided  here  and  performed  pastoral  functions.  Among  the 
early  ministers  were  Roger  Bingham,  of  Windham,  Harry  Green- 
slit,  of  Scotland  (both  of  whom  also  preached  here  before  the  so- 
ciety was  formally  organized),  Alfred  Burnham,  Savage  White, 
of  Canterbury ;  Isaac  H.  Coe,  Waldo  Barrows,  James  Burlingame, 
a  young  man  by  the  name  of  Wright  for  a  year  or  two,  and  Syl- 
vester Barrows  for  a  year  or  two.  Since  about  1878  no  resident 
pastor  has  been  supported,  but  preaching  has  been  maintained 
more  or  less  by  the  employment  of  ministers  associated  with 
churches  in  the  neighboring  villages  as  circumstances  indicated, 
the  funds  of  the  society  being  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  commit- 
tee with  discretionary  power. 

The  mill  of  which  previous  mention  has  been  made  as  having 
been  once  owned  and  operated  by  the  Lincolns  in  the  manufact- 
ure of  feltmg  for  the  Fourdrinier  paper  machines,  stood  about 
30 


306  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

fifty  rods  below  the  cotton  mill  of  E.  H.  Hall  &  Son,  The  man- 
ufacture of  felting  belts  was  carried  on  by  Stowel  Lincoln  pre- 
vious to  the  late  war.  These  belts  were  endless  and  seamless, 
and  made  to  run  over  rollers  to  take  up  moisture  from  paper 
pulp.  Few  manufactories  of  the  kind  existed  in  this  country, 
and  this  gave  a  considerable  prosperity  to  the  village.  It  gave 
employment  to  about  thirty  hands  in  its  prosperous  days.  This 
business,  however,  faded  out,  and  when  the  war  introduced  the 
"  days  of  shoddy  "  the  mill  was  changed  to  a  factory  for  making 
woolen  cloth.  This  business  was  introduced  by  Stowel  Lincoln, 
and  later  the  mill  has  passed  into  the  hands  of  William  Sibley. 
It  is  only  in  operation  now  a  part  of  the  time. 

Biographical  Sketches. 

Jonathan  Hatch. — Samuel  Hatch,  the  grandfather  of  the  sub- 
ject of  this  biography,  married  Naomi  Phelps.  Their  son  Jona- 
than, a  resident  of  Lebanon,  Connecticut,  was  married  to  Betsey 
Payne  of  the  same  town.  The  children  of  this  union  were  : 
Samuel  O.,  Eliza,  Chester  P.,  Jonathan,  and  James  C,  of  whom 
Chester  P.  and  Jonathan  are  the  only  survivors.  The  latter  was 
born  in  Lebanon,  October  21st,  1817,  and  until  the  age  of  sixteen 
resided  on  the  homestead  farm.  He  received  a  rudimentary  ed- 
ucation, and  on  deciding  to  encourage  his  taste  for  mechanics, 
entered  the  shops  of  Phelps  &  Spafford  at  South  Windham  as  an 
apprentice.  Here  his  services  were  speedily  made  valuable  as  a 
journeyman,  until  an  interest  in  the  business  was  acquired  under 
the  firm  name  of  Smith,  Winchester  &  Co. 

Mr.  Hatch  retained  his  connection  with  the  business  for  thirty 
years,  retiring  from  the  firm  in  1877.  Meanwhile  this  attractive 
field  of  labor  furnished  aid  for  the  development  of  his  inventive 
genius.  He  secured  various  patents  on  machinery,  the  right  to 
some  being  transferred  to  the  firm  while  others  were  reserved 
by  him.  His  attention  is  still  given  to  inventions,  the  most  im- 
portant being  the  construction  of  a  machine  for  the  manufacture 
of  paper  by  a  new  process,  the  patent  for  which  was  obtained  in 
August,  1889.  This  is  but  one  of  several  patents  obtained  by 
him  on  inventions  of  more  or  less  importance.  Mr.  Hatch  has, 
aside  from  his  business  interests,  given  more  or  less  attention  to 
matters  of  a  public  and  political  nature.  He  has  been  for  four 
years  selectman  of  his  town  and  represented  his  constituents  in 
the  state  legislature.     He  was  in  1845  married  to  Alma,  daugh- 


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HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  307 

ter  of  John  and  Lucinda  Armstrong,  of  Franklin,  Connecticut. 
They  have  had  eight  children,  three  of  whom  are  living. 

George  S.  Moulton. — The  subject  of  this  sketch,  George  S. 
Motilton,  was  the  son  of  Harvey  Moulton  and  Anna  M.  Turner, 
who  were  married  October  29th,  1828.  He  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Mansfield,  Tolland  county,  Conn.,  on  the  13th  of  September, 
1829,  and  was  the  eldest  of  six  children.  He  received  a  thorough 
elementary  education,  and  in  youth  spent  several  years  on  a 
farm.  Being,  however,  ambitious  for  a  widea:  field  of  activity 
than  was  open  to  him  in  the  country,  he  went  to  Willimantic  and 
entered  the  Windham  Company's  stores,  of  which  (after  a  few 
years  of  service)  he  became  proprietor.  In  1853  he  married 
Caroline  F.,  daughter  of  John  S.  Hazen  of  Worthington,  Mass. 
Their  three  children  are :  Cora  L.,  now  the  wife  of  A.  L.  Hatha- 
way, Georgianna  and  Everett  Huntington.  In  the  infancy  of 
the  Willimantic  Linen  Company  he  removed  to  New  York  as 
agent  for  the  sale  of  their  thread.  In  conjunction  with  this 
business  he  dealt  largely  in  commercial  paper  and  was  also  inter- 
ested in  other  enterprises  in  that  city  which,  aided  by  his 
superior  judgment  and  executive  ability,  were  eminently  suc- 
cessful. 

In  1869  he  was  compelled  by  failing  health  to  abandon  active 
business, and  retire  to  his  country  home  at  Windham,  near  the 
scene  of  his  birth  and  his  earliest  experiences  in  commercial 
life.  A  Republican  in  politics,  he  was  above  subterfuges  and  in 
all  things  honest  and  honorable.  He  represented  the  town  of 
Windham  in  the  Connecticut  house  of  representatives  in  1871 
and  again  in  1877,  and  in  1878  was  elected  to  the  senate  from  the 
13th  Senatorial  district,  filling  both  positions  with  ability.  In 
1876  he  was  the  nominee  of  his  party  for  presidential  elector. 

Mr.  Moulton  was  for  several  years  a  director  of  the  Williman- 
tic Linen  Company,  and  a  prominent  factor  in  its  development 
and  growth.  He  was  also  a  director  of  the  National  Shoe  and 
Leather  Bank  of  New  York,  of  the  New  York  &  New  England 
and  the  Boston  &  New  York  Air  Line  railroads  and  the  Willi- 
mantic Savings  Institute,  and  at  one  time  president  of  the  Wil- 
limantic Trust  Company.  He  enjoyed  the  reputation  of  being 
an  able  financier,  whose  superior  tact  enabled  him  to  avoid  or 
easily  overcome  reverses  of  fortune.  Mr.  Moulton  was  held  m 
high  esteem,  not  only  by  his  personal  friends  but  by  a  large  cir- 
cle of  acquaintances.    The  afi:ectionate  regard  he  inspired  in  the 


308  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

hearts  of  all  who  knew  him  can  best  be  indicated  by  a  quotation 
from  the  editorial  columns  of  a  leading  journal  on  the  occa- 
sion of   his  death  (which  occurred  on  the  8th  of  June,  1882) : 

"The  man  whose  life  has  been  a  constant  bloom,  imparting 
its  fragrance  to  the  sense  of  all,  suddenly  blighted  from  earth 
leaves  a  vacancy  which  cannot  be  filled :  but  there  remains 
that  sw^eet  perfume  of  a  life  well  spent.  It  is  with  sorrow  we 
are  called  upon  to  record  the  end  of  a  life  so  honored  and 
honorable  as  that  of  George  S.  Moulton.  Few  men  live  whose 
obituary  when  truthfully  written  will  contain  little  else  but 
praise,  but  the  pages  of  this  man's  history  are  radiant  with 
noble  deeds  and  marred  with  blemishes  few  indeed." 

Guilford  Smith.— Joshua  Smith,  the  grandfather  of  Guilford 
Smith,  and  a  native  of  Lebanon,  New  London  county,  subse- 
quently moved  to  Windham  county,  Connecticut,  where  he  was 
both  a  weaver  and  a  farmer,  and  in  connection  with  his  trade 
wove  cloth  for  the  soldiers  during  the  war  of  1812.  His  chil- 
dren were  three  sons,  Chandler,  Charles  and  Marvin,  and  five 
daughters,  Myra,  Lydia,  Laura,  Emily  and  Mary.  Charles,  of 
this  number,  was  born  in  Windham,  and  early  learned  the  trade 
of  a  millwright.  In  1828  he  began  the  manufacture  of  machinery 
at  Stafford  Hollow,  in  Tolland  county,  and  two  years  later, 
having  built  a  foundry  at  South  Windham,  removed  to  that 
point,  where  he  is  still  interested  as  the  senior  member  of  the 
firm  of  Smith,  Winchester  &  Co.,  conducting  a  successful  busi- 
ness under  his  judicious  management.  He  married  Mary, 
daughter  of  Moses  and  Tabatha  Abbe.  Their  children  are  a  son, 
Guilford,  and  a  daughter,  Mary,  wife  of  P.  H.  Woodward,  of 
Hartford. 

Guilford  Smith  was  born  May  12th,  1839,  in  the  town  of  Wind- 
ham, where  he  pursued  his  preliminary  studies,  and  completed 
his  education  at  a  school  of  higher  grade  in  Ellington,  Tolland 
county.  Returning  to  Windham,  he  entered  the  office  of  Smith, 
Winchester  &  Co.  as  bookkeeper  and  draftsman,  and  early  became 
so  thoroughly  identified  with  the  business  as  to  warrant  his  ad- 
mission as  a  partner.  Under  his  able  supervision  it  greatly  in- 
creased in  proportions,  and  a  demand  for  the  products  of  the 
establishment  was  created  in  various  parts  of  Europe,  in  Aus- 
tralia, Japan,  Canada,  Mexico,  and  nearly  all  parts  of  the  United 
States.  Machinery  adapted  to  the  manufacture  of  paper  is  here 
produced,  Mr.  Smith  being  exclusively  at  the  head  of  this  large 


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HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  309 

industry.  The  subject  of  this  biography,  though  not  in  any 
sense  a  politician,  nor  aggressive  in  his  identification  with  local 
affairs,  is  nevertheless  a  strong  factor  in  the  republican  ranks, 
and  wields  in  his  unostentatious  way  no  little  influence  in  the 
county.  In  1883  he  was  the  representative  of  his  town  in  the 
state  house  of  representatives.  He  is  president  of  the  Windham 
Bank  of  Willimantic,  and  director  of  other  banks  and  business 
enterprises.  In  religion  he  adheres  to  the  Congregational 
church,  to  which  his  generous  aid  is  given.  Mr,  Smith  was  mar- 
ried December  16th,  1863,  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Thomas  Rams- 
dell,  of  Mansfield,  Connecticut. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


WILLIMANTIC. 


General  Description. — Communication  with  the  World.— Some  Public  Features. 
— Retrospect  of  Half  a  Century. — Early  Stages  of  the  Cotton  Mill  Industries. — 
Starting  of  the  Windham  and  Smithville  Companies. — First  Steps  of  the 
Linen  Company's  Plant.— Early  Builders  of  the  Village.— The  Post  Office. — 
Incorporation  of  the  Borough. — Fire  Companies  and  Engines. — Fire  Depart- 
ment.— Destructive  Fires. — Water  Works. — Public  Schools. — Libraries. — 
Churches  :  Congregational,  Baptist,  Methodist,  Catholic,  Episcopal,  Spirit- 
ualist, Mission  Hall,  Camp  Meeting. — Growth  of  Manufacturing. — Windham 
Company. — Smithville  Company. — Linen  Company. — Holland  Silk  Company. 
— Morrison  Company. — Chaffee  &  Son. — Turner  Silk  Mill. — Natchaug  Silk 
Company. — Foundry. — Builders  and  Other  Manufacturers. — Board  of  Trade. 
— Cemeteries. — Masonic  History. — Benefit  Societies. — Banks. — Buildings. — 
Newspapers,  Printing  and  Wood  Type. — Biographical  Sketches. 


WILLIMANTIC,  a  beautiful  village  of  about  ten  thousand 
inhabitants,  lies  in  the  southwest  corner  of  the  town 
of  Windham,  and  consequently  in  the  southwest  corner 
of  the  county.  The  Willimantic,  a  vigorous  stream,  as  powerful 
and  as  graceful  as  its  name  is  beautiful,  winds  along  the  valley 
through  the  center  of  the  borough  to  which  it  has  given  name. 
On  the  slope  of  the  left  bank  lies  the  principal  part  of  the  vil- 
lage, and  nearly  all  of  the  business  concerns.  Great  power  is 
furnished  for  the  driving  of  machinery  by  the  falls  in  the  river, 
and  this  circumstance  gave  rise  to  the  building  of  a  populous 
village  here.  In  the  eastern  suburbs  of  the  village  the  Natchaug 
joins  the  Willimantic,  and  they  unitedly  form  the  Shetucket. 

No  place  in  New  England,  dependent  upon  railroad  transport- 
ation facilities,  is  better  endowed  in  this  respect.  The  situation 
of  the  Willimantic  is  one  that  commends  itself  to  the  serious 
consideration  of  progressive  and  far-seeing  business  men  Avho 
are  about  to  embark  in  new  and  promising  enterprises,  or  who 
desire  to  change  from  unsuitable  and  inconvenient  locations  to 
more  congenial  and  favorable  ones,  such  as  they  will  find  Wil- 
limantic to  be  after  having  looked  over  the  field  and  come  in 
contact  with  its  citizens. 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  311 

Here  they  will  find  first-class  facilities  for  receiving  materials 
and  shipping  goods,  a  desirable  place  of  residence,  an  excellent 
system  of  water-works,  ample  police  protection,  an  effective  fire 
department,  the  very  best  banking  accommodations,  moderate 
taxes,  electric  lights,  good  schools,  churches,  public  libraries,  etc., 
and  opportunities  to  secure  favorable  building  sites  for  res- 
idences at  reasonable  prices. 

Magnificent  hills  rise  on  either  side  of  the  valley,  and  these 
are  yet  unoccupied  except  in  a  few  instances.  When  their  sum- 
mits are  crowned  by  some  structures  of  architectural  beauty,  as 
doubtless  some  day  they  will  be,  then  the  attractions  of  Willi- 
mantic  will  impress  the  passing  traveler,  or  the  prospecting  in- 
vestor or  resident,  as  one  of  the  most  desirable  localities  in  all 
this  section  of  the  country.  Already  it  is  one  of  the  most  flour- 
ishing and  rapidly  growing  towns  in  New  England,  as  doubtless 
it  is  the  most  important  one  of  eastern  Connecticut.  Its  rapid 
growth  is  shown  by  the  following  facts  :  By  the  census  report  of 
1870  the  population  of  the  borough  was  4,048 ;  in  1880,  6,612 ;  a 
gain  of  63i  per  cent,  in  ten  years.  At  the  same  rate  of  increase 
from  1880  to  1890,  the  next  census  will  show  a  population  of  10,- 
799.  Based  on  the  number  of  names  in  the  Directory  for  1887, 
a  population  of  10,000  has  already  been  attained.  The  time  is 
not  far  distant  when  these  figures  will  be  doubled.  Willimantic's 
advantages  and  prospects  of  future  growth  and  development 
warrant  this  assertion. 

The  railroad  facilities  are  ample.  The  New  York  and  New 
England  railroad  runs  from  Boston,  directly  through  Williman- 
tic,  to  the  Hudson  river  at  Newburgh,  a  distance  of  220  miles, 
passing  through  Hartford,  New  Britain,  Waterbury  and  Dan- 
bury.  Within  a  year  or  two  this  road  will  have  direct  connec- 
tion with,  the  Pennsylvania  coal  and  oil  fields  and  all  western 
points,  via  the  Poughkeepsie  bridge,  recently  completed. 
The  New  England  railroad  also  extends  from  Willimantic 
to  Providence,  R.  I.,  58  miles,  and  the  company  operates  a  num- 
ber of  important  branches,  among  them  the  Connecticut  Central, 
from  Hartford  to  Springfield,  Mass.,  and  the  Norwich  and  Wor- 
cester road,  which  runs  in  connection  with  the  Norwich  and 
New  York  steamboat  line.  The  division  of  the  New  England 
road  between  Boston  and  Willimantic  is  double-tracked,  as  are 
also  sections  of  the  line  westward  to  New  Britain.  Willimantic 
has  direct  communication  with  New  York  city  over  the  Air  Line 


312  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

and  New  York,  New  Haven  and  Hartford  roads,  both  operated 
under  one  management,  and  over  the  New  England  road  via 
Hartford.  The  New  London  Northern  road  passes  through 
Willimantic,  running  northerly  until  it  reaches  a  junction  with 
the  Vermont  Central  system,  of  which  it  forms  a  part,  and  also 
making  connection  with  the  Boston  and  Albany  road  at  Palmer, 
Mass. 

Willimantic  is  only  sixteen  miles  from  tide  water  at  Norwich, 
communication  with  which  is  direct  by  the  New  London  North- 
ern railroad,  and  is  also  reached  by  rail  via  Plainfield  over  the 
New  England  road.  Tide  water  is  also  had  via  the  Air  Line  road 
to  New  Haven,  54  miles,  and  by  the  New  England  road  to  Prov- 
idence, 58  miles,  and  at  Hartford,  30  miles.  Fast  express  trains 
place  Willimantic  within  two  hours  of  Boston  and  three  hours  of 
New  York.  To  Boston  is  86  miles,  to  New  York  117  miles. 
Willimantic  is  almost  midway  between  Boston,  the  metropolis 
of  New  England,  and  New  York,  the  commercial  center  of  this 
globe.  People  can  also  go  to  and  come  from  Philadelphia  and 
Washington,  D.  C,  without  change  of  cars. 

In  hotel  accommodations  Willimantic  stands  second  to  no  town 
in  Connecticut.  There  are  five,  viz..  Hooker  House  (new),  Brain- 
erd  House,  Hotel  Commercial,  Revere  House  and  European 
House.  Of  these,  the  Brainerd  House  is  the  oldest.  But  that 
has  no  claim  to  antiquity.  The  original  hotel  of  Willimantic  is 
a  brick  house,  still  standing  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  which 
in  the  old  stage-coach  days  was  a  stopping  place  on  the  great 
thoroughfare  between  Providence  and  Hartford.  Later,  the 
house  in  the  village  now  known  as  the  Chaffee  House  was  opened 
by  Mr.  Brainerd,  and  still  later  the  present  Brainerd  House  was 
fitted  up  by  a  company,  and  Mr.  Brainerd  managed  it  and  gave 
its  name.  The  Hooker  House  is  pre-eminently  one  of  the  finest 
hotels  in  eastern  Connecticut,  and  perhaps  the  finest.  It  was 
erected  in  1886  by  S.  C.  Hooker.  It  is  a  substantial  four-story 
brick  building,  the  interior  arrangement  of  which  is  a  marvel  of 
convenience  and  economy.  Corridors  nine  feet  wide  run  through 
the  center  of  the  building  on  each  floor,  and  a  hydraulic  elevator, 
steam  heat,  hot  and  cold  water,  electric  bells  and  speaking  tubes, 
are  among  the  modern  advantages  in  the  generally  complete 
equipment.  There  are  one  hundred  chambers  of  uniform  size, 
and  the  eating  and  sleeping  accommodations  are  first-class  in 
every  respect. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  313 

The  superior  court  of  Windham  county  holds  half  of  all  its 
civil  and  criminal  terms  of  court  in  Willimantic.  Under  a  re- 
cent statute  permitting  transfer  of  causes  from  one  county  to 
another  for  trial,  by  agreement  of  parties  or  their  counsel,  many 
cases  arising  in  Mansfield,  Coventry,  Andover,  Columbia,  Hebron, 
Willington  and  Stafford  are  also  tried  here.  The  court  house 
is  one  of  the  most  elegant  in  its  finish  and  furniture,  and  con- 
venient in  its  appointments,  of  any  in  the  state. 

Taxation  here  is  moderate.  Property  is  not  assessed  to  exceed 
60  percent,  of  its  market  valuation,  and  the  combined  borough 
and  town  tax  rate  is  only  16^  mills  on  the  dollar.  The  grand 
list  for  1886  was  :  Borough,  $3,505,804  ;  town,  $4,146,127. 

Three  lines  for  telegraphic  communication  are  available — the 
Western  Union,  United  Lines,  and  the  Mutual  Union — and  man- 
ufacturers and  business  men  here  get  the  benefit  of  the  lowest 
prevalent  rates  to  all  competing  points.  The  telephone  service 
is  complete,  and  an  electric  light  plant  is  in  operation. 

For  pleasant  drives,  Willimantic  and  vicinity  towns  offer  un- 
usual attractions.  The  main  street  from  the  eastern  to  the  west- 
ern limit  furnishes  a  drive  of  nearly  two  miles,  and  gives  the 
stranger  a  very  good  idea  of  the  place,  passing  as  he  does  through 
the  business  portion  of  the  town.  The  opera  house,  court  house, 
all  the  hotels  and  banks,  the  Linen  Company's  four  large  mills, 
the  Smithville  and  Windham  Companies'  mills,  and  the  Willi- 
mantic fair  grounds,  are  located  on  this  thoroughfare.  In  the 
outside  drives,  a  favorite  one  is  easterly  over  Bricktop  hill  to 
Windham.  Another  is  along  Pleasant  street,  on  the  south  side 
of  the  river  and  running  parallel  with  it.  Here  a  five  minutes' 
climb  will  take  one  to  the  top  of  Hosmer  mountain,  the  location 
of  the  reservoir  from  which  the  village  receives  its  supply  of 
water.  Here  a  magnificent  view  of  the  village  and  the  surround- 
ing country  may  be  had.  The  picture  shows  the  beautiful  Wil- 
limantic river  winding  its  way  through  the  meadows  as  it  comes 
down  from  the  northwest ;  the  different  railroads  as  they  ap- 
proach the  converging  point,  from  the  "four  winds  of  heaven ;  " 
on  the  right,  the  majestic  Natchaug,  wreathing  its  serpentine 
course  through  hill  and  vale,  as  if  in  no  hurry  to  leave  its  pleas- 
ant surroundings;  the  Mansfield,  Coventry,  Lebanon  and  Colum- 
bia hills,  dotted  here  and  there  with  villages  and  thrifty  farm 
houses,  and  the  village  of  Willimantic  below,  with  its  mills, 
workshops,  business  blocks  and  fine  residences.     In  the  way  of 


314  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

longer  drives  may  be  mentioned  one  to  the  south,  over  Village 
hill  to  Lebanon,  about  seven  miles,  and  to  the  west  to  Columbia 
green  and  the  Columbia  reservoir,  a  very  popular  resort  for  fish- 
ing and  picnicingL^arties  ;  another  to  the  north  to  South  Cov- 
entry, noted  /as  the  site  of  the  monument  to  Nathan  Hale,  of 
revolutionary  fame.  To  the  west  of  the  village  lies  Lake  Wam- 
gumbaug,  a  very  pretty  sheet  of  water,  and  quite  celebrated  lo- 
cally for  its  fine  black  bass  fishing.  Yet  another  fine  drive,  but 
somewhat  longer,  is  the  one  north  through  Mansfield  street  to 
the  Storrs  agricultural  school.  On  this  route  is  passed  the  Wil- 
limantic  water  works  pumping  station.  The  Natchaug  river  is 
dammed  at  this  point,  forming  a  beautiful  lake,  with  grounds 
laid  out  very  tastily  as  a  small  park.  This  is  fast  becoming  a 
very  popular  resort  for  Willimantic  people  in  summer,  being 
only  a  short  drive  of  two  and  a  half  miles  from  the  place. 

The  Willimantic  Fair  Association  is  in  a  thrifty  condition, 
with  good  grounds,  new,  roomy  and  substantial  buildings,  and 
the  best  half-mile  track  in  the  county.  Horsemen  with  national 
reputations  have  spoken  in  the  highest  terms  of  the  superior  ad- 
vantages of  this  track  for  horse  trotcing,  and  of  the  manage- 
ment. All  the  exhibitions  have  been  eminently  successful,  and 
the  prospects  are  flattering  for  the  future. 

About  the  close  of  the  first  quarter  of  the  present  century, 
Willimantic  consisted  only  of  a  few  straggling  houses  here  and 
there.  The  old  Carey  house  was  here,  and  that  is  still  standing. 
The  Baker  house  was  one  of  its  associates,  and  that  is  still  stand- 
ing. A  small  paper  and  grist  mill  and  saw  mill,  owned  by  Clark 
&  Gray  of  Windham,  stood  just  east  of  the  residence  of  John 
H.  Capen,  near  the  present  site  of  No.  2  thread  mill.  The  old 
state  powder  works  of  the  revolutionary  time  occupied  very 
nearly  the  same  site.  At  that  time  this  locality  was  familiarly 
and  locally  known  as  "  the  State,"  a  name  which  clung  to  it  for 
many  years.  A  short  distance  east  of  the  grist  mill  were  two 
dwellmg  houses,  and  on  the  north  side  of  Carey  hill  one  or  two 
more,  which  have  long  since  disappeared.  On  Main  street,  just 
east  of  E.  C,  Carpenter's  store,  stood  the  Azariah  Balcom  resi- 
dence, connected  with  a  large  tract  of  land  located  north  of  Main 
street.  The  next  house  west  was  owned  by  Erastus  Fitch,  and 
in  later  years  by  Hardin  H.  Fitch,  one  of  the  oldest  natives  of 
the  village.  There  was  but  one  more  dwelling  west  of  him  on 
Main  street  within  the  corporate  limits,  and  that  was  on  the  site 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  315 

of  the  present  town  alms-house.  It  was  replaced  by  a  more  mod- 
ern structure  in  1835.  This  was  afterward  used  as  a  tavern, 
standing  at  the  fork  of  the  Bolton  and  Coventry  roads.  It  was 
afterward  purchased  and  used  as  a  town  alms-house,  and  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire  about  eight  or  ten  years  since.  A  new  and  hand- 
some building,  the  present  town  house,  was  erected  on  the  spot. 
This  is  a  large  two-and-a-half-story  building,  sufficiently  com- 
modious to  alTord  room  for  one  hundred  and  fifty  inmates.  Fifty 
to  sixty  inmates  are  frequently  in  the  house  in  winter,  but  a 
smaller  number  are  here  in  summer.  Men  arrested  for  drunk- 
enness and  vagrancy  are  frequently  sent  up  here  to  work  out 
a  fine.  A  small  farm  is  worked  in  connection  with  the  house. 
Some  aged  and  indigent  persons  are  cared  for,  and  a  few  insane, 
but  such  are  generally  sent  to  Middletown.  The  building  is  a 
frame  structure,  clapboarded  and  neatly  painted. 

Returning  to  the  period  which  we  are  reviewing,  on  the  south 
side  of  the  river  but  one  dwelling  stood  at  the  west  end  of  Pleas- 
ant street.  At  the  east  end  of  that  street  stands  the  old  home- 
stead of  Alfred  Young,  Sr.,  one  of  the  early  and  prominent  men 
of  Windham.  South  of  this  stood  the  Murdoch  house,  which 
has  since  been  taken  down.  On  South  Main  street  stood  the 
house  of  Anson  Youngs,  which  was  used  as  a  house  of  public  en- 
tertainment in  revolutionary  days,  but  has  been  replaced  by  a 
more  modern  structure  within  a  recent  period.  East  of  this  lo- 
cality stands  the  dwelling  formerly  occupied  by  Josiah  Dean,  Sr., 
one  of  the  early  residents  of  this  locality.  In  this  description 
we  have  specified  about  all  there  was  of  Willimantic  at  the  time 
mentioned. 

The  pioneer  cotton  spinner  of  Willimantic  was  Perez  O.  Rich- 
mond, who  came  here  from  Rhode  Island  some  time  in  the  year 
1822,  and  purchased  the  privilege  at  the  lower  end  of  the  bor- 
ough now  known  as  Willimantic  Linen  Company's  Mill  No.  2. 
On  this  site  he  built  a  mill  of  wood,  about  forty  by  sixty  feet, 
one  and  a  half  stories  high,  put  in  machinery  and  commenced 
making  cotton  yarn.  He  also  built  a  cheap  row  of  tenements, 
six  in  number,  just  north  of  the  mill,  for  his  operatives.  Mr. 
Richmond  continued  to  run  this  mill  until  1827,  when  it  passed 
into  the  possession  of  Messrs.  Hawes,  father  and  son,  of  Prov- 
idence, R.  I,,  who  made  extensive  repairs  to  the  mill  and  ten- 
ements, and  also  erected  a  large  boarding  house  and  the  best 
store  in  the  place. 


316  HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

In  1823  Major  Matthew  Watson,  Hartford  Tingley,  Rathbone 
Tingley  and  Arnnah  C.  Tingley.  all  of  Providence,  R.  L,  pur- 
chased the  privilege  and  land  adjoining,  at  the  upper  end  of  the 
village,  and  formed  a  corporation  by  the  name  of  the  Windham 
Cotton  Manufacturing  Company.  They  built  a  dam  across  the 
river  and  put  up  a  mill,  which  is  now  the  south  half  of  the  west 
mill  belonging  to  the  Windham  Company.  Here  they  put  in 
machinery  and  commenced  making  cotton  sheetings  and  shirt- 
ings. They  also  erected  some  six  dwelling  houses  for  two  fami- 
lies each,  which  were  known  then,  as  now,  as  the  "Yellow 
Row."  A  store  on  Main  street  at  the  head  of  the  row  of  houses 
was  built  and  filled  with  goods  for  the  operatives.  Arnnah  C. 
Tingley,  one  of  the  owners,  removed  here  from  Providence  and 
became  the  local  agent  of  the  corporation.  He  built  and  occu- 
pied the  dwelling  house  west  of  the  store  on  Main  street.  The 
erection  of  a  dam  for  this  corporation  caused  a  set  back  of  the 
water  for  two  miles  or  more,  overflowing  large  tracts  of  meadow 
on  this  river  and  on  Hop  river  and  Ten  Mile  river  as  well.  This 
caused  much  damage  to  lands  overflowed,  and  quite  a  large 
amount  was  paid  by  the  company  in  settlement  of  such  claims. 

About  the  time  the  Windham  company  commenced  operations 
Deacon  Charles  Lee,  of  Windham,  purchased  the  site  of  what  is 
now  the  Smithville  Company's  property,  and  erected  a  mill  for 
the  manufacture  of  cotton  goods,  four  dwellings  and  a  barn  and 
store  house.  In  the  spring  of  1827  a  store  was  erected  by  him 
on  the  corner  of  Main  and  what  is  now  Bridge  street,  in  which 
were  kept  a  general  assortment  of  dry  goods  and  groceries.  As- 
sociated with  him  in  the  store  was  Royal  Jennings,  who  came 
from  Windham  and  remained  here  until  1840,  when  he  removed 
to  Milwaukee,  Wis.  Deacon  Lee  removed  to  Norwich  and  was 
for  many  years  the  head  of  the  firm  of  Lee  &  Osgood.  They 
were  active  business  men  and  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  moral 
and  religious  welfare  of  this  young  and  growing  community. 

In  1824  Messrs.  William,  Asa  and  Seth  Jillson,  three  brothers 
from  Dorchester,  Mass.,  purchased  land  on  the  south  side  of 
Main  street,  with  the  water  privilege  attached  thereto,  built  the 
dam  and  laid  the  foundation  of  a  cotton  mill  on  the  site  of  what 
is  now  the  Linen  Company's  spool  shop.  At  that  time  this  was 
the  largest  cotton  mill  in  Willimantic.  In  connection  with  the 
manufacture  of  cotton  goods  quite  an  extensive  business  was 
done  by  this  firm  in  the  manufacture  of  machinery  for  cotton 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  317 

mills.  The  stone  building  opposite  the  mill,  and  five  dwellings 
for  four  families  each,  were  erected  by  this  corporation.  An  ad- 
ditional mill  was  erected  a  few  rods  below  for  the  same  purpose, 
greatly  enlarging  what  for  that  time  was  an  extensive  business 
in  cotton  manufacture.  The  senior  brother  built  the  stone  house 
between  Main  and  Union  streets  for  his  residence.  Asa  built 
the  fine  house  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  and  Seth  built 
another  on  South  Main  street,  the  three  being  at  that  time  the 
finest  residences  in  the  village. 

Thus,  in  1826,  Willimantic  had  four  cotton  mills  in  successful 
operation,  and  began  to  assume  considerable  importance.  Peter 
Simpson  built  a  one-story  dwelling  on  the  site  of  the  present 
Brainerd  House.  The  old  State  powder  works  had  passed  into 
the  hands  of  Samuel  Byrne  and  David  Smith,  who  were  oper- 
ating under  the  firm  name  of  Byrne  &  Smith.  Guy  Hebard  had 
erected  a  brick  house  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  and  opened 
it  for  the  entertainment  of  the  public.  Of  this  we  have  already 
spoken.  Here  all  public  gatherings,  Fourth  of  July  celebrations, 
trainings,  dancing  schools,  balls  and  other  carousals  of  festivity 
were  held.  The  old  Hebard  tavern  was  known  far  and  wide. 
The  first  grog-shop  in  the  village  was  opened  by  Thomas  W. 
Cunningham,  and  was  located  on  what  is  now  the  west  corner  of 
Walnut  and  Main  streets. 

Philip  Hopkins,  one  of  the  first  to  build  on  private  account, 
built  a  house  on  what  is  now  the  site  of  Levi  A.  Frink's  block 
on  Main  street.  He  also  had  a  general  blacksmith  shop  on  Main 
street,  near  his  residence.  Alfred  Howes  had  a  similar  shop  at 
the  lower  end  of  the  village  at  the  same  time.  He  soon  gave  up 
the  business,  purchased  land  between  Main,  Union,  Jackson, 
Maple  and  Church  streets,  and  engaged  in  the  first  drug  business 
in  the  village,  in  association  with  Newton  Fitch  and  Doctor  John 
A.  Perkins  of  Windham. 

Jairus  Littlefield,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  the  village, 
built  and  occupied  a  house  on  Main  street  where  C.  E.  Carpenter 
&  Co.'s  store  now  stands.  He  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life 
here,  representing  the  town  in  the  legislature,  and  was  a  trial 
justice  for  many  years.  Stephen  Hosmer  built  the  second  house 
on  Pleasant  street,  west  of  Young's  residence.  He  moved  here 
from  Columbia  in  the  fall  of  1827.  He  was  a  lively  business 
man,  owned  a  good  deal  of  land  and  was  an  extensive  farmer. 
He  also  owned  the  turnpike  road  from  Hebron  to  Hebard's  tav- 


318  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

ern.  At  that  time  there  were  no  streets  south  side  of  the  river 
except  Columbia  Turnpike  (now  Pleasant  street),  Card  road  and 
wSouth  street.  Main  street  was  the  only  one  on  the  north  side  of 
the  river.  Through  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Hosmer  the  courts  ordered 
Bridge  street  to  be  opened. 

About  the  year  1825,  under  the  administration  of  John  Quincy 
Adams,  a  post  office  was  established  here  by  the  name  of  Willi- 
mantic  Falls,  which  form  the  name  retained  until  about  1833, 
when  the  "  Falls  "  was  dropped  from  it.  Henry  Hall,  at  that 
time  a  bork-keeper  and  clerk  for  the  Windham  Cotton  Manufac- 
turing Company,  was  appointed  postmaster.  The  most  conven- 
ient location  seemed  to  be  at  the  Hebard  tavern  and  there  the 
office  was  established  and  kept,  Mr.  Hebard  having  charge  of 
the  office  as  Mr.  Hall's  deput}^  All  the  mails  in  those  days  were 
carried  by  stages  or  other  vehicles,  and  the  tavern  was  a  handy 
place  for  mail  carriers  to  stop  at.  After  Mr.  Hall  resigned  the 
position  George  W.  Hebard  was  appointed  postmaster,  and  he 
removed  the  office  to  the  stone  store  opposite  the  present  Linen 
Company's  spool  shop.  Here  it  remained  for  some  time.  Thence 
it  was  moved  to  a  building  near  the  Iron  Works  bridge,  about 
opposite  the  south  end  of  the  Linen  Company's- Mill  No.  1.  Mr. 
Hebard  kept  also  a  grocery  store.  The  next  postmaster  was 
Colonel  Roswell  Moulton,  who  after  keeping  the  office  for  a 
while  at  the  old  location,  removed  it  to  his  new  store  nearly 
opposite  the  building  now  occupied  by  Edward  F.  Casey.  There 
it  remained  until  July  1st,  1843,  when  Lloyd  E.  Baldwin  was 
appointed  postmaster  and  removed  the  office  to  the  store  nearly 
opposite  the  Revere  House.  The  pay  of  the  office  at  that  time 
amounted  to  about  $300  a  year,  being  based  on  commissions. 
The  next  postmaster  was  Joshua  B.  Lord,  w^ho  removed  the  office 
to  his  store  in  what  is  now  Hanover's  Block.  He  was  succeeded 
by  William  L.  Weaver,  who  removed  the  office  to  his  store,  but 
retained  it  only  a  few  months.  James  H.  Work  was  the  next 
occupant  of  the  office,  which  was  now  kept  in  the  twin  buildings 
west  of  the  Franklin  Building.  Then  followed  Thomas  Camp- 
bell, whose  office  was  where  the  Adams  Express  Company  is 
now  located.  He  was  succeeded  by  William  H.  Hosmer,  whose 
term  closed  in  July,  1861,  he  being  succeeded  by  James  Walden, 
who  held  the  office  eight  years.  His  successor  was  John  Brown, 
who  held  the  office  twelve  years,  and  filled  the  post  of  assistant 
for  as  long  a  term  on  the  end  of  that.     He  was  succeeded  by 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  319 

his  predecessor  Mr.  Walden,  who  held  it  for  an  equal  term  of 
years,  and  gave  place  to  Henry  N.,  Wales,  the  present  incum- 
bent. 

No  private  individual  contributed  more  in  his  time  to  the 
growth  and  prosperity  of  the  village  than  Daniel  Sessions.  He 
was  a  farmer,  living  some  two  miles  west  of  the  village  on  the 
turnpike  road  to  Coventry.  Almost  all  the  brick  used  here  in 
early  days  were  made  and  furnished  by  him.  He  also  furnished 
timber,  erected  the  frames  and  finished  the  buildings  ready  for 
occupancy  in  many  instances.  Apollos  Perkins,  William  W. 
Avery  and  John  Brown,  living  in  the  near  vicinity,  did  more  or 
less  in  this  line  of  business,  contributing  essentially  to  the 
growth  and  prosperity  of  the  village. 

In  1833  the  growth  of  the  village  seemed  to  indicate  that  the 
condition  of  things  might  be  improved  by  incorporation  as  a 
borough.  A  petition  to  the  legislature  was  accordingly  pre- 
sented, which  contained  the  signatures  of  the  business  men  of 
the  place.  It  was  sent  to  the  legislature  at  their  session  at  Hart- 
ford, in  May,  1833.  Stephen  Hosmer  was  one  of  the  represen 
tatives  of  the  town,  and  through  his  efforts,  together  with  those 
of  other  citizens,  a  charter  was  obtained,  organizing  Willimantic 
into  a  borough.  Mr.  Hosmer  was  authorized  to  call  a  meeting 
of  the  legal  voters  residing  within  the  corporate  limits  for  the 
purpose  of  completing  the  organization  by  the  election  of  offi- 
cers provided  for  in  the  charter.  The  meeting  was  held  on  the 
first  day  of  July  in  the  same  year,  and  the  following  officers 
were  elected :  Loren  Carpenter,  warden  ;  Doctor  Newton  Fitch, 
clerk  and  treasurer;  Wightman  Williams,  Asa  Jillson,  Samuel 
Barrows,  Jr.,  William  C.  Boon,  Doctor  William  Witter,  Royal 
Jennings,  burgesses  ;  Stephen  Dexter,  bailiff.  A  tax  was  levied 
and  Thomas  W.  Cunningham  was  chosen  tax  collector. 

Under  the  charter  a  disinterested  committee  of  three  persons 
■  was  to  be  appointed  once  in  five  years,  by  the  county  court  of 
Windham,  to  set  off  to  the  borough  their  fair  proportion  of  roads 
in  the  town  to  keep  in  order  during  the  following  five  years. 
This  arrangement  after  a  time  became  a  source  of  dissatisfaction, 
as  many  of  the  roads  to  be  repaired  were  outside  the  corporate 
limits.  By  a  subsequent  amendment  to  the  charter  this  matter 
was  remedied  by  assigning  only  the  highways  within  its  limits 
to  the  borough.  The  regular  election  of  officers  occurs  on  the 
second  Tuesday  in  November  annually.  The  borough  officers 
/ 


320  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

in  1888  were:  John  M.  Alpaugh,  warden ;  William  H.  Latham, 
George  Tiffany,  James  A.  McAvoy,  D.  W.  C.  Hill,  Charles  R.  Ut- 
ley,  James  M.  Smith,  burgesses ;  Charles  N.  Daniels,  clerk  and 
treasurer;  Frederick  L.  Clark,  bailiff;  Charles  B.  Jordan,  collec- 
tor; Albert  R.  Morrison,  Samuel  C.  Smith,  Jerome  B.  Baldwin, 
water  commissioners ;  Homer  E.  Remington,  treasurer  of  water 
fund. 

The  history  of  the  fire  companies  of  Willimantic  begins  with 
the  history  of  the  first  company  at  Windham  Green.  Upon  the 
petition  of  Samuel  Gray  and  others  the  legislature  in  May,  1814, 
granted  to  the  "Center  District,"  the  name  applied  to  Windham 
Green,  certain  corporate  privileges  which  were  improved  in 
measures  for  protection  against  fire.  Some  obstruction  in  the 
conditions  or  powers  of  the  people  under  this  and  subsequent 
acts  prevented  the  accomplishment  of  the  purpose  desired  in  that 
way,  and  a  voluntary  effort  was  made  by  the  people,  by  which  a 
fire  engine  was  obtained.  In  June,  1821,  the  corporate  fire  dis- 
trict purchased  of  the  private  company  their  engine  for  $180, 
and  July  2d,  George  W.  Webb,  Henry  Webb  and  Eliphalet  Rip- 
ley were  chosen  fire  wardens  for  the  district,  with  instructions 
to  enlist  a  fire  company.  A  company  of  twxnty-f our  was  prompt- 
ly formed.  In  addition,  cisterns,  wells,  buckets  and  other  appa- 
ratus for  working  at  fires  were  provided  and  an  engine  house 
built,  which  stood  in  the  vacant  lot  just  back  of  the  present  Con- 
gregational church  at  Windham.  The  original  hand  engine  is 
still  preserved  as  a  curious  historic  relic.  In  shape  it  is  like  a 
miniature  rectangular  coal  barge,  in  dimensions  six  by  two  and 
a  half  feet  at  the  top,  and  five  by  one  and  a  half  feet  at  the  bot- 
tom, and  a  foot  or  more  in  depth.  The  body  is  mounted  on  a 
pair  of  low  wheels.  The  two  pump  levers  move  horizontally 
across  the  top  of  the  body,  the  handles  running  across  them  be- 
ing long  enough  to  allow  two  men  at  each  lever  to  work  them. 
The  body  is  mounted  by  a  cylindrical  water  dome,  through 
which  water  was  forced  by  two  pistons  connected  with  the  levers. 
Water  was  brought  in  buckets  and  poured  into  the  body  at  one 
end,  whence  it  was  drawn  by  the  pump  and  discharged  through 
a  hose  which  at  first  was  only  four  feet  long,  with  a  nozzle  at  the 
end.  Twenty  feet  of  hose  was  afterward  purchased.  The  en- 
gine was  provided  with  thills  by  which  a  horse  could  be  used,  but 
it  was  generally  drawn  by  hand.  By  vigorous  working  it  could  be 
made  to  throw  a  half-inch  stream   fifty  or  sixty  feet  into  the  air. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  321 

The  original  company  disbanded  in  1850,  and  then  the  engine 
was  sold  to  the  late  Justin  Swift,  in  whose  family  it  still  remains. 

As  the  growth  of  Willimantic  increased  the  dangers  from  fire, 
some  organized  means  of  protection  seemed  necessary.  As  early 
as  1830  movements  were  made  in  that  direction,  but  nothing 
was  accomplished  until  after  the  incorporation  of  the  borough. 
In  October,  1833,  fire  wardens  were  elected,  whose  duty  it  was  to 
direct  the  people  who  should  volunteer  to  work  at  fires.  Appa- 
ratus was  also  provided  for,  such  as  ladders,  buckets,  etc.  An 
engine,  similar  to  the  Windham  engine,  was  also  procured.  A 
company  appears  to  have  been  formed  at  some  time  between 
1830  and  1833,  but  its  organization  and  members  are  matters  of 
uncertainty,  as  no  records  appear  to  exist  in  relation  to  it.  The 
number  of  fire  wardens  varied  at  different  times,  being  three, 
four,  five  and  at  one  time  as  great  as  thirteen.  In  1837  the  num- 
ber of  members  in  the  company  was  allowed  to  be  increased  by 
ten.  Certain  privileges  were  allowed  members  of  the  fire  com- 
pany so  that  the  ranks  were  easily  filled  when  vacancies  occurred . 
The  need  of  some  more  effective  means  was  felt,  and  by  the 
logic  of  events  in  several  disastrous  fires  it  was  shown  that  the 
old  engine  was  not  equal  to  the  times,  and  the  company  seems 
to  have  become  disorganized  about  the  year  1850.  The  old  en- 
gine was  stored  for  a  while,  but  in  1858  it  was  sold,  together 
with  the  engine  hoUvSe  and  equipments.  The  engine  house  stood 
for  many  years  on  the  "Jesse  Spafford  lot,"  now  covered  by  the 
Hamlin  block,  and  its  exact  location  was  on  the  northeast  corner 
now  occupied  by  W.  N.  Potter's  drug  store. 

From  the  dates  last  mentioned  up  to  1868  there  was  no  engine 
company  or  engine  for  extinguishing  fires  in  the  borough.  The 
need  of  some  means  of  protection  was  strongly  urged,  both  by 
prudent  minds  and  disastrous  events.  Efforts  had  been  made 
in  that  direction  the  previous  year,  but  nothing  decisive  had 
been  accomplished.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1867  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  cost  of  fire  apparatus. 
The  committee  was  instructed  March  5th,  1868,  to  buy  a  second- 
hand engine  which  it  had  been  ascertained  was  for  sale  at 
Greenville,  Conn.,  for  three  hundred  dollars.  This  was  done. 
The  engine  was  mounted  on  four  wheels,  and  was  operated  by 
levers  at  which  about  twenty  men  could  work  at  once.  It  was 
provided  with  suction  pipe,  and  would  draw  water  from  a  cis- 
tern or  well  and  discharge  it  through  a  line  of  hose.  Various 
21 


322  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

schemes  for  further  improvement  were  agitated,  but  no  definite 
plan  was  settled  upon  until  November,  1872,  when  the  borough 
ordered  two  chemical  fire  extinguishers  of  the  New  England 
Fire  Extinguisher  Company,  at  an  expense  of  $1,600.  Mean- 
while the  Excelsior  Hook  and  Ladder  Company  was  formed, 
with  Joel  W.  Webb  as  foreman,  and  the  borough  purchased 
them  a  truck  provided  with  single  and  extension  ladders,  and 
other  proper  equipments.  Two  companies  were  formed  to  oper- 
ate the  chemical  fire  extinguishers.  The  first  was  called  Foun- 
tain Fire  Extinguisher  No.  1,  and  the  second,  Fountain  Fire 
Extinguisher  No.  2.  John  Crawford  was  foreman  of  the  first,  and 
Samuel  Hughes  of  the  second.  The  original  limit  given  to  the 
membership  of  the  hook  and  ladder  company  was  thirty,  and  that 
of  each  of  the  extinguisher  companies  was  twenty.  The  limits  of 
the  former  have  since  been  increased  to  forty,  and  each  of  the 
latter  to  thirty. 

The  fire  department  of  Willimantic  thus  being  organized,  the 
election  of  a  chief  took  place  July  15th,  1873.  Dwight  E.  Potter 
was  chosen  to  that  position.  C.  Seth  Billings  was  made  first  as- 
sistant, Alex.  L.  Fuller,  second  assistant,  and  John  B.  Carpenter, 
third  assistant.  These  officers  were  constituted  the  board  of  en- 
gineers, taking  the  place  of  the  former  fire  wardens  in  the  man- 
agement of  the  fire  department.  Mr.  Potter  served  with  marked 
efficiency  until  the  fall  of  1880,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  C. 
Seth  Billings,  who  served  until  the  fall  of  1884.  He  was  then 
succeeded  by  Charles  N.  Daniels,  the  present  effective  chief  en- 
gineer. Successive  members  of  the  board  of  engineers  since  the 
first  board  have  been — George  H.  Purinton,  Alex.  L.  Fuller,  Joel 
W.  Webb,  George  H.  Millerd,  H.  L.  Edgarton,  M.  E.  Lincoln, 
Charles  N.  Daniels,  Charles  E.  Leonard,  Thomas  Burke,  Luke 
Flynn,  Jr.,  and  James  Tighe. 

In  1880  the  Board  of  Fire  Police  was  started,  with  six  mem- 
bers, viz.,  M.  E.  Lincoln,  Cyril  Whittaker,  Luke  Flynn,  Jr.,  C. 
M.  Palmer,  C.  B.  Pomeroy  and  Roland  White.  Their  duties  are 
to  protect  property  exposed  at  fires,  and  to  keep  the  crowd  from 
interfering  with  the  firemen,  and  they  are  empowered  the  same 
as  regular  policemen. 

The  chemical  extinguishers  did  not  prove  satisfactory  in  their 
practical  working,  and  were  sold  at  auction  in  1874.  Their  places 
were  supplied  by  new  hose  carriages  which  were  received  in 
November,  1875,  their  co.st  being  $550  each.    The  companies  now 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  323 

changed  their  names.  No.  1  became  Alert  Hose  Company,  and 
No.  2  adopted  the  name  Montgomery  Hose  Company.  John 
Tew  was  the  first  foreman  of  the  Alerts  and  Jerry  O'SuUivan  of 
the  Montgomerys.  The  supply  of  water  from  an  elevated  reser- 
voir made  the  use  of  the  engines  for  throwing  water  unnecessary 
for  the  greater  part  of  the  village  at  least.  A  Bucket  Company 
was  organized  December  17th,  1877,  as  an  independent  company. 
It  was  supplied  with  a  truck,  ladders  and  buckets,  the  expense 
of  which  was  borne  by  voluntary  contributions  from  members 
or  individual  citizens  of  the  borough.  John  Leonard  was  its 
first  foreman.  It  entered  the  field  with  much  enthusiasm  and 
did  good  work,  but  after  about  five  years  its  energies  began  to 
flag,  and  the  borough  not  taking  them  under  its  control  or  patron- 
age the  company  was  disbanded  in  the  spring  of  1884.  About 
a  year  later  they  sold  their  apparatus  to  the  people  of  Windham 
Centre.  Successive  foremen  of  this  company  were  Alex.  Fuller, 
Howard  R.  Alford  and  James  Johnson,  after  the  first  already 
named. 

Within  the  last  two  or  three  years  the  borough  has  built  and 
fitted  up  truck  houses  for  the  accommodation  of  its  fire  depart- 
ment, of  which  the  citizens  may  justly  be  proud.  Three  commo- 
dious and  substantial  buildings  have  been  provided.  The  house 
for  Excelsior  Hook  and  Ladder  Company  No.  1,  stands  on  Bank 
street,  nearly  opposite  the  rear  of  the  Hooker  House.  The  truck 
liouse  of  the  Alert  Hose  Company  No.  1,  is  at  No.  193  Main 
street,  and  the  truck  house  of  Montgomery  Hose  Company  No, 
2,  is  on  Jackson  street  nearly  opposite  from  the  Roman  Catholic 
church.  In  1875  the  borough  was  divided  into  four  fire  districts, 
which  number  has  since  been  increased  to  seven.  A  code  of 
alarm  signals  was  at  the  same  time  established  for  making  known 
the  location  of  a  fire.  The  alarm  was  at  first  struck  by  the  Bap- 
tist and  Methodist  church  bells  only.  In  1879  an  electric  alarm 
system,  with  alarm  boxes  in  suitable  places  was  established  in 
connection  with  a  gong  on  the  Brainerd  House,  designed  both 
to  notify  citizens  of  the  district  in  which  a  fire  may  be  and  to 
signal  for  the  starting  of  the  mill  pumps. 

It  is  estimated  that  Willimantic  has  lost  during  the  last  quar- 
ter century  about  $110,000  b}^  fires  occurring  in  the  "borough. 
We  have  not  space  here  to  recount  all  the  fires  which  have  oc- 
curred in  the  history  of  this  village,  but  brief  reference  to  tvvo 
or  three  important  ones  may  not  be  out  of  place.    A  sad  casualty 


324  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

of  the   kind  was  the   burning  of  the   old.   Potter   tavern  on  the 
night  of  January  8th,  1842.     This  house  stood  on  the  site  of  the 
old  National  House,  later  the  Revere  House,  and  was  managed 
by  Niles  Potter.     The  flames,  which  it  is  supposed   caught  be- 
hind a  door  from  a  broom  that  had  been  used  to  sweep  up  the  fire- 
place— stoves  were  scarcely  known  then — were  well  under  way 
before  discovered,  but  the  fire  company  and  the  villagers  gener- 
ally responded  promptly  to  the  alarm,  and  went  to  work  with  a 
will.    The  old  engine  was  brought  into  requisition,  a  double  line 
of  men  and  women  was  quickly  formed  across  lots  down  to  the 
Willimantic  river,  or  to  "the  cove  "  which  used  to  set  in  there,  and 
water  was  passed  in  pails  and  poured  into  the  engine.     In  the 
building  there   stood   an  old    fashioned   brick   chimney,  which 
leaned,  but  had  been  supported  by  the  woodwork.     The  latter 
burned  away,  and  as  Nathan  Benchley,  a  well-known  resident, 
was  carrying  out  an  armful  of  things  by  the  back  door,  the 
chimney  fell  upon  him  with  a  terrible  crash,  crushing  his  life 
out  instantly.    And  still  another  tragedy  was  to  be  revealed.    A 
little  ten-year-old  girl  by  the  name  of  Hutchins,  who  lived  with 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Potter  as  an  adopted  child,  had  been  sleeping  with 
Mrs.  Potter's  sister  Elizabeth  in  an  upper  room.     When  they 
were  awakened  by  the  alarm  and  smoke,  the  lady  took  the  child 
by  the  hand  and  started  for  the  stairs,  let  go  of  her  hand  at  the 
narrow  staircase,  told  the  little  one  to  follow  and  rushed  out, 
only  to  find  that  the  little  girl,  frightened  or  suffocated  by  smoke, 
had  probably  turned  back,  and  it  was  then  too  late  to  save  her. 
Her  charred  remains  were  afterward  found  in  the  ruins.    Heroic 
efforts  saved  the  adjoining  property. 

One  of  the  most  destructive  fires  that  ever  visited  Williman- 
tic occurred  on  the  night  of  March  4th,  1868.  It  started  in  what 
was  known  as  Robert  Hooper's  twin  building,  two  small,  one- 
story  structures  joined  together  and  standing  on  the  lot  next 
west  of  the  present  Franklin  Hall  building.  A  deep  snow  lay' 
on  the  ground  at  the  time,  but  the  citizens  responded  promptly 
to  the  alarm.  No  organized  fire  department  then  existed  in  the 
village,  and  no  apparatus  was  at  command  save  what  had  been 
provided  by  the  individual  enterprise  of  the  cotton  mill  owners. 
A  three-inch  water  pipe  had  been  laid  from  the  Smithville  Com- 
pany's works  down  Main  street  to  the  post  office,  through  which 
power  pumps  at  the  mill  could  force  water.  The  pumps  were 
started,  but  through   some  defect  in  the  pipes  the  water  could 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

not  be  brought  to  bear  on  the  fire  until  the  latter  was  well  under 
way.  The  flames  rapidly  communicated  to  the  large  wooden 
dwelling  house  of  the  late  George  C.  Elliott,  which  stood  next 
west  of  the  twins,  and  also  to  the  three-story  wooden  Franklin 
Hall  building,  owned  by  Messrs..  Alpaugh  &  Hooper,  which  stood 
next  east.  The  old  Presbyterian  church  on  the  west,  and  the 
David  Tucker  house — now  Chester  Tilden's — on  the  east  were 
only  saved  by  vigorous  efforts  and  surprising  good  fortune.  The 
Tucker  house  was  joined  to  the  Franklin  Hall  building  by  a  one- 
story  apartment  occupied  by  J.  Rand  Robertson  as  a  jewelry 
store.  Courageous  persons  on  the  roof  of  the  Tucker  house 
kept  it  wet  down  as  best  as  they  could,  and  the  stream  from  the 
hydrant  was  turned  alternately  upon  the  jewelry  store  and  the 
west  side  of  the  Tucker  house.  The  tin  roof  over  the  Robertson 
shop  was  a  great  help,  but  it  seemed  as  if  nothing  could  save  the 
Tucker  house.  Suddenly  Dwight  E.  Potter  and  William  B.  Swift, 
then  popular  young  men  here,  with  reckless  daring  mounted  the 
tin  roof  of  the  half  burned  jewelry  shop,  and  there,  surrounded 
and  almost  licked  by  flame,  they  stood  and  told  the  firemen 
where  to  turn  their  stream.  "  Young  Potter  "  was  especially  dar- 
ing and  helpful  to  the  hosemen,  closely  watching  the  flames  and 
promptly  directing  the  water  upon  each  spot  where  they  got  a 
hold.  This  bravery  proved  the  salvation  of  the  Tucker  house, 
and  it  came  out  of  the  struggle  with  only  a  badly  scorched  side. 
Even  part  of  the  jewelry  shop  was  saved,  and  some  of  the  pres- 
ent shelves  on  the  east  side  were  there  then. 

February  27th,  1876,  occurred  the  most  disastrous  fire  in  the 
history  of  Willimantic,  of  about  the  same  extent  as  that  of  the 
Franklin  Hall  and  other  buildings  in  1868,  but  more  deploiable 
in  its  results.  Three  large  buildings  were  burned,  one  of  wood, 
including  Starkweather's  grist  mill  and  a  flock  mill  (where  the 
fire  started),  the  next  of  brick,  including  the  Atwood  Machine 
and  the  Conant  Silk  companies,  the  third  a  storehouse.  They 
stood  on  Valley  street,  in  order  from  west  to  east  as  named,  and 
the  present  Bank  street  crosses  about  where  the-Atwood  Machine 
Company's  building  stood.  There  was  no  insurance  on  the 
flock  mill's  or  the  machine  company's  stock.  The  buildings  were 
insured.  Mr.  Starkweather  never  rebuilt  here,  and  both  the  At- 
wood Machine  and  the  Conant  Silk  companies  removed  else- 
where, to  the  regret  of  our  citizens,  as  they  employed  many 
hands.     There  was  some  delay  in  getting  water  at  this  fire,  but 


326  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

the  chief  difficulty,  and  the  main  cause  of  such  a  heavy  disaster, 
was  the  lack  of  sufficient  hose  to  reach  the  fire  effectively. 

Another  destructive  fire  occurred  here  February  26th,  1885. 
This  was  one  of  the  largest  fires  that  had  ever  visited  the  bor- 
ough. The  Cranston  block,  in  the  heart  of  the  village,  was  burned 
and  other  adjoining  buildings  badly  damaged.  The  losses  on 
buildings  were  estimated  as  follows :  Cranston  building,  $3,500  ; 
George  E.  Elliott's  building,  $10,000  ;  Kellogg's  building,  $2,000 ; 
McEvoy's  building,  $1,000.  Losses  on  contents  were  estimated 
at  $7,600  in  the  aggregate. 

The  Willimantic  Water  Works  are  a  development  which  may 
be  said  to  have  begun  with  the  efforts  of  the  mill  owners  to  pro- 
tect themselves  and  their  surroundings  from  fire  in  the  early 
years  of  their  enterprise.  The  first  water  pipe  system  outside 
of  such  private  enterprises  was  a  three-inch  pipe  laid  along  Main 
street  from  the  Smithville  Company's  mills  down  to  the  post 
office  and  up  High  street  to  the  house  of  Robert  Hooper,  near 
Valley  street,  about  the  year  1853.  The  expense  was  borne  by 
the  company  and  the  property  owners  along  the  line,  and  the 
company  contracted  to  work  the  pumps  whenever  the  alarm  of 
fire  was  given.  The  system  proved  efficient,  and  as  large  a 
stream  could  be  sent  out  as  can  be  obtained  from  any  hydrant 
now  in  the  borough.  It  is  still  kept  in  working  order  for  use  in 
case  of  emergencies. 

After  many  years  spent  in  discussing  and 'proposing  various 
schemes  for  supplying  the  village  with  water  for  the  extinguish- 
ing of  fires,  a  contract  was  finally  made  with  the  mill  companies 
along  the  river  to  furnish  power  for  pumping  water  through  a 
system  of  pipes  to  be  laid  through  the  principal  streets,  with 
hydrants  at  convenient  points.  The  mill  owners  were  to  be  al- 
lowed for  such  service  a  rebate  of  one-half  their  taxes  to  the 
borough.  Much  opposition  to  the  plan  prevailed  for  a  time,  but 
it  was  finally  put  into  execution  with  the  decided  support  of  the 
people  of  the  borough.  September  13th,  1873,  the  borough  voted 
to  allow  the  warden  and  burgesses  to  borrow  money  to  lay 
the  pipes.  The  work  soon  after  began  and  was  continued, 
though  opposition  appeared  at  every  step  and  it  was  impeded 
somewhat  by  perplexing  litigation,  which,  however,  did  not  suc- 
ceed in  preventing  the  execution  of  the  plan.  The  system  com- 
pleted, was  connected  with  the  force  pumps  of  the  Smithville, 
Windham,  and  Linen  companies,  and  the  pressure  attainable 
a  s  150  pounds  to  the  square  inch. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  327 

This  system  seemed  to  be  all  that  was  required  for  protection 
against  fires,  but  with  the  growth  of  the  village  a  want  soon  be- 
came apparent  for  a  system  of  supplying  water  for  household 
purposes.  In  1880  Messrs.  Whiting,  James  E.  and  Willard  W. 
Hayden  applied  to  the  general  assembly  for  corporate  privileges 
as  a  water  company,  with  the  necessary  rights  of  entering  upon 
property  for  the  specified  purposes,  with  the  design  of  meeting 
this  growing  want.  Through  the  influences  brought  to  bear  by 
the  people  of  the  borough,  who  were  not  in  favor  of  water  being 
supplied  to  the  village  by  a  private  company,  the  incorporation 
was  not  effected. 

In  July,  1882,  steps  were  taken  to  consider  the  practical  ques- 
tions regarding  the  establishment  of  public  water  works,  and 
the  idea  became  so  popular  that  the  borough,  at  a  meeting  Novem- 
ber 13th,  decided  to  ask  the  burgesses  to  petition  the  assembly 
for  an  amendment  to  their  charter  which  would  allow  them 
to  undertake  such  an  enterprise.  In  accordance  with  such 
petition  the  amendment  was  granted  at  the  May  session  of 
1883.  August  18th,  1883,  the  borough  accepted  the  water  char- 
ter by  a  ballot  of  194  to  16.  January  8th,  1884,  George  W. 
Burnham  was  elected  water  commissioner  for  one  year,  E.  B. 
Sumner  for  two  years,  and  Henry  N.Wales  for  three  years.  The 
regular  year  begins  January  1st.  By  a  vote  taken  at  a  borough 
meeting  held  July  9th,  1884,  it  was  decided,  by  a  vote  of  277 
against  42,  that  public  water  works  should  be  constructed  to 
supply  the  village  from  the  Natchaug  river.  The  commissioners 
were  at  the  same  time  authorized  to  issue  bonds  to  the  amount 
of  $200,000  to  carry  out  the  plan.  The  bonds  were  in  due  time 
issued,  and  bore  date  October  1st,  1884,  being  in  four  equal 
classes,  to  run  respectively  fifteen,  twenty,  twenty-five  and  thirty 
years,  bearing  interest  at  four  per  cent,  per  annum.  The  work 
was  then  pushed  forward.  A  dam  and  pumping  station,  and 
engineer's  house  were  erected  at  Conantville,  about  one  and  a 
half  miles  north  of  the  village,  on  the  Natchaug,  and  a  reser- 
voir was  built  on  Hosmer  mountain,  south  of  the  village.  This 
reservoir  has  a  capacity  of  five  million  gallons.  More  than 
twelve  miles  of  iron  pipes  have  been  laid  through  the  streets. 
The  pumping  capacity  is  two  thousand  gallons  per  minute. 
Water  from  the  clear  Natchaug  stream  is  thus  driven  to  the 
reservoir,  which  is  elevated  several  hundred  feet  above  the  vil- 
lage, and  thence  it  is  led  by  pipes  to  the  village,  having  pres- 


3*8  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

sure  sufficient  to  cover  any  building  in  the  place  with  a  stream 
from  a  line  of  hose.  The  pressure  is  so  great  that  in  dealing 
with  fires  no  engines  are  necessary. 

Willimantic  has  shown  great  liberality  in  the  management 
of  its  schools.  For  this  purpose  the  borough  is  divided  into 
two  districts  known  as  No.  1  and  No.  2.  The  grand  lists  of 
both  amount  to  nearl}"  four  million  dollars.  The  value  of  all 
school  property  in  the  borough  is  about  fifty  thousand  dollars. 
The  new  school  building  in  District  No.  1  is  commodious, 
cheerful  and  convenient.  It  is  located  in  a  large  yard  occu- 
pying the  corner  of  Valley  and  another  street,  and  in  the  yard 
are  two  other  school  buildings.  The  oldest  one  of  these  was 
erected  in  1857,  and  has  a  seating  capacity  of  250 ;  the  second 
one  was  erected  in  1865,  and  has  a  seating  capacity  of  160 : 
and  the  third,  a  high-school  building,  was  erected  in  1884,  and 
has  seats  for  200.  This  school,  occupying  the  three  buildings, 
has  an  average  attendance  of  about  five  hundred.  The  divid- 
ing line  between  the  two  districts  is  at  North  street.  District 
No.  2  covers  that  part  of  the  borough  lying  east  of  that  street. 
This  is  sometimes  called  the  Natchaug  district.  The  school 
building  is  situated  on  Jackson  street,  adjoining  the  Roman 
Catholic  church.  It  was  built  in  1864,  and  it  has  a  seating 
capacity  of  about  six  hundred,  with  an  average  attendance  of 
about  five  hundred.  The  building  is  in  excellent  repair  and 
is  in  an  ample  yard,  ornamented  with  shade  trees. 

The  furniture  of  the  school  buildings  is  nearly  all  modern 
and  of  an  excellent  model.  The  physical  and  chemical  appa- 
ratus Avith  which  the  high-school  department  in  each  district 
is  provided  is  nearly  all  that  could  be  desired  for  the  special 
work  to  which  it  is  adapted.  The  school  libraries  contain 
1,000  or  more  volumes.  Globes,  maps  and  books  are  there  in 
commendable  numbers  for  the  use  of  the  primary  and  gram- 
mar grades.  There  are  twenty-one  teachers  and  seventeen 
school  rooms,  besides  recitation  and  ante-rooms.  In  each  dis- 
trict there  is  a  high-school  department  where  pupils  have  been 
and  still  are  successfully  fitted  for  college.  From  these  high 
schools  nearly  one  hundred  have  graduated. 

St.  Joseph's  Parochial  school  is  located  at  the  corner  of  Jack- 
son and  Valley  .streets.  It  is  under  the  care  of  the  sisters  of 
charity  connected  with  St.  Joseph's  Roman  Catholic  church. 
This  school  has  twelve   teachers  and   its  attendance    numbers 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  329 

about  six  hundred  pupils.  The  building's  contain  ten  school 
rooms.  The  teachers  are  sisters  of  charity  belonging  to  the 
local  "Convent  of  our  Lady  of  Lourdes."  This  school  also 
has  a  high-school  department,  from  which  several  pupils  have 
graduated.  A  special  advantage  of  the  pupils  of  the  parochial 
school  is  an  opportunity  of  learning  the  French  language  in 
connection  with  the  English. 

In  addition  to  the  educational  advantages  of  Willimantic 
already  mentioned,  we  may  name  two  public  libraries,  one  con- 
ducted by  the  borough  and  the  other  by  the  Linen  Company. 
The  former  is  located  in  the  bank  building,  corner  of  Main  and 
Bank  streets,  and  contains  over  2,700  volumes.  It  is  open  cer- 
tain hours  on  specified  days  of  the  week.  The  Linen  Company's 
library,  in  Dunham  Hall,  at  the  lower  junction  of  Main  and 
Union  streets,  contains  about  2,500  volumes,  and  files  of  the  lead- 
ing American  and  English  periodicals.  It  is  free  to  all,  and  is 
open  from  noon  to  nine  o'clock  at  night  daily.  The  books  of 
these  libraries  comprise  standard  works  of  permanent  value  in 
the  various  departments  of  literature. 

All  that  part  of  the  town  of  Windham  lying  west  of  the 
junction  of  the  Windham  and  South  Windham  roads  leading 
out  of  Willimantic,  and  extending  west  as  far  as  the  cemetery, 
was  early  organized  into  two  school  districts.  The  first  school 
house  in  the  First  district  was  a  one-story  structure  about  20  by 
30  feet,  located  about  where  the  Windham  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany's east  dwelling  house  now  is,  on  Main  street.  The  increase 
of  scholars,  however,  soon  demanded  increased  accommodations; 
and  the  school  house  was  removed  to  the  lot  now  occupied  by 
the  district  for  their  several  school  houses.  The  building  was 
enlarged,  making  two  rooms  and  employing  two  teachers.  This 
accommodated  the  district  until  1847,  when  the  district  contract- 
ed with  General  Baldwin  for  the  erection  of  a  new  school  build- 
ing some  36  by  60  feet,  two  stories  in  height,  with  three  rooms 
for  the  different  departments.  The  first  teacher  employed  by 
the  district  was  John  G.  Clark,  of  Franklin,  who  became  a  prom- 
inent resident  of  Windham.  The  next  teacher  employed  was 
Horace  Hall,  coming  here  from  Sterling  in  1825.  The  next 
teacher  was  that  veteran  in  the  ranks  of  schoolmasters,  Leonard 
R.  Dunham  ;  after  him  Doctor  William  A.  Bennett,  long  a  res- 
ident here ;  William  L.  Weaver,  a  native  of  this  place ;  Saxton 
B.  Little,  E.  McCall  Cushman,  Jabez  S.  Lathrop  and  Perry  Ben- 


330  HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

nett  successively  filled  the  position  of  teacher  in  the  First  district 
in  the  early  days  of  Willimantic. 

The  first  school  house  erected  in  the  Second  divStrict  occupied 
the  location  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  near  the  residence  of 
Dennis  McCarthy.  It  was  a  small  one-story  building,  and  was 
soon  replaced  by  a  larger  structure  located  on  the  north  side  of  ' 
the  river,  between  the  Linen  Company's  spool  shop  and  what  is 
now  their  thread  mill  No.  1.  The  site  being  wanted  for  the 
second  cotton  mill  erected  by  the  Messrs.  Jillson,  a  new  location 
was  provided  by  the  district.  From  opposite  of  the  store  now 
occupied  by  Edward  F.  Casey  the  roads  diverged,  the  north  one 
about  on  the  present  line  of  travel,  the  south  one  extending  al- 
most to  the  bridge,  being  a  part  of  the  old  Windham  and  Cov- 
entry turnpike,  thence  eastward  along  the  north  side  of  the  river 
past  Shackel  dam,  uniting  with  the  main  road  near  the  Linen 
Company's  store.  On  this  triangular  piece  of  ground  between 
the  roads  on  the  river  side,  the  vSecond  district  located  their 
school  house.  It  was  a  wooden  structure  with  two  rooms.  It  was, 
after  a  few  years  replaced  by  a  two-story  stone  building  afford- 
ing additional  accommodations  required  by  the'  growth  of  the 
district.  Of  the  early  teachers  a  few  are  the  following  :  Roger 
Southworth,  some  three  terms ;  Samuel  L.  Hill,  one  term  ;  Doc- 
tor Calvin  Bromley,  Doctor  Eleazer  Bentley,  William  Kingsley, 
Robert  Stewart,  Leander  Richardson,  William  L.  Weaver  and 
Frederick  F.  Barrows. 

The  religious  sentiment  of  Willimantic  is  now  represented  by 
six  churches,  viz..  Congregational,  Methodist,  Baptist,  Roman 
Catholic,  Protestant  Episcopal  and  Spiritualist.  These  have  all 
been  built  up  here  since  the  year  1827.  Up  to  the  close  of  that 
year  there  was  no  church  nearer  than  Windham  Centre,  nor  any 
stated  meetings  except  such  as  were  held  in  a  school  house  or 
in  private  houses.  In  the  year  mentioned  a  few  persons  here 
applied  to  the  directors  of  the  Connecticut  Domestic  Missionary 
Society  for  a  minister.  In  response,  Dennis  Piatt,  who  was  just 
completing  his  theological  course  at  New  Haven,  was  sent  to 
them.  Mr.  Piatt  states  that  this  was  designed  as  an  experiment 
"  to  test  the  question  whether  an  Evangelical  church  could  be 
established  in  a  manufacturing  village."  Mr.  Piatt's  first  ap- 
pointment was  extended  to  twelve  weeks.  Then  a  society  of 
ladies  in  Tolland  county  agreed  to  sustain  Mr.  Piatt  three  months 
longer.     So,  it  appears,  a  ministry  was  sustained  for  six  months 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  '         331 

with  no  charge  to  the  people,  except  that  a  few  individuals  gave 
him  his  board. 

January  22d,  1828,  an  ecclesiastical  council  was  called,  of  which 
Doctor  Samuel  Nott,  of  Franklin,  was  chosen  moderator,  and 
this  council  organized  the  First  Congregational  church  of  Wil- 
limantic.  The  sixteen  persons  who  were  thus  formed  into  a 
church  were  Deacon  Charles  Lee,  John  Brown,  Eliphalet  Brown, 
Azariah  Balcam,  Nathaniel  Robinson,  Sr.,  Sybil  Brown,  Olive 
Brown,  Phebe  Robinson,  Anniss  Brown,  Lucy  Howes,  Lydia 
Balcam,  Alathea  Littlefield,  Beulah  Littlefield,  Anna  Robinson, 
Seth  Jillson  and  Joseph  H.  Brown.  Of  these,  twelve  were  former 
members  of  the  church  of  Windham,  two  of  the  church  of  Scot- 
land, and  two  others  were  not  previou,sly  connected  anywhere. 
By  additions  the  membership  of  the  church  was  increased  in  1829 
to  forty-five.  The  first  four  or  five  years  were  very  prosperous  in 
spiritual  things  to  the  infant  church  ;'  four  years  from  its  organ- 
ization it  numbered  about  one  hundred  members.  A  church 
edifice  was  immediately  erected,  and  was  dedicated  October  17th, 
1828,  Doctor  Joel  Hawes  preaching  the  sermon.  This  was  the 
first  house  of  worship  in  the  place.  The  expense  of  building  it 
was  a  burden  from  which  those  who  undertook  it  delivered  them- 
selves only  after  a  determined  struggle.  The  present  society 
was  formed  soon  after  the  church  was  built.  During  its  first  ten 
years  the  church  received  an  average  amount  of  one  hundred 
dollars  annually  from  the  Connecticut  Domestic  Missionary  So- 
ciety toward  meeting  its  running  expenses.  The  church  was  at 
first  consociated  with  Tolland  county  churches,  but  in  1831,  for 
greater  convenience,  it  united  with  the  consociation  of  Windham 
county.  In  1843  the  house  of  worship  was  considerably  enlarged. 
In  May,  1857,  the  congregation  began  to  use  the  Congregational 
Hymn  and  Tune  Book  in  its  musical  services. 

Reverend  Dennis  Piatt  remained  as  a  stated  supply  from  Aug- 
ust, 1827,  to  the  autumn  of  1829.  He  was  followed  by  Reverend 
Ralph  vS.  Campton,  who  served  as  stated  supply  from  May,  1830, 
to  April,  1832.  Nearly  three  years  followed  with  no  regular 
minister,  when  Reverend  Philo  Judson  was  installed  pastor,  De- 
cember 18th,  1834.  He  was  dismissed  March  21st,  1839.  His 
successor  was  Reverend  Andrew  Sharpe,  who  was  ordained  here 
September  23d,  1840.  His  pastorate  continued  for  a  longer  term 
than  any  that  had  preceded  him.  He  was  dismissed  June  12th, 
1849.     Samuel  G.  Willard  was  ordained  as  pastor  November  8th 


332  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

of  the  same  year.  He  enjoyed  a  long  pastorate,  closing  his  la- 
bors with  his  dismission,  which  took  effect  September  2d,  1868. 
His  successor  was  Reverend  Horace  Winslow,  who  was  installed 
April  28th,  1869. 

On  the  acceptance  of  the  call  of  Reverend  Horace  Winslow, 
the  question  of  a  new  house  of  worship  was  earnestly  advocated, 
and  on  February  24th,  1869,  the  society  resolved  to  proceed  to 
the  work,  and  accordingly  appointed  a  building  committee  com- 
posed of  John  Tracy,  Allen  Lincoln,  William  C.  Jillson  and  the 
pastor  elect.  In  July  of  that  year  the  corner  stone  was  laid,  and 
in  one  year  from  that  time  the  main  edifice  was  dedicated  to  the 
worship  of  God.  The  expenses  of  this  enterprise  were  provided 
for  in  various  ways.  To  begin  with',  the  society  had  from  sub- 
scriptions and  the  sale  of  the  old  house  $19,578.  This  fund  was 
steadily  increased  by  special  efforts,  so  that  when  the  main  por- 
tion of  the  building  was  completed  the  debt  was  only  a  little 
over  $9,000.  In  May,  1871,  the  chapel  was  completed  and  ded- 
icated to  the  service  of  God.  In  about  a  year  from  that  time  it 
was  proposed  to  pay  off  the  whole  debt  of  the  society,  which 
amounted  then  to  $12,600.  This  amount  was  raised  by  the  1st 
of  October,  1872.  The  whole  cost  of  church,  grounds,  chapel, 
furniture,  organ  and  all,  amounted  to  $46,700,  and  it  had  all  been 
paid,  so  that  the  society  was  free  from  debt.  A  service  of  praise 
and  gratulation  was  held  in  view  of  the  auspicious  financial  con- 
dition. Since  then  money  has  been  raised  and  the  chapel  and 
adjoining  rooms  have  been  painted,  carpeted  and  seated.  The 
size  of  the  main  edifice  on  the  ground  is  one  hundred  by  sixty- 
three  feet,  and  the  chapel  addition  and  adjoining  room  is  ninety 
by  thirty-six  feet. 

Reverend  Horace  Winslow  was  dismissed  April  28th,  1881. 
He  was  succeeded  by  Reverend  Samuel  R.  Free,  who  served  the 
church  as  a  stated  supply  from  November  6th,  1881,  to  May, 
1888.  He  was  followed  by  Reverend  Andrew  J.  vSullivan,  who 
was  installed  as  pastor  in  September,  1888. 

The  first  Baptist  church  of  Willimantic  was  organized  in  the 
house  of  Reverend  Chester  Tilden,  the  first  pastor,  and  under 
whose  labors  it  was  gathered.  Its  constituent  members  were  Mr. 
W.  M.  Barrows,  Miss  Esther  Smith,  Charles  Thompson,  Samuel 
Barrows,  William  Barrows,  Elisha  Whiting,  Eliphalet  Martin, 
Rescome  Coggshall,  George  Byrne,  Mahelable  F,  Barrows,  Bet- 
sey Barrows,  Dura  Whiting,  Armina  Martin,  Susan  Coggshall, 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  333 

Lydia  Smith,  Esther  Smith,  Hannah  White,  Laura  Balcam,  Clar- 
inda  Parker  and  Mary  Lawrence.  The  church  was  organized 
October  20th,  1827.  At  first  the  scliool  houses  were  used  for 
meetings,  but  a  spirit  of  opposition  arose  and  they  were  debarred 
this  privilege.  With  aid  from  abroad  they  succeeded  in  build- 
ing a  meeting  house  on  the  site  at  present  occupied.  The  site 
was  purchased  of  Alfred  Howes,  and  Messrs.  Reed,  Hardin  and 
Fenton,  of  Mansfield,  were  contracted  with  to  erect  the  church. 
The  building,  being  completed,  was  dedicated  May  27th,  1829. 
A  Sabbath  school  was  immediately  organized.  Samuel  Barrows, 
Jr.,  and  Eliphalet  Martin  were  elected  deacons.  The  following 
ministers  have  served  the  church  from  the  beginning  to  the  pres- 
ent time :  Chester  Tilden,  1827-31 ;  Alfred  Gates,  January  to 
April,  1831  ;  Alva  Gregory,  1831-34 ;  Benajah  Cook,  1834-40  ; 
John  B.  Guild,  1840-45  ;  L.  W.  Wheeler,  1845-47 ;  Thomas  Bowl- 
ing, 1847-49  ;  Henry  Bromley,  1850-51 ;  Cyrus  Miner,  1851-52  ; 
Henry  R.  Knapp,  1853-54;  Edward  Bell,  1854-57;  Jabez  S.  Swan, 
1857-59  ;  E.  D.  Bentley,  1859-66  ;  E.  S.  Wheeler,  1866-67  ;  G.  R. 
Darrow,  1868-69;  P.  S.  Evans,  1869-73 ;  W.  A.  Fenn,  1873-78; 
George  W.  Holman,  1879-87 ;  M.  G.  Coker,  1888  to  the  present 
time.  The  following  are  the  present  officers  :  A.  H.  Fuller,  Wil- 
liam B.  Hawkins,  J.  Ellison,  E.  S.  Sumner,  deacons;  William  N. 
Potter,  secretary  ;  J.  Hawkins,  treasurer.  The  membership  has 
reached  about  four  hundred.  The  church  is  a  neat  and  com- 
modious building,  which,  with  the  lot  it  stands  upon,  is  valued 
at  twenty-five  thousand  dollars.  Connected  with  the  church  is  a 
vigorous  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  and  a 
large  and  flourishing  Sunday  school. 

At  an  obscure  date — probably  about  1825 — a  Methodist  family, 
Jonathan  Fuller,  his  wife  and  two  daughters,  lived  in  a  house 
then  standing  near  the  present  stone  bridge  over  the  Wil- 
limantic,  they  being  the  only  family  of  that  denomination  in  the 
place.  They  held  family  class  meetings  for  some  time  before 
anyone  else  joined  them.  Mr.  Fuller  was  formerly  a  Congrega- 
tionalist,  but  had  become  a  Methodist  and  was  appointed  the 
first  class  leader  in  1828.  He  brought  the  first  minister  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  intoWillimantic.  This  was  the  Rev- 
erend Gardner,  who,  about  1826,  came  and  preached  in  the  West 
school  house.  From  this  time  forward  preaching  was  had  in  the 
school  houses  with  some  approach  to  regularity,  by  ministers  of 
some  of  the  neighboring  circuits.     The  first  Methodist  meeting 


334  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

house  was  finished  in  September,  1829,  and  it  stood  on  the  spot 
now  occupied  by  the  Atwood  Block  on  Main  street,  opposite 
Railroad  street.  About  the  same  time  the  church  was  organized 
with  between  thirty  and  forty  members,  mostly  females,  and 
Reverend  Horace  Moulton  became  its  pastor.  The  site  of  the 
house  of  worship  was  purchased  for  $125,  and  the  building  cost 
$700.  This  building  was  afterward  removed  to  Church  street, 
and  is  now  (1889)  standing  near  the  new  Methodist  church  on 
that  street. 

The  church  was  in  1829  made  a  Sabbath  appointment  on  the 
Tolland  circuit,  which  was  then  known  as  a  "  six  weeks' circuit." 
Some  of  the  difficulties  which  met  the  church  in  its  early  strug- 
gles are  suggested  by  the  following  passage  from  the  records : 
"Judge  Hurlburt  lent  the  means  to  pay  the  debts  of  the  church, 
and  at  times  one  or  two  men  were  required  to  keep  off  rowdies, 
who  whistled,  stamped  and  hallooed  and  put  cayenne  pepper  on 
the  stove."  The  present  church  edifice  was  begun  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1850,  during  the  ministry  of  Reverend  Jonathan  Cady. 
It  was  dedicated  in  March,  1851,  with  a  sermon  by  Reverend 
Doctor  Stephen  Olin.  Its  cost  was  about  $7,000.  The  pew  rents 
were  applied  to  liquidate  the  debt,  and  the  ministry  was  sup- 
ported by  subscription.  The  debt  was  further  reduced  by  keep- 
ing boarders  at  the  Willimantic  camp  meeting,  which  began  in 
1860,  and  the  indebtedness  was  finally  removed  under  the  pas- 
torate of  George  W.  Brewster  in  1864.  The  church  was  remod- 
eled and  very  much  improved,  and  a  parsonage  was  built  on 
Prospect  street,  under  the  pastorate  of  Edgar  F.  Clark,  in  1868 
and  1869.  It  was  enlarged  in  1882  at  a  cost  of  $7,000.  In  1886 
a  handsome  pipe  organ  was  placed  in  it.  The  membership  of 
the  church  in  1889  is  360.  The  successive  pastors  of  this  church 
have  been  :  Horace  Moulton  and  Daniel  Fletcher,  1828  ;  H.  Moul- 
ton, H.  Ramsdell  and  P.  Townsend,  1829  ;  E.  Beebe  and  George 
May,  1830 ;  J.  E.  Raisley,  1831 ;  Hebron  Vincent,  1832 ;  K.  Ward, 
1833;  Mosely  Dwight,  1834;  Philetus  Green,  1836;  vS.  Leonard, 
1837;  H.  Horbush,1837  ;  K.  Ward,  1838;  Reuben  Ransom,  1839; 
Pardon  T.  Kenney,  1840 ;  A.  C.  Wheat,  1842 ;  F.  W.  Bill,  1843 ; 
Charles  Noble,  1844;  John  Cooper,  1845;  Daniel  Dorchester, 
1847;  A.  Robinson,  1848;  Jonathan  Cady,  1850;  N.  P.  Alder- 
man, 1852;  George  W.  Rogers,  1854;  Charles  Morse,  1855;  Wil- 
liam Purington,  1857  ;  John  Levesy,  1859,;  William  Kellen,  1860  ; 
E.   B.   Bradford,   1862;    George    W.  Brewster,   1864;    Edgar  F. 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  335 

Clark,  1867  ;  George  E.  Reed,  1870  ;  Charles  S.  McReading,  1872  ; 
Shadrach  Leader,  1873 ;  George  W.  Miller,  1874 ;  S.  j .  Carroll, 
1875  ;  William  T.  Worth,  1878  ;  A.  S.  Church,  1879  ;  S.  McBurney, 
1881  ;  D.  P.  Leavitt,  1883  ;  Eben  Tirrell,  1886 ;  C.  W.  Holden, 
1887.  The  dates  given  in  the  foregoing  list  denote  the  begin- 
ning of  each  pastorate. 

The  first  colony  of  Irish  Catholics  came  to  locate  in  Willi- 
mantic  in  the  summer  of  1847.  But  few  representatives  of  that 
nation  were  then  living  here,  and  the  little  band  of  twenty  for- 
eigners, with  but  little  of  this  world's  goods  to  encumber  them, 
was  visited  with  much  curiosity,  and  their  coming  was  the  sub- 
ject of  considerable  excitement.  They  came  at  the  instance  of 
the  Windham  Manufacturing  Company,  who  sent  for  five  per- 
sons, but  their  call  was  responded  to  by  four  times  that  number. 
The  greater  part  of  them,  however,  were  employed  by  the  com- 
pany, while  the  balance  readily  found  work  at  the  other  factories 
in  the  village.  This  was  the  opening  wedge  of  Irish  labor,  which 
has  grown  by  frequent  accessions  to  be  one  of  the  most  powerful 
elements  in  the  industry  of  this  community. 

The  first  mass  celebrated  in  this  village  was  in  the  kitchen  in 
the  basement  of  the  Lathrop  house,  on  the  corner  of  Washington 
and  Main  streets,  at  which  Reverend  F'ather  Brady,  of  Middle- 
town,  officiated.  The  first  public  Catholic  service  was  held  in 
Franklin  Hall,  in  the  fall  of  1849,  by  the  same  pastor,  and  was 
witnessed  by  a  large  number  of  our  citizens.  Services  in  this 
hall,  and  at  Brainerd  Hall,  were  kept  up  at  intervals  of  one  or 
two  months.  Reverend  Father  McCab,  of  Danielsonville,  having 
charge  during  a  part  of  the  time  up  to  1858,  when  the  Baptist 
-society,  being  about  to  build  a  new  church,  sold  their  old  edifice 
to  the  Catholics,  and  it  was  moved  to  Jackson  street.  At  that 
time  there  were  eight  families  of  communicants  residing  in  the 
village,  and  to  show  the  pecuniary  circumstances  of  the  society 
it  is  only  necessary  to  state  that  an  attachment,  for  a  debt  of 
only  a  few  dollars,  was  served  on  their  building  before  the  mov- 
er's blocks  were  taken  from  it.  The  first  pastor  was  Reverend 
H.  I.  Riley ;  the  second,  Reverend  Daniel  Mullen,  later  of  St. 
Mary's  church,  Norwich.  In  May,  1863,  the  present  much  be- 
loved pastor.  Reverend  Florimonde  De  Bruycker,  assumed  the 
charge  of  this  society,  and  under  his  ministrations  the  church 
has  been  most  signally  prospered.  For  the  first  few  years  but 
one  service  was  held  each  Sunday,  the  pastor's  charge  embracing 


336  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Baltic, Stafford  and  Coventry;  but  w^th  the  building-  of  churches 
and  the  settlement  of  resident  pastors  in  the  two  first  named  vil- 
lag-es,  he  has  been  enabled  for  many  years  to  devote  his  time 
principally  to  this  people. 

The  old  church  was  enlarged,  refitted  and  repaired,  but  the  ad- 
dition of  a  large  number  of  French  Canadian  Catholics  to  the 
population,  and  stead}^  increase  from  other  sources,  rendered 
the  old  building  wholly  inadequate  for  the  needs  of  the  congre- 
gation, and  in  1872  steps  were  taken  toward  the  erection  of  a 
new  building.  The  work  was  pushed  vigorously  forward,  and 
in  May,  1873,  the  old  church  was  removed  to  Valley  street  ai.d 
on  its  site  the  foundation  walls  for  the  new  were  commenced. 
On  Sunday,  August  17th,  the  corner  stone  was  laid  amid  impos- 
ing ceremonies,  Bishop  McFarland  being  present,  and  Reverend 
Father  Walsh,  of  St.  Peter's  church.  Hartford,  delivering  an  elo- 
quent sermon.  The  contributions  received  on  that  day  amount- 
ed to  $3,000.  The  church,  having  been  completed,  was  dedicated 
November  26th,  1874.  The  style  is  Gothic,  with  nave  and  aisles, 
and  a  clear  story  supported  by  clustered  columns  and  arcade 
arches.  From  the  basement  walls,  which  are  formed  of  very 
handsome  granite,  the  church  is  built  of  brick.  The  size  on  the 
ground  is  156  by  64  feet ;  the  height  of  side  walls,  24  feet,  and 
height  from  floor  to  peak  of  roof,  66  feet.  A  graceful  tower  on 
the  northwest  corner  is  surmounted  with  a  spire,  the  cross  on 
the  top  of  which  is  172  feet  above  the  curbstone.  The  audience 
room  has  fourteen  double  gfothic  memorial  windows  of  cathedral 
stained  glass,  and  other  parts  of  the  edifice  have  thirty-five 
smaller  windows.  The  building  is  an  elegant  one  in  all  its  de- 
tails of  finish  and  furnishing,  and  has  a  seating  capacity  of  one 
thousand  five  hundred.  The  church  is  known  as  St.  Joseph's 
church. 

The  first  Episcopalian  service  in  Willimantic  of  which  we  have 
any  knowledge  was  held  a  little  over  twenty-five  years  ago.  A 
mission  was  started  soon  after  by  the  laie  Dr.  Hallam,  and  by 
him  conducted  for  several  years.  The  mission  was  held  in  sev- 
eral different  halls  and  its  work  was  prosperous.  The  last  hall 
occupied  was  Dunham  Hall,  belonging  to  the  Linen  Company. 
Reverend  Lemuel  H.  Wells,  now  of  Tacoma,  Washington,  was 
the  first  permanent  missionary  rector.  During  his  incumbency 
effort  was  made  to  obtain  a  building,  and  under  his  leadership 
it  was  carried  to  a  successful  termination.     A  buildiiig  which 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  337 

was  no  longer  required  .by  the  parivSh  at  Central  Village  \vas 
donated  to  this  locality  and  the  people  here  bore  the  cost  of  tak- 
ing it  down  and  removing  it  to  this  place.  Here  it  was  rebuilt 
and  improved  and  ornamented.  This  was  done  in  the  year  1S83. 
Previous  to  this  time  services  were  sustained  by  different  rec- 
tors of  the  archdeaconry  located  at  contiguous  points.  The  resi- 
dent rectors  have  been:  Lemuel  H.Wells  from  December,  1S82, 
to  May,  1883 ;  R.  C.  Searing  from  June,  1883,  to  March,  1880,  and 
H.  B.  Jefferson  from  May  1st,  1886,  to  the  present  time.  The  lot 
on  which  the  church  stands  was  donated  by  the  late  Mrs.  Eunice 
R.  Heap.  The  part  of  the  lot  on  which  the  parsonage  stands 
was  obtained  of  the  same  estate.  The  parsonage,  built  and 
owned  by  the  diocese,  was  completed  in  the  fall  of  1887,  on  the^ 
church  lot  corner  of  Valley  and  Walntit  streets,  and  sufficient 
land  remains  on  the  plot  for  a  site  for  a  larger  edifice  at  some 
future  time. 

The  number  of  baptisms  under  the  auspices  of  this  church  has 
reached  one  hundred  and  seventy-four.  The  present  number  of 
communicants  is  sixty-eight.  A  Sunday  school  has  been  main- 
tained since  the  mission  was  established.  The  present  number 
in  it  is  about  seventy,  with  an  average  attendance  of  forty  to 
fifty.  The  church  building  is  valued  at  $2,000,  the  lot  at  $2,000 
and  the  parsonage  at  $3,200.  With  reference  to  the  benefactress 
of  this  church,  whose  name  has  been  mentioned,  a  local  paper 
has  the  following  tribute  : 

"  Mrs.  Eunice  R.,  relict  of  the  late  Geo.  P.  Heap,  and  an  old 
resident  of  this  village,  died  at  her  home  on  Main  street  Satur- 
day morning  at  the  advanced  age  of  S6  years.  Mrs.  Heap  was 
born  in  East  Hampton,  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  nine  chil- 
dren, all  of  whom  are  now  dead,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Dr.  John 
Richmond.  Early  in  life  she  married  Dr.  Smith,  a  student  in 
her  father's  office,  by  whom  she  had  one  child,  Prudence,  who  be- 
came the  wife  of  the  late  Daniel  Lord.  After  the  death  of  Dr. 
Smith  she  wedded  David  Kellogg  and  subsequently  was,  united 
to  the  late  George  R.  Heap.  She  was  a  woman  of  strong  indi- 
viduality, sterling  integrity,  alwa^^s  just  and  of  unalterable  de- 
cision. She  was  not  illiberal  and  gave  where  she  was  inclined. 
The  Episcopal  church  is  indebted  to  her  for  the  free  gift  of  the 
lot  on  which  the  parsonage  is  to  stand." 

Spiritualists  have  been  organized  and  actively  at  work  here 
for  something  like  thirty  years.    A  building  was  erected  on  Bank 


338  HISTORY   OF   WIXDIIAM    COUNTY. 

Street  in  18G7  and  dedicated  in  February,  1868.  This  stands 
nearly  opposite  the  rear  of  the  Hooker  House.  It  is  a  substan- 
tial, plain  structure,  containing  vestry  and  audience  rooms  and 
is  capable  of  seating  three  to  four  hundred  persons.  It  is  called 
Excelsior  Hall.  The  society  is  regularly  incorporated  under  the 
title  of  the  "  First  Spiritualist  Society  of  AVillimantic."  Its  liv- 
ing membership  at  the  present  time  is  about  forty.  During  all 
these  years  lectures  have  been  maintained  on  Sundays  with 
more  or  less  regularity.  A  Sunday  school,  called  the  "  Children's 
Progressive  Lyceum,"  was  organized  before  the  house  was  built 
and  has  been  maintained  ever  since,  its  present  number  being 
about  forty.  These  Sunday  lectures  are  by  different  lecturers, 
ladies  and  gentlemen,  none  resident,  and  some  are  mediums 
while  some  are  not.  Lectures  have  been  had  nearly  every  Sun- 
day during  the  past  year,  about  one  thousand  dollars  being  ex- 
pended in  the  meantime  for  that  purpose. 

Mission  Hall  is  the  name  applied  to  a  meeting  of  a  religious 
character  which  is  regularly  maintained  in  a  hall  in  Willimantic 
Savings  Institute  building.  The  hall  is  capable  of  seating  per- 
haps one  hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred  people.  The  tone 
of  the  society  is  severely  orthodox,  including  anti-masonic  and 
anti-tobacco  sentiments.  The  movement  was  started  about  four 
or  five  years  ago,  being  headed  by  Mr.  John  A.  Conant,  and  it  has 
some  forty  or  fifty  attendants  upon  religious  services  which  are 
held  every  Sunday. 

One  of  the  institutions  for  which  Willimantic  is  noted  throusrh- 
out  a  wide  circle  of  country  is  the  annual  camp  meeting  held 
here.  This  attracts  many  thousand  visitors  from  all  parts  of  the 
land.  From  small  beginnings  this  has  become  a  movement  of 
considerable  magnitude.  The  first  land  for  a  camp  ground  was 
purchased  in  1860  by  leading  ^Methodists  and  conveyed  the  fol- 
lowing year  to  the  trustees  of  the  Willimantic  Camp  Meeting 
Association,  which  meanwhile  had  been  duly  formed  and  organ- 
ized on  a  legal  basis.  Other  purchases  were  subsequently  made 
so  that  now  the  ground  comprises  about  thirty  acres  on  a  sloping 
hillside,  covered  with  natural  o-rowth  and  commanding;  an  ex- 
tensive  view,  with  an  audience  circle  capable  of  seating  five 
thousand  people,  streets  regularly  laid  out,  tents,  cottages, 
boarding  house  and  every  convenience  for  accommodating  the 
great  multitude  who  annually  enjoy  its  esthetic  and  spiritual 
privileges. 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  339 

Camp  meeting,  as  the  years  go  by,  has  been  gradually  assum- 
ing a  quiet  season,  much  in  contrast  with  the  hurly-burly  and 
boisterous  demonstrations  of  years  ago.  And  it  must  be  said 
that  on  this  account  it  commands  the  respect  and  favor  of  the 
order  loving  community  in  a  degree  corresponding  to  this  change. 
No  longer  are  the  grounds  the  rendezvous  of  reckless  and  pleas- 
ure-bent people  who  care  nothing  for  religion,  but  they  are  now 
the  scene  of  undisturbed  devotional  services  and  are  productive 
•of  much  good.  Perhaps  no  better  idea  can  be  given  of  the  work- 
ing of  this  institution  than  to  quote  some  extracts  from  the  re- 
port of  the  camp  meeting  of  1887,  which  is  before  us.  The  re- 
port is  made  up  under  date  of  Wednesday,  August  31st : 

"  The  annual  meeting  of  the  Willimantic  Camp  Meeting  As- 
sociation was  held  last  Wednesday  afternoon  and  resulted  in  the 
choice  of  the  following  officers  :  President,  the  Reverend  Ed- 
ward Edson,  of  Willimantic ;  vice-president,  the  Reverend  J.  H. 
James,  of  Rockville  ;  secretary,  the  Reverend  C.  A.  Stenhouse, 
of  Thompsonville  ;  treasurer,  Huber  Clark,  Esq.,  of  Willimantic  ; 
trustee  for  five  years,  C.  H.  Parker,  Esq., of  Rockville;  executive 
committee  for  three  years,  R.  N.  Stanley,  Esq.,  David  Gordon,  of 
Hazardville,  and  the  Reverend  Eben  Tirrell,  of  Niantic. 

'' Thursday  opened  bright  and  beautiful,  and  by  ten  o'clock 
the  grove  was  in  a  suitable  condition  for  an  out-door  meeting, 
and  the  congregation  sang  a  hymn  of  praise  to  God  for  the  sun- 
shine. Reverend  Henry  Tuckley,  of  Providence,  preached  the 
morning  sermon.  During  the  sermon  a  large  company  gathered 
from  every  direction,  and  the  afternoon  service  opened  with 
something  like  an  old-time  audience.  The  veteran  Harry  Wil- 
son was  present  and  led  the  singing,  which  put  new  life  into  this 
branch  of  the  service.  The  Reverend  E.  M.  Taylor  preached  an 
eloquent  sermon.  In  the  evening.  Reverend  E.  Tirrell,  of  Ni- 
antic, preached  to  a  large  and  attentive  audience. 

"  At  the  business  meeting  on  Wednesday,  the  question  of  hold- 
ing services  on  Sunday  next  year  was  fully  discussed,  and  opin- 
ions both  for  and  against  were  expressed.  A  motion  to  modify 
arrangements  so  as  to  prevent  carriages  coming  on  or  going 
from  the  grounds  on  Sunday,  and  to  stop  sales  on  Sunday,  even 
■of  boarding  tickets,  etc.,  met  with  favor,  but  was  finally  tabled 
until  to-day  by  common  consent.  The  matter  was  taken  up  again 
at  the  business  meeting  Friday  afternoon,  and  it  was  voted  to 
hold  the  camp  meeting  over  Sunday  next  year  as  usual,  but  with 


340  ■  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

restrictions.  The  gates  will  be  closed  against  all  teams.  The 
restaurant  will  be  closed,  and  no  persons  will  be  allowed  to  buy 
boarding  tickets  on  that  day. 

"  Estimated  by  attendance  or  by  conversions,  this  has  been 
one  of  the  most  remarkable  meetings  on  a  ground  already  noted 
for  remarkable  meetings.  Several  prominent  preachers  say  that 
the  preaching  this  year  has  excelled  in  variety,  spirituality  and 
results.  One  who  has  seen  great  camp  meetings  west  of  the  Al- 
leghany mountains  says  he  never  saw  a  Sunday  afternoon  ser- 
vice followed  by  such  a  number  of  seekers  after  salvation  as  were 
in  the  anxious  seats  Sunday  afternoon. 

"  Many  of  the  campers  were  making  preparations  for  depart- 
ure during  the  day,  and  the  camp  wore  an  aspect  of  coming  de- 
sertion which  always  carries  with  it  an  element  of  .sadness. 
Friends  were  parting  with  friends,  brethren  with  brethren,  some 
never  to  meet  again  on  the  shores  of  time.  The  meeting  has 
been  a  very  quiet  and  orderly  one  throughout,  and  will  be  one 
long  remembered  by  those  who  have  had  the  good  fortune  to  be 
among  the  regular  attendants." 

Colonel  William  L.  Jillson  and  Captain  John  H.  Capen  early 
associated  themselves  as  partners  in  business,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Jillson  &  Capen,  for  manufacturing  cotton-making 
machinery.  They  carried  on  the  business  to  a  large  extent,  giv- 
ing employment  to  a  large  number  of  mechanics,  and  thus  add- 
ing to  the  prosperity  of  the  village.  In  1845,  having  purchased 
at  some  previous  time  the  premises  and  water  rights  where  the 
first  cotton  mill  in  Willimantic  was  built,  they,  in  connection 
with  Austin  Dunham,  formed  the  Wells  Company,  and  named 
this  location  Wellsville,  which  was  considered  an  improvement 
on  the  former  cognomen  of  "  Sodom,"  by  which  it  had  been 
known  for  a  long  time.  A  three-story  mill  and  a  number  of 
dwellings  were  completed  and  in  use  early  in  the  season  of 
1846. 

During  the  summer  of  1845,  Messrs.  Amos  D.  and  James  Y. 
Smith,  of  Providence,  purchased  of  Hill  &  Arnold  what  was 
known  as  the  Deacon  Lee  property,  which  had  been  in  their  pos- 
session for  some  years  without  any  extensive  improvements. 
They  were  known  as  the  Smith ville  Company,  having  associated 
with  them  Whiting  Hayden  as  their  local  agent  and  manager, 
he  having  located  here  about  three  years  previous.  Under  his 
efficient  management  a  large  stone  mill  was  erected,  and  the  fol- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  341 

lowing  season  a  large  store  house  and  three  large  tenement 
houses  on  Main  street. 

The  business  of  the  Windham  Manufacturing  Company  hav- 
ing been  successful,  they  decided  in  the  fall  of  1827  to  erect  a 
larger  mill  than  was  in  operation  in  this  count}^  Preparations 
were  made  accordingly,  foundations  were  prepared,  materials 
contracted  for,  and  by  the  1st  of  April,  1828,  work  was  com- 
menced upon  their  east  mill.  In  connection  with  the  mill  the 
company  built  the  four  houses  on  Main  street,  and  all  were  com- 
pleted and  in  use  before  the  close  of  the  year.  The  company 
also  built  a  substantial  stone  dam  across  the  river  the  same  sea- 
son. A.  C.  Tingley,  who  was  at  first  -local  agent,  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Hartford  Tingley,  and  he  in  turn  was  followed  by 
John  Tracy,  a  careful,  conservative  business  man,  who  retained 
that  position  until  his  death  in  1874.  Mr.  Tracy  was  a  liberal 
contributor  for  the  maintenance  of  religious  institutions,  a  warm 
friend  to  education,  and  in  his  death  the  corporation  with  which 
he  had  been  associated  for  over  forty  years,  as  well  as  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  lived,  sustained  a  great  loss.  The  company 
have  from  time  to  time  made  additions  and  improvements  to 
their  premises.  The  present  local  agent  is  Thomas  C.  Chandler. 
The  present  owners  are  Robert  W.  Watson,  son  of  the  original 
Matthew,  Thomas  C.  Chandler  and  Matthew  Watson,  son  of  Rob- 
ert W.  The  main  oiffice  of  the  company  is  in  Providence,  R.  I. 
The  mills  are  built  of  stone,  and  contain  about  eighty  thousand 
square  feet  of  floor  space.  They  are  furnished  with  eighteen 
thousand  spindles  and  four  hundred  and  sixty-eight  looms.  To 
drive  the  machinery  their  water  wheels  have  three  hundred  and 
forty  horse-power,  and  they  have  engines  of  three  hundred  horse- 
power foruse  in  dry  times.  About  two  hundred  and  fifty  hands 
are  employed.  Lawns,  twills,  forty-inch  sheetings,  pocketings 
and  crinkle  goods  are  manufactured  equivalent  to  one  hundred 
and  twelve  thousand  yards  of  print  cloths  a  week.  Thirty-eight 
bales  of  cotton  are  consumed  weekly  in  this  manufacture.  The 
original  mill  of  1822  is  the  south  half  of  the  present  west  mill. 
vSpur  tracks  from  the  New  England  and  the  New  London  North- 
ern railroads  run  to  the  store  houses  to  accommodate  shipping. 
A  reservoir  at  Bolton,  covering  about  five  hundred  acres,  is 
owned  by  this  and  the  Smithville  and  Linen  Companies  about 
equally. 

Just  below  the  Windham  Company's  works  are  situated  the 


342  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

works  of  the  Smithville  Manufacturing  Company,  of  the  early- 
building  and  operations  of  which  mention  has  already  been 
made.  This  concern  was  largely  owned  by  Whiting  Hayden, 
the  former  resident  agent,  but  in  October,  1887,  it  passed  into 
the  hands  of  the  present  company,  most  of  whom  belong  in 
Providence.  The  treasurer  of  the  company  is  Mr.  O.  A.  Wash- 
burn, Jr.  Cotton  goods  are  manufactured  here,  and  275  to  300 
hands  are  employed.  The  mills  are  fitted  with  twenty-one  thou- 
sand spindles  and  five  hundred  and  eight  looms.  Three  water 
wheels  are  used,  and  when  water  fails,  a  double  steam-engine  of 
three  hundred  and  fifty  horse-power  stands  ready  to  drive  the 
machinery.  Forty  bales  of  cotton  a  week  are  used,  and  the  an- 
nual product  is  about  four  and  a  half  million  yards. 

But  of  all  the  manufacturing  establishments  of  this  town  the 
Willimantic  Linen  Company's  works  are  the  most  conspicuous 
and  important.  They  occupy  the  stream  next  in  order  of  posi- 
tion below,  or  eastward,  from  the  Smithville  Company.  This 
company  has  a  capital  stock  of  two  million  dollars,  and  a  skilled 
force  of  two  thousand  employees.  Here  are  manufactured  the 
celebrated  linen  thread  and  spool  cotton  which  bear  the  name 
Willimantic  like  a  household  word  all  over  the  civilized  world. 
They  occupy  four  large  mills  designated  by  number.  No.  1  is 
the  oldest  one  of  all,  and  stands  near  the  heart  of  the  borough, 
next  below  the  Smithville  works.  This  is  a  stone  mill,  and  is 
surrounded  by  other  buildings — a  spool  shop,  store  houses,  ten- 
ements, etc.  Main  street  crosses  the  river  just  at  the  lower  end 
of  this  mill.  Just  below  this  stands  No.  2  mill,  a  handsome  stone 
structure,  about  four  hundred  feet  long,  sixty  feet  wide,  and  five 
stories  high,  with  wings  at  the  west  end  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  feet  long  and  two  stories  high.  Still  lower  down  the  stream 
stands  mill  No.  3,  a  wooden  building  of  much  smaller  size.  This 
is  about  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  feet  long,  forty  feet  wide, 
and  has  five  floors,  including  the  mansard  roof.  The  three  mills 
thus  far  noticed  stand  on  the  left  bank  of  the  stream,  between  it 
and  the  main  street  of  the  village.  On  the  other  side  of  the 
stream  stands  No.  4,  the  mammoth  cotton  mill  of  all,  and  one  of 
the  largest  in  the  world.  It  is  for  the  most  part  a  one-story 
building,  but  in  some  of  its  parts  one  or  two  additional  stories 
beneath  were  required  to  accommodate  the  inequalities  of  the 
surface.  This  mill  is  claimed  to  be  the  largest  cotton  mill  on  the 
ground  floor  in  the  world.     It  is  820  feet  long,  174  feet  wide,  and 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  343 

has  two  wings  81  by  48  feet  each,  and  four  porches  45  by  32  feet 
each.  It  is  built  of  brick  with  stone  foundation.  The  boiler 
house  is  80  feet  square.  The  building  presents  303,000  square 
feet  of  floor  surface.  In  its  construction  5,500  cubic  yards  of  stone 
work  were  laid  up,  and  1,900,000  bricks  were  used.  The  wood 
work  also  required  450,000  feet  of  timber,  1,500,000  feet  of  lum- 
ber, and  in  building  it  30,000  cubic  yards  of  earth  were  removed. 
Power  is  furnished  by  five  pair  of  engines  of  250  horse-power 
each,  and  water  power  also  may  be  applied  to  the  extent  of  1,100 
horse-power.     The  mill  is  supplied  with  50,000  spindles. 

The  yards  of  all  these  mills  are  contiguous,  and  Nos.  1,  2  and 
4  mills  are  connected  by  a  private  railroad,  with  small  locomotive, 
which  runs  from  one  to  another  as  occasion  requires,  supplying 
each  with  material  or  taking  away  the  products  to  points  of  ship- 
ment by  one  or  another  of  the  railroads  which  concentrate  in 
this  town.  Each  of  the  mills  is  furnished  with  steam  engines 
sufficient  to  run  it  when  the  water  power  fails.  Besides  the  nu- 
merous houses  erected  by  the  company  for  the  acccommodation 
of  their  operatives,  Dunham  Hall,  a  substantial  stone  building, 
has  been  provided  for  the  intellectual  benefits  of  employees.  It 
is  situated  at  the  lower  junction  of  Main  and  Union  streets. 
Here  is  kept  the  company's  library  of  about  2,500  volumes,  which 
is  free  to  all.  It  also  contains  assembly  rooms  where  meetings 
and  evening  schools  are  sometimes  held.  The  company's  inter- 
est in  and  endeavors  to  elevate  the  moral  and  social  condition  of 
their  employees  are  practically  shown  in  their  elegant  and  well- 
kept  library  and  reading  rooms  in  this  building,  which  are  fin- 
ished in  natural  woods  and  warmed  and  lighted,  and  liberally 
supplied  with  books,  magazines,  and  the  scientific  and  daily 
papers.  The  use  of  it  is  free  to  all,  including  residents  of  sur- 
rounding towns.  The  library  is  at  present  under  the  efficient 
care  of  Miss  Jenny  L.  Ford,  librarian.  The  company's  homes 
for  the  operatives  are  models  of  cottage  architecture,  while  the 
streets  and  all  the  surroundings  are  kept  with  scrupulous  care. 
Mr.  E.  S.  Boss  is  the  efficient  and  public  spirited  agent  of  the 
company  at  Willimantic.  The  fairness  with  which  this  company 
treat  their  employees  is  further  evidenced  b}^  the  fact,  equally 
creditable  to  employers  and  employees,  that  no  labor  strike  has 
ever  occurred  in  the  history  of  their  operations.  The  company 
was  incorporated  in  1856.  Their  main  office  is  at  389  Allyn 
street,  Hartford.     The  officers  of  the   company  at  present  are : 


344  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Lucius  A.  Barbour,  president  and  treasurer;  Austin  Dunham,  vice- 
president  ;  E.  H.  Clark,  secretary  ;  E.  S.  Boss,  agent ;  John  Scott, 
superintendent. 

The  Holland  Silk  Manufacturing  Compan}'  is  one  of  the  im- 
portant industries  of  Willimantic.  In  1865,  two  brothers,  James 
H.  and  Goodrich  Holland,  came  here  from  Mansfield  and  com- 
menced building  a  factory.  They  were  already  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  silk  in  Mansfield.  They  erected  in  Willimantic 
a  building-  one  hundred  by  forty-two  feet,  on  the  northeast  cor- 
ner of  Church  and  Valley  streets.  This  building  was  opened  for 
business  January  25th,  1866.  They  employed  at  that  time  from 
fifty  to  sixty  hands,  and  produced  250  pounds  of  silk  per  week. 
The  style  of  the  firm  was  then  J.  H.  &  G.  Holland,  and  in  that 
form  the  name  continued  until  1868,  when,  owing  to  the  death 
of  the  senior  partner,  the  firm  name  was  changed  to  Goodrich 
Holland.  The  death  of  the  latter  occurred  in  1870,  and  the  busi- 
ness was  then  conducted  under  the  name  of  the  Holland  Silk 
Manufacturing  Company,  as  it  is  now  known.  In  1873  they 
erected  a  brick  building,  similar  in  size  to  their  old  building,  on 
the  opposite  corner  of  Church  and  Valley  streets.  They  now 
employ  two  hundred  hands  and  manufacture  one  thousand  pounds 
a  week,  which  is  finished  and  made  reafly  forthe  market  in  their 
own  factories.  They  make  sewing  silk  and  machine  twist  for 
tailors,  dress  makers,  boot  and  shoe  makers,  harness  makers,  and 
the  like  craftsmen  and  women.  The  principal  office  of  the  com- 
pany is  at  561  Broadway,  New  York,  with  branches  at  19  High 
street,  Boston,  and  428  Market  street,  Philadelphia.  Power  to 
run  their  machinery  is  furnished  by  two  engines,  one  of  forty 
and  the  other  of  sixty  horse-power.  The  works  are  lighted  by 
electricity.  The  treasurer  and  resident  agent  is  S.  L.  Burling- 
ham  ;  superintendent  of  the  works,  John  A.  Conant.  In  connec- 
tion with  the  last-named  gentleman  the  following  item  of  history 
is  of  general  interest,  and  we  give  it  as  we  find  it  in  a  Hartford 
paper : 

"  One  of  the  early  inhabitants  of  old  Windham  was  Mr.  Exer- 
cise Conant,  a  native  of  Salem,  Mass.,  who  came  to  this  town 
and  bought  a  house  and  1,000  acres  of  land.  He  subsequently 
went  to  Lebanon,  thence  to  Boston  and  finally  came  back  to  this 
town,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  His  grandson, 
Shubael  Conant,  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Windham  County 
association,  but  did  not  assume  any  charge.     He  represented 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  345 

Mansfield  (then  of  Windham  county)  in  the  legislature  thirty 
sessions.  He  was  a  member  of  the  governor's  council  from  1760 
to  1775  and  member  of  the  council  of  safety  at  tiie  breaking  out 
of  the  Revolutionary  war.  From  these  early  settlers  sprang  the 
Conants  so  numerous  in  Mansfield  and  Superintendent  John 
Conant  of  the  Holland  silk  works  in  this  place." 

The  W.  G.  &  A.  R.  Morrison  Company  commenced  the  manu- 
facture of  silk  and  cotton  machinery  in  Willimantic  in  1875,  un- 
der the  firm  name  of  W.  G.  &  J.  H.  Morrison.  They  manufac- 
tured about  $15,000  worth  of  machinery  annually,  and  employed 
about  ten  hands.  In  1878  the  firm  was  joined  by  A.  R.  Morrison 
and  the  name  W.  G.  &  A.  R.  Morrison  was  adopted.  The  ca- 
pacity of  the  works  was  gradually  increased.  In  July,  1883,  a 
joint  stock  company  was  formed  under  the  present  name,  and 
they  now  employ  about  ninety  men  and  turn  out  machinery  to 
the  value  of  about  $150,000  a  year.  These  products  are  shipped 
to  all  parts  of  the  world.  They  occupy  part  of  a  new  brick  build- 
ing, built  by  them  in  1888,  which  is  150  by  50  feet  on  the  ground 
and  four  stories  high.  Their  works  are  driven  by  steam  alto- 
gether, being  supplied  with  an  engine  of  100  horse-power.  The 
officers  of  the  compan}^  are  :  Ansel  Arnold,  president;  W.  G.  Mor- 
rison, vice-president  and  general  manager;  A.  R.  Morrison, 
treasurer.  These  gentlemen,  with  Edw^ard  Bugbee  and  D.  W. 
Chaffee,  form  the  board  of  directors. 

The  beginnings  of  the  firm  of  O.  S.  Chaffee  &  Son  -date  back 
to  1828,  when  Joseph  Conant  became  one  of  the  first  silk  manu- 
facturers of  any  note  in  America.  In  1838  Mr.  O.  S.  Chaffee,  a 
son-in-law  of  Conant,  gained  a  partnership  in  the  business.  In 
the  course  of  years  he  received  into  partnership  with  him5;elf 
his  son,  J.  D.  Chaffee,  and  the  present  firm  name  was  adopted. 
The  plant  was  originally  located  in  Mansfield  Centre,  but  since 
about  the  year  1872  the  headquarters  have  been  in  this  town. 
From  the  start  the  business  has  had  a  steady  and  substantial 
growth,  and  in  its  present  status  constitutes  one  of  the  leading 
local  industries.  The  firm  now  has  three  mills.  Nos.  1  and  2 
are  frame  buildings.  No.  3  mill  is  an  ornate  five  story  brick 
structure  embodying  the  best  modern  ideas  in  its  arrangement 
and  equipment.  The  motive  force  is  supplied  by  steam  and 
water,  and  250  operatives  are  employed.  The  product  comprises 
silk  and  mohair  braids,  sewing  silk,  button  hole  twist,  dress  silks 
and  silk  linings.     The  goods  have  a  standard  reputation  in  the 


346  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY, 

market,  and  the  annual  sales  amount  to  something  like  $400,000. 
In  the  manufacture  of  dress  silks  this  firm  have  achieved  a  sig- 
nal success  in  direct  and  spirited  competition  with  foreign  pro- 
ducers who  have  heretofore  almost  monopolized  the  market. 
They  have  a  large  and  growing  patronage,  and  their  goods  are 
favorably  received  in  all  parts  of  the  Union.  Mr.  J.  D.  Chaffee 
is  a  native  of  Tolland  county,  and  has  literally  grown  up  in  the 
business  of  which,  since  the  death  of  his  father,  he  has  had  sole 
charge.  He  has  represented  his  district  in  both  branches  of  the 
state  legislature,  and  is  an  ex-member  of  the  governor's  staff. 

The  business  of  preparing  what  is  known  in  the  craft  as  "tram" 
and  "organzine,"  a  department  in  the  manufacture  of  silk,  is 
carried  on  by  Arthur  G.  Turner.  The  silk  "  throwster,"  as  the 
craftsman  in  this  department  is  called,  is  an  important  factor  in 
silk  manufacture,  and  a  large  business  is  done  in  supplying 
weavers  with  the  materials  mentioned.  Mr.  Turner  has  been 
for  the  most  of  his  life  identified  with  the  silk  trade.  For  a 
number  of  years  he  was  a  partner  in  a  silk  mill  at  Mansfield 
Centre.  In  1885  or  1886  he  started  the  business  here  in  a  shop 
on  Centre  street.  Here  the  premises  soon  proved  inadequate 
to  the  requirements,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  1888  he  began  to 
build  a  new  mill,  which  is  now  about  completed.  It  is  a  sub- 
stantial three  story  and  basement  brick  building  of  what  is 
known  as  the  "  Fall  River"  type  of  architecture,  with  a  tower 
and  engine  house  adjoining.  There  are  in  addition  several 
frame  buildings  for  auxiliary  use.  The  mill  is  equipped  with 
8,000  spindles  operated  by  an  engine  of  150  horse-power.  vSev- 
enty-five  hands  are  employed  and  the  output  is  from  1,200  to 
1,500  pounds  per  week. 

The  Natchaug  Silk  Company  was  incorporated  in  1887.  It 
grew  out  of  the  firm  of  O.  S.  Chaffee  &  Son,  being  established 
here  to  carry  on  the  manufacture  of  silk  dress  goods,  serges  and 
satins.  J.  Dwight  Chaffee  is  president  of  the  company,  and 
Charles  Fenton  secretary  and  treasurer.  They  occupy  the  three 
upper  floors  of  the  W.  G.  &  A.  R.  Morrison  Company's  brick 
building  on  North  street.  Work  began  here  in  1888.  About 
fifty  hands  are  employed. 

The  Willimantic  Brass  and  Iron  Foundry  is  situated  on  Mans- 
field avenue,  in  the  western  suburbs  of  the  village.  It  was  built 
in  1871,  and  occupied  by  William  M.  Gorry  in  the  fall  of  1873. 
Here  a  great  variety  of  castings  for  machinery  is  made.     A  pat- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  347 

ent  plow  is  also  manufactured  here.  Mr.  Gorry  is  a  native  of 
Lowell,  Mass.,  where  he  was  born  December  14th,  1841,  and  he 
is  a  moulder  by  trade.  He  has  at  times  employed  as  many  as 
twenty-five  hands. 

rMessrs.  W.  H.  Latham  &  Co.  established  on  Spring  street  in 
'Ij/iG  and  '77  well  arranged  and  commodious  shops  for  the  stor- 
ing, handling  and  working  of  lumber.  Steam  power  of  ample 
capacity  is  employed  for  driving  machinery,  warming  work 
rooms,  heating  the  drying  kiln  and  like  uses,  and  the  shop  is 
supplied  with  modern  wood  working  machinery.  The  firm  do  a 
general  contracting  and  jobbing  business,  including  painting 
and  natural  wood  finishing.  The  court  house.  United  Bank 
building.  Hooker  House  and  other  prominent  buildings  in  Willi- 
mantic  are  monuments  to  their  reputation  as  practical  builders. 
W.  H.  Latham  was  born  in  Eastford,  Conn.,  September  21st,  1846. 
At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  went  to  Rhode  Island  and  served  as  an 
apprentice  to  the  joiner's  trade.  He  came  to  Willimantic  in 
1867,  and  has  since  resided  here.  He  married  Mary  E.,  daugh- 
ter of  Edwin  E.  Burnham,  and  has  two  children,  Edwin  B.  and 
Burnett  W. 

The  builders'  facilities  in  Willimantic  for  doing  good  work  at 
low  rates  are  unsurpassed  by  any  of  the  towns  or  cities  here- 
abouts. The  oldest  and  best  known  shop  is  probably  that  of  D. 
E.  Potter,  who  has  done  a  general  building,  paint  and  oil  busi- 
ness, but  of  late  years  has  confined  himself  almost  wholly  to 
shop  work. 

George  P.  Spencer,  proprietor  of  Spencer's  handy  mineral 
soap,  has  his  shop  and  residence  here,  and  ships  quantities  of  his 
soap  over  a  large  territory. 

Messrs.  Jillson  &  Palmer,  the  inventors,  patentees  and  proprie- 
tors of  Jillson  &  Palmer's  cotton  opener,  the  best  machine  ever 
brought  out  for  the  purpose  (so  claimed),  reside  in  Willimantic 
and  manufacture  their  machines  here. 

The  Edson  &  Calkins  Quarry  Company  have  a  fine  quarry  and 
constantly  employ  a  large  force  of  men  and  teams.  With  the 
aid  of  all  the  latest  appliances,  such  as  steam  drills,  derricks  and 
electrical  batteries,  they  get  out  and  ship  great  quantities  of 
stone,  which  is  finding  a  large  and  increasing  sale,  and  by  its 
hardness  makes  the  best  foundation  and  bridge  piers  which  can 
be  made. 

The  wholesale  business  of  Willimantic  is  well  taken  care  of. 


348  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

The  flour,  grain  and  feed  trade  is  represented  by  the  house  of 
Ansel  Arnold  &  Co.,  Main  street ;  E.  A.  Bugbee  &  Co.,  corner 
Valley  and  Jackson  streets,  and  E.  A.  Buck  &  Co.,  Main  street. 
The  last  named  firm  have  a  steam  mill,  located  between  the  rail- 
road track  and  Main  street,  where  they  can  receive  and  ship 
grain  and  feed  without  the  expense  of  teams.  The  wholesale 
grocery  trade  is  represented  by  Durkee,  Stiles  &  Co.,  who  do  a 
very  heavy  business.  Willimantic  is  a  trade  center  for  many 
towns  and  villages  within  a  radius  of  15  pr  20  miles.  The  coal 
and  building  material  interest  is  in  the' hands  of  the  firms  of 
Lincoln  &  Boss,  Geo.  K.  Nason  and  Hillhouse  &  Taylor,  and  that 
prices  are  lower  here  than  in  any  place  in  eastern  Connecticut 
is  proven  by  the  large  shipments  of  lumber  and  other  build- 
ing materials  into  Norwich.  New  London,  Putnam  and  other 
large  places. 

The  saw  mill  of  Messrs.  Hillhouse  &  Taylor  has  been  in  oper- 
ation for  several  years,  sawing  from  one  to  two  million  feet  per 
annum.  Their  wood  working  shop  employs  sixteen  to  twenty 
hands  and  uses  water  power  to  the  extent  of  about  sixty-five 
horse-power.  Their  shop  is  located  on  Main  street,  and  here 
they  manufacture  all  kinds  of  doors,  sash,  blinds,  mouldings  and 
like  materials  used  in  the  builder's  art. 

Believing  in  the  strength  of  union  in  a  common  cause  the  en- 
terprising business  men  of  Willimantic  organized  a  Board  of 
Trade  in  February,  1887.  The  meeting  was  held  in  Excelsior 
Hall,  and  at  that  time  eighty-eight  names  had  been  signed  to 
the  roll  of  membership  at  an  initial  fee  of  three  dollars  each.  The 
officers  then  elected  were  as  follows :  President,  Ansel  Arnold  ; 
vice-presidents,  F.  M.  Wilson,  H.  N.  Wales ;  secretary,  W.  N. 
Potter;  treasurer,  F.F.Webb;  directors,  A.  T.  Fowler,  H.  C. 
Murray,  John  Hickey,  Marshall  Tilden,  H.  E.  Remington,  W. 
C.  Jillson,  A.  M.  Hatheway ;  committee  on  trade  and  manufac- 
turing, Geo.  K.  Nason,  chairman,  W.  G.  Morrison,  O.  H.  K.  Ris- 
ley,  G.  W.  Melony,  H.  C.  Murray ;  committee  on  membership, 
G.  H.  Alford,  J.  G.  Keigwin,  Marshall  Tilden,  J.  C.  Lincoln,  A. 
J.  Bowen  ;  committee  on  statistics,  F.  E.  Beach,  G.  A.  Conant,W. 
H.  Latham,  A.  B.  Adams,  J.  D.  Jillson.  A  constitution  and  by- 
laws were  adopted  and  the  Board  of  Trade  started  off  with  a 
bright  prospect  of  accomplishing  some  good,  and  the  indications 
thus  far  harmonize  with  those  prospective  promises.  The  offi- 
cers remain  at  the  present  time  the  same  with  very  few  excep- 
tions. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  349 

The  Willimantic  Cemetery  lies  in  the  western  suburbs  of  the 
borough.  It  is  a  pleasant  location  and  contains  many  handsome 
monuments  and  well-kept  plats.  Its  beginning  dates  back  to  the 
early  part  of  the  century.  On  the  15th  of  June,  1829,  the  First 
school  society  of  Windham  purchased  of  Henry  and  Joseph 
Brown  two  acres  of  land  for  a  burying  plot.  This  lot  is  now 
nearly  in  the  center  of  the  present  cemetery.  Four  additions 
have  since  been  made,  two  on  the  easterly  and  two  on  the  west- 
erly side.  May  5th,  1858,  the  town  of  Windham  bought  about 
five  and  a  quarter  acres  of  Harden  H.  Fitch,  on  the  east  side, 
and  May  18th  of  the  same  year  the  town  bought  of  Niles  Potter 
a  little  more  than  half  an  acre,  also  on  the  east  side.  August 
6th,  1876,  the  town  bought  about  twelve  acres  on  the  west  side 
of  the  old  cemetery,  of  Benjamin  A.  Potter,  and  again,  Decem- 
ber 30th,  1877,  bought  of  the  same  party  about  two  acres  addi- 
tional. Thus  the  cemetery  now  contains  about  twenty -two  acres 
of  ground.  It  is  about  one  mile  west  of  the  heart  of  the  borough, 
and  still  belongs  to  the  town.  It  is  neatly  laid  out  and  kept  in 
good  order,  being  ornamented  with  many  evergreen  hedges  and 
trees,  as  well  as  other  trees  and  shrubs.  Along  the  highway 
front,  on  the  north  side,  is  a  fine  ornamental  iron  fence,  placed 
there  in  1882  by  George  Chase,  a  native  of  the  borough  but  now 
of  New  York  city,  at  an  expense  of  $10,000. 

The  poor  farm  of  the  town,  which  was  purchased  of  Benjamin 
A.  Potter,  December  30th,  1876,  lies  on  the  north  side  of  the 
highway  directly  opposite  the  cemetery. 

The  Roman  Catholic  cemetery  lies  about  a  mile  northeast  of 
the  borough,  on  the  west  side  of  the  old  highway  leading  from 
Willimantic  to  North  Windham.  On  the  29th  of  February,  1864, 
James  G.  Martin,  of  Windham,  sold  to  Francis  P.  McFarland, 
bishop  of  Hartford,  twenty-five  acres  of  land  at  this  point,  to  be 
used  as  a  burying  ground  by  the  St.  Joseph's  Roman  Catholic 
society.  The  ground  remains  in  that  use,  having  been  conse- 
crated according  to  the  forms  and  usages  of  that  church.  The 
ground  is  nearly  level,  and  is  well  laid  out  and  ornamented  by 
evergreens  and  other  shrubbery,  and  has  a  number  of  very  hand- 
some monuments. 

Eastern  Star  Lodge,  No.  44,  F.  &  A.  M.,  was  organized  under 
a  charter  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of  Connecticut,  Novem- 
ber 21st,  1798.  It  was  then  located  in  the  town  of  Lebanon, 
which  at  that  time  belonged  to  Windham  county.     An  amusing 


350  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

incident  connected  with  the  organization  is  preserved  in  tradi- 
tion and  we  mention  it  here  as  it  has  been  given  to  us  from 
sources  outside  of  the  order.  It  is  said  that  in  the  early  years 
of  the  Lodge,  on  one  occasion  an  inquisitive  young  lady  of  the 
family  in  whose  house  the  Lodge  held  its  meetings,  determined 
to  see  what  the  men  were  doing  up  stairs,  so  she  climbed  into  a 
tree  which  stood  near  the  house  and  from  her  perch  there  she 
could  look  straight  into  the  lodge  room  through  a  window  which 
in  the  warm  summer  night  was  left  open.  She  succeeded  in  wit- 
nessing considerable  of  the  ceremonies,  but  unluckily  for  her  in 
the  midst  of  them  she  was  discovered.  Some  of  the  men  ran 
out  and  before  she  could  descend  and  flee  to  a  place  of  security 
she  was  captured  and  brought  up  to  the  lodge  room  where  she 
was  compelled  to  go  through  the  form  of  initiation  into  the  or- 
der and  swear  never  to  divulge  any  of  the  secret  ceremonies 
which  she  had  seen.  As  the  story  is  not  officially  reported  to  us 
we  cannot  vouch  for  its  correctness,  but  presume  there  is  some- 
thing of  truth  connected  with  it. 

The  twenty-four  charter  members  of  this  Lodge  were  Jonathan 
M.  Young,  Saul  Carpenter,  Flavel  Clark,  Benjamin  B.  Fitch, 
Manham  Willson,  Jonathan  Card,  Oliver  Wattles,  Joseph  Terry, 
Eleazer  Huntington,  John  Burgess,  Elijah  Mason,  John  New- 
comb,  Nathaniel  Beard,  Seth  Collins,  Nathaniel  Williams,  Jr., 
Abijah  Thomas,  Jr.,  Azel  Fitch,  Ephraim  Tisdale,  John  Hay- 
ward,  Salmon  Champion,  Ambrose  Collins,  Thomas  Dewey, 
Jared  Bennett  and  Isaac  Ticknor.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
state  determined  to  have  the  installation  of  the  lodge  held  in 
the  meeting  house  and  to  have  it  public.  The  first  officers  of 
the  new  Lodge  were :  Daniel  Tilden,W.  M. ;  Joseph  Metcalf,  S.W. ; 
Labdiel  Hyde,  J.W.  ;  Elijah  Mason,  treasurer ;  Ephraim  Tisdale, 
secretary ;  Joseph  Terry,  S.  D. ;  John  Newcomb,  J.  D. ;  Seth 
Collins,  S.  T. ;  John  Hayward,  J.  T.  Lodge  meetings  were,  at 
first,  held  in  the  house  of  Elijah  Mason.  Occasional  meetings 
of  the  Lodge  were  held  in  Windham  for  a  few  years.  Action 
was  then  taken  to  procure  a  permanent  place  for  the  Lodge  to 
meet  in  Windham.  A  room  was  secured  in  a  building  owned 
by  Samuel  Gray  in  the  center  of  the  village,  for  a  term  of  years. 
After  October,  1808,  all  the  meetings  of  the  Lodge  were  held  at 
Windham.  Daniel  Tilden  occupied  the  post  of  W.  M.  from  the 
b)eginning  until  December,  1812,  when  he  was  succeeded  by 
Gurdon  Tracy,  then  a  resident  of  Scotland. 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  351 

From  its  quarters  in  Windham  the  Lodge  removed  to  Willi- 
mantic,  November  21st,  1851,  then  completing  the  fifty-third 
year  of  its  existence.  Here  it  held  its  meetings  for  a  time  in 
Odd  Fellow's  Hall  and  in  other  rooms,  until  permanent  quarters 
were  secured  in  Atwood's  Block,  which  suite  of  rooms  were  well 
adapted  to  its  uses.  This  they  continued  to  occupy  until  April 
16th,  1885,  when  they  took  possession  of  "their  new  lodge  rooms 
in  the  United  Bank  Building,  where  excellent  accommodations 
had  been  provided  for  the  several  Masonic  bodies  of  the  town. 
Very  interesting  public  ceremonies  of  dedication  were  held  at 
the  date  last  mentioned,  conducted  by  M.  W.  Dwight  Waugh, 
■G.  M.,  and  the  other  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  A  historical 
address  was  delivered  by  Hon.  John  M.  Hall,  a  member  of  this 
Lodge,  and  the  exercises  terminated  with  a  banquet  in  Franklin 
Hall. 

The  following  men  have  been  W.  M.  of  this  Lodge  from  its  or- 
ganization to  the  present  time  :  Daniel  Tilden,  Gurdon  Tracy, 
Luther  D.  Leach,  Thomas  Clark,  William  Webb,  Gurdon  Heb- 
.ard,  Wallace  Huntington,  William  Wales,  Calvin  H.  Davison, 
Jeremiah  King,  Joshua  B.  Lord,  J.  S.  Loveland,  Roderick  Davi- 
son, Van  W.Austin,  Jeptha  Harris,  John  G.  Keigwin,  Charles  S. 
Billings,  Chester  Tilden,  Charles  N.  Daniels,  Richard  L.  Wig- 
gins, DeWitt  C.  Hill,  Charles  James  Fox,  T.  F.  Howie.  The 
Lodge  is  in  a  very  prosperous  condition,  and  at  the  present  time 
has  a  membership  of  about  two  hundred,  with  flattering  pros- 
pects of  continued  prosperity. 

Trinity  Chapter,  No.  9,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  was  instituted  by 
the  Grand  Chapter  of  the  state,  upon  the  petition  of  Daniel  Til- 
den and  others,  at  Windham,  on  the  21st  of  May,  A.  L.  6808, 
when  the  following  officers  were  installed  :  Daniel  Tilden,  H.  P. ; 
Roger  Huntington,  K. ;  John  Clarke,  S.  The  Chapter  continued 
to  hold  its  meetings  in  Windham  until  April  29th,  A.  L.  5852, 
when  it  removed  to  Willimantic  and  has  since  occupied  the 
rooms  of  Eastern  Star  Lodge.  The  following  persons  have 
held  the  office  of  H.  P.  in  the  Chapter:  Daniel  Tilden,  Andrew 
Harris,  Gurdon  Tracy,  Thomas  Clark,  Vine  Hovey,  Gurdon  Heb- 
ard,  Wallace  Huntington,  Joshua  B.  Lord,  Chester  Tilden,  Henry 
A.  Balcom,  David  C.  Card,  Charles  H.  Bigelow,  Charles  S.  Bill- 
ings, O.  D.  Brown,  Henry  A.  La,rkin,  E.  T.  Hamlin,  James  Har- 
ris, Jr.,  H.  R.  Chappell,  F.  S.  Fowler,  H.  M.  Graupner.  The 
•Chapter  now  numbers  one  hundred  and  nine  members. 


352  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Olive  Branch  Council,  No.  10,  was  chartered  by  the  Grand 
Council  of  Connecticut  on  the  12th  day  of  May,  1868.  The  fol- 
lowing were  charter  members  :  Henry  E.  Balcam,  Chester  Til- 
den,  Jr.,  David  C.  Card,  John  R.Cogswell,  Abel  E.  Brooks,  Sam- 
uel B.  Stanton,  Van  W.  Austin,  Joel  W.  Backus'.  On  the  above 
mentioned  date  the  Council  was  instituted  in  the  lodge  room  in 
Willimantic  by  Stephe^i  T.  Bartlett,  G.  P.,  and  Joseph  R.Wheel- 
er, G.  R.,  officers  of  the  Grand  Council.  The  first  officers  of  the 
Council  were:  Henry  E.  Balcam,  T.  J.  M. ;  Chester  Tilden,  Jr., 
R.  J.  D.  M. ;  David  C.  Card,  P.  C.  of  W.  the  following  are  past 
officers  of  this  Council :  H.  E.  Balcam,  Chester  Tilden,  Jr.,Thomiis 
H.  Rollinson,  Charles  S.  Billings,  Charles  James  Fox,  E.  T.  Ham- 
lin, Charles  D.  Peck.  The  Council  now  numbers  about  seventy 
members. 

St.  John's  Commandery,  No.  11,  Knights  Templar,  was  insti- 
tuted January  23d,  1882,  upon  the  petition  of  charter  members 
Sir  Chester  Tilden,  Sir  David  C.  Card  and  Sir  W.  H.  Bolander. 
The  instituting  ceremonies  were  conducted  by  officers  of  the 
Grand  Commandery,  Sirs  William  H.  Cobb,  E.  C. ;  Henry  H. 
Green,  G. ;  and  S.  G.  Waters,  C.  G.  The  following  Sir  Knights 
were  the  first  officers  of  the  new  commandery :  Chester  Tilden, 
E.  C. ;  David  C.  Card,  G. ;  W.  H.  Bolander,  C.  G.  Past  eminent 
commanders  up  to  this  date  are  :  Chester  Tilden,  David  C.  Card, 
Charles  S.  Billings  and  Charles  J.  Fox.  The  present  officers  are : 
Sir  John  H.  Bullard,  E.  C.  ;  Sir  George  K.  Nason,  G. ;  Sir  Frank 
S.  Fowler,  C.  G.  The  Commandery  now  numbers  forty  members, 
and  is  in  a  prosperous  condition.  Trinity  Chapter,  Olive  Branch 
Council  and  St.  John's  Commandery  were  all  of  them  outgrowths 
from  Eastern  Star  Lodge. 

Radiant  Chapter,  No.  11,  O.  E.  S.,  was  organized  February  27th, 
1874.  Its  charter  members  were :  Mrs.  Hattie  M.  Harris,  Mrs. 
Susan  M.  Fuller,  Mrs.  Clarissa  A.  Babcock,  Miss  Nancy  Chapin, 
Mrs.  Caroline  Hanna,  Miss  Eunice  S.  Ripley,  Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Rog- 
ers, Miss  Hattie  L.  Fuller,  Mrs.  Eliza  A.  Congden,  Mrs.  Arrunette 
Barber.  Meetings  of  the  Chapter  have  been  held  in  Masonic 
Hall  from  the  beginning.  Its  first  officers  were  :  H.  M.  Harris, 
W.  M.;  Caroline  R.  Dorman,  A.  M.;  Susan  M.  Fuller,  Sec;  Nancy 
Chapin,  Treas.;  C.  A.  Babcock,  Con.;  Louisa  J.  Hoxie,  A.  C; 
W.  L.  Fuller,  A.;  S.  E.  Rogers,  R.;  Emma  A.  Bullard,  E.;  E.  S. 
Ripley,  M.;  Julia  King,  E.;  Bro.  A.  S.  Barber,  W.  P.;  Bro.  A.  S. 
Fuller,  W.;  Bro.  William  Thompson,  Sent.     Successive  W.  M.'s 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  353 

have  since  been :  H.  M.  Harris,  1875;  Mrs.  Carrie  S.  Robbins, 
1876;  Mrs.  Clarissa  A.  Babcock,  1877-79;  Caroline  E.  Billings, 
1880-82;  Miss  Helen  E.  Batey,  1883-84;  E.  H.  Hamlin,  1885; 
Ellen  S.  Clark,  1886;  Susan  M.  Fuller,  1887-88.  The  Chapter 
owns  no  property.  Its  membership  comprises  61  brothers  and 
62  sisters. 

Willimantic  Council,  No.  720,  Royal  Arcanum,  was  organized 
December  7th,  1882.  It  had  twenty-two  charter  members;  W.  D. 
Brigham,  C.  S.  Billings,  A.  A.  Burnham,  H.  E.  Remington,  De 
W.  C.  Hill,  F.  M.  Thompson,  E.  A.  Taft,  C.  J.  Fox,  M.  D.,  H.  F. 
Royce,  Charles  H.  Andrews,  C.  R.  Utley,  H.  R.  Lincoln,  N.  D. 
Webster,  W.  H.  Wales,  J.  H.  Bullard,  C.  N.  Daniels,  H.M.Cady, 
F.  S.  Fowler,  Frank  Larrabee,  O.  S.  Chaffee,  Jr.,  Charles  H.  Rob- 
bins,  W.  H.  H.  Bingham.  The  Council  meets  in  old  Masonic 
Hall.  The  first  officers  were  :  Charles  S.  Billings,  regent;  W.  D. 
Brigham,  vice-regent;  H.  F.  Royce,  treasurer.  The  presiding 
officers  have  been  as  follows:  Charles  S.  Billings,  1882-83;  Walter 
D.  Brigham,  1884-85;  Charles  S.  Billings,  1886;  Charles  N.  Daniels, 
1887-88;  Dwight  H.  Barstow,  1889.  The  total  membership  now 
is  fifty-six.  Two  deaths  have  occurred  within  its  circle.  They 
were,  Jonathan  Hodgdon,  druggist,  August  31st,  1883,  and  Ed- 
ward A.  Taft,  February  14th,  1887. 

Willimantic  Division  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians  was 
organized  in  1875.  During  the  first  few  years  it  had  a  feeble 
existence,  hardly  maintaining  its  life,  but  later  on  a  degree  of 
prosperity  seemed  to  perch  upon  its  banners.  The  weak  society 
could  not  well  afford  to  hire  a  hall,  so  its  meetings  were  held  in 
private  houses  or  spare  rooms  which  were  offered  for  their  use, 
as  circumstances  favored  them.  The  records  previous  to  1881 
are  lost,  but  since  that  time  the  presidents  successively  have 
been:  B.  J.  Carey,  1881-83;  Patrick  McGlore,  1884 ;  Thomas 
Foran,  1885;  Hugh  J  Carney,  1886-87;  John  F.  Hennessey, 
1888.  The  vice-presidents  have  been  :  John  Foy,  1881  ;  Luke 
Flynn,  1882  ;  Patrick  McGlore,  1883  ;  John  J.  Carey,  1884  ;  P.  J. 
Carey,  1885;  John  F.  Hennessey,  1886-87;'  Luke  Owens,  1888. 
Recording  secretaries  have  been :  Daniel  Courtney,  1881  ;  Ed- 
ward Carey,  1882 ;  John  P.  Shea,  1883-86 ;  Michael  Moriarty, 
1887  ;  D.  J.  Regan,  1888.  Financial  secretaries  have  been  :  Pat- 
rick Conway,  1881 ;  John  P.  Shea,  1882 ;  Cornelius  Shea,  1883 ; 
John  F.  Shea,  1884;  Thomas  Haron,  1885-87;  Jeremiah  Maho- 
ney,  1888.  Treasurers  have  been  :  Florence  Tonnelly,  1881-83  ; 
23 


354  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

John  Casey,  1884  ;  Dennis  Shea,  1885-87  ;  John  J.  Carey,  1888. 
In  1881  the  treasury  contained  $119.33 ;  in  1888  it  contained 
over  $1,000.  The  membership  at  different  times  was  as  follows: 
1881,  32  ;  1882,  38  :  1883,  34  ;  1884,  45  ;  1885,  55  ;  1886,  60  ;  1887, 
67 ;  1888,  78. 

The  Women's  Christian  Temperance  Union,  of  Willimantic, 
was  organized  March  7th,  1877.  The  first  members  were  Mad- 
ams Sarah  J.  Lillie,  Carrie  L.  Lamb,  Julia  Pinney,  E.  S.  Andrew, 
E.  E.  Park,  N.  Davison,  J.  M.  Pierce,  Lucius  Carpenter,  Adaline 
S.  Davis,  E.  F.  Trowbridge,  E.  M.  Hanks,  H.  G.  Douglass,  E.  A. 
Barrows,  Mason  Lincoln,  George  A.  Burnham,  C.  E.  Conant,  A. 
A.  Hall,  Eliza  Dexter,  C.  Topliff,  William  Thompson,  William 
Hudson  and  E.  Picknell,  and  Miss  Inez  M.  Brown.  They  met  a 
part  of  the  time  in  private  parlors,  and  a  part  of  the  time  in  the 
"  Faith  Rooms."  The  first  officers  were :  Mrs.  C.  E.  Conant, 
president ;  Mrs.  Amos  Hall,  Mrs.  Lucius  Carpenter,  vice-presi- 
dents ;  Miss  Inez  M.  Brown,  secretary  and  treasurer.  Mrs.  C.  E. 
Conant  has  served  as  president  down  to  the  present  time,  with 
the  exception  of  two  years.  Miss  Maria  Case  was  president  one 
year  from  October,  1883,  and  Mrs.  C.  B.  Pomeroy  one  year  from 
October,  1887.  The  Union  meets  now  in  the  parlors  of  the  Bap- 
tist church.  It  owns  no  property,  but  has  about  fifty  members. 
Its  present  officers  are :  Mrs.  C.  E.  Conant,  president ;  Mrs.  C-  B. 
Pomeroy,  Mrs.  George  Phillips,  Mrs.  Edwin  Bugbee,  vice-presi- 
dents ;  Miss  I.  E.  Sutherland,  corresponding  secretary  and  treas- 
urer; Miss  Nellie  Preston,  recording  secretary.  This  was  the 
only  Union  in  the  county  until  the  formation  of  Putnam  Union 
three  or  four  years  ago. 

The  St.  Jean  Baptist  Society  of  Willimantic,  was  organized 
May  30th,  1880.  Its  first  officers  were :  Joseph  Martin,  presi- 
dent ;  David  Lambert,  vice-president ;  Reverend  Florimond  De 
Bruycker,  chaplain  ;  P.  P.  Pare,  recording  secretary  ;  Godfroid 
Lapalme,  financial  secretary  ;  J.  N.  Archambault,  treasurer  ;  Ed. 
Paguin,  first  director  ;  H.  Belaire,  second  director.  The  names 
of  other  members  who  first  organized  the  society  were  :  E.  Quin- 
tal, H.  Blanchette,  G.  Gilbert,  S.  Ayotte,  P.  Sansouci,  Ed.  Bacon, 
Ed.  Bonin,  L.  Belanger,  H.  Routier,  N.  Routier,  Ant.  Lucier, 
Nap.  Bacon,  Isaie  Racicot,  P.  Mullen,  M.  Alix,  Naz.  Gingras,  Jos. 
Gingras.  Its  first  meeting  place  was  in  the  old  St.  Joseph's  R. 
C.  church.  Its  present  place  of  meeting  is  in  Atwood's  Block, 
in  the  old  Masonic  Hall.     Its  property  consists  of  its  furniture, 


HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY,  355 

banners,  etc.,  valued  at  about  $400,  and  cash  deposited  in  sav- 
ings banks  to  the  amount  of  about  $1,000.  Its  present  member- 
ship is  about  eighty.  The  presiding  officers  regularly  elected 
in  March  and  September,  have  been  as  follows,  each  serving  for 
the  six  months  term  beginning  with  the  date  given :  Joseph 
Martin,  June,  1880,  one  and  one-half  terms ;  J.  N.  Archambault, 
March,  '81 ;  Godfroid  Lapalme,  September,  '81 ;  Jos.  Martin, 
March,  '82 ;  Th.  Potvin,  September,  '82 ;  G.  Lapalme,  March,  '83, 
two  terms;  A.  P.  Favreau,  March,  '84,  four  terms;  Elzear  St. 
Onge,  March, '86  ;  A.  P.  Favreau,  September, '86 ;  Th.  Potvin, 
March,  '87;  A.  D.  David,  September,  '87,  two  terms ;  J.  N.  Arch- 
ambault, September,  '88.  The  other  officers  at  present  are : 
Joseph  Dumas,  vice-president ;  Tancrede  de  Villers,  recording 
secretary ;  Chs.  de  Villers,  financial  secretary ;  The.  Potvin, 
treasurer ;  Frs.  Baril,  corresponding  secretary ;  Z.  Caisse,  warden. 

San  Jose  Council,  No.  14,  K.  of  C,  was  instituted  March  12th, 
1885,  receiving  its  charter  at  that  time.  Its  charter  members 
were  :  Officers — James  E.  Murray,  G.  K. ;  Captain  P.  Fitzpatrick, 
D.  G.  K.  ;  D.  P.  Dunn,  R.  S. ;  William  Vanderman,  F.  S. ;  J.  H. 
Morrison,  treasurer  ;  E.  Grimes,  warden  ;  R.  Carney,  I.  G. ;  James 
Maxwell,  O.  G. ;  T.  H.  McNally,  C.  P. ;  other  charter  members- 
John  McDonough,  D.  McCarthy,  Joseph  Cotter,  James  Toomey, 
James  Dolan,  James  Courtney,  John  H.  Dawson,  Theodore  Pot- 
vin. The  Council  meets  in  Old  Masonic  Hall,  in  Atwopd's 
Block.  This  Council  is  increasing  rapidl}^  in  membership  and 
becoming  popular  as  a  Catholic  society.  Its  insurance  system 
is  its  chief  object.  It  has  paid  out  several  hundred  dollars  as 
its  proportionate  part  for  death  assessments  to  needy  widows 
and  orphans,  and  has  $1,500  in  its  treasury.  The  presiding  offi- 
cers vSince  the  first  have  been  :  E.  F.  Casey,  G.  K.,  A.  P.  Favreau, 
D.  G.  K.,  from  1886  to  1887 ;  J.  P.  Cotter,  G.  K.,  T.  F.  Reynolds, 
D.  G.  K.,  from  1887  to  1889.  It  has  about  ninety  members  in 
good  standing. 

Willimantic  Lodge,  No.  11,  Ancient  Order  of  United  Work- 
men, a  beneficiary  society,  was  organized  in  July,  about  six  or 
seven  years  ago.  It  meets  every  two  weeks,  in  room  No.  3  in 
Loomer  Opera  House.  It  has  a  membership  of  about  fifty  in  good 
standing.  A  benefit  of  $2,000  at  death  is  paid  to  the  surviving 
friends  of  its  members.  It  is  a  secret  society  in  its  working. 
Lodges  are  associated  throughout  the  country,  but  any  state  hav- 
ing  2,000  members  can   control  its  own  assessments.     Assess- 


356  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

ments  are  levied  on  all  members  as  often  as  the  grand  treas- 
ury fund  falls  below  two  thousand  dollars.  An  assessment 
now  brings  into  the  grand  treasury  about  $8,000.  The  number 
of  deaths  thus  far  in  this  Grand  Lodge  has  been  fifty-nine. 

Natchaug  Lodge,  No.  22,  Knights  of  Pythias,  was  chartered 
March  7th,  1872.  It  meets  every  Monday  night  in  Atwood  Block. 
Its  charter  members  were  :  Thomas  W.  Henry,  George  Bartlett, 
L.  F.  Bugbee,  Abel  Clark,  Cortland  Babcock,  Jr.,  Dwight  Jor- 
dan, Hiram.  A.  Snow,  M.  L.  Tryon,  J.  T.  McNeil,  Samuel  J.  Mil- 
ler, W.  N.  Potter.  The  whole  number  initiated  up  to  this  time 
is  about  one  hundred  and  fifty.  The  present  membership  is 
about  forty  to  fifty.  The  present  officers  are  :  W.  H.  Wales,  C. 
C. ;  E.  B.  Walden,  vice-C. ;  H.  E.  Reade,  K.  of  A. ;  W.  B.  Hoxie, 
prelate;  Charles  E.  Clark,  M.  of  F. ;  W.  N.  Potter,  M.  of  E. ;  E. 
D.  C.  Card,  M.  of  A. 

Francis  S.  Long  Post,  No.  30,  G.  A.  R.,  was  organized  March 
30th,  1881.  The  following  were  charter  members  :  Samuel  J.Mil- 
ler, Daniel  K.  Sweet,  J.  D.  Willis,  Chauncey  C.  Geer,  Henry  A. 
Howard,  William  Brown,  Benajah  E.  Smith,  Irad  W.  Storrs, 
Elisha  C.  Boden,  H.  F.  Lewis,  William  H.  Sweet.  The  following 
list  embraces  its  entire  membership  :  John  Bolles,  Amos  C.  Cran- 
dall,  Darius  Moon,  George  A.  Murdock,  George  F.  Lyman,  Wal- 
ter Plumley,  William  Warrilow,  Horace  Warner,  William  F. 
Gates,  William  E.  Bailey,  Philetus  G.  Perry,  Albert  S.  Blish, 
Lemuel  Warner,  James  W.  Beckwith,  George  L.  Cooley,  Henry 
L.  Bingham,  Asa  M.  Holmes,  Daniel  C.  Lewis,  Palmer  S.  Green, 
Arthur  P.  Benner,  William  E.  Williams,  Edwin  M.  Tliorne, 
Enoch  Dodd,  Luke  Flynn,  E.  F.  Payson,  William  Smith,  Louis 
Putoz,  George  W.  Herrick,  Augustus  Tittell,  Eugene  Winton, 
Danforth  O.  Lombard,  John  Hickey,  Charles  P.  Brann,  Robert 
Binns,  Melvin  L.  Nichols,  John  Tew,  W.  H.  H.  Bingham,  Wil- 
liam N.  Tremper,  Amos  W.  Bill,  Daniel  S.  Clark,  A.  E.  Brooks, 
Frederick  Miller,  Horace  Griggs,  William  H.  Bosworth,  Frank 
G.  Colby,  Jerome  B.  Baldwin,  Warren  H.  Bissell,  Elisha  D.  Hill, 
George  Dimock,  John  J.  Brierly,  John  A.  Holmes,  Michael 
O'Louglin,  Henry  K.  Brown,  Michael  Shea,  Henry  K.  Hyde, 
William  A.  Hempstead,  Alvord  Chappell,  William  C.  Walker, 
Ames  E.  Bailey,  John  J.  Franklin,  Charles  H.  Corey,  Thomas 
Handley,  J.  S.  Bradbury,  Thomas  Spencer,  Lucien  B.  Woodworth, 
William  H.  Sypher,  Alexander  Bruto,  John  D.  Hart,  James  Hag- 
gerty,  John  vSweeney,  Frederick  J.  Traver,  C.  M.  Kearnes,  Charles 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  357 

Ashworth,  Danford  Wyllys,  George  L.  Briggs,  Sanford  A.  Com- 
ins,  Van  B.  Jordan,  Andrew  E.  Kinne,  Andrew  W.  Loomis,  Cort- 
land Babcock,  C.  H.  Colgrove,  David  Clapp,  William  M.  Snow, 
Charles  H.  Jackson,  H.  J.  Fieldgen,  Charles  Fenton.  The  past 
post  commanders  are  :  Samuel  J.  Miller,  1881 ;  Benajah  E.  Smith, 
1882 ;  J.  D.  Willis,  1883  ;  Amos  G.  Crandall,  1884-1885 ;  Warren 
H.  Bissell,  1886;  Elisha  C.  Boden,  1887;  Samuel  J.  Miller,  1888. 
There  are  at  present  seventy  members  in  good  standing.  The 
present  officers  are :  John  J.  Brierly,  C. ;  Charles  Ashworth,  S. 
V.  C. ;  George  A.  Murdock,  J.  V.  C. ;  Thomas  Handley,  adjutant ;  J. 
D.  Willis,  Q.  M.  ;  Warren  H.  Bissell,  chap. ;  C.  A.  Colgrove,  M.  D., 
surgeon  ;  James  Haggerty,  officer  of  the  day ;  E.  F.  Payson,  offi- 
cer of  the  guard ;  A.  P.  Benner,  ser.  maj. ;  Luke  Flynn,  Q.  M.  S. 
The  Post  meets  in  room  No.  3,  Loomer  Opera  House,  every  Fri- 
day evening.  It  decorates  178  graves  in  four  cemeteries  on  the 
annual  day  set  apart  for  that  purpose. 

Jonathan  Trumbull  Council,  No.  29,  Order  of  United  American 
Mechanics,  a  society  composed  of  a  distinctively  American  mem- 
bership, was  organized  December  4th,  1888.  It  meets  in  Atwood 
Block.  All  members  must  be  native  born  Americans.  The  ob- 
jects are  to  sustain  the  free  institutions  of  America  and  the  gov- 
ernment as  it  is,  and  to  provide  benefits  in  sickness  and  death 
for  its  members.  The  officers  change  every  six  months.  The 
firvSt  officers  were  as  follows  :  Charles  N.  Daniels,  councillor  ;  S.  J. 
Miller,  vice-councillor;  Eugene  Randall,  junior  ex-councillor; 
H.  F.  Barrows,  senior  ex-councillor ;  George  H.  C.  Osborn,  re- 
cording secretary ;  C.  H.  Edmonds,  assistant  recording  secretary  ; 
H.  R.  Chappell,  treasurer  ;  Arthur  L.  Hayden,  financial  secretary  ; 
Frank  A.  Westphal,  inductor;  C.  H.  Webster,  examiner;  Fred- 
erick Young,  inside  protector  ;  L.  L.  Keigwin,  outside  protector  ; 
James  Macfarlane,  Jonathan  Osborn  and  H.  F.  Barrows,  trust- 
ees.    The  membership  at  present  numbers  about  fifty. 

Company  E,  of  the  Third  regiment,  C.  N.  G.,  numbers  at  pres- 
ent fifty-eight  members.  They  have  an  armory  in  Centre  street, 
where  they  drill  every  Thursday  evening  from  November  1st 
to  June  1st,  according  to  law.  The  company  was  organized 
about  1872.  The  officers  are  :  Patrick  Fitzpatrick,  captain ; 
Thomas  Ashton,  1st  lieutenant ;  John  H.  Morrison,  2d  lieuten- 
ant ;  John  W.  Moran,  company  clerk. 

A  lodge  called  Fidelity  Temple,  of  the  order  Temple  of  Honor, 
was  instituted  here  about  1870,  which  was  composed  of  many  of 


358  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

the  business  men  of  the  place,  and  others.  It  had  a  membership 
of  over  one  hundred,  but  after  several  years  the  interest  in  it 
died  out  and  the  charter  was  surrendered  after  an  existence  of 
about  ten  years.  The  subject,  howevei*  was  afterward  revived, 
and  the  Willimantic  Temple  of  Honor,  No.  32,  was  instituted  in 
January,  1882.  The  office  of  worthy  chief  has  been  held  succes- 
sively by  the  following,  the  regular  term  being  six  months :  Ed- 
ward L.  Furry,. January  to  May,  1882;  John  A.  Gardner,  J.  B. 
Hood,  Joel  W.  Cargel,  George  B.  Abbott,  George  C.  Topliffe, 
Charles  F.  Merrill,  George  Smith,  Maurice  Tittle,  A.  J.  Law- 
ton,  E.  F.  Payson,  William  C.  Cargel,  E.  L.  Furry,  George  B. 
Story,  C.  L.  Fillmore  and  Charles  Ingraham,  at  present  in  office 
(June,  1889).  The  lodge  has  averaged  about  forty  members, 
and  has  done  much  good  in  reclaiming  many  drunkards.  A 
Social  Temple  and  a  lodge  of  the  Golden  Cross,  societies  ad- 
mitting ladies  to  membership,  work  in  harmony  and  increase 
the  social  features  of  the  Temple. 

The  Windham  Bank  was  incorporated  August  8th,  1842,  being 
located  in  the  central  village  of  Windham.  The  following  per- 
sons were  then  made  directors:  John  Baldwin,  George  Spafford, 
Justin  Swift,  Stephen  Hosmer,  Thomas  Gray,  William  C.  Dor- 
rance,  John  Webb,  Chauncey  F.  Cleveland,  John  A.  Rockwell 
and  Abner  Hendee.  The  officers  were  :  John  Baldwin,  presi- 
dent ;  Joel  W.  White,  cashier.  The  salary  of  the  cashier  was  fixed 
at  $350  a  year,  to  begin  when  he  should  give  his  bonds  for  $50,- 
000.  September  17th  Mr.  White  resigned,  and  Samuel  Bingham 
was  unanimously  appointed  in  his  place  as  cashier,  which  posi- 
tion he  held  until  March  17th,  1886.  April  3d,  1850,  Henry  S. 
Walcott  was  elected  president,  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the 
death  of  John  Baldwin.  The  bank  was  organized  as  a  national 
bank  June  21st,  1865.  January  9th,  1872,  Thomas  Ramsdell  was 
elected  president,  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  death  of  Mr. 
Walcott.  In  March,  1879,  the  bank  was  removed  from  Windham 
to  the  borough  of  Willimantic.  Mr.  Ramsdell  resigned  the 
presidency,  and  Guilford  Smith  was  elected  in  his  place  January 
12th,  1886.  March  17th,  1886,  the  resignation  of  Samuel  Bing- 
ham was  accepted,  and  H.  Clinton  Lathrop  was  elected  cashier 
in  his  stead.  The  capital  stock  of  the  bank  is  at  present  $100,- 
000;  surplus,  $7,500;  profits,  $11,753;  deposits,  $182,882.  The 
present  officers  are  :  Guilford  Smith,  president ;  Mason  Lincoln, 
vice-president :  H.  Clinton  Lathrop,  cashier.     The  directors  are 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  359 

Guilford  Smith,  Mason  Lincoln,  Henry  Larrabee,  Charles  Smith, 
Thomas  Ramsdell,  George  Lathrop,  Frank  F.  Webb,  Albert  R. 
Morrison  and  Charles  A.  Capen.  A  robbery  occurred  to  the 
bank  in  the  year  1854,  the  particulars  of  which  are  given  from 
the  personal  recollection  of  one  of  its  officers  as  follows  : 

"  Friday,  November  17th,  1854. — Windham  Bank  was  entered 
by  three  men,  with  false  keys,  about  eight  o'clock  last  evening, 
and  when  the  clerk,  James  Parsons,  who  slept  in  the  bank,  en- 
tered about  nine  o'clock,  he  was  taken  by  two  of  the  men,  in 
the  dark,  after  he  had  locked  the  door ;  a  handkerchief  was 
put  over  his  eyes  and  he  laid  on  the  bed  and  watched  by  one 
man  while  the  others  broke  open  the  vault  and  took  about 
$7,000  in  specie  and  about  $2,000  of  other  bank  bills  and  $13,000 
of  Windham  bank  bills.  After  gagging  Mr.  Parsons  and  con- 
fining his  hands  and  feet,  they  locked  the  door  and  went  to 
Bingham's  Crossing  on  the  N.  L.  N.  Railway  and  waited  while 
one  went  to  Willimantic  and  took  a  hand-car  from  the  Hart- 
ford &  Providence  Road  and  took  them  to  Norwich,  where 
they  arrived  about  5:30  in  the  morning.  They  were  fright- 
ened when  they  heard  that  the  news  had  got  there  before 
them,  and  crossed  the  river,  entering  the  woods  between  Lau- 
rel Hill  and  Allyn's  Point,  where  they  were  watched  until  the 
steamboat  train  arrived  for  New  York.  They  then  boarded 
the  steamboat.  There  the  .sheriff  and  his  assistants  were  wait- 
ing with  Mr.  Tingley,  who  pointed  them  out  to  the  officers,  and 
they  were  arrested.  About  $21,000  of  the  money  was  found 
while  the  boat  was  going  from  Allyn's  Point  to  New  York,  Sat- 
urday night.  At  their  trial  in  Windham  they  gave  the  names 
of  Jones,  Crandall,  Scott  &  Wilson. 

"About  November  1st,  1854,  a  large  man  came  to  Williman- 
tic and  stopped  at  the  hotel  then  kept  by  William  Tingley  on 
the  south  side  of  the  river  (The  Hebard  House).  It  was  after- 
ward thought  that  his  business  was  to  make  arrangements  for 
the  men  to  rob  Windham  Bank.  He  stayed  but  a  short  time, 
then  disappeared.  On  or  about  November  2d,  three  men 
stopped  at  the  same  place.  They  went  out  in  the  evening  but 
came  back  about  ten  o'clock  and  took  an  early  morning  train 
to  New  York,  via  Hartford.  While  they  were  at  breakfast  Mr. 
Tingley  felt  of  their  carpet  bag  and  was  satisfied  that  there 
was  a  bit-stock  and  other  burglars'  tools  in  it.  He  came  to  the 
conclusion  that    they  were  there  for  the    purpose  of   robbing 


360  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.      , 

some  place  in  Willimantic.  One  of  the  arrested  men  in  reply 
to  some  questions,  stated  that  they  came  there  at  the  time 
named  above  and  walked  to  the  Windham  Bank  to  rob  it  that 
night.  They  broke  their  key  and  went  back  to  New  York, 
made  another  key  and  were  gone  two  weeks,  before  they  came 
to  complete  the  business.  When  the  lock  was  taken  from  the 
outside  door  of  the  bank,  the  piece  of  a  key  was  found  in  it, 
which  helped  to  confirm  his  story." 

The  Willimantic  Savings  Institute  was  incorporated  by  act  of 
legislature  in  1842,  approved  by  the  then  Governor  Chauncey  F. 
Cleveland  of  this  county.  The  incorporators  were  Oliver  Kings- 
ley,  Jr.,  John  Tracy,  Lloyd  E.  Baldwin,  James  D.  Hosmer,  Joshua 
B.  Lord,  Royal  Jennings,  vSamuel  Lee,  Horace  Hall,  William  L. 
Jillson,  Laban  Chase,  Newton  Fitch,  Lewis  Gager,  Lucien  H. 
Clark,  Amos  Palmer  and  Waterman  C.  Clark.  The  first  meeting 
of  incorporators  was  held  June  18th,  1842.  The  first  officers 
then  chosen  were  :  Oliver  Kingsley,  Jr.,  president ;  Royal  Jen- 
nings, vice-president ;  John  Tracy,  secretary  and  treasurer ;  Wil- 
liam L.  Jillson,  Lloyd  E.  Baldwin,  Joshua  B.  Lord,  Horace  Hall, 
Laban  Chase,  directors.  Oliver  Kingsley,  Jr.,  held  the  office  of 
president  until  his  death,  in  1846.  He  was  succeeded  by  Horace 
Hall,  who  acceptably  filled  that  position  until  1870,  when  John 
Tracy  was  chosen  president.  Mr.  Tracy  had  acted  as  treasurer 
since  the  incorporation,  a  period  of  28  years,  and  a  resolution 
acknowledging  his  fidelity  and  ability  in  that  position  was  unan- 
imously given  him  by  the  board.  At  this  time  Henry  F.  Royce 
was  chosen  secretary  and  treasurer.  In  1869  a  fine  brick  and 
stone  building  was  erected  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Bank 
streets,  which  affords  excellent  facilities  for  the  transaction  of 
banking  business  in  the  corner  room  on  the  first  floor.  The  bal- 
ance of  the  building,  on  the  ground  floor  and  the  second  and 
third  floors,  used  as  stores  and  offices.  On  the  death  of  Mr. 
Tracy,  in  May,  1874,  Whiting  Hayden,  who  had  for  a  long  time 
been  vice-president,  was  elected  president.  He  continued  in 
that  capacity  until  his  death,  which  occurred  June  20th,  1886, 
when  he  was  succeeded  by  Edwin  A.  Buck,  the  then  vice-presi- 
dent, who  still  remains  at  the  head  of  the  institute.  Henry  F. 
Royce,  having  held  the  position  of  secretary  and  treasurer  since 
1870,  was  suspended  March  23d,  1888,  and  Frank  F.  Webb  was 
appointed,  at  first  temporarily,  and  in  June  following  elected  by 
the  trustees  at  their  annual  meeting,  to  the  office  of  secretary 


HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY.  361 

and  treasurer,  which  place  he  still  holds.  This  institution,  from 
a  small  beginning  increased  with  the  growth  of  the  place  until 
the  deposits  amounted  to  nearly  $1,000,000,  and  has  divided  a 
large  amount  of  profits  with  its  depositors. 

The  Dime  Savings  Bank  of  Willimantic  was  organized  in 
May,  1872,  and  was  incorporated  under  the  state  law  in  the  same 
year.  Its  original  incorporators  were  Silas  F.  Loomer,  James 
Walden,  Horace  Hall,  James  G.  Martin,  Henry  G.  Taintor,  Ansel 
Arnold,  George  W.  Burnham,  Madison  Woodward,  Porter  B. 
Peck,  John  M.  Hall,  Hyde  Kingsley,  James  M.  Johnson,  William 
C.  Jillson,  Fred.  Rogers,  S.  O,  Vinlen,  George  Lincoln,  George 
W.  Hanna,  E.  P.  Packer,  J.  Dwight  Chaffee  and  George  W.  Mc- 
Farland.  The  bank  commenced  business  September  21st,  1872. 
Its  first  officers  were:  Silas  F.  Loomer,  president;  O.  H.  K.  Ris- 
ley,  secretary  and  treasurer.  The  amount  on  deposit  October 
1st,  1888,  was  about  |600,000.  Its  present  officers  are :  James 
Walden,  president;  John  L.  Walden,  secretary  and  treasurer. 

James  Walden  was  born  in  Exeter,  Conn.,  October  26th,  1825, 
and  came  to  Willimantic  with  his  parents  in  1828.  He  was  the 
youngest  son  of  Silas  and  Jane  (Rose)  Walden,  and  commenced 
at  the  age  of  thirteen  to  work  in  the  Windham  Company's  mill, 
being  engaged  in  the  dressing  department.  About  1850  he  en- 
gaged in  the  book  and  stationery  business  in  Willimantic,  which 
he  carried  on  successfully  till  1887,  but  during  this  time  was  also 
agent  for  Adams  Express  Company.  He  was  also  postmaster 
and  had  charge  of  the  telegraph  office  here.  He  was  elected 
president  of  the  Dime  Savings  Bank,  July  21st,  1880,  and  since 
that  date  has  devoted  much  of  his  time  to  that  institution.  He 
married  Amanda  M.,  daughter  of  James  Hempstead,  and  has 
three  children — James  H.,  a  resident  of  New  York  city ;  Jessie 
L.,  wife  of  H.  C.  H.  Palmer,  of  Sing  Sing,  N.  Y. ;  John  L.,  born 
in  Willimantic,  April  10th,  1861,  and  married  Bell  N.,  daughter 
of  Henry  Herrick,  and  who  is  the  present  secretary  and  treasu- 
rer of  the  Dime  Savings  Bank  of  Willimantic. 

The  Merchants'  Loan  .&  Trust  Company,  organized  for  the 
double  purpose  of  doing  the  business  of  a  trust  company  and  a 
general  banking  business,  opened  for  business  February  1st, 
187L  A.  C.  Crosby  was  president,  and  J.  F.  Preston,  treasurer; 
William  C.  Jillson,  vice-president,  and  O.  H.  K.  Risley,  assistant 
treasurer.  In  March,  1873,  the  two  latter  became  respectively 
president  and  treasurer.     The  company  continued  doing  active 


362  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

banking  business  until  July,  1878,  when  that  department  was 
turned  over  to  the  First  National  Bank,  and  the  company  con- 
tinued to  do  simply  a  trust  business  until  the  present  time.  The 
officers  last  mentioned  remain  to  the  present  time.  The  com- 
pany has  a  capital  of  $50,000,  and  its  office  is  with  the  First  Na- 
tional Bank. 

The  First  National  Bank  was  organized  in  June,  1878,  with  a 
capital  of  $100,000.  Its  officers  were :  William  C.  Jillson,  presi- 
dent ;  Ansel  Arnold,  vice-president ;  Oliver  H  .K.  Risley,  cashier. 
They  remain  in  their  respective  positions  at  the  present  time. 
The  first  board  of  directors  were  as  follows,  all  except  those 
marked  *  remaining  in  the  board  at  present.  Those  marked 
have  withdrawn,  and  their  places  have  not  been  supplied,  so  the 
board  now  numbers  but  six:  William  C.  Jillson,  Ansel  Arnold, 
O.  H.  K.  Risley,  James  M.  Johnson,^  Hyde  Kingsley,*  Amos  T. 
Fowler,  Silas  F.  Loomer,*  E.  Stevens  Henry,  Stephen  G.  Ris- 
ley. 

The  United  Bank  Building,  one  of  the  finest  business  blocks 
in  the  town,  standing  on  the  north  side  of  Main  street,  in  the 
heart  of  the  borough,  was  erected  in  1884,  by  the  First  National 
and  Dime  Savings  Banks.  The  imposing  front  is  made  attrac- 
tive by  artistic  designs  in  terra  cotta  work,  and  still  further  set 
off  by  plate-glass  windows  at  the  first  story,  surmounted  by  cir- 
cular transoms  in  cathedral  style.  The  interior  arrangement 
is  in  accord  with  the  best  modern  ideas  of  convenience  and  com- 
fort ;  the  plumbing,  heating  and  lighting  represent  the  latest 
improved  methods,  and  the  polished  cherry  woodwork  and  hard- 
finished  walls  give  a  pleasing  effect.  The  first  floor  is  occupied 
by  the  banks,  one  on  either  side  of  the  spacious  central  entrance, 
which  gives  access  to  the  offices  above. 

One  of  the  largest  business  blocks  in  the  borough  is  the  Tur- 
ner block.  It  was  erected  in  1877,  and  is  a  substantial  five-story 
brick  structure  with  a  three-story  extension.  The  main  build- 
ing, with  the  exception  of  the  store  floor,  is  occupied  as  the  Hotel 
Commercial,  a  well-kept  house  under  the  popular  management 
of  Mrs.  P.  A.  Babcock.  The  block  is  named  in  honor  of  Mr.  A. 
S.  Turner,  a  leading  druggist,  who  occupies  an  elegant  store  in 
the  extension. 

Loomer  Opera  House  is  one  of  the  most  substantial  buildings 
in  the  borough.  It  is  built  of  brick,  the  walls  being  not  less 
than  sixteen  inches  thick  in  any  part.     The  fronts  on  Main  and 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  363 

North  streets  are  of  pressed  brick.  The  size  of  the  building  is 
72  by  125  feet,  four  stories  high.  The  ground  floor  is  occupied 
by  stores,  while  the  upper  floors  along  the  Main  street  front  are 
occupied  by  offices  of  various  kind.  Back  of  these  on  the  sec- 
ond floor  is  the  opera  house,  one  of  the  finest  entertainment 
halls  in  the  state.  The  architectural  plans  were  furnished  by 
the  designer  of  the  first  class  theatres  of  New  York  city.  It  is 
furnished  with  all  the  modern  appointments,  elegant  and  com- 
plete scenery  and  properties,  a  stage  35  by  60  feet,  twelve  dress- 
ing rooms,  four  proscenium  boxes,  two  balconies,  best  opera 
chairs  in  parquet  and  first  balcony,  heated  by  steam  and  thorough- 
ly ventilated,  and  capable  of  seating  1,100  persons.  The  audi- 
ence room  and  its  appointments  were  finished  at  an  expense  of 
some  twenty  thousand  dollars.  The  building  was  commenced 
in  April,  1879,  and  was  completed  so  far  that  the  corner  store 
was  occupied  by  Mr.  Murray  March  15th,  1880.  The  opera  house 
was  completed  on  the  12th  of  the  following  November.  The 
proprietor  of  the  building  is  Mr.  Silas  F.  Loomer,  who  came  to 
Willimantic  and  started  in  the  lumber  and  coal  business  in  1862.- 
At  that  time  there  was  no  lumber  or  coal  business  carried  on 
here,  and  the  wiseacres  advised  Mr.  Loomer  not  to  risk  his  mon- 
ey and  enterprise  in  so  hazardous  and  unpromising  a  field.  But 
the  remarkable  success  of  that  business  as  well  as  the  rapid  de- 
velopment of  the  village  since  that  time  proves  those  cautions 
to  have  been  not  well  timed. 

The  first  newspaper  published  in  this  village  was  the  Public 
Medium,  started  by  John  Evans,  about  January,  1847.  After  a 
few,  years  its  name  was  changed  to  the  Williiuantic  Journal,  vch^qx 
which  name  it  is  still  published.  From  Evans  it  passed  into  the 
hands  of  a  Mr.  Simpson,  then  to  William  L.  Weaver,  whose  liter- 
ary career  was  a  very  important  and  conspicuous  one  to  the 
people  of  this  town  and  county.  His  footprints  on  the  intellec- 
tual sands  of  this  locality  were  deeply  impressed  and  the  influ- 
ence thereof  will  go  out  to  many  generations.  From  him  the 
Joiirnal  passed  to  the  hands  of  a  Mr.  Curtis,  later  of  the  Norzvick 
Bulletin,  and  again  it  changed  to  the  hands  of  Walt  Pierson.  A 
little  later  we  find  it  in  the  hands  of  W.  J.  Barber,  from  whom 
again  it  passed  to  Henry  L.  Hall.  Later  the  firm  became  Hall 
&  French,  then  Hall  &  Bill,  and  still  later  the  Hall  &  Bill  Pub- 
lishing Company,  by  whom  the  paper  is  now  issued.  It  occu- 
pies commodious  quarters  at  the  foot  of  Railroad  street,  near 


364  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

the  depot,  where  it  havS  been  located  for  several  years.  Its  form 
was  changed  from  folio  to  quarto  about  1872.  It  is  now  a  six 
column  quarto,  republican  in  politics,  published  on  Fridays. 
The  business  of  job  printing  is  also  carried  on  quite  extensively 
in  connection  with  the  publication  of  the  paper.  Eight  presses 
are  employed,  and  the  force  numbers  fifteen  hands.  Extensive 
job  work  for  manufacturers  is  done,  besides  general  printing. 
The  paper  has  a  circulation  of  3,000,  and  goes  to  every  state  and 
territory  in  the  Union,  as  well  as  to  Canada. 

The  first  issue  of  the  Willimantic  Enterprise  was  sent  out  Janu- 
ary 4th,  1877,  from  an  office  in  the  Franklin  Building.  It  was 
started  by  the  Enterprise  Publishing  Company,  of  whom 
N.  W.  Leavitt  was  the  principal  spirit.  It  passed  to 
Fayette  &  Safford  in  the  early  part  of  1879.  In  November  of 
that  year  John  A.  McDonald  bought  an  interest,  added  capital, 
and  increased  the  facilities  of  the  office.  The  paper  was  changed 
from  a  4-page  to  an  8-page  paper,  and  its  name  changed  to  the 
Willimantic  C/ironiclc,  the  firm  name  at  the  same  time  being 
changed  to  McDonald  &  Safford.  In  May,  1887,  the  proprietor- 
ship adopted  the  name  Chronicle  Printing  Company,  the  former 
owners  still  holding  the  principal  interest.  From  Franklin 
Hall  the  office  was  removed  to  H.  C.  Hall's  building  on 
Main  street,  then  to  the  present  building,  which  had  been  erect- 
ed for  it,  at  No.  10  Church  street,  into  which  it  moved  in  Octo- 
ber, 1887.  At  first  politically  neutral,  it  was  made  a  democratic 
paper  since  its  name  was  changed,  and  is  now  claimed  to  be  the 
only  living  paper  which  sustained  the  democratic  banner  during 
the  period  from  1872  to  1889. 

The  Connecticut  Home  was  started  in  September,  1886,  by  Allen 
B.  Lincoln,  editor  and  proprietor ;  A.  E.  Knox  is  its  present 
business  manager.  It  is  a  seven-column  folio,  and  has  a  circula- 
tion rising  three  thousand.  It  is  the  temperance  paper,  and  an 
exponent  of  the  prohibition  movement.  Jt  is  also  a  family  news- 
paper of  general  departments.  It  was  started  on  Church  street, 
'  the  paper  at  first  being  printed  by  another  concern.  It  now  has 
a  well  fitted  and  furnished  office  on  Main  street,  over  Buck's 
store. 

Other  newspaper  ventures  have  been  made  here  that  have 
closed  up  their  accounts  in  time  and  manner  more  or  less  sum- 
mary. The  Willimantic  Record  was  started  by  W.  C.  Crandall  in 
1881.     After  a  very  brief  existence  it  was  suspended  March  24th 


^^^^tcrt/cL     £    (fi^Xil/l 


tn^L 


HTOTYPE,     E.     blERSTAD 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  365 

of  the  same  year.  The  Willimaittic  Daily  News  was  started  in 
E.  A.  Buck's  building  on  Main  street  in  1887.  Its  editorial  and 
business  management  was  in  the  hands  of  J.  Harry  Foster, 
though  John  L.  Hunter  was  a  frequent  editorial  writer.  Its  pub- 
lication was  suspended  April  1st,  1887,  after  an  existence  of 
about  four  months. 

In  connection  with  the  subject  of  printing,  it  may  be  of  inter- 
est to  notice  the  enterprise  of  wood  type  manufacture  which  was 
once  carried  on  in  this  village.  Among  the  employees  in  the 
shop  of  Edwin  Allen  at  South  Windham,  were  Horatio  N.  and 
Jeremiah  C.  Bill.  After  that  shop  failed  these  two  brothers 
started  the  business  at  Lebanon  in  1850.  In  the  following  year 
they  removed  to  Willimantic  and  located  in  a  room  in  the  old 
cotton  mill  now  owned  by  the  Linen  Company  as  mill  No.  3. 
Here  they  carried  on  the  manufacture  of  wood  type  for  three 
years,  having  a  trade  mostly  with  New  York.  They  gained  a 
wide  and  favorable  reputation  in  their  art,  in  which  they  were 
not  excelled  by  any  other  wood-type  manufacturers  in  the  world. 
Indeed  they  were  the  only  firm  exhibiting  wood  type  at  the 
World's  Fair  in  New  York,  and  their  specimens  were  burned 
when  the  ill  fated  Crystal  Palace  was  destroyed.  About  the 
year  1853  they  had  associated  with  them  a  man  by  the  name  of 
Stark,  the  firm  name  being  Bill,  Stark  &  Co.  Afterward  the  firm 
name  was  simply  H.  &  J.  Bill.  The  business  not  proving  profit- 
able, disaster  followed,  and  the  material  was  sold  to  William  H. 
Page  in  1854,  and  he  moved  it  to  Greenville,  Conn. 

Biographical  Sketches. 

L.  E.  Baldwin. — John  Baldwin,  one  of  the  first  thirty-five  set- 
tlers of  Norwich  in  1659,  was  the  ancestor  of  that  branch  of  the 
family  to  which  the  subject  of  this  notice  belongs.  John  Bald- 
win, 2d,  grandson  of  John,  settled  in  New  Concord,  then  a  part  of 
Norwich,  but  incorporated  into  the  town  of  Bozrah  in  1775,  his 
son  Eliphalet  succeeding  him  in  the  occupancy  of  the  homestead 
where  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  notice  was  born  in  1787. 
Upon  attaining  his  majority,  having  qualified  himself  for  his 
business,  Eliphalet,  Jr.,  removed  to  Norwich,  and  was  extensively 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  carriages  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death,  November,  1819. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Norwich  April  13th, 
1810,  attended  the  common  schools  from  four  to  ten  years  of  age, 


366  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

from  ten  to  sixteen  attending  the  common  county  district  schools 
from  three  to  four  months  each  year.  His  father's  death  occur- 
ring when  the  lad  was  nine  years  old,  and  his  mother's  four 
years  later,  threw  him  upon  his  own  resources.  At  the  age  of 
sixteen  years  he  commenced  to  learn  the  trade  of  carpenter  and 
joiner  in  all  its  branches.  After  serving  an  apprenticeship  of 
five  years,  in  May,  1831,  he  commenced  business  in  Willimantic 
as  a  contractor  and  builder,  for  more  than  forty  years  being  n:  ore 
or  less  extensively  engaged  in  building  contracts,  embracing 
large  factories,  churches  and  dwellings,  in  various  parts  of  Con- 
necticut and  Massachusetts.  He  married,  December,  1833,  Miss 
Lora  Ann  Sessions,  of  Mansfield,  whose  death  occurred  October, 
1864.  Of  their  children,  five  in  number,  three  are  living,  en- 
gaged in  active  business.  In  1866  he  married  his  second  wife. 
Miss  Ellen  E.  Parmele,  of  Guilford,  who  is  still  living. 

In  politics  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  an  out  and  out  demo- 
crat, and  enjoys  the  confidence  of  his  party,  having  three  times 
been  their  candidate  for  state  comptroller,  also  for  senator  and 
presidential  elector.  He  has  been  a  representative  to  the  state 
legislature,  postmaster  at  Willimantic,  warden  of  its  borough, 
a  delegate  to  the  national  convention,  and  held  various  local  offi- 
ces from  time  to  time.  He  was  instrumental  in  establishing  the 
Willimantic  Savings  Institute,  holding  various  positions  in  the 
same.  His  connection  with  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellows'  or- 
ganizations extends  over  a  period  of  forty-five  years,  having 
held  the  position  of  grand  master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Odd 
Fellows  of  the  state  of  Connecticut  and  grand  representative  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  being  at  this  time  the 
oldest  grand  master  in  this  state.  For  the  last  sixty  years  he 
has  been  connected  with  the  various  military  organizations  of 
this  state,  holding  many  responsible  positions  therein,  including 
the  offices  of  captain,  lieutenant-colonel  and  colonel,  and  general 
■of  the  Fifth  Brigade,  holding  the  last  position  1844-47.  He 
is  now  an  active  member  of  the  Veteran  Corps  of  the  famous 
Putnam  Phalanx.  He  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  the 
local  churches  and  public  schools,  and  done  much  to  promote 
their  progress.  In  brief,  General  Baldwin  has  been  one  of  the 
most  active  and  influential  factors  in  the  growth  and  develop- 
ment of  Willimantic,  is  a  prominent  citizen  of  the  state,  and  is 
inown  as  the  staunch  friend  of  all  that  is  good  and  true  in  soci- 


4- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  367 

<ety.  Just  now  rounding-  out  his  four  score  years,  and  still  hale 
and  hearty,  he  is  enjoying  the  just  fruits  of  an  honest  and  hon- 
orable life,  universally  esteemed. 

J.  DwiGHT  Chaffee. — The  Chaffee  family  have  for  several 
generations  resided  in  the  town  of  Mansfield,  Tolland  county. 
Conn.  Frederick  Chaffee,  the  grandfather  of  J.  Dwight  Chaf- 
fee, a  prosperous  farmer  in  that  town,  married  Elizabeth 
Knowlton.  Their  son,  Orwell  S.,  was  born  in  Ashford,  Wind- 
ham county,  Conn.,  and  for  some  years  resided  in  North- 
ampton, Mass.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  silk  thread.  Later  he  was  similarly  interested  in  Mansfield, 
and  was  a  man  of  prominence  in  that  locality,  serving  his 
constituents  in  the  state  legislature  and  filling  other  important 
offices.  He  married  Lucinda  A.,  daughter  of  Joseph  Conant  of 
Mansfield,  one  of  the  earliest  silk  manufacturers  in  that  town. 
Their  children  are  a  daughter,  Maria  A.,  deceased,  and  two 
sons,  J.  Dwight  and  Olon  S. 

The  eldest  of  these,  J.  Dwight  Chaffee,  was  born  August  9th, 
1847,  in  Mansfield.  He  pursued  a  common  English  course  at 
the  public  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  entered  his  father's 
mill  in  Mansfield.  He  thoroughly  learned  the  process  of  silk 
rnanufacturing,  passing  in  succession  through  all  the  depart- 
ments and  becoming  master  of  the  business,  the  management 
of  which  gradually  passed  into  his  hands.  In  the  year  1872, 
under  the  firm  name  of  O.  S.  Chaffee  &  Son,  the  business  was  re- 
moved to  Willimantic,  where,  under  superior  advantages  of 
location,  it  greatly  increased  in  proportions,  and  has  enjoyed  a 
career  of  much  prosperity.  Two  hundred  hands  are  employed 
and  a  market  for  the  products,  consisting  of  silk  thread  and 
silk  braid,  is  found  in  all  parts  of  the  United  States  through 
agents  as  direct  representatives  of  the  mills.  Mr.  Chaffee,  as  a 
republican,  was,  in  1874,  elected  to  the  state  legislature,  and  in 
1885  was  the  choice  of  his  constituents  for  state  senator.  In  Jan- 
uary, 1887,  he  was  appointed  aide-de-camp  on  the  staff  of  Gov- 
ernor Lounsbury.  He  is  president  of  the  Natchaug  Silk  Com- 
pany and  director  of  the  W.  G.  &  A.  R.  Morrison  Machine  Com- 
pany. 

Mr.  Chaffee  was  married  to  Martha,  daughter  of  George  B. 
Armstrong,  of  Mansfield.  Their  children  are  two  sons,  Arthur 
T).  and  Howard  S.,  and  a  daughter,  Gertie. 


368  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

William  C.  Jillson. — The  first  ancestor  of  the  Jillson  family 
is  said  to  have  come  over  from  Normandy  with  William  the 
Conqueror  in  1066.  The  earliest  member  of  the  family  to  sail 
for  New  England  was  William  Gilson,  who  came  from  Kent 
county,  England,  and  settled  in  Scituate,  Massachusetts,  in  1631. 
The  next  on  the  list  to  emigrate  are  Joseph  and  James  Gilson, 
the  latter  of  whom  settled  in  Rehoboth,  Massachusetts,  about 
the  year  1666.  "  He  is  the  progenitor  of  the  branch  of  the  family 
■represented  by  the  subject  of  this  biography.  James  and  his 
wife  Mary  died  about  1712.  Their  son,  Nathaniel,  was  born 
in  1676,  and  died  in  1751.  To  his  wife,  Elizabeth,  were  bom 
five  children,  of  whom  Nathaniel  was  the  eldest.  His  death  only 
is  recorded  as  having  occurred  in  1782.  He  married  first  Ruth 
Boyce  in  1728,  and  second  Sarah,  daughter  of  William  Arnold, 
in  1741.  He  was  the  father  of  two  children  by  the  first  and 
seven  by  the  second  union,  of  whom  Luke,  the  fourth  son  by 
the  last  marriage,  was  born  in  1754  and  died  in  1823.  He  was 
both  a  farmer  and  mechanic,  and  the  first  person  in  the  country 
to  adapt  and  apply  satinet  looms  to  water  power.  He  married, 
in  Cumberland,  Rhode  Island,  Anna,  daughter  of  Nehemiah  and 
Experience  Sherman,  and  made  Cumberland  his  residence.  He 
had  seven  children,  among  whom  was  Asa  Jillson  (the  name 
having  been,  in  1709,  changed  from  Gilson  to  Jillson),  born  Sep- 
tember 5th,  1783,  who  died  m  Willimantic,  Connecticut,  April 
7th,  1848.  A  manufacturer  of  cotton  goods,  he  removed  from 
Dorchester,  Massachusetts,  to  Willimantic,  in  1828,  and  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life  at  this  point.  He  was  in  1807  married  to 
Anna  H.  Sabin,  of  Providence.  Their  children  were  nine  in 
number,  the  eldest  being  William  L.,  the  father  of  the  subject 
of  this  biographical  sketch,  who  was  born  in  Scituate,  Rhode 
Island,  December  18th,  1807,  and  died  in  Willimantic  June  1st, 
1861.  He  married  in  1831  Caroline  Curtis,  of  South  Coventry, 
Connecticut.  Their  children  are  five  sons  and  three  daughters, 
of  whom  William  Curtis,  the  eldest,  was  born  April  4th,  1833,  in 
Willimantic,  and  received  his  education  at  the  high  schools  of 
Ellington  and  his  native  town.  His  father  being  then  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  cotton  goods  in  Willimantic,  his  son  at 
the  age  of  eighteen  entered  the  office  to  acquaint  himself  with 
the  business  of  a  manufacturer.  The  death  of  his  father  in  1861 
threw  upon  him  very  grave  responsibilities  as  agent  and  treas- 
urer of  three  cotton  mills — the  Willimantic  Duck  Company,  the 


^'^WFraston.A  C°N-^^- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  369 

Eagle  Warp  Company,  and  the  Dunham  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany. He  conducted  the  affairs  of  these  companies  until  1870, 
when  the  former  two  were  merged  into  the  Dunham  Manufact- 
uring Company,  of  which  he  continued  treasurer  and  agent  un- 
til 1876.  In  1865  he  established  the  Hop  River  Warp  Company, 
to  which  his  attention  is  now  largely  confined  ;  not,  however,  to 
the  exclusion  of  an  interest  in  other  important  business  projects. 
He  was  one  of  the  incorporators  and  is  the  first  president  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Willimantic,  president  of  the  Merchants' 
Loan  and  Trust  Company,  and  vice-president  of  the  Dime  Sav- 
ings Bank,  both  of  the  above  town.  He  is  also  vice-president  of 
the  Hartford  Life  and  Annuity  Insurance  Company,  and  was 
formerly  a  director  of  the  Second  National  Bank  of  Norwich. 
The  Hop  River  Warp  Company  embraces  a  warp  factory  and  a 
tape  mill,  both  of  which  are  owned  by  Mr.  Jillson,  who  has 
greatly  improved  the  hamlet,  afforded  it  many  advantages  in 
the  way  of  postal  and  telegraph  service,  aided  greatl}^  in  the 
erection  of  a  new  school  house,  and  given  much  thoughtful  con- 
sideration to  the  welfare  of  his  employees.  In  politics  Mr.  Jill- 
son  is  an  ardent  republican.  He  was  chosen  on  a  very  close  vote 
to  represent  the  town  of  Windham  in  the  Connecticut  legisla- 
ture in  1879,  and  was  for  thirteen  years  committee  of  the  Second 
school  district,  during  which  period  the  schools  attained  high 
rank  and  the  pupils  exceptional  scholarship.  He  is  in  his  reli- 
gious belief  a  Congregationalist,  and  has  been  chairman  of  the 
Congregational  Ecclesiastical  Society  of  Willimantic  for  a  period 
of  sixteen  years,  until  the  present  time.  William  C.  Jillson  was 
married  May  3d,  1859,  to  Maria  A.  Bingham,  of  Greenville,  Con- 
necticut. Their  children  are  a  daughter,  Josephine  Curtis,  born 
May  22d,  1860,  and  a  son,  William  Huntington,  whose  birth  oc- 
curred July  18th,  1869. 

William  Clitus  Witter,  son  of  Doctor  William  Witter  and 
Emily  Bingham,  his  wife,  was  born  at  Willimantic,  Conn.,  No- 
vember 13th,  1842,  in  the  substantial  brick  house  now  standing 
at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Witter  (now  called  High)  streets.  His 
ancestry,  both  on  the  father's  and  the  mother's  side,  is  given  with 
some  detail  in  the  sketch  of  Doctor  William  Witter  at  pages  201- 
203  of  this  volume,  where  it  is  seen  that  he  comes  from  some  of 
the  best  and  oldest  New  England  families,  the  Witter,  the  Waldo 
and  the  Bingham.  The  mother  of  Mr.  Witter  died  when  he  was 
five  years  old  and  the  father  when  he  was  eight,  leaving  the 
24 


370  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

family  in  the  care  of  a  step-mother,  who  subsequently  became  the 
wife  of  Rev.  Samuel  G.  Willard,  the  village  pastor  at  Willimantic. 
For  some  years  the  subject  of  this  sketch  lived  in  the  family  of 
this  educated,  wise  and  good  man.  It  was  under  the  personal 
instruction  and  training  of  Mr.  Willard,  now  recognized  as  one 
of  the  most  admirable  characters  of  modern  Connecticut,  that 
the  early  student  years  of  Mr.  Witter  were  spent — the  years 
when  good  habits,  good  breeding  and  high  aims  are  most  read- 
ily implanted  in  the  character.  After  leaving  the  family  of  Mr. 
Willard,  he  enjoyed  for  a  time  the  advantages  of  classical  study 
under  Reverend  Daniel  Dorchester,  a  New  England  educator  of 
high  repute.  He  completed  his  academical  studies  at  Bacon 
Academy,  Colchester,  Conn.,  and  at  Marion,  Wayne  County,  New 
York,  under  the  thorough  instruction  of  Reverend  Philo  J.  Wil- 
liams, himself  a  native  of  Windham  County.  At  the  age  of  fif- 
teen he  was  ready  to  enter  college,  but  for  nearly  three  years  he 
devoted  himself  to  general  reading  and  to  the  acquisition  of 
business  habits  in  connection  with  the  leading  merchants  of 
Providence,  R.  I.,  Messrs.  G.  &  D.  Taylor,  living  in  the  family  of 
the  senior  member  of  that  house.  On  entering  Brown  Univer- 
sity in  1861,  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  he  competed  for  the  Way- 
land  premium  for  best  examination  in  the  Latin  language  and 
literature,  and  gained  the  first  prize.  He  remained  at  Brown  Uni- 
versity, ranking  first  in  his  class,  till  the  end  of  the  second  col- 
lege year,  when  he  entered  the  Union  army  and  served  during 
the  summer  college  vacation  as  private  and  non-commissioned  offi- 
cer in  the  Tenth  Rhode  Island  regiment.  Returning  from  the  war 
and  resuming  his  studies,  he  entered  the  junior  class  at  Yale 
University  and  graduated  in  1865.  Deciding  to  embrace  the  pro- 
fession of  the  law,  he  entered  the  Columbia  College  Law  School 
in  New  York  City,  was  vice-president  of  his  class,  graduated  in 
1867,  and  in  order  to  learn  the  practical  side  of  the  profession  of 
the  law,  he  at  once  entered  the  law  office  of  Evarts,  Southmayd 
&  Choate  upon  the  invitation  of  Hon.  William  M.  Evarts. 

In  1869,  at  the  solicitation  of  George  Gifford,  Esq.,  then  the 
foremost  lawyer  of  the  country  in  those  branches  of  the  law 
which  deal  with  patents  for  invention,  copyright  and  trade- 
marks, he  became  a  student  of  those  branches  of  legal  learning, 
and  during  ten  years  remained  with  Mr.  Gifford  and  in  charge 
under  him  of  a  very  large  patent  law  practice.  On  the  sugges- 
tion of  the  late  Senator  Roscoe  Conklingf  heat  this  time  received 


^'rWp-nesionS'.  C?N.  ^- 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  371 

the  appointment  by  Hon.  Alexander  S.  Johnson  of  United  States 
Examiner  in  Equity.  In  1879  he  severed  his  connection  with 
Mr.  Gifford  and  became  law  partner  in  New  York  City  of  Cans- 
ten  Browne,  Esq.,  under  the  firm  name  of  Browne  &  Witter, 
afterwards  Browne,  Witter  &  Kenyon,  and  now  Witter  &  Ken- 
yon,  appearing  only  in  the  United  States  Circuit  and  Supreme 
Courts,  and  only  in  causes  dealing  with  the  law  of  patents,  trade- 
marks and  copyrights.  He  has  attained  eminence  in  his  profes- 
sion and  numbers  among  his  clients  many  of  the  largest  manu- 
facturing concerns  of  the  country,  such  as  The  Brush  Electric 
Company,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio;  The  De  Lamater  Iron  Works,  of 
New  York  City ;  the  great  thread  making  companies  at  Willi- 
mantic,  Conn.,  and  Holyoke,  Mass.;  The  Hartford  Carpet  Com- 
pany, The  North  American  Phonograph  Company  and  many 
others.  His  only  literary  undertaking  has  been  the  writing  of 
a  small  book  intended  as  an  aid  to  the  acquisition  of  the  French 
language,  which  was  printed  for  private  circulation  only.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Union  League  Club,  the  Nineteenth  Century 
Club  and  of  several  other  clubs  of  New  York  City,  has  been  a 
life  long  republican,  but  too  much  engrossed  in  his  profession  to 
take  a  very  active  interest  in  the  politics  of  the  country. 

On  October  30th,  1871,  he  married  Florence  Wellington,  of  Cam- 
bridge, Mass.,  daughter  of  Doctor  Jedediah  Wellington,  mem- 
ber of  an  old  and  highly  cultured  Cambridge  family,  earlier  an- 
cestors of  whom  shared  in  the  Lexington  conflict.  Florence 
Wellington  was  educated  with  the  children  of  Longfellow  and 
of  other  Cambridge  families  at  the  school  of  the  late  Professor 
Louis  Agassiz.  There  has  been  only  one  child  of  this  union,  a 
daughter,  Florence  Waldo  Witter,  born  in  New  York  City  Janu- 
ary 17th,  1887.  Although  Mr.  Witter's  business,  city  residence 
and  citizenship  are  in  New  York  City,  his  country  seat  and  home 
are  in  the  mountain  county  of  his  native  state,  at  Lakeville,  in 
the  picturesque  old  town  of  Salisbury. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


THE  TOWN  OF  HAMPTON. 


Beautiful  Scenery. — Location  and  Description. — Settlement. — A  Part  of  "Wind- 
ham.— Organized  as  Canada  Parish.— Its  Historic  Hills. — As  Windham  Vil- 
lage.— Constituted  a  Town. — Facts  and  Figures. — Bridges. — Pound. — Poor 
Dependents. — Town  Business. — Heroic  Women  of  the  Revolution. — Military 
Matters. — Business  Activity. — Manufacturing  Projects. — The  Railroad. — 
School  Matters. — The  Town  Church. — Baptists. — Abbe-ites. — Christ-ians. — 
Roman  Catholic  Church. — Library. — Little  River  Grange. — Mills  and  Manu- 
factories.— Biographical  Sketches. 


ONE  of  the  beautiful  towns  of  this  beautiful  rural  county 
is  the  town  of  Hampton.     The  territory  covers  about 
four  miles  in  width  from  east  to  west  and  about  seven 
miles  in  length  from  north  to  south.     It  lies  in  the  southwest 
central  part  of  the  county,  with   Eastford  and  Pomfret  on  the 
north;  Pomfret,  Brooklyn  and  Canterbury  on  the  east;  Scotland 
on  the  south,  and  Chaplin  on  the  west.     The  surface  in  most 
parts  is  hilly,  in  many  places  elevations  rising  in    curious,  ma- 
jestic and  commanding  forms,  giving  ever  changing  scenes  of 
quiet  rural  landscape  to  entrance  the  beholder  who  may  for  the 
first  time  be  spell-bound  upon  their  inviting  summits.     No  vil- 
lage of  any  considerable  magnitude  exists  in  the  town,  but  the 
central  village  on  Hampton  Hill  makes  up  in  the  surpassing  at- 
tractiveness of  its  scenery  for  any  lack  of  busy  life  that  it  may 
show.     The  New  York  &  New  England  railroad  passes  diagon- 
ally through  the  town,  entering  near  the  southwest  corner  and 
leaving  near  the  northeast  corner.     Goshen,  or  Clark's  Corners, 
and  Hampton  Station  are  the  two  depots  on   that  line  within 
this  town.     A  line  of  high  hills  runs  through  nearly  the  central 
line  of  the  town  from  north  to  south.     Between  and  along  the 
eastern  foot  of  these  hills   Little  river  runs  the  length  of  the 
town,  furnishing  on  its  course  water  power  for  two  or  three  mills, 
which  are,  however,  mostly  falling  into  disuse.     Some  farming 
is  pursued  in  the  town,  but  in  a  business  point  of  view  it  maybe 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  373 

said  that  the  town  is  declining.  But  it  cannot  be  that  a  section 
of  country  possessing  such  loveliness  of  scenery  and  health  in- 
spiring properties  can  long  remain  in  obscure  decay.  Already 
the  tide  has  turned  in  the  direction  of  the  coming  uses.  Whilst 
the  old  methods  of  farming  must  decline,  the  new  methods  and 
the  summer  delights  which  are  here  offered  to  the  overheated 
and  weary  citizen  of  the  great  centers  of  population  and  busi- 
ness, are  laying  the  foundations  of  a  new  system  of  culture,  im- 
provement and  profitable  use. 

The  territory  of  this  town  was  once  included  in  the  bounds  of 
Windham.  The  good  quality  of  its  soil  and  the  cheapness  of 
land  in  this  neighborhood  induced  settlement  in  the  early  years 
of  the  history  of  this  county.  By  a  land  distribution  in  1712, 
Hampton  Hill  was  opened  to  purchasers.  Nathaniel  Hovey 
bought  land  in  this  vicinity  in  1713,  and  soon  settled  upon  it. 
A  hundred  acres  were  soon  after  sold  to  Timothy  Pearl,  by  one 
Jennings.  The  locality  was  known  by  the  Indian  name  of  Ap- 
paquage  hill.  Another  lot,  with  land  on  Little  river  were  pur- 
chased by  John  Durkee  of  Gloucester,  in  1715.  Other  settlers 
on  or  near  this  hill  were  Abiel  and  Robert  Holt  of  Andover ; 
Nathaniel  Kingsbury  of  Massachusetts ;  Thomas  Fuller,  John 
Button,  George  Allen  and  others.  The  settlement  here  was  then 
known  as  Windham  Village.  A  few  sons  of  old  Windham  fam- 
ilies like  Ebenezer  Abbe  and  Stephen  Howard,  joined  in  the 
settlement,  but  the  greater  part  of  the  settlers  were  new-comers 
from  Massachusetts. 

In  December,  1716,  the  town,  in  answer  to  a  petition  of  the 
people,  consented  "  that  the  northeast  part  be  a  parish,"  receiv- 
ing one-fourth  part  of  John  Gates'  legacy,  and  having  two  hun- 
dred pounds  returned  to  them  as  rebate  on  what  they  had  paid 
toward  the  new  meeting  house  at  Windham.  The  town  then 
petitioned  the  general  assembly  to  grant  a  charter  to  the  new 
parish.  This  petition  was  dated  May  9th,  1717.  The  petition 
was  at  once  granted  and  the  new  society  described  in  boundaries 
as  follows  :  "  Beginning  at  Canterbury  line,  to  run  westerly  in 
the  south  line  of  Thomas  Lasell's  lot,  and  so  in  direct  course  to 
Merrick's  brook,  and  then  the  said  brook  to  be  the  line  until  it 
intersects  the  present  road  that  leads  from  said  town  to  the 
Burnt  Cedar  swamp,  and  from  thence  a  straight  line  to  the  brook 
that  empties  itself  into  Nauchaug  river  about  the  middle  of  Six- 
Mile  Meadow,  at  the  place  where  Mansfield  line  crosseth  the 


374  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

said  brook."  The  new  parish  comprised  all  of  Windhani  that 
lay  north  of  this  line.  The  name  given  to  it  was  Canada  par- 
ish, from  the  name  of  David  Canada,  who,  it  is  believed,  built  the 
first  house  in  this  section  and  kept  the  first  tavern.  As  his  name 
does  not  appear  on  early  records  it  is  supposed  that  he  died  com- 
paratively young.  David  and  Isaac  Canada,  whose  names  ap- 
pear among  the  inhabitants  at  a  later  date,  were  probably  his 
sons. 

After  surviving  the  trials  of  its  infancy  this  parish  became 
thriving  and  prosperous,  many  families  settling  in  the  village 
and  along  the  adjacent  valleys.  Thomas  Marsh,  Benjamin  Chap- 
lin and  Samuel  Kimball,  of  the  south  part  of  Pomfret,  were  an- 
nexed to  this  society.  A  new  road  laid  out  from  Windham  Vil- 
lage to  Pomfret  in  1730,  facilitated  communication  between 
these  settlements.  In  1723  a  trio  of  neighbors  from  Ipswich, 
Mass.,  one  Grow,  one  Fuller  and  Samuel  Kimball  settled  on  three 
hills  in  the  northern  part  of  the  society.  Each  gave  name  to 
the  hill  on  which  he  located,  and  those  names  are  still  preserved. 
Among  the  descendants  of  the  Grow  family  was  the  Hon.  Galusha 
Grow,  of  national  fame,  who  was  born  here,  on  Grow  hill,  but  at 
an  early  age  removed  to  Pennsylvania  where  he  rose  to  promi- 
nence in  the  councils  of  the  nation.  The  Kimball  place  still 
remains  in  the  family  of  the  original  settler.  From  Samuel 
Kimball  it  descended  to  his  son  Daniel,  then  to  his  son  Asa,  from 
whom  it  passed  to  his  son  Asa,  who,  with  his  son  George,  still 
occupies  the  ancestral  homestead.  This  is  now  located  on  what 
is  known  as  the  Turnpike,  once  a  part  of  the  great  thoroughfare 
between  New  York  and  Boston.  The  house,  which  is  large,  was 
formerly  used  as  a  tavern,  and  many  are  the  scenes  of  life  and 
festivity  which  have  been  witnessed  here.  The  house  was  built 
about  the  year  1764. 

Thomas  Stedman,of  Brookline,  purchased  a  hundred  and  fifty 
acres  of  Nathaniel  Kingsbury,  and  settled  in  Windham  Village 
in  1732.  Ebenezer  Griffin  of  Newton,  in  1733  settled  a  mile 
northwest  of  the  meeting  house,  on  land  bought  of  William 
Durkee.  The  first  store  in  this  neighborhood  is  believed  to  have 
been  kept  by  Benjamin  Bidlack.  Nathaniel  Hovey  kept  an  early 
tavern,  and  a  full  military  company  was  formed  here  in  1730, 
with  Nathaniel  Kingsbury  for  captain  and  James  Utley  for  lieu- 
tenant. 

In  the  years  that  followed  the  first  settlement  Canada  parish 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  375 

kept  pace  with  other  sections  of  the  town  in  thrift  and  activity, 
and  Windham  Village,  on  its  fair  hill  top,  w^as  hardly  less  a  power 
than  Windham  Green  in  the  southwest  corner.  Captain  James 
Stedman  owned  much  land  and  carried  on  extensive  farming 
operations.  His  brother  Thomas  was  a  skillful  builder  of  meet- 
ing houses.  Ebenezer  Griffin,  John  Howard,  Jacob  Simmonds 
and  others  were  actively  engaged  in  business  and  public  affairs. 
Jeremiah,  the  fifth  son  of  John  Clark,  was  a  trader  as  well  as  a 
farmer,  and  bought  up  such  produce  as  he  could  take  to  New- 
port or  Providence  on  hoirseback  to  dispose  of.  Thus  a  tide  of 
prosperity  flowed  into  them  for  a  long  term  of  years. 

In  1767  an  effort  was  made  to  secure  greater  privileges  to  the 
society  without  becoming  a  distinct  town.     This  plan  failing, 
the  society  appointed  Captain  Jonathan  Kingsbury  to  apply  to 
the  general  assembly  for  a  grant  to  allow  them  the  rights  of  a 
distinct  town.     This  effort  was  for  the  time  also  fruitless.     And 
in  this  condition  things  remained  ur.til  the  end  of  the  revolu- 
tion, which  of  course  absorbed  the  attention  of  the  people  to  the 
exclusion  of  all  minor  topics.     But  in  1785  the  people  again 
urged  their  case,  and  the  town  voting  by  a  majority  of  one  "  not 
to  oppose  the  memorial,"  the  general  assembly  passed  the  act, 
October  2d,  1786,  "  That  the  inhabitants  of  the.  Second  Society 
of  Windham,  and  those  of  Pomfret,  Brooklyn,  Canterbury,  Mans-  ^ 
held  and  First  Society  in  Windham  be  constituted  a  town  by  the  i 
name  of  Hampton.     The  bounds  prescribed  are  identical  with 
the  present  north,  east  and  south  bounds  of  the  town,  but  on  the 
west  it  extended  to  the  Natchaug  river,  taking  in  a  section  now 
included  in  the  town  of  Chaplin.     About  twelve  hundred  acres 
were  taken  from  Brooklyn,  a  generous  slice  from  Mansfield,  and 
narrow  strips  from  Canterbury  and  Pomfret.     The  first  town 
meeting  of  the  new  town  was  held   November  13th,  1786,  at 
which   Captain   James  Stedman  acted    as  moderator.      Officers 
were  chosen  as  follows :   Thomas  Stedman,  clerk  ;  Captain  Sted- 
man,  Deacon    Bennet,  Jeduthan    Rogers,  selectmen;    Andrew 
Durkee,  Joseph  Fuller  and  William  Martin,  Jr.,  constables;  and 
a  committee  was  also  appointed  to  view  and  adjust  the  propor- 
tion of  bridges  belonging  to  the  old  town  that  should  fali  to  the 
new.     This  important  committee  consisted  of  Philip  Pearl,  Ebe- 
nezer Hovey,  Josiah  Kingsley,  Silas  Cleveland,  Andrew  Durkee, 
Amos  Utley,  Thomas  Fuller  and  Colonel  Moseley. 

In  1790  the  census  showed  that  Hampton  had  a  population  of 


376  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

1 1,332  whites  and  one  slave.  The  greater  part  of  its  inhabitants 
were  enofasfed  in  aofnculture.  Colonel  Moselev  after  the  war 
opened  a  store  and  engaged  .successfully  in  various  business  en- 
terprises and  public  affairs.  Captain  James  Howard  was  earl}^ 
interested  in  manufactures,  running  grist,  saw  and  fulling  mills 
in  the  valley  that  bore  his  name. 

The  settlement  of  the  question  in  regard  to  several  bridges 
was  a  matter  of  much  concern  between  Hampton  and  the  mother 
town  of  Windham.  The  committee  appointed  at  the  first  town 
meeting  was  joined  by  a  committee  from  the  old  town  in  appeal- 
ing to  the  general  assembly,  which  body  appointed  a  commis- 
sion to  investigate  the  matter.  This  commission  met  at  Widow 
Cary's  at  Windham  Green,  in  May,  1787,  and  after  hearing  testi- 
mon}^  decided  that  Hampton  should  pay  ^10  a  year  toward  the 
maintenance  of  the  three  bridges  which  Windham  had  to  keep  in 
repair  over  the  Shetucket.  Hampton  now  replied  that  it  had  to 
maintain  two  bridges  over  the  Natchaug,and  in  consideration  of 
this  fact  the  assembly  reduced  the  award  to  £b  a  year  toward 
the  Shetucket  bridges. 

One  of  the  first  achievements  of  the  town  was  a  pound,  which 
was  ordered  to  be  built  with  a  stone  wall  for  foundation,  six  feet 
high,  four  feet  thick  at  the  bottom  and  two  feet  at  the  top. 
Three  feet  from  the  ground  it  was  bound  by  a  tier  of  flat  stones, 
and  it  had  a  similar  tier  upon  the  top,  and  was  finished  by  four 
sticks  of  hewed  timber  ten  inches  thick,  linked  together,  with  a 
good  gate  four  feet  wide.  The  erection  of  this  structure  was 
awarded  to  Amos  Utley,  who  accomplished  the  work  in  a  most 
workmanlike  and  satisfactory  manner. 

The  disposition  of  the  poor  of  the  town  was  another  perplex- 
ing question  which  arose  between  the  new  town  and  the  old.  It 
was,  however,  amicably  adjusted.  Hampton  then  decided  to 
farm  out  its  poor  to  those  who  would  keep  them  for  the  lowest 
price.  A  single  man  was  accordingly  "  bid  off  "  by  Jonathan 
Hovey  at  five  shillings  nine  pence  a  week,  an  aged  couple  by 
Amos  Utley  at  five  shillings,  and  a  widow  woman  by  another 
bidder  at  two  shillings.  The  town  was  particularly  careful  to 
avoid,  as  far  as  lay  in  their  power  to  do,  the  possibilities  of  in- 
curring needless  burdens  in  dependent  persons.  Transient  per- 
sons were  looked  upon  with  a  jealous  eye,  and  about  1792  Philip 
Pearl  was  appointed  an  agent  to  prosecute  those  who  harbored 
traifsient  persons.     In  1788  the  town  voted  that  those  who  took 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  377 

the  poor  to  keep  at  a  certain  price  should  keep  them  whether  in 
sickness  or  in  health,  and  should  furnish  them  with  all  necessary 
spirits,  and  on  the  other  hand  .should  be  entitled  to  the  benefit 
of  whatever  work  they  were  able  to  do.  As  these  poor  people 
were  mostly  aged  or  ailing,  the  small  price  at  which  they  were 
"bid  off  "  was  often  found  too  small  to  pay  their  doctor's  bills, 
and  so  a  special  sum  was  allowed  for  that  purpose.  Medical  at- 
tendance for  the  poor  was  thus  "  bid  off  "  in  the  same  manner  as 
their  support.  The  prices  ranged  from  £^,  16s.  to  ;^22.  The 
bidder  in  some  cases  was  to  employ  what  doctor  he  pleased,  and 
in  other  cases  the  poor  were  gratified  with  their  choice  of  a  phy- 
sician. 

It  is  evident  that  in  its  corporate  capacity  this  little  town 
was  decidedly  ambitious,  both  as  to  its  standing  among  other 
towns  of  the  county  and  in  regard  to  its  own  internal  dignity. 
It  took  active  part  in  general  deliberations,  and  for  many  years 
about  the  close  of  the  last  century  strongly  urged  its  claim 
to  the  distinction  of  the  county  seat.  The  regulations  for  the 
orderly  conduct  of  town  meetings,  passed  by  the  town  meet- 
ing September  15th,  1300,  are  so  unique  that  we  must  be  par- 
doned for  inserting  them  here.     They  are  as  follows : 

"1.  Choose  a  moderator.  2.  Annual  meeting  to  be  opened 
by  prayer.  3.  Every  member  be  seated  with  his  hat  on,  and 
no  member  to  leave  his  seat  unnecessarily,  and  if  necessary, 
to  do  it  with  as  little  noise  as  possible.  5.  Members  while 
speaking  shall  address  the  moderator  and  him  only,  and  speak 
with  the  hat  off.  6.  No  member  to  speak  more  than  twice 
upon  one  subject  without  leave  of  the  meeting,  and  but  once 
until  each  member  has  had  opportunity  to  speak.  7.  As  soon 
as  a  member  has  done  speaking  he  will  take  his  seat  and  not 
speak  after  he  is  seated.  8.  Every  member  must  speak  directly 
to  the  question  before  the  meeting.  10.  No  persons  have  any 
right  to  do  private  business  in  any  part  of  the  house." 

The  patriotic  spirit  of  this  town  has  been  a  subject  of  com- 
mon remark.  The  days  of  the  revolution  witnessed  it.  Even 
among  the  women,  it  was  fired  to  the  height  of  heroic  devo- 
tion. Elsewhere  in  this  volume  the  reader  is  told  of  the  reso- 
lute spirit  with  which  the  women  of  this  town  carried  forward 
with  their  own  hands  the  erection  of  a  building,  when  the  able- 
bodied  men  of  the  town  were  all  away  in  their  country's  service. 
After  the  war,  the  military  spirit  that  had  so  characterized  the 


378  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

residents  of  this  vicinity  was  not  suffered  to  decline.  Hampton 
took  especial  pride  in  her  company  of  grenadiers,  which  was 
formed  soon  after  the  close  of  the  war  and  sustained  with  great 
spirit  for  many  years.  The  roster  of  this  company  contained 
the  names  of  many  revolutionary  veterans.  Strength  and  large 
size  were  essential  qualifications  for  admission  to  this  honored 
band,  and  many  of  them  were  worthy  of  a  place  in  Frederick 
William's  Tall  Regiment.  It  played  an  important  part  on  many 
public  occasions,  and  took  the  first  and  highest  places  in  the 
great  regimental  musterings  for  which  Hampton  hill  was  espe- 
cially famous.  Successive  captains  of  it  were  Thomas  Stedman, 
Jr.,  Thomas  Williams,  who  had  removed  from  Plainfield  to 
Hampton,  Roger  Clark  and  Philip  Pearl,  Jr.  The  militia  com- 
panies of  the  town  were  also  well  sustained.  Ebenezer  Moseley 
was  appointed  colonel  of  the  Fifth  regiment  in  1789  ;  Elijah 
Simons  served  several  years  as  its  lieutenant-colonel,  and  Lem- 
uel Dorrance,  one  of  Hampton's  young  physicians,  as  its 
surgeon. 

For  many  years  this  interest  in  military  matters  was  kept  up. 
Its  regular  trainings  and  occasional  musters  were  observed  as 
gala  days  by  the  whole  population.  One  of  the  great  days  of 
this  kind,  long  remembered  by  those  who  witnessed  it,  was  the 
semi-centennial  celebration  of  the  declaration  of  independence, 
which  was  duly  commemorated  here  July  4th,  1826.  Hampton's 
celebration  of  this  auspicious  day  was  almost  as  preternaturally 
impressive  as  the  "  Midnight  Review  "  of  Napoleon's  grand  army, 
portrayed  by  an  imaginative  poet.  Not  the  pJiantovis  here,  but 
the  material,  living  men  themselves,  who  had  marched  to  Lex- 
ington and  braved  the  carnage  of  many  battles,  to  the  number 
oi  forty-tivo  gray-haired  veterans,  appeared  in  their  old-time  cos- 
tume and  marched  up  and  down  the  length  of  the  village  street 
to  the  music  and  the  drums  of  "  '76."  At  their  head  was  their 
old  leader,  Abijah  Fuller,  and  Nath'aniel  Farnham  as  drum- 
major,  and  Joseph  Foster  and  Lucius  Faville  as  fifers.  Other 
military  companies  present  did  homage  to  the  veteran  band,  who  . 
were  treated  by  their  admiring  fellow  citizens  to  a  free  dinner, 
and  throughout  the  day  they  were  the  most  conspicuous  objects 
of  attention.  At  that  time  Samuel  Moseley  served  as  lieutenant 
colonel  of  the  Fifth  regiment,  and  Chauncey  F.  Cleveland  was 
captain  of  the  Hampton  company.  The  military  bearing  of  the 
latter,  together  with  his  affable  manner,  gave  him  great  popu- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  379 

larity  as  an  officer,  and  he  was  rapidly  promoted,  rising  from  the 
ranks  to  the  highest  military  office  in  the  state. 

In  the  early  years  of  the  present  century  business  was  quite 
active,  and  various  enterprises  were  prosecuted  with  vigor. 
Shubael  Simons  obtained  liberty  to  erect  a  dam  on  Little  river 
for  the  benefit  of  a  grist  mill,  and  potash  works  were  carried  on 
in  the  same  vicinity.  Edmond  Hughes  made  and  repaired 
clocks  and  watches.  Colonel  Simons  engaged  in  trade.  Roger 
and  Solomon  Taintor,  who  removed  to  Hampton  about  1804,  en- 
gaged extensively  in  exchanging  domestic  produce  for  foreign 
goods.  In  town  affairs  Colonel  Ebenezer  Moseley  succeeded 
Thomas  Stedman  as  town  clerk  in  1797,  and  retained  the  office 
many  years.  He  was  often  sent  as  deputy  to  the  general  assem- 
bly. Other  deputies  during  the  successive  years  of  that  period 
were  Deacon  Isaac  Bennett,  Philip  Pearl,  Jonathan  Kingsbury,. 
Doctor  John  Brewster  and  William  Huntington.  The  justices 
about  that  time  were  Colonel  Moseley,  Deacon  Bennett,  James 
Burnett  and  Philip  Pearl.  A  public  library  was  instituted  in  the 
town  in  1807,  which  soon  contained  over  a  hundred  volumes.  In 
the  census  year  1800  Hampton  had  a  population  of  one  thousand 
three  hundred  and  seventy-nine,  and  its  grand  list  then  footed 
up  to  $38,231.01. 

During  the  second  decade  of  the  present  century  some  atten- 
tion was  given  to  manufacturing  projects,  though  this  town  has 
never  been  aroused  to  conspicuous  movements  in  that  direction. 
The  introduction  of  carding  machines  so  stimulated  domestic 
industry  that  three  fulling  machines  were  kept  busily  at  work 
in  dressing  and  dyeing  the  woven  fabrics.  After  the  war  of 
1812,  which  by  the  way  had  but  little  effect  on  this  town,  a  flour- 
ishing hat  manufactory  was  established  here  by  Luther  D.  Leach. 
During  this  period  the  men  who  were  conspicuous  in  tciwn  af- 
fairs, holding  different  offices  of  honor  and  responsibility,  were 
Doctor  Brewster,  who  succeeded  Colonel  Moseley  as  town  clerk  ; 
Colonel  Simons,  Roger  Clark,  John  Tweedy,  Daniel  Searls  and 
John  Loomis,  serving  as  selectmen;  Philip  Pearl,  James  Burnett, 
Ebenezer  Griffin  and  Joseph  Prentice,  as  justices;  Luther  Bur- 
nett as  constable;  James  Utley  and  Jonathan  Clark,  as  collectors; 
Colonel  Moseley,  Ebenezer  Griffin,  Roger  and  Solomon  Taintor, 
William  Burnett  and  Joseph  Prentice,  as  representatives.  Mason 
Cleveland  was  chosen  town  clerk  in  1825.  William  Durkee,  Ed- 
mond Badger  and   Hezekiah  Hammond  were  then  selectmen. 


380  HISTORY   OF  AVINDHAM   COUNTY. 

and  N.  F.  Martin,  C.  Moulton,  C.  F.  Cleveland.  Roger  Taintor, 
Daniel  Searls  and  Jonathan  Clark,  justices  of  the  peace.  Later 
conspicuous  men  in  town  offices  were  Elijah  and  Lucius  Green- 
slit,  William  Brown,  Harvey  Fuller,  William  Durkee,  Alonzo 
Martin,  Charles  Griffin,  Charles  C.  Button  and  William  Bennett. 
Hampton  was  made  a  distinct  probate  district  in  1836,  and  its 
first  probate  judge  was  Edward  S.  Moseley. 

When  the  era  of  railroads  opened  upon  the  country  Hampton 
was  for  many  years  left  in  the  background,  other  towns  more 
advantageously  situated  attracting  population  from  towns  re- 
motely situated  as  this  town  was.  By  this  means  it  suffered  a 
decline  in  business  and  population.  But  it  was  at  last  brought 
back  again  to  a  favorable  standing  in  the  world  of  modern  ac- 
tivity through  the  agency  of  a  railroad  thoroughfare,  the  New 
York  &  New  England,  for  which  auspicious  turn  in  the  tide  of 
destiny  the  town  is  largely  indebted  to  the  untiring  energies  of 
its  distinguished  and  influential  citizen.  Governor  Cleveland. 
This  has  been  the  means  of  giving  to  the  people  a  business  of 
some  importance  in  the  entertainment  of  summer  boarders  from 
the  cities.  Vicinity  to  a  great  railroad  which  communicates 
directly  with  two  of  the  great  cities  of  the  country,  brings  each 
year  a  larger  number  to  enjoy  the  fine  air  and  outlook  of  Hamp- 
ton hill,  and  cordial  hospitality  of  its  many  agreeable  residents. 

As  early  as  1763  a  committee  was  appointed  to  divide  the  so- 
ciety into  school  districts.  Though  this  body  was  slow  in  fulfill- 
ing its  mission,  yet  in  the  course  of  two  years  the  work  was  done. 
The  First,  or  Central  district,  very  properly  began  by  "  taking 
in  the  Reverend  Mr.  Moseley  and  ranging  so  as  to  take  in  Mr. 
Joseph  Sessions,  and  from  thence  west  to  Burnt  Cedar  swamp, 
and  then  following  the  main  stream  of  Cedar  Swamp  brook  till 
it  comes  to  the  road  below  Benjamin  Burgess',  and  from  thence 
to  said  Moseley 's."  Number  Two  extended  "from  old  Mr.  John 
Perkins'  to  Mr.  Joseph  Burnham's,  and  all  east  and  south  of 
Cedar  Swamp  brook."  Number  Three  ran  "  from  Jonathan 
Holt's,  taking  in  Holt's  house,  and  north,  taking  in  all  the  in- 
habitants situated  on  the  road  to  Mr.  Joseph  Marsh's,  taking  in 
said  Marsh's  house,  and  from  thence  taking  in  Mr.  William 
Alworth's  and  James  Alworth's  house,  and  ranging  north  to  the 
easternmost  extent  of  the  society."  Number  Four  took  in  "Mr. 
Stephen  Clark's  house,  and  then  south  all  the  inhabitants  west 
of  Cedar  swamp,  and  so  far  as  to  take  in   INIr,  Jonathan   Fish's 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  381 

and  Mr.  David  Canada's  houses,  and  so  south  and  west  to  the  ex- 
tent of  the  society."  School  house  sites  were  affixed  by  William 
Osgood  and  Seth  Paine  of  Pomfret,  and  Benajah  Gary  of  Wind- 
ham, viz.,  one  in  the  northeast  district  near  Deacon  Griffin's 
house,  and  two  in  the  northwest  or  Fourth  district,  one  nine  rods 
south  of  William  Holt's,  another  eight  rods  west  of  John  P'ul- 
ler's.  "  Eleven  months  schooling  by  a  master,  to  be  kept  in  each 
district  according  to  its  list,"  was  thought  sufficient  for  the 
whole  society,  and  this  was  supplemented  by  "  school  dames  "  in 
the  summer  time  for  the  instruction  of  the  smaller  children. 
A  fifth  district  was  set  oS  in  1774  in  the  northeast  section,  known 
as  Appaquage.  The  number  of  districts  was  afterward  still 
further  increased,  so  that  by  1790  there  were  eight  districts  in 
the  town. 

When  Canada  parish  was  first  invested  with  society  privileges 
it  was  stipulated  that  the  people  of  this  section  should  raise  a 
tax  among  themselves  for  the  support  of  the  ministry  of  the 
town  equal  to  the  rate  of  taxation  for  that  purpose  in  other  parts 
of  the  town,  until  they  should  have  a  minister  of  their  own. 
Great  difficulty  was  experienced  in  enforcing  the  stipulation, 
and  the  subject  was  repeatedly  brought  by  petitions  before  the 
general  assembly.  As  soon  as  it  became  practicable  a  minister 
was  secured,  and  religious  services  were  held  for  a  time  in  pri- 
vate houses,  until  the  erection  of  a  meeting  house  could  be  con- 
summated. In  1722  the  services  of  Reverend  William  Billings 
were  obtained.  He  came  from  Preston,  and  was  a  graduate  of 
Yale  two  years  previous.  He  was  formally  ordained  and  in- 
stalled in  June,  1723.  A  meeting  house  had  been  begun  and 
was  at  this  time  probably  completed  sufficiently  to  be  used  for 
public  gatherings. 

An  episode  in  the  ecclesiastical  history  of  this  town  during 
the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Billings  furnishes  an  example  of  the  im- 
portance which  the  people  of  that  day  attached  to  the  rampages 
of  the  tongue.  In  1729  the  minister  made  complaint  to  the 
County  Association  that  one  of  his  parishioners  had  made  slight- 
ing remarks  about  his  preaching.  A  committee  was  accordingly 
appointed,  and  after  successive  and  various  action  extending 
through  two  or  three  years  the  following  confession  was  duly 
published  before  the  congregation  oyer  the  signature  of  the 
offender: 

"  I  acknowledge  before  God  and  this  church  yt  my  saying  '  I  had 


382  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

rather  hear  my  dog  bark  than  Mr.  Billings  preach,'  was  a  vile  and 
scandalous  expression,  tending  to  ye  dishonor  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  and  his  ambassadors,  as  also  of  religion  in  general.  I  do 
hereby  declare  before  God  and  ye  church  my  sorrow  and  repent- 
ance for  it,  humbly  asking  your  forgiveness,  and  resolve  to  have 
a  greater  watch  and  guard  over  my  tongue." 

Similar  confessions  were  often  required  of  those  who  had  been 
"  overtaken  with  strong  drink,"  though  no  censure  appears  to 
have  been  visited  upon  those  old  church  members  who  sold  or 
supplied  the  intoxicants  by  which  the  weaker  victims  were 
"overtaken." 

The  pastorate  of  Mr.  Billings  closed  with  his  death.  May  20th, 
1733.  One  hundred  and  seventy-two  persons  had  been  ad- 
mitted to  the  church  during  his  ten  years  term  of  service.  His 
successor  was  Samuel  Moseley,  of  Dorchester,  a  graduate  of  Har- 
vard in  1729,  ordained  here  May  15th,  1734.  Mr.  Moseley  was  an 
able  and  earnest  preacher,  dignified  in  manner  and  strict  in  doc- 
trine and  discipline.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Windham  County 
Association,  though  it  appears  evident  that  he  was  not  at  this 
time  in  full  sympathy  with  the  ecclesiastical  constitution  of  Con- 
necticut. When  the  great  revival  swept  over  the  county  about 
1742,  he  was  very  active  in  promoting  the  work,  laboring  with 
great  earnestness  at  home  and  abroad,  and  receiving  no  less  than 
one  hundred  and  twenty-five  persons  into  full  communion  with 
his  church.  He  opposed  the  authority  of  Consociation  and  de- 
clared to  the  brethren  that  their  church  was  not  under  Saybrook 
Platform  and  otherwise  favored  the  Separatists'  sentiments,  but 
when  he  foresaw  the  disastrous  consequences  which  might  re- 
sult from  the  action  of  the  extreme  leaders  he  became  more  con- 
servative in  policy,  and  by  such  a  course  doubtless  maintained 
a  greater  degree  of  harmony  and  prosperity  in  his  church  than 
might  have  been  felt  had  he  opposed  the  revival  at  first,  or  kept 
pace  with  the  extremists  in  the  later  stages.  The  secession 
from  the  church  toward  the  Separate  churches  was  much  less 
than  in  many  others.  There  were,  however,  a  few.  Its  excel- 
lent deacon,  Thomas  Marsh,  who  for  more  than  twenty  years 
had  served  the  Lord's  table,  John  Hovey  and  some  other  promi- 
nent members  were  unable  to  remain  in  its  fellowship  and 
united  with  the  Separate  church  of  Mansfield,  which  was  organ- 
ized by  the  Separatists  of  that  town  and  Windham  and  vicinity, 
October  9th,  1745.     Soon  after  this  the  erection  of  a  new  meet- 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  '883 

ing  house  received  attention,  and  while  it  was  under  considera- 
tion the  assembly  annexed  several  families,  who  by  location  and 
choice  belonged  in  this  connection,  to  Abington.  Vigorous  re- 
monstrances and  petitions  prevailed  with  the  assembly,  however, 
and  twenty-six  families  thus  situated  within  the  bounds  of 
neighboring  societies,  but  in  more  convenient  proximity  to  this 
church,  were  allowed  to  join  with  Hampton  Society  in  erecting 
a  meeting  house,  and  be  exempted  from  taxation  for  similar 
objects  in  the  societies  with  which  they  were  legally  associ- 
ated. Thus  strengthened,  the  society  was  able  to  com- 
plete its  meeting  house  in  1754.  It  was  a  substantial  struc- 
ture, fitted  to  abide  for  many  generations.  It  was  furnished 
with  one  of  those  ornaments  peculiar  to  that  time,  a  "sound- 
ing board,"  upon  which  was  inscribed  the  motto,  "  Holiness 
unto  the  Lord.''  The  seating  of  this  meeting  hoUvSe  a  few  years 
later  gave  rise  to  considerable  disturbance.  The  seating  com- 
mittee had  unwisely  ordered  six  persons  to  sit  in  one  pew, 
which  was  regarded  as  great  compressing  of  the  corporal  prop- 
erties and  consequent  personal  dignity  of  church  attendants. 
The  committee  had  also  offended  in  allowing  "men  of  little 
or  no  estate  to  sit  very  forward  and  in  high  pews,"  while 
others  of  good  estate  and  high  in  public  esteem  were  com- 
pelled to  take  lower  seats.  Complaint  was  also  made  that  the 
galleries  were  so  given  over  to  light-minded  youth  that  the 
tithing-men  were  obliged  to  leave  their  seats  below  to  pre- 
serve order  in  the  g-alleries.  Dissatisfaction  existed  until  1762, 
when  it  was  voted  to  sell  the  pews  at  public  vendue,  and  this 
vote,  though  stoutly  opposed  by  many,  was  carried  out.  Twenty- 
five  pews  on  the  floor  of  the  house  were  sold  to  the  following 
persons  at  prices  ranging  from  three  up  to  fourteen  pounds  : 
Jeremiah  Utley,  John  Fuller,  Hezekiah  Hammond,  Stephen 
Durkee,  Timothy  Pearl,  Zebediah  Farnham,  Ebenezer  Hovey, 
Captain  John  Howard,  Deacon  Ebenezer  Griffin,  Henry  Dur- 
kee, Daniel  Farnham,  Thomas  Stedman,  Jr.,  Isaac  Bennett, 
Jephthah  Utley,  William  Farnham,  Joseph  Burnham,  John 
Hammond,  Benjamin  Cheddle,  Stephen  Arnold,  John  Sessions, 
Jonathan  Clark,  Samuel  Fuller,  John  Smith,  Gideon  Martin, 
Isaac  Clark.  Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  many  of  these 
men  were  the  leading,  solid  men  of  the  community,  a  storm 
of  opposition  was  aroused,  subsequent  meetings  were  held  and 
the  matter  was  finally  appealed  to  the  general  assembly,  and 


384  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

by  that  body  the  sale  of  pews  was  declared  null  and  void. 
The  society  now  resumed  possession  of  its  pews,  and  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  seat  the  congregation  therein  with 
requisite  order  and  formality.  Some  degree  of  harmony  seems 
to  have  been  restored  by  this  action.  Repairs  were  made  on 
the  building  in  1768,  and  it  was  determined  to  keep  pace  with 
the  times  by  giving  the  building  a  coat  of  paint.  A  commit- 
tee composed  of  Captain  Kingsbury,  Abiel  Abbott  and  Thomas 
Fuller,  was  appointed  to  attend  to  the  business,  and  they  were 
ordered  to  "  color  the  same  something  like  the  color  of  Pom- 
fret  meeting  house." 

In  1769  a  strong  division  of  opinion  arose  between  Mr.  Moseley 
and  his  parishioners,  resulting  from  his  exercise  of  a  dictatorial 
power  over  the  church  which  he  claimed  by  authority  of  the 
Saybrook  platform.  This  platform  was  not  in  accord  with  the 
general  sentiment  of  the  society,  but  so  ingeniously  and  effect- 
ually did  Mr.  Moseley  exercise  the  powers  in  hand  as  moderator 
of  all  meetings  that  he  defeated  the  purpose  of  the  church  to 
have  a  body  of  ruling  elders  elected  to  exercise  some  of  the 
functions  of  government.  In  the  contest  which  followed  between 
pastor  and  people  much  bitterness  was  aroused,  and  much  unchris- 
tian and  discourteous  language  indulged  in.  In  1779  a  church 
court  before  whom  the  matters  were  brought  gave  its  verdict  of 
advice,  which  seems  to  have  been  at  least  outwardly  regarded — 
"  never  more  to  revive,  nor  suffer  to  be  revived,  any  of  those 
matters  of  difficulty  which  have  been  under  the  consideration  of 
the  council,  but  to  bury  this  long  unhappy  contention  in  ever- 
lasting oblivion."  After  this  the  pastor  gained  somewhat  in  the 
affections  of  his  people,  and  continued  here  to  the  end  of  life, 
though  for  several  years  he  was  confined  to  his  bed  by  rheuma- 
tism and  paralysis.  He  died  July  26th,  1791,  in  the  eighty-third 
year  of  his  age  and  the  fifty-eighth  year  of  his  pastorate.  He 
left  two  sons  and  six  daughters.  During  the  long  period  of 
his  incapacity  to  occupy  the  pulpit,  his  place  had  been  often 
filled  by  his  son-in-law,  Reverend  Joseph  Steward,  whose  health, 
however,  would  not  allow  him  to  be  inducted  as  colleague  pas- 
tor. Other  young  ministers  who  had  assisted  during  this  period 
were  Hendrick  Dow,  of  Ashford,  and  Ebenezer  Fitch,  of  Canter- 
bury. After  the  death  of  Mr.  Moseley,  a  call  was  extended  to 
Reverend  LudovicusWeld,  of  Braintree,  and  he  was  accordingly 
ordained  October  17th,  1792.      The  compliment  was  paid  him 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  385 

that  he  was  "  especially  noted  for  his  skill  in  composing  ser- 
mons." In  1796  a  bell  was  procured,  through  the  instrumentality 
of  Colonel  Moseley,ason  of  the  late  pastor.  It  was  ordered  that 
the  bell  should  be  rung  at  noon  every  day,  at  nine  o'clock  every 
night,  at  eight  o'clock  on  Saturday  nights,  and  to  be  tolled  for 
evening  meetings  and  lectures,  and  to  give  the  day  of  the  month 
every  evening.  The  deacons  at  this  time  were  Isaac  Bennett 
and  Abijah  Fuller,  of  revolutionary  fame.  Infirmities  brought 
on  by  close  application  and  sedentary  habits  compelled  Mr.  Weld 
to  seek  a  dismissal  from  his  charge  in  1824.  The  church  almost 
immediately  united  in  a  call  to  Reverend  Daniel  G.  Sprague,  of 
Killingly,  who  was  installed  May  26th  of  the  same  year.  The 
interest  which  Mr.  Sprague  took  in  the  reform  questions  which 
then  agitated  the  public  mind  made  him  a  valued  acquisition  to 
the  county  ministry.  Through  his  influence  a  temperance  so- 
ciety was  promptly  formed  and  efficiently  maintained,  although 
impeded  in  its  growth  by  the  convivialities  for  which  the  town 
had  long  been  noted.  In  1837  the  meeting  house  needed  re- 
building or  repairing,  and  the  question  as  to  which  should  be 
done  was  in  agitation  for  a  long  time,  but  it  was  decided  at  last 
to  repair  the  old  house.  It  was  moved  to  a  new  site,  remodeled 
and  refurnished,  and  this  being  done  it  was  dedicated  anew  May 
9th,  1840. 

Meanwhile  Reverend  Daniel  G.  Sprague  was  dismissed  in  1838, 
and  his  successor  was  called.  This  was  Reverend  Daniel  C. 
Frost,  who  served  the  church  from  1840  to  1841.  Reverend  Wil- 
liam Barnes,  the  sixth  pastor  of  the  church,  was  installed  in 
1842  and  dismissed  in  1847.  After  that  date  Reverend  Richard 
Woodruff  supplied  the  church  for  several  years.  In  1853  Rever- 
end George  Soule  was  engaged  as  a  supply,  and  in  1855  he  was 
installed  as  pastor.  During  the  war  he  was  absent  one  year  as 
chaplain  of  the  Eleventh  Connecticut  volunteers,  but  being  dis- 
charged on  account  of  ill  health  he  returned  to  his  charge  here 
and  died  in  the  pastorate  in  1867.  The  eighth  pastor  was  Rev- 
erend G.  J.  Tillotson,  who  was  installed  in  1873  and  dismissed 
in  1875.  Reverend  Daniel  Denison,  a  son  of  this  church,  began 
labors  here  as  a  supply  in  August,  1885,  and  continues  at  the 
present  time.  Two  other  ministers  have  grown  up  from  the  pale 
of  this  church,  and  are  now  preaching.  They  are  Reverends  A. 
C.  Denison,  of  Middlefield,  Conn.,  and  Sherrod  Soule,  of  Bev- 
erly, Mass,      Although   the    loss    to    the  church   by    removal 

25 


386  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

and  death  has  been  very  great,  yet  its  activity  and  usefulness 
are  remarkably  well  preserved,  as  though  indeed  it  was  a 
branch  of  the  true  vine  of  God's  own  planting. 

Several  other  churches  have  had  more  or  less  of  a  foothold  in 
this  town  in  past  years.  In  June,  1776,  a  Baptist  church  was 
organized  on  the  border  between  this  town  and  Abington.  One 
of  their  number,  William  Grow,  was  ordained  as  their  pastor. 
This  church  for  a  time  gained  in  numbers  and  influence  until 
it  included  some  forty  families  among  its  resident  attendants. 
A  great  scandal  is  said  to  have  involved  its  first  pastor  to  such 
an  extent  that  he  was  obliged  to  resign  his  office  and  remove  to 
Vermont.  Jordan  Dodge,  Dyer  Hebard,  and  other  exhorters, 
were  in  the  habit  of  preaching  to  this  flock.  Abel  Palmer,  a 
brilliant  young  Baptist  of  Colchester,  supplied  the  pulpit  for  a 
time  with  satisfaction  to  the  people.  In  1794  Peter  Rogers  was 
called  and  settled,  and  remained  in  charge  for  a  number  of 
years.  The  patriarch  of  this  church  was  its  worthy  deacon, 
Thomas  Grow,  whose  name  was  affixed  to  the  meeting  house  on 
Grow  hill,  built  mainly  by  his  efforts.  In  later  years  it  suffered 
decline  from  the  lack  of  stated  preaching  and  the  uprising  of 
another  religious  order  in  its  vicinity.  It  was,  however,  much 
strengthened  by  the  coming  of  a  son  of  Abington,  Elder  John 
Paine,  to  its  pastorate.  He  was  ordained  here  October  28th, 
1819,  and  at  the  same  time  Asahel  Elliott  and  Gurdon  Robinson 
were  made  deacons.  Elder  Paine  continued  in  charge  until  1827. 
After  his  dismissal  the  church  lost  ground  rapidly,  and  became 
extinct  about  1844. 

The  religious  order  which  seemed  to  be  making  advance  upon 
the  Baptist  church  near  the  close  of  the  last  century  were  known 
as  Abbe-ites.  They  were  led  by  one  Joshua  Abbe.  They  were 
represented  as  a  sect  of  Baptists,  but  having  no  association  with 
any  other  churches  of  that  name.  Their  meetings  were  said 
to  be  loud  with  disorder,  men  and  women  speaking  two  or  three 
or  more  at  the  same  time,  while  to  complete  the  confusion,  sobs, 
sighs  and  groans  were  thrown  in  without  stint.  After  a  few 
years  this  sect  gradually  gave  place  to  another  sect  of  Christian 
reformers  under  the  leadership  of  Elders  Smith  and  Varnum, 
who  obtained  a  strong  foothold  here  for  a  time.  They  at  first 
followed  in  the  footsteps  of  the  previous  Abbe-ites,  washing  each 
other's  feet  and  rolling  on  the  floor  to  express  their  humility 
and  lowliness ;  but  after  the  removal  of  Varnum  and  his  more 


HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  387 

ardent  proselytes  to  Ohio,  they  renounced  these  excesses  and 
adopted  ordinary  forms  of  worship.  Elder  Roger  Bingham 
was  ordained  as  a  Christ-ian  minister  (the  sect  being  known  by 
that  peculiar  hyphenated  form  of  a  common  word),  and  offici- 
ated in  the  Goshen  and  Burnham  meeting  houses,  which  had 
been  erected  for  the  accommodation  of  this  sect  of  worshippers. 
William  Burnham  served  as  deacon  of  the  church  in  his  neigh- 
borhood. Worship  was  for  several  years  regularly  maintained 
in  these  houses,  but  they  met  their  period  of  decadence  and 
were  obliged  to  give  place  to  others.  The  Christ-ian  church  at 
Howard's  Valley,  an  outgrowth  of  those  just  mentioned,  was 
built  in  1844.  Reverend  Isaac  Coe,  now  of  New  Bedford,  Mass., 
was  very  active  in  establishing  it,  and  was  the  first  minister. 
There  have  generally  been  stated  services  there,  though  but  a 
small  number  of  worshippers.  Not  long  ago  they  had  a  gift  of 
a  bell  from  Gordon  W.  Burnham,  late  of  New  York  city,  whose 
parents  belonged  here.  They  have  also  been  presented  with  a 
cabinet  organ  by  David  Clark,  of  Hartford,  whose  parents  were 
of  the  Goshen  district.  The  present  pastor  of  the  church  is  Rev- 
erend R.  H.  Nichols. 

A  large  and  handsome  Roman  Catholic  church  occupies  a  com- 
manding position  on  the  crown  of  the  "  Hill."  It  was  built  in 
the  fall  of  1877,  and  finished  in  the  following  spring.  An  acre 
of  ground  was  given  them  for  its  site  by  Hon.  E.  S.  Cleveland. 
The  cost  of  the  building  was  about  $4,000.  At  the  time  the 
church  was  built  there  were  thirty-four  families  belonging  to  it. 
They  have  lost  six  families  by  removals  to  localities  more  favor- 
able to  the  employment  of  younger  members  in  factories.  For 
a  time  there  was  a  resident  priest,  but  services  are  now  con- 
ducted on  alternate  Sundays  by  the  priest  from  Danielsonville. 
No  cemetery  has  as  yet  been  established  here  by  the  sect. 

The  Hampton  Library  was  begun  in  1827.  After  about  three 
years  it  was  given  up  and  the  books  were  sold.  In  1856  an  effort 
was  made  to  revive  it,  and  the  books  were  bought  back  and  a 
new  association  was  formed.  This  has  continued  in  tolerably 
healthy  existence  until  the  present  time.  The  library  now  con- 
tains eleven  hundred  volumes,  the  greater  part  of  which  are 
valuable  and  solid  books — history,  biography,  science  and  a 
healthy  mixture  of  poetry  and  romance. 

Little  River  Grange,  No,  36,  was  organized  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
George  M.  Holt,  in  Hampton,  December  29th,  1885,  with  twenty- 


388  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

two  charter  members. .  The  following  officers  were  chosen  at 
that  time:  George  M.  Holt,  master;  James  A.  Burnham,  over- 
seer ;  Mrs.  Joseph  W.  Clark,  lecturer  ;  Chester  B.  Jewett,  stew- 
ard ;  George  H.  Kimball,  assistant  steward ;  Joseph  W.  Clark, 
chaplain ;  Nathan  J.  Holt,  treasurer ;  David  P.  Weaver,  secre- 
tary ;  Jirah  F.  Hyde,  gate-keeper ;  Mrs.  Allen  Jewett,  Pomona ; 
Miss  Louise  Jewett,  Flora;  Miss  May  A.  Weaver,  Ceres :  Miss 
lola  M.  Clark,  lady  assistant.  The  office  of  master  has  been  held 
by  George  M.  Holt,  1886  and  1887 ;  William  H.  Hammond  for 
1888  ;  and  Nathan  J.  Holt  for  1889.  The  grange  has  a  member- 
ship of  fifty-four,  and  holds  fortnightly  meetings  in  the  town 
hall,  with  a  good  attendance.  The  membership  embraces  some 
of  the  best  farmers  of  the  town  and  their  families.  The  meet- 
ings are  interesting  and  their  numbers  increasing.  The  present 
officers  are  :  Nathan  J.  Holt,  master  ;  Austin  E.  Pearl,  overseer ; 
Mrs.  N.  C.  Cleveland,  lecturer ;  Everett  O.  Elliott,  steward  ;  Jirah 
F.  Hyde,  assistant  vSteward ;  Albert  E.  Guild,  chaplain  ;  Horatio 
Martin,  treasurer ;  Henry  Clapp,  secretary  ;  Elmer  Jewett,  gate- 
keeper ;  Mrs.  William  H.  Hammond,  Pomona  ;  Mrs.  George  R. 
Burroughs,  Flora ;  Mrs.  D.  P.  Weaver,  Ceres ;  Mrs.  Leroy  Pearl, 
lady  assistant. 

Little  river  in  its  course  through  this  town  has  for  many  gen- 
erations afforded  power  for  saw  mills  and  other  works  of  mod- 
erate capacity.  Some  of  these  it  may  be  interesting  to  notice. 
The  saw  mill  owned  by  Mr.  Andrew  M.  Litchfield  was  formerly 
owned  by  Mr.  Ebenezer  Stedman,  then  by  Deacon  Thomas  Wil- 
liams, from  whom  it  was  purchased  by  the  present  owner  in  1825. 
It  is  located  in  the  Bigelow  district.  Three  men  are  employed 
much  of  the  time.  About  30,000  feet  of  lumber  are  sawed  per 
year.  Shingles,  shuttles,  boards,  plank  and  all  kinds  of  build- 
ing timber  are  produced.  A  grist  mill  in  connection  grinds 
about  1,200  bushels  a  year.  In  1835  a  clover  mill  was  also  built, 
in  which  about  4,000  pounds  of  seed  per  annum  were  hulled  and 
cleaned.  This  clover  mill  was  carried  away  by  the  great  freshet 
of  1877.  The  business  at  the  present  time  appears  to  be  in  a 
condition  of  decline,  and  the  above  remarks  in  regards  to  its 
capacity  and  business  apply  rather  to  the  past  than  to  the 
present.  Below  this  mill,  near  the  south  line  of  the  town, 
stood  a  satinet  factory  which  was  run  by  Moseley  &  Rocking. 
The  mill  was  burned  several  years  since,  and  the  site  is  now 
occupied    by  Theodore  L.   Fuller  with  a  grist  mill    and    cider 


^^^J^'^estcnAC'N'i'- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  389 

mUl-  Further  lip  the  stream,  and  before  we  get  to  Litchfield's 
mill  site,  once  stood  a  cotton  factory  and  a  saw  mill  and  a 
grist  mill.  These  were  owned  by  Samuel  and  Lodowick  Wol- 
cott,  and  were  burned  several  years  since,  the  site  then  being 
abandoned.  Above  Litchfield's  mills  we  come  to  the  former 
site  of  a  bark  mill,  a  grist  mill  and  a  tannery.  This  was 
known  as  Rockwell's  mills.  The  grist  mill  is  still  running, 
but  the  other  enterprises  were  destroyed  by  fire  some  years 
since.  The  next  enterprise  on  the  stream  above  was  a  com- 
bination of  shingle  mill,  clover  mill^  pin  manufactory  and  man- 
ufactory of  German  silver  spoons.  A  freshet,  probably  that 
of  1877,  swept  the  whole  concern  away  and  it  has  not  since 
been  rebuilt.  Another  saw  mill  stood  next  in  order  up  the 
stream,  but  has  been  abandoned.  Farther  still  was  once  the 
site  of  a  clover  mill  owned  by  Walter  Lyon,  but  that  has  long 
since  passed  away.  Another  saw  mill  stands  in  the  south  part 
of  the  town  on  Cedar  Swamp  brook.  It  is  owned  by  Mr. 
Joseph  Clark. 

Biographical  Sketches. 

li^DWARD  Spicer  CLEVELAND. — The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
born  in  the  town  of  Hampton,  in  Windham  county,  Connecti- 
cut, on  the  22d  of  May,  A.  D.  1825.  He  was  the  son  of  the  Hon. 
Mason  Cleveland,  who  was  a  man  of  much  influence,  and  uni- 
versally respected  throughout  the  state,  having  been  both  a  rep- 
resentative from  his  town  and  a  senator  from  his  district,  also 
comptroller  of  the  state  and  subsequently  school  fund  commis- 
sioner. He  died  in  the  year  1855,  soon  after  the  expiration  of 
his  tertii  as  school  fund  commissioner.  E.  S.  Cleveland  was  a 
nephew  of  Hon.  Chauncey  F.  Cleveland,  also  of  Hampton,  who 
was  repeatedly  elected  to  the  legislature  and  served  several  terms 
as  speaker  of  the  house,  and  was  governor  of  the  state  for  two 
terms,  from  1842  to  1844,  and  subsequently  served  two  terms  in 
congress  from  the  Third  congressional  district. 

Edward  Spicer  Cleveland  received  a  common  school  education, 
with  a  brief  period  at  the  Thompson  Academy  in  the  same  county. 
At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  entered  upon  a  mercantile  career  in 
Hartford,  the  capital  of  the  state,  as  a  clerk.  At  the  close  of  this 
engagement  he  opened  a  dry  goods  establishment  on  his  own 
account.  Soon  after,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Caroline  Lucinda 
BoUes,  daughter  of  Mr.  Edward  Bolles,  one  of  the  leading  mer- 


390  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

chants  of  Hartford.  This  occurred  in  1846.  Mr.  Cleveland  con- 
tinued in  mercantile  business  until  the  year  1861,  when  he  was 
appointed  postmaster  at  Hartford  by  President  Lincoln.  At  the 
expiration  of  his  term  of  four  3^ears  he  was  re-commissioned  for 
another  term  by  Mr.  Lincoln's  successor.  After  eight  years'  ser- 
vice in  this  position  he  resumed  his  residence  in  Hampton, 
which  town  he  represented  in  the  state  legislature  in  the  years 
1875  and  1876.  In  1877  he  returned  to  Hartford,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  In  1883  he  was  elected  to  the  lower  house  of  the 
legislature,  and  in  1885  to  the  senate,  and  re-elected  in  1888.  He 
was  the  candidate  of  the  democratic  party  for  governor  of  the 
state  in  the  year  1886,  by  a  unanimous  nomination,  receiving  a 
plurality  of  1,898  of  the  popular  vote,  there  being  four  candidates 
in  the  field.  He  would  have  been  inaugurated  but  for  that  fa- 
miliar clause  in  the  constitution,  dating  back  to  1818,  which  re- 
quires a  majority  instead  of  a  plurality  to  elect.  This  provision 
required  that  the  names  of  the  two  highest  candidates  should  be 
sent  to  the  legislature  for  choice,  and  that  body,  being  republican 
by  a  small  majority,  decided  in  favor  of  the  republican  candidate, 
who  lacked  nearly  9,000  votes  of  a  majority.  Mr.  Cleveland,  by 
the  courtesy  of  the  senate,  of  which  he  is  still  a  member,  is  a 
visitor  for  the  term  of  two  years  to  the  Scientific  School  at  New 
Haven,  and  a  state  trustee  of  the  Connecticut  Insane  Hospital  at 
Middletown,  for  four  years  from  July  1st,  1889. 

On  the  8th  of  March,  1889,  Mr.  Cleveland  sustained  an  irrep- 
arable loss  by  the  death  of  his  wife,  who  was  a  lady  of  the  high- 
est excellence,  always  devoted  to  the  household  of  which  she  was 
the  light  and  joy.  She  was  the  mother  of  three  children,  two  of 
whom  survive  her,  Edward  Mason  and  John.  George  Heliry,  the 
second  son,  died  in  1865.  Mr.  Cleveland  has  retired  from  active 
pursuits,  dividing  his  time  between  his  country  residence  at 
Hampton  in  the  summer,  and  his  home  in  Hartford  during  the 
winter.  The  care  of  the  household  since  the  death  of  Mrs.  Cleve- 
land has  devolved  upon  the  estimable  wife  of  his  younger  son, 
John;  and  her  children,  named  respectively  Chauncey  Fitch  and 
Edward  Spicer,  2d,  are  the  especial  care  and  pride  of  their 
grandfather. 

David  Greenslit. — Elijah  Greenslit,  a  farmer  and  the  land- 
lord of  one  of  the  early  taverns  of  the  town  of  Hampton,  mar- 
ried Mary  Burnham.  His  children  were  :  David,  Elijah,  Henry, 
Ebenezer,  and  one  daughter.     His  son  David  spent  his  life  in 


(X-\^--t,--&^  /iych-^£i^.-^2^i^^^yCiyl^ 


PE,     E.     yiEBSTAOT,     N. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  391 

Hampton,  the  town  of  his  birth,  where  he  was  an  industrious 
and  prosperous  farmer.  He  married  Nancy,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam Foster,  of  Canterbury.  To  this  union  were  born  nine  chil- 
dren, of  whom  Lucius,  William  F.  and  David  grew  to  mature 
years. 

David  Greenslit  was  born  June  2d,  1817,  in  Hampton,  and 
spent  his  early  years  at  the  schools  in  the  vicinity  of  his  home. 
At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  became  useful  as  an  assistant  in  the 
work  of  the  farm,  and  was  thus  occupied  until  his  nineteenth 
year.  Leaving  the  paternal  roof  he  then  removed  to  Brooklyn, 
the  adjoining  town,  and  was  for  nearly  two  years  engaged  as 
a  teacher.  Soon  after,  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Windham,  but 
preferring  a  home  in  his  native  town,  was  influenced  to  dispose 
of  this  property  and  locate  as  a  farmer  in  Hampton.  He  was 
on  the  26th  of  May,  1840,  married  to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John 
Searls,  of  Brooklyn.  Their  only  daughter,  Charlotte  E.,  died 
in  1866  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years. 

Mr.  Greenslit  was  in  1844  made  a  deputy  sheriff  of  Windham 
county,  and  was  for  nine  years  the  incumbent  of  the  office.  He 
was  then  appointed  by  the  legislature  to  fill  the  unexpired 
term  as  sheriff,  and  subsequently  elected  for  two  terms  to  the 
same  office.  In  1866  he  was  elected  to  the  state  senate  from 
the  Thirteenth  senatorial  district,  and  appointed  chairman  of 
the  committee  on  state  prisons.  In  1878  he  was  elected  to  the 
Connecticut  house  of  representatives,  and  made  chairman  of  the 
same  committee.  H^e  has  served  several  years  on  the  republican 
state  central  committee,  and  had  much  experience  in  political 
matters  pertaining  to  the  state.  Mr.  Greenslit  is  a  director  of 
the  Windham  County  National  Bank,  and  has  been  for  ten 
years  president  of  the  Windham  County  Mutual  Insurance 
Company,  as  also  adjuster  of  losses"for  that  corporation.  He  is 
a  director  of  the  Willimantic  Dime  Savings  Bank.  Mr.  Green- 
slit, though  not  a  professional  man,  has  given  much  attention 
to  the  study  of  law,  his  occupation  as  a  business  agent  requir- 
ing him  to  be  well  versed  in  legal  rules  and  practices.  His 
services  are  much  sought  in  the  settlement  of  estates  and  in 
kindred  offices  involving  great  responsibility  and  well  balanced 
judgment.  Among  other  positions  of  trust  he  was  in  1866  ap- 
pointed by  the  legislature  a  member  of  the  board  of  equaliza- 
tion for  the  Thirteenth  senatorial  district. 


392  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Samuel  Strong  Moseley. — The  Moseley  family  are  among  the 
oldest  and  most  prominent  in  the  town  of  Hampton.  The  father 
of  the  subject  of  this  biography,  Ebenezer  Moseley,  was  a  preacher 
of  considerable  repute  in  his  day.  His  son,  Samuel  Strong 
Moseley,  was  born  at  the  homestead  of  the  family  in  Hampton, 
in  1786,  and  in  his  native  town  the  whole  of  his  active  life 
was  spent.  He  received  an  academic  education,  and  early  em- 
barked in  mercantile  pursuits,  to  which  he  later  added  farming. 
In  both  of  these  branches  of  industry  he  brought  to  bear  the 
ability  and  thrift  which  were  the  inevitable  precursors  of  suc- 
cess. He  was  also  a  large  dealer  in  cattle  and  sheep,  these  op- 
erations proving  extremely  profitable.  Mr.  Moseley  was  act- 
ively identified  with  the  public  affairs  of  his  county,  and  bore 
a  prominent  part  in  its  political  conflicts.  He  represented  his 
constituents  for  successive  terms  in  the  Connecticut  house  of 
representatives,  and  filled  numerous  offices  of  lesser  importance 
in  the  town. 

He  was  united  in  marriage  to  Harriet  Bulkley,  of  Colchester, 
Connecticut.  To  this  union  were  born  four  sons:  Edward  S., 
who  served  two  terms  as  state  treasurer;  George,  William  and 
Henry;  and  two  daughters,  Eliza  and  Mary,  the  first  named 
daughter  being  the  only  survivor  of  these  children.  Mr.  Mose- 
ley died  in  1866. 


V.w: Preston  l^C'Jf^- 


,  .i^^T^z-^^^ 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


THE  TOWN  OF  SCOTLAND. 


Description. — Original  Connection. — First  Settler. — Early  Attractions. — Settlers 
coming  in. — Church  Association. — Disquiet  in  Society  Relations. — Scotland 
Society  Organized. — Minister  Employed  and  a  Meeting  House  Built. — Peace 
and  Prosperity. — The  Separate  Movement. — Separate  Church. — The  Standing 
Church  and  the  Schools. — Leading  Men  in  Society. — Successive  Pastors. — 
Period  of  the  Revolution. — The  Congregational  Church  in  Later  Days. — Uni- 
versalism. — Business  and  Industry  in  the  Tovs^n. — Organization  of  the  Town. 
— Its  Size  and  Growth. — Illustrious  Citizens. — Present  Status. — Shetucket 
Gx'ange. — The  Green  and  its  Surroundings. 


THE  township  of  Scotland,  lying  in  the  southwestern  part  of 
the  county,  is  about  six  miles  long  from  north  to  south, 
and  about  three  miles  wide.  It  lies  on  the  southern  bor- 
der of  the  county,  being  bounded  on  the  north  by  Hampton  and 
a  small  part  of  Chaplin,  on  the  east  by  Canterbury,  on  the  south 
by  Lisbon  and  Franklin,  in  the  county  of  New  London,  and  on 
the  west  by  Windham.  It  comprehends  about  eighteen  square 
miles  of  territory,  much  of  which  is  hilly  and  in  a  wild  condi- 
tion. This  is  particularly  true  of  the  northern  part  of  the  town. 
In  the  central  and  southern  parts  there  is  a  great  deal  of  good 
farming  land,  and  the  improved  farms  and  residences  give  a 
very  attractive  and  home  like  appearance  to  the  country.  The 
surface  is  sufficiently  rolling  to  make  the  rural  landscape  fascin- 
atingly picturesque.  Merrick's  brook  runs  down  through  the 
middle  of  the  town,  joining  the  Shetucket  in  the  southwest  cor- 
ner of  the  town.  The  Providence  Division  of  the  New  York  & 
New  England  railroad  also  runs  with  the  Shetucket  river  across 
the  southwest  corner  of  the  town.  Here  is  Waldo's  station,  a 
locality  surrounded  by  swamps  and  woods,  an  ancient  saw  mill 
having  once  been  in  operation  near  by  on  the  stream  already 
mentioned.  Scotland  presents  to  the  passer-by  one  of  those  ri- 
pened communities  in  which  the  people  are  quietly  and  peacefully 
enjoying  the  fruits  of  labor  performed  in  former  years,  rather 
than  living  on  the  sweat  of  present  activities.     The  surrounding 


39-4  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

forest  growth  affords  considerable  timber,  which  is  utilized  in 
railroad  ties.  Scotland  in  1870  had  a  population  of  648  ;  in  1880 
the  population  was  reduced  to  590.  As  the  history  of  the  town 
is  but  little  more  than  the  histor}^  of  the  ecclesiastical  society 
out  of  which  it  grew,  we  shall  address  ourselves  at  once  to  the 
consideration  of  that  subject. 

The  territory  of  this  town  was  originally  a  part  of  the  exten- 
sive domain  of  ancient  Windham,  being  the  southeast  section 
of  that  town.  Settlement  began  here  about  the  year  1700.  The 
first  settler  was  Isaac  Magoon,  a  Scotchman,  who  gave  to  his 
adopted  home  the  name  of  his  native  country.  He  was  admitted 
an  inhabitant  of  Windham  in  1698,  and  chose  to  establish  him- 
self east  of  Merrick's  brook,  in  a  remote  and  uninhabited  part 
of  the  town.  The  brook  of  which  we  have  spoken  is  supposed 
to  have  been  named  in  honor  of  an  early  Norwich  land  owner. 
In  1700  Magoon  purchased  of  Mr.  Whiting  several  hundred 
acres,  in  the  southern  extremity  of  Clark  &  Buckingham's  tract. 
The  first  rude  hut  built  by  him  in  this  locality  is  said  to  have 
been  destroyed  by  fire,  whereupon  his  Windham  neighbors 
helped  him  to  rebuild  it.  He  afterward  bought  sixty  acres  on 
both  sides  of  Merrick's  brook,  and  crossed  by  the  road  from 
Windham  to  Plainfield,  of  Joshua  Ripley,  and  this  is  supposed 
to  have  been  his  homestead.  This  road  becoming  a  great  thor- 
oughfare between  more  important  points,  and  the  good  quality 
of  the  soil  here,  as  well  as  the  natural  beauty  of  location,  soon 
attracted  other  settlers  to  the  spot.  In  1701  Magoon  sold  farms 
to  Samuel  Palmer,  John  Ormsbee,  and  Daniel  and  Nathaniel 
Fuller,  all  of  whom  came  hither  from  Rehoboth.  In  1702  Josiah 
Kingsley,  John  Waldo,  Nathaniel  Rudd,  Josiah  Palmer  and 
Ralph  Wheelock  purchased  land  of  Crane  and  Whiting  and  re- 
moved to  this  new  settlement.  Waldo's  land,  in  the  south  of 
this  settlement,  is  still  held  by  his  descendants.  Many  Mohe- 
gans  frequented  this  part  of  the  town,  clinging  to  it  by  virtue 
of  Owaneco's  claim  to  it  as  Mamosqueage.  A  hut  on  the  high 
hills  near  Waldo's  was  long  the  residence  of  the  Mooch  family, 
kindred  of  Uncas  and  the  royal  line  of  the  Mohegans. 

The  settlement  made  quite  rapid  progress.  Among  others  who 
soon  followed  were  Josiah  Luce,  Thomas  Laselle,  Robert  Heb- 
ard  and  John  Burnap.  Luce  and  Laselle  were  of  old  Huguenot 
stock.  Burnap  came  from  Reading,  Mass.,  purchasing  a  tract  of 
land  of  Solomon   Abbe,  by  Merrick's  brook,  April  13th,  1708. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  395 

The  demand  thus  incited  here  caused  valuations  of  real  estate 
to  rise  considerably.  A  saw  mill  was  already  in  operation  on 
the  brook,  and  in  1706  a  highwa,y  was  ordered  to  be  laid  out 
for  the  farmers  of  Scotland,  above  the  mill-dam,  for  the  conven- 
ience of  getting  on  and  off  the  bridge  which  was  then  about  to 
be  constructed,  and  thence  it  was  to  run  to  John  Ormsbee's  land. 
With  the  destruction  of  the  forests  and  the  accompanying  de- 
cadence of  the  streams  this  mill  site  has  long  since  been  powder- 
less  for  the  purposes  to  which  it  was  once  appropriated.  And 
the  same  may  be  said  in  regard  to  Wolf  Pit  brook,  the  privilege 
of  which  was  granted  to  Josiah  Palmer  in  1706,  "  to  set  up  a 
grist  mill — he  building  the  same  within  three  years  and  ditch- 
ing and  damming  there  as  he  thinks  needful  on  the  commons, 
not  to  damnify  particular  men's  rights." 

In  1707  the  town  of  Windham  regarded  its  southeastern  quar- 
ter as  of  sufficient  importance  to  be  allowed  a  burying  ground, 
and  at  that  time  Samuel  Palmer,  George  Lilly  and  William 
Backus  were  appointed  to  view  the  ground  here  and  consult  the 
people  with  regard  to  laying  out  a  burying  place  in  this  local- 
ity. 

The  Scotland  settlers  still  maintained  their  connection  with 
the  church  at  Windham  Green,  though  their  number  was  con- 
stantly increasing.  George  Lilly,  in  1710,  purchased  land  on 
both  sides  of  Little  river,  which  runs  down  along  the  eastern 
border  but  just  outside  the  present  limits  of  the  town,  and  in 
1714,  John  Robinson,  a  descendant  of  Elder  John  Robinson,  of 
Leyden,  removed  to  Scotland.  The  old  Puritan  stock  was  well 
represented  in  this  locality.  Descendants  of  Robinson,  Brew- 
ster and  Bradford,  with  French  Huguenots  and  Scotch  Presby- 
terians, were  among  its  inhabitants.  A  pound  had  been  erected 
and  a  school  house  was  built,  at  what  date  we  have  not  learned, 
and  about  these  public  institutions  a  straggling  village  grew  up. 
Many  sons  of  the  first  settlers  of  Windham  established  them- 
selves here.  Joseph  and  John  Gary  settled  on  Merrick's  brook, 
on  land  given  them  by  their  father.  Deacon  Gary.  Deacon 
Bingham's  son  Samuel  settled  on  Merrick's  brook,  and  Nathaniel 
on  Beaver  brook.  Nathaniel,  son  of  Joseph  Huntington,  occu- 
pied a  farm  on  Merrick's  brook,  near  the  center  of  the  settlement 
and  became  one  of  its  most  prominent  citizens.  The  population 
was  gathered  mainly  on  the  road  to  Canterbury  and  on  Merrick's 
.  brook.     Many  of   the  Scotland  settlers  were  members  of  the 


396  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Windham  church  and  some  were  active  and  prominent  men  in 
the  affairs  of  the  town. 

But  the  Scotland  settlers  soon  began  to  feel  a  desire  for  church 
privileges  nearer  their  homes  than  away  over  the  hills  several 
miles  to  Windham  Green.  At  what  time  this  feeling  began  to 
develop  into  open  agitation  we  do  not  know,  but  it  had  gone  so 
far  in  that  direction  that  in  February,  1726,  the  town  took  action 
so  far  as  to  consent  by  vote  that  when  the  public  list  of  that  sec- 
tion should  reach  in  amount  ;^12,000  the  town  would  build  a 
meeting-house  in  that  section,  and  when  they  should  desire  to 
settle  a  minister  the  town  would  join  with  them  in  supporting 
two  ministers  and  keeping  the  two  meeting  houses  in  order.  In 
December,  1727,  the  Scotland  people  were  allowed  to  employ  a 
suitable  person  to  preach  to  them  during  the  winter,  and  this 
permission  was  kept  up  for  several  winters.  But  the  Scotland 
people  could  not  see  the  advantage  to  them  of  paying  their  pro- 
portionate part  of  supporting  the  ministry  at  Windham  Green 
and  then  hiring  a  minister  additional  during  a  part  of  the  year, 
at  so  much  extra  expense.  Hence  the  question  of  society  privi- 
leges was  agitated,  and  after  a  spirited  contest  before  the  gen- 
eral assembly  the  petition  was  granted  and  a  charter  for  a  dis- 
tinct society  was  given  by  the  legislature  in  May,  1732.  The 
bounds  of  the  society  were  substantially  the  bounds  of  the  pres- 
ent town.  They  began  at  the  junction  of  Merrick's  brook  with 
the  Shetucket,  thence  northerly  to  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
land  of  John  Kingsley ;  thence  to  Beaver  brook  at  John  Fitch's 
dam  ;  thence  a  straight  line  to  Merrick's  brook,  at  the  crossing 
of  the  road  from  Windham  Green  to  the  Burnt  Cedar  swamp ; 
thence  north  on  the  brook  to  the  southwest  corner  of  Canada 
Society  ;  thence  easterly  by  the  south  bound  of  that  society,  and 
southerly  along  the  Canterbury  line  to  the  dividing  line  between 
Windham  and  Norwich,  and  westerly  along  the  Norwich  line  to 
the  mouth  of  Merrick's  brook.  This  bound  probably  included 
less  than  one-third  of  the  territory  of  Windham.  The  petition- 
ers, in  answer  to  whom  the  charter  was  granted,  were  Nathaniel 
Bingham,  Jacob  Burnap,  Eleazer  and  Samuel  Palmer,  Joshua 
Luce,  Daniel  Meacham,  Isaac  Bingham,  Samuel  Hebard,  Seth 
Palmer,  Timothy  Allen,  Charles  Mudie,  Benjamin  Case,  John 
Waldo,  David  Ripley,  Caleb  Woodward,  John  Cary,  Jonathan 
Silsby,  Elisha  Lilly,  Jacob  Lilly,  Joshua  Lasell,  Nathaniel  Hun- 
tington, Nathaniel  Brewster,  Nathaniel   Rudd,  Wilkinson  Cook, 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  397 

Carpenter  Cook  and  Samuel  Cook.  The  number  of  families  in 
the  society  was  about  eighty,  and  the  number  of  persons  proba- 
bly about  four  hundred.  The  list  of  estates  reported  amounted 
to  £3,94:5. 

The  new  society  met  to  organize  June  22d,  1732,  at  the 
house  of  Nathaniel  Huntington.  Edward  Waldo  was  chosen 
moderator;  John  Manning,  clerk;  Peter  Robinson,  John 
Waldo  and  Edward  Waldo,  society  committee.  In  September 
the  society  voted  to  employ  a  minister,  and  began  eagerly  to  dis- 
cuss the  location  of  their  prospective  meeting  house.  It  was 
then  decided  that  the  preaching  services  should  be  held  at  the 
house  of  Nathaniel  Huntington.  The  importance  of  having 
the  business  well  attended  to  and  the  magnitude  of  the  under- 
taking as  it  appeared  to  those  people  is  shown  by  the  vote  at 
that  time  that  "Ensign  Nathaniel  Rudd,  Mr.  Samuel  Manning, 
Lieutenant  Peter  Robinson,  Sergeants  Nathaniel  Bingham  and 
Edward  Waldo,  Mr.  John  Bass  and  Mr.  John  Cary,  be  a  commit- 
tee to  provide  us  a  minister  to  preach  to  us,  and  also  to  provide 
a  place  for  him  to  diet  in,  and  also  to  agree  with  him  for  what 
he  shall  have  a  day."  The  minister  then  employed  by  this  pon- 
derous committee  was  a  Mr.  Flagg. 

After  settling  some  disputes  as  to  the  law  in  regard  to  electing 
officers,  the  society  unanimously  set  to  work  to  locate  and  build 
a  meeting  house.  The  site  decided  upon  was  "  a  knoll,  east  side 
of  Merrick's  brook,  south  side  of  the  road  from  Windham  to 
Canterbury."  Nathaniel  Huntington,  who  owned  the  land, 
promptly  made  over  a  quarter  of  an  acre  for  that  purpose.  June 
25th,  1733,  it  was  voted  to  build  a  house  43  by  33  feet  and  twenty 
feet  high,  the  roof  and  sides  to  be  covered  with  chestnut  sawed 
shingles  and  clapboards.  The  work  went  bravely  forward  and 
by  November  20th  a  society  meeting  was  held  in  the  house. 
Then  the  windows  were  glazed,  and  rough  board  seats  provided, 
as  well  as  a  "  conveniency  for  a  minister  to  stand  by  to  preach." 
Thus  equipped  the  house  was  ready  for  service  and  the  energies 
of  the  society  were  then  devoted  to  employing  a  regular  minis- 
ter. 

After  several  attem.pts,  which  from  one  cause  or  another  proved 
abortive,  the  society  succeeded  in  obtaining  the  services  of  a 
minister  to  be  permanently  located  among  them.  This  they 
found  in  the  person  of  Ebenezer  Devotion,  son  of  Reverend 
Ebenezer  Devotion  of  Suffield,  a  young  man  of  good  abilities. 


398  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUxXTY. 

• 

pleasing  address  and  unimpeachable  orthodoxy,  who  had  just 
completed  his  ministerial  studies,  having  graduated  from  Yale 
College  in  1732,  and  was  just  twenty-one  years  of  age  when 
called  to  this  parish.  On  the  22d  of  October,  1735,  a  church  w^as 
organized  and  Mr.  Devotion  ordained  as  its  pastor,  on  a  settle- 
ment of  ^300  and  a  salary  of  ^140  a  year,  which  was  afterward 
increased  by  an  additional  thirty  pounds.  Eighty-nine  members 
were  dismissed  from  the  First  church  of  Windham  to  form  the 
Scotland  church.  Edward  Waldo  and  Nathaniel  Bingham  were 
chosen  deacons. 

These  trying  ordeals  having  been  safely  passed,  the  society 
now  enjoyed  a  period  of  peaceful  and  harmonious  prosperity 
reaching  through  many  years.  The  interior  of  the  meeting 
house  was  subject  to  many  changes  in  its  arrangements  and 
seating,  as  was  usual  in  those  days,  privileges  being  allowed 
individuals,  singly  or  in  groups,  to  erect  pews  for  their  own  use 
and  at  their  own  expense.  In  this  line  one  item  is  worthy  of 
notice.  In  1739  twelve  young  men  had  liberty  to  build  a  pew 
the  length  of  the  front  gallery,  dividing  the  same  by  a  partition 
of  wood,  taking  one  half  as  their  own  seat  and  gallantly  allow- 
ing the  other  half  to  as  many  young  women. 

We  come  now  to  the  period  when  this  church  and  society  were 
greatly  agitated,  in  common  with  others  about  them,  by  the  great 
revival  and  the  Separate  movement,  which  occurred  between  the 
years  1740  and  1750.  A  very  respectable  part  of  the  Scotland 
church  became  dissatisfied  with  the  existing  discipline  and  adop- 
ted decided  Separate  principles.  Mr.  Devotion,  who  was  strongly 
attached  to  church  order  and  the  Say  brook  Platform,  wholly  re- 
fused to  grant  them  any  concessions  or  liberty,  whereupon  they 
withdrew  from  the  stated  religious  worship,  and  held  separate 
meetings  in  private  houses.  Among  the  number  w^ere  Joseph 
and  Hannah  Wood,  Benjamin  and  Anne  Cleveland,  Zebulon  and 
Hannah  Hebard,  Mrs.  Samuel  Manning,  John  Walden,  Daniel 
Ross,  Amos  Kingsley,  Peleg  Brewster,  Thomas  and  Henry  Bass, 
and  John,  Sarah,  Mary  and  Margaret  Wilkinson.  January  26th, 
1746,  these  persons  were  cited  to  appear  before  the  church  court  to 
"give  their  reasons  for  separating  for  a  long  time  from  the  worship 
or  ordinances  which  God  had  set  up  among  them."  Their  an- 
swer  in  general  was  that  the  ministrations  of  Mr.  Devotion  were 
not  satisfying  to  their  souls  like  those  of  other  preachers,  like 
Lawyer  Paine,  Deacon   Marsh  and  Solomon  Paine,  whom   Mr. 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  399 

Devotion  refused  to  recognize.  Nothing  conciliatory  resulting 
from  the  hearing  and  subsequent  action,  these  people  joined 
themselves  into  a  Separate  church.  This  was  organized  during 
the  summer  of  1746,  and  soon  gained  a  very  respectable  posi- 
tion, receiving  into  its  membership  some  of  the  leading  families 
in  the  parish. 

The  Windham  County  Association  of  ministers  held  an  inves- 
tigation in  February,  1747,  and  after  hearing  much  testimony  in 
regard  to  the  Separatists,  declared  their  action  to  be  unscriptural, 
uncharitable  and  unchristian,  and  that  the  churches  ought  not 
to  recognize  them  in  a  church  capacity,  but  to  labor  with  them 
as  individuals  to  convert  them  from  the  error  of  their  ways.  The 
Scotland  Separate  church  was,  however,  notwithstanding  this 
meeting  had  been  held  in  this  town,  unaffected  by  its  judgments 
or  proclamations,  but  continued  to  increase  in  numbers  and  in- 
fluence. One  of  the  deacons  of  the  standing  church  lapsed  to 
the  Separatists  among  the  rest.  For  a  time  they  enjoyed  the 
ministrations  of  their  favorite  ministers,  the  Paines  and  Elder 
Marsh.  John  Palmer,  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  early  Scotland 
settlers,  exercised  his  gift  of  exhortation  so  freely  that  he  was 
summarily  arrested  by  the  civil  authority  and  lodged  in  jail  at 
Hartford,  where  he  was  kept  four  months.  This  only  increased  his 
zeal,  and  after  his  release  the  church  gave  him  further  trial  and 
eventually  united  in  a  call  to  its  ministry.  He  was  accordingly 
ordained  May  17tli,  1749,  as  pastor  of  the  Separate  church  of 
Scotland. 

Though  deficient  in  education  and  somewhat  rough  in  speech 
and  manner,  Mr.  Palmer  was  a  man  of  estimable  character  and 
sound  piety,  and  under  his  guidance  the  Brunswick  church,  as 
this  body  was  now  called,  maintained  for  many  years  a  good 
standing  in  the  community,  comparatively  free  from  those  ex- 
cesses and  fanaticisms  which  marred  so  many  of  its  contempo- 
raries. No  difficulty  was  found  in  supporting  its  worship  by 
voluntary  contributions.  A  church  edifice  was  built  about  a 
mile  southeast  of  Scotland  village,  and  this  was  long  known  as 
the  Brunswick  meeting  house.  Mr.  Devotion  was  never  recon- 
ciled to  this  intrusion  within  his  parochial  limits,  but  true  to  his 
own  name  as  he  was  to  his  cause,  it  is  said  that  he  was  accus- 
tomed every  Sunday  morning  to  send  his  negro  servant  with  a 
rescript  to  the  Brunswick  meeting  house,  forbidding  Mr.  Palmer 
or  any  unauthorized  person  to  preach  therein  that  day ;  a  pro- 


400  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

hibition  which  doubtless  only  served  to  increase  the  number  of 
attendants  there. 

For  many  years  after  this  Separate  church  was  established  its 
members  were  obliged  to  pay  their  proportion  of  taxes  for. the 
support  of  the  ministry  in  the  regular  church  of  Scotland  society. 
When  they  refused  to  comply  with  such  demands  their  cattle  or 
goods  were  taken  by  distraint  or  themselves  were  imprisoned  in 
Windham  jail.  But  on  the  prospect  of  having  to  pay  rates  tow- 
ard the  building  of  the  new  meeting  house  in  1773  they  peti- 
tioned the  assembly  for  relief,  and  that  body  gave  a  favorable 
response,  granting  them  release  from  the  burden  of  taxation  to 
build  the  house  in  which  they  did  not  expect  to  worship.  The 
names  of  those  at  that  time  identified  with  the  Separatist  church 
were  Zacheus  Waldo,  Zebulon  Hebard,  Lemuel  Bingham,  Ebene- 
zer  Webb,  John  Palmer,  Benjamin  Cleveland,  Joseph  Allen,  John 
Walden,  Stephen  Webb,  Israel  Hale,  William  Perkins,  Joseph 
Allen,  Jr.,  Jonathan  Brewster,  Ebenezer  Bass,  John  Silsbury, 
Timothy  Allen,  Samuel  Baker,  Jr.,  Jedidiah  Bingham,  Henry 
Bass  and  Moses  Cleveland. 

Through  the  dark  days  of  the  revolution  the  Separate  church 
held  on  to  its  existence,  though  probably  weakening  in  numbers 
and  activity  by  the  labors  of  zealous  Baptist  itinerants  in  the 
neighborhood.  Unlike  many  of  this  sect  Elder  Palmer  had  a 
respect  for  education  and  sent  his  son  David  to  Dartmouth  Col- 
lege, where  he  graduated  in  1797.  The  Brunswick  church  did 
not  long  survive  the  loss  of  Elder  Palmer  and  his  fellow  helper, 
Deacon  Walden.  Some  members  drifted  away  to  the  Baptists 
and  Methodists.  A  final  attempt  was  made  in  1812  to  main- 
tain worship,  but  in  1813  the  church  was  disbanded,  at  the  final 
meeting  May  24th,  voting  to  join  with  the  First  church  of  Can- 
terbury on  conditions  of  being  allowed  certain  privileges.  June 
11th  they  met  at  the  Canterbury  meeting  house  and  part  of  their 
number  joined  the  Canterbury  church  and  part  did  not. 

In  reviewing  the  action  of  the  society  of  the  recognized  Scot- 
land church  some  things  appear  of  interest  worthy  of  mention, 
as  illustrative  of  the  customs  of  the  time  more  than  for  the  in- 
trinsic historic  importance  of  the  events  themselves.  In  1747  it 
was  decided  to  repair  the  meeting  house.  The  vote  decided,  "  to 
clabord  the  outside  of  our  meeting  house  with  oke  clabbords, 
and  polish  the  walls  within  with  clay,  sand  and  ashes,  and  plas- 
ter overhead  with  lime  mortar."    Among  other  liberties  granted 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  401 

to  individuals  for  building  pews,  in  1752  seven  young  ladies  were 
allowed  to  build  a  pew  "  in  the  sete  behind  the  front  seat  in  the 
woman's  gallery,  provided  they  build  within  a  year  and  raise 
the  pue  no  higher  than  the  seat  is  on  the  men's  side."  But  the 
young  ladies  disregarded  the  condition  and  so  brought  down 
upon  themselves  the  following  decree  :  "  Never  ye  Less  ye  above- 
said  have  built  said  pue  much  higher  than  the  order,  and  if  they 
do  not  lower  the  same  within  one  month  from  this  time  the  so- 
ciety committee  shall  take  said  pue  away." 

Schools  had  already  received  some  attention  from  the  people 
of  the  society.  The  school  house,  however,  was  a  matter  of  an- 
noyance, and  its  location  was  unsteady.  In  1755  it  was  voted 
that,  "  Whereas,  the  school  house  in  the  society  standeth  so  near 
Samuel  Silsby's  dwelling  house  it  much  discommodes  him — that 
we  are  willing  that  said  Silsby  should  move  the  school  house  to 
any  convenient  place  on  the  road  it  now  stands  on,  provided  he 
move  it  at  his  own  charge  and  leave  it  in  as  good  repair  as  it 
now  is,  and  set  it  somewhere  on  the  highway  between  where  it 
now  stands  and  Merrick's  brook,  or  anywhere  else  where  those 
inhabitants  shall  agree  that  send  their  children  to  school,  and 
have  the  advice  of  Nathaniel  Huntington  where  to  set  it."  In 
1774  the  school  house  was  again  a  source  of  trouble,  this  time 
from  its  proximity  to  the  meeting  house.  Fearing  it  might  give 
rise  to  conflagrations  that  might  endanger  the  meeting  house, 
it  was  moved  to  a  suitable  distance.  In  1758  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  divide  the  society  into  proper  school  districts. 

James  Brewster  was  cho.sen  clerk  of  the  society  in  1760,  in 
place  of  John  Manning,  who  had  held  the  office  for  many  years. 
Josiah  Kingsley  was  chosen  deacon  of  the  church  in  1752,  and 
John  Gary  to  the  same  office  in  1754.  Deacon  Nathaniel  Bing- 
ham, son  of  Deacon  Thomas  Bingham,  of  Windham,  died  in 
1754,  and  his  brother  Samuel  in  1760. 

Reverend  Ebenezer  Devotion  was  held  in  high  reputation  as 
"  a  great  divine,  a  pious  man,  an  able  politician,  eminent  for 
every  kind  of  merit."  After  the  passage  of  the  stamp  act,  he 
was  chosen  to  represent  the  town  of  Windham  in  the  general 
assembly  as  the  man  most  competent  to  advise  in  that  great 
crisis.  He  died  while  yet  in  the  prime  of  life,  in  July,  1771,  be- 
ing fifty-seven  years  of  age,  leaving  a  large  family  of  sons  and 
daughters. 

The  successor  of  Mr.  Devotion  in  the  pastoral  office  was  Rev- 
26 


402  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

erend  James  Cogswell,  then  recently  from  Canterbury,  who  was 
here  offered  £60  for  settlement,  i;80  salary,  and  "  the  liberty  of 
getting  his  firewood  on  the  l:t  the  society  had  of  James  Man- 
ning." He  was  installed  February  19th,  1772.  November  9th 
of  that  year  it  was  voted  to  build  a  new  meeting  house,  the  vote 
calling  out  98  "  yeas  "  and  20  "  nays."  It  was  agreed  to  give  Mr. 
Elisha  Lillie  £750  for  building  the  house.  It  was  several  years 
in  course  of  construction.  It  was  completed  enough  to  be  seat- 
ed in  December,  1778,  and  in  the  following  May  the  work  was 
formally  accepted  from  the  hands  of  Mr.  Lillie,  the  contractor. 
The  old  building  then  being  offered  for  sale  at  auction,  brought 
seventeen  pounds. 

After  the  revolution  the  returned  veterans  engaged  in  the 
arts  of  peace.  Besides  many  who  engaged  in  farming  and  com- 
mercial business,  Major  John  Keyes,  of  Ashford,  who  was  ap- 
pointed adjutant  general  of  Connecticut  militia  in  1786,  after- 
ward removed  his  residence  to  Scotland  village  and  established 
a  tavern,  which  soon  became  a  famous  place  of  resort  for  the 
many  old  soldiers  residing  in  this  part  of  the  town.  The  parish 
bore  its  part  in  the  civil  administration  and  was  allowed 
the  privilege  of  holding  one-third  of  the  allotted  town  meetings 
in  its  convenient  meeting  house.  The  parish  aspired  to  the 
luxury  of  a  bell  in  its  church  steeple,  and  the  purchase  and 
poising  of  this  appendage  excited  the  attention  of  the  people  as 
an  event  of  unusual  interest.  On  its  way  hither  it  met  with 
mishaps  which  were  repeated  twice  or  more,  by  which  it  became 
cracked,  and  had  to  be  returned  several  times  for  repairs.  For 
several  years  the  care  of  the  bell  seems  to  have  occasioned  much 
annoyance.  In  the  meantime  the  subject  of  church  music  re- 
ceived much  earnest  attention,  and  a  singing  school  was  main- 
tained under  which  so  much  progress  was  made  that  it  was  said 
the  singing  in  this  quiet  country  church  was  better  than  that  in 
the  city  churches  of  Hartford.  This  church  shared  in  the  gen- 
eral religious  declension  which  prevailed  during  the  closing 
years  of  the  last  century.  There  were  few  accessions  and  many 
losses.  Deacon  John  Cary  died  in  1788 ;  Deacon  John  Baker 
in  1791.  Some  members  were  lost  by  emigration  and  some  by 
removal  to  other  churches.  In  the  meantime  earnest  Baptists 
were  holding  meetings  on  Pudding  hill,  and  making  converts 
who  joined  some  of  the  neighboring  Baptist  churches.  Schools 
were  maintained  and  catechised  as  the  law  required.     The  Cen- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  403 

tral  school  flourished  for  two  seasons  under  the  charge  of  a 
teacher  who  afterward  became  famous — William  Eaton,  the  con- 
queror of  Tripoli. 

The  latter  years  of  the  life  of  Reverend  Mr.  Cogswell  were 
attended  by  an  unhappy  controversy  between  him  and  his  peo- 
ple. Being  too  aged  and  infirm  to  perform  the  duties  of  his 
office  acceptably,  he  removed  to  Hartford  to  live  with  his  son, 
but  still  claimed  a  support  from  his  parish,  who  were  legally 
bound  by  the  terms  of  his  settlement  as  pastor  to  give  him  a 
support  to  the  end  of  life,  which  claim  he  was  obliged  to  press 
in  the  courts  of  law. 

The  third  pastor  of  this  church  was  Cornelius- Adams,  of  Can- 
terbury, who  was  ordained  December  5th,  1805.  The  parish,  tak- 
ing care  to  avoid  another  case  like  that  in  which  they  were  in- 
volved with  Mr.  Cogswell,  secured  the  condition  in  the  settle- 
ment that  the  pastoral  contract  could  be  terminated  on  six 
months'  notice  at  any  time  when  it  should  become  unsatisfactory 
to  either  party.  The  bell  now  began  again  to  make  trouble. 
In  1804  the  steeple  was  repaired  and  made  stronger.  The  bell 
was  re-cast.  When  it  was  being  replaced  in  position  a  plank 
fell  from  the  belfry  deck,  and  struck  Mr.  Jeduthan  Spencer  on 
the  head  with  such  force  that  he  died  from  the  effects  in  a  short 
time,  and  also  broke  the  arm  of  Mr.  Eleazer  Huntington.  The 
ministry  of  Mr.  Adams  was  brought  to  an  end  by  his  death 
within  a  year  after  his  installation.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev- 
erend Elijah  G.  Welles,  of  whose  pastorate  we  have  learned  but 
little.  The  church  was  then  in  a  feeble  state,  and  it  is  probable 
that  his  maintenance  was  difficult.  His  successor  was  Reverend 
Jesse  Fisher,  a  graduate  of  Harvard,  who  was  ordained  May  22d, 
1811.  Mr.  Fisher  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  his  church  built 
up  and  strengthened,  and  the  evil  effects  of  long  dissension  grad- 
ually disappear.  He  remained  here  until  his  death  in  1836.  His 
successor  was  Reverend  O.  T.  Whiton,  who  was  dismissed  after 
a  four  years'  pastorate.  A  new  meeting  house,  the  present 
building,  was  erected  in  1842.  Thomas  Tallman,  of  Middle  Had- 
dam,  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  March  20th,  1844.  After 
a  successful  pastorate  of  about  seventeen  years  he  resigned  in 

1861.  Reverend  Luther  H.  Barber  was  installed   October  22d, 

1862,  and  remained  until  May  9th,  1869.  Following  that  date 
the  church  had  no  settled  pastor  for  about  four  years.  During 
one  year  of  that  time  Rufus  S.  Underwood  was  a  stated  supply. 


404  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

and  during  the  time  of  his  ministry  a  revival  occurred  which 
gave  to  the  church  twenty-nine  new  members.  Reverend  Alva 
A.  Hurd  became  acting  pastor  November  1st,  1873,  and  remained 
until  the  spring  of  1881.  He  was  the  first  to  occupy  the  new 
parsonage,  which  was  provided  by  the  society  in  1873.  Rever- 
end L.  D.  Place  became  acting  pastor  one  year,  beginning  May 
1st,  1884.  Then  followed  a  period  of  vacancy  and  temporary 
supplies  until  November  1st,  1886,  when  Reverend  G.  A.  Bryan 
entered  upon  his  labors  as  acting  pastor.  He  still  remains  in 
that  position,  A  neat  and  convenient  chapel  was  purchased  and 
fitted  up  adjoining  the  church  in  1867.  The  present  member- 
ship of  the  church  is  about  one  hundred  and  ten. 

During  the  decade  from  1840  to  1850  a  flash  of  Universalist 
sentiment  appears  to  have  run  through  the  churches  in  this  part 
of  Connecticut.  A  church  of  that  order  was  organized  in  this 
neighborhood,  and  in  1843  a  meeting  house  was  built.  This 
flourished  fairly  well  for  a  few  years  under  the  ministrations  of 
Reverend  H.  Slade,  but  its  active  life  was  short,  and  it  has  long 
since  become  a  thing  of  the  past. 

Returning  now  to  notice  the  growth  of  this  town  in  the  early 
part  of  this  century  we  find  a  considerable  degree  of  life  and 
activity  manifest  here.  Its  farms  and  workshops  were  prospering. 
Stephen  Webb  carried  on  an  extensive  shoe  manufactory  in  the 
north  part  of  the  parish.  Thomas  Coit,  of  Norwich,  succeeded 
to  the  mercantile  traffic  carried  on  by  Messrs.  Ebenezer  and  Jon- 
athan Devotion,  offering  the  usual  "  variety  of  well-chosen 
goods,"  and  receiving  most  kinds  of  country  produce  in  pay- 
ment. Doctor  Dwight,  in  his  observations  about  the  towns  of 
this  locality,  declared  that  everything  about  Scotland  wore  "the 
aspect  of  festivity,  thrift,  industry,  sobriety  and  good  order."  A 
little  later  the  mercantile  establishment  of  the  village  fell  into 
the  hands  of  Philetus  Perkins.  Saw  mills,  a  grist  mill  and  full- 
ing mill  were  maintained  upon  Merrick's  brook.  These  were 
carried  on  by  members  of  old  families,  the  Devotions  and  the 
Waldos  and  others.  A  quarter  century  later  showed  but  little 
if  any  advance.  Scotland  Parish  was  greatly  burdened  by  ex- 
cessive imposts  and  inconveniences  brought  upon  it  by  Wind- 
ham's growth  and  aspirations,  and  devoted  much  of  its  energies 
to  efforts  for  separation.  No  special  business  enterprises  were 
now  being  developed  within  its  limits.     The  old  saw  and  grist 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  405 

mills  were  kept  up,  and  brick  making  was  carried  on  near  the 
line  between  this  and  Windham  parishes. 

After  repeated  efforts  for  release  from  the  inconveniences  of 
being  associated  with  Windham,  Scotland  at  last  received  a  town 
charter  in  1857.  Its  first  town  meeting  was  held  in  the  vestry 
of  the  Congregational  church,  on  the  morning  of  July  4th.  Jeph- 
tha  Green  was  chosen  moderator.  The  occasion  was  celebrated 
by  a  pleasant  social  gathering  in  the  afternoon,  when  patriotic 
and  congratulatory  addresses  were  made  by  Governor  Cleveland, 
Reverend  Mr.  Tallman  and  others.  The  first  officers  of  the  town, 
which  were  elected  on  that  day,  were  as  follows :  Benjamin  Ho- 
vey,  clerk,  registrar  and  treasurer ;  John  P.  Gager,  Jr.,  Zephaniah 
Palmer  and  Henry  H.  Cary,  selectmen  ;  Henry  Webb,  constable 
and  collector ;  Simon  Fuller  and  R.  W.  Waldo,  grand  jurors ; 
William  F.  Palmer  and  Jonathan  W.  Maine,  assessors  ;  Simon 
Fuller,  P.  B.  Fuller  and  Dwight  Cary,  board  of  relief ;  Zepha- 
niah Palmer  and  P.  B.  Fuller,  land  surveyors  ;  P.  B.  Fuller,  C.  N. 
Palmer,  C.  B.  Brumley,  H.  H.  Cary,  Thomas  Tallman  and  Zeph- 
aniah Palmer,  board  of  education  ;  C.  B.  Brumley,  school  treasu- 
rer ;  Z.  Palmer,  school  visitor ;  and  John  P.  Gager,  Jr.,  acting 
selectman.  The  number  of  children  then  of  school  age — between 
the  ages  of  four  and  sixteen — was  191 ;  and  the  number  of  vot- 
ers who  cast  their  votes  for  governor  that  year  was  135,  of  which 
85  were  in  favor  of  Buckingham  and  50  for  Pratt.  The  justices 
of  the  peace  appointed  for  that  year  were  William  Davison, 
Pearley  B.  Fuller  and  Zephaniah  Palmer.  The  first  representa- 
tive to  the  state  legislature  was  James  Burnett,  merchant. 

Change  of  status  made  but  little  practical  difference  in  local 
administration.  A  slight  change  was  made  in  the  west  bound, 
by  which  a  little  more  territory  was  included  in  the  town  than 
had  been  in  the  society.  By  this  change  the  brick  works  and 
the  old  Robinson  house  were  brought  into  this  town.  Since  that 
time  the  town  has  pursued  the  even  tenor  of  its  way,  with  little 
to  disturb  the  still  waters  of  its  social,  religious  or  political  life. 
Its  growth  in  business  activity  and  in  population  have  hardly 
been  sufficient  to  balance  its  losses.  The  number  of  children 
between  the  ages  of  four  and  sixteen  thirty  years  after  town  or- 
ganization, is  98,  less  than  one-half  what  it  was  then.  Property 
valuations,  howefrer,  do  not  show  disparagingly.  The  grand  list 
now  reaches  $267,428.  Most  of  the  mills  on  the  streams  have 
been  abandoned,  but  grist  and  saw  mills  are  still  maintained  by 


406  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

F.  W.  Cunningham,  John  D.  Moffitt  and  Eugene  Kimball,  while 
AVilliam  F.  Palmer  carries  on  the  only  store  in  the  village  and 
also  officiates  as  postmaster  and  notary  public. 

Youngest  and  smallest  of  Windham  county  towns,  with  no 
special  business  facilities,  Scotland  can  hardly  be  expected  to 
take  a  conspicuous  position.  Successive  generations  of  young 
men  have  emigrated  hence  to  expend  their  energies  and  enter- 
prise in  other  fields. 

Scotland  is  honored  in  the  memory  of  illustrious  sons.  Hon. 
Samuel  Huntington,  one  of  the  distinguished  men  of  his  day  in 
the  state,  is  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work  ;  it  would  be  rep- 
etition to  speak  of  him  in  detail  here.  Daniel  Waldo,  the  famous 
chaplain  of  Congress,  was  born  here  September  10th,  1762 ; 
drafted  into  the  continental  army  in  1778  ;  afterward  became 
pastor  of  West  Suffield,Cambridgeport  and  several  other  churches; 
served  as  chaplain  of  the  United  States  House  of  Representa- 
tives in  1856  to  1858 ;  died  in  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  July  30th,  1864, 
aged  101  years,  10  months,  20  days.  Samuel  Waldo,  a  distin- 
guished artist,  was  born  in  Scotland  in  1783. '  He  was  incited  to 
the  study  and  practice  of  art  by  the  example  and  instructions  of 
Reverend  Joseph  Steward.  Success  in  Litchfield  enabled  him  to 
visit  England,  where  he  studied  portrait  painting  in  the  studio 
of  Benjamin  West.  He  returned  in  1809,  and  for  fifty-three 
years  pursued  his  art  successfully  in  New  York  and  Hartford, 
becoming  one  of  the  best  art  critics  as  well  as  artists  of  his  day, 
and  was  very  highly  esteemed  by  a  large  circle  of  friends. 

The  principal  attention  of  the  people  is  directed  toward  agri- 
culture, and  some  improvement  may  be  seen  in  that  direction  in 
recent  years.  Among  such  improvements  may  be  noticed  the 
organization  of  a  Grange.  Shetucket  Grange,  as  it  is  named, 
was  organized  with  twenty-four  charter  members,  June  10th, 
1887.  The  ceremonies  of  organization  and  installation  of  offi- 
cers, which  took  place  on  the  same  evening,  were  conducted  by 
D.  M.  Master  Tucker  of  Lebanon,  assisted  by  D.  K.  Bowen  of 
Woodstock  and  members  of  Little  River  Grange  of  Hampton. 
The  first  set  of  officers  thus  installed  were  as  follows :  A.  E.Wel- 
den,  worthy  master  ;  Mrs.  E.  P.  Brown,  lecturer  ;  Caleb  Anthony, 
secretary  ;  A.  M.  Clark,  Steward  ;  A.  H.  Gallup,  assistant  stew- 
ard ;  C.  M.  Smith,  chaplain  ;  J.  Anthony,  treasurer ;  R.  T.  Has- 
kins,  gate-keeper ;  jNlrs.  D.  P.  Walden,  Pomona ;  Flora  Gager, 
Ceres;  Lillie  Baldwin,  Flora.     With  the  introduction  of  various 


wy'^ff'.  K\% 1^ 


^     J^     ^a^^^^^^ 


TOTYPE,     E.    BlERSTAOT, 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  407 

improvements  and  attractions  in  the  arts  of  agriculture  the  tide 
which  has  now  for  many  years  been  setting  away  from  the  rural 
sections  of  New  England  to  the  centers  of  population  may  turn 
and  bring  again  to  the  beauties  of  these  hills  and  valleys  a  peo- 
ple who  shall  enjoy  their  health  giving  and  soul  elevating  at- 
mosphere and  influences.  Like  man}^  other  towns  of  its  class, 
Scotland  seems  to  be  living  mainly  in  pleasant  dreams  of  retro- 
spect. The  main  center  of  the  town  has  by  the  roadside  the  old 
time  tavern,  but  its  hollow  and  vacant  rooms,  with  their  well- 
worn  floors  and  soil  marks  of  previous  generations  of  active 
guests,  only  tell  of  the  life  that  was  once  manifest  here  which 
stands  in  bold  contrast  with  the  quietness  of  the  present.  Sur- 
rounding its  village  green,  which  presents  a  pleasing  landscape, 
stand  the  "old  tavern  and  a  row  of  superannuated  tradesmen's 
shops,  a  school,  church,  chapel,  store  and  post  office.  Back  of  the 
church  is  a  small  burying  ground  in  which  rest  the  remains  of 
some  of  the  foremost  families  of  the  parish.  Two  granite  mon- 
uments bear  the  family  name  of  Fuller.  One  of  these  is  erected 
to  the  memory  of  Josephine,  wife  of  George  Fuller,  who  died 
July  11th,  1870,  at  the  age  of  a  little  more  than  thirty-four  years. 
The  other  is  a  granite  spire  containing  the  names  of  David  L. 
Fuller,  born  September  10th,  1787,  died  August  6th,  1872  ;  Frank 
A.  Fuller,  born  December  21st,  1839,  died  March  22d,  1867; 
Elizabeth  K.  Fuller,  born  April  4th,  1829,  died  July  27th,  1869 ; 
and  three  others.  The  spire  is  about  fifteen  feet  high.  The  first 
mentioned  monument  is  surmounted  by  a  life-sized  angel  in 
marble. 

Biographical  Sketches. 

RUFUS  Thompson  Haskins  was  born  at  Rochester,  Mass.,  De- 
cember 29th,  1839.  He  is  a  son  of  Charles  H.  and  Almira  Has- 
kins, the  former  born  at  Middleborough,  Mass.,  January  28th, 
1816,  and  the  latter  at  Rochester,  Mass.,  April  16th,  1818.  R.  T. 
Haskins  lived  on  a  farm  until  he  was  15  years  of  age,  then  went 
on  a  whaling  voyage  in  the  bark  "Newton,"  Captain  George 
Sherman,  sailing  from  New  Bedford.  After  a  cruise  of  thirty- 
four  months  the  vessel  was  stove  in  the  ice  in  the  Okhotsk  sea, 
and  the  crew  reached  home  on  various  vessels  about  ten  months 
later.  Not  discouraged  by  his  first  experience  Mr.  Haskins 
shipped  again,  this  time  as  boatsteerer  on  the  ship  "  Onward," 
Captain  W.  H.  Allen.    After  three  seasons  in  the  same  sea  where 


408  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

the  "  Newton  "  was  stove,  the  ship  reached  port  with  6,700  bar- 
rels of  oil.  Mr.  Haskins  next  went  as  mate  on  a  British  mer- 
chant vessel  on  a  voyage  to  Europe.  On  reaching  home  he 
shipped  as  third  mate  on  the  ship  "  Onward  "  with  the  same  cap- 
tain with  whom  he  made  his  previous  whaling  voyage.  This 
voyage  yielded  7,000  barrels  of  oil.  After  a  few  months  at  home 
Mr.  Haskins  shipped  as  mate  of  the  same  vessel  on  a  voyage  to 
the  Arctic  ocean,  which  yielded  5,500  barrels  of  oil.  His  next 
voyage  was  as  mate  of  the  ship  "Contest."  After  1,000  barrels 
of  oil  had  been  taken,  the  ship,  with  thirty-one  others,  was  caught 
in  the  ice.  All  abandoned  her,  taking  the  small  boats.  The  men 
cut  and  broke  the  ice  for  nearly  twenty  miles  before  reaching  open 
water,  and  cruised  forty  miles  further,  when  they  were  rescued 
and  carried  to  the  Sandwich  islands.  From  there  Mr.  Haskins 
sailed  to  San  Francisco  and  came  home  overland  His  next  voy- 
age was  in  the  ship  "  Jerry  Pery  "  to  the  Arctic  ocean.  On  this 
voyage  they  found  the  ship  "  Helen  Snow  "  abandoned.  Divid- 
ing the  crew  of  the  "  Pery,"  Mr.  Haskins  took  the  ship  in  charge 
and  after  finishing  the  season  in  her,  brought  her  to  San  Fran- 
cisco. 

In  1867  Mr.  Haskins  joined  Social  Harmony  Lodge,  No.  7,  F. 
&  A.  M.,  of  Wareham,  Mass.  When  home  from  one  of  his  voyages 
he  married  Mary  Ellen  Anthony,  of  Scotland,  Conn.,  July  11th, 
1867.  In  1869  he  bought  the  farm  where  he  has  resided  since  he 
retired  from  a  seafaring  life.  In  politics  he  has  been  an  active 
republican,  has  held  many  town  offices  and  in  1884  represented 
the  town  in  the  state  legislature.  His  children  are  :  Rufus  C, 
born  July  24th,  1871  ;  Leander  O.,  February  29th,  1876;  Jessie 
A.,  July  13th,  1877;  Flora  M.,  November  26th,  1880,  and  Edith 
A.,  January  30th,  1884. 

William  F.  Palmer.— Vaniah  Palmer,  the  grandfather  of 
William  F.  Palmer,  resided  in  Scotland,  then  the  town  of 
Windham.  He  married  Cynthia  Fitch,  whose  son  John,  born 
in  Scotland  on  the  12th  of  March,  1795,  in  1820  married  Charlotte 
G.  Bingham.  Their  children  were  :  Emily  C,  William  F.,  Henry 
W.,  Lewis  C,  Sanford  K.,  John  P.  and  Charlotte  E. 

William  F.  Palmer  was  born  June  29th,  1824,  in  Scotland,  and 
with  the  exception  of  seven  years  in  Springfield,  Massachusetts, 
has  passed  the  whole  of  his  life  in  his  native  town.  After  an 
elementary  education  received  at  the  schools  near  his  home,  he 
engaged  until  the  age  of  twenty.two  in  labor  on  the  farm.      He 


Oi'-T^n^^-Xj 


H^ 


TOrvPE,     t      BIERSTAD 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  409 

was  then  for  a  brief  time  employed  in  teaming,  and  subsequently 
entered  the  service  of  the  Hartford,  New  Haven  &  Springfield 
Railroad  Company.  But  the  scenes  of  his  boyhood  proving  more 
attractive,  he  returned  to  Scotland  and  for  awhile  engaged  in 
farming.  Mr.  Palmer,  at  a  later  date,  in  connection  with  a  part- 
ner, embarked  in  mercantile  ventures,  and  in  1882  purchased 
the  entire  business  interest,  which  he  now  controls.  In  1866  he 
was  elected  to  represent  his  town  in  the  state  legislature,  and  in 
1872  was  appointed  postmaster,  which  office  he  still  holds.  He 
also  for  many  years  held  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace,  and 
has  been  since  1874  town  treasurer  and  town  clerk.  He  is  a 
trustee  of  the  Willimantic  Savings  Institute,  and  is  frequently 
called  upon  to  act  as  executor,  trustee  and  administrator.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  First  Congregational  society  of  Scotland,  and 
treasurer  and  clerk  of  the  society.  Mr.  Palmer  was  married  Oc- 
tober 14th,  1850,  to  Susan  B.,  daughter  of  Thomas  Webb,  of  the 
same  town.  They  have  one  daughter,  Ella  Brewer,  the  wife  of 
James  H.  Johnson. 

Samuel  B.  Sprague. — Samuel  and  Ruhamah  Borden  Sprague 
were  the  grandparents  of  the  subject  of  this  biography.  His 
father,  William  B.  Sprague,  was  born  in  South  Killingly,  and 
some  years  later  removed  to  the  town  of  Scotland,  then  a  part 
of  the  town  of  Windham.  He  married  Hannah,  daughter  of 
Ebenezer  Fuller,  of  Scotland.  The  children  of  this  union  who 
grew  to  mature  years  were :  Samuel  B.,  Hannah  M.  and 
James  W. 

Samuel  Borden  Sprague  was  born  on  the  15th  of  October,  1823, 
in  South  Killingly,  and  after  a  common  school  and  an  academic 
education  spent  some  time  as  a  teacher.  Preferring,  however, 
the  active  and  healthful  pursuits  of  a  farmer,  he  located  on  the 
homestead  farm,  where  he  has  since  resided,  his  abilities  having 
been  chiefly  directed  in  the  line  of  agriculture.  He  has  been 
more  or  less  active  in  the  arena  of  politics,  and  as  a  republican 
was  in  1877  elected  to  the  Connecticut  legislature,  serving  mean- 
while on  the  committee  on  roads  and  bridges.  He  has  been  for 
a  long  period  chairman  of  the  board  of  selectmen  of  his  town, 
and  at  present  fills  the  ofQce  of  trial  justice.  His  well  known 
integrity  and  ability  have  caused  his  services  often  to  be  solic- 
ited for  the  offices  of  executor,  administrator,  and  for  kindred 
trusts.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  of  Scot- 


410  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

land,  and  has  at  various  times  been  superintendent  of  the  Sab- 
bath school. 

Mr.  Sprague  was,  on  the  24th  of  November,  1847,  married  to 
Emma,  daughter  of  Nathan  Gallup,  of  Windham,  whose  death 
occurred  March  28th,  1878.  Their  only  child,  William  F.,  died 
at  the  age  of  four  years.  He  was  again  married  November  28th, 
1878,  to  Lois  G.,  daughter  of  Mason  Burnham,  of  Scotlan4. 


^/onr-O-  ^  U^JL^ 


ARTOTYPE,     E.    BIER 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CHAPLIN. 


General  Description. — Settlement  of  the  Region. — An  Ecclesiastical  Society  Organ- 
ized.—Town  Privileges  Obtained. — General  Progress. — Manufactures.  —Paper 
Mills,  Lumber  Mills,  and  Manufactories  of  Wheel-barrows,  Plow-beams, 
Spools,  Woolen  Cloth,  Boxes  and  Shingles. — Schools  and  Teachers. — The 
Church  of  Chewink  Plains. — A  Protestant  Methodist  Chnrch. — Deacon  Ben- 
jamin Chaplin. — The  Congregational  Church. — Its  Successive  Pastors.— Bi- 
ographical Sketches. 


CHAPLIN,  one  of  the  smallest  towns  of  Windham  county, 
lies  in  the  southwestern  part,  on  the  western  border  and 
next  north  of  the  town  of  Windham.  It  is  bounded  on 
the  north  by  Ashford  and  Eastford,  on  the  east  by  Hampton,  on 
the  south  by  Scotland  (for  a  short  distance)  and  Windham,  and 
on  the  west  by  Mansfield,  in  Tolland  county.  The  surface  is 
considerably  hilly,  and  much  of  it  is  covered  with  forest  growth 
which  affords  timber  for  building  and  other  purposes.  Much  of 
the  soil,  however,  is  good,  and  agriculture  may  be  successfully 
carried  on.  The  New  York  &  New  England  railroad  runs  across 
the  southeast  corner  of  the  town,  and  affords  communication  at 
Goshen  Station  in  the  town  of  Hampton  and  about  three  miles 
from  the  village  of  Chaplin.  The  township  has  an  area  of  about 
twenty  square  miles,  being  six  miles  long  from  north  to  south 
and  a  little  more  than  three  miles  wide.  The  Natchaug  river 
runs  through  the  town,  entering  at  the  northeast  corner  and 
leaving  at  the  southwest  corner,  receiving  on  its  way  Ames' 
brook  from  the  east  and  Stone  House  brook  from  the  west.  The 
village  is  one  of  those  quiet,  homelike,  mature  villages,  charac- 
teristic of  the  rural  and  agricultural  sections  of  New  England. 
A  social  and  homogeneous  character  marks  the  inhabitants  to  a 
remarkable  degree.  The  high  moral  tone  pervading  the  people, 
and  the  peacefulness  of  the  community  and  the  long  life  of  in- 
dividuals, which  are  open  facts  here,  afford  valuable  suggestions 
to  those  who  would  study  the  social  elevation  of  humanity. 


412  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

The  northwest  part  of  Hampton  was  for  many  years  held 
mostly  by  non-residents.  But  few  attempts  were  made  at  set- 
tlement in  that  section.  The  first  permanent  settler  of  whom  we 
have  any  knowledge  was  Benjamin  Chaplin,  whose  father,  a 
deacon  by  the  same  name,  lived  in  the  southwest  part  of  Pom- 
fret.  On  arriving  at  his  majority,  he  went  into  the  wilderness, 
and  for  a  while  lived  a  solitary  life  here,  in  a  clearing  which  he 
had  made  on  the  banks  of  the  Natchaug.  Here  he  engaged  in 
making  baskets  and  wooden  trays.  In  1747  he  married  Mary 
Ross,  a  widow,  the  daughter  of  Seth  Paine,  of  Brooklyn.  Not 
long  after,  he  built  a  large  and  handsome  mansion,  still  known 
as  the  old  Chaplin  house,  where  he  reared  a  numerous  family. 
Mrs.  Chaplin  equalled  her  husband  in  thrift  and  economy,  and 
they  soon  accumulated  property.  Like  his  father-in-law,  Mr. 
Chaplin  was  a  skillful  surveyor,  and  became  very  familiar  with 
all  the  land  in  his  vicinity,  and  often  was  able  to  buy  large 
tracts  at  a  small  price.  In  1756  Mr.  Chaplin  purchased  of  Wil- 
liam and  Martha  Brattle,  of  Cambridge,  for  i^l,647,  seventeen 
hundred  and  sixty-five  acres  of  land,  mostly  east  of  the  Nat- 
chaug and  crossing  it  in  nine  places,  which,  with  other  acquisi- 
tions, gave  him  a  princely  domain.  Some  eligible  sites  were 
sold  to  settlers  from  Windham  and  adjoining  towns,  but  the 
greater  part  was  retained  in  his  own  possession.  He  laid  out 
plans,  built  houses  and  barns,  and  otherwise  exercised  his  owner- 
ship and  disposition  to  improve  his  estate.  He  was  a  man  of 
strongly  marked  character,  shrewd  and  far-seeing,  a  friend  of 
mankind,  the  church  and  the  state,  and  was  highly  respected 
throughout  the  range  of  his  acquaintance.  He  was  of  a  decid- 
edly religious  turn,  and  read  much  on  subjects  in  that  line.  He 
attended  church  in  South  Mansfield,  riding  six  miles  on  horse- 
back over  the  rough  path,  with  bread  and  cheese  in  his  saddle- 
bags for  luncheon  and  a  daughter  on  the  pillion  behind  him  to 
jump  down  and  open  the  bars  and  gates  on  the  way.  In  1765 
he  united  with  the  First  church  of  Mansfield,  and  ten  years  after- 
ward was  chosen  one  of  its  deacons.  Though  his  residence  was 
in  Mansfield,  he  owned  much  land  in  Hampton,  and  was  act- 
ively interested  in  its  affairs.  His  daughter  Sarah  married 
James  Howard ;  Eunice  was  the  wife  of  Zebediah  Tracy,  Esq., 
of  Scotland  Parish  ;  Tamasin,  the  wife  of  Isaac  Perkins,  Esq.,  of 
Ashford ;  and  Hannah,  the  wife  of  Reverend  David  Avery. 
His  only  son,  Benjamin,  a  young  man  of  much  promise,  died  in 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  413 

1789.  He  had  been  married  to  a  granddaughter  of  President 
Edwards,  and  left  three  sons,  Benjamin,  Timothy  and  Jonathan 
Edwards.  Deacon  Chaplin  died  March  25th,  1795,  in  the  sev- 
enty-sixth year  of  his  age,  leaving  an  estate  valued  at  nearly 
£8,500,  including  over  two  thousand  acres  of  land,  four  houses 
and  eight  barns.  In  his  will  he  gave  three  hundred  pounds  as 
a  permanent  fund  for  the  encouragement  of  Gospel  preaching 
in  the  neighborhood  of  his  homestead. 

Chaplin  was  incorporated  as  an  ecclesiastical  society  in  Octo- 
ber, 1809.  It  included  residents  of  the  western  part  of  Hampton 
with  some  of  Mansfield  and  Windham  so  situated  that  their  con- 
venience was  enhanced  by  joining  this  society.  William  Perkins, 
of  Ashford,  was  appointed  to  enroll  the  names  of  all  within  pre- 
scribed limits  who  should  elect  to  become  members  of  the  new 
society  and  to  act  as  its  moderator  at  its  first  meeting,  which  was 
held  December  4th,  at  the  dwelling  house  of  the  late  Benjamin 
Chaplin.  The  first  members  of  the  society  thus  enrolled  were 
Israel,  John,  Thomas  and  Francis  Clark,  James  Clark,  senior  and 
junior,  Ebenezer  Cary,  Jared  and  Joseph  Huntington,  Joseph 
and  Elisha  Martin,  Roswell  Bill,  Chester  Storrs,  Matthew  Smith, 
Daniel,  Nathaniel  and  Joseph  Moseley,  Rufus  Butler,  John 
Rindge,  William  Moulton,  Elkanah  Barton  and  Nathaniel  Cut- 
ler. At  its  second  meeting  this  society  took  a  step  in  advance  of 
the  age  in  voting  to  admit  a  woman  as  a  member  of  the  body. 
This  woman  was  Mrs.  Lois  Robbins,  a  widow  who  was  training 
up  a  large  family  and  successfully  administering  an  encumbered 
estate.  Further  particulars  of  the  history  of  this  society  and  its 
management  of  church  affairs  will  be  given  in  connection  with 
the  church  history  of  this  town.     . 

The  need  of  a  more  distinctly  civil  organization  was  soon  felt, 
and  in  May,  1822,  the  assembly  granted  town  privileges  to  Chap- 
lin. The  bounds  of  the  ecclesiastical  and  school  societies  were 
soon  after  made  identical  with  those  of  the  town.  The  first 
meeting  of  the  town  convened  July  4th,  1822.  Erastus  Hovey 
was  made  moderator.  Orin  Witter  was  chosen  town  clerk  and 
treasurer;  John  Ross,  William  Martin,  Origen  Bennett,  Luther 
Ashley  and  Nehemiah  Holt,  selectmen  ;  Abel  Ross  and  James 
Utley,  constables;  James  Moseley,  Jr.,  Elisha  Bill  and  Judson 
Metcalf,  grand  jurors;  Enoch  Pond,  Darius  Knight,  Heman 
Clark  and  Isaiah  Geer,  tithingmen  ;  Jonathan  H.  Ashley,  sealer 
of  weights  and  measures  ;  Erastus  Hough,  Matthew  Smith  and 


414  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

John  Clark,  fence-viewers.  The  population  of  Chaplin  at  that 
time  was  about  eight  hundred.  The  development  of  business 
enterprises  was  quickened  by  the  town  organization.  Peter  Ly- 
on set  up  a  paper  mill  in  the  south  part  of  the  town.  Major 
\  Edward  Eaton  engaged  in  lumber  operations  and  built  new 
houses  in  Chaplin  village.  Boot  making  was  carried  on  to  a 
large  extent.  A  tannery  was  actively  maintained,  and  attempts 
were  made  to  establish  an  iron  foundry.  The  culture  of  silk 
received  considerable  attention,  and  palm  leaf  hats  were  suc- 
cessfully manufactured.  The  Natchaug  affords  considerable 
power  for  manufacturing  purposes,  but  the  remoteness  from  rail- 
road was  an  obstacle  against  the  development  of  manufacturing 
enterprises  at  a  time  when  other  localities  were  making  rapid 
strides  in  that  direction.  Thus  the  manufacturing  industry 
scarcely  increased  for  half  a  century.  A  paper  mill  has  been 
kept  at  work  for  many  years.  The  manufacture  of  spindles  and 
plow  handles  was  established  some  years  ago.  Agriculture, 
however,  is  the  leading  pursuit,  and  silk  culture  has  received 
some  attention. 

The  paper  mill  in  the  south  part  of  Chaplin  was  built  by  Peter 
Lyon,  Esq.  His  father  was  one  of  the  solid  men  of  eastern  Mas- 
sachusetts, He  afterward  became  a  paper  manufacturer  at  New- 
ton Falls.  He  made  by  hand  the  paper  used  by  the  Daily  Senti- 
nel, Weekly  Galaxy  and  the  Daily  Courier,  when  first  printed.  He 
was  the  foremost  in  establishing  Meridian  Lodge  of  Masons  in 
Needham,  of  which  he  was  for  several  years  master.  He  died 
in  Chaplin,  November  18th,  1863,  aged  87.  He  was  buried  in 
Milton,  Mass.,  his  native  place.  A  few  years  before  his  death 
on  the  streets  of  Boston,  he  met  Mr.  Buckingham,  publisher  of 
the  Galaxy,  for  whom  he  formerly  made  paper  ;  they  grasped  each 
other  by  the  hand,  "What!"  said  Mr.  Lyon,  "  You  alive?" 
"  Why,"  said  Mr.  Buckingham,  "Are  jj/c?^  really  alive?"  The 
meeting  was  such  as  old  and  generous  hearted  friends  always 
have.  About  the  year  1837  he  purchased  a  tract  of  land  of  the 
late  John  Wells,  in  eastern  Connecticut,  making  as  his  friends 
called  it,  a  domestic  paradise  in  the  woods  and  erecting  his  mills 
on  the  Natchaug  river  in  Chaplin.  His  sons  for  a  time  took 
charge  of  the  paper  mill,  after  which  it  came  back  into  his 
hands.  He  afterward  sold  the  mills  to  Mr.  John  Page,  who  car- 
ried on  the  business  for  a  time,  when  they  passed  into  the  hands 
of  Mr.  John  Dickey,  then  Green  &  Bathwick  purchased  and  run 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  415 

the  mills  until  they  were  burned  to  the  ground.  Afterward  they 
were  rebuilt  by  Morey  &  Fuller,  who  also  built  the  large  reser- 
voir near  the  line  in  Ashford.  Again  the  mills  were  burned,  when 
the  Case  Brothers  of  Manchester,  rebuilt  the  mills,  and  for  sev- 
eral years  Mr.  William  Hodge,  an  experienced  paper  maker  from 
Poquonock,  acted  as  their  superintendent.  When  he  left,  Mr. 
Frederick  Case  purchased  the  mills  of  his  brothers,  removed  to 
Chaplin  and  carried  on  quite  a  successful  business  until  he  made 
another  exchange  with  his  brothers  Willard  and  Wells,  who  con- 
tinued the  business  until  they  sold  to  the  present  owners,  Sam- 
uel A.  and  William  N.  Smith.  The  main  building  is  40  by  70, 
two  floors,  and  machine  room,  40  by  100,  one  floor.  They  em- 
ploy from  15  to  20  hands  and  the  annual  product  is  about  one 
thousand  tons.  The  water  power  is  excellent  and  usually  suffi- 
cient, but  when  the  water  is  low,  they  use  also  a  steam  engine  of 
90  horse  power. 

About  one  quarter  of  a  mile  below  the  old  paper  mills,  was 
the  old  Howard  saw  and  grist  mill.  A  few  years  since,  this  mill 
was  rebuilt  and  modified  as  a  pulp  manufactory.  The  original 
company  consisted  of  Nettleton,  Moore  &  Thompson.  They 
were  accustomed  to  make  from  forty  to  fifty  hundred  pounds  of 
pulp  per  day.  The  mills  were  sold  to  Mr.  Meloney,  who  carried 
on  the  pulp  business  until  the  mill  was  much  injured  by  a  high 
freshet  of  the  Natchaug  river.  The  privilege  was  then  pur- 
chased by  the  Case  Brothers,  rebuilt  and  enlarged,  and  changed 
into  a  paper  mill.  The  upright  part  is  40  by  60,  three  floors, 
machine  room  44  by  70,  one  floor,  with  projections  for  storage, 
etc.  The  water  power  is  estimated  at  about  one  hundred  horse 
power.  About  two  tons  of  paper  per  day  is  the  product  of  this 
mill. 

About  half  a  mile  below  this  mill  are  the  Ross  mills.  The  late 
Sherman  Ross  built  this  mill  as  a  wheelbarrow  manufactory. 
There  are  also  a  shop  for  turning  spools  from  white  birch,  and 
a  saw  and  grist  mill.  These  mills  are  now  owned  by  George 
Ross  and  his  son  Charles,  who  do  quite  a  business  in  their  saw 
and  shingle  mill,  and  in  their  grist  mill.  They  buy  grain  by  the 
-car  load  and  grind  for  the  markets  as  well  as  for  home  custom- 
ers. About  three  miles  above  the  paper  mills  on  the  Natchaug 
river  are  the  Griggs  mills,  formerly  the  Moseley  mills.  Here, 
for  more  than  a  hundred  years,  have  been  a  saw  and  grist  mill, 
generally  doing  a  thriving  business.     The  mill  is  located  in  the 


416  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

northeast  corner  of  the  town.  It  was  established  first  by  Benja- 
min Chaplin.  He  sold  it  December  2d,  1771,  to  Nathaniel  Moseley. 
It  was  an  old  mill  then.  The  latter  sold  it  in  December,  1782,  to 
Flavel  Moseley  and  he  to  John  Fuller,  May  22d,  1823.  After  the 
death  of  the  latter  his  administrators  sold  it  to  Royal  Copeland, 
March  25th,  1829,  and  by  him  it  was  sold  to  Josiah  C.  Jackson, 
February  16th,  1830.  He  sold  it  to  Jared  Clark  and  Newel  Al- 
len, September  28th,  1833,  and  they  sold  it  to  David  A.  Griggs, 
the  present  owner,  February  11th,  1837.  For  many  years  a 
good  business  in  plough  beam  and  plough  handle  making  was 
carried  on,  and  also  the  manufacture  of  wheelbarrows.  In  r  n 
additional  shop,  the  late  Nathan  Griggs  made  spindles  for  the 
factories,  doing  a  successful  business  until  he  was  fatally  in- 
jured in  the  establishment,  and  after  his  death  the  business  was 
no  longer  carried  on.  Only  the  saw  and  grist  mills  are  now  in 
operation. 

On  the  Stone  House  brook  as  it  is  called,  the  old  clothiers' 
works  of  Kingsbury  &  Bingham  were  formerly  located,  and 
in  the  olden  time,  before  woolen  cloths  were  so  largely  manu- 
factured in  the  woolen  mills,  a  successful  business  was  done  at 
this  place.  When  this  business  declined.  Deacon  Ephraim 
Kingsbury  used  the  establishment  for  a  box  factory,  and  turn- 
ing lathes,  where  he  worked  on  both  iron  and  wood.  A  saw 
mill  here  did  a  good  business.  Half  a  mile  below  was  the  Ben- 
nett saw  mill,  now  owned  by  C.  E.  Griggs.  The  plough  beam 
business  has  of  late  37ears  been  carried  on  at  this  mill.  A  mile 
above  was  the  shingle  mill  of  Mr.  Jirah  Backus,  now  unoccu- 
pied, and  the  mill-pond  has  been  a  fish-pond,  of  popular  resort. 
Stone  House  brook,  as  good  fishing  ground,  has  been  kncwn 
even  in  some  of  the  cities  of  the  state. 

The  schools  of  Chaplin,  select  and  district,  have  been  in  good 
repute.  C.  Edwin  Griggs  and  Clark  Griggs,  both  graduates  of 
Amherst ;  Julian  Griggs,  of  the  scientific  department  of  Yale 
College  ;  Clinton  J.  Backus,  of  Amherst  College ;  Edward  F.Wil- 
liams, of  Williams  College  ;  Reverend  George  Soule,  of  Amherst ; 
Reverend  Roswell  Snow,  of  Yale;  Edgar  S.  Lincoln  and  Charles  H. 
Williams,  of  Eastman's  Business  College,  all  went  from  Chaplin. 
Miss  Catherine  F.  Griggs,  Mary  E.Williams,  Edith  A.  Church, 
Nellie  M.  Griggs,  Annie  M.  Griggs,  Jennie  E.  Griggs,  Hattie  A. 
Griggs,  Lena  R.  Church,  Isadore  P.  Church,  Delia  M.  Eaton  and 
Lydia  Ashley  were  all  natives  of  this  town  and  members  of  Mt. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  417 

Holyoke  Seminary  at  South  Hadley,  Mass.,  all  but  one  fitted  to  en- 
ter that  institution  at  Chaplin  Center  school.  Mr.  Clark  H.  Griggs 
was  in  the  army  and  rose  to  be  head  clerk  in  the  patent  office  at 
Washington.  Julian  Griggs  now  occupies  a  good  position  as 
civil  engineer,  and  Clinton  J.  Backus  is  principal  of  one  of  the 
schools  of  St.  Paul,  Minn.  Among  those  natives  of  Chaplin 
who  have  reached  distinction,  may  be  mentioned  Hon.  Edwnn 
Jones,  a  wealthy  lawyer  in  Minneapolis,  one  of  the  directors 
of  the  American  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  and  said  to 
be  the  largest  giver  to  benevolent  objects  of  any  member 
of  the  Congregational  church  in  the  country ;  Mr.  George 
Griggs,  a  merchant  in  New  York,  and  during  the  last  years  of 
his  life  connected  with  one  of  the  largest  insurance  compa- 
nies in  the  country  ;  Mr.  Wales  Eaton,  a  large  silk  dealer,  hav- 
ing an  office  in  New  York  ;  and  Mr.  Charles  Backus,  a  success- 
ful banker  in  Illinois.  The  late  Major  Edwin  Eaton  attained 
large  wealth  as  a  carpenter  and  dealer  in  timber.  It  is  said 
that  he  built  more  than  half  the  houses  in  Chaplin  Center, 
several  meeting  houses  in  other  towns,  and  for  a  time  con- 
tracted for  timber  for  the  Spragues  in  building  up  their  man- 
ufacturing villages. 

The  population  of  Chaplin,  at  the  incorporation  of  the  town, 
was  about  900 ;  the  present  population  is  627.  Chaplin  fur- 
nished a  good  number  of  soldiers  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion 
and  was  ahead  of  her  quota  when  the  war  closed,  and  the  war 
debt  is  paid.  In  one  battle  three  of  her  soldiers  were  killed ; 
in  fact,  she  lost  heavily  during  the  war.  One  of  her  select- 
men at  the  time  of  enlistment  died  a  prisoner. 

During  the  war  of  the  revolution  a  small  Congregational 
church  was  constituted  in  what  is  now  the  southeast  part  of  Chap- 
lin, on  what  is  called  Chewink  Plains,  a  locality  of  flat  land 
which  was  much  frequented  by  the  little  birds  in  whose  honor 
the  name  was  given.  The  original  members  of  this  early  church 
were  mostly  from  the  Windham  church,  and  it  had  only  one 
pastor.  Reverend  John  Storrs,  a  native  of  Mansfreld,  son  of  the 
minister  in  that  town,  and  in  the  line  of  distinguished  clergy- 
men of  the  name.  He  was  a  faithful  and  useful  man,  but  at 
his  death  in  1799  the  church  became  extinct,  thirteen  of  its  mem- 
bers returning  to  the  church  in  Windham.  There  remains  now 
to  mark  the  location  of  this  original  church  a  burying  ground, 
which  lies  in  the  waste  of  wild  land  a  little  north  of  the  New 
27 


418  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

England  railroad  crossing,  on  the  road  from  Chaplin  to  Scotland. 
It  covers  about  two  acres,  and  the  peacefulness  of  its  retreat 
seems  enhanced  by  the  murmuring  sighs  of  the  breezes  that 
pass  through  numerous  white  pine  trees  which  occupy  the 
ground.  Many  old  graves  are  unmarked.  The  oldest  dates  dis- 
cernible on  the  monumental  slabs  indicate  the  early  years  of 
this  century.  Many  of  the  old  name  of  Canada  appear,  and  this 
name  shows  in  later  years  the  change  to  modern  form  as  Ken- 
nedy. On  a  conspicuous  brown  stone  slab  we  read  :  "  Our  Dear 
Brother,  J.  S.  Colburn,  Member  of  Co.  H,18  C.  Vol.,  Died  at  Dan- 
ville, Va.,  A  Prisoner  of  War,  Dec.  18,  1864,  JE.  20  yrs.,  7  mo. 
'  Thou  hast  left  us.  Fare  thee  well.'  "  Other  family  names  that 
appear  on  headstones  are  Smith,  Hunt,  Button,  Allen,  M'Coy, 
Dean,  Blackman,  Flint,  Ashley,  Kelley,  Walcott,  Upton,  Bugbee, 
Colburn,  Holt,  Nichols,  Lawton,  Neff,  Wyllys,  Burrows  and 
Martin. 

At  some  time  between  1840  and  1850,  a  small  Protestant  Meth- 
odist church  was  formed  in  the  south  part  of  the  town,  to  which 
Elder  Jones  ministered,  preaching  in  school  houses  and  private 
dwellings.     After  his  death  this  church  also  became  extinct. 

We  have  already  said  that  the  founder  of  settlement  here  was 
Deacon  Benjamin  Chaplin.  His  Christian  character,  beautifully 
manifested  in  his  life,  has  been  a  subject  for  the  admiration  and 
emulation  of  many  generations,  and  must  continue  to  be  until 
the  wheels  of  Christian  civilization  turn  backward.  As  Deacon 
Chaplin  drew  on  toward  the  end  of  life,  and  thought  how  God 
had  blessed  him  in  things  temporal  as  well  as  things  spiritual, 
his  pleasant  home,  his  good  children,  filling  places  of  influence, 
honor  and  usefulness,  the  thought  pressed  upon  him,  "  How  can 
I  best  serve  my  generation  after  I  have  passed  to  my  home 
above?"  Although  almost  or  quite  as  many  inhabitants  occu- 
pied what  is  now  the  boundary  of  the  town,  yet  few  of  them 
were  in  what  is  now  the  center  of  the  town.  On  Tower  hill. 
Bare  hill,  Natchaug,  Chewink  plains  and  Bedlam  were  found 
most  of  the  people,  yet  all  of  them  must  go  from  two  to  five  miles 
to  find  a  place  of  public  worship,  and  not  one  of  these  places 
was  adapted  to  be  a  center  for  a  place  of  worship.  Near  his  res- 
idence must  be  the  natural  center,  the  place  for  a  meetinghouse, 
to  accommodate  all  parts  of  the  new  town,  which  was  sure  in 
tiijie  to  be  incorporated.  He  therefore  made  a  will,  characteristic 
of  the  man,  and  likely  to  carry  out  the  purpose  he  had  in   mind. 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  419 

He  bequeathed  the  sum  of  three  hundred  pounds  for  the  support 
of  a  learned  orthodox  ministry.  If  any  of  his  heirs  endeavored 
to  prevent  the  carrying  out  of  this  purpose,  and  to  make  this 
part  of  his  will  inoperative,  such  person  or  persons  were  to  be 
disinherited  and  to  receive  nothing  from  his  estate.  From  the 
income  of  this  permanent  fund,  a  minister  professing  and  preach- 
ing the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  according  as  they  are  explained 
in  the  Westminster  confession  of  faith,  was  to  be  in  part  sup- 
ported. If  the  question  arose  whether  any  preacher  did  thus 
teach,  it  was  to  be  decided  by  the  ministers  of  the  Windham 
County  Association.  An  ecclesiastical  society  must  be  formed 
before  January  1st,  1812,  and  religious  services  must  be  held 
within  one  mile  and  a  quarter  of  his  dwelling  house.  Regular 
preaching  must  be  maintained  to  entitle  the  society  to  use  the 
income  from  this  fund,  and  by  regular  preaching  was  meant  at 
least  forty  Sabbaths  each  year.  This  fund  was  enlarged  by  sub- 
scriptions from  the  people,  by  the  sum  of  five  hundred  pounds, 
subject  to  the  same  conditions  and  limitations  as  that  of  Deacon 
Chaplin. 

