=4' XI Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924097556595 3 1924 097 556 595 In compliance with current copyright law, Cornell University Library produced this replacement volume on paper that meets the ANSI Standard Z39.48-1992 to replace the irreparably deteriorated original. 2003 CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND GIVEN IN 1891 BY HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE HISTORY OF \ V MIDDLESEX COUNTY, CONNECTICUT, WITH- Biographical Sketches of Its Prominent Men. New York: J. B. BEERS & CO., 36 Vesey Street. 1884. INTRODUCTION. In presenting to the public the following history of Middlesex county the publishers desire to say that they do not indulge the hope that it will be found entirely free from errors. They feel confident, however, that the authors of the local histories and articles on special topics have bestowed such care on their work that fewer mistakes will be found than usually creep into works of this kind, and they hope that what inaccuracies may be discovered will be regarded with charity. For the merits which the publishers believe the work to possess, much credit is due to Henry Whittemore, a native of Essex, in this county, under whose supervi- sion most of the material was prepared. In every locality parties have been found ready and willing to aid in the work, and among these special men- tion should be made of Mr. Henry D. A. Ward, of Mid dletown, who from the first proffered the use of his ex" tensive library, and in many ways contributed to the success of the undertaking. Their thanks are due to the authors of the different local histories, and of other articles which appear under their respective names. Valuable aid has been rendered by Gen. E. W. N. Starr, and his wife, and by their son, Mr. Frank Starr. Without the assistance of the latter it would have been impossible to decipher many of the early records of Middletown. The pastors of the several churches, the officers of the various societies, and the members of the many manu- facturing firms — among whom should be specially men- tioned Mr. A. R. Crittenden, of Middletown — have given their hearty cooperation, and have assisted by furnishing material concerning their organizations and industries. They desire to acknowledge their indebtedness to Dr. Field's "Statistical History of Middlesex County," and to his "Centennial Address" for important facts relative to the early history of the county. Great care was exercised in the selection of subjects for biographies and portraits. Leading citizens of the county, and prominent men of other localities — who were natives of the county — were consulted, and their advice, to a great extent, was followed. Selections were made of representative men in the different localities, and wherever it was possible to obtain, from them or their friends, portraits, it has been done; but in some cases par- ties would not consent to this, and in others either no likenesses, or none that were satisfactory, existed. It is possible that some proper subjects have been overlooked, but the best available means of information have been sought, and efforts have been made to do justice to all. ERR ATA Page 19, first column, 28tli line from bottom — For "1779" read "1790." Page 35, second column, 8th line from top — For "Constans" read "Constam-e.' Page 37, first column, 12th line from to]j — For "Enterprise" read "Experiment." Page 86, second column, 7th line from top — For ''January 1864 " read "January 1866." Page 178, first column, 4th line from bottom — For "Franklin S. Comstock" read "Frank/in G. Comstock." Page 339, first column, 23d line from bottom — For "appraised" read "apfirised." Page 528, first column, 14th line from bottom — For "Manoali Smith" read "Manoah Smith Miles." INTRODUCTION. In presenting to the public the following history of Middlesex county the publishers desire to say that they do not indulge the hope that it will be found entirely free from errors. They feel confident, however, that the authors of the local histories and articles on special topics have bestowed such care on their work that fewer mistakes will be found than usually creep into works of this kind, and they hope that what inaccuracies may be discovered will be regarded with charity. For the merits which the publishers believe the work to possess, much credit is due to Henry Whittemore, a native of Essex, in this county, under whose supervi- sion most of the material was prepared. In every locality parties have been found ready and willing to aid in the work, and among these special men- tion should be made of Mr. Henry D. A. Ward, of Mid- dletown, who from the first proffered the use of his ex' tensive library, and in many ways contributed to the success of the undertaking. Their thanks are due to the authors of the different local histories, and of other articles which appear under their respective names. Valuable aid has been rendered by Gen. E. W. N. Starr, and his wife, and by their son, Mr. Frank Starr. Without the assistance of the latter it would have been impossible to decipher many of the early records of Middletown. The pastors of the several churches, the officers of the various societies, and the members of the many manu- facturing firms — among whom should be specially men- tioned Mr. A. R. Crittenden, of Middletown — have given their hearty cooperation, and have assisted by furnishing material concerning their organizations and industries. They desire to acknowledge their indebtedness to Dr. Field's "Statistical History of Middlesex County," and to his " Centennial Address " for important facts relative to the early history of the county. Great care was exercised in the selection of subjects for biographies and portraits. Leading citizens of the county, and prominent men of other localities — who were natives of the county — were consulted, and their advice, to a great extent, was followed. Selections were made of representative men in the different localities, and wherever it was possible to obtain, from them or their friends, portraits, it has been done; but in some cases par- ties would not consent to this, and in others either no likenesses, or none that were satisfactory, existed. It is possible that some proper subjects have been overlooked, but the best available means of information have been sought, and efforts have been made to do justice to all. ERRATA. Page 19, first column, 28th line from bottom — For "1779'' read "1790." Page 35, second column, 8th line from top— For "Constans" read ''Constance." Page 37, first column, 12th line from top — For "Enterprise" read ''Experiment." Page 86, second column, 7th line from top — For ''January 1864" read "January 1866." Page 178, first column, 4th line from bottom — For "Franklin S. Comstock" read "Frankliti G. Comstock." Page 339, first column, 23d line from bottom — For "appraised" read "apprised." Page 528, first column, i4tb line from bottorn — For "Manoali Smith" read "Manoah Smith Miles." CONTENTS. OUTLINE HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. Chapter I Aborierioea. .Relics nnd Theories of the earliest inhabitants.. Indiitns at the time of settlement CH AFTER II. First Settlement and Indian Wars 1-2 2-3 Chapter III. Colonial Governments oC Connecticut, New Haven, and Saybrook.. Progress of Connecticut Colony.. Purchase of Saybrook.. Difficulties with the Dutch 3 Chapter IV. Union of Connecticut and New Haven, under a Charter.. Boundaries Estab- lished. .Claim of Jurisdiction by Sir Edmund Andross..Kins Philip's War. 3-4 Chapter V. Attempts to deprive Connecticut of its Charter and its full Chartered rights, and successful resistance to these attempts ^5 Chapter VI. Progress of the Colony.. French and In- dian Wars.. Claims of Connecticut to Lands in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and their adjustment 8 Chapter VII. Connecticut in the Revolution and in the Warof 1812 Chapter VIII. Connecticut in the Great Civil War— Con- stitutional Governments. .Civil List.. 7 GENERAL COUNTY HISTORY. Chapter I. Geography, Topography, and Original Condition 9 Chapter II. The Geology of Middlesex County 10 Chapter III. Early Settlers 15 Chapter IV. Agriculture in Middlesex County 16 Chapter V. Medical Profession in Middlesex County. . 