The  ecclesiastical  society  was  incorporated  by  the  general  as- 
sembly in  October,  1809— "  Voted,  that  the  School  House  in 
Chaplin  District  be  the  place  of  public  worship  ;  that  we  set  up 
steady  preaching  bearing  date  from  the  first  Monday  of  Decem- 
ber, 1809."  A  committee  was  appointed  to  supply  the  pulpit. 
It  was  found  so  difficult  to  agree  upon  the  location  of  the  meet- 
ing house  to  be  built  that  it  was  voted  to  apply  to  the  county 
court  to  settle  the  question.  This  vote  was  taken  August  13th, 
1810.  A  petition  was  sent  to  the  general  assembly  for  permis- 
.sion  to  raise  by  a  lottery  the  sum  of  two  thousand  dollars  for  the 
purpose  of  building  a  meeting  house,  and  four  managers  were 
nominated  to  act  in  this  business.  It  does  not  seem  that  success 
attended  this  effort.  Subscriptions  in  money,  building  materials 
and  labor  were  raised  for  the  building  of  the  meeting  house, 
and  it  was  accepted  as  completed  according  to  contract  Septem- 
ber 14th,  1815.  It  was  not  finished  as  it  was  intended  eventually 
to  be,  but  so  that  public  worship  could  be  held  in  it. 

Neither  pews,  slips  nor  pulpit  were  provided,  but  the  people 
went  up  with  joy  to  the  courts  of  the  Lord,  to  worship  Him  in 
His  own  house.  After  a  number  of  years  a  steeple  was  built 
upon  the  east  end  of  the  meeting  house,  a  bell  procured  in  1837, 
the  pews  or  slips  were  constructed,  and  a  lofty  pulpit  placed  for 


420  -HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

the  elevation  of  the  minister.  Thus  they  intended  to  have  their 
pastors  settled  over  the  people.  Many  years  after,  one  of  the  pas- 
tors expressed  the  earnest  wish  to  have  the  pulpit  brought  down 
from  its  great  altitude,  that  he  might  be  among  his  people  as 
one  of  them,  saying  when  his  Master  wished  him  to  come  up  to 
heaven  he  hoped  he  should  be  ready,  but  while  he  was  upon 
earth  he  did  not  wish  to  be  placed  somewhere  between  earth 
and  heaven.  The  pulpit  was  brought  down  as  he  wished,  and 
yet  it  was  too  high  for  some  of  his  successors,  and  it  has  been 
brought  down  several  feet  lower,  and  now  it  has  only  the  eleva- 
tion of  the  modern  pulpit.  A  number  of  years  since,  the  people 
feeling  the  need  of  a  lecture  room  or  vestry,  moved  the  meeting 
house  about  fifty  feet  on  the  hillside,  and  constructed  a  very 
commodious  vestry  under  it,  where  the  evening  meetings  and 
other  religious  and  social  gatherings  are  accommodated.  Thus 
the  same  meeting  house  has  been  occupied  during  the  entire 
history  of  the  church,  except  for  a  short  time  when  worship  was 
held  in  the  Center  school  house. 

The  Congregational  church  was  organized  by  an  ecclesiastical 
council.  May  31st,  1810,  consisting  of  fifteen  members.  Present 
on  the  council :  Reverend  Nathan  Williams,  D.  D.,  of  Tolland, 
moderator  ;  Reverend  Moses  C.  Welch,  of  North  Mansfield,  scribe; 
and  Reverend  Hollis  Sampson,  of  Eastford,  with  their  delegates. 
The  creed  and  covenant  adopted  by  the  church  were  approved 
by  the  council. 

The  church  has  had  ten  deacons :  Ebenezer  Cary,  Nathaniel 
Moseley,  Elkanah  Barton,  Roger  Clark,  Darius  Knight,  Jared 
Clark,  Ephraim  Kingsbury,  Otis  Whiton,  John  W.  Griggs  and 
William  Martin.  All  have  finished  their  work  upon  earth  except 
Deacons  Griggs  and  Martin,  who  are  now  acting  deacons. 

The  church  has  had  six  pastors  and  several  stated  supplies. 
Reverend  David  Avery,  Reverend  Nathan  Grosvenor  and  Rev-- 
erend  John  R.  Freeman  are  the  only  stated  supplies  who  have 
served  for  any  considerable  time.  Reverend  David  Avery 
labored  at  the  time  of  the  formation  of  the  church,  was  one  of 
the  original  members,  married  Deacon  Chaplin's  daughter  Han- 
nah, preached  in  Chaplin  and  in  Bennington,  Vt.,  and  died  while 
laboring  in  Virginia  February  15th,  1817.  Reverend  Nathan 
Grosvenor  made  his  home  in  Chaplin  during  the  closing  years  of 
his  life,  died  in  Chaplin,  and  was  buried  in  Pomfret  in  the  an- 
cestral cemetery.     Reverend  John    R.  Freeman,  after  leaving 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.^  421 

Chaplin,  preached  in  Andover,  Conn.,  Barkhampsted  and  West- 
ford,  where  he  died  December  6th,  1876.  Reverend  Francis  Wil- 
liams, of  Chaplin,  preached  his  funeral  sermon.  He  was  buried 
in  the  beautiful  cemetery  in  Westford. 

Reverend  Jared  Andrus,  a  native  of  Bolton,  Conn.,  was  in- 
stalled December  27th,  1820,  being  the  first  of  the  six  regular 
pastors.  He  was  dismissed  May  11th,  1830.  He  was  born  May 
6th,  1784,  and  died  November  12th,  1832,  having  been  installed 
over  the  Congregational  church  in  North  Madison,  Conn.,  in  the 
preceding  June.  He  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  North  Mad- 
ison. Reverend  Lent  S.  Hough  was  ordained  in  Chaplin  August 
17th,  1831,  and  was  dismissed  December  20th,  1836.  After  leav- 
ing Chaplin,  Mr.  Hough  preached  in  North  Woodstock  1837-41  ; 
North  Madison,  1842-45;  Bethel,  1845-46;  Middletown,  1847- 
63;  Wolcott,  1863-69;  Salem,  1869-70;  Niantic,  1870-77;  and 
died  in  Poquonock  September  22d,  1879,  aged  seventy-six. 

Reverend  Erastus  Dickinson,  born  in  Plainfield,  Mass.,  April 
1st,  1807,  ordained  pastor  of  the  Congregational  church  in  Canton, 
Mass.,  1835,  was  installed  the  third  pastor  in  Chaplin  October  25th, 
1837,  and  was  dismissed  January  2d,  1849.  Mr.  Dickinson 
preached,  after  leaving  Chaplin,  in  Marshfield,  Mass.,  Colchester, 
Conn.,  and  in  Sudbury,  Mass.  He  was  dismissed  on  account  of 
failing  health,  and  only  preached  occasionally  afterward.  He' 
removed  to  Bricksburg,  now  Lakewood,  N.  J.,  where  he  resided 
about  twenty  years.  He  died  September  4th,  1888,  aged  eighty- 
one. 

Reverend  Merrick  Knight,  born  in  Northampton,  Mass.,  Jan- 
uary 15th,  1817,  was  ordained  in  Chaplin  as  the  fourth  pastor 
May  1st,  1850,  and  dismissed  December  31st,  1852.  Mr.  Knight 
afterward  preached  in  Stafford,  Hebron,  North  Coventry,  Broad- 
brook,  Rocky  Hill,  Torringford,  New  Hartford,  South  and  East 
Hartland,  where  he  is  still  laboring  in  the  work  of  the  min- 
istry. 

Reverend  Joseph  W.  Backus,  the  fifth  pastor,  a  native  of  Frank- 
lin, Conn.,  was  ordained  in  Blackstone,  Mass.,  installed  in  Chap- 
lin January  23d,  1856,  and  dismissed  January  1st,  1858.  Mr.  Backus 
afterward  preached  in  Leominster,  Mass.,  Lowell,  Mass.,  Rock- 
ville,  Thomaston  and  Plainville,  where  he  still  labors  in  the 
ministry. 

Reverend  Francis  Williams,  the  sixth  pavStor,  was  born 
in    Ashfield,    Franklin   county,    Mass.,   January   2d,   1814.      He 


422  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

was  the  fourth  son  of  Captain  Israel  and  Lavina  Joy 
Williams.  The  family  consisted  of  nine  sons  and  two 
daughters.  He  prepared  for  college  at  Sanderson  Academy 
in  Ashiield,  Amherst  Academy  and  the  academy  at  Shelburne 
Falls.  He  entered  Williams  College  in  1834  and  graduated 
in  the  class  of  1838,  speaking  an  oration  at  commencement. 
He  was  one  of  the  prize  speakers  in  his  junior  year,  and 
had  also  a  junior  oration.  Immediately  after  graduation  he  en- 
tered the  Theological  Seminary  at  East  Windsor  Hill,  Conn., 
where  he  graduated  in  August,  1841.  During  his  educational 
counse,  he  taught  in  Coxsackie,  N.Y.,  two  terms  in  Hawley,  Mass., 
and  during  the  winter  of  his  senior  year  he  was  principal  of  the 
Sanderson  Academy  in  his  native  town,  and  one  winter  during 
his  seminary  course  he  was  principal  of  the  academy  in  Wind- 
sor, Conn.  He  was  licensed  to  preach  at  the  close  of  the  middle 
year  in  the  seminary,  by  the  Franklin  County  Association  at 
Coleraine,  Mass.  Nearly  six  months  before  he  closed  his  semi- 
nary course,  he  received  a  call  to  settle  in  Eastford,  Conn.,  and 
accepted  it,  on  condition  that  he  should  complete  his  course  at 
the  seminary,  supply  the  pulpit  by  exchanges,  or  by  sending 
some  of  his  classmates,  whenever  he  wished  ;  his  salary  then 
commenced,  and  he  has  been  under  a  regular  salary  contimiously 
from  that  day  to  the  present.  Reverend  Doctor  Tyler,  of  East 
Windsor  Hill,  preached  his  ordination  sermon.  General  Nathan- 
iel Lyon,  of  Eastford,  graduated  at  West  Point  and  came  to 
his  home  at  about  the  same  time,  and  henceforth  until  Lyon's 
death,  they  became  personal  friends  ;  Mr.  Williams  offering  the 
prayer  at  his  funeral.  After  a  little  more  than  ten  years,  Mr. 
Williams  accepted  a  call  to  settle  in  Bloomfield,  Conn.  Rev- 
erend Doctor  Milton  Badger,  of  New  York,  preached  the  ser- 
mon of  installation.  In  1858,  Mr.  Williams  accepted  a  call  to 
settle  in  Chaplin,  where  he  has  remained  for  about  thirty-two 
years.  Professor  Edward  A.  Lawrence,  D.  D.,  of  East  Windsor 
Hill,  preached  the  installation  sermon.  His  health  has  been 
good  almost  during  his  entire  ministry.  Since  his  graduation 
at  the  Theological  seminary,  in  1841,  he  has  been  but  twice 
absent  from  the  annual  anniversary  of  the  seminary,  and 
then  he  was  detained  to  attend  funerals.  For  more  than  thirty 
years  he  has  been  a  trustee  in  the  Hartford  Theological  Semi- 
nary, only  the  Hon.  Newton  Case,  of  Hartford,  being  his  senior 
in  office.     On  several  occasions  he  has  been  a  member  of  the 


'■/VO 


RTOTYPE,     E.    BIERSTAO 


» 

HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  423 

examining  committee  in  that  institution.  For  several  years 
he  has  been  a  director  of  the  Connecticut  Home  Missionary 
Society  and  a  trustee  of  the  Ministers'  Fund,  and  has  never 
been  absent  from  one  of  the  meetings.  For  more  than  forty 
years  he  has  been  acting  school  visitor  in  the  different  towns 
where  he  has  resided.  In  1876  he  was  elected  as  a  member 
of  the  legislature  and  was  a  member  of  the  committee  on  tem- 
perance. 

On  the  22d  of  October,  1841,  he  married  Miss  Mahala  R. 
Badger,  daughter  of  Enoch  Badger,  of  Springfield,  Mass.  She 
was  sister  of  Reverend  Norman  Badger,  a  classmate  of  Stan- 
ton, the  great  war  secretary,  a  professor  at  Gambia  College,  O., 
president  of  Shelby  College,  Ky.,  and  died  while  chaplain  in 
the  army.  She  was  also  a  niece  of  Doctor  Milton  Badger,  long 
a  distinguished  secretary  of  the  Home  Missionary  Society. 
They  have  had  five  children,  four  sons  and  one  daughter. 
Two  sons  died  in  infancy.  Edward  F.  graduated  at  Williams 
College  in  the  class  of  1868,  taught  for  a  short  time,  when 
failing  health  compelled  him  to  return  to  his  home  in  Chap- 
lin, where  he  died  October  6th,  1869,  aged  24.  Charles  H. 
graduated  at  Eastman's  Business  College  at  Poughkeepsie,  N. 
Y.,  became  a  member  of  Haight's  Engineer  Corps,  took  a  se- 
vere cold  while  at  Rondout,  N.  Y.,  surveying  the  Hudson  River 
railroad,  had  severe  hemorrhage  of  the  throat,  and  died  in 
Chaplin,  December  19th,  1874,  at  the  age  of  26.  Mary  Elizabeth, 
their  only  daughter,  graduated  at  Mt.  Holyoke  Seminary  in  the 
class  of  1871,  taught  select  school  after  graduation,  married 
Reverend  William  H.  Phipps,  October  10th,  1872.  He  has  been 
pastor  in  East  Woodstock,  Poquonock,  and  Prospect,  Conn., 
where  he  has  been  pastor  for  about  eleven  years,  and  where 
he  still  continues  his  labors. 

Seven  sermons  preached  by  Mr.  Williams  have  been  printed 
in  pamphlet  form,  and  several  in  part  or  in  full  in  news- 
papers. 

1.  Temperance  Funeral  Sermon  of  Francis  Squires.  At  his 
own  request  preached.  Text  2d  Kings,  10,  9 :  "  Responsible 
Agents  of  Intemperance."  In  American  Temperance  Preacher 
No.Jf. 

2.  Funeral  of  Benjamin  Bosworth,  Esq.,  of  Eastford. 

3.  Funeral  of  Reverend  Asa  King,  pastor  in  Westminister, 
Conn. 


424  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

4.  Funeral  of  Mrs.  Asa  King,  preached  in  Westminster. 

5.  Funeral  of  two  soldiers  from  Chaplin,  killed  in  the  bat- 
tle of  Winchester,  Earl  Ashley  and  Anson  A.  Fenton,  preached 
in  Chaplin.     Text,  John  18,  36. 

6.  New  Year's  Sermon,  January  5th,  1863,  in  Chaplin. 

7.  New  Year's  Sermon,  January  3d,  1874,  in  Chaplin. 

No  ecclesiastical  council  has  ever  been  called  to  adjust  any 
church  or  ministerial  difficulties,  and  no  minister  placed  over 
this  people  has  been  accused  of ,  or  tried  for  any  scandal  or  heresy 
while  pastor  here  or  elsewhere.  It  is  a  temperance  town.  No 
saloon,  tavern  or  dancing  hall  is  known  to  exist ;  and  probably  a 
.  dancing  school  or  hall  has  not  been  known  in  the  town  in  the 
last  fifty  years,  if  ever;  certainly  not  in  the  last  thirty  years. 
Many  noted  revivals  have  taken  place,  and  the  church  has  been 
in  a  vigorous  state  for  a  rural  community. 

Biographical  Sketches. 

David  A.  Griggs.— Nathan  Griggs,  the  great-grandfather  of 
David  A.  Griggs,  married  Elizabeth  Sharpe  and  resided  in  Pom- 
fret.  John  Griggs,  son  of  Nathan,  married  Ruth  Ashley  and 
resided  in  Coventry  and  Hampton,  Connecticut.  His  son  Dan- 
iel was  born  in  Coventry,  March  24th,  1779.  He  married  Eliza- 
beth Hewitt,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Abigail  Hewitt  of  Hamp- 
ton. Robert  Hewitt  was  a  patriot  of  the  revolutionary  war. 
Daniel  Griggs  resided  in  Hampton,  Brooklyn,  Pomfret  and 
Chaplin,  where  he  died  June  26th,  1862.  He  was  a  farmer  and 
large  owner  of  real  estate.  He  had  a  family  of  eleven  children, 
viz. :  Elizabeth  H.,  matried  Ephraim  W.  Day;  Sophia  S.,  mar- 
ried David  G.  Corey ;  Daniel  A.,  David  A.,  Nathan,  George  M., 
Lucy  P.,  Appleton  M.,  John  *W.,  Edward  G.  and  C.  Edwin  ;  of 
whom  four  sons  and  two  daughters  survive  and  reside  in  Chap- 
lin. 

David  A.  Griggs  was  born  June  23d,  1811,  in  Hampton,  and 
during  his  minority  lived  in  Hampton,  Brooklyn  and  Pomfret 
(Abington  Society).  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  united  with  the 
Congregational  church  in  the  latter  place.  At  the  age  of  twenty 
he  became  a  resident  of  Chaplin,  and  soon  after  removed  his 
church  relation  to  the  Congregational  church  in  that  town.  From 
that  time  he  taught  school  in  winter  and  labored  on  his  father's 
farm  in  summer  until  the  year  1837,  when  he  purchased  a  saw 
mill,  grist  mill  and  shingle  mill  which  he  still' holds.     The  farm 


HE,     E.    BIERSTADT,     N. 


RTOTYPE       E      BIERSTA 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  425 

which  is  his  present  home  he  acquired  in  1842,  the  residence 
having  been  erected  in  1844.  In  politics  Mr.  Griggs  M^as  a  whig, 
and  has  been  a  republican  since  the  organization  of  that  party. 
In  1841  he  was  chosen  a  jUvStice  of  peace,  which  office  he  held 
until  1881,  when  age  set  a  limit  to  his  office.  He  was  elected  a 
representative  to  the  Connecticut  legislature  in  1854.  He  has 
been  frequently  chosen  to  the  position  of  selectman  of  the  town  ; 
was  especially  earnest  in  his  support  of  the  government  during 
the  late  war,  and  zealous  in  his  efforts  to  furnish  the  quota  of  his 
town  in  that  eventful  crisis. 

Mr.  Griggs  was  married  March  1st,  1837,  to  DamarisC,  daugh- 
ter of  Chester  Storrs,  of  Chaplin.  Their  children  are  Clark 
Hewitt,  Catharine  Ferdon  and  two  that  died  in  infancy.  Mrs. 
Griggs  died  in  1854  and  in  1855  he  married  Sarah  L.,  daughter 
of  Phares  Barrows,  of  Mansfield,  who  had  one  child  that  died  in 
infancy.  His  son  Clark  Hewitt  was  born  January  27th,  1839, 
and  graduated  from  Amherst  College  in  1863.  He  entered  the 
service  during  the  late  war  as  hospital  steward,  and  after  under- 
going a  varied  experience  was  discharged  on  account  of  illness, 
when  he  engaged  in  teaching.  He  afterward  entered  the  patent 
office  in  Washington  as  clerk,  and  by  his  ability  won  rapid  pro- 
motion. At  the  date  of  his  death,  November  11th,  1872,  he  filled 
the  responsible  position  of  principal  examiner  in  that  bureau. 
He  married  Mrs.  S.  S.  Morris,  a  widow  with  two  children,  Emma 
and  Ballard,  and  had  three  daughters,  Kate  P.,  Dora  and  Elise. 
Kate  is  the  wife  of  William  Robertson,  of  Washington,  D.  C. ; 
Dora  married  Ernest  I.  Atwood,  of  Springfield,  Mass.,  and  Elise 
died  in  childhood.  Catharine  Ferdon  married  Edgar  S.  Lincoln, 
of  Chaplin,  and  has  two  daughters,  Lucy  G.  and  Mabel  S. 

Edgar  S.  Lincoln. — Jonah  Lincoln,  the  great-grandfather  of 
Edgar  S.  Lincoln,  was  in  his  day  a  man  of  prominence  in  his 
town.  He  was  for  a  long  time  judge  of  probate  for  what  are 
now  the  towns  of  Hampton,  Windham  and  Chaplin,  and  held 
various  other  offices  of  trust.  He  was  the  father  of  Dan  Lin- 
coln, who  in  1812  married  Mehitable  Flint.  Among  their  eight 
children  was  a  son  Jared,  born  September  8th,  1823,  in  Wind- 
ham, from  whence  he  removed  to  Scotland  and  later  to  Chaplin. 
He  was  in  early  life  a  teacher,  and  afterward  engaged  in  mercan- 
tile pursuits  in  Chaplin .  He  has  for  yea  rs  been  prominent  in  pub- 
lic affairs,  represented  his  town  in  the  state  legislature  and  held 
various  town  offices.     He  married  Joanna,  daughter  of  Darius 


426  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Spafford,  of    Scotland.      Their  two  children  are  Edgar  S.  and 
Clinton  D.,  the  latter  having  died  in  infancy. 

Edgar  S.  Lincoln  was  born  August  2d.  1847,  in  Scotland,  where, 
upon  the  farm  his  youthful  years  were  spent.  Removing  at  the 
age  of  ten  to  Chaplin,  he  pursued  his  studies  until  the  age  of 
sixteen,  and  then  entered  Eastman's  Commercial  College  at 
Poughkeepsie.  After  graduating  he  taught  school  several  teims 
and  finally  entered  his  father's  store  in  Chaplin  as  clerk.  In 
1871  he  purchased  the  business  which  has  since  been  success- 
fully and  profitably  managed  by  him. 

Mr.  Lincoln  was  on  the  8th  of  January,  1868,  married  to  Miss 
Catherine  F.,  daughter  of  David  A.  Griggs  of  the  same  town. 
They  have  two  daughters,  Lucy  G.  and  Mabel  S.  Mr.  Lincoln 
is  a  republican  in  his  political  affiliations.  He  has  studiously 
avoided  all  tenders  of  office,  the  only  exceptions  being  the  ac- 
ceptance of  the  position  of  probate  judge  and  his  election  to  the 
state  legislature  in  1880,  both  of  which  came  to  him  unsought. 
He  has  taken  no  active  part  in  the  political  contests  of  the  day, 
finding  his  interests  to  center  more  directly  in  the  field  of  busi- 
ness enterprise.  He  is  a  member  of  the  First  Congregational 
church  of  Chaplin  and  has  been  for  ten  years  superintendent 
of  the  Sunday  school. 

William  Ross. — The  subject  of  this  biography  was  the  son 
of  Elnathan  Ross,  who  was  born  June  15th,  1772,  and  married 
Olive  Storrs,  whose  birth  occurred  December  7th,  1774.  The 
children  of  this  marriage  were  eleven  in  number,  as  follows: 
Roxana,  born  in  1796  ;  Harriet,  in  1797 ;  Ebenezer  Storrs,  in 
1798;  Olive,  in  1800;  Schuyler,  in  1801 ;  Earl,  in  1803  ;  Lydia 
Storrs,  in  1805;  Almyra,  in  1806;  William,  November  24th, 
1807  ;  Caroline,  in  1810  ;  and  Austin,  in  1812.  William,  the  fourth 
son  in  order  of  birth,  was  a  native  of  Chaplin,  where  the  chief 
part  of  his  life  was  passed.  He  received  no  other  advantages 
than  those  afforded  by  the  schools  of  that  early  day  in  the  town 
of  his  birth.  When  six  years  of  age  he  went  to  live  with  his 
uncle,  Abel  Ross,  in  Chaplin,  living  with  him  till  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  old.  He  soon  after  went  to  live  in  Ashford  with  Gen- 
eral Palmer,  with  whom  he  lived  two  years. 

In  the  spring  of  1832,  he  married  Miranda,  daughter  of  John 
Hamilton  Grant,  of  Ashford,  a  revolutionary  soldier.  The 
next  day  after  his  marriage  he  returned  to  Chaplin,  having 
purchased  the  Avery  farm,  where  he  resided  until  his  death. 


/yCyM!^^^rin.   (^2.c 


2.^^^ 


ARTOTYPE,     E.    BIERSTA 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  427 

This  farm  is  now  the  property  of  his  only  son  William.  Mr. 
Ross  was  in  his  political  principles  a  staunch  whig  and  later  a 
republican.  He  gave  some  attention  to  the  affairs  connected 
with  his  town  and  county,  held  the  offices  of  selectman  and  as- 
sessor, and  was  in  1846  elected  to  the  state  legislature.  He  was 
an  earnest  and  exemplary  member  of  the  Congregational  church 
and  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  gospel.  The  death  of  Mr.  Ross 
occurred  on  the  7th  of  August,  1885,  and  that  of  Mrs.  Ross,  May 
22d,  1886. 


CHAPTER    XX. 

THE  TOWN  OF  PLAINFIELD. 

Description. — Statistics.— Settlement  and  Settlers.— The  Town  Organized.— Con- 
flicting Land  Claims.— The  Gospel  Ministry.— Division  of  Lands.— Indian 
War. — Settlement  of  Land  Disputes. — Progress  of  the  Settlement. — An  Epi- 
demic—The Separate  Movement.— French  Prisoners  of  War.— Town  Officers, 
1765. — Facilities  of  Commerce.- Old  Tavern. — The  Poor  and  the  Oppressed. — 
Emigration. — During  the  Revolution. — Revival  of  Business  Enterprises. — 
Increase  of  Manufacturing. — Highways  and  Bridges. — The  Ecclesiastical  So- 
ciety and  Church. — Congregational  Church  of  Plainfield  Street. — The  "Sep- 
tember Gale." — The  Separate  Church.— Quaker  Meeting  House. 


THE  township  of  Plainfield  lies  in  the  southeastern  part  of 
the  county,  adjoining  Griswold  and  Voluntown  in  the 
county  of  New  London.  It  is  about  nine  miles  long-  from 
north  to  south  and  four  to  five  miles  wide.  It  has  Canterbury 
on  the  west,  also  Brooklyn  on  the  northwest,  Killingly  on  the 
north,  and  Sterling  on  the  east.  The  Quinebaug  river  forms, 
most  of  the  way,  the  western  boundary,  and  receives  from  this 
town  the  waters  of  branches,  the  Moosup  and  Mill  rivers,  which 
afford  sites  for  a  number  of  manufacturing  establishments.  The 
town  is  traversed  by  about  twenty  miles  of  railroad,  the  Norwich 
&  Worcester  line  running  through  it  lengthwise,  and  the  Prov- 
idence Division  of  the  New  York  &  New  England  railroad  run- 
ning diagonally  across  it.  Beautiful  fertile  plains  stretching 
northeast  and  southwest  between  the  rugged  hills,  early  attract- 
ed the  attention  of  settlers  andland  speculators,  and  these  fertile 
plains  gave  name  to  the  locality  and  to  the  town.  Some  atten- 
tion is  given  to  agriculture,  but  the  great  industrial  interest  of 
the  town  is  manufacturing.  Several  factory  villages  have  grown 
up  within  its  borders.  ^ 

The  town  was  settled  in  1689.  It  was  named  and  incidentally 
recognized  as  a  town  as  early  as  October,  1700.  It  then  included 
the  territory  of  Canterbury.  A  division  of  territory  into  two 
ecclesiastical  societies  by  a  line  following  the  Quinebaug  most 
of  the  way  was  effected  in  October,  1702.     The  Indian  name  of 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  429 

the  locality  was  Pantoosiick.  The  population  of  the  town  at  dif- 
ferent periods  has  been  as  follows  :  1756,  1,800  ;  1775, 1,562  ;  1800, 
1,619;  1840,2,383;  1870,  4,521;  1880,  4,021.  The  grand  list  of 
the  town  was  in  1775,  i:i4,216 ;  1845,  $29,266.53 ;  1888,  $1,735,640. 

The  territory  of  this  town  was  a  part  of  the  Quinebaug  country, 
the  purchase  of  which  from  the  Indians  and  something  of  its 
settlement  having  been  already  given  in  another  chapter  will 
not  be  repeated  here.  In  October,  1697,  the  general  court  or- 
dered that  the  people  inhabiting  along  the  Quinebaug  should  be 
a  part  of  New  London  county.  The  settlers  on  the  east  side  of 
the  river  at  the  time  of  the  town  charter  in  1699  were  Isaac  Shep- 
ard,  Richard  Pellet,  Benjamin  Rood,  John  Fellows,  Samuel 
Shepard,  John  Spalding,  Edward  Spalding,  James  Kingsbury, 
Thomas  Pierce,  Thomas  Harris,  Matthias  Button,  Joseph  Spald- 
ing, Jacob  Warren,  Nathaniel  Jewell  and  Timothy  Pierce. 
The  area  covered  by  the  charter  was  "  ten  miles  east  and  west 
and  eight  miles  north  and  south,  abutting  southerly  on  Preston 
and  Norwich  bounds  and  westerly  on  Windham  bounds,  pro- 
vided it  doth  not  prejudice  any  former  grant  of  townships." 
The  charter  granted  the  "powers  and  privileges  of  a  township, 
provided  it  doth  not  prejudice  any  particular'  person's  prop- 
erty." 

The  inhabitants  of  the  Quinebaug  plantation  met  to  organize 
town  government  May  31st,  1699.  Officers  were  chosen  as  fol- 
lows :  James  Deane,  town  clerk  ;  Jacob  Warren,  Joseph  Spalding, 
Stephen  Hall,  William  Johnson,  Samuel  Adams,  selectmen  ;  John 
Fellows,  constable  ;  Thomas  Williams,  surveyor.  After  electing 
town  officers,  the  first  vote  was  "  To  give  the  Rev.  Mr.  Coit  a 
call  for  one  quarter  of  a  year  for  ten  pounds."  The  invitation 
was  accepted,  and  services  were  held  during  the  summer,  alter- 
nating between  the  east  and  west  sides  of  the  Quinebaug.  The 
minister  saw  a  lack  of  unity  in  the  people,  many  of  the  settlers 
having  little  regard  for  religious  matters,  and  refused  to"  settle 
as  pastor,  but  was  retained  as  supply  from  quarter  to  quarter  for 
some  time.  ^, 

Then  followed  a  long  controversy  in  regard  to  the  conflicting 
claims  of  John  Winthrop,  Major  Fitch,  and  the  inhabitants  of 
the  town  under  the  charter.  This  controversy  lasted  several 
years  before  a  final  settlement  was  reached,  and  greatly  imped- 
ed the  progress  of  the  settlement  of  the  town. 

In  1701  the  minister's  salary,  Mr.  Coit  being  employed  as  be- 


430  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

fore,  was  raised  to  twenty  pounds  a  year  in  money  and  thirty 
pounds  in  grain,  one-third  of  the  grain  to  be  rye,  and  the  valua- 
tions on  different  grains  to  be  fixed  at  two  shillings  for  corn, 
three  shillings  for  rye,  and  four  shillings  for  wheat,  per  bushel. 
Town  meetings  were  held  alternately  east  and  west  of  the  Quine- 
baug,  at  Isaac  Shepard's  on  the  east  side  and  Obadiah  Johnson's 
on  the  west  side.  In  1702  a  pound  was  built  on  each  side  of  the 
river.  Nathaniel  Jewell  was  appointed  pound  keeper  on  the  east 
side  and  Samuel  Adams  on  the  west  side.  Thomas  Williams, 
Edward  Spalding  and  John  Fellows  were  surveyors  for  the  east 
side,  and  Richard  Adams  and  Thomas  Brooks  on  the  west  side. 
A  committee  was  appointed  to  have  the  inspection  of  Cedar 
swamp,  which  was  then  held  in  common,  and  they  were  empow- 
ered to  seize  any  timber  they  might  find  being  illegally  appro- 
priated therefrom.  A  meeting  house  was  built  on  the  east  side 
of  the  river,  on  Black  hill,  which  was  convenient  to  a  crossing 
place  on  the  river.  This  first  meeting  house  was  begun  in  1702, 
and  completed  so  as  to  be  accepted  by  the  town  in  January,  1703. 
Meanwhile  the  town  was  divided  into  two  ecclesiastical  societies, 
the  west  society  being  relieved  from  taxation  for  this  meeting 
house,  but  joining  in  support  of  minister  until  they  were  or- 
ganized and  had  a  minister  by  themselves.  This  meeting  house 
was  a  rude  affair — a  rough  frame  covered  with  boards,  and  fur- 
nished with  a  temporary  floor  and  temporary  seats.  In  Decem- 
ber, 1703,  it  was  voted  "  To  have  the  meeting  house  floored  and 
a  body  of  seats  and  a  pulpit  made,  all  to  be  done  decently  and 
with  as  much  speed  as  may  be,  the  ceiling  to  extend  at  present 
only  to  the  girths."  This  order  was  probably  soon  carried  into 
execution.  In  addition  to  what  had  been  previously  offered  Mr. 
Coit,  he  was  now  promised  equal  privileges  with  other  land  own- 
ers in  the  purchase  made  of  Owaneco  for  the  benefit  of  the  in- 
habitants. 

The  division  of  Plainfield  territory  into  equal  and  regular 
allotments,  and  its  distribution  among  such  inhabitants  as  ful- 
filled the  rj^uired  conditions,  were  accomplished  in  1704 ;  the 
recipients  mrowing  up  their  previous  purchases  into  the  com- 
mon stock  and  each  receiving  an  allotment  with  rights  in  future 
divisions  proportionate  to  his  interest  in  the  common  proprietor- 
ship. A  broad  strip  of  land  adjoining  the  Quinebaug,  extending 
from  the  north  side  of  Moosup  river  to  the  Cedar  swamp,  was 
reserved  as  a  general  field,  the  great  plain  for  corn  planting,  for 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  431 

the  use  of  all  the  inhabitants.  Twenty-four  proprietors  received 
.shares  in  this  allotment,  of  one  hundred  acres  each,  which  was 
completed  in  February,  1^04.  These  proprietors  were  :  Samuel 
Shepard,  John  Smith,  Benjamin  Smith,  John  Fellows,  Ebenezer 
Harris,  William  Douglas,  Thomas  Stevens,  Sr.,  Thomas  Pierce, 
James  Kingsbury,  Edward  Yeomans,  Joshua  Whitney,  Stephen 
Hall,  John  Spalding,  Edward  Spalding,  Benjamin  Palmer,  Na- 
thaniel Jewell,  Thomas  Stevens,  Jr.,  Matthias  'Button,  Jacob 
Warren,  Timothy  Pierce,  Joseph  Parkhurst,  Thomas  Williams, 
James  Deane  and  Joseph  Spalding.  To  these  twenty-four  pro- 
prietors others  were  soon  added,  the  town  having  ordered  forty 
lots  of  the  same  size,  so  as  to  meet  the  probable  demand.  A 
number  of  the  inhabitants  were  at  first  reluctant  to  resign  their 
lands,  but  afterward  came  into  the  arrangement.  Two  or  three 
individuals  never  did  relinquish  their  individual  ownership,  and 
consequently  had  no  share  in  the  common  proprietorship.  New 
inhabitants  who  joined  the  settlement  were  granted  an  allot- 
ment on  payment  of  three  pounds  into  the  town  treasury. 

The  Indian  war  of  1704  subjected  Plainfield  to  new  restrictions 
and  outlays.  With  other  frontier  towns,  it  was  not  to  be  desert- 
ed by  any  of  its  inhabitants ;  guard  houses  and  scouts  were  to 
be  maintained,  equipped,  and  supplied  with  ammunition  ;  a  train 
band  was  formed,  with  Thomas  Williams  for  ensign  and  v'^amuel 
Howe  for  serg^eant.  Guards  were  stationed  about  the  meetinsf 
house  on  Sunday,  and  watch  houses  were  maintained  in  exposed 
parts  of  the  town.  Great  pains  were  taken  to  propitiate  the  fa- 
'vor  of  the  Quinebaugs,  who  continued  as  ever  peaceable  and 
friendly. 

In  the  midst  of  all  these  distracting  conditions  the  town  looked 
well  to  the  progress  of  ecclesiastical  matters.  The  interior  of 
the  meeting  house  was  completed,  and  the  pulpit  placed  on  the 
south  side  of  the  room.  Mr.  Coit  accepted  the  pastorate  and  was 
ordained  early  in  January,  1705,  at  which  time  a  church  was  or- 
ganized consisting  of  ten  male  members.  Its  first  deacons  were 
Jacob  Warren  and  William  Douglas.  The  history  of  the  church 
will  be  reviewed  by  itself  further  on,  consequently  notice  of  its 
progress  will  be  omitted  in  this  connection.  We  shall  notice 
now  the  general  progress  of  the  town  and  its  settlement  and 
growth. 

In  1705  it  was  voted  that  all  the  land  except  the  "  General 
Field  "  should  be  laid  out  into  five  equal  parts.     The  proper  care 


432  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

of  the  corn  field  called  for  frequent  enactments.  In  April,  1706, 
the  town  voted  "  That  there  shall  no  cows,  cattle  or  horses  be 
suffered  to  go  in  the  General  Field,  at  liberty,  from  the  first  of 
April  to  the  fourth  of  October,  upon  the  penalty  of  six-pence 
a  head,  and  if  any  cattle  go  upon  the  grain  the  owners  to 
pay  five-pence  per  head  to  the  owners  of  the  grain  as  they 
shall  be  found  in." 

A  final  attempt  to  settle  the  land  title  dispute  between  Major 
Fitch  and  Governor  Winthrop  was  made  in  1706.  It  was  agreed 
at  length  that  the  Winthrops  should  give  up  all  claim  to  Quine- 
baug  lands  and  in  place  thereof  should  receive  undisputed  tilic 
to  one  thousand  acres  each  in  the  northern  part  of  Plainfield  and 
Canterbury.  This  settlement  was  confirmed  by  the  interchange 
of  quit-claims  in  October,  1706.  At  the  same  time  the  assembly 
granted  to  the  proprietors  and  inhabitants  of  Plainfield  a  pat- 
ent, confirming  to  them  the  lands  in  their  town.  Henceforward 
divisions  of  land  in  small  parcels,  as  the  proprietors  thought  de- 
sirable, were  made  from  time  to  time. 

Now  that  Plainfield  had  come  into  full  possession  of  her  terri- 
tory she  was  deemed  competent  to  bear  her  part  of  the  public 
charges.  The  list  of  estates  presented  in  October,  1707,  amounted 
to  ;^1,265.  The  free-holders  of  the  town  then  numbered  about 
fifty.  John  Fellows  was  sent  as  the  first  representative  to  the 
general  court  in  May,  1708.  Thomas  Williams  was  now*  lieuten- 
ant, and  Timothy  Pierce,  ensign,  of  the  train  band.  Yearly  in- 
crease in  the  town  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  in  1708  the  "grand 
list"  amounted  to  i;'l,890,  and  the  male  inhabitants  were  fifty- 
five.  In  1709  James  Hilliard  received  a  grant  of  several  acres  of 
land  north  of  Moosup  to  encourage  him  to  maintain  a  corn  mill. 
Bounties  were  offered  for  killing  blackbirds,  a  penny  a  head  pro- 
vided they  were  killed  before  the  15th  of  May ;  also  sixpence  a 
head  for  crows,  twopence  a  "  tail  "  for  rattlesnakes,  and  ten  shil- 
lings a  head  for  wolves.  In  1708  a  pound  was  ordered,  "  in  the 
senter  of  the  town,  near  the  meeting  house."  A  rate  was  then 
levied  to  pay  for  "the  pound,  stox  and  bords  for  meeting  house." 
The  meeting  house  was  put  in  order  in  1710,  and  it  was  voted 
that  every  householder  in  town  should  give  to  the  Widow 
Samans  "  one  peck  of  Indian  corn  a  year  in  consideration  for  her 
to  sweep  the  meeting  house ;  so  long  as  she  doth  it,  the  corne  to 
be  carried  to  her."  It  was  also  agreed  "  That  the  place  which 
has  been  for  several  years  improved  by  the  inhabitants  for  the 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  433 

burial  of  the  dead  shall  abide  and  remain  for  that  use,"  and  a 
committee  was  appointed  to  designate  the  quantity  and  provide 
a  way  to  get  to  it.  The  same  committee  were  directed  to  appoint 
a  place  for  an  Indian  burial  ground.  This  Indian  burying 
ground,  which  was  urgently  needed  by  the  rapid  decay  of  the 
Quinebaugs,  was  situated  in  the  eastern  part  of .  the  town,  in  a 
place  where  it  is  said  chiefs  and  sagamores  and  many  previous 
generations  of  the  tribe  had  been  deposited.  For  several  years 
during  the  early  part  of  the  last  century  this  town  was  engaged 
in  many  disputes  in  regard  to  lands  adjoining.  Efforts  were 
made  to  secure  additional  land  by  enlarging  the  boundaries,  first 
on  the  north  side,  then  on  the  west  side  and  then  on  the  east 
side.  But  all  these  efforts  ^vere  fruitless,  as  was  also  the  at- 
tempt to  deprive  individuals  who  had  bought  lands  of  claimants 
holding  the  field  previous  to  the  town  charter.  The  Plainfield 
proprietors  at  that  period  seemed  to  have  a  decided  ambition  to 
possess  more  land,  but  the  tide  of  destiny  seemed  in  no  wise  fav- 
orable to  the  gratification  of  that  ambition.  The  difficulties  with 
Canterbury  were  not  removed,  even  when  the  question  of  fee 
was  settled  in  Plainfield's  favor,  and  both  towns  continued  the 
contest  over  the  part  of  Canterbury  included  between  the  Quine- 
baue  river  and  the  line  which  started  at  the  center  of  the  island 
of  Peagscomsuck  and  ran  a  quarter  of  a  mile  east  and  then  in  a 
straight  line  south  to  the  south  bounds  of  the  town.  The  con- 
test over  this  parcel  of  ground  lasted  for  many  years  and  devel- 
oped many  instances  of  lawlessness.  Committees  were  frequently 
appointed  "  to  see  persons  that  pull  down  or  demolish  Canter- 
bury fence,"  and  numerous  petitions  vainly  urged  the  re-state- 
ment and  settlement  of  the  boundary  line.  The  management 
of  the  General  Field  was  a  matter  of  endless  trouble  and  vexa- 
tion. Its  fencing  was  maintained  with  great  labor  and  difficulty, 
and  its  proper  care  and  clearing  necessitated  the  employment  of 
from  sixteen  to  twenty-three  "field  drivers,"  a  public  town  office 
instituted  about  1720.  These  land  quarrels  somewhat  retarded 
the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  town,  and  developed  much 
recklessness  and  lawlessness  among  its  inhabitants.  Reports 
of  many  disorders  and  irregularities  are  found  in  the  records  of 
the  New  London  county  courts:  In  1726  Plainfield  was  visited 
by  a  "  very  distressing  sickness  and  great  mortality,"  so  that  the 
people  could  not  get  sufficient  help  among  themselves  to  attend 
the  sick,  but  were  obliged  to  rely  upon  other  towns  for  aid. 

28 


434  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

About  twenty  persons  died  in  the  town  within  a  few  months, 
including-  some  of  its  first  and  leading  citizens,  viz. :  John  Hall, 
Samuel  Shepard,  James  Deane,  Benjamin  Palmer,  Matthias  But- 
ton, Ephraim  Wheeler,  Philip  Bump  and  Samuel  Howe.  The 
Aborig-inals  were  now  rapidly  passing  away,  not  so  much  from 
disease  as  from  their  change  of  habits,  and  especially  from  the 
excessive  use  of  liquor,  from  which  it  seemed  impossible  to  re- 
strain them. 

The  Separate  movement  in  Plainfield  drew  away  from  the 
standing  church  a  number  of  followers,  but  the  breach  was  not 
as  wide,  nor  the  opposition  between  the  two  religious  factions  as 
bitter  as  it  was  in  some  towns.  The  Separatists,  who  had  built 
a  church  and  were  supporting  the  Gospel  themselves,  in  their 
own  way,  objected  strongly  to  paying  additional  taxes  for  the 
support  of  the  standing  minister,  as  the  law  required  them  to  do. 
At  a  town  meeting,  April  7th,  1760,  it  was  voted  to  have  two  dis- 
tinct societies.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  present  the  case 
to  the  assembly  and  ask  the  approval  of  that  body.  The  assem- 
bly granted  the  request,  dividing  the  town  into  two  societies,  not 
by  geographical  lines  but  by  ecclesiastical  preferences  of  the 
people,  both  societies  occupying  the  same  territory,  the  First  to 
have  two-thirds  and  the  Second  one-third  of  the  ministerial  rate 
of  the  town.  The  adjustment  of  ecclesiastical  matters  by  the 
town  seemed  to  occupy  so  much  attention  about  this  period  that 
but  little  consideration  was  given  to  schools,  roads  and  other 
public  improvements. 

In  1756  certain  French  prisoners  of  war  were  billeted  upon  the 
town.  These  w^ere  some  of  the  neutral  French  inhabitants  of 
Acadia,  who  had  been  torn  from  their  homes  and  native  coun- 
try after  the  conquest  of  Nova  Scotia  by  the  English,  and 
were  now  distributed  among  the  towns  of  New  England. 
Forty-three  of  these  unhappy  Acadians  were  assigned  to  Wind- 
ham county  b}'-  act  of  assembly,  but  Plainfield  appears  to  have 
been  the  only  town  that  officially  and  publicly  made  provision 
for  them.  By  such  records  loads  of  wood  were  allowed  to 
Frenchmen  ;  money  was  paid  for  going  to  Norwich  for  French- 
men's beef,  for  doctoring  the  "  Neutral  French,"  and  for  keep- 
ing Pierre  Meron's  cow.  Thus  we  see  that  whatever  their 
sufferings  elsewhere,  in  Plainfield  they  were  not  uncared  for. 

At  the  town  meeting  in  1765,  Elisha  Paine  was  moderator. 
The  following   officers  were    elected :    Isaac  Coit,  James  Brad- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  435 

ford,  James  Howe,  Joseph  Eaton,  Elislia  Paine,  selectmen ; 
Major  Ezekiel  Pierce,  town  clerk ;  John  Pierce,  Elisha  Paine, 
Lieutenant  John  Douglas,  Doctor  Robinson,  Azariah  Spalding, 
Jedidiah  Spalding,  Ebenezer  Kingsbury,  Stephen  Warren,  Wil- 
liam Cady,  Timothy  Parkhurst,  highway  surveyors  ;  Reuben 
Shepard,  David  Shepard,  D:  Perkins,  Nathaniel  Deane,  Simeon 
Burgess,  listers ;  Captains  Eaton  and  Coit,  fence  viewers ;  Wil- 
liam Park  and  Azariah  Spalding,  leather  sealers ;  Willjam 
Robinson  an^  Joshua  Dunlap,  grand  jurors;  Samuel  Hall, 
Joseph  Spalding,  Philip  Spalding  and  Simon  Shepard,  tithing 
men ;  Hezekiah  Spalding,  sealer  of  weights  and  measures ; 
Captain  Cady,  toller  and  brander  of  horses.  The  engrossing 
subject  of  this  time  was  the  adjusting  of  ecclesiastical  affairs. 
The  majority  of  the  town  adhered  to  the  Separate  church, 
while  by  law  the  two-thirds  of  ministerial  rates  belonged  to 
the  First  church.  The  remnant  of  the  latter  had  not  sufficient 
vitality  to  supply  their  church  with  a  minister.  The  Separate 
church  was  a  respectable  and  orderly  body,  differing  little  from 
the  orthodox  churches  of  the  time  except  in  opposing  the  sup- 
port of  the  ministry  by  taxation.  An  effort  was  made  in  1766 
to  unite  the  two  societies.  The  town  voted  that  the  old  town 
meeting  house  should  be  used,  that  being  larger  and  more  con- 
venient for  the  people  to  reach,  and  that  Mr.  Miller,  the  Sepa- 
ratist minister,  should  preach  in  it.  This  arrangement  was 
unsatisfactory  to  a  few  who  clung  to  the  First  church  and  dis- 
tinctively opposed  the  Separatists,  thus  shutting  themselves  out 
from  the  house  of  worship.  But  a  conciliatory  settlement  of  dif- 
ficulties was  effected  in  1769,  by  which  the  town  was  again  united 
in  its  worship  in  the  old  church,  certain  orthodox  forms  being 
observed,  while  the  ministerial  tax  levy,  which  was  so  objection- 
able to  the  Separatists,  was  forever  abolished  and  church  ex- 
penses met  by  voluntary  contributions. 

In  1763  a  project  was  set  on  foot  for  the  improvement  of  the 
Quinebaug  river  from  Danielson's  Falls  to  Norwich,  by  digging 
it  out.  It  was  estimated  that  such  improvement  could  be  made 
for  four  hundred  pounds,  and  the  assembly  was  petitioned  for 
authority  to  operate  a  lottery  in  behalf  of  the  scheme,  but  the 
request  was  not  granted,  and  so  the  improvement  scheme  was 
abandoned.  In  the  summer  of  1768  a  weekly  stage-coach  was  run 
over  the  road  from  Providence  to  Norwich  through  this  town. 
A  spacious  tavern  house  for  the  accommodation  of  travelers  over 


436  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

this  road  was  built  and  opened  in  Plainfield  village,  by  Captain 
Eaton,  which  became  a  very  noted  and  popular  resort.  Taverns 
were  also  kept  in  other  parts  of  the  town  by  Thomas  Stevens, 
Israel  Underwood  and  others. 

The  old  Eaton  house  or  tavern  has. historic  honors  connected 
with  it.  At  different  times  it  had  Washington  and  Lafayette  for 
its  guests.  It  stands  on  the  thoroughfare  mentioned  and  is  now 
kept  by  David  K.  Douglas.  On  the  front  stoop  stands  an  antique 
chair,  in  which,  tradition  says,  Lafayette  sat  and  wrote  a  letter. 
The  editor  of  this  History  takes  the  liberty  here  to  quote  from 
his  own  note  book  the  following  paragraph,  verbatim  et  literatim. 

"  On  the  front  stoop  of  the  old  Douglass  or  Eaton  house  stands 
the  historic  chair.  I  am  writing  these  notes  on  the  same  arm  on 
which  it  is  said  Lafayette  wrote  a  letter.  It  is  an  antiquated 
chair,  the  back  and  side  arms  of  which  are  formed  of  swelled 
rounds.  On  the  right  arm  is  an  oval  board  about  1  ft.  wide  and 
2  ft.  long,  forming  a  very  convenient  writing  desk.  The  old 
house  and  all  its  surroundings  are  wonderfully  suggestive  of  the 
customs  of  a  generation  long  since  passed  away.  Massive  elms 
of  a  century's  growth  shade  the  airy  lawn  and  green  and  street. 
The  swinging  tavern  sign  of  a  former  period  still  hangs  out 
upon  the  highway." 

In  1771  the  town  voted  to  provide  a  house  for  the  poor  and  a 
proper  overseer.  The  few  Indians  at  that  time  left  in  the  town 
were  properly  cared  for  by  the  town  authorities  or  benevolent 
individuals.  The  provision  made  by  Mr.  Joshua  Whitney  for 
his  negro  servants  at  his  decease  in  1761  shows  the  conscientious 
regard  with  which  some  good  men  of  that  day  fulfilled  the  re- 
sponsibility of  ownership.  Not  only  did  he  make  Sandy,  Caesar 
and  Judith,  with  their  children,  absolutely  free,  but  bequeathed  to 
each  household  six  acres  of  land,  stock  and  farming  tools  ;  gave 
to  one  his  "  oldest  little  Bible,"  and  to  another  several  good  books; 
enjoined  Sandy  to  take  care  of  Bess,  his  wife,  and  give  her  a  decent 
burial;  and  directed  Caesar  and  Judith  "  to  see  that  their  chil- 
dren were  in  no  ways  left  to  perish." 

The  great  exodus  to  the  new  countries  took  from  Plainfield 
some  valued  citizens.  A  number  of  respectable  families  joined 
the  first  emigrants  to  Oblong  and  Nine  Partners.  Major  Ez- 
ekiel  Pierce  and  Captain  Simon  Spalding  were  prominent  among 
the  bold  men  who  took  possession  of  Wyoming.  Elisha  Paine, 
so  active  in  professional  and  public  affairs,  removed  in   1767  to 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  437 

Lebanon,  New  Hampshire.  The  township  of  Sharon,  Vermont, 
was  purchased  and  settled  by  a  Plainfield  colony.  Isaac  Marsh, 
Willard  Shepard  and  others  went  on  in  advance,  selected  land, 
built  huts,  sowed  grass  and  prepared  for  the  main  body  of  immi- 
grants. William,  son  of  Captain  John  Douglas,  though  but  a 
lad  of  sixteen,  served  valiantly  in  the  French  war,  and  after  the 
return  of  peace  took  command  of  a  merchant  ship  sailing  be- 
tween New  Haven  and  the  West  Indies,  making  his  residence  in 
Northford.  These  losses  were  in  some  degree  made  up  by  oc- 
casional new  settlers.  Timothy  Lester,  of  Shepard  hill,  and 
Isaac  Knight,  of  Black  hill,  were  among  its  acquisitions.  John 
Aplin,  an  Englishman,  who  had  gained  a  handsome  estate  by 
the  practice  of  law  in  Providence,  removed  hither  about  1766. 
John  Pierce  succeeded  to  the  position  of  town  clerk  for  a  few 
years,  and  was  succeeded  by  William  Robinson  in  1772. 

During  the  trying  revolutionary  period,  Plainfield  maintained 
its  character  for  patriotism  and  constancy.  In  the  summer  of 
1774  the  town,  by  its  vote,  expressed  its  willingness  to  contribute 
to  the  help  of  Boston,  then  suffering  in  the  common  cause.  A 
committee  was  appointed  to  receive  subscriptions  for  that  pur- 
pose, which  committee  consisted  of  Captain  Joseph  Eaton,  James 
Bradford,  Robert  Kinsman,  Andrew  Backus,  Abraham  Shepard, 
Ebenezer  Robinson,  Joshua  Dunlap,  Perry  Clark  and  Curtis 
Spalding.  A  committee  of  correspondence  was  also  appointed, 
which  was  composed  of  James  Bradford,  Isaac  Coit,  Major  John 
Douglas,  Doctor  Elisha  Perkins  and  William  Robinson.  In  1775 
Plainfield  approved  of  the  methods  proposed  by  congress  for 
resisting  the  oppressive  acts  of  parliament,  and  pledged  a  strict 
adherence  to  them.  The  town  also  voted,  with  but  one  dissent- 
ing voice,  "  That  we  will  not  in  future  purchase  for  ourselves  or 
families  any  East  India  tea  until  the  port  of  Boston  is  opened, 
and  until  the  unreasonable  Acts  of  the  British  Parliament  are 
repealed."  In  1777  Plainfield  encouraged  enlistments  by  voting 
that  the  families  of  those  who  should  enlist  for  three  years  or 
during  the  war  should  be  supplied  with  the  common  necessaries 
of  life  at  the  price  stated  by  the  general  assembly,  and  also 
offered  a  bounty  of  $30  above  that  offered  by  the  state.  During 
that  year  Captain  Daniel  Clark,  of  Plainfield,  was  killed  in  battle 
at  Saratoga,  September  19th,  and  the  town  also  lost  its  minister, 
Reverend  John  Fuller,  who  died  in  the  service  as  a  chaplain  in 
the  army.     The  women  of  this  town  were  not  to  be  left  in  the 


438  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

shade  of  others  in  their  acts  of  devotion  to  the  common  cause. 
They  engaged  in  making  thousands  of  cartridges  with  which  to 
replenish  the  military  stores  at  their  depot.  The  following  list 
of  men  who  were  killed  or  died  in  the  service,  from  Plainfield, 
has  been  preserved : 

"  Samuel  Gary,  Roxbury;  Roswell  Spaulding,  Asa  Chapman, 
1775;  William  Dunlap,  1776;  John  Kingsbury,  New  York-ward, 
1777;  Samuel  Cole,  Zerniah  Shurtleff,  New  York-ward,  1776;  four 
negroes  by  sickness;  William  Farnham,  captivity;  Captain  Dan- 
iel Clark,  Paul  Adams,  killed  at  vStillwater,  Sept.  19,  1777;  Asa 
Kingsbury's  son,  killed  at  Fort  Mifflin,  nigh  Philadelphia;  Dr. 
Nathaniel  Spalding,  died  at  Halifax  a  prisoner,  last  of  1777;  Dr. 
Phinehas  Parkhurst,  surgeon  of  hvig  Resista7icc\  died  at  Portland, 
May,  1778;  Daniel  Parish  died  at  Newport  a  prisoner;  Samuel 
Spalding  at  Martinique  after  being  wounded;  Enos  Tew,  New 
York,  captivity;  Dr.  Ebenezer  Robinson,  Jr.,  at  New  York,  pris- 
oner, July,  1779." 

After  the  revolution  Plainfield  resumed,  with  other  towns,  the 
business  of  a  community  and  time  of  peace.  Agriculture  and 
other  industrial  arts  were  promoted  and  a  degree  of  prosperity 
was  soon  acquired.  The  selectmen  in  1801  were  directed  to  pro- 
vide a  suitable  and  convenient  house  for  the  reception  of  the 
poor.  What  provision  was  made  we  are  not  informed,  but  later 
on,  in  1832,  the  house  formerly  belonging  to  Amos  Witter  was 
established  for  a  work-house  and  house  of  correction.  Military 
matters  excited  some  attention.  In  1799  the  town  voted  to  ex- 
empt from  certain  taxation  all  non-commissioned  officers,  musi- 
cians and  privates  who  should  equip  themselves  as  to  arms, 
clothing  and  accoutrements,  and  do  military  duty.  Abel  Andrus 
was  at  this  time  lieutenant  colonel  of  the  Twenty-first  Regiment; 
Shubael  Hutchins,  first  major;  Reverend  Joel  Benedict,  chaplain; 
Sessions  Lester,  quartermaster;  George  Middleton,  paymaster; 
Doctor  Johnson,  of  Westminster,  surgeon;  Daniel  Gordon,  sur- 
geon's mate;  PYederick  Andrus,  Aaron  Crary,  Samuel  Douglas 
and  Asa  Burgess,  captains  of  companies  in  the  light  infantry; 
Thomas  and  Daniel  Wheeler  and  John  Gordon,  lieutenants  and 
ensigns;  Doctor  Josiah  Fuller,  surgeon's  mate  of  the  cavalry  reg- 
iment. 

The  easy  communication  with  Providence  and  Norwich,  the 
stages  now  running  daily  to  and  from,  stimulated  traffic  and  ag- 
ricultural enterprise.     Captains  Lester,  Dunlap  and  others  gave 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  439 

much  attention  to  wool  growing  and  stock  raising.  Luther 
Smith,  John  and  William  Douglas  and  William  Olmstead  en- 
gaged in  trade.  George  Middleton  opened  a  harness  shop,  mak- 
ing a  specialty  of  manufacturing  pocket-books  and  portmanteaus 
of  leather.  Doctor  Daniel  Gordon  kept  an  apothecary's  shop. 
Potash  works,  tanning  and  hat  manufacturing  were  carried  on  in 
the  valleys  east  and  south  of  the  village.  A  post  office,  the  third 
office  established  in  Windham  county,  was  opened  here  in  1797 
by  Captain  Ebenezer  Eaton,  whose  popular  stage  tavern  main- 
tained its  former  reputation.  Nathan  Angell,  of  Providence, 
purchased  of  Doctor  Welles,  in  1777,  a  fine  farm  on  the  Moosup, 
with  large  mansion  house,  store  house,  cheese  house,  milk  house, 
young  orchard,  and  various  conveniences.  Much  other  land  was 
purchased  by  Mr.  Angell,  who  ran  saw  and  grist  mills  and  car- 
ried on  extensive  farming  operations  as  well.  At  a  later  period 
the  town  favored  manufacturing  industries  by  repealing  its 
former  regulations  for  the  protection  of  fishing  interests  in  the 
Quinebaug,  thus  allowing  the  water  privileges  to  be  utilized.  It 
also  took  into  consideration  the  canal  proposed  from  tide  water 
to  Worcester,  and  gave  expressions  of  confidence  in  its  tendency 
to  benefit  the  agricultural,  commercial  and  manufacturing  in- 
terests of  the  town,  and  requested  its  representatives  to  further 
the  same. 

During  the  early  years  of  the  present  century,  manufacturing 
interests  began  to  develop  in  Plainfield,  and  through  their  influ- 
ence the  town  has  inaintained  its  position  and  growth  with  a 
healthy  degree  of  progress.  About  the  year  1807  several  manu- 
facturing companies  embarked  in  the  enterprise  of  establishing 
cotton  spinning  upon  the  streams  of  this  town.  The  American 
Cotton  Manufacturing  Company  was  composed  of  Thomas 
Rhodes  of  Providence,  Peter  B.  Remington  of  Warwick,  Messrs. 
Holden  &  Lawton  of  Rehoboth,  and  Obed  Brown,  Dyer  Ames 
and  others  of  Sterling.  This  company  secured  a  privilege  "  near 
Ransom  Perkins'  fulling  mill  on  Quandunk  River."  The  Plain- 
field  Union  Manufacturing  Company  was  organized  for  the  pur- 
pose of  carrying  on  the  manufacture  of  cotton,  and  bought  val- 
uable privileges  and  land  on  the  Moosup.-  This  company  was 
composed  of  Rufus  Waterman,  S.  G.  Arnold,  Joseph  S.  Martin', 
David  and  Joseph  Anthony,  of  Providence;  Peter  Cushman,  of 
North  Providence;  David  King,  of  Newport;  and  Anthony 
Bradford,  Henry   Dow,  John  Dunlap,  Walter  Palmer,  Christo- 


440  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

pher  Deane,  Jonathan  Gallup,  Joseph  Parkhurst,  Edward  Hill, 
John  Lester,  Jeremiah  Kinsman,  James  Gordon,  Jr.,  Nathaniel 
Medbury,  James  Goff,  John  Freeman,  Elias  Deane  and  Edward 
Clark,  of  Plainfield;  and  Calvin  Hibbard  and  Lemuel  Dorrance, 
of  Sterling-.  Joseph  K.  Angell,  with  Nathan  Burgess,  Hum- 
phrey Almy  and  other  non-residents,  arranged  to  occupy  the 
privilege  long  owned  by  Nathan  Angell,  under  the  name  of 
the  Moosup  Manufacturing  Company.  The  Plainfield  Union 
Company  was  ready  for  work  in  1809,  and  the  others  within 
a  year  or  two  from  that  time.  The  Andrus  Factory  Company, 
composed  of  Abel  and  Benjamin  Andrus,  Thomas  and  Andrew 
Gibbs,  Levi  Robinson  and  Joseph  Hutchins,  of  Plainfield; 
Charles  Townsend,  of  Norwich;  Titus  Adams,  John  Baldwin 
and  Joseph  Farnham,  of  Canterbury,  began  operations  in  1811. 
They  bought  land  in  Plainfield  and  Canterbury,  on  the  brook 
south  of  the  grist  mill,  and  put  up  a  small  mill,  thus  begin- 
ning the  settlement  which  has  since  been  known  as  Packer- 
ville.  Adjoining  residents  in  both  towns  were  much  interested 
in  this  manufacturing  experiment,  and  freely  gave  their  aid 
in  clearing  up  land  and  digging  the  cellar.  Woolen  factories 
were  also  set  in  motion  in  the  town  by  Darius  Lawton,  of 
Newport,  and  Joseph  Eaton.  Carding  machines  and  fulling 
mills  were  run  by  John  Kennedy  and  others.  Mr.  John  Lester 
and  Doctor  Fuller  engaged  largely  in  wool  raising.  The  period 
of  depression  in  the  manufacturing  industry  which  followed 
the  war  of  1812  occasioned  much  embarrassment  in  Plainfield. 
Several  companies  were  obliged  to  suspend  operations,  and 
many  changes  took  place.  The  Moosup  Company  lost  its  fac- 
tory by  fire,  and  the  company  was  dissolved.  The  Central 
Manufacturing  Company  in  1827  passed  into  the  hands  of  Rich- 
ard and  Arnold  Fenner,  of  Cumberland,  and  Holden  Borden,  of 
Smithfield.  Buildings,  machinery,  privileges  of  land  and  water, 
occupied  in  woolen  manufacture  by  Joseph  Eaton,  Darius  Law- 
ton  and  company,  in  1826  fell  into  the  hands  of  a  Rhode  Island 
Quaker,  William  Almy.  A  large  new  factory  building  was 
erected  the  following  year,  improved  machinery  introduced, 
tenement  houses  built,  adjoining  land  purchased  and  brought 
under  cultivation,  and  soon  one  of  the  largest  woolen  manufac- 
tories in  Connecticut  was  under  full  headway.  Another  smaller 
factory,  eastward  on  the  Moosup,  was  built  and  run  by  Joseph 
S.  Gladding.     The   Union  Factory,  owned  mostly  in  Plainfield, 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  441 

was  also  flourishing-,  Henry  A.  Rogers  acting  as  its  agent  in 
Providence.  Four  little  manufacturing  villages,  known  as  Alm}^- 
ville,  Unionville,  Centreville  and  Packerville,  were  thus  grow- 
ing up  in  the  town.  All  were  managed  by  good  men,  ready  to 
promote  order  and  improvement.  The  first  was  made  the  charge 
of  Sampson  Almy,  nephew  of  its  chief  proprietor.  A  small  set- 
tlement also  grew  up  around  Kennedy's  mill,  near  the  mouth 
of  the  Moosup. 

Public  improvements  in  the  way  of  traveling  facilities  were 
imperative  and  the  demand  was  promply  met  by  the  early  set- 
tlers of  the  town.     In  1705  the  town  directed  a  committee  to  lay 
out  leading  ways  into  the  General  Field  and  a  way  to  Canterbury. 
A  road  was  also  marked  out  from  the  mill  which  had  been  built 
on  Mill  brook  to  the  north  part  of  the  town.    A  highway  six  rods 
wide  was  laid  out  from  the  Preston  line  to  the  north  bounds  of 
the  town,  with  two  crossings  at  Moosup's  river.    A  highway  was 
laid  out  from  this  road,  through  the  General   Field,  between 
John  Spalding's  and  Thomas  Pierce's  and  "so  over  the  brook  on 
the  west  side  of  Moosup's  hill  to  Moosup's  river  and  so  down  the 
river."     The  people  felt  the  need  of  more  convenient  highways 
and  bridges  over  the  Quinebaug,  fording  places  being  at  first 
used,  but  this  practice  was  dangerous  and  sometimes  impossible 
when  the  river  ran  high.     The  town  was  too  young  and  unset- 
tled to  cope  with  the  task  of  bridge  building,  but  a  bridge  was 
built,  probably  by  private  contributions,  in  1709.     By  direction 
of  the  assembly  this  town  was  required  to  lay  out  a  road  through 
its  territory  to  meet  the  road  which  Rhode   Island  had  ordered 
to  be  laid  out  from  Providence  to  this  town.   The  enactment  was 
made  in  October,  1712.     The  assembly  directed  the  selectmen  of 
Plainfield  to  continue  the  road  eastward  beyond  the  town  bounds 
to  the  point  where  it  was  to  meet  the  road  from  Rhode  Island. 
This  part  of  the  road  through  territory  as  yet  unoccupied  by 
any  town  was  to  be  paid  for  by  the  government.     In  crossing 
this  town  the  road  ran  through  the  lands  of  Joshua  Whitney, 
Benjamin  Spalding,    Nathaniel  Jewell,  Daniel  Lawrence,  John 
Hall  and  John  Smith,  all  of  whom  gave  the  right  of  way  free  of 
charge.   The  road  was  laid  out  four  rods  wide,  and  in  some  parts 
of  Egunk  hill  this  was  increased  to  eight  rods  for  the  conven- 
ience of  loaded  carts.     The  road  was  completed  and  opened  for 
use  in  1714,  the   colony  paying   the   cost   of  a  bridge   over  the 
Moosup  which  lay  on  the  road  just  beyond  the  east  bounds  of 


442  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

the  town.  The  bridge  which  had  been  built  over  the  Quinebaug 
was  carried  away  by  a  freshet  after  it  had  been  there  but  a  few 
years.  Following  this,  Samuel  Shepard,  who  lived  on  the  public 
road  near  a  convenient  place  for  crossing,  provided  a  ferry  boat 
large  enough  to  carry  a  horse  and  a  man  over.  In  order  to  com- 
pensate him  for  the  outlay  he  had  made,  the  assembly  in  May, 
1772,  allowed  him  "  to  keep  said  ferry  for  the  space  of  five  years 
next  coming ;  and  the  fees  thereof  are  stated  to  be  f ourpence  for 
horse  and  man."  No  other  public  ferry  was  allowed  between 
the  towns,  and  Shepard  was  to  keep  suitable  boats  for  the  pur- 
pose and  attend  to  its  service. 

The  following  petition  tells  so  much  of  its  own  story, and  also 
gives  so  much  of  incidental  information  concerning  the  river 
and  the  entei-prise  of  bridging  it,  that  we  insert  it  entire : 

'' To  the  general  assembly  sitting  in  Hartford.  May  9,  1728. 
The  petition  of  the  subscribers  showeth  to  ycur  Honors,  the 
many  attempts  that  have  been  made  by  many  of  the  inhabitants 
of  the  towns  of  Plainfield  and  Canterbury  for  the  making  a  good 
and  sufficient  cart-bridge  over  the  river  Quinebaug,  between 
said  towns;  it  being  so  extraordinarily  difficult  and  hazardous,  for 
near  half  the  year  almost  every  year,  and  many  travelers  have 
escaped  of  their  lives  to  admiration.  The  same  river  can't  be 
paralleled  in  this  Colony.  It  descends  near  fifty  or  sixty  miles, 
out  of  the  wilderness,  and  many  other  rivers  entering  into  it, 
cause  it  to  be  extremely  furious  and  hazardous.  And  also  the 
road  through  said  towns,  over  said  river,  being  as  great  as  al- 
most any  road  in  the  Government,  for  travelers.  And  now  vcur 
petitioners,  with  the  encouragement  of  divers  persons  (^98  8s.) 
have  assumed  to  build  a  good  cart-bridge,  twenty-seven  feet 
high  from  the  bottom  of  said  river — which  is  four  feet  higher 
than  any  flood  known  these  thirty  years — and  sixteen  and 
a  half  rods  long ;  have  carefully  kept  account  of  the  cost,  te- 
side  trouble  which  is  great  (cost  amounting  to  i^424),  and  ask 
for  a  grant  of  ungranted  lands." 

The  assembly  ordered,  "  That  said  bridge  be  kept  a  toll-bridge 
for  ten  years,  receiving  for  each  man, horse  and  load,  fourpence; 
single  man,  twopence  ;  each  horse  and  all  neat  cattle,  twopence 
per  head ;  sheep  and  swine,  two  shillings  per  score  ;  always  pro- 
vided, that  those  who  have  contributed  toward  said  bridge  be 
free  till  reimbursed  what  they  have  paid."  Two  years  later,  en 
account  of  the  great  expense  incurred  in  building  this  bridge. 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  443 

it  was  further  resolved,  "  That  no  person  shall  keep  any  boat  or 
ferry  on  said  Quinebaug  river  for  the  transportation  of  trav- 
elers within  one  mile  of  said  bridge,  on  the  penalty  of  the  law." 

A  bridge  over  Moosup  river,  by  Kingsbury's  mill,  was  built 
by  Samuel  Spalding  in  1729.  In  1737  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  act  in  conjunction  with  Canterbury  in  rebuilding  the  broken 
down  bridge  between  the  two  towns.  Canterbury  preferring  to 
build  a  new  one  rather  than  repair  the  damaged  one,  Plainfield 
ordered  a  new  road  laid  out  to  reach  the  new  site,  which  was 
nearly  opposite  to  Captain  Butts'  place.  William  Deane  was 
granted  permission  to  make  a  dam  across  Moosup  river  about 
1716,  for  the  purpose  of  setting  up  mills  near  his  house.  A  bridge 
over  this  stream  on  the  road  to  Deane's  house  and  mill  was  built 
by  the  town  in  1740. 

In  1767  the  bridge  over  the  Quinebaug  was  again  swept  away 
by  a  freshet.  Widow  Williams  saved  twenty  of  the  planks,  by 
heroic  efforts,  and  the  town  voted  her  a  reward  for  the  action. 
The  bridge  was  at  once  rebuilt  and  men  appointed  to  have  the 
care  of  it  and  cut  away  ice  when  it  formed  upon  the  abutments. 
This  bridge  being  situated  on  a  great  thoroughfare  of  inter- 
colonial travel,  was  at  that  time  a  very  important  one.  Special 
orders  relative  to  the  renewal  and  maintenance  of  this  road  were 
from  time  to  time  made  by  the  governments  of  Connecticut  and 
Rhode  Island.  A  road  laid  out  from  this  highway  to  Butts' 
bridge  accommodated  Norwich  travel.  In  1784  the  town  voted 
to  join  with  Brooklyn  in  building  a  bridge  over  the  Quinebaug 
at  Parkhurst's  fordway.  The  work  was  delayed  several  years, 
but  was  accomplished  in  1790.  In  1788  the  town  joined  Canter- 
bury in  rebuilding  Nevins'  bridge,  "with  three  stone  pillars  in 
the  river  and  suitable  timber  and  planks  for  the  upper  works." 

Turnpike  companies  began  to  come  into  existence  about  the 
close  of  the  last  century.  In  1795  the  "  New  London  and  Wind- 
ham County  Society  for  establishing  a  turnpike  road  from  Nor- 
wich to  Rhode  Island  line,  direct  through  Norwich,  Lisbon, 
Preston,  Plainfield  and  Sterling,"  was  incorporated.  A  toll-gate 
was  allowed  in  Sterling,  and  another  "  within  half  a  mile  of 
Plainfield  meeting  house."  The  old  traveled  country  road  from 
Plainfield  meeting  house  westward  to  Hartford  was  turned  over 
to  the  Windham  Turnpike  Company  in  1799,  and  liberty  granted 
to  erect  a  toll-gate  near  the  dividing  line  between  Plainfield  and 
Canterbury.     General  James  Gordon  was  a  member  of  several 


444  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

turnpike  companies  and  served  as  turnpike  commissioner  of  the 
state. 

Highway  districts  were  remodelled  in  1808.  The  record  locates 
them  as — No.  1,  Southwest ;  No.  2,  Middle  District,  with  three 
bridges,  including  bridge  over  west  turnpike  by  tan  vats  ;  No.  3, 
North  meeting  house,  begins  at  the  Great  Gate  ;  No.  4,  Green  Hol- 
low, extending  north  to  Killingly  line  on  the  road  to  Elder  Cole's 
meeting  house;  No.  5,  Shepard  Hill;  No.  6,  Moosup,  extends  north 
by  Hartshorn's  mills;  No.  7,  Black  Hill,  includes  Nevins' and  Cut- 
ler's bridges ;  No.  8,  Pond  Hill,  extending  to  Sterling  line ;  No. 
8,  Snake  Meadow,  north  to  Killingly  line ;  No.  10,  Mill  Road  ; 
No.  11,  Goshen  ;  No.  12,  Walnut  Hill ;  No.  13,  Kinne  Road  ;  No. 
14,  Howe  Hill ;  No.  15,  Dow  Road  ;  No.  16,  Spring  Hill ;  Nos.  17 
and  18,  East  and  West  Flat  Rock.  Roads  were  laid  out  near 
Union  Factory,  and  from  the  Andrus  Factory  over  Butts' bridge, 
but  a  road  was  refused  from  the  latter  factory  to  Plainfield  vil- 
lage on  the  ground  that  there  was  no  house  on  the  way  and  nev- 
er would  be.  In  1818  a  committee  was  appointed  to  join  with 
Canterbury  in  a  conference  about  building  a  bridge  between  the 
two  towns,  the  selectmen  meanwhile  being  authorized  to  estab- 
lish a  means  of  crossing  by  a  boat.  They  were  also  called  upon 
to  join  with  Brooklyn  in  providing  for  bridge  repairs  between 
the  two  towns.     Bridges  over  Moosup  river  were  also  replaced. 

We  have  already  seen  that  the  people  of  this  town  gave  early 
and  earnest  attention  to  establishing  a  ministry  and  the  worship 
of  God  in  their  midst.  November  13th,  1699,  thirty-eight  per- 
sons signed  an  agreement  to  pay  their  proportion  toward  the 
support  of  the  ministry.  Twenty-six  of  these  men  resided  east 
of  the  Quinebaug,  and  twelve  of  them  on  the  west.  A  meeting 
house  was  built,  so  far  as  to  be  ready  for  occupancy  by  January, 
1703.  This  house,  which  was  supplied  with  a  temporary  floor 
and  seats,  was  built  on  the  summit  of  Black  hill.  In  1704  per- 
manent floor,  pews  and  pulpit  were  added.  In  the  early  part  of 
January,  1705,  a  church  was  organized  and  Mr.  Coit  was  ordained 
as  its  pastor.  In  1708,  Mr.  Coit  having  married  a  wife.  Miss  Ex- 
perience Wheeler,  of  Stonington,  his  salary  was  increased  to 
£60  a  year,  which  was  to  be  raised  in  "  grain  and  provision  pay," 
but  if  any  chose  to  pay  in  money  they  were  to  have  the  benefit 
of  an  abatement  of  one-third  their  rate.  Between  the  years  1717 
and  1720  a  new  meeting  house  was  built.  The  size  of  this  was 
forty  by  fifty  feet  on  the  ground    and  twenty  feet  high.      Its 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  445 

location  was  for  a  long  time  a  matter  of  contention,  different 
claims  being  urged  by  different  parties,  even  to  appeals  to  the 
assembly  to  reverse  the  decision  of  the  town  vote.  The  idea 
of  placing  it  on  the  country  road  that  "  goes  from  the  south 
end  of  the  town  "  was  generally  agreed  to,  but  various  votes 
and  claims  were  promulgated  as  to  more  definite  location. 
Once  it  was  voted,  "  That  it  shall  stand  on  the  hill,  north  of 
Blodget's."  Again  it  was  voted  that  it  should  stand  "  east  and 
by  south  from  Blodget's  house."  A  month  later,  however,  the 
town  declared  that  it  should  stand  "  a  few  rods  north  of  the 
house  where  Blodget  dwells."  Notwithstanding  many  objec- 
tions were  urged  to  the  indefiniteness  of  the  relative  positions 
of  Blodget's  and  the  meeting  house,  the  latter  finally  settled 
down  to  a  location  "near  Blodget's,"  and  about  half  a  mile 
north  of  the  site  of  the  present  Congregational  church  in  Plain- 
field,  and  was  completed  and  ready  for  occupancy  in  Septem- 
ber, 1720.  The  orderly  character  of  the  young  people  who  at- 
tended divine  worship  in  those  politico-ecclesiastical  times  is 
not  flattered  by  the  fact  that  a  man  was  stationed  in  the  gal- 
lery to  watch  the  young  people  below  lest  they  should  do 
damage  to  the  house,  "by  opening  the  windows  or  anywise 
damnifying  the  glass  ;  and  if  any  (him  or  her),  did  profane 
the  Sabbath  by  laughing  or  behaving  unseemly,  he  should 
call  him  or  her  by  name  and  so  reprove  them  therefor." 

Mr.  Coit  remained  in  the  pastorate  until  compelled  by  ad- 
vancing age  and  infirmities  to  resign,  and  was  dismissed  March 
16th,  1748,  having  been  serving  his  people,  either  as  supply  or 
pastor,  forty -nine  years.  During  the  last  few  years  of  his  work 
it  was  necessary  for  the  society  to  employ  assistants  a  part  of 
the  time.     He  died  in  Plainfield  July  1st,  1750,  at  a  ripe  old  age. 

The  great  revival  of  1741-43  in  Plainfield  was  followed  by 
division.  A  minority  were  dissatisfied  with  the  customs  of  the 
church,  and  withdrew  and  organized  a  church  according  to  the 
Cambridge  platform.  Thomas  Stevens,  father  and  son,  James 
Marsh  and  Joseph  Spalding  were  active  in  this  movement, 
which  was  accomplished  in  1746.  A  very  pleasing  feature  of 
the  revival  in  Plainfield  was  its  effect  upon  the  remaining  Abor- 
igines. These  docile  and  tractable  Quinebaugs  were  greatly 
impressed  by  the  vivid  presentation  of  religious  truths,  and  ac- 
cording to  a  contemporary  there  was  wrought  am.ong  them  "  the 
most  evident  reformation  that  hath  appeared  amongst  any  peo- 


446  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

pie  whatever  in  these  latter  times,  for  they  are  not  only  filled 
with  knowledge  of  ye  way  of  salvation,  and  express  the  same  to 
admiration,  but  are  so  reformed  in  their  ways  of  living  as  to  ab- 
stain from  drinking  to  excess,  which  it  was  utterly  impossible 
to  bring  them  to  any  other  way,  and  have  their  religious  meet- 
ings and  sacrament  administered  to  them  by  ministers  of  their 
own  nation." 

David  Rowland,  a  graduate  of  Yale  College  in  1743,  having 
been  duly  called  by  the  town  and  church,  was  ordained  and  set- 
tled over  this  church  March  17th,  1748.  After  being  pastor  of 
this  church  thirteen  years  he  was  dismissed  April  23d,  1761,  and 
removed  hence  to  Providence.  The  pay  of  Mr.  Rowland  was 
^700  for  settlement  and  i^400  annual  salary,  and  his  firewood. 
The  prices  at  which  "provision  pay  "  was  to  be  received  in  mak- 
ing up  the  salary  were:  corn,  12s.  per  bushel;  rye,  18s.;  wheat, 
24s.;  oats,  8s.;  beef,  Is.  per  pound;  pork,  2s.  per  pound.  Notwith- 
standing the  fact  that  the  Separatist  faction,  with  the  non- 
church  faction,  made  a  majority  in  the  town  who  were  opposed 
to  Mr.  Rowland,  his  call  had  been  legally  made  at  a  meeting 
when  many  of  his  opponents  happened  to  be  absent,  and  now 
the  town  was  obliged  to  carry  out  the  contract,  however  unsatis- 
factory its  terms  to  them.  An  appeal  to  the  courts  was  annually 
necessary  to  compel  the  people  to  pay  their  ministerial  rates. 

The  division  and  opposition  of  sentiment  and  action  which  had 
for  several, years  marked  the  history  of  this  town  in  regard  to 
its  ecclesiastical  affairs,  were  happily  ,terminated  by  a  union  of 
the  two  religious  factions  and  the  ordination  of  Reverend  John 
Fuller  as  pastor  of  the  church  in  Plainfield  February  3d,  1769. 
He  had  been  preaching  for  the  Separate  church  of  Bean  hill, 
Norwich,  and  some  concessions  being  made  on  both  sides  he  be- 
came acceptable  to  both  Standard  and  Separate  factions  of  Plain- 
field.  After  a  pastorate  here  of  eight  years  and  eight  months, 
he  died  October  3d,  1777.  In  the  latter  part  of  1775,  when  the 
Eighth  regiment  of  Connecticut  was  formed  for  service,  he  be- 
came its  chaplain,  apd  doubtless  contracted  disease  in  the  service 
of  his  country  which  ended  his  days.  The  legend  on  his  tomb- 
stone on  Burial  hill  is  as  follows:  "  John  Fuller,  after  watching 
for  the  souls  of  his  people  as  those  who  must  give  account,  fell 
asleep,  Oct.  3,  1777,  ^.  55.  Following  this  there  was  no  settled 
pastor  for  several  years.  The  old  church  became  poor  and  was 
inconvenient.      Occasional    services    were    had    and  the    brick 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  447 

school  house  was  used.  Different  ones  were  called,  but  no  one 
accepted.  A  Mr.  Upson  preached  five  months  in  1778,  a  Mr. 
Judson  a  while  in  1779,  and  Mr.  Solomon  Morgan  nine  months 
in  1782.  A  new  meeting  house  occupying  the  site  of  the  pres- 
ent one,  was  built  in  1784,  and  on  its  completion  Reverend  Joel 
Benedict,  who  had  been  pastor  of  the  church  at  Newent,  was  in- 
stalled over  the  flock  December  22d,  1784.  Under  his  influence 
and  instructions,  the  party  lines  that  had  so  long  existed  in  the 
church  were  gradually  obliterated.  The  radical  element  was 
drawn  to  the  Baptists  and  Methodists,  and  the  First  church  of 
Plainfield  resumed  its  old  position  among  the  churches  of  the 
county,  though  not  accepting  consociation.  It  had  so  far  con- 
ceded to  the  ecclesiastic  constitution  of  the  state  as  to  consent 
in  1799  to  the  formal  organization  of  a  religious  society.  Rever- 
end Joel  Benedict  attained  the  position  of  one  of  the  prominent 
pastors  of  this  church,  and  from  outside  he  received  the  title  of 
D.  D..  an  unusual  honor  in  his  day.  In  the  old  town  burying 
ground  we  read  this  record  of  him:  "  The  good  man  needs  no 
eulogy:  his  memorial  is  in  heaven.  The  Rev'd  Joel  Benedict, 
D.  D.,  Born  at  Salem,  State  of  New  York,  January,  1745,  Died 
at  Plainfield,  Feb.  13, 1816."  In  the  old  village  street  still  stands 
the  parsonage  which  he  occupied.  It  is  now  occupied  by  Mr. 
Theodore  Wing,  proprietor  of  Wing's  medicines.  In  front  of 
the  house  stands  a  mammoth  elm,  which  is  said  to  be  the  larg- 
est tree  of  the  kind  in  the  county.  The  trunk  is  about  fourteen 
feet  in  circumference.  The  pastorate  of  Mr.  Benedict  extended 
through  a  period  of  more  than  thirty-one  years. 

A  terrible  hurricane,  which  has  ever  since  been  known  as  "  the 
September  Gale,"  swept  over  this  part  of  the  country  with  great 
violence,  damaging  and  destroying  many  buildings  and  uproot- 
ing fruit  and  forest  trees.  It  is  said  that  spray  from  the  ocean, 
thirty  miles  away,  was  dashed  upon  the  houses  here  like  sheets 
of  rain  before  the  blast.  This  occurred  in  September,  1815. 
The  meeting  house  of  this  church  was  demolished  by  the  tem- 
pest. In  1816  the  present  stone  church  was  erected,  the  design 
of  its  projectors  evidently  being  to  raise  a  structure  that  would 
not  be  so  easily  thrown  down.  The  house  was  at  first  furnished 
with  galleries  on  three  sides,  but  in  1851  these  were  removed 
and  the  rooms  for  church  services  arranged  as  they  are  at  the 
present  time,  with  a  large  audience  room  above  and  a  vestry 
below. 


448  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Orin  Fowler,  a  graduate  of  Yale,  in  the  class  of  1815,  was  in- 
stalled pastor  of  this  church  in  February,  1820,  and  dismissed  in 
January,  1831.  He  removed  hence  to  Fall  River,  Mass.,  and 
died  September  8d,  1852,  aged  61  years.  He  was  succeeded  here 
by  Samuel  Rockwell,  who  was  installed  pastor  of  this  church 
April  10th,  1832,  and  dismissed  April  16th,  1841,  and  died  at  New 
Britain,  December  25th,  1880,  aged  seventy-eight  3^ears.  He 
was  a  graduate  of  Yale  College  and  Seminary.  Andrew  Dun- 
ning, a  graduate  of  Bowdoin  College  and  Bangor  Seminary,  was 
installed  pastor  of  this  church  May  24th,  1842,  and  dismissed 
January  26th,  1847.  He  died  in  Thompson  March  26th,  1872, 
aged  fifty-seven  years.  His  successor  was  Henry  Robinson,  of 
Yale  College  and  Andover  Seminary,  who  was  installed  here 
April  14th,  1847.  After  a  pastorate  of  nine  years  he  was  dis- 
missed April  10th,  1856.  He  died  in  Guilford  September  14th, 
1878,  aged  ninety  years.  William  A.  Benedict  became  acting 
pastor  in  September,  1857,  and  resigned  in  March,  1863.  He  was 
afterward  engaged  in  teaching  and  preaching  at  Orange  Park, 
Fla.  Joshua  L.  Maynard  was  installed  pastor  of  this  church 
March  30th,  1864,  and  dismissed  October  25th,  1865.  James  D. 
Moore  was  installed  pastor  of  this  and  the  church  at  Central  Vil- 
lage in  March,  1S67,  and  was  dismissed  in  October,  1868.  Wil- 
liam Phipps  was  installed  here  June  9th,  1869,  and  after  a  seven 
years'  pastorate  died  in  Plainfield  June  13th,  1876,  sixty-three 
years  of  age.  Asher  H.  Wilcox  became  acting  pastor  in  Decem- 
ber of  that  year,  and  resigned  May  1st,  1883,  closing  a  service 
of  seven  years  and  four  months.  Abram  J.  Quick  became  act- 
ing pastor  August  1st,  1883,  and  remained  until  1886.  Reverend 
H.  T.  Arnold,  the  present  pastor,  began  his  services  here  in  1887. 
The  church  numbers  at  present  about  sixty  members.  The 
deacons  who  have  served  this  church,  with  the  dates  when  they 
were  elected  and  when  they  closed  their  service  by  death  or  dis- 
mission, as  far  as  are  obtainable,  are  as  follows:  Jacob  Warner, 

1705 ;  William  Douglas,  1705-1719;  Joshua  Whitney,  1719- 

1753;  Timothy  Wheeler;  John  Crary, 1759;  Jacob  Warner, 

1749 ;  Samuel  Stearns,  1749-1769;  Elisha  Paine,  1769 ;  Ben- 
jamin Crary,  1769-1796;  Samuel  Warren,  1774-1815;  Joseph  Fitch, 

1784 ;  Thomas  Douglas,  1784 ;  Jeremiah  Leffingwell,  1805- 

1814;  David  Knight,  1806 ;  Abel  Andros,  1816 ;  Rinaldo 

Burleigh,    1817-1863;  John   Douglas,  1820-1824;  Benjamin  An- 
dros,   1824-1846;  John    Witter,    1840-1859;    Vincent    Hinckley, 


HISTORY    OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY.  449 

1840-1848;  Elisha  L.  Fuller,  1847-1881;  William  B.  Ames,  1859- 
— ;  Robert  Fowler,  1886 . 

The  Separate  church  of  Plainfield,  having  organized,  as  we 
have  seen,  from  members  who  had  withdrawn  from  the  stand- 
ing town  church,  about  1746,  ordained  one  of  their  own  num- 
ber, Thomas  Stevens,  to  be  their  pastor.  Having  thus  with- 
drawn from  the  standing  church,  they  refused  to  pay  rates  for 
the  -support  of  its  minister,  but  this  they  were  compelled  to  do 
by  law.  They,  however,  were  able  to  support  their  own  minis- 
ter, and  also  proceeded  to  build  a  meeting  house  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  town.  They  appear  to  have  been  less  bitter  and  rad- 
ical than  the  same  sect  were  in  some  other  towns.  The  follow- 
ing remarks  in  regard  to  them  made  by  Reverend  Mr.  Rowland, 
one  of  their  chief  antagonists,  are  worthy  of  preservation: 

"  Although  some  things  appeared  among  them  at  first  very 
unwarrantable,  yet  considering  their  infant  state  it  must  be  ac- 
knowledged by  all  that  were  acquainted  with  them,  that  they 
were  a  people  in  general,  conscientiously  engaged  in  promoting 
truth,  and  Mr.  Stevens,  their  minister,  a  very  clear  and  powerful 
preacher  of  the  Gospel,  as  must  be  acknowledged  by  all  who 
heard  him." 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Stevens,  the  Separate  church  was 
for  three  years  without  a  pastor,  but  continued  to  meet  together 
and  maintain  public  worship.  After  that  the  church  was  for 
a  time  associated  with  the  Separate  church  of  Voluntown,  under 
the  pastoral  care  of  Reverend  Alexander  Miller.  In  1760  a 
division  of  the  town  into  two  ecclesiastical  societies  was  effected, 
by  which  the  ministerial  taxes  on  the  Separates  were  somewhat 
reduced,  but  still  the  objectionable  principle  existed  and  they 
stoutly  fought  against  it.  Their  numbers  were  increasing 
and  those  of  the  standing  church  diminishing.  This  led  to 
conciliatory  negotiations;  Mr.  Miller  was  allowed  to  preach  in 
the  town  church,  the  principle  of  taxation  for  support  of 
minister  was  abolished,  a  pastor  of  Separatist  inclinations  was 
called  by  the  united  factions,  and  the  Separate  church  as  a 
distinct  organization  ceased  to  exist. 

Several  of  the  manufacturers  from  Rhode  Island,  who  estab- 
lished these  industries  in  this  town,  were  of  the  Quaker  sect. 
Under  their  patronage  a  Friends'  meeting  house  and  school  were 
started,  which  for  several  years  enjoyed  a  considerable  degree 
of  prosperity.  At  the  time  of  the  "  September  Gale  "  of  history 
29 


450  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

a  house  was  in  process  of  erection  for  this  purpose  on  Black  hill, 
but  the  work  was  demolished  and  materials  scattered  by  that 
tempest.  The  loss,  however,  was  soon  made  good,  and  a  simple 
house  was  erected  for  their  worship.  Forty-five  acres  of  land  on 
Black  hill  were  conveyed  by  John  Monroe  to  Sylvester  Wicks 
and  Deacon  Rowland,  in  presence  of  Rowland  Greene,  to  whom 
was  committed  the  charge  of  establishing  a  Friends'  boarding 
school.  Some  forty  or  fifty  pupils  from  some  of  the  most  influ- 
ential Quaker  families  of  Rhode  Island  were  received  into  this 
quaint  and  primitive  family  school,  under  the  fatherly  care  of 
Doctor  Rowland  Greene,  aided  by  his  good  wife  and  his  brother, 
Doctor  Benjamin  Greene.  The  Quaker  school  and  worship 
seemed  to  lend  a  calm  and  tranquil  radiance  to  this  ancient  hill. 
This  school  was  maintained  for  a  number  of  years,  giving  a 
peaceful  home  and  competent  instruction  to  many  willing  pu- 
pils. Gentle  and  serene,  even  beyond  ordinary  Quakers,  Father 
Greene  and  Master  Benjamin  maintained  excellent  discipline, 
and  exercised  a  marked  and  salutary  influence.  Susan  Anthony, 
Phebe  Jackson,  Samuel  B.  Tobey,  Elisha  Dyer,  and  many  others 
famed  in  public  life  or  benevolent  enterprise,  were  trained  in 
this  Quaker  school.  First-days  and  Fifth-days  they  marched  in 
pairs  to  the  plain  meeting  house,  the  boys  first  and  the  girls  at 
proper  distances  behind  them,  and  there  enjoyed  a  quiet  session. 
The  use  of  the  meeting  house  has  long  since  been  abandoned, 
and  in  the  early  part  of  the  present  year  (1889)  it  was  sold  to 
private  parties,  who,  it  is  said,  propose  to  convert  it  into  a  tene- 
ment house.  But  a  few  of  those  inclined  to  the  faith  and  prac- 
tice of  this  sect  remain  in  the  town. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


THE  TOWN  OF  PLAINFIELD.— (Concluded.) 


Plainfield  of  To-day. — The  Methodist  Church.— Union  Baptist  Church.— Congre- 
gational Church,  Central  Village. — Wauregan,  Mills,  Congregational 
Church  and  Village. — All  Hallows  R.  C.  Church,  Moosup. — Schools  of  the 
Town. — Plainfield  Academy. — Eminent  Men  of  Plainfield. — Village  Schools. 
— Manufactures. — Wauregan, — Moosup. — Central  Village. — Kennedy  City. 
— Plainfield  Junction. — The  Freshet  of  1886. — Fraternal  Societies, — Promi- 
nent Names  of  a  Former  Generation. — Biographical  Sketches. 


THE  manufacturing  industries  have  brought  to  Plainfield  a 
new  era.     The  old  interests  have  faded  almost  away,  and 
with  the  coming  of  the  factories  and  workshops,  railroads 
and  a  new  class  of  people,  a  new  era  is  open  to  her.     To  the  no- 
tice of  the  churches  and  other  institutions  that  belong  to  this 
era  of  the  present  day  we  propose  to  devote  this  chapter. 

Previous  to  the  year  1800,  Methodist  preachers  found  their 
way  into  this  town,  preaching  in  different  neighborhoods,  and 
organizing  a  class  and  society  which  in  time  held  services  in  the 
old  Separate  meeting  house.  But  the  first  beginnings  of  the 
organic  life  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  this  town  of 
which  we  have  definitely  learned  were  in  1825,  when  the  locality 
was  included  in  the  Norwich  Circuit,  under  the  joint  pastorate 
of  B.  Hazeltine  and  O.  Robbins.  A  class  was  formed  with  E. 
Dunlap  as  leader,  and  it  was  composed  of  Nathan  M.  Brown, 
Eunice  Brown,  Eliza  Bass,  Mary  Torry,  Susan  Stowell,  Bridget 
Starkweather  and  Jesse  Ames,  The  first  quarterly  conference 
held  here  was  in  January,  1827 ;  Edward  Hyde,  presiding  elder. 
In  1829  Plainfield  was  connected  with  Thompson  Circuit,  under 
I.  Bonney,  I,  M.  Bidwell,  O,  Robbins  and  P,  Townsend,  In  1830 
John  Lovejoy,with  others,  was  appointed  on  the  Thompson  Cir- 
cuit ;  and  in  1831  Mr,  Livesey  and  others.  In  1832  Plainfield  re- 
ported thirteen  members,  with  B,  Paine  as  pastor.  He  was  fol- 
lowed in  1833  by  E,  Benton  (for  two  years),  Z,  Loveland,  J,  Ireson, 


452  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

N.  Culver,  H.  Thatcher  and  A.  B.  Wheeler.  During  the  pastor- 
ate of  the  latter  two  important  events  took  place  :  the  purchase 
of  the  "Union  church  "  in  Moosup,  March  24th,  1842, which  was 
the  first  house  of  worship  owned  by  this  church  ;  and  the  with- 
drawal of  sixty-five  of  their  membership  to  constitute  the  Dan- 
ielsonville  church,  which  was  done  September  3d,  1842.  In  the 
meantime  a  great  revival  prevailed,  in  which  many  were  added 
to  this  body.  Beginning  with  1843  and  coming  down  to  1870 
this  charge  has  been  supplied  successively  by  the  following  pas- 
tors :  D.  Dorchester,  V.  R.  Osborne,  C.  C.  Barnes,  J.  Mather,  G. 
W.  Brewster,  W.  Emerson,  J.  F.  Sheffield,  W.  Turkington,  Peter 
S.  Mather,  G.  W.  Rogers,  R.  Parsons,  J.  M.  Worcester,  P.  Cran- 
dall  and  George  de  B.  Stoddard.  In  1870  the  membership  re- 
ported was  one  hundred  and  forty,  with  seventeen  probationers. 
Under  the  pastorate  of  L.  E.  Dunham,  which  continued  two 
years  and  ended  in  April,  1872,  a  new  house  of  worship  was 
erected,  the  dedication  of  which  occurred  in  February,  1872. 
He  was  followed  by  E.  M.  Anthony,  W.  W.  Ellis,  G.  W.  Hunt, 
E.  J.  Ayers,  R.  D.  Dyson,  F.  A.  Crafts  and  John  McVey.  The 
church  is  in  a  prosperous  condition  and  has  a  membership  of 
about  one  hundred  and  seventy-five. 

The  Plainfield  Union  Baptist  church,  located  at  Moosup,  was 
organized  October  16th,  1792,  with  nineteen  members.  On 
November  9th,  of  the  same  year.  Reverend  Nathaniel  Cole,  of 
Swansea,  Mass.,  was  called  to  become  the  pastor.  The  church 
soon  had  a  membership  of  one  hundred.  Elder  Cole  labored 
here  forty-one  years,  retiring  from  the  ministry  in  1833,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-seven  years.  The  second  pastor  was  Reverend 
C.  S.  Weaver,  who  served  the  church  for  three  years,  during 
which  term  fifty-three  members  were  added  to  the  church  by 
baptism.  The  following  pastors  then  successively  served  the 
church  about  two  years  each  :  Chester  Tilden,  Thomas  Barber, 
John  Read,  James  Smither  and  Frederic  Carlton.  The  present 
house  of  worship  was  dedicated  January  5th,  1843,  at  the  close 
of  the  ministry  of  Elder  Read.  The  pastorate  of  Reverend  J. 
P.  Brown  began  in  April,  1849,  and  continued  until  May,  1871,  a 
little  more  than  twenty-two  years.  During  this  period  three 
hundred  and  five  persons  were  received  into  the  church,  two 
hundred  and  ten  by  baptism.  In  1866  the  bell,  weighing  1,015 
pounds,  was  purchased  at  a  cost  of  $670,  which  with  other  im- 
provements swelled  the  extra  expenses  of  that  year  to  $1,000. 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  453 

In  1867  the  church  edifice  was  raised  and  a  vestry  placed  under 
it  at  a  cost  of  more  than  $2,000. 

In  1871  Reverend  G.  F.  Raymond,  of  Brown  University,  was 
ordained  to  the  pastorate.  He  resigned  in  the  following  August. 
In  1873  Reverend  M.  J.  Goff  was  called  to  the  pastoral  office,  but 
his  labors  soon  ended  with  his  death.  In  October,  1874,  Rever- 
end F.  B.  Joy  began  as  stated  supply,  continuing  until  August, 
1875.  In  October  following  Reverend  C.  B.  Rockwell  began  a 
pastorate  which  lasted  two  years.  Reverend  L.  W.  Frink  was 
pastor  from  the  fall  of  1877  to  the  spring  of  1879.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Reverend  J.  N.  Shipman  in  June,  1879.  He  continued 
until  April,  1885,  when  he  resigned  to  accept  the  pastorate  of  the 
Baptist  church  in  Peabody,  Mass.  On  November  5th,  1882,  the 
house  of  worship  was  rededicated  after  extensive  repairs  and 
improvements,  costing  upwards  of  $2,000,  had  been  made  upon  it. 
Reverend  Robert  Pegrum,  of  East  Marion,  L.  I.,  commenced  his 
labors  here  July  1st,  1885.  In  September,  1888,  he  resigned  this 
pastorate  to  become  pastor  of  the  Congregational  church  of  Mid- 
dle Haddam.  The  membership  of  the  church  at  present  is 
about  one  hundred  and  ninety.  The  deacons  are  Joseph  Vaughn, 
Joshua  Hill  and  P.  M.  Peckham.  The  church  clerk  is  Waldo 
Tillinghast. 

The  Congregational  church  of  Central  Village  was  organized 
from  membership  having  connection  with  the  church  at  Plain- 
field  street,  in  1846,  with  forty -seven  members.  Jared  O.  Knapp 
was  the  first  pastor,  and  under  his  labors  a  great  revival  refreshed 
the  church  and  resulted  in  adding  to  its  membership  twenty-two 
persons  by  profession.  From  1846  to  the  beginning  of  1886, 
there  were  added  two  hundred  and  fourteen  members,  and  losses 
occurred  in  that  time  by  forty-four  deaths,  and  many  removals. 
The  present  membership  is  ^bout  seventy-six.  The  following 
list  comprises  the  names  of.  all  the  men  who  have  served  this 
church  as  pastors  for  any  considerable  length  of  time.  After 
Mr".  Knapp  came  N.  A.  Hyde,  1852,  dismissed  1853  ;  James  Bates, 
1853,  dismissed  1855  ;  William  E.  Bassett,  1856,  dismissed  1859 ; 
George  Hall,  1859  ;  Paul  Couch,  1862  ;  J.  K.  Aldrich,  1863 ;  George 
Huntington,  1864  ;  J.  K.  Barnes,  ordained  October  5th,  1865,  dis- 
missed ,1866  ;  J.  D.  Moore,  installed  July  2d,  1867,  dismissed 
1868;  G.  J.  Tillotson,  began  July  1st,  1870,  continued  about 
three  years ;  John  Avery,  July  2d,  1873,  continued  till  1878  ;  J. 
Marsland,  1879,  continued  till  1880  ;  H.  L.  Reade,  1881 ;  William 


454  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

B.  Clark,  1882,  about  two  years  ;  A.  H.  Wilcox,  1884,  till  January, 
1886.  From  January,  1886,  to  May,  1887,  there  was  no  settled 
pastor.  Dighton  Moses  was  pastor.  May  1st,  1887,  to  September  1st, 
1888.  This  church  had  a  time  of  great  refreshing  in  1867,  when 
twenty-one  were  added  by  profession  ;  and  again  in  1880,  when 
twenty-two  were  added.     The  deacons  now  in  office  are  Henry 

C.  Torrey  and  Henry  H.  French. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1853  a  company  was  formed  for 
the  purpose  of  manufacturing  cotton  goods,  in  the  northern  part 
of  this  town,  and  at  the  May  session  of  the  legislature  it  was  in- 
corporated under  the  name  of  "  Wauregan  Mills,"  taking  the  old 
Indian  name  of  the  locality,  which  means  "  Pleasant  Valley." 
The  first  mill  was  built  in  1853  and  1854,  and  families  then  be- 
gan to  settle  there.  In  the  early  part  of  1854  a  Sabbath  school 
was  formed  in  the  old  school  house,  which  stood  where  the  new 
house  now  stands;  and  that  Sabbath  school  has  been  continued 
without  interruption  till  the  present  time.  Prayer  meetings 
were  held  among  the  families,  but  there  were  no  Sabbath  ser- 
vices nearer  than  Central  Village,  a  mile  and  a  half  away.  In 
1855  the  company  built  a  hall  for  public  worship,  and  the  first 
sermon  was  preached  in  it  September  24th  of  that  .year,  by  Rev- 
erend G.  J.  Tillotson,  then  pastor  of  the  Trinitarian  Congrega- 
tional church  in  the  adjoining  town  of  Brooklyn.  The  place 
was  supplied  by  different  ministers  till  January  1st,  1856,  when 
Mr.  Charles  L.  Ayer,  a  licentiate  of  Windham  Association,  was 
engaged  as  stated  supply.  A  church  was  organized  by  a  council 
of  Congregational  ministers  and  deacons  June  17th,  1856.  The 
church  thus  formed  was  composed  of  the  following  members: 
Samuel  O.  Tabor,  Benjamin  Wilson,  Charles  L.  Ayer,  Joseph 
Chatterton,  Nathan  A.  Chatterton,  Mrs.  Frances  Taylor,  Mrs. 
Mary  E.  Wilson,  Mrs.  Mary  B.  Ayer,  Mrs.  Fanny  D.  King,  Miss 
Ann  M.  Woodward. 

Mr.  Ayer  continued  to  preach  till  April  1st,  1858,  when  he  re- 
signed to  accept  a  call  to  the  churches  of  Voluntown  and  Ster- 
ling. The  membership  was  then  seventeen.  From  September 
14th,  1858,  to  April  1st,  1859,  Reverend  Edward  F.  Brooks  was 
engaged  as  a  supply.  December  19th,  1859,  Reverend  S.  H. 
Fellows  was  engaged  as  acting  pastor,  and  still  remains,  thus 
filling  a  term  of  nearly  thirty  years,  and  how  much  longer  it  may 
be  must  be  left  for  the  future  historian  to  write.  The  whole 
number  who  have  been  connected  with  the  church  durine  its 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  455 

thirty-two  years  of  existence  has  been  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
four.  The  largest  accession  in  a  single  year  was  in  1878,  when 
thirty-four  were  received.  The  twenty-fifth  anniversary  of  the 
organization  of  the  church  was  celebrated  with  appropriate  ex- 
ercises, at  which  only  one  of  the  original  members  was  present, 
though  all  except  one  were  living.  December  21st,  1884,  the 
pastor  preached  a  sermon  in  review  of  his  twenty-five  years' 
work  here,  which  was  published  by  requsst. 

Services  were  held  in  the  hall  without  any  active  effort  to  build 
a  church  until  October,  1872,  when  Mr.  James  S.  Atwood,  agent 
of  the  manufacturing  company,  secured  from  them  an  appropri- 
ation of  $10,000  for  the  erection  of  a  church,  to  be  expended 
under  his  direction.  The  ground  was  broken  April  1st,  1873; 
the  corner  stone  was  laid,  with  appropriate  ceremonies,  May 
10th;  and  the  church  was  dedicated  January  29th,  1874.  The 
building  is  of  the  Gothic  style  of  architecture,  with  a  chapel  in 
the  rear.  The  audience  room  has  a  seating  capacity  of  about 
three  hundred.  It  is  supplied  with  a  pipe  organ,  is  lighted  with 
gas,  and  is  one  of  the  most  neat  and  commodious  churches  in 
the  county.  The  membership  of  the  church  at  the  present  time 
is  about  ninety. 

The  Roman  Catholic  church  at  Moosup,  called  All  Hallows 
church,  was  dedicated  by  Right  Reverend  F.  P.  McFarland, 
bishop  of  Hartford,  in  July,  1859.  The  successive  pastors  of  this 
church  since  that  time  have  been  as  follows:  Reverend  P.  B. 
Daily,  appointed  in  July,  1859;  James  Quinn,  appointed  in  June, 
1861;  J.  J.  McCabe,  appointed  in  October,  1869;  Ferdinand  Bel- 
anger,  appointed  in  April,  1870;.  John  Quinn,  appointed  in  No- 
vember, 1872;  D.  Desmond,  appointed  in  July,  1874;  P.  M.  Ken- 
nedy, appointed  in  October,  1876;  J.  A.  Creedon,  appointed  in 
October,  1878,  to  the  present  time. 

The  first  public  provision  for  the  schools  of  this  town  of  which 
we  have' any  record  was  made  in  December,  1707,  when  "  part 
of  the  country  land  was  allowed  for  the  encouragement  of  a 
school,"  and  Lieutenant  Williams,  Joseph  Spalding  and  Deacon 
Douglas  were  directed  "  to  take  care  that  there  be  onte."  A  year 
later  the  town  voted  to  send  to  Mr.  James  Deane  to  come  and 
be  their  schoolmaster,  and  he  agreed  to  undertake  the  work  for 
what  could  be  made  out  of  it  for  half  a  year.  At  that  time  the 
school  was  supported  by  its  patrons  rather  than  by  a  general 
tax.     In  1716  John  Watson  was  "  improved  to  keep  school — the 


456  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

deacons  and  selectmen  to  order  the  school  and  receive  the 
money."  It  was  next  agreed  that  the  school  should  be  kept  in 
three  places,  a  suitable  place  provided  for  the  schoolmaster  to 
quarter  at,  and  a  house  suitable  to  accommodate  each  part  dur- 
ing the  time  of  the  school  being  continued  in  that  part,  to  be 
provided  at  the  charge  of  each  part,  and  if  any  neglect  to  pro- 
vide such  place,  the  committee  to  order  the  schoolmaster  to  go 
to  the  next  part;  school  to  be  kept  first  over  Moosup  river;  next 
in  the  middle;  next  in  south  part. 

In  1717-18  John  Stoyell,  one  of  the  most  noted  schoolmasters 
of  the  day,  was  employed  by  several  persons  in  the  middle  of 
the  town  to  instruct  their  own  children  and  others  for  twelve 
months.  The  town  accordingly  ordered  all  the  school  money 
for  the  year  to  be  delivered  to  these  persons  and  made  it  the 
public  school  for  the  whole  town,  the  cost  to  each  child  being 
fourpence  a  week  besides  the  public  money.  In  1719  Henry  Wake 
was  schoolmaster  three  months  at  Edward  Spalding's  quarter, 
receiving  for  service  his  "diet  "  and  five  pounds.  In  1721  Mr. 
Walton  maintained  perambulatory  schools  in  the  different  neigh, 
borhoods,  the  town  paying  him  twelve  pounds,  finding  board 
and  keeping  a  horse  for  him.  In  1720  the  town  was  divided 
into  school  districts,  north  and  south  of  the  meeting  house,  each 
to  order  its  own  schools.  In  May,  1722,  the  first  school  house 
was  ordered,  forty  or  fifty  rods  from  the  meeting  house  on  the 
country  road,  and  in  1725  two  others  were  completed^one  at  the 
south  end,  between  James  Deane's  and  Thomas  Smith's;  one  at 
the  north,  near  Joseph  Shepard's.  In  1740  ten  shillings  a  week 
was  deemed  a  reasonable  recompense  for  the  master's  "  diet  and 
horse-keeping."  Iii  1766  a  committee  was  appointed  to  lay  out 
school  districts,  which  thus  reported: 

"  1,  Flat  Rock  district,  bounded  south  on  Preston,  east  on  Vol- 
untown;  2,  Stone  Hill  district,  north  of  Flat  Rock;  3,  Goshen, 
bounded  north  by  Moosup  River,  south  by  Stone  Hill;  4,  South, 
bordering  south  on  Preston,  west  on  Canterbury;  5,  Middle,  ex- 
tending from  Mill  Brook  up  Main  Street,  butting  east  on  Stone 
Hill;  6,  Black  Hill;  7,  Moosup  Pond,  northeast  corner;  8,  Moosup 
River;  9,  Shepard  Hill;  10,  Green  Hollow,  beginning  at  Snake 
Meadow  Brook  or  Killingly  line." 

Doctor  Perkins,  Daniel  Clark,  Stephen  Kingsbury,  Andrew 
Backus,  John  Howe,  Jonathan  Woodward,  Philip  Spalding,  Sam- 
uel Warren,  Samuel  Hall  and  Isaac  Allerton  were  appointed  a 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  .        \  457 

committee,  one  for  each  district,  to  see  that  the  schools  were 
kept.  Although  the  number  of  teachers  and  schools  was  in- 
creased by  this  arrangement,  the  leading  men  of  the  town  were 
not  yet  satisfied  with  their  attainments,  and  in  1770  proceeded 
to  form  an  association  "  for  the  purpose  of  providing  improved 
facilities  for  the  more  complete  education  of  the  youth  of  the 
vicinity."  They  erected  a  brick  school  house  of  respectable  size, 
procured  teachers  of  a  higher  grade,  and  established  a  more 
thorough  system  of  instruction  in  common  English  bran<hes,  but 
were  unable  to  organize  a  classical  department. 

Stimulated  by  a  legacy  left  by  Isaac  Coit,  Esq.,  at  his  decease 
in  "1776,  the  annual  interest  of  which  was  to  be  applied  to  the 
maintenance  of  a  Latin  or  grammar  school  in  the  new  brick 
house  in  Plainfield,  the  associated  friendsof  education  proceeded 
in  1778  to  organize  a  classical  department,  securing  for  rector 
Mr.  Ebenezer  Pemberton,  of  Newport,  a  gentleman  of  high 
scholarship  and  accomplishments,  and  unusual  aptitude  for  teach- 
ing. His  reputation  and  the  favorable  location  of  the  school  at- 
tracted at  once  a  large  number  of  pupils.  Colleges  and  acad- 
emies had  been  generally  suspended.  Seaboard  towns  were  ex- 
posed to  invasion,  but  this  remote  inland  village  offered  a  safe 
and  pleasant  refuge.  Gentlemen  in  Providence,  New  London, 
and  even  New  York,  gladly  availed  themselves  of  its  advantages, 
and  many  promising  lads  from  the  best  families  in  the  states 
were  sent  to  Plainfield  Academy.  The  good  people  of  the  town 
welcomed  these  students  to  their  homes  and  firesides.  More 
teachers  were  demanded,  and  the  popularity  of  the  school  in- 
creased until  it  numbered  more  than  a  hundred  foreign  pupils, 
besides  a  large  number  from  Plainfield  and  neighboring  towns. 

In  1784  Ebenezer  Pemberton,  Hon.  Samuel  Huntington,  Hon. 
Eliphalet  Dyer,  Reverend  Levi  Hart,  Preston  ;  Reverend  Joseph 
Huntington,  Coventry  ;  and  General  John  Douglass,  Major  An- 
drew Backus,  Doctor  Elisha  Perkins,  Captain  Joseph  Dunlap, 
William  Robinson,  Samuel  Fox,  Ebenezer  Eaton  and  Hezekiah 
Spalding,  of  Plainfield,  with  such  others  as  the  proprietors  should 
elect  (not  exceeding  thirteen  in  the  whole),  were  made  a  body 
corporate  and  politic  by  the  name  of  "  The  Trustees  of  the  Aca- 
demic School  in  Plainfield,"  and  invested  with  ample  powers  for 
managing  the  affairs  of  the  school.  Plainfield  Academy  held  a 
high  position  in  popular  favor.  Its  rector  was  one  of  the  most 
accomplished  teachers  of  the  day,  and  its  patrons  and  directors 


458  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

were  among-  the  leading  men  of  the  state.  The  village  was 
pleasant  and  healthful,  and.  its  most  respectable  residents  were 
proud  of  the  school,  and  ready  to  open  their  homes  and  hearts 
to  the  stranger  students.  Doctor  Perkins,  though  now  so  much 
engrossed  with  the  duties  of  his  profession,  was  alive  to  the  in- 
terests )f  the  academy,  receiving  even  scores  of  lads  into  his 
own  family  when  boarding  places  were  scanty.  A  prudential 
committee  of  three  was  chosen  annually  from  the  directors,  who 
had  chai-o;e  of  the  buildings  and  supervision  of  the  financial 
departm  ;nt,  while  a  stringent  code  of  by-laws  regulated  the  de- 
portmer.t  of  the  pupils. 

The  third  academic  building  known  as  "  The  White  Hall," 
about  a  mile  south  of  the  others,  was  soon  completed  and  occu- 
pied by  the  English  department  under  the  charge  of  Mr.  iVlpheus 
Hatch,  a  faithful  and  competent  instructor.  The  mathematical 
department  in  the  brick  school  house  was  assigned  to  Mr.  Nathan 
Daboll,  the  author  of  "The  Schoolmaster's  Assistant."  The 
principal  academic  building,  known  as  "  The  New  Hall,"  was 
devoted  to  classical  instruction  under  the  immediate  charge  of 
Doctor  Pemberton.  Many  aspiring  youth  were  here  fitted  for  a 
longer  residence  in  wider  and  more  famous  halls  of  learning. 

A  handsome  stone  edifice  replaced  the  old  academy  building, 
erected  in  1825,  on  a  beautiful  and  commanding  site  given  by 
Mrs.  Lydia  Farlan,  other  public  spirited  residents  subscribing 
funds  for  the  building.  About  a  hundred  students  were  usually 
connected  with  the  school,  of  whom  nearly  one-half  pursued 
classical  studies,  fitting  for  college  or  professional  life.  At  the 
beginning  of  this  century  it  usually  had,  for  years,  about  ICO 
pupils,  diminishing  in  later  years,  by  reason  of  high  schools  in 
adjoining  towns ;  the  attendance  in  1845  being  about  75,  in 
1860  about  50,  and  recently  from  30  to  40. 

Among  the  many  eminent  men  who  have  been  connected  with 
the  Plainfield  Academy,  as  pupils  or  teachers,  a  few  may  be 
mentioned  a  follows  :  Nathan  F.  Dixon,  eminent  law^yer  of  Wes- 
terly, R.  I.,  and  M.  C. ;  Hon.  Edward  A.  Bradford,  foreign  min- 
ister;  Jo.seph  Eaton,  judge  of  county  court  and  state  senator; 
Abraham  Payne,  prominent  lawyer,  of  Providence ;  Rinaldo 
Burleigh,  for  many  years  principal;  Calvin  Goddard,  an  able 
lawyer  ;  John  Adams,  an  educator  of  great  talent ;  Nathan  Da- 
boll,  teacher,  and  author  of  arithmetic  and  almanack  ;  Sylvanus 
Backus,  speaker  of  the  house  of  representatives  many  times  ; 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  459 

Reverend  Joel  Benedict,  D.  D.,  eminent  divine;  Hon.  James 
Humphrey  ;  Reverend  Edward  Humphrey  ;  Hon.  James  Mun- 
roe,  member  of  congress  from  Ohio.  The  list  might  be  extend- 
ed indefinitely,  but  this  indicates  a  vast  blessing  conferred  on 
our  country  by  Plainfield  Academy.  Among  the  many  who 
went  out  from  Plainfield  homes,  and  the  instruction  of  Plainfield 
Academy,  none  achieved  a  more  useful  life-work  than  George 
Shepard,  D.  D.,  Bangor,  Me.,  professor  of  Sacred  Rhetoric, 
stamping  upon  many  minds  the  impress  of  his  own  high  char- 
acter and  deep  spiritual  consecration.  The  Hon.  Edward  A. 
Bradford  won  much  success  at  the  bar  in  New  Orleans,  and 
was  honored  by  an  appointment  as  judge  of  the  supreme  court 
of  the  United  States.  Connection  with  the  great  anti-slavery 
conflict,  as  well  as  their  own  genius,  have  made  the  Burleigh 
brothers  very  widely  noted. 

The  union  of  three  school  districts,  and  the  erection  of  the 
fine  building  in  Moosup,  for  the  graded  schools,  at  a  cost  of 
$10,000,  was  a  long  step  in  the  right  direction,  and  marks  an 
epoch  in  the  progress  of  the  town.  The  ample  school  buildings 
at  Central  Village  and  at  Wauregan,  indicate  the  public  spirit 
and  wisdom  of  the  people. 

It  has  already  been  stated  that  the  town  of  Plainfield  is  largely 
dependent  upon  its  manufacturing  enterprises  for  the  degree  of 
prosperity  which  it  enjoys.  There  are  in  the  town  several  locali- 
ties of  more  or  less  importance  which  have  been  built  up  by  this 
industry.  These  are  Moosup,  Central  Village,  Wauregan,  Ken- 
nedy City,  Almyville,  Gladdingville  and  Packerville,  which  last 
is  on  the  Canterbury  line. 

The  water  power  at  the  Union  Mills  was  used  for  many  years 
for  a  carding  machine.  The  original  mill  was  built  about  1805, 
and  was  very  small ;  afterward  enlarged  twice  ;  owned  at  first 
by  a  joint  stock  company  composed  of  Jonathan  Goff,  John  Dean, 
Elias  Dean,  John  Dunlap,  Jonathan  Whaley,  Doctor  Baldwin, 
David  Anthony,  of  Providence,  and  others.  The  stone  mill  was 
built  subsequently.  Mr.  Andrew  Young,  from  Rhoae  Island, 
became  superintendent  in  1815,  and  continued  fourteen  years 

After  the  failure  of  Mr.  Almy  the  mill  stood  still  for  two  years, 
when  it  was  bought  by  D.  L.  Aldrich  of  Hope  Valley,  and  S.-  G. 
Gray,  for  $33,000,  by  whom  it  was  run  till  the  lamented  death  of 
Mr.  Gray,  September  27th,  1885,  when  Mr.  Aldrich  became  sole 
owner.     The  stone  mill  was  put  in   operation   in  1879,  with  140 


460  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

looms  and  7,000  spindles,  on  56  x  60  print  cloths.  At  that  time 
Mr.  Aldrich  was  agent;  Mr.  Gray,  superintendent;  G.  E.  Tilling- 
hast,  bookkeeper ;  P.  S.  Phillips,  overseer  of  weaving ;  W.  J. 
Potter,  overseer  of  carding  and  spinning ;  and  John  Gibson, 
overseer  of  mule  spinning.  In  1880  an  addition  was  built  on  the 
back  side  of  the  stone  mill  40  x  60,  two  stories,  used  as  a  lapper 
and  slasher  room.  In  the  fall  of  1881  another  addition  was  built, 
to  be  used  as  a  boiler  and  engine  room.  In  the  summer  of  1882  an 
addition  of  108  feet  was  built  on  the  west  end  of  the  mill,  of  the 
same  height  and  width  as  the  mill,  to  accommodate  the  machinist, 
and  for  other  purposes.  In  1883  the  old  mill  was  torn  down,  and 
nearly  on  the  same  spot  Mr.  Aldrich  laid  the  foundation  for  an  ad- 
dition of  100  feet  in  length,  built  the  next  summer,  three  stories 
high.  Another  story  was  added  to  the  main  mill  as  far  as  the 
tower.  The  mill  has  a  capacity  for  350  looms.  It  has  10,000  spin- 
dles, and  employs  upwards  of  100  hands.  D.  L.  Aldrich  is  sole 
owner  and  agent ;  G.  E.  Tillinghast,  superintendent ;  W.  J. 
Nichols,  bookkeeper  ;  P.  S.  Phillips,  overseer  of  weaving ;  Frank 
Boudroe,  overseer  of  carding ;  J.  Gibson,  overseer  of  mule  spin- 
ning ;  H.  A.  Bell,  overseer  of  spinning;  Henry  Daggett,  in 
charge  of  slashing ;  G.  Wilbur,  boss  machinist. 

The  energy  and  resources  brought  to  bear  on  this  enterprise 
by  the  owner,  give  assurance  of  the  largest  success.  Several 
houses  in  good  style  of  architecture  he  has  already  added  to  the 
village  of  Moosup. 

In  the  northwestern  part  of  the  town  is  the  manufacturing 
village  of  Wauregan,  having  a  Congregational  church  within  its 
limits  proper,  and  a  Roman  Catholic  church  on  the  opposite  bank 
of  the  Quinebaug,  in  the  town  of  Brooklyn.  The  village  is 
under  the  control  of  a  company  in  whose  manufactory  the  people 
are  employed.  There  are  in  the  village  one  store  and  a  large 
hall  for  concerts,  lectures  and  the  like.  The  village  has  a  librar}^ 
of  one  thousand  volumes  from  which  any  one  can  draw  books 
by  the  payment  of  ten  cents  a  week. 

About  the  year  1850  Mr.  A.  D.  Lockwood  bought  the  privi- 
lege, and  in  1853  a  company  was  formed,  which  obtained  a 
charter  from  the  state  legislature  under  the  name  of  the  Wau- 
regan Mills.  In  1853  and  1854  a  building  250  feet  in  length  and 
45  feet  wide,  three  stories  high,  was  erected.  In  1858  and  1859 
the  length  of  this  was  doubled.  In  1867  and  1868  another  build- 
ing 500  feet  in  length  and  four  stories  high  was  built  on  the 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  461 

opposite  side  of  the  trench,  and  the  two  parallel  buildings  were 
connected  in  the  middle  by  a  building  250  feet  long,  extending 
across  from  one  to  the  other.  This  makes  a  total  length  in  the 
three  parts  of  about  1,250  feet.  It  is  built  of  rough  stone,  which 
was  quarried  in  the  vicinity,  the  outside  being  plastered.  Both 
water  and  steam  power  are  used.  Water  from  the  Quinebaug 
is  carried  through  five  turbine  wheels,  giving  what  by  estima- 
tion is  equal  to  one  thousand  horse-power.  A  steam  engine  of 
four  hundred  horse-power  is  also  ready  for  use  w^hen  occasion 
requires.  The  factory  is  lighted  with  gas,  which  is  made  on  the 
premises  from  cral  oil. 

There  have  been  no  changes  in  ownership,  except  as  sons  of 
the  original  proprietors  have  taken  the  places  of  their  fathers. 
The  stock  is  owned  mostly  in  Providence,  R.  I.  Mr.  A.  D.  Lock- 
wood  was  agent  at  the  commencement,  but  soon  disposed  of 
his  interest.  Mr.  J.  S.  Atwood,  who  had  been  superintendent 
from  the  start,  was  then  made  agent,  and  retained  the  position 
until  his  death,  February  20th,  1885.  The  works  have  now  in 
successful  operation  56,000  spindles  and  1,400  looms,  making 
different  kinds  of  plain  and  fancy  cotton  cloths.  The  pay  roll 
of  the  company  contains  more  than  eight  hundred  names.  The 
annual  product  is  between  eight  and  nine  million  yards.  Seven 
hundred  cords  of  wood  and  fifteen  hundred  tons  of  coal  are 
annually  consumed.  The  farm  owned  by  the  company  contains 
twelve  hundred  acres  of  as  fine  land  as  can  be  found  in  the 
state. 

On  the  Moosup  river,  in  the  upper  borders  of  Moosup  village, 
is  the  locality  known  as  Almyville,  a  factory  village.  In  ancient 
times  a  carding  machine  occupied  this  water  power  for  many 
years.  The  old  mill,  known  as  the  woolen  mill,  was  built  by 
William  Almy,  of  Providence,  about  sixty  years  ago.  It  was 
started  and  operated  by  Darius  Lawton,  making  fine  broadcloths, 
being  about  the  first  made  in  New  England.  At  the  end  of  ten 
years  Mr.  Lawton  left,  and  Sampson  Almy  succeeded  to  his 
place  and  continued  the  business  about  ten  years  longer,  when 
the  change  was  made  to  cotton,  and  a  variety  of  cotton  goods 
was  manufactured. 

There  was  another  mill  built  in  1856,  and  run  as  a  woolen 
mill  till  it  was  burned  in  1875.  The  present  owners,  Aldrich  & 
Milner,  bought  in  1879,  and  have  built  a  large  mill  on  the  site 
of  the  burned  woolen  mill.     They  have  now  running  eight  sets 


462  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

of  cards  in  the  new  mill,  and  four  sets  in  the  old  woolen  mill;  and 
are  now  running  14  sets  of  machinery,  with  84  broad  looms, 
employing  about  230  hands,  with  a  pay  roll  amounting  to  nearly 
$8,000  a  month. 

A  new  mill  at  the  upper  dam  has  been  built,  where  are  now 
running  two  sets  of  improved  cards,  with  mules  for  spinning, 
and  a  Garnet  machine  for  opening  ends.  Several  new  houses 
have  been  recently  added  to  this  beautiful  village.  Mr.  Julius 
S.  Bowes  is  the  efficient  superintendent  of  the  Almyville  mills. 

Another  section  of  the  village  of  Moosup  is  locally  known  as 
Gladdingville,  or  Kiswaukee.  A  mill  was  built  at  this  place  by 
Joseph  S.  Gladding  in  1817,  for  the  manufacture  of  cotton  cloth. 
Since  then  it  has  been  owned  by  James  B.  Ames,  by  Hale  & 
Miller,  and  by  David  Harris.  It  is  now  owned  by  Floyd  Cranska, 
and  is  occupied  in  the  manufacture  of  a  very  excellent  article 
of  thread.  The  mill  is  supplied  with  four  thousajid  spindles, 
and  some  thirty  to  forty  hands  are  employed. 

Allen  Harris,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  manufacturing  in  Central 
Village,  was  born  in  Smithfield,  R.  I.,  May  16th,  1790,  and  came 
with  his  parents  to  Plainfield  in  1800.  He,  with  Arnold  Fenner, 
built  the  upper  brick  mill  about  the  year  1828.  For  a  while  the 
village  was  known  as  Harrisville.  Previous  to  that  time  Fenner 
&  Richards  had  built  the  old  wooden  mill  still  standing  in  the 
upper  part  of  the  village,  though  not  used  as  a  mill  for  many 
years.  That  mill  was  afterward  owned  by  Fenner  &  Borden. 
The  lower  brick  mill  was  built  about  the  year  1845.  Borden 
died  and  Bowen  became  a  partner,  the  firm  being  then  known 
as  the  Central  Manufacturing  Company,  of  which  mention  has 
been  made  in  a  previous  paragraph.  After  the  death  of  both 
owners,  the  business  was  carried  on  by  the  heirs  of  Fenner  & 
Bowen  till  the  property  was  sold  to  the  Leavens  Brothers.  J. 
Leavens'  Sons,  of  Norwich,  bought  the  property  in  July,  1881, 
and  gave  it  the  name  by  which  it  is  now  known,  viz..  the  Kirk 
Mills.  They  immediately  commenced  making  such  changes  as 
were  necessary  to  manufacture  the  same  kind  of  goods  which 
they  had  formerly  made.  For  that  purpose  the  upper  mill  was 
arranged  for  fancy  goods.  This  also  necessitated  many  changes 
in  the  lower  mill.  The  mills  now"  contain  11,000  spindles  and 
234  looms.  They  are  making  fancy  goods,  wide  prints  and  light 
plain  goods,  and  employ  some  one  hundred  hands  or  more.  The 
superintendent  is  Mr.  H.  Truesdell. 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  463 

A  locality  in  the  suburbs  of  Central  Village  is  known  as  Ken- 
nedy City.  In  ancient  times  here  was  only  a  grist  mill.  After 
the  property  was  bought  by  John  and  Robert  Kennedy,  a  saw 
mill  was  added,  and  a  fulling  mill.  After  some  years  John  Ken- 
nedy sold  out  to  Arnold  Fenner,  who  built  a  cotton  mill  about 
fifty-five  years  ago.  Previous  to  this  time,  some  five  years,  the 
fulling  mill  on  the  north  side  was  made  into  a  flannel  mill. 
About  thirty  years  since  machinery  for  making  wicking  and 
twine  was  put  in,  and  work  in  this  line  has  gone  on  till  the  pres- 
ent time.     The  works  are  now  operated  by  Thomas  Sheldon. 

The  ancient  grist  mill,  located  near  here,  on  the  Canterbury 
road,  was  built  by  Jared  Cook  about  the  year  1768.  It  was  sold 
to  William  Cutler  in  1775.  He  in  turn  sold  it  to  John  and  Rob- 
ert Kennedy  in  1794;  and  it  was  again  sold  to  Henry  Cutler  in 
1856.  It  is  still  owned  by  him.  About  thirty  horse-power  of 
water  is  employed,  and  the  mill  grinds  250  bushels  a  week  of 
corn,  wheat  and  feed.  The  dam  is  supposed  to  have  been  built 
by  one  Pope  some  years  earlier  than  the  date  given  above,  and 
a  saw  mill  built  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river. 

The  Robinson  &  Fowler  Foundry  Company  had  its  origin,  as 
far  as  active  work  is  concerned,  in  Canterbury  twenty-five  or 
more  years  ago,  and  was  removed  to  Plainfield  Junction  in  1868. 
It  is  located  near  the  railroad  depot,  and  employs  from  thirty 
to  forty  hands.  The  works  are  largely  engaged  in  making  cast- 
ings for  the  "Webster"  and  the  "  Richmond  "  furnaces.  The 
present  officers  of  the  company  are:  J.  Hutchins,  president;  Ros- 
well  Ensworth,  secretary;  W.  Tillinghast,  treasurer,  and  S.  P. 
Robinson,  agent.  They  also  manufacture  farmers'  boilers,  cook 
stoves,  parlor  stoves  and  office  stoves,  hollow-ware,  cellar  win- 
dows, cultivators,  plows,  horse  hoes,  cauldron  kettles  and  machin- 
ery castings. 

One  of  the  most  destructive  freshets  ever  known  in  this  town 
occurred  on  the  night  of  February  13th,  1886.  The  Moosup 
river  burst  its  banks,  carrying  away  bridges  and  flooding  build- 
ings.    An  eye  witness  describes  it  thus: 

"  The  Moosup  River,  usually  so  quiet  and  peaceful,  had  yielded 
to  the  elements  and  soon  was  beyond  control,  sweeping  with  a 
mad,  irresistible  force  everything  before  it.  At  the  vicinity  of 
the  '  Central  bridge,'  so  called,  the  roads  were  completely  ruined, 
while  of  the  bridge  nothing  remains.  All  the  houses  on  the  flat 
were  vacated,  and  on  Sunday  the  scene  was  a  terrible  reality  to 
the  many  visitors. 


464  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

"  The  trench  of  the  Central  Manufacturing  Company  was  com- 
pletely torn  out,  stopping-  further  operations  at  the  mill,  and 
throwing  many  out  of  employment  until  repaired.  A  few  rods 
further  down  the  stream  is  an  old  bridge,  just  above  the  railroad 
bridge,  erected  on  apparently  loosely  built  abutments,  which 
took  the  first  shock  of  the  ice  and  debris  from  above,  and,  strange 
to  say,  the  old  bridge  stood  there,  with  the  road  washed  away  on 
both  sides,  a  pigmy  mocking  at  the  strength  of  a  giant.  A  few 
feet  further  down  was  the  railroad  bridge  on  strongly  built  abut- 
ments, which  presented  an  entirely  different  aspect.  The  force 
of  the  stream  was  such  that  the  south  abutment  was  half  gone, 
the  bank  under  the  track  torn  away,  while  the  rails  on  the  bridge 
were  twisted  toward  the  east  quite  a  distance.  The  north  abut- 
ment at  first  glance  would  seem  but  little  damaged,  but  on  close 
inspection,  the  now  falling  river  showed  that  it  had  been  under- 
mined, so  that  considerable  work  will  have  to  be  done  there. 

"  Below  the  railroad  bridge  was  situated  a  building  owned  by 
J.  P.  Kingsley  of  Plainfield,  and  occupied  by  French's  grist  mill, 
Torrey  Brothers'  carriage  shop,  where  they  also  made  stable 
forks  and  wagon  jacks,  and  in  the  basement  by  Fitch  Cary  and 
Torrey  Brothers  in  making  ox  bows  and  yokes.  Below  the 
building  the  bank  completely  gullied;  broken  machinery,  lum- 
ber stock  and  debris  from  above  were  mingled  in  wild  confusion, 
the  whole  shop  being  a  complete  wreck.  The  water  rose  higher 
and  higher  until  it  reached  the  floor  above,  sweeping  through 
the  sides  of  the  building  and  carrying  away  at  least  a  third  of 
the  side  towards  the  stream.  The  Torrey  Brothers  fortunately 
saved  most  of  their  tools  on  this  floor,  and  of  500  bushels  of  corn 
grist  put  into  the  grist  mill,  350  bushels  were  saved.  Half  the 
dam  here  is  swept  away,  the  high  water  still  hiding  traces  of 
further  destruction.  On  the  roadway  to  the  shops  above  men- 
tioned was  situated  a  barn  and  sheds,  which  the  freshet,  in  its 
destructive  career,  swept  away  with  half  the  road.  The  fields 
as  far  as  the  eye  could  see  were  strewn  with  broken  timbers  and 
wreck  of  every  description. 

"  At  Kennedy  City,  a  short  distance  down  the  river,  are  situ, 
ated  small  mills  owned  by  Henry  Cutler  and  Mr.  Tourtellotte. 
Cutler's  mill  is  occupied  by  Mr.  Sheldon,  but  beyond  the  flood- 
ing of  the  lower  part  of  the  building  the  loss  is  slight.  The 
flume  was  destroyed,  and  also  the  trench  to  the  grist  mill,  mak- 
ing a  loss  of  $500  at  least.     Tourtellotte's  mill  was  run  by  George 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  465 

Tripp.  The  flood  came  with  such  force  that  a  new  bulkhead 
was  torn  away,  destroying  the  flume  and  saw  mill.  Mr.  Tour- 
tellotte's  loss  cannot  be  less  than  $1,000.  The  mill  caught  fire 
from  old  waste  belonging  to  Mr.  Tripp.     His  loss  is  nearly  $100. 

"  Moosup  is  in  a  bad  shape  on  account  of  the  freshet.  The 
bridges  are  most  all  gone,  and  the  roads  in  that  section,  many 
of  them,  are  useless.  The  first  bridge  to  go  was  the  one  about 
three  miles  above  the  village,  then  followed  the  David  Hall 
bridge  (abutments  and  all),  the  Morgan  bridge  at  Almy  ville  near 
the  Blodgett  House,  the  Kishwaukie  bridge  by  Floyd  Cranska's. 
The  Carey  bridge,  it  is  thought,  can  be  saved,  though  Sunday  it 
was  under  water.  A  tenement  house  owned  by  Aldrich  & 
Gray  was  carried  off  with  the  flood,  giving  the  occupants  barely 
time  to  get  out,  they  losing  all  their  furniture.  Large  numbers 
were  at  work  on  all  the  dams,  but  it  seemed  at  one  time  as  if  all 
their  efforts  would  be  in  vain.  The  ice  started  Friday  night  and 
came  with  such  a  force  that  it  moved  the  cap  stone  at  Aldrich 
&  Milner's.  The  roadway  of  this  firm  was  washed  in  two 
places.  Floyd  Cranska's  race-way  is  damaged,  and  the  dam  at 
one  time  was  in  dano^er  of  Qfoing:." 

The  four  main  bridges  of  the  town  were  swept  away.  To  re- 
place them  the  town  hired  $20,000  and  built  substantial  iron 
bridges.  The  damage  to  corporate  property  of  the  town  amounted 
to  about  $25,000. 

Plainfield  Junction  for  many  years  was  nothing  but  a  railroad 
crossing,  but  now  carries  on  foundry  works  and  steam  saw  mills, 
and  is  building  up  into  a  village. 

Old  Plainfield  Village  has  perhaps  the  finest  avenue  of  trees  in 
Windham  county,  and  many  handsome  residences.  Plainfield, 
like  many  similar  towns,  suffers  from  a  multiplicity  of  interests, 
its  villages  being  practically  independent  organizations.  The 
senior  village,  however,  occupies  a  nominal  head-ship,  and  has 
still  been  able  to  retain  the  administration  of  the  probate  court. 
Its  charge  was  held  for  twenty-three  years  by  Hon.  David  Gal- 
lup, who  removed  his  residence  to  Plainfield  at  an  early  age,  and 
became  very  active  in  town  and  public  affairs. 

James  B.  Kilborn  Post,  No.  77,  Department  of  Connecticut, 
G.  A.  R.,  was  organized  March  4th,  1886.  Its  charter  members 
were  John  Allen,  George  A.  Rouse,  Stephen  Aldrich,  Henry  F. 
Walker,  Willis  D.  Rouse,  Horace  S.  Swan,  Henry  C.  Torrey, 
George  Torrey,  Daniel  Champlin,  Nathaniel  P.  Thompson,  Wil- 
30 


466  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Ham  H.  Johnson,  Henry  F.  Newton,  Charles  H.  Rogers,  Charles 

B.  Wheatley,  Joseph  D.  Lewis,  George  R.  Bliven,  James  P.  Pel- 
lett,  Minor  Spicer,  John  W.  Fisk,  William  Dean,  Elijah  Green, 
James  Whelan,  Austin  Fitzgerald,  Jeremiah  H.  Pierce,  Michael 
Fitzpatrick,  Isaac  Whitaker,  William  Gill,  James  McCaffrey, 
Robert  Scholes,  James  F.  Knight,  Charles  C.  Card  and  John  Ran- 
kin. Its  meetings  have  always  been  held  in  Central  Village.  It 
has  a  nice  hall  in  Barbour's  building.  Its  first  officers  were: 
Post  commander,  George  R.  Bliven;  S.  V.  C,  Daniel  Champlin; 
J.  V.  C,  Charles  B.  Wheatley;  Q.  M.,  N.  P.  Thompson;  surgeon, 
Charles  H.  Rogers;  chaplain,  Henry  C.  Torrey;  officer  of  the 
day,  Horace  S.  Swan;  officer  of  the  guard,  John  Rankin;  adju- 
tant, Henry  F.  Walker.  The  post  commander  for  the  years  1887 
and  1888  was  Charles  B.  Wheatley. 

On  May  6th,  1887,  the  post  was  presented  with  a  most  elegant 
silk  double  flag,  with  stars  and  stripes  on  one  side  and  post  flag 
on  the  reverse,  a  present  from  Hon.  Joseph  Hutchins,  Mr.  Ed- 
win Milner,  Mr.  J.  Arthur  iVtwood  and  Comrade  Charles  B. 
Wheatley.  The  flag  is  probably  second  to  none  owned  by  any 
post  in  the  state.  The  post  has  now  82  members.  The  officers 
elected  for  the  year  1889  are:  Commander,  George  Torrey;  S.  V. 

C,  James  P.  Pellett;  J.  V.  C,  William  I.  Hyde;  surgeon,  Charles 
H.  Rogers;  chaplain,  Henry  C.  Torrey;  Q.  M.,  George  R.  Bliven; 
O.  D.,  William  Dean;  O.  G.,  Stephen  Aldrich. 

AIoosup  Lodge,  No.  113,  F.  &  A.  M.,  was  chartered  June  4th, 
1872.  Its  location,  as  its  name  implies,  is  in  the  village  of  Moosup, 
where  it  regularly  meets.  The  first  W.  M.  of  the  Lodge  was 
George  H.  Lovegrove.  The  present  incumbent  of  that  office  is 
Charles  N.  Allen.  Other  officers  are :  Charles  Bragg,  S.  W. ; 
Orrin  W.  Bates,  J.  W. ;  George  R.  Bliven,  treasurer  ;  William  H. 
Sargent,  secretary ;  Reverend  John  McVey,  chaplain.  The 
Lodge  has  always  met  at  Moosup.  It  owns  no  property  except 
its  regalia. 

Protection  Lodge,  No.  19,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  was  organized  in  Moosup 
in  August,  1888,  with  26  charter  members.  The  first  officers 
were  :  C.  B.  Wheatley,  N.  G. ;  Thomas  Hurst,  V.  G. ;  F.  T.  John- 
son, secretary  ;  W.  C.  Bates,  treasurer ;  John  Westcott,  perma- 
nent secretary.  The  Lodge  at  present  numbers  thirty-seven 
members.  The  present  officers  are :  Thomas  Hurst,  N.  G.  ; 
Henry  N.  Wood,  Jr.,  V.  G. ;  F.  T.  Johnson,  secretary  ;  Charles 
A.  Wood,  treasurer. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  467 

Quinebaug  Lodge,  No.  22,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  of  the  town  of  Plain- 
field,  was  organized  July  9th,  1883.  Its  charter  members  were  : 
Charles  B.  Wheatley,  Amos  Kendall,  George  W.  Shepard,  Albert 
F.  Shepardson,  Oscar  F.  Farland,  William  L.  Green,  George  P. 
Dorrance,  Thomas  E.  Main,  George  E.  Tillinghast,  George  R. 
Fowler,  Henry  R.  Brown,  Charles  W.  Lillibridge,  Sessions  L. 
Adams,  Edward  H.  Lillibridge,  and  James  P.  Pellett.  The  first 
officers  were:  Amos  Kendall,  P.  M.  W. ;  .Charles  B.  Wheatley, 
M.  W.;  George  R.  Fowler,  foreman;  C.  W.  Lillibridge,  overseer; 
George  E.  Tillinghast,  recorder  ;  George  P.  Dorrance,  financier  ; 
S.  L.  Adams,  receiver;  O.  W.  Farland,  guide;  A.  F.  Shepardson, 
L  W. ;  W.  L.  Green,  O.W.  The  successive  master  workmen 
from  that  time  to  the  present  have  been  :  Charles  B.  Wheatley, 
1884;  George  E.  Tillinghast,  1885;  A.  H.  Gulliver,  1886;  James 
P.  Pellett,  1887;  Charles  B.  Wheatley,  1888;  Thomas  Hurst, 
1889.  The  present  ofBcers  are :  George  R.  Bliven,  foreman  ; 
Joseph  Dawson,  overseer;  Henry  R.  Brown,  recorder;  Frank  B. 
Wilson,  financier  ;  S.  L.  Adams,  receiver  ;  Henry  N.  Wood,  Jr., 
guide  ;  George  Shepard,  L  W. ;  George  R.  Fowler,  O.  W.  The 
Lodge  now  has  forty-seven  members. 

Two  hundred  and  fifty-two  men  enlisted  from  Plainfield  in 
Connecticut  regiments,  during  the  late  war  for  the  suppression 
of  the  rebellion. 

Among  the  esteemed  men  of  a  former  generation  may  well 
be  mentioned  the  following :  Deacon  Caleb  Bennett,  who  was 
elected  deacon  of  the  Baptist  church  in  1817,  and  held  that  office 
here  40  years,  and  on  removing  to  New  Britain  he  was  again 
chosen  to  fill  the  same  station,  in  which  he  remained  till  he  died, 
November  13th,  1882,  aged  about  81  years.  Andrew  Young  came 
from  Rhode  Island  about  70  years  ago,  and  was  superintendent 
of  the  Union  Mill  13  years.  He  reared  two  children,  one  of  them, 
Sophia,  is  the  wife  of  Mr.  Charles  A.  Tillinghast,  of  Moosup ; 
the  other,  now  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Mr.  Jason  Potter,  now 
of  Sterling.  Jonathan  Goff  was  justice  of  the  peace  for  a  con- 
siderable time  ;  he  once  represented  the  town  in  the  legislature, 
and  was  clerk  of  the  Baptist  church  fifty  years.  John  Dunlap 
was  judge  of  probate,  justice  of  the  peace  and  postmaster.  Sam- 
uel D.  Millett  was  one  of  the  highly  esteemed  citizens  of  the 
town  ;  was  representative,  justice  of  the  peace,  and  filled  many 
other  offices  of  trust.  In  the  Methodist  church  he  was  very  use- 
ful, filling  the  important  offices  of  trustee  and  steward  many 


468  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

years,  and  always  ready  to  help  in  every  good  work.  He  died  De- 
cember 2d,  1884.  Stephen  Hall,  Esq.,  commenced  a  private 
school  for  classical  studies  and  the  higher  branches  of  English, 
in  1847,  which  he  continued  for  about  fifteen  years.  Among  the 
hundreds  of  scholars  trained  by  him,  now  scattered  from  Maine 
to  California,  may  be  mentioned  Hon.  Daniel  Spalding,  of  the 
interior  department ;  Alfred  Fairbanks,  a  millionaire  of  Califor- 
nia ;  Mr.  Tillinghast,  a  prominent  lawyer  of  Providence  ;  and 
Reverend  Jeremiah  Aldrich,  now  of  the  state  of  Massachusetts. 

Biographical  Sketches. 

David  L.  Aldrich. — Noah  Aldrich,  a  revolutionary  soldier  and 
a  resident  of  Scituate,  Rhode  Island,  married  Huldah  Whittaker, 
who  died  in  her  one  hundredth  year.  They  raised  a  large  family 
of  sons  and  daughters,  among  whom  was  David,  born  in  1770,  in 
Scituate,  where  his  life  was  spent  as  a  farmer.  A  public-spirited 
and  influential  citizen,  he  was  for  many  years  a  member  of  the 
town  council,  director  of  the  Citizens'  Union  Bank,  since  extinct, 
and  a  liberal  contributor  to  the  Smithville  Seminary,  now  the 
Lapham  Institute,  of  Scituate.  He  married  Hope  Law,  of  Kil- 
lingly.  Conn.,  whose  children  were  :  George,  William,  John  and 
David  L.     The  death  of  Mr.  Aldrich  occurred  in  1853. 

His  son,,  David  L.,  was  born  April  27th,  1822,  in  Scituate,  and 
was  educated  at  the  Smithville  Seminary,  from  which  he  gradu- 
ated in  1845.  Removing  to  Providence,  he  entered  upon  a  mer- 
cantile career  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Aldrich  &  Bean,  con- 
tinuing this  business  relation  until  1851,  the  date  of  his  removal 
to  Hopkinton,  Rhode  Island,  where  in  company  with  Barber 
Reynolds,  he  leased  the  Godfrey  Arnold  cotton  mill  and  two 
years  later  purchased  the  property.  At  the  expiration  of  the 
seventh  year  of  this  partnership  the  firm  was  dissolved,  Mr.  Al- 
drich continuing  the  business.  In  1863  he  erected  a  woolen  mill 
at  Plairiville  (now  Richmond  Switch),  R.  I.,  which  was  in  1880 
sold  to  William  A.  Walton,  its  present  owner.  Mr.  Aldrich,  in 
company  with  Edwin  Milner,  then  purchased  the  Moosup  Mill, 
at  Moosup,  Conn.,  which  they  devote  to  the  manufacture  of  fancy 
cassimeres.  In  1865  he  became  the  owner  of  the  mills  at  Arcadia, 
in  which  print  cloths  are  manufactured. 

Mr.  Aldrich  was  one  of  the  projectors  of  the  Richmond  Bank, 
afterward  merged  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Hopkinton,  of 
which  he  is  a  director.    He  was  also  prominently  identified  with 


^s<   -" 


Wflr 


!■!•.  Ha^7-eston  XC'Mi'- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  469 

the  construction  of  the  Wood  River  Branch  railroad,  of  which 
he  is  president.  A  republican  and  a  strong  protectionist  in  his 
political  sentiments,he  was  a  delegate  to  the  national  republican 
convention  held  in  Chicago  in  1880,  but  has  not  aspired  to  higher 
political  honors. 

Mr.  Aldrich  has  been  twice  married.  He  was  united  May  12th, 
1846,  to  vSusan  W.,  daughter  of  Hon.  Joseph  Sheldon,  of  Crans- 
ton, R.  I.  Their  children  were  :  Joseph  S.,  who  died  in  1874,  at 
the  age  of  twenty-four ;  Laura,  who  died  in  1856,  at  the  age  of 
five ;  and  David  L.,  Jr.,  whose  death  occurred  in  1883,  in  his 
twenty-fourth  year.  Mrs.  Aldrich  died  in  1870,  and  he  was  again 
married  June  5th,  1872,  to  Mary  M.  Gray,  widow  of  Ephraim 
Carpenter,  of  Providence.  Mrs.  Aldrich  died  in  1886,  leaving 
two  children,  a  son,  William  S.,  and  a  daughter,  Mary  A.,  aged 
respectively,  fifteen  and  thirteen. 

James  S.  Atwood  was  born  in  Scituate,  R.  I.,  March  17th, 
1832.  He  was  the  son  of  John  and  Julia  A.  Batty  Atwood,  and 
grandson  of  Kimball  and  Belinda  Colgrove  Atwood.  He  was 
educated  at  the  Smithville  Seminary  in  Scituate,  and  at  the 
Woodstock  Academy  in  Connecticut.  At  an  early  age  he  entered 
his  father's  cotton  mill  in  Williamsville,  in  the  town  of  Killingly, 
Conn.,  and  there  mastered  every  detail  of  cotton  manufacture, 
from  bobbin  boy  to  general  manager.  He  was  perfectly  famil- 
iar with  the  constru.ction  and  working  of  every  machine  in  a 
mill. 

September  17th,  1855,  he  married  Julia  A.  M.  Haskell,  of  Cum- 
berland, R.  I.  He  had  three  children:  William  Hamilton,  born 
November  8th,  1859;  James  Arthur  and  John  Walter,  born  May 
18th,  1865.  William  H.  died  January  18th,  1862,  and  the  twins, 
who  survive  him,  have  taken  his  place  as  managers  of  the  mills 
in  Wauregan,  where  most  of  his  active  business  life  was  passed 
and  where  he  lived.  He  died  there  February  20th,  1885,  in  his 
54th  year. 

When  the  first  building  for  manufacturing  purposes  was 
erected  in  this  place  in  1853,  he  was  appointed  superintendent, 
and  was  soon  advanced  to  the  position  of  agent.  Every  machine 
in  these  mills,  whose  capacity  has  more  than  quadrupled  since 
his  connection  with  them,  was  put  in  its  place  according  to  his 
plan  and  under  his  direct  supervision.  The  financial  success  of 
this  great  industry  and  the  enviable  reputation  of  the  place  are 
largely  due  to  his  wise  oversight.     He  took  a  laudable  pride  in 


470  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

the  larger  concern  known  as  the  Ponemah  Mills,  in  Taftville,  in 
the  town  of  Norwich,  which  were  built  after  his  plan  and  under 
his  eye.  The  phenomenal  success  of  these  mills  on  a  class  of 
fine  goods,  which  were  an  experim.ent  in  this  country,  was 
largely  owing  to  his  good  judgment,  careful  oversight  and  abil- 
ity to  adapt  means  to  the  desired  ends.  Of  these  mills  he  was 
agent  from  their  beginning  till  his  death.  He  was  not  one  to 
risk  the  money  of  the  corporations  he  managed  in  any  foolivsh 
experiments.  During  one  of  the  changes  that  are  liable  to 
occur  in  business  enterprises  in  this  country  it  became  necessary 
to  assume  control  of  the  mills  in  Williamsville,  in  which  he  and 
his  brother  William  were  largely  interested,  and  his  financial 
credit  and  wise  judgment  carried  them  through  difficulties  that 
might  have  proved  disastrous  in  less  careful  hands. 

Few  men  have  the  ability  wisely  to  direct  so  many  large  and 
separate  interests.  Everything  in  the  beautiful  manufacturing 
village  of  Wauregan,  in  which  most  of  his  active  business  life 
was  passed,  bears  the  impress  of  his  moulding  hand.  While 
acknowledged  to  be  the  peer  of  practical  manufacturers,  and 
possessed  of  ample  means,  he  was  a  man  of  simple  tastes,  with- 
out the  shadow  of  a  desire  for  display,  always  hiding  his 
ability  under  a  modesty  which  was  as  rare  as  it  was  commend- 
able. While  he  despised  shams  and  hollow  pretense,  he  was 
kindly  in  judgment,  tolerant  of  the  imperfections  of  others, 
ready  to  overlook  mistakes,  and  saw  in  every  man  a  friend  and 
brother.  He  bore  upon  his  countenance  the  stamp  of  true 
worth,  and  no  one  feared  to  trust  him  implicitly.  The  poor- 
est and  humblest  could  always  approach  him  with  the  assur- 
ance that  he  would  listen  to  them  with  the  same  respect  as 
though  possessing  great  wealth  or  occupying  high  positions. 
His  heart  throbbed  in  sympathy  with  the  sorrowing  and  suffer- 
ing, and  his  hand  was  ever  open  in  relief.  Irreproachable  in 
character,  gentlemanly  in  bearing  toward  every  individual,  it 
was  no  wonder  that  every  one  with  whom  he  came  in  contact 
said:  "  He  is  my  friend." 

He  represented  the  town  in  the  legislature  in  1868,  and  was 
an  elector  in  the  presidential  campaign  of  1884.  Even  when 
not  a  professed  disciple  of  Christ,  he  took  the  deepest  interest 
in  all  that  pertained  to  the  moral  and  religious  welfare  of  the 
community,  and  was  foremost  in  sustaining  the  institutions  of 
the  gospel  at  home  and  abroad.     He  was  instrumental  in  secur- 


^'\':WPTi;stonAC''Nl 


'^'-^'-PrsstonS'C^''^ 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  471 

ing  the  erection  of  the  church  in  Wauregan,  which  is  a  gem 
of  architectural  beauty,  a  fitting  memorial  of  one  who  sought 
not  his  own  but  others'  welfare  and  happiness.  In  his  ripe  man- 
hood, with  the  simplicity  and  faith  of  a  little  child,  he  laid  all 
his  varied  endowments,  his  honors,  his  possessions,  at  the  feet 
of  the  Savior  of  mankind,  and  putting  his  hand  into  that  of 
his  Divine  Leader,  said:  "  I  will  follow  thee  wherever  thou 
goest;"  and  in  his  master's  work  he  found  his  joy.  In  Janu- 
ary, 1878,  he  came  into  the  church  by  an  open  confession  of 
his  faith,  and  from  that  time  to  the  end  he  gave  to  its  spirit- 
ual interests  his  thoughtful  sympathy  and  unstinted  help. 
Such  a  life,  so  pure,  so  genial,  so  intensely  loyal  to  truth  and 
duty,  is  a  benediction  everywhere,  and  the  world  is  the  poorer 
when  it  departs. 

William  Stuart  Babcock. — Three  brothers  of  the  Babcock 
family  came  from  England  in  colonial  days — probably  James, 
Jesse'  and  Nathaniel — and  settled  in  Newport,  Rhode  Island. 
Nathaniel  afterward  located  in  Stonington,  Connecticut,  and  be- 
came  the  progenitor  of  the  branch  of  the  family  represented  by 
the  subject  of  this  biography.  His  descendant,  Nathaniel,  the 
grandfather  of  William  Stuart  Babcock,  had  two  sons,  Jonas 
and  Stephen,  and  one  daughter,  Mary.  Jonas  served  under 
Washington  in  the  war  of  the  revolution,  and  lost  his  life  in 
the  battle  of  White  Plains  in  1776.  Stephen,  born  June  15th, 
1765,  was  thrice  married.  The  first  wife,  Mercy  Hinckley,  left 
four  children — Eunice,  Stephen,  Samuel  and  Henry.  Elizabeth 
Stuart,  his  second  wife,  left  one  daughter,  Elizabeth.  By  a  third 
union,  with  Mercy  Davis,  were  born  children :  Charles  D., 
Nathaniel  S.,  Mercy  A.,  John  D.,  Jonas  L.  and  William  S. 

The  youngest  of  this  number,  and  the  eleventh  child,  Wil- 
liam Stuart,  was  born  March  20th,  1822,  in  North  Stonington, 
Connecticut.  The  district  and  select  schools  of  the  neighbor- 
hood afforded  him  an  elementary  education,  after  which  the 
summers  were  spent  in  work  on  the  farm  and  the  winters  in 
"  teaching.  He  had  been  accustomed  from  boyhood  to  labor  and 
naturally  preferred  the  healthful  employments  of  a  farmer  to  a 
more  sedentary  life.  In  1865,  having  previously  purchased  a 
productive  farm  in  Plainfield,  he  removed  from  Stonington  to 
that  town,  where  he  has  since  been  numbered  among  its  most 
industrious  and  enterprising  citizens. 

Mr.  Babcock  possesses  an  inventive  genius.  He  has  secured  five 


472  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

patents  for  improvements  on  wagons,  plows  and  farm  imple 
ments,  that,  owing  to  the  reluctance  with  which  new  machines 
are  adopted,  have  not  proved  remunerative.  He  was  for  some 
years  treasurer  and  a  director  of  the  Robinson  &  Fowler  Foun- 
dry Company,  and  is  now  president  of  the  Plainfield  Cemetery 
Association.  He  has  given  some  attention  to  matters  of  a  pub- 
lic nature,  and  served  as  selectman,  member  of  the  board  of  re- 
lief, justice  of  the  peace,  and  representative  in  the  Connecticut 
legislature.  His  services  are  also  much  in  demand  as  trustee, 
arbitrator,  and  in  similar  offices  of  trust.  In  religion  he  is  lib- 
eral in  his  views,  as  in  contradistinction  to  orthodoxy.  He 
early  joined  the  state  militia,  was  at  the  age  of  nineteen  made 
a  lieutenant,  and  later  promoted  to  the  rank  of  captain. 

Mr.  Babcock  on  the  4th  of  October,  1859,  married  Miss  Frances 
E.  (born  June  15th,  1840),  daughter  of  Richard  H.  Main,  of  North 
Stonington,  Connecticut.  They  have  three  sons  and  three 
daughters,  as  follows:  William  P.,  born  February  5th,  1862;  Nella 
F.,  July  28th,  1865;  Anna  E.,  January  16th,  1867;  Stephen  R., 
February  6th,  1870;  Callia  M.,  November  16th,  1871;  and  Telley 
E.,  October  22d,  1876. 

Mr.  Babcock  has  always  sought  for  light,  his  object  being  to 
find  a  reason,  a  fact  on  which  to  build.  He  has  the  manhood 
and  courage  to  investigate  and  to  express  his  honest  convictions, 
following  the  light  of  his  own  investigations  and  the  impulse  of 
his  heart,  and  not  building  his  character  on  the  opinions  of 
others. 

Floyd  Cranska. — James  Cranska,  the  father  of  Floyd  Cranska, 
a  native  of  Portland,  in  the  state  of  Maine,  removed  to  Provi- 
dence when  a  boy,  and  at  a  later  date  made  Thompson,  in  Wind- 
ham county,  his  home.  Here  he  embarked  in  the  shoe  busi- 
ness, continuing  in  the  same  for  nearly  thirty  years,  and  was  for 
twenty  years  station  agent  at  Grosvenor  Dale,  as  also  postmaster 
of  the  village.  He  married  Asenath,  daughter  of  Calvin  Ran- 
dall, manager  and  proprietor  of  mills  in  the  eastern  part  of 
Thompson,  Windham  county.  Their  children  were  five  sonS' 
and  three  daughters,  of  whom  Floyd  Cranska  was  born  Septem- 
ber 16th,  1849,  in  Thompson,  his  home  until  the  age  of  nineteen. 
He  was  educated  at  the  public  schools,  and  during  the  summer 
assisted  in  farm  work.  On  removing  to  Grosvenor  Dale  he  be- 
came assistant  station  agent  and  postmaster  of  the  village.  Soon 
after,  he  was  offered  and  accepted  a  position  with  the  Grosvenor 


^^- Wnf're^io?!  *  '-:"''iv:i 


<^2^^^2 


TOTYPE,     E.    BIERSTADT 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  473 

Dale  Manufacturing  Company,  as  head  clerk  and  paymaster  in 
their  mills.  After  a  faithful  service  of  ten  years  he  severed 
his  connection  with  this  company,  and  in  January,  1880,  on  pur- 
chasing- the  cotton  mill  at  Moosup,  formerly  known  as  the  Glad- 
ding mill,  began  the  manufacture  of  cotton  yarns  for  the  weav- 
ing trade.  Mr.  Cranska  made  many  improvements  in  this  mill, 
and  introduced  machinery  for  the  manufacture  of  a  high  grade 
of  fine  thread  yarns.  The  superior  quality  of  the  productions 
of  the  mill  created  a  steady  demand  for  its  goods,  which  were  of 
a  higher  class  than  ever  before  made,  and  warranted  the  build- 
ing of  a  stone  addition  in  1886,  thus  doubling  its  capacity. 
The  market  for  its  products  is  found  chiefly  in  New  England. 

Mr.  Cranska  is  a  republican  in  his  political  faith,  and  while 
interested  in  local  issues  and  public  measures,  cannot  be  diverted 
from  his  absorbing  business  interests  to  enter  the  arena  of  pol- 
itics. He  was,  when  a  resident  of  Thompson,  a  director  of  the 
Thompson  Savings  Bank.  He  is  a  supporter  of  the  Baptist 
church  of  Moosup,  and  treasurer  and  clerk  of  the  society.  Mr. 
Cranska  was  on  the  3d  of  October,  1877,  married  to  Evelyn  C, 
daughter  of  Lucius  Briggs,  then  agent  of  the  Grosvenor  Dale 
Manufacturing  Company.  Their  children  are:  Annie  Louise, 
Lucius  Briggs,  Harriet  Atwood  and  Evelyn  Clara.  A  daughter, 
Caroline  Matilda,  is  deceased. 

Albert  C.  Greene. — Abel  Greene,  the  grandfather  of  Albert 
C.  Greene,  resided  in  West  Greenwich,  Rhode  Island.  Jeremiah 
Greene,  a  son  of  the  former,  also  a  resident  for  years  of  West 
Greenwich,  where  he  engaged  in  the  milling  business,  and  was 
also  a  skillful  carpenter,  married  Freelove  Hopkins,  of  the  same 
town.  Their  children  were  five  sons  and  seven  daughters,  the 
youngest  with  one  exception  being  Albert  C.  Greene,  who  was 
born  in  West  Greenwich,  February  21st,  1823,  and  in  infancy 
removed  with  his  parents  to  Plainfield.  His  education  was  such 
as  the  common  schools  afforded,  and  very  limited.  His  father's 
death  during  his  son's  infancy  threw  the  lad  largely  upon  his 
own  resources,  and  at  the  age  of  eight  years  he  entered  a  factory 
where  the  long  day  of  service  extended  from  daylight  until 
dark.  Subsequently  working  on  a  farm  and  attending  the  win- 
ter term  of  the  public  school,  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  he  en- 
tered a  sash  and  blind  factory  and  spent  five  years  at  that 
trade. 

Mr.  Greene  next  engaged  in  hewing  ship  timber  and  finally 


474  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

established  himself  as  a  house  carpenter,  which  occupation  he 
followed  for  many  years.  Preferring  an  agricultural  life,  he  in 
1868  purchased  the  farm  on  which  he  resides  in  Plainfield,  and 
cultivated  the  land  until  1884,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  his 
son.  He  has  since  practically  abandoned  active  business,  though 
occasionally  resuming  his  trade  for  a  brief  period. 

He  was  in  1849  married  to  Miss  Louisa,  daughter  of  Rufus  and 
Eunice  Brown,  of  Charlton,  Massachusetts,  who  died  in  1860. 
Their  children  are :  Turner  E.,  Daniel  F.,  and  Rosa  L.,  wife  of 
Frederick  Douglas.  Turner  E.  is  married  to  Carrie  Richmond ,  and 
the  wife  of  Daniel  F.  was  Mary  Phillips.  Mr.  Greene  as  a  dem- 
ocrat  represented  his  constituents  in  the  state  legislature  in  1876 
and  has  filled  such  local  offices  as  constable,  collector,  etc.  He 
is  a  member  of  Moosup  Lodge,  No.  HS,  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons. 

Joseph  Hutchins. — Nicholas  Hutchins  emigrated  from  Eng- 
land about  the  year  1670,  in  the  reign  of  Charles  the  Second, 
and  settled  in  Groton,  Massachusetts.  His  two  children  were 
John  and  Joseph,  the  former  of  whom -was  born  in  Groton  in 
the  year  1678,  and  married  a. Miss  Whitney.  Their  five  chil- 
dren were :  Joshua,  John,  Benjamin,  Sarah  and  Abigail.  Hav- 
ing lost  his  wife  he  removed  to  Plainfield,  Connecticut,  and 
married  a  Mrs.  Pierce  (formerly  a  Miss  Weyman),  whose  chil- 
dren by  this  union  were :  Joseph,  Weyman,  Ezra,  Silas,  Anna, 
Keziah,  Ruth  and  Mary.  Joseph  Hutchins  was  born  in  1711, 
and  married  Sarah  Levins,  whose  children  were:  Sarah,  Rachel, 
Mahitable,  John,  Amasa,  Judith,  Sophia  and  Eunice.  Amasa 
Hutchins  was  born  in  1748,  and  in  1788  married  Hannah  Lef- 
fingwell,  whose  five  children  were:  Joseph,  Jeremiah,  Samuel, 
Eunice  and  Marvin  W.  Joseph,  of  this  number,  whose  birth 
occurred  February  23d,  1789,  in  Killingly,  removed  to  Plainfield 
and  was  married  in  1817  to  Nancy  Bacon.  Their  children  were  : 
Mary,  Joseph,  Horace,  Hannah  and  Nancy. 

The  eldest  son,  Joseph  Hutchins,  the  subject  of  this  biogra- 
phy, was  born  March  4th,  1820,  in  the  town  of  Plainfield,  with 
which  he  has  during  his  whole  life  been  identified  both  as  a 
public  man  and  a  private  citizen.  The  public  schools  and  the 
Plainfield  Academ}^  afforded  the  opportunity  for  acquiring  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  the  elementary  branches  of  study, 
after  which  for  four  years  the  summers  were  devoted  to  the 
work  of  the  farm,  and  the  winters  to  teaching.     He  was  on  the 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  475 

26tli  of  October,  1846,  married  to  Lucy  R.,  daughter  of  Lem- 
uel Woodward,  of  Plainfield.  Their  children  are  :  Alice,  who 
was  in  1876  married  to  Joseph  C.  Noyes,  of  Cincinnati,  and 
two  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Hutchins  soon  after  his  mar- 
riage settled  on  a  farm  in  the  village  of  Plainfield  and  for 
seven  years  followed  an  agricultural  life.  He  then  purchased 
the  property  which  is  his  present  home,  his  summers  being 
spent  in  his  native  town  and  the  winters  in  Cincinnati,  where 
he  has  large  interests  in  real  estate. 

Mr.  Hutchins  was  formerly  an  old  line  whig  in  politics  and 
has  since  affiliated  with  the  republican  party,  of  which  he  has 
been  one  of  the  leaders  in  his  county.  He  was  for  several 
years  one  of  the  selectmen  of  the  town,  and  represented  his 
constituents  in  the  Connecticut  house  of  representatives  for  the 
years  1858,  1875  and  1885,  and  in  the  senate  in  1887,  serving 
on  the  committee  on  banks  and  constitutional  amendments. 
Mr.  Hutchins  is  a  director  of  the  Uncas  National  Bank  of 
Norwich,  trustee  of  the  Chelsea  Savings  Bank  of  Norwich, 
trustee  of  the  David  Gallup  Fund  for  the  town  of  Plainfield, 
and  of  several  personal  estates.  His  religious  belief  is  in  har- 
mony with  the  creed  of  the  Congregational  church  of  which 
he  is  a  supporter.  He  is  at  present  trustee  of  the  Ecclesias- 
tical Society  Fund  of  Plainfield. 

Edwin  Milner. — John  Milner,  the  father  of  Edwin  Milner, 
married  Charlotte  Dews,  to  whom  were  born  four  children:  Ed- 
win, Hannah,  wife  of  Christopher  Richardson,  of  Newark,  New 
Jersey;  Sarah,  deceased,  and  John  H.,  of  Moosup,  who  married 
Mary  Fidler.  Edwin,  the  eldest  of  these  children,  was  born  in 
Horbury,  Yorkshire,  England,  December  1st,  1842,  and  in  his 
fourth  year  emigrated  with  his  parents  to  America,  landing  in 
Boston,  from  whence  they  soon  after  removed  to  East  Greenwich, 
Rhode  Island,  and  resided  in  that  borough  until  1854. 

In  1856  Westerly  in  the  same  state  became  the  home  of  the 
family,  where  at  the  age  of  nine  years  the  lad  entered  a  woolen 
mill,  and  in  due  time  became  familiar  with  the  process  of  man- 
ufacturing woolen  goods.  In  his  nineteenth  year  an  interval 
was  spent  at  school,  and  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  English 
branches  obtained,  after  which  the  business  of  his  life — that  of 
a  woolen  manufacturer — was  resumed.  In  1863  he  was  employed 
by  the  Pequot  Manufacturing  Company  at  Montville,  Connecti- 
cut, and  in  1865  removed  to  Old  Lyme,  Connecticut,  where  under 


476  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

the  firm  name  of  John  Milner  &  Son,  he  embarked  in  manufac- 
turing. Returning  again  to  Westerly,  Mr.  Milner  engaged  with 
his  father  in  the  purchase  and  sale  of  wool,  and  in  1874,  on  form- 
ing a  copartnership  with  D.  L.  Aldrich,  he  began  the  manufac- 
ture of  woolen  goods  at  Plainville,  Richmond  Switch,  Rhode 
Island.  The  property  was  sold  in  1880,  and  the  firm  became 
owners  of  the  mills  at  Moosup,  to  which  point  he  removed  the 
following  year.  To  this  enterprise  Mr.  Milner  has  since  given 
his  attention,  and  by  his  thorough  knowledge  of  details,  brought 
the  mills  to  a  high  state  of  excellence  in  their  productions. 
Three  hundred  hands  are  employed  in  the  various  departments, 
and  the  woolen  fabrics  manufactured  find  a  ready  market  in 
New  York  city. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  has  been  and  is  still  actively  in- 
terested in  the  political  movements  of  the  day,  and  a  prominent  fig- 
ure in  the  ranks  of  the  republican  party.  His  services  have  been 
given  to  the  cause  of  protection  as  opposed  to  free  trade,  in 
which  it  is  his  belief  lies  the  salvation  of  American  industries. 
He  represented  his  town  in  the  Connecticut  house  of  represent- 
atives in  1887,  and  served  as  chairman  of  the  committee  on  state 
prisons.  He  is  an  earnest  advocate  of  all  measures  for  the  en- 
couragement of  education,  and  a  member  of  the  school  commit- 
tee of  Moosup.  He  is  connected  by  membership  with  Christ 
Protestant  Episcopal  church  of  Westerly.  Mr.  Milner  was  on 
the  17th  of  April,  1867,  married  to  Sarah  M.,  daughter  of  Darius 
Harding,  of  Old  Lyme,  Connecticut.  Their  two  children  are 
both  deceased,  their  son  Edwin  having  died  in  his  eleventh 
year. 

Hon.  James  S.  T.  Stranahan.— The  Stranahan  family  had 
its  origin  in  the  Parish  of  Strachan,  Kincardin  county,  Scot- 
land, whence  the  name,  which  has  also  been  spelled  Strahan. 
Subsequently  some  of  the  members  of  this  Strachan  (now  Stran- 
ahan) family,  yielding  to  the  inducements  of  King  James  I.  to 
repeople  that  section,  settled  with  other  Scotchmen  in  the  North 
of  Ireland.  Here  their  thrift,  enterprise  and  success  as  farmers 
and  manufacturers  attracted  wide  attention,  while  their  rigid 
adherence  to  their  religious  belief  was  equally  conspicuous. 
They  became,  as  it  were,  a  new  and  heroic  race,  whose  numbers 
were  greatly  augmented  by  the  persecutions  of  the  Stuart  dy- 
nasty and  by  the  rebellions  of  1715  and  1745.  It  was  natural  that 
the  prosperity  of  this  independent  and  God-fearing  people  should 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  477 

incur  the  hostility  of  an  avaricious  government,  and  they  were 
forced  by  its  exactions  and  rigorous  regulations  to  seek,  beyond 
the  seas,  a  freer  verge  for  their  religious  and  industrial  life. 
They  came  to  America,  and  how  well  they  have  left  their 
imprint  upon  our  common  history,  every  thoughtful  student 
knows.  To  them  and  the  descendants  of  these  Scotch-Irish  the 
United  States  owe  much  of  their  glory,  wealth  and  enterprise. 

One  of  these  hardy  emigrants  to  America  in  1725  was  James 
Stranahan,  the  founder  of  the  family  by  that  name  in  the  United 
States.  He  was  a  prosperous  and  intelligent  farmer,  and  pur- 
chased lands  inScituate,  R.  I.,  October  18th  and  November  29th, 
1746,  but  soon  after  became  a  permanent  citizen  of  Plainfield, 
Conn.  In  1748  his  name  appears  in  the  list  of  those  who  dis- 
sented from  the  teachings  of  the  regular  church,  and  he  was 
classed  among  the  Separationists  of  that  part  of  the  state.  He 
attained  the  extreme  age  of  93  years,  dying  January  8th,  1792, 
and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  the  South  Killingly  meeting 
house,  where  were  also  interred  his  son  James,  and  members  of 
two  other  successive  generations  of  the  family.  Of  the  three 
sons  of  James  Stranahan,  John  and  William  removed  to  Canaan, 
Columbia  county,  N.  Y.,  where  they  became  men  of  wealth 
and  influence,  and  their  numerous  descendants  fitly  perpet- 
uated the  family  name  in  other  states.  Farrand,  a  son  of  John, 
was  a  colonel  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  taken  a  prisoner  by 
the  British  at  Queenstown,  Canada.  He  died  an  eminent  law- 
yer and  politician  at  Otsego,  N.  Y.,  in  1826. 

James  Stranahan,  the  eldest  of  the  three  sons  of  the  emigrant 
to  America,  was  born  in  1736.  He  married  Martha  Corey  and 
settled  in  Plainfield,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  in  1768,  on 
which  he  died  January  2d,  1808.  His  widow  died  at  the  same 
place  eighteen  years  later.  He  was  a  revolutionary  soldier,  and 
was  highly  esteemed  for  his  many  good  qualities  as  a  citizen. 
His  homestead  in  Windham  county,  a  mile  south  of  South  Kil- 
lingly meeting  house,  passed  into  other  hands  more  than  half  a 
century  ago,  and  the  name  of  the  family  no  longer  appears  in 
the  present  affairs  of  the  town;  but  descendants,  through  the 
marriage  of  a  Stranahan  daughter  to  a  Parkhurst,  still  remain, 
and  those  removed  cherish  a  warm  feeling  toward  the  place 
of  nativity. 

Samuel,  the  fifth  son  of  James  the  second,  following  the  tide 
of  immigration,  became  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Peterboro, 


478  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Madison  county,  N.  Y.  He  married  Lynda  Josselyn,  of  Otsego 
county,  N.  Y.,  March  30th,  1803,  and  became  an  active  business 
man  in  his  new  home,  owning  the  mills  in  the  village  of  Peter- 
boro  at  the  time  of  his  death,  September  8th,  1816,  at  the  age  of 
38  years.  In  this  village  his  son,  James  S.  T.  Stranahan,  the  imme- 
diate subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  April  25th,  1808.  Here 
he  received  his  early  education,  and  here,  among  the  hills  of 
central  New  York,  he  imbibed  the  spirit  which  stimulated  him 
to  the  efforts  which  brought  him  distinction  in  his  manhood. 
The  early  death  of  his  father  and  the  marriage  of  his  widowed 
mother  soon  awoke  him  to  the  stern  outlook  of  his  youth,  and 
he  laid  well  the  plans  for  his  success  in  life.  He  fitted  himself 
for  the  duties  of  a  civil  engineer,  but  abandoned  this  to  engage 
in  more  active  trade,  becoming  a  wool  merchant  at  Albany, 
N.  Y.  In  1832  he  was  induced  by  Gerrit  Smith,  the  eminent 
philanthropist,  who  had  known  him  from  his  boyhood,  to  found 
a  manufacturing  town  in  a  township  owned  by  him  in  Oneida 
county.  This  gave  full  scope  to  his  powers,  and  called  forth, 
at  the  early  age  of  twenty-four,  those  faculties  which  made 
greater  achievements  possible  in  later  years.  The  town  of 
Florence  developed  from  a  few  hundred  inhabitants  to  a  few 
thousand,  and  he  was  thus  also  brought  into  prominence  in  pub- 
lic life,  being  elected  to  the  assembly  from  Florence  in  1837, 
even  though  the  whig  party,  to  which  he  belonged,  had  there- 
tofore been  in  the  minority.  After  an  honorable  service  he 
removed  to  Newark,  N.  J.,  in  1840,  where  he  engaged  in  rail- 
road construction  and  other  public  works.  Seeking  still  a  larger 
scope  for  his  powers  he  permanently  became  a  resident  of  the 
city  of  Brooklyn  in  1844,  where  he  has  been  identified  with 
nearly  every  interest  of  public  importance.  To  him  more  than 
any  one  else  that  city  is  indebted  for  its  splendid  system  of 
public  improvements.  His  extended  services  at  the  head  of  the 
Park  Commission,  serving  as  president  from  1860  until  1882, 
have  written  his  name  imperishably  upon  the  pages  of  Brook- 
lyn's history.  Prospect  Park,  the  system  of  Boulevards,  the 
Ocean  Parkway,  the  Concourse  at  Coney  Island,  all  attest  to  his 
ability  and  intelligence.  Nor  was  his  connection  with  the  great 
Brooklyn  bridge  and  the  Atlantic  Dock  improvement  less 
important.  They  all  bear  the  impress  of  his  originality  and  his 
entire  devotion  to  public  interests,  insomuch  that  he  has  been 
styled  the  "  Baron  Haussman  of  Brooklyn,"  or  being  to  that  city 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  479 

what  Baron  Haussman  was  to  Paris.  He  was  one  of  the  few  who 
believed  in  the  bridge,  and  helped  to  organize  the  board  of  trustees 
which,  under  an  act  of  the  legislature,  undertook  the  construc- 
tion of  the  bridge,  and  remained  in  the  board  from  the  com- 
mencement of  the  work  up  to  the  time  of  its  completion,  and 
retiring  as  president  of  the  board  of  trustees  m  1884. 

While  thus  active  in  the  furtherance  of  the  improvements 
of  his  adopted  city,  he  was  not  unmindful  of  his  public  or  polit- 
ical duties.  In  1848  he  was  elected  one  of  the  aldermen  of 
Brooklyn,  which  so  popularized  him  that  his  election  to  con- 
gress in  1854  was  made  possible  in  a  district  where  there  was  a 
strong  opposition  by  the  democracy.  In  1864  he  was  a  presi- 
liential  elector;  and  all  through  the  war  for  the  Union  he 
strove,  by  example  and  means,  to  perpetuate  it  inviolate.  In 
this  work  his  wife  was  no  less  zealous,  taking  an  active  part  in 
the  great  Sanitary  fair,  and  since  the  war  has  extended  her 
charity  in  other  directions. 

Mr.  Stranahan  was  elected  an  elector-at-large  in  1888,  casting 
his  vote  for  General  Harrison.  He  was  appointed  messenger  to 
take  the  vote  of  the  state  of  New  York,  thus  cast,  to  Washing- 
ton, which  he  claims  to  be  the  end  of  his  public  labors. 

Mr.  Stranahan  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Mari- 
amne  Fitch,  of  Oneida  county,  N.  Y.,  who  died  August  30th, 
1866,  and  who  was  the  mother  of  two  children,  Mary  and  Fitch 
James,  both  born  at  Newark.  His  second  wife  was  Miss  Clara 
C.  Harrison,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  who,  before  her  mar- 
riage, was  widely  known  in  educational  circles  in  Brooklyn, 
and  who  since  that  event  has  maintained  her  interest  in  the 
well-being  of  her  home,  in  social  and  religious  life. 

It  is  pleasant  to  record  a  life  so  actively  spent  as  has  been  that 
of  Mr.  Stranahan,  and  his  example  can  well  be  imitated  by 
the  youth  of  the  land,  for  he  is  a  self  made  man,  and  yet  withal 
a  man  of  the  people.  His  success  and  position  have  endeared 
him  to  the  citizens  of  Brooklyn  and  New  York,  and  they  have 
borne  public  testimony  of  their  appreciation.  One  of  these 
events,  December  13th,  1888,  was  of  unusual  interest,  and  en- 
listed the  presence  and  participation  of  many  prominent  cit- 
izens, whose  words  of  praise  should  be  well  prized,  but  whose 
expressions  yet  fall  far  short  of  the  life  of  James  S.  T.  Strana- 
han itself,  whose  deeds  and  the  public  works  with  which  he  was 
connected  will  endure  when  praise  of  tongue  and  pen  are  alike 
forgotten. 


480  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Waldo  Tillinghast. — Pardon  Tillinghast,  the  grandfather  of 
Waldo  Tillinghast,  was  an  early  resident  of  West  Greenwich, 
Rhode  Island,  and  for  forty  years  a  deacon  of  the  Baptist 
church.  He  married  Mary  Sweet,  of  East  Greenwich,  to  whom 
were  born  twelve  children.  Thomas  of  this  number  was  a 
farmer  in  his  native  town  of  West  Greenwich,  and  an  ordained 
minister  of  the  Six  Principle  Baptist  church.  He  was  three 
times  married,  his  first  wife  being  Mary  Howard,  of  Woodstock, 
whose  children  are:  Harriet  S.,  Waldo,  Henry  S.,  Jared  and 
Caleb  E. 

Waldo  Tillinghast  was  born  June  10th,  1833,  in  Killingly,  and 
when  a  lad  removed  to  Plainfield,  where  he  became  a  pupil  of 
both  the  district  and  high  schools,  and  subsequently  attended 
the  Plainfield  Academy.  An  independent  and  self-reliant  youth, 
he  was  during  the  succeeding  five  years  emplo5^ed  as  assistant 
on  a  farm  in  summer  and  spent  the  winter  in  teaching.  Remov- 
ing to  the  village  of  Plainfield  he  next  engaged  in  storekeeping, 
beginning  business  with  a  cash  capital  of  twenty-eight  dollars. 
His  mercantile  venture  prospered  and  grew  in  proportions  un- 
til a  large  and  flourishing  trade  was  the  result,  begun  thirty- 
four  years  from  the  present  date,  with  industry  and  persever- 
ance for  its  foundation  stone.  Mr.  Tillinghast  is  also  largely  en- 
gaged in  farming,  as  in  other  successful  enterprises. 

As  a  republican  he  was  appointed  by  President  Lincoln  post- 
master of  Plainfield,  and  continued  twenty-eight  years  in  office. 
He  was  for  fourteen  years  clerk  of  the  probate  office,  and  for 
the  same  period  judge  of  probate.  He  was  for  twenty-five 
years  a  member  of  the  town  board  of  education,  and  a  portion 
of  the  time  one  of  its  school  visitors.  He  is  treasurer  of  the 
Robinson  &  Fowler  Foundry  Company.  Mr.  Tillinghast  has  been 
for  nearly  forty  years  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  of  Moos- 
up,  and  for  a  long  period  superintendent  of  its  vSunday  school. 
He  was  married  in  1859  to  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Charles  W. 
Crary,  of  Plainfield.  Their  children  are:  Frank  H.,  Fred.  W., 
Arthur  C,  and  a  daughter,  Annie  L. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


THE  TOWN  OF  CANTERBURY. 


Canterbury  Geography. — Statistics. — Settlement  of  the  Quinebaug  Plantation. — 
Major  Fitch.— Fitch  and  M^inthrop  Conflicting  Claims.— Town  Charter  and 
Organization.— Boundary  Disputes.— First  Meeting  House. — Dividing  Line 
Established.— Adjusting  Land  Titles.— Distribution  of  Common  Lands.— Ec- 
clesiastical History. — Separate  Movement. — Westminster  Church  and  Society 
Formed.— Restoration  of  Harmony.— The  Methodist  Churches.— Roads  and 
Bridges.— Accident  on  the  Shetucket.— Bridges,  Dams  and  Floods.— Turnpike 
Projects  and  Other  Highways.— Public  Education. — Miss  Prudence  Crand all's 
School. — General  Town  Progress. — Immigration  and  Enterprise. — Westmin- 
ster Society. — Canterbury  Manufacturing. — Canterbury  Separate  Church. — 
Baptists  and  Episcopalians.— Packerville  Baptist  Church. — Packerville 
Growth. — Masonic  Lodge. — Biographical  Sketches. 


THE  town  of  Canterbury  occupies  the  middle  of  the  southern 
tier  of  towns  in  Windham  county.  It  joins  New  London 
county.  Adjoining  towns  are  Brooklyn  on  the  north, 
Plainfield  on  the  east,  Lisbon  on  the  south,  and  Scotland  and 
Hampton  on  the  west.  Its  territory  is  about  eight  miles  from 
north  to  south,  and  an  average  of  five  miles  from  east  to  west, 
thus  comprising  about  forty  square  miles.  The  northern  part 
is  hilly  and  exceedingly  picturesque,  but  the  southern  part  con- 
tains a  great  deal  of  low  and  swampy  land.  Much  good  farm- 
ing land  is  found  in  the  town,  and  agriculture  constitutes  the 
principal  industrial  interest  of  the  people.  The  town  contains 
the  post  offices  of  Canterbury,  South  Canterbury,  Westminster 
and  Packerville.  Its  grand  list  amounts  to  $482,166.  The  num- 
ber of  school  children,  between  the  ages  of  four  and  sixteen,  has 
been  at  different  periods  as  follows:  1858,  448;  1881,  293;  1887, 
209.  The  population  of  the  town  at  different  periods  has  been: 
In  1766,1,260;  in  1775,  2,444;  in  1800,  1,812;  in  1840, 1,791;  in  1870, 
1,552;  in  1880,  1,272.  The  settlement  of  this  locality  commenced 
about  the  year  1690,  and  it  included  the  land  which  in  1692  was 
made  a  part  of  the  town  of  Windham,  from  Norwich.  In  1699, 
when  Plainfield  was  incorporated,  Canterbury  fell  within  its  char- 

31 


482  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

tered  limits,  and  so  continued  until  October,  1703,when  that  town- 
ship was  divided,  and  the  part  of  it  which  lay  on  the  west  side  of  the 
Quinebaug  river  was  incorporated  with  the  name  of  Canterbury. 
The  distance  of  this  town  from  Hartford  is  forty  miles;  from  New^ 
Haven,  sixty-four  miles.  The  town  is  well  watered  by  streams' 
running  down  from  north  through  much  of  the  town  to  join  the 
Quinebaug  on  the  eastern  boundary.  But  beyond  two  or  three 
small  saw  mills  and  the  grist  mill  of  Messrs.  J.  &  P.  Williams, 
the  water  privileges  which  these  streams  afford  are  not  improved 
in  this  town.  Besides  these  branches,  the  business  concerns  of 
the  town  number  two  or  three  country  stores,  and  as  many 
blacksmith  shops,  carriage  and  wagon  manufactories,  and  one 
or  two  cider  mills.  The  importance  of  Canterbury  seems  to  lie 
mainly  in  the  past  and  in  the  future,  not  much  in  the  present. 

The  first  inhabitants  west  of  the  Quinebaug  were  probably 
the  tenants  of  Peagscomsuck.  Rowland  Jones,  who  purchased 
in  1691  four  hundred  acres  of  land  on  what  is  still  Rowland's 
brook,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  here.  Thomas  Brooks  and 
Obadiah  Johnson  also  settled  west  of  the  Quinebaug,  but  little 
progress  was  made  till  1697,  when  Major  Fitch,  with  his  family 
removed  thither,  digging  the  first  cellar  and  erecting  the  first 
permanent  habitation  in  what  is  now  the  township  of  Canterbury. 
With  hundreds  of  farms  and  many  thousand  acres  at  his  dis- 
posal, he  selected  for  his  residence  a  neck  of  land  partially  en- 
closed by  a  bend  in  the  Quinebaug  river,  below  the  river  island 
Peagscomsuck,  which  gave  its  name  to  the  settlement.  At  the 
time  of  his  removal  hither  Major  Fitch  was  a  little  past  middle 
age,  and  had  been  for  many  years  one  of  the  most  prominent 
men  in  Connecticut.  From  early  manhood  he  had  been  actively 
employed  in  civil  and  military  affairs — helped  to  re-establish 
colonial  government  after  the  revolution  of  1689;  was  appointed 
assistant  in  1690;  was  appointed  sergeant  major  of  New  London 
county  in  1696;  served  as  boundary  commissioner  and  land  re- 
viser; led  military  expeditions,  manned  forts,  guarded  the  fron- 
tier, and  exercised  jurisdiction  over  the  Mohegans  and  all  their 
lands  and  interests.  After  the  death  of  his  first  wife — a  daugh- 
ter of  Captain  John  Mason — he  married  Alice  Bradford,  widow 
of  Reverend  William  Adams,  of  Dedham,  and  mother  of  Mrs. 
Whiting,  of  Windham.  Nine  sons  and  daughters  accompanied 
him  to  his  new  home  here,  and  soon  the  Indian  "  neck  "  became 
an  attractive  family  seat.     The  social  position  of  Major  Fitch, 


HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  483 

and  his  wide  business  relations,  drew  many  people  around  liim, 
and  his  plantation  at  once  became  a  place  of  no  small  conse- 
quence— a  rendezvous  for  land  traders,  civil  and  military  offi- 
cials and  hordes  of  idle  Indians.  Here  courts  were  held,  mili- 
tary expeditions  organized,  and  many  thousand  acres  of  land 
bartered  away.  It  was  the  first,  and  long  the  only,  settlement 
between  Norwich  and  Wood.stock,  extending  its  hospitalities  and 
accommodations  to  many  aweary  traveler.  The  expedition  that 
marched  to  the  relief  of  Woodstock  in  1699  passed  the  night, 
both  in  going  and  returning,  "  at  Major  Fitch's  farm  in  Peags- 
comsuck."  A  road  was  soon  laid  out  from  Windham  to  this 
noted  establishment,  and  connecting  with  Greenwich  path, 
formed  the  great  thoroughfare  to  Providence.  Kent  was  the 
name  given  by  the  major  to  his  plantation,  but  the  Indian  ap- 
pellation persistently  adhered  to  it. 

Other  settlers  soon  followed  Major  Fitch.  Samuel  Adams, 
from  Chelmsford;  Elisha  Paine,  from  Eastham;  Obadiah  and 
William  Johnson,  Samuel  and  Josiah  Cleveland,  from  Woburn; 
Thomas  Brooks,  Rowland  Jones  and  Robert  Green,  all  settled 
west  of  the  Quinebaug.  To  encourage  these  settlers,  Owaneco,  in 
1698,  made  over  to  Major  James  Fitch,  Josiah  Cleveland  and 
Jabez  Utter,  the  land  between  the  Quinebaug  and  Appaquage 
rivers,  extending  eight  and  a  half  miles  north  of  Norwich  north 
line — except  those  lands  formerly  granted  to  Major  Fitch,  Solo- 
mon and  Daniel  Tracy  and  Richard  Bushnell — "in  trust  for 
y^  inhabitants  now  dwelling  in  the  plantation  of  Quinebauge, 
they  bearing  their  proportion  of  charge,  to  wit:  Thomas  Brooks, 
Obadiah  Johnson,  Samuel  Cleveland,  Robert  Green,  Rowland 
Jones  and  Major  Fitch.  The  above  are  on  the  west  side  of  Quine- 
baug; the  intention  is  to  promote  plantation  work."  This  con- 
veyance did  not  prevent  Owaneco's  selling  the  same  land  to 
other  settlers  at  every  opportunity.  Indeed,  some  tracts  were 
sold  to  three  or  four  purchasers  by  this  "  flexible  "  and  unscrupu- 
lous chieftain.  In  1699  Owaneco  sold  to  Obadiah  Johnson  and 
Samuel  Adams  all  the  south  part  of  the  tract  west  of  the  Quine- 
baug not  previously  appropriated.  Elisha  Paine  bought  two 
thousand  acres  in  the  south  of  the  tract  from  Major  Fitch.  Tix- 
hall  Ensworth,  of  Hartford,  also  settled  on  land  bought  of  Fitch. 
Josiah  Cleveland  bought  land  at  Wanungatuck,  "both  sides  of 
Tadneck  Hill,"  of  Richard  Bushnell;  Solomon  Tracy,  Jr.,  took 
possession  of  the  land  owned  by  his  father. 


484  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

A  conflict  of  land  claims  soon  arose  between  Major  Fitch  and 
Fitz  John  Winthrop  and  others.  Winthrop  having  been  elected 
governor  of  Connecticut  in  1698,  secured  a  patent  of  confirma- 
tion of  his  title  to  certain  lands  which  he  had  bought  of  the  In- 
dians. The  patent  to  the  town  of  Plainfield  also  aroused  some 
opposition,  and  the  ownership  of  land  in  this  neighborhood  was 
uncertain  until  the  early  part  of  1703,  when  it  was  mutually 
agreed  that  a  new  town  should  be  formed  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Quinebaug,  to  be  called  Canterbury,  and  the  assembly  being 
thus  petitioned,  granted  a  charter  for  the  said  new  town.  The 
line  agreed  upon  and  observed  in  the  charter,  as  dividing  the 
towns  of  Canterbury  and  Plainfield,  followed  the  river  down 
from  the  northern  boundary  of  the  town  "to  the  center  of  Peags- 
comsuck  island  and  from  the  center  of  that  island  due  east  a 
quarter  of  a  mile — thence  a  line  run  straight  to  the  south  bounds 
of  town  a  mile  eastward  from  Quinebaug  River."  This  jog  into 
Plainfield  in  the  southeast  corner  of  Canterbury  was  made  to 
allow  the  Canterbury  people  a  share  of  the  rich  "plain  "lands 
upon  which  they  had  been  in  the  habit  of  planting  in  the  com- 
mon cornfields  before  the  town  was  divided.  The  settlers  whose 
names  appear  to  the  agreement  to  make  the  described  line  the 
division  between  Canterbury  and  Plainfield  were  James  Fitch 
vSamuel  Cleveland,  Obadiah  Johnson,  Robert  Green,  Josiah 
Cleveland,  Elisha  Paine,  Richard  Adams,  Thomas  Brooks,  Ben- 
jamin Rood  and  Isaac  Cleveland. 

The  young  town  had  considerable  trouble  to  maintain  its 
rights  against  the  town  of  Plainfield,  which  obtained  a  patent 
covering  all  the  land  up  to  the  Quinebaug,  and  though  the  pat- 
ent was  declared  by  the  assembly  to  be  void,  yet  the  latter  town, 
for  a  time  at  least,  seemed  to  exercise  jurisdiction  under  it. 
Thus  the  dividing  line  between  the  two  towns  was  for  many 
years  a  source  of  trouble,  and  an  almost  constant  dispute  was 
kept  up  on  the  subject,  the  particulars  of  which  are  too  lengthy 
to  be  inserted  here.  Though  Canterbury,  when  in  October,  1703, 
it  was  endowed  with  town  privileges,  had  but  few  inhabitants, 
their  character  and  circumstances  made  amends  for  the  small- 
ness  of  their  number.  Most  of  them  were  men  of  means  and 
position,  accustomed  to  the  management  of  public  affairs  and 
well  fitted  to  initiate  and  carry  on  the  settlement  of  the  new 
township.  Most,  if  not  all,  of  the  residences  were  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  town,  overlooking  the  Quinebaug  valley.     The  priv- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  485 

ilege  of  Rowland's  brook,  a  short  distance  northwest  from  Peags- 
comsuck,  was  granted  to  Samuel  Adams,  in  1703,  for  building 
and  maintaining  a  corn  mill.  The  same  year  Obadiah  Johnson 
was  allowed  to  keep  a  house  of  entertainment  for  the  public, 
"provided  he  keeps  good  order,"  and  here  town  meetings  were 
held  and  public  business  transacted. 

No  record  can  now  be  found  of  the  first  organization  of  the 
town  government.  The  first  town  clerk  was  probably  Elisha 
Paine,  and  the  first  selectmen  William  Johnson,  Samuel  Adams 
and  Eleazer  Brown.  This  absence  of  early  records  makes  it 
difficult  to  trace  the  progress  of  the  town  at  that  period,  but  it 
was  probably  very  slow  for  several  years.  The  tenure  of  land 
was  prejudicial  to  its  growth  and  best  interests.  Mr.  Samuel 
Adams  at  that  time  declared — "  Before  we  were  a  town,  Major 
Fitch,  Richard  Bushnell  and  the  Tracys  had  swept  up  all 
the  good  land  upon  the  Quinebaug  with  all  the  other  good, 
land,  wheresoever  it  lay,  and  all  for  a  song  or  a  trifle,  so 
that  there  was  nothing  left  but  poor  rocky  hills  and  hungry 
land  such  as  no  wise  man  under  Heaven  would  have  ventured  to 
settle  upon."  Land  titles  were  obscure  and  conflicting,  and  some 
tracts  had  been  sold  and  resold  by  Owaneco  till  it  was  impossible 
to  tell  who  was  the  rightful  owner,  and  after  subduing  and  cul- 
tivating such  rough  lands  as  were  left  them  the  settlers  had  of- 
ten to  pay  off  successive  claimants  or  be  sued  from  court  to  court 
to  their  cost  and  damage.  With  these  difficulties  in  the  way  it 
is  not  surprising  that  Canterbury  at  first  made  but  slow  progress 
in  settlement.  Eleazer  Brown,  of  Chelmsford,  bought  land  at 
Wanungatuck  of  the  Tracys  in  1704.  Jonathan  Ashley,  Ben- 
jamin Baldwin  and  Henry  Smith  appear  among  the  inhabitants 
in  1705.  Samuel  Butts,  of  Dorchester,  settled  near  Wanunga- 
tuck in  1706,  and  John  Pelton  and  Jeremiah  Plympton,  Charles 
and  Paul  Davenport,  of  Dorchester,  bought  land  in  the  south  of 
Canterbury,  "with  buildings  and  fences,"  of  Jeremiah  Fitch  the 
same  year. 

As  soon  as  practicable  the  Canterbury  people  established  re- 
ligious services  and  employed  a  minister,  and  began  to  arrange 
for  the  erection  of  a  meeting  house.  In  1705  Robert  Green  made 
over  to  the  town  for  thirty  shillings  three  and  a  half  acres  on  a 
hill  hear  his  house,  for  public  purposes.  This  plot  has  ever  since 
been  so  held  and  is  still  known  as  Canterbury  Green. 

Disputes  concerning  boundary  lines  gave  Canterbury  much 


486  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

annoyance.  The  line  between  this  town  and  Windham  was  a 
matter  of  protracted  controversy.  A  gore  piece  lying  between 
two  early  surveys  of  Windham  territory  on  the  side  joining  Can- 
terbury was  claimed  by  both  towns.  The  first  Canterbury  settlers 
in  that  part  of  the  town,  which  received  the  name  Apaquag,  were 
Stephen  Cook,  Richard  and  Benoni  Woodward,  and  Joseph  Hide, 
who  purchased  land  on  Little  river  in  1708.  Jonathan  Hide  and 
Stephen  Frost  settled  in  this  section  soon  after.  George  Lilly 
purchased  land  between  Nipmuck  path  and  Little  river  in  1710. 
In  1709  the  town  contained  thirty-five  male  inhabitants,  and  the 
taxable  estates  amounted  to  i^l,619|^. 

The  building  of  the  first  meeting  house  was  perhaps  the  most 
absorbing  enterprise  with  the  early  settlers  of  these  towns,  after 
they  had  provided  some  sort  of  comfortable  habitations  for  their 
individual  needs.  Canterbury  plead  such  weakness  that  the  as- 
sembly remitted  the  usual  "  country  rate  "  in  1708,  on  condition 
that  it  be  used  in  the  construction  of  the  meeting  house.  This 
public  edifice  and  a  house  for  the  minister  were  provided  by 
1711,  and  in  that  year  the  town  received  from  the  assembly  per- 
mission "  to  gather  a  church  and  call  a  minister  to  office  amongst 
them,  according  to  the  rules  of  the  gospel  and  the  order  of  dis- 
cipline established  by  this  government."  The  church  was  or- 
ganized under  this  privilege,  June  13th,  1711,  and  at  the  same 
time  Reverend  Samuel  Estabrook,  who  had  for  several  years 
been  preaching  here,  was  installed  as  their  pastor.  The  constit- 
uent members  of  the  church  were  Samuel  Estabrook,  Eleazer 
Brown,  Elisha  Paine,  Samuel  Cleveland,  John  Woodward,  Rich- 
ard Woodward  and  Stephen  Frost.  Others  who  joined  the  church 
during  the  next  two  years  were  Timothy  Backus,  James  Hyde, 
Josiah  Cleveland,  Richard  Adams,  Jr.,  Samuel  Butts,  Thomas 
Brown  and  their  wives,  and  Mrs.  Samuel  Adams  and  one  or  two 
others,  bringing  the  membership  of  the  church  up  to  twenty- 
five. 

After  repeated  outbreaks  of  the  controversy  with  Windham 
concerning  the  dividing  line  an  adjustment  was  made  by  a  com- 
mittee from  the  general  assembly  in  1713,  and  the  result  was  a 
confirmation  of  the  claim  of  Canterbury.  Another  long  disput- 
ed claim  was  settled  by  the  assembly  in  favor  of  Canterbury,  by 
which  the  town  secured  possession  of  the  land  east  of  the  Ouin- 
ebaug  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  town,  which  Plainfield  had 
tried  to  hold.     This  final  decision  was  reached  in  October,  1714. 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  487 

Thus  Canterbury  gained  all  that  she  claimed  on  both  eastern  and 
western  borders.  Nor  did  the  enlargement  of  her  territory  stop 
here.  She  was  also  enlarged  by  the  annexation  of  land  on  the 
north,  by  an  act  of  the.  assembly  in  the  same  year.  Richard 
Adams,  John  Woodward,  Edward  Spalding  and  Daniel  Cady, 
already  residents  of  this  tract,  were  thus  added  to  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Canterbury.  The  settlement  of  the  bounds  was  fol- 
lowed by  an  influx  of  population.  Edward  Raynesford,  of  Cam- 
bridge, purchased  land  of  Jeremiah  Plympton,  and  removed  to 
Canterbury  in  1714.  James  Bradford,  of  Norwich,  and  John 
Dyer,  brother  of  Thomas,  of  Windham,  settled  in  Canterbury  in 
1716. 

The  first  town  meeting  of  which  any  record  is  still  preserved 
was  that  of  December  10th,  1717,  more  than  fourteen  years  after 
the  organization  of  the  town.  At  that  meeting  John  Woodward 
was  chosen  moderator;  Samuel  Adams,  constable;  Joseph  Adams, 
town  clerk  and  first  selectman;  Edward  Spalding,  Elisha  Paine, 
Samuel  Butts  and  Henry  Smith,  other  selectmen;  John  Wood- 
ward and  Solomon  Tracy,  grand  jurors;  Samuel  Spalding  and 
John  Ensworth,  fence  viewers;  John  Dyer  and  Edward  Rayns- 
ford,  listers;  Paul  Davenport,  surveyor;  Deliverance  Brown,  col- 
lector; Robert  Green,  pound  keeper;  Richard  Pellett,  tavern 
keeper;  and  William  Baker  was  made  responsible  for  the  "de- 
cency of  meeting  house."  It  was  then  voted  "  That  the  act 
made  for  the  killing  of  rattlesnakes,  April  24,  1716,  should  stand 
in  force  the  present  year." 

The  chaotic  manner  in  which  the  settlement  of  the  town  had 
been  made  rendered  some  uniform  tenure  of  land  holding  desir- 
able, and  to  reach  some  uniform  scheme  by  which  the  various 
owners  holding  under  various  titles  could  be  placed  on  a  com- 
mon basis,  especially  with  regard  to  the  common  lands  still  held 
under  the  town  patent  in  undivided  proprietorship.  To  settle 
this,  it  was  agreed  at  a  meeting  of  proprietary  inhabitants,  Feb- 
ruary 26th,  1723,  "That  those  who  were  settled  inhabitance  and 
paid  to  ye  building  of  ye  meeting  house  and  minister's  home 
shall  have  one  vShare  and  one  half-share  in  said  undivided  land ; 
those  who  were  settled  when  our  patent  was  given  and  paid 
rates  in  ye  town  to  have  one  share  in  said  undivided  lands,  and 
those  who  settled  since  ye  patent  was  given  and  now  live  within 
ye  bounds  of  our  patent  to  have  a  half-share.  It  is  to  be  under- 
stood that  none  shall  accrue  any  right  by  this  vote  but  such  as 


488  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

are  now  settled  within  ye  bounds  of  our  patent,  neither  those 
that  have  granted  these  rights  to  their  individual  lands  to  ye 
town,  and  also,  that  there  shall  be  no  advantage  taken  by  this 
vote  to  hinder  us  from  granting  any  lands  in  a  general  way." 

In  the  distribution  of  common  land  made  under  this  arrange- 
ment, on  April  3()th,  1723,  the  following  twenty-seven  persons 
received  each  one  and  a  half  shares  as  being  first  settlers  and 
planters:  Major  Fitch,  Elisha  Paine,  John  Pike,  Thomas  Brown, 
John  Adams,  Samuel  Adams,  Sr.,  Samuel  Cleveland,  Sr.,  Sam- 
uel Cleveland,  Jr.,  Robert  Burwell,  Richard  Pellet,  Robert 
Green,  Joseph  and  Obadiah  Johnson,  Richard  Woodward, Stephen 
Frost,  David  Munrow,  William  and  Timothy  Backus,  Benjamin 
Baldwin,  Tixhall  Ensworth,  Samuel  and  Henry  Adams,  Jr., 
Joseph  Adams,  Solomon  Tracy,  Samuel  Butt,  Joseph  Smith  and 
Joseph  Cleveland.  The  following  twenty-three  received  one 
share  each  as  proprietors  under  the  patent:  Lieutenant  Edward 
Spalding,  John  Welch,  Edward  Cleveland,  Jr.,  Richard  Smith, 
James  Bradford,  Ephraim  Davis,  David  Raynsford,  Nathaniel 
Bond,  Flenry  Adams,  Sr.,  David  Adams,  Deliverance  Brown, 
Thomas  Adams,  Benjamin  Fasset,  Abraham  Paine,  Elisha 
Paine,  Jr.,  Daniel  Fitch,  James  Hyde,  John  Port,  John  Dyer, 
Moses  Cleveland,  John  Ensworth,  John  Cady  and  John  Carter. 
The  following  eighteen  persons  received  one-half  share  each  as 
later  settlers:  David  Carver,  Thomas  Davenport,  Joseph  Adams, 
Sr.,  Solomon  Paine,  Henry  Cleveland,  Theophilus  Fitch,  John 
Bacon,  Jonathan  Davis,  Jacob  Johnson,  John  Baldwin,  Isaac 
Cleveland,  Edward  Raynsford,  Joseph  Ensworth.,  Richard  Gale, 
Jabez  Fitch,  Nathaniel  Robbins,  Aaron  Cady  and  Samuel  Cook. 
The  whole  number  of  land  proprietors  in  the  township  was 
thus  sixty-eight,  of  whom  some  eight  or  ten  were  non-residents. 
Many  of  the  later  proprietors  were  sons  of  the  first  planters. 
John  Bacon,  of  Norwich,  bought  land  on  the  west  side  of  Row- 
land's brook,  of  Timothy  Backus  in  1720.  Samuel  Parish,  Sr., 
bought  land  and  settled  in  the  western  part  of  the  town  in  1724. 
By  the  middle  of  the  century  the  land  of  the  town  was  so  well 
taken  up  that  but  few  new  settlers  were  coming  in.  The  lands 
and  homesteads  were  mostly  occupied  by  the  descendants  of 
the  first  settlers.  Of  the  three  branches  of  the  Adams  family 
which  had  settled  in  this  town,  Joseph  Adams,  Sr.,  died  in  1748; 
Henry  Adams,  Sr.,  in  1749;  the  second  Samuel  Adams  in  1742, 
and  the  third  of  that  name  in  1760.  Numerous  scions  of  these 
three  branches  were  now  m  active  life. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  489 

Having  viewed  the  circumstances  tinder  which  the  settle- 
ment was  begun  and  carried  forward  from  a  civil  point  of  view, 
let  us  now  look  at  the  progress  of  the  ecclesiastical  history  of 
the  early  town,  which  is  so  intimately  associated  with  the  other 
side  of  its  life  as  to  be  inseparable  from  it.  We  have  already 
noticed  the  organization  of  the  church  and  the  installation  of 
the  first  pastor,  Mr.  Samuel  Estabrook,  at  the  same  time,  June 
13th,  1711.  Under  the  influence  of  a  religious  revival  in  1721 
the  membership  of  the  church  was  doubled  within  a  few  years. 
Mr.  Estabrook  was  a  man  of  wisdom  and  learning,  and  was 
much  respected  throughout  the  colony.  The  annual  "  Election 
Sermon  "  was  preached  by  him  in  1718.  The  "  Election  Ser- 
mon "  was  a  religious  service  conducted  by  the  miniwSter  on  the 
day  of  the  regular  annual  election  in  some  towns,  and  was  an 
introduction  to  the  other  public  duties  of  the  day.  Records  in 
m.any  old  towns  show  that  during  the  last  century  such  a  cus- 
tom prevailed  with  more  or  less  regularity,  but  Ihey  are  not 
sufficiently  clear  to  give  us  definite  information  as  to  when  the 
custom  began  or  when  it  was  abandoned. 

After  the  death  of  Deacon  Eleazer  Brown  in  1720,  Timothy 
Backus  and  Thomas  Brown  were  appointed  deacons.  Mr.  Esta- 
brook died  June  23d,  1727,  in  the  fifty-third  year  of  his  age. 
He  left  lands  and  buildings  valued  at  i^l,000,  and  a  library  of 
over  two  hundred  volumes.  An  attempt  was  made  to  settle 
Mr.  Samuel  Jenison  as  pastor,  but  though  he  accepted  the  call, 
and  agreed  to  the  sentiments  of  the  church,  which  were  decid- 
edly in  favor  of  the  Cambridge  rather  than  the  Saybrook  code  of 
church  discipline,  yet  for  some  unexplained  reason  he  was  not 
inducted  into  the  pastoral  office.  The  next  pastor  was  Mr.  John-. 
Wadsworth,  of  Milton,  a  graduate  of  Harvard  in  1723,  who  was 
ordained  here  September  3d,  1729,  his  call  offering  him  a  settle- 
ment sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds,  and  a  salary  of  one 
hundred  pounds  a  year.  The  building  of  a  new  meeting  house 
now  excited  considerable  agitation,  which  was  increased  by 
other  questions,  of  location,  the  formation  of  a  new  society  on 
the  northern  border,  and  the  division  of  the  town  into  two  socie- 
ties. The  new  meeting  house  was  built  on  the  site  of  the  old  one 
during  the  summer  of  1735.  The  size  of  it  was  about  50x45  feet 
on  the  ground  and,  22  feet  high  "  between  joynts."  The  church 
gained  somewhat  during  the  early  part  of  Mr.  Wadsworth's 
ministry,  but  was  weakened  by  later  events.     The  location  of 


490  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

the  new  meeting  house  was  a  vexing  question,  quite  a  number 
strongly  contending  for  a  new  location  more  convenient  for 
those  living  in  the  western  part  of  the  town.  Then,  again,  a 
few  of  its  members  in  the  northern  part  were  dismissed  to  help 
form  the  Second  church  of  Pomfret.  Elisha  Paine,  Sr.,  and 
Samuel  Cleveland  died  in  1736;  Deacon  Thomas  Brown  in  1738; 
Deacon  John  Bacon  in  1741.  In  1741  the  church  suffered  by  a 
scandal,  involving  the  minister,  which  resulted  in  his  removal 
from  his  pastoral  charge  without  making  any  attempt  to  deny 
the  criminal  charge  which  was  brought  against  him  by  a  female 
resident.  In  this  weakened  condition,  while  yet  without  a  pas- 
tor, the  great  revival  which  swept  over  the  country  about  1740 
found  the  church.  This  church,  indeed,  was  one  of  the  first  to 
be  awakened  by  it.  At  this  time  Elisha  and  Solomon  Paine,  two 
prominent  citizens,  were  aroused  and  brought  into  new  relig- 
ious light,  and  engaged  earnestly  in  religious  work,  devoting 
their  energies  to  the  promulgation  of  the  new  religious  light 
which  they  had  received.  This  religious  awakening  appears  to 
have  wonderfully  pervaded  the  whole  community,  even  the 
children  in  the  schools  being  so  filled  or  affected  with  it  that 
they  could  hardly  attend  to  their  studies.  This  revival  aroused 
a  class  of  men  to  practical  exercise  of  what  they  believed  to  be 
the  teachings  of  the  Spirit  prompting  them  to  exercise  gifts  of 
exhortation  and  public  prayer,  and  the  conduct  of  religious 
meetings  and,  indeed,  religious  teachings,  without  authority 
from  any  constituted  human  organization  or  system.  This  idea 
was  not  in  accord  with  the  ecclesiastical  ideas  of  the  people  or 
the  government  of  Connecticut,  hence  it  aroused  their  attempts 
*o  oppose  it.  The  more  decided  the  attempts  made  to  subdue 
this  new  inclination  of  the  converts,  the  more  determined  and 
demonstrative  became  their  action.  The  people  of  Canterbury 
church  were  largely  given  to  this  new  idea.  They  listened  to 
itinerants,  held  their  accustomed  meetings  and  continued  to 
pray  and  exhort  in  defiance  of  the  enactments  of  the  general 
assembly  declaring  such  conduct  of  meetings  by  others  than  the 
regularly  ordained  ministers  of  the  standing  churches  an  unlaw- 
ful thing,  and  the  action  of  associations  and  consociations 
against  them.  A  few  supported  the  government  and  protested 
against  these  unlawful  meetings.  A  picture  of  the  state  of 
affairs  is  given  in  the  following  extract  published  in  the  Boston 
Gazette,  on  the  authority  of  "  A  gentleman  of  veracity." 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  491 

"  Dec.  16,  1742.  Canterbury  is  in  worse  confusion  than  ever. 
Their  minister  has  left  them,  and  they  grow  more  noisy  and 
boisterous,  so  that  they  can  get  no  minister  to  preach  to  them 
yet.  Colonel  Dyer  exerted  his  authority  among  them  on  the 
Lord's  Day,  endeavoring  to  still  them  when  many  were  exhort- 
ing and  making  a  great  hubbub,  and  ordered  the  constable  to 
do  his  office,  but  they  replied,  "Get  thee  behind  me,  Satan!" 
and  the  noise  and  tumult  increased  to  such  a  degree,  for  above 
an  hour,  that  the  exhorter  could  not  begin  his  exercise.  Law- 
yer Paine  has  set  up  for  a  preacher,  *  *  *  and  makes  it  his 
business  to  go  from  house  to  house  and  town  to  town  to  gain 
proselytes  to  this  new  religion.  Consequences  are  much 
feared." 

Two  parties  grew  up,  one  in  which  the  revival  element  pre- 
vailed, and  this  included  a  majority  of  the  church;  and  another, 
favorable  to  the  mamtenance  of  the  civil  authority  over  the 
spiritual,  and  this  was  dominant  in  the  society.  Hence  there 
was  discord  between  the  church  and  the  society,  and  as  the  con- 
currence of  both  was  necessary  to  call  a  minister,  the  church 
was  a  long  time  without  a  pastor  while  this  conflict  of  sentiment 
was  in  progress.  In  the  early  part  of  1744  the  troubled  waters 
had  become  so  far  quieted  that  a  call  was  extended  to  Reverend 
James  Cogsv^ell  to  become  pastor,  the  church  and  society  agree- 
ing in  the  call.  He  accepted  the  call,  and  all  parties  were  pleased 
with  his  personal  accomplishments,  and  listened  to  him  for  a 
brief  period  with  apparent  satisfaction.  But  the  preaching  and 
views  of  Mr.  Cogswell  did  not  prove  agreeable  to  the  revival- 
ists, and  after  a  few  months'  trial  they  abandoned  the  meeting 
house  and  the  stated  Sabbath  worship,  and  held  separate  meet- 
ings in  private  houses  under  the  leadership  of  itinerants  and 
exhorters.  Then  followed  another  period  of  decided  hostility 
between  the  two  factions.  Finally,  on  the  7th  of  August,  1744, 
the  church  formally  withdrew  from  the  society  and  adopted  the 
house  of  Samuel  Wadsworth  as  their  place  of  meeting  for  relig- 
ious worship.  Here  services  were  conducted  by  Solomon  Paine 
or  some  other  lay  member.  In  the  controversy  which  followed, 
Mr.  Elisha  Paine  and  Mr.  Benajah  Douglas  were  arrested  and 
imprisoned  for  short  terms  in  the  Windham  jail  for  the  decided 
and  aggressive  part  they  took  in  the  defense  of  their  views. 
The  few  members  of  the  church  who  remained  in  accord  with 
the  society  now  called   themselves  the  church  and  joined  with 


492  HISTORY   or   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

the  society  in  extending-  a  call  to  Mr.  Cogswell,  and  the  council 
called  for  the  purpose,  concurring  in  that  view  of  the  matter, 
proceeded  to  ordain  him  as  pastor  of  the  Canterbury  church  and 
society.     This  was  done  December  28th,  1744. 

After  the  withdrawal  of  the  revivalists  and  the  ordination  of 
Mr.  Cogswell,  the  standing  church  (as  it  was  called)  increased 
in  numbers  and  enjoyed  a  fair  degree  of  prosperity  for  many 
years.  Mr.  Cogswell,  though  so  obnoxious  to  the  Separatists, 
was  very  acceptable  to  that  part  of  the  church  and  society 
which  had  put  themselves  under  his  care,  and  was  greatly 
respected  abroad  for  prudence,  piety  and  learning.  In  1746 
Stephen  Frost  was  made  deacon  in  place  of  Timothy  Backus, 
who  had  gone  out  with  the  Separatists.  A  partial  recognition 
of  each  other  was  affected  between  the  two  bodies,  by  which 
the  Separatists  kept  the  records  of  the  original  church,  and  the 
communion  service  was  divided  between  the  two  bodies.  Fur- 
ther particulars  in  regard  to  the  course  of  the  Separatist  church 
will  be  given  in  another  paragraph.  Let  us  now  notice  the 
course  of  the  body  which  succeeded  to  the  name  of  the  Church 
of  Canterbury. 

The  aged  parents  of  Mr.  Cogswell  removed  to  Canterbur}^ 
after  his  settlement  here,  and  died  in  a  few  years.  Reverend 
James  Cogswell  married  Alice,  daughter  of  Doctor  Jabez  Fitch. 
Like  many  ministers  of  his  day,  he  was  accustomed  to  receive 
pupils  into  his  family,  fitting  young  men  for  college  and  the 
ministry.  Naphthali  Daggett,  afterward  president  of  Yale 
College,  enjoyed  for  half  a  year  "  the  faithful  grammar  instruc- 
tion of  Mr.  Cogswell."  A  later  pupil  was  one  Benedict  Arnold, 
of  Norwich,  then  a  bright  little  fellow,  full  of  play  and  pranks, 
the  recipient  of  many  letters  of  counsel  and  warning  from  his 
Qxcellent  mother.  While  Mr.  Cogswell  continued  in  charge  of' 
this  church  the  celebrated  preacher,  George  Whitefield,  came 
through  the  country.  Mr.  Coggswell  said  of  him  that  he  "rode 
in  his  chariot  with  a  gentleman,  had  a  waiter  to  attend  on  him, 
and  Sampson  Occum,  ye  Indian  preacher,  who  rode  on  one  of 
the  horses,  there  being  three  to  ye  chariot."  Mr.  Cogswell, 
after  much  hesitation  about  the  propriety  of  such  a  step,  decided 
to  ask  him  to  preach,  but  Mr.  Whitefield  declined  doing  so. 
The  visit  of  Whitefield,  which  occurred  in  1764,  was  an  event 
which  excited  great  attention  from  the  people. 

The  First  society  of  Canterbury  was  again  weakened  by  the 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  493 

withdrawal  of  members  to  form  the  Westminster  church  and 
society.  Under  a  charter  granted  by  the  assembly  in  October, 
1769,  the  society  soon  organized,  and  a  church  was  organized 
about  a  year  later.  A  considerable  of  bad  feeling  was  stirred 
up  in  the  course  of  settling  the  different  matters  in  which  the 
two  societies  were  involved,  such  as  the  custody  of  previous 
records  and  settling  the  minister's  salary  for  the  current  year 
In  the  midst  of  other  discouragements  the  salary  of  Mr.  Cogs- 
well was  found  to  be  falling  in  arrears,  and  the  church  was 
obliged  to  consent  "to  his  quiet  and  peaceable  dismission." 
After  this  the  Canterbury  church  remained  for  many  years 
without  a  settled  pastor.  Nathaniel  Niles,  of  Norwich,  preached 
for  a  season,  but  declined  a  call  to  settlement.  Samuel  Spring, 
Job  Swift  and  Ephraim  Judson  also  served  as  supplies  during 
this  unsettled  period.  Eliashib  Adams  succeeded  to  the  dea- 
con's office  on  the  removal  of  Deacon  Huntington  in  1769. 
Jabez  Fitch,  Jr.,  was  elected  deacon  in  1771.  Though  destitute 
of  a  settled  pastor,  public  worship  was  maintained  with  con- 
siderable regularity.  In  1773  the  resources  of  the  society  were 
somewhat  enlarged  by  the  annexation  of  Black  hill,  the  lands 
in  possession  of  Timothy  Backus,  Isaac  Allerton,  William  Un- 
derwood, Joab  Johnson,  Curtis  and  Ezekiel  Spalding,  Jabez 
Fitch,  Jr.,  William  Bingham,  John  Hough,  Elkanah  Cobb  and 
Obadiah  Johnson  being  by  act  of  assembly  "  with  the  First 
Society  of  Canterbury  for  society  and  ecclesiastic  privileges, 
but  not  for  schooling,  military  and  other  purposes." 

In  this  condition  President  Dwight  found  the  church,  when  in 
his  "Travels,"  he  reported  it  as  suffering  much  from  lack  of 
clergymen,  want  of  harmony  and  declension  of  morals.  In  1784 
a  fruitless  attempt  was  made  to  unite  both  First  church  and  Sep- 
arate church  in  worship  under  the  ministrations  of  Reverend 
Solomon  Morgan.  He  was  then  installed,  September  30th,  1784, 
as  pastor  of  the  First  church.  The  deacons  of  the  church  at  this 
time  were  Eliashib  Adams  and  Daniel  Frost;  Joseph  Moore  was 
added  to  the  number  at  a  later  date.  The  efforts  of  Mr.  Morgan 
to  conciliate  and  unite  the  churches  were  so  far  successful  that 
in  1788  about  thirty  of  the  more  prominent  Separatists  returned 
to  the  First  society.  The  spirit  of  discord,  however,  had  so  fully 
taken  possession  of  the  people  that  it  was  difficult  to  hold  the 
First  church  and  society  together.  The  orthodox  principles  and 
staid,  conservative  practices  of  their  fathers  were  a  burden  to 


494  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

the  younger  members,  who  wanted  a  wide  latitude  of  freedom 
in  the  church,  a  new  meeting  house,  new  minister,  and  improve- 
ments in  church  music  with  the  use  of  musical  instruments.  The 
action  of  the  society  being-  in  some  measure  unfavorable,  a  move- 
ment was  set  on  foot  to  organize  an  "  Independent  Catholic 
Christian  Society,"  similar  to  one  that  had  just  been  formed  in 
Pomfret.  Fifty  of  the  leading  men  of  Canterbury  gave  their 
names  to  support  this  new  organization,  but  before  they  had 
proceeded  beyond  recall  the  First  church  made  concessions 
and  induced  them  to  return  to  their  former  connection. 

Church  and  society  now  began  a  work  of  general  renova- 
tion. Mr.  Morgan  was  dismissed  from  his  charg^e;  five  chor- 
isters  were  appointed  and  a  committee  "to  promote  psalmody;  " 
a  bell  was  procured  by  voluntary  subscription,  and  its  ringing 
regulated  by  the  society  committee.  The  agreement  between 
factions,  which  was  the  signal  for  these  new  departures,  was 
effected  December  26th,  1797.  In  1799  it  was  voted  to  build  a 
meeting  house  with  a  steeple,  but  the  subscriptions  did  not 
sustain  the  vote,  so  the  project  was  delayed  awhile.  The  lib- 
erty granted  by  the  assembly,  of  raising  fifteen  hundred  dol- 
lars by  a  lottery,  encouraged  the  society  to  continue  its  efforts. 
Other  sums  were  procured  by  private  subscriptions,  and  in  1805 
a  new  meeting  house  was  completed  to  the  satisfaction  of  all 
parties.  Daniel  C.  Banks  and  Thaddeus  Fairbanks  had  supplied 
the  pulpit  during  this  interim.  The  pastoral  vacancy  was 
finally  filled  to  the  satisfaction  of  a  unanimous  people  by  the 
call  of  Reverend  George  Leonard,  of  Middleborough,  Mass.,  who 
was  ordained  here  February  3d,  1808.  Owing  to  feeble  health 
and  an  inclination  to  Arminianism,  he  remained  but  a  little 
more  than  two  years,  when  he  sought  and  obtained  dismission. 
His  successor  was  Reverend  Asa  Meech,  who  was  installed  Oc- 
tober 28th,  1812.  He  enjoyed  the  favor  of  the  people  for  a 
while,  but  his  earnest  religious  spirit  was  not  able  to  look  with 
complacence  upon  the  loose  and  immoral  practices  of  many  of 
the  people,  and  as  a  consequence  he  fell  into  disfavor  with  the 
party  who  were  absorbed  in  sensual  and  vicious  amusements. 
He  was  succeeded  in  1822  by  Reverend  Thomas  J.  Murdock, 
who  is  spoken  of  as  "a  model  of  a  man,  a  scholar,  a  Christian, 
and  a  minister."  His  pastorate  was  terminated  by  his  death  in 
1826,  to  the  great  grief  of  both  church  and  society.  Reverend 
James  R.  Wheelock  was  installed  in  1827,  but  only  remained  in 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  495 

charge  two  years.  Reverend  Dennis  Piatt  was  settled  here 
March  31st,  1830,  and  continued  to  January  1st,  1833.  He  was 
somewhat  noted  as  a  revivalist,  and  during  his  stay  received 
many  into  the  church.  The  pastorate  of  Reverend  Otis  C. 
Whiton  followed,  extending  from  June  20th,  1833,  to  January 
17th,  1837.  Reverend  Charles  J.  Warren  served  this  church  as 
pastor  from  September  13th,  1837,  to  April  1st,  1840.  Reverend 
Walter  Clarke  became  pastor  May  18th,  1842,  and  continued  un- 
til May  23d,  1845.  He  was  followed  by  Reverend  Robert  C. 
Learned,  who  came  December  22d,  1847,  and  remained  until  No- 
vember, 1858.  Reverend  Charles  P.  Grosvenor  was  settled  here 
March  9th,  1859,  and  remained  to  July  5th,  1871.  He  was  the 
last  regularly  settled  pastor  the  church  has  had.  It  has  been 
supplied  part  of  the  time  by  students  from  Hartford  Seminary, 
and  other  temporary  supplies  for  short  periods.  Since  the  fall 
of  1888  it  has  been  supplied  by  Reverend  Mr.  Hanks,  of  the 
Protestant  Methodist  church  at  Canterbury  Plains.  During  the 
interval  of  supplies  the  more  conspicuous  ones  were:  John  R. 
Freeman,  about  three  years;  Andrew  J.  Hetrick,  two  years; 
Reverend  Parmlee,  two  and  a  half  years;  John  Koph,  two  and  a 
half  years;  and  Hezekiah  Reid,  six  months  in  1888.  The  fol- 
lowing deacons  have  served  this  church,  the  date  given  with  each 
being  that  of  his  election:  Eleazer  Brown,  1711;  Timothy  Backus, 
1719;  Thomas  Brown,  1720;  Deliverance  Brown,  1737;  John  Ba- 
con, 1737;  Stephen  Frost,  1746;  Samuel   Huntington,  1753;  Eli- 

ashib   Adams,  1769;  Jabez    Fitch,  Jr.,  1771;  Daniel  Frost, 

Joseph  Moore,  1792;  Joseph  Simms,  1821;  Lucius  Bacon,  1821 
John  Francis,  1824;  William  Kinne,  1824;  John  M.  Francis,  1844 
Thomas  G.  Clark,  1847;  George  Sanger,  1867;  Charles  L.  Ray, 
1886.  The  society  owns  a  parsonage.  The  membership  of  the 
church  is  about  fifty  at  the  present  time. 

Methodists  have  had  some  hold  upon  Canterbury  for  many 
years.  This  was  a  preaching  station  visited  more  or  less  fre 
quently  before  any  organization  or  building  existed.  They  have, 
however,  never  gained  any  great  strength.  A  building  at  Can- 
terbury Green  was  erected  by  Job  Angell,  many  years  ago,  for 
the  use  of  the  Universalists,  who  were  then  coming  into  notice 
for  a  short  time.  This  building  was  used  for  purposes  of  trade 
and  business  after  the  Universalists  subsided.  It  finally  fell  into 
the  hands  of  Hiram  Waldo,  who  sold  it  April  1st,  1859,  to  a  board 
of  trustees,  to  be  used  for  a  Methodist  church.     The   Methodist 


496  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

people  at  that  time  were  using  it  for  a  house  of  worship.  The 
building  is  32  by  42  feet  m  size,  and  has  a  basement  under  it  in 
which  a  store  was  kept,  while  the  upper  part  of  it  was  used  for 
purposes  of  worship.  About  1870  a  division  of  sentiment  grew 
up  in  regard  to  the  location  of  a  proposed  new  house  of  worship. 
Some  desired  to  retain  the  old  site,  while  others  wished  to  build 
a  house  on  the  "  Plains."  The  latter  party  became  strong  enough 
to  carry  their  desires  into  execution,  and  for  two  or  three  years 
maintained  worship  in  the  town  hall  at  the  Plains.  A  house  of 
worship  was  erected  about  the  year  1872.  Since  that  time  the 
church  there  has  grown  stronger,  and  has  maintained  a  regular 
ministry,  the  body  choosing  to  connect  themselves  with  the  New 
York  Conference  of  the  Protestant  Methodist  church.  This  is 
the  only  church  of  that  denomination  in  Windham  county.  It 
has  at  present  about  sixty-five  members.  Since  about  1872  this 
church  has  been  in  charge  of  pastors  Reverends  Kelly,  A.  B. 
Purdy,  D.  H.  Chappell,  Thomas  Tisdale  and  W.  Hanks,  Mr. 
Purdy  being  here  two  or  three  times.  After  the  establishment 
of  the  church  on  the  Plains,  the  remainder  of  the  old  church 
were  unable  to  hold  together  and  maintain  worship,  and  the  old 
meeting  house  has  therefore  been  abandoned,  and  is  now  falling 
to  pieces. 

Keeping  roads  and  bridges  in  order  was  one  of  the  burdens  of 
this  town  in  the  early  years  of  its  settlement.  As  early  as  April 
24th,  1716,  the  town  voted  "That  a  highway  be  laid  out,  from  the 
country  road  that  leads  to  Norwich  to  the  country  road  that  leads 
to  Windham."  In  1719  a  committee  was  appointed  "  to  view  the 
country  road  from  Norwich  line  to  ye  upper  end  of  this  town, 
and  to  renew  the  bounds  and  monymets  of  said  roade  and  to 
make  their  return  to  said  town  by  the  first  of  April  next,  with 
ye  point  of  compass  from  bound  to  bound,  at  ye  town's  charge." 
The  pay  of  those  who  served  the  town  in  running  lines,  fixing 
bounds  and  the  like,  was  fixed  at  "  two-and-six-pence  per  day 
and  no  more." 

A  sad  accident  occurred  at  the  raising  of  a  bridge  over  the 
Shetucket  river  in  1728.  One  end  of  the  bridge,  with  forty  men 
upon  it,  gave  way  and  was  precipitated  into  the  stream  below. 
One  young  man,  Jonathan  Gale,  nineteen  years  of  age,  was  in- 
stantly killed,  and  several  others  were  so  severely  injured  that 
they  were  laid  out  for  dead,  but  afterward  revived.  Among 
those  most  seriously  wounded  were  Lieutenant  Samuel  Butts, 
Samuel  Parish  and  Ebenezer  Harris. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.   ■  497 

A  bridge  over  the  Quinebaug,  a  formidable  and  troublesome 
stream  to  the  early  inhabitants,  was  built  in  1728  by  two  gen- 
tlemen of  Plainfield,  but  it  was  soon  swept  away  by  a  freshet. 
Another  was  built  at  the  same  place  by  Samuel  Butts,  in  1733. 
This  was  maintained  by  private  subscription  for  a  few  years  till 
it  was  carried  away  by  ice.  Jabez  Fitch,  a  son  of  Major  James 
Fitch,  built  a  bridge  over  the  rebellious  stream,  which  was,  ac- 
cording to  his  own  assertion,  the  only  one  south  of  Sabin's  in 
Pomfret,  all  the  others  having  been  carried  away  by  ice.  He 
was  allowed  by  the  general  assembly  in  1740,  the  privilege  of 
collecting  toll  on  this  bridge.  A  committee  was  appointed  in 
1753  to  view  sundry  private  ways  supposed  to  be  needful  for 
roads  on  which  people  could  pass  from  point  to  point  without 
trespassing  on  one  another's  property,  "  especially  by  the  way 
crossing  Quinebaug  river,  known  as  Shepard's  fordway,"  pass- 
ing through  land  owned  by  the  Shepards,  Spaldings,  Adamses, 
and  Paines.  Joseph  Woodward,  of  Windham,  was  allowed  the 
privilege  of  a  dam  across  Little  river,  on  condition  of  erecting  a 
good  cart  bridge  over  it,  "  so  often  as  the  same  should  be  carried 
away  by  reason  of  waters  being  flowed  by  said  dam."  The  Quin- 
ebaug, which  had  given  so  much  trouble  to  the  early  settlers, 
was  not  yet  reduced  to  proper  subjection.  In  the  severe  freshet 
of  1757,  the  bridge  was  partially  destroyed,  and  a  serious  cas- 
ualty occurred  in  repairing  it.  David  Nevins,  an  active  and  re- 
spected citizen,  who  had  resided  for  ten  years  in  Canterbury, 
while  standing  on  a  cross-beam,  giving  directions  to  the  work- 
men, lost  his  balance  and  falling  into  the  stream,  was  swept  away 
and  drowned. 

In  1761,  Ezra  Ens  worth,  having  constructed  a  dam  across  the 
Quinebaug  in  the  south  part  of  the  town,  was  granted  liberty  to 
keep  the  same  in  repair  for  the  benefit  of  his  corn  mill.  This 
permission  was  reluctantly  given  because  the  interposition  of 
anything  in  the  way  of  the  annual  ascent  of  the  shad  up  the 
river  was  most  vigorously  resisted  by  all  the  residents  of  the 
Quinebaug  valley.  Further  opposition  to  this  dam  was  raised  by 
the  argument  that  it  was  the  cause  of  undermining  and  greatly 
damaging  Butt's  bridge,  just  below  it.  The  latter  bridge,  kept 
in  repair  as  we  have  before  stated  by  private  subscription,  was 
rebuilt  in  1760.  The  following  winter  ice  again  falling  over  the 
dam,  carried  off  the  bridge.  The  dam  itself  is  supposed  to  have 
been  destroyed  by  the  same  flood  and  never  rebuilt.     But  now 

32 


498  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

the  neighbors  refused  to  rebuild  the  bridge,  and  the  town  also 
refused  to  undertake  the  task.  The  latter  already  had  to  join 
Plainfield  in  maintaining  Nevins'  bridge  on  the  great  public 
thoroughfare,  and  a  fordway  near  Shepard's  hill  in  the  north 
part  of  the  town,  besides  keeping  up  other  bridges  over  Row- 
land's brook  and  Little  river.  Butts'  bridge,  however,  was  a 
public  necessity,  and  in  answer  to  petitions  from  Plainfield, 
Preston  and  other  towns  interested,  the  assembly  provided  by  a 
special  act  in  1763,  that  Canterbury  should  build  and  keep  in 
order  a  bridge  at  this  place, under  the  direction  of  a  county  com- 
mittee. Seth  Paine,  of  Brooklyn  parish,  Nathaniel  Webb,  of 
Windham,  and  Asa  Smith,  of  Woodstock,  were  accordingly 
placed  in  charge  of  the  work. 

So  heavily  did  the  burden  of  bridge  building  and  repairing 
weigh  upon  the  inhabitants  of  Canterbury  that  they,  after  fail- 
ing in  appeals  to  Norwich  and  other  towns  for  help,  petitioned 
the  assembly  for  assistance.  Solomon  Paine  and  Daniel  Frost, 
in  behalf  of  the  inhabitants  of  Canterbury,  October  10th,  1782, 
averred  that  they  were  obliged  to  maintain  a  large  number  of 
bridges  in  said  town,  many  of  them  across  large  and  rapid 
streams,  viz. :  one  and  half  of  another  over  the  Ouinebaug,  four 
over  Little  river,  and  six  over  Rowland's  brook.  They  further 
represented  that  the  bridge  over  the  Quinebaug,  known  as  Butts' 
bridge,  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  town,  was  of  very  little  ser- 
vice to  the  inhabitants,  though  of  great  utility  to  those  traveling 
from  Boston  to  Norwich,  and  was  now  out  of  repair.  They  asked 
for  the  privilege  of  raising  by  a  lottery  ;^250  to  aid  in  the  enter- 
prise of  repairing  and  rebuilding.  The  assembly  authorized  the 
lottery,  and  John  Fitch,  Daniel  Frost,  Doctor  Welles,  Deacon 
Asa  Witter  and  Stephen  Butts  were  chosen  managers  of  the  lot- 
tery. Captain  vSherebiah  Butts,  Jabez  Ensworth  and  John  Ad- 
ams were  appointed  to  superintend  the  construction  of  the  bridge, 
and  the  work  was  speedily  completed.  The  bridge  was  a  sub- 
stantial one,  resting  upon  stone  piers.  In  1788  the  town  was 
again  called  upon  to  join  with  Plainfield  in  rebuilding  Nevins' 
bridge. 

Turnpike  projects  called  out  frequent  and  sometimes  strenu- 
ous discussion.  The  town  at  one  time  unanimously  "disapproved 
of  any  turnpike  gate  being  erected  at  or  near  Mr.  Samuel  Bar- 
stow's  blacksmith  shop,  on  the  great  road  from  Plainfield  to 
Windham,  judging  it  unjust  and  impolitic."   The  proposed  Nor- 


.HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  499 

wich  and  Worcester  turnpike  excited  much  opposition.  A  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  join  with  other  towns  in  opposing  it  and 
the  representatives  were  instructed  to  nse  their  influence  in  the 
assembly  in  opposing  the  charter.  All  their  efforts,  however,  were 
fruitless,  and  in  May,  1801 ,  the  company  was  incorporated.  Among 
the  men  composing  it  were  Moses  Cleveland,  William  Adams, 
Asa  Bacon,  Luther  Paine  and  Jedidiah  Johnson,  of  this  town. 
The  first  meeting  of  the  company  was  held  at  the  tavern  of  Jedi- 
diah Johnson,  in  the  following  September,  and  the  work  was 
rapidly  pushed  to  completion.  The  great  road  leading  to  Wind- 
ham was  also  made  a  turnpike  in  1799,  and  a  gate  erected  near 
the  center  of  the  town.  In  1804  this  gate  was  removed  to  a  point 
near  the  Windham  line,  and  a  new  gate  placed  near  the  Plain- 
field  line. 

The  highway  running  north  and  south  through  Westminster 
society  was  a  public  thoroughfare  from  time  immemorial,  ac- 
commodating travel  from  Norwich  town  to  the  Massachusetts 
line.  It  is  not  known  when  this  road  was  first  laid  out,  but  it 
was  improved  from  time  to  time  and  made  more  passable.  It  is 
said  that  in  the  original  survey  the  road  was  marked  out  to  run 
a  due  north  and  south  line  over  Westminster  Plain,  but  that  the 
occupant  of  the  old  Parks  tavern,  located  nearly  a  half-mile 
eastward,  managed  to  exert  influences  of  human  courtesies  and 
distilled  spirits,  under  which  the  engineers  consented  to  lay 
out  the  road  so  as  to  pass  near  the  tavern,  joining  the  origi- 
nal survey  about  one  and  one-fourth  miles  from  the  point  of 
divergence.  A  highway  was  laid  out  in  1785,  from  Ephraim 
Lyons'  potash  works  to  Parker  Adams'  mill,  crossing  the  south 
part  of  the  town. 

Freshets  and  floods  have  occasionally  subjected  the  town  to 
serious  outlay  and  inconveniences.  The  great  flood  of  1807 
damaged  Butts'  bridge,  and  destroyed  Bacon's  (formerly  Kev- 
ins') bridge,  occasioning  a  fatal  accident  and  loss  of  life.  The 
ferry  boat  used  as  a  substitute  for  the  latter  bridge  was  over- 
loaded and  swamped.  Some  plunged  into  the  waves  and  swam 
ashore,  while  others  clung  to  their  horses  and  wagons  and 
wrestled  with  the  wild  current,  and  all  on  board  reached  the 
shore  in  safety  except  Nathaniel  Kinne,  of  Black  hill,  who, 
though  a  large  and  strong  man,  was  injured  in  the  struggle 
so  that  he  was  dead  when  brought  ashore.  Ten  years  later 
the  town  was  again  called  upon  to  rebuild  or  repair  both  Bacon's 


500  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY, 

and  Butts'  bridges.  The  selectmen  were  enjoined  to  confer 
with  Plainfield  in  regard  to  building  a  good  boat  to  convey 
passengers  and  teams  across  the  Quinebaug  near  Bacon's  bridge. 
In  case  of  a  refusal  by  Plainfield  they  were  directed  to  build 
the  boat  and  have  it  kept  ready  for  use,  and  to  petition  the 
county  court  to  divide  the  charge  of  building  the  bridge  be- 
tween the  two  towns. 

The  schools  received  attention  in  the  early  years  of  settlement. 
March  4th,  1718,  the  town  ordered  "  that  there  should  be  a 
school  kept  in  this  town  six  months,  viz.,  two  months  at  ye 
upper  end  of  ye  town,  and  two  months  in  ye  west  row,  and  two 
months  at  the  lower  end,  at  one  place  or  more,  as  either  party 
shall  agree."  No  school  houses  were  as  yet  built.  In  1724,  and 
probably  in  other  years  about  that  time,  a  schoolmaster  was 
employed  to  perambulate  the  town  and  teach  one  month  at 
Widow  Ensworth's,  one  month  at  John  Fitch's,  one  month  at 
Deliverance  Brown's,  one  month  at  Nathaniel  Bond's,  and  one 
month  at  David  Adams'.  He  was  to  be  paid  twenty  shillings  a 
month  out  of  the  school  funds  of  the  town;  and  if  no  suitable 
person  could  be  employed  for  that  money,  then  those  w^hose 
children  went  to  school  should  pay  their  proportion,  and  so  make 
up  the  deficit.  In  1726  the  town  was  arranged  into  three  sec- 
tions— "  a  school  to  be  kept  three  months  in  each  squadron."  A 
new  school  house  was  built  on  the  Green  about  the  year  1730. 
Probably  school  houses  were  built  in  the  other  two  sections  or 
districts  of  the  town  about  the  same  time  or  not  long  afterward. 
This  "  squadron  "  system  was  kept  up  for  many  years.  About 
1773  the  interest  in  schools  had  lapsed  into  a  very  low  state. 
Other  public  concerns  so  absorbed  the  attention  of  the  people 
that  school  matters  could  receive  but  little  thought.  The  num- 
ber of  "  squadrons  "  had  been  from  time  to  time  increased.  In 
1770  they  appear  to  have  reached  the  number  of  seven.  In  that 
year  Ezekiel  Park,  Captain  Elijah  Dyer,  Nathan  Waldo,  Joseph 
Clark,  Joseph  Woodward,  Asa  Stevens  and  Joseph  Stevens  were 
ordered  "  to  take  care  of  the  schools  in  their  respective  squad- 
rons, and  to  hire  suitable  persons  to  keep  the  schools."  A  divis- 
ion into  twenty-three  districts  was  soon  after  effected,  and  the 
number  of  schools  was  increased.  Private  schools  were  often 
supported  in  different  neighborhoods.  A  "  night  school"  was 
kept  at  one  time  by  Joseph  Carter  in  the  school  house  near 
Westminster   meeting   house,  and   at   another   time   a   writing 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  501 

school  was  authorized.  John  Adams,  after  his  graduation,  com- 
menced a  select  school  in  his  own  neighborhood  in  the  North 
society,  and  exhibited  such  aptitude  in  the  work  as  to  draw  a 
large  number  of  pupils.  •  Plainfield  Academy  was  at  this  time 
\in  a  state  of  temporary  depression,  which  gave  Canterbury  a 
chance  to  establish  a  rival  institution.  In  the  spring  of  1796  he 
removed  his  school  to  Canterbury  Green,  where  it  achieved 
immediate  success  and  popularity,  attracting  pupils  from  the 
neighboring  towns  and  some  even  from  Woodstock  and 
Thompson. 

In  the  public  schools  the  central  district  of  the  First  society 
had  liberty  to  erect  a  convenient  school  house  on  the  Green, 
north  of  the  meeting  house,  in  1795.  In  the  following  year  a 
school  society  was  organized  with  a  large  board  of  officers 
charged  with  the  duties  of  taking  care  of  the  loan  money,  locat- 
ing and  bounding  school  districts  and  overseeing  the  schools  in 
general.  Committees  were  thenceforward  appointed  by  the 
several  districts,  with  nine  overseers  to  superintend  them.  In 
the  care  of  its  schools  the  society  of  Westminster  vied  with  the 
First  society.  Alexander  Gordon,  Samuel  Barstow  and  Asa 
Nowlen  were  appointed  to  oversee  the  schooling  in  1787,  Nine 
districts  were  here  set  out,  and  Sherebiah  Butts,  John  Barstow, 
Isaac  Backus,  Roswell  Parish,  Joseph  Raynsford,  Joshua  Ray- 
mond, Daniel  Downing,  Robert  Herrick  and  Nathaniel  Smith 
were  appointed  to  act  as  committee-men  and  collectors  in  their 
respective  districts.  In  1812  a  school  society  was  organized  in 
the  Westminster  society.  A  committee-man  and  an  inspector 
were  appointed  in  each  of  the  nine  districts.  Those  appointed 
that  year  are  named  in  respective  order  for  each  district  as 
follows:  No.  1,  Amasa  Park,  Reverend  Erastus  Learned;  2,  Dan- 
iel Meech,  John  Barstow;  3,  Horatio  Pettingill,  Nathaniel  Clark; 
4,  Nathan  Allen,  Ebenezer  Waldo;  5,  Daniel  Storer,  Asa  Butts; 
6,  James  Cary;  7,  Samuel  Chad,  Isaac  Backus;  8,  Curtis  Barstow, 
Samuel  Barstow;  9,  Roger  Smith,  Asa  Burgess.  Lack  of  endow- 
ment and  suitable  building  accommodations  compelled  Canter- 
bury to  give  up  her  prospect  of  an  academic  school  establish- 
ment in  her  territory,  and  in  1801  her  honored  teacher,  Adams, 
was  drawn  to  the  older  institution  in  Plainfield. 

In  the  autumn  of  1831  a  young  ladies'  boarding  .school  was 
opened  in  a  large  house  which  had  been  vacated  by  the  death 
of  Esquire  Paine,  the  teacher  undertaking  the  enterprise  being 


502  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Miss  Prudence  Crandall.  A  number  of  young  ladies  from  the 
best  families  in  town  were  enrolled  as  pupils,  and  the  school 
seemed  to  start  under  most  fa-Vwable  auspices  and  with  brilliant 
prospects  of  success.  An  irnpression  favorable  to  the  school  was 
created  in  neighboring  towns,  which  brought  pupils  from  some 
distance.  While  the  tide  of  prosperity  was  thus  setting  in,  a 
colored  girl  applied  to  Miss  Crandall  and  was  admitted  as  a  day 
pupil  into  the  school.  This  gave  offense  to  some  of  the  patrons 
of  the  school,  who  threatened  to  remove  their  daughters  if  the 
colored  pupil  were  retained.  Miss  Crandall,  whose  sympathies 
had  become  thoroughly  aroused  in  behalf  of  the  oppressed  col- 
ored race,  determined  to  open  her  school  for  colored  girls,  and, 
in  anticipation  of  the  withdrawal  of  her  former  patrons,  at  once 
dismissed  all  the  white  girls  from  her  school.  This  action 
excited  great  indignation  throughout  the  town.  A  public  meet- 
ing of  citizens  was  called  and  a  delegation  appointed  to  try  to 
persuade  Miss  Crandall  to  relinquish  her  determination  to 
establish  a  school  "  for  5^oung  ladies  and  little  misses  of  color." 
But  she  stood  firm  to  her  purpose,  in  the  face  of  all  persuasions. 

Being  in  correspondence  with  some  prominent  abolitionists, 
who  supported  her  with  their  advice  and  assurances  of  help,  she 
arranged  to  receive  pupils  from  different  localities,  even  from 
distant  cities  and  towns.  The  excited  populace  called  a  town 
meeting  "  to  devise  and  adopt  vsuch  measures  as  will  ejEfectually 
avert  the  nuisance  or  speedily  abate  it  if  it  should  be  brought 
into  the  village."  This  meeting,  held  March  9th,  1833,  in  the 
large  meeting  house,  which  was  filled  to  its  utmost  capacity 
with  an  angry  and  boisterous  company  of  citizens,  passed  reso- 
lutions protesting  against  the  proposed  establishment  of  a 
school  for  people  of  color  within  the  bounds  of  the  town,  in 
which  they  declared  that  "  the  obvious  tendency  of  which 
would  be  to  collect  within  the  town  of  Canterbury  large  num- 
bers of  persons  from  other  states  whose  characters  and  habits 
might  be  various  and  unknown  to  us,  thereby  rendering  inse- 
cure the  persons,  property  and  reputations  of  our  citizens." 
The  very  few  who  attempted  to  speak  in  Miss  Crandall's  behalf 
were  stormed  by  interruptions,  and  at  last  driven  from  the. 
house  in  the  uproar  which  followed  the  closing  of  the  meeting. 

On  the  day  appointed  the  school  began;  some  ten  or  twelve 
colored  girls  from  some  of  the  respectable  families  of  northern 
cities  had  found  their  way  to  Canterbury  and  sat  down  as  pupils 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  503 

before  Miss  Crandall.  But  the  imagination  of  the  people  was 
now  wrought  up  to  that  state  of  excitement  wherein  the  most 
harmless  objects  appear  as  frightful  goblins  and  hideous  spec- 
tres. Another  town  meeting  was  held,  and  the  little  school  of 
a  dozen  harmless  negro  girls  was  seen  to  be  "  designed  by  its 
projectors  as  the  tJicatre,  as  the  place  to  promulgate  their  disgust- 
ing doctrines  of  amalgamation  and  their  pernicious  sentiments 
of  subverting  the  Union."  Further,  they  declared  that  the 
pupils  congregating  here  under  the  false  pretense  of  education, 
were  really  to  "  scatter  fire-brands,  arrows  and  death  among 
brethren  of  our  own  blood."  The  determination  of  the  people 
to  break  up  this  school  seemed  to  know  no  bounds.  The  gen- 
eral assembly  was  appealed  to;  the  "boycott"  principle  was  vig- 
orously applied,  and  countless  impositions  and  indignities  prac- 
ticed. Dealers  in  all  sorts  of  wares  and  produce  agreed  to  sell 
nothing  to  Miss  Crandall,  and  the  stage  driver  refused  to  carry 
her  pupils.  Stable  refuse  was  thrown  into  her  well,  and  then 
the  neighbors  refused  her  a  pail  of  fresh  water.  Vagabond  boys 
pelted  her  house  with  stones  and  rotten  eggs,  and  hooted  at  the 
children  if  they  appeared  on  the  street,  and  from  all  this  perse- 
cution and  wrong  there  was  no  redress  in  Canterbury  for  Miss 
Crandall.  Even  her  old  father,  a  quiet,  unoffending  Quaker, 
living  in  the  south  part  of  the  town,  was  made  the  object  of 
threats  and  intimidation  until  he  begged  of  his  daughter  to  give 
up  the  school.  But  she  held  firm  through  this  kind  of  persecu- 
tion. Meanwhile  the  general  assembly,  in  process  of  time,  after 
sufficiently  horrifying  themselves  with  the  possibilities  of  hav- 
ing "  a  nigger  school  on  our  common,"  labored  in  travail  and 
brought  forth  the  enactment:  "That  no  person  shall  set  up  a 
school  or  educational  institution  for  the  instruction  of  colored 
persons  who  are  not  inhabitants  of  the  state,  nor  instruct  in 
such  a  school,  nor  harbor  or  board  any  colored  person  instructed 
in  such  a  school,  without  the  consent  in  writing  first  obtained 
of  a  majority  of  the  civil  authority  and  selectmen  in  the  town  in 
which  such  school  is  situated,  under  penalty  of  a  fine  of  one  hun- 
dred dollars  for  the  first  offense,  two  hundred  for  the  second, 
and  so  double  for  every  subsequent  offense  of  which  such  per- 
son shall  be  convicted."  This  enactment  was  greeted  in  Can- 
terbury by  the  ringing  of  bells,  firing  of  cannon,  and  every 
demonstration  of  popular  delight  and  triumph. 

But  these  acts  of  persistent  persecution  awakened  friends  who 


504  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

came  to  Miss  Crandall  with  offers  of  aid  and  assurances  of  sym- 
pathy, and  thus  encouraged,  .she  went  calmly  forward.  She  was 
at  length  arrested  for  violating  a  statute  law  of  the  state,  and  in 
default  of  bail  was  confined  in  Brooklyn  jail  for  a  night,  being 
placed  in  the  cell  not  long  before  vacated  by  the  murderer  Wat- 
kins,  who  had  gone  thence  to  the  gallows.  These  circumstances 
proved  more  powerful  in  her  favor  than  anything  that  her  friends 
could  have  done  for  her.  Many  new  friends  now  rose  to  offer 
her  their  sympathy  and  encouragement.  Her  trial  went  forward 
in  due  course  of  time,  first  in  the  county  court,  then  in  the  supe- 
rior court,  in  both  of  which  verdicts  were  pronounced  against 
her,  and  finally  in  the  court  of  errors,  where  the  case  was  re- 
viewed July  22d,  1834,  and  where  the  former  decisions  were 
reversed.  The  school,  meanwhile,  kept  steadily  on  with  its  work, 
Mr.  William  H.  Burleigh  and  his  sister  for  a  time  assisting  as 
teachers  in  it,  as  did  also  Miss  Almira  Crandall,  a  younger  sister 
of  the  founder.  But  though  foiled  in  their  attempt  to  crush  out 
the  school  by  law,  the  more  bitter  of  her  opponents  appear  to 
have  determined  to  do  it  by  force.  One  morning  early  in  Sep- 
tember her  house  was  set  on  fire,  but  timely  efforts  saved  it  from 
being  consumed.  Again,  a  few  days  later,  as  the  family  were 
preparing  to  retire  for  the  night,  a  number  of  men,  armed  with 
heavy  weapons,  surrounded  the  house,  and  at  a  given  signal 
smashed  in  all  the  windows  on  the  ground  floor  with  one  simul- 
taneous crash.  This  sudden  and  violent  outbreak  of  the  spirit 
of  ruffianism  so  thoroughly  alarmed  the  inmates  of  the  house 
that  it  was  decided  to  abandon  the  enterprise  and,  as  soon  as  it 
was  practicable,  the  pupils  were  sent  to  their  homes,  and  the 
property  was  sold  and  its  proprietress,  who  not  long  before  had 
married  Mr.  Calvin  Philleo,  removed  from  the  scene  of  her  con- 
flicts and  bid  a  lasting  adieu  to  the  people  and  the  soil  of  Canter- 
bury. 

The  scene  of  that  strange  conflict  of  human  passion  is  to-day 
one  of  the  quietest,  most  peaceful,  homelike,  restful  and  refined 
in  all  the  domain  of  New  England.  Grand  old  elm  trees  make 
a  beautiful  and  refreshing  shade  along  the  grassy  street  of  the 
slumbering  hamlet.  The  old  house,  once  the  scene  of  so  much 
commotion,  is  now  the  peaceful  home  of  Deacon  Thomas  G. 
Clark,  and  the  hill  near  by,  where  the  victors  expressed  their 
triumphs  in  the  belching  of  cannon,  now  offers  no  suggestion  of 
aught  but  one  of  the  richest  and  quietest  and  most  soul-inspiring 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  505 

landscapes  of  homestead,  valley,  field  and  distant  hills  to  be 
found  in  all  this  beautiful  region.  After  long  years  of  waiting 
the  victim  of  those  commotions  is  receiving  by  act  of  Connecti- 
cut legislature  passed  two  years  since,  an  award  of  $400  a  year 
in  restitution  for  the  damages  she  then  sustained.  She  is  still 
living,  at  about  ninety  years  of  age. 

Reviewing  the  progress  of  the  town  after  the  revolutionary 
period  we  find  Doctor  Jabez  Fitch  prominent,  occupying  for 
many  years  the  offices  of  justice  of  the  peace,  judge  of  probate 
and  colonel  of  the  Eleventh  Regiment.  He  died  in  1784.  Col- 
onel Aron  Cleveland,  so  prominent  in  public  affairs  during  the 
revolution,  was  struck  with  palsy  while  in  the  prime  of  life,  and 
after  a  long  and  distressing  sickness  died  in  1785.  Deacon  Asa 
Witter  died  suddenly  in  1792.  Captain  Ephraim  Lyon,  Nathan 
Waldo,  Eliashib  Adams,  Jabez  Ensworth,  David  Baldwin,  Ben- 
jamin and  Asa  Bacon,  Captain  John  Adams,  Daniel  Frost,  Captain 
Stephen  Butts,  and  other  older  men  were  active  in  town  affairs. 
Dr.  Gideon  Welles  served  acceptably  as  town  clerk  and  treasu- 
rer. Doctor  Jaireb  Dyer  engaged  extensively  in  trade  and  medi- 
cal practice.  Several  stores  were  opened  on  Canterbury  Green. 
The  status  at  the  beginning  of  the  revolution  may  be  inferred 
from  the  fact  that  the  population  in  1775  was  2,392  whites  and  52 
blacks;  and  the  grand  list  then  amounted  to  ^20,730.  Though 
we  have  no  figures  to  show  definitely,  yet  it  is  supposed  that  the 
population  and  wealth  were  now  increasing,  though  they  may 
have  been  somewhat  depleted  by  the  seven  years'  war.  Business 
and  trade  were  now  active.  Farmers  found  a  ready  market  for 
their  produce.  Doctor  Dyer  carried  on  a  brisk  trade  with  the 
West  Indies,  dealing  largely  in  horses  and  cattle.  Thomas  Coit, 
from  Norwich,  engaged  in  mercantile  traffic  on  Canterbury 
Green.  Alexander  Gordon,  of  Plainfield,  opened  trade  in  West- 
minster. Luther,  son  of  David  Paine,  also  engaged  in  trade. 
Jedidiah,  grandson  of  Obadiah  Johnson,  kept  the  tavern,  en- 
gaged in  trade,  and  was  active  in  military  affairs.  Abel  Brew- 
ster opened  a  jeweler's  store.  William  Lord  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  hats.  Isaac  and  Consider  Morgan  entered 
into  partnership  in  1804,  and  opened  a  very  large  stock  of 
dry  goods,  drugs,  hardware  and  groceries.  Many  new  buildings 
were  erected  about  this  date.  William  Moore  built  a  large  house 
on  the  northeast  corner  of  the  crossings  in  the  village,  and  there 
opened  the  first  post  office  in  Canterbury  in  1803. 


506  HISTORY- OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

With  the  improved  traveling  facilities  offered  by  the  new- 
turnpike  Westminster  village  became  a  place  of  more  import- 
ance. Doctor  Rufus  Johnson  purchased  a  stfip  of  the  meeting 
house  green  in  1790,  and  afterward  'built  a  house  upon  it.  Cap- 
tain Stephen  Butts  entertained  travelers  in  an  old  house  adjoin- 
ing. The  old  "Ford"  house,  on  the  Norwich  road,  and  the 
Parks  tavern  house  were  called  the  oldest  houses  in  the  vicinity. 

About    the  year  1800   the  emigration    movement    broke  out 
afresh,  and  many  Canterbury  pilgrims  were  wending  their  way 
to  distant  states.    Captain  Josiah  Cleveland,  of  Bunker  Hill  fame, 
removed  to  Owego,  N.  Y.     Doctor  Azel,  son  of  William  Ens- 
worth,  settled  in  Palmyra,  where  he  became  an  active  and  influ- 
ential citizen.      A  pleasant   eminence  in    Rome,  N.  Y.,  called 
Canterbury  hill  in  honor  of  its  first  settlers,  became  the  resi- 
dence of  Gideon,  John,  Elisha  and  Daniel  Butts,  Samuel  and  Asa 
Smith,  Samuel  Williams,  Thomas  Jewett,  Daniel  W.  Knight  and 
others  from  Canterbury.     Eliashib  Adams,  Jr.,  Elijah  Herrick 
and  William  Bingham  attempted  a  settlement  in  Lewis  county, 
near  Lake  Ontario,  but  Herrick  was  drowned  in  crossing  Black 
river,  and  Adams  finally  settled  in  Maine.    Deacon  Eliashib  Ad- 
ams followed  his  son  to  a  temporary  home  in  Massachusetts. 
Alexander  Gordon  sought  fortune  in  the  far  South,  and  William 
Moore  established  himself   in  the  snow^s  of   Canada.     General 
Cleveland  had  the  honor  of  giving  name  to  the  locality  upon 
which  the  present  noble  city  of  Ohio  stands.     In  1796  he  went 
out  in  command  of  an  expedition  sent  by  the  Connecticut  Land 
Company  to  survey  and  settle  the  Western  Reserve.    He  arrived 
at  "  New  Connecticut  "  on  the  4th  of  July,  and  on  the  22d  mounted 
the  bluff  from  a  landing  made  a  short  distance  up  the  Cuyahcga 
river  and  took  possession  of  the  site  of  Cleveland,  where  the 
town  and  village  plan  was  laid  out  by  him  m  October  following. 

At  this  time,  i.  e.,  in  1800,  the  population  of  Canterbury  was 
1,812,  and  the  grand  list  amounted  to  $48,037.48.  About  1811 
Gad  Bulkley  kept  the  post  office  and  David  Hyde  carried  the 
mail  and  served  the  newspaper  class  that  held  its  headquarters 
at  Samuel  Barstow's  much  frequented  tavern.  The  tavern  at  the 
Green  enjoyed  its  accustomed  patronage  and  popularity,  succes- 
sive landlords  having  been  Jacob  Bacon,  Samuel  Hutchins,  and 
Captain  Bicknell.  Its  previous  occupant,  Jedidiah  Johnson, was 
made  general  of  the  Fifth  Brigade  in  1809.  Canterbury  at  this 
date  furnished  most  of  the  officers  for  the  21st  Regiment,  viz.  : 


m 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 


507 


William  Kinne,  adjutant ;  S§,muel  Hutchins,  quartermaster ; 
Isaac  Knig-lit,4)aymaster ;  Reverend  Erastus  Learned,  chaplain. 
Its  company  of  light  infantry  was  one  of  the  best  drilled  and 
equipped  in  the  state.  Its  officers  in  1809  were  :  Joseph  Simms, 
captain  ;  Nathan  Fish,  lieutenant.  In  1815  they  were  :  James 
Aspinwall,  captain  ;  Samuel  Hough,  lieutenant ;  Amos  Bacon, 
ensign. 

In  October,  1769,  the  inhabitants  living  west  of  a  north  and 
south  line  surveyed  through  the  center  of  the  town,  were  granted 
by  the  assembly  a  charter  and  endowed  with  distinct  privileges 
as  a  society  to  be  known  as  Wes,tminster.  A  broad  hill  summit 
near  the  center  of  the  society  was  chosen  by  unanimous  consent 
for  the  site  of  a  meeting  house,  where  about  four  acres  of  land 
at  the  crossing  of  the  roads  was  given  by  John  Parks  for  the  site 
of  meeting  house,  burial  ground  and  common.  The  meeting 
house  was  built  during  the  summer  of  1770.  A  church  organiza- 
tion was  effected  November  20th,  1770,  the  following  persons  sub- 
scribing to  the  covenant  according  to  Cambridge  platform:  Ste- 
phen Frost,  Robert  Herrick,  John  Lewis,  Isaac  Woodward,  Dan- 
iel Davis,  Thomas  Bradford,  William  Bond,  Jacob  Foster,  Enos 
Woodward,  Peter  Woodward,  Amos  Woodward,  Ebenezer  Davis, 
Anthony  Glass,  John  Herrick. 

The  first  minister  obtained  by  this  church  was  Reverend  John 
Staples,  who  was  ordained  April  17th,  1772,  and  continued  till 
his  death,  February  15th,  1804,  in  the  sixty-first  year  of  his  age 
and  the  thirty-second  of  his  ministry.  He  was  followed  by  Rev- 
erend Erastus  Learned,  installed  February  6th,  1805,  and  con- 
tinued in  the  relation  until  he  died,  June  30th,  1824,  in  the  fif- 
tieth year  of  his  age  and  the  twentieth  year  of  his  ministry  in 
this  church.  His  successor  was  Reverend  Israel  G.  Rose,  or. 
dained  March  9th,  1825,  and  dismissed  by  council  October  11th, 
1S3L  The  fourth  pastor  was  Reverend  Asa  King,  who  com- 
menced his  ministry  in  this  church  in  1833,  and  continued  in  the 
pastoral  relation  until  his  death,  December  2d,  1849.  Through 
increasing  age  and  infirmity  he  was  obliged  to  resign  the  active 
pastoral  labors  March  1st,  1848,  and  the  pulpit  was  then  supplied 
by  Reverends  Pierce,  Strong,  Baldwin,  Burchard  and  Hazen  for 
short  terms.  The  last  mentioned.  Reverend  Reuben  S.  Hazen, 
was  installed  as  pastor  of  the  church  September  26th,  1849.  His 
pastorate  was  terminated  by  his  death,  March  31st,  1864,  while 
m  the  seventy-fourth  year  of  his  age  and  the  fifteenth  year  of 


508  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

his  ministry  to  this  church.  The  pulpit  was  supplied  for  some 
time  by  Reverends  Hyram  Dyer,  Lucien  Burleigh  and  others. 
Reverend  E.  F.  Brooks  was  installed  as  pastor  of  this  church 
July  11th,  1866,  and  remained  here  until  the  relation  was  dis- 
solved by  council  June  9th,  1868.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year 
Reverend  Joseph  W.  Sessions  commenced  his  labors  here,  and 
continued  that  service  urtil  November  14th,  1877,  when  he  re- 
signed on  account  of  advancing  age.  After  that  time  the  church 
was  supplied  by  Reverends  Mr.  Chappell,  H.  L.  Reade  and  E.  H. 
Parmalee,  until  March,  1881.  On  the  first  Sabbath  of  that  month 
Reverend  Stephen  B.  Carter,  whose  boyhood  had  been  spent 
within  the  pale  of  this  church,  commenced  his  pastoral  relation 
with  the  church,  and  he  still  continues  in  that  position. 

The  meeting  house  of  1770  is  still  in  use  by  this  congregation, 
no  other  having  been  erected  since.  The  total  membership  Jan- 
uary 1st,  1889,  was  fifty-two.  In  1847  the  Hon.  Seth  Staples,  a 
lawyer  of  New  York,  son  of  the  first  pastor,  presented  this  church 
with  a  fine  toned  bell,  which  is  still  in  use.  In  1883  a  valuable 
clock  was  presented  by  Pulaski  and  Pliny  Carter,  and  their  sister, 
Mrs.  Pamelia  C.  Spalding,  all  of  whom  were  born  and  reared  in 
this  parish,  though  now  residing  elsewhere.  Extensive  repairs 
upon  the  house  of  worship  were  made  a  few  years  since,  in  which 
former  residents  generously  assisted,  no  doubt  taking  pleasure 
in  thus  manifesting  their  love  for  their  old  church  and  child- 
hood's home. 

A  singular  circumstance  is  on  record  in  connection  with  West- 
minster, though  nothing  about  it  connects  it  with  ecclesiastical 
history  except  that  it  is  from  a  minister's  diary.  July  2d,  1788, 
a  remarkably  black  cloud  seemed  to  settle  down  upon  this  local- 
ity, and  from  it  bunst  forth  a  terrific  thunder  storm,  accompanied 
by  great  and  numerous  hail  stones.  The  record  states  that  in 
places  the  hail  was  nineteen  inches  deep  (perhaps  in  some  gut- 
ter or  other  hollow  spot).  It  is  said  that  glass  was  much  frac- 
tured and  grain  and  grass  lodged,  and  gardens  were  destroyed, 
so  that  peojple  in  the  neighboring  towns  sent  relief  to  the  suffer- 
ers. The  violence  of  the  storm  probably  did  not  extend  over  a 
very  large  extent  of  territory. 

Canterbury  has  never  been  largely  identified  with  manufact- 
uring interests.  And  the  passing  decades  that  have  seen  such 
interests  build  up  some  other  towns  almost  like  a  magic  spell, 
have  seen  the  interest  in  manufacturine  rather  decline  here  than 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  509 

build  Up,  until  now  the  town  contains  no  manufacturing-  estab- 
lishment of  any  prominence.  One  or  two  carriage  shops,  one  or 
two  saw  mills  and  a  grist  mill  are  all  that  could  claim  a  place  in 
such  a  list.  The  manufacturing  record  of  the  past  is  briefly 
told.  The  flrst  footprints  of  this  kind  that  we  see  are  the  grant- 
ing of  liberty  to  Samuel  Adams,  in  1703,  to  build  and  maintain 
a  corn  mill  on  Rowland's  brook,  a  short  distance  northwest  from 
Peagscomsuck.  This  mill  was  kept  in  operation  for  a  longtime. 
At  >a  later  colonial  period,  tannery  works  were  also  carried  on 
by  Benjamin  Morse.  About  the  revolutionary  period  and  after, 
potash  works  were  carried  on  by  Ephraim  Lyon,  Stephen  Butts 
and  Phineas  Carter.  Mr.  Carter  afterward  carried  on  a  cooper- 
age at  Westminster,  employing  four  to  six  hands  in  the  winter 
season.  After  the  revolution,  tanneries  were  established  in  sev- 
eral parts  of  the  town.  The  Downings,  who  settled  in  the  west- 
ern part  of  the  town  and  gave  their  name  to  the  brook,  built  a 
mill  upon  it  and  made  a  little  settlement  there,  which  for  a  time 
flourished  in  quiet  seclusion  and  almost  isolation  from  the  other 
parts  of  the  town.  Saw  and  grist  mills  were  carried  on  success- 
fully by  the  Morses  and  the  Bradfords  in  the  North  society,  a 
dam  being  allowed  on  Rowland's  brook  in  1804.  In  the  course 
of  the  next  decade  or  two,  carding  machines  were  in  operation 
on  Little  river,  and  cloth  dressing  and  hat  manufacturing  were 
carried  on  with  increased  vigor.  Captain  Joseph  Simms  en- 
gaged in  making  heavy  black  woolen  hats,  and  employed  some- 
times four  or  five  journeymen.  He  was  established  at  Canter- 
bury Green.  James  Burnet  also  carried  on  the  same  business  at 
Westminster.  At  that  time  some  six  or  eight  stores  were  needed 
to  supply  the  wants  of  the  town.  In  cotton  spinning  Canterbury 
made  no  great  pretenses,  and  only  achieved  one  small  mill, 
which  was  erected  by  F'enner,  Harris  &  Bulkley  on  Rowland's 
brook,  and  did  a  good  business  during  the  war  of  1812.  The 
clothing  works  of  Captains  Kingsley  and  Spafford  at  that  time  en- 
joyed abundant  patronage.  In  1826  the  project  of  a  canal  along 
the  valley  of  the  Quinebaug  absorbed  much  attention  and  was 
highly  approved  by  the  people  of  this  town  in  open  town  meet- 
ing. The  canal  was  to  run  from  Norwich  to  the  north  line  of 
the  state,  its  objective  point  being  Worcester.  The  state  granted 
a  charter  for  it,  but  before  it  was  executed  the  railroad  project 
superseded  it.  At  this  time  the  people  were  considerably 
aroused  to  the  questions  of  manufacturing  enterprises  presented 


510  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

to  them.  Flourishing-  foundry  works  were  carried  on  in  the 
north  part  of  Westminster  parish  by  Isaac  Backus  and  Nathan 
Allen.  Samuel  Hough  and  D.  F.  Eaton  engaged  successfully  in 
axe-making.  George  Justin  made  scythes  and  axes  in  his  black- 
smith shop  in  South  Canterbury.  Perez  Austin  made  and  re- 
paired wag-ons  and  carriages.  Phinehas  Carter  kept  up  his 
cooper's  shop.  Stillman  G.  Adams  carried  on  the  hat  manufact- 
ure in  place  of  Deacon  Simms,  who  had  removed  to  New  York 
state.  Sufficient  domestic  cloth  was  yet  made  to  keep  Kingsley's 
and  Foster's  fulling  machines  and  clothiers'  works  in  active  op- 
eration. Cotton  manufacturing  was  still  carried  on  in  Fenner's 
factory,  and  Canterbury  shared  with  Plainfield  the  rising  prom- 
ise of  Packerville.  A  house  and  farm  to  furnish  a  home  for  the 
poor  of  the  town  was  purchased  in  1829.  One  after  another  all 
these  attempts  at  manufacturing-  have  faded  out,  like  the  stars 
of  night  before  the  coming  of  the  day. 

The  Separate  church  of  Canterbury,  of  whose  origin  we  have 
already  spoken,  was  the  first  in  the  colony  to  come  out  boldly 
and  squarely  adopt  "  new  light  "  principles,  and  renounce  fellow- 
ship with  the  established  churches.  On  January  6th,  1745,  the 
principles  of  this  church  were  subscribed  to  by  its  adherents, 
fifty-seven  in  number  and  representing  some  of  the  oldest  and 
most  respectable  families  in  Canterbury,  among  them  the  names 
of  Paine,  Backus,  Cleveland,  Adams,  Johnson,  Fitch,  Bacon, 
Hyde,  Bradford,  Brown,  Parish  and  Carver.  The  separation  of 
this  church  from  the  "  standing  order  "  was  attended  by  a  bitter 
and  lengthy  controversy.  The  Separates  were  not  exempt  from 
taxation  to  support  the  church  from  which  they  had  withdrawn, 
and  which  had  the  strong  arm  of  civil  authority  in  its  favor. 
They  were  taxed  for  Mr.  Cogswell's  settlement,  ordination  and 
maintenance,  and  for  repairing  the  meeting  house,  which  had 
been  seized  and  held  by  their  opponents.  Refusing  to  pay  these 
rates,  their  cattle,  goods  and  household  furniture  were  forcibly 
taken,  and  in  default  of  these  they  themselves  were  cast  into 
prison.  Their  appeal  to  the  assembly  for  relief  was  also  with- 
out avail. 

Under  these  burdens  the  body  of  Separates,  still  contending 
that  they  were  "  the  regular  Congregational  church  of  Canter- 
bury," went  boldly  forward  and  proceeded  to  call  a  minister. 
After  considerable  time  given  to  two  or  three  fruitless  attempts, 
they  succeeded  in  securing  the  acceptance  of  Solomon  Paine, 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY 


509 


build  up,  until  now  the  town  contains  no  manufacturing  estab- 
lishment of  any  prominence.  One  or  two  carriage  shops,  one  or 
two  saw  mills  and  a  grist  mill  are  all  that  could  claim  a  place  in 
such  a  list.  The  maijiifacturing  record  of  the  past  is  briefly 
told.  The  first  footprints  of  this  kind  that  we  see  are  the  grant- 
ing of  liberty  to  SamuW  Adams,  in  1703,  to  build  and  maintain 
a  corn  mill  on  Rowland's  brook,  a  short  distance  northwest  from 
Peagscomsuck.  This  mill  was  kept  in  operation  for  a  longtime. 
At  a  later  colonial  period,  tannery  works  were  also  carried  on 
by  Benjamin  Morse.  About  the  revolutionary  period  and  after, 
potash  works  were  carried  on  by  Ephraim  Lyon,  Stephen  Butts 
and  Phineas  Carter.  Mr.  Carter  afterward  carried  on  a  cooper- 
age at  Westminster,  employing  four  to  six  hands  in  the  winter 
season.  After  the  revolution,  tanneries  were  established  in  sev- 
eral parts  of  the  town.  The  Downings,  who  settled  in  the  west- 
ern part  of  the  town  and  gave  their  name  to  the  brook,  built  a 
mill  upon  it  and  made  a  little  settlement  there,  which  for  a  time 
flourished  in  quiet  seclusion  and  almost  isolation  from  the  other 
parts  of  the  town.  Saw  and  grist  mills  were  carried  on  success- 
fully by  the  Morses  and  the  Bradfords  in  the  North  society,  a 
dam  being  allowed  on  Rowland's  brook  in  1804.  In  the  course 
of  the  next  decade  or  two,  carding  machines  were  in  operation 
on  Little  river,  and  cloth  dressing  and  hat  manufacturing  were 
carried  on  with  increased  vigor.  Captain  Joseph  Simms  en- 
gaged in  making  heavy  black  woolen  hats,  and  employed  some- 
times four  or  five  journeymen.  He  was  established  at  Canter- 
bury Green.  James  Burnet  also  carried  on  the  same  business  at 
Westminster.  At  that  time  some  six  or  eight  stores  were  needed 
to  supply  the  wants  of  the  town.  In  cotton  spinning  Canterbury 
made  no  great  pretenses,  and  only  achieved  one  small  mill, 
which  was  erected  by  Fenner,  Harris  &  Bulkley  on  Rowland's 
brook,  and  did  a  good  business  during  the  war  of  1812.  The 
clothing  works  of  Captains  Kingsley  and  Spafford  at  that  time  en- 
joyed abundant  patronage.  In  1826  the  project  of  a  canal  along 
the  valley  of  the  Quinebaug  absorbed  much  attention  and  was 
highly  approved  by  the  people  of  this  town  in  open  town  meet- 
ing. The  canal  was  to  run  from  Norwich  to  the  north  line  of 
the  state,  its  objective  point  being  Worcester.  The  state  granted 
a  charter  for  it,  but  before  it  was  executed  the  railroad  project 
superseded  it.  At  this  time  the  people  were  considerably 
aroused  to  the  questions  of  manufacturing  enterprises  presented 


512  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

to  make  contributions  to  the  support  of  the  ministry  instead  of 
being  taxed  for  that  purpose,  which  system  was  so  repugnant  to 
them.  The  Separate  church,  however,  still  held  its  organization 
and  occasionally  had  preaching  by  some  itinerant  of  their  own 
color  or  by  the  Baptists.  Efforts  were  made  to  unite  them  Avith 
the  First  church  in  1784,  but  without  success.  In  1788  they 
removed  their  meeting  house  to  the  north  part  of  the  town, 
about  thirty  of  their  number  having  gone  back  to  the  First 
church.  In  its  new  location  a  congregation  was  gathered,  and 
William  Bradford,  having  been  previously  ordained,  assumed 
charge  of  the  flock.  After  his  death  the  church  maintained  a 
feeble  existence,  its  members  carrying  on  the  services,  but  dur- 
ing the  early  part  of  the  present  century  its  life  went  out  and 
the  meeting  house  was  left  to  fall  to  pieces. 

Before  the  revolutionary  war  Baptist  sentiments  w^ere  promul- 
gated in  this  town  by  Ebenezer  Lyon,  and  many  of  the  "stand- 
ing order,"  as  well  as  Separates,  were  drawn  toward  their 
acceptance,  much  to  the  annoyance  and  grief  of  Mr.  Cogswell 
and  others.  These  Baptists  held  to  what  was  called  "mixed 
communion,"  and  often  joined  with  the  Separates  in  worship 
and  ordinances.  Captain  Ephraim  Lyon  was  one  of  their  lead- 
ers for  a  time,  but  he  turned  to  the  Methodists,  while  the  preacher, 
Ebenezer  Lyon,  embraced  the  doctrine  of  universal  salvation, 
and  the  Baptist  faction  fell  into  obscurity. 

Soon  after  the  revolution  there  were  many  Universalists  in 
Canterbury  who  despised  and  flouted  Mr.  Morgan,  and  seemed 
likely  to  do  much  damage.  Several  united  with  the  Universa- 
list  society  of  Oxford,  then  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Reverend 
Thomas  Barnes,  who  frequently  held  service  in  Canterbury  and 
other  Windham  towns.  So  much  interest  was  excited  that 
meetings  were  advertised  in  school  houses  "to  discuss  whether 
the  doctrine  of  universal  salvation  could  b^  proved  from  Scrip- 
ture." 

Episcopal  service  was  frequently  performed  by  Reverend 
George  S.  White  after  his  removal  to  Canterbury,  and  in  1827 
"St.  Thomas  Parish  "  gained  a  name,  but  scarcely  a  "  local  hab- 
itation." Its  existence  was,  however,  recognized  for  several 
years,  but  has  long  since  become  a  thing  known  only  to  history. 

The  Packerville  Baptist  church  was  organized  in  October, 
1828,  with  twenty-two  members,  of  whom  nine  were  males  and 
thirteen  females.     Levi  Kneeland  was  ordained  as  its  pastor  at 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  513 

the  organization.  During  his  pastorate,  which  ended  with  his 
death  in  August,  1834,  the  church  received  three  hundred  and 
sixteen  members.  At  the  date  last  mentioned,  the  membership 
of  the  church  numbered  two  hundred  and  twenty-seven.  Mr. 
Daniel  Packer,  from  whom  the  village  took  its  name,  was  instru- 
mental in  establishing  the  church,  aiding  it  both  by  his  judic- 
ious efforts  and  large  expenditures  in  building  a  house  of 
worship  and  providing  a  parsonage.  A  meeting  house,  built  in 
1829,  is  still  in  a  good  state  of  preservation.  A  nice  chapel  was 
built  in  1875  at  a  cost  of  eight  hundred  dollars.  The  church 
also  has  a  good  parsonage  and  several  acres  of  land  belonging 
to  it,  and  a  small  invested  fund.  The  present  membership  of 
the  church  is  ninety-three.  Manufacturing  in  the  village  hav- 
ing ceased,  the  congregations  are  necessarily  small  and  the  mem- 
bers considerably  scattered.  The  pastors  succeeding  Mr.  Knee- 
land  have  been  as  follows:  Tubal  Wakefield,  1836  to  1842; 
Martin  Byrne,  1843  to  1844;  D.  D.  Lyon,  1844  to  1847;  Silas  Hall, 
a  short  time  from  April,  1847,  he  being  excluded  and  deposed; 
John  B.  Guild,  1848  to  1853;  Alfred  Gates,  1853  to  1858;  John 
Payne,  1858  to  1863;  Percival  Mathewson,  1863  to  1867;  George 
R.  Northrup,  1867  to  1870;  W.  N.  Walden,  1870  to  1875;  Otis  B. 
Rawson,  1875  to  1879;  J.  F.  Temple,  1879  to  1885;  A.  A.  Robin- 
son, 1886  to  the  present  time. 

The  origin  of  this  settlement,  which  lies  in  the  southeast  cor- 
ner of  the  town,  partly  within  the  town  of  Plainfield,  was  the 
manufacturing  interest  which  attached  to  the  Andrus  factory 
privilege,  which  in  1818  passed  into  the  hands  of  Daniel  Packer 
and  Daniel  Lester,  of  Preston.  After  a  few  years  of  suspension 
the  work  was  resumed  under  the  management  of  Mr.  Packer. 
Buildings  were  repaired  and  enlarged,  new  machinery  intro- 
duced, and  a  village  started  into  life.  Captain  Packer  was  pained 
at  sight  of  the  loose  morals  and  irreligious  inclinations  of  the 
people,  and  engaged  his  interest  and  exertions  in  establishing 
the  church  whose  history  we  have  noticed.  For  a  time  the  vil- 
lage prospered  and  seemed  to  promise  to  become  a  center  of  per- 
manence. A  fire  engine  company  was  organized  here  in  1830. 
With  the  drift  of  manufacturing  interests  to  other  centers  the 
growth  of  the  village  has  declmed,  and  in  later  years  the  indus- 
try here  has  been  abandoned. 

Many  of  the  leading  men  of  the  county  were  early  connected 
with  the  Masonic  Lodge  at  Hartford.  Upon  petition  of  Colonels 
33 


514  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Gray  and  Grosvenor,  Moriah  Lodge  was  instituted  at  Canter- 
bury in  1790,  and  soon  received  into  its  brotherhood  many  of  the 
active  leading  men  of  the  county.  Its  first  master  was  Colonel 
Ebenezer  Gray.  Among  those  actively  interested  in  this  lodge 
were  Moses  Cleveland,  Evan  Alalbone,  Thomas  and  Lemuel 
Grosvenor,  Samuel  and  John  McClellan,  Daniel  Larned,  Daniel 
Putnam,  William  Danielson,  Lemuel  Ingalls,  Albigence  Waldo, 
John  Brewster  and  Jared  Warner.  Its  annual  commemoration 
of  St.  John's  day,  in  June,  was  one  of  the  great  festivals  of  the 
year,  excelled  only  by  the  Fourth  of  July  and  general  training 
day.  The  Masonic  brethren  from  all  the  adjoining  towns  in  full 
regalia  marched  through  the  street,  with  banners,  music  and 
open  Bible,  to  be  entertained  in  hall  or  grove  with  a  grand  ora- 
tion and  a  sumptuous  dinner.  For  many  years  the  lodge  took 
part  in  festival  days  and  occasions,  and  made  a  prominent  fac- 
tor in  the  social  life  of  the  community. 

Biographical  Sketches. 

Marvin  H.Sanger, of  Canterbury, the  second  son  of  Ebenezer 
and  Eunice  (Hutchins)  Sanger,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Brook- 
lyn, Conn.,  April  12th,  1827.  In  the  year  1828  his  parents  re- 
moved to  Canterbury,  which  has  since  been  his  residence.  His 
paternal  grandfather  was  James  Sanger,  of  Windsor,  Hartford 
county,  Connecticut,  and  his  grandmother,  Olive  (Chaffee)  San- 
ger. Mr.  James  Sanger  died  in  Windsor.  Some  years  after 
Mrs.  Sanger  returned  to  Canterbury,  where  she  resided  until  her 
death  at  an  advanced  age.  The  children  of  this  marriage  were 
three  sons,  James,  Ebenezer  and  Ira,  and  one  daughter,  Sally. 
Immediately  after  the  death  of  his  father,  Ebenezer  removed 
from  his  native  town  (Windsor)  to  Canterbury,  and  remained  a 
resident  thereof  until  his  decease  in  1863,  with  the  exception  of 
a  brief  time  in  Brooklyn.  He  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife 
being  Olive  Chaffee,  a  cousin  bearing  the  maiden  name  of  his 
mother.  His  second  wife  was  Eunice,  daughter  of  Amasa 
Hutchins,  of  Plainfield,  to  whom  were  born  five  children:  George, 
Marvin  Hutchins,  Hannah,  Olive  Chaffee  and  Sarah  Wright. 

The  subject  of  this  .sketch  at  the  conclusion  of  his  educational 
period,  which  was  passed  in  the  common  schools  of  the  vicinity 
and  at  Bacon  Academy  in  Colchester,  Conn.,  devoted  three  years 
to  business  as  a  mercantile  clerk  in  Plainfield  and  Providence, 
R.  I.     In  1849  he  returned   to  Canterbury  and  engaged  in  busi- 


^ooyi^^^c^^^. 


TOTYPE,     E      BIERSTADT, 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  515 

ness  for  himself  as  a  merchant,  continuing  with  success  for  a 
period  of  twenty  years.  During-  this  time  he  was  also  interested 
in  the  cultivation  of  a  farm,  which  still  continues  to  occupy  a 
part  of  his  time  and  attention.  He  had  meanwhile  not  been  idle 
in  another  field  of  action,  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  hon- 
ored by  the  suffrages  of  his  townsmen  when  a  candidate  for 
many  local  offices.  In  the  years  1857  and  1860  he  was  elected  to 
represent  the  town  at  the  general  assembly.  Affiliating,  as  he 
always  had,  with  the  democratic  party,  in  1873  he  was  elected  by 
that  party  to  the  office  of  secretary  of  state,  and  re-elected  in 
1874,  1875  and  1876,  holding  the  office  four  terms  or  four  succes- 
sive years.  In  the  years  1882,  1887  and  1889  he  was  again  hon- 
ored by  the  citizens,  as  representative  in  the  legislature  of  the 
state,  serving  as  a  member  of  the  committees  on  banks,  insur- 
ance, temperance  and  capitol  furniture  and  grounds.  In  1864 
he  was  elected  judge  of  probate  for  the  district  of  Canterbury 
and  is  the  present  incumbent  of  that  office.  For  more  than  a 
quarter  of  a  century  he  has  been  town  treasurer,  and  for  nearly 
that  time  town  clerk. 

He  is  president  of  Brooklyn  Savings  Bank  and  a  member  of 
Moriah  Lodge  of  F.  and  A.  M.,  of  Danielsonville.  He  was 
a  member  of  both  legislative  committees  as  a  representative  of 
the  state  at  the  celebration  of  the  one  hundredth  anniversary 
of  the  settlement  of  the  city  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  in  September, 
1888,  as  also  at  the  centennial  celebration  of  the  inauguration  of 
George  Washington  as  president  of  the  United  States,  in  New 
York  city  in  May,  1889.  Mr.  Sanger  has  often  been  called  to  fill 
important  positions  of  trust,  among  which  have  been  the  settle- 
ment of  several  estates  of  considerable  magnitude  outside  of  his 
judicial  district. 

On  the  14th  of  November,  1855,  Mr.  Sanger  married  Miss 
Mary  J.,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Bacon,  Esq.,  of  Plainfield,  and 
has  two  daughters,  Olive  Douglas  and  Hattie  Bacon  Sanger,  who 
reside  with  their  parents  at  Canterbury. 

Darius  Wood. — Levi  Wood,  the  grandfather  of  Darius  Wood, 
removed  from  Swansea,  Massachusetts,  to  Foster,  Rhode  Island, 
where  for  years  he  followed  his  trade  of  stone  mason.  By  his 
union  with  a  Miss  Mason  were  born  children  :  Nathan,  Levi,  Jr., 
Wheaton,  Ira,  Olney,  Albert,  Hiram,  Polly,  Delight,  Huldah, 
Louisa,  and  one  who  died  in  youth.  Levi,  Jr.,  was  born  in  1795. 
in  Foster,  and  during  the  early  period  of  his  active  life,  com- 


516  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

bined  the  trade  of  a  mason  with  the  employments  of  a  farmer. 
On  his  removal  at  a  later  day  to  Canterbury,  he  was  for  years  the 
landlord  of  the  Canterbury  Hotel.  He  married  Sarah  Randall, 
whose  children  were  :  Darius,  Mason,  Sarah  Ann,  wife  of  Harvey 
R.  Dyer,  and  Victoria,  who  died  in  childhood. 

Darius  Wood  was  born  February  3d,  1818,  in  Foster,  Rhode 
Island,  where  his  youth,  until  the  age  of  sixteen,  was  spent  at 
school.  He  then  accepted  a  clerkship  in  Providence,  remained 
two  years  thus  employed,  and  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  re- 
moved with  his  father  to  Canterbury.  The  two  succeeding  years 
were  spent  on  a  farm  leased  by  him,  after  which,  on  his  perma- 
nent settlement  in  Canterbury,  he  embarked  in  the  business  of 
storekeeping.  From  thence  Mr.  Wood  removed  to  Central  Vil- 
lage and  conducted  the  Central  Company's  store  for  a  period  of 
ten  years.  In  1864  he  made  Webster,  Massachusetts,  his  home, 
and  in  company  with  a  partner  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  and 
grocery  business.  The  firm  at  a  later  date  purchased  a  flouring 
mill  at  Greenfield,  Indiana,  which  for  ten  years  they  operated 
successfully,  when  Mr.  Wood  having  disposed  of  his  interest  in 
this  property,  continued  in  the  grocery,  flour  and  grain  business 
in  Webster.  He  fills  the  office  of  vice-president  of  the  Webster 
Five  Cent  Savings  Bank,  and  is  largely  identified  with  the  busi- 
ness interests  of  the  place.  He  has  represented  the  districts  of 
both  Plainfield  and  Canterbury  in  the  state  legislature,  but  de- 
clined all  municipal  offices.  He  is  a  supporter  of  the  Congrega- 
tional church,  of  which  Mrs.  Wood  is  a  member. 

Mr.  Wood  was  on  the  19th  of  March,  1838,  married  to  Clarinda 
E.,  daughter  of  Samuel  Burlingame,  of  Killingly.  Their  chil- 
dren are  :  Irving,  who  is  married  to  Mary  M.  Sherwood,  of  New 
York  ;  Courtlandt,  now  a  resident  of  Dakota,  and  a  daughter, 
Alice  Victoria,  who  died  in  childhood. 


^^:::/^^ /l^^yU^<^ 


TOTYPE,     E.    BIERSTAOT, 


CHAPTER  XXIIL 


THE   TOWN  OF  POMFRET. 


Description. — The  Wabbaquasset  Country. — Purchase  by  Roxbury  Men. — The 
Mashamoquet  Tract. — Blackwell's  Purchase. — The  Mortlake  Patent. — The 
Mashamoquet  Purchase  Allotted. — Town  Privileges  Obtained. — Indian  War. 
— Settlers  and  Settlement. — Progress. — The  Town  Fully  Organized. — Mort- 
lake Management. — Mashamoquet  Proprietors. — Increasing  Population. — 
Prosperity  of  the  Settlement. — Good  Health  of  the  People. — Slow  Progress 
of  Mortlake. — Inhabitants  in  1731. — Abington  Society  Erected. — Mortlake 
Transferred  to  New  Proprietors. — Social  Character  of  the  People. — Business 
Fluctuations. — Literary  Movements. — Libraries. — Pomfret  Hall. — Schools. — 
Roads  and  Bridges. — Improvements  in  the  Quinebaug. — Great  Thorough- 
fares.— Ecclesiastical  History. — First  Society  and  Church. — Disturbing  Con- 
troversies.— Baptist  Church. — Christ  Church. — Quakers. — Methodists. — Ro- 
man Catholic  Church. — Pomfret  Landing. — Biographical  Sketches. 


THE  town  of  Pomfret  is  one  of  the  central  towns  of  Wind- 
ham county,  lying  a  little  north  of  the  geographical  cen- 
ter. It  is  surrounded  by  its  sister  towns,  Woodstock  on 
the  north,  Putnam  and  Killingly  on  the  east,  Brooklyn  on  the 
south,  Hampton  on  the  southwest,  and  Eastford  on  the  west.  Its 
original  territory  has  been  diminished  by  contributions  toward 
Brooklyn  on  the  south,  Hampton  on  the  southwest,  and  Putnam 
on  the  northeast.  Its  present  dimensions  are  about  six  miles 
square,  with  irregular  excesses  of  a  mile  in  the  southeast  part, 
and  a  mile  and  a  half  upon  the  northwest  corner  of  Brooklyn. 
Its  area  is  about  forty  square  miles.  The  surface  of  the  town  is 
hilly  and  rolling,  but  a  large  part  of  it  presents  a  good  soil  and 
is  well  adapted  for  profitable  culture.  The  Quinebaug  river, 
which  flows  along  the  southern  half  of  the  eastern  boundary, 
receives  the  Mashamoquet,  which  drains  a  large  part  of  the  sur- 
face of  this  town.  The  New  York  and  New  England  railroad 
crosses  the  town  diagonally  from  southwest  to  northeast,  afford- 
ing stations  at  Elliotts,  Abington  and  Pomfret  Centre.  Each  of 
these  localities  has  a  post  ofhce  and  the  town  contains  other  post 
offices,  Pomfret  and  Pomfret  Landing.   The  main  village,  known 


518  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

as  Pomfret  Street,  is  located  on  a  beautifully  commanding  hill 
in  the  northern  part  of  the  town.  The  wide  old  street,  lined  with 
majestic  shade  trees  and  borders  of  the  richest  verdure,  is  filled 
with  homes  that  speak  from  their  neatness  and  luxurious  fur- 
nishings, of  peaceful,  refreshing,  health  giving  rest  and  enjoy- 
ments which  they  must  afford  to  those  whom  fortune  has  favored 
with  a  resting  place  within  them. 

Agriculture  is  the  chief  support  of  this  town.  In  later  years 
its  attractions  have  been  discovered  by  city  people  who  have 
adopted  the  habit  of  coming  hither  for  a  breathing  spell  in  the 
heated  season  of  the  year.  Manufacturing  has  never  gained  a 
foothold  to  any  extent  within  the  present  limits  of  the  town. 
Its  beginnings  at  the  northeast  corner  of  the  town,  which  were 
later  included  in  the  town  of  Putnam,  will  be  noticed  elsewhere. 
Its  streams  afford  many  sites  for  mills,  and  these  have  been  util- 
ized for  grinding  grain  and  sawing  timber.  Saw  mills  are  oper- 
ated by  Joshua  Angell,  Joseph  H.  Bacon,  William  H.  Braman, 
Lucien  N.  Holmes,  Samuel  Lynn  and  Horace  Sabin.  Grist  mills 
run  by  Fremont  Bruce,  William  Brayton  and  G.  H.  Sessions. 

The  population  of  Pomfret  at  different  periods  has  been  :  in 
1756,  1,727;  in  1775,  2,306;  in  1800,  1,802;  in  1820,  2,042;  in  1840, 
1,868;  in  1870,  1,488;  in  1880,  1,470.  The  grand  list  showed :  in 
1723,  i;5,588;  in  1775,  i:27,711;  in  1800,  $55,154;  in  1845,  $30,751; 
in  1857,  $32,820;  in  1887,  $801,711. 

The  territory  occupied  by  Pomfret  was  included  in  the  Wab- 
baquasset  country,  and  came  into  the  possession  of  Major  Fitch 
in  1684.  A  number  of  Roxbury  men  having  heard  favorable 
reports  of  the  land  lying  southward  in  Connecticut,  opened  ne- 
gotiations with  Major  P'itch,  and  purchased  15,100  acres  to  be 
located  by  their  choice  in  the  Wabbaquasset  country  near  the 
line  of  the  Nipmuck  country.  The  deed  of  this  sale  bore  date 
May  1st,  1686,  and  the  grantees  named  in  it  were  Samuel  Rug- 
gles,  Sr.,  John  Chandler,  Sr.,  Benjamin  Sabin,  John  Grosvenor, 
Samuel  Ruggles,  Jr.,  and  Joseph  Griffin.  A  stipulation  of  the 
transfer  deed  was  that  within  three  years  the  ground  should  be 
chosen  and  that  it  should  be  owned  in  fourteen  equal  shares, 
twelve  of  which  should  be  held  by  the  grantees  and  two  by 
Major  Fitch.  May  30th  the  deed  was  confirmed  by  the  consent 
and  signature  of  Owaneco  and  Josiah,  his  eldest  son  and  heir. 
Six  other  proprietors  who  were  admitted  to  make  the  required 
twelve  were  John   Pierpont,  John  White,  John   Ruggles,  John 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  '  519 

Gore,  Samuel  Gore  and  Thomas  Mowry.     These  twelve  were 
then  residents  of  Roxbtir}^  Mass. 

During  the  summer  of  1686  the  tract  was  located  on  the  Masha- 
moquet  river,  and  the  name  of  that  river  was  applied  to  the  tract. 
A  patent  for  a  township,  including  this  purchase  and  land  ad- 
jacent, was  granted  by  the  Governor  and  Company  of  Connecticut, 
July  8th,  1686,  to  John  Blackwell,  James  Fitch,  Samuel  Craft, 
Nathaniel  Wilson  and  their  associates  for  this  new  plantation  in 
the  Wabbaquasset  country. 

Land  south  of  the  Mashamoquet  purchase  was  sold  by  Major 
Fitch  to  Captain  Blackwell,  of  England,  a  noted  Puritan  and  a 
friend  of  the  commonwealth,  son-in-law  of  General  Lambert, 
treasurer  of  Cromwell's  army  and  member  of  parliament  during 
his  administration.  In  1685,  the  general  court  of  Massachusetts 
granted  him  a  tract  of  land  eight  miles  square,  "  in  behalf  of  him- 
self and  several  other  worthy  gentlemen  of  England,"  and  also 
a  share  in  the  new  township  of  Oxford,  but  he  decided  to  settle 
his  colony  within  the  wilds  of  Connecticut  and  secured  from 
Major  Fitch,  May  28th,  1686,  a  deed  of  five  thousand  seven  hun- 
dred and  fifty  acres  of  land,  "containing  the  Newichewanna 
hills  and  other  lands  adjoining,  lying  west  of  the  Quinebaug  and 
south  of  Tamonquas,  alias  Mashamoquet  river."  This  land  was 
confirmed  to  him  "after  he  made  his  choice,"  November  11th, 
1686,  by  Major  Fitch,  Owaneco  and  Josiah,  in  presence  of  Hez. 
Usher,  William  Blackwell,  Thomas  Hooker  and  John  Hubbard 
— the  Mashamoquet  proprietors  and  other  patentees  of  the  newly 
granted  townships,  agreeing  "  That  Blackwell's  part  of  5,750 
acres,  situated  in  the  southeast  angle  thereof,  shall  be  accounted 
a  separate  tract  by  and  of  itself ,  to  hold  to  him  his  heirs  and  as- 
signs, so  that  neither  the  rest  of  the  purchasers  nor  their  sur- 
vivors or  heirs  shall  challenge  to  have,  hold  or  enjoy  any  joynt 
or  separate  interest,  title,  power  or  jurisdiction  or  privilege  of  a 
township,  or  otherwise,  howsoever,  within  the  same  from  hence- 
forth for  ever."  But  even  this  provision  for  the  independence 
of  his  projected  colony  did  not  satisfy  Captain  Blackwell,  and 
October  19th,  1687,  he  secured  from  the  general  court  of  Con- 
necticut, confirmation  of  his  purchase,  and  also  a  patent  for  a 
separate  township  including  it,  to  be  laid  out  south  of  Mashamo- 
quet brook,  six  miles  from  east  to  west  and  seven  miles  from 
north  to  south— the  five  thousand  acre  tract  to  be  an  entire  town, 
called  Mortlake.     This  name  was  given  by  Captain  Blackwell  in 


520  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

memory  of  the  village  of  Mortlake  in  Surrey,  England,  the  resi- 
dence of  General  Lambert  and  a  favorite  resort  of  Cromwell's 
followers. 

The  purchasers  of  these  tracts  were  desirous  to  enter  upon 
immediate  possession.  The  Mashamoquet  proprietors  were  first 
in  the  field,  and  on  March  9th,  1687,  met  together  to  consult 
upon  the  settlement  of  their  purchase.  Public  affairs  were  then 
very  threatening;  a  revolution  was  imminent  and  delay  was 
apprehended  to  be  of  dangerous  consequence.  Half  the  land 
was  to  be  at  once  laid  out;  Major  Fitch  had  already  received 
1,080  acres,  east  side  of  the  purchase,  and  each  of  the  purchasers 
were  now  to  have  each  540  acres  laid  out  to  him,  and  the 
remainder  to  be  equally  divided  among  the  twelve  proprietors 
and  Major  Fitch. 

Before  this  division  was  effected,  Andross  assumed  the  g-ov- 
ernment  of  Connecticut,  and  attempts  to  appropriate  the  pur- 
chase were  deferred  till  some  years  after  his  deposition.  May 
30th,  1693,  the  proprietors  again  met  to  make  arrangements  for 
distribution.  Some  changes  and  additions  were  found  needful. 
The  original  south  bound  of  the  purchase  was  a  line  run  due 
west  from  the  mouth  of  the  Mashamoquet,  but  as  Captain 
Blackwell  had  been  allowed  that  river,  with  all  its  meerings 
and  veerings,  for  his  northern  boundary,  they  were  obliged  to 
conform  to  it,  and  thus  lost  a  portion  of  their  territory.  It 
was  voted,  "  That  a  line  be  run  west  side  of  the  tract,  to  take 
in  as  much  land  as  Captain  Blackwell  has  taken  out  of  the 
southeast  corner,  and  that  two  or  three  of  the  best  parcels  be 
taken  up  and  sub-divided  so  that  each  may  have  one-half  his 
dues,  being  five  hundred  and  forty  acres."  The  survey  and  di- 
visions were  accomplished  during  the  winter,  and  on  March 
27th,  1694,  nearly  eight  years  after  the  date  of  purchase,  the 
several  proprietors  received  their  allotments  in  the  following 
order:  1,  Esther  Grosvenor;  2,  Thomas  Mowry;  3,  John  Ruggles; 
4,  John  Gore;  5,  Samuel  Gore's  heirs;  6,  Samuel  Ruggles;  7, 
John  Chandler;  8,  Jacob,  Benjamin  and  Daniel  Dana;  9,  Benja- 
min Sabin;  10,  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Ruggles;  11,  John  White; 
12,  Joseph  Griffin. 

The  purchase,  as  then  laid  out,  extended  from  Woodstock  line 
on  the  north  through  the  center  of  the  granted  township.  Its 
eastern  bound  ran  through  Bark  meadow,  east  of  the  base  of 
Prospect  hill.     Its  western  bound  was  not  defined  at  this  period. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  521 

The  Mashamoquet  purchase  was  thus  ready  for  occupation, 
but  the  Indian  war  still  delayed  its  settlement.  The  Wabba- 
quassets,  scattered  by  King  Philip's  war,  had  returned  after 
the  settlement  of  Woodstock  to  their  native  haunts  upon  the 
Quinebaug  and  Mashamoquet,  and  though  in  the  main  friendly 
and  peaceable,  were  sometimes  persuaded  to  join  with  the  sav- 
age Mohawks  in  bloody  forays  and  incursions.  It  was  in  the 
time  of  this  terrible  peril  and  panic,  when  the  Woodstock  set- 
tlers were  huddled  together  in  garrison,  and  none  of  the  Mash- 
amoquet proprietors  dared  to  take  possession  of  their  property, 
that  one  man  had  the  courage  to  cross  the  line  and  establish 
himself  in  the  northeast  corner  of  Connecticut,  within  the  lim- 
its of  the  granted  township. 

Captain  John  Sabin,  the  first  known  settler  of  the  township 
of  Pomfret,  was  a  native  of  Rehoboth,  and  either  brother  or 
cousin  to  Benjamin  Sabin  of  Woodstock.  One  hundred  acres  of 
land,  "bounded  north  by  Woodstock,  west  by  Purchase,  east  by 
land  between  it  and  theQuinebaug  River,  south  by  land  belong- 
ing to  James  Fitch,"  were  conveyed  by  Fitch  to  Sabin  for  nine 
pounds,  June  22d,  1691.  How  soon  Captain  Sabin  took  possess- 
ion of  this  land  is  not  indicated,  but  prior  to  the  disturbances 
of  1696  he  had  built  himself  a  house  with  fortifications,  and 
gained  much  influence  over  the  Indians.  During  the  Indian 
war  he  rendered  much  service  to  the  inhabitants  of  Woodstock, 
and  also  to  the  governments  of  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut, 
"  by  standing  his  ground,"  protecting  the  frontier  and  engaging 
his  Indian  neighbors  in  the  service  of  the  English. 

During  the  Indian  war  the  family  of  Captain  Sabin  were  the 
only  white  inhabitants  of  the  future  Pomfret  now  known  to  us, 
though  it  is  possible  that  Benjamin  Sitton,  styling  himself  of 
"  Mashamoquet,  in  Nipmug  Country,"  who  purchased  of  the  Danas 
in  1698  "  fifty  acres  of  wilderness  land  at  a  place  called  Mash- 
amoquet, bounded  west  by  Windham  Rode,"  was  also  a  resident. 
Some  land  sales  were  eft'ected  during  this  period.  Land  in  the 
Quinebaug  valley  was  sold  to  Sabin  by  Fitch  and  Owaneco. 
Two  hundred  acres,  bounded  north  on  Sabin's  first  purchase, 
the  full  breadth  of  the  land,  were  sold  by  Major  Fitch  to  Sam- 
uel Paine,  of  Rehoboth,  in  1695.  Philemon  Chandler,  of  Ando- 
ver,  nephew  of  Deacon  John  Chandler,  of  Woodstock,  purchased 
a  Mashamoquet  allotment  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Ruggles  in 
1696.     After  the  close  of  the  war  sales  multiplied  and  settlers 


522  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Straggled  in.  Nathaniel  Gary  came  to  the  new  settlement  prob- 
ably as  early  as  1698,  settling  on  land  east  of  the  purchase.  The 
payment  of  twelve  pounds  secured  him,  in  1699,  a  deed  of  five 
hundred  and  fifty  acres  "southeast  from  Woodstock,"  in  what 
was  afterward  called  the  Gary  neighborhood.  The  land  between 
the  purchase  and  the  Quinebaug,  the  whole  length  of  the  town- 
ship, was  owned  by  Major  Fitch,  who  is  said  to  have  once 
offered  it  to  John  Grosvenor  for  fifteen  pounds.  His  sons,  John 
and  Leicester,  gave  a  much  larger  sum  in  1698  for  400  acres  of 
this  valuable  land,  extending  from  the  mouth  of  the  Mashamo- 
quet  to  a  brook  at  the  north  end  of  the  interval.  Farms  east  of 
the  purchase  were  sold  by  Major  Fitch  to  Samuel  Allen  and 
Samuel  Gray  in  1699.  Three  hundred  acres  on  the  Quinebaug, 
just  below  its  junction  with  the  Mill  river,  are  said  to  have  been 
purchased  from  the  Wabbaquasset  proprietors  at  a  very  early 
date  by  Samuel  Perrin,  Benjamin  Griggs  and  Peter  Aspinwall, 
then  of  Woodstock,  and  were  confirmed  to  them  by  Major  Fitch 
on  the  payment  of  twelve  pounds  in  1702.  The  remaining  land 
between  the  Quinebaug  and  the  purchase,  from  Woodstock  line 
to  the  mouth  of  the  Mashamoquet,  was  purchased  by  Captain 
John  Chandler  for  twenty  pounds  in  1701. 

The  first  settlement  within  the  limits  was  prior  to  1700.  One 
of  the  first  settlers  was  Thomas  Goodell,  who,  after  a  brief 
sojourn  in  Woodstock,  bought  land  of  Deacon  Chandler  in  1699. 
He  is  said  to  have  come  up  alone  to  the  new  township  to  put 
up  a  house  and  prepare  for  his  family,  but  that  his  wife  became 
uneasy,  took  her  spinning  wheel  in  hand  and  came  up  to  look 
for  him  in  midwinter,  and  by  the  aid  of  teams  and  chance 
Woodstock  travelers,  made  the  long  journey  in  safety.  Mrs. 
Esther  Grosvenor  removed  to  Mashamoquet  in  1700.  Her  eld- 
est son,  William,  was  graduated  from  Harvard  in  1695.  and  had 
settled  in  Charlestown.  Her  other  sons,  John,  Leicester,  Joseph, 
Ebenezer  and  Thomas,  and  one  daughter,  Susanna,  came  with 
her  to  the  new  country.  A  noble  inheritance  awaited  them,  the 
fairest  portion  of  Mashamoquet,  embracing  the  site  of  the  upper 
part  of  the  present  Pomfret  village  and  the  hills  eastward  and 
westward.  The  road  to  Hartford  and  Windham  passed  through 
their  land,  near  their  first  residence,  which  was  on  the  western 
declivity  of  Prospect  hill,  near  the  site  afterward  occupied  by 
Colonel  Thomas  Grosvenor's  mansion  house.  Susanna  Gros- 
venor   was    married  in   1702  to  Joseph   Shaw,  of   Stonington. 


HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  523 

Their  wedding-,  attended  by  the  Reverend  Josiah  Dwight,  is  the 
first  reported  in  Mashamoquet. 

Philemon  Chandler  removed  early  in  the  century  to  his  lot  on 
the  Wappaquians,  in  the  south  of  the  purchase.  Deacon  John 
Chandler,  of  Woodstock,  died  in  1702,  leaving  to  his  youngest 
son,  Joseph,  "  the  lot  in  Mashamoquet,  lying  upon  the  line,  and, 
if  he  see  cause,  all  the  Mashamoquet  lands."  The  one  hundred 
and  fourteen  acres  upon  the  line  were  valued  in  the  appraisal  of 
the  goods  at  i^20;  two  hundred  acres  on  Mashamoquet  brook, 
i^l2;  purchase  lands  still  undivided  at  £ — .  The  lot  on  the  Mas- 
hamoquet was  purchased  in  1704  by  Nathaniel  Sessions — prob- 
ably son  of  Alexander  Sessions,  of  Andover — who  at  once  took 
possession  of  it.  In  1705  the  little  settlement  was  strengthened 
by  the  accession  of  Deacon  Benjamin  Sabin,  of  Woodstock,  with 
his  sons,  Benjamin,  Stephen,  Nehemiah,  Ebenezer,  Josiah  and 
Jeremiah.  Deacon  vSabin  selected  for  his  homestead  a  farm  ad- 
joining Philemon  Chandler's,  and  settled  his  sons  on  land  pur- 
chased of  Samuel  Gore's  heirs  and  others.  In  1706  Joseph  Chand- 
ler sold  a  hundred  acres  of  land  west  of  Sessions',  on  the  Masha-  ■ 
moquet,  to  Richard  Dresser,  of  Rowdey,  who  conveyed  the  same 
the  following  year,  together  with  a  small  dwelling  house  built 
upon  it,  to  Abiel  Lyon,  of  Woodstock.  Mr.  Lyon  at  once  occu- 
pied this  dwelling,  and  set  up  a  saw  mill  on  the  Mashamoquet. 
Joseph  Chandler  married  in  1708  Susanna  Perrin,  of  Woodstock, 
and  settled  on  the  "lot  on  the  line,"  bequeathed  him  by  his 
father.  Part  of  this  land,  and  other  land  bordering  on  Wood- 
stock, were  purchased  and  occupied  by  Edward  Payson,  of  Rox- 
bury,  in  1708.  Ebenezer  Truesdell,  after  a  short  residence  in 
the  Quinebaug  valley,  bought  land  and  a  house  of  Thomas  Good- 
ell,  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  purchase,  now  included  in  Ab- 
ington.  In  1709,  Joseph  Tucker,  Samuel  Gates  and  John  Hub- 
bard also  bought  land  and  settled  in  the  south  part  of  the  Masha- 
moquet purchase. 

East  of  the  purchase,  settlement  was  also  progressing.  Eight 
hundred  acres  on  the  Quinebaug  were  purchased  of  the  Grosven- 
ors  and  Captain  John  Chandler,  by  John  Lyon,  of  Woodstock,  in 
1705,  and  sold  by  him,  with  mansion  house  and  barn,  to  James 
Danielson,  of  New  Shoreham„for  i^l55,  in  1706.  Mr.  Danielson 
soon  afterward  bought  land  in  Killingly,  east  of  the  Quinebaug, 
and  seems  to  have  resided  in  both  settlements.  The  mill  priv- 
ilege of  a  small  brook   running  into  the  Oumebaug,  known  as 


524  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Bark  Meadow  brook,  was  purchased  by  James  Sawyer  in  1709, 
who  there  built  and  carried  on  the  first  grist  mill  in  the  settle- 
ment. Samuel  Warner  and  Samuel  Taylor  also  settled  in  the 
Quinebaug  valley,  on  land  purchased  from  Danielson  and  Gary. 
Griggs'  share  of  the  Perrin  land  was  secured  by  Samuel  Paine, 
then  of  Woodstock,  who,  with  his  brother  Seth,  early  settled  in 
this  vicinity. 

The  settlement  of  Mashamoquet  was  attended  with  compara- 
tively few  hardships.  Its  soil  was  good  and  easily  subdued,  its 
smooth  hills  bare  of  trees  to  a  great  extent,  and  covered  with 
a  rank,  coarse  native  grass,  resembling,  it  is  said,  a  rye  field  in 
harvest  time.  In  proof  of  the  natural  resources  and  fertility  of 
this  region,  old  settlers  were  wont  to  relate  that  a  cow  and  calf 
left  prior  to  settlement  to  forage  for  themselves  through  the 
winter  were  found  in  the  spring,  not  only  alive,  but  in  excellent 
condition.  Indians  were  numerous  but  not  especially  trouble- 
some, though  fortresses  were  maintained  in  various  localities 
during  the  Indian  wars.  Various  hunting  and  fishing  privileges 
were  claimed  by  them,  and  liberty  to  levy  food  and  cider  from 
the  settlers.  Mrs.  Grosvenor,  when  alone,  was  once  invaded  by 
a  company,  who  threatened  to  take  the  boiling  meat  from  the 
pot,  and  made  violent  demonstrations,  but  were  kept  at  bay  by 
her  broomstick  till  the  arrival  of  her  son,  Ebenezer,  who  had 
gained  much  authority  over  them. 

The  first  recorded  public  recognition  of  the  Mashamoquet  set- 
tlement was  in  1708,  when  its  inhabitant^  were  invited  to  join 
with  the  selectmen  of  Woodstock  and  Killingly  in  petitioning 
for  a  road  to  Providence,  and  were  also  ordered  by  the  general 
assembly  to  send  in  their  list  of  polls  and  estates,  that  they  might 
bear  their  proportion  of  rates  and  taxes.  The  estates  were  ap- 
praised at  ^920,  but  the  list  of  polls  was  omitted.  In  1709  "  three 
men  from  Massamugget "  were  directed  to  join  in  a  projected 
expedition  against  Canada,  which  failed  of  accomplishment.  In 
1710  a  military  company  was  organized,  and  about  fifty  males 
over  sixteen  years  of  age  were  reported  in  the  settlement.  John 
Sabin,  its  first  and  leading  citizen,  who  had  previously  enjoyed 
the  honorary  title  of  captain,  was  now  appointed  lieutenant; 
Ebenezer  Sabin,  ensign;  Ebenezer  Grosvenor,  sergeant;  James 
Sawyer,  cornet. 

In  1713  efforts  were  made  to  secure  town  organization,  and 
the  following  inhabitants  and  proprietors  petitioned  the  assem- 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  525 

bly  for  a  charter:  Benjamin  Sabin,  John  Sabin,  Nathaniel  Gary, 
Benjamin  Sitton,  Samuel  Gates,  Edward  Payson,  Samuel  Paine, 
Seth  Paine,  John  Cummings,  Samuel  Warner,  Thomas  Goodell, 
Philemon  Chandler,  Daniel  Allen,  David  Allen,  Joseph  Tucker, 
Samuel  Taylor,  Leicester  Grosvenor,  Ebenezer  Grosvenor,  Ben- 
jamin Sabin,  Jr.,  Jeremiah  Sabin,  Stephen  Sabin,  Ebenezer  Sa- 
bin, Josiah  Sabin,  Ebenezer  Truesdell,  Benjamin  Goodell,  Jos- 
eph Sabin,  Nathaniel  Sessions,  Josiah  Sessions,  John  Hubbard, 
Thomas  Grosvenor,  Joseph  Grosvenor,  James  Danielson,  Abiel 
Lyon,  Samuel  Gary,  Joseph  Chandler,  David  Bishop. 

The  town  was  organized  under  the  name  of  Pomfret,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  charter,  at  a  meeting  held  May  27th,  1713.  Lieu- 
tenant Sabin,  Sergeant  Grosvenor  and  Ensign  Sabin  were  elected 
selectmen  for  the  new  township;  Philemon  Chandler,  clerk.  The 
first  object  of  the  town  was  to  secure  a  more  accurate  determin- 
ation of  its  boundary.  A  survey  was  ordered,  and  completed 
March  20th,  1714.  The  bounds  of  the  town,  as  then  laid  down, 
began  at  a  stake  by  Quinebaug  river  between  the  upper  and 
lower  falls,  thence  south  seven  miles,  thence  east  over  the  top  of 
a  hill  called  "  Gray  Mare,"  to  the  Quinebaug,  its  eastern  bound. 
The  manor  of  Mortlake,  and  also  part  of  the  township  granted 
to  Captain  Blackwell,  were  included  within  its  limits.  Before 
proceeding  with  the  history  of  Pomfret,  it  will  be  necessary  to 
gain  more  definite  knowledge  of  this  part  of  its  territory  and 
the  Blackwell  township. 

Mortlake,  as  we  have  already  seen,  was  purchased  by  Captain 
or  Sir  John  Blackwell,  for  the  establishment  of  a  colony  of  En- 
glish and  Irish  dissenters,  who  were  suffering  from  the  oppres- 
sion of  King  James.  The  course  of  public  events  fru.strated  this 
scheme.  During  the  administration  of  Andross  no  settlement 
was  possible,  and  after  the  revolution  it  was  no  longer  needful. 
Religious  liberty  under  William  and  Mary  could  be  enjoyed  in 
Great  Britain,  and  Blackwell  himself  soon  returned  to  his  native 
land,  making  no  attempt  to  settle  or  improve  his  purchase;  and 
thus  for  nearly  thirty  years  Mortlake  was  left  a  wilderness.  The 
land  adjoining  it,  included  in  the  township  granted  to  Captain 
Blackwell,  accrued  to  Major  Fitch  as  a  part  of  the  Wabbaquasset 
country.  A  tract  two  miles  square  in  its  southwest  corner  was 
taken  from  him  in  1695  by  Simon  Stoddard,  of  Boston,  in  execu- 
tion of  judgment  for  debt. 

The  Mashamoquet  proprietors  still  had  the  entire  control  of 


526  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

their  lands,  even  though  they  lay  within  the  bounds  of  the  new 
town  of  Pomfret,  and  indeed  comprised  more  than  half  of  the 
area  of  that  town.  A  second  division  of  land  among  these  pro- 
prietors was  made  in  1719.  At  that  time  some  changes  had  been 
made  in  the  proprietors.  John  Sabin  was  in  possession  of  the 
right  of  Samuel  Ruggles;  Joseph  Chandler,  in  that  of  Deacon 
John  Chandler;  John  Mowry,  in  that  of  Thomas  Mowry;  Ebene- 
zer  Sabin,  in  that  of  Deacon  Benjamin  Sabin;  and  Captain  John 
Chandler,  in  that  of  Samuel  Gore.  The  distribution  of  lands  to 
the  proprietors,  about  four  hundred  acres  to  each  share,  was 
made  in  the  western  part  of  the  town,  and  was  later  included  in 
the  parish  of  Abington. 

The  opening  of  new  territory  was  followed  by  a  fresh  influx 
of  population.  Sales  and  transfers  of  land  became  more  frequent, 
and  many  families  were  added  to  the  settlement.  Jonathan 
Hide,  William  Hamlet,  Abiel  Cheney,  Jonathan  Dana,  Archibald 
McCoy,  Ebenezer  Holbrook,  Jehoshaphat  Holmes,  Samuel  Per- 
rin  and  Daniel  Waldo  appear  as  residents  of  Pomfret,  prior  to 
1720;  William  Sharpe,  Samuel  Sumner,  John  and  James  Ingalls, 
soon  after  that  date.  Hide  bought  purchase  land  of  Truesdell; 
Hamlet  removed  from  Woburn  to  an  allotment  laid  out  to  Sam- 
uel Ruggles,  comprising  the  hill  still  known  as  Hamlet's;  Che- 
ney's first  residence  was  south  of  Mashamoquet,  on  land  bought 
of  Major  Fitch,  east  of  Newichewanna  brook;  Holmes  was  still 
farther  southward.  McCoy's  homestead  was  the  fifth  lot  of  the 
square,  bought  of  Captain  John  Sabin  in  1716;  Waldo's,  east  side 
of  the  highway,  farther  northward,  on  land  bought  of  Captain 
Chandler.  A  beautiful  triangular  farm,  bordering  on  the  Masha- 
moquet, laid  out  first  to  Samuel  Gore  and  sold  successively  to 
Captain  John  Chandler,  Thomas  Hutchinson  and  Francis  Clark, 
was  purchased  by  John  Holbrook,  of  Roxbury,  whose  son,  Eb- 
enezer, took  possession  of  it  in  1719.  The  Perrin  farm  on  the 
Quinebaug,  early  secured  by  Samuel,  of  Woodstock,  was  occu- 
pied first  by  his  son  Samuel,  who  there  built,  it  is  said,  in  1714, 
the  fine  mansion  so  long  known  as  the  "old  Perrin  House."  Jon- 
athan Dresser,  brother  to  Richard,  of  Nashaway,  bought  land  of 
Nathaniel  Gray  in  1717.  About  1720,  William  Sharpe,  with  his 
wife  Abigail,  daughter  of  John  White,  one  of  the  original  pro- 
prietors of  Mashamoquet,  and  their  seven  sons,  three  daughters 
and  a  daughter's  husband — Samuel  Gridley — removed  to  Pom- 
fret, settling  upon  a  second-division  lot  between  Goodell's  and 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  527 

Grosvenor's,  in  what  is  the  north  part  of  Abington.  Two  years 
later,  Samuel  Sumner,  son  of  George  Sumner,  of  Roxbury,  took 
possession  of  the  sixth  lot  of  the  square,  purchased  of  Captain 
Sabin — building  his  house  near  the  site  of  the  present  Quaker 
meeting  house,  and  marrying  Elizabeth  Griffin,  probably  daugh- 
ter of  Joseph,  the  Mashamoquet  proprietor.  The  young  Ingalls 
brothers,  who  came  up  with  their  widowed  mother,  Hannah  In- 
galls, from  Andover,  bought  a  second-division  lot  in  the  south- 
west of  the  purchase,  and  made  them  a  home  in  the  depths  of 
the  wilderness.  Joseph  Craft  appears  at  about  this  date  as  a 
resident  of  the  west  part  of  Pomfret.  It  is  quite  possible  that 
his  land  was  secured  by  an  early  grant  from  Major  Fitch,  as  the 
name  of  Samuel  Craft  appears  among  the  original  grantees  of 
the  town  and  no  subsequent  deed  has  been  discovered.  Some 
sales  of  land  were  also  made  to  non-residents.  Several  tracts 
were  sold  by  Captain  Chandler  to  Jonathan  Waldo,  of  Boston. 
Eight  hundred  acres  of  second-division  land,  south  of  the  Masha- 
moquet and  west  of  Newichewanna  brook  were  sold  by  Major 
Fitch,  in  1714,  to  John  Dyer,  of  Canterbury,  and  by  him  con- 
veyed to  Colonel  Thomas  Fitch,  of  Boston.  The  strip  of  land 
west  of  the  purchase,  embracing  about  two  thousand  acres,  was 
made  over  by  Major  Fitch  to  his  son  Daniel  in  1719. 

These  new  inhabitants  of  Pomfret  were  mostly  men  of  char- 
acter and  property,  and  at  once  identified  themselves  with  the 
growth  of  the  town.  Jehoshaphat  Holmes  was  soon  chosen 
town  clerk,  Samuel  Gridley  served  as  clerk  both  for  town  and 
proprietors,  Abiel  Cheney  was  licensed  as  tavern  keeper,  Sharpe, 
Holbrook  and  other  new  inhabitants  were  appointed  to  various 
public  services,  and  "  Father  Coy  "  opened  his  house  for  public 
meetings.  Efforts  had  long  been  made  to  secure  better  trav- 
eling communication  with  Providence,  the  most  accessible  mar- 
ket town  for  this  section.  The  existing  bridle  path  could  not 
accommodate  teams  or  vehicles.  The  movement  was  initiated 
in  1708,  and  the  road  completed  and  opened  in  1721,  under  the 
supervision  of  Nathaniel  Sessions,  who  himself  brought  over 
it  the  first  load  of  West  India  goods  to  Pomfret.  The  road, 
like  the  path  preceding  it,  crossed  the  Quinebaug  just  below 
the  falls  at  the  old  fording  place  first  opened  by  Peter  Aspin- 
wall,  who  soon  after  1700,  begged  the  privilege  of  building  a 
bridge  there.  Captain  John  Sabin,  with  the  aid  of  his  son, 
constructed  a  substantial  bridge  "  over  the  Quinebaug  at  ye  falls 


528  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

near  Pomfret,  in  1722."  Joshua  Ripley  and  Timothy  Pierce 
were  appointed  by  the  general  court  to  view  the  bridge,  and 
reported  it  "built  in  a  suitable  place,  out  of  danger  of  being 
carried  away  by  floods  or  ice,  the  highth  of  the  bridge  be- 
ing above  any  flood  yet  known  to  any  man  living  there,  and 
think  it  will  be  very  serviceable  to  a  great  part  of  the  govern- 
ment in  traveling  to  Boston,  being  at  least  ten  miles  the  nearest 
way  according  to  their  judgment."  The  cost  of  this  bridge  was 
iJ"120,  for  which  three  hundred  acres  of  land  in  the  common  lands, 
on  the  east  side  of  Connecticut  river,  were  allowed  to  Captain  Sa- 
bin,  "  on  condition  he  keep  the  same  in  repair  fourteen  yeais 
next  coming."  Various  minor  matters  were  considered  and  set- 
tled. A  rate  of  three  pounds  was  allowed  for  procuring  weights 
and  measures  and  a  black  staff.  A  penny  a  head  was  allowed 
for  destroying  blackbirds,  twopence  for  squirrels,  w^oodpeckers 
and  blue  jays,  and  twopence  a  tail  for  rattlesnakes. 

Pomfret,  for  a  time,  was  so  remarkably  healthy  that,  in  five 
years,  the  only  deaths  occurring  were  those  of  three  infants,  so 
that  the  burial  ground  by  the  meeting  house  was  scarcely  made 
use  of.  In  1719,  the  town  voted  "That  the  burying  place  be  re- 
moved to  a  more  convenient  place,"  and  accepted  the  gift  of  two 
acres  of  land  for  this  use  and  service,  bounded  north  by  Wappa- 
quians  brook  and  east  by  the  highway,  from  Deacon  Philemon 
Chandler.  The  first  person  interred  in  the  new  ground  is  be- 
lieved to  have  been  Joseph  Griffin,  one  of  the  original  Masha- 
moquet  proprietors,  in  1723.  He  was  followed,  in  1725,  by  Dea- 
con Benjamin  Sabin,an  early  Woodstock  pioneer,  and  one  of  the 
most  useful  and  respected  citizens  of  Pomfret. 

Mortlake,  during  this  period,  made  little  progress.  Houses 
were  built  within  the  manors,  and  part  of  the  land  brought  un- 
der cultivation.  Wiltshire  was  rented  to  Henry  Earle.  Five 
hundred  acres  in  Kingswood  were  leased  by  Mr.  Belcher  to 
Isaiah  and  Thompson  Wood,  of  Canterbury.  That  Belcher  even 
made  a  summer  residence  of  his  farms,  is  extremely  doubtful. 
William  Williams  purchased  of  Belcher  a  farm  west  of  Wilt- 
shire, in  1719,  and  took  immediate  possession  of  it.  His  family, 
with  those  of  Belcher's  tenants,  were  probably  for  many  years 
the  only  white  inhabitants  of  Mortlake. 

The  listed  inhabitants  and  proprietors  of  Pomfret  in  1731 
numbered  over  one  hundred.  Omitting  those  who  lived  in 
the  south  part,  afterward  Brooklyn,  and  the  non-residents,  the 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  529 

list  included  the  following-:  On  the  purchase,  Major  John  Sabin, 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Grosvenor,  Leicester  Grosvenor,  Edward  Pay- 
son,  Joseph  Griffin,  William  Sharpe,  Zachariah  Waldo,  Thomas 
Goodell,  John  Weld,  Abiel  Lyon,  John  Sharpe,  Benjamin  Grif- 
fin, Deacon  Philemon  Chandler,  John  Parkhurst,  Ebenezer 
Sabin,  Jeremiah  Sabin,  Deacon  Benjamin  Sabin,  Captain  Joseph 
Chandler,  Joseph  Grosvenor,  Edward  McCoy,  Nehemiah  Sabin, 
Ebenezer  Truesdell,  Timothy  Sabin,  Joseph  Tucker,  Samuel 
Sumner,  John  Shaw,  Philemon  Chandler,  Jr.,  Joseph  Sabin, 
Josiah  Sabin,  Benjamin  Sabin,  Peter  Sabin,  William  Sabin, 
Isaac  Dana,  Jacob  Dana,  Thomas  Goodell,  Solomon  Sharpe, 
Nathaniel  Sessions,  Joseph  Dana,  Humphrey  Goodell,  Zachariah 
Goodell;  residents  and  proprietors  east  of  purchase:  Major 
Sabin,  Noah  Sabin,  Samuel  Paine,  Seth  Paine,  Jonathan  Dresser, 
Samuel  Perrin,  James  Taylor,  William  Gary,  David  Howe, 
Nathaniel  Johnson,'  James  Sawyer,  Jonathan  Lyon,  Benjamin 
Sanger,  Samuel  Gary,  Samuel  Carpenter,  Henry  Taylor,  Thomas 
Mighill,  William  Short,  Stephen  Paine,  Penuel  Deming,  Isaac 
Bacon,  Daniel  Bacon,  Matthew  Davis,  Noah  Upham;  residents 
west  of  purchase  were:  David  Stowell,  John  Ingalls,  Benjamin 
Chaplin,  Thomas  Durkee,  Nathaniel  Stowell,  Samuel  Kimball, 
Daniel  Allen,  Samuel  Allen,  Thomas  Grow,  Caleb  Abbot,  Ben- 
jamin Allen,  Jonathan  Stowell. 

Population  had  now  diffused  itself  throughout  the  township. 
Thomas  Grow's  settlement  was  near  the  Windham  line,  now 
included  in  the  town  of  Hampton.  A  large  tract  of  the  land 
west  of  the  purchase  was  owned  and  occupied  by  John  Stowell. 
A  farm  in  this  vicinity  was  purchased  by  Joseph  Bowman,  of 
Dorchester,  in  1731.  His  stepson,  Daniel  Trowbridge,  bought 
of  Abiel  in  1734,  a  farm  of  a  hundred  acres  bordering  on 
Mashamoquet.  Major  John  Sabin,  the  first  settler  of  Pomfrel:, 
and  long  its  most  prominent  citizen,  died  in  1743,  leaving  three 
sons,  John,  Hezekiah  and  Noah,  and  a  daughter,  Judith,  wife 
of  Joseph  Leavens.  The  farm  north  of  the  meeting  house, 
owned  by  Jonathan  Waldo,  passed  into  the  hands  of  one  of 
his  heirs,  Zachariah  Waldo,  of  Windham,  in  1733,  who  soon 
took  personal  possession. 

The  peace  and  prosperity  of  Pomfret  during  this  period  were 

only   marred   by  its   relations  with    Mortlake,  which    were   in 

every  way  uncomfortable   and   unsatisfactory.     The    intrusion 

of  a  distinct,  independent  township  within  its   borders  was  a 

34 


530  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

great  detriment  and  inconvenience,  especially  as  the  intruder 
was  wholly  without  organization  and  proper  government. 
Residents  without  rights  or  responsibilities  were  not  always 
manageable  or  agreeable.  Mortlake  had  no  town  government. 
The  position  of  this  anomalous  township  was  becoming  more 
and  more  uncomfortable;  a  manor  without  a  lord;  a  town  with- 
out organization  or  officers;  its  inhabitants  regarded  as  aliens 
and  intruders,  with  no  rights  in  Pomfret  and  no  privileges  in 
Mortlake,  and  not  even  in  capacity  for  lawful  country-rate  pay- 
ing, an  entire  change  in  status  and  administration  was  impera- 
tively demanded.  The  inhabitants  of  the  section  had  never 
forgotten  the  town  privileges  accorded  to  Sir  John  Blackwell 
by  the  general  court,  and  now  again  attempted  to  secure  their 
confirmation.  Pomfret,  on  the  other  hand,  sought  its  annexa- 
tion to  her  territory.  Pomfret  was  at  this  time  involved  in 
sectional  commotion,  her  western  inhabitants  seeking  for  society, 
her  southern  for  town  privileges,  and  said  she  would  listen  to 
neither.  The  assembly  decided  to  erect  the  parish  of  Abing- 
ton  in  1748,  and  was  unwilling  to  subject  Pomfret  to  further 
curtailment.  The  petition  for  a  township  was  positively  rejected 
and  the  north  half  of  Mortlake  annexed  to  Pomf  ret's  first  society 
— a  result  that  pleased  no  one  but  the  inhabitants  of  that  sec- 
tion, who  preferred  even  this  connection  to  total  isolation.  The 
grievances  of  the  complex  society  were  not  in  the  least  abated, 
while  Pomfret  was  as  much  dissatisfied  with  her  gain  as  with 
her  losses,  and  vainly  petitioned  to  have  the  north  half  of  Mort- 
lake removed  from  being  part  of  her  First  society.  In  1737 
excessive  rain,  with  boisterous  winds,  raised  the  streams  higher 
than  ever  known,  carried  off  bridges  and  greatly  damaged 
Howe's  grist  mill.  A  barn  filled  with  hay  and  stacks  of  grain, 
was  struck  by  lightning  and  consumed  in  1742.  The  following 
summer  a  violent  hail  storm  did  much  damage  in  Pomfret  and 
adjoining  towns,  breaking  glass,  blowing  over  a  house  and 
barns — "  a  melancholy  time  with  many."  At  about  the  same 
time  a  mischievous  old  wolf  was  devastating  farm-yards  and 
sheep-folds.  With  these  exceptions  Pomfret  enjoyed  remarka- 
ble prosperity. 

The  grievances  of  Pomfret  were  somewhat  relieved  in  1739 
by  the  transfer  of  Mortlake  into  the  hands  of  new  proprietors. 
The  south  part  of  Wiltshire  was  sold  by  Governor  Belcher  to 
Israel  Putnam  and  John   Pope,  both  of  Salem.     In  the  course 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  531 

of  the  year  Putnam  purchased  Pope's  share  and  took  personal 
possession  of  Wiltshire  manor.  In  the  following  year  all  that 
remained  of  Belcher's  land  purchase,  viz.,  the  north  part  of 
Wiltshire,  the  whole  of  Kingswood,  and  twelve  hundred  acres 
in  forest  and  meadow,  were  sold  by  him  for  $10,500  to  Godfrey 
Malbone,  a  prominent  merchant  of  Newport.  Malbone  pur- 
chased much  other  land  in  the  vicinity  of  Williams,  Cobb  and 
others,  but  made  no  immediate  attempt  at  settlement.  The 
manorial  status  of  Mortlake  was  unchanged  by  this  transfer  of 
ownership,  but  its  owners  were  accessible  and  its  land  more 
open  for  improvement. 

In  1742  it  was  voted  by  the  society,  "  That  the  burial  place 
shall  be  fenced  with  a  stone  wall,  at  the  direction  and  discre- 
tion of  the  standing  committee."  Tavern  licenses  were  now 
granted  to  Joseph  Dana,  Zachariah  Waldo,  Alexander  Sessions 
and  Benjamin  Hubbard — Waldo  living  near  the  meeting  house, 
the  others  in  the  east,  w^est  and  south  parts  of  the  town.  Sam- 
uel Nightingale  was  chosen  town  and  society  clerk  m  1745, 
upon  the  death  of  Jehoshaphat  Holmes,  who  had  long  faithfully 
discharged  those  ofiices. 

Twenty  years  later  we  find  Pomfret  a  very  thriving  and  pros- 
perous township,  with  three  well-established,  self-supporting 
religious  societies,  and  the  once  lawless  and  irregular  Mortlake 
peacefully  incorporated  within  her  borders  and  made  amenable 
to  lawful  rate-paying  and  road-making.  The  inhabitants  of  the 
three  parishes  united  harmoniously  in  promoting  the  general 
interests  of  the  town,  and  bore  proportionate  share  of  public 
charges  and  services. 

Much  of  the  land  was  still  held  by  descendants  of  the  origi- 
nal proprietors.  Nine  hundred  acres  originally  laid  out  to 
Thomas  Mowry  descended  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Pierpont,  of  Bos- 
ton, who  took  personal  possession  after  her  marriage  with  Cap- 
tain Peter  Cunningham,  building  a  substantial  dwelling  house 
near  the  Mashamoquet.  Part  of  this  land  was  already  laid  out 
in  farms  and  occupied  by  Benjamin  Craft  and  other  tenants. 
Land  in  the  south  part  of  the  society,  afterward  known  as  Jeri- 
cho, was  occupied  prior  to  1760  by  descendants  of  William 
Sharpe.  The  venerable  Nathaniel  Sessions,  long  the  last  sur- 
vivor of  the  first  settlers  of  Pomfret,  died  in  1771. 

The  heavy  burden  borne  by  Windham  county  through  the 
wearisome  French  and  Indian  wars  was  not  without  its  compen- 


532  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

sations.  Stringent  compulsory  demands  called  out  the  energies 
of  the  towns  and  developed  their  resources.  Wider  experiences 
and  the  stimulating  discipline  of  camp  and  battle  made  stronger 
men  of  those  engaged  in  warfare,  and  fitted  them  for  greater 
usefulness  at  home.  No  town  was  more  favored  in  this  respect 
than  Pomfret.  Her  sons  greatly  distinguished  themselves  in 
the  war,  and  returned  to  engage,  with  zeal  and  fidelity,  in  the 
service  of  town  and  county.  At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  town, 
December  1st,  1760,  many  of  these  returned  soldiers  were  elected 
to  town  offices. 