18 Chapter VI. Tlie Bench and Bar of Middlesex County. . 31 Chapter VII. Ferries, Steamboats, Highways, Rail- roads 36 Chapter VIII. Middlesex County in the Civil War 40 Chapter IX. Civil List and Population 58 TOWN HISTORIES. Town and City ov Middletown . Geographical and Descriptive.. The Ab- origines.. Settlement of Middletown.. Mill Privilege Granted to Thomas Mil- ler, 16.5.5.. Grant to George Dnrant, Town Blacksmith.. Sketches of the Settlers.. From the Town Records.. Proceedings of the General Court Concerning Middletown..B ridges.. Growth of the Town.. Census of 1776.. Civil List.. Middletown Probate Dis- trict.. The Custom House, District of Middletown . . Middletown Post Office. . Almshouse-. Action of Middletown Concei-ning the Constitution of 1818.. Lead Mine. Middletown Ferry. .Rail- roads.. Middletown in the Hevolu- tion.. Middletown in the Civil War of 1861-65.. City of Middletown— In- corporation. .First Meeting, Ordinan- ces, etc.,.. Streets named.. Sidewalks.. Whipping Post.. Mortality of the City in 182.5. .City Officers. .Court Houses.. County Jails. .City Court. .Old Houses. .Hotels nnd Taverns. .The Press of Middletown. .File Depart- ment.. The Middletown Gas Light Company.. The Middletown Water Works- Southern New England Tele- phone Company.. Banks.. Insurance Companies.. Bands and Drum Corps.. The Russell Library. -The Soldiers' Monument.. Industries of the Town and City, Past and Present.. Benevo- lentInstitutions..ConnccticutHospit- al for the Insane. .Connecticut Indus- trial School for Girls.. Middlesex County Orphan's Home.. Lodges and Societies . . Literary Institu tions. . Wes- leyan University .Berkeley Divinity School. .Schoolsin Middletown.. Churches of Middletown.. First Con- gregational Church of Middletown.. South Congregational Church. .His- tory of the Church and Parish of Holy Trinity. .First Methodist Episcopal Church. .The First Baptist Church.. First Universalist Church.. African Methodist • Episcopal Church.. St. John's (B.C.) Church.. Christ Church (Episcopal). -All Saints Chapel. .Pa- meacha Mission -.Bethany Chapel-. South Farms Methodist Chapel . .West- field Congregational Church. .West- field Baptist Church.. Westfleld Meth- odist Chapel.. Union Chapel, Long Hill. .Cemeteries- The Old Cemetery. . Old Cemetery at Maromas. .Old South Farms Cemetery.. Washington Street Cemeterj'..The New Maromas Ceme- tery -.Cemetery in North District No. 2. The Mortimer Cemetery.. Ceme- in South District No. 4... The old Westfleld Street Cemetery. .The Miner Cemetery.. Cemetery in West District No. 3... Indian Hill Cemetery .-Farm Hill Cemetery-. Pine Grove Cemetery Association.. Prominent Men 81 Town op Chatham. Geographical and Descriptive.. From the Town Records.. Civil List. Roads.. Cemeteries.-Cohalt Mines-. Post Of- fices . . Schools. Industries of the Town ..Manufactures in East Hampton.. Manufactures on the Cobalt Stream ..Middle Haddam.. Secret Societies.. Chatham in the Wars- -The French and Indian War-. The Revolutionary War. .War of 1812. The Rebellion.. Churches in Chatham.. Congregational Church, Middle Haddam.. Baptist Church, East Hampton.. Second Con- gregational Church, Middle Haddam ..Episcopal Church, Middle Haddam ..Methodist Episcopal Church, Middle Haddam.. Catholic Church, EastHamp- ton..The Christian Advents.. Meth- odist Episcopal Church, East Hamp- ton. .Congregational Church, East Hampton.. Union Congregational Church,East Hampton.. Westchester.. Early Settlers and their Deccndants.. 17* Town op Chester. Geographical and Descriptive.. The In- dians.. Division of the Land. .Ceme- teries. .Congregational Church . . Bap- tist Church. -Soman Catholic Church.. Schools.. Shipbuilding. -West India Trade. -Stores and Hotels.. Post Offices and Mails.. Quarrying.. Agriculture.. Manufacturing. . Chester Savings Bank ..Chester in the Wars^sCivil List.. PromincntMen 218 Town op Clinton. Geography and Topography.. Settlement I ..Incorporation of the Town. .Civil CONTENTS. List. War of 1812. .War of the Eebel- lion.. Village of Clinton.. The East Green. .Planting of Trees. . Libraries. . Clinton National Bank. .Masonic Lod- eres. .Clinton Agricultural Society.. The Shore Line Hallroad..The Mer- chants ot Clinton . .The Oyster Trade. . The Schools of Clinton. .Churches of Clinton.. Congregational Church.. Baptist Church. .The Universaliats.. Methodist Church. .Holy Advent (P. E.) Church.. Prominent Men 229 Town of Cromwei.i,. Traces of the Indians ; . Set tlement . . Parish of Upper Houses.. Incorporation of the Town.. Civil List.. The Cromwell Roads.. Education.. The French and Indian Wars. .The Revolutionary War ..The War of the Rebellion. .Indus- tries ot the Town.. Cromwell Hall.. Cromwell Tract Society (Union).. The Friendly Association and Academy. . Village Improvements .. Congrega- tional Church.. Baptist Church.. Meth- odist Church.. Catholic Church.. Crom- well Cemetery.. Prominent Men 2i2 Town of Durham. Geographical 'and Descriptive. .Geology of Durham.. Deed from the Indians.. Laying out the Land.. Incorporation, Growth etc., ..From the Town Records ..Civil List.. Extracts from Field's History.. Durham inl819.. Highways.. Turnpike Companies.. First Congre- gational Church . .Church of the Epiph- any.. Methodist Church. .Center Congregational Church.. Burying Ground..Schools..Co liege Report.. The Revolutionary War. .Militia. .The War of the Rebellion . . Swathel House ..The Fall of Mill Bridge. -Libraries and Literary Societies. Temperance Societies. Drain Companies.. Durham Acqueduct Company.. Quarrying and Mining.. Manufacturing InEarlyTimes ..Merriam Manufacturing Company.. The Present Time. Assessment List.. Descendants of the Settlers 263 Town of Bast Haddam. Geographical and Descriptive. .Settle- ment.. Indian History.. From Colonial Records.. East Haddam in the Rev- olution . . East Haddam in the Rebellion ..Civil List. .Probate District.. Militia of East Haddam. .Public Schools.. Roads.. Cemeteries- -Miscellaneous . . Millington..Millington Ecclesiastical Society. Millington Congregational Church.. East Haddam Landing.. Ship- building.. Congregational Church.. St. Stephen's Church.. East Haddam Lib- rary.. Columbia Lodge, No 2fi, F. & A. M.. .Champion House. .Maple Wood.. Music Seminary.. Goodspeed's Land- ding.. Gelston Family and Gelston House. .Chapman's Ferry . . 1 ndustries of Goodspeed's Landing.. National Bank of New England. .Middlesex Lodge, No. 3, I. 0. O. F...Moodus.. Moodus Noises.." Matchit Moodus".. Baptist Church.. Methodist Episcopal Church.Moodus.The Catholic Church in Moodus.. The Moodus Savings Bank . .Tho'Connectieut Valley Advertiser ..Moodus Drum Corps. .Industries of Moodus . . Leesville. . Hadlyme . . Manu- facturing. .Prominen t Men 283 Town of Essex. Geographical and Descriptive.. Indians.. Settlement of Potapaug.. Division of the Land. .Some Early Settlers. .Early High ways.. Prices ot some Common Articles.. Form of Indenture, 1804.. The Raid on Essex 1814. .The Borough of Essex. .The Town of Essex. .Civil List.. War Record.. Connecticut Valley R. R. Stock . .The Second Ecclesiastical Society.. St. John's Episcopal Church ..The Baptist Church of Essex. .The Methodist Episcopal Church.. Congre- gational Church, Essex. .Public Schools.. Hills Academy.. Cemeteries ..Shipbuilding.. Wharves.. T a verns and Hotels. .Mills and Manufactories ..Ely's Ferry. .Masonic. .Odd Fellows ..Good Templars. .United Worltnien ..Newspapers.. Banks.. Cornet Band.. Fire Companies.. Prominent Men 331 Town of Haddam Geographical and Descriptive.. Purchase and Settlement-. Division of the Land ..Establishing the Bounds. The Town Ecclesiastical.. The Town and Society Action.. Growth and Progress. .The French War.. Militia.. The Revolution ..War of 1812.. The War of the Rebel- lion.. Connecticut Valley Railroad.. Educational.. Early Mills.. Quarries.. Manufactures .. Shipbuilding .. Com- merce.. Fisheries-.Ferries-. To wn Elections and Officers. .Haddam Centre. .Higganum.. The Great Octo- ber Flood.. Higganum Manufactures ..Higganum Congregational Church . . Methodist Episcopal Chu rch . . Ponset Methodist Church. .Ponset Protestant Episcopal Church.. Haddam Baptist Church.. Localities.. Haddam Neck.. Mills and Manufactories. .Cemetery . . Shipbuilding. .Merchants.. Settle- ment.. Congregational Chu rch.. Meth- odist Episcopal Church.. Schools.. Col- lege Graduates. .Bridges. Post Office ..Members of Legislature. The Rev- olutionary War.. War of 1812.. War of the Rebellion.. Literary Circle. Ven- ture Smith. .ProminentMen 368 Town of Kii-i-ingworth . Extent and Boundaries. .Settlement of the Town . . Patent of 1703 . . Deeds from Uncas..Saybrook vs. Killingworth.. Grant of Land to Soldiers.. Indians.. Traces ot the Indians.. Old Grist Mills ..French and Indian War.. Revolution- ary War.. Occupation of the Settlers.. Civil List. .Present Killingworth.. Death ot Captain John Lane. The Murdered Children . .Mr. Martin Lord's Letter. .Early Schools and Teachers.. Agricultural Society.. War ot the Re- bellion.. Churches. .Prominent Men.. 417 Town of Middi^efield. Settlement and Early History. .Incorpo- ration of the Town etc., ..Civil List.. Roads.. Post Offices.. Congregational Church.. The Methodist Episcopal Church-. St. Paul's Church.. Union Chapel.. Military.. Schools-. Mills and Manufactories.. Prominent Men 435 Town of Old Satbook. Discovery and Settlement. .Extracts from Lion Gardners Letter from the Massachusetts Historical Collections.. Geographical and Descriptive.. In- dians and Indian Wars.. Early History of Saybrook Fort.. Purchase of Say- brook Fort.. Removal of Settlers to Norwich.. List of Freemen in 1669.. Attempt of George Andross to Take Possession of Saybrook Fort. .Con- dition of the Fort in 1693. .Yale College Patent of 1704.. The Saybrook Plat- form. Common Lands. .Parsonage Meadow, Grants to Soldiers, etc., .. Say- brook Ferry.. The Gale of September 181.5.. John Tully.. Extracts from Old Records and Documents. .Division of the Town. .Civil List. .New Saybrook ..Fen wick Hall.. Saybrook in theRev- olutionary War. .Saybrook in the War of 1812. .Old Saybrook in the War of the Rebellion.. Congregational Church ..Protestant Episcopal Church.. Meth- odist Episcopal Church. .Schools.. Early Mills.. West India Trade and Shipbuilding.. Fisheries.. BuiidingMa- terials-. Manufacturing.. Stores, Ho- tels, etc-,-. Physicians. .Siloam Lodge, No. 32, F. & A. M... Public Library.. Tomb of Lady Fenwick.. Saybrook Point. Prominent Families 442 Town of Portland. Geographical and Descriptive.. Indians.. Early Settlers.. Indian Wars.. The Rev- olution . .The War of 1812. .Portland as it is. Civil List. .Schools. .Mills,Manu- factories, etc..ShIpyard..Portland Quarries.. Phj'sicians and Dentists.. Prominent Persons from Portland.. Diseases, Epidemics, etc. .Post Offices ..Banks- -Libraries-. PublicHalls- -The Alms House. .The Soldiers Monument - . Private Collections - . Ferries . . Gil- dersleeve Ice House.. Fires and Fire Company. -Churches.. Prominent Men 493 Town of Saybrook. Introduction..The Present Town of Say- brook. .Early Settlers ot The Town.. Old Houses.. The War of the Rebel- lion. Civil List. .Ancient Town Rec- ords-. The Town Hall. .Post Offices.. Deep River National Bank.. Deep River Savings Bank-. The Wahginni- cut House. .Societies. .Bible Society.. Schools.. Industries of the Town.. Merchandise-. Churches.. Cemeteries. . Prominent Men 537 Town of Westbrook. Geographical and Descriptive.. Indians.. First Settlers. .Oyster River Quarter. . Pei-manent Settlement.. Early Roads-. Incorporation -.Civil List.. Shipbuild- ing -. Slavery .. Mills.. Iron Works.. Fisheries .. Ecclesiastical Society .. Methodist Churches.. Schools.. War of the Rebellion . .The Colonel Worthing- ton Farm . . Prominent Men 561 ILLUSTRATIONS. Berkeley Divinity School 124 Connecticut Hospital for the Insane lOe Fenwick Hall 466 Gaylord House (Oldest House in Middle- town) 94 Maps.— Outline County Plan l Geological i Haddam 370 Main Street, Clinton 229 " " Middletown 85 Morgan School ]2(i Old Court House 85 Old Fort at Saybrook 467 Russell Library 94 Tomb of Lady Fenwick 4S5 View ot Haddam 370 Wesleyan University ]2o CONTENTS. Ill PORTRAITS. Alleu, John 488 Alsop, Joseph Wright 156 Bailey, Leonard. M. D 168 Bailey, Samuel B., M. B 416 Bralnerd, Erastus 635 Buell, William H 240 Clark, George M 414 Clark, Thomas J 413 Comstock, itamuel M 363 Cone, Jonathan 322 Douglas, Benjamin 164 Douglas, Joseph W 165 Douglass vvilliam 163 Frisbie, Kussel 263 Gale. E. Thompson '. 241 Gildersleeve, Ferdinand 532 Gildersleeve, Henry 530 Gildersleeve, Oliver 631 Gildersleeve Sylvester 639 Goodspeed, William H 327 Hall, Hon. Alfred 534 Hendley.J. J 167 Hotchkiss, Julius 161 Hubbard, Henry G. 160 Hubbard, H. P 660 Hubbard, Samuel D 159 Jarvis, George O 533 Jennings, Kev. Kussell 557 Johnson, Emory 338 Kilbourn, Jonathan 163 Lane, Abner 433 Mansfield, Gen. J. K. F 156 Manwaring, David W 363 Miller, Samuel B 366 Nichols, William E 339 Hedfleld, William C 359 Russell, Samuel 170 Shaler, Gen. Alexander 411 Shepard, Nelson 536 Shipman, Hon. William D 220 Spencer, D. C 490 Spenoer,-J. W 578 Spencer, R. P .553 Stiles, N. C 173 Veazey, Hiram 317 Warner, Samuel L 169 Whittemore, Henry 365 Wilcox, Eben 361 Wilcox, William 1 72 Wflcox, William W 166 Williams. Datus, M. D 334 Williams, G. G 335 Williams, Rt. Rev. John 154 BIOGRAPHIES. Abell Family 198 Ackley Family 198 Allen, Hon. John 488 Alsop Family 156 Alvord Family 199 Arnold, Samuel 416 Augur,P.M 440 Bailey, Leonard, M. D 167 Bailey, Samuel B., M. D 415 Baldwin, Jesse G 159 Baldwin, Josiah 238 BartonFamily 200 Bevin Family 201 Bidwell, Dr. Edwin 557 BillFamily 201 Boardman, Luther 326 Bradford, Dr. Jeremiah 303 Bralnerd, Erastus 635 Bralnerd Family, Chatham 202 Bralnerd Family, Haddam 408 B ralnerd Family, East Haddam 323 Bray, Amaziah 239 BrownFamily 202 Bneli, Abel 238 Buell, Hon. William H 240 Bulkley, Eliphalet A 321 Bushnell, David 676 Champion, Gen. Epaphroditus 330 Champlin, Capt. Henry L 360 Chapman Family 573 Clark Family 204 Clark, George M 414 Clark, Thomas J 413 Clark, Oliver H 228 Coan, Rev. Titus 434 Cole, Ebenezer 205 Comstock, Christopher 205 Comstock, Samuel M 362 Cone Family 321 Cone, Francis H 321 Cone, Jonathan O 333 Cone, William R 333 Crane, Henry 237 Denison Family 487 Dickinson Family 487 Douglas, Hon. Benjamin 163 Douglas, Joseph W 164 Douglas, William 163 Edgerton, Francis D 173 Elderkin, Elisha 238 Elliot, Dr. Aaron 238 Elliot, Ely Augustus 239 Emmons Family 321 Field Family 408 Fisk.John 158 Fowler, W. C, LL. D 281 Frisbie, Russel 361 Gale, Dr. Benjamin 240 GaleFamily 241 Gates Family 207 Gildersleeve, Ferdinand 532 Gildersleeve, Henry 531 Gildersleeve, Oliver .533 Gildersleeve, Sylvester 530 Goodrich, Chauncey 281 Goodspeed, George E 327 Goodspeed, William H 320 Griffin, Edward D 321 Griswold, Capt. Daniel 237 Griswoia, Edward 237 HallFamily 534 Hamlin, Hon. Giles 152 Hart Family 486 Hendley, Capt. J.J 166 Hotchkiss, Hon. Julius — ^. 161 Hubbard, Harlan P 559 Hubbard, Hon. Henry G 100 Hubbard,Hou. Samuel D 160 Hull, Henry 434 Hull, Josias 237 Hurd, Jacob 208 Hurd,Leet 339 Ingham, Hon. Samuel 360 Jackson, Hon. Ebenezer jr 158 Jarvis, Mrs. Elizabeth M 487 Jarvis, George O., M. D 533 Jarvis, Rev. SamuelP 158 Jennings, Rev. Russell 667 Johnson, Edwin F 158 Johnson, Emory 328 Johnson Family 209 Keighley, William 209 Kelsey, Daniel 433 Kelsey, Hoemer *.. 