About  the  revolutionary  period  and  after,  society  in  Pomfret 
was  very  brilliant,  but  had  the  reputation  of  exclusiveness.  Some 
of  the  new  families  affected  a  superior  style  of  living.  The  old 
established  families  had  also  fine  houses  and  furniture,  and  were 
thought  by  their  plainer  neighbors  to  live  in  great  magnifi- 
cence. Many  distinguished  visitors  from  abroad  were  enter- 
tained at  these  fine  mansion  houses.  Fashionable  belles  and 
beaux  came  up  from  Providence  and  Newport.  John  Hancock 
improved  his  purchase  for  a  summ.er  country  seat,  and  brought 
thither  many  distinguished  strangers  from  Boston.  Visits  were 
exchanged  between  these  notabilities;  balls  and  dancing  parties 
were  given.  Pomfret  assemblies  became  very  famous  and  fash- 
ionable, and  drew  together  all  the  elite  of  the  vicinity.  The  airs 
and  graces  of  the  assembled  gentry,  and  the  aristocratic  assump- 
tion of  some  families,  excited  the  ridicule  of  the  country  peo- 
ple, and  led  some  local  wit  to  affix  to  the  fashionable  quarter 
the  derisive  sobriquet  of  "  Pucker  Street,''  by  which  it  was  long 
distinguished.  Several  fine  houses  had  been  built  upon  this 
beautiful  street,  and  the  elm  trees  set  out  by  Oliver  Grosvenor 
and  the  banished  Frink,  were  already  its  pride  and  ornament. 
The  present  "  Eldredge  house"  was  completed  by  Colonel 
Thomas  Grosvenor  in  1792.  Its  raising  was  accompanied  by 
great  mirth  and  festivity — a  young  Indian  delighting  the  crowd 
by  dancing  upon  its  ridgepole. 

The  poor  were  carefully  maintained.  Bidding  them  off  at  a 
vendue  was  little  practiced  in  Pomfret.  .  In  1788  a  house  was 
hired  for  their  accommodation,  and  Doctor  Jared  Warner  ap- 
pointed their  physician  in  all  cases,  his  services  to  offset  his  taxes 
of  every  kind.  The  selectmen  were  ordered  the  following  year 
to  make  the  best  disposition  of  the  poor  for  their  comfort  and  the 
least  expense  to  the  town,  by  putting  them  to  one  man  or  other- 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  633 

wise,  as  they  should  think  proper,  and  to  be  vigilant  in  putting 
out  all  vagrants  and  idle  persons  that  were  found  residing  in  the 
town  and  not  legal  inhabitants.  In  1794  it  was  voted  to  build  a 
house  for  the  poor,  and  Deacon  Robert  Baxter  and  Mr.  Joseph 
Chandler  were  chosen  to  superintend  the  care  of  the  poor.  The 
house  was  not  erected  for  two  years,  when  it  was  further  ordered 
to  be  built  on  land  belonging  to  the  town,  to  be  sixty  feet  long 
and  fourteen  wide,  one  story  high  with  two  stacks  of  chimneys, 
two  cellars  and  four  rooms.  Selectmen  were  required  to  take 
care  of  the  poor  after  their  removal  to  the  town  house.  "  The 
house  of  Col.  Calvin  Day"  was  made  a  work  house  in  1824.  Eli- 
sha  B.  Perkins,  Darius  Mathewson  and  Lemuel  Ingalls  were 
directed  to  consider  the  condition  of  the  poor,  and  consult  with 
other  towns. 

Pomfret  suffered  serious  declension  after  the  loss  of  her  fac- 
tory, but  revived  with  the  opening  of  the  New  York  &  New  Eng- 
land railroad,  which  accommodates  her  with  three  stations  and  a 
great  influx  of  company.  The  pleasant  scenery  and  fine  old 
trees  and  farm  houses  of  this  picturesque  town  are  more  and 
more  appreciated,  and  it  is  becoming  a  favorite  and  fashionable 
resort.  Families  from  many  cities  enjoy  the  coolness  and  com- 
forts of  these  airy  homes.  This  su.mmary  demand  has  greatly 
quickened  agricultural  enterprise.  A  flourishing  Farmers'  Club 
has  been  instituted,  which  discusses  improved  methods  of  farm- 
ing, and  puts  them  in  practice.  Intelligent  and  capable  men 
give  their  time,  energies  and  thoughts  to  farm  work,  which  has 
resulted  in  increased  products  and  profits,  and  a  higher  standard 
of  agricultural  attainment  throughout  the  town.  Pomfret  dair- 
ies have  gained  a  higher  repute,  and  her  "model  farms  "  excite 
wonder  and  imitation.  Pomfret  is  also  gaining  permanent  res- 
idents. Children  of  her  old  families  come  back  to  the  old  haunts 
and  hearthstones,  and  strangers  after  a  summer's  sojourn,  return 
perhaps  to  build  villas  and  mansions  of  their  own.  Elegant  res- 
idences going  up  on  sightly  hill  and  shady  nook  attest  the  in- 
creasing popularity  of  the  town.  The  tasteful  "  Pomfret  Hall," 
recently  erected,  manifests  the  public  spirit  of  its  citizens,  and 
their  efforts  to  provide  suitable  entertainment  for  guests  and 
stranger  sojourners,  while  its  book  clubs  and  library  associa- 
tions show  that  they  have  not  outgrown  their  literary  pro- 
clivities. 

Pomfret  has  been  foremost  in  the  interest  manifested  in  lit- 


534  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

erary  acquirements  and  especially  in  the  promotion  of  what 
culture  a  public  library  can  bring  to  a  people.  In  1739  "The 
United  English  Library  for  the  Propagation  of  Christian  and 
Useful  Knowledge  "  was  established  here,  the  citizens  of  Wood- 
stock, Mortlake,  Killingly  and  the  west  part  of  Thompson  join- 
ing with  those  of  Pomfret  in  laying  its  foundations.  The  so- 
ciety numbered  thirty-four  members,  who  subscribed  various 
sums  from  ten  to  forty  pounds.  The  sum  expended  for  books 
at  the  start  was  about  ^418.  The  first  books  were  obtained  in 
1840,  and  a  larger  number  were  added  in  the  following  year. 
The  affairs  of  the  society  were  well  managed  by  a  faithful  and 
efficient  committee,  and  its  membership  in  time  embraced  all 
the  leading  men  of  the  township.  Pomfret's  library  be- 
came one  of  her  most  cherished  institutions,  and  maintained 
and  extended  her  reputation  for  intelligence  and  culture. 

In  June,  1745,  the  library  and  its  society  were  divided  so  as 
to  allow  the  Woodstock  and  Killingly  people  to  have  their 
part  nearer  at  home,  while  Pomfret  kept  on  with  its  library 
and  association  under  the  same  general  regulations  except  as 
to  territorial  limitations.  For  many  years  the  library  exercised 
an  influence  m  favor  of  higher  intelligence  and  culture  in 
this  community.  As  the  old  members  passed  away  new  mem- 
bers joined  it  from  time  to  time,  so  that  the  interest  seemed 
unabated.  It  may  have  been  due  to  the  influence  of  this  library 
that  in  1755  eight  young  men  of  this  town  entered  Yale  Col- 
lege, and  three  others  followed  soon  after,  so  that  there  were 
eleven  Pomfret  youths  in  that  institution  at  one  time.  Nine 
of  them  became  ministers  and  achieved  respectable  positions, 
and  another  became  a  teacher.  In  1775  an  offshoot  from  this 
was  established  in  Brooklyn  society,  with  a  hundred  volumes. 

The  United  Library  was  reorganized  at  the  close  of  the 
war.  It  numbered  then  about  fifteen  members.  The  prepon- 
derance of  theological  and  dogmatic  books  m  the  collection 
was  detrimental  to  its  popularity,  and  it  now  fell  into  a  de- 
cline, while  the  reading  people  to  a  large  extent  thirsted  for 
something  liofhter,  more  entertaining,  and  more  in  the  line  of 
their  practical  thoughts.  To  this  end  a  Social  Library  was 
formed  in  1793,  which  brought  in  works  of  a  lighter  charac- 
ter, more  attractive  to  the  general  reader;  but  this  failed  to 
meet  the  wants  of  still  a  large  class,  and  so,  in  1804,  a  Farm- 
ers' Library  was  instituted.     The  last  recorded  meeting  of  the 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  535 

"  Proprietors  of  the  United  Library  in  Pomfret  for  Propagat- 
ing,  Christian  and  UwSeful  Knowledge"  was  held  February  12th, 
1805,  when  the  librarian  was  directed  "  to  call  upon  the  Pro- 
prietors to  return  the  books  into  the  Library  agreeably  to  the 
original  Covenant." 

The  library  is  still  maintained.  In  more  recent  years  the 
interest  in  it  has  revived,  and  it  has  been  enlarged,  and  is 
now  one  of  the  institutions  of  which  Pomfret  society  is  justly 
proud.  It  is  well  taken  care  of,  being  accommodated  with  a 
room  in  Pomfret  Hall.  The  library  now  numbers  some  two 
thousand  volumes. 

Pomfret  Hall  is  a  handsome  building,  standing  on  the  east  side 
of  classic  Pomfret  street,  just  a  little  north  of  the  Episcopal 
church.  It  is  one  story  high,  and  having  its  auditorium  on  the 
ground  floor,  is  easy  of  access.  A  covered  drive  way  for  carriages 
to  the  front  allows  approach  and  departure  without  exposure  to 
storms.  The  hall  was  built  by  subscription,  and  is  used  for  en- 
tertainments, lectures  and  other  public  gatherings.  Religious 
meetings  are  sometimes  held  in  it.  The  hall  is  one  of  the  finest 
to  be  found  in  a  country-side  place  like  this,  and  sustains  the 
reputation  for  progressive  culture  and  refinement  for  which  Pom- 
fret has  for  generations  been  noted. 

In  the  matter  of  schools  Pomfret,  in  its  early  existence,  showed 
great  remissness,  making  no  provision  for  them  until  January 
28th,  1720,  when  the  town  voted  to  have  a  school  house.  Its  lo- 
cation was  to  be  near  the  meeting  house  and  its  size  19  by  24 
feet.  In  1723  the  house  was  completed  and  schools  established 
in  the  north,  south  and  center  of  the  town  about  the  same  time. 
In  the  course  of  a  decade  the  diffusion  of  population  throughout 
the  town  made  more  schools  needful.  As  several  families,  by 
reason  of  distance,  could  have  no  benefit  of  the  schools  already 
established,  it  was  granted  by  the  town  that  upon  the  application 
of  any  number  of  families  to  the  selectmen,  they  should  at  their 
discretion  accommodate  them  with  a  school  at  any  part  of  the 
town.  In  1733  four  schools  were  ordered,  "one  at  the  sign-post; 
one  at  the  end  of  Samuel  Dana's  lane;  one  at  Noah  Upham's, 
and  one  west  of  Mashamoquet  Brook,  just  at  going  over  the 
bridge  by  Lyon's  mill." 

After  the  division  of  the  town  into  three  societies— Pomfret, 
Brooklyn  and  Abington — school  as  well  as  church  matters  were 
settled  in  the  society  meetings.     The  Pomfret  society  now  com- 


536  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

prised  only  the  north  part  of  the  town.  The  first  meeting  of  this 
as  a  society  distinct  from  other  parts  of  the  town  was  held  in 
December,  1731.  In  1732  it  was  agreed  that  there  should  be  one 
standing  school,  kept  by  a  schoolmaster  six  months  in  the  winter 
season,  midway  upon  the  road  leading  from  Woodstock  to  Mr. 
Williams's  bridge,  and  the  other  half  of  the  year  be  kept  by 
schooldames  m  the  four  quarters  of  the  society.  In  1733  four 
schools  were  allowed  through  the  winter,  and  "  as  the  north  part 
about  the  sign-post  hath  built  themselves  a  house,"  it  was  now 
agreed  "  That  the  other  parts  should  provide  school  houses  for 
themselves."  In  1755  the  society  was  divided  into  four  school 
districts,  each  of  which  provided  its  own  school  house  and 
master. 

The  number  of  children  in  this  town  of  school  age — four  to 
sixteen  years— in  1858  was  415;  in  1881,  292;  in  1887,  287,  The 
town  is  divided  into  nine  districts,  and  the  enumeration  of  1888 
showed  282  children  of  school  age. 

One  of  the  first  needs  that  Pom  fret  felt  after  the  meeting 
house  had  been  built,  was  for  away  to  get  to  it.  Roads  were  not 
laid  out  at  the  start  and  the  attention  of  the  people  was  now 
turned  toward  this  deficiency.  Within  the  bounds  of  the  pur- 
chase, which  covered  more  than  half  the  territory  of  the  town, 
it  belonged  to  the  proprietors  to  provide  them,  but  outside  of 
those  limits  it  belonged  to  the  town.  This  arrangement  was  not 
satisfactor}^,  as  harmony  of  action  was  not  always  attainable. 
The  proprietors,  at  a  meeting  in  March,  1726,  agreed  to  make 
over  to  the  town  all  highways  in  the  purchase.  The  town  then 
went  forward  with  the  work  of  making  roads  and  bridges  as  oc- 
casion and  circumstances  required.  In  1731  a  substantial  cart 
bridge  was  built  over  the  Mashamoquet  at  the  saw  mill,  aiid  a 
highway  was  laid  out  from  it  to  Windham  village.  In  1788  a 
new  road  was  laid  out  to  Ashford,  beginning  "  at  a  small  fall  in 
Mashamoquet  brook,  thirty  rods  below  the  old  going-over  to 
Ashford." 

In  1770,  Pomfret  joined  with  Killingly  in  rebuilding  what  was 
known  as  "  Danielson's  bridge."  In  the  following  year,  "Car- 
gill's  bridge  "  was  rebuilt.  Putnam  was  foremost  in  a  movement 
for  procuring  a  new  road  through  Pomfret  to  Norwich  and  New 
Haven,  but  failed  to  secure  it.  Notwithstanding  all  the  pains 
taken  to  secure  easy  communication  with  Providence,  rendered 
so  needful  by  intimate  business  and  social  relations,  the  road 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  537 

thither  was  still  very  stony  and  rough,  and  the  journey  labori- 
ous. So  late  as  1776,  when  Mr.  S.  Thurber  drove  over  it  in  the 
first  chaise,  he  "  could  hot  ride  out  of  a  slow  walk  but  very  little 
of  the  way,  and  was  near  two  days  in  going."  Pomfret  was 
much  interested  in  a  project  for  deepening  the  channel  of  the 
Quinebaug,  so  as  to  make  it  passable  for  boats,  Ebenezer  and 
John  Grosvenor  petitioning  with  citizens  of  other  towns  for  this 
object.  One  of  the  first  dams  upon  the  Quinebaug  was  accom- 
plished by  Jabez  Allen,  near  the  mouth  of  Beaver's  brook,  about 
1770.  A  large  grist  mill  was  here  erected  by  him  and  carried 
on  successfully  for  a  few  years.  The  laying  out  a  public  high- 
way from  Pomfret  street  to  Cargill's  mills  gave  the  town  a  great 
deal  of  trouble.  After  the  rejection  of  many  proposed  routes, 
the  road  "  from  Little  bridge  that  crosses  Mill  river,  leading  to 
nigh  the  dwelling-house  of  Mr.  Abraham  Perrin,"  was  estab- 
lished and  recorded,  May  14th,  1798.  It  was  also  voted  to  re- 
build Mill  River  bridge  and  repair  Cargill's  bridge. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  present  century  Pomfret  was  greatly 
agitated  by  the  proposed  construction  of  various  turnpike  roads 
through  her  territory.  Progressive  spirits  favored  these  enter- 
prises, but  the  heavy  outlay  and  prospective  imposts  terrified  a 
majority  of  the  tax  payers.  At  the  first  proposal  "to  lay  out  a 
road  from  Hartford  towards  Boston  to  the  Massachusetts  or 
Rhode  Island  line,"  the  town  appxDinted  Colonel  Lemuel  Gros- 
venor, Lemuel  Ingalls,  Esq.,  and  Captain  Josiah  Sabin,  to  make 
such  preparations  for  surveying  as  would  be  necessary  for  in- 
formation, and  to  wait  upon  the  committees  sent  by  the  general 
court.  In  December,  the  town  deferred  acting  upon  raising 
money  to  pay  assessments  to  individuals  for  road  laid  by  state 
committee,  and  appointed  Peter  Chandler,  Seth  and  Joshua  Gros- 
venor to  confer  with  neighboring  towns  respecting  laying  out  a 
road  from  Hartford  to  Douglass,  and  for  preparing  a  memorial 
for  alteration  of  road  or  repeal  of  act.  In  the  following  year  the 
town  refused  to  raise  money  to  pay  assessments  to  the  persons 
who  waited  upon  them.  When,  in  spite  of  their  grumbling  and 
resistance,  the  Boston  and  Hartford  turnpike  was  actually  com- 
pleted through  the  whole  length  of  the  town,  Lemuel  Ingalls  and 
Seth  Grosvenor  were  appointed  to  have  it  altered  in  certain 
points  and  the  expense  lessened.  All  efforts  proving  unsuccess- 
ful, the  town  was  reluctantly  compelled  to  levy  a  tax  of  three  and 
a  half  cents  to  meet  expenses  and  pay  assessments,  but  declined 


538  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

to  accept  shares  in  the  company  or  to  allow  Captain  Sabin  for 
attendance  upon  the  committee.  Projects  for  a  new  road  in  the 
west  part  of  the  town  through  Joseph  Sharpe's  land  to  Brook- 
lyn, and  for  two  other  turnpikes,  increased  the  town's  ill  humor. 
They  would  not  view  the  different  routes  through  Killingly  nor  do 
anything  about  it,  and  appointed  agents  to  oppose  the  memorial 
of  Sampson  Howe  and  others,  and  also  acceptance  of  a  road 
laid  out  through  Pomfret  from  Norwich  to  Massachusetts  line, 
but  were  again  obliged  "to  raise  money  to  pay  assessments 
made  by  state  committee  for  said  road."  The  Pomfret  and  Kil- 
lingly turnpike  was  also  carried  through  after  much  opposition 
and  refusing  to  pay  the  cost  of  the  jury  that  laid  it,  and  in  1803, 
it  agreed  to  build  a  bridge  in  company  with  the  town  of  Kil- 
lingly over  Quinebaug  river,  south  of  Noah  Pcrrin's — Caleb 
Trowbridge,  Benjamin  Durkee  and  Freeman  James  to  build 
said  bridge.  It  also  voted  to  build  a  bridge  across  the  stream 
near  the  burying  ground,  and  also  one  on  Mashamoquet  "where 
the  turnpike  crosseth  it  where  old  road  is  discontinued."  So  great 
was  the  outlay  caused  by  all  these  turnpikes  and  bridges  that 
it  was  proposed  to  j<?// the  newly  constructed  town  house.  Be- 
fore accounts  were  settled  another  turnpike  was  demanded — a 
direct  road  from  Providence  to  meet  the  Boston  and  Hartford 
turnpike  in  Ashford.  Oliver  Grosvenor  and  Sylvanus  Backus 
were  at  once  empowered  to  oppose  this  farther  imposition.  Sur- 
veys were,  however,  made  and  tw^o  routes  offered  for  considera- 
tion. In  1806  the  town  voted  that  the  north  route  by  Samuel 
White's  to  Cotton's  bridge  would  best  accommodate  town  and 
public,  and  to  oppose  the  route  from  said  White's  to  the  Landing, 
but  as  in  previous  cases  they  were  forced  to  submit  to  road  and 
taxes. 

A  new  road  was  laid  out  to  the  Brick  Factory,  intersecting  with 
the  Woodstock  and  Thompson  turnpike,  in  1812,  facilitating 
travel  and  trade  with  both  those  towns.  A  road  was  also  cut 
through  the  woods  over  Park's  hill  in  1818,  and  the  previous 
road  pitching  down  to  Bundy's  mills  discontinued.  The  finan- 
cial affairs  of  the  company  were  very  flourishing.  Yarn  was  sent 
out  for  weaving  all  over  the  country,  even  as  far  as  Brimfield, 
Mass.  A  dividend  of  $36,000  was  made  in  one  of  the  years  of 
war,  and  so  well  established  was  the  company  that  it  was  able  to 
continue  work  during  the  succeeding  embarrassments.  Mr.  Wil- 
kinson was  a  strict  disciplinarian,  and  looked  carefully  after  the 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  539 

morals  of  the  comnmnity.  At  his  especial  request  the  Windham 
Association  furnished  "  religious  instruction  "  at  stated  intervals, 
holding  meetings  in  the  brick  school  house.  A  Pomfret  Woolen 
Manufacturing  Company  was  incorporated  in  1817,  and  erected 
buildings  upon  the  Mashamoquet,  but  it  suffered  severely  from 
the  great  flood  the  following  year,  and  other  causes,  and  disband- 
ed after  a  time  with  pecuniary  loss  to  its  associates.  Bridges  and 
dams  at  Pomfret  Factory  and  Bundy's  mills  were  carried  away 
by  that  almost  destructive  freshet,  which  inflicted  great  damage 
upon  all  the  manufacturing  corporations  of  the  country.  The 
Killingly  &  Pomfret  turnpike  was  discontinued  after  a  time  and 
the  bridge  built  for  its  accommodation  removed.  The  great 
flood  of  1817  compelled  the  erection  of  new  bridges  at  Pomfret 
Factory. 

After  receiving  confirmation  of  bounds  in  1713,  one  of  the 
first  things  Pomfret  did  was  to  settle  religious  worship.  The 
town,  October  28th,  voted  to  give  an  orthodox  minister  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  pounds  toward  buying  land  and  building  himself 
a  house,  and  fifty-five  pounds  annual  salary,  until  the  town 
should  contain  sixty  families.  A  committee  was  appointed  to 
look  for  a  minister.  Reverend  Ebenezer  Williams  was  secured 
for  six  months.  He  boarded  at  the  house  of  Captain  John  Sa- 
bin,  in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  town.  Religious  services 
were  held  in  s:^me  convenient  private  house.  February  16th, 
1714,  the  town  gave  Mr.  Williams  a  call  to  settle  permanently, 
offering  him  one  hundred  and  seventy  pounds  for  settlement 
and  sixty  pounds  salary.  He  accepted  the  offer  and  entered 
upon  the  work.  Two  hundred  acres  of  land  that  had  been 
reserved  for  the  encouragement  of  preaching  were  made  over 
to  Mr.  Williams  in  June,  1714,  by  the  Mashamoquet  proprie- 
tors. Work  was  now  begun  upon  a  meeting  house,  which  the 
town  in  December  previous  had  voted  to  build  "with  all  con- 
venient speed."  The  frame  was  raised  April  27th,  and  it  was 
covered  during  the  summer.  It  stood  on  the  east  side  of  the 
road,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  south  of  the  spot  where  the 
present  Congregational  church  stands.  A  burial  plot  was  set 
apart  adjacent  to  it.  The  house  was  completed  so  far  as  to 
be  opened  for  public  use  in  autumn.  Privileges  were  granted 
to  build  pews  in  specified  parts  of  the  house.  Mr.  Belcher  was 
granted  the  privilege  of  building  a  pew  on  the  west  end  of 
the  pulpit,  next  to  it,  which  privilege  he  probably  never  exer- 
cised. 


540  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

A  church  was  organized  with  eleven  male  members,  October 
26th,  1715,  and  Mr.  Williams  was  at  the  same  time  ordained 
pastor  over  it.  An  ordination  dinner  was  ordered  for  the  oc- 
casion, sufficient  for  forty  guests  from  abroad.  The  expense 
of  the  dinner  was  ten  pounds.  In  1716  the  meeting  house  was 
fenced  in,  and  the  privilege  was  granted  Nathaniel  Gray  to 
build  a  "Sabba-day  house"  in  the  highway  near  the  meeting 
house,  for  himself  and  his  family.  The  "Sabba-day  house" 
was  an  institution  of  that  period,  common  in  many  parts  of 
New  England,  though  this  is  the  only  instance  of  any  record 
of  them  in  Windham  county  which  we  have  discovered.  It 
was  a  small  house  with  a  good  fireplace  and  chimney,  in  which 
a  few  persons  could  sit  and  warm  themselves,  and  eat  their 
lunch,  when  they  had  come  a  long  distance  to  church  and 
wished  to  stay  through  both  morning  and  afternoon  services. 
A  good  fire  was  kept  up,  and  from  the  coals  thus  accumulated 
their  "foot-stoves"  were  filled  to  carry  into  the  meeting  house 
to  help  them  keep  warm  during  the  long  service,  there  being 
no  fire  kept  in  the  meeting  house  other  than  what  was  carried 
in  in  the  foot-stoves.  Sometimes  a  single  family  owned  a 
"Sabba-day  house,"  and  sometimes  a  few  families  joined  in 
building  one.  Sometimes  a  number  of  them  might  be  seen  in 
the  neighborhood  of  a  single  church.  In  1722  the  inhabitants 
were  given  liberty  to  build  stables  for  themselves  near  the  north 
side  of  the  meeting  house.  In  1719  Mr.  Jonathan  Belcher  ap- 
pears to  have  offered  the  town  a  bell  for  their  church,  and 
straightway  they  vote  "That  there  shall  be  a  bell  cony  built  at 
one  end  of  the  meeting  house."  But  for  some  unexplained  rea- 
son the  bell  did  not  arrive.  In  1729  the  church  had  fifty  male 
members.  Mr.  Williams  was  greatly  respected  at  home  and 
abroad,  and  his  counsel  was  sought  in  many  difficulties  through- 
out the  colony.     In  1731  he  was  chosen  Fellow  of  Yale  College. 

The  religious  disturbances  which  attended  the  Separate  move- 
ment in  the  middle  part  of  the  last  century  seemed  to  make  but 
little  if  any  impression  upon  the  First  church  of  Pomfret.  No 
record  is  left  of  any  agitation  or  loss  to  this  church  during 
that  period  that  can  be  attributed  to  the  elements  spoken  of. 
Mr.  Williams  died  March  28th,  1753,  thus  closing  a  term  of  pas- 
toral service  with  this  church  extending  through  nearly  forty 
years.  This  blow  came  to  the  people  at  a  time  when  they  were 
somewhat  discomforted  over  the  removal  of  much  of  their  for- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  541 

mer  strength  by  the  division  of  the  town  into  three  distinct 
societies.  A  re-organization  of  the  society  and  church,  and  the 
building  of  a  new  meeting  house  and  settlement  of  a  minister 
were  questions  which  confronted  them. 

Reverend  Noadiah  Russel,  of  Middletown,  preached  through 
the  summer  of  1753,  and  October  16th,  was  called  to  the  pas- 
torate. The  pay  offered  him  was  ^1,500  for  settlement,  and 
i^650  a  year  salary.  These  figures  look  large  for  that  period,  but 
their  magnitude  is  easily  explained  away  by  the  recollection 
that  the  currency  at  that  time  was  highly  inflated.  At  that  time 
it  took  three  pounds  ten  shillings  to  be  equal  to  a  dollar  in  value. 
Mr.  Russel  accepted  the  terms,  but  before  ordination  took 
place  a  disagreement  arose  in  regard  to  church  discipline,  and 
in  the  early  part  of  1765  Mr.  Russel  withdrew.  Reverend  Aaron 
Putnam  was  next  called,  and  he  was  ordained  March  10th,  1756. 
The  frame  of  a  new  meeting  house,  after  long  discussion  in  re- 
gard to  its  site,  was  raised  September  5th,  1760,  on  the  home  lot 
of  Zachariah  Waldo,  where  two  acres  had  been  purchased  for 
the  purpose.  The  size  of  the  house  was  sixty  feet  long,  forty- 
eight  feet  wide,  and  twenty-four  feet  "stud."  It  was  probably 
completed  during  that  and  the  following  year.  Galleries  were 
built  around  the  sides  of  the  house,  a  high  pulpit  and  massive 
canopy  was  erected,  and  the  outside  of  the  house  "cuUered"  in 
the  most  approved  fashion  of  the  day.  The  main  body  color  was 
orange,  with  trimmings  of  chocolate  on  the  doors  and  bottom 
boards,  and  white  on  the  window  frames,  corner  boards  and 
barge  and  eaves  boards.  A  preliminary  lecture  sermon,  when 
the  house  was  all  completed,  was  given  by  Mr.  Putnam,  Thurs- 
day, January  20th,  1763.  The  old  meeting  house  and  training 
field  adjacent  were  sold  by  order  of  the  society,  and  liberty  was 
granted  to  build  sheds  on  the  east  line  of  the  common,  within 
four  rods  of  Reverend  Mr.  Putnam's  house. 

While  yet  in  the  prime  of  life  Mr.  Putnam  was  in  a  great 
measure  disabled  by  a  failure  of  voice  and  physical  weakness, 
which  obliged  him  to  seek  the  aid  of  a  colleague.  The  young- 
man  invited  to  act  in  this  capacity  was  Oliver  Dodge,  of  Ips- 
wich, a  recent  graduate  of  Harvard.  While  on  probation  here 
Mr.  Dodge  manifested,  at  times  an  alarming  license  in  speech 
and  conduct,  and  unfavorable  reports  concerning  him  came 
from  abroad,  so  that  some  objection  was  made  to  his  ordination, 
on  charges  of  disregard  to  truth,  neglect  of  duty,  irreverent  ap- 


542  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

plication  of  Scripture,  and  unbecoming  levity.  The  council 
called  April  19tli,  1792,  to  ordain  him,  refused  to  do  so,  and  later 
another  council  was  called  to  consider  the  charges  against  him, 
which  they  found  sustained.  But  despite  the  decision  of  the 
church  court,  the  people  had  become  so  much  attached  to  him 
that  many  refused  to  give  him  up,  and  a  division  was  made  in 
the  church.  A  majority,  both  in  church  and  society,  were 
strongly  in  favor  of  Mr.  Dodge.  When  the  church  was  called 
together  to  concur  with  the  society  in  making  out  a  constitu- 
tional call,  Mr.  Putnam,  exercising  what  was  called  the  "nega- 
tive power,"  which  the  Saybrook  Platform  allowed  to  ministers, 
dissolved  the  meeting  without  permitting  a  vote  to  be  taken 
upon  the  question.  Thus  by  a  strategic  manoeuvre  the  desire 
of  the  majority  was  defeated. 

But  the  majority  were  not  to  be  so  easily  silenced.  Thus 
debarred  from  further  expression  and  action,  they  indignantly 
repudiated  all  connection  with  the  First  church  and  society  and 
straightway  organized  in  a  new  form  as  the  Reformed  Christian 
Church  and  Congregation  in  Pomfret.  A  satisfactory  covenant 
was  hastily  drawn  up  and  adopted,  and  divine  service  instituted 
in  friendly  private  houses.  The  young  minister,  thus  released 
from  previous  restrictions,  was  more  eloquent  and  fascinating 
than  ever.  Crowds  flocked  to  the  new  places  of  worship,  and 
the  old  meeting  house  and  minister  were  almost  deserted.  Only 
twelve  male  members  were  left.  These  were  Reverend  Aaron 
Putnam,  Oliver,  Asa,  Seth,  Ebenezer  and  John  Grosvenor,  John 
and  John  H.  Payson,  Caleb  Hayward,  Josiah  Sabin,  Simon  C8t- 
ton  and  Jabez  Denison,  Conflict  of  sentiment  now  ran  high, 
over  this  occasion  and  the  Ecclesiastic  Constitution  of  Connect- 
icut and  the  principles  of  Saybrook  Platform,  which  gave  the 
occasion  its  destructive  force,  A  recriminative  war  of  words, 
from  platform  and  from  press,  was  waged,  not  only  in  Pomfret, 
but  throughout  the  county  and  state. 

The  first  public  act  of  the  new  society,  December  28th,  1792, 
was  to  invite  Mr,  Oliver  Dodge  to  settle  as  its  minister;  and  in 
the  following  February  he  was  ordained  over  it.  So  strong  was 
the  feeling  against  him  that  ministers  of  good  standing  shrank 
from  the  responsibility  of  introducing  him  into  the  ministry, 
and  of  many  invited  only  the  Reverend  Isaac  Foster,  his  sons 
and  son-in-law — all  of  doubtful  orthodoxy — assisted  in  the  ordain- 
ing services.     This  ministerial  reprobation  only  increased  the 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  543 

^f ervor  of  his  adherents.  His  personal  friends  clung  to  him  with 
unwavering  fidelity.  His  levities  and  indiscretions,  which  all 
were  forced  to  acknowledge,  were  but  the  irrepressible  exuber- 
ance of  a  free  and  generous  spirit,  and  were  more  than  compen- 
sated by  his  ingenuous  confessions  of  wrong  and  great  social 
attractions.  The  newspaper  controversy  and  Swift's  avowed 
championship  gave  him  great  notoriety,  and  attracted  many 
hearers  from  abroad.  The  old  Grosvenor  House,  in  which  his 
church  now  worshipped,  could  hardly  contain  the  congregation. 
No  minister  in  the  county  had  so  wide  a  popularity.  Some  of 
the  most  respectable  families  in  Brooklyn,  Abington  parish, 
Woodstock,  Thompson  and  Killingly  left  the  churches  of  their 
former  attendance  and  united  under  the  Reformed  church  of 
Pomfret. 

But  while  the  masses  were  carried  away  by  the  fascinations  of 
the  popular  preacher,  a  small  but  powerful  minority  were  banded 
together  against  him.  This  minority  were  supported  and  en- 
couraged by  the  ministry  of  the  county  and  sober  men  in  the 
neighboring  towns.  An  attempt  made  by  the  Reformed  society 
to  obtain  possession  of  the  house  of  worship  was  unsuccessful, 
the  Windham  county  court  deciding  "  that  Mr.  Putnam's  adher- 
ents were  the  First  Ecclesiastic  Society  and  had  a  right  to  the 
society  property."  This  legal  action  and  decision  only  made 
the  controversy  more  bitter.  Friendly  intercourse  between  the 
contending  parties  was  wholly  suspended.  The  controversy 
was  carried  into  town  elections.  Opponents  of  Mr.  Dodge  were 
excluded  from  office.  Josiah  Sabin,  who  had  served  as  town 
clerk  for  many  years,  was  defeated,  and,  in  vacating  his  office, 
he  wrote  in  the  record,  "  Here  ends  the  .services  of  a  faithful 
servant  of  the  public,  who  was  neglected  for  no  other  reason 
than  because  he  could  not  Dodge." 

This  breach  and  controversy  continued  till  near  the  close  of 
the  century.  For  more  than  six  years  Mr.  Dodge  maintained 
his  ascendency,  and  his  church  grew  and  flourished,  while  the 
old  church  withered  and  wasted.  Even  some  of  the  faithful 
eleven  were  lost  to  it.  The  family  of  Captain  Seth  Grosvenor 
removed  to  New  York  state.  Through  these  weary  years,  how- 
ever, the  faithful  few  maintained  the  stated  Sabbath  service  in 
the  great  desolate  meeting  house,  the  deacons  praying  and 
reading  the  sermons  prepared  by  the  speechless  pastor,  who 
cheered  them  by  his  presence  and  silent  participation  in  their 
worship. 


544  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

The  conduct  of  Mr.  Dodge  grew  at  length  more  and  more 
scandalous,  until  he  became  openly  profane  and  drunken,  even 
entering  his  pulpit  in  a  condition  of  intoxication.  The  eyes  of 
his  most  ardent  followers  were  at  last  opened,  and  the  tide  of 
popularity  was  suddenly  and  strongly  turned  against  him.  He 
was  tried  by  his  own  church  July  4th,  1799,  and  found  guilty  of 
drunkenness  and  profanity,  and  was  forthwith  excluded  from 
the  rites  and  privileges  of  the  church  until  by  his  reformation 
he  should  be  restored  to  their  charity.  The  restoration  never 
came.  Like  Jonah's  gourd  the  Reformed  church  of  Pomfret 
now  withered  and  died.  Their  last  meeting  was  held  Novemi- 
ber  4th,  1799,  when  they  determined  to  return  to  the  First 
church  and  society.  No  obstacles  being  in  the  way,  they  read- 
ily effected  a  union  with  the  old  church,  and  Mr.  Asa  King 
was  now  engaged  as  assistant  to  Mr.  Putnam.  After  a  reason- 
able probation  Mr.  King  was  approved,  and  May  5th,  1802,  he 
was  duly  installed  pastor  of  the  First  church  of  Pomfret,  Mr. 
Putnam  having  been  dismissed  from  the  position  which  his  phys- 
ical disabilities  would  not  permit  him  to  fill.  Mr.  King  grad- 
ually led  his  people  to  a  higher  sense  of  the  duties  and  respon- 
sibilities of  life  and  the  demands  of  Christian  character  upon 
them.  Material  things  of  the  church  were  not  overlooked.  The 
meeting  house  was  repaired,  its  back  seats  replaced  by  fashion- 
able pews  and  an  additional  sounding  board  suspended  under 
the  massive  canopy  over  the  pulpit.  His  pastorate  was  har- 
monious and  fruitful.  A  special  revival  season  was  enjoyed  in 
1808,  when  seventy  members  were  added  to  the  church.  An 
imposing  addition,  a  lofty  tower  or  steeple,  was  now  added  to 
the  meeting  house.  An  unfortunate  casualty  marks  the  history 
of  that  improvement.  Barnard  Philips,  a  youth  of  nineteen, 
who  was  assisting  in  raising  the  structure,  was  thrown  from  the 
top  of  the  frame  and  so  injured  by  the  fall  that  he  died  in  a 
few  days.  This  was  done  in  1810.  With  the  completion  of  the 
improvements  a  bell  was  placed  in  the  tower  by  the  generosity 
of  Mr.  Benjamin  Duick,  which  served  the  purpose  of  a  town 
clock,  being  rung  three  times  a  day.  Mr.  King  was  dismissed 
from  his  charge  in  1811.  An  interval  of  three  years  followed, 
after  which  Reverend  James  Porter  was  inducted  into  the  pas- 
torate. He  was  a  very  active  man,  setting  forward  every  good 
work  that  came  to  his  hand.  He  established  the  first  Sabbath 
school  in  this  region;  began  the  first  monthly  concert  for  prayer, 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  545 

and  took  the  first  collection  at  such  meetings  for  foreign  mis- 
sions; was  one  of  the  most  earnest  promoters  of  the  temperance 
cause,  and  helped  organize  in  Pomfret  a  Moral  Society,  having 
for  its  aim  the  suppression  of  gambling,  lottery  dealing.  Sabbath 
breaking  and  the  excessive  use  of  liquor. 

Always  forward  in  culture  and  worldly  refinements,  it  was  in 
keeping  with  the  character  of  this  church  that  it  should  be 
among  the  first  to  introduce  the  grand  church  organ.  This  was 
done  during  the  second  decade  of  the  present  century.  Deacon 
Sweeting's  son,  Nathaniel,  was  the  first  organist,  and  many 
were  the  comments  called  forth  by  his  orchestral  performances. 
The  plain  old  Quakers  and  the  Methodists  of  the  town  were 
much  scandalized  by  this  culmination  of  worldly  vanity.  Still 
the  church  seemed  to  go  forward,  engaging  with  much  interest 
in  any  progressive  movement.  A  Duick  Charitable  Society  was 
organized  in  1817,  having  for  a  permanent  fund  a  legacy  left 
for  charitable  purposes  by  Mr.  Duick.  A  Bible  class  met  every 
week  at  the  parsonage.  In  1819  the  Sabbath  school  was  organ- 
ized with  one  class  of  boys  and  two  of  girls  and  Major  Cope- 
land  for  superintendent. 

About  ten  years  later  a  new  church  edifice  was  built.  The  site 
was  secured  from  Doctor  Waldo,  on  a  lot  east  from  the  former  site, 
the  ladies  of  the  church  paying  for  the  same  by  knitting  a  hun- 
dred pairs  of  stockings.  Materials  from  the  old  house  were  used 
as  far  as  it  seemed  advisable  in  the  construction  of  the  new  one, 
which  was  completed  and  dedicated  in  October,  1832.  Mr.  Por- 
ter asked  to  be  dismissed  in  1830.  Reverend  Amzi  Benedict  was 
installed  pastor  in  1831.  The  organ  was  retained  in  the  new 
church,  being  now  played  by  Miss  Elizabeth  Vinton,  the  only 
person  in  town,  it  was  said,  who  was  competent  for  the  service. 
A  deep  and  powerful  revival  was  experienced  by  the  church  dur- 
ing Mr.  Benedict's  time,  bringing  many  into  the  church.  His 
successor.  Reverend  Daniel  Hunt,  was  ordained  April  4th,  1835, 
and  most  worthily  filled  the  place  of  his  esteemed  predecessors. 
At  this  time  two  brothers,  Zephaniah  and  Job  Williams,  served 
as  deacons.  Lewis  Averill  was  elected  to  that  office  at  a  later 
date.  Reverend  Daniel  Hunt  enjoyed  a  pastorate  of  nearly 
thirty  years,  and  was  succeeded  by  Reverend  Walter  S.  Alexan- 
der, who  was  ordained  here  November  21st,  1861,  and  was  dis- 
missed January  17th,  1866.  Reverend  Henry  F.  Hyde  was  in- 
stalled April  24th,  1867,  and  dismissed  June  20th,  1872.    Reverend 

35 


546  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

William  A.  Benedict  was  acting  pastor  from  January,  1873,  to  May, 
1874.  Reverend  W.  S.  Alexander  returned  and  served  as  actinsf 
pastor  from  Aiigust,  1874,  to  August,  1875.  Reverend  Charles  E. 
Gordon  was  acting  pastor  from  January,  1876,  to  May,  1877. 
Hamilton  M.  Bartlett  was  installed  as  pastor  in  May,  1878,  and 
dismissed  in  February,  1883.  Reverend  Frank  H.  Palmer  was 
installed  in  February,  1884,  and  dismissed  in  May,  1885.  Rev- 
erend Egbert  N.Munroe  was  acting  pastor  from  December,  1885, 
to  May,  1889.  The  membership  of  the  church  in  1889  was  one 
hundred  and  eight.  A  parsonage  was  built  in  1883,  at  a  cost  of 
$3,000,  not  including  the  lot  upon  which  it  stands,  which  was 
given  by  Mrs.  C.  Comstock.  The  church  was  repaired  and  an 
organ  purchased  in  1878,  at  an  expense  of  about  $1,800,  and  fur- 
ther repairs  and  improvements  to  the  outlay  of  $800  were  made 
in  1886. 

During  the  year  1776,  a  Baptist  society  was  organized  in  Pom- 
fret.  The  Baptist  element  which  had  then  spread  considerably 
in  different  parts  of  the  county  came  by  the  way  of  Canada  par- 
ish, Abington  having  furnished  many  adherents  of  that  sect  to 
the  Grow  church  of  the  former  locality.  In  Pomfret  public  re- 
ligious services  were  held  by  Mr.  Manning  at  the  houses  of  the 
Thurbers  and  other  friends,  which  excited  much  interest.  Bap- 
tist sentiments  for  a  while  gained  strength  and  a  branch  was 
also  established  in  the  Quinebaug  valley,  including  members 
from  the  eastern  part  of  Pomfret  and  from  Killingly.  The  Rev- 
erend Mr.  Kelly  labored  for  a  time  with  the  Pomfret  Baptists, 
holding  services  at  convenient  residences,  which  were  attended 
by  large  numbers.  Hitherto  the  Baptists  of  Windham  county 
had  been  mostly  of  the  lower  and  uneducated  classes  of  society, 
and  their  ministers  had  been  men  of  little  or  no  education. 
Now,  men  of  higher  standing  were  entering  the  ranks  and  a 
different  ministry  was  demanded.  President  Manning  urged  the 
importance  of  education  and  endeavored  to  influence  the  people 
to  attend  to  having  their  children  educated.  The  society  here 
maintained  its  organization  and  held  services  occasionally  for 
many  years,  even  though  they  had  no  minister  and  no  house  of 
worship.  After  a  number  of  years,  in  1803,  the  people  on  the 
Pomfret  and  Killingly  line  were  constituted  a  branch  of  the 
Woodstock  church.  Under  the  preaching  of  James  Grow,  of 
Hampton,  or  Canada  parish,  their  numbers  were  multiplied. 
Regular  services  were  held  in  the  Gary  school  house  at  Pomfret 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  547 

Landing.  Here,  on  September  18th,  1805,  James  Grow  was  or- 
dained to  the  ministry,  by  a  council  of  elders  and  deacons  from 
the  neighboring  Baptist  churches.  In  April,  1806,  a  distinct 
church  was  organized  here,  the  members  of  which  were  dis- 
missed from  the  Woodstock  church  as  follows :  Elisha  Sabin, 
Artemas  Bruce,  James  Grow,  Pardon  Kingsley,  Smith  Johnson, 
Thomas  Bowen,  Charles  Robbins,  Guy  Kingsley,  Stephen  Chap- 
man, Alvin  Easting,  Lucretia  Cady,  Mary  Brown,  Hannah  Sabin, 
Patty  Bruce,  Phebe  and  Sarah  Stone,  Azubah  Bowen,  Polly  M. 
Spalding,  Orpha  Easting,  Susanna  Kingsley,  Katharine  Ash- 
croft,  Sabra  Withey,  Hannah  Kent,  Betsey  Leavens,  Hannah 
Fling,  Celinda  Copp,  Lucy  Goodell.  Services  were  still  held  in 
the  Gary  school  house  and  at  other  convenient  points.  A  great 
revival  visited  this  church  in  1818-14,  and  many  were  added  to 
its  numbers.  Services  were  held  in  the  Gary  and  the  Brick 
school  houses.  Soon  after  this  a  meeting  house  was  built  on 
Pomfret  street.  The  branches  at  Pomfret  Factory  (now  Putnam) 
and  the  Killingly  border,  were  rapidly  increasing  in  strength. 
Soon  after  this  the  Pomfret  church  seemed  to  have  reached  its 
zenith  and  began  to  decline,  while  its  branches  grew  stronger. 
It,  however,  maintained  services  and  pastors  for  several  decades, 
but  was  finally  absorbed  into  its  former  branch  at  Putnam. 
Among  the  last  of  its  pastors  were  Bela  Hicks,  Warren  Cooper 
-and  Isaac  Burgess,  the  last  of  whom  closed  his  service  here  about 
forty  years  ago. 

Episcopalians  in  Pomfret  worshipped  with  the  church  at  Brook- 
lyn in  the  "  Malbone  "  church,  until  the  year.  1828,  when  the 
p)arish  of  Christ  church  was  organized.  A  church  edifice  was 
built  during  the  following  year.  Reverend  Ezra  Kellogg  offici- 
ated in  this  as  well  as  in  Trinity  church  at  Brooklyn.  Reverend 
Roswell  Park  assumed  the  sole  charge  of  Christ  church  in  1843. 
At  the  same  time  he  opened  a  select  school,  which  gained  a  very 
high  reputation.  Doctor  Park  was  a  thorough  scholar,  a  strict 
disciplinarian,  and  his  nine  years'  incumbency  left  abundant 
fruits.  Reverend  H.  C.  Randall  was  in  charge  of  the  church  a 
few  years  after  that.  The  church  is  at  present  without  a  rector. 
The  last  one  in  charge  was  Reverend  Fred.  Burgess,  who  came  to 
the  church  in  May,  1883,  and  left  it  in  May,  1889.  The  old  site 
is  occupied  by  a  new  and  elegant  church,  which  was  erected  in 
1882,  and  consecrated  in  May,  1883.  It  occupies  a  beautiful  site 
in  a  grove  of  evergreens,  and  is  in  part*  surrounded  by  an  ancient 
l3Ut  well  kept  burial  ground. 


548  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

The  "  Friends  "  gained  a  name  in  this  town  about  the  end  of 
the  last  century  and  in  the  early  years  of  the  present  century. 
Unobtrusive  as  their  principles  require  them  to  be,  their  pres- 
ence was  asserted  by  no  booming  demonstrations.  A  few  Quaker 
families  resided  in  the  town  at  the  time  of  which  we  speak,  and 
a  plain  house  of  worship  was  erected  for  them  by  the  Smithfield 
Conference.  This  worship  was  maintained  in  a  quiet  way  for 
many  years,  but  it  has  now  long  since  died  out. 

Methodism,  though  nominally  belonging  at  one  time  to  Pom- 
fret,  made  but  little  headway  except  in  the  eastern  part,  where 
it  joined  other  towns,  and  the  history  of  its  movements  there 
will  appear  in  connection  with  Putnam  and  Killingly,  where  the 
resulting  churches  centered.  As  early  as  1793  a  class  was  formed 
in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  town,  then  known  as  Cargill's 
mills,  which  grew  until  1795,  when  the  Pomfret  circuit  was 
formed,  which  included  that  and  a  number  of  neighboring  sta- 
tions in  northeastern  Connecticut,  the  circuit  comprehending 
altogether  a  membership  of  169.  Daniel  Ostrander  and  Nathan- 
iel Chapin  were  then  preachers,  and  Jesse  Lee  presiding  elder. 
In  1801  this  circuit  was  included  in  the  New  London  district, 
and  in  the  following  year  in  the  New  York  Conference.  In  1804 
it  was  joined  to  the  New  England  conference.  Daniel  Ostrander 
had  then  become  presiding  elder,  and  John  Nichols  and  Samuel 
Garsline  were  preachers  on  this  circuit.  Meetings  were  held  in 
the  press  rooms  of  Cargill's  mills  and  in  the  Perrin  House  at 
what  is  now  Putnam.  The  Methodists,  true  to  their  reputation, 
were  active  and  alive.  Meetings  were  held  in  private  houses. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elijah  Bugbee,  Noah  Perrin  and  Mrs.  Lucy  Perrin 
were  prominent  leaders  and  exhorters.  George  Gary,  a  nephew 
of  the  last  named,  began  preaching  at  an  early  age.  The  first 
Methodist  camp  meeting  in  Windham  county  was  held  in  Per- 
rin's  grove  in  1808,  and  was  largely  attended. 

Beginnings  of  Roman  Catholic  worship  were  made  in  Pomfret 
a  few  years  ago.  Mass  was  said  in  Pomfret  Hall  previous  to  the 
erection  of  a  church.  A  Sunday  school  was  also  held.  In  the 
early  part  of  1885  the  foundations  of  a  new  Catholic  church  were 
laid  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  town,  a  mile  or  more  from 
Pomfret  street.  In  1886  this  region  was  made  a  part  of  the  par- 
ish of  Mechanicsville,  and  placed  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev- 
erend Father  Flannagan.  The  church  was  so  far  completed  that 
services  were  held  in  it  on  Easter  Sunday  in  1887,  and  it  was 
dedicated  a  few  months  later. 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  549 

In  the  southeastern  part  of  the  town  lies  a  settlement  which 
gives  evidence  of  business  in  earlier  days,  but  which  evidences 
are  fading  into  the  appearances  of  desertion,  while  in  other 
directions  new  life  is  springing  up.  A  large  building  stands  in 
the  heart  of  the  settlement  known  as  Pomfret  Landing,  which 
was  once  a  cotton  factory,  but  for  long  years  has  been  abandoned 
as  to  that  use,  and  a  part  of  it  is  still  used  as  a  grist  mill.  A 
store  and  a  few  houses,  and  a  handsome  school  house,  make  up 
the  appearances  which  art  has  given  to  adorn  a  landscape  which 
nature  left  in  so  rich  a  condition  of  beauty  as  to  need  but  little 
more  to  make  it  one  of  the  enchanting  nooks  of  this  almost  fairy 
land.  We  might  dwell  at  length  upon  the  beauties  of  Pomfret 
Landing — a  rich,  cool  glen  in  the  green  valley  of  the  rippling, 
rambling,  laughing  Mashamoquet.  But  while  the  din  of  the  cot- 
ton mill  is  no  longer  heard,  and  the  rock  ribbed  hills  no  longer 
give  echoing  answers  to  the  shrill  whistle  of  the  "brick  steam- 
ers "  plying  the  river,  yet  new  signs  of  business  life  and  social 
prosperity  are  not  wanting  here.  A  creamery  was  started  here 
in  1885,  which  is  now  in  a  flourishing  condition,  its  successfully 
warranting  all  the  sanguine  expectations  which  were  put  forth 
in  regard  to  it.  The  cream  is  received  into  large  vats,  holding 
300  gallons  each,  where  it  is  brought  to  the  desired  temperature, 
and  thence  it  goes  into  swing  churns  run  by  steam,  in  which  it 
is  converted  into  butter.  A  wagon  is  run  out  daily,  which  gath- 
ers the  cream  from  about  400  cows.  About  1,800  pounds  of  but- 
ter a  week  are  made  during  the  best  part  of  the  season,  and  the 
market  demand  for  this  butter  is  ahead  of  the  .supply,  at  good 
prices.  A  12-horse  power  steam  boiler  is  used  to  run  the  ma- 
chinery and  regulate  the  temperature. 

Religious  services  have  within  the  past  year  been  inaugurated 
at  the  school  house,  no  denominational  organization  existing, 
but  a  sort  of  union  service  being  maintained. 

Biographical  Sketches. 

William  Irving  Bartholomew. — William  Bartholomew,  sec- 
ond generation  in  America  (see  record  of  Bartholomew  family), 
born  in  Ipswich,  Massachusetts,  in  1640-41,  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Mary  Johnson.  Their  son,  Joseph",  a  native  of  Bran- 
ford,  Connecticut,  where  he  was  born  in  1682,  married  Elizabeth 
Sanger,  of  Woodstock.  Benjamin\  a  son  by  this  union,  born  in 
Woodstock  June  23d,  1723,  married  Martha  Carpenter,  one  of 


550  HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

whose  children  was  Leonard',  born  in  Woodstock  in  1758,  and 
married  to  Sarah  Perrin,  of  Pomfret.  Their  three  children  were 
William',  Margaret  and  Mary.  The  birth  of  William  Bartholo- 
mew occurred  in  Woodstock  on  the  23d  of  June,  1797.  He  was 
in  1820  married  to  Abigail  G.  Buck,  of  Killingly.  Their  children 
are:  Edward  Leonard,  Simon,  Annis  Buck  and  William  Irving'. 

The  last  named  and  youngest  of  these  children  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 7th,  1831,  in  Pomfret,  on  the  homestead  farm,  where  he 
still  resides.  Like  the  farmers'  sons  of  that  day  he  had  no  ad- 
vantages other  than  those  offered  by  the  common  schools,  with 
two  or  more  terms  at  a  neighboring  academy.  The  twelve  suc- 
ceeding years  were  spent  mainly  in  teaching,  after  which  this  call- 
ing wasabandoned  for  the  congenial  labor  connected  with  the  man- 
agement of  his  attractive  "  Locust  Hill  Farm."  The  attention  of 
Mr.  Bartholomew  was  early  called  to  the  science  of  chemistry  as 
applied  to  agriculture,  and  the  analysis  of  soils  and  the  food  of 
plants  was  made  by  him  a  special  study.  The  knowledge  thus 
gained  very  soon  established  him  as  a  local  authority  on  all  mat- 
ters connected  with  that  subject.  He  ardently  embraced  the 
idea  of  discovering  the  ingredients  of  soils  and  the  needs  of 
crops  by  the  use  of  chemical  fertilizers,  and  soon  became  a 
careful  student  of  these  subjects.  He  instituted,  under  the  aus- 
pices of  the  state,  a  series  of  experiments  each  year  for  several 
years,  to  verify  the  truth  or  fallacy  of  prevailing  theories.  Some 
of  these  experiments  have  occupied  considerable  space  in  the 
reports  of  the  Connecticut  Agricultural  Experiment  Station  and 
other  periodicals.  An  eminent  authority  alluded  to  them  "  as 
decidedly  the  most  valuable  ever  made  to  his  knowledge  in  this 
country."  They  were  translated  into  German  and  appeared  in 
the  station  reports  of  that  country.  Mr.  Bartholomew  has  always 
taken  a  prominent  part  in  the  Pomfret  and  Woodstock  Farmers' 
Clubs  over  which  he  has  presided,  and  in  the  various  agricultural 
societies  of  the  county.  He  has  frequently  been  called  to  address 
farmers  in  different  parts  of  the  state  on  subjects  pertaining  to 
agriculture.  He  was  in  1887  appointed  a  member  of  the  State 
Board  of  Agriculture. 

He  has  not  only  been  a  close  student,  but  an  active  citizen  in 
matters  pertaining  to  his  town.  He  has  for  years  been  a  justice 
of  the  peace  and  selectman,  and  as  a  republican  represented  his 
constituents  in  the  Connecticut  house  of  representatives  for  two 
years.     He  early  became  a  member  of  the   Methodist  Episcopal 


^4 


-t^W^ 


TOTYPE,     E.    BIERSTADT, 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  551 

church  of  West  Thompson.  Mr.  Bartholomew  on  the  29th  of 
April,  1858,  married  Mary  J.,  daughter  of  Joseph  S.  Hassard,  of 
Putnam.  Their  children  are:  Ada  Louise,  wife  of  Arthur  H. 
Strahan;  Anne  H.,  married  to  David  Chase;  Abby  Alice,  and 
Mary  Maud, 

Charles  and  Benjamin  Grosvenor. — John  Grosvenor,  the 
earliest  representative  of  the  family  in  New  England  and  the 
progenitor  of  all  who  bear  the  name  in  America,  was  born  in 
1641,  and  died  in  1691  in  Roxbury,  Massachusetts,  where  his 
burial  occurred.  His  wife,  Esther  Clark  Grosvenor,  a  woman  of 
great  strength  of  character  and  self-reliance,  came  with  her  fam- 
ily, consisting  of  five  sons  and  one  daughter,  to  Pomfret,  where 
she  engaged  in  the  management  of  her  landed  property,  and 
added  the  practice  of  medicine  to  her  other  attainments. 

Her  son,  Thomas,  born  in  1687,  married  Elizabeth  Pepper,  and 
was  the  father  of  Amos,  who  married  Mary  Hutchins,  and  set- 
tled as  a  farmer  in  Pomfret.  Among  his  children  was  a  son, 
Benjamin,  born  in  1771,  who  married  Chloe  Trowbridge,  to 
whom  were  born  eight  children,  the  two  eldest  sons  dying  in 
early  life.  John  William,  the  third  son,  whose  birth  occurred  in 
1806,  died  in  1862,  in  Pomfret,  where  his  life  was  spent  in  the 
pursuits  of  a  farmer.  He  married  Phebe  G.,  daughter  of  Charles 
Spaulding,  of  Plainfield.  Their  children  are:  Hannah,  deceased, 
wife ''of  C.  P.  Grosvenor;  Julia  E.,  deceased;  Charles  W.,  born 
May  11th,  1839;  and  Benjamin,  whose  birth  occurred  September 
21st,  1841. 

Charles,  the  elder  of  these  two  sons,  entered  the  army  in  1862, 
during  the  late  rebellion,  as  sergeant  of  Company  D,  Eighteenth 
Connecticut  Volunteers,  participating  in  all  the  important  en- 
gagements in  which  his  regiment  bore  a  part.  Mr.  Grosvenor, 
as  a  republican,  has  twice  represented  his  native  town  in  the 
state  legislature  and  once  in  the  senate.  Oi*  the  7th  of  March, 
1866,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  George  B. 
Mathewson,  of  Pomfret.  Their  children  are  three  daughters, 
Mary  M.,  Julia  E.  and  Louise  P. 

Benjamin,  the  younger  of  the  two  sons  of  John  William,  was 
born  in  Pomfret,  where  his  life,  with  the  exception  of  five  years 
in  Nebraska,  has  been  spent.  In  1871  he  purchased  his  present 
home  in  Pomfret.  Finding  pleasure  in  the  pursuits  of  business 
and  the  ownership  of  land,  he  has  from  time  to  time  added  to  his 
original  property,  until  now  he  has  over  700  acres  under  cultiva- 


^52  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

tion.  He  was  married  December  23d,  1867,  to  Miss  Anna,  daugh- 
ter of  George  B.  Mathewson,  of  the  same  town.  Their  children 
are  a  daughter,  Charlotte  M.,  and  a  son,  John  P. 

Pomfret  having  through  all  its  history  been  a  farming  town, 
has  within  the  last  twenty  years,  through  the  energy  and  ability 
of  the  Grosvenor  brothers,  preceded  by  that  of  their  father-in- 
law,  George  B.  Mathewson,  made  rapid  material  progress.  Com- 
mencing with  small  things  it  has  become  a  favorite  resort  for 
summer  guests,  and  so  rapidly  has  the  popularity  of  the  place  in- 
creased that  Mr.  Grosvenor  has  had  occasion  repeatedly  to  enlarge 
his  quarters,  adding  successive  buildings  and  cottages  to  his  do- 
main. Attracted  by  the  natural  beauty  of  the  adjacent  country, 
the  salubrious  air,  and  the  improvements  constantly  progres- 
sing, much  capital  has  been  invested  in  summer  homes  in  the 
vicinity. 

RuFUS  S.  Mathewson. — The  name  of  Mathewson  has  for  sev- 
eral generations  occupied  a  prominent  place  in  the  annals  of 
Windham  county.  Joseph  Mathewson,  the  grandfather  of  the 
subject  of  this  biographical  sketch,  married  Mary  Bowen.  Their 
son  Darius,  whose  wife  was  Mary  Smith,  became  the  father  of 
seven  sons  and  three  daughters,  of  whom  the  eldest  son,  Rufus 
S.  Mathewson,  was  born  September  14th,  1802,  in  Brooklyn,  and 
received  his  elementary  training  in  the  schools  of  his  native 
town.  He  fitted  for  college  with  the  intention  of  entering  Yale, 
but  yielding  to  the  solicitations  of  his  father,  abandoned  his  pur- 
pose with  reference  to  a  classical  education  and  devoted  his  life 
to  the  pursuits  of  a  farmer.  He  also  gave  some  attention  to  the 
study  of  medicine  under  Doctor  Hubbard,  of  Pomfret,  but  relin- 
quished this  also  in  obedience  to  the  filial  devotion  which  influ- 
enced his  future  career.  Joseph  Mathewson,  his  grandfather, 
purchased  the  historic  farm,  formerly  the  home  of  General  Put- 
nam, where  the  subject  of  this  biography  was  born  and  for 
eleven  years  resided.  He  afterward  removed  to  Woodstock, 
where  for. thirty-three  years  he  followed  an  agricultural  career. 
After  a  year  spent  in  Mississippi,  Mr.  Mathewson  became  a  resi- 
dent of  Pomfret,  where  his  death  occurred  on  the  29th  of  May, 
1886. 

He  occupied  many  positions  of  honor  and  trust,  both  of  a  civil 
and  political  character.  '  His  habitual  adherence  to  principle 
rather  than  policy  sometimes  provoked  opposition,  but  left  no 
room  for  doubt  as  to  the  strength  and  integrity  of  his  character. 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  553 

When  the  New  York  and  New  England  railroad  was  projected 
he  was  appointed  to  the  difficult  task  of  appraiser  of  property 
along  the  route,  while  his  services  were  invaluable  in  the  offices 
of  administrator  and  trustee,  where  soundness  of  judgment,  no 
less  than  probity  and  rectitude,  are  invaluable  qualities.  No 
influence  brought  to  bear  was  sufficiently  strong  to  cause  him  to 
swerve  from  the  line  of  duty  or  depart  from  his  convictions. 
Mr.  Mathewson  represented  his  town  in  the  Connecticut  legisla- 
ture in  the  years  1861-62,  and  was  often  called  to  the  office  of 
selectman  and  to  other  positions  of  trust.  He  was  for  many 
years  bank  examiner  of  the  state,  and  one  of  the  incorporators 
and  a  director  of  the  Putnam  Bank.  He  was  actively  interested 
in  the  Masonic  fraternity  as  a  member  of  Putnam  Lodge  No.  46. 
In  early  life  he  united  with  the  Congregational  church,  to  which 
he  gave  his  firm  allegiance  and  support,  and  contributed  in  a 
spirit  not  less  of  duty  than  of  liberality. 

Mr.  Mathewson,  on  the  10th  of  March,  1828,  married  Faith 
Williams  McClellan,  daughter  of  John  McClellan,  of  Woodstock, 
and  granddaughter  of  General  Samuel  McClellan  and  Hon. 
William  Williams,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  declaration  of  inde- 
pendence. Their  children  are:  William  Williams,  Harriet  Cor- 
delia, wife  of  Dwight  M.  Day;  Mary  Trumbull,  married  to 
Colonel  Alexander  Warner;  John  McClellan,  deceased;  Arthur, 
now  residing  in  Brooklyn,  New  York,  and  Albert,  deceased. 

Charles  Henry  Osgood  is  the  grandson,  on  the  paternal  side, 
of  Winthrop  Osgood,  of  Pomfret.  His  maternal  ancestor  was 
John  Holbrook,  of  the  same  county  and  town.  His  parents  were 
Charles  and  Lucy  Holbrook  Osgood,  whose  children  were:  Mary 
M.,  Charles  Henry,  John  H.,  Frances  L.  and  Ellen  E.  The  eld- 
est of  these  sons,  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Ab- 
ington,  in  the  town  of  Pomfret,  June  3d,  1841,  and  received  his 
education  at  the  public  and  private  schools  near  his  home.  He 
has  been,  during  the  greater  part  of  his  business  life,  identified 
with  the  county  in  an  official  capacity.  He  first  served  as  dep- 
uty sheriff,  and  was  in  1871  appointed  to  fill  the  unexpired  term 
as  sheriff  of  Windham  county.  Mr.  Osgood  was  later  elected  to 
the  same  office,  of  which  he  was  the  incumbent  for  a  period  of 
sixteen  years.  In  politics  he  has  been  and  is  an  advocate  of  the 
principles  of  the  republican  party.  He  is  connected  with  Quine- 
baug  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  Mr.  Osgood  was  in 
1878  married  to  Miss  Anna  E.  Hart,  of  Brooklyn,  New  York. 


554  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Colonel  Alexander  Warner. — Asahel  Warner,  the  grand- 
father of  Colonel  Warner,  was  a  native  of  the  state  of  Rhode 
Island,  and  later  in  life  removed  to  New  York,  from  which  point 
he  migrated  to  Connecticut  and  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits. His  children  were  seven  sons  and  one  daughter,  Mary, 
who  became  Mrs.  Ross.  The  sons  were:  Asahel,  Stephen, 
Thomas,  John,  Sabin,  Benjamin  and  Daniel.  Thomas  of  this 
number,  also  a  native  of  Rhode  Island,  established  himself  as  a 
manufacturer  in  Woodstock,  where  his  death  occurred  in  June, 
1877.  By  his  marriage  to  Amy  Collins,  of  Rhode  Island,  were 
born  children:  Sarah  A.,  wife  of  John  Lake;  Harriet  S.,  married 
to  Salem  L.  Ballard;  Alexander;  Mary  F.,  wife  of  Samuel  M. 
Fenner,  and  Edward  T. 

Alexander  W^arner,  the  eldest  son,  was  born  in  Smithfield, 
Providence  county,  Rhode  Island,  January  10th,  1827,  and  at  the 
age  of  eight  years  accompanied  his  parents  to  Woodstock,  where 
he  became  a  pupil  of  the  Woodstock  academy.  He  then  entered 
the  academy  at  Wilbraham,  Massachusetts,  and  before  complet- 
ing his  preparatory  collegiate  course  was  summoned  to  the 
assistance  of  his  father  in  his  business  enterprises.  .  Subse- 
quently becoming  a  partner,  the  firm  was,  at  the  outbreak  of  the 
late  war,  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  cotton  twine.  When 
the  bombardment  of  Fort  Sumter  called  the  North  to  arms. 
Colonel  Warner  was  among  the  first  to  offer  his  services  to  the 
state.  Enlisting  as  a  private  he  was  appointed  by  Governor 
Buckingham  major  of  the  Third  Regiment  Connecticut  Volun- 
teers, and  participated  with  his  command  in  the  first  battle  of 
Bull  Run.  He  was  afterward  made  lieutenant-colonel  of  the 
Thirteenth  Connecticut  Volunteers,  joined  the  Department  of 
the  Gulf,  and  shared  in  most  of  the  important  engagements. 
Ill  health  compelled  his  temporary  retirement  from  active  ser- 
vice, when,  reporting  for  duty,  he  was  ordered  by  General 
Emery,  commanding  the  Department  of  New  Orleans,  to  raise 
and  organize  the  Fifth  Louisiana  Regiment  for  the  defense  of 
New  Orleans,  which  he  commanded  during  that  important  crisis 
and  until  continued  ill  health  compelled  his  retirement  from 
the  service.  He  was  subsequently  appointed  by  Secretary  Chase 
special  agent  of  the  Treasury  Department  at  New  Orleans,  and 
held  the  office  until  his  return  to  the  North,  on  which  occasion 
he  tendered  his  resignation. 

In  the  autumn  of  1865,  Colonel  Warner  purchased  in  Madison 


/'^'^    c 


ARTOTYPE,     E.    BIERSTAD 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  655 

county,  Mississippi,  a  plantation  embracing  several  thousand 
acres.  Many  other  northern  capitalists,  attracted  by  the  superior 
productiveness,  had  also  located  in  the  same  neighborhood,  and 
the  energy,  courage,  sagacity  and  apparently  exhaustless  re- 
sources of  the  subject  of  this  biography,  caused  him  to  be  rec- 
ognized from  the  beginning  as  a  leader  of  the  northern  element. 
He  employed  at  regular  wages  a  large  number  of  freedmen, 
which  exasperated  the  natives,  who  were  unwilling  to  realize  the 
fact  that  slavery  was  ended.  His  innovations  were  denounced 
as  certain  to  disorganize  the  labor  of  the  country,  and  still  deep- 
er resentment  was  aroused  as  agent  for  the  Freedmen's  Bureau, 
when  he  compelled  on  the  part  of  the  native  planters,  the  fulfill- 
ment of  the  contracts  made  with  the  blacks.  During  this  tran- 
sitional period  his  life  was  often  threatened,  and  always  in  dan- 
ger, but  he  never  faltered  in  the  line  of  duty,  nor  hesitated  to 
extend  to  the  oppressed  the  full  protection  of  the  law.  Colonel 
Warner  was  appointed  secretary  of  state  by  the  military  com- 
mander, was  trustee  and  treasurer  of  the  State  University,  six 
years  a  member  of  the  state  senate,  and  part  of  that  time  its  pres- 
ident and  ex-officio  lieutenant-governor,  four  years  chairman  of 
the  republican  state  committee,  and  three  times  a  delegate  to  the 
national  republican  convention.  As  chairman  of  the  Mississippi 
delegation  at  the  convention  which  first  nominated  General 
Grant,  he  cast  the  vote  of  the  state,  with  the  sentiment,  "  Mis- 
sissippi, the  home  of  Jefferson  Davis,  casts  her  unanimous  vote 
for  U.  S.  Grant,"  amidst  tremendous  applause. 

In  1877  Colonel  Warner,  on  returning  to  the  north,  purchased 
"  Woodlawn,"  in  the  town  of  Pomfret,  embracing  a  highly  cul- 
tivated and  productive  farm  from  which  the  blooded  stock  was 
a  well  known  feature  of  the  various  fairs  throughout  New  Eng- 
land. He,  later,  removed  to  "Sunnyside,"  the  former  home  of 
Mrs.  Warner's  family  in  the  same  town,  where  he  now  resides. 
The  Colonel  was  in  1876  commissioner  from  Mississippi  to  the 
centennial  exposition  in  Philadelphia  and  again  from  Connecti- 
cut to  the  exposition  of  1887.  He  was  in  1888  commissioner  to 
the  Ohio  centennial,  and  in  1889  to  that  held  in  New  York.  He 
was  elected  and  served  as  state  treasurer  for  the  years  1887  and 
1888,  was  a  member  of  the  state  board  of  agriculture  and  has 
been  appointed  by  the  several  governors  to  various  national 
agricultural  conventions.  He  was  president  of  the  Windham 
County  Agricultural  Society,  and  has  held  various  local  offices. 


556  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

He  has  extensive  interests  in  the  West  and  is  president  of  the 
Baxter  Bank,  of  Baxter  Springs,  Kansas.  As  a  Mason  he  is  con- 
nected with  Putnam  Lodge,  No.  46,  and  Montgomery  Chapter. 
He  is  a  member  of  Loyal  Legion  Commandery  of  Massachu- 
setts. 

Colonel  Warner  was  married  on  the  27th  of  September,  1855, 
to  Mary  Trumbull  Mathewson,  daughter  of  Rufus  Smith  Mathew- 
son  and  Faith  Williams  McClellan,  of  Woodstock.  Mrs.  Warner 
is  the  great-granddaughter  of  William  Williams,  one  of  the 
signers  of  the  declaration  of  independence.  Mr.  Williams  mar- 
ried Mary  Trumbull,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Trumbull,  the  first 
colonial  governor  of  Connecticut,  the  friend  of  Washington,  and 
prominent  during  the  revolutionary  period.  Colonel  and  Mrs. 
Warner  have  had  two  children — Benjamin  Silliman,  who  was 
born  September  24th,  1856,  and  Arthur  McClellan,  whose  birth 
occurred  April  13th,  1860,  and  his  death  September  4th  of  the 
same  year.  Benjamin  Silliman,  who  is  a  resident  of  Baxter 
Springs,  Kansas,  in  1886  married  Sarah  L.,  daughter  of  Edward 
Trowbridge,  of  Brooklyn,  New  York,  and  has  one  son,  Arthur 
Trumbull. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


THE    SOCIETY    OF    ABINGTON. 


Organization. — Settlers. — Schools. — Church  Progress. — Congregational  Church. 
— Church  of  the  Messiah. — Second  Advent  Church. — Libraries. — Hall.^ — Man- 
ufacturing.— Charles  Osgood. 


THE  Society  of  Abington,  comprising  the  western  part  of 
Pomfret,  was  chartered  and  described  by  the  assembly  May 
2d,  1749,  the  act,  in  part  being  as  follows:  "  Resolved  by 
the  Assembly  that  an  ecclesiastical  society  be,  and  is  hereby, 
erected  in  the  west  part  of  said  township,  and  that  the  bounds 
thereof  be  as  follows:  Bounded  north  on  Woodstock,  westerly 
on  the  line  dividing  between  said  town  of  Pomfret  and  Wind- 
ham, so  far  south  as  to  the  parish  already  made  partly  out  of 
said  Pomfret,  and  partly  out  of  Canterbury  and  partly  out  of 
Mortlake;  thence  by  said  parish  eastwardly  to  Mortlake  west 
side;  thence  by  Mortlake  to  the  southwesterly  of  the  Rev.  Ebene- 
zer  Williams'  farm — saving  also  all  the  lands  and  persons  that 
are  west  of  said  Mortlake  to  said  parish,  that  hath  been  made  as 
aforesaid,  that  are  already  granted  to  said  parish;  and  from  said 
Williams  his  said  corner,  the  line  to  run  northerly  tO'  the  south- 
west corner  of  Jonathan  Dresser's  land;  from  thence  to  run  be- 
tween J.  Dresser's  land  and  the  land  of  Benjamin  Allen  to  Mash- 
amoquet  Brook;  from  thence  to  run  northerly,  so  as  to  include 
the  dwelling  house  of  Ebenezer  Holbrook,  Jun.,  on  the  west;  from 
thence  to  run  northwesterly  until  it  comes  to  the  road  which 
crosses  the  Mill  Brook  at  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  rods  distance, 
as  the  road  runs  easterly  from  said  brook;  from  thence  to  run  north 
nine  degrees  easterly  to  Woodstock  line,  including  those  fami- 
lies that  live  within  said  town  of  Pomfret,  which  were  heretofore 
allowed  by  Act  of  Assembly  to  take  parish  privileges  in  the  sec- 
ond society  of  Windham,  and  that  the  limits  aforesaid  be  limits 
of  one  ecclesiastic  society,  with  all  the  powers  and  privileges  of 
the  other  ecclesiastic  societies  in  this  Colony.  And  that  the  said 
parish  be  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  Abington." 


558  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Abington  then  numbered  about  fifty  families.  The  inhabi- 
tants met  June  19th,  1749,  at  the  house  of  James  Ingalls  "  to 
form  themselves  into  a  society."  Captain  Joseph  Craft  was 
chosen  moderator;  Edward  Goodell,  collector.  It  was  voted 
"to  accept  of  the  house  of  James  Ingalls  to  have  preaching  in;" 
also,  "  that  the  committee  shall  provide  a  good  minister."  Ap- 
parently no  minister  was  engaged  for  the  winter,  as  a  rate  was 
granted  to  pay  the  schoolmaster  and  other  necessary  expenses, 
but  none  for  preaching.  Services  were  probably  held  in  James 
Ingall's  house,  a  little  south  of  the  present  Abington  village.  In 
April  it  was  voted  to  hire  a  school  dame  three  months.  The 
minister  at  last  provided  was  Mr.  Daniel  Welch,  afterward  pas- 
tor of  the  church  in  North  Mansfield.  January  14th,  1751,  John 
and  James  Ingalls,  William  Osgood,  Daniel  Trowbridge  and  Ed- 
ward Paine  were  chosen  a  committee  "  for  setting  up  and  build- 
ing and  finishing  a  meeting  house  forty-eight  feet  by  thirt3^-nine." 
Twenty  pounds,  old  tenor,  were  allowed  to  Zachariah  Goodell 
for  one-half  an  acre  of  land  for  a  building  site,  and  a  rate  was 
ordered  to  pay  the  minister  and  schoolmaster.  In  the  summer 
of  1751  the  meeting  house  was  raised  and  covered,  and  though 
still  very  incomplete,  made  ready  for  occupation.  A  three 
months'  school  was  ordered  at  Solomon  Howe's,  in  the  south, 
and  another  at  John  Sharpe's,  in  the  north  of  the  society.  Mr. 
Jabez  Whitmore  preached  through  the  winter,  and  made  him- 
self so  acceptable  that  he  was  invited  to  settle  April  23d,  1752. 
Failing  in  this  attempt,  the  society  next  secured  the  services  of 
Mr.  David  Ripley,  of  Windham,  a  graduate  of  Yale  College,  and 
he  was  ordained  February  21st,  1753,  Mr.  Devotion,  of  Scot- 
land, Mr.  Ripley's  early  pastor,  preaching  the  sermon.  March 
14th  the  church  chose,  as  suitable  persons  to  serve  as  deacons, 
Samuel  Craft  and  Samuel  Ruggles.  The  interior  of  the  meet- 
ing house  was  now  made  more  complete.  The  heavy  land  own- 
ers were  allowed  to  build  pews  for  themselves,  to  be  done  within 
one  year.  The  pew  spots  were  drawn  or  distributed  to  different 
ones  in  the  following  order,  after  Mr.  Ripley  and  his  family  had 
been  granted  the  pew  by  the  pulpit  stairs:  Caleb  Grosvenor, 
John  Shaw,  James  Ingalls,  Edward  Paine,  John  Ingalls,  William 
Osgood,  John  Sharpe,  Daniel  Trowbridge,  Captain  Craft,  Cap- 
tain Goodell,  Nathaniel  Stowell,  Richard  Peabody,  Jonathan 
Dana,  Edward  Goodell,  Ebenezer  Goodell. 

Schools  received  continually  more  attention.     In  1752  three 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  569 

schools  were  allowed,  two  months  in  each  part,  each  part  to  pro- 
vide a  house;  middle  school  at  Mr.  Howe's.  In  the  following 
year  two  school  houses  were  voted — Goodell,  Paine  and  Gros- 
venor  to  fix  spots.  Spots  were  assigned  the  succeeding  year, 
but  the  houses  were  not  provided.  In  December,  1775,  it  was 
ordered,  "  That  the  centre  school  be  kept  in  the  old  school 
house;  north  school  at  Caleb  Grosvenor's,  and  south  school  at 
Edward  Goodell's,  if  he  is  willing."  In  1767  four  school  houses 
were  ordered,  and  two  were  actually  built  in  1760.  In  town  and 
public  affairs  Abington  parish  bore  her  full  share,  her  citizens 
filling  a  just  proportion  of  needful  town  offices.  Ebenezer  Hol- 
brook,  Joseph  Craft,  William  Osgood  and  John  Grosvenor  were 
sent  s;iccessively  as  representatives  to  the  general  assembly. 
An  excellent  house  of  entertainment  was  kept  by  James  Ingalls, 
one  of  its  most  prominent  and  respected  citizens. 

Abington  society  was  obliged  to  seek  the  dismissal  of  its  hon- 
ored pastor.  Reverend  David  Ripley,  in  consequence  of  disease, 
by  which  he  was  disabled  from  efficient  service.  He  consented 
to  be  dismissed  from  his  office  in  March,  1778.  This  dismission 
in  nowise  effected  Mr.  Ripley's  ministerial  standing,  and  he 
officiated  in  the  pulpit  at  home  and  abroad  whenever  his  health 
permitted.  He  was  able  to  preach  occasionally  to  his  former 
charge,  and  no  other  minister  was  settled  for  several  years. 
Reverend  Walter  Lyon,  a  native  of  Woodstock  and  graduate  of 
Dartmouth  College,  was  ordained  as  pastor  January  7th,  1783. 
The  first  pastor  of  the  church ,  Reverend  David  Ripley,  after  long 
infirmity  and  suffering,  died  in  1785.  Mr.  Lyon  was  a  faithful  and 
conscientious  pastor,  devoted  to  the  work  of  preaching  the  gos- 
pel. Improvements  in  schools  and  house  of  worship,  the  libra- 
ries and  missionary  efforts,  enjoyed  his  countenance  and  sup- 
port. A  bell  was  given  by  Mr.  Samuel  Summer  in  1800,  and 
leave  voted  to  certain  individuals  to  build  a  steeple.  In  1802  the 
society  voted  to  pay  the  expense  of  hanging  and  raising  the  bell 
and  a  rope  to  hang  it.  Further  repairs  were  soon  accomplished 
and  the  house  brought  into  good  condition.  The  ecclesiastic 
society  continued  its  care  of  the  schools,  allowing  sixteen 
months  schooling  a  year  for  the  whole  society — schools  kept  at 
the  usual  places — and  voting  that  the  schoolmasters  have  no 
more  than  forty  shillings  per  month,  they  boarding  themselves. 
In  1798  four  school  districts  were  formally  set  off  and  estab- 
lished, and  suitable  school  houses  erected. 


560  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Fifteen  were  added  to  the  membership  of  the  church  in  1809, 
and  the  same  number  in  1819.  William  Osgood  and  Wyllis 
Goodell  were  chosen  deacons  in  1811.  Captain  Elisha  Lord  con- 
tinued to  lead  the  singing.  Mr.  Abishai  Sharpe  was  excused 
from  pa}dng  his  assessment  for  meeting  house  repairs  on  condi- 
tion that  he  teach  a  singing  school  two  evenings  a  week  through 
the  season. 

Reverend  Walter  Lyon  remained  in  charge  of  the  Abington 
church  till  his  death  in  1826.  His  habits  of  order,  discipline  and 
exactness  continued  through  life;  his  clock  and  desk  were  never 
moved  from  the  spot  selected  for  them  on  his  first  occupation  of 
the  ministerial  homestead.  He  left  a  generous  bequest  to  the 
society,  and  gave  liberally  to  benevolent  objects.  Reverend 
Charles  Fitch,  a  noted  revivalist,  was  installed  pastor  in  1828. 
A  very  powerful  revival  was  experienced  in  1831,  in  connection 
with  "  a  four  days'  meeting."  Thirty-three  persons  united  with 
the  church  the  following  January;  fifty-nine  during  the  pastor- 
ate. He  was  followed  in  1834  by  Reverend  Nathan  S.  Hunt, 
who  retained  the  charge  eleven  years.  Abington's  usual  placidity 
was  greatly  disturbed  during  his  ministry  by  a  controversy  about 
building  a  new  meeting  house.  After  the  heat  of  the  contro- 
versy had  passed  away,  a  compromise  was  effected,  and  the 
society  voted  to  repair  the  old  meeting  house  thoroughly.  Re- 
pairs were  accomplished  to  general  satisfaction,  and  the  reno- 
vated house  has  since  been  maintained  in  excellent  condition, 
the  oldest  church  edifice  now  occupied  in  Windham  county. 
George  Sharpe  succeeded  to  the  position  of  chorister.  Elisha 
Lord  and  William  Osgood,  Jr.,  were  chosen  deacons  in  1831.  A 
Sabbath  school  was  organized  in  1826,  Deacon  Wyllis  Goodell, 
superintendent. 

Nathan  S.  Hunt  was  installed  pastor  of  this  church,  February 
11th,  1834,  and  was  dismissed  April  30th,  1845.  Following  that 
time  Reverend  Edward  Pratt  supplied  the  pulpit  about  four 
years.  He  was  followed  by  Reverend  Sylvester  Hine,  who  sup- 
plied for  a  time  about  1850.  Reverend  Henry  B.  Smith  was  in- 
stalled January  13th,  1852,  and  after  a  considerable  pastoral  ser- 
vice was  dismissed  August  26th,  1863.  Reverend  George  H. 
Morss  was  ordained  and  installed  May  11th,  1864,  and  was  dis- 
missed November  1st,  1866.  An  interval  of  supply  then  occurred. 
David  Breed,  of  Windham,  began  preaching  about  1868,  and 
continued  until  June,  1872.     Daniel  Frost,  of  Dayville,  supplied 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  561 

the  vacancy  at  this  and  other  times,  when  the  church  was  with- 
out a  pastor.  Andrew  Sharpe  also  supplied  for  a  time.  Andrew 
Montgomery  followed,  from  the  early  part  of  1875  to  the  spring 
of  1880.  Reverend  H.  M.  Bartlett,  of  Pomfret,  supplied  the  pul- 
pit in  1880,  and  Reverend  Stephen  Carter,  of  Westminster,  sup- 
plied at  a  later  date.  Reverend  Daniel  J.  Bliss  came  to  the  church 
in  June,  1884,  and  remains  at  the  present  time.  A  parsonage  was 
built  in  1852.  The  present  house  of  worship  claims  the  honor 
of  being  the  oldest  one  in  the  state,  having  been  built  in  the  year 
1751,  and  is  still  in  a  good  state  of  preservation.  The  member- 
ship of  the  church  at  the  present  time  is  about  ninety. 

Meetings  were  held  here  by  the  Second  Advent  people  about 
the  year  1844.  In  that  year  they  were  held  in  a  school  house. 
They  were  begun  and  for  several  5^ears  conducted  under  the 
leadership  of  Doctor  Huntington,  of  Brooklyn.  A  vacant  store 
was  obtained  and  fitted  up  with  seats,  and  this  was  used  until 
about  1864,  when  a  chapel  was  built  in  the  neighborhood.  This 
was  occupied  until  the  fall  of  1874,  when  it  was  disposed  of,  and 
a  new  church  built  about  a  mile  to  the  west  of  the  former  site. 
This  is  now  standing  and  in  use,  and  is  a  very  neat  edifice.  Doc- 
tor Huntington  continued  to  serve  the  church  many  years.  Elder 
Carpenter  preached  here  in  connection  with  his  labors  in  the 
Second  Advent  church  at  Danielsonville  for  a  number  of  years. 
Elder  Hezekiah  Davis  was  settled  as  pastor  of  this  church  from 
1874  till  about  the  year  1882.  He  was  followed  by  Elder  Albert 
Johnson,  who  remained  till  about  two  years  since,  after  which 
no  settled  pastor  has  been  in  charge.  Elder  Card,  from  Rhode 
Island,  and  others  supplied  for  brief  periods.  The  present  mem- 
bership of  the  church  is  about  fifty.  A  Sunday  school  has  been 
in  active  working  order  most  of  the  time  since  the  time  of  Elder 
Davis,  and  was  in  operation  part  of  the  year  previous  to  that. 

The  Church  of  the  Messiah,  an  Episcopal  branch  from  the 
church  at  Pomfret,  was  erected  in  Abington  in  1882  and  1883. 
Episcopal  services  were  commenced  here  in  1881.  A  lot  was  do- 
nated by  Miss  Sarah  C.  Howard,  and  the  church  was  erected 
upon  it.  Some  of  the  timber  and  furniture  from  the  old  house 
at  Pomfret  were  used  in  this  new  house,  and  funds  for  building 
were  largely  obtained  by  contributions  from  the  people  of  the 
diocese.  The  house  was  consecrated  November  20th,  1883.  As 
far  as  church  organization  and  ministerial  supply  is  concerned 
it  is  a  part  of  the  parish  of  Pomfret. 
36 


562  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

In  1793  a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  Abington  formed  a 
"  Propriety "  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  library  here. 
This  was  called  the  Social  Library  of  Abington.  Walter  Lyon 
was  the  first  librarian.  A  hundred  volumes  were  soon  procured. 
The  price  of  a  share  was  stated  at  twelve  shillings.  The  instruc- 
tive element  here  was  too  heavy  for  the  palate  of  the  young,  and 
in  1804  a  "Junior  Library  "  was  formed,  with  John  Holbrook, 
librarian.  This  contained  some  ninety  volumes  of  light  litera- 
ture of  the  day.  In  1813  the  literary  spirit  of  Abington  organ- 
ized a  Ladies'  Library  of  which  Alathea  Lord  was  librarian. 
Seventy  dollars  were  promptly  raised  and  invested  in  books.  An 
admission  fee  of  three  dollars  and  an  annual  tax  of  twenty-five 
cents  was  agreed  upon  to  furnish  funds.  New  members  w^ere 
from  time  to  time  admitted,  and  many  valuable  books  bought. 
In  1815  a  union  of  the  Social  and  Junior  libraries  was  effected 
and  these  became  the  United  Library  of  Abington. 

With  the  multiplication  of  newspapers  and  magazines  these 
libraries  were  less  needed  than  they  were  at  first,  and  in  the 
course  of  the  next  quarter  of  a  century  they  had  fallen  into  ne- 
glect. The  Abington  Ladies'  Library  for  many  years  retained 
its  place  and  power  as  a  factor  of  culture  in  the  town.  The 
United  Library  of  Abington  also  maintained  its  hold  upon  life 
until  a  revival  of  interest  in  its  cause  came  about  and  a  few^  years 
since  the  Ladies'  Library  was  consolidated  with  it  and  the  new 
Social  Library  thus  formed  was  endowed  with  some  seven  hun- 
dred volumes.  This  library  has  been  maintained  to  the  present 
time,  and  is  in  a  prosperous  condition.  Some  of  the  old  books 
still  remain  in  it.  A  building  was  erected  for  its  accommoda- 
tion about  1886.  It  stands  near  the  Congregational  church,  on 
the  Common.  It  has  a  library  room  and  another  room  for  meet- 
ings. The  building  cost  about  $1,500,  of  which  Mr.  Sabin  Chase, 
of  Waterbury,  contributed  $500.  The  library  contains  about 
one  thousand  volumes. 

Some  manufacturing  is  carried  on  in  Abington,  though  not 
enough  to  make  that  industry  a  prominent  feature  of  the  locality. 
Albert  Smith  carries  on  the  manufacture  of  brooms.  Carriages 
are  manufactured  by  William  Brayton.  The  manufacture  of 
road  machines  was  carried  on  here  a  few  years  since,  by  George 
W.  Taft.  He  began  experimenting  in  these  machines  as  early 
as  1873,  since  which  time  he  has  taken  out  a  number  of  patents, 
developing  the  "  New  Model  Champion."     He  began  manufac- 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  563 

turing  in  1882.  The  growth  of  the  business  for  five  years  is 
shown  by  the  number  of  machines  manufactured  each  year, 
which  was  6,  100,  250,  400,  1,800.  The  number  last  mentioned 
were  produced  in  1886,  when  Mr.  Taft  had  become  associated 
with  a  firm  at  Kennett  Square,  Pa.,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  that 
year  he  removed  his  works  to  that  place. 

Of  one  of  the  conspicuous  representatives  of  this  locality  we 
have  the  following  mention  to  make  : 

Charles  Osgood  was  born  in  Pomfret,  Abington  Society,  March 
29th,  1811,  and  died  December  5th,  1888.  With  the  exception  of 
a  residence  of  five  years  in  Putnam,  he  lived  on  the  homestead 
which  had  been  in  posses.sion  of  the  Osgood  family  since  the 
year  1747. 

Mr.  Osgood's  ability  and  integrity  recommended  him  to  posi- 
tions of  trust  and  responsibility.  For  five  terms  he  represented 
the  town  of  Pomfret  in  the  legislature,  and  was  an  influential 
member.  He  was  chairman  of  the  state  prison  committee,  and 
was  the  author  of  the  bill  he  introduced,  which  passed  the  legis- 
lature, giving  to  the  prisoner  a  deduction  of  five  days  from  his 
term  of  sentence  for  each  month  of  good  behavior. 

Previous  to  the  Presidential  election  in  1864,  Governor  Buck- 
ingham sent  Mr.  Osgood  south  to  receive  the  votes  of  the  soldiers 
in  some  of  the  Connecticut  regiments. 

He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Windham  County  Agricul- 
tural Society  in  1862,  and  for  several  years  was  its  correspond- 
ing secretary  and  afterward  its  president.  For  nearly  twenty 
years  he  was  acting  school  visitor.  To  him  were  chiefly  due  the 
select  schools  that  in  successive  years  were  of  benefit  to  the  young 
people  of  Abington. 

Mr.  Osgood  married  in  1838,  Lucy  Holbrook,  daughter  of  John 
Holbrook,  of  Abington,  a  member  of  the  Windham  county  bar. 
Mrs.  Osgood  died  in  1885.  They  have  left  two  sons  and  three 
daughters. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


THE  TOWN  OF  BROOKLYN. 


Facts  and  Figures. — Movement  of  Settlers. — Richard  Adams. — Isolated  Settlers. 
— Division  of  Vacant  Lands. — The  Stoddard  Tract. — Heterogeneous  Settle- 
ment.— A  Minister  Emploj^ed. — Organization  of  "  The  Society  taken  out  of 
Pomfret,  Canterbury  and  Mortlake." — Becomes  Brooklyn  Parish. — The  Town 
Chartered. — List  of  Inhabitants.- — Business  and  Public  Questions. — The 
County  Seat  Moved  Here. — Brooklyn  Newspapers. — Putnam  and  the  Wolf. 
— General  Putnam, — Godfrey  Malbone. — Roads  and  Bridges. — Manufactur- 
ing Enterprises. — School  Accommodations. — Church  History,  early  and  late. 
— Banks. — Insurance  Company. — Agricultural  Society. — Creamery. — Decline 
of  Manufactures.— Biographical  Sketches. 


THE  township  of  Brooklyn,  the  shiretown  of  Windham  coun- 
ty, is  centrally  located,  with  Pomfret  on  the  north,  Kil- 
ling-ly  and  Plainfield  on  the  east,  Canterbury  on  the  south, 
and  Hampton  on  the  west.  The  area  of  the  town  is  about  thirty 
square  miles,  its  width  from  north  to  south  being  about  five 
miles  and  its  length  from  east  to  west  about  six  miles.  It  has 
one  central  village,  which  contains  the  county  buildings, 
churches,  stores  and  shops,  and  is  very  handsomely  shaded  and 
ornamented.  The  northern  part  of  the  town  is  hilly,  while  the 
southern  part  is  marshy  and  rolling.  The  Quinebaug  sweeps  its 
eastern  border  all  the  way,  and  Blackwell's  brook  traverses  the 
town  from  the  northwest  part  to  the  southern  border.  No  rail- 
road infringes  upon  Brooklyn  territory,  but  convenient  commu- 
nication with  the  world  is  afforded  by  stage  line  to  Danielson- 
ville  about  three  miles  from  the  central  village.  The  popula- 
tion at  different  times  has  been:  1800,1,202;  1840,1,488;  1870, 
2,355  ;  1880,  2,308.     Grand  list,  1845,  $23,866  ;  1887,  $1,451,404. 

In  1703,  Richard  Adams,  of  Preston,  obtained,  for  two  hun- 
dred pounds,  from  Major  Fitch,  a  deed  of  three  thousand 'acres 
of  wilderness  land,  vSouth  of  Blackwell's  tract.  Its  bound  began 
at  the  junction  of  the  Five-Mile  and  Quinebaug  rivers,  extend- 
ing west  on  Blackwell's  line  to  a  pine  tree  marked  B,  by  the  side 
of  Blackwell's  brook,  and  beyond  it ;  thence  south  four  hundred 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  565 

and  eighty  perches  ;, thence  east  to  the  Quinebaug,  where  Bea- 
ver brook  empties  into  it.  Richard  Adams,  Jr.,  appears  to  have 
made  a  settlement  on  this  tract,  even  before  the  deed  of  convey- 
ance was  executed,  and  was  the  first  settler  within  the  limits  of 
the  township  granted  to  Blackwell,  and  the  present  town  of 
Brooklyn.  His  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Daniel  Cady,  of  Aspi- 
nock.  Their  homestead  was  in  the  depths  of  a  dense  wilder- 
ness, much  infested  with  wild  beasts  and  Indians,  about  a  mile 
southeast  of  the  site  of  the  present  Brooklyn  Green.  A  colony 
of  beavers  held  possession  of  the  brook  adjoining.  Richard 
Adams  w^as  numbered  with  the  inhabitants  of  Plainfield  in  1701 ; 
in  1703  assisted  in  the  organization  of  Canterbury,  and  was 
claimed  for  many  years  as  an  inhabitant  of  that  township. 

A  strip  of  land  south  of  the  Adams  tract  was  purchased  of 
Major  Fitch  by  John  Allen,  of  Aspinock,  1703,  and  conveyed  by 
him,  in  1705,  to  his  son  Isaac,  who  soon  took  personal  possession, 
John  Woodward  settled  south  of  Allen  and  north  of  Canterbury 
line  in  1706.  In  1707  Edward  Spalding,  of  Plainfield,  bought 
land  north  of  Canterbury  bounds,  at  the  foot  of  Tatnick  hill,  and 
there  settled  with  his  family.  These  four  families  were  for  sev- 
eral years  the  only  white  inhabitants  within  the  limits  of  Black- 
well's  patent.  Richard  Adams  and  his  neighbors  were  left  un- 
stated to  any  township  for  several  years — a  few  isolated  families 
remote  from  settlements  and  civilization.  They  paid  rates  to 
Canterbury  and  attended  religious  worship  there  when  practi- 
cable. Communication  with  the  outside  world  was  difficult  and 
sometimes  dangerous.  The  road  from  Canterbury  to  Woodstock 
passed  near  Edward  Spalding's  house,  which  soon  became  a 
place  of  entertainment  for  travelers — his  first  barrel  of  rum 
coming  up  from  Norwich  on  horseback,  lashed  between  two 
poles  and  dragged  behind  the  rider. 

The  Adams  tract  was  divided  after  a  time  into  eight  equal  and 
parallel  allotments,  running  from  east  to  west,  and  made  over 
to  the  seven  children  of  Richard  Adams,  of  Preston — Richard, 
Jr.,  receiving  a  deed  of  two  lower  allotments  in  1712.  Twenty- 
five  hundred  acres  west  of  the  Adams  tract  were  secured  by 
Captain  John  Chandler,  1707.  The  several  tracts  held  by  Fitch, 
Blackwell,  Stoddard  and  Chandler  were  left  vacant  and  neglect- 
ed till  the  death  of  Sir  John  Blackwell,  when  the  Mortlake  man- 
or fell  to  his  son,  and  was  sold  by  him  to  Jonathan  Belcher,  of 
Boston,  April  3d,  1713.     A  highway  was  laid  out  from  north  to 


566  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

south.  Two  noble  farms  or  manors,  called  Kingswood  and 
Wiltshire,  were  laid  out  for  Mr.  Belcher's  own  occupation. 
"  For  the  promoting-  of  public  good  and  the  better  settling  of 
the  land,"  large  tracts  were  sold — fourteen  hundred  acres  on  the 
Quinebaug  to  Governor  Saltonstall,  five  hundred  acres  to  Sam- 
uel Williams,  of  Roxbury,  and  three  hundred  to  Mr.  Belchers 
brother-in-law,  William  Foye.  A  public  training-field  was  re- 
served between  one  of  Foye's  farms  and  Nantasket  brook. 
About  twelve  hundred  acres  were  left  in  forest  and  meadow  for 
future  disposal. 

In  1714  the  vacant  land  between  Pomfret  and  Canterbury  was 
divided  between  these  townships,  and  thus  the  land  south  of 
Mortlake,  owned  by  Adams,  Chandler  and  Stoddard,  came  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  Pomfret.  Richard  Adams  was  chosen  select- 
man in  1715,  and  by  a  very  clear  vote,  the  town  made  over  to 
him  all  their  right  and  title  to  his  land  as  to  property. 
The  settlement  of  this  section  was  somewhat  quickened  by 
its  annexation  to  Pomfret.  Daniel  Cady,  of  Killingly,  father 
of  Mrs.  Richard  Adams,  bought  six  hundred  acres  of  land  near 
Tatnick  hill,  of  Jabez  Allen,  in  1714,  and  settled  there  with  a 
large  family  of  sons  and  daughters.  James  Cady,  of  Marlbo- 
rough, purchased  land  of  Richard  Adams  in  1716.  John,  Joseph 
and  Daniel  Adams  then  took  possession  of  their  allotments,  and 
threw  part  of  them  into  market.  Sixty  acres  now  included  in 
Brooklyn  village  were  sold  by  Joseph  Adams  in  1718,  to  Samuel 
Spalding.  John  Adams  sold  homesteads  to  Jabez  Spicer,  John 
Hubbard,  Daniel  Adams,  a  farm  to  Samuel  Head.  The  twenty- 
five  hundred  acres  of  land  between  the  Adams  and  Stoddard 
tracts  were  sold  by  Captain  Chandler  for  i^l90,  to  Joseph  Otis, 
of  Scituate,  in  1715.  Its  eastern  half  was  sold  out  in  farms  to 
the  Reverend  Ebenezer  Williams,  Ebenezer  Whiting,  Samuel 
Spalding,  Jonathan  Cady  and  Josiah  Cleveland,  in  1719  ;  the  west- 
ern half  was  purchased  by  Stephen  Williams,  Joseph  Davison, 
and  Joseph  Holland,  in  1723.  The  Stoddard  tract  remained  for 
many  years  in  the  hands  of  its  non-resident  owner,  save  a  few 
hundred  acres,  sold  in  1719  to  Abiel  Cheney,  Benjamin  Chaplin, 
of  Lynn,  Samuel  Gardner  and  Samuel  Pellet.  Chaplin  and  Pel- 
let also  purchased  land  of  Major  Fitch,  and  were  the  first  settlers 
of  the  southwestern  corner  of  Pomfret. 

About  twenty  families  had  gathered  in  the  south  part  of  Pom- 
fret by  1720.     Their  position  was  somewhat  peculiar.     A  dis- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  567 

tinct,  independent  township  lay  between  them  and  the  main 
settlement,  and  had  to  be  traversed  by  them  on  their  way  to 
public  worship,  town  meetings  and  trainings.  The  long  jour- 
ney over  rough  roads,  which  they  had  not  the  power  to  mend  or 
alter,  was  "  exceedingly  difficult  and  next  to  impossible,  and 
children  were  compelled  a  great  part  of  the  year  to  tarry  at 
home  on  the  Lord's  day."  Some  of  the  residents  in  the  south 
part  of  this  region  maintained  church  relations  in  Canterbury, 
so  that  the  charge  was  divided  between  the  Reverend  Messrs. 
Williams  and  Estabrook,  who  visited  the  people,  watched  over 
them,  and  established  a  monthly  lecture  in  the  neighborhood, 
which  was  continued  for  some  years. 

In  1721  the  inhabitants  of  this  section  were:  James  Cady, 
Joseph  Adams,  Isaac  Adams,  Daniel  Adams,  John  Adams,  Eze- 
kiel  Cady,  Daniel  Cady,  Jonathan  Cady,  Ezra  Cady,  John  Cady, 
Daniel  Cady,  2d,  Samuel  Spalding,  Isaac  Allen,  Josiah  Cleve- 
land, Joseph  Holland,  Ezekiel  Whitney,  Henry  Smith,  Ebenezer 
Whiting,  John  Woodward,  Jabez  Spicer,  Jonas  Spalding,  John 
Hubbard,  John  Wilson,  Samuel  Gates,  Samuel  Shead. 

In  1728  this  tract  lying  between  Pomfret  on  the  north  and 
Canterbury  on  the  south  had  upon  it  thirty-two  inhabitants. 
This  section  comprehended  then  about  eight  thousand  acres, 
and  had  a  rate  list  of  ;^2,000.  The  people  sought  incorporation 
as  a  town,  but  failed  to  obtain  a  charter.  They  next  employed 
a  minister,  Mr.  William  Blossom;  Pomfret,  within  whose  juris- 
diction most  of  the  lands  lay,  giving  the  people  here  freedom 
from  paying  ministerial  rates,  on  account  of  their  remoteness 
from  the  church  in  that  town.  An  ecclesiastical  society  was 
chartered  in  May,  1731,  included  in  the  limits,  described  as  fol- 
lows: "Bounded  east  with  Quinebaug  river,  west  with  Wind- 
ham line,  north  with  the  ancient  and  first  bounds  of  the  towns 
of  Pomfret  and  Mortlake,  and  from  thence  extending  south  to  a 
line  run  and  described  by  Mr.  Josiah  Conant,  surveyor,  .... 
September  4,  1731,  ....  east  and  west  across  the  bounds  of 
Canterbury,  and  parallel  with  Canterbury  south  line  ;  said  line 
....  to  be  the  south  bounds  of  said  parish."  The  new  society 
held  its  first  meeting  November  23d,  1731.  A  meeting  house 
was  built  in  1734,  a  few  rods  northv/est  of  the  site  of  the  present 
Congregational  house  of  w-orship  in  Brooklyn.  Two  and  a  half 
acres  of  land,  now  included  in  Brooklyn  Green,  were  soon  after 
conveyed  by  Mr.  Spalding  to  the  society  for  a  meeting  house 


568  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

spot  and  other  uses.  The  title  which  at  first  attached  to  this 
section  and  society  was  "  The  Society  taken  out  of  Pomfret, 
Canterbury  and  Mortlake."  This  elongated  title  was  exchanged 
by  act  of  assembly  for  the  more  concise  title  of  Brooklyn,  which 
it  has  since  borne. 

As  early  as  1723  the  people  of  this  neighborhood  received  lib- 
erty from  the  general  court  to  form  a  distinct  train-band  com- 
pany by  themselves.  Samuel  Spalding  was  confirmed  as  lieu- 
tenant and  Richard  Adams  as  ensign.  October  ]3th,  1724, 
Richard  Adams,  "  for  love  and  good-will  borne  unto  his  well- 
beloved  friends  and  neighbors,  inhabitants  of  south  addition  to 
Pomfret  and  north  addition  to  Canterbury,  as  also  for  the  neces- 
sity of  a  convenient  place  for  a  training-field  and  the  setting  up 
of  a  school  house,  did  give  and  grant,  for  the  public  use  of  a 
training-field,  unto  the  aforesaid  inhabitants  and  their  heirs,  a 
certain  parcel  of  land  lying  within  ye  aforesaid  additions,  west  of 
the  country  road,  containing  one  acre."  This  land  was  laid  out 
in  the  western  part  of  Mr.  Adams'  allotment,  a  mile  southeast 
of  the  site  of  Brooklyn  village.  At  the  same  date,  Daniel  Cady, 
moved  by  the  same  considerations  of  love,  good  will  and  affec- 
tion and  "  the  necessity  of  a  convenient  place  to  bury  ye  bodies 
of  the  dead  among  us,"  did  give  and  grant  a  certain  tract  of 
land,  east  of  Blackwell's  brook,  "  for  ye  public  and  necessary 
use  of  a  convenient  burying-place  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  addi- 
tions aforesaid,  and  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever."  This  gift 
was  laid  out  as  above  designated,  south  of  the  site  of  the  present 
Brooklyn  village,  and  still  forms  a  part  of  the  Brooklyn  burying 
ground. 

The  prosperity  of  Brooklyn  parish  under  the  new  regime  was 
greatly  checked  by  prevalent  sickness  and  mortality.  A  pleu- 
ratic  distemper  in  1753  was  followed  in  1754  by  a  malignant 
dysentery,  especially  fatal  to  children.  Scarcely  a  family  in 
Windham  county  escaped  the  scourge.  Two  children  of  Rev- 
erend Abel  Stiles,  three  of  Reverend  Marston  Cabot,  were 
among  its  victims.  In  Brooklyn,  where  it  raged  with  great  vio- 
lence, about  seventy  deaths  were  reported.  Mr.  Avery,  still 
apparently  the  only  medical  practitioner  in  the  vicinity,  minis- 
tered day  and  night  to  the  sick  and  dying  till  he  was  himself 
prostrated  and  overcome  by  the  disease.  The  death  of  this 
excellent  minister  was  greatly  mourned. 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  569 

The  township  of  Brooklyn  received  a  charter  from  the  assem- 
bly in  May,  1786,  to  organize  as  a  town.  The  first  town  meeting- 
was  held  in  its  much  esteemed  meeting  house,  June  26th,  1786. 
Colonel  Israel  Putnam  was  called  to  the  chair.  Seth  Paine  was 
chosen  town  clerk,  treasurer  and  first  selectman  ;  Andrew  Mur- 
dock,  iVsa  Pike,  Daniel  Tyler,  Jr.,  and  Joseph  Scarborough, 
selectmen  ;  Peter  Pike,  constable  ;  Ebenezer  Scarborough,  Abner 
Adams,  Joshua  Miles,  Jedidiah  Ashcraft,  Jr.,  Salter  Searls,  Na- 
than Witter,  Joseph  Davison,  Samuel  Williams,  Stephen  Frost, 
James  Dorrance,  Elisha  Brown,  Reuben  Harris,  surveyors;  John 
Jefferds,  Ebenezer  Gilbert,  fence  viewers  ;  Abijah  Goodell,  Isaac 
Cushman,  tithing  men.  The  bounds  of  the  town  w^ere  at  first 
identical  with  those  of  the  previous  society,  but  twenty-four 
hundred  acres  were  soon  released  to  Hampton..  Seth  Paine  was 
appointed  to  agree  with  the  agents  of  Canada  parish  on  a 
straight  line  between  Brooklyn  and  the  new  town,  and  consent 
that  they  may  have  as  much  land  as  prayed  for  if  they  will  main- 
tain the  poor.  The  Quinebaug  formed  the  eastern  bound. 
North  and  south  lines  remained  as  previously  settled.  Pomfret 
was  allowed  to  retain  a  projection  on  the  southwest,  now  Jeri- 
cho, on  the  supposition  that  it  would  never  be  able  to  pay  its 
own  expenses.  It  was  voted  that  the  town  line  should  be  also 
the  society  line,  and  the  pound  already  built  near  Doctor  Baker's 
be  a  town  pound.  Highway  districts  were  soon  laid  out,  and 
labor  paid  for  at  three  shillings  a  day  for  a  man  and  team  in  the 
spring,  and  two-and-six-pence  a  day  in  the  fall.  A  half-penny 
rate  was  voted  for  the  support  of  the  schools.  A  rate  list  made 
in  1788,  shows  the  following  names  of  taxpayers  in  the  town, 
and  the  ratable  estates  amounted  to  ;^9,338, 10  shillings,  2  pence. 

Adams,  Samuel,  William,  Asaph,  Lewis,  Ephraim,  Philemon, 
Shubael,  Abner,  Noah,  Willard,  Peter,  Ephraim,  Jun.;  AUyn, 
Jabez,  John,  Joseph;  Allen,  Parker;  Ashcraft,  Jedidiah,  John, 
Jedidiah,  Jun.;  Alworth,  James,  William  ;  Aborn,  James;  Baker, 
William,  Doct.  Joseph,  Joel,  Stephen,  John,  Erastus,  Joseph, 
Jun.;  Brindley,  Nathaniel ;  Butt,  Samuel ;  Brown,  Shubael,  Al- 
pheus,  Jedidiah,  John  ;  Bowman,  Elisha,  Walter ;  Barrett,  Wil- 
liam ;  Bacon,  Joseph,  Asa,  Nehemiah ;  Benjamin,  Barzillai  ; 
Cushman,  William,  William,  Jun.,  Isaac  ;  Clark,  Moses,  Daniel, 
Caleb;  Cleveland,  Davis,  Joseph,  Elijah,  Phillips,  Phinehas ; 
Cady,  Gideon,  Ezra,  Jonathan,  Uriah,  John,  Phinehas,  Ebenezer, 
Benjamin,  Asahel,  Nahum,  Nathan,  Daniel,  Widow  Lydia,  Elia- 


570  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

kim;  Copeland,  William,  Asa,  Joseph,  Jonathan,  James  ;  Chaf- 
fee, Ebenezer ;  Coller,  Jonathan,  Asa  ;  Cogswell,  Nathaniel ; 
Cloud,  Norman  ;  Chapman,  Amaziah  ;  Darbe,  Ashael,  William, 
Alpheus;  Downing,  Jedidiah,  David,  Ichabod,  James;  Denison, 
David;  Davison,  Joseph,  Joseph,  Jun.,  Peter;  Dorrance,  James; 
Davis,  Samuel;  Davidson,  William;  Eldredge,  James,  Gurdon; 
Eaton,  Ezekiel;  Fasset,  Elijah,  Josiah,  Joab,  John;  Foster, 
Daniel:  Fling,  Lemuel;  Frost,  Stephen;  Fuller,  John,  Josiah; 
Fillmore,  William;  Goodell,  Abijah,  Alvan;  Gilbert,  Rachel, 
Joseph,  Eleazer,  Benjamin,  Jedidiah,  John;  Geer,  John;  Herrick, 
Benjamin,  Rufus;  Howard,  Charles;  Hubbard,  Ebenezer,  Wil- 
liam, Benjamin,  Jun.;  Hutchins,  Isaac;  Hewitt,  Stephen,  In- 
crease; Harris,  Samuel,  Reuben,  Paul,  Amos,  Ebenezer;  Han- 
cock, John;  Hide,  Jabesh;  Holmes,  Nathaniel;  Jefferds,  John; 
Joslin,  David;  Ingalls,  Samuel;  Kendall,  Peter,  John,  David; 
Litchfield,  Eleazer,  John,  Israel,  LTriah;  Mumford,  Thomas; 
Miles,  Jesse,  Joshua,  Thomas;  Murdock,  Andrew;  Malbone, 
John;  Merrett,  Charles,  Thomas;  Morgan,  Roswell;  Mason,  Shu- 
bael;  Medcalf,  Hannah;  More,  Daniel;  Putnam,  Daniel,  Peter 
Schuyler,  Israel,  Jun.,  Reuben;  Pike,  John,  Joseph,  Peter,  Jona- 
than, Asa,  Willard;  Paine,  Simeon,  Seth,  Jun.;  Delano,  Seth, 
Daniel,  Benjamin;  Prince,  Timothy,  Timothy,  jun.,  Abel; 
Pierce,  Benjamin;  Preston,  Jacob;  Palmer,  Elihu,  Thaddeus; 
Pettis,  Joseph;  Pellet,  Jonathan;  Pooles,  Amasa;  Rowe,  Isaac; 
Smith,  William,  Thomas;  vStanton,  Thomas;  Stevens,  John; 
Storrs,  Dinah;  Scott,  William;  Searls,  Daniel,  Salter;  Scarbor- 
ough, Ebenezer,  Jeremiah,  Joseph,  Samuel;  Stowel,  Calvin; 
Shepard,  Josiah,  Benjamin;  Spalding,  Abel,  Ebenezer,  Caleb, 
Rufus,  Ebenezer,  Jun.;  Shumway,  Ebenezer;  Staples,  Abel; 
Tracy,  Zebediah;  Tilley,  James;  Tyler,  Asa,  Daniel,  Daniel, 
Jun.,  Oliver;  Thayer,  Elijah;  Wheeler,  Timothy,  Job;  White, 
Joseph;  Weaver,  Remington,  John;  Wilson,  Samuel,  Ignatius; 
Williams,  Stephen,  Samuel,  Jun.,  Roger  Wolcot,  Asa,  Martha, 
Marian,  Job,  Joseph,  Samuel,  Samiuel,  2d;  Witter,  Nathan,  Jun., 
Nathan,  Josiah;  Withy,  James,  Hazael,  Eunice;  Weeks,  Ebene- 
zer, Anna;  Wood,  Benjamin;  Woodward,  Ward,  Peter. 

Among  the  business  enterprises  carried  on  in  this  town  be- 
tween the  close  of  the  revolution  and  the  close  of  the  century 
might  be  named  a  grist  mill  by  William  Baker,  a  saw  mill  by 
Stephen  Baker,  saw  and  grist  mills  by  Daniel  Clark, fashionable 
store  by  Frederic  Stanley,  general  merchandise   by  Gallup  & 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  571 

Clark  and  George  Abbe  &  Co.,  hat  manufacture  by  Eleazer  Ma- 
ther, clothiery  business  by  Daniel  Rowe,  cooperage  by  Vine 
Robinson,  a  distillery  of  cider  brandy  by  Doctor  John  Cleveland, 
succeeded  by  George  Abbe.  This  was  a  period  of  growth,  but 
it  closed  with  decline,  so  that  the  census  of  1800  showed  a  loss 
of  over  a  hundred  in  the  population. 

With  increasing  business  and  influence,  however,  Brooklyn 
sought  with  the  greater  earnestness  to  gain  those  administra- 
tive prerogatives  which  she  believed  due  to  her  central  position 
in  the  county.  A  petition  to  form  a  new  county  of  the  northern 
towns,  with  Pomfret  for  its  seat  of  government,  had  gained  no 
favor  when,  in  1786,  it  was  urged  before  the  assembly.  Believ- 
ing that  her  claim  would  be  recognized  as  the  central  town  of 
the  county,  Brooklyn  took  the  lead  in  1794,  in  inviting  all  the 
towns  interested  in  the  movement  to  meet  at  Jefferd's  tavern 
for  further  discussion  and  renewed  action.  Delegates  from  all 
the  invited  towns  were  present  and  unanimously  agreed  "  that 
the  northeast  part  of  Windham  county  was  greatly  aggrieved 
at  being  obliged  to  go  so  far  to  attend  courts  and  to  obtain  jus- 
tice." A  forcible  representation  of  the  views  and  wishes  of 
these  delegates,  presented  to  the  assembly,  produced  such  an 
impression  that  a  large  majority  of  the  lower  house  voted  to 
consider  the  premises,  but  were  overruled  by  a  vote  of  the  coun- 
cil. Brooklyn,  however,  did  not  give  up  the  idea,  but  improved 
the  opportunities  that  came  to  her,  and  a  quarter  of  a  century 
later  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  the  courts  of  the  county 
removed  to  her  central  village. 

The  people  of  Brooklyn  appear  to  have  been  alert  in  the  ad- 
ministration of  their  local  government,  and  entertained  a  high 
standard  of  popular  virtue.  In  her  by-laws  she  expressly 
enjoined  "that  only  two  neat  cattle  to  a  family  should  be  allowed 
to  run  at  large."  A  health  committee  was  instituted  in  1810, 
which  was  instructed  to  procure  the  most  skillful  physician  in 
case  the  spotted  fever  should  appear.  Perhaps,  as  a  further 
preparation  for  this  dreaded  visitant,  a  hearse  house  and  har- 
ness were  procured;  also  a  pall  and  a  trunk  to  keep  it  in,  and  a 
committee  appointed  in  each  district  to  superintend  at  funerals,. 
and  form  rules  for  promoting  order  and  regularity  on  such  occa- 
sions. The  selectmen  were  required  to  ascertain,  by  personal 
investigation,  "who  are  and  who  are  not  furnished  with  Bibles, 


572  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

as  the  law  directs,"  and  if  any  families  were  found  deficient  and 
not  able  to  procure  them,  to  provide  and  distribute  the  same. 

The  brigade  review,  which  was  held  here  in  September,  1812, 
was  a  very  notable  and  brilliant  affair.  Five  regiments  of  foot 
and  one  of  horse  participated  in  military  exercise,  the  company 
altogether  comprising  "  at  least  2,500  troops  and  four  times  as 
many  spectators,  presenting  something  of  a  warlike  appearance." 
It  was  considered  the  greatest  gathering,  in  point  of  numbers 
and  glittering  array,  ever  witnessed  in  Windham  county,  and 
doubtless  had  its  influence  in  stimulating  the  war  spirit  and 
encouraging  enlistment  for  the  war  which  was  then  opening 
with  Great  Britain.  The  village  of  Brooklyn  at  that  time  con- 
tained about  twenty  dwelling  houses  and  two  mercantile  stores. 
Adams  White,  Jr.,  had  charge  of  the  first  post  office.  Noted 
taverns  were  kept  by  Phinehas  Searls,  P.  P.  Tyler  and  Captain 
Eleazer  Mather.  Though  so  energetic  and  prosperous,  Brook- 
lyn continued  to  lose  by  emigration  of  her  sons  and  citizens  to 
other  fields  of  enterprise  and  activity. 

The  removal  of  the  county  courts  to  this  town  marked  a  new 
era  in  its  history.  Prosperity  again  perched  upon  its  banners 
for  a  time.  In  response  to  petitions  from  the  northern  towns 
of  Windham  county  for  the  removal  of  the  county  seat  to  a  more 
central  and  convenient  point,  a  committee  was  appointed  by  the 
assembly  to  investigate  the  matter.  On  their  report  the  assem- 
bly, May  27th,  1819,  provided  that  if  suitable  buildings  should 
be  erected  in  Brooklyn  within  three  years  from  that  time,  with- 
out expense  to  the  county,  and  in  location  and  general  plans 
approved  by  a  committee  of  the  county  and  superior  courts,  the 
courts  and  jail  should  be  held  there  thenceforward.  Brooklyn 
now  put  forth  earnest  efforts  to  secure  the  erection  of  the  nec- 
essary buimings.  Six  thousand  dollars  were  required,  and  Brook- 
lyn pledged  $2,500  of  it.  The  balance  was  raised  in  other  towns 
and  by  voluntary  subscriptions  in  this  and  other  towns  outside 
of  amounts  raised  by  tax.  On  the  26th  of  July,  1820,  the  court 
house  and  jail  were  approved  and  accepted  by  the  proper  com- 
mittee, and  at  the  same  time  a  special  court  of  common  pleas 
was  organized.  Judge  David  Bolles  presiding.  The  village  now 
gained  in  importance  rapidly;  a  newspaper,  a  bank  and  a  fire 
insurance  company  were  added  to  the  institutions  which  soon 
gathered  around  the  county  seat. 

/ 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  573 

The  history  of  newspaper  enterprises  in  Brooklyn  is  a  thing  of 
the  past.  Its  chapter  seems  to  have  closed,  and  only  the  vicis- 
situdes of  the  future  may  reveal  whether  it  is  closed  forever  or 
not.  The  opening  of  the  chapter  was  suggested  by  the  removal 
of  the  courts  to  this  town.  The  Independent  Observer  and  County 
Advertiser,  a  small  paper  with  a  big  name,  sent  out  its  first  issue 
from  Brooklyn,  Monday,  July  1st,  1820,  by  Henry  Webb,  printer 
and  publisher.  Samuel  and  Horatio  Webb  were  also  associated 
in  this  enterprise — the  former  having  previously  published  news- 
papers in  Norwich  and  Windham.  The  Observer  surpassed  the 
waning  Herald  in  size  and  general  appearance.  The  paper  was 
fairer  and  the  print  clearer.  It  manifested  a  good  degree  of 
enterprise  in  securing  public  and  local  intelligence.  Literary 
readers  were  regaled  with  a  variety  of  original  and  selected 
poems,  and  one  of  Brockden  Brown's  most  harrowing  complica- 
tions administered  as  a  serial.  Samuel  Webb  acted  as  general 
agent.  Its  circulation  was  reported  as  "  pretty  general  in  all 
parts  of  the  county."  The  Observer  was  superseded  in  1826  by 
The  Windham  County  Advertiser,  published  by  John  Gray,  who 
gave  place  in  a  year  to  Mr.  J.  Holbrook.  This  paper  attained 
the  greatest  age  and  most  general  circulation  as  a  county  organ 
of  any  published  in  Brooklyn.  It  w^as  followed  in  1835  by  The 
Windham  County  Gazette,  published  by  Messrs.  Carter  and  Foster, 
which  was  maintained  for  several  years.  Public  exigencies  and 
rising  reforms  called  out  several  short-lived  newspapers,  viz.: 
The  People's  Press  devoted  the  advancement  of  anti-Masonry;  the 
Unionist,  an  anti-slavery  journal,  edited  by  C.  C.  Burleigh  and 
supported  by  Arthur  Tappan;  The  Windham  County  Whig,  The 
Harrisonian,  a  campaign  paper,  published  by  Edwin  B.Carter  in 
1840,  and  one  or  two  others,  whose  names  have  perished  with 
them.  Mr.  Joel  Davison,  of  Killingly,  served  as  news  carrier 
during  the  latter  days  of  these  papers,  taking  them  and  other 
periodicals  all  over  his  route  in  baskets  and  bundles  suspended 
from  his  stalwart  shoulders. 

The  history  of  this  town  would  be  imperfect  without  refer- 
ence to  some  of  the  prominent  men  who  in  early  times  belonged 
to  it.  Most  conspicuous  of  such  stands  the  name  of  General 
Israel  Putnam.  But  it  is  not  our  privilege  here  to- give  any  for- 
mal sketch  of  his  life,  since  that  is  worthy  of  a  much  more  full 
treatment  than  space  would  permit  us  to  give,  and,  on  the  other 
hand,  a  mere  outline  of  his  life  would  be  but  a  repetition  of 


574  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

what  is  already  before  the  world  in  publications  almost  without 
number.  But  the  name  of  a  character  so  conspicuous  in  the  his- 
tory  of  the  nation  cannot  be  "  hid  under  a  bushel  "  in  the  annals 
of  the  township  in  which  he  lived.  His  name  frequently  appears 
in  the  history  of  the  action  of  this  and  other  towns  of  the  county 
about  the  revolutionary  period.  A  native  of  Salem,  Mass.,  he 
had  in  early  life  removed  to  a  farm  in  Mortlake,  and  was  there 
engaged  in  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  agriculture  when  the  stir- 
ring events  of  war  aroused  him  to  action  and  gave  the  occasion 
to  the  latent  powers  within  him  to  develop  as  the  hero  which  he 
proved  himself  to  be.  Born  to  be  a  leader,  and  endowed  by 
nature  with  an  intrepidity  which  was  blind  to  danger,  he  could 
not  long  remain  in  obscurity.  Among  the  exploits  which  have 
been  immortalized  with  his  name,  the  story  of  his  adventure 
with  the  wolf,  though  the  actual  scene  of  it  was  in  the  adjoin- 
ing town  of  Pomfret,  seems  entitled  to  preservation  here.  In 
general  features  it  is  as  follows: 

Wolves  had  abounded  in  every  Windham  county  town  at  their 
first  settlement,  but  had  gradually  disappeared  with  advancing 
civilization.  Indians  Tom  and  Jeremy  had  routed  them  in  Plain- 
field  and  Killingly.  Woodstock'^  last  reported  wolf  was  shot  by 
Pembascus  in  1732;  Ashford's  succumbed  in  1735;  leaving  Pom- 
fret's  in  sole  possession  of  the  field.  A  craggy,  precipitous  hill- 
range,  bristling  with  jagged  rocks  and  tangled  forests,  south  of 
the  Mashamoquet,  and  between  the  Newichewanna  and  Black- 
well's  brook,  was  her  favorite  place  of  residence,  where  she  en- 
joyed the  privilege  of  entire  seclusion  and  easy  access  to  the 
richest  farms  of  Pomfret  and  Mortlake.  For  years  this  creature 
ranged  the  country.  There  was  not  a  farm  or  door  yard  safe 
from  her  incursions.  Innumerable  sheep,  lambs,  kids  and  fowls 
had  fallen  into  her  clutches.  Little  children  were  scared  by  her 
out  of  sleep  and  senses;  boys  and  girls  feared'  to  go  to  school  or 
drive  the  cows  home;  and  lonely  women  at  night  trembled  for 
absent  husbands  and  children.  In  summer  she  was  wont  to  re- 
pair to  wilder  regions  northward,  returning  in  autumn  with  a 
young  family  to  her  favorite  haunt  in  Pomfret.  These  cubs 
were  soon  shot  by  watchful  hunters,  but  the  more  wary  mother 
resisted  every  effort.  She  evaded  traps,  outwitted  dogs,  and 
made  herself,  in  the  words  of  her  biographer,  "  an  intolerable 
nuisance."  Israel  Putnam's  farm  was  only  separated  by  a  deep, 
narrow  vallev  from  her  favorite  hillside.     This  young  farmer 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  575 

had  devoted  himself  to  the  cultivation  of  his  land  with  much 
.skill  and  energy,  and  within  two  or  three  years  had  erected  a 
house  and  outbuildings,  broken  up  for  corn  and  grain,  set  out 
fruit  trees,  and  collected  many  valuable  cattle  and  sheep.  This 
fine  flock  soon  caught  the  fancy  of  his  appreciative  neighbor, 
and  one  morning  some  "  seventy  sheep  and  goats  were  reported 
killed,  besides  many  lambs  and  kids  torn  and  wounded."  Put- 
nam was  greatly  exasperated  by  this  loss  and  butchery.  He  was 
not  one  to  submit  tamely  to  such  inflictions.  From  his  boyhood 
he  had  been  distinguished  for  courage  and  reckless  daring.  He 
was  a  bold  rider,  a  practiced  and  successful  hunter.  He  hr.d  a 
bloodhound  of  superior  strength  and  sagacity.  His  stock  was 
very  dear  to  him,  and  he  resolved  at  once  to  rid  Pomfret  of  this 
nuisance.  With  five  of  his  neighbors  he  agreed  to  hunt  the  wolf 
continuously,  by  turns,  till  they  had  caught  and  killed  her. 

How  long  they  watched  and  waited  is  not  known.  The  final 
hunt  is  believed  to  have  occurred  in  the  winter  of  1742-43.  A 
light  snowfall  the  night  preceding  enabled  the  watchful  hunters 
to  trace  the  wolf  far  westward  over  hill  and  valley,  and  thence 
back  to  her  lair  in  Pomfret.  The  report  of  their  success  in 
tracking  the  enemy  had  preceded  them,  and  men  and  boys,  with 
dogs  and  guns,  hurried  out  to  meet  the  returning  hunters  and 
join  in  the  pursuit  and  capture.  The  track  led  onward  into. the 
heart  of  that  savage  fastness,  never  before  penetrated  by  white 
man.  John  vSharpe,  a  lad  of  seventeen,  grandson  of  the  first 
William  Sharpe,  of  Mashamoquet,  ran,  boy-like,  in  advance  of 
the  others,  following  the  trail  up  the  icy  crag  as  it  wound  on 
between  overhanging  rocks,  gnarled  stumps  and  fallen  tree 
trunks,  to  a  small  opening  among  the  granite  boulders  of  the 
hillside — the  mouth,  apparently,  of  a  narrow  cave  or  passage, 
tunneling  far  down  into  the  depths  of  the  earth.  A  joyful  shout 
from  the  lad  announced  the  discovery  of  the  wolf's  hiding  place. 
The  news  soon  spread  through  the  neighborhood,  bringing  new 
actors  and  spectators.  Great  was  the  interest  and  excitement. 
The  wolf  was  trapped,  but  how  could  she  be  taken  ?  The  day  was 
spent  in  fruitless  efforts  to  force  her  from  her  position.  Hounds 
were  sent  in,  but  came  back  cowed  and  wounded.  Straw  and 
brimstone  were  burned  in  the  cavern's  mouth  without  effect. 
Secure  in  her  rock-bound  fortress,  the  enemy  disdained  to  parley 
or  surrender.  In  the  perplexity  of  the  hour,  as  darkness  was 
■  drawing  on,  some  one  suggested  that  the  stalwart  and  courage- 


576  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

ous  young-  Putnam  be  sent  for.  It  was  done,  and  with  dog  and 
gun  he  instantly  obeyed  the  summons.  Appearing  on  the  scene, 
he  declared  that  the  wolf  must  be  routed  at  all  hazards,  and  that 
without  delay.  The  dog  was  sent  in,  but  he  would  not  go.  The 
negro  was  directed  to  go  in,  but  he  dared  not  do  it.  No  one 
wanted  to  undertake  the  venture  of  bearding  the  lion  in  his  den. 
But  Putnam  himself  was  ready  for  the  onset.  Remonstrance 
and  representation  of  danger  were  unheeded.  Divesting  him- 
self of  coat  and  waistcoat,  with  a  rope  fastened  around  his  body 
and  a  blazing  torch  in  his  hand,  he  slowly  crawled  down  the 
black,  icy,  narrow  passage  into  the  cavern  where  the  wolf  stood 
at  bay,  and  there  in  the  farthest  extremity  he  beheld  the  glaring 
eyeballs  of  his  terrified  adversary.  Drawn  back  by  those  with- 
out, he  descended  a  second  time  with  torch  and  weapon,  and 
with  one  dexterous  shot  brought  down  the  wolf  as  she  prepared 
to  take  defense,  "  and  the  people  above,  with  no  small  exultation, 
dragged  them  both  out  together." 

Working  on  his  farm  until  the  events  of  the  French  war  called 
him  to  action,  he  entered  the  service  in  1755  as  second  lieuten- 
ant of  a  company;  was  captain  of  a  company  raised  by  him  in 
1756  and  placed  in  guard  service  at  Fort  Edward,  and  in  1758 
was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  a  major.  Returning  to  his  farm, 
he  continued  to  take  active  interest  in  the  drilling  of  the  militia 
and  making  preparations  for  defense  in  case  of  war.  Thus  em- 
ployed on  his  farm,  he  received  the  news  of  the  collision  of  the 
British  troops  and  the  provincials  at  Boston  while  in  the  field 
plowing  on  the  morning  of  April  20th,  1775,  the  day  after  the 
event.  The  country  was  rising  to  arms,  and  Putnam,  leaving 
his  son  to  unyoke  the  oxen  from  before  the  plow,  hastened  at 
once. to  take  his  place  at  the  head  of  the  militia,  of  whom  he  had 
already  been  made  colonel.  The  story  of  Bunker  Hill  probably 
contains  no  more  prominent  figure  than  that  of  Putnam.  For 
his  distinguished  services  there  he  was  promoted  to  the  position 
of  fourth  major  general  of  the  American  army.  After  serving 
throughout  the  war,  he  retired  for  a  few  years  to  his  home  in 
Brooklyn,  where  he  closed  his  life. 

Always  a  respecter  of  religion,  long  a  member  of  the  church, 
he  was  drawn  with  advancing  years  to  a  deeper  appreciation  of 
spiritual  things.  In  the  words  of  one  with  whom  he  had  talked 
intimately,  "  Death,  whom  he  had  so  often  braved  on  the  field  of 
battle,  had  no  terrors  to  him  on  his  dying  bed,  but  he  longed  to 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  577 

depart  and  be  with  Christ."  He  died  May  19th,  1790,  after  two 
days'  illness.  His  funeral  was  the  most  imposing  ceremonial 
that  Windham  county  had  ever  witnessed.  It  was  held  at  the 
Congregational  meeting  house,  by  the  Reverend  Doctor  Whit- 
ney, and  Doctor  Waldo  pronounced  a  eulogium  in  behalf  of  the 
Masons,  who,  with  the  military  companies,  took  part  in  the  ob- 
sequies. An  inscription  prepared  by  President  Dwight  of  Yale 
College  was  engraved  on  a  monumental  slab  which  marked  his 
resting  place,  and  the  same  has  been  repeated  upon  the  new 
monument  which  has  been  erected  to  his  memory.  The  old 
slab  had  been  so  much  disfigured  by  relic  hunters  that  it  was 
barely  legible,  and  was  indeed  a  disgraceful  monument  of  a  rep- 
rehensible custom.  A  bronze  equestrian  statue  was  erected  by 
the  state  in  the  middle  of  the  village  of  Brooklyn  to  the  memory 
of  Putnam.  It  was  unveiled  amid  imposing  military  and  civic 
procession  and  ceremonies  on  the  14th  of  June,  1888.  At  the 
ceremony,  the  great-grandson  of  the  old  hero,  Mr.  John  D.  Put- 
.nam,  of  Wisconsin,  had  the  honor  of  withdrawing  the  veil  from 
the  statue.  Upon  the  pedestal  has  been  engraved  the  classic  ep- 
itaph, which  is  as  follows: 

Sacred  be  this  Monument 

to  the  memory 

of 

ISRAEL  PUTNAM,  Esquiee, 

senior  Major  General  in  the  armies 

of 

the  United  States  of  America; 

wlio 

was  born  at  Salem, 

in  the  Province  of  Massachusetts, 

on  the  7th  day  of  January, 

A.  D.  1718, 

and  died 

on  the  19th  day  of  May, 

A.  D.  1790. 

Passenger, 

if  thou  art  a  Soldier, 

drop  a  tear  over  the  dust  of  a  Hero, 

"who, 

ever  attentive 

to  the  lives  and  happiness  of  his  men, 

dared  to  lead 

where  any  dared  to  follow; 

if  a  Patriot, 

remember  the  distinguished  and  gallant  services 

37 


678  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

rendered  thy  country 

by  the  Patriot  who  sleeps  beneath  this  marble; 

if  thou  art  honest,  generous  and  worthy, 

render  a  cheerful  tribute  of  respect 

to  a  man, 

whose  generosity  was  singular, 

whose  honesty  was  proverbial; 

who 

raised  himself  to  universal  esteem, 

and  offices  of  eminent  distinction, 

by  personal  worth 

and  a 

useful  life. 

Previous  to  the  erection  of  the  bronze  statue,  the  bones  of  Put- 
nam were  removed  from  their  previous  resting  place  to  a  new 
grave  beneath  the  pedestal.  When  the  remains  were  taken  up 
the  large  bones  were  found  well  preserved,  especially  the  hip 
bones,  by  which  the  body  was  additionally  identified  by  a  rela- 
tive. A  piece  of  the  shroud  was  found.  The  coffin  was  much 
decayed.  A  large  stone  that  had  been  cemented  directly  over 
the  body  is  supposed  to  have  kept  off  the  surface  water  and  as- 
sisted in  preserving  the  bones.  The  remains,  the  bit  of  shroud 
and  pieces  of  coffin  were  placed  in  a  metallic  casket  five  feet 
long  and  reinterred  in  the  new  grave.  The  large  stone  that  had 
lain  over  them  since  1790,  was  also  replaced  in  a  like  position  in 
the  new  location  and  cemented  down.  Then  the  grave  was 
graded  down  ready  for  the  statue  pedestal. 

Another  conspicuous  character  of  the  revolutionary  period 
was  Godfrey  Malbone,  who  owned  a  large  estate  here,  and  who 
was  particularly  conspicuous  because  of  his  tory  sentiments  in 
the  time  of  the  war.  These  sentiments  made  him  a  terror  in 
the  north  part  of  the  county.  It  had  been  currently  reported 
at  one  time,  and  believed,  that  he  had  privately  drilled  and 
equipped  his  negroes,  and  intended  to  take  up  arms  for  the  king 
when  the  hour  of  conflict  came.  "  Malbone's  niggers "  for  a 
time  became  a  by-word  of  terror  in  many  a  defenseless  house- 
hold in  these  neighboring  towns.  But  this  fear  was  probably 
without  much  foundation.  Colonel  Malbone  throughout  the 
war  was  allowed  to  pursue  his  way  unmolested.  Though  open 
and  outspoken  in  his  attachment  to  the  royal  cause,  he  did 
nothing  to  promote  it,  and  by  his  ready  wit  and  cool  assurance 
managed  to  evade  demands  and  disarm  opposition.  At  the  close 
of  the  war  he  accepted  the  verdict  of  arms  and  change  of  gov- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  579 

ernment  with  becoming-  philosophy,  and  by  his  kindness  and 
open  generosity,  his  scorn  for  anything  like  pretension  or  hy- 
pocrisy, gained  the  respect  and  admiration  of  those  most  op- 
posed in  sentiment.  From  his  tombstone  we  obtain  the  follow- 
ing summary  of  his  life  and  character : — 

"  Sacred  be  this  marble  to  the  memory  of  Godfrey  Malbone,  who  was  born 
at  Newport,  R.  I.,  September  3,  1724,  and  died  at  his  Seat  in  tliis  town, 
November  12th,  1785.  Uncommon  natural  Abilities,  improved  and  em- 
bellished by  an  Education  at  the  University  of  Oxford,  a  truly  amiable  disposi- 
tion, an  inflexible  integrity  of  Heart,  the  most  frank  Sincerity  in  Conversa- 
tion, a  Disdain  of  every  Species  of  Hypocrisy  and  Dissimulation,  joined  to 
manners  perfectly  easy  and  engaging,  nobly  marked  his  character  and 
rendered  him  a  real  Blessing  to  all  around  him.  That  he  was  a  friend  of 
Religion  this  Church  of  which  he  was  the  Founder  testifies  ;  as  do  all  indeed 
who  knew  him  that  he  practiced  every  virtue  requisite  to  adorn  and  dignify 
Human  Life." 

In  the  matter  of  public  road  and  bridge  building  this  town 
has  not  been  excessively  burdened.  Still  the  early  settlers  had 
some  improvements  of  this  kind  to  make,  as  the  needs  of  the 
town  developed.  A  new  road  through  Plainfield  to  Providence, 
greatly  accommodating  the  south  part  of  the  town,  was  accom- 
plished about  1790.  Samuel  Butts,  Ebenezer  Scarborough  and 
Daniel  Putnam  were  commissioned  to  confer  with  Plainfield 
gentlemen  and  construct  a  suitable  bridge  at  Pierce's  fordway, 
where  it  crossed  the  Quinebaug.  The  projected  turnpike  from 
Norwich  to  Woodstock  excited  much  discussion.  Parish,  Put- 
nam, and  Joseph  Scarborough  were  delegated  "to  meet  the  state 
committee  sent  to  view  said  road,  and  show  them  the  minds  of 
said  town  respecting  said  business."  Public  sentiment  appar- 
ently favored  the  project.  Ebenezer  Scarborough,  Captain 
Roger  W.  Williams  and  Captain  Andrew  Murdoch  assisted  the 
committee  to  lay  out  Norwich  turnpike  in  1799.  Highway  dis- 
tricts were  remodeled  in  1803.  Bridges  over  Blackwell's  brook, 
as  well  as  the  Quinebaug  bridge,  were  maintained  at  the  ex- 
pense of  the  town.  A  more  direct  road  to  Hampton  was  laid 
out  in  1825  through  the  lands  of  William  Cundall,  John  Ash- 
craft,  Galen  Hicks,  Havilah  Taylor,  Amasa  Pooler,  Richard  Car- 
der, Ebenezer  Witter,  Elijah  Witter.  In  the  following  year 
the  Brooklyn  and  Windham  turnpike  was  constructed. 

In  manufacturing  enterprises  early  Brooklyn  had  compara- 
tively a  greater  interest  than  she  has  in  later  years.  Grist  and 
saw  mills  were  among  the  first  enterprises  of  this  kind  under- 


580  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

taken.  Looking  back  to  a  period  about  one  hundred  years  ago, 
we  find  Allyn's  grivSt  mill  was  carried  on  successfully  till  the 
dam  was  carried  off  by  a  freshet,  and  public  opposition  delayed 
its  rebuilding.  Allen  hill  received  its  name  from  its  vicinity  to 
this  much  frequented  grist  mill.  The  oldest  son  of  Peter  Ad- 
ams, whose  name  was  Philemon,  with  younger  brothers,  en- 
gaged in  various  industries,  running  a  linseed  oil  mill  and  man- 
ufacturing pottery  and  potash.  One  son  acquired  the  art  of 
working  in  silver,  and  fabricated  family  teaspoons.  A  daughter 
excelled  in  transforming  rude  homespun  fabrics  into  articles  of 
artistic  beauty.  With  wooden  stamps  cut  out  by  her  brothers 
and  dyes  extracted  from  native  plants,  she  produced  a  most  suc- 
cessful imitation  of  the  richly  flowered  brocades  then  in  fashion, 
making  dress  patterns,  vests  and  furniture  coverings  that  were 
the  admiration  of  all  beholders.  At  the  beginning  of  the  war 
of  1812,  the  manufacturing  interests  of  the  town  consisted  of 
one  carding  machine,  two  tanneries,  three  grist  mills  and  two 
saw, mills.  Agriculture  was  then,  as  it  had  previously  been,  and 
has  since  been,  the  chief  industry  and  support  of  the  people. 
It  was  said  at  that  time  that  no  town  of  equal  magnitude  in  the 
state  made  so  much  cheese  and  pork  as  Brooklyn.  But  later  on 
the  Tiffanys,  of  Killingly,  built  a  large  cotton  manufactory  in 
the  eastern  border  of  the  town,  on  the  Quinebaug.  Edwin 
C.  Newbury  opened  a  shop  as  a  silversmith,  making  spoons, 
spectacles  and  similar  articles.  This  business  later  grew  and 
developed  into  other  lines,  including  the  manufacture  of  spec- 
tacles, pens  and  watch  cases. 

The  first  effort  of  which  we  can  learn  in  behalf  of  the  schools 
of  this  locality  was  made  in  1722.  The  people  here  then  peti- 
tioned the  town  of  Pomfret  to  which  they  then  belonged  that 
they  might  be  exempt  from  taxes  for  building  a  school  house  in 
the  center  of  that  town,  and  also  that  they  might  have  part  of  the 
money  that  was  appropriated  from  the  treasury  of  the  colony  to 
help  them  to  keep  a  free  school  in  their  section.  The  request  was 
granted  by  the  town,  and  a  school  was  then  established  here. 
For  many  years  after  that  a  school  was  provided,  and  in  time  a 
school  house  was  built  and  then  school  was  kept  by  a  master 
three  months  and  by  a  mistress  eight  months  in  each  year,  the 
mistress  holding  her  school  in  different  places  to  accommodate 
the  smaller  children.  This  one  school  house  stood  on  the  Green 
and  was  quite  elaborately  finished,  with  ceiling  of  pine  boards. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  581 

double  floor  below  and  single  floor  in  the  chamber,  chimney  lined 
with  brick  as  high  as  the  mantle  tree,  three  windows  glazed,  a 
convenient  writing  table,  benches  to  sit  on,  and  a  lock. 

After  the  society  had  been  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  Mort- 
lake  greater  school  accommodations  were  required.  In  1752  the 
society  was  divided  into  four  districts  by  lines  running  east, 
west,  north  and  south  from  the  meeting  house  to  the  bounds  of 
the  society.  It  was  then  ordered  that  school  should  be  kept  in 
five  places,  an  equal  length  of  time  in  each  place,  viz.  :  1,  at  the 
Widow  Cleveland's,  or  Benjamin  Hubbard's  or  near  there ;  2,  at 
Leonard  Cady's  ;  3,  at  Mr.  Dimon's,  or  near  there  ;  4,  at  Samuel 
or  William  Williams's  ;  5,  at  the  school  house  in  the  center  of 
the  society. 

In  1762  the  school  districts,  which  perhaps  had  from  time  to 
time  increased  in  number,  were  remodelled,  and  the  residents  in 
each  are  shown  in  the  following  list : 

"  District  1.  Containing  Captain  Spalding,  Prince's  place,  that 
farm  that  was  the  Reverend  Mr.  Avery's,  Nathan  Cady,  Adoni- 
jah  Fasset,  David  Kendall,  John  Kimball,  Reverend  Mr.  Whit- 
ney, Stephen  Baker,  Ezekiel  Cady,  Uriah  Cady,  Daniel  Tyler, 
Thomas  Williams,  Samuel  Cleveland  and  Joseph  Cady. 

"  District  2.  All  the  lands  and  houses  of  Colonel  Malbone  that 
are  in  the  society,  William  Earl,  Moses  Earl,  Jonas  Frost,  Jedi- 
diah  Ashcraft,  Joseph  Hubbard,  Abner  Adams,  Benjamin  Fas- 
set,  Nehemiah  Adams,  John  Hubbard,  Daniel  Adams,  Noah  and 
Paul  Adams  and  Samuel  Wilson. 

"  District  3.  To  contain  Peter  and  Richard  Adams,  Widow 
Allyn,  Lieutenant  Smith,  Sergeant  Woodward,  Reuben  Darbe, 
Jonas  Cleveland,  Josiah,  James  and  Joseph  Fasset,  John  Allyn, 
Lieutenant  Spalding,  Elijah  Monrose,  Joseph  Dyer,  Jonathan 
Backus,  Andrew  Lester,  Captain  Prince,  Nehemiah  Prince, 
Thomas  Wheeler,  William  Copeland  and  Moses  Smith. 

"  District  4.  To  contain  Nehemiah  Bacon,  Joseph  Scarborough, 
Samuel  Jacques,  James  Bennet,  Joseph  Ross,  Widow  Barret, 
Lieutenant  Smith,  Doctor  Walton,  Barnabas  Wood,  Deacon  Scar- 
borough, Colonel  Putnam  and  Thomas  Eldredge. 

"Districts.  To  contain  Samuel  Williams,  Jr.,  William  Wil- 
liams, Jr.,  Deacon  Williams,  Samuel  Williams,  Ebenezer  Weeks, 
Rufus  Herrick,  Jedidiah  Downing,  Widow  Davyson,  Benjamin 
Fasset,  Jr.,  and  Amoral  Chapman. 


582  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

"  District  6.  To  contain  John  Litchfield,  Israel  Litchfield,  Da- 
rius Cady,  James  Darbe,  Senior  and  Junior,  Samuel  and  Eleazer 
Darbe,  Nathan  Kimball,  Benjamin  Shepard,  Nehemiah  Cady, 
Caleb  Spalding-,  Daniel,  Nahum,  John,  Henry  and  Benjamin 
Cady. 

"  District  7.  John  Fasset,  James  Copeland,  Gidion  Cady,  Sam- 
uel Winter,  Nathan  Witter,  Asa  Tyler,  Lieutenant  Hunt,  the 
farm  that  was  Thomas  Stanton's,  Jacob  Staples,  Jethro  Rogers, 
James  Bidlack  and  Aaron  Fuller." 

The  school  house  was  now  moved  to  a  suitable  place  in  one 
corner  of  the  common,  and  "  fitted  up  as  well  as  it  was  before." 
School  houses  were  provided  for  the  surrounding  districts  as 
soon  as  possible.  A  school  was  kept  at  least  two  and  one-fifth 
months  a  year  in  each  district. 

In  1783  an  attempt  was  made  to  establish  an  academy  here. 
A  teacher  whose  qualifications  were  vouched  for  by  the  "Gov- 
ernors of  Cambridge  College,"  where  he  had  been  educated,  was 
employed  by  some  of  the  enterprising  citizens  to  teach  Greek 
and  Latin  and  "  any  other  branch  of  literature  taught  at  any  pri- 
vate school  in  the  state."  The  committee  in  whose  charge  this 
enterprise  was  placed  was  composed  of  Daniel  Tyler,  Jr.,  John 
Jefferds,  Joseph  Baker,  Eleazer  Gilbert  and  Jabez  Allen.  Fail- 
ing to  succeed  in  this  effort,  the  town  gave  more  care  to  public 
education,  and  committees  were  appointed  to  take  charge  of  the 
school  monies  and  to  hire  schoolmasters. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  present  century  the  Reverend  Samuel 
J.  May,  then  minister  of  this  town,  was  very  active  in  agitating 
and  promoting  the  cause  of  the  common  schools,  and  through 
his  activity,  influences  were  set  to  work  which  extended  to  the 
county  and  state,  and  resulted  in  widespread  and  much  needed 
reforms  in  the  school  system.  Being  placed  on  the  school  com- 
mittee, he  was  astonished  to  find  that  the  public  schools  were  in- 
ferior even  to  those  of  Massachusetts  ;  that  the  much  vaunted 
school  fund  was  actually  detrimental  in  its  workings ;  and  that 
people  generally  were  losing  interest  in  schools  which  cost  them 
nothing.  By  greater  strictness  in  the  examination  of  teachers, 
and  more  thorough  supervision,  he  gave  a  new  stimulus  to  the 
Brooklyn  schools,  and  so  aroused  the  attention  of  other  public 
spirited  citizens  that  they  agreed  to  unite  with  him  in  bringing 
the  question  before  the  consideration  of  the  general  public.  A 
call  was  sent  out  asking  the  towns  throughout  the  state  to  send 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  583 

delegates  to  Brooklyn  for  the  purpose  of  considering  the  charac- 
ter and  condition  of  the  common  schools  of  the  state.  The  edu- 
cational convention  was  held  in  May,  1827.  Its  novelty  elicited 
a  large  attendance  from  Windham  and  adjoining  counties.  Re- 
ports by  letter  or  delegate  from  nearly  a  hundred  towns  revealed 
such  deficiency  in  teaching  and  administration  as  to  surprise  and 
mortify  the  citizens  of  the  state,  thus  arousing  them  to  measures 
of  reform,  which  in  time  effected  an  entire  revolution  of  the  sys- 
tem and  its  details.  As  a  result  of  this  convention  a  society  of 
the  "  Friends  of  Education  for  Windham  County  "  was  organ- 
ized, with  George  Sharpe  for  president,  which  for  sometime  con- 
tinued to  hold  meetings  and  circulate  information. 

Some  efforts  had  occasionally  been  made  in  the  direction  of  a 
high  school,  and  in  1829  an  academy  was  formally  incorporated, 
the  proprietors  of  the  enterprise  being  Benjamin  E.  Palmer, 
Vine  Robinson,  Philip  Scarborough,  Daniel  P.  Tyler  and  Wil- 
liam Hutchins.  A  suitable  building  was  procured  and  consider- 
able pains  taken  to  build  up  a  flourishing  school.  Scholars  came 
freely  from  surrounding  towns,  but  were  apparently  more 
imprCvSsed  by  the  court  sessions  and  social  attractions  of  the  vil- 
lage than  by  the  instructions  received.  Ex-Governor  Gaston  of 
Massachusetts,  Hon.  Abraham  Payne  of  Providence,  William  S. 
Scarborough  of  Cincinnati,  Brigadier  General  Tyler  of  Mont- 
gomery, Alabama,  were  among  the  notable  men  who  at  times 
received  instruction  in  the  Brooklyn  Academy,  during  its  pros- 
perous life,  which  passed  many  years  ago. 

The  number  of  children  of  school  age  in  this  town  in  1868  was 
500;  in  1881,  510;  in  1887,  623;  in  1889,  610.  These  were  in  1889 
divided  among  the  school  districts  as  follows:  No.  1,  115;  2,  32; 
3,  19;  4,  14;  5,  50;  6,  7;  7,  7;  8,  19;  9,  347.  In  this  town  there  are, 
1  graded  school  of  3  departments  and  1  of  5  departments.  The 
estimated  value  of  school  houses  and  sites  is  $20,400.  The  total 
school  expenses  for  the  year  were  $5,694.89. 

The  First  church  of  Brooklyn  had  its  beginnings  among  the 
people  while  as  yet  th^re  was  no  organization  either  of  society 
or  town.  The  people  inhabiting  south  of  Mortlake  and  north  of 
Canterbury  were  within  the  proper  jurisdiction  of  the  town  of 
Pomfret,  but  remote  some  seven  or  eight  miles  from  the  meet- 
ing house  at  the  center  of  the  town.  Some  residents  in  the 
northern  part  of  Canterbury  were  also  remote  from  the  meeting 
house  of  that  town.     With  remarkable  generosity  the  town  of 


584  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Pomfret  consented  to  allow  the  people  of  this  part  of  their  juris- 
diction to  be  clear  of  ministers'  rates  in  case  of  their  procuring 
a  minister  among  themselves.  About  the  year  1730  they  secured 
the  services  of  Mr. William  Blossom,  who  for  sometime  preached 
to  them  in  private  houses  in  different  parts,  as  convenience  dic- 
tated. Mr.  Blossom  had  not  been  approved  or  licensed  by  the 
Windham  County  Association  of  ministers  and  churches,  and 
that  body,  after  vainly  summoning  him  to  produce  his  creden- 
tials, pronounced  him  guilty  of  "contempt  of  ecclesiastic  author- 
ity," and  forbade  his  preaching  or  the  people  listening  to  him 
within  the  bounds  of  the  association.  This  was  done  November 
29th,  1730.  But  Mr.  Blossom  continued  to  preach  and  the  people 
,  to  listen  to  him,  in  spite  of  the  decree.  The  association  appealed 
to  the  assembly,  and  the  people  were  divided  in  sentiment,  a 
part  of  them  rejecting  Blossom  and  obtaining  the  services  of 
another  young  man,  one  Mr.  Newell,  still  without  leave  of  assem- 
bly or  association. 

In  the  midst  of  this  discord  of  sentiment,  the  society  was  char- 
tered by  the  assembly  in  1731.  The  society  now  employed  Mr. 
Newell  for  a  year,  at  sixty-two  pounds  salary  and  his  board  and 
a  horse  to  ride.  The  society  in  October,  1732,  was  enlarged  by 
the  addition  of  the  south  half  of  Mortlake  and  inhabitants 
Joseph  Holland  and  Joseph  Davison.  A  house  of  worship  was 
erected  in  1734,  and  on  November  21st  of  that  year  a  church  was 
organized,  consisting  of  the  following  persons  :  John  Woodward, 
James  Cady,  Richard  Adams,  Benjamin  Fasset,  William  Wil- 
liams, Joseph  Holland,  Henry  Bacon,  Joseph  Davison  and  Jona- 
than Parks.  Their  number  was  soon  increased  by  the  wives  of 
the  constitiient  members,  and  by  the  addition  of  Joseph  Leonard, 
Edward  Spalding,  Henry  Smith,  John  Hubbard  and  their  wives, 
and  Joseph  Adams,  Jr.,  and  Isaac  Leonard.  William  Williams 
of  Mortlake,  and  John  Woodward  of  Canterbury,  were  elected 
deacons. 

The  church  and  society  were  quite  unanimous  in  securing  the 
services  of  Mr.  Ephraim  Avery 'of  Truro,  and  a  graduate  of 
Harvard,  to  be  their  minister.  He  was  duly  installed  September 
24th,  1735.  The  meeting  house  was  now  more  completely  fin- 
ished. Sundry  improvements  were  from  time  to  time  made.  In 
1741  it  was  voted  "  To  put  a  window  in  the  minister's  pew  and 
plaster  the  gable  ends  of  the  meeting  house."  From  the  fre- 
quency with  which  the  meeting  house  windows  were  out  of 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  585 

repair  and  had  to  be  re-glazed,  we  are  led  to  question  the  com- 
mon supposition  that  all  the  villainous  street  boys  belong  to  the 
present  generation.  The  glass  in  the  windows  frequently 
required  mending.  About  1750  Israel  Putnam  and  three  others 
were  allowed  to  build  pews  for  themselves  in  place  of  certain 
"hindmost  seats,"  provided  they  would  mend  the  glass  in  the 
meeting  house  windows.  In  1752  the  glass  was  again  so  badly 
out  of  repair  that  it  was  voted  "  To  board  up  the  meeting  house 
windows." 

Mr.  Avery  was  also  somewhat  of  a  medical  man,  and  in  1754, 
during  an  epidemic,  he  was  so  overcome  with  continued  labors 
attending  the  sick,  that  he  fell  himself  beneath  the  hand  of  the 
disease,  and  thus  ended  both  his  medical  and  his  pastoral  labors. 
Josiah  Whitney,  a  native  of  Plainfield,  graduate  of  Yale,  was 
next  called  to  the  pastorate.  He  was  ordained  February  4th, 
1756.  A  remarkable  circumstance  associated  with  this  occasion 
was  the  fact  that  the  day  was  so  fine  and  warm  that  the  audi- 
ence, which  was  too  large  to  be  accommodated  in  the  meeting 
house,  assembled  on  the  Green,  in  the  open  air,  where  the  cere- 
monies were  conducted,  the  ladies  meanwhile  using  their  fans 
as  in  a  summer  day.     Saybrook  Platform  was  now  adopted. 

The  church  in  Mortlake  parish,  known  as  the  Second  church 
of  Pomfret,  shared  largely  in  the  religious  awakening,  adding 
to  its  membership  in  1741-2  one  hundred  and  six.  This  church 
was  more  inclined  to  independence  and  less  rigid  in  discipline 
than  most  of  its  contemporaries.  Among  its  members  were 
Josiah,  an  elder  brother  of  John  and  Ebenezer  Cleveland ;  Con- 
stance, sister  of  Elisha  and  Solomon  Paine,  and  other  Canterbury 
residents,  all  in  full  sympathy  with  the  revival  and  eager  to  ex- 
ercise the  privilege  of  laboring  and  exhorting.  On  lecture  day, 
September  10th,  several  brothers  and  sisters  of  the  church  went 
so  far  "beyond  their  line  as  to  break  the  peace  and  quiet  of  the 
church  "  by  publicly  exhorting  the  congregation  after  the  ser- 
vice. Samuel  Wilson  actually  had  the  temerity  to  speak  for  some 
considerable  time  to  the  people  on  the  common  before  the  meet- 
ing house  door,  attempting  "to  teach  them  the  wretched  estate 
they  were  in,  and  that  their  help  was  in  God,  and  exhorting 
them  to  come  to  him."  Ezekiel  Spalding  "  also  spoke  very  loud 
for  a  little  space  byway  of  exhorting  the  people,"  and  Constance 
Paine  "  was  heard  to  speak  in  a  very  loud,  earnest  and  resolute 
manner."     Great   clamor   and   confusion   followed.      Some   de- 


586  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

nounced  the  speakers,  some  encouraged  them.  Disputing  and 
jangling  were  heard  on  every  side,  even  within  the  sacred  walls 
of  the  meeting  house.  Tidings  of  the  outbreak  were  speedily 
carried  to  Mr.  Avery.  He  went  out  and  rebuked  the  offenders, 
and  as  the  ecclesiastic  head  of  the  parish,  commanded  them  to 
forbear  their  irregular  and  improper  exhorting,  but  met  with 
public  opposition  and  defamation  while  attempting  to  exert  his 
official  authority.  One  angry  citizen  even  charged  him  with 
lying,  and  another  declared,  "  That  by  his  own  words  he  showed 
that  he  did  not  know  the  Spirit  of  God." 

This  affair  aroused  great  excitement,  both  in  church  and  soci- 
ety. On  the  following  Sabbath,  before  administering  the  Sacra- 
ment, Mr.  Avery  publicly  debarred  these  five  offenders  from  the 
Lord's  table  till  the  matter  could  be  looked  into,  whereupon  Jo- 
siah,  Ebenezer  and  Lydia  Cleveland  and  Ezekiel  Bacon  with- 
drew from  the  meeting  house  "  in  the  face  of  the  church."  A 
church  meeting  was  promptly  called  to  consider  the  various 
offenses.  The  two  brethren,  who  had  been  led  by  their  sym- 
pathy with  the  exhorters  to  such  unseemly  defamation  of  their 
good  pastor,  were  very  willing  to  acknowledge  that  their  con- 
duct had  been  indecent  and  unchristian  and  publicly  con- 
fess the  same  to  the  congregation.  The  exhorters  themselves, 
Wilson,  Spalding  and  Constance  Paine,  were  treated  with  great 
consideration  and  forbearance,  and  ample  time  and  opportunity 
given  them  to  procure  testimony  and  defend  themselves.  After 
carefully  weighing  all  the  evidence  presented  and  discussing 
the  question  in  all  its  bearings,  it  was  decided,  October  18th, 
"  That  the  church  looked  upon  what  the  aforesaid  Wilson, 
Spalding  and  Constance  Paine  did,  on  September  10th,  as  public 
exhorting.  That  public  speaking,  warning  and  exhorting  of 
lay  persons  is  unwarrantable  and  ought  to  be  discountenanced  ; 
but  inasmuch  as  the  church  has  not  before  declared  its  mind  in 
this  matter,  and  the  persons  that  have  done  this  that  we  look 
upon  as  unwarrantable  might  not  intend  to  disturb  the  church, 
and  also,  since  they  seem  to  think  they  did  their  duty  in  it — it 
is  adjudged.  That  we  ought  to  be  tender  with  them,  and  that  it 
may  be  most  for  the  interest  of  religion  as  circumstances  are, 
to  pass  it  over  for  this  time  without  requiring  satisfaction,  and 
with  desiring  that  they  would  forbear  this  practice  for  time  to 
come,  as  they  would  not  disturb  the  peace  and  quiet  of  the 
church,  nor  expose  themselves  nor  the  church  to  further  trouble. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  587 

begging  that  God  would  lead  them  and  us  into  the  ways  of  truth 
and  peace." 

The  tenderness  of  the  church  in  forbearing  to  exact  a  public 
confession  from  the  exhorting  brethren  was  entirely  thrown 
away  upon  their  sympathizers  so  long  as  they  were  restricted 
in  liberty  of  speech  and  exhortation,  and  in  a  few  days  they 
issued  the  subjoined  spirited  manifesto: — 

"  POMFRET,  Nov.  5,  1742. 

"These  are  to  inform  you  that  your  way  of  discipline  and 
opinion  declared  in  your  last  judgment  against  some  of  the  sub- 
scribers, doth  so  fully  evidence  to  us  that  you  of  the  number 
that  have  the  form  of  godliness  and  deny  the  power  thereof,  that 
we  can  in  conscience  hold  communion  no  longer  with  you,  and 
do  thereof  declare  that  we  do  dissent  and  withdraw  from  you, 
praying  that  the  Lord  would  be  our  guide  and  direct  us  in  such 
a  weighty  affair ;  also,  humbly  entreating  the  Lord  for  you  all, 
that  the  Lord  of  his  infinite  free  sovereign  grace  would  open 
your  eyes  and  lead  both  you  and  us  into  all  truth,  Rebecca 
Freeman,  Ezekiel  Spalding,  Martha  Spalding,  Eunice  Adams, 
John  Fasset,  JOvSiah  Fasset,  Benjamin  Fasset,  Elizabeth  Fasset, 
Richard  Adams,  Ebenezer  Cleveland,  Samuel  Wilson,  Betty  Wil- 
son, Abigail  Woodward,  Hannah  Jewell,  Joseph  Cady,  Zachariah 
Whitney,  Josiah  Cleveland,  Lydia  Cleveland,  Elias  Sheavalier, 
Mary  Sheavalier,  Joseph  Adams,  Elizabeth  Adams,  Joshua  Paine, 
Constance  Paine." 

The  subsequent  conduct  of  these  dissenting  members  was  in 
accordance  with  the  spirit  of  this  declaration.  This  company  of 
offending  members  were  called  to  account  and  admonished  by 
the  church,  but  without  avail.  Two  or  three  confessed  their 
errors,  and  were  received  again  into  the  church.  Richard  Adams 
died  during  this  year,  "without  giving  any  satisfaction."  After 
waiting  more  than  another  year  for  the  return  of  the  delin- 
quents, the  church  reluctantly  proceeded  to  consider  the  ques- 
tion of  excommunication.  Ezekiel  Spalding  and  Joseph  Adams 
"  appeared  and  pleaded,  '  That  they  ought  not  to  be  cut  off  from 
the  church.'  "  Fourteen  of  the  most  obstinate,  refusing  to  retract 
or  ask  for  mercy,  were  publicly  excommunicated,  December  14th, 
1746.  Eleven  others,  after  further  trial  persisting  in  separation, 
were  formally  admonished,  April  13th,  1748,  but  none  appeared 
in  church  to  bear  the  admonition,  and  when  it  was  carried  to 
their  houses,  some  refused  to  touch  it  and  some  "  threw  it  into 


588  .     HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

the  fire."  Most  of  these  Separates  united  with  the  church  at 
Canterbury.  Ebenezer  Cleveland  and  some  of  the  more  promi- 
nent seceders  were  finally  taken  back-  into  church  fellowship. 
The  Separates  in  Mortlake  parish  were  treated  with  unusual  deli- 
cacy and  forbearance,  and  as  they  failed  to  effect  any  new  church 
organizations  within  its  limits,  their  defection  left  no  permanent 
breach,  and  scarcely  impaired  the  strength  and  prosperity  of  the 
church. 

A  meeting  house  was  erected  in  1771,  which  stood  a  few  rods 
southeast  of  the  old  meeting  house,  with  "  its  front  foreside  fac- 
ing the  road."  This  building  was  pronounced  a  "  very  genteel 
meeting  house,"  with  its  ample  size,  graceful  proportions,  con- 
venient porch,  handsome  steeple,  and  all  "  colored  white."  Five 
seats,  eleven  feet  long  were  ranged  on  either  side  of  the  broad 
alley,  and  the  remainder  of  the  floor  was  occupied  by  pews,  each 
one  being  allowed  to  construct  his  own,  though  the  pew  space 
was  reserved  to  the  forty-three  largest  resident  tax  payers.  By  be- 
quest of  Mr.  Joseph  Scarborough  a  bell  was  placed  in  the  steeple 
— the  second  church  bell  in  the  county.  A  clock  was  also  placed 
in  the  steeple.  The  progressive  spirit  of  the  people  is  also  shown 
by  their  vote  "  That  an  Eleclarick  Rod  may  be  set  up  at  the  new 
meeting  house,  provided  it  be  done  without  cost  to  the  society." 
The  ringing  of  the  bell  and  taking  care  of  the  meeting  house 
were  matters  that  were  entrusted  only  to  responsible  hands,  and 
the  charge  was  rather  a  mark  of  honor.  This  new  meeting  house, 
with  all  its  improved  appointments,  was  to  be  placed  in  able 
hands,  so  the  society  conferred  that  honor  upon  its  most  honored 
public  citizen  by  voting  "  That  Colonel  Putnam  take  care  of  the 
new  meeting  house  and  ring  the  bell  at  three  pounds  a  year." 
When  he  went  to  the  war  his  minister  took  his  place  as  bell 
ringer.  It  was  ordered  "that  the  bell  should  be  rung  on  Sab- 
baths, Fasts,  Thanksgivings  and  lectures,  as  is  customary  in 
other  places  where  they  have  bells,  also  at  twelve  at  noon  and 
nine  at  night. 

In  1788  an  appropriation  of  one  hundred  dollars  was  made  for 
painting  and  repairs.  Thirty  dollars  were  allowed  Mr.  Whitney 
to  supply  himself  with  wood  at  a  dollar  a  cord.  In  1794  a  sing- 
ing master  was  employed  and  later  considerable  attention  was 
given  to  recruiting  the  singing.  The  pastor,  Mr.  Whitney,  re- 
ceived from  Harvard  College  the  title  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  in 
1802. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  589 

In  consequence  of  the  increasing  years  and  infirmities  of 
Doctor  Whitney,  Mr.  Luther  Wilson  of  New  Braintree,  was 
ordained  colleague  pastor  of  the  Congregational  church  and 
society  in  1813,  which  position  he  filled  with  fidelity  and  accept- 
ance till  it  was  found  that  he  had  embraced  the  Socinian  or  Uni- 
tarian views,  then  becoming  so  prevalent  in  Massachusetts. 
Although  the  Brooklyn  church  was  but  moderately  Calvanistic 
in  belief  and  very  liberal  in  its  practice,  these  views  broached  by 
Mr.  Wilson  fell  so  much  below  its  standard  as  to  awaken  appre- 
hension of  disastrous  results.  But  already  a  strong  party  sym-. 
pathized  with  Mr.  Wilson  in  his  belief  and  desired  his  continu- 
ance. A  majority  of  the  church  favored  Doctor  Whitney  and 
Captain  Tyler;  a  society  majority  sympathized  with  Mr.  Wilson 
and  Esquire  Parish.  The  Unitarian  controversy  was  exciting 
very  great  interest  and  alarm  all  over  the  land,  and  the  ministers 
of  the  county  joyfully  hastened  to  join  in  the  fray.  February 
5th,  1817,  the  county  consociation  met  at  the  house  of  Captain 
Tyler.  Moses  C.Welch,  D.D.,  the  great  champion  of  orthodoxy, 
was  chosen  moderator.  Mr.  Wilson  and  the  church  minority 
obeyed  the  summons  to  appear  before  the  consociation,  but  chal- 
lenged its  right  of  jurisdiction.  The  consociation,  however, 
declared  Mr.  Wilson  disqualified,  and  the  pastoral  relation  dis- 
solved. 

The  adherents  of  Mr. Wilson  declined  to  accept  these  decisions, 
and  as  a  majority  of  the  society,  proceeded  to  exercise  control  of 
the  meeting  house.  At  a  society  meeting,  March  3d,  1816,  it  was 
voted  that  no  persons  except  the  ministers  of  the  society,  and 
those  belonging  to  the  Eastern  Association,  should  be  allowed 
to  hold  religious  meeting  in  this  house  without  a  written  permit 
from  its  committee.  Mr.  Wilson  was  requested  to  preach  when- 
ever Doctor  Whitney  did  not  occupy  the  pulpit.  Much  confu- 
sion and  strife  followed.  The  aged  pastor  went  far  beyond  his 
strength  in  attempting  to  preach  twice  on  every  Sabbath  to  keep 
out  the  deposed  colleague,  and  when  at  his  special  and  earnest 
request  Mr.  Preston  of  Providence  occupied  the  pulpit  without 
obtaining  the  requisite  order,  the  intruder  was  prosecuted  by 
the  society. 

Mr.  Wilson  himself  called  a  council  in  September  to  advise  as 
to  the  action  of  consociation  and  the  condition  of  things  in  gen- 
eral. The  council  decided  to  dismiss  Mr.  Wilson  from  his 
unpleasant  position.     But  the  breach  grew  wider  and  at  last  the 


590  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

society,  which  had  become  decidedly  Unitarian  in  its  sentiment, 
locked  the  doors  of  the  meeting  house  against  the  congregation 
and  church  gathered  to  hear  Doctor  Whitney  preach.  A  Unita- 
rian minister  from  Massachusetts  was  placed  in  the  pulpit  and 
the  society  levied  taxes  for  his  support. 

Thus  driven  from  their  elegant  house  of  worship,  the  dis- 
tressed church  hired  the  unfinished  attic  of  a  dwelling  house  for 
a  room  in  which  to  hold  religious  services,  and  called  upon  the 
County  Association  to  supply  them  with  preachers.  Different 
ones  preached  to  them  for  a  time.  March  3d,  1819,  all  hopes  of 
reconciliation  being  abandoned,  the  church  voted  a  final  remon- 
strance to  John  Parish,  John  Williams  and  Deacon  Roger  W. 
Williams,  and  withdrew  from  them  its  watch  and  care.  It  con- 
tinued its  meetings  in  the  upper  chamber  and  now  began  to  look 
for  a  permanent  place  of  worship.  In  1821  they  were  able  to 
complete  a  chapel  for  this  purpose,  and  different  ministers  aided 
Doctor  Whitney  in  his  pastoral  labors.  In  the  following  summer  a 
Sabbath  school  was  organized,  its  first  superintendent  being  Amos 
Prince,  recently  removed  hither  from  Pomfret.  In  April,  1824, 
Ambrose  Edson  of  Stafford  was  ordained  and  installed  colleague 
pastor,  on  which  pleasant  occasion  the  use  of  the  great  meeting 
house  was  magnanimously  tendered  by  the  First  society.  Though 
in  his  ninety-fourth  year,  Doctor  Whitney  was  still  erect  and  vig- 
orous, his  eye  not  dimmed  nor  his  natural  force  abated.  With 
flowing  wig  and  antique  garb  he  was  often  seen  upon  the  street, 
exchanging  pleasant  greetings  and  happy  repartees  with  his 
dear  friends  and  neighbors.  His  face  beamed  with  animation 
and  his  playful  sallies  were  tempered  by  Christian  dignity.  As 
he  entered  the  house  of  God,  the  congregation  were  wont  to  rise 
and  remain  standing  in  respectful  attitude  until  he  was  seated. 
He  died  in  1824,  thus  closing  an  exceptionally  long  pastorate, 
covering  about  sixty-nine  years,  with  this  church.  Mr.  Edson 
.now  continued  in  sole  pastoral  charge  of  the  church.  His  pas- 
torate closed  in  1830,  and  he  was  followed  by  George  J.  Tillotson 
of  Farmington,  who  was  ordained  and  installed  May  25th,  1831. 
A  revival  soon  followed  and  the  membership  was  largely  in- 
creased. The  larger  congregations  called  for  better  accommoda- 
tions and  a  larger  church  was  built  in  1832.  The  pastorate  of 
Reverend  George  J.  Tillotson  extended  to  March  10th,  1858, 
when  he  was  dismissed.  He  was  followed  by  Edward  Miles,  as 
a  stated  supply  from  November,  1858,  to  November,  1859.     Rev- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  591 

erend  C.  N.  Seymour  was  installed  December  21st,  1859,  and 
remained  until  September,  1873.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rever- 
end Edwin  S.  Beard,  who  was  installed  December  30tli,  1873,  and 
retains  the  pastorate  to  the  present  time.  The  present  church 
edifice  was  erected  in  1832.  A  chapel  near  it  was  built  about 
1864.  A  parsonage  has  never  been  owned  by  the  society  since 
the  time  of  Doctor  Whitney.  The  parsonage  which  he  owned  is 
still  standing  on  the  south  side  of  the  Common  and  facing  upcn 
Main  street.  It  is  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Daniel  B.  Hatch  of  New- 
York.  The  Sunday  school  in  connection  with  it  has  about  100 
pupils  and  teachers. 

The  Unitarian  sentiment,  as  we  have  already  seen,  was  devel- 
oped in  this  town  under  the  preaching  of  Reverend  Luther 
Wilson,  as  colleague  pastor  with  Doctor  Whitney,  between  the 
years  1813  and  1816.  The  First  Ecclesiastical  society  of  Brook- 
lyn adopted  these  sentiments  and  barred  the  doors  of  the  meet- 
ing house  against  Doctor  Whitney  and  his  church.  They  then 
obtained  a  Unitarian  minister  from  Massachusetts  and  asserted 
and  exercised  their  right  to  use  the  house  for  the  promulgation 
of  Unitarian  doctrines.  They  secured  for  their  pastor  Mr.  Sam- 
uel J.  May,  a  young  man  of  vigorous  intellect,  good  education 
and  wide,  philanthropic  sympathies,  who  was  ordained  over 
them  March  13th,  1822,  The  ministry  of  Mr.  May  was  most 
acceptable  and  beneficial  to  his  own  people  and  the  commu- 
nity at  large.  Entering  with  his  whole  heart  and  soul  into  all 
the  great  questions  of  the  day,  he  carried  others  with  him. 
Through  his  efforts  the  Windham  County  Peace  Society  was 
organized.  This. society  was  organized  August  16th,  1826,  and 
had  for  its  object  the  discouragement  of  the  inhuman  and  un- 
christian practice  of  war.  Its  membership  included  ministers 
and  some  leading  men  of  most  of  the  towns  of  this  county,  and 
some  from  outside  of  the  county.  It  had  a  good  influence,  and 
did  much  good  in  disseminating  information  and  enlightening 
the  public  conscience.  The  temperance  cause  found  in  Mr.  May 
an  earnest,  methodical,  aggressive  and  untiring  advocate.  In 
the  cause  of  public  education  he  engaged  with  such  zeal  that 
many  needed  reforms  were  instituted,  and  his  influence  in  this 
was  felt  throughout  the  state.  Editing  religious  newspapers, 
establishing  a  village  lyceum,  lecturing  and  preaching  in  differ- 
ent localities  throughout  the  county  also  claimed  their  share 
of  his  enthusiasm  and  tireless  labor.     These  incessant  calls  to 


592  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

varied  fields  of  labor  induced  Mr.  May  to  leave  the  pastorate  of 
this  society,  which  he  did  October  16th,  1836.     His  immediate 
successor  was  Reverend  George  W.  Kilton,  who  began   Decem- 
ber 1st,  1836,  and  was  followed  in  1837  by  Reverend  William 
Coe,  w^ho  remained  about  four  years.     Supplies   followed   for 
short  periods.     An  alteration  in  the  interior  of  the  church  build- 
ing was  made  in  1845.     A  floor  was  laid  at  the  level  of  the  gal- 
lery, so  as  to  make  the  building  two  stories.     The  upper  room 
was  rededicated  for  church  uses  May  1st,  1845,  while  the  lower 
room  was  set  apart  as  a  town  hall,  in  which  use  it  still  continues. 
Reverend  Herman  Snow  began  preaching  here  in  November, 
1844,  and  continued  until  December,  1846.     Samuel  May  served 
one  year  in  1847.     Jacob  Ferris  began  a  pastorate  of  about  two 
years  May  1st,  1848.     Reverend  George  G.  Channing,  a  brother 
of  the  celebrated  William  Ellery  Channing,  began  preaching 
here  on  the  first  Sunday  in  May,  1850,  and  closed  his  term  June 
20th,  1852.     Reverend  C.  Y.  De  Normandie  began  pastoral  labor 
here  July  11th,  1852,  was  ordained   December  1st  of  the  same 
year,  and  remained  till  September,  1856.     He  was  succeeded  by 
Reverend  Henry  Lewis  Myrick,  whose  term  began  January  4th, 
1857,  continuing  about  two  years.     A  year  of  temporary  sup- 
plies followed.     Reverend  Mr.  Channing  returned  and  remained 
from  November  11th,  1860,  to  November  24th,  1861.     Lay  ser- 
vices filled  up  the  space  from  that  date  till  April  16th,  1862, 
when  Reverend  Mr.   Channing   returned  again  and  remained 
till  November  9th  of  the  same    year.     Reverend   Thomas   T. 
Stone,  D.D.,  served  the  church  from  March,  1863,  to  August, 
1871.     Mrs.  Celia  Burleigh  began  preaching  in  August,  1871, 
and  was  ordained  October  5th  of  the  same  year.     She  continued 
nominally  pastor  until  her  death,  July  25th,  1875,  though  she  had 
assistance  in  pastoral  labors  on  account  of  ill  health  for  some 
time.    Mrs.  Caroline  R.James  began  preaching  in  October,  1877, 
and  was  ordained  October  9th,  1878.     She  resigned  November 
6th,  1881.     Temporary  supplies  now  filled  the  pulpit  until  the 
coming   of   Reverend  A.  J.  Culp   to   the  church  in  June,  1885. 
His  pastorate  closed  January  1st,  1889.     His  successor.  Reverend 
Silas  W.  Sutton,  began  his  labors  here  April  20th,  1889.     He 
lives  in  the  house  which  was  built  for  Reverend  Mr.  May  as  a 
parsonage,  but  afterward  sold  to  private  parties  and  now  rented. 
A  parsonage  was  built  by  the  society,  which  still  retains  the 
name  of  the  First  Ecclesiastical  society  of  Brooklyn,  about  1853, 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  593 

but  this  was  afterward  sold.     The  present  membership  of  the 
church  is  about  twenty-five. 

The  Episcopal  church  of  Brooklyn  had  its  beginnings  in  the 
efforts  of  Colonel  Godfrey  Malbone  to  avoid  paying  taxes  toward 
the  erection  of  a  church  about  the  year  1769.  Colonel  Malbone, 
previous  to  this  had,  without  protest,  paid  taxes  on  his  large 
estate  here  toward  the  support  of  the  town  church,  but  when  a 
new  meeting  house  was  talked  of,  to  be  erected  at  great  expense, 
he  determined  to  exercise  his  own  inclinations,  which  were  nat- 
urally toward  the  church  of  England.  He  enlisted  the  interest 
of  his  friends  in  the  work,  and  a  subscription  paper  was  circu- 
lated, to  which  the  names  of  nineteen  heads  of  families  were 
obtained,  agreeing  to  become  members  of  an  Episcopal  church 
as  soon  as  meeting  house  and  missionary  should  be  provided. 
Through  Malbone's  influence  help  was  obtained  from  the  Society 
for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts,  an  eligible 
site  was  obtained  on  the  Adams  tract,  south  of  Malbone's  land, 
given  by  Azariah  Adams,  and  arrangements  were  immediately 
made  for  the  erection  of  a  building.  In  April,  1770,  the  follow- 
ing persons  petitioned  to  be  liberated  from  paying  taxes  to  the 
town  church  on  the  ground  that  they  were  interested  and  con- 
tributing toward  the  Episcopal  church:  Godfrey  Malbone,  Jos- 
eph Hubbard,  Jerre  Cleveland,  Timothy  Lowe,  Jedidiah  Ash- 
craft,  Sr.,  Ahaziah  Adams,  Jacob  Staple,  Daniel  McCloud,  Caleb 
Spalding,  Benjamin  Jewett,  John  Allyn,  John  Wheeler,  Leonard 
Cady,  Noah  Adams,  Henry  Cady,  Thomas  Adams,  Isaac  Adams, 
Samuel  Adams,  Elisha  Adams,  James  Darbe,  Jr.,  Jonathan 
Wheeler,  Jacob  Greer,  William  Walton,  Jonas  Cleveland,  Jabez 
Allyn,  Nehemiah  Adams,  Benjamin  Cady,  John  Ashcraft,  Seth 
Sabin  and  James  Eldridge.  The  assembly  granted  the  desired 
relief  to  Malbone,  as  a  well-known  churchman,  but  refused  it  to 
his  associates  on  the  ground  of  insufficient  evidence  of  their 
sincerity. 

Church  building,  however,  went  forward,  and  by  April  1st, 
1771,  the  new  building  was  ready  for  use.  This  was  a  neat,  un- 
pretentious edifice,  in  its  interior  arrangements  closely  follow- 
ing the  model  of  Trinity  church  in  Newport.  In  the  mean  time 
Malbone  frequently  himself  took  the  character  of  the  priestly 
office  and  drilled  his  proselytes  in  the  church  ritual,  of  which  he 
declared,  "  they  were  ignorant  as  so  many  of  the  Iroquois."  The 
novelty  of  the  service  attracted  many  hearers.  The  Reverend 
38 


594  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

John  Tyler,  church  missionary  at  Norwich,  preached  in  Ash- 
craft's  house  in  February,  and  officiated  at  the  public  opening 
of  the  new  building  in  April.  The  latter  event  was  one  of  im- 
portance historically,  as  it  was  the  first  formal  dedication  service 
performed  in  Windham  county.  Reverend  Samuel  Peters, 
church  missionary  at  Hebron,  assisted  in  the  ceremonies.  In 
September,  1771,  Mr.  Richard  Mosely,  of  Boston,  who  had  been 
chaplain  in  the  British  naval  service,  began  conducting  services 
and  preaching  here,  meanwhile  preaching  and  lecturing  at  times 
in  Plainfield  and  Canterbury.  He  continued  in  the  field  until 
the  following  April.  He  was  succeeded  in  May,  1772,  by  Rev- 
erend Daniel  Fogg,  a  sober,  quiet,  discreet  and  devout  man,  who 
was  received  upon  the  recommendation  of  clergymen  in  Boston. 
About  twenty-five  families  were  enrolled  as  his  parishioners. 
His  salary,  thirty  pounds  a  year  from  the  English  society,  and 
thirty  pounds  from  this  church,  amounted  to  sixty  pounds  a 
year. 

The  Episcopal  worship  fell  into  disfavor  after  the  breaking 
out  of  the  war.  All  good  patriots  fell  away  and  only  avowed 
royalists  remained  in  the  church  connection.  Prayers  for  the 
king  and  royal  family  were  no  longer  in  order,  and  as  Mr.  Fogg 
thought  it  inconsistent  with  his  ordination  vows  to  omit  them, 
public  service  was  suspended.  Trinity  church  was  closed  and 
its  congregation  scattered.  Mr.  Fogg  remained  quietly  at  his 
post  of  duty,  ministering  to  his  few  faithful  followers,  and  con- 
ducting himself  "in  so  quiet  and  peaceable  a  manner,"  as  to  re- 
tain the  confidence  and  respect  of  the  community. 

After  the  war  the  church  also  lost  its  chief  supporter,  by  the 
death  of  Colonel  Malbone.  Doctor  Walton,  another  zealous  ad- 
vocate .of  royalty  and  the  church  of  England,  had  also  removed. 
The  missionary  society  also  withdrew  its  aid.  In  this  condi- 
tion the  prospect  was  extremely  discouraging,  but  Mr.  Fogg 
held  bravely  on  and  strove  to  strengthen  the  things  that  re- 
mained. Thirty  acres  of  land  which  Colonel  Malbone  had  in- 
tended for  a  glebe  were  confirmed  to  the  parish  by  his  brother, 
John  Malbone,  in  1787.  Other  able  adherents  of  the  church  who 
came  to  the  neighborhood  about  this  time  were  Captain  Evan 
Malbone  and  Doctor  John  Fuller.  The  faithful  rector.  Rever- 
end Daniel  Fogg,  died  in  1816,  after  forty-three  years'  service 
for  this  church.  The  church  at  that  time  numbered  thirty-one 
communicants.     After  three  years  of  irregular  worship,  Rever- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  595 

end  George  S.  White  accepted  the  pastoral  charge,  remaining 
two  years.     During  this  time  a  parsonage  was  begun. 

Trinity  church,  after  a  long  period  of  irregular  service,  which 
followed  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  White,  entered  upqn  a  new  lease 
of  life  in  1828,  Reverend  Ezra  B.  Kellogg  being  at  that  time  in- 
ducted into  the  rectorate.  Glebe  and  parsonage  were  now  re- 
deemed to  the  use  of  the  parish,  and  the  church  edifice  was  re- 
paired and  remodelled.  When  the  Reverend  Josiah  M.  Bartlett 
succeeded  Mr.  Kellogg  in  1835,  the  parish  was  self-supporting, 
with  thirty-one  families  and  forty-five  communicants.  Colonel 
Daniel  Putnam,  whose  wife  was  a  niece  of  Godfrey  Malbone, 
and  who  had  been  senior  warden  and  one  of  the  staunchest 
friends  of  the  church,  died  in  1831.  This  great  loss  was  in  some 
degree  made  up  by  gradually  increasing  numbers  and  a  higher 
tone  in  church  life  and  public  worship.  Reverend  Riverius 
Camp  entered  upon  the  rectorship  in  1837.  After  a  long  term 
in  the  ministerial  office  here,  he  died  in  1875.  During  this  time 
an  elegant  new  church  was  erected.  This  was  completed  in 
1866.  The  hundredth  birthday  of  the  society  was  appropriately 
celebrated  in  the  "  old  Malbone  church,"  April  12th,  1871.  A 
special  fund  given  by  the  late  George  Brinley,  of  Hartford,  pro- 
vides for  the  continued  preservation  of  this  memorial  edifice  and 
its  hallowed  graveyard.  Reverend  S.  F.  Jarvis  became  pastor 
of  Trinity  church  in  1874,  and  remains  at  the  present  time.  A 
handsome  rectory  was  built  in  1887. 

The  Baptist  church  of  Brooklyn  was  constituted  April  23d, 
1828.  Its  first  members  were:  Denison  Cady,  Elisha  Adams, 
Philemon  Adams,  Nathan  Williams,  Eleazer  Mather,  Alfred 
Ashcraft,  Edwin  Cady,  Gideon  Arnold,  David  C.  Bolles,  Lathrop 
Cushman,  John  Searls,  Hannah  Cady,  Fanny  Mather,  Sarah  Ad- 
ams, Deborah  Adams,  Priscilla  Arnold,  Catherine  Ashcraft,  Ann 
Ashcraft,  Lydia  Cady,  Mary  Adams,  Almira  Pidge,  Mary  Darbe, 
Olive  Arnold,  Miranda  Adams,  Flora  Adams,  Fanny  Bolles,  Eli- 
za Cady,  Emily  Cady,  Wealthy  Tarbox,  Elizabeth  Searls,  Cather- 
ine Cushman,  Betsy  Adams,  Sally  Ann  Adams,  Mary  Cady,  Lucy 
Wilcox.  The  first  deacons  were  Denison  Cady  and  Elisha  Adams. 
The  first  clerk  was  David  C.  Bolles.  The  church  was  organized 
under  the  leadership  of  Reverend  William  Bently.  David  Bolles 
was  ordained  September  30th,  1830.  Thomas  Huntington  was 
ordained  September  30th,  1834.  Benjamin  Brown  was  chosen 
deacon  in  1840,  and  still  continues  in  that  office.     From  about 


596  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

1830  to  1840  the  church  was  in  a  low  state,  and  for  some  time  no 
meetings  were  held.  Reverend  Augustus  Bolles  preached  dur- 
ing the  summer  of  1847.  Reverend  Sylvester  Barrows  com- 
menced preaching  here  May  30th,  1852,  and  continued  through 
a  remarkably  long  pastorate,  closing  about  the  last  of  March, 
1869.  Reverend  Thomas  Terry,  of  Quidnick,  succeeded  to  the 
pastorate.  May  2d,  1869,  and  served  the  church  till  February 
26th,  1882.  Reverend  O.  P.  Bessey  began  May  1st,  1882,  and  con- 
tinued till  November  9th,  1884.  His  successor  was  Reverend 
William  Gussman,  who  entered  the  pastorate  here  February  1st, 
1885,  and  left  it  at  the  last  end  of  1886.  Reverend  Edwin  Ben- 
nett, the  present  pastor,  was  ordained  here  February  8th,  1888. 
The  first  house  of  worship  owned  by  this  church  was  the  old 
chapel  of  the  Congregational  church,  which  they  gave  up  for  their 
new  meeting  house  in  1832.  This  church  bought  it  then  and  used 
it  nearly  forty  years,  enlarging  it  in  the  meantime  as  occasion 
required.  The  present  handsome  brick  church,  standing  on  the 
south  side  of  the  common,  was  built  in  1871,  and  dedicated  May 
8th,  1872.  A  parsonage  was  bought  of  Arthur  Bill,  of  Daniel- 
sonville,  adjoining  the  court  house  a  short  time  since.  The  cost 
of  the  brick  church,  including  the  lot  and  furniture,  was  $10,- 
954.64.  The  present  membership  of  the  church  is  about  130. 
During  the  present  pastorate  forty-eight  have  been  added.  The 
Sunday  school  at  its  last  report  numbered  121. 

The  factory  village  of  Wauregan  is  partly  within  this  town- 
ship at  its  southeastern  corner.  Within  this  town  is  the  Roman 
Catholic  church  called  Sacred  Heart.  The  building  was  erected 
in  1872,  and  opened  for  service  in  June  of  that  year.  A  ceme- 
tery and  ground  connected  with  it  contains  twenty-four  acres. 
This  field  was  a  mission  of  All  Hallows  church  at  Moosup  until 
May,  1889,  when  it  was  made  a  distinct  parish,  and  a  local  pastor, 
Reverend  Arthur  O'Keefe,  placed  in  charge  of  it.  A  parochial 
residence  is  about  to  be  built.  The  church  building  has  a  seat- 
ing capacity  of  about  800.  It  is  a  frame  building  and  having 
lately  been  renewed  in  its  interior,  is  one  of  the  finest  country 
churches  in  the  state.  The  parish  contains  about  1,360  Catholic 
souls,  the  larger  part  of  them  being  French  Canadians.  A  St. 
John  Baptist  Society  connected  with  the  parish,  numbers  about 
75  members.  It  was  organized  in  the  early  part  of  the  present 
year. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  597 

Mystical  Rose  Cotincil,  No.  49,  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus, 
was  organized  at  Wauregan  in  December,  1888.  The  first  officers, 
installed  January  12th,  1889,  were  :  John  Driscoll,  grand  knight; 
James  Ward,  Jr.,  D.  G.  K.;  Reverend  Thomas  S.  Shanley,  chap- 
lain; Michael  J.  Gleason,  F.  S.;  Simeion  J.Jacques,  R.  S.;  Nelson 
Willett,  treasurer;  Patrick  Reid,  C;  Napoleon  Ouimette,  I.  G.; 
Eusebe  Roy,  O.  G.;  Simon  Bousquet,  W.;  Reverend  John  A. 
Creedon,  C.  B.  T.  The  Council  has  now  34  members.  Its  prom- 
inent object  is  assurance,  a  benefit  in  case  of  sickness  being  giv- 
en its  members  and  $1,000  at  death. 

A  society  of  the  Children  of  Mary  is  connected  with  Sacred 
Heart  church.  It  was  organized  in  the  latter  part  of  1887.  The 
first  officers  were  :  Mary  Gleason,  president ;  Miss  Nora  Shea, 
vice-president ;  and  Miss  Kate  Murray,  treasurer. 

The  charter  for  the  Windham  County  Bank  was  granted  July 
4th,  1822.  The  bank  was  located  at  the  then  new  county  seat, 
Brooklyn.  Its  first  board  of  thirteen  directors  were :  Joseph 
Eaton,  Vine  Robinson,  John  McClellan,  James  Gordon,  Jr.,  Sam- 
uel L.  Hough,  Ebenezer  Young,  Charles  Sabin,  David  Bolles, 
Thomas  Hubbard,  Andrew  J.  Judson,  Eben.  Williamson,  E.  C. 
Eaton,  Rufus  Adams.  The  first  president  was  Joseph  Eaton ; 
the  first  cashier,  Adams  White.  A  neat  new  building  soon  ac- 
commodated this  institution,  which  was  regarded  with  much 
pride  and  favor  by  the  citizens  of  this  village.  The  successive 
presidents  have  been  :  Joseph  Eaton,  1822  to  1847 ;  Daniel  P. 
Tyler,  1847  to  1848;  Adams  White,  1848  to  1856;  E.  S.  Chase, 
1856  to  1857;  John  Gallup,  3d,  1857  to  1880  ;  John  Palmer,  1880 
to  the  present  time.  The  office  of  cashier  from  the  beginning 
has  been  held  by  the  following:  Adams  White,  Jr.,  1822  to  1837; 
Charles  White,  1837  to  1847;  Edwin  S.  Chase,  1848  to  1855;  A.  F. 
Fisher,  1856  to  1865;  C.  C.  Crandall,  1865  to  1876;  John  P.Wood, 
1876  to  the  present  tim.e.  The  bank  was  reorganized  under  the 
national  banking  act,  in  June,  1865,  and  its  organization  extend- 
ed in  1885.  It  reports  a  capital  of  $108,300,  and  a  surplus  of 
$3,000.  The  present  directors  are  :  John  Palmer,  David  Green- 
slit,  John  Waldo,  John  S.  Searls,  Walter  Palmer,  Benjamin  A. 
Bailey,  Comfort  S.  Burlingame,  Henry  A.  Atkins,  William  H. 
Putnam,  Lyman  Fitts,  Walter  P.  Webb,  Charles  G.  Williams, 
Stephen  N.  Bennett. 

The  Brooklyn  Savings  Bank  was  incorporated  in  May,  1872, 
and  commenced  business  on  the  2d  of  September  following.    The 


598  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

original  corporators  were:  Apollos  Richmond,  John  Gallup,  2d, 
Cranston  C.  Crandall,  Daniel  C.  Robinson,  Henry  M.  Cleveland, 
Edward  L.  Crandall,  John  Palmer,  James  B.  Whitcomb,  Albert 
Day,  John  S.  Searls,  John  Hyde,  Aaron  H.  Storrs,  Edwin  Scar- 
borough, Charles  G.  Williams,  William  H.  Putnam,  Thomas  S. 
Marlor,  Gideon  Gurnett,  Lewis  Searls,  Alva  Wylie,  Willard 
Leavens  and  Enos  L.  Preston.  The  presidents  of  the  bank  have 
been:  Apollos  Richmond,  from  the  organization  to  July,  1876; 
William  Searls,  July,  1876,  to  July,  1878;  William  Woodbridge, 
July,  1878,  to  August,  1888;  Marvin  H.  Sanger,  August,  1888,  to 
the  present  time.  The  ofhce  of  secretary  and  treasurer  has  been 
held  by:  Cranston  C.  Crandall,  from  the  organization  to  July, 
1876;  Clarence  A.  Potter,  from  July,  1876,  to  the  present  time 
The  first  board  of  trustees  were:  Apollos  Richmond,  Daniel  C. 
Robinson,  Cranston  C.  Crandall,  John  Gallup,  2d,  John  Palmer, 
Albert  Day,  Alva  Wylie,  Gideon  Gurnett,  Willard  Leavens  and 
Enos  L.  Preston.  The  present  board  of  trustees  are:  Marvin  H. 
Sanger,  Frank  E.  Baker,  Clarence  A,  Potter,  John  Palmer,  Wil- 
liam H.  Putnam,  John  P.  Wood,  Thomas  R.  Baxter,  Alfred  Pray 
and  Preston  B.  Sibley.  The  deposits  October  1st,  1888,  amounted 
to  $653,592. 

The  Windham  County  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company  was 
incorporated  in  June,  1826,  upon  the  petition  of  Vine  Robinson, 
Adams  White,  Jr.,  Daniel  Tyler,  and  many  other  prominent 
men.  Vine  Robinson  was  chosen  president;  Adams  White,  sec- 
retary; and  Joseph  Eaton,  Andrew  T.  Judson,  George  Earned 
and  John  McClellan,  directors.  The  institution  met  with  gen- 
eral favor,  -and  secured  patronage  from  all  parts  of  the  county. 
The  first  president  and  secretary  held  their  respective  positions 
for  many  years.  In  1847  the  first  had  been  changed,  and  Asahel 
Hammond  was  president,  while  Mr.  White  still  continued  as  sec- 
retary. Ten  years  later  Aaron  H.  Storrs  had  succeeded  as  pres- 
ident, and  not  many  years  after  that  date  David  Greenslit  be- 
came its  president,  and  he  still  holds  that  position.  John  Palmer 
became  secretary  about  1857,  and  still  occupies  that  office.  The 
company  has  a  surplus  of  $36,434.12.  It  has  continued  to  pros- 
per, making  no  assessments  and  suffering  few  losses,  insuring 
apparently  from  fire  as  well  as  from  accruing  damage,  and  its 
surplus  might  excite  the  envy  of  many  a  more  pretentious  insti- 
tution. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  599 

The  first  agricultural  society  in  this  county,  if  not  the  first  in 
the  state,  was  organized  in  the  town  of  Pomfret,  under  the  name 
of  the  Pomfret  United  Agricultural  Society.     Its  membership 
was  from  the  three  towns  of  Woodstock,  Pomfret  and  Brooklyn. 
At  a  meeting  of  the  society  December  19th,  1809,  which  was  the 
date  of  its  organization,  the  following  officers  were  elected:  Ben- 
jamin Duick,  president;  Amos  Paine,  John  Williams,  vice-pres- 
idents; Sylvanus  Backus,  treasurer;  Darius  Matthewson  of  Brook- 
lyn, Benjamin  Duick  of  Pomfret,  James  McClellan  of  Woodstock, 
committee  of  correspondence.     This  society  held  fairs  with  more 
or  less  regularity  from  that  time  forward,  until  it  enlarged  its 
field  of  operations  and  influence  by  securing  incorporation  as 
the  Windham  County  Agricultural  Society,  the  act  being  passed 
May  20th,  1820.     The  first  meeting  of  the  society  in  its  new  form 
was  held  on  the  third  Monday  in  January,  1821,  at  the  tavern  of 
Peter  Thompson,  in  Pomfret.     The  following  officers  were  then 
elected:  Thomas  Hubbard,  president;  Darius  Matthewson  and 
Amos  Paine,  vice-presidents;  Samuel  Howard,  treasurer;  James 
McClellan,  secretary.     This  society  for  a  number  of  years  held 
its  fairs  alternately  in  the  towns  of  Pomfret  and  Woodstock. 
When  held  in  Pomfret  they  occupied  the  grounds  around  a  pub- 
lic tavern,  which  stood  where  now  stands  a  dwelling  house  for- 
merly owned  by  the  late  Doctor  Lewis  Williams.    In  Woodstock 
they  were  held  near  what  was  then  known  as  Bowen's  Tavern. 
The  cattle  pens  stood  in  the  rear  of  and  near  where  the  academy 
now  stands.     The  business  of  the  society  was  in  after  years 
moved  to  Brooklyn,  where  it  settled  down  to  a  permanent  abid- 
ing place,  and  has  for  many  years  held  its  fairs,  and  is  now  in  a 
prosperous  condition.     The  fair  grounds,  about  a  half  mile  south 
of  the  village  green,  contain  about  ten  acres,  and  have  a  half 
mile  track  and  exhibition  hall  and  sheds,  and  many  other  build- 
ings for  the  accommodation  of  exhibitions.     Fairs  are  held  for 
three  days  in  succession,  much  interest  is  taken,  and  many  peo- 
ple are  in  attendance.     Efforts  are  being  made  to  make  the  fair 
of  the  present  year  superior  to  anything  ever  known  before. 
The  society  had  fallen  into  some  lethargy  about  forty  years  ago, 
but  in  1852  it  was  revived  and  reorganized.  Since  that  time  the  in- 
terest in  it  has  been  well  maintained.     The  following  men  have 
succeeded  to  the  ofhce  of  president  of  the  society  since  that  time: 
Colonel    William    Alexander,  1862;    Colonel    Erastus   Lester, 
1853;  Hon.  C.  F.  Cleveland,  1854;  Calvin  D.  Williams,  1855;  Ezra 


600  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Dean,  1856;  David  Gallup,  1857;  Charles  Mathewson,  1858;  Apol- 
los  Richmond,  1859-61;  Edwin  Scarborough,  1862-63;  George 
A.  Paine,  1864;  Sabin  L.  Sayles,  1865;  Charles  Osgood,  1866; 
Ralph  W.  Robinson,  1867-68;  Albert  Day,  1869;  Joseph  D.  Bates, 
1870-71;  George  Sanger,  1872-73;  James  M.  Johnson,  1874;  Ar- 
nold B.  Fenner,  1875-76;  John  Dimon,  1877-78;  John  W.  Griggs, 
1879;  Alexander  Warner,  1880-81;  Gurdon  Cady,  1882-83;  George 
M.  Holt,  1884-85;  Thomas  J.  Evans,  1886-87;  Frank  Day,  1888-89. 
The  membership  of  the  society  at  present  is  386.  The  treas- 
urer's report  for  the  year  ending  June  1st,  1889,  shows  dis- 
bursements for  the  year  amounting  to  $2,085.08,  including  pre- 
miums paid,  $1,1 68.05.  The  proceeds  of  the  fair  in  1888  amounted 
to  $1,246.68. 

The  Brooklyn  Creamery  is  located  about  one  mile  from  the 
village  of  Brooklyn,  and  three  miles  from  the  N.  &  W.  railroad. 
It  was  erected  and  ready  for  operations  May  1st,  1888.  The 
creamery  building  is  of  wood,  27x46  feet,  and  one  and  a  half 
stories  high  above  the  basement,  which  is  finished  and  used  as 
a  tenement,  except  about  twelve  feet  of  one  end,  which  is  re- 
served for  the  company.  The  basement  is  the  same  dimensions, 
and  ten  feet  high,  built  of  brick  and  stone,  and  is  used  for  an 
engine  and  coal  room  11x27  feet;  work  room,  20x27  feet;  cream 
room,  15x15  feet;  using  for  power  a  Baxter  engine  and  boiler 
6:k6.  The  company  have  also  erected  an  ice  house  20x24  feet, 
and  three  open  sheds,  walled  in  their  grounds,  there  being  one- 
half  acre,  and  graded  up  around  the  buildings,  making  them 
attractive  and  very  convenient.  The  company  made  during  the 
six  months  ending  November  1st,  1888,  33,287  pounds  of  but- 
ter, taking  6.28  spaces  for  a  pound,  and  at  a  cost  of  5  cents  per 
pound  for  manufacturing,  including  interest  on  capital,  stock 
and  all  running  expenses.  The  building  has  a  capacity  for  600 
pounds  daily.  The  Brooklyn  Creamery  Company  have  a  paid- 
up  capital  of  $3,750,  owned  mostly  by  the  patrons,  and  their 
buildings,  management  and  success  will  compare  favorably  with 
the  other  creameries  of  the  state. 

As  we  have  already  said,  the  principal  industry  of  this  town 
is  agriculture.  Its  manufacturing  interests  are  very  limited. 
Grist,  saw  and  shingle  mills  are  operated  in  different  parts  by 
Henry  D.  Bassett,  Asa  D.  Bennett  and  Eugene  S.  Young.  Saw 
mills  are  also  operated  by  W.  R.  Cheney  and  John  Braman. 
The  mill  owned  by  the  latter  was,  in  the  early  part  of  the  cen- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  601 

tury,  used  as  a  blacksmith  shop,  with  a  trip-hammer  run  by 
water.  It  was  then  owned  by  one  William  Foster.  It  was  after- 
ward used  as  a  sash  and  blind  shop  by  Jared  Collar.  Thence 
it  was  transformed  into  a  shop  for  the  manufacture  of  gold  pens, 
pencils  and  spectacles  by  one  Bard.  The  present  owner  carries 
on  in  it  the  manufacture  of  picker  stick  handles,  shuttle  blocks, 
cloth  boards,  planing,  fine  sawing  and  mill  supplies  generally. 
The  manufacture  of  watch  cases  was  for  a  time  carried  on  here 
by  E.  L.  Preston,  but  the  business  was  suspended  about  ten  or 
twelve  years  since.  Edwin  Newbury  carried  on  the  manufac- 
ture of  gold  spectacles.  His  business  suspended  in  1876.  Rich- 
mond &  Atwood's  silk  mill  stood  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
village.  It  stopped  work  in  1878,  and  the  building  has  since 
been  converted  into  a  barn  by  the  present  owner,  Mr.  Henry  S. 
Marlor. 

Biographical  Sketches. 

William  H.  Putnam. — Mr.  Putnam  is  a  lineal  descendant  of 
that  brave  general  and  distinguished  patriot,  Israel  Putnam, 
whose  son,  Daniel  Putnam,  was  the  grandfather  of  the  subject 
of  this  biography.  W^illiam,  one  of  his  sons,  married  Mary 
Spalding,  whose  children  were:  Caroline  M.,  Harriet  W.,  Wil- 
liam H.,  Elizabeth,  Asa  S.,  Jane,  Anne,  and  three  who  died  in 
early  life.  William  H.  Putnam  was  born  February  2d,  1812,  in 
Holland,  Massachusetts,  and  in  childhood  removed  to  Brooklyn, 
where  the  residue  of  his  life  was  passed.  The  best  schools  ob- 
tainable at  that  early  day  afforded  him  a  knowledge  of  the  ele- 
mentary branches,  and  the  work  connected  with  his  father's 
farm  occupied  his  time  until  after  his  marriage. 
.  On  the  12th  of  March,  1834,  he  was  united  to  Miss  Eliza, 
daughter  of  Captain  John  Day,  of  Brooklyn,  who  died  on  the 
27th  of  May,  1880.  Their  children  are:  Harriet  G.,  Mary,  wife 
of  James  Perkins;  John  D.,  Sarah,  deceased;  Kate  B.  and  Albert 
D.  Mr.  Putnam,  two  years  after  his  marriage,  leased  the  farm 
belonging  to  Captain  Day,  of  which  he  finally  became  the  owner. 
He  cultivated  its  fertile  acres,  and  made  it  his  residence  until 
1877,  the  year  of  his  removal "  to  the  village  of  Brooklyn,  his 
son,  Albert  D.,  meanwhile  succeeding  to  his  farming  interests. 
Mr.  Putnam  interested  himself  in  matters  pertaining  to-  his 
town,  and  as  a  republican  held  various  local  offices.  His  pre- 
vailing modesty  and  aversion  to  the  excitement  attending  a 


6()2  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

public  career,  influenced  him  to  decline  more  important  honors. 
His  advice  was  often  sought  on  questions  requiring  maturity 
of  judgment  and  experience,  his  opinions  invariably  command- 
ing respectful  consideration.  He  was  a  director  of  the  Wind- 
ham County  National  Bank,  and  the  Brooklyn  Savings  Bank. 
Mr.  Putnam  was  a  member  of  Trinity  Protestant  Episcopal 
church  of  Brooklyn,  of  which  he  was  for  many  years  senior 
warden. 

George  Scarborough  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  Conn.,  July  28th, 
1806.  His  parents  were  Samuel  and  Molly  Cleaveland  Scarbor- 
ough, worthy  representatives  of  respected  ancestors.  For  twenty- 
three  years  George  Scarborough  lived  the  farmer's  life,  early 
entering  on  its  arduous  labors  and  working  from  April  to  Decem- 
ber fifteen  hours  a  day.  His  educational  privileges  were  such  as 
four  winter  months  each  year  in  a  country  school  could  afford. 
This  school  he  attended  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  when 
he  became  an  instructor  instead  of  pupil,  working  hard  through 
spring,  summer  and  autumn,  and  teaching  during  the  winter. 
In  his  twenty-fourth  year,  while  still  teaching  and  doing  his  farm 
work,  he  began  his  study  of  Latin  and  Greek.  In  1832  he  went 
to  the  distinguished  scientific  school  in  Troy,  N.  Y.— the  "  Rens- 
selaer Institute  " — in  which  he  passed  nearly  two  years.  In  1834 
he  entered  the  Divinity  School  in  Cambridge,  Mass.,  to  prepare 
for  the  Christian  ministry,  but  at  the  end  of  a  year  of  diligent 
study  in  the  Hebrew  and  other  departments,  impaired  health 
compelled  him  to  leave  New  England  and  seek  a  milder  climate. 

In  November  of  1835  he  started  for  New  Orleans,  but  when 
the  steamboat,  on  which  he  had  taken  passage  at  Pittsburgh, 
Penn.,  reached  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio,  the  Mississippi  was  so 
blocked  with  ice  from  its  more  northern  tributaries  that  the  captain 
felt  obliged  to  retrace  his  way  as  far  as  Cincinnati.  On  this  return 
trip  Mr.  Scarborough  left  the  boat  at  Owensboro',  Ky.  On  convers- 
ing with  some  of  the  most  intelligent  citizens  he  found  that  the 
town  offered  an  opportunity  for  an  earnest  and  persistent  teacher. 
He  immediately  opened  a  school  for  girls  and  boys,  in  which  he 
gave  instruction  in  English  literature,  the  classics,  mathematics 
and  in  natural  science  and  natural  history.  The  school  was  of 
high  order,  the  instruction  very  thorough,  the  discipline  firm  and 
kind,  entirely  without  corporal  punishment,  and  the  whole  men- 
tal and  moral  influence  such  as  to  win  the  gratitude  and  com- 
mand the  respect  not  only  of  the  pupils  but  of  the  whole  com- 


HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY-.  603 

munity.  For  twenty  years  Mr.  Scarborough  continued  this 
admirable  school.  In  1867  and  1858  he  made  a  long  tour  abroad, 
travelino-  througfh  most  of  the  central  and  southern  countries  of 
Europe,  visiting  Egypt,  Palestine  and  Syria,  and  returning 
through  Greece.  After  reaching  home  Mr.  Scarborough  was 
chosen  "Professor  of  Chemistry"  in  the  "Eclectic  Medical 
School"  at  Memphis, Tenn., but  on  account  of  the  troubled  state 
of  our  country  at  the  time  he  did  not  accept  the  position.  In 
1860  he  removed  from  Owensboro',  Ky.,  to  Atchison,  Kansas, 
where  he  lived  eight  years,  and  then  went  to  Vineland,  N.  J., 
where  he  resided  from  1868  to  1881,  when  he  went  to  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y.,  whence  he  removed  in  1887  to  his  native  town,  which  he 
had  never  ceased  to  regard  with  affection,  and  which  is  no  less 
dear  to  him  now,  1889,  in  his  eighty-third  year,  than  it  was  in 
early  days.  ' 

All  through  his  life  Mr.  Scarborough  has  been  a  close  ob- 
server and  loving  student  of  nature,  and  gradually  had  formed 
a  fine  herbarium  and  valuable  mmeralogical  and  geological 
cabinet,  which,  during  his  residence  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  he  gave 
to  the  Long  Island  Historical  Society,  of  which  he  was  a  mem- 
ber, and  by  which  his  most  generous  gift — the  "Scarborough 
Collection  " — is  highly  appreciated. 

Wherever  he  has  lived,  Mr.  Scarborough  has  taken  a  deep 
interest  in  all  that  pertained  to  the  mental,  moral  and  spirit- 
ual welfare  of  society.  A  thorough-going  temperance  man — 
a  "  Total  Abstinence  "  man — from  early  manhood,  always  a 
firm,  unshrinking  friend  and  advocate  of  freedom,  to  no  good 
cause  has  he  been  indifferent.  During  his  many  years  in 
Owensboro'  and  Vineland  he  superintended  a  Sunday  school, 
and  never  was  away  from  his  post,  except  because  of  sickness 
or  absence  from  the  country.  Few  "  public  "  lives  have  been 
richer  in  deep  and  abiding  influence — and  influence  of  the  best 
kind,  most  helpful  to  noble  manhood  and  womanhood,  to  true 
citizenship — than  the  modest,  unostentatious  life  of  this  faith- 
ful, accomplished  educator,  this  loyal  son  of  Windham. 

The  genealogy  of  the  Scarborough  family  (in  part): 

1.  John  Scarborough  of  Roxbury,  Mass.,  married  May  13th, 
1640,  Mary,  sister  of  Robert  Smith  of  Boston,  Mass.,  formerly 
of  London,  Eng. 

2.  Samuel,  son  of  John,  born  January  20th,  1646. 

3.  Samuel,  born  12th  October,  1680;  married  Theoda  Wil- 
liams February  5th,  1706. 


604  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

4.  Jeremiah,  son  of  SamueP,  born  12tli  November,  1713; 
married  Miss  Holbrook  of  Abington. 

5.  Samuel,  son  of  Jeremiah,  born  August  3d,  1740;  married 
Mary  Amidon  of  Mendon,  Mass.,  October  23d,  1770. 

6.  Samuel,  son  of  Samuel',  born  13th  March,  1773;  married 
Molly  Cleaveland  Gilbert  October  7th,  1803.  He  served  his 
native  town  of  Brooklyn  faithfully  for  many  years  as  one  of 
the  selectmen,  town  clerk  and  justice  of  the  peace. 

7.  His  children  were  David,  born  13th  December,  1803; 
George,  born  28th  July,  1806;  Perrin,  born  September,  1808, 
and  Edwin,  born  21st  February,  1811. 

Edwin  Scarborough.— "On  Wednesday  afternoon,  October 
10th,  1877,  Brooklyn  and  Windham  county  lost  one  of  the 
truest  and  best  of  men  in  the  death  of  Mr.  Edwin  Scarbor- 
ough. For  several  years  increasing  feebleness  of  body  had 
warned  our  esteemed  friend  that  he  was  walking  very  near 
that  mysterious  line  which  divides  the  here  from  the  here- 
after, but  the  marching  orders  to  cross  came  to  him  sud- 
denly at  last.  Mr.  S.  was  a  public-spirited  citizen;  a  large- 
hearted,  generous  neighbor;  a  loving  parent;  a  man  of  culture — 
one  who  had  the  courage  of  his  convictions  upon  political  or 
religious  matters,  and  yet  liberal  and  courteous  to  all  who 
differed  from  him.  The  world  was  made  better  because  Edwin 
Scarborough  lived  in  it— and  one  cannot  help  thinking  that 
true  hearts  would  not  be  so  willing  to  leave  their  earthly 
home  if  they  here  met  only  such  trusty  and  charitable  souls. 
Every  cause  that  had  for  its  aim  the  elevation  and  happiness 
of  men  found  in  him  a  firm  supporter.  He  was  the  friend 
of  temperance,  anti-slavery  and  education  through  all  his  act- 
ive career.  He  was  intellectually  superior,  with  a  strong 
endowment  of  common  sense.  But  his  superiority  lay  in  his 
heart  culture.  He  was  an  ornament  and  pillar  to  our  county. 
With  many  of  our  fellow-citizens  we  feel  the  death  of  Mr.  S. 
as  a  personal  loss,  and  we  indite  this  brief  tribute  with  no 
ordinary  feeling  of  regret,  for  his  loss  seems  to  us  almost 
irreparable." 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


THE   TOWN    OF    STERLING. 


Geographical  Description. — Tlie  Volunteers'  Land.— Settlement  as  Voluntown. — 
Division  of  the  Land. — Town  Privileges. — Presbyterian  Church  Organized. — 
Lands  Laid  Out. — Sterling  Town  Organized. — Meeting  House  Erected. — 
General  Progress. — Public  Highways. — School  Matters  — The  Voluntovi^n 
and  Sterling  Church. — Line  Meeting  House. — Stei-ling  Hill  Baptist  Church. — 
Other  Churches. — Manufacturing. — Rocks  and  Quarries. — Oneco. — Decline 
of  Manufactures. — The  Grange. — Biographical  Sketches. 


THE  township  of  Sterling  occupies  the  southeast  corner  of 
the  county,  being  bounded  on  the  north  byKillingly,  east 
by  Rhode  Island,  south  by  Voluntown  (formerly  a  town 
of  Windham  county,  but  recently  transferred  to  New  London 
county),  and  west  by  Plainfield.  The  town  is  nine  miles  long 
from  north  to  south,  and  has  an  average  width  of  three  miles. 
It  is  centrally  distant  from  Hartford  49  miles  and  from  New 
Haven  73  miles.  It  contains  an  area  of  twenty-seven  square 
miles.  Much  of  the  land  is  hilly  or  swampy.  The  town  is  well 
drained  by  the  Quanduck  and  Cedar  Swamp  branches  of  Moosup 
river.  It  contains  valuable  building  stones,  which  are  quarried 
to  some  extent.  Sterling  hill,  in  the  western  part,  is  the  original 
settlement,  and  occupies  an  eminence,  furnishing  a  delightful 
view  of  the  surrounding  country.  The  town  is  crossed  near  the 
center  by  the  Providence  Division  of  the  N.  Y.  &  N.  E.  railroad. 
Large  quantities  of  railroad  ties  are  cut  from  the  woods  of  the 
town.  Farming  and  manufacturing  form  the  industrial  inter- 
ests of  the  town.  Its  population  at  different  periods  has  been  : 
In  1800,  908;  in  1840,  1,099  ;  1870,  1,022;  1880,  957.  The  grand 
list  of  the  town  in  1800  was  $20,873  ;  in  1847,  $11,791  ;  in  1857, 
$13,447 ;  and  1887,  $259,263.  The  number  of  children  between 
the  ages  of  four  and  sixteen  in  1858  was  280 ;  in  1881,  227;  and 
in  1887,  197.  The  post  offices  of  Sterling,  Oneco,  Ekonk  and 
North  Sterling  are  in  this  town. 

In  October,  1696,  Lieutenant  Thomas  Leffingwell,  of  Norwich, 
and  Sergeant  John  Frink,  of  Stonington,  moved   the   general 


'606  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

court,  "that  they,  with  the  rest  of  the  English  volunteers  in  for- 
mer wars,  might  have  a  plantation  granted  to  them."  A  tract 
of  land  six  miles  square  was  granted  in  answer  to  this  request, 
''to  be  taken  up  out  of  some  of  the  conquered  land,"  its  bounds 
to  be  prescribed  and  settlement  regulated  by  persons  appointed 
by  the  court.  The  volunteers  sent  "  out  upon  the  discovery  "  of  a 
suitable  tract,  found  their  choice  very  limited.  Major  Fitch, 
the  Winthrops  and  others  had  already  appropriated  the  greater 
part  of  the  conquered  lands,  and  the  only  available  tract  remain- 
ing within  Connecticut  limits  was  a  strip  bordering  on  Rhode 
Island,  a  few  miles  east  of  Norwich,  and  upon  reporting  this 
"discovery"  to  the  general  court,  "Captain  Samuel  Mason,  Mr. 
John  Gallup,  and  Lieutenant  James  Avery  were  appointed  a 
committee  to  view  the  said  tract,  and  to  consider  whether  it  be 
suitable  for  entertainment  of  a  body  of  people  that  may  be  able 
comfortably  to  carry  on  plantation  work,  or  what  addition  of 
land  may  be  necessary  to  accommodate  a  body  of  people  for 
comfortable  subsistence  in  a  plantation  way."  After  taking 
three  years  for  viewing  and  considering,  the  committee  reported 
favorably,  and  in  October,  1700,  Lieutenant  Leffingwell,  Richard 
Bushnell,  Isaac  Wheeler,  Caleb  Fobes,  Samuel  Bliss,  Joseph 
Morgan  and  Manasseh  Minor  moved  for  its  confirmation  to  the 
volunteers,  which  was  granted,  "so  far  as  it  concur  with  the  for- 
mer act  of  the  General  Assembly,  provided  it  bring  not  the  Col- 
ony into  any  inconvenience"  or,  as  afterward  expressed,  "do 
not  prejudice  any  former  grant  of  the  court."  A  large  part  of 
the  tract  thus  granted  is  now  comprised  in  the  town  of  Volun- 
town.  Its  original  bounds  were  nearly  identical  with  those  of 
the  present  township,  save  that  eastward  it  extended  to  Pawca- 
tuck  river. 

Little  now  can  be  learned  of  the  primitive  condition  of  this 
region.  It  was  a  waste,  barren  frontier,  overrun  by  various 
tribes  of  Indians,  and  after  the  Narragansett  war,  claimed  by  the 
Mohegans.  Massashowitt,  sachem  of  Quinebaug,  also  claimed 
rights  in  it.  No  Indians  are  believed  to  have  occupied  it  after 
the  war,  nor  were  any  white  inhabitants  found  on  it  when  made 
over  to  the  volunteers. 

Some  years  passed  before  the  division  was  completed.  After 
the  disputed  Mohegan  claim  was  settled  a  survey  of  the  land 
was  made  in  1705.  This  land  extended  from  the  north  bounds 
of  Stonington  northward  to   the  Whetstone  country,   being  a 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  607 

tract  some  twenty  miles  long,  and  from  three  to  six  miles  in 
width.  Its  original  quantity  was  diminished  somewhat  by  the 
encroachment  of  the  Rhode  Island  line,  but  after  that  had  been 
established  the  tract  was  substantially  the  same  as  that  now  oc- 
cupied by  the  towns  of  Voluntown  and  Sterling.  One  hundred 
and  sixty  persons  had.  enrolled  themselves  as  desirous  of  shar- 
ing in  the  benefit  of  this  grant,  and  the  land  was  distributed 
among  them  by  a  drawing  made  April  6th,  1706.  These  drawers 
of  lots  were  residents  of  New  London,  Norwich,  Stonington, 
Windham,  Plainfield  and  other  neighboring  towns.  The  list 
comprised  not  only  officers  and  soldiers,  but  ministers,  chaplains 
and  many  who  had  served  the  colony  in  civil  capacity  as  well  as 
military,  during  the  war.  Samuel  Fish  was  probably  the  first 
settler  on  this  tract,  but  at  w^hat  point  his  settlement  had  been 
made  (it  being  already  there),  we  are  not  informed.  Very  few 
of  the  "volunteers"  took  personal  possession  of  their  allotments. 
Some  of  the  proprietors  sold  out  their  rights  at  an  early  date, 
receiving  five,  six,  eight,  eleven  and  twelve  pounds  for  an  allot- 
ment. Others  retained  their  shares  and  rented  out  farms  on 
them  whenever  practicable.  These  first  divisions  were  made  in 
the  southern  part  of  the  tract  surveyed  and  most,  if  not  all  of 
the  first  land  divisions  and  operations  were  probably  within  the 
limits  of  the  present  town  of  Voluntown.  Northward  lay  the 
vacant  land  east  of  Plainfield.  This  land  was  petitioned  for  both 
by  Plainfield  and  Voluntown.  Some  few  had  already  obtained 
possession  of  lands  here  and  had  made  improvements  upon 
them.  Reverend  Mr.  Coit,  of  Plainfield,  had  received  a  grant  of 
three  hundred  acres  north  of  Egunk  hill,  and  he  conveyed  it  to 
Francis  Smith  and  Miles  Jordan.  Smith  soon  put  up  a  mill  and 
opened  his  house  for  the  accommodation  of  travelers.  Smith 
and  Jordan,  in  1714,  erected  a  bridge  over  the  river  there,  and 
received  in  payment  150  acres  of  land  on  the  Providence  road. 
This  convenient  road  and  pleasant  locality  soon  attracted  other 
settlers — John  Smith,  Ebenezer  and  Thomas  Dow,  Robert  and 
John  Parke,  Robert  Williams,  Nathaniel  French  and  others.  In 
May,  1719,  this  vacant  country  was  annexed  to  Voluntown,  by 
act  of  the  assembly,  a  strip  one  mile  in  width  across  the  north 
end  being  reserved  as  public  land.  The  settlers  who  were  estab- 
lished in  the  vacant  land  had  their  purchases  confirmed  to  them 
by  the  assembly,  in  October,  1719,  on  condition  that  each  vShould 
"have  a  tenantable  house  and  settle  themselves  within  the  space 


608  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

of  three  years  and  continue  to  live  there  three  years  after  such 
settlement,  upon  the  forfeiture  of  said  purchase." 

In  May,  1721,  the  people  inhabiting  this  territory  were  invested 
with  town  privileges,  in  the  exercise  of  which  they  proceeded  to 
lay  taxes  for  the  support  of  a  minister  and  building  a  meeting 
house.  The  town  government  of  Voluntown  was  organized 
June  20th,  1721.  Thirty-seven  persons  were  then  admitted  in- 
habitants. The  town  was  thus  eighteen  or  twenty  miles  long 
and  three  or  four  miles  wide.  The  question  of  location  of  a 
meeting  house  was  a  perplexing  one,  but  it  was  finally  decided 
by  actual  measurement,  and  placing  it  in  the  geographical  cen- 
ter of  the  town,  or  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  therefrom,  the 
central  point  falling  on  an  inconvenient  spot.  The  first  pastor 
settled  by  the  town  was  Reverend  Samuel  Dorrance,  a  Scotch 
Presbyterian  lately  arrived  from  Ireland,  who  was  installed  De- 
cember 12th,  1723.  A  church  had  been  organized  October  15th, 
1723.  This  church  adopted  the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith 
and  was  the  first  and  for  a  long  time  the  only  Presbyterian  church 
in  Connecticut.  The  first  members  of  the  church  were  Samuel 
Dorrance,  Robert  Gordon,  Thomas  Cole,  John  Casson,  John 
Campbell,  Robert  Campbell,  Samuel  Campbell,  John  Gordon, 
Alexander  Gordon,  Ebenezer  Dow,  John  Keigwin,  William  Ham- 
ilton, Robert  Hopkins,  John  Smith,  Daniel  Dill,  Thomas  Welch, 
Jacob  Bacon,  Daniel  Cass,  John  Dorrance,  George  Dorrance, 
Samuel  Church,  Jr.,  John  Dorrance,  Jr.,  Nathaniel  Deane,  Vin- 
cent Patterson,  Robert  Miller,  Patrick  Parke,  Samuel  Church, 
Adam  Kasson,  William  Kasson,  David  Hopkins,  Charles  Camp- 
bell, Nathaniel  French,  John  Gibson,  James  Hopkins,  John  and 
Robert  Parke,  William  Rogers  and  John  Gallup. 

In  1724  John  Gallup  had  liberty  to  build  a  dam  and  saw  mill 
"where  he  hath  begun  on  ye  stream  that  runs  out  of  Monhungon- 
nuck  Pond,"  and  Robert  Parke  was  allowed  a  similar  privilege 
on  the  Moosup.  The  landed  interests  of  the  town  were  still 
managed  by  the  proprietors,  and  their  meetings  were  held  at 
New  London,  Norwich  and  Stonington.  This  subjected  the  resi- 
dent proprietors  to  much  inconvenience  and  was  afterward  cor- 
rected by  allowing  a  part  at  least  of  the  business  concerning  lands 
to  be  done  in  the  town.  In  May,  1726, Voluntown  organized  its  first 
military  company,  with  John  Gallup,  for  captain;  Robert  Parke, 
•for  lieutenant;  and  Francis  Deane,  for  ensign.  The  progress  of 
the  town  had  been  greatly  retarded,  and  at  that  date  it  was  much 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  609 

behind  its  contemporaries,  having  no  schools  nor  even  a  meet- 
ing house,  and  but  few  roads  laid  out.  A  long  continued  and 
obstinate  contest  over  the  site  of  the  meeting  house  disturbed 
the  town  and  prevented  the  erection  of  the  building.  Then 
again,  boundary  contests  with  the  adjoining  towns  disturbed  the 
peace  of  the  town.  Added  to  these  disturbing  forces  from  with- 
out and  within  was  the  fact  that  its  population,  though  quite 
large,  was  motley  and  disorderly,  made  up  of  substantial  settlers 
from  adjacent  townships,  sturdy  Scotch  Presbyterians  and  lawless 
Rhode  Island  borderers.  So  great  was  the  popular  agitation  and 
discontent  that  at  one  time  the  town  voted  "  that  it  desired 
that  the  patent  granted  to  Voluntown  might  be  im-actcd 
and  made  void,  and  that  the  town  be  divided  by  an  east  and 
west  line  into  north  and  south  ends,  and  each  end  to  make  and 
maintain  their  own  bridges  and  highways."  Attempts  to  go 
on  with  the  building  of  the  meeting  house  in  this  disturbed 
condition  of  affairs  were  quite  suspended.  A  frame  had  been 
set  up  on  Egunk,  now  Sterling  hill,  the  site  chosen  and  con- 
tended for  by  a  large  faction,  and  there  it  stood  for  years  with- 
out covering.  In  1729,  however,  the  agitation  was  so  far  sub- 
sided that  a  meeting  house  was  begun  upon  the  site  origi- 
nally designated  by  the  town,  and  this  was  completed  in  the 
course  of  two  or  three  years. 

In  1740  a  committee  was  appointed  to  lay  out  the  undivided 
lands  belonging  to  the  proprietors.  In  1739  the  strip  of  public 
land  which  had  been  reserved,  a  mile  in  width,  at  the  north  end 
of  the  town,  was  annexed  to  this  town  by  an  act  of  the  assembly. 
Up  to  this  time  no  freemen  had  yet  been  sworn,  no  "  country 
taxes  "  paid,  and  no  representatives  sent  to  the  general  assem- 
bly. The  town  now  settled  down  to  a  more  complete  fulfillment 
of  the  privileges  and  responsibilities  of  corporate  existence. 
But  the  division  of  land  ordered  in  1740  was  delayed  till  1747, 
when  all  previous  committees  being  dismissed,  Humphrey  Av- 
ery, Charles  Campbell,  Robert  Dixon,  Samuel  Gordon  and  John 
Wylie,  Jr.,  were  appointed  to  divide  the  common  lots  to  each 
proprietor  or  his  heirs,  remeasure  and  rebound  old  lots,  and  lay 
out  cedar  swamps,  which  were  satisfactorily  accomplished.  The 
cedar  and  pine  swamps,  said  to  be  the  best  in  the  county,  were 
laid  out  and  divided.  The  lot  on  which  the  meetinghouse  stood, 
and  the  burial  place  adjoining,  were  sequestered  for  the  use  of 
the  inhabitants  of  the  town  and  their  successors.  Several  of  the 
39 


610  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

orig-inal  lots  had  not  been  taken  up  by  those  to  whom  they  had 
been  granted. 

In  this  condition  Voluntown  remained  for  many  years,  a 
greater  part  of  the  inhabitants  averse  to  the  established  church 
and  yet  compelled  to  pay  rates  for  the  support  of  its  ministry. 
Attempts  were  made  by  residents  of  each  end  of  the  town  to 
procure  distinct  society  privileges.  A  petition  presented  to  the 
assembly  in  1762  sets  forth  the  situation  in  the  following  lan- 
guage: 

"  That  there  was  but  one  society  in  Voluntown,  twenty  miles 
long  and  four  or  five  wide;  list  in  1761,  ^10,786;  inhabitants  set- 
tled at  each  end  and  dispersed  in  almost  every  part,  about  one 
hundred  and  eighty  families,  some  dwelling  seven,  some  nine 
and  ten  miles  from  meeting  house;  trouble  of  transporting  our- 
selves and  families  very  great  and  heavy;  town  conveniently  sit- 
uated for  division;  such  burden  of  travel  hardly  to  be  found  in 
any  other  town — and  prayed  for  division." 

In  1772  fifty-four  persons  north  of  Moosup  river,  including 
John,  James  and  George  Dorrance,  Robert,  Thomas  and  James 
Dixon,  Robert  Montgomery,  John  Coles,  John  Gaston,  Mark  and 
David  Eames,  some  of  them  six,  seven,  eight  and  nine  miles 
from  Voluntown  meeting  house,  and  greatly  impeded  by  bad 
roads  and  traveling,  received  liberty  from  the  assembly  to  or- 
ganize as  a  distinct  society  or  join  in  worship  with  Killingly.  A 
number  of  these  northern  residents  consequently  united  with 
the  church  in  South  Killingly,  and  after  some  years  organized 
as  a  distinct  society. 

Sterling  obtained  town  privileges  without  the  customary 
struggle.  The  inconvenience  arising  from  the  peculiar  elonga- 
tion of  ancient  Voluntown  was  abundantly  manifest,  and  a  prop- 
osition, April  25th,  1793,  to  divide  into  two  towns  met  immediate 
acceptance.  The  resolve  incorporating  the  new  town  was  passed 
May,  1794,  as  follows: 

"■Resolved  by  this  Assembly,  that  all  that  part  of  the  ancient 
town  of  Voluntown,  within  the  following  bounds,  beginning  at 
the  northwest  corner  of  said  ancient  town  of  Voluntown,  at 
the  south  line  of  Killingly;  thence  running  southerly  on  the 
east  side  of  Plainfield  until  it  comes  to  the  southeast  corner  of 
Plainfield;  thence  east  ten  degrees  south  to  the  division  line 
between  this  state  and  the  state  of  Rhode  Island;  thence  by  said 
state  line  to  the  southeast  corner  of  Killingly;  thence  westerly 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  611 

on  the  line  of  Killingly  to  the  first  mentioned  bounds,  be,  and 
the  same  is  hereby,  incorporated  into  a  distinct  town  by  the 
name  of  '  Sterling-,'  and  shall  be,  and  remain  in,  and  of  the 
County  of  Windham." 

The  first  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Robert 
Dixon,  Esq.,  on  Sterling  hill,  June  9th,  1794.  Benjamin  Dow 
was  elected  town  clerk  and  treasurer;  Captain  John  Wylie  and 
Asa  Montgomery,  George  Matteson,  Anthony  Brown  and  Lem- 
uel Dorrance,  selectmen;  Captain  Thomas  Gordon,  constable 
and  collector;  Noah  Cole,  James  Dorrance,  Jr.,  Nathaniel  Gal- 
lup, Dixon  Hall,  fence  viewers;  Nathaniel  Gallup,  grand  jury- 
man; John  Hill,  Nathaniel  Burlingame,  Matthias  Frink,  tithing- 
men.  Benjamin  Dow,  Lemuel  Dorrance  and  John  Wylie  were 
appointed  a  committee  to  make  division  of  all  the  corporate 
property  that  did  belong  to  Voluntown;  also,  to  settle  the  line 
with  Voluntown  gentlemen  and  make  division  of  the  poor. 
Sheep  and  swine  were  allowed  liberty  "  to  go  on  the  common." 
The  dwelling  house  of  Robert  Dixon  was  selected  as  the  place 
for  holding  town  meetings  until  the  town  saw  cause  to  make 
other  arrangements.  Nearly  a  hundred  inhabitants  were  soon 
admitted  as  freemen.  The  original  Voluntown  families — Dixon, 
Dorrance,  Dow,  Douglas,  Cole,  Smith,  Gaston,  Gordon,  Gallup, 
French,  Frink,  Montgomery,  Wylie — were  still  represented. 
Patten,  Perkins,  Vaughan,  Young,  Bailey,  Burgess,  Burlingame, 
Hall,  Mason,  and  other  later  residents,  appeared  among  the  in- 
habitants. The  name  of  the  town  was  given  by  a  temporary 
resident,  Doctor  John  Sterling,  who  promised  a  public  library  in 
return  for  the  honor. 

Sterling  entered  upon  its  new  duties  with  the  usual  spirit  and 
energy.  Its  population  was  about  nine  hundred.  Though  much 
of  its  soil  was  poor,  and  its  shape  inconvenient,  it  had  some 
peculiar  advantages.  It  had  fine  water  privileges,  an  excellent 
stone  quarry,  a  great  post  road  running  through  its  center,  and 
sterling  men  of  good  Scotch  stock  to  administer  public  affairs. 

The  lack  of  a  suitable  place  for  holding  town  meetings  was  an 
annoyance  and  mortification  to  the  leading  men  of  the  town, 
publishing  to  the  world  their  lamentable  destitution  of  that 
most  essential  accommodation — a  public  meeting  hotise.  Congre- 
gationalists  in  the  south  part  of  the  town  were  included  in  the 
North  society  of  Voluntown,  and  now  engaged  in  building  a 
new  meeting  house  upon  the  boundary  line  between  the  town- 


612  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

ships;  those  in  the  North  or  Bethesda  society  united  with  the 
South  church  of  Killingly.  The  Baptists  in  the  west  part  of  the 
town  were  connected  with  the  church  in  Plainfield;  the  east 
side  Baptists  joined  in  worship  and  church  fellowship  with  their 
Rhode  Island  neighbors.  As  no  religious  society  was  ready  to 
lead,  its  public-spirited  citizens  hastened  to  supply  the  defic- 
iency by  erecting  a  house  of  worship  upon  their  own  expense 
and  responsibility.  Sterling  hill,  as  it  is  now  called,  was  vir- 
tually the  head  and  heart  of  the  town,  the  center  of  business, 
the  residence  of  the  most  influential  citizens,  and  the  members 
of  the  Sterling  Hill  Meeting  House  Association  could  not  think 
of  erecting  the  projected  edifice  in  any  other  locality. 

The  subscribers  to  the  building  of  the  Sterling  hill  meeting 
house  were  as  follows:  Francis  Smith,  Levi  Kinney,  David  Gal- 
lup, Joshua  Frink,  Isaac  Gallup,  William  Gallup,  George  Madi- 
son, Charles  Winsor,  Nathan  Burlingame,  Philip  Potter,  Archi- 
bald, Lemuel,  James  and  John  Dorrance,  Stephen  Olney,  Pierce 
Smith,  Robert  and  Thomas  Dixon,  Joshua  Webb,  Benjamin 
Tuckerman,  Reuben  Thayer,  David  Field,  Caleb  Gushing,  An- 
drew Knox,  Titus  Bailey,  Joseph  Wylie,  Reuben  Parke,  Moses 
Gibson,  Azael  Montgomery,  Dixon  Hall,  Archibald  Gordon, 
Thomas  Gordon,  William  Vaughan,  Captain  Gaston,  Andrew 
and  Samuel  Douglas,  Thomas  and  Samuel  Cole,  John  Kenyon, 
Sr.  and  Jr.,  George  Hopkins,  Asa  Whitford,  Benjamin  Bennet. 

The  subscribers,  through  a  committee,  obtained  a  deed  from 
the  heirs  of  Samuel  Dorrance  for  a  building  lot  on  the  east  side 
of  the  Great  Lane,  now  called  the  Green,  "  for  the  purpose  of 
setting  a  meeting  house  and  that  only,  and  the  convenience  of  a 
green."  The  meeting  house  was  soon  completed  and  in  the 
autumn  of  1797  the  town  meeting  occupied  it  instead  of  the  house 
of  Robert  Dixon,  which  had  previously  been  used  for  that  pur- 
pose. Other  public  meetings  were  held  in  it,  and  occasional  reli- 
gious ^services,  but  no  regular  worship  was  maintained  for  several 
years.  In  this  way  matters  stood  till  about  the  year  1812,  when 
the  Baptists,  having  grown  stronger,  were  able  to  maintain  stated 
worship,  and  its  occupancy  was  given  up  to  them. 

About  1818  a  post  office  was  established  here,  with  Benjamin 
Tuckerman  postmaster,  which  position  he  held  for  many  years. 
The  public  library,  which  had  been  promised  for  the  honor  of 
naming  the  town  but  failed  in  its  fulfilment,  had  been  estab- 
lished years  before,  and  was  maintained  at  that  time.     Pierce 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  613 

Smith  succeeded  AvSa  Montgomery  as  town  clerk.  JohnWylie, 
Thomas  Backus,  Dyer  iVmes,  Richard  Burlingame,  Dixon  Hall, 
Jeremiah  Young,  John  Gallup  and  Calvin  Hibbard  served  as 
justices.  Other  town  offices  were  filled  by  Lemuel  Dorrance, 
Obadiah  Brown,  Asa  Whitford,  Jonah  Young,  Archibald  Dor- 
rance, John  Hill,  John  and  Azel  Cole,  Elias  Frink,  Amos  Per- 
kins, Joseph  Gallup,  John  Keigwin  and  Artemas  Baker.  Half 
of  the  town  meetings  were  held  in  the  house  of  Azel  Cole,  and 
at  a  later  date  at  the  house  of  William  Fairman,  "on  the  new 
road  near  the  American  Cotton  Factory." 

From  its  location  and  surroundings  the  territory  of  Sterling  is 
not  subject  to  such  violent  disturbances  by  flood  of  swelling 
streams  as  some  of  its  neighbor  towns.  Being  smaller  in  terri- 
tory, and  its  shape  rather  favorable  thereto,  it  has  been  spared 
the  burdens  of  road  making  and  bridge  building,  which  have 
been  to  some  towns  a  serious  drawback  in  their  early  experience. 

After  organization  as  a  town,  one  of  their  first  duties  was  to 
examine  the  circumstances  of  that  stage  road  "  that  leads  from 
Plainfield  to  Providence  by  Captain  Robert  Dixon's."  The  Turn- 
pike Society,  then  recently  constituted,  was  about  to  lay  out  a 
large  sum  of  money  in  alterations  and  improvements,  and  the 
selectmen  of  Sterling  were  cited  to  do  their  part.  "Taking  into 
consideration  the  circumstances  and  liabilities  of  the  town,  and 
the  consequences  that  might  follow  any  failure  or  neglect,"  they 
proceeded  to  notify  the  inhabitants  and  make  the  proposed  alter- 
ations, viz.,  from  Archibald  Dorrance's  fence  through  Kenyon's 
field  and  so  on  to  old  post  road;  also,  another  piece  near  the 
burying-ground  and  Captain  Colgrove's.  A  bridge  was  built 
over  Moosup  river  near  Smith's  Mill — Lemuel  Dorrance,  John 
Gaston  and  John  Douglas,  committee.  A  turnpike  gate  was 
erected  near  the  western  line  of  the  town.  To  facilitate  its  fish- 
ing interest,  it  was  ordered  that  obstructions  should  be  removed 
from  the  river.  • 

School  matters,  like  most  all  other  public  enterprises,  suffered 
delay  in  the  early  years  of  this  town,  while  it  was  part  of  Volun- 
town.  In  December,  1732,  it  was  voted  "  That  there  shall  be  a 
surkelating  school  kep  and  a  school-master  hired  at  ye  town's 
charge."  In  March,  1735,  it  was  further  ordered,  "That  the 
school  be  kept  in  four  places,  three  months  in  a  place,  six  months 
in  ye  north  end  and  six  months  in  ye  south  end,  dividing  ye 
town  by  a  line  from  Alexander  Gordon's  to  Ebenezer  Dow's 


614  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

house — and  that  the  master,  John  Dunlap,  should  have  thirty 
pounds  money,  and  sufficient  meat,  drink,  washing  and  lodging, 
for  keeping  school  eleven  months  and  eighteen  days,  and  in  ye 
night,  when  convenient."  The  first  school  house  in  the  town 
was  built  in  1737,  "four  rods  from  ye  northwest  corner  of  ye 
meeting  house,"  and  a  rate  of  twopence  allowed  for  the  same. 

In  1762,  John  Gordon  was  chosen  grand  school  committee, "  to 
take  into  his  hands  the  school  bonds  belonging  to  the  town,  and 
to  collect  the  interest  on  bonds,  and  to  receive  the  proportion  of 
money  granted  by  Government  to  the  town  out  of  the  Colony's 
rate,  and  to  dispose  of  the  same,  and  all  other  money  coming 
from  Plainfield,  &c.,  and  town's  proportion  of  the  sale  of  Nor- 
folk." In  1766,  David  Eames,  John  Cole,  Joseph  Parke,  Thomas 
Douglas,  John  Gaston,  John  Gordon  and  John  Wylie  were 
appointed  to  set  out  school  districts  throughout  the  town.  Thir- 
teen districts  were  specified,  each  of  which  thenceforward  man- 
aged its  own  school  under  the  supervision  of  a  "  grand-school- 
committee-man,"  appointed  by  the  town. 

June  9th,  1794,  John  Douglas,  Jr.,  was  chosen  grand  school 
committee  man,  and  a  committee  of  one  for  each  of  the  seven 
school  districts,  viz :  1.  Jencks  Mason;  2.  Noah  Cole;  3.  Elisha 
Perkins;  4.  Lemuel  Dorrance;  5.  Asa  Whitford;  6.  Nathan  Dow; 
7.  Nathan  Burlingame. 

After  the  organization  of  the  town  of  Sterling  improvements 
in  schools  were  gradually  effected.  Ten  school  districts,  accom- 
modated with  good,  convenient  schools,  were  reported  in  a  few 
years.  Efforts  were  made  to  establish  an  academy,  a  company 
formed,  and  a  suitable  building  erected,  "  standing  near  our  new 
meeting-house,  nearly  in  the  centre  of  the  town,"  where  a  "man- 
school  was  maintained  throughout  the  year,  teaching  reading, 
writing,  mathematics  and  grammar."  With  these  public  build- 
ings, Robert  Dixon's  well-known  tavern  stand,  and  several  large, 
substantial  houses  built  by  the  Dorrances  and  other  thrifty  resi- 
dents. Sterling  hill  presented  a  fine  appearance,  and  received 
especial  commendation  from  Doctor  Dwight.  After  noting  the 
lean  soil  and  imperfect  civilization  of  Western  Rhode  Island,  he 
proceeds : 

"  At  Sterling  we  were  pleasantly  advised  that  we  had  come 
to  Connecticut  by  sight  of  a  village  with  decent  church  and 
school-house  and  better  houses.  A  beautiful  prospect  from 
Sterling  Hill." 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  615 

Reverend  Mr.  Dorrance  remained  pastor  of  the  town  ecclesi- 
astic of  Voluntown  until  March  5th,  1771,  when,  on  account  of 
his  great  age  and  infirmity,  he  was  relieved.  About  1772  an  ec- 
clesikstical  society  was  chartered  in  the  south  part  of  Voluntown, 
and  the  same  year,  as  we  have  already  seen,  a  society  was  also 
chartered  in  the  north  part.  The  mother  church,  thus  crippled, 
was  unable  to  settle  a  pastor,  and  could  with  difficulty  maintain 
regular  worship.  June  30th,  1779,  the  ancient  First  Church  of 
Voluntown  was  reorganized  as  a  Congregational  church  accord- 
ing to  Cambridge  Platform,  its  membership  including  ten  males 
and  sixteen  females.  The  pastoral  services  of  Reverend  Mr. 
Gilmore  were  then  secured,  and  religious  worship  was  regularly 
maintained.  Near  the  close  of  the  century,  and  after  the  organ- 
ization of  Sterling,  the  remnant  of  this  ancient  church  built  a 
house  of  worship  on  the  line  between  the  towns,  so  that  while 
the  speaker  stands  upon  the  platform,  one  foot  may  be  in  Ster- 
ling and  the  other  foot  in  Voluntown.  In  the  last  year  of  the 
century  Reverend  Micaiah  Porter,  who  had  been  pastor  of  this 
church  for  nineteen  years,  removed  and  left  the  people  without 
a  shepherd.  The  weakened  congregation  now  turned  to  the 
Baptists,  who  were  strong  in  the  neighborhood,  and  Elder  Amos 
Crandall,  an  open  communion  Baptist,  occupied  the  Line  meet- 
ing house  on  alternate  Sabbaths  for  several  years,  preaching  to 
a  small  congregation.  Still  the  church  was  not  entirely  dis- 
banded. Reverend  Elijah  Welles,  after  his  dismission  from 
Scotland,  labored  with  it  for  a  year,  but  without  marked  success. 
Worship  was  kept  up  in  an  intermittent  fashion  for  several 
years  by  a  few  brethren.  In  1817  an  appeal  for  aid  was  presented 
to  the  Domestic  Missionary  Society  for  Connecticut,and  this  was 
favorably  answered  for  a  time.  After  nearly  thirty  years  of  un- 
certain existence,  this  church  secured  the  services  of  a  stated 
pastor,  and  Reverend  Otis  Lane  was  installed  over  it  October 
29th,  1828.  Infirm  health  compelled  his  removal  after  a  few 
years,  but  he  was  quickly  succeeded  by  Reverend  Jacob  Allen, 
installed  in  October,  1837,  who  with  a  brief  intermission  re- 
mained in  charge  for  nearly  twenty  years.  A  new  meeting 
house  on  this  site  was  erected  in  1858.  At  the  dedication  of  this 
the  new  pastor,  Reverend  Charles  L.  Ayer,  was  ordained.  This 
dedication  of  house  and  ordination  of  pastor  took  place  January 
6th,  1859.  A  new  parsonage  was  obtained,  largely  through  his 
efforts.     He  was  dismissed  October  27th,  1863.     Reverend  Wil- 


616  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

liam  M.  Birchard  was  installed  May  4th,  1864,  and  dismissed 
March  25th,  1868.  Reverend  Joseph  Ayer,  father  of  Charles  L., 
came  here  in  November,  1868,  and  after  acting  some  time  as 
stated  supply,  was  installed  May  11th,  1870.  He  was  dismissed 
May  19th,  1875,  on  his  82d  birthday.  Reverend  Stephen  B.  Car- 
ter served  the  church  as  pastor  from  January  1st,  1876,  to  De- 
cember 31st,  1880.  John  Elderkin,  the  present  pastor,  began  his 
labors  here  in  April,  1881.  The  present  house  of  worship  on 
Ekonk  hill  was  dedicated  January  6th,  1859.  The  house  before 
it  occupied  the  same  site,  built  in  1795  to  1800.  A  burying 
ground  still  marks  the  spot  where  the  first  house  of  worship 
stood,  about  two  miles  northeast  from  the  present  one,  on  the 
west  side  of  the  road  leading  from  Voluntown  to  Sterling  hill 
and  Oneco.     In  January,  1889,  the  church  had  33  members. 

The  meeting  house  on  Sterling  hill,  which  had  been  erected 
for  general  religious  and  town  meetings,  by  the  "  Meeting  House 
Association,"  was  used  by  different  societies  until  about  the  year 

1812.  At  that  time  the  Baptists  were  rising  in  importance  and 
increasing  in  numbers,  and  the  regular  stated  occupancy  of  this 
meeting  house  was  accorded  to  them.  This  new  religious  inter- 
est had  been  developed  under  the  preaching  and  labors  of  Elder 
Amos  Welles,  previously  of  Woodstock.  Baptists  in  Coventry 
and  Sterling  united  in  a  new  church  organization  February  13th, 

1813,  and  its  pastoral  charge  was  assumed  by  Elder  Welles.  Pub- 
lic worship  was  held  alternately  at  Coventry  and  Sterling  hill. 
Asa  Montgomery  was  chosen  deacon  in  1816,  and  Philip  Keig- 
win  assistant.  Nearly  fifty  were  added  to  the  church  during  the 
ministry  of  Elder  Welles,  which  continued  till  his  death  in  1819. 
The  Plainfield  Baptist  church  and  a  neighboring  church  in 
Rhode  Island  united  with  this  church  in  forming  the  Sterling 
Hill  Association,  which  held  a  general  meeting  once  a  year,  ex- 
citing a  large  attendance  and  much  interest. 

After  this,  the  church  enjoyed  for  five  years  the  ministry  of 
Reverend  George  Appleton.  In  April,  1829,  Peleg  Peckham  be- 
came its  pastor,  continuing  in  charge  for  many  years.  Great  re- 
vivals soon  following  brought  in  more  than  fifty  to  the  member- 
ship of  the  church.  The  connection  with  Coventry  was  dis- 
solved, and  the  church  assumed  the  title  of  the  First  Baptist 
church  of  Sterling.  John  Gallup  succeeded  Thomas  Douglas  as 
clerk.  Ira  Crandall  was  chosen  deacon  upon  the  death  of  Dea- 
con Asa  Montgomery.     Philip  Keigwin  was  also  a  deacon.  Dur- 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  617 

ing  the  year  1829  a  branch  was  established  in  Voluntown,  which 
became  independent  of  this  church  in  about  ten  years.  The 
meeting  house  was  thoroughly  reconstructed  in  1860-61,  the 
former  proprietors  relinquishing  their  claims  to  a  new  "  Asso- 
ciation "  and  the  Baptist  church  which  had  so  long  occupied  it. 

Elder  Peleg  M.  Peckham  took  charge,  as  we  have  said,  in 
1829,  and  continued  until  September,  1850.  After  that  no  stated 
preaching  was  had  for  some  time.  Services  were  conducted  by 
temporary  supplies.  The  old  house  stood  where  the  present 
one  does.  Some  of  the  timber  of  the  old  was  worked  over  into 
the  new.  Elder  Peckham  died  May  29th,  1872,  at  his  home  in 
Sterling  hill,  now  occupied  by  his  grandson,  Samuel  P.  Green. 
While  the  old  church  was  in  a  dilapidated  condition,  Elder  Bid- 
die  preached  to  the  congregation  in  the  school  house  for  a  year, 
about  1857.  After  that.  Elder  Peckham,  who  had  given  up  the 
ministry  on  account  of  throat  troubles,  resumed  the  work  ,for 
another  year — 1858.  Elder  Terry  came  in  1861,  and  served  the 
church  till  1865.  Elder  Thomas  Dowlingcame  in  January,  1866, 
remaining  three  years.  Fenner  B.  Dickerson  ministered  to  this 
people  from  1870,  about  four  years.  Elder  W.  D.  Phillips  was 
ordained  here  June  24th,  1874,  but  only  staid  about  three 
months.  Temporary  supplies  followed.  L.  Smith  Brown  was 
ordained  May  16th,  1877,  and  remained  till  1881.  C.  W.  Potter 
began  pastoral  labors  June  1st,  1882,  and  continued  till  April 
1st,  1885.  Elder  E.  S.  Hill  began  his  work  here  August  1st, 
1885,  and  still  remains  in  charge.  The  church  at  present  num- 
bers 97  members. 

At  Oneco  Methodist  services  have  for  some  time  been  con- 
ducted, in  connection  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of 
Moosup.  At  the  present  time  (1889)  a  house  of  worship  is  being 
erected  here  by  that  denomination. 

At  North  Sterling,  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  town,  a  Union 
Free  Will  Baptist  church  has  been  started.  This  settlement  is 
on  the  Rhode  Island  line,  and  the  meeting  house  stands  beyond 
the  line  in  that  state.  A  number  of  the  inhabitants  in  this  town 
are  connected  with  it. 

The  uprising  of  the  manufacturing  interest  gave  Sterling  a 
fresh  impetus  in  growth  and  prosperity,  Asa  Ames,  Isaac  Pit- 
man and  Samuel  Dorrance  and  Dixon  Hall,  of  Sterling,  in  1808, 
as  the  Sterling  Manufacturing  Company,  buying  land  "  at  a 
ledge  of  rocks,  called  the  '  Devil's  Den  Chimney;'  thence  west 


618  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

by  and  down  a  small  brook  to  Moosup  River."  The  Sterling- 
Manufactory  was  ready  for  work  in  1809.  Sterling's  manufac- 
turing facilities  were  well  improved  during  the  early  part  of 
the  present  century.  Its  first  factory,  built  by  Dorrance,  Hall 
and  others,  was  destroyed  by  fire  soon  after  its  completion,  but 
its  site  was  soon  occupied  b)-  a  larger  building  under  the  more 
exclusive  management  of  Samuel  Ames  of  Providence,  which 
was  described  in  1818  as  "  one  of  the  largest  manufacturing 
establishments  in  the  State,  running  sixteen  hundred  spindles." 
The  buildings  for  the  accommodation  of  the  workmen  were 
built  of  stone,  taken  from  the  ledge  of  rocks  included  in  the 
company's  purchase.  This  "  Devil's  Den  Chimney,"  as  it  was 
previously  called,  possessed,  according  to  N'ilcs  Gazetteer,  "very 
singular  and  curious  features,"  viz: 

"  It  is  situated  within  a  ledge  of  rocks,  and  has  a  circular  area 
of  about  100  feet  in  diameter.  The  rock  is  cleft  in  two  places, 
forming  at  each  a  chasm  or  fissure  of  about  50  feet  deep,  through 
one  of  which  there  runs  a  small  stream  of  water;  the  other  com- 
municates with  a  room  of  about  twelve  feet  square,  at  the  inter- 
ior part  of  which  there  is  a  fireplace  and  a  cJiiinncy  extending 
through  the  rock  above,  forming  an  aperture  of  about  three 
feet  square.  In  another  part  of  the  rock  there  is  a  natural  stair- 
case winding  around  it  from  the  bottom  to  the  top.  In  the  cold 
season  of  the  year  a  large  mass  of  ice  is  formed  in  the  room 
above  described  by  the  dashing  of  water  through  the  chimney, 
which  continues  there  through  nearly  the  whole  of  the  warm 
months,  the  sun  being  almost  excluded  from  this  subterraneous 
recess." 

The  American  Factory  upon  the  Quanduck,  and  a  small  cot- 
ton factory  upon  the  Moosup  were  also  carried  on.  Three  grain 
mills,  one  carding  machine,  one  fulling  mill  and  clothiery 
works,  two  tanneries,  four  mercantile  stores  and  two  taverns 
were  reported  in  1818. 

For  many  years  the  cotton  factories  continued  in  operation, 
furnishing  employment  to  male  and  female  operatives,  and  a 
ready  market  for  farmers.  The  Sterling  Company  manifested 
much  enterprise,  and  was  one  of  the  first  in  the  country  to 
whiten  their  cloth  by  the  use  of  chlorine  instead  of  sun  bath. 
Mr.  William  Pike  effected  this  invention,  and  also  experimented 
in  wood  distillation,  extracting  for  the  use  of  the  dyer  the  first 
pyroligneous  acid  made  in  the  country.    His  success  encouraged 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  619 

him  to  further  enterprise.  Brandy  and  gin  distilleries  had  fallen 
into  disrepute,  but  the  transformation  of  wood  into  various 
chemical  aofencies  met  with  nothino;  but  favor.  Three  of  these 
"  sap  works  "  were  in  time  established — two  in  Sterling,  one  in 
Voluntown — requiring  some  five  or  six  thousand  cords  of  wood 
annually,  and  at  least  a  score  of  men  to  prepare  the  wood  and 
aid  in  the  working.  Pyroligneous  and  citric  acids,  sugar  of 
lead,  tincture  of  iron,  naphtha  and  fine  charcoal  were  among  the 
products  of  distillation.  Mr.  Pike  had  his  residence  on  Sterling 
hill,  in  one  of  the  fine  old  Dorrance  houses,  and  was  much  re- 
spected as  one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  town.  He  was  the 
first  to  introduce  one  horse  wagons  into  use,  paying  for  them 
in  cotton  yarn.  Charcoal  making  was  carried  on  quite  exten- 
sively in  Sterling. 

Jeremiah  W.  Boswell  was  born  in  Foster,  R.  I.,  and  came  to 
Sterling,  Conn.,  in  1876.  He  learned  the  trade  of  stone  cutter 
and  commenced  quarrying  granite  about  one-fourth  of  a  mile 
east  of  Sterling  Dye  Works  in  1887.  He  employs  about  twenty- 
five  men.  The  stone  is  of  superior  quality  for  building  pur- 
poses, and  finds  a  ready  market  in  Providence,  Norwich  and 
other  places. 

The  village  of  Oneco,  in  the  central  part  of  the  town,  was 
founded  by  Henry  Sabin,  of  Plainfield,  who  built  a  small  cotton 
factory  here  about  the  year  1830.  Successive  owners  gave  it 
their  names  till  it  was  finally  re-christened  by  the  Norwich  pro- 
prietors, who  now  utilize  its  granite,  working  its  fine  quarries 
to  good  advantage.  Indications  of  yet  more  valuable  ore  have 
been  found  in  the  vicinity.  Among  these  are  specimens  of 
plumbago  and  dendrite,  and  such  large  and  glittering  quartz 
crystals,  that  their  chief  depository  is  known  as  "  the  Diamond 
Ledge."  The  famous  "Devil's  Den  Chimney"  was  blown  up  to 
make  way  for  the  railroad  when  that  was  building. 

About  1860  Smith  &  Williams  commenced  quarrying  granite 
at  what  is  now  known  as  Garvey  Brothers'  quarry.  They  were 
succeeded  by  A.  &  W.  Sprague,  and  in  1884  by  Garvey  Brothers, 
of  Providence,  who  employ  at  the  quarry  and  in  connection  with 
it  about  120  men.  The  granite  quarried  here  is  used  for  paving, 
building  and  monumental  purposes  in  Providence,  New  York, 
Chicago  and  many  other  places,  and  is  also  sent  to  England.  Their 
facilities  for  handling  stone  are  not  surpassed,  a  railroad  run- 
ning direct  to  the  ledge.     Mr.  John  Garvey,  who,  since  the  death 


620  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

of  his  brother  Michael,  in  1887,  has  been  sole  manager,  came  to 
this  country  in  1869  with  about  five  dollars  in  his  pocket.  He 
learned  the  trade  of  stone  cutter,  became  a  contractor  and  builder, 
and,  by  his  industry,  has  built  up  a  large  and  increasing  busi- 
ness. 

Oscar  F.  Gibson,  son  of  Allen  Gibson,  was  born  in  Sterling  in 
1835.  In  1886  he  commenced  quarrying  granite  about  one 
mile  west  of  Oneco  village.  He  employs  about  20  men.  The 
stone  are  chiefly  used  for  building,  and  find  a  ready  market. 
Mr.  Gibson  represented  Sterling  in  the  legislature  of  1880.  He 
married  Ellen,  daughter  of  Arnold  Dixon,  and  has  two  sons, 
Allen  M.  and  Merrill  A. 

The  cotton  manufacturing  interests  of  the  town  have  declined. 
Factories  burned  down  have  not  been  replaced.  Its  natural  re- 
sources now  furnish  its  chief  reliance.  The  "sap  works"  of  Mr. 
James  Pike  continue  to  resolve  the  forests  into  their  component 
elements,  consuming  annually  some  two  or  three  thousand  cords 
of  hard  wood,  employing  a  number  of  workmen,  and  extracting 
and  combining  a  variety  of  useful  products.  A  specialty  of  this 
unique  establishment  is  the  dissolution  of  refuse  tin  and  iron, 
battered  tin  pans,  rusty  stove  pipes  and  the  like,  by  which  these 
heretofore  indestructible  nuisances  are  made  subservient  to  the 
will  and  use  of  man.  Stimulated  by  the  enterprises,  Oneco  bids 
fair  to  become  a  place  of  business  importance,  has  a  new  public 
hall  and  public-spirited  residents. 

A  Grange  of  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry  was  recently  organized 
here  by  Mr.  Bowen,  the  state  lecturer  of  that  order.  It  had 
thirty-six  charter  members.  The  location  of  the  Grange  is  at 
the  "  Line  meeting  house,"  where  it  was  organized,  and  only  a 
part  of  its  membership  belong  to  this  county.  Its  first  officers 
were  as  follows:  John  E.  Tanner,  M. ;  E.  Byron  Gallup,  O. ;  A. 
A.  Stanton,  L. ;  G.  A.  Youngs,  S. ;  Silas  Barber,  A.  S. ;  Mrs.  Na- 
thaniel Gallup,  L.  A.  S. ;  Reverend  John  Elderkin,  C. ;  Benjamin 
G.  Stanton,  secretary ;  J.  Cyrus  Tanner,  treasurer ;  Miss  Minnie 
Elderkin,  P. ;  Addie  E.  Gallup,  F. ;  Mrs.  J.  E.  Fenner,  C. ;  Ezra 
A.  Gallup,  G.  K. 

Biographical  Sketches. 

Ambrose  H.  Bates.— William  Bates,  who  resided  in  Coventry, 
Rhode  Island,  married  Mary  Hopkins.  To  this  union  were  born 
twelve  children,  of  whom  Ambrose   H.  is  the  subject  of  this 


ARIOTIPE,     E.    BIERSTADT,     N.    Y. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  621 

sketch.  His  birth  occurred  February  21st,  1832,  in  Coventry, 
where  he  resided  until  his  eighteenth  year.  He  enjoyed  but  lim- 
ited opportunities  for  acquiring  an  education,  but  in  later  years 
by  careful  and  intelligent  reading  of  the  best  literature,  in  a 
measure  made  amends  for  the  want  of  early  advantages,  and 
thus  possessed  a  well-stored  and  disciplined  mind. 

At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  entered  the  whaling  service  and  for 
twenty  years  followed  a  seafaring  life,  cruising  in  various  parts 
of  the  world  on  extended  voyages.  On  abandoning  his  vocation 
he  settled  in  Oneco,  in  the  town  of  Sterling,  and  began  a  mer- 
cantile career  as  the  proprietor  of  a  country  store.  Mr.  Bates 
continued  thus  employed  for  five  years,  and  after  an  interval  of 
of  leisure  again  engaged  in  business  as  an  undertaker,  estab- 
lishing a  large  and  increasing  patronage,  which  was  maintained 
until  his  death  on  the  21st  of  February,  1885,  in  his  fifty-third 
year.  He  enjoyed  an  extended  acquaintance  among  public  men 
throughout  the  state,  was  a  man  of  progressive  ideas,  and  active 
in  the  promotion  of  various  useful  enterprises.  A  democrat  in 
his  political  views,  he  filled  a  number  of  local  offices  and  in  1877 
represented  his  town  in  the  Connecticut  legislature.  Mr.  Bates 
was  also  identified  with  the  Masonic  fraternity,  in  which  he  oc- 
cupied a  leading  position. 

He  was,  August  12th,  1861,  married  to  Diana  E.,  daughter  of 
Orren  Kenyon,  of  Coventry,  Rhode  Island.  He  was  a  man  of 
strong  personality,  an  indomitable  will  and  rare  natural  gifts, 
and  had  he  been  possessed  of  the  advantages  of  early  education 
would  have  risen  to  a  high  position  in  the  state.  Mr.  Bates  dur- 
ing his  life  traveled  over  the  greater  part  of  the  world.  He 
spent  several  seasons  in  the  Arctic  regions,  many  times  "rounded 
Cape  Horn,"  and  at  various  times  lived  in  the  Hawaian  Islands. 
Entering  the  whaling  service,  as  he  did,  in  1850,  at  the  time 
when  it  was  most  lucrative,  as  well  as  the  most  dangerous,  his 
life  was  an  extended  series  of  adventure  and  peril.  From  the 
very  bottom  of  the  ladder  he  rose  in  a  few  years  to  the  highest  po- 
sition in  the  service,  that  of  owner  and  master  of  a  vessel — a 
thing  which  rarely  occurred. 

James  Pike. — John  Pike,  the  common  ancestor  of  the  branch 
of  the  Pike  family  residing  in  Connecticut,  settled  in  Salem, 
Massachusetts,  in  1664.  He  was  the  progenitor  of  Jonas  Pike, 
of  Sturbridge,  Massachusetts,  who  married  a  descendant  of  Peri- 
grine  White,  the  first  white  child  born  in  New  England.    Their 


622  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

four  sons  were  :  David,  Ephraim,  Jonas  and  Jesse,  There  was 
also  one  daughter,  Amy.  David  married  Elizabeth  Pitman,  of 
Newport,  Rhode  Island.  Their  children  were  two  sons,  William 
and  James  Pitman;  and  two  daughters,  Lucy,  wife  of  David 
Bayless,  and  Nancy,  who  married  Abijah  Prouty.  William  Pike 
left  Sturbridge  in  1810  and  settled  in  Sterling.  He  learned  from 
his  father,  who  was  by  trade  a  hatter,  the  art  of  coloring.  In 
the  year  1811  he  began  the  dyeing  of  cotton  yarns  and  later  as- 
sumed the  charge  of  the  dye  house  of  the  Sterling  Manufactur- 
ing Company.  Removing  to  Pawtucket  he  introduced  the  bleach- 
ing of  cottons  by  chlorine,  and  thus  superseded  the  primitive 
method  of  bleaching  in  the  sun.  In  1814  he  was  employed  by 
the  Sterling  Manufacturing  Company,  and  a  year  later  started 
the  manufacture  of  pyroligneous  acid  for  the  use  of  the  dyers' 
art.  About  this  date  he  established  the  firm  of  Willism  Pike 
&  Co.,  for  the  manufacture  of  the  above  acid,  in  Sterling.  Pie 
married  Lydia  Campbell,  to  whom  were  born  five  children,  the 
only  survivors  being  James,  the  subject  of  this  biography,  and 
William. 

James  Pike  was  born  December  31st,  1826,  in  Sterling,  the 
scene  of  his  lifetime  business  experiences.  After  a  season  at  the 
public  schools  he  became  a  pupil  of  the  Plainfield  Academy 
and  the  Scituate  Seminary.  Soon  after  he  found  employment 
in  the  mills  of  the  Sterling  Manufacturing  Company,  and  sub- 
sequently aided  his  father  in  the  manufacture  of  chemicals. 
Meanwhile,  by  a  series  of  experiments,  he  discovered  a  pro- 
cess of  coloring  black,  which  for  permanency  and  general  ex- 
cellence was  superior  to  any  dye  in  use.  He  at  once  organ- 
ized the  Sterling  Dyeing  and  Finishing  Company,  in  which 
he  holds  the  controlling  interest  and  for  which  he  is  the  agent. 
So  favorably  received  was  this  new  process  that  the  capacity 
of  the  works  was  soon  inadequate  to  the  demand,  and  exten- 
sive additions  have  since  been  made,  most  of  the  buildings 
being  substantial  stone  structures.  To  this  business  his  time 
and  attention  are  exclusively  given. 

Mr.  Pike  was  married  on  the  10th  of  May,  1853,  to  Mary  E., 
daughter  of  Abram  Shepard,  of  Brooklyn,  Connecticut.  Their 
children  were  :  J.  Edward,  who  is  engaged  with  his  father  in 
business ;  Lydia  Campbell,  wife  of  Claramon  Hunt ;  Mary , 
E. ;  Harriet  E.,  wife  of  George  Call ;  and  one  who  is  de- 
ceased.     Mr.  Pike  is  a  republican   in    politics.      He  served   as 


■^^z^^-- 


TOTYPE,     E.    BIERSTADT 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  623 

railroad  commissioner  from  1868  to  1871,  has  held  various  town 
offices  and  while  a  member  of  the  state  legislature  served  on 
the  committee  on  banks.  He  is  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge 
of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of  Danielsonville,  and  a  sup- 
porter of  the  Congregational  church. 

Avery  A.  Stanton. — The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in 
Preston,  Conn.,  in  1837,  is  a  son  of  Lodowack  Stanton,  and  the 
great-great-grandson  of  General  Thomas  Stanton,  who  came  from 
England  and  settled  in  Stonington,  Conn.  His  great-grandfather, 
John  Stanton  (known  as  Warrior  Stanton),  served  in  the  French 
and  Indian  war  and  also  fought  in  the  revolutionary  war,  com- 
ing from  battle  with  eighteen  bullet  holes  shot  through  his  coat. 
The  mother  of  Avery  A.  Stanton  was  a  daughter  of  Deacon  John 
Stanton,  who  was  a  son  :f  Joshua  Stanton,  whose  father  Wash- 
ington also  came  from  England.  His  brothers  are  Captain  John 
L.  (who  fell  at  the  siege  of  Port  Hudson),  Alburtus  S.  and  Rev- 
erend William  E. 

In  1848,  Mr.  Stanton  and  his  mother  removed  to  Voluntown, 
Conn.,  his  father  having  died  one  year  previous.  He  received 
Tiis  education  at  the  schools  of  Voluntown,  East  Greenwich,  R. 
I.,  and  at  the  Connecticut  Literary  Institution,  of  Suffield,  Conn. 
He  taught  school  about  eight  years  in  Eastern  Connecticut  and 
Rhode  Island,  and  in  1862  settled  in  the  town  of  Sterling,  Conn., 
where  he  has  since  resided,  engaged  in  farming  and  the  lumber 
business.  In  1864  he  was  elected  one  of  the  school  visitors  of 
Sterling,  w^hich  position  he  held  for  tw^enty-four  years.  In  1873 
he  was  elected  first  selectman,  and  has  held  other  important 
town  offices,  being  town  agent  and  auditor  for  a  number  of 
years.  In  1874  he  represented  the  town  of  Sterling  in  the  state 
legislature.  In  1884  he  was  appointed  by  the  governor  of  the 
state  county  commissioner  to  fill  an  unexpired  term,  and  w^as 
chosen  by  the  legislature  of  1884  to  the  same  office  for  a  term  of 
three  years.  He  still  holds  this  position,  having  been  reap- 
pointed for  a  second  term  of  four  years. 

Mr.  Stanton  is  married  to  Laura,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Gallup, 
of  Voluntown,  and  has  five  sons — Walter  A.,  John  B.,  Benjamin 
G.,  William  E.  and  Albert  H. — and  three  daughters — Nettie  E., 
Ella  C.  and  Lottie  E.  Mr.  Stanton  belongs  to  a  family  that  is 
able  to  trace  6,000  relatives. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 


THE  TOWN  OF  THOMPSON. 


Location,  Description,  Geology. — Pre-historic  Occupants. — The  Indians  of  this 
Region. — Early  White  Settleis. — Quinnatisset  Hill. — Increase  of  Population. 
— Land  Controversies. — Pattaquatic. — Highways  in  the  Wilderness. — Bridge 
Building. — Samuel  Morris. — Early  Attempt  to  secure  Town  Privileges. — Sec- 
ond or  North  Society  of  Killingly. — Thompson  Parish. — Land  west  of  the 
Quinebaug  annexed. — Building  the  Meeting  House. — Religious  W^orship  Es- 
tablished.— Military  Company. — Non-resident  Land-owners. — Various  Im- 
provements.— Schools. — Town  Affairs. — The  French  War. — The  Old  Red 
Tavern. — Business  and  Finance. — The  Revolutionary  Period. — Quadic  Ship- 
yard.— Petitions  for  Town  Privileges. 


THOMPSON  occupies  the  northeast  corner  of  the  state  of 
Connectictit,  bordering  north  on  Massachusetts  and  east 
on  Rhode  Island.  Its  territory  is  ample,  about  eight  miles 
by  six,  comprising  48.49  square  miles.  •  The  Quinebaug  and 
French  rivers,  flowing  through  the  west  of  the  town,  unite  below 
Mechanicsville.  The  Five-mile  or  Assawaga  river  is  near  the 
eastern  border.  Capacious  reservoirs  greatly  augment  the  vol- 
ume of  these  streams  and  multiply  the  manufacturing  facilities 
of  the  town.  The  surface  of  the  soil  is  much  broken  and  diver- 
sified, particularly  between  the  rivers,  and  so  encumbered  by 
stones  as  to  make  its  cultivation  very  laborious.  Granite  ledges 
underlie  the  hills,  and  myriads  of  detached  stones  overlie  field 
and  pasture.  Sixty  years  ago  Niles' "  Connecticut  Gazetteer" 
reported  "more  miles  of  wall  fence  in  Thompson  than  in  any 
town  of  the  State,"  and  it  is  doubtful  if  this  record  has  been 
broken.  Elaborate  and  unique  stone  walls  in  all  parts  of  the 
town  testify  to  the  ingenuity  and  industry  of  the  farmer.  Many 
well-cultivated  farms,  neat  and  convenient  farm  houses,  and  a 
general  aspect  of  thriftiness  indicate  a  further  triumph  over 
natural  disadvantages.  In  spite  of  hard  and  stony  soil,  farming 
in  Thompson  has  not  been  unremunerative,  and  the  majority  of 
her  farmers  are  well-to-do  and  comfortable.  The  eastern  part 
of  the  town  is  less  favored — a  barren  ridge  of  rocky  woodland, 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  625 

stretching  into  Rhode  Island  and  southward  to  the  Sound. 
With  increasing  emigration  and  modern  methods  of  farming, 
less  pains  are  taken  to  cultivate  poor  soil,  and  many  fields  and 
pastures  are  left  to  grow  up  into  forest,  and  though  much  wood 
is  cut  off  and  sent  to  market,  much  more  is  growing  than  there 
was  fifty  years  ago. 

The  territory  now  included  in  Thompson  was,  prior  to  white 
settlement,  a, part  of  the  Nipmuck  country,  though  also  claimed 
by  the  Narragansetts.  The  Great  Pond,  Chaubunakongko- 
muk,  just  beyond  its  present  northern  boundary, was  the  "bound 
mark  "  between  the  Nipmucks  and  Narragansetts.  An  Indian 
captain  named  Allum  or  Hyems  gave  his  name  to  the  little  Al- 
lum  pond,  near  its  northeast  corner.  In  the  days  of  John 
Eliot's  missionary  labors,  1670-1674,  the  Nipmucks  w^ere  in 
ascendency,  occupying  a  fort  on  the  hill  east  of  what  is  now 
Thompson  hill.  This  latter  hill  and  the  surrounding  country 
was  known  as  Quinnatisset,  and  the  little  brook  circuiting  from 
"  the  meadow "  into  the  French  river  was  called  Quinnatisset 
brook.  Through  the  faithful  labors  of  Eliot's  Indian  mission- 
aries the  Quinnatisset  residents  were  persuaded  to  gather  into 
a  village  on  the  hill,  where  a  large  wigwam  was  constructed, 
visible  as  late  as  1730.  Twenty  families,  containing  about  a 
hundred  souls,  were  reported  to  Eliot,  partly  civilized  and  in- 
clined to  religious  worship,  to  whom  was  sent  in  1674  "  a  sober 
and  pious  young  man  of  Natick,  called  Daniel,  to  be  their  min- 
ister, whom  they  accepted  in  the  Lord."  The  breaking  out  of 
King  Philip's  war  quickly  obliterated  the  results  of  missionary 
labor.  The  Quinnatisset  Nipmucks  joined  the  Narragansetts 
and  were  mostly  destroyed.  The  fort  in  Quinnatisset,  known 
as  "  Fort  No.  1  in  the  Nipmuck  Country,"  was  assaulted  and 
demolished,  but  the  aboriginal  cellar  on  Fort  hill,  described  by 
surveyors  in  1684  as  "the  ruins  of  an  old  Indian  fort,"  is  visible 
until  this  day,  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  authenticated  Indian 
relics  in  Windham  county.  Many  Indian  utensils  and  arrows, 
found  in  this  vicinity  and  the  adjacent  Pattaquatic  (now  Quadic), 
show  that  this  Assawaga  valley  was  once  a  favorite  resort.  The 
remains  of  corn  rows  were  distinctly  seen  upon  Fort  hill  within 
the  memory  of  older  inhabitants. 

In  connection  with  the  general  settlement  of  Indian  affairs 
following  King  Philip's  defeat,  five  thousand  acres  of  land  at 
Quinnatisset  were  included  in  the  reservation  allowed  to  the 
40 


626  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Indians.  This  land  was  immediately  made  over  to  the  Massachu- 
setts agents,  Messrs  Stoughton  and  Dudley,  and  soon  after  sold 
to  non-resident  English  gentlemen.  June  18th,  1683,  two  thou- 
sand acres  of  "  forest  land  in  the  Nipmuck  Country,"  including 
the  present  Thompson  hill  and  surrounding  land,  was  conveyed 
to  Thomas  Freak,  Hamington,  Wells  county,  England,  and  a 
two  thousand  acre  tract,  east  of  the  above,  was  soon  after  sold  to 
Sir  Robert  Thompson,  North  Newington,  Middlesex,  England — 
the  initial  bound  between  the  tracts  running  through  the  cellar 
of  the  old  fort.  Another  large  slice  of  the  Indian  reservation, 
east  of  the  Quinebaug  or  Myanexet,  now  occupied  by  New  Bos- 
ton village,  was  secured  by  Joseph  Dudley,  and  smaller  farms 
by  other  non-residents.  These  farms  were  all  laid  out  in  1684, 
the  earliest  of  any  in  Windham  county,  but  owing  to  the  uncer- 
tain tenure  of  the  land,  they  were  not  improved  for  many  years. 
The  survey  under  which  Massachusetts  claimed  Quinnatisset 
and  the  adjacent  Senexet  (now  Woodstock)  was  clearly  errone- 
ous. Woodward  and  Saffery's  line,  dividing  Massachusetts  and 
Connecticut  colonies,  deflected  southward  six  or  eieht  miles, 
striking  the  Connecticut  river  at  Windsor.  The  protracted 
boundary  quarrel  greatly  discouraged  settlement,  and  it  was  not 
till  after  1713,  when  Massachusetts  consented  to  rectify  the  line 
provided  she  could  keep  all  the  towns  she  had  settled,  that  much 
progress  was  made.  The  township  of  Killingly  had  meanwhile 
been  settled  and  organized,  and  as  it  was  certain  that  Connecti- 
cut's claim  would  ultimately  prevail,  a  few  settlers  had  straggled 
in  north  of  that  town. 

The  first  known  and  datable  settler  within  the  limits  of  the 
present  Thompson  was  Richard  Dresser,  of  Rowley,  Mass.,  who 
in  1707  purchased  "the  place  called  Nashaway,"  a  beautiful  farm 
west  of  the  Quinebaug,  at  its  junction  with  the  French  river,  a 
little  south  of  the  present  Mechanicsville.  His  son  Jacob,  born 
in  1710,  was  the  first  white  boy  born  upon  Thompson  territory. 
Sampson  Howe  followed  the  next  year,  settling  between  the 
rivers.  Farther  north,  between  the  rivers,  land  was  taken  up 
by  Isaac  Jewett  and  John  Younglove,  whose  premises  were  so 
infested  with  bears,  wolves  and  Indians,  that  a  log  fort  or  garri- 
son was  needed  for  protection.  The  first  settler  in  the  vicinity 
of  Quinnatisset  hill  was  Samuel  Converse,  of  Woburn,  who,  with 
wife  and  four  sons,  in  1710  took  possession  of  what  was  known 
as  the  Quinnatisset  farm,  about  a  mile  south  of  the  hill  (now 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  627 

occupied  by  Mr.  Stephen  Ballard).  Mr.  Converse  was  a  man  of 
middle  age  and  excellent  position  and  character,  and  was  long 
regarded  as  the  father  of  the  growing  settlement.  His  resi- 
dence was  the  first  south  of  the  great  wilderness  between  the 
colonies,  traversed  yet  only  by  blazed  paths,  and  served  as  a 
welcome  resting  place  to  many  a  wearied  traveler.  On  the 
doubtful  border-land  adjacent  Killingly  the  first  settler  was 
Richard  Evans,  as  early  as  in  1693.  His  establishment,  with 
"tenement  of  houses,  barn,  orchard,  tanning  pits  and  fulling 
mill,"  was  purchased  by  Simon  Bryant,  of  Braintree,  in  1713, 
the  happy  father  of  seven  blooming  and  capable  daughters,  the 
future  mothers  of  many  a  Thompson  family.  The  oldest  daugh- 
ter, Hannah,  married  her  neighbor,  William  Larned,  another 
early  settler  in  this  vicinity.  Thomas  Whitmore,  James  Wilson, 
Joseph  Cady,  Samuel  Lee,  Jonathan  Hughes,  were  among  the 
early  residents  of  this  old ''South  Neighborhood "  very  promi- 
nent in  Thompson  affairs,  although  their  various  farms  and 
homesteads  are  now  within  the  limits  of  Putnam. 

The  first  regular  settler  in  the  northwest  of  Thompson  was  a 
man  of  much  character  and  influence,  Samuel  Morris,  son  of 
Edward  Morris,  of  Woodstock,  who  purchased  fifteen  hundred 
acres  of  the  Dudley  land  on  the  Quinebaug  in  1714.  The  "  old 
Connecticut  Path,"  long  the  chief  thoroughfare  of  travel  between 
Boston  and  southern  colonies,  ran  past  his  dwelling  house  and 
through  a  mile  of  his  estate.  One  of  his  first  achievements  was 
to  bridge  the  turbulent  and  troublesome  Quinebaug,  then 
greatly  addicted  to  freshets.  He  also  built  two  smaller  bridges 
over  tributaries,  expended  time  and  labor  in  clearing  out  the 
channel  of  the  river,  and  greatly  improved  the  road  and  kept  it 
in  order.  His  energy  and  prowess  gave  him  great  influence 
over  his  Indian  neighbors  of  Woodstock  and  the  reservation 
northward,  who  honored  him  with  the  title  of  governor.  Gov- 
ernor Morris  was  emphatically  the  great  man  of  this  section,  and 
it  was  said  that  a  blast  from  his  conch-shell  would  bring  a  hun- 
dred Indians  to  his  aid.  Wild  land  south  of  the  Morris  farm,  west 
of  the  Quinebaug,  was  owned  and  settled  by  Woodstock  resi- 
dents. The  first  to  take  possession  were  John  Dwight,  John 
Corbin  and  Penuel  Child.  Freak's  farm,  on  Quinnatisset  hill, 
passed  on  to  Josiah  Wolcott,  of  Salem,  and  his  wife,  Mary,  niece 
of  the  original  proprietor.  In  1716  Wolcott,  for  iJ'200,  conveyed 
four  hundred  acres  on  the  summit  of  this  hill  to  Captain  John 


628  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Sabin,  first  settler  of  Pomfret,  agreeing  "  to  defend  said  Sabin 
in  quiet  and  peaceable  possession  of  the  premises,  so  that  he  be 
not  forcibly  ejected."  With  this  guaranty,  Captain  Sabin's  son 
Hezekiah  took  possession  of  the  present  Thompson  hill  and  soon 
put  up  a  large  frame  house,  known  even  within  the  present  cen- 
tury as  "  the  old  Red  Tavern."  This  tavern  soon  became  a  place 
of  familiar  resort,  especially  when  a  country  road  was  laid  over 
the  hill,  accommodating  Plainfield  and  Killingly  with  more  di- 
rect communication  with  Boston.  Along  the  French  or  Little 
Quinebaug  settlers  had  already  gathered,  viz.,  David  Shapley, 
Samuel  Davis,  James  Hosmer,  Nathaniel  Crosby,  Henry  Elli- 
thorpe. 

Land  north  of  Quinnatisset  hill  was  bought  up  by  Governor 
Saltonstall  and  Sampson  Howe  and  sold  out  to  settlers.  Among 
these  permanent  residents  were  Comfort  Starr,  of  Dedham  ;  Ben- 
jamin Bixby,  of  Topsfield,  and  his  nephew  Jacob  ;  Israel  Joslyn, 
of  Salem ;  Nathaniel  Wight,  Abraham  Burrill,  John  Wiley,  Na- 
thaniel Brown,  Joseph  Ellis,  James  Coats,  Samuel  Narramore. 
Ivory  Upham,  of  Maiden,  and  Nathaniel  Jacobs,  of  Bristol,  R.  I., 
were  somewhat  later  in  settlement.  The  first  resident  propri- 
etor of  land  eastward  in  the  vicinity  of  Quadic,  was  Henry  Green, 
of  Maiden,  with  eight  sons,  in  1719.  John  Hascall,  of  Middle- 
borough,  Edward  Munyan  and  William  Moffatt,  of  Salem,  also 
settled  on  the  eastern  line.  Nathaniel  Merrill  purchased  a  farm 
near  Quadic  pond,  now  owned  by  Mr.  Horace  Bixby.  His  near- 
est neighbor  on  the  west  was  Jonathan  Clough,  of  Salisbury, 
whose  old  house  is  still  standing,  owned  by  Mr.  Asa  Ross. 

The  rapid  increase  of  population  in  all  parts  of  this  tract  was 
the  more  remarkable,  considering  its  chaotic  condition.  The 
old  boundary  difficulty  was  slow  in  healing.  Killingly  regarded 
with  great  contempt  the  claims  of  its  non-resident  proprietors, 
and  would  gladly  have  ousted  them  from  all  possession,  insisting 
that  her  town  patent  extended  to  the  new  boundary  line  of  1713, 
and  rightfully  covered  the  whole  ground.  In  1721  the  select- 
men of  Killingly,  without  permission  from  government,  pro- 
ceeded to  lay  out  portions  of  this  ungranted  land  and  make  it 
over  to  previous  residents  and  new  comers,  and  exercised  in 
many  ways  unlawful  authority  over  these  settlers.  The  original 
white  proprietors  of  Quinnatisset  and  their  representatives,  Paul 
and  William  Dudley,  Samuel  Morris,  the  agent  of  Sir  Joseph 
Thompson,  and  Josiah  Wolcott,  very  strenuously  opposed  these 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  629 

efforts  of  Killingly,  and  insisted  that  she  had  no  right  beyond 
the  Woodward  and  Saffery  line,  on  which  she  was  laid  out, 
and  that  the  land  north  of  this  line  should  be  erected  into  a 
distinct  and  independent  township.  As  early  as  1714  these  gen- 
tlemen petitioned  the  general  assembly  for  a  town,  and  secured 
a  vote  in  their  favor  from  the  upper  house,  but  were  unable  to 
carry  the  lower.  The  government  was  poor  and  embarassed; 
Killingly  was  most  persistent  in  her  claim  and  conduct,  and  im- 
mediate decision  was  inexpedient.  Delay  only  increased  the 
difficulty  of  decision  ;  both  parties  were  too  powerful  to  be 
offended,  and  so  the  matter  drifted  for  many  years.  Killingly 
received  permission  to  levy  rates  on  the  inhabitants  for  the  sup- 
port of  her  minister,  but  her  petition  to  annex  the  land  was 
flatly  rejected,  and  she  was  positively  forbidden  to  exercise  any 
jurisdiction  west  of  the  Quinebaug.  This  strip  of  land  border- 
ing on  Woodstock  was  long  left  *'  a  peculiar  "• — unstated  to  any 
town,  subject  only  to  New  London  county  and  the  general  gov- 
ernment. Possibly  this  very  lack  of  organization  made  settle- 
ment therein  more  desirable  and  attainable,  especially  as  con- 
trasted with  neighboring  towns,  where  land  was  held  by  strong 
corporations  and  new  comers  subjected  to  very  severe  scrutiny, 
while  Killingly  opened  heart  and  lands  to  all  immigrants,  and 
especially  those  who  were  willing  to  run  the  risk  of  ejection. 
Many  sterling  citizens  received  their  original  homesteads  under 
the  irregular  if  not  unlawful  apportionment  of  1721.  In  several 
cases  settlers  were  obliged  to  give  up  their  allotments,  the  gov- 
ernment of  Connecticut  always  confirming  the  claims  of  non- 
resident land  owners  when  a  suit  was  brought  to  issue.  It  is 
very  creditable  to  these  early  residents,  that  in  spite  of  land  dis- 
putes and  the  absence  of  local  town  officers,  there  is  so  little 
trace  of  disturbance.  Practically  the}^  were  left  to  shift  for  them- 
selves ;  they  had  no  schools,  no  suitable  roads,  no  selectmen  or 
constables,  and  only  the  privilege  of  attending  church  in  Kill- 
ingly's  far-off  meeting  house. 

Scattered  over  a  wide  section,  still  mostly  a  savage  wilderness, 
they  broke  up  land  and  built  their  log  houses,  knowing  so  little 
of  each  other  that  three  families  settling  on  the  eastern  frontier 
in  1721  supposed  themselves  the  only  inhabitants  north  of  Kill- 
ingly. The  ten-years  old  boy  of  one  of  these  families,  Joseph 
Munyan,  delighted  in  old  age  to  tell  the  story  of  their  emigra- 
tion and  early  experiences.     Over  the  long,  rough  road  from 


630  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Salem  to  the  purchased  homestead,  they  brought  their  scanty- 
household  goods  and  stock — six  cows,  ten  sheep,  four  hogs — 
sleeping  by  night  on  their  cart,  and  foraging  as  best  they  could. 
Oxen  were  hired  to  draw  the  cart  from  one  settlement  to  an- 
other. Reaching  their  new  home  after  a  long  and  wearisome 
journey,  they  found  but  rocks  and  wilderness.  The  great  oak 
under  which  they  encamped  was  covered  with  wild  turkeys  in 
the  morning.  Game  of  all  kinds  was  abundant  ;  brooks  swarmed 
with  fish  ;  wolves  chased  and  terrified  the  cattle.  Pine  knots 
were  burned  through  the  night  to  keep  off  wild  beasts  and  In- 
dians. During  the  first  summer  they  built  a  log  house  and  broke 
up  and  planted  some  land,  from  which  in  the  autumn  the  daugh- 
ters harvested  three  aprons  full  of  corn.  During  the  hard  sum- 
mers of  1725  and  1726,  when  crops  were  everywhere  cut  off  by 
drought  and  frost,  the  Munyans  were  obliged  to  travel  to  old 
Hadley,  in  Massachusetts,  to  buy  corn,  a  journey  almost  equal 
to  that  of  Joseph's  brethren  into  Egypt. 

Henry  Green  and  his  numerous  sons  were  very  helpful  in  for- 
warding settlement  at  Pattaquatic.  A  saw  mill  was  soon  set  up 
and  in  full  motion,  the  dam  built  by  the  beavers  furnishing  suffi- 
cient water  power.  One  of  the  most  northerly  settlers  on  the 
road  to  Boston  was  Benjamin  Bixby,  a  little  west  of  the  present 
Brandy  hill,  whose  house  was  also  used  as  a  tavern.  Here  oc- 
curred the  only  reported  instance  of  Indian  disturbance— the 
shooting  of  Mrs.  Bixby  in  the  thigh  by  a  drunken  Mohegan  for 
refusing  to  give  him  more  liquor,  for  which  injury  i^l7  was  for- 
warded to  Mr.  Bixby  by  the  Indians  at  New  London.  "  The  aw- 
ful providence  of  heaven,"  in  further  visiting  the  unfortunate 
Mrs.  Bixby  by  lightning  stroke  in  a  terrific  thunder  shower, 
called  out  universal  sympathy  and  compassion,  even  Governor 
Saltonstall  expressing  his  "tender  concern"  at  this  series  of 
misfortunes. 

Perhaps  the  most  serious  inconvenience  resulting  from  the 
unorganized  condition  of  the  future  Thompson  was  inability  to 
provide  suitable  roads.  To  make  a  good  road  in  its  hard  and  rock- 
bound  soil  was  a  very  difficult  enterprise,  requiring  the  authority 
of  selectmen  or  suitable  officers.  Lacking  such  authority,  the  set- 
tlers simply  "  trod  out "  their  own  ways  from  house  to  house, 
and  to  such  points  as  enabled  them  to  communicate  with  the 
outer  world.  For  public  roads  there  was  the  "old  Connecticut 
Path,"  obliquely  crossing  from   Massachusetts  line  into  Wood- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  631 

stock,  below  the  site  of  the  present  New  Boston.  There  was  also 
the  road  from  Plainfield,  a  wretched  "old  gangway,"  as  it  was 
sometimes  called,  very  nearly  corresponding  with  the  present 
north  and  south  road  through  the  town.  The  entire  lack  of  all 
other  accommodations  may  be  gathered  from  the  universal  cry 
that  arose  from  all  sections  simultaneously,  for  "  roads  to  Thomp- 
son meeting  house  "  when  that  edifice  was  opened  for  public 
worship.  They  seemed  demanded  not  merely  as  a  matter  of 
convenience,  but  out  of  respect  to  the  day  and  occasion.  Home- 
made, trodden-out  paths  might  answer  forgoing  to  mill  and  vis- 
iting neighbors,  but  a  special  "go-to-meeting"  road  seemed  as 
indispensable  as  Sunday  clothes..  The  only  apparent  use  for  a 
road  was  "  to  travel  to  Thompson  meeting  house  "  upon  ;  at  least 
no  other  object  was  hinted  at  in  the  numerous  petitions  with 
which  Killingly  was  deluged.  The  selectmen  of  this  town,  only 
too  happy  to  exercise  authority  over  this  coveted  section,  ap- 
pointed a  committee  in  1730  to  go  to  the  parish  of  Thompson 
and  to  take  a  view  and  see  what  ways  they  need  to  go  to  their 
meeting  house,  and  lay  out  what  they  think  best,  modifying  this 
order  by  the  subsequent  vote — "  That  for  the  future  every  per- 
son that  shall  move  to  this  town  to  have  any  way  altered  or  re- 
moved, it  shall  be  done  at  the  petitioner's  cost  and  charge."  So 
arduous  was  the  task  laid  upon  the  committee,  so  large  the  num- 
ber of  roads  demanded,  and  so  difficult  of  manufacture,  that  it 
seemed  quite  unable  to  grapple  with  it,  and  in  the  great  major- 
ity of  cases  simply  confirmed  the  roads  "as  trod  out,"  or  made 
slight  alterations  and  improvements.  Among  the  roads  thus 
altered  was  the  one  "  beginning  west  side  of  Quinebaug  River, 
near  Mrs.  Dresser's,  and  on  between  Captain  Howe's  house  and 
barn  to  the  French  River  .  .  .  and  so  as  the  road  is  now  trod 
to  ye  meeting  house  " — varying  little  from  the  present  road  to 
West  Thompson. 

The  road  from  "  Sabin's  Bridge "  (now  Putnam  Centre) 
was  a  very  remarkable  achievement,  accommodating  Joseph 
Cady,  Deacon  Eaton  and  other  widely  separated  prominent 
citizens,  and  also  contriving  to  intersect  "  the  path  by  which 
Simon  Bryant  already  traveleth  from  his  own  dwelling 
house  to  Thompson  meeting  house."  Still  more  remarkable 
was  a  road  laid  out  by  a  special  committee  "  chosen  to  view  ye 
circumstances  in  ye  quarter  of  ye  Greens,"  which,  starting  from 
Thomas  Whitmore's  corner  (now  Whittlesy's,  Putnam),  mean- 


632  HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

dered  leisurely  about  Pattaquatic,  from  Bloss's  pasture  along- 
side of  a  brook  to  an  oak  near  Phinehas  Green's  house,  thence 
to  another  oak  in  Henry  Green's  pasture,  crossing  and  recrossing 
the  stream  at  lower  and  upper  fordways,  and  after  accommodat- 
ing all  the  families  of  that  section,  wound  through  Merrill's  im- 
proved land  "into  the  old  road  over  Quinnatisset  Brook,  and  so 
as  the  road  goes  till  it  comes  into  the  country  road,  southwest 
corner  of  Hezekiah  Sabin's  little  orchard,  foreside  of  the  meet- 
ing house."  This  very  ancient  road,  "old  "  in  1735,  is  still  ex- 
tant and  in  good  condition,  forming  the  southern  side  of  that 
nondescript  geometrical  conformation  east  of  the  village  of 
Thompson  called  by  courtesy  "The  Square."  A  venerable  Sea- 
konk  sweeting  and  one  or  two  Roxbury  russets  are  the  sole  sur- 
vivors of  this  primitive  orchard.  One  of  the  ways  left  "  as 
trod,"  to  evolve  itself  in  time  into  a  passable  cart  road,  was  one 
demanded  by  Hascall,  near  the  Massachusetts  line,  who  had  to 
let  down  twelve  pairs  of  bars  on  his  way  to  meeting.  The  con- 
dition of  the  road  over  which  Samuel  Morris  was  required  to 
travel  to  that  distant  shrine  will  be  best  described  by  himself 
in  another  place.  Among  old  roads  still  in  use  is  what  is 
called  the  "  Mountain  Road  "  to  Putnam,  which  was  laid  out 
in  1763.  To  this  very  irregular  and  inconvenient  style  of  road- 
making  the  present  residents  of  Thompson  are  indebted  for  the 
number  and  variety  of  rural,  romantic,  roundabout  drives  for 
which  it  is  distinguished,  dating  back  to  those  old  days  when 
every  household  in  town  had  a  special  way  of  its  own. 

The  problem  of  bridge-making  weighed  very  heavily  upon 
the  early  settlers  of  Windham  county.  To  construct  a  bridge 
that  could  withstand  the  swollen  current  of  the  raging  Quine- 
baug,  whose  ravages  it  was  declared  "  could  not  be  paralleled  in 
the  colony,"  seemed  beyond  human  attainment.  Again  and 
again  bridges  were  constructed  at  great  cost  and  labor,  only  to 
be  swept  away  in  a  few  months.  Yet,  in  the  face  of  all  this  dis- 
couragement, Mr.  Samuel  Morris  contrived  to  build  a  bridge 
over  the  Quinebaug  at  his  settlement,  in  1717,  which  did  good 
service  for  many  years.  No  wonder  that  his  Indian  followers 
looked  upon  him  as  almost  a  supernatural  power,  and  that  the 
general  assembly  should  exempt  him  from  "paying  any  rates 
whatever  "  for  the  term  of  ten  years.  In  1722  a  cart  bridge  was 
built  over  the  Quinebaug  by  Sampson  Howe  and  John  Dwight, 
upon  the  road  over  which  the  latter  afterward  traveled  to  meet- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  633 

ing — a  good  bridge  and  great  convenience  to  the  public;  but  as 
a  bridge  had  just  been  built  below  the  High  falls  by  Captain 
Sabin,  with  assistance  from  government,  these  builders  were 
obliged  to  pay  their  own  expenses.  In  process  of  time  all  the 
more  traveled  roads  were  supplied  with  bridges.  A  bridge  was 
built  over  the  French  river  by  Henry  Ellithorpe,  on  the  present 
site  of  Grosvenor  Dale,  which  bore  his  name  for  many  years. 

In  1727  the  non-resident  land  owners  in  the  colony  land  north 
of  Killingly,  together  with  Samuel  Morris,  made  another  earnest 
attempt  to  procure  town  privileges.  Desiring  "to  have  each 
one  enjoy  his  purchase  because  it  is  inhabitants  that  do  make  a 
town,  and  a  great  part  of  the  remaining  land  is  rough  and 
broken  and  but  little  more  fit  to  be  inhabited,"  they  felt  that  all 
interests  demanded  "  that  a  new  town  may  be  made  there,  so 
that  we  may  know  what  town  we  are  in."  But  the  forcible  pleas 
and  representations  of  Killingly's  foremost  citizens — Joseph 
Leavens  and  Joseph  Cady — decided  the  case  against  them,  and 
it  was  decreed  that  a  religious  society  or  precinct  should  be 
erected  instead  of  the  desired  township.  By  act  of  assembly. 
May,  1728,  a  society  was  formally  set  off  and  incorporated, 
known  at  first  as  the  Second  or  North  society  of  Killingly,  and 
soon  after  as  Thompson  parish.  Its  southern  bound  was  a  line 
near  the  present  residence  of  Mr.  William  Converse,  of  Putnam, 
extending  west  to  the  Quinebaug  and  east  to  Rhode  Island.  Or- 
ganization was  effected  July  9th,  1728.  .  By  warrant  from  Justice 
Joseph  Leavens,  the  inhabitants  of  the  new  precinct  met  on 
Quinnatisset  hill,  at  the  dwelling  house  of  Hezekiah  Sabin.  Jon- 
athan Hough  was  chosen  moderator.  "They  then  voted  and 
chose  Sampson  Howe  clerk  for  said  society;  the  same,  with  Hez- 
ekiah Sabin  and  Benjamin  Bixby,  were  chosen  committee  of  the 
society."  As  the  first  object  of  their  organization,  they  then 
voted,  "  To  hire  a  minister  to  preach  the  gospel  in  said  society, 
and  to  begin  with  us  to  preach  the  first  Lord's  day  in  August 
next  ensuing;  also,  that  Mr.  Wales  should  be  invited  to  preach 
the  gospel  to  us  and  to  continue  with  us  for  the  space  of  six 
months."  The  place  for  public  worship  was  not  specified,  but 
it  was  probably  in  Sabin's  tavern  house,  as  the  most  accessible 
from  all  parts  of  the  society. 

At  the  second  society  meeting  it  was  proposed  "  To  vote  in 
the  peculiars,"  meaning  the  residents  west  of  the  Quinebaug. 
A  somewhat  singular  vote  was  passed  August  13th,  viz.:  "Whether 


634  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

every  man  that  hath  a  house  and  land  of  his  own  belonofinp-  to 
this  society,  shall  have  liberty  to  vote  and  act  with  us  in  all  affairs 
relating  to  the  settling  the  worship  of  God  in  said  society,"  and 
it  passed  in  the  negative.  September  9th  it  was  put  to  a  vote, 
whether  the  society  would  ever  build  a  meeting  house,  and  it 
passed  in  the  affirmative.  P'eeling  their  way  carefully,  item  by 
item,  it  was  agreed  that  the  meeting  house  should  be  fifty  feet 
long,  forty  feet  wide  and  twenty-four  feet  stud,  and  that  John 
Comings  should  be  improved  to  be  master  workman  in  hewing 
and  framing — having  five  shillings  a  day  and  his  victuals.  Sep- 
tember 20th,  the  very  important  question,  where  to  set  the 
meeting  house,  was  in  order,  and  it  was  voted — "  That  it  be  set 
south  side  and  near  to  the  road  that  leads  from  John  Cooper's  to 
Benjamin  Bixby's,  right  before  the  door  of  the  house  of  Heze- 
ekiah  Sabin,  near  where  was  an  old  wigwam  " — a  site  near  the 
center  of  the  present  common.  An  acre  of  land  for  a  meeting 
house  was  given  to  the  society  by  Mr.  Sabin.  ''  The  affare  of 
building  our  meeting  house  "  was  entrusted  to  Nathaniel  Merrill, 
John  Wiley,  Uriah  and  Jaazaniah  Hosmer,  Hezekiah  Sabin  and 
Benjamin  Bixby  as  a  committee.  It  was  also  voted,  "To  give 
every  man  that  works  about  the  meeting  house  three  shillings 
per  day,  he  finding  himself  ;  that  every  man  allowed  to  hew 
timber  shall  have  three  and  sixpence  ;  that  the  oxen  that  shall 
go  to  work  about  the  meeting  house  shall  be  allowed  eighteen 
pence  per  day  ;  a  horse  that  draweth,  one  shilling;  for  a  cart, 
one  shilling." 

Further  legislation  in  October  gave  the  new  society  additional 
territory  and  powers.  The  "  Peculiar,"  west  of  the  Quinebaug, 
was  formally  annexed  to  the  North  society  of  Killingly.  A 
yearly  tax  of  ten  shillings  upon  every  hundred  acres  of  land 
within  its  bounds  was  granted  for  four  years,  and  the  society 
committee  empowered  to  use  the  money  thus  raised  in  building 
a  meeting  house  and  settling  an  orthodox  minister.  For  pre- 
venting law  suits  and  accommodating  differences,  the  tract  of 
land  between  the  old  and  new  north  boundary  lines,  excepting 
what  had  been  confirmed  to  orio;inal  grantees,  and  needful 
equivalents,  was  now  made  over  to  Killingly. 

Thus  organized  and  equipped,the  North  society  began  its  career, 
and  joyfully  entered  upon  the  task  of  collecting  and  preparing  tim- 
ber for  the  much-desired  meeting  house.  Deprived  for  so  many 
years  of  ordinary  religious  and  civil  privileges,  this  happy  set- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  635 

tlement  and  hopeful  prospect  was  a  matter  of  great  rejoicing. 
In  no  other  precinct  or  town  within  the  county  was  this  meeting 
house  work  carried  on  with  such  alacrity  and  harmony.  "  The 
people's  hearts  were  stirred  up  and  they  willingly  offered  them- 
selves." The  little  word  "  our  "  prefixed  to  all  meeting  house 
votes  pleasantly  indicates  a  personal  sense  of  proprietorship. 
All  over  the  large  parish  men  and  teams  were  busily  at  work. 
Giant  oaks  were  levelled,  hewn  and  hauled  over  the  rough  ways 
to  the  appointed  site.  So  earnest  and  vigorous  were  the  work- 
ers, that  by  November  15th,  the  society  was  called  "  to  consider 
how  and  in  what  method  we  shall  proceed  in  order  for  making 
preparation  for  the  raising  our  meeting  house."  The  method 
adopted  was,  "  That  every  man  in  said  society  shall  have  liberty 
to  bring  in  provisions  and  drink  what  may  be  thought  his  pro- 
portion." John  Dwight,  Benjamin  Bixby,  Hezekiah  Sabin,  Ed- 
ward Converse,  Jonathan  Clough  and  Sampson  Howe  were  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  take  care  to  provide  for  the  raising. 
Under  such  auspices  the  work  was  triumphantly  accomplished 
— the  first  great  gathering  assembled  on  Thompson  hill. 

The  "liberty  to  bring  in  provisions  and  drink"  had  been  so  boun- 
tifully improved,  that  John  Wiley  and  John  Dwight  were  ordered 
to  take  particular  account  of  what  each  man  brought  and  give 
him  credit  for  it,  "  the  overplush  to  pay  the  'rerages  of  hiring 
ministers."  The  rates  allowed  for  provision  were — pork,  six 
pence  a  pound;  beef,  four  pence;  mutton,  four  pence;  suet, 
eight  pence  ;  sugar,  twelve  pence  ;  butter,  one  shilling  ;  turnips, 
one  and  six  pence  per  bushel ;  wheat,  eight  shillings  ;  rye,  six 
shillings ;  Indian  corn,  four  shillings  ;  cabbages,  three  pence  per 
head.  No  stated  minister  was  yet  procured,  but  services  were 
kept  up  through  the  winter  at  Sabin's  tavern.  January  20th, 
1729,  Ensign  Green,  Jonathan  Eaton,  Joseph  Cady,  John  Dwight 
and  Edward  Converse  were  deputized  "to  agree  with  workmen 
to  finish  all  the  outside  work  belonging  to  our  meeting  house," 
and  further  instructed  "  to  make  Woodstock  meeting  house  their 
pattern  to  go  by,  excepting  what  said  committee  shall  judge 
superfluous  in  said  house."  Also  voted,  "That  for  the  future 
every  man  that  shall  cart  one  thousand  of  boards  from  Green's 
mill  to  the  meeting  house  shall  have  ten  shillings  money  for  the 
same."  During-  the  followinof  summer  the  work  went  on  so 
rapidly  that  on  August  1st  a  society  meeting  was  held  in  the 
new  building.     Such  honest  work  had  been  expended  upon    its 


636  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

massive  frame,  that  after  one  hundred  and  sixty  years  of  faith- 
ful service,  it  stands  to-day  erect  and  in  good  condition,  the  resi- 
dence of  Thompson's  faithful  clerk  and  treasurer.  A  minister 
was  soon  provided  for  the  meeting  house.  October  16th,  it  was 
voted  to  extend  a  call  to  Marston  Cabot,  of  vSalem.  This  call 
was  accepted  after  due  consideration,  provided  the  society  ful- 
filled three  articles : — 

1.  Their  offer  of  i;200  settlement. 

2.  That  they  always  keep  up  the  credit  of  the  proposed  salary, 
viz.,  i^80  a  year,  adding  £5  yearly  till  it  reached  i^lOO. 

3.  That  they  bring  him  a  sufficiency  of  cord-wood  for  his  own 
use  in  the  season  of  it. 

Preparations  were  at  once  made  for  church  organization  and 
ordination.  Platform,  pulpit  and  deacon's  seats  were  provided, 
neighboring  ministers  visited  and  consulted.  January  28th, 
1730  (O.  S.),  was  kept  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer.  Services 
were  held  morning  an4  afternoon,  conducted  by  Reverend  John 
Fisk  of  Killingly,  Reverend  Ebenezer  Williams  of  Pomfret, 
Reverend  Amos  Throop,  Woodstock,  and  before  the  large 
assembly  was  dismissed,  "  We  were  incorporated  and  formed 
into  a  distinct  church  by  having  the  church  covenant  read  and 
owning  our  consent  to  it."  The  constituent  members  of  the 
church  in  Thompson  parish,  known  as  the  Second  church  of 
Killingly,  were  :  Marston  Cabot,  pastor  elect,  Samuel  Converse, 
James  Wilson,  John  Wiley,  Benjamin  Bixby,  Israel  Joslin, 
Sampson  Howe,  John  Russel,  Jonathan  Clough,  Nathaniel 
Merrill,  Hezekiah  vSabin,  Edward  Converse,  Nathaniel  Johnson, 
Ivory  Upham,  Robert  Plank,  John  Bowers,  Ephraim  Guile, 
Henry  Green,  Benjamin  Pudney,  Comfort  Starr,  John  Barrett, 
Richard  Bloss,  Jonathan  Eaton,  David  Shapley,  Thomas  Whitte- 
more,  Jr.,  Thomas  Converse,  Eleazer  Green,  Samuel  Narra- 
more.  February  25th  the  same  honored  ministers,  together  with 
Reverend  Messrs.  Coit  of  Plainfield,  and  Hale  of  Ashford,  as- 
sisted in  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Cabot.  Jonathan  Eaton  and 
Benjamin  Bixby  were  soon  after  elected  deacons. 

"  Divine  worship  "  and  ordinances  being  then  happily  estab- 
lished, various  secular  affairs  claimed  the  attention  of  the  societ37-. 
In  May,  1730,  a  military  company  was  organized,  with  Sampson 
Howe  for  captain,  Hezekiah  Sabin,  lieutenant,  and  John  Dwight, 
ensign.  The  utter  lack  of  schooling  for  children  was  a  griev- 
ance  much    in   need   of  abatement.     January   15th,    1731,   this 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  637 

matter  was  considered,  when  it  was  agreed,  "  That  there  should 
be  four  schools  kept  in  this  parish,  and  the  school  master  to  be 
removed  into  four  quarters  of  this  parish."  Four  honored  citi- 
zens, one  from  each  quarter,  viz.,  Jonathan  Clough,  Joseph 
Cady,  Penuel  Child  and  John  Wiley,  were  straightway  empowered 
"  to  divide  this  parish  into  four  parts  in  order  for  the  benefit  and 
advantig  of  having  th,eir  children  educated  each  quarter  in  read- 
ing and  wrighting  and  sifering."  Spelling  in  those  days  was  a 
quite  superfluous  accomplishment.  The  ordained  "  quarters  " 
differed  greatly  in  size  according  to  the  distribution  of  inhabi- 
tants. The  Southeast,  afterward  "The  South  Neighborhood,"  was 
much  the  least,  being  far  themost  populous;  next  in  size  was  the 
Southwest,  taking  in  Cady's,  Eaton's  and  other  first  families, 
while  the  great,  irregular,  sparsely  settled  Northeast  and  North- 
west seemed  almost  like  separate  townships.  Committees  were 
chosen  for  each  quarter,  to  warn  the  inhabitants  to  meet  together 
to  agree  where  to  set  their  school  houses,  viz.:  Southeast,  Thomas 
Whitmore  and  Henry  Green  ;  Southwest,  James  Cady  and 
Samuel  Cutler  ;  Northwest,  Christopher  Peak  and  Isaac  Jewett ; 
Northwest,  Comfort  Starr  and  Nathaniel  Brown.  A  school- 
master was  hired  for  the  year,  serving  three  months  in  each 
quarter,  the  school  money  being  "  equally  divided  between  each 
school,  according  to  the  number  of  families  that  sent  their  chil- 
dren to  school." 

Continued  friction  between  the  non-resident  proprietors  and 
Killingly  officials  resulted  in  a  thorough  investigation  andvsettle- 
ment,  through  the  agency  of  Roger  Wolcott  and  other  wise 
counsellors.  The  farms  so  early  purchased  and  laid  out  were 
solemnly  confirmed  and  Killingly  precluded  from  farther  inter- 
meddling by  having  her  own  rights  avowed  to  her.  The  North 
society,  which  during  the  squabble  had  petitioned  to  be  erected 
into  a  township,  was  pacified  and  reconfirmed,  the  assembly  at 
the  same  date,  1730,  changing  its  name  to  that  of  her  most  dis- 
tinguished non-resident,  Thompson.  This  family  had  always 
manifested  a  special  interest  in  their  Nipmuck  purchase ;  paid 
without  grumbling  the  tax  imposed  by  the  society,  and  soon 
after  date  had  the  tract  laid  out  into  farms  and  seven  substantial 
English  "  tenement  housen  "  erected.  The  Dudleys  also  peace- 
ably fulfilled  their  legal  requirements.  "Esquire  Wolcott,"  as 
he  was  called,  sold  his  farm  to  sundry  purchasers.  With  Mr. 
Samuel  Morris  relations  were  less   amicable.     That   gentleman 


638  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

indeed  paid  off-hand  the  heavy  land-tax,  but  when  he  found  him- 
self enrolled  as  a  stated  member  of  Thompson  parish,  and  bound 
by  law  to  pay  his  share  of  minister's  salary  and  all  other  charges, 
he  demurred.  The  section  in  which  he  lived  was  long  supposed 
to  belong  to  Massachusetts,  and  all  his  interests,  civil  and  eccle- 
siastic, were  with  that  colony,  and  before  the  erection  of  the  new 
parish  he  had  attended  church  and  supported  religious  worship 
in  Woodstock.  At  his  time  of  life,  and  after  all  his  public  ser- 
vices, to  be  compelled  to  leave  the  church  of  his  fathers  and 
attend  a  new  service  at  so  great  a  distance  seemed  to  him  an 
absurdity,  and  equally  unjust  to  pay  for  preaching  which  he  had 
not  heard. 

But  the  ecclesiastic  laws  of  Connecticut  were  not  to  be  con- 
temned, even  by  so  great  a  man  as  "Governor  Morris."  The 
appointed  collector  came  upon  him  for  lawful  dues,  and  when 
he  refused  to  pay,  took  forcible  possession  of  sufficient  goods. 
Mr.  Morris  indignantly  appealed  to  the  assembly,  showing, 
"that  he  lived  seven  miles  from  Thompson  meeting  house; 
never  attended  service  there  and  never  should;  lived  some  miles 
nearer  Woodstock,  and  had  attended  there  till  last  winter,  when 
he  and  others  obtained  a  young  gentleman  to  preach  with  them, 
and  cheerfully  assumed  the  great  charge  thereof,  that  so  our 
families  might  have  the  benefit  of  Christian  instruction,  and  not 
live  like  heathens  ;  that  he  had  paid  a  full  tax  to  help  build 
meeting  house  in  Thompson,  and  prayed  to  be  excused  from 
paying  anything  more."  This  request  was  refused  on  the  ground 
that  Thompson  had  not  been  properly  notified,  whereupon  Mr. 
Morris  further  represented,  October,  1731,  "that  he  could  not 
even  in  summer,  attend  worship  in  Thompson  with  any  tolerable 
convenience,  nor  in  the  winter  without  extreme  peril,  because 
of  mountains  and  rocks  to  go  over  and  miry  swamps  to  go 
through  ;  that  he  had  a  great  regard  for  the  minister  at  Thomp- 
son, and  would  like  to  sit  under  his  ministry,  but  should  count 
it  a  less  evil  to  stay  at  home  and  read  good  books  than  to  go 
through  so  much  difficulty  and  hazard  to  attend  at  Thompson 
parish  ;  that  to  be  obliged  to  go  there  would  have  a  tendency  to 
discourage  religious  inclinations,  besides  causing  a  great  part  of 
holy  time  to  be  spent  in  very  servile  labor  both  to  man  and 
beast." 

But  none  of  these  arguments,  though  reiterated  year  after 
year  with  much   force  and  cogency,  prevailed  against  the  en- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  639 

forcement  of  a  legal  church  tax,  though  a  slight  abatement 
was  allowed  and  afterward  a  half-rate.  The  cost  of  collection 
must  have  been  more  than  the  sum  at  issue.  Again  and  again 
the  society  was  called  together  "to  consider  how  to  proceed  in 
our  difficulties  with  Samuel  Morris."  Every  year  committees 
had  to  be  sent  to  general  assembly  to  answer  these  indignant 
memorials.  Legal  authorities  had  to  be  consulted  and  paid, 
while  the  duty  of  collecting  this  disputed  tax  became  so  repug- 
nant that  many  of  the  best  men  in  the  society  refused  to  serve  as 
collector,  necessitating  the  enactment,  that  every  person  chosen 
collector  and  refusing  to  serve  should  be  prosecuted  in  the  law. 
Even  as  late  as  1742,  after  Mr.  Morris  had  helped  establish  public 
worship  in  his  own  neighborhood  at  Dudley,  and  insisted  "  that 
Thompson  was  more  able  to  maintain  their  own  minister  than 
he  was  to  help  maintain  two,  and  for  him  to  pay  so  much  money 
to  Thompson  for  nothing,  was  more  than  God  does,  or  more  than 
men  can  reasonably  require  of  their  fellow  creatures,"  he  was 
only  released  "  one-half  of  all  parish  taxes." 

In  all  other  respects  Thompson  enjoyed  remarkable  harmony. 
By  slow  degrees  various  improvements  were  effected.  The 
pound  so  necessary  in  those  days  of  free  commons  was  con- 
structed in  1735 — "  a  good  substantial  pound,"  thirty  feet  square, 
with  good  white  oak  posts,  and  a  good  cap  on  top  of  them,  a 
good  gate  well  hanged  with  good  iron  hinges,  a  good  lock  and 
key  and  good  staple  and  hasp — Hezekiah  Sabin,  pound  keeper. 
"  A  piece  of  land  "  near  the  French  river  was  given  by  David 
Shapley  "  for  a  burying  place  for  said  society."  One  of  the  ear- 
liest inscriptions  to  be  found  in  it  is  that  of  a  near  resident,  "  Mr. 
Samuel  Davis,  who  died  August,  1727,  in  the  37th  year  of  his 
age." 

The  finishing  of  the  meeting  house  was  delayed  for  some 
years.  John  Wiley  and  Sampson  Howe  "  were  the  men  to  lay 
the  floor,"  Jacob  Bixby  furnishing  for  that  purpose  for  £3  per 
thousand,  500  pitch  pine  boards  that  are  good.  Simon  Bryant, 
Henry  Green  and  John  Wiley  had  charge  of  constructing  "  a 
body  of  seats  "  after  the  form  of  those  in  Woodstock  meeting 
house,  using  for  "  stuff,"  good  sound  oak  timber.  Henry  Green, 
Jr.,  was  employed  "  to  provide  plank  for  seats  for  our  meeting 
house  at  7s.  per  hundred,  and  the  slit  work  for  the  seats  at  4s. 
6d.  per  hundred,  and  plank  for  the  heads  at  9s.  per  hundred,  of 
good  white  oak  timber."     This  body  of  seats  occupied  the  floor 


640  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

center,  reserving  room  for  seventeen  large  square  pews  against 
the  walls  of  the  house,  to  be  built  and  owned  by  such  members 
as  were  able  to  bear  the  expense  and  were  thought  worthy  of 
such  honor.  The  delicate  duty  of  selecting  these  seventeen  pew 
holders  was  assigned  to  Captain  Howe,  Simon  Bryant  and  John 
Wiley,  as  a  committee  of  nomination,  who  presented  the  sub- 
joined list,  which  was  confirmed  by  a  society  vote  upon  each 
nominee  in  succession,  viz.:  Henry  Green,  Simon  Bryant,  David 
Shapley,  John  Russel,  Captain  Howe,  Lieutenant  Sabin,  Joseph 
Cady,  Comfort  Starr,  Nathaniel  Wight,  James  Wilson,  Urian 
Hosmer,  John  Younglove,  John  Wiley,  Mrs.  Dresser,  and  her  son 
Jacob,  Mr.  Dwight  and  his  son  John.  A  space  on  the  north 
side  of  the  house  adjoining  the  minister's  "  stayrs  "  was  reserved 
for  a  ministerial  pew,  and  the  deacons  were  allowed  to  build  a 
pew  "  for  their  wives  and  families  to  sett  in."  Mrs.  Dresser  was 
the  widow  of  the  first  settler,  Richard  Dresser,  who  had  died  just 
before  the  organization  of  the  society.  She  held  a  high  place 
among  the  "honorable  women"  of  the  day,  and  her  son  Jacob 
was  one  of  the  most  substantial  men  in  town  and  society. 

Reverend  Josiah  Dwight  was  a  retired  minister,  who  after  a 
stormy  pastorate  in  Woodstock  found  a  peaceful  haven  for  his  old 
age  on  the  "wild  land  west  of  the  Quinebaug."  His  pew  joined  the 
Reverend  Mr.  Cabot's,  out  of  respect  for  his  office  as  well  as  fam- 
ily connection,  his  daughter  Mary  having  married  the  Thomp- 
son minister.  It  was  then  enacted  by  the  Society  "that  each 
person  that  hath  a  pew  granted  him  shall  take  it  for  his  seat,  and 
shall  take  in  as  many  of  their  family  as  can  conveniently  sit 
therein  ;  also,  that  each  person  shall  finish  the  meeting  house  up 
to  the  lower  girth,  and  maintain  the  glass  belonging  to  his  pew." 
Hezekiah  Goffe,  a  famous  builder  of  the  day,  was  employed  to 
build  two  pair  of  framed  stairs  and  lay  the  gallery  floor,  and  face 
the  fore  seats  round  with  good,  handsome  panel  work,  all  to  be 
done  workman-like.  Still  another  committee  was  required  to  build 
seats  in  the  gallery  after  the  form  of  those  in  their  respected 
model.  So  much  time  was  consumed  in  erecting  the  elaborate 
pews  and  in  all  the  various  items,  that  it  was  not  till  March  18th, 
1735,  that  "  our  meeting  house  "  was  sufficiently  near  completion 
to  require  a  formal  seating.  This  onerous  task  was  assigned  to 
Joseph  Cady,  Jr.,  Henry  Green,  Simon  Bryant  and  Urian  Hos- 
mer, whose  "  rule  to  go  by  "  was  "  computing  all  the  charge  of 
settling  the  gospel  in  said  Society,  having  respect  also  unto  age." 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  641 

It  was  then,  after  seven  years  spent  in  perfecting  this  much 
prized  sanctuary,  that  the  builders  as  one  man  insisted  upon 
worthier  "  ways  "  of  reaching-  it. 

Thus  happily  settled,  Thompson  parish  pursued  its  way  peace- 
fully and  prosperously.  Its  parochial  affairs  were  well  admin- 
istered, and  it  bore  a  fair  part  of  town  burdens.  Simon  Bryant, 
John  Dwight,  Hezekiah  Sabin,  Jonathan  Clough,  Joseph  Cadv, 
Jedidiah  and  Urian  Hosmer  and  Penuel  Child  were  sent  succes- 
sively as  deputies  to  the  general  assembly.  Jacob  Dresser  was 
elected  town  clerk  of  Killingly  in  1744.  William  Lamed  man- 
aged so  well  as  treasurer  of  the  town  that  he  was  voted  a  special 
payment  for  his  services.  Samuel  Morris,  in  consideration  of 
his  maintaining  roads  and  bridges,  was  exempt  for  life  from  town 
and  country  taxes.  As  the  fathers  passed  away  they  were  suc- 
ceeded by  their  sons  or  competent  new  settlers.  Sampson  Howe 
died  in  1736,  and  was  succeeded  as  clerk  and  captain  by  Joseph 
Cady,  the  richest  man  in  the  vicinity.  In  1742  Jacob  Dresser  was 
chosen  society  clerk,  and  John  Dwight  captain  of  the  company. 
Jonathan  Clough  and  William  Darned  succeeded  in  office  Deacons 
Eaton  and  Bixby.  Penuel  Child  was  appointed  in  1742  to  serve 
in  the  new  office  of  "  querister."  The  Reverend  Mr.  Cabot, 
after  a  faithful  and  successful  pastorate,  died  in  charge  in  17^6, 
stricken  with  apoplexy  in  his  own  pulpit  while  preaching. 

He  was  succeeded  the  following  year  by  Noadiah  Russel  of  Mid- 
dletown,  another  popular  and  faithful  pastor.  Among  new  fami- 
lies connected  with  the  society  during  Mr.  Cabot's  ministry  were 
those  of  James  and  David  Barrett,  Isaac  Stone,  Nathaniel  Child, 
John  Atwell,  Lusher  Gay,  Samuel  Barrows,  James  Fuller,  James 
Dike,  William  Alton,  Samuel  Porter,  Jeremiah  Barstow,  Joseph 
Town,  Josiah  Mills,  John  Holmes,  John  Flint,  Robert  Prince, 
Ebenezer  Howard,  Francis  Carrol,  Francis  and  Joseph  Elliot, 
Samuel  Watson,  Thomas  Ormsbey,  who  took  place  among  the 
substantial  inhabitants,  settling  in  various  sections.  The  old 
"quarters  "  for  school  purposes  were  still  maintained.  In  1752 
Samuel  Barrows,  William  Whittemore,  Nathaniel  Child  and 
John  and  Samuel  Younglove  were  allowed  the  privilege  of  a 
school  among  themselves  and  their  own  proportion  of  school 
money.  Five  years  later  other  petitioners  were  allowed  a  sep- 
arate school  in  the  northeast  corner,  "  line  to  begin  at  Ezekiel 
Green's,  thence  east  to  Rhode  Island  and  north  to  Massachusetts." 

In  1762  a  number  of  the  younger  men  of  the  society  entered 
41 


642  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

their  dissent  against  the  society's  proceedings  in  regard  to 
schools.  Michael  Adams,  Pain  Converse,  Squier  Hascall,  James 
Dike  and  William  Alton  were  appointed  to  "  vewe  the  districts 
and  see  if  they  thought  best  to  make  alterations."  They  advised 
the  setting  off  ten  school  districts  and  selected  a  suitable  site  in 
each  for  a  school  house.  Each  district  was  designated  by  the 
name  of  some  central  or  prominent  resident,  viz.:  1.  Landlord 
Converse's,  including  Thompson  hill  and  vicinity,  "  school  house 
to  stand  betwixt  Landlord  Converse's  and  the  Widow  Flint's,  at 
the  end  of  the  lane  where  Samuel  Converse  comes  out  into  the 
country  rhoad,"  which  "  lane  "  is  the  present  "  Mountain  road  "; 
2.  Captain  Adam's  district,  South  Neighborhood;  3.  Captain 
Green's  district,  Quadic  and  vicinity;  4.  Nathan  Bixby's  district,' 
the  present  Brandy  hill  and  vicinity;  5.  Samuel  Stone's  district, 
Northeast  corner,  from  Joseph  Munyan's  to  Rhode  Island  line; 
6.  Joseph  Brown's  district,  present  "Little  Pond  district";  7. 
Squier  Hascall's  district,  corresponded  with  the  present  Wilson- 
ville,  extending  north  to  Massachusetts  line,  school  house  on  the 
present  site,  "  near  where  the  said  Hascall  crosses  the  mill-rhoad 
in  coming  to  meeting";  8.  Nathaniel  Crosby's  district,  embraced 
both  sides  French  river,  from  Nathaniel  Mills'  to  Ebenezer 
Prince's,  corresponding  with  the  present  Grosvenor  Dale;  9.  John 
Hewlet's,  occupied  the  Northwest  quarter,  school  house  to  stand 
where  it  is;  10.  Esquire  Dresser's  district,  in  the  Southwest 
quarter  of  the  society,  covering  so  much  ground  that  to  have  the 
school  "in  the  senter  "  would  not  accommodate  the  district,  and 
two  schools  would  be  needful.  The  report  was  accepted  as  in 
the  main  satisfactory.  A  pitiful  petition  was  soon,  however, 
presented  from  inhabitants  of  Hewlet's  district,  complaining 
that  they  had  been  overlooked  by  the  committee,  "  who  supposed 
that  no  one  lived  northwest  of  a  certain  great  hill  but  Clement 
Corbin,  whereas  there  were  tivchc  families  there  so  remote  from 
the  school  house  that  they  could  not  send  their  children  there  to 
school,  and  had  little  or  no  benefit  (the  most  none  at  all)  of  the 
school  kept  there,  and  never  had  any  of  the  loan  money,  and  not 
.so  much  of  the  tax  money  as  they  did  pay."  These  families  were 
immediately  set  off  as  District  No.  11,  Captain  Corbin 's.  After 
some  delay  and  difficulty  Dresser's  district  was  also  divided,  and 
the  north  part  set  off  as  No.  12,  Perrin's  district. 

Though  debarred  from  special  town  privileges,  the  citizens  of 
Thompson  parish  were  awake  to  public  affairs,  and  bore  as  ac- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  643 

tive  a  part  in  town  administration  as  was  practicable  under  their 
circumstances.  At  the  annual  town  meeting  in  Killingly,  1760, 
Pain  Converse  and  James  Dike  were  elected  selectmen  ;  John 
Jacobs,  John  Whitmore,  Benjamin  Joslin,  Daniel  Alton,  John 
Corbin,  Francis  Carrol,  highway  surveyors ;  David  Barrett, 
grand  juror;  Samuel  Watson,  Richard  Child,  listers;  Ensign 
Edward  Converse,  horse  brander.  In  military  affairs  it  was  al- 
ways active.  A  second  military  company  was  formed,  taking  in 
the  northern  residents,  in  1754. 

A  number  of  Thompson  men  served  in  the  French  and  Indian 
war — Samuel  Larned  as  captain  ;  Diah  Johnson,  ensign  ;  Isaac 
Stone,  Benjamin  Joslin,  Zebediah  Sabin,  Nathaniel  Ellithorpe, 
Luke  Upham,  Joseph  Town,  Joseph  Newell,  Nathan  Bixby, 
Thomas  Shapley,  Noah  and  John  Barrows,  as  privates — many  of 
them  suffering  severely  through  imprisonment  and  loss  of 
health.  In  1761  Edward  Converse  was  appointed  captain  of  the 
first  Thompson  company,  then  Company  7,  11th  Regiment ;  John 
Alton,  lieutenant ;  Joseph  Elliott,  ensign. 

After  the  death  of  Samuel  Morris,  the  valuable  farm  upon  the 
Quinebaug  was  sold  by  his  son  to  Benjamin  Wilkinson,  of  Rhode 
Island,  a  man  of  great  energy,  but  of  restless  and  roving  spirit. 
The  capacious  "  Morris  House  "  was  now  opened  as  a  tavern. 
A  shabby  old  traveler  passing  the  night  there,  asked  Mr.  Wil- 
kinson casually  what  he  would  take  for  the  whole  establishment. 
He  named  a  large  sum  and  thought  no  more  of  it  till  within  a 
few  weeks  the  old  man  appeared  with  a  bag  full  of  gold  and  sil- 
ver, ready  to  close  the  bargain  and  pay  hard  cash  for  it.  Amazed 
at  his  promptness  and  ever  ready  for  trade  and  change,Wilkinson 
yielded  the  Morris  purchase  to  the  wily  old  man  (Mr.  John  Hol- 
brook,  of  Woodstock),  and  himself  removed  to  Thompson  hill,  pur- 
chasing the  "old  Red  Tavern"  and  Sabin  farm,  then  thrown  into 
market  by  the  death  of  Lieutenant  Sabin  and  the  removal  of  his 
sons.  The  restless  energies  of  Mr.  Wilkinson  found  ample  scope 
in  this  new  field.  As  yet  tavern  and  meeting  house  stood  alone 
on  the  bare,  broken  hill-top.  The  minister's  house,  built  by 
John  Corbin,  occupied  the  present  site  of  Mr.  Chandler's  resi- 
dence, southward.  The  small  house  built  by  Samuel  Watson 
was  north  of  the  hill,  and  so  encompassed  by  underbrush  that  it 
was  said  Mrs.  Watson  lost  her  way  when  trying  to  go  to  meet- 
ing. Mr.  Wilkinson  cut  down  the  brush,  routed  off  stones  and 
ousted  the  aboriginal  tree-stumps,  transforming  the  rough  field 


644  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

into  a  comfortable  common  for  "  trainings."  He  "  rectified  "  the 
pound  and  set  out  an  extensive  peach  orchard  east  of  the  meet- 
ing house. 

It  was  his  benevolent  practice  to  plant  a  peach  stone  by 
every  rock  on  the  road  side,  that  boys,  travelers  and  church 
attendants  might  have  a  free  supply.  He  also  served  as  the 
committee  for  enlarging  the  meeting  house,  which  was  done  by 
cutting  the  same  in  two  and  inserting  a  strip  fourteen  feet  wide 
between  the  bisections.  This  feat  being  accomplished,  the  so- 
ciety proceeded  "to  culler  our  meeting  house,"  voting  "That  the 
cullering  of  the  body  of  our  meeting  house  should  be  like  Pom- 
fret  and  the  Roff  should  be  cullered  Read  ;"  Mr.  Wilkinson's 
artistic  instincts  thus  anticipating  modern  fashions.  The  in- 
serted strip  was  laid  out  into  pew  spots  and  sold  to  such  parish- 
ioners as  were  able  to  build  upon  them.  Other  spots  were  ob- 
tained by  taking  seats  from  the  ancient  "  body,"  and  little  twenty- 
inch  alleys  were  promiscuously  devised  "  for  the  people  to  go 
into  their  seats."  Three  choristers  were  needed  to  lead  the 
singing  in  the  enlarged  meeting  house,  together  with  Joel  Con- 
verse and  Thaddeus  Larned,  to  assist  the  above  "  in  tunino-  the 
psalm."  Jacob  Dresser,  Lusher  Gay  and  Simon  Larned  now 
served  as  deacons. 

Mr.  Wilkinson's  tavern  might  have  been  considered  as 
an  adjunct  to  the  meeting  house,  so  much  was  it  resorted 
to  before  service  and  at  intermission.  As  a  native  Rhode 
Islander  he  was  less  strict  in  his  views  of  Sabbath  keep- 
ing than  his  Connecticut  neighbors,  but  only  on  one  occasion  in- 
curred official  censure,  after  the  whole  congregation  had  been 
disturbed  one  hot  summer  day  by  what  seemed  the  lugubrious 
creaking  of  a  very  rusty  grindstone  upon  his  premises,  and 
after  service  he  was  waited  upon  with  formal  remonstrance. 
But  to  the  great  astonishment  of  the  committee  Mr.  Wilkinson 
had  the  effrontery  to  deny  the  charge,  even  against  the  present 
evidence  of  their  own  ears.  "  Why,  there  it  is  grinding  now 
louder  than  ever,"  they  rejoined.  "Come  into  the  orchard  and 
see  for  yourselves,"  replied  the  smiling  landlord,  and  then  for- 
mally introduced  them  to  a  pair  of  Guinea  hens,  a  novel  importa- 
tion, whose  doubtful  cries,  aggravated  by  homesickness,  had 
subjected  the  rash  experimenter  to  such  official  visitation.  The 
"  Red  Tavern,"  under  Mr.  Wilkinson's  administration,  increased 
greatly  in  popularity,  and  was  the  scene  of  many  a  dance  and 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  645 

meiTy-making.  Taverns  were  also  kept  by  Edward  Converse, 
James  Dike  and  John  Jacobs — the  latter  tavern  becoming  in 
time  very  famous  as  the  halfway  house  between  Boston  and 
Hartford. 

Although  money  was  very  scarce  in  those  early  days  and  the 
resources  of  the  people  very  limited,  Thompson,  in  some  unac- 
countable way,  seemed  more  favored  than  its  neighbors,  its  tax- 
list  considerably  exceeding  that  of  Killingly's  first  society.  Its 
main  industry  was  farming;  its  most  convenient  market  the 
town  of  Providence,  over  the  cart  road  constructed  by  Nathaniel 
Sessions  of  Pomfret.  The  first  reported  trader  was  Mr.  Samuel 
Morris,  who  improved  his  eligible  position  on  the  old  road  to 
Boston  by  taking  in  his  neighbors'  produce  and  forwarding  it  to 
market.  Business  was  carried  on  in  other  parts  of  the  parish 
through  the  agency  of  a  peculiar  institution  known  as  "  the 
Butter  cart  "  which  picked  up  butter,  eggs  and  all  sorts  of 
domestic  products,  to  be  exchanged  for  "  store  goods  "  in  Boston 
and  Providence.  This  institution  was  peculiarly  valued  by  the 
wives  and  daughters,  supplying  them  with  pins,  needles,  beads, 
ribbons  and  little  articles  of  finery  dear  to  the  feminine  heart, 
and  the  return  of  the  freighted  vehicle  was  hailed  like  a  ship 
from  the  Indies. 

A  very  flourishing  business  was  started  in  the  South  Neigh- 
borhood by  Mr.  Daniel  Larned  about  the  year  1770.  A  great 
revival  of  trade  had  followed  the  return  of  peace,  especially 
between  Providence  and  the  West  Indies,  exchanging  all  kinds 
of  colonial  produce  for  those  vital  necessities,  rum,  sugar  and 
molasses.  Beginning  in  a  small  way  by  taking  in  the  surplus 
products  of  his  own  neighborhood,  Mr.  Larned  gradually  ex- 
tended business  operations  over  a  large  section  of  country,  send- 
ing carts  and  agents  far  up  into  the  new  settlements  of  Vermont 
and  New  Hampshire,  buying  up  beef,  pork,  grain  and  ashes  for 
Providence  market.  Taking  for  a  partner  Mr.  John  Mason,  of 
Swanzey,  the  business  increased  in  magnitude.  Larned's  store 
became  a  great  place  of  resort  for  all  the  surrounding  country. 
Rum,  molasses,  spices  and  even  tea  came  into  common  use.  It 
is  said  that  the  arrival  of  the  first  whole  hogshead  of  molasses  at 
this  store  was  made  a  matter  of  public  celebration,  the  children 
being  allowed  to  indulge  without  stint  in  their  favorite  dainty — 
roasted  potatoes  and  molasses,  crammed  down  their  throats 
sizzling  and  dripping.     The  ideal  of   supreme  felicity,  as  ex- 


646  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

pressed  by  a  youth  of  that  generation,  was  to  sit  "  in  the  great 
room,"  with  his  especial  adorable,  and  eat  fried  potatoes  and 
molasses.  Larned's  store  and  residence  were  under  the  famous 
"  Revolutionary  Elm,"  of  the  South  Neighborhood.  Mason  built 
the  house  now  occupied  by  Mr.  William  Converse,  of  Putnam. 
Their  business,  though  much  impeded  by  public  disturbances, 
was  kept  up  throughout  the  war  period,  and  greatly  revived 
after  its  close.  New  roads  were  laid  out  to  accommodate 
"  Larned  and  Mason."  A  nail  shop  was  set  up  for  the  manu- 
facture of  iron  utensils  ;  potash  and  pearl  ash  made  in  large 
quantities ;  pork  and  beef  packing  carried  on  ;  great  supplies  of 
grain  and  produce  taken  in.  Finding  the  maritime  transfer  of 
so  much  merchandise  costly  and  inconvenient,  Larned  and  Mason 
decided  to  build  a  special  carrying-ship  for  themselves.  A  body 
of  stahvarts  was  dispatched  to  cut  and  hew  timber  in  the  Thomp- 
son woods,  and  Green's  saw  mill  engaged  for  the  season. 
Captain  Jonathan  Nichols,  a  newly  arrived  citizen  of  much  me- 
chanical ingenuity,  had  charge  of  the  work,  and  in  a  few  months 
a  neat  little  sloop  was  constructed  and  on  exhibition  at  Quadic 
ship  yard,  a  truly  remarkable  specimen  of  inland  enterprise  and 
architecture.  Transported  by  sections  to  Providence,  it  was 
there  carefully  put  together,  and  successfully  launched  as  the 
sloop  "  Harmony,"  and  brought  its  plucky  owners  both  profit 
and  glory.  Under  the  stimulus  and  increased  population  of  this 
flourishing  business,  the  South  Neighborhood  was  considered  as 
quite  the  head  of  the  new  town  which  took  the  place  of  the  old 
parish—"  District  No.  One,"  as  it  was  named  in  a  revision  of 
school  districts. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 


THE  TOWN  OF  THOMPSON.— (Continued.) 


Organization.- — Affairs  of  tlie  Body  Corporate. — Foreign  Trade  and  Traffic  — 
Highways. — Thompson  Turnpike. — Fourth  of  July  Celebration. — Protection 
against  Small-pox. — General  Progress. — New  Town  Scheme. — The  Civil 
War. — Temperance  Sentiment.— Modern  Improvements. — Town  Expenses 
and  Government. — The  Public  Schools. — First  Church  of  Thomj^son. — First 
Baptist  Church. — Baptist  Church  of  Thompson  Hill. — Methodists  at  West 
Thompson. — Fisherville  Methodist  Church. — East  Thompson  Methodist 
Church. 


TOWN  organization  was  secured  with  less  than  customary 
controversy.  In  many  respects  the  parish  had  enjoyed 
unusual  privileges,  and  its  local  interests  were  quite  dis- 
tinct from  those  of  the  mother  town.  In  1761  the  vote  was  car- 
ried "  that  Thompson  Parish  be  set  off  as  a  town — Jacob  Dresser, 
Esq.,  agent  for  preferring  a  memorial;  "  but  in  the  threatening 
condition  of  public  affairs  division  was  deemed  inexpedient.  In 
1782  it  was  again  voted  in  Killingly  town  meeting,  "That  said 
town  be  divided  and  Thompson  Parish  be  a  distinct  town,"  and 
division  again  refused  by  the  general  assembly.  Renewed  peti- 
tion May,  1785,  carried  the  day.  The  North  society  of  Killingly 
and  its  inhabitants  were  constituted  a  distinct  town  by  the  name 
of  Thompson,  said  town  to  be  responsible  for  its  share  of  state  taxes, 
pay  one-half  the  debts  and  share  one-half  the  credit  and  stock 
of  the  former  town,  and  support  the  poor  belonging  within  its 
limits. 

In  compliance  with  this  act  and  lawful  warning,  Thomp- 
son held  its  first  town  meeting  June  21st,  1785,  "  at  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Russel's  meeting  house,"  on  Thompson  hill.  Deacon  Simon 
Earned,  oldest  justice  and  most  honored  citizen  of  the  new  town, 
was  appointed  by  assembly  to  preside  at  the  meeting  and  lead 
its  inhabitants  to  the  choice  of  moderator  and  clerk.  Jason 
Phipps,  Esq.,  from  the  northwest  section,  was  chosen  moderator, 
and  Jacob  Dresser  town  clerk.  The  freeman's  oath  was  then 
administered  to  seventy-eight  persons.      They  then  voted  and 


648  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

chose  Thomas  Dike,  Esq.,  Captain  Pain  Converse,  Simon  Larned, 
Esq.,  Jason  Phipps,  Esq.,  Mr.  Stephen  Brown,  selectmenrjacob 
Dresser,  town  treasurer;  Simon  Davis,  Peleg  Corbin,  constables.' 
Jason  Phipps,  Samuel  Barrett,  Jacob  Converse,  Ebenezer  Prince 
John  Bates,  John  Jacobs,  Deacon  William  Richards,  highway- 
surveyors  and  collectors;  Amos  Carrol,  William  Richards,  fence 
viewers;  Henry  Larned,  Jonathan  Ellis,  Samuel  Palmer,  William 
Richards,  listers;  Simon  Davis,  Peleg  Corbin,  town  collectors; 
John  Wilson,  leather  sealer;  Ebenezer  Cooper  and  Jeremiah 
Hopkins,  grand  jurymen;  Nathan  Bixby,  Peter  Jacobs,  Edward 
Paull,  tithing  men;  Amos  Carrol,  sealer  of  weights  and  meas- 
ures; Joseph  Watson,  key  keeper.  Captains  Daniel  Larned  and 
Pain  Converse,  and  Thomas  Dike,  Esq.,  were  chosen  to  join  with 
such  gentlemen  as  Killingly  should  appoint  to  settle  all  debts 
and  charges,  and  divide  debts  and  credits  as  directed.  Jacob 
Dresser  was  authorized  to  purchase  books  for  the  town  records. 

At  the  annual  town  meeting,  December  12th,  some  of  these  offi- 
cers were  replaced  by  Alpheus  Converse,  Ensign  Joseph  Brown, 
Daniel  Russel,  Roger  Elliott,  Captain  Jonathan  Nichols,  Edward 
Joslin,  William  Smith,  Asa  Barstow,  James  Paull,  Joseph  Gay, 
Captain  Simon  Goodell,  John  Carrol,  James  Hosmer,  Ephraim 
EUingwood,  Peter  Stockwell,  Elijah  Bates,  John  Wilson,  provid- 
ing for  a  more  equable  distribution  of  town  offices  among  all 
classes  and  sections.  Jacob  Dresser  was  retained  many  years  as 
town  clerk  and  treasurer.  Accounts  between  the  two  towns 
were  settled  with  promptness  and  harmony,  the  "credits" 
allowed  to  Thompson  out-balancing  the  debts  by  some  twenty- 
five  pounds.  By  an  arrangement  with  the  ecclesiastic  society 
the  meeting  house  continued  to  be  used  for  town  meetings  and 
other  public  purposes.  Jason  Phipps  was  sent  as  Thompson's 
first  representative  to  the  general  assembly.  Others  sent  during 
these  early  years  were:  Obadiah  Clough,  Jonathan  Nichols,  Pain 
Converse,  William  Dwight,  Israel  Smith,  Thaddeus,  Henry, 
George  and  Daniel  Larned,  Simon  Davis,  Joseph  Gay,  John  Ja- 
cobs, Jr.,  Noadiah  Russel,  Wyman  Carrol,  Isaac  Davis. 

Major  Daniel  Larned  was  elected  in  special  town  meeting,  Nov- 
ember 5th,  1787,  to  represent  the  town  as  delegate  to  the  state  con- 
vention called  to  ratify  the  federal  constitution.  A  committee  was 
SDon  sent  to  consult  with  committees  from  other  northern  towns 
with  regard  to  obtaining  a  new  county  or  half-shire,  and  upon 
receiving  its  report  the  town  voted  to  instruct  "our  deputies  to 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  649 

join  with  Pomfret  deputies  with  regard  to  making-  Pomfret  a 
half-sliire,  with  this  proviso,  that  we  may  be  free  of  cost  of  court 
house  and  jaiL"  The  young  town  looked  carefully  at  the  cost 
of  any  expenditure,  and  managed  its  affairs  with  much  shrewd- 
ness and  economy.  Amount  due  for  ordinary  expenses,  allowed 
January,  1795,  including  payment  of  listers,  i5"53;  balance  in 
treasurer's  hands,  £'6^\  debts  allowed  by  town,  January,  1796, 
£^'6,  16s.;  paying  bounty  for  crows'  heads,  at  8d.  a  head,  agree- 
able to  a  rate  of  the  town,  7s.,  4d.;  whole  amount,  including 
abatements,  i^58,  12s.;  balance  due  from  treasurer,  ^170, 
17s.,  lid. 

School  and  highway  repairs  were  managed  mainly  district- 
wise,  with  reference  to  the  town  in  doubtful  cases.  In  military 
matters  there  was  much  enthusiasm,  stimulated  by  the  appoint- 
ment of  Daniel  Larned  to  the  generalship  of  the  Fifth  brigade, 
the  only  citizen  of  Thompson  ever  attaining  to  that  honor.  The 
several  companies  included  in  the  Eleventh  regiment  were  filled 
with  willing  recruits,  and  the  grenadier  and  infantry  companies 
equally  alert  and  ready  for  parade  and  action.  The  frequent 
training  and  musters  on  Thompson  common  were  observed  with 
delight  by  all  participants  and  spectators.  The  general  training 
held  at  Thompson  hill  during  the  administration  of  General 
Larned  was  unfortunatelv  discommoded  by  a  very  severe  rain 
vStorm,  but  the  spirits  of  the  dripping  soldiers  were  kept  up  by 
the  bountiful  supply  of  free  liquor,  furnished  gratuitously  by  the 
general  and  his  predecessor  in  office.  General  McClellan. 

The  Providence  and  West  India  trade,  instituted  before  the 
revolution  by  Larned  &  Mason,  was  carried  on  with  much  spirit 
until  the  sudden  death  of  the  senior  partner,  in  1797.  His 
funeral  was  made  the  occasion  of  the  greatest  military  and  Ma- 
sonic display  ever  witnessed  on  Thompson  hill.  The  Nezv  Lon- 
don Gazette  reports  :  "  General  Larned  was  buried  under  arms. 
His  corpse  was  attended  by  the  brethren  of  Moriah  Lodge  to  the 
meeting  house,  where  a  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Daniel 
Dow;  a  Masonic  address  and  prayer  followed  by  the  Worshipful 
Master  of  Moriah  Lodge.  A  procession  was  then  formed  and 
moved  to  the  grave  in  the  following  order:  Military;  Masons, 
clothed  with  the  badges  of  their  order;  Clergy;  Pall  (corpse) 
bearers;  Mourners  and  Strangers."  After  an  elaborate  eulogium 
pronounced  by  Mr.  Daniel   Putnam,  the  ceremonies  were  closed 


650  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

by  a  Masonic  prayer  by  the  worshipful  master  and  a  sprig-  of 
cassia  deposited  on  the  coffin. 

The  privilege  of  ordering  and  making  her  own  highways  was 
joyfully  assumed  by  Thompson,  ever  painfully  conscious  of  early 
privation  in  this  regard.  "  A  road  from  Thompson  to  Muddy 
Brook  Line  by  the  way  of  Mr.  David  Jewett's,"  and  another 
from  Child's  mills  (now  Wilsonville)  to  Dudley  line  leading  to 
Dudley  meeting  house,  were  at  once  allowed;  also  a  special  road 
for  the  accommodation  of  Larned  &  Mason,  running  east  of  Fort 
hill  through  "the  Thompson  Land,"  considerably  shortening 
the  distance  to  Boston.  Travelers  over  this  road  were  accom- 
modated at  the  new  tavern  opened  by  Mr.  James  Dike.  New 
roads  were  laid  out  in  various  sections,  and  many  old  ones  recti- 
fied. The  project  of  establishing  turnpike  roads  with  stage 
coaches  and  mails  running-regularly  over  them  was  hailed  with 
enthusiasm.  Captain  Jonathan  Nichols,  Israel  Smith  and  Jacob 
Dresser  were  commissioned  by  the  town  "  to  wait  upon  the  com- 
mittee appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  to  view  and  lay  out 
a  stage  road  from  Hartford  to  Massachusetts  or  Rhode  Island 
Line."  Captain  Nichols  and  his  associates  were  incorporated  in 
1797  as  "The  Boston  Turnpike  Company,"  and  to  him  was  en- 
trusted the  oversight  of  constructing  the  road.  The  work  con- 
sisted mainly  in  straightening  and  \^dening  roads  previously 
existing,  viz.,  the  north  and  south  road  through  the  town,  and 
the  old  road  to  West  Thompson.  A  change  was  made  in  the 
road  over  Thompson  hill  which  previously  ran  considerably  west 
of  the  present  lay  out.  A  new  bridge  was  built  over  the  French 
river,  formidable  gates  and  toll  houses  erected,  milestones  let- 
tered and  set  up,  and  the  Boston  and  Hartford  turnpike  opened 
for  public  accommodation,  bringing  in  the  stage  coach,  daily 
mails  and  nineteenth  century  civilization. 

Business  was  made  much  more  lively  but  town  expenses  pro- 
portionately increased.  The  proposal  to  lay  out  another  turn- 
pike from  Rhode  Island  line  to  Dudley,  east  and  west  through 
the  town,  met  with  strong  opposition  from  reluctant  lax-payeis. 
A  committee  was  appointed  to  lay  out  such  road — Captain  Jona- 
than Nichols,  Simon  Davis  and  Roger  Elliott  to  wait  upon  them. 
The  town  rejected  their  report  and  refused  liberty  to  begin  the 
road.  After  some  years'  effort  the  town  refrained  from  opposing 
petition.  Elijah  Crosby,  Joseph  Watson,  Nathaniel  Jacobs,  Peleg 
Corbin,   Thomas   Chaffee,  Noadiah  Russel,  John   Nichols,  and 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  651 

associates  were  thereupon  incorporated  as  "  The  Thompson 
Turnpike  Company,"  in  1803,  and  a  second  turnpike  was  soon 
opened,  becoming  a  main  thoroughfare  of  travel  between  Provi- 
dence and  Springfield,  intersecting  the  Boston  turnpike  on 
Thompson  hill.  Stages  were  run  daily  over  both  lines,  and  a 
vast  amount  of  travel  and  teaming  passed  over  them.  A  third 
turnpike  was  at  about  the  same  date  constructed  in  the  south 
part  of  the  town,  known  as  the  Woodstock  and  Thompson  turn- 
pike, furnishing  another  route  to  Providence,  and  connecting 
westward  with  Somers.  These  enterprises  brought  heavy  bills 
of  expense  upon  the  town,  increasing  the  annual  outlay  from 
seven  or  eight  hundred  dollars  to  over  two  thousand  ;  but  by 
care  and  larger  assessments  all  debts  were  paid,  and  in  1810  and 
1811  expenses  had  dropped  down  to  less  than  a  thousand  dollars, 
with  a  balance  in  the  treasury.  Nathaniel  Mills  succeeded  as 
town  clerk  and  treasurer  in  1798,  serving  faithfully  many  years. 

Increased  business  and  growth  in  all  parts  of  the  town  more  than 
counter  balanced  the  outlay.  Thompson  hill  enjoyed  a  special 
boom  with  its  stages  and  new  inhabitants.  Its  first  store  was 
opened  in  1796,  by  Daniel  Wickham,  in  a  new  building  east  of 
the  common,  now  the  rear  of  Doctor  Holbrook's  residence.  A 
new  tavern  house  was  built  on  the  site  southward  by  George 
Keith,  especially  for  the  entertainment  of  stages  and  their  pas- 
sengers, which  after  many  years  of  service  has  been  recently 
demolished.  The  present  "Watson  Hoiise  "  was  built  by  Mr. 
Joseph  Watson  in  1798.  Several  other  houses  were  built  on  the 
Providence  turnpike.  Enterprising  young  men  from  various 
parts  of  the  town  were  drawn  to  the  growing  village.  John 
Nichols,  2d,  and  Theodore  Dwight  entered  into  partnership, 
erecting  a  store  at  the  intersection  of  the  turnpikes,  on  the  site 
now  occupied  by  Mr.  Scarborough's  residence.  The  only  house 
north  of  this  was  that  now  occupied  by  Judge  Rawson,  built  by 
Mr.  Samuel  Watson  in  1767,  and  long  the  residence  of  his  vener- 
able widow. 

The  new  business  impulse  quickened  all  parts  of  the  town. 
Labor  came  into  demand  and  land  increased  in  value.  The 
farms  east  of  Fort  hill,  owned  by  the  English  Thompsons,  were 
now  brought  into  market,  Thaddeus  and  Daniel  Earned  pro- 
cured a  quit  claim  deed  from  the  agent  of  the  family  in  1803,  for 
fourteen  thousand  dollars,  and  soon  sold  out  the  farms  to  lessees 
and  other  purchasers.     The  last  of  these  substantial  "  tenement 


652  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

houses"  has  been  taken  down  within  a  few  years.  Manufactur- 
ing interests  were  now  coming  to  the  front.  The  various  saw 
mills  on  the  different  streams  were  busily  at  work.  Josiah  Perry 
and  Elijah  Child  carried  on  grinding,  sawing  and  dyeing  on  the 
French  river,  in  the  extreme  north  of  the  town.  Rufus  Coburn 
and  Alpheus  Corbin  engaged  in  clothiery  and  potash  works  on 
the  Quinebaug,  at  the  present  New  Boston.  Stephen  Crosby 
was  equally  active  in  similar  works  on  the  site  of  the  present 
Grosvenor  Dale,  and  talk  of  new  discoveries  in  cotton  spinning 
was  already  in  the  air.  In  the  extreme  northeast  Joseph  Joslin 
was  running  mills,  making  potash  and  helping  open  Buck  hill 
to  civilization,  himself  carrying  through  the  first  cart  road  over 
that  benighted  section.  A  sometime  resident  of  Rhode  Island, 
and  believer  in  state  rights,  he  was  one  of  the  early  leaders  in 
organizing  the  Jeffersonian  party  in  Thompson. 

The  early  politics  of  the  towm  were  strongly  federal  and  conser- 
vative, and  it  was  not  till  1803  that  sixteen  votes  were  cast  for  the 
republican  or  administration  party;  but  so  rapid  was  its  growth, 
enhanced  by  Methodist  and  Baptist  votes,  that  in  1806  it  cast  96 
votes,  only  13  less  than  the  federalists.  The  first  Fourth  of  July 
celebration  on  Thompson  hill  was  held  by  the  Jeffersonian  re- 
publicans the  same  year — Doctor  Knight  (postmaster).  Captain 
Jonathan  Converse  and  Joseph  Joslin,  commiitee.  A  bower  was 
put  up  on  the  treeless  common,  a  band  of  music  procured,  and 
appropriate  toasts  prepared.  Joseph  Wheaton  served  as  presi- 
dent of  the  day,  Elder  John  Nichols  read  the  declaration  of  in- 
dependence and  offered  prayer,  "  and  there  was  a  good  entertain- 
ment and  a  good  oration,  delivered  by  Elder  Amos  Wells,  of 
Woodstock,"  a  Baptist  minister.  The  approaching  troubles  with 
England  checked  the  growth  of  this  party,  Thompson  sharing 
with  the  majority  of  Connecticut  towns  in  its  dislike  of  the  war  of 
1812.  Unlike  many  other  towns,  she  made  no  formal  record  of 
hostility,  and  promptly  fulfilled  every  requisition  of  government 
— a  number  of  her  citizens  performing  military  service  in  New 
London. 

A  victory  of  peace  was  won  in  1811,  the  town  consenting  after 
long  urging  to  provide  for  "  the  inoculation  of  the  Kine  pox 
among  the  inhabitants."  A  committee  was  appointed  to  agree 
with  Doctor  Fanchear  upon  terms  and  a  committee  of  two  in 
each  school  district  to  see  that  it  was  faithfully  carried  out.  The 
persons  serving  were,  in  No.  1,  George   Earned,  Eleazer  Keith  ; 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  653 

2,  James  Wheaton,  Daniel  Perrin  ;  3,  Jonathan  Nichols,  Jr.,  John 
Elliott,  Jr.;  4,  Noadiah  Russel,  James  Webb ;  5,  John  Barrett, 
Ebenezer  Green ;  6,  Josiah  Comins,  Marshall  Keith ;  7,  James 
Bates,  Elijah  Nichols,  Jr.;  8,  William  Lamson,  Jesse  Ormsbey ; 
9,  Thomas  Chaffee,  Isaac  Upham  ;  10,  Timothy  Sheffield,  Elijah 
Converse  ;  11,  Abel  Jacobs,  John  Keith  ;  12,  Samuel  Porter,  Jesse 
Joslin  ;  13,  Dolphus  Phipps,  Jonathan  Waters. 
■  John  Nichols  was  chosen  clerk  and  treasurer  in  1814.  It  hav- 
ing been  decided  in  1816  by  the  ecclesiastic  society  to  build  a 
new  meeting  house  on  the  site  of  the  old  one,  the  town  defrayed 
the  expense  of  removing  the  old  church  edifice  across  the  street 
and  fitting  up  a  hall  for  permanent  town  purposes.  The  first 
page  of  a  new  book  of  town  records  now  ordered  by  the  town 
chronicled  an  important  change — the  inhabitants  were  notified 
to  meet  at  the  town  house  July  4th,  1818,  to  choose  delegates  to 
attend  a  convention  to  be  holden  at  the  state  house  in  Hartford 
in  x\ugust  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  constitution  of  civil  gov- 
ernment. George  Earned  and  Jonathan  Nichols,  Jr.,  were  then 
chosen  to  represent  the  town  and  took  part  in  that  weighty 
public  service.  October  5th,  the  freemen  were  again  summoned 
to  give  their  votes  for  or  against  a  ratification  of  the  constitu- 
tion as  submitted  to  their  judgment  and  decision  ;  one  hundred 
and  seventy-four  voted  for  ratification,  ninety-three  against  it. 
At  the  annual  town  meeting  following  the  adoption  of  the  new 
constitution  November  30th,  1818,  Benjamin  Arnold  was  chosen 
moderator;  Stephen  Crosby,  Jesse  Ormsbey,  Joseph  Joslin,  James 
Wheaton,  John  Bates,  selectmen  ;  John  Nichols,  Jr.,  town  clerk 
and  treasurer;  Stephen  E.  Tefft,  constable;  for  highway  sur- 
veyors by  districts — No.  1,  Simon  Davis  ;  2,  James  Wheaton  ;  3, 
John  Elliott,  Jr.;  4,  Hezekiah  Olney ;  5,  John  Burrell,  Jr.;  6, 
Isaac  Davis ;  7,  Smith  Bruce  ;  8,  Alpheus  Corbin  ;  9,  Lyman  Up- 
ham ;  10,  Ezra  Jacobs  ;  11,  Joseph  Benson  ;  12,  Rufus  Brown  ;  13, 
Peter  Rickard  ;  14,  Darius  Starr  ;  David  Munyan,  Alpheus  Rus- 
sel, Eseck  Aldrich,  fence  viewers ;  John  Nichols,  Jr.,  Simon 
Davis,  Jr.,  Stephen  Holmes,  James  Bates,  Harvey  Lamson,  listers; 
Stephen  E.  Tefft,  collector  of  rates ;  Smith  Bruce,  Amos  Green, 
John  Brown,  Joel  Taylor,  Elijah  Nichols,  grand  jurors;  Asa 
Hutchins,  Joel  Taylor,  Archelaus  Upham,  Millard  Bowen,  hay- 
wards  ;  Rufus  Coburn,  sealer  of  weights  and  measures ;  Darius 
Dwight,  key  keeper  of  the  pound  ;  Josiah  Sessions,  Amos  Green, 
Jonathan   Nichols,   Asa  Jacobs,  Charles    Sharpe,   tithing  men. 


654  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Town  expenses  for  the  year  reported — $1  609.45.  Seven  hun- 
dred and  fifty  dollars  was  cheerfully  voted  by  the  town  the  fol- 
lowing year  as  their  reasonable  proportion  of  the  sum  needed 
for  the  removal  of  court  house  and  jail  from  Windham  to  Brook- 
lyn. 

Under  the  new  regime  of  state  and  county  Thompson  moved 
steadily  onward,  its  wealth  and  population  increasing  more  rap- 
idly than  any  other  town  in  the  county,  its  thriving  manufacturing 
villages  offering  remunerative  labor  and  home  market.  Grad- 
ually various  improvements  were  effected  ;  its  poor  were  no 
longer  trundled  about  town  to  the  lowest  bidder,  but  installed 
in  a  comfortable  home  in  the  east  of  the  town,  with  a  responsi- 
ble family  to  take  proper  care  of  them.  The  upper  room  of  the 
old  town  house  proving  insufficient  and  inconvenient,  a  special 
town  building  was  ordered  in  1841.  William  H.  Mason,  Faxon 
Nichols,  Talcott  Crosby  and  William  Fisher  were  appointed  to 
fix  upon  a  plan  for  the  proposed  building  and  make  a  statement 
of  all  the  expenses.  Their  report  was  accepted^the  town's  right 
and  interest  in  the  old  building  sold  to  Messrs.  Erastus  Knight 
and  Edward  Shaw—  Talcott  Crosby,  Jonathan  Nichols  and  Heze- 
kiah  S.  Ramsdell  appointed  a  committee  for  building.  In  case  a 
town  meeting  should  be  needed  while  the  new  building  was  in 
progress,  it  was  voted  to  hold  the  same  on  the  piazza  in  front  of 
the  house  of  Captain  Vernon  Stiles,  and  when  the  new  town 
house  shall  have  been  completed,  that  it  shall  be  the  lawful 
place  for  holding  town  and  other  public  meetings. 

After  holding  several  meetings  during  the  summer  on  the  pi- 
azza of  Captain  Stiles's  popular  tavern,  the  town  met  in  its  new  hall 
October  3d,  1842.  Jonathan  Nichols,  Esq.,  who  for  twelve  years 
had  served  as  town  clerk,  was  now  superseded  by  Talcott  Crosby; 
George  Nichols  was  chosen  moderator ;  Faxon  Nichols,  Nelson 
S.  Eddy,  Winthrop  H.  Ballard,  James  Johnson  and  Amos 
Goodell,  assessors  ;  John  Tourtellotte,  Stephen  Crosby,  Thomas 
Davis,  board  of  relief ;  Edward  Lippitt,  David  Wilson,  Joseph 
Tourtellotte,  selectmen  ;  Edwin  May,  constable  ;  Amos  Goodell, 
Silas  Bowen,  Welcome  Bates,  Leonard  Bugbee,  Silas  N.  Aldrich, 
grand  jurors;  George  Town,  George  M.  Day,  Elijah  Carpenter, 
John  Shumway,  Pearson  C.  Tourtellotte,  Samuel  E.  Joy,  tithing 
men  ;  Jeremiah  Olney,  sealer  of  weights  and  measures ;  Hezekiah 
Olney,  pound  keeper ;  Thomas  Davis,  Josiah  Comins,  Joseph 
Tourtellotte,  fence  viewers  ;  Talcott  Crosby,  Jesse  Ormsbey,  Hez- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  655 

ekiah  Olney,  committee  for  adjusting  town  accounts.  Expenses 
were  reported  as  $1,540.  Voted,  to  allow  the  school  visitors  one 
dollar  per  day  each  for  time  actually  spent  in  visiting  schools. 
Petitioners  received  liberty  to  hold  their  singing  school  in  the 
town  house  the  ensuing  season,  under  such  regulations  as  should 
be  made  with  the  selectmen,  as  soon  as  insurance  could  be  effected 
on  the  house.  At  a  later  meeting  voted,  "  That  the  town  house 
be  opened  for  all  such  meetings  as  the  selectmen  shall  judge 
proper,  and  on  such  terms  as  they  may  prescribe."  One  of  the 
first  public  meetings  held  in  this  house  was  in  the  autumn  of 
1843,  when  the  children  of  all  the  public  schools  in  town,  having 
been  recently  enrolled  in  temperance  societies,  were  brought  to- 
gether there,  to  be  confirmed  and  strengthened  in  temperance 
sentiment  by  the  thrilling  eloquence  of  a  young  orator  then 
lately  discovered  in  Worcester — John  B.  Gough. 

The  peace  and  comfort  of  the  town  was  suddenly  broken  in 
1849  by  a  movement  to  dissever  the  southern  part  of  the  terri- 
tory, that  it  might  be  incorporated  into  a  new  valley  town  to  be 
called  Quinebaug.  The  village  of  Rhodesville  now  embraced  a 
large  manufacturing  interest,  adding  much  to  the  tax  list  and 
population  of  the  town.  This  village,  and  that  favorite  section 
known  as  the  South  Neighborhood,  were  to  be  taken  from 
Thompson  and  swallowed  up  in  the  new  town.  Thompson's 
population  then  numbered  nearly  five  thousand,  and  it  stood 
very  high  on  the  grand  list  of  the  state,  closely  following  the 
cities  and  large  county  or  manufacturing  towns.  Apart  from 
considerations  of  sentiment,  to  be  thus  summarily  thrust  from 
her  high  position  into  comparative  nothingness,  to  sink  from 
"  thirteenth  on  the  list  "  into  the  rank  of  perhaps  thirtieth  or  for- 
tieth, was  not  to  be  thought  of  or  endured,  and  all  parties  and 
sects  agreed  in  earnest  opposition  to  such  a  scheme.  The  town 
had  taken  just  pride  in  this  thriving  village  and  great  pains  to 
satisfy  its  exorbitant  demands  for  roads  and  bridges.  When 
called  upon  to  take  action  upon  the  petition,  Jonathan  Nichols 
was  appointed  agent  to  oppose  the  same,  with  full  power  to  em- 
ploy counsel  if  needful.  "  Also,  resolved.  That  we,  the  citizens 
of  Thompson,  in  town  meeting  assembled,  consider  that  the  di- 
vision of  this  town  as  contemplated  by  the  inhabitants  of  Pomfret- 
ville  would  be  highly  injurious  to  the  interests  of  the  town  at 
large,  and  consequently  as  highly  inexpedient,  and  that  our  rep- 
resentatives in  the  general  assembly  be  and  they  are  hereby  re- 


656  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAxM   COUNTY. 

quested  to  oppose  in  every  honorable  manner  the  establishment 
of  said  division." 

The  very  urgent  opposition  of  the  four  towns  interested  in  the 
matter  procured  the  prompt  rejection  of  the  Quinebaug  petition, 
but  after  taking  breath  for  a  season  they' returned  to  the  charge 
with  increased  ardor.  Thompson  reiterated  and  confirmed  her 
former  resolution  and  circulated  a  forcible  remonstrance,  signed 
by  a  large  number  of  citizens.  Thomas  E.  Graves,  Esq.,  was 
now  appointed  agent  to  oppose  the  petition,  which  service  he  ac- 
complished with  his  accustomed  energy  and  adroitness.  In  1852 
Talcott  Crosby,  Benjamin  F.  Hutchins  and  William  H.  Chandler 
were  chosen  "to  consult  and  advise  "  with  Esquire  Graves  in  op- 
posing the  petition.  In  1854  the  situation  became  so  alarming, 
the  new  town  favorers  assuming  with  the  name  a  double  portion 
of  the  spirit  and  persistency  of  Windham  county's  most  famous 
hero — Putnam — that  Thompson  was  constrained  to  send  a  most 
imposing  delegation,  viz.,  Thomas  E.  Graves,  Talcott  Crosby, 
William  Fisher,  Jesse  Ormsbey,  Frederic  Hovey,  Benjamin  F. 
Hutchins,  Jeremiah  Olney,  Silas  N.  Aldrich  and  Hosea  Munyan, 
"  to  oppose  the  petition  for  a  new  town  to  be  called  Putnam." 
Once  more  the  petitioners  were  defeated  and  Thompson's  del- 
egation returned  in  triumph.  In  1855  William  H.  Chandler  was 
appointed  as  sole  agent  for  the  town  in  opposing  division.  It 
was  becoming  manifest  that  farther  opposition  was  useless  ;  that 
nothing  could  withstand  the  march  of  progress  and  fiat  of  "  man- 
ifest destiny."  The  treacherous  motion  "to  send  no  agent  to 
oppose  division  "  was  lost  by  only  a  meagre  majority  of  forty- 
three.  Tidings  of  the  inevitable  result  were  received  with  mourn- 
ful resignation,  and  while  Putnam  joyfully  celebrated  her  vic- 
tory and  independence,  Thompson  meekly  grounded  her  arms 
and  prepared  to  die  decently.  The  line  between  the  towns  was 
run  by  Joseph  M.  Perrin  and  William  Lester,  surveyors.  Divis- 
ion of  town  funds  and  other  needful  settlements  were  accom- 
plished by  Adams  White  and  William  Dyer,  esquires,  the  referees 
appointed  by  the  legislature — the  charge  of  two  "paupers"  and 
some  $2,500  being  made  over  by  Thompson.  The  running  ex- 
penses of  the  town  during  this  costly  and  protracted  contest 
reached  the  unprecedented  amount  of  nearly  $4,000  yearly. 
Erastus  Knight  and  Jeremiah  Olney  served  successively  as  town 
clerk  and  treasurer  during  this  period. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  657 

Thompson  had  so  far  recovered  from  this  loss  and  heavy 
charges  as  to  bear  her  part  in  the  civil  war  with  becoming  loyalty 
and  public  spirit.  At  a  special  town  meeting,  called  April  29th, 
1861,  the  town  voted  to  appropriate  five  thousand  dollars  for  ex- 
tra payment  to  enlisters,  support  of  their  families  during  their 
absence,  their  clothing,  equipment  and  other  needful  outlay. 
Messrs.  Jeremiah  Olney,  Lucius  Briggs  and  Hezekiah  S.  Rams- 
dell  were  appointed  a  committee  to  carry  these  votes  into  effect. 
At  the  county  mass  meeting  held  in  Brooklyn,  April  22d,  Messrs. 
Chandler  and  Olney  served  on  the  committee  on  resolutions,  and 
Mr.  Chandler  headed  the  subscription  list  pledged  for  the  sup- 
port of  government.  The  popular  physician,  Doctor  John  Mc- 
Gregor, went  to  the  front  as  surgeon  of  the  Connecticut  Third, 
and  was  taken  prisoner  while  caring  for  the  wounded  at  the  dis- 
astrous stampede  at  Bull  Run.  His  return  after  fourteen  months' 
wearisome  captivity,  his  earnest  and  affecting  representations 
and  pleas  had  much  influence  in  quickening  enlistment  and 
deepening  public  sentiment.  Many  of  Thompson's  sterling  men 
enlisted  in  the  Eighteenth  Connecticut,  mustered  in  August,  1862, 
with  Munroe  Nichols,  lieutenant  colonel,  and  Doctor  Lowell  Hol- 
brook,  later,  as  surgeon.  George  W.  Davis  served  as  quarter- 
master of  the  Eleventh  regiment.  Lieutenant  Emmons  E. 
Graves  enlisted  a  company  in  the  Thirteenth.  Every  requisition 
made  upon  the  town  was  promptly  fulfilled,  her  soldiers  serving 
in  many  regiments;  her  agent,  Mr.  Olney,  and  the  selectmen 
looking  carefully  after  the  needs  of  their  families;  her  women 
enrolled  in  numerous  Soldiers'  Aid  Societies,  busily  engaged  in 
furnishing  clothing  and  supplies.  The  great  additional  expense, 
bringing  its  annual  outlay  to  more  than  nine  thousand  dollars, 
was  cheerfully  met  by  taxpayers.  True  to  its  earl}^  principle 
and  habit  of  eschewing  debt,  it  paid  its  bills  every  year.  In 
August,  1865,  a  very  large  bill  was  brought  against  it,  incurred 
the  last  year  of  the  war  in  connection  with  raising  colored  sol- 
diers. A  town  meeting  was  called,  which  promptly  voted  to  raise 
a  special  tax  of  8-i-  mills  on  the  dollar  by  September  20th.  A 
proposition  was  afterward  made  to  provide  for  paying  the  debt 
by  installments,  and  a  meeting  called  to  see  if  they  would  re- 
scind the  previous  vote.  It  was  a  warm  day  in  August  and  work 
pressing,  but  the  town  turned  out  e7i  masse  and  voted  unani- 
mously 7iot  to  rescind  the  vote  passed  August  5th,  and  paid  the 
extra  tax  without  grumbling. 
42 


658  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY, 

As  a  temperance  town  Thompson  has  a  fair  record.  As  public 
opinion  became  enlightened  upon  the  question,  it  declined  to 
license  the  sale  of  liquor,  and  when  the  local  option  law  was 
promulgated  a  large  majority  voted  against  license.  Finding 
that  the  law  was  in  many  cases  evaded,  it  was  voted  in  1873  to 
appropriate  a  sum  of  money  to  suppress  the  sale  of  intoxicating 
liquors;  also  to  appoint  Judge  Perry  an  agent  to  prosecute,  with 
power  to  employ  counsel^ to  carry  on  said  business.  As  the 
foreign  element  has  increased  in  town,  attempts  have  been  made 
to  open  the  question  of  licensing  the  sale  of  liquor,  but  it  has 
been  invariably  refused  by  a  large  majority. 

Within  the  last  ten  years  a  very  great  change  has  been  made 
in  the  expenditures  of  the  town,  Thompson  proving  itself  not 
only  alive  but  fully  up  to  the  times  in  its  views  of  what  is  de- 
manded by  the  civilization  of  the  present  age.  The  clumsy 
wooden  bridges  of  past  generations  are  fast  being  replaced  all 
over  the  town  by  graceful  structures  of  iron,  more  costly,  in- 
deed, but  it  is  hoped  far  more  enduring.  The  old  district  highway 
system,  under  which  every  citizen  had  liberty  to  leisurely  "  work 
out  his  own  tax  "  has  been  superseded  by  more  modern  methods, 
more  effective,  indeed,  but  costing  the  town  annually,  perhaps, 
more  than  double  its  whole  running  expenditures  of  former 
years.  A  far  greater  number  of  outside  poor  are  helped,  doub- 
ling expenses  in  that  quarter.  School  expenses,  form^erly  hardly 
worth  noting,  have  become  under  new  laws  and  administrative 
theories  a  very  formidable  item.  The  price  paid  for  labor  and 
the  salaries  of  town  officers  are  much  augmented.  Many  im- 
provements have  been  made  of  permanent  value.  Money  has 
been  allowed  for  the  improvement  and  care  of  the  town  burying 
grounds.  A  very  beautiful  and  complete  index  of  the  record 
books  of  the  town  was  made  by  the  late  Mr.  Jerome  F.  Crosby. 
The  town  house  has  been  comfortably  fitted  up  with  accommo- 
dations for  the  probate  records  and  for  town  business. 

The  expenses  of  the  town  for  the  year  ending  September  15th, 
1888,  amounted  to  the  incredible  sum  of  over  $26,000.  Schools 
cost  $6,579.37;  bridges,  $5,445.89;  roads,  $4,441.36;  poor  house  and 
farm,  $1,157.70;  outside  poor,  $1,909.69;  officers' salaries,  $993.45; 
snow  bills  (blizzard),  $905.41;  vital  statistics,  $50.50;  state  and 
military  tax,  $2,715.77.  The  population  in  1880  was  5,051,  but 
has  probably  increased  some  hundred;  children  between  four 
and  sixteen  years  of    age,  1,415;    grand   list,   $1,713,420.     The 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  659 

present  town  clerk,  registrar  and  treasurer,  James  N.  Kingsbury, 
has  held  the  office  nearly  twenty  years.  Present  selectmen, 
Oscar  Tourtellotte,  Thomas  G.  Steere,  George  A.  Hawkins;  as- 
sessors, Hiram  Arnold,  Luther  M.  Child,  Jerome  Nichols;  board 
of  relief ,  George  Flint,  Oscar  Robinson;  grand  jurors,  Thomas 
Wilber,  Barton  Jacobs,  Thomas  Ryan,  A.  E.  Jones,  Nathaniel 
Child;  constables,  William  M.  Babbitt,  William  N.  Bates,  John 
Tradeau,  Ge:>rge  A.  Putney;  school  visitors,  Stephen  Ballard, 
E.  H.  Cortiss,  E.  F.  Thompson.  Reverend  N.  J.  Pinkham  had 
previously  served  many  years  in  this  office. 

A  Probate  court  was  constituted  in  Thompson  in  1832,  John 
Nichols,  judge.  Previous  to  that  date  it  had  been  included  in 
Pomfret  probate  district.  The  office  of  judge  has  been  admin- 
istered by  Talcott  Crosby,  Jonathan  Nichols,  Alanson  Rawson, 
George  Flint,  and  by  others  for  very  brief  periods.  Judge  Flint 
entered  upon  service  July  4th,  1873. 

Public  schools  continued  under  the  administration  of  the 
ecclesiastic  society  till  1797,  when  by  a  change  of  law  it  was 
recognized  in  the  "  capacity  of  a  school  society."  Liberty  had 
been  previously  given  to  the  several  districts  to  tax  themselves 
for  the  purpose  of  building  and  repairing  a  school  house,  to 
choose  a  clerk  and  appoint  a  collector  and  treasurer.  In  1798  it 
was  further  enacted  "  that  each  school  society  shall  appoint  a 
suitable  number  of  persons  to  be  overseers  or  visitors  of  its 
schools,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  examine  the  instructors,  super- 
intend and  direct  the  instruction  of  the  youth  in  letters,  religion, 
morals  and  manners,  to  appoint  at  their  discretion  public  exer- 
cises for  the  youth,  to  visit  the  schools  twice  at  least  during  each 
season  for  schooling,  and  particularly  to  direct  the  daily  reading 
of  the  Bible  by  such  of  the  youths  as  are  capable  of  it,  and  the 
weekly  instruction  in  some  catechism,  by  them  approved,  and  to 
recommend  that  the  master  conclude  the  services  of  each  day 
with  prayer." 

Reverend  Daniel  Dow,  Noadiah  Russel  and  Daniel  Wick- 
ham  were  accordingly  appointed  visitors  and  "inspectors"  of 
the  Thompson  school,  and  on  May  1st,  1799,  presented  an  elab- 
orate report,  recommending  a  faithful  examination  of  school 
teachers,  each  master  to  consider  it  "  a  necessary  requirement  to 
be  able  to  read  and  write  English  with  propriety,"  to  explain  the 
spelling  book,  and  to  perform  common  arithmetic;  that  a  moral 
character  be  considered  indispensable,  and  a  knowledge  of  Eng- 


660  HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

lish  grammar  very  desirable ;  teachers  to  exercise  their  own 
choice  between  the  shorter  Westminster  catechism  and  Doctor 
Watt's  catechism  for  children.  These  recommendations  were 
faithfully  carried  out.  Examination  of  teachers  was  duly  en- 
forced, Bible  read  daily,  and  catechism  administered.  Reading, 
writing  and  spelling  were  taught  in  all  schools  throughout  the 
year,  to  which  were  added  arithmetic  and  grammar  in  the 
winter,  sewing-  and  knitting  in  summer.  The  school-ma'ams' 
task  of  overseeing  the  sewing,  basting  and  sometimes  cutting 
out  and  fitting  garments,  was  often  very  arduous.  Some  little 
girls  were  even  required  to  make  underwear  for  their  fathers 
and  brothers  in  school  hours.  No  girl  was  thought  to  have 
thoroughly  learned  the  alphabet  until  she  had  acquired  the  art 
of  affixing  each  separate  letter  perfectly  upon  an  elaborate 
sampler. 

Geography  was  taught  in  very  economic  fashion,  the  older 
scholars  reading  it  to  the  school  in  place  of  other  reading 
exercise,  sparing  the  necessity  of  buying  more  than  one  copy. 
Saturday  afternoons  they  were  allowed,  as  a  special  treat,  to  read 
aloud  by  turns,  in  the  weekly  county  newspaper,  before  recita- 
tion in  the  catechism.  Mr.  Dow  was  accustomed  to  visit  and 
catechize  each  school  in  town,  if  possible,  twice  during  the  sea- 
son— the  brethren  of  the  church,  resident  in  each  district,  mak- 
ing a  point  of  attending  with  him  at  such  visitation.  To  make 
amends  for  this  strictness  there  were  weekly  spelling  matches, 
when  boys  and  girls  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  "  choosing  up 
sides  "  and  spelling  each  other  down,  ransacking  spelling  books 
for  the  most  difficult  specimens  of  orthography.  Evening 
exhibitions  were  also  much  in  vogue,  with  declamation,  rec- 
itation and  amusing  dialogue.  The  last  day  of  the  winter  school 
was  celebrated  with  especial  festivities,  the  boys  contributing 
pennies  to  purchase  the  requisite  materials  for  a  generous  bowl 
of  flip,  and  the  girls  bringing  cake  and  home-made  dainties. 
A  popular  teacher  in  the  South  Neighborhood  was  accustomed 
to  give  the  children  a  closing  ball  in  his  own  house.  Five  shil- 
lings a  week  was  considered  ample  pay  for  a  school  mistress  ;  a 
successful  master  could  command  as  much  as  two  dollars.  The 
school  house  of  that  date  was  usually  as  bare,  cold  and  comfort- 
less a  building  as  could  well  be  devised,  but  a  daughter  of  Mr. 
Dow  gives  a  pleasant  picture  of  that  in  the  Central  district. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  661 

This  Thompson  Hill  district  school  house  must  have  been 
quite  exceptional.  As  a  rule  the  school  houses  were  close, 
crowded,  and  every  way  uncomfortable,  with  great  cracks  in  the 
floor  and  about  the  windows,  the  huge  fires  burning  the  faces  of 
the  children  while  their  feet  were  freezing.  The  numerous 
children  in  every  household  filled  the  houses  to  overflowing,  es- 
pecially in  the  winter,  when  the  schools  frequently  numbered 
more  than  a  hundred  pupils.  Their  progress  depended  entirely 
upon  the  personality  of  the  teacher,  some  having  that  native 
teacher's  instinct  or  faculty  which  enabled  them  to  stimulate  in- 
tellect even  under  those  disadvantages.  Captain  John  Green 
was  one  of  these  "born  teachers,"  whose  services  were  in  great 
demand  for  many  years  throughout  the  town.  His  brother, 
Winthrop  Green,  Messrs.  Horace  Seamans  and  Winthrop  H. 
Ballard,  are  remembered  as  successful  teachers.  Among  the 
schoolmistresses  none  gained  a  higher  rank  than  Miss  Hope  B. 
Gay,  a  shining  member  of  Priest  Atkin's  celebrated  "class" 
upon  Killingly  hill,  and  highly  gifted  with  the  art  of  imparting 
her  own  knowledge  to  others  and  winning  the  respect  and  affec- 
tion of  her  pupils.  As  a  rule,  however,  the  standard  of  the  dis- 
trict schools  was  so  low,  and  the  accommodations  so  poor,  that 
well-to-do  families  preferred  to  send  their  children  to  select 
schools  or  academies.  Thompson  boys  were  sent  to  Plainfield, 
Woodstock  or  Dudley  Academ.ies.  Especially  favored  young 
girls  had  the  privilege  of  a  year's  schooling  in  one  of  the  noted 
"  female  schools  "  of  Hartford,  where  they  added  to  solid  studies 
the  accomplishments  of  painting,  drawing,  music  and  fine  em- 
broidery. 

The  first  piano  in  town  was  purchased  for  one  of  these 
young  ladies  about  1820,  who  in  turn  instructed  the  other 
girls  of  the  village  in  those  rare  arts.  The  first  select  school  in 
Thompson  was  opened  by  Miss  Caroline  Dutch,  an  experienced 
teacher,  in  1824,  where  a  large  number  of  charming  young  ladies 
were  trained  in  polite  accomplishments.     Select  schools  were 

also   taught   by  Messrs.  Welcome  Wilmarth,  David  Fisk, 

Cooley  and  Matthew  Mills.  In  1837  a  high  school  was 
opened  by  Mr.  Thomas  P.  Green,  of  Auburn,  Mass.,  which 
gained  a  more  permanent  standing  and  higher  reputation. 
Woodstock  Academy  suffering  a  serious  lapse  at  that  time,  its 
young  men  came  over  to  the  Thompson  school,  as  well  as  many 
from  other  county  towns  and  from   Rhode  Island.     Mr.  Green 


662  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

and  his  sister  were  not  only  stimulating  and  successful  teachers, 
but  they  knew  how  to  carry  through  an  attractive  "  Exhibition," 
held  yearly  in  the  Congregational  meeting  house  on  the  Green, 
which  added  much  to  the  prestige  of  the  school.  In  1840  the 
old  tavern  house  was  purchased  by  Messrs.  Joseph  B.  Gay  and 
William  H.  Mason,  and  transformed  into  an  academy  building 
and  boarding  house,  where  the  school  flourished  for  a  number 
of  years.  A  few  years  after  the  demise  of  Mr.  Green's  school, 
viz.,  in  1851,  another  high  school  was  opened  by  Mr.  Henry  Par- 
ker, an  experienced  teacher,  which  soon  merged  into  a  "  P^amily 
and  High  School,"  carried  on  by  Mr.  Parker  and  the  Reverend 
Alanson  Rawson,  in  the  historic  "  old  Watson  House."  This 
school  enjoyed  a  high  reputation  for  thoroughness  and  good 
scholarship,  and  many  young  people  of  the  town  availed  them- 
selves of  its  privileges,  while  a  number  of  lads  from  other  states 
found  a  pleasant  home  and  careful  training. 

During  these  years  great  changes  had  been  wrought  in  the 
administration  of  public  schools.  Finding  that  the  Connecticut 
school  fund,  of  which  the  state  was  so  proud,  had  proved  to  some 
extent  a  disadvantage,  that  people  took  little  interest  in  what 
cost  them  little  or  nothing,  and  that  the  provision  for  public  ed- 
ucation in  Connecticut  was  actually  falling  below  that  of  other 
states,  a  new  departure  was  resolved  upon  and  effected.  Through 
the  efficient  labors  of  Henry  Barnard,  first  state  school  superin- 
tendent, measures  were  instituted  which  placed  educational  mat- 
ters upon  a  new  basis  and  led  to  thorough  regeneration  or  re- 
form. Schools  have  been  formed  for  the  instruction  of  teachers, 
laws  passed  compelling  children  to  be  placed  under  their  tuition, 
and  boards  constituted  to  see  that  all  these  laws  are  faithfully 
carried  out.  School  houses,  school  books  and  appliances,  school 
methods,  wages  of  teachers  and  ways  of  paying  them,  have  been 
exhaustively  scrutinized  and  debated,  and  if  public  schools  in 
Connecticut  are  not  some  hundred  per  cent,  in  advance  of  those 
of  former  generations,  it  is  not  for  lack  of  discussion,  legislation 
or  expenditure.  Thompson  has  labored  diligently  to  keep  up 
with  the  demands  of  the  age,  and  under  the  careful  oversight  of 
a  "competent  board  of  visitors,  has  reconstructed  her  school 
houses,  provided  them  with  maps,  charts,  school  books  and  libra- 
ries, graded  the  schools  when  needful,  and,  supplied  them  with 
as  good  teachers  as  could  be  procured.  Some  of  these  teachers 
are  graduates  from  the  town  schools,  as  Mr.  Newton  A.  and  the 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  663 

Misses  Ballard,  Miss  Shaw,  the  Misses  Chace,  Knight,  Bates, 
Bixby,  Mr.  George  Town  and  Mr.  Wilfred  Mills.  No  one  has 
done  more  for  public  education  in  the  town,  both  as  teacher  and 
visitor,  than  Mr.  Stephen  Ballard,  often  secretary  and  chairman 
of  the  board,  and  so  many  of  the  name  are  associated  with  our 
schools  that  it  might  well  be  called  the  banner  family  in  this  re- 
spect. 

The  First  church  of  Thompson,  as  already  narrated,  was  organ- 
ized January  18th,  1730,  and  Marston  Cabot  ordained  and  in- 
stalled over  it  as  its  pastor.  He  was  born  in  Salem  in  1704, 
graduated  from  Harvard  College  in  1724,  married,  July  22d, 
1731,  Mary,  daughter  of  Reverend  Josiah  Dwight.  He  was  a 
man  of  learning  and  sound  judgment  and  a  preacher  of  unusual 
excellence.  The  covenant  adopted  by  the  church  tinder  his 
guidance  shows  him  to  have  been  of  unimpeachable  orthodoxy, 
according  to  the  standard  of  the  day,  and  that  the  church  was 
in  full  sympathy  with  his  views,  and  "  ready  to  rest  satisfied  with 
such  admittance  of  adult  persons  as  is  performed  by  the  pastor's 
examination  of  their  knowledge  and  experience  of  the  princi- 
ples and  practices  of  religion."  It  also  covenanted  "  To  obey  him 
that  is  by  our  present  voluntary  election,  or  those  that  may  here- 
after be  set  over  us  in  the  Lord,  as  such  that  watch  over  our 
souls,  and  whom  we  shall  always  account  worthy  of  a  gospel 
support  and  maintenance  ;  as  also  to  adhere  to  a  pious  and  able 
ministry  in  this  church,  laboring  in  a  way  of  joint  concurrence 
with  him  or  them,  to  his  or  their  conscientious  discretion,  ex- 
erting the  ministerial  authority  committed  to  them  to  recover 
and  uphold  the  vigorous  and  impartial  administration  of  disci- 
pline among  us."  The  so-called  "Half-way  Covenant"  was  ad- 
mitted by  the  church,  under  which  children  of  baptized  parents, 
not  church  members,  were  made  subjects  of  baptism. 

Mr.  Cabot  exercised  the  authority  entrusted  to  him  with  becom- 
ing discretion,  and  while  strictly  enforcing  the  laws  against  intru- 
sive Separates  and  Baptists, tempered  justice  with  mercy,  allowing 
such  to  withdraw  quietly  from  the  church  without  attempting 
coercion.  His  relations  with  his  own  people  were  ever  most 
cordial  and  harmonious,  and  although  the  currency  was  so  fluc- 
tuating that  it  was  sometimes  very  difficult  to  ascertain  its 
real  value,  the  "  credit  of  the  salary  "  was  faithfully  maintained 
according  to  contract.  In  1751,  ;^500  were  found  needful ;  in 
1755,  ^600  were  required  and  £65  allowed   for  firewood.     His 


664  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

domestic  life  was  shadowed  by  the  loss  of  several  children  in  the 
successive  epidemics  so  prevalent  at  that  period.  Eight  hun- 
dred and  thirty  infants  were  baptized  by  Mr.  Cabot  in  his  twen- 
ty-six years  ministry,  but  a  star  affixed  to  many  names  indicates 
their  early  removal.  Whether,  in  addition  to  "  throat  ails  "  and 
malignant  dysentery,  lives  may  not  have  been  shortened  by 
bringing  them  into  the  fireless  meeting  house  to  be  baptized 
even  in  the  depth  of  winter,  is  an  open  question.  One  respect- 
ed brother  of  the  church,  Jacob  Bixby,  lost  his  wife  and  eight 
children  within  a  short  period. 

The  second  pastor  of  Thompson's  First  church,  Reverend 
Noadiah  Russel,  was  born  in  Middletown,  January  24th,  1730, 
graduated  from  Yale  college  in  1750,  studied  for  the  ministry 
probably  with  his  father,  one  of  the  leading  ministers  in  Con- 
necticut, received  a  call  to  settle  in  Pomfret,  which,  "  very  much 
if  not  altogether"  on  account  of  quarrels  about  building  a  meet- 
ing house,  he  felt  constrained  to  decline.  "  June  7, 1757,  preached 
the  first  Sabbath  in  Thompson;  July  27  the  society  had  a  meet- 
ing, unanimously  invited  me  to  settle  among  them  in  the  work 
of  the  ministry;  Aug.  30  gave  my  answer  in  the  affirmative, 
considering  their  unanimity,  and  consequently  the  prospect  that 
there  is  of  my  being  comfortable  among  them  and  serviceable 
to  them;  Oct.  5  was  kept  as  a  fast  previous  to  the  ordination; 
Nov.  9  was  the  day  of  my  ordination;  Rev.  Mr.  Putnam  of  Pom- 
fret  made  the  first  prayer;  Rev.  Mr.  Gleason  (Dudle)^)  made  the 
prayer  before  the  charge;  my  brother  of  Windsor  made  the 
prayer  after  the  charge;  my  father  gave  the  charge;  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Gleason  gave  the  right  hand  of  fellowship."  That  very 
important  part  of  the  exercises — the  sermon — omitted  from  the 
church  record,  was  undoubtedly  delivered  by  the  father  of  the 
new  minister.  Reverend  Noadiah  Russel.  Jacob  Dresser,  Simon 
Larned  and  Lusher  Gay  were  then  serving  the  church  in  the 
office  of  deacon. 

Mr.  Russel  received  from  the  society  ;^165  settlement 
and  £6^  salary,  with  sufficiency  of  cord  wood  for  his  own  use 
till  he  came  "into  family  estate,"  and  then  thirty  cords  a 
year.  "Family  estate"  was  soon  established  by  his  marriage 
with  Miss  Esther  Talcott  of  Middletown,  and  the  purchase  of 
the  "  Corbin  House,"  on  the  brow  of  the  hill,  on  the  site  now 
occupied  by  Mr.  Chandler.  His  pavStorate  was  eminently  serene 
and    peaceful,    the  well    known    "  molasses  story  "    illustrating 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  665 

the  regard  in  which  he  was  held  by  his  people.  Attempting 
to  remonstrate  against  the  large  proportion  of  molasses  with 
which  a  worthy  dame  persisted  in  sweetening  his  tea,  his  hostess 
only  answered  with  another  brimming  spoonful  and  the  emphatic 
assertion,  "  clear  molasses  aint  tod  good  for  Mr.  Riissel,'"  a  saying 
everywhere  accepted  as  expressing  the  popular  sentiment  that 
nothing  could  be  too  good  for  so  good  a  minister.  As  a  preacher 
he  was  sound  and  solid,  but  perhaps  a  trifle  heavy  and  hardly 
considered  equal  to  his  predecessor.  He  was  much  beloved  by 
his  ministerial  brethren,  and  his  counsel  and  judgment  held  in 
high  esteem.  Doctor  Whitney  reports  :  "  His  mental  powers 
were  excellent.  He  thought  and  reasoned  well,  was  careful 
and  critical  in  examining  things,  capable  of  forming  a  good 
judgment,  agreeable  and  edifying  in  conversation.  His  house 
and  heart  were  open  to  friends  and  acquaintances,  a  lover  of 
mankind,  faithful  in  his  friendships,  ready  to  do  good  and  to 
communicate,  exemplary  in  relative  duties."  The  young  Wood- 
stock schoolmaster,  Mr.  Timothy  Williams,  in  his  contemporary 
diary,  gives  us  the  opportunity  of  attending  service  in  the  old 
meeting  house  and  learning  something  of  his  preaching,  viz.: 

"Jan.  7, 1787,  Weather  very  cold,  walked  to  meeting  and  heard 
Mr.  Russel  preach  very  well,  A.  M.  from  John  iv.  24,  God  a  pure 
spirit;  spent  the  intermission  at  Mr.  Russel's;  sat  in  Esq.  Larned's 
pew  P.  M.  with  Major  Simon  Larned,  and  heard  a  fine,  close 
New  Year's  sermon  from  Psalm  xc.  9,  '  Our  years  pass  away  as 
a  tale  that  is  told.'  Mr.  Russel  observed  seventeen  persons  had 
died  last  year,  although  it  was  remarkably  healthy;  exhorted  us 
to  inquire  whether  we  were  better  prepared  for  death  than  when 
the  last  year  began.  If  not  we  were  vastly  more  unprepared, 
&c.,  much  to  the  purpose.  Jan.  14.  Rode  in  slay  to  meeting 
house;  heard  Mr.  Russel  from  Matt.  xxv.  14, 15,  on  improvement 
of  talents.  If  the  unprofitable  servant  was  so  severely  punished 
merely  for  neglecting  his  single  talent,  what  would  be  the  con- 
demnation of  those  who  waste,  squander  and  misimprove  their 
many  talents.  Dined  at  Rev.  Mr.  Russel's  with  Major  Simon 
Larned,  and  sat  with  him  and  lady  in  Mr.  Russel's  pew,  P.  M." 
Between  the  two  Sundays  the  young  schoolmaster  spent  one 
evening  by  invitation  at  the  minister's  with  agreeable  young 
company,  "took  tea  and  played  at  Alphabetical  Induction,  huz- 
zling  ;he  bag  and  shifting  two  corks." 


C)Qd  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Mr.  Russel  was  a  man  of  great  punctuality,  conservative  in  his 
views,  "very  strict  in  his  attention  to  the  order  of  society." 
His  temperament  inclined  him  to  great  moderation,  and  during 
the  revolution  his  sympathies  were  with  the  mother  country,  and 
his  accustomed  prayer  for  "  King  George  and  all  the  members  of 
the  Royal  Family,"  was  made  a  part  of  the  Sabbath  service  as 
long  as  it  was  in  any  way  suitable.  Yet  by  his  great  prudence 
he  maintained  this  difficult  position  without  giving  offense. 
His  prudence  was  also  manifested  during  the  Dodge  episode, 
when  that  audacious  young  reprobate  offered  to  preach  m  his 
pulpit.  The  Woodstock  minister,  by  declining  such  overture, 
brought  upon  himself  a  troublesome  lawsuit,  heavy  costs,  and  a 
scathing  castigation  from  Judge  Swift.  "  How  different,"  says 
the  judge,  "the  conduct  of  Reverend  Mr.  RUvSsel,"  who  himself 
attended  the  service  and  assisted  in  the  public  worship,  thereby 
endearing  himself  to  his  parishioners  and  all  good  men,  and  in- 
stead of  producing  mischievous  consequences  was  productive  of 
peace  and  harmony.  Thus  quietly  amid  troublous  times  the 
years  glided  away  and  Mr.  Russel  was  considering  the  necessity 
of  employing  a  colleague,  when,  like  his  predecessor,  he  was 
suddenly  removed.  A  newspaper  reports- — "Died  at  Mendon, 
Mass.,  Tuesday,  October  17,  1795,  Rev.  Noadiah  Russel,  of 
Thompson,  Conn.  On  the  Thursday  preceding,  Mr.  Russel,  his 
wife  and  son  entered  upon  a  journey  from  their  house  to  Boston, 
proceeded  leisurely,  arrived  at  the  Rev.  Mr.  Alexander's  on  the 
following  Monday.  Towards  evening  sat  down  at  table  for  re- 
freshment. Then  Mr.  Russel  was  suddenly  seized  with  apo- 
plexy, and  continued  with  little  or  no  sense  or  motion  till  about 
eleven  the  next  evening,  when  he  expired.  The  remains  were 
brought  back  to  Thompson  for  interment  on  Friday,  on  which 
very  mournful  occasion  a  sermon  was  delivered  by  Rev.  Josiah 
Whitney,  of  Brooklyn,  from  Heb.  vii.  23." 

The  number  of  children  baptized  during  Mr.  Russel's  ministry 
was  926.  Additions  to  the  church  had  been  less  frequent  during 
this  period,  "  a  great  spiritual  dearth  "  prevailing  during  the 
revolutionary  war  and  through  the  remainder  of  the  century. 
Five  hundred  and  five  members  had  been  admitted  into  the 
church  between  1730  and-  1795.  Deacons  Thomas  Dike  and 
Joseph  Gay  had  entered  upon  service. 

After  a  brief  interval  Mr.  Daniel  Dow,  of  Ashford,  received  a 
call  to  the  vacant  pastorate.     After  graduation   from  Yale   Col- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  667 

lege  in  1793,  he  had  pursued  theological  studies  under  Rever- 
ends Doctor  Goodrich,  of  Durham,  and  Enoch  Pond,  of  Ashford, 
supporting  himself  meanwhile  by  teaching  psalmody,  and  was 
licensed  to  preach,  by  the  Windham  County  Association,  May, 
1795.  He  had  but  just  passed  his  twenty -third  birthday,  and 
was  very  small  of  stature,  so  that  when  he  first  appeared  in 
Thompson  as  a  candidate  he  was  taken  for  a  boy  who  had  come 
for  the  doctor,  and  quite  amazed  the  family  when  he  made 
known  that  he  purposed  to  supply  the  pulpit.  His  ability  and 
promise  were  quickly  recognized,  and  he  received  a  satisfactory 
call,  although  his  orthodoxy  was  not  quite  up  to  the  requisite 
standard,  he  having  "  fallen  into  some  mistakes  and  inconsis- 
tencies, in  consequence  of  having  read  many  erroneous  books." 
It  was  a  time  of  great  doctrinal  ferment.  High  Calvinism  was 
in  vogue,  and  the  ministers  composing  the  majority  of  the  Wind- 
ham Association  were  keenly  alert  to  any  taint  of  unsoundness. 
The  examination  of  the  candidate  was  held  in  Esquire  Dresser's 
tavern.  A  little  girl  peering  into  the  room  carried  through  life 
a  vivid  picture  of  the  youthful  divine  standing  in  the  center  of 
the  room,  with  his  coat  thrown  off,  and  sweat  raining  down  his 
face,  like  a  farmer's  in  a  July  hay-field,  parrying  the  thrusts  of 
his  ministerial  inquisitors.  Whatever  his  sentiments,  he  held 
his  own  triumphantly,  and  was  successfully  ordained  and  in- 
stalled, April  20th,  1796 — "  a  day  of  much  rejoicing  and  mutual 
congratulation.  The  people  loved  their  young  minister  and  he 
loved  the  people."  "  To  be  further  qualified  for  the  office  of  a 
bishop,"  he  had  previously  become  "  the  husband  of  one  wife," 
the  daughter  of  Deacon  Jesse  Bolles,  of  Woodstock. 

Fifty  years  later  Doctor  Dow  thus  detailed  his  early  experiences, 
and  the  aspect  of  the  times :  "The  church  I  found  to  be  in  a  very 
cold,  back-slidden  state  ;  very  few  of  them  willing  to  converse  up- 
on experimental  religion,  or  ready  to  give  a  reason  of  the  hope  that 
was  in  them,  if  they  had  any  religion  at  all.  The  congregation 
seemingly  intent  upon  nothing  but  vanity  and  folly.  My  flock 
scattered  over  the  whole  town,  an  area  of  about  eight  miles 
square.  Various  denominations  of  Christian  people  contending 
with  each  other  about  the  shells  and  husks  of  religion,  while 
they  appeared  to  pay  little  or  no  attention  to  the  substance.  In- 
temperance greatly  prevailing,  and  moderate  drinkers,  as  they 
were  called,  drinking  most  immoderately.  Errorists  of  every 
kind  running  to  and  fro,  and  many  having  itching  ears  running 


668  HISTORY   OF   WINUHAM    COUNTY. 

after  them.  Some  openly  avowing  their  infidelity  ;  while  others 
were  proclaiming-  good  news  and  glad  tidings ;  by  which  they 
ineant  that  impenitent  sinners,  drunkards  and  all  were  sure  to 
go  to  Heaven.  .  .  .  My  people  were  all  very  friendly  to  me. 
They  filled  the  old  meeting  house  well,  heard  what  I  said  to  them 
with  as  much  satisfaction  as  they  would  listen  to  a  song,  but  there 
was  the  end  of  it.  Nor  was  it  in  my  power  to  awaken  them.  I 
preached  what  I  thought  good  sermons,  great  sermons,  sermons 
full  of  excellent  speech  and  moral  suasion,  sermons  good  enough 
to  convert  anybody,  and  yet  they  had  no  more  effect  in  awaken- 
ing and  converting  sinners  than  a  pop-gun  discharged  against 
an  impenetrable  rock.  .  .  .  But  in  all  this  the  Lord  taught 
me  an  important  lesson.  I  was  brought  to  see  that  nothing 
short  of  the  power  of  God  can  either  awaken  or  convert  a  sinner. 
F'rom  that  time  I  preached  the  doctrine  of  grace  more  plainly. 
I  expurgated  my  system  of  divinity  of  all  Arminian  notions, 
and  my  language  of  such  phrases  as  were  capable  of  miscon- 
struction .  .  .  and  determined  to  preach  all  the  doctrines  of 
grace  if  I  possibly  could,  as  plainly  as  Christ  and  his  Apostles 
preached  them.  Soon  I  began  to  perceive  a  very  different  effect. 
The  Lord  did  what  the  preacher  could  not  do  .  .  .  and  from 
that  time  to  this  we  have  had  repeated  occasion  to  sa)'  :  '  What 
hath  God  wrought?'  "* 

Material  prosperity  kept  pace  with  spiritual.  The  ancient 
house  of  worship  was  once  more  renovated  and  crowned  with 
steeple  and  bell  by  private  enterprise.  A  great  crowd  of  people 
assembled  to  witness  the  hanging  of  this  most  welcome  bell, 
June  2d,  1798.  A  clock  was  also  procured  and  inserted,  and 
twenty  dollars  a  year  allowed  for  ringing  bell  and  taking  care 
of  clock.  Two  dollars  yearly  were  also  paid  "to  sweep  the 
house  once  in  two  months  and  clear  off  the' cobwebs."  The  so- 
ciety committee  was  directed  "to  procure  and  hang"  a  conduc- 
tor to  said  steeple.  Mr.  Dow  was  always  much  interested  in 
church  psalmody  and  a  singing  school  was  now  opened  and  four 
new  choristers  appointed.  Although  so  prosperous  in  the  main, 
money  was  still  so  scarce  that  it  was  found  difficult  to  raise  the 
three  hundred  dollar  salary  promised  the  minister  and  measures 
were  set  on  foot  for  establishing  a  fund,  the  interest  thereof  to 
be  for  the  support  of  the  Gospel.  This  was  successfully  accom- 
plished in  1809 — the  sum  of  $5,000  being  raised  b}-  many  sub- 
scribers. 

*Semi-centennial  preached  by  Doctor  Dow,  April  22d,  1846. 


HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY.  669 

In  1815,  the  meeting  house  was  so  damaged  by  the  memora- 
ble "September  Gale"  that  its  renovation  was  deemed  impracti- 
cable. Thaddeus  and  George  Larned,  Elijah  Crosby,  Zadoc 
Hutchins,  Isaac  Davis,  John  Nichols,  Noadiah  Russel,  David 
Town,  Daniel  Dwight,  John  Brown,  Roger  and  Joseph  Elliott, 
and  James  Bates,  were  appointed  a  committee  for  building  a 
new  meeting  house.  A  Building  Association  was  formed,  sub- 
scribers agreeing  to  build  a  house,  not  expending  over  $6,000. 
A  native  architect,  afterward  very  celebrated,  Mr.  Ithiel  Town, 
furnished  the  plan ;  Elias  Carter  served  as  master  builder ; 
Harvey  Dresser,  of  Charlton,  executed  the  handsome  painting 
under  the  lofty  pulpit,  so  artfully  simulating  a  stairway  partly 
veiled  with  crimson  drapery  that  children  were  always  wonder- 
ing that  Mr.  Dow  did  not  make  use  of  it.  The  dedication  of  the 
new  house,  September  4th,  1817,  was  one  of  Thompson's  especial 
gala  days — the  singing  under  the  direction  of  a  veteran  leader, 
Mr.  Charles  Sharpe,  surpassing  anything  before  attempted.  The 
choir  met  at  the  gate  of  the  parsonage  and  marched  in  proces- 
sion in  pairs,  led  by  the  chorister  and  first  soprano,  to  the  meet- 
ing house,  singing  all  the  way,  but  so  timing  march  and  song 
that  as  they  crossed  the  threshold,  "  Enter  his  gates  with  songs 
of  joy  "  was  on  their  lips.  They  also  sang  "Old  Hundred," 
"Marlborough,"  and  lastly,  "Denmark,"  with  astonishing  force 
— "the  ro-ho-ho-ho-ling  years"  being  so  drawn  out  and  intensi- 
fied as  "  not  only  to  astonish  the  waking  multitude  but  would 
have  aroused  the  Seven  Sleepers."  The  new  meeting  house, 
with  its  heavy  galleries  and  elaborate  pulpit,  was  greatly  ad- 
mired, although  wholly  destitute  of  any  accommodations  for 
Sabbath  school  or  conference  meetings.  Mr.  Dow  was  at  this 
date  one  of  the  most  popular  and  eloquent  ministers  of  the 
county.  The  singing  of  the  choir  was  exceptionally  fine,  and 
the  impressive  figures  of  the  venerable  deacons,  Aaron  and 
Moses  Bixby,  seated  beneath  the  pulpit,  added  to  the  effect  of 
the  whole  service.  Children  supposed  that  their  names  were 
ex  officio,  and  that  all  deacons  were  called  Moses  and  Aaron. 

After  some  years  of  unsuccessful  experiment,  a  Sabbath  school 
was  established  in  1825,  Deacon  Josiah  Thayer  superintendent. 
Deacon  Thayer,  with  Deacons  Charles  Brown  and  Daniel  Alton, 
were  in  service  many  years.  The  pastorate  of  Mr.  Dow,  pro- 
longed for  more  than  fifty  years,  was  marked  by  many  striking 
events  and  changes,  but  the  early  love  and  admiration  of  his 


670  HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

people  remained  unchanged.  A  man  of  deep  convictions,  great 
ability  and  many  striking  qualities,  he  impressed  himself  very 
deeply  upon  the  minds  of  twp  generations.  A  keen  controversi- 
alist, perfectly  sure  that  he  was  in  the  right,  his  early  relations 
with  other  denominations  were  not  harmonious.  When  invited 
to  speak  upon  the  platform  at  the  first  Methodist  camp  meeting, 
he  repaid  the  courtesy  by  denouncing,  in  most  straightforward 
terms,  their  whole  method  of  procedure.  Young  people,  timidly 
questioning  the  validity  of  their  baptismal  sprinkling  in  infancy, 
were  treated  to  a  sermon  upon  vain  jangling  and  the  keen 
query,  "  Have  not  some  of  you  been  Jangling  about  your  bap- 
tism ?  " 

The  pertinency  of  his  texts  was  very  remarkable,  and  his 
peculiar  and  emphatic  mode  of  announcement  and  reitera- 
tion gave  them  more  power.  He  used  no  notes  ;  discourse  and 
illustration  were  whdlly  based  upon  scripture,  which  he  had  at 
tongue's  end  from  Genesis  to  Revelation.  Wrongdoers  in  his 
own  congregation  found  little  mercy.  When,  after  keen,  in- 
cisive glance,  he  announced  for  text — "  How  long,  ye  simple 
ones,  will  ye  love  simplicity  ?" — those  who  had  attended  dance 
or  merry-making  during  the  week  knew  very  well  what  was 
coming.  Meeting  one  Monday  a  young  lawyer  of  his  congrega- 
tion, he  remarked  that  he  had  missed  him  from  his  place  in 
church  the  preceding  afternoon.  "Yes,"  said  the  young  man, 
"I  was  invited  to  attend  the  dedication  of  an  Universalist  hall 
up  north  ;  had  a  great  time  there — a  band  of  music  from  South- 
bridge,  a  Universalist  minister  offered  prayer,  and  /  preached 
the  sermon."  "  No  doubt  the  Devil  was  very  much  pleased  with 
the  whole  performance,"  was  the  instant  reply. 

Softening  with  advancing  years,  Mr.  Dow  relaxed  from  earlier 
denominational  exclusiveness,  and  enjoyed  much  pleasant  fra- 
ternal intercourse  with  Baptist  and  Methodist  ministers.  His 
long  experience  and  intimate  acquaintance  with  family  histo- 
ries made  him  exceedingly  effective  and  impressive  upon  funeral 
occasions,  which  he  regarded  as  special  means  of  grace.  He 
delighted  to  preach  upon  the  fulfillment  of  prophesy  and  the 
restoration  of  the  Jews,  but  opposed  the  Millerite  delusion  so 
effectually  in  a  series  of  sermons  that  not  one  of  his  congrega- 
tion embraced  this  belief.  In  1840  a  doctor's  degree  was  con- 
ferred upon  him  by  Williams  College.  In  April,  1836,  he 
preached   an    appropriate   discourse    upon   the   words,    "  Forty 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  671 

years  I  have  led  you  in  the  wilderness."  Ten  years  later  peo- 
ple gathered  from  far  and  near  to  commemorate  the  fiftieth  an- 
niversary of  his  settlement  and  listen  to  most  beautiful  and 
touching  reminiscences  from  the  ever-beloved  pastor.  Original 
hymns  by  his  son,  J.  E.  Dow,  of  Washington,  and  Mrs.  Anna  S. 
Larned,  added  to  the  interest  of  the  occasion.  Doctor  Dow  con- 
tinued to  preach  with  unabated  animation  and  power  for  more 
than  three  years,  till  suddenly  stricken  down  from  heart  failure, 
on  the  eve  of  July  19th,  1849,  after  his  return  from  officiating 
at  a  funeral.  An  immense  congregation  attended  his  funeral 
the  following  Sabbath.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  his  min- 
isterial brother  and  friend,  Reverend  Roswell  Whitmore,  of 
Killingly.  His  aged  widow  survived  till  1853.  The  first  three 
pastorates  of  the  Congregational  church  had  thus  covered  a  pe- 
riod of  one  hundred  and  nineteen  years. 

Deprived  so  suddenly  of  their  lifetime  leader,  the  church,  like 
sheep  without  a  shepherd,  did  not  know  which  way  to  turn,  but 
a  chance  word  left  by  Doctor  Dow  led  to  the  immediate  choice 
of  his  successor,  the  first  and  only  candidate,  Reverend  Andrew 
Dunning,  of  Brunswick,  Maine;  born  July  11th,  1815;  graduate 
•of  Bowdoin;  ordained  at  Plainfield,  Conn.,  May  24th,  1842;  dis- 
missed January  26th,  1847;  installed  over  the  Congregational 
church  of  Thompson  May  15th,  1850;  died  in  charge,  like  his 
predecessors,  March  26th,  1872,  an  honored  member  of  a  re- 
markable ministerial  succession.  Lovely  in  person  and  charac- 
ter, eminently  prudent,  peace-loving,  sound  in  judgment,  able 
in  discourse,  the  pastoral  work  of  Mr.  Dunning  fully  justified 
the  spontaneous  choice  of  his  people.  Although  the  withdrawal 
of  population  to  the  valleys  was  now  telling  heavily  upon  the 
hill  churches,  and  many  valued  members  were  thus  removed 
from  Thompson,  the  church  maintained  a  good  record  through- 
out Mr.  Dunning's  ministry.  In  1856  it  took  possession  of  a  new 
and  elegant  house  of  worship,  opposite  the  former  house,  Mr. 
William  H.  Mason  bearing  a  large  share  of  the  cost  of  construc- 
tion. Dedication  services  were  observed  with  the  usual  enthu- 
siasm, Mr.  Dunning  presiding  with  grace  and  dignity,  and 
preaching  an  appropriate  and  impressive  sermon.  A  suitable 
organ  was  soon  after  placed  in  the  church,  through  the  instru- 
mentality of  the  ladies  of  the  congregation. 

Smitten  with  fatal  disease  while  yet  in  the  prime  of  manhood, 
and  not  attaining  "  unto  the  days  of  the  years  of  the  life  "  of  his 


672  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

fathers  in  the  ministry,  Mr.  Dunning  was  permitted  in  a  very 
special  manner  "  to  glorify  God  "  in  the  heroic  fortitude  with 
which  he  bore  his  sufferings,  and  in  his  dying  testimony  to  the 
faith  which  had  supported  him.     His  long  illness  "was  a  perfect 
triumph  of  grace,"     His  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  one  of 
his  own  spiritual  children,  Reverend  Joseph  P.  Bixby.     The  in- 
scription on  the  tablet  in  the  Congregational  church  edifice  de- 
lineates most  truthfully  the  characteristics  of  this  beloved  min- 
ister: "  Servant  of  the  Lord    ....    gentle  unto  all  men,  apt  to 
teach,  patient  ....  thoroughly  furnished  unto  all  good  work." 
Four  pastors  in  one  hundred  and  forty-two  years  was  Thomp- 
son's excellent  record  in  1872.     Five  since  that  date  show  its 
ability  to  keep  up  with  the  times.     Reverend  Joseph   Bodwell 
was  installed  as  pastor  December  16th,  1872;  dismissed  in  the 
autumn  of  1874.     Reverend  John  A.  Hanna  was  installed  July, 
1876;    dismissed   October.   1879.      Reverend   Aaron    C.    Adams 
served  as  acting  pastor  from  December,  1879,  to  May,  1887.    Rev- 
erend Marcus  Ames  entered  upon  service  as  acting  pastor  De- 
cember 1st,  1887,  but  m  three  months  was  stricken   down  with 
illness  and  died  during  the  year.     Reverend  George   H.  Cum- 
mings  was  ordained  and  installed  May  24th,  1888.     In  these  later 
pastorates   the   church   has   faithfully  maintained   its  original 
pledge  "to  adhere  to  a  pious  and  able  ministry,"  each  minister 
having  his  special  excellences  and  devoted  adherents.     Since 
the  resignation  of  Deacon  Charles  Brown,  who  served  more  than 
forty  years,  the  office  has  been  filled  by  Deacons  Elijah  Crosby, 
Charles  Brown,  Marcus  F.  Town,  Josiah  W.  Dike— all  descended 
from  early  members  of  the  church.      The  present  chorister,  Mr. 
Andrew  Mills,  has  been  a  member  of  the  choir  more  than  half  a 
century.     Messrs.  James  O.  Mills,  Charles  Baldwin,  B.  F.  Hutch- 
ins   and  Jerome   F.  Crosby  have  also  served  as  choristers.     It 
is  a  remarkable  fact,  illustrating  the  lamented  dying  out  and 
emigration  of  native  New  England  families,  that  of  the  twenty- 
eight  original  members  of  the  First  Thompson  church,  on\j  07ie, 
Henry  Green,  is  represented  b)^  name  on   the  present  roll  of 
mem.bership.     Two  or  three  are  still  represented  in  the  female 
line.     Descendants  of  Samuel  Converse,  Israel  Joslin  and  Ivory 
Upham  are  now  numerous  in  different  parts  of  the  town. 

The  first  Baptist  church  in  Windham  county  was  formed  in 
Thompson  parish  in  1750.  Jeremiah  Barstow,  of  Sturbridge;  ap- 
pears as  the  first  Baptist  exhorter,  suffering  a  month's  impris- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  673 

onment  in  Windham  jail  for  presuming  to  preach  without 
permission  from  constituted  authority.  "  Gone  to  ye  Baptists  " 
is  the  mournful  record  of  good  Mr.  Cabot  against  the  names 
of  those  who  yielded  to  his  enticements.  Refusing  to  pay 
rates  for  the  standing  society,  they  were  "  strained  upon  "by 
collectors,  and  suffered  various  trials,  until  embodied  as  a 
"  vSix  Principle  Baptist  Church,"  with  Elder  Wightman  Jacobs 
for  their  pastor,  and  united  in  association  with  other  churches 
in  the  vicinity.  Its  existence  was,  however,  short  and  troub- 
led, and  it  became  extinct  upon  the  removal  of  its  pastor  and 
leading  members  to  Royalston,  Vermont,  in  1769.  Finding 
themselves  exposed  anew  to  taxation  for  support  of  the  stand- 
ing order,  and  being  fully  in  harmony  with  Baptist  sentiments, 
a  Baptist  society  was  formed  November  17th,  1772,  some  sev- 
enty-five subscribers  expressing  their  regard  for  the  Baptist 
constitution  and  way  of  worship,  their  willingness  to  be  help- 
ful in  building  a  house  for  public  worship  and  in  settling  a 
minister,  according  to  their  ability,  "  not  believing  that  there 
ought  to  be  any  compulsion  in  such  cases,  or  carnal  sword 
used."  Mr.  John  Martin,  of  Rehoboth,  was  chosen  to  preach  to 
them  on  trial,  who  preached  through  the  winter  in  private 
houses  in  the  vicinity  of  the  present  Brandy  hill. 

After  pleasant  meetings  in  June  to  tell  of  their  experience  of 
God's  grace  in  their  souls,  James  Dike  was  appointed  to  write  a 
petition,  and  Ebenezer  Green  to  carry  it  to  the  mother  church 
in  Leicester,  Mass.,  asking  leave  to  embody  as  a  distinct  church. 
September  9th,  1773,  these  petitioners,  viz..  Widow  Deborah 
Torrey,  Mary  Green,  Elizabeth  Atwell,  Sarah  White, Widow  Deb- 
orah Davis,  Lydia  Hall,  Hannah  Jones,  James  Dike,  Ebenezer 
Green,  Jonathan  Munyan,  Levi  White,  Thaddeus  Allen,  John 
AVhite,  together  with  John  Martin,  John  Atwell,  John  Pratt, 
James  Coats  and  Levisa  Martin  "  firstly  gave  ourselves  to  the 
Lord  and  to  each  other  and  signed  a  written  covenant,"  and  thus 
became  embodied.  On  the  same  day  Mr.  Martin  was  called  to 
become  the  minister  of  the  church,  the  society  concurring  with- 
out "  one  vote  to  the  contrary."  James  Dike  and  Ebenezer 
Green  were  elected  deacons.  Ordination  services  were  held  No- 
vember 3d,  1773,  under  a  large  apple  tree  near  the  Jacobs  Tav- 
ern. Elder  Ledoyt  of  Woodstock  began  the  public  service  with 
prayer.  A  sermon  suitable  to  the  occasion  was  preached  from 
Phil.  i.  18,  by  Elder  Isaac  Backus,  Elder  Green  of  Charlton  gave 
43 


674  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

the  charge,  Elder  Winsor  of  Gloucester  the  right  hand  of  fel- 
lowship— all  conducted  with  decency  and  order.  The  deacons 
were  formally  ordained,  December  9th,  the  church  having  pre- 
viously decided  that  each  had  a  gift  of  prayer  and  exhortation 
that  ought  to  be  improved  for  the  benefit  of  the  church,  but  that 
it  ought  to  be  "  limited,  viz.,  he  ought  not  to  rise  up  of  his  own 
head  and  open  the  meeting  by  prayer,"  but  w^ait  the  suggestion 
of  the  elder;  likewise  the  gift  of  exhortation  should  not  be  in- 
dulged in  unless  "he  could  see  any  point  that  he  could  advance 
any  further  upon  in  agreement  to  what  had  been  said,"  and  "if 
the  church  in  general  should  judge  that  he  did  not  advance  any- 
thing forward,  or  give  some  further  light,"  he  should  be  gently 
reproved,  but  the  third  time  he  attempted  and  advanced  nothing 
forward,  he  should  be  silenced.  It  is  not  surprising  that  upon 
reconsideration  the  church  "  disannulled  that  vote  concerning 
Dea.  Dike's  and  Dea.  Green's  gifts,  and  ordered  that  vote  to  be 
crossed  out,  but  willing  they  or  any  other  brother  should  improve 
according  to  the  ability  that  God  shall  give  at  proper  times  and 
seasons  as  the  church  shall  judge."  A  meeting  house  was  built 
the  following  summer  on  land  given  by  Benjamin  Wilkinson, 
the  large  hearted  proprietor  of  the  old  Red  Tavern  on  Thomp- 
son hill,  "  in  the  fork  of  the  roads  where  Oxford  and  Boston 
roads  meet,"  Ezekiel  Smith,  Ebenezer  Starr  and  Jonathan  Mun- 
yan,  building  committee.  "  A  vote  was  called  whether  we  would 
allow  this  Baptist  church  the  decisive  vote  in  choosing  her  gifts 
to  improve  in  the  meeting  house  we  are  now  about  to  build,  and  it 
was  voted  in  the  affirmative;"  by  which  action  the  control  of  the 
house  was  given  to  the  church.  Many  were  added  to  its  mem- 
bership, and  public  worship  was  largely  attended.  In  1792  Pear- 
son Crosby  and  Jonathan  Converse  were  chosen  deacons. 

In  1796  Brother  Solomon  Wakefield  had  liberty  "  to  improve  his 
gifts  and  hold  meetings,  when  the  door  may  open  at  any  time  or 
place,  when  he  is  free  to  do  the  same,"  and  the  clerk  gave  them 
"credentials  to  go  forth  to  preach."  Some  serious  difficulties 
had  then  arisen  in  the  church,  due  mainly  to  dissatisfaction  with 
the  pastor,  whose  mind  was  somewhat  unsettled  with  advancing 
years.  A  part  took  sides  with  the  minister.  September  7th, 
1797,  a  council  was  held,  which  resulted  in  division  of  \the  church, 
"  each  individual,  male  and  female,  to  have  full  liberty  to  join 
which  party  they  choose."  Twenty-seven  members  thereupon 
withdrew  and  set  up  worship  for  themselves  in  an  obscure  cor- 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  675 

ner,  known  as  Oxford  Gore,  with  Elder  Martin  for  their  minister, 
The  majority  remaining  soon  after  united  in  choice  of  Pearson 
Crosby.  Resigning  himself  wholly  to  the  judgment  of  the 
brethren,  a  council  was  held  November  7th,  1798,  which  unani-" 
mously  voted,  "  Satisfied  with  the  work  of  grace  on  his  heart, 
his  call  to  the  ministry  and  system  of  doctrine."  On  the  day 
following  he  was  ordained  and  inducted  into  the  ministry,  "  all 
of  which  was  attended  to  with  a  degree  of  becoming  solemnity." 
The  faithful  labors  of  the  new  minister  were  crowned  with 
abundant  success,  and  in  a  few  years  the  membership  of  the 
church  had  largely  increased.  Thomas  Day  was  added  to  the 
number  of  deacons. 

Though  so  prosperous  in  the  main  it  was  found  difficult  to 
provide  a  support  for  the  minister.  After  laboring  more  than 
two  years,  it  was  voted  to  pay  Elder  Crosby  forty  dollars  for  his 
past  services.  A  legacy  from  Deacon  Ebenezer  Green,  and  lib- 
eral subscriptions  from  others,  enabled  the  society  in  1801  to 
purchase  a  farm  "to  provide  a  place  of  residence  for  our  teacher 
or  minister  near  our  meeting  house,"  which,  with  an  annual 
salary  of  eighty  dollars  enabled  him  to  provide  comfortably  for 
the  wants  of  his  large  family.  In  1803,  a  new  meeting  house 
was  erected — Elder  Crosby,  Deacons  Jonathan  Converse  and 
Thomas  Day,  Captain  David  WiLson,  Joseph  Dike,  Abel  Jacobs, 
building  committee.  A  suitable  site  was  purchased  "on  the 
great  turnpike  read  from  Boston  to  Hartford."  May  19th,  more 
than  a  hundred  men  assisted  at  the  raising,  "having  dinner, sup- 
per and  liquor  enough  provided,"  and  the  work  of  building  was 
pushed  forward  so  efficiently  that  in  August  the  Sturbridge  As- 
sociation of  Baptist  churches  was  held  in  the  new  house.  Pews 
sold  to  ready  purchasers  helped  defray  the  cost.  The  church 
continued  to  gain  in  numbers  and  its  new  meeting  house  was 
well  filled  with  attentive  hearers.  It  was  very  interesting  on  a 
Sabbath  morning  to  see  the  people  flocking  thither  by  the  old 
by-ways  and  "  across  lots  "  from  all  sections.  Elder  Crosby  was 
a  strong  and  eloquent  preacher,  particularly  gifted  on  funeral 
occasions. 

In  1805,  a  standing  committee  was  instituted,  consisting 
of  the  pastor,  deacons  and  five  brethren,  to  settle  all  mat- 
ters of  difficulty  between  members  without  the  knowledge  or  ac- 
tion of  the  church,  called  out  probably  by  the  great  number  of 
trifling  complaints  lodged  against  church  members  in  those  days, 


676  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

but  hardly  consistent  with  the  democratic  character  of  Baptist 
principles  and  usages.  In  other  respects  the  church  showed  it- 
self remarkably  conservative,  particularly  in  "  A  Rule  for  the 
Management  of  its  Temporal  concerns'"  adopted  in  1818,  which 
provided  "  that  all  delegated  power  in  things  of  a  temporal  con- 
cern shall  be  vested  in  the  deacons  except  in  such  things  as  the 
church  shall  think  proper  to  add  other  brethren."  The  minis- 
ter's salary  was  to  be  raised  by  an  "  everedge  "  upon  each  mem- 
ber, the  deacons  "  to  make  out  the  Everage  Bill,"  lay  it  before 
the  church  for  ratification,  receive  payment,  warn  and  report  de- 
linquents, and  if  any  should  neglect  to  pay  within  a  month  of 
the  time  specified,  church  fellowship  would  be  withheld  till  sat- 
isfaction was  given— a  method  differing  but  little  from  the  rate 
bill  and  "  carnal  sword,"  so  repugnant  to  Baptists.  So  also  with 
reference  to  women  using  their  gifts  of  speaking  in  public,  the 
church  was  severely  censured  for  permitting  a  very  able  and 
fervent  female  preacher  to  occupy  the  pulpit  in  the  absence  of 
their  pastor. 

But  in  spiritual  power  the  "  Old  Baptist  church  "  exceeded. 
Between  1812  and  1815,  a  remarkable  "  revival  "  was  experienced, 
bringing  hundreds  into  the  churches.  The  work  was  particularly 
sweeping  in  the  newly-formed  "  Factory  Villages  "  of  the  valley, 
"  where  for  two  or  three  years  Satan  had  seemed  to  reign  with 
almost  sovereign  and  despotic  sway.  Vice  and  immorality  were 
permitted  to  riot  without  control.  The  sound  of  the  violin,  at- 
tended with  dancing,  the  sure  prelude  to  greater  scenes  of  rev- 
elry for  the  night."  Here  Elder  Crosby  reports — "  Convictions 
of  the  most  pungent  and  powerful  character.  Some  wrought 
upon  in  the  most  sudden  manner — one  moment  swearing,  curs- 
ing and  ridiculing  religion ;  the  next,  calling  upon  God  to  save 
their  souls.  In  less  than  a  week  instead  of  the  violin,  the  songs 
of  Zion  and  preaching  and  conference  every  evening."  Eigh- 
teen baptismal  seasons,  all  characterized  by  the  greatest  solem- 
nity, were  observed  by  Elder  Crosby  during  this  powerful  re- 
vival. On  a  bitter  cold  day,  January,  1813,  he  enjoyed  "  the 
glorious  sight  "  of  beholding  thirteen  young  people  in  the  very 
bloom  of  life  following  their  dear  Lord  into  the  cold  stream  of 
Jordan,  people  traveling  through  the  snow  and  cold  eighteen 
miles  to  witness  this  impressive  scene.  Young  people  who  went 
about  town  in  ox  sleds  that  tempestuous  winter  breaking  out  roads 
that  they  might  attend  these  precious  meetings,  never  forgot  the 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  677 

joyful  enthusiasm  of  the  time.  Many  were  brought  in  who  became 
most  valuable  members  of  the  churches  and  preachers  of  the 
truth.  Benjamin  M.  Hill,  afterward  secretary  of  the  American 
Baptist  Home  Mission  Society,  was  licensed  by  this  church  in 
1815  ;  Lewis  Seamans  a  few  years  later.  John  B.  Ballard,  one 
of  the  subjects  of  this  revival,  was  afterward  very  active  in  min- 
isterial and  mission  work.  Stephen  Crosby  was  ordained  dea- 
con in  1815.  Three  hundred  and  fifty-four  were  added  to  the 
church  in  the  twenty  years  of  Elder  Crosby's  ministry.  In  1819 
he  followed  his  children  to  Fredonia,  N.  Y. 

His  immediate  successor  was  Elder  John  Nichols,  of  West 
Thompson,  received  into  the  fellowship  of  the  Baptist  church 
and  installed  as  its  pastor  May  19th,  1819,  an  eloquent  and  pow- 
erful preacher.  Arthur  A.  Ross,  a  licentiate  of  the  church,  was 
associated  with  him,  and  served  as  sole  pastor  for  a  short  period. 
In  1823  Elder  James  Grow,  an  experienced  minister,  already 
well  known  to  the  church,  became  its  pastor.  A  man  of  deep 
spiritual  experience  and  fervent  piety,  his  labors  were  greatly 
blessed,  one  hundred  and  forty-five  being  added  to  the  church 
during  his  ten  years'  ministry.  Reverend  Bela  Hicks  was  called 
as  his  successor  in  1834.  At  about  this  date  the  growing  pros- 
perity of  Thompson  Hill  village  and  the  number  of  influential 
Baptists  living  there  led  to  a  separation  in  the  church,  a  number 
of  its  members,  with  their  pastor.  Elder  Hicks,  removing  their 
worship  to  a  new  meeting  house  built  by  them  in  the  village. 

Elder  Grow  resumed  charge  of  the  branch  in  the  former  meet- 
ing house  and  served  acceptably  till  laid  aside  by  increasing 
infirmities.  Till  his  death  in  1859,  he  held  a  warm  place  in 
the  hearts  of  many,  and  his  trembling  voice  was  often  raised  in 
prayer  and  affectionate  exhortation.  Four  hundred  and  seventy- 
six  were  baptized  by  him.  With  a  small  salary  he  gave  with  a 
willing  mind,  and  sent  Doctor  Judson  in  the  early  days  of  for- 
eign missions  fifty  dollars  with  his  own  hand,  which  Doctor  Jud- 
son answered  in  a  letter,  which  brought  more  than  twenty  thou- 
sand dollars  to  the  Burman  mission.  Elder  James  Smither,  an 
earnest  preacher,  succeeded  Elder  Grow  for  two  3^ears,  and  was 
followed  by  Elder  Nicholas  Branch,  a  man  of  strong  character 
and  a  vigorous  and  original  preacher.  An  attempt  was  now 
made  to  unite  in  worship  with  the  church  at  the  Center,  Elder 
Branch  taking  for  his  text  the  Sunday  before  leaving  the  old 
meeting  house,  "Ye  have  compassed  this  mountain  long  enough." 


678  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

But  the  words  were  not  prophetic.  Older  people  coiild  not  feel 
at  home  under  new  conditions,  a,nd  returned  in  a  few  months  to 
their  old  church  home,  and  having  still  their  ministerial  farm, 
proceeded  to  build  a  new  house  of  worship  and  make  arrange- 
ments for  permanent  abiding.  After  careful  thought  and  mu- 
tual conference,  an  harmonious  separation  was  effected  April 
8th,  1846,  each  brother  and  sister  present  of  the  two  churches 
signifying  their  assent  to  the  subjoined  resolutions  :  "  Resolved, 
that  the  Baptist  church  in  Thompson  be,  and  the  same 
hereby  is  divided,  and  hereafter  constitutes  two  distinct  bodies, 
the  one  body  to  be  known  as  the  East  Thompson  Baptist  church, 
and  the  other  as  the  Central  Baptist  church  of  Thompson.  Be 
it  further  resolved,  that  each  individual  present  answer  for  him- 
self or  herself  as  to  which  body  they  wish  to  be  connected  with  ; 
also,  so  far  as  they  feel  authorized  to,  answer  for  their  friends." 

The  Eastern  church,  with  its  new  meeting  house  and  ample 
field  of  labor,  has  since  enjoyed  a  comfortable  existence  under 
the  guidance  of  successive  faithful  ministers,  viz.:  Elders  I.  C. 
Carpenter,  L.  W.  Wheeler,  J.  B.  Guild,  Nicholas  Branch,  P.  Mat- 
thewson,  D.  S.  Hawley,  W.  A.  Worthington,  N.  J.  Pinkham. 
The  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  the  church  was  celebrated 
very  delightfully  by  both  churches,  at  the  East  Thompson  meet- 
ing house,  vSeptember  9th,  1873,  when  a  very  interesting  history 
of  the  church  was  given  by  its  pastor.  Reverend  N.  J.  Pinkham. 
Addresses  were  made  by  former  pastors,  Elders  Carpenter  and 
Matthewson,  and  by  children  of  the  church,  residents  in  other 
towns  ;  also  by  Mr.  James  Hill,  the  oldest  member  of  the  church  ; 
Captain  John  Green,  a  former  member,  and  by  ministers  from 
other  towns.  A  beautiful  September  day,  a  large  and  sympa- 
thetic audience,  the  number  and  variety  of  addresses,  made  it  a 
day  of  rare  interest  and  enjoyment.  The  present  pastor,  Rev- 
erend Samuel  Thatcher,  who  has  now  labored  some  six  years 
with  the  East  Thompson  church,  has  the  happy  gift  of  imparting 
his  abounding  energy  to  others,  and  the  church  enters  upon  its 
second  century  with  cheering  prospect  of  continued  usefulness. 

At  the  time  of  the  migration  to  Thompson  hill  the  Baptists  in 
that  vicinity  boasted  some  very  strong  and  influential  men,  such 
as  Deacon  Stephen  Crosby  and  his  son,  Judge  Talcott  Crosby, 
Captain  Vernon  Stiles,  Mr.  Richmond  Bullock.  Under  their 
oversight  a  comfortable  house  of  worship  was  erected  and  opened 
for  service  in  1836.     Elder  Harvey  Fittz  succeeded  Elder  Hicks 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  679 

the  following  year.  The  congregation  was  large  and  influential, 
many  sterling  families  from  different  parts  of  the  town  favoring 
removal  to  the  village.  A  powerful  revival  soon  followed, 
strengthening  the  membership  of  the  church.  During  the  suc- 
ceeding pastorate  of  Reverend  Silas  Bailey,  a  distinguished  and 
able  minister,  afterward  president  of  Granville  College  and  other 
institutions,  the  church  continued  to  flourish  and  received  large 
accessions.  Jason  Elliott  and  George  Davis  were  ordained  dea- 
cons in  1840. 

Great  interest  was  felt  at  this  date  in  temperance  reform, 
and  many  very  interesting  meetings  were  held  in  the  Bap- 
tist church — the  commanding  presence  and  sound  judgment 
of  Elder  Bailey  giving  him  much  influence  in  this  and  other  pub- 
lic movements.  Union  temperance  meetings  were  held  through- 
out one  winter  in  the  vestry  of  the  church,  greatly  enlightening 
public  sentiment.  The  loss  of  Elder  Bailey,  when  called  to  wider 
fields,  was  much  lamented  by  all.  His  successor.  Elder  L.  G. 
Leonard,  a  man  of  culture  and  ability,  was  less  successful.  Elder 
Charles  Willett  was  called  to  the  pastorate  June  4th,  1845,  and 
continued  some  years  in  charge,  assisting  very  effectively  in  the 
harmonious  settlement  of  the  two  branches  in  1846.  A  council 
of  recognition  was  held  May  20th,  at  which  time  Elliott  Joslin 
and  Valentine  Ballard  were  set  apart  as  deacons,  an  office  which 
they  worthily  filled  many  years.  Emigration  was  now  depleting 
the  church  ;  some  influential  families  removed  west,  others  be- 
came connected  with  the  Baptist  church  of  the  present  Putnam. 
Each  pavStor  found  the  number  of  members  decreasing.  Elders 
Thomas  Dowling,  E.  R.  Warren  and  Moses  Curtis  succeeded  Mr. 
Willett.  During  the  pastorate  of  Reverend  B.  S.  Morse,  1858- 
1861,  the  meeting  house  was  thoroughly  repaired.  Mr.  Morse 
did  good  service  in  compiling  a  history  of  the  Baptist  churches, 
delivered  before  his  people,  and  published  in  the  minutes  of  the 
Ashford  Baptist  Association.  Elder  E.  P.  Borden  supplied  the 
pulpit  for  two  years.  Elders  W.  Munger,  B.  N.  Sperry,  Robert 
Bennett,  William  Randall  are  later  pastors.  For  several  years 
Baptists  in  Grosvenor  Dale  associated  with  this  church,  Messrs. 
Sperry,  Bennett  and  Randall  holding  an  afternoon  service  in  the 
chapel  of  that  village,  and  having  pastoral  charge  of  those  at- 
tending the  service  ;  but  from  the  removal  of  Mr.  Briggs  and 
other  causes  it  was  discontinued.  The  present  pastor.  Reverend 
S.  A.  Ives,  entered  upon  service  in  April,  1888.     Deacons  Valen- 


G80  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

tine  Ballard  and  Hiram  Arnold  serve  as  senior  deacons.  Charles 
Arnold  and  John  D.  Converse  have  been  recently  installed  in 
service.  The  church  edifice  has  been  thoroughly  repaired  and 
refitted,  absent  ones  of  the  church  assisting  in  this  work. 

Methodists  appeared  in  Thompson  at  an  early  date,  zealous 
itinerants  preaching  in  various  localities,  wherever  they  could 
find  a  hearing.  Avoiding  the  hilltops  so  long  pre-empted  by  the 
"  Standing  Order,"  they  found  a  willing  constituency  in  the 
neglected  valleys,  where  population  had  slowly  gathered  about 
the  mill  sites.  The  first  Methodist  preachers  remembered  are 
John  Allen  and  Jesse  Lee,  who  gained  a  few  followers.  In  1793 
a  class  of  six  members  was  formed  in  West  Thompson,  with 
Noah  Perrin  of  Pomfret,  for  a  leader.  Joseph  Buck,  Shubael 
Cady  and  Jonathan  Allen  were  prominent  among  these  early 
Methodists.  The  Nichols  family  was  a  notable  accession  to  their 
ranks.  Captain  Jonathan  Nichols,  the  bridge  builder  and  ship 
architect,  became  a  Methodist,  opening  his  house  for  the  recep- 
tion of  the  New  England  Conference  in  1796.  This  was  the 
sixth  Methodist  conference  of  New  England,  the  only  one  ever 
held  in  Windham  county.  Bishop  Asbury,  Joshua  Hall  and 
many  distinguished  Methodist  preachers  were  present,  and  the 
services  were  marked  by  the  most  thrilling  interest.  Soon  a 
Methodist  house  of  worship  was  built  west  of  the  Quinebaug, 
under  the  direction  of  Captain  Nichols,  and  religious  services 
statedly  observed.  John  Gore,  Dyer  Branch,  Joshua  Crowell, 
Elisha  Streeter,  Thomas  Perry,  were  early  preachers  in  this 
house,  drawing  many  hearers  from  the  west  part  of  the  town 
and  adjoining  sections  of  Pomfret  and  Woodstock.  In  time  the 
rough  house  became  too  small  for  the  congregation  and  was  bi- 
sected and  enlarged. 

In  the  revival  season  of  1812-181.5,  many  were  added  to  the 
church,  and  an  earnest  brother,  vShubael  Cady,  gathered  the  chil- 
dren into  a  class  for  instruction — one  of  the  first  reported  Sun- 
day schools  in  the  country. 

The  Thompson  church  became  so  powerful  that  its  name  was 
given  to  the  circuit.  It  continued  to  increase  and  flourish  under 
the  care  of  zealous  leaders  and  elders  till, -in  1840,  a  handsome 
church  edifice  was  erected  in  West  Thompson  village.  Judge 
Jonathan  Nichols  and  his  kinsmen,  Messrs.  Faxon  and  George 
Nichols,  were  very  active  and  efficient  in  forwarding  the  Metho- 
dist interests  throusfhout  the  town.     So  also  was  Reverend  Hez- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  681 

ekiah  Ramsdell,  who  made  his  home  in  West  Thompson  while 
preaching  in  various  fields  with  much  eloquence  and  acceptance. 

Thompson  and  Eastford  were  now  united  in  a  circuit  embrac- 
ing a  membership  of  seven  hundred.  So  large  was  the  field  that 
a  division  was  thought  needful,  and  new  societies  formed  in 
Fisherville  and  East  Thompson.  Soon  after  this  division  the 
mother  society  was  further  weakened  by  the  establishment  of 
worship  in  what  is  now  Putnam,  by  which  many  valuable  mem- 
bers were  removed.  The  West  Thompson  Methodist  church 
has,  in  spite  of  these  losses,  maintained  a  good  standing,  fur- 
nishing an  acceptable  church  home  for  many  substantial  fami- 
lies, and  also  for  aged  ministers  and  their  families.  The  vener- 
able Fathers  Warren  Emerson  and  John  Case  spent  their  last 
years  with  this  people.  Among  its  many  faithful  ministers  may 
be  numbered:  Elders  George  May,  William  and  Richard  Livesly, 
Edward  A.  Stanley,  Charles  Morse,  Phelps  and  Stearns. 

A  Methodist  house  of  worship  was  erected  in  Fisherville  in 
1842,  and  a  g-ood  congregation  gathered.  One  of  its  first  min- 
isters  was  the  honored  Father  Daniel  Dorchester,  whose  son, 
Daniel,  now  so  widely  known  in  the  denomination,  preached  at 
the  same  time  in  East  Thompson.  This  society  was  greatly 
benefitted  through  the  thoughtfulness  of  Mr.  Joseph  Green,  by 
which  the  debt  upon  the  meeting  house  was  cleared  and  money 
left  for  a  permanent  fund.  Captain  George  Nichols  was  one  of 
the  early  benefactors  and  constant  friends  of  this  society. 
Situated  in  a  thriving  village,  with  a  country  around  it  unoc- 
cupied by  other  churches,  this  Methodist  church  has  filled  an 
important  position  and  been  productive  of  much  good.  Its  well 
kept  burying  ground  and  continued  improvements  in  the  house 
of  worship  manifest  much  enlightened  public  spirit.  The  pres- 
ent pastor,  Reverend  George  A.  Morse,  is  completing  his  third 
year  of  service. 

The  East  Thompson  Methodist  society,  organized  in  a  part  of 
the  town  previously  left  out  in  the  cold,  had  a  hard  struggle  for 
existence  in  its  early  years.  But  the  very  difficulties  in  the  way 
made  its  preservatien  more  important.  With  the  opening  of  the 
New  York  and  New  England  railroad,  and  its  junction  at  East 
Thompson  with  the  Southbridge  Branch,  population  increased 
and  the  church  felt  a  new  impetus.  For  many  years  it  has  been 
a  strong  and  active  body,  and  enjoyed  a  succession  of  faithful 
and  efficient  pastors.     Its  Sabbath  school  has  been  kept  up  with 


682  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

much  interest,  its  prayer  meetings  are  lively  and  well  attended, 
and  the  church  and  children's  festivals  are  observed  with  un- 
usual spirit. 

Miss  Emma  Shaw,  a  native  of  Thompson  village,  much 
esteemed  as  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Providence,  R.  I., 
has  won  unique  celebrity  by  her  energy  and  enterprise  in  ex- 
ploring unfamiliar  portions  of  the  American  continent.  She  was 
one  of  the  first  American  women  to  explore  our  Alaskan  terri- 
tory, and  in  successive  visits  has  made  herself  very  familiar  with 
the  topography  and  characteristics  of  that  remarkable  region. 
For  six  successive  summers  Miss  Shaw  has  crossed  to  the  Pacific 
coast,  over  the  several  trans-continental  routes,  making  each 
year  a  special  visitation  and  study  of  some  almost  undiscovered 
country,  and  describing  her  adventurous  wanderings  in  graphic 
letters  to  many  influential  newspapers.  Yellowstone  Park,  the 
Cascades  of  the  Columbian  river,  the  Winnipeg  country,  the  Sas- 
katchewan river  far  into  the  territory  of  the  Pludson  Bay  Com- 
pany, and  other  remote  and  unfrequented  sections,  have  been 
thus  visited  and  described.  Miss  Shaw  has  in  a  very  marked  de- 
gree the  qualities  essential  for  a  successful  traveler,  and  the  in- 
teresting papers  recounting  her  varied  and  unusual  experiences 
have  been  greatly  enjoyed  and  appreciated  by  many  intelligent 
audiences. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

THE    TOWN    OF   THOMPSON.— (Concluded). 


Manufactures. — The  Swamp  Factory. — Fisherville  Factory. — Water  Privileges. — 
Grosvenor  Dale,  Masonville. — North  Grosvenor  Dale. — Changes  Wrought  by 
the  Manufacturing  Interests. — Catholic  Churches. — The  Swedish  Church  of 
Grosvenor  Dale. — Connecticut  Manufacturing  Company. — The  "Brick" 
Factory. — West  Thompson. — Mechanicsville.— Quadic  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany.— Brandy  Hill. — The  Northeast  Section. — Wilsonville. — New  Boston. — 
Thompson  Village. — A  "Boom"  to  Thompson  Hill. — Old-Time  Taverns. — 
Social  Customs. — Railroad  Opening. — Thompson  Bank. — Fire  Engine  Com- 
pany.— Some  Prominent  People. — Summer  Inhabitants. — The  Sons  of  Thomp- 
son.— Thompson  Grange. — Biographical  Sketches. 


THOMPSON'S  manufacturing  interests  are  of  much  value 
and  importance,  having  been  the  main  factor  in  its  con- 
tinued prosperity  and  good  standing.  The  opening  of 
Mr.  Smith  Wilkinson's  cotton  spinning  factory  in  1807,  near  the 
southwest  corner  of  Thompson,  excited  much  interest,  giving 
employment  to  many  women  and  children,  and  furnishing  a 
nearer  market  for  farm  produce.  Mr.  John  Mason,  at  the  ex- 
treme south  of  the  town  (oldest  son  of  the  former  merchant,  who 
had  then  removed  to  Providence),  was  the  first  to  propose  a 
similar  enterprise  in  Thompson,  and  selected  the  site  of  the  pres- 
ent Grosvenor  Dale  as  the  scene  of  experiment.  Persuading 
Nathaniel,  son  of  Elder  Crosby,  to  associate  with  him,  they  at- 
tempted to  negotiate  for  the  upper  privilege  with  Deacon  Ste- 
phen Crosby,  who  had  at  that  time  a  saw  mill,  grist  mill  and 
fulling  mill  in  successful  operation.  Failing  in  this  attempt, 
they  invited  Messrs.  John  Nichols,  James  B.  Mason,  Theodore 
Dwight  and  Rufus  Coburn  to  unite  with  them  as  the  Thompson 
Manufacturing  Company  in  1811,  and  succeeded  in  purchasing 
a  suitable  tract  of  land  "  near  the  old  bridge  place,  below  Ste- 
phen Crosby's  mills."  Here  were  erected,  in  1812,  Thompson's 
first  manufactory-  or  factory  building,  a  wooden  house  60  by  36 
feet,  three  stories  high,  designed  to  run  sixteen  hundred  spin- 
dles.    Early  in  the  following  year  it  went  into  operation,  draw- 


684  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

ing-  in  the  class  of  operators  usual  at  that  date,  mostly  embarassed 
men  with  small  means  and  large  families.  Society  in  early  mill 
villages  was  very  chaotic,  and  according  to  Elder  Crosby,  "  Sa- 
tan "  gained  the  mastery  in  this  case,  "  reigning  with  almost  sov- 
ereign and  despotic  sway."  An  unfortunate  rivalry  between 
the  Thompson  Company  and  the  "  Connecticut  Company  "  at  the 
Brick  Factory  below  helped  to  give  a  bad  name  to  this  Satanic 
stronghold.  Occupying  one  of  the  "  miry  hollows"  so  vividly 
depicted  by  Samuel  Morris  a  century  before,  it  was  considered 
a  very  unwholesome  and  undesirable  location,  and  was  derisively 
nicknamed  "The  Swamp"  or  "Swamp  Factory"  by  mocking 
rivals — a  name  that  clung  to  it  for  many  years.  The  future 
Judge  Nichols  was  the  first  agent  of  the  company ;  Rufus  Co- 
burn  sub-agent.  Lacking  in  experience,  and  probably  in  the 
rare  executive  ability  which  had  given  such  success  to  Mr.  Wil- 
kinson's experiment,  the  first  aspect  was  not  favorable,  but  ere 
many  months  had  passed  a  complete  change  of  base  was  effected. 
"  Land,  water  privilege,  buildings,  machinery,  stock  of  yarn  and 
cloth,"  in  short,  the  whole  establishment,  was  bought  out  by  Gen- 
eral James  B.  Mason,  for  $12,500.  August  11th,  1813,  his  brothers, 
Amasa  and  William  H.  Mason  were  admitted  into  the  company, 
General  Mason  retaining  sixteen-thirty-seconds  for  himself. 
Colonel  William  Foster,  of  Smithfield,  R.  I.,  was  made  the  resi- 
dent agent,  a  man  of  experience  and  resolute  energy.  Lender  his 
efficient  agency  order  took  the  place  of  chaos,  and  when  undei* 
the  great  religious  interest  of  1814  unruly  spirits  were  farther 
quelled,  the  character  of  the  place  was  almost  wholly  trans- 
formed. Many  good  and  substantial  families  removed  to  Swamp 
Factory,  thrifty  women  welcomed  the  privilege  of  weaving  the 
spun  cotton  into  cloth,  struggling  farmers  paid  off  mortgages  by 
working  for  the  factory,  and  the  usual  good  results  of  such  pe- 
cuniary aid  were  experienced  in  many  directions.  The  little 
school  house  was  soon  crowded  with  native  children  and  many 
religious  services  were  held  there  by  the  different  ministers  of 
the  town.  Through  the  skillful  management  of  Colonel  Foster, 
the  depression  in  manufactured  goods,  following  the  return  of 
peace  and  the  introduction  of  power  looms  and  new  methods  of 
working,  was  tided  over  without  loss  to  the  company. 

After  the  death  of  General  James  B.  Mason  in  1820,  his  widow, 
Mrs.  Alice  Mason,  and  Mr.  William  H.  Mason,  leased  their  re- 
spective shares  in  the   Swamp    Factory   to  Mr.  Amasa  Mason. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  685 

Colonel  Foster  was  succeeded,  as  manager,  by  Mr.  Thomas 
Thatcher,  a  man  of  much  weight  of  character  and  sterling  in- 
tegrity, who  continued  to  administer  its  affairs  with  much  wisdom 
and  efficiency.  In  1826  Messrs.  Amasa  and  William  H.  Mason 
purchased  of  Deacon  Stephen  Crosby  the  long  courted  upper 
mill  privilege,  together  with  dwelling  house,  numerous  mills  and 
eighty  acres  of  land  for  $6,800.  March  13th,  1826,  Mr.  William 
H.  Mason  sold  Mr.  Thatcher  one-eighth  of  his  interest,  the  three 
proprietors  now  taking  the  name  of  the  Masonville  Company, 
and  giving  the  name  to  the  village.  The  square  house  built  by 
Deacon  Crosby  became  the  residence  of  Mr.  Thatcher.  A  sub- 
stantial stone  factory  building  was  erected  as  soon  as  possible 
80  by  40  feet,  four  stories  high,  fitted  for  twenty-five  hundred 
spindles — forming  the  northern  portion  of  the  present  western 
group  of  mills.  A  handsome  row  of  stone  houses  was  also  built 
for  the  operatives,  and  the  population  of  the  village  very  largely 
increased. 

It  was  the  policy  of  the  Masonville  Company  to  manufac- 
ture cloth  of  the  highest  grade  and  best  quality.  With  Sea 
Island  cotton,  new  machinery  and  skilled  workmen  they  soon 
attained  their  object,  and  the  Masonville  sheeting  stood  at 
the  head  of  the  market.  With  the  tariff  of  1828  protecting  their 
interests,  the  Masonville  Company  prospered  greatly,  their 
profits  in  five  years  reaching  one  hundred  thousand  dollars.  In 
1831  a  brick  building  was  added,  four  stories  high,  running 
twenty-five  hundred  spindles.  The  ensuing  ten  years  were 
mainly  prosperous,  though  the  first  wooden  factory  leased  to 
different  parties,  met  some  reverses.  Mr.  Thatcher  remained  in 
charge,  and  was  honored  as  the  patriarch  and  autocrat  of  the 
village.  "  Who  is  governor  of  Connecticut?"  queried  a  passing 
traveler  of  the  gaping  children.  "  Mr.  Fracher,"  lisped  a  little 
maid,  unable  to  conceive  of  higher  dignitary.  The  residents  of 
the  village  were  as  yet  almost  wholly  of  New  England  stock. 
Many  good  Yankees  found  employment  in  the  various  offices. 

Some  idea  of  the  society  of  Masonville  at  that  date  may  be  gath- 
ered from  the  fact  that,  on  the  day  of  the  inauguration  of  Gen- 
eral Harrison  to  the  presidency,  March  4th,  1841,  the  ladies  of 
the  Congregational  Sewing  Society  were  invited  to  meet  with  ~ 
their  Masonville  sisters,  and  that  nine  heads  of  families  furnished 
the  turkey  dinner  with  which  they  celebrated  the  event.  Other 
families  attended  the  Baptist  and  Methodist  churches.     Farmers' 


686  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

and  mechanics'  daughters  gladly  improved  the  privilege  of 
earning  abundant  wages,  and  were  among  the  best  customers  of 
the  stores  at  Thompson  hill — the  usual  "  factory  store  "  not  satis- 
fying their  ambitions.  In  1840  Mr.  William  H.  Mason  became 
the  sole  proprietor  of  the  old  Thompson  factory,  which  he  pro- 
ceeded to  enlarge  and  refit  with  new  machinery,  making  it  run 
twenty-seven  hundred  spindles.  Changes  were  made  in  the 
company  proprietorship  by  which  seven  shares  accrued  to  Mr. 
Amasa  Mason,  the  same  to  Mr.  W.  H.  Mason,  one  share  to  Mr. 
Thatcher,  one  to  Captain  William  S.  Arnold,  who,  after  serving 
in  various  departments,  now  had  charge  of  the  store.  Mr. 
Amasa  Mason,  residing  in  Providence,  served  as  mercantile 
agent  and  general  manager  of  the  company  from  the  date  of  or- 
ganization in  1813  till  failing  health  compelled  its  relinquish- 
ment. Mr.  William  H.  Mason,  the  last  survivor  of  the  Mason 
brothers,  assumed  the  charge  for  a  few  years,  till  his  increasing 
infirmities  induced  him  to  resign  the  ofiice  to  his  nephew  by 
marriage,  Doctor  William  Grosvenor  of  North  Providence.  His 
wife,  Rosa  A.  Grosvenor,  daughter  of  General  James  B.  Mason, 
had  inherited  part  of  her  father's  interest,  and  also  one-fourth 
part  of  Mr.  Amasa  Mason's  interest.  Doctor  Grosvenor  was  de- 
scended from  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Windham  county,  the 
John  Grosvenor  who  negotiated  for  the  Mashamoquet  purchase, 
now  the  central  part  of  Pomfret,  and  whose  descendants  were 
ranked  among  the  leading  citizens  of  successive  generations. 
His  father,  Doctor  Robert  Grosvenor,  entered  upon  medical 
practice  in  Killingly,  and  was  known  far  and  wide  as  a  skillful 
practitioner  and  keen  business  man,  a  partner  in  the  Killingly 
Manufacturing  Company  of  1814,  whose  ivy-covered  "  Stone 
Factory  "  is  now  the  most  picturesque  ruin  in  Windham  county. 
His  son,  William,  born  April  30th,  1810,  inherited  his  father's 
professional  and  business  aptitude,  and  after  completing  medical 
studies  engaged  for  a  time  in  practice,  but  finding  business  more 
congenial,  in  1848  he  accepted  the  position  of  mercantile  agent 
and  general  manager  of  the  Masonville  Manufacturing  Company. 
June  30th,  1854,  Doctor  Grosvenor  purchased  of  Mr.  William  H. 
Mason  eleven  and  one-half  shares,  representing  his  share  of  the 
interest,  and  soon  after  purchased  the  remaining  rights  held  by 
heirs  of  General  Mason,  and  still  later  the  share  held  by  Captain 
William  Arnold.  One  .share  was  sold  to  Mr.  Lucius  Briggs,  an 
experienced  machinist  and  manufacturer,  who,  a  few  years  after 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  687 

the  death  of  Mr.  Thatcher,  had  been  appointed  superintendent 
of  both  upper  and  lower  factories,  and  proved  a  most  efficient 
and  valuable  manager.  Under  his  administration  many  improve- 
ments were  effected,  especially  in  regard  to  the  sanitary  con- 
dition of  the  village.  In  early  years  its  unhealthiness  was  pro- 
verbial, and  no  autumn  passed  without  the  prevalence  of  fever. 
Mr.  Briggs  introduced  a  thorough  system  of  drainage  and  com- 
pelled strict  obedience  to  sanitary  laws,  so  that  in  a  few  years 
the  health  report  of  the  malarious  "  Swamp  "  compared  favorably 
with  that  of  other  manufacturing  establishments.  The  change 
in  the  character  of  the  residents  made  this  strictness  more  im- 
perative. The  New  England  born  operatives  had  been  almost 
wholly  replaced  by  foreigners,  mostly  Canadian  French,  who 
usually  returned  home  after  making  a  little  money,  had  no  per- 
sonal interest  in  the  place,  and  required  a  strong  hand  to  keep 
them  in  order. 

With  great  executive  ability  and  mechanic  ingenuity,  Mr. 
Briggs  shared  in  Mr.  Grosvenor's  advanced  ideas  in  relation 
to  the  capabilities  of  manufacturing  enterprise,  believing  in 
the  policy  of  large  expenditures  to  ensure  commensurate  ulti- 
mate returns.  Their  motto  from  the  beginning  was  progress 
and  continual  improvements.  In  1859  they  erected  a  stone 
factory,  connecting  the  Mason  factories  of  1826  and  1831,  and 
more  than  doubling  their  capacity,  increasing  it  to  eleven  thou- 
sand spindles.  At  the  same  time  a  Jeuvel  turbine  wheel  of  one 
hundred  and  eighty  horse  power  was  substituted  for  the  two 
breast  wheels  formerly  in  use.  In  1861  the  old  original  wooden 
mill  at  the  lower  privilege  was  moved  across  the  road  and  a  very 
beautiful  and  complete  brick  factory  building  erected  at  great 
cost,  160  by  66  feet,  with  an  ell  of  80  by  40  feet,  five  stories  high. 
It  was  very  thoroughly  built,  fitted  up  with  improved  machinery 
and  the  best  modern  arrangements,  one  of  the  best  mills  in  the 
country  at  the  time  of  its  erection,  running  twenty  thousand 
spindles.  Its  power  was  furnished  by  Jeuvel  and  Leffel  turbine 
wheels.  The  former  factory  was  moved  across  the  street  and 
fitted  up  for  tenements.  A  capacious  and  tasteful  boarding 
house  was  also  added.  After  completing  these  improvements 
they  made  provision  for  further  expansion  and  achievement  by 
buying  out  Captain  Arnold's  share  in  the  Masonville  Company, 
and  also  by  the  purchase  of  the  whole  Fisherville  interest. 


688  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

The  factory  at  Fisherville  was  built  in  1828  on  land  previously 
owned  by  Calvin  Randall.  So  rough  and  rocky  was  this  region, 
and  so  apparently  absurd  to  think  of  utilizing  it  to  any  extent, 
that  wits  of  the  day  dubbed  the  infant  settlement  Mount  Hun- 
ger, a  fitting  counterpart  to  the  neighboring  Swamp  Factory. 
John  Nichols,  Darius  Dwight,of  Thompson,  and  William  Fisher, 
of  Killingly,  formed  the  first  company,  but  soon  admitted  Cor- 
nelius G.  Fenner  and  Thomas  D.  Fenner,  of  Providence,  form- 
ing what  was  first  styled  "  The  Thompson  Village  Company," 
which  erected  dam,  factory  building  and  needful  dwelling 
houses,  entering  upon  manufacturing  work  early  in  1829.  The 
following  year  Mr.  Fisher  bought  out  the  other  stockholders,  be- 
coming sole  proprietor  of  factory  and  village.  The  latter  now 
took  for  itself  the  name  of  Fisherville,  though  some  years  passed 
before  it  outgrew  the  original  nickname.  Mr.  John  Andrews,  of 
Providence,  joined  with  Mr.  Fisher  for  a  few  years,  and  it  then 
passed  wholly  into  the  hands  of  William  Fisher  &  Sons. 

Mr.  Fisher  was  born  in  Dedham,  Mass.,  March  15th,  1788;  en- 
gaged in  manufacturing  enterprises  in  Attleborough;  removed 
to  Howe's  Mills,  Killingly,  about  1820,  and  to  Thompson  in  1828. 
By  his  judicious  management,  in  a  few  years  a  remarkable  trans- 
formation was  effected.  The  craggy,  rocky  woodland  had  been 
made  to  bud  and  bloom  like  the  rose.  Mr.  Fisher  was  much  in- 
terested in  farming,  and  took  great  delight  in  subduing  the  wild 
land  around  him.  A  class  of  substantial  farmers  were  brought 
into  the  growing  village,  building  homes  for  themselves  in  ad- 
dition to  the  usual  rented  houses.  The  factory  of  the  olden 
time  was  well  represented  by  Fisherville — the  owner  at  home 
among  his  people,  all  bound  together  by  common  interest  and 
regard;  the  number  of  workmen  so  small  that  all  could  be  known 
to  each  other,  and  to  the  families  of  the  proprietors  and  over- 
seers. Among  the  operatives  were  many  typical  New  England 
women,  choosing  the  independence  of  factory  life,  and  working 
on  year  after  year  until  they  had  laid  up  a  sum  sufficient  for 
future  support;  others  were  young  girls  working  to  fit  them- 
selves for  something  better,  using  their  wages  for  schooling  or 
marriage  outfit.  The  factories  were  a  great  benefit  to  many  men 
of  small  means,  who,  by  the  labor  of  their  children  and  the  ready 
money  paid  themselves,  were  able  to  lift  a  cumbering  mortgage 
or  buy  a  small  farm  for  old  age.  Great  pains  were  taken  at 
Fisherville  to  procure  help  of  good  character  and  standing. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  689 

Mr.  Fisher  was  one  of  the  pioneer  temperance  workers  in  Con- 
necticut, and  before  leaving  Killingly  had  drawn  up  and  circulated 
the  first  pledge  taken  in  that  town.  A  thriving  temperance  so- 
ciety was  now  established  in  Fisherville,  and  great  efforts  were 
made  to  bring  in  every  person  employed  by  the  company,  Mr. 
Fisher  being  able  to  boast  on  one  occasion  that  every  man  hired 
for  the  year  had  pledged  himself  to  temperance.  Some  friction 
was  excited  by  Mr.  Fisher's  adherence  to  Masonry,  but  caused 
no  serious  inconvenience.  Mr.  William  Fisher,  Jr.,  and  Mr.  J. 
Ellis  Fisher  were  able  and  efficient  assistants  in  carrying  for- 
ward the  business — the  former  as  superintendent,  the  latter  in 
charge  of  the  store.  The  oldest  son,  Doctor  N.  Augustus  Fisher, 
left  home  at  an  early  age  to  pursue  his  studies,  and  then  en- 
gaged in  the  practice  of  dentistry  in  Providence.  Foremost 
among  the  dentists  of  the  day,  his  high  character,  pleasing  man- 
ners, and  the  patience  with  which  he  bore  long  and  wearisome 
infirmities,  brought  him  even  greater  respect  and  honor. 

Mr.  William  P'isher,  Jr.,  a  man  of  great  rectitude  and  solidity  of 
character,  died  in  1843.  The  ill  health  of  Mr.  Ellis  Fisher,  fol- 
lowing the  loss  of  his  brother,  made  the  charge  of  the  business 
too  heavy  for  Mr.  Fisher,  Sr.,  and  in  1855  he  made  over  his  in- 
terest in  the  whole  establishment  and  went  south  for  a  season. 
The  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion  made  this  sojourn  much  longer 
than  was  intended,  even  until  after  the  return  of  peace.  The 
remainder  of  his  life  was  mainly  passed  with  his  daughter,  Mrs. 
Lowell  Holbrook,  at  Thompson  village,  where  he  died  in  serene 
old  age,  with  remarkable  preservation  of  mind  and  faculties,  in 
October,  1878.  The  family  had  long  passed  from  the  home  they 
had  created,  but  their  impress  and  influence  still  survive  in  the 
pleasant  valley. 

January  1st,  1856,  Messrs.  David  Goddard  and  Jeremiah 
Pritchard,  of  Boston,  assumed  administration  of  Fisherville 
factory,  and  carried  on  the  business  successfully  for  five  years. 
Mr.  Charles  Albro,  of  Taunton,  then  succeeded  to  part  of  the 
interest,  but  only  retained  it  a  short  period.  March  31st,  1864, 
Messrs.  Grosvenor  &  Briggs  purchased  the  whole  Fisherville 
property  from  Pritchard  &  Albro,  Mr.  Grosvenor  becoming  the 
owner  of  three-fourths  and  Mr.  Briggs  of  one-fourth.  The  sons 
of  Mr.  Grosvenor,  William  Grosvenor,  Jr.,  and  James  B.  M. 
Grosvenor  now  purchased  each  one-sixteenth  of  Mr.  Briggs'  in- 
terest. Four  years  later,  in  1868,  these  young  men  received 
44 


690  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

shares  in  the  Masonville  Company  and  it  was  then  that  the  two 
companies  were  consolidated  and  the  present  Grosvenor-Dale 
Company  instituted.  The  ownership  had  passed  in  both  compan- 
ies from  the  orig-inal  founders  into  the  hands  of  the  Messrs.  Gros- 
venor  mainly,  and  it  was  fitting,  as  well  as  a  matter  of  great  con- 
venience and  almost  necessity,  that  these  several  villages  and 
interests  should  be  ranged  under  the  name  of  the  standing  pro- 
prietors. Masonville,  with  its  factories  and  village,  was  there- 
fore appropriately  re-christened  Grosvenor  Dale,  and  Fisher- 
ville  replaced  by  North  Grosvenor  Dale.  Much  additional  ter- 
ritory was  purchased  by  the  new  company,  including  a  water 
privilege  as  valuable  and  capable  of  affording  as  much  power  as 
either  of  those  previously  utilized,  so  that  their  land  extended 
from  Wilsonville  to  Mechanicsville.  An  advance  along  the 
whole  line  was  immediately  ordered.  To  provide  for  a  greater 
head  and  more  permanent  supply  of  water,  a  new  dam  and  res- 
ervoir were  to  be  constructed.  These  works  were  accomplished 
by  great  outlay  of  money  and  labor  in  the  most  substantial  and 
thorough  manner. 

Two  dams  were  built  at  North  Grosvenor  Dale,  each  a  hun- 
dred feet  in  length — the  second  built  at  an  angle  with  the  first, 
designed  to  relieve  the  extreme  pressure  in  time  of  freshets — 
which  were  models  of  strength  and  mechanical  adaptation. 
They  were  raised  eleven  feet,  six  inches  above  the  previous 
Fisherville  dam.  The  level  of  the  railroad  at  this  point  being 
nearly  parallel  with  the  old  dam,  it  was  necessary  to  con- 
struct a  dyke  or  embankment  of  stone  and  gravel  about  half 
a  mile  in  length  above  the  dam,  which  was  done  in  the  most 
substantial  manner  at  very  heavy  expenditure.  A  capacious 
and  beautiful  reservoir  was  thus  formed,  extending  up  to 
the  dani  of  the  Wilsonville  privilege.  At  the  same  time  prep- 
arations were  going  on  for  building  the  great  mill  at  North 
Grosvenor  Dale.  Another  dyke  was  constructed  leading  to  the 
site  of  the  new  building,  half  a  mile  long,  a  hundred  feet  wide 
at  the  bottom  and  twenty  at  the  top,  which  from  the  height  of 
the  dam  and  the  conformation  of  the  land,  was  a  work  of  great 
difficulty,  requiring  much  engineering  skill  and  a  vast  amount 
of  labor. 

All  these  works,  together  with  the  new  building,  were  com- 
pleted in  1872.  This  stately  and  beautiful  structure  is  464 
feet  long,  73  feet  wide,  with  four  stories  and  an  attic ;  also  an  ell 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  691 

128  by  67  feet,  and  a  continuation  of  the  same,  157  by  50  feet, 
with  separate  buildings  for  steam  engine,  boiler  and  gas  works. 
The  capacity  of  the  whole  building  is  65,000  spindles.  The 
power  is  furnished  by  three  Jeuvel  wheels  of  270  horse  power 
each.  There  is  also  a  Corliss  steam  engine  of  450  horse  power 
to  be  used  at  low  stages  of  water.  The  machinery  was  of  the 
most  improved  make,  embracing  the  latest  improvements.  In 
respect  of  beauty,  solidity,  convenience  and  adaptation  to  the 
purpose  for  which  it  is  designed,  this  North  Grosvenor  Dale 
mill  is  not  surpassed  by  any  in  the  country.  To  furnish  homes 
for  the  large  number  of  workmen  many  new  hoUvSes  were 
requisite,  all  of  which  were  built  by  the  company  with  the  same 
good  taste  and  liberal  and  judicious  expenditure.  The  old  Fish- 
erville  stone  mill,  with  renovated  machinery,  is  also  operated. 

The  Grosvenor  Dale  Company  now  operates  more  machinery 
than  any  cotton  manufacturing  company  in  the  state,  and  car- 
ries out  the  design  of  the  original  founders  in  furnishing  as  de- 
sirable a  grade  of  goods  as  can  be  found  in  the  market.  In  1883, 
Mr.  Briggs  sold  his  interest  to  the  Grosvenors,  having  been  com- 
pelled by  ill  health  to  relinquish  his  position.  Mr.  William 
Grosvenor,  Sr.,  head  of  the  firm  and  so  prominently  connected 
with  all  its  interests,  died  in  1888,  leaving  the  great  manufactur- 
ing establishment  in  the  hands  of  his  sons,  William  and  James 
B.  M.  Grosvenor.  These  gentlemen  have  developed  marked 
capacity  for  business,  and  their  careful  training,  experience  and 
sagacity,  guarantee  the  successful  prosecution  of  the  trusts  com- 
mitted to  their  hands.  Mrs.  Rosa  A.  Grosvenor  preceded  her 
husband  a  few  years,  a  lady  of  rare  excellence,  whose  name  will 
be  ever  associated  with  the  building  up  and  growth  of  this  great 
manufacturing  interest. 

The  changes  wrought  in  the  last  fifteen  years  have  been  in- 
deed marvelous.  Former  residents  familiar  with  the  old-time 
Masonville  and  Fisherville,  as  they  see  the  stately  factory  build- 
ings, the  places  of  business,  the  array  of  dwelling  houses,  the  new 
streets,  the  school  houses,  the  Catholic  and  Swedish  houses  of 
worship,  as  they  see  the  throngs  of  foreigners  crowding  the 
streets  of  a  Saturday  night,  and  hear  a  Babel  of  alien  tongues, 
may  well  fancy  themselves  in  a  foreign  land.  Of  the  twelve 
hundred  and  fifty  operatives  less  than  two  hundred  are  of  New 
England  origin ;  about  seven  hundred  and  fift}^  are  French 
Canadians,  and  the  remainder  are  Irish  and  Swedes.     Alien  in 


692  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

religion  and  character,  as  well  as  in  blood  and  tongue,  the 
Canadians  were  at  first  slow  to  assimilate  with  their  surround- 
ings, but  within  a  few  years  a  great  change  is  perceptible,  and  a 
majority  now  prefer  to  remain  in  New  England  and  become  per- 
manent citizens,  as  well  as  those  of  other  nationalities.  In  all 
that  tends  to  the  physical  and  moral  well-being  of  the  workmen 
and  their  families,  and  to  the  up-building  and  prosperity  of  the 
two  villages,  the  Grosvenor  Dale  Company  manifests  a  wise  and 
liberal  interest.  The  present  resident  manager  is  Mr.  Frank  M. 
Messenger,  of  Cheshire  county,  New  Hampshire. 

Increase  in  trade  and  business  inevitably  follows  increase  of 
population.  Many  New  England  families  have  been  drawn  into 
the  villages  to  help  supply  the  needs  of  this  army  of  workmen. 
North  Grosvenor  Dale  has  been  particularly  favored,  having 
established  three  dry -goods  or  variety  stores,  one  grain  store, 
one  hardware  store,  three  markets,  one  carriage  manufactory. 
One  of  these  stores  is  carried  on  by  a  life-long  resident,  Mr.  J. 
Nichols  Upham,  the  first  child  born  in  Fisherville,  whose  father, 
Mr.  Ransom  Upham,  helped  lay  the  foundations  of  factory  and 
village.  Others  are  kept  by  Messrs.  John  Elliott,  B.  S.  Thomp- 
son, Simon  S.  Parkhurst,  Henry  Paradis.  The  Grosvenor  Dale 
store  is  carried  on  by  Mr.  Thomas  Hutchinson.  The  carriage 
manufactory  of  Messrs.  Arad  U.  and  George  E.  Elliott  is  a  very 
important  industry,  employing  a  number  of  workmen,  and  bring- 
ing into  the  village  descendants  of  one  of  the  substantial  old 
settlers  of  the  town.  The  partnership  was  formed  in  1875 ;  a 
blacksmith's  shop,  store  house  and  carriage  house  were  soon 
erected.  Wagons  are  built  to  order,  and  ordinary  job  work 
carried  on.  Messrs.  A.  U.  and  G.  E.  Elliott  have  served  the  town 
as  representatives  and  selectmen  and  in  other  capacities.  An- 
other old  Thompson  family  is  represented  by  Mr.  Oscar  Tourtel- 
lotte,  first  selectman,  who  has  been  very  prominent  in  school  and 
public  affairs.  Nathan  Rawson,  who  died  a  few  years  since,  had 
served  the  town  as  justice  and  in  various  other  capacities,  and  was 
a  much  respected  and  influential  resident  of  North  Grosvenor 
Dale.  In  the  recent  death  of  Constable  William  Cummings,  so 
popular  and  prominent  in  civil  and  military  affairs,  Grosvenor 
Dale  has  met  with  a  heavy  loss. 

The  new  elements  in  the  manufacturing  center  bring  new 
developments  in  church  and  school.  In  January,  1888,  876  chil- 
dren of  school  age  were  reported  in  the  two  Grosvenor   Dale 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  693 

districts.  A  modern  convenient  school  house  was  built  in  Gros- 
venor  Dale  in  1878.  North  Grosvenor  Dale  suffered  much  for 
lack  of  suitable  accommodations,  and  now  rejoices  in  a  most 
eligible  modern  school  house,  with  four  ample  rooms  and  every 
needful  convenience,  on  a  sightly  eminence  removed  from  the 
bustle  of  the  village,  built  at  a  cost  of  $7,835,  by  a  tax  upon  the 
district,  and  opened  for  use  in  the  autumn  of  1888. 

The  first  Catholics  in  the  two  villages  attended  service  in  the 
churches  of  Webster  and  Putnam.  The  first  minister  to  visit 
and  look  after  them  was  Reverend  Father  Duffy,  of  Pascoag, 
R.  I.  When  Putnam  parish  was  formed  in  1866,  Thompson  was 
constituted  an  out-mission.  Reverend  Father  Vygen  then  as- 
sumed charge  and  held  services  in  the  Masonville  chapel,  and 
later  in  a  hall.  In  1872  Father  Vygen  purchased  twelve 
acres  of  land  between  the  Grosvenor  Dales,  and  immediately 
commenced  the  erection  of  St.  Joseph's  church,  a  gothic  wooden 
structure,  costing  $10,000.  This  church  was  solemnly  dedicated 
by  Right  Reverend  F.  P.  McFarland,  September  29th,  1872 ;  the 
sermon  on  the  occasion  was  delivered  by  Reverend  H.  Martial, 
assistant  pastor  of  Putnam.  The  following  January  a  parish 
was  formed,  embracing  the  whole  town  excepting  Mechanics- 
ville.  West  Thompson  and  Quadic,  under  the  name  of  St.  Jo- 
seph's Catholic  Society,  including  about  nine  hundred  worship- 
ers. Father  Martial  was  appointed  its  pastor ;  lay  trustees,  Pat- 
rick Kelley  and  Louis  P.  Lamoureux.  A  pastoral  residence  was 
completed  the  same  year.  In  1874  the  cemetery  was  laid  out 
and  was  blessed  by  Very  Reverend  James  Hughes,  V.  G.,  ad- 
ministrator of  the  diocese,  June  15th.  In  1880  the  parish  was 
made  to  embrace  the  whole  town,  and  Reverend  A.  J.  Haggerty 
sent  as  assistant  to  Father  Martial.  During  this  year  a  church 
edifice  was  erected  at  West  Thompson  and  dedicated  by  Right 
Reverend  L.  S.  McMahon. 

Father  Flanagan  took  charge  of  the  parish  after  Father  Mar- 
tial's decease,  assisted  by  Reverend  J.  H.  Fitzmaurice.  Other 
assistants  in  the  field  were  Reverends  A.  J.  Haggerty,  T.  R. 
Sweeney,  J.  P.  Connelly,  I.  W.  Fones,  R.  F.  Moore,  W.  E.  Flan- 
agan. Reverend  Thomas  Cooney  succeeded  to  the  pastorate  at 
Grosvenor  Dale,  February  14th,  1883,  and  soon  instituted  mission 
work  at  New  Boston  and  Quinebaug.  Land  for  a  church  edifice 
was  given  by  Eben  S.  Stevens,  of  Quinebaug,  and  $300.  Its 
architect    and    builder   was     L.    P.    Lamoureux ;    cost,    $3,000. 


694  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

This  third  Catholic  church  in  Thompson,  St.  Stephens,  was 
dedicated  by  Right  Reverend  L.  S.  McMahon,  March  30th,  1884. 
February  2d,  1886,  Mechanicsville  and  vicinity  was  constituted  a 
distinct  parish,  with  Pomfret  as  an  out  mission,  Reverend  W.  E. 
Flanagan,  pastor.  A  pastoral  residence  was  built  the  following 
year,  at  a  cost  of  $3,000.  Father  Cooney  continues  in  charge  at 
Grosvenor  Dale.  The  Catholic  population  of  the  town  numbers 
some  2,800.  Since  the  erection  of  St.  Joseph's  parish,  there  have 
been  1,600  baptisms,  380  marriages,  630  deaths.  The  school, 
established  with  much  labor  and  personal  sacrifice,  is  very  flour- 
ishing. A  substantial,  three-story  building,  containing  convent, 
school  and  hall,  was  erected  in  1881,  at  a  cost  of  $12,000;  archi- 
tect and  builder,  Louis  P.  Lamoureux.  This  building  was  placed 
under  the  charge  of  "  the  Sisters  of  Holy  Cross,"  for  a  free  Cath- 
olic school  ;  was  opened  January  2d,  1882,  with  an  attendance  of 
three  hundred  children.  In  addition  to  the  branches  taught  in 
the  common  schools  of  the  state,  the  children  receive  a  thorough 
religious  training,  together  with  an  elementary  course  in  the 
French  language.  Present  number  of  pupils,  400 ;  average  at- 
tendance, 360. 

Next  to  the  French  the  Swedes  are  gaining  in  numbers  and 
readily  assimilate  with  their  new  surroundings.  The  Swedish 
church  in  Grosvenor  Dale  numbers  320  communicants;  ahouse 
of  worship  was  erected  in  1884 ;  their  first  pastor  was  Reverend 
Ludwig  Holmes,  a  man  much  beloved  by  his  people  and  respected 
by  all.  Reverend  G.  E,  Fosberg,  now  a  student,  has  been  called 
to  the  Swedish  pastorate. 

The  rival  company  that  cast  such  disdainful  eyes  and  name 
upon  the  future  Grosvenor  Dale,  has  a  very  different  record.  As 
the  "  Connecticut  Manufacturing  Company,"  securing  a  most 
eligible  privilege  upon  the  Quinebaug  and  Boston  turnpike,  and 
very  near  the  junction  of  the  Boston  and  Providence  turnpikes, 
it  may  have  thought  its  prospects  of  success  and  continuance  far 
more  favorable.  John  and  Jonathan  Nichols,  Jr.,  Daniel  Dwight, 
William  Dwight,  Jr.,  Benjamin  Arnold  and  Samuel  Perrin,  or- 
ganized as  a  manufacturing  company  in  1811.  A  substantial 
brick  building  was  soon  erected  and  made  ready  for  work  ;  sub- 
stantial workmen  came  with  their  families,  the  new  Methodist 
meeting  house  and  the  prevalence  of  the  Methodist  element, 
drawing  Methodists  to  this  church  center.  Shubael  Cady  and 
Joseph  Buck  were  among  these  Methodist  brethren,  caring  for 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  695 

the  souls  of  the  children  as  well  as  the  work  that  could  be  gotten 
out  of  them.  The  hard  times  of  1815-18  told  heavily  upon 
Brick  Factory,  and  the  death  of  some  of  the  founders  led  to  en- 
tire reconstruction.  In  1821,  the  interest  was  sold  to  William 
Reed,  Esq.,  a  native  of  Attleborough,  Mass.,  one  of  the  constitu- 
ent members  of  the  Danielsonville  Manufacturing  Company  of 
Killingly,  and  for  many  years  its  resident  manager.  Walter 
Paine,  of  Providence,  joined  with  him  the  following  year  and 
continued  a  partner  till  1829,  when  Mr.  Reed  purchased  the 
whole  establishment.  George  Larned,  2d,  who  had  married 
the  only  daughter  of  Esquire  Reed,  carried  on  the  store. 

Under  this  administration  the  Brick  Factory  pursued  its  way 
prosperously  for  many  years.  The  high  character  of  the  propri- 
etors and  their  excellent  wives  gave  tone  to  the  village.  The  tem- 
perance movement  found  willing  advocates  and  a  deep  religious 
spirit  pervaded  the  community.  One  of  its  most  esteemed  citi- 
zens, Mr.  Faxon  Nichols,  served  as  first  postmaster.  Reverend 
Hezekiah  Ramsdell,  an  early  resident,  did  good  service  in  vil- 
lage and  town  by  his  interest  in  public  education,  and  also  in 
the  culture  of  flowers  and  choice  fruit.  Brick  Factory,  or  Reed- 
ville,  or  West  Thompson  Village,  as  it  was  variously  called,  was 
particularly  flourishing  just  after  the  opening  of  the  Norwich  & 
Worcester  railroad,  when  residents  of  the  future  Putnam  at- 
tended church  at  its  meeting  house  and  received  their  mail  mat- 
ter at  its  post  office.  Prosperity  was  checked  by  the  burning  of 
the  factory  in  1849,  and  as  Esquire  Reed  was  now  advanced  in 
years,  he  sold  the  manufacturing  privilege  to  his  son,  Mr.  Ezra 
C.  Reed,  of  New  Haven,  Conn.,  who  retained  it  but  a  few  years, 
and  after  needful  repairs  and  refitting  conveyed  the  whole  inter- 
est to  Messrs.  Henry  Sharpe  and  Walker.  Esquire  Reed  and  his 
estimable  wife  passed  their  declining  years  with  their  son  in 
New  Haven,  living  to  extreme  old  age. 

West  Thompson  village  has  made  little  or  no  advance  since 
the  latter  change.  Various  attempts  have  been  made  to  revive 
the  former  interest  or  develop  new  industries.  In  1881  Mr.  Os- 
car F.  Chase,  who  had  succeeded  Sharpe  and  Walker  in  owner- 
ship, sold  his  interest  to  Messrs.  Sayles  and  Washburn,  of  Me- 
chanicsville,  who  have  reconstructed  the  privilege  and  changed 
the  course  of  the  Quinebaug.  The  village  remains  as  ever,  a 
pleasant  place  of  residence,  the  home  of  substantial  families, 
and  doubtless  in  time  will  be  revivified  and  farther  built  up  by 
the  thrivingf  interest  on  its  borders. 


696  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Mechanicsville  dates  back  to  1827,  when  a  privilege  upon  the 
French  river,  just  above  its  junction  with  the  Quinebaug,  was 
secured  by  a  number  of  enterprising  men,  viz.,  Erastus  Buck, 
Augusus  Howe,  Thomas  and  James  Dike,  Jude  Sabin,  John  Chol- 
lar,  Jacob  Leavens  and  James  Cunningham,  who  associated  to- 
gether as  "The  Mechanics'  Company  "  for  the  manufacture  of 
woolen  goods,  and  put  up  a  three-story  wooden  mill,  a  saw  mill 
and  an  eight-tenement  block  for  operatives.  All  members  of 
the  company  were  expected  to  help  carry  forward  the  work  per- 
sonally. Mr.  Howe  served  as  agent;  the  Messrs.  Dike  and  Cun- 
ningham carried  on  the  machine  shop;  Mr.  Buck  drove  the 
mules;  and  Mr.  Leavens  superintended  the  weavers.  A  work- 
shop bought  with  the  land  was  transformed  into  a  school  house. 
For  some  unassigned  reason,  perhaps  because  one  level  head  is 
a  better  motor  than  half  a  dozen,  the  co-operative  experiment 
failed  of  success,  and  in  about  three  years  the  company  dissolved, 
and  in  1835  the  whole  property  was  sold  at  auction  to  William 
Rhodes  and  Thomas  Truesdell,  who  run  the  mill  intermittently 
till  it  was  purchased  by  Mr.  Smith  Wilkinson  in  1838.  For  five 
years  it  struggled  on  under  different  lessees,  till  destroyed  by 
fire  in  1843. 

In  1858  Messrs.  Sabin  and  Harris  Sayles  and  Mowry  Ross 
made  arrangements  with  Mr.  Edmond  Wilkinson,  under  which 
they  built  a  small  brick  mill  and  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  fancy  cassimere.  In  1865  Messrs.  Thomas  D. 
Sayles  and  Warren  Harris  became  partners  with  the  Messrs. 
Sayles  in  the  Mechanicsville  Company,  purchasing  the  previous 
establishment  and  adjacent  territory.  A  new  and  beautiful 
brick  building  was  speedily  erected,  250  by  42  feet,  four  stories 
high,  and  fitted  up  with  the  best  machinery  and  every  modern 
appointment.  A  large  number  of  operatives  were  straightway 
imported,  new  houses  built,  and  great  improvements  made  in 
the  village.  The  dingy  old  workshop  which  had  done  duty  for 
a  school  room  was  replaced  by  a  neat  brick  building.  Since  the 
assumption  of  Mechanicsville  by  the  present  proprietors,  Messrs. 
Thomas  D.  Sayles  and  B.  S.  Washburn,  in  1879,  very  great 
changes  have  been  wrought.  Purchasing  the  West  Thompson 
privilege,  the  Ellis  farm,  and  other  needful  territory,  the  firm 
entered  upon  a  work  of  demolition  and  reconstruction,  costing 
some  years  of  labor  and  half  a  million  of  money.  A  new  and 
very  superior  dam  was  built,  the  channel  of  the  Quinebaug  deep- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  697 

ened  and  in  some  places  turned,  roads  straightened  and  new 
ones  constructed,  hills  leveled  and  valleys  filled  up,  resulting  in 
an  entire  transformation.  The  drive  to  West  Thompson  over 
the  Smooth,  level  road,  with  its  iron  bridges,  with  the  sparkling 
blue  lake  on  one  side,  and  the  picturesque  verdant  park,  reclaimed 
from  marsh  land,  on  the  other,  is  indeed  "  a  thing  of  beauty  " 
and  a  perpetual  joy.  The  same  good  taste  has  transformed  and 
beautified  the  village.  The  factory  building,  with  its  green 
lawn  in  front,  occupies  one  of  the  finest  locations  in  New  Eng- 
land, and  everything  about  premises  and  village  are  in  perfect 
keeping,  emblematic,  it  is  said,  of  the  unusual  harmony  in 
the  relations  between  emploj^ers  and  employed.  The  present 
number  of  operatives  is  three  hundred  and  fifty — Canadian 
French,  German,  Irish,  Swede.  A  Catholic  house  of  worship 
was  built  in  1880— "  The  Church  of  the  Sacred  Heart  "—Mr. 
Thomas  D.  Sayles  giving  land  and  $500  for  that  purpose. 

A  new  iron  bridge  now  spans  the  Quinebaug  near  West 
Thompson  station.  The  old  Thompson  burying  ground,  opened 
soon  after  1720,  is  now  in  excellent  condition.  An  ample  ad- 
dition on  the  north,  provided  by  Mr.  George  H.  Nichols,  pre- 
cludes the  anticipated  need  of  a  modern  cemetery.  Descendants 
of  Captain  Jonathan  Nichols,  viz..  Elder  John  Nichols,  Esquire 
Jonathan  Nichols,  Messrs  Faxon  and  Captain  George  Nichols, 
have  been  very  prominent  in  town,  filling  many  public 
offices  with  credit  and  usefulness.  The  latter  is  now  represented 
by  his  sons,  Jerome  and  George  H.  Nichols,  who  also  serve  the 
town  in  many  public  capacities.  A  third  son,  the  late  lamented 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Munroe  Nichols,  gave  a  life  of  much  prom- 
ise to  the  service  of  his  country  in  the  late  war.  The  family  of 
Mr.  James  Cunningham,  one  of  the  original  proprietors  of  Me- 
chanics' Factory,  still  reside  in  the  vicinity.  The  venerable  Mr. 
Winthrop  H.  Ballard  and  his  son,  Mr.  Stephen  Ballard,  are  re- 
spected residents. 

The  Five  Mile  or  Assawaga  river,  in  the  east  of  the  town,  has 
propelled  but  one  small  factory  in  Thompson,  though  helping 
run  several  larger  establishments  in  towns  below.  Grist  and 
saw  mills  have  been  kept  at  work  since  the  first  settlement  of 
the  town.  In  1813  a  number  of  gentlemen  from  Providence,, 
viz.,  Emor  Angell,  Nehemiah  Knight,  Thomas  Burgess,  John 
Mackie,  associated  with  Stephen  Matthewson,  of  Johnston,  R.  L, 
and  Josiah  Sessions  and  Joseph  Waterman,  of  Thompson,  as  the 


698  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Quadic  Manufacturing  Company,  and  bought  land  and  water 
privilege  in  the  little  hamlet  of  Quadic,  of  a  well-known  resident, 
Deacon  Jonathan  Converse.  They  soon  erected  a  small  build- 
ing and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  woolen  hats.  The  close 
of  the  war  brought  untimely  end  to  this  enterprise,  which  was 
soon  replaced  by  the  inevitable  cotton  factory,  set  in  motion  by 
Mr.  John  Mason  and  a  new  company.  A  larger  factory  was  now 
built,  and  a  number  of  dwelling  houses  between  1820-22. 

In  1822  Mr.  Mason,  for  $1,900  sold  "one-third  interest  in  the 
Quadic  Manufacturing  Company,  set  off  as  one-half  of  the  late 
hat  manufactory,"  to  Messrs.  Sessions  and  Waterman,  who  for  a 
number  of  years  continued  in  charge,  manufacturing  "  Quadic 
sheeting."  Calvin  Randall  and  Stephen  B.  Winsor  had  also 
rights  in  the  mill.  Nelson  S.  Eddy  purchased  the  establishment 
in  1835,  and  resided  a  number  of  years  in  the  village,  employing 
from  fifty  to  seventy-five  men,  women  and  children.  Quadic 
village,  with  its  factory,  daily  stage-coach  passing  through  it, 
and  constant  teaming  to  and  from  Providence,  was  then  a  brisk 
little  settlement,  its  convenient  store  in  pre-temperance  days 
furnishing  spirituous  refreshment  to  many  a  weary  traveller. 
After  the  decease  of  Mr.  Eddy  the  factory  was  leased  for  a  time 
to  Card  &  Stone.  In  1848  Mr.  Lemuel  K.  Blackmar  assumed  the 
charge  of  the  saw  and  grist  mills,  and  a  little  later  fitted  up  the 
old  "  red  hat  factory,"  for  the  manufacture  of  twine.  Mr.  David 
Warner,  who  purchased  rights  of  the  children  of  Mr.  Eddy,  also 
carried  on  twine  manufacture.  The  privilege  of  deepening  the 
channel  of  the  Assawaga,  and  constructing  a  reservoir  for  sup- 
plying Dayville  and  Attawagan  factories  with  water,  was 
obtained  by  the  Messrs.  Sayles  and  Blackstone,  resulting  in  the 
formation  of  a  full,  deep  lake,  setting  backward  to  near  the  north 
bound  of  the  town.  Mowry  Ross,  a  veteran  mill  owner,  pur- 
chased the  Quadic  privilege  in  1873.  His  sons,  Mowry  and  Isaac 
Ross,  built  a  tasteful  new  mill  on  the  south  side  of  the  road, 
which  fell  into  possession  of  Mr.  A.  W.  Thurber,  of  Putnam. 
Its  destruction  by  fire  has  apparently  put  an  end  to  Quadic  cot- 
ton manufacture.  The  old  saw  and  grist  mills  also  rest  from 
their  labors.  A  few  of  the  former  residents  still  linger  in  the 
picturesque  little  village.  Sabbath  schools  have  been  kept  up 
for  many  years  in  the  Quadic  school  house,  by  earnest  Baptist 
brethren,  viz..  Deacons  Stephen  Crosby  and  Welcome  Bates,  Mr. 
Newton  Ballard  and  others. 


HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY.  699 

When  Brandy  hill  first  assumed  its  inspiriting  name  is  beyond 
the  memory  of  descendants  of  the  oldest  inhabitant.  Tradition 
refers  it  to  the  bursting  of  a  brandy  hogshead  upon  the  hill,  and 
it  may  be  inferred  that  the  great  outflow  of  liquor  at  Starr's  tav- 
ern during  the  days  of  turnpike  opening,  helped  to  make  it  per- 
manent. Succeeding  stage  taverns  were  famous  for  the  concoc- 
tion of  flip,  the  poker  being  kept  red  hot  in  the  glowing  coals 
for  that  purpose  from  morn  till  eve.  Before  the  much-needed 
temperance  reform  it  was  the  custom  of  honored  fathers  of 
Thompson  hill  to  take  their  wives  and  daughters,  after  a  special- 
ly hard  day's  work  at  house  cleaning  or  the  like,  to  this  famous 
tavern,  to  be  cheered  if  not  inebriated  by  foaming  flip.  Brandy 
hill  at  that  date  boasted  a  special  military  company  and  train- 
ings, with  a  flourishing  store,  and  at  one  time  secured  a  vote  to 
hold  town  meetings  part  of  the  time  at  the  Baptist  meeting 
house.  It  was  also  famous  for  singing  schools  and  occasional 
balls.  A  stately  row  of  poplars  was  set  out  about  1800  by  Cap- 
tain Isaac  Davis.  The  meeting  house  and  taverns  were  said  to 
have  built  up  Brandy  hill  village,  and  with  the  decay  of  the  lat- 
ter the  village  declined.  It  has  furnished  a  pleasant  home  for 
many  residents,  particularly  the  descendants  of  the  faithful  town 
clerk,  Mr.  Nathaniel  Mills,  whose  sons,  Nathaniel,  Colonel  Isaac, 
Ashley  and  Corbin  Mills,  have  had  homes  in  the  village  or  in  its 
vicinity.  The  old  church  still  holds  its  own  as  has  been  noticed 
elsewhere,  and  the  venerable  row  of  poplars  stands  as  a  familiar 
land-mark. 

The  northeast  part  of  the  town  was  sparsely  settled  for  many 
years,  the  descendants  of  Nathaniel  Jacobs  and  Israel  Joslin  oc- 
cupying many  of  its  farms  and  homesteads.  Turnpike  travel 
increased  the  number  of  residents,  and  the  "Jacobs  District" 
became  quite  populous.  The  Methodist  church  and  projected 
railroad  helped  to  centralize  this  population,  but  it  was  not  till 
the  Boston  &  Erie  railroad  was  fairly  opened  that  East  Thomp- 
son village  entered  upon  existence.  Its  importance  was  in- 
creased by  the  junction  with  the  Southbridge  Branch.  A  num- 
ber of  families  connected  in  various  ways  with  the  railroad  in- 
terest now  occupy  the  village.  Shoe  manufacture  was  carried 
on  for  a  time  by  the  Reverend  Isaac  Sherman,  a  useful  and  re- 
spected citizen.  The  store  established  by  him  is  now  conducted 
by  Mr.  George  H.  Wilber,  the  present  postmaster.  A  store  is 
also  kept  by  R.  J.  Steins.     The  family  which  gave  its  name  to 


700  HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

this  district  is  much  less  numerous  than  in  former  years — sev- 
eral branches  failing  from  extinction  or  emigration.  One  of  its 
oldest  representatives,  Mr.  Joseph  D.  Jacobs,  has  recently  re- 
moved from  a  family  homestead  to  Thompson  hill.  Two  of  his 
seven  sons  gave  their  lives  to  their  country;  the  survivors  are  en- 
gaged in  business  in  various  parts  of  the  land. 

The  present  Wilsonville  occupies  the  site  of  the  "  Child's 
Mills  "  of  former  generations.  Elijah  Converse  came  into  pos- 
session about  1796,  and  conveyed  them  to  his  son,  Mr.  Riel  Con- 
verse, who  ran  grist  and  saw  mills.  In  1822  he  sold  mills  and 
privilege,  with  nine  acres  of  land,  to  Mr.  Zirah  Preston,  for  $2,- 
700.  Mr.  Preston  in  the  following  year  sold  land  to  Mr.  Laban 
T.  Wilson,  with  privilege  to  run  a  wheel  for  the  purpose  of  man- 
ufacturing woolen  goods.  Mr.  Wilson  soon  put  up  and  set  in 
motion  a  small  establishment,  engaging  in  the  manufacture  of 
satinet.  In  1824  he  leased  the  grist  and  saw  mills,  and  gave  his 
name  to  the  growing  village.  After  ten  years  of  doubtful  suc- 
cess, he  gave  place  to  a  succession  of  owners — John  Farnam, 
Wh,eeler  Barrett,  Riel  Converse,  Archelaus  Upham,  the  Messrs. 
Capron,  E.  A.  Wheelock,  Oscar  Chase,  who  carried  on  the  mills 
in  intermittent  fashion  with  varying  success  till  the  inevitable 
fire  consumed  the  old  building.  The  present  proprietor,  Mr. 
Reegan,  has  built  a  small  mill  and  engaged  in  woolen  manufac- 
ture. Many  of  the  residents  of  this  village  are  descended  from 
old  families.  Mr.  Diah  Upham,  who  has  filled  many  town  offices, 
carried  on  mercantile  business  for  fifteen  years.  Mr.  Samuel 
Adams  has  kept  the  Wilsonville  store  for  twenty  years.  The 
Wilsonville  burying  ground  shows  that  many  residents  of  this 
vicinity  lived  to  advanced  age.  Mr.  Riel  Converse  exceeded 
ninety-two  years.  Mrs.  Nathaniel  (Whitford)  Child,  who  died  at 
Wilsonville,  May  21st,  1877,  aged  one  hundred  years  and  thirty- 
six  days,  attained  the  greatest  age  of  any  Thompson  woman  on 
record.  Her  son,  Hon.  Marcus  Child,  a  very  respectable  citizen, 
twice  representing  the  town  at  the  legislature,  died  suddenly 
within  a  few  years. 

New  Boston  site  was  occupied  at  a  very  early  date.  Among 
its  old  time  celebrities  were  Mr.  Samuel  Morris  and  Mr.  William 
Chandler,  the  latter  a  son  of  Hon.  John  Chandler  of  Woodstock, 
whose  wife,  Jemima  Bradbury,  boasted  the  bluest  blood  in  Mas- 
sachusetts. Their  large  house,  near  the  west  line  of  the  town, 
was  for  half  a  century  the  most  aristocratic  establishment  in  the 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  701 

vicinity,  kept  up  in  true  colonial  style,  with  negro  and  Indian 
vServants,  stately  furniture,  books  and  pictures.  Captain  Chand- 
ler was,  like  his  father,  a  skillful  surveyor,  and  was  the  only  man 
in  town  bold  enough  to  ask  to  have  a  road  laid  out  to  accommo- 
date his  business,  as  well  as  "  travel  to  Thompson  meeting 
house." 

The  Morris-Holbrook  farm  fell  finally  into  the  hands  of  Cap- 
tain Goodell,  a  noted  military  man,  whose  wife  was  a  daughter  of 
John  Holbrook.  Residents  in  this  vicinity  who  had  purchased 
old  Dudley  land  were  involved  in  the  famous  lawsuit  brought 
by  Paul  Dtidley  for  the  recovery  of  these  farms,  on  the  ground 
that,  as  entailed  property,  the  sale  was  unlawful.  The  final  trial 
of  this  case  before  the  supreme  court  at  Washington  was  the 
great  event  of  the  generation,  with  Daniel  Webster  pleading  for 
the  defendants,  and  the  distinguished  orator,  William  Pinkney, 
stricken  with  fatal  disease  while  arguing  against  them. 

The  northwest  corner  of  Thompson  received  a  new  impulse 
from  the  opening  of  the  Providence  &  Southbridge  turnpike, 
with  its  travel  and  taverns.  The  Barnes  and  Chaffee  tavern 
stands  became  noted  places  of  resort.  The  old  Morris  farm  on 
the  Quinebaug  was  now  held  mainly  by  heirs  of  John  Hol- 
brook, who  purchased  it  from  Benjamin  Wilkinson.  His  son, 
Thomas,  gave  the  valley  the  now  familiar  name,  New  Boston. 
The  widow  of  Thomas  Holbrook  married  for  her  second  hus- 
band in  1802,  Colonel  Joseph  Chapin,  whose  name  is  still  pre- 
served in  the  neighborhood.  His  sisters,  married  to  Ephraim 
and  Sylvanus  Houghton  and  Captain  Amos  Goodell,  also  occu- 
pied Morris  homesteads.  Jason  Phipps  bought  land  of  Benjamin 
Morris  as  early  as  1760.  Other  settlers  in  the  vicinity  were : 
William  Copeland,  Thomas  Ormsbee,  William  Jordan,  who, 
with  other  substantial  families,  made  a  pleasant  neighborly 
society. 

Ebenezer  Phelps  of  Sutton,  bought  land  and  water  privilege  of 
the  Houghtons  in  1804,  and  set  up  saw  and  grist  mills.  Part  of 
this  privilege  was  soon  made  over  to  Rufus  Coburn  and  Alpheus 
Corbin,  who  introduced  a  fulling  mill  and  carding  machine.  The 
present  "Phelps  House  "  was  completed  in  1808.  William  Jor- 
dan and  William  Lamson  also  bought  land  of  Phelps  and  Hough- 
ton, building  substantial  houses  in  the  growing  village.  A 
burial  lot  for  the  use  of  the  neighborhood  was  given  by  Mrs. 
Chapin,  and  enclosed  and  made  ready  for   occupation  by  the 


702  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

adjacent  residents.     The  first  interment  was  ttiat  of  Lucy  Rob- 
bins,  in  1813. 

Tlie  clothiery  works  were  purchased  by  John  Barber  in  1815, 
who  built  the  house  now  owned  by  Mr.  William  Copeland.  He 
was  succeeded  for  a  short  interval  by  Otis  Nichols.  Mr.  Par- 
ley Jordan  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  axes  and  other  edged 
tools  in  1821.  William  Jordan,  Sr.,  built  a  fine  new  tavern  house 
on  the  street  in  1828,  with  a  large  hall,  which  was  opened  by  a 
ball  and  appropriate  exercises.  Manufacturing  enterprise  had 
now  sought  out  New  Boston.  Edward  Howard,  an  Englishman, 
secured  water  privilege  and  surrounding  land  in  1829,  and  soon 
erected  a  small  brick  mill  for  the  manufacture  of  satinets.  Marry- 
ing a  resident,  Miss  Lucy  Houghton,  he  expected  to  spend  his 
life  in  this  pleasant  resting  place,  but  adverse  fate  pursued  him, 
and  he  was  lost  at  sea  on  his  voyage  homeward  from  England. 
His  widow  survived  him  but  a  few  months.  A  "  New  Boston 
Manufacturing  Company"  essayed  to  carry  on  the  mill,  but 
met  various  misadventures.  Company  after  company  was 
formed,  began  work,  and  made  assignments.  It  was  said  that 
the  Devil,  alert  to  seize  the  opportunity,  "had  been  let  into 
the  wheel-pit"  at  the  beginning  of  the  enterprise,  and  that 
was  the  cause  of  all  the  calamities. 

A  store  was  kept  up  and  some  shoemaking  and  minor  busi- 
ness essayed.  Mr.  Parley  Jordan's  trip-hammer  did  good  ser- 
vice for  many  years.  Messrs.  William  Billings  and  Uphamcame 
into  possession  of  the  factory  in  1853,  and  remained  in  charge' 
twelve  years.  A  Social  Circle  and  Library  were  established 
during  this  period,  through  the  agency  of  Mrs.  Billings  and  Mrs. 
Upham.  Still  greater  improvements  have  been  effected  during 
the  administration  of  the  present  proprietors — the  Messrs.  Mur- 
dock.  They  found  mill  and  tenement  buildings  greatly  dilapi- 
dated, morality  at  a  low  ebb,  rum  sold  at  several  places.  The 
process  of  renovation  was  slow  and  difficult.  Flood  and  fire 
made  havoc  with  the  ancient  dam  and  factory  buildings,  but  ap- 
parently drove  out  the  original  enemy,  and  with  new  dam  and 
buildings  prosperity  dawned  upon  the  New  Boston  Manufactur- 
ing Company.  Continued  additions  have  been  made  and  new 
machinery  introduced.  About  eighty  hands  are  now  employed, 
half  of  them  Americans.  In  thrift  and  morality  there  have  been 
great  advances,  and  New  Boston  now  compares  favorably  with 
other    manufacturing    villages.     Relig-ious    services    are    held 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  703 

statedly  in  the  hall,  and  the  comfort  and  well-being  of  the  oper- 
atives made  a  special  care.  The  energy  and  public  spirit  of  the 
Messrs.  Murdock  and  their  assistant,  Mr.  Ira  N.  Bates,  have  added 
much  to  the  standing  and  influence  of  this  section  of  the  town. 
Mr.  Bates  has  served  as  selectman  .  and  town  representative. 
The  spirit  of  improvement  has  permeated  the  village.  The  abun- 
dance of  flowers  and  neat  appearance  of  the  houses  have  long  been 
remarked.  The  "  Ladies'  Union  Circle,"  established  in  1865,  has 
aided  much  in  promoting  good  feeling  and  social  intercourse, 
and  its  library  has  proved  an  incalcuable  benefit.  Mr.  Jerome 
Jordan  served  first  as  librarian  ;  Miss  Jane  Ormsbee  succeeded, 
but  since  1857  Miss  Mary  P.  Jordan  has  administered  the  offices 
of  librarian,  secretary  and  treasurer  with  much  fidelity  and 
acceptance.  Some  seven  hundred  volumes  are  now  included  in 
the  library. 

New  Boston  village  is  particularly  noted  for  its  cordial  hospi- 
tality and  enjoyable  social  entertainments,  its  ancient  and  mod- 
ern elements  most  happily  uniting  on  such  occasions.  The  in- 
stitution of  a  branch  railroad  in  place  of  the  former  turnpike  is 
a  great  convenience,  and  a  new  Quinebaug  village  is  growing 
up  around  the  station.  While  some  of  the  early  New  Boston 
families  are  still  represented,  others  have  passed  away.  Mr. 
Edward  Aldrich,  the  last  representative  of  the  several  sons  of 
Mr.  Esek  Aldrich,  died  some  years  since.  An  eccentric  resident, 
stranded  in  New  Boston  after  the  shipwreck  of  Dorr's  experi- 
ment in  Rhode  Island — Aaron  White,  Esq. — died  in  1886. 
Fuller  details  of  his  character  and  career  will  be  found  in  another 
section.  The  late  Jesse  Ormsbee  and  Harvey  Lamson,  Esquires, 
Messrs.  William  and  Parley  lordan  will  long  be  remembered  as 
among  the  honored  citizens  of  the  town. 

Nothing  worthy  of  the  name  of  village  existed  in  Thompson 
during  the  last  century.  Four  or  five  houses  and  a  blacksmith 
shop  had  been  built  upon  Thompson  hill,  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
meeting  house  ;  the  meeting  house,  as  in  many  hill  towns,  building 
up  a  village  instead  of  the  village  building  the  meeting  house. 
But  when  it  was  found  that  two  lines  of  turnpike  were  to  inter- 
sect upon  the  hill,  new  life  sprang  up.  The  Joseph  Watson 
house,  Wickham's  store  and  Keith's  tavern  were  built  before 
1800,  and  soon  after  that  date  several  houses  were  erected,  espe- 
cially upon  the  east  side  of  the  Providence  turnpike.  Building  was, 
however,  impeded  by  the  scarcit}^  of  building  lots,  the  north 


704  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

part  of  the  hill  being  included  in  the  Watson  estate,  which  was 
not  thrown  into  market  till  after  the  death  of  Widow  Samuel 
Watson  in  1813.  The  north  end  of  the  hill  was  then  purchased 
by  George  Larned,  Esq.,  and  laid  out  in  building  lots,  he  him- 
self occupying  the  Watson  house  (now  Judge  Rawson's)  as  a 
dwelling  house  and  law  office.  On  the  opposite  site  a  house  was 
speedily  built  by  Hezekiah  Olney.  Mr.  Noadiah  Comins  built 
the  house  adjoining  southward,  and  Doctor  James  Webb  a  third 
house  (now  occupied  by  Mrs.  Tallman ).  The  site  below  was  soon 
filled  by  the  old  meeting  house  transformed  into  a  town  house, 
and  the  nucleus  of  the  present  tavern  was  put  up  on  the  corner 
by  Stephen  E.  Tefft.  Doctor  Webb  left  town  before  complet- 
ing his  house,  and  was  followed  by  Doctor  Horatio  Holbrook, 
who  built  on  the  north  side  of  the  street,  adjoining  Esquire 
Larned's. 

A  handsome  brick  house  on  the  corner  had  been  previously 
built  by  John  Nichols,  and  a  large  house  with  brick  ends  was 
built  on  another  corner  northward  by  Noadiah  Russel,  Esq. 
Captain  Joel  Taylor  built  several  houses  east  of  the  tavern,  on  the 
Providence  turnpike,  the  first  of  which  was  long  occupied  by 
Obadiah  Stone.  A  small  house  nearly  opposite  was  put  together 
by  Simon  Davis,  Esq.  All  this  building,  together  with  the  team- 
ing and  stage  coaches,  made  the  hill  very  lively.  Many  of  the 
new  residents  engaged  in  business.  Mr.  Olney  manufactured 
hats;  Mr.  Comins,  harness;  Mr.  Stone,  shoes;  Nichols  and  Tefft 
carried  on  various  stores ;  Esquire  Davis  practiced  law ;  Mr. 
Theodore  Dwight  made  a  most  acceptable  landlord  in  the  new 
turnpike  tavern  ;  Mr.  Rufus  Coburn  entered  upon  trade.  Rum 
was  sold  without  restriction  in  all  the  stores  and  taverns.  A 
house-warming  frolic,  in  which  all  these  business  men  and  lead- 
ing citizens  indulged  in  great  excesses,  called  out  Mr.  Dow's 
first  temperance  sermon.  Fixing  his  eye  upon  the  offenders  with 
most  scathing  rebuke,  he  thundered  out  the  scriptural  queries — 
"Who  hath  woe?  Who  hath  sorrow?  Who  hath  contentions ? 
Who  hath  babblings?  Who  hath  redness  of  eyes?  They  that 
tarry  long  at  the  wine."  But  the  fact  that  the  next  day  the  pas- 
tor himself  took  a  glass  of  wine  at  the  house  of  a  parishioner 
marred  the  practical  effect  of  the  sermon.  All  classes  were 
greatly  benefitted  by  the  rise  of  the  temperance  reform,  banish- 
ing liquor  from  common  household  use,  social  entertainments 
and  the  better  class  of  stores. 


HOWARD"    COTTAGE. 


HARRY  "    COTTAGE. 


RATHLiN  "-Residence  of   GEORGE  LOTHROP  BRADLEY,    Pomfret  Centre,  Conn. 

"  RATHLIN  "    LODGE. 


STiLLEBEN. 


HOPE  "    cottage. 


history"  of   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  705 

The  rapid  expansion  of  business  and  manufactures  after  the 
close  of  the  first  lialf  century  of  the  republic  brought  a  special 
"  boom  "  to  Thompson  hill.  Residents  of  neighboring  factories 
sought  supplies  of  needful  articles  and  luxuries  at  its  well-filled 
stores,  now  conducted  by  Messrs.  Almy  &  Crosby  and  Erastus 
Knight.  Mr.  Edward  Shaw,  of  Providence,  opened  a  watch- 
maker's and  jeweler's  store  in  1830,  a  great  novelty  and  attrac- 
tion, customers  coming  miles  from  every  direction  to  have  their 
watches  regulated  and  buy  glittering  ornaments.  Mr.  Hezekiah 
Olney,  now  high  sheriff  of  Windham  county,  built  a  brick  block 
between  the  tavern  and  town  house,  and  opened  a  fashionable 
"  New  York  hat  and  cap  store."  Horatio  Paine  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  boots.  The  tailors'  shops  conducted  by  Albert 
E.  Whipple  and  James  O.  Mills  were  largely  patronized,  as 
nothing  in  the  line  of  ready-made  clothing  could  then  be  pro- 
cured. Mrs.  C.  C.  Dow  supplied  a  large  constituency  with  taste- 
ful and  fashionable  millinery.  Messrs.  Andrew  B.  Baldwin, 
James  Hutchins,  Danforth  Kinney  and  Walter  Bates  opened 
shops  for  carriages  and  furniture  making.  All  these  business 
enterprises  found  convenient  financial  accommodation  in  the 
Thompson  Bank,  incorporated  in  1833.  The  year  preceding 
Thompson  had  the  enterprise  to  purchase  a  jaunty  little  fire 
engine,  run  by  an  efficient  company.  Among  other  innovations, 
the  newspaper  came  to  Thompson  hill.  George  Roberts,  pub- 
lisher at  a  later  day  of  the  first  cheap  daily  paper  in  Boston,  and 
the  originator  of  the  famous  "Mammoth  Newspaper,"  entered 
upon  his  journalistic  career  as  the  editor  of  a  dainty  little  semi- 
weekly  called  T/ie  Thompson  Transcript.  This  was  soon  succeeded 
by  a  Weekly  Bulletin,  but  neither  was  able  to  support  existence. 
They  were  followed  by  TJie  Windham  County  Gazette,  published 
by  another  newspaper  celebrity,  the  J.  P.  Chapman  who  was  or- 
dered "  to  crow  "  in  the  Tippecanoe  campaign.  His  newspaper 
lingered  for  several  years,  but  collapsed  in  1837  with  many  kin- 
dred enterprises. 

One  of  Thompson's  chief  notabilities  in  these  booming  years 
was  "  the  Stiles  Tavern,"  claiming  that  more  stage  passengers 
dined  there  every  day  than  at  any  other  house  in  New  England. 
Its  proprietor.  Captain  Vernon  Stiles,  was  the  very  beau  ideal  oi  a 
landlord — big,  hearty,  jolly.  More  than  that,  he  was  a  public 
spirited  citizen,  a  graceful  speaker  and  an  adroit  politician.  His 
bar  room  was  the  headquarters  of  the  democratic  party,  and  his 
45 


706  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

spacious  hall  the  scene  of  many  a  festive  entertainment.  Thomp- 
son's peculiar  matrimonial  facilities  had  then  been  recognized, 
cornering  as  it  did  upon  two  states  where  a  two  or  three  weeks' 
publishment  of  intention  was  required  before  the  marriage  cere- 
mony, while  Connecticut  let  them  off  with  one  brief  pulpit 
notice.  It  became  very  much  the  fashion  for  affianced  pairs  in 
these  states  to  drive  to  Thompson  on  a  vSunday  morn,  and  there 
be  united  at  Stiles's  tavern.  For  a  time  the  ministers  were  called 
in  to  perform  the  ceremony  at  intermission  of  divine  service, 
but  the  calls  became  so  frequent,  and  the  consequent  Sabbath 
breaking  so  alarming,  that  they  resigned  the  office  to  Captain 
Stiles,  as  justice,  who  tied  the  nuptial  knot  with  a  grace  and 
sympathy  that  charmed  all  participants.  Scarce  a  Sabbath  passed 
without  bringing  wedding  parties  to  partake  of  the  frosted  loaf 
always  made  ready  for  them,  and  Thompson  became  widely 
known  as  the  "Gretna  Green  of  New  England,"  run-a-ways  on 
several  occasions  improving  its  facilities.  Near  the  tavern,  in 
the  town  house  building,  back  of  Mr.  Shaw's  shop,  Esquire 
Davis  kept  the  post  office,  the  only  one  in  town,  and  also  a  mu- 
seum of  curiosities  and  Indian  relics,  exciting  much  juvenile 
interest. 

A  very  famous  debating  society  was  organized  in  1833,  with  Si- 
mon Davis,  Esq.,  president,  Joseph  B.  Gay,  vice-president,  George 
Roberts,  secretary,  and  a  large  number  of  members,  where  all 
the  vital  questions  of  the  day  were  earnestly  debated,  and  pre- 
sumably settled.  The  lawyers,  young  and  old,  Doctors  Holbrook 
and  Bowen,  Captain  vStiles,  schoolmasters  from  far  and  near,  in- 
quiring mechanics  and  active  business  men,  entered  upon  this 
arena,  and  crossed  swords  in  many  a  fiery  conflict.  Several 
houses  were  built  during  this  period,  but  the  hill,  as  depicted  by 
Barber  in  his  "  Historical  Collections  "  of  1836,  "had  but  a  bare 
aspect.  The  trees  set  out  by  Judge  John  Nichols  in  the  little 
"Heater  Piece,"  and  the  row  of  trees  near  the  Watson  house,  were 
its  only  shade.  The  old  row  of  poplars  at  the  south  end  of  the 
village  was  already  vanishing.  Blindless  and  bare,  the  meet- 
ing house  stood  on  the  rough  common,  cut  up  by  numerous 
wagon  roads,  and  on  the  pointed  apex  westward  a  row  of  build- 
ings stretched  out— blacksmith's  shop,  house,  barn,  and  at  the 
extreme  end  a  marble  shop  or  gravestone  manufactory,  which 
in  a  few  years  gave  place  to  a  very  aggressive  grog  shop,  greatly 
quickening  the  demand  for  the  former  article. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  707 

During-  the  progress  of  the  Washingtonian  temperance  move- 
ment, party  spirit  ran  very  high.  John  Hawkins,  the  leader 
among  reformed  inebriates,  made  an  early  visit  to  Thompson 
hill,  speaking  night  after  night  to  crowded  audiences  in  the  Con- 
gregational meeting  house,  and  persuading  many  common  drunk- 
ards and  moderate  drinkers  to  sign  the  pledge  and  range  them- 
selves on  the  side  of  temperance.  His  success  roused  a  very 
bitter  spirit  of  opposition  on  the  part  of  those  who  felt  that  their 
personal  and  social  rights  were  invaded.  The  old  tavern  (late 
Wilks  House)  had  become  very  obnoxious,  its  proprietor  being 
a  man  utterly  devoid  of  principle  and  common  humanity.  The 
death  of  one  of  his  victims,  turned  out  of  doors  and  left  to  freeze 
in  the  barn,  made  a  very  deep  impression  on  the  community, 
and  was  used  with  most  dramatic  effect  by  Gough  on  the  last 
night  of  a  week's  labor  in  Thompson.  Having  that  day  visited 
the  mother  of  the  dead  man  in  a  neighboring  state,  he  told  the 
story  of  this  "  prodigal  son  "  as  it  fell  from  her  lips,  in  the  most 
pathetic  and  thrilling  manner,  no  one  in  the  house  having  a 
thought  of  any  personal  connection  with  it,  until  at  the  last  he 
sent  it  home  to  every  heart  by  the  low,  calm,  overwhelming 
statement  that  this  man  had  died  in  a  barn  at  TJionipson,  after  weeks' 
loitering  about  that  abominable  tavern.  The  keeper  of  the  house 
was  unable  to  stand  against  the  overwhelming  tide  of  public 
sentiment,  and  the  house,  after  due  purification,  was  made  over 
for  the  use  of  Mr.  Green's  high  school.  Captain  Stiles  closed  his 
bar  and  transformed  his  popular  house  into  a  temperance  tavern. 

The  persecuted  rum  sellers  were  driven  from  tavern  to  cellar, 
and  finally  found  refuge  in  the  deserted  stone  cutter's  shop  at 
the  west  extremity  of  the  common,  a  most  eligible  position,  fac- 
ing two  streets,  very  near  the  newly  erected  town  house,  and 
greatly  accommodating  the  obstinate  old  topers,  who  made  a 
special  point  of  exercising  their  liberties  upon  town  meeting 
day.  Dorr's  refugees,  coming  up  from  Rhode  Island,  found 
much  needed  aid  and  comfort  in  this  convenient  grogery,  and 
bestowed  upon  it  the  expressive  name  of  "  Ponog,"  borrowed 
from  a  similar  favorite  institution  at  home,  originally  signifying 
"a  place  of  fair  water,"  but  by  corruption  "a  place  of  fire 
water."  A  more  unmitigated  nuisance  than  the  Thompson  Po- 
nog never  afflicted  a  respectable  community.  Many  resorted 
thither  from  all  parts  of  the  town;  young  men  were  enticed  into 
liquor  there;  hooting  and  yelling  disturbed  the  neighbors  by 


70S  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

nig-ht,  and  free  fights  after  a  public  day  were  not  unusual;  yet, 
notwithstanding-  the  efforts  and  eloquence  of  temperance  work- 
ers, it  continued  for  several  years  to  disgrace  the  village. 

The  town  house  was  the  first  building  on  the  south  side  of 
West  street.  Mr.  Whitman  Jacobs  broke  ground  on  the  north 
side  about  1835,  building  the  house  now  occupied  by  Doctor 
Knight.  Other  houses  were  built  in  a  few  years  by  Messrs. 
Erastus  Knight,  Edward  Shaw,  Danforth  Kinney,  Waldo  Com- 
ins  and  Thomas  E.  Graves.  The  row  of  maples  was  set  out  in 
1839.  Houses  were  built  a  few  years  later  on  the  south  side  by 
Mrs.  Thatcher  and  Mr.  William  H.  Mason.  In  the  summer  of 
1845  a  lecture  was  given  by  Professor  William  A.  Earned  in  the 
town  house,  upon  "  Beauty,  Taste  and  Tree  Culture, "^ — all 
summed  up  in  the  modern  term,  "Village  Improvements."  Mr. 
William  H.  Chandler  was  much  interested  in  this  matter  and 
aided  very  efficiently  in  carrying  out  Professor  Larned's  sugges- 
tions. Spontaneous  pledges  of  aid  were  given  by  many  present, 
and  in  the  following  November  a  day  was  devoted  to  setting  out 
all  over  the  village,  elm,  maple  and  other  trees,  under  the  super- 
vision of  Mr.  Chandler.  A  still  greater  improvement  was  effect- 
ed in  the  demolition  and  removal  of  the  Ponog  and  all  its  appur- 
tenances— house,  barn  and  blacksmith's  shop,  which  were 
bought  up  by  adjacent  residents,  and  the  point  of  land  leveled 
off  and  reconstructed.  Ten  years  later  the  common  left  bare  by 
the  removal  of  the  meeting-  house,  was  leased  temporarily  to  Es- 
quire Graves  for  fencing  and  cultivation,  which,  with  the  growth 
of  the  trees  and  other  improvements,  added  much  to  the  beauty 
of  the  village. 

With  the  opening  of  the  Norwich  &  Worcester  railroad  and 
the  discontinuance  of  stage  coaching,  business  prosperity  in 
Thompson  rapidly  declined.  One  by  one,  stores  and  shops  were 
closed.  As  the  valleys  increased  the  hills  wasted.  Tailoring, 
shoemaking  and  carriage  making  fell  off  from  year  to  year. 
Many  excellent  families  removed  from  the  village.  Change  of 
laws  so  much  reduced  the  number  of  matrimonial  frequenters 
that  Captain  Stiles  resigned  his  office  and  followed  the  westward 
movement.  Mr.  Shaw  took  his  shop  and  goods  to  Putnam. 
The  store  so  long  kept  up  by  "  Almy  &  Crosby "  was  closed 
and  croakers  prophesied  the  decay  and  ultimate  extinction  of  the 
once  flourishing  village.  Even  the  corner  tavern  was  closed  for 
a  season,  and  the  ever  solid  bank  and  Mr.  Knight's  principal 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  709 

store  seemed  all  that  preserved  it  from  stagnation.  But  after 
the  lowest  depth  a  reflex  tide  set  in,  bringing  back  elements  of 
continued  life  and  new  prosperity.  With  the  reopening  of  the 
hotel  under  Mr.  Stephen  Crosby  in  1859,  summer  visitors  came 
in,  mostly  families  who  had  gone  out  from  town,  and  relatives  of 
residents. 

Another  decade  passed  and  the  "cottagers"  came  to  stay,  and 
these  too  were  Thompson's  own  children,  connected  by  family 
and  social  ties.  Several  new  houses  have  been  built '  and 
old  ones  transformed  into  picturesque  villas.  A  Village  Im- 
provement Society  was  formed  in  1875,  which,  though  somewhat 
intermittent  in  character,  has  accomplivShed  good  results  in  grad- 
ing and  widening  the  streets,  caring  for  the  trees  and  improving 
sidewalks.  Older  residents  have  caught  the  spirit  of  the  age, 
and  take  much  pride  in  beautifying  and  improving  their  lawns 
and  dwellings.  Thompson  residents  and  visitors  are  well  ac- 
commodated with  railroad  privileges,  the  near  vicinity  of  the 
New  York  &  New  England  station  bringing  Boston,  Providence, 
the  sea  shore  and  many  resorts,  within  a  day's  compass.  Busi- 
ness to  any  extent  declines  to  return.  Mr.  James  Kingsbury  es- 
sayed shoe  manufacturing  for  a  time,  but  relapsed  into  store- 
keeping  and  care  for  the  town  interests.  The  removal  of  Mr. 
Charles  Baldwin  closed  a  carriage  and  wagon  shop,  dating  back 
to  nearly  the  beginning  of  the  century.  The  only  present  rep- 
resentative of  former  industries  is  Mr.  Walter  Bates,  whose 
"cabinetmaker's  shop"  was  opened  by  Mr.  James  Hutchins 
more  than  fifty  years  since.  Yet  notwithstanding  the  lack  of 
business,  Thompson  hill  is  none  the  less  a  pleasant  place  of  per- 
manent rewsidence,  while  its  pure  air,  health  giving  breezes,  and 
the  picturesque  drives  in  its  vicinity,  are  very  attractive  to  the 
summer  sojourner.  The  Family  Hotel,  kept  so  satisfactorily  for 
twenty-five  years  by  the  late  Mr.  Crosby,  promises  to  be  equally 
popular  under  its  present  proprietor.  Landlord  Chapin,  who  has 
treated  the  old  tavern  house  with  a  new  furnace  and  effected 
many  improvements. 

The  Thompson  hill  of  the  present  day  has  never  appeared 
to  better  advantage  than  on  Memorial  Day,  1887,  when  for 
the  first  time  the  town  made  public  provision  for  celebrating 
this  occasion.  Under  the  auspices  of  Major  William  S.  Beebe 
(then  recently  removed  into  the  Mason  house),  the  town  house 
was  decorated  in  the  most  unique  and  effective  manner  with  red. 


710  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

white  and  blue  stars,  banners  and  streamers,  and  emblazoned 
with  the  names  of  every  battle  field  and  engagement  during  the 
civil  conflict.  Soldiers  and  war  veterans  in  Thompson  and  Put- 
nam, members  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  Sons  of  Vet- 
erans, and  other  bodies,  were  invited  to  participate  in  the  festiv- 
ities. The  day  was  exceptionally  fine,  the  village  in  fresh  spring 
suit  looked  its  best,  and  everything  passed  off  in  the  most  har- 
monious and  delightful  manner.  After  visiting  the  graves  of 
their  comrades  in  the  different  burial  grounds  of  the  town  with 
the  usual  services  and  floral  offerings,  the  several  companies, 
with  music  and  parade,  marched  by  different  roads  into  the  vil- 
lage where  great  crowds  had  assembled  to  meet  them,  and  then 
into  the  Congregational  meeting  house,  which  was  draped  with 
red,  white  and  blue  in  simple  but  most  effective  style.  The  sol- 
diers, with  citizens  gathered  to  receive  them,  filled  the  large  house. 
A  bevy  of  blooming  girls,  decked  out  for  waitresses  with  white 
caps  and  aprons,  and  contrasting  bands  of  dark  bearded  musi- 
cians, filled  the  choir.  The  services,  prayer,  singing,  addresses, 
were  exceedingly  appropriate  and  inspiring.  The  march  of  the 
martial  procession  from  the  meeting  house  to  the  town  house  in 
the  beautiful  May  sunshine,  with  the  music  and  the  white-capped 
girls,  and  the  common  filled  with  enthusiastic  spectators,  was 
one  of  the  most  picturesque  and  stirring  scenes  Thompson  hill 
ever  witnessed,  far  superior  to  the  much  vaunted  "  trainings  " 
of  other  days,  and  based  upon  a  far  deeper  and  more  in- 
telligent patriotism.  The  collation  served  to  many  hundreds  of 
weary  men  in  the  decorated  town  house  was  worthy  of  the  day 
and  occasion,  and  the  rousing  cheers  for  "  Old  Thompson  "  that 
closed  the  festivities  were  never  more  heartily  given  and  ap- 
preciated. 

Thompson  Bank,  which  has  so  creditably  held  its  own  through 
village,  national  and  financial  vicissitudes,  was  incorporated  in 
1833 — Harvey  Blashfield,  president ;  Joseph  B.  Gay,  cashier. 
Among  its  early  directors  were  Harvey  Blashfield,  John  Nichols, 
William  H.  Mason,  William  Reed,  William  Fisher,  Robert  Gros- 
venor,  Franklin  Nichols,  Jonathan  Nichols,  Simon  Davis  and 
George  B.  Slater.  Neighboring  manufacturers  found  this  bank 
a  convenient  accommodation,  and  were  much  interested  in  its 
prosperity  and  stability.  Some  heavy  losses  that  accrued  in  early 
years  were  tided  over  by  the  help  of  willing  friends,  and  it  soon 
gained  a  sterling  reputation.     Its  second  president,  Judge  John 


SOUTH         COTTAGE 


THE    BARNS. 


THE    MAIN    BUILDING. 
THE    PAVILION. 


OLIVE         COTTAGE 


DAVIS  "     COTTAGE. 


The        BEN-GROSVENOR,"    Pomfret  Centre,  Conn. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  711 

Nichols,  resigned  in  1837,  and  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Talcott 
Crosby,  who  remained  in  charge  till  compelled  by  ill  health  to 
resign  in  1865,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Jeremiah  Olney, 
who  still  remains  in  charge,  their  united  term  of  service  cover- 
ing fifty-two  years.  Messrs.  Joseph  B.  Gay,  Theodore  Sharpe, 
William  Osgood,  A.  E.  Parker,  Hiram  and  Charles  Arnold  have 
served  as  cashiers.  Many  of  Thompson's  most  substantial  and 
sterling  citizens  have  acted  as  directors.  The  present  board 
comprises  Messrs.  Jeremiah  Olney,  L.  K.  Blackmar,  James  N. 
Kingsbury,  George  H.  Nichols,  Thomas  D.  Sayles,  Hiram  Ar- 
nold, George  S.  Crosby,  David  Chase,  Frank  M.  Messenger. 

The  Dime  Savings  Bank,  of  Thompson,  was  incorporated  in 
1871,  and  accommodates  a  large  number  of  depositors.  Presi- 
dent, George  H.  Nichols  ;  treasurer,  Charles  Arnold.  Amount 
of  deposits,  January,  1888,  $439,233.18. 

The  Thompson  Fire  Engine  Company  has  entered  upon  its 
second  half  century,  alive  and  in  good  condition,  stimulated  by 
the  agreeable  consciousness  of  having  saved  much  valuable 
property.  Its  antiquated  hand-engine,  however  insignificant  and 
ridiculous  to  modern  eyes,  has  as  good  a  record  as  the  largest  in 
the  nation,  having  put  out  every  fire  to  which  it  has  been  sum- 
moned. Again  and  again  it  has  rushed  in  at  the  breach  and 
saved  valuable  houses  from  destruction.  It  has  also  faithfully 
fulfilled  the  second  object  of  its  creation — the  exaction  of  fines 
for  non-attendance  upon  its  stated  meetings,  and  expended  part 
of  its  surplus  in  the  "  Thompson  Fire  Engine  Library,"  a  collec- 
tion of  valuable  books,  needing  only  care  and  fitting  "  local  hab- 
itation "  to  make  it  worthy  of  its  name.  Its  roll  of  membership 
embraces  nearly  every  male  resident  of  the  vicinity  of  Thomp- 
son hill  from  the  date  of  its  formation.  Present  membership 
twenty-five  ;  officers  :  George  V.  Ballard,  captain  ;  Fred  Green, 
first  lieutenant ;  George  Wilks,  second  lieutenant;  George  W. 
Dexter,  clerk  and  treasurer,  also  librarian ;  George  Wilks  to 
warn  the  company. 

The  first  post  office  in  town  was  opened  on  Thompson  hill  in 
1805,  Doctor  Daniel  Knight  postmaster.  His  successors,  John 
Nichols  and  Simon  Davis,  continued  to  be  the  sole  postmasters 
of  the  town.  The  second  post  office  was  opened  in  Fisherville 
about  1840,  William  Fisher  postmaster,  Mr.  Jeremiah  Olney 
succeeded  Esquire  Davis  at  about  the  same  date.  A  change  in 
presidential  administration  sent  the  office  into  Mr.  Knight's  store 


712  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

across  the  street.  Another  change  bowled  it  back  to  Mr.  Olney. 
Mr.  Jarties  N.  King-sbury  administered  the  office  for  several 
years.  Mr.  L.  K.  Blackmar  held  it  during  the  Cleveland  admin- 
istration, and  under  the  present  dynasty  it  reverts  to  Mr.  C. 
V.  Chapin.  Within  the  last  generation  its  sphere  has  been  much 
circumscribed — each  manufacturing  and  railroad  village  de- 
manding its  own  special  accommodations.  Nine  post  offices  are 
now  required  by  Thompson — the  largest  number  of  any  town  in 
the  county.  They  are  located  at  Thompson  hill,  East  Thomp- 
son, West  Thompson,  Grosvenor  Dale,  North  Grosvenor  Dale, 
Mechanicsville,  Wilsonville,  New  Boston  and  Quinebaug. 

The  recent  loss  of  Hon.  William  H.  Chandler,  so  long  and 
intimately  identified  with  the  public  interests  of  Thompson, 
is  mourned  by  the  whole  communit5^  Mr.  Chandler  was  of  Pom- 
fret  ancestry,  born  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  April  14th,  1815,  gradu 
ated  from  Yale  College  in  1839.  Debarred  from  pursuing  legal 
studies  by  weakness  of  eyes,  he  decided  upon  country  life,  and 
in  1842  purchased  of  Mrs.  Jacob  Dresser  the  "  Priest  Russel 
homestead  "  in  Thompson  village,  taking  possession  of  the  old 
house  immediately  after  his  marriage,  and  devoting  himself 
with  much  interest  to  the  culture  and  improvement  of  his  farm. 
He  manifested  from  the  first  much  interest  in  public  affairs, 
making  himself  a  power  in  town  meetings  and  in  the  adminis- 
tration of  town  government.  Although  shrinking  from  public 
office,  Mr.  Chandler's  extensive  reading,  keen  insight  and  sound 
judgment  gave  his  counsels  much  weight  and  influence,  espe- 
cially with  advancing  years,  and  probably  no  man  in  town  was 
more  widely  known  and  respected.  He  was  early  sent  as  rep- 
resentative and  state  senator,  and  his  name  was  often  mentioned 
in  connection  with  higher  appointments,  but  his  dislike  for  pub- 
lic life  could  not  be  overcome.  An  earnest  republican  and  true 
patriot,  he  was  ever  ready  to  serve  party  and  country  with  wise 
counsel  and  material  aid,  and  his  name  and  promises  were  looked 
upon  as  a  tower  of  strength  during  the  dark  hours  of  the  war. 

Averse  to  parade  and  ostentation,  simple  in  habits  and  taste,  Mr. 
Chandler  was  exceedingly  genial  and  sympathetic,  with  much 
playful  humor  and  ready  gift  of  conversation,  discoursing  pleas- 
antly with  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  Possessing  strong 
individuality,  he  had  his  own  views  and  preferences,  but  was 
very  ready  to  help  in  all  projects  that  met  his  approval. 
Many  of  the  beautiful  trees  now  adorning  the  village  will  help 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  713 

perpetuate  the  memory  of  him  who  planted  and  watched  over 
them  so  tenderly.  Mr.  Chandler  was  a  firm  friend  of  the  Con- 
gregational church  and  society,  ever  ready  to  do  his  proportion 
of  anything  needed  for  their  growth  and  benefit.  His  public  spir- 
ited services  in  clearing  the  roads  after  the  memorable  March 
blizzard  brought  on  or  confirmed  the  rheumatic  attack  which 
ended  his  valuable  life,  May  13th,  1888.  His  son,  Mr.  Randolph 
Chandler,  who  for  some  years  has  practiced  law  in  Putnam,  suc- 
ceeds to  the  family  residence. 

No  living  citizen  of  Thompson  has  rendered  such  substan- 
tial service  to  his  mother  state  as  Hon.  Jeremiah  Olney.  Born 
near  his  present  residence  in  this  village,  attending  its  public 
schools,  Mr.  Olney  grew  up  to  fill  the  ordinary  stations  of  town 
life,  keeping  store,  serving  as  constable,  postmaster  and  repre- 
sentative. Appointed  town  agent  during  the  war,  his  superior 
executive  abilities  were  recognized,  and  he  was  appointed  to 
serve  as  United  States  assessor,  which  office  he  filled  with  his 
accustomed  energy  and  fidelity.  A  few  years  later  he  was  nom- 
inated by  the  republican  party  for  the  office  of  school  fund  com- 
missioner, but  by  some  political  arrangement  the  democratic  in- 
cumbent was  left  in  charge  another  term.  During  this  interim 
Mr.  Olney  administered  the  affairs  of  the  Thompson  Bank,  and 
served  as  town  representative  at  the  legislature.  A  keen-eyed 
reporter  depicts  him  as  "  a  dignified  gentleman  of  the  old  school, 
spare  in  form,  immaculate  in  dress,  with  a  fine  command  of 
language,  a  strong  sense  of  justice,  and  whose  brave  utterances 
command  the  most  respectful  attention."  In  1880  he  was  elected 
to  the  resprnsible  position  of  school  fund  commissioner,  involving 
the  care  and  handling  of  a  most  important  public  trust,  demand- 
ing financial  experience  and  sound  judgment.  Mr.  Olney's  ad- 
ministration of  the  school  fund  has  been  exceptionally  strong  and 
able.  The  fact  of  his  unanimous  appointment  to  a  third  term 
of  service  testifies  to  the  respect  and  confidence  accorded  to  him 
by  all  parties. 

Mr.  Charles  E.  Searls,  the  late  popular  secretary  of  state,  re- 
sides in  this  village  ;  a  strong  republican,  chairman  of  the  great 
Harrison  mass  meeting  at  Woodstock,  a  man  whom  his  fellow- 
citizens  delight  to  honor. 

The  popular  favorite  of  a  preceding  generation,  Mr.  William 
S.  Scarborough,  has  returned  to  his  old  home  in  Thompson,  after 
prolonged  residence  at  Cincinnati. 


714  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Our  physician,  Doctor  Holbrook,  represents  a  medical  suc- 
cession of  more  than  seventy  years,  his  father.  Doctor  Horatio 
Holbrook,  entering  upon  practice  in  this  village  about  1816. 
He  occupies  the  house  built  by  D.  R.  Wickham  nearly  a  hundred 
years  ago. 

The  very  oldest  house  in  town  is  the  residence  of  our  present 
town  clerk  and  representative,  Mr.  James  N.  Kingsbury,  a  na- 
tive of  Webster,  but  for  over  twenty  years  a  resident  of  the  vil- 
lage, filling  many  important  offices. 

The  original  Watson  House  is  the  pleasant  home  of  our  aged 
citizen,  Judge  Rawson,  born  in  East  Alstead,  N.  H.,  April  22d, 
1802,  served  acceptably  many  years  in  the  ministry,  till  obliged 
to  relinquish  active  service  by  injuries  received  in  a  railroad 
accident.  He  removed  to  Thompson  in  1853,  where,  with  his 
son-in-law,  Mr.  Parker,  he  conducted  a  family  .school,  and  also 
performed  much  public  service  in  occasional  preaching,  school 
visitation  and  as  judge  of  probate. 

Three  venerable  Ballard  brothers,  life-long  residents  of  Thomp- 
son, reside  within  the  district,  whose  united  ages  reach  256  years, 
viz.:  Winthrop  Hilton,  88;  Deacon  Valentine,  85;  Hamilton,  83 
years.  The  scriptural  promise  of  length  of  days  to  men  of 
peace,  wisdom  and  rectitude  is  fulfilled  in  these  "  hoary  heads." 

Mr.  James  Munyan  represents  one  of  the  oldest  families  in 
town,  has  carried  on  mercantile  business,  administered  the  post 
office,  and  served  as  selectman.  Mr.  L.  K.  Blackmar  has  also 
served  faithfully  in  various  offices.  Messrs.  Horace  and  Marvin 
D.  Elliott  represent  an  old  family,  remarkable  for  inherited  in- 
dustry and  steadfastness.  Mr.  George  S.  Crosby  was  associated 
with  his  father  in  the  management  of  the  Crosby  House.  Mr. 
Horace  Morse  occupies  the  former  home  of  Mr.  Obadiah  Stone. 
The  oldest  household  by  far  in  Thompson  village  is  that  still 
occupying  the  house  built  by  Mr.  Joseph  Watson  soon  after  his 
marriage,  in  1791.  Five  of  this  family  were  livmg  when  the 
youngest  had  attained  her  78th  year.  Mr.  Noadiah  Watson  and 
Miss  Katharine  Watson  still  represent  the  family.  The  house 
built  by  Mr.  William  H.  Mason  was  purchased  after  the  decease 
of  Mrs.  Lydia  (Watson)  Mason  by  Major  William  S.  Beebe. 

The  "  History  of  Windham  County,"  written  and  published 
by  Miss  Ellen  D.  Earned,  has  won  a  high  place  among  local  his- 
tories. About  fourteen  years  were  spent  in  collecting  material 
and  preparing  this  work.     No  pains  were  spared  to  ensure  ac- 


m.M:.M 


m-^w'w"M\ 


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HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY,  715 

curacy  and  thoroughness,  and  the  result  justifies  the  cost.  The 
citizens  of  Windham  county  have  reason  to  be  proud  of  their 
history.  Miss  Larned  represents  the  family  of  William  Larned, 
who  removed  to  this  section  in  1712,  and  is  the  last  of  the  name 
in  town.  Another  Thompson  authoress,  Mrs.  A.  K.  Dunning,  rep- 
resents the  family  of  Doctor  Dow,  as  the  daughter  of  Mrs.  Nancy 
(Dow)  Ketchum.  Mrs.  Dunning  has  been  very  successful  in  re- 
ligious works  and  stories,  contributing  notably  to  Sunday  school 
literature. 

Thompson  hill  is  peculiarly  favored  in  the  character  of  its 
summer  residents — its  own  children,  not  transient  strangers. 
Its  young  men  who  went  out  from  Thompson  homes  to  engage 
in  business  come  back  to  found  new  summer  homes  for  their 
families.  These  village  boys  have  made  successful  business  men. 
One  of  the  most  prominent  is  Mr.  John  W.  Doane  of  Chicago,  a 
merchant  prince,  engaged  largely  in  importing  trade,  president 
of  Chicago's  Board  of  Trade,  prominent  in  the  Pullman  Car 
Company,  and  in  many  important  business  enterprises.  Mr. 
Doane  is  very  highly  esteemed  in  his  adopted  city,  and  has  won 
by  his  unaided  exertions  a  most  honorable  place  among  the  fore- 
most business  men  of  the  day.  A  pleasant  rural  home  in  Thomp- 
son is  occupied  by  his  family  half  of  the  year. 

Another  representative  of  old  Thompson  families,  Mr.  Henry 
Elliott,  starting  out  alone  for  the  great  city  in  early  youth,  has 
won  a  most  honorable  position  and  good  name  among  the  "  solid 
men  "  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  His  near  kinsmen,  Messrs.  John  E. 
Jacobs  and  Jerome  E.  Bates,  are  successful  business  men,  and 
like  Messrs.  Doane  and  Elliott,  have  summer  homes  in  Thomp- 
son village.  Another  successful  business  man,  now  of  Grand 
Rapids,  Mich.,  Mr.  Edgar  Olney,  has  transformed  the  former 
residence  of  Judge  Crosby  into  an  idyllic  summer  resting  place. 
The  sons  of  Mr.  Scarborough,  Mrs.  Erastus  Knight,  Mrs.  George 
Shaw,  Messrs.  Bates  and  Marvin  Elliott  are  welcomed  among  the 
usual  summer  sojourners.  Mr.  Andrew  Mills  has  three  sons  in 
Boston,  two  of  them  connected  with  the  administration  of  the 
Conservatory  of  Music,  whose  visits  bring  a  welcome  addition 
to  the  chorus  of  summer  song. 

Many  sons  of  Thompson  from  all  parts  of  the  town  have 
achieved  success  and  distinction  in  varied  fields.  Norwich  is  in- 
debted to  Thompson  for  her  veteran  citizens,  Mr.  Franklin 
Nichols,  president  of  the  Thames  National  Bank,  and  Mr.  Lucius 


716  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

W.  Carrol,  president  of  the  First  National  Bank.  Few  men  in 
our  country  are  more  widely  known  or  better  serving  their  gen- 
eration than  Reverend  Samuel  W.  Dike,  D.D.,  prime  leader  in 
the  anti-divorce  movement,  and  secretary  of  the  National  Divorce 
Reform  League.  Mr.  Dike  belongs  to  another  old  Thompson 
family,  still  occupying  the  original  homestead  o'f  their  ancestor, 
James  Dike.  Reverend  Joseph  P.  Bixby,  grandson  of  the  ven- 
erable Deacon  Aaron  Bixby,  is  a  popular  and  successful  pastor 
at  Revere,  Mass.,  and  president  of  the  Bible  Conference  Insti- 
tute, established  at  Crescent  Beach.  Two  grandsons  of  the  ven- 
erated Elder  Grow,  Reverends  Jerome  P.  Bates  and  W.  Elliott 
Bates,  and  Reverend  James  F.  Hill,  son  of  "  Father  James  Hill," 
are  honored  and  successful  Baptist  ministers.  Another  grandson 
of  Elder  Grow,  Captain  George  W.  Davis,  performed  most  valu- 
able service  during  the  war,  and  built  for  himself  an  enduring 
monument  by  carrying  forward  and  completing  the  National 
Memorial  at  Washington.  Representative  John  Waite  re- 
ports: "  It  was  Capt.  Davis  who  arranged  and  perfected  all  the 
elevating  machinery  that  carried  the  stones  one  after  another 
from  the  surface  of  the  earth  as  they  went  up  toward  the  sky. 
It  was  his  skill  and  rare  ingenuity  that  invented  the  machinery 
which  was  so  vitally  important  as  a  most  efficient  agent  in  the 
the  rapid  and  successful  prosecution  of  the  work.  In  the  im- 
portant matter  of  strengthening  and  perfecting  the  foundation 
of  the  monument  the  suggestions  and  assistance  of  Capt.  Davis 
were  invaluable." 

Very  valuable  military  service  was  also  performed  by  another 
Thompson  boy — John  E.  Tourtellotte;  graduated  from  Brown 
University  in  1856,  studied  law  and  commenced  practice  in  Min- 
nesota; joined  the  Fourth  Minnesota  Infantry  regiment  as  cap- 
tain in  1861,  served  in  the  same  regiment  as  lieutenant-colonel 
to  the  close  of  the  war,  accompanied  General  Sherman  on  his 
march  to  the  sea,  breveted  brigadier-general  in  1865,  resigned 
volunteer  service,  and  appointed  captain  in  the  regular  army  in 
1866,  appointed  colonel  and  aide-de-camp  on  the  staff  of  General 
Sherman  in  1871.  While  in  this  position  he  enjoyed  the  unique 
privilege  of  attendance  upon  the  Princess  Louise  and  Marquis  of 
Lome  during  their  visit  to  the  United  States,  as  the  accredited 
representative  of  the  national  government — a  son  of  the  sovereign 
people  entertaining  the  daughter  of  the  queen  and  empress. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  717 

Three  sons  of  the  late  Thomas  E.  Graves,  Esq.,  born  on 
Thompson  hill,  were  conspicuous  during-  the  war.  Colonel  Em- 
mons E.  Graves  entered  upon  service  in  1861  first  lieutenant  of 
of  the  Thirteenth  Connecticut  regiment,  continued  in  service 
throughout  the  war,  and  had  the  honor  of  raising  the  Union  flag 
upon  the  state  capitol  after  the  taking  of  Richmond.  Lieutenant 
Frank  H.  Graves  was  the  first  Union  officer  to  enter  Fort  Fisher. 
T.  Thatcher  Graves,  returning-  from  an  interesting  sojourn  in 
Africa  in  1863,  entered  at  once  upon  service  as  volunteer  aid  to 
General  B.  F.  Butler,  received  commission  from  President  Lin- 
coln as  captain  in  the  114th  Kentucky  volunteers,  detailed  as 
aid  to  Major-General  G.  Weitzel,  and  served  at  the  front  until 
the  close  of  the  war;  assisted  in  the  occupation  of  Richmond, 
being  the  first  Union  officer  to  enter  Libby  Prison,  and  to  take 
possession  of  the  house  vacated  by  Jefferson  Davis;  served  un- 
der General  Weitzel  on  the  Rio  Grande,  with  rank  of  brevet- 
major  for  two  years,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the  last  volun- 
teer officers  in  1867.  He  pursued  medical  studies  at  Harvard, 
graduating  at  the  head  of  his  class  in  1871,  has  practiced  medi- 
cine at  Lynn,  Mass.,  Danielsonville,  Conn.,  and  Providence,  R.  L, 
with  characteristic  energy  and  promptness.  Doctor  Graves  is 
pre-eminently  an  "  emergency  man,"  always  ready  for  the 
occasion. 

Daniel  R.  Earned,  born  in  West  Thompson  village,  engaged 
in  volunteer  service  as  captain ;  was  promoted  to  rank  of  lieu- 
tenant-colonel for  gallant  conduct  at  seige  of  Knoxville  ;  private 
secretary  to  General  Burnside ;  serves  as  paymaster  in  regular 
army,  with  rank  of  major. 

Joseph  E.  Gay,  mining  broker,  an  active  republican  and  influ- 
ential member  of  the  Union  League  Club,  New  York,  grew  up  on 
Thompson  hill. 

Isaac  N.  Mjlls,  of  Brandy  hill,  graduated  with  distinction  at 
Harvard  College,  engaged  successfully  in  the  practice  of  law  at 
Mount  Vernon,  N.  Y.,  and  soon  received  the  honorable  appoint- 
ment of  judge  in  the  court  of  Westchester  county,  succeeding 
one  of  the  great  judges  of  the  state. 

"  Westward  the  course  of  empire  takes  its  way,"  but  a  goodly 
number  of  Thompsonians  have  found  fame,  wealth  or  compe- 
tency in  eastward  cities.  The  ancient  Converse  family  is  well 
represented  in  Boston.     James,  son  of  Elisha  Converse,  began 


718  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

his  honorable  life-work  in  that  city  a  poor  boy,  thirteen  years  of 
ag-e.  In  1833,  at  the  age  of  twenty-five,  he  aided  in  organizing 
the  business  firm  of  Field  &  Converse,  so  widely  known  in  busi- 
ness circles.  Remarkably  successful  in  business,  he  has  been 
still  more  eminent  in  works  of  mercy  and  beneficence,  founding 
missions,  building  churches,  strengthening  the  hands  of  fellow 
laborers.  His  brother,  Elisha  S.  Converse,  after  engaging  a 
short  time  in  business  on  Thompson  hill,  removed  to  Boston  in 
1844,  and  since  1853  has  served  as  treasurer  and  general  man- 
ager of  the  Boston  Rubber  Shoe  Company,  having  his  residence 
in  Maiden.  The  stately  and  beautiful  Converse  Memorial  Build- 
ing, given  to  the  citizens  of  Maiden  in  1885,  for  the  use  of  a  free 
public  library  and  gallery  of  art,  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Converse,  in 
memory  of  their  oldest  son,  will  bear  their  names  in  grateful 
remembrance  to  later  generations. 

Year  after  year,  upon  the  roll  of  Boston's  legislative  represen- 
tatives and  sterling  men  is  found  the  name  of  Jacob  A.  Dresser 
— fourth  in  descent  and  name  from  the  first  white  boy  born  in 
Thompson.  Richard  L.  Gay,  Ashley  and  William  Mills  were 
born  in  Thompson.  Other  business  men  in  Providence,  Wor- 
cester and  various  parts  of  the  land  emigrated  from  the  same 
old  town. 

Space  allows  but  a  brief  record  of  emigrants  of  preceding  gen- 
erations. All  over  the  land  they  may  be  found ;  through  the 
West  and  beyond  the  Rockies,  descendants  of  those  who  in  earlier 
years  helped  build  up  Vermont  and  New  York.  Carrying  out 
into  the  world  a  certain  stability  and  tenacity  that  enabled  them 
to  make  their  way  amid  hardships  and  toil,  they  have  borne  an 
important  part  in  building  up  and  developing  the  nation.  Un- 
able to  follow  them  in  all  their  various  callings,  we  give  a  list  of 
those  only  who  have  served  as  ministers : 

Baptists.— John  B.Ballard,  born  1795;  ordained  1823;  "es- 
tablished Sunday  schools  in  every  town  in  North  Carolina ;" 
labored  as  missionary  in  New  York  city.  Benjamin  M.  Hill,  D. 
D.,  ordained  in  Stafford,  September  23d,  1818  ;  corresponding 
secretary  of  American  Baptist  Home  Missionary  Society.  Lewis 
Seamans,  preached  at  De  Ruyter,  N.  Y.,  died  November.  1826, 
aged  29  years.  John  Pratt,  licensed  to  preach  September  2d, 
1822 ;  professor  of  Greek  and  Latin  in  Granville  College,  Ohio. 
Austin  Robbins,  licensed  to  preach  1835 ;  labored  faithfully  in 
Maine  and  mission  fields. 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  719 

Congregational. — Joseph,  son  of  Reverend  Noadiah  Russel, 
settled  m  Princeton,  Mass.,  but  dismissed  on  account  of  ill  health. 
Stephen,  son  of  Elijah  Crosby,  a  much  beloved  and  useful  pastor 
in  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.,  died  early.  Henry  Gleason  settled  in  Dur- 
ham, Conn.;  died  early,  respected  and  lamented.  Joseph  T. 
Holmes,  labored  in  the  West.  D.  Nichols  Coburn,  settled  in 
Ware,  Mass.  John  Bowers,  pastor  in  Wilbraham,  Mass.  Her- 
bert A.,  son  of  William  Reed,  Esq.,  West  Thompson,  preached 
at  Webster,  Mass ;  removed  to  Michigan.  William  A.,  son  of 
George  Earned,  Esq.,  settled  over  the  church  in  Milbury,  Mass.; 
obliged  to  relinguish  preaching  from  bronchial  trouble  ;  taught 
in  the  Theological  Seminary,  Troy,  N.  Y.;  appointed  professor 
of  rhetoric  in  Yale  College  in  1840  ;  died  February  3d,  1862 — a 
thorough  scholar,  a  brilliant  speaker,  sound  in  judgment,  prompt 
in  action,  genial  and  attractive  in  private  life. 

Methodist. — Jefferson  Hascall,  born  1807 ;  converted  in  early 
youth  and  exercising  his  gifts  in  exhortation.  Mr.  Hascall  was 
distinguished  for  power  and  eloquence  from  the  beginning  of 
his  ministry.  His  labors  in  his  first  pastorate  resulted  in  the 
professed  conversion  of  more  than  160  persons.  Independence 
and  originality  of  thought,  accompanied  by  fervid  imagination 
and  a  magnetic  delivery,  gave  him  a  high  place  among  the  many 
distinguished  pulpit  orators  of  the  Methodist  ranks.  The  mere 
announcement  of  his  presence  would  fill  the  seats  at  any  meet- 
ing. For  more  than  twenty  years  he  served  as  presiding  elder, 
and  twice  represented  New  England  in  the  General  Conference. 
A  man  of  strong  faith  and  enthusiasm,  but  with  simple,  child- 
like spirit,  he  impressed  himself  strongly  upon  the  generation. 
A  popular  hymn,  written  upon  instant  inspiration,  will  help 
commemorate  his  honored  name  : 

"  My  latest  sun  is  sinking  fast. 
My  race  is  nearly  run, 
My  strongest  trials  now  are  past. 
My  trivimph  is  begun." 

Doctor  Hascall  died  February  13th,  1887.  His  brother,  Rev- 
erend Squier  Hascall,  also  served  acceptably  in  the  ministry. 

The  Thompson  Grange  is  a  new  institution  here.  It  was  es- 
tablished about  two  years  since,  and  now  numbers  about  forty 
members,  residing  in  different  parts  of  the  town.  The  present 
master  is  George  N.  Comins;  steward,  George  Ballard. 


720  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


Edward  Aldrich. — Edward  Aldrich,  the  grandfather  of  the 
subject  of  this  biography,  resided  on  the  homestead  farm  in 
Thompson.  His  son  Easick,  a  native  of  Douglas,  spent  the  chief 
portion  of  his  life  in  Thompson.  He  married  Miriam  Howland, 
of  Burrillville,  R.  I.,  whose  children  were:  Elizabeth,  Edward, 
John,  Viletta  and  Eddy.  Edward  Aldrich,  the  eldest  of  these 
sons,  was  born  on  the  2oth  of  July,  1808,  in  Thompson,  where 
he  became  a  pupil  of  the  neighboring  school  and  afterward  pur- 
sued his  studies  for  one  or  more  terms  at  Dudley,  Mass.  His 
education  was,  however,  more  the  result  of  judicious  reading  and 
of  habits  of  reflection,  than  of  training  under  masters,  and  he 
may  therefore  be  spoken  of  as  self-taught.  His  father  having  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  Thompson,  Mr.  Aldrich  devoted  his  life  to  agri- 
culture until  1870,  when  failing  health  compelled  a  cessation 
from  active  labor.  He  then  retired  to  the  residence  in  Wood- 
stock which  is  the  present  home  of  Mrs.  Aldrich.  He  was  for 
many  years  engaged  in  the  purchase  and  sale  of  stock,  which 
transactions  were  conducted  with  much  .success. 

An  early  whig  and  later  a  republican,  he  served  many  terms 
as  selectman,  was  for  a  long  period  justice  of  the  peace,  and  fre- 
quently represented  his  town  in  the  legislature.  During  the  late 
war  he  was  a  loyal  and  zealous  supporter  of  the  government. 
Mr.  Aldrich  was  a  man  of  excellent  judgment  and  undoubted 
integrity.  His  services  were  therefore  often  sought  as  appraiser 
and  arbitrator,  and  in  the  settlement  of  estates.  He  was  one  of 
the  directors  of  the  Thompson  Bank.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Grosvenor  Dale,  and  one  of  its 
building  committee  during  the  erection  of  the  present  edifice. 

Mr.  Aldrich  was  married  February  22d,  1830,  to  Ardelia, 
daughter  of  Israel  Comstock,  of  Union,  Tolland  county.  Conn, 
Their  only  child,  a  son,  Edward  Harrison,  married  Harriet 
Gager,  of  Woodstock.  Both  died  at  an  early  age,  leaving  five 
children  as  follows :  Edward  Gurdon,  Imogene  Osborn,  Isadore 
Estelle,  wife  of  Randolph  Chandler  ;  Inez  Harriet  and  Irene 
Fanny.  W^ith  the  exception  of  the  last  named  daughter,  all 
these  children  were  taken  by  Mrs.  Aldrich,  on  the  death  of  their 
parents,  reared  and  educated  as  her  own.  The  death  of  Mr. 
Aldrich  occurred  at  his  home  in  Woodstock  on  the  12th  of  Au- 
gust, 1874. 


^;>:^^ 


^^^Fr-eston.  *  C?Nf 


2^^(9-^^L-tl..i^( 


\VINDHAM    COUNT V. 


-   Clement  Bates,  of  Hertfordshire,  Engla- 
■vife  Ann,  and  their  children,  James,  Cleir 
i.nd  Benjamin,  came  to  America  in  tl-'^^ 
pril  6.th,  1635,  and  settled  in   Hinghan 
died  in  Hingham,  September  17th,  1671.     ii:; 
wife  Hester,  was  the  father  of  Joseph,  who  was 
L::^'lit  childreij  d  in  that  part  of  Scittiate 


!■"■ 
va 


anovcr,  in  1695,  and  died 
n^    •  -ied  Mary  Bowker,  wl 
he  ancestor  of  the  '' 
Hingham  as  early  as  17 o 
Hingham,  Mass.,  se'^ '  ■•'' 
and   Elijah.      Hi 
his  native  town,  a 
Uoses,  Elijah,  Willin 
-e  life  was  devote? 
g-hter  of  Edward    j 
liam,  Walter  aii  ' 
\  a  manufacture! 
ist,  1814,  and  stii 
Jacobs,  daughter  i  ■ 
lie  the  father  of  ele- 
T.,  William  N.,  George 
J.,  and  two  who  died  :;    i 
to  the  early  Englis1-i  "!     . :  .  ' 
:    as  deeds  performec 


,1-     O  1 
led       :: 

:-k,  I- 
a  sn; 
mes^ 
•1  It 


ily  9th,  1740.     His,  son, 

^v-;dow,  July  30th,  1759. 

••'inch  of  the-  Bates 

-spending  some 

i  -  M 1  ij^^jn  with  his  two 

'»    spent  his, life   as   a 

^'  George,  Tyler, 


same  town. 


K, 


'.'Vrc 


11 


liaiicy.     'i'he  coat  ol  arms 
'^■-  of  the  Bates  family  was 
:  Crusades. 


E 

S(' 

se: 

twi> 

wh 

viv('; 

ire 

E.  Bates  was  born  in  Thompson,  and  began  his  busi- 
r  as  clerk  in  a  country  store  ''■'  <'■•  '-oe  town.  In  Oc- 
>,  he  removed  to  Brooklyn  entered  a  retail 

shoe  store  as  clerk.     In  Feb--  iiO,  Mr.  Bates  estab- 

mself  as  a  wholesale  dealer  lu  ..'.wl.^  and  shoes  in  New 
vler  the  firm  name  of  A.  J.  Bates  &  Co.     This  venture 
ill  beginnings  gradually  increased  in  dimensions.   Their 
requires  the  room  afforded  by  three  stores,  and  has, 
■  rst  inception,  steadily  'grown  in  importance  and  in  its 
results.     In  1884  the  firm  added  the  manufacture  of 
shoes  in  Webster,  Mass.     Mr.  Bates  is  a  director  of 
1   Bank  of  New  York.     He  was  married  in  1870  to 
■re,  daughter  of  Woodruff  L.  Barnes,  who  was  a 
Enos  Barnes,  a,  leading  man  and  one  of  the  ear' 
5tern. New  York.     They  have  had    T-      ^  hU<^ 
Jessie  W.  and  Edna  B.,  died 'in  y 
ra  W.,  Leonard  W.  and  Ethel  E. 


.^    m 


4  -  *i:'.,  TJ. 


722  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

William  Sully  Beebe  was  born  at  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  in  1841,  and 
educated  with  a  view  to  his  appointment  to  the  Military  Academy 
at  West  Point.  He  was  one  of  the  president's  appointments 
there  in  1858,  on  account  of  the  services  of  his  uncle  and  adopted 
father.  Captain  John  C.  Casey,  himself  a  graduate  of  1829,  a 
member  of  the  board  of  visitors  of  1843,  chief  commissary  on 
General  Taylor's  staff  in  Mexico,  "  whose  zeal,  intelligence  and 
devotion  to  duty  to  the  hour  of  his  death,  gave  a  peculiar  claim 
and  promise  of  faithful  service  to  his  young  relative."  He  grad- 
uated in  1863,  fifteenth  in  a  class  of  twenty-five,  was  appointed  a 
second  lieutenant  of  ordnance  and  assigned  to  St.  Louis  Arsenal 
except  during  the  time  of  Morgan's  raid,  when  he  served  as  volun- 
teer aid  with  the  forces  opposing  Morgan  in  Kentucky  and 
Indiana.  At  his  urgent  request  he  was  ordered  to  the  field  in  the 
Department  of  the  Gulf  as  assistant  to  its  chief  of  ordnance.  He 
applied  for  detail  with  the  Red  River  Expedition  then  starting, 
and  was  appointed  its  chief  ordnance  officer,  taking  part  in  all 
the  battles  and  actions  of  that  campaign,. acting  as  aid  to  the 
general  commanding  at  the  battle  of  Sabine  Cross  Roads,  lead- 
ing the  supports  of  Nims'  Battery  in  an  attempt  to  recover  it 
from  the  enemy,  when  his  horse  was  killed  under  him  inside  the 
battery  and  he  himself  was  wounded,  for  which  service  he  was 
reported  to  headquarters  by  the  chief  of  staff,  an  eye-witness  of 
the  occurrence.  In  the  action  of  the  same  day,  when  the  19th 
Army  Corps  repulsed  the  confederate  advance,  he  was  sent  tore- 
store  the  extreme  right  of  the  federal  line,  in  which  effort  he 
was  successful,  taking  advantage  of  the  confederate  check  to 
drive  them  in  turn  and  capturing  many  prisoners,  thus  securing 
the  first  authentic  intelligence  of  Taylor's  reinforcement  by 
Churchill's  Missouri  Column,  for  which  he  received  the  thanks 
of  the  19th  Corps  commander,  and  was  again  commended  to 
army  headquarters.  At  the  battle  of  Pleasant  Hill  he  was  com- 
mended by  the  general  commanding  the  army  and  19th  Corps 
for  his  promptness  and  energy  in  leading  the  supports  into  ac- 
tion. At  the  evacuation  of  Alexandria,  and  the  conflagration 
that  took  place  during  a  gale,  he,  at  the  head  of  a  detail  of  picked 
men,  attempted  to  stay  the  fire  by  blowing  up  the  buildings  in  its 
path.  During  this  time  the  party  again  and  again  escaped  de- 
struction by  premature  explosion,  in  some  cases  the  flakes  from 
burning  buildings  falling  into  the  receptacles  for  powder  when 
they  were  about  to  be  filled.  For  this  he  was  thanked  by  the 
citizens  of  the  town,  headed  by  a  brother-in-law  of  General  Albert 


"U/CcauJ.  c/,    /Sj^/v 


&r. 


ARTOTYPE,     £.     3IERSTADT,     N. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  723 

Sidney  Johnston,  who  pledged  the  good  name  of  the  town  for 
the  safety  and  release  of  the  party  in  case  of  its  capture  by  the 
confederate  advance. 

When  the  fleet  under  command  of  Admiral  David  D.  Porter 
had  been  forced  to  lighten  draught  by  landing  their  guns,  the 
first  intention  had  been  to  burst  them,  but  on  Lieutenant  Beebe's 
stating  that  he  was  confident  he  could  move  them  below  the  falls 
and  reload  them  on  the  vessels  to  which  they  belonged,  he  was 
given  the  men  to  make  the  attempt  and  succeeded  in  saving  all 
but  five  old  model  32s,  which  he  had  to  leave  through  lack  of 
time.  P'^or  this  service  Admiral  Porter  wrote  as  follows :"  It 
was  under  Captain  Beebe's  orders  that  that  most  efficient  ord- 
nance party  worked  so  laboriously  and  efficiently  to  save  the 
guns  of  the  fleet  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and 
but  for  Captain  Beebe's  energy  and  perseverance  the  guns  would 
have  been  so  abandoned." 

At  the  battle  of  Cane  River  Crossing,  while  the  rear  guard 
were  being  pressed  by  the  enemy,  and  while  the  head  of  the 
column  was  held  in  check  by  some  8,000  confederates  strongly 
entrenched,  with  artillery  in  position,  in  fact,  when  success  was 
vital,  he  was  directed  by  the  new  chief  of  staff.  General  Dwight, 
to  join  the  column  detached  to  dislodge  this  force  and  "on  his 
arrival  to  signal  what  he  thought  the  strength  of  the  opposing 
force  and  to  unremittingly  urge  the  necessity  for  speed,  in  which 
action  he  would  be  sustained  by  his  superiors."  On  his  arrival, 
finding  the  confederate  skirmish  line  on  the  advance  instead  of 
being  pushed,  he  volunteered  to  lead  the  regiment  in  front  of 
him  in  assault  if  suitably  supported,  which  offer  was  at  first  de- 
clined with  some  avSperity,  but  on  its  being  renewed  when  the 
confederates  showed  signs  of  attacking  in  force,  was  promptly 
accepted.  He  led  the  assault,  being  the  first  man  inside  the  con- 
federate lines,  from  which  they  were  driven  in  full  retreat  and 
for  which  their  commander  was  relieved  from  his  command  and 
was  tried  by  court  martial.  In  this  assault  the  attacking  column 
lost  some  200  men.  On  his  return  he  was  complimented  by  the 
column  commander  on  the  spot,  and  on  arriving  at  headquar- 
ters was  informed  by  the  chief  of  staff,  who  sent  him,  that  while 
waiting  for  his  report  by  signal,  he  received  the  news  that  the 
enemy  had  been  driven  out  of  their  works  by  an  assault  led  by 
the  staff  officer  he  had  sent.  Lieutenant  Beebe  was  brevetted 
captain  in  the  U.  S.  Army  to  date  from  this  battle  as  follows : 
"  For  gallant  and  meritorious  services  and  for  intrepidity  and 


724  HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

daring  and  skill  in  handling  men  in  the  face  of  the  enemy." 
On  the  run  down  the  Mississippi,  when  the  headquarter  boat 
was  under  fire  at  Tunica  Bend,  the  battery  was  engaged  at  close 
quarters  by  a  rifle  placed  on  the  boat's  upper  deck  with  such 
satisfactory  results  that  although  the  boat  itself  was  riddled,  no 
lives  were  lost,  and  the  transports  following  passed  without  re- 
ceiving a  shot.  This  gun  was  manned  by  members  of  the  gen- 
eral staff,  Lieutenant  Sargent,  Doctor  Homans  and  others,  under 
Lieutenant  Beebe's  direction. 

When  the  expedition  terminated  Lieutenant  Beebe  received 
leave  of  absence  with  a  view  to  his  acceptance  of  a  volunteer 
command,  for  which  he  was  recommended  by  the  general  com- 
manding and  every  corps  commander  in  the  department,  as  fol- 
lows :  "  He  has  shown  upon  various  occasions  intrepidity  and 
daring  and  skill  in  handling  men  in  the  face  of  the  enemy  that 
merit  the  highest  applause,  and  should  secure  for  him  any  posi- 
tion he  may  choose  to  seek.  At  Cane  River  Crossing  he  partic- 
ularly distinguished  himself  by  leading  a  regiment  on  a  charge, 
most  gallantly  carrying  a  strong  position  held  by  the  enemy. 
.  .  .  You  will  find  him  fully  competent  to  command  a  regi- 
ment or  even  a  larger  body  of  men." 

General  W.  B.  Franklin,  commander  of  the  19th  Army  Corps, 
said  :  "  I  am  sure  that  a  regiment  under  his  command  cannot 
fail  to  distinguish  itself,  and  I  cordially  endorse  his  application." 
Owing  to  the  appearance  of  smallpox  on  the  transport  on  which 
he  sailed  and  the  consequent  quarantine,  Lieutenant  Beebe  lost 
the  opportunity  he  had  in  view,  and  as  he  found  that  political 
influence  would  be  required  in  any  new  direction,  something  he 
had  neither  time  nor  inclination  to  seek,  he  returned  to  his  sta- 
tion at  New  Orleans,  where  he  found  that  without  his  knowledge 
an  order  had  been  issued  assigning  him  to  duty  on  the  staff  of 
General  Gordon  Granger,  then  about  Lo  undertake  the  expedi- 
tion for  the  capture  of  Forts  Gaines  and  Morgan,  the  outer  de- 
fenses of  Mobile  bay.  Against  General  Granger's  friendly  con- 
tention he  had  this  order  recalled,  preferring  the  position  of  chief 
of  ordnance  of  the  expedition  to  even  such  a  complimentary  po- 
sition as  that  offered  him.  During  the  siege  of  Fort  Morgan 
the  method  of  supply  for  the  batteries  by  wagon  along  the  beach 
being  tedious,  he  was  asked  by  his  chief  if  he  thought  he  could 
run  a  light  draught  steamer  captured  from  the  enemy,  under 
cover  of  darkness  and  relying  on  the  fire  of  our  sharpshooters  to 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  725 

prevent  its  being-  sunk,  up  to  the  mortar  batteries,  which  were 
within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  the  fort,  with  a  deck  load  of  pow- 
der and  shell.  This  he  undertook  to  do  the  next  morning-  at 
daylight,  and  when  about  to  land  his  cargo,  saw  in  the  dusk  the 
flag  of  truce  just  sent  out  with  a  view  to  the  surrender  of  the  fort. 
He  accordingly  ran  by  the  batteries  and  over  the  torpedo 
ground,  trusting  to  his  light  draught,  and  tied  up  at  the  fort 
wharf.  Owing  to  this  circumstance  and  the  politeness  of  the 
confederate  ordnance  ofQcer,  who  came  down  to  the  end  of  the 
wharf  and  invited  him  to  make  the  tour  of  the  fort,  he  was  the 
first  person  inside  the  works  from  the  federal  side,  which  was 
then  on  fire  and  was  surrendered  that  day  at  noon.  He  was,  on 
General  Granger's  nomination,  brevetted  major,  to  date  from  the 
capture  of  the  fort,  "  for  gallant  and  meritorious  services  at  the 
siege  of  Fort  Morgan." 

A  few  months  later  the  expedition  under  command  of 
General  E.  R.  S.  Canby,  for  the  reduction  of  Mobile  and  its  out- 
lying defenses.  Forts  Blakely,  Huger  and  Tracy,  and  Spanish 
Fort,  was  undertaken,  when  Major  Beebe  was,  at  his  own  re- 
quest, ordered  to  duty  as  its  chief  ordnance  officer,  his  especial 
charge  being  an  ordnance  and  siege  train  that  was  drilled  for 
the  purpose,  reviewed  by  the  commanding'  general  and  received 
his  written  commendation.  While  the  troops  were  being  trans- 
ferred across  the  bay  after  the  outlying  defenses  and  the  city 
itself  surrendered.  Major  Beebe  took  the  yawl  of  one  of  his 
transports,  and  with  her  captain  and  mate  as  crew,  a  confederate 
pilot  pressed  into  the  service,  and  Colonel  Palfrey,  chief  en- 
gineer, as  fellow-passenger,  ran  across  the  obstructions  and  tor- 
pedo ground  and  put  up  the  first  flag  in  the  city  of  Mobile,  on 
the  spire  of  the  Episcopal  church,  the  confederate  cavalry  raid- 
ing the  streets  while  they  were  thus  engaged,  and  the  party 
only  escaping  capture  by  the  confederates  being  so  sharply 
pressed  by  our  infantry  as  not  to  have  time  to  dismount. 

Major  Beebe  was  one  of  a  half  dozen  officers  sent  to  Meridian, 
Miss.,  to  receive  the  surrender  of  General  Dick  Taylor's  army 
and  supplies,  after  which,  the  war  being  over,  he  was  sent  to 
command  Mount  Vernon  Arsenal,  Ala.,  from  thereto  Frankford 
Arsenal,  Pa.,  where  in  securing  the  arrest  of  a  night  expedition 
of  river  thieves  he,  with  two  enlisted  men,  captured  their  whole 
outfit,  a  sloop  and  yawl,  one  of  the  party,  and  were  forced  to  kill 
another  who  fired  the  first  shot  and  died  pistol  in  hand.  The 
men  with  him  were  commended  in  post  orders. 


726  HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

From  Frankford  he  was  ordered  to  Fort  Monroe,  and  during- 
an  explosion  that  took  place  in  an  ammunition  house  in  one  of 
the  redoubts,  a  building  some  twenty  feet  square,  in  which,. 
"  when  the  explosion  took  place  there  were  some  twenty  barrels 
of  powder  "  and  five  men,  two  of  whom  were  mortally  wounded 
and  three  killed,  "  the  powder  and  wounded  were  safely  gotten 
out  of  the  way  by  Major  W.  S.  Beebe  and  Richard  Oldfield, 
William  Hayward,  James  Cooney  and  Private  Carter,  Company 
A,  Third  Artillery.  The  conduct  of  Major  Beebe  was  highly 
commendable  in  his  efforts  to  save  life  and  property,  as  he  ex- 
posed himself  to  more  than  ordinary  danger  in  doing  so." 

From  Fort  Monroe  he  was  ordered  to  Watervliet  Arsenal,. 
Troy,  N.  Y.,  and  from  there  to  Alleghany  Arsenal,  Pittsburgh, 
Pa.,  and  finally  to  Rock  Island,  111.,  from  which  place  he  resigned, 
to  take  "  effect  at  the  end  of  the  year  as  an  unusual  mark  of 
favor."  Previous  to  his  resignation  Major  Beebe  had  gone 
abroad  with  a  circular  from  the  State  Department,  worded  as 
follows  :  "  That  the  Department  took  peculiar  pleasure  in  com- 
mending him  as  one  who  had  conducted  himself  with  distin- 
guished ability  and  gallantry  in  the  field,  during  the  late  Civil 
War,"  and  "that  he  came  highly  commended  by  General  Grant, 
General  Meade  and  General  Dyer,  Chief  of  his  Corps." 

Before  and  since  his  resignation  Major  Beebe  has  been  a  close 
student  of  American  mythology,  especially  in  its  relations  ta 
European  and  Asiatic  religions,  and  is  firmly  of  the  opinion  that 
common  religious  property  is  due  altogether  to  American  loans. 
He  upholds  the  following  theory,  which  in  the  main  is  his 
own  : 

I.  A  great  philosophical  culte  once  occupied  all  the  Americas, 
originating  in  Peru. 

II.  The  backbone  of  this  culte  was  a  theory  of  number 
founded  on  recurrence,  which  had  early  attracted  the  attention 
of  the  aborigines,  and  that  this  theory  of  number  is  founded  in 
fact. 

III.  That  the  tablets  found  at  Davenport,  la.,  and  Piqua,  Ohio, 
are  authentic,  and  that  he  not  only  has  read  them  but  can  restore 
missing  portions. 

IV.  The  phonetic  values  of  these  pictographs  are  Shemitic,  ■ 
including  many  well-known  proper  names,  the  legends,  the  same 
as  the  Accadian  on  which  the  Genesis  Cycle  is  founded,  and  that 
they  had  their  origin  here,  in  short,  are  American.  ^ 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  727 

To  prove  these  statements  he  has  collected  a  mass  of  illustra- 
tion,  a  very  large  part  of  which  is  entirely  new,  and  now  hashis 
work  well  under  way,  doing  all  the  labor  of  text,  illustration,  and 
print  himself. 

Lucius  Briggs  was  born  in  Coventry,  R.  I.,  December  21st, 
1825.  He  is  the  son  of  Wanton  and  Mary  Tift  Briggs,  of  Coven- 
try, R.  I.  Wanton  Briggs  was  the  son  of  Jonathan  Briggs,  also 
of  Coventry,  who  served  in  the  revolutionary  army  from  the  be- 
ginning to  the  end  of  the  war,  taking  part  in  many  important, 
hard  fought  battles,  and  received  an  honorable  discharge  signed 
by  General  Washington  himself.  Mary  Tift  Briggs  was  the 
daughter  of  Solomon  Tift,  of  Groton,  Conn.  He  served  the 
cause  of  his  country  during  the  revolutionary  period  on  the  ocean. 
He  was  taken  prisoner  and  confined  for  months  in  the  hulk 
known  as  the  old  Jersey  prison  ship,  in  New  York  harbor.  The 
horrors  endured  by  the  prisoners  is  a  matter  of  history. 

Wanton  Briggs  was  a  farmer  of  Coventry,  having  a  family  of 
seven  sons  and  three  daughters.  Cotton  manufactories  were 
then  springing  up  all  over  New  England,  and  particularly  in 
Rhode  Island,  and  he  decided  to  leave  his  farm  and  locate  in  a 
factory  village.  He  selected  the  village  owned  by  the  late  Gov- 
ernor Harris  in  Coventry,  and  there  he  remained  many  years, 
bringing  up  his  children  to  habits  of  industry,  and  a  knowledge 
of  the  business  three  of  them  have  so  successfully  followed. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  took  his  place  in  the  mill  as  soon 
as  his  age  permitted,  and  with  only  intervals  to  attend  the 
village  school,  and  one  year  in  Smithville  Seminary,  of  Smith- 
ville,  R.  I.,  followed  the  factory  bell  until  nineteen  years  old, 
becoming  proficient  in  all  the  branches  of  cotton  manufactur- 
ing. He  then  took  two  years  apprenticeship  in  building  cotton 
machinery,  followed  by  two  years  of  repairing  machinery  in 
Governor  Harris'  mill.  The  gold  fever  was  now  taking  many 
young  men  to  California,  and  Mr.  Briggs  and  his  brother, 
Wanton,  Jr.,  decided  to  try  their  fortunes  there.  They  sailed 
from  Warren,  R.  I.,  in  the  ship  "  Hopewell,"  January  28th,  1849, 
and  reached  San  Francisco  August  9th.  They  spent  two  years 
in  mining,  teaming  and  trade,  when  Lucius  decided  to  return, 
while  his  brother  remained  some  years  longer.  Soon  after  his 
return,  Mr.  Briggs,  in  accordance  with  a  previous  engagement, 
married  Harriet  Taylor  Atwood,  of  Warwick,  R.  L  Four  chil- 
dren were  born  to  them,  two  sons  and  two  daughters.     A  bry 


728  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

and  a  girl  died  in  infancy,  leaving-  Charles  W.  Briggs,  now  in 
business  in  New  York,  and  Evelyn  Clara  Cranska,  wife  of  Floyd 
Cranska,  a  successful  manufacturer  of  fine  combed  yarns,  of 
Moosup,  Conn.  Soon  after  his  return  from  California  and  mar- 
riage, Mr.  Briggs  went  to  Masonville,  Thompson,  Conn.,  to 
repair  the  machinery  in  the  lower  or  wooden  mill  belonging  to 
the  Masonville  Company.  The  machinery  had  become  consid- 
erably worn,  and  the  engagement  of  Mr.  Briggs  was  expected 
to  be  temporary,  only  long  enough  to  put  it  in  order.  But  he 
liked  the  place,  and  at  the  solicitation  of  his  employers,  he  re- 
mained, and  in  the  following  spring  took  charge  of  all  repairs  in 
the  company's  three  mills.  So  well  pleased  were  the  Mason- 
ville Company  with  Mr.  Briggs'  services  thatayear  later  he  was 
made  superintendent  of  the  mills,  and  local  agent  of  all  the  com- 
pany's business  and  interests  in  the  village.  At  this  time  Wil- 
liam Mason  of  Thompson,  owned  a  majority  interest  in  the 
Masonville  Company,  and  the  late  Hon.  William  Grosvenor  of 
Providence,  R.  I.,  who  married  a  niece  of  Mr.  Mason,  was  agent, 
but  with  no  direct  interest  in  the  company.  In  less  than  a  year 
after  Mr.  Briggs  became  superintendent  Doctor  Grosvenor  bought 
the  entire  interest  of  Mr.  Mason,  except  one-sixteenth,  which 
was  purchased  by  Mr.  Briggs.  Doctor  Grosvenor  and  his  sons 
soon  after  bought  all  remaining  interests  except  the  sixteenth 
of  Mr.  Briofo-s. 

These  purchases  marked  an  era  in  the  history  of  the  Mason- 
ville Company,  and  of  the  individuals  interested.  The  property 
now  consisted  of  three  small  mills,  with  less  than  8,000  spindles 
and  189  looms.  Everything  about  the  mills,  except  the  ma- 
chinery in  the  two  upper  ones,  was  old  fashioned  and  out  of 
date.  The  water  wheels  were  of  wood  and  placed  under  the 
mills.  The  canals  leading  water  to  the  wheels  were  narrow  and 
insufficient.  The  races  taking  it  away  were  shallow,  losing  a 
good  percentage  of  the  power  of  the  water  in  getting  to  and 
from  the  wheels.  But  the  situation  for  manufacturing  was 
favorable,  and  while  the  time  for  such  small  mills  and  such' 
equipments  was  rapidly  passing  away,  the  new  owners  of  Ma- 
sonville bought  more  with  reference  to  the  future  and  what 
they  could  make  of  the  property  than  for  the  present  and  what 
it  then  was.  Quietly  but  rapidly,  as  prudence  permitted,  the 
property  began  to  be  modernized.  Dams  were  rebuilt,  canals 
and  waterways  were  widened  and  deepened.     The  wood  water 


--?!- 


<7>.y 


m  'm  ' s"''m 


■■l^-  -^  i%   '"'^ 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  729 

wheels  gave  place  to  those  of  iron  and  bronze,  placed  outside 
of  the  mills.  The  two  upper  mills  -were  built  together,  mak- 
ing one  mill  of  11,000  spindles,  in  place  of  two  of  5,000.  Later 
the  wood  mill  at  the  lower  fall  was  moved  and  changed  to 
tenements,  and  a  nice  brick  structure  with  20,000  spindles  of  the 
very  best  patterns  took  the  place  of  the  2,700  worn  out  ones,  and 
the  wood  mill.  This  brought  the  8,000  spindles  and  three  mills 
to  31,000  spindles  and  two  mills,  and  completed  for  the  present 
the  programme  as  far  as  that  village  was  concerned.  The  village 
next  above,  called  Fisherville,  had  a  mill  of  5,000  spindles  and 
a  large  fall  of  water,  less  than  half  of  which  was  developed.  In 
1864  Mr.  Grosvenor  and  Mr.  Briggs  purchased  the  property  and 
set  about  plans  for  its  utmost  development.  Further  water 
rights  were  secured,  and  the  pond  enlarged  from  about  10  acres 
to  84,  and  the  fall  of  water  increased  from  11  feet  to  26^  Im- 
mense embankments  were  raised  for  long  distances,  and  at  the 
approaches  of  the  wheel  pits  the  water  was  carried  above  grade, 
held  in  by  high  and  heavy  retaining  walls. 

An  immense  factory  was  built  of  brick,  of  splendid  architec- 
tural designs,  capable  of  holding  easily  60,000  spindles  and  ample 
preparation.  This  mill  was  put  in  operation  in  1872,  bringing 
the  number  of  spmdles  owned  and  operated  by  the  company  to 
about  96,000.  In  the  meantime,  and  while  these  great  changes 
were  in  progress,  the  names  of  "  Fisherville"  and  "  Masonville" 
had  given  place  to  "Grosvenor  Dale"  for  the  whole  valley,  in- 
cluding an  unoccupied  privilege  between  Masonville  and  Me- 
chanicsville,  and  the  young  sons  of  Doctor  Grosvenor,  William 
and  James,  had  completed  collegiate  courses  and  become  part- 
ners in  the  company,  and  occupied  im.portant  positions,  William 
as  an  assistant  to  his  father,  and  James  as  agent  for  the  sale  of 
the  company's  products  in  New  York. 

The  above  vseems  more  the  history  of  a  company  than  the  in- 
dividual, but  it  is  impossible  to  write  the  history  of  one  without 
the  other.  From  the  day  of  the  new  ownership  to  the  close  of 
his  connection  with  the  property  in  1883,  Mr.  Briggs  had  full 
charge  of  manufacturing  and  building,  and  was  the  author  of  all 
plans  and  projects  for  developments  and  enlargements,  and  pur- 
chased all  machinery  and  material  of  every  kind,  made  all  con- 
tracts for  building,  including  mills,  warehouses,  and  several 
hundred  tenements  for  help  employed  in  the  mills.  Doctor 
Grosvenor,  while  not  a  practical  manufacturer,  was  one  of  the 


730  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

best  business  men  ever  raised  in  New  England.  With  a  judg- 
ment that  almost  never  erred,  with  an  enterprise  that  was  tem- 
pered with  caution,  but  which  never  hesitated  or  turned  back 
from  the  greatest  undertakings  when  his  judgment  had  once  ap- 
proved them,  his  great  means  and  resources  made  almost  any- 
undertaking  possible.  Mr.  Briggs,  from  the  moment  he  took  the 
management  of  the  mills,  gave  his  whole  time  and  abilities  to 
the  conducting  of  the  business  and  the  development  of  the  prop- 
erty. Year  after  year  of  intense  and  close  application  gradually 
impaired  his  health,  an^  soon  after  the  completion  of  the  large 
mill  at  North  Grosvenor  Dale  this  became  so  marked  that  his 
physician  ordered  him  abroad,  and  December  15th,  1875,  with 
his  daughter  Evelyn  for  a  companion,  he  sailed  from  New 
York  for  Liverpool,  and  spent  six  months  in  travel  in  England, 
France,  Italy,  and  the  East,  visiting  Alexandria,  Cairo,  and  other 
points  in  Egypt,  Constantinople  and  minor  cities  in  Turkey,  the 
Ionian  Islands,  Athens  and  the  various  interesting  localities  in 
Greece.  He  returned  in  the  following  summer,  much  improved 
in  health. 

In  1883  it  seemed  necessary  for  the  company  to  organize  as  a 
corporation.  While  agreeing  fully  as  to  the  propriety  of  the 
change,  Mr.  Briggs  did  not  wish  to  join  the  corporation,  and  an 
amicable  arrangement  was  made  by  which  he  transferred  his  in- 
terest to  Mr.  Grosvenor.  He  is  now  (1889)  half  owner  and  man- 
ager of  the  Glasgo  Yarn  Mills,  of  Glasgo,  Conn.,  a  stockholder 
and  director  in  the  Norwich  Bleach  &  Dye  Works,  an  owner  and 
director  in  the  Glasgo  Thread  Company,  of  Worcester,  Mass. 
He  is  also  a  large  holder  of  the  stock  of  the  Ponemah  Mills,  near 
Norwich,  Conn.,  one  of  the  largest  and  finest  plants  for  manu- 
facturing fine  cotton  goods  in  America,  if  not  in  the  world.  For 
some  years  before  leaving  Grosvenor  Dale  Mr.  Briggs  was  presi- 
dent of  the  flourishing  Savings  Bank  of  Thompson.  In  politics 
he  has  always  been  a  republican.  He  has  occupied  seats  in  the 
house  of  representatives  and  the  senate  of  Connecticut.  During 
Mr.  Briggs'  absence  in  Europe,  his  son,  C.  W.  Briggs,  occupied 
his  place  as  superintende'nt  of  the  mills  at  Grosvenor  Dale  and 
North  Grosvenor  Dale,  with  credit  to  himself  and  the  satisfac- 
tion of  the  company.     Mrs.  Briggs  died  in  1886. 

James  W.  and  Elisha  S.  CONVERSE.^The  descent  of  the  Con- 
verse family,  of  Thompson,  from  Roger  de  Coigneries,  one  of 
the  trusted  chieftains  of  William  the  Conqueror,  has  been  else- 


.a^*^^  ■m 


1  ■f.:t:-0. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  731 

where  given  in  this  volume,  and  need  not  be  repeated  here. 
The  first  member  of  the  family  to  emigrate  from  England  to 
America  was  Deacon  Edward  Convers,  who  settled  in  Woburn, 
Mass.  His  grandson,  Samuel  Convers,  in  1710  removed  to 
Thompson  parish,  then  Killingly,  and  became  the  progenitor  of 
all  branches  of  the  family  who  bear  the  name,  in  Thompson.  In 
the  line  of  descent  was  Edward  Convers,  whose  son  Jonathan 
was  the  father  of  Deacon  Jonathan  Converse  (the  orthography 
of  the  name  having  been  at  this  time  changed),  who  resided  in 
Thompson.  His  son,  Elisha  Converse,  born  in  1786,  married  in 
1807  Betsey,  daughter  of  Deacon  James  Wheaton,  of  the  same 
town.  Their  sons,  James  W.  and  Elisha  Slade  Converse,  are  the 
subjects  of  this  biography. 

James  W.  Converse  was  born  in  Thompson,  Windham  county. 
Conn.,  January  11th,  1808,  and  in  early  youth  removed  with  his 
parents  successively  to  Woodstock,  in  the  same  county,  to  Do- 
ver and  Needham,  Mass.  In  1821,  while  yet  a  mere  lad,  he 
started  for  Boston,  a  poor  boy,  and  there  began  an  eventful,  use- 
ful and  very  successful  career.  He  obtained  employment  with 
his  uncles,  Joseph  and  Benjamin  Converse,  who  afterward  as- 
sisted him  to  begin  business  in  the  Boylston  Market.  In  1832 
he  formed  a  co-partnership  with  William  Hardwick,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  conducting  the  boot,  shoe  and  leather  business  in  Bos- 
ton. One  year  later  he  joined  Isaac  Field  in  the  hide  and 
leather  trade.  Later  he  became  a  partner  of  John  Field,  and 
the  firm  of  Field  &  Converse  ranked  as  one  of  the  leading  and 
most  reliable  concerns  in  this  line  of  business,  enjoying  excel- 
lent credit  during  all  the  panics  that  occurred  throughout  a  pe- 
riod of  thirty-seven  years.  In  1870  Mr.  Converse  retired  from 
business,  and  has  since  been  absorbed  in  his  railroad,  banking, 
real  estate  and  other  commercial  schemes.  In  1836  he  aided  in 
the  organization  of  the  old  Mechanics'  Bank  of  Boston,  was  made 
a  director,  and  in  1847  its  president,  which  office  he  held  until 
January,  1888,  when  he  retired,  after  having  served  the  bank 
more  than  fifty  years.  Mr.  Converse  has  for  more  than  sixty 
years  been  an  exemplar}^  working  member  of  the  Baptist  church, 
and  for  fifty  years  has  served  in  various  churches  as  deacon. 
He  has  been  active  in  personal  labors,  liberal  in  charities  and  a 
perpetual  inspiration  to  the  Christian  men  around  him.  Mr. 
Converse  married,  September  5th,  1833,  Emeline,  daughter  of 
Nathan  Coolidge,  of  Boston.     Their  children    are:    James  W. 


732  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

(deceased),  Costello  Coolidge  and   Emma   Maria,  wife  of  Isaac 
W.  Chick,  of  Boston. 

Elisha  Slade  Converse,  the  third  son  of  Elisha  and  Betsey 
(Wheaton)  Converse,  was  born  in  Needham,  Mass.,  July  28th, 
1820.  When  he  was  four  years  of  age  his  parents  removed  to 
Woodstock,  Conn.  Spending  his  childliood  there,  under  the 
wholesome  restraint  and  kindly  influences  of  New  England  ru- 
ral life,  he  was  trained  in  habits  of  industry  and  integrity,  and 
in  the  essentials  of  an  English  education.  In  his  thirteenth 
year  he  was  sent  to  Boston,  that  he  might  have  the  advantage  of 
its  superior  schools.  He  remained  there  until  sixteen  years  of 
age,  when  he  returned  home. 

During  the  next  three  years  he  learned  the  trade  of  a  clothier, 
and  when  nineteen  years  old  he  engaged  in  that  business  on  his 
own  account  in  the  village  of  Thompson,  continuing  there  five 
years.  In  1844  he  again  went  to  Boston,  where  he  made  a 
change  to  the  wholesale  shoe  and  leather  trade.  The  business 
was  new  to  him,  but  he  soon  familiarized  himself  with  its  de- 
tails, and  during  his  connection  with  it  the  reputation  and  suc- 
cess of  the  firm  became  well  established.  In  1847  he  removed 
his  place  of  residence  to  Stoneham,  Mass.,  and  in  1849  to  Mai- 
den, where  he  has  ever  since  resided.  In  1853  he  accepted  the 
office  of  treasurer  of  the  Maiden  Manufacturing  Company. 
Early  in  1855  this  company's  corporate  name  was  changed  to 
that  of  the  "Boston  Rubber  Shoe  Company,"  when,  by  the  ear- 
nest solicitation  of  the  directors,  he  was  induced  to  relinquish 
his  previous  business,  and,  in  addition  to  the  office  of  treasurer, 
to  assume  that  of  buying  and  selling  agent.  These  offices  he 
has  held  to  the  present  time,  and  the  direction  and  control  of 
all  operations,  both  at  the  factories  and  stores  of  this  immense 
concern,  have  bfeen  unreservedly  intrusted  to  his  care.  He  is 
president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Maiden,  president  of 
the  Boston  Belting  Company  and  of  the  Rubber  Manufacturers' 
Mutual  Insurance  Company,  director  of  the  Revere  Rubber  Com- 
pany and  of  the  Exchange  National  Bank  of  Boston,  trustee  of 
the  Five  Cent  Savings  Bank  and  a  member  of  the  board  of  trus- 
tees of  Wellesley  College.  He  has  served  the  commonwealth 
two  years  (1878-79)  in  the  house  of  representatives  and  two 
years  (1880-81)  in  the  senate.  In  1882,  when  Maiden  had  been 
incorporated  as  a  city,  he  was,  by  universal  acclaim,  awarded  the 
honor  of  serving  as  its  first  mayor. 


,:mm 


•HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  733 

Mr.  Converse  is  a  successful  business  man,  active  in  thought, 
untiring  in  worl^  and  conservative  in  method.  He  was,  on  the 
4th  of  September,  1843,  married  to  Mary  D.  Edmunds,  daughter 
of  Captain  Hosea  and  Ursula  Edmunds,  of  Thompson.  Their 
children  are  :  Frank  Eugene  (deceased),  Mary  Ida  (wife  of  Cos- 
tello  C.  Converse),  Harry  Elisha   and  Frances  Eugenia. 

In  all  of  Mr.  Converse's  life  history  he  has  had  a  true  helpmate 
in  his  wife.  Her  kind,  sympathizing  nature,  her  bountiful  hospi- 
tality, her  good  judgment  and  her  true  womanly  qualities  have 
been  to  him  of  inestimable  value.  The  names  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Converse  are  inseparable  in  the  history  of  Maiden,  and  the 
mother's  love  and  woman's  generosity,  no  less  than  the  father's 
love  and  his  public  spirit,  have  made  for  themselves  a  name 
which  will  last  long  after  they  have  passed  to  their  reward- 

The  church  connections  of  Mr.  Converse  are  with  the  First 
Baptist  society  of  Maiden.  His  private  benefactions  are  as 
judiciously  placed  as  his  public  bequests  are  wisely  bestowed. 

While  he  has  done  much  for  the  public  good  in  many  ways, 
his  greatest  gift  has  been  that  of  the  Converse  Memorial  Build- 
ing, in  which  the  Maiden  Public  Library  has  its  home.  This  ex- 
quisite gift,  which  is  one  of  the  finest  library  buildings  in  the 
country,  and  which  its  talented  designer,  the  late  Henry  H. 
Richardson,  considered  as  one  of  his  greatest  works  in  many 
qtialities,  is  in  every  way  worthy  of  the  noble  uses  to  which  it  is 
dedicated.  It  was  built  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Converse  as  a  memorial 
of  their  eldest  son,  whose  tragic  death  caused  a  thrill  of  pity  and 
sympathy  throughout  the  community;  and  it  is  characteristic  of 
the  donors,  who  are  ever  one  in  good  works,  that  their  wish  to 
preserve  his  memory  bore  the  fruitage  of  a  great  public  bene- 
faction. 

This  building,  when  completed,  was  given  to  the  trustees  of 
the  Maiden  Public  Library,  "  for  the  benefit  of  the  inhabitants 
of  the  city  of  Maiden."  It  is  of  brown  sandstone  from  the  Long- 
meadow  quarries,  and  is  in  the  Romanesque  style,  in  which  Mr. 
Richardson  did  so  much  noble  and  effective  work.  It  is  depend- 
ent upon  form  and  proportion  for  its  beauty,  rather  than  upon 
exaggerated  details  and  startling  effects.  Ornament  it  has,  but 
.  its  mouldings  and  graceful  carvings  were  placed  by  the  hand  of 
an  artist  as  if  they  grew  from  necessity  in  their  places.  There 
is  nothing  obtrusive  in  its  features,  nor  is  there  a  straining  for 
effect ;  but  it  is  picturesque  in  an  eminent  degree,  and  its  pic- 


734  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

turesqueness,  in  all  its  parts,  is  a  natural  result  of  a  perfect  adap- 
tability to  structural  necessity,  and  so  fulfils  a  high  artistic 
law. 

Besides  the  library  room  and  a  large  and  convenient  reading 
room,  the  building  contains  a  noble  room  for  an  art  gallery, 
which  is  filled  with  pictures  which  are  valuable  in  themselves, 
and  more  valuable  as  a  means  of  education  and  as  promoters  of 
public  taste.  Statues  and  pictures  are  in  all  parts  of  the  build- 
ing. In  works  of  art  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Converse  have  been  liberal 
givers,  and  their  gifts  in  books  for  the  library,  and  in  funds  for 
its  improvement  and  maintenance  have  been  unstinted  and  fre- 
quent. The  memorial  which  they  have  raised  will  never  decay, 
nor  grow  old,  for  it  is  a  benefaction  which  has  in  it  the  spirit  of 
eternal  youth. 

Henry  Elliott.— The  progenitor  of  the  Elliott  family  in 
Thompson  was  Francis  Elliott,  a  mariner,  who  settled  in  Salem, 
Mass.,  in  1686,  and  the  same  year  married  Abigail,  daughter  of 
John  Nichols.  Their  son  Thomas,  who  early  in  life  resided  at 
Middletown,  in  the  same  state,  in  1723  married  Lucy  Flint. 
With  his  son  Joseph  he  came  to  Thompson  parish  in  1749.  Jo- 
seph Elliott  was  a  revolutionary  soldier,  and  commanded  a  com- 
pany at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  He  married  Jesusha  Bury, 
whose  son  Thomas  was  born  in  1759  and  died  in  1843.  He  mar- 
ried Chloe,  daughter  of  Issacher  Bates,  and  had  children  :  Aaron, 
Ebenezer,  Ira,  Thomas,  and  a  daughter,  Catherine.  Thomas  of 
this  number  was  born  in  Thompson,  December  24th,  1793,  and 
died  February  24th,  1872.  He  was  three  times  married,  the  sec- 
ond union  being  with  Polly  Dexter,  of  Killingly.  Their  chil- 
dren were :  Sally,  Horace,  Marvin  D,,  Henry  and  Jane  E.,  who 
died  in  1859. 

Henry  Elliott  was  born  July  12th,  1831,  in  Thompson,  and  re- 
ceived such  an  education  as  the  public  schools  of  the  town  af- 
forded, supplemented  by  a  limited  period  at  Dudley,  Mass.  The 
routine  of  a  farmer's  life  not  being  in  accord  w^ith  his  energetic 
temperament,  at  sixteen  he  sought  a  clerkship  in  Woodstock, 
and  was  for  two  years  thus  employed.  The  year  1850  found  the 
young  man  en  route  for  New  York  city,  determined  by  his  own 
inherent  force  and  industry  to  open  the  road  to  success  and  all 
the  opportunities  which  follow  in  its  train.  He  secured  a  posi- 
tion in  a  jobbing  rubber  boot  and  shoe  house,  where  the  first 
six  months  of  service  were  given  without  remuneration.     His 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  735 

quickness  of  perception  and  ceaseless  energy  speedily  made 
themselves  felt,  and  steady  promotion  was  the  result.  At  the 
•expiration  of  the  fourth  year  he  was  admitted  to  a  partnership 
with  the  proviso,  exacted  by  him,  that  the  management  of  the 
business  should  rest  exclusively  with  him.  This  relation  was 
maintained  until  1858,  when  Mr.  Elliott  purchased  the  remain- 
ing interest  and  continued  the  business  as  aboVe.  He  had  mean- 
while become  a  prominent  figure  in  the  field  of  rubber  goods, 
where  his  sagacity  and  shrewdness  as  a  buyer,  and  skill  as  a 
salesman,  had  made  his  presence  felt  in  the  market.  In  matters 
connected  with  finance  he  was  also  regarded  as  evincing  excep- 
tional judgment  and  ability. 

Mr.  Elliott  was  appointed  the  agent  in  New  York  for  three  of 
the  most  important  rubber  boot  and  shoe  companies  in  the 
United  States,  and  added  this  responsibility  to  the  business  he 
had  before  conducted  with  marked  success.  In  1873  the  firm  of 
Wallace  &  Elliott  was  formed,  embracing  the  large  leather  boot 
and  shoe  business  of  his  brother-in-law,  J.  T.  Whitehouse,  and 
his  own.  To  this  firm  his  nephew,  Mr.  J.  E.  Jacobs,  was  admit- 
ted as  a  partner  under  the  title  of  Wallace,  Elliott  &  Co.,  and 
subsequently  his  son  Clinton,  thus  establishing  a  house  now 
ranking  among  the  largest  in  the  trade.  They  are  extensive 
manufacturers  of  boots  and  shoes  and  the  owners  of  several 
large  factories  in  New  England  and  elsewhere. 

Mr.  Elliott  is  in  his  political  principles  an  earnest  republican. 
He  has  had  occasion  to  decline  distinctive  honors  of  a  political 
^character,  preferring  to  be  simply  a  worker  while  others  enjoy 
the  dignities  of  office.  In  his  religious  belief  he  is  a  Congrega- 
tionalist.  Mr.  Elliott,  on  the  2d  of  April,  1857,  married  Mary  A., 
daughter  of  William  Whitehouse,  of  New  Hampshire,  then  re- 
siding in  Brooklyn,  New  York.  Their  children  are:  Harry  A. 
and  Osborn,  deceased;  Augusta,  Clinton  and  Dexter.  Mr.  El- 
liott, since  his  removal  from  Thompson,  has  resided  in  the  city 
of  Brooklyn,  New  York,  returning  to  his  former  home,  where 
he  has  a  residence,  to  spend  the  summer  months. 

Doctor  William  Grosvenor,  the  subject  of  this  biography, 
was  a  descendant  in  the  fifth  generation  from  the  original  pur- 
chaser of  the  Mashamoquet  tract.  He  was  the  son  of  Doctor  Rob- 
ert Grosvenor,  and  was  born  in  Killingly,  Conn.,  April  30th,  1810. 
He  attended  the  best  academies  of  his  native  state,  and  his  father, 
needing  his  early  assistance  in  the  practice  of  his  profession. 


736  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

sent  him  first  to  the  Chemical  Laboratory  of  Yale  College,  and 
afterward  to  Philadelphia,  where,  for  three  years,  he  had  special 
advantages  in  connection  with  the  hospitals  of  the  city,  and  at- 
tended the  lectures  of  the  Jefferson  Medical  School,  at  which  he 
received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  in  1830.  He  im- 
mediately became  associated  with  his  father  in  medical  practice, 
and  in  this  connection  he  continued  for  four  years,  when  he  moved 
to  Providence,  and  there  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

The  event  which  occasioned  this  change  of  residence,  and  thus 
gave  a  new  direction  to  the  whole  course  of  his  life,  was  his  mar. 
riage  to  Miss  Rosa  Anne  Mason,  daughter  of  the  Hon.  James 
Brown  Mason,  of  Providence.  Her  parents  had  died  in  her 
childhood,  and  Miss  Mason  was  the  ward  of  her  uncle,  Mr.  Amasa 
Mason,  of  this  city.  Doctor  Grosvenor  came  to  Providence  with 
the  intention  of  continuing  the  practice  of  his  profession,  but 
finding  himself  in  the  midst  of  associations  and  interests  con- 
nected with  business,  he  soon  abandoned  his  purpose,  and  en- 
gaged in  business  as  a  wholesale  druggist,  with  Mr.  Edward 
Chace,  the  copartnership  bearing  the  name  of  Grosvenor  &  Chace. 
At  the  end  of  five  years  the  copartnership  was  dissolved.  He 
then  embarked  in  the  business  of  "  stocking  "  calico  printers 
with  the  cloth  which  they  used,  and  in  this  business  he  continued 
till  1860.  In  1848  he  had  been  appointed  to  act  in  the  place  of 
Mr.  Amasa  Mason,  who  had  become  disabled  by  ill  health,  in 
the  management  of  the  mills  at  Masonville,  in  Thompson,  Conn., 
and  on  the  death  of  Mr.  Mason  in  1852  he  was  made  the  admin- 
istrator of  his  estate,  of  which  one-fourth  part  became  the  prop- 
erty of  Mrs.  Grosvenor.  He  also  succeeded  to  the  entire  man. 
agement  of  the  manufacturing  property  of  the  Masonville  Com- 
pany, of  which  Mr.  William  H.  Mason  then  owned  one-half, 
the  other  half  being  the  property  of  his  wife  and  her  sister, 
Mrs.  Eaton. 

He  thus  entered  upon  his  career  as  a  cotton  manufacturer,  a 
career  which  he  pursued  to  the  end  of  his  life,  with  rare  judg- 
ment, with  singular  assiduity,  and  with  brilliant  success.  His 
earlier  enterprises  of  business,  especially  that  connected  with 
printing  cloths,  had  been  successful,  and  with  the  capital  thus 
acquired  he  soon  purchased  all  the  shares  of  the  Masonville 
Mills,  except  those  belonging  to  Mrs.  Grosvenor.  These  latter 
were,  in  1868,  bought  by  his  two  sons.  An  interest  of  one-six- 
teenth was  also  sold,  in  1860,  to  Mr.  Lucius  Briggs,  the  resident 


'¥*^*'^'^«- 


IM 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  737 

manager  of  the  mills,  which  he  retained  till  1883.  The  plant 
was  soon  greatly  enlarged,  old  mills  were  brought  together  by 
new  connections,  new  mills  were  erected,  the  water  power  more 
fully  developed,  and  the  productive  capacity  of  the  whole  was 
greatly  increased.  In  1864  Doctor  Grosvenor  bought  what  was 
known  as  the  "  Fisherville  Property,"  and  certain  adjoining 
lands  to  the  north  of  it,  extending  to  Wilsonville,  for  the  pros- 
pective advantages  which  they  offered.  In  1866  the  Masonville 
Company  changed  its  name  to  Grosvenor  Dale  Company,  its  vil- 
lage being  from  that  time  known  as  Grosvenor  Dale,  and  the 
Fisherville  Company  took  the  name  of  North  Grosvenor  Dale 
Company,  with  a  corresponding  change  in  the  name  of  its  village. 
Two  years  later  the  two  companies  were  united,  and  now  bear 
the  common  name  of  Grosvenor  Dale  Company.  New  mills 
have  been  built  and  great  changes  have  been  made  in  the  con- 
dition of  both  these  properties.  Additional  water  power  has 
been  acquired  and  steam  power  has  been  superadded.  A  large 
reservoir  has  been  created,  with  dykes  and  embankments  of 
great  solidity  and  strength,  and  tenements  have  been  constructed 
for  the  operatives  employed  by  the  company.  The  entire  prop- 
erty now  bearing  its  name  extends  over  a  tract  of  four  miles  in 
length  in  the  valley  of  the  French  river,  a  branch  of  the  Ouine- 
baug.  The  original  mills  of  which  he  became  the  owner  in 
1854  then  contained  7,500  spindles  and  180  looms.  For  the  past 
three  years  they  have  had  88,176  spindles  and  2,357  looms,  the 
spindles  having  been  reduced  in  number  without  diminution  of 
product,  in  consequence  of  improvements  in  their  make. 

From  his  settlement  in  Providence  in  1837,  Doctor  Grosvenor's 
life  had  been  almost  constantly  devoted  to  active  business.  The 
change  from  professional  pursuits  to  the  pursuits  of  trade  is  a 
critical  event  in  the  life  of  any  man.  With  him  it  had  led  to 
almost  uninterrupted  success.  He  began  his  new  occupation  by 
giving  constant  attention  to  its  daily  demands,  and  by  making 
himself  master  of  the  principles  and  methods  by  which  it  was 
to  be  conducted.  In  doing  this  his  professional  experience  may 
not  have  been  without  its  advantages.  It  had  formed  in  him  the 
habit  of  careful  attention  to  the  details  involved  in  the  work  in 
which  he  was  engaged,  and  had  taught  him  to  guard  against 
surprises  in  the  condition  of  markets  and  the  movements  of 
trade.  It  may  thus  have  done  its  part  to  secure  the  success  which 
47 


738  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

he  continued  to  have  for  the  period  of  forty  years  almost  without 
drawback  or  interruption. 

His  first  period  of  leisure  was  taken  in  the  year  1860,  when, 
for  the  benefit  of  Mrs.  Grosvenor's  health,  he  accompanied  her 
with  his  elder  children  on  a  visit  to  Europe.  The  absence  was 
greatly  beneficial  to  them  all,  and  would  have  been  prolonged 
had  it  not  been  for  the  anxieties  and  sorrows  occasioned  by  the 
civil  war,  which  began  in  the  following  year.  The  daily  tidings 
of  battle  and  slaughter,  and  the  spectacle  of  the  two  great  sec- 
tions of  the  republic  at  war  with  each  other,  were  doubly  dis- 
tressing to  loyal  citizens  away  from  their  country.  He  came 
home  early  in  1862,  as  did  so  many  others  from  every  part  of  the 
world,  to  do  whatever  might  be  in  his  power  in  the  service  of 
the  country,  and  especially  to  be  as  near  as  possible  to  the  ex- 
citing and  distressing  scenes  which  were  then  engrossing  public 
attention. 

On  his  return  he  immediately  connected  himself  with  the 
patriotic  services  which  were  already  in  progress  in  Rhode  Is- 
land. In  the  following  year  he  was  chosen  a  senator  from  the 
town  of  North  Providence,  where  he  had  resided  since  1849,  and 
he  immediately  engaged  in  all  the  movements  that  depended  in 
any  way  on  the  action  of  the  legislature.  He  was  made  a  mem- 
ber of  the  legislative  committee  on  finance,  and  his  careful  judg- 
ment and  well-known  determination  as  a  citizen  of  large  re- 
sources, made  him  an  authority  in  the  financial  questions  before 
that  body.  The  whole  energy  and  strength  of  the  state  were 
then  enlisted  in  the  service  of  the  country.  Taxes  were  levied 
in  amounts  beyond  all  precedent,  and  Rhode  Island  was  ready 
to  make  every  exertion  and  every  sacrifice  which  the  crisis 
might  demand.  In  promoting  all  these  movements  the  senator 
from  North  Providence  was  actively  engaged  during  his  period 
of  service. 

In  1866  he  was  again  chosen  to  the  senate.  The  war  was  now 
ended  and  the  legislature  of  the  state  was  occupied  with  new 
questions,  the  chief  of  which  were  how  to  maintain  the  public . 
credit  and  pay  the  public  debts,  which  had  swollen  to  large  pro- 
portions. In  addition  to  these  matters  of  finance  were  questions 
as  to  how  the  legislature  could  best  provide  for  those  who  had 
been  disabled  in  the  war,  and  how  it  could  best  honor  the  mem- 
ories of  those  who  had  fallen  in  its  battles.  In  the  deliberations 
and  discussions  relating  to  these  he  took  a  very  active  part,  and 


TOTYPE,     E.    BIERSTADT, 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  739 

did  mucli  in  shaping- the  measures  that  were  adopted.  He  was 
a  member  not  only  of  the  finance  committee,  but  also  of  the  joint 
committee  of  both  houses  appointed  to  select  a  suitable  site  for 
"  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  the  officers  and  men  from  Rhode 
Island,  either  in  the  army  or  the  navy  of  the  United  States,  who 
lost  their  lives  in  the  service  of  the  United  States  during  the 
late  rebellion,"  and  to  procure  designs  and  estimates  for  the 
monument.  It  was  through  the  agency  of  this  committee  that 
the  "  Soldiers' Monument "  was  erected,  which  now  stands  in 
Exchange  Place  in  Providence. 

As  has  been  mentioned,  he  became  a  resident  of  North  Provi- 
dence in  1849,  having  at  that  time  built  as  the  home  of  his  family 
an  attractive  mansion,  on  a  farm  belonging  to  Mrs.  Grosvenor, 
not  far  north  of  the  city  line  and  now  contained  within  it.  In 
1872  he  removed  to  the  house  which  he  had  bought  on  Prospect 
street,  in  which  he  passed  the  remaining  years  of  his  life.  Long 
before  this  date  he  had  given  up  the  immediate  care  of  the  large 
business  of  the  Grosvenor  Dale  Company  to  his  two  sons,  Mr. 
William  Grosvenor,  Jr.,  the  managing  agent  in  Providence,  and 
Mr.  James  B.  M.  Grosvenor,  the  selling  agent  in  New  York. 
Soon  after  his  early  settlement  in  Providence  he  had  become 
connected  with  the  congregation  of  Grace  Church.  He  was  for 
several  years  a  member  of  its  vestry,  and  was  also  an  active  and 
most  helpful  member  of  the  committee  for  the  erection  of  its 
beautiful  and  costly  house  of  worship  on  Westminster  street. 
He  was  fond  of  society  and  dispensed  a  generous  hospitality, 
and  thus  kept  alive  his  interest  in  the  new  generations  which 
were  taking  the  place  of  that  to  which  he  belonged.  His  con- 
stitution was  always  i-obust,  and  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years 
he  retained  his  powers,  both  of  body  and  mind,  almost  unim- 
paired. His  death  took  place  with  very  slight  premonition, 
August  10th,  1888,  at  Maplewood,  New  Hampshire,  whither  he 
had  gone  for  a  brief  season  of  summer  recreation.  It  was 
occasioned  by  an  acute  and  sudden  affection  of  the  heart  and 
the  lungs. 

This  sketch  was  prepared  for  the  proceedings  of  the  Rhode 
Island  Historical  Society,  published  in  1889. 

Frank  M.  Messenger. — Samuel  Messenger,  the  grandfather 
of  Frank  M.  Messenger,  married  Lavina  Blake,  of  Wrentham, 
Massachusetts.  Their  children  were  five  sons  and  five  daugh- 
ters, of  whom  Silas  was  born  in  Stoddard,  New  Hampshire,  and 


740  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

during-  his  active  life  was  both  a  farmer  and  a  house  carpenter 
in  his  native  place.  He  married  Arvilla,  daughter  of  Isaac  Cope- 
land,  of  the  same  town.  Their  children  were:  Mary,  Alma,  Ers- 
kine,  Addison,  Edson  Winslow,  Henry  E.,  George  B.,  Alice  C, 
Frank  M.  and  Helen  A.,  of  whom  three  are  deceased — Addison, 
whose  death  occurred  while  a  soldier  in  the  late  war;  Georo-e  B., 
who  died  in  childhood,  and  Helen  A.,  at  the  age  of  nine  years. 

Frank  M.  Messenger  was  born  on  the  3d  of  April,  1852,  in 
Stoddard,  New  Hampshire,  where,  until  the  age  of  fourteen,  he 
remained  upon  his  father's  farm,  meanwhile  attending  the 
neighboring  school  for  two  terms  each  year.  Removing  with 
his  parents  to  Munsonville,  New  Hampshire,  he  sought  employ- 
ment in  a  chair  factory,  and  there  continued  until  the  age  of  six- 
teen, meanwhile  pursuing  his  studies  during  intervals  of  leisure. 
He  next  found  employment  in  a  cotton  factory,  and  later  spent 
a  year  as  clerk  in  Norway,  Maine.  After  a  period  of  work  in  the 
chair  factory  a  second  time,  he  at  nineteen  accepted  an  engage- 
ment as  card  grinder  in  a  cotton  factory  at  Winchendon,  Massa- 
chusetts, and  was  soon  promoted  to  second  overseer  in  the  same 
department.  Mr.  Messenger  next  removed  to  Manchester,  New 
Hampshire,  in  the  employ  of  the  Amoskeag  Company,  and  on 
leaving  the  latter  place  returned  to  Munsonville  in  the  capacity 
of  overseer.  He  then  located  successively  in  Shirley,  Waltham 
and  Newton,  all  in  Massachusetts,  as  overseer,  and  finally  settled 
in  Manchaug,  in  the  same  state,  remaining  four  years,  and  re- 
ceiving promotion  while  there  to  the  position  of  overseer  of  the 
carding  and  spinning  departments.  He  at  the  expiration  of  this 
time  returned  to  Shirley  as  superintendent  of  the  Phoenix  &  Fre- 
donia  Mills.  Mr.  Messenger,  in  November,  1884,  accepted  the 
position  of  superintendent  of  the  Grosvenor  Dale  Mills,  and  in 
January,  1887,  was  made  agent  of  all  the  mills  owned  by  the 
Grosvenor  Dale  Company,  which  responsible  position  he  now 
fills.  These  mills,  under  his  successful  management,  have  been 
enlarged,  and  the  increase  in  their  capacity  may  be  fully  esti- 
mated at  twenty-five  per  cent.  A  more  detailed  description  of 
the  industry  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

Mr.  Messenger  is  in  politics  a  staunch  republican,  and  while 
actively  interested  in  affairs  connected  with  both  state  and 
county,  has  declined  all  tenders  of  office.  He  is  one  of  the  board 
of  directors  of  the  Thompson  National  Bank.  He  is  connected 
with  Fredonia  Lodge  of  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and 


WWPi-esto^-.^-  C?Ny 


S/^ 


M-:M'''^ 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  741 

is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  of  Manchaug,  Massachusetts, 
having  been  for  three  years  superintendent  of  its  Sunday  school. 
Mr.  Messenger  was  married  February  3d,  1874,  to  Eliza  J.,  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Sarah  Smith,  of  Winchendon,  Massachusetts, 
who  died  the  following  year.  He  was  again  married  May  13th, 
1879,  to  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Young,  of  Newton, 
Massachusetts.  Their  children  are  Frank  M.,  Mabel  W.  and 
Don  E. 

George  Taft  Murdock. — Elisha  Murdock,  the  grandfather 
of  George  Taft  Murdock,  was  a  prosperous  farmer  in  the  town 
of  Uxbridge,  Mass.  His  wife,  a  Miss  Chapin,  became  the  mother 
of  several  children,  of  whom  Fuller  Murdock,  one  of  their  sons, 
spent  his  life  in  Uxbridge,  his  native  town.  He  married  Esther, 
daughter  of  James  Taft,  of  Uxbridge.  The  children  of  this 
union  were  :  Philina,  born  in  1807  ;  Abbie  Eliza,  in  1808  ;  Moses 
Taft,  in  1810;  John,  in  1812;  Charles,  in  1815;  Caleb,  in  1817; 
George  Taft,  March  18th,  1819 ;  Harriet,  in  1821  ;  Chapin,  in 
1823,  and  Mary  Ann,  in  1825. 

The  fifth  son  of  this  number,  George  Taft  Murdock,  is  a  native 
of  Uxbridge,  where,  after  a  period  of  early  youth  devoted  to 
school,  he  at  the  age  of  twelve  years  began  those  habits  of  in- 
dustry which  laid  the  foundation  for  future  success.  Entering 
a  woolen  factory  he  was  assigned  to  the  task  of  piecing  rolls  and 
thus  acquired  by  his  own  exertion  sufficient  means  to  defray  the 
expenses  of  his  education  at  the  academy  at  Uxbridge,  and 
at  Plymouth,  N.  H.  At  the  age  of  twenty-four  he  embarked 
with  a  partner  in  mercantile  ventures  in  his  native  town,  and 
continued  for  six  years  to  conduct  a  profitable  business.  Mr. 
Murdock  then  eneagfed  in  the  manufacture  of  satinets  at  Mill- 
bury,  Mass.,  and  at  Seaconnet  Point,  R.  I.,  continuing  four  years 
in  these  respective  localities.  Removing  to  Worcester,  Mass.,  in 
1861,  he  established  the  firm  of  Curtis  &  Murdock,  manufactur- 
ers of  woolen  goods.  In  1865  he  purchased  the  present  mills  at 
New  Boston,  meanwhile  retaining  his  residence  in  Worcester 
until  1879,  when  the  former  place  became  his  home.  The  prop- 
erty was  at  this  time  in  a  dilapidated  condition,  and  the  moral 
sentiment  of  the  hamlet  not  such  as  to  make  New  Boston  a  de- 
sirable abode.  Mr.  Murdock  and  his  son,  the  junior  partner  of 
the  firm,  by  their  enterprise  and  determination  speedily  created 
a  revolution  in  both  respects.  The  mills  were  enlarged,  new 
buildings  of  brick  erected,  and  the  community  infused  with  a 


742  HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

spirit  of  temperance  and  morality  which  greatly  changed  the 
character  of  the  place.  The  mills  give  employment  to  nearly 
one  hundred  operatives  who  are  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
cotton  warp  goods,  sold  through  agents  in  New  York  and  Bos- 
ton. 

Mr.  Murdock  is  in  his  political  alliances  a  republican.  He  was 
in  1862  a  member  of  the  city  council  of  Worcester,  and  in  1884 
represented  his  town  in  the  Connecticut  house  of  representatives, 
being  assigned  to  the  committee  on  school  fund.  He  is  a  strong 
advocate  of  the  cause  of  temperance,  and  a  supporter  of  the  doc- 
trines of  Christianity.  Through  his  efforts  and  those  of  his  son  a 
large  public  hall  was  built  in  New  Boston  in  which  divine  ser- 
vice is  regularly  held.  Mr.  Murdock  was  in  1845  married  to 
Abbie  A.,  daughter  of  Alvin  Robinson,  of  Mansfield,  Mass. 
Their  children  are  a  son,  George  Thurston,  and  a  daughter,  Liz- 
zie G.,  deceased  wife  of  Horace  E.  Bigelow. 

George  Thurston  Murdock,  the  only  son  of  George  Taft  and 
Abbie  A.  Murdock,  who  was  born  July  4th,  1846,  in  Uxbridge, 
Mass.,  at  the  age  of  twelve  years  removed  with  his  parents  to 
Millbury,  and  later  to  Worcester  in  the  same  state.  His  educa- 
tion was  received  at  the  Worcester  and  Wilbraham  Academies, 
after  which  he  entered  the  finishing  room  of  the  mills  in  the 
former  place,  and  thus  became  familiar  with  the  first  principles 
of  manufacturing.  Coming  later  to  New  Boston,  he  filled  the 
position  of  accountant  until  1866,  and  then  assumed  the  superin- 
tendence of  the  mills.  Two  years  later  he  succeeded  to  the  in- 
terest of  a  former  partner,  who  had  meanwhile  retired.  He  ul- 
timately became  an  equal  partner,  and  for  many  years  during 
his  father's  residence  in  Worcester,  assumed  almost  the  entire 
oversight  of  the  business,  the  details  of  which  are  still  managed 
by  him. 

Mr.  Murdock  has  been  a  co-worker  with  his  father  in  his  efforts 
to  build  up  and  improve  the  hamlet  of  New  Boston,  much  of 
the  active  labor  of  which  has  been  performed  by  him  person- 
ally. He  has  been  active  in  both  town  and  county  politics,  and 
is  at  present  one  of  the  town  committee.  He  represented  his 
constituents  in  the  state  legislature  in  1878,  and  served  on  the 
committees  on  manufactures  and  milage.  Mr.  Murdock  was,  on 
the  22d  of  June,  1869,  married  to  Arrilla  R.,  daughter  of  Charles 
D.  Thayer,  of  New  Boston.  They  have  one  daughter,  Mabel 
Florence,  born  December  13th,  1876. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  743 

Franklin  Nichols,  one  of  the  well-known  business  men  and 
leading  bankers  in  Connecticut,  was  born  in  Thompson,  Conn., 
August  11th,  1805.  His  boyhood  was  passed  in  his  native  town, 
sharing  the  advantages  of  tlie  schools  of  those  days.  At  an 
early  age  he  commenced  business  for  himself,  in  the  improve- 
ment of  extensive  farming  lands  inherited  from  his  father, 
which  honorable  vocation  he  continued  with  an  older  brother 
until  May,  1840,  when  he  removed  to  Norwich  and  became  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  Nichols  &  Eddy,  wholesale  grocers.  The 
firm  subsequently  changed  to  Nichols  &  Evans,  and  later  to 
Nichols,  Evans  &  Almy.  In  1844  Mr.  Nichols  retired  from  the 
firm  and  engaged  in  the  cotton  business  in  company  with  the 
late  Leonard  Ballou.  He,  however,  remained  in  this  business 
but  about  two  years,  and  then  engaged  in  banking  operations. 

In  the  spring  of  1833  he  assisted  in  obtaining  the  charter  for 
the  Thompson  Bank,  which  was  organized  in  the  fall  of  the 
same  year  with  eleven  directers,  all  of  whom  are  deceased  ex- 
cept himself.  He  has  been  prominently  identified  with  the 
Thames  Bank  since  1846.  He  was  chosen  president  in  1851,  and 
has  officiated  in  that  capacity  to  the  present  time.  He  has  out- 
lived all  then  associated  with  him  in  the  board  of  directors.  Mr. 
Nichols  has  been  a  trustee  in  the  Norwich  Savings  Society  since 
1851  and  its  president  since  1879.  He  is  the  only  survivor  of 
the  forty  trustees  in  the  board  at  the  time  of  his  election.  He 
was  also  one  of  the  incorporators  of  the  Thames  Loan  and  Trust 
Company  in  1869,  and  for  several  years  its  president.  He  was 
chosen  a  director  in  the  Gas  Company  upon  its  organization,  and 
is  now  the  president  and  only  surviving  member  of  the  original 
board  of  directors.  He  assisted  in  the  organization  of  the  Bank 
of  Mutual  Redemption  in  Boston,  and  in  this  institution  also  he 
is  the  only  original  member  left  in  the  board.  Mr.  Nichols  was 
also  a  director  in  the  Norwich  &  Worcester  railroad. 

October  17th,  1839,  he  united  in  marriage  with  Hannah  T. 
Fairfield,  i  native  of  Pomfret,  Conn.,  and  the  family  consisted  of 
one  child,  a  son,  Franklin  Nichols,  deceased. 

Benjamin  F.  Phipps. — Deacon  Jason  Phipps  was  at  an  early 
day  an  extensive  landholder  and  farmer  in  Thompson  parish,  as 
also  a  justice  of  the  peace,  who  exercised  his  prerogative  with  an 
inflexible  hand.  His  son  Jason,  a  soldier  of  the  revolution,  mar- 
ried Mary  Healy,  of  Dudley,  Mass.,  whose  children  were  :  Peyton 
Randolph,  Salem  T.,  Jason,  Polly,  Hannah,  Mary  Ann,  Rebecca 


744  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

and  Persis.  Mr.  Phipps  resided  in  Thompson,  where  he  became 
the  owner  of  much  valuable  land.  His  son,  Captain  Peyton 
Randolph,  was  born  July  29th,  1789,  in  the  same  town,  and  spent 
his  life  as  a  farmer.  He  also  bore  an  active  part  in  the  militia, 
of  which  he  was  captain,  and  served  in  the  war  of  1812,  for  which 
his  widow  drew  a  pension.  He  was  on  the  26th  of  May,  1814, 
married  to  Clarissa,  daughter  of  Edward  Davis,  of  Dudley,  Mass. 
Their  children  are  eleven  in  number,  as  follows :  Clarissa  D., 
Benjamin  F.,  Edward  D.,  Lucretia  H.,  Abigail  D.,  William  R., 
Albigence  W.  (deceased),  I^ydia  R.,  Zeruiah,  Albigence  W.,  and 
Samuel  H.  On  the  25th  of  October,  1831,  Mr.  Phipps  was  again 
married  to  Harriet  Davis,  sister  to  his  first  wife.  His  death  oc- 
curred February  2d,  1843. 

Benjamin  F.  Phipps  was  born  January  30th,  1816,  on  the  home- 
stead farm  which  is  his  present  residence.  Here  his  whole  life 
has  been  spent  in  the  healthful  pursuits  connected  with  agricul- 
ture. His  opportunities  for  education  were  confined  to  a  brief 
period  at  the  neighboring  public  school,  and  his  time,  until 
twenty-one,  was  given  to  his  father,  who  in  addition  to  his  farm 
employments  was  engaged  in  teaming  between  that  point  and 
Providence.  He  was  afterward  for  several  years  employed  on 
the  farm  and  elsewhere  in  the  neighborhood,  finally  assuming 
the  management  of  the  property  on  behalf  of  the  heirs,  on  the 
decease  of  his  father. 

Mr.  Phipps  by  his  industry  and  excellent  care  of  the  property 
thus  afforded  a  home  to  the  family,  and  finally  purchased  the 
farm.  He  has  greatly  improved  the  land,  added  new  buildings 
from  time  to  time,  and  made  his  home  one  of  the  most  desirable 
in  that  portion  of  the  town,  his  daily  labor  being  connected  with 
the  farm  and  its  productions.  He  has  always  been  identified  in 
politics  with  either  the  whig  or  republican  party,  and  filled  such 
local  offices  as  selectman,  assessor,  surveyor,  etc.  He  is  often 
called  upon  to  act  as  executor,  trustee  and  appraiser,  and  to  fill 
various  offices  of  trust.  He  worships  with  the  Union  Congrega- 
tion, of  New  Boston,  though  in  his  faith  a  Universalist.  Mr. 
Phipps  on  the  20th  of  March,  1849,  married  Mary  L.,  daughter 
of  Charles  and  Emily  Childs,  of  Woodstock.  Their  children  are 
two  sons,  Charles  P.  and  George  F.,  and  a  daughter,  Mary  E., 
who  died  in  childhood.  Charles  P.,  who  resides  in  Southbridge, 
Mass.,  married  Sarah  King  of  Thompson,  and  has  one  child, 
Maud  Gladys. 


'^'^Prestcn^aJir. 


^LJ^'  /t<^- 


y 


^^<;/ X' 


m--.m. 


FlISTORY   OF 


rs  D.  Thayer. — John  and  Dacy  Tlmyc-  le  grand- 

■  i.ii  ;iL.s  uf  the  subject  of  this  biography.  Then  ;■■»':  john  mar- 
ried Ruth  Mower-v  and  settled  in  East   Douglas.     The  children 

arriagc  lowefy,  bo  '   27th,  1831;  Charles 

;;..  1 -December  2Gui,  j/Ni  .     ^y---^^-  ^-•- 

Charles  D.,  the  seconc 

■  i       .  he  enjo  vantage 

..uia  aiierward  contin.;-u  Qi^  studies  at  tiie  iJi-^i 
■'^Q±.  schools.     He    then   taught    f'T    several   i. 

■  began  his  business  career  jrk,-firs;    ■ 

I  hen  at  New  Boston.     This  se'deatary  life,  however,  v- 
';"■-  fri.ste.  and  he  resolved  to  make 'f;"in-! vino-  rrie  '^ocatio.:. 

Limed  charge  of  his  fa:  ^  New  B^ 

managed  it  with  success  during  the  ^  iiietime,  and  on  hi- 


'  e   prep.....,-  -iie  elder  ^'^i"' 

rii-ayer  remained 
lis  present  home  r 
■  ^'ince  continue-'  ' 


death  received  a  deed  ^^■f  ''-   nrci:,    .  .    .  hp-  p.lrlpr  cnn  al 
joying  a  like  inheritanc 
from  1838  until  1869,  whc 
was  purchased.     Here  h 
of  an  agriculturist. 

His  business  life  has  been  one  of  integrit'; 
•  ■ ' '   together  with  experience  and  judgrne 
-  es  much  sotip;ht  ris  trustee  andexecm 
ctor  of  the  National  Bank 

poliQcal  views,  h^.'  luic  served  as  assessor,  se' 
offices,  and  received  the  nomination  as  can 
legislature,  but   V  o  the  superior  strengtl' 

party.      Mr,  Tha>ci    marri'   '    ""  '        ^'^  '^ 

'daughter  of  David  NicL'l:- 
David  N,,  born  i  1844;  Jc-  , 

Arrilla  R.,  February  4tn,  1850;  and  Charles  1',,  rsovembcr  ,Gi!j, 
lS52r     Charles  F.  ;iv;rripd  M-v-v  TTc. >.viit,of  Preston-  Corin.rr-icni 
1  )avid  N.  is  a  re.  id  his  brot' 

i.essful  lawyers  in  Norwich,  Connecticut. 

M  \Rrus  F.  TowNE.--rDavid  Towne,  the  grandfath^. 
ijr    married  Lucy  Upham.     Their  children  were 
i\vo  daughters,  of  whom  George,  born  in  Thompson,  Febru- 
i-^th,  1794,  married  Sally,  daughter  of  Rv---  T-i..n-      ti., 
'. ren  of  this  marriage  were:  Lucy,  who  died 
larcus  F.,  Noadiah  W.  and  Lucy  U.,  wife  of  Joseph  S.  i 

reus  F.  Towne  was  born  June  21st.  1*-"^''     ■     ^ 

ipson,  where  his  whole  life,  with  the  .. 


1  /4/.C  "t. 


jpj  '-w  'm-  '#  'Ij^ 


746  '    HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

year,  has  been  spent.  He  attended  the  common  school,  and  for 
a  short  period  the  high  school,  after  which  his  attention  was 
given  to  farming.  He  also  became  proficient  as  a  blacksmith, 
and  combined  this  with  his  other  duties.  Mr.  Towne  entered 
into  a  co-partnership  with  his  father,  and  while  farming  operated 
a  thresher.  He  also  did  more  or  less  teaming.  Receiving  before 
his  father's  death  a  deed  of  a  portion  of  the  farm,  he  subsequently 
added  to  this  a  valuable  tract  by  purchase.  He  also  owns  fifty 
acres  in  Woodstock,  which  is  used  as  a  pasture  land  for  the  fat- 
tening of  beef  for  the  market. 

Mr.  Towne  is  a  director  of  the  Thompson  Savings  Bank. 
He  has  been  for  many  years  director  and  for  two  years  pres- 
ident of  the  Woodstock  Agricultural  Society.  He  is  in  poli- 
tics a  republican,  was  for  the  years  1873  and  1884  a  member 
of  the  Connecticut  house  of  representatives,  has  been  for  seven 
years  a  selectman,  and  for  a  long  period  on  the  school  dis- 
trict committee.  He  has  been  for  thirty-two  years  an  active, 
exemplary  and  useful  member  of  the  Congregational  church 
of  Thompson,  and  a  portion  of  that  time  one  of  its  deacons. 
He  was  November  29th,  1848,  married  to  Lucy  Ann,  daugh- 
ter of  Jason  Wakefield,  of  the  same  town.  Their  only  child, 
a  son,  died  in  his  fourteenth  year.  He  was  again  married 
July  6th,  1856,  to  Mary  J.,  daughter  of  Paul  Kinney,  of  Union, 
Connecticut.  Their  children  are  Lucy  A.,  George  V.  and  Ad- 
fer  M. 

Aaron  White  died  at  Quinebaug,  in  the  town  of  Thompson, 
April  16th,  T886,  aged  87  years  and  six  months.  He  was  born  in 
Boylston,  Mass.,  October  8th,  1798,  and  was  the  eldest  of  ten  chil- 
dren, seven  sons  and  three  daughters,  of  Aaron  and  Mary  White. 

His  ancestry  were  of  the  early  puritan  settlers  of  Eastern  Massa- 
chusetts, and  among  them  on  the  side  of  his  mother,  were  the 
Adams'  of  Boston,  her  grandmother  being  a  sister  of  Governor 
Samuel  Adams,  a  distinguished  patriot  of  the  revolution.  His 
father  kept  a  country  store,  cultivated  an  adjoining  farm,  was  a 
leading  man  in  town  affairs,  town  clerk  for  twenty-two  years, 
many  years  a  member  of  the  board  of  selectmen,  and  repeatedly 
a  representative  to  the  legislature. 

The  father  having  determined  to  give  his  son,  Aaron,  Jr.,  the 
advantages  of  a  liberal  education,  sent  him  to  the  academies  in 
New  Salem  and  Leicester,  and  in  his  fourteenth  year  the  boy  en- 
tered Harvard,  graduating  in  the  class  of  1817. 


PE,     E.    BIER5TA 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  747 

Having  concluded  to  establish  himself  in  the  practice  of  law 
in  Rhode  Island,  Mr.  White  after  a  brief  period  of  study  in  the 
offices  of  General  George  L.  Barnes,  of  Woonsocket,  in  Smith- 
field,  and  of  the  late  Judge  Thomas  Burgess,  of  Providence,  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  of  Rhode  Island,  at  Providence,  at  the  Sep- 
tember term  of  the  supreme  court,  1820 — a  little  under  twenty- 
two  years  of  age,  and  opened  his  office  at  Cumberland  Hill,  in 
the  town  of  Cumberland. 

A  mail  route  was  laid  out  over  Cumberland  Hill,  and  the  office 
of  postmaster  there  was  held  by  him  until  he  removed  to  Woon- 
socket Falls  in  1829. 

As  he  had  the  reputation  of  being  a  careful  bank  manager,  he 
was  invited  in  1829  to  take  charge  of  a  new  bank  at  Woonsocket 
Falls,  as  cashier  and  one  of  the  directors.  Without  relinquish- 
ing his  law  practice  he  accepted  the  appointment,  and  continued 
in  charge  of  the  bank  for  a  few  years. 

Esquire  White  became  an  ardent  adherent  of  Governor  Dorr, 
personally  and  politically,  and  chief  adviser  in  all  matters 
touching  political  subjects  and  the  personal  affairs  of  his  friend 
the  governor,  therefore  he  was  compelled  to  leave  Rhode  Island 
in  1842  and  he  came  to  New  Boston. 

Mr.  White  at  first  took  up  his  abode  in  this  obscure  village,  in 
a  brick  building,  which  at  that  time  was  the  village  store,  and 
the  grandest  building  in  the  vicinity.  He  removed  not  long  af- 
terward to  Barnes'  tavern,  on  the  old  Boston  and  Hartford  turn- 
pike. Here  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Al- 
fred Barnes,  and  a  mutual  attachm-cnt  was  formed,  resulting  in 
their  marriage  in  1843.  To  this  event  was  due  his  change  of 
abode  from  Rhode  Island  to  Connecticut,  his  wife  dying  when 
his  son  was  born.  The  son  now  lives  on  a  farm  in  Grafton,  Mass. 
He  is  immarried. 

Mr.  White  in  the  latter  years  of  his  life  took  up  the  subject  of 
numismatics,  the  collection  and  study  of  coins.  The  United 
States  government  in  1857  discontinued  the  coinage  of  copper 
cents,  substituting  at  first  the  nickel  cent,  and  a  few  years  after- 
ward, the  bronze  one  and  two  cent  pieces  as  at  present  used. 
This  furnished  Mr.  White  a  rare  opportunity  for  augmenting  his 
collections,  especially  of  the  cheaper  coins,  and  he  improved  it  to 
a  greater  extent,  probably,  than  any  other  person  in  the  United 
States.  In  his  legal  practice  he  spared  no  effort  to  have  his 
clients'  business  done  in  the  best  and  most  thorough  manner,  yet 


748  •  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

his  charges  for  services  rendered  were  extremely  moderate. 
A  teetotaler  in  principle  and  practice,  he  would  not  tolerate  the 
use  of  alcoholic  drink  as  a  beverage  by  any  one  in  his  employ- 
ment. 

Mr.  White  was  possessed  of  considerable  real  estate  in  this  vi- 
cinity, and  although  reported  rich,  the  actual  value  of  his  whole 
estate,  real  and  personal,  is  not  known,  and  was  probably  much 
exaggerated  in  popular  opinions.  After  Mr.  White's  death,  his 
brother  shipped  from  the  station  at  Quinebaug  4-|  tons  of  pen- 
nies, the  value  of  which  would  be  about  $8,000. 

Mr.  White  after  graduating  from  college,  spent  a  year  and  up- 
ward as  a  school  teacher,  first  in  Roxbury,  now  Boston  High- 
lands, and  afterward  in  the  city  of  Vergennes,  Vt.  He  then  com- 
menced the  study  of  law  in  Middlebury,  Vt.,  in  the  office  of  Ho- 
ratio Seymour,  afterward  governor  and  senator  in  congress  from 
Vermont. 

In  his  will  Mr.  White  gave  directions  for  his  burial  on  a  knoll 
on  the  northerly  side  of  the  railroad,  just  over  the  boundary  line 
of  Massachusetts,  in  the  town  of  Dudley,  The  knoll  is  shaded 
with  pines,  transplanted  when  small  seedlings  by  Mr.  White 
about  forty  years  ago.  After  giving  minute  instructions  for  a 
monument  to  be  erected  at  his  grave,  he  directs  the  following 
epitaph  written  by  him  January  1st,  1844,  to  be  engraved  on  the 
stone  : 

To  the  memory  of  Aaron  White,  Son  of  Aaron  and  Mary  White,  born  October 
8th,  1798,  died— 

HIC 

in  exilio  profugus, 

humanum  gentes  jus  defendens 

Et  Hospitium  ET  Amorem, 

Et  Domum  et  Sepulchrum 

INVENI. 

HERE 

Driven  into  exile. 

While  defending  the  rights  of  man, 

I  FOUND 

Hospitality  and  Love, 
A  Home  and  a  Sepulchre. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 


THE  TOWN  OF  PUTNAM. 


Incorporation  and  General  Description. — Early  History. — First  Settlers. — West  of 
the  Quinebaug. — The  South  Neighborhood. — Early  Improvement  of  Water 
Privileges. — Roads  and  Bridges. — The  Stone  Mills. — Early  Homestead  Resi- 
dents.— The  French  War.— The  Revolution. — After  the  War. — Cargill's  Mills. 
— Quinebaug  High  Falls. — Educational  and  Religious.- — Killingly  Hill. — Be- 
ginning of  Cotton  Manufacturing. — Pomfret  Factory. — During  the  War  of 
1812. — Residents  and  Managers  of  the  Factory. — Rhodesville. — Building  up 
of  Additional  Factories. — Rival  and  Conflicting  Interests  of  Three  Adjoining 
Towns. — Various  Propositions  and  Controversy. — Organization  of  the  new 
Town  of  Putnam. 


THE  township  of  Putnam,  incorporated  in  1855,  was  made  up 
from  parts  of  Thompson,  Killingly  and  Pomfret.  The 
Quinebaug  river,  with  its  great  falls  in  the  heart  of  the 
village,  is  its  most  distinctive  physical  feature,  its  main  source 
of  life  and  business  prosperity.  Manufacturing  enterprise, 
aided  by  railroads,  built  up  a  flouri.shing  village.  This  village 
demanded  expansion  and  the  liberty  to  manage  its  own  affairs, 
and  after  a  desperate  struggle  obtained  town  privileges,  taking 
in  as  much  surrounding  territory  as  was  needful  to  give  it  cor- 
porate standing,  and  by  running  its  south  boundary  line  obliquely, 
cutting  off  barren  land  eastward.  This  funnel-like  conforma- 
tion of  the  projected  town  excited  much  ridicule  during  the 
contest,  and  it  is  said  that  its  pictorial  presentation  before  the 
legislature  had  much  influence  in  procuring  the  rejection  of  the 
early  petitions.  But  while  the  manufacturing  interests  of  the 
town  are  strongly  dominant,  Putnam  is  by  no  means  deficient  in 
agricultural  resources.  With  improved  culture  and  immediate 
market,  farming  has  made  great  advances.  Dairying  and  mar- 
ket gardening  are  remunerative  industries.  There  are  many 
good  farms  in  the  vicinity  of  the  valley  and  in  the  former  South 
Neighborhood.  The  Assawaga  or  Five  Mile  river  in  the  east  of 
the  town  furnishes  a  number  of  mill  privileges.     The  recent 


750  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

discovery  and  utilizing  of  the  Aspinock  Mineral  Spring  at  Put- 
nam Heights  is  likely  to  prove  of  much  benefit  to  this  section. 

Though  Putnam  is  one  of  the  youngest  towns  in  Windham 
county,  and  is  pre-eminently  a  growth  of  modern  civilization, 
its  roots  reach  far  backward.  The  High  Falls  were  noted  far 
back  in  aboriginal  days.  The  surrounding  valley  was  a  favorite 
resort  of  the  red  man  long  before  Lieutenant  John  Sabin  crossed 
the  Woodstock  line  into  the  wilderness  of  Connecticut.  An  In- 
dian trail  ran  southeast  from  the  falls  toward  Rhode  Island  be- 
fore Peter  Aspinwall  cut  his  way  through  the  woods  to  make  a 
path  to  Providence.  The  "Joseph  Cady  farm,"  east  of  Putnam 
village  (now  owned  by  Mr.  Eli  Davis),  was  noted  for  producing 
a  remarkable  variety  and  quantity  of  medicinal  herbs  and  roots, 
much  used  by  the  "medicine  men"  of  the  Indians.  It  is  tra- 
ditionally reported  that  Indians  came  from  a  great  distance  to 
gather  these  herbs,  and  that  in  consequence  this  locality  was 
made  a  sacred  haven,  where  no  bloodshed  was  lawful,  and  tribal 
foes  might  meet  in  safety.  The  Falls  were  noted  for  their  re- 
markable facilities  for  fishing,  especially  when  shad  and  salmon 
were  trying  to  ascend  them. 

The  first  known  settler  within  the  limits  of  the  present  Put- 
nam was  Richard  Evans  of  Rehoboth,  who  purchased  for  twenty 
pounds  a  grant  of  wild  land  laid  out  to  Reverend  James  Pier- 
pont,  of  New  Haven,  and  is  described  in  1693,  "  as  resident  of 
said  granted  premises."  The  farm  was  further  described  as 
bounded  by  wilderness  and  about  three  miles  from  Woodstock. 
Very  little  can  be  learned  of  this  first  settler  east  of  the  Qv ine- 
baug,  except  the  fact  that  he  occupied  the  farm  now  owned  by 
Mr.  William  Flolland,  and  that  in  about  twenty  years  he  and  his 
son  Richard  were  in  possession  of  "  two  tenement  of  housen, 
barns,  orchards,  tanning  pits  and  fulling  mill,"  all  testifying 
strongly  to  their  thrift  and  industry. 

Lietenant  Peter  Aspinwall,  of  Woodstock,  was  apparently  sec- 
ond on  the  field,  and  the  first  resident  within  the  bounds  of  the 
present  Putnam  village.  Sent  by  Woodstock,  in  1691,  "to  make 
a  way  unto  the  cedar  swamp,  on  the  other  side  of  the  Quinebaug, 
for  a  road  to  Providence,"  during  the  progress  of  the  work  he 
removed  his  residence  to  the  valley,  but  not  probably  until  the 
close  of  the  Indian  war  of  1695-98,  and  his  marriage  to  the  widow 
of  John  Leavens.  Lieutenant  Aspinwall  was  a  very  prominent 
man  in  Woodstock,  one  of  its  original   pioneers   and   settlers. 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  751 

He  was  also  very  active  in  military  affairs,  serving  as  scout  and 
ranger  during  the  troublesome  warfare.  Remaining  a  bachelor 
till  somewhat  late  in  life,  he  was  apparently  unfortunate  in  his 
matrimonial  venture,  "the  widow  and  her  sons  keeping  him 
low,"  according  to  the  Aspinwall  chronicle.  These  step-sons, 
particularly  James  and  Joseph  Leavens,  were  the  first  business 
men  within  Putnam  limits,  being  employed  by  James  Corbin, 
trader  at  Woodstock,  to  collect  tar  for  Boston  market.  It  was 
while  -engaged  in  this  service  that  Joseph,  the  younger  brother, 
received  a  wound  in  the  thumb  from  a  rattlesnake,  and  only 
saved  his  life  by  immediate  amputation.  Rattlesnake  hill,  near 
Five  Mile  river,  "half  a  mile  long  and  a  hundred  rods  broad," 
was  the  scene  of  this  adventure,  and  was  one  of  the  early  land 
purchases  of  the  brothers.  James  Leavens  also  owned  a  mill 
privilege  on  Five  Mile  river,  believed  to  be  the  site  of  Hawkins' 
mills,  and  carried  on  the  first  saw  mill  east  of  the  Ouinebaug. 

The  Providence  road  cut  by  Peter  Aspinwall  wound  around 
the  base  of  Killingly  hill  to  this  mill,  and  accommodated  cus- 
tomers. The  Assawaga  received  its  English  name  from  the  fact 
that  the  first  land  laid  out  upon  it  was  "supposed  to  be  about 
five  miles  from  Woodstock,"  the  only  settlement  m  the  section. 
Peter  Aspinwall's  farm  was  south  of  the  Providence  road,  bor- 
dering on  the  Quinebaug.  Its  site  can  be  identified  by  the  old 
burying  ground,  its  north  or  northeast  extremity,  which  he  gave 
to  the  town  of  Killingly. 

The  first  settlers  north  of  the  Providence  road  were  the  inev- 
itable "  three  brothers  "  of  all  New'  England  settlements — Nich- 
olas, Daniel  and  Joseph  Cady,  from  Groton,  Mass.,  soon  after 
1700.  Nicholas  settled  first  north  of  Killingly  hill,  but  removed 
to  a  fine  farm  on  Whetstone  brook.  His  brother  Joseph  pur- 
chased the  wilderness  land  held  in  vsuch  repute  by  the  Indians, 
a  mile  east  of  the  Quinebaug.  He  was  a  man  of  great  strength 
and  prowess,  much  respected  by  the  Indians,  able  it  was  said  to 
beat  their  strongest  warriors  in  wrestling.  A  bunch  of  the 
sacred  herbs,  suspended  over  his  cabin  door,  served  as  an  amulet 
against  assault  or  surprise.  As  soon  as  circumstances  warranted 
Captain  Cady  erected  the  large  house  still  standing  in  tolerable 
preservation,  and  owned  by  Mr.  Eli  Davis.  It  was  considered 
an  old  house  in  1774,  when  after  the  demise  of  the  second  Joseph 
Cady  it  was  sold  to  Lieutenant-Governor  Sessions,  of  Rhode  Is- 
land.    Daniel  Cady's  homestead  was  north  of  Joseph's,  and  after 


752  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

a  few  years  passed  into  the  hands  of  William  Larned,  who  built 
a  large  house  near  the  angle  of  the  roads,  whose  frame  forms 
part  of  the  present  residence  of  Mr.  William  Plummer.  These 
two  old  houses  merit  commemoration  as  the  oldest  now  standing 
within  the  limits  of  Putnam  village,  and  connected  with  its  early 
settlement. 

One  of  the  original  owners  of  Killingly  hill  was  John  Allen, 
of  Marlborough,  Mass.,  a  man  of  means  with  sons  to  settle  in 
life.  Among  his  purchases  was  a  very  valuable  interval,  com- 
prising 160  acres  upon  the  Quinebaug,  "near  a  pair  of  falls,  fifty 
rods  above  the  mouth  of  Mill  river,  extending  up  stream  to  a 
crook  of  the  river,  near  the  mouth  of  a  small  brook  running  into 
the  river  "  (east  side).  All  the  above  settlers  purchased  their 
land  before  Killingly  was  made  a  town,  and  called  themselves  in 
their  several  land  deeds,  inhabitants  of  Aspinock,  near  the  Quine- 
baug. This  picturesque  name  seems  to  have  been  applied  to  the 
valley  east  of  the  river  from  the  Cady  settlements  to  Lake  Mash- 
apaug,  but  was  laid  aside  after  Killingly  was  organized  in  1708. 
Its  derivation  and  signification  are  still  doubtful. 

West  side  the  Quinebaug  the  first  settler  was  Captain  John 
Sabin.  Although  his  fine  old  mansion  was  just  outside  the  line 
dividing  Putnam  from  Pomfret,  yet  his  ownership  of  the  land 
and  intimate  connection  with  the  first  settlement  of  the  Quine- 
baug gives  him  a  prominent  place  among  Putnam  notables.  His 
settlement  even  preceded  that  of  Richard  Evans,  dating  back  to 
1691,  and  his  services  during  the  subsequent  Indian  wars,  by 
maintaining  fortifications  upon  the  frontier  and  restraining  and 
"  subsisting  "  the  Indians,  were  publicly  recognized  by  Massa- 
chusetts and  Connecticut  governments.  He  was  made  lieuten- 
ant of  Woodstock's  first  military  company,  captain  of  Pomfret's 
first  company  and  sergeant-major  of  Windham  county's  first 
troop  of  horse.  He  was  also  Pomfret's  first  representative  to 
general  court  and  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  respected  citi- 
zens of  AVindham  county.  Owning  much  land  in  the  valley, 
many  building  sites  passed  to  his  sons,  furnishing  three  or  four 
"  old  Sabin  Houses  "within  the  limits  of  Putnam.  His  own  his- 
toric mansion,  demolished  with  great  labor  and  difficulty  by  Mr. 
William  I.  Bartholomew  in  1835,  was  just  south  of  Woodstock 
line.  This  homestead  descended  to  his  son  Noah.  His  son  John 
adopted  the  medical  profession  and  settled  in  Franklin,  Conn. 
His  son,  Lieutenant  Hezekiah  Sabin,  was  the  first  resident  pro- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  753 

prietor  of  Thompson  hill.  His  daughter  Judith  married  Joseph 
Leavens,  of  Killingly,  receiving  for  her  marriage  portion  a  beau- 
tiful farm  upon  Lake  Mashapaug. 

Captain  John  Sabin  is  most  intimately  connected  with  Putnam 
as  the  builder  of  the  first  bridge  over  the  Quinebaug  below  the 
High  Falls,  in  1723.  For  more  than  twenty  years  Peter  Aspin- 
wall  had  besought  the  assembly  for  liberty  to  build  a  bridge  at 
this  point,  showing  that  the  want  of  such  convenience  had  been 
a  grievous  burden  and  affliction  to  travelers  and  himself,  the 
river  being  exceedingly  high  and  swift  and  not  always  fordable. 
Leading  citizens  of  Pomfret  reiterated  the  complaint,  that  the 
Quinebaug  was  at  some  seasons  impassable,  and  that  persons 
had  endangered  their  lives  in  trying  to  pass,  but  the  assembly 
turned  a  deaf  ear  to  all  petitions  for  relief.  Captain  Sabin,  with 
his  usual  energy,  threw  himself  into  the  breach,  and  with  his 
sons'  aid  built  a  good,  substantial  bridge,  costing  iJ"120,  and  then 
called  upon  the  government  for  reimbursement.  The  commit- 
tee sent  to  inspect  reported  the  bridge  built  in  suitable  place, 
out  of  danger  of  being  carried  away  by  floods  or  ice,  the  height 
of  bridge  being  above  any  flood  yet  known  by  any  men  living 
there ;  thought  it  would  be  very  serviceable  to  a  great  part  of 
the  government  in  traveling  to  Boston,  being  at  least  ten  miles 
the  nearest  way  according  to  their  judgment.  Three  hundred 
acres  of  land  on  the  east  side  of  the  Connecticut  river  were  ac- 
cordingly granted,  on  condition  of  keeping  the  bridge  in  repair 
"  fourteen  years  next  coming." 

The  second  settler  within  the  present  limits  of  Putnam  vil- 
lage was  Jonathan  Eaton,  of  Dedham,  who  in  1703  bought  land 
on  both  sides  of  the  Quinebaug,  at  what  was  called  the  Upper 
Falls,  now  improved  by  the  Putnam  Manufacturing  Compan3^ 
His  home  was  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  in  what  was  then 
known  as  "a  Peculiar,"  viz.,  a  strip  of  land  unassigned  to  any 
town.  Even  Killingly,  which  exercised  rights  in  the  territory 
of  Thompson  long  before  it  was  legally  assigned  to  her,  levied 
no  taxes  west  side  the  river.  Being  thus  cut  off  from  civil  rela- 
tions, we  can  learn  little  of  this  early  settler  excepting  the 
fact  that,  though  not  compelled  bylaw,  he  carried  his  numerous 
children  to  be  duly  baptized  in  Woodstock  meeting  house,  and 
that  he  was  elected  deacon  of  the  church  in  Thompson  parish. 
With  two  traveled  roads  near  his  dwelling,  he  probably  exer- 
cised the  privilege  of  entertaining  travelers.  Above  the  Upper 
48 


754  •  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Falls  the  Quinebaug  was  easily  forded  in  low  water,  and  an  In- 
dian trail  trodden  out  in  time  to  a  bridle  path  connected  his  es- 
tablishment with  the  Cady  settlement.  The  mill  privilege  owned 
by  Deacon  Eaton  was  improved  by  his  sons,  at  a  much  later 
date. 

The  third  family  within  the  bounds  of  Putnam  village  was 
probably  that  of  Samuel  Perrin,  who,  with  Peter  Aspinwall  and 
Benjamin  Griggs,  secured  a  deed  of  land  from  Major  James 
Fitch  in  1703,  both  sides  the  Quinebaug,  below  its  junction  with 
Mill  brook.  According  to  tradition,  this  land  was  purchased  of 
the  Indians,  and  it  seems  improbable  that  so  valuable  a  tract 
should  have  been  sold  at  so  low  a  figure  by  a  veteran  land  job- 
ber unless  there  had  been  a  prior  claim  upon  it.  Aspinwall,  as 
we  have  seen,  took  the  land  east  of  the  river;  Griggs  sold  his 
share  to  Samuel  Paine.  The  Perrin  farm  was  retained  in  the 
family  for  several  generations.  How  soon  Samuel  Perrin  took 
possession  of  this  purchase  is  not  apparent,  as  he  still  retained 
his  Woodstock  residence,  but  soon  after  1714  he  built  the  well 
known  "  old  Perrin  House,"  so  familiar  to  older  residents  of  this 
section.  It  was  probably  first  cultivated  by  his  younger  brother 
David,  who  died  early,  unmarried,  and  was  made  over  to  his  son, 
Ensign  Samuel  Perrin,  after  his  marriage  to  Dorothy  Morris  in 
1724. 

During  this  period  many  others  had  gathered  in  the  vSouth 
Neighborhood  and  eastward  on  the  Assawaga.  James  Leavens' 
vSaw  mill  passed  into  the  hands  of  Isaac  and  John  Cutler,  of  Lex- 
ington, Mass.  The  former  had  many  sons  settling  in  that  vicin- 
ity, building  gambrel  roofed  houses,  one  of  which  still  stands, 
"  the  old  Cutler  House,"  near  the  Rhode  Island  line.  John  Cut- 
ler died  early,  leaving  numerous  children.  Part  of  his  original 
farm  was  lost  by  a  re-settlement  of  the  above  line,  and  his  son 
Hezekiah  removed  to  the  vicinity  of  Killingly  hill.  The  first 
meeting  house  in  Killingly  was  built  a  little  south  of  this  hill, 
near  the  Providence  road,  in  1715,  and  encouraged  settlement  in 
that  vicinity.  The  first  minister.  Reverend  John  Fisk,  had  his 
residence  west  of  the  hill. 

Putnam's  first  settler,  Richard  Evans,  had  now  removed,  and 
his  home  farm  was  occupied  by  Simon  Bryant,  of  Braintree,  who 
purchased  house,  barn,  orchard,  tanning  pits,  etc.,  in  1712.  His 
oldest  daughter,  Hannah,  married  William  Earned  in  1715,  and 
their  son  Simon  succeeded  to  the  Evans  farm,  the  first  land  laid 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  765 

out  east  of  the  Quinebaug  in  this  section,  now  owned  by  Mr.  W. 
R.  Holland.  Thomas  Whitmore  settled  north  of  Simon  Bryant 
at  an  early  date,  on  the  farm  now  improved  by  Mr.  G.  W.  Whit- 
tlesy.  George  Blanchard  occupied  land  southward  now  held  by 
Mr.  William  Converse.  Michael  Felshaw  secured  the  farm  still 
southward,  reaching  to  the  brow  of  Killingly  hill.  The  farm 
now  improved  by  the  family  of  the  late  J.  O.  Fox  was  first  owned 
by  James  Wilson.  Near  him  was  the  residence  of  Jonathan 
Hughes,  whose  son  Edmond  set  out  the  "  Great  Elm,"  so  famous 
in  revolutionary  annals.  John  Johnson's  homestead  was  upon 
the  site  of  the  present  residence  of  Mr.  James  Arnold.  Samllel 
Lee  purchased  the  northern  part  of  what  is  now  known  as  Parks 
hill,  and  built  the  house  afterward  occupied  by  Deacon  Lusher 
Gay  and  his  descendants.  He  died  before  1730,  at  which  date 
his  widow,  Mary  Lee,  was  licensed  to  keep  a  house  of  public  en- 
tertainment. 

A  granddaughter  of  Captain  Joseph  Cady,  who  afterward  mar- 
ried Deacon  Gay,  delighted  iii  old  age  to  tell  of  "  a  puppet  show  " 
which  she  attended  at  this  public  house  when  she  was  six  years 
old,  viz.,  in  1731.  There  were  many  little  girls  and  boys  grow- 
ing up  in  the  vicinity  at  that  date.  Deacon  Eaton  had  eight  or 
nine,  Simon  Bryant  had  seven  daughters,  William  Earned  seven 
sons,  Joseph  Leavens  had  eight  daughters  and  three  sons,  the 
Cady  and  Lee  children  could  hardly  be  numbered,  and  it  is 
pleasant  to  know  that  they  had  this  evening's  entertainment. 
Up  to  this  date  there  is  no  evidence  that  they  even  had  the  priv- 
ilege of  attending  school,  but  were  probably  taught  at  home  by 
fathers  and  mothers.  The  boys  of  the  neighborhood  enjoyed 
special  privileges  in  fishing,  the  Quinebaug  being  famous. jfor 
shad,  salmon  and  lamprey  eels.  The  latter  were  caught  in  in- 
geniously constructed  weirs  or  "  eel-pots;  "  suckers  were  speared 
by  torchlight.  The  Indians  were  very  skillful  fishermen,  and 
initiated  their  favorites  into  some  of  the  mysteries  of  their  art. 
An  "  Indian  girl  "  was  included  in  the  inventory  of  Captain  John 
Sabin's  possessions.  An  Indian  fam-ily  occupied  a  wigwam  be- 
side a  huge  boulder  near  the  site  of  the  Davis  ice  house,  self- 
elected  tributaries  to  Captain  Cady,  who  had  rescued  them 
from  some  great  peril.  Both  he  and  Captain  Sabin  were 
greatly  respected  by  their  Indian  neighbors.  An  old  squaw 
thus  expressed  her  emotion,  upon  the  return  of  the  former 
from  military  service:  "  O  Massa  Cady,  I  glad  to  see  you !      I 


756  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

SO  glad  if  I  had  a  whole  pint  of  rum  I  drink  it  all  down  my- 
self." Excessive  indulgence  in  the  use  of  cider,  and  any  other 
liquor  they  could  lay  hands  on,  accelerated  the  dying  out  of 
these  natives.  Old  Quaco,  the  last  of  his  race,  was  tenderly 
cared  for  down  to  his  last  hours  by  the  Perrin  family. 

In  1730  the  privilege  of  the  Great  Falls  was  utilized  by  David 
Howe  of  Mendon,  clothier,  who  purchased  the  point  of  land  be- 
tween the  Quinebaug  and  Mill  rivers,  beginning  forty  rods  above 
the  falls,  from  Captain  John  Sabin  and  his  son  Noah.  A  dwell- 
ing house,  grist  mill,  malt  house  and  dye  house  were  soon  set  up 
and  in  motion,  accommodating  his  own  neighborhood  and  ad- 
jacent parts  of  Pomfret  and  Killingly.  Thompson  parish  had 
now  been  incorporated,  taking  in  all  the  east  side  residents  north 
of  the  falls.  Killingly  hill  was  gaining  new  inhabitants.  In- 
creasing development  called  for  more  roads  and  better  traveling 
facilities. 

Putnam  as  a  town  has  been  seriously  incommoded  by  the  un- 
certain tenure  of  its  roads.  It  has  been  exceedingly  difficult  to 
trace  the  roads  of  three  distinct  towns  to  their  original  layout. 
In  several  cases  it  has  been  made  evident  that  there  was  no  lay- 
out, but  that  in  confirmation  of  the  modern  development  theory 
the  roads  were  slowly  evolved  from  Indian  trails  and  "  trod  out  " 
paths.  This  is  very  notably  true  of  the  original  east  side  road,  be- 
tween the  Upper  and  High  Falls,  which  must  have  existed  as  a 
trail  or  mode  of  communication  from  time  immemorial.  The  road 
west  side  of  the  river  was  made,  as  we  have  seen,  by  order  of 
the  town  of  Woodstock,  about  1700,  crossing  Mill  river  or  Muddy 
brook  just  below  Peter's  brook,  and  thence  southeast  diagonally 
over  the  falls,  past  the  old  Killingly  burying  ground,  and  onward 
around  the  base  of  Killingly  hill.  In  the  deed  describing  Dea- 
con Eaton's  farm  west  of  the  Quinebaug,  the  Providence  road, 
it  is  said  "  crosseth  its  southeast  corner,"  and  another  road 
passed  through  his  land,  "  formerly  laid  out  from  Hartford  to 
Mendon."  This  road,  laid  out  before  1700,  must  have  run  nearly 
north  up  the  Quinebaug  valley  and  connected  with  what  was 
known  as  the  Old  Connecticut  Path  at  the  crossing  below  the 
site  of  the  present  New  Boston,  but  it  was  probably  not  a  com- 
mon thoroughfare,  as  we  find  no  other  trace  of  it.  It  is  alto- 
gether probable  that  there  was  a  "  trod  out "  road  east  of  the 
river  also,  extending  south  to  Plainfield  and  Norwich.  As  a 
matter  of  fact,  we  know  that  there  has  been  such  a  valley  road 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  757 

as  far  back  as  can  be  traced,  that  the  first  surveyors  of  this  wil- 
derness land  found  a  way  to  get  there,  and  that  a  rude  track 
had  been  trodden  out  and  made  passable  before  the  actual 
settlement. 

In  consequence  of  the  total  lack  of  record  of  "  Town  Acts  '* 
in  Killingly  for  more  than  twenty  years  after  its  organization, 
we  are  left  in  ignorance  of  its  first  attempts  at  road  making. 
The  country  road,  as  it  was  called,  leading  from  Plainfield  to 
Boston,  laid  out  by  government  before  1700,  passed  through  Kil- 
liiig'ly^  and  was  nearly  identical  with  the  north  and  south  road 
now  passing  through  the  same  section.  It  has  been  twice  re-sur- 
veyed and  laid  out,  but  no  change  has  been  made  in  its  general 
bearings.  The  first  surveyors  found  it  easier  to  run  their  line 
west  of  Killingly  hill,  but  in  the  "perambulation  of  1731  "  the 
road  was  made  to  ascend  "  to  a  heap  of  stones  on  a  rock  upon 
the  hill,"  and  so  on  over  its  summit.  In  1721  a  cart  path  from 
Pomfret  to  Providence  was  opened  under  the  supervision  of 
Nathaniel  Sessions,  crossing  the  Quinebaug  over  Sabin's  bridge, 
and  thence  over  the  former  road  cut  through  by  Aspinwall,  mak- 
ing it  passable  for  wheeled  vehicles.  The  above  roads  are  all  that 
can  be  identified  prior  to  the  establishment  of  Howe's  mills. 
Efforts  were  then  made  to  increase  accommodations.  A  private 
road  or  bridle  path  leading  from  the  bridge  to  Perrin's  farm  and 
the  Gary  district  was  improved  and  made  a  public  highway,  and 
a  bridge  thrown  over  Mill  river  in  1732. 

Sabin's  bridge  was  reconstructed  or  thoroughly  repaired  by 
Samuel  Cutler,  a  distant  relative  of  Captain  Isaac  Cutler,  who 
was  now  living  at  the  north  end  of  Killingly  hill.  He  then  pe- 
titioned the  general  court  for  forgiveness  of  country  rates,  li- 
cense to  keep  a  place  of  public  entertainment,  and  for  a  commit- 
tee to  lay  out  a  road  from  Sabin's  bridge  over  Killingly  hill,  past 
his  dwelling,  at  a  place  called  "The  Four-fanged  Oak,"  and 
eastward  to  intersect  with  the  Providence  road,  thereby  prevent- 
ing the  long  journey  round  the  base  of  the  hill.  This  new  road 
he  averred  would  be  a  great  convenience  to  travellers,  and  in- 
deed was  "  now  travelled  on  but  not  yet  laid  out."  His  requests 
were  all  refused,  but  undiscouraged  he  applied  to  the  town  au- 
thorities, who  in  August,  1732,  warned  a  meeting  "  to  consider 
of  altering  the  country  road  that  goes  through  the  town  towards 
Providence  at  the  west  end,  in  order  to  meet  a  road  laid  out  by 
the  town  of  Pomfret,  at  David  Howe's  mills."     The  town  voted 


758  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

"  not  to  alter  the  road,"  and  thus  it  happens  that  the  road  lead- 
ino-  from  Putnam  to  the  north  end  of  the  Heicrhts,  was  left  to 
evolve  itself,  not  having  been  laid  out  by  lawful  powers.  This 
persistent  refusal  may  have  been  caused  by  the  fact  that  "Sam 
Cutler  "  was  not  considered  as  sound  as  some  of  his  neighbors 
and  was  inclined  to  vspeculation.  He  succeeded  in  obtaining  re- 
lease from  rates  for  his  services  upon  the  bridge,  but  the  "  Four- 
fanged  Oak  Tavern  "  and  highway  passing  thereby  were  not 
granted. 

The  petition  of  those  honored  town  fathers.  Captain  Joseph 
Cady  and  Jonathan  Eaton,  for  a  better  road  to  Thompson  meet- 
ing house,  met  a  very  different  reception.  A  committee  was  at 
once  appointed  to  consider  their  needs  and  those  of  other 
church-goers.  In  point  of  fact  they  did  little  more  than  to  es- 
tablish roads  already  existing  in  a  crude  form,  the  town  having 
voted  ''  that  every  person  that  shall  move  to  this  town  to  have 
any  way  altered  or  removed,  it  shall  be  done  at  the  petitioners' 
cOvSt  and  charge."  vSeptember  12th,  1737,  the  committee  reported 
a  road  laid  out,  "  beginning  east  end  of  the  bridge  over  the  Quine- 
baug,  near  Mr.  David  Howe's,  thence  extending  along  the  path 
or  road,  leading  from  said  bridge  to  Captain  Cady's;  thence 
northeast  by  pine  trees  and  great  rock,  east  of  an  old  ditch  in 
Mr.  Simon  Bryant's  land,  to  a  corner  betweeii  Bryant's  and  Wil- 
liam Larned's,  thence  in  the  same  corner  to  the  southeast  cor- 
ner of  Larned's  fence,  keeping  the  path  leading  thence  to  John 
Lee's;  thence  to  the  brow  of  a  hill  of  Deacon  Eaton's  land; 
thence  over  Hosmer's  field  into  the  road  to  Thompson  meeting 
house,"  near  the  site  of  the  present  residence  of  Mr.  George  H. 
Nichols.  This  connection  with  the  West  Thompson  road  instead 
of  the  direct  road  from  Killingly  hill  to  Thompson,  is  an  indirect 
testimony  to  the  existence  of  the  valley  road  previously  referred 
to  as  passing  near  Deacon  Eaton's.  Hosmer  owned  land  now  in 
the  vicinity  of  Mechanicsville.  The  road  from  Captain  Cady's, 
"as  trod,"  winding  back  nearly  to  the  river,  so  as  to  accommo- 
date William  Earned,  John  Lee  and  Deacon  Eaton,  must  have 
been  laid  nearly  in  the  form  of  a  horse  shoe. 

A  bridle  road  with  gates  and  bars  was  also  allowed  "  as  the 
path  is  trod  "  from  Jonathan  Hughes,  near  the  count]  }■  road, 
past  the  dwelling  houses  of  John  Pepper  and  Phinehas  Lee  to 
William  Larned's ;  also  a  bridle  road  from  "  land  of  vSimon  Bry- 
ant to  the  country  road  from  Plainfield  to  Oxford,  upon  ihe  path 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  759 

on  which  said  Bryant  usually  travelleth  from  his  own  door  to 
Thompson  Meeting  House."  This  bridle  road  is  probably  iden- 
tical with  the  present  road  passing  Mr.  Holland's  residence. 
The  rapid  growth  of  this  neighborhood  and  the  need  of  open 
access  to  Howe's  mills  transformed  the  first  named  bridle  road 
in  a  few  years.  "  March  4th,  1749,  Voted,  to  allow  and  accept  an 
open  road  from  Capt.  Daniels'  bridge  as  the  road  is  now  trod 
along  by  William  Larned's  house  and  by  Phinehas  Lee's  and 
Mr.  Gay's,  &c.,  into  the  country  road  by  Edmond  Hughes',  three 
rods  wide,  excepting  through  Mr.  Gay's  land,  where  there  is 
now  a  stone  wall  on  both  sides,  and  there  it  is  to  be  but  two 
rods  wide,  and  if  the  wall  must  be  moved  to  make  it  two  rods 
wide  the  surveyors  that  mend  the  road  are  to  move  the  wall,  and 
it  is  to  be  understood  that  the  men  that  own  the  land  M'-here  the 
road  is  allowed  and  accepted  appeared  in  the  meeting  and  there 
declared  that  they  would  give  the  land  for  the  said  road  two 
rods  wide  as  is  above  mentioned,  and  the  road  was  allowed  and 
accepted  upon  those  terms."  This  is  the  ancient  road  now  pass- 
ing over  Parks  hill  and  winding  round  to  the  brook  near  Mr. 
Olney's,  and  the  moss-covered  walls  now  tumbling  into  ruin  are 
the  vSame  that  Mr.  Lusher  Gay  refused  to  remove  in  1749. 