433 Kilbourn, Jonathan 162 Lane, Abner 433 Lane, Hezekiah 432 Lay Family 674 Lester, Ebenezer 239 L'Hommedleu, Joshua 228 Lyman, David 440 Mansfield, Gen. J. K. F 155 Manwaring, David W 363 Markham, John 210 Mayo, Richard 210 McDonough, Com. Thomas 163 Miller, Samuel B 366 Morgan, Judge William 237 Mosley, Jonathan 320 Murdock Family 674 Nettleton, Rev. Asahel 433 Nichols, William E .. 329 Nott, Dr. Eliphalet 320 Olmsted, Stephen 210 Parmalee Family 211 Parmelee, Rev. Philander 434 Phelps, Hon. James 301 Pierson, Abraham 432 Pratt, James T 154 Pratt, Hon. Richard S 558 Pratt, Lieut. "William 487 Read, George 557 Redfleld, William C 259 Rockwell, Harry 212 Rogers, Capt. Timothy 212 Russell Family 169 Sears Family 212 Shaler, Gen. Alexander 411 Shew, Dr. Abram M 171 Shepard, Nelson 535 Shipman, Hon. William D 326 SlUiman, Samuel C 227 Spencer, R. P 558 Spencer, Alfred G 679 Spencer, Daniel C 490 Spencer, George 666 Spencer, Frederick W 577 Spencer, Hon. Joseph 323 Spencer, Joseph W 678 Stanton, John 239 Starr, Gen. E. W.N 164 Stevens, Philander 432 Stiles, N. C 172 Stocking, Rev . William R 268 Storrs, Henry R 153 Storrs, WUliamL 153 Stow, Rev. Samuel 152 Strong Family 214 Throop, Gen. Dyer 321 Urquhart, Capt. W. W 367 Veazey, Hiram. rr 217 Warner, Hon. Ely 226 Warner, Hon. Daniel B 327 Warner, Hon. Samuel L 168 White, Stephen 257 Whittemore, Alvau F 365 Whittemore, Henry 365 Wilcox, Eben 261 Wilcox, Joseph 237 Wilcox, William 172 Wilcox, William W 165 Willey, Calvin 324 Williams, Hon. Alpheus S 561 Williams, Dr. Datus 324 Williams, George G 335 Williams, Rt. Kev. John 154 Wright, Benjamin 240 OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. CHAPTER I. ABORIGINES. — RELICS AND THEORIES OF THE EARLIEST IN- HABITANTS. — INDIANS AT THE TIME OF SETTLEMENT. THE HISTORIAN of the former inhabitants of any country or region is confronted, at the out- set, by various difficulties. The question arises, Who and what were the progenitors of these inhabitants, and who were their ancestors? and so on. Ethnologists have hitherto been hampered in their in- vestigations by the assumption that the human family had no existence prior to the advent of Adam, and that wherever upon the surface of this planet man is found, it is necessary to trace him back to his origin at a par- ticular point in Asia, about six thousand years since, and to show, conjecturally at least, by what possible migra- tions he arrived in the distant region where he was dis- covered, and what climatic or other influences have wrought, within that limited period, the wide divergence which appears between him and the men of other regions. That a solution of these problems under such an as- sumption is environed by great, if not insurmountable, difficulties, is shown by the fact that nothing but insuf- ficient and, in many cases, absurd hypotheses have as yet been advanced. .The rapid advance of science in modern times has led many to a belief in the existence of pre-Adamitic man. In adopting this belief they have not called in question the truth of Genesis, but have insisted that it has hitherto been incorrectly interpreted. As early as 1655 a work was published in Europe, setting forth the doctrine of the existence of pre-Adam- ites on purely Scriptural grounds. Anthropological and ethnological science had scarcely an existence then, and such a bold innovation without their support could, of course, make but little headway. The adoption of this doctrine removes some of the difficulties which the historian encounters. In the case of the aborigines of this country, he is freed from the perplexing and useless task of endeavoring to show whether they came from Egypt, Asia, or Europe, or by what routes they came. He is also freed from the task of tracing far-fetched resemblance in language, religious beliefs, or ceremonies, domestic, social, or national cus- toms, or physical conformation. Prior to its discovery and settlement by the whites, Connecticut was inhabited by numerous tribes or clans of Indians. Of these the most numerous and powerful were the Pequots and Mohegans. The former, of whom tradition said they were once, an inland tribe that had gradually migrated to the region bordering the Sound, occupied the portion of the State along the coast east from the Connecticut River, and their principal seats were at New London, Groton, and Stonington. Their principal chief, at the time the English began their settlements, was Sassacus, who had under him twenty- six sub-chiefs, or war captains. The country of the Mohegans lay north from that of the Pequots, and extended into Massachusetts. Although the Pequots and Mohegans have been treat- ed of by historians as separate or distinct tribes, it ap- pears that the latter were the followers of Uncas, who had been a sachem under-Sassacus, and who was in re- bellion against him when the English first came to Con- necticut. By his subsequent alliance with the whites, he maintained his own and his people's independence of the Pequots under Sassacus. The towns that were es- tablished in the territory of the Mohegans obtained their title deeds from Uncas or his successors. Besides these, there were many smaller tribes or sov- ereignties, especially along the Connecticut River. Most of these were within the limits of Windsor, Hartford, Wethersfield, and Middletown. In Windsor alone, it is said there were ten sovereignties. West of the river there were scattering families in al- OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. most every part, and in some places large bodies. At Simsbury and New Hartford they were numerous; at Farmington there was a large dan; at Guilford a small tribe; and at Branford and New Haven another; at Mil- ford there were great numbers; at Turkey Hill, in the northwestern part of the town, there was a large settle- ment; about half a mile north of Stratford Ferry thej^ had a strong fortress, bii;lt as a defense against the Mo- hawks. There were two clans in Derby; one at Pangus- set, erected on the banks of the river, about a mile above Derby Ferry, a strong fort against the Mohawks; four miles above, at the mouth of the Naugatuck River, was another tribe. At Stratford the Indians were very numerous, though they had been very much wasted by the hostile incursions of the Mohawks; in Stamford there were several tribes, and two small clans in Nor- walk; there were many in Woodbury, most of whom were in that part since named South Britain. In the northeasterly part of the colony was a portion of the territory of the Nipmucks. This was called the Wabbequasset and Whetstone country, and because Un- cas had conquered it, the Mohegan conquered country. The number of Indians in Connecticut when the set- tlement commenced has been variously estimated. Some have placed it as low as 7,000, others as high as 20,000. Probably tlie number was about 16,000. CHAPTER II. FIRST SETTLEMENT AND INDIAN WARS. WHEN CONNECTICUT was first visited by Europeans is not known. Probably the Dutch, from their trading post on Manhattan Island, entered some portion of the State soon after that post was estab- lished, or as early as 1615. Whether the Dutch or the people at New Plymouth were the first to discover the Connecticut River is uncertain. Both claimed priority, and both occupied lands on it at about the same time. In 1630 a patent had been granted by the Plymouth Council, and confirmed by King Charles the First, to Robert, Earl of Warwick. In 1631 the Earl of Warwick granted to Lords Say and St^al, and Brook, and their associates, the original patent of Connecticut. In 1633 William Holmes, with a party of the Ply- mouth colonists, sailed up the Connecticut River, bring- ing with them the frame and other materials which they had prepared for erecting a house. On Dutch Point, in Hartford, he found that the Dutch had built a light fort and planted two pieces of artillery. Notwithstanding their threats to fire on him he passed this fort, proceeded up the river, landed on the west side near the mouth of