Several  changes  had  occurred  at  that  date.  In  1742  the  Howe 
mills  passed  into  the  hands  of  Captain  Nathaniel  Daniels,  to- 
gether'with  dwelling  house,  barn,  malt  house,  shop  and  the 
whole  manufacturing  stock  of  Quinebaug  valley,  viz.,  "ye  con- 
veniences of  three  coppers,  two  presses,  one  iron  screw,  two  pairs 
shears,  two  iron  bars,  a  blue  pot,  paper  for  pressing  and  sear- 
cloth  for  malting:."  Noah  Sabin  had  succeeded  to  the  mansion 
house  and  valley  land  of  his  father.  Peter  Aspinwall  had  dis- 
appeared from  public  life  and  was  probably  sleeping  in  his  own 
grave  yard,  though  no  stone  perpetuates  his  memory.  Captain 
Joseph  Cady  was  succeeded  by  his  son  Justice  Joseph,  a  man  of 
equal  probity  and  influence,  the  richest  man  in  the  community, 
and,  accordinpf  to  tradition,  "  the  first  man  to  own  a  coach."  Wil- 
liam  Larned  died  in  1747,  leaving  his  homestead  to  his  son.  Cap- 
tain William,  who  sold  the  same  to  Isaac  Parks,  whose  name 
still  clings  to  the  historic  hill  and  neighborhood.  Captain  Da- 
vid Cady,  Jonathan  Cady  and  other  descendants  of  Captain 
Cady,  Sr.,  were  settled  on  farms  west  of  Killingly  hill.  John 
Felshaw  had  opened  a  popular  house  of  entertainment  at  the 
north  end  of  the  hill.     The  first  practicing  physician  of  this  :e- 


760  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

gion,  Doctor  Thomas  Moffatt,  had  his  residence  upon  the  hill, 
as  also  Noah,  youngest  son  of  Justice  Joseph  Leavens.  Simon 
Bryant  died  in  1748,  leaving  his  homestead  to  his  grandson,  Si- 
mon Larned.  Deacon  Jonathan  Eaton  died  the  same  year.  His 
successor  in  the  deacon's  office.  Lusher  Gay,  of  Dedham,  pur- 
chased the  farm  originally  laid  out  to  Samuel  Lee  in  1738.  Sam- 
uel Perrin  was  rearing  a  large  family  in  the  pleasant  Perrin 
homestead.  Jonathan  Dresser,  Samuel  and  Seth  Paine,  were 
residents  of  the  Quinebaug  valley.  Captain  Isaac  Cutler  and 
his  numerous  sons  still  held  possession  of  the  mills  and  priv- 
ileges of  the  Assawaga,  eastward. 

Captain  Nathaniel  Daniels  carried  on  his  various  business  en- 
terprises for  a  number  of  years,  and  was  prominent  in  many 
public  affairs.  In  1760,  he  sold  the  whole  establishment,  viz., 
land,  water  privilege,  mills,  dwelling  house,  together  with  his 
"  clothier's,  fuller's  and  grist  mill  tools  and  utensils,"  to  Benjamin 
Cargill,  then  of  Mendon,  Mass.,  a  descendant  of  Reverend  Don- 
ald Cargill.  Captain  Cargill  at  once  took  possession  of  his  pur- 
chase and  by  shrewdness  and  good  management  increased  and 
extended  the  business  and  became  very  widely  known  through- 
out the  section.  Rival  mills  at  the  Upper  Falls  now  established 
by  the  sons  of  Deacon  Eaton  made  business  more  lively.  A  new 
road  to  Thompson  was  laid  out  "from  Capt.  Daniels'  land  to  an- 
other highway  between  Landlord  Converse's  and  Martha 
Flint's  "  in  1763 — now  known  as  "  the  Mountain  Road  "  between 
Putnam  and  Thompson,  passing  Origin  Alton's  and  Stephen 
Ballard's.  Messrs.  Jared  Talbot  and  David  Perry  had  set  up 
grist  and  saw  mills  upon  the  Assawaga  at  the  site  of  the  ruined 
Daniels'  mills. 

Killingly  hill  had  now  received  another  practicing  physician. 
Doctor  Samuel  Holden  Torrey,  son  of  the  famous  Doctor  Joseph 
Torrey,  of  South  Kingston.  His  young  wife,  Anna  Gould,  of 
Branford,  brought  with  her  four  slaves  as  part  of  her  marriage 
portion.  His  brother,  Joseph  Torrey,  settled  east  of  Killingly 
hill,  marrying  a  daughter  of  Reverend  John  Fisk.  Deacon 
Ebenezer,  son  of  William  Larned,  whose  wife  was  one  of  the 
eight  capable  daughters  of  Justice  Joseph  Leavens,  also  occupied 
a  farm  on  the  same  road  near  the  Cutler  farms.  His  brother, 
James  Larned,  a  shrewd  business  man  and  reputed  usurer,  re- 
sided near  Felshaw's  tavern.  Among  other  residents  upon 
homesteads  now  within  Putnam  limits  were  Isaac  Cady,  Samp- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  761 

son  and  Pearley,  grandsonvS  of  Captain  Sampson  Howe,  Heze- 
kiah  and  Benoni  Cutler,  Benjamin  and  Noah  Leavens,  Benjamin, 
Jonathan,  Nedebiah,  Joseph,  David  and  Isaac  Cady,  Jonathan 
and  Samuel  Buck  and  Joseph  Adams.  West  of  the  Quinebaug 
the  residents  were  not  numerous,  the  land  being  held  mostly  by 
the  Perrin  and  Sabin  families.  "  Cargill's  bridge  "  below  the 
High  Falls,  was  rebuilt  in  1770 — John  Grosvenor,  Samuel  Perrin 
and  Benjamin  Cargill,  committee.  An  attempt  to  lay  out  a  more 
direct  road  from  Cargill's  westward  was  defeated. 

In  the  various  wars  in  which  the  colonies  were  concerned,  the 
future  Putnam  bore  her  proportionate  share.  Ensign  Samuel 
Perrin  served  actively  in  the  French  and  Indian  war,  his  wife 
supporting  her  family  mainly  through  "the  hard  winter"  of  his 
absence  by  a  crop  of  carrots  raised  by  her  own  hands.  Samuel, 
oldest  son  of  William  Larned,  served  as  first  lieutenant  of  Cap- 
tain David  Holmes'  regiment.  James  Wilson  was  so  unfortu- 
nate as  to  be  carried  captive  into  Canada,  returning  just  in  time 
to  save  his  wife  from  a  second  marriage.  As  the  revolutionary 
war  came  on  the  whole  valley  was  stirred.  The  old  Cady  home- 
stead, upon  the  decease  of  Captain  Joseph  Cady,  was  purchased 
by  Darius  Sessions,  son  of  Nathaniel  Sessions  of  Pomfret,  and 
then  deputy-governor  of  Rhode  Island,  one  of  the  prominent  lead- 
ers among  the  revolting  patriots.  The  house,  already  "  old,"  was 
thoroughly  reconstructed,  enlarged  and  beautified,  transformed 
into  a  stately,  colonial  mansion.  Governor  Sessions  also  took 
much  pains  with  his  grounds  and  farm,  making,  according  to 
President  James  Manning,  "  truly  wonderful  "  accommodations. 
In  this  fine  country  seat  many  patriots  found  a  safe  retreat  from 
the  constant  alarms  and  perils  of  the  seaboard,  making  it  almost 
a  war  office  and  place  for  general  consultation.  Killingly  hill, 
with  ifslofty  banner  and  bonfires,  the  South  Neighborhood  Elm, 
a  noted  place  of  rendezvous,  are  memorable  revolutionary  local- 
ities. Even  more  sacred  is  the  little  triangular  common  at  the 
junction  of  the  Woodstock  and  Pomfret  roads,  west  of  the  Mill 
river,  where  Captain  Stephen  Brown  paraded  with  his  company 
before  marching  to  Cambridge  after  the  Lexington  alarm.  Three 
giant  Sabins  were  in  this  company,  of  whom  at  least  one,  Icha- 
bod,  was  slain  at  Bunker  hill.  Elihu  Sabin  was  also  in  that  bat- 
tle, and  lived  to  delight  many  hearers  with  the  story  of  his  ex- 
periences, and  especially  of  that  last  charge  of  ammunition 
which  he  kept  in  reserve  until  hotly  pursued  by  a  gallant  British 


762  HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

officer.  "  And  did  you  kill  him  ?"  the  boys  would  ask  eagerly. 
"  Well,  I  don't  know  exactly,"  he  would  answer,  "but  the  last  I 
saw  of  him  he  was  getting  off  his  horse." 

With  the  adoption  of  the  federal  constitution  and  the  quick- 
ening of  business  enterprise  all  over  the  United  vStates,  new  life 
developed  in  the  Quinebaug  valley.  Ebenezer  Bundy  came  into 
possession  of  the  Eaton  farm  and  privileges  after  the  removal 
of  the  Eaton  families  to  western  Massachusetts.  He  built  a  new 
dam  or  reconstructed  the  old  one,  his  grist  mill  being  set  upon 
the  rocks,  near  the  bank  of  the  river,  the  site  now  occupied  by 
the  north  end  of  the  mill  owned  by  the  Putnam  Manufacturing 
Company.  Great  efforts  were  made  to  secure  a  road  direct  from 
this  point  to  Earned  &  Mason's  store  in  the  vSouth  Neighbor- 
hood, which  was  now  the  headquarters  of  mercantile  enterprise, 
but  just  at  this  juncture  public  men  were  too  much  occupied 
with  the  new  town  question  to  give  attention  to  road  making. 
Captain  Cargill  meantime  was  greatly  extending  his  business 
operations,  buying  land  east  of  the  river,  setting  up  a  gin  dis- 
tillery, building  new  mills  and  houses.  In  1787  he  completed 
the  new  grist  mill,  fitting  it  up  with  all  the  best  art  of  the  day, 
with  three  complete  sets  of  grist  mills  and  a  bolting  mill.  A  black- 
smith shop,  and  two  trip  hammers,  a  fulling  mill,  and  mills  to 
grind  scythes  and  "  churn  butter  "  were  among  his  achievements. 
Mr.  Timothy  Williams  of  Woodstock,  speaks  of  Captain  Cargill's 
new  enterprise  with  much  enthusiasm,  "View^ed  from  lofts  at 
Cargill's  mills  "  (the  first  and  second  were  used  for  mill  pur- 
poses); "  the  third  a  Baptist  meeting  room;  4th,  a  large,  con- 
venient, well  replenished  granary."  With  such  accommodations 
and  the  best  attendance,  it  was  no  marvel  that  the  establishment 
took  precedence  of  all  other  mills  in  the  section,  farmers  in 
neighboring  towns  driving  by  their  home  mills  because  of  the 
superior  quality  of  Cargill's  grinding. 

The  captain  was  a  genial,  whole-souled  man,  the  life  of  the 
business  and  settlement,  delighting  in  his  large  family  and 
varied  business  enterprises.  The  rude  rhyme  in  which  he  in- 
corporated the  names  of  his  eleven  children  almost  parallels  that 
of  the  famous  "  Hutchinson  Family"  song.  His  oldest  daughter, 
Lucy  Cargill,  married  as  his  second  wife,  Doctor  Albigence 
Waldo,  of  Pomfret,  the  most  noted  physician  and  surgeon  of  his 
day,  a  man  of  varied  gifts  and  attainments.  Mrs.  Waldo  sym- 
pathized in  her  husband's  literary  tastes,  and  was  herself  a  writer 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  763 

and  poetess,  especially  noted  for  her  proficiency  in  the  "  art  of 
letter  writing."  Cargill's  Mills  was  thus  noted  for  literary  society 
as  well  as  a  business  center.  The  third  meetinsf  of  the  first 
medical  society  in,Connecticut  was  held  at  Cargill's,  September, 
1786.  Still  there  were  no  residents  at  the  mill  beside  the  Cargill 
family  and  those  employed  by  them.  A  block  of  three  wooden 
houses  was  built  west  of  the  grist  mill  by  Captain  Cargill  about 
this  date,  which  survived  some  years  after  Putnam  was  made  a 
town. 

The  "  Pomfret  Factory  grave  yard,"  west  of  the  old  factory, 
must  have  been  opened  at  this  time,  as  the  children  of  Mrs.  Waldo 
were  buried  there.  Many  of  the  descendants  of  Captain  John 
Sabin  were  also  buried  there.  His  original  homestead,  the  old 
historic  Sabin  house,  had  now  passed  into  the  hands  of  his  grand- 
son, Cornet  Jonathan.  Not  far  from  the  house  but  on  the  east 
side  of  the  road,  so  that  it  came  within  the  limits  of  the  present 
Putnam,  stood  a  quaint  old  house  with  diamond  windows,  known 
as  the  "Silas  Sabin  place,"  and  a  little  north  of  it  stood  the 
"  Peter  Sabin  house."  Silas  and  Peter  Sabin  were  brothers,  de- 
scended from  Deacon  Benjamin  of  Pomfret,  who  had  contrived 
to  get  possession  of  some  of  the  John  Sabin  land,  for  which,  it 
was  said,  they  paid  a  trifling  yearly  rental.  The  wives  of  Cor- 
net Jonathan  and  Silas  Sabin  were  sisters,  daughters  of 

May,  so  that  these  three  families  were  very  closely  connected. 
They  were  all  of  immense  stature  and  fine  singers,  social  and 
hospitable,  and  most  heartily  improved  their  remarkable  social 
privileges.  Still  another  pleasant  Sabin  homestead  was  that  of 
the  revolutionary  veteran,  Deacon  Elihu  Sabin,  and  his  excellent 
wife,  a  favorite  resort  for  young  and  old. 

Land  from  Cornet  Sabin,  and  other  tracts  from  various  par- 
ties, increased  Ebenezer  Bundy's  farm  to  at  least  five  hun- 
dred acres  on  both  sides  the  Quinebaug.  Renewed  petitions 
for  a  road  from  Larned's  store  to  Bundy's  mills  excited  much 
discussion  and  some  opposition  in  Thompson.  Though  much 
addicted  to  road  making,  this  young  town  was  chary  of  cost. 
When  it  was  decided  in  1797  that  a  turnpike  was  actually  to 
be  laid  out  through  West  Thompson,  renewed  efforts  were 
made  to  procure  a  direct  road  from  Larned's  store  to  Bun- 
dy's mills  at  the  Upper  Fall,  and  thence  west  to  intersect  the 
stage  road  near  Abel  Alton's.  The  committee  reported  in  fa- 
vor of    such    road,  but    their    report  was    rejected    again    and 


764  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

again.  It  was  not  until  Mr.  Bundy  offered  to  build  a  good 
substantial  bridge,  at  his  own  cost,  over  the  Quinebaug,  and 
the  owners  of  the  land  volunteered  to  give  what  was  needful, 
fence  the  road  and  make  it  passable,  that  the  town  reluc- 
tantly consented  to  allow  it.  This  road,  as  laid  out,  began 
twenty-six  rods  west  side  the  Quinebaug,  then  across  the  river 
where  Eaton's  bridge  had  formerly  stood,  then  in  a  straight 
line  up  hill  and  down  to  intersect  the  old  road  from  Thomp- 
son meeting  house  to  Cargill's,  near  the  house  of  Isaac  Parks. 
It  made  a  very  direct  route  from  Woodstock  and  the  Quine- 
baug valley  to  Larned's  store  and  on  to  Providence,  but  the 
steepness  of  the  hills  made  it  a  very  hard  road  to  travel,  and 
children  going  to  Bundy's  mill  on  horseback  were  often  pitched 
head  over  heels  descending  these  declivities. 

Cargill's  mills  had  now  been  thrown  into  market.  The  death 
of  Doctor  Waldo,  and  of  some  of  his  own  children,  had  broken 
the  health  and  spirits  of  the  good  captain,  and  he  felt  unable 
to  compete  with  his  enterprising  rival  above.  In  his  adver- 
tisement in  1793  he  sets  forth  in  glowing  terms  the  peculiar 
advantages  of  his  "  noted  inheritance,"  with  land  of  the  most 
valuable  kind,  water  sufficient  to  grind  three  hundred  bushels 
the  dryest  day  ever  known,  and  prophesies  that  the  place  "  is 
and  must  be  a  place  of  great  trade."  In  1798  he  effected  a  sale 
to  Moses  Arnold  and  John  Harris,  of  Rhode  Island.  In  1800 
Arnold's  share  of  this  purchase  was  sold  to  Jeremiah  and  Nehe- 
miah  Knight,  of  Cranston.  "  Knight  &  Harris  "  ran  the  various 
mills  and  works  for  a  few  years,  under  the  superintendence  of 
Mr.  Nehemiah  Knight,  afterward  governor  of  Rhode  Island.  A 
store  was  now  opened  in  one  of  the  three  Cargill  houses.  Some 
local  improvements  were  accomplished  by  Mr.  Knight,  who  be- 
guiled his  lonely  hours  in  this  isolated  valley  by  laying  out  "a 
solitary  walk  "  on  the  tongue  of  land  between  Quinebaug  and 
Mill  rivers.  This  walk,  rechristened  "Solitaire,"  was  long  a 
favorite  rural  resort.  Captain  Cargill  removed  to  Palmer,  Mass., 
with  his  widowed  daughter  and  the  remnant  of  their  families, 
but  his  name  and  memory  were  long  preserved. 

While  for  a  hundred  years  the  vicinity  of  Quinebaug  High 
Falls  was  widely  known  as  a  crossing  place,  fishery  and  mill  site, 
it  had  few  residents  and  fewer  school  and  religious  privileges. 
Its  scattered  families  attended  church  and  school  in  whichsoever 
of  the  three  towns  they  chanced  to  be  located.     During  the  rev- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  765 

olutionary  war  a  strong-  Baptist  element  developed,  through  the 
labors  and  influence  of  President  Manning  of  Brown  University. 
A  Baptist  society  was  organized  in  the  Quinebaug  valley,  taking 
in  residents  of  Pomfret  and  Killingly.  Reverend  Mr.  Kelley 
labored  with  them  as  a  pastor,  holding  services  in  convenient 
residences,  which  were  well  attended  and  productive  of  much 
good.  One  of  the  rooms  in  Captain  Cargill's  mill  was  used  for  a 
Baptist  meeting  room.  Mr.  Manning  was  very  anxious  to  estab- 
lish a  Latin  school  in  this  valley,  to  serve  "  as  a  nursery  for  the 
college,"  foreseeing  its  probable  development. 

Methodism  met  with  equal  favor.  As  early  as  1792  a  noted 
Methodist  itinerant,  John  Allen,  was  allowed  to  hold  a  religious 
meeting  in  Cargill's  press  room.  His  plain  and  pungent  preach- 
ing struck  conviction  to  the  hearts  of  the  hearers.  A  number  of 
young  women  professed  conversion,  and  soon  were  gathered 
into  a  class.  They  were  joined  by  three  young  men — Elijah 
Bugbee,  William  Gary  and  Noah  Perrin.  The  latter  was  ap- 
pointed class  leader,  and  opened  the  hospitable  Perrin  house  for 
public  services.  Pomfret  was  included  in  New  London  circuit, 
and  made  a  regular  preaching  station.  A  number  of  respectable 
families  joined  with  the  Methodists — the  Sabins,  with  their 
grand  voices,  Perrins,  Garys,  Cadys,  Bucks,  etc.  Wonderful 
meetings  were  held  in  the  Perrin  house  and  Cargill's  meeting 
room.  The  Methodist  singing  and  the  fervid  exhortations  and 
prayers  carried  everything  before  them.  In  1795  Pomfret  cir- 
cuit was  formed,  with  169  professed  Methodists;  Jesse  Lee,  pre- 
siding elder;  Daniel  Ostrander  and  Nathaniel  Chapin,  preach- 
ers. Though  meeting  much  opposition  from  the  established 
churches  upon  the  hill-tops,  the  Methodists  continued  to  gain 
ground  in  the  valley,  and  became  an  element  of  much  power. 

Killingly  hill  was  now  an  important  center,  with  its  recon- 
structed meeting  house  and  military  gatherings,  its  common 
being  one  of  the  amplest  and  finest  in  the  county.  Doctor 
Robert  Grosvenor,  now  established  there  in  medical  practice, 
was  the  leading  physician  and  surgeon.  Justice  Sampson  Howe 
had  opened  its  first  store.  Its  tavern  was  kept  by  Captain 
Aaron  Arnold. 

Putnam's  cotton  manufacture  dates  back  to  remote  periods, 
the  factory  opened  by  Mr.  v^mith  Wilkinson  below  the  High 
Falls  of  the  Quinebaug,  in  1807,  being  the  first  of  the  kind  in 
Windham  county,  and  one  of  the  first  in  Connecticut.     Experi- 


766  HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

menters  in  Rhode  Island  had  succeeded  after  much  labor  and 
trouble  in  constructing  machines  for  spinning  cotton  by  water 
power.  Ozias  Wilkinson  and  his  ingenious  sons  had  established 
a  factory  in  Pawtucket,  in  1798,  and  then  sought  a  wider  field  of 
enterprise.  The  Ouinebaug  Falls  and  valley  was  the  site  se- 
lected, and  the  Pomfret  Manufacturing  Company  formed  Janu- 
ary 1st,  1806.  Its  constituent  members  were  Ozias  Wilkinson, 
his  sons,  Abraham,  Isaac,  David,  Daniel  and  Smith  Wilkinson, 
his  sons-in-law,  Timothy  Green  and  William  Wilkinson,  and 
James,  Christopher  and  William  Rhodes.  James  Rhodes,  of 
Warwick,  R.  I.,  had  previously  purchased  of  John  Harris  a  half 
interest  of  his  share  of  the  Cargill  property.  All  this  interest, 
with  the  remainder  of  the  privilege  and  much  other  land  in  the 
vicinity  both  sides  the  river,  were  now  secured  by  the  Pomfret 
Manufacturing  Company,  and  its  charge  and  the  care  of  build- 
ing the  projected  factory,  and  superintending  the  various  works, 
entrusted  to  the  youngest  brother,  Mr.  Smith  Wilkinson,  who 
soon  proved  himself  master  of  the  situation. 

The  lonely  vale,  with  its  rocky  hills  and  heavy  forests,  rang 
with  the  busy  clatter  of  the  numerous  workmen.  With  happy 
forethought  Mr.  Wilkinson  selected  the  Fourth  of  July  for  rais- 
ing the  frame  of  the  factory,  when  a  great  concourse  of  people 
from  all  the  adjoining  towns  came ,  together  to  help  about  the 
work  and  satisfy  their  curiosity  in  regard  to  this  novel  enter- 
prise. The  work  of  building  and  reconstruction  went  rapidly 
forward.  The  "  solitary  walk  "  laid  out  by  Mr.  Knight  was  less 
attractive  to  the  young  manager  than  a  brisk  ride  to  Killingly 
hill,  where  he  found  agreeable  society  in  the  hospitable  home  of 
Captain  Sampson  Howe.  In  a  few  months  he  married  Miss 
Elizabeth  Howe,  and  began  housekeeping  in  a  small  house* 
east  of  the  river.  Machinery  and  all  needful  appurtenances 
were  hauled  up  from  Providence,  and  on  April  1st,  1807,  the  first 
cotton  factory  in  eastern  Connecticut  was  set  in  motion — a  four 
story  wooden  building,  100  by  32  feet  in  dimensions.  Its  busi- 
ness was  to  spin  cotton  yarn  to  be  woven  on  hand  looms  into 
coarse  cloth  and  bed-ticking.  Its  working  force  was  a  few  child- 
ren picked  up  in  the  neighborhood,  with  a  man  in  each  room  to 
help  and  oversee  them.  The  boys  and  girls  were  delighted  with 
the  new  employment,  and  thought  the  glittering  machines  "  the 
prettiest   things   in  the   world."     When    a   heavy   snow   storm 

*Site  now  occupied  by  Putnam  Bank. 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  767 

"blocked  the  roads  one  morning  the  little  girls  put  on  men's  boots 
and  waded  through  the  drifts  in  their  eagerness  to  work.  They 
were  paid  about  seven  shillings  a  week. 

The  children  were  not  alone  in  rejoicing  over  the  new  indus- 
try. To  the  women  who  wove  the  cloth  it  was  a  boon  beyond 
expression.  It  is  hard  to  realize  the  scarcity  of  money  in  those 
days,  especially  in  farming  families,  when  produce  was  cheap, 
markets  few,  business  openings  rare  and  wages  low.  The  priv- 
ilege of  earning  things  for  themselves  was  thus  most  joyfully 
welcomed  by  hundreds  of  active  women.  A  store  promptly 
opened  by  the  company,  offered  all  manner  of  useful  and  orna- 
mental articles  in  exchange  for  w^eaving.  Women  of  every 
rank,  the  well-to-do  as  well  as  the  poor,  hastened  to  avail  them- 
selves of  this  golden  opportunity.  The  impulse  given  by  the 
new  mill  was  felt  in  many  ways.  Many  workmen  were  needed 
for  teaming,  farming,  mill  tending,  house  building  and  other 
purposes.  The  grain  mill  was  kept  busily  at  work.  A  hand- 
some house  opposite  the  mill  was  soon  built  by  Mr.  Wilkinson, 
for  his  own  residence,  and  other  houses  for  operatives  and  new 
residents. 

So  rapid  was  the  increase  of  population  that  in  1812  Mr.  Wil- 
kinson found  it  needful  to  build  a  school  house  for  his  village. 
A  neat  brick  building  was  erected  on  a  steep  hill  east  of  the 
river,  which  was  also  used  on  Sundays  for  a  hbuse  of  worship. 
Though  himself  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  at  Kill- 
ingly  hill,  and  a  regular  attendant  upon  its  service,  Mr.  Wilkin- 
son was  on  friendly  terms  with  all  other  denoniinations,  and 
most  willingly  accorded  them  the  use  of  the  school  house.  The 
Methodists  held  service  every  alternate  Sabbath  for  some  years, 
under  the  charge  of  the  Thompson  circuit  preacher.  On  other 
Sundays  the  Baptists  "  held  the  fort,"  under  Elders  Grow,  Crosby, 
Nichols,  Ross  or  Cooper.  Reverends  Daniel  Dow  or  Elisha  At- 
kins or  Eliphalet  Lyman  would  often  carry  on  "a  five  o'clock 
meeting  "  in  the  brick  school  house.  So  sober  and  substantial 
was  the  character  of  the  Pomfret  Factory  residents  that  there 
were  but  two  families  in  fifteen  years  which  habitually  refused 
church  attendance.  The  singing,  according  to  a  trustworthy 
reporter,  was  as  varied  as  the  sect  of  the  preachers.  W^hen  the 
Methodists  held  service  choristers  like  John  M.  Sabin  and 
Auo-ustus  W.  Perrin  led  such  a  volume  of  male  and  female  voices 
.as  would  shake  the  rafters  of  the  house  and  waken  the  soundest 


768  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

sleeper.  The  Baptist  singers  were  led  by  Artemas  Bruce,  es- 
pecially on  funeral  occasions,  and  the  Congregationalists  by  Mr. 
Jedidiah  Leavens,  unless  Mr.  Dow  preferred  to  set  his  own  fa- 
vorite tunes — Windham,  Mortality,  Florida  or  Hebron.  Sunday 
was  Sunday  indeed  under 'Mr.  Wilkinson's  forcible  administra- 
tion, and  any  deviation  from  its  proper  observance  was  promptly 
noted  and  punished,  and  even  those  audacious  youngsters  who 
presumed  to  play  ball  upon  the  day  of  the  state  fast  had  the  law 
enforced  against  them  and  were  made  to  pay  legal  fines. 

During  the  war  with  Great  Britain  Pomfret  factory  flourished 
greatly,  making  one  year  a  dividend  of  $36,000.  By  payir.g 
large  prices  they  were  able  to  secure  sufficient  supplies  of  cotton 
from  Philadelphia,  the  large  profit  more  than  reimbursing  the 
beavy  outlay.  Thus  solidly  established  the  company  met  the 
reverses  that  followed  without  embarrassment,  and  succeeded 
in  introducing  power  looms  and  other  new  methods  of  labor 
without  serious  inconvenience.  Continued  improvements  were 
made  in  the  village  and  surrounding  country.  The  factory 
farms  were  brought  under  good  cultivation.  Mr.  Wilkinson  took 
much  pride  in  the  great  mowing  lot  near  the  Upper  Falls,  and 
in  other  parts  of  his  farm.  It  is  said  that  thirty-five  hay-makers 
rnight  sometimes  be  seen  on  a  good  hay  day  swinging  their 
scythes  in  time  with  each  other.  Methodical  in  all  things,  Mr. 
Wilkinson  once  announced  "  that  he  had  upon  count  a  cock  of 
hay  for  every  day  in  the  year — 365."  A  village  cow  was  taken 
from  house  to  house  every  night  and  morning  in  summer  that 
all  the  families  might  have  a  supply  of  new  milk.  Each  tenant 
had  a  garden  spot  for  raising  his  own  vegetables,  and  laid  up  his 
own  beef  and  pork  for  family  consumption.  Fresh  meat  was 
brought  in  occasionally  by  farmers  as  they  slaughtered,  and 
meat,  milk  and  ice  carts  were  all  unknown  in  those  primitive 
days. 

Upon  the  request  of  Mr.  Wilkinson,  a  road  was  laid  by  the 
selectmen  of  Thompson  from  the  old  road  over  Parks  hill  direct 
to  the  village  in  1818.  The  town  voted  to  accept  the  road  as 
laid  out  and  also  voted,  "That  it  is  the  sense  of  the  town  that 
the  old  road  from  Pomfret  Factory,  until  it  intersects  the  above 
reported  road,  be  discontinued."  Bundy's  bridge  was  newly 
covered  and  a  new  road  laid  out  to  the  Brick  Factory.  Sufficient 
travel  passed  through  the  village  to  support  a  respectable  tavern 
under  the  old  yew  tree  at  the  west  end  of  Cargill's  block.     Mai- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  769 

achi  Green  is  remembered  among  its  landlords.  In  1823  a  new 
stone  building  was  erected,  to  be  used  for  the  manufacture  of 
woolen  goods.  Its  foundations  were  laid  by  Asa  White,  a  vet- 
eran mill  constructor,  who  had  overseen  the  building  of  some 
of  the  first  factories  in  New  England,  but  who  died  while  this 
was  in  progress.  In  1826  Mr.  Wilkinson  became  chief  proprie- 
tor, as  well  as  manager,  associating  with  Mr.  James  Rhodes  in 
place  of  the  former  company.  The  new  stone  mill  was  now  used 
for  cotton  manufacturing  and  the  old  mill  for  woolen  goods. 
More  houses  and  workmen  were  demanded  and  business  opera- 
tions extended.  A  new  interest  grew  up  at  the  upper  privilege, 
with  the  building  of  a  brick  factory  there  by  Mr.  James  Rhodes 
in  1830.  Through  the  good  offices  of  a  former  resident  of  this 
section,  we  are  indebted  for  an  unique  Directory,  giving  a  full 
report  of  the  residents  of  the  old  Pomfret  Factory  between  1815- 
1830,  viz:— 

"  Smith  Wilkinson — agent  Pomfret  Manufacturing  company. 
Superintendents  in  their  order — Augustus  Howe,  Thomas  Dike, 
Gen.  Reuben  Whitman.  Overseers  of  weaving  shop — David 
Whitman,  John  N.  Leavens.  Machinists — Eden  Leavens,  Asa 
Wliite,  James  Cunningham,  A.  Blanchard,  Alpheus  Chaffee. 
Blacksmiths — John  Phipps,  William  Phipps,  Jonathan  Clough. 
Overseers  of  carding  and  repairing — Arthur  Tripp,  P.  Carpen- 
ter, Ira  Graves,  Almon  Graves,  Benjamin  Morris,  Jebediah  Mor- 
ris, J.  H.  Morris,  Jr.,  George  Morris,  Thomas  Chapman,  Lyman 
Lawrence,  G.  W.  Eddy,  William  Andrews,  Welcome  Eddy, 
Benjamin  Matthews,  Charles  Richmond,  Joseph  Cundall,  Oba- 
diah  Grinnell,  J.  Keach,  Charles  Chaffee,  J.  Dike,  D.  Harrington, 
S.  Harrington,  Jr.  Manager  of  Picker  Mill  and  general  painter 
— David  Hall.  Mule  spinners — Green  Capron,  William  Johnson, 
Jonathan  Perrin,  George  B.  Carey,  Martin  Leach.  Clothiers  and 
fullers — A.  Thompson,  J.  Basset.  House  carpenters — Sylvester 
Stanley,  Joseph  Heath,  Samuel  Truesdale,  Jr.,  Asa  Park.  Blue, 
dyer — Jedidiah  Leavens.  Bleachers — Ephraim  Congden,  E. 
Chase,  Jacob  Mann.  The  clerks  in  the  store  were  James  Hop- 
kins, William  Arnold,  S.  Davis  Leavens,  George  Howe,  Augus- 
tus Wilkinson,  Henry  Wilkinson,  Daniel  P.  Dow,  Horace  Whit- 
taker,  Edmond  Wilkinson,  William.  Warren,  Sampson  Howe. 
Clerks  in  the  Domestic  department  were  Lemuel  H.  Elliott,  N. 
Aldrich,  Jedidiah  Leavens,  Jr.,  A.  W.  Perrin.  The  keepers  of 
the  general  boarding  house  were,  in  order,  Stephen  Stone,  L. 
49 


770  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

H.  Elliott  (afterward  steward  of  Brown  University),  N.  Aldrich, 
Willard  Arnold,  Asahel  Elliott,  Benjamin  Warren,  Eleazer  Sa- 
bin.  The  grain  miller  was  Frank  Pearce  ;  the  saw  miller,  Isaac 
Moore  ;  the  butcher,  J.  H.  Morris  ;  the  cow-herder  was  Thomas 
Richmond  ;  the  freight-teamer  to  and  from  Providence  was  Jo- 
seph Stone,  with  a  yoke  of  venerable  oxen,  Bug  and  Bright,  and 
a  younger  yoke,  beside  Hezekiah  Converse  (a  grand  bass  singer) 
was  farm  teamer  for  many  years  ;  his  successors  were  Harvey 
White  and  Reuben  Hoar.  There  were  'captain  farmers'  also — 
Darius  Starr,  William  Martin,  Elliot  Hammond.  Others  in  the 
vicinity  who  plied  the  plow,  scythe  and  hoe,  while  their  sons 
and  daughters  worked  in  the  mills,  were  Messrs.  Bean,  Harring- 
ton, Chaffee,  Faulkner,  Brown,  Keach,  Cary,  Weld,  Willard,  Her- 
andean,  Johnson,  Kelley,  Gallup,  Maserve,  Chamberlin.  Among 
those  who  tried  to  keep  them  all  with  a  good  understanding  (the 
shoe-makers)  were  S.  Truesdale,  A.  Plummer,  J.  Harris,  G. 
Glasco." 

There  were  many  families  in  the  vicinity  worthy  of  notice  if 
space  permitted.  Noah  Perrin,  Sr.,  the  Methodist  class  leader, 
had  now  succeeded  to  the  ownership  of  the  Perrin  farm,  and  his 
numerous  sons  and  daughters  were  much  in  demand  for  teaching 
school  in  the  surrounding  region,  their  united  service  amounting 
to  some  sixty-seven  terms.  Captain  Joseph  Buck,  a  mile  east 
on  the  Providence  road,  was  a  much  respected  citizen,  chorister 
at  the  West  Thompson  Methodist  church,  the  model  head  of  a 
most  worthy  and  promising  family.  South  on  the  Pomfret  road 
another  large  and  promising  family  was  growing  up  in  the 
household  of  Mr.  Abel  Dunn.  Near  them  lived  the  Sawyers, 
one  of  the  old  Pomfret  families,  with  the  blind  brother  with 
such  marvelous  instinct  and  aptitudes.  Their  neighbors,  the 
Gilberts,  Halls  and  Garys,  had  all  large  families,  growing  up 
to  be  useful  men  and  women  in  widely  separated  fields.  An- 
other noted  family  in  that  neighborhood  was  that  of  Captain 
Alfred  Holmes,  whose  children  it  is  said  were  all  well  educated 
and  gifted,  their  home  the  center  of  a  "brilliant  social  circle." 
Captain  Eleazer  Keith,  old  Deacon  Deamon,  Mr.  Darius  Sea- 
mans,  were  well  known  residents  upon  the  mountain  road  north- 
ward. 

These  various  families,  remote  fr6m  the  centers  of  the  three 
towns  in  which  they  dwelt,  were  drawn  in  many  ways  to  Pom- 
fret Factory  and  more  or  less  identified  with  its  interests.     In 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  771 

the  social  life  of  this  pioneer  "  factory  village  "  there  was  much 
that  was  pleasant  and  enjoyable.  The  owner  and  master  was  a 
life-time  resident,  dwelling  among  his  own  people,  having  a  per- 
sonal interest  in  all  their  affairs.  A  bond  of  common  interest 
and  reciprocal  regard  united  employers  and  employed  as  one 
great  family — its  central  hearth  the  delightful  home  of  Mr.  Wil- 
kinson. Probably  no  house  in  the  three  converging  towns  en- 
tertained so  much  company.  Its  hospitable  doors  were  always 
open,  and  rich  and  poor  alike,  county  gentry  and  village  opera- 
tive, received  the  same  cordial  welcome.  The  noble  and  lovely 
wife  of  Mr.  Wilkinson  was  indeed  the  "  mother  of  the  village." 
In  health  and  in  sickness,  in  weal  and  woe,  all  were  sure  of 
the  warmest  sympathy  and  aid. 

The  Rhodesville  enterprise  began  with  the  division  of  the 
Bundy  privilege  at  the  Upper  Falls,  which  was  surveyed  and 
laid  out  in  four  divisions  of  about  twenty  acres  each  by  Simon 
Davis,  Esq.,  in  1827.  These  divisions  were  then  apportioned  by 
lot  among  the  several  owners,  Abram  and  Isaac  Wilkinson  and 
James  Rhodes  drawing' the  two  lower  privileges,  William  and 
Smith  Wilkinson  the  two  upper  privileges.  At  this  date  there 
were  but  two  houses  upon  the  estate,  one  on  the  east  side  of  the 
river,  occupied  by  Hezekiah  Converse,  the  other  on  the  west  side, 
by  the  Glasko  family.  A  new  dam  was  soon  built  and  the  brick 
factory  completed  and  ready  for  work  in  1830  ;  Stephen  Erwin, 
of  Rhode  Island,  manager.  A  row  of  tenement  houses  and  store 
building  were  also  constructed ;  James  Bugbee,  store-keeper. 
The  operatives  were  all  American.  In  1834,  the  mill  narrowly 
escaped  destruction  by  fire.  In  1836,  Mr.  Nehemiah  T.  Adams 
was  appointed  resident  agent  and  Mr.  Leonard  Thompson  had 
charge  of  the  store,  and  was  in  turn  succeeded  by  Mr.  Chauncey 
Hammett.  In  1837,  Rhodesville  had  become  so  populous  that  it 
was  constituted  school  district  No.  17, of  Thompson,  and  a  school, 
house  was  built  by  the  company.  In  the  spring  of  1841,  pros- 
perity was  suddenly  checked  by  the  burning  of  the  factory  build- 
ing ;  supposed  to  be  the  work  of  an  incendiary.  About  a  hun- 
dred persons  were  then  employed  by  the  establishment.  The 
mill  was  rebuilt  under  the  supervision  of  Mr.  N.  T.  Adams. 
The  death  of  Mr.  James  Rhodes  the  following  year  made  further 
changes,  and  after  temporary  depression  the  village  entered 
upon  a  career  of  greatly  extended  prosperity. 


772  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

In  1835  a  road  was  laid  out  from  Simeon  Allen's  brick  works 
on  the  Boston  turnpike  to  the  Quinebaug,  over  the  Rhodesville 
bridge  and  on  east  through  the  South  Neighborhood,  intersect- 
ing the  old  Woodstock  and  Thompson  turnpike  near  Sawyer's 
store,  which  greatly  facilitated  the  transportation  of  cotton  from 
Providence.  Yet  with  all  the  shrewdness  and  enterprise  of  the 
two  companies  and  their  managers,  the  supply  of  cotton  was  lim- 
ited and  business  operations  could  not  be  largely  extended.  Keen 
eyes  watched  with  eager  interest  the  experiments  in  new  meth- 
ods of  transportation.  Windham  county  manufacturers  noted 
and  encouraged  the  various  schemes  for  accommodating  their 
own  valley,  and  were  prominent  among  the  stockholders  of  the 
Norwich  &  Worcester  Railroad  Company.  The  actual  opening 
of  the  railroad  in  November,  1839,  was  joyfully  welcomed  by 
business  men,  though  little  foreseeing  the  revolution  it  would 
accomplish.  The  first  depot  master  at  the  Pomfret  Factory  was 
Mr.  John  O.  Fox,  removing  thither  from  West  Thompson. 
Amasa  Carpenter,  from  North  Woodstock,  occupied  part  of  the 
building,  carrying  on  with  Mr.  Fox  a  thriving  business  in  grain 
and  groceries. 

Slowly  at  first  business  came  to  the  valley.  For  a  year  or  two 
there  was  little  apparent  movement,  and  then  the  tide  turned 
from  the  hill  towns.  John  O.  Fox  and  Martin  Leach  were  among 
the  first  to  build  dwelling  houses  on  the  east  side  of  the  street,  near 
the  depot.  In  1844  a  building  for  stores  was  erected  by  Mr.  Asa 
Cutler  in  the  same  locality,  and  first  occupied  by  Lewis  K.  Per- 
rin,  assisted  by  his  brother  Charles.  The  land  east  of  the  depot 
was  purchased  from  Mr.  Tully  Dorrance,  whose  wife,  Mrs.  Sally 
Dorrance,  inherited  in  the  Pomfret  Manufacturing  Company  the 
right  of  her  deceased  father,  James  Rhodes.  Mr.  Dorrance  there- 
fore owned  much  valuable  land,  and  also  carried  on  manufac- 
.  turing  in  the  first  old  mill  built  by  Mr.  Wilkinson.  Other  Rhode 
Island  manufacturers  were  now  on  the  field,  looking  up  eligible 
privileges  for  prospective  enterprises.  Hosea  Ballou,  Allen  & 
Nightingale,  M.  S.  Morse  &  Co.,  won  the  prizes  at  Rhodesville 
and  soon  broke  ground  for  three  large  factories.  With  the  ad- 
vent of  their  masons  and  carpenters  a  boom  set  briskly  in. 
Lafayette  Waters,  stone  mason,  who  had  the  charge  of  much  of 
the  stone  work  in  the  three  mills,  bought  land  in  the  vicinity 
and  sold  out  a  number  of  building  lots.  Houses  for  dwellings 
and  stores  sprang  up  -in  various  quarters  where  eligible  sites 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY,  773 

could  be  procured.  Young  men  from  the  hill  towns  engaged  in 
trade  or  professional  work  in  the  two  villages. 

The  first  physician  on  the  ground  was  Doctor  H.  W.  Hough, 
who  removed  his  practice  from  Killingly  hill  to  Pomfret  Fac- 
tory in  1846,  buying  the  first  building  lot  sold  by  Mr.  Smith 
Wilkinson,  on  which  he  soon  erected  his  present  residence.  He 
was  soon  followed  by  Doctor  Thomas  Perry,  who  remained  a 
few  years.  The  first  lawyer  to  open  an  office  was  Mr.  Harri- 
son Johnson,  of  Killingly.  One  of  the  first  merchants  was  Na- 
than Williams,  of  Pomfret,  associated  for  a  time  with 

Ely,  of  Killingly.  Manning  &  Plimpton  soon  followed  on  the 
east  side  of  the  river.  Both  these  stores  were  largely  patron- 
ized by  residents  of  the  hill  towns,  and  business  grew  and 
multiplied  in  true  Western  style.  Doctor  Plimpton  also  en- 
gaged in  medical  practice.  Doctor  Benjamin  Segur  opened  a 
drug  shop  opposite  Perrin's  store,  near  the  railway  crossing. 
Jeremiah  Shumway's  tailor  shop  stood  next  to  Perrin's  store, 
across  an  alley,  and  the  first  saloon,  kept  by  Cyrus  Thornton, 
occupied  Perrin's  basement.  Three  churches  meanwhile  were 
pushing  their  way  along,  striving  for  precedence  and  building- 
lots. 

The  opening  of  the  three  great  factories  in  Rhodesville  in 
1846-47  added  some  hundreds  to  the  population  and  gave  addi- 
tional impetus  to  the  growth  of  the  villages.  Mr.  Wilkinson, 
now  advanced  in  years,  foresaw  the  future  importance  of  this 
business  center,  but  did  not  care  to  engage  in  new  enterprises. 
For  some  years  he  was  much  occupied  in  settling  the  affairs  of 
the  Pomfret  Manufacturing  Company,  making  division  of  its 
large  assets  among  its  few  claimants.  The  general  business  of 
the  company  was  now  managed  by  Mr.  Edmond  Wilkinson,  who 
was  also  deeply  interested  in  the  development  of  his  native 
valley.  Much  land  was  now  thrown  into  market  and  bought  up 
by  eager  customers.  Mr.  Asa  Cutler,  a  shrewd  business  man 
and  successful  manufacturer,  was  very  prominent  in  this  connec- 
tion, buying  land  and  building  many  houses.  In  1848  he  asso- 
ciated with  Thomas  Dike,  John  O.  Fox  and  Newton  Clark  in 
building  a  large  brick  block  for  stores,  with  a  fine  hall  above 
for  public  purposes.  Lafayette  Waters  had  charge  of  building 
this  block,  using  220,000  bricks  in  its  construction.  "  Quinebaug 
Hall "  was  soon  followed  by  a  fine   new  "  Quinebaug  House," 


774  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

built  by  Mr.  Abraham  Perrin,  the  occupant  of  another  pleasant 
"  Perrin  farm  "  on  the  road  to  Pomfret. 

Several  new  roads  were  needed  for  the  accommodation  of 
builders  and  travelers.  One  of  especial  importance — the  present 
Elm  street — was  laid  out  by  Thompson  selectmen  in  1847,  upon 
petition  from  Tully  Dorrance  and  others,  viz.,  "  Beginning  south 
side  the  present  road  at  Rhodesville,"  thence  partly  by  a  bank 
wall  to  the  southwest  corner  of  the  porch  of  the  school  house, 
thence  to  a  corner  of  the  wall  east  side  North  Meadow  street, 
thence  to  a  corner  of  a  barnyard  belonging  to  Smith  Wilkinson, 
thence  to  a  post  in  the  corner  of  a  fence,  thence  to  a  point  where 
it  intersected  the  Pomfret  Factory  road.  This  road  brought 
many  new  building  lots  into  market,  and  served  as  an  important 
link  in  bringing  the  villages  together.  The  last  road  laid  out  by 
the  Thompson  selectmen  was  the  present  School  street,  in  1854, 
beginning  on  the  south  side  of  the  road  leading  to  Thompson, 
near  the  new  school  house,  thence  en  land  of  Edmond  Wilkin- 
son, crossing  a  corner  of  Henry  Thurber's  lot,  by  land  of  Martin 
Leach  and  Asa  Cutler,  to  the  southeast  corner  of  Doctor  Henry 
Hough's  lot,  on  the  north  side  of  the  Killingly  road.  But  it  was 
found  very  difficult  to  procure  all  the  accommodations  needed 
in  this  rapid  development.  People  were  pouring  in  on  every 
side;  new  stores  and  business  operations  were  constantly  set  in 
motion,  and  demand  kept  pace  with  expansion. 

With  all  this  growth,  and  bustle  and  hurry,  there  was  inev- 
itable clashing  and  jangling.  Nothing  could  have  been  more 
complex  and  unmanageable  than  this  cluster  of  villages,  belong- 
ing to  three  distinct,  independent  towns,  with  no  central  author- 
ity to  bring  and  hold  them  together,  and  legislate  for  their  best  in- 
terests. That  so  much  order  and  harmony  existed  under  such 
unfavorable  circumstances  was  undoubtedly  due  in  great  meas- 
ure to  the  early  character  of  the  place  as  developed  under  the 
strong  hand  of  Mr.  Wilkinson.  There  was  also  something  in  the 
new  spring  and  impulse,  the  pleasure  of  helping  up-build  a  new 
and  vigorous  community,  that  brought  the  inhabitants  into 
friendly  and  mutually  helpful  relations,  working  together  as  one 
man  for  the  good  of  the  whole  section.  As  the  inconvenience 
of  the  situation  became  more  manifest,  various  projects  of  relief 
were  suggested,  such  as  separate  voting  places,  borough  privi- 
leges, etc.,  but  nothing  met  the  case  till  the  formation  of  a  new, 
independent   town  was   suggested.     Like  many  other  popular 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  775 

movements,  it  seems  to  have  started  simultaneously  from  several 
sources,  or  if  one  man  suggested  this  natural  solution  of  a 
difficult  problem,  it  was  assimilated  with  such  avidity  that  the 
name  of  the  originator  was  swallowed  up  in  universal  acclama- 
tion. Mr.  Edmond  Wilkinson  engaged  in  carrying  out  this 
project  with  great  heartiness,  giving  freely  money,  time  and 
influence. 

A  public  meeting  of  those  favoring  a  new  town  was  promptly 
held,  and  an  energetic  committee  appointed,  through  whose 
agency  a  petition  was  laid  before  the  legislature  in  May,  1849, 
showing  the  difficulties  of  the  situation,  and  praying  that  the 
villages  known  as  Pomfret  Depot,  Wilkinsonville,  Rhodesville, 
Ballouville  and  Morse's  Village  might  be  incorporated  into  a  new 
town,  made  from  portions  of  Thompson,  Killingly,  Pomfret  and 
Woodstock,  and  designated  as  Quinebaug.  Indignant  represen- 
tations from  the  four  towns  therein  named  procured  a  prompt 
rejection  of  this  presumptuous  petition.  Opposition  but  in- 
creased the  zeal  and  determination  of  the  new  town  agitators, 
and  made  them  more  united  in  effort.  New  inhabitants  coming 
in  caught  the  spirit  of  the  contest,  and  joined  with  the  older  cit- 
izens in  contending  for  sectional  rights  and  independence.  Few 
battles  have  been  fought  in  which  there  was  more  harmony 
among  the  assailants.  There  were  no  traitors  in  the  camp.  Few 
if  any  old  town  sympathizers  were  to  be  found  in  the  villages, 
but  in  the  outlying  country  demanded  by  the  new  town  there 
were  many  who  objected  strongly  to  any  change  in  their  munic- 
ipal relations,  whose  names  swelled  the  mammoth  memorials 
gathered  by  its  opponents. 

Leaving  out  Harrisville  from  the  prospective  town,  in  1851 
petition  was  renewed  for  parts  of  Thompson,  Killingly  and  Pom- 
fret. Again  they  were  beaten,  though  evidently  gaining  the 
ear  of  the  general  public.  The  old  towns  perceiving  the  fiery 
spirit  that  animated  their  youthful  adversary,  roused  themselves 
to  greater  effort.  Their  strongest  men,  their  sharpest  lawyers 
were  retained  as  committees  and  agents.  An  actor  reports : 
"Each  Legislature  was  besieged  by  the  friends  and  opponents 
of  the  measure  ;  lobby  members  reaped  a  golden  harvest ;  much 
other  business  was  seriously  embarassed  by  this  bitter  and  use- 
less strife  ;  party  politics  was  invoked  on  both  sides ;  to  the 
democrats  it  was  going  to  make  a  whig  town  and  leave  the  old 
towns  hopelessly  whig,  a  result  to  be  fearfully  dreaded  ;  and  to 


776  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

the  whigs  it  would  make  a  democratic  town,  and  inevitably  fix 
democracy  as  the  ruling-  power  in  the  old  towns,  and  thus  ruin 
the  state  and  county  ;  to  the  miserly  men  the  taxes  would  be  in- 
creased enormously  in  both  the  old  and  the  new  towns." 

It  is  hard  to  realize  that  so  much  time,  temper  and  money 
should  have  been  freely  squandered  by  three  intelligent  towns 
in  fighting  against  the  inevitable.  Taking  Putnam  for  name 
and  watchword  in  1854,  after  a  brief  suspension  of  hostilities, 
the  new  town  champions  battled  on  to  victory.  The  rise  of  the 
know-nothing  party  and  the  election  of  Mr.  Sidney  Deane  as 
representative  hastened  the  inevitable  result,  and  the  Goliath  of 
conservatism  fell  before  the  youthful  representative  of  energy 
and  progress.  The  final  hearing  of  the  case,  May,  1856,  excited 
unusual  interest  in  the  state.  Very  able  counsel  was  employed 
on  both  sides.  The  closing  arguments  and  pleas  were  offered 
in  one  of  the  largest  halls  in  Hartford,  which  was  crowded  with 
eager  listeners.  Hon.  Charles  Chapman  made  a  forcible  appeal 
n  behalf  of  the  old  towns.  He  was  answered  by  Windham 
county's  special  orator  and  advocate,  ex-Governor  Chauncey  F. 
Cleveland,  a  life-long  democrat  in  the  true  sense  of  the  word, 
the  friend  of  the  people  and  of  everything  relating  to  the  highest 
good  and  development  of  individuals  and  communities,  who  had 
been  deeply  interested  in  this  unequal  struggle,  and  now  sur- 
passed himself  in  his  most  earnest  pleas  that  the  petitioners 
should  be  allowed  their  reasonable  request  for  expansion  and 
town  privileges.  Six  years  of  arduous  conflict  were  rewarded 
by  triumphant  victory,  and  liberty  to  embody  as  a  distinct  town 
was  at  length  heartily  accorded.  Ringing  bells  and  booming 
cannon  bore  the  joyful  tidings  to  the  ears  of  conquerors  and 
defeated,  and  the  Fourth  of  July  celebration  held  a  few  days 
later  in  Putnam  village,  had  a  new  and  vital  meaning  to  its  re- 
joicing participants.  While  all  citizens  were  interested,  and  to 
a  degree  helpful,  the  main  burthen  was  borne  by  the  van-leader, 
Mr.  Edmond  Wilkinson,  who  planned  and  carried  out  details 
from  the  beginning  to  the  end,  and  paid  five-sixths  of  the  legal 
expenses. 

The  first  town  meeting  was  held  at  Quinebaug  Hall,  July  3d, 
1855.  George  Warren,  Esq.,  served  as  moderator.  James  W. 
Manning  was  chosen  town  clerk  and  treasurer;  George  Warren, 
Horace  Seamans,  Luther  Hopkins,  selectmen;  Asa  Cutler,  agent 
of  town  deposit  fund  and  treasurer  of  the  same;    Alanson  Her- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  777 

andean,  Moses  Chandler,  Erastus  Torrey,  Abel  Dresser,  Jr.,  grand 
jurors ;  Abiel  L.  Clarke,  constable.  Sign  posts  or  bulletin 
boards  were  ordered  to  be  set  up,  one  near  the  depot,  one  at 
Sawyer's  store,  one  at  South  Putnam,  and  others  at  any  suitable 
place,  and  the  several  books  needful  for  public  records  were  or- 
dered. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 


THE  TOWN  OF  PUTNAM— (Concluded). 


Ofiacers  and  Statistics. — Layout  of  Roads  and  Naming  Streets. — Establishment  of 
Churches.— Baptist  Church.— Congregational  Church.— Methodist  Church. — 
Catholic  Church. — Episcopal  Church. — Advent  Christian  Church. — Other 
Religious  Societies. — Schools. — Cotton  Manufactures. — Pomfret  Factory 
Woolen  Co. — Silk  Manufactures. — Shoe  Manufacture.— Artisans  and  Mechan- 
ics.— Business  Men's  Association. — Village  Development. — Various  Manufac- 
turing Enterprises. — Creamery. — Water  Works. — Commercial  Houses.— Bus- 
iness Blocks. — Hotels. — Banks.— Fire  Department. — Fraternal  Societies. — 
Celebrations. — Temperance  Movements. — Library  Association. — Newspa- 
pers.— Orchestral  Music. — Antique  Art  Loan  Exhibition. — Village  Cemetery. 
— Other  Burial  Grounds. — Old  Killingly  Hill,  now  Putnam  Heights. — East 
Putnam. — Its  Local  Institutions. — Biographical  Sketches. 


AS  we  have  already  seen,  the  town  of  Putnam  was  incorpo- 
rated in  May,  1855.  After  incorporation  and  organization 
the  town  set  to  work  to  adjust  the  many  perplexing  ques- 
tions which  naturally  confront  a  new  corporation  just  starting 
out  upon  its  voyage  of  existence.  Settlement  with  mother 
towns  was  amicably  effected  within  a  few  months.  Nine  and  a 
half  square  miles  and  1,876  inh^^bitants  had  been  taken  from 
Thompson  ;  seven  and  a  half  squai-e  miles  and  275  inhabitants 
from  Killingly ;  three  square  miles  and  168  inhabitants  from 
Pomfret.  The  population  of  the  new  town  was  thus  2,319,  of 
which  about  three-fourths  were  included  in  the  village.  The 
prescribed  bounds  were  run  by  competent  surveyors  from  the 
respective  towns  and  confirmed  by  town  authorities.  Putnam's 
share  of  the  property  of  the  several  towns,  the  school  deposit 
fund  and  other  funds,  together  with  her  proportion  of  public 
poor,  were  promptly  made  over,  and  its  various  affairs  were  soon 
settled  upon  a  satisfactory  basis.  Lucian  Carpenter  was  ap- 
pointed sealer  of  weights  and  measures.  It  was  voted  that  the 
number  of  selectmen,  assessors  and  board  of  relief  should  be 
three  each  ;  of  grand  jurymen,  four.  October  1st,  the  town  was 
called   to  vote  upon  its  first  constitutional  amendment — "That 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  779 

every  person  shall  be  able  to  read  any  article  of  the  state  consti- 
tution before  being-  admitted  as  elector."  The  votes  cast  were 
153 — 88  in  favor,  65  against  the  amendment.  On  the  same  day 
the  town  held  its  first  annual  meeting  and  completed  its  quota 
of  town  officers.  Assessors  chosen  were  Seth  Babbitt,  Eli  R. 
Davis,  Warren  W.  White  ;  board  of  relief,  Benjamin  Bra37ton, 
Richmond  Bullock,  Daniel  Alton  ;  selectmen,  Horace  Seamans, 
Walter  S.  Burlingame,  Chandler  A.  Spalding ;  town  clerk,  treas- 
urer and  registrar,  James  W.  Manning;  constables,  Riley  Smith, 
Archibald  Kennedy ;  fence  viewers,  David  Clark,  Lucius  E. 
Sawyer,  Dan  Cutler ;  grand  jurors,  Alanson  Herandean,  George 
E.  A.  Bugbee,  Erastus  Torrey,  Abel  Dresser,  Martin  Leach ; 
sealer  of  weights  and  measures,  Lucian  Carpenter ;  pound  keeper, 
Riley  Page ;  haywards,  Charles  Pike,  Prosper  Bundy,  Horace 
Cutler,  Olney  Whipple,  Elliott  Carpenter,  George  Perry,  Palmer 
Hide;  agent  of  town  deposit  fund,  Asa  Cutler.  The  assessors  were 
ordered  to  make  an  equal  assessment  of  every  person's  property 
according  to  actual  value  without  reference  to  old  abstracts — 
George  Buck,  George  Warren,  Richmond  Bullock,  auditors  of 
accounts.  Rooms  in  the  Brick  Block  were  to  be  hired  for  public 
meetings.  The  first  justices  chosen  April  1st,  1856,  were  Horace 
Seamans,  Hiram  A.  Brown,  Henry  C.  Reynolds,  Warren  W. 
White.  The  first  representative  was  Richmond  M.  Bullock.  A 
probate  court  was  constituted  the  same  year  and  justice  Horace 
Seamans  unanimously  elected  judge. 

Thus  legally  established  and  provided  with  competent  officers, 
Putnam  went  bravely  onward,  preeminently  the  modern  town 
of  northeastern  Connecticut,  booming  with  life,  hope  and  en- 
ergy, rejoicing  in  its  admirable  location  and  manufacturing  and 
railroad  facilities.  From  its  first  starting  it  had  the  good  for- 
tune to  draw  from  the  surrounding  sections  young  men  of  ster- 
ling character  and  active  business  habits,  who  identified  them- 
selves with  the  interests  of  the  town,  and  gave  their  best  ener- 
gies to  its  upbuilding  and  development.  As  in  earlier  years 
"  God  sifted  three  kingdoms  to  furnish  seed  for  the  planting  of 
New  England,"  so  some  of  the  best  elements  of  three  substantial 
towns  were  enwrought  into  the  foundations  of  Putnam.  Its 
subsequent  growth  has  kept  pace  with  this  favorable  beginning. 
Built  up  mainly  by  the  gradual  accession  of  men  of  moderate 
means  and  large  energies,  this  growth  has  been  healthful  and 
natural,  till  now  it  stands  among  the  leading  inland  towns  of 


780  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

New  England,  in  many  respects  a  model  among  modern  manu- 
facturing and  railroad  towns — its  distinguishing  characteristic 
a  large-hearted  and  aggressive  public  spirit,  ever  ready  to  make 
sacrifice  of  self  for  the  good  of  the  public.  Its  population  at  the 
latest  count  was  nearing  seven  thousand  ;  grand  list,  $1,995,008. 
For  thirty-four  years  it  has  had  the  good  fortune  to  retain  as 
town  clerk,  treasurer  and  registrar  the  man  who  received  the 
first  choice  of  its  voters,  James  W.  Manning.  Selectmen  in  1888 : 
Omer  La  Rue,  Lawson  I.  Bowen,  Walter  P.  White ;  assessors, 
Charles  D.  Torrey,  Prescott  Bartlett,  Peter  M.  Le  Clair;  board 
of  relief,  Patrick  O'Leary,  Warren  W.  White,  John  S.  D.  Grant ; 
grand  jurors,  Louis  Elontie,  Edward  Fly,  John  R.  Cogswell, 
Lebbeus  E.  Smith  ;  constables,  Milo  P.  Corbin,  Byron  W.  Car- 
penter, William  H.  Longdon,  Edward  De  Croner,  George  B.  In- 
graham  ;  haywards,  1.  Fred  Cutler  ;  2.  William  R.  Holland ;  3. 
David  E.  Clark ;  4.  M.  O.  Bowen  ;  5.  William  A.  Pearson  ;  6. 
Ashael  Batty;  8.  Walter  White;  auditors  of  town  accounts, 
Samuel  R.  Spalding,  William  A.  Pearson.  The  running  ex- 
penses of  the  town  for  the  year  ending  August  31st,  1888,  were 
$30,000.  Like  other  modern  towns  with  lofty  aspirations  Put- 
nam has  been  compelled  to  cumber  itself  with  a  debt  in  carrying 
out  the  various  improvements  that  have  seemed  imperatively 
needful,  whose  interest  is  a  heavy  item  in  annual  expenditure. 
Among  the  extras  of  1888  were  some  $700  expended  in  clearing 
the  roads  of  snow,  after  the  famous  March  blizzard. 

Putnam,  as  previously  hinted,  has  been  greatly  exercised  by 
the  uncertain  laying  out  of  some  of  its  first  roads.  By  untiring 
effort  these  difficulties  have  been  in  a  great  measure  sur- 
mounted, old  streets  widened  and  new  ones  laid  out  where  need- 
ful. Among  her  notable  achievements  has  been  the  clearing  up, 
laying  out  and  transformation  of  the  hills  east  of  the  village, 
which  in  1855  were  still  reposing  in  aboriginal  rudeness,  covered 
with  rock  and  forest.  One  of  the  first  to  aid  in  the  transforma- 
tion of  Oak  hill  was  Mr.  Ebenezer  Farrows,  who  purchased  wild 
land  on  the  east  side  of  Oak  hill,  together  with  a  boggy  swamp 
eastward.  By  hard  labor  in  draining  this  swamp  and  clearing 
the  brush,  Mr.  Farrows  prepared  the  way  for  human  habitation. 
A  street  that  bears  his  name  now  runs  from  Ring  street  to  Wal- 
nut street,  continuing  thence  over  what  were  formerly  the 
wooded  heights  of  Shippee  hill.  Handsome  dwelling  houses, 
"  beautiful  for  situation,"   adorn  the   various   streets   crowning 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  781 

Oak  hill.  Many  public  spirited  citizens  have  aided  in  this  work 
of  transformation,  clearing  off  the  road,  digging  out  rocks,  mak- 
ing ready  for  the  laying  out  of  convenient  streets.  An  angle 
long  left  to  disreputable  rubbish,  has  been  lately  purified,  re- 
constructed and  built  up  with  tasteful  dwellings,  through  the 
enterprise  of  Doctor  Miller.  Even  the  historic  "  Pow's  Grove," 
with  all  its  serious  and  mirthful  associations,  its  memories  of  re- 
ligious meetings,  band  concerts  and  rink  skating,  has  been  forced 
to  bow  before  the  ruthless  hand  of  progress.  Purchased  by  one 
most  prominent  in  the  later  building  up  of  the  town  at  a  recent 
date,  it  is  already  reclaimed,  graded,  laid  out  into  handsome 
streets  and  a  large  number  of  eligible  building  lots,  offering 
ample  accommodations  for  many  present  and  prospective  resi- 
dents. 

As  soon  as  it  became  manifest  to  the  "  gathering  multitude  " 
that  the  villages  in  the  vicinity  of  Pomfret  Factory  were  to  be 
consolidated  into  one  comprehensive  organism,  plans  were  set 
on  foot  for  the  establishment  of  churches.  The  old  inhabitants 
of  Pomfret  Factory  were  distinctively  meeting  goers,  faithfully 
attending  service  in  the  adjacent  churches,  and  greatly  enjoying 
the  religious  gatherings  in  their  own  school  house.  As  Rhodes- 
ville  grew  up  and  both  villages  increased  in  population  it  was 
most  interesting  to  see  the  families  and  foot  travelers  starting 
off  on  a  fair  summer  morning  for  West  Thompson,  Pomfret  and 
Killingly.  The  Baptists,  first  in  the  field,  probably  led  in  num- 
bers, many  of  them  being  members  of  the  Pomfret  Baptist 
church.  Reverend  Benjamin  Congdon,  a  son  of  this  church, 
and  then  its  faithful  and  devoted  pastor,  encouraged  the  church 
members  in  the  valley  in  their  efforts  to  maintain  stated  worship 
among  themselves.  A  humble  petition  that  the  mother  church 
"  would,  by  a  vote,  delegate  to  us  all  the  authority  and  priv- 
ileges of  a  branch  of  your  body,"  was  kindly  received,  and  on 
January  17th,  1847,  the  branch  was  duly  constituted,  it  being- 
understood  that  such  a  body  could  exercise  all  the  powers  of  an 
independent  church,  except  that  of  disciplining  and  excluding 
members.  Harrison  Johnson  was  chosen  clerk;  Elliott  Carpen- 
ter and  William  Johnson  to  assist  in  the  administration  of  the 
Lord's  Supper.  M*eetings  Avere  held  alternately  at  the  brick  and 
Rhodesville  school  houses;  Reverend  Lucius  Holmes  of  Thomp- 
son, a  promising  young  minister,  serving  as  pulpit  supply,  while 
the  probable  cost  and  location  of  a  meeting  house  was  discussed 


782  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

and  canvassed.  Mr.  Holmes  was  hired  to  preach  for  a  year,  but 
ere  long  it  was  found  that  he  had  adopted  Universalist  sentiments. 

Having  thus  virtually  lost  minister  and  place  of  worship,  the 
persevering  Baptists  repaired  for  service  to  the  passenger  room 
in  the  depot.  The  committee  appointed  "  To  see  if  a  sufficient 
sum  of  money  could  be  raised  to  build  a  new  house  of  worship," 
reported  in  its  favor,  and  after  much  discussion  between  the  ad- 
vocates of  rival  sites,  it  was  voted  by  a  majority  of  one,  "  To  lo- 
cate on  the  western  side  of  the  river,"  on  land  given  to  the 
church  by  Messrs.  Smith  and  Edmond  Wilkin^son.  David  Clark, 
Rhodes  G.  Allen,  Doctor  Henry  W.  Hough,  William  Johnson 
and  Reverend  D.  D.  Lyon  were  appointed  building  committee. 

After  obtaining  dismission  from  the  Pomfret  church,  it  was 
voted,  August  30th,  1847,  "To  form  ourselves  into  an  independ- 
ent church."  David  Clark,  Elliott  Carpenter,  Amos  Carpenter, 
Jarad  Chollar  were  chosen  church  committee;  Harrison  John- 
son, clerk  and  treasurer.  Reverend  D.  D.  Lyon  served  as  sup- 
ply during  the  year,  working  "  with  his  own  hands  on  the  found- 
ation of  the  building,"  soliciting  funds,  baptizing  new  converts, 
and  was  succeqded  by  Reverend  Solomon  Gale. 

May  30th,  1848,  was  a  memorable  day  in  the  history  of  the 
church.  An  ecclesiastic  council,  held  at  the  house  of  R.  G.  Al- 
len, welcomed  the  Wilkinson  Baptist  church  into  the  fellowship 
of  Baptist  churches,  and  the  new  house  of  worship  was  formally 
dedicated.  Sermons  were  preached  by  Reverends  Charles  Wil- 
lett  and  J.  Swan.  David  Clark  and  Elliott  Carpenter  were  con- 
firmed in  the  office  of  deacon.  In  the  following  May  Mr.  Gale 
was  succeeded  by  the  Reverend  Allan  Darrow,  a  man  of  exper- 
ience and  strong  character,  well  adapted  to  guide  a  young  church 
in  a  growing  community.  The  office  of  clerk  and  treasurer  was 
held  successively  by  Jared  Chollar,  Dwight  T.  Meech,  Arthur 
Tripp,  James  W.  Manning,  Ezra  D.  Carpenter,  Joseph  Lippitt. 
The  membership  of  the  church  constantly  increased,  embracing 
many  active,  devoted,  faithful  brethren  and  sisters.  Reverend 
Charles  Willett  succeeded  to  the  pastorate  in  1854,  another  strong 
and  influential  minister,  leaving  deep  impress  upon  the  life  and 
character  of  his  hearers.  His  successor,  in  1857,  was  Reverend 
W.  C.  Walker,  a  man  of  lovely  spirit  and  great  earnestness,  who 
labored  with  signal  success  during  the  memorable  revival  of  1867 
-58,  and  received  many  into  church  membership.  His  earnest 
•  patriotism  and  great  popularity  with  the  soldiers  led  him  to  ac- 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  783 

■cept  the  chaplaincy  of  the  18th  Connecticut  regiment,  a  position 
which  he  filled  with  great  usefulness  and  acceptance.  Mr.  Wil- 
lett,  "  without  a  dissenting  voice,"  resumed  his  former  charge. 

The  first  meeting  house  had  now  become  too  small  for  the  con- 
gregation, and  was  enlarged  and  remodelled.  J.  W.  Manning 
and  G.  W.  Carver  were  elected  deacons  in  1865,  "to  assist  their 
aged  brethren  in  the  spiritual  concerns  of  the  church."  Mr. 
Willett  resigned  his  position  in  October,  1872,  and  was  followed 
in  November  by  Reverend  B.  F.  Bronson,  D.D.,  a  veteran  pastor, 
highly  esteemed  throughout  the  Baptist  denomination.  In  the  fol- 
lowing February  the  Baptist  meeting  house  was  destroyed  by  fire. 
Immediate  efforts  were  made  to  replace  it  by  a  more  substantial 
and  commodious  structure.  Mr.  Rhodes  Allen  and  others  who 
had  helped  build  the  first  sanctuary,  were  equally  ready  to  give 
and  labor  for  the  second.  Mr.  George  M.  Morse,  Deacon  Man- 
ning and  many  others  gave  largely  of  their  substance,  and  on 
May  16th,  1874,  the  beautiful  house  was  ready  for  dedication. 
The  interesting  services  were  conducted  by  Doctor  Bronson. 
Prayers  were  offered  by  the  former  pastors,  Mr.  Willett  and 
Chaplain  Walker.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  Mr.  Davies  of 
Norwich,  in  place  of  Doctor  Lorrimor,  detained  by  illness.  In 
1875  George  M.  Morse  and  Frederick  E.  Levering  were  added  to 
the  number  of  deacons.  Charles  N.  Allen  succeeded  Mr.  Lip- 
pitt  as  clerk  and  treasurer.  Doctor  Bronson  continued  in  charge 
till  1881,  and  was  greatly  valued  as  a  man  of  broad  and  catholic 
spirit  as  well  as  fervent  piety,  of  high  culture,  fine  taste  and 
much  versat'  /;ty.  Reverend  J.  R.  Stubbert  entered  upon  the  pas- 
torate April  ist,  1882. 

A  commodious  parsonage  was  now  provided  on  land  given  by 
Deacon  G.  M.  Morse.  In  1887  M.  L.  Aldrich  was  chosen  clerk, 
-and  George  A.  Smith,  treasurer.  At  the  same  date  the  pews 
were  declared  free,  and  the  church  to  be  supported  by  the  volun- 
tary contributions  of  the  people.  For  more  than  forty  years 
the  Baptist  church  of  Putnam  has  ably  fulfilled  an  important 
mission,  and  made  itself  a  power  in  a  rapidly  developing  com- 
munity. Many  revivals  have  been  enjoyed,  adding  largely  to 
its  membership.  Much  aggressive  work  has  been  successfully 
carried  forward.  The  Sabbath  school  connected  with  the  church 
is  very  flourishing,  embracing  584  members.  The  present  mem- 
bership of  the  church  is  over  five  hundred. 

Congregationalists  closely  followed  Baptists  in  effort  and  or- 
.^anization.     Residents  of  the  valley  had  been  long  connected 


784  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

with  the  old  church  on  Killingly  hill,  afterward  recognized  as 
the  First  Congregational  church  of  Putnam,  and  many  of  the 
new  inhabitants  were  members  of  other  Congregational 
churches.  Two  ministers  in  the  vicinity,  foreseeing  the  im- 
portance of  the  position  and  believing  that  a  church  of  the 
Congregational  polity  might  be  sustained,  laid  the  matter  be- 
fore the  Windham  County  Association  of  Ministers  in  1847. 
That  body  appointed  Reverend  George  Tillotson,  of  Brooklyn 
(son-in-law  of  Mr.  Wilkinson),  to  devote  four  or  five  Sabbaths, 
and  as  much  intervening  time  as  was  practicable,  in  surveying 
the  field  and  awakening  interest.  The  brick  school  house  was 
secured  for  stated  services  upon  the  Sabbath.  Reverend  E.  B. 
Huntington  labored  as  missionary.  July  9th,  1848,  a  church  was 
organized  in  the  brick  school  house,  with  twenty-seven  members, 
nine  of  them  males,  dismissed  from  twelve  churches.  Nathan 
Williams  and  Amherst  Robinson  were  chosen  deacons.  Mr. 
Huntington  was  installed  pastor  in  November,  1848. 

The  church  gained  steadily,  but  did  not  think  it  wise  to  agitate 
the  question  of  building  a  house  of  worship,  and  Quinebaug  Hall 
was  used  for  that  purpose.  A  building  lot  on  the  corner  of  Main 
and  Pomfret  streets  was  given  to  the  society  by  Messrs.  Wil- 
kinsons and  Dorrance,  and  here  a  small  church  edifice  was 
built,  and  dedicated  January  15th,  1852.  Mr.  Huntington  had 
been  then  succeeded  by  Reverend  J.  Leonard  Corning,  an  able 
and  attractive  preacher,  soon  demanded  by  churches  of  larger 
promise.  The  pulpit  was  supplied  by  Reverend  Sidney  Deane 
and  Reverend  J.  R.  Johnson  until  1856,  when  a  change  of  base  ■ 
had  been  effected  and. the  church  recognized  as  the  Second  Con- 
gregational church  of  Putnam.  The  impulse  given  in  the  crea- 
tion of  the  new  town  extended  quickly  to  the  churches.  During 
the  ministry  of  Reverend  Eliakim  Phelps  the  number  of  church 
members  steadily  increased,  and  during  the  great  revival  of 
1858  many  were  gathered  in.  Reverend  George  Tillotson  en- 
tered upon  the  pastorate  March  10th  of  that  year,  when  the 
church  numbered  about  one  hundred  members.  Year  by  year 
gain  was  made  in  numbers,  efficiency  and  liberality.  Ere  long 
the  dongregation  had  outgrown  the  place  of  worship,  and  the 
site  of  the  present  church  edifice  was  secured.  The  former  lot 
was  sold,  and  an  ample  and  convenient  church  building  erected, 
and  dedicated  April  28th,  1870.  The  membership  of  the  church 
was  then  increased  to  over  two  hundred.     December  20th,  Rev- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  785 

erend  Thomas  M.  Boss  was  installed  as  pastor,  and  served  for 
six  years  with  zeal  and  efficiency.  A  quarter-century  commem- 
oration was  observed  the  second  Sabbath  of  July,  1873,  when  a, 
very  interesting  historical  discourse  was  given  by  Mr.  Boss. 
Reverend  E.  B.  Huntington,  first  pastor  of  the  church,  assisted 
in  the  service,  and  reminiscences  were  related  in  the  evening  ex- 
ercises by  older  members  of  the  church.  A  system  of  rules  for 
the  ordering  of  the  church  was  adopted  during  the  pastorate  of 
Mr.  Boss. 

Records  and  minutes  of  church  affairs  were  unfortunately 
destroyed  in  the  great  fire.  Mr.  Boss  was  dismissed  in  1876, 
and  succeeded  by  Reverend  C.  S.  Brooks,  installed  May  29th, 
1877,  who  continued  in  service  ten  years,  during  which  period 
the  church  maintained  steady  growth  and  prosperity.  The 
present  pastor.  Reverend  A.  D.  Love,  was  installed  July  20th, 
1887,  and  entered  upon  his  work  with  great  earnestness.  The 
present  membership  of  the  church  is  328.  Messrs.  Myron  Kin- 
ney, E.  M.  Wheaton,  T.  P.  Botham  and  F.  W.  Perry  serve  as 
deacons;  J.  Davenport,  clerk;  H.  N.  Fenn,  treasurer;  S.  H.  Sew- 
ard, superintendent  of  Sunday  school,  which  enrolls  some  300 
members.  Sunday  schools  are  also  carried  on  atHarrisvilleand 
in  Sawyer's  district,  numbering  about  a  hundred  pupils.  Regu- 
lar preaching  services  are  held  in  these  districts  and  at  Putnam 
Heights. 

Methodists  had  long  been  prominent  in  the  Quinebaug  valley, 
holding  services  in  Cargill's  mill  house,  Perrin's  dwelling  house 
and  later  in  the  brick  school  house.  The  first  Methodist  camp 
meeting  in  eastern  Connecticut  was  held  *in  Perrin's  Grove  in 
1808,  and  many  other  famous  meetings  were  held  in  the  same 
locality.  "  Dow's  Grove,"  lately  Mechanics'  Park,  received  its 
first  name  from  a  service  held  therein  by  the  noted  Lorenzo 
Dow,  who  finding  the  brick  school  house  already  occupied. by 
Elder  Grow  and  the  Baptist  brethren,  drove  on  into  the  woods 
on  the  Killingly  road,  hung  his  hat  up.on  a  twig  and  began 
preaching  or  rather  reciting  poetry.  Yet  so  numerous  in  the 
vicinity,  Methodists  were  slow  in  establishing  regular  worship 
and  removing  their  relationship  from  the  West  Thompson 
church.  The  mile  or  two  was  of  little  consequence  in  those 
days  when  worshippers  were  accustomed  to  Sabbath  days'  jour- 
neying, and  the  Thompson  society  was  strong  and  vigorous, 
with  the  best  of  Methodist  singing  and   preaching.     It  was  not 

50 


786  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

till  Putnam  had  become  a  town  that  measures  were  taken  for 
providing  a  Methodist  house  of  worship.  Land  was  loaned  by 
the  Nightingale  Manufacturing  Company  and  building  initia- 
ted. 

A  number  of  Methodist  brethren  and  sisters,  mostly  mem- 
bers of  the  West  Thompson  church,  organized  as  a  distinct  bod)^ 
June  25th,  1858,  Reverend  L.  B.  Bates  officiating.  Worship  was 
maintained  in  Morse's  Hall  till  the  opening  of  the  new  church 
edifice.  Dedication  services  were  held  December  30th,  con- 
ducted mainly  by  Elders  Ramsdell  and  Bates.  In  1859  Elder 
C.  S.  Sanford  served  as  pastor,  when  the  membership  had 
reached  over  a  hundred.  Reverends  H.  W.  Conant,  G.  W.  Brews- 
ter, James  Mather,  John  Lovejoy,  Robert  Clarke,  L.  D.  Bentley, 
James  Thomas,  A.  N.  Bodfish,  E.  F.  Jones,  W.  P.  Stoddard,  L. 
P.  Cansey,  James  Tregaskis,  George  H.  Butler,  have  served  suc- 
cessively as  pastors  of  this  church.  An  interesting  historical 
discourse  was  prepared  by  Mr.  Clarke  in  1868.  All  debts  were 
then  paid  and  the  society  flourishing.  The  present  pastor  is 
Reverend  Wilbur  C.  Newell ;  church  membership,  110  ;  Sunday 
school  members,  90. 

Putnam,  like  other  modern  manufacturing  towns,  embraces 
now  a  large  foreign  element.  In  the  former  days  of  "  Pomfret 
Factory  and  Rhodesville,"  masters  and  workmen  were  alike  of 
New  England  stock,  descended  mainly  from  old  Puritan  fam- 
ilies, to  whom  the  very  name  of  Catholic  was  the  embodiment  of 
false  doctrine  and  usurped  authority.  The  advent  of  the  first 
French  Canadian,  Peter  Donough,  in  1843,  with  a  large  family 
of  children,  their  foreign  tongues  and  outlandish  ways,  excited 
much  curiosity  and  interest.  Other  Canadians  followed  with 
troops  of  children,  and  after  the  opening  of  the  three  great  fac- 
tories in  1848,  foreign  operatives  were  very  generally  employed. 
Reverend  Michael  McCabe  was  sent  by  the  Catholic  bishop  of 
Connecticut  to  look  after  these  wandering  sheep  and  hold  relig- 
ious services.  For  a  time  most  of  these  foreigners  only  staid  to 
earn  a  little  money  and  take  it  back  to  Canada,  but  as  their  num- 
bers multiplied  a  portion  became  permanent  residents. 

Holy  Mass  was  now  celebrated  monthly  in  Quinebaug  Hall,  and 
an  acre  of  land  purchased  for  religious  purposes.  Putnam  parish, 
as  then  constituted,  embraced  also  Pomfret,  Woodstock  and 
Thompson.  Reverend  William  E.  Duffy,  Pascoag,  R.  I.,  was 
placed  in  charge  as  a  missionary  in   1858,  and  in  the  following 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  787 

year  laid  the  foundation  of  the  first  Catholic  house  of  worship  in 
northeastern  Connecticut.  It  was  a  small  wooden  structure, 
costing  when  completed  a  little  over  two  thousand  dollars,  but 
Avas  considered  quite  an  achievement  for  this  migratory  and  scat- 
tered population.  Little  progress  was  made  till  the  advent  of 
Reverend  Eugene  J.  Vygen,  in  1866,  a  newly  ordained  minister 
from  Belgium,  consecrated  to  missionary  work  in  the  United 
States.  Sent  to  administer  the  sacraments  to  the  Catholics  of 
Putnam,  he  was  greatly  moved  by  the  spiritual  destitution  of  the 
people.  Without  resident  priest,  schools  or  burial  ground,  it  was 
no  marvel  that  "  scandals  became  frequent  and  the  Church  of 
God  suffered."  The  keen-eyed  young  missionary  saw  at  a  glance 
the  great  capabilities  of  the  field.  Some  half-dozen  large  cotton 
manufactories  in  Putnam  and  Thompson  were  bringing  in  hun- 
dreds of  Catholic  families.  Putnam  village  gave  promise  of  be- 
coming an  important  business  center,  and  was  the  natural  church 
home  of  this  increasing  Catholic  population.  With  much  earn- 
estness Father  Vygen  laid  the  need  and  opportunity  before  the 
bishop  of  the  diocese,  and  was  allowed  to  enter  upon  the  Putnam 
pastorate. 

The  result  has  far  more  than  realized  his  most  sanguine 
anticipations.  Giving  his  whole  time  and  energies  to  the 
work,  within  two  years  he  had  secured  the  laying  out  and  con- 
secration of  a  convenient  Catholic  cemetery,  purchased  other 
land,  and  erected  a  pastoral  residence,  and  fused  the  scattered 
elements  into  a  united  and  reverent  congregation.  Before  pro- 
ceeding to  erect  a  worthy  church  edifice  he  returned  to  Europe 
and  gathered  aid  from  many  friends,  and  then  entered  upon  this 
great  work  with  redoubled  energy  and  enthusiasm.  The  wooden 
►Structure  was  soon  replaced  by  a  substantial  brick  building,  with 
trimmings  of  light  gray  granite.  Its  interior  was  very  fine,  fitted 
up  with  much  care  and  taste.  The  altar  was  "a  gem  of  art," 
adorned  with  angels  wrought  in  Munich,  "  of  the  highest  order 
of  art,  ideality  and  beauty."  Above  and  back  of  the  altar  were 
three  stained  glass  windows.  The  semi-dome  over-arching  the 
altar  was  divided  into  five  panels,  colored  in  deep  blue  and  stud- 
ded with  gold  stars ;  in  each  was  the  representation  of  an  ador- 
ing angel,  each  carrying  an  emblem  of  the  passion  of  our  Lord. 
The  first  carries  the  crown  of  thorns  ;  the  second  the  cross ;  the 
third  the  palm  of  victory ;  the  fourth  the  chalice  ;  the  fifth  car- 
rying wheat,  significant  of  the  Eucharist.     Pulpit  and  organ  were 


788 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 


in  keeping.  This  beautiful  structure,  capable  of  seating  fifteen 
hundred  people,  was  formally  consecrated  as  St.  Mary's  church, 
by  Right  Reverend  Bishop  McFarland,  November  24th,  1870, 
and  for  nearly  five  years  had  served  the  purposes  of  its  construc- 
tion, receiving  thousands  of  joyful  worshippers,  when  almost  in  a 
moment  it  was  reduced  to  ashes.  So  rapid  was  the  fire  that  not 
one  of  its  valued  treasures  was  rescued — library,  organ,  altar, 
chalice,  were  all  consumed.  The  building  with  its  contents  was 
valued  at  $85,000.  With  his  accustomed  energy  Father  Vygen 
at  once  commenced  the  erection  of  a  chapel,  celebrating  mass  on 
Sundays  meanwhile  at  Ouinebaug  Hall.  November  1st,  1876, 
St.  Joseph's  Hall  was  dedicated  by  Right  Reverend  Bishop  Gal- 
berry — a  neat  and  tasteful  building  in  the  rear  of  the  blackened 
ruins,  furnishing  seats  for  eight  hundred  people.  The  erection 
of  Catholic  church  edifices  in  other  towns  has  somewhat  di- 
minished the  number  of  regular  attendants  at  Putnam,  so  that  this 
hall  has  continued  to  accommodate  the  consfreofation.  In  1873 
Reverend  H.  Martial,  afterward  the  much-beloved  and  respected 
pastor  of  Grosvenor  Dale  parish,  was  appointed  assistant  of 
Father  Vygen.  Reverends  Thomas  P.  Joynt,  Alphonse  Van  Op- 
pen  and  Edward  Chapdelaine  have  also  served  as  curates.  Father 
E.  J.  Vygen*,  now  the  senior  minister  in  Putnam,  is  much  beloved 
by  his  people  and  respected  by  all  for  his  consistent  Christian 
character  and  faithful  labors  in  behalf  of  temperance,  morality 
and  all  salutary  enterprises. 

A  recent  survey  of  Putnam,  accomplished  under  the  direction 
of  the  Connecticut  Bible  Society,  gives  the  following  denomina- 
tional statistics : 

Advent  families 29. 

Baptist         "        194. 

Congregational  families.  .162. 

Episcopal  families 17. 

Methodist        "        68. 

-  Roman  Catholic  families . .  593. 

Universalist  families 34. 

Scattering  families 11. 

The  number  of  Catholic  families  and  individuals  thus  consid- 
erably exceeds  those  of  all  other  denominations  combined.  In 
regard  to  nationalities,  the  report  shows :  American  families, 
588  ;  individuals,  2,198.  French  families,  464  ;  individuals,  2,604. 
Irish  families,  105  ;  individuals,  433.  English  families,  21  ;  in- 
*Father  Vygen  died  in  October,  1889.— Ed. 


Individuals .... 

. .     105. 

..    825. 

. .     529. 

..       74. 

. .     248. 

..3,135. 

..     115. 

..       31. 

HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  789 

dividuals,  109.  Others,  nine  families  with  fifteen  members.  The 
Catholic  churclT  grounds  include  the  ruins  of  St.  Mary's  church, 
St.  Joseph's  Hall,  a  convent,  school  house,  parsonage,  gas  build- 
ing, music  stand,  park,  flower  garden.  They  also  have  laid  out 
and  own  St.  Joseph's  Park  upon  the  Quinebaug,  south  of  the 
village,  a  part  of  the  old  Perrin  farm.  Within  the  last  twenty 
years  there  has  been  a  great  change  in  the  character  and  stand- 
ing of  the  "  foreign  element."  It  is  more  and  more  manifest 
that  it  has  come  to  stay.  Children  of  these  families  growing  up 
in  the  town  are  truly  citizens.  Many  own  their  own  homes  and 
farms,  engage  in  agriculture  and  trade,  and  are  identified  in 
many  ways  with  the  growth  and  development  of  the  town,  shar- 
ing in  the  administration  of  government.  Very  interesting  ser- 
vices have  recently  been  held  in  Putnam  in  commemoration  of 
the  twenty-fifth  anniversary  of  Father  Vygen's  ordination.  Ju- 
bilee services  began  Monday  evening,  April  1st,  at  Exhibition 
Hall,  when  all  the  societies  connected  with  the  church  were 
present  in  regalia,  with  all  the  school  children,  members  of 
the  boarding  school  and  hundreds  of  spectators.  A  brilliant 
procession  accompanied  the  Reverend  Father  to  the  church  the 
next  morning,  where  high  mass  was  performed.  Bishop  McMa- 
hon  and  a  dozen  priests  assisting.  More  than  twenty  Catholic 
clergymen  were  present  on  this  occasion.  A  vast  audience  filled 
Exhibition  Hall,  where  an  ovation  was  given  by  the  young  la- 
dies of  the  convent  school,  consisting  of  music,  song  and  ad- 
dresses. Very  interesting  congratulatory  and  historic  addresses 
were  made  by  Doctor  La  Rue  in  behalf  of  the  Canadian  element 
of  the  parish,  and  by  Mr.  Patrick  O'Leary  in  behalf  of  the  Irish. 
In  summing  up  the  results  of  twenty-three  years'  faithful  labor, 
it  was  noted  that  in  18-66  the  whole  property  of  the  Catholic 
church  in  this  section  was  one  little  wooden  building  with  the 
site  on  which  it  stood,  while  in  1889  it  numbers  five  churches, 
five  priests,  two  convents  and  two  large  parochial  schools. 

Regular  Episcopal  services  were  established  in  Putnam  in 
November,  1868,  under  charge  of  Reverend  J.  W.  Clark,  now 
rector  of  St.  James'  church,  Washington,  D.  C.  These  services 
were  held  in  Brown's  Hall  during  the  erection  of  St.  Philip's 
chapel,  on  Elm  street.  The  corner  stone  of  this  edifice  was  laid 
with  appropriate  ceremonies,  October  18th,  1870,  and  the  house 
opened  for  worship  February  24th,  1874,  Bishops  Williams,  of 
Connecticut,  and  Paddock,  of  Massachusetts,  and  other  noted  cler- 


790  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

gymen  assisting  in  the  exercises.  About  a  hundred  families 
have  been  connected  with  this  parish,  of  whom  a  considerable 
number  are  residents  of  neighboring  towns.  Reverend  J.  W. 
Clark  was  succeeded  in  1876  b}^  Reverend  E.  Jessup,  who  was 
followed  successively  by  Reverends  P.  H.  Whaley,  W.  F.  Bielby 
and  A.  P.  Chapman.  The  present  imcumbent  is  Reverend  T. 
H.  Church.     The  seatings  in  the  church  are  free. 

An  Advent  Christian  church  was  organized  in  1870,  Reverend 
D.  Matthewson  pastor.  This  church  has  erected  a  neat  chapel 
and  maintains  stated  services.  Its  pastor  is  an  earnest  and  faith- 
ful laborer. 

September  12th,  1887,  Universal! sts  organized  as  a  distinct 
church,  holding  services  in  the  hall  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic.  Reverend  D.  L.  R.  Libby  serves  as  its  pastor.  Trus- 
tees of  the  parish  are:  Orrin  Morse,  chairman  ;  J.  F.  Weather- 
head,  clerk;  Marvin  Barrett,  treasurer;  H.  P.  Benner,  R.  B. 
Stroud,  Irwin  H.  Roberts. 

Spiritualists  maintained  stated  services  for  a  number  of  years, 
but  are  now  disbanded. 

Putnam  enjoys  a  peculiar  religious  institution  in  what  is 
known  as  the  "  Holiness  Prayer  Meeting,"  carried  on  year  after 
year  in  Morse's  Hall,  with  ever-increasing  interest.  Christians 
of  various  denominations  and  towns,  pledged  to  higher  life  and 
deeper  spiritual  consecration,  have  found  these  union  meetings 
a  special  means  of  grace  to  themselves  and  the  source  of  un- 
measured blessings  to  many  sympathizing  attendants. 

Schools  received  immediate  care  from  the  fathers  of  Putnam. 
Their  iirst  meeting  as  a  school  society  was  held  at  Quinebaug 
Hall,  July  9th,  1855.  Aloses  Chandler  was  chosen  clerk  and 
treasurer.  The  first  school  committee  were  its  honored  citizens, 
Chandler  A.  Spalding,  Richmond  M.  Bullock  and  Lucian  Carpen- 
ter. Reverend  Charles  Willett,  Messrs.  Harrison  Johnson,  G. 
W.  Phillips,  W.  W.  White  and  Nathan  Williams  were  appointed 
school  visitors;  Lucian  Carpenter,  collector.  At  the  second 
meeting,  September  21st,  Messrs.  Manning,  Willett  and  B.  F. 
Hutchins  were  empowered  to  set  out  and  bound  districts.  Octo- 
ber 6th,  a  larger  number  were  designated  for  the  important  ser- 
vice of  investigating  and  fixing  suitable  district  boundaries,  viz., 
James  Allen,  William  Tourtellote,  Alvan  D.  Potter,  Henry 
Hough,  L.  Hopkins.  Their  elaborate  report  was  mainly  ac- 
cepted, and  after  some  minor  alterations  the  bounds  were  allowed 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  791 

nearly  as  at  present.  Some  distant  portions  of  the  territory  were 
associated  with  adjoining  districts  in  other  towns.  The  six  dis- 
tricts wholly  included  in  Putnam,  after  subsequent  changes  and 
consolidation,  were  generally  known  as:  1,  East  Putnam;  2,  South 
Neighborhood;  3,  Putnam  Heights;  4,  Gary  District;  5,  Depot 
Village;  6,  Rhodesville.  The  first  formal  school  report  was  pre- 
sented by  Visitors  Horace  Seamans  and  Daniel  Plimpton  in  1859. 
Number  of  children  then  reported  in  town,  685;  number  of  non- 
attendants,  196.  The  expense  of  maintaining  public  schools  for 
the  year,  including  repairs  of  school  houses,  was  nineteen  hun- 
dred dollars;  monthly  wages  paid  to  male  teachers,  $31.27;  to  fe- 
male teachers,  $16.54.  Judge  Seamans  resigned  his  position  in 
1862,  after  seven  years'  faithful  service,  his  experience  in  teach- 
ing and  deep  interest  in  public  education  and  the  growth  of  the 
town,  giving  much  weight  to  his  counsel  and  judgment.  Doc- 
tor Plimpton  succeeded  as  chairman  of  the  board  of  visitors. 
The  growth  of  the  schools  in  the  central  districts  was  now  very 
rapid,  demanding  new  school  houses  and  additional  teachers.  In 
his  careful  reports  Doctor  Plimpton  urged  with  much  earnest- 
ness the  special  needs  of  Putnam  village,  viz.,  the  consolidation 
of  the  two  districts,  and  the  establishment  of  graded  schools  with 
suitable  high  school.  This  project  was  warmly  discussed,  hav- 
ing earnest  friends  and  equally  earnest  opponents. 

In  1866  a  vote  was  carried  in  town  meeting  to  accept  the  act 
of  legislature  allowing  consolidation  and  a  Union  school  district. 
Strenuous  objections  were  made  at  the  time,  especially  from  the 
upper  district.  At  a  special  town  meeting,  January  5th,  1867, 
this  vote  was  rescinded  by  93  versus  90.  Agitation  continued, 
and  zealous  efforts  on  both  sides,  resulting  in  what  was  called 
"the  Sixth  District  School  Fight,"  an  episode  in  Putnam's  his- 
tory meriting  Carlyle's  "  wise  oblivion."  A  motion  from  one  of 
the  chief  opposers  of  consolidation  laid  the  question  on  the 
table  by  a  final  vote  of  140  versus  111. 

Doctor  Plimpton  was  succeeded  as  chairman  of  the  board  of 
visitors  by  Reverend  G.  J.  Tillotson,  who,  like  his  predecessors, 
gave  much  time  and  thought  to  the  interests  of  the  schools,  es- 
pecially those  of  the  central  districts,  now  numbering  672  of  the 
838  children.  Irregular  attendance  and  lack  of  accommodation 
and  suitable  classification  were  greatly  deplored.  In  1869  new 
buildings  were  reported,  with  over  a  thousand  children.  An- 
other veteran  schoolteacher,  Mr.  J.J.  Green,  was  now  very  active 


792  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

in  school  affairs,  himself  instructing  adult  pupils  in  a  night 
school.  Doctor  Bronson  and  Mr.  W.  H.  Ward  also  served  very 
efficiently  on  the  school  board.  As  the  children  of  the  early  res- 
idents of  the  town  grew  up  into  maturity  the  need  of  higher  ed- 
ucational privileges  was  more  vitally  apparent.  July  25th,  1873, 
a  meeting  was  called  to  consider  the  question  of  establishing  a 
high  school.  A  motion  to  dissolve  the  meeting  was  lost  by  a 
majority  of  ten.  A  majority  of  twelve  voted  to  establish  a  high 
school  in  Putnam.  It  was  further  voted  to  raise  $12,000  for 
school  lot  and  building.  Messrs.  Manning,  Alton,  Wheelock, 
Wilson  and  Fisher  were  chosen  a  committee  to  discharge  all  du- 
ties relating  to  the  projected  school;  Messrs.  Chamberlain, 
Houghton,  Capen,  H.  N.  Brown,  Salem  Ballard,  committee  for 
site.  Land  was  purchased  from  Mr.  G.  M.  Morse.  Messrs.  Phil- 
lips, Carpenter,  G.  M.  Morse,  Capen  and  Wheelock  were  appoint- 
ed committee  for  building.  A  room  was  hired  for  school  pur- 
poses and  the  high  school  actually  begun  during  this  year.  Ad- 
ditional funds  were  needed  for  building  purposes  in  the  autumn. 
The  prospect  of  a  heavy  debt  and  greatly  increased  school  ex- 
penditures was  very  distasteful  to  taxpayers  in  the  town,  espe- 
cially to  those  who  had  no  personal  interest  in  a  high  school. 
October  6th  the  town  was  again  called  together,  to  reconsider 
the  question  and  rescind  previous  votes.  A  majority  of  47  au- 
thoritatively decided  that  the  school  had  come  to  stay;  that  a 
public  high  school  had  become  an  imperative  necessity.  Forty, 
nine  pupils  were  reported  the  first  term,  with  Latham  Fitch 
principal,  and  Ellen  Osgood  assistant.  The  school  building  was 
dedicated,  with  appropriate  exercises,  December  1st,  1874.  Su- 
perintendent Northrup  and  other  prominent  friends  of  education 
were  present.  The  number  of  pupils  was  then  65^8  from  out- 
side the  town. 

In  the  fifteen  years  following  this  opening  the  school  has 
been  well  sustained.  Competent  and  faithful  teachers  have 
required  and  secured  a  high  standard  of  scholarship.  Hundreds 
of  pupils  within  the  limits  of  the  town,  and  a  goodly  number  of 
outside  pupils,  have  enjoyed  its  advantages.  Public  graduation 
exercises  from  year  to  year  have  excited  much  interest.  Schol- 
ars have  gone  out  fitted  for  higher  seminaries  and  college,  and 
for  various  departments  of  business  and  usefulness.  Graduates 
and  scholars  have  united  in  a  Putnam  High  School  Association, 
keeping  alive  friendship  and  interest  by  pleasant  "  Field-days  " 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  793 

in  Roseland  Park.  At  the  close  of  the  last  school  year  nine 
graduates  participated  in  the  exercises.  The  influence  of  the 
school  has  been  every  way  salutary  and  stimulating.  The  pub- 
lic schools  throughout  the  town  are  in  good  condition.  An 
interesting  report  is  recently  given  of  the  closing  exercises  in 
Sawyer's  district,  formerly  "  District  No.  1,"  of  the  town  of 
Thompson.  Out  of  forty-two  scholars  the  average  attend- 
ance was  thirty-seven.  The  number  of  children  reported  in 
Putnam  in  1888,  between  four  and  sixteen  years  of  age, 
was  1,558;  account  for  high  school,  $2,277.82;  for  district 
schools,  $5,677.45;  for  night  schools,  $349.83.  School  visitors: 
Lucius  H.  Fuller,  Eric  H.  Johnson,  J.  B.  Kent,  Omer  La  Rue, 
Frank  H.  Church,  Darius  S.  Skinner.  Mr.  Skinner  also  serves 
as  truant  officer.  ' 

Parochial  schools  are  also  maintained  for  the  boys  and  girls  of 
the  Catholic  parish,  under  the  auspices  and  superintendence  of 
Father  Vygen.  The  school  house  was  built  in  1873,  together 
with  a  very  commodious  and  ample  edifice,  designed  for  a  first- 
class  boarding  school  for  young  ladies,  conducted  by  Sisters  of 
Mercy.  These  buildings  are  on  the  church  grounds,  near  St. 
Joseph's  Hall  and  the  ruins  of  St.  Mary's  church,  and  are  fitted 
up  with  great  care  and  taste.  Part  of  the  cost  was  defrayed  by 
the  insurance  on  the  burnt  cathedral.  The  schools  were  opened 
in  April,  1874.  At  least  four  hundred  pupils  attend  the  paro- 
chial schools,  and  about  sixty  the  boarding  school.  This  school 
is  of  a  high  order,  conducted  by  devoted  and  accomplished  Sis- 
ters. The  first  superior  and  principal.  Sister  M.  Josephine,  a 
person  of  high  mental  attainments,  died  in  1876.  Her  suc- 
cessor, M.  Paula,  is  well  qualified  for  the  duties  of  her  charge, 
and  young  women  graduating  from  this  institution  sustain  a 
rigid  examination  with  great  credit.  The  admirable  discipline 
and  order  observed  in  these  schools,  the  superior  and  thorough 
character  of  the  buildings,  the  beauty  of  the  grounds,  testify  in 
the  strongest  terms  to  the  energy  and  fidelity  of  their  reverend 
projector. 

The  manufacture  of  cotton  goods,  the  prime  element  in  Put- 
nam's early  growth  and  prosperity,  is  still  its  dominant  interest, 
engrossing  the  largest  amount  of  capital,  giving  employment  to 
by  far  the  largest  number  of  residents.  Rhodesville  leads  in 
this  manufacture  with  its  mammoth  mills  and  myriad  looms. 
As  in  former  days  Mr.  Smith  Wilkinson  stood  for  the  embodi- 


794  HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

ment  of  manufacturing-  enterprise,  so  now  one  man  stands  at 
the  head  of  three  large  establishments,  overseeing  the  general 
interests  of  a  business  far  beyond  the  highest  ideal  of  previous 
generations.  The  Morse  mill  with  its  large  addition,  the  fine 
Powhatan  mill  erected  in  1872,  the  mills  of  the  former  Night- 
ingale Company,  including  the  old  Rhodesville  mill,  are  all  un- 
der the  management  of  the  general  agent  and  part  proprietor, 
George  M.  Morse  ;  G.  C.  Nightingale,  treasurer.  A  capital  of 
$600,000  is  invested  in  these  manufactories.  More  than  nine 
hundred  looms  are  run,  and  about  eight  hundred  hands  em- 
ployed. The  former  Ballou  mill  passed  into  the  hands  of  Mr. 
Edward  Cutler,  a  much  respected  resident  of  Putnam,  who  car- 
ried on  the  establishment  for  a  number  of  years.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  an  association  of  Providence  gentlemen,  known  as  the 
Putnam  Manufacturing  Company,  which  after  various  reverses, 
still  retains  the  privilege.  South  of  the  Falls,  on  Meadow  street, 
are  the  fine  new  buildings  of  the  Monohansett  Manufacturing 
Company  for  the  manufacture  of  sheetings,  established  in  1872 
— Estus  Lamb  and  George  W.  Holt,  of  Providence,  proprietors. 
About  175  hands  are  employed  by  this  company — George  W. 
Holt,  president;  A.  F.  Lamb,  treasurer;  George  W.  Holt,  Jr., 
resident  agent. 

The  old  Pomfret  Factory  Wdfelen  Company,  which  under  the 
management  of  Mr.  M.  Moriarty,  had  been  doing  a  very  success- 
ful business,  was  seriously  crippled  by  the  failure  of  a  large 
wool  house  in  New  York  and  after  a  year's  struggle  was  forced 
to  make  an  assignment.  The  present  Putnam  Woolen  Company 
was  organized  in  1878;  E.  A.  Wheelock,  resident  agent  and 
treasurer.  This  company  improves  the  privilege  of  the  former 
woolen  company  in  the  manufacture  of  cassimere,  employing 
nineteen  sets  of  machinery  and  over  three  hundred  hands. 

With  the  influx  of  new  blood  and  capital  several  new  and 
promising  industries  have  been  established.  In  this  aggressive 
age  the  supreme  authority  of  King  Cotton  has  been  questioned, 
and  wool,  silk,  iron,  steel  and  even  such  down-trodden  entities 
as  shoes,  assert  their  claim  to  equal  sovereignty. 

The  manufacture  of  silk  goods  was  introduced  in  Putnam  by 
Messrs.  G.  A.  Hammond  and  C.  C.  Knowlton,  January  1st,  1878. 
Land  and  building  on  the  flat  below  the  falls  was  procured  from 
Mr.  G.  M.  Morse,  one  of  the  contracting  parties,  and  great  pains 
taken  with  all  the  initiatory  arrangements  for  this  novel  enter- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  795 

prise.  About  thirty  girls  were  ready  to  begin  work,  attracted 
by  tbe  inlierent  fascination  of  silken  fabrics  for  the  feminine 
mind — with  a  sufficient  number  of  experienced  workmen  to  in- 
struct and  aid.  With  new  machinery,  skilled  labor  and  unwear- 
ied pains  the  mill  was  successfully  set  in  motion,  and  bales  of 
silken  filaments  from  Japan  and  China  wrought  into  substantial 
sewing-silk  and  twist  for  American  use.  The  process,  though 
not  difficult,  required  a  nicety  of  touch  and  observation,  and 
many  applicants  failed  to  meet  these  conditions,  but  in  time  all 
difficulties  were  overcome  and  many  women  and  girls  rejoiced 
in  the  establishment  of  this  agreeable  and  remunerative  in- 
dustry. At  the  close  of  their  first  decade  the  Putnam  Silk  Mills  re- 
port continued  progress  and  prosperity.  In  1885  the  business 
had  so  outgrown  accommodations  that  the  old  mill  was  rented 
and  the  works  and  machinery  moved  into  a  large  three-story 
building  in  the  same  vicinity,  furnishing  ample  room,  abundant 
light  and  every  convenience.  About  a  hundred  and  twenty-five 
operatives,  including  ninety  girls,  are  steadily  employed.  A  vis- 
itor to  the  mills  is  struck  by  the  order,  neatness  and  apparent 
cheerfulness  of  its  inmates.  The. process  by  which  the  slender 
spinnings  of  the  silkworm  are  transformed^  into  familiar  silk 
and  twist  and  heavy  braid  is  a  marvel  of  mechanical  skill  and 
ingenuity.  The  weekly  product  is  sent  immediately  to  market, 
through  their  own  agent,  no  "  middle  men  "  being  employed  by 
this  firm,  and  the  experiment  of  silk  manufacture  in  Putnam 
has  proved  a  financial  benefit  to  all  concerned. 

The  shoemaker  is  not  a  modern  invention.  As  far  back  as  can 
be  remembered  every  neighborhood  had  its  local  cobbler.  Two 
or  three  such  shoemakers  and  menders  were  known  in  the  Quine- 
baug  valley,  their  shops  a  famous  rendezvous  for  boys  and  news- 
mongers. The  first  to  introduce  anything  like  the  modern  sale 
shoe  manufacture  into  Putnam  was  Reverend  Sidney  Deane,  who 
had  previously  served  with  great  acceptance  in  the  Methodist 
ministry.  A  man  of  much  versatility  and  abounding  energy,  he 
was  especially  adapted  to  the  exigencies  of  the  aspiring  villages, 
and  encouraged  to  engage  in  shoe  manufacture  in  1852.  An  ar- 
dent champion  of  the  new  town  interests,  he  was  yet  elected 
representative  of  Thompson  in  1854,  on  the  express  understand- 
ing that  the  question  of  separation  was  not  to  be  raised  at  the 
approaching  session  of  legislature.  But  unsettled  questions  per- 
sist in  asserting  themselves  on  all  occasions;  "  manifest  destinv" 


796  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

hurried  matters  to  a  crisis,  and  Thompson's  elected  representa- 
tive carried  all  before  him  in  a  most  eloquent  appeal  in  behalf 
of  the  new  town.  The  "  tide  "  in  Mr.  Deane's  affairs  that  set  in 
with  his  championship  of  the  future  Putnam,  swept  him  on  to  a 
seat  in  congress  and  political  life,  leaving  the  shoe  manufacture 
in  the  hands  of  one  of  his  assistants,  Mr.  Charles  M.  Fisher. 
"Fisher  &  Clarke"  carried  on  the  business  for  a  year,- then 
Fisher  alone  for  a  year.  In  1856  Edward  T.  Whitmore  associated 
with  Mr.  Fisher,  under  the  firm  name  of  "  Fisher  &  Whitmore," 
their  partnership  continuing  about  eight  years. 

Great  changes  were  continually  made  in  this  manufacture  by 
the  introduction  of  machinery  and  new  modes  of  working,  in- 
volving the  necessity  of  larger  accommodations  and  outlay. 
William  G.  Tourtellotte  was  associated  for  a  time  with  Mr. 
Fisher,  as  C.  M.  Fisher  &  Co.  Thomas  P.  Botham,  Hiram  H. 
Burnham  and  William  D.  Case  were  later  partners,  w.ho  repre- 
sent the  firm  since  the  death  of  Mr.  Fisher,  September  30th, 
1886.  About  120,000  pairs  of  shoes  are  annually  produced  by 
this  firm,  employing  from  eighty  to  a  hundred  hands.  Steam 
power  is  used  as  far  as  practicable. 

Mr.  Whitmore  continued  in  the  shoe  business,  having  for  a 
time  W.  H.  Tourtellotte  for  a  partner,  and  then,  with  Mr.  W.  S. 
Johnson,  established  the  firm  of  "Whitmore  &  Johnson,"  mak- 
ing women's,  boy's  and  misses'  boots  and  shoes.  Losing  their 
factory  in  one  of  Putnam's  destructive  fires,  they  now  occupy 
the  "  old  silk  mill,"  abandoned  by  the  silk  manufacturers  for 
a  larger  building.  Beside  carrying  on  this  extensive  manu- 
factory, Mr.  Whitmore  has  operated  in  real  estate,  building  a 
number  of  houses  on  Elm  street.  Mr.  Artemas  Corbin,  who 
has  been  for  many  years  connected  with  shoe  manufacture  in 
Putnam,  and  Mr.  Prescott  Bartlett,  are  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  slippers,  employing  each  a  considerable  number  of 
hands. 

Carpenters  and  masons,  workers  in  wood  and  stone,  have 
found  abundant  employment  in  Putnam.  The  Truesdells,  Whit- 
fords,  Chamberlain^,  Farrows,  Waters,  Herendien  are  among 
the  many  who  have  helped  build  up  the  town.  John  O.  Fox, 
so  useful  in  many  ways,  opened  a  lum.ber  yard  about  1860. 
The  Bundys  have  long  served  as  house  painters  in  Putnam, 
and  adjoining  towns  have  called  out  a  corresponding  advance 
in  the  whole  line  of  house  building  and  decoration.     The  old- 


HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY.  797 

time  house  carpenter,  plodding  interminably  over  a  single 
dwelling,  is  superseded  by  great  establishments,  with  gangs  of 
jolly  workmen,  driving  jauntily  about  and  hastily  throwing  up 
Queen  Anne  and  other  fanciful  structures.  Much  of  the  ma- 
terial used  is  prepared  by  machinery  and  steam,  B.  M.  Kent 
established  in  1875  a  manufactory  of  window  frames,  sashes, 
doors,  blinds,  balusters  and  kindred  articles.  Much  work  has 
been  accomplished  by  contractors  Kelly  and  Wheaton,  erecting 
many  of  the  fine  new  buildings  in  Putnam,  Pomfret  and  other 
towns.  A  large  number  of  men  are  employed  by  them  during 
the  summer.  Other  work  is  done  by  John  Adams,  bricklayer 
and  contractor,  by  H.  F.  Hopkins  and  others.  A  lumber  yard 
is  kept  by  Myron  Kinney.  Many  workmen  are  employed  in  hoUvSe 
painting  and  decoration  by  Mr.  T.  L.  Bundy. 

Putnam's  development  in  manufacturing  enterprise  has  been 
much  quickened  by  the  formation  of  a  Business  Men's  Asso- 
ciation. Keen-sighted  men  awoke  to  the  conviction  that  the 
business  of  the  town  was  not  sufficiently  diversified;  was  too 
much  limited  to  the  cotton  factory  interest.  A  meeting  was  called 
in  March,  1884,  in  which  some  forty  citizens  participated.  Mr. 
Manning  served  as  chairman.  Much  spirit  and  unanimity  were 
manifested.  Appropriate  remarks  were  made  by  different  busi- 
ness men.  The  chairman  stated  that  Putnam  had  grand  water 
privileges  and  admirable  railroad  facilities;  had  started  with 
sixteen  hundred  inhabitants,  and  therefore  gained  in  thirty 
years  about  three  hundred  per  cent.  What  she  lacked  was 
unity,  perseverance  and  a  doing  away  with  so  much  selfishness. 
It  was  voted  to  form  a  society — Messrs.  John  A.  Carpenter,  T. 
P.  Leonard,  G.  E.  Shaw,  L.  H.  Fuller,  C.  N.Allen,  a  committee  to 
perfect  a  plan  of  organization  and  constitution.  At  the  second 
meeting  the  proposed  constitution  was  discussed.  Judge  Car- 
penter explained  the  object  to  be,  "To  unite  all  the  citizens  un- 
der rules  to  work  together  for  the  good  of  the  village,  in  what- 
ever way  their  united  voluntary  efforts  could  be  directed."  Some 
who  favored  the  object  could  not  exactly  see  how  the  association 
could  contrive  to  carry  it  out,  but  the  wise  chairman  gave  his 
earnest  approval  and  thought  a  great  deal  of  good  could  be 
brought  about,  if  the  manner  of  doing  could  not  be  stated  or  de- 
fined. He  was  deeply  concerned  to  get  the  entire  people  united 
together  for  mutual  benefit,  and  to  promote  the  prosperity  of 
Putnam. 


798  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

At  the  following  meeting-  the  constitution  was  adopted 
and  a  goodly  number  of  signatures  obtained.  The  society  was 
to  be  called,  "  The  Putnam  Business  Men's  Association."  Its  ob- 
ject was  "to  advance  the  general  business  interests  of  the  com- 
munity, and  promote  a  more  intimate  knowledge  of  all  events 
-affecting  the  public  welfare,  and  as  far  as  possible  to  use  its  in- 
fluence to  improve  the  material  interests  of  the  community." 
April  4th,  1884,  constitution  and  by-laws  were  formally  adopted, 
and  the  following  officers  chosen:  President,  James  W.  Manning; 
vice-presidents,  E.  H.  Bugbee,  E.  A.  Wheelock,  G.  W.  Holt,  Jr., 
G.  A.  Hammond,  W.  H.  Pearson,  S.  H.  Seward,  D.  K.  Olney; 
treasurer,  J.  A.  Carpenter;  secretary,  W.  W.  Foster,  M.D.;  ex- 
ecutive committee,  L.  H.  Fuller,  M.  G.  Leonard,  G.  E.  Shaw,  Ed- 
ward Mullan,  C.  N.  Allen.  May  15th  109  citizens  of  the  town 
had  enrolled  themselves  members,  meetings  were  promptly  held, 
and  various  needed  improvements  discussed.  The  work  so  well 
begun  was  carried  forward  with  much  spirit,  and  the  good  results 
predicted  from  this  union  of  heads  and  hands  abundantly  real- 
ized. A  fresh  impulse  has  been  given  to  business  in  various  de- 
partments, several  new  industries  have  been  established,  and 
many  new  dwelling  houses  erected.  The  present  number  of 
members  is  100.  President,  G.  A.  Hammond;  secretary,  A.  B. 
Williams;  treasurer,  J.  A.  Carpenter;  executive  committee,  G. 
E.  Shaw,  L.  H.  Fuller,  E.  Mullan,  F.  W.  Perry,  W.  H.  Letters. 

One  of  the  most  promising  among  Putnam's  later  industries 
is  the  Foundry  and  Machine  Corporation,  incorporated  April 
1st,  1884;  capital  stock.  $20,000.  A  machine  shop  and  other 
needful  buildings  were  at  once  erected  and  the  first  cast  made 
August  27th.  They  make  a  specialty  of  the  Plummer  Steam 
Heater,  for  which  they  hold  the  patent,  but  also  manufacture 
castings  of  varied  descriptions.  The  Steam  Heater  is  largely 
in  demand,  and  the  business  of  the  company  is  well  established 
upon  a  permanent  basis.  Some  thirty  or  forty  workmen  find 
remunerative  employment.  Mr.  Orrin  Morse  is  president  of  the 
company.  Mr.  William  R.  Barber,  secretary  and  treasurer,  is 
also  the  efficient  managing  agent.  Henry  G.  Leonard,  L.  H. 
Fuller,  Edward  Mullan,  J.  C.  Nichols  and  George  E.  Shaw  com- 
plete the  board  of  directors.  This  corporation  was  formed  with 
the  special  object  of  adding  to  the  substantial  interests  of  the 
village,  and  gives  promise  of  abundant  success. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  799 

•Putnam  Cutlery  Company  was  organized  in  1886,  with  a  capi- 
tal stock  of  $5,000,  for  the  manufacture  of  knives  of  every  descrip- 
tion excepting  table  and  pocket  cutlery.  A  patented  support  to 
the  blade,  owned  by  this  company,  is  very  valuable,  making  it 
impossible  to  break  or  pull  the  blade  from  the  shank.  The  late 
John  O.  Fox  was  the  first  president ;  G.  D.  Bates,  secretary  and 
treasurer. 

The  Russell  Force  Pump  Company  was  organized  October 
Slst,  1887,  and  holds  the  patent  right  for  supplying  New  Eng- 
land with  this  pump,  which  is  manufactured  for  out-door  use, 
and  can  be  used  by  power  and  hand  without  the  use  of  wind 
mill.  It  is  a  double  action  pump,  capable  of  pumping  from  44 
to  60  gallons  per  minute,  made  by  the  Foundry  and  Machine 
Corporation.  The  president  of  the  company  is  G.  D.  Bates  ;  sec- 
retary and  treasurer,  W.  R.  Barber,  who,  with  L.  J.  Russell, 
Charles  N.  Allen,  E.  Hersey  and  L.  H.  Fuller,  form  the  board 
of  directors. 

The  Putnam  Gas  Light  Company  was  formed  in  1878,  and  did 
much  for  the  enlightenment  of  the  village.  Farther  progress 
was  made  through  the  agency  of  the  Putnam  Electric  Light 
Company,  organized  in  1886,  when  a  hundred  and  fifty  incan- 
descent lamps  and  thirty-five  arc  lamps  were  introduced.  Still 
greater  benefits  may  be  expected  from  the  consolidation  re- 
cently effected,  by  which  "  The  Putnam  Light  and  Power  Com- 
pany "  supersedes  previous  organizations.  President,  F.  W. 
Perry ;  secretary,  treasurer  and  superintendent,  Allan  W. 
Bowen  ;  directors,  A.  Houghton,  F.  W.  Perry,  J.  W.  Manning, 
C.  E.  Searls,    S.  H.  Seward,    A.   W.  Bowen,    G.  A.  Hammond. 

The  Putnam  Steam  Laundry,  Miller  &  Shepard,  proprie- 
tors, is  a  new  and  flourishing  institution,  especially  welcome 
to  housekeepers.  Numberless  carpets  and  curtains  bear  fresh 
testimony  year  by  year  to  its  cleansing  efficacy,  and  the  weekly 
washing  day  is  made  no  longer  a  supreme  necessity. 

Concrete  walks  are  made  and  repaired  by  Mr.  Albert  Ar- 
nold. 

Carriages  are  also  made  and  trimmed  by  S.  P.  Brown,  John 
Gilbert,  G.  G.  Smith  and  H.  W.  Howell. 

A  creamery  is  one  of  Putnam's  latest  institutions.  In  May, 
1888,  the  subject  was  first  considered  and  a  committee  appointed 
to  obtain  subscriptions  for  the  formation  of  a  Dairy  Company. 
June  21st,  a  company  was  organized,  and  C.  D.  Torrey,  C.   E. 


800  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Mills,  J.  W.  Trowbridge,  L.  H.  Fuller,  W.  P.  White,  G.  A.  Haw- 
kins, S.  H.  Seward  chosen  directors.  Land  was  secured  in  Pleas- 
ant valley,  south  of  the  village,  and  a  building  put  up  sufficiently 
capacious  to  accommodate  the  milk  from  a  thousand  cows.  In 
December  it  was  voted  to  obtain  a  charter  from  the  legislature, 
and  the  capital  stock  was  increased  to  $5,000.  C.  D.  Torrey  was 
chosen  president ;  W.  P.  White,  secretary ;  L.  H.  Fuller,  treas- 
urer; board  of  directors  retained  in  service.  The  summer  of 
1889  finds  the  creamery  under  full  headway,  receiving  the  milk 
of  several  hundred  cows  in  Putnam,  Killingly,  Thompson  and 
Pomfret,  and  turning  out  some  two  hundred  pounds  each,  cf 
butter  and  cheese,  daily.  An  expert  from  New  York  state  man- 
ages the  milk,  keeping  everything  in  excellent  order.  A  ready 
market  is  found  for  all  the  products.  It  is  hoped  that  pecuniary 
profit,  as  well  as  much  saving  of  time  and  labor,  will  result  from 
this  associated  enterprise. 

One  of  the  most  important  works  accomplished  in  Putnam, 
since  the  formation  of  the  Business  Men's  Association,  is  the  in- 
troduction of  an  abundant  supply  of  water.  Damage  by  fire  and 
much  household  inconvenience  had  accrued  from  previous  scar- 
city. Mr.  George  E.  Shaw  was  the  first  to  agitate  the  matter, 
laying  before  the  association,  in  1884.  a  resolution  to  investigate 
the  feasibility  of  introducing  water  into  Putnam  village.  Messrs. 
L.  H.  Fuller,  G.  E.  Shaw,  Moses  G.  Leonard,  E.  Mullan,  C.  N. 
Allen,  J.  W.  Manning,  C.  M.  Fisher,  G.  M.  Hammond,  J.  H. 
Gardner,  D.  K.  Olney  and  W.  H.  Pearson  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee for  this  purpose.  Convinced  of  its  practicability  they 
petitioned  the  legislature  for  incorporation,  and  formed  a  joint 
stock  company,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $100,000.  Estimates  of 
cost  were  obtained  from  different  contractors,  and  Wheeler  & 
Parks,  of  Boston,  selected — they  agreeing  to  furnish  the  Putnam 
fire  district  with  sixty  hydrants,  at  the  cost  of  $1,800  annually. 
A  supply  of  water  was  obtained  from  the  outlet  of  Woodstock 
lake,  about  two  miles  distant,  and  brought  into  a  receiving  tower 
on  Oak  hill,  and  thence  distributed  throughout  the  village.  A 
million  gallons  daily  could  be  used.  The  present  officers  of  the 
Putnam  Water  Company  are :  L.  H.  Fuller,  president ;  M.  G. 
Leonard,  vice  president;  George  E.  Shaw,  secretary;  Elbert 
Wheeler,  treasurer.  The  work  was  completed  January  21st, 
1886.  Though  meeting  with  the  combined  opposition  incident 
to  all  costly  public  enterprises  at  the  outset,  Putnam  water  works 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  801 

have  proved  a  triumphant  success,  giving  to  residents  an  unfail- 
ing supply  of  their  most  vital  daily  necessity,  and  a  sense  of 
security  from  fire  beyond  all  cost  or  estimate. 

Trade  in  Pcitnam  scarcely  needed  the  stimulus  of  association. 
The  Pomfret  Factory  and  Rhodesville  stores  drew  customers 
from  all  the  surrounding  country.  The  first  Pomfret  Factory 
depot  dispensed  flour  and  grain  as  well  as  tickets.  Stores 
sprung  up  like  mushrooms  in  the  new  Depot  village,  some  to 
collapse  after  a  brief  existence,  others  to  grow  up  into  estab- 
lished institutions.  The  large  establishment  of  Manning  & 
Leonard,  with  its  ample  stock  of  light  and  heavy  articles,  is  the 
lineal  offspring  of  a  mercantile  experiment  begun  more  than 
forty  years  since  by  the  senior  proprietor.  A  store  opened  by 
another  Pomfret  aspirant,  Nathan  Williams,  shared  largely  in 
popular  favor.  A  directory  published  in  1861  gives  the  follow- 
ing list  of  stores  :  Dry  goods,  Cutler  &  Tucker,  J.  W.  Manning, 
Richmond  &  Williams  (Lewis),  M.  S.  Morse  &  Co.,  J.  S.  Gay ; 
druggists,  D.  B.  Plimpton,  Benjamin  Segur ;  fish  market,  Wil- 
liam Winslow ;  fruit  and  confectionery,  John  L.  Flagg ;  furni- 
ture dealers,  C.  N.  &  S.  P.  Fenn ;  groceries,  Henry  Leech,  Sim- 
eon Stone  ;  flour  and  grain,  Hobart  Cutler,  E.  H.  Davison  &  Co.; 
jewelers,  J.  B.  Darling,  D.  R.  Stockwell ;  merchant  tailor,  H.  N. 
Brown  ;  ready-made  clothing,  W.  M.  Olney ;  meat  market,  San- 
ford  H.  Randall;  saloon,  Thomas  Capwell ;  shoe  store,  F.  A. 
Brewster ;  saddle  and  harness  maker,  C.  F.  Carpenter ;  tinware, 
Stephen  Spalding  ;  tailor,  Henry  Thurber ;  milliners,  Mrs.  John 
B.  Clark,  Mrs.  R.  Darling,  Mrs.  A.  Dresser,  Mrs.  S.  C.  Sprague, 
Mrs.  Mary  Smith.  This  meagre  list  was  soon  extended.  The 
long  established  watchmaker's  and  jeweler's  shop  of  Mr.  Edward 
Shaw  was  removed  from  Thompson  to  Putnam  in  1863.  The 
solitary  tinware  and  hardware  shop  of  Mr.  Spalding,  which 
had  contrived  to  supply  three  or  four  towns  with  cooking  stoves 
and  baking  utensils,  was  succeeded  by  the  far  more  complete 
establishment  of  Mr.  Thomas  C.  Bugbee.  Three  large  establish- 
ments to-day,  carried  on  by  Chandler  &  Morse,  Perry  &  Brown, 
and  J.  E.  Taylor  &  Co.,  crowded  with  stoves,  heaters,  agricul- 
tural implements,  and  all  manner  of  labor-saving  devices,  illus- 
trate the  marvelous  progress  made  in  mechanical  art  and  in  ap- 
pliances for  household  comfort.  A  fourth  store  has  been  recent- 
ly opened  by  S.  A.  Field.  The  little  watchmaker's  shop  of  Mr, 
Edward  Shaw  has  expanded  into  an  emporium  of  useful,  orna- 
51 


802  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

mental  and  aesthetic  articles.  The  Wright  Brothers  from  Wal- 
tham,  Mass.,  in  six  years'  trading  in  the  same  line,  have  won 
success  and  honorable  reputation.  Jewelers'  wares  are  also  sold 
by  G.  L.  Geer,  practical  watchmaker  and  engraver,  and  in  the 
well-filled  store  of  E.  E.  Robbins.  Druggists  have  made  still 
greater  advancement.  Those  who  remember  the  little  apothe- 
cary shops  of  former  days  view  with  amazement  the  varied  as- 
sortment now  displayed  in  the  large  and  elegant  stores  of  G.  E. 
Dresser,  Davenport  &  Burt,  G.  Farley  and  E.  O.  Hersey. 

The  dry  goods  stores  show  less  numerical  gain,  but  carry  a 
greater  amount  of  stock  than  formerly.  The  list  comprises  Man- 
ning &  Leonard,  J.  E.  Bailey,  M.  J.  Bradley,  Simeon  Farley,  Ed- 
ward Mesner,  Murray  &  Bugbee,  A.  B.  Williams.  Mesner  car- 
ries on  "The  People's  Store,"  opened  in  1869,  by  J.  H.  Gardner, 
and  enjoying  a  wide  popularity.  The  well-known  firm  of  Sharpe 
&  Green  is  successfully  represented  by  Mr.  Williams.  Murray 
&  Bugbee  have  recentl}^  succeeded  to  the  popular  store  opened 
by  the  O'Briens.  Mr.  Bailey  was  well  known  as  leading  sales- 
man in  "  The  People's  Store."  The  number  of  grocers  and  pro- 
vision dealers  has  very  largely  increased.  Ten  leading  groceries 
figure  in  place  of  two,  managed  by  C.  M.  Bradway,  Alfred  Con- 
tois, Edward  Fly,  Guilbert  &  Moison,  P.  M.  Leclair,  W.  H.  Mans- 
field &  Co.,  Edward  Mullan,  Morse  Mills  store,  P.  O'Leary  and 
Smith  Brothers.  These  enterprising  merchants  were  mostly 
strangers,  brought  by  the  growing  reputation  of  Putnam,  and 
have  identified  themselves  with  the  interests  of  the  town. 

A  very  flourishing  trade  in  flour,  feed  and  grain  is  carried  on 
in  the  north  part  of  the  village,  by  Bosworth  Brothers,  who  re- 
moved from  Woodstock  valley  to  Putnam,  about  1870.  They 
run  a  steam  grist  mill,  supplying  hosts  of  customers.  Meat 
markets  are  conducted  by  Morse  &  Darling,  Putnam  Cash  Mar- 
ket Co.,  Randall  &  Co.,  and  A.  C.  Stetson,  which  feed  the  thou- 
sands of  Putnam  and  also  help  sustain  the  needy  towns  adjacent. 
Refrigerator  buildings  for  the  reception  of  dressed  beef  from  the 
West  have  been  provided  near  the  depot,  under  the  charge  of  R. 
H.  Bradley.  Fish  is  furnished  by  H.  T.  Bugbee  and  other  mar- 
kets. A  former  unknown  luxury  is  now  abundantly  supplied 
from  the  ample  ice  houses  of  H.  T.  Bugbee  and  E.  E.  Lincoln. 
Bread  and  other  bakerage  are  prepared  by  Bakers  Asselin,  La- 
.bossiere  and  Lilly,  and  fruit  of  every  variety  is  to  be  found  in  its 
season.     In  the  ready-made  clothing  interest  the  letter  C  carries 


HISTORY   OP^  WINDHAM    COUNTY.  803 

all  before  it.  The  Connecticut  Clothing  Company,  Bates  & 
Lindsey  proprietors,  has  a  large  constituency,  and  makes  pro- 
portionate sales.  J.  W.  Church  also  makes  a  specialty  of  ready- 
made  clothing,  and  goods  for  men  and  boys.  Manning  &  Leon- 
ard sell  many  goods  in  this  line,  also,  and  still  a  place  is  left  for 
the  tailor's  art,  as  plied  by  C.  L.  Gilpatric,  J.  O'Leary,  Legu 
Milot  and  J.  H.  York.  J.  N.  Douty  for  seventeen  years  has  car- 
ried on  a  successful  hat  store.  Mrs.  M.  E.  Murfey  still  accom- 
modates her  many  friends  with  tasteful  millinery.  Mrs.  Thomp- 
son and  Buchanan,  Miss  M.  E.  Lowe,  Madame  Breault,  Misses  M. 
M.  Brady  and  N.  Egan  find  abundant  patronage  in  this  ever  at- 
tractive art,  while  some  half-dozen  dressmakers  fail  to  exceed 
demand  for  their  useful  service.  Popular  shoe  stores  are  main- 
tained by  A.  M.  Parker  and  G.  W.  Ingalls.  The  latter  succeeds 
Mr.  T.  P.  Leonard,  who  removed  from  Woodstock  with  his 
brothers,  M.  G.  and  W.  Leonard,  and  built  the  tasteful  "  Leonard 
Row,"  on  Providence  street.  "  Shoes  of  swiftness  "  and  "  Seven- 
leagued  boots  "  might  be  included  in  the  stock  of  Mr.  Parker, 
judging  from  the  facility  with  which  he  traverses  the  universe. 
The  chief  furniture  dealer  is  now  Mr.  L.  E.  Smith.  The  Fenn 
Brothers  were  the  first  to  engage  in  this  business,  removing  to 
Putnam  before  the  organization  of  the  town,  and  were  active  in 
church  and  business  affairs.  Mr.  C.  N.  Fenn  has  long  served  as 
undertaker,  and  also  deals  in  pictures,  artists'  materials  and 
house-furnishing  goods.  The  music  store  of  W.  H.  Letters  sup- 
plies other  artistic  needs.  Such  every-day  essentials  as  coal 
and  wood  are  to  be  found  in  the  convenient  coal  yards  of  J.  W. 
Cutler  and  F.  J.  Daniels. 

Accommodations  for  stores  and  business  have  undergone 
various  vicissitudes.  Again  and  again  fires  have  devastated  the 
center  of  trade.  The  original  brick  block,  with  its  historic 
Quinebaug  Hall,  built  by  early  enterprise  and  sold  to  Mr.  T.  H. 
Bugbee,  and  the  succeeding  Bugbee  Block,  on  the  same  site, 
were  both  destroyed.  The  stately  Union  Block,  now  occupying 
the  site,  was  built  by  substantial  capitalists  in  1882-83.  Hath- 
away's,  Chesebro's  and  Wagner's  blocks  bear  the  names  of  those 
who  assisted  in  their  construction.  The  first  Congregational 
church  edifice  forms  part  of  Manning's  store.  Central  Block, 
now  owned  by  W.  H.  Pearson,  was  built  by  Chamberlain  and  S. 
P.  Fenn.  Mr.  T.  H.  Bugbee  built  the  hotel  that  bears  his  name. 
The  Chickering  House  was  built  by  Edward    Lyon  ;    the    Elm 


804  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

street  House  by  John  Ross.  A  spacious  block,  with  room  for 
holding  courts,  is  now  projected  by  Messrs.  Houghton  and  Wag- 
ner. These  gentlemen,  with  Messrs.  Bugbee,  Gardner,  Miller, 
Pearson  and  Wheaton,  are  prominently  connected  with  the  build- 
ing and  land  interests  of  Putnam,  with  which  many  others  are 
also  more  or  less  associated.  One  of  the  older  residents,  Mr. 
Edgar  H.  Clark,  civil  engineer,  has  exceeded  all  others  in  con- 
nection with  the  surveying  and  laying  out  of  the  fast  growing 
town. 

The  several  hotels  of  Putnam  enjoy  abundant  patronage. 
Under  the  efficient  administration  of  the  late  D.  K.  Olney  the 
Bugbee  House  achieved  a  high  reputation,  well  maintained  by 
the  present  genial  proprietor.  A  number  of  boarding  houses 
are  well  sustained.  Payne's  dining  room  is  also  a  well-estab- 
lished institution,  while  saloons  rise  and  fall  at  the  option  of 
town  voters. 

For  nearly  twenty  years  after  the  tide  of  business  had  turned 
to  the  valley,  money  accommodations  were  still  found  on  the 
hill-top,  particularly  at  Thompson  Bank.     It  was  not  till  near 
the  close  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion  that  the  citizens  of  Putnam 
awoke  to  the  conviction  that  the  business  interests  of  the  town 
demanded  local  accommodation.     The  establishment  of   a   na- 
tional bank  was  accordingly  discussed  at  the  office  of  Hon.  Gil- 
bert W.  Phillips,  March  3d,  1864.     Articles  of   association  were 
adopted  and  stock  subscribed  amounting  to  $100,000.     Applica- 
tion was  then  made  to  the  United  States  Treasury  Department, 
and  the  requirement  of  the  law  having  been  fulfilled,  the  "  First 
National  Bank  of  Putnam  "  was  opened  for  business  March  23d, 
in  Stockwell's  former  jeweler's  shop.     President,  Edmond  Wil- 
kinson ;  cashier,  Charles  S.  Billings  ;  directors,  Benjamin  C.  Har- 
ris, Sabin  L.  Sayles,  Ezra  Deane,  Rufus  S.  Mathewson,   George 
Paine,  G.  W.  Phillips,  Chandler  A.  Spalding,  John  A.  Carpenter. 
The  capital  stock  was  soon  increased  by  $50,000.     A  brick  build- 
ing was  erected  in  1866  and  John  A.  Carpenter   made  cashier. 
Mr.  Wilkinson  was  succeeded  in  the  presidency  by  Hon.  G.  W. 
Phillips  in  1868,  who  held  the  position  twenty  years.     James  W. 
Manning  was  chosen  as  his  successor.     Judge  Carpenter  still 
serves  as  cashier.     Mr.  S.  R.  Spalding  has  held  position  in  the 
bank  for  nearly  twenty  years.     Messrs.    Franklin    Bailey  and 
Seth  P.  Stoddard  served  faithfully  as  bookkeepers.     The   board 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  805 

of  directors  consists  of  J.  H.  Gardner,  C.  J.  Alton,  E.  H.  Bugbee, 
Rufus  Pike,  Lucius  Fitts,  with  the  president  and  cashier. 

Putnam  Savings  Bank  preceded  the  national  bank  in  date  of 
organization.  A  charter  was  granted  May,  1862,  to  Edmond 
Wilkinson,  R.  M.  Bullock,  John  O.  Fox,  R.  S.  Mathewson, 
George  A.  Paine,  Horace  Seamans,  Winthrop  Green,  Prescott 
May,  William  Field,  James  W.  Manning,  Charles  Bliven,  Henry 
G.  Taintor,  Charles  Osgood,  Lorenzo  Litchfield,  Edgar  H.Clark, 
and  George  Buck.  July  19th  the  bank  commenced  business. 
Edmond  Wilkinson  served  as  president ;  G.  W.  Phillips,  secre- 
tary and  treasurer ;  trustees,  Edmond  Wilkinson,  Richmond  M. 
Bullock,  John  O.  Fox,  Rufus  S.  Mathewson,  George  A.  Paine, 
Sabin  Sayles,  Jeremiah  Olney,  Joseph  B.  Latham,  G.  W.  Phil- 
lips. The  present  officers  are  :  President,  J.  H.  Gardner ;  sec- 
retary and  treasurer,  Jerome  Tourtellotte ;  trustees,  J.  H.  Gard- 
ner, O.  H.  Perry,  C.  M.  Fenner,  Charles  P.  Grosvenor,  Z.  A.  Bal- 
lard, John  A.  Carpenter,  G.  W.  Holt,  Jr.,  A.  Houghton.  Depos- 
its reported  October  1st,  1888,  $1,132,530.72. 

Putnam's  facilities  for  extinguishing  fires  were  long  wholly 
inadequate.  Its  fire  companies  were  hampered  by  a  scant  sup- 
ply of  water.  In  1875  a  fire  district  was  incorporated,  including 
the  village  and  its  immediate  vicinity ;  a  fire  department  was 
organized  and  new  engines  procured.  But  in  spite  of  these  pre- 
cautions, very  destructive  fires  occurred.  The  great  fire  of  Oc- 
tober, 1877,  swept  through  the  heart  of  the  village,  consuming 
Bugbee's  and  Brown's  blocks,  with  all  their  stores  and  offices. 
Hardly  less  calamitous  was  the  fire  of  1882,  when  Bugbee's 
block  and  other  valuable  buildings  were  destroyed.  Hydrants 
ready  for  instant  use  in  every  part  of  the  village  will,  it  is  hoped, 
preclude  farther  loss  and  damage  from  this  source. 

The  present  "  Fire  Department  "  of  Putnam  village,  organized 
in  1875,  consists  of  three  hose  companies,  fifteen  men  each,  and 
one  hook  and  ladder  company,  supplemented  by  sixty  street  hy- 
drants. Fire  warden,  C.  H.  Chesebro  ;  chief  engineer,  L.  H. 
Fuller ;  assistant  engineers,  Otis  Fisher,  H.  L.  Burt ;  clerk  and 
treasurer,  Charles  H.  Brown;  collector,  D.  F.  Southwick.  Pro- 
tector Hose  Company  No.  1 — foreman,  Edward  Mesner  ;  assistant 
foreman,  E.  G.  Wright ;  clerk  and  treasurer,  C.  B.  Brown  ;  fif- 
teen members.  Eagle  Hose  Company  No.  2 — foreman,  P.  M. 
Leclair ;  assistant  foreman,  Louis  Cloutier ;  secretary  and  treas- 
urer, Frank  Mignault ;  fifteen  members.     Reliance  Hose  Com- 


806  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

pany  No.  3 — foreman,  W.  R.  Barber:  assistant  foreman,  J.  H. 
Maynard  ;  secretary  and  treasurer,  A.  L.  Mansfield  ;  fifteen  mem- 
bers. General  Putnam  Hook  and  Ladder  Company — foreman, 
Charles  I.  Gorham  ,  assistant  foreman,  James  Rafferty  ;  secretary, 
Charles  Hicks  ;  twenty  members. 

Putnam  Chapter,  No.  41,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  organized  April 
22d,  1879.  High  priest,  Alfred  M.  Parker;  treasurer,  Eugene  A. 
Wheelock  ;  secretary,  Gilman  H.  Brown. 

Putnam  Council,  No.  340,  Royal  Arcanum,  organized  January 
26th,  1883.  Present  membership,  120.  Regent,  D.  C.  Ticknor  ; 
vice-regent,  L.  H.  Fuller;  secretary,  G.  W.  Gilpatric  ;  treasurer, 
W.  R.  Barber;  collector,  C.  A.  Smith. 

The  Blue  Lodge  represents  the  oldest  Masonic  order  in  the 
state.  W.  M.,  R.  W.  Morey ;  S.  W.,  A.  M.  Parker  ;  J.  W.,  S.  A. 
Field  ;  chaplain,  F.  S.  Oatley. 

The  St.  Jean  Baptiste  Society  was  organized  August  27th,  1871. 
President,  Omer  La  Rue  ;  vice-president,  Elyear  St.  Onge  ;  treas- 
urer, Louis  Cloutier ;  secretary,  Hector  Duvert,  Sr. ;  204  mem- 
bers. 

Division  No.  1,  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians,  was  organized 
in  1875.  Present  membership,  80.  President,  Peter  Welch ; 
vice-president,  Peter  Dowd  ;  recording  secretary,  James  Ryan  ; 
financial  secretary,  Richard  Gorman ;  treasurer,  John  McCau- 
ley  ;  standing  committee,  Joseph  Ryan,  Frank  Monahan,  Martin 
Welch,  John  Rensfiaw,  John  Moore ;  committee  on  finance, 
Thomas  McGann,  James  Weeks,  James  Cornell ;  sergeant  at 
arms,  John  Whalen  ;  doorkeeper,  John  Moore. 

Putnam's  early  enthusiasm  in  patriotic  demonstrations  burns 
undiminished.  Memorial  Day,  from  its  first  institution,  has 
been  observed  with  ever  increasing  interest.  Its  own  burial 
places,  and  those  in  neighboring  towns,  have  been  faithfully  vis- 
ited. The  services  in  the  Central  Cemetery,  with  the  military 
procession,  music,  and  eloquent  addresses,  draw  large  crowds 
every  year,  and  quite  eclipse  the  conventional  Fourth  of  July 
celebration.  A  large  number  of  veteran  soldiers  residing  in 
town  give  special  interest  to  these  occasions.  Post  No.  54  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  was  organized  April  13th,  1882, 
and  named  in  loving  memory  of  one  of  Putnam's  honored  heroes, 
Addison  G.  Warner,  captain  Co.  I,  First  Conn.  Cavalry,  slain  at 
the  head  of  his  company,  Ashland,  Virginia,  June  1st,  1864.  The 
A.  G.  Warner  Post  is  very  flourishing,  numbering  140  members. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  807 

A  commodious  hall  is  furnished  by  P.  O'Leary,  in  which  the 
prescribed  meetings  are  loyally  observed.  Present  commander, 
S.  H.  Chickering;  S.  V.  C,  F.  S.  Oatley;  J.  V.  C,  Thomas  West; 
chaplain,  Charles  H.  Hickok;  surgeon,  Henry  Hough;  O.  D., 
Charles  Monroe;  O.  G.  William  B.  Whittemore;  Q.  M.,  C.  M. 
Green;  adjutant,  J.  E.  Rawson;  sergeant  major,  S.  K.  Spalding; 
Q.  M.  S.,  Albert  S.  Granger.  Sons  of  Veterans  organized  as  the 
M.  I.  Tourtelotte  Camp  March  11th,  1886;  captain,  Augustus 
Warren;  first  lieutenant,  Fred.  Reis;  second  lieutenant,  W.  B. 
Fuller.  Company  G,  Third  Regiment,  Conn.  National  Guard, 
was  organized  in  1872.  Present  membership,  62  Captain,  C.  A. 
Winslow;  first  lieutenant,  E.  G.  Wright;  second  lieutenant,  H.  J. 
Thayer.  This  representative  of  an  ancient  state  and  colonial 
organization  is  already  distinguished  for  its  dexterity  in  rifle 
shooting,  having  won  the  regimental  trophy  for  four  consecutive 
years. 

Putnam,  like  other  modern  towns,  is  deeply  interested  in  the 
temperance  question,  to  sell  or  not  to  sell  intoxicating  liquors 
coming  up  anew  at  every  annual  town  meeting.  So  nearly  are 
parties  balanced  that  extraordinary  efforts  will  procure  a  victory 
for  either  side.  Doctor  W.  H.  Sharpe,one  of  the  executive  com- 
mittee of  the  Connecticut  Temperance  Union,  is  one  of  the  prom- 
inent temperance  workers.  A  Women's  Christian  Temperance 
Union  was  organized  March  27th,  1885,  which  has  already  ac- 
complished much  valuable  work.  A  majority  of  forty-eight 
against  license  at  the  last  election  may  be  in  great  measure  at- 
tributable to  its  influence.  President,  Mrs.  A.  H.  Armstrong;  vice- 
presidents,  Mrs.  George  Buck,  Mrs.  Joseph  McKachnie,  Mrs. 
Lewis  Deane,  Miss  Hattie  Kennedy,  Mrs.  M.  E.  Murfey,  Mrs. 
George  Weatherhead;  recording  secretary,  Mrs.  C.  N.  Fenn;  cor- 
responding secretary,  Mrs.  S.  K.  Spalding;  treasurer,  Mrs.  C.  H. 
Brown;  superintendent  of  literature,  Mrs.  E.  T.  Whitmore;  Sun- 
day school  work,  Mrs.  George  Buck;  narcotics,  Mrs.  W.  H.  Sharpe; 
evangelistic  work.  Miss  Alice  Johnson;  work  among  the  colored 
people.  Miss  Louisa  Fogg;  superintendents  of  press  work,  Mrs. 
N.  W.  Kennedy,  Mrs.  C.  N.  Fenn.  Efficient  women's  missionary 
associations  are  carried  on  in  connection  with  the  several 
churches.  A  Women's  Relief  Corps,  auxiliary  to  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  has  been  recently  organized,  when  nine- 
teen members  were  initiated.  President,  Miss  Minnie  Warner 
first  V.  P.,  Mrs.  M.  Kenyon;  second  V.  P.,  Mrs.  J.  McKachnie 
treasurer,  Mrs.  B.  S.  Thompson;  secretary,  Mrs.  S.   K.  Spalding 


808  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

chaplain,  Mrs.  A.  A.  Buchanan;  conductor,  Miss  Gertrude  I.  Cole; 
assistant  conductor.  Miss  Carrie  E.  Place;  guard,  Miss  Annie 
Monroe. 

Another  society  of  recent  date  is  the  A.  O.  U.  M.,  an  organiza- 
tion of  United  American  mechanics,  having  for  watchwords, 
"  Honesty,  Industry,  Temperance."  The  Putnam  Council  of 
this  order  already  numbers  sixty  members.  Trustees,  M.  Miller, 
C.  Bosworth,  G.  G.  Smith. 

Probably  the  one  society  in  which  Putnam  residents  of  every 
age,  sect  and  character,  could  most  heartily  unite,  is  the  newly 
chartered  Putnam  Library  Association.  The  lack  of  a  well- 
stored  town  library  has  been  long  lamented.  Such  good  men  as 
the  late  Messrs.  Chandler  A.  Spalding  and  George  Williams  at- 
tempted to  meet  the  need  in  part  by  leaving  books  for  a  Parish 
Library  in  the  Congregational  church.  Others  aided  in  the  or- 
ganization of  a  Citizens'  Library  in  1884,  which  collected  about 
six  hundred  volumes,  under  charge  of  the  Women's  Temper- 
ance Union.  Continued  agitation  and  a  recent  gift  from  Mr. 
Edmond  Wilkinson  have  led  to  a  re-organization,  J.  W,  Man- 
ning, E.  H.  Bugbee,  George  W.  Holt,  Jr.,  L.  H.  Fuller,  E.  H. 
Johnson,  J.  B.  Kent,  A.  B.  Williams,  E.  A.  Wheelock,  George  E. 
Shaw,  are  elected  board  of  managers  of  the  "  Putnam  Library 
Association,"  which  takes  the  place  of  the  former  society,  retain- 
ing members  and  library  material.  New  books  will  be  procured 
and  it  is  trusted  that  the  Putnam  Library  will  become  a  thriving, 
popular  and  permanent  institution. 

Progressive  Putnam  has  its  conservative  element  and  does  not 
change  merely  for  the  sake  of  changing.  A  faithful  public  ser- 
vant is  retained  in  office.  In  thirty-four  years  she  has  had  but 
one  town  clerk  and  treasurer  ;  her  school  visitors  have  had  long 
terms  of  service ;  her  post  office  has  had  but  few  incumbents. 
Hiram  N.  Brown  succeeded  John  O.  Fox  in  1861.  His  successor. 
Perry  Wilson,  held  the  position  till  a  recent  date.  The  office 
is  now  administered  by  Edward  Mullan.  Some  twenty-five 
mails  are  handled  daily.  The  Central  Telephone  office,  Putnam 
Division,  is  managed  by  L.  H.  Fuller,  general  insurance  agent. 
Putnam's  railroad  facilities  at  the  junction  of  two  important 
lines  are  very  advantageous.  The  opening  and  the  establish- 
ment of  the  New  York  &  New  England  railroad,  after  long  strug- 
gles and  embarrassment,  has  been  an  important  factor  in  its  later 
development.     Nearly  fifty  passenger  and  freight  trains  pass 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  809 

daily  through  the  village,  and  convenient  routes  connect  its  de- 
pot with  the  many  thriving  towns  within  its  circuit. 

Interest  in  its  own  growth  and  neighborly  affairs  is  stimulated 
by  its  two  wide-awake  newspapers,  which  keep  a  brisk  outlook 
for  all  passing  events.  A  column  in  a  Danielsonville  paper  sat- 
isfied the  requirements  of  the  early  inhabitants.  A  page  in  the 
Windham  County  Transcript ,  edited  by  Doctor  Plimpton,  was  next 
accorded.  In  1872,  the  Putnam  Patriot  was  established  by  Mr. 
Everett  Stone,  son  of  the  editor  of  the  Transcript,  which  soon 
gained  footing  in  Putnam  and  surrounding  towns.  Mr.  A.  W. 
Macdonald,  the  present  editor  and  proprietor,  succeeded  Mr. 
Stone  in  1882,  and  is  now  associated  with  Mr.  L.  O.  Williams. 
The  Patriot  is  now  a  large  quarto,  filled  with  town  and  county 
news  and  more  substantial  reading,  and  is  considered  an  indis- 
pensable necessity  in  many  households.  The  Putnam  News,  ed. 
ited  by  sons  of  Doctor  Bronson,  had  a  brief  existence.  A  cheer- 
ful Sunbeam,  lighting  upon  Putnam  in  1882,  has  developed  into 
a  dignified  Windham  County  Standard  through  the  energy  and 
perseverance  of  its  editor  and  proprietor,  Mr.  N.  W.  Kennedy. 
The  Standard  is  a  vivacious  and  enterprising  journal,  ferreting 
out  news  from  every  corner  of  the  county,  and  has  a  wide  and 
increasing  circulation. 

Putnam's  "  Brass  Bands  "  deserve  to  be  classed  among  its  most 
conspicuous  institutions,  sounding  forth  its  praise  and  progress 
in  various  places  and  occasions.  Both  represent  a  vast  amount 
of  patience  and  self-denying  practice.  It  is  said  that  Father 
Vygen  encouraged  the  early  neophytes  of  St.  Mary's  Band  by 
himself  taking  the  field  and  playing  on  the  instruments  with 
them.  The  Mechanics'  Band  has  been  in  existence  about  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  and  was  fostered  and  encouraged  by  musi- 
cal veterans  of  the  village.  Its  roll  of  membership  includes 
many  of  Putnam's  honored  citizens.  Its  chief  founder  was  the 
late  Professor  Goodspeed,  a  very  thorough  and  successful  music 
teacher,  widely  known  throughout  the  county.  Under  his 
guidance  the  band  made  rapid  progress,  and  was  soon  able  to 
play  a  prominent  part  at  public  gatherings,  assisting  at  many  of 
Woodstock's  famous  mass  meetings  and  other  patriotic  demon- 
strations all  over  the  country.  A  corporate  body,  for  a  time  "  it 
held  the  Fort"  at  Mechanics'  Park,  giving  weekly  concerts  and 
entertainments.  A  history  of  Mechanics'  Band,  with  its  roll  of 
membership  and  varied  experiences,  would  have  great  interest. 


810  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

St.  Mary's  Band  was  organized  about  1867,  through  the  agency 
of  Reverend  E.  J.  Vygen.  Its  first  public  performance  was  at 
the  memorable  reception  of  President  Grant  in  1870.  Through 
the  instructions  of  C.  G.  Marcy  it  attained  high  musical  pro- 
ficiency, and  has  continued  to  advance,  taking  a  prominent  part 
on  public  occasions. 

Putnam's  demonstrations  in  welcome  of  the  president  and  great 
commander  were  noteworthy.  The  streets  were  very  gaily  dec- 
orated and  thronged  with  thousands  of  spectators.  Soldiers  and 
citizens  were  alike  in  line.  The  "  pyramids  "  of  children  in  red, 
white  and  blue,  artistically  arranged  by  Father  Vygen  on  the 
church  grounds,  were  especially  noted  and  admired. 

One  of  Putnam's  achievements,  encouraged  and  helped  on  by 
her  newspapers,  was  the  "  Antique  Art  Loan  Exhibition,"  held 
in  March,  1880,  in  honor  of  her  twenty-fifth  anniversary.  It 
was  perhaps  an  answer  to  the  charge  of  extreme  youth  brought 
by  jealous  contemporaries  that  this  especial  form  of  birthday 
observation  was  devised.  Youthful  emulation,  directed  by  ex- 
perienced connoisseurs,  brought  together  in  Quinebaug  Hall  a 
most  remarkable  collection  of  nearly  three  thousand  articles, 
many  of  them  of  great  interest  and  value.  Old-time  life  and 
customs  might  be  very  vividly  reconstructed  by  a  careful  study 
of  these  ancient  relics.  Pictures  and  portraits  of  the  early  resi- 
dents of  the  county  were  of  great  interest.  The  only  regret  was 
that  the  exhibition  could  not  have  been  more  lasting  and  enjoyed 
by  a  larger  number,  the  mud  and  winds  of  March  preventing  a 
large  attendance.  Mr.  Darius  S.  vSkinner,  chairman  of  the  com 
mittee,  was  most  active  in  devising  and  carrying  forward  this 
exhibition.  A  large  number  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  also  served 
on  the  committee. 

The  recent  visit  of  President  Harrison  and  members  of  his 
cabinet  excited  much  interest,  The  distinguishing  honor  done 
to  Windham  county  in  being  permitted  to  receive  and  entertain 
the  chief  magistrate  of  the  great  republic  was  more  fully  appre- 
ciated than  ever  before,  and  Putnam,  with  great  heartiness  and 
unanimity,  roused  itself  to  meet  the  occasion  worthily.  The 
committee  of  arrangements,  comprising  many  of  Putnam's  lead- 
ing citizens,  James  W.  Manning,  chairman,  together  with  many 
organizations  and  private  citizens,  vied  with  each  other  in  ar- 
ranging and  perfecting  every  detail  needful  for  the  appropriate 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  811 

reception  of  the  distinguished  guests.  But  "time  and  tide"  are 
beyond  human  control,  and  the  protracted  storm  brooding  over 
New  England  paid  no  heed  to  presidential  visitation.  In  spite 
of  delay  and  discomfort,  Putnam  did  its  part  nobly,  with  some, 
perhaps,  unavoidable  omissions.  Its  streets  were  as  gay  as  bunt- 
ing and  flags  could  make  them,  Each  building  had  its  specific 
devices  and  decorations  ;  children  in  gay  attire,  representing  the 
forty-two  states,  on  one  side  ;  another  bevy  in  white,  each  carry- 
ing a  flag,  on  the  other ;  the  prosaic  iron  bridge  transformed 
into  a  bower  of  verdure  and  beauty,  flowers  and  pennons  jaunt- 
ily floating,  in  spite  of  the  sombre  sky.  Joseph  McKachnie 
served  as  grand  marshal  of  the  day,  supported  by  aids,  Major 
H.  W.  Johnson  and  Captain  A.  M.  Parker.  The  veterans  of  the 
Grand  Army,  140  strong,  appeared  in  tasteful  new  uniform  in 
honor  of  the  occasion.  Company  F,  from  Danielsonville,  and  Com- 
pany G,  from  Putnam,  assisted  in  the  procession,  together  with 
Putnam's  two  musical  bands,  its  fire  departm^ent  of  60  men,  the 
Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians,  100  men,  and  St.  Jean  Baptiste 
Society,  300  men,  all  in  radiant  uniform  and  regalia,  making 
a  beautiful  array  as  they  received  the  presidential  party  and 
escorted  it  through  the  limits  of  Putnam.  As  on  the  pre- 
vious occasion,the  ingenuity  of  Reverend  Father  Vygen  furnished 
an  unique  feature  of  the  reception.  Driven  by  the  rain  from  a 
position  by  the  ruins  of  the  Catholic  church,  an  impromptu 
scenic  representation  was  arranged  within  the  portals  of  the 
convent,  its  central  figure  hundreds  of  happy  children  in  tiers 
of  red,  white  and  blue,  massed  up  to  the  second  story.  Ringing 
bells,  booming  cannon,  inspiriting  music,  waving  banners,  hearty 
cheers  and  hurrahs,  added  to  the  impressiveness  of  the  exhibi- 
tion, which  called  out  much  admiration  and  praise  from  the 
president  and  other  spectators. 

After  town  organization,  the  lack  of  a  suitable  burial  place 
was  painfully  apparent.  Having  in  his  possession  near  his  resi- 
dence a  tract  of  land  (a  part  of  the  old  "  Mighill  Farm,"  Kil- 
lingly)  which  he  deemed  especially  suitable  for  this  purpose, 
Chandler  Spalding  offered,  it  to  the  town  for  a  public  burying 
ground.  The  town  instructed  its  selectmen  to  purchase  the 
ground,  but  its  many  urgent  burdens  and  expenses  compelled 
delay  and  reconsideration,  during  which  interval  Mr.  Spalding 
proceeded  to  lay  out  the  land  and  prepare  a  cemetery.  July  4th, 
1856,  the  first  interment  was  made.     Many  persons  secured  lots, 


812  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

and  the  ground  was  constantly  improved  and  beautified  by  Mr. 
Spalding  till,  in  1866,  he  conveyed  it  to  the  Putnam  Cemetery 
Association,  formed  by  citizens  of  the  town  desirous  of  having 
said  cemetery  hereafter  well  cared  for,  protected  and  further 
improved  and  enlarged.  These  desires  have  been  satisfactorily 
accomplished,  and  the  Putnam  Cemetery  is  regarded  with  much 
interest  and  pride,  and  is  every  year  freshly  consecrated  by  me- 
morial prayers  and  offerings.  President  of  the  association,  Otis 
E.  Keith;  secretary  and  treasurer,  Charles  N.  Fenn. 

A  little  east  of  the  modern  cemetery,  overgrown  and  enmatted 
with  tangled  shrubs  and  vines,  is  the  lot  of  land  given  to  the 
town  of  Killingly  for  a  burial  place  by  its  most  honored  citizen, 
Peter  Aspinwall.  Mouldering  stones  bearing  the  names  of  the 
earliest  settlers  of  this  vicinity,  are  to  be  found  there.  Killing- 
ly's  choicest  worthies.  Captain  Joseph  Cady  and  Justice  Joseph 
Leavens,  its  first  ministers,  Reverends  John  Fisk,  Perley  Howe 
and  Aaron  Brown,  its  town  fathers  and  town  mothers  for  at  least 
two  generations,  were  interred  in  this  time  honored  grave 
yard.  A  tombstone  tinder  a  spreading  pine  tree  tells  the  sad 
fate  of  the  young  bride  of  Othniel  Brown,  August  13th,  1786 : 

"  That  awful  day,  the  hurricane 
When  I  was  in  my  prime 
Blew  down  the  house,  and  I  was  slain 
And  taken  out  of  time." 

The  laying  out  of  other  burial  grounds  led  to  the  partial 
abandonment  and  neglect  of  this  most  interesting  ground,  but 
recently  it  has  received  more  attention,  and  it  is  hoped  that  it 
may  be  more  thoroughly  restored  as  an  unique  memorial  of  the 
past. 

The  Pomfret  Factory  burying  ground,  on  the  Pomfret  road, 
west  of  the  former  home  of  Mr.  Wilkinson,  is  no  longer  in  ex- 
istence. This  land  was  probably  devoted  to  this  purpose  by 
Captain  Cargill,  his  little  granddaughter,  Laura  Waldo,  being 
the  first  person  there  buried.  Included  without  reservation  in 
the  sale  of  the  Cargill  land,  it  was  freely  used  by  persons  in  the 
vicinity,  particularly  by  the  descendants  of  Captain  John  Sabin. 
As  the  old  families  became  extinct  and  the  land  more  valuable, 
it  was  devoted  to  other  uses.  Such  stones  as  were  sufficiently 
preserved  were  removed  to  the  new  cemetery. 

The  cheerful  and  well  kept  burial  ground  at  Putnam  Heights 
is  of    comparatively  modern  origin.     The  first  person  buried 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  813 

there  was  Captain  Luther  Warren,  who  died  August  9th,  1839. 
The  venerated  pastor.  Priest  Atkins,  was  also  buried  there,  and 
many  of  the  later  residents  of  the  village  and  vicinity. 

While  Putnam  village,  in  a  certain  sense,  absorbs  and  domi- 
nates the  town,  the  outlying  portions  have  yet  a  distinct  charac- 
ter and  life  of  their  own.  Two  miles  east  of  the  busy  village 
old  Killingly  hill  reposes  in  serene  tranquility.  Transformed  in 
name  to  Putnam  Heights,  with  new  elements  and  new  inhabit- 
ants, this  ancient  village  still  retains  its  primitive  characteris- 
tics. Business  has  long  sin  ce  flown  to  the  valley.  Its  one  church 
maintains  but  intermittent  service ;  its  one  school  is  scantily  at- 
tended, and  modern  institutions  fail  to  gain  a  footing,  yet  this 
very  repose  and  fixedness,  as  contrasted  with  the  rush  and  tu- 
mult of  everyday  life,  have  a  peculiar  charm,  and  the  wearied 
denizens  of  "  the  tired  city's  mart"  welcome  this  place  of  refuge. 
A  number  of  families,  more  or  less  associated  with  the  hill,  have 
permanent  summer  homes  here.  Mr.  T.  J.  Thurber,  formerly  of 
New  York,  continues  through  the  year.  The  recent  discovery  of 
a  spring  of  delicious  water,  with  its  appropriation  of  the  beauti- 
ful Indian  name  of  this  section,  may  prove  an  additional  attrac- 
tion. Aspinock  spring  and  the  old  hill,  with  its. pure  air  and 
wide  outlook,  merit  a  larger  constituency.  "  Beautiful  for  situ- 
ation," commanding  one  of  the  finest  views  in  the  county,  with 
its  well-established  church  and  common,  Killingly  hill  was  long 
a  leading  business  and  social  center,  especially  noted  for  its  pop- 
ular taverns  and  largely-frequented  trainings.  Probably  the  hill 
reached  its  acme  of  fame  and  prosperity  soon  after  the  arrival  of 
the  cotton  factory,  when  proprietors  and  operatives  from  Pom- 
fret  factory,  Howe's  factory  and  "The  Stone  Chapel"  sought 
spiritual  and  secular  privileges  at  its  meeting  house  and  store. 
The  store  kept  by  those  enterprising  merchants,  Ely  &  Torrey, 
exceeded  anything  in  eastern  Connecticut.  Thurber's  tailor 
shop  was  almost  equally  celebrated,  supplying  young  men  far 
and  near  with  wedding  and  "freedom"  suits,  and  fashionable 
long  surtouts.  The  private  class  or  school  of  "Priest  Atkins" 
was  another  peculiar  institution  of  Killingly  hill,  filling  the  place 
of  the  present  State  Normal  school,  in  fitting  young  men  and 
women  to  become  thorough  and  successful  teachers.  "Choice 
spirits"  on  the  hill  forwarded  the  organization  of  the  first  mis- 
sionary and  Bible  societies  of  Windham  county,  one  hundred 
and  twenty -two  ladies  in  North  Killingly  and  Thompson  organ- 


814  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM -COUNTY. 

izing- as  a '' Female  Tract  Society"  in  1816,  while  spirits  of  a 
very  different  order  were  lavishly  dispensed  from  Warren's 
tavern — the  headquarters  of  mirth  and  conviviality.  A  large 
circle  of  relatives  and  friends  enjoyed  the  delightful  hospitali- 
ties of  Justice  Sampson  Howe's  genial  household,  and  a  still 
wider  constituency  bowed  in  meek  submission  before  the  dictum 
and  prescriptions  of  Doctor  Grosvenor. 

The  old  "Moffats  Mills,"  at  East  Putnam,  established  in  time 
immemorial  by  an  early  Killingly  family,  is  still  represented. 
A  second  grist  mill  was  built  on  the  same  site  by  James  Cady. 
In  1860  Calvin  and  William  Randall  bought  a  privilege  on  the 
same  Bowditch  brook,  and  built  a  small  mill  for  the  manufacture 
of  cotton  yarn.  The  whole  establishment  and  privileges  were 
purchased  by  G.  A.  Hawkins  and  Augustus  Houghton  in  1865. 
They  doubled  the  capacity  of  the  mill,  put  up  new  buildings  and 
made  many  improvements.  C.  J.  Alton  succeeded  Mr.  Hawkins 
in  ownership.  Houghton  &  Alton  have  sold  their  interest  to 
Norwich  owners,  who  as  the  "  East  Putnam  Yarn  Company  " 
employ  about  twenty-five  hands,  and  manufacture  3,500  pounds 
of  cotton  yarn  weekly.  Pleasant  residences  and  a  neat  little 
Free  Will  Baptist  church  are  to  be  found  there.  .  Mr.  Houghton 
sided  generously  in  repairing  this  edifice  and  maintaining  stated 
worship.  Its  pastor,  Mrs.  Fenner,  has  done  much  valuable  mis- 
sionary work  in  the  vicinity.'  The  Cady  mills,  at  the  Four  Cor- 
ners and  near  the  state  line,  have  been  maintained,  with  inter- 
vals of  suspension,  for  many  years.  This  eastern  part  of  Put- 
nam, formerly  traversed  twice  a  day  by  the  convenient  Provi- 
dence stage  coach,  has-been  left  behind  and  thrown  backward  by 
the  all  conquering  railroad,  while  the  valley  west  of  the  town 
has  been  built  up  by  the  same  arbitrary  power.  Many  new 
houses  and  families  appear  in  the  old  Gary  district.  Population 
year  by  year  stretches  farther  southward.  The  old  families  are 
mostly  gone.  Mr.  Ezra  Dresser  still  occupies  one  of  the  old 
Dresser  homesteads,  the  other  is  improved  as  the  town  farm. 
The  name  of  Gary,  once  so  familiar,  is  transferred  to  westward 
towns,  where  it  bears  an  honorable  record.  Judge  Gary,  of 
Chicago,  descends  from  the  old  Pomfret  family.  The  Holmes's, 
Sawyers,  Gilberts  are  mostly  gone.  Even  the  Perrin  family,  so 
associated  with  the  valley,  is  no  longer  represented.  The  old 
Perrin  house  has  also  passed  away. 


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u\PHICAL   SKETCHES. 

Willi  A  .  ':'LD. — ^  Andrew  Arnold,  the   grr    . 

William  r  '1,  married  Catherine  Reynolds,  of  North  K 

town,  R!i  iid.     Their  children  were  two  in  number,  PU; : 

being-  th^  /or.     He  w'as   born   in  Warwick,  and   married 

Oathe  ighter  of  William   Searls,  and  granddaughter  of 

Rich:  Is,  of  Cranston,  Rhode   Island.     The   children   of 

Philr  Catherine  Arnold  were:  Andrew  R.,  born  in  1810; 

Willi  >:ovember'  3d,  1811;  Albert  H.,  in  1813;  George  E., 

HI    !S-      ..iDez,  in  1818;  Sus  •      '"     "n  1821;  Henry  R.,  in   1823; 
.^ii  ;  ^    .     erine  M.,  in  1827. 

Arnold,  who  is  a  na 
.  of  seven  years  accompanied 
iit,  Avhere,  until  seventeen,  he 
■uter  and  spent  the  snmm 
i  removed  to  Mas6ii 

'^■.  position  of  clerk,  si...  -.■•  • 

and  cotton  factory' owned  :. 
I  a  became  the  exclusive  own-: 

duui  ■'•^usiness  successfulh'-  and  prcuj 

18^7  '.mold  having  devoted  his  whole  life  without  cessa- 

tion I  business,  then  determined  to  retire  from  trade, 

and  accoruragly  on  the  disposal  of  his  interest  became  a  man  of 
leisure.     He  resided  in  East  Greenwich  and  North  Kingstown, 
and  at  other  points  where  he  found  congenial  surroundings,  un- 
til 1884,  when  his  present  house  near  Putnam  was' purchased. 
Mr.   Arnold    was    formerly    a    whig,    and    on    the   formation 
of  "the   republican   party  joined  its    ranlvs.     He  ha,s,  howf 
been  content  to  exercise  the  privilege   of  the  ballot  wi^ 
controlling  the  offices  within  its  gift.     His  pleasures  jv'\ 
found  amid  the  peaceful  scenes  of  domestic  life  r: 
The  excitements  attending  a  public  career, 
^fr.  Arnold  in  1836  married  Lucina,  r!:ni 
'   of  Pomf ret,  who  died  in  Septeml' 

•riet  A.,  wife  of  Jacob  F.  Tourteilotte,  ^ 
Nn  son  .Henry,  deceased,  wh^  -^-^^ 
'•.1  was  aeain  married  ir 


hode  Island, 

'  .K.>dstock, 

.        common 

hs  on  the  farm. 

on,  and  imtil  1841 

■-■•no-  an  interest  in 

ilfe  Company. 

arid  cor;  ■ 

.  •    ■.,:,_  i.  .    .ae  fall  01' 


! 


816  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

George  Buck. — David  Buck  removed  from  Massacliusetts  to 
the  part  of  Killingly  now  embraced  in  the  town  of  Putnam, 
where  he  conducted  a  farm  and  also  carried  on  the  trade  of  a  joiner. 
He  was  known  as  an  enterprising  and  successful  business  man. 
His  children  by  a  first  marriage  were  three  sons,  David,  Jon- 
athan and  Aaron,  and  four  daughters,  Mrs.  Josiah  Dean,  Mrs. 
Benjamin  Cutler,  and  two  who  married  Resolved  Wheaton.  By 
a  second  marriage  was  born  a  son,  David,  and  a  daughter,  Eliza, 
who  became  Mrs.  Henry  Adams.  Aaron,  of  this  number,  was 
born  on  the  homestead  farm  in  Killingly,  upon  a  portion  of 
which  he  settled  and  resided  during  his  lifetime.  He  married 
Annie,  daughter  of  Asa  Lawrence,  of  Killingly,  whose  children 
were:  Lucy,  wife  of  Calvin  Leffingwell;  Rosamund,  wife  of  Cal- 
vin Boyden;  Mary,  married  to  Jesse  Herendein;  Annie,  wife  of 
Caleb  Howe;  Erastus,  Elisha,  Augustus  and  George. 

The  last  named  of  these  brothers,  and  the  subject  of  this  bi- 
ographical sketch,  was  born  October  13th,  1810,  in  Killingly,  and 
until  his  twentieth  year  devoted  his  time  to  the  work  of  the 
farm.  He  enjoyed  but  limited  opportunities  of  education,  and 
soon  found  employment  in  a  cotton  mill.  This  not  being  alto- 
gether to  his  taste,  he  became  one  of  the  leading  builders  and 
contractors  of  the  day.  For  ten  years  he  was  employed  by 
Messrs.  M.  S.  Morse  &  Co.  and  Messrs.  G.  C.  Nightingale  &  Co., 
in  connection  with  the  construction  and  improvement  of  their 
property,  after  which  he  embarked  in  building,  and  dealt  to 
some  extent  in  real  estate  at  the  same  time.  For  twenty  years 
he  has  been  the  trusted  guardian  of  the  real  estate  and  other 
property  owned  by  Thomas  Harris  in  Putnam. 

Mr.  Buck  has  been  more  or  less  prominent  in  affairs  connected 
with  his  county,  was  for  three  terms  county  commissioner,  for 
five  years  selectman  of  the  town,  and  served  for  the  session  of 
1878-79  as  a  member  of  the  Connecticut  house  of  representatives. 
In  politics  he  was  first  a  federalist,  afterward  became  identified 
with  the  free  soil  party,  whose  principles  he  espoused  with  much 
earnestness,  and  is  now  a  strong  prohibitionist.  Since  the  age 
of  eighteen  he  has  practiced  total  abstinence,  and  made  it  one 
of  the  guiding  principles  of  his  life.  He  joined  the  Congrega- 
tional church  in  North  Killingly  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  and 
later  became  a  member  of  the  Putnam  Congregational  church. 
The  earliest  edifice  of  the  latter  church  he  was  largely  instru- 
mental in  erecting,  and  did  much  to  advance  the  interests  of  the 


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;  831  married  Phila.  Williaiii 
as  a  second  time  married  in  Decemoer,  Ibb i 
daugfliter  of  Colonel  Erastiis  Lester,     '   ■>■!-:: 


I 


^  L)A\  IS  Bates.— Tyler  Bates,  the  grandfather  of  Gns- 

iates,  was  a  prosperous  farmer  in  Thompson.    His  chil- 

re    Erastns,  William,  Welcome, '  Holman,   George   T., 

jloe,  Betsey  and  Sally.   Welcome  Bates,  also  a  resident  of 

ipson,  was  former^  engaged  in  teaching,  and  in  his  later 

,  It-    !vne  a  farmer.     He  mariecl  Jemima  E.,  daughter  of 

mes  Grow,  of  Vern  heir  children  are:  Eliza- 

,..h  mah  Augusta,  wife  H.  Hutchins ;  Sarah, 

:-  ■  -shirvin  G.,  Gustavus  ^...    ,  b  Jane  ?^1    f1ppe?is;ed, 

:ome  E. 

■■':■  Davis  Bates  was  born  October  2d,  i8b  .omp- 

c  he  remained  until  his  twentieth  year,  ..  ..  ■  .ighis 
1  at  the  public  school  and  the  Thompson  academy.  He 
striously  employed  on  a  farm  uii- 

.1,  when  his  attentiun  o.iv  ^"';r.  his  fieid 

being  first  in  Burrillvillc    ,  Thomp- 

age  of  eighteen  the  young  m; 

lie  as  clerk,  and  was  thus  engageo,  unru  ui^:  iu.a_,')ii- 
.^d,  when  he  enrolled  his  name  as  a  private  in  the 
ade  Island  regiment  during  the  late  war.    His  promo- 
tion, tijc  icsult  of  merit,  was  rapid  from  corporal  to   sergeant, 
'Irst  sergeant,  second  lieutenant,  first  lieutenant,  and  acting  quar- 
,termaster  and  adjutant.     In  July,  1864,  he  was  made  captain  of 
his  former  company.     Late  in  1864  he  was  brevetted  lieutenant 
colonel,  and  secured  while  in  front  of  Petersburg,  Va.,  leave  of 
absence  on  account  of  failing  health,  which  fact  finally  occasioned 
his  resignation. 

'''alonel   Bates   participated   in   the  engagementc   .:• 
-  tirg,  Vicksburg,   Jackson,   the  Wilderness,   Spot 

lurch,   North   Anna. River,  Gold    Harbor,   Petei.- 
Yeldon   Railroad,  after  -which  .his  regimerit   - - 
anarters.     On   regaining  his"  health    he 
embark'  e  manufactr 

.ss.,  but  mcL         '  ^ ■' ' 

-itv  that  h- 


818  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

represented  Boston  houses  for  ten  years,  as  traveling  agent  in 
the  sale  of  gentlemen's  furnishing  goods,  and  after  an  interval 
of  rest  assumed  the  management  of  the  business  of  George  B. 
Cluett  &  Co.,  large  shirt  and  collar  manufacturers  in  New  York 
city.  In  1884  he  established  the  Connecticut  Clothing  Company 
in  Putnam,  with  a  branch  at  Southbridge,  Mass.,  to  which  he  de- 
votes as  much  attention  as  is  consistent  with  his  other  business 
projects.  In  1886,  in  company  with  a  partner,  he  founded  the 
Putnam  Cutlery  Corporation,  of  which  he  is  secretary,  treasurer 
and  manager.  He  is  also  president  of  the  Putnam  Pump  &  Hose 
Reel  Company. 

Colonel  Bates  has  been  prominently  identified  with  the  re- 
publican party  in  politics,  and  represented  his  constituents  in 
the  Connecticut  legislature  in  1887  and  1888,  on  which  occasion 
he  was  chairman  of  the  committee  on  cities  and  boroughs.  He 
was  in  1888  a  delegate  to  the  national  republican  convention  con- 
vened at  Chicago.  In  addition  to  his  various  business  enter- 
prises he  is  a  successful  farmer  and  breeder  of  blooded  stock. 
He  is  a  member  of  A.  G.  Warner  Post,  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and 
of  Quinnatisset  Grange,  No.  65,  of  Thompson.  His  religious 
views  are  in  harmony  with  the  creed  of  the  Baptist  church, 
of  which  he  is  a  member.  Colonel  Bates  on  the  17th  of  June, 
1867,  married  Ellen  A.,  daughter  of  Benjamin  F.  Hutchins,  of 
Putnam. 

John  A.  Carpenter. — Robert  Carpenter,  of  Greenwich,  R.  I., 
the  great-grandfather  of  John  A.  Carpenter,  on  the  26th  of  Oc- 
tober, 1755,  married  Charity  Roberts,  of  Warwick,  in  the  same 
state.  Their  children  were :  Christopher,  John,  Phebe  and 
Marcy.  John  of  this  number,  who  resided  in  West  Greenwich, 
"married  Sarah  Stone,  and  had  children:  Christopher,  Phebe, 
Patience,  Robert  and  Amos.  The  last-named  and  youngeist  of 
these  children,  Amos,  on  the  19th  of  June,  1813,  married  Mary, 
daughter  of  Joseph  Bailey,  of  West  Greenwich.  Their  children 
were  :  Maria,  Sarah  C,  Marcy  S.,  Patience  S.,  Olive  B.,  George 
W.,  John  A.,  Charles  B.  and  Mary  E.,  of  whom  five  are  deceased. 

John  Anthony,  the  second  son,  was  born  June  23d,  1828,  in 
West  Greenwich,  and  at  the  age  of  eight  years  removed  to  Put- 
nam, then  Pomfret,  where  he  pursued  his  studies  at  the  district 
school,  and  meanwhile  until  1846  assisted  his  father  in  the  work 
of  the  farm.  He  then  engaged  in  teaching  in  the  schools  of 
Putnam  and  vicinity,  the  intervals  when  not  thus  occupied  being 


jiWiiJillMJiHJiJ  !tin<U!Sil      iUiU'i 


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ARTOTYPE,     E.    BIERSTADT,     t*. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  819 

employed  as  before,  on  his  father's  farm.  In  1857  he  entered 
the  office  of  the  Morse  Mills  Company  as  accountant,  paymaster 
and  manager  of  the  merchandise  department,  and  remained  thus 
occupied  until  1866,  when  he  was  elected  cashier  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Putnam,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  incorpor- 
ators, and  has  since  that  time  been  its  active  manager.  He  was 
the  treasurer  of  the  Putnam  Savings  Bank  from  1866  to  1874, 
and  on  his  resignation  from  that  office  continued  to  act  as  one  of 
its  trustees.  Mr.  Carpenter  was,  irrespective  of  party  ties,  elect- 
ed judge  of  probate  for  the  Putnam  district  in  1863  and  has  since 
that  time  held  the  office.  He  has  filled  various  local  positions, 
and  cordially  supported  all  measures  tending  to  the  advance- 
ment of  the  town,  and  its  material  prosperity.  His  sympathy 
with  the  cause  of  education  assumed  practical  form  in  the  aid  he 
gave  with  others,  toward  the  establishment  of  a  high  school  in 
Putnam,  when  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  the  town. 

Mr.  Carpenter  has  been  twice  married.  He  was  first  united  to 
Ann  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Byram  and  Nancy  Johnson  Wil- 
liams. Their  two  children,  are  Nancy  Janette  (deceased)  and 
Byram  Williams.  Mrs.  Carpenter  died  August  12th,  1856,  and 
he  married  a  second  time,  Marcia  J.,  daughter  of  Moses  Chand- 
ler, whose  ancestors  settled  in  Woodstock  in  1686.  Their  three 
children  are :  Jane  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Edgar  Morris  Warner ; 
Anna  Chandler  and  John  Frederick. 

John  O.  Fox  was  the  son  of  Captain  Abiel  Fox  and  his  wife 
Judith  Perry.  He  was  born  in  West  Woodstock,  July  5th,  1817, 
and  received  his  education  at  the  common  schools  near  his  home, 
and  at  the  Nichols  Academy,  at  Dudley.  His  father  kept  a  store 
at  Woodstock,  but  later  removed  to  Providence,  where  he  was 
the  landlord  of  a  popular  public  house,  well  known  as  "  Fox's 
Tavern."  On  his  decease  the  family  returned  to  Woodstock. 
Mr.  Fox,  before  his  majority  was  attained,  had  formed  a  copart- 
nership with  his  brother-in-law,  John  P.  Chamberlin,  in  trade, 
and  in  the  manufacture  of  shoes.  They  were  successful  until 
the  financial  crisis  of  1837,  which  swept  away  not  only  the  firm 
of  Chamberlin  &  Fox,  but  many  other  business  men  of  the 
town.  In  this  failure  was  involved  not  only  the  patrimony,  but 
the  earnings  of  Mr.  Fox,  and  a  new  start  in  life  was  the  only  al- 
ternative. He  therefore,  in  1840,  removed  to  Putnam,  then  a 
rising  young  village,  and  was  soon  appointed  to  the  charge  of 
the  depot.      This  connection  was  maintained   for  a  period  of 


820  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

thirty. years,  and  he  himself  was  the  headquarters  for  the  mar- 
keting- of  much  of  the  produce  for  the  adjoining  towns,  which 
was  shipped  to  Boston  and  Providence.  He  kept  for  years  the 
only  livery  stable  in  the  town,  and  was  the  first  person  to  bring 
finished  lumber  into  the  place  for  building  purposes. 

He  was  one  of  the  leading  and  influential  men  of  the  town, 
foremost  in  every  enterprise  resulting  in  its  growth  and  develop- 
ment, and  ever  ready  to  fill  any  local  office,  however  inconven- 
ient, that  was  bestowed  upon  him.  He  was  for  years  a  director 
of  both  the  First  National  Bank  and  the  Savings  Bank  of  Put- 
nam. In  all  his  relations,  whether  of  a  public  nature  or  con- 
nected with  private  business,  his  course  was  characterized  by 
the  most  absolute  integrity.  He  was  a  man  of  indomitable  will 
and  unbounded  perseverance,  acting  in  all  things  consistently 
with  his  view  of  the  subject,  irrespective  of  the  opinion  of  the 
majority.  In  politics  a  democrat,  he  was  never  offensive,  yet  al- 
ways ready  to  defend  his  convictions.  Self-reliant,  observant, 
and  possessing  excellent  judgment,  his  business  career  readily 
marked  him  as  a  successful  man.  Mr.  Fox,  in  connection  with 
his  lumber  interests,  purchased  a  tract  of  land  in  Florida,  which 
he  devoted  to  the  uses  of  an  orange  grove.  Here  he  was  ac- 
customed to  spend  his  winters,  and  each  succeeding  season  found 
him  looking  forward  with  great  pleasure  to  his  period  of  rest  in 
the  South. 

In  1848  Mr.  Fox  married  Miss  Eliza  Phillips,  whose  two  chil- 
dren are  a  son,  John  O.,  Jr.,  and  a  daughter,  Hattie.  The  death 
of  John  O.  Fox  occurred  in  Florida,  on  the  11th  of  February, 
1889. 

Lucius  H.  Fuller.— Both  English  and  Scotch  blood  coursed 
through  the  veins  of  Mr.  Fuller's  ancestors.  His  great-grand- 
father. Deacon  Abijah  Fuller,  had  the  honor  of  assisting  in  the 
fortification  of  Bunker  Hill,  on  which  occasion  he  directed  the 
throwing  up  of  the  earthworks  the  night  before  the  battle.  He 
died  in  1835  in  Hampton,  where  he  was  a  farmer  and  a  leading 
citizen.  He  married  Abigail  Meacham,  whose  children  were  : 
Abigail,  Lois,  Arthur,  Seymour,  Clarissa  and  Luther.  Seymour 
Fuller  resided  in  Hampton,  his  birthplace,  until  1816,  the  date 
of  his  removal  to  Tolland,  Conn.  He  married  in  1811,  Louisa, 
daughter  of  William  Butler  and  his  wife,  Louisa  Huntington. 
Their  children  were:  Lucius  S.,  Abigail,  wife  of  Sylvander  Har- 
wood,  Caroline  C,  William  B.  and  Melissa  J.;  of  whom   Lucius 


YPE,     E.    BIERSTADT,     N.   Y. 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY,  821 

S.  is  the  only  survivor.  He  was  born  March  12th,  1812,  in 
Hampton,  and  now  resides  in  Tolland,  where  he  has  been  a 
foremost  citizen  and  prominently  identified  with  both  county 
and  state  affairs.  He  married  July  4th,  1838,  Mary  Eliza,  daughter 
of  John  Bliss,  Esq.,  and  his  wife  Sally  Abbott,  of  Tolland.  They 
celebrated  their  golden  wedding  July  4th,  1888.  Their  two  sur- 
vivingf  children  are  Lucius  H.  and  Edward  E. 

Lucius  H.  was  born  August  31st,  1849,  in  Tolland,  and  re- 
ceived a  high  school  and  academic  education.  On  returning 
from  school,  after  a  brief  interval  on  the  farm,  he  removed  to 
Putnam  in  February,  1868,  and  engaged  in  the  insurance  busi- 
ness, representing,  as  agent,  many  of  the  most  important  fire  in- 
surance companies  in  the  country.  This  has,  under  his  able 
management,  grown  and  extended  itself  until  it  now  takes  rank 
as  one  of  the  most  important  agencies  in  the  state,  outside  of  the 
cities.  Mr.  Fuller  is  also  interested  in  various  other  enterprises  ; 
he  is  president  of  the  Putnam  Water  Company,  having  been  one 
of  its  earnest  promoters  and  warmest  advocates  ;  treasurer  of  the 
Putnam  Dairy  Company ;  director  of  the  Putnam  Foundry  Cor- 
poration, of  the  Mystic  Valley  Water  Company,  the  Palatka 
Water  Company,  of  Florida,  and  also  of  the  Tolland  Fire  Insur- 
ance Company.  He  has  been  an  earnest  worker  for  the  town  of 
Putnam  and  its  material  prosperity,  having  at  times  influenced 
the  investment  of  considerable  capital  at  this  point.  As  a  re- 
publican he  was  twice  elected  to  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace, 
but  each  time  declined  to  act.  He  is  now  serving  for  the  second 
term  as  member  of  the  school  board,  and  is  also  at  present  one 
of  the  acting  visitors.  He  is  greatly  interested  in  the  fire  de- 
partment, of  which  he  was  for  many  years  chief  engineer,  and 
has  been  warden  of  the  fire  district,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the 
principal  promotors. 

Mr.  Fuller  was  in  1881  elected  to  the  Connecticut  house  of 
representatives  from  Putnam,  and  reelected  in  1882,  making  an 
excellent  record.  He  is  the  present  senator  from  the  Sixteenth 
district,  being  chairman  of  the  committee  on  incorporations, 
one  of  the  most  important  committees  in  the  legislature.  He 
has  also  been  a  delegate  to  various  state  conventions.  As  a  pub- 
lic speaker  he  has  gained  something  more  than  local  prominence  ; 
his  ease  and  fluency  in  this  respect  having  aided  greatly  in  his 
political  advancement,  besides  giving  him  a  leading  position  as 
a  legislator. 


822  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Mr.  Fuller  was  on  the  31st  of  August,  1871,  married  to  Helen 
A.,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Elizabeth  Briggs,  of  Pomfret,  who  died 
May  21st,  1875,  leaving  one  son,  Maurice  Bernard,  born  May  7th, 
1874.  He  was  again  married  June  30th,  1880,  to  Abby  Clara, 
daughter  of  Joseph  W.  and  Abigail  N.  Cundall,  of  Worcester, 
Mass.,  who  died  November  10th,  1884,  leaving  a  son,  born  on  the 
7th  of  August,  1881. 

George  W.  Holt,  Jr.— Jonathan  Holt,  a  soldier  of  the  revolu- 
tion, was  the  father  of  Josiah  Holt,  a  native  of  Hampton,  Conn., 
who  during  his  active  life  followed  the  trade  of  a  machinist. 
He  married  Mary  Prior,  who  became  the  mother  of  a  large  fam- 
ily, the  eldest  son,  William  L.,  being  well-known  as  a  successful 
manufacturer,  and  a  man  of  much  mechanical  skill,  both  in  New 
England  and  in  the  South,  to  which  section  he  subsequently  re- 
moved. Another  son,  George  W.  Holt,  the  fatherof  the  subject 
of  this  biography,  was  born  March  16th,  1816,  in  Plainfield, 
Conn.,  and  in  1831  removed  to  Slatersville,  R.  I.,  where  he  re- 
mained until  1870,  when  Providence  became  and  is  at  present 
his  home.  Entering  the  cotton  mills  when  a  boy  he  rose  through 
the  successive  grades,  finally  becoming  superintendent,  agent 
and  part  owner.  Having  abandoned  active  business  he  still  con- 
tinues the  efficient  president  of  the  Monohansett  Manufacturing 
Company.  Mr.  Holt  was  on  the  3d  of  September,  1839,  married 
to  Lucy  Dodge,  daughter  of  Barney  Dodge,  of  Smithfield,  R.  I. 
Their  children  are  a  son,  George  W.,  Jr.,  and  a  daughter,  Ellen 
Porter. 

George  W.  Holt,  Jr.,  was  born  July  21st,  1840,  in  Slatersville, 
where  his  early  education  was  received  at  the  village  school. 
In  1857  he  became  a  pupil  of  the  Phillips  Academy,  at  Andover, 
Mass.,  and  one  year  later  entered  the  Scientific  Department  of 
Brown  University,  where  he  completed  a  two  years'  course  of 
study.  His  father  was  at  this  time  manager  of  the  Slatersville 
Mills,  and  also  engaged  in  building  and  starting  the  Forestdale 
Mills,  in  which  Mr.  Holt  became  assistant  superintendent,  and 
continued  to  act  in  that  capacity  for  ten  years.  He  then  spent 
a  year  in  Providence,  and  in  1871  came  to  Putnam,  as  superin- 
tendent for  the  Monohansett  Manufacturing  Company,  which  had 
become  lessees  of  certain  manufacturing  property  and  water 
power  at  that  point.  The  business  which  had  been  conducted 
under  a  partnership  with  Estus  Lamb  and  George  W.  Holt  as 
the  owners,  was  in  1882  incorporated   as  the    company  above 


/^ 


ARTOTVPE,     E.     BIERSTADT,     N. 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  823 

mentioned.  Mr.  Holt  on  his  advent  in  Putnam  assumed  charge 
of  the  property,  placed  the  machinery,  started  the  mills  and  acted 
as  superintendent  until  1888,  when  he  became  agent,  having 
since  the  date  of  incorporation  had  an  interest  in  the  business. 
The  product  of  the  mills  consists  of  plain  sheetings  and  shirt- 
ings, for  which  New  York  city  affords  a  ready  market.  Mr. 
Holt  has  been  since  1873  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of 
the  Putnam  Savings  Bank,  and  has  interested  himself  in  various 
enterprises  tending  to  advance  the  growth  of  the  village,  espe- 
cially in  the  introduction  of  the  electric  light.  As  a  republican 
he  was  elected  to  the  Connecticut  house  of  representatives  for 
the  session  of  1889,  and  served  as  chairman  of  the  committee  on 
manufactures. 

Mr.  Holt  married  November  6th,  1865,  Marion  A.,  daughter 
of  Estes  Burdon,  of  Blackstone,  Mass.,  who  died  soon  after.  He 
was  again  married  April  27th,  1872,  to  Rosalie  F.,  daughter  of 
Samuel  F.  Dyer,  of  North  Kingstown,  R.  I.  Their  children  are 
a  son,  William  Franklin,  now  a  pupil  of  the  Greenwich  Acad- 
emy, at  Greenwich,  Conn.,  and  Mary  Florence,  who  is  pursuing 
her  studies  in  the  Putnam  High  School. 

James  Winchell  Manning. — The  earliest  representative  of 
the  Manning  family  in  America  emigrated  from  England  in 
1634  and  settled  in  the  suburbs  of  Boston,  Mass.  Ephraim,  rep- 
resenting the  third  generation  in  line  of  descent,  located  in 
Woodstock,  Windham  county,  where  he  lived  and  died.  His 
son  William  was  a  patriot,  held  a  commission  as  captain  dur- 
ing the  war  of  the  revolution,  and  served  until  the  close  of 
the  conflict.  His  children  were  six  daughters  and  two  sons, 
William  H.,  the  youngest  son,  being  a  native  of  Woodstock, 
where  his  birth  occurred  September  10th,  1776.  He  later  re- 
moved to  Pomfret,  where  he  died  in  June,  1862.  By  his  mar- 
riage  to  Lucy  Tucker  were  born  five  children  :  Lory,  Mary, 
Ephraim,  Lucy  and  William.  He  married  a  second  time  Lois 
Paine,  of  Pomfret,  whose  children  are  :  James  W.,  John  M., 
Henry  F.,  Edward  P.  and  Edward  P.,  2d.  The  survivors  of 
this  number  are  William,  John  M.  and  James  W. 

James  W.  was  born  in  Pomfret  March  8th,  1822,  and  remained 
until  his  twenty-fifth  year  a  resident  of  that  town.  He  was 
educated  at  the  Thompson  and  Woodstock  Academies,  and 
the  Connecticut  Literary  Institution,  at  Suffield,  meanwhile  at 
intervals  giving  a  hand  at   the  work  of    the    farm.     He    then 


824  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

accepted  a  clerkship  and  served  for  two  years  in  that  capac- 
ity, removing  in  1847  to  Putnam,  where  he  embarked  in  the 
dry  goods  trade.  This  business  he  has  continued  until 
the  present  time,  either  alone  or  with  partners,  the  present 
firm  of  Manning  &  Leonard  having  existed  since  1869. 

Mr.  Manning  has  been  prominent  in  local  affairs,  and  on 
the  organization  of  the  town  of  Putnam  was  elected  the  first 
town  clerk,  which  ojffice  he  has  held  continuoUvSly  until  the 
present  time.  He  has  also  filled  the  offices  of  town  treasurer 
and  registrar  of  births  and  marriages.  He  was  in  1866,  as  a 
republican,  elected  a  member  of  the  Connecticut  house  of  rep- 
resentatives, and  in  1869-71-72  filled  the  office  of  state  comp- 
troller. He  was  for  many  years  a  director  and  is  now  the 
president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Putnam,  as  also  one 
of  the  incorporators  of  the  Putnam  Savings  Bank.  He  has, 
from  the  organization  of  the  town,  manifested  the  deepest  in- 
terest in  its  moral  and  material  advancement,  and  was  on  its  for- 
mation president  of  the  Business  Men's  Association  of  Putnam, 
which  has  proved  a  powerful  agent  in  its  commercial  develop- 
ment. Mr.  Manning  is  a  member  and  deacon  of  the  Baptist 
church  of  Putnam.  He  is  a  firm  believer  in  the  truths  of  Chris- 
tianity and  lends  a  willing  hand  to  the  support  and  propagation 
of  the  gospel.  In  the  days  when  the  question  of  slavery  was 
agitated  with«much  personal  bitterness,  he  was  an  avowed  abo- 
litionist. 

Mr.  Manning  was,  on  on  the  5th  of  May,  1846,  married  to  Em- 
ily, daughter  of  Daniel  Fitts,  of  Pomfret.  Their  only  child  is  a 
daughter,  Helen  A.,  wife  of  Doctor  J.  B.  Kent,  of  Putnam. 

Milton  vStratton  Morse. — Oliver  Morse,  the  father  of  Mil- 
ton Stratton  Morse,  and  a  native  of  Sharon,  Massachusetts,  was 
first  a  carpenter,  then  a  farmer.  He  married  Waitstill  Stratton, 
of  Foxboro,  where  their  son,  Milton  Stratton,  was  born,  Decem- 
ber 25th,  1799.  When  very  young  his  father  removed  to  Wren- 
tham,  Massachusetts,  the  scene  of  Milton's  earliest  connection 
with  cotton  manufacturing.  He  began  work  in  a  small  factory, 
his  first  task  being  that  of  picking  cotton  and  placing  it  on  the 
cards,  which  labor  was  continued  for  two  years.  He  was  then 
apprenticed  to  the  blacksmith's  trade,  but  the  terms  of  the  con- 
tract not  being  complied  with,  he  returned  home  at  the  age  of 
thirteen,  his  father  having  removed  his  family  to  Attleboro, 
while  he  sought  employment  at  Pawtucket.     The  lad  remained 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  825 

at  home  about  a  year,  engaged  in  braiding  straw  and  picking 
cotton  by  hand  for  firms  in  Pawtucket.  He  next  worked  for 
Zeba  Kent,  in  his  mill  at  Seekonk  and  on  his  farm,  often  going 
to  the  woods  with  two  yoke  of  oxen  and  a  horse  to  load  ship 
timber  destined  for  the  shipyards  at  Warwick,  Rhode  Island. 

Early  in  1815  his  father  removed  to  a  farm  in  East  Providence, 
where  his  son  assisted  him  for  a  year,  subsequently  living  with 
his  uncle  at  Foxboro.  At  the  end  of  a  year  he  entered  a  cotton 
mill  at  Attleboro,  and  was  speedily  made  overseer  of  the  card 
room.  In  this  room  was  a  pair  of  mules,  and  by  their  aid  he 
learned  mule  spinning.  A  year  and  a  half  later  he  removed  to 
East  Wrentham,  near  the  Foxboro  line,  and  assumed  charge  of 
the  carding  and  spinning  in  Blake's  factory  for  about  two  years. 
After  a  brief  interval  spent  in  farming  he  assumed  charge  of 
the  mule  spinning  in  a  mill  at  Walpole,  remained  at  this  point 
one  year,  and  then  became  superintendent  of  Elisha  Sherman's 
factory  at  Foxboro,  where  warps  were  manufactured  by  contract 
for  firms  in  Pawtucket.  After  spending  a  year  at  Foxboro  he 
assumed  charge  of  a  mill  in  North  Attleboro,  devoted  to  the  man- 
ufacture of  cotton  sewing  thread.  Though  this  business,  being 
in  competition  with  that  of  Coates  and  other  English  manufact- 
urers, was  regarded  as  a  difficult  one,  Mr.  Morse  resolved  to 
teach  inexperienced  operatives  to  perform  it — a  policy  which  he 
carried  out  with  such  success  that  a  half  century  ago  he  was  able 
to  make,  from  Sea  Island  cotton,  yarns  of  No.  130,  or  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty  skeins  to  the  pound. 

After  an  engagement  of  one  year  with  the  Manville  Company 
at  Cumberland,  Rhode  Island,  he  assumed  charge  for  a  brief 
time  of  the  carding  room  of  a  mill  at  Central  Falls,  in  the  same 
state,  and  a  few  months  later  formed  a  copartnership  with  Avery 
Gilmore,  under  the  firm  name  of  Morse  &  Gilmore,  for  the  man- 
ufacture of  cotton  goods.  Hiring  a  small  mill  at-  Central  Falls, 
they  effected  a  contract  with  Crawford  Allen,  of  Providence,  to 
stock  the  mill  and  sell  the  goods  on  commission.  They  soon  es- 
tablished a  profitable  business,  which  continued  for  three  years, 
when  Mr.  Morse  sold  his  interest.  During  this  period  he  was 
also  engaged  for  a  year  in  running  the  Lefavor  mill  at  Paw- 
tucket. In  1832  he  took  the  Lyman  mill  at  Woonsocket,  ran  it 
by  contract  for  Crawford  Allen,  and  removed  with  his  family  to 
that  town.  In  1833,  in  connection  with  Mr.  Allen,  he  purchased 
the  Abbott  Run  mills  at  Cumberland,  and  transferring  his  res- 


826  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

t 

idence  to  Valley  Falls,  assumed  charge  of  the  property,  repaired 
the  old  and  put  in  much  new  machinery.  He  continued  in  the 
ownership  of  this  property,  his  half  interest  having  been  in- 
creased by  the  addition  of  a  fourth  interest.  In  1842  and  1843 
he  ran  by  contract  a  mill  at  Valley  Falls  owned  by  Mr.  Allen, 
and  also  one  owned  by  Henry  Marchant,  of  Providence.  The 
latter  contract,  which  was  for  three  years,  was  broken  by  the 
owner  of  the  mills  on  finding  that  Mr.  Morse  was  making^  the 
mills  profitable. 

In  1843,  in  connection  with  Mr.  Allen,  Mr.  Morse  operated  the 
Arkwright  Mills,  at  Cranston,  Rhode  Island,  of  which  he  as- 
sumed the  superintendence.  In  this  relation  he  continued  for 
eleven  years.  In  1844  the  machinery  was  removed  from  the 
Valley  Falls  mills  to  a  brick  mill  then  recently  built  at  Put- 
nam, Connecticut,  and  owned  by  Mr.  George  C.  Nightingale, 
of  Providence,  and  in  1857  machinery  was  brought  from  a 
factory  at  Greenville,  Rhode  Island,  to  the  present  stone  mill 
belonging  to  Mr.  Nightingale.  These  mills  were  successfully 
operated  by  Mr.  Morse  under  contract.  In  1848  the  large 
stone  mill  known  as  the  Morse  mill  was  built  and  operated 
by  M.  S.  Morse,  G.  C.  Nightingale  and  S.  Dorr,  Jr.,  of  Prov- 
idence, the  mill  and  village  around  it  having  grown  up  in  a 
single  year.  In  1862  Mr.  Morse,  with  his  brother  Alfred,  pur- 
chased a  cotton  factory  at  Holden  and  one  at  Farnumsville, 
both  in  Massachusetts.  He  later  disposed  of  the  latter  and 
became  sole  owner  of  the  former  interest.  Messrs.  Morse  & 
Nightingale  erected  in  1872  the  Powhatan  mill,  at  the  privil- 
ege above  that  which  furnishes  power  for  the  mills  owned  by 
them  at  Putnam. 

Mr.  Morse  married  on  the  30th  of  September,  1824,  Susanna 
Blake,  of  Wrentham,  Mass.  Of  their  four  children,  the  eldest, 
Stillman  F.,  was  drowned  at  Valley  Falls  in  his  thirteenth  year. 
The  surviving  children  are:  George  M.,  born  at  Central  Falls 
August  25th,  1830;  Fanny  B.,  born  at  Valley  Falls  October  3d, 
1834,  and  married  to  Andrew  J.  Grossman,  of  Providence,  and 
Susan  A.,  born  at  Valley  Falls  August  24th,  1838,  and  married 
to  Henry  A.  Munroe,  also  of  Providence.  Although  Mr.  Morse 
lived  to  reach  the  border  of  four  score  years,  he  continued  in  the 
active  supervision  of  his  affairs  until  his  death  on  the  17th  of 
May,  1877,  the  result  of  an  injury  received  three  days  previously. 

Mr.  Morse  was  much  interested  in  the  political  events  of  his 


J^oC^z    0 ,     ,  /^r^/'-X  C^ 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  827 

day,  and  willingly  co-operated  in  the  various  projects  which  re- 
sulted in  benefit  to  the  state  and  country.  He,  however,  never 
aspired  to  office,  being  always  engrossed  in  the  care  of  his  im- 
portant business.  His  untiring  ambition,  accompanied  with 
sound  judgment,  led  to  success  as  a  business  manager.  During 
a  period  of  forty  years  he  never  failed  to  meet  his  obligations 
or  fulfill  all  financial  contracts.  Socially  he  was  approachable  to 
the  most  humble  individual  in  his  employ,  and  on  his  decease 
more  than  a  thousand  employes  felt  the  loss,  of  a  benefactor  and 
friend. 

George  M,  Morse,  the  second  son  of  Milton  S.  and  Susanna 
Blake  Morse,  spent  his  youth  in  and  about  the  city  of  Provi- 
dence. His  early  years  were  devoted  to  study  at  the  schools  of 
Providence,  where  he  remained  until  the  age  of  eighteen,  when 
on  removing  to  Putnam  he  interested  himself  for  a  year  in  the 
store  belonging  to  the  company  with  which  his  father  was  con- 
nected. Again  making  Providence  his  home,  he  spent  several 
years  in  that  city,  and  at  Putnam,  ultimately  locating  in  the 
spring  of  1856  in  the  latter  place,  where  he  was  made  the  super- 
intendent of  the  Morse  mills.  This  responsible  position  he  filled 
for  many  years  and  finally  assumed  the  entire  management  of 
the  property.  In  1869  the  company  was  granted  a  charter,  and 
the  year  following  Mr.  Morse  became  one  of  the  corporate  own- 
ers. The  Nightingale  mills  under  the  firm  name  of  M.  S.  Morse 
&  Son,  were  from  1868  to  1868  operated  by  the  yard.  In  1872 
the  Powhatan  mills  were  erected  under  the  personal  supervision 
of  Mr.  Morse,  who  superintended  every  detail  of  their  construc- 
tion, placed  the  machinery,  and  successfully  started  them.  Of 
the  three  corporations  located  at  Putnam,  Milton  S.  Morse  and 
his  son  were  the  managers,  the  entire  responsibility  devolving 
upon  the  subject  of  this  sketch  on  the  death  of  his  father.  He 
still  continues  the  competent  head  of  this  extensive  manufactur- 
ing interest,  of  which  his  eldest  son,  Augustus  I.,  is  the  superin- 
tendent. Mr.  Morse  is  president  of  both  the  Morse  and  Pow- 
hatan companies,  president  of  the  Abbott  Run  mills  at  Cumber- 
land, R.  I.,  and  a  third  owner  and  manager  of  the  Holden  cotton 
mills  at  Holden,  Mass. 

Mr.  Morse  is  much  absorbed  in  the  varied  duties  pertaining 
to  his  business,  and  has  neither  taste  nor  leisure  for  matters  of 
a  political  character.  He  is  a  firm  advocate  of  the  principles  of 
the  republican  party,  and  in  full  sympathy  with  the  protective 


828  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

tariff  views  which  it  endorses.  He  has  done  much  to  promote 
the  cause  of  education  in  his  town,  is  a  member  of  the  manag- 
ing committee,  and  was  one  of  the  building  committee  of  the 
high  school  recently  erected  in  Putnam.  Mr.  Morse  may,  with 
great  propriety,  be  spoken  of  in  connection  with  his  sympathy 
and  interest  in  all  forms  of  Christian  work.  He  became  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  church  of  Putnam  in  April,  1858,  in 
which  he  is  a  deacon,  and  among  its  most  liberal  supporters. 
His  Christianity  finds  expression  in  earnest  Christian  labor, 
in  a  broad  sympathy  for  his  fellow-men  of  whatever  class  or 
condition,  and  in  a  cheerful  and  spontaneous  giving.  Not  re- 
stricted by  rules  or  tenets,  he  gives  with  a  firm  belief  that  he 
is  simply  the  custodian  of  means  which  should  be  devoted  to 
the  glory  of  God  and  the  welfare  of  others. 

Mr.  Morse  was  married  April  13th,  1851,  to  Melora,  daughter 
of  Whitford  Whitney  of  Killingly,  Conn.  Their  children  are 
five  sons  and  five  daughters,  as  follows:  Frances  S.,  deceased; 
Ida  A.,  wife  of  Charles  M.  Fenner;  Augustus  I.,  married  to  Anne 
G.  Dyer;  Stillman  F.,  married  to  Emma  L.  Leonard;  Milton  S., 
married  to  Eloise  H.  Busiel;  George  Byron,  married  to  Maud 
L.  Alden;  Hattie  M.,  wife  of  Charles  Albert  Luke;  Alice  M., 
wife  of  James  Eugene  Taylor;  Walter  N.  and  Blanche  P. 

Captain  Alfred  M.  Parker  is  a  lineal  descendant  of  Captain 
John  Parker,  who  commanded  a  detachment  of  colonial  troops 
at  the  eventful  battle  of  Lexington  during  the  war  of  the  revo- 
lution. Among  the  children  of  his  son  Eben,  who  resided  in 
Boston,  was  John,  also  a  resident  of  the  same  city,  who  married 
Rebecca  Young  of  Boston.  Their  children  are:  Horace  B.,  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  Parker,  Holmes  &  Co.,  of  Boston;  Alfred 
M.,  and  two  daughters,  Isabella  L.,  wife  of  George  J.  Tufts,  and 
Ella  J. 

Alfred  M.  Parker  was  born  October  26th,  1852,  in  Boston,  where 
he  resided  until  the  age  of  twelve,  meanwhile  attending  the 
public  schools  and  laying  the  foundation  for  a  substantial  ele- 
mentary education.  The  three  succeeding  years  were  spent  in 
Medford,  after  which  he  removed  to  St.  Louis,  to  familiarize 
himself  with  the  boot  and  shoe  trade.  The  firm  with  which  he 
engaged  managed  two  stores,  and  Captain  Parker  was  connected 
in  turn  with  both,  finally  transferring  his  relations  to  the  more 
important,  in  which  he  was  chief  accountant.  After  a  business 
connection   of   six   years   with   this   firm,  he    returned  to   Bos- 


^vr%^ 


TOTYPE,     £.    BIER5TADT, 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  829 

ton,  and  became  travelling  salesman  for  Messrs.  Batchelder  & 
Lincoln,  a  prominent  wholesale  boot  and  shoe  house  of  that  city. 
This  engagement  continiied  for  a  period  of  four  years,  when 
Putnam  became  his  home.  Here  he  purchased  the  business  of 
Messrs.  Houghton  &  Crandall,  boot  and  shoe  dealers,  and  has 
since  that  date  been  actively  interested  in  this  branch  of  trade. 
Under  his  judicious  management  the  sales  have  largely  in  creased, 
a  wholesale  and  jobbing  department  having  been  added  to  the 
retail  branch  of  the  business. 

Captain  Parker  has,  since  his  settlement  in  Putnam,  been 
identified  with  its  improvement,  and  interested  himself  in 
the  various  projects  having  for  their  object  the  welfare  of  the 
community.  He  was  a  director  and  one  of  the  original  promoters 
of  the  Electric  Light  Company,  and  was  chiefly  instrumental  in 
the  erection  of  a  drinking  fountain  in  the  center  of  the  village. 
He  is  an  active  Mason,  and  senior  warden  of  Quinebaug  Lodge, 

F.  &  A.  M.  Of  Putnam  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  he  has 
been  for  two  years  the  high  priest.  For  four  years  Captain 
Parker  has  held  the  position  of  second  lieutenant  of  Company 

G,  Third  regiment,  Connecticut  National  Guards,  located  in 
Putnam,  and  received  promotion  to  the  office  of  aide-de-camp, 
with  the  rank  of  captain,  on  the  staff  of  General  Charles  P. 
Graham,  brigadier  general,  commanding  the  Connecticut  Na- 
tional Guards.  This  promotion  was  the  result  of  merit,  so  that 
he  may  be  said  in  truth  to  have  won  his  spurs,  and  with  them 
the  approbation  and  esteem  of  his  commanding  general. 

Captain  Parker  is  accustomed  to  seek  relaxation  from  the  cares 
of  an  increasing  business  in  a  hunting  and  fishing  trip  on  the  coast 
of  Florida  during  the  winter  months,  his  own  convenient  and  at- 
tractive yacht  contributing  greatly  to  this  pleasure.  He  was 
married  to  Miss  Anne  M.  Howard,  of  Bath,  Me.,  who  died  in 
March,  1885. 

Chandler  A.  Spalding. — Obed  Spalding  married  Margaret 
Ames.  Their  son,  Eleazer  Spalding,  married  Sarah  Parks  and 
resided  in  Killingly,  now  Putnam,  where  he  owned  a  farm,  and 
also  during  the  winter  months  engaged  in  teaching.  He  had 
two  children,  a  son.  Chandler  A.,  and  a  daughter,  Mary  Ann, 
wife  of  George  W.  Keith.  Chandler  A.  Spalding  was  born 
April  24th,  1810,  on  the  farm  in  Killingly,  and  in  the  residence 
occupied  by  him  during  his  lifetime.  Having  the  misfortune  to 
lose  his  father  when  but  twelve  years  of  age,  he  began  active 


830  HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

labor  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  and  such  was  his  aptitude  and  judg- 
ment, that  soon  after,  with  his  mother,  he  conducted  the  farm. 
He  received  a  common  English  education  at  the  district  school, 
but  was  too  much  engrossed  with  the  responsible  duties  thus 
early  thrown  upon  him  to  afford  much  time  for  study. 

On  the  11th  of  February,  1835,  he  married  Charity  Gilbert,  of 
Pomfret,  whose  children  are  :  Caroline  C,  Albert,  Emily,  Lo- 
ren  and  Charles,  all  now  deceased.  Mrs.  Spalding's  death  oc- 
curred January  4th,  1861.  Mr.  Spalding  having  already  owned 
one-third  of  the  estate,  on  his  marriage  purchased  the  remaining 
two-thirds  from  his  mother  and  sister,  thus  becoming  sole  owner 
of  the  homestead  farm,  on  which  he  settled.  He  married  a  sec- 
ond time  January  27th,  1862,  Emily,  daughter  of  Wareham  Wil- 
liams, of  Pomfret,  who  survives  him. 

Mr.  Spalding  was  in  politics  a  republican,  but  not  ambitious 
for  office,  and  filled  no  other  positions  than  those  which  enabled 
him  to  be  of  service  to  his  native  town.  He  was  one  of  the  in- 
corporators and  a  director  of  the  Putnam  National  Bank.  He 
was  the  projector  and  at  one  time  sole  owner  of  the  Putnam 
Cemetery,  which  was  platted  under  his  personal  supervision. 
On  its  organization  as  a  corporation,  he  became  the  president 
and  filled  that  office  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  the  2d 
of  April,  1877.  Mr.  Spalding  was  a  Christian  man,  giving  with 
a  cheerful  and  willing  heart,  and  zealous  in  promoting  the  pros- 
perity of  the  Congregational  church  at  Putnam,  of  which  he 
was  a   member. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 


THE  TOWN  OF  WOODSTOCK. 


General  Description  and  Geology. — Aborigines. — Visit  of  Eliot  and  Gookin. — 
The  Narragansett  War. — New  Roxbury  Colony. — Incorporation  as  Wood- 
stock and  Subsequent  Events. — Indian  Troubles. — Important  Changes. — 
Final  Division  of  Roxbury's  Half  of  Woodstock. — Second  Meeting  House. — 
Ministerial  Troubles. — Indian  Alarms. — Land  Divisions. — Worcester  County 
Erected. — Early  Schools. — Controversy  with  Colonel  Chandler. — Settlement 
of  West  Woodstock.^ — Precinct  Organized.— Building  of  Meeting  House. — 
Organization  of  Church. — Woodstock's  Revolt. — Contest  betvt^een  Massachu- 
setts and  Connecticut. — Church  Division. — ^ Various  Town  Affairs. 


THE  northwest  corner  of  Windham  county  is  occupied  by 
the  ample  territory  of  Woodstock,  eight  miles  by  seven 
and  a  half  in  extent,  comprising  an  area  of  nearly  sixty 
square  miles.  It  is  the  largest  town  in  the  county  and  retains, 
with  least  change,  its  original  limits,  its  only  loss  occurring  frcm 
a  slight  removal  of  its  northern  boundary.  Woodstock  ranks 
high  among  the  farming  towns  of  the  state.  Its  soil  is  excel- 
lent, and  the  dearth  of  manufacturing  privileges  has  helped  to 
develop  agricultural  interests.  A  micaceous  formation  (gneiss), 
extending  from  Pomfret  to  its  junction  with  a  western  branch 
of  the  same  near  Muddy  brook,  in  the  north  of  the  town,  fur- 
nishes a  soil  capable  of  great  improvement.  It  is  characterized  by 
a  series  of  smoothly  rounded,  detached  hills,  in  which  the  rock 
is  usually  covered.  Rocky  ledges  in  other  parts  of  the  town 
have  impeded  cultivation,  leaving  extensive  forest  tracts,  mak- 
ing the  lumber  interest  of  permanent  value.  A  granitic  forma- 
tion in  the  south  of  the  town  is  well  adapted  for  quarrying,  hav- 
ing furnished  hearth  stones  and  building  material  to  succeeding 
generations  since  the  first  settlement  of  the  town.  The  west  of 
the  town  is  favored  with  a  large  deposit  of  bog  iron  ore,  espe- 
cially in  the  neighborhood  of  Black  pond,  where  it  is  said  a  sin- 
gle pit  yielded  a  hundred  and  fifty  tons  of  ore.  Mineral  springs, 
near  the  present  rcvsidenceof  Deacon  Abel  Child,  enjoyed  a  wide 
popularity  for  a  season.     Woodstock's  variety  of  soil,  nearness 


832  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

to  market,  its  wide-awake  Farmer's  Club,  Grange  and  Agricul- 
tural Society,  have  stimulated  culture  and  experiment  and 
brought  the  general  administration  of  farming  affairs  to  a  high 
standard.  Attempts  to  utilize  its  small  streams — Muddy  brook, 
Bungee  and  Saw  Mill  brook — for  manufacturing  purposes  have 
been  less  successful.  Other  manufacturing  enterprises  have 
met  with  varying  success. 

This  Woodstock  territory  was  first  known  to  the  whites  as  a 
part  of  Wabbaquasset,  a  country  run  over  and  conquered  by  the 
Mohegans,  and  subject  to  Uncas.  Its  name  signifies  "the  mat- 
producing  country,"  and  was  probably  derived  from  some  marsh 
or  meadow  that  produced  valuable  reeds  for  mats  and  baskets. 
It  included  land  west  of  the  Quinebaug,  north  o]^  a  westward  line 
from  Acquiunk  Falls,  now  atDanielsonville.  The  Indians  living 
in  this  section  were  known  as  Wabbaquassets.  They  were  ap- 
parently few  in  number  and  inferior  in  character,  abjectly  sub- 
missive to  the  great  sachem  Uncas,  paying  "him  homage  and 
obligations,  and  yearly  tribute  of  white  deer  skins,  bear  skins  and 
black  wolf  skins."  The  south  part  of  what  is  now  Woodstock  is 
supposed  to  have  been  one  of  their  favorite  haunts.  The  smooth 
hills  were  burnt  over  every  year  to  furnish  fresh  pasture  for 
deer,  and  corn  was  grown  there  as  far  back  as  the  first  settle- 
ment of  Boston.  When  news  was  borne  through  Nipnet  to 
Wabbaquasset  that  Englishmen  at  the  Bay  lacked  corn,  and 
would  pay  a  good  price  for  it,  a  stout  young  Indian  lad,  Acquit- 
timaug,  trudged  through  the  wilderness  with  his  father  with 
sacks  of  corn  upon  their  backs  to  sell  to  the  Englishmen. 

Apart  from  this  incident  nothing  is  known  of  the  aboriginal 
inhabitants  of  Woodstock,  until  the  Indian  converts  of  John 
Eliot  found  their  way  there.  Two  of  these  youths,  trained  at 
Natic  in  a  school  of  virtue  and  piety,  inspired  by  the  teachings 
and  example  of  the  reverend  apostle,  sought  to  carry  "  good  tid- 
ings "  to  their  benighted  countrymen  at  Wabbaquasset.  They 
were  sons  of  Petavit,  sachem  at  Hamannesset  (now  Grafton),  and 
are  described  as  hopeful,  pious  and  active  young  men.  The 
younger,  Sampson,  "an  active  and  ingenius  person,"  had  been 
before  conversion  dissolute  in  conduct,  "  lived  very  uncomfort- 
ably with  his  wife,"  but  the  transforming  power  of  divine  grace 
had  been  made  more  manifest  thereby,  and  his  mission  work  at 
Wabbaquasset  was  remarkably  successful.  Laboring  alone 
among  these  untutored  savages,  within  four  years  he  had  gath- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  833 

ered  thirty  families  into  an  orderly  community,  had  instructed 
them  in  the  principles  of  religion,  established  divine  worship 
and  persuaded  them  to  assume  in  some  degree  the  habits  of  civ- 
ilized life.  They  cultivated  the  land,  raised  great  crops  of  corn 
and  beans,  and  built  wigwams,  the  like  of  which  were  not  to  be 
seen  in  New  England.  The  precise  locality  of  this  Indian  set- 
tlement has  not  been  ascertained,  but  it  was  in  the  south  part  of 
the  tract,  near  the  present  "  Quasset,"  or  in  the  vicinity  of  South 
Woodstock.  A  fort  was  maintained  westward  on  what  is  now 
Fort  hill,  which  was  called  the  "  second  fort  in  the  Nipmuck 
country." 

The  report  of  Major  Daniel  Gookin,  "magistrate  over  the 
Praying  Indians,"  of  Mr.  Eliot's  tour  among  these  Indians  in 
1674,  enables  us  to  see  them  as  with  our  own  eyes.  With 
five  or  six  godly  persons  and  a  number  of  Indian  guides  and 
followers,  they  visited  the  new  "Praying  Towns  "  planted  by 
Eliot's  missionaries.  After  spending  the  night  at  Chaubun- 
akongkomuk  (near  Dudley),  where  Sampson's  brother  Joseph 
was  teacher,  they  proceeded  in  the  morning  to  Myanexet, 
"west  of  a  fresh  river  called  Mohegan"  (now  New  Boston) 
where  a  village  had  been  gathered.  To  these  twenty  families 
with  others  Mr.  Eliot  preached  in  the  Indian  tongue  from  the 
words,  "  Lift  up  your  heads,  O  ye  gates,  ....  and  the  King 
of  Glory  shall  come  in,"  words  which  a  swift  messenger  bore 
with  all  speed  to  the  king  of  darkness  at  Mohegan.  John 
Moqua,  a  pious  and  sober  person,  was  presented  to  the  people  to 
be  their  minister,  and  a  suitable  psalm  read  by  him  was  sung  by 
the  assembly.  After  a  closing  prayer  the  missionary  band  pro- 
ceeded on  their  way,  following  the  Connecticut  Path,  the  main 
thoroughfare  of  travel  between  the  colonies,  for  a  part  of  the  jour- 
ney, diverging  thence  by  Indian  trail  to  the  Wabbaquasset  settle- 
ment. "  Late  in  the  evening,"  September  15th,  they  reached  the 
sagamore's  famous  wigwam,  sixty  feet  in  length  and  twenty  feet 
in  width.  The  chief  was  absent,  but  his  squaw  received  them 
courteously,  and  provided  liberally  in  Indian  fashion  for  their 
followers.  The  "active  and  ingenius "  Sampson,  rejoicing  in 
the  fruit  of  his  labors,  must  have  given  them  a  hearty  welcome, 
and  "  divers  of  the  principal  people  that  were  at  home  "  came  to 
the  wigwam,  with  whom  they  "  spent  a  good  part  of  the  night 
in  prayer,  singing  psalms  and  exhortations." 

"  It  was  a  scene  that  has  been  many  times  repeated  in  mission- 
53 


834  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

ary  experience,  the  grave  and  earnest  men  of  God  with  the  wild 
natives  wondering  and  questioning  at  their  feet,  but  one  inci- 
dent on  this  occasion  was  of  unique  occurrence.  A  grim  Indian 
among  them,  "  sitting  mute  a  great  space,  at  last  spake  to  this  ef- 
fect— that  he  was  agent  for  Uncas,  sachem  of  Mohegan,  who 
challenged  right  to  and  dominion  over  this  people  of  Wabba- 
quasset.  And  said  he,  'U?tcas  is  not  well  pleased  \h2it  the  English 
should  pass  over  Mohegan  River  to  call  his  Indians  to  pray  to 
God.'"  The  timid  Wabbaquassets  might  well  have  quailed  at 
this  lofty  message  from  their  sovereign  lord,  but  Mr.  Eliot  re- 
plied calmly,  "That  it  luas  his  ziwk  to  call  upon  all  men  every- 
where, as  he  had  opportunity,  especially  the  Indians,  to  repent 
and  embrace  the  Gospel,  but  he  did  not  meddle  with  civil  right 
or  jurisdiction."  Gookin,  as  magistrate,  further  explained  and 
desired  the  messenger  to  inform  Uncas,  that  Wabbaquasset  was 
within  the  jurisdiction  of  Massachusetts,  and  that  the  govern- 
ment of  that  people  did  belong  to  them,  yet  it  was  not  intended 
to  abridge  the  Indian  sachems  of  their  just  and  ancient  right 
over  the  Indians  in  respect  of  paying  tribute  or  any  other  dues, 
but  the  main  desire  of  the  English  was  to  bring  them  to  the 
good  knowledge  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  to  suppress  among 
them  their  sins. 

The  morning  following,  September  16th,  1674,  is  one  of  the 
most  notable  in  Woodstock  history.  The  tidings  of  the  progress 
of  the  missionary  band  had  been  borne  far  and  wide,  Indians 
from  Myanexet,  Quinnatisset  and  all  the  surrounding  country, 
had  come  together  to  see  and  hear  them,  and  at  an  early  hour  a 
public  service  was  held.  Tradition  still  points  out  the  rock  at 
the  north  extremity  of  Plaine  hill  that- served  as  pulpit  for  John 
Eliot.  Gookin  and  other  godly  persons  stood  beside  him,  and 
the  throng  of  swarthy  Indians  pressed  around  their  feet.  Samp- 
son began  the  service,  "  reading  and  setting  the  CXIX  P's, 
first  part,  which  was  sung."  Mr.  Eliot  offered  prayer,  and  then 
preached  to  them  in  Indian  out  of  Matthew,  vi.  33,  "  First  seek 
the  kingdom  of  Heaven  and  the  righteousness  thereof,  and  all 
these  things  shall  be  added  unto  you." 

Prayer  closed  the  religious  exercises,  and  then  a  civil  service 
was  enacted.  Law  follotviug  the  Gospel  presentation  on  this 
occasion,  Gookin  as  magistrate,  representing  the  authority  of 
Massachusetts  Bay,  laid  down  the  rules  of  civil  government, 
confirming  Sampson  as  public  teacher,  and  Black  James  of  Chau- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY,  835 

bunakongkomuck  as  constable,  charging  each  to  be  diligent  and 
faithful  in  his  place,  and  exhorting  the  people  to  yield  obedience 
to  the  Gospel  of  Christ  and  to  those  set  in  order  there.  He  then 
published  a  warrant  or  order,  empowering  the  constable  to  sup- 
press drunkenness.  Sabbath  breaking,  especially  powwowing 
and  idolatry,  and  to  apprehend  all  delinquents  and  bring  them 
before  authority  to  answer  for  their  misdeeds.  Having  thus  es- 
tablished religious  and  civil  ordinances,  the  visitors  took  leave 
of  the  people  of  Wabbaquasset  and  turned  their  footsteps  home- 
ward with  thankfulness  and  joy  at  what  had  been  accom- 
plished. 

The  dreams  and  hopes  of  the  good  apostle,  of  Christianizing 
and  civilizing  the  tribes  that  had  long  sat  in  darkness,  seemed 
likely  to  be  quickly  realized.  Churches  and  villages  had  been 
gathered  and  religious  and  civil  institutions  established.  Min- 
isters and  constables  had  been  formally  established  in  office,  and 
all  was  peace  and  order.  A  few  short  months  and  all  was  deso- 
late. A  ferocious  war  between  whites  and  Indians  obliterated 
the  results  of  years  of  fruitful  labor.  The  villages  were  de- 
stroyed, the  churches  vanished,  the  praying  Indians  relapsed 
into  barbarous  savages.  Black  James,  Sampson,  and  other  con- 
verts took  sides  with  King  Philip.  The  Wabbaquassets  left  their 
homes  and  planting  fields  and  took  up  their  abode  at  Mohegan. 
Captain  Thomas  of  Providence,  passing  through  Wapososhe- 
quash  in  pursuit  of-  Philip,  in  August,  1675,  reports  "  a  very 
good  inland  country,  well  watered  with  rivers  and  brooks,  special 
good  land,  great  quantities  of  special  good  corn  and  beans,  and 
stately  wigwams  as  I  never  saw  the  like,  but  not  one  Indian  to 
be  seen."  In  the  following  summer  Major  Talcott,  of  Norwich, 
passed  through  Wabbaquasset,  where  he  found  a  fort  and  some 
forty  acres  of  growing  corn,  but  no  enemy.  Demolishing  fort 
and  destroying  the  corn,  they  proceeded  on  their  way.  The 
Wabbaquassets  during  the  war  performed  some  slight  services 
for  Uncas,  and  were  rewarded  by  the  Connecticut  government, 
and  continued  for  some  years  afterward  under  his  protection. 

As  soon  as  possible  after  the  restoration  of  peace,  Massa- 
chusetts arranged  to  take  possession  of  the  conquered  territory. 
William  Stoughton  and  Joseph  Dudley  were  commissioned  by 
the  general  court  to  treat  with  the  Indian  claimants  and  agree 
with  them  upon  the  easiest  terms  attainable.  February  10th, 
1682,  negotiations  were  completed  by  which  the  whole  Nipmuck 


836  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

country,  from  the  northern  part  of  Massachusetts  to  a  point 
called  Nash-a-way,  at  the  junction  of  the  Quinebaug  and  French 
rivers,  Connecticut — a  tract  fifty  by  forty  miles  in  extent — 
was  made  over  to  the  government  of  the  Bay  colony,  for  the  sum 
of  fifty  pounds,  a  reservation  of  five  miles  square  being  also  al- 
lowed the  Indians.  Colonization  was  the  immediate  result  of 
this  cession.  Plantation  in  New  England  was  quickly  followed 
by  emigration.  The  mother  towns  were  not  able  to  furnish 
homes  for  new  comers,  and  the  many  children  of  the  first  plant- 
ers. The  flourishing  town  of  Roxbury  was  especially  hampered 
in  this  respect,  "  its  limits  being  so  scanty  and  not  capable  of 
enlargement  "  that  many  families  were  forced  to  find  other  set- 
tlements. Eagerly  its  inhabitants  welcomed  the  opening  of  the 
Nipmuck  country  as  furnishing  a  wider  field  for  their  super- 
abundant population. 

In  October,  1683,  its  selectmen  petitioned  the  general  court  for 
a  tract  of  land  seven  miles  square,  "  for  the  enlargement  of  the 
town  and  the  encouragement  of  its  inhabitants,"  the  land  to  be 
laid  out  at  Quinnatisset  or  thereabouts,  if  a  convenient  way 
may  be  found  there.  This  prayer  was  granted  on  condition  that 
previous  grantees  had  the  first  choice,  and  "  that  thirty  families 
be  settled  on  said  plantation  within  three  years,  and  maintain 
among  them  an  able,  orthodox,  godly  minister."  The  town  ac- 
cepted the  conditions,  and  in  the  following  year  sent  out  Lieu- 
tenant Samuel  Ruggles,  John  Ruggles,  John  Curtis  and  Edward 
Morris,  "  To  view  the  premises  and  find  a  convenient  place  to 
take  up  her  grant."  With  Indian  guides  they  made  their  way 
through  the  wilderness  and  carefully  viewed  the  premises. 
Quinnatisset  (now  Thompson),  for  which  they  had  asked,  was 
already  appropriated,  and  farms  laid  out  to  English  owners,  but 
land  adjacent  at  Senexet  and  Wabbaquasset  they  thought  com- 
modious for  a  settlement. 

The  town  accepted  their  information,  October  27th,  1684,  and 
chose  a  suitable  committee,  "  to  draw  up,  upon  consideration, 
propositions  that  may  be  most  equable  and  prudent  for  the  set- 
tlement of  the  place."  Inhabitants  unwilling  to  assume  the  re- 
sponsibility of  carrying  forward  the  work  had  liberty  to  with- 
draw without  offense,  and  be  free  from  further  charges.  All 
others  were  to  be  held  responsible  for  the  settlement  and  ex- 
penses of  the  Nipmuck  colony.  The  following  year  farther  ar- 
rangements were  made,  the  town  agreeing  to  give  to  the  actual 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  837 

settlers  one-half  the  entire  grant,  and  a  hundred  pounds  in 
money,  to  be  laid  out  in  public  works,  but  it  was  not  till  the 
third  year  that  they  proceeded  to  take  possession.  A  number  of 
pioneers  having  voluntereed  to  go  in  advance  and  prepare  the 
way  for'  the  main  body,  it  was  voted  in  town  meeting,  March 
4th,  1686,  "  That  such  should  have  liberty  to  break  up  land  and 
plant  anywhere  they  please  without  being  bound  to  accept  it  as 
their  share  of  the  grant."  This  advance  guard,  thirteen  in  num- 
ber, viz.,  Benjamin  Sabin,  Jonathan  Smithers,  Henry  Bowen, 
John  Frizzell,  Matthew  Davis,  Nathaniel  Gary,  Thomas  Bacon, 
John  Marcy,  Peter  Aspinwall,  Benjamin  and  •  George  Griggs, 
Joseph  Lord  and  Ebenezer  Morris  left  Roxbury  about  April  1st, 
and  having  surmounted  the  perils  of  the  journey,  made  record 
that  on  April  5th,  1686,  "Several  persons  came  as  planters  and 
settlers  and  took  actual  possession  (by  breaking  up  land  and 
planting  corn)  of  the  land  granted  to  Roxbury  (called  by  the 
planters  New  Roxbury;  by  the  Antient  natives  Wapaquasset.)" 

Through  Senexet  valley  in  the  east  of  the  tract  they  passed 
on  southward,  making  headquarters  at  Plaine  hill.  In  the  vale 
eastward  they  planted  corn  fields  and  set  up  a  saw  mill  on  a 
small  brook  running  toward  the  lake.  The  larger  stream  feed- 
ing the  lake  was  given  the  name  of  their  own  Muddy  brook  in 
Roxbury.  No  curious  natives  disturbed  their  solitude.  The 
Wabbaquassets  were  still  sojourning  in  Mohegan.  In  May  they 
were  visited  by  a  deputation  from  Roxbury,  which  came  with 
Surveyor  Gore  to  take  a  more  formal  survey  of  the  tract,  settle 
the  south  bound,  and  determine  the  length  and  breadth  of  the 
grant,  so  that  the  first  "  Go-ers "  might  make  an  intelligent 
choice.  Eleven  days  were  spent  in  exploring  and  surveying. 
Massachusetts'  south  bound,  an  unknown,  disputed,  almost  imag- 
inary line,  making  much  trouble  between  Massachusetts  and 
Connecticut,  could  not  be  identified,  but  a  substitute  was  devised 
by  affixing  a  station  about  one  and  a  half  miles  south  of  Plaine 
hill,  and  thence  marking  trees  in  line,  east  and  west.  The  south 
bound  thus  obtained  was  nearly  two  miles  south  of  the  "  Wood- 
ward and  Saffery  Line,"  claimed  by  Massachusetts  and  about 
eight  miles  south  of  the  south  bound  finally  established.  Other 
arrangements  were  made  and  the  committee  returned  in  time  to 
report  proceedings,  June  12th,  at  Roxbury. 

A  vigorous  new  colony  "  boom  "  had  now  set  in  and  much  in- 
terest was  manifested.     The  prescribed  quota  of  thirty  planters 


838  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

was  already  full  and  others  were  pressing  in.  Men  were  known 
in  t9wn  "under  the  denomination  "  of  "Go-ers''  or  "Stay-ers;" 
men  from  adjacent  towns  were  craving  admittance  and  permis- 
sion was  granted  to  admit  such  with  the  "  Goers,"  "  if  the  select- 
men of  Roxbury  and  other  Go-ers  do  approve  them."  July  21st, 
an  especial  meeting  was  held  for  the  more  orderly  settling  the 
aforesaid  village  or  grant,  when  the  following  agreement  was 
adopted  : 

"I.  That  every  man  should  take  up  what  number  of  acres  he 
pleaseth  in  his  home  lot,  not  exceeding  thirty ;  and  after-rights 
and  divisions  of  land  shall  arise  according  to  the  proportion  of 
his  home  lot,  and  all  after-charges  to  arise  proportionably  upon 
the  home  lots  for  the  finst  six  years. 

"  II.  That  whoever  shall  neglect  the  payment  of  his  rate  two 
months  after  a  rate  is  made  and  demanded,  shall  forfeit  for  every 
five  shillings  two  acres  of  his  home  lot  with  all  proportionable 
rights,  and  so,  more  or  less,  according  to  his  failure  ;  always  pro- 
vided that  they  take  not  his  house  nor  orchard 

"  III.  If  any  meadows  should  fall  out  to  be  in  any  one's  home 
lot  it  shall  be  accounted  as  so  much  of  his  proportion  of  meadow, 
and  his  home  lot  made  up  with  upland. 

"  IV.  That  all  persons  that  have  planted  in  the  year  1686  shall 
have  two  acres  of  his  home  lot  free  for  the  first  three  years,  and 
shall  enjoy  the  land  they  planted  in  1687  and  '88,  though  it  fall 
out  in  any  other  person's  home  lot. 

"  V.  That  within  one  month  they  will  go  personally  to  their 
new  plantation,  and  there  make  farther  agreements,  divisions 
and  settlements." 

The  fifth  article  of  the  agreement  was  faithfully  carried  out. 
Within  the  specified  month  they  set  out  upon  their  distant  pil- 
grimage— the  forty  men  who  had  enrolled  themselves  "  Go-ers," 
and  a  fair  proportion  of  their  families.  Of  all  circumstances 
connected  with  the  fitting  out,  departure  and  journey  of  the  col- 
ony we  are  wholly  ignorant.  On  foot  and  horseback,  with  cart 
and  cattle,  they  traversed  the  well-worn  Connecticut  path,  or  the 
newer  way  laid  out  by  Major  Pynchon  through  the  Oxford  grant, 
to  meet  a  joyful  welcome  from  the  waiting  pioneers.  In  their 
five  months'  residence  the  thirteen  planters  had  made  a  good  be- 
ginning. Three  distinct  sites,  suitable  for  villages,  had  been 
selected  and  on  the  northern  extremity  of  Plaine  hill  a  house  or 
hall,  intended  for  general  use,  had  been  put  up.     The  first  pub- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  839 

lie  meeting-  was  held  August  25th,  "  at  New  Roxbury,  alias  Wap- 
aquasset,"  at  the  Wabbaquasset  Hall,  when  the  planters  voted  to 
take  the  south  half  of  the  tract  for  their  portion,  and  "  that  the 
place  where  the  home  lots  shall  begin  shall  be  upon  the  Plaine 
Hill." 

Finding  some  difficulty  in  arranging  plans  of  settlement,  on 
the  following  day  the  planters  agreed  to  select  seven  men  to 
state  needful  highways,  and  a  lot  for  the  minister,  and  consider 
of  land  convenient  for  the  planters  to  settle  on,  and  for  a  con- 
venient place  for  a  meeting  house  to  stand  on.  Each  planter 
also  specified  the  number  of  acres  he  desired  in  his  home  lot, 
according  as  he  was  able  and  willing  to  carry  on  public  charges, 
and  liberty  was  given  for  any  one  to  select  any  particular  piece 
of  land  he  might  desire,  otherwise  it  would  be  settled  "  as  the 
lots  shall  fall  by  a  lot."  The  seven  wise  men  selected  for  this 
service  were  the  oldest,  and,  inferentially,  the  wisest  in  the 
company,  viz.:  Joseph  Griggs,  Edward  Morris,  Henry  Bowen, 
Sr.,  John  Chandler,  Sr.,  Samuel  Craft,  Samuel  Scarborough  and 
Jonathan  Smithers.  Assisted  by  the  thirteen  pioneers,  and  the 
surveys  they  had  already  accomplished,  the  work  assigned  was 
soon  despatched,  and  on  Saturday,  August  26th,  1686  (old  style), 
the  company  of  emigrants  met  on  Plaine  hill,  "  in  order  to  draw 
lots  where  their  home  lots  should  be." 

The  seven  wise  men  chosen  for  laying  out  and  pitching  the 
town,  had  decided  upon  the  three  locations  previously  referred 
to — "the  Plaine  hill,"  the  "Westward  hill"  adjacent,  and  the 
Eastward  vale,  now  South  Woodstock,  and  laid  out  or  assigned 
suitable  home  lots  in  each.  They  had  also  marked  out  and  or- 
dered convenient  highways,  viz.:  1.  A  highway,  eight  rods 
wide,  running  along  the  Plaine  (hill),  extending  to  a  brook  at 
the  north  end  of  the  eastward  vale,  running  by  marked  trees ; 
thence  southward  along  the  vale  to  another  brook,  six  rods  wide, 
with  a  cross  highway  four  rod§  wide  about  the  middle,  where  it 
may  be  most  convenient  when  the  lots  are  laid  out.  2.  From 
the  north  end  of  Plaine  hill,  a  highway  eight  rods  wide,  to  the 
east  side  of  the  wCvStward  hill ;  thence  northward  four  rods  wide 
and  so  on  circuiting  the  hill ;  which  were  considered  sufficient  for 
present  use.  They  had  also  agreed  that  the  meeting  house 
should  stand  upon  the  Plaine  hill,  and  that  the  lots  should  begin 
upon  the  north  end  of  Plaine  hill,  adjacent  to  Wabbaquasset 
Hall. 


840  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

The  business  of  the  day  was  carried  forward  with  much  for- 
mality and  dignity.  It  was  no  common  band  of  emigrants  that 
were  laying  the  foundations  of  Woodstock,  but  leading  men 
from  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  prosperous[towns  in  Massa- 
chusetts, whose  people  were  the  best  that  came  over  from  Eng- 
land. In  troublous  times,  a  narrow-minded  Catholic  bigot  upon 
the  throne  of  Great  Britain,  the  charter  of  Massachusetts  taken 
away,  a  royal  governor  imminent,  they  hoped  to  find  in  this  dis- 
tant settlement  a  place  of  refuge  from  despotic  extortion. 
Thus,  with  religious  ceremonies,  as  well  as  legal  formality,  they 
made  their  distribution.  The  place  of  meeting  was  doubtless 
Wabbaquasset  Hall.  The  seven  seniors,  who  had  served  as  com- 
mittee, occupied  the  place  of  honor.  The  settlers  had  ranged 
themselves  in  three  bodies,  according  to  their  choice  in  matter 
of  location,  and  each  company  in  turn  presented  itself  before 
the  honorable  committee.  "  Liberty  was  given  to  those  that 
desired  to  sit  down  on  the  Plaine  hill,  to  draw  by  themselves. 
Others  desiring  to  sit  down  in  the  eastward  vale  had  liberty  to 
draw  for  that  by  themselves,"  and  those  wishing  to  sit  down  on 
the  westward  hill  had  the  same  liberty  allowed  them.  Four  of 
the  elder  settlers,  who  had  made  choice  of  particular  lots,  then 
stepped  forward  and  manifested  their  choice,  viz.,  John  Chand- 
ler, St.,  Samuel  Scarborough,  Samuel  Craft,  William  Lyon,  Sr. 
"Solemn  prayer  to  God,  who  is  the  disposer  of  all  things,"  was 
then  offered  for  his  guidance  and  blessing,  followed  by  the 
drawing  of  lots  by  the  three  companies  in  succession,  "every 
man  being  satisfied  and  contented  with  God's  disposal."  Thirty- 
eight  persons  received  allotments  on  this  occasion,  viz.: 

1.  Thomas  and  Joseph  Bacon,  thirty  acres. 

2.  James  Corbin,  twenty  acres. 

3.  Minister's  lot,  twenty  acres. 

4.  Benjamin  Sabin,  twenty  acres. 

5.  Henry  Bo  wen,  fifteen  acres. 

6.  Thomas  Lyon,  sixteen  acres. 

7.  Ebenezer  Morris,  eighteen  acres. 

8.  Matthew  Davis,  sixteen  acres. 

9.  William  Lyon,  Sr.,  and  Ebenezer  Cass. 

These  lots  were  all  laid  out  on  Plaine  hill.  It  had  been  pre- 
viously voted  "  by  the  company  of  Go-ers,"  that  whosoever  took 
up  their  land  upon  the  Plaine,  on  the  northward  side  of  Mill 
brook,  should  have  one-third  part  of  land  added   to  their  home 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  841 

lots,  viz.,  three  acres  for  two  on  account  of  the  inferior  quality 
of  the  land.  Seventeen  lots  were  then  assigned  in  the  eastward 
vale,  viz.: 

10.  John  Chandler,  Sr.,  thirty  acres. 

11.  Peter  Aspinwall,  twenty  acres. 

12.  John  Frizzell,  twenty  acres. 

13.  Joseph  Frizzell,  twenty  acres. 

14.  Jonathan  Smithers,  thirty  acres. 

15.  John  Butcher,  sixteen  acres. 

16.  Jonathan  Davis,  eighteen  acres. 

17.  Jonathan  Peake,  twenty  acres. 

18.  Nathaniel  Gary,  fifteen  acres. 

19.  John  Bowen,  fifteen  acres. 

20.  Nathaniel  Johnson,  sixteen  acres. 

21.  John  Hubbard,  ten  acres. 

22.  George  Griggs,  fifteen  acres. 

23.  Benjamin  Griggs,  fifteen  acres. 

24.  William  Lyon,  Jr.,  fifteen  acres. 

25.  John  Leavens,  twenty  acres. 

26.  Nathaniel  Sanger,  twenty  acres. 

Lots  27,  Samuel  Scarborough,  and  28,  Samuel  Craft,  were  laid 
out  on  the  east  side  of  Plaine  hill. 

The  home  lots  on  the  westward  hill  were  made  over  to  eight 
persons,  viz.: 

29.  Samuel  May,  fifteen  acres. 

30.  Joseph  Bugbee,  fifteen  acres. 

31.  Samuel  Peacock,  ten  acres. 

32.  Arthur  Humphrey,  twelve  acres. 

33.  John  Bugbee,  fifteen  acres. 

34.  John  Ruggles,  twenty  acres. 

35.  Andrew  Watkins,  twenty  acres. 

36.  John  Marcy,  fifteen  acres. 

Lot  37,  Edward  Morris,  thirty  acres,  was  laid  out  east  side  of 
Plaine  hill,  "  bounded  west  by  the  great  highway;  south  partly 
by  land  reserved  for  public  use  and  partly  by  land  of  Samuel 
Craft  and  Samuel  Scarborough;  east  by  common  land;  north 
upon  the  highway  that  goeth  from  the  street  to  the  Great 
Pond." 

It  was  agreed  by  vote  that  the  number  of  shares  should  be 
limited  to  fifty.  The  remaining  allotments  were  distributed 
within  six  years  to  the  following  settlers: 


842  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

38.  Joseph  Peake,  twenty  acres. 

39.  John  Holmes,  twenty  acres. 

40.  John  Chandler,  Jr.,  twenty  acres. 

41.  William  Bartholomew,  fifteen  acres. 

42.  Isaac  Bartholomew,  ten  acres. 

43.  Clement  Corbin,  twenty  acres. 

44.  Samuel  Rice,  fifteen  acres. 

45.  William  Bartholomew,  Jr.,  ten  acres. 

46.  Joseph  Bugbee,  Jr.,  ten  acres. 

47.  Nathaniel  Johnson,  Jr.,  ten  acres. 

48.  Jabez  Corbin,  fifteen  acres. 

49.  William  Bartholomew,  Sr.,  twenty  acres. 

51.  Benjamin  Sabin,  Jr. 

52.  Philip  Eastman,  twenty  acres. 

50.  Reserved  for  ministry.* 

These  fifty  proprietors  were  all  previous  residents  of  Roxbury, 
with  the  exception  of  Peter  Aspinwall,  of  Dorchester;  John 
Holmes,  Dorchester;  the  three  Corbins  from  Muddy  river  (Brook- 
lyn); the  Bartholomews,  from  Branford;  John  Butcher,  Boston; 
Philip  Eastman,  Haverhill.  Many  were  united  by  family  ties, 
as  fathers,  sons  and  brothers.  Of  the  older  men,  Henry  Bowen, 
Samuel  Craft,  William  Lyon,  Sr.,  Samuel  May,  Samuel  Scarbor- 
ough, returned  to  their  Roxbury  homes,  leaving  their  New  Rox- 
bury  land  with  sons  or  purchasers.  Jonathan  Smithers,  John 
Bowen,  William  Lyon,  Jr.,  John  Ruggles,  failed  to  retain  pos- 
session. About  forty  of  the  original  proprietors  remained  in 
possession  of  their  home  lots  thus  assigned  to  them — the  fathers 
and  founders  of  the  town  of  Woodstock.  All  subsequent  divi- 
sions of  land  in  the  south  half  of  the  grant  were  based  upon  the 
number  of  acres  in  each  man's  home  lot,  and  public  charges 
were  laid  in  the  same  proportion.  Part  of  the  "  Go-ers  "  had 
brought  their  wives  and  children,  and  hastened  to  put  up  houses 
and  establish  household  life.  November  3d,  1686,  a  proprietors' 
meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Thomas  Lyon.  John  Chand- 
ler, Sr.,  Joseph  Bugbee  and  Edward  Morris  were  chosen  a  com- 
mittee for  the  oversight  and  ordering  of  public  affairs.  A  com- 
mittee was  also  chosen  "  to  treat  with  young  Mr.  John  Wilson 

*  A  Chart  showing  the  laying  out  of  the  original  home  lots  and  highways,  and 
a  lai'ge  Map  giving  ancient  and  modern  homesteads,  highways,  and  all  note- 
worthy localities,  have  been  carefully  prepared  for  the  forthcoming  History  of 
Woodstock,  but  are  not  within  the  scope  of  the  present  work. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  843' 

of  Medfield  to  come  and  preach  to  the  planters  in  order  to  settle- 
ment." Religious  services  were  held  in  the  open  air  this  first 
autumn,  a  large  rock  by  the  roadside  on  the  way  to  the  westward 
hill  serving  for  a  pulpit;  but  settlement  was  not  sufficiently  ad- 
vanced for  a  stated  minister. 

As  the  older  men  returned  to  Roxbury,  and  winter  closed  in 
around  them,  the  little  colony  realized  more  fully  its  isolation 
and  exposure.  The  nearest  settlements  on  the  north  were  Ox- 
ford and  Worcester,  and  many  miles  of  savage  wilderness  lay 
between  them  and  the  far-off  towns,  Providence,  Norwich  and 
Hartford.  The  future  populous  counties,  Worcester  and  Wind- 
ham, were  as  yet  unsurveyed  and  almost  unbroken,  inhabited  by 
wild  beasts  and  more  ferocious  savages.  Alone  in  this  vast  tract 
of  wintry  desolation,  they  took  counsel  together  around  the  scat- 
tered hearthstones  and  laid  plans  for  coming  years.  Scouts  were 
kept  up  patrolling  the  settlements,  to  guard  from  Indian  alarm,, 
and  houses  fortified  to  serve  as  places  of  refuge. 

As  early  as  possible  spring  work  was  begun.  April  29th,  1687, 
Edward  Morris,  Nathaniel  Johnson  and  Joseph  White  were  com- 
missioned by  the  planters  to  treat  and  agree  for  the  building  of 
a  corn  mill,  on  as  reasonable  terms  as  they  could.  William  Bar- 
tholomew, of  Branford,  a  former  resident  of  Roxbury,  was  the 
person  selected  and  secured,  with  urgent  persuasion,  "For  build- 
ing a  corn  mill  on  the  falls  below  Muddy  Brook  pond  (now  Har- 
risville)  and  finding  the  town  with  grinding  good  meal,  clear  of 
grit."  He  received  a  place  at  the  falls  to  set  a  mill,  a  fifteen 
acre  home  lot  with  rights,  a  hundred  acres  of  upland,  and  after- 
ward an  additional  twenty  acre  home  lot,  "  provided  he  bring 
his  wife  and  settle  upon  it."  July  2d,  John  Chandler,  Sr.,  Na- 
thaniel Johnson,  Joseph  Bugbee,  James  White  and  Joseph  Peake- 
were  chosen  to  order  the  prudential  affairs  of  the  place  as  select- 
men for  the  year  ensuin  .  John  Holmes  assumed  the  charge  of 
running  the  saw  mill,  receiving  the  land  on  which  the  mill 
stood,  three  or  four  acres,  bounded  east  and  north  by  Saw  Mill 
brook,  laid  out  for  the  town's  use,  provided  he  leave  convenient 
way  to  carry  timber  to  mill. 

March  12th,  1688,  the  planters  appointed  seven  men,  viz., 
Edward  Morris,  John  Chandler,  Sr.,  Benjamin  Sabin,  Joseph 
Bugbee,  William  Bartholomew,  Samuel  Rice,  John  Bugbee,  to^ 
state  and  settle  highways  and  make  return  in  writing.  These 
seven  men  were  empowered  to  end  the  controversy  between 


844  HISTORY   OF   \YINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Samuel  Rice  and  John  Marcy  about  their  home  lots;  also  to  al- 
low Joseph  Bacon  to  take  up  the  remainder  of  his  brother 
Thomas's  lot,  provided  he  come  and  settle  here  by  the  12th  of 
April  next,  and  to  rectify  various  under  and  over  allotments. 
Attending  to  this  work  "with  all  expedition,"  on  March  18th 
the  committee  reported  seventeen  highways  necessary  for  the 
good  of  the  town.  A  number  of  these  were  two  rods  wide,  ac- 
commodating the  settlers  with  ways  to  the  mills  or  Planting  hill 
in  the  tract.  The  most  important  was  a  road  eight  rods  w4de 
*'  running  from  the  brook  at  the  northward  end  of  the  eastward 
vale  to  go  and  be  by  the  pond  through  the  plaine  to  Muddy 
brook,  from  thence  up  to  the  Plaine  Hill,"  and  also  one  going 
out  from  this  highway  "to  lead  to  the  road  called  Connecticut 
Road,"  extending  through  the  intervale  west  side  Muddy  brook. 
Little  else  was  accomplished  during  the  year  ;  a  bridge  was 
built  near  John  Chandler's ;  orchards  were  set  out  with  famous 
russets  and  other  slips  brought  from  Roxbury,  but  there  was 
small  encouragement  to  effort. 

"  His  Excellency,  Sir  Edmond  Andros,  gov. -general  of  his 
majesty's  territories  and  dominions  of  New  England,"  had  not 
yet  granted  a  patent  of  confirmation.  Again  and  again  the  mat- 
ter was  earnestly  discussed  by  the  fathers  of  the  settlement,  a 
majority  pledging  themselves  to  pay  all  charges  necessary  for 
securing  it,  according  to  their  proportion.  Most  humble  peti- 
tions, both  from  old  Roxbury  and  the  new  plantation,  were  laid 
before  this  despotic  ruler,  praying  that  their  land  might  be  con- 
firmed to  them  "  on  such  moderate  quit  rent  as  may  be  agreea- 
ble to  your  Excellency's  wisdom,  and  the  great  distance  and 
poverty  of  place  and  inhabitants  will  allow."  No  notice  was 
taken  of  these  requests.  Loftier  prey  was  sought  by  the  rapa- 
cious governor.  Their  very  poverty  and  distance  gave  them  se- 
curity. Roxbury  suffered  with  other  prosperous  towns  from  his 
exactions,  and  was  unable  to  advance  the  money  promised  to  her 
"Go-ers."  Meeting  house,  schools,  all  public  improvements 
were  thus  left  in  abeyance,  and  the  New  Roxbury  settlers  could 
only  bide  their  time  and  improve  their  own  home  lots.  A  few 
new  residents  came  during  this  interval.  Sons  of  the  first  com- 
ers became  of  age  and  received  allotments.  The  first  death  was 
that  of  Joseph  Peake,  Sr.,  whose  place  on  the  committee  was 
filled  by  Samuel  Scarborough,  March  1st,  1688.  The  first  birth 
reported  was  that  of  Nathaniel  Gary,  November  6th,  1686.     Sam- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  845 

"uel  Rice,  Stephen  Sabin,  John  Marcy,  John  Hubbard,  Hannah 
Gary  and  Rebekah  Bacon  were  also  reported  before  1690.  John 
Holmes  and  Hannah  Newell  were  married  April  9th,  1690. 

The  breaking  out  of  King  William's  war  in  1689  aroused  fresh 
apprehension  of  Indian  assault.  "  In  the  sense  of  our  great 
hazard  and  danger,  and  our  incapacity  to  defend  ourselves,"  the 
inhabitants  of  New  Roxbury  met  together  and  organized  as  a 
military  company,  making  choice  of  Edward  Morris  for  lieuten- 
ant and  William  Bartholomew,  Jr.,  ensign.  A  paper  attesting 
this  choice  "as  the  act  and  desire  of  the  soldiers,"  was  laid  be- 
fore the  government  by  John  Chandler,  Joseph  Bugbee  and  Ben- 
jamin Sabin.  This  nomination  was  allowed  and  confirmed  by 
the  representatives,  and  consented  to  by  the  governor,  July  13th, 
1689. 

The  revolution  of  1688,  deposing  King  James  II.  and  his  gov- 
ernors, and  establishing  King  William  upon  the  throne  of  Britain, 
brought  new  life  and  hope  to  the  New  Roxbury  colony.  Both 
town  and  colony  hastened  before  the  court  with  a  petition  for 
confirmation,  name  and  further  privileges.  Its  failure  to  pro- 
cure the  settlement  of  an  orthodox  minister  was  generously 
overlooked  in  consideration  of  the  "great  over-turns"  that  had 
been,  and  in  March,  1690,  "  the  petition  was  granted  by  the  dep- 
uties and  honorable  magistrates  consenting."  March  16th,  it  was 
further  voted,  "That  the  name  of  the  plantation  granted  to  Rox- 
bury be  Woodstock,"  a  name  selected  by  Captain  Samuel  Sewall, 
afterward  chief  justice,  with  veritable  prophetic  instinct,  "be- 
cause of  its  nearness  to  Oxford,  for  the  sake  of  Queen  Elizabeth, 
and  the  notable  meetings  that  have  been  held  at  the  place  bearing 
the  name  in  England."  With  joy  and  gratitude  the  inhabitants  re- 
ceived the  tidings,  and  formerly  inscribed  upon  their  records- - 
"Woodstock,  March  31,  1690. — We  the  selectmen  of  Woodstock, 
formerly  called  New  Roxbury,  being  met  together,  have  made  a 
rate  for  levying  the  whole  charge  of  said  place  on  each  inhabi- 
tant according  to  a  vote  of  the  town,  the  sum  of  which  amounts 
unto  ^124, 10s.  in  pay  ;  the  other  part  amounts  unto  ;^31, 7s.  4|^d,, 
in  money,  which  whole  rate  is  delivered  to  Constable  John 
Holmes,  to  gather  forthwith  for  the  town's  use  as  the  selectmen 
shall  order." 

The  important  question  of  providing  for  divine  worship  was 
now  brought  under  consideration.  Mr.  Josiah  Dwight,  of  Ded- 
ham,  a  youth  of  twenty,  who  had  already  graduated  from  Har- 


:846  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

* 

vard  College  and  pursued  ministerial  studies,  was  even  then 
preaching  to  the  people.  The  selectmen  were  empowered  to 
treat  with  him  about  settling  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and 
soon  made  satisfactory  agreement,  offering  the  twenty  acre  home 
lot  with  town  rights  and  divisions,  and  to  build  and  finish  a 
house  for  him,  with  a  salary  of  thirty  pounds,  increasing  ten 
pounds  annually  till  it  became  sixty  pounds.  October  27th,  Wil- 
liam Bartholomew,  Sr.,  Nathaniel  Johnson  and  Benjamin  Sabin 
were  appointed  a  committee  "  to  manage  the  building  a  minis- 
ter's house  40  X  19,  14  feet  stud,  a  cellar  seventeen  feet  square, 
a  stack  of  four  chimneys  and  two  gables."  A  committee  was  also 
chosen  to  assist  the  selectmen  in  writing  to  Roxbury  to  demand 
the  money  "  due  to  us  by  their  agreement."  At  this  same  meet- 
ing John  Chandler,  Sr.,  was  chosen  first  selectman  in  place  of 
that  most  worthy  and  prominent  citizen.  Lieutenant  Edward 
Morris,  deceased. 

The  annual  town  meeting  was  held  November  27th.  John 
Chandler,  Jr.,  was  chosen  town  clerk;  John  Chandler,  Sr.,  Wil- 
liam Bartholomew,  Benjamin  Sabin,  John  Leavens  and  Joseph 
Bugbee,  selectmen,  in  whose  hands  was  placed  "  the  whole  pow- 
er of  the  town,  excepting  granting  lands  and  admitting  inhabi- 
tants ;  "  Jonathan  Peake,  Matthew  Davis,  Samuel  Rice,  survey- 
ors. It  was  voted  that  the  meadows  be  divided  in  two  divisions, 
good  and  bad,  each  by  itself,  John  Butcher,  surveyor.  Also,  that 
the  town  be  at  the  charge  of  digging  clay,  tempering  of  it,  mak- 
ing a  yard,  cutting  wood  and  carting  it  for  bricks  for  the  minis- 
ter's chimneys.  As  cattle  had  free  range  and  often  lost  them- 
selves, a  substantial  pound  was  ordered,  "  to  stand  nigh  to  Mat- 
thew Davis's  fence  in  the  front  of  his  lot  near  the  highway." 
The  houses  of  Benjamin  Sabin  and  Nathaniel  Johnson  in  the 
south  and  east  extremities  of  the  settlements,  were  designated 
.  as  watch  houses,  to  be  securely  fortified,  and  a  later  vote  required 
that  every  man  should  get  a  ladder  for  his  house,  Jonathan 
Peake  having  the  oversight  thereof,  and  forfeiting  five  shillings 
for  every  man  found  lacking.  Every  man  was  also  ordered  to 
bring  in  the  ear-mark  of  his  creatures  to  be  recorded  by  the  town 
clerk.  As  no  arrangements  for  schools  were  yet  practicable,  "it 
was  requested  and  procured  that  John  Chandler,  Jr.,  teach  and 
instruct  children  and  youth  how  to  write  and  cypher."  In  regard 
to  the  various  "  quarrels  "  that  were  pending  the  town  did  oblige 
itself  "to  stand  to  the  determination  of  the  General  Court's 
•  Committee." 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  847 

In  1691  bridges  received  much  attention.  Peter  Aspinwall 
mended  the  bridge  by  John  Chandler's ;  Samuel  Rice  was  or- 
dered "  to  mend  the  ways  about  West  hill,  and  especially  care 
for  the'bridges  beyond  Wabbaquasset  hill  on  Connecticut  road." 
'  Jonathan  Peake  and  Matthew  Davis  were  enjoined  to  mend  the 
ways  about  town,  and  make  two  bridges  between  Lieutenant 
Bartholomew's  and  Benjamin  Sabin's,  in  the  most  suitable  places, 
and  to  repair  the  bridge  by  Joseph  Frizzell's.  The  town  also 
agreed  to  be  at  the  charge  of  a  road  to  Providence,  by  making  a 
way  unto  the  cedar  swamp,  on  the  other  side  of  Quinebaug  river; 
■"  Benjamin  Sabin  to  oversee  the  work  and  take  account  of.  the 
same ;"  Peter  Aspinwall,  substitute.  Work  on  the  minister's 
house  went  leisurely  forward,  and  measures  were  initiated  for 
building  a  meeting  house.  John  Leavens,  Edward  Morris,  Jon- 
athan Peake,  John  Chandler,  Sr.,  were  appointed  building  com- 
mittee, with  power  to  let  out  the  whole  of  the  work,  and  make 
a  rate  proportionately  on  each  inhabitant,  and  oblige  themselves 
to  pay  the  vsame  and  in  such  specie  as  they  shall  promise  to  the 
workmen.  John  Holmes  was  apparently  the  man  selected,  and 
a  time  limited  for  the  completion  of  the  house.  A  man  was  to 
be  allowed  two  shillings  a  day  for  working,  or  two  and  three- 
pence, he  finding  himself  diet ;  five  shillings  if  with  a  team  of 
four  cattle.  During  the  following  year  work  dragged  slowly. 
Roxbury  deferred  the  payment  of  the  promised  money,  and  In- 
dians gave  serious  annoyance.  Ancient  Wabbaquassets  had  re- 
turned to  their  old  home  drunken  and  refractory,  averse  to  Massa- 
chusetts' dominion.  Their  chief,  Tokekamowootchaug,  was  as 
barbarous  as  his  name,  and  better  disposed  Indians  were  brought 
to  death's  door  by  his  unruly  followers.  A  petition  from  Wood- 
stock's selectmen,  February,  1692,  reported  many  outrages,  but 
it  was  found  very  difficult  to  restrain  or  punish  the  offenders. 

Relations  with  Roxbury  continued  inharmonious.  In  the 
course  of  1693  the  minister's  house  was  sufficiently  completed  to 
serve  for  public  meetings.  The  selectmen  and  town  clerk  were 
directed  to  consider  of  and  compile  such  by-laws  and  orders  as 
migfht  be  for  the  benefit  of  the  town.  A  clerk  of  the  market  was 
added  to  town  officers.  During  this  year  Woodstock  attained 
*'  the  conveniency  of  a  shop,"  twelve  square  rods  adjoining  Clem- 
ent Corbin's  lot  being  granted  to  his  son,  Jabez,  for  that  pur- 
pose. The  spot  assigned  was  near  the  site  of  the  present  post 
-office  on  Woodstock  hill.     The  three  Corbins  were  settled  at  the 


848  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY, 

north  end  of  Plaine  hill,  and  this  shop  became  a  noted  institu- 
tion. The  brothers,  James  and  Jabez,  were  energetic  traders, 
taking  in  furs,  turpentine  and  any  marketable  product  to  ex- 
change for  goods  in  Boston.  Their  heavily  laden  cart  toiled 
back  and  forth  over  the  rough  highway.  James  Corbin  also 
traded  or  speculated  extensively  in  land,  and  was  a  very  prom- 
inent personage.  John  Chandler,  Jr.,  was  becoming  very  widely 
known  as  a  land  surveyor,  much  employed  by  Connecticut  land 
operators.  Marrying  Mary  Raymond,  of  New  London,  he  spent 
much  time  in  that  town,  surveying  land  for  Major  James  Fitch, 
agent  for  the  Mohegans,  and  practically  master  of  all  their  ten  i- 
tory.  Captain  Chandler  was  also  town  and  proprietor's  clerk  at 
home,  and  detailed  on  other  public  service. 

After  much  disagreement  and  discussion  upon  relations  with 
Roxbury,it  was  voted,  September  6th,  "  That  the  town  do  forth- 
with make  choice  of  one  man,  who  shall  join  with  Captain  Chapin, 
of  Mendon,  to  go  to  Roxbury  and  agree  and  determine  all  mat- 
ters supposed  to  be  in  difference,  particularly  the  hundred 
pounds  and  the  remaining  part  of  land,  and  what  they  agree  to 
shall  be  stood  to  by  the  town  " — passed  by  a  very  clear  vote, 
with  some  dissenters.  John  Butcher  was  the  man  chosen,  and 
all  diificulties  were  happily  surmounted.  November  3d  the 
town  was  made  acquainted  with  proceedings  of  Roxbury,  agree- 
ment of  committee  and  Captain  Chapin's  account  of  service  done, 
and  "  generally  manifested  their  desire  of  thanks  to  be  given  for 
his  service."  Part  of  the  money  received  was  appropriated  to- 
ward finishing  the  minister's  house,  and  ten  pounds  allowed  for 
nails  and  irons  for  the  meeting  house  ;  the  remainder  delivered 
to  Mr,  Dwight,  to  be  kept  till  the  town  should  call  for  it.  In 
March,  1694,  the  committee  empowered  to  build  a  house  for  the 
minister  was  commanded  to  deliver  the  same  and  also  the  lot, 
with  all  its  appurtenances,  to  Mr.  Dwight,  our  minister.  In 
November  of  the  same  year  the  meeting  house  was  ready  for 
occupation,  and  the  old  hall,  or  White  House,  appraised  by  indif- 
ferent men  and  sold  for  town  charges. 

In  the  following  year  the  church  was  organized,  by  a  council 
of  Massachusetts  churches,  and  Reverend  Josiah  Dwight  ordained 
and  installed  as  its  pastor.  Unfortunately,  all  record  of  its  for- 
mation is  lacking,  but  undoubtedly  its  members  were  mostly 
dismissed  from  the  mother  church  of  Roxbury,  with  which  they 
had  maintained  connection,      John  Chandler,  Sr.,  and  Benjamin 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  849 

Sabin  were  elected  deacons.  During  this  year  a  second  land 
division  was  effected — forty  acres  to  each  twenty-acre  home  lot, 
and  to  all  proprietors  in  that  proportion — extending  from  the 
east  line,  east  side  the  pond,  to  four  miles  westward.  William 
Bartholomew,  Benjamin  Sabin,  Benjamin  Griggs,  with  the  sur- 
veyor, John  Butcher,  were  commissioned  to  perform  the  work 
under  specific  directions.  Fifty-one  lots  were  laid  out  and  dis- 
tributed. Samuel  Perrin,  John  Carpenter,  Edmond  Chamber- 
lain, David  Knight  and  other  new  settlers  appeared,  taking  the 
place  of  first  proprietors.  Several  pieces  of  land  were  reserved 
for  public  uses,  viz.,  the  site  of  the  meeting  house,  a  square 
piece  of  land  in  front  of  James  Corbin's,  containing  four  or 
five  acres,  for  training  place  and  burial  ground  (part  of  the 
present  Woodstock  common),  another  strip  between  Jabez  Cor- 
bin's and  the  highway,  and  several  pieces  for  the  maintenance 
of  schools.  Land  reserved  for  the  support  of  the  ministers 
was  ordered  to  be  fenced  and  planted  with  orchards.  At  the 
same  time  a  division  of  the  north  half  was  in  progress  under 
Roxbury's  direction,  John  Butcher,  surveyor.  William  Bar- 
tholomew and  Benjamin  Sabin  joined  with  Roxbury's  com- 
mittee "  in  stating  and  settling  the  dividend  line  between  the 
inhabitants  of  Woodstock  and  Roxbury."  A  highway  four 
rods  wide  was  laid  out  upon  this  line.  Roxbury's  land  was 
laid  out  in  nine  parallel  ranges,  running  north  from  this  high- 
way with  highways  between.  About  a  third  of  the  north  half 
was  laid  out  and  the  lots  made  over  to  142  proprietors.  The 
remainder  of  the  stipulated  hundred  pounds  was  then  paid  over 
to  Woodstock,  and  all  accounts  harmoniously  settled.  This  pay- 
ment enabled  Woodstock  to  settle  her  own  accounts;  pay  Mr. 
Dwight  his  dues  "  from  the  beginning  of  the  world  to  May  6, 
1696;"  square  up  all  arrearages  for  meeting  house  and  town 
charges,  and  indulge  in  a  special  wolf-rate  "  to  pay  to  those  who 
kill  the  wolves." 

Stringent  laws  had  then  been  passed  for  the  maintenance  of 
proper  authority.  Those  neglecting  to  work  upon  the  highway 
after  suitable  warning  should  forfeit  three  shillings.  A  fine' of 
one  and  sixpence  was  ordered  for  neglecting  town  meetings; 
sixpence  for  not  appearing  at  the  hour  appointed,  and  an  addi- 
tional sixpence  for  every  following  hour.  March  2d,  farther 
rules  were  enacted;  Jonathan  Peake  was  chosen  constable;  Nath- 
aniel Johnson,  to  collect  town  rates  and  minister's  .salary,  receiv- 
54 


S50  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

ing  ten  shillings,  cash,  "  and  such  rates  as  he  does  not  gather  he 
is  to  pay  "the  same  out  of  his  own  estate."  Selectmen  were  in- 
structed: 1.  To  secure  the  town  from  all  damages  and  penalties 
of  the  law  sustained  through  their  neglect.  2.  In  raising  town 
charges,  all  male  heads  to  be  rated  threepence  per  head  from 
sixteen  years  old  and  upward;  home  lots,  meadows,  at  a  penny 
an  acre;  divisional  addition,  halfpenny  an  acre;  horses,  cattle 
and  swine  as  they  are  valued  in  law.  3.  That  every  person  do 
bring  an  exact  note  of  their  estates  August  1st;  Samuel  Perrin, 
Ebenezer  Morris,  vSurveyors;  Nathaniel  Aspinwall,  David  Knight, 
fence  viewers.  The  same  day  Deacons  Chandler  and  Sabin, 
Lieutenant  Bartholomew,  Nathaniel  Johnson  and  John  Leavens 
were  appointed  a  committee  to  seat  the  meeting  house,  observing 
as  rules,  "  what  persons  have  paid  and  do  pay,  and  to  respect 
age."  John  Carpenter  and  Peter  Aspinwall  were  afterward  add- 
ed to  the  committee  for  managing  the  affair  of  finishing  the 
meeting  house,  viz.,  John  Chandler,  Sr.,and  Edward  Morris;  and 
Samuel  Taylor  allowed  twelve  shillings  a  year  for  sweeping. 

Thus  in  ten  years  the  Roxbury  colony  was  comfortably  estab- 
lished, but  clouds  were  gathering.  The  long-continued  war  be- 
tween France  and  England  incited  their  Indian  allies  to  shock- 
ing atrocities.  New  England  was  exposed  to  constant  alarm  and 
assault  from  the  fierce  Mohawks  and  restless  Canadian  Indians. 
An  isolated,  frontier  town  like  Woodstock  was  especially  ex- 
posed, and  the  insubordination  of  its  own  Indian  residents  add- 
ed to  their  uneasiness.  These  Wabbaquassets  were  inimical 
to  Massachusetts  and  her  authority,  but  most  fortunately  at  this 
epoch  they  were  willing  to  yield  allegiance  to  Lieutenant  John 
Sabin,  half  brother  of  Deacon  Sabin,  who  had  established  him- 
self just  over  Woodstock  line,  within  Connecticut  limits.  Un- 
der his  leadership  Woodstock's  military  position  was  greatly 
strengthened.  Watch  houses  were  fortified,  scouts  maintained, 
military  discipline  enforced,  the  Indians  looked  after  and  brought 
within  Sabin's  fortifications. 

Woodstock's  first  serious  alarm  occurred  in  the  August  of 
1696,  just  ten  years  from  the  date  of  settlement.  A  band  of 
marauders  fell  suddenly  upon  the  helpless  Huguenots  of  French- 
town  (now  Oxford).  John  Evans  and  John  Johnson  were  shot, 
the  children  of  Johnson  dashed  against  the  chimney  jamb,  their 
mother  managing  to  escape  to  the  river  by  the  aid  of  her  brother. 
Stealing  down  the  stream  and  through  the  woods,  she  reached 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  851 

Woodstock  in  the  morning  with  her  tale  of  horrors.  Quickly 
the  news  flew  through  the  Woodstock  settlements.  The  inhab- 
itants huddled  within  the  garrisons,  tidings  were  sent  to  the  au- 
thorities of  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut,  and  bands  of  armed 
men  scoured  the  woods  and  guarded  exposed  positions.  The 
arrival  of  Major  Fitch  with  a  few  English  soldiers  and  a  band  of 
friendly  Indians  relieved  immediate  apprehension,  especially  as 
he  was  able  to  exercise  authority  over  the  Wabbaquassets.  He 
found  they  numbered  twenty-nine  fighting  men,  and  as  their 
headquarters  were  with  Lieutenant  John  Sabin,  he  was  able  to 
furnish  them  with  arms  and  ammunition  under  certain  restric- 
tions. 

This  beginning  of  tribulation  was  followed  by  a  long  period 
of  insecurity  and  alarm.  In  October,  1696,  by  act  of  assembly, 
Woodstock  was  accounted  a  frontier  and  comprehended  within 
the  act  to  prevent  the  deserting  the  frontier,  by  which  its  inhab- 
itants werQ  forbidden  to  leave  the  town  without  special  license, 
under  very  severe  penalties.  John  Sabin  was  now  made  cap- 
tain and  Peter  Aspinwall  lieutenant  of  the  company,  the  latter 
serving  many  months  in  command  of  a  company  of  scouts  or 
rangers,  patrolling  the  woods  of  Massachusetts. 

A  very  serious  panic  occurred  early  in  1700,  arising  from  the 
very  suspicious  conduct  of  the  Wabbaquassets,  who  went  away 
mysteriously  with  their  families  and  the  treasure  of  the  tribe, 
pretending  fear  and  danger  from  the  Mohegans.  Other  indica- 
cations  pointed  to  a  general  combination  and  insurrection  of 
what  were  deemed  friendly  Indians  in  New  England,  and  there 
was  great  apprehension  that  these  Wabbaquassets  had  started  for 
the  rendezvous.  A  hasty  message  brought  to  the  relief  of  Wood- 
stock Captain  Samuel  Mason,  with  twelve  English  soldiers  and 
eighteen  Mohegans.  He  found  Woodstock  in  great  excitement. 
James  Corbin's  well-known  cart  was  on  the  way  from  Boston, 
laden  with  ammunition,  and  great  fear  was  entertained  lest  this 
military  store  might  be  captured  by  the  enemy.  After  holding 
counsel  with  Mr.  Dwight,  Captain  Sabin  and  leading  men  of 
the  town,  it  was  thought  best  to  dispatch  three  faithful  Wabba- 
quassets, viz.,  Kinsodock,  Mookheag  and  Pesicus,  as  messengers 
to  the  fugitives,  urging  them  to  return  and  assuring  them  of 
their  friendship  and  protection.  A  pass  was  sent  with  them  for- 
bidding people  to  take  their  arms  from  them.  News  came  dur- 
ing the  day  that  Corbin's  cart  was  drawing  nigh,  and  sixty  armed 


852  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

men  went  out  to  meet  it  and  brought  it  in  with  great  rejoicings. 
The  friendly  messengers  were  probably  successful,  as  nothing 
farther  was  heard  of  the  "resurrection  and  revolt  of  his  Majes- 
ty's subjects,"  and  Captain  Mason  returned  peacefully  to  New 
London. 

The  state  of  alarm  continued  several  years.  Major  Fitch  visit- 
ing Woodstock  in  1704,  reported  affairs  there  in  bad  condition, 
the  people  poorly  provided  and  much  exposed,  the  women  and 
children  gathered  into  garrison  with  but  one  man  to  guard  them. 
Other  inhabitants  were  out  scouting  or  laboring  in  the  fields 
under  arms.  The  families  on  the  westward  hill  he  found  in 
very  difficult  and  disheartening  circumstances,  too  remote  to 
come  into  town,  and  having  no  adequate  fortifications.  He 
thoupfht  needful  to  leave  fifteen  men  for  the  defense  of  the 
place,  to  serve  alternately  as  scout  and  guard,  and  desired  the 
government  of  Massachusetts  "  to  provide  the  standing  part  at 
the  several  garrisons  as  to  diet,  and  the  marching  part  with  sup- 
per and  breakfast  when  they  came  in."  The  sums  levied  upon 
Woodstock  for  her  subsistence  and  maintenance  of  this  defense 
told  heavily  upon  her  slender  treasury. 

Public  affairs  were  much  neglected  during  these  anxious  years. 
Town  meetings  were  almost  wholly  intermitted,  common  land 
left  unfenced,  highways  to  run  to  waste,  mill  house  out  of  re- 
pair. A  few  families  removed  from  town.  A  number  of  the 
older  settlers  were  removed  by  death,  viz.,  John  Leavens,  John 
Butcher,  Deacon  John  Chandler,  William  Bartholomew,  Sr.,  Na- 
thaniel Johnson,  Sr.,  and  others.  By  1704  tranquility  was  so  far 
restored  that  the  first  school  house  was  ordered,  "21x16,  six  or 
seven  feet  high,  on  the  hill  southwest  of  John  Carpenter's.  .  . 
.  .  to  be  finished  by  Michaelmas  next,"  Jonathan  Peake,  Jacob 
Parker,  Arthur  Humphrey  committee  to  manage  the  work  (site 
on  town  land  near  the  present  Plaine  Hill  cottage).  John 
Holmes,  John  Johnson,  Philip  Eastman,  Samuel  Perrin,  Smith 
Johnson  now  served  as  selectmen;  Matthew  Davis,  constable; 
John  Chandler,  town  clerk;  Thomas  Lyon,  Thomas  Eaton,  sur- 
veyors. Philip  Eastman  was  sent  as  deputy  to  the  general  court. 
John  Picker  taught  the  first  school  in  the  new  school  house,  and 
was  succeeded  by  Thomas  Lyon.  Samuel  Paine,  Zachariah 
Richardson,  James  Hosmer,  John  and  Peter  Morse,  John  Pay- 
son,  John  Child  and  other  new  settlers  had  come  into  possession 
of  home  lots,  made  vacant  by  removal  to  growing  settlements 


HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY.  853 

in  Aspinock  and  Mashamoquet.  Deacon  Benjamin  Sabin  and 
his  large  family  of  sons,  Nathaniel  Gary,  John  Carpenter,  Na- 
thaniel Sanger,  John  Hubbard,  Peter  Aspinwall,  the  sons  of  John 
Leavens,  Samuel  Paine  and  Samuel  Perrin  were  among  these 
emigrants. 

The  opening  of  these  adjacent  settlements  added  to  the  im- 
portance of  Woodstock,  the  mother  town,  with  established  in- 
stitutions. These  "borderers  "  attended  service  at  her  meeting 
house,  improved  her  grist  mill,  traded  at  the  Corbins'  shop,  and 
participated  in  the  festivities  of  training  and  election  days.  The 
mill  privilege  had  now  fallen  into  the  hands  of  James  Hosmer, 
whose  family  retained  it  for  many  years.  John  Holmes  added 
a  fulling  mill  to  his  accommodations,  and  was  also  chosen  and 
desired  to  make  coffins  "  as  there  may  be  occasion."  William 
Lyon,  grandson  of  William  Lyon,  Sr.,  accepted  the  office  of  grave 
digger.  Public  matters  now  received  attention.  Attempts  were 
made  "to  bridge  the  great  rivers  between  us  and  Mendon." 
Selectmen  of  Woodstock  initiated  a  movement  for  a  new  road 
to  Providence,  with  a  bridge  over  the  Quinebaug.  The  road  was 
laid  out  as  at  present,  crossing  the  river  below  the  High  Falls 
(now  in  Putnam),  but  no  bridge  was  achieved  for  a  number  of 
years. 

In  1710  two  new  school  houses  were  constructed,  one  near 
John  Child's  corner,  the  other  near  Joseph  Bacon's,  north  end  of 
Plaine  hill;  Samuel  Perrin,  Smith  Johnson,  William  Lyon,  John 
Morse,  building  committee.  Thomas  Lyon  taught  for  two 
months  in  the  north  school  house;  Stephen  Sabin  at  the  south; 
the  town  stipulating  "  that  they  require  not  above  nine  shillings 
a  week." 

In  1710  a  new  division  of  land  was  surveyed  and  laid  out  by 
Captain  John  Chandler;  eighty  acres  for  a  twenty  acre  right, 
and  other  rights  in  proportion  were  allowed  to  each  holder  of 
original  lots,  each  proprietor  drawing  in  turn  his  allotment.  It 
was  voted,  "That  the  lands  still  undivided  on  the  east  end  of 
the  town  shall  abide  as  common  land  forever  or  till  the  town 
dispose  of  them."  Another  division  was  also  made  in  Roxbury's 
half,  "all  conformable"  to  the  previous  laying  out  of  John 
Butcher  in  parallel  ranges,  with  highways  between.  This  di- 
vision was  not  completed  and  distributed  till  September,  1715, 
at  which  date  Roxbury's  right  in  Woodstock  passed  into  the 
hands  of  individual  owners.     During  this  year  the  western  part 


854  HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

of  ths  south  half  was  laid  out  in  four  rangfes,  runninof  from 
north  to  south,  and  distributed  among  the  proprietors.  Massa- 
chusetts' southern  boundary,  which  had  caused  so  much  con- 
tention and  trouble,  was  now  rectified,  but  by  the  terms  of  the 
agreement  she  was  allowed  to  retain  jurisdiction  over  the  towns 
she  had  settled.  Woodstock,  although  within  Connecticut's 
patent  lines,  was  thus  left  appended  to  the  Bay  colony. 

The  division  and  transfer  of  land  in  the  north  part  of  Wood- 
stock facilitated  settlement.  Sons*  of  Roxbury  owners  gladly 
availed  themselves  of  this  opportunity  to  found  homes  in  this 
popular  and  growing  towm.  Among  the  first  of  these  north-half 
settlers  were  the  sons  of  Benjamin  Child,  whose  brother  John 
had  been  for  some  time  a  resident  in  the  eastward  vale,  or  "the 
town,"  as  it  ^vias  then  called.  His  oldest  son,  Ephraim,  married 
Priscilla  Harris  in  1710,  and  with  his  3^oung  wife  soon  removed 
to  one  of  the  ample  lots  in  the  vicinity  of  Muddy  brook,  held  by 
his  father.  He  was  soon  followed  by  several  gay  young  bach- 
elors, viz.,  his  brother  Benjamin,  John  May,  Ichabod  Holmes 
and  Joseph  Lyon,  who  also  took  up  allotments  and  went  busily 
to  work,  breaking  up  land,  getting  out  stumps,  fencing,  planting 
and  building  rude  houses,  making  ready  for  the  prospective 
brides.  The  great  Cedar  Swamp,  "left  distinct  and  excepted  " 
for  the  public  use,  furnished  suitable  material  for  building, 
though  the  watch  and  care  needful  to  prevent  pillage  was  an  ad- 
ditional burden  to  the  few  inhabitants.  The  wild  land  in  the 
west  part  of  the  town  also  furnished  shelter  for  many  wolves  and 
other  troublesome  neighbors.  A  journal  fortunately  kept  by 
John  May  gives  a  pleasant  picture  of  these  stalwart  pioneers, 
now  toiling  alone  for  days  over  some  refractory  field,  and  then 
all  joining  together  in  a  cheerful  "  bee  "  at  the  final  log  hauling, 
carting  and  planting,  helping  each  other  with  "team,"  imple- 
ments and  friendly  service.  On  stormy  days  they  "  sort  their 
nails  "  and  potter  about  house,  or  visit  the  several  families  of 
kindred  in  the  south  half,  and  recreate  with  these  older  resi- 
dents at  public  fasts,  trainings  and  town  meetings. 

The  old  "  Child  House  "  with  its  Centennial  Elm,  and  the  "  old 
May  House,"  (now  Lippitt's)  stand  upon  or  near  the  sites  of  the 
first  rude  houses  built  by  Ephraim  Child  and  John  May.  The 
homestead  of  Benjamin  Child  was  on  the  brook  in  the  heart  of 
the  present  East  Woodstock  village.  "  Old  Mr.  Maturin  Allard," 
Thomas   Gould,  tanner,   and    Deacon   Joseph    Lyon,  were  also 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  865 

among-  the  early  inhabitants  of  the  north  half.  Their  first  recog- 
nition in  town  meeting  was  in  1715,  when  they  had  liberty  to 
mend  their  own  highways.  Maturin  Allard  was  the  first  man 
chosen  to  hold  town  office.  Wolf  hunting  was  apparently  great- 
ly stimulated  by  settlement  in  this  previously  waste  country, 
as  the  town  was  called  to  pay  many  wolf  bounties,  at  twenty 
shillings  a  head.  Thomas  Lyon,  Jr.,  and  Jonathan  Payson  were 
very  active  in  this  service.  John  May  showed  much  versatility, 
helping  build  chimneys  and  houses,  having  charge  of  the  Cedar 
Swamp,  and  assisting  Lieutenant  Samuel  Morris  in  placing  the 
first  bridge  over  the  Quinebaug  river. 

These  northern  settlers  attended  divine  worship  in  the  town 
meeting  house  and  bore  their  share  of  minister's  rate  and  other 
town  expenses.  The  question  of  building  a  new  meeting  house 
excited  much  discussion  and  wrangling.  In  1717,  an  experienced 
committee  reported  "  that  it  would  be  most  profitable  as  well  as 
most  accommodable  to  build  a  new  house."  The  town  accepted 
this  opinion  with  thanks,  but  was  slow  in  deciding  upon  the  site. 
A  letter  was  written  to  the  residents  of  the  north  half  relating  to 
moving  the  meeting  house  more  northerly,  but  no  return  was 
made  to  it.  After  long  delay  and  many  reversals  of  decision, 
Mr.  Dwight  was  sent  for  "  to  pray  with  the  town."  All  previous 
action  was  then  annulled  and  the  site  referred  to  three  men 
from  out  of  town.  Samuel  Paine,  Smith  Johnson  and  Benjamin 
Griggs  from  South  Woodstock,  and  William  Lyon,  James  Corbin 
and  Jonathan  Payson  from  Plaine  hill,  were  appointed,  "  to  re- 
monstrate to  the  committee  from  abroad  the  circumstances  of 
the  town,  and  the  arguments  they  have  to  offer  as  to  which  place 
they  think  best,  and  to  write  to  such  committee,  provide  for  and 
pay  them." 

These  wise  men  decided  "in  favor  of  burying-place  spot," 
the  site  now  occupied  by  the  Congregational  church  edifice  on 
Woodstock  hill.  William  Lyon,  Eliphalet  Carpenter  and  John 
Chandler,  Jr.,  served  as  building  committee.  The  house  was 
raised  with  due  solemnities  and  rejoicing  in  April,  1720,  and  the 
work  of  building  carried  on  with  unwonted  celerity.  Much  at- 
tention was  given  to  style  and  ornament.  A  body  of  seats  occu- 
pied the  floor.  A  pew  for  the  minister  was  built  east  of  the  pul- 
pit. Sixteen  other  worthies  were  allowed  the  privilege  of  build- 
ing wall-pews  for  themselves,  the  minister's  serving  for  a  stand- 
ard.    The  leading  citizen  of  the  town,  Captain  John  Chandler, 


856  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

was  allowed  to  build  next  to  the  pulpit  stairs.  Following  him  in 
order  were  Samuel  Morris,  John  Chandler,  Jr.,  Samuel  Perrin, 
Jabez  Corbin,  John  Marcy,  Deacon  Edward  Morris,  Deacon  John 
Johnson,  James  Corbin,  Eliphalet  Carpenter,  Jonathan  Payson, 
Joseph  Bartholomew,  Edmond  Chamberlain,  Joseph  Lyon,  Zach- 
ariah  Richardson  and  John  Morse. 

The  cost  of  this  house  proved  so  great  a  burden  to  the  town 
that  an  effort  was  made  to  procure  a  tax  upon  the  land  owned  by 
Roxbury  non-residents,  which  called  forth  a  most  indignant  re- 
monstrance from  the  citizens  of  the  mother  town,  and  a  prompt  re- 
jection by  the  general  court.  The  new  house  was  occupied  be- 
fore completion,  the  materials  of  the  previous  house  being  used  in 
its  construction.  Its  formal  "  seating  "  was  not  accomplished  till 
1725,  when  it  was  referred  to  Colonel  Chandler  and  the  two  dea- 
cons, "  rules  to  be  observed — age,  charge,  usefulness."  Suitable 
and  desirable  young  people  were  allowed  to  build  pews  in  the 
hind  part  of  the  galleries. 

In  the  following  year  Woodstock  parted  with  its  first  minister. 
The  pleasant  relations  of  earl}^  years  had  been  succeeded  by  pro- 
longed uneasiness  and  wrangling.  With  many  good  points,  Mr, 
Dwight  was  erratic  and  headstrong.  His  small  salary  was  poor- 
ly paid  and  in  attempting  to  eke  it  out  by  land  jobbing  and 
"  great  strokes  of  husbandry,"  he  incurred  much  censure.  Diffi- 
culties at  length  reached  such  a  point  that  a  ministerial  council 
was  convened,  which  opined  that  while  there  were  articles  in 
Mr.  Dwight's  conduct  which  were  exceptionable  and  justly 
grievious  to  the  people,  there  was  nothing  that  might  not  be  ac- 
commodated by  suitable  methods  in  a  Christian  spirit.  Mr. 
Dwight  in  a  long,  peculiar  and  pathetic  "  declaration  "  the  fol- 
lowing Sabbath,  left  his  "  staying  or  going  off  "  for  his  people  to 
determine,  expressing,  however,  his  choice  "to  finish  life  and 
labors  together  in  this  place."  A  town  meeting  was  at  once 
called  to  consider  the  question — "  Whether  it  be  the  opinion  of 
the  town  that  it  will  be  for  the  glory  of  God,  the  interest  of  re- 
ligion, and  the  peace  and  comfort  of  the  town,  that  the  labors  of 
Mr.  Dwight  should  be  continued  further  among  us."  To  the  as- 
tonishment of  all,  and  more  especially  of  the  pastor,  the  town 
voted  in  the  negative,  "  sixty  against  one,  and  one  was  neutral." 
Surprised  and  disheartened  by  unexpected  opposition  and  alien- 
ation, Mr.  Dwight  at  once  resigned  his  ministerial  ofQce  in 
Woodstock,  the  town  voting  his  "  total,  immediate  dismission." 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  857 

The  lack  of  formal  church  co-operation  and  ministerial  concur- 
rence in  this  dismission  prolonged  the  controversy  for  a  num- 
ber of  years. 

The  succeeding  pastorate  of  Reverend  Amos  Throop,  ordained 
May  24th,  1727,  was  as  harmonious  as  that  of  Mr.  Dwight  had 
been  stormy.  Various  secular  matters  were  now  under  consid- 
eration. As  early  as  1720  Colonel  John  Chandler  had  presented 
a  petition  to  the  general  court  for  the  erection  of  a  new  county 
in  the  south  of  Massachusetts,  to  be  called  Worcester.  A  bill 
was  presented,  ordered  to  be  considered,  and  then  indefinitely 
deferred.  Renewed  Indian  hostilities  gave  much  annoyance. 
Colonel  John  Chandler  and  his  son  William  were  much  occupied 
in  military  affairs,  the  latter  having  charge  of  a  frontier  guard 
for  many  months.  Woodstock  households  were  again  gathered 
into  garrisons,  and  exposed  to  perils  and  anxieties.  A  rumored 
invasion  of  Worcester,  in  1724,  called  out  a  most  urgent  appeal 
from  that  feeble  settlement  to  Colonel  Chandler,  "  having  an  ex- 
pectation that  he  would  be  a  father  to  it." 

In  1724  a  final  division  of  the  remaining  land  in  the  south  half 
was  ordered.  Some  fifty  odd  pieces  scattered  about  the  tract 
were  surveyed  and  numbered.  The  commons  at  Plaine  hill  and 
South  Woodstock  and  some  other  pieces  were  reserved  for  pub- 
lic uses ;  the  remaining  forty-five  pieces  of  land,  amounting  to 
1,681  acres,  were  divided  among  the  representatives  of  the  origi- 
nal proprietors.  A  number  of  rights  were'bought  up  by  John 
Chandler,  Jr.,  which  were  laid  out  to  him  in  one  strip  of  two 
hundred  acres.  Of  the  first  settlers  none  were  living  but  John 
Chandler,  Joseph  Bugbee  and  Jonathan  Peake.  Henry  Bowen, 
John  Marcy  and  Benjamin  Griggs  had  recently  deceased.  The 
shares  were  distributed  to  thirty-six  proprietors.  The  selectmen 
at  this  date  were  John  Chandler,  Smith  Johnson,  Edmond  Cham- 
berlain, Jonathan  Payson  and  Samuel  Paine ;  assessors,  Samuel 
Perrin,  Payson  and  Chamberlain  ;  constables,  Ephraim  Child  and 
John  Holmes  ;  highway  surveyors,  Samuel  Lilly,  Ebenezer  Mor- 
ris, David  Holmes  and  Maturin  Allard  ;  tithing-men.  Lieutenant 
Jabez  Corbin  and  Daniel  Abbot ;  fence  viewers,  John  Child  and 
Edward  Morris,  Jr.;  hog-reeves,  Zachariah  Richardson,  Joseph 
Wright,  Joseph  Lyon,  Isaac  Johnson  and  Henry  Bowen  ;  leather 
sealer,  Stephen  Fay.  Eliphalet  Carpenter  and  Jonathan  Payson 
served  as  licensed  inn-keepers ;  John  Chandler  as  retailer. 


858  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

In  1731  the  new  county  movement  carried  the  day,  and  Wood- 
stock, with  many  northward  towns,  was  incorporated  into  Wor- 
cester county.  This  distant  frontier  town  furnished  the  leading 
officers.  Already  colonel  of  the  regiment,  John  Chandler,  Sr., 
was  now  made  judge  of  probate  and  chief  justice  of  the  court  of 
common  pleas.  John  Chandler,  Jr.,  was  appointed  clerk  of  the 
court,  and  by  especial  request  of  the  inhabitants  removed  his 
residence  to  Worcester.  The  first  court  in  the  new  county  was 
held  in  Judge  Chandler's  Woodstock  mansion,  wherein  much  le- 
gal and  public  business  was  transacted.  A  new  road  was  now 
laid  out  from  Worcester  to  Woodstock  line,  to  accommodate  bus- 
iness and  travel.  Woodstock  ranked  among  the  foremost  towns 
of  the  county,  its  tax  list  only  surpassed  by  some  of  the  older 
townships.  A  well-patronized  select  school  gave  evidence  of 
prosperity  and  progress.  vSome  seventy  pupils  were  reported  by 
its  master,  Thaddeus  Mason,  including  pupils  from  the  best  fam- 
ilies in  Pomfret  and  Killingly,  An  attempt  was  made  to  estab- 
lish a  permanent  Grammar  or  high  school — the  town  voting  to 
build  a  school  house  for  the  accommodation  of  grown  children, 
not  hindering  subordinate  schools.  This  vote  called  out  one  of 
Woodstock's  characteristic  controversies.  Thirty  out  of  sixty- 
nine  voters  dissented  from  this  vote.  A  strong  memorial  was 
immediately  prepared,  signed  by  Colonel  Chandler,  Eliphalet 
Carpenter,  John  Holmes,  Henry  Bowen,  and  other  prominent 
men,  showing  that  this  matter  had  been  laid  over  to  this  June 
8th,  1730,  "  to  be  farther  considered  on,"  but  instead  was  not 
only  considered  "but  transacted  upon  in  a  way  very  grievous  to 
a  great  number  of  the  inhabitants,"  and  for  "preventing  any 
contests,  heats  or  disputes,"  desired  that  another  town  meeting 
might  be  called.  Though  held  in  the  busiest  time  of  the  year 
over  a  hundred  voters  were  present  at  this  meeting.  The  for- 
mer vote  was  annulled,  the  new  school  house  for  "  grown  chil- 
dren "  countermanded,  and  directions  given  for  repairing  the 
old  Plaine  hill  school  house. 

In  1731  liberty  was  given  to  build  a  school  house  in  the  north 
half.  The  appointed  committee  affixed  the  site,  east  side  the 
highway  leading  from  the  house  of  Ephraim  Child  to  Maturin 
Allard's,  but  this  site  was  considered  too  far  eastward.  Captain 
Payson,  Moses  Barrett,  Joseph  Chaffee,  Jonathan  Bugbee  and 
Nathaniel  Sanger  were  appointed  a  committee  to  view  the  site  ; 
John  May,  Benjamin  Child  and  Maturin  Allard,  to  take  care  of 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  859' 

building  said  house,  but  still  the  work  did  not  go  forward.  Sev- 
eral other  families  of  Child  had  now  settled  in  this  section,  and 
many  children  were  growing  up,  and  while  waiting  to  agree  up- 
on a  building  site  schools  were  maintained  in  private  houses. 
John  May  and  Jonathan  Morse  taught  in  the  winter ;  school 
ma'ams  were  employed  in  the  several  sections  in  the  summer. 

The  town  at  this  date  was  much  exercised  by  a  controversy 
with  its  most  prominent  citizen.  Judge  Chandler.  Deacon  Wil- 
liam Lyon  superseded  him  as  moderator  of  town  meeting;  Isaac 
Tiffany  as  town  clerk;  David  Holmes  as  town  treasurer.  Judge 
Chandler  refused  to  deliver  up  the  town  records,  "because  pro- 
prietors' concerns  are  mixt  with  ye  town's,"  and  declined  "  to 
transcribe  what  belongs  to  proprietors  from  the  town  books  " 
without  some  adequate  compensation.  The  town,  on  her  part, 
refused  to  be  at  the  charge  "  of  transc"^"f"^'ng  proprietors'  concerns 
from  town  affairs,"  and  ordered  the  selectmen  "to  get  and  pro- 
cure town  books  from  Hon.  John  Chandler,  as  speedily  as  they 
can  by  the  most  prudential  ways  and  means  as  they  shall  judge 
best." 

Judge  Chandler  also  disagreed  with  the  town  in  relation  to 
the  settlement  of  a  minister  in  place  of  Reverend  Amos  Throop, 
deceased.  A' call  was  extended  to  Mr.  John  Hovey  to  become 
their  pastor.  A  tentiency  to  override  technicalities,  and  manage 
affairs  in  a  somewhat  independent  fashion,  was  severely  cen- 
sured by  the  honorable  judge,  who  "  apprehended  the  whole 
proceedings  both  in  church  and  town  were  the  product  of  arbi- 
trary or  mobbish  principles,  and  the  foundation  being  laid  upon 
the  sand,  the  superstructure  cannot  long  continue."  The  town 
responded  by  appointing  as  agents  Deacon  William  Lyon,  Cap- 
tain Payson  and  Lieutenant  Morris,  "  To  demand,  sue  for  and  re- 
cover the  town  book  of  records."  Mr.  Hovey  declining  this  ir- 
regular call,  the  town  concurred  with  the  church  in  sending  to 
New  Haven  "  to  invite  Mr.  Abel  Stiles  to  preach  with  them  by 
way  of  probation."  A  large  majority  expressing  their  satisfac- 
tion with  the  ministerial  performances  and  qualifications  of  the 
candidate,  he  was  ordained  pastor  of  church  and  town,  July  27th, 
1737.  Able  and  accomplished,  the  only  drawback  in  this  rela- 
tion was  Mr.  Stiles'  preference  for  Connecticut's  form  of  church 
government.  He  did  not,  however,  explicitly  refuse  to  sign  the 
church  covenant,  but  presented  a  written  statement  of  his  own 
views  and  principles,  which  was  considered  satisfactory.     This 


860  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

harmonious  settlement  contributed  to  further  pacification.  Colo- 
nel Chandler  was  ag-ain  chosen  moderator  of  town  meetino-s. 
Twenty-five  pounds  was  allowed  him  for  twenty-six  years'  ser- 
vice as  town  clerk,  and  other  demands  conceded. 

School  divisions  were  confirmed  in  1738.  Captain  John  Ma)'', 
Deacon  William  Lyon,  Jedidiah  Frizzell,  James  Chaffee  and  Ben- 
jamin Bugbee  served  as  committee  in  setting-  the  bounds  of 
schools  in  the  several  parts  of  the  town,  "  so  that  one  part  may 
not  send  their  children  to  any  other  part,  and  every  part  enjoy 
its  own  school  without  being  interrupted  by  any  other  part." 
The  "  parts  "  thus  assigned  were  the  central  school  at  Plaine 
hill,  the  southeast  quarter,  the  northeast  quarter,  and  the  whole 
west  side  of  the  town.  A  fifth  section  was  soon  after  set  off  at 
Wabbaquasset,  in  the  south  of  the  town. 

The  settlement  of  the  western  part  of  Woodstock  had  now 
made  considerable  progress.  Its  south  half  had  been  laid  out 
to  original  proprietors,  and  was  occupied  mainly  by  their  sons. 
Joshua,  third  son  of  Judge  Chandler,  was  one  of  the  first  to  take 
possession  of  his  father's  out-division,  "Lot  23,  third  range,"  in 
the  heart  of  the  future  village  of  West  Woodstock.  He  was  soon 
followed  by  other  adventurous  youths,  viz.,  Thomas  and  John 
Child,  John  and  Joseph  Marcy,  Nathaniel  Johnson,  John  Perrin, 
Ebenezer  Lyon,  Benjamin  Corbin,  Samuel" and  Jesse  Bugbee, 
Nathaniel  Aspinwall,  Ebenezer  and  Abraham  Paine,  children  of 
first  planters,  eager  to  establish  themselves  in  this  pleasant  and 
fertile  section.  No  part  of  the  town  was  settled  under  more 
favorable  circumstances — a  body  of  well  trained  young  men, 
with  friends  at  hand  to  help  and  encourage  them.  In  1731  a 
two  months'  school  was  allowed  by  the  town.  In  1733  it  was 
voted  "  That  the  inhabitants  dwelling  on  the  west  side  of  a  due 
north  and  south  line  from  the  top  of  Fort  hill  to  the  dividend 
lines  on  the  north  and  south  bounds  of  the  town  have  liberty  to 
meet  together  and  agree  where  a  school  house  may  be  built." 
Improving  this  privilege,  the  western  residents  met  together 
and  voted  "  That  the  best  place  for  a  school  house  is  north  of 
Clay-pit  Brook,  between  Joshua  Chandler's  and  John  Paine's 
lots." 

This  house  being  constructed,  other  needs  were  manifested. 
In  1736  it  was  found  that  thirty-five  families  had  gathered  with- 
in the  limits  of  the  west  school  who  were  exposed  to  great  hard- 
ships and  difficulties,  especially  in  cold  and  difficult  times  of 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  861 

the  year  in  travelling  to  and  from  public  worship  in  the  distant 
Plaine  Hill  meeting  house.  Having  borne  cheerfully  their  part 
of  public  charges,  these  westward  residents  now  asked  the  town 
to  help  them  pay  the  expense  of  hiring  a  minister  through  the 
winter.  The  town  granted  liberty  to  have  preaching  at  their 
own  cost,  but  refused  to  afford  any  help  toward  its  support. 
After  five  years'  efforts  and  trials,  the  western  inhabitants  again 
most  earnestly  besought  their  friends  and  neighbors  to  take 
their  remote  and  difficult  circumstances  into  their  compassionate 
consideration,  and  in  order  to  settle  the  worship  of  God  suitably 
among  them,  allow  the  western  half  to  be  erected  into  a  separate 
town.  Aghast  at  this  presumption,  the  town  positively  refused  to 
grant  its  countenance  and  consent  to  the  western  inhabitants. 
Again,  in  the  spring  of  1742,  the  petitioners  pressed  their  suit, 
and  succeeded  by  a  majority  of  two  in  gaining  permission  to 
address  the  general  court. 

July  2d  Benjamin  Marcy  and  thirty-five  others  forcibly  repre- 
sented "  their  inconvenience  by  reason  of  remoteness  from 
public  worship,"  and  gained  encouragement  to  hope  that  a  pre- 
cinct might  be  allowed  them.  Another  appeal  was  made  to 
their  obdurate  fellow  townsmen,  not  willing  "to  drive  things  to 
extremities,"  "  the  settlement  of  public  worship  the  principal 
thing  we  aim  at,"  but  again  were  scornfully  repulsed.  With 
equal  firmness  the  western  inhabitants  again  preferred  their 
request  to  the  general  court,  showing  their  condition,  the  dis- 
tance which  each  petitioner  and  his  family  were  obliged  to  travel 
to  the  crowded  meeting  house  on  Plaine  hill,  and  begging  hum- 
bly to  be  set  off  into  a  distinct  and  separate  precinct.  A  very 
strong  and  forcible  response  ivom  the  old  inhabitants  of  the  town, 
headed  by  Judge  Chandler,  could  not  in  this  instance  stay  the 
march  of  progress.  A  committee  appointed  to  repair  to  Wood- 
stock and  view  the  situation  reported  in  favor  of  the  petitioners. 
September  15th,  1743,  the  report  of  the  committee  was  accepted, 
and  the  "  west  half  part  of  Woodstock  erected  into  a  separate 
and  distinct  township,  and  vested  with  all  the  rights  and  priv- 
ileges that  precincts  by  law  enjoy." 

The  first  parish  meeting  was  held  in  the  one  school  house, 
September  27th.  John  Marcy  served  as  moderator;  Isaac  John- 
son, clerk;  Joseph  Chaffee,  Joseph  Marcy  and  Ebenezer  Lyon 
were  chosen  society  committee;  Joseph  Chaffee,  Moses  Lyon  and 
Isaac   Johnson,   assessors;    John    Marcy,   treasurer.      Ebenezer 


862  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Smith,  John  Child  and  Nathaniel  Johnson  served  as  committee, 
with  Captain  John  May,  Jabez  Lyon  and  Daniel  Paine  of  the 
old  society,  in  affixing  the  bound  between  the  precincts  by  a 
north  and  south  line  through  the  center  of  the  town.  The  new 
society  assumed  the  name  of  New  Roxbury,  and  at  once  devoted 
its  energies  to  the  establishment  of  public  worship.  A  tax  of 
two  pence  a  year  on  all  unimproved  land,  to  be  applied  toward 
building  a  meeting  house  and  settling  a  minister,  was  allowed  by 
the  general  assembly.  After  discussion  and  delay,  the  "  decisive 
spot  for  meeting  house"  was  fixed  upon  by  a  committee  from 
abroad,  viz.,  Robert  Knowlton,  Joseph  Leavens  and  Mr.  Wal- 
bridge;  Isaac  Johnson,  Joseph  Chaffee,  Ebenezer  Pame,  Thomas 
Child,  Jonathan  Bugbee,  Ebenezer  Corbin  waiting  upon  them. 
After  four  days'  deliberation  "a  dry  knoll  east  of  Bungee  Hill" 
was  selected,  Mr.  Joshua  Chandler  giving  an  acre  of  land  for 
building  site.  Equal  deliberation  was  manifested  in  choosing  a 
minister.  The  successful  candidate  was  Mr.  Stephen  Williams 
of  Longmeadow,  Mass.,  the  worthy  son  of  honored  ministerial 
ancestry.  The  meeting  house  was  raised  in  1746,  and  made 
ready  for  service  the  following  year.  A  day  of  fasting  prepara- 
tory to  that  of  ordination  was  held  in  June,  1747,  at  which  time 
Woodstock's  second  church  was  organized,  and  on  June  24th  the 
ordination  was  effected.  Fifty  acres  of  good  land  and  a  suitable 
dwelling  house  were  provided  for  the  young  minister,  and 
thus,  after  ten  years'  effort,  religious  worship  was  prosperously 
established. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  east  half  as  a  distinct  parish  was  held 
March  6th,  1744.  John  Holmes  was  chosen  moderator;  Thomas 
Chandler,  clerk  and  treasurer;  Jabez  Lyon,  John  Frizzell, Thomas 
Chandler,  assessors;  Richard  Child,  Benjamin  Bugbee,  collectors; 
Captain  Jonathan  Payson,  Captain  Joseph  Wright,  Captain 
Samuel  Chandler,  committee  to  call  precinct  meetings  and  take 
care  of  the  prudentials,  viz.,  to  sweep  the  meeting  house,  mend 
the  glass,  etc.,  at  the  charge  of  the  precinct.  All  matters  rela- 
tive to  ecclesiastic  and  school  affairs  were  now  referred  to  the 
two  societies.  Five  schools  were  maintained  by  the  first  so- 
ciety, viz.,  Center,  North,  South,  West  and  Wabbaquasset.  New 
school  houses  were  built  "  in  the  southeast  part  in  the  old  spot," 
and  at  Wabbaquasset,  sixteen  feet  square,  beside  chimney  way. 
A  more  spacious  and  elaborate  house  was  provided  for  the  cen- 
ter at  Plaine  hill.     The  north 'district,  after  ten  years' consid- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  863 

eration  "agreed  upon  the  spot  where  the  highways  intersect, 
east  of  Capt.  Child's  house,"  near  the  mill  site  on  Muddy  brook. 

New  families  were  now  appearing,  especially  in  the  north 
part  of  the  town.  The  old  settlers  had  passed  away.  Deacon 
William  Lyon  died  in  1742 ;  Judge  John  Chandler,  the  most 
prominent  citizen  of  Worcester  county,  died  in  1743 ;  the  last 
survivor  of  the  original  proprietors  was  Thomas  Bacon,  who 
died  in  1758,  aged  96  years.  With  the  passing  away  of  the  pio- 
neer generation  and  the  introduction  of  new  elements,  the  tie 
between  the  inhabitants  of  Woodstock  and  the  old  homes  at 
Roxbury  and  Boston  was  greatly  weakened.  Massachusetts 
was  at  this  date  involved  in  many  difficulties.  Her  debts  were, 
heavy  ;  her  currency  demoralized.  Connecticut  was  far  more 
prosperous  and  in  greater  favor  with  the  British  government. 
Yet  the  movement  for  a  transfer  of  allegiance  was  apparently 
sudden.  Mr.  Stiles  indeed  took  care  to  remind  his  people  of 
the  burthens  laid  upon  them  as  part  of  "  a  province  groaning 
under  sore  calamities,"  yet  the  people  in  general  submitted  un- 
complainingly without  thought  of  secession  or  rebellion.  The 
rumor  that  other  "  Indented  towns  "were  preparing  to  assert 
their  claim  to  the  charter  privileges  of  Connecticut  was  the  in- 
centive to  action.  There  was  apparently  no  very  strong  feel- 
ing in  the  matter,  no  sense  of  ill-usage  or  hostility  to  the  Massa- 
chusetts government,  but  the  change  was  desirable  on  the  ground 
of  absolute  right  and  local  convenience.  The  question  was 
brought  before  the  town  March  31st,  1747,  '"If  a  person  should 
be  chosen  to  join  those  chosen  by  Suffield,  Enfield  and  Somers 
in  trying  to  get  off  to  Connecticut.'  A  large  majority  voted  in 
the  affirmative  and  chose  Colonel  William  Chandler  to  lay  the 
.affair  before  the  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut.  Fourteen 
persons  dissented  '  as  not  likely  to  prove  successful  and  costing 
more  expense.'  " 

The  petitioners  from  the  four  "  Indented  towns  "  asked  to  be 
received  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Connecticut,  upon  the  ground 
that  the  territory  of  their  towns  was  included  in  the  original 
grant  to  that  government,  and  that  the  boundary  settlement  of 
1713,  under  which  they  were  allowed  to  remain  in  Massachu- 
setts, had  never  received  the  royal  sanction,  and  they  did  not 
believe  that  commissioners  could  transfer  or  alter  the  jurisdiction 
•of  lands  given  by  royal  charter,  and  that  the  doing  of  the  same 
-was  an  infringement  on  the  rights  of  the  subject.     The   assem- 


864  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

bly  appointed  a  committee  of  honorable  gentlemen  to  confer 
with  gentlemen  from  Massachusetts,  who  failing  in  this  effort, 
were  farther  empowered  to  consider  the  affair,  and  reported  in 
favor  of  the  memorialists.  After  two  years'  delay  and  reiterated 
memorials,  the  Connecticut  assembly  decided  that  the  boundary 
agreement  of  1713  was  made  through  mistake,that  Connecticut  had 
received  no  equivalent  for  the  jurisdiction  of  these  towns,  and  as 
the  agreement  had  never  received  royal  confirmation,  so  it  never 
ought  to  receive  it,  and  must  be  looked  upon  as  null  and  void, 
and  solemnly  declared,  "that  the  inhabitants  south  of  the  line 
fixed  by  Massachusetts  were  within  and  had  right  to  the  priv- 
ileges of  Connecticut  Government." 

This  decision  was  received  with  delight  by  a  large  majority 
of  the  inhabitants  of  Woodstock,  whose  interest  in  the  matter 
had  been  greatly  stimulated  by  two  years'  agitation.  A  warn- 
ing from  a  Connecticut  justice  soon  summoned  them  "  to  the 
choice  of  proper  town  officers,  of  which  they  were  destitute." 
This  "notable  meeting"  was  held  in  the  first  meetinghouse,  Fri- 
day, 10  A.  M.,  July  28th,  1749  (O.  S.).  Justice  Joseph  Leavens, 
of  Killingly,  a  native  of  Woodstock,  presided.  Before  entering 
upon  the  business  of  the  day,  a  formal  protest  was  entered  by 
Samuel  Chandler,  John,  Jonathan,  Nathan  and  Asa  Payson, 
John  Frizzell,  Joseph  Wright,  Zebulon  Dodge  and  Joseph 
Griggs,  declaring  that  the  meeting  was  wholly  unlawful  and 
had  a  tendency  to  stir  up  the  greatest  confusion  and  disorder, 
if  not  rebellion.  Deciding  to  take  no  further  notice  of  this  pro- 
test, John  May  was  chosen  moderator ;  Henry  Bowen,  town 
clerk  and  first  selectman;  Isaac  Johnson,  second  selectman  ;  Ja- 
bez  Lyon,  third  ;  Abraham  Perrin,  fourth  ;  John  May,  fifth ;  An- 
drew Durkee  and  Ebenezer  Paine,  constables ;  Benjamin  Bug- 
bee  and  Samuel  Child,  grand  jurors ;  all  sworn  into  office  by 
Justice  Leavens.  William  and  Daniel  Lyon,  John  Morse,  Eph- 
raim  and  Benjamin  Child,  Henry  Bowen,  Thomas  Chandler, 
Daniel  Paine  and  Nathaniel  Johnson  were  then  approved  to 
take  the  freeman's  oath  agreeably  to  the  laws  of  Connecticut. 
At  the  following  town  meeting  seventy-four  additional  residents 
were  admitted  freemen,  and  Thomas  Chandler  and  Henry  Bowen 
chosen  representatives  to  the  general  assembly.  Transference 
of  allegiance  had  thus  been  practically  effected,  and  Woodstock 
enrolled  among  Connecticut  townships. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  865 

Massachusetts,  meanwhile,  wholly  refused  to  accept  the  situ- 
ation. Spirited  remonstrances  were  laid  before  the  Connecticut 
assembly ;  warrants  and  writs  were  served  upon  her  revolted 
subjects ;  commissioners  failed  even  to  agree  upon  terms  of  ne- 
gotiation. Both  governments,  after  some  years  of  bickering  and 
wrangling,  attempted  to  lay  their  claims  before  the  crown,  but 
owing  to  many  hindrances  and  public  disturbances  did  not  suc- 
ceed in  gaining  a  hearing.  After  the  close  of  the  French  and 
Indian  war  another  attempt  was  made  to  gain  a  decision  from 
supreme  authority  in  Great  Britain,  but  the  revolutionary  troub- 
les again  prevented  its  consideration,  and  the  revolted  towns 
were  left  to  Connecticut  dominion,  according  to  the  original 
grant  of  territory.  The  aggrieved  memorialists  of  Woodstock 
continued  to  protest  against  this  transfer,  but  were  forced  in 
time  to  submit  to  the  will  of  the  majority.  In  many  respects  the 
change  was  greatly  to  its  advantage.  The  population  of  the 
town  in  1753  was  1,336  whites,  30  blacks ;  value  of  estates 
i:i  6,500. 

Revolt  from  Massachusetts  was  soon  followed  by  a  protracted 
ecclesiastic  conflict,  resulting  likewise  in  secession  and  separa- 
tion. Both  controversies  sprung  from  the  same  germ — the  in- 
herent antagonism  between  the  two  colonies.  Those  citizens 
who  favored  Massachusetts  government  and  ideas  adhered  faith- 
fully to  the  Cambridge  platform  and  principles,  upon  which  the 
first  church  in  Woodstock  was  founded,  while  the  especial  friends 
of  Mr.  Stiles,  advocates  for  the  new  departure,  had  imbibed  some 
portion  of  his  regard  for  the  Saybrook  platform  and  religious 
establishment  of  Connecticut.  Mr.  Stiles'  request  to  attend  the 
meetings  of  the  Windham  County  Association  of  ministers, 
"  purely  for  his  own  information  and  satisfaction,"  aroused  sus- 
picion and  uneasiness  in  the  first  years  of  his  ministry.  These 
difficulties  had  so  increased  that  in  1752  a  council  was  held,  in 
which  nine  specific  points  of  grievance  were  brought  forward, 
discussed  and  carefully  adjusted.  Yet  notwithstanding  this 
amicable  settlement,  old  fires  were  rekindled  by  the  "  amazing 
conduct "  of  Mr.  Stiles  in  introducing  a  covenant,  embodying  as 
he  claimed  the  substance  of  the  Cambridge  platform,  and  with- 
out proper  warning  or  discussion,  declaring  its  adoption  upon 
the  subscription  of  himself  and  a  small  number  of  the  brethren. 
A  large  number  of  church  members  protested  earnestly  against 
this  imposition,  and  positively  refused  to  submit  to  it.  Attempts 
55 


836  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

to  compound  the  difference  were  wholly  fruitless,  and  after  a 
few  months  of  wrangling  the  opposition  withdrew  from  Mr, 
Stiles'  preaching,  and  held  meetings  by  themselves.  In  1756 
the  aggrieved  party— twenty-three  brethren  and  twenty-one  sis- 
ters— by  the  advice  of  an  ecclesiastic  council,  formally  "  re-as- 
sumed in  church  state  on  the  ancient  basis  of  the  church, 
whereof  we  stand  members,"  and  were  declared  by  the  council 
"  a  church  in  regular  form,  according  to  the  usual  method." 

This  procedure  at  once  raised  the  question  which  of  the  two 
churches  had  the  right  to  the  tithes  and  property  vested  in  the 
First  society,  and  both  parties  carried  their  woes  to  the  general 
assembly.  Mr.  Stiles  asked  for  a  council  to  hear  and  determine 
the  differences ;  his  opponents  prayed  for  "a  distinct,  separate 
society."  A  council  was  granted  but  could  not  agree  upon  terms 
of  statement.  Every  day  the  breach  widened.  The  old  church 
party  reiterated  to  the  assembly  "  the  inconsistency  of  the  thing 
in  its  own  nature,"  and  "  the  violence  that  must  be  done  to  our 
consciences,  in  that  we  should  be  compelled  to  uniformity  with  a 
minister  and  his  adherents,  who  have  so  far  departed  from  the 
ancient  order,  and  be  made  to  suffer  for  abiding  in  conformity 
with  the  sister  churches  throughout  the  province  in  which  we 
were  first  embodied,"  while  Mr.  Stiles  adroitly  insinuated 
charges  of  Separatism,  irregularity  and  disaffection  to  the  civil 
constitution  of  Connecticut.  The  condition  of  religious  affairs  at 
that  date,  the  violence  and  divSorders  caused  by  the  Separate  move- 
ment, gave  great  weight  to  these  insinuations,  and  undoubtedly 
warped  the  judgment  of  councillors  and  legislators.  The  minis- 
try of  state  and  county  sympathized  mainly  with  Mr.  Stiles,  and 
the  small  body  representing  the  original  church  covenant  was 
sorely  beset  and  hindered,  and  even  refused  the  privilege  of 
communion  with  the  church  in  the  West  parish.  A  number  of 
prominent  ministers  appointed  by  the  general  assembly  in  1757, 
found  the  difficulties  very  great — "  all  peace,  unity  and  gccd 
agreement  wholly  destroyed  and  gone  from  among  the  people 
of  the  society  and  members  of  the  church,"  but  found  no  prac- 
ticable way  of  accommodation. 

The  majority  for  a  time  apparently  favored  the  Stiles  party, 
which  was  thus  enabled  to  lay  taxes  upon  the  whole  society,  but 
after  some  years  the  balance  of  power  had  shifted,  the  question 
assumed  a  more  definite  sectional  character,  descendants  of  first 
settlers  in  the  south  half  insisting  upon  the  old  church  covenant, 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  867 

the  more  varied  population  of  the  north  adhering  to  Mr.  Stiles 
and  Connecticut  church  government.  Conflicting  votes  were 
now  passed  at  successive  society  meetings,  whereby  affairs  were 
thrown  into  the  greatest  confusion.  Rival  committees  refused 
to  warn  meetings  in  behalf  of  their  opponents.  The  assembly, 
wearied  out  with  their  contentions,  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  all  pe- 
titions. The  old  church  party,  in  1758,  secured  a  vote  to  assess 
all  estates  in  the  society  for  support  of  their  own  minister,  and 
proceeded  to  collect  it.  Windham  courts  declared  the  assess- 
ment unlawful,  but  had  not  power  to  grant  relief. 

Emboldened  by  success,  the  anti-Stiles  party  proceeded  to  lay 
hands  on  the  meeting  house.  Richard  Flynn  was  chosen  key» 
keeper;  Samuel  Chandler  and  Colonel  John  Payson  deputized  to 
get  possession  of  the  key.  Failing  in  this,  Zebulon  Dodge  was 
directed  to  take  off  the  lock  and  put  on  another,  and  deliver  the 
new  key  to  Mr.  Flynn.  Victory  was  finally  achieved  by  a  soci- 
ety vote:  "  I.  That  the  society  meet  in  the  meeting  house  in  said 
society  on  Lord's  day  for  public  worship  for  the  future.  II. 
That  there  be  a  committee  chosen  to  supply  the  pulpit  till 
farther  orders,  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Stiles.  III.  That  Mr.  Samuel 
Chandler  be  a  committee  to  supply  the  pulpit  with  some  suitable 
person  to  preach,  and  that  the  clerk  serve  Mr.  Stiles  with  a  copy 
of  the  transactions  of  this  society,  that  he  may  know  the  minds 
of  the  society,  and  so  not  presume  to  go  into  the  desk  on  Lord's 
day  to  disturb  the  society  in  the  public  worship  as  he  has  here- 
tofore done." 

In  spite  of  this  summary  ejection  Mr.  Stiles  c/zV/ presume  to  en- 
ter the  desk  already  occupied  by  the  opposition  minister,  and 
was  only  ousted  by  a  hand-to-hand  contest.  This  battle  cleared 
the  air,  and  virtually  ended  the  controversy.  The  northern 
belligerents  withdrew  with  their  discomfitted  minister.  A  com- 
mittee appointed  by  general  assembly  arranged  an  amicable 
settlement.  The  society  division  besought  so  many  years  was 
at  length  effected — the  old  south  retaining  the  meeting  house, 
the  young  north  carrying  off  the  minister.  Church  property 
was  divided  between  the  two  societies.  Isaac  Johnson,  Parker 
and  John  Morse,  John  May,  Nathaniel  and  Elisha  Child  signed 
the  agreement  July  20th,  1760.  Church  records  were  left  in  the 
hands  of  Mr.  Stiles,  society  records  with  the  clerk  of  the  First  or 
South  society.  The  question  as  to  which  body  could  claim  the 
title  of  "  First  church  of  Woodstock  "  was  ignored  as  too  delicate 
for  contemporary  discussion. 


868  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

In  spite  of  these  dissensions  the  town  was  gaining  rapidly. 
Many  new  settlers  purchased  farms,  especially  in  the  north  part 
of  the  town.  Various  business  enterprises  were  set  in  motion; 
mill  privileges  and  iron  ore  were  utilized,  trade  and  production 
stimulated.  New  men  came  to  the  front.  At  the  town  meeting 
December  1st,  1760,  Isaac  Johnson  served  as  moderator.  Thomas 
Chandler  was  chosen  town  clerk  and  treasurer;  Isaac  Johnson, 
Thomas  Chandler,  Nathaniel  Johnson,  Ebenezer  Smith,  Jr., 
Nathaniel  Child,  selectmen;  Moses  Chandler,  constable  and  col- 
lector of  colony  tax;  Moses  Child,  collector  of  excise;  Samuel 
McClellan,  George  Hedge,  Elijah  Lyon,  Abner  Harris,  John 
Chamberlain,  Amos  Paine,  Matthew  Hammond,  Jonathan  and 
Henry  Child,  Ebenezer  Child,  Jr.,  Ebenezer  Corbin,  Jonathan 
Morris,  Hezekiah  Smith,  Captain  Joseph  Hayward,  Joshua  Chand- 
ler, surveyors  of  highways;  Silas  Bowen,  Lieutenant  Hezekiah 
Smith,  grand  jurymen;  Silas  Bowen,  Moses  Child,  Hezekiah 
Smith,  Moses  Chandler,  Upham  May,  Ebenezer  Child,  Jr.,  Sam- 
uel Child,  Jr.,  listers;  Nathaniel  Child,  Abijah  Child,  Samuel 
Bowen,  collectors  of  rates;  George  Hedge,  Josiah  Hammond, 
Stephen  Marcy,  Asa  Morris,  Caleb  May,  Elisha  Child,  tithing 
men;  Benjamin  Bugbee,  William  Chapman,  fence  viewers;  Dar- 
ius Ainsworth,  Zebulon  Marcy,  Joseph  Manning,  Ezra  May,  Isaac 
Bowen,  Nathan  Child,  haywards;  Moses  Child,  receiver  of  stores; 
Jedidiah  Alorse,  packer;  Joseph  Peake,  ganger;  Richard  Fl3mn, 
Daniel  Bugbee,  branders.  Ebenezer  Smith  was  chosen  town 
clerk  in  place  of  Thomas  Chandler,  removed  to  Vermont.  Lieu- 
tenant Hezekiah  Smith  and  other  officers  were  excused  to  serve 
in  the  army. 

Needful  improvements  were  gradually  carried  out.  Highway 
districts  were  set  out  in  1773 — five  in  the  First  society,  in  charge 
of  Thomas  Baker,  Jonathan  Allen,  Jonathan  Lyon,  Jed.  Bug- 
bee, Matthew  Bowen  ;  four  in  New  Roxbury,  directed  by  Dan- 
iel Paine,  Benjamin  Howard,  John  Perrin,  Samuel  Narramore  ; 
four  in  the  North  society,  under  Caleb  May,  Ephraim  Carpen- 
ter, Eliakim  May,  Stephen  Tucker.  New  roads  were  laid  out 
superseding  the  old  range  ways.  A  committee  appointed  in 
1771  to  examine  the  financial  condition  of  the  town,  reported 
that  the  town's  money  for  a  number  of  years  had  been  prudent- 
ly handled.  In  public  affairs  Woodstock  manifested  much  in- 
terest, taking  a  prominent  part  in  political  discussion  and  de- 
monstration.    A  strong  radical  element  was  very  forcibly  called 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  869 

into  exercise  throughout  the  whole  revolutionary  struggle,  lead- 
ing her  citizens  to  go  far  beyond  their  proportion  in  supplies  of 
men  and  munitions  of  war.  With  equal  spirit  she  resisted  all 
Massachusetts'  attempts  to  coerce  her  into  subjection,  and  gal- 
lantly entered  the  field  in  the  contest  for  the  shire-ship  of  Wind- 
ham county.  The  one-sided  position  of  Windham  town  was  a 
grievance  to  the  north  part  of  the  county.  The  proposed  change 
to  Pomfret  was  still  unsatisfactory.  Woodstock  met  the  dilem- 
ma by  proposing  that  Connecticut  should  remove  her  northern 
bound  some  four  and  a  half  miles  farther  north,  "agreeable  to 
the  manifest  intent  of  the  Province  charter,"  and  "then  take  a 
just  view  of  the  situation  of  Woodstock  and  its  conveniency  for 
a  shire  town;"  a  proposition  which  the  Lower  House  did  not 
deign  even  to  consider. 

In  the  discussion  concerning  the  adoption  of  the  federal  con- 
stitution, Woodstock  showed  her  wonted  independence,  indulg- 
ing in  large  and  warm  debate  until  the  dusk  of  the  evening  and 
adjourning  after  much  opposition.  At  the  second  meeting, 
which  was  very  fully  attended,  Mr.  Stephen  Paine  and  Deacon 
Timothy  Perrin  were  chosen  delegates,  and  although  it  was  al- 
leged that  the  vote  was  illegal,  sundry  persons  presuming  to 
vote  who  were  not  legal  voters,  they  attended  the  meeting  in 
Hartford,  January  3d,  1788,  and  voted  against  the  adoption  of 
the  constitution.  Woodstock's  native  radicalism  and  the  prev- 
alence of  what  were  called  "  sectaries,"  developed  a  strong  oppo- 
sition to  federalism.  The  anti-federal  or  republican  party  found 
many  supporters  in  town,  and  Baptist  and  Methodist  radicals 
were  occasionally  sent  as  representatives. 

Deacon  Jedidiah  Morse,  long  remembered  as  one  of  the 
strong  men  of  Woodstock,  now  served  as  town  clerk  and  treas- 
urer. Captains  Nehemiah  Lyon,  Amos  Paine  and  Ephraim 
Manning,  Captains  Daniel  and  William  Lyon,  Thomas  May, 
Noah  Mason,  Shubael  Child,  Darius  Ainsworth,  Benjamin  Hay- 
wood, Ebenezer  Smith,  Nehemiah  Clarke,  Silas  May,  Ebenezer 
Coburn,  appear  among  town  officers.  Hon.  Charles  Church 
Chandler,  grandson  of  Judge  John  Chandler  and  his  successor 
in  the  old  Chandler  homestead  at  South  Woodstock,  the  first 
lawyer  in  Woodstock  and  a  man  of  wide  influence,  died  sudden- 
ly in  1787. 

Samuel  McClellan,  general  of  Connecticut's  Fifth  Brigade, 
was  now  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  Windham  county. 


870  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

His  valuable  services  during  the  war  of  the  revolution  were 
everywhere  recognized.  Woodstock's  native  military  spirit  was 
greatly  stimulated  by  his  presence  and  example,  and  her  two 
commons  were  noted  for  a  brilliant  succession  of  military  train- 
ing. These  gala  days  were  exceedingly  popular,  bringing 
together  a  great  concourse  of  people,  and  were  marked  by  the 
customary  hilarity  and  carousings.  General  McClellan  and  his 
revolutionary  war  horse  were  especial  features  of  these  occa- 
sions. John,  son  of  General  McClellan,  was  early  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  brigade  major.  After  studying  law  with  Hon. 
Charles  H.  Chandler,  he  entered  upon  practice  at  Woodstock 
hill,  and  was  very  active  in  establishing  Woodstock  Academy 
and  other  public  enterprises. 

Turnpike  schemes  awakened  much  interest  in  Woodstock. 
The  road  from  Boston  to  Hartford  was  laid  out  through  Thomp- 
son to  her  great  disappointment,  but  she  secured  the  Norwich 
and  Worcester  turnpike,  with  a  branch  diverging  to  Sturbridge, 
and  also  a  direct  road  from  General  McClellan's  corner  to  Provi- 
dence. This  latter  road  was  afterward  continued  to  Somers. 
Middlesex  Gore  on  the  north,  left  outside  of  town  bounds  by  the 
reconstruction  of  the  state  boundary,  was  claimed  by  Woodstock 
in  1793,  but  she  did  not  succeed  in  retaining  possession.  In 
1797  an  attempt  was  made  by  a  number  of  western  residents — 
divested,  as  they  claimed,  "  in  great  measure  of  the  privilege  of 
free  and  legal  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Woodstock,  and  a  par- 
ticipation in  the  election  of  town  officers,  owing  to  their  remote 
distance,"  to  obtain  independent  town  privileges.  Some  encour- 
agement was  given  by  the  other  societies,  but  a  majority  of 
voters  "  would  not  consent  to  new  town."  Relief  was  obtained 
in  time  by  holding  town  meetings  alternately  in  the  three  so- 
cieties. 

At  the  town  meeting  in  1807,  John  McClellan,  Esq.,  served  as 
moderator.  Jedidiah  Morse  still  retained  the  position  of  town 
clerk  and  treasurer;  selectmen,  John  McClellan,  Captains  Luther 
Baldwin,  William  May  and  Jedidiah  Kimball,  and  Deacon  Ste- 
phen Johnson ;  constables,  David  Frizzell,  Parker  Morse,  Amasa 
Lyon  ;  grand  jurors,  Henry  Welles,  Thomas  Corbin,  Captain  Asa 
Child,  Darius  Barlow ;  listers,  David  Frizzell,  William  Lyon, 
Darius  Barlow,  Doctor  Haviland  Morris,  Captains  Carpenter 
Bradford,  Aaron  Child  and  Judah  Lyon  ;  pound  keepers,  Wil- 
liam Flynn,  Roswell  Ledoyt,  Chester  May ;  tavern  keepers,  Wil- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  871 

liam  Bowen,  Jonathan  Day,  Daniel  Lyon,  Charles  W.  Noyes, 
Chester  May,  John  Child,  Sanford  Holmes,  Perley  Lyon,  Earl 
Clapp  and  Lemuel  Perry ;  Colonel  David  Holmes,  Captain  Wil- 
liam May,  Jedidiah  Kimball,  committee  to  wait  upon  turnpike 
commissioners. 

The  multiplication  of  taverns  testified  to  the  increase  in  travel 
and  teaming.  It  was  a  day  of  emigration,  when  all  the  main 
roads  were  thronged  with  wagons  and  teams,  transporting  fam- 
ilies westward.  Manufacturing  was  also  coming  in  vogue,  stim- 
ulating business  intercourse.  As  yet  Woodstock  farms  sufficed 
mainly  for  the  maintenance  of  its  population,  with  such  business 
as  was  demanded  by  the  daily  needs  of  its  inhabitants.  The  town 
was  thrifty  and  healthy,  standing  high  among  the  towms  of  the 
county,  exceeding  in  1810  all  others  in  population.  Again  in 
1820,  it  stood  at  the  head  with  3,017  inhabitants,  the  first  town  in 
the  county  to  enter  the  thirties. 

During  the  war  of  1812  she  had  shown  her  usual  spirit,  though 
a  majority  of  her  citizens  opposed  the  course  of  the  president,  and 
manifested  their  disapproval  in  denunciatory  resolutions.  The 
summons  to  the  relief  of  New  London  in  June,  1813,  awakened 
much  enthusiasm.  James  Lyon  was  sent  out  to  warn  the  militia, 
and  returning  from  his  mission  before  sunrise,  found  two  com.- 
panies  already  mustered  on  the  common,  under  charge  of  Ad- 
jutant Flynn,  ready  to  march  to  the  scene  of  action.  Bowen's 
tavern,  under  the  poplars  at  Woodstock  hill,  was  a  place  of  much 
resort  during  this  busy  period,  and  was  once  the  scene  of  a  re- 
markable conjunction  between  two  government  cannon,  ordered 
from  different  establishments  by  the  secretaries  of  war  and 
navy,  which  met  before  the  tavern  door  at  the  same  moment, 

In  the  succeeding  battles  for  a  new  state  constitution  and 
county  seat  Woodstock  bore  her  part  bravely,  enrolling  her  vote 
against  the  constitution,  and  persistently  refusing  to  pay  any  share 
of  the  expense  of  the  removal  of  the  courts  to  Brooklyn.  This 
was  the  more  unreasonable  in  view  of  the  radical  tendencies  of 
the  town,  and  its  uncommon  addiction  to  excessive  litigation. 
A  number  of  protracted  and  troublesome  lawsuits  were  carried 
on  during  this  period,  and  the  three  lawyers.  Esquires  McClel- 
lan,  Ebenezer  Stoddard  and  John  F.  Williams,  found  abundant 
practice.  The  pugnacity  of  Woodstock's  citizens  made  politics 
lively.  The  anti-Masonic  controversy  raged  with  much  fierce- 
ness, breaking  down  old  party  lines  and  inciting  new  comV'- 
nations. 


872  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Hon.  Ebenezer  Stoddard,  who  had  served  as  representative  in 
congress  from  1821  to  1825,  was  elected  lieutenant-governor  of 
Connecticut  in  1835.  Temperance  and  slavery  agitation  called 
out  much  interest,  and  were  soon  introduced  into  politics.  A 
large  number  of  taverns  had  been  maintained  during  the  days 
of  heavy  teaming  and  hard  drinking.  In  1828  the  licensed 
tavern  keepers  were  George  Bowen,  William  K.  Greene,  Rhodes 
Arnold,  Aaron  Corbin,  Judah  Lyon,  Chauncey  Kibbe,  Thomas 
L.  Truman,  Hezekiah  Bugbee.  With  the  progress  of  temperance 
reformation  the  number  gradually  diminished.  In  1833  Chaun- 
cey Kibbe,  W^illiam  Healy,  George  Bowen,  Amasa  Carpenter 
and  Rhodes  Arnold  were  nominated.  Two  years  later  and  only 
Rhodes  Arnold  and  James  Lamson  were  allowed  the  privilege. 
Five  persons  were  refused  nomination,  and  the  petition  of  George 
Bowen,  Danforth  Child  and  Rhodes  Arnold  for  license  to  retail 
wine  and  spirituous  liquors  was  rejected.  In  1836  Lyman  and 
William  Hiscox,  George  Bowen,  Pelatiah  and  Zenas  D.  Wight  and 
Danforth  Child  were  approbated  to  be  retailers  of  wines  and  dis- 
tilled spirituous  liquors  at  the  several  stores. 

After  the  Washingtonian  temperance  movement  of  1840  a 
special  town  meeting  was  called,  January  6th,  "to  see  if  the  town 
will  grant  liberty  as  the  statute  law  directs  to  any  person  or  per- 
sons to  sell  wine  or  spirituous  liquors  in  the  town  the  year  en- 
suing." A  decided  refusal  was  given.  Even  the  discreet  appli- 
cation of  Mr.  George  Bowen  to  sell  such  articles  "for  medicinal 
purposes  only  and  no  other  "  was  decided  in  the  negative.  And 
as  tavern  keeping  was  quite  superfluous  apart  from  liquor  sell- 
ing, the  application  of  Mr.  Amasa  Carpenter  to  keep  a  house  of 
public  entertainment  met  the  same  fate.  For  fifty  years  no 
liquor  selling  has  been  licensed  by  the  town  of  Woodstock,  save 
Sor  medicinal  and  chemical  purposes.  Trainings  and  taverns 
were  also  simultaneously  abandoned, or  transformed  into  a  mere 
shadow  of  former  greatness. 

The  movement  for  the  abolition  of  slavery  aroused  irnmediate 
interest  in  Woodstock.  Its  citizens  aided  in  the  formation  of 
the  early  "  Liberty  Party."  In  1843  Doctor  Samuel  Bowen  of 
Thompson,  received  116  Woodstock  votes  as  the  congressional 
candidate  of  the  abolitionists.  So  powerful  was  the  party  that 
for  three  years  it  obstructed  the  choice  of  town  representatives. 
In  1847  a  compromise  was  effected  between  the  whigs  and  liberty 
party  men,  and  Leonard  M.  Deane  and  Stephen  Hopkins  elected. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY,  873 

The  latter  is  starred  on  the  roll  of  representatives  as  the  first 
"  Abolitionist  "  in  the  state  legislature.  Woodstock's  abolition 
vote  was  much  larger  than  that  of  any  other  town.  So  strong 
was  this  elemeat  that  in  1856,  when  the  republican  party  came 
into  prominence,  478  votes  were  cast  for  "  Fremont  and  Free- 
dom." 