the little river in Windsor, and erected and fortified his house there. This, it is said, was the first house erected in Connecticut. During the summer of 1635, settlers came here and planted settlements at Windsor, Hartford, and Wethers- field. In October of that year 60 more came overland from Massachusetts, and in November, John Winthrop, under a commission from the proprietors, which styled him " Governor of the River Connecticut," came with a crew in a small vessel and took possession of the mouth of the Connecticut, built a fort there, and thus prevented the Dutch from ascending the river. The first winter of the settlers who came in 1635 was one of great suffering because of the rigor of the season. Many made their way back to Massachusetts, and the health of those that remained was much impaired. The next year courts were established; for the set- tlers, though nominally under the rule of the mother country, really governed themselves. The first court was held at Hartford, April 26th 1636; the second at Wind- sor, June 7th, and the third, September ist, of the same year. These courts consisted of two principal men from each town, and, on important occasions, they Were joined with committees of three from each town. These courts were invested with all the legislative and judicial powers and functions of the colony. In 1636 the population of the colony was increased by the arrival at Hartford of Rev. Thomas Hooker and his congregation, about 100 in all. They came across the country through the untamed wilderness, from their pre- vious home in Cambridge. A congregation also came from Dorchester to Windsor, and another from Water- town to Wethersfield. The population in that year, in the three towns on the river and the garrison at the mouth of it, reached about 800 persons. In 163s and 1636 the powerful tribe of Pequots be- came hostile to the settlers. They had been guilty of several murders, and, when called on to make reparation, they not only refused to do so, but assumed a hostile attitude. The murdered people were citizens of Massa- chusetts, and an expedition from that colony was sent against the Indians. One or two of the Pequots were killed, and a large amount of property was destroyed. This only exasperated the Indians, who became more actively hostile. They were haughty and independent savages, and under the warlike and ambitious chief, Sas- sacus, they had conquered and governed the tribes around them. They regarded the English as intruders, and they were determined to extirpate them or drive them from the country. They therefore sought to unite other tribes, and especially the Narragansetts, with them against the whites, though with the latter they were not successful. The Pequots continued their hostilities dur- ing 1636, and, in the following winter, they kept the fort at Saybrook almost in a state of siege. In the spring they became still more actively warlike, and kept the en- tire colony in a constant state of alarm by waylaying the roads, fields, and streams, so that the settlers could neither hunt, labor, nor fish without being in constant peril of their lives. In May of that year a court was summoned at Hartford to deliberate on matters concern- ing the defense of the colony, and an active offensive war was determined on. Ninety men were raised in the towns of Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfield, and a sense of common danger induced Massachusetts and COLONIAL GOVERNMENTS— TROUBLES WITH THE DUTCH. Plymouth to send 240. In that month the Connecticut troops, with about 70 friendly Mohegans under Uncas, descended the river to Saybrook. Thence they proceed- ed to Groton, where they took the Pequot fort. The Pequots were pursued to the westward, and were finally overtaken in Fairfield county. They were surrounded in a swamp, many were killed, about 60 escaped, and the rest fell into the hands of the English and their Indian allies. CHAPTER III. COLONIAL GOVERNMENTS OF CONNECTICUT, NEW HAVEN, AND SAYBROOK, PROGRESS OF CONNECTICUT COL- ONY. PURCHASE OF SAYBROOK. DIFFI- CULTIES WITH THE DUTCH. * BY THE pursuit of the Pequots, the colonists be- came acquainted with the lands on the coast of the Sound to the west of Saybrook. This led to the emigration from Massachusetts, in 1638, of Mr. Eaton, Mr. Hopkins, Rev. Mr. Davenport, and many others, who landed at New Haven and founded a flourishing colony. The inhabitants of Hartford, Windsor, and Wethers- field were without the limits of the Massachusetts pat- ent and beyond the jurisdiction of that colony. They therefore resolved to form themselves into a distinct commonwealth, and, on the 14th of January, 1639, the free planters of these towns convened at Hartford and adopted a constitution. The preamble to this instru- ment set forth that it was to preserve " the libberty and purity of the Gospell," as they understood it, " and the regulation of civil affairs." This was the first constitution adopted in the New World, and it recognized as among its fundamental principles the great bulwarks of American freedom. It has been said of it that it was " simple in its terms, com- prehensive in its policy, methodical in its arrangement, and beautiful in its adaptation of parts to a whole, of means to an end." On the 4th of June, 1639, the free planters of Quinni- piack, or New Haven, met and formed a civil and relig- ious organization. The constitution, if- such it may be termed, of this colony was original, and, in some of the provisions, unique. The government tlius established has been termed a theocracy, and, although this term was hardly applicable, it is not too much to say that it was wi(Jely different from that of Connecticut. In 1639 the towns of Milford and Guilford were founded in the colony of New Haven. In the same year Fairfield and Stratford were founded, under the jurisdic- tion of Connecticut. In 1639 the commonwealth of Saybrook was founded by Colonel George Fenwick, one of the original pat- entees. The fort there had been garrisoned since its erection, but no civil government had been established. This government was administered by Fenwick. till 1644. Under the constitution of Connecticut, the freemen assembled at Hartford, in April' 1639, and chose as of- ficers: John Haynes Esq., governor; Roger Ludlow, George Willys, Edward Hopkins, Thomas Welles, John Webster, and William Phelps, magistrates; Roger Lud- low, deputy governor; Edward Hopkins, secretary; and Thomas Welles, treasurer. Twelve delegates composed the first General Assembly. At an adjourned session of this assembly the several towns in the colony were incor- porated, and their municipal powers and privileges de- fined. In 1642 the capital laws of Connecticut were record- ed. These are a portion of what have sometimes been termed the " blue laws," and the passages of Scripture on which they were founded were noted in each instance. The death penalty was prescribed for 14 crimes, in- cluding witchcraft, blasphemy, various forms of un- chastity, cursing or smiting of parents, and incorrigible stubbornness of children. The colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut and New Haven, formed, in 1643, a confederacy for mu- tual safety, under the name of " United Colonies of New England." In 1644 the colony of Connecticut purchased from Colonel Fenwick, lor ^1,600, the jurisdiction right in the colony of Saybrook. During the decade from 1640 to 1650, many towns were founded, both in the colonies of Connecticut and New Haven. Each sought to extend her territory by the purchase of portions of Long Island, and the latter attempted to plant a colony on the Delaware Bay. New London was founded in 1646, under the auspices of the General Court of Massachusetts; but the jurisdic- tion was, in the next year, relinquished to Connecticut. At about the commencement of the decade from 1650 to 1660, the Dutch, at New Netherland, who had never relinquished