In  population  Woodstock  has  suffered  gradual  loss,  numbering 
some  hundreds  less  than  in  1820.  Constant  emigration  and  the 
lack  of  manufacturing  interests  have  caused  this  shrinkage,  yet 
there  are  indications  that  the  lowest  point  has  been  reached  and 
renewed  immigration  set  in.  Many  respected  citizens  have  car- 
ried on  the  affairs  of  the  town  these  seventy  years.  In  1830, 
October  4th,  John  Paine,  Esq.,  served  as  moderator;  John  Fox 
was  chosen  treasurer  and  town  clerk  ;  Oliver  Morse,  William 
Lyon,  2d,  Laban  Underwood,  Simon  Barrett,  Chauncey  Kibbe, 
selectmen ;  Perley  Lyon,  Rhodes  Arnold,  Rodney  Martin,  as- 
sessors ;  John  Chandler,  2d,  Christopher  Arnold,  Otis  Perry,  board 
of  relief ;  Silas  H.  Cutler,  John  Child,  Oliver  Saunders,  consta- 
bles and  collectors  of  taxes  ;  Charles  Child,  Jr.,  Elisha  C.  Walker, 
Spaulding  Barstow,  Simon  Barrett,  Elisha  Paine,  Alexander  Dor- 
rance,  grand  jurors ;  P.  Skinner,  Cyrus  Davenport,  Cyprian 
Chandler,  John  W.  Wells,  Amos  Paine,  Jr.,  Benajah  Bugbee,2d, 
Alexander  Dorrance,  Charles  Skinner,  Charles  Crawford,  Eben- 
ezer  Paine,  John  Chamberlin,  Penuel  Corbin,  Jr.,  William  Child, 
Alfred  Walker,  tithing  men  ;  George  Bowen,  sealer  of  weights 
and  measures ;  Charles  Smith,  Asa  Lyman,  John  Fowler,  2d, 
fence  viewers  ;  Aaron  Corbin,  Charles  Smith,  James  Lyon,  com- 
mittee on  alteration  of  highway  districts.  The  rate  list  of  1820 
amounting  in  value  to  about  $36,000,  comprised  363  dwelling 
houses,  16  niills,  399  horses  and  mules,  3,009  neat  cattle,  27  rid- 
ing carriages,  13  other  carriages,  169  clocks,  watches  and  time^ 
pieces.  One  academy  building,  18  school  houses  and  5  churches 
(houses  of  worship)  were  reported. 

Town  offices  in  1861,  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of  the  re- 
bellion, were  :  Ezra  C.  May,  clerk,  registrar  and  treasurer  ;  Sam- 
uel M.  Fenner,  Asa  Goodell,  Hezekiah  Bishop,  selectmen  ;  George 
N.  Lyman,  S.  W.  Bugbee,  collectors;  Nathan  E.  Morse,  consta- 
ble ;  R.  S.  Mathewson,  H.  S.  Perry,  Oliver  Marcy,  Elias  Child, 
2d,  Baldwin  Vinton,  Carlo  May,  grand  jurors ;  Simon  Bartholo- 
mew, George  Bugbee,  Albert  Morse,  assessors  ;  F.  W.  Flynn,  L. 
D.  Underwood,  C.  C.  Potter,  board  of  relief ;  William  Lester, 


874  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Otis  Perrin,  land  surveyors;  George  Bugbee,  George  A.  Paine, 
J.  W.  Sessions,  S.  M.  Fenner,  Alexander  Warner,  M.  Bradford, 
John  White,  board  of  education  ;  Stephen  L.  Potter,  school  treas- 
urer. Very  heavy  burthens  were  brought  upon  the  town  during 
this  period,  in  bounties,  supplies  for  soldiers  and  care  of  their 
families.  Woodstock  maintained  its  ancient  reputation  in  meet- 
ing promptly  all  public  demands,  and  in  the  character  and  ser- 
vice of  those  who  went  to  the  battle.  Soon  after  the  close  of  the 
war  efforts  were  made  to  reduce  the  debt  that  had  been  con- 
tracted. At  the  annual  town  meeting  in  1868,  Mr.  Henry  C. 
Bowen  offered  to  give  $,'5,000,  a  thousand  a  year,  if  the  town 
would  cancel  the  debt  in  five  years.  This  generous  offer  was 
received  with  general  favor,  and  immediate  measures  taken  for 
raising  the  town's  proportion.  By  levying  an  additional  tax 
each  year  the  needful  amount  was  secured,  and  the  town  freed 
from  this  encumbrance.  The  great  American  flag  used  at  the 
monster  mass  meeting  of  1868  was  also  presented  to  the  town  by 
Mr.  Bowen. 

The  republican  party  was  largely  in  ascendency  during  the 
years  of  the  war.  In  1872  democrats  and  liberals  united  on  a 
ticket  for  town  officers,  "  composed  of  good  men,"  but  did  not 
succeed  in  breaking  the  ranks  of  the  republicans.  Ezra  C.  May 
still  served  as  town  clerk  and  treasurer;  selectmen,  George  W. 
Clarke,  Stephen  D.  Skinner,  Nathan  E.  Morse  ;  assessors,  Martin 
Paine,  Joseph  R.  Barber,  Joseph  M.  Morse ;  board  of  relief, 
Amos  A.  Carrol,  William  H.  Church,  John  A.  Mason;  grand 
jurors,  Erastus  H.  Wells,  Henry  T.  Child,  Abiel  Fox,  Arthur 
Stetson,  Ezra  C.  Child,  Ebenezer  Bishop  ;  constables,  P.  Skinner, 
Jeremiah  Church,  John  H.  Child;  John  Paine,  agent;  John  A. 
Mason,  treasurer  of  town  deposit  fund;  registrars  Of  voters,  Dis. 
1.  Lewis  J.  Wells,  William  H.  Pearson  ;  Dis.  2.  George  Bugbee, 
Albert  Kenyon  ;  Dis.  3.  John  Paine,  George  A.  Penniman ; 
school  visitors,  George  S.  F.  Stoddard,  Sylvester  Barrows,  Eben- 
ezer Bishop,  Monroe  W.  Ide,  George  Bugbee.  George  A.  Paine 
served  faithfully  for  several  terms  in  the  important  office  of 
school  fund  commissioner. 

In  1880  the  population  of  Woodstock  numbered  2,639  ;  child- 
ren between  4  and  16  years  of  age,  656  ;  grand  list,  $943,686 ; 
dwelling  houses,  607 ;  mills,  stores,  distilleries,  manufactories, 
49;  horses,  asses,  mules,  647;  neat  cattle,  2,929;  carriages  and 
pleasure  wagons,  87,     Herbert  M.  Gifford  had  then  succeeded  to 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  875 

the  office  of  town  clerk  and  treasurer,  retaining  it  till  1888 ;  lie 
was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Newton  D.  Skinner.  The  present  select- 
men are  Charles  H.  May,  Stephen  D.  Skinner  and  Reed  Tour- 
tellotte. 

Woodstock  as  a  Connecticut  town  was  first  included  in  Pom- 
fret  probate  district.  Its  first  clerk,  was  Penuel  Bowen,  of 
Woodstock,  under  whose  administration  the  records  were  lost  in 
the  destruction  of  his  house  by  fire.  Woodstock's  specific  pro- 
bate court  was  constituted  in  1831,  John  Paine,  judge,  George 
Bowen,  clerk.  Political  jealousies  made  this  office  very  transi- 
tory and  migratory  for  many  years,  transferring  it  from  parish 
to  parish.  John  F.  Williams,  Theophilus  B.  Chandler,  Daniel 
Lyman,  Ezra  Child,  George  A.  Paine,  G.  S.  F.  Stoddard,  T.  D. 
Holmes  and  Stephen  Potter,  were  among  the  many  who  served 
as  judge  of  probate.  A  new  departure  was  effected  under  the 
administration  of  Judge  Oscar  Fisher,  who  continued  in  service 
from  July  4th,  1867,  to  January,  1881,  when  the  present  incum- 
bent. Judge  Oliver  Perry,  entered  upon  service.  The  wisdom  of 
the  civil  service  reform  in  this  department  is  conceded  by  all 
parties. 

Parish  divisions  in  Woodstock  are  unusually  pronounced  and 
definite.  After  a  serious  contest  the  west  half  of  the  town  was 
set  off  as  a  distinct  parish  or  religious  society  in  1743,  and  still 
remains  nearly  or  quite  intact,  as  the  Second  or  West  parish. 
The  P'irst  or  East  parish  was  again  divided  after  the  church 
controversy  of  1850-60.  The  villages  of  Woodstock  hill,  South 
Woodstock  and  Quasset  are  included  in  the  First  society.  West 
Woodstock  parish  includes  the  villages  of  West  Woodstock  and 
Woodstock  Valley.  The  Third  or  Northeast  society  includes 
East  Woodstock  village,  formerly  called  Muddy  Brook,  and 
North  Woodstock  village,  first  known  as  Village  Corners. 
Town  meetings  are  held  alternately  in  each  of  the  three  parishes, 
and  representatives  are  sent  alternately,  each  sending  a  repre- 
sentative for  two  successive  years,  while  one  is  without  a  repre- 
sentative every  year. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 


THE  TOWN  OF  WOODSTOCK— (Concluded). 


Early  Industries. — Manufacturing. — Decline  of  Manufacturing. — Agriculture. — 
"Woodstock  Agricultural  Society. — Senexet  Grange. — Theft  Detecting  Soci- 
ety.— Woodstock  Academy. — Church  on  Woodstock  Hill.— The  Second 
Church. — Baptist  Churches. — East  Woodstock  Church. — Methodism. — Uni- 
versalist  Church. — Advent  Christian  Church. — Present  Condition. — Public 
Celebrations. — Biographical  Sketches. 


THE  industries  of  Woodstock  during  its  first  half  century 
were  restricted  to  the  inevitable  farming,  and  such  simple 
arts  and  trades  as  are  needful  to  support  existence.  The 
first  experiment  in  wider  fields  was  an  attempt  to  utilize  the  bog 
iron  deposit  in  West  parish.  Benjamin  Marcy  and  other  resi- 
dents established  a  furnace  or  forge  and  carried  on  the  works 
some  years  previous  to  1764,  when  Marcy  sold  his  right  to  Heze- 
kiah  Smith.  Smith  and  Asahel  Marcy  continued  the  business 
for  a  number  of  years,  probably  until  the  emigration  of  the 
former,  and  during  the  revolutionary  period  the  furnace  became 
extinct,  but  the  ore  for  many  years  was  carried  to  Stafford  for 
smelting.  The  first  Woodstock  brick  yard,  saw  and  grist  mills 
were  carried  on  by  Ebenezer  Lyon,  who  owned  much  land  in 
the  vicinity  of  Black  pond.  A  dam  still  standing  at  the  outlet 
of  the  pond,  was  built  by  his  slaves — the  only  existing  speci- 
men of  Woodstock's  slave  labor.  Mr.  Lyon  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers  of  Woodstock,  a  man  of  wealth  for  that  day  and  influ- 
ence. Saw  and  grist  mills  were  also  early  established  in  Wood- 
stock Valley  and  at  South  Woodstock  and  Muddy  Brook. 

An  unique  industry  was  undertaken  by  Peregrine  White,  who 
purchased  "  a  shop  on  the  road  from  Nathaniel  Child  to  Stur. 
bridge  "  (a  little  west  of  Muddy  Brook  village)  "  with  all  manner 
of  tools  and  implements"  for  working  on  metals,  in  1774.  This 
early  silversmith  shop  developed  into  an  institution  for  the  man- 
ufacture of  tall  clocks  with  full  moons  and  elaborate  appurten- 
ances, highly  esteemed  and  patronized  for  many  years  by  all  the 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  877 

surrounding  country.  Southward,  at  Quasset,  were  found  the 
pottery  works  of  Mr.  Thomas  Bngbee,  established  in  1793.  The 
original  clay  deposit,  so  useful  in  constructing  chimneys  and 
mason  work,  was  here  worked  up  into  all  manner  of  jars,  jugs, 
mugs,  inkstands,  milk  pans  and  pudding  pots.  A  foreign  arti- 
san was  employed  by  the  establishment  to  oversee  the  various 
processes  of  grinding,  mixing,  kneading  and  sizing.  Each  sep- 
arate piece  was  fashioned  into  shape  by  hand  and  turning  wheel. 
As  many  as  six  kiln-bakings  were  needed  every  summer,  and 
some  five  thousand  pieces  turned  out.  This  pottery  ware  was 
carried  far  and  wide  in  Mr.  Bugbee's  familiar  pottery  cart,  and 
found  a  market  in  every  household.  At  least  two  thousand  milk- 
pans  were  demanded  every  season.  The  bridal  outfit  of  the  day 
included  a  goodly  collection  of  this  fashionable  Woodstock  pot- 
tery ware. 

The  manufacture  of  potash  was  carried  on  by  various  parties, 
especially  by  Colonel  Russel,  of  Muddy  Brook,  who  had  a  large 
and  complete  establishment,  comprising  the  newest  outfit  and  pro- 
cesses. Coopering,  tanning  and  shoemaking  were  among  the  in- 
dispensable industries  of  the  town,  giving  employment  to  a  num- 
ber of  willing  workmen .  The  first  fulling  mill  in  West  Woodstock 
was  built  by  Deacon  Henry  Bowen  in  1791,  below  Lyon's  slave 
dam,  with  the  privilege  of  use  of  stream  and  setting  up  tenter- 
bars  for  drying  cloth.  This  mill  was  afterward  moved  down 
stream  and  sold  to  Daniel  Mashcraft,  who  set  up  a  carding  ma- 
chine and  continued  the  business  of  carding  and  cloth  fulling 
until  woolen  manufactories  came  into  vogue.  This  establish- 
ment had  a  high  reputation,  farmers'  wives  from  many  miles 
distance  bringing  to  it  their  wool  and  domestic  cloth  for  carding 
and  finishing.  A  carding  machine  was  also  set  up  at  Black  pond 
by  "  Mason  and  Sumner  "  in  1803.  Grist  and  sawmills  in  this 
vicinity  were  carried  on  by  Andrew  Williams  for  a  number  of 
years.  In  1820  James  Arnold  built  and  operated  a  fulling  mill 
on  Sawmill  brook.  A  little  later,  Rhodes  Arnold  built  a  saw  and 
shingle  mill,  and  a  cider-brandy  distillery  was  also  carried  on  by 
the  brothers.  The  Hosmer  grist  mill  in  the  southeast  corner  of 
the  town  was  an  established  institution,  dating  back  to  the  first 
settlement  of  the  town. 

The  rage  for  cotton  spinning  reached  Woodstock  somew^hat 
late  for  its  own  benefit.  In  1814  Moses  Arnold,  purchaser  of  the 
old  Chandler  homestead  at  South  Woodstock,  united  with  Wil- 


878  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

liam  Bowen,  Thomas  Hubbard  and  Benjamin  Duick,  of  Pomfret, 
as  the  "  Arnold  Manufacturing  Company  in  Woodstock,"  and  as 
soon  as  possible  put  up  a  wooden  building  and  engaged  in  cot- 
ton spinning.  At  nearly  the  same  date,  Jonathan  and  William 
May,  John  Paine  and  William  Lyon,  of  Woodstock,  with  Walter 
and  Royal  Paine,  of  Providence,  and  Job  Williams,  of  Pomfret, 
were  incorporated  as  "The  Muddy  Brook  Cotton  Manufacturing 
Company."  A  factory  building  was  erected  a  little  north  of  the 
village,  and  works  set  in  motion.  Chester,  Willard  and  Rensse- 
laer Child,  Amasa  and  Judah  Lyon,  were  incorporated  as  "The 
Woodstock  Manufacturing  Company,  for  the  purpose  of  manu- 
facturing cloths  and  other  fabrics  of  wool  and  cotton,"  in  1815. 
A  small  building  and  other  accommodations  in  the  north  of  the 
town  were  soon  provided  by  this  company. 

The  great  depression  caused  by  the  return  of  peace  and  influx 
of  English  goods  seriously  affected  all  these  companies.  The 
Arnold  Company  was  reconstructed,  passing  mainly  into  the 
hands  of  the  Arnolds.  The  factories  of  North  Woodstock  were 
reported  in  the  Gazetteer  of  1819  as  upon  "  a  large  scale  "  and  do- 
ing business  extensively.  The  Woodstock  Company  now  man- 
ufactured woolen  goods  exclusively.  In  addition  to  hard  times, 
it  suffered  from  the  treachery  of  an  English  overseer,  who  cut 
the  warp  in  the  looms  before  absconding.  This  mischief  was 
repaired  by  the  skill  and  ingenuity  of  Charles  Walker,  a  youth 
in  their  employ,  who  saved  the  company  from  ruin  and  laid  the 
foundation  for  personal  prosperity  and  usefulness.  In  addition 
to  this  factory,  Judah  Lyon  carried  on  the  blacksmith's  trade 
and  the  manufacture  of  the  first  patent  iron  ploughs,  supersed- 
ing the  clumsy  wooden  implements  then  in  use — an  innovation 
which  met  at  first  the  customary  ridicule  and  opposition. 

The  Mashcraft  establishment  in  West  Woodstock  passed  into 
the  hands  of  Joseph  Hollinsworth,  an  Englishman,  who  manu- 
factured woolen  cloth  for  a  number  of  years.  The  old  Holmes 
privilege  at  South  Woodstock  was  purchased  about  1840  by  Dan- 
iel Warner,  who  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  cotton  batting. 
In  a  few  years  he  built  a  brick  factory  building  for  the  manu- 
facture of  twine.  Leonard  Cocking  established  a  woolen  mill 
at  Quasset,  building  a  new  stone  mill  in  1844,  and  utilizing  the 
old  Baptist  meeting  house  for  a  second  building.  In  1842 
Mr.  John  Lake  set  in  motion  "  the  first,  last  and  only  tub  and 
pail  shop  "  in  this  part  of  Connecticut.     Six  thousand  tubs  and 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  879 

pails  were  reported  as  the  annual  product,  the  tubs  finding  mar- 
ket in  Boston,  the  pails  in  Norwich.  In  1852  he  purchased  the 
^'  old  oil  mill  privilege  "  of  Mr.  Rufus  Mathewson  and  engaged 
successfully  in  the  manufacture  of  window  sash  afid  blinds. 
The  Hosmer  mills  passed  into  the  hands  of  Captain  Edward  B. 
Harris  about  1830.  A  new  building  was  soon  erected  and  de- 
voted to  the  manufacture  of  cotton  machinery,  which  was  car- 
ried on  quite  extensively,  supplying  workmen  and  factories. 

Enterprise  was  stimulated  at  the  growing  center.  Village  Cor- 
ners, by  the  opening  of  the  Central  turnpike  from  Boston  to 
Hartford,  replacing  the  former  route  through  Thompson.  The 
manufacture  of  wagons  and  carriages  by  L.  M.  Deane  &  Co.  was 
here  initiated  about  1835.  The  excellent  character  of  the  work 
soon  won  a  wide  popularity,  and  the  business  was  carried  on 
■successfully  for  many  years.  With  these  many  lines  of  business 
now  carried  forward,  shoe  making  stood  at  the  head.  Peletiah 
and  Zenas  Wight,  sons  of  a  veteran  tanner  and  currier  in  Wood- 
stock Valley,  succeeded  to  the  business  of  their  father  and  add- 
ed to  it  as  early  as  1828  the  manufacture  of  the  first  sale  shoes 
in  Connecticut.  Men  and  women,  boys  and  girls  hastened  to 
take  advantage  of  the  golden  opportunity  thus  offered,  and  soon 
.a  large  business  was  built  up.  Other  manufacturers  hastened 
to  follow  this  example,  and  sale  shoe-making  became  a  leading 
business  interest,  especially  notable  for  the  vast  number  of 
hands  that  could  be  employed  in  it.  In  Woodstock  and  for 
miles  surrounding  nearly  every  dwelling  house  had  a  room  fit- 
ted up  or  appended  for  a  shoe-making  shop.  The  Wights  mak- 
ing a  specialty  of  the  shoe  called  stoggy,  the  name  was  applied 
to  the  valley,  which  was  known  many  years  by  the  nickname, 
"  Stoggy  Hollow."  A.  &  O.  Hiscox  and  L.  &  M.  Hiscox  engaged 
in  the  shoe  business  in  this  locality,  employing  about  twenty 
hands  each. 

Shoe  business  was  begun  in  West  Woodstock  village  about 
1833  by  John  P.  Chamberlin  and  John  O.  Fox.  In  spite  of  fre- 
quent failures  and  disasters,  it  continued  briskly  under  a  Me- 
chanics' Association  and  various  private  shoe  dealers,  and  greatly 
facilitated  the  building  up  and  improvement  of  the  village.  Ly- 
man Sessions  was  a  prominent  shoe  manufacturer,  engaged  also 
in  trade  and  various  enterprises.  Village  Corners  enjoyed  an 
■extensive  boom  in  connection  with  the  vShoe  business  of  Amasa 
Carpenter,  who  also  kept  the  tavern,  built  new  houses  and  en- 


880  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

gaged  in  trade.  So  extensively  was  shoe  manufacturing  pushed 
forward  that  in  1845,  5,651,580  pairs  of  shoes  were  accredited  to 
Woodstock,  and  fifty  bushels  of  shoe  pegs.  Employment  was 
given  to  4,918  males,  4,907  women  and  girls. 

The  tannery  of  Mr.  Elias  Mason,  near  Muddy  Brook  village, 
flourished  greatl}^  during  this  period,  furnishing  a  large  supply 
of  leather  to  these  various  establishments.  But  this  manufac- 
turing activity  was  of  comparatively  short  continuance.  Flood, 
fire  and  financial  panic  were  inimical  to  Woodstock  enterprise. 
The  first  serious  disaster  occurred  in  1834,  when  a  new  dam  con- 
structed at  Muddy  brook,  by  Colonel  Jonathan  May,  was  carried 
away  by  a  freshet,  involving  in  its  loss  the  mill  and  blacksmith 
shop  of  Captain  Judah  Lyon,  and  much  other  property.  The 
damage  accruing  was  so  heavy  that  the  Muddy  Brook  Manufac- 
turing Company  never  regained  its  footing.  The  commercial 
collapse  of  1837  brought  down  several  prominent  shoe  operators  ; 
the  failure  and  death  of  Mr.  Elias  Mason  depressed  business  and 
carried  distress  and  straitness  to  many  households.  Factories, 
north,  south,  east  and  west  were  destroyed  by  fire.  Much  loss 
and  havoc  were  wrought  by  the  heavy  freshet,  February  13th, 
1866.  The  several  privileges  at  South  Woodstock  had  been 
bought  up  by  Mr.  Daniel  Warner,  who  constructed  a  new  reser- 
voir and  dam,  intended  to  carry  forward  large  manufacturing 
operations.  Dam  and  factory  were  washed  away,  together  with 
Lake's  sash  and  blind  shop,  a  blacksmith's  shop  and  other  build- 
ings, part  of  Mr.  S.  M.  Fenner's  store,  and  three  bridges  belong- 
ing to  the  town.  Later  factory  buildings  at  Quasset  and  Wood- 
stock Valley,  and  even  the  mills  on  the  old  Bartholomew  site  of 
1686,  were  all  consumed  by  fire. 

To  these  casualties  were  added  the  inevitable  changes  result- 
ing from  the  introduction  of  new  methods  of  business  and  travel. 
Monster  cotton  and  woolen  factories  crushed  out  the  minor  en- 
terprises, and  machine-made  shoes  greatly  lessened  the  demand 
for  those  of  hand  labor.  Manufactures  and  trade  were  alike 
drawn  to  the  convenient  railroad  center,  and  Woodstock's  shoe 
shops  and  factories  were  stranded  by  the  law  of  progress.  Shoe 
manufacturing,  however,  was  carried  on  by  T.  P.  Leonard  &  Co., 
in  Woodstock  valley,  until  about  1870. 

Various  business  enterprises  are  still  maintained  in  the  south- 
west corner  of  the  town.  Grain  and  lumber  business  has  been 
carried  on  by  A.  Hiscox  and  son  for  many  years,  on  the  site  of 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  881 

the  old  Lyon  grist  mill.  The  Kenyon  factory  at  Kenyonville 
has  been  remarkably  successful,  and  still  flourishes  under  the 
skillful  management  of  W.  S.  Kenyon.  The  phosphate  manu- 
factory of  Sanford  Bosworth  gravitated  to  Putnam,  but  the  mill 
is  now  occupied  by  James  B.  Tatem,  for  the  manufacture  of  all 
kinds  of  wooden  handles,  from  a  small  awl  to  a  trip-hammer. 
About  50,000  feet  of  lumber  are  worked  up  every  year,  giving 
employment  to  six  or  eight  men.  The  lumber  interest  in  West 
Woodstock  is  of  much  importance.  A  large  quantity  of  timber 
is  annually  sent  to  market.  Water-mill  saw  mills  are  kept  bus- 
ily at  work  by  J.  B.  Tatem  &  Son,  A  Hiscox  &  Son,  E.  C.  Cham- 
berlain, C.  H.  Stone  and  Luther  Marcy,  with  steam  to  help  out  a 
short  supply  of  water. 

Carriage  making  is  still  carried  on  at  North  Woodstock  vil- 
lage. Mr.  Thomas  Milligan  occupies  the  former  Deane  manu- 
factory site  ;  Newton  D.  Skinner  has  accommodations  in  the  vi- 
cinity. Colman  continues  the  manufacture  of  twine  on  the  site 
of  Lake's  sash  and  blind  factory,  and  a  stockinet  yarn  factory  is 
run  at  Quasset  by  Mr.  Arthur  Williams.  Needful  grist  mills 
and  saw  mills  are  maintained  in  different  parts  of  the  town. 
Vicinity  to  thriving  business  centers  has  greatly  diminished  the 
local  trade  in  the  several  villages,  and  in  place  of  the  numerous 
lively  stores  formerly  demanded  scarcely  one  in  each  manages 
to  support  existence. 

The  leading  interest  in  the  town  is  agricultural.  Wood- 
stock farms  supported  a  large  population  long  before  the  days 
of  experimental  manufacture.  With  the  building  up  of  South- 
bridge,  Webster  and  Putnam,  has  come  a  ready  market  and 
greatly  increased  demand  for  the  products  of  the  farm.  The  im-, 
provement  in  farming  utensils,  the  multiplication  of  agricultural 
newspapers,  books,  clubs  and  co-operative  societies  have  farther 
stimulated  interest  and  progress  in  all  the  arts  of  husbandry. 
Improved  methods  of  farming  have  been  adopted,  new  breeds  of 
cattle  introduced,  and  advance  made  in  various  directions.  The 
fine  cattle  raised  on  the  "  Captain  William  Lyon  farm  "  by  the 
late  Mr.  Benjamin  Sumner,  were  celebrated  throughout  the  ag- 
ricultural fairs  of  New  England.  Woodstock  farmers,  viz., 
Amos  Paine,  James  McClellan,  and  others,  were  prominent  in 
the  first  agricultural  societies  of  Windham  county.  Their  ex- 
hibits were  conspicuous  in  the  successive  annual  fairs  at  Brook- 
lyn.    In  1861  it  was  deemed  expedient  to  organize  a  distinct  so- 

56 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

ciety  in  the  north  part  of  the  county.  Horace  Sabin,  Lucius 
Fitts,  Winthrop  O.  Green,  Edmond  Wilkinson,  James  Allen, 
Gilbert  W.  Phillips,  Rufus  S.  Mathewson,  Ezra  Deane,  George 
Penniman,  John  F.  Williams,  Jonathan  Skinner,  Azel  Sumner, 
Horace  Gaylord,  John  H.  Simmons,  Thomas  E.  Graves,  Jeremiah 
Olney,  were  accordingly  incorporated  as  "  The  Woodstock  Agri- 
cultural Society  " — authorized  to  hold  property  not  exceeding 
$20,000  and  dispose  of  it  at  pleasure.  Ample  and  comvenient 
grounds  were  secured  at  South  Woodstock,  the  society  holding 
its  first  fair  on  the  Common  and  using  the  vestry  of  the  Baptist 
church  for  a  hall.  The  success  of  the  first  exhibition  guaranteed 
the  permanence  of  the  society.  Attendance  and  interest  were 
all  that  could  be  desired,  and  the  annual  Woodstock  fair  was 
thenceforth  classed  among  the  established  institutions  of  Wind- 
ham county. 

Year  by  year  the  interest  has  increased,  extending  to  residents 
of  other  towns,  and  greatly  stimulating  agricultural  develop- 
ment. The  average  attendance  is  rated  at  some  six  thousand, 
the  exhibitions  surpassing  also  the  average  of  the  ordinary  county 
fair.  The  list  of  life  members  includes  nearly  five  hundred 
names,  embracing  many  of  the  most  wide-awake  men  in  the 
county.  The  office  of  president  has  been  filled  by  Messrs.  Ezra 
Child,  Ezra  Deane,  Horace  Sabin,  Pomfret,  John  Giles,  L.  M. 
Deane,  John  O.  Fox,  O.  H.  Perry,  G.  A.  Penniman,  Oscar  Tour- 
tellotte,  Thompson,  C.  H.  May,  T.  W.  Williams,  Pomfret,  S.  O. 
Bowen,  Eastford,  G.  A.  Bowen,  M.  F.  Towne,  Thompson,  F.  W. 
Perry  and  A.  M.  Bancroft.  The  present  officers  are:  President, 
Henry  T.  Child;  vice-presidents,  W.  I.  Bartholomew,  Pomfret, 
G.  T.  Bixby,  E.  A.  Wheelock,  Putnam;  recording  secretary,  L. 
J.  Wells;  corresponding  secretary,  H.  W.  Hibbard;  treasurer, 
Amos  M.  Paine;  auditors,  T.  W.  Williams,  S.  H.  Phillips,  W.  A. 
Weaver,  Jr.;  directors,  S.  O.  Bowen,  J.  M.  Morse,  C.  N.  Chandler, 
R.  E.  Smith,  Putnam,  J.  H.  Earned,  Pomfret,  H.  K.Safford,  L.  A. 
Catlin,  L.  H.  Healey,  F.  Cutler,  Putnam,  G.  A.  Hawkins,  Thomp- 
son; committee  of  arrangements — for  hall,  C.  H.  Child,  G.  C. 
Williams,  W.  H.  Chandler,  Mrs.  E.  W.  Arnold;  for  rental  of 
grounds,  A.  M.  Paine,  L.  J.  Wells;  marshall,  G.  T.  Bixby. 

With  growing  prosperity  accommodations  have  multiplied. 
A  hall  built  on  South  Woodstock  common  by  Mr.  Daniel  War- 
ner in  1860  was  occupied  by  the  society  till  1871,  when  a  new 
building  was  erected  on  the  "Fair  Grounds "  purchased  from 


HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Mr.  Thomas  Warner.  The  judges'  stand  and  cattle  sheds  were 
added  in  a  few  years.  In  1885  a  large  addition  was  made  to  the 
hall,  with  much  increased  accommodations.  A  band  stand,  poul- 
try house  and  grand  stand  have  been  since  added,  the  latter  seat- 
ing about  seven  hundred  people.  A  dining  hall  and  kitchen  un- 
der the  grand  stand,  and  a  horse  barn  with  stalls,  are  the  latest 
improvements.  The  patrons  of  this  institution  take  pride  in  its 
excellent  management  and  the  encouragement  given  to  improve- 
ment in  every  branch  of  agriculture. 

A  very  wide  awake  farmers'  club  enjoyed  profitable  discussion 
for  many  years,  but  has  given  place  to  a  very  flourishing  Grange, 
organized  in  Woodstock,  February  17th,  1886,  with  thirty-four 
members.  George  A.  Bowen  was  elected  master;  H.  W.  Hib- 
bard,  lecturer;  L.  J.  Wells,  secretary.  The  progress  of  "  Senexet 
Grange  "  is  apparently  very  satisfactory,  though  details  are  dis- 
creetly veiled  from  public  view.  Its  master.  Doctor  G.  A.  Bowen, 
serves  as  lecturer  for  the  State  Grange,  and  is  very  prominently 
connected  with  the  interests  of  the  organization.  Lewis  J.  Wells 
also  serves  as  state  secretary.  A  large  number  are  connected  with 
Senexet  Grange,  and  its  meetings  are  reported  as  exceptionally 
agreeable  and  profitable.  One  of  Woodstock's  latest  agricultural 
achievements  is  a  creamery  near  the  residence  of  H.  T.  Child. 
This  is  well  patronized  by  dairy  men  and  women,  and  promises 
to  be  a  profitable  and  labor  saving  institution. 

A  theft-detecting  society  was  one  of  Woodstock's  earliest  co- 
operative experiments.  Organized  far  back  in  1793,  in  days  of 
poverty  and  sore  temptation,  it  doubtless  served  as  a  preventive 
to  crime  and  petty  pilfering.  The  officers  of  the  society  were 
president,  vice-president,  clerk,  treasurer  and  six  punsuers. 
These  latter  officials  were  furnished  with  means  for  providing 
themselves  with  good  horses,  with  which  they  were  expected  to 
pursue  thieves  at  a  moment's  notice.  Ordinary  members  were 
only  required  to  pay  their  annual  dues  and  help  eat  up  the  good 
dinner  provided  for  the  society.  In  1824  the  society  was  for- 
mally incorporated,  and  has  since  maintained  serene  existence, 
the  chief  incident  of  its  career  the  annual  dinner  and  speech 
making.  Another  ancient  institution,  the  Putnam  Masonic 
Lodge,  second  in  Windham  county,  has  been  transplanted  from 
Pomfret  to  Woodstock,  finding  accommodations  in  the  new  Agri- 
cultural   Hall   building.      Embracing   in    its   past  membership 


884  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

many  of  the  sterling  men  of  the  county,  it  still  holds  its  own 
amid  the  multiplicity  of  modern  organizations. 

The  care  of  public  schools  was  early  made  over  to  the  three 
parishes.  Each  parish  acted  as  a  distinct  school  society,  build- 
ing school  houses,  hiring  teachers  and  managing  its  own  educa- 
tional affairs.  Under  this  system  the  common  schools  were  well 
sustained,  and  turned  out  an  unusual  supply  of  competent  and 
successful  teachers.  It  has  been  said  that  no  crop  in  Woodstock 
was  so  sure  as  its  school  teachers.  Not  only  has  it  raised  a  suf- 
ficient supply  for  its  own  numerous  schools,  but  a  large  number 
has  been  sent  out  to  help  enlighten  the  ignorance  of  other  towns. 
Part  of  this  proficiency  is  doubtless  due  to  the  additional  stimu- 
lus given  by  the  Woodstock  Academy,  which  has  furnished 
means  of  higher  instruction  to  successive  generations.  A 
regard  for  education  was  an  early  feature  in  Woodstock  history, 
leading  to  the  establishment  of  a  flourishing  high  school  pre- 
vious to  1730. 

The  public  schools  conducted  in  every  district  were  supple- 
mented by  private  instruction  from  such  able  and  learned  men 
as  Reverends  Abel  Stiles  and  Stephen  Williams.  The  latter 
minister  fitted  many  young  men  for  college,  numbering  among* 
his  pupils  such  future  celebrities  as  Abiel  Holmes  and  Jedidiah 
Morse.  A  demand  for  higher  educational  privileges  kept  pace 
with  the  growth  and  expansion  of  the  young  republic.  The 
curriculum  of  the  crowded  "  District  School  house  "  was  far 
too  nairow  for  aspirants  for  high  political  office  and  business 
influence,  and  Woodstock  forestalled  other  northern  towns  in 
securing  the  establishment  of  an  academy.  General  McClellan, 
with  his  sons.  Major  John  and  James  McClellan,  Deacon  Jedidiah 
Morse,  General  David  Holmes,  and  other  influential  men,  gave 
their  countenance  to  the  project.  Reverend  Eliphalet  Lyman, 
pastor  of  the  church  at  Woodstock  hill,  was  its  most  active  and 
successful  advocate. 

On  January  12th,  1801,  the  proprietors  of  the  South  half  of 
Woodstock  granted  liberty  to  set  an  academy  building  on  the 
common  north  of  the  meeting  house.  Funds  for  building  were 
to  be  secured  by  the  gift  of  an  hundred  dollars  each,  from 
thirty-two  citizens  of  Woodstock.  Having  headed  the  list  with 
his  own  subscription,  Mr.  Lyman  rode  on  horseback  all  over 
the  town,  and  by  his  eloquence  and  persistency  secured  the 
requisite  names  and  pledges.     An  efficient  building  committee 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  885 

was  appointed,  who  pushed  forward  the  work  with  unwonted 
speed.  Farmers  offered  best  white  oak  timber  at  half  its  mar- 
ket value,  in  their  eagerness  to  help  found  an  academy.  It  was 
said  that  the  boards  brought  would  reach  from  Woodstock  to 
Providence.  The  raising  was  made  a  day  of  special  festivity 
and  rejoicing,  all  Woodstock  turning  out,  as  well  as  volunteers 
from  sister  towns.  "  A  good  slice  of  the  ample  common  was 
filled  with  people,  ox-teams  and  horses."  Boys,  sires  and 
grandsires  assisted  in  the  several  stages  of  the  work.  Major 
David  Holmes  gallantly  volunteered  to  be  swung  up  on  an 
eighty-foot  timber  to  adjust  the  steeple  frame.  Volunteer  labor 
cheerfully  helped  smooth  off  the  ground,  haul  up  a  suitable 
door  step  from  the  old  hearth-stone  quarry,  and  install  in  the 
belfry  a  much  prized  bell. 

Yale  College  was  much  interested  in  this  projected  institution 
and  selected  one  of  its  most  promising  graduates,  Thomas  Wil- 
liams, of  Pomfret,  for  the  first  preceptor.  February  4th,  1802, 
the  new  academy  building  was  formerly  opened  and  dedicated. 
"  The  event  of  establishing  a  seminary  of  learning,  superior  to 
any  other  which  had  been  previously  enjoyed,"  brought  together 
a  large  and  deeply  interested  assembly.  Appropriate  addresses 
were  made  by  Esquire  McClellan  and  Mr.  Lyman,  the  exercises 
closing  by  the  presentation  of  the  key  of  the  academy  to  Mr. 
Williams  "in  the  name  of  the  trustees  and  with  the  approbation 
of  the  proprietors."  School  opened  the  next  day  with  nearly  a 
hundred  pupils.  Board  for  pupils  from  other  towns  could  be 
found  for  five  shillings  a  week  in  the  best  families. 

Incorporation  was  secured  in  the  spring  b}^  act  of  legislature, 
whereby  Samuel  McClellan,  Eliphalet  Lyman,  Nehemiah  Child, 
Ebenezer  Smith,  William  Potter,  Hezekiah  Bugbee,  Ichabod 
Marcy,  Jesse  BoUes,  David  Holmes  and  others,  were  made  a 
body  corporate.  Five  trustees  annually  appointed  by  the  pro- 
prietors were  to  superintend  the  management  of  affairs.  Mr. 
Williams  was  succeeded  in  the  office  of  preceptor  by  Hezekiah 
Frost,  of  Canterbury,  and  he  by  other  youthful  Yale  graduates. 
The  academy  continued  very  popular,  attracting  many  pupils 
from  out  of  town.  William  Earned  Marcy,  of  Sturbridge;  David 
Young,  of  Killingly  ;  Prescott  and  David  Hall,  of  Porafret,  were 
among  its  early  pupils,  famous  in  later  years.  George  McClel- 
lan, afterward  the  distinguished  surgeon  of  Philadelphia,  father 
of   General  Georee  B.  McClellan ;    Ebenezer   Stoddard,  future 


8S6  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

congressional  representative  and  lieutenant-governor  of  Connec- 
ticut, and  many  other  Woodstock  boys  destined  to  win  success 
in  varying  fields,  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  attendance  at  Wood- 
stock Academy. 

The  constant  change  of  teachers  was  detrimental  to  the  inter- 
ests of  the  school.  The  administration  of  Preceptor  Rinaldo 
Burleigh — an  experienced  teacher — from  1810  to  1813,  was  ex- 
ceptionally favorable,  and  brought  the  institution  to  the  culmin- 
ation of  its  early  prosperity.  Aaron  Skinner,  the  much-beloved 
mayor  of  New  Haven ;  the  Reverend  Doctors  Willard  Child 
and  Alvin  Bond,  the  Burleigh  brothers,  so  prominent  in  aboli- 
tion agitation,  received  part  of  their  early  training  in  Woodstock 
Academy.  A  period  of  great  depression  occurred  between  1820 
and  1843,  rival  institutions  in  many  towns  and  the  lack  of  means, 
discouraging  local  effort.  With  the  advent  of  Mr.  Henry  C. 
Bowen  as  a  summer  resident,  new  interest  was  awakened.  The 
old  academy  building  was  thoroughly  repaired  and  a  first  class 
teacher  procured— Mr.  John  T.  Averill.  Under  his  stimulating 
influence  a  large  number  of  scholars  were  attracted  and  much 
enthusiasm  awakened.  New  chemical  apparatus  was  procured, 
elm  trees  set  out  in  front  of  the  academy  by  teachers  and  schol- 
ars, a  printed  catalogue  issued.  After  four  years  of  continued 
prosperity,  further  advance  was  made  under  the  preceptorship 
of  Mr.  James  W.  Patterson,  assisted  part  of  the  term  by  Miss 
Edna  Dean  Proctor.  These  distinguished  teachers  impressed 
themselves  strongly  upon  their  pupils,  and  gave  character  to 
the  school. 

Competent  instructors  maintained  its  standing  till  about  1860, 
when  another  lapse  ensued.  By  successful  effort  after  a  few 
years  an  endowment  fund  was  raised  and  a  new  and  capacious 
academy  building  erected  at  the  cost  of  over  $20,000.  Five 
thousand  dollars  was  given  by  Mr.  H.  C.  Bowen  to  each  of  these 
objects,  and  the  remaining  large  amount  raised  by  some  hun- 
dred interested  friends  and  subscribers  from  Woodstock  and 
other  towns.  The  new  building  was  opened  with  appropriate 
exercises  August  21st,  1873.  Reverend  Nathaniel  Beach  report- 
ed in  behalf  of  the  trustees.  Addresses  were  made  by  Governor 
Buckingham,  Secretary  B.  G.  Northrup  and  others.  Mr.  Clar- 
ence W.  Bowen  rehearsed  the  history  of  the  academy  in  all  its 
varied  phases.  A  noteworthy  feature  in  the  day's  programme 
was  the  reading-  of'  a  most  delightful  and  characteristic  letter 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  887 

from  Doctor  Oliver  W.  Holmes,  descendant  of  one  of  the  origi- 
nal settlers  of  Woodstock.  Thus  accommodated  and  endowed, 
the  academy  has  entered  upon  a  new  career  of  usefulness. 
While  under  the  present  graded  school  system  fewer  scholars 
from  abroad  are  obliged  to  seek  the  academy,  it  furnishes  the 
means  of  thorough  education  to  all  scholars  within  the  town. 
Competent  and  successful  teachers  have  been  employed,  and  a 
goodly  number  of  well  trained  graduates  sent  out  into  the 
world.  Elmwood  Hall  furnishes  convenient  board  for  such  city 
students  as  prize  pure  air  and  congenial  environment.  Among 
Woodstock's  many  achievements  she  has  none  more  worthy  of 
praise  and  gratulation  then  her  well  endowed  academy. 

The  church  on  Woodstock  hill  remained  without  a  stated  pas- 
tor some  three  years  after  the  deposition  of  Reverend  Abel  Stiles, 
when  it  harmoniously  united  with  the  society  in  extending  a 
call  to  Mr.  Abiel  Leonard,  of  Plymouth.  Faithful  to  the  Old 
Dominion  and  Cambridge  Platform,  eleven  Massachusetts 
churches  were  invited  to  carry  forward  the  ordaining  exercises, 
June  23d,  1763,  and  over  ten  pounds  expended  in  "  liquors,  sugar 
and  lemons."  The  eloquence  and  affability  of  the  young  minis- 
ter soon  won  the  hearts  of  the  congregation,  and  old  grievances 
were  gradually  overlooked  and  forgotten.  In  1766  the  rupture 
was  so  far  healed  that  mutual  concessions  were  interchanged 
between  the  two  churches  and  amicable  relations  permanently 
established.  Those  honored  brethren,  Jedidiah  Morse  and 
William  Skinner,  were  now  elected  deacons  ;  a  vote  was  passed, 
"  That  a  chapter  in  the  Bible  should  be  read  publicly  every 
Lord's  day  if  agreeable  to  the  congregation,  and  three  forward 
seats  in  the  front  gallery  sequestered  for  the  use  of  the  singers." 
Those  women,  both  elder  and  younger,  that  were  favored  with 
agreeable  voices  were  desired  by  the  society  to  occupy  the  re- 
served seats  on  the  women's  side.  Repairs  were  made  in  the 
meeting  house,  and  everything  indicated  renewed  harmony  and 
prosperity.  Old  men  in  later  years  looked  back  to  this  era  as 
"the  Golden  Age  "  of  Woodstock,  when  the  renovated  house 
was  filled  with  joyful  worshippers,  and  the  pastor,  with  his  two 
deacons,  "  the  largest  and  finest  looking  men  in  the  parish,"  sat 
together  at  the  communion  table. 

War  with  its  absolute  demands  turned  all  this  joy  into  mourn- 
ing. The  beloved  pastor  was  called  away  and  many  of  the  con- 
gregation.    Mr.  Leonard  served  most  efficiently  as  chaplain  of 


888  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Putnam's  regiment,  preaching  with  great  acceptance  on  several 
important  occasions.  An  autograph  letter  from  Washington  and 
Putnam  "to  the  church  and  congregation  at  Woodstock,"  re- 
questing that  his  term  of  service  might  be  extended,  is  held  as 
a  sacred  relic.  The  church,  unable  to  vote  consent,  "in  silence 
manifested  its  resignation^  His  mournful  end  overwhelmed  his 
people  with  sorrow.  Overstaying  a  furlough,  according  to  tra- 
dition, on  account  of  dangerous  illness  in  his  household,  he  was 
met  on  his  way  back  to  camp  by  a  rumor  of  disgrace  and  dis- 
missal, and  in  a  moment  of  weakness  took  his  life  with  his  own 
hand.     His  widow  and  family  remained  in  Woodstock. 

After  two  years  interim,  Eliphalet  Lyman,  of  Lebanon,  was 
ordained  as  pastor,  September  2d,  1779,  having  first  given  satis- 
faction as  to  his  doctrinal  standing.  He  was  an  able  and  sound 
preacher,  and  held  a  leading  position  among  the  clergy  of  his 
generation.  In  the  early  part  of  his  ministry  he  was  involved 
in  an  unpleasant  controversy  with  Hon.  Zephaniah  Swift,  of 
Windham,  in  consequence  of  his  attitude  toward  Oliver  Dodge, 
Pomfret's  reprobate  minister.  The  refusal  of  Mr.  Lyman  to  al- 
low Dodge  the  use  of  his  pulpit  called  out  a  most  vituperous 
castigation  from  the  irate  judge,  and  he  was  also  subjected  to  a 
legal  trial  and  damages  for  intrusion  upon  his  own  meeting 
house.  The  affair  occasioned  much  excitement  and  ill  feeling, 
and  was  widely  ventilated  in  current  newspapers.  This  inci- 
dent may  have  stiffened  the  orthodoxy  of  Mr.  Lyman  and  his 
church,  which  in  1815  joined  the  Windham  County  Consocia- 
tion, and  thus  identified  itself  with  Connecticut  churches,  after 
a  century  of  spirited  opposition.  ' 

.  In  1821  the  First  society  entered  upon  the  work  of  building 
a  new  meeting  house  ;  Captain  William  Lyon,  General  David 
Holmes  and  William  K.  Green,  committee ;  Rhodes  Arnold  and 
James  Lyon  were  commissoned  to  take  down  the  old  house  in  a 
prudent  manner ;  Jedidiah  Kimball,  to  procure  subscriptions  to 
defray  expenses  of  building.  Four  long  days  in  June  were  spent 
in  gratuitous  labor  upon  the  foundation.  At  seven  in  the  morn- 
ing, August  22d,  1821,  the  work  of  raising  the  new  frame  was 
initiated  by  prayer  from  Mr.  Lyman.  Free  dinners  and  supper, 
and  spirit  at  eighty-nine  cents  a  gallon,  helped  incite  a  large  at- 
tendance, so  that  by  noon  the  second  day  the  frame  was  success- 
fully erected,  when,  "in  view  of  the  goodness  of  God  in  pre- 
serving the  lives  and  limbs  of   all  those  who  were  engaged  in 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  889 

this  perilous  business,"  the  meeting  was  closed  by  a  second 
prayer  from  Mr.  Lyman  and  a  thanksgiving  anthem.  Though 
so  auspiciously  begun,  the  work  was  carried  on  with  difficulty, 
but  by  July  11th,  1822,  this  was  so  far  surmounted  that  the 
house  was  publicly  dedicated.  The  veteran  chorister,  Mr. 
Flynn,  was  requested  "  to  select  such  tunes  as  he  may  think 
proper,  and  with  the  rest  of  the  singers  learn  and  sing  them  on 
the  day  of  dedication."  James  Lyon,  Doctor  Daniel  Lyman,  John 
McClellan,  Esq.,  Spalding  Barstow  and  Rhodes  Arnold  had  charge 
of  seating  the  large  congregation.  The  sermon  was  preached 
by  the  venerable  pastor.  The  bell  had  been  recast  by  Major 
George  Holbrook,  a  communion  table  given  by  Mr.  Jedidiah 
Kimball,  and  the  ladies  of  the  congregation  had  tastefully  as- 
sisted in  dressing  the  pulpit.  Two  years  later  Mr.  Lyman  was 
dismissed  from  his  charge  at  his  own  request. 

His  successor,  Ralph  S.  Crampton,  ordained  May  22d,  1827, 
remained  but  little  over  two  years,  the  anti-Masonic  agitation 
hastening  his  departure.  The  vote  not  to  receive  into  the  church 
any  person  who  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  institution,  was 
afterward  rescinded.  The  pastorate  of  Reverend  William  M. 
Cornell  continued  three  years.  Reverend  Otis  Rockwood,  in- 
stalled November  20th,  1834,  remained  nine  years.  He  was 
much  interested  in  temperance  and  kindred  reforms,  and  in  1842 
received  forty  persons  into  the  membership  of  the  church. 
R.everend  Jonathan  Curtis  was  installed  February  18th,  1846,  and 
labored  faithfully  till  smitten  with  paralysis.  He  was  dismissed 
by  the  same  council  which  ordained  his  successor,  Henry  M. 
Colton,  November  18th,  1852,  who  after  a  three  5^ears'  pastorate 
was  dismissed  at  his  own  request.  Reverend  Lemuel  Grosve- 
nor,  of  Pomfret,  next  served  as  acting  pastor  for  five  years,  and 
on  Thanksgiving  day,  1859,  gave  an  interesting  historical  sketch 
of  church  and  society.  Reverends  James  L.  Corning,  J.  A.  Wil- 
kins,  J.  W.  Allen,  J.  W.  Lyon,  followed  in  quick  succession.  In 
1868  Reverend  Nathaniel  Beach  was  received  as  acting  pastor, 
and  remained  ten  years  in  charge,  greatly  respected  and  beloved 
in  church  and  county.  The  succeeding  six  years'  service  of 
Reverend  F.  M.  E.  Bachelor  was  also  acceptable  and  profitable. 

With  such  experience  the  church  willingly  returned  to  its 
primitive  mode  of  settlement,  inviting  Reverend  E.  B.  Bingham 
to  become  its  pastor^  and  after  more  than  thirty  years  lapse  en- 
joyed the  privilege  of  installation.     Very  interesting  services 


890  HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

were  held,  April  14th,  1885.  The  sermon  was  given  by  a  de- 
scendant of  several  old  Woodstock  families — Doctor  George  L. 
Walker,  Hartford — and  former  beloved  pastors  participated  in 
the  services.  A  united,  strong,  aggressive  church  is  reported  as 
the  happy  result  of  this  five  years'  pastorate.  Spiritual  and  ma- 
terial prosperity  are  alike  quickened.  Young  people  join  with 
much  heartiness  in  wide-awake  "Christian  endeavor"  and  mis- 
sionary societies. 

The  church  edifice  of  1821  has  been  made  over  and  beautified. 
So  complete  a  transformation  has  rarely  been  accomplished.  The 
plain,  old-fashioned  meeting  house,  with  its  double  row  of  square 
windows,  high  galleries,  rectangular  pews  and  awkward  pulpit,  is 
replaced  by  an  aesthetic  auditorium,  elaborated  in  every  detail 
with  the  best  skill  of  modern  art  and  taste.  Eleven  stained  sflass 
windows,  of  exquisite  design  and  coloring,  add  greatly  to  its  ef- 
fectiveness and  beauty,  in  soothing  contrast  with  the  glare  of 
other  days.  Beautiful  in  themselves,  these  memorial  windows 
transmit  to  succeeding  generations  the  memory  of  departed 
worth.  A  window  contributed  by  Doctor  Oliver  Wendell 
Holmes,  Hon.  E.  H.  Bugbee,  and  others,  bears  a  portrait  of  the 
first  white  man  connected  with  the  history  of  Woodstock — the 
pioneer  Indian  missionary,  John  Eliot.  One  of  the  leading  spir- 
its in  the  first  settlement,  Lieutenant  Edward  Morris,  is  most 
fitly  commemorated  in  the  window  given  by  his  descendant,  J. 
F.  Morris,  of  Hartford.  A  third  perpetuates  the  memory  of 
the  gifted  and  eloquent  chaplain,  Abiel  Leonard,  so  beloved  by 
his  people,  so  prized  by  Washington  and  Putnam.  Sacred  to  the 
memory  of  Elizabeth  Beach,  a  heroine  of  to-day,  is  another  win- 
dow. The  daughter  of  an  honored  Woodstock  pastor,  a  success- 
ful teacher  in  Woodstock  Academy,  appreciative  pupils  have 
thus  shown  their  reverence  for  her  high  character  and  valued 
missionary  service.  The  remaining  memorial  windows  were 
given  by  Messrs.  Edward  E.  and  Henry  C.  Bowen,  and  by  repre- 
sentatives of  the  well-known  families  of  Bugbee,  Carrol,  Lyon, 
Mathewson  and  McClellan.  The  renovated  church  edifice  was 
re-dedicated  February  17th,  1889,  with  sermon  by  Mr.  Bingham 
and  prayer  by  Mr.  Beach.  Music  from  the  new  organ  added  to 
the  interest  of  the  occasion.  The  church  on  Woodstock  hill, 
near  the  close  of  its  second  century,  enters  upon  a  new  period  of 
prosperity  and  usefulness. 

The  Second  church,  gathered  in  New  Roxbury,  pursued  its  way 
quietly  after  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Williams.     Comprising  at 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  891 

first  residents  tlirouglioiit  the  parish,  its  numbers  were  reduced 
by  the  development  of  Baptist  principles  and  interests;  yet  the 
number  of  children  baptized  was  very  large.  Mr.  Williams  was 
an  able  preacher  and  ranked  well  among  the  ministry  of  the 
day.  He  was  also  a  successful  teacher,  receiving  many  young 
men  into  his  family  for  instruction.  His  own  sons,  Stephen  and 
Timothy,  were  fitted  for  college,  together  with  John  McClellan 
and  other  Woodstock  youths.  Diaries  kept  by  Messrs.  Stephen 
and  Timothy  Williams  give  a  vivid  picture  of  colonial  and  col- 
lege life.  The  Williams  homestead,  with  its  inmates,  comes 
freshly  before  us.  We  see  the  busy  pastor  studying,  writing, 
visiting  the  sick,  attending  numerous  funerals,  catechizing  the 
children  in  various  schools,  and  entertaining  the  increasing  flow 
of  company  with  patriarchal  hospitality.  The  young  men  study 
and  read,  help  about  farm  work,  install  the  great  logs  upon  the 
hearthstone,  and  bring  reports  from  the  busy  world  about  them. 
With  them  we  participate  in  installation  and  training  days,  fu- 
nerals and  frolics,  school  exhibition  and  college  commencement, 
and  gather  all  the  news  and  gossip  of  neighborhood  and  towns 
adjoining.  How  vital  the  question  of  the  new  mode  of  singing, 
just  introduced  into  West  Woodstock  church  !  Our  young  men 
favor  regular  singing  and  set  tunes,  and  record  with  reprehen- 
sion the  "conduct  of  those  church  fathers  who  stalk  out  of  the 
meeting  house  when  "  Virginia "  is  sung,  or  other  obnoxious 
tunes  attempted.  In  1782  it  was  voted  "  That  the  singing  be 
carried  on  by  reading  the  portion  line  by  line  till  the  last  sing- 
ing of  the  afternoon,  and  then  a  whole  verse  to  be  read  at  a  time." 
Six  choristers  were  appointed  to  lead  in  this  exercise.  This 
proving  unsatisfactory,  "  that  they  may  all  rest  easy,"  after  large 
debate  it  was  decided  "  That  the  deacon  read  the  portion  line  by 
line  in  the  forenoon,  and  in  the  afternoon  a  verse  at  a  time,  ex- 
cept the  double-verse  tunes,  and  them  to  be  sung  through  with- 
out reading." 

The  meeting  house  soon  after  this  date  was  thoroughly  re- 
paired, fitted  up  with  pews,  and  painted  in  fashionable  stone 
color,  the  roof  a  Spanish  brown.  Mr.  Williams  remained  in 
charge  till  advanced  age,  sustaining  through  life  a  very  amiable 
and  worthy  character.  His  son  Stephen  was  cordially  invited 
to  the  vacant  pastorate,  but  thought  best  to  decline.  The  place 
was  filled  by  another  resident  of  the  parish,  Alvan  Underwood, 
a  graduate  of  Brown  University,  ordained  and  installed  May  27th, 


892  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

1801.  John  Fox,  Elias  Child,  2d,  and  Philip  Howard  served  as 
society  committee;  John  Austin,  Parker  Morse  and  John  Paine 
as  special  committee,  "to  attend  on  and  see  to  seating  people, 
and  to  keeping  order  and  regularity  in  the  assembly  of  specta- 
tors." The  pastorate  thus  inaugurated  was  peaceful  and  pros- 
perous. Mr.  Underwood  was  of  an  especially  genial  and  sym- 
pathetic nature,  beloved  b}^  old  and  young.  The  church  singing 
was  carried  on  successfully  and  harmoniously,  Mr.  Jathniel  Per- 
rin,  a  famous  singing  master,  taking  the  place  of  the  former  six 
choristers.  The  new  bass-viol  introduced  during  this  period  was 
cared  for  and  kept  in  order  by  Benjamin  Lyon,  3d,  Abiel  Fox 
and  Abraham  Paine. 

In  1821  a  new  meeting  house  was  completed.  Darius  Barlow, 
John  Fox,  Abram  W.  Paine,  Elias  Child,  2d,  Benjamin  Lyon,  2d, 
successfully  circulated  subscriptions  for  necessary  funds.  A 
year's  salary  for  that  purpose  was  relinquished  by  Mr.  Under- 
wood. Ebenezer  Skinner,  Benjamin  E.  Palmer  and  William 
Lyon  were  deputized  "  to  stick  the  corner  stakes  for  the  founda- 
tion," and  within  two  years  the  work  was  accomplished.  Several 
revivals  were  enjoyed  and  valued  accessions  made  to  the  church 
during  Mr.  Underwood's  ministry,  and  its  first  Sabbath  school 
was  successfully  established.  Thomas  Child,  Edmund  Chamber- 
lain, Ebenezer  Corbin,  Timothy  Perrin,  Shubael  Child,  Gideon 
Shaw,  Henry  Bowen,  Stephen  Johnson,  Albe  Abbot,  Jacob  Lyon, 
Alexander  Dorrance  and  Laban  Underwood  had  then  served  the 
church  in  the  office  of  deacon.  March  30th,  1833,  Mr.  LTnder- 
wood  was  dismissed  from  his  office,  and  engaged  mainly  in  evan- 
gelistic labor,  returning  to  West  Woodstock  in  the  closing  years 
of  his  life. 

John  D.  Baldwin  in  1834  entered  upon  three  years  service. 
During  his  ministry  a  new  confession  of  faith  and  church  cove- 
nant were  prepared  and  adopted,  and  pains  taken  to  collect  and 
preserve  the  church  records.  Reverend  Benjamin  Ober  was  in- 
stalled pastor  December  4th,  1839.  The  revival  of  1841-2 
brought  thirty-eight  persons  into  the  church.  Ill  health  soon  com- 
pelled Mr.  Ober  to  resign  his  office.  Reverend  E.  F.  Brooks 
served  from  1846  to  1849.  Reverend  Joseph  W.  Sessions  was  in- 
stalled March  27th,  1854,  and  continued  ten  years  in  service. 
About  seventy  were  added  to  the  church  during  the  great  revi- 
val season  of  1857-58,  adding  much  to  its  strength  and  vitality. 
Equally  fruitful  was  the   ministry  of   his  successor.  Reverend 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  893 

Henry  F.  Hyde,  whose  praise  is  still  vocal  in  other  Windham 
county  churches.  During  his  three  years'  ministry  in  West 
Woodstock  the  Sabbath  school  was  much  increased  and  many 
families  added  to  the  congregation. 

Other  faithful  ministers  have  followed  as  stated  supplies,  the 
latest  but  the  present,  Reverend  John  P.  Trowbridge,  preparing 
an  interesting  historical  discourse,  delivered  in  his  own  church 
September  29th,  1886,  in  commemoration  of  the  two  hundreth 
anniversary  of  the  settlement  of  the  town.  Reverend  John 
Avery,  one  of  the  former  pastors  of  the  church,  assisted  in  the 
service.  Ancient  hymns  were  sung  under  the  leadership  of  Mr. 
Luther  Fox,  and  many  aged  members  of  the  church  enjoyed 
the  privileges  of  the  occasion.  Though  from  unfavorable  cir- 
cumstances, the  church  in  West  Woodstock  has  lapsed  from  its 
early  prominence  and  standing,  it  has  sent  out  into  the  world 
many  faithful  men  and  women,  and  fulfilled  in  good  measure 
the  designs  and  hopes  of  its  founders. 

A  Baptist  church  was  organized  in  New  Roxbury  parish  in 
1766.  A  Baptist  element  had  previously  existed,  and  a  Six  Prin- 
ciple Baptist  church  had  been  formed  and  disbanded.  Fresh  in- 
terest in  Baptist  principles  was  aroused  by  the  preaching  of 
Reverend  Noah  Alden,  a  popular  Baptist  minister,  which  led  to 
the  conversion  of  young  Biel  Ledoyt,  a  former  leader  in  merry- 
making and  frolic.  Young  friends  attempting  to  ridicule  and 
argue  with  him  were  themselves  convicted  and  converted,  and 
many  young  people  became  subjects  of  a  powerful  work  of  grace. 
"  Parents  were  amazed  to  see  their  giddy  children  distressed  for 
their  souls."  Frolic  and  dance  were  given  up,  the  Bible  and 
good  books  read  eagerly,  meetings  for  prayer  and  exhortation 
greatly  frequented.  The  standing  church  of  West  Woodstock, 
always  noted  for  formality  and  somewhat  rigid  orthodoxy,  looked 
with  some  suspicion  upon  these  irregular  and  enthusiastic  dem- 
onstrations. A  church  fast  was  proclaimed,  and  several  sound 
divines  invited  to  advise  in  this  emergency,  who,  with  marvelous 
lack  of  wisdom,  "  fell  to  reading  about  false  spirits,  and  Satan 
transforming  himself  into  an  angel  of  light,"  insinuating  that 
the  late  powerful  work  was  a  delusion,  and  "  the  first  instru- 
ments of  their  awakening  "the  deceivers  which  should  come  in 
at  the  last  time. 

No  wonder  that  these  young  converts  turned  to  the  church 
which  offered  them  comfort  and  liberty,  a;nd  separating  from  the 


894  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

church  of  their  fathers,  agreed  to  meet  together  as  a  society,  im- 
proving tlie  gifts  which  God  had  given  them.  At  the  first  favor- 
able opportunity  a  number  were  baptized  by  immersion,  and  in 
February,  1766,  a  church  of  sixteen  members  was  constituted, 
under  the  guidance  of  three  ordained  Baptist  members.  In- 
creasing rapidly  in  numbers,  May  26th,  1768,  Biel  Ledoyt  was 
ordained  as  its  pastor. 

As  the  First  Baptist  church  in  a  large  section  of  country  it 
held  a  commanding  position,  and  was  early  connected  with  the 
Warren  Association,  of  Rhode  Island.  Opposition  from  the 
standing  church  increased  its  influence  and  popularity  with  the 
masses.  While  a  majority  of  the  West  Woodstock  church  was 
disposed  to  admit  the  claims  of  this  Baptist  church  and  release 
its  members  from  taxation,  a  minority  stoutly  denied  the  validity 
of  their  organization,  and  protested  against  "  freeing  the  Ana- 
baptist people  in  this  society  from  paying  minister's  rates 
amongst  us."  After  much  discussion  and  wrangling  the  matter 
was  referred  to  the  wise  judgment  of  Jonathan  Trumbull,  who 
showed  with  much  clearness,  "  that  the  Baptist  churches  in  this 
Colony  are  no  otherwise  known  in  law  than  that  church  of  Bap- 
tists in  your  society  is,  that  those  people  having  formed  them- 
selves into  a  Baptist  church  and  society  .  .  .  are  excused 
from  paying  any  part  in  your  society  tax  for  the  support  of  your 
minister." 

This  matter  settled,  the  church  continued  to  gain  in  num- 
bers. A  rough  meeting  house  was  soon  built  and  well  filled 
with  hearers.  With  some  peculiarities  of  character  and  ex- 
pression. Elder  Ledoyt  was  an  able  preacher.  Timothy  Wil- 
liams attending  a  chance  service  in  1788,  reports,  "a  thronged 
assembly;  First  prayer,  seven  or  eight  minutes;  sermon,  Eph. 
Ill :  8,  one  hour  in  length;  last  prayer,  ten  minutes."  Serious 
difficulties  soon  after  ensued,  scattering  the  large  congregation 
and  dividing  the  church.  Various  councils  failing  to  heal  the 
breach.  Elder  Ledoyt  withdrew  to  Newport,  N.  H.,  "  leaving 
his  flock  in  a  very  broken  and  divided  condition."  Members 
were  added  through  the  labors  of  Samuel  Webster,  a  colored 
evangelist.  January  19th,  1799,  Brother  Robert  Stanton  was  or- 
dained as  pastor  over  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Woodstock, 
"as  long  as  they  are  profitable  to  each  other."  During  his 
ministry  some  fifty  were  added  to  the  church,  and  a  new  church 
edifice  constructed. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  895 

Difficulties  marring  the  profitableness  of  Mr.  Stanton's  min- 
istry, he  was  succeeded  by  Elder  Ledoyt  in  1806,  who  found  a 
door  opened  by  God's  Providence,  "  whereby  he  must  return 
and  labor  with  the  church  of  his  youth."  Malignant  disease 
ended  life  and  faithful  service,  March  24th,  1813.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Elder  Nicholas  Branch,  long  known  and  honored  in 
the  ministry,  but  then  a  youth  just  entering  ministerial  ser- 
vice. "  Peace,  love,  union  and  prosperity  "  were  enjoyed  dur- 
ing his  six  years'  ministry.  In  succeeding  brief  pastorates  a 
remarkable  revival  was  experienced,  adding  sixty  to  the  church. 
Uniting  in  the  Ashford  Association,  formed  in  1825,  it  reported 
110  members,  45  baptisms  during  the  year.  The  faithful  labors 
•of  Elder  George  B.  Atwell  extended  over  nine  years,  and  were 
greatly  blessed  to  the  growth  and  spirituality  of  the  church. 
His  successors.  Elders  Nathan  D.  Benedict  and  Bela  Hicks,  were 
faithful  and  successful  pastors. 

The  great  revival  season  of  1841-42,  brought  the  member- 
ship of  the  church  to  nearly  two  hundred.  Reverends  Isaac 
Woodbury,  Henry  Bromley,  Edward  Brown,  Thomas  Holman 
and  John  Paine  officiated  as  pastors  in  varying  terms  of  ser- 
vice. Reverend  Leavitt  Wakeman  served  from  1855  to  1858, 
when  Elder  Branch  again  assumed  the  charge.  Reverend  W. 
A.  Worthington  followed  in  1861,  and  was  succeeded  in  1865 
by  Reverend  J.  Torrey  Smith.  The  hundredth  anniversary 
•of  the  organization  of  the  church  was  observed  in  November, 
1866,  when  a  valuable  historic  discourse  was  delivered  by  the 
pastor.  Former  pastors  assisted  in  the  service  in  person  or  by 
appropriate  letters.  In  1869  the  meeting  house  was  thoroughly 
repaired  and  renovated,  the  sisters  of  the  church  giving  much 
effective  aid.  Reverend  Sylvester  Barrows  served  as  pastor  from 
1869  to  1874.  A  new  parsonage  was  built  by  the  society  during  his 
pastorate.  Reverend  Samuel  J.  Bronson  became  pastor  in  1875, 
and  died  in  charge  in  1879.  His  successor,  Reverend  William 
H.  Smith,  remained  in  service  six  years. 

Loss  of  population  has  told  heavily  upon  this  as  on  other 
churches  in  West  Woodstock,  so  that  its  present  membership 
is  much  reduced.  Four  of  its  members  have  been  licensed  to 
go  forth  as  preachers,  viz.,  Miner  G.  Clark,  John  B.  Guild,  Hugh 
Dempsey,  Percival  Mathewson.  A  beloved  sister  of  the  church, 
Calista  Holman,  the  wife  of  Reverend  Justus  H.  Vinton,  has  ac- 
•complished  most  valued  missionary  work  among   the  Karens. 


896  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Her  son,  Justus  B.  Vinton,  while  laboring  in  the  same  distant 
field,  maintained  his  connection  with  the  West  Woodstock  Bap- 
tist church.  Many  other  members  have  gone  out  to  help  build 
up  and  strengthen  other  churches  throughout  our  own  country. 
The  list  of  deacons  serving  the  church  comprises  many  honored 
names,  viz.,  Nehemiah  Underwood,  John  Morse,  David  Bolles, 
Samuel  Crawford,  Sr.,  Aaron  Gage,  Penuel  Corbin,  Sr.  and  Jr., 
Luther  Tucker,  Charles  Mathewson,  Samuel  Crawford,  Jr.,  Hal- 
sey  Leonard,  Joseph  E.  Dean,  Shubael  Day,  Francis  L.  Corbin. 

Woodstock's  Second  Baptist  church  was  gathered  at  what  was 
known  as  Quasset,  June  29th,  1792.  The  council  was  held  at  the 
spacious  old  Bolles  House,  occupied  by  Jesse  Bolles,  tanner  and 
shoemaker,  a  prominent  Baptist.  Thirty-five  members  united 
in  fellowship.  Amos  Wells  of  Stonington,  was  ordained  pastor 
August  9th  the  same  year.  Jesse  Bolles  and  Robert  Baxter  were 
chosen  deacons.  A  convenient  house  of  worship  was  soon  erected 
on  land  given  by  Deacon  Bolles.  The  Stonington  Association 
met  with  this  church  in  1795,  and  found  a  membership  of  76. 
Deacons  Baxter  and  Bolles,  Brothers  James,  Jeremiah  and  Childs 
Wheaton,  Charles  Chandler,  Robert  Aplin,  Artemas  Bruce  and 
Thomas  Bugbee,  were  chosen  a  committee  to  aid  in  settling  dif- 
ficulties between  the  members  in  1802.  William  H.  Manning 
was  chosen  deacon  upon  the  removal  of  Deacon  Bolles;  Childs 
Wheaton  succeeded  Deacon  Baxter.  Elder  Wells  was  retained 
as  pastor  till  1811,  a  man  of  power  and  public  influence,  es- 
pecially in  relation  to  the  ecclesiastic  constitution  of  Connecti- 
cut. When,  by  vote  of  the  town,  Baptists  and  Methodists  were 
allowed  to  preach  to  the  freemen  on  election  day,  Elder  Wells 
chose  for  his  text  Paul's  assertion,  "  But  I  was  free  born,"  and 
his  stirring  sermon  was  published  and  widely  circulated. 

His  successor.  Reverend  George  Angell,  was  a  man  of  lovely 
Christian  spirit.  James  Wheaton,  Thomas  Bugbee,  William 
Manning,  John  Sanger  are  names  honored  in  the  history  of 
this  Woodstock  Second  Baptist  church.  Deacon  Sanger  received 
liberty  to  preach  as  he  had  opportunity,  and  his  fervent  exhorta- 
tions are  still  remembered.  The  prevalence  of  Millerite  senti- 
ments greatly  reduced  the  membership  of  the  church,  but  its 
prosperity  returned  with  its  removal  to  South  Woodstock,  where 
a  new  church  edifice  was  erected  in  1844,  upon  land  granted  by  the 
town.  The  venerable  John  Paine  then  served  as  pastor.  Many 
other  faithful  men  have  served  in  its  ministry.      Elder  John 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  897 

Paine,  honored  in  many  Baptist  churches,  officiated  at  the  time 
of  the  removal  to  South  Woodstock.  The  late  Reverend  Per- 
cival  Mathewson,  born  and  reared  in  Woodstock,  spent  his  clos- 
ing years  with  this  church. 

The  church  of  East  Woodstock,  or  Muddy  Brook,  as  it  was 
formerly  called,  assumed  local  habitation  in  that  precinct  early  in 
1760,  taking  with  it  minister,  records,  church  utensils,  indicative 
of  previous  existence.  There  is  no  evidence  of  any  reorganization 
at  that  date.  An  established  church  or  body  of  believers  sim- 
ply changed  its  place  of  worship.  An  ecclesiastic  society,  known 
as  the  Third  or  North  parish  of  Woodstock,  was  organized  Oc- 
tober 30th,  1760,  Nathaniel  Child,  Nehemiah  Lyon,  Caleb  May, 
committee.  It  was  voted,  November  24th,  "To  build  a  meeting 
house  of  the  same  bigness  as  that  admired  edifice  in  the  first  so- 
ciety." The  choice  of  site  occasioned  some  delay,  during  which 
interval  the  church  held  services  in  the  dwelling  house  of  Ben- 
jamin Child,  Jr.,  still  standing  near  the  residence  of  Mr.  N.  E. 
Morse.  Successive  committees  agreed  in  fixing  the  meeting 
house  spot  on  land  given  by  Nathaniel  Child,  east  of  the  brook, 
but  there  were  those  who  preferred  a  more  westward  site,  and 
transmitted  their  preference  to  their  descendants.  Nathaniel 
Child,  Esq.,  Lieutenant  Ephraim  Child,  Ensign  Stephen  May, 
Stephen  Lyon,  Ezra  May,  served  as  building  committee. 

The  house  was  so  far  completed  as  to  be  ready  for  occupation 
August  8th,  1762.  Pew  spots  were  granted  to  Reverend  Abel 
Stiles,  Madam .  Urania  Lyon  (widow  of  Captain  Jabez  Lyon,  a 
prominent  resident  then  recently  deceased),  Stephen  Lyon,  Dea- 
con Daniel  Lyon,  Nathaniel  Child,  Esq.,  Captain  Nehemiah 
Lyon,  Benjamin  Wilkinson,  Henry  Child,  Elisha  Child,  Deacon 
John  May,  Caleb  May,  Thomas  May,  Ephraim  Child,  Job  Re- 
vere, Stephen  May,  Joshua  May,  Samuel  Chandler,  Benjamin 
Child,  Jr.,  Josiah  Sumner.  Samuel  Corbin,  Jesse  Carpenter,  Alex- 
ander Brown,  Moses  Marcy  and  Seth  Chandler.  Four  pews  in 
the  rear  were  added  afterward.  The  house  was  large  and  abun- 
dantly lighted,  and  seated  a  large  congregation. 

Mr.  Stiles  completed  a  new  dwelling  house  nearly  opposite  in 
1763,  and  enjoyed  a  peaceful  anchorage  after  his  many  trials. 
Substantial  residents  in  adjacent  parts  of  New  Roxbury  and 
Thompson  parishes  were  annexed  to  the  society.  Land  for  a 
burial  ground  was  purchased  of  Elisha  Child,  and  Nathaniel 
Child  was  chosen  to  care  for  the  meeting  house  and  dig  the  graves. 
57 


898  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Singing  received  immediate  attention,  Nathaniel  Child  and 
Caleb  May  being  selected  "to  tune  the  Psalms  of  this  society." 
Joseph  Manning  and  Increase  Child  were  soon  called  to  render 
assistance  in  that  office.  In  1774  Asa  Child,  Samuel  Corbin,  Jr., 
and  Chester  Child  were  requested  to  assist  in  tuning  the  psalm. 
As  early  as  1780  money  was  paid  for  "  instruction  in  singing," 
probably  to  Jedidiah  Morse,  Jr.,  a  proficient  in  that  line.  Oppo- 
sition to  ne.w  tunes  was  manifested,  as  in  West  Woodstock,  by 
the  withdrawal  of  offended  hearers,  Deacon  Nehemiah  Lyon 
marching  gravely  out  when  St.  Martyn's  was  sung. 

Mr.  Stiles  remained  in  charge  till  1783,  though  in  great  bodily 
infirmity,  "  his  soul  wading  in  clouds  and  temptations."  Im- 
pressive funeral  services  are  reported  in  the  diary  of  Stephen 
Williams  :  "  A  crowded  assembly  of  above  a  thousand  persons, 
the  remains  of  Rev.  Abel  Stiles  being  placed  in  the  broad  alley, 
Mr.  Gleason  made  first  prayer ;  Dadda  preached  (Rev.  Stephen 
Williams) ;  Mr.  Ripley  in  behalf  of  the  mourners  made  a  short 
but  comprehensive  and  pertinent  speech  at  the  grave  after  Mr. 
Russel  had  closed  with  prayer."  Reverend  Joshua  Johnson, 
previously  ordained  as  colleague,  continued  in  charge  till  1790. 
Mr.  Stephen  Williams,  as  delegate,  reports  the  ordination  of  his 
successor,  Reverend  W^illiam  Graves,  August  31st,  1791.  After 
preliminary  grog  drinking  at  Nehemiah  Child's,  "  the  council 
marched  into  the  meeting  house  followed  by  the  multitude,  a 
thousand  of  whom  filled  the  house,  and  perhaps  five  hundred 
without.  Rev.  Josiah  Whitney  as  scribe  read  the  doings  of 
council.  Woodstock  was  sung  before  the  prayer,  then  Mon- 
tague. Joseph  Lyman  gave  a  solid  old  divinity  sermon  from 
John  21,  17,  forty-five  minutes  ;  addressed  only  pastor  elect  and 
.society.  Mr.  Whitney  with  imposition  of  hands  made  ordain- 
ing prayer,  ten  minutes.  Rev.  Stephen  Williams  gave  the 
charge,  eight  minutes,  Eliphalet  Lyman  with  considerable 
pathos  the  right  hand  of  fellowship.  Rev.  Mr.  Graves  read 
psalm,  well  sung — Lisbon — and  dismissed  people  a  little  after 
one  ;  attention  and  decent  solemnity  remarkable  ;  no  opposition 
appears  though  a  number  profess  neutrality.  By  Mr.  Graves' 
request  drank  punch,  cherry,  and  wine,  and  dined  well  with  the 
council  at  Mr.  Thomas  May's,  who  entertains  gratis.  Rode  with 
Mr.  Mosely  of  Sturbridge  or  Hampton,  theologue,  towards  night, 
to  Bowen's,  and  spent  the  evening  in  festivity  with  ladies  and 
gentlemen    from  Woodstock,     Pomfret,    Brooklyn,  Thompson, 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  899 

Sturbridg-e  ;  cost  5/4.     Saw  most  of  them  away,  but  the  dark- 
ness prevented  finding  all  the  horses called  next 

day  on  Mr.  Graves ;  drank  wine  and  had  a  water-melon  feast." 

This  festive  ordination  inaugurated  a  very  serious  and  profit- 
able pastorate.  Mr.  Graves  was  an  earnest  and  devoted  Chris- 
tian laborer,  greatly  esteemed  by  his  own  people  and  brethren 
in  the  ministry.  A  fund  had  now  been  raised  for  the  mainten- 
ance of  public  worship,  and  those  who  did  not  approve  of  the 
legal  minister's  rates  were  released  upon  easy  terms.  Collec- 
tions were  taken  for  the  Connecticut  Missionary  Society,  and 
four  months  absence  was  granted  Mr.  Graves  to  go  on  a  mission 
among  the  new  settlements.  Church  music  was  aided  by  a  grand 
bass-viol,  manipulated  by  Pearley  Lyon  and  Chester  May,  and 
the  singing  school  kept  by  William  Flynn  for  one  dollar  per 
evening.  Nehemiah  Child  had  succeeded  to  the  office  of  grave- 
digger.  Alfred  Walker,  Amasa  Lyon,  Rensselaer  Child,  John 
Paine  and  Stephen  Child  were  chosen  in  1814  to  act  as  superin- 
tendents of  funerals. 

Reverend  Mr.  Graves  died  in  1813,  and  was  succeeded  by  Sam- 
uel Backus,  of  Canterbury,  ordained  January  19th,  1815.  A  very 
remarkable  revival  was  soon  experienced  by  the  church,  adding 
some  two  hundred  within  two  years  to  its  membership.  Mr. 
Backus  was  pre-eminently  a  man  of  faith  and  prayer,  and  though 
moderate  in  discourse,  made  deep  impression  upon  the  heart. 
He  organized  a  Bible  class  of  seventy-five  members,  of  whom 
fifty-nine  came  into  the  church  at  one  communion.  A  very 
effective  Sabbath  school  was  begun  in  1818.  The  deacons  up  to 
this  date  had  been  Caleb  May,  Nehemiah  Lyon,  Elisha  Child, 
Charles  Child,  Aaron  Lyon,  Nathaniel  Briggs.  William  Child 
was  chosen  in  1819;  Luther  Child  in  1824.  Additional  funeral 
superintendents  were  Oliver  Morse,  Alduce  Penniman,  Ezra 
Child,  William  Child,  Penuel  May  and  John  Fowler. 

Contentions  respecting  the  site  of  a  projected  meeting  house 
troubled  the  closing  years  of  Mr.  Backus'  ministry,  leading  to 
the  disruption  of  society  and  church,  and  the  erection  of  two 
church  edifices.  A  majority  of  the  society  favoring  the  house 
built  at  Village  Corners,  the  eastward  residents  organized  as  a 
distinct  society  December  26th,  1831.  Their  meeting  house  was 
already  in  progress,  John  Paine,  Judah  and  Pearley  Lyon,  com- 
mittee. The  site  was  given  by  Messrs.  Nehemiah  and  William 
Child.     William  Child,  Chester  May,  Charles  Child,  Jr.,  James 


900  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Lamson,  Oliver  Morse,  William  and  Abiel  May,  Caleb,  Erastus 
and  Stephen  Child  and  Elias  Mason,  2d,  were  added  to  the  com- 
mittee. April  2oth,  1832,  the  house  was  formally  dedicated,  and 
Reverend  Orson  Cowles  ordained  as  pastor.  W.  M.  Cornell  had 
supplied  the  pulpit  in  the  interim  after  the  dismission  of  Mr. 
Backus.  During-  Mr.  Cowles'  five  years'  ministry  remarkable  re- 
vivals were  enjoyed,  bringing  many  converts  into  the  depleted 
church.  Mr.  Boutelle's  ministry  (1837-1849)  was  marked  by  a 
great  advance  in  benevolent  contributions.  Reverends  James 
A.  Clark,  Michael  Burdette  and  J.  A.  Roberts  served  for  short 
periods. 

Next  followed  the  pastorate  of  Reverend  Edward  H.  Pratt,  ex- 
tending from  1855  to  April,  1867,  so  abounding  in  all  good  influ- 
ences. Faithful  in  every  detail  of  duty,  interested  in  everything 
relating  to  the  well  being  of  individual  or  community,  the  pro- 
motion of  temperance  principles  and  practice  was  the  crowning 
interest  of  Mr.  Pratt's  useful  life.  His  influence,  especially  upon 
the  young  men  of  his  own  congregation  and  the  children  of  the 
Sabbath  school,  was  most  vital  and  permanent,  and  has  greatly 
strengthened  the  temperance  standing  of  the  town.  Called  to 
active  service  as  the  secretary  of  the  Connecticut  Temperance 
Union,  his  aid  and  counsel  were  ever  given  freely  to  town  and 
church  till  his  lamented  death.  Succeeding  his  ministry  were 
the  short  terms  of  Reverends  Francis  Dyer,  W.  A.  Benedict,  C. 
A.  Stone,  W.  H.  Phipps  and  J.  A.  Hanna,  extending  to  1875, 
when  the  two  North  Woodstock  parishes  again  united  in  service, 
each  occupying  its  own  church  edifice  part  of  the  Sabbath. 

The  East  Woodstock  house  has  been  thoroughly  renovated 
and  improved,  and  the  singing,  under  Messrs.  Harris  May  and 
William  Child,  maintains  its  ancient  reputation.  The  deacon's 
office  since  1832  has  been  filled  by  Elisha  C.  Walker,  T.  B. 
Chandler,  Asa  Lyon,  Halsey  Bixby,  George  A.  Paine,  Monroe 
W.  Ide,  John  Paine,  Edwin  R.  Chamberlain.  Willard  Child, 
D.  D.,  Albert  Paine  and  Charles  Walker,  D.  D.,  have  gone  out 
from  it  into  the  ministry.  The  son  of  Doctor  Walker,  George 
L.  Walker,  D.  D.,  is  the  well  known  pastor  of  Centre  church, 
Hartford,  Conn, 

The  Northward  wing  of  the  East  Woodstock  church  took  pos- 
session of  its  new  house  of  worship  February  10th,  1831.  Its 
first  pastor  was  Reverend  Foster  Thayer,  ordained  and  installed 
the  following  June.     During  his  five  years'  labor  forty  were  ad- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  901 

ded  to  the  church.  His  successor,  Reverend  L.  S.  Hough,  con- 
tinued in  charge  four  years.  Reverends  Willard  Child  and  D. 
C.  Frost  officiated  until  the  installation  of  William  H.  Marsh 
November  30th,  1844,  who  accomplished  nearly  seven  years' 
service.  O.  D.  Hine,  D.  M.  Elwood  and  John  White  followed  in 
quick  succession.  Reverend  T.  H.  Brown,  a  young  man  of 
much  promise,  was  removed  by  death  after  a  pastorate  of  two 
years.  Reverend  J.  W.  Kingsbury,  installed  in  1869,  dismissed 
in  1871,  was  the  last  pastor  settled  by  the  church.  Reverend 
W.  A.  James,  of  Killingly,  served  as  acting  pastor  for  four 
years,  during  which  time  the  church  edifice  was  destroyed  by 
fire.  Subscriptions  were  immediately  circulated  and  a  sufficient 
sum  raised  to  repair  the  loss.  Children  of  former  members  and 
generous  friends  helped  in  fitting  up  the  new  building,  which 
was  completed  and  dedicated  in  the  fall  of  1873.  After  the  re- 
moval of  Mr.  James  in  1875,  the  North  and  East  churches  united 
in  support  of  a  minister.  Reverends  C.  N.  Cate,  T.  M.  Boss, 
John  Parsons  and  C.  W.  Thompson,  have  served  successively  as 
pastors  of  the  two  societies.  The  present  incumbent  is  Rever- 
end F.  H.  Viets. 

In  its  comparatively  brief  term  of  separate  existence  this 
church  has  had  the  good  fortune  to  send  out  honored  ministers 
and  missionaries.  Three  sons  of  Captain  John  Chandler,  of 
North  Woodstock,  have  accomplished  valuable  service.  Rever- 
end John  E.  Chandler  was  sent  by  the  American  Board  as  mis- 
sionary to  India  in  1846,  and  still  labors  in  Madura  over  an  ex- 
tensive field.  His  son.  Reverend  John  S,  Chandler,  and  his  two 
daughters,  Henrietta  and  Gertrude,  have  also  devoted  them- 
selves to  mission  work  in  Madura.  Reverend  Joseph  Chandler 
served  in  "the  war  as  delegate  from  the  Christian  Commission, 
and  also  in  Home  Mission  work.  The  third  brother,  Reverend 
Augustus  Chandler,  debarred  from  missionary  work  in  India  by 
delicate  health,  labored  usefully  as  evangelist  and  stated  pastor. 

Methodism  was  introduced  in  West  Woodstock  in  1795  by 
that  active  itinerant,  Jesse  Lee.  A  class  was  formed  at  an  early 
day  and  a  few  Methodists  joined  in  social  worship,  but  no  sub- 
stantial footing  was  gained  until  the  revivals  of  1829-30,  when 
through  the  preaching  of  Elders  Lovejoy,  Bidwell  and  Robbins, 
many  converts  were  gathered  in  and  added  to  the  class.  A 
Methodist  house  of  worship  was  built  in  West  Woodstock  and 
stated  services  instituted.     Ebenezer  and  Elisha  Paine,  Thomas 


902  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Chandler,  Charles  Child,  Benjamin  Works,  and  a  worthy  band 
of  Christian  women,  were  active  in  this  church.  Connected  suc- 
cessively with  Dudley,  Thompson  and  Eastford  circuits,  it  en- 
joyed the  ministrations  of  many  faithful,  zealous,  self  denying 
Methodist  preachers — Elders  Livesy,  Ireson,  Allen,  Carter,  Davis, 
Perrin,  Pratt,  names  honored  in  wide  circuits.  In  connection 
with  the  labors  of  Reverend  Charles  C.  Barnes  in  1841,  an  ex- 
tensive revival  prevailed,  bringing  in  the  whole  neighborhood 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  church.  Reverend  John  Howson  was  sent 
by  the  conference  in  1843  as  the  first  stated  preacher  in  the 
Mithodist  society,  and  aided  much  in  confirming  and  strength- 
ening the  members.  Two  faithful  ministers  went  out  from  the 
church  at  this  date.  Elders  Charles  Morse  and  Mellen  Howard. 
Elder  Morse  afterward  labored  in  adjoining  towns  and  died  a 
few  years  since  greatly  respected  by  all. 

Methodist  conference  meetings  were  often  held  in  East  Wood- 
stock village,  especially  in  the  house  of  Mrs.  Stanley,  a  zealous 
Methodist  sister,  whose  children  were  working  in  the  factory. 
In  1828  a  class  of  forty-five  members  was  formed  in  the  village — 
John  Chaffee,  leader ;  Elders  H.  Perry  and  G.  Southerland,  cir- 
cuit preachers.  Having  no  stated  place  of  worship  an  earnest 
brother,  Nathaniel  Jones,  built  an  addition  to  his  house  for  this 
purpose,  where  many  fervent  meetings  were  enjoyed,  under  the 
guidance  of  some  of  the  shining  lights  of  Methodism.  The  hall 
of  the  new  school  house  was  afterward  occupied  by  the  Metho- 
dists for  day-time  Sabbath  services.  In  1847  East  Woodstock 
was  made  a  station,  Benjamin  M.  Walker,  preacher.  Through 
the  efficient  agency  of  Elder  Daniel  Dorchester,  preacher  in 
1851-52,  the  church  edifice  in.  West  Woodstock  was  purchased, 
and  removed  to  East  Woodstock  village.  A  comfortable  house 
of  worship  and  overflowing  congregation  was  the  happy  result 
of  his  labors,  greatly  benefiting  succeeding  ministers.  Elders 
J.  D.  King,  Caleb  S.  Sandford,  J.  E.  Heald,  Culver,  Boynton,  S. 
A.  Winsor,  W.  A.  Simmons,  Horace  Moulton,  Daniel  Pratt,  Mel- 
len Howard,  O.  E.  Thayer,  L.  D.  Bentley,  Pack,  Case,  Latham, 
Turkington,  G.  R.  Bentley  and  A.  H.  Bennett  have  successively 
served  in  ministering  to  the  East  Woodstock  Methodist  church. 
One  faithful  minister.  Reverend  E.  S.  Stanley,  has  gone  out  from 
it  to  fulfill  much  useful  service. 

In  1854  Methodists  in  West  Woodstock  completed  a  new  house 
of  worship,  stimulated  by  the  presence  and  aid  of  Reverend  Otis 


■  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  903 

Perrin ;  Luther  Arnold,  Lewis  and  Jared  Corbin,  Elisha  Paine, 
William  Myers,  Benjamin  Chandler,  and  other  residents  assist- 
ing in  the  work.  Miss  Mary  Myers  went  out  to  Africa,  in  1885, 
to  aid  in  the  missionary  enterprise  inaugurated  by  Bishop  Wil- 
liam Taylor.  Marrying  on  the  voyage  another  consecrated 
worker,  they  entered  upon  the  field  with  much  hopefulness,  only 
to  meet  the  fate  of  so  many  missionaries  in  that  deadly  climate. 
A  son  of  Mr.  Myers  followed  his  sister  in  the  same  work.  The 
church  in  West  Woodstock  is  mainly  supplied  by  resident  local 
preachers,  Elders  Perrin,  Goodell  and  Pratt,  with  S.  B.  Chase, 
having  had  it  in  charge.  Some  forty-two  families  in  the  town 
are  connected  with  these  two  Methodist  societies. 

Universalists  appeared  in  Woodstock  toward  the  close  of  the 
last  century,  uniting  with  the  church  of  Oxford.  These  fami- 
lies, with  their  descendants,  remained  apart  from  the  standing 
churches  of  the  town,  attending  services  in  other  localities.  A 
Universalist  society  was  organized  in  West  Woodstock  in  1839, 
Ebenezer  Philips,  clerk ;  Adolphus  Alton,  treasurer ;  Charles 
Wood,  George  Sumner,  John  G.  Marcy,  John  Fox,  2d,  John 
Weaver,  committee.  Reverend  Zephaniah  Baker  was  hired  as 
preacher.  In  1842  Sanford  Marcy  and  Luther  Fox  were  chosen 
choristers;  L.  M.  Bradford,  Pitt  Sharpe,  Sanford  Bosworth,  G. 
Sumner,  A.  Alton,  building  committee.  A  house  of  worship  was 
completed  the  following  year.  F.  M.  Fox  was  chosen  to  take 
care  of  the  house  and  seat  the  people.  It  was  voted  to  have  the 
slips  free.  Reverend  Holmes  Slade  was  retained  as  preacher  for 
a  number  of  years.  In  1859  thirty-three  persons  were  enrolled 
members  of  this  society.  Zephaniah  Baker,  its  first  minister, 
returned  to  the  charge  in  1876.  Weakened  by  deaths  and  re- 
movals, the  society  gradually  lost  ground,  and  its  meetings  were 
discontinued. 

In  1874  an  Advent  Christian  church  was  formed  in  West 
Woodstock,  with  fifty-six  constituent  members,  and  Reverend 
P.  S.  Butler  as  pastor.  An  Advent  chapel  was  built  in  Wood- 
stock Valley  in  1879,  and  dedicated  November  25th.  A  consid- 
erable number  of  persons,  in  different  parts  of  the  towns,  have 
embraced  Advent  principles,  and  maintain  religious  services. 
An  Advent  chapel  was  also  built  in  East  Woodstock,  in  1879,  on 
land  of  Mr.  Nathaniel  Child.  Reverends  P.  S.  Butler  and  E.  S. 
Bugbee  have  charge  of  these  churches  and  services. 


904  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Religious  services  are  conducted  in  behalf  of  the  Swedes,  in 
Agricultural  Hall,  and  a  Swedish  church  has  been  organized. 

Woodstock's  first  post  office  was  opened  in  Bowen's  store  in 
1811,  George  Bowen,  postmaster.  Six  offices  are  now  needed, 
one  for  each  separate  village,  viz.,  Woodstock,  East,  West,  North, 
South  Woodstock  and  Woodstock  Valley.  Convenient  mail  car- 
riages convey  the  mail  from  Putnam  depot  to  these  several  sta- 
tions. These  villages,  dating  back  many  years,  enjoy  varying 
degrees  of  prosperity.  Some  have  lost  by  business  changes  and 
emigration;  others  gained  by  new  interests.  The  summer 
element  has  brought  new  prosperity  to  Woodstock  hill.  The 
erection  of  "  Roseland  Cottage,"  by  Mr.  H.  C.  Bowen,  was  soon 
followed  by  the  opening  of  Elmwood  Hall,  in  1862,  by  Messrs. 
Warner  &  Way,  with  ample  accommodations  for  the  "  summer 
boarder,"  with  his  numerous  household.  The  revivifying  of  the 
academy,  and  various  improvements  instituted  by  Mr.  Bowen, 
have  wrought  a  marvelous  change  in  the  "  Plaine  Hill  village." 
Graded  streets,  concrete  walks,  tasteful  dwelling  houses,  a  shaded 
park  and  spacious  common  make  the  village  one  of  the  loveliest 
in  Windham  county,  while  the  pure  air  and  range  of  beautiful 
scenery  are  wholly  unsurpassed.  Summer  visitors  returning 
year  after  year  to  this  favorite  resort,  testify  to  its  attractions. 
Elmwood  Hall,  under  the  charge  of  its  veteran  proprietor — 
Deacon  Amasa  Chandler— has  long  been  numbered  among  pub- 
lic institutions,  and  has  been  the  scene  of  many  an  official  and 
family  re-union.  West  Woodstock  village  has  its  own  especial 
votaries,  who  find  perpetual  charms  in  its  verdant  placidity  and 
wide  outlook,  and  it  is  becoming  more  and  more  a  favorite  sum- 
mer resting  place.  The  summer  element  is  conspicuous  in  many 
new  and  elegant  country  seats  in  various  parts  of  the  town. 
Senexet  road,  running  east  of  the  lake,  is  especially  favored  by 
these  summer  sojourners,  and  boasts  many  of  these  fanciful 
structures.  These  new  citizens,  connected  in  many  cases  with 
old  families  of  the  town,  promise  to  be  an  important  factor  in  its 
future  development. 

Among  modern  institutions  of  Woodstock  none  has  brought 
it  into  such  prominence  before  the  world  as  the  Fourth  of  July 
celebrations  inaugurated  in  Roseland  Park  by  Mr.  H.  C.  Bowen. 
Repeating  the  experience  of  its  historic  namesake,  Woodstock 
hill  has  ever  been  celebrated  for  the  number  and  variety  of  its 
notable  meetings.     Its  trainings,  funerals,  belligerent  town  and 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  905 

society  meeting's,  its  Masonic  and  anti-Masonic  conventions,  its 
temperance  jubilees  and  Sabbath  school  celebrations,  have  been 
noted  for  successive  generations.  With  the  grand  "  Fremont 
Rally  "  of  1856  began  a  series  of  most  notable  political  gather- 
ings. The  great  Lincoln  mass  meeting  of  1864,  the  great  Grant 
mass  meeting  of  1868,  both  held  on  Woodstock  Common,  were 
most  remarkable  occasions,  not  only  in  numbers,  interest  and 
enthusiasm,  but  as  helping  to  decide  conflicting  and  vital  ques- 
tions. 

The  Fourth  of  July  celebration  in  1870  was  made  memorable 
by  the  presence  of  the  president  of  the  United  States,  General 
Grant,  and  his  suite,  with  the  Russian  minister  and  other  notables. 
Arrangements  for  this  occasion  were  wholly  due  to  Mr.  H.  C. 
Bowen,  who  had  the  honor  of  receiving  and  entertaining  the 
distinguished  guests.  Securing  soon  after  this  date  the  beauti- 
ful grove  adjoining  Woodstock  lake,  Mr.  Bowen  began  the  lay- 
ing out  of  the  beautiful  park  so  famous  in  later  celebrations. 
July  4th,  1877,  Roseland  Park  was  formally  opened  with  appro- 
priate exercises.  Addresses  were  made  by  Senator  Blain.e,  ex- 
Governor  Chamberlain,  and  other  distinguished  persons.  A  de- 
lightful historic  poem,  with  appropriate  patriotic  prelude,  was 
read  by  Doctor  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes.  Year  after  year  these 
gatherings  have  been  repeated.  As  the  park  has  put  on  new 
beauty  and  verdure,  so  the  programme  has  offered  more  varied 
attractions,  until  the  Fourth  of  July  celebrations  at  Roseland 
Park  are  known  throughout  the  country.  It  would  be  impossible 
to  give  a  full  list  of  those  who  have  contributed  to  the  interest 
of  these  occasions.  National  celebrities  in  innumerable  depart- 
ments, presidents,  cabinet  officers,  senators,  governors,  states- 
men, financiers,  distinguished  professors  and  teachers,  orators, 
lecturers,  poets,  literary  men  and  women,  clergymen  without 
number,  representative  men  and  women,  have  appeared  upon 
the  platform  at  Roseland  Park  and  discoursed  upon  questions  of 
vital  interest  and  importance.  Woodstock  and  neighboring 
towns  are  greatly  indebted  to  Mr.  Bowen  for  the  privilege  of 
seeing  and  hearing  these  distinguished  persons,  and  also  for  pro- 
viding so  delightful  a  spot  for  social  and  public  gatherings.  Sat- 
urday afternoon  concerts,  "  Field  Days  "  for  various  institutions, 
"  Union  Sabbath  School  picnics,"  family  and  village  gatherings, 
have  come  into  existence  with  the  park,  and  social  intercourse 
and  healthful  recreation  have  been  greatly  promoted.     No  bet- 


906  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY, 

ter  test  of  progress  could  be  cited  than  the  substitution  of  such 
improving  and  elevating  assemblages  in  this  tasteful  retreat,  for 
the  uproarious  " training "  and  stilted  "celebration"  of  other 
days. 

Among  later  "  Notable  meetings  "  in  Roseland  Park,' the  re- 
publican mass  meeting  of  September  5th,  1888,  takes  a  high 
place.  A  county  political  meeting,  it  excited  unusual  interest. 
Pomfret,  Putnam  and  Thompson  displayed  much  energy  in  mar- 
shalling processions  worthy  of  the  occasion.  The  day  was  all 
that  could  be  desired,  the  attendance  large  and  the  speaking  ex- 
cellent. Mr.  Searls,  of  Thompson,  served  as  chairman  of  the 
day.  Hon.  William  M.  Evarts  and  Mrs.  J.  Ellen  Foster  perhaps 
carried  off  the  highest  laurels,  although  all  the  addresses  called 
out  much  enthusiasm  and  applause.  A  notable  feature  in  the 
day's  demonstration  was  the  large  number  of  veterans,  eager  to 
show  their  allegiance  to  the  soldier  candidate,  and  the  presence 
of  a  veteran  who  assisted  in  the  nomination  of  William  Henry 
Harrison  in  1840. 

The  anticipated  visit  of  President  Benjamin  Harrison,  July  4th, 
1889,  aroused  great  interest  among  all  classes.  The  county  ap- 
preciated as  never  before  the  distinguishing  honor  and  privilege 
of  receiving  within  her  borders  the  highest  officials  of  the  great 
republic.  Extensive  preparations  were  made  by  Putnam  and 
other  towns  for  their  suitable  reception.  All  eyes  and  hearts 
were  turned  toward  Woodstock  and  Roseland  Park,  and  had  the 
day  been  favorable  it  would  probably  have  recorded  the  largest 
gathering  ever  assembled  in  Windham  county.  But  rain  and 
storm  are  no  respecters  of  persons,  and  the  lowering  clouds  re- 
fused to  melt  away.  Yet,  though  thousands  were  disappointed, 
other  thousands  pluckily  withstood  the  elements.  Through  the 
rain  and  heavy  fog  of  Wednesday  evening  hundreds  found  their 
way  to  Mr.  Bowen's  hospitable  residence,  opened  as  usual  for  the 
reception  preceding  the  great  day.  Such  crowds  came  to  see 
and  speak  to  the  president  and  his  suite  that  one  marveled  where 
space  could  have  been  found  for  them  had  the  skies  been  fair. 

The  wet  July  morn  failed  to  dampen  the  resolution  of  vet- 
erans and  patriots.  Grand  Army  men  in  their  shining  new 
uniforms,  were  ready  to  escort  the  president  and  party  to  the 
park.  The  multitudes  already  assembled  far  exceeded  public 
expectation.  The  address  of  welcome  was  made  by  Hon.  Charles 
Russel,  M.  C. ;  prayer  by  Reverend   E.  B.   Bingham  ;  the  "  Day 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  907 

we  Celebrate  "  was  lauded  by  the  governor  of  Connecticut,  Mor- 
gan G.  Bulkeley,  who  introduced  President  Harrison.  His  grace- 
ful greeting  called  forth  storms  of  applause.  He  was  followed 
by  General  Hawley,  Associate  Justice  Samuel  F.  Miller  and 
Hon.  Thomas  B.  Reed,  M.  C,  of  Maine.  Brief  addresses  were 
also  made  by  Secretaries  Noble  and  Tracy.  An  hour's  recess 
was  passed  in  agreeable  conversation  and  collation,  the  hun- 
dreds of  veterans  present  being  especially  cared  for  by  a  gen- 
erous friend,  who  took  pains  to  present  the  president  personally 
to  each  war-worn  soldier.  The  exercises  were  renewed  by  the 
introduction  of  President  Gates,  of  Rutgers  College,  when  the 
storm,  as  if  indignant  at  such  defiance  of  its  power,  broke  out 
with  renewed  violence.  In  spite  of  the  floods  of  rain,  the  good- 
natured  audience  continued  to  greet  and  applaud  the  speakers 
and  catch  what  was  possible  of  the  stirring  addresses  of  Messrs. 
Gates  and  Hiscock  and  the  sparkling  poem  of  Will  Carlton. 
The  greatest  good  humor  prevailed  throughout  the  whole  exer- 
cises, and  all  separated  with  the  agreeable  consciousness  that 
even  the  "  floods  of  great  waters  "  could  not  quench  patriotic 
enthusiasm  nor  seriously  mar  a  Woodstock  Fourth  of  July  cel- 
ebration. 

The  bi-centennial  commemoration  of  Woodstock's  settlement, 
the  first  to  be  observed  in  Windham  county,  was  also  a  very  no- 
table event  in  its  history.  Preparations  were  going  forward  for 
some  months  throughout  the  town.  An  efficient  committee  ap- 
pointed by  the  town — Henry  T.  Child,  chairman — labored  zeal- 
ously in  planning  and  perfecting  arrangements.  The  change 
from  Old  to  New  Style  brought  the  anniversary  within  the  first 
week  of  September,  1886.  Initiatory  services  were  held  at  Pul- 
pit Rock,  Sunday  morning,  September  5th,  attended  by  nearly 
two  thousand  people.  After  invocation,  responsive  reading, 
prayer,  singing  of  anthem  and  psalm  by  the  church  choirs  of 
the  town  under  direction  of  Professor  Carlo  May,  a  greeting  was 
given  by  Hon.  E.  H.  Bugbee,  followed  by  a  sermon  from  Rev- 
erend John  S.  Chandler,  Madura,  India. 

Monday  was  a  day  of  gathering  from  far  and  near,  sons  and 
daughters  of  old  Woodstock  families  returning  to  the  old  home- 
steads and  participating  in  many  a  family  reunion.  In  'the  af- 
ternoon an  exhibition  of  antiques  was  held  in  the  hall  over  the 
store,  comprising  many  articles  of  rarity  and  value.  Many  of 
these  relics  had  the  additional  interest  of  association  with  his- 


90S  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

toric  characters.  The  pocket  book  of  "grandmother  Edmonds," 
a  lace  cap  worn  by  Deacon  Jedidiah  Morse  when  an  infant,  a  cane 
belonging  to  the  last  of  the  Wabbaquassets,  were  among  these 
treasured  heirlooms.  The  collection  of  portraits  was  very  full 
and  interesting. 

The  great  day  of  the  feast  was  Tuesday,  the  two  hundredth 
anniversary  of  the  day  on  which  Woodstock's  home  lots  were 
distributed.  Memorial  trees  were  set  out  in  the  morning  on  his- 
toric sites.  Before  10  A.  M.  a  large  assemblage  had  gathered  in 
Roseland  Park.  Mr.  H.  T.  Child  introduced  the  president  of  the 
day,  Hon.  J.  F.  Morris,  Hartford,  whose  brief  address  was  fol- 
lowed by  prayer  offered  by  Reverend  J.  P.  Trowbridge,  West 
Woodstock.  Doctor  G.  A.  Bowen  made  the  address  of  welcome. 
A  large  number  of  honored  citizens  and  returned  emigrants 
were  elected  vice-presidents.  An  interesting  historical  address 
was  given  by  Mr.  Clarence  W.  Bowen,  and  a  graphic  poem  read 
by  Mr.  John  E.  Bowen.  Histories  of  the  several  churches  in  the 
town  were  read  by  Messrs.  Albert  McC.  Mathewson,  Nathan  E. 
Morse,  Reverends  Luther  G.  Tucker  and  A.  H.  Bennett,  while 
others  prepared  for  the  occasion  were  unavoidably  omitted. 
Brethren  C.  H.  May,  G.  A.  Bowen  and  L.  J.  Wells,  brought  tid- 
ings of  ancient  institutions  and  modern  organizations. 

Formal  services  were  varied  by  old-time  singing,  under  charge 
of  Mr.  May,  the  planting  of  memorial  trees  sent  with  greetings 
from  old  Roxbury,  public  and  family  collations,  and  with  inter- 
esting and  humorous  reminiscences  in  short  addresses  at  the 
close.  The  only  drawback  to  the  day's  enjoyment  was  the  lack 
of  time  for  all  that  might  have  been  brought  forward.  The 
large  attendance,  the  number  of  descendants  from  former  resi- 
dents, the  sympathetic  attention  of  the  hearers,  showed  the  deep 
interest  awakened  by  this  bi-centennial  commemoration. 

While  Connecticut  is  famous  for  the  wide  dispersion  of  its 
sons  and  daughters,  Woodstock  has  even  exceeded  the  ordinary 
limit.  Beginning  soon  after  her  own  settlement  to  populate  the 
towns  around  her,  the  outflow  has  been  perennial.  Vermont, 
New  Hampshire,  Central  New  York,  the  vast  prairies  of  the 
West,  indeed  all  parts  of  the  great  nation,  have  received  emi- 
grants from  this  old  town.  The  valuable  Chandler  and  Child 
genealogies  show  the  wide  dispersion  of  those  families  and  the 
prominent  part  they  have  had  in  building  up  flourishing  com- 
munities.     Other  families  might  show   an  equally  suggestive 


YPE,     E,     BIERSTADT 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  909 

record.  It  is  impossible  to  make  even  an  approximate  estimate 
of  those  who  have  gone  out  from  this  historic  town,  or  to  fitly 
chronicle  those  who  have  made  themselves  memorable.  Gen- 
eral William  Eaton,  the  conqueror  of  Tripoli,  was  born  in  the 
southwest  corner  of  Woodstock.  Commodore  Charles  Morris, 
so  distinguished  in  naval  service,  was  also  born  in  West  Wood- 
stock. The  Morse's,  with  their  telegraphs  and  varied  achieve- 
ments; the  Holmes's,  whom  even  Boston  delighteth  to  honor, 
date  back  to  Woodstock  ancestry.  The  same  good  stock  has 
given  to  the  world  representative  Marcys,  McClellans,  Mathew- 
sons,  Childs,  Lyons,  Chandlers,  Mays,  Bowens,  Walkers, 
Skinners,  Paines,  Williams's,  and  many  other  honored  names. 
Fitted  for  various  walks  in  life,  in  every  sphere  of  avocation  and 
achievement,  may  be  found  the  sons  and  daughters  of  Wood- 
stock. The  subjoined  biographical  sketches  are  but  a  tithe  in 
comparison  with  the  great  number  that  might  have  been  in- 
cluded. 

BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 

Ebenezer  Bishop. — The  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this 
biography  was  Ebenezer  Bishop,  a  native  of  Lisbon,  Conn.,  who 
removed  in  later  life  to  North  Woodstock,  where  he  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  medicine  until  his  death  in  October,  1834.  He 
married  Sarah  Lyon,  whose  six  children  were :  Amasa,  Heze- 
kiah,  Elisha,  Ebenezer,  Tabitha  and  Delia.  Hezekiah,  of  this 
number,  was  born  December  2d,  1804,  in  North  Woodstock, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  participated  actively  in  the 
affairs  of  the  town  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1863.  He 
married  Martha  D.,  daughter  of  Captain  Judah  Lyon,  a  citizen 
of  much  prominence  in  his  day.  The  children  of  this  union 
were:   Sarah  L.,  Ebenezer,  Anna  M.  and  Esther  E. 

Ebenezer,  the  only  son,  was  born  February  19th,  1841,  in 
North  Woodstock,  where  his  early  years  were  mainly  spent. 
He  became  a  pupil  of  the  Woodstock  and  Plainfield  Academies, 
and  completed  his  studies  at  the  State  Normal  school,  after 
which  for  a  brief  period  he  engaged  in  teaching.  In  1861,  on 
the  call  of  the  government  for  troops  for  the  suppression  of  the 
rebellion,  he  left  his  duties  on  the  farm  and  enrolled  his  name 
as  a  member  of  the  First  Connecticut  Cavalry,  continuing  for 
three  years  in  the  service.  He  experienced  all  the  trying  vicis- 
situdes of  a  soldier's  life,  and  participated  in  the  following  en- 


910  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

gag-ements :  Second  Battle  of  Bull  Run,  Cross  Keys,  Cedar 
Mountain,  Leesburg,  Chantilly,  Culpepper  Court  House,  South 
Mountain,  Port  Republic  and  Waterford,  where  he  was  made  a 
prisoner.  He  served  a  term  of  nearly  sixteen  months  as  pris- 
oner in  the  stockade  prison  at  Andersonville,  and  in  Savannah, 
Millen,  Libby  and  at  Belle  Isle.  During  the  seven  months  of 
his  incarceration  at  Andersonville  he  endured  all  the  privations 
and  horrors  inflicted  upon  the  Union  prisoners  by  the  infamous 
Captain  Wirtz,  and  witnessed  daily  the  death  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  or  more  men,  from  hunger,  exposure  and  cruelty.  His 
rugged  constitution  enabled  him  to  survive  these  horrors  and 
effect  an  exchange,  after  which  he  returned  to  his  home  and  has 
since  been  engaged  in  farming. 

Mr.  Bishop  as  a  republican  represented  his  town  in  the  Con- 
necticut legislature  in  1872.  He  has  been  interested  in  the 
cause  of  education  and  was  for  several  years  acting  school  visi- 
tor. He  has  also  been  for  a  long  period  justice  of  the  peace, 
and  participated  actively  in  the  affairs  of  the  town.  He  is  a 
member  of  A.  G.  Warner  Post,  No.  54,  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public, and  one  of  the  present  delegates  from  Connecticut  to  the 
national  convention  to  be  held  at  Milwaukee.  Mr.  Bishop 
is  a  member  of  the  Third  Congregational  church  of  Woodstock 
and  has  for  many  years  been  on  the  society  committee,  and  the 
committee  on  supplies. 

Abel  Child. — Benjamin  Child  emigrated  from  Great  Britain 
to  America  in  1630,  and  became  the  head  of  most  of  the  families 
of  that  name.  A  type  of  character  patriarchal  in  the  best  sense, 
earnest  in  purpose,  and  in  the  promotion  of  that  Puritanic  stamp 
of  piety  for  which  the  Massachusetts  settlers  were  distinguished, 
he  was  one  of  the  thirty  who  contributed  toward  the  erection  of 
the  first  church  in  Roxbury.  Bearing  the  name  of  the  youngest 
son  of  the  head  of  the  Israelites,  like  that  patriarch,  "  in  the  land 
wherein  he  was  a  stranger,"  he  became  the  father  of  twelve 
children,  three  of  whom  were  baptized  by  the  renowned  John 
Eliot,  their  pastor. 

Benjamin,  the  second  son  of  Benjamin  and  Mary  Child,  mar- 
ried in  1683,  Grace,  daughter  of  Deacon  Edward  and  Grace  Bett 
Morris,  Mr.  Morris  being  one  of  the  projectors  and  an  early  set- 
tler of  the  town  of  Woodstock.  Their  eldest  son  Ephraim,  mar- 
ried in  1710,  Priscilla  Harris,  of  Brookline,  Mass.  The  second 
son  by  the  latter  union  was  Daniel,  who  married  Ruth  Curtis, 


i^^^  6i^.M 


TOTYPE,     E.    BIERSTADT,     N.  Y. 


912  HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

ing  Child  married  on  the  25th  of  May,  1881,  Carrie  I.,  daughter 
of  James  I.  Slade,  of  Pomfret.  They  have  two  sons  :  Chauncey 
Slade,  born  February  1st,  1885,  and  Spencer  Holmes,  whose  birth 
occurred  November  5th,  1886.  These  children  represent  the  ninth 
generation  in  both  the  Child  and  Bugbees  families,  and  the 
seventh  now  living  on  the  Bugbee  ancestral  land,  which  has  been 
deeded  only  in  the  direct  line  of  descent. 

Ezra  Dean  was  born  in  Killingly,  Connecticut,  on  the  31st  of 
August,  1813,  and  when  twelve  years  of  age,  on  the  death  of  his 
father,  came  to  Woodstock  to  reside  with  an  uncle,  who  was  then 
engaged  in  the  business  of  a  tanner  and  currier.  He  attended 
the  nearest  school  for  one  or  more  years  and  then  entered  the 
tannery,  with  the  intention  of  learning  the  trade.  On  the  death 
of  his  relative  he  purchased  the  tannery,  in  connection  with  a 
small  farm,  and  there  resided  until  his  death,  December  7th, 
1871. 

Mr.  Dean  evinced  much  ability  and  forethought  in  the  man- 
agement of  his  business,  and  soon  established  it  on  a  firm  and 
successful  basis.  He  was  a  liberal  and  public  spirited  citizen, 
contributing  his  means  and  lending  his  influence  to  most  of  the 
worthy  objects  that  appealed  to  his  generosity.  He  was  faithful 
in  discharge  of  both  public  and  private  trusts,  making  integrity 
and  probity  ruling  principles  in  his  life.  He  was  one  of  the 
foremost  contributors  to  Woodstock  Academy,  and  to  many 
other  worthy  projects.  Mr.  Dean  represented  his  town  in  the 
state  house  of  representatives  in  1850,  and  was  elected  to  the 
senate  for  the  years  1852  and  1853.  In  1861  he  filled  the  office 
of  state  treasurer.  He  was  appointed  by  President  Lincoln  col- 
lector of  internal  revenue  in  1864,  and  the  following  year  volun- 
tarily resigned  the  office  on  account  of  failing  health.  He  was 
again  elected  to  the  legislature  in  1869.  He  was  also  a  director 
of  the  First  National  Bank,  of  Putnam. 

Mr.  Dean,  on  the  13th  of  December,  1837,  married  PameliaB., 
daughter  of  Charles  Hobbs,  of  Sturbridge,  Mass.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  East  Woodstock  Congregational  church,  with 
which  Mrs.  Dean  continues  active  and  useful  relations. 

Marquis  Green.— Thom.as  Green,  the  progenitor  of  the  Green 
family  in  America,  came  from  England  in  1635,  and  settled  in 
Maiden,  Mass.  His  son  Henry,  born  in  1638,  married  in  1671, 
Esther  Hasse.  Among  their  seven  children  was  a  son  Henry, 
born  in  1672,  who  maried  in  1695,   Hannah  Flagg.     Their  son 


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'WWI^&sUi-y'-l^C:'WY- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  913 

Henry,  the  third  of  the  name,  born   in    1696,  married   Judith 

-,  and  resided  in  Killingly.     A  son  John  by  this  marriage, 

born  in  1736,  one  of  six  children,  was  the  father  of  Benjamin, 
whose  birth  occurred  March  11th,  1766.  He  married  Tamer 
Moffat,  to  whom  were  born  four  children.  By  a  second  mar- 
riage to  Esther  Jewett  were  seven  children,  the  youngest  of 
whom  is  the  subject  of  this  biography. 

Marquis  Green  was  born  January  19th,  1816,  in  Thompson, 
where  he  attended  the  public  schools  and  concluded  his  studies 
at  the  academy  at  Millbury,  Mass.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  for  a  period  of  thirty-five 
years  was  actively  employed  in  this  department  of  industry.  In 
1848  his  present  home  in  Woodstock  was  purchased,  to  which, 
after  a  life  of  activity,  he  retired  in  1868, and  has  since  that  date 
been  engaged  in  the  improvement  of  the  property.  Mr.  Green 
has  been  to  some  extent  identified  with  public  life.  In  politics 
he  was  formerly  an  old  line  whig,  and  later  joined  the  republi- 
can ranks.  He  has  officiated  as  selectman  of  his  town,  and  in 
1871  was  its  representative  in  the  legislature,  serving  on  the 
committee  on  constitutional  amendments.  He  was  one  of  the  in- 
corporators of  the  Putnam  Savings  Bank. 

Mr.  Green  was  married  August  26th,  1840,  to  Clara  G.,  daugh- 
ter of  David  Goddard,  of  Millbury,  Mass.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Green  worship  with  the  Congregational  church  of  Woodstock, 
of  which  the  latter  is  a  member.  Their  only  child,  a  son.  Clar- 
endon M.,  was  born  February  18th,  1844,  and  at  the  age  of  eigh- 
teen joined  the  18th  Regiment,  Connecticut  volunteers,  during 
the  late  war.  He  participated  in  all  the  battles  in  which  his 
regiment  was  engaged,  until  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Kerns- 
town,  near  Winchester,  Va.  On  his  discharge  he  learned  the 
carpenter's  trade  and  succeeded  to  his  father's  business.  He 
married  Virgelia,  daughter  of  James  I.  Sawyer,  of  Woodstock, 
and  has  three  children  :  Justin  Sawyer,  born  October  21st,  1869  ; 
Clara  Sophia,  March  15th,  1874,  and  James  Marquis,  January 
31st,  1879. 

William  Lyon,  4th. — ^The  progenitor  of  the  Lyon  family  in 
Connecticut  was  William  Lyon,  born  in  1675,  who  when  four- 
teen years  of  age,  came  with  an  uncle  to  Woodstock  and  settled 
on  the  homestead  farm  now  owned  by  Mrs.  William  Lyon  and 
Mrs.  Emma  Lyon  Frink.  William  Lyon,  his  eldest  son,  born 
in  1700,  was  the  father  of  eight  children,  of  whom  Elijah,  born 
58 


914  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

in  1727,  had  among  his  children  a  son  William,  born  November 
11th,  1778,  who  was  the  father  of  AVilliam  4th,  the  subject  of 
this  biography,  born  October  7th,  1801.  His  birthplace  was  the 
homestead  farm,  which  has  passed  by  inheritance  into  the  hands 
the  eldest  son  in  the  successive  generations  of  the  family  since 
it  was  first  acquired. 

Mr.  Lyon  received  a  common  school  education  and  was  early 
made  familiar  with  the  details  of  a  farmer's  life  by  his  father, 
with  the  hope  that  he  would  succeed  to  his  calling.  The  bent 
of  his  son's  mind  lay  in  the  direction  of  a  trade,  and  the  skill 
with  which  he,  unaided,  erected  the  frame  and  built  a  barn  on 
the  farm,  decided  his  fate  as  a  carpenter  and  master  builder. 
This  trade  he  followed  with  great  success  for  many  years,  his 
services  having  been  in  general  demand  in  both  town  and 
county. 

On  the  31st  of  October,  1832,  when  thirty-one  years  of  age,  he 
married  Harriet,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Green,  of  Thompson. 
Their  children  are  a  daughter  Emma,  Mrs.  Frink,  and  a  son  Or- 
igen,  who  entered  the  army  during  the  late  war,  was  in  several 
engagements  and  died  from  disease  contracted  during  his  period 
of  service.  William  Lyon  on  his  marriage  built  and  removed 
to  the  dwelling  now  occupied  by  Marquis  Green,  where  for  four- 
teen years  he  resided.  He  then  returned  to  the  homestead, 
where  his  death  occurred  February  9th,  1859.  He  was  actively 
interested  in  the  political  issues  of  the  day,  and  as  a  whig  was 
elected  to  the  legislature  and  to  various  important  offices  in  the 
town.  He  possessed  mature  judgment,  a  fund  of  strong  com- 
mon sense,  and  was  highly  esteemed  as  an  influential  citizen. 
In  early  years  Mr.  Lyon  united  with  the  Baptist  church,  of  what 
was  known  as  Quasset. 

John  McClellan. — General  Samuel  McClellan,  the  father  of 
the  subject  of  this  biography,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Worcester, 
Massachusetts,  January  4th,  1730,  his  parents  having  emigrated 
from  Kircudbright,  on  the  Firth  of  Solway,  in  Scotland.  In 
the  French  war  he  served  as  an  ensign  and  lieutenant  of  a 
company,  during  which  service  he  was  wounded.  On  his  return 
from  the  provincial  campaign  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Wood- 
stock, and  there  married  and  settled.  At  a  later  date  he  engaged 
in  mercantile  business  and  established  an  extensive  trade,  not 
only  importing  his  own  goods  but  supplying  other  merchants  as 
well.     The  war  of  the  revolution,  however,  ended  his  commer- 


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ARTOTYPE,     E.     BIERSTADT, 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  915 

cial  projects  and  enlisted  his  interest  in  the  training  and  equip- 
ment of  the  militia  of  the  count5^  A  fine  troop  of  horse  was 
raised  in  the  towns  of  Woodstock,  Pomfret  and  Killingly,  of 
which  he  took  command.  He  rose  by  successive  promotions  un- 
til commissioned,  in  1784,  brigadier  general  of  the  5th  Brigade, 
Connecticut  militia.  In  1776  his  regiment  was  ordered  into  ser- 
vice, and  stationed  in  and  about  New  Jersey.  He  was  earnestly 
solicited  by  General  Washington  to  join  the  continental  army 
and  tendered  an  important  commission,  but  his  domestic  and 
business  affairs  necessitated  a  refusal  of  this  offer.  Immediately 
after  the  invasion  and  burning  of  New  London  and  massacre  at 
Fort  Groton,  he  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  troops 
stationed  at  those  points,  and  thus  continued  until  the  close  of 
the  war.  When  not  in  active  service  he  was  employed  as  com- 
missary in  the  purchase  and  forwarding  of  provisions  for  the 
army. 

On  the  close  of  the  conflict  General  McClellan  returned  to  his 
mercantile  pursuits,  but  soon  abandoned  them  for  the  manage- 
ment of  his  extensive  landed  possessions.  He  was  esteemed  as 
a  Christian  gentleman,  and  honored  by  his  townsmen  with  many 
important  offices.  In  1757  he  married  Jemima  Chandler,  a  de- 
scendant of  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Woodstock,  who  had 
one  daughter  and  three  sons.  He  married  a  second  time  in 
1766,  Rachel  Abbe,  of  Windham,  whose  children  were  three 
daughters  and  five  sons. 

His  son  John,  the  subject  of  this  biography  and  the  eldest 
child  by  his  second  union,  was  born  on  the  4th  of  January,  1767, 
in  Woodstock,  and  fitted  for  college  under  the  late  Reverend 
Eliphalet  Lyman.  He  entered  Yale  College  in  1781,  and  received 
his  first  degree  from,  that  institution  in  1785.  He  then  removed 
to  Norwich  for  the  purpose  of  prosecuting  the  study  of  law  un- 
der Governor  Huntington,  and  later  under  Charles  Church 
Chandler,  Esq.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Windham  county 
in  August,  1787,  and  at  once  began  the  practice  of  his  profession 
in  Woodstock,  where  he  continued  thereafter  to  reside. 

Mr.  McClellan  came  very  early  into  public  life  in  the  govern- 
ment of  his  native  state,  and  was  for  a  period  of  twenty  years, 
with  some  intervals  of  retirement,  a  member  of  the  Connecticut 
legislature.  He  in  most  of  the  debates  wielded  a  commanding 
influence,  his  animation,  perfect  good  temper,  and  brief  speeches, 
often  seasoned  by  a  vein  of  humor  and  anecdote,  always  securing 
respectful  attention. 


916  HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

In  his  own  town  and  county  he  enjoyed  a  wide  ascendency, 
both  m  secular  and  ecclesiastical  affairs.  His  sound  practical 
judgment  and  knowledge  of  business  made  him  frequently  an 
umpire  in  important  matters,  and  the  people  were  drawn  to  him 
both  by  their  confidence  in  his  integrity  and  wisdom  and  the  in- 
variable kindness  of  his  manner.  To  the  humblest  individual 
he  was  attentive  and  conciliating,  and  benevolent  to  an  extent 
that  often  subjected  him  to  serious  losses.  In  the  family  and  the 
social  circle  the  sunshine  of  a  cheerful  spirit  always  shone  about 
him,  nor  was  it  long  clouded  even  by  disaster  and  sorrow.  An 
intelligent  reader  and  an  enlightened  conversationalist,  his  in- 
tercourse through  life  was  chiefly  with  the  cultivated  and  re- 
fined classes  of  society,  though  never  forgetful  of  the  courtesy 
due  the  poor  and  humble.  He  was  a  most  perfect  example  of 
the  Christian  gentleman  of  the  old  school,  among  whom  polite- 
ness was  both  a  sentiment  and  a  habit. 

On  the  22d  of  November,  1796,  Mr.  McClellan  married  Miss 
Faith  Williams,  daughter  of  Honorable  William  Williams,  of 
Lebanon,  Connecticut,  whose  mother  was  a  daughter  of  the 
elder  Governor  Trumbull.  Their  children  were:  Mary  Trumbull, 
who  married  Isaac  Webb,  and  died  in  1836;  Faith  Williams,  wife 
of  Rufus  Mathewson,  now  residing  with  her  daughter,  Mrs. 
Alexander  Warner,  at  Pomfret;  Sarah  Isabella,  wife  of  Isaac 
Webb,  and  afterward  married  to  Professor  Benjamin  Silliman, 
of  Yale  College,  who  died  in  1875;  Jane  Calhoun,  wife  of  Jon- 
athan Weaver,  now  residing  in  Danielsonville;  and  two  sons, 
John  and  Joseph,  of  Woodstock.  The  death  of  Mr.  McClellan 
occurred  on  the  1st  of  August,  1858,  at  his  home  in  Woodstock. 

Charles  Harris  May. — Stephen  May,  the  great-grandfather 
of  Charles  Harris  May,  first  settled  upon  the  homestead  farm  in 
Woodstock,  which  he  bequeathed  to  his  son  Ephraim,  familiarly 
known  as  "  Captain  Ephraim,"  who  married  Abigail  Chandler. 
Their  children  were :  Seth,  Asa,  Mary,  Eliza,  Julia  and  Hen- 
rietta. Asa  May  was  born  on  the  homestead  farm  now  owned 
by  the  subject  of  this  biographical  sketch,  where  his  life  was 
spent  as  a  farmer.  He  was  an  influential  citizen,  active  in  pub- 
lic affairs,  possessing  rare  executive  ability,  and  highly  esteemed 
for  his  intellectual  gifts  and  his  exemplary  character.  He  was 
an  earnest  Mason  and  much  interested  in  that  order.  He  mar- 
ried Sally,  daughter  of  John  May,  and  had  children:  Elizabeth, 
widow  of  Emerson  Rawson;  Charles   Harris,  Ezra  C.  and  Carlo. 


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A 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  917 

Mr.  May's  death  occurred  in  1830,  at  the  early  age  of  thirty- 
seven. 

His  son,  Charles  Harris,  was  born  September  2d,  1823,  on  the 
farm  where  he  resides.  He  enjoyed  some  advantages  at  the 
public  school  and  at  the  academy,  but  is  more  indebted  to  his 
studious  habits  and  careful  reading  than  to  other  causes  for  an 
education.  His  life  work  has  been  that  of  an  industrious  and 
successful  farmer.  He  has  been  more  or  less  active  in  town  af- 
fairs, filled  the  office  of  selectman  of  the  town,  and  held  other 
positions  of  trust.  In  1854  he  was  elected  to  the  Connecticut 
legislature.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Woodstock  Agricultural  So- 
ciety, of  which  he  was  for  two  years  president,  and  has  been  for 
the  same  length  of  time  a  member  of  the  state  board  of  agri- 
culture. Mr.  May  is  a  supporter  of  the  Congregational  church 
of  East  Woodstock,  of  which  his  wife  is  a  member. 

He  was  married  March  13th,  1856,  to  Harriet  F.,  daughter  of 
Stephen  and  Abigail  Carter  Child  of  Woodstock.  Their  chil- 
dren are:  Julia  A.,  deceased;  Charles  H.,  married  to  Nellie  Bray- 
ton;  Herbert,  married  to  Lena  Ivons  of  Mystic,  Conn.;  Asa  L.; 
Marion  F.,  deceased;  John  S.  and  Everett  E. 

Joseph  M.  Morse. — The  progenitor  of  the  Morse  family  in 
Woodstock  is  Anthony  Morse,  who,  on  his  emigration  to  Amer- 
ica, settled  in  Newbury,  Mass.,  in  1635,  and  died  in  1686.  His 
son,  Deacon  Benjamin  Morse,  born  in  March,  1640,  married  Ruth 
Sawyer.  His  son,  Benjamin,  Jr.,  born  in  1668,  married  Susan- 
nah Merrill.  Their  son,  Abel,  was  united  in  marriage  to  Grace 
Parker,  whose  son.  Doctor  Parker  Morse,  A.M.,  married  Hannah 
Huse,  and  became  the  father  of  eight  children,  one  of  whom 
was  Abel  Morse,  who  married  Sarah  Holbrook,  and  had  twelve 
children.  Leonard  Morse,  a  son  by  the  latter  union,  was  born 
October  27th,  1770,  and  resided  in  Woodstock.  He  married  Re- 
membrance, daughter  of  Joseph  Meacham,  to  whom  were  born 
six  children,  as  follows:  Albert  (deceased),  Nathan,  Nelson,  Ste- 
phen, Joseph  M.  and  Charles  D. 

Joseph  M.  Morse,  the  subject  of  this  biography,  and  the  fifth 
son  of  Leonard  and  Remembrance  Morse,  was  born  in  Wood- 
stock, April  1st,  1823,  and  educated  at  the  common  schools.  He 
until  the  age  of  seventeen,  assisted  at  the  work  of  the  farm,  and 
then  learned  the  carriage  maker's  trade,  which  he  followed  for 
several  years,  first  in  Woodstock  and  later  in  Wilmington,  N.C., 
Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  and  elsewhere.     In  1862  he  responded  to 


918  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

the  call  of  the  g-overnment  for  troops  to  suppress  the  rebellion, 
and  joined  the  Twenty-sixth  regiment,  Connecticut  Volunteers, 
for  a  period  of  one  year.  He  served  with  the  Banks  expedition, 
in  the  Department  of  the  Gulf,  and  participated  in  the  fights  al; 
Port  Hudson,  May  27th  and  June  14th,  his  regiment  doing  good 
service  in  both  engagements.  Mr.  Morse,  on  abandoning  his 
trade,  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  and  in  1878  removed  to 
his  present  home  in  Woodstock,  where  his  attention  is  given 
chiefly  to  the  cultivation  of  his  land. 

He  has  meanwhile  not  been  unmindful  of  the  public  interests, 
and  identified  himself  with  the  political  measures  of  the  day. 
He  has  been  selectman,  assessor  and  a  member  of  the  board  of 
relief.  In  the  year  1871  he  represented  his  town  in  the  Connec- 
ticut house  of  representatives.  He  is  one  of  the  directors  of  the 
National  Bank  of  Webster,  Mass.,  and  an  incorporator  of  two 
savings  banks. 

Mr.  Morse  was  on  the  11th  of  December,  1873,  married  to 
Lucy,  daughter  of  Abiel  May,  of  Woodstock,  the  latter  being  a 
son  of  Captain  William  May  and  a  grandson  of  Thomas  May, 
all  of  Woodstock.  George  A.  May,  a  brother  of  Mrs.  Morse,  joined 
the  army  during  the  late  rebellion  as  a  member  of  Company 
D,  Eighteenth  Connecticut  Volunteers,  and  participated  in  many 
important  battles.  The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Joseph  M. 
Morse  are  a  daughter,  Florence  May,  and  a  son,  Arthur  George. 

The  brothers  of  Mr.  Morse  are  deserving  of  mention  as  enter- 
prising and  successful  men.  Albert,  a  progressive  farmer,  oc- 
cupied the  ancestral  land  in  East  Woodstock,  where  he  ranked 
as  a  foremost  citizen  ;  Nathan  has  been  much  of  his  life  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  sash,  doors  and  blinds,  and  recently  pur- 
chased a  valuable  mill  privilege  in  Woodstock,  to  which  his  at- 
tention is  now  given  ;  Nelson  was  formerly  a  carriage  manufac- 
turer, but  at  present  devotes  his  time  to  the  cultivation  of  a  val- 
uable farm ;  he  has  held  various  town  offices,  been  county  com- 
missioner, member  of  the  legislature  and  is  active  and  efficient 
in  public  matters  ;  Stephen  owns  and  cultivates  the  farm  on 
which  his  father  formerly  resided,  has  represented  his  town  in 
the  state  legislature  and  been  otherwise  prominent  in  public  af- 
fairs;  Charles  D.,  a  resident  of  Millbury,  Mass.,  is  an  extensive 
manufacturer  of  builders'  materials,  including  sash,  doors, 
blinds,  etc.,  is  one  of  the  most  influential  residents  of  his  town, 
has  filled  various  local  offices,  and  represented  his  constituents 


/h<i  /^9^^^o-r-s^ 


ARTOTYPE,     E.     BIERSTADT,     N. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  919 

in  the  state  legislature,  and  is  president  of  the  National  Bank  of 
Millbury. 

Nathan  E.  Morse  is  a  descendant  of  Anthony  Morse  men- 
tioned in  the  preceding  sketch.  His  grandfather,  Abel  Morse, 
married  Sarah  Holbrook.  Their  son  Nathan,  born  October  14th, 
1785,  was  twice  married ;  first  in  1822,  to  Rebecca  Child,  and 
second  to  Mary  Mills.  By  his  first  wife  he  had  three  children — 
Abel,  George  and  Nathan  E.  Abel,  born  August  20th,  1823, 
married  Mary  Elliott,  of  Thompson,  and  died  February  25th, 
1858.  George,  born  May  19th,  1825,  married  Sylvia  C.  May,  of 
Woodstock,  and  is  county  commissioner. 

Nathan  Eugene  Morse  was  born  in  Woodstock  November 
12th,  1829,  and  was  married  August  29th,  1850,  to  Sarah  B., 
daughter  of  John  Fowler,  of  Woodstock.  They  have  had  three 
children — Susie  E.,  born  June  14th,  1855,  wife  of  Nathaniel  G. 
Williams,  of  Brooklyn,  Conn.,  and  two  who  died  in  infancy 
Nathan  E.  Morse  received  an  academical  education,  and  at  the 
age  of  18  years  engaged  in  teaching,  which  he  followed  for 
several  winters,  working  on  the  farm  in  summer.  At  20  years  of 
age  he  commenced  farming  on  the  Jonathan  Carpenter  farm, 
continuing  there  for  five  years.  He  then  engaged  in  mercan- 
tile pursuits  for  six  years,  and  has  since  followed  farming,  and 
during  this  time  has  been  engaged  in  the  mail  contracting  busi- 
ness and  lumbering.  In  politics  he  is  a  republican.  He  has  set- 
tled many  estates,  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board  twen- 
ty years,  assessor,  member  of  the  board  of  relief,  selectman,  jus- 
tice of  the  peace  many  years,  member  of  legislature  in  1883,  and 
trustee  of  Putnam  Savings  Bank  seven  years.  He  is  deacon  of 
the  Congregational  church  of  East  Woodstock,  and  has  been 
secretary  of  the  Agricultural  Society  of  Woodstock. 

Oliver  H.  Perry. — Judge  Perry's  ancestors  first  settled  in 
Massachusetts,  his  grandfather^  Daniel  Perry,  having  removed 
when  a  young  man  from  Rehoboth,  in  that  state,  to  Woodstock, 
where  he  became  the  owner  of  a  valuable  farm  and  the  breeder 
of  choice  stock,  which  he  shipped  to  the  West  Indies. 

He  married  Judith  Hunt,  of  Rehoboth,  whose  children  were : 
John,  Otis,  Daniel,  Judith,  Sally  and  Nancy.  Otis,  of  this  num- 
ber, was  a  native  of  West  Woodstock,  where,  with  the  exception 
of  a  brief  period  in  Greenfield,  he  engaged  in  the  varied  pursuits 
of  miller  and  farmer.  He  married  Polly,  daughter  of  Chester 
Carpenter,  of  the  same  town.     Two  of  their  children  died  in 


920  HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

youth.  A  daughter,  Mary  W.,  first  married  to  Chester  A.  Paine 
and  now  the  wife  of  Waldo  Phillips,  and  a  son,  Oliver  H.,  are  the 
survivors.  The  latter  was  born  July  7th,  1821,  in  Greenfield, 
Mass.,  and  removed  at  the  age  of  two  years,  with  his  parents,  to 
Woodstock.  The  district  school  and  an  academy  at  Wilbraham, 
Mass.,  afforded  the  opportunity  for  a  common  English  education, 
after  which  he  began  work  on  the  farm,  and  with  the  exception 
of  two  years  spent  as  clerk,  continued  thus  occupied  until  1854. 
His  father,  in  1844,  on  retiring  from  active  labor,  gave  him  a 
deed  of  the  homestead  farm,  in  consideration  of  the  filial  care 
bestowed  upon  his  parents  in  their  declining  years.  In  1864 
Judge  Perry  sold  the  property  and  removed  to  New  York  city, 
where  he  embarked  in  the  flour  and  feed  business,  and  was  for 
eleven  years  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Phillips  &  Perry.  In  1865, 
having  purchased  his  present  home,  he  vsettled  again  in  Wood- 
stock, where  he  has  since  been  largelv  identified  with  local 
affairs. 

Judge  Perry  in  early  days  was  an  avowed  abolitionist,  and  has 
always  voted  either  the  whig  or  republican  ticket.  He  was  at 
the  beginning  of  his  political  career  elected  a  justice  of  the  peace, 
and  in  1854  represented  his  town  in  the  Connecticut  house  of 
representatives.  He  again  served  as  justice,  and  in  1880  was 
made  judge  of  probate  for  the  district  of  Woodstock,  which  of- 
fice he  now  fills.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Putnam  Savings  Bank, 
treasurer  of  the  Woodstock  Creamery  Corporation,  and  was  one 
of  the  committee  to  purchase  land  and  erect  the  buildings  of  the 
Woodstock  Agricultural  Association,  of  which  he  was  for  two 
years  president  and  treasurer.  His  ability  and  judgment  make 
his  services  invaluable  in  the  settlement  of  estates  and  in  kindred 
offices  of  trust.  His  religious  belief  is  that  of  the  Second  Ad- 
ventist  church,  with  which  he  worships.  Judge  Perry  was  mar- 
ried September  24th,  1844,  to  Miss  Mary  Ann,  daughter  of  Deacon 
Laban  Underwood,  of  West  Woodstock. 


^JzHyu    ^^   Y^l^ 


ARTOTYPE,     E.    BIER5TA 


CHAPTER   XXXIV 


THE  TOWN  OF  KILLINGLY. 


Location  and  Description.— Original  Killingly.— The  Whetstone  Country.— First 
Proprietors.— Attempts  at  Settlement.— Bounds  and  Claims.— Settlers  and 
Settlement.— The  Town  Organized.— Localities.— Counterfeiters.— General 
Progress.— Taking  Care  of  the  Poor.— Highways.— Early  Manufacturing.— 
Prosperity  of  Manufacturing  Interests.— The  Gospel  Ministry  .—Meeting 
House  Controversy.— The  Second  Society  formed.— South  Killingly  Church. 


THE  town  of  Killingly  lies  in  the  eastern  central  part  of 
Windham  county,  on  the  Rhode  Island  border.  In  terri- 
tory, population  and  business  importance  it  is  one  of  the 
largest  towns  of  the  county.  Its  territory,  which  originally  em- 
braced the  whole  northeast  corner  of  Connecticut  east  of  tbe 
Quinebaug  and  north  of  Plainfield,  has  been  diminished  by  the 
formation  of  Thompson  and  Putnam  in  part  from  its  territory. 
It  is  bounded  by  Putnam  on  the  north,  Rhode  Island  on  the  east. 
Sterling  and  Plainfield  on  the  south,  and  Brooklyn  and  Pomfret 
on  the  west.  Much  of  its  surface  is  hilly  and  but  moderately 
adapted  to  agriculture.  It  is  well  drained  by  the  Assawaga  or 
Five  Mile  river  and  its  tributary,  the  Whetstone  branch,  and 
the  Quinebaug,  into  which  the  former  empties.  The  last  named 
stream  forms  its  entire  western  boundary.  These  waters  afford 
power  for  a  number  of  mills  and  manufacturing  concerns,  this 
town  being  one  of  the  large  manufacturing  towns  of  the  county. 
Alexander's  Lake,  a  handsome  sheet  of  water  a  mile  in  length 
by  a  half  mile  in  breadth,  lies  in  the  northwest  part,  and  Chau- 
bamaug  pond,  a  narrow  body  a  mile  and  a  half  long,  lies  near 
the  eastern  border.  The  town  is  about  nine  miles  long  from 
north  to  south,  and  an  average  width  of  six  miles  from  east  to 
west.  Thus  it  has  an  area  of  about  fifty-foursquare  miles.  The 
Norwich  &  Worcester  railroad  runs  along  its  western  border  the 
length  of  the  town.  The  post  offices  of  Danielsonville,  Ballou- 
ville,  Killingly,  East  Killingly  and  South  Killingly  are  in  this 
town.     A  small  part  of  the  borough  of  Danielsonville  extends 


922  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

into  the  limits  of  Brooklyn,  otherwise  the  borough  lies  in  this 
town.  The  factory  villages  of  Attawaugan  and  Williamsville 
are  in  this  town.  The  population  of  the  town  at  different  peri- 
ods has  been— in  1756,  2,100 ;  in  1775,  3,486  ;  in  1800,  2,279  ;  in 
1840,  3,685 ;  in  1870,  5,712  ;  in  1880,  6,921.  The  grand  list  was— 
in  1775,  i;27,907;  in  1800,  $41,027;  in  1845,  $35,727;  in  1847, 
$38,809;  in  1857,  $44,938;  in  1887,  $2,144,153. 

The  original  township  of  Killingly  was  laid  out  north  of  Plain- 
field  in  1708.  It  occupied  the  northeastern  corner  of  Connecti- 
cut, in  the  wild  border  land  between  the  Quinebaug  and  Rhode 
Island.  This  region,  called  the  Whetstone  country,  was  known 
to  the  white  settlers  of  the  surrounding  towns,  but  was  for  a 
long  time  neglected.  It  was  owned  by  the  colony  of  Connecti- 
cut and  not  by  individuals  or  companies,  and  tracts  of  it  were 
given  by  the  government  in  recognition  of  civil  or  military  ser- 
vices rendered  it.  Its  first  white  proprietors  were  thus  the  leading 
men  of  the  colony.  Governors  Haynes,  Treat  and  Saltonstall ; 
Majors  Fitch  and  Mansfield  ;  the  Reverend  Messrs.  Hooker,  Pier- 
pont.  Whiting,  Buckingham,  Andrews,  Noyes,  Woodbridge  and 
Russel ;  the  Hons.  Giles  Hamlin,  Matthew  Allen  and  Caleb 
Stanley,  had  grants  of  land  here  and  were  associated  with  the 
early  history  of  Killingly.  The  grant  to  Governor  Haynes  was 
given  as  early  as  1642,  that  to  the  Reverend  John  Whiting  in 
1662,  but  the  greater  number  at  a  later  period.  These  grants 
were  not  located,  but  simply  conveyed  a  specified  quantity  of 
land  to  be  selected  by  the  grantee  according  to  his  pleasure,  so 
long  as  it  did  not  "  prejudice  any  particular  township  or  former 
grant." 

The  first  to  take  possession  of  land  in  the  Whetstone  country 
under  these  grants  were  Major  James  E'itch  and  Captain  John 
Chandler.  A  grant  of  "  fifteen  hundred  acres,  to  be  taken  up 
together  and  lyeing  beyond  New  Roxbury,  near  the  northeast 
corner  of  the  Colony  line,"  was  confirmed  to  Major  Fitch  by  the 
general  court,  in  October,  1690.  With  his  usual  dispatch  and 
discrimination.  Fitch  at  once  selected  and  had  laid  out  to  him 
the  best  land  in  the  whole  section — the  interval  between  the 
Quinebaug  and  the  Assawaga,  extending  from  their  junction  at 
Acquiunk  to  Lake  Mashapaug,  and  also  the  valley  east  of  the 
Assawaga,  as  far  north  as  Whetstone  brook.  Captain  John 
Chandler  of  Woodstock,  was  next  in  the  field,  buying  up  land 
granted  to  soldiers  for  services  in  the  Narragansett  war.     Two 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  923 

hundred  acres  purchased  by  him  from  Lieutenant  Hollister  were 
laid  out  at  Nashaway,  the  point  of  land  between  the  Quinebaug 
and  French  rivers,  and  confirmed  to  him  by  the  general  court  in 
1691.  A  great  part  of  the  valley  land  adjoining  French  river, 
and  a  commanding  eminence  two  miles  east  of  the  Quinebaug, 
then  known  as  Rattlesnake  hill,  afterward  Killingly  hill,  were 
speedily  appropriated  by  Captain  Chandler.  The  other  grant- 
ees, less  familiar  with  the  country,  and  less  experienced  in  land 
grabbing,  found  more  difticulty  in  taking  up  their  grants.  The 
country  was  not  easy  to  explore.  Lack  of  roads,  swelling  streams, 
deep  marshes,  tangled  forests  and  refractory  Indians,  all  con- 
spired to  make  the  task  of  locating  land  claims  at  that  time  par- 
ticularly laborious  and  hazardous.  The  Reverend  Samuel  An- 
drews succeeded  in  having  his  grant  of  two  hundred  acres  laid 
out  in  1692,  west  of  Rattlesnake  hill,  bounded  on  three  sides 
by  wilderness. 

The  first  white  settler,  as  far  as  is  known,  came  to  Killingly 
in  1693.  He  was  Richard  Evans  from  Rehoboth.  He  had  pur- 
chased of  the  Reverend  James  Pierpont  a  two  hundred  acre 
grant,  for  twenty  pounds.  Little  is  known  of  him,  and  the 
bounds  of  his  farm  cannot  now  be  identified.  It  was  in  what  was 
subsequently  called  the  South  Neighborhood  of  Thompson,  and 
is  now  included  in  Putnam.  In  those  early  days  his  establish- 
ment served  as  a  landmark,  by  which  many  other  purchases 
were  located. 

In  1694  Reverend  Noadiah  Russel  secured  two  hundred  acres 
five  miles  southeast  of  Wo:dstock,  east  of  the  Quinebaug,  "lands 
that  bound  it  not  taken  up."  In  1695  seventeen  hundred  acres,  scat- 
tered about  on  Five  Mile  river,  southeast  from  Evans',  were  con- 
firmed to  James  Fitch,  Moses  Mansfield,  Reverend  Mr.  Bucking- 
ham and  Samuel  Rogers.  This  was  "  the  wild  land  in  Kil- 
lingly," afterward  granted  by  Major  Fitch  to  Yale  College.  In- 
dian troubles  interfered  with  further  movements  toward  settle- 
ment, and  Evans  was  probably  the  only  settler  here  before  the 
close  of  that  century.  When  peace  with  the  Indians  was 
established,  land  speculation  began  here  again.  This  valley 
of  the  Quinebaug,  extending  from  the  Great  Falls,  now  in  Put- 
nam, to  Lake  Mashapaug,  was  then  known  as  Aspinock,  and 
had  attracted  the  attention  of  Woodstock  men,  who  saw  value 
in  it.  Turpentine  was  gathered  in  large  quantities  from  its 
numerous  pine  trees  by  that  enterprising  trader,  James  Corbin. 


924  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

While  engaged  ,in  this  work  in  his  employ,  Joseph  Leavens,  a 
young  man,  was  one  day  bitten  on  the  thumb  by  a  rattlesnake. 
There  being  no  help  near,  the  young  man  coolly  chopped  off  the 
bitten  thumb  with  his  axe,  and  then  killed  the  snake.  His  life 
was  saved,  but  his  thumb  was  lost,  and  in  after  years  the  Indians 
gave  him  the  nickname,  "Old  One-thumb."  In  1699  Reverend 
Russel  sold  his  land  to  Peter  and  Nathaniel  Aspinwall,  Samuel 
Perrin  and  Benjamin  Griggs,  for  twenty  pounds.  Lieutenant 
Aspinwall  then  settled  on  the  land,  a  mile  southeast  of  the  falls. 

In  1703  Aspinwall  bought  of  Caleb  Stanley  two  hundred  acres 
south  of  Mashapaug  lake.  The  land  adjoining  it  westward  and 
extending  to  the  Quinebaug  was  laid  out  to  Thomas  Bucking- 
ham, and  sold  by  him  to  Captain  John  Sabin  of  Mashamoquet, 
whose  daughter  Judith,  married  young  Joseph  Leavens,  and  re- 
ceived this  beautiful  valley  farm  as  her  marriage  portion.  James 
and  Peter  Leavens  bought  up  land  grants  and  also  settled  in 
this  vicinity.  Other  settlers  soon  followed.  These  settlers,  the 
pioneers  of  Killingly,  located  on  or  near  the  Quinebaug,  mostly 
between  the  falls  and  Mashapaug  lake,  on  the  land  called  As- 
pinock,  at  distances  of  three,  four  and  five  miles  from  Wood- 
stock. As  details  of  the  settlement  of  those  parts  of  original 
Killingly  which  are  now  included  in  Thompson  and  Putnam  are 
given  in  connection  with  the  history  of  those  towns,  it  will  be 
unnecessary  to  repeat  them  further  in  this  connection.  We 
shall  therefore  confine  our  review  now  as  far  as  practicable  to 
the  territory  of  the  present  town  of  Killingly. 

The  first  settler  south  of  Lake  Mashapaug  was  James  Daniel- 
son,  of  Block  Island,  who  in  1707  purchased  of  Major  Fitch  "  the 
neck  of  land"  between  the  Quinebaug  and  Assawaga  rivers, for 
a  hundred  and  seventy  pounds.  Mr.  Danielson  had  served  in 
the  Narragansett  war,  and  his  name  appears  on  the  list  of  officers 
and  soldiers  who  received  the  township  of  Voluntown  in  recom- 
pense for  their  services.  Tradition  tells  us  that  he  passed 
through  the  Whetstone  country  on  an  expedition  against  the 
Nipmucks,  and  stopping  to  rest  his  company  on  the  interval  be- 
tween these  rivers,  was  so  well  pleased  with  the  locality  that  he 
then  declared  that  when  the  war  should  be  ended  he  would  settle 
there.  Nothing  more  is  known  of  him  until  thirty  years  later, 
when  he  bought  the  land  from  the  junction  of  the  rivers,  "ex- 
tending up  stream  to  the  middle  of  the  long  interval."  Tra- 
dition adds  that  he  first  traded  with  the  natives,  receiving  for  a 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  925 

trifle  all  that  he  could  see  from  the  top  of  a  high  tree,  but  found 
that  Major  Fitch  had  forestalled  him,  so  then  he  bought  out  his 
claim.  Mr.  Danielson  at  once  took  possession  of  his  purchase, 
built  a  garrison  house  near  its  southern  extremity  and  was  soon 
known  as  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  the  new  settlement. 
No  other  settler  appeared  in  this  vicinity  for  several  years.  The 
land  south  from  Acquiunk — the  name  given  by  the  Indians  to 
this  locality — was  held  by  Plainfield  proprietors,  under  their 
purchase  from  Owaneco,  and  no  attempt  was  made  for  many 
years  to  bring  it  into  market. 

The  settlers  in  this  locality  were  few  in  number,  but  their  re- 
moteness from  the  seat  of  government  and  independent  mode  of 
settlement  made  the  organization  of  a  town  government  very 
desirable.  Their  deeds  of  land  transfer  had  to  be  recorded  in 
Hartford,  Plainfield  and  Canterbury.  In  May,  1708,  the  assem- 
bly granted  town  privileges  to  the  people  here,  the  patent  of 
which  set  forth  the  bounds  as  follows  :  "  Northerly  on  the  line 
of  the  Massachusetts  Province  (it  being  by  estimation  about)  five 
miles  from  the  line  between  this  Colony  and  the  Colony  of 
Rhode  Island  and  the  river  called  Assawaug ;  easterly  on  the 
said  line  between  the  said  colonies;  southerly,  partly  on  the 
northern  boundary  of  Plainfield  and  partly  on  a  line  to  be  con- 
tinued east  from  the  northeast  corner  bounds  of  Plainfield  to  the 
said  line  between  the  said  Colonies  ;  the  said  northern  boundary 
of  Plainfield  being  settled  by  order  of  the  General  Court,  May 
the  11th,  1699,  and  westerly  on  the  aforesaid  river ;  the  said 
township  being  by  estimation  about  eight  or  nine  miles  in  length 
and  five  or  six  miles  in  breadth,  be  the  same  more  or  less."  The 
men  named  in  the  patent,  as  representing  the  proprietors,  were 
Colonel  Robert  Treat,  Major  James  Fitch,  Captain  Dan  Wether- 
ell,  Joseph  Haynes,  Samuel  Andrew,  George  Denison,  James 
Danielson,  David  Jacobs,  Samuel  Randall,  Peter  Aspinwall  and 
Joseph  Cady. 

Grantees  now  hastened  to  take  up  their  lands  and  sell  them 
to  settlers,  so  that  population  increased  much  more  rapidly  than 
in  the  richer  neighborhoods  owned  by  corporations  and  large 
land-holders.  The  land  north  of  Danielson's,  extending  from 
the  middle  of  "  the  long  interval "  to  Lake  Mashapaug,  was  con- 
veyed by  Major  Fitch  to  John,  Nathaniel  and  Nicholas  Mighill ; 
a  farm  east  of  the  lake  was  sold  to  John  Lorton  ;  David  Church, 
of  Marlborough,  and  William  Moffat  settled  m   the  Quinebaug 


926  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

valley,  adjoining  James  Leavens.  Many  grants  were  bought  up 
by  Nicholas  Cady  north  of  Rattlesnake  hill,  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Richard  Evans,  and  sold  by  him  to  George  Blanchard,  of 
Lexington,  Thomas  Whitmore,  William  Price,  John  and  Samuel 
Winter,  John  Bartlett,  William  RobiUvSon  and  others,  who  at 
once  took  possession  of  this  northern  extremity  of  the  town. 

The  claimants  of  lands  within  the  bounds  of  original  Killingly 
having  located,  described  and  recorded  their  lands,  the  remain- 
ing lands  within  the  limits  were  given  to  the  proprietors  in  com- 
mon, and  on  October  13th,  1709,  the  payment  of  forty  pounds 
through  the  agency  of  Captain  Chandler  having  been  made,  a 
patent  for  the  remaining  lands  was  given  by  the  governor  and 
company  of  Connecticut  to  the  following  proprietors:  Colonel 
Robert  Treat,  Major  James  Fitch,  Captain  John  Chandler,  Jos- 
eph Otis,  James  Danielson,  Ephraim  Warren,  Peter  Aspinwall, 
Joseph  Cady,  Richard  Evans,  Sr.  and  Jr.,  John  Winter,  Stephen 
Clap,  John  and  William  Crawford,  George  Blanchard,  Thomas 
Whitmore,  John  Lorton,  Jonathan  Russel,  Daniel  Cady,  William 
Price,  William  Moffat,  James  and  Joseph  Leavens,  John,  Nath- 
aniel and  Nicholas  Mighill,  John  Bartlett,  Samuel  Winter,  Eben- 
ezer  Kee,  Isaac  and  Jonathan  Cutler,  Peter  Leavens,  Sampson 
Howe,  John  Sabin,  John  Preston,  Philip  Eastman,  David  Church, 
Thomas  Priest,  Nicholas  Cady,  John,  Thomas,  Matthew, 
Jabez  and  Isaac  Allen.  Nearly  one-third  of  these  forty-four 
patentees  were  non-residents,  so  that  Killingly  probably  num- 
bered at  that  date  about  thirty  families.  Only  a  small  part  of 
the  territory  was  inhabited,  and  that  mostly  in  the  Quinebaug 
valley  and  the  open  country  north  of  Killingly  hill. 

An  extensive  rise  of  land  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town  was 
called  Chestnut  hill.  A  broad  open  plateau  lay  upon  the  top  of 
this  hill,  while  its  steep  sides  were  heavily  w^ooded.  This  very 
desirable  spot  of  ground  was  included  in  the  grants  laid  out  to 
John  and  Joseph  Haynes,  Timothy  Woodbridge  and  Governor 
Treat;  sold  by  them  to  John  Allen;  by  him  to  Captain  John 
Chandler,  who  sold  the  whole  tract — 2,400  acres,  for  ;!^312 — to 
Eleazer  and  Thomas  Bateman,  of  Concord,  Samuel  and  Thomas 
Gould,  Nathaniel  Lawrence,  Ebenezer  Bloss,  Thomas  Richard- 
son and  Ebenezer  Knight,  joint  proprietors.  John  Brown,  Moses 
Barret,  Josiah  Proctor,  Daniel  Carrol,  Samuel  Robbins,  Daniel 
Ross  and  John  Grover  were  soon  after  admitted  among  the 
Chestnut  hill  proprietors.     Home  lots  were  laid  out  on  the  hill 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  927 

summit,  but  the  remainder  of  the  land  was  held  in  common  by 
them  for  many  years.  A  road  was  laid  over  the  hill-top  and  car- 
ried on  to  Cutler's  mill  and  the  Providence  way.  The  remainder 
of  Haynes'  grant  was  laid  out  east  of  Assawaga  river,  bordering 
south  on  Whetstone  brook,  and  was  purchased  by  Nicholas  Cady, 
who,  in  1709,  removed  his  residence  hither.  This  tract,  together 
with  Breakneck  hill  on  the  east,  and  much  other  land  in  this 
vicinity,  passed  into  the  hands  of  Ephraim  Warren,  son  of  Dea- 
con Jacob  Warren,  of  Plainfield,  and  who  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers  of  Killingly  Centre.  The  Owaneco  land  in  the  southern 
part  of  Killingly,  held  by  Plainfield  residents,  was  still  unsettled 
and  undivided,  though  many  rights  were  sold  or  bartered.  Ed- 
ward Spalding  bought  the  rights  of  James  Kingsbury  and  Wil- 
liam Marsh  for  £1,  10s.  each.  In  1708  Michael  Hewlett  pur- 
chased Parkhurst's  right  for  one  pound.  Jacob  Warren  sold  his 
right  in  this  land  to  Nicholas  Cady  in  exchange  for  land  north 
of  Whetsone  brook,  southwest  from  Chestnut  hill,  in  1710. 
Thomas  Stevens  at  the  same  date  sold  his  share  to  Ephraim 
Warren.  John  Hutchins  bought  out  the  rights  of  Nathaniel 
Jewell  and  Samuel  Shepard. 

Previous  to  this  time  the  north  line  of  Killingly  had  been  what 
was  known  as  Woodward  and  Saffery's  line,  then  recognized  as 
the  boundary  between  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut,  which 
line  crossed  what  is  now  the  southern  part  of  Thompson.  In 
1713  this  line  was  exchanged  for  a  new  one,  six  or  seven  miles 
farther  north,  which  has  since  been  recognized.  As  the  charter 
of  Killingly  named  the  Massachusetts  line  as  its  north  bound, 
the  town  now  claimed  the  enlargement  thus  created.  This 
claim  was,  however,  denied  by  the  government,  by  whom  the 
north  bounds  of  Killingly  were  declared  "  not  to  be  above  nine 
miles  to  the  northwards  of  the  said  south  bounds."  But  Kil- 
lingly was  persistent  in  asserting  its  claims,  which  were  recog- 
nized by  the  courts,  and  this  town  continued  to  exercise  juris- 
diction over  the  territory  in  question,  and  admitting  the  people 
living  upon  it  to  ecclesiastical  and  civil  rights  in  the  town.  In 
1728  this  territory  was  constituted  a  distinct  society.  By  the 
government  that  society  was  regarded  as  independent  of  any 
town,  but  the  society  itself  and  the  town  of  Killingly  regarded 
it  as  belonging  to  that  town,  and  so  continued  to  exercise  the 
conditions  of  such  an  association  until  the  society  became  an  or- 
ganized town  in  1785.     At  that  time  the  dividing  line  between 


928  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Killingly  and  Thompson  was  agreed  upon  as  a  due  east  and  west 
line  between  the  Rhode  Island  line  and  the  Quinebaug  river, 
which  line  should  run  through  the  middle  of  a  certain  "heap  of 
stones  about  two  feet  south  of  the  garden  wall  owned  by  Mr. 
John  Mason."  The  mansion  house  of  Mr.  John  Mason,  near  the 
garden  wall  spoken  of,  is  that  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Mr. 
William  Converse,  of  Putnam. 

The  population  of  Killingly  continued  to  increase.  Daniel 
Cady  removed  to  the  south  part  of  Pomfret,  Nicholas  Cady  to 
Preston;  but  others  took  their  places.  Robert  Day  settled  south 
of  Whetstone  brook  in  1717.  Nell-Ellick  Saunders— afterward 
called  Alexander — bought  land  of  the  non-resident  Mighills 
in  1721,  near  Lake  Mashapaug,  which  soon  took  the  name  of 
Alexander's  lake,  which  has  since  clung  to  it.  Joseph  Covill, 
Philip  Priest,  Andrew  Phillips  and  John  Comins,of  Charlestown, 
were  admitted  among  the  Chestnut  hill  company.  John  Hutch- 
ins,  of  Plainfield,  is  believed  to  have  taken  possession  of  the  north 
part  of  the  Owaneco  purchase  about  1720.  In  1721  the  town 
of  Killingly  laid  out  and  distributed  its  first  division  of  public 
lands.  About  eighty  persons  received  shares  of  this  land. 
No  record  is  preserved  of  the  terms  and  extent  of  this  division. 
During  this  year  the  train-band  was  organized.  Joseph  Cady 
was  chosen  captain,  Ephraim  Warren  lieutenant,  and  Thomas 
Gould  ensign.  Of  the  progress  of  schools,  roads  and  many  pub- 
lic affairs  at  that  time,  no  knowledge  can  be  obtained.  A  bur- 
ial ground  south  of  the  Providence  road  was  given  to  the  town 
by  Peter  Aspinwall  at  an  early  date. 

The  first  town  meeting  in  Killingly  of  which  there  is  existing 
record  was  held  November  25th,  1728.  But  forty-four  regularly 
admitted  freemen  were  then  reported,  not  half  the  adult  male 
residents.  Justice  Joseph  Leavens  was  moderator  of  that  meet- 
ing. He  was  also  chosen  town  clerk  and  first  selectman.  Eleazer 
Bateman,  Isaac  Cutler,  Joseph  Cady  and  Benjamin  Bixby  were 
also  chosen  townsmen  ;  Robert  Day,  constable  ;  Thomas  Gould 
and  Jonathan  Clough,  branders;  Joseph  Barret  and  John  Rus- 
sel,  grand  jurymen  ;  Daniel  Clark,  Jabez  Brooks,  William  Whit- 
ney, Israel  Joslin,  William  Earned  and  Daniel  Lawrence,  sur- 
veyors ;  Daniel  Waters,  Andrew  Phillips,  Nathaniel  Johnson  and 
Jaazaniah  Horsmor,  listers  ;  Benjamin  Barret  and  Jacob  Comins, 
fence  viewers  ;  John  Hutchins,  tithing  man.  Peter  Aspinwall, 
James  Leavens,  Sampson  Howe  and  Joseph  Cady  still  remained 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  929 

in  charge  of  the  public  lands  of  the  town.  The  school  moneys 
were  proportioned  to  the  two  societies  according  to  their  respec- 
tive lists.  A  year  later  a  committee  was  appointed  to  lay  out 
highways  in  Thompson  parish,  which  was  in  1730  recognized  as 
a  parish  belonging  to  the  town  of  Killingly,  by  an  act  of  the  as- 
sembly. The  military  company  of  the  south  part  of  Killingly 
was  now  re-organized  with  Ephraim  Warren,  captain ;  Isaac 
Cutler,  lieutenant ;  and  Samuel  Danielson,  ensign.  Isaac  Cut- 
ler, Sampson  Howe  and  Mrs.  Mary  Lee  were  allowed  to  keep 
houses  of  public  entertainment. 

Mr.  James  Danielson,  one  of  the  early  and  enterprising  settlers 
of  Killingly,  laid  out  a  burial  ground  between  the  rivers,  on  his 
land,  and  was  himself  the  first  one  to  be  buried  in  it.  The  in- 
scription on  the  earliest  stone  in  that  ground  is  as  follows : 

"  In  memory  of  the  well  beloved  Mr.  James  Danielson,  who, 
after  he  had  served  God  and  his  generation  faithfully  many 
years  in  this  life,  did,  with  the  holy  disciple,  lean  himself  upon  the 
breast  of  his  Beloved,  and  sweetly  fell  asleep  in  the  cradle  of 
death,  on  the  22d  day  of  January,  a.  d.  1728,  in  the  80th  year  of 
his  age.  '  A  saint  carries  the  white  stone  of  absolution  in  his 
bosom,  and  fears  not  the  day  of  judgment.' " 

Mr.  Danielson  left  a  son  Samuel  in  possession  of  his  home- 
stead and  much  landed  property.  Among  his  estate  were  five 
negroes,  valued  at  six  hundred  pounds. 

The  first  settler  of  South  Killingly,  Jacob  Spalding,  was 
thrown  from  his  cart  and  instantly  killed,  in  1728.  He  left  two 
young  children,  Simeon  and  Damaris.  His  widow  afterward 
married  Edward  Stewart,  a  reputed  scion  of  the  royal  family  of 
Scotland.  Shepard  Fisk,  afterward  a  prominent  man  in  public 
affairs,  settled  near  Killingly  Centre  prior  to  1730.  Daniel  Law- 
rence, of  Plainfield,  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  Owaneco  purchase, 
and  title  to  land  "  south  of  Manhumsqueag  bounds,"  was  con- 
firmed to  him.  One  of  the  first  residents  of  Killingly  hill  was 
probably  Noah,  son  of  Joseph  Leavens,  who  established  himself 
on  its  southern  extremity  about  1740.  The  road  over  and  west 
of  the  hill  was  often  altered  to  suit  the  convenience  of  the  in- 
habitants. Samuel  Cutler  was  allowed  to  open  his  house  for 
travelers  in  1740.  The  tavern  stand  afterward  known  as  War- 
ren's, at  the  fork  of  the  roads,  a  half  mile  east  of  Cutler's,  was 
first  occupied  by  John  Felshaw  in  1742.  In  the  same  year  John 
Hutchins  was  licensed  to  keep  a  tavern  in  the  south  part  of  the 
59 


930  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

town.  Pounds  were  allowed  in  different  neighborhoods  for  se- 
curing- stra}^  animals  belonging  to  this  or  other  towns,  which 
were  running  at  large  over  the  commons  of  Killingly  and  becom- 
ing a  source  of  great  annoyance  and  damage  to  the  people.  In 
1749,  when  by  direction  of  assembly  the  bounds  of  the  town,  in- 
cluding Thompson  parish,  were  more  definitely  settled  and  es- 
tablished than  they  had  before  been,  the  town  then  being  divi- 
ded into  three  societies,  the  taxable  property  in  the  north  socie- 
ty (Thompson)  amounted  to  ;^8,850  ;  that  in  the  middle  society, 
^4,359  ;    and  that  in  the  south  society,  ;^6,112. 

Killingly  was  greatly  disturbed  in  1759,  by  the  discovery  of  a 
gang  of  counterfeiters  within  her  borders,  engaged  "in  the  vile 
crime  of  aiding  in  making  counterfeit  bills  of  credit."  A  son  of 
one  of  her  most  respectable  citizens  was  implicated  in  this  affair, 
convicted,  and  sentenced  to  perpetual  confinement.  A  large 
number  of  his  fellow  townsmen  interceded  in  his  behalf,  "  that 
they  had  known  him  from  a  child,  and  known  him  to  be  honest 
and  regular,  and  took  care  of  his  aged  father  and  mother,  to  as 
good  acceptance  as  could  be,  and  was  in  good  credit  among  his 
neighbors,  as  little  mistrusted  as  any  young  man  in  town,  and 
were  of  opinion  that  he  was  over  persuaded  by  evil  minded  per- 
sons." Through  these  representations,  and  his  own  declaration 
that  he  had  been  importuned  by  a  certain  Frenchman  and 
others,  the  assembly  granted  the  prisoner  liberty  "  to  remove  to 
Killingly  and  there  dwell  and  remain." 

In  January,  1775,  a  number  of  public-spirited  citizens  secured 
from  Reverend  Aaron  Brown  and  Sampson  Howe  a  deed  of  about 
three  acres  of  land  adjoining  the  meeting  house  lot,  for  the  ben- 
efit of  the  public  as  a  common  forever.  In  South  Killingly  af- 
fairs seem  to  have  been  less  prosperous  than  in  the  middle  and 
northern  societies.  Unity  was  wanting  in  the  ecclesiastical  af- 
fairs, three  different  churches  claiming  the  field  and  struggling 
for  existence  there. 

Captain  John  Felshaw,  long  prominent  in  town  and  public  af- 
fairs, died  at  an  advanced  age,  in  1782.  His  famous  tavern  was 
held  for  a  time  by  Samuel  Felshaw,  and  sold  in  1797,  to  Captain 
Aaron  Arnold,  of  Rhode  Island.  Business  at  this  time  was  de- 
veloping. A  store  was  opened  on  the  hill  by  Sampson  Howe. 
William  Basto  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  hats.  Stout  chairs 
and  excellent  willow  baskets  were  made  by  Jonathan  and  Joseph 
Buck.     During  the  early  part  of  the  present  century  manufac- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  931 

turing-  received  much  attention,  and  averyconsiderableimptil.se 
was  given  to  the  business  development  of  the  town.  This  im- 
pulse was  also  manifested  in  other  activities.  The  mineral  re- 
sources of  the  town  were  sought  out  and  brought  before  the  pub- 
lic. The  old  Whetstone  hills  were  found  to  enclose  valuable 
quarries  of  freestone,  suitable  for  building  purposes.  Rare  and 
beautiful  detached  stones,  as  well  as  extensive  quarries,  were 
found  on  Breakneck  hill.  A  rich  bed  of  porcelain  clay  was  dis- 
covered on  Mashentuck  hill,  which  was  pronounced  by  good 
-judges  to  equal  the  best  French  or  Chinese  clay.  Indications  of 
lead  and  still  more  valuable  ores  were  also  reported.  These 
mineral  treasures,  however,  have  never  been  developed  to  any 
profitable  degree.  The  quality  of  the  clay  proved  unequal  to 
what  was  anticipated,  and  a  lack  of  facilities  have  prevented  the 
realization  of  the  sanguine  expectations  of  those  early  years. 

In  1836  the  town  had  five  post  offices,  all  of  which  retained  the 
town  name,  the  cardinal  points  being  used  to  divStinguish  four  of 
them  from  the  fifth,  as  well  as  from  one  another.  At  that  time 
the  Centre  postmaster  was  J.  Field;  North,  Luther  Warren;  East, 
H.  Peckham;  South,  Cyrus  Day;  West,  George  Danielson. 

The  expense  of  taking  care  of  the  poor  was  in  early  years  con- 
siderable of  a  burden  upon  the  town,  and  measures  were  taken 
to  avoid,  as  much  as  possible,  the  increase  of  that  burden.  The 
custom  of  farming  out  the  poor  to  whoever  would  keep  them  at 
the  lowest  price  was  commonly  practiced.  During  the  latter 
part  of  the  last  century  a  work  house  appears  to  ha,ve  been  tem- 
porarily provided  from  year  to  year,  and  some  citizen  appointed 
to  have  charge  of  it.  In  this  way  the  poor  were  made  practically 
self-supporting.  About  1833  a  permanent  house  was  secured, 
which  was  said  to  be  a  very  poor  house.  An  Indian  woman,  who 
went  there  to  live,  after  the  wind  had  demolished  her  own  wig- 
wam, approved  the  accommodations,  saying,  when  asked  how  she 
liked  her  new  home:  "  Pretty  well,  'cos  we  live  just  like  In- 
juns." 

Among  the  first  public  movements  of  this  town  in  the  direc- 
tion of  providing  highways  within  the  limits  of  the  present 
town,  was  the  opening  of  a  "  gangway,"  which  in  fact  was  al- 
ready there  when  the  town  was  organized,  in  1709, leading  from 
Plainfield  to  Boston.  This  extended  through  the  entire  length 
of  the  town,  connecting  by  a  cross  road  with  the  ways  to  Hart- 
ford and  Woodstock,  at  the  fording  place  below  the  Great  Falls 


932  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

of  the  Quinebaug.  Its  condition  may  be  inferred  from  the  tra- 
dition that  when  James  Danielson's  negro  was  sent  to  Boston 
with  a  load  of  produce,  he  had  made  so  little  progress  after  a 
day's  journey  that  he  went  home  to  sleep  the  first  night.  The 
Providence  way,  after  encircling  the  base  of  Killingly  hill,  wound 
back  far  to  the  north,  past  Isaac  Cutler's  residence,  enabling  the 
inhabitants  to  procure  boards  from  his  saw  mill,  and  helping  to 
build  up  that  remote  section.  Mr.  Cutler  was  early  allowed  to 
keep  a  house  of  entertainment,  and  his  tavern  was  noted  as  the 
last  landmark  of  civilization,  on  the  road  from  Connecticut  to 
Providence.  Other  parts  of  the  town  were  then  only  accommo- 
dated with  rude  bridle  paths. 

About  the  year  1729  the  organization  of  the  town  seemed  to 
take  a  fresh  impetus,  and  among  other  matters  that  received  re- 
newed attention,  the  roads  were  remodelled  and  placed  in  better 
condition.  Chestnut  hill  settlers  were  allowed  a  way  from  Ser- 
geant Ebenezer  Knight's  at  the  south  end  of  the  hill,  northward 
over  the  hill  to  Lieutenant  Isaac  Cutler's,  "as  the  road  was  laid  out 
by  Chestnut  hill  purchasers  through  their  tract."  Bridle  roads 
with  gates  for  passing,  crossing  the  hill,  were  also  allowed  from 
Ebenezer  Knight's  to  John  Lorton's,and  from  Ebenezer  Brooks'  to 
Joseph  Barret's.  A  highway  was  also  ordered  from  the  bridge 
over  Whetstone  brook  to  the  settlement  in  South  Killingly,  and 
a  cart-bridge  over  Little  river  in  Daniel  Lawrence's  field.  In 
1731,  Captain  Warren,  Captain  Howe  and  George  Blanchard  were 
appointed  "  to  perambulate  the  highway  that  comes  from  Plain- 
field,  leading  toward  Oxford,"  remove  nuisances  and  report  need- 
ful alterations.  This  important  road,  communicating  with  Bos- 
ton, Norwich  and  New  London,  was  then  thoroughly  perambu- 
lated and  surveyed,  from  John  Hutchins'  on  the  south  to  Na- 
thaniel Brown's  on  the  north — a  distance  of  eighteen  or  twenty 
miles — and  some  important  alterations  suggested.  Instead  of 
winding  westward  around  the  base  of  Killingly  hill,  it  was  now 
carried  "  to  a  heap  of  stones  on  a  rock  upon  the  hill,"  facilitating 
settlement  on  this  beautiful  eminence. 

In  1749  a  road  was  laid  out  in  the  south  part  of  the  town,  to 
accommodate  the  inhabitants  traveling  to  the  south  meeting 
house,  beginning  on  Voluntown  line,  "near  the  road  now  laid 
to  the  saw  mill  standing  on  Moosup,"  and  extending  to  the  bridge 
over  Whetstone  brook.  A  bridle  road  was  also  laid  out  from 
Daniel  Waters'  to  the  south  meeting  house,  and  the  road  over 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  933 

the  north  side  of  Chestnut  hill  leading  to  "where  the  old  meet- 
ing house  stood,"  was  turned  east  of  Enoch  Moffatt's  house,  over 
a  brook,  to  the  new  house  of  worship.  A  road  was  completed 
directly  from  Providence  to  the  south  part  of  Killingly  in  1750, 
and  a  new  bridge  built  over  the  Quinebaug,  near  Captain  Sam- 
uel Danielson's.  A  committee  was  thereupon  appointed  to  lay 
out  a  convenient  road  through  the  town  from  this  bridge  to  the 
Providence  highway.  A  road  was  also  laid  out  from  this  con- 
venient bridge  northeast,  to  Five  Mile  river ;  also,  one  from  the 
old  burial  place  to  the  new  meeting  house  on  Killingly  hill,  and 
others  in  different  parts  of  the  town.  A  committee  was  appoint- 
ed, December  1st,  1754,  "  to  view  and  survey  our  country  roads, 
and  take  quit-claim  deeds  of  all  the  persons  who  owned  lands 
where  the  roads  cross."  The  road  from  Plainfield  to  Massachu- 
setts line  through  the  town  received  especial  attention.  Quit- 
claim deeds  were  received  from  John  Hutchins  and  his  sons, 
Joseph,  Wyman,  Ezra  and  Silas  Hutchins,  Willard  Spalding, 
Samuel  Danielson,  Daniel  Waters,  Boaz  Stearns,  Daniel  Davis 
and  many  others.  The  length  of  this  road,  as  thus  surveyed, 
was  found  to  be  seventeen  miles  250|^  rods. 

In  1757  a  road  was  laid  out  from  Danielson's  bridge  to  Volun- 
town  line,  near  a  saw  mill  called  John  Priest's.  The  bridge 
built  by  Samuel  Cutler  over  the  Quinebaug  at  the  Falls,  was 
next  examined  by  the  selectmen  and  found  "  rotten  and  defect- 
ive, and  not  safe  to  pass  over."  It  was  then  voted,  "  To  build 
that  part  of  the  bridge  that  belongs  to  Killingly  to  build,  Ed- 
ward Converse  to  build  it  and  proceed  speedily  to  do  the  same," 
In  1767  Briant  and  Nathaniel  Brown  and  Benjamin  Leavens  were 
appointed  "to  join  with  Pomfret  gentlemen  in  repairing  the 
bridge  called  Danielson's."  However  well  repaired,  it  was  soon 
carried  away  by  a  freshet,  and  a  new  committee  appointed  in 
1770,  "to  rebuild  our  part  of  the  bridge  at  Cargill's  Mills,  and 
view  the  Quinebaug  above  and  below  where  Danielson's  bridge 
stood,  and  see  where  they  could  set  abridge."  William  Daniel- 
son  was  allowed  twenty-nine  pounds  for  building  half  the  latter 
bridge,  and  a  new  road  was  laid  out  from  it  to  Voluntown.  In 
1774  the  Quinebaug  was  bridged  between  Cargill's  and  Daniel- 
son's, near  the  residence  of  Deacon  Simon  Cotton. 

A  new  road  was  laid  out  about  1795,  from  the  country  road 
near  Doctor  Hutchins'  dwelling  house,  running  east  to  Mr.  Day's 


934  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

meeting  house,  through  lands  of  Penuel  and  Zadoc  Hutchins, 
Samuel  Stearns,  Wilson  Kies,  James  Danielson  and  the  sons  of 
Deacon  Jacob  Spalding.  The  petition  for  an  open  highway- 
through  lands  of  William  Torrey,  heirs  of  Reverend  John  Fisk 
and  others,  was  opposed  for  a  time,  but  finally  granted.  A  new 
road  was  also  allowed  from  Jonathan  and  Philip  Dexter's  to  Cut- 
ler's bridge,  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town.  An  act  of  the 
county  court  obliged  the  selectmen  to  lay  out  a  road  from  the 
road  near  Edward  Babbitt's,  on  Chestnut  hill,  to  the  meeting 
'  house  in  the  north  parish.  A  jury  met  at  Sampson  Howe's  in 
December,  1799,  and  laid  out  a  road  from  Captain  John  Day's 
through  lands  of  Carpenter,  Alexander,  Kelly,  Leavens,  Howe, 
Whipple  and  Warren.  After  much  discussion  it  was  decided, 
in  1801,  "to  lay  out  a  turnpike  from  the  Norwich  turnpike,  in 
Pomfret,  to  the  turnpike  in  Gloucester."  This  Pomfret  and 
Killingly  turnpike,  passing  over  Killingly  hill  by  the  meeting 
house,  was  accomplished  in  1803,  but  the  exhausted  town  de- 
clined to  build  half  the  new  bridge  needed  for  its  accommoda- 
tion till  cited  before  the  court  to  answer  for  its  negligence.  The 
bridge  was  then  built,  but  not  being  built  in  a  substantial  and 
workmanlike  manner,  it  was  soon  carried  away  by  high  water, 
and  the  town  thus  involved  in  fresh  difficulties  and  arbitra- 
tions. 

Many  new  roads  were  demanded  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  manufacturing  interests,  in  which  this  town  was  involved 
in  the  early  part  of  the  century.  The  town  accepted  a  road  laid 
out  from  Danielson's  Factory  to  the  country  road  near  the  dwell- 
ing house  of  Solomon  Sikes,  at  the  same  time  declining  responsi- 
bility for  the  bridge  over  Five  Mile  river,  and  voted  not  to  op- 
pose a  road  from  Danielson's  to  the  house  of  Reverend  Israel 
Day,  and  thence  to  Rhode  Island  line.  This  new  road  to  Prov- 
idence was  very  needful  for  the  transportation  of  goods  and  cot- 
ton. The  mercantile  operations  of  Captain  Alexander  Gaston, 
who  had  removed  from  Sterling  to  South  Killingly,  w^ere  also 
greatly  benefitted  thereby.  His  flourishing  store  added  greatly 
to  the  importance  of  South  Killingly.  He  was  accustomed  to 
buy  large  quantities  of  goods  in  New  York,  and  when  his  ships 
were  expected  to  arrive  in  Providence,  the  farmers  of  this 
neighborhood  would  hurry  down  to  haul  them  up  to  his  place 
of  business  in  Killingly. 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  935 

The  mill  privilege  on  the  Five  Mile  river,  afterward  occupied 
bv  "the  Howe  Factory,"  was  in  1760  improved  by  Jared  Talbot 
and  David  Perry,  who  accommodated  the  neighborhood  with 
sawing  and  grinding.  In  August,  1807,  James  Danielson,  Zadoc 
and  James  Spalding  asked  liberty  to  build  a  dam  on  the  Quine- 
baug,  between  Brooklyn  and  Killingly.  The  relations  between 
the  Windham  towns  and  their  Rhode  Island  neighbors  had  been 
always  most  intimate  and  friendly.  Providence  was  their  most 
accessible  market.  Their  first  public  work  was  to  open  a  way 
to  that  town.  Now  that  the  era  of  manufacturing  was  opening, 
those  intimate  relations  were  intensified.  Killingly  caught  the 
spirit  of  manufacturing  enterprise.  Walter  Paine  and  Israel 
Day  of  Providence,  William  Reed,  Ira  and  Stephen  Draper  of 
Attleborough,  Ebenezer  and  Comfort  Tiffany,  John  Mason  and 
Thaddeus  Larned  of  Thompson,  William  Cundall,  Sr.  and  Jr., 
joined  with  Danielson  and  Hutchins  in  the  Danielsonville  Man- 
ufacturing Company  of  Killingly. 

The  manufacturing  excitement  raged  with  great  violence  in 
this  town,  its  numerous  rivers  offering  such  convenient  facilities 
that  her  own  citizens  were  able  to  embark  in  such  enterprises 
with  less  foreign  aid  than  was  requisite  in  other  towns.  "  Dan- 
ielson's  Factory,"  at  the  Quinebaug  Falls,  enjoyed  a  high  place 
in  popular  favor,  its  twenty  liberal  handed  stockholders,  mostly 
town  residents,  prosecuting  its  various  business  affairs  with  much 
energy.  William  Reed  served  most  efficiently  for  many  years 
as  its  agent.  Its  well  filled  store  was  managed  for  many  years 
by  the  Tiffany  Brothers,  from  Rhode  Island. 

The  "  Stone  Chapel,"  on  the  present  site  of  the  Attawaugan, 
was  built  by  Captain  John  and  Ebenezer  Kelly,  for  John  Mason 
of  Thompson,  in  1810,  but  did  not  get  into  successful  operation 
for  some  years,  when  John,  James  B.  and  Edward  Mason,  Jr., 
were  incorporated  as  the  "  Stone  Chapel  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany." Messrs.  John  Mason  and  Harvey  Blashfield  had  the  over- 
sight of  this  establishment.  The  tallow  candles  needed  for  its 
morning  and  evening  service  were  dipped  by  Miss  Harriet 
Kelly,  in  batches  of  forty  dozen  at  a  time. 

The  privilege  on  the  Five  Mile  river,  long  occupied  by  Tal- 
bot's grist  mill,  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Killingly  Manu- 
facturing Company  in  1814.  Its  constituent  members  were: 
Rufus  Waterman,  Thomas  Thompson,  John  Andrews,  of  Provi- 
dence;   David  Wilkinson,    Henry  Howe,  of  North    Providence; 


936  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Doctor  Robert  Grosvenor,  Jedidiah  Sabin,  Elisha  Howe,  Ben- 
jamin Greene,  of  Killingly;  Smith  Wilkinson,  Eleazer  Sabin,  of 
Pomfret.  The  Howes  had  charge  of  the  business,  and  the  fac- 
tory soon  built  w^as  called  by  their  name. 

The  remarkable  descent  of  the  Whetstone  brook  furnished 
privileges  quite  out  of  proportion  to  its  volume  of  water.  The 
first  Chestnut  Hill  Company  to  take  advantage  of  this  fall  was 
constituted  by  Joseph  Harris,  Ebenezer  Young,  Calvin  Leffing- 
well,  Asa  Alexander,  George  Danielson  and  Lemuel  Stark- 
weather, whose  wheels  and  spindles  were  soon  competing  with 
those  of  other  manufacturers. 

The  greatest  spirit  and  activity  prevailed  in  these  growing 
villages.  Everybody  was  hard  at  work,  building,  digging, 
planting,  carting,  weaving,  spinning,  picking  cotton,  making 
harnesses,  dipping  candles,  and  attending  the  thousand  wants  of 
the  hour.  The  intense  mechanical  activity  of  the  time  was 
manifested  by  a  remarkable  feminine  achievement,  the  exercise, 
of  the  inventive  faculty  hitherto  dormant  in  the  female  mind. 
Mrs.  Mary  Kies  of  South  Killingly,  invented  "  a  new  and  useful 
improvement  in  weaving  straw  with  silk  or  thread,"  for  which 
she  obtained  in  May,  1809,  the  first  patent  issued  to  any  woman  in 
the  United  States,  and  she  is  also  said  to  have  been  the  first  female 
applicant.  Mrs.  President  Madison  expressed  her  gratification 
by  a  complimentary  note  to  Mrs.  Kies.  The  fabrication  of  this 
graceful  and  ingenious  complication  was  thus  added  to  the  other 
industries  of  Killingly. 

Killingly's  excessive  activity  during  the  war  of  1812  was  fol- 
lowed by  corresponding  depression.  Mills  owned  by  men  of 
moderate  means  were  generally  closed,  and  those  still  kept  at 
work  did  so  at  pecuniary  loss  to  the  proprietors.  Experiments 
in  machinery  and  modes  of  working  were  meanwhile  tested, 
power  looms  introduced,  and  many  improvements  effected. 
Companies  were  reorganized,  new  men  and  capital  brought  in, 
and  when  business  revived,  Killingly  mills  were  soon  under 
fresh  headway.  In  1819  the  town  had  so  far  recovered  from  its 
losses  as  to  report  four  factories  in  operation,  all  of  which  con- 
tained about  five  thousand  spindles,  and  had  been  erected  at  an 
expense,  including  buildings  and  machinery,  of  nearly  $300,000. 
At  the  Danielson  Manufactory  water  looms  had  been  intro- 
duced, and  in  general  the  business  was  carried  on  upon  the  most 
improved  principles  and  very  advantageously.     Besides  the  cot- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  937 

ton  factories  there  were  one  woolen  factory,  one  gin  distillery, 
one  paper  hanging  manufactory,  four  dye  houses,  three  clothiers' 
works,  three  carding  machines,  three  tanneries,  eight  grain  mills 
and  eight  saw  mills.  Experiments  in  straw  weaving  were  brought 
to  an  untimely  end  by  a  sovereign  decree  from  the  supreme  ar- 
biter of  fashion,  and  hopes  of  pecuniary  profit  proved  as  brittle 
as  the  straw  with  which  Mrs.  Kies  had  wrought  out  her  ingen- 
ious invention.  Her  son,  Daniel  Kies,  Esq.,  of  Brooklyn,  as  well 
as  friends  at  home,  lost  heavily  by  investing  in  a  manufacture, 
which,  by  a  sudden  change  of  fashion,  became  utterly  valueless. 

Killingly  is  reported  by  Barber  in  1836,  "the  greatest  cotton 
manufacturing  town  in  the  State."  Its  reputation  and  resources 
had  been  magnified  by  the  building  up  of  Williamsville  on  the 
Quinebaug,  and  Dayville  on  the  Five  Mile  river.  Dayville  was 
commended  "  for  its  neat  appearance,  and  for  a  bridge  com- 
posed of  two  finely  constructed  stone  arches,  each  25  feet  broad 
and  12  high."  Captain  John  Day  sold  two-thirds  of  this  privilege 
to  Prosper  and  William  Alexander,  and  joined  them  in  building 
and  equipping  a  cotton  factory  in  1832.  Caleb  Williams  of  Prov- 
idence, purchased  the  Quinebaug  privilege,  and  erected  a  hand- 
some stone  building  in  1827.  Danielson's  mills  had  passed  into 
the  hands  of  the  sons  of  General  Danielson,  and  began  to  be 
noted  "  as  a  thriving  village."  The  temperance  reform  had 
swept  away  the  distillery  at  Mason's  factory,  and  "  Gin-town  " 
was  transferred  into  Ruggles'  factory.  The  Killingly  Company 
owning  Howe's  factory  was  reorganized  in  1828.  Smaller  fac- 
tories on  the  Five  Mile  river  were  run  by  Ballou  and  Amsbury. 
The  cardingf  machine  on  the  outlet  of  Alexander's  lake  had 
been  superseded  by  a  woolen  factory.  Great  activity  prevailed 
in  the  east  part  of  the  town,  where  some  half  dozen  mills  were 
propelled  by  the  lively  little  Whetstone,  under  the  patronage  of 
Ebenezer  Young,  Richard  Bartlett,  Prosper  Leffingwell,  Asa 
Alexander,  John  S.  Harris,  Thomas  Pray  and  others.  An  ag- 
gregate of  twenty-five  thousand  spindles  was  reported,  with 
three  woolen  mills,  one  furnace  and  one  axe  factory.  In  1840 
Killingly  boasted  the  largest  population  in  Windham  county, 
having  gained  upon  Thompson,  which  stood  at  the  head  in 
1830. 

Among  the  early  manufacturing  interests  of  Killingly  was 
that  of  Calvin  Leffingwell,  a  native  of  Pomfret,  who  came  to 
East  Killingly  in  1828,  and  in    company  with   Jedidiah   Leav- 


938  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

ens  built  a  mill  for  the  manufacture  of  cotton  cloth,  of  twenty- 
four  looms.  This  mill,  after  running  many  years  and  passing- 
into  other  hands,  was  burned  and  not  rebuilt.  Mr.  Leffingwell 
died  at  Danielsonville  in  1872. 

The  first  movement  in  the  direction  of  establishine  the 
Gospel  ministry  in  Killingly  was  in  1708,  when  the  court 
granted  "  liberty  to  the  inhabitants  of  Killingly  to  survey  and 
lay  out  one  hundred  acres  of  land  within  their  township  for 
the  use  and  encouragement  of  a  minister  to  settle  there  and 
carry  on  the  worship  of  God  among  them."  A  hundred  acres 
of  land  for  the  first  settled  minister  were  also  pledged  to  the 
town  by  Captain  Chandler,  in  presence  and  with  concurrence 
of  the  selectmen. 

The  first  minister  was  Reverend  John  Fisk,  of  Braintree, 
Mass.,  a  son  of  Reverend  Moses  Fisk  and  a  graduate  of  Har- 
vard. His  work  probably  began  about  1710,  religious  services 
being  held  in  private  houses,  alternating  between  different 
parts  of  the  town.  July  16th,  1711,  the  town  agreed  to  give 
Mr.  Fisk  three  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land  for  his  encour- 
agement to  settle  in  the  work  of  the  ministry.  Two  hundred 
acres  were  laid  out  on  French  river,  which  were  afterward 
proved  to  be  beyond  the  bounds  of  Killingly.  Seventy-five  acres 
were  laid  out  on  the  western  slope  of  Killingly  hill  and  seventy- 
five  on  Assawaga  or  Five  Mile  river.  Stated  religious  services 
were  probably  held  after  this  date  by  Mr.  Fisk,  though  some 
years  passed  before  his  settlement,  neighborhood  ministers 
meanwhile  being  called  in  to  administer  baptism  and  other  sac- 
raments as  occasion  required. 

In  the  summer  of  1714,  the  meeting  house  was  raised  and 
covered.  Its  site  was  east  of  the  Plainfield  road,  about  one-fourth 
of  a  mile  south  of  the  present  East  Putnam  meeting  house. 
Nothing  is  known  of  its  size  and  appearance,  or  of  the  circum- 
stances of  its  building.  In  the  ensuing  summer  it  was  made 
ready  for  occupation,  and  preparations  made  for  church  organ- 
ization. September  15th,  1715,  was  observed  in  Killingly  as  a 
day  of  solemn  fasting  and  prayer,  preparatory  to  the  gathering 
of  a  church  and  the  ordination  of  a  pastor.  October  19th,  1716, 
a  church  was  organized,  and  Reverend  John  Fisk  ordained  the 
pastor  of  it.  The  original  members  were:  John  Fisk,  James 
Danielson,  Peter  Aspinwall,  James  Leavens,  Sampson  Howe, 
Ebenezer  Balman,   Richard  Bloosse,  George    Blanchard,   Isaac 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  .        '     939 

Jewett,  Thomas  Gould  and  Stephen  Grover.  Sixteen  additional 
communicants  were  admitted  into  the  church  before  the  close 
of  the  year.  December  29th,  1715,  Peter  Aspinwall  and  Eleazer 
Balman  were  chosen  deacons.  The  first  marriage  recorded  by 
the  young  minister  was  that  of  William  Larned  to  Hannah,  the 
first  of  the  seven  notable  daughters  of  Simon  Bryant.  The  only 
incident  of  his  domestic  life  that  has  come  down  to  us  is  the 
burning  of  his  house  and  all  its  contents  one  Sabbath  when  the 
family  were  attending  public  worship.  The  ministry  of  Rever- 
end Mr.  Fisk  was  acceptable  and  prosperous,  and  large  numbers 
were  added  to  the  church.  His  pastoral  charge  comprehended 
also  the  inhabitants  north  of  Killingly.  The  hundred  acres  of 
land  given  by  Captain  Chandler  to  the  first  settled  minister  of 
Killingly  were  laid  out  to  him  in  1712,  west  of  Five  Mile  river, 
a  half  mile  east  of  the  meeting  house. 

This  church  prospered  for  a  while.  A  season  of  special  re- 
ligious interest  in  1728-9  added  sixty  to  its  membership.  Elea- 
zer Bateman,  Jr.,  was  chosen  deacon  in  1730,  and  Haniel  Clark 
in  1733.  Mr.  Fisk  remained  in  the  pastorate  till  July  8th,  1741, 
when  he  was  dismissed  at  his  own  request.  During  his  ministry 
he  had  performed  463  baptisms,  and  admitted  254  members  into 
full  communion  and  148  to  the  "  half-way  covenant." 

A  protracted  meeting  house  controversy  followed  the  dismis- 
sion of  Mr.  Fisk.  It  was  decided  to  build  a  new  meeting  house, 
and  at  the  same  time  a  division  of  the  First  society  into  two  was 
contemplated.  The  people  of  each  prospective  society  wished 
to  have  the  new  meeting  house  located  so  that  it  would  fall 
within  their  own  bounds  when  the  division  should  be  made. 
The  northern  people  wished  it  to  stand  near  the  old  church,  on 
Killingly  hill,  while  the  southern  people  wished  it  to  be  located 
on  Breakneck  hill.  In  October,  1743,  the  assembly,  after  hear- 
ing the  case  and  reports  of  committees,  decided  that  the  latter 
site,  which  was  nearly  central  to  the  society  as  then  constituted, 
should  be  adopted.  November  21st  the  society  by  a  large  vote 
refused  to  build  on  that  site.  The  question  was  re-opened  at  a 
later  meeting,  in  December,  and  a  controversy  in  regard  to  the 
qualification  of  some  proposed  voters  became  so  clamorous  that 
the  moderator  dissolved  the  meeting,  and  most  of  the  people 
went  home.  The  southern  party  then  having  the  field,  reorgan- 
ized the  meeting  and  voted  to  build  a  meeting  house  on  Break- 
neck hill.     A  committee  was  appointed  for  the  purpose,  and  the 


940  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

work  was  immediately  carried  forward.  The  "  Breakneck  party," 
though  probably  in  the  minority,  had  obtained  the  lead  and 
were  carrying-  things  by  storm.  In  the  midst  of  the  confusion 
and  excitement  that  prevailed,  a  messenger  was  sent  to  report 
the  irregular  proceedings  to  the  governor  and  council.  On  the 
day  appointed  for  raising  the  meeting  house  frame,  March  28th, 
1744,  a  large  company  gathered  on  the  ground.  When  the 
frame  was  partly  raised  the  northern  party  arrived  upon  the 
ground,  with  a  message  from  the  governor  and  council  ex- 
pressing the  opinion  that  it  was  irregular  and  "  high  handed  dis- 
order "  for  any  party  to  carry  forward  the  work  of  building,  in 
defiance  of  the  properly  expressed  determination  of  the  society, 
even  though  the  society  had  refused  to  do  the  bidding  of  the  as- 
sembly. The  opinion  and  advice  was  that  it  was  the  business 
of  the  assembly  to  see  that  its  decrees  were  carried  out,  and  was 
not  proper  for  a  part  of  the  society  to  volunteer  to  act  in  that 
direction  against  the  desires  of  the  majority.  The  opinion  and 
advice  were  not  heeded  by  the  builders,  who  went  boldly  forward 
with  their  work  until  the  meeting  house  was  raised  and  covered. 

The  disgraceful  wrangle  between  the  two  parties  was  carried 
to  the  assembly,  and  so  well  balanced  were  their  counter 
charges  against  each  other  in  respect  to  irregularities  and  un- 
fairness that  the  assembly  were  at  a  loss  to  know  how  to  decide 
between  them,  and  postponed  any  action  till  October,  when  it 
decided  that  the  meeting  house  should  stand  and  be  finished 
where  it  was.  The  Breakneck  party  were  now  in  triumphant 
gladness,  but  the  northern  people,  as  well  as  those  in  the  ex- 
treme south,  were  not  disposed  to  accept  the  situation.  Thus 
the  Killingly  First  society  was  broken  into  many  factions. 
There  was  the  Breakneck  party,  who  wanted  the  society  to  re- 
main with  a  meeting  house  in  the  center.  In  the  north  and 
south  ends  of  the  society  were  factions  striving  for  a  division 
into  two  societies,  so  that  each  could  be  better  accommodated 
with  a  meeting  house  near  them.  Then,  to  add  to  the  complica- 
tions, the  Separate  or  New  Light  movements  were  raging  at  this 
time,  and  this  made  subdivisons  of  each  faction. 

In  October,  1745,  the  assembly  divided  the  society  and  made 
two  distinct  societies  of  it.  Under  this  act  each  claimed  the  pre- 
rogative of  being  the  First  society,  and  with  this  dispute  they 
again  repaired  to  the  assembly.  This,  however,  was  quickly  set. 
tied  in  favor  of  the  north  society. 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  941 

The  First  society  and  church  now  hastened  to  reorganize. 
The  church  at  its  reorganization,  November  29th,  1745,  was  com- 
posed of  the  following  members:  Joseph  Leavens,  Sr.,  Joseph 
Leavens,  Jr.,  Thomas  Moffatt,  Daniel  Whitmore,  Joseph  Cady, 
David  Roberts,  Sr.,  David  Roberts,  Jr.,'  Samuel  Buck,  John 
Brown,  Ebenezer  Brooks,  Francis  Whitmore,  John  Roberts,  An- 
drew Phillips,  Ephraim  Day,  Benjamin  Leavens,  John  Leavens, 
Thomas  Mighill.  Reverend  Pearley  Howe  was  then  pastor 
elect,  and  continued  in  that  relation  until  his  death,  March  10th, 
1753,  being  then  in  his  forty-third  year.  His  wife  was  Damaris, 
daughter  of  Captain  Joseph  Cady.  He  received  the  commenda- 
tion of  being  "a  highly  respectable  and  useful  minister."  By 
consent  of  the  town  the  First  society  in  the  last  end  of  1745  pro- 
ceeded to  pull  down  the  old  meeting  house  and  to  build  a  new 
one  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  north  of  it,  on  the  "  east  side  of  the 
-country  road  right  against  Noah  Leavens'  dwelling  house," 
where  an  acre  of  land  had  been  given  for  the  purpose  by  Justice 
Joseph  Leavens.  The  house  now  erected  was  said  to  be  super- 
ior to  any  other  in  the  county.  It  had  three  great  double  doors, 
opening  east,  west  and  south ;  large  square  pews,  furnished 
with  lattice  work  ;  a  high  pulpit  and  sounding  board  ;  galleries, 
front  and  sides,  with  rising  seats  and  wall  pews  in  the  rear,  and 
two  flights  of  broad  stairs  leading  to  them.  Reverend  Aaron 
Brown,  of  Windsor,  was  ordained  January  19th,  1754,  and  soon 
after  married  the  widow  of  his  predecessor.  The  society  was 
divided  into  three  school  districts,  each  district  maintaining  its 
own  school.  The  church  and  society  were  now  prosperous.  Rev- 
erend Emerson  Foster,  the  successor  of  Reverend  Aaron  Brown, 
was  ordained  here  January  21st,  1778,  the  society  offering  him 
iJ"220  for  settlement  and  £"20  salary.  Dissatisfaction  soon  arose, 
many  withdrew  to  the  Baptist  society  and  it  soon  became  diffi- 
cult to  raise  the  money.  In  July,  1779,  Mr.  Foster  was  dismissed, 
and  for  a  time  religious  services  were  maintained  somewhat  ir- 
regularly by  Russel  Cook  and  others  for  several  years.  Rever- 
end Elisha  Atkins,  of  Middletown,  was  installed  in  the  pastoral 
office  here  June  3d,  1787,  the  society  granting  two  hundred 
pounds  settlement,  fifty-five  pounds  salary,  and  the  cutting  and 
drawing  of  the  minister's  firewood.  The  house  was  repaired  and 
a  belfry  added  and  a  bell  procured  and  placed  in  it.  Sampson 
Howe  was  to  be  paid  twenty  dollars  a  year  for  ringing  the  bell 
and  sweeping  the  meeting  house.     Mr.  Atkins  proved  a  most  ex- 


942  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

cellent  pastor,  and  as  a  citizen  was  interested  in  all  plans  for 
public  improvement. 

The  old  church  was  becoming  out  of  repair,  and  a  new  one 
was  talked  of  in  1815,  but  nothing  was  done  till  the  famous 
"  September  gale  "  damaged  the  building,  so  that  repairs  on  it 
were  no  longer  practicable.  The  remains  of  the  old  building 
were  sold  at  auction,  January  28th,  1818,  and  during  the  ensuing 
summer  a  new  house  was  built  on  "  that  part  of  the  ancient 
meeting  house  lot  lying  between  Providence  and  Killingly  Turn- 
pike, and  the  road  leading  to  the  new  factory,  so  called,  near  the 
east  side  of  said  lot."  It  is  said  the  "  spirits  "  used  in  raising  this 
frame  cost  twenty-five  dollars. 

Mr.  Atkins  continued  in  sole  charge  of  the  church  on  Killingly 
hill  until  1832,  when,  after  nearly  a  half  century's  service,  he 
was  compelled  to  employ  a  colleague.  Reverends  William  Bush- 
nell,  Sidney  Holman  and  Henry  Robinson,  were  successively  in- 
stalled in  office  ;  the  latter  remaining  in  charge  several  years 
after  the  death  of  the  venerable  pastor  in  1839.  Reverend  James 
Mather  appears  to  have  been  in  charge  of  the  church  in  1846. 
Later  history  of  this  church  will  be  found  in  connection  with 
Putnam,  in  which  town  it  is  now  situated. 

The  society  of  Killingly  being  divided,  as  we  have  already 
seen,  into  two  societies,  meeting  houses  and  churches  were  es- 
tablished in  both  ends  of  the  former  society,  and  the  meeting 
house  on  Breakneck  hill  not  being  available  for  either,  it  was  of 
but  little  further  use.  It  was  used  for  various  irregular  religious 
services  and  for  public  town  meetings,  and  after  a  number  of 
years  was  taken  down,  and  some  of  its  timbers  used  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  town  house  at  Killingly  Centre.  A  few  mould- 
ering gravestones  on  the  rugged  summit  of  Breakneck  hill  re- 
main to  mark  the  neighborhood  of  its  site.  The  church  and 
society  were  by  the  organization  of  others  reduced  to  the  merest 
remnants,  which  soon  faded  out  entirely,  the  church  records  be- 
ing destroyed  by  fire,  ^  that  the  details  of  the  Breakneck  church 
are  buried  in  oblivion.  The  church  appears  to  have  maintained 
strength  enough  to  have  a  minister  more  or  less  of  the  time  un- 
til about  the  end  of  the  last  century. 

The  inhabitants  in  South  Killingly  were  permitted,  on  ac- 
count of  their  remoteness  from  the  Killingly  hill  meeting  house, 
in  the  winter  of  1734-35  to  employ  a  minister  to  preach  to  them 
during  the  winter  season,  though  they  were  required  to  pay 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  943 

rates  to  the  regular  minister  the  same  as  before.  In  April,  1735, 
the  assembly  granted  the  South  Killinglypeople,  who  then  num- 
bered about  one  hundred  and  fifty  souls,  liberty  "  to  hire  an  or- 
thodox minister  five  months  in  the  year,  and  freedom  from  the 
ministerial  tax  during  that  period."  This  temporary  exemption 
from  rate-paying  did  not  become  their  permanent  privilege  until 
1755,  when  they  were  released  by  the  assembly  from  further 
charges  to  the  South  society,  in  which  they  were  embraced  in 
the  division  of  1745.  This  happy  result  was  secured  from  the 
colonial  government  only  by  an  appeal  first  to  the  throne  of 
Great  Britain  in  the  reign  of  George  II.  The  petition  from 
South  Killingly  was  the  first  to  gain  a  favorable  hearing  in  the 
colonial  assembly. 

The  same  year  in  which  the  church  worshipping  on  Break- 
neck hill  was  instituted  (known  as  the  South  church  in  Killingly) 
a  Separate  church  was  organized  in  South  Killingly,  December, 
1746,  with  Stephen  Spalding  as  clerk.  In  the  early  spring  of 
the  next  year  Stephen  Spalding  and  John  Eaton  were  chosen 
deacons.  April  27th,  1747,  Samuel  Wadsworth  was  elected  pas- 
tor. His  installation  occurred  June  3d,  1747,  some  of  the  most 
respected  Separate  ministers  being  present  to  assist  in  his  ordin- 
ation— Reverend  Matthew  Smith,  of  Stonington,  Reverend  Jo- 
seph Snow,  of  Providence,  Ebenezer  Cleveland,  of  Canterbury, 
Isaac  Backus,  the  church  historian,  and  Oliver  Prentice,  of  Ston- 
ington. 

During  the  successful  ministry  of  Mr.  Wadsworth  several  of 
the  remaining  Indians  were  led  to  reform  their  lives  and  to  unite 
with  the  church.  Mr.  Wadsworth's  pastorate  was  terminated  by 
his  death  in  1762,  and  in  November  of  that  year  a  call  was  ex- 
tended to  Reverend  Thomas  Denison.  This  relation  was  an  un- 
happy one,  lasting  a  little  less  than  two  years ;  to  be  followed  by 
the  very  able  and  acceptable  ministry  of  Eliphalet  Wright,  who 
was  inducted  into  the  pastoral  office  May  16th,  1765.  An  im- 
portant work  accomplished  under  his  leadership  was  a  revision 
and  a  re-signing  of  the  church's  articles  of  faith  and  covenant. 
The  faith  and  covenant  of  the  Plainfield  Separate  church  were 
voted  "  a  good  and  wholesome  system  of  our  faith  and  practice 
and  agreed  to  as  our  covenant,  by  which  we  will  walk  for  the 
future  looking  for  more  light." 

In  1776  the  Divine  Spirit  was  sent  down  upon  the  people  like 
gentle  rain,  which  lasted  for  more  than  two  years,  in  which  time 


944  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

about  fifty  persons  were  received  into  the  church.  This  "  be- 
loved pastor  "  met  his  death  AugUvSt  4th,  1784,  from  the  effects 
of  an  injury  received  while  leading  a  fractious  animal.  His 
burial  place  is  in  the  old  cemetery,  as  is  also  that  of  his  predecessor, 
Samuel  Wadsworth.  The  headstones  of  each  are  legible  and  in 
a  good  state  of  preservation.  Mr.  Wright  was  an  ardent  patriot, 
shouldering  his  musket  on  one  occasion  and  marching  as  far  as 
Plainfield  to  repel  the  invading  British. 

June  1st,  1785,  Israel  Day  assumed  the  office  made  vacant  by 
the  death  of  Mr.  Wright,  Reverend  Ebenezer  Bradford,  of  Row- 
ley, Mass.,  preaching  the  installation  sermon.  Forty-one  years 
Mr.  Day  went  in  and  out  before  this  people,  resigning  his  charge 
in  1826,  May  23d.  In  his  ministry  the  church  enjoyed  two  sea- 
sons of  special  religious  interest  and  joyful  ingathering  of  souls. 
In  1788  forty-nine  were  added  to  the  church,  and  in  1800  and 
1801  sixty-four.  A  narrative  of  the  latter  remarkable  revival 
from  Mr.  Day's  own  pen  was  published  subsequently  in  the 
Evangelical  Magazine.  This  man  of  God  received  a  fatal  injury 
in  the  barn  of  his  grandson  five  years  after  he  had  laid  down  his 
charge.  His  loss  was  mourned  through  all  the  region  round 
about.  December  10th,  1831,  was  the  date  of  his  decease.  His 
funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  Daniel  Dow,  D.  D.,  of  Thomp- 
son, from  Psalms  1,  5.  Like  his  predecessors,  Mr.  Day  was  bur- 
ied with  his  own  people.  In  his  long  ministry  he  attended  756 
funerals. 

For  the  six  years  succeeding  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Day,  the 
pulpit  was  supplied  only  with  occasional  preaching  by  different 
ministers,  whose  names  have  not  been  preserved,  as  there  are  no 
existing  church  records  of  this  period.  A  Reverend  Mr.  Whee- 
lock  has  left  the  strongest  impression  on  the  minds  of  those  then 
living,  and  perhaps  preached  longer  than  any  one  else.  Rever- 
end Mr.  Nott,  son  of  the  venerable  Doctor  Samuel  Nott,  of 
Franklin,  and  Reverend  Mr.  Holt,  supplied  for  several  months 
each. 

In  April,  1832,  John  N.  Whipple,  a  theological  student  from 
Bangor  Seminary,  began  to  labor  with  the  church,  and  was  here 
ordained  as  an  evangelist  May  5th,  Reverend  Philo  Judson,  of 
Ashford,  preaching  the  ordination  sermon.  Mr.  Whipple  con- 
tinued in  the  field  until  the  spring  of  1834.  He  again  was  act- 
ing pastor  of  the  church  in  1840-41.  One  of  the  fruits  of  his  first 
ministry  was  a  revival  that  added  40  persons  to  the  church.     He 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  945 

was  the  first  mover  for  a  new  church  edifice.  His  other  minis- 
terial service  was  in  Maine,  Rhode  Island  and  Ohio,  where  he 
died  in  the  town  of  Lodi,  December  29th,  1865. 

For  the  the  year  1834-35  Reverend  Alvin  Underwood  was  the 
stated  supply,  of  whose  subsequent  life  and  labors  nothing  has 
been  ascertained. 

The  years  1835-1840  constitute  the  second  broken  period  of 
the  history  of  the  church.  Reverend  Thomas  Williams,  who  had 
been  ordained  as  "  an  evangelist  to  go  out  as  a  missionary"  in 
the  old  church  by  Windham  Association  May  16th,  1804,  preached 
during  1838.  Mr.  Williams  died  at  the  home  of  his  son.  Rever- 
end N.  W.  Williams,  in  Providence,  September  29th,  1876,  at  the 
great  age  of  97,  giving  no  indication  of  disease.  He  preached 
for  the  last  time  in  his  93d  year.  He  was  a  voluminous  author 
and  a  man  of  eminent  abilities. 

The  minutes  of  the  General  Association  of  Connecticut  de- 
clare the  church  "  vacant "  for  1837  and  also  in  1839. 

From  July,  1842,  to  April,  1844,  Reverend  George  Langdon 
was  the  acting  pastor.  He  is  now  living  in  Lakewood,  N.  J., 
preaching  as  opportunity  offers.  A  licentiate,  Isaac  C.  Day 
(grandson  of  Israel),  was  employed  to  preach  in  April,  1846.  May 
28th,  1847,  an  ordaining  council  set  him  apart  to  the  ministry  of 
the  Word,  Reverend  T.  T.  Waterman  preaching  the  sermon. 
From  physical  causes  Mr.  Day  was  compelled  shortly  to  leave 
the  ministry,  and  is  now  living  in  Providence. 

May  28th,  1849,  Reverend  Joseph  Ayer  was  invited  to  the  pul- 
pit left  vacant  by  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Day.  After  supplying 
over  a  year,  Mr.  Ayer  accepted  a  call  to  settle,  and  was  installed 
January  22d,  1851,  Alvan  Bond,  D.D.,  giving  the  installation  ser- 
mon. This  pastorate  closed  by  the  dismissal  of  Mr.  Ayer  March 
25th,  1856,  by  a  council  that  convened  in  the  Westfield  church. 
Mr.  Ayer's  subsequent  labors  were  with  the  churches  at  East 
Lyme,  Voluntown  and  Sterling.  He  continued  to  preach  till  he 
was  77  years  old.  He  entered  into  rest  from  the  home  of  his 
son  (Reverend  C.  L.  Ayer)  in  Somersville,  December  26th,  1875. 
It  was  in  his  pastorate  that  the  creed  and  covenant  of  the 
Westfield  church  were  adopted  by  this  church  as  its  faith  and 
covenant. 

The  church  was  now  so  reduced  in  numbers  and  strength 
that  the  meeting  house  was  loaned  in  1856  to  the  Free-will 
Baptists  of  the  place  and  the  vicinity,  who  organized  a  church 
60 


946  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

that  maintained  its  ordinances  for  ten  years  ;  after  which  time 
most  of  its  membership  became  identified  with  a  new  organi- 
zation— ^the  Free  Baptist  Union  church  of  Foster,  R.  I.  Be- 
lieving that  its  work  was  not  yet  done,  some  friends  of  the 
ancient  church  made  the  attempt  in  1866  to  revive  its  life. 
Reverend  David  Breed  (now  over  the  church  in  West  Stafford) 
was  engaged  to  supply  the  pulpit  one  year,  from  April,  1866. 

April  1st,  1867,  Reverend  Ezra  D.  Kinney  became  acting  pas- 
tor. In  the  summer  of  his  first  year  the  church  united  with 
him  in  an  invitation  to  Reverend  John  D.  Potter  to  engage 
in  evangelistic  service.  Mr.  Potter  came  the  4th  of  August 
and  remained  through  the  9th,  holding  16  meetings  and  preach- 
ing 13  times.  His  labors  were  attended  with  a  great  blessing, 
nearly  40  expressing  hope  in  the  pardoning  mercy  of  God. 
From  this  revival  24  came  into  the  church.  April  18th,  1869, 
Mr.  Kinney  preached  his  farewell  sermon  and  then  labored  for 
a  year  at  Sayville,  L.  I.,  when  he  removed  to  Darien,  Conn., 
where  he  was  formerly  pastor  for  21  years.  He  died  October 
2d,  1873,  aged  74.  He  was  a  large  and  successful  worker  in 
revivals,  wrote  much  for  religious  newspapers,  and  was  the 
author  of  a  volume  entitled  "The  Great  Supper." 

Reverend  William  W.  Atwater  was  employed  as  stated  sup- 
ply July  25th,  1869.  Pulmonary  disease  seriously  impaired  his 
health  in  the  fall  of  1872,  and  in  February  of  the  next  year  he 
removed  to  New  Haven  and  became  the  librarian  of  Yale  Law 
School,  in  which  position  he  died  March  14th,  1874. 

In  June,  1873,  Reverend  William  H.  Beard,  of  Andover,  Mass., 
was  engaged  as  acting  pastor.  Two  seasons  of  special  religious 
interest  have  been  experienced — the  first  in  the  winter  and 
spring  of  1880,  and  the  second  in  the  winter  and  spring  of 
1887.  In  1876  Mr.  Beard  prepared  a  centennial  sermon  from 
Psalms  48  :  12  and  13 — "  Walk  about  Zion  and  go  around  about 
her  ;  tell  the  towers  thereof.  Mark  ye  well  her  bulwarks  ;  con- 
sider her  palaces,  that  ye  may  tell  it  to  the  generation  follow- 
ing,"— giving  a  comprehensive  history  of  the  church.  Two  Sab- 
baths— July  16th  and  23d — were  occupied  in  its  delivery,  the 
people  manifesting  their  appreciation  of  these  historical  dis- 
courses by  a  large  attendance. 

There  have  been  two  meeting  houses  used  by  this  church. 
The  first  stood  for  nearly  a  century  on  the  north  side  of  the 
turnpike,  a  few  rods  west  of  the  present  building.     In  1837  the 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  947 

old  church  edifice  gave  way  to  the  present  one.  When  set  apart 
to  sacred  uses,  January  2d,  1838,  Reverend  Sidney  Holman  of 
North  Killingly  (Putnam  Heights),  preached  the  sermon  of  dedi- 
cation. This  second  church  has  several  times  undergone  repairs. 
The  outlay  and  changes  upon  it  in  the  summer  of  1868  were  suf- 
ficient to  justify  a  re-dedication.  The  ceremony  took  place 
August  19th,  1868,  Reverend  C.  L.  Ayer  preaching  the  sermon 
from  Exodus  25:  8,  and  Reverend  Ezra  D.  Kinney  offering  the 
prayer  of  consecration.  The  bell  that  has  summond  the  people 
together  for  more  than  a  half  century  was  the  gift  of  Alexander 
Gaston,  the  father  of  ex-Governor  Gaston  of  Massachusetts. 
For  many  years  he  was  the  principal  merchant  of  the  entire 
region,  having  his  home  and  place  of  business  near  the  church. 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 


THE  TOWN  OF  KILLINGLY— (Concluded). 


Chestnut  Hill.— Baptist  Churches.— Cotton  Mills,— Elliottville  Mills.— Elmville 
Mills.— Attawaugan  Mills.— M.  E.  Church.— Ballouville.— Dayville.— Manu- 
factories.— Churches. — Societies. — Williamsville. — The  Borough  of  Daniel- 
sonville. — Public  Works. — Great  Freshet. — Schools. — Churches. — Banks. — 
Music  Hall. — Manufacturing  Establishments. — Masonic  and  other  Societies. — 
Newspapers. — Biographical  Sketches. 


IN  the  eastern  part  of  the  town  of  Killingly  is  the  locality 
known  as  Chestnut  hill,  or  East  Killing-ly,  the  latter  being 
the  post  office  name,  and  properly  comprehending  several 
other  localities  within  its  limits.      In  this  section  are  several 
mills  and  two  Baptist  churches,  which  will  be  noticed  in  detail 
separately. 

The  organization  of  the  first  Baptist  church  dates  May  22d, 
1776.  At  that  time  the  membership  numbered  thirty-two  males 
and  twenty-seven  females.  But  little  progress  was  made.  A 
minister  was  employed  for  a  short  time,  but  about  the  year  1790 
the  ordinances  of  the  church  were  suspended  and  the  effective- 
ness of  the  organization  weakened.  At  one  time  the  hand  of 
fellowship  was  withdrawn  by  the  neighboring  churches  on  ac- 
count of  disorderly  proceedings,  but  on  being  restored  a  min- 
ister was  obtained,  and  the  work  went  more  smoothly  forward. 
A  renewal  of  the  covenant  "was  made  in  1800,  at  which  six  breth- 
ren and  nine  sisters  subscribed  themselves.  The  pastoral  labors 
of  Reverend  Calvin  Cooper,  which  lasted  about  a  year,  added 
about  one  hundred  members  to  the  church.  While  Reverend 
Albert  Cole  was  in  charge  of  the  church,  a  revival  in  1831  and  1832 
added  eighty-five  members.  About  seventy  more  were  added  as 
the  fruits  of  a  revival  which  occurred  in  1838,  under  the  pastor- 
ate of  Reverend  N.  Branch.  Reverend  James  Smither  was  pas- 
tor of  the  church  from  1841  to  1843.  During  that  time  sixty- 
two  members  were  added. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  949 

The  ministers  of  this  church  have  been  as  nearly  as  can  be 
ascertained  as  follows :  George  Robinson,  July,  1776,  dismissed, 
1785;  — — ■ — •  Campbell,  a  short  time;  Elders  Lamb  and  John 
Cooper,  1786  to  1796;  Elder  Peter  Rogers,  1796  to  1803;  Calvin 
Cooper,  September,  1805,  ordained  October  14th,  to  about  1826, 
being  the  longest  pastorate  the  church  has  ever  had;  Elder  Ap- 
pleton,  between  the  years  1827  and  1830;  Albert  Cole,  ordained 
December  1st,  1830,  to  about  1833;  Reverend  Jonathan  Oatley, 
May,  1834,  one  year;  Reverend  Erastus  Duty,  1836;  N.  Branch, 
1838;  James  Smither,  1841  to  1842;  Tubal  Wakefield,  1842  to 
1844;  N.  Branch,  six  months  in  1844;  Joseph  Damon,  1845-46;  L. 
W.  Wheeler,  1847  to  1850;  Henry  Bromley,  1851,  for  six  months; 
Ebenezer  Loomis,  1854;  N.  Branch,  supply,  1855  to  April,  1856; 
Hurley  Miner,  1857,  about  three  years;  J.  Aldrich,  1860  to  1863, 
ordained  January  19th,  1861;  H.  B.  Slater,  son  of  Deacon  Silas 
Slater  of  this  church,  September,  1865,  to  February,  1866;  Austin 
Robbins,  April,  1866,  to  April,  1872;  Curtis  Kenny,  1874,  four 
months;  N.  Mathewson,  1876;  James  Rhea,  1878,  a  short  time; 
C.  B.  Rockwell,  October,  1879,  for  one  year;  Charles  Nichols, 
1880,  one  year;  William  C.  Walker,  1882,  a  few  months;  Robert 
H.  Sherman,  ordained  February  14th,  1884,  resigned  July  5th, 
1885.  Since  that  date  there  has  been  no  regular  preaching  in 
the  church. 

The  first  house  of  worship  was  built  at  some  time  previous  to 
1790.  A  new  meeting  house  was  begun  about  1802,  and  com- 
pleted in  the  course  of  two  or  three  years.  The  present  house  of 
worship  was  begun  in  1834,  and  completed'about  1836,  the  cost 
being  $1,400.  In  1843  twelve  feet  was  added  to  its  length,  and  a 
bell  was  purchased .  In  1882  extensive  repairs  and  improvements 
were  made,  including  the  addition  of  a  baptistery,  an  expense 
of  $800.  The  deacons  have  been  Ephraim  Fisk,  Jonathan  Har- 
rington, Sampson  Covil,  Silas  Slater,  Bergen  Slater,  John  A.  Ran- 
dall, Sampson  B.  Covil,  John  Murray,  E.  L.  Barstow,  Chauncey 
F.  Barstow,  Edward  R.  Oatley  and  Charles  A.  White.  The 
church  clerks  have  been  N.  Aldrich,  P.  Rowey,  Samuel  Bullock, 
N.  A.  Durfee,  Benjamin  Brown,  Sampson  B.  Covil,  George  Pray 
and  E.  A.  Hill. 

A  Free  Will  Baptist  church  grew  out  of  a  union  of  elements 
at  Foster  and  Killingly  some  time  previous  to  1840.  Elder  Dan- 
iel Williams  preached  in  school  houses  in  both  places  alternately 
till  circumstances  warranted  starting  a  church  here.     Elder  Wil- 


950  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

liams  began  preaching  about  1825,  but  did  not  continue  to 
preach  regularly  for  a  long  time  after  the  church  was  built. 
Land  was  bought  of  Susannah  Peckham  in  1851,  and  the  erec- 
tion of  a  meeting  house  at  once  begun.  The  house  was  30  by  40 
feet  on  the  ground  and  15  feet  high.  It  was  completed  during 
the  year.  Pastors  Amos  Redlon  (in  1860),  Cheeney,  Burlingame, 
Bradbury,  Baker,  Isaac  H.  Coe  and  one  Cortes  (about  1865  and 
again  in  1874),  have  at  different  times  served  the  church.  Elder 
Childs,  the  last  regular  minister,  served  about  four  years,  up  to 
1887.  Since  then  this  church,  with  part  of  the  other  Baptist  so- 
ciety, have  sustained  preaching  part  of  the  time  by  temporary 
supplies.  They  are  now  supplied  by  Reverend  William  H. 
Beard,  of  the  Congregational  church  at  South  Killingly.  The 
membership  of  the  church  numbers  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty. 

From  the  heights  of  Chestnut  hill  across  to  the  west  side  of 
the  town,  the  Whetstone  or  Chestnut  hill  stream  runs,  carrying 
on  its  way  a  number  of  manufacturing  establishments.  It  is  a 
rapid  running  stream,  and  in  its  upper  course  has  a  great  fall, 
affording  abundant  power  for  driving  mills.  This  has  been  im- 
proved to  some  extent,  but  not  by  any  means  to  its  full  measure. 
The  stream  makes  a  descent  of  175  feet  in  about  a  mile,  carrying 
five  mills  on  the  way.  We  shall  now  notice  the  different  mills 
on  this  stream. 

The  Chestnut  Hill  Mill  stands  at  the  upper  end  of  one  of  the 
wildest  and  most  precipitous  gorges  in  the  state.  It  has  an 
available  fall  of  twenty-seven  feet.  The  mill  was  built  about 
1846  by  Westcott  &  Pray.  It  fell  into  the  hands  of  John  Burgess, 
and  afterward  into  the  hands  of  Mayhew,  Miller  &  Co.,  of  Balti- 
more, Md.  They  leased  it  to  Westcott  &  Pray,  who  ran  it  up  to 
1859.  Mayhew  Miller,  a  son  of  one  of  the  former  proprietors, 
was  placed  in  charge,  and  continued  until  1869.  The  senior  Mr. 
Pray  then,  in  1869,  bought  it  back,  and  Thomas  Pray,  Jr.,  ran  it 
five  years.  The  present  owner,  John  L.  Ross,  took  it  about  1874, 
and  has  run  it  since  that  time.  Light  sheetings,  60  by  52  picks, 
are  made.  The  mill  is  fitted  with  104  forty-inch  looms  and  6,000 
spindles.  About  sixty  hands  are  employed,  and  25,000  yards  a 
week  are  turned  out.  The  building  is  of  stone,  36  by  100  feet, 
four  stories  high,  with  two  wings,  one  49  by  37  feet,  two  stories, 
and  the  other  36  by  40  feet,  two  stories  high.  H.  H.  Hammell 
is  the  efficient  superintendent. 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  961 

Scarcely  more  than  a  stone's  throw  below  the  last  mentioned 
are  the  Albion  Mills,  sometimes  called  Youngs'  Mill.  Here  we 
find  a  remarkable  fall  of  seventy-two  feet  available  to  this  mill. 
It  is  devoted  to  the  manufacttire  of  cotton  yarns,  having  26  cards, 
100  looms,  6,000  spindles,  two  steam  boilers,  besides  two  water 
wheels.  The  mill  is  in  the  hands  of  trustees — C.  L.  Tiffany, 
of  New  York,  J.  A.  Williams,  of  Danielsonville;  and  George 
D.  Handy,  superintendent.  This  mill  was  one  of  the  first  built 
on  this  stream,  the  date  of  its  origin  being  about  1815.  It  is 
owned  by  the  heirs  of  Ebenezer  Young,  and  has  so  been  oper- 
ated for  years.  The  main  building  is  about  50  by  75  feet,  five 
floors,  and  two  wings  adjoin,  one  about  50  by  60,  four  floors,  and 
the  other  45  by  60,  three  stories  high. 

About  one-fourth  of  a  mile  below,  we  come  to  the  Whitestone 
Mills.  This  mill  was  first  built  by  Westcott  &  Pray  in  1858. 
The  stream  here  affords  an  available  fall  of  about  thirty  feet. 
The  building  is  about  160  by  50  feet,  four  floors,  with  a  two- 
story  wing  about  50  feet  long.  Connected  with  it  are  two  stone 
buildings,  each  of  which  is  a  twelve-tenement  house,  three  stories 
high.  Cotton  sheetings  and  baggings  are  made  here.  The  mill 
has  150  looms  and  8,032  spindles.  Steam  is  used  in  connection 
with  water  power  when  necessary.  The  superintendent  is  Frank 
Mitchell. 

About  one-third  of  a  mile  below  the  last  mentioned,  we  come 
to  the  Himes'  or  Robinson's  Mill.  This  is  a  building  about  160 
by  50  feet  on  the  ground,  having  three  floors,  and  a  wing  of  brick 
30  by  40  feet,  two  stories  high.  The  main  mill  is  built  of  stone. 
Cotton  is  manufactured. 

A  short  distance  below  are  the  Valley  Mills,  a  building  about 
110  by  30  feet,  four  floors,  which  has  been  standing  idle  for  the 
last  year  or  two.  Mr,  A.  W.  Greenslit  was  superintendent,  and 
the  mill  was  furnished  for  the  manufacture  of  print  cloths,  hav- 
ing 174  looms  and  6,800  spindles. 

This  locality  is  known  as  Elliottville.  A  fall  of  some  twenty- 
four  feet  is  obtained  here.  A  short  distance  below  the  last  men- 
tioned, we  come  to  the  Elliottville  Mills  of  James  P.  Kendall,  of 
which  James  Dixon  is  superintendent.  It  is  a  handsome  stone 
building,  about  40  by  75  feet,  four  floors,  with  a  wing  40  by  50 
feet,  also  four  floors.  Fine  cotton  yarns  and  warps  are  manufac- 
tured.    The  mill  has  7,000  spindles. 


952  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

A  space  of  about  two  miles  intervenes  between  the  last  men- 
tioned and  the  next  mill  on  the  stream  below.  This  is  Sayles' 
Mill  at  Elmville.  This  is  a  brick  and  stone  mill  of  four  floors, 
in  size  about  40  by  100  feet.  It  is  owned  by  the  Sabin  L.  Sayles 
Company,  of  Dayville,  as  a  branch  of  their  more  extensive  works 
at  that  place. 

About  one-fourth  of  a  mile  below  the  latter  is  the  Hopkins 
Mill.  This  is  sometimes  called  the  Exeter  Mill.  It  is  owned  by 
Mr.  T.  E.  Hopkins,  and  is  employed  in  the  manufacture  of  fancy 
cassimeres.  It  is  furnished  with  five  sets  of  cards,  twenty-four 
broad  looms,  1,680  spindles,  and  also  has  a  dye  house.  Besides 
the  water  wheel  it  is  provided  with  two  steam  boilers  for  emer- 
gency. The  factory  is  a  wooden  buildilig,  about  150  by  40  feet 
and  three  stories  high. 

The  Elmville  Mills  of  C.  D.  &  C.  S.  Chase,  which  occupy  a 
site  about  one-fourth  of  a  mile  below  the  last,  were  started  a  long 
time  ago.  They  were  owned  by  Alfred  Potter.  About  twelve 
years  ago  the  mill  was  burned,  it  being  a  wooden  building.  A 
brick  mill  was  then  erected,  176  by  50  feet,  having  three  floors. 
The  present  company  have  had  possession  of  the  mill  since  Jan- 
uary 1st,  1886.  The  mill  is  furnished  with  four  sets  of  cards  and 
twenty-flve  broad  looms.  It  has  also  a  dye  house.  Fancy  cassi- 
meres are  made.  About  80  hands  are  employed  and  150,000 
yards  annually  produced. 

The  Attawaugan  Manufacturifig  Company  have  three  mills  lo- 
cated on  Five  Mile  river,  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town  of  Kil- 
lingly.  Railroad  connection  is  made  at  Dayville,  about  two 
miles  below.  It  was  organized  in  1859.  Mr.  H.  B.  Norton,  of  Nor- 
wich, is  president;  L,  Blackstone,  of  Norwich,  secretary  and 
treasurer,  and  W.  L.  Blackstone  of  the  same  city,  agent.  The 
superintendents  are  Calvin  H.  Frisbie  and  Chancy  C.  Chace.  The 
company  employ  in  these  three  mills  about  five  hundred  hands, 
running  eight  hundred  and  four  looms  and  thirty-six  thousand 
spindles.  The  products  are  fancy  dress  goods,  sheetings,  shirt- 
ings and  cambrics.  The  president  is  about  eighty  years  of  age, 
and  in  possession  of  remarkable  physical  and  mental  vigor  and 
business  tact.  The  treasurer  is  about  seventy-five  years  of  age, 
and  has  traveled  extensively.  The  corporation  adopts  a  liberal 
policy  toward  its  employes. 

In  the  year  1859,  Reverend  L.  B.  Bates,  as  preacher  in  charge 
of  the  West  Thompson  M.  E.  church,  formed  a  Methodist  class 


HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY.  953 

at  Ballouville,  and  appointed  Mr.  Elisha  Baker  leader.  The  class 
at  one  time  numbered  forty-two  members.  During  the  summer 
of  1870  the  Attawaugan  Manufacturing  Company  built  a  commo- 
dious and  attractive  church  edifice,  and  gave  the  use  of  the  same 
to  the  people  of  Attawaugan,  Ballouville,  and  the  surrounding 
community  for  religious  purposes.  Notwithstanding  the  fact 
that  the  company  were  members  of  the  Congregational  church, 
Norwich,  no  denominational  preferences  were  urged.  The  voice 
of  the  people  was  to  decide  what  order  of  preaching  should  be 
adopted.  In  the  autumn  of  1870  this  house  of  divine  worship  was 
dedicated  with  appropriate  and  impressive  services.  The  dedica- 
tory sermon  was  preached  by  Reverend  Mr.  Meriman,  pastor  of 
Second  Congregational  church,  Norwich.  The  pastors  of  the  evan- 
gelical churches  in  this  and  in  the  adjoining  villages  were  pres- 
ent, and  assisted  in  the  exercises.  Reverend  Shadrach  Leader 
represented  the  M.  E.  church,  being  stationed  at  the  time  at  Dan- 
ielsonville.  The  following  January  a  Sunday  school  was  organ- 
ized, and  Mr.  Joseph  Wheatpn,  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church, 
Putnam,  was  elected  superintendent. 

In  April,  1871 ,  by  request  of  the  people,  a  preacher  was  sent 
by  the  Providence  M.  E.  Conference,  in  the  person  of  Reverend 
Nelson  Goodrich.  An  attempt  to  organize  a  Union  church 
proved  unsatisfactory,  and  in  March,  1872,  the  people  decided  to 
organize  a  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  due  form,  and  this  de- 
cision was  immediately  carried  into  execution.  The  ten  mem- 
bers composing  it  were  John  Aspinwall,  Louisa  J.  Aspinwall, 
Elisha  Baker,  Mary  Baker,  Amanda  A.  Baker,  Amy  A.  Baker, 
John  O.  Fisher,  L.  W.  S.  Fisher,  Sarah  Whidden  and  Laura  Ed- 
wards. 

Pastors  to  this  church,  beginning  with  April  of  each  year  have 
been  as  follows:  Reverend  W.  W.  Ellis,  1872-5;  J.  O.  Dodge, 
1875  ;  C.  Morse,  1876  ;  C.  Hammond,  1877 ;  D.  J.  Griffin,  1878 ; 
R.  D.  Dyson,  1879  ;  D.  L.  Brown,  1880 ;  W.  A.  Luce,  1881 ;  S. 
Sprowls,  1882  ;  E.  J.  Ayres,  1883  ;  O.  A.  Farley,  1884-6  ;  William 
Kirkby,  1886  ;  G.  W.  Wright,  1887-8  ;  H.  H.  Moller,  1889.  The 
membership  of  the  church  now  numbers  about  one  hundred.  A 
Parish  Association  was  formed  in  1887,  with  Chancy  C.  Chace, 
president ;  Mrs.  Almond  Bosworth  and  Mrs.  Thomas  Holt,  vice- 
presidents  ;  and  Calvin  H.  Frisbie,  secretary  and  treasurer.  The 
church  building  is  not  in  the  hands  of  trustees,  but  all  the  prop- 
erty associated  with  the  church,  including  the  church  edifice. 


954  HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Blackstone  Hall  and  a  parsonage,  are  owned  by  the  Attawaugan 
Manufacturing  Company. 

Dayville  lies  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  town  of  Killingly, 
on  the  Assawaga  or  Five  Mile  river.  It  has  a  population  of 
about  1,500,  and  is  in  general  a  modern  manufacturing  village. 
The  Norwich  &  Worcester  railroad  has  a  station  here,  and  by 
that  means  this  is  made  the  shipping  point  for  several  manu- 
facturing villages  around,  such  as  Williamsville,  Attawaugan, 
Ballouville,  Elmville  and  Chestnut  hill.  The  railroad  station  is 
known  as  Dayville,  but  the  post  office  is  Killingly.  It  contains 
the  woolen  goods  manufactory  of  the  Sabin  L.  Sayles  Company, 
the  principal  industrial  institution,  and  two  churches. 

Business  was  started  up  here  some  forty  or  fifty  years  ago. 
Dayville  was  then  commended  for  its  neat  appearance,  and  for  a 
bridge  composed  of  two  finely  constructed  arches  of  stone,  each 
25  feet  broad  and  12  feet  high.  Captain  John  Day  sold  two- 
thirds  of  this  privilege  to  Prosper  and  William  Alexander,  and 
joined  with  them  in  building  and  equipping  a  cotton  factory,  in 
1832.  Caleb  Williams,  of  Providence,  purchased  theQuinebaug 
privilege,  and  erected  a  handsome  building  in  1827,  at  what  is 
now  Williamsville.  This  village  started  up  with  fresh  vigor  on 
the  opening  of  the  railroad.  Mr.  Ezekiel  Webster  was  promi- 
nent in  its  early  building  up.  He  erected  a  hotel  and  many 
private  dwellings,  engaging  also  largely  in  the  lumber  trade,  in- 
troducing a  steam  mill  and  lumber  working  machinery. 

In  1846  Mr.  John  Day  put  up  a  new  brick  factory  and  carried 
on  manufacturing  till  the  destruction  of  the  building  in  1858, 
when  the  privilege  and  accommodations  were  purchased  by 
Messrs.  S.  and  H.  Sayles,  who  built  up  extensive  woolen  manu- 
factures. Sabin  L.  and  Harris  C.  Sayles,  of  Pascoag,  R.  I.,  came 
here  about  twenty-five  years  ago.  They  began  work  with  two 
small  mills  of  two  sets  of  carding  machinery  in  each  mill.  This 
was  on  the  Whetstone  river.  The  business  was  enlarged  in 
1856,  and  two  years  later  it  was  burned  down.  This  was  in  1858, 
and  in  sixty  days  after  the  fire  a  new  mill  was  built  by  them  at 
Dayville,  ready  to  go  to  work,  and  containing  four  sets  of  ma- 
chinery. This  mill  has  been  several  times  enlarged  since  that 
time,  until  it  became  a  thirteen  set  mill.  The  growth  of  the  bus- 
iness still  requiring  additional  facilities,  a  new  sixteen  set  mill 
was  erected,  and  opened  in  March,  1883.  This  is  a  modern  mill 
building,  with  model  appliances  for  manufacturing.     The  new 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  955 

mill  is  built  of  brick,  and  is  50  by  200  feet  in  size  and  five  floors 
high,  including  one  floor  in  the  roof.  The  old  firm  of  S.  &  H. 
Sayles  was  dissolved  in  1879,  by  the  retirement  of  H.  C.  Sayles, 
and  in  1882  took  the  name  of  the  Sabin  L.  Sayles  Company,  by 
the  admission  of  Charles  A.  Russell  into  the  business,  which  re- 
ceived a  special  act  of  incorporation  in  1883,  by  which  its  capital 
stock  is  fixed  at  $200,000.  The  new  corporation  received  the 
business  and  property  of  the  former  company  in  October,  1883. 
The  officers  of  the  new  company  were  :  Sabin  L.  Sayles,  presi- 
dent ;  Charles  A.  Russell,  treasurer ;  and  Benjamin  Cogswell, 
superintendent.  The  water  power  for  this  mill  is  supplied  from 
a  reservoir  of  1,300  acres,  with  a  fall  of  seventeen  feet,  and  a 
Risdon  water  wheel  of  190  horse  power.  A  Wheelock  engine  of 
175  horse  power  is  kept  in  reserve  for  use  in  emergencies.  The 
works  now  employ  about  250  hands,  and  use  about  500,000  pounds 
of  wool  annually,  the  product  amounting  to  about  325,000  broad 
yards  of  cloth.  Certain  parts  of  the  work  are  carried  over  at 
the  Elmville  mills,  which  are  run  in  connection  with  this  estab- 
lishment. 

The  Dayville  Congregational  church  was  organized  May  23d, 
1849.  Its  constituent  members  were  mostly  dismissed  from  the 
three  KiUingly  churches.  The  church  had  at  first  about  thirty- 
five  members,  and  for  a  time  seemed  to  prosper.  The  former 
pastor  of  Danielsonville  church  (Westfield),  Reverend  Roswell 
Whitmore,  served  as  pastor  until  1857,  completing  a  term  of 
eight  and  a  half  years.  By  a  change  of  the  mill  owners  and  the 
introduction  of  a  new  class  of  population  the  church  suffered  a 
decline.  Only  three  or  four  of  the  original  members  are  still 
living  here.  After  Mr.  Whitmore  the  church  was  supplied  for 
a  while.  Reverend  Daniel  W.  Richardson  was  settled  here  in 
the  spring  of  1862,  and  was  dismissed  in  the  fall  of  1865.  About 
that  time  the  church  had  some  seventy  members.  Reverend  F. 
E.  M.  Bachelor  served  the  church  about  two  and  one-half  years. 
He  had  also  been  a  supply  previous  to  this  time.  John  H.  Mel- 
ish  came  in  the  spring  of  1868,  and  served  the  church  as  pastor 
for  three  years.  In  1871  Mr.  Bachelor  returned  again,  remaining 
this  time  about  two  years.  Reverend  Edward  S.  Huntress  was 
pastor  from  about  1879  to  1883.  Reverend  John  Parsons  served 
the  church  from  the  spring  of  1883  to  the  fall  of  1884.  He  was 
followed  by  Reverend  Henry  Kimball,  who  remained  from  1884 
to  the  fall  of  1888.     Reverend    Mr.  Flint,  from   Martha's  Vine- 


956  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

yard,  commenced  his  pastorate  in  June,  1889.  The  meeting 
house  was  built  in  1849.  A  parsonage  was  built  in  1871.  The 
present  resident  membership  of  the  church  numbers  about 
twenty. 

St.  Joseph's  Roman  Catholic  church  stands  in  the  west  part  of 
the  village.  Land  for  its  site  was  donated  by  Sabin  L.  Sayles, 
the  deed  for  the  same  being  dated  November  29th,  1881.  The 
lot  contains  about  three  acres,  and  the  church  was  built  upon  it 
soon  after  the  date  of  the  deed.  This  section  was  at  first  made 
a  mission  of  the  Danielsonville  church.  The  first  priest  estab- 
lished here  was  Father  Thomas  Ariens,  who  had  a  parochial  res- 
idence built  about  1882.  About  the  year  1886  the  pastor  was 
changed  and  Father  T.  J.  Dunn  took  charge.  He  remains  at  the 
present  time. 

Marvin  Waite  Post,  No.  51,  G.  A.  R.,  was  organized  June  23d, 
1880,  with  thirty-five  charter  members.  It  was  named  in  honor 
of  a  son  of  Hon.  John  T.  Waite,  who  held  the  office  of  lieutenant 
and  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Antietam.  The  post  was  organized 
in  Dayville,  and  its  first  officers  were  :  Albert  W.  Burgess,  com. ; 
James  H.  Rice,  S.  V.  C. ;  James  Adams,  J.  V.  C. ;  Albert  A.  Ar- 
nold, adjt. ;  Thomas  W.  Stevenson,  O.  of  D.  The  following 
have  served  successively  as  commanders  of  the  post :  Albert  W. 
Burgess,  1880-81 ;  James  Rice,  1882  ;  Thomas  Stevenson,  1883; 
Newton  Phillips,  1884-85;  Henry  E.  Baker,  1886;  Jabez  R. 
Bowen,  1887;  Alexander  Bryson,  1888;  Caleb  Blanchard,  1889. 
The  present  membership  is  about  thirty-five.  The  post  meets 
in  G.  A.  R.  Hall  in  Webster's  building.  A  Woman's  Relief 
Corps,  No.  31,  is  attached  to  it.  This  was  organized  in  March, 
1888.  Miss  Elizabeth  M.  Sayles  has  been  president  of  it  since 
its  organization. 

Assawaga  Lodge,  No.  20,  A.  O.  U.  W.  (Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen)  was  instituted  at  Dayville  May  29th,  1883,  with  nine- 
teen charter  members.  The  first  officers  were  :  Day  F.  Lovett, 
past  master  workman ;  Charles  J.  Sweet,  master  workman  ; 
Newton  Phillips,  foreman;  W.  P.  Kelly,  receiver;  Eugene 
Peck,  overseer ;  F.  W.  Bennett,  recorder ;  F.  H.  Cummings, 
financier.  Successive  master  workmen  have  been :  Charles 
J.  Sweet,  1883;  F.  W.  Bennett,  1884-85;  Calvin  H.  Frisbie, 
1886;  A.  H.  Bosworth,  1887;  Doctor  H.  L.  Hammond,  1888; 
Charles  E.  Young,  1889.  The  present  membership  is  about 
eighty.     The  lodge  is  in  a  flourishing  condition.     It  has  lost 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  957 

two  members  by  death — Charles  J.  Sweet  and  Benjamin  Cogs- 
well, the  families  of  each  of  whom  received  $2,000  benefit  from 
the  lodge. 

John  Lyon  Lodge,  No.  45,  Knights  of  Pythias,  was  organized 
at  Dayville  February  27th,  1888,  with  fifty  members  at  the  com- 
mencement. The  lodge  was  named  after  Past  Grand  Chancellor 
Lyon,  of  the  state,  who  had  then  recently  died.  The  first  officers 
were :  H.  L.  Hammond,  P.  C.  ;  W.  H.  Edwards,  C.  C. ;  John  B. 
Tucker,  V.  C. ;  G.  E.  King.  P.  ;  James  Purnett,  M.  of  E.  ;  E.  M. 
Randall,  M.  of  F. ;  F.  J.  Sayles,  K.  of  R.  &  S. ;  George  S.  Brown, 
M.  of  A. ;  N.  E.  Bowen,  L  G. ;  H.  M.  Burgess,  O.  G.  The  officers 
for  the  term  beginning  July,  1888,  were  :  C.  A.  Stokes,  C.  C. ; 
George  S.  Brown,  V.  C. ;  H.  F.  Harrington,  P.  Officers  begin- 
ning January,  1889,  were :  George  S.  Brown,  C.  C.  ;  H.  F.  Har- 
rington, V.  C,  to  May  7th,  1889,  when  he  resigned  and  Thomas 
Richmond  was  elected  in  his  stead ;  Fred.  A.  Hopkins,  P.  The 
lodge  has  a  nicely  furnished  hall  in  Sayles'  Building,  called 
Pythian  Hall.  The  furniture  and  equipments,  including  a  cab- 
inet organ,  cost  about  $600,  and  the  lodge  has  a  financial  show- 
ing of  $900  in  bank.  It  is  in  a  prosperous  condition,  and  the 
membership  has  now  reached  about  seventy.  Mr.  H.  S.  Garce- 
lon,  of  this  lodge,  is  District  D.  G.  C.  for  the  Thirteenth  district, 
which  includes  Danielsonville,  Dayville  and  Putnam.  The  mem- 
bership of  the  lodge  includes  nearly  all  the  business  men  of  the 
village  and  vicinity,  including  congressman  Charles  A.  Russell 
and  others  of  wide  reputation. 

Division  No.  1,  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians,  was  or- 
ganized in  May,  1888.  The  following  officers  were  then  elected, 
and  they  remain  to  the  present  time  unchanged;  William  Pen- 
dergast,  president;  Henry  Quinn,  vice-president ;  Philip  Moffatt, 
recording  secretary ;  John  J.  Quinn,  financial  secretary ;  Peter 
Flinn,  treasurer.  The  present  membership  of  the  lodge  is  about 
twenty. 

At  Williamsville  on  the  Quinebaug,  in  the  western  border  of 
the  town,  is  a  factory  village,  the  initial  factory  of  which  was 
erected  by  Caleb  Williams  in  1827.  That  first  mill  was  what  is 
now  the  north  wing  of  the  mill,  in  size  144  by  44  feet  and  four 
stories  high.  After  Williams  the  mill  was  owned  by  S.  &  W. 
Foster.  In  1849  they  formed  a  corporation  composed  of  Sam- 
uel and  William  Foster  and  John  Atwood.  The  company  has 
remained  to  the  present  time,  except  that  some  of  the  owner- 


958  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

ship  has  passed  to  the  heirs  of  individual  owners.  The  original 
Samuel  Foster,  however,  is  still  the  president  and  treasurer 
of  the  company.  H.  C.  Atwood  is  now  secretary  and  assistant 
treasurer.  The  present  main  building  is  417  feet  long  by  49 
feet  wide  and  four  stories  high.  Of  the  length  of  the  build- 
ing 165  feet  was  built  in  1860,  and  the  remaining  252  feet 
length  was  built  in  1876.  The  entire  building,  old  and  new, 
is  of  stone.  It  contains  600  looms  and  23,000  spindles.  Cot- 
ton shirtings  are  manufactured.  Water  is  used,  and  four  steam 
boilers  stand  ready  to  do  the  work  when  the  four  water  wheels 
fail  to  furnish  power  sufficient.  H.  C.  Atwood  is  the  superin- 
tendent of  the  works.  The  village  which  surrounds  the  mill 
belongs  to  the  company.  There  are  105  tenements.  A  building 
for  school  and  church  has  been  built  by  the  company  for  the  vil- 
lage. A  school  is  kept  by  the  district  in  the  basement,  and  the 
upper  room  is  used  for  a  church.  The  building  was  erected 
about  1868. 

A  Congregational  church  was  organized  here  June  4th,  1883, 
with  about  thirty  members.  The  first  minister  serving  as  pas- 
tor was  Reverend  E.  S.  Huntress,  who  served  the  church  up  to 
February,  1884.  He  was  followed  by  Reverend  A.  C.  Hurd,  who 
came  in  May,  1884,  and  stayed  till  October,  1885.  Reverend  O. 
D.  Hine  began  his  ministry  in  December,  1885,  and  remains  to 
the  present  time.  The  church  has  at  present  about  thirty-five 
members.  The  Sunday  school  in  connection  with  it  numbers 
about  sixty. 

The  borough  of  Danielsonville  was  created  by  an  act  of  as- 
sembly in  May,  1854.  The  boundaries  given  in  the  charter  are 
as  follows,  comprising  parts  of  the  towns  of  Killingly  and  Brook- 
lyn: "  Beginning  at  a  stake  and  stones  southeast  of  the  Kies 
tavern,  so  called,  thence  north  19^  degrees  east,  four  hundred 
and  twenty-five  rods,  to  a  heap  of  stones  on  the  north  side  of 
the  road  leading  east  from  the  house  of  David  Fisher;  thence 
north  67  degrees  west,  two  hundred  and  four  rods  to  a  white 
oak  tree  on  the  north  side  of  the  road  leading  from  Westfield  to 
the  house  of  Jacob  Danielson,  a  little  east  of  the  bridge  over 
Five  Mile  river  ;  thence  north  52f  degrees  west,  thirty-eight 
rods  on  the  north  side  of  said  road  to  a  turn  in  the  same;  thence 
north  70  degrees  west,  eighty  rods,  to  a  heap  of  stones  by  a  wall 
in  Jacob  Danielson 's  meadow;  thence  south  18f  degrees  west, 
four  hundred  and  seventy-three  rods  and  twelve  links,  to  a  stake 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  959 

and  stones  eight  rods  southwest  of  the  Cundall  barn;  thence 
south  71f  degrees  east,  three  hundred  and  seven  rods  and  five 
links,  to  the  first  mentioned  bound."  The  officers  of  the  borough 
were  to  consist  of  a  warden,  six  burgesses,  a  clerk,  treasurer  and 
bailiff,  to  be  annually  chosen  on  the  second  Monday  in  April. 
By  the  terms  of  the  charter  the  first  meeting  of  the  borough 
was  held  at  Rothwell's  Hall,  July  8th,  1854.  Rothwell's  Hall  is 
now  C.  H.  Bacon's  furniture  store. 

In  form  the  borough  is  nearly  square;  the  easterly  line  is  425 
rods  long,  the  westerly  line  473  rods,  the  southerly  line  307  rods, 
and  the  northerly  line  322  rods.  It  contains  S83  acres,  including 
ponds,  rivers  and  all  surfaces.  The  total  length  of  streets  in 
the  borough  is  nine  miles  and  seventy-four  rods,  all  but  289  rods 
of  which  are  on  the  Killingly  side.  In  July,  1868,  the  legisla- 
ture amended  the  charter  so  as  to  give  the  borough  the  super- 
vision of  street  repairs,  but  in  May,  1881,  this  right  was  relin- 
quished to  the  towns.  The  streets  were  first  named  by  the 
borough  authorities  May  22d,  1862,  and  the  sidewalks  laid  out  and 
established.  The  borough  hall  was  built  in  May,  1868,  at  a  cost 
•of  $2,700,  the  lot  on  which  it  stood  costing  $300  additional.  The 
growth  of  the  borough  may  be  inferred  from  the  following  sta- 
tistics. The  number  of  houses  and  amount  of  taxable  property 
in  the  borough  at  different  dates  have  been  as  follows:  1855,  195, 
$176,680;  1862,  216,  $225,156;  1867,  248,  $862,589;  1870,  299,  $1,- 
104,426;  1875,  341,  $1,131,895;  1880,  367,  $1,129,563;  1884,  378,  $1,- 
■215,786;  1889,  428,  $1,350,110.  There  are  in  the  borough  forty- 
seven  buildings,  exclusive  of  dwellings,  used  as  stores,  school 
houses,  churches,  mills,  shops  and  manufactories.  In  1861  the 
population  of  the  borough  was  2,190.  In  1885  it  was  3,215.  Of 
the  last  number  the  population  on  the  Brooklyn  side  was  1,140, 
while  that  of  the  Killingly  side  was  2,075.  Of  the  population  of 
the  borough  Americans  number  1,866,  and  French  number  1,346. 
Of  the  Americans  there  are  267  on  the  Brooklyn  side  and  1,599 
•on  the  Killingly  side.  Of  the  French  population  there  are  873 
on  the  Brooklyn  side,  and  476  on  the  Killingly  side.  Of  the 
American  population  in  the  borough  there  are  831  males  and 
1,035  females.  Of  the  French  population  there  are  582  males 
and  767  females.  Of  the  American  population  674  are  under  21 
years  of  age,  and  of  the  French  population  872  are  under  21 
years  of  age. 

The  wardens  of  the  borough  have  been  as  follows :  George 
Danielson,  1854 ;  A.  D.  Lockwood,  1855  ;  Horatio  Webb,  1856-61; 


960  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

W.  C.  Tucker,  1862 ;  E.  L.  Cundall,  1863-64 ;  vSamuel  Hutcliins, 
1865;  L.  H.  Rickard,  1866;  Abner  Young,  1867-68  ;  Anthony 
Ames,  1869;  B.  F.  Chapman,  1870-71 ;  George  Leavens,  1872-73; 
E.  R.  Burlingame,  1874 ;  L.  H  Rickard,  1875-76  ;  B.  A.  Bailey, 
1877;  Anthony  Ames,  1878;  L.  H.  Rickard,  1879;  Thomas  J. 
Evans,  1880;  William  H.  Chollar,  1881;  M.  P.  Dowe,  1882;  Joshua 
Perkins,  1883-85;  George  Jencks,  1886;  Frederick  A.  Jacobs, 
1887 ;  Sidney  W.  Crofut,  1888-89. 

The  borough  clerks  have  been  as  follows:  Amasa  Dowe,  1854 
-56 ;  Joshua  Perkins,  1857-62;  O.  P.  Jacobs,  1863-68;  M.  P.  Dowe, 
1869-71 ;  C.  N.  Capron,  1872-75  ;  C.  H.  Keach,  1876-80 ;  E.  L. 
Palmer,  1881-87  ;  C.  C.  Young,  1888-89.  The  borough  treasurers 
were  William  B.  Tobey,  1854-55 ;  William  B.  Knight,  1856-57  ; 
Joshua  Perkins,  1858-62 ;  O.  P.  Jacobs,  1863-68 ;  M.  P.  Dowe, 
1869-71 ;  H.  N.  demons,  1872-73 ;  C.  N.  Capron,  1874-75 ;  C.  H. 
Keach,  1876-80 ;  E.  L.  Palmer,  1881-87 ;  C.  C.  Young,  1888-89. 

The  borough  at  a  very  early  date  gave  attention  to  protecting 
its  people  and  their  property  against  accidental  fires.  It  was 
voted  October  16th,  1854,  that  a  fire  engine  should  be  purchased. 
The  engine  was  purchased  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  March  19th,  1855,  at  a 
cost  of  $990,  and  the  burgesses  named  it  the  "  Quinebaug." 
April  4th,  1855,  the  borough  voted  to  purchase  500  feet  of  leather 
hose  at  80  cents  a  foot.  Minnetexit  Fire  Company  was  organized 
July  11th,  1855,  and  the  name  of  the  engine  was  changed  to 
"Minnetexit,"  to  correspond.  A  hook  and  ladder  company  was 
organized  August  15th,  1855,  with  ten  ladders  and  hooks,  and 
the  borough  voted  to  purchase  300  feet  of  leather  hose.  Trucks 
for  ladders  and  hooks  were  purchased  in  July,  1873,  at  a  cost  of 
$500.  The  steam  fire  engine,  "Gen.  Putnam,"  was  purchased 
March  14th,  1878,  of  the  Silsby  Manufacturing  Co.,  of  Seneca 
Falls,  N.  Y.,  at  a  cost  of  $3,550. 

In  order  to  provide  means  for  the  successful  operation  of  this 
apparatus  the  borough  voted  to  build  ten  cisterns,  August  21st, 
1866;  and  September  15th,  1882,  voted  to  build  two  more  on  the 
Brooklyn  side,  the  first  ten  being  on  the  Killingly  side.  These 
were  built  in  the  following  locations:  1.  Corner  Mechanic  and 
Academy  streets;  2.  Main  street  near  Congregational  church;  3. 
Main  street  near  Logee's  bakery  ;  4.  Corner  Main  and  North 
streets,nearB.F.  Chapman's;  5.  Corner  Mechanic  and  Oak  streets, 
near  William  A.Chase's;  6.  Reynolds  street,  near  Thomas  Brad- 
ford's; 7.  Cottage  street,  near  Bond  street,  near  Loren  Bates';  8. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  961 

Corner  Furnace  and  Franklin  streets,  near  M.  V.  Woodworth's;  9. 
Broad  street,  near  Christian  hill;  10.  Corner  Winter  and  Spring 
streets,  near  Anthony  Ames';  11.  Main  street  (Brooklyn  side),  near 
J.  K.  Green's;  12.  Same  street,  near  William  Chapman's.  No.  1 
contained  447  hogsheads  and  cost  about  $500.  The  remaining 
eleven  had  each  a  capacity  of  250  hogsheads,  and  cost  $300  each. 
The  borough  is  about  to  be  supplied  with  water  by  the  Crystal 
Water  Company,  of  Boston,  who  are  now  at  work  putting  in 
the  pipes  to  supply  the  streets  with  water.  A  conduit  from 
a  reservoir,  about  three  miles  northeast  of  the  borough,  brings 
water  down  to  the  village,  and  another  reservoir,  on  a  hill 
near  the  village,  is  being  constructed  for  high  pressure  pur- 
poses, to  be  used  in  cases  of  fire.  This  will  give  a  pressure 
of  seventy-five  pounds  to  the  square  inch  at  the  railroad  cross- 
ing on  Main  street. 

Street  lights  were  established  in  May,  1882.  The  lamps  and 
lamp  posts,  ninety-four  in  number,  cost  $7.25  each,  and  are 
owned  by  the  borough.  The  burners  are  owned  by  the  Globe 
Gas  Light  Company,  who  hold  patents  upon  them.  The  lamps 
are  lighted  by  this  company  for  six  cents  per  burner  per 
night,  for  twenty  nights  every  month.  The  Ouinebaug  Com- 
pany owns  and  lights  six  gas  lamps  for  the  borough  on  the 
same  terms,  making  a  round  hundred  lamps  lighted  at  the 
expense  of  the  borough.  Electric  lights  are  now  being  talked 
of,  and  negotiations  are  pending  which  will  probably  give  the 
borough  the  benefit  of  them  very  soon,  perhaps  by  the  time 
this  work  comes  into  the  hands  of  its  readers. 

The  village  is  named  after  a  Mr.  Danielson  who  built  a 
grist  mill  at  this  place  many  years  ago,  some  notice  of  which 
has  already  been  given  in  another  chapter.  The  present  vil- 
lage is  the  growth  of  but  half  a  century.  In  that  time  it  has 
gained  a  remarkable  degree  of  maturity.  Its  streets  are  well 
laid  out,  handsomely  shaded  and  lined  with  neat  and  home- 
like residences,  though  but  few  of  them  are  gorgeous  in  ap- 
pearance. Upon  the  completion  of  the  Norwich  &  Worcester 
railroad  the  depot  became  the  central  point  about  which  the  vil- 
lage was  destined  to  grow  up.  Business  and  manufacturing  be- 
gan on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  but  came  over  to  the  rail- 
way station,  where  now  we  find  a  large  number  of  stores, 
churches,  hotels,  banks  and  other  institutions.  The  principal  in- 
dustrial support  of  the  village  is  its  manufacturing  interest. 
61 


962  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

The  largest  establishment  in  this  line,  the  Quinebaug  mills,  it  is 
said  furnishes  the  means  of  support  for  about  one-third  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  village.  The  Quinebaug  here  is  a  powerful 
stream,  and  the  Assawaga  joins  it  at  this  point,  in  the  lower  part 
of  the  village.  Very  substantial  bridges  have  been  built  over 
these  streams  at  this  place.  An  iron  bridge  over  the  Quinebaug 
was  built  a  few  years  since,  at. a  cost  of  about  $9,000,  the  expense 
of  which  was  divided  between  the  towns  of  Killinglyand  Brook- 
lyn. Mr.  Ezekiel  R.  Burlingame  was  first  selectman  at  the  time 
and  was  instrumental  in  having  it  built.  A  stone  arch  bridge 
was  built  over  the  Assawaga,  near  its  junction  with  the  Quine- 
baug, at  a  cost  of  $5,000.  This  bridge  was  completed  in  the  early 
part  of  1889. 

In  the  great  flood  of  1886  this  town  did  not  suffer  so  heavily 
as  some  other  towns  did,  but  the  event  was  one  which  is  not  soon 
to  be  forgotten.  An  account  given  at  the  time  draws  the  follow- 
ing picture: 

"As  long  as  they  live,  the  youngest  people  of  the  present  gener- 
ation will  never  forget  the  exciting  experiences  of  the  great 
freshet  of  February,  1886.  Early  Friday  evening  the  pouring 
warm  rain  upon  the  large  amount  of  snow  on  the  streets  of  the 
village,  and  the  fields  and  roads  in  the  vicinit)-,  brought  appre- 
hension of  a  severe  freshet  to  many  minds,  especially  to  the 
agents  and  others  connected  with  the  manufacturing  corpora- 
tions. By  10  o'clock  Main  street  and  the  sidewalks  were  a  river. 
At  the  corner  of  Spring  street  and  near  the  Monument  the  water 
was  high  enough  to  cover  rubber  boots,  and  pedestrians  who 
were  out  at  that  late  hour  reached  their  homes  in  the  west  part 
of  the  village  with  difficulty.  Saturday  morning  the  walks  on 
either  side  of  Main  street  were  covered  with  light  clay  that  must 
have  come  from  a  considerable  distance. 

"  At  early  daylight  a  tide  of  people  began  to  move  toward  the 
iron  bridges  across  the  Five  Mile  river,  where  the  mad  rushing 
waters  seemed  bent  on  the  greatest  possible  amount  of  damage. 
Hundreds  of  people  were  at  this  spot  all  day,  and  one  seemed 
fascinated  as  the  surging  tide  rushed  against  the  abutments  and 
swept  in  a  wild  current  over  the  dam,  then  under  the  bridges 
and  dashed  against  the  rocky  impediments  below.  One  crowd 
would  leave  the  spot  and  move  on  to  the  Quinebaug  river,  where 
even  a  more  fascinating  spectacle  would  meet  the  eyes  of  the 
spectators,  only  leaving  space  for  other  groups;  and  so  the  pro- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  963 

cession  kept  passing  through  the  day.  The  mills  were  stopped 
on  account  of  back  water,  and  in  fact  business  of  all  kinds 
seemed  to  be  suspended  in  the  village  for  the  day. 

"  Early  in  the  day  Selectman  Burlingame  sent  a  party  out  for 
two  long  timbers,  and  these  were  joined  to  the  upper  iron  bridge 
by  heavy  chains,  and  this  precaution  was  not  taken  any  too  soon, 
for  in  a  few  hours  one  side  of  that  bridge  began  to  settle.  These 
heavy  timbers  alone  saved  it,  and  probably  both,  for  if  one  had 
gone  the  other  would  probably  have  followed  it.  The  loss  will 
be  only  hundreds  of  dollars  instead  of  thousands  by  this  timely 
move. 

"  In  the  Quinebaug  river  the  volume  of  water  was  immense, 
and  as  cakes  of  ice,  wood  and  other  heavy  things  struck  the  piers 
and  embankments  of  that  long  bridge,  there  seemed  danger  that 
it  might  succumb  to  the  furious  assault,  and  that  communication 
between  Danielsonville  and  Brooklyn  people — who  have  so  many 
interests  in  common — would  be  imperiled  for  a  season.  And 
the  danger  began  to  be  more  imminent  as  the  waters  began  to 
make  a  perceptible  breach  in  the  northwest  embankment.  By 
evening  half  of  this  embankment,  reaching  back  more  than  a 
dozen  feet,  had  been  swept  away,  and  the  north  side  of  the 
bridge  hung  over  the  river  without  any  apparent  support.  The 
break,  however,  stopped,  and  the  bridge  is  saved,  to  the  surprise 
and  gratification  of  the  people  of  both  towns.  About  noon,  Sat- 
urday, the  foot  bridge  across  the  Quinebaug  river,  belonging  to 
the  Quinebaug  Company,  after  quivering  for  a  time  from  the  at- 
tack of  ice,  etc.,  gave  way,  and  the  debris  went  on  its  rapid 
course  toward  Long  Island  Sound.  Water  entered  the  old  Tif- 
fany Mill,  belonging  to  the  Quinebaug  Company,  until  it  was 
nearly  three  feet  deep  in  the  first  story." 

Great  interest  has  been  taken  in  the  public  schools  of  this  vil- 
lage. Two  graded  schools  are  in  operation,  one  in  each  town. 
Commodious  brick  buildings  have  been  erected,  one  in  each  dis- 
trict. The  borough  on  the  east  side  of  the  Quinebaug  is  District 
No.  1,  of  Killingly,  w^hile  that  part  of  the  borough  which  lies 
west  of  the  river  is  No.  9,  of  Brooklyn.  In  the  former  there  are 
about  537  scholars,  and  in  the  latter  347.  The  school  in  No.  1  is 
accommodated  in  a  handsome  brick  building,  built  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1871  at  a  cost  of  about  $25,000.  A  high  school,  which  is 
carried  on  in  this  building,  belongs  to  the  whole  town,  and  re- 
ceives pupils  from  any  district  in  the  town  without  charge.     The 


964  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

high  school  was  opened  December  6th,  1871,  and  the  first  class 
graduated  from  it  in  1872.  Up  to  the  present  time  the  total  num- 
ber of  graduates  has  been  119.  This  school,  including  the 
graded  school  connected  with  it  in  the  same  building,  employs 
ten  teachers.  The  school  in  District  No.  9,  in  Brooklyn,  has  an 
attendance  of  about  three  hundred,  and  employs  five  teachers. 
The  building  is  a  hp,ndsome  brick  structure,  and  was  erected 
about  the  same  time  or  a  little  previous  to  the  other.  The  ca- 
pacity of  these  schools  is  hardly  sufficient  for  the  growth  of  the 
village,  but  they  will  be  relieved  by  the  opening  of  the  Cath- 
olic parochial  school,  which  is  to  accommodate  a  large  percent- 
age of  the  foreign  population. 

Under  the  supposition  that  the  remnant  of  the  church  which 
had  worshipped  in  the  Breakneck  meeting  house  would  recog- 
nize and  allow  their  minister  to  hold  services  in  it,  some  enter- 
prising persons  built  a  meeting  house  in  the  western  part  of 
Killingly,  in  1798.  But  being  disappointed  in  their  expectations, 
they  proceeded  to  organize  a  church  in  the  western  locality  and 
cut  loose  from  the  old  church.  Doctor  Penuel  Hutchins  and 
Mr.  Robert  Howe  gave  the  building  site  for  this  new  house.  The 
organization  of  the  church  was  effected  by  a  council,  of  which 
Reverend  Josiah  Whitney  was  moderator,  August  25th,  1801. 
It  was  called  the  Church  of  West  Killingly.  The  following 
were  its  constituent  members:  Zadoc  Spalding,  Boaz  Stearns, 
Abigail  Stearns,  Zadoc  Hutchins,  James  Danielson,  Penuel 
Hutchins,  Samuel  Stearns,  Shubael  Hutchins,  Elizabeth  Hutch- 
ins, Mary  Stearns,  Sarah  L.  Danielson,  Hannah  Spalding  and 
Anna  Kies.  The  first  pastor  of  the  church  was  Gordon  Johnson 
of  Farmington,  ordained  December  12th,  1804.  It  made  but 
slow  advances  for  several  years.  The  only  additional  members 
during  its  first  eleven  years  of  existence  were  the  pastor  and 
four  women. 

Mr.  Johnson  was  dismissed  from  the  pastorate  in  1809.  His 
successor.  Reverend  Roswell  Whitmore,  son  of  an  old  Killingly 
family  that  had  removed  to  Ashford,  was  ordained  January  13th, 
1813.  Mr.  Whitmore  was  a  man  of  much  life  and  energy,  ready 
to  engage  in  any  form  of  Christian  labor,  and  the  church  was 
rapidly  built  up.  James  Danielson  and  Shubael  Hutchins  were 
installed  deacons  in  March,  1813.  For  many  years  the  church 
increased  in  proportion  to  the  growth  of  the  surrounding  vil- 
lages, and  enjoyed  many  seasons  of  special  religious  interest. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  965 

Its  Sabbath  school  was  among  the  oldest  in  the  county,  being 
organized  and  well  established  in  1820.  Isaac  T.  Hutchins,  one 
of  some  fifty  converts  who  joined  the  church  that  year,  was 
elected  superintendent.  Testaments  furnished  by  the  town 
Bible  society  served  for  text  book  and  library.  The  sessions 
were  chiefly  occupied  in  reciting  Scripture  verses  that  had  been 
committed  to  memory.  The  revival  of  1832  brought  into  this 
church  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  members.  Adam  B.  Dan- 
ielson  and  Warren  Stearns  were  chosen  deacons  in  1828.  The 
various  benevolent  societies  connected  with  this  church  were 
well  sustained.  Mr.  Whitmore  retained  the  pastorate  until  May 
2d,  1843.  He  was  succeeded  by  Reverend  Thomas  O.  Rice,  or- 
dained January  1st,  1845,  and  dismissed  March  25th,  1856.  Rev- 
erend Thomas  T.  Waterman  was  installed  as  pastor  here  Janu- 
ary 18th,  1858,  and  dismissed  January  30th,  1861.  Reverend 
William  W.  Davenport  was  ordained  August  21st,  1861,  dis- 
missed September  30th,  1868.  Reverend  Jeremiah  Taylor  was 
installed  May  12th,  1869,  and  dismissed  December  30th,  1871. 
Reverend  Adelbert  F.  Keith  was  installed  October  13th,  1874, 
and  dismissed  May  15th,  1877.  Reverend  James  Dingwell  has 
been  pastor  from  December  1st,  1877,  to  the  present  time. 

Stowell  L.  Weld,  William  H.  Chollar  and  John  Waldo  were 
elected  deacons  March  27th,  1862.  Elisha  Danielson  was  elected 
deacon  April  13th,  1866;  John  D.  Bigelow  December  2Sth  of  the 
same  year;  and  Joseph  W.  Stone  January  13th,  1875.  The 
second  meeting  house,  the  present  house  of  worship,  was  built 
in  1855. 

A  new  pipe  organ,  costing  about  $4,000,  was  put  into  the 
church  in  1887.  A  parsonage  was  built  about  the  year  1876. 
The  present  membership  of  the  church  is  about  350. 

The  beginnings  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Daniel- 
sonville  are  traced  to  the  little  workshop  of  a  shoemaker,  who 
located  in  this  neighborhood  when  the  village  was  yet  in  its 
early  infancy.  Attracted  by  the  sign  of  this  artisan,  an  itiner- 
ant preacher  on  his  rounds  called  to  ask  a  night's  lodging. 
Thus,  in  the  autumn  of  1839,  Reverend  John  Lovejoy,  while  on 
his  way  from  Lowell  to  New  London,  was  the  guest  of  Marcus 
Childs,  and  here  he  preached  and  formed  a  class.  The  names 
of  those  enrolled  in  this  class  were  Edwin  Dunlap,  Julia  J.  Dun- 
lap  (wife  of  the  former).  Hearty  Douglass,  Chloe  Childs  and 
Fidelia  Frizzell.     A  tradition  is  also  preserved  that  Reverend 


966  IlISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Mr.  Lovejoy  had  once,  as  early  as  the  year  1830,  preached  in 
a  house  belonging  to  Jared  Brainard,  which  stood  near  the 
old  "  Furnace  Lot."  Of  the  progress  of  this  early  class  little 
is  known,  but  in  September,  1840,  Reverend  Hezekiah  Thatcher, 
of  the  Plainfield  circuit,  preached  and  formed  a  class  ^of  thir- 
teen members,  whose  names  were  as  follows:  Edwin  Dunlap 
(who  was  appointed  leader),  Julia  J.  Dunlap,  Hearty  Douglass, 
Jared  Brainard,  Maria  Brainard,  Parmelia  Brainard,  Othniel 
Young,  Eliza  Young,  Harriet  Young  (later  the  wife  of  John  H. 
Keech),  Mary  Young,  Marcus  Childs,  Chloe  Childs  and  John  H. 
Keech.  Calvin  Brainard,  Charles  H.  Brainard  and  a  Miss  Cum- 
mings  joined  it  soon  after.  Edwin  Dunlap,  the  first  leader,  con- 
tinued in  that  position,  with  the  exception  of  about  one  year, 
until  his  death,  which  took  place  October  26th,  1873. 

Reverend  Hezekiah  Thatcher,  who  formed  the  class,  was  en- 
gaged in  fulfilling  a  contract  to  carry  the  mail  from  Plainfield  to 
Canterbury,  and  while  in  the  discharge  of  that  duty,  on  the  4th 
of  July,  1841,  while  in  the  act  of  crossing  the  railroad,  just  above 
the  Plainfield  depot,  he  was  struck  by  the  locomotive,  and  re- 
ceived injuries  from  which  he  died,  after  lingering  in  an  uncon- 
scious condition  about  twenty-four  hours. 

Previous  to  June,  1842,  Reverend  Azariah  B.  Wheeler  of  Plain- 
field,  and  Reverend  Stephen  Hammond  preached  here  more  or 
less  regularly  to  the  Methodist  people,  services  being  held  in  a 
school  house,  which  has  since  been  converted  into  a  dwelling 
house,  standing  on  the  corner  of  Furnace  and  Cottage  streets. 
Later  meetings  were  held  in  the  "  Conference  room,"  and  in  a 
freight  house  and  in  "Tavern  Hall."  While  using  the  freight 
house  for  meetings  a  great  revival  was  experienced,  and  some 
sixty  persons  were  converted.  The  name  of  Reverend  Stephen 
Hammond  is  mentioned  with  great  respect  in  connection  with 
the  early  history  of  this  church.  He  was  a  practical  black- 
smith living  at  Pomfret,  and  being  a  local  preacher,  served  this 
church  with  unselfish  devotion,  earnest  effort  and  but  very  in- 
significant financial  compensation. 

Steps  were  now  taken  toward  the  erection  of  a  house  of  wor- 
ship. Captain  Samuel  Reynolds  offered  a  very  elligible  site, 
which  was  accepted,  and  the  erection  of  the  house  commenced, 
under  the  efficient  direction  of  General  L.  E.  Baldwin,  now  of 
Willimantic.  The  contract  being  made  July  4th,  1842,  the  build- 
ing was  completed,  and  dedicated  on  the  30th  of  September  fol- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  967 

lowing.  The  whole  cost,  amounting  to  $3,200,  was  provided  for 
in  advance  by  the  sale  of  slips  and  voluntary  subscriptions. 
This  house  is  still  in  use  by  the  church,  occupying  its  original 
site.  The  church  was  organized  in  1842,  while  the  circuit  was  in 
charge  of  Reverend  George  May.  The  house  of  worship  was  en- 
larged in  1851,  and  in  the  following  year  a  vestry  was  finished 
under  the  west  end  of  the  building.  At  that  time  the  member- 
ship reached  one  hundred  and  sixty-seven.  During  the  years 
1867  and  1868  the  church  was  repaired  and  a  new  bell  was  added, 
the  expense  of  all  amounting  to  about  eight  thousand  five  hun- 
dred dollars.  The  membership  at  that  time  had  increased  to 
one  hundred  and  eighty-five.  A  parsonage  was  built  on  the 
church  lot  about  1873,  and  a  pipe  organ  added  to  the  furniture 
of  the  church  about  the  same  time.  The  cost  of  the  former  was 
nearly  four  thousand  dollars  and  the  value  of  the  latter  about 
one  thousand. 

At  the  anniversary  of  the  first  forty  years  of  existence  of  this 
church,  w^hich  was  celebrated  with  much  enthusiasm  in  1882,  it 
was  learned  that  during  the  period  spoken  of  the  church 
had  raised  for  church  and  benevolent  purposes  $59,250.  It  had 
gained  a  church  property  valued  at  $18,500 ;  organized  an  adult 
missionary  society  in  1848,  and  a  juvenile  society  in  the  follow- 
ing year  ;  raised  for  missionary  uses  $3,179.56 ;  paid  into  the 
treasury  of  the  American  Bible  Society  enough  to  give  more 
than  a  thousand  Bibles  to  the  destitute  ;  gathered  over  seven 
hundred  children  into  the  Sabbath  school,  the  number  at  one 
time  swelling  as  high  as  three  hundred ;  had  eight  hundred 
conversions  under  its  care;  received  six  hundred  and  ninety 
members  to  its  communion,  the  greatest  membership  at  any 
one  time  being  two  hundred  and  twenty-four.  The  pastors 
during  this  period  were  as  follows  ;  1841,  Stephen  W.  Ham- 
mond ;  1842,  George  May;  1843-4,  John  Howson ;  1845-6,  Ben- 
jamin C.  Philps;  1847-8,  John  Livsey ;  1849-50,  Samuel  W. 
Coggeshall ;  1851-2,  Sidney  W.  Dean  ;  1852,  Henry  S.  White ; 
1853-4,  Lorenzo  Dow  Bentley  ;  1855-6,  W.  S.  Simmons ;  1857-8, 
Lorenzo  W.  Blood ;  1859-60,  George  W.  Brewster ;  1861-2,  An- 
thony Palmer ;  1863-4,  Carlos  Banning  ;  1865-6,  William  H.  Stet- 
son ;  1867-8,  George  W.  Brewster ;  1869,  Norris  G.  Lippitt ; 
1870-71,  Shadrach  Leader;  1872-4,  George  E.  Fuller;  1875-6, 
George  W.  Anderson;  1877,  Norris  G.  Lippitt;  1878,  S.  Olin 
Benton  ;  1879,  R.  W.  C.   Farnsworth ;    1880-81,    Robert  Clark  ; 


968  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

1882-85,  Joseph  H.  James  ;  1885-87,  John  Oldham  ;  1887-89,  F. 
L.  Hayward  ;  1889,  G.  A.  Morse. 

Services  according  to  the  Episcopal  forms  were  held  in  a  hall 
for  some  time  previous  to  1863.  Reverend  Mr.  Wellman  officiated 
in  this  missionary  work.  Reverend  Charles  C.  Adams  followed 
him,  about  1864,  remaining-  until  1866,  during  which  time  steps 
were  taken  to  obtain  a  house  of  worship.  The  West  Killingly 
Academy,  an  institution  which  had  been  blessed  with  but  a  lim- 
ited degree  of  prosperity  and  was  now  for  sale,  was  purchased  of 
the  proprietors  by  John  V.  Lewis,  July  31st,  1865,  for  $1,400,  in- 
cluding about  three-fourths  of  an  acre  of  ground.  It  stood  where 
it  now  stands,  at  the  head  of  Academy  street,  and  on  the  east 
side  of  Broad  street.  The  lot  and  building  were  transferred  from 
Lewis  to  C.  C.  Adams,  December  2d,  1865,  for  $1,300  ;  and  by  the 
latter  it  was  transferred  to  the  Trustees  of  Donations  and  Be- 
quests for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  First  Ecclesiastical  Society 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  town  of  Killingly 
known  as  St.  Albans'  church,  December  21st,  1866,  for  the  sum  of 
$3,000.  By  this  time  the  church  was  in  good  working  order,  and 
the  building  was  probably  occupied  during  that  year,  the  neces- 
sary changes  and  improvements  in  the  interior  having  been 
made.  Reverend  W.  N.  Ackley  officiated  as  rector  from  1866  to 
1870.  He  was  followed  by  Reverend  George  Coggeshall,  whose 
term  of  service  extended  from  December,  1870,  to  July,  1871. 
Reverend  Alfred  S.  Rice  commenced  his  service  here  in  June, 
1872,  and  continued  for  a  year  or  two.  He  was  followed  by  Rev- 
erend Arthur  T.  Parsons,  of  whose  coming  we  have  not  the  date. 
He  closed  his  pastorate  about  1882,  and  then  for  about  two  years 
the  church  was  without  a  pastor.  Reverend  George  R.  Warner 
became  rector  in  July,  1884,  and  remained  until  May,  1889.  He 
was  followed  in  June,  1889,  by  Reverend  Cornelius  G.  Bristol,  of 
Milford,  Conn.  The  church  at  present  has  about  eighty  com- 
municants. 

The  Baptist  church  of  Danielsonville  has  a  handsome  Gothic 
and  Queen  Anne  house  of  worship  on  the  corner  of  Broad  and 
Academy  streets.  The  church  was  organized  February  5th, 
1874.  Sometime  in  the  April  preceding.  Reverend  R.  Turnbull, 
D.  D.,  superintendent  of  the  work  of  the  Connecticut  Baptist 
State  Convention,  visited  Danielsonville  in  company  with  Rev- 
erend Charles  Willett,  who  had  shortly  before  closed  his  pastor- 
ate of  the  Baptist  church  in  Putnam;  the  purpose  of  their  visit 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  969 

being  to  decide  on  the  advisability  of  organizing  a  church. 
They  decided  that  much  had  been  lost  already  on  account  of 
delay,  and  that  steps  should  be  immediately  taken  to  gather  the 
Baptists  together  and  form  a  society. 

Liberty  Hall,  conveniently  located  on  Oak  street,  was  se- 
cured, and  the  first  meeting  was  held  May  11th,  1873,  at  which 
Doctor  TurnbuU  preached.  A  good  congregation  was  in  at- 
tendance and  by  a  nearly  unanimous  vote  decided  that  they 
desired  a  Baptist  church,  and  a  committee  consisting  of  Henry 
Westcott,  Daniel  G.  Sherman,  William  M.  Johnson  and  W. 
W.  Woodward,  was  appointed  to  secure  a  place  for  meeting 
and  make  all  necessary  arrangements  for  regular  services. 
For  this  purpose  the  hall  already  mentioned  was  obtained. 
Doctor  Turnbull  preached  again  the  following  Sunday,  and 
after  that  the  work  was  left  to  the  care  of  Reverend  Mr.  Wil- 
lett,  who  preached  Sundays  and  hunted  up  Baptists  during 
the  week.  The  mission  proved  very  successful,  and  on  Feb- 
ruary 5th,  1874,  at  a  meeting  called  for  the  purpose,  forty- 
two  persons  constituted  themselves  a  Baptist  church.  At  a 
subsequent  meeting  March  5th,  1874,  the  following  officers 
were  elected:  W.  W.  Woodward,  clerk;  Henry  Westcott,  Wil- 
liam Johnson  and  H.  A.  Brown,  prudential  committee;  and  on 
March  25th,  the  church  was  publicly  recognized  as  a  Baptist 
church,  by  a  council  composed  of  delegates  from  the  Baptist 
churches  of  East  Killingly,  Putnam,  Brooklyn,  Willimantic, 
Packerville,  Union  Plainfield,  and  the  following  ministers,  who 
were  present  by  special  invitation:  Reverends  R.  Turnbull, 
D.  D.,  Hartford;  J.  P.  Brown,  New  London;  R.  Bennett  and 
C.  P.  Borden,  Central  Thompson;  and  J.  W.  Dick,  Woodstock. 
The  recognition  sermon  was  preached  by  Reverend  John 
Davies,  of  Norwich,  and  the  prayer  of  recognition  was  b}^ 
Reverend  T.  Terry,  of  Brooklyn. 

From  the  time  of  its  organization  the  growth  of  the  church 
has  been  steady  and  substantial,  there  having  been  additions 
to  its  membership  every  year  of  its  existence.  The  present 
membership  is  about  two  hundred.  It  has  had  but  three  pastors. 
Reverend  Charles  Willett  continued  as  missionary  pastor  until 
March  28th,  1875.  Reverend  William  C.  Carr  was  called  to  the 
pastorate  in  June,  1875,  began  his  labors  October  10th,  and  was 
ordained  November  11th.  His  pastorate  continued  until  May 
6th,  1883.     In  October  of  the  same  year  Reverend   F.  L.  Knapp, 


970  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

the  present  pastor,  was  called,  and  commenced  his  work  with 
the  church  on  January  6th,  1884. 

The  church  continued  to  worship  in  Liberty  Hall  until  May 
4th,  1879,  when  the  present  house  was  dedicated.  The  build- 
ing is  a  very  attractive  and  convenient  structure,  and  seats  350. 
It  has  two  vestries,  one  of  which  can  be  readily  opened  into  the 
audience  room,  giving  an  additional  capacity  of  about  150.  The 
house  is  also  supplied  with  baptismal  font,  robing  rooms,  etc. 
It  has  two  beautiful  memorial  windows,  one  contributed  by 
Mr.  H.  F.  and  Miss  A.  E.  Westcott,  in  memory  of  their  father 
and  mother,  Henry  and  Almira  Westcott.  There  is  also  a 
beautiful  window  contributed  by  the  Sunday  school. 

Special  mention  should  be  made  in  this  connection  of  Mr. 
Henry  Westcott,  without  whose  hearty  interest  and  liberal 
gifts  the  church  would  hardly  have  been  organized  or  its  at- 
tractive house  have  been  built.  His  death  occurred  before  the 
house  was  completed,  but  not  until  he  had  contributed  fully 
one-half  of  the  entire  cost.  Shortly  after  his  death,  in  a  letter 
to  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Ashford  Baptist  Association,  oc- 
curs this  testimony:  "  From  the  first,  he,  more  than  anyone  else 
has  borne  our  young  church  upon  his  heart,  and  supported  it 
with  his  influence,  his  sympathy  and  his  means,  and  his  loss  is 
more  to  us  than  we  can  express  in  words." 

The  Second  Advent  church  was  organized  in  1858,  as  the  re- 
sult of  a  protracted  meeting,  held  by  Elders  Miles  Grant,  of  Bos- 
ton, and  S.  G.  Mathewson,  who  came  to  this  place  at  the  invita- 
tion of  Doctor  Daniel  Jones.  Soon  after  this  a  man  by  the  name 
of  Brown  built  a  chapel  for  the  sect.  This  was  located  on  Win- 
ter street,  and  is  now  a  part  of  the  St.  James  Catholic  church, 
the  building  being  sold  soon  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Brown.  The 
church  after  that  held  services  in  Rothwell  Hall  for  a  time.  In 
1866  the  present  chapel  on  Academy  street  was  built,  under  the 
direction  and  by  efforts  of  Elder  H.  F.  Carpenter,  who  was  pas- 
tor of  the  church  at  two  different  times.  Elders  William  Fenn, 
James  Hemenway,  Marshall  Phettyplace,C.  W.  Dockham,  W.  N. 
Tenney  and  A.  S.  Williams  have  served  the  church  as  pastors, 
and  a  considerable  part  of  the  time  the  church  has  had  tempor- 
ary supplies  for  a  few  Sundays  at  a  time.  Elder  Dockham  was 
pastor  three  years,  closing  his  labors  November  2d,  1884.  He 
was  succeeded  by  Elder  W.  N.  Tenney,  who  served  from  De- 
cember 5th,  1884,  to  May  2d,  1886.     Elder  A.  S.  Williams  was 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  971 

pastor  from  December  1st,  1886,  to  April  1888.  The  member- 
ship of  the  church,  reaching  nearly  one  hundred  at  one  time, 
has  been  reduced  by  death  and  removals,  until  it  is  now  only 
about  thirty-five.  Several  notable  revivals  have  visited  the 
church,  an  important  one  being  conducted  by  Mrs.  E.  L.  Crumb, 
ten  or  twelve  years  ago. 

St.  James'  Roman  Catholic  church  had  its  beginning  here  in 
the  labors  of  Father  McCabe,  a  Franciscan  monk  from  Ireland, 
who  was  the  pioneer  priest  of  this  county.  Jesuit  mission- 
aries from  Boston  had  visited  this  region  occasionally,  passing 
through  perhaps  two  or  three  times  a  year,  and  saying  mass 
in  the  towns  on  the  way.  The  mission  of  Father  McCabe  ex- 
tended beyond  this  county  as  far  as  Colchester,  He  began 
his  work  here  in  1861.  The  first  mass  said  by  Father  McCabe 
was  in  a  house  on  Franklin  street,  by  Five  Mile  river.  After- 
ward services  were  held  in  Bacon's  Hall.  Father  McCabe  died 
in  Danielsonville,  about  1863.  John  Quinn  succeeded  him  as 
pastor  of  this  church.  Father  Quinn  made  his  residence  at  Moo- 
sup,  and  this  church  then  became  a  mission.  The  Second  Ad- 
vent chapel,  and  the  lot  upon  which  it  stood,  were  private  prop- 
erty, and  were  now  purchased  by  Father  Quinn,  of  Sally  D. 
Brown,  August,  29th,  1864,  and  that  became  the  nucleus  of  St. 
James'  church,  as  it  is  to-day,  the  Advent  chapel  being  the  tran- 
sept of  the  present  structure.  The  front  part  of  the  building 
was  added  during  the  pastorate  of  Father  Quinn,  who  also 
bought  additional  land  adjoining  on  the  north,  of  Elisha  Cham- 
berlin,  July  3d,  1869.  This  extended  to  the  corner  of  Hu'tchins 
and  Mechanic  streets,  and  the  parochial  residence  was  soon 
after  built  upon  it  by  Father  Quinn.  In  September,  1869, 
Father  Princen,  a  Belgian  priest,  followed  as  parish  priest  of 
St.  James.  The  cemetery  ground,  comprising  several  acres, 
a  short  distance  northwest  of  the  church,  was  bought  by 
Father  Quinn,  and  in  November,  1870,  this  and  the  church 
lots  were  transferred  by  him  to  St.  James'  Catholic  church. 
Father  Princen  built  the  sanctuary  and  vestry  to  the  church. 
He  remained  here  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  April, 
1883.  Father  Preston  (Thomas  J.)  began  his  pastorate  in  1883, 
and  is  still  in  charge.  He  has  had  the  church  remodelled 
and  renovated,  and  in  1886  cleared  of  a  debt  amounting  to 
about  $6,000,  since  which  time  the  church  has  been  free  of 
debt.     He  has  had  erected  at  a  cost  of    about  $11,000,  includ- 


972  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

ing-  lot,  a  building  for  a  parochial  school.  The  lot,  which 
contains  about  two  and  one-half  acres,  was  purchased  of  Betsey 
H.  Ely,  March  7th,  1877.  A  handsome  building-,  two  story 
and  mansard  roof,  has  been  erected  upon  it,  and  the  school 
w411  open  in  September,  1889.  Six  teachers,  besides  the  prin- 
cipal, will  be  employed,  and  the  school  will  accommodate 
about  350  pupils.  It  will  be  conducted  by  the  Sisters  of  St. 
Joseph.  All  the  modern  languages  will  be  taught,  as  well  as 
fancy  work,  drawing  and  music.  English  will  be  the  promi- 
nent language  in  the  school.  Protestant  children  will  be  ad- 
mitted free  to  the  common  branches  as  well  as  Catholic  child- 
ren, and  to  the  higher  branches  and  the  languages  by  the  pay- 
ment of  the  necessary  fees. 

There  are  in  the  parish  of  St.  James  about  1,300  French 
Canadians  and  500  Irish.  Hampton  and  Brooklyn  are  both  mis- 
sions of  this  church.  Mass  is  said  in  the  town  hiall  at  the  latter 
place.  Another  mission  is  maintained  at  Chestnut  hill,  where 
there  are  about  150  French  and  a  few  Irish.  Mass  is  said  there 
in  a  hall.  In  Brooklyn  and  Hampton  missions  there  are  about 
250  Irish.  There  are  connected  with  the  church  several  socie- 
ties. A  St.  John  Baptist  Society  numbers  about  100 ;  a  society 
of  the  Knights  of  Columbus  has  53  members ;  the  Children  of 
Scapular  Society  numbers  60 ;  the  society  of  the  Children  of 
Mary  has  about  70  young  ladies  ;  a  St.  Ann's  Society  has  51  mem- 
bers ;  a  St.  Alyosious  Society  contains  a  membership  of  40  ;  and 
an  Infant  Jesus  Society  contains  about  150  children. 

The  First  National  Bank  of  Killingly  was  organized  in  1864. 
It  commenced  business  June  2d,  of  that  year,  with  a  capital  of 
$55,000.  It  commenced  its  banking  business  September  1st, 
1864.  Its  officers  then  were  Hon.  Elisha  Carpenter,  president, 
and  H.  N.  demons,  cashier.  It  soon  doubled  its  capital,  making 
its  limit  $110,000,  which  remains  unchanged  at  the  present  time. 
The  first  board  of  directors  were  Elisha  Carpenter,  Arnold  Fen- 
ner,  Henry  Hammond.  Abner  Young,  William  Dyer,  Harvey  S. 
Bartlett,  Edwin  Ely,  George  Leavens,  John  Atwood.  The  pres- 
ident of  the  bank  was  the  same  as  at  the  beginning  until  Sep- 
tember 13th,  1864,  when  he  removed  to  Hartford,  and  Arnold 
Fenner  was  elected  to  take  his  place.  He  continued  as  presi- 
dent till  January  10th,  1871.  From  that  date  to  the  present 
time,  Henry  Hammond  has  filled  the  position.  The  office  of 
cashier  has  suffered  no  change  from  the  beginning.     The  pres- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  973 

ent  board  of  directors  are  Henry  Hammond,  Abner  Young,  Silas 
Hyde,  H.  N.  demons,  William  H.  Chollar,  William  A.  Johnson, 
Lorin  Bates,  R.  R.  James,  T.  E.  Hopkins.  July  2d,  1888,  the 
bank  paid  its  forty-fifth  dividend.  Up  to  that  time  it  had  paid 
to  its  stockholders  in  dividends  $220,000,  just  double  the  amount 
of  its  capital.  The  amount  of  its  deposits  November  3d,  1888, 
was  $112,322.32.  The  bank  occupies  elegant  rooms  in  the  Music 
Hall  building,  on  the  second  floor,  over  the  post  office. 

Windham  County  Savings  Bank  was  incorporated  in  May, 
1864.  Its  incorporators  were  William  James,  George  Danielson, 
Edwin  Ely,  Orville  M.  Capron,  Hezekiah  L.  Danielson,  Samuel 
Reynolds,  Horatio  Webb,  Willard  Leavens,  Freeman  James,  Ed- 
win Dunlap,  Henry  Hammond,  John  Snow,  Jr.,  William  Alexan- 
der, Marvin  A.  Dexter,  Amos  D.  Lockwood,  Daniel  P.  Tyler, 
Elisha  Danielson,  William  B.  Wright,  Lysander  Warren,  Wil- 
liam Humes,  Frederick  P.  Coe,  Henry  Hutchins.  The  first  offi- 
cers, elected  July  26th,  1864,  were  :  William  James,  president ; 
Henry  N.  demons,  secretary  and  treasurer.  The  president  con- 
tinued in  office  till  July  11th,  1870,  when  George  Danielson  was 
elected  to  that  office.  He  was  followed  by  William  H.  Chollar, 
July  29th,  1875.  Hezekiah  Danielson  was  made  president  Au- 
gust 3d,  1875.  John  G.  Bigelow  became  president  July  10th, 
1876,  continuing  until  he  was  succeeded  by  William  H.  Chollar, 
the  present  incumbent,  July  13th,  1885.  The  office  of  secretary 
and  treasurer  has  been  filled  by  the  following :  Henry  N.  dem- 
ons, July  26th,  1864,  to  August  3d,  1875 ;  William  H.  Chollar,  to 
July  10th,  1876  ;  Anthony  Ames,  to  July  13th,  1886  ;  Chauncey  C 
Young,  to  the  present  time.  Anthony  Ames  is  vice-president, 
and  the  following  are  trustees:  Lysander  Warren,  Samuel  S. 
Waldo,  Rowland  R.  James,  Edward  H.  Jacobs,  Sidney  W.  Crofut, 
Thomas  J.  Evans,  James  Perkins.  The  first  deposit  was  made 
September  17th,  1864.  The  last  report  shows  the  total  number 
of  depositors,  2,029,  and  the  total  deposits  $530,198.63.  The 
bank  occupies  a  room  in  the  building  on  the  west  side  of  Main 
street,  which  was  built  by  the  bank  soon  after  the  commence- 
ment. 

Danielsonville  can  boast  of  ■  one  of  the  finest  buildings  for 
public  entertainments  that  can  be  found  in  Windham  county. 
Music  Hall  was  built  by  a  joint  stock  company,  organized  under 
the  general  state  law,  the  shares  being  $25  each.  The  building 
was  erected  in  1876.     The  capital  stock  of    the  company  was 


974  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

$20,000,  but  the  building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $38,000.  It 
has  a  handsome  front  of  pressed  brick,  with  iron  facings,  pillars, 
projections  and  ornaments.  The  audience  room,  which  is  on 
the  ground  floor,  easy  of  access,  has  stage  and  gallery,  and  will 
seat  800  persons.  When  J^hn  B.  Gough  lectured  in  it  there  were 
1,000  persons  in  it,  by  some  dint  of  crowding.  It  has  movable 
chairs,  so  that  the  floor  can  be  easily  cleared  for  any  purpose 
that  requires  it.  The  building  is  three  stories  high,  with  another 
story  in  the  Mansard  roof.  The  ground  floor  in  front  is  occu- 
pied by  a  store  on  one  side  and  post  office  on  the  other  side  of 
the  entrance  hall.  The  second  floor  is  occupied  by  the  Killingly 
National  Bank  and  offices.  The  third  floor  is  occupied  by 
Armory  Hall,  and  in  the  fourth  story  or  Mansard  roof  is  Grand 
Army  Hall.  The  ground  covered  by  the  building  is  about  60  by 
130  feet. 

The  People's  Library  is  an  institution  in  whicji  the  intelligent 
people  of  the  village  take  considerable  interest.  It  was  started 
as  a  Young  Men's  Library  about  thirty-five  years  ago.  From 
small  beginnings  it  has  increased  in  size  until  it  now  has  about 
2,500  volumes.  It  has  a  room  on  the  second  floor  of  Music  Hall 
building,  and  is  kept  open  during  certain  hours  of  certain  days 
of  the  week.  It  is  supported  by  funds  raised  by  membership 
fees  and  dues.  The  association  has  three  classes  of  members: 
life  members,  who  pay  $3  for  admission  and  50  cents  annually, 
and  are  entitled  to  vote;  annual  members,  who  simply  pay  50 
cents  a  year;  and  honorary  members,  who  are  made  so  on  pay- 
ment of  $15.  The  last  two  have  rights  to  the  use  of  books,  but 
not  to  vote.  The  association  has  a  president,  vice-president,  sec- 
retary, treasurer  and  a  board  of  six  directors.  Mrs.  Anthony 
Ames  has  for  several  years  been  its  librarian. 

The  Quinebaug  Manufacturing  Company's  mills,  in  the  south- 
ern part  of  this  village,  are  one  of  the  largest  manufacturing  es- 
tablishments in  the  county.  They  are  delightfully  situated  on 
the  right  bank  of  the  beautiful  Quinebaug  river,  on  elevated 
ground,  and  are  surrounded  by  nearly  two  hundred  well  con- 
structed and  nice  looking  brick  tenement  houses.  Their  grounds 
cover  more  than  ninety  acres,  and  from  the  windows  of  the 
various  buildings  the  view  is  enchanting.  The  mills  proper  are 
designated  as  No.  1  and  No.  2.  No.  1,  or  the  oldest  mill,  was 
built  by  Mr.  Tiffany,  the  father  of  the  celebrated  New  York 
jeweler,  over  a  half  century  ago.     It  has  lately,  however,  been 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  975 

entirely  reconstructed,  with  new  machinery  throughout.  This 
mill  is  of  wood,  and  is  the  first  one  approached  from  the  town. 
No.  2  is  of  stone,  is  a  massive  structure,  and  with  its  great  wings 
and  extensions,  covers  a  large  amount  of  ground.  It  would  re- 
quire a  large  amount  of  space  to  describe  all  the  interesting  de- 
tails— we  will  have  to  generalize.  The  dimensions  of  the  latter 
named  mill  are  as  follows:  main  building,  343  by  48  feet;  south 
wing,  160  by  52  feet;  picker  house,  93  by  41  feet;  west  addition, 
122  by  48  feet;  north  wing,  162  by  48  feet;  roller  shop,  124  by  20; 
weave  shed,  450  by  102.  No.  1  mill  is  200  by  30  feet  in  area,  and 
has  a  power  of  100  horses,  while  No.  2  has  that  of  900  horses. 
These  works  are  run  by  water  power,  but  steam  engines  of  equal 
power  as  named  for  water  are  on  hand  in  case  of  necessity. 
There  are  54,736  spindles  and  1,400  looms,  and  the  number  of 
employees  is  about  800,  the  pay  rolls  of  whom  amount  to  over 
$19,000  every  four  weeks.  The  number  of  yards  manufactured 
per  year  is  over  3,000,000,  and  consists  of  sheetings  of  different 
widths  and  weights. 

This  company  was  incorporated  in  1851,  and  the  present  offi- 
cers are :  R.  C.  Taft,  president ;  John  W.  Danielson,  treasurer  ; 
B.  A.  Bailey,  agent.  The  nominal  capital  is  $500,000,  and  the 
stock  is  mostly  owned  in  Providence.  Mill  No.  2  was  built  over 
twenty-five  years  ago.  This  company  own  a  large  store,  which 
has  for  its  customers  others  beside  the  operatives.  The  opera- 
tives are  all  paid  in  cash,  and  there  are  but  about  one-third  who 
avail  themselves  of  the  discount,  for  all  are  at  liberty  to  trade 
where  they  will.  About  three-quarters  of  the  operatives  of 
this  great  corporation — the  Quinebaug  Company — are  French 
Canadians,  one-eighth  are  Irish,  and  the  balance  scattering. 
They  all  seem  contented  and  happy,  and  we  learned  from  the 
residents  of  the  town  that  they  are  an  orderly  and  thrifty  class. 

The  Quinebaug  Grist  Mill  is  located  at  the  junction  of  the 
Five  Mile  river  with  the  Quinebaug.  It  was  established  by  the 
Quinebaug  Company  in  1879,  is  run  by  water,  and  has  a  storage 
capacity  of  15,000  bushels.  It  is  supplied  with  improved  ma- 
chinery for  the  manufacture  of  buckwheat  flour.  During  the 
season  about  1,000  bushels  of  this  grain  a  week  are  ground  up. 

In  1852  Eleazar  Baker  came  to  this  town  from  Massachusetts, 
-and  began  the  manufacture  of  reeds  at  Dayville.  In  1854  he 
moved  the  business  to  Danielsonville.  In  1858  he  sold  the  busi- 
:ness  to  William  S.  Short,  who  ran  the  same  till  his  death  in  1865. 


976  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Mr.  Baker  then  re-purchased  the  business  and  continued  in  it 
until  November,  1870,  when  he  sold  it  to  R.  S.  Lathrop.  The 
latter  in  1881  built  a  brick  mill  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Five  Mile 
river,  near  the  railroad  station,  where  the  business  has  been  con- 
tinued since  that  time.  It  is  still  owned  by  Mr.  Lathrop's  heirs, 
and  is  now  managed  by  his  son,  H,  V.  Lathrop. 

The  Danielsonville  Cotton  Company's  works  are  situated  be- 
tween the  Quinebaug  and  the  Five  Mile  rivers.  They  consist  of 
three  mills  proper,  and  are  a  continuation  of  the  Danielsonville 
Company,  founded  over  seventy  years  ago.  One  of  the  mills, 
called  the  old  one,  is  a  frame  building,  erected  in  1816,  and  is 
still  used  for  various  purposes.  The  stone  structure  about  sev- 
enty feet  distant  from  the  first  named,  and  on  the  same  side  of 
the  street,  was  built  later,  while  the  large  brick  mill  opposite 
was  constructed  in  1868.  This  mill  is  219  by  78  feet,  four  stories 
and  a  basement.  The  picker  room  is  63  by  43  feet,  two  stories. 
The  boiler  house  adjoining  is  40  by  40  feet,  and  the  engine  room 
18  by  52  feet.  The  office  is  31  by  42  feet,  two  stories  and  base- 
ment. The  motive  power  is  furnished  by  water,  the  facilities  hav- 
ing a  capacity  available  to  the  extent  of  350  horse  power.  Steam 
engines  are  also  in  reserve  in  case  of  need.  The  present  com- 
pany was  organized  in  1880,  and  they  have  a  capital  of  $175,000. 
The  officers  are  :  B.  B.  Knight,  president ;  Jeffrey  Hazard,  treas- 
urer, and  A.  J.  Gardiner,  superintendent.  In  these  mills  are 
17,024  spindles  and  384  looms.  They  manufacture  prints,  sheet- 
ings and  shirtings.  About  4,500,000  yards  are  turned  out  annu- 
ally. About  300  hands  are  employed.  The  establishment  in 
general  indicates  the  presence  and  direction  of  a  master  hand, 
and  such  we  find  in  the  business  qualifications  and  courteous 
manners  of  its  superintendent. 

The  Assawaga  Mill  of  E.  Pilling  &  Co.  is  on  School  street,  nearly 
across  the  block,  in  rear  of  the  Attawaugan  House.  It  is  now 
called  the  Aspinock  Knitting  Company.  It  employs  about  forty 
hands  in  the  manufacture  of  seamless  half  hose  and  other  knit 
goods,  cotton  and  woolen.  It  is  furnished  with  50  knitting  ma- 
chines. The  business  was  started  in  the  spring  of  1883.  The 
mill  is  well  supplied  with  the  most  improved  kinds  of  machinery, 
and  the  reputation  of  the  work  is  built  upon  a  careful  and  hon- 
est foundation. 

Near  the  last  mentioned  are  the  works  of  Messrs.  E.  H.  Jacobs 
&  Co.,  manufacturers  of  loom  harness,  belting  and  hose.     The 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  977 

works  were  a  few  years  since  removed  to  this  place  from  Paw- 
tucket,  R.  I.  The  mill  has  an  area  of  6,000  square  feet  of  floor 
surface.  Making  and  repairing  leather  belting,  loom  strapping, 
pickers  and  mill  supplies  in  general,  are  among  the  branches  of 
work  done.  The  "  Challenge  "  hose  carriage,  a  very  popular  ap- 
paratus all  over  New  England,  is  manufactured  here.  About 
one  hundred  sets  per  day  of  finished  loom  harness  are  also  man- 
ufactured here. 

The  Quinebaug  Brick  Company  hail  from  Danielsonville, 
though  their  works  are  about  two  miles  from  the  village  center, 
in  the  town  of  Brooklyn.  They  make  some  four  million  bricks 
annually,  which  are  shipped  from  Danielsonville  by  railroad  to 
points  in  southern  New  England.  The  bricks  are  reckoned  as 
first  quality  in  all  respects,  as  the  fact  that  they  are  used  in  some 
of  the  largest  manufacturing  and  storage  buildings  and  other 
important  structures,  abundantly  testifies.  Sabin  L.  Sayles  is 
president  of  the  company  ;  Hon.  Charles  A.  Russell,  treasurer  ; 
Charles  R.  Palmer,  resident  agent,  and  George  Benjamin,  over- 
seer. 

The  principal  hotel  of  this  village  is  the  Attawaugan,  a  house 
of  liberal  proportions  and  well  furnished  appointments.  It  was 
built  in  1856.  The  first  manager  was  Henry  Peckham,  who  ran 
it  a  few  months.  Since  that  time  it  has  been  run  by  the  present 
proprietor,  Lewis  Worden.  The  house  has  forty-one  large  and 
well  lighted  lodging  rooms,  and  its  arrangements  in  general  are 
excellent  and  commodious. 

Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  is  the  lineal  descendant  of  the  old  Lodge 
of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  which  we  have  already  noticed  in 
connection  with  Canterbury,  where  its  principal  early  headquar- 
ters were.  The  lodge  had  the  honor  of  being  Number  1,  that  is, 
the  first  lodge  instituted  in  the  state  of  Connecticut,  It  was  in- 
stituted in  1790.  At  first  it  had  what  was  called  a  roving  charter, 
which  allowed  it  to  move  about  and  hold  meetings  in  different 
towns  to  accommodate  circumstances.  In  its  early  membership 
it  embraced  some  of  the  leading  men  of  the  county,  which  are 
more  particularly  mentioned  in  connection  with  Canterbury.  At 
the  time  of  the  Morgan  excitement,  a  remarkable  era  in  Masonic 
history,  the  charter  was  given  up  and  action  of  the  lodge  sus- 
pended for  a  few  years.  Afterward  it  was  revived,  but  the  hon- 
orable number  was  lost,  and  the  lodge  was  numbered  15.  Its 
home  for  many  years  has  been  in  Danielsonville,  where  it  now 
62 


978  HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

meets  in  a  room  in  tlie  Exchange  Building.  The  present  officers 
are:  M.  A.  Shumway,  W.  M.;  George  R.  Warner,  S.  W.;  A.  P. 
Somes,  J.  W.;  F.  T.  Preston,  treasurer;  Anthony  Ames,  secre- 
tary; E.  W.  Hayward,  S.  D.;  John  W.  Day,  J.  D.;  Hosea  E.  Green, 
S.  S.;  George  C.  Foote,  J.  S.;  E.  L.  Palmer,  chaplain;  H.  F.  Clark, 
marshall;  E.  S.  Carpenter,  tyler;  J.  F.  Seamans,  O.  W.  Bowen  and 
F.  W.  Franklin,  auditors. 

Growing  out  of  this  lodge  are  Warren  Chapter,  No.  12,  Royal 
Arch  Masons,  and  a  council  of  R.  &  S.  Masters.  The  chapter  was 
chartered  in  1812.  Its  present  officers  are:  M.  A.  Shumway,  M. 
E.  H.  P.;  George  R.  Warner,  E.  K.;  Henry  F.  Clark,  E.  S.;  F.  T. 
Preston,  treasurer;  J.  F.  Seamans,  secretary;  H.  H.  Green,  C.  of 
H.;  C.  E.  Hill,  P.  S.;  F.  A.  Shumway,  R.  A.  C;  Jarvis  Wallen, 
3d  veil;  C.  H.  Frisbie,  2d  veil;  E.  W.  Scott,  Jr.,  1st  veil;  E.  S. 
Carpenter,  tyler;  H.  H.  Green,  C.  H.  Reach,  H.  F.  Clark,  auditors. 
Montgomery  Council,  No.  2,  Royal  and  Select  Masters,  was  char- 
tered in  1818.  Their  present  officers  are:  H.  H.  Green,  T.  I.  M.; 
C.  E.  Hill,  I.  D.  M.;  M.  A.  Shumway,  I.  P.  C;  F.  T.  Preston,  treas- 
urer; J.  F.  Seamans,  R.;  H.  F.  Clark,  C.  of  G.;  F.  A.  Shumway, 
C.  of  C;  C.  H.  Keach,  steward;  Reverend  George  R.  Warner, 
chaplain;  E.  S.  Carpenter,  sentinel;  W.  E.  Hyde,  H.  F.  Clark,  E. 
L.  Palmer,  auditors. 

McGregor  Post,  No.  27,  G.  A.  R.,  was  organized  at  Danielson- 
ville,  July  1st,  1868.  Its  charter  members  were:  Frank  Bur- 
roughs, S.  C.  Chamberlin,  H.  O.  Bemis,  D.  S.  Simmons,  P.  G. 
Brown,  A.  F.  Bacon,  C.  W.  James,  Charles  Burton,  H.  B.  Fuller, 
H.  K.  Gould.  The  first  officers  were  as  follows:  Frank  Burroughs, 
C;  S.  C.  Chamberlin,  S.  V.  C;  S.  M.  Howard,  J.  V.  C;  H.  B.  Ful- 
ler, adjutant;  G.  W.  Bartlett,  Q.  M.;  E.  M.  Eldridge,  chc^plain. 
The  office  of  commander  has  been  held  by  the  following  persons: 
Frank  Burroughs,  David'M.  Colvin,  U.  B.  Schofield,  William  E. 
Hyde,  D.  S.  Simmons,  E.  J.  Mathewson,  William  E.  Hyde,  Frank 
Burroughs,  E.  S.  Nash,  H.  F.  Clark,  B.  E.  Rapp,  S.  M.  Woodward, 
Charles  Burton,  J.  W.  Randall,  H.  F.Clark.  The  post  has  a  com- 
modious room  in  Music  Hall  building.  Its  present  membership 
is  sixty-four.  The  present  officers  are:  H.  F.  Clark,  C;  Nathan 
Reaver,  S.  V.  C;  T.  H.  Stearns,  J.  V.  C;  S.  M.  Woodward,  adju- 
tant; U.  B.  Scofield,  Q.  M.;  L.  B.  Arnold,  surgeon;  Reverend 
James  Dingwell,  chaplain. 

Quinebaug  Lodge,  No.  34,  I.  0.0.  F.,  was  instituted  at  Daniel- 
sonville,    February   13th,    1889.     The    charter   members    were: 


HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY.  979 

Newton  Phillips,  Walter  F.  Bliven,  John  B.  Hopkins,  C.  F.  Chap- 
man, Reuben  Pilling,  Jr.,  A.  A.  Boswell,  A.  W.  Dean,  John  H. 
Perry,  James  P.  Carver,  Henry  E.  Baker,  John  E.  Bassett,  Frank 
A.  Prince  and  Edward  Fairman.  The  lodge  meets  on  Tuesday 
nights,  in  Knights  of  Pythias  Hall,  in  the  Savings  Bank  building. 
The  officers  elected  for  this,  the  first  year,  were:  Newton  Phil- 
lips, N.  G.;  Frank  Prince,  V.  G.;  Walter  Bliven,  secretary;  John 

E.  Bassett,  treasurer;  A.  W.  Dean,  R.  S.  N.  G.;  John  Perry,  L. 
S.  N.  G.;  Henry  Baker,  R.  S.  V.  G.;  James  B.  Carver,  L.  S.  V.  G.; 
Reuben  Pilling,  Jr.,  W.;  A.  A.  Boswell,  C;  Charles  Chapman,  R. 
S.  S.;  W.  DeLoss  Wood,  L.  S.  S.;  J.  B.  Hopkins,  I.  G.;  Frank 
Willard,  O.  G. 

Orient  Lodge,  No.  37,  Knights  of  Pythias,  was  instituted  here 
December  19th,  1877.  The  charter  members  were:  E.  L.  Pal- 
mer, T.  W.  Greenslit,  C.  H.  Bacon,  N.  W.  James,  W.  N.  Thomas, 

F.  A.  Jacobs,  H.  F.  Logee,  F.  P.  Warren,  C.  E.  Woodis,  O.  L. 
Jenkins,  A.  J.  Ladd,  S.  L.  Adams  and  C.  L.  Fillmore.  The  first 
officers  were:  E.  L.  Palmer,  P.  C;  T.  W.  Greenslit,  C.  C;  C.  H. 
Bacon,  V.  C;  N.  W.  James,  P.;  A.  J.  Roberts,  M.  of  E.;  W.  N. 
Thomas,  M.  of  F.;  F.  A.  Jacobs,  K.  of  R.  &  S.;  H.  F.  Logee,  M. 
at  A.;  F.  P.  Warren,  I.  G.;  C.  E.  Woodis,  O.  G.  The  present 
membership  is  about  fifty.  The  numbers  have  been  depleted 
by  the  formation  of  John  Lyon  Lodge,  at  Dayville,  in  1888,  their 
membership  withdrawing  from  this  lodge.  The  trustees  are  : 
F.  A.  Jacobs,  C.  H.  Bacon  and  N.  W.  James.  The  lodge 
meets  on  Thursday  evenings,  at  their  hall  in  Savings  Bank 
building. 

^'Etna  Lodge,  No.  21,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  was  instituted  here  June 
21st,  1883,  with  sixteen  charter  members.     The  first  officers  were: 

A.  P.  Somes,  P.  M.  W.;  A.  G.  Bill,  M.  W.;  C.  E.  Woodis,  foreman; 
C.  A.  Potter,  overseer;  E.  Pilling,  recorder;  B.  L.  Bailey,  finan- 
cier; F.  B.  Brooks,  receiver;  C.  M.  Adams,  guide;  A.  F.  Wood,  L 
W.;  F.  G.  Bailey,  O.  W.  The  following  have  successively  held 
the  office  of  M.  W.:  A.  G.  Bill,  balance  of  1883;  C.  E.  Woodis, 
1884;  C.  M.  Adams,  1885;  R.  A.  Bailey,  1886;  A.  P.  Somes,  1887; 
C.  H.  Bacon,  1888;  Irving  Hawkins,  1889.  The  following  have 
been  successive  recorders:     E.  Pilling,  to  January  1st,  1885;  F. 

B.  Brooks,  1885  and  1886;  C.  H.  Bacon,  1887;  A.  P.  Somes,  1*888; 
F.  U.  Scofield,  1889.  The  lodge  now  numbers  fifty-three.  It 
has  lost  but  one  member  since  its  organization — Hosea  Green, 
who   died   March   5th,   1889.     The   lodge   meets   the   first   and 


980  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

third  Wednesday  nights  of  each  month,  in  Knights  of  Pythias 
Hall. 

Lockwood  Council,  No.  33, 0.  U.  A.  M.,  was  organized  here  May 
9th,  1889.  It  was  named  in  honor  of  A.  D.  Lockwood,  formerly 
of  this  village,  chief  owner  and  founder  of  the  Quinebaug  Mills. 
The  council  was  organized  with  thirty  charter  members.  It 
gives  sickness  and  death  benefits  to  its  members.  The  member- 
ship has  been  already  increased  to  forty.  The  first  officers  were: 
Charles  E.  Woodis,  C.;  Walter  E.  Heath,  V.  C;  Walter  E.  Kies, 
J.  Ex.  C;  William  H.  Hamilton,  S.  Ex.  C;  Charles  D.  Stone,  R. 
S.;  George  R.  Baker,  A.  S.;  Albert  Burrows,  F.  S.;  Edward  S. 
Carpenter,  treasurer;  Adelbert  Perkins,  inductor;  E.  G.  Baker, 
examiner;  J.  J.  Rynolds,  I.  P.;  R.  J.  Coon,  O.  P.;  U.  B.  Scofield, 
C.  C.  Franklin  and  W.  E.  Heath,  trustees. 

Quinebaug  Assembly,  No.  209,  Royal  Society  of  Good  Fellows, 
an  insurance  order,  was  instituted  February  4th,  1889,  by  Albert 
Leavens,  supreme  deputy  of  Boston,  The  first  officers  were: 
William  H.  Wilcox,  ruler;  Doctor  W.  H.Judson,  past  ruler;  John 
E.  Westcott,  instructor;  Charles  A.  Wood,  councillor:  Charles  D. 
Stone,  secretary;  E.  C.  Babson,  F.  S.;  Frank  S.  Downer,  treas- 
urer; Charles  C.  Franklin,  prelate;  Henry  A.  Brown,  director; 
W.  F.  Gates,  guard;  Frederick  G.  Gates,  sentry;  W.  H.  Leavens, 
John  T.  Smith  and  Doctor  W.  H.  Judson,  trustees.  The  society 
had  twenty-two  charter  members,  and  this  number  has  increased 
to  over  thirty,  a  part  of  which  are  from  Wauregan.  Funds  to 
meet  insurance  are  provided  by  assessments.  The  headquarters 
of  the  order  are  in  Boston.  It  has  many  very  prominent  men 
among  its  membership.  Doctor  W.  H.  Judson,  in  May,  1889, 
received  a  commission  as  supreme  deputy  over  this  jurisdiction,' 
which  comprehends  Windham  county. 

The  first  newspaper  in  this  village  was  called  the  Nczv  England 
Arena,  and  was  started  by  Edwin  B.  Carter  in  1844.  He  had  al- 
ready made  some  attempts  at  newspaper  publishing  in  Brooklyn, 
which  he  now  abandoned  for  this  field.  But  this  enterprise  was 
doomed  to  early  dissolution.  In  1848  the  Windham  County  Tele- 
graph was  started  here.  The  True  Democrat  and  the  Windham 
County  Gazette  were  also  started  here  about  the  same  time,  but 
they  were  short  lived.  After  a  fluctuating  existence  of  some  ten 
years,  under  the  successive,  if  not  successful,  management  of 
.  Francis  E.  Jaques,  its  founder,  Fred.  Peck,  F.  E.  Harrison,  J.  A. 
Spalding  and  C.  J.  Little,  it  was  sold  to  J.  Q.  A.  Stone,  in  1858. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  981 

Mr.  Stone,  by  hard  labor,  careful  management  and  unfaltering- 
perseverance,  has  brought  the  paper  up  from  a  list  of  four  hun- 
dred circulation  to  a  position  of  influence  and  usefulness  second 
to  none  in  the  county.  It  has  been  the  earnest  exponent  of  the 
great  progressive  movements  in  which  the  welfare  of  society 
has  been  concerned,  and  in  its  advocacy  of  the  right  it  has  not 
made  obeisance  to  questions  of  personal  profit  or  advancement. 
It  is  a  neatly  printed,  nine  column  folio,  issued  every  Wednes- 
day evening.  A  paper  called  the  Herald  lived  a  few  years,  and 
was  succeeded  by  the  Sentinel,  a  democratic  newspaper,  which, 
after  a  few  years,  suspended.  The  Neiv  England  Fancier  is  the 
title  of  a  neat  monthly  publication,  in  pamphlet  form,  24  pages, 
which  was  started  in  1885.  It  is  devoted  to  poultry.  It  circu- 
lates in  every  state  and  territory,  and  in  France  and  England. 
From  the  same  office  is  issued  a  neat  four  column,  quarto  paper, 
devoted  to  both  poultry  and  dogs,  which  is  called  Hamilton  s 
Weekly,  started  in  1889.  The  Kennel  Department  of  this  is  edited 
by  A.  R.  Crowell  of  Mattapan,  Mass.  Both  these  papers  are 
published  by  William  H.  Hamilton.  The  job  printing  office 
with  which  they  are  connected  has  an  extensive  patronage  of 
poultry  and  association  printing  from  all  parts  of  the  country, 
and  employs  from  six  to  ten  hands.  Mr.  Hamilton  is  an  hon- 
orary member  of  the  Massachusetts  Poultry  Association,  which 
is  largely  composed  of  business  and  professional  men  of  Boston 
and  vicinity.  He  is  also  an  active  member  of  the  American 
Poultry  Association,  and  one  of  the  originators  and  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  American  Langshan  Club,  which  has  its  head- 
quarters in  Bellows  Falls,  Vt.,  and  officers  in  different  parts  of 
the  Union. 

The  Wauregan  Brick  Company  has  its  post  office  address  in 
Danielsonville,  though  its  works  are  mainly  on  the  southern 
border  of  the  town  of  Killingly,  or  over  the  line  in  the  town  of 
Plainfield.  Work  was  commenced  there  in  1886.  The  company 
was  organized  under  the  general  joint  stock  law,  in  1886.  The 
works  are  located  on  the  line  of  railroad,  so  that  no  carting  is 
required.  The  machinery  is  run  by  steam.  About  3,000,000 
bricks  are  annually  made,  about  35  hands  being  employed  in 
the  work.  The  officers  of  the  company  are:  George  H.  Nichols, 
president;  Milton  A.  Shumway,  secretary;  John  Elliott,  treas- 
urer. 


982  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 

William  A.  Atwood. — Mr.  Atwood  was  one  of  the  most 
prominent  figures  in  the  industrial  interests  of  Killingly.  His 
grandparents  were  Kimball  and  SelindaColgrove  Atwood.  His 
father  was  John  Atwood,  who  married  Julia  A.  Battey.  Their 
son,  William  Allen,  was  born  August  4th,  1833,  in  Williamsville, 
in  the  town  of  Killingly,  and  received  more  than  an  elementary 
education.  First  entering  the  Danielsonville  High  School,  he 
continued  his  studies  at  the  Scituate  Seminary  in  Rhode  Island, 
and  at  Wilbraham,  Mass.,  completing  his  academic  education  at 
Middleboro,  Mass.  He  early  entered  the  Williamsville  mids, 
then  under  the  superintendence  of  his  father,  and  having  made 
himself  familiar  with  their  practical  workings,  soon  bore  a  con- 
spicuous part  in  the  management  of  the  business.  The  failing 
health  of  his  father  threw  much  of  the  responsibility  upon  his 
son,  and  on  the  death  of  the  former  in  1865,  the  entire  direction 
of  this  important  manufacturing  interest  was  placed  in  his 
hands.  Under  his  watchful  eye  the  business  made  rapid  ad- 
vancement, and  at  the  date  of  his  death,  on  the  26th  of  June, 
1881,  in  New  York  city,  had  attained  a  high  degree  of  prosperity. 

Mr.  Atwood  was  married  October  4th,  1855,  to  Caroline  A., 
daughter  of  Robert  K.  and  Helen  Brown  Hargraves.  Their 
four  children  are:  Henry  Clinton;  Bradford  Allen,  who  died  in 
infancy;  Mary  Elizabeth,  deceased,  wife  of  G.  W.  Lynn,  and 
William  Edwin.  Both  the  sons  are  interested  in  the  Williams- 
ville Manufacturing  Company,  Henry  Clinton  being  the  super- 
intendent, assistant  treasurer  and  secretary.  Mr.  Atwood  was 
also  a  stockholder  in  the  large  mills  at  Taftville,  and  a  director 
of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Killingly.  He  enjoyed  not  only 
the  esteem  of  the  community,  but  the  affectionate  regard  of  his 
employes.  This  was  accomplished  by  a  genial  intercourse  and 
a  liberal  and  thoughtful  management  of  his  varied  interests. 
In  disposition  he  was  retiring  and  unassuming,  doing  many 
kindly  acts  with  such  a  quiet  grace  as  to  make  them  known  only 
to  the  recipients  of  his  favor.  It  has  been  justly  said  that  he 
belonged  to  that  class  of  men  who 

"  *    *    *    do  good  by  stealth, 
And  blush  to  find  it  fame." 

The  profound  mourning  his  death  occasioned  was  a  just 
tribute  to  his  usefulness  and  worth. 


. )  ?4  «  mviiuk  mm. 


^ 


»■■ 
^  ^-M^/^ 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  983 

Edwin  H.  Bugbee. — The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in 
Thompson,  April  26th,  1820.  His  father  was  James  Bugbee, 
who  was  born  at  Woodstock  April  11th,  1788,  a  descendant, 
through  Hezekiah,  James,  Samuel  and  Joseph,  from  Edward 
Bugby,  who  came  over  in  the  "  Francis  "  from  Ipswich,  England, 
in  1634,  and  settled  in  Roxbury,  Mass.  His  mother  was  Eliza- 
beth Dorrance,  a  descendant  of  George  Dorrance,  who  came  from 
the  North  of  Ireland  with  that  large  Scotch  emigration  about 
the  year  1715.  He  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  his  native  town,  and  was  early  a  clerk  in  his  father's  store,  de- 
voting his  leisure  hours  to  reading  and  study.  In  1839  he  was 
engaged  by  a  manufacturing  firm,  located  at  the  Lyman  village, 
North  Providence,  R.  I.,  as  clerk  and  bookkeeper.  The  year 
proving  a  disastrous  one  for  cotton  manufacturers,  the  firm  felt 
obliged  to  suspend  operations  before  its  close.  In  the  spring  of 
1840,  operations  were  again  resumed  at  the  mill  by  its  owner.  Gov- 
ernor Lemuel  H.  Arnold,  and  Mr.  Bugbee  was  continued  as  clerk. 
■  At  the  close  of  1842  business  was  again  suspended  by  the  failure 
of  Governor  Arnold.  The  summer  following,  Mr.  Bugbee  ob- 
tained a  lease  of  the  factory  property,  and  associating  with  him 
Mr.  Henry  Weaver,  a  practical  operator,  and  receiving  abundant 
financial  aid  from  his  friends,  the  well  known  firm  of  S.  &  W. 
Foster,  of  Providence,  commenced  business  on  his  own  account. 
Although  at  the  commencement  the  outlook  was  not  flattering, 
by  an  unprecedented  advance  in  the  price  of  print  cloths,  to- 
gether with  prudent  management,  the  business  showed  at  the 
expiration  of  the  lease  gratifying  and  substantial  returns.  At 
the  close  of  the  lease,  the  factory  having  been  sold  in  the  mean- 
time, Mr.  Bugbee  returned  to  his  native  town,  having,  during 
the  year,  purchased  a  farm  in  Thompson ;  but  not  finding  the 
business  of  farming  at  all  congenial  to  his  taste,  sold  it,  and  in 
the  summer  of  1849  entered  the  employ  of  the  Williamsville 
Manufacturing  Company,  of  Killingly,  S.  &  W.  Foster  the  Prov- 
idence agents,  with  whom  he  remained  thirty  years,  retiring  in 
1879. 

Mr.  Bugbee  seems  to  have  early  won  the  esteem  of  the  citizens 
of  Killingly,  they  conferring  various  town  offices  upon  him,  and 
in  1857  elected  him  as  one  of  their  representatives  to  the  general 
assembly,  he  serving  at  this  session  on  the  judiciary  committee. 
Although  a  new  member  and  without  legislative  experience,  he 
at  once  took  a  prominent  part  in  the  debates  of  the  session,  ?1- 


984  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

ways  commanding  the  close  attention  of  the  house,  receiving 
commendation  at  the  close  of  the  session  from  political  papers 
of  both  parties.  In  1859  he  was  again  returned  to  the  house 
and  appointed  chairman  of  the  committee  on  education.  In 
1861,  the  war  year,  he  was  elected  to  the  house  for  the  third 
time,  and  was  again  chairman  of  the  committee  on  education. 
This  session  was  one  of  the  most  important  in  the  history  of  the 
state,  the  inauguration  year  of  the  great  rebellion;  and  had  en- 
rolled among  the  members  of  either  house  some  of  its  ablest 
men.  At  its  commencement  the  marshaling  of  troops  had  al- 
ready begun,  the  sound  of  war  everywhere  heard,  and  the  zvaj's 
and  means  for  fu.rnishing  material  aid  and  support  to  the  fed- 
eral government  were  the  engrossing  subjects  of  discussion.  At 
this  session  the  subject  of  our  sketch  again  took  a  prominent 
part  on  the  floor  of  the  house.  Aside  from  war  questions  at  this 
session,  the  most  exciting  subject  was  that  of  the  Flowage  Bill. 
This  bill  was  ably  discussed /rc"  and  con,  Mr.  Bugbee  making  a 
lengthy  speech  in  its  favor,  which  was  highly  commended.  In 
1863  he  was  again  elected,  serving  as  chairman  of  the  committee 
on  state  prison.  In  1865  he  was  elected  state  senator  from  the 
14th  district  by  the  large  majority  of  1,223  votes.  On  the  floor 
of  the  senate  as  in  the  house  he  proved  an  active  member.  At 
this  session  he  was  chairman  of  the  committee  on  banks,  and  one 
of  the  eulogists  in  the  senate  on  the  death  of  President  Lincoln. 
In  1868  he  was  elected  senator  for  the  second  time  and  chosen 
president /;'(?  teni.  of  that  body,  serving  as  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee on  military  affairs.  In  1869  he  was  in  the  house  and 
again  chairman  of  the  committee  on  education.  He  was  elected 
to  the  house  in  1871  and  chosen  speaker,  in  which  capacity  he 
won  especial  favor  and  commendation.  In  1873  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  house  and  chairman  of  the  committee  on  new  towns 
and  probate  districts.  He  was  elected  for  the  eighth  time  to  the 
house  in  1879,  receiving  the  major  vote  of  both  political  parties 
of  Killingly,  and  was  chairman  of  the  committee  on  cities  and 
boroughs. 

The  partiality  of  the  voters  of  his  adopted  town  in  having 
elected  him  eight  times  their  representative — something  unusual 
in  Connecticut  towns,  we  think — and  on  two  occasions  giving 
him  large  majorities  for  senator,  must  have  been  exceedingly 
gratifying  to  the  subject  of  our  sketch.  Mr.  Bugbee,  though  an 
earnest  republican,  has  never  been  a  violent  partisan;  and  by  his 


^^ 


^^C^- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  985 

non-partisan  action  when  a  member  of  the  legislature,  has  re- 
ceived more  or  less  democratic  support.  Through  all  the  years 
of  his  legislative  career  he  was  ever  attentive  to  his  duties,  sel- 
dom failing  to  answer  to  roll  calls,  participating  in  most  of  the 
important  debates,  always  listened  to  with  attention,  receiving 
credit  in  either  house  as  among  their  most  eloquent  speakers. 

He  married,  in  1865,  Selenda  Howard,  daughter  of  Howard 
Griswold,  Esq.,  of  Randolph,  Vt.  She  deceased  in  July  of  the 
following  year.  He  has  retired  from  active  business  and  at  pres- 
ent resides  in  Putnam,  Conn.  He  is  a  life  member  of  the  New 
England  Historic-Genealogical  Society,  and  its  vice-president  for 
Connecticut,  and  is  much  interested  in  genealogical  investiga- 
tion. He  has  been  one  of  the  directors  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Putnam  since  the  first  year  of  its  existence.  He  is  rep- 
resented as  being  heartily  in  favor  of  tariff  and  civil  service  re- 
form, and  condemns  as  unpatriotic  the  policy  so  often  pursued 
by  the  political  party  that  is  out  of  power  of  opposing  on  purely 
partisan  grounds  and  for  party  purposes  the  measures  proposed 
bv  the  party  in  power,  which  very  measures  if  they,  the  minor- 
ity, were  in  power  they  themselves  would  recommend  and  ad- 
vocate. 

Henry  N.  Clemons,  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Killingly,  was  born  in  Granby,  Conn.,  son  of  Allen  and  Catharine 
Clemons.  He  was  educated  in  the  district  school,  the  Granby 
Academy,  the  Suffield  Literary  Institution  and  the  Williston 
Seminary,  East  Hampton,  Mass.  He  began  teaching  at  sixteen 
years  of  age,  and  taught  in  Hartland,  Gra;nby  and  Hartford, 
Conn.,  and  Woonsocket  and  Central  Falls,  R.I.  He  was  for  a  while 
in  the  office  of  the  commissioner  of  the  school  fund  in  Hartford, 
Conn.  In  1844  he  commenced  railroading  on  the  New  Haven  & 
Northampton  road,  with  the  engineer  corps.  He  served  as  sta- 
tion agent  at  Farmington  and  Collinsville,  Conn.,  and  was  assist- 
ant postmaster  at  the  latter  place;  then  ticket  agent  of  the 
Providence  &  Worcester  road  at  Providence.  In  1855  he  com- 
menced bankinof,  as  clerk  in  the  Arcade  Bank,  at  Providence, 
and  in  1856  became  teller  of  the  Merchants'  Bank,  then  the  re- 
deeming bank  for  Rhode  Island,  in  the  old  Suffolk  system.  In 
June,  ]864,  he  was  elected  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Killingly,  Conn.,  then  just  organized,  which  office  he  now  holds, 
after  more  than  twenty-five  years'  service,  a  period  longer  than 
any  other  cashier  in  eastern  Connecticut.     The  capital  of  the 


986  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

bank  is  $110,000.  With  its  July  dividend,  1889,  it  had  paid  back 
to  its  stockholders  $226,600  in  dividends.  In  August,  1864,  he 
was  elected  treasurer  of  the  Windham  County  Savings  Bank, 
and  organized  the  bank,  and  held  that  position  till  1875.  Under 
his  treasurership  the  bank's  deposits  reached  $1,300,000.  It  was 
the  first  savings  bank  in  eastern  Connecticut  to  allow  interest  to 
commence  each  month.  In  1866-7  the  savings  bank  built,  under 
his  supervision,  their  present  bank  building.  On  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Music  Hall  Company  he  was  chosen  treasurer,  and 
arranged  in  its  building  the  banking  rooms  now  occupied  by  the 
national  bank.  In  1866  he  was  chosen  treasurer  of  District  No, 
1,  Killingly,  and  on  the  union  of  districts  1  and  2  was  re-elected, 
carrying  out  the  financial  arrangements  needed  in  building  the 
high  school  house,  holding  the  office  for  eighteen  years.  Mr, 
demons  was  treasurer  of  the  Congregational  church  for  thirteen 
years,  and  has  been  notary  public  for  twenty-five  years  in  this 
state. 

Thomas  J.  Evans,  who  was  born  May  17th,  1826,  in  Brooklyn, 
Connecticut,  is  the  son  of  Elijah  Evans,  and  the  grandson  of 
Elisha  Evans.  His  active  career  was  begun  at  the  age  of  seven- 
teen, as  a  teacher  in  Killingly,  where  he  continued  for  ten  suc- 
cessive years,  his  last  term  at  Dayville  having  closed  with  an  in- 
teresting exhibition,  the  proceeds  of  which  aided  greatly  in  the 
purchase  of  a  library  and  other  school  supplies.  For  five  years 
he  was  engaged  in  the  clothing  business  in  the  above  village,  and 
his  capital  was  afterward  invested  in  a  livery  stable  which  he  suc- 
cessfully managed  for  nine  years  at  the  same  point.  In  the  year 
1878  Mr.  Evans  erected  a  substantial  brick  block  in  Danielson- 
ville,  and  the  following  year  made  that  place  his  residence. 
His  political  connections  were  with  the  republican  party,  which 
he  frequently  represented  in  the  various  county  and  town  offices. 
He  was  for  sixteen  years  a  member  of  the  board  of  education, 
for  five  years  assessor,  three  years  town  clerk,  and  judge  of  pro- 
bate from  1872  to  1886.  He  was  also  warden  of  the  borough  and 
a  member  of  the  court  of  burgesses.  For  two  years  he  was  pres- 
ident of  the  Windham  County  Agricultural  Society  and  four 
years  its  treasurer.  Mr.  Evans  was  married  in  1850  to  Miss 
Eliza  Kennedy.     His  death  occurred  in  1889. 