their claim to the territory of Connecticut, had become troublesome by their plotting and inciting the Indians against the English, and in 1663 measures were adopted by the colonies of Connecticut and New Haven for defense against a projected expedition by Long Island Indians against the Indians in alliance with the colonies. In 1654 the colony received an order from Parliament to treat the Dutch as enemies, and the Dutch possessions at Hartford were seized for the benefit of the commonwealth. CHAPTER IV. UNION OF CONNECTICUT AND NEW HAVEN UNDER A CHARTER. — BOUNDARIES ESTABLISHED. — CLAIM OF JURISDICTION BY SIR EDMUND ANDROSS. — KING Philip's war. IN i66i measures were taken to procure for Connec- ticut a patent directly from the Crown of Great Britain. Governor Winthrop was sent to England for this purpose. He was a man of superior address, and his applicationwas made under favorable circumstances; OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. and on the 20th of April, 1662, Charles the Second granted the colony letters patent, conveying ample privi- leges, under the Great Seal of England. This charter included the colony of New Haven. The inhabitants of this colony were greatly dissatisfied with this. Mr. Davenport and other ministers were strongly of the opinion that all government powers should be vested in the churches, and the churches were unani- mofusly opposed to being united with Connecticut. In New Haven only church members in full communion could be freemen, but in Connecticut all orderly persons, who were possessors of a freehold to a certain amount, might enjoy all the rights of citizenship. Doubtless the people of New Haven were fearful that the purity of their churches would be marred, and the civil adminis- tration corrupted by a union with Connecticut. After much difficulty, however, the two colonies, at the general election. May 12th 1664, united, and John Winthrop was chosen governor. March 12th 1664, Charles the Second granted to his brother, the Duke of York and Albany, a patent, cover- ing several extensive tracts in North America, and the lands on the west side of the Connecticut River were in- cluded in this patent. Colonel Richard Nichols was then sent from England with an armament, to reduce the Dutch possessions in America, and to hear and determine all matters of controversy between the New England colonies. After he had possessed New Netherland, and rechristened it New York, he, "with his associates, met the agents of Connecticut, and on the 30th of November 1664, determined the boundaries between the two col- onies. They also determined the southern boundary of Connectrcut to be the sea, thus cutting off her posses- sions on Long Island. Ten years later the Duke of York received from the King another patent, granting the same territory de- scribed in a former patent. He commissioned Major Edmund Andross to be Governor of New York, and all his territories in these parts. Andross was a petty ty- rant, and a pliant tool of the Duke. Under the patent of 1674 he laid claim* to the lands on the east side of Connecticut River, in violation of the agreement of 1664, and in disregard of the priority of the patent of Connec- ticut. In 1675, he attempted to force his claim by taking possession of the fort at Saybrook. By the firm- ness and resolution of Captain Bull, however, he was de- feated in this attempt. In 1675, what is known in history as King Philip's war broke out, and during its continuance a veritable reign of terror prevailed in some portions of New Eng- land. Philip was the principal chief of the Wampanoags, and to prevent the formation of an alliance between him and the Narragansetts the English made with the latter a friendly treaty, in July 1675. Within six months from that time it was found that the Narragansetts were se- cretly aiding the Wampanoags. A winter campaign against the Narragansetts was accordingly undertaken, and for this Massachusetts furnished five hundred and twenty-seven men, Plymouth one hundred and fifty-nine. and Connecticut three hundred, besides one hundred and fifty Mohegan Indians. This force, in December 1675, came 'together at a place called Pettyquamsequot. Sixteen miles from that place the Narragansetts had a strong fort, on a piece of dry ground, in the midst of a large swamp. This fort consisted of a circle of palisades, surrounded by a thick fence of trees. Within the fort were about six hundred wigwams, and large stores of corn, wampum, etc. The English maiched for this fort on the morning of the 19th of December. A deep snow impeded their march, but at 4 P.M. of the same day they attacked the Indians in their fortress. They were at first re- pulsed, but a second onset was made, and after a terrible conflict, in which many of the attacking party fell, the Indians were destroyed or dispersed in the wilderness. Jt was computed that about three hundred Indians were slain in this fight, and that many others who were wounded, died in the cold cedar swamp, where they had taken refuge. Hollister says: " The village was burned to ashes, and the valuable stores that it contained, with the women and children, whose number history has never recorded, and whose agony, though brief, was only heard in its full significance by the ear of a mercy that is infinite." Trumbull says: " They were in muofe doubt then, and afterward seriously inquired^ whether burning their enemies alive could be consistent with humanity, and the benevolent principles of the gospel." Humanity revolts at such atrocities. Of the 300 from Connecticut 80 were killed and wounded, and of these about 40 were killed or died of their wounds. This overthrow of the Narragansetts did not terminate the war, which was continued by Philip and his allies till the summer of 1676. This terrible war, as well as many others that have been waged between the whites and the aboriginal pro- prietors of the soil, might doubtless have been averted had the fact been recognized that the Indians had rights that Christians were under obligation to respect. CHAPTER V. ATTEMPTS TO DEPRIVE CONNECTICUT OF ITS CHARTER AND ITS CHARTERED RIGHTS, AND SUCCESS- FUL RESISTANCE TO THESE ATTEMPTS. CHARLES THE SECOND died in 1685, and was succeeded by the Duke of York, under the title of James the Second. The disregard of the rights of his subjects that had characterized the latter years of Charles's reign was increased rather than diminished un- der the reign of James. It was considered desirable by this king and those in authority under him to procure a surrender of all the patents that had been granted to the American colonies, and to rearrange them for provinces with a governor-general over the whole. In July 1685 a writ of qup warranto yia.