Timothy  Earle  Hopkins. — The  grandparents  of  Mr.  Hop- 
kins were  Timothy  Hopkins,  born  in  1751,  and  Sarah  Carver, 
daughter  of   Captain   Joseph  Carver.     His  father  was   Carver 


T/^^'r^k.^f^^ 


TOTYPE,     E.    BIER6TA0T, 


l4:Vp^e,,v.„^  ron.Y- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  987 

Hopkins,  born  October  26th,  1799,  who  married  Abby  K.  Man- 
chester. Their  children,  seven  in  number,  were  :  Israel  M.,  Flo- 
rinda  A.,  Sarah  C,  Abby  E.,  Ann  E.,  Timothy  E.  and  Lillian  P., 
of  whom  all  but  the  eldest  son  are  still  living.  Timothy  Earle 
Hopkins  was  born  in  Burrillville,  R.  I.,  December  5th,  1835,  of 
which  place  he  continued  a  resident  until  1862.  His  education 
was  received  in  the  public  schools  and  at  New  Hampton,  N.  H., 
where  a  year  was  spent  in  study,  after  which  he  served  an  ap- 
prenticeship as  a  spindle  maker  in  his  native  town.  He  then 
engaged  for  two  years  in  mercantile  business,  and  at  the  expira- 
tion of  this  time  removed  to  Providence,  where  three  years  were 
spent  as  a  merchant.  In  1865  Mr.  Hopkins  removed  to  Thomp- 
son and  embarked  in  the  manufacture  of  cotton  goods,  remain- 
ing at  this  point  until  1870,  when  Burrillville  again  became  his 
home.  Here  he  continued  the  business  of  a  manufacturer,  the  pro- 
duct of  his  mills  being  woolen  fabrics.  In  1876  he  suffered  dis- 
aster and  loss  as  a  consequence  of  the  severe  flood  of  that  year, 
and  soon  after  removed  to  Fitchburg,  Mass.,  where  until  1880  he 
continued  the  manufacture  of  woolens.  Mr.  Hopkins  then  be- 
came a  resident  of  Danielsonville,  his  present  home,  where  he  is 
still  engaged  in  the  production  of  woolen  goods  in  the  town  of 
Killingly.  He  is  also  treasurer  of  the  Jesse  Eddy  Manufactur- 
ing Company,  of  Fall  River,  Mass.,  and  one  of  the  promoters  of 
the  Crystal  Water  Company,  of  Danielsonville,  of  which  corpo- 
ration he  is  president.  He  is  a  director  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Killingly.  Mr.  Hopkins  in  politics  gives  his  support  to 
the  republican  party,  and  represented  the  town  of  Thompson  in 
the  Connecticut  house  of  representatives  in  1868.  He  has  also, 
since  his  residence  in  Danielsonville,  been  active  in  furthering 
the  educational  interests  of  the  borough.  He  is  an  active  Ma- 
son, member  of  Friendship  Lodge  of  that  order  at  Chepachet, 
of  Providence  Chapter,  and  of  Calvary  Commandery,  of  Provi- 
dence. Mr.  Hopkins  was  in  May,  1859,  married  to  Marcella  S., 
daughter  of  James  S.  Cook,  of  Burrillville.  They  have  had  three 
children — Elsie  M.,  Earle  Carver  and  Earle  Cook  ;  Earle  Carver 
being  deceased. 

Almond  M.  Paine. — Benjamin  Paine,  the  grandfather  of  Judge 
Almond  M.  Paine,  was  a  successful  farmer  in  Glocester,  R.  I. 
By  his  marriage  to  Phebe  Aldrich  were  born  a  numerous  fam- 
ily of  children.  The  birth  of  his  son.  Ransom  Paine,  occurred 
December  13th,  1787,  and  his  death  on  the  15th  of  January,  1854, 


988  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

in  Glocester,  where  he  followed  the  trade  of  a  wheelwright,  and 
spent  the  latter  years  of  his  life  as  a  farmer.  He  married  Phebe, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Smith,  of  the  same  town,  who  was  born 
June  12th,  1794,  and  died  March  12th,  1860.  Their  children 
are:  Almond  M.,  Mary  Ann,  wife  of  James  M.  Adams;  Emily, 
married  to  Elijah  Mann  ;  Adaline  M.,  who  died  in  infancy,  and 
James  A. 

The  eldest  son,  and  subject  of  this  biography,  was  born  Sep- 
tember 15tb,  1820,  in  Glocester,  and  received  an  academic  edu- 
cation. At  the  early  age  of  fifteen  he  engaged  in  teaching,  and 
for  nine  successive  years  the  winters  found  him  at  the  teacher's 
desk,  while  the  healthful  employments  of  the  farm  engaged  his 
attention  during  the  summer  months.  In  1846  he  removed  to 
Sterling,  and  four  years  later  made  East  Killingly  his  home. 
Here  he  embarked  in  trade  as  a  country  merchant,  and  contin- 
ued a  successful  business  until  his  retirement,  since  which  date 
his  time  has  been  largely  devoted  to  the  management  of  his  pri- 
vate interests,  and  to  the  public  service. 

As  a  republican  he  for  several  years  filled  the  office  of  justice 
of  the  peace,  and  was  repeatedly  elected  assessor  of  his  town. 
In  1857  he  was  made  judge  of  probate  and  served  four  years, 
having  also,  during  a  brief  residence  in  Thompson,  been  chosen 
to  the  same  office  for  a  term  of  two  years.  He  was  appointed  by 
President  Lincoln  postmaster  cf  East  Killingly,  and  held  the 
commission  during  that  administration.  Judge  Paine  was  in 
1864  made  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Killingly, 
and  later  a  corporator  and  trustee  of  the  Windham  County  Sav- 
ings Bank.  His  services  are  often  sought  as  administrator  and 
trustee,  where  integrity  and  judgment  are  primary  qualities. 
Judge  Paine  was  in  1847  married  to  Phebe  Salsbury  of  Foster, 
Rhode  Island,  born  April  28th,  1817,  who  died  in  1878.  Their 
children  are  :  Eliza  D.,  born  May  31st,  1848,  who  died  in  1879  ; 
and  Emily  M.,  whose  birth  occurred  June  12th,  1854. 

Henry  Westcott. — James  Westcott,  the  grandfather  of  Henry 
Westcott,  familiarly  known  as  the  "  Captain,"  was  born  March 
5th,  1740,  and  married  Martha  Tillinghast.  Their  son  Joseph, 
whose  birth  occurred  April  9th,  1779,  in  Glocester,  Rhode  Island, 
married  Esther  Richmond  of  the  same  town.  The  children  of 
this  union  were:  Henry;  Almira,  wife  of  Jude  Sabin;  Elizabeth, 
married  to  James  Wood;  and  David.  Henry,  the  eldest  son,  was 
born  April  18th,  1801,  in  Glocester,  and  in  early  childhood  re- 


^i^z^dy^^-^^^ 


FTOTYft,     t.     "IE" 


ARTOTYPE,     t.     blERSTAOT, 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

moved  to  East  Killingly,  where  the  primitive  schools  of  the  day 
afforded  him  a  beginning  for  that  practical  education  which  was 
chiefly  the  growth  of  experience  and  observation. 

In  early  years  a  farmer,  he  afterward  identified  himself  with 
the  commercial  interests  of  East  Killingly,  and  was  associated 
with  Thomas  Pray  as  a  manufacturer,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Westcott  &  Pray.  They  built  the  Ross  mill  and  the  White'stone 
mill,  conducted  an  extensive  business,  and  were  regarded  as 
among  the  most  prosperous  owners  of  mill  property  in  the 
county.  Mr.  Westcott's  marked  ability,  keen  discrimination  and 
indomitable  perseverance  won  for  him  an  enviable  reputation  in 
financial  circles,  and  carried  him  safely  through  many  a  crisis 
where  a  less  resolute  man  would  have  faltered.  In  his  business 
relations  he  enjoyed  a  record  for  integrity  and  generous  dealing, 
while  his  genial  nature  made  all  transactions  a  matter  of  pleas- 
ure to  others.  On  disposing  of  his  interest  at  East  Killingly, 
he  retired  to  Danielsonville,  his  residence  at  the  date  of  his 
death,  on  the  6th  of  June,  1878.  Mr.  Westcott  was  an  active 
and  honored  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  contributed 
with  liberality  toward  the  erection  of  the  new  edifice  in  the 
borough  where  he  resided.  In  politics  a  whig  and  republican, 
he  filled  the  more  important  town  ofSces,  and  was  elected  to  the 
state  legislature  in  1840.  Mr.  Westcott  was,  on  the  3d  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1824,  married  to  Almira  Browning  of  Rutland,  Mass. 
Their  eldest  child,  Nancy  N.,  died  in  infancy.  The  surviving 
children  are  a  daughter,  A.  Elizabeth,  and  a  son,  Henry  T.,  both 
of  Danielsonville. 


CHAPTER   XXXVI. 


THE  TOWN  OF  ASHFORD. 


The  Wabbaquasset  Country.— Land  Speculators.— Settlement  of  Ashford.— 
Major  Fitch. — James  Corbin.— New  Scituate. — The  Town  Established. — Titles 
Confirmed. — Common  Proprietors. — Land  Controversies. — Civil  Disorder. — 
Military  Company. — Population  and  Growth. — Public  Morals  and  Order. — 
Growth  of  the  Settlement.— Early  Town  Officers.— Land  Title  War.— Days 
of  the  Revolution. — Visit  of  President  Washington. — Post  Office,  Taverns 
and  Probate  Court.— Honored  Sons. — Roads  and  Bridges. — Schools. — Ec- 
clesiastical History. — First  Church. — The  Great  Revival  and  the  Separates. — 
We-<tford  Congregational  Church. — Meeting  Houses  and  Ministers. — First 
Baptist  Church.— Eminent  Men  of  Westford.— Baptist  Church  of  Westford. 
— Manufacturing  in  Westford. — Warrenville  Baptist  Church. — Manufactur- 
ing and  Business  at  Warrenville. — Eminent  Sons  of  Ashford. — Babcock  Li- 
brary and  Band. — Biographical  Sketch. 


IN  the  early  period  of  settlement  the  territory  of  Ashford, 
which  originally  included  also  the  present  town  of  East- 
ford,  was  a  part  of  the  Wabbaquasset  country  which  was 
conveyed  to  Major  Fitch  by  Owaneco  in  1684.  It  was  a  wild 
forest  region,  remote  from  civilization,  but  known  and  traversed 
from  the  early  settlement  of  New  England,  lying  directly  in  the 
route  from  Boston  to  Connecticut.  The  first  company  of  Con- 
necticut colonists  encamped,  it  is  said,  on  the  hill  north  of  the 
present  village  of  Ashford,  and  the  old  Connecticut  Path 
crossed  what  is  now  Ashford  Common.  Thus  the  land  here  was 
exposed  to  the  view  of  passing  adventurers  for  three-quarters 
of  a  century  before  any  attempt  was  made  at  settlement  in  this 
vicinity.  The  first  land  laid  out  within  this  territory  was  a 
tract  four  miles  square,  now  in  the  south  part  of  Eastford,  which 
was  made  over  to  Simeon  Stoddard  of  Boston,  in  1695,  in  satis- 
faction of  a  judgment  of  court.  Major  Fitch  was  at  the  time 
greatly  embarrassed  in  business  affairs,  and  his  title  to  the  Wab- 
baquasset country  was  questioned.  Mr.  Stoddard  was  a  resident 
of  another  colony,  and  so  neither  was  disposed  to  undertake  the 
settlement  of  this  region. 


« 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  991 

At  this  time  representations  had  been  made  to  the  general 
-court  of  Connecticut  upon  which  that  body  on  the  9th  of  May, 
1706,  granted  to  "  such  good  people  as  shall  be  willing  to  settle 
thereon,"  a  township  eight  miles  square,  and  appointed  a  com- 
mittee of  its  own  members  to  lay  out  the  township  by  actual  sur- 
vey, also  to  lay  out  home  lots  and  other  divisions  of  land,  to  or- 
der and  manage  the  affairs  of  the  town  and  to  admit  and  settle 
all  such  inhabitants  as  should  be  approved,  and  who  should  pay 
their  proportionate  share  of  the  expense  of  surveying  and  set- 
tling the  same.  This  action  of  the  court  aroused  Major  Fitch  to 
action,  and  he  at  once  began  to  push  the  sale  of  lands  which  he 
claimed.  In  1707,  a  tract  five  miles  in  length  and  three  in  width 
was  purchased  for  ^110,  by  John  Gushing,  Samuel  Clap  and 
David  Jacob,  of  Scituate,  and  laid  out  on  the  west  of  the  Stod- 
dard tract,  and  was  called  the  New  Scituate  Plantation.  Captain 
John  Chandler  soon  purchased  a  large  part  of  this  tract  and  a 
strip  of  land  adjacent,  and  became  the  chief  proprietor  of  New 
Scituate.  The  whole  remaining  territory  of  original  Ashford, 
comprising  21,400  acres,  was  sold  by  Major  Fitch  to  James  Cor- 
bin,  of  Woodstock,  in  1708,  and  he  conveyed  the  same  to  David 
Jacob,  Job  Randall  and  twelve  others,  residents  of  Scituate, 
Hingham  and  Andover,  Mr.  Corbin  retaining  an  equal  share  in 
the  land  and  managing  the  affairs  of  the  company.  These  tracts 
were  laid  out  as  rapidly  as  possible,  and  efforts  made  to  initiate 
a  settlement  in  advance  of  the  government.  The  proprietors 
had  but  partial  confidence  in  the  validity  of  their  titles.  The 
first  actual  settlement  upon  this  land  appears  to  have  been  by 
John  Mixer,  of  Canterbury,  who  for  four  pounds  purchased  a 
tract  of  one  hundred  acres,  the  deed  to  which  containing  the 
stipulation  that  if  the  proprietors'  right  should  be  proven  in- 
valid the  four  pounds  should  be  returned  to  the  purchaser.  His 
land  lay  on  the  river  at  a  place  called  Mount  Hope,  where  the 
present  village  of  Warrenville  is  situated.  This  was  in  January, 
1710.  A  few  months  later,  in  April,  John  Perry,  of  Marlborough, 
bought  three  hundred  and  fifty  acres  near  the  present  site  of 
Eastford  village,  and  settled  upon  it. 

The  general  court,  whose  committee  had  done  nothing  toward 
laying  out  a  town  here,  now  reappointed  a  committee  with  more 
practical  instructions  to  proceed  at  once  with  the  project  of  es- 
tablishing a  town  here.  The  committee  now  took  possession  of 
the  township  and  undertook  to  lay  it  out  in  the  name  of  the  col- 


992  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

ony.  The  name  Ashford  was  suggested  by  the  great  number  of 
ash  trees  which  grew  in  the  primitive  forests.  The  region  was 
rough,  rocky  and  unattractive,  a  great  portion  of  it  being  covered 
with  dense  forests  which  abounded  in  wolves,  bears  and  various 
species  of  game.  This  was  a  favorite  hunting  ground  of  the  re- 
maining Wabbaquassets,  who  secured  large  quantities  of  furs 
here,  which  they  furnished  in  trade  to  Mr.  Corbin,  who  derived 
therefrom  a  considerable  revenue.  Only  two  families  of  white 
inhabitants,  and  they  living  five  miles  apart,  were  now  upon  the 
tract.  The  impending  contest  between  the  individual  proprie- 
tors already  mentioned  and  the  government  of  Connecticut  was 
a  serious  obstacle  in  the  way  of  settlement.  Both  parties  ap- 
pealed to  the  general  court ;  the  representatives  of  the  Fitch 
title  for  confirmation  of  their  title  and  liberty  to  settle,  and  the 
committee  to  show  their  inability  to  carry  out  their  instructions 
under  existing  circumstances.  While  the  court  was  undecided 
as  to  what  course  to  take,  the  claimants  under  Fitch  pushed  for- 
ward the  work  of  settlement.  Philip  Eastman,  of  Woodstock, 
and  John  Pitts,  Benjamin  Allen,  Benjamin  Russel  and  William 
Ward,  of  Marlborough,  bought  farms  of  James  Corbin  and  set- 
tled on  them,  north  of  the  Stoddard  tract,  on  Still  river,  in  the 
summer  of  1711.  Houses  were  built,  lands  broken  up,  and  a 
highway  was  laid  out  by  these  settlers.  In  the  following  year 
William  Price,  senior  and  junior,  David  Bishop,  Nathaniel  Wal- 
ker, John  Chubb  and  John  Ross  bought  land  of  Corbin  and 
joined  the  eastern  settlement.  Daniel  James  and  Nathaniel  Ful- 
ler, of  Windham,  Josiah  Bugbee,  of  Woodstock,  and  Samuel 
Rice  and  Philip  Squier,  of  Concord,  purchased  farms  of  Captain' 
Chandler  in  New  Scituate.  The  court's  committee  also  sold 
some  land.  Homesteads  were  purchased  of  them  by  Isaac  Ken- 
dall, William  Chapman,  Isaac  Farrar  and  Simon  Burton. 

In  answer  to  a  petition  of  the  settlers,  in  October,  1714,  the 
general  court  granted  town  privileges,  which  included  the  right 
to  elect  officers  for  carrying  on  the  prudential  affairs  of  the  place, 
building  a  meeting  house  and  settling  and  maintaining  a  minis- 
ter. The  inhabitants  were  also  instructed  to  employ  the  sur- 
veyor of  Hartford  county  to  lay  out  the  town  eight  miles  square, 
and  each  claimant  of  land  within  its  limits  should  within  one 
year  enter  the  deed  or  other  record  or  instrument  by  which  he 
claimed  title  in  a  book  to  be  provided  by  the  town  clerk  for  the 
purpose.     At  the  same  date  a  quit-claim  to  10,240  acres  of  land 


• 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  993 

in  Ashford  on  the  Pomf ret  line  was  granted  by  the  general  court 
to  Simeon  Stoddard  and  heirs,  of  Boston.  Other  non-resident 
claimants  complied  as  soon  as  possible  with  the  requirements  of 
the  court  respecting  the  recording  of  land  evidences. 

Under  the  grant  of  town  privileges  the  first  town  meeting  was 
held  early  in  1715.  William  Ward  acted  as  moderator ;  John 
Mixer  was  chosen  town  clerk  and  treasurer ;  John  Perry,  con- 
stable :  William  Ward  and  John  Perry,  selectmen  ;  William 
Ward  and  John  Chapman,  grand  jurors,  and  William  Ward, 
Philip  Eastman,  Nathaniel  Fuller,  John  Pitt,  Benjamin  Russel, 
James  Corbin  and  Isaac  Kendall  were  chosen  to  lay  out  high- 
ways. The  town  now  determined,  if  possible,  to  secure  posses- 
sion of  the  large  tracts  of  wild  and  unoccupied  land  which  lay 
within  its  limits  and  were  claimed  under  the  Fitch  title  by  non- 
residents who  were  holding  it,  though  by  a  very  precarious  ten- 
ure of  ownership,  for  purposes  of  speculation,  without  any  ex- 
pense for  highways  or  improvements  upon  it.  Though  the  town 
was  divided  upon  this  subject,  the  majority  prevailed,  and  after 
considerable  conflicting  proceedings,  the  people  became  nearly 
unanimous  in  agreement  to  proceed  in  exercising  jurisdiction  and 
ownership  of  the  lands  claimed  by  non-residents  before  men- 
tioned. As  several  of  the  inhabitants  opposed  these  proceed- 
ings of  the  town  lest  it  should  invalidate  their  titles  obtained 
from  Corbin  or  Chandler  and  compel  them  to  pay  twice  for  their 
homesteads,  it  was  granted  by  the  town  that  all  such  as  had 
lands  purchased  in  that  way  should  be  allowed  to  hold  them  free, 
and  should  have  an  equal  share  in  the  undivided  lands  in  addi- 
tion thereto. 

The  town  now  set  about  the  work  of  confirming  their  individ- 
ual titles.  January  11th,  1718,  it  was  voted,  "  That  the  town 
doth  grant  all  those  lands  that  have  been  already  granted  to  be 
free  and  clear  according  to  the  most  free  tenure  of  East  Green- 
wich, in  county  of  Kings  in  the  Realm  of  England — provided 
these  persons  give  sufficient  bonds,  with  sureties,  to  John  Perry 
and  Philip  Eastman,  who  are  appointed  to  furnish  the  commit- 
tee with  money  to  build  the  meeting  house."  Under  the  new 
system  the  first  general  distribution  of  undivided  lands  was  or- 
dered by  vote  of  the  town,  March  5th,  1718.  This  was  a  division 
of  two  hundred  acres  to  each  proprietor.  Each  farm  was  to  be 
laid  out  in  regular  form,  to  begin  at  the  west  end  of  the  town 
and  extend  east  to  a  common  line,  so  placed  as  to  allow  two 
63 


934  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

hundred  acre  plots  of  uniform  size  and  shape.  These  were  al- 
lotted to  the  proprietors  by  drawing.  The  following  are  the  names 
of  the  forty-five  persons  who,  having  given  bonds,  drew  lots  in 
this  division,  and  were  thus  admitted  to  be  proprietors  of  Ash- 
ford  :  John  Follet,  Caleb  Jackson,  James  Fuller,  Joshua  Ken- 
dall, Nathaniel  Abbot,  Joshua  Beckman,  Isaac  Farrar,  Nathaniel 
Gary,  Thomas  Corbin,  Peter  Aldrich,  William  Ward,  Sr.,  Thomas 
Tiffany,  William  Ward,  Jr.,  Joseph  Ross,  John  Perry,  Nathaniel 
Walker,  John  Mixer,  Isaac  Magoon,  Nehemiah  Watkins,  Philip 
Squier,  E.  Orcutt,  Nathaniel  Fuller,  Jacob  Parker,  William  Price, 
Obadiah  Abbe,  Josiah  Bugbee,  Benjamin  Miller,  William  Fisk, 
John  Pitts,  William  Price,  2d,  John  Chapman,  John  Follet,  2d, 
Philip  Eastman,  Jacob  Ward,  Daniel  Fuller,  Widow  Dimick, 
Jeremiah  Allen,  William  Farnum,  William  Watkins,  Thomas 
Tiffany,  2d,  James  Tiffany,  Joseph  Cook,  Matthew  Fuller,  Isaac 
Kendall,  Antony  Goffe.  A  few  of  these  proprietors  were  resi- 
dents of  Windham  and  Pomfret,  but  the  most  of  them  were  al- 
ready revsidents  of  Ashford.  In  this  assumption  and  division  of 
territory  the  town,  though  acting  solely  in  its  own  name  and  au- 
thority, undoubtedly  had  received  the  sanction  and  advice  of 
the  committee  which  the  general  court  had  appointed  for  that 
purpose. 

Messrs.  Chandler  and  Cushing,  in  behalf  of  themselves  and 
others,  as  claimants  under  the  Fitch  title,  appealed  to  the  gen- 
eral court  May  8th,  1718,  for  a  confirmation  of  their  title.  That 
body  also,  about  a  year  later,  heard  the  representation  of  the 
Ashford  proprietors  in  defense  of  their  action,  they  also  asking 
for  confirmation.  The  general  court  then  appointed  a  committee, 
composed  of  James  Wadsworth,  John  Hooker,  Captain  John 
Hall  and  Hezekiah  Brainard  to  investigate  the  matter.  They 
met  for  that  purpose  at  Ashford,  September  9th,  1719.  The 
question  of  the  rights  of  the  adjoining  towns  of  Windham  and 
Mansfield,  which  were  claimed  to  have  been  encroached  upon  by 
the  survey  of  Ashford,  was  also  involved  in  the  investigation, 
but  to  the  committee  there  appeared  in  that  claim  no  cause  of 
action.  The  investigation  resulted  in  a  settlement  of  the  con- 
troversy as  follows:  As  to  the  New  Scituate  claimants.  Chandler, 
Cushing,  Clapp  and  others,  all  persons  holding  as  inhabitants  on 
lands  claimed  by  them,  should  within  one  year  pay  three  pounds 
per  hundred  acres  for  what  they  held,  except  those  persons  who 
had  purchased  lands  directly  of  them,  previous  to  the  assump- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  995 

tion  of  the  town  inhabitants  or  proprietors;  the  Reverend  James 
Hale  was  to  have  free  the  two  hundred  acres  upon  which  he  had 
built;  sixty  acres  near  the  meetinghouse  were  to  be  sequestered 
for  the  support  of  the  ministry  forever;  and  ten  acres  where  the 
meeting  house  then  stood  were  to  be  set  apart  for  a  green  or  com- 
mon; all  of  which  should  be  free  of  any  claim  on  the  part  of  the 
previous  claimants,  who  in  turn  were  to  hold  the  remaining  lands 
in  their  claim  without  taxation.  As  to  the  claim  of  James  Cor- 
bin  and  others  a  considerable  part  of  their  land  was  already  sold 
to  and  occupied  by  about  twenty  inhabitants,  amounting  to  10,- 
770  acres;  it  was  accordingly  agreed  that  such  sales  should  stand, 
and  of  the  6,000  acres  still  unappropriated  in  that  tract  2,500 
acres  should  be  confirmed  to  Corbin  and  company,  and  the  re- 
mainder was  to  be  sequestered  to  the  common  use  of  the  inhabi- 
tants. Of  the  New  Scituate  tract,  which  contained  9,600  acres, 
5,726  acres  had  already  been  appropriated  by  the  inhabitants, 
and  after  deducting  the  reserves  for  ministers,  ministry  and 
common,  there  remained  3,374  acres  to  be  occupied  or  disposed  of 
by  the  claimants. 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  presented  to  the  general 
court,  October  20th,  1719,  and  by  that  body  accepted  and  con- 
firmed. The  Stoddard  tract  was  undisturbed  by  these  contro- 
versies. The  assembly  had  already  confirmed  this  land  to  Mr. 
Stoddard,  and  the  town  recognized  his  claim,  while  he  in  turn 
recognized  the  jurisdiction  of  the  town  by  paying  his  taxes  as 
other  proprietors  of  lands  did.  In  1716  Mr.  Anthony  Stoddard 
conveyed  this  tract  to  his  sons,  Anthony,  David  and  William. 
The  first  settler  upon  it  was  John  Chapman,  who  took  what  was 
delicately  termed  "irregular  possession,"  in  1714,  but  was  num- 
bered among  the  regular  inhabitants  of  the  town.  William 
Chapman,  Benjamin  Wilson  and  John  Perry  bought  land  in  this 
tract  in  1718.  Captain  John  Chandler  bought  the  strip  lying 
west  of  the  Natchaug  and  sold  it  out  to  settlers.  The  remainder 
of  this  land  was  long  left  vacant  and  unimproved,  its  owners 
paying  their  rates  duly  and  manifesting  an  interest  in  the  affairs 
of  the  town. 

An  unusual  instance  of  disorder  and  the  subverting  of  the 
ends  of  government  appears  in  the  annals  of  this  town,  about 
the  years  1721  and  1722.  By  the  act  of  1714  an  unusual  liberty 
was  allowed  in  the  qualification  of  voters.  This  was  on  account 
of  the  few  inhabitants  then  in  the  town.     As  long  as  everything 


996  HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

was  harmonious  this  liberality  in  suffrage  qualifications  gave  rise 
to  no  difficulty,  but  at  the  time  spoken  of  a  faction  of  ignorant 
and  irresponsible  men  arose  with  such  power  that  one  Arthur 
Humphrey,  their  leader,  was  elected  a  selectman,  whereupon  the 
other  members  of  that  body  refused  to  act,  and  for  a  time  the 
affairs  of  the  town  were  at  the  mercy  of  this  faction,  which  op- 
posed all  schools,  broke  up  one  that  had  already  been  estab- 
lished, warned  the  schoolmaster  out  of  town,  prosecuted  the  re- 
fractory selectmen'  to  their  great  cost  and  trouble,  made  a  scan- 
dalously unjust  and  imperfect  rate  list,  and  by  other  outrage'ous 
acts  kept  the  town  in  a  ferment  of  agitation.  The  matter  was  at 
length  appealed  to  the  assembly,  who  confirmed  the  elections 
thus  far  had,  but  ordered  that  after  that  time  the  usual  qualifi- 
cations required  of  voters  in  other  towns  should  be  required 
here. 

A  full  military  company  was  formed  in  Ashford  in  1722,  with 
John  Perry  for  captain,  Benjamin  Russel  for  lieutenant  and 
Joshua  Kendall  for  ensign.  During  these  years  the  people 
suffered  much  from  Indian  alarms,  and  constant  fears  stimulated 
watchfulness  to  be  ready  for  any  outbreak  of  savage  hostility 
which  might  appear.  Captain  Perry  proved  himself  an  efficient 
and  courageous  officer,  and  several  times  furnished  the  govern- 
ment important  information.  To  prevent  as  much  as  possible 
their  approaches  under  false  pretenses  Indians  were  forbidden 
to  hunt  in  the  woods  north  of  the  road  from  Hartford,  through 
Coventry  and  Ashford,  to  New  Roxbury.  A  military  watch  was 
ordered  to  be  held  in  Ashford  and  a  scout  maintained  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  town.  By  these  precautions  the  settlers 
were  protected  in  a  measure,  and  no  disastrous  attack  of  the 
Indians  was  experienced. 

The  population  of  the  town  now  steadily  increased.  Joseph 
Bosworth  bought  land  of  Corbin  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town 
in  1718,  and  Elias  Keyes  followed  in  1722.  In  the  latter  year 
Edward  Sumner  of  Roxbury,  a  brother  of  Samuel  Sumner  of 
Pomfret,  with  two  associates  bought  a  thousand  acres  of  land  of 
James  Corbin  in  the  eastern  part  of  Ashford.  As  an  induce- 
ment to  them  to  settle  upon  this  wild  tract  of  land  Mr.  Corbin 
further  offered  to  cover  and  finish  a  building,  the  frame  of 
which  already  stood  upon  the  land,  using  boards  and  shingles, 
erect  a  stack  of  chimneys  and  finish  four  rooms  within  the 
house  and  then  to  deliver  annually  to  them  four  barrels  of  good 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  997 

cider  for  four  years,  they  to  find  barrels  and  send  them  to  his 
house  in  Woodstock.  Thomas  Eaton  of  Woodstock,  a  brother 
of  Jonathan  Eaton  of  Killingly,  settled  in  Ashford  in  1723.  In 
1725  Robert  Knowlton  of  Sutton  purchased  a  large  tract  of  land 
in  the  southwest  part  of  Ashford,  now  included  in  the  Knowlton 
neighborhood,  and  at  once  settled  upon  it,  laying  out  a  road 
on  the  east  side  of  his  farm  and  freely  giving  it  to  the  town. 

In  May,  1725,  James  Corbin  petitioned  the  general  assembly 
for  a  patent  of  confirmation  for  certain  lands  in  Ashford  in  place 
of  lands  which  had  been  taken  from  him  by  the  annexation  of 
a  strip  of  Ashford  land  to  the  town  of  Willington.  The  annex- 
ation of  that  strip  to  that  town  had  prevented  his  taking  up  the 
twenty-five  hundred  acres  assigned  him  in  the  settlement  of  his 
claim  with  Ashford.  On  the  other  hand  the  New  Scituate  tract, 
which  was  now  held  by  Colonel  John  Chandler,  contained  2,476 
acres  more  than  the  deed  called  for.  Corbin  now  petitioned 
that  this  surplus  might  be  granted  to  him.  A  committee  ap- 
pointed by  the  general  court  found  that  the  New  f^cituate  land 
was  over  measured,  and  that  body  on  hearing  the  case  decided 
that  the  petition  of  Corbin  should  be  granted,  with  the  proviso, 
"  that  all  the  claimers  that  have  regulated  themselves  according 
to  the  order  of  the  committee  in  1719  shall  not  be  prejudiced 
thereby." 

With  the  commotions  created  by  contests  and  litigations  over 
the  possession  of  lands  and  the  blighting  effects  of  drouth  and 
other  unfavorable  conditions,  which  discouraged  the  progress 
of  improvement,  the  town  made  slow  headway  with  the  elements 
of  a  growing  community.  But  the  completion  of  the  minister's 
house  and  the  meeting  house  was  persevered  in.  The  assembly 
had  granted  the  town  repeated  exemption  for  many  years  from 
paying  colony  taxes.  But  whatever  financial  discouragement 
assailed  them,  the  people  were  firm  in  their  determination  to 
maintain  the  standard  of  public  morals,  as  far  as  providing  laws 
and  punishments  could  effect  this.  A  set  of  "  stocks  "  was  erect- 
ed on  the  green,  in  front  of  the  meeting  house  door,  and  the 
town  was  prompt  in  prosecuting  individuals  who  neglected  their 
families  and  thus  threatened  to  bring  charges  upon  the  town. 
Benjamin  Russel  and  others  were  allowed  to  build  a  pound  on 
the  meeting  house  green  at  their  own  cost  and  charge.  As  for- 
eign cattle  continued  to  trespass  upon  the  commons  the  town 
appointed  men  to  drive  them  out,  and  in  1734  it  was  voted,  "  That 


998  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

any  inhabitant  of  Ashford  that  shall  take  into  possession,  care 
or  oversight,  any  neat  cattle  that  don't  belong  to  an  inhabitant 
of  Ashford,  other  than  his  own  proper  estate,  from  the  first  of 
April  to  August,  shall  forfeit  ten  shillings  to  the  town  for  each 
and  every  head  of  neat  kine  so  taken."  A  cemetery  was  laid 
out  in  1734.  At  that  time  James  Beekman,  Joseph  Whiton  and 
Robert  Know]ton  were  appointed  a  committee  "to  lay  out  a 
quarter  acre  of  land  for  a  burying  place  at  ye  west  end  of  ye 
town,  where  people  have  been  buried."  A  burial  place  was  also 
ordered  in  the  east  of  the  town.  In  1732  the  town  began  to  pay 
colony  charges.  The  rate  list  of  estates  for  that  year  amounted 
to  i^4,609,  9s.  Captain  John  Perry  and  Philip  Eastman  were  now 
chosen  to  represent  the  town  in  the  general  assembly,  and  they 
were  continued  in  that  capacity  for  several  years.  Up  to  about 
this  time  for  many  years  the  town  had  been  in  the  habit  of  pay- 
ing a  bounty  of  twenty  shillings  a  head  for  every  wolf  killed. 
It  appears  that  by  the  year  1735  the  country  was  so  completely 
rid  of  these  wild  animals  that  the  last  bounty  of  this  kind  was 
paid  in  that  year. 

About  the  middle  of  the  last  century  Ashford  reached  a  con- 
dition of  some  prominence  and  activity.  Many  new  settlers  had 
gained  a  residence  here.  Ebenezer  Byles,  on  becoming  of  age, 
settled  on  land  which  had  been  purchased  by  Josiah  Byles  in 
1726,  about  a  mile  west  of  Ashford  Green.  William  Knowlton 
purchased  a  farm  of  four  hundred  acres  in  the  western  part  of 
Ashford.  This  was  in  after  years  divided  between  his  sons  Dan- 
iel and  Thomas,  who,  after  serving  brilliantly  in  the  French 
war,  engaged  with  equal  ardor  in  cultivating  their  land  and  dis- 
charging the  ordinary  civil  and  military  duties  of  good  citizens. 
Ephraim  Lyon  removed  from  Woodstock  to  the  eastern  part  of 
the  town,  and  was  greatly  esteemed  as  a  man  of  shrewdness  and 
sound  judgment.  Daniel  Dow,  of  Voluntown,  settled  north  of 
the  "green,"  with  a  rising  family  of  great  promise.  David  Bolles, 
of  New  London,  established  himself  near  the  present  Eastford 
village,  with  a  license  to  exercise  "  the  art  and  mystery  of  tan- 
ning leather,"  and  great  skill  and  experience  in  working  up  the 
same  into  serviceable  shoes.  Siephen  Keyes,  Theophilus  Clark, 
and  Amos  Babcock  were  admitted  freemen  prior  to  1760.  Sam- 
uel Woodcock,  of  Dedham,  succeeded  to  the  farm  once  held  by 
Jacob  Parker,  and  Jedidiah  Dana  to  that  formerly  of  John  Paine. 
The  remaining  part  of  the  Stoddard  tract  fell  to  Martha,  daugh- 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  999 

ter  of  Anthony  Stoddard,  and  wife  of  Captain  John  Stevens,  of 
Boston,  who,  in  1757,  laid  it  out  and  divided  it  into  thirty -one 
lots  or  farms,  which  were  sold  to  John  Chapin,  Abel  Simmons, 
James  Parker,  Robert  Snow  and  others.  A  large  and  valuable 
farm,  near  the  site  of  the  present  Phoenixville,  known  as  the 
Beaver  Dam  farm,  was  retained  and  occupied  by  Captain  and 
Mrs.  Stevens,  and  brought  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 
President  Stiles,  journeying  through  Ashford  in  1764,  was  very 
much  interested  in  Captain  Stevens'  agricultural  operations.  He 
reported  him  as  holding  six  thousand  acres  of  land  in  the  town ; 
having  thirty  acres  of  hemp  growing,  which  required  but  one 
man  to  attend,  but  employed  thirty  men  in  pulling  time ;  and 
expecting  a  harvest  of  twenty  tons  of  hemp  and  two  hundred 
bushels  of  seed.  The  people  of  the  town  testified  to  their  re- 
spect for  these  distinguished  residents  by  voting  that  Captain 
John  Stevens  and  his  family  should  have  liberty  to  sit  in  the 
ministerial  pew  at  church  during  the  pleasure  of  the  town.  Cap- 
tain Benjamin  Sumner,  Captain  Elisha  Wales,  Elijah  Whiton 
and  Amos  Babcock  were  prominent  men  in  the  town  at  that 
time.  The  tavern  keepers  licensed  in  1762  were  Benjamin 
Sumner,  Joseph  Palmer,  Benjamin  Clark,  Jedidiah  Fay,  Ezra 
Smith,  Samuel  Eastman  and  Elijah  Babcock.  Solomon  Mason 
had  a  grist  mill,  and  Amos  Babcock  kept  a  store. 

The  town  officers  elected  in  1760  were:  Amos  Babcock.  Eben- 
ezer  Byles,  Jedidiah  Dana,  Captain  Benjamin  Sumner,  Ezra 
Smith,  selectmen;  Mr.  Byles,  town  clerk  and  treasurer;  Ezekiel 
Tiffany,  constable  and  collector  for  the  west  end  of  the  town; 
Samuel  Holmes,  constable  and  collector  for  the  middle  of  the 
town;  Benjamin  Russel,  constable  and  collector  for  the  east  end 
of  the  town,  and  also  collector  for  colony  rates;  Timothy  East- 
man, Josiah  Spalding,  Benjamin  Carpenter,  Amasa  Watkins, 
Samuel  Allen,  Jedidiah  Dana,  Stephen  Abbot,  John  Bicknell, 
Benjamin  Walker,  Jonathan  Chaffee,  Job  Tyler,  Benjamin  Clark, 
David  Chaffee,  William  Preston,  surveyors  of  highways;  Jona- 
than Burnham,  Josiah  Eaton,  fence  viewers;  Benjamin  Clark, 
Josiah  Holmes,  Benjamin  Russel,  Jedidiah  Blanchard,  Asaph 
Smith,  listers;  Nehemiah  Smith,  Jonathan  Burnham,  grand  jur- 
ors; Josiah  Rogers,  Stephen  Snow,  William  Chub,  tithingmen; 
Benjamin  Russel,  brander,  pound  keeper  and  collector  of  excise; 
Caleb  Hende  and  Josiah  Chaffee,  branders  and  pound  keepers; 
Samuel  Snow,  sealer  of  weights  and  measures;  Asaph  Smith, 
sealer  of  leather. 


1000  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

As  a  glimpse  of  some  of  the  difficulties  which  beset  the  people 
of  Ashford  in  those  days  the  following  memoranda,  made  by  the 
town  clerk  in  one  of  the  books  of  record,  are  interesting: 

"The  5th  day  of  May,  1761,  a  very  stormy  day  of  snow,  an 
awful  sight,  the  trees  green  and  the  ground  white;  the  6th  day, 
the  trees  in  the  blow  and  the  fields  covered  with  snow. 

"  The  19th  day  of  May,  1763,  a  bad  storm  of  hail  and  rain,  and 
very  cold,  following  which  froze  ye  ground  and  puddles  of 
water. 

"  The  17th  day  of  October,  1763,  it  snowed,  and  ye  18th  in  ye 
morning  the  trees  and  the  ground  were  all  covered  with  ice  and 
snow,  which  made  it  look  like  ye  dead  of  winter." 

One  of  the  last  general  agitations  with  which  the  town  of  Ash- 
ford was  disturbed,  before  the  great  upheaval  of  the  revolution, 
was  an  outbreak  of  land  controversy,  with  respect  to  the  claims 
of  James  Corbin  and  his  legal  representatives.  This  broke  out 
afresh  about  the  year  1769.  At  that  time  the  Corbin  claims  were 
represented  by  Benjamin  and  Ashael  Marcy.  An  appeal  was 
taken  to  the  assembly,  and  all  the  actions  of  town  and  assembly 
since  1719  were  reviewed  at  great  length.  The  assembly  de- 
cided that  910  acres  were  still  due  to  Corbin  under  the  settle- 
ment of  1719,  and  375  acres  more  under  the  patent  of  1725,  which 
they  interpreted  as  being  an  addition  to  the  settlement  of  1719, 
and  the  Macys  were  authorized  to  take  up  land  to  the  amount 
of  such  deficiencies,  from  the  commons  of  the  town.  But  when 
they  began  to  act  under  this  authority  the  town  prosecuted  them 
in  the  superior  court,  and  obtained  a  verdict  against  them.  The 
Macys  then  appealed  again  to  the  assembly,  and  that  body  re- 
versed the  decision  of  the  superior  court,  restoring  the  Macys  to 
the  possession  of  the  land  and  reimbursement  of  costs.  Thus 
the  question  rested  until  the  events  of  the  revolution  gave  the 
people  questions  of  deeper  import  to  absorb  their  attention. 

As  early  as  1767,  when  the  oppressive  acts  of  parliament  were 
being  discussed  as  vital  questions  in  the  colonies,  Ashford  held 
a  meeting  December  14th,  and  appointed  some  of  its  trustworthy 
citizens,  Elisha  Wales,  Benjamin  Clark,  Benjamin  Russel,  Elijah 
Whiton  and  Benjamin  Sumner,  "to  be  a  committee  to  corres- 
pond with  other  committees  in  the  county  and  elsewhere,  to 
encourage  and  help  forward  manufactures  and  a  spirit  of  indus- 
try in  this  government."  In  regard  to  the  non-importation 
agreement  of  1769,  and  the  violation  of  it  by  some,  the  people  of 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1001 

this  town,  in  response  to  a  call  for  a  convention  of  delegates  at 
New  Haven,  in  1770,  to  consider  the  public  welfare  in  regard 
to  the  matter,  gave  the  following  expression  of  their  sentiments: 

"  Our  utmost  effort  shall  be  put  forth  in  vindication  of  the 
Non-importation  Agreement,  as  a  measure  without  which  the 
safety  and  prosperity  of  the  Colonies  cannot  be  supported. 

"  That  peddlers  who,  without  law  or  license,  go  about  the 
country  selling  wares,  are  a  nuisance  to  the  public,  and,  if  in  our 
power,  shall  be  picked  up  and  put  to  hard  labor,  and  compelled 
to  earn  their  bread  in  the  house  of  correction. 

"  We  highly  resent  every  breach  of  the  Non-importation 
Agreement,  and  are  always  ready  to  let  our  resentment  fall 
upon  those  who  are  so  hardy  and  abandoned  as  to  violate  the 
same. 

"  It  is  our  earnest  desire  that  every  town  in  this  Colony,  and 
in  every  Colony  in  America,  would  explicitly  and  publicly  dis- 
close their  sentiments  relating  to  the  Non-importation  Agree- 
ment and  the  violations  thereof. 

"  That  the  infamous  conduct  of  the  Yorkers  in  violating  the 
patriotic  engagements  of  the  merchants,  is  a  daring  insult  upon 
the  spirit  and  understanding  of  the  country,  an  open  contempt 
of  every  benevolent  and  patriotic  sentiment,  and  an  instance  of 
treachery  and  wickedness  sufQcient  to  excite  astonishment  in 
every  witnessing  mind,  and,we  doubt  not  but  their  actions  will 
appear  infamous  till  the  ideas  of  virtue  are  obliterated  in  the 
human  mind,  and  the  advocates  of  liberty  and  patriotism  are 
persecuted  out  of  the  world. 

"  That  if  the  people  of  America  properly  attend  to  the  concern 
of  salvation,  and  (unitedly)  resolve  upon  an  unshaken  persever- 
ance in  the  affair  of  non-importation  till  there  is  a  total  repeal  of 
the  revenue  acts  and  an  ample  redress  of  American  grievances, 
we  shall  be  a  free  and  flourishing  people. 

"  In  consequence  of  the  above  resolutions  we  have  chosen 
Captain  Benjamin  Clark  to  attend  the  general  meeting  of  the 
mercantile  and  landed  interests  at  New  Haven — the  sense  of 
the  town  as  above — and  to  use  his  utmost  influence  to  establish 
in  the  most  solid  and  durable  form  the  Non-importation 
Agreement." 

At  the  same  meeting  a  committee,  consisting  of  Elisha  Wales, 
Benjamin  Clark  and  Samuel  Snow,  was  appointed  to  see  that  no 
trade  in  imported  goods  was  carried  on  in  Ashford  in  violation 
of  the  non-importation  agreement. 


1002  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Later  on,  when  the  war  clouds  began  to  thicken,  in  the  summer 
of  1774,  Ashford  appointed  as  its  committee  of  corresppndence, 
to  act  with  similar  committees  from  other  towns,  for  the  general 
good,  the  following  men  :  Jedidiah  Fay,  Captain  Ichabod  Ward, 
Captain  Elisha  Wales,  Benjamin  Sumner,  Amos  Babcock  and 
Ingoldsby  Work.  Sympathy  was  expressed  on  behalf  of  the 
blockaded  and  oppressed  Boston  people  by  following  the  exam- 
ple of  Windham  in  sending  a  fine  flock  of  sheep  for  the  relief 
of  the  distressed  city.  During  the  troublous  years  of  the  war 
Ashford  suffered  in  common  with  other  towns  of  the  county, 
and  contributed  her  share  of  men  and  means  to  carry  forward 
the  common  cause.  The  sound  sense  of  political  economy 
with  which  her  people  were  inspired  is  shown  in  the  following 
instructions  given  October  3d,  1783,  by  Ashford  town  meeting, 
to  Simeon  Smith  and  Isaac  Perkins,  her  representatives  in  the 
assembly : 

"1.  Oppose  all  encroachments  of  Congress  upon  the  sover- 
eignty and  jurisdiction  of  separate  States,  and  the  assumption 
of  power  not  expressly  vested  in  them  by  Articles  of  Confedera- 
tion. 

"  2.  Inquire  into  the  very  interesting  question  whether  Con- 
gress was  authorized  by  the  Federal  Constitution  to  grant  half- 
pay  for  life,  and  five  years  full  pay  to  officers— and  if  the  measure 
be  ill-founded,  attempt  every  constitutional  method  for  its 
removal. 

"3.  Promote  a  strict  inquiry  into  public  and  private  expendi- 
tures, and  bring  to  a  speedy  account  delinquents  and  defaulters. 

"  4.  Use  your  endeavors  that  vacant  lands  be  appropriated  for 
the  general  benefit  of  the  United  States. 

"  5.  Pay  particular  attention  to  the  regulation  and  encourage- 
ment of  commerce,  agriculture,  arts  and  manufactures. 

"  6.  We  instruct  you  to  use  your  influence  for  the  suppression 
of  placemen,  pensioners  and  all  unnecessary  officers. 

"7.  Also,  to  use  your  influence  to  promote  the  passing  an  act 
in  the  Assembly  to  enable  Congress  to  lay  an  impost  on  the 
importation  of  foreign  articles. 

"  And,  finally,  we  instruct  you  to  move  in  the  Assembly  that 
the  laws  for  the  promotion  of  virtue  and  good  manners  and  the 
suppression  of  vice,  maybe  attended  to,  and  enforced,  and  any 
other  means  tending  to  promote  a  general  reformation  of 
manners." 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1003 

The  population  of  Ashford  in  1775  was  2,228  whites  and  13 
negroes.  The  grand  list  at  that  time  amounted  to  iJ'17,273, 
lid.  8d.  Captain  Benjamin  Sumner  was  at  that  time  a  very 
prominent  citizen  of  the  town.  Josias  Byles  succeeded  Isaac 
Perkins  as  town  clerk  and  treasurer,  in  1780.  The  selectmen 
in  1783  were  Esquire  Perkins,  Captain  Reuben  Marcy,  Captain 
David  Bolles,  Lieutentant  John  Warren  and  Edward  Sumner. 
Other  officers  then  were:  David  Brown,  Jedidiah  Ward, 
Ebenezer  Bosworth,  Ebenezer  Mason, constables  and  collectors; 
Ephraim  Lyon,  Joshua  Kendall,  Ephraim  Spalding,  Amasa 
Watkins,  Jacob  Chapman,  Thomas  Ewing,  Jonathan  Chaffee, 
Timothy  Babcock,  Isaac  Kendall,  Captain  Samuel  Smith,  Medina 
Preston,  John  Loomis,  Ephraim  Walker  and  Stephen  Snow, 
highway  surveyors ;  Medina  Preston,  Samuel  Spring,  Abel 
Simmons,  Deacon  Chapman  and  Josias  Byles,  grand  jurors. 
At  this  time  the  selectmen  were  directed  to  provide  a  work- 
house in  which  idle,  lazy  and  impotent  persons  were  to  be 
taken  care  of  and  under  the  direction  of  the  selectmen  they 
were  to  be  put  to  work.  A  committee  was  at  the  same  time 
appointed  to  look  after  schools. 

One  of  the  memorable  events  in  the  history  of  Ashford  was 
the  visit  of  General  Washington,  while  on  his  presidential  tour 
in  1789.  Leaving  Uxbridge  before  sunrise,  Saturday,  November 
7th,  they  breakfasted  at  a  tavern  kept  by  one  Jacobs,  in 
Thompson — the  well-known  half-way  house  between  Boston 
and  Hartford — and  thence  proceeded  on  the  road  to  Pomfret, 
Major  Jackson  and  Private  Secretary  Lear  occupied  the  state 
carriage  with  the  president,  and  four  servants  followed  on 
horseback.  No  one  knew  of  the  coming;  of  such  a  distinguished 
party  through  the  town,  so  the  people  were  not  prepared  to  see 
him,  and  only  those  who  happened  to  be  in  the  way  were  for- 
tunate enough  to  get  a  glimpse  of  the  nation's  chieftain. 

At  Grosvenor's,  in  Pomfret,  they  paused  for  refreshment  and 
rest,  and  to  inquire  for  General  Putnam,  whom  Washington  had 
hoped  to  see  here,  and  which  indeed  had  been  one  of  the  objects 
in  coming  this  road,  but  finding  the  distance  to  his  residence  too 
great  to  be  covered  without  disarranging  his  plans,  Washington 
abandoned  the  idea  of  seeing  Putnam,  and  continued  on  the 
main  road  eight  miles  further,  to  Perkins'  tavern  in  Ashford, 
where  he  remained  over  the  Sabbath.  The  diary  of  the  president 
speaks  of  this  tavern  as  "  not  a  good  one,"  a  remark  which  he 


1004  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

frequently  found  appropriate  to  the  taverns  he  found  on  his  way, 
and  as  he  was  not  writing  for  publication  he  had  no  scruples 
ag-ainst  candidly  noting  it  in  his  private  memorandum.  Tradition 
gives  few  details  or  incidents  of  this  visit.  Washington,  it  is 
said,  attended  church,  and  occupied  the  most  honored  seat  in  the 
house  of  worship,  and  Mr.  Pond  and  the  town  officials  doubtless 
paid  their  respects,  but  the  Sabbath-keeping  etiquette  of  the  time 
did  not  permit  any  formal  demonstration,  and  he  was  probably 
allowed  to  spend  the  day  in  peace  and  quiet  after  his  own  taste. 
His  visit  here  is  said  to  have  aroused  the  jealous  indignation  of 
the  people  of  Windham  town.  They  declared  in  reference  to 
the  president  that  he  had  "gone  back  and  vStole  away  from  ye 
people,  going  by  a  by-road  through  Ashford  to  avoid  pomp  and 
parade." 

Ashford  was  favored  with  a  post  office  as  early  as  1803.  David 
Bolles,  Jr.,  was  appointed  first  postmaster.  The  usual  repre- 
sentatives of  the  town  in  assembly  about  that  time  were  William 
Walker,  Abel  Simmons,  Jr.,  Josias  Byles  and  John  Palmer.  An 
instance  of  the  natural  aversion  to  anything  like  corrupt  meas- 
ures in  political  campaigns,  with  which  the  people  were  imbued 
is  seen  in  the  fact  that  the  election  of  Mr.  Jason  Woodward  in 
1802  was  contested  on  the  ground  that  he  had  obtained  it  "by 
distributing  liquor  ;  had  treated  the  selectmen  with  four  bowls 
of  sling,  and  given  to  the  people  about  his  store  four  bottles  of 
liquor,"  but  fortunately  for  him  and  the  credit  of  the  town,  the 
charges  were  not  substantiated  in  the  evidence.  In  the  census 
of  1800  this  town  is  reported  as  having  a  population  of  2,445, 
and  a  grand  list  of  $61,367.41. 

A  number  of  taverns  were  kept  during  the  early  years  of  the 
century,  by  Messrs.  Clark,  Richmond,  Palmer,  Preston,  Burn- 
ham,  Howe,  Woodward  and  others.  In  1818  there  were  in  the 
town  eight  mercantile  stores,  six  grain  mills,  nine  saw  mills 
and  five  tanneries.  Josias  Byles  was  still  continued  in  the 
office  of  town  clerk,  and  David  Bolles  and  his  son  retained  the 
post  office.  The  town  now  had  seven  churches,  and  some  man- 
ufacturing was  carried  on.  Four  carding  machines  had  been 
set  up  in  different  parts  of  the  town.  Rufus  Sprague,  Edward 
Keyes,  John  N.  Sumner,  Benjamin  and  Mason  Palmer  were 
incorporated  in  1815  as  the  Sprague  Manufacturing  Company,  for 
the  manufacture  of  cotton  wool  into  yarn  or  cloth.  Read,  Steb- 
bins  &  Co.,  engaged  in  a  woolen  factory,  advertising  the  same 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1005 

year  for  eight  or  ten  young  men  to  learn  to  card,  spin  and 
weave.  Benjamin  Palmer  also  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
tin  ware,  which  he  offered,  of  any  description,  plain  or  ja- 
panned, as  low  as  any  one  in  the  state. 

A  probate  district  was  organized  here  and  the  office  estab- 
lished in  Ashford  village  in  1830.  David  Bolles  was  made 
probate  judge,  but  he  died  during  the  year  mentioned,  and  the 
office  was  then  placed  in  the  hands  of  his  successor  in  legal 
practice,  Ichabod  Bulkley. 

In  the  march  of  modern  improvement  and  change,  Ashford 
seems  to  have  suffered  somewhat.  Railroads  have  evaded  this 
section.  Her  advantage  of  position  on  the  great  thoroughfare 
of  New  York  and  Boston  travel  by  turnpike  and  wagon  road  is 
a  thing  of  the  past.  But  Ashford  may  cherish  an  honorable 
record  in  the  past,  and  many  honorable  names  in  the  country 
have  had  their  ancestral  roots  here.  Her  living  sons  are  found 
everywhere  outside  of  their  own  town.  One  of  these  wander- 
ing sons,  who  achieved  success  and  fortune,  has  shown  his  inter- 
est in  his  birthplace  by  devising  liberal  things  for  its  benefit- — 
leaving  it  the  sum  of  six  thousand  dollars,  the  income  of  which 
is  to  be  expended  upon  its  musical  and  intellectual  culture. 
The  Babcock  Brass  Band,  with  facilities  for  continued  improve- 
ment, the  Babcock  Library,  free  to  all  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town,  have  resulted  from  this  considerate  bequest  of  Archibald 
Babcock,  late  of  Charlestown,  Mass.  With  such  substantial  re- 
membrances from  those  who  owe  it  allegiance,  it  m.ay  be  hoped 
that  the  home  of  Knowlton,  Dana,  the  Notts,  the  Bolleses,  and 
other  illustrious  sons,  will  continue  to  maintain  an  honorable 
position  among  its  sister  towns. 

In  the  early  years  of  settlement  the  Connecticut  Path  was  the 
only  f-ecognized  highway  or  thoroughfare  by  which  this  town 
was  approached  or  had  communication  with  the  outside  world. 
But  the  need  of  more  accommodations  in  the  line  of  roads  and 
bridges  was  soon  felt,  and  commendable  effort  was  made  to  sup- 
ply this  need.  In  1728  it  was  voted  "  that  the  town  will  butt 
the  west  end  of  the  lower  or  south  bridge  over  Bigelow  River 
from  the  land  part  to  the  stream  with  solid  work  with  stones,  or 
logs,  or  both,  and  if  the  bridge  over  the  stream  be  judged  de- 
fective, then  to  build  it  all  anew."  All  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town  were  warned  to  assist  in  repairing  this  bridge.  A  cart 
bridge  over  Bigelow  river  was  also  ordered  "  by  Humphrey's 


1006  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

saw  mill,"  as  well  as  a  bridge  over  Mount  Hope  river,  on  the 
Hartford  road.  Another  bridge  was  ordered  to  be  built  "  over 
the  great  brook  by  Daniel  Bugbee's  meadow,"  and  also  a  horse 
bridge  over  Mount  Hope  river,  in  Corbin's  land. 

During  the  years  that  followed  the  town  was  greatly  inter- 
ested in  the  improvement  of  its  public  highways.  Toward 
the  close  of  the  century  a  committee  was  appointed  to  confer 
with  a  committee  appointed  by  the  assembly  "  to  lay  out  a 
highway  from  East  Hartford  to  Massachusetts  or  Rhode  Island 
line."  The  Boston  Turnpike  Company  was  incorporated  in 
1797,  and  within  two  or  three  years  the  great  Boston  and 
Hartford  turnpike,  running  through  Mansfield,  Ashford,  Pom- 
fret  and  Thompson,  was  completed  and  opened  to  the  public. 
James  Gordon,  Shubael  Abbe  and  Ebenezer  Devotion  were  ap- 
pointed to  oversee  repairs,  gates  and  collections  on  this  road. 
About  half  a  mile  to  the  east  of  Ashford  village,  this  road  con- 
nected with  another  great  turnpike  leading  to  Providence,  con- 
structed a  few  years  later  by  the  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island 
Turnpike  Company.  Unlike  some  other  towns,  Ashford  made 
no  opposition  to  these  improvements,  but  willingly  paid  the 
needful  impost  to  gain  better  accommodations  and  increased 
travel.  Daily  stages  passing  to  and  fro  over  these  roads  gave 
the  town  quite  a  busy  air.  Chaises  and  other  vehicles  were  now 
coming  into  vogue.  A  large  amount  of  freight  was  carried  over 
the  turnpikes.  The  numerous  taverns  needed  to  supply  the 
wants  of  travelers  and  teamsters  were  kept  by  Jedidiah  Fay, 
Benjamin  Clark,  Isaac  Perkins,  Josiah  Ward,  William  Snow, 
Josiah  Converse,  Stephen  Snow  and  Samuel  Spring.  The  Wood- 
stock and  Somers  turnpike  was  completed  during  the  early 
years  of  the  present  century,  as  was  also  the  Tolland  County 
turnpike,  which  intersected  the  Boston  and  Hartford  turnpike, 
two  miles  west  of  Ashford  village.  Travel  on  these  thorough- 
fares was  stimulated  by  the  war  of  1812,  and  by  the  manu- 
facturing industries  of  neighboring  towns.  Stages  were  daily 
passing  to  and  fro  over  the  various  roads,  and  at  the  junction  of 
the  Boston  and  Providence  turnpikes  a  continuous  line  of  vehi- 
cles as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach  could  frequently  be  seen. 

During  the  early  years  of  Ashford  town  life  the  question  of 
maintaining  schools  received  some  backward  blows.  A  party  of 
ignorant  and  unenterprising  men  succeeded  for  a  time  in  hold- 
ing the  control  of  the  public  voice  so  far  as  to  prevent  a  school 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1007 

"being-  kept  up.  In  1722  the  town  voted  "  not  to  be  at  the  ex- 
pense of  hiring  a  schoolmaster."  This  state  of  affairs,  however, 
did  not  continue  for  any  great  length  of  time.  In  October, 
1723,  a  schoolmaster  was  hired  by  the  town  to  keep  school  half 
a  year.  In  1726  the  public  interest  was  bending  all  its  energies 
toward  completing  its  meeting  house,  and  in  the  pressure  of 
economy  for  that  purpose  it  was  decided  to  '•'  wave  having  a 
schoolmaster."  But  this  suspension  of  the  school  was  probably 
for  only  a  short  time.  In  1727  we  find  the  schoolmaster  in  the 
town,  an  active  factor  in  society,  in  the  person  of  John  An- 
•drews. 

In  1734  the  one  schoolmaster  for  the  town  was  replaced  by 
three  "school-dames,"  for  the  three  sections.  These  were  de- 
scribed as  follows:  "One  school  to  be  east  side  of  Bigelow 
river ;  one  to  sute  the  middle  of  the  town  ;  one  west  side  of 
Mount  Hope  river."  A  committee  of  three  in  each  section  was 
selected  to  attend  to  the  business.  The  "  school-dames  "  em- 
ployed that  year  were  a  Mrs.  Chapman,  Ann  Eaton  and  Sarah 
Bugbee,  and  their  pay  was  for  each  of  them,  four  pounds  for 
three  months.  In  1735  Samuel  Snow,  Edward  Tiffany  and 
Thomas  Corbin  were  allowed  to  build  a  school  house  at  their  own 
cost  and  charge,  on  the  meeting  house  green,  south  of  the  Hart- 
ford and  west  of  the  Mansfield  road.  A  schoolmaster  was  hired 
to  teach  three  months  at  each  end  of  the  town.  In  1737  he  was 
hired  for  nine  months ;  in  1739  for  a  year,  he  to  find  house  room 
wherever  practicable.  Arrangements  were  now  in  progress  for 
procuring  suitable  school  houses.  An  agreement  was  entered 
into  with  Mr.  Stoddard,  by  which,  in  consideration  of  the  recog- 
nition by  the  town  of  his  claim  to  8,864  acres  of  land  within  its 
limits,  he  gave  two  hundred  acres  of  land  for  school  purposes. 
January  1st,  1739,  this  land  was  ordered  to  be  sold  and  the  money 
to  be  placed  at  interest  for  the  benefit  of  a  religious  school  in 
Ashford  forever.  The  minimum  valuation  fixed  upon  it  by  the 
town  was  four  hundred  pounds.  Afterward  the  town  was  di- 
vided into  three  districts  for  school  purposes,  each  of  which 
should  pay  its  own  expenses.  These  districts  were  respectively 
Eastford,  Ashford  and  Westford.  A  rate  of  ^^"150  was  soon  after 
ordered  to  build  a  school  house  in  each  section.  Under  this  new 
arrangement  Elijah  Whiton  and  John  Griggs  were  the  first 
.schoolmasters  of  which  we  find  any  mention.  The  salary  of  the 
former  was  thirteen  pounds  for  two  months'  school  service  and 


1008  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

boarding  himself.  Mr.  Knowlton  was  one  of  the  public  spirited 
men  of  the  town,  and  was  deeply  interested  in  behalf  of  the 
schools.  When  he  was  chosen  deputy  to  the  general  assembly 
m  1751  he  begged  the  privilege  of  bestowing  fifty  shillings  upon 
the  school  instead  of  investing  it  in  the  "  treat "  to  the  company 
which  the  custom  of  the  day  required  in  return  for  such  an  honor 
as  he  enjoyed.  In  the  following  spring  he  made  a  voluntary  gift 
of  twelve  pounds  "  old  tenor  "  to  the  school. 

In  February,  1716,  the  foundations  of  a  civil  settlement  hav- 
ing been  partly  laid  in  prospective  Ashford,  it  was  voted  that 
the  meeting  house  be  built  first,  that  is,  before  the  minister's 
house.  The  dimensions  of  this  house  were  forty  feet  long, 
thirty-five  feet  wide  and  eighteen  feet  high.  The  wages  paid 
the  men  who  did  the  work  of  building  were  three  shilling  a  day 
for  the  master  mechanic,  two  shillings  nine  pence  a  day  for  jour- 
neymen hewers,  and  two  shillings  a  day  for  ordinary  laborers. 
The  price  of  board  for  a  mechanic  then  was  four  shillings  and 
six  pence  a  week.  In  the  mean  time  a  committee  empowered 
by  the  town  to  secure  the  services  of  a  minister  obtained  Mr. 
James  Hale,  of  Swanzea,  a  graduate  of  Harvard  in  1703,  who 
served  the  people,  and  at  the  organization  of  a  church  became 
pastor.  They  gave  him  for  settlement  a  salary  of  fort}^  pounds  a 
year  for  three  years,  after  which  it  was  increased  annually  for 
seven  years  till  it  reached  sixty  pounds,  besides  his  firewood  and 
a  hundred  acres  of  land.  They  also  agreed  to  build  him  a  two- 
story  house  "  with  a  twenty  foot  room  in  it."  This  room  is  sup- 
posed to  have  been  intended  and  used  for  public  worship  until 
the  completion  of  the  meeting  house.  The  meeting  house  does 
not  seem  to  have  been  carried  forward  to  completion  from  the 
start. 

November  26th,  1718,  a  church  was  formally  organized  in  Ash- 
ford by  Reverend  Josiah  Dwight,  Mr.  Samuel  Whiting  and  Jo- 
seph Meacham,  of  Coventry.  Mr.  Hale  was  ordained  pastor,  and 
the  following  men  subscribed  to  the  articles  of  covenant:  James 
Hale,  John  Mixer,  William  Ward,  Joseph  Green,  Isaac  Magoon, 
Matthew  Thompson,  William  Chapman,  Benjamin  Russel, 
Daniel  Fuller,  Isaac  Kendall,  John  Pitts,  Nathaniel  Fuller  and 
John  Perry.  On  December  9th  following  the  female  members 
named  hereafter  were  added  to  the  number  of  original  names: 
Sarah  Hale,  Abigail  Mixer,  Judith  Ward,  Mary  Fuller,  Mary 
Russel,  Elizabeth  Squier,  Mary  Fuller,  Mrs.  William  Chapman 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.         "  1009 

and  the  Widow  Dimick.  December  21st,  Elinor  Kendall  and 
Sarah  Bugbee  were  added  to  the  number.  John  Mixer  was 
made  the  first  deacon.  In  September,  1721,  he  being  about  to 
remove  from  the  town,  his  place  was  filled  by  the  election  of 
Isaac  Kendall  and  Joseph  Bugbee.  "  Brother  John  Perry  "  was 
at  this  time  chosen  "  to  set  the  psalm  with  respect  to  public 
singing."  The  meeting  house  had  been  finished  sufficiently  to 
afford  a  place  to  hold  services  in,  but  it  remained  unfinished  in- 
side until  1723,  when  it  was  decided  as  desirable  to  finish  with 
"  plaster  and  whitewash  all  the  lower  part  of  the  meeting  house 
to  the  lower  girth."  Among  the  furniture  of  the  house  was  an 
hour-glass,  for  which  Nathaniel  Fuller  was  allowed  two  shil- 
lings. The  finish  of  the  interior,  however,  was  delayed  many 
years,  and  the  privileges  of  pews  and  the  orderly  seating  of  the 
congregation  according  to  the  ideas  and  usages  of  those  days, 
were  questions  frequently  under  discussion  and  subject  to  va- 
rious and  often  opposing  decisions.  It  was  evidently  a  hard 
struggle  for  existence  with  the  first  church  of  Ashford.  There 
were  discordant  elements  in  the  population,  and  a  factor  of  ig- 
norance laid  obstacles  in  the  way.  Taxes  were  laid,  school  ques- 
tions were  set  aside,  remarkable  privileges  were  granted,  all  to 
help  forward  the  matter  of  church  and  minister's  house  and  sup- 
port, the  South  church  of  Boston  donated  fifteen  pounds  to  help 
this  church,  but  with  all  the  means  used  and  efforts  made  the 
work  was  backward. 

The  memorandum  of  a  fact  which  has  no  eSvSential  relation  to 
this  church  appears  on  its  records,  and  for  want  of  a  more  ap- 
propriate place  at  command  in  which  to  preserve  it,  we  take  the 
liberty  of  digressing  a  moment  to  mention  it.  In  the  records  of 
Mr.  Hale  appears  this  statement:  "The  great  earthquake  on 
the  Lord's  day  evening,  October  29,  1727,  was  in  an  awakening 
manner  felt  in  this  town,  as  also  the  terrible  storm  of  wind  and 
hail  the  September  before." 

The  discipline  of  the  church  was  preserved  with  very  much 
of  the  mint-tithing  exactness  which  was  characteristic  of  the 
period,  while  much  liberality  was  exercised  with  regard  to  some 
matters  which  are  now  considered  as  of  great  practical  impor- 
tance. For  example,  on  one  occasion  Ephraim  Bemis  was 
charged  with  selling  strong  liquor  in  small  quantities  upon  a 
certain  occasion,  and  the  question  was  raised  as  to  whether  he 
was  guilty  of  a  "confessable  fault "  in  so  doing,  but  the  church 
64 


1010  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

decided  in  the  negative.  In  1739  the  meeting  house  needed  ex- 
tensive repairs.  At  that  time  the  salary  of  the  minister  was 
raised  to  ;^100  a  year.  Mr.  Hale  suffered  failing  health  for  some 
time,  and  measures  were  taken  to  supply  his  place  temporarily'. 
But  his  pastorate  closed  with  his  death,  November  22d,  1742,  he 
being  in  the  fifty-eighth  year  of  his  age.  His  successor  was 
Reverend  John  Bass,  of  Braintree,  who  was  installed  September 
7th,  1743. 

In  the  time  of  the  great  revival  of  1740  to  1750,  Solomon  Paine 
and  other  itinerants  extended  their  labors  to  this  field,  and  many 
of  their  hearers  embraced  Separate  or  New  Light  principles. 
These  Separatists  were  divided  on  the  question  of  baptism,  mak- 
ing two  factions,  while  the  orthodox  church  people  were  also 
divided  into  the  rigidly  Calvinistic  and  the  liberal  classes,  and 
thus  four  quite  distinct  factions  existed  in  Ashford. 

The  methods  and  action  of  these  Baptists  and  Separatists 
were  very  offensive  to  the  strict  church  people,  and  the  preach- 
ing of  Solomon  Paine  especially  was  so  obnoxious  that  efforts 
were  made  to  stop  him  by  legal  process.  February  15th,  1745, 
while  Paine  was  preaching  in  a  private  house,  complaint  was 
made  to  Justice  Tiffany,  who,  upon  searching  his  legal  author- 
ity, was  clearly  convinced  "  that  it  was  an  unlawful  meeting  for 
Paine  to  come  to  Ashford  to  preach  and  exhort,"  and  thereupon 
granted  a  warrant  for  his  arrest.  Constable  Bemis  went  to  the 
house  to  serve  it.  Taking  hold  of  Paine  he  told  him  that  he  had 
no  right  to  preach,  and  that  he  must  go  before  the  justice  to  an- 
swer for  his  unlawful  preaching.  Paine  vehemently  stigmatized 
the  law  as  being  suggested  by  the  Devil,  and  refused  to  respect 
it  or  obey  the  summons.  Bemis  then  called  upon  several  per- 
sons to  assist  him,  who  at  first  refused,  but  when  reminded  that 
the  law  had  a  penalty  for  such  refusal,  they  "  gently  took  Paine 
from  the  stage  whereon  he  was  preaching,  and  carried  him  out 
of  the  door  and  set  him  down."  But  Paine  stubbornly  refused 
to  go  before  the  justice,  whereupon  "  they  took  him  in  a  very 
gentle  way  and  set  him  on  a  horse  and  led  him  to  Justice  Tiffa- 
ny's," where  he  was  appropriately  rebuked  and  then  dismissed. 
The  arresting  party  was  afterward  indicted  for  a  riot,  in  which 
the  charge  set  forth  "  that  with  riotous  intent  and  with  force  and 
arms  they  did  assault  the  person  of  said  Solomon  Paine,  and 
pulled  him  onto  the  floor  and  carried  him  half  a  mile  distant,  to 
his  great  hurt  and  abuse  and  the  disturbance  of  others."     The 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1011 

county  court  acquitted  them,  but  adjudged  that  they  should  pay 
costs,  but  on  their  appeal  to  the  general  assembly,  this  charge 
was  also  remitted.  The  church  now  enjoyed  a  season  of  quiet, 
during  which,  in  1747,  some  considerable  repairs  were  made  on 
the  meeting  house.  But  the  question  of  the  orthodoxy  of  Mr. 
Bass  soon  arose  and  gave  occasion  for  prolonged  disquietude. 
Councils  were  frequently  called  to  investigate  his  orthodoxy. 
A  final  council,  which  met  June  4th,  1751,  found  sufficient  ground 
for  their  action,  and  dissolved  the  pastoral  relation  between  him 
and  the  Ashford  church,  and  Mr.  Bass  withdrew,  leaving  the 
church  divided  in  sentiment  and  opinion,  a  strong  party  in  it 
being  in  sympathy  with  the  deposed  pastor  and  his  views.  The 
church  was  much  divided,  and  a  number  of  efforts  were  made  to 
secure  society  privileges  in  the  eastern  and  northern  parts  of 
the  town,  but  without  success.  Meanwhile  repeated  attempts 
were  made  to  get  a  minister  who  could  secure  favor  among  the 
differing  factions  sufficiently  strong  to  obtain  a  call  to  the  pas- 
torate. Among  the  ministers  who  thus  passed  in  review  before 
this  now  hypercritical  congregation  were  Daniel  Pond,  David  Rip- 
ley, Messrs.  Mills  and  Elderkin,  Stephen  Holmes,  Daniel  Kirt- 
land,  Nehemiah  Barker  and  Elijah  Blake.  At  length,  after  six 
years  of  commotion  and  discord,  Mr^  Timothy  Allen  succeeded 
in  obtaining  a  call,  and  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  church  and 
town  October  12th,  1757.  He  was  a  powerful  and  fervent 
preacher,  of  decided  "  New  Light  "  proclivities.  The  northwest 
inhabitants  were  also  favored  with  two  months'  preaching  in 
the  winter,  paid  out  of  the  common  fund.  This  concession  en- 
couraged the  people  of  that  locality  to  press  their  claims  for 
more  distinct  society  privileges,  which,  after  much  agitation  of 
the  question,  were  granted  by  the  assembly  in  October,  1765.  The 
bounds  of  Westford  society  thus  formed  were  "  from  the  north- 
west corner  of  said  township  five  and  one  fourth  miles  south  on 
the  west  line  of  said  town,  from  thence  a  strait  line  to  the  crotch 
of  Mount  Hope  river,  and  thence  a  strait  line  to  John  Dimmock's 
south  line,  where  said  line  crosses  Bigelow  river,  thence  north 
on  said  Bigelow  river  to  Union  line." 

The  town  of  Ashford  at  that  time  contained  forty  thousand 
acres,  and  a  valuation  on  its  grand  list  of  ^^13,700.  The  West- 
ford  Society  thus  formed  included  thirteen  thousand  three  hun- 
dred acres,  eighty  families  and  a  valuation  of  ^3,500.  The 
proposition  to  set  off  Eastford  as  a  distinct  society,  with  bound- 


1012  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

aries  substantially  as  they  now  appear  with  reference  to  the 
town,  was  agitated  at  the  same  time,  but  was  not  carried  into 
effect  until  October,  1777,  when  that  society  was  granted  dis- 
tinct privileges. 

The  preaching  of  Reverend  Mr.  Allen  was  not  agreeable  to 
the  people,  and  he  became  unpopular  and  his  salary  fell  short. 
To  make  up  the  deficit  he  engaged  in  trading  in  land,  and  here 
he  became  involved  in  debt  and  his  creditors  sent  him  to  jail. 
A  council  was  called,  which  dismissed  him  from  his  pastorate, 
though  clearing  him  from  every  serious  charge.  Several  years 
passed  before  the  settlement  of  his  successor  could  be  effected. 
During  this  interval  the  church  was  greatly  weakened  and  scat- 
tered, but  still  continued  in  its  efforts  to  secure  a  minister  and 
preserve  order.  Baptisms  were  administered  from  time  to  time 
by  the  neighboring  ministers.  Days  of  fasting  and  prayer  were 
held  in  1766  and  1768, "  for  direction  and  assistance  in  the  affair 
of  choosing  a  minister,"  and  church  and  society  at  length  hap- 
pily united  in  choice  of  Reverend  James  Messinger  of  Wren- 
tham,  a  graduate  of  Harvard  College,  who  was  installed  into  the 
pastorate  February  15th,  1769.  Under  the  leadership  of  this 
"much  beloved  spiritual  guide,"  as  he  was  called,  the  church 
increased  in  numbers,  and  regained  something  of  its  primitive 
standing,  despite  the  political  distractions  of  the  times.  The 
venerable  Isaac  Kendall,  who  had  served  the  church  as  deacon, 
through  the  changes  and  pastorates,  from  its  organization,  died 
October  8th,  1773,  in  the  eighty-eighth  year  of  his  age,  and  the 
fifty-second  year  of  his  deaconship.  Benjamin  Sumner,  one  of 
the  fathers  of  the  town,  Jedidiah  Dana  and  John  Wright,  also 
served  as  deacons.  Deacon  Elijah  Whiton  was  dismissed  to  the 
church  in  Westford  society. 

Mr.  Messinger  died  while  in  the  service  of  this  church,  and 
his  place  remained  vacant  for  several  years,  when  Reverend 
Enoch  Pond  was  ordained  and  installed  over  the  church  Sep- 
tember 16th,  1789.  He  was  a  native  of  Wrentham  and  a  gradu- 
ate of  Brown  University.  Possessing  unusual  ability  and 
cultivation,  he  gained  great  influence  over  his  people,  and 
enjoyed  a  harmonious  pastorate.  Ebenezer  Mason  and  Isaac 
Perkins  were  chosen  deacons  in  1789,  and  upon  the  death  of  the 
latter  in  1795,  they  were  succeeded  by  Matthew  Reed  and  David 
Brown.  The  old  meeting  house,  having  now  been  in  use 
seventy  years,  was  enlarged  and  thoroughly  repaired.     A  revival 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1013 

of  religious  interest  soon  followed  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Pond, 
and  about  sixty  persons  were  added  to  the  church.  Mr.  Pond 
closed  his  labors  with  the  close  of  his  life  August  6th,  1807. 
His  epitaph,  written  by  Reverend  David  Avery,  thus  estimates 
him : 

"Generous  in  temper,  correct  in  science  and  liberal  in  senti- 
ment, the  gentleman,  the  scholar,  and  the  minister  of  the 
sanctuary,  appeared  with  advantage  in  Mr.  Pond.  The  church 
and  society  in  Ashford  were  favored  with  his  Gospel  ministry 
eighteen  years." 

His  successor  was  Reverend  Philo  Judson  of  Woodbury,  who 
was  ordained  and  installed  September  26th,  1811,  and  enjoyed  a 
successful  ministry  for  a  still  longer  period.  He  was  released 
from  his  charge  in  1833.  His  immediate  successor,  Reverend 
Job  Hall  of  Pomfret,  remained  but  three  years.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Reverend  Charles  Hyde  of  Norwich,  who  was  in- 
stalled pastor  of  this  church  February  21st,  1838.  Matthew 
Reed  and  Elisha  Byles  were  chosen  deacons  in  1825.  After  the 
death  of  Deacon  Kendall  in  1829,  his  son  of  the  same  name  was 
chosen  to  fill  his  place,  being  the  third  Isaac  Kendall  who  had 
occupied  the  deacons'  seat,  and  the  fifth  of  the  name  in  direct 
succession  to  occupy  the  Kendall  homestead  of  1714.  A  new 
meeting  house  was  erected  on  the  previous  site  in  1830. 

Reverend  Job  Hall,  the  seventh  pastor,  was  ordained  January 
15th,  1834.  He  was  born  in  Pomfret  May  11th,  1802,  graduated 
at  Amherst,  1830,  dismissed  July  17th,  1837,  after  a  ministry  of 
a  little  more  than  three  years.  Nineteen  were  added  to  the 
church  during  his  ministry.  He  retired  to  a  farm  in  Orwell,  Vt., 
where  he  died  a  few  years  since,  much  respected  in  the  com- 
munity where  the  closing  years  of  his  life  were  spent.  Reverend 
Charles  Hyde,  the  eighth  pastor,  was  installed  February  21st, 
1838,  and  dismissed  at  his  own  request,  and  greatly  to  the  re- 
gret of  his  people,  June  26th,  1845.  During  his  ministry  of 
seven  years  and  four  months,  ninety-one  members  were  added 
to  the  church.  He  left  to  accept  a  call  to  Central  Falls,  R.  I., 
where  he  remained  for  several  years.  After  his  dismission  from 
this  parish,  he  labored  for  a  time  in  South  Coventry,  but  failing 
health  compelled  him  to  give  up  the  work  of  the  active  ministry. 
The  ninth  pastor  was  Reverend  Charles  Peabody,  a  native  of 
Peterboro,  N.  H.,  born  July  1st,  1810,  graduated  at  Williams, 
1838,  at  Andover,  1841 ;  settled  in  Biddeford,  Me.,  where  he  re- 


1014  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

mained  till  June,  1843.  He  was  next  installed  in  Barrington, 
R.  I.,  where  he  labored  till  1846:  installed  in  Ashford,  January 
20th.  1847,  where  he  continued  three  years  and  eight  months. 
T\vent3^-seven  were  added  to  the  church  during  his  ministry. 
His  next  field  was  Windsor,  then  Pownal,  Vt.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Biddeford,  where  he  labored  till  1866,  then  to  Eliot, 
Me.  Several  years  since  he  retired  to  Longmeadow,  Mass., 
where  he  still  resides.  The  tenth  and  last  installed  pastor  was 
Reverend  Charles  Chamberlain,  who  graduated  at  Brown  Uni- 
versity, and  was  for  a  time  a  tutor  in  that  institution.  He  was 
first  settled  in  Auburn,  Mass.;  installed  in  Ashford,  June  8th, 
1854,  dismissed  March  29th,  1858.  Twenty  were  added  to  the 
church  during  his  ministry  of  nearly  four  years.  Soon  after  his 
dismission,  he  was  installed  in  Eastford.  He  afterward  labored 
in  East  Granby,  where  he  died  suddenly  a  fcAv  years  since. 

Among  those  who  have  labored  as  acting  pastors  or  stated 
supplies,  are  Reverends  George  Soule,  Thomas  Button,  Stephen 
Barnard,  Benjamin  B.  Hopkinson,  Andrew  Montgomery,  Charles 
P.  Grosvenor,  O.  S.  ]SIorris,  and  S.  M.  May.  In  1886  Nathaniel 
Kingsbury  commenced  his  labors  with  this  church,  and  the 
Baptist  church  in  Warrenville,  and  continues  with  this  church  in 
his  labors.  Only  one  of  all  the  ten  pastors  of  this  church.  Rev- 
erend C.  Peabody,  is  now  living.  Four  of  the  acting  pastors, 
Soule,  Button,  Barnard  and  Morris,  have  finished  their  work. 
The  deacons  of  the  church  have  been  :  John  Mixer,  Isaac  Ken- 
dall, Josiah  Bugbee,  Jonathan  Avery,  Jedidiah  Bana,  Elijah 
Whiton,  John  Wright,  Benjamin  Sumner,  Nathaniel  Loomis, 
Ebenezer  Mason,  Isaac  Perkins,  Matthew  Reed,  Bavid  Brown, 
Isaac  Kendall,  Zachariah  Bicknell,  Matthew  Reed,  Elisha  Byles, 
Isaac  Kendall  (the  fourth  Isaac  Kendall  in  a  direct  line),  Reuben 
Marcy,  Royal  Keith,  Samuel  L.  Hough,  James  G.  Ga3^1ord, 
James  Trowbridge,  Andrew  H.  Byles  and  John  A.  Brown,  the 
two  last  named  now  serving  in  this  office. 

The  present  meeting  house  was  built  in  1830,  three  years 
after  ]\Ir.  Judson's  dismission.  The  choir  occupied  the  gallery 
back  of  the  pulpit,  looking  down  upon  the  head  of  the  minister, 
where  they  were  able  to  judge  quite  accurately,  if  he  preached 
an}^  sermons  yellow  from  age.  After  a  time  the  meeting  house 
underwent  thorough  renovation.  The  gallery  was  closed  up  be- 
hind the  pulpit,  the  pulpit  lowered,  the  singers'  gallery  removed 
to  the  rear  of  the  audience  room,  the  large  choir  filling  well  the 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1015 

seats,  occupying  the  entire  breadth  of  the  meeting  house. 
About  two  years  since  the  audience  room  was  again  remodelled, 
the  pulpit  giving  place  to  a  preacher's  desk.  This  was  placed  in 
the  rear  part  of  the  room,  the  singers  on  the  east  side,  at  the 
preacher's  left  hand,  the  slips  changed  to  face  the  preacher  and 
singers  in  their  new  location,  and  the  audience  room  is  com- 
pleted with  much  taste  and  beauty.  Whether  the  "progress  of 
the  age  "  will  compel  new  changes  in  the  future,  who  can  tell? 
It  now  seems  in  too  good  taste  to,  demand  further  improve- 
ments. 

Until  Reverend  Mr.  Allen's  dismission,  there  had  been  but 
one  Congregational  church  and  society  within  the  eight  miles 
square  of  the  town.  The  town  had  before,  for  several  years, 
voted  preaching  for  two  or  three  months  (probably  the  winter 
months)  to  the  people  of  the  northwest  part  of  the  town,  and  em- 
ployed a  preacher  for  them  ;  but  they  belonged  to  the  center, 
and  came  to  the  meeting  for  the  greater  part  of  the  year. 
After  Mr.  Allen's  dismission,  the  town  by  amicable  agreement 
in  town  meeting,  was  divided  into  three  ecclesiastical  societies 
— the  East,  the  Center  and  the  West.  The  aim  was  to  give  the 
same  amount  of  territory  to  each.  The  Westford  society  was 
incorporated  in  October,  1765,  the  church  in  February,  1768.  At 
first,  meetings  were  held  in  private  houses,  notices  of  the  meet- 
ings to  be  given  at  Solomon  Mason's  mills  and  Zephaniah  Davi- 
son's shop.  December  9th,  1765,  it  was  also  voted  to  build  a 
meeting  house,  and  hire  preaching ;  to  raise  a  tax  of  two  pence 
to  pay  for  preaching ;  that  the  meetings  should  begin  the  first 
Sabbath  of  April ;  that  Esquire  Whiton  should  procure  a  minis- 
ter; and  that  Ebenezer  Dimmock,  Christopher  Davison,  Manas- 
seh  Farnum  and  Joseph  Barney  be  a  committee  to  count  the 
cost.  A  minister  was  procured  according  to  vote— the  society 
further  voted  to  meet  at  Captain  Ward's  for  divine  worship  dur- 
ing his  pleasure.  June  7th,  it  was  voted  to  choose  a  committee 
of  three  able  and  judicious  men  to  fix  a  place  for  the  meeting 
house,  also  five  more,  viz.,  Ezra  Smith,  Samuel  Eastman,  Benja- 
min Walker,  Christopher  Davison  and  Samuel  Knox,  to  notify 
the  first  and  "  get  them  out."  Negotiations  were  then  opened 
with  certain  proprietors  in  Brimfield,  Mass.,  and  a  convenient 
meeting  house  frame  which  they  had  given  up  was  purchased 
for  thirty  pounds,  provided  the  same  could  be  taken  down  with- 
out  damage.      This   was   successfully   accomplished,   and   was 


1016  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

safely  on  the  ground  in  Westford  by  June  13th.  The  quality  of 
the  liquor  to  be  furnished  for  the  raising  brought  out  as  earnest 
discussion  almost  as  the  fitness  of  a  ministerial  candidate.  It 
was  first  voted  to  have  gin,  but  this  vote  was  soon  rescinded  and 
it  was  decided  to  have  a  barrel  of  the  best  West  India  mm,  and 
one  quarter  of  a  barrel  of  sugar,  the  best  in  quality,  for  the  rais- 
ing. Ensign  Walker  was  to  provide  the  same,  and  money  was 
taken  from  the  treasury  of  the  society  to  pay  the  bill.  "  Under 
this  potent  stimulant  the  meeting  house  was  raised  without  ap- 
parent accident,  and  hurried  on  to  completion,  workmen  being 
allowed  two  shillings  and  six  pence  per  day,  they  victualing 
themselves,  and  two  shillings  during  the  winter."  After  hear- 
ing several  candidates,  Ebenezer  Martin,  of  Canada  parish,  was 
invited  to  preach  for  the  winter. 

February  11th,  1768,  was  set  apart  as  a  day  of  solemn  fasting 
and  prayer,  in  order  to  the  gathering  of  a  church  and  settling  a 
minister.  Reverend  Gideon  Noble  of  Willington,  conducted  the 
service,  assisted  by  Deacon  Nathaniel  Loomis,  and  Deacons 
Wright  and  Dana  from  the  old  Ashford  church.  A  suitable 
covenant  was  prepared  and  subscribed  by  James  Ould,  Ezekiel 
Tiffany,  Ezekiel  Holt,  Elijah  Whiton,  Joseph  Barney,  Ezra 
Smith,  James  Whiton,  Joseph  Whiton,  Benjamin  Walker,  Thomas 
Chapman,  Manasseh  Farnum,  John  Smith,  Jonathan  Abbe  and 
Joseph  Chaffee.  At  a  meeting  of  the  church  four  days  later  it 
was  voted  to  call  the  Reverend  Ebenezer  Martin  to  settle  in  the 
gospel  ministry  in  this  place,  at  which  time  the  covenant  was 
probably  signed  by  the  pastor  elect  and  the  following  brethren, 
viz:  Joseph  Whiton,  David  Chaffee,  Ebenezer  Walker,  Christo- 
pher Davison  and  Jonathan  Chaffee.  The  wives  of  many  of 
these  brethren,  together  with  Stephen  Nott,  Daniel  Eldridge, 
Hezekiah  Eldridge,  Ichabod  Ward,  David  Kendall  and  Jacob 
Fuller  were  ere  long  added,  making  a  membership  of  fifty-five. 
The  society  concurred  in  the  call  to  Mr.  Martin,  offering  sixty 
pounds  salary,  rising  to  seventy,  paid  half  in  money,  half  in  prod- 
uce, viz.,  wheat,  'Indian  corn,  oats,  pork  and  beef.  Twenty 
pounds  in  land  and  sixty  pounds  toward  building  a  dwelling 
house,  secured  acceptance  of  the  call,  and  on  June  15th  he  was 
ordained  with  the  usual  solemnities.  Work  on  the  meeting- 
house was  slowly  carried  forward.  A  large  number  of  inhabi- 
tants received  liberty  to  build  stables  for  their  horses  on  the 
meeting  house  green,  provided  they  were  "  set  so  as  not  to  en- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1017 

croach  on  any  road."  June  14th,  1770,  a  meeting  was  held  in 
the  meeting-  house  to  hear  the  report  of  the  pew  committee. 
Each  pew  was  to  be  occupied  by  two  families.  Forty  inhabi- 
tants, highest  on  the  list,  were  to  draw  said  pews  according  to 
their  lists;  build  the  pews  and  ceil  the  gallery  girths.  This  re- 
port was  accepted  and  the  pews  were  distributed  as  follows:  1. 
Benjamin  Walker,  Elijah  Whiton;  2.  Ebenezer  Dimmock,  Icha- 
bod  Ward;  3.  Thomas  Chapman,  Ebenezer  Walker;  4.  Joseph 
Woodward,  Zaccheus  Hill;  5.  Ezra  Smith,  Ebenezer  Walker;  6. 
David  Chaffee,  William  Thompson;  7.  David  Robbins,  George 
Smith;  8.  Adonijah  Baker,  Josiah  Chaffee;  9.  John  Warren, 
Josiah  Rogers;  10.  Ezekiel  Tiffany,  Benjamin  Chaffee;  11.  Jedi- 
diah  Blanchard,  Benjamin  Walker,  Jr.;  12.  William  Henfield, 
James  Whiton;  13.  Samuel  Eastman,  Henry  Works;  14.  James 
Averill,  Job  Tyler;  15.  Ezekiel  Holt,  David  Chaffee;  16.  James 
Ould,  Stephen  Coye;  17.  Abijah  Brooks,  Simon  Smith;  18.  Eph- 
raim  Walker,  Jonathan  Abbe;  19.  Jacob  Fuller,  William  Preston. 
Probably  the  20th  seat  was  for  the  minister's  family. 

Among  newly  arrived  families,  bringing  them  additional 
strength,  was  that  of  Stephen  Nott,  the  father  of  sons  of  great 
promise,  and  Doctor  Thomas  Huntington  of  Lebanon,  who 
proved  a  most  valuable  acquisition  to  both  the  society  and  the 
town. 

In.  March,  1778,  Reverend  Elisha  Hutchinson  was  ordained 
the  second  minister  in  Westford.  His  ministry  seems  to  have 
been  quite  brief  for  these  early  times.  Reverend  William 
Storrs,  the  third  pastor,  was  a  native  of  Mansfield;  ordained  in 
Westford,  November  10th,  1790.  His  was  a  long  and  successful 
ministry.  He  died  while  pastor  in  Westford,  greatly  loved  and 
lamented  by  his  people.  Reverend  Luke  Wood  of  Waterbury, 
the  fourth  pastor  in  Westford,  was  installed  December  13th, 
1826.  He  seems  to  have  been  a  good  minister,  useful  in  his 
work,  but  after  a  few  years  he  left  for  other  fields  of  labor. 
After  he  left  Reverend  Alvan  Underwood  labored  for  several 
years  as  acting  pastor,  without  installation.  His  labors  were 
quite  successful,  and  he  was  highly  esteemed  by  his  ministerial 
brethren,  and  among  the  churches.  For  brief  periods  Reverend 
Mr.  Hurd,  who  afterward  labored  in  the  West,  and  Mr.  Langdon 
were  acting  pastors.  Reverend  Charles  S.  Adams,  the  fifth  and 
last  installed  pastor  in  Westford,  of  Roxbury,  Mass.,  was  in- 
stalled January  7th,  1846,  Reverend  Richard  S.  Storrs,  D.D.,  of 


1018  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Braintree,  a  relative  of  a  former  pastor,  preaching  the  sermon 
of  installation.  At  the  same  time  the  new  meeting-  house  was 
dedicated,  Reverend  Roswell  Whitmore  of  West  Killingly,  a 
native  of  Westford,  preaching,  the  sermon  of  dedication.  At  the 
laying  of  the  corner  stone  Reverend  Charles  Hyde  of  Ashford, 
and  Reverend  Francis  Williams  of  Chaplin,  assisted  Mr.  Adams 
in  the  public  services  of  the  occasion.  Mr.  Adams  commenced 
his  labors  in  Westford,  September  15th,  1844,  but  was  not  in- 
stalled until  the  new  meeting  house  was  built.  This  delay  was 
deemed  best  by  him  and  his  people,  as  the  old  meeting  house 
was  in  a  dilapidated  condition,  and  they  fully  intended  to  build, 
but  could  not  at  once  unite  upon  the  location  of  the  new  house 
of  worship.  Mr.  Adams  taught  a  select  school  during  a  part  of 
his  ministry  in  Westford,  affording  superior  facilities  for  the 
education  of  his  own  children  and  of  other  young  people  in  the 
vicinity.  After  laboring  with  this  people  for  fourteen  years  he 
was  dismissed,  and  commenced  laboring  soon  after  in  Strongs- 
ville,  O.  He  afterward  labored  in  Michigan,  but  failing  health 
compelled  him  to  retire  from  the  active  labors  of  the  ministry. 
As  he  neared  the  close  of  life,  his  wife,  worn  with  taking  care 
of  her  husband,  was  taken  with  disease  which  soon  terminated 
in  her  death,  a  few  hours  before  his  own.  He  knew  she  was  too 
ill  to  watch  at  his  bedside,  but  in  his  low  state  it  was  not  thought 
best  to  inform  him  of  her  departure.  He  expressed  bright  hopes 
for  his  own  home  above,  but  said  his  only  anxiety  was  for  his 
poor  wife,  whom  he  must  leave  not  so  well  provided  for  in  the 
things  of  this  world  as  he  could  wish.  How  glad  must  have  been 
his  surprise  to  find  her  ready  to  welcome  him  to  the  new  home, 
havinof  reached  it  a  few  hours  before  his  arrival.  One  funeral 
service,  and  the  husband  and  wife  who  had  long  walked  life's 
journey  together,  were  laid  to  rest  in  one  common  grave. 
Neither  sadly  mourned  the  departure  of  the  other. 

Thus  every  pastor  who  has  been  settled  over  the  people  in 
Westford  has  closed  his  labors  upon  earth.  Since  the  labors  of 
Mr.  Adams  closed  in  Westford  the  pulpit  has  been  supplied  by 
acting  pastors,  whose  labors  have  continued  only  for  a  few  years 
each  with  this  people.  Reverend  Messrs.  Griswold,  Kinney,  Ee- 
man.  White,  Allen  and  John  R.  Freeman,  who  died  while  in 
service,  and  is  buried  in  the  beautiful  cemetery  in  Westford. 
Reverend  Oscar  Bissell  has  been  acting  pastor  for  several  years 
and  is  still  doing  good  service  as  the  minister  in  Westford. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1019 

The  deacons  have  been,  Elijah  Whiton,  Thomas  Chapman, 
Amos  Kendall,  William  Walker,  Abner  Chaffee,  Nathan  Barker, 
Benjamin  Chapman,  Allan  Bosworth,  Ebenezer  Chaffee,  Nathan 
Huntington,  Chauncey  Whiton,  Charles  W.  Brett,  now  acting- 
deacon,  all  who  preceded  him,  it  is  thought,  have  entered  the 
higher  service  above. 

During  the  great  revival  which  occurred  about  the  year  1740, 
and  the  commotion  of  the  Separatist  or  New  Light  factions,  a 
part  of  the  people  of  Ashford  were  inclined  toward  Baptist  ideas. 
The  severe  agitation  in  the  church  of  the  standing  order 
strengthened  the  volume  of  those  holding  Baptist  sentiments. 
So  rapidly  did  the  Baptists  increase  in  numbers  that  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1743  they  were  organized  as  a  distinct  church.  This  was 
the  first  Baptist  church  formed  in  Windham  county.  Thomas 
Denison,  of  New  London,  a  recent  convert  to  Baptist  principles, 
became  its  pastor.  His  ordination  took  place  in  November,  1743, 
the  "  laying  on  of  hands  "  being  by  Elder  Moulton,  of  Brimfield, 
who  had  himself  been  ordained  by  Elder  John  Callendar,  of 
Newport,  and  other  noted  Baptist  fathers.  The  church  thus 
organized  had  but  a  brief  existence.  Mr.  Denison  soon  declared 
himself  mistaken,  renounced  his  Baptist  principles,  fell  into  a 
rambling  itineracy,  and  left  his  church  disheartened  and  disor- 
ganized, to  fall  to  pieces.  After  some  years  of  weakness  and 
struggles  the  members  of  this  church  were  incorporated  into  the 
church  of  Brimfield. 

Westford  is  the  native  place  of  men  of  eminence  and  useful- 
ness in  the  country:  Reverend  Enoch  Huntington,  Reverend 
Roswell  Whitmore,  Reverend  William  Chaffee  and  Reverend 
Homer  Sears,  Baptists;  Reverend  Samuel  Whiton,  missionary 
in  Africa,  who  wrote  an  excellent  volume  on  the  Dark  Conti- 
nent, and  when  his  failing  health  admonished  him  that  he  must 
return  to  his  native  land,  reluctantly  closed  his  labors  there,  to 
resume  them  again  as  soon  as  renewed  vigor  permitted  his  re- 
turn. When  his  health  gave  way  the  second  time  he  bade  fare- 
well to  the  land  of  his  adoption,  and  came  back  to  the  land  of 
his  birth.  In  improved  but  broken  health  he  renewed  his  loved 
work  at  the  West  and  the  South,  until  the  voice  of  providence 
clearly  admonished  him  that  his  life  upon  earth  must  soon  close. 
Reverend  Elijah  Robbins,  who  has  also  for  more  than  thirty 
years  labored  under  the  direction  of  the  American  Board  in 
Western  Africa  with  much   faithfulness  and  success,  an  early 


1020  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

school-mate  of  Samuel  Whiton,  had  his  early  home  in  Westford. 
Reverend  Theron  Brown,  Baptist,  also  a  school-mate  of  Whiton 
and  Robbins,  has  a  high  standing  in  the  ministry,  in  the  circle 
of  American  poets  and  as  an  editor  of  the  Youth's  Companion.  A 
small  hill  town  parish,  raising  up  ministers  and  missionaries 
like  this,  may  well  be  commended.  We  may  almost  apply  the 
words  of  the  wise  man:  "  Many  daughters  have  done  virtuously 
but  thou  excellest  them  all."  It  is  not  in  raising  up  ministers 
alone  that  Westford  is  to  be  praised.  Men  of  eminence  have 
entered  other  walks  of  usefulness.  Judge  George  Lincoln  fills 
a  high  station  in  the  legal  profession  in  the  state  of  New  York. 
Ezra  White,  Esq.,  was  a  successful  merchant  in  New  York  city, 
and  his  benefactions  for  the  support  of  the  gospel  in  his  native 
place  and  in  enlarging  and  enclosing  the  beautiful  cemetery, 
where  rest  the  mortal  remains  of  his  ancestors,  is  a  worthy  ex- 
ample for  successful  sons  who  leave  our  hill  towns  for  the  busi- 
ness centers  of  our  republic.  Doctor  Melancthon  Storrs,  grand- 
son of  Reverend  William  Storrs,  a  surgeon  in  the  army  during 
the  rebellion,  and  eminent  among  the  physicians  of  Hartford 
and  in  the  state,  also  his  brother,  William  Storrs,  Esq.,  for  many 
years  superintendent  of  the  coal  mines  in  Scranton,  Pa.,  lib- 
eral in  doing  for  his  native  place.  Many  others  fill  stations  of 
usefulness  as  teachers,  wives  of  eminent  men,  citizens,  temper- 
ate, industrious,  respected  and  useful. 

The  Baptist  church  in  Westford  was  formed  in  1780,  through 
the  instrumentality  to  a  great  degree  of  Mr.  John  Rathburn, 
who  had  removed  from  Stonington,  and  was  ordained  as  its  pas- 
tor, March  15th,  1781.  A  membership  of  fifty-four  was  reported 
in  1795.  Elder  Rathburn  with  his  family  friends  possessed  a 
goodly  amount  of  property,  contributed  largely  in  preparing  a 
place  for  public  worship,  and  gave  the  land  for  the  cemetery  of 
the  village,  thus  showing  that  it  is  not  always  to  the  advantage 
of  a  church  to  have  the  minister  poor  and  dependent  upon  his 
people  for  his  support.  Under  this  ministry  the  church  was 
quite  united  and  prosperous.  Among  his  successors  were  Elder 
Amos  Babcock  and  Reverend  Ezekiel  Skinner,  M.  D.,  under 
whose  labors  the  church  grew  strong  and  prosperous.  He  was 
a  man  of  varied  abilities,  with  an  executive  ability  unusual. 
He  was  efficient  in  ministerial  labors,  giving  lectures  on  sub- 
jects of  much  interest  at  the  time,  and  having  a  medical  prac- 
tice which  would  have  been  considered  sufficient  for  most  men 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1021 

in  the  profession.  He  lectured  on  the  prophecies,  on  slavery 
and  the  live  topics  of  the  age.  After  he  closed  his  labors  with 
the  church  in  Westford  Reverends  Dexter  Monger,  Washington 
Monger,  Amos  Snell  and  others  for  longer  or  shorter  periods 
labored  with  this  church. 

This  church  has  had  a  varied  history.  A  large,  wealthy,  and 
influential  portion  of  the  community  cherished  what  are  called 
the  Christian  Baptist  doctrines.  They  did  not  admit  that  Christ 
was  in  Divinity  equal  with  the  Father.  They  had  a  decidedly 
separate  interest  from  the  strict  Baptists,  and  the  latter  could 
not  candidly  fellowship  them.  There  was  also  a  portion  of  the 
Baptists  who  did  not  hold  restricted  communion.  These  at 
length  united  with  the  Christians,  and  in  1862  they  re-organ- 
ized into  a  Free  Will  Baptist  church.  Reverend  G.  W.  Cortis 
commenced  his  labors  in  1862.  He  served  them  for  about  two 
years,  and  when  he  left  in  1864,  Reverend  P.  B.  Hopkins  com- 
menced his  labors  with  the  church.  He  labored  for  about  nine 
years,  and  was  succeeded  in  1873  by  Reverend  D.  C.  Wheeler, 
and  in  1877  Reverend  L.  P.  Bickford  commenced  his  labors  and 
continued  until  1881.  Two  deacons  served  this  Free  Will  Bap- 
tist church,  Royal  Chapman  and  Lemuel  Willis. 

Kt  this  period,  the  Strict  Communion  Baptists  had  come  into 
the  ascendency  and  under  the  lead  of  the  state  missionary  the 
church  was  reorganized  as  a  regular  Baptist  church.  In  1884 
Reverend  L.  S.  Brown  was  ordained  as  their  minister,  and  he  was 
followed  by  Rev.  J.  H.  Bidwell,  who  was  succeeded  by  Rev- 
erend A.  J.  Culver  and  he  by  Reverend  Oscar  Bissell.  The 
present  pastor  is  Reverend  Samuel  Thatcher,  who  ministers 
to  this  church  and  that  in  Warrenville.  This  church  has  two 
deacons,  Nehemiah  Clapp  and  Captain  Jacob  Walls.  From  this 
parish  originated  Reverend  Amos  Snell,  Reverend  Henry  Coe, 
and  also  Reverend  Frederick  Coe,  Andrew  Richmond,  a  gradu- 
ate of  Yale  College,  a  successful  teacher,  afterward  in  mercantile 
life  in  New  York,  and  Charles  Dean,  a  member  of  the  glass  com- 
pany, and  now  president  of  the  National  Bank  at  Stafford 
Springs,  also  Hon.  Edwin  Busk  of  Willimantic.  He  still  owns 
a  saw  and  grist  mill  in  Westford,  doing  a  large  business,  prin- 
cipally at  present  in  preparing  car  timber. 

In  the  olden  time  the  Richmond  and  Sons  company  did  a 
profitable  business  in  manufacturing  what  were  called  the 
Richmond  Socks.     They  made  an  overshoe  from  cloth  webbing 


1022  HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

such  as  was  used  in  trimming  carriages,  and  before  the  India 
rubber  came  into  use,  they  had  an  extensive  sale,  and  the  com- 
pany became  wealthy.  Here  the  glass  works  were  located. 
The  Richmonds,  Busk  and  Dean,  did  a  large  business  and 
accumulated  wealth  in  the  manufactory.  But  this  business  has 
ceased,  and  the  "  Richmond  village"  is  not  doing  the  business 
for  which  it  was  formerly  celebrated.  The  present  meeting 
house  in  which  the  people  of  the  village  meet  for  worship  was 
built  in  1840. 

John  Warren,  Esq.,  manifested  much  anxiety  to  have  a  Baptist 
church  organized  in  the  western  part  of  Ashford,  in  a  village 
on  the  turnpike  from  Hartford  to  Boston  and  Providence.  The 
First,  or  as  it  was  often  called,  the  Knowlton  meeting  house, 
was  not  considered  so  central,  nor  easy  of  access  as  many 
thought  desirable.  But  the  people  in  the  vicinity  of  the  old 
church  were  greatly  opposed  to  giving  up  worship  in  their  sanc- 
tuary, and  continued  for  a  time  to  worship  there  after  another 
congregation  was  formed  in  "Pompey  Hollow,"  as  the  place  was 
then  called.  Mr.  Warren  offered  a  fund  to  support  worship  in 
the  Hollow,  and  the  name  of  the  village  was  changed  to  War- 
renville.  A  church  was  organized  January  22d,  1848,  with 
eight  members,  viz.,  Nathaniel  Sheffield  and  his  wife  Polly 
Sheffield,  Celia  A.  Coates,  Sophia  Hammond,  John  Church, 
James  Kent,  Hiram  Cady  and  his  wife  Miriam  Cady.  The  min- 
isters employed  have  been:  Washington  Monger,  1848  ;  Percival 
Mathewson,  1850 ;  J.  B.  Maryott,  1854 ;  Tubal  Wakefield,  1858  ; 
Elder  Fulton,  Lucien  Burleigh,  1864;  C.  B.  Rockwell,  1863; 
David  Avery,  1871;  E.  P.  Mathewson,  1878 ;  J.  J.  Bronson, 
1880;  C.  N.  Nichols,  1881;  L.  S.  Brown,  1886;  N.  Kingsbury, 
1887 ;  L.  Thatcher,  1889,  present  pastor.  The  deacons  have 
been,  Hiram  Cady,  John  Church,  Jared  Lanphear,  and  Stephen 
C.  Robbins,  serving  at  the  present  time.  Present  membership 
of  the  church,  86 ;  non-resident  36.  The  meeting  house  was  built 
in  1848.  Permanent  funds  for  the  support  of  the  minister  were 
given  by  Nathaniel  Sheffield  $1,000,  John  Warren  $300,  Eben- 
ezer  James  $1,000. 

In  the  olden  time,  the  Collins  brothers  built  a  carpet  factory 
here,  and  a  good  business  was  carried  on,  also  there  was  a 
machine  for  carding  wool,  and  a  hat  factory.  There  has  also 
been  a  bone  mill  where  fertilizers  are  prepared.  Lombard  and 
Mathewson  have  a  grist   mill  and  saw  mill,  in  which  a  large  lum- 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1023 

b'-^ring  business  is  done.  Carriage  spokes  are  here  prepared 
in  large  quantities.  Several  stores  and  mechanic  shops  give  a 
business-like  air  to  this  settlement. 

The  town  of  Ashford  has  furnished  men  eminent  and  useful 
in  church  and  state.  Doctoi:  Samuel  Nott,  for  more  than  half  a 
century  pastor  in  Franklin,  and  his  brother  Eliphalet,  the  dis- 
tinguished president  of  Union  College  ;  Reverend  Daniel  Dow, 
D.D.,  who  spent  a  long  and  useful  life  in  Thompson,  a  corporate 
member  of  the  American  Board,  a  trustee  and  one  of  the  found- 
ers of  the  Theological  Institute  at  East  Windsor  Hill ;  also  his 
brother.  Reverend  Hendric  Dow,  a  scholar  who  bid  fair  to  reach 
eminence,  but  died  in  early  manhood  ;  Reverend  William  Gay- 
lord  ;  Reverend  Samuel  Gaylord,  a  successful  teacher  most  of 
his  life ;  three  Doctor  Palmers  of  eminence,  father,  son  and 
grandson,  and  Doctor  John  Simmons.  But  in  the  military  rec- 
ords of  the  town  Ashford  holds  a  high  place.  Supplies  were 
promptly  sent  to  Boston  when  the  port  was  closed  by  the  Brit- 
ish power.  When  the  news  came  of  the  battle  of  Lexington, 
seventy-eight  men  under  Captain  Thomas  Knowlton  marched 
from  the  town  for  the  scene  of  conflict.  Only  eight  towns  in  the 
state  furnished  more  men  at  that  time  than  Ashford.  Two 
months  after  the  battle  of  Lexington  one  hundred  men  from 
this  town  were  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  under  Captain 
Knowlton.  Colonel  Knowlton  was  one  of  the  most  brilliant  of 
our  revolutionary  officers,  highly  valued  by  Washington,  and 
prevented  from  rising  to  the  highest  military  honors  only  by 
his  early  death  in  the  battle  of  Harlem  Heights.  In  the  late 
civil  war  Ashford  furnished  her  full  quota  of  brave  men.  Dea- 
con James  G.  Gaylord  died  a  starved  prisoner  in  Andersonville. 
It  is  said  that  when  he  felt  the  hand  of  death  upon  him,  he  re- 
quested a  comrade,  if  he  survived,  to  write  to  his  family,  sent 
tender  messages,  took  a  photograph  of  his  wife  from  his  bosom, 
looked  upon  it  until  his  eyes  grew  dim  in  death,  and  his  hand 
still  grasped  the  picture,  when  death  could  not  unclasp  the  lov- 
ing grasp.  Also  Deacon  John  Brown,  with  others,  did  good  ser- 
vice for  the  country. 

The  Babcock  Library,  of  which  the  people  of  this  town  are 
justly  proud,  is  the  result  of  a  generous  bequest  of  one  of  the 
sons  of  Ashford,  who  had  achieved  success  in  other  fields,  but 
did  not  forget  his  native  town.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  that 
clause  of  the  will  of  Archibald  Babcock,  a  former  resident  of  the 


1024  HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

town  of  Ashford,  but  late  deceased  in  the  city  of  Charlestown, 
Mass.,  which  clause  of  said  will,  with  the  bequest  therein  con- 
tained, laid  the  foundation  of  the  Babcock  Library  :— 

"  I  also  give  and  bequeath  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  town 
of  Ashford,  the  further  sum  of  Three  Thousand  Dollars,  to 
be  held  in  trust  forever,  by  said  inhabitants,  or  by  Trustees  to 
be  appointed  or  elected  by  said  inhabitants,  and  the  income 
thereof,  only,  to  be  applied  and  expended  towards  establishing 
and  maintaining  a  Free  Public  Library  in  said  town,  for  the  use 
of  the  inhabitants  of  said  town  ;  and  I  direct  that  all  the  income 
for  and  during  the  first  fifteen  years,  shall  be  annually  expended 
in  the  purchase  of  books."  (11  Oct.  1862.) 

The  library  was  opened  about  1866,  in  the  Warrenville  store. 
It  had  then  about  one  hundred  volumes.  There  was  at  first  no 
librarian  appointed  for  it,  but  about  1873  the  town  appointed 
Peter  Piatt  librarian,  at  a  salary  of  $10  for  the  first  year.  He 
has  filled  that  office  ever  since  that  date.  The  library  now  con- 
tains 2,200  volumes  of  history,  biography,  travel,  science  and 
fiction,  both  standard  and  current.  In  selecting  books  for  the 
library,  its  patrons  are  requested  to  send  in  lists  of  what  to  them 
are  desirable  books,  and  from  all  such  recommendations  the 
committee  make  choice.  Mr.  Piatt  in  1885  built  an  addition  to 
his  house  for  a  room  to  accommodate  the  library.  The  room 
thus  prepared  for  it  is  14  by  18  feet  in  size,  and  will  accommo- 
date five  to  six  J:housand  volumes. 

Archibald  Babcock,  a  former  resident  of  Ashford,  went  to 
Charlestown,  Mass.,  and  became  a  wealthy  brewer.  He  left 
$6,000,  the  annual  income  of  which  was  to  be  expended  in  Ash- 
ford, one-half  in  the  manner  described,  and  the  other  half  in 
promoting  band  music  in  the  town.  In  case  no  band  should  be 
organized  or  maintained,  the  income  was  to  be  expended  in  hir- 
ing some  band  from  outside  the  town  to  come  in  and  play  where 
the  townspeople  could  hear  it.  Under  the  encouragement  of 
this  bequest,  a  band  has  been  organized  and  is  ably  maintained. 

biographical  sketch. 

Danford  Knowlton  was  born  at  Ashford,  Windham  county, 
Conn.,  May  5th,  1811.  His  father  and  mother  were  Daniel  and 
Hannah  Knowlton,  both  of  the  same  name,  and  from  families 
remotely  connected.  The  records  of  the  families  are  too  imper- 
fect to  admit  of  genealogy  with  accuracy.     On  the  paternal  side 


^i^/^^XyO- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1025 

they  were  farmers  in  comfortable  circumstances,  having  influence 
in  the  community,  and  filling  places  of  trust  and  responsibility. 
On  the  maternal  side  they  were  also  farmers,  the  grandfather  of 
the  subject  of  the  present  sketch,  Daniel  Knowlton,  and  Thomas 
Knowlton,  his  brother,  being  conspicuous  while  quite  young  in 
the  war  against  the  French  and  Indians,  serving  with  General 
Putnam,  and  in  the  early  struggles  for  national  independence, 
in  which  Colonel  Thomas  Knowlton  fell  at  the  battle  of  Harlem, 
and  Daniel  served  through  the  war,  being  nearly  two  years  a 
prisoner  in  the  hands  of  the  British.  Colonel  Knowlton  was 
among  the  first  to  respond  to  the  call  for  troops,  and  raised  a 
company  in  Ashford,  joining  the  colonial  forces  near  Boston, 
where  he  became  conspicuous  in  the  fortification  and  defense  of 
Bunker  Hill.  It  was  much  to  be  regretted  that  one  so  highly 
esteemed  should  be  lost  to  the  country  in  its  early  struggle  for 
national  independence,  and  not  unlike  the  loss  it  afterward  sus- 
tained in  the  death  of  his  grandnephew.  General  Nathaniel 
Lyon,  of  Ashford,  who  fell  while  leading  a  charge  upon  the  con- 
federate forces  at  Wilson's  Creek,  Mo.,  August  10th,  1861. 

In  the  autumn  of  1832  the  subject  of  this  biography  left  a 
happy  paternal  home  with  a  desire  to  find  some  occupation  more 
congenial  to  his  taste  than  farming.  On  April  10th,  1833,  he 
entered  into  an  existing  firm  doing  a  wholesale  grocery  business 
in  Hartford,  Conn.  Continuing  the  same  class  of  business  until 
December,  1843,  he  removed  to  New  York,  looking  for  a  wider 
field  of  operations.  With  some  changes  of  partners,  the  whole- 
sale grocery  business  was  continued  until  1852,  when  he  visited 
the  island  of  Cuba  and  united  the  importation  of  its  products 
with  the  existing  enterprise.  This  mixed  class  of  business  was 
continued  until  1861,  when  all  but  that  of  importation  was 
abandoned,  and  the  interest  with  partners  ceased.  Importations 
from  the  West  Indies  were  continued,  with  the  addition  of  com- 
merce with  South  America  until  1885,  when  it  was  brought  to  a 
close,  thus  completing  fifty-two  years  of  mercantile  life  with  the 
varied  success  incident  to  such  ventures,  having  met  all  obliga- 
tions in  full  at  maturity. 

During  the  continuance  of  the  importing  business  a  good  deal 
of  controversy  arose  between  importers  and  refiners  of  sugar 
respecting  the  proper  duty  to  be  placed  upon  various  classes  of 
sugar,  the  latter  desiring  so  to  discriminate  against  the  better 
classes  suitable  for  consumption  as  to  prevent  their  importation. 
65 


1026  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

These  controversies  led  to  various  appeals  to  congress,  in  which 
the  importers  generally  found  the  champagne  and  good  dinners 
of  the  refiners  more  effective  than  the  solid  arguments  and 
cold  water  of  the  importers.  Thus  that  "  infant  industry  "  was 
so  protected  as  to  lead  to  colossal  fortunes  among  the  refiners 
of  sugar,  at  the  expense  of  the  consumers,  resulting  in  the  ex- 
clusion from  the  country  of  all  sugars  except  such  as  are  re- 
quired for  refining.  In  those  controversies  Mr.  Knowlton  took 
a  prominent  part,  appearing  before  committees  of  congress  and 
contributing  many  articles  on  the  subject  to  the  press,  and  other- 
wise reaching  the  attention  of  the  members  of  congress.  ^ 

In  his  matrimonial  experience  Mr.  Knowlton  was  one  of  the 
most  fortunate  of  men.  Married  to  Miss  Miranda  H.  Rockwell, 
the  daughter  of  Park  and  Esther  Rockwell  of  Stafford,  Conn., 
September  26th,  1837,  he  passed  almost  forty-nine  years  of  a 
most  happy  union  with  one  whose  amiable  character  rendered 
her  beloved  by  all  who  had  the  pleasure  of  her  acquaintance. 
Four  children  were  born  to  them:  Maria  R.,  D.  Henry,  Miner 
R.  and  Gertrude  M.,  the  former  dying  at  an  early  age.  Pre- 
vious to  retirement  from  business,  Mr.  Knowlton  built  a  fine 
country  residence  in  Stafford,  at  the  birthplace  of  his  wife,  with 
a  view  of  spending  at  least  his  summers  in  that  delightful  lo- 
cality. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 


THE  TOWN  OF  EASTFORD. 


Location  and  Description. — Organized  as  an  Ecclesiastical  Society. — Cotton  Mills. 
— Search  for  Gold. — Latham  Twine  Mill. — Smith  Snow. — Crystal  Lake. — 
Factories  of  Eastford  Village. — Cotton  and  Woolen,  Wagon  Wheels,  Leather, 
Boots  and  Shoes,  Axes  and  Hatchets,  Carriages,  Scythes,  Plow  Handles  and 
Beams,  Bobbins. — Town  Incorporation. — Communication. — Honored  Sons. — 
Congregational  Church. — The  Society  of  North  Ashford. — The  Methodist 
Church. — Ministers  and  Teachers. — The  "Church  of  Bacchus." — Creamery. 
— Biographical  Sketch. 


THE  town  of  Eastford,  lying  in  the  northwest  part  of  Wind- 
ham county,  is  about  nine  miles  in  length  from  north  to 
south,  and  has  an  average  width  of  about  three  miles.^  Its 
area  would  thus  approximate  twenty-seven  square  miles.  It  is 
a  well  watered  town,  the  Natchaug  river  running  through  the 
length  of  it,  and  receiving  within  its  bounds  several  tributaries, 
the  largest  of  which  are  Bigelow  river  from  the  west  and  Bun- 
gee  brook  from  the  east.  It  has  no  railroad  track  within  its 
borders.  Farming  and  manufacturing  are  the  chief  occupations 
of  the  people.  The  town  was  formerly  included  in  the  territory 
of  Ashford,  which  joins  it  on  the  west.  Other  boundaries  of  the 
town  are  Union  on  the  north,  Woodstock  on  the  north  and  east, 
making  an  offset  of  about  three  miles  square  upon  the  northeast 
corner,  Pomfret  on  the  east  and  Hampton  and  Chaplin  on  the 
south.     The  population  in  1870  was  984,  and  in  1880,  885. 

In  March,  1764,  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Ashford  voted 
to  divide  the  town  into  three  ecclesiastical  societies,  as  nearly  of 
equal  size  as  possible,  for  the  better  accommodation  of  the  peo- 
ple in  their  religious  privileges.  When  religious  worship  was 
maintained  in  the  Eastford  and  Westford  societies,  they  were  to 
be  relieved  from  the  tax  in  support  of  the  minister  in  the  center. 
A  bill  passed  the  general  assembly  to  this  effect.  Eastford  did 
not  use  this  privilege  until  October,  1777,  when  arrangements 
were  made  to  have  a  settled  ministry  and  a  church  in  said  society. 
In  almost    every  interest,  except  holding  town  meetings,  all 


1028  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

proceeded  much  as  though  it  was  a  separate  town.  In  sharing 
town  offices  and  sending  representatives  to  the  general  assembly 
it  was  expected  that  Eastford  would  have  her  due  proportion. 
The  management  of  the  schools,  the  appointment  of  school  vis- 
itors and  most  of  the  local  interests  were  under  her  supervision 
as  much  as  desired.  Ephraim  Lyon,  David  Bolles,  Stephen 
Keyes,  John  Paine,  Anthony  Stoddard,  Captain  John  Stevens 
and  many  other  prominent  inhabitants  of  Eastford  were  among 
the  early  settlers  in  the  town  of  Ashford. 

While  most  of  the  inhabitants  of  Eastford  have  from  its  ear- 
liest history  been  engaged  in  agriculture,  they  have  also  been 
quite  largely  employed  in  manufacturing.  While  it  is  a  hilly 
town  it  has  running  through  its  central  portion  streams  furnish- 
ing excellent  water  privileges.  The  Bigelow  river  forms  a 
junction  with  the  Natchaug  near  Phoenixville.  This  comes 
from  the  northwest,  furnishing  an  excellent  water  privilege  for 
the  Snow  mills.  In  the  olden  time  a  carding  mill  and  clothiers' 
w^orks  were  here  located,  and  Eliezer  Snow  did  a  thriving  busi- 
ness, when  the  good  house-wife  spun  and  wove  the  cloth  for  the 
male  portion  of  the  family  and  sent  it  when  finished  to  be 
dressed  at  Snow's  clothing  works.  A  grist  mill  still  does  busi- 
ness at  this  place. 

In  Phoenixville,  in  the  south  part  of  Eastford,  there  was  a 
carding  machine  at  an  earlier  date  than  that  of  Snow's,  located 
where  the  Stone  Factory  now  stands.  When  the  Phoenixville 
Manufacturing  Company  was  organized  a  stone  cotton  mill  was 
built  m  1831,  consisting  of  three  floors  above  the  basement,  35 
by  70  feet  in  size.  The  Phoenix  Company  also  purchased  the 
cotton  mill  which  had  been  built  by  George  and  Rufus  Sprague 
about  1812.  This  building  was  three  floors  above  the  basement, 
36  by  50  feet.  The  original  Phoenix  Company  consisted  of  Sam- 
uel Moseley,  Smith  Snow,  Josiah  Savage,  James  H.  Preston,  John 
Brown  and  Seth  H.  Tuthill.  Both  mills  were  well  furnished 
with  the  best  of  machinery,  and  furnished  employment  for  a 
large  number  of  operatives.  For  many  years  a  large  amount  of 
business  was  done  by  this  company.  In  time  the  mills  passed 
into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Clifford  Thomas,  who  carried  on  manu- 
facturing with  much  energy  and  success.  When  he  left  the 
mills  the  business  began  to  decline,  the  stone  mill  became  a 
twine  mill  for  a  time,  passed  with  the  other  property  into  the 
hands  of  the  late  Joseph  B.  Latham,  and  is  now  in  the  hands 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY,  1029 

of  his  sons.  But  little  business  is  now  transacted  by  what  was 
once  the  celebrated  Phoenix  Manufacturing  Company. 

At  a  little  distance  below  the  Phoenix  Company's  mills  was  the 
Burnham  silk  mill.  This  did  a  considerable  business  for  a  time, 
having-  an  excellent  water  privilege.  This  property  passed  into 
the  hands  of  Mr.  Alfred  Potter,  who  used  the  buildings  for  a 
saw  mill,  grist  mill,  blacksmith  shop  and  an  iron  foundry. 
Stoves  and  plow  castings  were  here  made,  and  a  good  business 
carried  on.  Since  the  death  of  Mr.  Potter  little  business  has 
been  done  by  this  establishment. 

Nearthe  Potter  mill,  lived  a  Mr.  Swinnington,  who  was  so  con- 
fident that  a  rich  mine  of  gold  and  silver  was  located  there,  that 
he  built  a  dam,  to  turn  the  water  through  the  gulch  in  which  he 
supposed  the  precious  treasure  was  deposited,  expecting  to  wash 
out  immense  treasures,  but  all  his  expectations  failed  and  he  felt 
that  his  labor  was  lost. 

In  1880  M.  F.  and  J.  E.  Latham  built  a  twine  mill  a  little  north 
of  the  Phoenix  cotton  mills,  80  by  50  feet,  two  floors  above  the 
basement,  where  they  had  ten  feet  of  water  on  a  40  inch  Leffel 
wheel.  This  mill  is  now  doing  successful  work.  All  the  dams 
of  the  several  mills  in  Phoenixville  are  in  good  condition  and 
ought  to  be  in  full  use.  Latham's  saw  mill,  grist  mill,  and 
shingle  mill,  are  doing  a  large  and  successful  business,  and 
use  the  water  privilege  of  the  upper  Phoenix  mill  to  good 
advantage.  The  stone  dam  here  bids  fair  to  stand  for  ages, 
from  its  excellent  construction. 

Smith  Snow  was  a  son  of  Bilarky  Snow,  who  owned  a  large 
tract  of  land  in  Eastford.  Smith  Snow  married  Sally  Hyde.  He 
was  a  decided  business  man,  and  gave  but  little  time  to  the 
social  conventionalities  of  life.  The  story  is  handed  down  of 
him  that  when  he  wedded  his  wife  he  returned  from  the  wedding, 
which  is  supposed  to  have  taken  place  at  the  home  of  the  bride's 
sister,  Mrs.  William  Sherman,  in  the  western  part  cf  Pomfret, 
changed  his  clothes  and  went  to  work  in  his  mill,  completing 
his  day's  work.  Having  done  so  he  returned  home  at  evening 
and  found  his  house  filled  with  guests  met  to  properly  celebrate 
the  occasion.  But  he  was  not  be  thrown  out  of  his  usual  habit 
even  by  such  an  innovation.  When  his  usual  bed-time  came, 
which  was  early  in  the  night,  he  disrobed  in  the  kitchen  and 
tucked  himself  away  in  the  bed,  telling  his  new  wife  that  she 
could  come  when  she  got  ready  and  take  the  back  side,  as  he 
should  take  the  front  side  of  the  bed  himself. 


1030  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

The  Phoenix  Manufacturing-  Company,  which  succeeded  Mr, 
Snow  in  the  ownership  of  this  mill,  sold  the  Snow  sawmill  to 
Joseph  B.  Latham,  who  removed  hither  from  Johnstown,  R.  I., 
when  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  married  Percy  Bul- 
lard,  a  daughter  of  Zuinglius  Bullard.  Mr.  Latham  was  a  promi- 
nent man  in  Eastford,  and  represented  the  town  in  the  legisla- 
ture two  or  three  times.  He  died  April  21st,  1872,  being  seventy 
years  of  age.  The  mill  is  now  owned  by  his  sonM.  F.  Latham, 
and  it  is  occupied  in  grist  grinding  and  sawing. 

In  the  center  of  Eastford,  there  are  also  excellent  water  priv- 
ileges. The  Crystal  lake,  in  the  north  part  of  the  town,  about 
half  its  contents  in  Woodstock,  the  rest  in  Eastford,  is  not  only 
a  beautiful  place  for  excursions  from  the  surrounding  country, 
a  favorite  resort  for  fishermen,  but  its  waters  have  been  raised  by 
a  dam  at  its  outlet,  so  that  it  is  an  excellent  reservoir  for  all  the 
mills  on  the  stream  below  it.  Early  in  its  history,  Eastford  vil- 
lage had  clothing-  works,  doing  a  good  business.  These  were 
burnt  in  1837,  and  soon  after,  within  the  same  year.  Captain 
Jonathan  Skinner  built  the  cotton  factory  still  standing.  It  was 
36  by  60  feet  on  the  ground,  two  floors  above  the  basement,  and 
employed  some  twenty  hands.  Cassimeres  and  jeans  were  man- 
ufactured. After  the  death  of  Captain  Skinner,  this  mill  passed 
into  the  hands  of  M.  and  James  Keith,  and  has  been  used  as  a 
cotton  mill,  in  the  manufacture  of  woolen  yarn,  making  of  wood- 
en wares  and  as  a  grist  mill.  It  is  now  owned  b}^  James  M. 
Keith  and  is  used  in  the  manufacture  of  woolen  yarn  and  as  a 
grist  mill.  Five  or  six  hands  are  kept  employed.  Its  business 
is  said  to  be  successful.  A  few  rods  north  of  this  mill  stood  the 
Red  Woolen  mill.  There  Mr.  Mumford,  early  in  the  history  of 
the  village,  built  and  ran  the  mill,  doing  a  good  business  in  the 
manufacture  of  woolen  cloths.  Afterward  it  passed  into  the 
hands  of  Mr.  Ormsby,  who  continued  the  business  for  many 
years,  when  the  Arnold  Brothers  came  into  possession,  built  a 
large  addition,  and  engaged  in  the  making  of  cart  and  wagon 
wheels,  and  other  wooden  manufacturing,  and  the  carriage 
manufacturing  business.  They  did  an  extensive  business  for 
many  years,  but  since  they  gave  up  the  business  but  little  has 
been  done  with  the  mills.  The  firm  of  Skinner  &  Hewett  built 
a  substantial  stone  cotton  mill  a  short  distance  above  the  Mum- 
ford  mill,  35  by  80  feet,  two  stories  above  the  basement,  em- 
ploying some  twenty  operatives,  and  doing  a  good  business. 
This  mill  was  burnt  in  1850  and  has  not  been  rebuilt. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1031 

A  large  tannery  has  ahso  been  in  operation  in  the  village  for 
more  than  half  a  century.  Mr.  Dodge  did  business  here  for  sev- 
eral years,  when  the  stand  passed  into  the  hands  of  Deacon  Jo- 
seph Barrows.  He  enlarged  the  establishment,  increased  the  ^ 
amount  of  business,  and  for  more  than  forty  years  has  done  a  . 
large  business.  A  few  years  since  he  took  his  son,  Clark  Bar- 
rows, into  the  firm,  a  steam  engine  of  twenty-five  horse  power 
was  procured  for  use  in  the  building,  and  the  leather  of  the  Bar- 
rows Company  stood  high  in  the  market,  and  still  commands  the 
best  of  prices.  A  large  boot  and  shoe  manufactory,  employing 
a  large  number  of  hands,  either  in  the  establishment  or  in  shoe 
binding  at  their  homes,  did  for  many  years  a  thriving  business. 
Mr.  Hiram  Burnham  was  at  the  head  of  this  establishment. 
Near  the  close  of  his  life  the  manufactory  was  burned,  contain- 
ing a  large  store  of  shoes  and  other  goods,  and  the  business  was 
never  resumed  except  in  a  small  way,  and  at  Mr.  Burnham's  death 
the  business  ceased. 

For  about  half  a  century  the  carriage  and  blacksmith  shop  of 
William  E.  Cheney  did  a  good  business.  In  the  last  years  of  his 
life  he  added  an  undertaker's  office,  and  kept  an  assortment  of 
coffins,  with  a  hearse,  much  for  the  convenience  of  the  com- 
munity. At  his  death  in  1884,  the  establishment  ceased  to  do 
business. 

Usually  one  or  two  stores  and  a  post  office  have  existed  in  "^ 
Phoenixville,  some  three  or  four  stores  and  a  post  office  in  East 
ford  Center,  and  a  store  and  post  office  in  the  section  still  called 
North  Ashford.  Several  blacksmith  shops  have  usually  done 
business,  and  one  in  the  Center  was  used  for  several  years  as  an 
axe  and  hatchet  factory.  Captain  Jairus  Chapman  did  quite  a 
thriving  business  in  this  factory,  a  fine  trip-hammer  being  run 
by  water  power.  In  the  olden  time  there  was  an  axe  factory  in 
the  northwest  part  of  Eastford,  and  that  section  of  the  town  still 
bears  the  name  of  the  Axe  Factory.  Captain  Jairus  Chapman 
had  carried  on  the  same  business  before  he  sold  his  shop  and 
removed  to  Eastford  Center.  His  business  was  located  in 
the  west  part  of  the  town,  where  he  manufactured  scythes,  broad 
axes,  axes  and  hatchets.  This  business  proved  quite  profitable, 
and  the  goods  manufactured  had  a  high  reputation  in  the  mar- 
ket. This  shop  was  sold  to  Hon.  Edwin  A.  Buck,  now  of  Willi- 
mantic,  and  Hon.  John  Dean,  who  used  the  water  privilege  in 
preparing  plow  beams,  plow  handles,  etc.     Large  quantities  of 


1032  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

oak  timber,  growing  extensively  in  the  vicinity,  thus  brought 
good  profit  to  the  farmers  of  the  neighborhood.  This  business 
closed  when  the  timber  was  used  up.  Mr.  L.  M.  Whitney  is  now 
running  a  bobbin  factory  in  Eastford  Center,  making  about 
1,000  bobbins  a  day,  which  are  sold  to  the  manufactories  in  the 
region.  A  ten  horse  power  steam  engine  is  used  in  this  fac- 
tory. 

The  town  of  Eastford  was  incorporated  in  May,  1847,  being 
taken  from  Ashford  ;  population,  855 ;  principal  industry,  agri- 
culture. It  is  reached  by  stage  from  North  Windham  on  the 
New  York  &  New  England  railroad,  from  Putnam  on  the  same 
road,  and  the  Norwich  &  Worcester  division  of  the  same,  daily. 
A  Masonic  lodge  was  established  early  in  the  present  cen- 
tury, meeting  for  many  years  in  a  room  in  the  mansion  of  the 
late  Benjamin  Bosworth,  Esq.  It  is  now  united  with  the  lodge 
in  Putnam,  where  the  meetings  are  now  held.  A  grange  of 
some  sixty  members,  called  the  Crystal  Lake  Grange,  has  been 
established  here.  Ashford  and  a  part  of  Woodstock  unite  with 
Eastford  in  sustaining  this  organization.  A  temperance  society 
exists  and  holds  regular  meetings  in  the  place.  Distinguished 
men  have  been  born  in  Eastford.  Judge  Andrew  Judson,  mem- 
ber of  congress  and  district  judge  of  the  U.  S.  court ;  Hon.  Eli- 
sha  Carpenter,  judge  of  the  supreme  court  of  errors  in  Connecti- 
cut ;  Hon.  Jairus  Carpenter,  judge  in  Madison,  Wis.,  lecturer  on 
law  and  dean  for  the  faculty  in  the  State  University  of  Wiscon- 
sin ;  Hon.  Alvan  Preston,  for  many  years  a  partner  and  man- 
ager of  the  glass  works  in  Ellenville,  N.  Y.,  and  many  others. 
General  Nathaniel  Lyon,  who  fell  in  the  battle  at  Springfield, 
Mo.,  is  buried  in  Eastford,  by  the  side  of  his  parents.  His  bur- 
ial was  attended  with  military  honors,  and  was  the  largest  as- 
sembly probably  ever  gathered  in  Windham  county.  Governor 
Buckingham,  of  Connecticut,  and  Governor  Sprague,  of  Rhode 
Island,  with  other  distinguished  men  in  military  and  civil  office, 
were  present  to  honor  the  memory  of  one  who  probably  saved 
the  state  of  Missouri  from  joining  the  secessionists  in  the  late 
rebellion.  The  mother  of  General  Lyon  was  a  niece  of  Colonel 
Knowlton,  who  took  an  active  part  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill, 
and  who  is  reputed  to  be  the  prominent  figure  in  the  picture  of 
that  battle.  It  was  his  plan  in  the  novel  breastwork- — two  rows  of 
rail  fence  parallel  to  each  other,  with  the  packing  of  fresh  mown 
hay  between — which  probably  made  that  battle  an  essential  vie- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1033 

tory  to  the  Americans.  Lieutenant  Daniel  Knowlton,  an  elder 
brother  of  this  Colonel  Knowlton,  was  General  Lyon's  grand- 
father. The  father  of  General  Lyon  was  a  mathematician,  his 
mother  had  the  energy  of  the  Knowltons.  An  amusing  anec- 
dote is  related  of  her.  When  a  girl,  she  attended  an  evening 
party  with  her  affianced  lover.  When  the  hostler  of  the  tavern 
brought  the  sleigh  to  the  door,  the  young  man  who  waited  upon 
her  had  become  too  much  intoxicated  to  lift  his  foot  over  the 
side  of  the  sleigh,  and  she  saw  her  mates  giggling  at  the  position 
she  was  in.  Quick  as  thought,  she  sprang  into  the  sleigh,  seized 
his  collar  with  both  hands,  drew  him  into  the  sleigh,  set  him 
down  with  a  firm  hand,  took  the  reins  from  the  hostler's  hands, 
and  drove  rapidly  homeward.  He  became  more  and  more  help- 
less, but  she  drove  directly  to  his  father's  house,  opened  the 
door,  pulled  him  into  the  entry,  aroused  the  family,  said  the 
young  man  had  a  fit  or  something,  jumped  into  the  sleigh,  drove 
to  her  father's  house,  and  sent  her  brother  back  with  the  horse 
and  sleigh.  When  he  came  back  with  promises  to  reform,  she 
wisely  considered  the  prospect  too  forbidding,  and  waited  for  a 
better  offer. 

Franklin  Sibley  is  a  successful  physician  in  one  of  our  West- 
ern states,  and  two  of  his  brothers  were  in  good  practice,  but 
died  in  early  life.  Andrew  J.  Bowen  is  a  lawyer  in  good  prac- 
tice in  Willimantic,  one  of  his  brothers  is  a  physician  in  the 
West,  and  Stephen  Bowen,  another  brother,  has  been  sheriff  of 
the  county,  and  is  a  large  dealer  in  horses,  bringing  hither  sev- 
eral car  loads  of  western  horses  every  year.  Preston  B.  Sibley 
has  filled  the  office  of  sheriff  for  several  years,  and  is  now  quite 
a  popular  and  successful  keeper  of  the  county  jail  in  Brooklyn. 
Godfrey  Works  for  several  years  was  a  manufacturer  and  a  suc- 
cessful business  man  after  his  removal  to  Providence,  R.  L 
Benjamin  Bosworth  was  a  large  landholder,  a  merchant  and  a 
liberal  contributor  to  objects  of  benevolence  and  charity.  Ben- 
jamin Green,  a  successful  manufacturer  in  the  state  of  Maine, 
who  paid  half  the  price  of  the  pipe  organ  in  the  Congregational 
church  in  Eastford,  was  also  a  native  of  the  town. 

The  selectmen  of  the  town  are  Munroe  Latham,  Charles  War- 
ren and  George  Lyon  ;  Doctor  Elisha  Robbins  is  judge  of  pro- 
bate, and  Frank  Bowen,  collector. 

Reverend  Solomon  Spaulding  was  born  in  Eastford,  educated 
at   Dartmouth   College,  preached   in    western    New  York,  and 


1034  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

when  out  of  health,  for  diversion,  wrote  a  legendary  story  of  the 
Indians,  which  is  supposed  to  have  furnished  the  basis  of  the 
Book  of  Mormon.  His  brother  Josiah,  who  was  with  him  when 
he  wrote  the  legendary  tale,  and  heard  him  read  his  manuscript, 
said  they  were  so  similar,  that  when  he  read  the  Mormon  Bible, 
he  usually  knew  what  was  to  come  before  he  read  the  pages. 
Rigdon,  an  elder,  afterward  high  in  office,  borrowed  the  manu- 
script of  the  widow  under  the  alleged  purpose  of  using  it  to  re- 
fute Mormonism,  but  would  never  return  it  to  the  owner. 

Captain  Joseph  B.  Latham  should  be  named  among  the  prom- 
inent business  men  of  wealth  in  Eastford,  also  his  son  Eugene, 
a  master  machinist,  recently  killed  instantly  in  Windsor  Locks 
by  being  caught  in  the  machinery  in  a  mill.  A  few  years  since 
the  firm  of  Smith,  Winchester  &  Co.,  commisioned  him  to  go  to 
Egypt  to  put  up  machines  in  that  distant  country.  Master  John 
Griggs  was  a  famous  school  teacher.  When  75  years  of  age,  he 
was  still  pursuing  his  favorite  vocation.  He  taught  over  fifty 
terms  in  his  own  and  neighboring  towns,  and  is  said  to  have 
had  altogether  more  than  three  thousand  pupils  under  his  care. 
He  wrote  excellent  poetry,  as  did  his  son  Lucian,  born  in  East- 
ford,  remarkable  for  his  memory.  It  is  said  that  when  he  at- 
tempted it,  he  could  repeat  a  lengthy  speech  or  sermon  nearly 
word  for  word,  or  a  poem  after  once  carefully  reading  it.  An 
amusing  anecdote  is  told  of  him  in  his  days  of  early  manhood. 
A  schoolmate  of  his  received  proposals  from  a  young  gentle- 
man, wishing  to  cultivate  an  acquaintance  with  matrimonial 
views.  With  a  blushing  hesitancy  and  apology,  she  said  to 
Lucian,  after  stating  the  proposal,  "You  are  well  acquainted 
with  him  and  I  am  not,  what  is  it  best  for  me  to  do?  If  he  is 
an  estimable  man,  I  might  like  a  further  acquaintance."  Lucian 
paused  for  a  little,  and  then  said,  "  He  and  I  have  always  been 
good  friends  and  I  do  not  wish  to  say  anything  to  his  injury.  I 
will  give  you  a  couplet  in  poetry,  and  you  can  draw  your  owm 
inference.  Trust  not  in  any  man,  trust  not  in  any  brother;  so 
girls,  if  you  must  love,  love  one  another."  She  imderstood  his 
advice  and  followed  it.  Lucian  Griggs  bid  fair  to  become  an 
eminent  lawyer,  practiced  for  a  few  years  in  Indiana,  where  he 
died,  greatly  lamented  by  his  friends  and  the  community. 

The  Congregational  church  in  Eastford  was  organized  Sep- 
tember 23d,  1778;  present  at  the  organization.  Reverends  Stephen 
Williams,  John  Storrs  and  Elisha  Hutchinson.      The  original 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1035 

members  were:  Andrew  Judson,  Benjamin  Sumner  and  wife, 
Jonathan  Chapman  and  wife,  Samuel  Snow,  Elisha  Wales,  Simeon 
Dean  and  wife.  In  May  it  was  voted  to  hire  Mr.  Andrew  Judson 
of  Stratford,  with  the  view  of  a  settlement  as  pastor.  At  the 
same  time  it  was  voted  to  build  a  meeting  house.  In  June  it 
was  voted  that  the  county  court  committee  set  the  stake  on 
Lieutenant  John  Russel's  land.  A  subscription  was  started,  the 
society  agreeing  "  that  those  that  subscribe  towards  building  a 
meeting  house  have  liberty  to  build  it  of  equal  bigness  with 
Woodstock's  West  Society  meeting  house,"  i.  e.,  45  by  35  feet. 
The  council  met  December  1st,  1778,  to  examine  the  candidate 
and  arrange  for  his  ordination  and  installation.  December  2d 
Mr.  Judson  was  set  over  the  church  as  pastor.  His  salary  was 
70  pounds  a  year,  and  500  pounds  for  settlement.  Mr.  Judson 
died  in  office,  November  15th,  1804.  During  the  last  years  of 
his  life  he  was  feeble  in  health,  greatly  depressed  in  spirits,  and 
unable  to  preach,  but  his  son  John  and  others  supplied  his  pul- 
pit. In  addition  to  the  nine  original  members,  ninety-nine  were 
added  to  the  church.  Mr.  Judson's  ministry  continued  twenty- 
six  years.  Reverend  Hollis  Samson,  having  ministered  before 
in  his  connection  with  the  Methodist'  denomination,  affirmed 
that  he  was  now,  and  really  always  had  been  of  the  doctrinal 
belief  of  the  Congregational  church,  preached  much  to  the  ac- 
ceptance of  the  people,  and  in  a  church  meeting  called  for  the 
purpose,  solemnly  affirmed  that  he  was  in  harmony  with  the 
church  in  faith  and  church  polity,  received  a  unanimous  call  to 
settle  with  them  as  their  pastor.  He  was  ordained  by  a  council 
which  met  December  5th  and  6th,  1809. 

Mr.  Samson  remained  pastor  a  little  over  six  years,  when  he 
was  reported  as  intemperate,  and  as  having  embraced  the  doc- 
trine of  the  Universalists.  He  was  dismissed  without  recom- 
mendation, May  27th,  1816.  But  few  united  with  the  church 
under  his  ministry,  and  the  church  did  not  prosper.  At  one 
time  only  about  twenty  members,  and  only  six  of  these  males, 
were  found  on  the  records.  Reverend  Asahel  Nettleton,  the 
noted  evangelist,  labored  with  this  church  with  great  success. 
The  reviving  was  almost  like  a  resurrection  from  the  dead. 
Large  numbers  were  gathered  into  the  church.  Sixty-three 
united  with  the  church  from  the  time  of  Mr.  Samson's  dismis- 
sion to  the  installation  of  his  successor,  which  took  place  May 
31st,  1820,  the  new  pastor  being  Reverend  Reuben  Torrey.     His 


1036  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

salary  was  to  be  four  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  and  twenty 
cords  of  wood  annually,  to  be  delivered  at  his  door.  Mr.  Torrey 
continued  pastor  twenty  years.  He  was  dismissed  April  28th, 
1840.  One  hundred  and  twenty-eight  members  united  with  the 
church  under  his  pastorate. 

Reverend  Francis  Williams  was  ordained  and  installed  Sep- 
tember 22d,  1841.  He  remained  ten  years,  and  was  dismissed 
November  12th,  1851.  Seventy-two  persons  united  with  the 
church  during  his  pastorate.  Reverend  Charles  Chamberlain 
was  installed  April  14th,  1858.  Fourteen  had  united  with  the 
church  since  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Williams.  The  following 
churches  were  invited  to  appear  by  pastor  and  delegate  at  the 
council:  Ashford,  Chaplin,  Hampton,  Willimantic,  Windham, 
West  Killingly,  Abington,  West  Woodstock,  North  Woodstock, 
East  Woodstock.  This  pastorate  continued  nine  years  and 
sixty-eight  members  were  added  to  the  church  during  this  time. 
He  was  dismissed  March  14th,  1867.  Reverend  Clinton  M. 
Jones  was  installed  May  8th,  1872.  A  very  interesting  centen- 
nial of  this  church  was  observed  September  23d,  1878.  A  his- 
torical discourse  by  the  pastor,  reminiscences  by  Reverend  F. 
Williams,  Moses  Torrey,  Esq.,  son  of  a  former  pastor  and 
others,  and  letters  from  those  who  could  not  be  present,  made 
this  an  occasion  long  to  be  remembered.  This  pastorate  contin- 
ued sixteen  years.  Sixty-five  persons  united  with  the  church 
during  this  ministry.  Reverend  C.  M.  Jones  was  dismissed 
June  22d,  1888.  The  church  is  at  present  without  a  pastor. 
Five  hundred  and  forty-five  have  united  with  the  church  from 
its  organization.  Benjamin  Sumner  was  chosen  deacon  Febru- 
ary 21st,  1779  ;  Jonathan  Chapman,  February  28th,  1781 ;  Noah 
Fame,  January  1st,  1790;  Samuel  Sumner,  August  15th,  1799; 
Elijah  Deans,  May  23d,  1817;  Elisha  Trowbridge,  May  23d, 
1817;  Dyer  Carpenter,  August  31st,  1820;  Allen  Bosworth,  July 
1825;  Earl  C.  Preston  and  Henry  Work,  September  21st,  1834; 
Harvey  Lummis,  December  31st,  1842;  Joseph  D.  Barrows,  April 
26th,  1844;  George  S.  Deans,  March  20th,  1873.  In  all  thirteen 
deacons  have  served  this  church,  only  three  of  which  are  now 
living — Deacons  Preston,  Barrows  and  Deans;  and  only  two  pas- 
tors—Reverend Francis  Williams  and  C.  M.  Jones.  The  present 
membership  of  the  church  is  eighty-three. 

The  present  meeting  house  was  erected  in  1829.  It  was  dedi- 
cated December  23d  of  the  same  year.     Esquire  Bosworth  pur- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1037 

chased  the  old  meeting  house,  removed  it  from,  the  common 
and  made  it  into  a  dwelling  house.  The  day  for  the  removal 
was  fixed,  men  were  invited  with  their  teams,  and  all  was  ready 
for  the  start,  when  a  delegation  came  to  Esquire  Bosworth,  say- 
ing the  oxen  would  not  draw  unless  the  teamsters  were  treated. 
Esquire  Bosworth  had  recently  identified  himself  with  the  tem- 
perance cause,  and  the  "rummies  "  hoped  to  bring  him  to  terms, 
but  they  mistook  their  man.  The  words  of  his  pastor  at  his 
funeral,  "  He  was  one  of  the  firmest  oaks  that  ever  grew  upon 
Mt.  Zion,"  were  well  spoken.  Instantly  the  reply  came,  "  It  will 
rot  down  where  it  is,  first."  Enough  teams  were  unhitched  to 
prevent  the  moving  that  day,  but  immediately  an  offer  came 
from  neighboring  towns  to  furnish  teams  that  would  draw 
though  the  teamsters  were  not  treated.  Esquire  Bosworth  left 
a  legacy  of  a  thousand  dollars,  the  interest  to  be  applied  to  help 
support  a  settled  orthodox  minister,  and  for  the  support  of  no 
other. 

A  series  of  conference  meetings  held  in  North  Ashford  result- 
ed in  the  formation  of  a  society  and  a  vote  to  build  a  meeting 
house  in  1793.  It  was  voted  that  the  house  be  forty  feet  long 
and  thirty  feet  wide,  with  a  porch  to  furnish  a  better  way  to  go 
into  the  gallery.  Timothy  Allen  gave  two  acres  of  land  on 
which  to  build  the  church  and  parsonage.  The  church  was  or- 
ganized November  5th,  1794,  recognized  as  in  fellowship  by  a 
council.  Original  members  were  :  Ephraim  Hayward,  Ebenezer 
Curtis,  Jonathan  Carpenter,  Jesse  Bugbee,  Marcus  Bugbee, 
Ezra  Hayward,  John  Hayward  and  Abigail  Hayward.  The 
present  membership  is  seventy-five. 

A  new  meeting  house  was  built  in  1843.  It  was  48  feet  long, 
with  a  projection  of  5  feet  for  entrance,  and  36  feet  wide.  El- 
der Bennet,  then  their  minister,  preached  the  dedication  ser- 
mon. The  pastors  have  been :  Daniel  Bolton,  1796 ;  Ledoit 
Noah,  1811;  Buckley  Waters,  1814;  Stephen  Haskel,  1819  ;  Leon- 
ard Gage,  1829  ;  Alvan  Bennet,  Alfred  Trum,  1842  ;  Rensselaer 
Putney,  1844 ;  George  Mixter,  1846  ;  Tubal  Wakefield,  1852  ;  Gil- 
man  Stow,  1858 ;  Erastus  Andrews,  1865  ;  C.  B.  Rockwell,  1873  ; 
Percival  Mathewson,  1878;  A.A.Robinson,  1885;  Asa  Rand- 
lett,  1887 ;  sixteen  pastors  in  all.  The  deacons  have  been  :  Eph- 
raim Howard,  Joseph  Burley,  Benjamin  Corbin,  Jairtis  Chap- 
man, John  Burley,  Oliver  M.  Angel  and  Frederick  Davidson. 


1038  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Several  Baptist  ministers  have  been  natives  of  Eastford.  El- 
der Bolles  had  three  sons  who  rose  to  eminence,  Matthew,  Au- 
gustus and  Lucius ;  also  Charles,  son  of  Judge  David  Bolles,  and 
Isaiah  C.  Carpenter. 

The  Methodists  had  a  circuit  established  in  Eastford  in  1826. 
Several  years  before  that  they  built  a  small  church  in  the  west- 
ern part  of  the  town,  and  among  other  preachers  the  eccentric 
Lorenzo  Dow  sometimes  preached  in  this  house.  In  1831  a  new 
meeting  house  was  built  in  the  Center,  jointly  by  the  Method- 
ists and  the  Universalists,  each  having  the  right  to  occupy  it  half 
the  time.  In  1847  the  Methodists  built  a  meeting  house  for 
their  own  use,  procured  a  fine  pipe  organ,  built  a  room  for  town 
purposes  in  the  basement,  also  a  vestry  for  their  evening 
worship.  Captain  Skinner,  Mr.  Mumford,  Mr.  Keith,  Willard 
Lyon,  Mr.  Hewett,  Mr.  Hiram  Burnham,  Captain  Leonard  Dean 
and  other  men  of  wealth  and  influence,  caused  this  church  to  be 
quite  flourishing,  but  when  they  passed  away  it  began  to  de- 
cline, and  now  for  much  of  the  time  no  service  is  maintained, 
and  no  preacher  is  sent  by  the  conference.  This  church  has 
raised  up  ministers  who  have  filled  .stations  of  usefulness. 
Among  these  Isaac  Sherman,  John  Sherman  and  Orson  Dodge 
may  be  mentioned. 

The  Congregational  church  has  also  furnished  ministers  who 
have  done  good  service  in  the  cause  of  their  Master.  Chester 
Carpenter,  son  of  Deacon  Carpenter,  graduated  at  Amherst  Col- 
lege and  at  the  Theological  Institute  at  East  Windsor  Hill.  He 
was  ordained  at  Sinclairville,  N.  Y.,  September  25th,  1845,  but 
was  attacked  with  hemorrhage  of  the  lungs,  and  went  South, 
started  for  home  and  died  on  the  way,  April  17th,  1867.  Rev- 
erend John  P.  Trowbridge,  now  of  Bethlehem,  Conn.,  who  has 
been  and  still  is  a  pastor  of  eminence  and  success,  as  also  a  na- 
tive of  this  town,  may  be  mentioned. 

Select  schools  have  from  time  to  time  been  in  successful  oper- 
ation. Some  of  the  teachers  have  been:  Hon.  Samuel  Jones,  a 
distinguished  criminal  lawyer  now  of  Hartford;  Hon.  Edwin 
Jones,  of  Chaplin,  now  a  millionaire  of  Minneapolis,  and  Rever- 
end John  R.  Freeman.  In  her  eight  school  districts  Eastford 
has  had  eminent  and  successful  teachers;  men  like  Master  John 
Griggs,  Calvin  Whitney,  Esq.,  the  two  judges,  Elisha  and  Jairus 
Carpenter,  and  ladies  of  marked  ability  and  success.  Such 
teachers  in  our  common  schools  do  a  work  that  tells  for  good 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM.  COUNTY.  1039 

upon  the  rising  generation.  An  amusing  incident  occurred  in 
the  history  of  one  of  the  vSolid  citizens  of  Eastford  in  his 
early  boyhood.  For  some  misbehavior  his  teacher  made  him 
creep  under  the  teacher's  table  standing  in  the  middle  of  the 
room,  with  the  remark,  "  If  you  act  like  a  dog  be  a  dog  in  your 
place  under  the  table."  Soon  the  minister  came  in  to  visit  the 
school,  when  "  Bow-wow!  bow-wow!"  was  the  instant  greeting 
he  received  from  under  the  table.  Explanations  were  givefl,  a 
hearty  laugh  indulged,  and  the  scholar  had  permission  to  take 
his  seat.  Hon.  Charles  D.  Hine,  secretary  of  the  state  board  of 
education,  has  a  summer  residence  in  Eastford,  and  the  schools 
receive  the  benefit  of  his  influence. 

A  very  eccentric  man  in  Eastford,  many  years  since,  furnished 
an  item  for  the  page  of  history,  which  perhaps  fails  of  finding  a 
parallel  in  all  our  modern  records.  Mr.  Ephraim  Lyon  insti- 
tuted, as  he  called  it,  a  church  of  Bacchus,  the  membership  to 
be  of  those  who  indulged  in  the  use  of  intoxicating  liquors  to 
■excess.  He  did  not  invite  members  to  enroll  their  names,  nor 
did  he  ask  their  consent  to  have  their  names  recorded.  He  took 
the  business  into  his  own  hunds,  kept  his  church  records  him- 
self, and  claimed  to  be  very  conscientious  in  his  work.  He 
named  himself  as  the  high  priest,  saying  he  must  become  badly 
intoxicated  several  times  each  year  in  order  that  he  might  hold 
the  office.  He  appointed  his  deacons  from  those  he  called  the 
Txiosf  zeelous  members^  He  lived  in  the  southeastern  part  of 
Eastford,  removing  to  Westford  toward  the  close  of  his  life,  but 
keeping  up  the  organization  while  he  lived.  His  members  re- 
sided in  Eastford,  Ashford,  Chaplin,  Hampton,  Pomfret  and 
perhaps  some  other  towns  in  the  near  vicinity.  The  member- 
ship sometimes  reached  the  number  of  one  thousand  or  more. 
All  must  be  what  are  commonly  called  drunkards.  Most  were 
men,  but  he  had  a  few^  women  in  his  church,  some  of  them 
".3'^£'/^z/i' members."  If  any  became  members  of  temperance  so- 
■cieties  or  reformed  they  were  promptly  excommunicated,  and 
their  names  stricken  from  the  roll  of  membership,  but  if  they  re- 
lapsed into  their  old  habits  their  names  were  re-enrolled.  It  was 
his  boast  that  few  failed  to  come  back  who  had  been  cut  off.  So 
^reat  was  the  dread  of  being  enrolled  on  his  books  that  his  life 
was  threatened  by  some  drinking  men  in  case  he  put  their 
names  on  his  book,  and  he  sometimes  had  to  run  for  his  life,  but 
with  the  spirit  of  a  martyr  he  was  true  to  his  official  work;  noth- 


1040  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

ing  moved  him  from  his  purpose.  His  wife  became  so  alarmed 
at  their  threatenings,  lest  they  should  wreak  their  vengeance 
upon  him,  that  she  burned  his  book  of  church  records,  but  he 
soon  replaced  it,  and  hid  it  carefully  for  its  future  safety.  He 
read  it  in  companies  where  he  felt  safe  in  so  doing,  so  that  none 
could  be  enrolled  without  it  soon  being  known  to  the  reluctant 
members  and  others  that  they  were  members  of  the  church  of 
Bacchus,  to  be  put  in  official  positions  when  they  became  suf- 
ficiently '' zecloiisy  The  eyes  of  some  were  opened  to  see  how 
they  were  regarded,  and  reformation  followed,  and  it  was 
thought  it  exerted  a  salutary  check  upon  some  young  men 
who  feared  they  might  be  enrolled  as  members.  Members 
who  died  in  full  membership  were  said  to  go  to  the  Bacchanalian 
revels  of  their  patron  god. 

The  Eastford  Creamery  is  a  co-operative  concern  with  a  cap- 
ital of  $2,000,  organized  as  a  joint  stock  company.  The  di- 
rectors are:  J.  M.  Herendeen,  D.  M.  Bent,  H.  K.  Safford,  M. 
F.  Latham,  C.  O.  Warren,  E.  W.  Warren  and  S.  O.  Bowen.  C. 
O.  Warren  was  chosen  secretary,  and  also  acts  as  superintendent. 
The  company  was  presented  with  a  piece  of  land  (by  S.  O. 
Bowen)  on  the  highway  leading  from  Eastford  village  to 
Phoenixville,  with  the  privilege  of  digging  a  well,  and  conveying 
water  from  a  favorable  point  above  the  site  of  the  building, 
which  gives  a  good  fall  and  great  abundance  of  water. 

The  benefits  of  a  creamery  were  first  agitated  in  the  Grange, 
which  interested  many  of  the  leading  citizens  of  this  com- 
munity and  some  of  the  farmers  of  Woodstock,  which  culmin- 
ated in  the  agreement  to  establish  a  creamery.  The  building 
committee  was  J.  E.  Latham,  J.  M.  Herendeen  and  Henry 
Trowbridge,  who  commenced  work  soon  after  the  ground 
opened  in  the  spring. 

BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH. 

Stephen  Oliver  Bowen. — Stephen  and  Rebecca  Bowen  were 
the  grandparents  of  the  subject  of  this  biography.  His  parents 
were  Oliver  and  Betsey  Bowen,  the  former  having  removed  to 
Eastford  in  1822,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  in  1879.  He 
was  during  his  active  life  a  successful  farmer  and  produce  dealer. 
His  wife  survived  him  and  is  still  a  resident  of  Eastford.  Their 
son,  Stephen  O.  Bowen,  was  born  in  Eastford,  April  8th,  1840. 
He  received  an  elementary  education,  and  afterward  spent  a 


(^7ya-&M^ 


TOTYPE,     E.    BIERSTADT,     N. 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1041 

season  at  the  State  Normal  school,  pursuing  his  studies  with  a 
.  view  to  proficiency  as  a  teacher.  The  succeeding  ten  or  more 
winters  were  devoted  to  teaching,  the  summer  months  being 
given  to  farming  and  dealing  in  live  stock.  Though  most  of 
his  life  a  successful  farmer,  he  was  for  some  time  engaged  in 
.  trade,  and  has  been  for  several  years  an  extensive  dealer  in  and 
shipper  of  horses.  By  honest  dealing  and  strict  integrity  he  has 
established  an  enviable  reputation  in  this  department  of  traffic, 
and  won  a  large  and  increasing  patronage. 

Mr.  Bowen  has  been  active  in  all  the  public  measures  affecting 
his  town,  and  one  of  its  prominent  political  factors.  Reared  in 
the  Jeffersonian  school  of  democracy,  he  has  ever  been  a  stead- 
fast exponent  of  its  principles.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  na- 
tional democratic  convention,  held  at  St.  Louis  in  1888,  and  for 
several  years  the  popular  candidate  of  the  party  for  representa- 
tive in  the  state  legislature,  against  a  heavy  majority.  To  this 
office  he  was  elected  in  1876,  during  which  session  he  served 
on  the  school  fund  committee.  He  has  filled  nearly  all  the 
local  positions  in  the  gift  of  his  townspeople,  and  is  at  present 
justice  of  the  peace,  town  treasurer  and  school  visitor.  For 
more  than  twenty-five  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  school 
board,  several  times  selectman,  and  repeatedly  elected  to  the 
office  of  judge  of  probate,  when  he  adjudicated  upon  a  number 
of  important  estates.  His  efficiency  and  wide  experience  in 
these  matters  have  caused  his  services  to  be  in  demand  as  ad- 
ministrator and  trustee.  Mr.  Bowen  was  for  several  years  a 
director  of  the  Eastford  Savings  Bank,  and  is  now  president 
of  the  Eastford  Creamery,  of  the  Eastford  Temperance  Asso- 
ciation, and  of  the  Eastford  Library  Association.  He  is  much 
interested  in  the  "  Grange  "  as  a  promoter  of  successful  agri- 
culture, and  was  for  two  years  master  of  the  Crystal  Lake 
Grange,  as  also  overseer  of  the  Pomona  Grange  of  Windham 
county.  Mr.  Bowen  is  a  member  and  an  officer  of  the  Congre- 
gational church  of  Eastford,  and  one  of  its  principal  supporters. 
He  was  married  April  8th,  1864,  to  Miss  Abbie  Lee  Spencer  of 
Pomfret.  They  have  had  seven  children,  of  whom  two  sons  and 
two  daughters  are  living. 


66 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 


PERSONAL  PARAGRAPHS. 


WINDHAM. 

Ansel  Arnold,  youngest  son  of  Samuel  and  Amity  (Pomeroy) 
Arnold,  was  born  in  Somers,  Conn.,  Auo-ust  8tli,  1815.  At  the 
age  of  21  he  commenced  the  manufacture  of  shaker  hoods  at 
Mansfield  Centre,  which  he  continued  till  1841,  when  he  removed 
to  Somerville,  and  was  engaged  in  that  enterprise  in  connection 
with  keeping  a  general  store  till  1851.  He  then  disposed  of  his 
manufactory,  and  continued  to  run  the  store  till  1870,  when  he 
came  to  Willimantic  and  engaged  in  the  flour  and  feed  business, 
under  the  firm  name  of  A.  Arnold  &  Co.  Fie  is  president  of  the 
W.  G.  &  A.  R.  Morrison  Co.,  president  of  the  Board  of  Trade, 
vice-president  of  the  First  National  Bank,  and  director  of  the 
Dime  Savings  Bank.  He  married  for  his  second  wife,  Maria, 
daughter  of  Horace  Chapman,  and  has  two  children — Willie  and 
Louie.  He  represented  the  town  of  Somers  in  the  legislature  in 
1857,  and  the  town  of  Windham  in  1876. 

The  Backus  Family. — The  common  ancestor  of  the  Norwich 
and  Windham  families  X)f  this  name  was  William  Backus  of  Say- 
brook,  who  removed  to  Norwich  in  1660.  His  children  were 
William  and  Stephen.  The  former,  who  was  known  as  Lieu- 
tenant William,  was  one  of  the  original  proprietors  of  Wind- 
ham. He  married  Elizabeth  Pratt,  and  had  the  following  fam- 
ily: William,  John,  Sarah  (who  married  Edward  Culver),  Samuel, 
Joseph  and  Nathaniel.  William,  the  eldest  son  of  Lieutenant 
William,  was  born  in  1660,  and  settled  in  Windham  as  early  as 
1693,  for  his  name  is  found  in  the  first  list  of  (22)  inhabitants, 
made  in  that  year.  Previous  to  this  his  father  gave  him  one  of 
his  thousand  acre  rights,  which  was  located  at  Windham  Centre. 
He  married  Mary  Dunton,  August  31st,  1692,  and  died  January 
25th,  1742.  He  had  the  following  family:  Samuel,  Abigail  (died 
in  infancy),  Mary,  Daniel,  Hannah,  Peter,  William,  Stephen  and 
Ephraim.     Samuel  (son  of  William)    was  born  July  5th,  1693, 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1043 

and  married  December  2d,  1719.  His  children  were:  Mary,  died 
aged  17  years;  Lemuel,  shot  by  the  Indians;  Andonijah,  Na- 
thaniel, Abigail,  married  Samuel  Huntingdon  of  Mansfield,  and 
Ann.  Nathaniel  (son  of  Samuel)  was  married  to  Elizabeth 
Hebard,  daughter  of  Robert  Hebard,  October  7th,  1753, 
and  his  children  were:  Elijah  (who  emigrated  to  Vermont), 
Huldah,  Calvin,  Luther  and  perhaps  others.  Nathaniel  died 
December  14th,  1815.  Luther  (son  of  Nathaniel)  was  born 
about  1772,  and  had  three  wives  and  twenty  children,  probably 
the  largest  family  ever  raised  in  Windham.  Of  this  family 
Harry  was  the  oldest,  and  married  Susan  D.,  daughter  of  Dan 
Sawyer,  January  3d,  1819.  Their  children  were:  Julia  Ann, 
Albert  Henry,  John  C,  Avery,  Huldah  Main,  Eliza  Elizabeth, 
Luther  F.,  Mary  M.,  Chester  H.  and  George  Abbe.  Luther  F. 
(son  of  Harry),  born  March  5th,  1828,  married  Ann  Canniff. 
They  had  five  children:  William  Christopher,  born  June  15th, 
1854,  married  Hattie,  daughter  of  S.  O.  Hatch,  and  is  a  member 
of  the  firm  of  Backus  Bros.;  Luther  Edwin,  born  January  29th, 
1856,  married  Annie  Shay,  and  has  two  children — Helen  C.  and 
Florence,  and  resides  in  South  Windham;  George  Harlow,  mar- 
ried Lizzie  A.  Lamb,  and  is  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Backus 
Bros.;  James  Henry,  died  in  infancy,  and  Charles  Henry,  born 
January  2d,  1865.     Luther  F.  died  August  7th,  1883. 

Reverend  Nicholas  Baker,  born  about  1611,  was  in  Hingham, 
Mass.,  in  1635,  and  became  a  freeman  in  1636.  He  was  repre- 
sentative in  1636  and  1638,  and  removed  to  Scituate,  where  in 
1660  he  was  ordained,  and  was  third  minister  of  the  First  church 
of  that  town.  He  reconciled  the  two  churches  of  that  town, 
which  had  quarreled  for  thirty  years.  He  was  a  graduate  of  St. 
John's  College,  Cambridge,  England,  and  received  the  degrees 
A.  B.  in  1631-32  and  A.  M.  in  1635.  He  first  located  at  Roxbury. 
He  died  August  23d,  1678,  and  his  will  names  the  following 
children:  Samuel,  Nicholas,  Elizabeth  (married  John  Vinal), 
Sarah  (married  Josiah  Litchfield),  Deborah  (married  Israel  Chit- 
tenden) and  Mary  (married  Stephen  Vinal).  Samuel,  son  of  Nich- 
olas, resided  in  Hull  and  Barnstable,  and  married  a  daughter 
of  Isaac  Robinson.  Of  this  family  we  have  no  record,  but  he  is 
without  doubt  the  father  of  the  Windham  settler,  Deacon  John 
Baker,  who  was  born  at  Martha's  Vineyard  in  October,  1672,  and 
married  October  4th,  1693,  Anna,  daughter  of  Samuel  Annable, 
of  Barnstable.     He  came  to  Windham  county  with  his  two  sons, 


1044  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Samuel  and  John,  before  1746,  and  located  in  what  is  now  Scot- 
land. He  died  January  27th,  1763,  aged  90.  His  children  were: 
Hannah,  Mercy  (married  Benjamin  Lathrop),  John  (died  in  in- 
fancy), Rebecca,  Samuel,  Mary  (married  Lemuel  Hodge,  of  Yar- 
mouth), Mehitable  (married  Ebenezer  Crosby,  of  Yarmouth), 
Abigail  (married  Ichabod  Lathrop,  of  Tolland),  John  and  Han- 
nah. Deacon  Samuel,  son  of  Deacon  John,  was  born  in  Barn- 
stable, Mass.,  September  7th,  1706,  and  came  to  Windham  county 
with  his  father.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Scotland  church,  and 
was  chosen  deacon  April  10th,  1777.  He  married  Prudence 
Jenkins,  of  Barnstable,  May  30th,  1732.  Of  his  family  the  fol- 
lowing were  born  in  Barnstable:  Martha  (married  Nathaniel 
Bingham,  of  Windham),  Anna  (died  in  infancy),  Bethia,  Samuel, 
and  Mercy,  died  aged  about  23  years.  The  following  children 
were  born  in  Windham:  Anna  (died  unmarried  aged  over  70), 
Joseph,  Benjamin  and  Prudence  (married  Abner  Webb).  Dea- 
con Samuel  died  December  9th,  1791.  Joseph,  son  of  Deacon 
Samuel,  was  born  December  17th,  1748,  was  a  physician  and  set- 
tled in  Brooklyn,  where  he  praticed  till  his  death,  May  16th, 
1804.  He  married  Lucy,  daughter  of  Reverend  Ebenezer  De- 
votion, of  Scotland.  Their  children  were:  Elizabeth,  married 
P.  P.  Tyler,  of  Brooklyn,  Conn.;  Deborah,  married  Thaddeus 
Clark,  of  Lebanon  (Their  daughter,  Sarah  Jane,  is  the  well 
known  writer,  Grace  Greenwood.  She  married  Leander  K.  Lip- 
pincott,  and  resides  in  New  York  city);  Ebenezer,  succeeded  his 
father  as  physician  in  Brooklyn,  where  he  died;  Martha,  mar- 
ried Solomon  W.  Williams,  of  Lebanon,  Conn.;  James,  a  lieuten- 
ant in  the  United  States  army,  died  at  Savannah,  Ga.;  Rufus 
Lathrop;  Lucy  Maria,  married  the  late  Reverend  Willard  Pres- 
ton, of  Savannah,  Ga.;  Mary,  married  Jonathan  A.  Welch,  of 
Brooklyn,  Conn.;  and  Joseph,  twin  of  Mary,  died  in  infancy. 
Rufus  Lathrop,  son  of  Doctor  Joseph,  was  born  December  6th, 
1790,  was  appointed  ensign  in  the  United  States  army  in  1812, 
lieutenant  in  1813,  captain  in  1817,  major  in  1832,  lieutenant 
colonel  in  1852,  resigned  in  January,  1855,  and  died  in  Windham 
June  6th,  1868.  He  married  Eliza,  daughter  of  Charles  Taintor, 
of  Windham,  and  his  children  were:  Charles  Taintor,  and  Wil- 
liam Rufus,  born  at  Alleghany  Arsenal,  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  May  15th, 
1830,  graduated  from  Union  College  in  Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  and 
resides  in  Paris.  Charles  Taintor  was  born  in  Windham  April 
18th,  1821,  graduated  at  the  Military  Academy  in  1842,  was  ap- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1045 

pointed  lieutenant  in  the  United  States  army,  served  in  Florida 
and  as  instructor  in  tactics  at  West  Point,  and  resigned  in  1851. 
He  married  Ann  Bartlett,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Dwight,  of 
Springfield,  Mass.,  and  came  to  AVindham  in  1868,  where  he  died 
February  28th,  1880.  His  children  were:  Ella,  Cora  (wife  of 
Henry  S.  F.  Davis,  of  New  York  city),  Anna  Dwight  (wife  of 
Julian  Alden  Weir,  of  New  York  city,  who  is  a  son  of  Professor 
Robert  Weir,  of  West  Point). 

Jerome  B.  Baldwin,  son  of  Raymond,  was  born  in  Mansfield, 
September  14th,  1843.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  war  he  joined 
the  21st  Connecticut  volunteers  and  served  three  years.  He 
returned  to  Mansfield  at  the  expiration  of  his  enlistment,  came 
to  Willimantic  in  1865  and  in  connection  with  his  brother 
formed  the  firm  of  G.  R.  &  J.  B.  Baldwin  for  the  sale  of  cloth- 
ing. His  brother's  death  occurring  in  1867  the  firm  was  dis- 
solved and  Mr.  Baldwin  was  for  the  next  nine  years  employed 
as  a  clothing  salesman  by  John  G.  Keigwin,  and  in  1876  he  pur- 
chased the  stock  from  his  employer  and  in  connection  with 
Frank  F.  Webb  formed  a  partnership  under  the  style  of  Bald- 
win &  Webb,  which  continued  till  1886,  when  he  purchased  his 
partner's  interest.  He  married  Ella  M.,  daughter  of  A.  B. 
Adams,  and  has  three  children:  Emma  Bell,  Jane  May  and 
Georgie  Ella.  Mr.  Baldwin  was  a  member  of  the  Connecticut 
legislature  in  1886. 

Robert  Barrows,  son  of  Robert  (who  was  the  common  ances- 
tor of  the  Mansfield  families),  was  born  November  8th,  1689, 
and  came  to  Mansfield  about  1720.  He  married  at  Plymouth, 
Bethia  Ford.  Their  children  born  at  Plymouth  were  :  Jabez, 
Lemuel  and  Thomas.  Their  children  born  in  Mansfield  were  : 
Amos,  Lydia,  David  and  Elisha.  Robert  Barrows  died  Novem- 
berl2th,  1773.  Lieutenant  Thomas  (son  of  Robert),  born  Sep- 
tember 13th,  1716,  married  for  his  first  wif e  Mehitable,  daughter 
of  Deacon  Experience  Porter  April  30th,  1741.  By  her  he  had 
a  child.  Experience,  who  died  at  the  age  of  five  years.  He 
married  Abigail,  daughter  of  John  Crane,  February  2d,  1743-4, 
and  had  the  following  children :  Abigail,  married  Nathan  Pal- 
mer ;  Mehitable,  married  Thomas  Swift,  Jr.;  Thomas,  died  in 
infancy,  and  Thomas.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Philip  Turner,  January  9th,  1751-52.  His  children  by  this 
marriage  were  :  Solomon;  Mary,  married  Asa  Bennett ;  Experi- 
ence, died  at  Stamford,  Conn.,  and  was  a  soldier  in  the   revolu- 


1046  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

tionary  war;  Elizabeth,  died  unmarried,  aged  78 years;  Philip, 
Eleazer,  Lydia,  married  Joseph  Southworth  ;  Lemuel,  and  Caleb 
Turner,  who  died  in  New  York  state.  Philip  (son  of  Lieuten- 
ant Thomas)  was  born  November  29th,  1760,  and  resided  in 
Mansfield,  where  he  died  August  16th,  1809.  He  married  a 
widow,  Sarah  Fisk,  daughter  of  Joshua  Parker,  March  29th, 1787. 
Their  children  were  :  Sarah,  deceased,  married  Ira  Bennett ; 
Philip,  deceased  ;  Harmony,  died  in  childhood  ;  Phares,  Stephen 
Fisk,  died  in  New  York  state  ;  Amasa  died  in  New  York  state; 
Celia,  married  Asa  Lyon  and  died  at  Fredericksburg,  Va., 
and  Thomas  Adam,  died  in  Connecticut.  Phares  (son  of 
Philip),  born  May  20th,  1797,  resided  in  South  Mansfield  and 
married  for  his  first  wife  Alma  Parrott  of  Pomfret,  Conn.,  May 
20th,  1820.  His  children  were:  Edwin  Augustus,  Harriet 
Sophia,  married  Joseph  B.  Spencer  of  South  Windham  ;  Eliza- 
beth Gyles,  married  Nathan  Griggs  of  Chaplin,  and  for  her 
second  husband  Jesse  Turner  of  Chaplin  ;  Sarah  Lucinda,  mar- 
ried David  A.  Griggs  of  Chaplin  ;  Mary  A.,  married  Milo  M.  Hib- 
bard  of  East  Homer,  N.  Y.,  and  Delia  Maria,  deceased,  married 
Deacon  Waldo  Bass  of  Scotland.  Phares  was  married  three 
times,  and  died  in  1881.  Edwin  Augustus,  son  of  Phares,  born 
March  28th,  1821,  was  twice  married;  first  to  Anna  J.  Hanks, 
second  May  21st,  1851,  to  Emily  Ashley  of  Chaplin.  His  child- 
ren, all  by  his  second  wife,  were:  Daniel  Clifford,  born  April 
10th,  1853  ;  Edwin  and  Emily,  twins,  died  in  infancy  ;  and  Anna 
Maria,  died  at  the  age  of  six  years.  Father  and  son  are  both 
doing  business  in  Willimantic,  the  latter  being  a  jeweller. 

Henry  Brainard  was  born  in  East  Haddam,  Conn.,  December 
9th,  1794.  He  came  to  Willimantic  to  reside  in  1829,  and  was 
engaged  by  the  Windham  Manufacturing  Company  for  twelve 
years  in  teaming  from  Providence  to  Willimantic.  In  1841  he 
removed  to  Marlborough,  Conn.,  remained  there  four  years,  and 
married  there  Miss  Amelia  Blish.  He  then  returned  to  Willi- 
mantic and  purchased  what  was  known  as  the  Tremont  House, 
which  he  kept  as  a  hotel  till  1854,  when  he  purchased  the  Brain- 
ard Hotel,  and  enlarged  the  same  and  carried  on  business  thete 
till  1862,  when  he  retired.     He  died  March  nth,  1884. 

The  Brown  Family. — The  English  ancestor  of  this  family  was 
John  Brown,  who  was  acquainted  with  the  pilgrims  at  Leyden 
before  1620,  but  the  date  of  his  coming  to  this  country  is  un- 
known.    He  settled  in  Plymouth  colony,  was  at  Duxbury,Mass., 


,       HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1047 

in  1636,  at  Taunton  in  1643,  and  was  an  original  proprietor  and 
early  settler  of  Rehoboth,  Mass.  He  was  assistant  in  Plymouth 
colony  in  1636,  which  office  he  filled  for  seventeen  years,  and 
was  one  of  the  commissioners  of  the  United  Colonies  of  New 
England  from  1644  to  1655.  He  was  a  large  real  estate  owner 
in  Rehoboth  and  was  a  friend  of  religious  toleration,  and  was 
the  first  of  the  Plymouth  magistrates  who  expressed  scruples  as 
to  the  expediency  of  coercing  the  people  to  support  the  ministry. 
He  was  a  man  of  talent,  integrity  and  piety,  and  his  death,  which 
occurred  by  fever  Aprfl  10th,  1662,  was  felt  throughout  the 
whole  colony.  He  had  the  following  children,  who  were  all 
probably  born  in  England:  James,  who  died  at  Swansea,  Oc- 
tober 29th,  1710,  aged  87  years;  Mary,  who  married  John  Wil- 
lett,  and  John,  who  married  a  daughter  of  William  Buckland, 
lived  in  Swansea  and  died  March  31st,  1662.  He  had  the  follow- 
ing children:  John,  Lydia,  Hannah,  Joseph  and  Nathaniel. 
Captain  John  (son  of  John  above)  was  born  on  the  last  Friday  in 
September,  1650,  and  married  November  8th,  1672,  Anna,  daugh- 
ter of  Major  John  Mason,  of  Norwich,  Conn.,  the  hero  of  the  Pe- 
quot  war.  He  was  held  in  high  estimation  by  his  Mason  rela- 
tives and  the  Mohegan  Indians,  and  under  date  of  March  2d, 
1677,  his  brother-in-law,  Samuel  Mason,  gave  him  a  thousand 
acre  right,  which  was  located  in  what  is  now  Windham,  and  part 
of  this  land  is  now  owned  by  Elias  P.  Brown.  Captain  Brown 
lived  among  the  stirring  scenes  of  Philip's  war,  and  probably 
did  active  service  in  that  struggle.  Efforts  were  made  to  induce 
Captain  Brown  to  settle  in  Windham  but  without  avail.  The 
exact  date  of  his  death  is  not  known,  but  it  was  previous  to  1711. 
His  children  were:  John,  who  married  Abigail  Cole,  and  died 
at  Swansea  in  1762;  Lydia,  married  Joseph  Wadsworth,  of  Leb- 
anon, Conn.;  Martha,  married  Deacon  Eleazer  Fitch,  of  Leban- 
on, Conn.;  Daniel,  died  in  infancy;  Ebenezer,  died  in  Lebanon, 
Conn.,  aged  100  years;  Daniel,  Stephen  and  Joseph.  Of  this 
family  Stephen  was  born  January  29th,  1688,  and  located  on  a 
thousand  acre  grant  of  his  father  in  Windham  about  1717.  He 
took  part  in  the  famous  Hartford  suit  in  1722,  in  which  his 
cousin,  Jeremiah  Fitch,  of  Coventry,  was  liberated  from  jail, 
where  he  had  been  imprisoned  on  account  of  some  decision  re- 
specting the  Hop  river  lands.  He  was  married  three  times;  first 
to  Mary  Risley  in  June,  1729,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Step- 
hen, Jr.     His    second   wife  was  Abigail,  daughter  of  Thomas 


1048  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

R'^g'g'-  of  Mansfield,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Abigail,  who 
became  the  wife  of  George  Anderson,  of  Mansfield.  His  third 
wife  was  Mary  Jacobs,  and  the  children  by  this  marriage  were 
Mary  and  John.  Stephen  died  in  October,  1766.  John  (son  of 
Stephen)  was  born  June  18th,  1742,  and  besides  ctiltivating  a 
farm  and  keeping  a  country  tavern,  carried  on  the  manufacture 
of  potash  and  the  refining  of  saltpetre,  he  being  the  only  person 
in  this  part  of  the  country  who  understood  the  latter  business. 
He  was  engaged  in  the  revolutionary  war,  and  during  that  strug- 
gle prepared  the  saltpetre  used  in  the  Willimantic  powder  mills* 
He  was  also  employed  by  the  state  and  was  highly  esteemed  by 
Governor  Trumbull.  He  married  December  22d,  1763,  Sybil, 
daughter  of  Jabez  Barrows,  of  Mansfield.  He  died  in  December, 
1824,  aged  82.  His  wife  died  in  January,  1837,  aged  93.  Their 
children  were:  Roswell,  who  died  unmarried;  Lydia,  who  mar- 
ried William  Spafford  and  settled  at  Troy,  N.  Y.;  John,  Eunice, 
married  Asa  Brace  and  settled  in  New  York  state;  Clarissa, 
married  Samuel  Babcock  and  settled  at  Westmoreland,  N.  Y.; 
Asenath,  married  Nathaniel  Fitch  and  settled  at  Verona,  N.Y.; 
Sybil,  married  Jedidiah  Fitch  and  settled  at  Verona,  N.  Y.;  Ja- 
bez, and  Lucinda,  who  married  Jabez  Cummings,  of  Mansfield. 
John  (son  of  John)  was  born  November  16th,  1769,  and  was  mar- 
ried three  times.  His  first  wife  was  Olive  Martin,  by  whom  he 
had  the  following  children:  Julia,  died  young;  Roswell,  died 
unmarried;  E.  Nathan,  died  in  Lebanon,  Conn.,  and  Eliphalet, 
died  in  Willimantic.  His  second  wife  was  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  Elias  Palmer,  of  Coventry.  The  children  of  this  marriage 
were:  Albert  Banks,  who  died  in  Illinois;  Maria  Arnold,  mar- 
ried Dwight  Bailey,  of  Franklin,  Conn.,  where  she  died;  Elias 
Palmer,  Wealthy,  who  married  Frederick  Curtis,  of  Saugerties, 
N.  Y.,  where  she  died;  Sarah,  deceased,  married  V.  R.  Hovey ;  John 
Dwight,  unmarried,  killed  by  explosion  of  a  powder  mill  in  Man- 
chester, aged  24  years;  and  Ralph  Williams,  died  aged  8  years. 
His  third  wife  was  Nancy  Fitch.  He  died  April  27th,  1841. 
Elias  Palmer  (son  of  John),  born  May  30th,  1810,  married  Salina 
Dickinson.  They  had  six  children:  Howard  Z.,  born  April  9th, 
1839,  married  Lucy  Tefft  (They  have  a  famil}^  of  four  children: 
Curtis  Palmer,  Jessie,  Earl  and  Helen.  He  is  engaged  in  paper 
manufacturing  in  town  of  Colchester,  Conn.);  Sarah  A.,  wife  of 
Charles  Ladd,  of  West  Winsted,  Conn.;  Ellen,  resides  at  Gur- 
leyville,  Conn.;  Edwin  M.,  born  September  12th,  1843,  married 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1049 

Carrie  Wheeler  (He  has  the  following  family:  Edward  M.,  Car- 
rie, Howard  and  Pearl.  He  is  engaged  in  business  with  his 
brother);  Maria  E.,  resides  with  her  parents,  and  Mattie  A.,  wife 
of  J.  F.  Chandler,  of  East  Woodstock,  Conn.  John  (son  of  John) 
was  born  November  17th,  1816,  married  Rebecca  T.  Lyon  and 
had  three  children:  Wealthy  J.,  died  at  the  age  of  29;  Inez  M., 
and  John  Dayton,  born  December  12th,  1856,  married  Nellie 
Hills  and  resides  at  Plainville,  Conn. 

S.  L.  Burlingham  was  born  in  Killingly,  Conn.,  March  1st, 
1845,  being  the  son  of  Lewis  and  Eliza  (Robbins)  Burlingham. 
He  came  to  Willimantic  in  1857,  and  was  employed  by  the  Hol- 
land Silk  Co.  as  boss  finisher  when  they  cpened  their  works  in 
that  borough,  and  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  company  ever 
since. 

The  Burnham  Family. — All  the  families  of  this  name  in  Wind- 
ham county  are  descended  from  Deacon  John  Burnham,  one  of 
three  brothers,  who  was  born  in  England  in  either  1616  or  1626, 
and  came  to  Ipswich  in  1635.  He  died  November  5th,  1694. 
His  children  were:  John,  Josiah,  Anna  (married  a  Low)  and 
Elizabeth  (married  Thomas  Kinsman).  Josiah,  son  of  Deacon 
John,  was  born  May  9th,  1662,  and  died  October  25th,  1692.  He 
married  Abigail,  daughter  of  Thomas  Varney,  and  their  chil- 
dren were:  Josiah,  Jacob  and  Ebenezer,  born  December  23d, 
1690,  died  March  10th,  1746.  Ebenezer  came  from  Ipswich,  Mass., 
to  Hampton,  Conn.,  in  1733  or  1734,  purchased  a  farm  in  that 
town,  and  joined  the  church  October  20th,  1734.  His  children 
were:  Joshua,  Ebenezer,  Joseph,  Andrew,  Isaac  and  Dorothy, 
who  married  Captain  William  Hebard.  Andrew,  son  of  Eben- 
ezer, was  born  May  28th,  1726,  and  died  in  1786.  He  married 
May  11th,  1757,  Jane,  daughter  of  William  Bennet.  His  chil- 
dren were:  Andrew,  William,  Elizabeth  (married  Milan  Hebard), 
Sarah,  Adoniiah,  Mercy,  Rufus  and  Enoch.  Adonijah,  son  of 
Andrew,  was  born  in  Hampton  July  25th,  1770,  and  died  May 
31st,  1827.  He  married  Abigail  Fuller.  Their  children  were: 
Luther,  Asa,  Anson,  Lyman,  Chester  (the  four  last  dying  unmar- 
ried), Clarissa  (married  B.  F.  Robinson)  and  Jane  E.  (married 
Chester  D.  Burnham).  Luther,  son  of  Adonijah,  was  born  in 
Williamstown,  Vt.,  November  20th,  1800,  married  April  29th, 
1827,  Marcia,  daughter  of  Jonah  Lincoln,  and  had  the  following 
children:  Marcia  M.  and  Lucy  A.,  died  in  childhood;  Lucy  M., 
died  aged  20  years:  Edward  L.,  Ellen  F.  (deceased),  married  to 


1050  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Hon.  Lester  Hunt;  and  Stowell  L.,  a  lieutenant  in  the  82d  Ohio 
regiment,  killed  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  aged  25  3^ears. 
Luther  was  a  member  of  the  legislature  in  1849  and  1862,  and 
removed  to  the  town  of  Windham  about  1830.  He  married  for 
his  second  wife  Jane  W.,  daughter  of  Ral^h  Lincoln,  and  died 
April  28th,  1878.  Edward  L.,  son  of  Luther,  was  born  in  Wind- 
ham October  18th,  1833,  and  married  December  13th,  1865,  Sarah 
E.  Peck,  a  native  of  Chaplin.  The}^  have  had  five  children,  two 
of  whom  died  young,  viz.,  Anna  Porter  and  Edw^ard  L.  The 
others  are  Stowell  L.,  Ellen  C.  and  John  P.  William,  son  of  An- 
drew, married  Lois  Grow,  Their  children  were:  Elisha,  William, 
Rufus,  Lucius,  Marcus,  Mason,  Lois  (died  at  the  age  of  18)  and 
Marvin.  There  were  two  other  children  who  died  young.  Elisha, 
son  of  William,  married  Phebe  Avery.  Their  children  were: 
Edwin  E.,  Alfred  A.  (deceased),  Lucy  Ann  (married  Wolcott 
Carey,  of  Hampton),  Redelia  ( wife  of  James  Smith,  of  Windham), 
and  Amanda  (deceased),  married  to  Charles  Larrabee,  of  Wind- 
ham. Elisha  was  a  blacksmith  and  owned  a  saw  mill,  and  lived 
in  what  is  now  Scotland.  Edwin  E.,  son  of  ElivSha,  was  born  in 
Windham  October  16th,  1816,  and  married  Amanda,  daughter  of 
Captain  Dan  Lincoln.  They  have  two  children:  Adelaide,  wife 
of  Samuel  L.  Burlingham,  treasurer  of  the  Holland  Silk  Com- 
pany, and  Emeline,  wife  of  W.  H.  Latham.  William,  son  of 
William,  was  born  in  Windham  in  July,  1797,  and  died  July  31st, 
1836.  He  married  and  had  three  children,  of  whom  only  two  ar- 
rived at  maturity.  They  were  George  W.  and  Eliza  (deceased), 
who  married  Doctor  Fred.  Coe,  who  was  a  Christian  minister 
and  came  from  an  Ashford  family.  William  removed  from  his 
native  town  to  Ohio  and  joined  the  Shakers  at  Watervlietinthat 
state.  He  subsequently  returned  to  Connecticut,  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Shaker  village  in  Enfield,  and  remained,  with  them 
eight  years,  then  returned  to  his  native  town.  George  W.,  son 
of  William,  was  born  at  Milford,  Ohio,  December  7th,  1818,  mar- 
ried Miranda  Smith  and  has  had  five  children:  Sarah,  died  aged 
4^  years:  Delia,  George  A.,  married  Nancy  Babcock,  and  died  at 
the  age  of  34,  leaving  two  children,  Estella  M.  and  Agnes;  Eva, 
wife  of  Henry  Edgarton,  of  Shirley,  Mass.,  and  Sarah,  who  mar- 
ried Eugene  M.  Lincoln,  and  died  aged  25. 

Martin  Card  was  born  in  Lebanon,  April  10th,  1823.  He  was 
the  soil  of  Thomas  and  grandson  of  Joseph,  both  of  whom  lived 
to  be  92  vears  of  ao^e  and  were  natives  of  Rhode  Island.     Martin 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1051 

was  long  engaged  in  the  butchering  business,  from  which  he  re- 
tired in  1885.  He  married  Lydia  Fitch  and  has  two  children  : 
Clinton,  who  resides  in  South  Windham,  and  Annie. 

Horace  M.  Chapman,  born  in  Russell,  St.  Lawrence  county, 
N.  Y.,  September  6th,  1818,  is  the  son  of  Parley  and  Roxa 
(McKnight)  Chapman.  At  the  age  of  six  his  parents  removed 
from  New  York  to  their  native  town  of  Ellington,  Conn.  He 
was  a  resident  of  Ellington  till  1880,  when  he  came  to  Williman- 
tic.  While  in  the  former  town  he  was  eng^ag^ed  in  farming,  and 
while  in  Willimantic  was  engaged  in  the  flour  and  feed  business, 
being  a  member  of  the  firm  of  A.  Arnold  &  Co.  He  married 
Julia  Ann  Tiffany,  of  Somers.  They  have  had  two  children  : 
Willie,  who  died  aged  26,  and  Maria,  wife  of  Ansel  Arnold,  of 
Willimantic.  Mr.  Chapman  is  a  democrat.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  legislature  in  1861  from  Ellington,  and  held  town  offices 
in  that  town.  He  has  been  warden  of  the  borough  of  Willi- 
mantic. 

James  A.  Conant,  born  in  Mansfield  August  16th,  1829,  is  the 
.eldest  son  of  Lucius  and  Mary  E.  (Eaton)  Conant,  and  is  a  lineal 
descendant  of  Roger  Conant,  who  came  to  America  in  1623.  At 
the  age  of  fifteen  he  engaged  in  the  silk  business,  which  he  has 
followed  ever  vsince,  excepting  one  year,  when  he  was  engaged 
in  farming,  and  about  seven  years,  when  he  was  employed  by 
the  Watertown  Manufacturing  Company.  He  has  been  in  the 
employ  of  the  Hollands  since  the  spring  of  1864',  and  holds  the 
position  of  superintendent  of  the  throwing  department.  He 
married  Caroline  A.  Chapman,  and  has  one  son,  John  W.,  a  res- 
ident of  Easthampton,  Conn.  He  is  superintendent  of  the 
throwing  department  for  the  Eureka  Manufacturing  Company 
at  that  place.  He  married  Nellie  Blood  and  has  two  children. 
Mr.  Conant  married  for  his  second  wife  Mary  Etta,  widow  of 
Andrew  Brown. 

William  H.  Cranston,  born  in  Wickford,  R.  L,  May  17th,  1814, 
is  the  fifth  child  and  fourth  son  of  a  family  of  eleven  children, 
of  Thomas  and  Alice  (Eldridge)  Cranston.  At  the  age  of  eigh- 
teen he  entered  a  mill  and  was  at  one  time  employed  by  the 
Spragues  in  their  mills  at  Natick,  R.  L  He  came  to  Mansfield 
in  1842  and  engaged  in  farming  for  three  years.  He  then  re- 
moved to  Willimantic  and  was  employed  by  the  Windham  Man- 
ufacturing Company  as  overseer,  which  position  he  held  till  1861. 
He  was  afterward  with  the  Smithville  Manufacturing  Company 


1052  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

till  1865,  when  he  removed  to  Corry,  Pa.,  but  returned  to  Willi- 
mantic  in  1868  and  was  engaged  with  the  Smithville  Manufac- 
turing Company  till  1873,  when  he  retired  from  active  business. 
His  first  wife  was  Safety  Prosser,  by  whom  he  had  one  child, 
William,  who  married  Alice  Prosser,  and  died  at  the  age  of  37, 
leaving  one  son,  Allen  Lincoln  Cranston,  who  resides  in  Willi- 
mantic.     His  second  wife  was  Mary  Saunders. 

Hezekiah  Hammond,  son  of  Hezekiah,  married  Polly  Green- 
slit  and  had  four  children  :  Elisha  Griffin,  Mary  Ann,  widow  of 
Edward  Moseley,  of  Hampton  ;  Maria,  (deceased)  married  Wil- 
liam Brown,  of  Hampton,  and  Albert,  died  at  the  age  of  4  years. 
Hezekiah  married  for  his  second  wife  Hannah  Warner,  of  Ash- 
ford,  by  whom  he  had  the  following  children  :  Charlotte  Lucin- 
da,  widow  of  Gurdon  Brown,  resides  in  Brooklyn,  Conn.;  Helen 
Elizabeth,  wife  of  Edwin  Walter  Payne,  of  Philadelphia ;  Fran- 
ces Jane  (deceased),  married  Edwin  S.  Chase,  of  Brooklyn, 
Conn.;  and  Lucy  Griffin  (deceased),  married  Hiram  Waldo  Rich- 
mond, of  Brooklyn,  Conn.  Hezekiah  removed  from  Hampton 
to  Brooklyn,  where  he  died.  Elisha  Griffin,  son  of  Hezekiah, 
was  born  in  Hampton,  Conn.,  May  26th,  1805,  and  married  Olive 
Johnson,  of  Windham.  Their  children  are :  Emily,  wife  of 
Henry  B.  Perry,  who  resides  in  New  York  state ;  George,  died 
single,  aged  20  years ;  Mary  Ann,  wife  of  Ellis  Harkness,  of 
New  York  city ;  Levi  Johnson  and  Hezekiah  Griffin,  twins, 
resided  in  Windham.  Mr.  Hammond  has  been  a  resident  of 
Windham  since  1833. 

Robert  W.  Hooper,  born  in  Winchendon,  Mass.,  March  24th, 
1817,  is  the  second  son  in  a  family  of  eight  children  of  Linus 
and  Susan  (Wilcox)  Hooper.  In  1831  he  came  to  Willimantic 
with  his  mother.  He  entered  a  mill  at  the  age  of  ten  at  Man- 
chester, Conn.,  afterward  went  to  Vernon,  Conn.,  and  in  1831 
was  employed  by  the  Windham  County  Mills,  where  he  re- 
mained till  1851.  The  next  six  years  he  was  a  traveling  sales- 
man, and  in  1857  he  commenced  the  retail  dry  goods  business 
in  the  Old  Franklin  Building  in  Willimantic.  This  was  burned 
and  he  erected  the  present  building  and  continued  business  till 
1886,  when  he  retired. 

Albert  Hartson  was  born  in  Mansfield,  July  25th,  1820,  and  is 
the  youngest  of  six  children  of  Nathaniel  and  Sarah  (Lincoln) 
Hartson.  He  removed  to  Windham  in  1842,  and  married  Mary 
J.,   daughter  of  Nathaniel   Flint  of  Hampton.      They  had  two 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1053 

children:  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Hezekiah  Utley  of  North  Windham, 
and  Lester  M.,  who  was  born  in  Windham,  November  10th,  1846, 
and  married  Delia  C,  daughter  of  Philander  Fuller  of  Hampton. 
They  have  two  children,  Howard  and  Leslie.  Mr.  Hartson  is 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  specialties  which  are  used  by  silk 
manufacturers.  This  industry  he  started  at  North  Windham  in 
1868,  and  has  customers  in  every  part  of  the  United  States. 

The  Hatch  Family. — It  is  recorded  that  the  first  settlers  of 
this  family  were  from  England,  and  were  three  brothers,  one  of 
whom  settled  in  New  London,  Conn.,  another  at  Boston,  Mass.* 
while  the  third  one  located  in  Nova  Scotia.  Samuel,  who  lo- 
cated at  New  London,  was  a  baker  by  trade,  and  had  the  follow- 
ing family:  Samuel,  Elijah,  Peter,  Joshua,  Joseph,  Daniel,  Ste- 
phen, John,  and  three  daughters.  Samuel,  son  of  Samuel,  was 
born  September  26th,  1738,  was  a  shoemaker,  and  married  Naomi 
Phelps  of  Lebanon.  They  had  ten  children:  Eleazer,  Samuel, 
Asel,  Joseph,  Tryphena  and  Salena,  twins,  who  died  single;  Da- 
vid, Jonathan,  Naomi,  who  married  Eleazer  Fitch,  and  Elijah. 
Samuel  died  April  30th,  1815.  Jonathan,  son  of  Samuel  second,  was 
born  January  6th,  1777,  and  married  Betsey  Payne.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  Samuel  Orville,  Naomi  Eliza  (died  aged  13),  Chester 
Payne  (resides  in  California),  Jonathan,  James  Chandler  (died  in 
infancy),  Elijah  Phelps  (lives  in  South  Windam),  James  Chand- 
ler (lives  in  Avon,  Conn.),  Caroline  Eliza  (deceased,  married 
James  Babcock),  and  Nelson  (died  in  California).  Jonathan  died 
October  5th,  1833.  Samuel  Orville,  son  of  Jonathan,  was  born 
in  Lebanon,  Conn.,  June  2d,  1809,  married  Eunice  T.  Arm- 
strong, and  had  the  following  children:  E.  Eliza,  lives  in  South 
Windham;  John  O.,  born  in  Franklin,  Conn.,  March  4th,  1840 
(engaged  in  farming  until  age  of  19,  when  he  learned  the  ma- 
chinist's trade,  and  was  employed  by  Smith  Winchester  Company 
until  his  deaths  September  25th,  1885.  He  married  Edna  L. 
Gavitt  of  Willimantic,  and  left  no  children);  Jonathan  A.,  died 
aged  30  years;  Mary  A.,  died  aged  18;  Henry  Chester,  born  in 
Franklin,  Conn.,  December  2d,  1846,  married  Lucretia,  daughter 
of  Oliver  Johnson  of  Franklin,  Conn.,  has  no  children  (is  a  ma- 
chinist by  trade,  and  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  Smith  Win- 
chester Company  for  twenty-three  years);  Hattie  A.,  wife  of 
William  C.  Backus  of  South  Windham;  AdellaB.,wife  of  Eugene 
Kinneof  South  Windham;  Charles  P.,  resides  in  Hartford,  Conn.; 
Carrie  L.  and  Lillie  L.,  residents  of  South  Windham.  Samuel 
O.  died  June  13th,  1877. 


1054  HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

James  M.  Hebard,  son  of  Gurdon,  was  born  in  Scotland,  Conn., 
September  19th,  1815.  He  was  in  early  life  a  music  teacher,  but 
on  arriving  at  manhood,  engaged  in  the  railroad  business,  and 
from  1853  to  1867  was  purchasing  agent  for  the  New  York  and 
Hudson  River  railroad,  but  on  account  of  ill  health  was  obliged 
to  give  up  his  position.  He  married  Delia  Benton,  daughter  of 
Doctor  Chester  Hunt.     He  died  December  26th,  1882. 

Eli  Hewitt,  youngest  son  of  Eli  and  Betsey  (Williams)  Hewitt 
was  born  in  Stonington,  Conn.,  June  28th,  1815,  came  to  Wind- 
ham in  his  early  manhood,  and  was  engaged  in  farming.  He 
married  Mary,  daughter  of  Gilbert  Lamb,  of  Franklin,  Conn., 
and  had  two  children:  Gilbert  L.,  a  wholesale  grocer  in  Norwich, 
Conn.,  and  Mary  A.     Eli  Hewitt  died  September  17th,  1887. 

Elisha  Holmes  married  Sally  Harris,  and  had  a  large  family 
of  children,  as  follows:  Samuel;  Sally,  married  Robert  Bishop; 
Lois,  married  Jonathan  Forsyth;  Pauline,  married  Noah  Wood; 
Charlotte  and  Marcia,  both  married  Holcombs;  Elisha  H.;  Gris- 
wold;  Lucretia,  married  a  Brown;  Mary,  and  Alice,  died  unmar- 
ried. Elisha  Harlow  was  born  in  Chesterfield,  Conn.,  October 
29th,  1799,  and  came  to  Windham  in  1818.  He  was  a  cabinet 
maker  by  trade.  He  also  was  a  farmer,  had  a  grist  and  plas- 
ter mill,  and  was  engaged  in  the  dredging  business.  He  mar- 
ried Lydia,  daughter  of  Amos  D.  Allen,  by  whom  he  had  seven 
children,  of  whom  only  two  lived  to  maturity,  viz.,  Lydia  Allen 
and  Elisha  Harlow.  He  died  October  21st,  1886.  Elisha  Har- 
low, son  of  Elisha  Harlow,  was  born  in  Windham,  July  13th, 
1844,  married  Sarah  W.Johnson,  and  has  four  children:  Richard 
Johnson,  Alice  Lydia,  Grace  Sarah  and  Florence  Jane. 

The  Lincoln  Family. — Tradition  says  that  the  first  settlers  of 
this  family  came  from  Lincolnshire,  England,  and  made  settle- 
ment at  Hingham  and  Taunton,  Mass.  A  son  of  the  Taunton 
settler  named  Samuel,  came  to  Norwich  and  the  supposition  is 
that  he  afterward  removed  to  Windham.  He  married  June 
2d,  1692,  Elizabeth  Jacobs,  and  had  the  following  children  : 
Samuel,  Jacob,  Mercy,  Thomas,  Jonah,  Nathaniel  (died  in  in- 
fancy) and  Elizabeth.  Samuel,  son  of  Samuel,  was  born  in  Wind- 
ham November  29th,  1693,  married  in  1723  Ruth  Huntingdon, 
and  their  family  were :  Samuel,  John,  Nathaniel,  Joseph,  Elea- 
zer  and  David.     John,  son  of  Samuel,  was  born   July  28th,  1726, 

and  married    Rebecca ,  by    whom  he  had  two  children, 

both   of    whom    died    young.     He    afterward   married   Annie 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1055 

Stowell  May  30th,  1758,  and  their  family  were  :  Annie,  Elea- 
nor, Jonah  and  Jerusha  (twins),  and  Olive.  John  died  June 
7th,  1810.  Jonah,  son  of  John,  born  November  15th,  1760,  mar- 
ried Lucy  Webb,  and  their  children  were :  James,  John,  Dan, 
Stowell,  Ralph,  Albert,  Elisha,  Burr,  Lucy,  married  Benjamin 
Perry,  and  Marcia,  married  Luther  Burnham.  James,  son  of 
Jonah,  born  May  31st,  1784,  married  November  28th,  1811,  and 
had  a  large  family.  Marvin,  son  of  James,  born  in  Windham, 
May  6th,  1813,  married  Asenath  Brooks,  and  has  two  children: 
Herbert  Selden,  resides  at  Springfield,  Mass.,  born  October  28th, 
1837,  married  Isabel  Brooks,  and  has  two  children,  Herbert 
Edward  and  Alice;  and  Julia  Alice,  married  Bernard  R.  Green. 
Lorin,  son  of  James,  born  December  3d,  1819,  married  Eliza- 
beth Parker  of  Ashford,  and  has  two  children;  Maria  E..  wife 
of  John  G.  Bill  of  Willimantic,  and  M.  Eugene,  born  Febiuaiy 
23d,  1849,  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  George  W.  Burnham,  by 
whom  he  has  one  child,  Louis  B.,  born  March  22d,  1876.  His 
second  wife  is  Edith  M.,  daughter  of  Frank  M.  Lincoln,  and 
they  have  one  child,  Frank  M.,  born  July  17th,  1884.  Ralph, 
son  of  Jonah,  was  born  in  Windham,  December  22d,  1792,  and 
married  Almira  Trumbull  of  Mansfield.  He  had  four  children: 
Frank  M.,  Jane  W.,  widow  of  Luther  Burnham,  a  resident  of 
Willimantic;  Charles  Trumbull,  resides  at  Putnam,  Conn.,  and 
Delia,  wife  of  David  R.  McCray,  of  Hampden,  Mass.  Ralph 
■died  June  24th,  1876.  Frank  M.,  son  of  Ralph,  was  born  De- 
cember 24th,  1816,  and  married  Mary  N.,  daughter  of  Rufus 
Burnham.  and  has  one  child,  Edith  M.,  wife  of  M.  Eugene  Lincoln. 
Stowell,  son  of  Jonah,  was  born  in  Windham,  October  20th, 
1788,  and  married  Maria  Welch  September  28th,  1815.  Their 
■children  were  :  Emily  Maria,  died  aged  8  years  ;  Dwight  Fitch, 
died  aged  6  years  ;  George,  and  Dwight  Fitch,  a  resident  of 
Hartford,  Conn.  Stowell  died  March  29th,  1870,  and  his  wife 
died  September  3d,  1887,  aged  98  years,  3  months  and  6  days. 
George,  son  of  Stowell,  born  in  Windham,  November  27th,  1821, 
married  Caroline  Maria,  daughter  of  Samuel  A.  Lincoln,  and  has 
two  children,  George  Arthur  and  Stowell  W.,  both  residents  of 
New  York  city.  Nathaniel,  son  of  Samuel,  was  born  in  Wind- 
ham November  18th,  1728,  and  married  December  21st,  1757, 
Agnes  Austin.  He  died  March  16th,  1834.  His  children  were  : 
Nathaniel,  Owen  died  in  New  York  state  ;  Lora,  married  D. 
Spafford,  and  died   in  Scotland;    Fanny,  married  John  Robbins, 


1056  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

and  died  in  New  York  state  ;  Samuel  Austin,  died  in  Windham; 
Warner,  died  in  Mansfield;  Olive,  died  young;  Henry,  resides 
in  Scotland  ;  and  Lucius,  died  in  New  York  state.  Nathaniel, 
son  of  Nathaniel,  was  born  February  1st,  1771,  and  married  June 
10th,  1792,  Anna  Stowell.  They  had  but  one  child,  Sumner  Lee. 
Nathaniel  married  for  his  second  wife-Huldah  Warner,  and  died 
December  27th,  1864,  being  over  93  years  of  age.  Sumner  Lee, 
son  of  Nathaniel,  born  November  26th,  1820,  married  Cor- 
delia Kimball  of  Scotland.  He  died  May  18th,  1879.  He  had 
but  one  child,  Edwin  Sumner,  who  was  born  June  15th,  1849, 
and  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Edmund  A.  Kendall  of  Ashford. 
They  have  one  child,  Florence  Sumner. 

The  Page  family  is  among  the  oldest  families  of  Windham. 
William,  who  married  Lucy  Upton,  had  seven  children  :  Wil- 
liam, Tryphena,  married  Lucius  Funk  of  Windham ;  James, 
iVmy,  married  Elisha  Jenner;  Laura,  married  Whitman  Porter, 
and  Lucy,  married  Ezra  Child.  James,  son  of  William,  married 
Maria  Backus  and  had  "six  children  :  Henry,  Charlotte,  widow 
of  Henry  Smith,  resides  at  Willimantic ;  Thomas,  lives  in  Hol- 
yoke,  Mass.;  Freelove,  died  single;  Edward  and  Abby,  both 
lived  in  Willimantic.  Henry,  son  of  James,  married  Mary 
Stoddard,  and  has  three  children :  Frank,  lives  in  Putnam, 
Conn.;  Charles,  lives  in  Willimantic,  and  Mary,  wife  of  William 
H.  Wales  of  Willimantic. 

John  Perkins,  a  native  of  Newent,  Gloucestershire,  England, 
came  from  that  country  to  Ipswich,  Mass.,  in  1630.     He  died  in 

1654.     He  married  Judith ,  and  of  a  family  of  six  children 

Jacob  was  his  fifth  child  and  youngest  son.     He  was  born  in 

England  in  1624,  married  Elizabeth and  died  in  Ipswich, 

January  29th,  1700.  He  was  known  as  Sergeant  Jacob  Perkins, 
and  he  left  a  large  family  of  children,  of  whom  Joseph  and  Ja- 
bez,  his  eighth  and  ninth  children,  came  to  Norwich,  Conn. 
Joseph,  known  as  the  deacon,  was  born  at  Ipswich,  June  21st  or 
22d,  1674,  and  married  May  22d,  1700,  Martha  Morgan.  He  died 
September  4th,  1726,  and  of  his  family  of  eleven  children  Mat- 
thew was  the  sixth  child  and  third  son.  He  was  born  at  Nor- 
wich, August  31st,  1713,  and  married,  in  1739,  Hannah,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Fobes)  Bishop.  Of  his  family  of  thir- 
teen children  Samuel  was  the  youngest  child.  He  was  born  in 
Lisbon,  Conn.,  September  13th,  1767,  and  married,  February 
24th,  1793,  Nancy,  daughter  of  Solomon   and  Ann  (Dennison) 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1067 

Huntingdon.  He  graduated  from  Yale  College  in  1785,  having 
studied  for  the  ministry,  which  he  followed  a  short  time  and 
then  commenced  the  practice  of  law  in  Windham,  where  he  died 
September  22d,  1850.  He  had  a  family  of  four  children:  Ann 
Huntingdon,  Samuel  Huntingdon,  Harriet,  and  Horatio  Nelson, 
who  died  in  infancy.  Samuel  Huntingdon  was  born  in  Wind- 
ham, February  15th,  1797,  and  married  for  his  first  wife  Char- 
lotte, daughter  of  Jabez  and  Anna  (Clarke)  Elderkin,  by  whom 
he  had  one  child  that  died  in  infancy.  He  married  the  second 
time  Mary  F.,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  and  Sarah  Donnell.  The 
children  of  this  marriage  were:  William  Donnell,  who  died 
young;  Samuel  Clarke;  Robert  Smith,  died  in  infancy,  and  Char- 
lotte Ann,  single,  who  resides  in  Philadelphia.  For  his  third 
wife  he  married  Margaret,  widow  of  Charles  Dyott.  He  was  a 
graduate  of  Yale  College,  class  of  1817,  and  practiced  law  in 
Philadelphia  during  his  life.  He  died  in  that  city  May  4th,  1874. 
He  was  a  prominent  Mason  and  Odd  Fellow,  having  been  grand 
sire  of  the  latter  order  and  grand  master  for  the  state  of  Penn- 
sylvania in  the  Masonic  order.  Samuel  Clarke  was  born  in 
Philadelphia,  November  24th,  1828,  graduated  from  Yale  Col- 
lege in  1848,  and  in  1888  received  the  degree  of  LL.D.  from  that 
college.  He  is  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  in  his  native  city, 
and  himself  and  father  have  been  for  seventy  consecutive  years 
elders  in  the  First  Presbyterian  church  of  that  city.  He  is  pres- 
ident of  the  board  of  commissioners  for  the  erection  of  public 
buildings  of  Philadelphia,  one  of  the  vice-presidents  of  the 
Union  League  Club,  also  president  since  1880  of  the  University 
Club,  is  a  prominent  Mason,  and  has  been  grand  master  of  Penn- 
sylvania. 

Elisha  Benjamin  Sharp,  eldest  son  of  Elder  Elisha  B.  and 
Fannie  (Gardiner)  Sharp,  was  born  in  New  London,  Conn.,  Feb- 
ruary 7th,  1821.  He  removed  to  North  Windham  with  his  father 
at  the  age  of  two,  afterward  went  to  live  in  Scotland  and  came  to 
South  Windham  in  1870,  where  he  died  June  13th,  1884.  He 
was  engaged  in  buying  produce  for  the  Providence  markets.  He 
married  Jerusha  A.,  daughter  of  John  Morgan,  and  has  had  two 
children:  Milo  B.,  resides  in  Lebanon,  Conn.,  and  Myron  P., 
died  aged  30  years. 

Of  the  Spencer  family  the  first  one  to  settle  in  Windham 
was  Samuel,  who  came  into  the  town  about  1800.     He   had  a^ 
large  family  of  children,  of  whom  Charles  married  Lucy  Dewe|j^^ 
67 


1058  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

and  had  a  family  of  ten  children,  among  whom  was  Freeman  D., 
who  was  born  in  Windham,  October  22d,  1820,  and  married  Lucy 
D.  Utley,  of  Hampton.  They  have  two  children:  Anna,  and 
Charles,  born  December  25th,  1854,  married  Elva  M.  Phillips, 
and  has  one  child,  Mabel. 

Rowland  Swift  came  from  Wareham,  Mass.,  to  Lebanon,  Conn., 
and  died  there  February  13th,  1795,  aged  73.  He  married  Mary 
,  removed  to  Mansfield,  Conn.,  and  had  the  following  fam- 
ily: 'Abigail,  married  a  Peabody;  Rowland,  settled  in  New 
York;  Zephania,  a  resident  of  Windham,  became  a  chief  justice 
of  the  state  and  died  in  Ohio,  in  1823;  Mary,  married  Lathrop 
Davis,  of  Mansfield;  William  and  Thankful.  William,  son  of 
Rowland,  was  born  in  Lebanon,  and  died  in  1835,  aged  75.  He 
married  Abigail  Clark,  of  Lebanon,  and  had  two  children:  Abi- 
gail, who  died  unmarried,  and  Justin,  born  in  Lebanon,  Novem- 
ber, 3d,  1793,  and  married  Lucy,  daughter  of  John  and  Sally 
Lathrop.  They  had  four  children:  Abby  and  Sarah,  died  un- 
married; William  and  Julia,  resided  in  Windham.  Justin  died 
in  September,  1884.  He  was  a  merchant,  and  was  in  the  latter 
years  of  his  life  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  cotton  goods  at 
North  Windham  and  Willimantic.  William,  son  of  Justin,  was 
born  in  Windham,  March  16th,  1823,  married  Harriet  G.  Byrne 
and  has  two  children:  William  B.,  a  lieutenant  in  the  United 
States  Navy,  and  Abby,  wife  of  Charles  R.  Utley,  of  Willi- 
mantic. 

Chester  Tilden  was  the  son  of  Ebenezer  and  was  born  in  Leb- 
anon, Conn.  He  came  to  Willimantic  in  1827  and  formed  the 
First  Baptist  society,  which  was  organized  at  his  residence  and 
of  which  he  was  the  first  pastor.  He  was  by  trade  a  stone 
mason  and  was  foreman  at  the  building  of  the  first  stone  mill  in 
Willimantic,  which  is  the  present  spool  shop  of  the  Willimantic 
Linen  Company.  He  removed  to  Andover,  Conn.,  in  183], 
where  he  remained  two  or  three  years.  He  then  removed  to 
New  London,  Conn.,  and  was  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  and 
Bethel  society.  He  afterward  preached  at  various  places  in  Con- 
necticut and  Massachusetts,  but  finally  returned  to  Willimantic, 
where  he  died  at  the  age  of  77  years.  He  married  Nancy  Maria 
Yeomans,  of  Columbia,  Conn,,  and  had  six  children  :  Austin  B., 
died  at  the  age  of  21 ;  Maria,  died  in  childhood  ;  Chester;  Sam- 
uel D.,  resides  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.;  Henry,  died  aged  two  years, 
S^-d  Augustus   F.,  died  aged   nineteen   years.    Chester,  son  of 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1059 

Chester,  was  born  in  Lebanon,  Conn.,  January  25tli,  1826,  mar- 
ried Jane  L.  King,  of  Mansfield,  and,  has  had  four  children: 
Theresa  E.,  wife  of  Herbert  T.  Congdon,  of  Willimantic  ;  Augus- 
tus F.,  a  resident  of  Willimantic,  married  Susie  A.  Randall  and 
has  two  children,  Fred  C.  and  Belle  ;  George  C,  died  aged  one 
year,  and  Nettie  V.,  wife  of  William  H.  P.  Swett,  a  resident  of 
Willimantic.  Mr.  Tilden  engaged  in  seafaring  at  the  age  of 
nineteen  and  has  visited  every  quarter  of  the  globe.  His  first 
voyage  was  in  the  whaler  "  United  States,"  of  Nantucket,  in 
which  voyage  he  was  wrecked  on  the  Fiji  islands.  He  has  been 
master  of  three  different  vessels,  and  has  commanded  both 
English  and  American  craft.  He  abandoned  seafaring  life  in 
1852,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  business  in  Willimantic, 
being  at  present  in  the  insurance  and  loan  business. 

John  Tracy,  only  son  of  Zebediah  Tracy,  was  born  in  Scotland, 
Conn.,  February  21st,  1812.  He  came  to  Willimantic  in  1829 
and  engaged  as  clerk  in  the  Windham  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany's store,  soon  afterward  became  bookkeeper  and  finally  a 
partner  with  Matthew  Watson  in  the  corporation,  and  was  for 
•over  thirty  years  resident  agent  of  the  corporation.  He  married 
Delia,  daughter  of  Philip  and  Sophia  Barrows.  Their  children 
were:  Oliva,  died  aged  nineteen  years;  John  Theodore,  a  resi- 
dent of  Fair  Haven,  Conn.;  Delia,  married  James  H.  Campbell, 
and  died  aged  thirty-two  years ;  Julia  Ida,  wife  of  William 
Goldman  Reed,  of  Boston,  and  Cora,  died  at  the  age  of  two 
years  and  seven  months.     John  Tracy  died  May  8th,  1874. 

The  Wales  family  is  one  of  the  oldest  families  of  Windham, 
and  the  first  one  of  whom,  we  have  any  record  is  Nathaniel, 
whose  son  Nathan  married  Rosamond  Robinson  and  had  the 
following  family:  Nathaniel,  Peter,  Nancy,  who  married  Darius 
Hicks,  of  Pomfret:  Fannie,  married  Elisha  Hebard,  of  Hampton; 
Philena,  married  a  Ripley;  and  Jerusha,  married  Thomas  Grow, 
•of  Hampton.  Peter,  son  of  Nathan,  was  born  in  Windham  in 
September,  1801,  and  died  in  February, 4883.  He  married  Sally, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  Perry,  and  had  nine  children,  one  of 
whom  died  in  infancy.  The  others  were:  Susan,  died  aged  5; 
Mary,  widow  of  R.  W.  Putnam,  resides  in  Windham;  Laura,  wid- 
ow of  Gardiner  Thurston,  resides  in  Norwich,  Conn.;  Deborah, 
wife  of  Joel  W.  Webb,  of  Willimantic;  Sarah,  wife  of  Luther 
Barstow,  of  Willimantic;  Henry  N.;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Joseph 
Belfield,  of  Pawtucket,  R.  L;  and  Cleveland,  lives  in   Franklin, 


1060  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Conn.  Henry  N.,  son  of  Peter,  born  in  Windham,  August  10th, 
1837,  married  Euphemia  A.,  daughter  of  Warren  Tanner,  and 
has  no  children.  He  received  only  a  common  school  education, 
and  was  engaged  in  farming  till  the  age  of  twenty-one.  From 
1861  to  1867  he  was  engaged  in  mercantile  business  at  South 
Windham  and  Willimantic,  being  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Webb 
&  Wales.  From  1867  to  1872  he  was  employed  by  George  H. 
Norman,  of  Newport,  R.  I.,  in  constructing  water  works  at  dif- 
ferent points  in  New  England.  He  was  employed  from  1872  to 
1877  in  erecting  water  works  for  the  city  of  Manchester,  N.  H., 
and  by  the  city  of  Boston  on  the  Sudbury  river  conduit.  At  the 
commencement  of  1877  he  returned  to  Willimantic,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1879  was  employed  by  Hyde  Kingsley  to  manage  his 
lumber  and  coal  business,  where  he  continued  till  1883.  He  has 
been  town  clerk  several  times,  and  was  appointed  postmaster 
of  Willimantic  for  four  years  in  December,  1885.  In  1882  he 
was  chosen  chairman  of  the  committee  for  the  purpose  of  ascer- 
taining the  best  method  of  introducing  water  into  the  borough, 
and  a  commission  of  three  was  chosen  in  January,  1884,  of 
which  he  was  one,  his  term  expiring  in  January,  1887.  During 
this  time  the  present  water  works  were  built. 

HAMPTON. 

William  Bennett,  born  October  17th,  1807,  in  Hampton,  was 
one  of  the  five  children  of  William  and  Anna  (Fuller)  Bennett, 
and  grandson  of  Isaac,  who  was  first  representative  to  the  gen- 
eral assembly  from  Hampton.  He  was  the  son  of  William,  who 
came  to  Hampton  from  Ipswich,  Mass.,  about  1738.  William 
Bennett  represented  Hampton  in  the  general  assembly  in  1841 
and  1853,  and  held  various  town  offices.  He  married  November 
15th,  1836,  and  had  two  children:  Edward  B.,born  in  April,  1842, 
is  a  lawyer  at  Hartford;  and  George  W.,  born  February  9th, 
1851,  married  Ellen  Robinson  April  10th,  1878,  and  has  three 
children:  Norman  B.,  born  October  5th,  1878;  Anna  C.,  born  July 
13th,  1880;  and  Howard  R.,  born  June  18th,  1883.  George  W. 
was  educated  at  the  schools  of  Hampton,  Willimantic,  and  Ex- 
eter, N.  H.     He  has  held  various  town  offices  and  is  a  farmer. 

Abel  Burdick,  son  of  Rowland  Burdick,  was  born  in  Volun- 
town,  Conn.,  in  1836.  He  enlisted  in  1862  in  the  18th  Connec- 
ticut volunteers.  Company  E,  for  three  years,  and  served  till  the 
close  of  the  war.     Since  then  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1061 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Winchester,  Piedmont,  Cedar  Creek,  and 
other  important  engagements.  He  married  in  1861  Susan  Phil- 
lips, and  they  have  nine  children:  Charles,  born  1863;  Bertha, 
born  1865;  Dwight,  born  1867;  Emma,  born  1872;  Mary,  born 
1874;  Madeline,  born  1877;  James,  born  1878;  Frank,  born  1885; 
and  Grace,  born  1887. 

Dwight  Burdick,  son  of  Rowland  Burdick,  was  born  in  Gris- 
wold,  Conn.,  in  1837,  and  came  to  Hampton  about  1855.  He  en- 
listed in  August,  1861,  in  the  18th  Connecticut  volunteers,  and 
served  till  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Win- 
chester and  Piedmont,  and  was  wounded  in  the  latter  battle  June 
5th,  1864.  June  5th,  1861,  he  was  married  to  Delia  E.  Owen,  of 
Hampton.  They  have  two  children:  Carrie  E.,  born  1866,  and 
Mabel  V.,  born  in  1877. 

Dwight  A.  Burnham,  born  in  Hampton  in  1836,  is  a  son  of 
Reverend  Alfred  Burnham,  who  was  a  descendant  in  the  sixth 
generation  of  Deacon  John  Burnham,  who  was  born  in  England 
and  settled  in  Ipswich,  Mass.,  in  1635.  Dwight  A.  was  married 
to  Laurana  Barber,  of  Richmond,  R.  I.,  in  April,  1860.  Their 
children  are:  Warren  D.,  born  August,  1866,  and  Anna  N.,  born 
October  23d,  1870. 

James  A.  Burnham,  born  in  Hampton  April  20th,  1832,  is  a 
son  of  Jesse  Burnham,  who  was  a  great-grandson  of  Ebenezer 
Burnham,  who  came  from  Ipswich,  Mass.,  to  Hampton,  in  1733- 
34.  Ebenezer  was  a  grandson  of  Deacon  John  Burnham,  who 
came  from  England  and  settled  in  Ipswich,  Mass.,  in  1635. 
James  A.  was  married  to  Mary  E.  Starkweather  May  8th,  1861. 
Their  children  are:  Mary  E.,  born  May  14th,  1862;  Lester  H., 
born  April  1st,  1865;  Olive  E.,  born  May  9th,  1866;  Frank  J.,  born 
February,  1870;  Fred.  A.,  born  December  23d,  1871;  Charles  E., 
born  November  7th,  1874. 

Lyndon  T.  Button,  born  in  Hampton  in  1817,  is  a  son  of 
Charles  C.  and  Lucy  (Thurston)  Button,  and  grandson  of  Ros- 
well  Button.  Charles  C.  served  in  the  war  of  1812.  Lyndon  T. 
Button  has  been  engaged  in  the  hotel  and  mercantile  business, 
and  in  later  years  in  farming.  He  represented  the  town  in  the 
legislature  of  1860,  and  was  appointed  county  commissioner  of 
Windham  county  in  1866  for  three  years,  and  has  held  various 
town  offices.  In  November,  1838,  he  was  married  to  Sarah  A. 
Curtiss.  Their  children  are:  Mary  G.,  married  William  H. 
Burnham,  and  Worthington  B.,  born  in  1853. 


1062  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Henry  Clapp  was  born  in  Hampton  in  1847.  He  was  a  son  of 
David  and  Temperance  (White)  Clapp.  David  Clapp  came  from 
Norton,  Mass.,  to  Hampton  in  1833,  and  was  a  son  of  Jonathan 
Clapp.  Henry  Clapp  has  been  engaged  in  school  teaching  and 
farming,  has  been  selectman  and  held  other  town  offices,  and  is 
a  deacon  in  the  church.  He  was  married  to  Sarah  E.  Kinney, 
of  Plainfield,  in  1875,  and  has  one  daughter,  Nellie  F.,  born  in 
1880. 

Reuben  Elliott,  son  of  Thomas,  whose  ancestors  were  among 
the  first  settlers  in  the  county,  was  born  in  Thompson,  in  1826, 
and  came  to  Hampton  in  1850.  Mr.  Elliott  is  a  successful  farm- 
er. He  was  married  March  5th,  1849,  to  Adeline  Covell,  of  Kill- 
ingly,  and  has  two  children;  Josephine,  born  in  1854,  and  Ever- 
ett A.,  who  was  born  in  1862,  and  is  a  school  teacher. 

George  W.  Fuller,  born  in  Hampton  in  1836,  is  a  son  of  James 
Fuller  and  grandson  of  Benjamin  Fuller.  He  taught  school  in 
early  life  and  traveled  extensively  through  the  Southern  states. 
He  married,  in  1870,  Eunice  Hammond,  a  descendant  of  John 
Alden,  who  was  the  first  to  leap  from  the  "Mayflower"  upon 
Plymouth  Rock  in  1620.  They  have  four  sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters. 

J.  Henry  Fuller,  born  in  Ashford,  February  23d,  1827,  is  a  son 
of  Elisha  and  Irene  (Francis)  Fuller,  and  grandson  of  Benjamin 
Fuller.  The  Fuller  family  were  among  the  first  settlers  of 
Hampton.  Mr.  Fuller  learned  the  trade  of  blacksmith,  which 
has  been  his  principal  business.  He  was  married  November  23d, 
1851,  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Moses  Adams,  of  Canterbury,  and 
descended  from  the  first  settlers  of  Massachusetts. 

Benjamin  C.  Grant,  son  of  Asa  and  grandson  of  Benjamin 
Grant,  was  born  in  Wrentham,  Mass.,  in  1822,  and  came  to  Pom- 
fret  in  1832.  In  early  life  he  was  a  farmer  and  later  a  merchant, 
which  has  been  his  chief  business.  He  was  appointed  postmas- 
ter at  Pomfret  Landing  in  1852,  which  office  he  held  seven  years. 
He  is  now  postmaster  at  Clark's  Corner.  He  was  married  in 
1844  to  Mary  A.  Fuller  and  second  to  Julia  Avery,  in  1877.  He 
has  three  children:  George  L.,  born  August  6th,  1857;  Charles, 
born  in  1855,  and  Fred  B.,  born  in  1878. 

Alfred  Hammond  was  born  in  Hampton  in  1809.  He  was  a 
son  of  Uriel  and  Sally  (Holt)  Hammond.  Uriel  was  a  soldier  in 
the  war  of  1812,  and  was  a  son  of  Josiah,  who  came  to  Hampton 
from  Vermont.     Alfred  Hammond  was  engaged  in  school  teach- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1063 

ing  and  farming,  represented  the  town  in  the  legislature  in  1865, 
held  various  town  offices,  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  fore- 
most men  of  Hampton  and  died  July  1st,  1876.  He  was  married 
April  28th,  1841,  and  his  children  were:  John,  born  1843,  en- 
listed in  26th  Connecticut  volunteers,  served  at  siege  of  Port 
Hudson,  died  July,  1888;  Cynthia  Ann,  born  November  24th, 
1845;  Eunice,  born  October  25th,  1848,  married  George  Fuller, 
and  Irving  W.,  born  1854,  married  Mary  E.  Rawson  in  1888. 

George  M.  Holt,  born  in  Hampton  January  2d,  1829,  is  a  son 
of  James  Holt  and  a  descendant  in  the  seventh  generation  from 
Nicholas  Holt,  who  came  from  Southampton,  England,  to  Boston 
in  1635.  He  represented  Hampton  in  the  general  assembly  in 
1877,  has  been  selectman  several  years,  and  held  minor  town  of- 
fices. He  was  married  in  1854  to  Abby,  daughter  of  Alexander 
Dorrance,  a  descendantof  Reverend  Samuel  Dorrance,  who  grad- 
uated at  the  University  of  Glasgow  in  1709,  and  was  first  pastor 
of  the  first  church  in  Voluntown,  Conn.  Their  children  are: 
Helen  C,  born  August  10th,  1855,  and  Mary  L.,  born  April  18th, 
1859. 

Sylvester  G.  Holt,  brother  of  George  M.,  was  born  at  Hamp- 
ton, November  1st,  1812,  and  was  one  of  eight  children.  He 
has  held  various  town  offices.  He  was  married  to  Elizabeth 
Curtiss  February  24th,  1840. 

Allen  Jewett  was  born  in  Hampton  in  1839.  He  is  a  son  of 
Ebenezer  Jewett,  born  1799,  who  married  Maria  Jennings  in 
1824,  and  grandson  of  Ebenezer,  born  in  1748.  He  learned  the 
trade  of  carpenter  but  is  also  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  post- 
master at  Clark's  Corner  two  years,  and  served  as  member  of  the 
board  of  education.  He  was  married  to  Fannie  Wheeler,  of 
Stonington,  Conn.,  December  18th,  1866,  and  has  two  children: 
Wallace,  born  June  26th,  1870,  and  Elmer,  born  January  11th, 
1873. 

Abijah  Perkins  was  born  in  Lisbon  (now  Sprague),  New  Lon- 
don county,  in  1833,  and  came  to  Hampton  about  1835.  He  is  a 
son  of  Milton  Perkins  and  grandson  of  Abijah  Perkins.  His 
mother  was  Josephine  Tibbetts,  who  married  Milton  Perkins  in 
1832  and  had  two  children:  Abijah,  and  Milton,  who  lives  at 
,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich.  Mr.  Perkins  is  a  farmer.  He  married  E. 
Louise  Cowles,  of  East  Hartford,  in  1859,  and  they  have  two  sons: 
George  M.,  born  1860,  and  Fred  C,  born  1868. 


1064  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Charles  Spalding,  born  in  Hampton  in  1824,  is  a  son  of  Joseph 
and  Olive  (Farnham)  Spalding,  whose  children  were:  Olive, 
Chloe,  Joseph  and  Charles.  Charles  Spalding  is  a  farmer  and 
unmarried. 

George  M.  Thompson,  born  in  Hampton,  April  27th,  1827,  is 
a  son  of  Moses  Thompson,  Jr.,  whose  ancestry  came  to  this 
country  with  Roger  Williams.  In  early  life  he  followed  farm- 
ing. At  twenty-four  years  of  age  he  adopted  the  life  of  a  sea- 
man, and  in  1854  he  was  commissioned  chief  engineer  in  ocean 
steam  service  and  served  in  that  capacity  for  several  years.  In 
later  years  he  returned  to  farming.  He  married  Anna  E. 
Tipton  and  their  children  were :  Charles  W.,  Georgianna, 
George  M.,  Catharine  A.,  Dora,  Gertrude,  and  Eleazar  B. 

Roger  S.  Williams  was  born  in  Canterbury  May  27th,  1819, 
and  is  a  son  of  Benjamin  Williams,  who  married  Betsey  Smith, 
and  is  supposed  to  be  descended  from  one  of  the  Pilgrim 
Fathers  who  came  from  England  in  the  "  Mayflower."  Mr. 
Williams  came  to  Hampton  in  1839.  In  early  life  he  learned 
the  trade  and  followed  the  business  of  blacksmithing  and  in  later 
years  has  been  farming.  He  represented  Hampton  in  the  legisla- 
ture of  1857,  was  selectman  for  seventeen  years,  and  has  held 
many  other  town  offices.  He  married  Amelia  Witter,  daughter 
of  Asa  Witter  in  1841.  She  died  in  1882.  Their  children  are  : 
Adelaide,  born  1842  ;  Anna,  born  1846,  married  in  1866  George 
Holt,  who  died  in  1873. 

SCOTLAND. 

S.  N.  Ashley,  born  March  18th,  1827,  in  Chaplin,  Conn.,  is  a 
son  of  Luther  and  Eliza  (Humphrey)  Ashley,  and  grandson  of 
Jonathan  and  Lydia  Humphrey.  In  1860  he  married  Jane 
Bass.  Their  children  are  :  Luther,  born  October  22d,  1865,  and 
Eliza,  born  Janury7th,  1868.  Mr.  Ashley  served  in  the  26th  Con- 
necticut Infantry  for  about  one  year  in  the  rebellion  and  saw 
much  hard  service. 

Egbert  Bass,  born  January  29th,  1828,  is  a  son  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  (Smith)  Bass,  and  grandson  of  Ebenezer  and  Ruth 
(Waldo)  Bass.  He  has  been  selectman,  constable  and  col- 
lector, and  has  held  other  town  offices.  He  was  married  in 
1855,  and  has  children :  W.  C,  born  1856;  J.  L.,  December  25th, 
1858;  Edgar  E.,  August  30th,  1861;  Gertrude  M.,  November 
4th,  1863  ;  Ellen  L.,  January  5th,  1867  ;  Chauncey  M.,  September 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1065 

4th,  1869  ;  Lucy  E.,  February  15th,  1872,  and  Hattie  M.,  Decem- 
ber 17th,  1874.' 

W.  C.  Bass  was  born  in  Scotland  in  1827,  and  is  a  son  of 
Nathan  Bass.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  is 
a  farmer.  He  was  a  member  of  the  assembly  in  1883,  and 
has  held  various  town  offices.  He  married  in  1858  Elmira 
Smith,  of  Scotland.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
church  and  a  republican. 

Dwight  Gary,  born  in  the  town  of  Scotland  in  1817,  is  a  son  of 
Sandford  and  a  grandson  of  James  Gary.  In  1868  he  was  elect- 
ed as  representative  and  has  held  many  minor  offices  in  the 
town.  He  married  Susan  Bass,  of  Scotland,  who  has  borne  him 
nine  children,  six  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  Gary  is  a  member  of 
the  Gongregational  church. 

F.  W.  Gunningham,  born  May  23d,  1852,  in  Scotland,  is  a  son 
of  William  Gunningham  and  Almantha  Bingham,  and  grandson 
of  John  G.  Gunningham  and  Jemima  Story.  His  paternal 
grandparents  were  Gamaliel  Bingham  and  Betsey  Robinson. 
Mr.  Gunningham  is  a  merchant  miller.  He  was  married  March 
4th,  1877,  to  Annie  Beckwith,  and  has  two  children,  Annie  and 
Joseph. 

John  P.  Gager  was  born  in  Scotland  May  20th,  1819.  His 
father  was  J.  P.  Gager  and  his  mother  Ghloe  Baker.  His  grand- 
father was  Jason  Gager  and  his  great-grandfather  John  G. 
Gager.  Mr.  Gager  has  represented  his  town  in  the  state  legis- 
lature. He  married  Lucj^  Ann  Brumley  and  their  children 
are  :  Nancy  B.,  Ellen  M.,  Arthur  F.,  Susie  L.  and  Flora.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Universalist  church. 

John  D.  Moffitt,  born  September  25th,  1849,  is  a  son  of  Lyman 
D.  Moffitt  and  Alice  Whipple.  He  is  engaged  in  manufacturing, 
milling  and  farming.  He  was  married  June  19th,  1873,  and  has 
four  children. 

A.  W.  Parkhurst  was  born  July  27th,  1824,  in  Scotland,  Gonn. 
His  father  was  Anthony  S.,  and  his  grandfather  Elias  Parkhurst. 
Mr.  Parkhurst  has  held  many  town  offices,  and  was  representa- 
tive in  1881.  He  married  Nancy  G.  Palmer,  December  2d,  1850. 
Their  children  are:  Ltinett,  born  October  1st,  1851;  Estella  N., 
March  12th,  1853,  and  Eva  T.,  September  24th,  1855.  Mr. 
Parkhurst  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Gongregational 
church. 


1066  HISTORY   OF   WINCHAM   COUNTY. 

CHAPLIN. 

Jirah  L.  Backus  was  born  in  Chaplin  in  1828.  He  was  educated 
at  Chaplin,  represented  the  town  of  Chaplin  in  the  legislature 
in  1872,  and  has  held  various  town  offices.  He  was  married  in 
1852  to  Susan  Dodge  of  Eastford.  Their  children  are:  Clinton, 
born  in  1853,  graduated  at  Amherst  College  in  1883,  married 
Carrie  Haskin,  and  is  a  teacher  at  St.  Paul;  Charles,  born  in 
1856,  graduated  at  Eastman's  Business  College,  is  a  banker  at 
Hampshire,  111.,  married  in  1884  Emma  L.  Sisley;  Annie,  born 
in  1868,  married  Robert  W.  Stephenson  of  Hampshire,  111.;  Nel- 
lie, born  in  1870. 

Merrick  Barton,  born  in  Chaplin,  September  l4th,  1830,  is  a 
son  of  Ebenezer  Barton,  and  grandson  of  Elkanah  Barton,  who 
came  to  Mansfield  (now  Chaplin)  in  1796.  Merrick  Barton  was 
one  of  five  children.  He  was  educated  at  the  schools  of  Chap- 
lin. He  represented  the  town  in  the  legislature  of  1883,  and  has 
held  various  town  offices.  He  married,  December  6th,  1871, 
Asenath  U.  Griggs  of  Chaplin,  daughter  of  Daniel  Griggs,  and 
has  three  children;  Charles  M.,  born  April  19th,  1878;  Eda  G., 
born  July  10th,  1880,  and  Horace  A.,  born  December  3d,  1872. 

John  H.  Holt,  son  of  John  Holt,  was  born  in  1818  in  Hampton, 
Conn.  He  married  Eliza  M.  Evans  of  New  York,  July  26th, 
1840.  Their  children  are:  Charles  E.,  born  in  1842,  enlisted  in 
26th  Connecticut  volunteers  for  nine  months,  was  in  the  seige 
of  Port  Hudson,  enlisted  second  time  in  August,  1864,  in 
heavy  artillery,  and  served  till  the  close  of  the  war;  Delia  E.; 
Marcus  B.,  born  February  1st,  1845,  enlisted  December  13th, 
1861,  in  the  11th  Connecticut  volunteers,  served  in  Burnside's 
expedition,  was  in  battles  of  Roanoke  island  and  Antietam,  also 
other  engagements,  died  of  sickness  at  Washington,  December 
26th,  1862;  and  John  H.,  born  October  27th,  1846. 

F.  C.  Lummis  is  a  son  of  John  Lummis,  who  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 13th,  1819,  married  Rowena  Chapman  in  1851,  enlisted  in 
Company  D,  18th  Connecticut  volunteers,  was  in  the  battles  of 
Newmarket  and  Winchester,  was  taken  prisoner  at  Winchester, 
and  died  at  Andersonville  Prison  in  November,  1864.  He  was  a 
grandson  of  John  Lummis,  an  ensign  in  the  French  and  Indian 
war.  John  Lummis  had  three  children:  Frank  C,  born  in  1853; 
George  E.,  born  October  18th,  1853,  and  Delia,  born  June  6th, 
1855. 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1067 

Porter  B.  Peck  was  born  July  16th,  1816,  in  Mansfield,  and 
died  June  28th,  1884.  He  was  a  farmer  and  school  teacher.  He 
was  judge  of  probate  one  term,  represented  the  town  in  the 
legislature  in  1857,  was  state  senator  in  1859,  and  held  many 
minor  offices.  He  married  Emeline,  daughter  of  Daniel  Burn- 
ham  of  Hampton.  Their  children  were;  Cornelia  M.,  born  in 
1841,  married  Mason  Bates;  Sarah  E.,  born  in  1843,  married  Ed- 
ward Burnham;  Julia  M.,  born  in  1847. 

Pearl  L.  Peck,  born  in  Mansfield,  April  4th,  1818,  is  a  son  of 
Reuben  Peck  and  Laura  Lyon,  and  grandson  of  Benjamin  Peck. 
He  represented  the  town  in  the  legislature  in  1850,  was  justice 
of  the  peace  for  25  years,  and  has  held  many  minor  town  offices. 
He  married  Fannie  A.  Brown  of  Mansfield,  who  died  March  2d, 
1887.  Their  children  were:  Dwight  E.,  born  December,  1841, 
enlisted  21st  Connecticut  volunteers,  Company  D,  was  in  Burn- 
side's  expedition,  was  in  battle  at  Falmouth,  and  died  at  Fal- 
mouth, Va.,  January  12th,  1863;  Lucy  E.,  born  in  1841,  married 
D.  C.  Crumb;  Sarah  L.,  born  in  1843;  Delia,  born  in  1846,  mar- 
ried Alfred  Y.  Hebard;  and  Charles  E.,  born  in  1847,  married 
Clara  Russ  in  1877,  and  has  two  children,  Alfred  H.,  born  in 
1878,  and  Susie  E.,  born  in  1882. 

George  A.  Ross,  born  in  1816,  is  a  son  of  John  S.,  and  grand- 
son of  Ebenezer  Ross,  who  was  born  in  Pomfret,  near  the  wolf 
den,  was  an  intimate  friend  of  General  Putnam,  and  a  lieutenant 
in  the  revolutionary  war.  George  Ross'  mother  was  Lucy  Lan- 
phear,  whose  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  revolutionary  war. 
Mr.  Ross  has  been  a  successful  farmer.  He  married  for  his 
first  wife  Mary  A.  Lawton.  She  died  in  1849,  leaving  one  son, 
Charles  E.  Ross,  born  in  1849.  He  married  for  his  second  wife 
Lavina  Ide,  in  1859. 

Thomas  T.  Upton,  born  in  Chaplin  in  1816,  is  a  son  of  Elisha 
Upton,  who  married  Charlotte  Apley.  He  was  educated  at  the 
schools  of  Chaplin,  and  has  been  a  farmer  most  of  his  life. 
Mr.  Upton  has  been  twice  married,  and  has  five  children:  Hor- 
ace, Edwin,  George,  Frank  and  Harriet. 

John  K.  Utley,  born  in  1815,  was  one  of  nine  children,  of  whom 
three  now  live  in  Chaplin:  John  K.,  Lucius,  born  1809,  and  Jane 
M.,  born  1826,  married  H.  C.  Storrs,  and  has  one  son.  His  father 
was  James  Utley,  born  in  Hampton  in  1781,  came  to  Mansfield 
(now  Chaplin)  in  1815,  and  married  Phebe,  daughter  of  Cap- 
tain John  Clark,  in  1808.     John  K.  Utley  married  in  1843  Caro- 


1068  HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

line  Burnham,  of  Chaplin.     She  died  in  1879.     Lucius  C.  married 
Sarah  Morey  in  1830,  and  she  died  in  1864. 

Edwin  F.  Weeks  was  born  in  Ashford,  January  11th,  1818. 
He  enlisted  June  22d,  1862,  in  Company  K,  14th  Connecticut  vol- 
unteers, was  in  the  battle  of  Antietam,  and  received  serious  in- 
jury. He  married  Sarah  A.  Corey,  and  they  have  four  children: 
Nellie  L.,  Hattie  R.,  Wallace  G.  and  Andrew  C. 

PLAINFIELD. 

Sessions  L.  Adams,  born  in  1854  in  Canterbury,  is  a  son  of 
Jabez  and  Jane  (Lester)  Adams.  He  came  to  Plainfield  to 
live  with  his  uncle,  "  Major "  Lester.  He  was  educated  at 
Wauregan  district  school,  then  at  Danielsonville  high  school 
about  two  years  and  a  half,  under  L.  T.  Brown,  then  at  North 
Glastenbury,  Conn.,  three  years.  He  was  selectman  in  1882, 
and  in  June,  1885,  he  was  appointed  to  the  offices  of  town  clerk 
and  treasurer,  to  fill  a  vacancy,  and  in  October  following  was 
elected  to  the  same  offices,  which  he  has  filled  since  that  time. 
He  was  elected  in  1888  as  representative  in  the  general  as- 
sembly. "  Major"  Lester  died  in  1882,  and  since  that  time  Mr. 
Adams  has  had  charge  of  the  farm,  living  with  Mrs.  Lester. 
He  is  a  republican,  and  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  No.  22. 

John  H.  Arthur,  son  of  Michael  Arthur,  was  born  in  1862,  in 
Woodstock.  He  was  married  in  1888  to  Mary  A.,  daughter  of 
James  S.  Anderson,  who  lived  in  Plainfield  about  thirty  years 
prior  to  his  death,  which  occurred  in  February,  1887.  He  had 
two  daughters,  Mary  A.,  now  Mrs.  John  H.  Arthur,  and  Martha 
J.     Mr.  Arthur  is  a  democrat. 

Edward  E.  Ashley,  born  in  1848,  is  a  son  of  Gilbert  and  grand- 
son of  Luther  Ashley.  His  mother  was  Frances  E.,  daughter  of 
Alfred  A.  Drown.  Mr.  Ashley  came  to  Plainfield  in  1876,  and 
since  1878  has  been  clerk  for  J.  P.  Kingsley  &  Sons,  and  also  ex- 
press agent  at  Plainfield  Junction.  He  was  married  in  1872  to 
Ellen  Wood.  She  died  in  June,  1882,  leaving  two  children,  Susie 
F.  and  Alfred  D.  He  was  married  again  in  1884  to  Frances 
Starkweather.     He  is  a  republican. 

Isaac  J.  Baldwin  is  a  son  of  Isaac,  grandson  of  Rufus  and  great- 
grandson  of  Isaac,  Sr.,  whose  father,  John,  was  a  son  of  Benjamin 
Baldwin,  who  came  to  Canterbury  in  or  about  1705.  He  was  a 
son  of  Henry  Baldwin.  Mr.  Baldwin  has  spent  the  most  of  his 
time  for  the  past  twenty  years  in  the  West.     He  was  married  in 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1069 

1863  to  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Roswell  Ensworth.  She  died  in 
1868.     He  is  a  republican. 

Charles  E.,  Barber,  born  in  1848  in  Exeter,  is  a  son  of  George, 
grandson  of  Ellery,  and  great-grandson  of  Reynolds  Barber. 
Mr.  Barber  is  a  tinsmith  by  trade,  was  clerk  and  tinsmith  in  the 
Central  Hardware  store  about  twelve  years  prior  to  1880,  and  at 
that  time  bought  the  business  of  Mr.  Dean.  He  has  since 
enlarged  the  building,  putting  a  hall  on  the  second  floor.  He 
now  keeps  a  full  line  of  hardware  and  stoves.  He  has  held 
some  of  the  town  offices  as  a  republican.  He  is  a  member  of 
Moosup  Lodge,  No.  113,  F.  and  A.  M.,  and  a  member  of  Protec- 
tion Lodge,  No.  19,  I.  O.  of  O.  F. 

Lucius  Battey  was  born  in  1836  in  Burrillville,  R.  I.  He  is  a 
son  of  Levi,  grandson  of  John  and  great-grandson  of  Benjamin 
Battey.  His  mother  was  Roxanna,  daughter  of  Peleg  Kelley.  Mr. 
Battey  lived  in  Rhode  Island  until  he  was  sixteen  years  old. 
From  there  he  went  to  Massachusetts,  and  in  1858  came  to 
Moosup.  He  was  a  clerk  for  E.  E.  Hill  for  a  time,  then  went 
into  partnership  with  Mr.  Hill  in  the  store.  In  1872  he  sold  out 
his  interest  to  Mason  W.  Hale.  In  the  same  year  he  built  the 
building  here  which  he  used  as  a  store  and  residence  from  1876 
to  1886.  In  1886  he  sold  the  store  business  to  E.  E.  Salisbury. 
He  still  owns  the  building  and  uses  the  second  story  as  a  resi- 
dence. He  was  married  in  1860  to  Matilda  Daggett,  daughter  of 
Rufus  Daggett.  They  have  two  children — Elmer  E.,  and  Ida, 
who  died  in  1883,  aged  13  years.  Mr.  Battey  was  in  a  store  at 
Central  Village  four  years  from  1872  to  1876.  He  is  a  republi- 
can, has  been  selectman  one  year,  and  was  postmaster  at  Moosup 
about  ten  years. 

Emily  Bennett  was  born  in  August,  1811,  in  Hanover,  Conn. 
She  is  a  daughter  of  Edward  Morgan,  and  granddaughter  of 
William  Morgan.  She  was  married  in  August,  1831,  to  Stephen 
Bennett.  They  had  eight  children  :  Stephen  N.,  David  C.  (de- 
ceased), Olive  E.  (now  Mrs.  D.  Herrick),  and  five  others,  de- 
ceased, whose  names  were :  George  C,  Edwin  D.,  Joseph  L., 
Loren  W.  and  Benjamin.  Mrs.  Bennett's  husband  was  born  in 
1793,  and  died  in  June,  1878.  He  was  in  the  war  of  1812.  His 
wife  now  draws  a  pension. 

Stephen  N.  Bennett  was  born  in  1832  in  Plainfield.  He 
is  a  son  of  Stephen,  Jr.,  and  grandson  of  Stephen,  whose 
father  John  came  from  England,  settled  in  Griswold,  Conn.,  and 


1070  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

later  went  to  Wilkesbarre,  Pa.  He  owned  a  large  part  of  the 
land  where  the  city  of  Wilkesbarre  now  stands.  Stephen  was 
the  youngest  son  of  John.  He  served  seven  years  in  the  war  of 
the  revolution.  Stephen,  Jr.,  was  in  the  war  of  1812,  about 
eight  months.  Stephen  N.  now  owns  the  farms  of  250  acres 
where  his  father  and  grandfather  lived.  He  has  a  trout  pond  of 
one  acre,  and  is  adding  another  acre.  He  has  been  justice  of 
the  peace  two  years  and  selectman  three  terms.  He  was  in  Cal- 
ifornia the  most  of  the  time  from  1852  to  1861.  He  is  one  of  the 
directors  of  the  Windham  County  National  Bank.  He  built  his 
trout  pond  in  the  spring  of  1884,  and  the  house  where  he  now 
lives  in  1885. 

Caleb  Bishop,  born  in  1837,  in  Lisbon,  is  a  son  of  Elias,  grand- 
son of  Caleb,  and  great-grandson  of  Reuben  and  Hannah 
Bishop,  His  mother  was  Lydia,  daughter  of  Lee  Hyde.  Mr. 
Bishop  is  a  farmer.  He  came  to  Plainfield  from  Lisbon  in  1864, 
and  bought  what  was  originally  the  Woodward  homestead  in 
the  south  part  of  the  town.  He  served  in  the  war  of  the  rebel- 
lion about  one  year  in  Company  F.,  26th  Connecticut  volunteers. 
He  was  married  in  1864  to  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Nelson  Tyler. 
They  have  had  four  children  :  Mary  J.,  who  died  aged  8  years, 
Nellie  C,  Fannie  L.,  and  William  T.  He  has  been  selectman 
five  years  as  a  republican.  He  is  a  member  of  Jewett  City 
church. 

Andrew  J.  Bitgood  was  born  in  1845  in  Voluntown,  Conn., 
son  of  Elisha  Bitgood.  He  taught  school  some  when  a  young 
man.  He  was  brought  up  a  farmer  and  in  1876  he  began  the 
lumber  business.  In  1878  he  bought  a  portable  saw  mill,  and 
does  some  custom  work,  but  mostly  manufacturing  lumber  for 
himself  for  market.  He  represented  the  town  of  Voluntown  in 
the  legislature  in  1877-8,  and  held  some  of  the  town  offices 
there.  He  was  married  in  1875  to  Victoria,  daughter  of  Ben- 
jamin M.  Burdick.  They  have  one  daughter,  Grace  E.  Mr. 
Bitgood  is  a  democrat. 

George  R.  Bliven,  born  in  1845,  in  Windham,  Conn.,  is  a  son 
of  John  H.,  and  grandson  of  Pardon  Bliven.  His  mother  was 
Emily  A.,  daughter  of  Thomas  Bingham.  Mr.  Bliven  served 
in  the  war  of  the  rebellion  in  Company  H,  18th  Connecticut 
volunteers,  from  June,  1862,  to  July,  1865.  In  1865  he  began  to 
learn  the  blacksmith  trade,  and  came  to  Central  Village  in  1876, 
where  he  has  worked  at  his  trade  since  that  time.     In  1884  he 


HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1071 

iDuilt  a  residence  on  a  farm  of  65  acres  which  he  bought  in  1881. 
He  was  married  in  1869  to  Lydia  M.,  daughter  of  Stanton  Bald- 
win. They  had  two  children  :  Mabel,  and  S.  Ray,  both  de- 
ceased. They  have  an  adopted  son,  Bernard  D.  Bliven.  Mr. 
Bliven  is  a  republican,  a  member  of  Moosup  Lodge,  No.  113, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  and  of  Kilburn  Post,  No.  77,  G.  A.-  R. 

Benjamin  R.  Briggs  was  born  in  1850,  in  Scituate,  R.  I.  He 
is  a  son  of  Bradford  T.,  w^hose  father,  James,  was  asonof  Joseph 
Briggs,  who  was  a  revolutionary  soldier.  His  mother  is  Celia 
(Ramsdale)  Briggs.  Mr.  Briggs  worked  about  six  years  at  the 
harness  maker's  trade  in  Rhode  Island,  and  in  April,  1880,  came 
to  Plainfield  to  take  charge  of  the  town  farm,  which  he  did  for 
two  years.  He  built  a  residence  in  Plainfield  village  in  1884, 
and  worked  at  his  trade  until  1888,  when  he  bought  a  farm  of 
250  acres  between  Plainfield  and  Central  Village,  and  has  since 
been  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  married  in  1871  to  Nellie  E., 
•daughter  of  John  R.  and  Hattie  (Bitgood)  Briggs.  They  have 
two  children:  Walter  B.  and  Bertha  R.  He  is  a  member  of 
Ionic  Lodge,  No.  28,  F.  and  A.  M.,  of  Rhode  Island. 

George  W.  Brown  was  born  in  1830,  in  Rhode  Island.  He  was 
a  son  of  James  and  Abbie  (Wilcox)  Brown.  He  was  a  ship  car- 
penter for  several  years  prior  to  1860,  then  was  a  farmer  in  Hop- 
kinton,  R.  I.,  until  1874,  when  he  bought  the  farm  where  his 
widow  now  lives,  of  130  acres.  He  was  married  in  1859  to  Mar- 
tha J.,  daughter  of  Theophilus  R.  Bromley.  Her  mother  was 
Mary  vSpalding,  a  daughter  of  Asa  Spalding.  They  have  had 
seven  children:  Everett  E.,  who  is  married  and  lives  in  Virginia; 
Henry  B.,  Lucy  J.,  who  died  aged  six  years;  Wendell  P.,  Horace 
G.,  Mary  A.,  and  Fannie  E.  Mr.  Brown  was  a  member  of  Hop- 
kinton  Seventh  Day  Baptist  church  and  a  republican. 

Welcome  H.  Browning  was  born  in  1834,  in  Griswold,  Conn. 
His  father,  Ephraim,  was  a  son  of  Hazard,  and  grandson  of 
Ephraim  Browning.  His  mother  was  Maria,  daughter  of  Shep- 
ard  Brown.  Mr.  Browning  removed  with  his  father  from  Gris- 
wold to  Canterbury  in  1837,  and  in  1857  they  came  to  Plainfield, 
and  bought  a  farm  of  137  acres,  and  later  they  bought  enough 
more  to  make  350  acres.  His  father  died  in  1876,  aged  71  years, 
and  since  that  time  he  has  carried  on  the  farming  alone.  He 
was  married  in  1877  to  Ellen,  daughter  of  Gilbert  C.  Robbins. 
He  is  a  democrat  and  a  member  of  the  Packerville  Baptist 
•church. 


1072  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Reverend  Lucian  Burleigh  was  born  in  Plainfield,  in  1817. 
His  father,  Rinaldo,  was  a  son  of  John  and  grandson  of  John 
Burleigh.  He  was  educated  at  Plainfield  Academy  and  Connec- 
ticut Literary  Institution.  He  was  ordained  as  an  Evange- 
list, and  was  a  teacher,  preacher  and  temperance  lecturer.  His 
father,  Rinaldo,  was  a  graduate  of  Yale  College,  and  was  a  teach- 
er for  many  years.  He  was  deacon  of  the  Congregational  church 
of  Plainfield  about  forty-five  years.  He  died  in  1862,  aged  88 
years,  Lucian  Burleigh  was  married  in  1843  to  Elizabeth  M., 
daughter  of  Stephen  and  Abigail  Child.  They  had  six  children: 
Gertrude  E.,  Harriet  P.,  Caroline  E.,  Lucian  R.,  William  B.  and 
John  C,  all  living  but  Caroline  E.     Mr.  Burleigh  died  in  1884. 

Joseph  Butcher  was  born  in  England  December  13th,  1803. 
He  came  to  this  country  and  married  Polly,  daughter  of  Aaron 
Wheeler.  He  was  a  farmer,  excepting  during  a  few  years  when 
he  was  in  California.  He  was  a  member  of  Plainfield  Union 
Baptist  church.  He  died  in  1879.  His  nephew,  Joseph  Butcher, 
was  married  in  1864  to  Lydia  M.,  daughter  of  George  C.  and 
Eliza  M.  (Hazard)  Sheldon.  Eliza  M.  was  daughter  of  Thomas 
C.  and  Lydia  Walker  Hazard.  George  C.  Sheldon  was  a  son  of 
Potter  Sheldon.  Lydia  M.  had  one  daughter  by  her  marriage 
with  Mr.  Butcher — G.  Annie.  She  married  John  J.  Bennett  in 
1884. 

Charles  A.  Byles,  son  of  Josiah  Byles,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  1842 
in  Clinton,  Conn.  Mr.  Byles  came  to  Plainfield  about  thirty-two 
years  ago,  and  for  the  past  twenty  years  has  lived  with  his  aunt, 
Mrs.  Charles  Hinckley.  Charles  Hinckley  was  the  son  of  Vin- 
cent Hinckley.  Charles  built  the  house  where  Mr.  Byles  lives 
in  1857.  He  was  married  in  1839  to  Lucy  R.  Avery.  He  died 
in  1875,  aged  59  years.  He  was  in  the  legislature  one  term  and 
filled  several  of  the  town  offices.  He  was  a  republican,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Central  Congregational  church,  and  was  deacon  for 
several  years.  Mr.  Byles  was  married  in  1882  to  Alice  G.,  daugh- 
ter of  Henry  C.  Torrey.  They  have  two  sons— Frank  A.  and 
Charles  H.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Central  Congregational 
church,  and  has  been  deacon  of  the  same  for  four  years.  He  is 
a  republican. 

Gurdon  Cady,  born  in  1822  in  Brooklyn,  Conn.,  is  a  son  of 
Elisha  and  grandson  of  Eliakim  Cady.  Mr.  Cady  is  a  farmer 
and  has  lived  at  this  place  since  1843.  He  has  been  selectman 
two  terms  and  represented  the  town  in  the  legislature  in  1876. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1073 

He  was  married  to  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Fannie 
Whiting.  They  had  one  adopted  daughter,  Frances  C,  who  died 
aged  thirteen  years.  The  wife  died  in  December,  1887.  Mr. 
Cady  is  a  democrat,  a  member  of  Moosup  Lodge,  No.  113,  F.  & 
A.  M.,  and  a  member  of  Brooklyn  Grange,  No.  43,  P.  of  H. 

Fitch  A.  Carey  was  born  in  1838  in  Canterbury.  He  is  a  son 
of  James  B.  Carey  and  grandson  of  James,  whose  father  was 
one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Scotland,  Conn.  His  mother  was 
Mary,  daughter  of  Fitch  Adams.  Mr.  Carey  was  clerk  in  a  store 
here  for  the  Central  Manufacturing  Company  about  nine  years 
prior  to  1861.  He  went  to  Mexico  and  staid  one  year.  From 
1862  to  1875  he  was  a  farmer  in  Canterbury.  He  represented 
the  town  in  the  legislature  in  1868,  and  was  one  of  the  selectmen 
several  years.  In  1875  he  removed  to  Plainfield,  and  since  that 
time  has  been  a  small  farmer  and  trader.  In  October,  1885,  he  was 
appointed  postmaster  at  Central  Village  and  fitted  up  a  small 
store,  where  he  keeps  a  variety  stock.  He  was  married  in  1868 
to  Jennie,  daughter  of  Archibald  Fry.  She  died  in  1879,  leav- 
ing one  daughter,  Jennie  F.  He  was  married  in  1883  to  Eliza 
Walker.     He  is  a  democrat. 

Lemuel  W.  Cleveland,  born  in  1841,  is  a  son  of  Luther  Cleve- 
land, who  was  born  in  1807  and  died  in  1853.  His  mother  is 
Lydia  C,  daughter  of  Lemuel  Woodward.  Mr.  Cleveland  and 
his  mother  built  the  house  where  they  now  live  in  1869.  Mr. 
Cleveland  is  a  republican.  His  father  was  a  whig  in  his  day. 
Luther  Cleveland  was  married  in  1834  to  Lydia  C.  Woodward. 
They  had  three  children:  Frances  (Mrs.  J.  D.  Brown,  of  Hart- 
ford), born  1837,  has  two  daughters;  Lemuel  W.  and  Julia  W. 
(twins),  born  1841. 

George  S.  Collins,  born  in  1861  in  Canterbury,  is  a  son  of 
Charles  W.  and  Mary  M.  Collins.  His  grandfather  was  Thomas 
Collins.  Mr.  Collins  came  to  Plainfield  in  1871,  and  has  since 
been  employed  in  the  Kennedy  City  Mills  the  most  of  the  time. 
He  has  been  superintendent  since  1883.  He  was  married  in 
1885  to  Catharine,  daughter  of  John  and  Annie  Murdock.  He 
is  a  democrat. 

Henry  G.  Colvin,  born  in  1835  in  Warwick,  R.  I.,  is  a  son  of 
Henry  and  grandson  of  George  Colvin.  His  mother  is  Mary  A., 
daughter  of  Joseph  Bennett.  His  father  came  from  Rhode 
Island  to  Plainfield  in  1835,  and  lived  here  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1869.  Mr.  Colvin  is  a  thrifty  farmer,  and  has  lived 
68 


1074  •    HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

at  his  present  residence  since  1864.  He  has  a  basement  barn 
40  by  97  feet.  He  was  married  in  1864  to  Martha  N.  Robinson. 
She  died  in  1876,  and  he  was  married  in  1879  to  Mrs.  Mary  Bur- 
gess, sister  of  his  first  wife.     He  is  a  democrat. 

James  Craig,  son  of  John  Craig,  was  born  in  1830  in  Scotland. 
He  is  a  machinist.  He  worked  at  his  trade  in  the  old  country 
from  1843  to  1871,  when  he  came  to  America,  settling  in  Wau- 
regan,  where  he  has  worked  for  the  Wauregan  Mills  since  that 
time.  He  was  married  in  1850  and  has  seven  children:  Helen, 
Annie,  John,  Thomas,  Elizabeth,  Jessie  and  Agnes.  He  is  a  re- 
publican, a  member  of  Wauregan  Congregational  church,  and  a 
member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Martha  G.  Crandall  was  born  in  1820.  She  is  a  daughter  of 
Jeremiah,  son  of  Aaron  Starkweather.  Her  mother  was  Bridget 
Kinney.  Martha  G.  was  married  in  1865  to  Reverend  Phineas 
Crandall,  who  was  born  in  1793.  He  was  a  Methodist  preacher 
for  about  fifty  years,  and  a  member  of  the  New  England  Con- 
ference. In  1866  he  bought  and  took  possession  of  the  place 
where  Mrs.  Crandall  now  lives.  He  died  November  5th,  1878. 
Mr.  Crandall  was  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  had  one  son,  John,  by 
a  former  marriaofe. 

Henry  Daggett,  born  in  1830  in  Providence  county,  R.  I.,  is  a 
son  of  Rufus  and  grandson  of  Daniel  Daggett.  His  mother  is 
Thankful  (Bowen)  Daggett.  Mr.  Daggett  was  a  mill  operative 
about  forty-four  years,  and  ran  a  cotton  dresser  for  thirty-five 
years.  Since  1886  he  has  been  a  farmer.  He  was  married  in 
1853  to  Ruth  Battey,  a  sister  of  Lucius  Battey,  mentioned  above. 
They  have  one  son  living,  Frank  W.  They  lost  a  son  and  daugh- 
ter, John  E.  and  Lelia  F.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Moosup 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  a  member  of  Moosup  Lodge, 
No.  113,  F.  &  A.  M. 

George  Davis,  born  in  1828  in  Plainfield,  is  a  son  of  Obed  and 
grandson  of  David  Davis.  His  mother  was  Robey,  daughter  of 
John  Brown.  Mr.  Davis  is  a  farmer.  He  sold  milk  in  Waure- 
gan about  twenty-two  years.  He  was  married  in  1856  to  Emily, 
daughter  of  Herbert  W.  Parkis,  son  of  Elias,  son  of  Isaac  Parkis. 
Their  five  children  are :  Ella  M,,  George  Herbert,  Sarah  E.,  Ida 
E.  and  Albert  I.,  who  died  aged  three  years.  George  Herbert 
was  married  in  1885,  to  Grace,  daughter  of  Perry  G.  Tripp. 

George  B.  Dawley  was  born  in  1856  in  Griswold,  Conn.  His 
father   George,  was  a  son  of   Isaac,  and  grandson  of   Michael 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1076 

Dawley.  Mr.  Dawley  is  a  farmer  and  owns^  and  occupies  the 
farm  where  his  father  lived  from  1856  until  1882.  He  died  in 
1886,  and  since  that  time  the  son  has  owned  the  farm.  He  has 
been  selectman  since  1887  as  a  democrat.  He  was  married  in 
1877  to  Annie,  daughter  of  John  Briggs.  They  have  three  chil- 
dren— Frank  A.,  George  A.  and  Ida  V. 

William  Dawley  was  born'  in  1817  in  Exeter,  R.  I.  He  is  a 
son  of  William,  and  grandson  of  Nathan,  whose  father  John 
Dawley  came  from  Ireland  to  what  was  called  the  "  Pettaquams- 
cutt  Purchase  "  in  Washington  county,  R.  I.,  and  later  to  what 
is  now  Exeter,  R.  I.  Mr.  Dawley  is  a  farmer.  He  came  from 
Rhode  Island  to  the  place  where  he  now  lives  in  1856.  He  has 
a  four  acre  cranberry  meadow.  He  has  been  selectman  three 
terms,  and  has  held  other  town  offices.  He  was  married  in  1842 
to  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Michael  Dawley,  son  of  Oliver,  son  of 
Michael,  son  of  John,  same  as  above.  They  have  one  son,  John 
W.,  who  was  married  in  1885  to  Jennie  A.,  daughter  of  Joshua 
S.  Kennedy,  and  has  one  son,  William  K.  Dawley. 

John  R.  Dean  was  born  in  1805  and  died  in  1870.  He  was  a 
son  of  Christopher,  whose  father  James,  was  a  son  of  John  Dean, 
who  owned  the  farm  which  is  still  in  the  Dean  family.  John 
R.  was  married  in  1829  to  Lucy  L.  Carpenter.  They  had  two 
sons,  James  C.  and  John,  who  now  live  on  the  homestead.  James 
C.  was  born  in  1830,  and  was  married  in  1866  to  Catharine  E. 
Kinne.  She  died  in  1875,  leaving  one  daughter.  Mr.  Dean  is 
a  farmer.  He  is  a  member  of  Moosup  Lodge,  No.  113,  F.  & 
A.  M.  John  Dean  was  born  in  1832,  and  was  married  in  1863 
to  Julia,  daughter  of  George  Bliven.  They  have  one  son, 
George  C.     He  is  a  farmer  and  owns  the  homestead. 

Joseph  A.  Deane  was  born  in  1816  in  Taunton,  Mass.  He  is 
a  son  of  Abijah,  whose  father  Nathaniel,  was  a  son  of  Ebenezer, 
a  son  of  John,  whose  father  John,  was  a  son  of  John  Dean, 
who  came  to  this  country  in  1637  from  England.  His  mother 
Mary,  was  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Deane.  Mr.  Deane  came  to 
Plainfield  in  1835  and  has  resided  here  since  that  time.  He 
has  been  engaged  in  railroad  work  for  about  forty  years, 
mostly  bridge  building.  Since  1876  he  has  been  an  insurance 
agent,  representing  the  Windham  County  Mutual  and  others. 
He  was  married  in  1838  to  Ann  M.  Tyler.  She  died  leaving 
four  children  :  Annie  T.,  Albert,  Mary  E.,  and  Edward.  He 
was  married  again  to  Catharine  Hall,  who  died  in  1887.     Mr. 


1076  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Deane  has  been  constable,  justice,  and  notary  public.      He  is  a 
republican. 

George  M,  Denison  was  born  in  1820  and  married  Lucinda 
Grant.  They  have  one  son  and  one  daughter.  George  M. 
Denison  has  been  a  top  roller  coverer  for  several  years.  His 
son  Albert  G.  has  worked  at  that  business  for  several  years  with 
his  father.  In  1888  they  opened  a  furniture  and  undertaking 
e.stablishment  at  Moosup,  under  the  firm  name  of  George  M. 
Denison  &  Son.  Albert  G.  was  married  in  1887,  to  Clara  H., 
daughter  of  Albert  Tillinghast.  The  family  are  members  of 
of  Plainfield  Union  Baptist  church. 

Olney  Dodge,  born  in  1824,  in  Rhode  Island,  is  a  son  of 
Barney  Dodge.  His  mother  is  Mary,  daughter  'of  Joab  and 
Mary  Mann.  Mr.  Dodge  came  to  Plainfield  in  1876  and  bought 
a  small  farm  a  little  south  of  Plainfield  street,  and  since  that  time 
has  been  a  farmer.  He  was  in  California  from  1849  to  1852. 
He  was  married  in  July,  1854,  to  Susan  H.,  daughter  of  William 
and  Martha  (Gallup)  Shepard.  William  was  a  son  of  Simon 
and  Elizabeth  (Moore)  Shepard.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dodge  have 
four  children:  Susan  E.  (Mrs.  D.  E.  Earle),  Mary  A.  (Mrs. 
Frank  H.  Tillinghast),  John  G.  and  Charles  O.  Mr.  Dodge  is  a 
republican. 

James  Doyle,  son  of  Michael  Doyle,  was  born  in  1849  in  Ire- 
land and  came  to  this  country  in  1867.  He  bought  the  farm  of 
150  acres  where  he  now  lives  in  1878.  He  was  married  in  1867 
to  Mary,  daughter  of  Jeremiah  Downing.  They  have  seven 
children  :  John  T.,  James,  Mary,  Kate,  Rosie,  Michael,  and 
Julia  A.  He  is  a  democrat  and  a  member  of  the  Moosup  Cath- 
lic  church. 

Nancy  Dunlap  is  a  daughter  of  John  Medbury,  and  grand- 
daughter of  Edward  Medbury.  She  was  married  in  1839  to 
George  Dunlap,  who  was  born  in  1815,  and  died  in  1873.  He  was 
station  agent  at  Moosup  about  thirty  years,  and  town  clerk  of 
Plainfield  several  years.  They  had  one  daughter,  Sarah  J. 
(Mrs.  Andrew  Potter).     Mr.  Dunlap  was  a  democrat. 

John  C.  Edmonds,  born  in  1812,  in  Griswold,  Conn.,  is  a'  son 
of  Samuel  S.,  and  grandson  of  Andrew  Edmonds.  His  mother 
was  Betsey,  daughter  of  John  Cogswell.  He  was  educated  in 
the  district  and  select  schools  of  Griswold,  and  has  taught  school 
about  twenty  winters.  He  came  to  this  town  in  1861,  and  bought 
the   place   where   he   now  lives.     He  has  been  selectman  four 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1077 

years.  He  was  married  in  March,  1844,  to  Eliza,  daughter  of 
William  Kinne.  They  have  two  adopted  sgns,  David  C.  Kinne 
and  Edwin  Edmonds.  Mr.  Edmonds  is  a  republican.  He  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  First  Congregational  church  of 
Canterbury. 

■Roswell  Ensworth  was  born  in  1817  in  Plainfield.  His  father 
Roswell,  was  a  son  of  Jesse,  and  grandson  of  William,  whose 
father  Joseph,  was  the  son  of  Tixhall  Ensworth.  His  mother 
was  Mary,  daughter  of  Deacon  David  Knight.  Mr.  Ensworth 
was  educated  in  district  schools  and  in  the  Plainfield  Academy. 
He  has  taught  school  about  thirty  years.  Since  March,  1876, 
he  has  been  bookkeeper  and  secretary  for  the  Robinson  Fowler 
Foundry  Company.  He  has  been  on  the  school  board  several 
years,  and  has  held  other  town  offices.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  legislature  one  term,  1880-81.  He  was  married  in  1844  to 
Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Prentice  Lewis.  They  had  one  daughter, 
Mary  A.  (Mrs.  I.  J.  Baldwin),  who  died  in  1869,  and  one  son, 
George  W.,  who  died  aged  four  years.  Mr.  Ensworth  is  a  mem- 
ber and  trustee  of  the  First  Congregational  church  of  Plainfield, 
a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  Providence 
Chapter,  No.  1.     He  is  a  republican. 

Reverend  Silenus  H.  Fellows  was  born  in  1827  in  Greene 
county,  N.  Y.,  and  is  a  son  of  Reverend  Linus  H.  Fellows  of 
Connecticut.  He  was  educated  at  Plainfield  Academy,  and 
taught  school  when  a  young  man.  He  was  licensed  to  preach 
in  1858,  and  in  April,  1859,  was  ordained  as  a  preacher.  He 
has  been  pastor  of  the  Congregational  church  of  Wauregan 
since  1859.  He  was  married  in  1853  to  Sylvia  D.  Newell.  They 
have  two  daughters:  Ida  A.,  who  is  now  Mrs.  H.  F.  Lewis  of 
Chicago,  111.,  and  Carrie  L. 

John  S.  French,  born  in  1819  in  Plainfield,  is  a  son  of  Nathan- 
iel and  grandson  of  John  French.  His  mother  was  Rachel 
(Spaulding)  French.  Nathaniel  French  was  a  farmer  and  car- 
penter. He  was  in  the  legislature  one  year,  was  town  clerk  and 
treasurer  several  years  and  held  other  of  the  town  offices.  He 
came  to  the  farm  where  John  S.  now  lives  in  about  1814.  John 
S.  French  is  a  farmer,  and  has  always  lived  at  the  old  home- 
stead where  he  was  born.  He  taught  school  about  thirty  terms 
when  a  young  man.  He  was  in  the  legislature  in  1848  and  again 
in  1879,  was  town  clerk  and  treasurer  eleven  years,  has  been 
on  the  board  of  education  about  forty-five  years,  and  has  held 


1078  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

other  town  offices  as  a  republican.  He  was  married  in  1839  to 
Jane  H,  Lathrop.  They  have  four  children:  Henry  H,,  John 
F.,  Ella  J.  (Mrs,  George  O.  Gadbois)  and  Ernest  L.,  w^ho  is  mar- 
ried and  lives  with  his  father.  John  F.  was  in  the  war  of  the 
rebellion  three  years. 

Benjamin  D.  Gallup,  born  in  1828  in  Sterling,  Conn.,  is  a 
son  of  John  and  grandson  of  Benjamin  Gallup.  His  mother, 
Orra,  was  a  daughter  of  Benjamin  Dow.  Mr.  Gallup  is  a  farmer. 
He  was  married  in  1856  to  Sarah  L.,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary 
(Wilcox)  Tanner.  They  have  three  children:  Mary  (Mrs.  Jus- 
tin L.  Johnson),  Irving  B.  and  Myrtie  J. 

John  R.  Gallup  was  born  in  1827  in  Sterling,  Conn,  He  is  a 
son  of  Samuel,  whose  father,  Nathaniel,  was  a  son  of  John  Gal- 
lup. His  mother  was  Maria,  d-aughter  of  Elisha  Parks.  Mr. 
Gallup  is  a  farmer.  He  came  from  Sterling  and  bought  the  farm 
of  136  acres  where  he  now' lives.  The  house  where  he  lives  was 
built  about  1810,  by  Samuel  Frink.  He  was  married  in  1851 
to  Amarilla,  daughter  of  Saxon  Frink,  a  son  of  Samuel  Frink. 
They  have  three  children:     Luetta  F.,  Herbert  A.  and  Ida  M. 

Mary  A.  Gardner  is  a  daughter  of  John  Gardner  and  grand- 
daughter of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Sweet)  Gardner,  of  Rhode 
Island.  Her  mother  was  Mary,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Mary 
(Mason)  Parkis.  John  Gardner  was  a  farmer  and  died  in  1859. 
The  house  where  Miss  Gardner  lives  was  built  by  Isaac  Parkis 
in  1816.  She  is  one  of  three  daughters,  two  of  whom  died  in 
infancy.  Her  parents  adopted  a  daughter,  Louisa,  who  is  now 
Mrs.  Simon  Shepard. 

John  C.  Gibson,  born  in  1832  in  Sterling,  Conn.,  is  a  son  of 
Ira  and  grandson  of  Campbell  Gibson.  Mr.  Gibson  has  been 
overseer  of  mule  spinning  about  thirty-four  years.  He  has  been 
at  Moosup  and  vicinity  about  forty  years,  working  at  cotton  and 
woolen  manufacturing.  He  was  married  in  1854  to  Almira, 
daughter  of  Nathan  B.  and  Lois  (Bates)  Holly.  They  have  two 
sons — Albert  I.  and  George  F. 

Jonathan  Greene,  born  in  1818  in  West  Greenwich,  R.  I.,  is  a 
son  of  Jeremiah  and  grandson  of  Abel  Greene.  His  mother  was 
Freelove  Hopkins.  Mr.  Greene  has  a  farm  of  200  acres  about 
one  mile  east  of  Plainfield  village,  where  he  lived  from  1869  to 
1886,  when  he  came  to  Plainfield  and  bought  the  Judge  Gallup 
farm,  where  he  now  lives.  He  was  married  in  1869  to  Lettie 
Brown.  They  have  four  children  :  Carrie  M.,  Frank  B.,  Gracie 
A.  and  Harrie  E.     Mr.  Greene  is  a  democrat. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1079 

Daniel  H.  Grover  was  born  in  1845  in  Killingly.  He  is  a  son 
of  Jonathan  Grover,  who  was  in  the  war  of  1812.  The  latter 
was  a  son  of  Stephen,  who  was  a  revolutionary  soldier  and  son 
of  Zephaniah  Grover.  His  mother  was  Lovice,  daughter  of  Al- 
vin  Kingsley.  Mr.  Grover  was  educated  at  Plainfield  Academy, 
and  has  taught  school  about  twenty  years.  In  1883  he  came  to 
Moosup,  and  since  that  time  has  been  bookkeeper  for  merchants 
here.  He  was  married  in  1880  to  Ellen  H.,  daughter  of  Benja- 
min Phillips  and  granddaughter  of  Nicholas  Phillips.  They 
have  one  son,  Harry  L.  Mr.  Grover  is  a  member  of  Plainfield 
Union  Baptist  church.  He  is  a  republican  and  a  member  of 
Moosup  Lodge,  No.  113,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Elisha  P.  Hale,  born  in  1822  in  Plainfield,  is  a  son  of  Stephen 
and  Hannah  (Potter)  Hale.  His  grandparents  were  Job  and 
Margaret  (Mason)  Hale.  Job  was  born  in  1745,  and  bought  the 
farm  where  Mr.  Hale  now  lives  in  1804,  and  it  has  been  in  the 
family  since  that  time.  Elisha  P.  was  born  in  the  house  where 
he  now  lives.  He  has  been  a  farmer  for  half  a  century,  but  for 
the  last  few  years  has  lived  retired.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
legislature  in  1859,  and  again  in  1874,  and  has  held  town  offices. 
He  is  a  republican.  He  was  married  in  1852  to  Abbie  A.,  daugh- 
ter of  Daniel  and  Deborah  (Wood)  Hill.  She  was  a  granddaugh- 
ter of  Edward  Hill. 

Mason  W.  Hale,  born  in  1817,  in  Plainfield,  is  a  son  of  Stephen 
and  Hannah  (Potter)  Hale.  In  1839  he  went  to  Phenix,  R.  I., 
and  had  charge  of  the  weaving  in  a  mill  there  about  ten  years, 
then  he  was  superintendent  of  the  mill  five  years.  In  1854  he 
went  to  Bowen's  Hill,  in  Coventry,  R.  I.,  where  he  worked  at 
farming  about  twelve  years.  In  1867  he  returned  to  the  town 
of  Plainfield.  He  was  married  in  1841  to  Nancy  Bowen.  She 
died  in  1854,  and  he  married  her  sister,  who  lived  about  twelve 
years.  In  1873  he  married  Betsey  E.  Moredock.  He  has  one 
daughter  by  his  first  wife:  Mary  Emma.  He  represented  the 
town  of  Coventry  in  the  Rhode  Island  legislature,  and  has  been 
selectman  in  this  town  about  three  years.  He  is  a  republican 
and  a  member  of  Plainfield  Union  Baptist  church. 

Edward  P.  Hall  was  born  in  1812  in  Plainfield.  His  father, 
William,  was  a  son  of  Stephen  and  grandson  of  Stephen  Hall, 
who  was  born  in  1719  and  died  in  1818.  His  mother  was  Ruth, 
daughter  of  David  Davis.  Mr.  Hall  is  a  farmer.  In  ]854  he 
built  a  house  on  Plainfield  street,  and  in  1877  he  built  a  tasty  lit- 


1080  HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

tie  residence  near  by  for  his  own  use.  He  was  married  in  1852 
to  Elizabeth  R.,  daughter  of  Joshua  B.  and  Hannah  (Rathbon ) 
Comstock. 

Jared  Hall  was  born  in  1834  in  Plainfield.  He  is  a  son  of 
Ebenezer,  son  of  William,  son  of  John,  son  of  Samuel  Hall.  Mr. 
Hall  devoted  his  time  for  several  years  to  woolen  manufacturing. 
In  1874  he  bought  the  place  where  he  now  lives,  and  since  that 
time  has  turned  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  was 
married  in  1854  to  Susan  S.  Benson.  They  had  five  children: 
James  E.,  Susan  J.,  Emory  J.,  Dora  M.  and  Alvah.  The  three 
last  mentioned  are  deceased.  Mr.  Hall  is  a  member  of  Moosup 
Lodge,  No.  113,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Stephen  Hall,  son  of  Captain  William  Hall,  was  born  in  1816, 
and  died  in  1887.  He  was  educated  at  Plainfield  Academy,  and 
later  in  a  theological  school  in  Maine,  and  in  a  short  time  in 
Providence.  He  taught  district  and  select  schools  for  many 
years.  He  came  to  Moosup  and  built  a  school  house,  where  he 
kept  a  select  school  for  several  years.  He  also  built  the  resi- 
dence where  the  family  now  live.  He  was  married  to  Mary, 
daughter  of  John  and  Sophia  Westcott.  They  had  eight  chil- 
dren: Charles  M.,  Eugene  A.,  George  A.,  Ella  J.,  Frank  W., 
Fred.  M.,  Lizzie  E.  (deceased),  and  Walter  C.  Mr.  Hall  was  a 
member  of  the  Congregational  church. 

William  F.  Hall  was  born  in  1820  in  Plainfield.  He  is  a  son 
of  William,  and  grandson  of  Stephen,  whose  father,  Stephen 
Hall,  died  in  April,  1818,  aged  99  years.  His  mother  was  Ruth, 
daughter  of  David  Davis.  Mr.  Hall  is  a  farmer.  He  lived  in 
Slatersville  about  28  years,  and  came  to  the  farm  where  he  now 
lives  in  1874.  He  has  been  selectman  three  terms  as  a  republi- 
can. He  was  married  in  1852  to  Abbie  E.,  daughter  of  William 
Shepard,  he  a  son  of  Simon,  he  a  son  of  Simon  Shepard.  They 
have  three  children:  William  H.,  Ruth  A.  and  Edward.  Mr. 
Hall  is  a  member  of  Plainfield  Ecclesiastical  society. 
,r^Hiram  Harris,  son  of  Edwin  Harris,  was  born  in  1834  in 
Brooklyn,  Conn.  His  mother  was  Rachel  Harris.  Mr.  Harris 
devoted  about  twenty  years  of  his  life  to  cotton  manufacturing, 
and  was  overseer  about  eleven  years  of  that  time.  In  1866  he 
bought  the  mill  property  in  the  northeastern  part  of  this  town, 
and  since  that  time  he  has  run  a  grist,  saw,  shingle  and  cider 
mill.     He  was  married  in  1856  to  Cynthia  E.  Lyon.     They  have 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1081 

four  children:  Eugene  A.,  Agnes  M.  (Mrs.  Charles  Ayer),  Wini- 
fred Estella  and  Florence  Ellen.     Mr.  Harris  is  a  republican. 

Alfred  T.  Hill  was  born  in  1856  in  Plainfield.  His  father, 
Harry,  was  a  son  of  Daniel  and  grandson  of  Edward  Hill.  His 
mother  is  Ruth,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Freelove  (Potter) 
Miller.  Prior  to  1882  Mr.  Hill  was  a  farmer.  In  the  fall  of  that 
year  he  bought  a  house  and  lot  at  Almyville.  He  was  clerk  in 
the  Almyville  store  about  four  years  prior  to  October  1st,  1887, 
when  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Alfred  H.  Hyde,  firm  of 
Hill  &  Hyde,  at  Moosup.  The  firm  still  runs  under  that  name. 
He  was  married  in  1879  to  Clara  M.,  daughter  of  Edgar  and  Maria 
Amsbury.  They  have  one  daughter,  Abbie  M.  Mr.  Hill  is  a 
republican. 

Alexander  Hill,  born  in  1821  in  Plainfield,  is  a  son  of  Daniel, 
and  grandson  of  Edward  Hill.  His  mother  was  Deborah  (Wood) 
Hill.  Mr.  Hill  was  a  farmer  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town 
until  1888.  In  the  spring  of  that  year  he  moved  to  Moosup 
where  he  is  living  retired.  He  was  married  in  1843  to  Ruth, 
daughter  of  Parker  Hill,  of  Sterling,  Conn.  They  have  four 
children:  Mercy  E.  (Mrs.  Joshua  Hill),  Catherine  (Mrs.  Henry 
Knight),  Ann  M.  and  Leroy,  who  died  aged  19  years.  He  is  a 
member  of  Plainfield  Union  Baptist  church. 

Orrin  A.  Hill,  born  in  1836  in  Plainfield,  is  a  son  of  Jonathan, 
and  grandson  of  Jonathan  Hill.  His  mother  was  Orra  Tyler. 
Mr.  Hill  learned  the  trade  of  house  carpenter,  and  after  follow- 
ing the  trade  for  several  years,  he  turned  his  attention  to  farm- 
ing. In  1871  he  bought  the  farm  where  he  now  lives.  The 
place  was  owned  by  the  Union  Mill  Company  for  a  good  many 
years.  He  was  married  in  1857  to  Nancy,  daughter  of  Aaron 
and  Thankful  (Sheffield)  Belden.  They  have  three  children : 
Hattie  E.,  Leroy  A.  and  George  E.     Mr.  Hill  is  a  democrat. 

Ruth  M.  Hill  was  born  in  1818  in  Plainfield,  and  is  a  daughter 
of  Samuel  and  Freelove  (Potter)  Miller.  Her  grandparents  were 
James  and  Louise  (Parkis)  Miller.  She  was  married  in  1838  to 
Harry  Hill,  son  of  Daniel  and  grandson  of  Edward  Hill.  Mr. 
Hill  was  a  farmer,  having  lived  at  this  place  since  1838.  He  was 
born  in  1815  and  died  in  1873.  They  had  three  children:  Charles 
W.,  Freelove  Anna  (Mrs.  Charles  A.  Sanderson)  and  Alfred  T. 
Mr.  Sanderson-is  a  farmer,  and  he  with  his  family  (wife  and  two 
children)  live  on  the  farm  with  Mrs.  Hill. 


1082  HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Alfred  H.  Hyde,  born  in  1858  in  Plainfield,  is  a  son  of  Wil- 
liam I.,  and  grandson  of  Ira  Hyde.  His  mother  is  Sarah  M. 
(Potter)  Hyde.  Mr.  Hyde,  in  company  with  Alfred  T.  Hill,  un- 
der the  firm  name  of  Hill  &  Hyde,  bought  the  meat  business  at 
Moosup  of  G.  P.  Dorrance  in  October,  1887.  In  April  following 
the  market  was  enlarged  and  now  they  have  three  rooms,  two 
for  meat  and  canned  goods,  and  one  for  an  office.  They  have 
two  wagons  on  the  road.  They  handle  about  one  ton  of  beef 
per  week,  and  other  meats  and  canned  goods  in  proportion, 
Mr.  Hyde  is  a  republican,  and  a  member  of  Plainfield  Union 
Baptist  church. 

John  J.  Kelley  was  born  in  1831  in  South  Newmarket,  N.  H. 
His  father  Benjamin,  was  a  son  of  Benjamin,  and  grandson  of 
Joseph,  whose  father  Thomas  came  from  Dublin,  Ireland,  in 
1727  to  Dover,  N.  H.  His  mother  was  Sarah  (Swan)  Kelley.  Mr. 
Kelley  was  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion  in  Company  C,  Third 
Massachusetts  Cavalry,  from  1862  to  1864.  He  was  in  mercan- 
tile business  in  Boston  from  1859  to  1869,  excepting  the  two 
years  he  was  in  the  war.  From  1869  to  1886  he  was  overseer 
and  supsrintendent  of  woolen  and  cotton  mills.  In  1886  he 
came  from  Salem  to  this  town  and  bought  a  farm  of  75  acres, 
and  since  that  time  has  been  a  farmer.  He  was  married  in  1862 
,to  Mary  Cobb.  She  died  in  1859,  leaving  one  son,  George  J, 
He  was  married  in  1861,  to  Maria,  daughter  of  Paul  Vinal. 
He  is  a  member  of  Eastern  Star  Lodge,  No.  44,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of 
Willimantic,  and  of  Trinity  Chapter  No.  9. 

Horace  Kennedy,  born  in  1844  in  Plainfield,  is  a  son  of  Robert, 
and  grandson  of  Robert  Kennedy.  His  mother  is  Clarissa, 
daughter  of  Noah  and  Elizabeth  (Gallup)  Briggs.  Noah  was  a 
son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Gallup)  Briggs.  Mr.  Kennedy 
worked  in  a  saw  and  grist  mill  at  Central  Village  several  years. 
He  came  to  Moosup  in  1878  and  bought  a  farm,  which  he  has 
since  operated.  He  was  married  in  May,  1873,  to  Sarah  Rouse, 
who  died  the  spring  following.  He  was  married  in  December, 
1875,  to  Mary  Jane  Wells.  They  have  two  sons— Frederick  A., 
and  Frank  E.     Mr.  Kennedy  is  a  republican. 

Joshua  S.  Kennedy,  born  in  1823  in  Plainfield,  is  a  son  of 
Joshua,  and  grandson  of  Alexander  Kennedy.  His  mother  was 
Clarissa,  daughter  of  Joshua  Hall.  Mr.  Kennedy  is  a  farmer, 
occupying  the  homestead  where  his  father  settled  about  1811 
and  lived  till  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1856.     He  has  been 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1083 

selectman  several  years,  and  has  filled  other  town  offices.  He 
was  married  in  1844  to  Joanna  West.  They  had  four  children  : 
Charles  E.,  Frank  P.,  Eliza  J.  and  Eva;  the  three  last  mentioned 
are  deceased.  The  wife  died  in  1855.  He  was  married  in  1861 
to  Abbie  E.  Adams.  They  have  one  daughter,  Jennie  A.,  now 
Mrs.  John  W.  Dawley.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kennedy  are  members  of 
Plainfield  Union  Baptist  church. 

William  H.  Kenyon,  born  in  1849  in  Charlestown,  R.  I.,  is  a 
son  of  Godfrey  A.  and  grandson  of  Captain  John  Kenyon.  His 
mother  was  Minerva  C,  daughter  of  Jarvis  Kenyon.  Mr.  Ken- 
yon is  a  carpenter  by  trade.  He  came  to  Moosup  in  1879  and 
worked  at  his  trade  until  1887.  In  March  of  that  year  he  estab- 
lished a  partnership  with  A.  P.  Tabor  (firm  of  Tabor  &  Kenyon) 
and  bought  the  stock  of  Aldrich  &  Milner,  and  ran  what  had  be- 
fore been  the  Company  store  of  Almyville.  He  was  married  in 
1883  to  Lucy  J.,  daughter  of  Mowrey  B.  Spalding.  They  have 
one  son,  Harold  G.  He  is  a  member  of  Charity  Lodge,  No.  23, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  and  also  a  member  of  Mechanics'  Lodge,  No.  14,  L  O. 
of  O.  F.,  both  of  Washington  county,  Rhode  Island. 

John  P.  Kingsley,  born  in  1823  in  Canterbury,  Conn.,  is  a  son 
of  John  and  grandson  of  Hezekiah  Kingsley,  who  was  a  captain 
in  the  war  of  the  revolution.  His  mother,  Mary,  was  a  daughter 
of  Joseph  Raymond.  Mr.  Kingsley  was  educated  at  Plainfield 
Academy,  and  at  Worcester  one  year.  He  was  a  farmer  in  Nor- 
wich about  fifteen  years.  From  there  he  went  to  Canterbury  in 
1869,  and  until  1887  kept  a  general  store  there.  In  1875  the  firm 
of  J.  P.  Kingsley  &  Sons  was  established,  and  the  business  is 
still  carried  on  at  Plainfield  Junction.  In  1887  Mr.  Kingsley 
came  to  Plainfield  where  he  now  resides.  He  was  married  in 
1844  to  Clarissa  Mathewson,  who  died  in  1849,  leaving  one  son, 
Milton  J.  He  was  married  again  to  Elizabeth  Scofield.  They 
have  four  children:  Walter,  Emma,  Carrie  and  Lizzie,  In  Can- 
terbury Mr.  Kingsley  was  judge  of  probate  and  town  treasurer 
several  years,  and  a  member  of  the  legislature  two  terms.  He 
was  postmaster  about  sixteen  years.     He  is  a  republican. 

Milton  J.  Kingsley  was  born  in  1849  in  Norwich,  Conn.  His 
father,  John  P.  Kingsley,  is  a  son  of  John  and  grandson  of  Hez- 
ekiah Kingsley.  His  mother  was  Clarissa,  daughter  of  George 
Mathewson.  He  was  educated  at  Norwich.  In  September,  1871, 
he  started  a  store  at  Plainfield  Junction,  and  in  1875  the  firm  of 
J.  P.  Kingsley  &  Sons  (John  P.,  Milton  J.  and  Walter  Kingsley) 


1084  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

was  established,  and  has  been  run  under  that  name  since  that 
time.  Mr.  Kingsley  was  married  in  1877  to  Hattie  L.,  daughter 
of  Deacon  William  B.  Ames,  of  Plainfield.  They  have  one 
daughter,  Nettie  M.     Mr.  Kingsley  is  a  republican. 

Jason  P.  Lathrop,  son  of  Jason  Lathrop,  was  born  in  1849  in 
Griswold,  Gonn,  His  mother  is  Susan,  daughter  of  Rowland 
Peckham.  Mr.  Lathrop  was  six  years  with  the  Smith  Granite 
Company,  of  Westerly,  prior  to  1887.  In  the  spring  of  that  year 
he  came  to  Central  Village,  where  he  has  been  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. He  was  married  in  1883  to  Maggie  H.,  daughter  of  Walter 
and  Hannah  Palmer,  of  Plainfield,  They  have  one  daughter, 
Susie  H.     Mr.  Lathrop  is  a  democrat. 

Charles  H.  Lewis,  born  in  1843  in  Griswold,  Conn.,  is  a  son  of 
Frank  C.  and  Maria  M.  (Pierce)  Lewis.  His  mother  is  a  daugh- 
ter of  James  Pierce,  he  a  son  of  Nathaniel,  and  he  a  son  of  John 
Pierce.  Mr.  Lewis  was  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion  for  about 
fourteen  months,  in  Company  H,  18th  Connecticut  volunteers, 
and  was  a  prisoner  of  war  in  Libby  and  Belle  Island  about  two 
months.  In  1880  he  went  to  Minnesota  and  was  interested  in  a 
store  there  about  eighteen  months.  In  March,  1883,  he  came  to 
Central  Village,  and  bought  the  drug  business  of  A.  Walker, 
and  has  carried  on  the  business  there  since  that  time.  He  was 
married  in  1880  to  Cora  M.  Shaw.  They  have  one  son,  Henry 
Elmer.  Mr.  Lewis  is  a  republican,  and  a  member  of  Sedgewick 
Post,  No.  1,  G.  A.  R. 

Parley  W.  Lewis  was  born  in  1852  in  Canterbury.  He  is  a  son 
of  T.  A.  Lewis,  whose  father  was  Parley  Lewis.  His  mother  is 
Frances  M.,  daughter  of  William  Adams.  Mr.  Lewis  came  to 
this  town  in  1870.  In  1875  he  began  work  in  the  Plainfield  sta- 
tion, and  since  October,  1885,  has  been  station  agent.  He  mar- 
ried Louisa  A.,  daughter  of  Charles  H.  Johnson,  and  has  three 
children:  Alice  L.,  Wilfred  P.  and  Harold  J.  He  is  a  repub- 
lican. 

Moses  A.  Linnell  was  born  in  1845  in  Providence,  R.  I.  His 
father  Moses,  was  a  son  of  John,  and  grandson  of  Samuel  Lin- 
nell. His  mother  was  Martha  H.,  daughter  of  William  Hall. 
Mr.  Linnell's  father  enlisted  in  1861  in  the  United  States  ser- 
vice, and  died  in  the  same  year  of  fever  while  on  his  way  to  the 
front.  Mr.  Linnell  learned  the  watchmaker  and  jeweler's  trade 
in  1868.  He  was  for  two  years  engaged  in  top  roller  covering 
in  North  Grosvenor  Dale,  Conn.     Afterward  he  kept  a  clothing 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1085 

store  and  jeweler's  store  at  same  place  until  1881,  when  he  re- 
moved the  business  to  Moosup,  where  he  has  been  since  that 
time.  He  was  married  in  1873  to  Laura,  daughter  of  Lyman  S. 
Botham,  of  East  Thompson,  Conn.  They  had  one  daughter,  Eva, 
who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Linnell  is  a  member  of  Putnam  Lodge, 
No.  46,  F.  &  A.  M. 

William  J.  S.  Lock,  born  in  1823  in  Richmond,  R.  I.,  is  a  son 
of  Joshua  R.  and  Waitey  (Sheldon)  Lock.  Mr.  Lock  was  a  farmer 
in  Richmond,  R.  L,  until  1863,  then  removed  to  Packerville, 
where  he  superintended  the  farm  of  E.  A.  Packer  for  seven 
years,  then  he  removed  to  Plainfield  Junction,  where  he  lived 
until  1877,  when  he  came  to  the  farm  where  he  now  lives.  He 
has  held  some  of  the  town  offices,  and  is  a  republican.  He  was 
married  in  1843  to  Catharine,  daughter  of  Henry  Steadman. 
They  have  one  daughter,  Almira  C.  They  lost  three  sons:  Henry 
J.  N.,  William  F.  and  William  E.  Almira  C.  is  now  Mrs.  B.  A. 
Northup.  She  has  five  children:  Hattie,  William  E.,  Henry  J., 
Andrew  B.  and  Bessie  E.  Mr.  Lock  is  a  member  of  the  Plain- 
field  Union  Baptist  church.  His  wife,  daughter  and  three  grand- 
sons are  members  of  the  same  church. 

Gorge  Loring,  son  of  George  and  Lucy  (Lester)  Loring,  was 
born  in  1830  in  New  London  county.  He  is  a  tinsmith  by  trade. 
He  kept  a  tin,  wood  and  glass  store  at  Central  Village  about 
seventeen  years.  He  sold  the  business  several  years  ago,  and 
built  the  residence  where  he  now  lives  in  1864.  He  has  been 
selectman  several  years,  chairman  of  the  board  four  years,  and 
was  elected  to  the  general  assembly  in  1879.  He  has  three 
children  living:  William  L.,  Henry  K.  and  Robert  H.  Lie  is  a 
republican. 

Lucius  B.  Morgan  was  born  in  1839  in  Canterbury.  His  father, 
Elisha  A.,  was  a  son  of  Lott,  and  grandson  of  Isaac,  who  came 
to  Plainfield  and  settled  on  the  farm  where  Mr.  Morgan  now 
lives.  The  farm  has  not  been  out  of  the  family  since  that  time. 
Mr.  Morgan  is  a  farmer.  He  is  on  the  board  of  selectmen  for 
the  third  term  as  a  republican.  Elisha  A.  was  selectman  several 
times.  He  was  married  in  March,  1834,  to  Philura  A.,  daughter 
of  Lucius  and  Ann  (Lamb)  Bacon,  and  a  granddaughter  of 
Samuel,  a  son  of  Joseph,  and  he  a  son  of  John  Bacon,  who  was 
born  in  England  in  1683.  They  had  two  children,  Martha  A. 
and  Lucius  B.,  who  now  live  with  their  mother  on  the  home- 
stead.    Elisha  A.  was  born  in  1805,  and  died  in  1879. 


1086  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Thomas  E.  Main  was  born  in  1848  in  North  Stonington,  Conn. 
He  is  a  son  of  Sands  B.,  whose  father  David,  was  a  son  of  Peter 
Main.  His  mother  was  Eliza  C.  (Perry)  Main.  His  grandmother 
was  Dorcas  (Palmer)  Main.  Mr.  Main  has  been  a  mill  operative 
since  he  was  IS  years  of  age.  He  came  to  Almyville  in  No- 
vember, 1880,  where  he  has  been  overseer  of  weaving.  He  was 
married  in  1869  to  Julia  E.,  daughter  of  James  and  Sarah  Bab- 
cock.  They  have  three  children:  James  O.,  Lewis  S.  and  Howard 
E.  He  is  a  member  of  Moosup  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and 
has  been  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  about  seven 
years.  He  is  a  member  of  Moosup  Lodge,  No.  113,  F.  &  A.  M., 
and  a  republican. 

Nathaniel  Medbury,  born  in  1829  in  Plainfield,  was  a  son  of 
Nathaniel,  and  grandson  of  Nathaniel  Medbury.  j\Ir.  Medbury 
came  to  Wauregan  in  1854  as  a  mill  operative,  and  a  few  years 
later  was  made  overseer  of  weaving,  and  continued  in  that  po- 
sition until  his  death,  in  1887.  He  was  a  democrat  in  politics, 
and  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church.  He  was  married 
in  1854  to  Susan  F.,  daughter  of  Sabin  L.  and  Maria  (Phillips) 
Hawkins.  Her  grandfather  was  George  Hawkins.  They  had 
two  children,  Frank  W.  and  Hattie  A.,  who  is  now  Mrs.  Frank 
S.  Downer.     Mr.  Downer  is  an  operative  at  Wauregan. 

Frank  Miller  was  born  in  1857  in  Plainfield.  He  is  a  son  of 
James  and  Susan  (Titus)  Miller,  and  a  grandson  of  Samuel  and 
Freelove  (Potter)  Miller.  Mr.  Miller  was  for  six  years  in  a  gro- 
cery store  at  Putnam.  He  came  back  to  the  homestead  in  1881, 
and  since  that  time  has  been  a  farmer.  The  farm  has  been  in 
the  Miller  family  for  several  generations.  He  was  married  in 
1881  to  Ada  E.  Medbury,  and  has  one  son,  Clyde  S. 

Samuel  D.  Millett,  born  in  1808,  was  a  son  of  Samuel  and 
Rachel  (Douglass)  Millett.  He  was  a  mill  operative  in  his 
younger  days,  and  in  1854  came  to  the  place  where  his  widow 
now  lives,  and  interested  himself  in  agricultural  pursuits  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1884.  He  was  in  the  legislature 
one  term,  and  was  an  active  member  of  the  Methodist  church  of 
Moosup.  He  was  married  in  1833  to  Sarah  A.,  daughter  of  Na- 
than and  Elizabeth  (Medbury)  Carpenter.  They  had  one  son, 
Edward  M.,  who  was  married  in  1856  to  D.  Ann  Kinney.  They 
had  two  daughters:  Ella  J.  and  Lillie  E.  Edward  M.  was  an 
operative  in  woolen  mills  for  several  years  prior  to  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1875.     He  was  an  active  member  of  the  Moos- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1087 

up  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  The  farm  where  the  two  wid- 
ows now  live  was  owned  by  Edward  Medbury  from  1801  until 
his  death  and  then  by  his  son  Edward  until  his  death,  when  it 
fell  to  Samuel  D.  Millett. 

Henry  S.  Newton  was  born  in  1817  in  Voluntown,  Conn.  He 
is  a  son  of  Israel  and  Nancy  Newton  and  grandson  of  Matthew 
Newton,  who  came  from  England  to  this  country  when  a  boy, 
with  his  father,  Matthew  Newton.  Mr.  Newton  is  a  farmer. 
He  has  lived  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides  since  1839.  He 
was  married  in  1837  and  had  eight  children:  Henry  F.,  Charles 
S.,  John  M.,  Alice  J.,  Horace  I.,  Annie  L.,  Susie  B.  and  Otis  P. 
His  wife  died  in  1883.  Charles  S.  was  in  the  war  of  the  rebel- 
lion in  Company  G,  11th  Connecticut  volunteers,  and  died  Au- 
gust 31st,  1862.  Henry  F.  was  in  Company  B,  21st  Connecticut 
Volunteers,  from  August,  1862,  to  May,  1864.  He  is  now  a  mem- 
ber of  Kilburn  Post,  No.  77,  G.  A.  R.,  also  a  member  of  Moriah 
Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M.  He  represented  the  town  in  the  leg- 
islature in  1882  as  a  republican. 

Matthew  S.  Nichols,  son  of  Luke  Nichols,  was  born  in  1824  in 
Westerly,  R.  L  He  was  educated  at  district  schools  and  later  in 
a  select  school.  He  learned  the  trade  of  a  machinist,  working 
about  five  years.  He  then  went  to  California,  returning  in  1851, 
and  in  1865  went  to  Norwich,  where  he  studied  dentistry  one 
year,  coming  to  Central  Village  in  1866,  where  he  has  since  prac- 
ticed. He  is  the  originator  and  manufacturer  of  "  Nichols'  Car- 
bolic Dentifrice,"  and  also  a  similar  preparation  called  "  Coral 
Sea  Foam."  He  was  married  May  18th,  1870,  to  Mary  E.,  daugh- 
ter of  Kimball  Kennedy.  They  have  one  son,  Walter  K.  Doc- 
tor Nichols  is  a  republican,  a  member  of  Central  Congregational 
church  and  a  member  of  Moosup  Lodge,  No.  113,  F.  &  A.  M. 

George  H.  Palmer  was  born  in  September,  1831.  He  is  a  son  of 
Harry  Palmer,  who  was  the  seventh  generation  from  Walter 
Palmer,  who  was  born  in  England  in  1598,  and  came  to  New 
England  in  1629.  His  mother  was  Caroline  E.,  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel Dorrance.  Mr.  Palmer  is  a  farmer,  living  on  the  farm  where 
the  family  has  lived  for  nearly  one  hundred  years.  The  house 
where  he  now  lives  was  built  about  1800.  There  have  been  three 
generations  of  the  family  born  in  it.  He  was  married  in  1854  to 
Prudence  L.  Phillips.  She  died  in  1868,  leaving  two  children- - 
Harriet  D.  and  Edward  G.     He  is  a  republican. 


1088  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Samuel  Palmer  was  born  in  1826  in  Plainfield.  He  is  a  son  of 
Samuel,  whose  father  was  Walter,  and  he  a  son  of  Walter,  and 
he  a  son  of  Walter,  whose  father  was  Walter,  who  was  a  son  of 
Gershom,  and  he  a  vson  of  Walter.  His  mother  was  Lydia  R., 
daughter  of  Colonel  Abraham  Ormsbee.  Mr.  Palmer  was  in  a 
woolen  factory  about  five  years,  and  since  that  time  has  been  a 
farmer.  He  has  always  lived  in  Plainfield.  Since  1866  he  has 
lived  on  the  Shepard  homestead.  He  was  married  in  1850  to 
Lucy  G.  Shepard.  They  have  one  son — Samuel  F.  His  wife 
is  a  daughter  of  William,  he  a  son  of  Simon,  and  he  a  son  of 
Simon  Shepard.  Her  mother  was  Martha  Gallup,  whose  father 
was  Simon  Gallup. 

Walter  Palmer  was  born  in  1824  in  Plainfield.  His  father, 
Samuel,  was  a  son  of  Walter  and  grandson  of  Walter,  who  was 
the  first  of  the  family  to  settle  in  this  town.  Plis  father,  Walter, 
was  a  son  of  Walter  and  grandson  of  Gershom,  who  was  a  son 
of  Walter  Palmer,  who  was  born  in  1698  and  died  in  1662.  He 
came  from  Nottinghamshire,  England,  to  Charlestown,  Mass., 
in  1629.  Mr.  Palmer's  mother  was  Lydia  R.,  daughter  of  Abra- 
ham Ormsbee.  Mr.  Palmer  is  a  farmer  and  cattle  dealer.  He 
represented  the  town  in  the  house  of  representatives  in  1878,  and 
has  been  selectman  and  judge  of  probate.  He  was  married  in 
1848  to  Hannah,  daughter  of  Captain  William  Shepard.  They 
have  three  children  :  Walter  L.,  Maggie  H.  (Mrs.  Jason  P.  Lath- 
rop)  and  Martha  E. 

Peleg  M.  Peckham  was  born  in  1822  in  Hopkinton,  R.  I. 
He  is  a  son  of  Reverend  Peleg  Peckham,  who  was  pastor  of  the 
Sterling  Hill  church  for  about  forty  years,  and  was  a  son  of 
Judge  Samuel  Peckham.  His  mother  was  a  daughter  of  Ben- 
jamin Burdick.  Mr.  Peckham  learned  the  carriage  maker's 
trade  when  a  young  man.  He  has  been  a  railroad  car  builder 
for  the  past  forty  years,  with  the  Stonington  Railroad  Company. 
He  was  foreman  of  the  shop  about  thirty-five  years.  He  came 
to  Moosup  in  1886  and  bought  a  house  and  lot,  and  since  that 
time  has  been  living  a  retired  life.  He  was  married  in  1844  to 
Rachel  E.  Gallup  She  died  in  1862,  leaving  one  son,  Albert  M., 
who  died  in  1883.  He  was  married  again  in  1863  to  Emeline 
Gallup.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Plainfield  Union  Baptist  church 
and  a  republican.  He  was  for  several  years  a  member  of  the 
Franklin  Lyceum  of  Providence. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1089 

Perry  S.  Phillips  was  born  in  1826  in  Sterling,  Conn.  He  is 
a  son  of  Palmer  G.,  who  was  in  the  war  of  1812,  he  a  son  of 
Reverend  Simon  Phillips,  whose  father  came  from  Scotland  to 
Rhode  Island.  His  mother  was  Betsey  Farnum.  Mr.  Phillips 
has  been  a  mill  operative  nearly  all  his  life.  He  has  been  over- 
seer of  weaving  for  about  forty  years.  He  was  three  years  at 
Brooklyn,  Conn.,  and  ran  the  "  Mont  Lake"  house  there  from 
1875  to  1878.  He  has  been  on  the  board  of  selectmen  about  ten 
years,  at  different  times.  He  is  a  republican.  He  was  married 
in  1850  to  Susan  E.  Wells.  They  had  one  son,  Carlton  M.,  who 
died  of  heart  disease  in  1883.  Mr.  Phillips  is  a  member  of  the 
Ecclesiastical  Society  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  was  president 
of  the  society  several  years.  He  is  a  member  of  Moosup  Lodge, 
No.  113,  F.  &  A.  M.,  also  a  member  of  the  Chapter. 

Havilah  M.  Prior,  born  in  1829,  is  a  son  of  John,  and  grandson 
of  Joseph  Prior.  His  mother  was  Ruth,  daughter  of  Edward 
Medbury,  Mr.  Prior  is  a  machinist,  having  worked  at  that 
trade  from  1851  until  1879,  since  which  time  he  has  been  a 
farmer.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  committee  and 
held  some  other  town  offices.  He  represented  the  town  in  the 
legislature  in  1882.  He  was  married  in  1856  to  Mary  S.  Potter. 
She  died  in  1859,  leaving  one  daughter,  Ruth  J.,  who  is  now 
Mrs.  James  W.  Thornly.  He  was  married  again  in  1860  to  Jane, 
daughter  of  Eben  Phillips,  who  was  a  son  of  Nicholas  Phillips. 
They  have  one  son,  John  E.,  who  was  married  in  1888  to  Grace 
Putnam. 

Samuel  P.  Robinson,  born  in  1808  in  Canterbury,  is  a  son  of 
Samuel,  and  grandson  of  Josiah  Robinson.  His  mother  was 
Abigail  Glover.  Mr.  Robinson  is  a  carriage  maker  by  trade. 
In  1857  he  started  an  iron  foundry  company  in  Canterbury, 
firm  name  of  Robinson  &  Fowler,  and  in  1858  they  took  in  other 
partners  and  called  the  firm  Robinson,  Fowler  &  Co.  In  1867 
they  started  another  foundry  at  Plainfield  Junction,  and  in  1870 
the  two  were  consolidated.  He  came  to  Plainfield  to  live  in 
1870.  He  was  married  in  1844  to  Helen  L.,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Goodwin.  They  have  two  children  :  Ella,  who  died,  and  Edward 
G.,  who  was  married  in  1870  to  Nellie  S.  Clark.  They  have  two 
daughters.  Mr.  Robinson  was  in  some  of  the  town  offices  of 
Canterbury  as  a  republican. 

George  A.  Rouse,  born  in  1841  in  Coventry,  R.  I.,  is  a  son  of 
James,  and  grandson  of  James  Rouse.     His  mother  is  Harriet 


1090  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

M.  Mathewson.  Mr.  Rouse  enlisted  in  September,  1861,  in 
Company  F,  Eighth  Connecticut  infantry  as  a  private.  Septem- 
ber 17th,  1862,  he  was  appointed  sergeant,  and  September  29th, 
1864,  was  promoted  to  orderly  sergeant.  He  was  discharged 
September  11th,  1865.  He  was  wounded  at  Fort  Harrison  Sep- 
tember 29th,  1864,  and  lost  his  left  leg  in  consequence.  He  be- 
gan work  at  the  harness  maker's  trade  in  1867,  and  has  since 
made  that  his  business.  He  has  held  town  offices,  and  in  1876 
represented  the  town  in  the  legislature  as  a  democrat.  He  was 
married  in  1870  to  Sarah  M.,  daughter  of  Calvin  Pike.  They 
have  one  daughter,  Ella  E.     He  is  now  a  republican. 

William  Roney,  son  of  Thomas  Roney,  was  born  in  Ireland  in 
1832,  and  died  in  Moosup  in  1874.  He  came  to  America  when  a 
boy,  was  a  farmer  in  Sterling  about  twenty  years,  and  in  1870 
came  to  Moosup  and  bought  the  farm  where  the  family  now 
live.  He  was  married  in  1855  to  Mary,  daughter  of  John  Jack- 
son. They  had  six  children  :  Ida  A.  (Mrs.  Harlow  Ladd),  Fred- 
erick, Alfred,  John,  William  and  one  that  died,  named  Jennie. 
Mr.  Roney  was  a  democrat. 

John  D.  Rood  was  born  in  1821  in  Killingly,  Conn.  He  is  a 
son  of  Cyrus,  whose  father  Isaac,  was  a  son  of  Jacob  Rood.  His 
mother  was  Ruth,  daughter  of  Joshua  Card.  Mr.  Rood  is  a  car- 
penter by  trade,  but  being  a  natural  mechanic  has  not  been  en- 
tirely confined  to  the  trade.  The  last  twenty  years  he  has  paid 
some  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  represented  the 
town  in  the  legislature  in  1870.  He  has  been  on  the  board  of 
selectmen  several  terms,  and  has  filled  other  town  offices  as  a  re- 
publican. He  has  been  married  three  times:  first  to  Rebecca 
Eaton,  second  to  Lydia  C.  Wells  and  last  to  Fannie  Baker. 
There  have  been  two  children  by  each  marriage.  He  is  a  char- 
ter member  of  Moosup  Lodge,  No.  113,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  has  been 
master  of  the  order  five  years.  He  is  a  member  ©f  the  Colum- 
bia Commandery,  No.  4,  of  Norwich. 

Joseph  Rood,  born  in  1834  in  Plainfield,  is  a  son  of  Solomon 
and  Mercy  (Matteson)  Rood,  and  grandson  of  Joseph  Rood.  He 
lived  in  Plainfield  until  1870,  and  since  that  time  has  lived  just 
south  of  the  town  line  in  Griswold.  He  has  about  1,000  acres  of 
land.  While  in  Plainfield  he  was  selectman  several  years.  In 
Griswold  he  has  been  selectman  and  justice  several  terms,  and 
represented  the  town  in  the  legislature  in  1874  and  in  1886  as  a 
republican.     He  was  married  in   1850  to   Frances  Fry.     They 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1091 

have  two  children  living — Charles  W.  and  Joseph,  Jr.;  they  lost 
three — Frank  N.,  John  H.  and  Daniel.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  order  and  also  a  member  of  the  Knights  of   Pythias. 

William  H.  Sargent,  born  in  1842  in  Worcester,  Mass.,  is  a  son 
of  Francis  F.  and  grandson  of  Daniel  H.  Sargent.  His  mother 
was  Susan  H.,  daughter  of  Ralph  Rice.  Mr.  Sargent  graduated 
in  medicine  at  the  Cincinnati  Medical  College  in  1874.  In  1876 
he  opened  a  drug  .store  in  Massachusetts,  where  he  was  engaged 
until  1881.  In  November  of  that  year  he  came  to  Moosup  and 
bought  out  W.  H.  Hurlburt  in  the  drug  store  and  succeeded  him 
in  the  business.  He  was  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion  from  1861 
to  1864  in  Company  B,  32d  Massachusetts  volunteers.  He  was 
married  in  1883  to  Nettie  L.,  daughter  of  George  W.  Davis,  of 
Rhode  Island.  He  is  a  member  of  Kilburn  Post,  No.  77,  G.  A. 
R.,  a  member  of  Moosup  Lodge,  No.  113,  F.  &  A.  M.  and  has 
been  secretary  of  that  order  since  1884.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Hubbardstown,  Mass. 

George  W.  Shepard  was  born  in  1837  in  Plainfield.  His  father. 
Captain  Jeremiah  M.  Shepard,  was  a  son  of  Jeremiah  and  grand- 
son of  Captain  Simon  Shepard.  Mr.  Shepard  began  at  the  age 
of  nine  years  in  cotton  manufacturing  in  Central  Village,  and  for 
six  years  prior  to  1862  was  overseer  of  spinning  there.  In  Au- 
gust, 1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  21st  Connecticut  Volun- 
teers, was  comijiissioned  as  second  sergeant  October  11th,  1862, 
was  promoted  to  second  lieutenant  November,  1863,  was  made 
first  lieutenant,  and  a  few  months  later  was  commissioned  as 
captain  of  the  company.  He  was  discharged  in  1 864.  In  March, 
1866,  he  came  to  Wauregan  and  since  that  time  has  been  over- 
seer of  spinning.  He  was  married  in  1875  to  Mar}^  E.  Dix. 
They  have  two  children:  Jay  M.  and  Ellen  L.  He  is  a  member 
of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  a  member  of  Ouine- 
baug  Lodge,  No.  22,  A.  O.  U.  W.     He  is  a  republican. 

Albert  E.  Shoules,  born  in  1853,  is  a  son  of  Orrin  and  grand- 
son of  Abial  Shoules.  His  mother  is  Ardelia  (Sweet)  Shoules. 
Mr.  Shoules  is  a  farmer,  and  in  March,  1882,  he  took  charge  of 
the  town  farm,  and  that  year  he  kept  five  cows  and  one  pair  of 
horses  and  had  to  buy  two  tons  of  hay.  This  year  he  keeps  fif- 
teen head  of  cattle  and  a  pair  of  horses,  and  put  up  about  thirty- 
five  tons  of  hay.  In  1884  he  built  a  basement  barn  36  by  60 
feet  with  17  feet  posts.     He  was  married   in  1875  to  Mary  E. 


1092  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

« 

Palmer.     They  have  one  son,  Lewis  E.     He  is  a  democrat  and 
a  member  of  Moosup  Lodge,  No.  113,  F.  &  A.  M. 

William  S.  Simmons  was  born  in  1839  in  Rhode  Island,  near 
Phenix.  He  is  a  son  of  Davenport  S.  and  grandson  of  William 
S.  Simmons.  His  mother  was  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Reverend 
Isaac  Bonney.  Mr.  Simmons  is  a  tinsmith  by  trade.  He  worked 
at  the  trade  about  four  years.  In  wSeptember,  1861,  he  enlisted 
in  Company  F,  8th  Connecticut  volunteers.  He  was  color  ser- 
geant. He  and  another  color  sergeant,  Jacob  Bishop,  were  the 
ones  that  planted  the  first  Union  colors  on  Fort  Harrison,  Sep- 
tember 29th,  1864.  They  were  promoted  to  second  lieutenants 
for  the  act.  On  the  21st  of  Februar}^  1865,  he  received  a  wound 
at  Wilmington,  N.  C,  and  lost  his  left  leg  in  consequence.  He 
represented  the  town  in  the  legislature  in  1881.  He  was  post- 
master at  Moosup  seven  years  after  the  war.  He  was  married 
in  1864  to  Angeline  L.,  daughter  of  Christopher  Lyon.  They 
have  one  daughter,  Agnes  L.  He  was  in  Florida  a  part  of  the 
time  ten  years  prior  to  1882.  He  has  lived  at  Central  Village 
since  1882. 

John  S.  Smith  was  born  in  1823  in  Preston.  He  is  a  son  of 
Elisha,  who  held  a  captain's  commission  for  several  years  in  a 
military'  company,  and  a  grandson  of  Asa,  who  was  a  son  of 
Jeremiah.  His  mother  was  Mary,  daughter  of  Samuel  Henry. 
He  came  to  Plainfield  in  1856,  and  owns  a  farm  of  230  acres. 
The  house  where  he  now  lives  was  built  in  1828  by  Mason  Cor- 
nell. He  was  selectman  for  several  years.  He  was  married  in 
1854  to  Frances  C,  daughter  of  Mason  Cornell,  a  son  of  William, 
he  a  son  of  Gideon,  and  he  a  son  of  Stephen.  Her  mother  was 
Philena  A.,  daughter  of  John  Monroe.  The  names  of  their  four 
children  are :  William  C,  Anna  P.,  Mary  C.  (now  Mrs.  Everett 
E.  Brown)  and  Arthur  M.  Mr.  Smith  has  been  a  prohibitionist 
since  1872. 

Daniel  Spaulding  was  born  in  1838  in  Plainfield.  His  father, 
Daniel,  was  a  son  of  Daniel.  His  mother  was  Dinah  Medbury.  He 
is  one  of  three  children  now  living:  Rachel,  Daniel  and  Lydia  H. 
Mr.  Spaulding  has  been  a  farmer  at  this  place  for  twenty-two 
years,  and  owns  a  part  of  what  was  the  homestead  of  his  father 
and  grandfather.  He  has  been  selectman  six  years,  and  has 
filled  other  town  offices.  He  was  married  in  3  868  to  Laura  A., 
daughter  of  William  Hiscock.  They  have  two  children,  Grace 
M.  and  Charles  N.     Mr.  Spaulding  is  a  republican. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1093 

« 

Henry  C.  Starkweather,  born  in  Windham  in  1826,  is  a  son  of 
Elisha  and  grandson  of  Ephraim  Starkweather.  In  1845  he  went 
to  Providence,  R.  I.,  where  he  was  employed  in  the  bleaching 
and  dyeing  business  until  1855,  when  he  removed  to  Norwich, 
Conn.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  same  business  until  1862,  at 
which  time  he  came  to  Plainfield.  He  has  been  assessor  of  taxes, 
justice  of  the  peace,  county  commissioner  three  years,  and  rep- 
resented the  town  in  the  legislature  in  1874.  In  January,  1886, 
he  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Plainfield,  which  office  he  now 
holds.  He  was  married  in  1858  to  Ellen  Dillaby.  She  died  in 
1864,  leaving  two  daughters,  Emma  A.  and  Hattie  B.  He  was 
married  in  1865  to  Sarah  D.  Burdick,  by  whom  he  has  one  son, 
Henry  S.  He  also  has  one  son  by  a  former  marriage,  Festus  L. 
He  is  a  member  of  Moosup  Lodge,  No.  113,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Jeremiah  Starkweather,  born  in  1809  in  Burlington,  N.  Y.,  is 
a  son  of  Jeremiah  and  grandson  of  Aaron  Starkweather.  Mr. 
Starkweather  has  been  a  farmer,  with  the  exception  of  about 
ten  years,  during  which  time  he  was  station  agent.  He  has 
been  judge  of  probate,  and  has  held  other  town  offices,  as  a  re- 
publican. He  was  married  first  in  1838,  to  Hannah  Card.  She 
died  in  1849.  He  was  married  in  1855  to  Roby,  daughter  of 
George  Kenyon,  who  came  from  Rhode  Island  to  this  town  when 
a  boy  (about  1795).     He  was  in  the  war  of  1812. 

Harriet  Stockley  was  born  in  England,  and  is  a  daughter  of 
Joseph  Whitaker.  She  was  married  December  25th,  1848,  to 
William  Stockley.  They  came  to  Slatersville,  R.  I.,  in  the  spring 
following,  where  he  was  employed  as  mill  operative.  In  1857 
they  removed  to  Wauregan,  where  Mr.  Stockley  was  overseer 
of  mule  spinning  until  1875,  when  he  retired  on  account  of 
his  health,  and  he  died  the  February  following,  aged  53  years. 
They  had  two  sons:  John  W.,  who  died  in  infancy,  and  Arthur 
W.,  who  was  in  the  Company  store  at  Wauregan  about  seven 
years.  He  was  married  in  1878  to  Mary  Leach,  and  died  in  1881 . 
His  widow  was  married  in  1885  to  John  F.  Lewis.  They  have 
one  daughter,  Mary  L.  Mrs.  Stockley  came  to  Central  Village 
in  January,  1882,  where  she  now  lives  with  Mr.  Lewis  and  his 
family.  Mr.  Stockley  was  a  republican  and  a  member  of  Moos- 
up Lodge,  No.  113,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Amasa  P.  Tabor  was  born  in  1846,  in  Cazenovia,  Madison 
county,  N.  Y.  His  father  was  Peleg  C,  son  of  Peleg  Tabor. 
His  mother  was  Abbie,  daughter  of  Amasa  Borden.     Mr.  Tabor 


1094  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

moved  from  New  York  to  Coventry,  R.  I.,  in  1858.  He  was 
first  interested  in  the  mercantile  trade  in  1870,  at  Green  Station, 
R.  I.,  with  Charles  J.  Borden  (firm  of  Borden  &  Tabor).  In  1871 
Mr.  Tabor  bought  his  partner's  interest,  for  seven  years  car- 
ried on  the  business  alone,  and  in  1878  sold  out  to  Oliver 
Lewis.  He  was  in  this  town  from  1880  to  1885,  as  agent  for 
Aldrich  &  Milner;  then  he  was  with  a  Providence  firm  two 
years,  and  in  March,  1887,  he  came  back  to  Almyville,  and 
since  that  time  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Tabor 
&  Kenyon,  general  m.erchants.  He  was  married  in  1860  to 
Peora  F.  Jencks.  They  have  two  children  living,  Irving  A.  and 
Abbie  P.,  and  two  died  in  infancy.  He  enlisted  in  the  1st  R. 
I.  Light  Artillery  in  March,  1865,  and  was  discharged  in  June. 
He  is  a  member  of  Kilburn  Post,  No.  77,  G.  A.  R.,  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  order,  and  also  of  the  Odd  Fellows. 

'  Nathaniel  P.  Thompson  was  born  in  1827  in  Voluntown,  Conn. 
He  is  a  son  of  Isaac  W.,  and  grandson  of  Reuben  Thompson. 
His  mother  is  Anna,  daughter  of  Major  John  Wilcox,  son  of 
Abram  Wilcox.  Mr.  Thompson  was  a  mill  operative  from  a  lad 
until  1861.  In  September  of  that  year  he  enlisted  in  Company 
K,  21st  Connecticut  volunteers.  He  was  wounded  in  the  left 
hand  at  Drury's  Bluff,  May  16th,  1862,  and  was  discharged  in 
February,  1865.  In  the  spring  of  the  same  year  he  came  to  Cen- 
tral Village,  and  was  employed  as  a  mill  operative  until  1872,  and 
since  that  time  he  has  been  constable  and  deputy  sheriff,  with 
the  exception  of  two  years  collector.  He  was  married  in  1851 
to  Maria,  daughter  of  John  R.  Snow.  They  have  three  children: 
Frank  S.,  Mary  I.  (Mrs.  Daniel  Shippee),  and  Annie  L.  Mr. 
Thompson  is  a  member  of  AIoosup  Lodge,  No.  113,  F.  &  A.  M., 
and  Kilburn  Post,  No.  77,  G.  A.  R. 

Abbie  C.  Tillinghast  is  a  daughter  of  Knight  Spalding,  and 
granddaughter  of  Reuben  Spalding.  Her  mother  was  Lucy 
(Prior)  Spalding.  She  was  married  in  1861  to  Rufus  Kennedy, 
who  died  in  1872.  He  was  a  son  of  Robert  Kennedy,  and  was 
a  manufacturer  here  for  several  years,  and  later  a  farmer.  She 
was  married  a  few  years  later  to  Mr.  Tillinghast,  who  was  killed 
by  a  locomotive. 

Charles  A.  Tillinghast  was  born  in  1808  in  Voluntown,  Conn. 
He  is  a  son  of  Joseph,  son  of  Charles,  son  of  John,  son  of  Par- 
don, son  of  Elder  Pardon  Tillinghast,  who  came  from  England 
to  Providence.      His  mother  was   Sarah,  daughter  of   William 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1095 

Gorton.  Mr.  Tillinghast  learned  the  cabinet  maker's  trade, 
worked  at  it  about  eight  years,  and  has  since  been  a  machinist. 
He  has  worked  at  the  latter  trade  about  57  years.  He  came  to 
Moosup  in  1847,  and  in  1848  he  built  the  house  which  he  has 
occupied  since  that  time.  He  was  married  in  1831  to  Sophia, 
daughter  of  Andrew  and  Martha  (Parkis)  Young.  They  have 
two  children  living,  Alva  H.  and  Jennie  S.,  now  Mrs.  T.  Avery 
Tillinghast.  They  lost,  three  children  in  infancy:  Sarah  F., 
Helen  S.  and  Charles  E.  Mr.  Tillinghast  is  a  republican,  and 
a  member  of  Plainfield  Union  Baptist  church. 

Frank  C.  Tillinghast  was  born  in  1860  in  Sterling,  Conn.  His 
father,  Albert,  was  a  son  of  George  and  grandson  of  Elder  Par- 
don Tillinghast.  His  mother  was  Orra,  daughter  of  Benjamin 
Clark.  Mr.  Tillinghast  is  a  farmer.  He  came  to  this  town  in 
1888  and  bought  a  farm  of  190  acres  of  Alexander  Hill.  He  was 
married  in  1888  to  Lizzie,  daughter  of  Russell  Hill,  of  Sterling, 
Conn.     He  is  a  member  of  Plainfield  Union  Baptist  church. 

Frank  H.  Tillinghast,  son  of  Waldo  Tillinghast,  was  born  in 
1860  in  Plainfield.  Mr.  Tillinghast  was  educated  at  the  Plain- 
field  Academy  and  at  Schofield's  Business  College  of  Providence. 
He  had  charge  of  a  store  for  his  father  at  Packerville  about 
two  years  prior  to  1883.  In  October  of  that  year  he,  in  company 
with  Mr.  Palmer,  purchased  the  goods  in  the  Company  store  at 
Central  Village,  and  it  was  run  as  Tillinghast  &  Palmer  until 
July,  1886.  At  that  time  Palmer  retired  and  Mr.  Tillinghast  has 
since  been  alone.  He  was  married  in  1882  to  Annie  M.,  daugh- 
ter of  Olney  Dodge.  He  is  a  republican  and  a  member  of  Moos- 
up Lodge,  No.  113,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Henry  S.  Tillinghast,  born  in  1835  in  Killingly,  is  a  son  of 
Thomas  S.  and  grandson  of  Deacon  Pardon  Tillinghast,  of  West 
Greenwich,  R.  I.  Mr.  Tillinghast  carried  on  a  hotel  at  Plainfield 
about  three  years  prior  to  1861.  In  August  of  that  year  he  en- 
listed in  Company  C,  First  Squadron  Connecticut  Cavalry,  and 
was  mustered  in  at  Scarsdale  in  the  "  Harris  Light,"  or  2d  New 
York  Cavalry.  He  has  been  engaged  in  buying  farmers' produce 
and  dealing  in  horses  about  nineteen  years,  and  in  February, 
1887,  he  took  the  Moosup  House,  which  he  has  run  since  that 
time.  He  was  married  in  1868  to  Catharine  T.,  daughter  of  Silas 
and  Eliza  Crain.  They  have  had  six  children:  George  C,  who 
was  killed  in  1880;  Byron  H.,  who  died  aged  three  years;  Mary 
E.,  now  Mrs.  Walter  Smith;  Emma  H.,  Willie  A.  and  Bertha 
May,  who  died  aged  seven  years. 


1096  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

George  H.  Tripp  was  born  in  1862  in  Thompson.  His  father, 
Henry  D.,  was  a  son  of  John  S.  and  grandson  of  Perry  Tripp. 
His  mother  is  Adelaide  J.  Simmons.  Mr.  Tripp  was  brought  up 
a  farmer,  and  in  July,  1883,  he  established  a  coal  and  wood  yard 
in  Central  Village.  In  1885  he  bought  the  Central  block  of 
Charles  J.  Aspinwall,  and  he  now  keeps  grain  and  feed.  He 
handles  about  3,000  tons  of  coal  per  year.  He  was  married  in 
November,  1887,  to  Lena  F.,  daughter  of  Rufus  D.  Curtis. 

Perry  G.  Tripp,  born  in  1823  in  Plainfield,  is  a  son  of  John  S. 
Tripp,  born  in  Exeter,  R.  I.,  and  grandson  of  Perry  Tripp.  His 
mother  was  Sarah,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  Bissel.  Sam- 
uel Bissel  was  a  revolutionary  soldier.  He  came  to  Plainfield 
in  1823.  John  S.  Tripp  came  to  this  town  at  the  same  time  and 
settled  in  the  south  part  of  the  town.  Mr.  Tripp  lived  with  his 
father  until  1840  ;  then  he  engaged  in  whaling  about  six  years. 
In  that  time  he  went  twice  around  the  world.  Since  that  time 
he  has  been  a  farmer.  Prior  to  1869  he  was  in  Brooklyn,  Conn., 
about  twenty  years.  In  1869  he  came  to  Plainfield  and  bought 
about  two  hundred  acres.  He  still  owns  the  farm  in  Brooklyn 
of  about  250  acres.  He  keeps  about  forty  cows.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1848  to  Lydia  A.  Robbins.  She  died  in  1874,  leaving 
seven  children:  Perry  G.,  Jr.,  Elihu  S.,  John  B.,  Emma,  Isabel, 
Grace  and  Lizzie.  He  was  married  again  in  1876  to  Hattie  Rob- 
bins.  She  has  one  daughter,  Anna  I.  He  has  been  selectman 
and  held  other  town  offices.  He  is  a  democrat.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Packerville  Baptist  church. 

Joseph  Vaughn  was  born  in  1811  in  Sterling.  His  father,  Jesse 
Vaughn,  who  died  in  1823  aged  77  years,  had  twelve  children 
by  his  first  wife  ;  and  by  his  second  wife,  Mary  E.  P'rench,  four 
children  :  John,  Joseph,  Lydia  and  Mary.  Mr.  Vaughn  is  the 
only  one  of  the  sixteen  children  now  living.  He  was  a  black- 
smith about  fifteen  years,  then  a  farmer.  He  lived  in  Tolland, 
Conn.,  about  twenty-five  years.  He  came  to  Central  Village  and 
bought  a  house  and  lot  in  1879,  and  has  lived  here  since  that 
time.  He  was  married  in  1838  and  his  wife  died  in  1865.  He 
was  married  in  1866  to  Mary  Eliza  Young.  They  have  two  chil- 
dren— John  E.  and  Mary  E.  He  has  been  deacon  of  Plainfield 
Union  Baptist  church  about  nine  years. 

William  H.  and  John  E.  Williams  are  sons  of  William  A.  Wil- 
liams. William  H.  was  born  in  1860  in  Westerly,  R.  I.  He  be- 
gan in  1880  to  learn  the  blacksmith's  trade,  and  has  followed  it 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1097 

since  that  time.  John  E.  was  born  in  1864.  He  began  in  1883 
in  Norwich  to  learn  the  blacksmith's  trade.  They  came  to 
Moosup  in  1887,  October  10th,  bought  the  blacksmith  shop  of 
John  W.  Fisk,  and  since  that  time  have  carried  on  a  blacksmith 
business  there.  Their  younger  brother,  Dudley  B.,  also  works 
with  them.  William  H.  was  married  in  1885  to  Emily  Fina- 
more.     They  have  one  daughter,  Ida. 

Caleb  P.  Wilson,  son  of  Jared  Wilson,  was  born  in  1813  in 
Sterling.  He  came  to  Wauregan  in  1854  as  overseer  of  weav- 
ing, and  continued  in  that  capacity  until  December,  1866.  Since 
then  he  has  been  superintendent  of  the  mill.  Prior  to  1854  he 
had  been  overseer  of  weaving  in  Central  Village  about  eight 
years.  He  was  a  member  of  the  legislature  in  1851  as  a  whig. 
He  was  married  first  in  1839.  He  lost  his  first  wife,  and  was 
married  again  in  1883.     He  is  a  republican. 

Betsey  A.  Wilcox  is  the  daughter  of  William  Wilcox,  w^ho  was 
born  in  1801,  in  West  Greenwich,  R.  I.  He  was  a  son  of 
Thomas,  and  he  a  son  of  Nathan  Wilcox.  Mr.  Wilcox  left  his 
home  in  West  Greenwich  at  the  age  of  28,  and  from  that  time 
until  1844,  he  worked  as  stone  mason  in  different  parts  of  New 
England,  and  was  four  years  in  New  York  state.  It  is  said  that 
he  built  all  the  locks  on  the  canal  from  Albany  to  Troy.  From 
1844  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  November  19th,  1884, 
he  had  been  a  farmer.  William  Wilcox  was  married  in 
1849  to  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Hezekiah  French,  who  was  a  son  of 
Isaac  French.  They  had  two  daughters — Betsey  A.  and  French, 
who  died  aged  four  years.     Mr.  Wilcox  was  a  democrat. 

Erbin  S.  Wilson,  born  in  1851  in  Plainfield,  is  a  son  of  Rufus, 
and  grandson  of  Nathaniel  Wilson.  His  mother  is  Phoebe, 
daughter  of  John  and  Celia  Young.  Rufus  was  married  in  1849, 
and  died  in  1885.  Nathaniel  Wilson  and  his  brother  bought  the 
farm  where  Erbin  S.  now  lives  about  1800.  He  built  the  house 
where  Erbin  S.  now  lives  for  his  son  Thomas.  Nathaniel  had 
eight  children:  Rufus,  Thomas,  Rachel,  Eunice,  Polly,  Olive, 
Zylpha  and  Sally.  Mr.  Wilson  was  married  in  1883  to  Josie  G., 
daughter  of  James  H.  Fairman.  She  died  in  1884,  leaving  one 
son.  He  was  married  again  in  1885  to  Melissa,  daughter  of 
Cyrus  Bennett.  He  is  a  republican,  and  a  member  of  the 
Moosup  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Henry  N.  Wood,  Jr.,  was  born  in  1850  in  South  Scituate,  R.  I. 
He  is  a  son  of  Henry  N.  and  Mary  (Salisbury)  Wood,  and  grand- 


1098  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

son  of  Nehemiah  and  Phila  (Salisbury)  Wood.  Mr.  Wood  is  a 
machinist  by  trade.  He  has  lived  at  Wauregan  since  1865,  with, 
the  exception  of  five  years.  He  was  boss  machinist  at  Phenix^ 
R.  I.,  for  three  years,  and  since  he  came  back  has  been  boss 
machinist  at  Wauregan  Mills.  He  was  married  in  1871  to  Ada, 
daughter  of  Enoch  W.  Waldo.  They  have  two  daughters,  Cora 
M.  and  Minnie  F.  He  is  a  member  of  Wauregan  Congrega- 
tional church,  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M.,. 
Warren  Chapter,  No.  12,  and  Protection  Lodge,  No.  19,  I.  O. 
of  O.  F. 

Henry  A.  Young  was  born  in  1838  in  Killingly.  He  is  a  son 
of  Stephen  G.,  whose  father  was  Stephen  Young.  His  mother  is 
Mary  (Hill)  Young.  Stephen  G.  was  a  machinist  by  trade.  He 
came  from  Killingly  to  this  town  in  1841,  and  in  1850  he  bought 
a  farm  of  130  acres.  He  died  in  1885.  Henry  A.  is  a  farmer, 
occupying  the  homestead  of  his  father.  He  was  married  in  188S 
to  Anna  J.,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Almira  (Kimball)  James,  and 
granddaughter  of  Perry  G.,  a  son  of  Joseph  James,  who  was  a 
revolutionary  soldier. 

CANTERBURY. 

Dwight  Barstow  was  born  in  Canterbury  Plains,  August  8th,^ 
1820.  He  is  a  son  of  Hezekiah  and  Rebecca  (Gager)  Barstow,. 
and  grandson  of  Hezekiah  and  Olive  (Bradford)  Barstow.  He 
was  educated  in  Canterbury,  and  is  about  the  only  living  person 
that  attended  Prudence  Crandall's  school  at  the  time  she  dis- 
missed her  white  scholars  and  filled  up  her  school  with  colored. 
He  held  the  office  of  highway  surveyor  for  thirty  years.  He  was 
married  to  Amelia  Lyon,  September  18th,  1854,  and  their  chil- 
dren are:  Charles,  George  and  Frank.  Mr.  Barstow  is  a  member 
of  the  Congregational  church.  The  family  have  occupied  one 
slip  in  the  Canterbury  church  for  50  years. 

George  L.  Carey  was  born  in  Canterbury,  October  12th,  1842, 
is  a  son  of  Benajah  and  Mary  Bacon  Adams  Carey,  and  grand- 
son of  James  and  Phebe  Carey.  He  was  educated  in  the  Can- 
terbury schools.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  enlisted  in  the  1st 
Connecticut  cavalry,  Company  A,  Captain  Andrew  W.  Bowen. 
He  served  for  three  years  under  such  generals  as  Grant,  Sheri- 
dan, Custer  and  Sigel,  and  is  now  a  member  of  Sedgwick  Post, 
No.  1,  G.  A.  R.  His  brother  Dwight  Carey,  enlisted  at  the  age 
of  16,  and  lost  his  life  at  the  battle  of  Antietam.     His  remains 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1099^ 

were  brought  home.  His  brother  Asa  B.  Carey,  is  a  graduate  of 
West  Point,  served  all  through  the  rebellion,  and  is  now  pay- 
master in  the  regular  army.  Mr.  Carey  represented  his  town  in 
the  legislature  for  two  sessions.  He  is  married  to  Fannie  R. 
Fisher,  daughter  of  Benjamin  F.  and  Fannie  Havens  Fisher. 
He  attends  the  Congregational  church. 

T.  G.  Clarke  was  born  in  Franklin,  Conn.,  June  16th,  1809.  His 
parents  were  Allen  G.  and  Celinda  (Darling)  Clarke,  and  his 
grandparents  were  Asa  and  Rebecca  (Allen)  Clarke.  Mr.  Clarke 
taught  school  in  the  winter  time  from  the  age  of  16  to  21,  then 
prepared  for  the  theological  seminary  at  East  Windsor,  from 
which  he  graduated  and  preached  until  health  failed.  He  then 
engaged  in  farming.  He  was  a  member  of  the  legislature  four 
years.  He  married  for  his  first  wife  Cressa  Judson,  in  Septem-^ 
ber,  1844,  and  by  her  had  the  following  children:  Rebecca,  Isa- 
bella, Josephine  J.,  Andrew  T.  J.,  Allen  G.  and  John  D.  He  was 
married  in  April,  1870,  to  Sarah  Johnson.  Mr.  Clarke  has  been 
deacon  of  the  Congregational  church  34  years. 

J.  L.  Hyde,  born  in  Canterbury,  June  12th,  1826,  is  a  son  of 
Nehemiah  and  Rebecca  (Lewis)  Hyde,  and  grandson  of  Jonathan 
and  Hannah  (Bentley)  Hyde.  He  was  married  March  24th,. 
1851,  to  Mary  Ann  Olin.  Their  children  are:  Hannah  Adelaide 
and  Frederick  Louis. 

G.  T.  Kendall,  born  in  Canterbury,  October  30th,  1821,  is  a 
son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Parkhurst)  Kendall,  and  grandson  of 
John  and  Lois  (Palmer)  Kendall.  Mr.  Kendall  has  held  numer- 
ous t:wn  offices.     He  attends  the  Unitarian  church  of  Brooklyn. 

Rufus  S.  Ladd,  born  in  Franklin,  Conn.,  August  17th,  1824, 
is  a  son  of  Festus  and  Ruby  Ladd.  His  maternal  grandparents 
were  Ezekiel  Ladd  and  Ruth  Hyde.  His  paternal  grandparents 
were  Abner  Ladd  and  Abigail  Perkins.  Mr.  Ladd  was  repre- 
sentative in  the  legislature  of  1875.  He  was  married  May  27th, 
1857,  to  Jane  M.  Ladd.  Their  children  were :  Elsie  D.  and 
William  E.  Elsie  D.  died  March  14th,  1884,  in  the  29th  year  of 
her  age.  Jane  M.  Ladd's  grandfather  on  her  father's  side  was 
Hazen  Ladd,  and  her  grandmother  Rhode  Smith  ;  on  her 
mother's  side  Abner  Ladd  and  Sallie  Cook. 

John  McMurraywas  born  in  County  Ayr,  Scotland,  September 
16th,  1827,  and  is  a  son  of  Gilbert  and  Janet  McMurray.  He 
was    married  February    11th,  1868,  to    Sarah    M.,    daughter  of 


1100  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

George  and  Miranda  Lyon,  and  has  one  daughter,  Jennie  Faith. 
Mr.  McMurray  is  a  deacon  in  the  Congregational  church. 

James  B.  Palmer,  son  of  Asher  and  Joanna  (Ames)  Palmer, 
and  grandson  of  Uriah  and  Elizabeth  (Newton)  Palmer,  was 
born  in  Norwich,  Conn.,  January  17th,  1830,  and  is  a  farmer. 
He  represented  his  town  in  the  legislature  and  is  at  present 
first  selectman.  He  was  married  in  1854  to  Sarah  W.  Holmes. 
Their  children  are  :  Alice,  Alida,  Addie,  Nellie,  Mary,  Frankie, 
Jennie,  Libby,  Asher  P.,  and  William  J.  Mr.  Palmer  attends 
the  Congregational  church. 

Charles  L.  Ray,  born  in  Voluntown,  Conn.,  in  1826,  is  a  son 
of  Palmer  and  Annie  (Brewster)  Ray.  He  is  deacon  of  the  Con- 
gregational church  of  Canterbury  Green.  He  was  married  Jan- 
uary 27th,  1850,  to  Phebe  Eaton. 

Edmund  Smith,  born  in  Canterbury,  November  8th,  1834,  is 
a  son  of  John  and  grandson  of  Roger  Smith.  His  mother  was 
Emeline  Williams  and  his  grandmother  Alice  Bingham.  His 
brother  John  O.  Smith  was  born  in  Canterbury  October  31st, 
1840,  and  is  a  graduate  of  the  New  York  Eclectic  College.  His 
sister  Harriet  W.,  was  born  in  Canterbury  July  16th,  1832,  and 
in  1856  married  Danforth  C.  Bugbee.  Mr,  Smith  holds  the 
office  of  selectman.  He  was  married  March  17th,  1863,  to  Abbie 
C.  Stanton  and  has  one  son.  Burr  S. 

Walter  Smith,  born  in  Canterbury  February  12th,  1811,  is  a 
son  of  Walter  and  Lydia  (Mudge)  Smith.  His  grandfather  was 
John  and  his  great-grandfather  Joseph  Smith.  Mr.  Smith  has 
represented  his  town  for  three  terms  in  the  legislature.  He  was 
married  in  1835  to  Susan  Lyon.  Their  children  are :  Henry, 
Helen,  Columbus,  Mellen  W.,  Elbert  and  Flora. 

Washington  Smith,  born  in  Canterbury  in  January,  1833,  is  a 
son  of  J.  B.  Smith  and  grandson  of  Roger  Smith.  For  thirty- 
five  years  he  has  successfully  conducted  his  business  of  black- 
smith in  this  place.  He  married  Mary  A.  Brown  in  1856.  His 
children  are :  George  W.,  born  1858 ;  Mary  E.,  1860  ;  Charles 
F.,  1863;  and  Ruth  K.,  1867. 

BROOKLYN. 

Lorin  S.  Atwood,  born  in  Mansfield  July  23d,  1812,  is  one  of 
twelve  children  of  Elisha  and  Anna  (Hartshorn)  Atwood.  From 
about  1850  to  1860  he  was  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  in 
Hampton.     He  then  removed  to  Brooklyn  and  was  a  merchant 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1101 

there  till  his  death  in  1888.  He  married,  first,  a  Miss  Cooley, 
by  whom  he  had  three  children  :  Juliette,  Arvila  and  Herman. 
His  second  wife  was  Margaret  Bradbent,  who  had  one  son- 
Oscar  F. 

John  M.  Baker,  son  of  Almon  and  Hannah  (Tticker)  Baker 
and  grandson  of  John  Baker,  was  born  in  Brooklyn  in  1814,  and 
has  followed  the  business  of  carriage  making  through  life.  He 
married  Sarah  French,  of  Plainfield,  daughter  of  Hezekiah 
French,  February  14th,  1848.  Their  children  are:  John  F.,born 
in  1849 ;  Edwin,  born  in  1851 ;  and  Jennie,  born  in  1856,  died  in 
1887. 

Henry  D.  Bassett.  son  of  Joseph  Bassett,  was  born  in  1828. 
About  1852,  he  succeeded  his  father  in  the  business  of  mak- 
ing cloth,  which  the  latter  had  carried  on  for  twenty  years. 
A  year  later  he  changed  the  business  to  carding  wool  and  grind- 
ing grain.  In  1866  he  built  a  new  saw  mill.  Mr.  Bassett  is  one 
of  the  most  successful  business  men  of  Brooklyn.  He  married 
Alsada,  daughter  of  Pardon  Phillips.  Their  children  are:  Ed- 
ward W.,  Fannie,  Ellen  L.,  George  C.  (who  was  killed  by  being 
thrown  from  a  load  of  lumber  on  his  seventeenth  birthday,  June 
28th,  1880),  Mary  C.  and  Almira. 

Benjamin  Brown,  born  in  Brooklyn  in  1807,  is  a  son  of  Ben- 
jamin Brown  and  grandson  of  John  Brown.  Benjamin  Brown, 
Sr.,  married  Susanna  Cooper,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Cooper, 
of  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  and  came  to  Brooklyn  in  1805.  He 
had  four  children:  Susan,  Benjamin,  Emeline  and  George. 
Benjamin  Brown  in  early  life  was  engaged  in  teaching,  and 
since  1839  has  been  a  farmer.  He  married  Emeline  Mason,  of 
Providence.  Their  children  are:  George,  Frank,  Charles  (in 
Providence),  Ardelia  (married  a  Pond),  Ann  (married  Jos- 
eph K.  Potter),  John  (married  Hattie  Utley),  William  and 
James  A.,  who  graduated  at  Brown  University  in  1883  and  at 
Newton  Theological  Seminary  in  1836.  He  is  a  Baptist  minister 
at  Newark,  Ohio. 

Sanford  Chapman  was  born  in  Griswold,  Conn.,  and  came  to 
Brooklyn  in  1850.  He  is  one  of  eleven  children  of  Joseph  and 
Ruth  (Main)  Chapman,  and  grandson  of  Rufus  Main,  a  soldier 
of  the  revolutionary  war.  Mr.  Chapman  is  a  successful  farmer. 
He  was  married  in  1844  to  Laura,  daughter  of  Ira  Miller,  and 
has  six  children:  Mary,  married  Alfred  Havens;  Hattie,  Irving, 
Alice,  married  Wellington  James;  Ida  and  Susie. 


1102  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Francis  Clark  was  born  in  Leeds,  England,  and  came  to  Brook- 
lyn in  1852.  He  learned  the  trade  of  currier,  and  bought  a  tan- 
nery in  Brooklyn  in  1853,  which  business  he  conducted  till  his 
death  in  1875.  He  married  Sarah  M.  Heath  in  1841.  They  had 
five  children:  Sarah,  Benjamin,  Levi,  Francis  and  John. 

Henry  M.  Cleveland,  son  of  Mason  Cleveland,  was  born  in 
Hampton,  Conn.,  in  1827.  He  was  a  member  of  the  general 
assembly  in  1867,  1877,  and  1882,  a  member  of  the  state  board 
of  education  four  years,  appointed  in  1877  a  member  of  special 
commission  to  examine  insurance  companies  of  Connecticut, 
-and  appointed  member  of  commission  to  revise  expenditures  of 
state.  He  married  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Jonathan  A.  Welch,  in 
1854.  They  have  four  children  :  Louis  B.,  a  graduate  of  Colum- 
bia Law  School,  class  of  1876,  lawyer  at  Putnam  ;  Lilly  C,  mar- 
ried Lieutenant  Commander  Louis  Kingsley  of  the  L'nited 
States  Navy  ;  Mary  A.,  and  Henry  ]M.  Jr. 

Martin  W.  Crosby  was  born  in  Lisbon,  Conn.,  and  came  to 
Brooklyn  in  1855.  The  ancestor  of  the  family  in  this  country 
came  from  Lancashire  to  America  in  the  ship  "Susan  &  Ellen"  in 
1635.  Mr.  Crosby  was  appointed  deacon  of  the  Congregational 
church  of  Brooklyn  in  1877,  which  position  he  has  retained  until 
the  present  time.  He  married  Abby,  daughter  of  Marvin  Dexter, 
and  a  descendant  in  seventh  generation  from  Reverend  Gregory 
Dexter,  who  came  to  America  and  settled  at  Providence  in  1644, 
and  was  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church  at  Providence.  They 
have  two  children :  Henry  D.,  and  ISIary  A. 

William  H.  Cutler,  born  in  Killingly  in  1817,  is  a  son  of  Dan 
and  Amy  (Bussey)  Cutler,  the  former  a  soldier  of  the  war  of 
1812,  and  a  son  of  Benjamin  Cutler.  In  early  life  William.  H. 
worked  in  a  cotton  mill.  He  was  in  the  jewelry  business  in 
Providence  about  twenty  years,  came  to  Brooklyn  in  1865,  and 
has  since  been  a  farmer.  He  has  been  selectman  several  years. 
He  married  Sarah  F.  Washburn  of  Killingly,  and  they  have  one 
son,  Charles  H.,  an  engineer  at  Taunton,  Mass. 

Charles  Dorrance  was  born  in  Brooklyn  m  1824.  He  is  a  son 
of  Samuel,  and  is  descended  from  one  of  the  early  settlers  of 
the  county.  He  married,  first,  Janet  Sharp,  and  second,  in  1877, 
Frances  Davis,  daughter  of  Randall  Davis.  His  children  are : 
George,  born  1850,  lives  at  St.  Paul:  Janet  C,  married  John 
Davenport ;  Harriet  E.,  married  Albert  Putnam  :  Kate,  and  Fan- 
nie G.,  married  John  Payne. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1103 

Vine  R.  Franklin  was  born  in  Brooklyn  January  2d,  1843.  He 
is  a  son  of  John  and  Laura  P.  (Hammond)  Franklin,  whose  chil- 
dren were  Vine,  William  H.  and  Annie,  and  a  grandson  of  Wil- 
liam B.  Franklin,  of  Ashford.  Mr.  Franklin  represented  Brook- 
lyn in  the  legislature  of  1887,  and  has  held  various  town  cffices 
He  married  Josephine  H.  Main,  of  Brooklyn,  and  has  one  daugh- 
ter, Lucy  H.,  born  in  1867. 

John  Gallup,  born  in  Sterling  April  9th,  1807,  was  a  son  of 
David  and  Nancy  (Jacques)  Gallup,  and  descended  from  John 
Gallup,  who  came  from  England  in  1630  and  married  Christabel, 
sister  of  Governor  Winthrop.  Mr.  Gallup  was  educated  at  the 
schools  of  Brooklyn  and  Plainfield ;  was  deputy  sheriff  and 
sheriff  for  ten  years  in  early  life ;  was  president  of  the  Wind- 
ham County  National  Bank  twenty  years;  representative  to  the 
legislature  twice,  once  as  senator,  and  was  bank  commissioner 
three  years.  He  married  Maria  C.  Tyler,  great-granddaughter 
of  General  Putnan.  Their  children  were  :  Henry,  superintend- 
ent of  the  Boston  &  Albany  railroad ;  Ellen  M.  and  Edward,  who 
was  assistant  general  manager  of  the  Lake  Shore  &  Michi- 
gan Southern  railroad,  and  died  in  October,  1888,  at  46  years  of 

age. 

George  G.  Gilbert  was  born  in  Brooklyn  October  20th,  1814. 
He  is  a  son  of  John  W.  and  Hannah  A.  Gilbert  and  great-grand- 
son of  John  Gilbert,  the  first  of  the  name  in  Windham  county, 
who  was  of  the  fourth  generation  from  Sir  John  Gilbert,  who 
came  from  Devonshire,  England,  to  Massachusetts  in  1636.  In 
early  life  Mr.  Gilbert  learned  the  machinist's  trade,  which  he 
followed  eight  years,  and  has  since  been  a  farmer.  He  has  been 
twice  married. 

Hezekiah  Hammond,  son  of  Hezekiah,  born  December  18th, 
1782,  married  October  1st,  1804,  Polly  Greenslit,  and  had  three 
children.  She  died  in  1814.  He  married  Lora  Burnett  in  1816 
.and  she  died  in  1817,  leaving  one  child.  He  married  third,  Han- 
nah Warren,  daughter  of  John  and  Hannah  (Fuller)  Warren, 
April  22d,  1819.  She  had  four  children:  Charlotte,  Helen,  Frances 
and  Lucy.  Charlotte,  the  eldest,  born  November  16th,  1822, 
married  September  28th,  1847,  Gurdon  A.  Brown,  son  of  Artemas 
Brown,  of  Brookl^^n,  who  was  educated  at  the  schools  of  Brook- 
lyn, and  engaged  in  real  estate  business  at  Philadelphia,  where 
lie  died  at  32  years  of  age.  Hezekiah  Hammond,  2d,  brother  of 
Colonel   Asahel,   was   a   descendant  of  Thomas  Hammond,   of 


1104  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Suffolk  county,  England,  who  married  Rose  Tripp  May  14th, 
1573,  and  whose  sons  William  and  Thomas  came  to  America 
about  the  year  1630. 

Colonel  Asahel  Hammond  was  born  in  Hampton  May  10th, 
1778,  and  married  December  9th,  1801,  Betsey  Robinson.  He 
removed  to  Brooklyn,  Conn.,  in  1842,  was  a  director  of  the  Wind- 
ham County  Bank  and  president  of  the  Windham  County  Fire 
Insurance  Company,  and  colonel  of  the  state  militia.  He  died 
in  1861,  and  his  wife  died  in  1865.  They  had  eleven  children, 
of  whom  Catherine,  born  May  10th,  1810,  married  in  1834  C.  W. 
Cain,  of  Petersburg,  Va.,  who  was  ensign  in  the  2d  Regiment, 
United  States  Dragoons,  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  afterward  a 
merchant  in  New  York  city.  They  had  three  children:  1.  James 
H.,  born  1836,  received  an  academical  education,  enlisted  at  the 
commencement  of  the  civil  war,  was  wounded  and  confined  in 
Libby  Prison  during  the  summer  of  1864,  was  first  lieutenant  1st 
Connecticut  cavalry;  2.  Elizabeth  A.,  born  1838,  married  in  1866 
John  W.  Hunt,  who  came  from  England,  was  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile business  in  New  York,  and  died  in  1885,  leaving  three 
children;  3.  Mary  C.  Cain,born  July  14th,  1840,  resides  at  the  old 
homestead  at  Brooklyn. 

Harvey  Harris,  born  in  Brooklyn  in  1859,  is  a  son  of  George 
W.  Harris,  one  of  the  largest  land  owners  in  Windham  county, 
who  was  a  son  of  Hosea  Harris.  Harvey  Harris  was  married  to 
Mary  Cheney  December  25th,  1882. 

Erastus  Harris  was  born  in  Brooklyn  in  1815.  About  the  year 
1839  he  commenced  the  business  of  blacksmithing  and  wagon 
making.  His  business  increased  until  he  employed  fifteen  or 
twenty  men.  He  also  carried  on  farming,  and  for  many  years 
engaged  in  staging,  owning  several  different  lines.  In  the  time 
of  the  civil  war  he  was  active  in  the  support  of  the  government. 
He  contributed  largely  to  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  com- 
niunity,  and  was  kind  and  charitable  to  the  poor.  He  married 
in  1840  Miss  Amy  Herrick,  daughter  of  Timothy  Herrick.  They 
had  one  daughter,  Fannie,  who  married  Charles  W.  Snow.  Mr. 
Harris  died  in  1871. 

Elias  H.  Main,  son  of  Gardner,  and  grandson  of  Nathaniel 
Main,  was  born  in  Norwich,  Conn.,  in  1808.  In  early  life  he  was 
a  mason,  and  afterward  engaged  in  mercantile  and  real  estate 
business  in  New  York  city.  He  has  held  various  town  offices. 
He  married  Susannah,  daughter  of  Reverend  John  G.  Dorrance, 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1105 

a  graduate  of  Brown  University,  who  was  a  grandson  of  Rever- 
end Samuel  Dorrance,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Glasgow, 
who  settled  in  Sterling,  Conn.  Their  children  are:  Sarah  E., 
Caroline  T.,  George  W.,  Alice  P.  and  John  G.,  who  was  adjutant 
in  the  6th  New  York  cavalry,  and  was  killed  at  Cedar  Creek,  Oc- 
tober 19th,  1864. 

Enoch  Pond  was  born  in  1810,  and  came  to  Brooklyn  in  1824. 
He  is  a  son  of  Enoch,  and  grandson  of  Enoch  Pond,  who  came 
from  Wrentham,  Mass.,  to  Ashford,  Conn.,  and  was  pastor  of  the 
church  there.  Mr.  Pond  learned  the  trade  of  cabinet  maker, 
which  has  been  the  business  of  his  life.  He  married  Sarah  A. 
Utley,  and  they  have  four  sons:  Theodore  D.,  who  enlisted 
in  the  21st  Connecticut  volunteers  and  served  till  close  of  war, 
married  Delia  M.  Brown ;  George  E.,  enlisted  in  the  21st  Regi- 
ment, was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Dury's  Bluff,  graduated  at 
West  Point  in  1872,  and  is  a  captain  in  the  United  States  army  ; 
Charles  F.,  graduated  at  Annapolis  in  1872,  is  lieutenant  in  navy, 
and  John  C,  an  officer  at  the  Connecticut  state  prison. 

Abram  Shepard,  born  in  1806,  in  Plainfield,  was  a  son  of  John 
Shepard,  and  a  descendant  in  the  fourth  generation  from  Isaac 
Shepard,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  town  of  Plainfield. 
Abram  Shepard  came  to  Brooklyn  about  1837,  and  engaged  in 
farming  and  mercantile  business,  which  he  continued  till  his 
death,  in  1877.  He  was  married  in  1828  to  Hannah  Webb  of 
Sterling.  Their  children  were:  Edward,  living  in  California; 
Mary,  married  to  James  Pike;  Maria,  Duncan,  Cameron  and  Es- 
ther A.,  a  school  teacher. 

Simon  Shepard,  son  of  William,  and  grandson  of  Simon,  was 
born  in  Plainfield  in  1833,  came  to  Brooklyn  in  1866,  and  is  a 
farmer.  He  is  one  of  the  selectmen  of  the  town,  and  has  held 
various  town  offices.  He  was  married  in  1857  to  Louisa,  daughter 
of  John  Gardner.  Their  children  are:  Martha,  married  John  E. 
Allen;  Nettie,  married  Benjamin  Clark;  John,  Charles  C,  Jennie, 
Morgan  and  Simon  E. 

Preston  B.  Sibley  was  born  in  Eastford,  Conn.,  and  came 
to  Brooklyn  in  1880.  He  is  a  son  of  Samuel  Sibley,  who 
came  to  Windham  county  from  Sutton,  Mass.,  in  1827,  and  a  de- 
scendant in  the  sixth  generation  from  one  Sibley,  who  came 
from  Wales  to  Massachusetts  in  1705.  He  is  a  director  in  the 
savings  bank,  and  Windham  County  Insurance  Company.  He 
was  married  in  1862  to  Katie  Noble,  and  they  have  three  children. 
70 


1106  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Joseph  B.  Stetson,  born  in  Brooklyn,  Conn,,  is  a  son  of  James, 
and  a  descendant  in  the  eighth  generation  from  Robert  Stetson, 
who  settled  at  Scituate,  Mass.,  in  1634,  and  a  great-grandson  of 
Nathan  Witter,  who  came  to  Brooklyn  from  Preston  in  1753. 
Mr.  Stetson  represented  Brooklyn  in  the  legislature  of  1880. 

B.  H.  Weaver  was  born  in  Plymouth,  Vt.,  in  March,  1814.  He 
is  a  son  of  Caleb  Weaver,  who  married  Betsey  Clark,  grandson 
of  Benjamin  Weaver,  who  served  as  a  captain  in  the  revolution- 
ary war,  and  a  descendant  of  Clement  Weaver,  who  lived  at 
Newport,  R.  I.,  as  early  as  1655.  Mr.  Weaver  was  in  mercantile 
business  in  Massachusetts  from  1833  to  1855,  then  removed  to 
New  York  city,  where  he  continued  business  till  1861,  then  came 
to  Brooklyn,  Conn.,  where  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming  till 
the  present  time.  He  was  married  October  19th,  1841,  to  Sarah 
J.  Gates,  and  has  one  son,  J.  Frank  Weaver. 

Charles  G.  Williams  was  born  in  Sterling,  Conn.,  is  a  son  of 
Nathaniel  and  Hannah  Williams,  and  grandson  of  Samuel 
Williams.  In  early  life  he  taught  school,  and  afterward  was 
a  farmer.  He  married  in  1846  Lucy  E.  Gallup,  of  Sterling, 
daughter  of  John  Gallup.  His  second  wife  was  Ruby  G.  BurgevSS, 
daughter  of  David  Gallup,  of  Plainfield.  He  has  three  children: 
Mary  M.,  born  in  1848;  Nathaniel,  born  in  1850,  and  John  C, 
born  in  1856. 

Henry  N.  Wood  was  born  in  South  Scituate,  R.  I.,  and  came 
to  Plainfield,  Conn.,  in  1865.  He  is  a  son  of  Nehemiah  and 
Phila  Wood.  The  family  are  of  English  origin.  Mr.  W^ood 
learned  the  trade  of  blacksmith,  and  has  for  many  years  been 
foreman  in  that  department  at  the  mills  of  the  Wauregan  Com- 
pany. He  married  in  1848  Mary  Saulsbury  and  has  three  sons: 
Nehemiah,  Henry  and  Charles,  who  married  Ida  Westcott. 

STERLING. 

James  Bailey  came  from  Wales,  settled  in  West  Greenwich, 
R.  I.,  and  had  four  children.  His  son  Titus,  a  captain  in  the 
revolutionar}^  war,  married  Mary  Fish  and  settled  in  Sterling. 
His  son  James  married  Eunice  Bailey.  They  had  five  children, 
one  of  whom  was  James,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812, 
and  married  Sabra  Swan.  They  had  eight  children.  The  only 
one  in  Sterling  is  Charles  H.,  born  in  1832,  and  married  to  Ida 
Gordon.  He  was  a  member  of  the  8th  Regiment,  Connecticut 
volunteers. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1107 

Jerome  Cahoone,  born  in  1838,  enlisted  in  the  Eighteenth  Reg- 
iment, Connecticut  volunteers,  in  1862,  served  in  second  battle 
of  Bull  Run  and  other  engagements,  and  was  killed  at  the  battle 
of  Piedmont  June  5th,  1864.  He  married  Ruth  Gibson,  daugh- 
ter of  Harden  Gibson,  in  1856.  The  latter  was  a  son  of  James 
Gibson.  Mrs.  Cahoone  has  one  son,  Frank  E.,  born  July  21  st,  1861. 

Benjamin  Fenner  came  from  Cranston,  R.  I.,  to  Sterling  about 
1801.  He  married  Mary  Green,  daughter  of  Colonel  Christo- 
pher Green,  and  had  nine  children.  Three  of  these  children 
settled  in  Sterling.  One  of  these,  Jeremiah,  married  Elsie  Bar- 
ber and  had  five  children,  of  whom  John  married  Lydia  F.  Win- 
sor.  They  have  one  son  and  two  daughters.  John  Fenner 
has  been  selectman  of  Sterling  several  years  and  has  held 
other  town  offices.  David  Winsor  came  from  Glocester,  R.  I., 
to  Sterling  in  1797  and  settled  on  the  place  now  owned  by  John 
Fenner.  He  married  Lydia  Angel  and  had  eleven  children,  one 
of  whom,  Ira,  married  Almira  Main.  Their  children  were: 
Ira  C,  who  was  an  assistant  surgeon  in  the  civil  war;  Lydia  F.; 
John,  a  member  of  the  26th  Regiment,  Connecticut  volun- 
teers, now  a  physician  at  Quidnick,  R.  I.,  and  Emma. 

Nathaniel  Gallup  was  born  in  Sterling  and  is  a  farmer.  He  is 
a  son  of  Nathaniel  Gallup,  who  was  born  in  1798,  and  who  was 
selectman  in  Sterling  twenty-eight  years,  representative  to  the 
general  assembly  twice,  besides  holding  minor  town  offices,  and 
who  was  a  son  of  Benadam  Gallup,  a  soldier  of  the  revolutionary 
war,  and  descended  from  John  Gallup,  who  came  to  America  in 
1630,  and  married  Christabel  Winthrop.  Nathaniel  Gallup  mar- 
ried Mary  E.  Mathewson,  daughter  of  Bowen  Mathewson,  of 
Voluntown.  They  have  five  children:  Nettie,  Mary,  Julia,  Avis 
and  George  S. 

Allen  Gibson,  son  of  Campbell  Gibson  and  grandson  of  James 
Gibson,  was  born  in  1810  in  Sterling,  Conn.  His  mother  was 
Abigail,  daughter  of  Asa  Montgomery,  the  first  town  clerk  of 
Sterling.  Allen  Gibson  learned  the  trade  of  stone  cutter,  and 
became  widely  known  as  a  builder  and  contractor,  building  many 
stone  dams  and  mills  in  eastern  Connecticut,  Massachusetts  and 
Rhode  Island.  He  represented  Sterling  in  the  legislature  of 
1855.  His  children  were:  Amanda,  Mary  M.,  Oscar  F.,  Lucy  J. 
and  Robie.  Mary  M.  married  Oliver  W.Champlin,  who  enlisted 
in  the  18th  Connecticut  volunteers,  served  three  years,  and  was 
wounded. 


1108  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Silas  Griffiths,  born  in  Sterling-  in  1837,  is  a  son  of  George  and 
Dorcas  (Holloway)  Griffiths,  and  grandson  of  Southward  Grif- 
fiths, who  was  a  soldier  in  the  revolutionary  war  and  came  to 
Sterling  about  1785.  He  was  a  son  of  Amos  Griffiths,  who  came 
from  Wales  to  Newport  about  1750.  Silas  Griffiths  was  ordained 
as  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  1874,  and  is  also  engaged  in 
farming  and  dealing  in  agricultural  supplies  and  lumber.  He 
married  Julia  A.  Boswell,  of  Killingly,  in  1859,  and  has  two  chil- 
dren, Winfield  S.  and  John  E.  Jared  Griffiths,  brother  of  Silas, 
born  in  1826,  was  prominent  in  town  affairs,  enlisted  in  the  26th 
Regiment  Connecticut  volunteers,  and  died  of  sickness  at  New 
Orleans  June  27th,  1863. 

David  S.  Kenyon,  born  in  Sterling,  Conn.,  is  a  son  of  John  W. 
Kenyon,  one  of  twelve  children,  and  grandson  of  Moses  Kenyon, 
the  first  of  the  name  in  Sterling.  Mr.  Kenyon  represented  the 
town  in  the  legislature  in  1885  and  1886,  and  has  held  many  town 
offices. 

John  Kinnie,  of  Voluntown,  married  Lucy  Gallup  and  had 
nine  children,  one  of  whom,  Freelove,  married  Richard  Davis 
of  Griswold.  He  died  in  1882,  leaving  five  children  :  John  R., 
Albert  E.,  Allen  E.,  Judson,  and  Mary  F.,  who  married  Charles 
E.  Young  of  Voluntown,  who  died  in  1876. 

John  Knox,  son  of  John  Knox,  was  born  in  Sterling,  Conn.,  in 
1807,  and  is  a  successful  farmer.  He  married  Caroline,  daughter 
of  John  Young,  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812  and  son  of  Joel 
Young,  of  Killingly.  They  have  one  son,  John  Knox,  who  mar- 
ried Susan,  daughter  of  Philip  Winslow,  and  is  a  farmer  in  Ster- 
ling. 

Asa  Potter  was  of  English  ancestry  and  fifth  in  line  of  de- 
scent from  Roger  Williams.  He  was  born  in  Cranston,  R.  I., 
May  24th,  1782,  married  Ruth  Stafford  in  1803,  lived  in  Provi- 
dence and  Warwick,  R.  I.,  until  about  1812,  when  he  settled  at 
Thompson,  Windham  county,  removing  to  Sterling  in  1820 
and  living  there  till  his  death.  He  was  one  of  the  most 
prominent  cotton  manufacturers  of  his  day,  doing  business  and 
furnishing  employment  to  many  people  at  what  was  called  the 
American  Factory,  which  is  still  standing.  His  farm  consisted 
of  many  acres  on  the  Quanduck  river,  and  he  had  many  houses 
which  furnished  homes  to  his  employes.  His  family  consisted 
of  ten  children,  six  sons  and  four  daughters.  Edwin  G.  Potter, 
■  the  youngest  of  the  family,  married  and  went  to  Hartford,  re- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1109 

turning  to  the  old  homestead,  when  he  came  in  possession  of  it 
in  1851.  Here  his  two  children  were  born  and  his  life  passed  in 
peace  and  quiet  until  1883,  when  he  became  involved  in  a 
lawsuit  which  became  an  historic  case.  Silas  Wait  and  A.  A. 
Stanton  came  upon  a  portion  of  the  Potter  farm  which  they 
claimed  was  disputed  territory,  and  cut  off  and  carried  away  an 
acre  of  his  most  valuable  timber.  Consequently  he  brought  an 
action  of  trespass  which  was  fought  with  a  vigor  and  tenacity 
rarely  equaled.  This  case,  with  James  H.  Potter  and  Charles  E. 
Searls  as  counsel  for  plaintiff,  was  tried  before  Judge  Stoddard 
at  Brooklyn  in  May,  1885,  before  Judge  Phelps  in  November  of 
the  same  year,  and  before  Judge  Andrews  in  September,  1886, 
who  rejected  'important  evidence  which  the  supreme  court  in 
March,  1887,  at  Hartford,  decided  was  an  error,  and  ordered  a 
new  trial  before  Chief  Justice  Park  at  Brooklyn  in  October,  1887, 
which  resulted  in  judgment  for  the  plaintiff,  and  the  defendants 
were  compelled  to  pay  damages  for  cutting  his  valuable  timber. 
James  L.  Young,  son  of  Jeremiah  J.  Young,  was  born  at  Smith- 
field,  R.  L,  and  came  to  Sterling  in  1858.  He  enlisted  in  the 
21st  Regiment  Connecticut  volunteers,  and  served  three  years. 
He  represented  his  town  in  the  legislature  in  1875  and  1876,  and 
was  town  clerk  eight  years.  He  married  Maria,  daughter  of 
Newman  Chaffee. 

VOLUNTOWN. 

John  Bitgood  came  to  Voluntown  from  Warwick,  R.  I.,  about 
1800,  and  lived  on  the  place  now  occupied  by  William  Bitgood. 
His  son  Elisha,  born  1801,  married  Betsey  Church,  and  had  ten 
children,  of  whom  Joel  K.  enlisted  in  the  12th  Connecticut  volun- 
teers, and  served  three  years  in  the  rebellion.  He  was  wounded 
at  Port  Hudson.  He  is  one  of  the  selectmen  of  Voluntown.  He 
married  Maggie  Tabor,  and  their  children  are:  Nellie,  Gracie, 
Roscoe  an3.  Joseph  E. 

Moses  Fish  came  from  Groton  to  Voluntown  as  early  as  1745. 
He  married  Elizabeth  Morgan,  and  had  two  sons,  Moses  and 
Daniel.  Moses  married  Jerusha  Phillips,  and  had  eight  chil- 
dren. The  eldest,  Levi,  married  Rebecca  Fish,  and  had  six 
children.  The  eldest  son,  Levi  H.  Fish,  married  Amy  Saunders. 
He  was  selectman  and  justice  of  the  peace  many  years,  and  died 
in  1878.  His  children  are:  Miss  Julia  A.  Fish,  who  has  been  en- 
gaged   in    millinery    and   dressmaking  in   Voluntown   village 


1110  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

since  1862,  and  Anna,  who  married  Luther  L.  Dennison,  who 
served  two  years  in  the  1st  Connecticut  heavy  artillery. 

Benjamin  Gallup,  son  of  Nathaniel,  grandson  of  John,  and 
great-grandson  of  John,  was  born  in  Stonington,  and  came  to 
Voluntown  and  settled  on  the  place  occupied  by  the  present 
Benjamin  Gallup.  He  married  Amy,  daughter  of  Thomas  Kin- 
nie,  and  had  three  sons  and  eleven  daughters,  of  whom  one  son 
Benjamin,  born  in  1774,  married  Huldah,  daughter  of  Abel  Kin- 
nie,  and  had  two  children,"  Amy  and  Benjamin.  He  was  select- 
man and  justice  of  the  peace  many  years,  and  died  in  1854. 
His  son  Benjamin,  born  in  1811,  married  Caroline  Kinnie.  They 
have  six  children:  Laura  C,  Benjamin  S.,  Amy  E.,  E.  Byron, 
Origen  S.  and  Albert.  Mr.  Gallup  represented  Voluntown  in 
the  legislature  in  1849,  1858  and  1871,  and  has  been  selectman 
and  justice  of  the  peace  many  years.  He  married  for  his  second 
wife  Fidelia  Chapman. 

Isaac  Gallup,  of  Voluntown,  was  a  great-grandson  of  John 
Gallup,  who  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  church  in  Volun- 
town in  1723.  Isaac  married  Olive  Parks  and  had  eleven  chil- 
dren: John  D.,  Martha,  William  W.,  James  H.,  Clarissa  H., 
Ralph  P.,  Noyes  B.,  Charles  E.,  Olive  D.,  Jared  A.  and  Sarah  B.; 
of  whom  Martha  and  Jared  A.  only  remain  in  Voluntown. 
Jared  was  a  member  of  the  21st  Regiment,  Connecticut  volun- 
teers, and  represented  Voluntown  in  the  legislature  of  1875. 

Henry  C.  Gardiner  was  born  in  South  Kingstown,  R.  I.,  one  of 
twenty  children,  three  of  whom  served  in  the  civil  war — George, 
John  and  Henry.  George  died  in  service  and  Henry  was  wound- 
ed at  Fredericksburg.  In  1872  Henry  came  to  Voluntown,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  He  has  been  selectman  for  the  last  four 
years,  also  justice  of  the  peace.  He  married  Texanna  Green 
and  has  one  daughter,  Etta. 

Amos  Herrick  was  born  in  Griswold,  Conn.,  in  1827,  served  as 
a  soldier  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  came  to  Voluntown  in  1857, 
where  he  eneae'ed  in  mercantile  business,  which  he  continued 
till  his  death  in  ]  880. 

Nathaniel  Tanner  came  from  West  Greenwich  (where  four 
generations  of  his  ancestors  had  lived  before  him)  to  Voluntown 
about  1839.  He  married  Hannah  Pratt  and  had  three  sons: 
Jason,  William  W.  and  Nathaniel.  William  W.  married  Phebe 
Kenyon,  and  came  to  Voluntown  in  1862.  He  is  a  farmer.  He 
has  three  sons:  Luther  S.,  William  J.  and  George  A. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1111 

Adam  and  Jane  (Hall)  Kasson  emigrated  from  Belfast,  Ireland, 
to  Boston,  with  seven  sons  and  two  daughters  in  1722,  and 
thence  came  to  Voluntown.  Adam  was  a  member  of  the  church 
at  its  formation  in  1723,  was  chosen  deacon  in  1731,  and  died  in 
1767.  Archibald,  a  grandson  of  Adam,  was  a  colonel  in  the  rev- 
olutionary war,  and  received  a  brigadier  general's  commission  at 
its  close.  Jonn  P.  Kasson,  grandson  of  Archibald,  born  in  1797, 
was  deacon  of  the  church  40  years  and  its  clerk  48  years.  He 
was  also  county  commissioner  two  years.  He  married  Betsey 
A.  Wylie  and  had  two  children:  Joseph,  who  died  aged  16,  and 
Elizabeth,  who  is  now  clerk  and  treasurer  of  the  Congregational 
church. 

William  H.  Kenyon,  2d,  born  in  Plainfield,  is  a  son  of  John 
Kenyon  and  a  descendant  of  Moses  Kenyon,  the  first  of  the  name 
in  Sterling.  He  learned  the  trade  of  weaver  and  designer.  He 
is  married  to  Mary  E.  Mague. 

James  M.  Pratt  is  a  descendant  of  Amasa  Pratt,  who  came  to 
this  country  in  the  last  century.  James  married  Charlotte 
Tanner,  and  is  a  farmer  and  skillful  mechanic.  He  has  three 
children:  Edward  A.,  who  married  Phebe  Phillips;  Hannah,  who 
married  Allen  Palmer;  and  Charles  W. 

George  W.  Rouse  was  a  member  of  Company  G,  12th  Con- 
necticut volunteers,  in  the  rebellion.  In  1888  he  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business  in  the  village  of  Voluntown.  He  has  frequently 
been  elected  to  town  offices. 

Ezekiei  Sherman  was  born  in  Exeter  in  1819,  and  is  a  son  of 
Robert  Sherman,  of  English  ancestry.  He  married  Hannah 
Saunders.  They  have  twelve  children:  Abby,  Harriet,  Hannah, 
Priscilla,  Sarah,  Lydia,  Lucy,  Idella,  Robert,  Ezekiei,  Sanford 
and  Frank. 

THOMPSON. 

Samuel  Adams  was  born  in  1832,  in  Dudley,  Mass.,  and  is  a 
son  of  Oliver  Adams.  He  came  to  Wilsonville  in  1857  and 
bought  the  mercantile  business  of  D.  A.  Upham,  and  has  con- 
tinued the  same  since  that  time.  In  1888  he  enlarged  the  store, 
and  increased  the  business.  He  has  been  postmaster  since 
June,  1881.  He  was  married  in  August,  1853,  to  Almira  F. 
Darby.  They  have  three  children  :  Irene,  Irving,  and  Carrie. 
He  is  a  republican. 


1112  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Thomas  J.  Aldrich  was  born  in  1829,  in  Rhode  Island,  and  came 
from  Rhode  Island  to  Grosvenor  Dale  in  1873,  where  he  beofan 
the  manufacture  of  soft  soap,  and  in  1876  he  began  the  manufac- 
ture of  a  washing-  powder,  which  is  mostly  used  in  the  factories. 
Under  the  style  of  T.  J.  Aldrich  &  Co.  they  still  manufacture 
the  washing  powder,  and  also  run  a  grist  and  saw  mill,  which 
they  bought  in  1883,  known  as  the  Sheldon  Mill.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1853  to  Fannie  E.  Battey,  and  has  seven  children  :  Fan- 
nie, Ida,  George  A.,  Emma,  Sarah  M.,  Edith  M.,  and  Fred  J. 
George  A.  is  in  business  with  his  father.  He  was  married  in 
1880  to  Cora  Emerson,  and  has  one  daughter. 

James  R.  Alton  was  born  in  1854.  He  is  a  son  of  Thomas 
Orlando,  grandson  of  John,  and  great-grandson  of  Thomas 
Alton.  His  mother  was  A.  Jane,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and 
and  Silome  Alton.  Mr.  Alton  has  a  farm  of  267  acres.  He  was 
married  in  1880  to  Flora  Belle  Cunningham,  and  has  three 
daughters  :  Josephine  V.,  Mary  J.,  and  Pearl  M.  He  is  a  demo- 
crat. 

Edward  G.  Arnold,  born  in  1814  in  Woodstock,  is  a  son  of 
James,  and  grandson  of  "  Major"  Moses  Arnold,  who  was  drum- 
major  in  the  revolutionary  war.  His  mother  was  Hannah  Cham- 
berlin.  He  was  a  shoemaker  for  about  twenty-five  years. 
Since  1863  he  has  been  a  farmer.  He  was  married  first  in  1835 
to  Almariah  Corbin.  They  had  nine  children.  He  married  in 
1859  Rachel  H.  Taft.  They  had  five  children.  He  married  for 
his  third  wife  Ann  Eliza  Gifford.  He  married  in  1870  Emeline 
S.  Fenn.  He  is  a  member  of  South  Woodstock  Baptist  church, 
and  a  member  of  the  Grange  P.  of  H. 

James  Arnold  was  born  in  Glocester,  Providence  county,  R.  I., 
on  the  5th  of  May,  1822.  His  father,  David  Arnold,  was  also  a 
native  of  that  place,  and  his  grandfather,  William  Arnold,  was 
born  in  Smithfield,  R.  I.,  May  30th,  1750.  The  latter  served  in 
the  revolution,  and  both  William  and  David  Arnold  were  mem- 
bers of  the  legislature.  The  family  is  of  English  descent. 
James  Arnold  received  a  limited  education,  and  at  the  age  of 
twenty-one  started  in  business  for  himself.  Until  the  age  of 
forty-five  he  lived  in  his  native  state,  where  he  held  various  local 
offices.  For  the  past  twenty-two  years  he  has  resided  in  Thomp- 
son, where  he  owns  a  fine  farm  and  home.  Mr.  Arnold  has  al- 
ways been  a  republican  in  politics,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist church.     He  was  married,  first,  to  Abby  Ann  White,  of 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1113 

Glocester,  by  whom  he  had  three  children  :  David,  Joseph  and 
Daniel,  of  whom  the  latter  only  survives.  M%  Arnold's  second 
wife  was  Miss  Caroline  Withey. 

William  J.  Arnold  was  born  in  1823  in  East  Greenwich,  R.  I. 
He  is  a  son  of  Larned,  grandson  of  Charles,  and  great-grandson 
of  Israel  Arnold.  He  came  to  Thompson  in  1839,  where  he  was  a 
cotton  mill  operative.  He  was  overseer  from  1841  until  1884,  ex- 
cepting three  years,  when  he  was  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  in 
Company  D,  18th  Connecticut  volunteers,  from  July,  1862,  to 
June,  1865.  Since  1884  he  has  been  repairing  belts  fortheGros- 
venor  Dale  Manufacturing  Co.  He  was  married  in  1849  to  Al- 
mira  Upham.  They  have  three  children :  Hamilton  W.,  Ange- 
line  A.,  and  Ransom  L.,  who  was  born  in  1859,  and  has  been 
station  agent  at  North  Grosvenor  Dale  since  May,  1882.  He  was 
married  in  1881  to  Abbie  J.  Lombard. 

Stephen  Ballard  was  born  in  1841  in  Thompson.  He  is  a  son 
of  Winthrop  H.  and  Salome  Ballard.  He  is  grandson  of  Lynde, 
he  a  son  of  Zaccheus  Ballard,  whose  wife  was  Elizabeth,  daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  Valentine,  son  of  John  Valentine,  whose  wife  was 
Mary,  daughter  of  Samuel  Lynde,  whose  wife  was  Mary,  daugh- 
ter of  Jairus  Ballard,  who  died  December,  1697.  Mr.  Ballard 
was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Thompson.  He  taught  school 
some  18  years.  He  is  now  a  farmer.  He  has  been  a  member 
of  the  school  board  of  Thompson  25  years  in  succession.  He 
represented  the  town  in  the  legislature  in  1873.  He  married 
Sarah  D.,  daughter  of  William  Barber.  They  had  seven  chil- 
dren :  Newton,  Alice,  Ella,  Laura  C,  Bertha,  Winthrop  and  one 
that  died.     Mr.  Ballard  is  a  republican. 

Jerome  K.  Barnes,  born  in  1834,  is  the  oldest  son  of  John  and 
grandson  of  Josiah  Barnes.  His  mother  was  Catharine  (Stone) 
Barnes.  Mr.  Barnes  is  a  farmer,  living  on  the  homestead  where 
his  father  resided  from  1848  until  his  death.  He  was  for  ten 
years  in  Boston,  came  from  there  in  1878,  and  has  been  a  farmer 
since  that  time.  He  was  married  in  1854  to  Malinda  A.  Cope- 
]and,  and  has  three  children  :  Hattie  M.,  Lillie  A.  and  Herman 
J.     He  is  a  republican. 

Edgar  L.  Bates  was  born  in  1861,  in  Dudley,  Mass.  He  is  a 
son  of  Winsor  Bates,  who  is  a  brother  of  Walter  Bates  of  Thomp- 
son. His  mother  is  Mary  K.  (Fay)  Bates.  He  was  educated  in 
the  schools  of  Thompson,  and  took  a  commercial  course  in 
Trenton,  N.  J.     He  has  been  for  ten  years  connected  with  a 


1114  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

pottery  manufacturing  house  in  New  Jersey,  and  for  the  last 
few  years  has  been  commercial  traveler  for  the  firm.  He  was 
married  in  1883  to  Virginia  S.  Smith.  They  have  two  daughters, 
Helen  G.  and  Alice  B.  Mr.  Bates'  father  is  a  farmer,  and  has 
been  connected  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  East 
Thompson  for  nearly  sixty  years.  He  is  the  father  of  ten  chil- 
dren, of  whom  five  are  living. 

Ira  D.  Bates,  born  December  25th,  1838,  in  Uxbridge,  Mass.,  is 
a  son  of  Peter  Bates.  In  1861  Mr.  Bates  offered  his  services  to 
the  government,  but  was  thrown  out,  owing  to  his  size,  but  fi- 
nally, in  August  of  the  same  year,  he  was  taken  as  musician  in 
Company  B,  25th  Massachusetts  volunteers,  and  nine  months 
later  was  promoted  to  drum  major,  and  served  until  1865.  Since 
that  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business.  He 
has  owned  and  operated  the  store  at  New  Boston  since  1880.  He 
represented  the  town  in  the  legislature  in  1887,  and  in  1888  he 
was  state  senator.  He  was  married  in  1866  to  Abbie  M.  Whitte- 
more.     They  have  two  daughters. 

Ira  J.  Bates  was  born  in  1827,  in  Dudley,  Mass.  He  is  a  son 
of  Nelson,  son  of  "  Captain  "  Alanson,  son  of  John,  son  of  Jacob 
Bates.  His  mother  was  Lucia  Jacobs.  Mr.  Bates  is  a  farmer. 
He  owns  part  of  the  shore  of  Webster  lake,  and  has  several 
summer  cottages,  and  arrangements  for  a  summer  watering 
place,  known  as  Bates'  Grove.  He  was  married  in  1849  to  Maria 
Davis,  and  has  nine  children:  Hezekiah  D.,  Martha  J.,  Emma  P., 
George  H.,  Elmer  E.,  Hattie  S.,  Minnie  L.,  Benjamin  E.  and 
Frank  E.,  and  one  that  died.  He  is  a  member  of  Webster  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church  and  a  republican. 

William.  N.  Bates,  born  in  1852  in  Thompson,  is  a  son  of  Wal- 
ter, son  of  William,  son  of  Elijah,  son  of  Jacob  Bates.  His  mother 
is  Mary  J.,  daughter  of  Thomas  Elliott.  He  was  educated  in 
the  schools  of  Thompson.  Mr.  Bates  has  been  for  several  years 
associated  with  his  father  in  the  undertaking  business,  and  a 
general  cabinet  and  mechanical  business,  which  his  father  has 
run  at  Thompson  since  1841.  Mr.  Bates  has  been  deputy  sheriff 
and  constable  for  about  ten  years,  arid  has  proved  himself  very 
efficient.  In  1889  he  captured  and  brought  to  justice  a  gang  of 
thieves  that  had  been  defying  the  law  in  this  town,  and  also  in 
Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island  for  the  past  six  years.  He  is 
a  republican,  and  a  member  of  the  Thompson  Congregational 
church.  Mr.  Bates'  father  was  deputy  sheriff  twenty-six  years 
prior  to  1879. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1115 

Lemuel  K.  Blackmar,  born  in  1819,  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and 
grandson  of  Jacob  Blackmar.  His  mother  was  Mahala,  daughter 
of  Ebenezer  Munyan.  He  went  to  Providence  at  the  age  of  six- 
teen, where  he  remained  eleven  years;  since  that  time  he  has  re- 
sided in  Thompson.  He  had  charge  of  the  grist  and  saw  mill 
at  Grosvenor  Dale  for  sixteen  years,  beginning  November,  1864. 
He  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Thompson  in  August,  1885,  and 
since  September  of  that  year  has  filled  that  office.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1846  to  Mary  M.,  daughter  of  Edmund  Cooper,  of  Wick- 
ford,  R.  I.,  and  has  three  children:  Martha  (Mrs.  John  W.  Bal- 
lard), Lewis  E.  and  Mary  E. 

Lewis  E.  Blackmar,  born  in  1851,  is  a  son  of  Lemuel  K.  Black- 
mar, mentioned  above.  In  1870  he  went  to  Grosvenor  Dale, 
where  he  learned  the  machinist's  trade,  continuing  there  until 
January,  1880,  when  he  took  charge  of  repairs  at  Mechanicsville 
mills,  where  he  has  been  since  that  time.  He  was  married  in 
1874  to  Ida,  daughter  of  William  Cummins.  They  had  one  son, 
William  E.,  who  died  in  infancy.  He  is  a  republican,  and  a 
member  of  Quinebaug  Lodge,  No.  106,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Joseph  Bowdish,  son  of  Nathaniel,  was  born  in  Smithfield,  R. 
I.,  in  1810.  He  is  a  farmer,  and  has  lived  in  Thompson  since 
1858.  He  was  married  in  1834  to  Harriet  Young,  who  died  in 
1855,  leaving  three  children.  He  married  in  1859  Sarah  Jacobs. 
She  died  in  1887. 

James  Buckley  was  born  in  1829  in  England,  and  is  a  son 
of  James  Buckley.  He  came  to  America  in  1848,  and  in  1850 
to  Thompson,  where  he  was  for  several  years  employed  in  a 
cotton  mill.  Since  3872  he  has  kept  a  livery  stable  and  hotel 
at  North  Grosvenor  Dale.  He  was  married  in  1852  to  Martha 
Hawthorn.  They  have  eight  children  living  and  have  lost 
one. 

Benjamin  Bugbee,  born  in  1814  in  Pomfret,  is  a  son  of 
Leonard  and  Martha  (Buck)  Bugbee,  and  grandson  of  Elijah  and 
Sarah  (Bacon)  Bugbee.  He  has  lived  in  Thompson  since  about 
1830.  He  was  for  about  twenty-five  years  a  shoemaker.  He 
was  station  agent  at  Thompson  about  ten  years,  and  for  the  past 
ten  years  has  been  a  farmer.  He  was  married  in  1840  to  Betsey 
Johnson  and  has  one  son,  George  D.  He  is  a  democrat,  and  a 
member  of  the  Putnam  Advent  church. 

Warren  A.  Burgess,  born  in  1842,  is  a  son  of  Danforth 
Burgess.     He  served  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion  in  Company  D, 


1116  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

18th  Connecticut  volunteers  from  August,  1862,  to  May,  1865. 
He  is  now  a  farmer.  He  was  married  in  1869  to  Ellen  M.  Cope- 
land  and  has  one  daughter,  Edith  M.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.  Post,  of  Putnam  Lodge,  No.  46,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  a 
republican. 

Loren  Chaffee,  born  in  1820,  is  a  son  of  John,  and  grandson  of 
Chester  Chaffee.  His  mother  was  Lydia  Elliott.  He  is  a  farmer 
and  owns  and  occupies  the  homestead  of  his  father.  He  was 
married  in  1845  to  Nancy  C.  Hall.  They  have  five  children: 
Ellis  H.,  H.  Marilla,  John  F.,  Emma  L.  and  Lydia  A.  One  died 
named  Frederick.  Mrs.  Chaffee  died  in  March,  1888.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  North  Grosvenor  Dale  Methodist  Episcopal 
church. 

David  Chase,  born  in  Killingly,  Conn.,  in  1848,  is  a  son  of 
Giles  Chase  mentioned  in  Killingly.  Mr.  Chase  was  educated 
at  the  schools  of  Killingly,  and  taught  one  term  in  that  town. 
He  came  to  Thompson  in  1868,  and  in  1870  began  his  mercan- 
tile career  as  clerk  in  Mechanicsville.  One  year  later  he  went 
into  business  for  himself,  and  has  been  in  business  in  the  town 
continuously  since  that  time.  He  has  been  in  the  store  at  Me- 
chanicsville since  1874.  He  has  been  selectman  two  terms,  and 
was  representative  in  the  legislature  in  1881  and  1884.  He  was 
married  in  1884  to  Anna  H.,  daughter  of  William  I.  Bartholo- 
mew. They  have  two  children— Lillian  F.  and  Julian  D.  Mr. 
Chase  is  a  republican. 

Fred.  R.  Child  was  born  in  1856  in  Thompson.  He  is  a  son  of 
Otis,  son  of  Nathaniel,  son  of  Nathaniel  Child,  His  mother  was 
Elizabeth  M.  (Rice)  Child.  He  went  from  Thompson  to  Web- 
ster at  the  age  of  eighteen,  where  he  has  been  engaged  in  the 
baking  business  since  that  time.  In  September,  1884,  he  pur- 
chased his  present  business.     The  firm  is  F.  R.  Child  &  Co. 

Otis  N.  Clark,  born  in  1828  in  Woodstock,  is  a  son  of  Lathrop 
and  Lucy  (Perrin)  Clark.  He  was  a  mill  operative  and  farmer 
in  early  life,  and  has  been  station  agent  at  East  Thompson  on 
the  N.  Y.  &.  N.  E.  R.  R.  for  twenty  years.  He  has  been  a  local 
preacher  in  the  Methodist  church  for  twenty-four  years.  He 
was  married  in  1853  to  Ardelia  Benson,  who  died  in  1862,  leav- 
ing two  children — Joseph  B.  and  Fannie  E.  He  was  married  in 
1864  to  Mary  A.  Wallace.  They  have  four  children — Carrie  E., 
Arthur  M.,  Jennie  M.  and  Ethel  W.     He  is  a  republican. 


HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1117 

Frank  O.  Coman,  born  in  1853,  is  a  son  of  John  G.  and  grand- 
son of  Stephen  Coman.  His  mother  was  Diana  Tylor.  Mr.  Co- 
man  is  a  farmer  and  owns  the  farm  where  his  father  made  brick 
for  several  years  prior  to  his  death  in  1877.  He  was  married  in 
1875  to  Anna,  daughter  of  Thomas  Smith.  They  have  two 
children  living  and  have  lost  three. 

Phineas  Copeland,  born  in  1813,  is  a  son  of  Abner  and  grand- 
son of  Phineas  Copeland.  His  mother  was  Rebecca,  daughter 
of  William  Towne.  He  is  a  farmer.  He  was  married  in  1835  to 
Emeline  Upham,  who  died  in  July,  1883.  He  was  married  in 
February,  1886,  to  Mary  L.  Brown.  He  is  a  republican  and  a 
member  of  North  Grosvenor  Dale  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Japheth  Corttis  was  born  in  1824  in  Thompson.  He  is  a  son 
of  Japheth  and  he  a  son  of  Japheth  Corttis,  son  of  Francis  Cort- 
tis. His  mother  was  Clarissa  (Comstock)  Corttis.  He  is  a 
farmer  and  cattle  trader.  He  has  been  justice  about  thirty 
years,  assessor  and  member  of  board  of  relief.  He  represented 
the  town  in  the  legislature  one  term.  He  was  married  in  1848 
to  Lucy  Ann,  daughter  of  James  H.  Davis.  They  have  three 
children  living:  Mary  L.,  E.  Herbert  and  Elmer  J.  They  have 
lost  two  boys:  Frank  and  Frederick.  Both  sons  are  graduates 
of  Amherst  College.     Mr.  Corttis  is  a  republican. 

Albert  Converse,  born  in  1818,  is  a  son  of  Riel  and  grandson 
of  Elijah  Converse.  He  is  a  farmer  and  owns  and  occupies  the 
homestead  of  his  father  and  grandfather  at  Wilsonville.  During 
Johnson's  administration  he  was  instrumental  in  the  establishing 
of  a  post  office  at  Wilsonville,  and  filled  the  office  of  postmaster 
for  about  eight  years.  He  was  married  in  1840  to  Rebecca  T. 
Kelly,  who  died  in  September,  1878, leaving  six. children:  Noel 
E.,  Helen  M.,  Alice  A.,  Ann  R.,  Etta  and  Ada  B.,  all  of  whom 
are  married.  Mr.  Converse  was  married  again  in  1883  to  Ruth 
A.  Battey. 

Jesse  F.  Converse,  a  son  of  Hezekiah  and  grandson  of  Chester 
Converse,  was  born  in  1815  in  Pomfret,  and  is  a  blacksmith  by 
trade.  He  was  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion  from  August,  1862,  to 
July,  1865,  in  Company  D,  18th  Connecticut  volunteers.  He 
was  married  in  May,  1837,  to  Mercy  Prince.  She  died  in  1872, 
leaving  one  daughter,  Mary  E.  He  was  married  in  1873  to  Mrs. 
Caroline  Joslin,  widow  of  John  J.  Joslin.     He  is  a  republican. 

George  S.  Crosby  was  born  in  February,  1844.  His  father 
Stephen,   was    a   son    of    Stephen,   and    grandson    of    Stephen 


1118  HISTORY    OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Crosby,  who  was  born  in  1734,  served  in  the  war  of  the  revolu- 
tion, and  lost  his  life  in  the  service.  Mr.  Crosby  was  in  the 
Thompson  Hotel  with  his  father  from  1859  until  his  father's 
death,  in  November,  1884.  He  afterward  conducted  the  hotel 
until  1886,  when  he  sold  it  and  built  him  a  fine  residence  near 
by,  and  since  that  time  has  been  a  farmer.  He  is  a  director  in 
the  national  bank  at  Thompson.  He  was  married  m  1879  to 
Mary  B.,  daughter  of  Joseph  D.  Jacobs.  They  have  one  daught- 
er, Sarah  C.  Mr.  Crosby  is  a  democrat,  a  member  of  the  Central 
Congregational  church,  and  clerk  and  treasurer  of  the  same. 

Nicholas  Curtis,  born  in  1838  in  Ireland,  is  a  son  of  Thomas 
Curtis.  Mr  Curtis  came  to  this  country  thirty-five  years  ago. 
He  is  a  farmer.  He  married  Mary  Mahr,  and  has  three  children 
— Frank,  Henry  and  Lizzie.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic 
church, 

Ebor  Davis,  born  in  1814,  is  a  son  of  Thomas,  and  grandson 
of  Thomas  Davis.  His  mother  was  Susan  Vinner.  He  is  one 
of  four  children — Rebecca  (Mrs.  William  Jacobs),  Sarah  (de- 
ceased), Ellen  B.  and  Ebor.  Mr.  Davis  is  a  farmer,  owns  and  oc- 
cupies the  homestead  of  his  father  and  grandfather.  He  was 
married  in  1841  to  Chloe,  daughter  of  James  Cudworth.  They 
have  had  two  children — one  that  died  in  infancy,  and  Lucinda, 
who  married  Charles  Howard.  She  died,  leaving  one  son,  who 
was  drowned,  aged  14  years. 

Marcus  Davis,  born  in  1830  in  Thompson,  is  the  oldest  son  of 
George,  and  grandson  of  Thomas  Davis.  His  mother  was  Bet- 
sey Grover.  He  is  a  shoe  cutter  by  trade,  having  followed  the 
business  for  about  thirty  years.  He  owns  and  occupies  the 
homestead  farm  of  his  father,  and  is  now  a  farmer.  He  was  in 
the  war  of  the  rebellion  from  January,  1864,  to  June,  1865,  in 
Company  F,  11th  Connecticut  volunteers.  He  was  married  in 
1851  to  Laura  M.,  daughter  of  Wright  Porter.  They  have  four 
children:  Arthur  M.,  Lowell  C,  Ada  A.  and  Cora  M.  (Mrs.  E.  C. 
Gammage).     He  is  a  democrat. 

David  E.  Day,  born  in  1838  in  Thompson,  is  a  son  of  David, 
and  grandson  of  "  Deacon  '"  Thomas,  who  was  in  the  war  of  the 
revolution.  David  was  a  farmer.  He  married  Louisa  Cady, 
daughter  of  James  Cady.  They  had  two  children,  Louisa  E. 
and  David  E.,  who  is  a  farmer  and  lives  on  the  homestead.  The 
father  died  in  1873,  aged  81  years. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1119 

Henry  H.  Dike. — In  1729  James  Narramore  came  to  what  is 
now  Thompson,  near  Brandy  hill,  and  boug-ht  63  acres  of  land. 
His  daughter  Mary,  married  James  Dike  in  May,  1741,  and  to 
James  and  Mary  was  given  the  small  farm  at  the  death  of  Mr. 
Narramore.  James  Dike's  son  Thomas,  married  in  December, 
1770,  Dorothy  Davison.  Their  son  Samuel,  married  Rachel  Da- 
vis in  1808.  She  died,  and  he  married  her  half  sister  Mary  Da- 
vis in  1810.  Their  son  George  Dike,  was  born  in  February, 
1815.  He  married  Hannah  Snow  of  Massachusetts.  Mr.  Dike 
died  in  1879,  having  survived  his  wife  seventeen  years.  His  six 
children  were:  Samuel  W.,  Henry  H.,  Mary  H.,  Harriet  W.,  An- 
cel  G.  (deceased),  and  Josiah  W.  The  oldest  son  is  a  clergyman, 
and  the  other  two  sons,  with  the  two  daughters,  own  and  occupy 
the  old  homestead.  Their  175  acre  farm  embraces  the  original 
63  acres  which  has  been  in  the  family  since  1729. 

Horace  Eaton,  born  in  1808  in  Plainfield,  is  the  eldest  son  of 
Ebenezer  and  grandson  of  "  Captain  "  Ebenezer  Eaton.  He  has 
been  for  many  years  a  woolen  mill  operative.  He  was  married 
in  1836  to  Mahala  Doty,  who  died  in  1850.  They  had  four  chil- 
dren: George  (deceased),  Gilbert,  Horace  and  Edward.  He  was 
married  in  1852  to  Eleanor  Young,  who  died  in  1880.  Their 
two  children  were  Albert  (decea^sed)  and  Ellen  (Mrs.  Charles 
Kelly). 

Joseph  Egan,  son  of  Thomas  Egan,  was  born  in  1835  in  Ire- 
land. He  came  to  this  country  in  1851,  and  to  Mechanicsville  in 
1861,  since  which  time  he  has  been  overseer  of  finishing  in  the 
woolen  mill.  He  was  married  in  1861,  and  has  nine  children. 
He  is  a  member  of  West  Thompson  Catholic  church. 

Arad  U.  Elliott,  born  in  1824,  is  a  son  of  John  W.,  and  grand- 
son of  David  and  Chloe  (Wakefield)  Elliott.  His  mother  was 
Sophia,  daughter  of  Chester  and  Caroline  (Walker)  Chaffee.  He 
was  a  farmer  until  thirty  years  old,  then  began  carriage  making 
and  blacksmithing,  which  he  continues.  He  has  held  some  of 
the  town  offices,  and  in  1889  represented  the  town  in  the  legisla- 
ture. He  was  married  in  1848  to  Abigail  B.  Kelton.  She  died 
in  1886,  leaving  three  children — George  A.,  Henry  L.  and  Dyer 
S.,  one  son  having  died.  Mr.  Elliott  is  a  republican,  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  order,  and  also  of  the  Grange. 

Francis  N.  Elliott  is  a  son  of  Dyer  N.  Elliott,  who  was  born  in 
1797,  he  a  son  of  John  and  he  a  son  of  Francis  Elliott.  Dyer  N. 
Elliott  o-wns  and  occupies  the  farm  where  he  has  lived  since 


1120  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

1798.  He  was  married  in  1825  to  Eliza  Greene.  She  died  in 
March,  1884,  leaving  four  children — Ophelia  (Mrs.  Albert  Prince), 
Francis  N.,  Mary  (Mrs.  J.  Arnold)  and  Lucy  (Mrs.  Albert  Far- 
rows). 

John  Elliott,  born  in  1849  in  Thompson,  is  a  son  of  Marcus  A. 
and  grandson  of  John  Elliott.  His  mother  was  Sarah  C.  Ormsbee. 
He  was  educated  in. the  schools  of  Thompson,  was  fourteen  years 
clerk  in  the  Grosvenor  Dale  store,  and  for  the  last  seven  years 
of  the  time  was  also  bookkeeper.  In  February,  1882,  he  came 
to  North  Grosvenor  Dale,  where  he  has  since  been  a  merchant. 
He  has  been  postmaster  since  October,  1885.  He  was  married 
in  December,  1879,  and  has  five  children.  Mr.  Elliott  is  a  dem- 
ocrat, and  one  of  the  directors  in  the  Thompson  vSavings  Bank. 

Luther  Elliott,  born  in  1833  in  Thompson,  is  the  eldest  son  of 
Loren  and  grandson  of  David  Elliott.  His  mother  was  Caroline 
Chaffee.  He  is  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  has  a  farm  of  sixty 
acres,  where  he  now  lives.  He  was  married  in  1854  to  Mary  M., 
daughter  of  George  Kelton.  They  have  two  children — Nancy 
A.  (Mrs.  G.  Tirrell)  and  Burton  W. 

Marcus  A.  Elliott,  born  in  1853,  is  a  son  of  Marcus  A.  Elliott 
(mentioned  above).  He  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  the  town, 
and  one  year  in  the  Woodstock  Academy.  He  has  been  sales- 
man in  the  Grosvenor  Dale  store  eight  years.  Since  1882  he  has 
been  clerk  and  bookkeeper  for  John  Elliott  at  North  Grosvenor 
Dale,  where  he  is  assistant  postmaster. 

Smith  Emerson  was  born  in  1823  in  Thompson.  His  father 
Orrin,  was  a  son  of  Willard,  and  grandson  of  Simeon  Emerson. 
Mr.  Emerson  is  a  farmer,  and  owns  and  occupies  the  residence 
which  his  father  built  in  1834.  He  was  married  in  1848  to 
Orrilla  Taft.  They  have  four  children  living  :  Defonzo,  Ellen, 
Orrin  and  Cora,  and  they  have  lost  four. 

Albert  Farrows,  born  in  Thompson,  June,  1841,  is  a  son  of 
Paine,  and  grandson  of  Ebenezer  Farrows.  His  mother  was 
Mary  Briggs.  <  He  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Thompson  and 
at  Dudley  Academy.  He  is  a  farmer,  but  has  taught  more  or 
less  for  thirty  years.  He  was  married  in  1864,  to  Lucy  A.,  daugh- 
ter Qf  Dyer  N.  Elliott,  and  has  one  son,  Olin  D.  Mr.  Farrows 
is  a  republican. 

William  A.  Frederick  was  born  in  1861  in  Westford,  Mass. 
He  learned  the  machinist's  trade  in  Westfield,  Mass.,  and  in  May, 
1887,  he  came  to  Grosvenor  Dale,  where  he  has  been  master 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1121 

mechanic  for  the  Grosvenor  Dale  Manufacturing  Company  since 
that  time.     He  was  married  in  1886  to  Clara  B.  Brayman. 

Orton  G.  Greene  was  born  in  1841  in  Oakland  county,  Mich. 
He  is  a  son  of  Johnson  and  grandson  of  Ebenezer  Greene.  He 
is  a  carpenter  by  trade.  He  was  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion  from 
July,  1861,  to  November,  1865,  in  the  5th  Michigan  Infantry. 
In  1865  he  was  married  to  Harriet  O.,  daughter  of  Samuel  Greene. 
They  have  five  children:  Chauncey  A.,  Benjamin  P.,  Charles  G., 
Harry  R.  and  Cleon  M. 

Charles  K.  Griffith,  son  of  Sidney  Griffith,  was  born  in  1837  in 
East  Greenwich,  R.  I.,  came  to  Killingly  in  1857,  where  he  was 
engaged  as  mill  operative  for  many  years.  He  was  overseer  of 
spinning  in  "  Himes'  "  mill  (Killingly)  for  seventeen  years.  He 
came  to  Grosvenor  Dale  in  January,  1888,  where  he  has  had 
charge  of  spinning.  He  was  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion  from 
August,  1862,  to  July,  1865,  in  Company  K,  18th  Connecticut 
volunteers.  He  was  married  in  1860  to  Ellen  Jordan  and  has  one 
son,  Fred.  N.   He  is  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Arthur  H.  Gulliver  was  born  December  13th,  1856,  in  Nor- 
wich, Conn.,  and  is  a  son  of  Doctor  Daniel  F.  Gulliver.  He 
graduated  from  Norwich  Free  Academy  in  1873,  and  from  Yale 
College  in  1877;  was  with  the  Wauregan  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany from  1878  to  1886,  and  in  November,  1887,  came  to  Gros- 
venor Dale,  where  he  has  superintended  the  mill  since  that  time. 
He  was  married  April  8th,  1885,  to  Frieda  A.,  daughter  of  David 
Emerson.  They  have  one  daughter,  Edith  E.  He  is  a  repub- 
lican. 

Daniel  E.  Hickie,  born  in  1846  in  Boston,  is  a  son  of  John 
Hickie.  He  came  to  West  Thompson  from  Boston  in  1876,  and 
for  ten  years  he  was  a  farmer,  having  bought  a  farm  of  90  acres. 
In  1886  he  began  the  baking  business,  which  he  has  continued 
since  that  time,  running  two  wagons  on  the  road. 

George  B.  Howard  was  born  in  1850  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  is 
a  son  of  George  F.  Howard.  He  moved  to  Norwich  from  Balti- 
more when  a  small  boy.  He  is  a  mason  by  trade,  but  has  been 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  small  beer  for  the  past  eleven 
years  in  the  summer  season.  He  was  married  in  1878  to  Ellen 
M.,  daughter  of  Nelson  Frink,  and  has  five  children:  Mabel  C, 
George  N.,  Byron  E.,  Wesley  W.  and  Ethel  M.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Broadway  Congregational  church  of  Norwich,  a  prohi- 
bitionist and  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order. 
71 


1122  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Thomas  Hutchinson,  born  in  1850  in  Plainfield,  son  of  Chris- 
topher Hutchinson,  came  to  Grosvenor  Dale  in  1876,  and  for 
eleven  years  was  clerk  for  H.  G.  Ransom.  In  April,  1887,  he,  in 
company  with  John  Elliott  (firm  of  Thomas  Hutchinson  &  Co.), 
bought  out  Mr.  Ransom,  and  he  has  carried  on  a  general  mercan- 
tile business  since  that  time.  He  was  married  in  1872  to  Sarah 
Bragg.     They  have  two  children — Ida  L.  and  Albert  B. 

Barton  Jacobs  was  born  in  1843  in  Thompson.  He  is  a  son  of 
Cyril,  son  of  Amasa,  son  of  John,  son  of  Nathaniel,  son  of  Joseph 
Jacobs.  He  is  a  farmer,  owning  the  homestead  of  his  father  and 
grandfather.  He  was  representative  in  the  legislature  in  1880, 
and  has  been  justice  since  1876.  He  was  married  in  1872  to 
Lucy  M.  Jenkins.  They  have  five  daughters :  Lottie  M.,  Laura 
E.,  Lucy  J.,  Louisa  A.  and  Ruth  E.  Mr.  Jacobs  is  a  republican 
and  a  member  of  Putnam  Lodge,  No.  46,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Parley  Jordan  was  born  in  1793,  a  son  of  William  Jordan  and 
Comfort  Palmer.  Mr.  Jordan  was  a  natural  mechanic,  and  he 
was  for  many  years  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  edged  tools, 
especially  axes.  He  died  at  his  home  in  New  Boston  in  1874. 
He  was  five  times  elected  to  the  legislature  from  Thompson. 
Pie  was  married  to  Sophia  Phelps  and  had  three  daughters : 
Mary  P.,  Frances  E.  and  Ellen  L.  (Mrs.  William  Soule).  Mr. 
Jordan  was  a  republican. 

George  C.  Johnson  was  born  February  23d,  1822,  in  Pomfret. 
He  is  the  oldest  son  of  William  Johnson  and  grandson  of  Smith 
Johnson.  His  mother  was  Betsey,  daughter  of  George  Cundall. 
He  was  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  in  Company  D,  18th  Connec- 
ticut volunteers,  from  August,  1862,  to  June,  1865.  He  was  a 
shoe  manufacturer  about  twenty  years,  and  since  then  has  been 
a  farmer.  He  was  married  in  1842  to  Mary  A.  Wakefield,  who 
died  in  1844.  He  was  married  in  1850  to  Jane  Wilkes.  They 
have  one  son,  William  S.  He  is  a  member  of  the  West  Thomp- 
son Methodist  church,  and  a  member  of  A.  G.  Warner  Post, 
No.  54,  G.  A.  R. 

Albert  E.  Jones,  born  in  1853  in  Dudley,  Mass.,  is  a  son  of  Eb- 
enezer  Jones.  In  1873  he  began  work  in  the  Mechanicsville 
Mills,  and  since  1875  he  has  had  charge  of  the  dyeing  depart- 
ment. He  was  married  in  1881  to  Henrietta  J.  Baker.  They 
have  one  daughter,  Mabel  A.  He  is  a  republican  and  a  member 
of  Putnam  Lodge,  No.  46,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Welcome  B.  Joslin  was  born  in  1814  in  Thompson.  His  father, 
Jesse,  was  a  son  of  Edward  and  grandson  of  Israel  Joslin.     Mr. 


HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1123 

Joslin  is  a  farmer.  He  has  filled  the  offices  of  selectman,  asses- 
sor and  justice,  and  in  1874  he  represented  the  town  in  the  legis- 
lature. He  was  married  in  1840  to  Ann  G.,  daughter  of  Hail  M. 
Jacobs.  They  have  three  children — Emily,  Sarah  and  Charles 
A.  Mr.  Joslin  is  a  member  of  the  East  Thompson  Baptist  church, 
and  a  republican. 

John  W.  Kane,  born  in  1857  in  New  Jersey,  is  a  son  of  Bern- 
ard Kane.  He  has  been  a  cotton  mill  operative  eighteen  years. 
He  came  to  North  Grosvenor  Dale  in  February,  1888,  and  since 
that  time  has  had  charge  of  spinning,  spooling  and  warping  for 
the  manufacturing  company.  He  had  been  overseer  of  spinning 
about  eight  years  prior  to  coming  to  this  place.  He  was  married 
January  30th,  1880,  to^Kittie  MoUoy,  and  they  have  two  boys — 
Walter  and  John. 

James  N.  Kingsbury  was  born  May  24th,  1835,  in  Webster, 
Mass.  He  is  a  son  of  Elisha,  son  of  Ephraim,  son  of  Jacob,  son 
of  Theodore  Kingsbury.  Mr.  Kingsbury  came  from  Massachu- 
setts to  Thompson  when  about  eight  years  old,  returning  a  few 
years  later,  and  in  Oxford  began  the  business  of  shoe  manufac- 
turing, which  he  continued  for  twelve  years  in  Massachusetts. 
In  1865  he  came  again  to  Connecticut,  and  after  being  interested 
in  shoe  manufacturing  for  three  years,  he  went  into  the  mercan- 
tile business,  which  he  has  followed  since  that  time.  He  was 
postmaster  at  Thompson  from  1869  to  1885;  has  been  town  clerk 
continuously  since  1872;  was  elected  to  the  house  of  representa- 
tives in  1888;  has  been  chairman  of  the  republican  town  com- 
mittee for  fourteen  years;  is  vice-president  and  director  of  the 
Thompson  Savings  Bank  and  director  of  the  National  Bank.  He 
was  married  in  1858  to  Harriet  T.,  daughter  of  Danforth  Kinney. 
She  died  in  1884,  leaving  three  children — Charles  N.,  Alice  and 
Myrtie.  He  was  married  again  in  1885  to  Anna,  daughter  of 
Joseph  Towne. 

Joshua  P.  Knight,  born  in  1821  in  Dudley,  Mass.,  is  a  son  of 
Doctor  Samuel  P.  Knight  and  grandson  of  Deacon  Samuel 
Knight.  His  mother  was  Harriet,  daughter  of  Doctor  John  El- 
liott Eaton.  He  received  the  principal  part  of  his  education  in 
the  schools  of  Portland,  Maine,  and  began  the  practice  of  den- 
tistry there,  but  shortly  after  he  established  himself  at  Webster, 
Mass.,  where  he  practiced  about  twenty-five  years.  About  1870 
he  retired  from  practice  on  account  of  ill  health,  and  removed 
to  Thompson,  where  he  now  lives.     He  was  married  June  15th, 


1124  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

1852,  to  Mary  G.,  daughter  of  Lemuel  Bixby.  They  have  two 
children — Hattie  E.  and  Charles  L.  Mr.  Knight  has  been  just- 
ice of  the  peace  for  several  years.     He  is  a  republican. 

Joseph  Alfred  Lagace  was  born  August  27th,  1861,  in  St. 
Hyacinthe,  Canada.  He  is  the  eldest  son  of  Charles  A.  and 
Sophia  (Scott)  Legace.  He  received  his  classical  education  at 
St.  Hyacinthe.  In  1883  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  in  Vic- 
toria College,  Montreal,  and  after  two  years  there  he  continued 
the  study  in  the  medical  department  of  the  Vermont  University, 
Burlington,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1887.  The  same  year 
he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Ware,  Mass.,  and  a 
short  time  later  he  removed  to  North  Grosvenor  Dale,  in  the 
town  of  Thompson,  where  he  has  a  large  and  lucrative  practice. 
He  was  married  in  July,  1888,  to  Phoebe  Laporte  of  Ware,  Mass. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  New  England  French  Medical  Associa- 
tion, and  a  member  of  North  Grosvenor  Dale  Catholic  church. 
L.  P.  Lamoureux  was  born  in  1841  in  the  province  of  Quebec, 
Canada,  and  came  to  the  States  in  1851.  He  has  lived  seventeen 
years  in  Thompson.  He  has  been  contractor  and  builder  for 
twenty  years,  and  has  had  charge  of  nearly  all  the  building  that 
has  been  done  at  North  Grosvenor  Dale  since  he  came  here. 
He  has  been  selectman  two  years,  and  has  held  other  town 
offices  as  a  republican.  He  was  married  in  1861  to  Mary  Garrey. 
They  have  eight  children  living,  and  have  lost  three.  He  is 
one  of  the  directors  of  the  Thompson  Savings  Bank,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  North  Grosvenor  Dale  Catholic  church. 

George  Law  was  born  in  1844,  in  Southbridge,  Mass.,  and  is 
the  oldest  son  of  George  H.  Law,  of  Killingly.  In  May,  1862,  he  . 
enlisted  in  the  9th  Rhode  Island  Infantry  for  three  months. 
In  October,  1862,  he  enlisted  again  in  the  2d  Rhode  Island  Cav- 
alry, and  served  until  October,  1865.  From  1865  to  1870  he  was 
employed  as  a  cotton  mill  operative,  and  since  that  time  he  has 
been  a  farmer.  In  March,  1887,  he  came  to  Thompson  from 
Killingly,  having  previously  bought  a  farm  here.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1882  to  Josephine  Ross.  They  have  one  son,  George  E. 
Mr.  Law  is  a  republican. 

Thomas  McVeigh  was  born  in  1859  in  Ireland,  and  came  to 
Rhode  Island  at  the  age  of  three  years.  He  has  been  employed 
in  cotton  mills  since  fourteen  years  of  age.  He  came  to  Gros- 
venor Dale  in  December,  1885,  where  he  has  had  charge  of 
spinning  since  that  time.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal 
church  of  Lonsdale,  R.  I. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1125 

Fred.  A.  Maryett,  born  in  1859  in  Baltic,  is  a  son  -of  Thomas 
Maryett.  He  came  to  North  Grosvenor  Dale  in  1876  and  began 
to  learn  the  trade  of  roller  covering,  and  since  1883  he  has  had 
charge  of  the  shop  for  the  manufacturing  company.  He  was 
married  in  1881  to  Carrie  E.  Chandler  and  has  one  daughter, 
Lulu  J.     He  is  a  member  of  Putnam  Lodge,  No.  46,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Horace  Mathewson  was  born  in  1841  in  Blackstone,  Mass.,  and 
is  a  son  of  Edwin  Mathewson.  He  came  to  Connecticut  in  1851. 
He  was  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion  from  September,  1862,  to 
July,  1865,  as  musician.  He  is  a  carpenter,  having  followed  that 
trade  for  the  last  twenty  years.  He  was  married  first  in  1867  to 
Emma  L,  Joslin,  who  died  in  1869,  leaving  one  son,  Horace  E. 
He  was  married  in  1871,  but  his  wife  died  the  same  year.  He 
married  in  1873  Ellen  C.  Carrol.  They  have  three  children: 
Edwin,  John  and  Lottie  L. 

Andrew  Mills  was  born  in  1813,  and  is  the  youngest  son  of 
John,  whose  father  Nathaniel  was  a  son  of  Nathaniel  Mills,  who 
came  from  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  with  three  brothers,  to  Mass- 
achusetts in  1690,  and  shortly  after  came  to  what  is  now  Thomp- 
son. The  farm  which  he  bought  at  that  time  is  still  owned  by 
Mr.  Mills,  who  devotes  most  of  his  time  to  teaching  music,  both 
vocal  and  instrumental.  Mr.  Mills'  mother  was  Lucina,  daughter 
of  Jesse  Whipple,  of  Killingly,  Conn.  He  was  married  Decem- 
ber 31st,  1839,  to  Maria,  daughter  of  Hezekiah  Perry.  They  had 
nine  children:  Sarah  E.  (Mrs.  L.  E.  Truesdale),  Fitz  Henry  (de- 
ceased), Hezekiah  P.  (died  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion),  Lucina 
W.  (Mrs.  John  Low),  Ossian  Everett,  John  Andrew,  Clinton  J., 
Carrie  M.  and  Arthur  W.  Mr.  Mills  is  a  republican  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Congregational  church. 

George  Mills  was  born  in  1832  in  Thompson,  and  is  a  son  of 
Nathaniel,  whose  father,  Nathaniel,  was  a  son  of  Nathaniel 
Mills.  Mr.  Mills  was  engaged  in  mercantile  business  until  about 
1868,  since  which  time  he  has  been  a  farmer,  owning  and  occu- 
pying the  homestead  of  his  father.     He  is  a  democrat.         * 

Joseph  Mills  was  born  in  1836  in  Thompson.  He  is  a  son  of 
Frederick,  son  of  John,  son  of  Nathaniel,  son  of  Nathaniel  Mills. 
His  mother  is  Maria,  daughter  of  James  Cady.  Mr.  Mills  is  the 
onlv  survivor  of  three  children.  He  is  a  farmer.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1862  and  has  three  children  living:  Wilfred  J.,  Augusta 
M.  and  Leonard  J.  They  lost  two:  Etta  M.  and  Grace  E.  Mr. 
Mills  is  a  republican. 


1126  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Calvin  M.  Munyan,  born  in  1850  in  Killingly,  is  a  son  of 
Irving,  and  grandson  of  David  Munyan.  His  mother  was  Al- 
mira  (Eddy)  Munyan.  Mr.  Munyan  is  a  farmer.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1873  to  Ella  J.,  daughter  of  Welcome  Bates.  They  have 
two  children — Florence  I.  and  Claude  M. 

Helen  A.  Munyan  is  a  daughter  of  John,  son  of  Ezra,  son  of 
Joseph,  son  of  Edward  Munyan.  Her  mother  was  Ruth  War- 
field.  John  Munyan  was  born  in  1806  and  died  in  1884.  He 
was  a  carpenter  by  trade. 

James  M.  Munyan  was  born  in  1825  in  Thompson.  He  is  a 
son  of  Hosea,  son  of  Isaac,  son  of  Israel,  son  of  Joseph,  son  of 
Edward  Munyan,  who  came  from  England  to  Salem,  Mass.,  and 
about  1718  he  came  to  what  is  now  Thompson,  near  the  Rhode 
Island  line,  and  bought  a  farm  which  is  still  in  the  family.  Mr. 
Munyan's  mother  was  Sarah,  daughter  of  Jacob  Blackmar,  who 
was  a  revolutionary  soldier.  Mr.  Munyan  is  a  farmer.  He  was 
married  in  1856  to  Harriet,  daughter  of  John  Wakefield.  They 
have  four  children:  Oscar,  Sarah  A.,  Clara  I.  (Mrs.  J.  A.  Arm- 
strong) and  Fred.  A. 

Oscar  Munyan  was  born  in  1859  in  Thompson,  son  of  James 
M.  Munyan.  He  was  educated  at  the  schools  of  Thompson, 
then  in  Franklin  two  years,  and  in  the  Institute  of  Technology 
in  Boston  one  year.  He  was  engaged  in  mercantile  business 
until  1886,  and  since  that  time  he  has  been  a  farmer  on  the 
Munyan  homestead,  owning  about  100  acres  of  the  original 
purchase  of  Edward  Munyan  of  1718.  He  was  married  in  1880 
to  Martha  A.  Card.  He  has  been  several  years  chairman  of  the 
democratic  town  committee. 

George  H.  Nichols  was  born  in  April,  1837.  He  is  a  son  of 
Captain  George  P.,  he  a  son  of  Elijah,  and  he  a  son  of  Elijah 
Nichols.  His  mother  was  Mary,  daughter  of  Thomas  Alton. 
Mr.  Nichols  is  a  farmer,  occupying  the  farm  where  his  father 
lived,  from  about  1800  until  his  death,  in  July,  1877,  aged  82 
years.  He  and  also  his  father  were  members  of  the  legislature' 
from  Thompson.  Mr.  Nichols  was  for  many  years  a  cattle 
buyer.  He  was  representative  in  the  legislature  in  1881  and 
1883.  He  is  president  of  the  Thompson  Savings  Bank,  and  vice- 
president  of  the  Thompson  National  Bank.  He  is  also  president 
of  the  Wauregan  Brick  Company.  He  was  married  in  1857  to 
Mary  A.,  daughter  of  James  Johnson.  Their  six  children  were 
named:   Lucy  A.,  Mary  (deceased),  George  E.,  Warren  F.,  Earl 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1127 

P.  and  John  M.     His  wife  died  in  1879,  and  he  married  in  1887, 
Martha  E.,  daughter  of  Jeremiah  Olney.     He  is  a  republican. 

Cornelius  O'Leary  was  born  in  Ireland,  came  to  America  in 
1852,  and  in  1865  to  Mechanicsville,  and  for  the  past  fourteen 
years  he  has  been  boss  spinner  for  the  woolen  mill.  He  was 
married  in  1853,  and  has  two  children:  T.  J.,  who  was  for  a  time 
a  member  of  the  Windham  county  bar,  and  Mary  E. 

Jane  E.  Palmer  was  born  in  East  Thompson,  and  was  married 
in  1858  to  William  H.  Palmer.  He  was  in  the  war  of  the  rebel- 
lion in  Company  I,  15th  Massachusetts  volunteers,  holding  the 
rank  of  sergeant.  He  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilder- 
ness. They  had  two  children — William  P.,  who  is  principal  of 
the  Bristol  Academy,  and  Parker  H.,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Henry  Paradis  was  born  in  1848  in  St.  Guillaume,  Canada.  He 
came  to  the  states  in  1867.  He  was  ten  years  in  Baltic  as  clerk, 
and  then  he  had  charge  of  a  store  at  North  Grosvenor  Dale 
eleven  years  for  J.  H.  Woisard.  In  August,  1888,  he  bought  out 
Mr.  Woisard,  and  continues  the  business  under  the  style  of  H. 
Paradis  &  Bros.  He  was  married  in  1870  to  Olivene  Fortier. 
They  have  thirteen  children.  He  is  a  member  of  the  North 
Grosvenor  Dale  Catholic  church. 

Simon  Parkhurst  was  born  in  1842  in  Norwich,  Conn.  At  the 
age  of  18  years  he  went  to  Brooklyn,  Conn.,  and  began  to  learn 
the  tinsmith's  trade,  and  later  went  to  Stonington,  where  he  fin- 
ished his  apprenticeship.  In  1876  he  came  from  Providence  to 
North  Grosvenor  Dale,  and  opened  a  hardware  store  and  tin- 
smith shop,  which  he  has  continued  since  that  time.  He  was 
married  in  1876  to  Alice  L.  Peckham,  and  has  three  children  liv- 
ing, having  lost  three.     He  is  a  republican. 

Amoret  Perrin  is  a  daughter  of  Jonathan,  son  of  Jonathan, 
son  of  Jonathan,  son  of  Thomas,  son  of  John,  son  of  William 
Nichols,  who  was  born  in  1599,  settled  in  Danvers,  Mass.,  in  1638, 
and  had  four  children.  Her  father  Jonathan  Nichols,  was  several 
years  town  clerk  and  judge  of  probate,  and  was  representative 
in  the  legislature  for  nearly  twenty  years.  She  was  married  in 
iVpril,  1832,  to  Joseph  M.  Perrin,  son  of  Noah  Perrin.  He  died 
in  December,  1861.  He  had  been  a  school  teacher  in  his  younger 
life,  but  later  a  farmer  and  surveyor. 

Elijah  C.  Perrin,  born  in  1810,  is  a  son  of  Hezekiah  and  Betsey 
Perrin.  He  is  a  farmer.  He  was  married  in  1842  to  Dolly, 
daughter  of    Jeremiah  Shumway.      He  is  a  republican,  and  a 


1128  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

member   of    the    North   Grosvenor   Dale    Methodist   Episcopal 
church. 

Joseph  vS.  Perry,  born  in  1830  in  Bridgewater,  Mass.,  is  a  son 
of  Joseph  S.  Perry.  He  came  to  Windham  county  in  1831,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  He  is  a  farmer  and  owns  the  homestead 
of  David  Towne.  He  was  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion  three 
months  in  1861,  in  Company  K,  2d  Connecticut  volunteers.  In 
August,  1862,  he  reentered  the  service  in  Company  I,  16th  Con- 
necticut volunteers,  serving  until  May,  1864.  He  was  married 
in  1854  to  Lucy,  daughter  of  George  Town.  He  is  a  staunch 
temperance  man  and  a  prohibitionist.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Thompson  Baptist  church. 

Ebenezer  Phelps,  born  in  December,  1808,  is  a  son  of  Ebenezer 
and  Polly  (Russell)  Phelps.  He  was  a  blacksmith  and  edge  tool 
maker  at  New  Boston  for  many  years.  He  was  married  in  1832 
to  Mary  Ann  Ellwell.  They  have  two"  children— Henry  R.  and 
Mary  Edna      He  is  a  democrat. 

George  Phillips  was  born  in  1856  in  England,  came  to  Connec- 
ticut in  1859,  and  was  for  seventeen  years  employed  in  the  cot- 
ton mill  at  Williamsville.  Since  1884  he  has  been  overseer  of 
weaving  at  Grosvenor  Dale.  He  was  married  in  1877  to  Cora 
Buchanan.  She  died  in  1884,  and  he  was  married  in  1886  to 
Alice  Tucker.  They  have  one  son,  George  H.  He  is  a  member 
of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Charles  A.  Potter,  born  in  1849  in  Southbridge,  Mass.,  is  a  son 
of  William  B.  Potter.  He  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  South- 
bridge,  came  to  North  Grosvenor  Dale  in  1873,  and  in  1882 
opened  a  market  here,  which  he  has  run  since  that  time.  He 
deals  in  meat,  canned  goods,  fruit,  confectionery,  etc.  He  was 
married  in  1870  to  Martha  H.  Chandler  and  has  three  children  : 
Alice  M.,  Louva  C.  and  Floyd. 

George  A.  Putney,  son  of  Harvey  Putney,  was  born  in  1844  in 
Southbridge,  Mass.  He  began  to  work  in  mills  in  1861,  came 
to  New  Boston  in  1865,  and  two  years  later  took  charge  of  card- 
ing and  spinning  and  still  fills  that  place.  He  was  married  in 
1867  to  Sarah,  daughter  of  Danford  D.  Burgess.  They  have  five 
children:  Olin  H.,  Fitz  L.,  Vesta  B.,  Lena  B.  and  Ala  A.  Mr. 
Putney  is  a  republican. 

James  Randall,  son  of  Daniel  Randall,  was  born  in  1828  in 
Thompson.  He  is  a  farmer,  living  on  his  father's  homestead, 
He  was  married  in  1849  to  Ursula,  daughter  of  Obadiah  Ross 
and  granddaughter  of  Lemuel  Ross. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1129 

Marcus  L.  Randall,  born  in  1823  in  Thompson,  is  a  son  of  Jo- 
seph and  Nancy  Randall.  He  is  a  machinist  by  trade,  but  for 
the  last  seventeen  years  has  been  a  farmer.  He  was  married  in 
1841  to  Olive  Chamberlin,  who  died  in  1881.  Their  four  chil- 
dren are  :   William,  Edgar  M.,  Sylvia  and  Mary  V. 

John  S.  Richardson,  born  March  31st,  1823,  is  a  son  of  Wil- 
liam and  Nancy  (Arnold)  Richardson,  the  latter  a  daughter  of 
Daniel  Arnold.  Mr.  Richardson  was  a  mill  operative  for  about 
forty  years,  and  was  overseer  of  carding  twenty-one  years  at 
Perryville.  Since  1880  he  has  been  a  farmer.  He  was  married 
in  1845  to  Sarah  K.,  daughter  of  Thomas  Benson.  They  had  five 
children:  Estelle,  Alice  (deceased),  Edwin,  Ada  and  Grace.  He 
is  a  republican  and  a  member  of  Quinnatisset  Grange,  No.  65, 
P.  of  H. 

John  T.  Richardson,  born  in  1835  in  Massachusetts,  is  a  son  of 
Mowry,  and  grandson  of  'Joseph  Richardson.  His  mother  was 
Orrilla  Thayer.  Mr.  Richardson  is  a  farmer.  He  was  married 
to  Helen,  daughter  of  Alfred  Merrick.  They  have  one  son, 
Fred.  I.,  and  one  daughter,  Louisa  A.  (deceased).  Mr.  Rich- 
ardson is  a  democrat. 

David  N.  Robbins,  born  in  1831  in  Thompson,  is  a  son  of 
Ithiel,  and  grandson  of  John  Robbins.  His  mother  was  Han- 
nah Green.  He  is  a  farmer.  He  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Bat- 
tery 1st  Heavy  Artillery,  Massachusetts  volunteers,  and  served 
from  August,  1864,  to  June,  1865.  He  was  married  in  1854  to 
Martha  E.  Joslin,  and  has  had  three  children:  Edna  L.,  Ida  M. 
and  Albro  N.  Mr.  Robbins  is  a  republican,  and  has  been  a 
member  of  the  East  Thompson  Methodist  Episcopal  church  for 
forty  years. 

Ithiel  D.  Robbins,  born  in  1853  in  Thompson,  is  a  son  of 
Ithiel  Robbins,  born  in  1804,  and  died  in  1883.  The  latter  was 
the  son  of  John,  and  he  the  son  of  Samuel  Robbins.  Ithiel  mar- 
ried in  1829  Hannah  Green,  who  is  now  living.  They  had 
twelve  children,  eight  living:  David  Nelson,  Elizabeth,  Phoebe, 
John  W.,  Luther  D.,  Julia  A.,  Hannah  T.  and  Ithiel  D.,  who 
lives  on  the  homestead  with  his  mother. 

Allen  Monroe  Robinson,  born  in  ]829  in  Thompson,  is  a  son 
of  Joseph  Robinson  and  brother  of  Oscar  Robinson.  He  has 
been  for  twenty  years  cutter  for  a  shoe  manufacturing  establish- 
ment. He  bought  what  is  called  the  "  Lake  View  "  farm  in  1882, 
and  has  been  a  farmer  since  that  time.    He  was  married  in  1853  to 


1130  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Emily  A.  Vinton.  She  died  in  1868,  leaving  one  child,  Clarence 
I.  He  was  married  again  in  1869  to  Mary  M.  Gerstle.  He  is  a 
republican. 

Oscar  Robinson  was  born  in  1840  in  Thompson.  He  is  a  son 
of  Joseph,  son  of  Aaron,  son  of  Paul,  son  of  George  Robinson. 
His  mother  was  Mary  A.  Cutler.  He  is  the  youngest  of  six  chil- 
dren. He  is  a  farmer  and  market  gardener,  owning  and  occupy- 
ing the  Robinson  homestead.  In  1861  he  was  married  to  Jane 
M.  Sheldon.     He  is  a  republican. 

Isaac  Sherman,  son  of  Zephaniah  Sherman,  was  born  in  1817 
in  Eastford.  His  mother  was  Betsey  Alton.  Mr.  Sherman  was 
a  merchant  and  shoe  manufacturer  at  East  Thompson  for  several 
years,  after  which  he  spent  about  seventeen  years  as  a  Methodist 
preacher.  He  retired  to  East  Thompson  a  short  time  since.  He 
represented  the  town  in  the  legislature  in  1861.  He  has  been 
married  three  times,  his  present  wife  being  Mary  (Sheldon) 
Sherman.  They  have  three  children:  Winnie  D.,  Mary  B.  and 
Harlo  T.  He  has  one  son,  James,  by  a  former  marriage.  He 
is  a  republican. 

Albert  Shumway,  born  in  1831,  is  a  son  of  Sherman  and 
Huldah  (Elliott)  Shumway.  He  is  a  farmer.  He  was  married 
April  28th,  1856,  to  Dolly  F.  Corbin.  She  died  in  August, 
1873.  He  was  married  in  May,  1877,  to  Fanny  K.,  daughter 
of  David  and  Harriet  (Sumner)  Nichols.     He  is  a  republican. 

Elliott  Shumway,  born  in  1827,  is  a  son  of  Sherman  and 
grandson  of  Jeremiah  Shumway.  His  mother  was  Huldah, 
daughter  of  Roger  Elliott.  Mr.  Shumway  is  a  farmer,  and 
owns  and  occupies  the  Elliott  homestead.  He  was  married  in- 
1873  to  Susan  F.  Crain.  He  is  a  republican  and  a  member  of 
Thompson  Congregational  church. 

William  T.  Shumway,  born  in  Thompson  in  1829,  is  a  son  of 
Hammond,  and  grandson  of  Jeremiah  Shumway.  Mr.  Shum- 
way went  from  Thompson  to  Webster  in  1845,  as  clerk  in  a  store, 
and  three  years  later  began  as  a  merchant,  and  from  1848  to  the 
present  has  been  in  the  trade  there.  He  was  married  in  1851  to 
Jane  E.  Keith,  and  has  two  daughters. 

Warren  Spencer,  born  in  1857,  at  Grosvenor  Dale,  is  a  son  of 
Russel  and  Laura  (Greene)  Spencer.  He  was  educated  in  the 
district  schools  of  the  town,  and  has  been  employed  by  the 
Grosvenor    Dale    Manufacturing    Company   for  sixteen    years. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1131 

For   the  past  eleven  years   he  has  been  overseer  of   the  cloth 
room.     He  was  married  in  May,  1880,  to  Alice  Bixby. 

Richard  B.  Stroud  born  in  1820,  in  Stafford,  Conn.,  is  the 
youngest  of  nine  children  and  the  only  survivor.  His  father 
was  Richard,  son  of  Richard  and  Elizabeth  (Billings)  Stroud. 
His  mother  was  Rhoda  (Harvey)  Stroud.  Mr.  Stroud  came  to 
Thompson  in  1868,  where  he  has  been  a  farmer  since  that  time. 
He  was  married  to  Charlotte  E.  Leech,  who  died.  They  had 
three  children,  all  of  whom  are  deceased.  He  was  married 
again  to  Minerva  Crawford,  who  died,  leaving  two  children  : 
Alice  L.  and  Charles  C.  He  married  in  1878  his  present  wife, 
who  is  a  daughter  of  Gardiner  Rouse.  He  is  a  member  of  Put- 
nam Lodge,  No.  46,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  of  Quinnatisset  Grange, 
No.  65,  P.  of  H. 

Reverend  Thomas  Tallman,  was  born  June  12th,  1815,  in 
Middle  Haddam,  Conn.  After  he  graduated  from  college  he 
was  in  Yale  Theological  school  from  1837  to  1840.  From  1844 
to  1861,  he  was  settled  over  the  Congregational  church  of  Scotland, 
Windham  county.  From  1861  to  1863,  he  was  settled  in  Groton. 
In  1864  he  came  to  Thompson,  where  he  resided  until  his  death 
in  October,  1872.  He  was  married  in  1842,  to  Miss  Hazelton, 
who  died  in  1860,  leaving  two  children  :  Susan  M.  and  James  H. 
He  married  for  his  second  wife,  Hannah  C.  Graves,  in  1864. 
Their  two  children  are  Walter  and  Frances  C. 

•Byron  S.  Thompson,  born  in  1845,  in  Smithfield,  R.  L,  is  a  son 
of  Hiram  Thompson.  He  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Smith- 
field,  and  a  short  time  at  Andover,  Mass.  Mr.  Thompson  came 
from  Rhode  Island  to  Thompson  in  1864,  and  after  a  three  years' 
clerkship  at  North  Grosvenor  Dale  he  went  away,  returning  in 
1876  and  operating  a  general  store  until  1882,  when  he  sold  to 
John  Elliott  &  Co.  One  year  later  he  bought  another  store 
where  he  has  been  since  that  time.  He  was  assessor  two  terms, 
and  in  1887  he  represented  the  town  in  the  legislature.  He  was 
married  in  1868  to  Mary  Copeland.  They  have  three  children: 
Bertha  N.,  Ada  P.,  and  Harman  A.  Mr.  Thompson  served  three 
months  in  Company  E,  9th  Rhode  Island  volunteers  in  1862. 

Oscar  Tourtellotte,  born  in  1839  in  Thompson,  is  a  son  of  Jo- 
seph, whose  father,  Isaac,  was  a  son  of  Abraham  Tourtellotte, 
who  was  of  Huguenot  descent.  His  mother  was  Amy,  daughter 
of  Jesse  Joslin.  His  education  was  finished  in  Nichols'  Acad- 
emy, Dudley,  Mass.     He  was  brought  up  a  farmer.     In  October, 


1132  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  25th  Massachusetts  volunteers, 
and  served  three  years.  In  the  hivStory  of  the  regiment  it 
says :  "  Mr.  T.  alone  with  his  rifle  captured  and  took  pris- 
oners first  lieutenant,  sergeant  and  24  privates  belonging  to 
the  161st  N.  C.  V."  He  also  had  two  brothers  in  the  war  of  the 
rebellion.  In  1876  he  left  his  farm  and  opened  a  grain  store  and 
insurance  office  at  North  Grosvenor  Dale.  He  sold  the  grain 
business  to  M.  A.  Covell,  and  now  carries  on  the  insurance  bus- 
iness and  does  legal  writing.  He  was  a  member  of  the  legisla- 
ture in  1865  and  1866,  and  a  member  of  congress  in  1876.  He  is 
now  first  selectman.  He  has  been  trial  justice  since  1868.  He 
was  married  in  February,  1861,  to  Laura  A.  Carpenter.  They 
have  three  sons.  He  is  a  republican  and  trustee  and  class  leader 
in  the  Methodist  church  at  North  Grosvenor  Dale. 

Reuben  M.  Towne,  born  in  1831,  is  a  son  of  Sherman,  son  of 
Joseph,  son  of  Joseph,  son  of  Joseph  Towne,  who  came  to  this 
town  in  1733.  His  mother  was  Mary  Ann  E.,  daughter  of  Reu- 
ben Mathewson.  Mr.  Towne  is  a  farmer.  He  was  married 
July  31st,  1888,  to  Atla  A.,  daughter  of  John  G.  Coman. 

John  Trudeau  was  born  in  Canada  in  1846,  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1854,  has  been  a  painter  for  twenty-two  years  and  has 
had  charge  of  painting  at  North  Grosvenor  Dale  for  eight  years. 
He  was  married  in  1867  and  has  one  son,  Henrv.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber  of  the  North  Grosvenor  Dale  Catholic  church. 

Jesse  Tucker,  son  of  Samuel  P.  Tucker,  was  born  December, 
1829,  in  Glocester,  R.  I.  In  May,  1846,  he  came  to  North  Gros- 
venor Dale  (then  Masonville)  as  a  mill  operative  for  fifteen  years. 
In  1861  he  began  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he  has  followed 
since  that  time.  He  was  married  in  1850  to  Sarah  Gilmore. 
They  have  had  two  children:     Charles  A.  and  Emily,  deceased. 

Dyer  A.  Upham,  born  in  1824,  is  the  youngest  son  of  Dyer, 
and  grandson  of  Nehemiah  Upham.  His  mother  was  Esther, 
daughter  of  Daniel  Arnold.  Mr.  Upham  was  a  merchant  at 
Wilsonville  about  fifteen  years  prior  to  1857.  Since  that  time 
he  has  been  a  farmer  and  breeder  of  poultry.  He  claims  to  be 
the  originator  of  the  Plymouth  Rock  breed  of  fowls,  and  was 
the  first  exhibitor  at  Worcester  in  1867.  He  represented  the 
town  in  the  legislature  in  1862,  and  has  filled  many  of  the  town 
offices  as  a  republican.  He  was  married  in  1849  to  Lucy  Stone. 
They  have  three  children:  Leroy  J..  Earl  H.  and  Burton  S.  Mrs. 
Upham  died  in  1885. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY,  1133 

John  J.  Vinton,  born  in  1843  in  Woodstock,  is  a  son  of  Hosea, 
and  grandson  of  Timothy  Vinton.  He  was  a  farmer  in  Wood- 
stock until  April,  1885,  when  he  came  to  Quinebatig,  where  he 
has  run  a  meat  market  since  that  time.  In  1887  he  added  gro- 
ceries to  his  business.  He  was  married  in  1863  to  Abbie  M. 
Whitney.  They  have  eight  children  living;  Myrtie  M.,  Grace 
L.,  William  J.,  Martha  U.,  Carrie  D.,  George  W.,  Frederick  M. 
and  Byron  F.;  and  two  that  died  in  infancy. 

Edwin  T.  White,  born  in  1834  in  Vermont,  was  a  farmer  eight 
years  in  Vermont,  and  in  1869  he  came  to  Thompson,  where  he 
lived  until  his  death,  in  May,  1885.  He  was  a  republican  in 
politics,  and  represented  the  town  in  the  legislature  in  1882,  and 
held  some  of  the  town  offices.  He  was  married  in  1860  to  Sarah 
L.,  daughter  of  Winsor  Bates.  They  had  two  sons — Edwin  W. 
and  Elmer  Leroy.  They  lost  two  daughters — Gertrude  I.  and 
Bertha  E. 

Marcus  C.  Whitney,  born  in  September,  1851,  is  a  son  of  Micah 
Whitney  and  Elizabeth,  a  daughter  of  Winthrop  Chandler.  He 
was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Thompson  and  in  Nichols'  Acad- 
emy, Dudley.  He  is  a  farmer.  He  is  a  member  of  East  Wood- 
stock Congregational  church,  and  a  member  of  Senexet  Grange, 
P.  of  H. 

Thomas  Wilbur,  son  of  William  Wilbur,  was  born  in  1822  in 
South  Kingstown,  R.  I.  He  began  as  mill  operative  at  Harris- 
ville,  R.  I.,  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  where  he  remained  until  1854, 
when  he  came  to  Grosvenor  Dale  as  overseer  of  spinning  for  10 
years;  then  he  came  to  North  Grosvenor  Dale,  where  he  was 
superintendent  until  1882,  and  since  that  time  he  has  lived  prac- 
tically retired.  He  represented  the  town  in  the  legislature  in 
1883.  He  was  postmaster  at  North  Grosvenor  Dale  from  1878  to 
1885.  He  is  a  republican.  He  was  married  in  1847  to  Sarah, 
daughter  of  Wanton  Briggs.  They  have  one  son,  James  T.; 
they  lost  two  children — Leander  J.,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  war 
of  the  rebellion,  and  Grace. 

William  R.  Williams,  born  December,  1858,  in  Woodstock,  is 
a  son  of  Harden  and  grandson  of  Arthur  Williams.  His  mother 
was  Sarah  Caulkins.  In  1886  he  opened  a  general  store  at  West 
Thompson,  where  he  has  continued  the  business  since  that  time. 
He  was  married  in  May,  1883,  to  Carrie  L.,  daughter  of  Hiram 
M.  Jencks,  of  Dayville.     He  is  a  republican. 


1134  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Alonzo  O.  Woodard  was  born  in  1834  in  Thompson.  His 
father,  Daniel,  was  a  son  of  Comfort  and  grandson  of  Jesse 
Woodard,  who  married  Sarah  Starr  in  1752.  His  mother  is  Amy 
Gleason.  Mr.  Woodard  has  been  a  farmer  for  the  past  twenty 
years,  and  was  formerly  a  shoemaker.  He  has  been  justice  for 
the  last  twenty  years,  and  has  held  several  other  town  offices. 
He  was  married  in  1860  to  Mary  J.,  daughter  of  Harvey  Davis. 
They  have  five  children  :  Allen  R.,  Hattie  J.  (Mrs.  J.  F.  Miller, 
M.  D.,  of  Putnam),  Mary  F.,  Ida  S.  and  Edith  A.  He  is  a  repub- 
lican and  a  member  of  East  Thompson  Methodist  Episcopal 
church. 

PUTNAM. 

Rhodes  G.  Allen  was  born  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  June  5th,  1819, 
and  is  the  fifth  son  of  Rhodes  G.  and  Rebecca  C.  (Bowen)  Allen. 
He  received  a  common  school  education,  learned  the  machinist's 
trade  at  Harrisville,  town  of  Woodstock,  in  1836,  and  remained 
there  till  1846,  when  he  went  to  Whitingville,  Mass.,  but  re- 
turned to  Putnam  in  1847.  He  engaged  in  the  repairing  busi- 
ness at  the  different  mills,  and  was  for  twelve  years  employed 
by  the  Morse  Mills  Company.  He  then  bought  a  farm,  which 
he  has  conducted  since.  His  first  wife  was  Lucretia  A.  Aldrich, 
by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Lucretia  M.,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
16  years.  His  second  wife  was  Almira  L.,  daughter  of  Deacon 
Elliott  Carpenter. 

Andrew  R.  Arnold,  born  in  Warwick,  R.  I.,  April  22d,  1810, 
the  eldest  son  of  Philip  and  Catharine  (Searls)  Arnold,  came  with 
his  father  to  Woodstock,  Conn.,  in  1819.  He  was  a  machinist 
by  trade  and  invented  a  number  of  valuable  patents.  He  worked 
at  Providence,  R.  I.,  Hartford,  Conn.,  and  Newark,  N.  J.,  at  the 
latter  place  being  24  years  connected  with  the  Manhattan  Fire 
Arms  Company,  He  came  to  Putnam  in  1883,  where  he  died 
October  11th,  1884.  He  married  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Captain 
John  Steib,  of  Providence,  R.  I. 

William  H.  Anderson,  born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  June  10th, 
1845,  is  the  eldest  son  of  Joseph  and  Sophia  (Reynolds)  Ander- 
son. Owing  to  the  death  of  his  father  when  William  H.  was  11 
years  old,  his  mother  returned  to  her  native  county,  Windham, 
and  located  at  Woodstock,  but  came  to  Putnam  in  1858.  At  the 
age  of  14  he  was  employed  in  the  cotton  mills.  At  the  breaking 
out  of  the  war  he  enlisted  in  the  18th  Connecticut  volunteers  for 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1135 

three  years,  and  was  eighteen  months  in  rebel  prisons.  After 
the  war  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  in  1881  started  a  tallow 
rendering  establishm.ent  in  Putnam,  reducing  the  trimmings  of 
beef  and  pork  to  tallow  and  lard,  the  bones  of  the  animals  being 
ground  for  chicken  feed  and  fertilizer.  He  married  Cora  H. 
Green,  and  they  have  had  six  children :  William  H.,  Cora  Lil- 
lian, Musa  E.,  Hattie  S.,  Mamie  E.  and  Henrietta  D. 

The  Ballard  family  in  this  county  is  descended  from  William 
Ballard,  who  came  to  Lynn,  Mass.,  in  1630,  and  the  first  ones  to 
locate  in  Windham  county  were  two  brothers,  William  and 
Lynde,  who  were  sons  of  Zaccheus  and  Elizabeth  (Valentine) 
Ballard.  Lynde  was  born  in  Oxford,  Mass.,  May  15th,  1774, 
and  died  June  7th,  1825.  December  4th,  1794,  he  married  Polly 
Bates,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children:  John  Bates,  died  in  Col- 
chester, Conn.;  Nancy  (deceased),  married  John  George,  of 
Thompson;  Polly  (deceased),  married  Jacob  Tourtellotte;  Win- 
throp  Hilton,  Valentine  and  Hamilton,  all  living  in  Thompson; 
and  Martha,  (deceased),  married  Frederick  Miles,  of  Thompson. 
Lynde's  second  wife  was  Amy  Green,  by  whom  he  had  four 
•children:  Sarah  Rebecca,  widow  of  Samuel  Spaulding,  of  Put- 
nam; Salem  Lynde,  Zaccheus,  lives  in  Thompson,  and  Elizabeth, 
wife  of  Albertus  Bruce,  of  Pomfret.  Salem  Lynde  was  born  in 
Thompson  May  8th,  1820.  His  first  wife  was  Freelove  Youngs, 
and  his  second  wife  is  Harriet  Scranton,  a  native  of  Woodstock, 
whom  he  married  July  12th,  1846,  and  by  whom  he  has  four 
children:  John  Lynde,  born  in  Woodstock  January  19th,  1849, 
married  Sallie  Farquhar  October  22d,  1 873,  and  has  two  children, 
John  Hudson  and  Sumner  Salem,  and  is  engaged  in  the  sewing 
machine  business  at  Wheeling,  W.  Va.;  Emma  Luella;  Louis  S., 
resides  in  Worcester,  Mass.,  and  Arthur  S.  W.,  resides  at 
Putnam. 

Marvin  Barrett,  son  of  Edward  L  Barrett,  was  born  in  Wood- 
stock, Conn.,  May  18th,  1826.  At  the  age  of  twenty  he  learned 
the  machinist's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  five  years  at  Har- 
risville.  In  1851  he  went  to  Worcester,  Mass.,  where  he  re- 
mained till  1871.  He  then  engaged  in  farming  in  Scotland,  and 
came  to  Putnam  in  1876,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  mar- 
ried first,  Siisan  J.  Wheeler;  second,  Lois  L.  Morgan,  widow  of 
Sanford  K.  Palmer. 

Willis  Bowen  was  born  in  Rhode  Island,  January  8th,  1808, 
and  came  to  Thompson,  Conn.,  in  1848.    He  married  L.  Maria  Aid- 


1136  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

rich,  and  had  nine  children:  Francis,  resides  in  Portchester,  N.  Y.; 
Lawson  O.;  Henry  B.,  lives  at  Taftville,  Conn.;  Almira,  died  at 
the  age  of  19  years;  Eliza,  died  aged  3  years;  Amasa,  died  aged 
2  years;  an  infant;  Martha  (deceased),  married  Smith  Hall;  and 
Sarah  Maria,  lives  at  Middletown,  Conn.  Willis  Bowen  died  Oc- 
tober 14th,  1876.  Lawson  O.  was  born  in  West  Glocester,  R.  I„ 
June  12th,  1834.  He  was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  and  at  the  age 
of  twelve  was  put  to  work  in  the  mills,  which  he  followed  eleven 
years.  He  engaged  in  farming  in  Thompson  in  1856,  and  re- 
moved to  Putnam  in  1859,  where  he  has  since  resided,  excepting 
four  years  in  Thompson.  He  was  selectman  in  1888.  He  mar- 
ried Marcia  A.  Bump,  and  had  three  children:  One  died  in  in- 
fancy; Merritt  Olin,  resides  in  New  Haven,  Conn.;  and  Walter 
Allen. 

Benjamin  Bray  ton,  son  of  George  and  Nancy  (Randall)  Bray- 
ton,  was  born  in  Johnston,  R.  I.,  April  18th,  1811.  Owing  to  the 
death  of  his  father,  his  mother  removed  to  what  is  now  Putnam 
in  1815.  He  was  a  boot  maker  by  trade,  but  in  his  later  years 
carried  on  farming.  He  died  August  3d,  1886.  He  married  Al- 
mira, daughter  of  Oliver  Torrey,  and  had  one  child,  Caroline  M., 
who  married  Joseph  Waterman  Fisher,  son  of  Willard  Danielson 
and  Olive  (Brayton)  Fisher,  born  in  Killingly  July  16th,  1848. 

Elijah  Carpenter,  son  of  Elijah  and  Abby  Carpenter,  was  born 
in  Smithfield,  R.  I.,  and  came  to  Putnam  in  1851,  where  he  died 
March  30th,  1869.  He  married  Mary  Ann  Green  and  had  three 
children:  Abby  J.,  wife  of  H.  O.  Preston,  of  Putnam;  Adelbert, 
resides  in  Putnam;  and  Walter  S.,  born  in  Greenville,  R.  I.,  Aug- 
ust 24th,  1848,  married  Mary  S.  Ballou,  and  has  no  children.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  legislature  of  1889-90. 

Nelson  "Carpenter,  born  in  Smithfied,  R.  I.,  May  1st,  1809,  is 
the  eldest  son  of  family  of  twelve  children  of  Elijah  and  Abby 
Carpenter.  He  is  a  mason  by  trade,  and  came  to  Putnam  in 
1859.  He  has  been  married  four  times.  His  first  wife  was 
Mercy  N.  Brayton,  by  whom  he  had  four  children  :  Mar}^  Jane 
died  aged  20  years  ;  Emeline  married  William  Phelps  of  Put- 
nam ;  Nancy  Maria,  married  ;  ahd  Nelson,  died  in  infancy. 

David  Chandler  was  a  resident  of  Pomfret,  Conn.,  and  had  a 
son  Silas,  who  had  a  son,  Charles  C,  who  married  Anna  Cleve- 
land, and  had  six  children  :  Hannah,  married  Jason  W.  Fairfield; 
Mary,  died  aged  20  years ;  Lucius  L.,  Louisa,  widow,  resides  in 
Illinois ;  Palmer,  died  in  Pomfret,  Conn.,  and  Albert  C,  lives  in 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1137 

Woodstock.  Lucius  L.,  born  in  Pomfret,  August  5th,  1809,  mar- 
ried Louisa  R.  Clark.  They  have  one  child  living,  Louise,  wife 
of  William  Moulton  of  Boston,  who  was  born  in  Pomfret,  Conn., 
April  10th,  1834,  and  is  the  noted  authoress.  Lucius  L.  died  Oc- 
tober 25th,  1879. 

Danforth  Chase,  son  of  Cromwell,  was  born  in  Killingly,  Conn., 
August  13th,  1831,  married  Ellen  Payson,  and  had  two  children  : 
William  D.  and  Ellen,  deceased,  married  George  Dresser  of  Put- 
nam. Danforth  Chase  died  August  13th,  1866.  William  D.  was 
born  in  Killingly  February  10th,  1861,  married  Mary  Buck,  and 
has  four  children :  Ellen  S.,  Abbie  L.,  Ida  M.  and  Mary  A.  Mr. 
Chase  is  a  farmer  and  came  to  Putnam  to  reside  in  1888. 

Albert  A.  Clark  was  born  in  Lyme  (now  North  Lyme),  Conn., 
February  15th,  1835.  He  is  the  eldest  son  in  a  family  of  eleven 
children  of  John  G.  and  Jane  (Tucker)  Clark.  He  is  a  carpenter 
by  trade.  He  worked  nine  years  in  Salem,  Conn.,  then  became 
a  member  of  the  18th  Connecticut  volunteers.  After  the  war 
he  worked  at  his  trade  in  Bosworth,  Conn.,  and  came  to  Putnam 
in  the  spring  of  1874,  where  he  followed  his  trade  four  years. 
Since  then  he  has  had  charge  of  the  poor  houses  of  Thompson 
and  Putnam,  eight  years  in  the  former  place  and  the  balance  of 
the  time  the  latter.  He  married  Alice  P.  Brown  of  Montville, 
Conn.,  and  has  three  children  :  Annie  L.,  wife  of  Delbert  Fair- 
field,  of  New  Haven,  Conn.;  Rachel  E.,  wife  of  M.  O.  Bowen, 
of  New  Haven,  Conn.,  and  George  A. 

John  D.  Converse  was  born  in  Thompson,  December  16th, 
1845,  and  is  the  third  son  of  Alfred  and  Eliza  (Hutchins)  Con- 
verse. His  grandfather  was  John  D.  He  was  educated  at 
Thompson  Academy,  and  has  always  been  a  farmer.  He  was 
county  commissioner  from  1880  to  1886,  and  member  of  legisla- 
ture from  Thompson  in  1878.  He  married  Caroline  Sumner  of 
Thompson,  and  has  no  children. 

Artemas  H.  Corbin,  eldest  son  of  Jedediah  and  Hannah  Cor- 
bin,  was  born  in  Charlton,  Mass.,  January  24th,  1831.  He  worked 
at  farming  until  he  came  to  Thompson,  in  the  winter  of  1849. 
He  learned  shoemaking,  which  he  has  since  followed.  He  came 
to  Putnam  in  1853,  and  worked  at  his  trade  till  1865,  and  then 
engaged  in  manufacturing  shoes  himself,  which  he  followed  till 
1881,  when  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  women  and  misses' 
slippers  and  buskins,  also  woolen  lined  shoes  for  women.  He 
served  as  selectman  in  1889. 
73 


1138  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Ebenezer  Covell  had  the  following  family:  Sampson,  Ziba,  Oli- 
ver, Joseph,  Benjamin  and  Abigail,  who  married  Silas  Tucker. 
Sampson  had  a  son  Arba,  who  married  for  his  first  wife  a  Burgess, 
by  whom  he  had  two  children,  viz.,  Sampson  and  Mary,  who  mar- 
ried Waldo  Bartlett.  Sampson  (son  of  Sampson)  was  born  in  Kil- 
lingly,  in  February,  1809,  and  married  Lillis  Bartlett  for  his  first 
wife,  by  whom  he  had  one  child  Arba,  who  resides  in  Killingly. 
His  second  wife  was  Lois  Elliott,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Al- 
bigence  E.  His  third  wife  was  Sarah  Elliott,  by  whom  he  had 
four  children:  Benjamin,  resides  in  Webster,  Mass.;  Louisa,  wife 
of  David  Clark  of  Putnam;  Esther,  wife  of  George  Locke  of 
Putnam,  and  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Rufus  Chase  of  Killingly..  He 
became  a  resident  of  Putnam  in  1859,  where  he  died  in  January, 
1882.  Albigence  E.  (son  of  Sampson),  born  February  26th,  1841, 
married  Mahala  J.  Chase,  and  had  four  children:  Elizabeth,  died 
aged  five  years;  Marcus,  lives  in  Thompson;  Horace  E.  and 
Willis.     Mr.  Covell  has  been  a  resident  of  Putnam  since  1860. 

Asa  Cutler,  the  son  of  Isaac,  married  Mary  Cady,  and  among 
his  children  were:  Lodema,  Sarah,  Hannah,  Mary,  Benjamin, 
Asa  and  David.  Benjamin  (son  of  Asa)  niarried  Olive  Buck, 
and  his  children  were:  Lodema,  married  William  Barstow  of 
Killingly;  Asa;  Olive,  married  Davis  Torrey  of  Killingly:  Dan; 
Mary,  died  young;  George,  died  at  Southbridge,  Mass.;  Sarah, 
married  George  Bartlett  of  Webster,  Mass.;  and  Mary,  married 
Joseph  Robinson  of  Thompson.  Dan,  born  October  26th,  1793, 
married  Amy  Bussey  of  Rhode  Lsland,  and  their  children  were: 
William  Henry,  lives  in  Killingly;  Caroline  Maria  (deceased), 
married  Daniel  Harris  of  Rhode  Island;  Lucretia  Dexter,  wife 
of  Francis  N.  Aldrich  of  Stanton,  Iowa;  Benjamin  and  Horace 
Adams,  both  died  in  Killingly;  Augustus,  killed  in  the  late  war; 
Frederick;  Mary  Olive,  widow  of  Elisha  Davison,  resides  in 
Putnam;  and  Amy  Ann,  wife  of  William  H.  Sharpe  of  Putnam. 
Dan  died  July  10th,  1881.  Frederick  (son  of  Dan)  born  in  Kil- 
lingly, August  25th,  1829,  married  Georgiana  Stead,  and  has 
eight  children:  Edward  R.,  Dan,  George  M.,  Ira,  Lizzie,  Arthur, 
Alice  B.  and  Minnie  F.  Asa  (son  of  Benjamin),  born  in  Kil- 
lingly, June  8th,  1788,  married  Sarah  Torrey,  and  had  five  chil- 
dren: Lucy  T.,  wife  of  Horace  Read  of  Putnam;  Hobart  C,  died 
in  Putnam;  Tama,  widow  of  Doctor  Plimpton,  resides  in  Put- 
nam; Edward  Adams,  resides  in  Providence,  R.  I.;  and  Susan 
Davison,  widow  of  Day  Harris,  lives  at   Putnam.     Asa  was  en- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1139 

gaged  in  cotton  manufacturing  at  Oxford,  Mass.,  but  returned 
to  Putnam  in  1847,  where  he  died  March  7th,  18.59. 

Joseph  W.  Cutler,  eldest  son  of  Job  H.  and  Mary  E.  (Willey) 
Cutler,  was  born  in  Central  Village,  Conn.,  February  5th,  1841. 
At  the  age  of  22  years  he  was  appointed  deputy  sheriff,  which 
office  he  filled  for  nine  years.  He  was  engaged  in  farming  for 
the  next  three  years,  came  to  Putnam  in  1875,  and  in  1879  en- 
gaged in  the  wholesale  and  retail  wood  and  coal  business,  which 
he  now  follows.  He  was  selectman  in  the  town  of  Plainfield  two 
years,  also  constable.  He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Elisha 
Buck,  and  has  one  daughter,  Annie  G. 

The  Dresser  family  was  originally  settled  in  Roxbury,  Mass., 
in  January,  1639,  by  John  Dresser,  who  had  a  family  of  six  chil- 
dren, the  eldest  of  whom  was  John,  who  married  Martha  Thorld. 
He  had  a  family  of  eight  children,  and  Jonathan,  his  second  son, 
was  born  in  January,  1673  or  1674.  He  had  seven  children,  of 
whom  Thomas,  born  November  7th,1704,  and  who  married  Mary 
Chandler,  of  Andover,  Mass.,  was  the  first  one  of  the  name  to 
come  to  Windham  county.  He  had  a  family  of  eight  children, 
and  his  son  Nathan,  born  January  12th,  1738,  married  Orindia 
Sessions  and  had  the  following  family:  Thomas,  died  at  the  age 
of  21  years;  Nathan,  died  in  Pomfret;  Mary,  Abel,  Elfreyda, 
Huldah,  Serena,  Esther,  Jonathan,  died  in  Homer,  N.  Y.;  Com- 
fort, died  in  Vermont,  and  Orindia.  Nathan  died  February  3d, 
1805.  Abel  (son  of  Nathan)  was  born  January  26th,  1775,  and  died 
October  27th,  1859.  He  married  Sally  Brown  and  their  children 
were:  Horace,  died  in  New  York  state;  Emily,  died  unmarried; 
Joseph  A.,  died  in  Monson,  Mass;  Sally,  deceased,  married  John 
W.  Adams,  of  Pomfret;  Nancy,  deceased,  married  Hiram  Waldo, 
of  Canterbury,  Conn;  Abel  and  Ezra,  born  April  14th,  1817, 
married  three  times,  to  Marcia  Carpenter,  Ellen  Payson  and 
Jennie  Dodge.  He  has  one  child  by  his  first  wife,  Frances, 
widow  of  John  Harrington,  who  resides  with  him  and  has  one 
child,  Myrtie. 

Lucius  Fitts,  second  son  of  Daniel  and  Abigail  Fitts,  was  born 
in  Pomfret,  Conn.,  June  28th,  1810.  His  father  was  a  tanner, 
currier  and  shoemaker.  On  coming  of  age  he  engaged  in  farm- 
ing in  his  native  town,  which  he  followed  till  1875,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Putnam.  He  married  Adaline  S.,  daughter  of  Ephraim 
Tucker. 


1140  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Shrimpton  Gallup,  fourth  son  of  Martin  and  Ruth  Gallup,  was 
born  in  Brooklyn,  Conn.,  February  14th,  1818.  At  the  age  of 
eight  he  commenced  working  in  the  factory,  which  he  followed 
until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  18th 
Connecticut  volunteers,  and  was  mustered  out  of  the  service 
May  4th,  1865,  having  lost  his  left  leg  at  the  battle  of  Piedmont, 
Va.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  Putnam  since  1828.  His  first 
wife  was  Amanda  Brown,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Andrew, 
a  soldier  in  the  late  war.  His  second  wife  was  Hannah  Aldrich. 
John  H.  Gardner,  second  son  of  Horace  and  Eliza  C.  (Annis) 
Gardner,  was  born  in  Manchester,  Conn.,  November  25th,  1837. 
At  the  age  of  five  his  parents  removed  to  Stafford  Springs,  where 
he  received  a  common  school  education.  At  the  age  of  sixteen 
he  entered  a  general  store,  where  he  remained  two  years,  then 
went  to  Hartford  and  was  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business  for 
fourteen  years.  In  January,  1869,  he  came  to  Putnam  and 
opened  a  dry  goods  store  on  the  east  side  of  the  railroad,  being 
the  only  store  at  that  time  in  that  side  of  the  village.  He  sold 
out  in  January,  1879,  and  retired  from  active  business.  He  was 
elected  president  of  the  Putnam  Savings  Bank  in  July,  1880,  and 
has  been  director  of  the  First  National  Bank  since  1877.  He 
married  Mary  Wadsworth. 

Augustus  Houghton,  second  son  of  Abel  and  Lucretia  (Phelps) 
Houghton,  was  born  in  Princeton,  Worcester  county,  Mass.,  No- 
vember 18th,  1822.  He  received  a  common  school  education.  His 
father  was  a  farmer,  and  he  passed  his  life  till  the  age  of  12 
years  on  the  farm.  At  that  age  he  entered  a  cotton  factory  in 
West  Boylston,  Mass.,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  he  engaged  in 
business  for  himself  at  Holden,  Mass.  He  was  at  this  point 
three  years,  and  for  the  next  four  years  with  the  Smithville 
Manufacturing  Company.  The  next  seventeen  ^^ears  he  was 
superintendent  of  an  envelope  factory  at  Worcester,  Mass.  He 
then  came  to  East  Putnam  and  was  till  1882  engaged  in  manu- 
facturing yarn.  His  first  wife  was  Eliza  Roper,  of  Princeton, 
who  bore  him  one  child,  Cora,  wife  of  Albert  Whiting,  of  Smith- 
ville, Mass.  He  second  wife  was  Elizabeth  Hawkins,  by  whom 
he  has  had  two  children — Alexander  A.  and  Addie  E.,  wife  of 
Dewitt  C.  Parks,  of  Putnam. 

Richard  Monroe  Hoyle,  son  of  Richard  and  Hannah  (Standish) 
Hoyle,  was  born  in  Thompson,  Conn.,  June  27th,  1844.  At  the 
age  of  16  years  he  enlisted  in  the  15th  Massachusetts  volunteers. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY,  1141 

He  was  wounded  four  times  while  in  the  service.  After  the  war 
he  eng-ag-ed  in  mercantile  business  till  1883.  Since  that  time  he 
has  been  engaged  in  farming.  He  built  the  Hoyle  Block  in  Put- 
nam in  1877.     His  wife's  maiden  name  was  Inez  Carpenter. 

Andrew  Leavens,  son  of  Joseph,  son  of  Joseph,  was  born  in 
Killingly  February  11th,  1771,  and  died  June  28th,  1847.  He 
married  Elizabeth  Davis  and  had  seven  children.  The  only  one 
of  these  living  is  Andrew  K.,  born  in  Killingly  July  16th,  1819, 
married  Lois  Holmes,  daughter  of  Samuel  Holden  Torrey.  They 
have  no  children. 

William  H.  Letters,  third  son  of  John  and  Charlotte  Letters, 
was  born  in  Warren,  Mass.,  December  5th,  1842.  He  was  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacturing  business  from  1864  to  1871  in  Staf- 
ford, Conn.  In  the  latter  year  he  came  to  Putnam  and  opened 
a  store  for  the  sale  of  musical  instruments  and  sewing  machines. 
His  present  brick  store,  which  is  20  by  75  feet,  was  completed 
in  1881.  In  December,  1886,  his  son,  Frank  G.,  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  firm,  under  the  name  of  Wm.  H.  Letters  &  Son.  He 
is  married  to  Emeline  R.  Skinner.  His  children  are  :  Frank  G., 
born  in  Monson,  Mass.,  March  13th,  1865,  and  Charles  M., 
born  in  Putnam  May  14th,  1872. 

Edward  Mullan  was  born  in  Belfast,  county  Antrim,  Ireland, 
October  26th,  1854,  and  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in 
1860,  they  settling  in  Thompson,  Conn.  He  attended  the  com- 
mon school,  also  a  private  school  in  Putnam.  At  the  age  of 
twenty  he  engaged  in  the  general  store  business  in  Putnam, 
which  he  has  since  conducted.  He  has  held  various  town  offices, 
was  member  of  the  board  of  selectmen  in  1880-81,  justice  of  the 
peace  and  registrar  of  voters.  He  was  appointed  postmaster  July 
18th,  1885.  He  married  Eliza,  daughter  of  Michael  Sherlock, 
and  has  two  daughters — Anna  and  Gertrude. 

Danforth  K.  Olney,  born  in  Ashford,  December  17th,  1830,  is 
the  eldest  son  in  a  family  of  eight  children  of  Thomas  J.  and 
Mary  (Marcy)  Olney.  In  his  early  life  he  engaged  in  shoe  mak- 
ing, but  at  the  age  of  seventeen  went  into  mercantile  business 
at  Fiskdale,  Mass.  He  afterward  went  to  Brookdale,  Mass.,  and 
finally  located  at  Southbridge,  Mass.,  in  the  grocery  business, 
being  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Edwards  &  Olney.  This  firm 
subsequently  dissolved,  and  he  engaged  in  a  general  store  trade, 
the  firm  being  Comstock  &  Olney.  Suffering  loss  by  fire,  he 
severed  his  connection  with  mercantile  business,  and  was  for 


1142  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

three  years  assistant  United  States  assessor.  After  this  he  was 
general  agent  for  three  years  for  a  gas  machine  company  in  New 
York.  He  then  for  two  years  was  in  the  hotel  business  in 
Springfield,  Mass.  In  1879  he  came  to  Putnam,  and  for  the  next 
year  and  a  half  was  landlord  of  the  Commercial  House,  and  from 
that  time  until  his  death,  November  1st,  1886,  he  was  proprietor 
and  manager  of  the  Bugbee  House.  He  married  March  7th, 
1854,  Lucy  M.,  daughter  of  Wright  and  Clarissa  Woodward,  and 
had  one  child,  Clara  Belle.  He  was  a  member  of  the  45th  Mas- 
sachusetts volunteers  during  the  war. 

The  Perrin  Family. — The  first  settler  of  this  family  in  this 
country  was^  from  England,  and  spelled  his  name  as  follows: 
John  Perryn.  He  was  born  in  1614  and  came  to  America  in 
1635,  settling  at  Braintree,  Mass.  He  had  five  children:  Mary,. 
John,  Hannah,  Abraham  and  Mary.  John,  his  son,  who  died  at 
Roxbury,  had  ten  children,  of  whom  Samuel,  the  second  son, 
was  born  March  10th,  1671,  and  died  in  Woodstock,  Conn.,  March 
10th,  1743.  He  had  seven  children,  his  eldest  son,  Samuel,  be- 
ing born  March  13th,  1697,  married  Dorothy  Morris,  and  died  in 
Pomfret,  Conn.,  December  6th,  1765.  He  had  ten  children:  Sam- 
uel, Lucy,  died  at  10  years  of  age;  Hezekiah,  died  aged  38  years; 
Jedidiah,  died  in  the  West  Indies;  Dorothy,  married  Benjamin 
Leavens;  Prudence,  died  aged  3  years;  Chloe,  Hannah  and  Abra- 
ham, all  died  single,  and  Daniel,  died  in  Thompson.  Samuel, 
son  of  Samuel,  born  August  20th,  1725,  was  a  lieutenant  in  the 
revolutionary  war,  married  Margaret  Hyde,  and  had  eight  chil- 
dren: Willard,  killed  in  the  revolutionary  war;  Sarah,  married 
L.  Bartholomew;  Hannah,  died  2  years  of  age;  Hannah,  died 
young;  Silence;  Noah,  died  in  Putnam;  Lucy,  married  William 
Gary  and  emigrated  to  Illinois,  where  she  died;  and  Jedidiah, 
born  February  28th,  1775,  and  died  February  25th,  1856.  Jedi- 
diah married  Diana  Aldrich  and  had  the  following  family:  Hul- 
dah,  married  Lemuel  Holmes;  Caroline,  married  Pitt  Holmes; 
Abraham,  died  in  infancy;  Lora  Ann,  died  single;  Diana,  mar- 
ried Pitt  Holmes;  Abraham,  died  single;  Lucia,  the  only  sur- 
vivor, resides  in  Putnam;  and  Jedidiah,  died  without  issue. 

Sylvanus  Perry  was  an  ofiicer  in  the  revolutionary  army  and 
lived  in  Killingly.  He  was  twice  married,  and  had  the  follow- 
ing family:  George,  died  West;  Anson;  Sylvanus,  died  in  New 
York  state;  Abby,  married  an  Ormsby;  Rebecca,  married  George 
Wadsworth,  and   died    in  Wisconsin;  and  Desire,  died  in   Kil- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1143 

lingly.  Anson,  son  of  Sylvanus,  was  born  October  6th,  1770, 
married  Abalena  Buck,  and  had  ten  children:  Otis,  died  in  Kil- 
lingly;  Charlotte  (deceased),  married  John  Truesdale,  of  Kil- 
lingly;  Ann  (deceased),  married  Jason  Wakefield,  of  Thompson; 
Lucy  (deceased),  married,  1st,  Joseph  Perry,  2d,  George  Chaffee; 
Rebecca  (deceased),  married  Penuel  May,  of  Woodstock;  Keziah 
(deceased),  married  James  Youngs,  of  Putnam;  George;  David 
B.,  lives  in  Illinois;  Sylvanus,  lives  in  New  York  state;  and  Wil- 
liam, lives  in  Illinois.  George,  son  of  Anson,  was  born  in  Kil- 
lingly,  September  30th,  1809,  married  Eliza  W.  Buck,  and  had 
eight  children:  Elisha  F.,  resides  at  Worcester,  Mass.;  Mary  E., 
wife  of  John  D.  Wells,  of  Providence,  R.  I.;  Caroline  D.,  wife  of 
Francis  B.  Chaffee,  of  Woodstock;  Martha  A.,  wife  of  Elisha 
Rogers,  of  Montville,  Conn.;  James  E.,  resides  in  Putnam;  John 
H.,  lives  in  Killingly;  Angle  and  Morrison. 

James  Perry  came  from  Lebanon,  Conn.,  married  Lucy  Perry, 
and  had  four  children:  Anson,  lives  in  Putnam;  Joseph,  lives  in 
Thompson;  William  S.,  and  Lucy  A.  (deceased),  married  Elijah 
Ormsbee,  of  Providence,  R.  I.  William  S.  was  born  in  Bridge- 
water,  Mass.,  October  16th,  1826,  married  Annie  Ames,  and  had 
five  children:  William  Francis,  died  aged  12  years;  Eugenie,  re- 
sides in  Canterbury,  Conn.;  Charles,  resides  in  Dakota;  Mary 
Ann,  died  aged  25  years;  and  Ernest  Leroy.  William  S.  is  a 
blacksmith  by  trade,  and  was  a  member  of  Company  A,  6th  Con- 
necticut volunteers,  in  service  three  years  and  one  month.  He 
was  wounded  at  the  charge  of  Fort  Wagner. 

George  A.  Pettis  was  born  in  Coventry,  R.  I.,  July  21st,  1835. 
His  father,  Welcome,  was  born  in  Coventry,  February  22d, 
1815,  married  Celinda  Rouse,  and  had  three  children:  Isaac 
A.,  died  in  Amherst,  Mass.;  George  A.,  and  Mary  L.,  wife  of 
R.  A.  Turner,  of,  Newark,  N.  J.  He  came  to  Putnam  in  1836, 
where  he  died  October  3d,  1863.  George  A.  married  Harriet 
Hall,  and  their  children  are:  G.  Albert,  Jr.,  born  in  Putnam, 
December  22d,  1859,  married  Ida  M.  Harris,  has  one  child, 
Sybil,  and  resides  in  Putnam;  Elmer  E.,  resides  in  Putnam; 
and  Nellie  E.,  wife  of  Loren  Stockwell,  of  Douglass,  Mass. 

George  E.  Shaw,  eldest  son  of  George  W.  and  Abbie  (Carpen- 
ter) Shaw,  was  born  in  Thompson,.  Conn.,  January  20th, 
1851.  He  received  a  common  and  high  school  education.  At 
the  age  of  fifteen  he  came  to  Putnam  and  engaged  in  the 
jewelry  business  with  his  uncle  Edw^ard  Shaw.     At  the  death  of 


1144  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

his  uncle  in  1876  he  became  a  member  of  the  firm  under  the 
style  of  George  E.  Shaw  &  Co.  He  married  Nellie  S.,  daughter 
of  the  late  Dwight  Sharpe,  of  Pomfret,  and  has  one  daughter, 
Ruth  E. 

Dutee  Smith,  second  son  of  Seneca  and  Nancy  (Hunt)  Smith, 
was  born  in  Burrillville,  R.  I.,  March  13th,  1825.  At  the  age  of 
twenty  he  went  to  Douglass,  Mass.,  where  he  was  employed  for 
fifteen  years  by  the  Douglass  Axe  Co.  He  came  to  Putnam 
in  1864  and  engaged  in  butchering,  which  he  followed  a  number 
of  years;  then  owning  the  Elm  Street  House,  he  ran  a  hotel  till 
1887.  His  first  wife  was  Eli/^a  J.  Dudley,  and  his  second  wife, 
Maggie  Small.  His  children  by  his  first  wife  are  Luella  and 
Clara,  both  married  and  residents  of  Boston.  By  his  second 
wife  he  has  two  sons,  Luther  G.  and  D.  Roy,  both  residents  of 
Putnam. 

Frank  S.  Streeter,  only  child  of  Hiram  B.  and  Persis  S. 
Streeter,  was  born  in  Southbridge,  Mass.,  March  5th,  1846.  He 
has  always  been  a  farmer.  He  came  to  Pomfret  in  1871  and  to 
Putnam  in  1880.  He  has  been  twice  married,  first  to  Mary  A. 
Sherman,  and  second  to  Ruth  R.  Maynard.  He  has  one  child, 
Ethel  May,  by  his  second  wife. 

James  B.  Tatem,  second  son  of  Henr}'  and  Abbie  Ann  (King) 
Tatem,  was  born  in  Phenix,  R.  I.,  April  9th,  ]836.  When  he 
was  six  years  old  his  parents  moved  to  Charlton,  Mass.,  from 
there  to  Brookfield,  afterward  to  Southbridge,  Mass,  and  became 
residents  of  Woodstock  in  1850.  His  father's  death  occurring 
when  the  son  was  fourteen,  he  was  unable  to  complete  his  edu- 
cation, and  engaged  in  shoemaking,  which,  with  farming,  he 
carried  on  till  1868,  when  he  commenced  wood  turning,  produc- 
ing handles  of  every  description,  carriage  poles,  whiffletrees, 
etc.  In  1887  he  admitted  his  son  John  Nelson  as  partner  under 
the  firm  name  of  J.  B.  Tatem  &  Son.  The  latter  manages  the 
business  at  the  factory,  but  the  office,  which  is  connected  by 
telephone  with  the  works,  has  been  located  in  Putnam  since 
1886,  the  senior  partner  having  resided  there  since  that  date, 
Mr.  Tatem  has  held  several  town  offices  in  Woodstock,  was  dep- 
uty sheriff  for  ten  years,  member  of  the  legislature  of  1878, 
state  senator  from  the  16th  District  in  1885  and  1886.  In  May, 
1886,  he  was  appointed  state  dairy  commissioner  for  two  years 
by  Governor  Henry  B.  Harrison,  and  was  reappointed  b}^  Gov- 
ernor Phineas  Lounsbury.     He  married  for  his  first  wife,  Mary 


■*ti 


HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM   COUNTY. 


1143 


lingly.  Anson,  son  of  Sylvanus,  was  born  October  5th,  1770, 
married  Abalena  Buck,  and  had  ten  children:  Otis,  died  in  Kil- 
lingly;  Charlotte  (deceased),  married  John  Truesdale,  of  Kil- 
lingly;  Ann  (deceased),  married  Jason  Wakefield,  of  Thompson; 
Lucy  (deceased),  married,  1st,  Joseph  Perry,  2d,  George  Chaffee; 
Rebecca  (deceased),  married  Penuel  May,  of  Woodstock;  Keziah 
(deceased),  married  James  Youngs,  of  Putnam;  George;  David 
B.,  lives  in  Illinois;  Sylvanus,  lives  in  New  York  state;  and  Wil- 
liam, lives  in  Illinois.  George,  son  of  Anson,  was  born  in  Kil- 
lingly,  September  30th,  1809,  married  Eliza  W.  Buck,  and  had 
eight  children:  Elisha  F.,  resides  at  Worcester,  Mass.;  Mary  E., 
wife  of  John  D.  Wells,  of  Providence,  R.  I.;  Caroline  D.,  wife  of 
Francis  B.  Chaffee,  of  Woodstock;  Martha  A.,  wife  of  Elisha 
Rogers,  of  Montville,  Conn.;  James  E.,  resides  in  Putnam;  John 
H.,  lives  in  Killingly;  Angle  and  Morrison. 

James  Perry  came  from  Lebanon,  Conn.,  married  Lucy  Perry, 
and  had  four  children:  Anson,  lives  in  Putnam;  Joseph,  lives  in 
Thompson;  William  S.,  and  Lucy  A.  (deceased),  married  Elijah 
Ormsbee,  of  Providence,  R.  I.  William  S.  was  born  in  Bridge- 
water,  Mass.,  October  16th,  1826,  married  Annie  Ames,  and  had 
five  children:  William  Francis,  died  aged  12  years;  Eugenie,  re- 
sides in  Canterbury,  Conn.;  Charles,  resides  in  Dakota;  Mary 
Ann,  died  aged  25  years;  and  Ernest  Leroy.  William  S.  is  a 
blacksmith  by  trade,  and  was  a  member  of  Company  A,  6th  Con- 
necticut volunteers,  in  service  three  years  and  one  month.  He 
was  wounded  at  the  charge  of  Fort  Wagner. 

George  A.  Pettis  was  born  in  Coventry,  R.  I.,  July  21st,  1835. 
His  father,  Welcome,  was  born  in  Coventry,  February  22d, 
1815,  married  Celinda  Rouse,  and  had  three  children:  Isaac 
A.,  died  in  Amherst,  Alass.;  George  A.,  and  Mary  L.,  wife  of 
R,  A.  Turner,  of.  Newark,  N.  J.  He  came  to  Putnam  in  1836, 
where  he  died  October  3d,  1863.  George  A.  married  Harriet 
Hall,  and  their  children  are:  G.  Albert,  Jr.,  born  in  Putnam, 
December  22d,  1859,  married  Ida  M.  Harris,  has  one  child, 
Sybil,  and  resides  in  Putnam;  Elmer  E.,  resides  in  Putnam; 
and  Nellie  E.,  wife  of  Loren  Stockwell,  of  Douglass,  Mass. 

George  E.  Shaw,  eldest  son  of  George  W.  and  Abbie  (Carpen- 
ter) Shaw,  was  born  in  Thompson,.  Conn.,  January  20th, 
1851.  He  received  a  common  and  high  school  education.  At 
the  age  of  fifteen  he  came  to  Putnam  and  engaged  in  the 
jewelry  business  with  his  uncle  Edward  Shaw.     At  the  death  of 


...  f..:1 


1146  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

died  in  Manchester,  Conn.  Daniel  Davis  married  for  his  second 
wife  Susan  Bishop,  her  mother  being  a  Torrey.  They  had  one 
child,  Daniel  D.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  17  years.  His  third  wife 
was  Mrs.  Eliza  Davis,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Abigail,  who- 
married  Moses  B.  H.  Bishop.  Daniel  D.  died  October  20th,  1860. 
Erastus,  son  of  Daniel  Davis,  was  born  in  Killingly,  June  28th^ 
1814,  married  Sybil  Alton  and  had  three  children:  Charles 
Davis,  George  Louis,  died  in  infancy,  and  Olive  E.,  wife  of  Silas 
L.  Babbitt,  of  Putnam.  Erastus  died  December  28d,  1885, 
Charles  Davis,  son  of  Erastus,  born  in  Pomfret,  March  8th,  1840^ 
married  Martha  W.  Warren  and  had  five  children:  Charles 
Louis,  Martha  Louise,  wife  of  Irving  P.  Spencer;  Ernest  Ells- 
worth, Olin  W.  and  Corrina  J.,  died  in  infancy.  Charles  Davis 
was  engaged  in  mercantile  business  in  Killingly,  and  is  now  a 
farmer  in  Putnam.  He  is  located  on  a  farm  that  has  been  in  the 
family  since  1713.  He  was  a  member  of  the  house  of  representa- 
tives in  1886-87. 

Jerome  Tourtelotte,  eldest  son  of  Joseph  D.  and  Dinah  (Mun- 
yan)  Tourtelotte,  was  born  in  Thompson,  Conn.,  June  10th,  1837. 
His  father  being  a  farmer  he  spent  his  early  life  on  a  farm.  At 
the  age  of  sixteen  he  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade,  but  at  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  2d  Regi- 
ment of  Connecticut  Infantry  for  three  months  as  a  private  May 
7th,  1861.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  enlistment  he  re- 
turned to  Putnam  and  raised  a  company  which  became  Company 
K,  7th  Regiment  of  Connecticut  Infantry,  was  commissioned 
vSeptember  2d,  1861.  first  lieutenant,  and  was  made  captain  Feb- 
ruary 21st,  1862.  He  was  severely  wounded  at  Fort  Wagner^ 
July  11th,  1863,  and  taken  prisoner.  He  spent  twenty  months 
in  rebel  prisons,  principally  at  Columbia,  S.  C,  was  exchanged 
March  1st,  1865,  and  commissioned  major  March  21st,  1866,  and 
lieutenant-colonel  July  24th,  1865,  and  mustered  out  of  service 
August  12th,  1865.  After  the  war  he  returned  to  Putnam,  but 
from  March,  1866,  to  July,  1873,  was  employed  by  the  A.  &  W. 
Sprague  Manufacturing  Company  at  Cranston,  R.  I.,  in  the  posi- 
tion of  outside  superintendent.  He  then  returned  to  Putnam 
and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  slippers,  which  he  followed 
till  March,  1880,  when  he  was  elected  treasurer  of  the  Putnam 
Savings  Bank,  which  position  he  now  fills.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Connecticut  house  of  representatives  in  1875  and  1880. 
He  married  in  November,  1874,  Emily  E.,  daughter  of  Edward 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1147 

Husband,  of  North  Adams,  Mass.,  and  has  three  boys:  Leroy, 
Arthur  and  Harry. 

Matthias  W.  Wagner  was  born  in  Germany,  October  15th,  1827. 
At  the  age  of  sixteen,  with  his  elder  brother  John,  he  came  to 
America,  landing  at  Quebec,  Canada,  where  he  remained  for  a 
short  time,  then  went  to  Albany,  N.  Y.  He  was  apprenticed  to 
the  tailoring  trade  in  the  old  country,  and  worked  as  journeyman 
in  various  towns  in  New  England,  and  finally  located  at  South- 
bridge,  Mass.,  where  he  went  into  business  for  himself.  He  was 
also  in  business  at  Hudson,  Mass.  He  came  to  Putnam  in  1868, 
and  carried  on  the  retail  ready  made  and  custom  made  clothing 
business  till  1875.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  build- 
ing and  buying  and  selling  real  estate.  He  married  Louisa  Col- 
lars, by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Henry  Edward,  died  aged 
16  years;  Emma  E.,  wife  of  George  S.  Bradley,  of  West  Haven, 
Conn.,  and  Charles  Philip. 

Edgar  Mason  Wheaton,  eldest  son  of  Angell  and  Mary  Ann 
(Williams)  Wheaton,  was  born  in  Pomfret,  Conn.,  April  28th, 
1851.  His  father's  two  eldest  brothers  went  to  Illinois  in  an 
early  day,  settling  about  twenty-five  miles  from  Chicago,  the 
place  where  they  located  being  named  Wheaton.  A  college 
was  formed  there,  called  Wheaton  College,  and  our  subject  grad- 
uated from  that  college.  He  returned  to  Putnam  in  1872,  and 
engaged  in  building,  and  in  1880  erected  his  present  shop  and 
commenced  to  manufacture  sashes,  doors  and  blinds.  He  has 
built  many  dwelling  houses  and  business  blocks  in  Putnam. 
His  residence  is  on  the  top  of  Oak  hill,  and  he  has  laid  out  an  ad- 
dition to  the  village  of  Putnam,  located  between  Grove,  Chapman, 
South  Mam  and  Center  streets,  consisting  of  54  building  lots, 
streets  having  been  graded.  The  property  was  formerly  known 
as  Davis'  Grove,  afterward  as  Bradley's  Grove,  and  subsequently 
Mechanics'  Park.  In  his  shop  he  employs  thirty-five  hands,  uses 
a  twenty  horse  power  engine,  and  does  planing  and  sawing  of 
every  description.  He  married  Charity,  daughter  of  Timothy 
Jayne,  a  native  of  Illinois,  and  has  the  following  children:  Mary, 
Frank,  Walter,  Henry,  Willie  and  Raymond. 

Horatio  Whipple,  second  son  of  Bela  and  Mehitable  (Grant) 
Whipple,  was  born  in  Cumberland,  R.  I.,  January  8th,  1821.  He 
has  always  been  engaged  in  farming,  and  came  to  Putnam  in 
1841.  His  first  wife  was  Mrs.  Henry  Hopkins,  by  whom  he  had 
two  children:  Mary,  wife  of  Horace  E.  Hurlburt  of  Putnam,  and 


1148  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Martha,  died  in  infancy.  By  his  second  wife,  Sarah  Ann  Page, 
he  has  one  child,  Hattie  E. 

Edwin  R.  Wood,  eldest  son  of  Francis  B.  and  Sophia  (Hall) 
Wood,  was  born  in  Ludlow,  Mass.,  November  3d,  1833.  At  the 
age  of  six  he  went  to  live  with  his  uncle  William  R.  Hall  in  the 
town  of  Chaplin.  He  came  to  Putnam  in  1849.  He  has  always 
been  a  farmer.  He  enlisted  in  Company  B,  18th  Connecticut 
volunteers  for  three  years,  and  was  discharged  in  May,  1865. 
He  lost  his  leg  at  the  Battle  of  Lynchburg,  Va.,  June  18th, 
1864.  His  first  wife  was  Harriet  White,  whose  children  were  : 
Albert  Edwin,  died  aged  3  years  ;  Joseph  R.,  resides  in  West- 
field,  Mass.,  and  Jerome,  resides  in  Southampton,  Mass.  By  his 
second  wife,  Abby  E.  Cruff,  he  has  had  children:  Elma  C,  resides 
in  Putnam,  and  Edwin  L. 

Alfred  H.  Wright,  second  son  of  Daniel  C.  and  Agnes  (Lyon) 
Wright,  was  born  in  Waltham,  Mass.,  June  13th,  1859.  He 
graduated  from  the  Waltham  High  School  in  1873.  His  father 
being  engaged  by  the  American  Watch  Company,  he  was  appren- 
ticed at  the  age  of  sixteen  to  learn  the  watchmaker's  trade.  He 
was  employed  by  the  American  Watch  Company  till  1882,  and 
from  that  time  till  1885  was  employed  by  the  Hampden  Watch 
Company  of  Springfield,  Mass.  In  connection  with  his  twin 
brother,  Albert  C,  in  1883,  he  established  a  retail  jewelry  busi- 
ness in  Putnam,  under  the  firm  name  or  Wright  Brothers  ,and 
in  1885  he  came  to  Putnam  to  reside.  His  brother's  death 
occurred  June  19th,  1888,  and  though  the  firm  name  remains 
the  same,  it  consists  only  of  Alfred  H.  Wright. 

KILLINGLY. 

William  Preston  Aldrich  was  born  in  1836  in  Thompson.  He 
is  a  son  of  Jonathan,  and  grandson  of  Jonathan,  whose  father, 
Levi,  was  a  son  of  Levi  Aldrich.  His  mother  was  Abigail, 
daughter  of  Samuel  Darling.  He  is  a  stone  mason  by  trade, 
although  he  and  his  brother  have  a  farm  where  they  live.  He 
was  married  in  1871  to  Rhoda,  daughter  of  John  Tanner.  They 
have  three  children :  James,  Proctor,  and  Jessie.  Mr.  Aldrich 
is  a  prohibitionist. 

Jonathan  Aldrich  was  born  in  1840  in  Killingly,  and  is  a  son 
of  Jonathan  and  Abigail  Aldrich.  He  is  a  stone  mason  by  trade. 
He  was  married  in  September,  1873,  to  Lydia  Burlingame. 
They  have  three  children  :  Florence,  Phineas,  and  Edna. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1149 

Clayton  L.  Alexander,  born  in  December,  1862,  is  a  son  of  the 
late  Colonel  Luther  Alexander,  who  died  in  March,  1879.  His 
mother  is  Mrs.  Samuel  D.  Danielson.  He  was  educated  at  the 
public  schools  of  Killingly,  at  the  Woodstock  Academy,  and  at 
the  Friends'  School  of  Providence,  R.  I.  He  has  been  in  the 
brick  business  at  Palmer,  Mass.,  since  1884,  where  he  has  dis- 
played a  business  ability  rarely  seen  in  men  of  his  age.  He  was 
married  in  July,  1880,  to  Anna  A.,  daughter  of  Wolcott  Day. 
They  have  four  children:  Luther  D.,  C.  Clifford,  Orrilus  W.  and 
Dorothy.     Mr.  Alexander  is  a  democrat. 

Miss  Emma  F.  Alexander  is  a  daughter  of  Colonel  William, 
who  received  his  title  in  the  state  militia.  Nell  Alexander  was 
the  first  of  the  family  to  settle  in  Killingly  in  1721,  and  pur- 
chased a  large  tract  of  land  near  the  northwest  corner  of  the 
town.  He  was  married  the  same  year,  1721,  to  Susan  Adams, 
whose  ancestors  came  to  America  in  1630.  Their  only  son  Nell, 
married  Prudence  Cady,  and  their  only  son  Nell,  born  in  1757, 
married  Esther  Smith,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children,  among 
whom  was  William,  better  known  as  "  Colonel  William,"  born 
March  24th,  1787.  He  was  married  in  1816  to  Susan,  daughter 
of  Captain  John  Day.  They  had  eight  children,  three  of  whom 
are  now  living — Emma  F.,  John  D.  and  Reverend  W.  S.  Alex- 
ander, D.  D.,  of  North  Cambridge,  Mass.  Colonel  William  was 
state  senator  one  term  and  representative  several  terms.  Prior 
to  1856  he  was  a  democrat,  after  that  time  a  republican.  He 
built  the  residence  in  1847  where  Emma  F.  now  lives.  He  died 
in  October,  1875,  his  wife  having  died  eight  years  previous. 

Anthony  Ames  was  born  in  1826  in  Sterling,  Conn.  He  is  a 
son  of  Eliphalet  Ames,  and  grandson  of  Samuel,  whose  father 
Mark,  was  a  son  of  Anthony  Ames.  He  came  to  this  town  at  the 
age  of  seven  years,  was  educated  at  Danielsonville  Academy, 
and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  began  to  teach.  In  1846  he  went 
into  the  store  at  Ballouville,  where  he  kept  the  books  and  store 
for  the  company  two  years.  In  1853  he  went  into  the  mercan- 
tile business  in  Danielsonville,  keeping  a  dry  goods  store  for 
about  ten  years,  then  a  clothing  store  until  1877,  when  he  sold 
out  to  E.  A.  Finley.  He  was  president  of  the  Windham  County 
Savings  Bank  from  1876  to  1886,  and  since  that  time  has  been 
vice-president.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board 
about  thirty  years,  and  was  town  clerk  and  treasurer  about 
twenty  years.     He  was  elected  representative  in  1888  as  a  re- 


1150  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

publican.  He  was  married  in  1853  to  Abbie  M.  Wheaton.  He 
is  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  has  been 
secretary  for  fourteen  years. 

Henry  Clinton  Atwood,  born  in  Williamsville  in  1856,  is  the 
oldest  son  of  William  Allen  and  Caroline  (Hargrave)  Atwood. 
Mr.  Atwood  went  from  the  schools  of  this  town  to  the  Friends' 
school  at  Providence,  thence  to  the  University  Grammar  School 
of  Providence,  finishing  his  education  in  1878  at  Brown  Uni- 
versity. He  took  charge  of  the  company  store  at  Williamsville. 
and  continued  in  the  same  until  his  father's  death  in  June,  1881 ; 
since  that  time  he  has  been  superintendent  for  the  Manufactur- 
ing Company.  He  has  been  on  the  school  board  four  years,  and 
in  1888  was  elected  to  represent  this  town  in  the  legislature. 
He  was  married  in  1878  to  L.  B.  Whitford,  datighter  of  Thomas 
W.  Whitford.     They  have  one  son,  Clinton  William. 

Kimball  Atwood,  born  in  1830  in  Scituate,  R.  I.,  is  a  son  of 
William  C.  and  grandson  of  Kimball  Atwood.  His  mother  was 
Julianna,  daughter  of  Major  Richard  M.  Andrews.  Mr.  Atwood 
came  from  Rhode  Island  to  Williamsville  in  1850,  where  he  re- 
mained until  1862,  with  the  exception  of  one  year.  From  1862 
to  1865  he  served  in  Company  K,  18th  Connecticut  volunteers, 
as  first  sergeant.  wSince  1865  he  has  been  overseer  of  carding. 
He  was  married  in  1856  to  iVbbie  J.,  daughter  of  William 
Newell.  They  have  one  son.  Earl  K.  Mr.  Atwood  is  a  repub- 
lican. 

Orrin  S.  Arnold,  son  of  Henry  B.  Arnold,  was  born  in  1837  in 
Coventry,  R.  I.  He  learned  the  trade  of  bobbin  and  spool  maker 
in  Coventry,  R.  I.  He  came  to  Williamsville  in  1864  and  bought 
an  interest  in  the  bobbin  manufactory  of  R.  N.  Potter,  and  con- 
tinued in  company  with  Mr.  Potter  until  the  latter's  death  in 
1879.  Soon  after  Mr.  Arnold  bought  of  the  Potter  heirs  their 
interest  in  the  business  and  continued  alone  until  1887,  when  he 
took  as  partner  G.  D.  Barber.  The  firm  is  now  the  Arnold  Bar- 
ber Bobbin  Company.  Mr.  Arnold  was  married  in  1873  to  Lucy 
M.  C,  daughter  of  Simon  and  Mary  (Danielson)  Buck,  daughter 
of  Captain  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Spaulding)  Danielson.  They 
have  two  children.  Mr.  Arnold  built  the  residence  where  he 
now  lives  in  1 867. 

A.  E.  Austin,  born  in  1831  in  Killingly,  is  a  son  of  Silas  and 
Susan  (Easton)  Austin.  He  is  painter  for  the  Williamsville 
Manufacturing  Company.     He  was  married  in  1852  to  Rosanna, 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1151 

daughter  of  Robert  K.  Hargrave,  whose  father  was  William 
Hargrave.  They  have  two  sons — Oscar  T.,  born  in  1857,  and 
Charles  E.  Oscar  T.  has  been  employed  sixteen  years  by  the 
Williamsville  Manufacturing  Company.  He  is  a  member  of 
Moriah  Lodge,  No,  15,  F.  &  A.  M.  Mrs.  Austin  is  a  member  of 
the  Congregational  church  of  Williamsville. 

Charles  H.  Bacon  was  born  in  1851,  in  Killingly,  Conn.  He 
is  a  son  of  William  C,  whose  father,  David  A.,  wa§  a  son  of 
David  Bacon.  William  C.  Bacon  began  the  furniture  and  under- 
taking business  at  Westfield  about  1820,  and  when  the  Arcade 
block  was  built  on  Main  street  he  moved  his  business  to  the 
5outh  rooms  of  the  block,  where  he  continued  until  the  burning 
■of  the  building,  and  later  continued  in  the  block  that  was  built 
in  its  place  until  its  burning  the  second  time.  Then  he  took 
the  business  to  the  Rothal  Hall  building  where  it  still  is.  At 
Mr.  Bacon's  death  in  1877,  Charles  H.  took  full  control  of  the 
business,  having  being  with  his  father  several  years.  He  keeps 
a  full  line  of  house  furnishing  goods.  He  sold  the  undertaking 
lousiness  to  J.  J.  Reynolds  in  1885.  Mr.  Bacon  was  married  in 
1871  to  Alice  M.,  daughter  of  John  Lily.  They  have  two  sons: 
Edward  H.  and  William  C.  Mr.  Bacon  is  a  member  of  the  Con- 
gregational church. 

Isaac  B.  Ballard  was  born  January  16th,  1817.  His  father 
Isaac  was  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  his  grandfather,  Jacob,  was  in 
the  war  of  the  revolution.  He  is  the  only  survivor  of  five  child- 
ren. He  is  a  farmer,  and  built  the  house  where  he  has  since 
resided  in  1861  near  Ballouville.  He  was  married  January  30th, 
1848,  to  Mrs.  Susan  P.  Smith,  daughter  of  Spencer  Dingley,  son 
of  Levi,  who  was  a  son  of  Jacob  Dingley,  of  Maine.  Mr.  Ballard 
is  a  republican. 

David  Barrovclow,  son  of  David  Barrovclow,  was  born  in 
Yorkshire,  England,  in  1813.  He  was  a  mill  operative  in  Eng- 
land for  several  years.  He  came  to  Woonsocket,  R.  L,  in  1848, 
where  he  worked  at  manufacturing  until  1871,  when  he  came  to 
Killingly,  where  for  several  years  he  was  engaged  with  S.  &  H. 
Sayles.  In  1883  he  built  a  residence  near  Dayville,  where  he 
now  lives.  He  was  married  in  1848  to  Elizabeth  Fenly.  She 
died  in  1864,  leaving  two  sons,  Frederick  W.  and  Charles  H. 
He  was  married  in  1864  to  Alice  Barrot.  They  have  one  son, 
.Albert. 


1152  HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Mary  A.  Bartlett  Avas  a  daughter  of  Arba  Covell,  son  of  Samp- 
son, and  he  a  son  of  Ebenezer  Covell.  She  was  married  in  Sep- 
tember, 1832,  to  Waldo  Bartlett,  son  of  Reuben  and  grandson  of 
Richard  Bartlett.  He  was  born  in  Killingly  in  1810,  was  a 
farmer,  and  died  at  his  home  in  East  Killingly  in  1873.  They 
had  nine  children:  Leonard,  Almond,  Mary  E.,  Prescott,  Hattie 
K.,  Almira,  Reuben,  Henry  and  Charles,  all  of  whom  are  living. 

Leonard  Bartlett,  eldest  son  of  Waldo,  was  born  July  13tli, 
1833.  He  was  educated  at  the  deaf  mute  school  of  Hartford, 
from  1847  to  1852.  He  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade  while 
there,  and  has  followed  the  business  since  that  time  at  East  Kil- 
lingly. He  has  been  thrice  married:  first,  to  Theresa  L.  Barber, 
second,  to  Patient  E.  Slocum,  and  third,  to  Abbie  N.  Fitch.  He 
has  one  daughter,  Mary  E.,  by  the  first  marriage,  and  two  chil- 
dren by  the  second  marriage — Clarence  A.  and  Clara  A. 

Frank  W.  Bennett,  son  of  Sampson  Bennett,  was  born  in  1859. 
He  attended  the  grammar  and  high  schools  of  Killingly,  then 
the  high  school  of  Exeter,  New  Hampshire,  for  one  year.  He 
was  at  Eastman's  College  in  the  winter  of  1879-80.  He  entered 
the  office  of  the  Sabin  L.  Sayles  Manufacturing  Company  at  the 
age  of  fifteen  years,  and  has  continued  in  the  same,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  two  years,  1880  and  1881.  He  is  now  bookkeeper 
and  paying  clerk  for  the  company.  He  is  a  republican,  a  mem- 
ber of  Assawaga  Lodge,  No.  20,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  a  member  of 
John  Lyon  Lodge,  No.  45,  K.  of  P. 

Wheaton  A.  Bennett,  born  in  1826  in  Killingly,  is  a  son  of 
Sterry  and  grandson  of  Lsrael  Bennett.  He  was  for  about  twenty 
years  overseer  of  weaving  in  a  factory  in  Massachusetts.  He 
came  to  the  farm  near  Ballouville  where  he  now  lives  in  1867, 
and  since  that  time  has  been  a  farmer.  He  was  married  in  1846 
to  Hepsibeth,  daughter  of  Jeremiah  Law.  They  have  one  son, 
Adelbert  L.,  and  one  daughter  that  died,  Ella  L.  Mr.  Bennett 
is  a  democrat,  and  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  & 
A.  M. 

Caleb  Blanchard  was  born  in  1833.  He  is  a  son  of  George, 
whose  father,  Caleb,  was  a  son  of  Isaac  Blanchard,  who  was  a 
descendant  of  the  French  Huguenots.  He  has  been  a  carpenter 
since  1850  ;  was  contractor  and  builder  until  1873,  and  since 
that  time  he  has  been  boss  carpenter  for  the  Ballouville  mills. 
He  was  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  in  Company  B,  18th  Connec- 
ticut volunteers,  from  August,  1862,  until  May,  1865,  and  was 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1153 

discharged  as  sergeant.  He  was  married  in  1856  to  Martha 
Preston.  They  have  two  children — Ada  E.  and  Mary  F.  He  is 
a  member  of  Marvin  Waite  Post,  No.  51,  G.  A.  R.,  and  a  member 
of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Charles  S.  Blackmar  was  born  in  1853.  His  father,  Charles  P., 
was  a  son- of  John  and  grandson  of  Richard  Blackmar,  who  came 
to  this  country  w4th  three  brothers.  His  mother  is  Harriet, 
daughter  of  Franklin  Clark,  son  of  Moody  and  grandson  of  Ed- 
ward Clark.  Mr.  Blackmar  was  educated  at  the  Danielsonville 
schools.  He  was  bookkeeper  for  the  Danielsonville  Manufac- 
turing Company  from  1874  to  1887,  and  in  August,  1887, became 
bookkeeper  for  the  Attaw^augan  Manufacturing  Company,  which 
position  he  has  since  filled.  He  married  in  1877  Sue,  daughter 
of  Dean  and  Mary  (Kennedy)  West,  the  latter  a  daughter  of 
Joshua  Kennedy.  They  have  one  daughter,  Mae.  Mr.  Black- 
mar is  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  16,  F.  &  A.  M.  His 
father,  C.  P.  Blackmar,  is  in  the  post  office  department  at  Wash- 
ington. 

Shubael  Blanchard,  born  in  1831  in  Plainfield,  is  a  son  of 
Abraham  and  grandson  of  Caleb  Blanchard.  His  mother  was 
Minerva  (Potter)  Blanchard.  He  came  from  Plainfield  to  Kill- 
ingly  in  1848,  where  he  has  worked  for  twenty-four  years  at 
carpenter  work,  but  he  is  now  farming.  He  was  married  in 
1855  to  Martha  J.,  daughter  of  George  W.  and  Delila  (Russel) 
Randall.  They  have  four  children  :  Henry  M.,  Emily  E.,  Carrie 
and  Grace  E.     Mr.  Blanchard  is  a  democrat. 

Alfred  B.  Boswell,  born  in  1833,  in  Foster,  R.  L,  is  a  son  of 
William  and,  grandson  of  William  Boswell,  who  came  to  this 
country  from  England  about  the  time  of  the  '*  Boston  Tea  Party," 
and  served  under  Washington  in  the  revolution.  His  mother 
was  Diana,  daughter  of  Doctor  Jerry  Wilcox,  of  Foster.  Mr. 
Boswell  is  a  stone  mason  and  has  worked  at  that  trade  about 
thirty-seven  years.  He  came  to  Danielsonville  in  1884.  For 
twenty-three  years  prior  to  that  time  he  lived  in  South  Killingly, 
on  the  farm  that  he  still  owns.  He  was  married  in  1858  to  Har- 
riet, daughter  of  George  Babcock.  They  have  three  children  : 
Alfred  A.,  Susan  H.  and  George  C.  Mr.  Boswell  is  a  poultry 
fancier  and  breeds  some  very  fine  specimens.  He  is  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  Danielsonville  Poultry  Association.  He  is  a  repub- 
lican. 

73 


1154  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Nicholas  Bowen,  son  of  David  and  Mary  (Bussey)  Bowen,  was 
born  in  1826  in  Glocester.  He  is  a  carpenter  by  trade.  He  came 
to  Dayville  from  Rhode  Island  in  July,  1865,  and  the  winter 
following  he  went  into  the  shop  of  the  S.  L.  Sayles  Manufactur- 
ing Company,  where  he  had  charge  of  repairs  on  iron  until  May, 
1885,  and  since  that  time  he  has  worked  at  carpentering.  He 
was  married  in  1848  to  Sarah,  daughter  of  Joshua  Card,  of  Ster- 
ling, Conn.  They  have  two  children  living — Mary  E.  (Mrs. 
Frank  Burnett),  and  Julia  E.  They  lost  six:  Edward  Everett, 
'  Lucy  M.,  Charles  A.,  Thankful  B.,  Charlie  M.  and  David  A.  Mr. 
Bowen  is  a  republican. 

Oliver  W.  Bowen,  born  in  1843  in  Foster,  R.  I.,  is  a  son  of 
Nelson  C,  and  grandson  of  Oliver  Bowen.  He  was  in  the  hard- 
ware and  undertaking  business  with  his  father,  firm  of  N.  C. 
Bowen  &  Son,  fro^  1869  to  1876.  He  started  a  livery  stable  in 
Danielsonville  in  1882,  which  he  still  runs.  He  is  selectman  of 
the  town  as  a  republican.  He  was  married  in  1866  to  Ada  E., 
daughter  of  Josiah  H.  Randall.  He  is  a  member  of  Moriah 
Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Thomas  Bradford,  born  in  1849  in  Canterbury,  is  a  son  of  Ar- 
chibald, and  grandson  of  Thomas  Bradford.  His  mother  is 
Emeline,  daughter  of  Abby  Hyde.  Mr.  Bradford  came  to  Dan- 
ielsonville in  April,  1871,  and  fitted  up  a  shop,  where  he  worked 
at  wagon  making  about  six  years,  and  since  that  time  has  worked 
at  different  kinds  of  mechanical  work.  In  1887  he  built  a  stone 
arched  bridge  in  Danielsonville,  which  Cost  $5,300.  He  is  now 
serving  his  second  year  as  selectman  as  a  democrat.  He  was 
married  in  1882  to  Ida  E.,  daughter  of  Marcus  L.  x\l^rich.  They 
have  one  son,  Lewis  A. 

Albert  Brown,  born  December  4th,  1822,  is  the  only  child  of 
Artemas,  and  grandson  of  Joseph  Brown,  who  came  from  Pom- 
fret  to  Breakneck  hill,  where  he  remained  until  his  death.  His 
mother  was  Achsa  Harrington.  Mr.  Brown  was  a  shoemaker  by 
trade,  having  followed  the  business  for  about  thirty  years,  but 
since  then  he  has  been  a  farmer  at  the  north  end  of  Breakneck 
hill,  where  he  now  resides.  He  was  married  in  December,  1846, 
to  Celia,  daughter  of  John  H.  Marcey.  They  have  two  daugh- 
ters—Emma A.  (Mrs.  J.  M.  Keene)  and  Anna  A.  (Mrs.  Frank  H. 
Bowen). 

Dexter  Remington  Burdick,  born  in  1823  in  Voluntown,  Conn., 
is  a  son  of  Cranston  and  Prudence  (Lillibridge)  Burdick.     He  is 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1165 

a  cotton  manufacture^:,  having  been  overseer  and  superintendent 
of  different  mills  in  Rhode  Island,  Connecticut,  Maine,  Massa- 
chusetts and  New  Hampshire.  He  has  lived  at  East  Killingly 
since  1884.  He  was  married  in  1876  to  Mrs.  Emily  C.  Reynolds, 
daughter  of  George  A.  and  Lucy  (Mastcraft)  Columbus.  By  a 
former  marriage  Mr.  Burdick  had  four  children:  John  F.,  George 
H.,  Helen  E.  (deceased),  and  Hattie  A.  Mr.  Burdick  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellows  orders. 

Daniel  P.  Burlingham  was  born  January  21st,  1818,  in  New 
York.  He  is  a  son  of  Samuel,  whose  father,  Benjamin,  was  a  son 
of  Jonathan  Burlingham.  His  mother,  Randilla,  was  a  daughter 
of  Daniel  Preston.  Mr.  Burlingham  came  to  Killingly  about 
forty  years  ago,  was  for  several  years  in  the  grocery  business, 
and  since  that  time  has  been  farming  in  a  small  way.  He  was 
married  November  22d,  1838,  to  Hannah  G.,  daughter  of  Lewis 
Bateman,  he  a  son  of  Thomas,  he  a  son  of  Hector,  and  he  a  son 
of  Lord  William  Henry  Bateman.  Seth  and  Luther  Bateman 
are  second  cousins  to  Mrs.  B.  They  have  one  son,  Daniel  L. 
Mr.  Burlingham  has  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  of  Danielsonville  since  1846,  class  leader  about  thirty 
years,  and  trustee  twenty-five  years. 

Harris  O.  Burton,  son  of  Elliot  and  Bernice  (Williams)  Bur- 
ton, was  born  in  Foster,  R.  L,  in  1836,  and  came  to  Killingly 
from  Rhode  Island  in  1860.  He  has  been  a  cotton  mill  opera- 
tive for  many  years,  and  overseer  of  weaving  for  the  past  fifteen 
years  at  the  "Valley  Mills."  He  was  married  in  1857  to  Olive 
F.,  daughter  of  Reverend  Jonathan  Oatley.  They  have  one  son, 
Walter  F.,  and  one  daughter,  Elizabeth  A.,  who  died  in  infancy. 
Mr.  Burton  is  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  16,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Fred.  L.  Butts  was  born  in  1856  in  Killingly.  His  father, 
Henry  W.  Butts,  was  born  in  1829,  and  married  in  1856  Sarah 
J.,  daughter  of  William  C.  Marple.  They  have  five  children: 
Fred.  L.,  Orrilla  R.,  Phoebe  L.,  Anna  E.  and  Sarah  H.  Mr.  Butts 
is  a  brick  mason  by  trade.  He  was  in  California  from  1884  un- 
til January,  1888. 

George  W.  Butts,  born  in  1830  in  Plainfield,  Conn.,  is  a  son  of 
HoUis,  and  grandson  of  Luther  Butts.  His  mother  was  Rebecca, 
daughter  of  Benedict  Hopkins.  Mr.  Butts  was  at  Coventry, 
Conn.,  nine  years,  coming  from  there  to  Williamsville  in  1864, 
where  he  built  a  house  with  a  view  to  keeping  a  hotel  with  store 
in  basement.      He  has  kept  a  store  several  years,  and  a  livery 


1156  HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

stable  since  he  came  here.  He  was  married  in  1853  to  Sabra  C, 
daughter  of  Arbey  and  Rachel  (Vaughn)  Adams.  They  have 
five  children :  Edna  E.,  Hattie  E.,  M.  Rosa,  George  W.  Jr.,  and 
Bertha  M.     Mr.  Butts  is  a  republican. 

E.  S.  Carpenter,  son  of  Richard  Carpenter,  was  born  in  1838, 
in  Thompson.  His  mother  was  Cyntha,  daughter  of  William 
Walker.  Mr.  Carpenter  was  brought  up  a  farmer.  He  came 
to  Danielsonville  in  1861,  and  for  about  ten  years  was  in 
the  shoe  factory  of  Abner  Young.  He  has  collected  the  borough 
tax  sixteen  years,  town  tax  six  years  and  school  tax  eight  years, 
has  been  constable  nineteen  years,  for  sixteen  years  has  been  a 
member  of  the  republican  committee,  and  fifteen  years  chair- 
man of  that  body.  He  was  married  in  1862  to  Julia,  daughter 
of  Mowry  and  Hannah  Knight.  They  have  one  daughter, 
EllaL.,  two  sons  having  died — ^Edward  C.  in  infancy  and  Vernon 
L.  aged  twelve  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Danielsonville 
Baptist  church,  and  has  been  sexton  of  the  new  church  since  it 
was  built.  He  is  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A. 
M.,  also  a  member  of  Warren  Chapter  and  Montgomery  Council. 

John  G.  Carter,  son  of  Nehemiah,  was  born  April  28th,  1842, 
in  Westboro,  Mass.  He  went  to  Boston  at  the  age  of  seventeen, 
and  since  that  time  has  been  an  artist.  He  was  for  five  years 
in  the  studio  of  William  M.  Hunt.  He  has  spent  one  year  in 
Europe,  and  has  traveled  extensively  in  America.  Since  his 
marriage  he  has  spent  his  summers  in  Danielsonville,  and  for 
the  past  two  years  has  claimed  his  residence  there.  He  was 
married  in  1868  to  Ada,  daughter,  of  Harvey,  Jr.,  and  Lucy 
(Pierce)  Chamberlin,  and  granddaughter  of  Harvey  Chamberlin. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carter  now  occupy  the  house  which  was  built  by 
her  father  about  fifty  years  ago.  The  latter  was  a  stone  mason 
by  trade,  and  did  much  of  the  stone  work  on  the  Norwich  and 
Worcester  Branch  Railroad. 

Matthew  W.  Chace,  borii  in  1850  in  Killingly,  Conn.,  is  a  son 
of  Sanford  and  grandson  of  Robert  Chace.  His  mother  is  Eliza 
W.,  daughter  of  Solomon  Peck,  Mr.  Chace  bought  a  farm  in 
Pomfret  in  1876,  where  he  resided  until  April,  1886,  and  since 
that  time  he  has  been  boss  farmer  for  the  Williamsville  Manu- 
facturing Company.  He  was  married  June  8th,  1876,  to  Kate, 
daughter  of  John  F.  Spencer.  They  have  one  daughter,  Mary 
Eliza.     He  is  a  member  of  Wolfden  Grange,  of  Pomfret,  P.  of  H. 

Benjamin  F.  Chapman,  born  in  1813  in  Cumberland,  R.  L,  is  a 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1157 

son  of  John  and  grandson  of  Benjamin  Chapman.  His  mother 
was  Abbie,  daughter  of  Peter  Miller.  Mr.  Chapman  was  brought 
up  a  farmer,  in  1840  began  dealing  in  farm  produce,  in  1842  be- 
gan to  slaughter  and  peddle  meat  in  Pomfret,  and  a  short  time 
later  moved  the  business  to  Dayville,  and  in  1844  to  Danielson- 
ville,  where  he  continued  (with  the  exception  of  three  years 
when  he  rented  the  business  and  went  to  New  York  state)  until 
September,  1880,  when  the  son,  Charles  F.,  succeeded  to  the 
business.  He  was  married  in  1842  to  Ruth  L.,  daughter  of  Jere- 
miah Field.  They  have  seven  children  living:  Laura  A.,  Wil- 
liam J.,  Charles  F.,  Mary  E.,  Robert  B.,  Frank  W.  and  Helen  L. 
They  lost  two:  George  and  Augusta.  Mr.  Chapman  has  been 
selectman  two  years  as  a  democrat. 

Charles  F.  Chapman,  son  of  Benjamin  F.,  was  born  in  1847  in 
Killingly,  Conn.  In  1870  Mr.  Chapman  went  to  Worcester, 
Mass.,  where  he  worked  at  the  butcher  business  until  August, 
1880.  The  month  following  he  bought  his  father's  business  in 
Danielsonville,  which  he  has  run  since  that  time.  He  runs  two 
carts  and  handles  about  $3,000  worth  of  meat  per  month.  He 
was  married  February  9th,  1871,  to  S.  M.  A.  Chase,  daughter  of 
William  A.  Chase.  Tl^ey  have  two  children:  Harry  F.  and 
Walter  C.  Mr.  Chapman  is  a  democrat  and  a  member  of  the 
order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

Giles  Chase,  born  in  Killingly  August  23d,  1810,  is  a  son  of- 
Judge  David  Chase,  born  1779  and  died  1866.  He  was  county 
judge  two  terms  and  judge  of  probate  two  years.'  He  was  the 
oldest  son  of  Edward  Chase,  who  was  a  son  of  David  Chase. 
Giles  Chase's  mother  was  Amy,  daughter  of  Whitney  Graves. 
He  is  a  civil  engineer  and  surveyor.  He  has  been  on  the  board 
of  selectmen  two  terms.  He  resided  in  Mechanicsville  from 
1868  until  1888.  In  August  of  that  year  he  returned  to  Kill- 
ingly, where  he  now  resides.  He  was  married  in  1842  to  Orpha 
D.,  daughter  of  Joshua  Spaulding:  They  have  six  children: 
Omera  G.,  Canova,  David,  Charles  D.,  Cassius  S.  and  Emma  F. 
Cassius  S.  Chase,  son  of  Giles  and  Orpha  (Spaulding)  Chase, 
was  born  in  1854  in  Killingly,  Conn.  He  went  from  Killingly 
to  Mechanicsville  in  1868.  While  there  he  was  in  a  store  several 
years,  leaving  it  to  come  to  Elmville  in  January,  1886,  where  he 
has  been  in  business  with  Charles  D.  Chase,  firm  of  C.  D.  &  C.  S. 
Chase.  He  was  married  in  1885  to  Cora  M.,  daughter  of  Erastus 
Alton.     They  have  one  son,  Harold  Alton.     He  is  a  member  of 


1158  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  of  John  L3^on  Lodge,  No. 
45,  K.  of  P.     He  is  a  republican. 

Charles  D.  Chase,  son  of  Giles  and  Orpha  (Spaulding)  Chase, 
mentioned  above,  was  born  in  1852  in  Killingly,  Conn.  He 
went  from  Killingly  to  Mechanicsville  in  1868,  and  there  learned 
the  business  of  woolen  manufacturing.  In  1876  he  went  to  Jef- 
fersonviile,  Mass.,  where  he  superintended  a  woolen  mill  for 
nine  years.  Januar}-  1st,  1886,  he  came  to  Elmville,  where,  in 
company  with  his  brother  Cassius  S.,  he  has  run  a  woolen  mill 
since  that  time,  the  production  being  fancy  cassimeres.  They 
now  run  24  broad  looms  and  employ  75  hands.  Their  power  is 
a  fall  in  the  Whetstone  brook,  supplemented  by  steam.  He 
was  married  June  28th,  1877,  to  Eliza  J.,  daughter  of  Nathan 
Doty.  They  have  four  children:  Warren  D.,  Marvin  E,,  Herbert 
G.  and  Alice  B.  They  lost  two,  Charles  E.  and  Harry  S.  Mr. 
Chase  is  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.M.,  and  a 
member  of  John  Lyon  Lodge,  No.  45,  K.  of  P. 

Chauncy  C.  Chase  was  born  in  1850  in  Killingly.  He  is  a  son 
of  George  W.,  son  of  Abner,  son  of  Cromwell,  son  of  Oliver,  son 
of  Oliver  Chase.  Hismother  was  Mary  Watson.  Mr.  Chase  went 
into  the  employ  of  the  Attawaugan  Manufacturing  Company  in 
1867.  In  1872  he  was  made  overseer  of  carding  at  Ballouville, 
and  one  year  later  took  charge  of  carding  at  Attawaugan,  which 
he  continued  for  ten  years,  the  last  four  of  which  he  had  charge 
of  carding  at  both  mills.  In  1884  he  was  made  superintendent 
at  Ballouville,  Avhich  place  he  still,  fills.  He  was  married  in 
1868  to  Elizabeth  A.  Harrington.  They  have  four  children: 
Clarence  C,  Albert  A.,  Eva  May  and  George  H.  He  is  a  mem. 
ber  of  the  Attawaugan  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  a  member 
of  Assawaga  Lodge,  No.  20,  A.  O.  V.  W.,  and  a  member  of 
Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Cromwell  D.  Chase,  born  in  1827,  is  the  oldest  son  of  Crom- 
well, and  grandson  of  Reuben  Chase.  His  mother  was  Mahala 
(Wood)  Chase.  Mr.  Chase  is  a  farmer,  having  owned  and  occu- 
pied the  farm  where  he  now  lives  since  1856.  He  was  select- 
man one  term.  He  was  married  to  Mary  W.  Bastow.  She  died 
in  1881,  leaving  three  children:  ]\Iary  D.,  Susan  M.  and  Crom- 
Avell  O.     Mr.  Chase  is  a  democrat. 

Samuel  C.  Chase,  born  August  23d,  1817,  is  the  oldest  son  of 
Danford,  and  grandson  of  Reuben  Chase.  His  mother  was 
Lucy  Covell.     Mr.  Chase  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1159 

the  town.  He  was  a  farmer  in  early  life,  but  since  1856  lie  has 
been  a  doctor,  his  principal  treatment  being  magnetism.  He 
has  a  large  practice,  having  offices  in  Providence,  Norwich  and 
Putnam.  He  has  been  selectman  several  years,  judge  of  pro- 
bate one  term,  and  one  term  representative  in  the  legislature. 
He  has  been  married  three  times:  first  to  Emily  Fuller,  who 
died  leaving  three  children — Lucy  A.,  Samuel  O.  (deceased)  and 
Emily  J.  The  second  wife  was  Mary  M.  Burlingham,  who  died 
childless.  The  third  wife  was  Tamison  Rich.  They  have  one 
son,  Rufus  R. 

William  A.  Chase  was  born  in  1831  in  Killingly.  He  is  a  son 
of  Abner,  whose  father  Cromwell,  was  a  son  of  Oliver,  and 
grandson  of  Oliver  Chase.  His  mother  was  Esther,  daughter  of 
Jacob  Cleveland.  He  was  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  in  Com- 
pany A,  12th  Rhode  Island  volunteers,  enlisting  in  September, 
1862,  for  nine  months.  Since  1863  he  has  been  employed  in  the 
butcher  business.  He  was  town  clerk  one  year.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1851  to  Amanda  M.,  daughter  of  Obed  Fuller.  .  They 
have  three  daughters— Mrs.  C.  F.  Chapman,  Mrs.  E.  H.  Stoirs 
and  Mrs.  Frank  T.  Preston.  Mr.  Chase  is  a  democrat  and  a 
member  of  the  Danielsonville  Baptist  church. 

George  J.  Clark,  born  in  1828,  in  Chaplin,  Conn.,  is  a  son  of 
James,  born  in  1786,  and  grandson  of  Daniel  Clark,  born  in  1750. 
His  mother  was  Sally,  daughter  of  John  and  Jerusha  Richard- 
son. His  grandmother  was  Mehitabel  (Slate)  Clark.  Mr.  Clark 
is  a  mason  by  trade.  He  has  lived  in  Killingly  about  twenty-five 
years.  He  built  a  handsome  residence  on  Broad  street  in  1883. 
He  was  married  in  1854  to  Adelia  H.,  daughter  of  Ira  Gregory, 
a  son  of  Ira  Gregory.  They  have  one  daughter,  Nettie  E.  They 
lost  two  children — Delia  A.  and  Henry  G.  Mr.  Clark  is  a  demo- 
crat and  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Benjamin  Cogswell  was  born  February  17th,  1838,  in  Trow- 
bridge, England,  and  is  a  son  of  William«and  Elizabeth  Cogs- 
well. Mr.  Cogswell  came  from  England  to  Burrillville,  R.  I.,  in 
1848,  where  he  resided  until  July,  1866.  He  was  interested  in 
manufacturing,  was  for  several  years  overseer  of  weaving,  and 
for  the  last  year  there  was  superintendent  of  a  manufacturing 
concern.  In  July,  1866,  he  came  to  Dayville,  and  was  superin- 
tendent of  S.  L.  Sayles'  mill  until  March,  1887,  and  since  that 
time  he  has  been  confined  to  the  house  by  sickness.  He  was 
married  December  25th,  1858,  to  Sarah  S.,  daughter  of  Daniel  S. 


IIGO  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

and  Mary  Rebecca  Shum\vaY.  Their  children  are:  Ida  L.  (Mrs. 
Frank  G.  Bailey),  Cora  Edna,  Mabel  S.,  Bernice  S.,  Will  D.  and 
Benjamin  .S.  He  is  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A. 
M,,  of  John  Lyon  Lodge,  No.  45,  K.  of  P.,  and  of  the  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen. 

Samuel  Cogswell,  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  Cogswell,  was 
born  in  1846  in  England,  and  came  to  Rhode  Island  in  1847.  He 
came  from  Burrillville,  R.  L,  to  Dayville  in  1866,  and  learned 
the  business  of  woolen  manufacturing  with  S.  &  H.  Sayles. 
About  ten  years  later  he  went  to  Adams,  Mass.,  where  he' super- 
intended a  mill  for  Peter  Blackinton  about  five  years.  He  came 
to  Killingly  with  T.  E.  Hopkins  in  1880,  and  since  that  time 
has  superintended  his  woolen  mill.  He  w^as  married  in  Febru- 
ary, 1868,  to  Emily  A.,  daughter  of  Albert  S.  Potter.  They  have 
two  children — Edna  E.  arid  Frank  E.  He  is  a  member  of  John 
Lyon  Lodge,  No.  45,  K.  of  P.,  also  a  member  of  Assawaga 
Lodge,  No.  20,  A.  O.  U.  W. 

William  Comins,  born  in  1820  in  Woodstock,  Conn.,  is  a  son  of 
Parker  Comins,  who  came  from  Woodstock  to  Putnam  in  1825, 
and  three  years  later  to  Danielsonville.  His  mother  was  Lucy, 
daughter  of  David  Copp.  Mr.  Comins  acquired  the  harness 
maker's  trade  when  a  lad.  He  was  in  Company  K,  18th  Connec- 
ticut volunteers,  from  August  18th,  1862,  until  the  close  of  the 
war.  His  brother  Alfred  was  in  the  service  in  the  17th  Connec- 
ticut volunteers,  and  was  shot  at  Cold  Harbor.  He  has  been 
loom  harness  maker  for  twenty-five  j^ears.  He  was  married  No- 
vember 30th,  1843,  to  Eliza  M.,  daughter  of  Philip  Tanner,  who 
was  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  was  the  son  of  William,  who  served 
seven  years  in  the  revolution,  and  also  servedin  the  warof  1812. 
The}^  have  three  sons.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
church,  and  a  republican. 

Charles  F.  Coone,  son  of  Frank  and  Susan  (Hale)  Coone,  was 
born  in  1840  in  Brooklyn,  Conn.  He  was  a  farmer  until  he  was 
twenty-five  years  old,  and  at  that  time  began  to  learn  the  car- 
penter's trade,  which  he  has  since  followed.  Since  1880  he  has 
been  working  at  repairs  for  the  Quinebaug  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany. He  built  the  residence  on  Broad  street  where  he  now 
lives  in  1874.  He  was  married  in  1869  to  Emily  M.,  daughter  of 
John  R.  Stone.     Mr.  Coone  is  a  republican. 

Oliver  Smith  Covell  was  born  in  1829  in  Killingly.  He  is  a 
son  of  Oliver,  son  of  Sampson,  son  of  Ebenezer,  son  of  Joseph 


•     HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1161 

Covell,  who  owned  and  occupied  a  farm  at  the  north  end  of  Chest- 
nut hill.  Mr.  Covell  owns  and  occupies  the  farm  where  his 
father  lived  from  1816  until  his  death  in  1852.  This  is  the  same 
farm  where  the  wife  of  Ephraim  Fisk  gave  birth  to  four  children 
about  1780.  This  quadruple  birth  is  discussed  in  many  families 
of  the  town  to  this  day.  The  hou^e  in  which  these  four  babes 
spent  the  first  few  3^ears  of  their  lives  is  now  occupied  by  Mr. 
Covell.  In  this  same  house  was  born  the  father  of  Clinton  B. 
Fisk,  whose  mother  was  a  second  wife  of  Ephraim  Fisk.  Mr. 
Covell  was  married  in  1852  to  Mary  A.  W.,  daughter  of  Orrin 
Reynolds.  They  have  one  daughter,  Mary  L.  (Mrs.  D.  Cut- 
ler, Oliver  Covell  was  in  the  war  of  1812.  One  of  his  sons  , 
was  killed  at  Cold  Harbor  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion.  He 
served  in  the  11th  Connecticut  volunteers. 

Sidney  W.  Crofut  was  born  in  1847  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  He  re- 
ceived a  military  education  at  the  Military  Academy  on  the  Hud- 
son. Mr.  Crofut  has  been  connected  with  large  corporations, 
and  for  many  years  in  an  official  capacity,  and  has  the  repu- 
tation of  being  an  able  and  experienced  business  man  and 
financier,  and  is  esteemed  as  a  representative  citizen  of  the 
borough  of  Danielsonville  and  town  of  Killingly.  He  came 
to  Danielsonville  from  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  in  1884,  and  at  that 
time  bought  an  interest  in  the  fire  insurance  and  real  estate 
agency  of  E.  L.  Palmer.  The  business  was  continued  in  the 
firm  name  of  Palmer  &  Crofut  until  September,  1886,  when 
the  partnership  was  dissolved  by  mutual  consent,  Mr.  Crofut 
succeeding  to  the  insurance  business  of  the  firm,  which  he  has 
continued  since  that  time.  He  represents  a  line  of  leading  com- 
panies, and  by  his  thorough  business  methods  and  known  integ- 
rity has  won  a  large  patronage,  and  given  his  agency  a  wide 
popularity  in  his  own  and  adjoining  towns.  He  is  a  prominent 
and"  active  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  treasurer  of  the 
society.  He  is  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Windham  County 
Savings  kBank,  and  was  for  some  time  president  of  the  People's 
Library  Association.  He  is  one  of  the  committee  of  the  high 
school.  In  politics  Mr.  Crofut  is  a  staunch  republican.  'In 
April,  1887,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  court  of  burgesses 
of  Danielsonville.  In  April,  1888,  he  was  chosen  warden  of 
the  borough,  and  the  intelligence  and  executive  ability  exhib- 
ited by  him  in  that  office  have  proven  him  thoroughly  compe- 
tent to  fill  executive  offices  of  even  much  greater  importance. 


1162  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

It  was  during  his  term  as  warden  that  the  borough  contracted 
for  fifty  hydrants  for  fire  purposes,  and  he  was  one  of  the  gen- 
tlemen prominent  in  bringing  this  about.  In  the  presidential 
campaign  of  1888  he  Avas  vice-chairman  of  the  Harrison  and 
Morton  Club  executive  committee,  and  in  this  position  he  brought 
into  pla  y  the  same  adaptability  to  business  methods  and  thorough 
mastery  of  and  close  attention  to  details  which  he  puts  into  any- 
thing-he  undertakes.  He  owns  and  occupies  one  of  the  finest 
residences  in  the  borough. 

Rufus  D.  Curtis,  .born  m  1824  in  Ashford,  is  a  son  of  Norman, 
who  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  whose  father,  Chester 
Curtis,  was  in  the  revolutionary  war.  His  mother  was  Mar- 
garet, daughter  of  John  Greenman,  of  Kingston,  R.  I.  Mr.  Cur- 
tis was  brought  up  on  a  farm  in  Brooklyn.  In  1860  he  came  to 
Killingly  and  built  the  house  where  he  n(5w  resides,  having  been 
a  farmer  since  that  time.  He  served  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion 
from  August  1st,  1862,  to  September  23d,  1865,  in  the  18th  Con- 
necticut volunteers,  Company  K.  He  lost  his  right  leg  June 
5th,  1864.  He  was  married  in  1848  to  Lydia,  daughter  of  Gardi- 
ner Phillips.  They  have  six  children:  Emma  (Mrs.  G.  I.  Hop- 
kins), Janette  (Mrs.  W.  E.  Talbot),  Ida,  Estelle,  Lena  (Mrs. 
George  H.  Tripp)  and  Lewis  L.  G.,  who  graduated  from  Exeter 
Academy  in  June,  1889. 

Edward  P.  Danielson  was  born  in  1831  in  Killingly,  Conn.  He 
is  a  son  of  Jacob,  son  of  Samuel,  son  of  Samuel,  son  of  Samuel/ 
son  of  James  Danielson,  who  was  the  original  settler  here,  and 
who  established  and  laid  out  the  Westfield  cemetery.  His 
mother  was  Lucy  M.  Prince.  She  had  five  children:  George. 
Whitman,  Edward  P.,  Eliza  M.,  L.  Jane  and  William  J.  Mr. 
Danielson  is  a  house  carpenter  by  trade.  In  1868  he  built  the 
house  where  he  now  lives,  and  since  that  time  he  has  been  a 
farmer  and  carpenter.  He  was  married  in  1861  to  Mary  E.  Jdhn- 
son.  She  died  in  September,  1883.  They  had  two  children  that 
died:  Walter  E.  and  Ella  M.  Mr.  Danielson's  grandfather  was 
in  the  war  of  1812. 

Bliza  A.  Danielson  is  a  daughter  of  Alvira  Durfee,  grand- 
daughter of  Philip  Durfee,  a  son  of  Captain  William  Durfee. 
She  was  married  in  1861  to  James  Danielson,  who  was  born  in 
1832.  He  was  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion  in  Company  F,  11th 
Connecticut  volunteers,  from  1861  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
October  12th,  1864.  He  entered  the  service  as  a  private  and  held 
the  rank  of  sergeant  at  the  time  of  his  death. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY,  1163 

Emily  Danielson,  born  in  Killingly,  Conn.,  is  a  daughter  of 
Samuel  S.,  who  died  in  1864.  He  was  a  son  of  Samuel,  son  of 
Samuel,  son  of  Samuel,  whose  father,  James  Danielson,  was  the 
first  of  the  name  to  settle  here,  having  come  from  Block  Island, 
R.  I.,  in  1706.  Her  mother  was  Esther  (Williams)  Danielson, 
who  died  in  1888.  Samuel  S.  Danielson  was  a  farmer  of  more 
than  ordinary  enterprj^se.  He,  like  all  the  Danielson  family, 
was  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  gospel,  being  a  member  of  the 
Congrreg-ational  church  of  Westfield.  He  was  married  October 
22d,  1833,  to  Esther,  daughter  of  Eleazer  Williams.  They  had 
seven  children,  of  whom  only  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  living. 
They  were:  Harriet  G.,  who  died  aged  23  years;  two  sons  and 
one  daughter  that  died  in  infancy;  Edwin  W.,  who  died  aged 
two  years;  Herbert  S.,  who  died  aged  23  years,  and  Emily. 

George  E.  Danielson,  born  in  1854  in  Killingly,  is  a  son  of 
Elisha,  whose  father  James,  was  a  son  of  William,  who  built  the 
house  where  George  E.  now^  lives  in  1786.  He  also  served  in 
the  war  of  the  revolution.  He  was  a  son  of  Samuel,  whose 
father  James  Danielson  bought  of  Major  Fitch  in  1707  all  the 
land  that  lies  between  the  Quinebaug  and  Five  Mile  rivers,  and 
north  as  far  as  Alexander's  pond.  Elisha  Danielson  parried 
for  his  third  wife,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Eli  Ely.  They  had  nine 
children,  of  whom  the  following  are  living:  Catharine  E.,  Wil- 
liam H.,  Edwin  L.,  George  E.  and  Walter  H.  Mr.  Danielson 
was  married  in  1886  to  Harriet  K.,  daughter  of  Thomas  R.  Bax- 
ter. They  have  one  daughter,  Catherine  K.  Mr.  Danielson  is  a 
member  of  Westfield  Congregational  church. 

Helen  L.  Danielson  is  a  daughter  of  Daniel  Frost,  who  was  a 
prominent  lawyer,  and  died  in  Canterbury  in  1863,  aged  76 
years.  He  was  the  son  of  Daniel  Frost.  His  mother  was  the 
youngest  daughter  of  John  Clark,  who  it  is -said,  established  the 
first  button  factory  in  America,  he  having  learned  the  trade  in 
England.  He  died  at  the  remarkable  age  of  101  years  in  Can- 
terbury. Helen  L.  married  Anderson  S.  Dean  in  1843.  He  died 
in  1852,  leaving  two  children — Anderson  E.  and  Jennie  L.  She 
married  for  her  second  husband  Hezekiah  L.  Danielson  in  1870. 
He  was  the  son  of  James,  and  a  descendant  of  the  original 
James  Danielson.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  died  in  1881.  By  a 
former  marriage  he  had  several  children. 

Samuel  D.  Danielson  was  born  in  1838  in  Killingly.  He  is  a 
son    of    Adam   B.  Danielson.      His  grandparents  were  Samuel 


11.64  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

i 

Danielson  and  a  daughter  of  Adam  Begg,  who  came  from  Scot- 
land and  settled  where  Simeon  Danielson  now  lives.  Mr.  Dan- 
ielson was  brought  up  a  farmer.  He  was  a  dry  goods  salesman 
seven  years,  then  after  a  few  years  he  was  in  the  furniture 
store  of  Edward  Dexter  about  six  years.  He  is  now  collector 
for  the  sewing  machine  company  in  Danielsonville.  He  was 
married  in  1867  to  S.  Ellen,  daughter  of  Abel  Kennedy.  They 
had  two  daughters — Mary  L.,  who  is  now  a  student  at  Wellesley 
College,  and  Hattie  K.,  who  died  aged  two  years.  Mrs.  Daniel- 
son died  in  September,  1885.  He  was  married  again  in  October, 
1886,  to  Mrs.  Amelia  F.  Alexander,  daughter  of  Francis  F. 
Young.     She  has  two  children  by  a  former  marriage. 

Simeon  Danielson  was  born  in  1840  in  Killingly.  He  is  a  son 
of  Adam  B.,  and  grandson  of  Samuel,  whose  father  Samuel,  was 
a  son  of  Samuel,  and  grandson  of  James  Danielson.  Adam  B. 
was  a  deacon  in  the  Congregational  church  of  Westfield  from ' 
1828  to  1872.  He  was  the  father  of  seven  children,  three  of 
whom  are  living.  Simeon  Danielson  was  a  teacher  for  twelve 
years.  Since  that  he  has  been  a  farmer.  He  was  ^married  in 
March,  1883,  to  Mary  C.  Harris  of  Michigan.  They  have  two 
daughters — Ada  E.  and  Florence  H.  Mr.  Danielson  is  a  repub- 
lican, and  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  of  Westfield. 
George  R.  Davis,  son  of  Randall  and  Philura  (Kies)  Davis, 
was  born  in  1831  in  Killingly,  Conn.,  and  is  one  of  nine  chil- 
dren, seven  of  whom  are  living.  Randall  Davis  bought  the 
farm  where  George  R.  now  lives  of  Jonathan  Cutler  in  1836,  and 
built  the  present  dwelling  in  1842.  Mr.  Davis  has  been  select- 
man four  years  as  a  democrat.  He  was  married  in  1864  to  Bet- 
sey S.,  daughter  of  Dyer  and  Minerva  (Durfee)  Warren.  They 
have  two  children — Frank  A.  and  Minnie  M. 

Herbert  Day,  born  in  1823,  is  a  son  of  Captain  John  Day  and 
grandson  of  John  Day,  who,  with  William  Alexander,  built  the 
first  mill  at  Dayville.  His  mother  was  Sarah  Ann,  daughter  of 
Joseph  Dexter.  Of  their  five  children  there  are  only  two  liv- 
ing— Albert  and  Herbert.  Mr.  bay  was  a  farmer  prior  to  1868, 
and  since  that  time  he  has  lived  in  Danielsonville.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1861  to  Ellen,  daughter  of  William  N.  Millard.  They 
have  three  children.  Mrs.  Day  died  in  1870.  Mr.  Daj  was  mar- 
ried again  in  1878  to  Lucy  Gague.  John  Day  was  a  soldier  in 
the  war  of  1812. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1165 

Walter  F.  Day,  born  in  March,  1849,  in  Killingly,  is  a  son  of 
Colonel  Luther  Day  and  grandson  of  John  Day.  His  mother 
was  Emily  Fisher.  She  was  married  to  Mr.  Day  in  1840.  They 
had  four  children  :  Waterman  A.  and  Walter  B.,  deceased,  and 
Eliza  P.  (Mrs.  John  M.  Brown)  and  Walter  F.,  who  is  a  farmer, 
occupying  the  farm  where  his  father  and  grandfather  both 
lived.  He  runs  a  milk  route  to  Dayv^ille  and  Elmville.  He  has 
a  farm  of  200  acres.  He  has  been  on  the  board  of  relief  two 
years.  He  was  married  in  1879  to  Carrie,  daughter  of  Julius 
Rood.  They  have  four  children  :  Carrie  E.,  Mary  E.,  Luther 
W.  and  Arthur  L.  Colonel  Luther  Day  died  in  April,  1881,  aged 
81  years. 

Edward  Dexter,  son  of  Jonathan  and  grandson  of  Joseph  Dex- 
ter, was  born  in  1831  in  Killingly,  Conn.  He  was  a  farmer  until 
37  years  of  age.  About  1868  he  bought  the  furniture  and  house 
furnishing  business  of  George  Bates ;  in  1876  the  undertaking 
business  was  added,  and  in  1886  he  put  in  a  carpet  department. 
He  built  what  is  known  as  the  Dexter  Block  in  1881,  and  since 
that  time  his  business  has  been  at  its  present  location.  He  was 
married  in  1864  to  Margaret,  daughter  of  George  Clark.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Westfield  Congregational  church  and  a  repub- 
lican. 

Horace  A.  Dixon,  born  in  1839,  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  is  a  son 
of  Horace  and  grandson  of  Charles  Dixon.  His  mother  was 
Martha  M.,  daughter  of  Brinton  Arnold.  Mr.  Dixon  came  to 
Connecticut  when  a  lad.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  5th 
Connecticut  volunteers,  and  served  his  country  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  In  1869  he  came  to  Danielsonville,  working  in  the 
machine  shop  of  the  Quinebaug  Manufacturing  Company  about 
five  years,  since  which  time  he  has  been  overseer  of  the  machine 
shop  of  the  Danielsonville  Cotton  Company.  He  was  married 
in  1868  to  Harriet  E.,  daughier  of  John  Lily.  They  have  one 
son,  Walter  L.  Mr.  Dixon  is  a  member  of  McGregor  Post,  No. 
27,  G.  A.  R.,  and  a  member  of  Orient  Lodge,  No.  37,  K.  of  P.' 
He  is  a  republican. 

M.  P.  Dowe,  born  in  1835  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  is  a  son  of 
Amasa,  and  grandson  of  Amasa  Dowe.  He  came  to  Danielson- 
ville in  1845.  In  1854  he  went  into  the  jewelry  store  with  his 
father,  learning  the  jeweler's  trade.  In  1860  he  established  a 
book,  stationery  and  news  business.  In  1873  he  bought  the 
store  and  moved  his  business  to  its  present  location.     In  1874  he 


1166  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

added  woolen  and  worsted  yarns  to  his  stock.  In  1883  the  firm 
of  M.  P.  Dowe  &  Sons  was  established,  and  the  business  is  car- 
ried on  under  that  name  at  the  present  time.  Mr.  Dowe  has 
been  a  member  of  the  board  of  education  several  terms  and  has 
been  warden,  clerk  and  treasurer  of  the  borough.  He  was  ap- 
pointed postmaster  in  January,  1887.  He  is  a  democrat.  He  has 
had  the  telephone  office  since  the  Danielsonville  division  was 
built  in  1882.  He  was  married  in  1856  to  Emily  A.  Davis.  They 
have  two  sons:  John  M.  and  Charles  A. 

Almond  N.  Durfee  was  born  November  16th,  1840.  He  is  a 
son  of  Horace,  who  was  born  in  1813,  and  died  in  1886.  The 
latter  was  a  son  of  Abner,  whose  father  was  Captain  William 
Durfee,  who  was  a  sea  captain  in  early  life,  and  lived  in  New- 
port county,  R.  I.  He  emigrated  to  Killingly,  and  purchased  a 
large  tract  of  land  on  Chestnut  hill,  and  a  part  of  that  .same 
land  is  the  farm  where  Mr.  Durfee  now  lives,  and  which  is  owned 
by  Miss  Sarah  C.  Durfee  of  Providence,  R.  I.  Mr.  Durf»e  was 
married  October  17th,  1868,  to  Ann  Dagnan.  They  have  one 
•daughter,  Ellen  Edna.     Mr.  Durfee  is  a  democrat. 

Melvin  E.  Fisher  was  born  in  1843  in  Woodstock,  Conn.  He 
is  the  only  son  of  Lucius  B.,  and  grandson  of  Alcott  and  Mary 
(Jackson)  Fisher.  His  mother  was  Emily,  daughter  of  Jonathan 
and  Sarah  (Smith)  Howard,  daughter  of  Daniel  Smith.  Mr. 
Fisher  has  been  a  carpenter  for  the  past  twenty  years  in  Daniel- 
sonville. He  built  his  residence  on  Hutchins  street  in  1882. 
He  was  married  in  1870,  to  Amy,  daughter  of  Leonard  Chaffee. 
They  have  one  daughter,  Grace  E. 

Erastus  E.  Fiske,  son  of  Peleg  and  Eliza  (Henry)  Fiske,  was 
born  in  1836  in  Killingly,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  served  in  Com- 
pany K,  18th  Connecticut  volunteers,  from  August,  1862,  until 
June,  1865.  He  was  married  in  1859  to  Lydia  J.  Butman,  who 
died  in  1867.  He  was  married  again  in  1871  to  Mary  J.,  daughter 
of  Thomas  Dexter,  and  granddaughter  of  Thomas  Dexter. 
Their  children  are:  Charles  A.,  Walter  R.,  Ella  J.  and  Ida  May. 
Mr.  Fiske  is  a  republican  and  a  member  of  the  Free  Will  Baptist 
church. 

Isaac  Fogg,  son  of  Luther  and  Nancy  Fogg,  was  born  in  1818, 
in  Maine,  and  is  a  carpenter  by  trade.  In  1851  he  came  to  East 
Killingly,  where  he  has  since  lived.  He  represented  this  town 
in  the  legislature  in  1862  and  1864.  He  was  postmaster  at  East 
Xillingly  about  sixteen  years  prior  to  October,  1885.     He  was' 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  *-  1167 

married  in  1842  to  Hannah.  A.,  daughter  of  George  A.  and  Lucy 
{Mastcraft)  Columbus.  They  had  one  son,  Henry  M.,  who  died 
in  infancy. 

Calvin  H.  Frisbie,  son  of  William  Frisbie,  was  born  in  1852  in 
•Connecticut.  He  finished  his  education  in  Norwich,  in  1869. 
He  came  to  Attawaugan  in  1869,  where  he  learned  the  machin- 
ist's trade  and  was  boss  machinist  for  about  four  years.  In  1879 
he  was  made  superintendent  of  the  Attawaugan  Manufacturing 
•Company,  which  position  he  has  since  filled.  He  was  married 
in  1879  to  Marion,  daughter  of  Lyman  Taft,  of  Smithfield,  R.  L 
They  have  three  children:  Hattie  C,  Henry  L.  and  William  R. 
Mr.  Frisbie  is  a  republican,  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15, 
F.  &  A.  M.  and  a  member  of  Chapter  and  Council. 

John  W.  Gallup  was  born  in  1867  in  Sterling,  Conn.  He  is  the 
oldest  son  of  Ezra  A.,  whose  father,  Daniel  A.,  was  a  son  of 
Esquire  John  Gallup.  His  mother  was  Olive  (Knight)  Gallup. 
He.  was  educated  at  the  public  schools  of  Sterling  and  at  the 
Plainfield  Acaderny.  He  came  to  Danielsonville  in  August,  1887, 
and  worked  in  the  butcher  and  meat  business  for  F.  W.  Med- 
.bery  until  December,  1888,  when  he  bought  the  business. 

Nathaniel  S.  Gallup,  born  in  April,  1818,  in  Windham,  is  a  son 
of  Thomas,  whose  father,  Nathaniel,  was  a  son  of  Benjamin 
Gallup.  His  mother  was  Martha,  daughter  of  Josiah  Smith. 
Mr.  Gallup  is  a  farmer,  although  he  has  taught  school  twenty 
winters.  He  came  from  Voluntown  to  Killingly  in  1876,  and 
three  years  later  he  bought  a  small  farm  and  put  up  the  buildings 
where  his  residence  now  is.  He  represented  the  town  of  Volun- 
town one  term,  1855,  and  was  judge  of  probate  and  held  other 
town  offices.  Since  living  here  he  has  been  selectman  one  term 
and  on  the  school  board  two  terms.  He  was  married  in  1851  to 
Mrs.  Abbie  White,  daughter  of  Stephen  S.  Pierce,  who  was  a  son 
of  Thomas  Pierce,  of  Sterling.  Mr.  Gallup  is  a  democrat.  He 
lived  in  Voluntown  from  1836  until  1875. 

Patrick  Gibbons,  son  of  Thomas  Gibbons,  was  born  in  Ireland 
in  1852,  and  came  from  Ireland  to  Wauregan,  in  the  town  of 
Plainfield,  in  1853,  where  he  lived  until  1878.  He  worked  eight 
years  in  the  Wauregan  store,  going  from  there  to  Putnam,  where 
he  remained  two  years.  In  August,  1880,  he  established  a  gen- 
-eral  store  at  Chestnut  hill,  where  he  continued  until  March,  1884, . 
when  he  moved  the  business  to  Killingly  Centre.  In  August, 
"1888,  he  sold  out  to  John  and  Peter  Leyden,     He  was  married  in 


1168  -*  HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

1879  to  Maria  C.  Leyden.  They  have  three  children:  Minnie  A., 
John  T.  and  George  E.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Dayville  Cath- 
olic church,  and  a  member  of  John  Lyon  Lodge,  No.  45,  K. 
of  P. 

J.  Charles  Greene  was  born  September  5th,  1833,  in  Smithfield, 
R.  L  He  is  the  youngest  son  of  John  C,  and  grandson  of  Job 
Greene.  Mr.  Greene  spent  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  Millville, 
Mass.,  leaving  there  at  the  age  of  twenty-one.  He  lived  three 
years  in  Pascoag,  R.  L,  then  one  year  in  Putnam,  Conn.;  from 
there  he  went  to  Madison  county,  N.Y.,  where  he  was  interested 
in  woolen  manufacturing,  coming  back  to  Putnam  for  a^ime, 
after  which  he  came  to  Dayville,  where  he  was  boss  finisher  for 
the  Sayles  Manufacturing  Company  eight  years.  In  1884  he 
bought  a  farm  of  190  acres,  which  is  one  of  four  farms  which 
comprised  a  school  district  at  one  time,  namely,  Danielson,  Day, 
Dexter  and  Williams,  called  "  Between  the  Rivers  "  district,  and 
making  a  school  of  thirty-six  pupils.  Mr.  Greene  was  married 
in  1856  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Daniel  Harris.  They  have  two  sons, 
Fred.  H.  and  Walter  S.     They  lost  one  son,  Wilmer  F. 

Albert  W.  Greenslit,  born  in  December,  ]827,  in  Hampton, 
Conn.,  is  a  son  of  Ebenezer,  who  was  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 
grandson  of  John  Greenslit.  His  mother  was  Lucy  Webb.  In 
1845  he  came  to  Killingly  from  Hampton,  where  he  has  been 
engaged  in  cotton  manufacturing  almost  constantly  since  that 
time.  He  was  overseer  of  weaving  about  ten  years,  and  on  Oc- 
tober 1st,  1863,  he  became  vsuperintendent  of  the  Valley  mills, 
which  position  he  has  filled  since  that  time.  He  was  married  in 
1848  to  Patience  M.,  daughter  of  Captain  Otis  Bastow,  son  of 
William  Bastow.  They  have  one  son,  Frederick  A.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  legislature  in  1876,  and  has  held  numerous  town 
offices.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Free  Will  Baptist  church  of  East 
Killingly. 

Eben  Griffiths,  born  in  1823  in  Plainfield,  Conn.,  is  a  son  of 
James  Griffiths,  who  came  from  Foster,  R.  I.,  to  Plainfield  in 
18S0.  His  mother  was  Clarissa  Hyde.  Mr.  Griffiths  cam^  to 
Danielsonville  about  1842.  He  was  engaged  on  repairs  for  A. 
D.  Lockwood  about  seventeen  years,  in  what  is  now  the  Quine- 
baug  mill.  He  has  had  charge  of  repairs  at  the  Danielsonville 
cotton  mill  since  1868.  He  built  the  residence  on  Maple  street 
where  he  now  lives  in  1860.  He  was  married  in  1846  to  Olive 
Handall.     She  died  in  1884,  leaving  five  children  :    Adaline  E. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1169 

(Mrs.  Charles  Hyde),  Mary  E.  (Mrs.  Albert  Jordan),  William  H., 
Hortense  E.  and  Clarence  L.  Mr.  Griffiths  was  married  again  to 
Mrs.  Mary  Bitgood,  daughter  of  Israel  Pratt. 

Henry  H.  Hammell,  son  of  James  Hammell,  was  born  in  1830 
in  Manchester,  England,  and  came  to  America  when  about  fif- 
teen years  of  age.  Since  1861  he  has  been  in  the  manufacturing 
business  almost  constantly.  In  1859  he  came  to  the  Chestnut 
Hill  mills  as  overseer  of  carding,  and  in  1860  was  made  super- 
intendent. In  1865  he  went  to  Rhode  Island,  where  he  re- 
mained until  August,  1886.  At  that  time  he  came  back  and  has 
been  superintendent  since  that  time.  He  was  married  in  1852 
to  Mary  Baldwin.  She  died  in  1866,  leaving  one  daughter, 
Emma.  He  was  married  in  1873  to  Ruth  Round.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  church,  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15, 
F.  &  A  M.,  and  a  republican. 

Edward  H.  Hammett  was  born  in  1856  in  Plainfield,  Conn. 
He  is  a  son  of  Theodore,  whose  father,  Erastus,  was  a  son  of 
Jonathan  Hammett.  Mr.  Hammett  -was  brought  up  on  a  farm 
until  1879,  when  he  came  to  Danielsonville,  where  he  worked 
for  the  Quinebaug  Manufacturing  Company  eight  years,  and 
since  that  time  he  has  been  employed  in  the  mill  supplies  shop 
of  E.  H.  Jacobs  &  Co.  He  was  married  in  1879  to  Ida  M.,  daugh- 
ter of  William  Wood.  They  have  two  daughters — Myrtle  E. 
and  A.  M.  May.     Mr.  Hammett  is  a  republican. 

Erastus  Hammett,  born  in  1824  in  Plainfield,  Conn.,  is  a  son 
of  Erastus  and  grandson  of  Jonathan  Hammett.  His  mother  is 
Priscilla  (Wilbur)  Hammett.  She  is  now  93  years  old.  Mr. 
Hammett  was  a  farmer  until  1873.  At  that  time  he  built  a 
house  and  moved  to  Danielsonville,  where  he  was  in  the  express 
business  for  nine  years.  He  still  owns  and  runs  the  old  home- 
stead of  Jonathan  Hammett  in  Plainfield.  He  was  married  in 
1846  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Isaac  Pike.  They  have  four  children  : 
Augustus  L.,  Augusta  L.,  Chauncey  (deceased)  and  Frank  I. 

Theodore  Hammett,  born  in  1820  in  Plainfield,  is  a  son  of 
Erastus,  and  grandson  of  Jonathan  Hammett,  who  came  from 
Martha's  Vineyard  to  Plainfield  when  a  boy.  He  married  Me- 
hitabel  Woodard.  Erastus  was  married  to  Priscilla  Wilbur. 
They  had  two  sons,  Theodore  and  Erastus.  Jonathan  Hammett 
was  a  representative  several  times,  and  selectman  about  twenty 
years  in  Plainfield.  Theodore  is  a  farmer,  having  a  farm  of  214 
acres.  He  was  married  January  1st,  1850,  to  a  daughter  of  Cal- 
74 


1170  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

vin  Hubbard.  They  have  had  eight  children:  Theodore  E., 
Edward  H.,  Maria,  Abbie  M.,  Nellie  L.  and  three  that  died — 
Olive,  Carrie  and  Hattie. 

Henry  Hammond,  born  in  1814  in  Pomfret,  Conn.,  is  a  son  of 
Eleazer,  and  grandson  of  Stephen  Hammond.  His  mother  was 
Ann  M.  (Brown)  Hammond.  Mr,  Hammond  came  to  Killingly 
in  1851.  He  was  a  member  of  the  legislature  in  1854  and 
again  in  1865,  and  was  state  senator  in  1881  and  1882.  He  was 
for  several  years  trustee  of  the  Windham  County  Savings  Bank, 
and  is  now  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Killingly. 
He  was  married  in  1840  to  Emma  Dorrance.  They  have  one 
daughter  living,  Harriet  J.  They  lost  two  children — Charles 
Henry  and  Ella.  Mr.  Hammond  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  church  for  about  sixty  years.     He  is  a  republican. 

Mrs.  Susan  Hammond  was  a  daughter  of  H.  Peckham,  M.  D., 
who  was  born  in  1777  and  died  in  1837.  He  practiced  medicine 
in  East  Killingly  for  many  years.  She  was  married  November 
25th,  1831,  to  Justin  Hammond,  M.  D.,  who  was  born  in  1804, 
entered  Brown  University  in  1823,  graduated  from  there  in  1827, 
and  received  his  degree  of  M.  D.  from  Harvard  in  1830,  and  im- 
mediately began  practice  in  Killingly  and  continued  until  his 
death  in  1873.  He  removed  from  East  Killingly  to  Dayville  in 
1851,  where  his  widow  now  lives.  Doctor  Hammond  was  a  rep- 
resentative in  the  legislature  two  terms.  He  was  a  whig  and 
later  a  republican.  They  had  a  family  of  eight  children,  three 
of  whom  are  now  living:  Susan  P.,  of  Boston;  Henry  L.,  of  Day- 
ville, and  Elle.n  F.  (Mrs.  S.  M.  Gladwin),  of  Hartford.  Mrs. 
Hammond  is  a  sister  of  the  late  F.  H.  Peckham,  M.  D.,  of  Provi- 
dence, R.  I. 

Charles  S.  Hawkins  was  born  in  1818  in  Killingly,  Conn.  He 
is  a  son  of  Arnold,  and  grandson  of  Joseph  Hawkins,  whose 
father  was  Moses  Hawkins.  His  mother  was  Marcia,  daughter  of 
Daniel  Spaulding.  Mr.  Hawkins  has  been  a  farmer.  He  built 
a  large  residence  in  Danielsonville  in  1873,  and  two  years  later 
he  retired  from  the  farm  and  came  here  to  live.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1851  to  Lydia,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Corey.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Westfield  Congregational  church. 

Edwin  W.  Hayward,  son  of  Edward  P.  Hayward,  was  born  in 
1858  in  Pomfret,  Conn.  He  was  in  Putnam  High  School  about 
four  years.  He  came  to  Danielsonville  in  1879,  and  in  April  of 
that  year  the  firm  of  Durkee  &  Hayward  was  established,  and 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1171 

they  bought  the  tailor  business  of  E.  A.  Finney,  and  added  ready 
made  clothing  to  the  business,  which  was  continued  until 
March,  1886,  when  Mr.  Hay  ward  bought  Mr.  Durkee's  interest, 
and  since  that  time  has  conducted  the  business  alone.  He  was 
married  in  1884  to  Lizzie,  daughter  of  John  H.  Stephens.  They 
have  one  son,  Julius  S.  Mr.  Hayward  is  a  member  of  the  Con- 
gregational church,  and  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15, 
F.  &  A.  M. 

Jeremiah  Hill,  born  in  1827  in  Plainfield,  Conn.,  is  a  son  of 
Daniel,  whose  father  Edward  Hill,  came  to  Plainfield  in  1779, 
and  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  town,  which 
is  still  in  the  Hill  family.  His  mother  was  Abigail  (Hall)  Hill. 
Mr.  Hill  was  a  farmer  in*-Plainfield  until  1867,  and  at  that  time 
he  came  from  there  to  Danielsonville,  where  he  has  done  team- 
ing. He  was  married  in  1848  to  Freelove  Potter,  who  died  in 
1850.  He  was  married  again  in  1851  to  Abbie  F.,  daughter  of 
Samuel  Bushnell.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church 
of  Westfield. 

Mrs.  A.  Caroline  Holbrook  is  a  daughter  of  Jeremiah  and 
Hannah  (Angel)  Field,  granddaughter  of  Jeremiah  and  Lydia 
(Colwell)  Field,  and  great-granddaughter  of  Jeremiah  Field. 
She  is  one  of  twelve  children,  nine  of  whom  are  now  living. 
She  was  married  in  1860  to  John  K.  Holbrook,  born  in  1804,  in 
Pomfret,  son  of  Judge  John  Holbrook.  They  came  to  Daniel- 
sonville in  1875,  having  built  a  residence  in  Westfield  three  years 
previous.  He  died  at  his  home  in  1885.  Mrs.  Holbrook  and  her 
sister  Mrs.  William  S.  Alexander,  occupy  the  residence  now. 

Mathewson  Hopkins,  born  in  1800 in  Foster,  R.  I.,  is  a  son  of 
Mathewson,  and  grandson  of  Nicholas  Hopkins.  His  mother 
was  Mary  Tanner.  Mr.  Hopkins  is  a  farmer,  and  came  to  Kil- 
lingly  from  Rhode  Island  several  years  ago.  He  was  married 
in  1820  to  Mahala,  daughter  of  Sampson  Bennett.  They  have 
four  children  living:  William,  Darius,  Thomas  M.  and  Gilbert. 
His  wife  died  died  in  1872.  He  was  married  again  in  1874  to 
Mrs.  Sarah  Sweet,  daughter  of  Abel  Tanner. 

Mary  Hovey  is  a  daughter  of  Hollis,  and  granddaughter  of  Lu- 
ther Butts.  Daniel  A.  Hovey,  M.D.,  was  born  in  1809,  and  in  1830 
he  began  the  practice  of  medicine  in  South  Killingly,  which  he 
continued  until  his  death  in  October,  1878.  Although  he  had  a 
large  practice,  he  found  time  to  represent  the  town  one  year  in 
the  legislature,  and  always  took  an  interest  in  the  politics  of  the 


1172  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

town.  He  was  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M. 
He  was  married  in  1859  to  Mary  Butts.  They  had  five  children: 
Marian  B.  W.  (Mrs.  George  Briggs),  Charles  E.  (deceased),  Eme- 
line  E.  (Mrs.  William  Miller),  Jennie  E.  (Mrs.  Merton  Gardiner), 
and  Charles  A.  (deceased). 

Daniel  S.  Hubbard  was  born  in  1819  in  Plainfield,  Conn.  He 
is  a  son  of  Calvin  Hubbard,  who  was  ensign  in  the  war  of  1812. 
His  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  revolution.  It  is  be- 
lieved that  his  name  was  Calvin  Hubbard.  His  mother's  name 
was  Olive,  a  daughter  of  Edward  Hill.  Mr.  Hubbard  is  a  farmer. 
He  built  a  residence  in  the  south  part  of  the  village  of  Daniel- 
sonville  in  1861,  where  he  now  lives.  He  was  married  in  1846 
to  Lydia  Ann  Hale.  She  died  in  1851^  They  had  two  children 
— Ida  O.  and  Henry  C,  both  deceased.  He  was  married  in  1872 
to  Mary,  daughter  of  Samuel  D.  Baxter,  son  of  Joseph  Baxter, 
whose  father  Robert,  was  a  son  of  Thomas  Baxter. 

Thomas  Hughes,  son  of  Patrick  Hughes,  was  born  in  1837  in 
Ireland,  and  came  to  Connecticut  when  a  lad.  In  1865  he  went 
West,  where  he  was  a  farmer  for  eighteen  years,  returning  to 
Attawaugan  in  1882,  where  he  bought  a  farm  and  has  since  re- 
sided. He  was  married  in  1864  to  Honora  Connor.  They  have 
six  children:  Thomas,  James,  Daniel,  Joseph,  Mary  and  Cathar- 
ine.. Mr.  Hughes  is  a  democrat  and  a  member  of  Day  ville  Cath- 
olic church. 

Charles  D.  James,  born  in  1845  at  Baltic,  Conn.,  is  the  adopted 
son  of  Charles  and  Lucy  (Bushnell)  James.  He  is  a  farmer.  He 
came  to  Danielsonville  in  1867,  and  bought  the  farm  where  he 
now  lives.  For  the  past  five  years  he  has  been  agent  for  farm 
implements  and  fertilizers.  He  was  married  in  1868  to  Maria 
E.,  daughter  of  Theodore  Hammett.  They  have  seven  chil- 
dren: Ida  C,  Robert  R.,  Lucelia  A.,  Everett,  Lyndall,  who  died 
in  infancy,  Eulali  E.  and  Carrie  H.  He  is  a  spiritualist  and  a 
prohibitionist.    ; 

Rowland  R.  James,  son  of  Alanson  James,  was  born  in  1838 
in  Cranston,  R.  I.,  and  came  to  Killingly  in  1855.  He  taught 
school  about  four  years,  and  was  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion  from 
August  9th,  1862,  to  July,  1865,  in  Company  K,  18th  Connecticut 
volunteers.  He  was  clerk  in  a  store  for  two  years  prior  to  July, 
1867.  At  that  time  he,  in  company  with  his  brother  Newman 
W.  James,  under  the  firm  name  of  James  Brothers,  bought  the 
grocery  business  of  S.  Gleason,  and  five  years  later  they  bought 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1173 

the  grocery  and  crockery  business  of  Christopher  Crandall,  and 
moved  to  the  Crandall  Block,  where  they  remained  five  years, 
and  at  the  end  of  that  time  took  possession  of  their  present 
store.  In  1883  the  firm  was  dissolved,  and  since  that  time  it  has 
been  R.  R.  James.  Mr.  James  married  in  1866  Olive  A.  Steere, 
and  has  two  children — Albert  L.  and  Grace  E. 

George  Jencks  was  born  in  1854.  He  is  a  son  of  Leavens, 
who  was  born  in  1810,  and  married  Esther  Kelly.  Four  of 
their  six  children  are  now  living :  Dewitt  C.  E.,  Frances,  Lucia 
G.  and  George,  who  was  bookkeeper  for  H.  &  S.  Sayles  two  years 
at  Dayville.  Leaving  there  in  1879,  he  came  to  Danielsonville, 
where  he  has  kept  a  hardware  store  since  that  time.  The  firm 
was  George  Jencks  &  Co.  until  September,  1887,  since  then  Jencks 
«&  Franklin.  He  has  been  warden  of  the  borough  one  term, 
in  the  court  of  burgesses  several  terms,  and  justice  five  years. 
He  was  married  to  Lucy  B.  Potter.  They  have  three  chil- 
dren :  Anna  E.,  William  L.  and  Mildred  P.  He  is  a  member 
of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Congregational  church.  He  is  a  republican.  Leavens  Jencks 
was  the  first  station  agent  at  Dayville,  was  postmaster  there  for 
several  years,  and  also  judge  of  probate.     He  was  a  merchant. 

Hiram  M.  Jencks,  son  of  James  Jencks,  was  born  in  1842  in 
Slatersville,  R.  L  He  was  superintendent  of  a  mill  at  Arkwright, 
R.  L,  seven  years.  From  there  he  went  to  Rehoboth,  Mass., 
where  he  was  interested  in  manufacturing  for  three  years.  He 
came  from  there  to  East  Killingiy  in  1884,  where  he  kept  a  gen- 
eral store  for  six  months,  removing  the  business  to  Dayville  in 
April,  1885,  where  he  still  keeps  a  general  store.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Assawaga  Lodge,  No.  20,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

Daniel  H.  Johnson,  born  in  1836  in  Coventry,  R.  I.,  is  a  son  of 
Henry,  and  grandson  of  George  Johnson,  who  was  a  soldier  in 
the  revolutionary  war.  His  mother  was  Lydia  Minerva,  daugh- 
ter of  Captain  Samuel  Cady.  Mr.  Johnson  was  brought  up  a 
farmer  and  brick  maker,  but  has  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade 
since  1861.  In  1866  he  came  to  Danielsonville  from  Brooklyn, 
Conn.,  and  seven  years  later  he  built  the  residence  on  Reynolds 
street,  where  he  has  since  lived.  He  was  married  in  1866  to 
Hannah  Maria,  daughter  of  Charles  A.  Stone  of  West  Green- 
wich, R.  I.     He  is  a  republican. 


1174  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

John  Kelly  was  born  September  18th,  1821.  William  Kelly 
was  born  in  Rhode  Island  in  1747,  came  to  Killingly  in  1789, 
served  in  the  revolution,  and  died  in  1831.  His  son  Ebenezer 
was  born  in  1780,  was  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  died  in  1864.  His 
wife  was  Esther,  daughter  of  Nell  Alexander.  Their  youngest 
son,  John,  was  born  in  Killingly.  He  has  been  in  the  wood  and 
lumber  business  for  several  years.  He  was  in  the  legislature  in 
1867  and  1877,  and  has  held  several  town  offices.  He  has  been 
county  commissioner  since  July,  1886.  He  was  married  in  1842 
to  Eliza  A.,  daughter  of  Norman  Curtiss.  They  have  six  chil- 
dren: Helen,  Norman  H.,  William  P.,  Mary  (deceased),  and 
and  George  S.  and  Mary  Jane  (deceased).  Mr.  Kelly  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Marvin  Waite  Post,  No.  51,  G.  A.  R.,  a  member  of  the  Con- 
gregational church,  and  a  republican. 

William  P.  Kelley,  son  of  Hon.  John  Kelly,  was  born  in  1848 
in  Killingly.  He  was  in  a  general  store  at  Versailles,  Conn.,  for 
three  years,  and  while  there  was  postmaster,  and  filled  other 
offices.  He  came  to  Dayville  in  1882,  where  he  kept  a  general 
store  for  about  four  years,  and  in  March,  1886,  he  bought  the 
store  of  M.  &  A.  Wood  in  Dayville,  and  consolidated  the  two 
stores.  He  was  married  in  1876  to  Anna,  daughter  of  Reverend 
A.  H.  Bennett.  They  have  three  children:  John  B.,  Mary  E. 
and  Helen  M.  Mr.  Kelley  has  held  several  town  offices,  and  in 
1887  represented  the  town  in  the  legislature.  He  is  a  member 
of  John  Lyon  Lodge,  No.  45,  K.  of  P.,  and  of  Assawaga  Lodge, 
No.  20,  A.  O.  U.  W.     He  was  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion. 

Lorenzo  M,  Kennedy,  born  in  1828  in  Foster,  R.  L,  is  the  sev- 
enth son  of  George,  who  was  the  youngest  son  of  Alexander 
Kennedy.  His  mother  was  Belinda  Parker.  Mr.  Kennedy  came 
from  Rhode  Island  to  Killingly  in  1846.  He  learned  the  carpen- 
ter's trade,  but  only  followed  it  a  few  years.  He  kept  a  store  for 
several  years.  He  came  to  Dayville  in  March,  1866,  and  the 
same  year  bought  the  Dayville  Hotel,  which  he  managed  with 
livery  and  sale  stable  attached  until  December,  1888,  when  he 
sold  the  business  to  his  son,  Frank  S.  Mr.  Kennedy  now  lives 
on  his  farm  at  Ballouville.  He  was  married  in  1851  to  Jane  Kies. 
They  have  four  children:  Charles  P.,  Frank  S.,  Will  L.  and 
Nathan  W.  He  is  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  & 
A.  M. 

Frank  S.  Kennedy,  son  of  Lorenzo  M.,  was  born  in  1853  in  Kil- 
lingly,  Conn.      He   bought  the  undertaking   establishment   of 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1175 

Mowry  Amsbury  in  1880,  and  has  carried  on  the  business  since 
that  time.  He  was  in  a  market  for  some  time  with  his  brother 
and  father,  as  mentioned  above,  and  now  is  a  partner  in  a  gen- 
eral store  with  his  brother.  Will  L.  Kennedy.  He  bought  his 
father's  interest  in  the  hotel  and  livery  stable  at  Dayville  in  De- 
cember, 1888.  He  was  married  in  1880  to  Ada,  daughter  of  Oscar 
Amsbury.  They  have  one  daughter,  Ida  Jane.  He  is  a  member 
of  Assawaga  Lodge,  No.  20,  A.  O.  U.  W. 

Will  L.  Kennedy,  son  of  Lorenzo  M.,  was  born  in  1858  in  Kil- 
lingly.  He  was  clerk  in  the  store  of  M.  &  A.  Wood  for  three 
years,  then  in  company  with  his  father  and  brother  kept  a  mar- 
ket at  Dayville  three  years  (firm  of  L.  M.  Kennedy  &  Sons).  In 
October,  1886,  a  partnership  between  Mr.  Kennedy  and  his 
brother,  Frank  S.,  was  formed,  and  a  general  store  was  estab- 
lished at  Dayville,  which  they  now  run.  He  was  married  in 
1879  to  Susan  Twogood,  who  died  in  1882,  leaving  two  daughters, 
Cora  L.  and  Mary  Jane.  He  was  married  again  in  February, 
1885,  to  Alice  C,  daughter  of  John  Turner.  They  have  one  son, 
Thomas  H.  Mr.  Kennedy  is  a  member  of  John  Lyon  Lodge, 
No.  45,  K.of  P. 

Otis  E.  Keith  was  born  in  1829  in  Thompson,  Conn.  He  is  the 
only  son  of  Captain  Joseph  D.,  who  was  the  oldest  son  of  Eleazer 
Keith,  who  was  lieutenant  in  the  war  of  1812.  His  wife  was 
Kelita  Tyler.  His  father  was  lost  in  the  revolutionary  war, 
after  which  Eleazer  was  adopted  by  Joseph  Demmon,  of  Mass- 
achusetts, who  removed  later  to  Thompson.  The  mother  of 
Otis  E.  was  Lucy,  daughter  of  Silas  Bundy,  whose  father,  Eben- 
ezer,  once  owned  a  large  tract  of  land,  including  the  mill  privi- 
lege where  the  Putnam  Manufacturing  Company  is  now  located. 
Mr.  Keith  is  a  farmer.  He  has  been  president  of  the  Putnam 
Cemetery  Association  for  six  years.  He  was  married  in  1859  to 
Elizabeth  Rowland,  who  died  in  1879,  leaving  one  son,  Luther 
M.  He  was  married  iVugust  16th,  1880,  to  Sarah  M.,  daughter 
of  Ezra  Howard.  They  have  one  daughter,  Abbie  H.  Mr. 
Keith  is  a  staunch  prohibitionist  and  a  member  of  the  Attawau- 
gan  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Ann  Kershaw  is  a  daughter  of  John  and  Phoebe  (Gregory) 
Stokes.  She  was  married  in  1859  to  Robert  Kershaw,  son  of 
William.  Mr.  Kershaw  was  a  mill  operative  and  mill  superintend- 
ent at  Burrillville.  In  1884,  in  company  with  two  others,  he  rented 
a  mill  in  Burrillville,  which  they  operated  until  1886,  when  Mr. 


1176  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Kershaw  retired  on  account  of  ill  health.  He  built  a  residence 
in  Dayville  in  1875,  where  he  died  in  October,  1886,  aged  57 
years.     He  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order. 

Fannie  H.  Kies,  born  in  Coventry,  R.  I.,  is  a  daughter  of  Clark 
and  Eunice  (Matteson)  Cornell.  She  was  married  in  1855  to 
George  Kies,  a  son  of  Harris  and  Sarah  Ann  (Goodspeed)  Kies, 
and  a  grandson  of  William  Kies,  Mr.  Kies  was  a  house  carpen- 
ter by  trade.  He  enlisted  in  1862  as  second  lieutenant  in  Com- 
pany K,  18th  Connecticut  volunteers,  and  served  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  He  was  promoted  to  first  lieutenant  during  that 
time.  He  died  in  1872.  They  have  one  son  living,  Walter  E. 
They  lost  three  children:     Lenora  A.,  Leroy  E.  and  Victoria  G. 

Henry  V.  Lathrop,  born  April  9th,  1851,  in  Norwich,  Conn.,  is 
a  son  of  Richard  S.,  and  grandson  of  Septimus  Lathrop,  who 
was  the  seventh  generation  from  Reverend  John  Lathrop,  who 
was  educated  at  Queens  College,  Cambridge,  where  he  grad- 
uated in  1609.  His  mother  was  Jane  F.,  daughter  of  Festus  and 
Eliza  Thompson.  She  died  July  7th,  1857,  leaving  two  children, 
Mary  E.  and  Henry  Vaughn.  The  latter  was  educated  at  the 
public  and  select  schools  of  Plainfield.  He  has  been  engaged  in 
reed  manufacturing  in  Danielsonville  since  February,  1869. 
In  November,  1870,  R.  S.  Lathrop  bought  the  reed  business  here, 
and  from  that  time  until  his  death  in  May,  1882,  Henry  V.  worked 
with  his  father,  but  since  that  time  he  has  been  manager  of  the 
business.  He  is  a  prohibitionist.  He  has  been  two  years  in  the 
court  of  burgesses.  He  was  married  October  5th,  1875,  to  Mary 
H.,  daughter  of  William  M.  and  Elizabeth  (Shepard)  Johnson. 
They  have  three  children:  Frank  E.,  J.  Bessie  and  Claribel  A. 
Mr.  Lathrop  is  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M., 
and  a  member  of  the  Westfield  Congregational  church.  Mrs. 
Lathrop  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  of  Danielsonville. 
She  is  president  of  the  local  W.  C.  T.  U. 

George  H.  Law,  born  in  1816  in  Killingly,  is  the  eldest  son  of 
Jeremiah,  whose  father,  George,  was  a  son  of  George  Law.  His 
mother  was  Hepsibeth,  daughter  of  Ebenezer  Leach.  Jeremiah 
Law  was  born  in  1796,  was  member  of  the  legislature  one  term 
and  selectman  several  terms  as  a  democrat,  was  the  father  of 
seven  children,  and  died  in  1876.  George  H.  went  from  Chest- 
nut hill  to  Rhode  Island  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  cotton  manufacturing  for  twenty-two  years.  In  1870 
he  bought  the  farm  where  he  now  resides,  and  since  that  time 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1177 

has  been  a  farmer.  He  represented  the  town  in  the  legislature 
two  terms,  in  1881  and  1883,  as  a  republican.  He  was  married 
in  1839  to  Clarinda,  daughter  of  Joseph  Clark.  They  have  eight 
children:  Jennie  (Mrs.  C.  T.  Westcott),  George,  Sarah  Ellen  (Mrs. 
C.  G.  Mowry),  Clara,  Carrie  (Mrs.  E.  Jencks),  Emma,  Joseph  and 
Charles  F.  George  was  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  3d  Rhode 
Island  Cavalry. 

John  W.  Law  was  born  in  1855  in  Killingly.  He  is  a  son  of 
Parris  M.,  son  of  William,  son  of  George,  son  of  George,  son 
of  David  Law.  His  mother  was  Emily  (Perry)  Law.  Mr.  Law 
began  as  clerk  in  the  Williamsville  store  in  1876,  where  he  has 
been  since  that  time. 

James  K.  Logee,  son  of  Elisha  Logee,  is  a  baker  by  trade. 
In  1840  John  Sparks  established  a  bakery  where  the  Central 
Hotel  now  stands  in  Danielsonville.  In  1843  he  sold  the  busi- 
ness to  James  K.  Logee,  who  continued  it  at  the  same  place  until 
1860.  At  that  time  he  built  a  bakery  in  Westfield,  which  burned 
in  February,  1879.  It  was  rebuilt  the  same  year,  and  since  that 
time  the  business  has  been  pastry  baking ;  prior  to  that  time 
it  was  a  cracker  factory.  He  was  married  in  1844  to  Julia  N., 
daughter  of  John  Sparks.  They  had  three  sons  :  James  E., 
William  K.  and  Henry  F.  His  wife  died  in  1858,  and  he  was 
married  in  1859  to  Hannah  H.  Bruce.  She  died  in  1877,  leaving 
one  daughter,  Mary  S.  (Mrs.  J.  E.  F.  Brown).  He  was  married 
in  1881  to  Mary  Chadwick  Babson. 

James  E.  Logee,  son  of  James  K.  and  Julia  N.  (Sparks)  Logee, 
was  born  March  6th,  1845.  He  was  brought  up  a  baker,  and  in 
1866  took  an  interest  in  the  baking  business  with  his  father,  and 
since  that  time  they  have  carried  on  the  business  together.  He 
was  married  in  1866  to  Ada  S.  Tucker,  who  died  one  year  later. 
He  was  married  in  1873  to  Lucy  A.,  daughter  of  David  B. 
Wheaton.  They  have  two  children  :  Arthur  W,  and  Lucy  T. 
Mr.  Logee  is  a  republican. 

Calvin  B.  Long,  born  in  1837  in  Canterbury,  Conn.,  is  a  son 
of  William,  and  grandson  of  David  Long.  His  mother  was 
Lucy  Varnum.  Mr.  Long  came  to  Danielsonville  in  1869,  and 
about  four  years  later  bought  a  blacksmith  shop,  which  he  has 
since  operated.  He  was  married  in  1857  to  Sarah,  daughter  of 
David  Monroe.  Their  children  are:  William  Henry,  Jennie 
(Mrs.  George  Baker),  and  George.  Mr.  Long  is  a  democrat. 
He  served  about  three  months  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion  in  the 
3d  Connecticut  volunteers. 


1178  HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

John  Mahrs  was  born  in  Dublin,  Ireland,  and  came  to  Massa- 
chusetts at  the  age  of  four  years  with  his  father,  John  Mahrs. 
He  came  to  Danielsonville  in  March,  1858.  He  is  a  shoemaker 
by  trade.  He  was  appointed  sexton  of  the  Westfield  Cemetery 
in  1877,  and  built  the  house  where  he  now  lives  in  1869.  Mr. 
Mahrs  was  married  January  3d,  1848,  to  Eliza  E.,  daughter  of 
Waldo  Parkhurst.  Their  children  are:  Lora  J.,  now  Mrs.  P.  H. 
Sprague;  Susan  E.,  now  Mrs.  W.  K.  Logee;  John  W.  and  Char- 
lotte H.,  now  Mrs.  Henry  Thompson.  Mr.  Mahrs  is  a  prohib- 
itionist.    His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church. 

William  H.  Marland,  son  of  James  Marland,  was  born  in  Eng- 
land, and  came  to  Killingly  in  1881.  In  1882  he  went  back  to 
England,  returning  again  in  1884,  and  since  that  time  he  has 
been  employed  in  the  lumber  yards  of  John  A.  Paine.  He  owns 
a  residence  on  Maple  street,  known  as  "  the  Twin  Cottages." 
He  was  married  in  January,  1882,  to  Hannah  King.  They  have 
three  children:  Rupert  K.,  Myrtle  E.  and  Sidney  P.  They  lost 
one  son.  Earl.  Mr.  Marland  is  a  member  of  Danielsonville  Epis- 
copal church,  and  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  & 
A.  M. 

Charles  Mason,  born  in  1841,  is  a  son  of  David,  whose 
father  Shubael,  was  a  son  of  Peletiah  Mason,  whose  wife  was 
Sarah  Allen.  His  mother  is  Lucy  (Bowen)  Mason.  Shubael 
Mason's  wife  was  Nancy  Law.  David  and  Lucy  Mason  had 
eight  children:  Israel  B.,  George  L.  (deceased),  Erastus  (de- 
ceased), Maria  F.  (deceased),  Charles,  David  A.  (deceased),  Emily 
L.  (deceased),  and  William  Henry.  Charles  has  been  a  mer- 
chant for  a  number  of  years  in  Providence  and  other  places. 
For  the  past  few  years  he  has  had  no  business  except  a  little 
farming.  He  was  married  in  1864  to  Mary  Crabtree,  who  died 
the  year  following.  He  married  in  1868  Mrs.  Abbie  F.  Rice,  a 
daughter  of  W.  R.  and  Chloe  Lillibridge,  of  Exeter,  R.  I. 

Lucy  A.  Mason  is  a  daughter  of  Rufus  and  Susanna  (Round) 
Simmons.  She  was  married  November  16th,  1861,  to  George  L. 
Mason,  son  of  David  and  Lucy  Mason.  He  died  leaving  two 
daughters— Abbie  F.  (Mrs.  E.  M.  Young),  and  Harriet  E.,  who 
married  F.  Smith,  son  of  James  and  Mary  Ann  (Williams)  Smith. 
He  was  born  in  1856,  and  works  at  carding  in  the  Whitestone 
cotton  mills. 

William  Mathewson  was  born  December  22d,  1825.  He  is  a 
son  of  Mason,  and  grandson  of  Royal  Mathewson,  whose  wife 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1179 

was  Hepsibeth  Mason.  His  ^mother  was  Margaret  Taft.  Mr. 
Mathewson  is  a  farmer.  He  was  married  September  14th,  1851, 
to  Mary  M.,  daughter  of  David  and  Elizabeth  Graves,  and  has 
one  son,  William  T. 

Frank  W.  Medbery,  born  in  1857,  in  Plainfield,  Conn.,  is  a  son 
of  Nathaniel,  whose  father  Nathaniel,  was  a  son  of  Nathaniel 
Medbery.  His  mother  is  Susan  F.,  daughter  of  Sabin  L.  Haw- 
kins. Mr.  Medbery  worked  in  the  market  of  the  Wauregan  Com- 
pany at  Wauregan  eight  years.  In  November,  1881,  he  bought 
the  meat  business  of  J.  P.  Dexter  in  Danielsonville,  which  he 
enlarged,  until  now  he  keeps  a  full  line  of  meats  and  canned 
goods,  doing  a  business  of  about  $1,500  per  month.  He  was 
married  in  1878  to  Nellie  J.  Johnson. 

Esquare  B.  Miller  was  born  in  August,  1827,  in  Killingly, 
Conn.  He  is  a  son  of  Welcome  and  grandson  of  Peter  Miller, 
whose  father  was  a  preacher.  His  mother  was  Elsie  (Bartlett) 
Miller.  Mr.  Miller  was  a  farmer  with  his  father  until  1859,  and 
since  that  time  he  has  been  a  carpenter.  He  came  to  Dayville 
in  1861  and  for  fifteen  years  worked  on  repairs,  both  wood  and 
iron,  for  S.  &  H.  Sayles.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  a  contrac- 
tor and  builder.  He  was  selectman  and  clerk  of  the  board  for 
twelve  years  in  succession.  He  was  married  in  1846  to  Sarah  H.> 
daughter  of  Ephriam  Warren.  She  died  in  May,  1887,  leaving 
five  boys:  Chauncy  T.,  Esquare  J.,  Henry  J.,  Everett  E.  and 
Fred.  L.  They  lost  one  in  infancy,  Daniel  W.  Mr.  Miller  is  a 
republican,  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and 
also  a  member  of  the  Chapter  and  Council. 

Frank  Mitchell  was  born  in  1837  in  Killingly,  Conn.  He  is 
the  oldest  son  of  Ezekiel,  son  of  Abraham,  son  of  Ezekiel,  son  of 
Experience  Mitchell,  who  came  from  England  to  Massachusetts 
in  1649,  and  whose  son,  Ezekiel,  came  to  Killingly  about  1768. 
Mr.  Mitchell  has  worked  in  cotton  mills  since  he  was  eight  and 
one-half  years  old,  with  the  exception  of  five  years  which  he 
spent  in  California.  He  was  overseer  of  weaving  at  Packer- 
ville  eleven  years.  Since  August,  1875,  he  has  been  superin- 
tendent for  the  Whitestone  Manufacturing  Company.  He  was 
married  in  1865  to  Susan  G.  Aynesworth,  who  died  in  July,  1875, 
leaving  one  daughter,  Alice.     Mr.  Mitchell  is  a  republican. 

Orrin  D.  Mitchell,  born  in  1819  in  Killingly,  is  a  son  of  Lott 
and  grandson  of  William  Mitchell.  His  mother  was  Celinda 
Martin.     He  runs  a  grist  mill  on  the  Whetstone  brook,  between 


1180  HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Killingly  Centre  and  East  Killingly,  where  his  father  owned  a 
grist  and  saw  mill  for  many  years.  He  was  married  in  1845  to 
Phoebe,  daughter  of  Joseph  Hammond.  They  have  four  child- 
ren living:  Wesley,  Deloss,  Oliva  and  Adelbert.  They  have 
lost  three:     Marcus  E.,  Lovina  and  Celinda. 

Luke  Monahan,  son  of  Thomas  Monahan,  was  born  in  Ireland, 
came  to  America  in  1850  and  one  year  later  came  to  Almyville, 
in  Plainfield,  where  he  remained  until  1879,  and  for  the  last  five 
years  there  he  was  boss  farmer.  In  May,  1879,  he  came  to 
Danielsonville,  where  he  has  since  been  overseer  of  general  out- 
door work  for  the  Danielsonville  Manufacturing  Company.  He 
married  Ann  Hughes  and  they  have  six  children:  Thomas, 
Michael,  Mary,  Bridget,  James  and  Nellie. 

William  A.  Newton  was  born  in  1834  in  Thompson,  Conn.,  and 
has  resided  in  Killingly  since  1840.  In  1859  he  opened  a  store 
at  East  Killingly,  and  continued  there  until  1862,  when  he  fitted 
up  a  store,  and  moved  his  business  to  the  valley,  one  mile  west, 
where  he  has  since  remained.  He  was  married  in  1854  to  Abbie 
Mowry.  She  died  in  1870,  leaving  two  children,  Melissa  and 
Jennie.  He  was  married  in  1871  to  Esther  Gibson,  daughter  of 
Ira  Gibson  of  Sterling.     He  is  a  democrat. 

Joseph  Oatley,  born  in  1816  in  South  Kingstown,  R.  I.,  is  a 
son  of  Reverend  Jonathan,  whose  father,  Joseph,  was  a  son  of 
Jonathan  Oatley,  who  came  from  England  to  Rhode  Island  in 
1642.  His  mother  was  Amy,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Nancy 
Champlin.  He  came  from  South  Kingstown  with  his  father  to 
East  Killingly  in  1834.  He  is  a  stone  cutter  by  trade,  although 
he  worked  in  cotton  mills  several  years  when  a  young  man.  In 
1843  he  bought  a  granite  ledge  which  he  has  worked  since  that 
time.  He  was  married  in  1838  to  Cyntha,  daughter  of  Moses 
and  Sally  Taft.  They  have  five  children  :  George  W.,  Edward 
R.,  Joseph  F.,  Sarah  E.  and  Alice.  Mr.  Oatley  is  a  democrat, 
and  has  been  a  member  of  East  Killingly  Baptist  church  for 
forty-five  years. 

William  H.  Oatley,  born  in  1824  in  South  Kingstown,  R.  I., 
is  a  son  of  Reverend  Jonathan  Oatley.  He  has  been  working 
at  cotton  manufacturing  since  boyhood.  Since  November,  1877, 
he  has  been  night  watchman  in  Ross'  Mill.  He  has  been  jus- 
tice of  the  peace  twenty  years  in  succession,  and  registrar  of 
voters  since  1872.  He  represented  the  town  in  the  legislature 
of  1872  as  a  republican.     He  has  been  twice  married,  but  has  no 


HISTORY    OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1181 

children.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  East  Killing-ly  Baptist 
church  since  1838,  is  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  & 
A.  M.,  also  a  member  of  the  Chapter  and  Council,  and  a  member 
of  Marvin  Waite  Post,  No.  51,  G.  A.  R.  He  was  in  the  war  of 
the  rebellion  in  Company  K,  7th  Connecticut  volunteers  from 
September,  1861,  to  August  1866;  was  made  drum-major  in 
February,  1862,  which  rank  he  filled  until  the  close  of  the  war. 

Charles  Paine,  born  in  Killingly,  is  the  eldest  son  of  Lewis 
Paine  and  grandson  of  Joseph  Paine.  His  mother  is  Lillis, 
daughter  of  William  Hopkins  and  granddaughter  of  Barnett 
Hopkins,  Mr.  Paine  is  a  farmer,  and  with  his  brother,  Fred- 
erick A.,  runs  the  farm  of  his  father.  Since  April,  1885,  they 
have  run  a  milk  route  in  Danielsonville.  They  take  great 
pride  in  their  stock  and  fowls,  which  are  of  the  best. 

Frederick  A.  Paine,  born  in  Killingly,  is  the  youngest  son 
of  Lewis  and  Lillis  (Hopkins)  Paine,  and  grandson  of  Joseph 
and  Drusilla  (Hopkins)  Paine.  Mr.  Paine's  father  was  in  Cali- 
fornia from  1850  to  1854.  In  1857  he  bought  the  farm  of  200 
acres  where  he  lived  until  his  death  in  April,  1877,  and  since 
that  time  the  two  sons  have  run  the  farm.  Mr.  Paine  is  a  fancier 
of  fine  stock  and  poultry,  of  which  he  has  some  thoroughbred 
specimens.  Mr.  Paine's  father  was  married  in  1855  to  Lillis 
Hopkins,  and  they  had  three  sons:  Charles,  William  H.,  who 
died  in  1877,  and  Frederick  A. 

Christopher  Paine  was  born  in  1816  in  Foster,  R.  L  His  father, 
Joseph  Paine,  came  to  Killingly  from  Rhode  Island  in  1822. 
His  wife  was  Drusilla,  daughter  of  Barnett  Hopkins.  Mr.  Paine 
is  the  only  survivor  of  a  large  family.  He  bought  the  farm 
which  he  now  owns  in  1848,  and  twelve  years  later  built  the 
house  where  he  now  lives.  He  was  married  in  1843  to  Miranda, 
daughter  of  William  Hopkins.  They  have  five  children  living: 
Harriet,  John,  Maria,  Alzaida  and  George.  Mr.  Paine  is  a  re- 
publican, and  a  member  of  the  Advent  church. 

James  A.  Paine,  born  in  1834  in  Massachusetts,  is  the  young- 
est son  of  Ransom  and  grandson  of  Benjamin  Paine.  He  came 
to  East  Killingly  in  1857,  where  he  kept  a  store  for  about  four 
years,  after  which  time  he  established  a  slipper  manufactory, 
which  he  conducted  about  three  years. ^  He  then  sold  the  busi- 
ness and  bought,  in  1864,  the  store  of  A.  M,  Paine,  which  he  has 
run  since  that  time  with  the  exception  of  three  years.  He  was 
married  in  1861  to  Mariette  Mathews.      They  have  two  sons, 


1182  HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

James  M.  and  Almond  M.  In  politics  Mr.  Paine  is  a  repub- 
lican. 

John  A.  Paine,  born  in  1850  in  Woodstock,  Conn.,  is  a  son  of 
Martin  and  grandson  of  Cyril  Paine.  His  mother  was  Lucia, 
daughter  of  Amos  Perrin.  Mr.  Paine  was  bookkeeper  and  sales- 
man for  John  O.  Fox  &  Co.,  of  Putnam,  about  five  years.  In  1877 
he  came  to  Danielsonville  and  in  company  with  John  Daven- 
port bought  the  coal,  lumber,  fertilizer  and  builders'  supplies 
business  of  O.  M.  Capron  &  Son.  In  1880  the  partnership  was 
dissolved  and  the  business  divided,  Mr.  Davenport  taking  the 
coal  business  and  Mr.  Paine  keeping  the  balance,  which  he 
still  continues.  He  was  married  in  1882  to  Fanny,  daughter  of 
Charles  Dorrance.  They  have  three  sons:  Everett  A.,  Arthur 
R.  and  Wallace  M.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
church  and  a  republican. 

Edwin  L.  Palmer,  born  in  1847  in  Griswold,  Conn.,  is  a  son  of 
Asher  and  Joanna  (Ames)  Palmer.  Asher  was  in  the  war  of 
1813.  Mr.  Palmer  established  an  insurance  and  real  estate 
agency  in  Danielsonville  in  1875,  which  he  continued  until  1886. 
In  September  of  that  year  he  sold  the  insurance  business  to  S. 
W,  Crofut,  and  since  that  time  he  has  paid  all  his  attention  to 
real  estate  and  western  land  securities.  He  is  secretary  of  the 
Danielsonville  board  of  trade  and  was  clerk  of  the  borough  from 
1880  to  1887.  He  was  married  in  1871  to  Phcebe  A.  Keach,  who 
died  in  1873.  He  was  married  in  1880  to  Ella  M.  Kennedy. 
They  have  three  children:  Harry  E.,  Gladdis  J.  and  Charlotte. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  and  superintend- 
ent of  the  Sunday  school.  He  is  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge, 
No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Warren  Chapter,  No.  12,  and  Montgomery 
Council,  No.  2. 

Joshua  Perkins  was  born  in  Lisbon,  Conn.  He  is  a  son  of 
Charles,  son  of  Joshua,  son  of  Matthew,  son  of  Joseph,  son  of 
John,  son  of  John  Perkins.  His  mother  was  Betsey  Payne.  Mr. 
Perkins  began  to  learn  dentistry  about  1857,  and  came  to  Dan- 
ielsonville in  1863,  where  he  has  since  practiced.  He  has  con- 
trol of  the  state  for  an  electric  vibrator  for  extracting  teeth. 
He  was  elected  warden  of  the  borough  of  Danielsonville  in  1884, 
1885  and  1886.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  democratic  national 
convention  in  Chicago  in  1884. 

Charles  Phillips,  born  February,  1848,  is  a  son  of  Charles 
Phillips,  who  was  a  cotton  manufacturer.     Mr.  Phillips  was  edu- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1183 

cated  at  the  schools  of  Douglass,  Mass.  He  was  head  clerk  in  a 
store  in  Sutton,  Mass.,  for  nine  years,  then  had  charge  of  one  of 
the  stores  of  B.  B.  &  R.  Knight  in  Rhode  Island  for  one  year, 
coming  from  there  in  the  spring  of  1 875  to  Danielsonville,  where 
he  has  had  general  charge  of  the  store  and  grist  mill  of  the 
Quinebaug  Manufacturing  Compan}^  since  that  time.  He  has 
been  several  years  a  member  of  the  court  of  burgesses  in  the 
borough  of  Danielsonville.  He  was  married  in  April,  1868,  to 
Sarah  M.,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Abbott.  The}^  have  two  boys: 
Charles  A.  and  William  A.  Mr.  Phillips  is  a  republican.  He 
has  been  deacon  of  the  Westfield  Congregational  church  since 
March,  1888. 

Christopher  C.  Pilling,  born  in  1848,  in  Smithfield,  R.  I.,  is  a 
son  of  Reuben  Pilling,  who  came  from  England  about  1844.  His 
mother  was  Ann  Withington.  Mr.  Pilling  began  learning  the 
carpenter's  trade  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  and  with  the  exception 
of  three  years  which  he  devoted  to  painting,  he  has  followed  that 
business  as  a  contractor  and  builder.  He  was  married  in  June, 
1873,  to  Ellen  M.,  daughter  of  Joseph  Wheaton.  They  have  one 
daughter,  Maud  W.,  and  one  that  died,  Bertha  M.  Mr.  Pilling 
is  a  deacon  in  the  Baptist  church  here,  and  has  acted  in  several 
official  capacities  in  the  church,  and  also  in  the  Sunday  school. 
He  is  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Albert  S.  Potter,  son  of  Asa  Potter,  was  born  in  1815  in  Thomp- 
son, Conn.  His  mother  is  Ruth,  daughter  of  Edward  Stafford. 
Mr.  Potter  worked  at  cotton  manufacturing  for  several  years.  In 
1870  he  came  to  Dayville,  and  since  1875  has  been  boss  farmer 
for  the  Sabin  L.  Sayles  Manufacturing  Company.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1838  to  Eliza,  daughter  of  Nathan  Young.  They  had 
four  children:  Emily  A.  (Mrs.  Samuel  Cogswell),  Alonzo  A., 
Frank  W.  (deceased),  and  one  that  died  in  infancy.  His  wife 
died  in  1852.  He  was  married  again  in  1859  to  Mrs.  Almira 
Sweet,  daughter  of  Leonard  Williams.  She  has  practiced  medi- 
cine for  several  years. 

Alfred  Potter,  son  of  Olney  E.,  and  grandson  of  William  Pot- 
ter, was  born  in  1823  in  Foster,  R.  I.  His  mother  was  Orra  (Cole) 
Potter.  Mr.  Potter  came  from  Rhode  Island  to  Killingly  in  1848. 
He  worked  in  the  woolen  mill  of  H.  and  S.  Sa5des  about  ten 
years.  Then  in  company  with  Warren  Potter,  under  the  firm  name 
of  A.  &  W.  Potter,  he  bought  the  Elmville  mill  property,  which 
was  built  by  Jonathan  and  Marvin  Dexter,  and  operated   the 


1184  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

same  until  August,  1874,  when  the  mill  was  destroyed  by  fire. 
The  same  year  the  brick  mill  was  built  in  its  place,  and  the  man- 
ufacture of  fancy  cassimeres  was  continued  until  1883.  The 
property  was  sold  in  1886  to  C.  D.  &  C.  S.  Chase,  and  since  that 
time  Mr.  Potter  has  been  a  farmer.  He  was  married  in  1860  to 
Maria,  daughter  of  Stephen  S.  Pierce,  who  was  a  son  of  Thomas 
Pierce.     Mr.  Potter  built  his  present  residence  in  1872. 

Alonzo  B.  Potter  was  born  in  1832  in  Scituate,  R.  I.  He  is  a 
son  of  Robert  N.,  son  of  Robert,  son  of  Moses,  son  of  Robert,  son 
of  Ralph,  whose  father  John  was  a  son  of  Robert  Potter,  who 
came  to  Rhode  Island  in  1630  and  died  in  1661.  Mr.  Potter  came 
from  Rhode  Island  to  Killingly  in  1849  with  his  father,  who  was 
a  spool  and  bobbin  manufacturer  in  William sville  from  that 
time  until  his  death,  April  26th,  1878.  He  had  charge  of  a  store 
at  Dayville  two  years,  1866-7,  then  was  a  farmer  until  August, 
1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  18th  Connecticut  volun- 
teers, serving  until  July,  1865.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  a 
farmer,  with  the  exception  of  five  years,  when  he  had  charge  of 
the  Williamsville  store.  He  was  married  in  1854  to  Lucy  A., 
daughter  of  Lawton  Wade.  They  have  one  daughter,  Alice  J. 
(Mrs.  F.  W.  Young,  of  Providence).  Mr.  Potter  is  a  republican, 
and  a  member  of  Williamsville  Congregational  church. 

Minnie  N.  Potter  is  a  daughter  of  Robert  Nelson  and  Rhoda 
(Parker)  Potter,  the  latter  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Parker.  She  is 
a  sister  of  Alonzo  B.  Potter,  mentioned  above.  Miss  Potter  lives 
in  the  house  where  her  father  lived  from  1849  until  his  death  in 
1878.  Her  mother  died  in  August,  1887.  Robert  N.  Potter  was 
a  captain  in  the  Dorr  rebellion  of  Rhode  Island,  and  afterward 
was  made  colonel  in  the  state  militia. 

Charles  T.  Preston  was  born  in  1848  in  Killingly,  Conn.  He 
is  a  son  of  Charles,  born  in  1804,  son  of  Levi,  son  of  Daniel,  a  son 
of  Levi  Preston,  who  was  a  Scotchman.  His  mother  is  Eliza  A., 
daughter  of  George  Tyler.  Charles  T.  is  a  house  painter  by 
trade.  He  was  on  the  board  of  assessors  two  terms,  and  repre- 
sented the  town  in  the  general  assembly  in  1884  as  a  democrat. 
Mr,  Preston's  father  was  married  to  Eliza  A.  Tyler.  They  have 
three  children  living:  Lamira,  Emeline  F.  and  Charles  T.  Mr. 
Preston  is  a  farmer.  He  lives  on  the  Spaulding  homestead  on 
"Horse  Hill."  He  taught  school  several  terms  when  a  young 
man.  He  was  representative  in  1846,  and  has  been  justice  and 
selectman. 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1185 

Frank  T.  Preston,  son  of  Enos  L.  Preston,  was  born  in  1853 
in  Brooklyn.  He  is  a  jeweler  and  watchmaker  by  trade.  He 
came  to  this  town  in  1879,  and  November  3d,  1881,  the  firm  of 
Preston  &  Carpenter  was  established.  They  bought  the  busi- 
ness of  Amasa  Dowe,  which  they  still  conduct.  Mr.  Preston  was 
elected  town  treasurer  October  5th,  1885,  and  on  the  22d  of  the 
same  month  was  appointed  town  clerk,  which  offices  he  has  held 
since  that  time.  He  is  president  of  the  People's  Library  Asso- 
ciation, treasurer  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Warren 
Chapter,  No.  12,  and  of  Montgomery  Council,  No. -2.  He  was 
married  in  1885  to  F.  Myrtle  Chase.  They  have  one  daughter, 
Florence  C.  Mr.  Preston  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  a 
deacon,  and  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school. 

Albert  D.  Putnam,  born  in  1852  in  Brooklyn,  Conn.,  is  a  son  of 
William  H.  Putnam,  and  is  the  fourth  generation  removed  from 
General  Putnam.  Mr.  Putnam's  early  education  was  in  the 
schools  of  Brooklyn  and  Danielsonville,  and  later  he  attended 
the  state  Normal  school.  He  taught  school  for  eight  consecu- 
tive winters.  He  was  a  farmer  until  1888,  and  since  that  time 
has  lived  in  Danielsonville,  where  he  intends  to  engage  in  mer- 
cantile business  as  soon  as  his  health  will  permit.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  December,  1876,  to  Harriet,  daughter  of  Charles  and 
Janette  (Sharp)  Dorrance.  They  have  three  children:  William 
H.,  Sarah  J.  and  Eliza  D.  Mr.  Putnam  is  a  member  of  the  Epis- 
copal church,  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M., 
and  a  member  of  Brooklyn  Grange,  No.  43,  P.  of  H. 

Royal  C.  Rawson,  born  in  1850  in  Brooklyn,  Conn.,  is  a  son  of 
Daniel  C,  and  grandson  of  Reverend  Nathaniel  Rawson.  His 
mother  is  Eliza  Copeland.  Mr.  Rawson  is  a  farmer.  He  came 
to  Danielsonville  in  December,  1877,  where  he  runs  a  milk 
route.  He  was  married  January  1st,  1878,  to  Emily  Martin,  and 
has  two  sons — George  R.  and  Walter  A.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Congregational  church  and  a  republican. 

Nelson  M.  Reynolds,  born  in  1833  in  Glocester,  R.  L,  is  a  son 
of  Orrin,  and  grandson  of  James  Reynolds.  He  is  a  m^son  by 
trade.  In  September,  1868,  he  established  a  general  store  at 
East  Killingly,  which  he  still  operates.  He  has  been  postmaster 
at  East  Killingly  since  October,  1885,  has  been  assessor,  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  relief,  selectman,  and  registrar  of  voters. 
He  is  a  democrat.  He  was  married  January  1st,  1857,  to  Julia 
A.,  daughter  of  John  White. 

75 


1186  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Arnold  P.  Rich  was  born  in  1858  in  Killingly.  He  is  a  son 
of  Alfred,  whose  father,  Rufus,  was  a  son  of  David  Rich.  His 
mother  was  Alma  A.,  daughter  of  Mowry  P.  Arnold,  M.  D.  He 
was  educated  at  the  schools  of  East  Killingly  and  Danielson- 
ville,  and  has  taught  school  continuously  since  1881.  He  was 
married  in  1885  to  Emma  L.,  daughter  of  Charles  A.  Potter,  son 
of  Stephen  H.  Potter.  Her  mother  is  Phoebe  A.,  daughter  of 
Israel  Chase.  Mrs.  Rich  is  also  a  teacher.  Mr.  Rich  is  a  member 
of  the  Free  Will  Baptist  church  of  East  Killingly. 

Sabin  L.  Sayles  was  born  in  Pascoag,  R.  I.,  February  8th, 
1827.  He  is  a  son  of  Nicholas  Sayles,  who  was  for  many  years  a 
manufacturer  of  farming  implements  in  Pascoag,  R.  I.  Mr. 
Sayles  received  only  a  common  school  education.  He  entered  a 
woolen  mill  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  and  about  one  year  later 
entered  his  father's  factory,  where  he  served  three  years.  He 
came  to  Killingly  in  1853,  and  five  years  later  to  Day  ville,  where 
Mr.  Sayles'  residence  now  is.  Since  being  in  Connecticut  he 
has  been  connected  with  manufacturing,  which  is  mentioned 
elsewhere.  He  was  on  the  electoral  ticket  of  Connecticut  in 
1864,  and  he  was  delegate  to  the  national  republican  conventions 
of  1868  and  1872.  In  1870  he  was  on  Governor  Jewell's  staff 
with  rank  of  colonel,  and  as  a  republican  he  has  exerted  a  wide 
influence. 

William  H.  Sayles,  born  March  10th,  1841,  is  a  son  of  Harris 
C.  Sayles,  who,  in  company  with  A.  Potter,  took  up  a  mill  privi- 
lege west  of  Elmville,  where  a  shoddy  mill  was  built  and  run 
for  a  short  time.  Then  Mr.  Sayles  bought  Mr.  Potter's  interest 
and  increased  the  business,  and  later  began  the  manufacture  of 
satinet  goods.  W.  H.  Sayles  then  took  the  business  and  con- 
ducted it  about  ten  years,  changing  the  production  in  the  mean- 
time from  satinets  to  fancy  cassimeres.  Since  1880  he  has  rented 
the  mill  and  machinery  to  T.  E.  Hopkins.  He  was  married  in 
1863  to  Phoebe  S.,  daughter  of  James  S.  Cook,  of  Burrillville,  R.  I. 
They  have  two  sons,  James  H.  and  Walter  E.  Mr.  Sayles  is  a 
member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  a  member  of 
John  Lyon  Lodge,  No.  45,  K.  of  P. 

Frank  U.  Scofield,  born  in  Killingly  in  1858,  is  a  son  of  U.  B. 
Scofield,  who  came  from  New  York  to  Killingly  about  thirty 
years  ago.  His  mother  is  Abbie  J.  Young.  Mr.  Scofield  is  a 
printer.  He  worked  on  The  Transcript  for  J.  Q.  A.  Stone  nine 
years.     Since  March,  1882,  he  has  been  in  the  job  printing  busi- 


HISTORY   OF  WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1187 

ness  in  Danielsonville.  He  built  a  residence  on  Cottage  street 
in  1381,  where  he  now  resides.  He  has  been  steward  in  the 
Danielsonville  Methodist  Episcopal  church  four  years,  and  Sun- 
day school  superintendent  two  years.  He  was  married  in  1882 
to  Ina  W.,  daughter  of  Daniel  Main.  He  is  a  member  of  ^tna 
Lodge,  No.  21,  A.  O.  U.  W. 

A.  G.  Scranton,  born  May  18th,  1833,  is  a  son  of  Samuel  and 
grandson  of  Fones  Scranton.  He  is  a  painter  by  trade,  having 
followed  the  business  here  about  twenty  years.  He  enlisted  in 
August,  1862,  in  Company  K,  18th  Connecticut  volunteers,  and 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war  as  second  lieutenant.  In  1880 
he  bought  the  marble  and  granite  works  of  William  P.  Adams' 
estate,  which  business  he  has  since  conducted.  He  was  married 
in  1857  to  Elizabeth  Macomber,  who  died  in  1886.  They  had  two 
children:  Fannie  M.  (Mrs.  George  L.  Wilson,  of  St.  Paul,  Minn.) 
and  Samuel  (d-eceased).  Mr.  Scranton  is  a  democrat,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Job  F.  Seamans  was  born  in  1846  in  Scituate,  R.  I.  He  is  a 
son  of  Silas,  whose  father,  Job,  was  a  son  of  Thomas  Seamans. 
His  mother  was  Alvira,  daughter  of  Joseph  Cole.  Mr.  Seamans 
is  a  shoe  manufacturer.  His  father  started  a  shoe  factory  in 
East  Killingly,  which  he  conducted  until  his  death  in  ]  883,  un- 
der the  firm  name  of  S.  Seamans  &  Son.  Since  1883  the  firm  has 
been  J.  F.  Seamans  &  Co.  In  1887  the  business  was  moved  to 
Mechanic  street,  Danielsonville,  where  it  is  still  running,  with 
from  eighteen  to  twenty  hands.  Mr.  Seamans  was  a  member  of 
the  legislature  in  1878,  and  again  in  1886.  He  was  married  in 
1869  to  Rosa,  daughter  of  Frank  McGrindy.  They  have  two 
daughters,  Nora  F.  and  Ellie.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Congre- 
gational church,  a  republican,  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No. 
15,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  a  prominent  member  of  the  order. 

Albert  E.  Shippee,  born  in  1844  in  Foster,  R.  I.,  is  a  son  of 
Philip  and  grandson  of  Anthony  Shippee.  His  mother  was  Dor- 
cas, daughter  of  Caleb  Simmons.  Mr.  Shippee  came  from  Rhode 
Island  to  Williamsville  in  1859,  and  with  the  exception  of  a  few 
years  he  has  worked  for  the  Williamsville  Manufacturing  Corh- 
pany,  having  been  for  seventeen  years  overseer  of  spinning.  He 
was  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion  from  December,  1863,  to  October, 
1865,  in  Company  D,  1st  Connecticut  volunteers,  and  was  pro- 
moted from  private  to  sergeant  in  April,  1864.  He  was  married 
in  1863  to  Fannie  Keene,  and  has  one  daughter.     He  is  a  member 


1188  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

of  McGregor  Post,  No.  27,  G.  A.  R.  He  started  a  livery  stable 
in  1873,  which  he  still  runs. 

Willis  H.  Shippee,  Jr.,  born  in  1864,  is  a  son  of  Willis  H.  and 
grandson  of  Robert,  whose  father,  Willard,  was  a  son  of  Esek 
Shippee.  His  mother,  Laura,  is  a  daughter  of  Lebbeus  Graves, 
son  of  David,  son  of  Eseker,  son  of  Lebbeus  Graves.  Willis  H., 
Jr.,  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Killingly,  took  a  commercial 
course  at  Eastman's  College  and  has  since  been  a  teacher.  He 
was  married  in  December,  1885,  to  Ida  C.,  daughter  of  Cyrus 
Mitchell,  son  of  Zebedee,  son  of  William,  son  of  Zebedee  Mit- 
chell. 

Daniel  S.  Shumway,  born  in  1809  in  Killingly,  is  a  son  of 
Noah  and  grandson  of  Peter  Shumway.  His  mother  was  Lucy, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Dyke.  Mr.  Shumway  resided  in  Burrill- 
ville,  R.  L,  from  the  age  of  four  years  until  1870,  when  he  re- 
turned to  Killingly,  where  he  was  station  agent  at  Dayville  for 
twelve  years  for  the  Norwich  &  Worcester  railroad.  Since  1882 
he  has  lived  retired.  He  was  married  in  1839  to  M.  Rebecca, 
daughter  of  Samuel  Stiness,  a  sea  captain,  who  was  born  in  1775 
and  died  in  1816.  She  died  in  1864,  leaving  five  children:  Henry 
H.,  James  D.,  Sarah  S.  (Mrs.  Benjamin  Cogswell),  Mary  D.  (now 
the  widow  of  John  Stokes)  and  Rebecca  L. 

Almeda  Simmons  is  a  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Nancy  (Law) 
Smith,  the  latter  a  daughter  of  George  Law.  She  is  a  grand- 
daughter of  Jeremiah  and  Joanna  (Wilkinson)  Smith.  She  mar- 
ried William  Simmons,  a  son  of  Robert  Simmons.  He  was  a 
farmer  and  stone  cutter,  living  in  Foster,  R.  L,  until  his  death. 
Since  1884  Mrs.  Simmons  has  lived  at  East  Killingly. 

Alfred  N.  Smith  was  born  in  1856  in  Columbus,  Ga.  He  is  a 
son  of  Benoni,  whose  father,  John,  was  a  son  of  Doctor  John 
Smith.  His  mother  was  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Silas  Bailey.  Mr. 
Smith  worked  in  a  store  in  Plainfield  about  four  years.  He  came 
to  Danielsonville  and  bought  a  residence  in  1887,  and  fitted  up 
one  part  for  a  store,  where  he  does  a  general  grocery  and  flour, 
feed  and  grain  business.  He  was  married  in  1881  to  Hattie, 
daughter  of  A.  H.  Bennett,  of  Canterbury.  They  have  one 
daughter,  Susie  B.  Mr.  Smith  is  a  republican  and  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  church  of  Danielsonville. 

Russell  F.  Smith,  born  in  1860  in  Killingly,  is  the  youngest 
son  of  John  and  grandson  of  John  Smith.  His  mother  was  Su- 
san, daughter  of  Henry  Fenner.     He  was  for  seven  years  sales- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.         ^  1189 

man  in  the  Attawaugan  store,  and  for  the  last  year  he  has  been 
travelling  salesman  for  a  bakery  firm  of  Hartford.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1882  to  Carrie,  daughter  of  William  Tarbox.  He  is  a 
member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Henry  Sparks  was  born  in  1812  in  Killingly.  He  is  a  son  of 
Henry  W.,  who  was  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  died  in  1886,  aged  94 
years.  He  was  the  son  of  John  and  grandson  of  Samuel  Sparks. 
The  mother  of  Henry  was  Lois,  daughter  of  Abner  Dsij.  Mr. 
Sparks  is  a  farmer  and  has  lived  in  the  house  that  he  now  occu- 
pies since  1815.  He  was  married  in  1838  to  Lydia  Ann,  daugh- 
ter of  Jonathan  and  Loraina  (Sparks)  Aldrich.  They  have 
twelve  children  :  Mary  A.,  William  H.  H.,  Charlotta  A.,  Lois  D., 
Cassius  M.  C,  Cassius  M.,  John  Q.  A.,  Lurena  B.,  Laura  R.,  Ju- 
lius A.,  Lilla  N.  and  George  W.  I,  Mr.  Sparks  is  a  republi- 
can. 

P.  H.  Sprague,  born  in  1832  in  Scotland,  Conn.,  is  a  son  of 
William  B.  and  Joanna  (Hutchins)  Sprague,  grandson  of  Sam- 
uel and  Ruhama  (Borden)  Sprague,  and  great-grandson  of  Daniel 
and  Selah  (Wadsworth)  Sprague.  His  great-great-grandparents 
were  Thomas  and  Susanna  Sprague.  According  to  the  records, 
she  joined  the  South  Killingly  church  in  1776.  Mr.  Sprague's 
mother,  Joanna,  was  a  daughter  of  Penuel  Hutchins,  M.  D.,  a  son 
of  Ezra,  whose  father,  John,  was  a  son  of  Nicholas  Hutchins, 
who  came  from  England  to  Groton,  Mass.,  in  1670.  Mr.  Sprague 
has  been  a  carpenter  for  about  thirty  years.  He  was  married  in 
1871  to  Lora  J.,  daughter  of  John  Mahrs.  He  is  a  republican,  a 
member  of  the  Westfield  Congregational  church,  and  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  order. 

Clara  B.  Stokes  is  a  daughter  of  John  Stokes,  who  was  born 
in  Wiltshire,  England,  in  1817,  came  to  Providence,  R.  L,  in 
1848,  and  thence  to  Pascoag,  R.  I.,  where  he  worked  for  a  man- 
ufacturing company  for  seventeen  years.  He  came  from  there 
to  Dayville  in  January,  1866,  where  for  about  ten  years  he  was 
in  the  employ  of  the  Sayles  Manufacturing  Company.  He  was 
married  in  1836  to  Phebe,  daughter  of  John  Gregory.  The 
names  of  their  seven  living  children  are:  Ann  (Mrs.  Robert 
Kershaw),  Elizabeth  (Mrs.  E.  K.  Spaulding),  Sarah  J.  (Mrs.  H. 
Hanks),  Fannie  (Mrs.  A.  P.  Bennett),  Emeline  (Mrs.  L  L,  Blanch- 
ard),  Charlotte  A.  (Mrs.  Dr.  A.  E.  Darling)  and  Clara  B.  Stokes. 
They  lost  seven  children:  John,  Elizabeth,  Maria,  Elnora,  Mary 
E.,  Lillian  M.  and  Lily  E.  Miss  Stokes  is  an  enthusiastic  tem- 
perance worker,  as  is  also  her  father. 


1190  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Joseph  W.  Stone  was  born  in  November,  1830,  in  Massachu- 
setts. He  is  a  son  of  Reverend  George,  whose  father,  Joseph, 
was  a  son  of  George  Stone.  His  mother  was  Olive,  daugh- 
ter of  George  and  Betsey  (Adams)  Cundall,  of  Brooklyn,  Conn. 
Mr.  Stone  is  a  harness  maker  by  trade.  He  had  charge  of  the 
harness  department  of  L.  M.  Dean's  works  at  Woodstock  for 
eighteen  years  prior  to  1871.  At  that  time  he  came  to  Daniel- 
sonville  and  established  a  harness  store,  which  he  has  since  con- 
ducted. He  has  been  justice  since  1878.  He  was  married  in 
1852  to  Caroline  A.  Leach,  of  Putnam.  Conn.  They  have  one 
son,  George  M.,and  one  daughter  that  died— Ella  C.  Mr.  Stone 
has  been  a  deacon  of  the  Congregational  church  about  ten 
years. 

Warren  Taft  was  born  in  1817  in  Burrillville,  R.  I.  He  is  the 
oldest  son  of  Moses,  whose  father,  Moses,  was  a  son  of  Myaman 
Taft.  His  mother  was  Sally  (Ballard)  Taft.  He  is  a  carpenter 
by  trade.  He  came  from  Rhode  Island  to  East  Killingly  in  1843, 
where  he  has  lived  since  that  time.  He  had  charge  of  the 
building  of  the  Whitestone  Cotton  Mill,  in  1856,  and  had  charge 
of  repairs  there  until  1870.  In  September  of  that  year  he  was 
made  superintendent  of  the  Ross  Mill,  where  he  continued  until 
August,  1886,  and  since  that  time  he  has  been  a  farmer.  Me 
was  married  in  1840  to  Almira,  daughter  of  Reverend  Jonathan 
Oatley.  They  have  two  daughters:  Almira  E.  and  Mary  J.  Mr. 
Taft  is  a  republican. 

Israel  G.  Tefft,  born  in  1823  in  Exeter,  R.  I.,  is  a  son  of  Jona- 
than, and  grandson  of  Sprague  Tefft.  His  mother  was  Mary, 
daughter  of  Israel  Gates.  Mr.  Tefft  is  a  farmer.  In  1850  he 
went  from  Exeter,  R.  I.,  to  Norwich,  Conn.,  where  he  was  a 
farmer  until  1874,  when  he  removed  to  Danielsonville  and  has 
been  engaged  in  gardening  and  small  fruit  raising.  Mr.  Tefft 
was  deacon  of  the  Baptist  church  of  Baltic  about  fifteen  years. 
He  has  been  deacon  of  the  Danielsonville  Baptist  church  about 
thirteen  years.  He  was  married  in  1846  to  Elcea  M.  Wilcox. 
They  had  three  children  :  Mathew  and  Susan  (twins,  deceased), 
and  William  J.  Mrs.  Tefft  died  in  1871,  and  one  year  later  Mr. 
Tefft  was  married  to  Mrs.  Sarah  Grant.  Mr.  Tefft  is  a  staunch 
prohibitionist  and  an  ardent  worker  in  the  temperance  cause. 

Hugh  Thompson,  born  in  1852,  is  a  son  of  James  and  Mary  J. 
Thompson,  and  grandson  of  William  Thompson.  He  was  for 
several  years  with  S.  &  H.  vSayles,  and  has  been  with  T.  E.  Hop- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1191 

kins  since  1881.  Since  October,  1886,  he  has  been  overseer 
of  weaving.  He  was  married  in  July,  1872,  to  Almira  M.,  daugh- 
ter of  Cyrus  Mitchelh  They  have  five  children:  Albert,  Charles, 
Martha  J.,  Benjamin  and  Ernest.  Mr.  Thompson  is  a  member 
of  St.  Alban's  church  of  Danielsonville,  and  a  member  of  John 
Lyon  Lodge,  No.  45,  K.  of  P. 

William  H.  Tyler,  born  in  1848  in  Middleton,  Mass.,  is  the 
son  of  Allison  and  Abigail  (Wilkins)  Tyler.  In  February, 
1869,  Mr.  Tyler  came  to  Danielsonville,  where  he  had  charge  of 
the  stitching  department  of  the  shoe  factory  of  Abner  Young 
for  four  years.  He  was  afterward  clerk  for  the  James  Brothers 
for  eight  years.  He  had  charge  of  the  "  Moss  Mills  "  store  of 
Putnam  for  about  six  years.  In  April,  1887,  he  opened  a  grocery 
store  on  Furnace  street,  which  he  has  run  since  that  time.  He 
was  married  in  June,  1879,  to  Lucinda  M.,  daughter  of  Ezra  Al- 
len. They  have  one  son,  Harry  D.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Dan- 
ielsonville Baptist  church  and  a  republican. 

Isaac  Wade,  born  in  1818  in  Rhode  Island,  is  the  youngest  son 
of  Charles,  whose  father  Isaac,  was  a  son  of  Nathaniel  Wade. 
His  mother  was  Sarah,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Pray.  He  was  a 
cotton  mill  operative  for  about  forty  years,  and  for  the  last  ten 
years  has  been  a  farmer.  He  was  married  in  1841  to  Sylvia 
Young,  who  died  leaving  four  children:  Emily,  Otis,  Clovis  and 
Charles.  He  was  married  again  to  Juliette  Edson  in  1863.  They 
have  four  children:  John,  Fred,  Nancy  and  Maud.  Mr.  Wade 
is  a  prohibitionist  and  a  member  of  East  Killingly  Baptist 
church. 

John  Waldo,  born  in  1826  in  Canterbury,  Conn.,  is  a  son  of 
Rufus,  and  grandson  of  John  E.  Waldo.  His  mother  was  Har- 
riet, daughter  of  Simon  Shepard.  Mr.  Waldo  was  brought  up 
on  a  farm  with  his  father.  He  taught  school  eight  winters. 
About  1852,  in  company  with  his  brother  Simon  S.,  he  went  into 
a  variety  store  in  Danielsonville.  In  1861  they  built  a  new 
block  on  the  same  site  where  their  old  store  stood.  Since  1870 
they  have  dealt  principally  in  flour  and  grain.  Mr!  Waldo  was 
a  member  of  the  legislature  in  1884.  He  was  married  in  1846 
to  Lydia,  daughter  of  Elijah  Rathbon.  He  has  been  a  director 
in  the  Windham  County  National  Bank  for  about  twenty  years, 
and  a  deacon  in  the  Congregational  church  about  thirty  years. 
He  is  a  republican. 


1192  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

Anthony  D.  Warren  was  born  in  1820.  He  is  a  son  of  Dyer, 
whose  father  Eleazar,  was  born  in  1760,  and  bore  the  same  name 
as  his  father,  who  was  representative  in  the  general  assembl}' 
in  1775.  He  was  the  son  of  Eleazar,  and  grandson  of  Ephraim 
Warren,  who  died  in  1747,  and  was  buried  on  Breakneck  hill,  in 
Killingly.  Mr.  Warren  followed  teaching  as  a  profession  until 
1856,  and  since  that  time  he  has  been  a  farmer.  He  was  on  the 
school  committee  three  years,  and  selectman  seven  years,  as  a 
republican. 

Lysander  Warren,  born  in  1815  in  Killingly,  is  a  son  of  Dyer 
and  Minerva  (Durfee)  Warren.  Mr,  Warren  is  a  farmer.  He 
came  from  Killingly  Centre  to  his  present  residence  in  1847, 
He  has  been  on  the  school  board  about  thirty  years,  and  justice 
for  about  the  same  length  of  time.  He  was  representative  in 
the  legislature  in  1858,  1868  and  1878.  He  was  married  in  1844 
to  Marcia,  daughter  of  James  Mason.  They  have. one  daughter 
living,  Angle  V.,  now  Mrs.  Charles  A.  Perkins,  and  two  that 
died,  Josephine  and  Emma.     He  is  a  republican. 

Edward  L.  Warren  was  born  m  1824  in  Killingly.  He  is  a 
son  of  Artemas,  and  grandson  of  Eleazar.  His  mother  was  Sarah 
Cleveland.  Mr.  Warren  is  the  youngest  of  six  children.  He  is 
a  farmer,  owning  and  occupying  a  farm  that  has  been  in  the 
Warren  family  for  several  generations.  .  He  built  the  house 
where  he  now  lives  in  1873.  He  was  married  in  1844  to  Lucre tia, 
daughter  of  Jonathan  Parkhurst.  They  have  five  children: 
Lewis  J.,  Lucius  A.,  Frank  P.,  Henry  C.  and  Anna  L.  Mr.  War- 
ren is  a  democrat. 

Frank  P.  Warren,  born  in  1852,  is  a  son  of  E.  L.  Warren.  His 
education  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  of  the  town.  He 
is  a  farmer,  although  he  has  paid  considerable  attention  to  the 
wood  and  lumber  business.  He  was  three  years  selectman,  and 
in  1884  was  representative  in  the  legislature.  He  was  married 
in  1879  to  Rose,  daughter  of  William  Ross.  They  have  one  son, 
Ernest  R. 

Henry  C.  Warren,  born  in  1855  in  Killingly,  is  a  son  of  E.  L. 
Warren.  He  was  educated  at  Danielsonville  high  school.  His 
musical  education  was  principally  with  H.  L,  Aynesworth,  of 
Worcester.  He  began  to  teach  music  in  1874,  and  has  from  fifty 
to  seventy  pupils.  He  was  married  March  18th,  1879,  to  Emma 
E.,  daughter  of  Willard  Barber,  and  has  one  son,  Edmund  L. 
He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  First  Baptist  church  of  Dan- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1193 

ielsonville,  and  he  is  a  member  of  y5^^tna  Lodge,  No.  21,  A.  O. 
U.  W. 

Joseph  W.  Warren,  born  May,  1844,  is  the  eldest  son  of  Lester 
R.,  whose  father,  Ephraim,  was  a  son  of  Ephraim  Warren.  His 
mother  was  Tabitha  E.,  daughter  of  Joseph  Arnold.  He  was  ed- 
ucated at  the  public  schools  of  the  town  of  Killingly,  and  has 
taught  school  since  1870.  He  was  married  in  1870  to  Isabelle  M., 
daughter  of  Jonathan  Young.  They  have  two  children,  Eva  L. 
and  Milton  S.  Mr.  Warren  is  a  republican  and  a  member  of  the 
East  Killingly  Free  Will  Baptist  church. 

Daniel  R.  Weaver  was  born  in  1814  in  Coventry,  R.  L  He  is 
the  only  surviving  son  of  Joseph,  whose  father,  Jonathan,  was  a 
son  of  Joseph  Weaver.  His  mother  was  Anna  Greene,  and  his 
grandmother  wa^'  Elsie  (Weaver)  Weaver.  Mr.  Weaver  is  a 
farmer.  He  came  from  Coventry,  R.  L,  to  Killingly  in  1862. 
He  was  married  in  1837  to  Betsey  A.  Austin.  She  died  leaving 
one  son,  Charles  H.,  of  California.  He  was  married  a  second 
time  October  7th,  1879,  to  Phoebe,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Tilling- 
hast,  of  West  Greenwich,  R.  L,  and  granddaughter  of  Ben- 
jamin Tillinghast.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Free  Will  Baptist 
church,  and  a  republican. 

George  Warren  Webster,  born  in  April,  1832,  in  Pomfret, 
is  the  eldest  son  of  Ezekiel,  who  was  born  in  1805  and  died 
in  1868,  grandson  of  John  and  Sarah  (Pease)  Webster,  and 
great-grandson  of  John  Webster,  who  went  from  Massachusetts 
to  Maine,  where  most  of  the  family  now  live.  His  mother 
was  Esther  (Cudworth)  Webster.  Mr.  Webster  was  educated 
in  district  and  select  schools.  He  came  to  Dayville  with  his 
father  in  1842,  his  father  having  built  the  Dayville  Hotel 
prior  to  that  time.  He  started  an  axe  and  pick  handle  factory 
here  about  1860,  and  a  short  time  later  began  to  deal  in  lumber, 
coal  and  grain,  which  business  he  still  continues.  He  took 
charge  of  the  Killingly  post  office  January  25th,  1886,  having 
been  appointed  the  September  previous.  He  was  married  to 
Nancy  Sabin,  who  died  in  1856.  He  married  for  his  second  wife 
Ellen  L.,  daughter  of  Horace  Woodard.  She  died  in  1879,  leav- 
ing one  son,  George  W.,  Jr.  He  was  married  again  in  1879  to  a 
daughter  of  Chester  Carder.  He  is  a  prominent  Mason,  having 
attained  to  the  degree  of  knight. 

John  E.  Webster,  brother  of  George  W.  Webster  mentioned 
above,  was  born  in  1840.     He  was  an   iron    broker  in   Hartford 


1194  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

from  1865  to  1883,  and  since  that  time  he  has  lived  at  Dayville, 
where  he  owns  and  operates  a  small  farm.  He  was  married  in 
1864  to  Amanda  E.,  daughter  of  George  Eddy,  who  was  a  son  of 
Amasa  Eddy,  who  was  a  nominee  for  lieutenant  governor  of 
Rhode  Island  in  1842,  with  Thomas  W.  Dorr  for  governor.  His 
mother  was  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Captain  Smith  Mowry,  of 
Rhode  Island.  They  have  four  children:  John  E.,  Jr.,  Lillian  E., 
Mary  E.  and  Alice  B.  He  is  a  member  of  Moriah  Lodge,  No. 
15,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  also  member  of  Washington  Commandery, 
No.  1,  of  Hartford. 

John  Welch,  son  of  Martin  Welch,  was  born  in  1817  in  Ireland, 
and  came  from  there  to  Killingly  about  1848,  where  he  has  since 
lived.  Since  1880  he  and  his  son  Louis  have  kept  a  livery  and 
teaming  stable  at  Attawaugan.  He  was  married  in  1852  to  Eliz- 
abeth Wright,  who  died  leaving  two  children — William  and 
Mary  Ann.  He  was  married  again  in  1862  to  Sarah  Cassidy. 
They  have  one  son — Louis  T.     Mr.  Welch  is  a  democrat. 

Ludentia  A.  Weld  and  Harriet  N.  Whitmore  were  born  in 
Killingly.  They  are  daughters  of  Reverend  Roswell  Whitmore, 
who  was  born  in  1787  in  Ashford,  He  was  pastor  of  the  Con- 
gregational church  of  Westfield  from  1813  to  1843,  and  after- 
ward was  pastor  of  a  branch  of  the  same  church  at  Dayville 
eight  years.  He  was  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Hannah  (Brown)  Whit- 
more. Mr.  Whitmore  was  married  November  4th,  1813,  to  Avis, 
daughter  of  Shubael  Hutchins.  They  had  four  daughters: 
Frances  M.  and  Abbie  R.,  deceased;  and  Harriet  N.  and  Luden- 
tia A.,  who  now  live  in  the  same  house  where  their  parents  be- 
gan housekeeping  and  lived  the  most  of  their  lives.  Ludentia 
A.  was  married  in  1838  to  S.  L.  Weld.  They  had  two  children, 
Roswell  W.,  of  Chicago,  and  Harriet  F.  (Mrs.  Reverend  Joseph 
Danielson).  Mr.  Weld  died  in  1865.  He  was  teacher  of  a  select 
school  for  about  twenty  years.  He  was  a  deacon  of  the  Congre- 
gational church. 

David  B.  Wheaton. — Lucas  Wheaton,  of  Swansea,  Mass.,  was 
the  father  of  Resolved  Wheaton,  who  with  his  wife  Zerviah 
(Buck)  Wheaton,  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  north  part  of  the  town, 
where  the  family  now  lives,  at  which  place  their  youngest  son, 
David  B.,  was  born  in  1810.  He  married  in  1834,  Almira  J., 
daughter  of  James  Pratt.  They  had  six  children:  George 
Henry,  Sarah  J.,  Sabra  W.,  Lucy  A.,  and  two  that  died — George 
R.  and  Lucas  R.      George  Henry  is  a  carpenter  by  trade,  al- 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1195 

though  he  spends  a  part  of  each  year  working  on  the  farm  with 
his  father.  Sarah  J.  is  a  teacher,  having  taught  fifty-two  terms 
of  school. 

William  H.  Williams  was  born  in  1846  in  Foster,  R.  I.  He  is 
a  son  of  Henry  D.  and  grandson  of  Xerxes,  whose  father.  Squire 
Williams,  was  great-grandson  of  Roger  Williams.  His  mother 
was  Lovina,  daughter  of  Robert  Simmons.  Mr.  Williams  is  a 
miller,  and  was  seven  years  in  the  Attawaugan  grist  mill.  In 
December,  1879,  he  came  to  Danielsonville,  where  he  has  since 
run  the  grist  mill  for  the  Ouinebaug  Manufacturing  Company. 
He  built  a  fine  residence  on  Maple  street,  in  Danielsonville,  in 
1884.  He  was  married  in  1874  to  Lydia  A.,  daughter  of  Lucius 
and  Sabra  (Bowen)  Horton.  They  have  two  sons:  Charles  W. 
and  Lucius  B.     Mr.  Williams  is  a  prohibitionist. 

Bertha  L.  Wilson  is  the  only  daughter  of  Seth  Wilson,  who 
was  a  son  of  Zadeck  and  Ann  (Robinson)  Wilson,  the  latter  a 
daughter  of  Seth  Robinson.  Seth  Wilson  married  Emily  Curtis, 
whr  died  shortly  after.  He  later  married  Ellen  M.  Lee,  who 
was  the  mother  of  his  two  children:  George  L.,  now  a  resident 
of  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  and  Bertha  L.  Seth  was  a  farmer  and  owned 
and  occupied  the  homestead  where  his  father  settled  about  1815. 
He  died  in  1864,  and  Ellen  M.,  his  wife,  died  in  1883. 

Wesley  Wilson  was  born  August  26th,  1844,  in  Eastford,  Conn. 
He  is  a  son  of  Orrin,  who  was  the  youngest  son  of  Charles  Wil- 
son. His  mother  is  Amanda  Havens.  Mr.  Wilson  began  in  the 
mercantile  business  in  1867  in^Putnam,  as  salesman  for  J.  W. 
Manning,  where  he  remained  about  fourteen  years.  He  was 
then  six  years  bookkeeper  for  the  Quinebaug  store  in  Daniel- 
sonville. In  1887  he  took  charge  of  two  stores  for  the  Attawau- 
gan Manufacturing  Com^pany  where  he  now  is.  He  was  married 
in  1868  to  Emily  E.  Briggs.  They  have  one  daughter,  Nellie  A. 
Mr.  Wilson  is  a  member  of  ^tna  Lodge,  No.  21,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  a 
republican  and  a  member  of  the  Danielsonville  Congregational 
church. 

Julius  F.  Winkelman,  son  of  Charles  Winkelman,  was  born  in 
1837  in  Germany,  and  came  to  this  country  in  1866.  He  lived  at 
Mystic,  Conn.,  until  1872,  when  he  came  to  Danielsonville.  In 
1876  he  started  a  shoe  store  and  shoe  shop  of  his  own  in  the  Cen- 
tral Hotel  block,  where  he  continued  until  1888,  when  he  divided 
the  business  into  two  stores,  his  son,  Charles,  taking  charge  of 
one.     He  learned  his  trade  in  the  old  country.     He  was  married 


1196  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

in  1868  to  Dinah  Gensle.     They  have  four  children:     Charles, 
Augusta,  Julius  and  Frank. 

Alton  E.  Withington,  son  of  Edwin  and  Abbie  A.  Withington, 
was  born  in  1853  in  Massachusetts.  He  is  a  photographer, 
having  learned  the  art  at  Milford,  Mass.  January  Xst,  1874,  he 
bought  the  business  of  E.  B.  Slator,  and  since  that  time  has  con- 
tinued in  the  business  in  Danielsonville.  He  was  married  June 
15th,  1876,  to  Ida  M.,  daughter  of  William  E.  and  Philippa 
Graham.  They  have  one  daughter,  Orcilla.  William  Graham 
was  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion  in  Company  G,  1st  Connecticut 
Heavy  Artillery,  and  was  promoted  from  private  to  first  lieuten- 
ant. He  was  a  carriage  painter  by  trade.  He  died  several 
years  since. 

Marcus  Wood  was  born  in  1834  in  Killingly.  He  is  a  son  of 
Olney  M.,  son  of  Levi,  son  of  Aaron,  whose  father,  Noah,  was  a 
son  of  John  Wood,  who  came  from  England  to  Swansea,  Mass. 
His  mother  is  Dorcas,  daughter  of  Jeremiah  and  Dorcas  Young. 
Mr.  Wood  was  interested  in  mercantile  business  for  eleven 
years  in  different  places  prior  to  1867.  At  that  time  he  in  com- 
pany with  his  brother  bought  a  general  store  at  Day ville,  which 
they  ran  until  1886.  He  was  postmaster  at  Killingly  about  seven- 
teen years.  He  has  been  a  music  teacher  for  about  twenty 
years,  and  since  1886  has  devoted  his  time  to  music.  He  has 
led  the  singing  in  the  Congregational  church  here  for  fifteen 
years.  He  was  married  in  1854  to  Ellen  E.,  daughter  of  Lott 
Mitchell.  She  died  in  May,  1887.  He  is  a  member  of  Moriah 
Lodge,  No.  15,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Amariah  Wood,  son  of  Olney  M.  Wood,  was  born  in  1840  in 
Killingly.  He  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Killingly.  -  In 
1859  he  came  to  Dayville,  where  he  was  clerk  in  the  store  of 
Sayles  &  Potter  until  1867.  At  that  time  he  in  company. with 
his  brother  Marcus  Wood,  bought  the  business  and  continued 
in  the  same  until  1886,  when  they  sold  out  to  William  P.  Kelley. 
Mr.  Wood  has  been  bookkeeper  for  Kennedy  Brothers  for  the 
past  year. 

Simon  H.  Wooddell,  born  in  Foster,  R.  I.,  in  1844,  is  a  son  of 
James  B.  and  grandson  of  William  Wooddell.  He  bought  the 
grocery  department  of  the  store  of  J.  A.  Paine  at  Chestnut  Hill 
in  1875,  where  he  continued  until  1885.  He  took  possession  of 
a  farm  on  the  road  from  Ballouville  to  Chestnut  Hill  in  June, 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1197 

1887,  where  he  has  lived  since  that  time.  He  was  married  in 
1870  to  Flora  M.,  daughter  of  Job  W.  Hill. 

Wheeler  W.  Woodward  was  born  in  1834  in  Brooklyn,  Conn. 
He  is  a  son  of  Augustus  and  Caroline  (Wheeler)  Woodward, 
grandson  of  Ward  and  Rebecca  (Putnam)  Woodward,  and  great- 
grandson  of  Ephraim  and  Huldah  (Cram)  Woodward.  Ephraim 
was  a  son  of  John,  Jr.,  and  Hannah  (Hyde)  Woodward,  whose 
parents  were  John  and  Rebecca. (Robbins)  Woodward,  whose 
father,  George  Woodward,  was  born  in  England  in  1621 ;  his 
father,  Richard  Woodward,  was  born  in  1589  in  England,  and 
came  from  there  with  his  family  in  1634  to  Watertown,  Mass. 
John,  Jr.,  above  mentioned,  came  from  Massachusetts  to  Canter- 
bury, Conn.,  about  1710,  settling  on  a  farm  which  remained  in 
the  Woodward  family  until  1880.  Mr.  Woodward's  grandfather, 
Ward,  served  in  the  war  of  the  revolution,  Mr.  Woodward  pur- 
chased the  drug  business  of  Crandall  &  Ladd  in  Danielsonville 
in  1868,  which  he  has  carried  on  since.  He  was  married  in  1865 
to  Anna  Ross.  They  have  three  children  :  Mary  I.,  Arthur  P. 
and  William  F.  Mr.  Woodward  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
church  of  Danielsonville,  and  has  been  clerk  and  treasurer  of 
the  same  for  several  years.     He  is  a  republican. 

Abner  Young,  son  of  Israel  Young,  was  born  in  1819  in  Kill- 
ingly.  He  began  the  carpenter's  trade  at  the  age  of  19,  working 
at  it  seventeen  years.  Then  he  ran  a  shoe  factory  for  seventeen 
years.  In  1874  the  firm  of  H.  S.  Young  &  Co.  was  established, 
Abner  Young  being  the  "junior  partner.  In  1884  H.  S.  Young 
died,  and  since  that  time  Abner  has  carried  on  the  clothing  busi- 
ness alone.  Mr.  Young  was  representative  in  the  legislature  in 
,]873.  He  has  been  warden  of  the  borough  two  years.  He  was 
married  in  1842  to  Emily  Baker.  She  died  in  1857,  leaving  three 
children  :  Henry  S.,  George  W.  and  Eugene.  He  married  Ju- 
liette Westcott  in  1858.  They  had  two  children  :  Clarence  W., 
who  died,  and  J.  Emily.  Mr.  Young  is  a  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church  and  holds  the  office  of  trustee  and  stew- 
ard.    He  is  a  republican. 

Abner  S.  Young  was  born- January  11th,  1855,  in  Killingly. 
He  is  a  son  of  Jonathan,  whose  father,  Israel,  was  a  son  of  Othan- 
iel  Young.  His  mother  is  Janette,  daughter  of  Israel  Dorman. 
At  the  age  of  seventeen  years  he  began  to  learn  the  carpenter's 
trade,  which  he  has  followed  since  that  time.  For  the  last  five 
years  he  has  been  a  contractor  and  builder.     He  was  married  in 


1198  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

1877  to  Clara,  daughter  of  John  Dexter,  son  of  Marvin  A.,  who 
was  a  son  of  Joseph,  a  descendant  from  Gregory  Dexter,  who 
came  to  Providence  in  1643.  He  was  the  fourth  pastor  of  the 
First  Baptist  church  in  America.  They  have  one  son,  Earl  A. 
D.     Mr.  Young  is  a  republican. 

Charles  E.  Young,  born  in  May,  1849,  is  a  son  of  Guilford  and 
grandson  of  Othaniel  Young.  Mr.  Young  is  a  carpenter  by 
trade.  In  1877  he  took  charge  of  the  Windham  Company's  grist 
mill  at  Attawaugan,  which  he  has  run  since  that  time.  He  was 
married  in  1870  to  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Stephen  Tripp.  She 
died  April  10th,  1886.  They  had  three  children:  Lily  May 
(deceased),  Frank  E.  and  C.  Fred.  He  is  a  member  of  AvSsa- 
waga  Lodge,  No.  20,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  a  member  of  John  Lyon  Lodge, 
No.  45,  K.  of  P.,  and  a  mertiber  of  the  Congregational  church  of 
Brooklyn.     He  is  a  republican. 

Ezra  H.  Young,  born  in  1818  in  Sterling,  Conn.,  is  a  son  of 
Stephen,  whose  father  was  Jonah  Young.  His  mother  was 
Margaret  (Bennett)  Young.  Mr.  Young  in  1865  bought  a  farm  in 
the  north  part  of  the  town  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  was 
married  in  1843  to  Laura  Burgess.  She  died  in  1852,  leaving 
two  children:  Ellen  M.  and  Emerzetta.  He  was  married  in 
1854  to  Mrs.  Mary  Brown,  daughter  of  Jacob  Burgess.  He  is  a 
democrat. 

Jonah  S.  Young,  born  in  1809,  is  a  son  of  Zephaniah,  whose 
father,  Jonah,  was  a  son  of  Elder  Asa  Young.  Mr.  Young  is  a 
farmer.  He  was  married  in  1830  to  Marcy  Colvin,  who  died  in 
1833.  He  was  married  in  1834  to  Maria  O.  Hubbord,  who  died 
in  1836.  He  was  married  in  1837  to  Laura  Spaulding.  They 
have  had  eleven  children,  all  of  whom  have  died.  Labin  Har- 
rington, born  in  1824,  is  a  son  of  Zephaniah,  whose  father, 
William,  was  a  son  of  Amos  Harrington.  He  has  lived  for 
the  last  thirty  years  with  Mr.  Jonah  S.  Young. 

Jonathan  Young,  born  in  1818  in  Killingly,  is  a  son  of  Israel 
and  grandson  of  Othaniel  Young.  His  mother  was  Margaret 
(Chase)  Young.  He  is  a  farmer,  having  lived  at  his  present 
home  since  1848.  He  was  married  in  1843  to  Janette  Dorman, 
who  died  in  1877.  They  had  eight  children,  four  of  whom 
are  living:     Isabel  M.,  Abner  S.,  Emily  J.  and  Charles  W. 

Maxey  W.  Young,  oldest  son  of  William  Young,  was  born  in 
1839.  His  mother  is  Amy,  daughter  of  Arnold  Watson.  Mr. 
Young  was  a  farmer  and  mill  operative  until  1862.     In  August 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY.  1199 

of  that  year  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  18th  Connecticut  volun- 
teers, and  served  until  June,  1864,  when  he  was  discharged  on 
account  of  disability.  Since  1864  he  has  been  a  farmer  and  mill 
operative.  He  was  two  years  in  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  helping 
set  up  and  start  a  cotton  mill  in  1886  and  1887.  He  was  married 
in  1874  to  Eleanor,  daughter  of  William  Warren,  and  has  one 
daughter,  Josephine  H.  He  is  a  republican,  although  he  had 
formerly  been  a  democrat.  He  is  a  member  of  Post  No.  51,  G. 
A.  R.,  of  Dayville. 

ASHFORD. 

John  Baker  came  from  Dudley,  Mass.,  to  Ashford  about  18'25. 
He  had  four  children,  one  of  whom,  Enoch,  married  Mary  Web- 
ster, and  had  seven  children,  six  of  whom  are  now  living.  Da- 
vis A.,  the  second  son,  born  in  Ashford  in  1835,  was  educated  at 
the  schools  of  his  native  town  and  the  state  Normal  school.  He 
taught  school  in  early  life,  but  for  the  last  ten  years  has  been 
engaged  in  mercantile  business.  He  represented  Ashford  in 
the  legislature  in  1867,  1877,  and  1887,  has  been  town  clerk  and 
judge  of  probate  several  years.  He  married  Eliza  Walbridge, 
and  has  two  sons. 

Reuben  Barlow,  a  son  of  Reuben  Barlow,  was  born  in  Wood- 
stock, and  came  to  Ashford  in  1845.  He  married  Eunice  Snow. 
They  have  three  sons  and  two  daughters.  Henry  C.  and  Anson 
G.  are  doing  business  as  Barlow  Brothers,  lumber  dealers,  at 
Griggs'  Mill. 

Charles  Chism,  born  in  Ashford,  is  a  son  of  David  Chism.  He 
was  a  soldier  in  the  16th  Connecticut  volunteers.  He  married 
Annie  L.,  daughter  of  Chauncey  Whiton,  who  married  Lucinda 
Moore.  He  was  clerk  and  treasurer  of  the  church  society  forty 
years,  and  was  a  descendant  of  Joseph  Whiton,  one  of  the  early 
settlers  of  Ashford.  He  had  four  children,  of  whom  one,  Samuel, 
was  a  missionary  to  Africa  and  to  the  freedmen. 

John  A.  Chism,  born  in  Ashford,  is  a  son  of  David  and  Han- 
nah (Snell)  Chism.  He  enlisted  in  the  25th  Connecticut  volun- 
teers. He  is  now  a  farmer.  He  married  Martha  N.  More, 
daughter  of  John  More,  a  descendant  of  Thomas  Lawson,  one 
of  the  first  settlers  of  Union. 

John  S.  Dean  was  a  native  of  Ashford  and  a  son  of  Leonard 
Dean.  He  married  Hannah  M.,  daughter  of  Stephen  Knowlton. 
He  was  a  farmer  and  also  engaged  in  glass  manufacture.     He 


1200  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

held  many  official  positions,  represented  Ashford  in  the  legisla- 
ture, the  14th  senatorial  district  in  the  senate  in  1877,  and  was 
county  commissioner  two  years.  He  died  in  1879.  His  son, 
Charles  L.  Dean,  was  associated  with  him  in  glass  manufacture 
until  1873.  Since  1874  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Dean,  Foster  &  Co.,  of  Boston  and  Chicago,  manufacturers  of 
glassware.  Charles  Dean  represented  Ashford  in  the  legislature 
of  1881,  was  county  commissioner  from  1869  to  1875,  and  was  a 
member  of  Governor  Andrew's  staff.  He  is  president  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Stafford. 

Willard  S.  Fuller  was  born  in  Woodstock,  and  came  to  Ash- 
ford in  1842.  He  is  a  son  of  John  and  Hannah  Fuller,  and 
grandson  of  Elisha  Fuller,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  revolutionary 
war.     He  is  married  to  Almira  Chaffee. 

John  T.  Greene  was  born  in  Exeter,  R.  I.,  and  came  to  Ashford 
in  1865.  In  early  life  he  taught  school.  He  represented  Ash- 
ford in  the  legislature  of  1871  and  is  one  of  the  selectmen  of  the 
town.  He  married  Lucy  E.  Davis  and  has  three  children:  Frank 
W.,  Nellie  A.  and  Annie  B. 

The  Knowlton  family  were  among  the  first  settlers  of  Ash- 
ford, Robert  Knowlton  was  a  manufacturer  of  salt.  One  of  his 
descendants,  Daniel,  married  Hannah  Knowlton,  daughter  of 
one  Daniel  KnoAvlton,  a  soldier  of  the  revolutionary  war,  and 
brother  of  Colonel  Knowlton  of  revolutionary  fame.  Daniel 
and  Hannah  Knowlton  had  three  sons  and  three  daughters. 
One  son.  Miner,  was  a  graduate  of  West  Point,  a  captain  in  the 
regular  army,  and  served  in  the  Mexican  war.  Another,  Dan- 
ford,  was  a  merchant  in  New  York.  Edwin,  the  third  son,  re- 
sided in  Ashford,  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Otis  Woodward, 
and  had  four  children,  one  of  whom,  Robert  D.  W.  Knowlton, 
represented  Ashford  in  the  legislature  of  1889. 

Stephen  Fitts,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  came  to  Ashford, 
married  Polly  Knowlton,  daughter  of  Colonel  Thomas  Knowl- 
ton, and  had  three  children,  Christian,  Stephen  and  Maria. 
Christian  married  William  Loomis,  who  was  a  farmer  in  Ash- 
ford, and  had  two  children,  Chester  and  JNIary  A.  Chester  was 
a  farmer  in  Ashford  and  died  in  1874. 

Charles  Mathewson  came  to  Ashford  from  Woodstock  in  1850 
and  bought  a  saw  and  grist  mill  at  Warrenville,  which  he  oper- 
ated until  1865,  when  he  was  succeeded  b}'  the  firm  of  Lombard 
&  Mathewson,  manufacturers  of  fertilizers  and  wholesale  dealers 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM    COUxNTY.  1201 

in  agricultural  implements.  Charles  Mathewson  married  Celia 
Hammond,  and  had  five  children,  one  of  whom,  John,  married 
Ellen  Carpenter  and  resides  in  Ashford. 

Ira'G.  Murphy,  son  of  Archibald  and  Sabra  (Gallup)  jNIurphy, 
came  to  Windham  county,  in  1832,  and  settled  permanently  in 
Ashford  in  1840.  He  engaged  in  trade  which  he  continued  till 
his  death  in  1856.  His  son  John  A.  succeeded  to  his  father's 
business  which  he  still  continues.  Mr.  Murphy  was  instrumen- 
tal in  establishing  a  post  office  in  Warren ville  in  1872  and  was 
the  first  postmaster.  He  represented  Ashford  in  the  legislature 
in  1863,  and  has  been  appointed  deputy  sheriff  five  times.  He 
married  Mary  Spaulding,  of  Pomfret,  and  they  have  one  son^ 
and  four  daughters. 

Michael  Richmond,  son  of  Abner  Richmond,  a  soldier  in  the 
revolutionary-  war,  was  born  in  Woodstock  in  November,  1786, 
and  came  to  x\shford  about  1800.  In  early  life  he  learned  sad- 
dle making  and  afterward  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  cloth, 
also  axes.  He  v/as  also  engaged  in  staging  and  turnpike  build- 
ing, and  in  the  mercantile  business,  until  he  retired  at  60  years 
of  age.  He  died  in  1881.  He  married  Polly  Barnes  and  had 
seven  children,  of  whom  only  Mrs.  Juliette  Child  and  Mr.  Elizur 
Richmond  remain  in  Ashford. 

Ebenezer  Knowlton,  a  son  of  Stephen,  married  Eliza  A.  Lyon. 
He  was  postmaster  and  a  merchant  at  West  Ashford  for  twenty- 
five  years  and  died  in  1866.  He  had  six  children,  of  whom  one, 
Adaline,  married  Dwight  Shurtliff.     They  have  three  children. 

John  C.  Smith,  a  s^n  of  Asa  and  grandson  of  George  Smith, 
who  were  farmers  in  Ashford,  commenced  business  in  Westford 
as  a  wagon  maker  and  blacksmith  about  1833.  This  business  he 
has  continued  with  his  son  until  the  present  time.  He  mar- 
ried Polly  Thresher  and  has  two  children — Snsan  and  Andrew 
S.,  who  married  Mary  Whitaker.  They  have  one  son,  George 
D.  Smith. 

Joseph  Smith  came  from  Smithfield,  R.  I.,  to  Willington, 
Conn.,  about  1785.  He  had  seven  children,  of  whom  one  son, 
John,  a  soldier  of  the  revolutionary  war,  married  Mary  Covell 
and  had  four  children.  One  son,  Charles,  married  Hannah 
Thresher.  Pie  died  in  1844,  and  his  widow  still  lives,  in  the  one 
hundredth  year  of  her  age.  They  had  nine  children,  of  whom 
vSam.uel,  born  in  Willington,  came  to  Ashford  in  1866.  He  mar- 
ried, first,  Almira  Morse  ;  second,  Mary  Thresher.  He  has  two 
76 


1203  HISTORY   OF    WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

children — Charles  A.  and  Hattie,  who  married  Clarence  Wal- 
cott. 

Lieutenant  Daniel  Knowlton  married,  first,  Elizabeth  Farn- 
ham  ;  second,  Rebecca  Fenton.  He  had  ten  children,  of  whom 
Marvin  married  Celestia  Leonard  and  had  two  children — Mar- 
vin and  Maria  B.,  who  married  Henry  Upton.  Marvin  Knowl- 
ton was  a  man  frequently  consulted  in  business  affairs  and  one 
who  settled  many  estates. 

Leander  Wright  was  in  the  mercantile  business  in  New  York 
in  early  life  until  1847,  when  he  came  to  Ashford  to  the  family 
homestead,  where  five  generations  of  the  family  have  resided. 
He  married  Sarah  Fisk,  daughter  of  William  A.  Fisk.  They 
have  nine  children.     He  died  in  1887. 

EASTFORD. 

S.  D.  Bosworth,  born  in  Eastford,  is  a  son  of  Allen  and  Sally 
(Hall)  Bosworth,  and  grandson  of  Ebenezer  Bosworth,  a  soldier 
in  the  revolutionary  war,  who  married  Elizabeth  Fletcher.  Eben- 
ezer was  a  son  of  Benjamin  who  came  from  Rehoboth,  Mass., 
and  settled  about  one  mile  west  of  the  church  in  Eastford.  Mr. 
Bosworth  represented  the  town  in  the  legislature  in  1865,  and 
has  held  various  town  offices.  He  married  Elizabeth  Badger, 
and  has  three  children.  His  only  son,  Henry  A.,  married  Margaret 
Buell,  and  is  a  farmer  in  Eastford.  Clarissa,  only  daughter  of 
Allen  Bosworth,  married  Joseph  Dorset,  and  has  one  son,  Ben- 
jamin, in  New  York. 

Jairus  Chapman,  born  in  Ashford,  was  a  son  of  Roswell,  and 
grandson  of  Thomas,  a  soldier  of  the  revolutionary  war.  He 
was  selectman  and  justice  many  years,  and  represented  Ash- 
ford in  the  legislature.  Jairus  Chapman  married  Emily  Morse, 
and  their  children  were:  Zeviah  R.,  Elvira  E.  and  Mary  J,,  who  is 
a  teacher  of  long  experience. 

Darwin  Clark  is  a  son  of  Palmer  Clark,  who  came  from  Charl- 
ton, Mass.,  to  Woodstock  and  afterward  to  Eastford,  where  he 
died  in  1879.  His  son  Darwin  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam Brad  way.  They  have  five  children.  Mr.  Clark  is  a  farmer 
and  stock  dealer. 

John  Holman,  son  of  Thomas,  was  born  in  Union  in  1778, 
married  Mary,  daughter  of  Allen  Bosworth,  in  1808,  and  moved 
to  Eastford  in  1816.  Four  of  their  children  are  now  living. 
John,  Newton  and  Emily  live   in   Eastford.      Emily  married 


HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY.  1203 

Xelson  Clark,  son  of  Palmer  Clark,  and  one  of  the  most  success- 
ful farmers  in  Eastford. 

Joseph  B.  Latham,  son  of  Laban  Latham,  came  from  Johnston, 
R.  L,  to  Eastford.  Conn.,  in  1823.  He  was  a  millwright.  "He 
was  justice  of  the  peace  many  years,  and  represented  Eastford 
in  the  legislature  several  times.  He  married  a  Bullard,  and  had 
six  children  who  grew  to  manhood:  Joseph  B.,  Lorenzo  B.,  Wil- 
liam H.,  Eugene  E.,  James  E.  and  Monroe  F.,  who  married 
Sarah  Johns,  and  has  one  son,  Oliver  H.  Monroe  F.  is  one  of 
the  selectmen  of  Eastford,  and  represented  the  town  in  the  legis- 
lature in  1884.  James  E.  Latham  was  born  in  Eastford  in  1841, 
married  Elizabeth  Adams,  of  Eastford,  and  has  two  children. 

George  W.  Olds,  a  native  of  Maine,  came  to  North  Ashford, 
and  engaged  in  the  business  of  making  staves  in  company  with 
Silas  Simmons.  In  1872  he  opened  a  store  at  North  Ashford, 
which  he  has  continued  until  the  present  time.  He  has  been 
postmaster  since  1874. 

Silas  Preston,  born  in  1798  in  Ashford,  is  a  son  of  John  and 
Persis  (Weeks)  Preston  and  grandson  of  John,  a  soldier  of  the 
revolutionary  war.  He  was  educated  at  the  common  schools, 
and  in  early  life  was  a  farmer.  He  represented  Ashford  in  the 
legislature  in  1842,  was  selectman  several  years,  also  director  in 
the  Stafford  Bank.  Later  in  life  he  was  president  of  the  East- 
ford Savings  Bank  until  eighty-four  years  of  age.  He  married 
Betsey  Wright,  with  whom  he  lived  sixty-three  years.  They 
had  eight  children.  Mr.  Preston  now  lives  with  his  daughter, 
Mrs.  Spaulding,  and  is  ninety-one  years  of  age. 

Freeman  Putnam,  son  of  Asa  Putnam,  was  born  at  Charlton, 
Mass.,  came  to  Union  when  quite  young,  and  to  Eastford  in 
1854.  In  early  life  he  was  a  shoemaker,  and  later  a  farmer.  He 
married  Huldah,  daughter  of  Danford  Morse,  supposed  to  be  a 
descendant  of  Anthony  Morse,  who  settled  in  Massachusetts  in 
1635. 

Charles  A.  Rice  was  born  in  Springfield  and  came  to  Eastford 
in  1857.  He  has  been  twice  married;  his  first  wife  was  Marv 
Connell,  and  his  second  wife  Hannah  Carpenter,  daughter  of 
Oliver  and  Mary  (Allen)  Carpenter.  Mary  Allen  was  a  daughter 
of  Ephraim  Allen  and  granddaughter  of  Timothy  Allen,  who 
was  born  in  Mansfield  in  1748.  Mr.  Rice  is  one  of  the  justices 
of  the  town. 


1204  HISTORY   OF   WINDHAM   COUNTY. 

John  Sherman,  born  in  Eastford  in  1818,  \vas  one  of  the 
nine  children  of  Zephaniah  Sherman  and  grandson  of  David 
Sherman,  who  came  to  Eastford  from  Fall  River.  Mr.  Sher- 
man was  educated  at  the  schools  of  Eastford,  was  in  mercan- 
tile business  in  early  life  in  Eastford,  also  manufacturing-, 
later  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Brunswick,  Me.,  and  at  pres- 
ent a  farmer.  He  has  served  as  town  clerk  several  years,  also 
selectman.  He  married  Laura  L.  Edgerton,  of  Massachusetts. 
The  only  surviving  brother  of  Mr.  Sherman,  Isaac  Sherman,  is 
a  clergyman  at  Thompson. 

Augustus  Spaulding,  a  descendant  in  the  seventh  generation 
from  Edward  Spaulding,  who  came  to  America  about  1630,  is 
one  of  the  most  successful  farmers  of  Eastford.  He  married 
Abigail  C.  Richards,  of  Dedham,  Mass.,  daughter  of  Ebenezer 
Richards.  Their  children  are:  Albert  H.,  George  R.  and 
Carrie  N. 

Charles  O.  Warren,  son  of  Isaac  and  Lydia  (Sumner)  Warren, 
married  Mary  L.  Sumner,  daughter  of  Increase  Sumner,  and  a 
descendant  of  Benjamin  Sumner,  the  first  of  the  name  in  East- 
ford, who  was  born  at  Roxbury  in  1724.  Mr.  Charles  Warren  is 
the  present  town  clerk.  He  has  been  in  the  mercantile  business 
several  years. 

Benjamin  Warren,  a  son  of  Isaac,  was  born  in  Killingly,  and 
married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Fisher,  who  was  on  General 
Washington's  staff  in  the  revolutionary  war.  Benjamin  was  a 
farmer  and  auctioneer,  and  held  several  town  offices.  He  had 
seven  children,  of  whom  Edmond  W.,  born  in  Eastford,  mar- 
ried Emily  Edwards  of  Vermont,  daughter  of  Samuel  Edwards. 
Mr.  Warren  is  a  farmer  and  marketman.  He  has  served  as  jus- 
tice and  selectman. 

Robert  Wheaton,  born  at  Swansea,  Wales,  in  1605,  settled  at 
Rehoboth,  Mass.,  between  1630  and  1636,  and  married  Alice 
Bowen.  Deacon  James  Wheaton,  a  descendant  in  the  fifth  gen- 
eration from  Robert,  came  from  Swansea,  Mass.,  to  Pomfret, 
Conn.,  in  1778,  and  to  Thompson  in  1800,  w^here  he  kept  a  hotel. 
His  son,  Levi,  succeeded  him  in  the  hotel.  Simeon  A.  Wheaton, 
son  of  Levi,  was  born  at  Thompson  in  1829,  came  to  Eastford 
and  engaged  in  mercantile  business,  which  he  has  continued  for 
forty  years.  He  represented  Eastford  in  the  legislature  of  1882, 
was  county  commissioner  from  1876  to  1879,  and  has  been  one 
of  the  most  successful  business  men  of  Eastford. 


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