% issued against ADMINISTRATION OF ANDROSS. the officers of Connecticut, summoning them to appear and show by what authority they exercised their func- tions and privileges. This was answered in July 1686 by an address beseeching pardon for any fault in their gov- ernment, and requesting a continuance of their rights. On the 2ist of that month two writs of quo warranto were served on the governor, requiring appearance and answer at a date prior to their service. Another bearing date October 23d was served December 28th, and this gave insufficient time for appearance and answer. All these writs declared the chartered rights of the colony vacated by failure to appear at the time and place re- quired. When an agent was sent to present the petition of the colony and endeavor to preserve its rights, it was found that the king and council had already determined to va- cate all the colonial charters, and unite all the colonies under a governor of royal appointment. Accordingly Sir Edmund (previously Major) Andross was appointed governor-general of New England. He amved in Bos- ton on the 19th of December 1686, and at once demand- ed, by letter, the surrender of the charter of Connecti- cut. He did not succeed, and, in October of the next year, while the Assembly was in session, he visited Hart- ford with a company of soldiers and demanded the sur- render of the charter. It was produced, but, pending a debate between Andross and the officers of the govern- ment, the lights were extinguished, and it was carried away and secreted in a hollow oak. Andross took form- al possession of the government, however, annexed it to Massachusetts, and appointed civil and military officers. Although Andross commenced his administration with strong professions of regard for the happiness and wel- fare of the people, it soon became evident that these pro- fessions were insincere, and that the colonists were to suffer under the exercise of an arbitrary and despotic power. The titles of the colonists to their lands were declared to be invalid, and they were required, even after they had improved their possessions during more than half a century, to take out new patents and pay for them a heavy fee. Many other oppressive measures were in- stituted, and the people were made to feel the weight of the tyranny under which they were placed. The reign of Andross was, however, not of long dura- tion. King James, who was as odious in England as was Andross in America, was compelled to flee from the kingdom, and on the 5th of November 1688, William, Prince of Orange, landed in England and assumed the functions of government. The news of this revolution was received in Boston in April 1689, and the people arrested and imprisoned Andross, and reinstated the old officers of the colony. The former government of Connecticut was re-estab- lished. The charter had not been surrendered nor invali- dated, and the ablest lawyers in England decided that the government had not been legally interrupted. The population of the colony continued to increase, and new towns were founded. The limits of this sketch will not permit an account of the founding of these towns. The free basis on which the colonial govern- ment of Connecticut was originally established was fa- vorable to the development of the spirit of liberty, inde- pendence, and jealousy of their rights that has always characterized her citizens. The existence and exercise of that spirit was illustrated by an episode in the coloni- al history in 1692. In August of that year Colonel Benjamin Fletcher, governor of New York, arrived in his colony with a commission which empowered hin) to assume command of the militia in the neighboring colonies. The charter of Connecticut conferred this power on the colony, and the Legislature would not submit to its assumption by Governor Fletcher. In September 1693, the court caused a petition for their chartered rights to be drafted and sent to King William. An agent was also sent to New York for the purpose of making terms with Governor Fletcher till the pleasure of the king should be further known. No terms, however, short of an entire relin- quishment of the militia to his command could be made. Trumbull says: " Od the 26th of October he came to Hartford, while the Assembly were sitting:, and, in his Majesty's name, demanded the submission of the militia to his command, as they would answer It to his Majesty; and that they would give him a speedy answer In two words, Tes, or No. He subscribed himself his Majesty's lieutenant and commander-in chief of all the militia, and the forces by sea and land, and of all the forts and places of strength In the colony of Connecticut. He ordered the militia of Hartford under arms, that he might beat up for volun- teers. It was judged expedient to call the train bands of Hartford to- gether; but the Assembly insisted that the command of the militia was expressly vested, by the charter, in the governor and company; and that they could by no means, consistently with their just rights and the common safety, resign it into other hands. They insinuated that his demands were an invasion of their essential privileges, and subversive of their constitution. "Upon this. Colonel Bayard, by his excellency's command, sent a let- ter to the Assembly, declaring that his excellency had no design upon the civil rights of the colony; but would leave them in all respects as he found them. In the name of his excellency he tendered a commission to Governor Treat, empowering him to command the militia of the colony. He declared that his excellency insisted that they should ac- knowledge it as an essential right Inherent in his Majesty to command the militia, and that he was determined not to set his foot out of the colony until he had seen his Majesty's commission obeyed; that he would issue his proclamation, showing the means he had taken to give ease and satisfaction to his Majesty's subjects of Connecticut, and that he would distinguish the disloyal from the rest. " The train bands of Hartford assembled, and as tradition is, while Captain Wadsworth, the senior ofBcer, was walking in front of the com- panies and exercising the soldiers. Colonel Fletcher ordered his commis- sion and instructions to be read. Captain Wadsworth instantly com- manded ' Beat the drums!' and there was such a roaring of them that nothing else could be heard. Colonel Fletcher commanded silence. But no sooner had Bayard made an attempt to read than Wadsworth coinmands 'Drum, drum, I sayl' The drummers understood their bus- iness, and instantly beat up with all the art and life with which they were masters. 'Silencel silence!' says the colonel. No sooner was there a pause than Wadsworth speaks with great earnestness, ' Drum, drum, I say!' and, turning to his excellency, said: ' If I am interrupted again I will make the sun shine through you in a moment.' He spoke with such energy in his voice, and meaning in his countenance, that no further attempts were made to read or enlist men. Such numbers of people collected together, and their spirits appeared so high, that the governor and his suite judged it expedient to leave the town and return to New York." When the matter was presented in England the legal officers of the Crown gave their opinion in favor of Con- necticut, and the king and council determined the mat- ter in accordance with their opinion. OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. CHAPTER VI. PROGRESS OF THE COLONY. — FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS.- CLAIMS OF CONNECTICUT TO LANDS IN PENNSYL- VANIA AND OHIO, AND THEIR ADJUSTMENT. IN 1698 the General Assembly enacted that the colo- nial Legislature should thereafter consist of two houses, one consisting of the governor, or deputy gov- ernor, and magistrate.s, the other of deputies from the several towns in the colony, now known as represent- atives. From that time the concurrence of both houses was required for the enactment of a law. The town of New Haven was, in 1701, designated as the place for holding the October session of the Legislature, the al- ternate session being held at Hartford, as before. War existed with France at this time, and Connecticut was subjected to heavy expense on that account. In 1709 the colony was compelled to issue paper money to defray the expense of an expedition against Canada, for which she raised 350 men. It was enacted that ;^8,ooo should be issued for this purpose. At about the commencement of the eighteenth century the colony was again harassed by an attempt to deprive it of its charter. Lord Cornbury, governor of'New York and the Jerseys, and Governor Dudley, of Massachusetts, conspired for this purpose, and they would have suc- ceeded but for the able effort of Sir Henry Ashurst, who was the agent of Connecticut, and a firm friend of the colonies. In 1 7 13, Connecticut had about 1,700 inhabitants. There were thirty-eight towns, and the counties of Hart- ford, New Haven, New London, and Fairfield, had been incorporated. Each county had a regiment of militia, making an aggregate of 4,000 in the colony. Two small brigs and seventy sloops constituted the shipping, and these were manned by about one hundred and twenty seamen. The principal trade was with New York, Boston, and the West Indies. To the two former, pro- duce, such as wheat, rye, barley, Indian corn, peas, pork, beef, and cattle was taken; to the West Indies, horses, cattle, beef, ])ork, staves, and hoops were exported, and rum, sugar, molasses, cotton, and some money received in return. The sessions of the Legislature which met twice in each year, were usiially limited to ten days, and the annual expense of the two sessions was about $1,600. The gov- ernor received a salary of $800, and the deputy governor of $200. The total expense of the government was within $3,500; which was a smaller sum than was usually allowed to a royal governor in the colonies. The record of Connecticut in the French and Indian wars, which prevailed between 1745 and 1763, is an ex- ceedingly honorable one. She furnished one thousand men in the expedition of tne colonies against Louisburg, and after the reduction of that place three hundred and fifty men were provided by the colony for the winter garrison. A sloop manned with one hundred men was also furnished. During the continuance of the war it is believed that Connecticut did fully double her propor- tion, compared with the rest of the colonies, for its main- tenance. More than six thousand of her men were in actual service in 1759. She also sent her full quota to the West Indies in 1762. After the termination of the French wars, in 1763, Connecticut increased rapidly in population, wealth, and commerce. Her settlements and towns multiplied, and she was soon able to discharge the debt incurred in the prosecution of the war. Her prosperity continued till the commencement of the Revolution. By the charter of 1662 Connecticut was bounded "on the north by the line of the Massachusetts plantation, and on the south by the sea," and extended "from the said Narragansett Bay on the East to the South Sea on the Weste part." Nineteen years later a grant was made to William Penn of lands on the west side of the Delaware River as far north as the 43d degree of latitude. This grant include'd a part of the territory embraced in the charter of Connecticut. During ninety years these lands, which lay west of the colony of New York, were not claimed by Connecticut. In 1753 her lands east from that colony had all been granted, and a company for settling those on the Susquehanna was formed. The Indian title to a large tract at Wyoming was extinguished, and settlements were made there. The jealousy of the proprietaries in Pennsylvania was aroused, and they ob- tained from some of the chiefs who had not signed the grant to the Connecticut purchasers, a deed for the same lands. Grants were made by Pennsylvania, and settle- ments thereon were commenced. Fierce disputes were thus excited, and the parties sought to maintain their claims by force of arms; and during several years what was known as the " Yankee and Pennanite war " pre- vailed. This controversy was suspended during the Rev- olution, but on the return of peace it was renewed. In 1782 the matter was determined by a joint commission, which decided adversely to the claims of Connecticut, and this State acquiesced in the decision. The claim of Connecticut to the land within the north- ern and southern boundaries, as expressed in the charter, west from Pennsylvania, was not relinquished. In order, however, to obtain the implied sanction of these claims, Connecticut, in 1786, ceded to the United States all these lands except a tract one hundred and twenty miles in length west from Pennsylvania, within the charter limits. The United States accepted the cession. Of these reserved lands half a million acres were granted by the State to the inhabitants of New London, Fairfield, and Norwalk, as an indemnity for property destroyed by the enemy during the Revolutionary war. The remain- der was sold, in 1795, and the proceeds, $1,200,000, were appropriated to the school fund of the State. The title to these reserved lands was confirmed by Congress in 1800, and the territory, which is now a part of Ohio, is still frequently spoken of as the Western Re- serve. REVOLUTION— WAR OF 1812— WAR OF THE REBELLION. CHAPTER Vn. CONNECTICUT IN THE REVOLUTION AND IN THE WAR OF 1812. CONNECTICUT was one of the first among the American colonies to protest against the Stamp Act, and to insist on the rights of trial by jury, and of the people to represent and tax themselves, and the As- sembly early adopted an address to the English parlia- ment on the subject. After the passage of the act, its execution in the colony was firmly and successfulb' re- sisted by the people. -The non-importation agreement was faithfully carried out by the people of Connecticut, and, after the passage of the Boston Port Bill and the rumor of an attack on Boston, 20,000, it was estimated) of the citizens of the colony armed themselves and start- ed, or were ready to start, for that city. The news of the battle of Lexington was received in Hartford while the Assembly was in session, and with the tacit consent of the members the expedition against Ticonderoga was planned, and it was paid for from the treasury of the colony. Following these first aggressive acts by armed Ameri- can forces came the rapid preparations for the hostilities that were to follow. In these Connecticut was among the foremost. She was hampered by no royal governor, and the spirit of liberty, which had been nourished and in- vigorated by more than a century of self-government, prompted her sons 10 the active and energetic resistance to the acts of Great Briiain which, from first to last, characterized them. At the battle of Bunker Hill, Con- necticut men, under Putnam and other officers from this State, rendered effective service, as they did on every battle-field where they fought during the protracted con- test. It will be remembered that after the battle of Long Island, in 1776, the enemy held possession of that island till the close of the war, and that the shore of Connecti- cut was subject to hostile incursions from the British, while Long Island was often raided by parties of patriots from Connecticut. In addition to these minor operations the State was several times invaded, and its towns were burned and pillaged. The last invasion of this kind was under the infamous traitor, Arnold, who was born in Connecticut, and who, after having basely attempted to betray his country, filled the measure of his infamy by bringing fire and sword into the state of his nativity. In the last war with Great Britain, commonly known as the War of 181:;, it is notable tha| in the first conflict on the ocean the first flag was struck to a native of Con- necticut. On the land, the first flag that was taken was also surrendered to one of her sons. In 1813 a blockade of the principal ports on the Sound was established, and this blockade was more rigidl;- en- forced after a torpedo vessel had been sent into the Sound with the desigti of destroying a portion of the blockading squadron. During this blockade, several spirited affairs of minor importance opcurred on the coast. In August 1814, Stonington was bombarded, the bombardment continuing during four days. The attack was resisted as vigorously as could be done with the feeble force available, and the vigilance of its defenders thwarted the designs of the enemy to burn the town. Several buildings were badly shattered, and some were wholly destroyed; but no one in the town was kiUed. CHAPTER VIII. CONNECTICUT IN THE GREAT CIVIL WAR. — CONSTITU- TIONAL GOVERNMENTS. CIVIL LIST. IT IS quite unnecessary to record the events which led to the war of the great Rebellion. During the interval between the election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency, in i860, and the bombardment of Fort Sum- ter, in 1861, the position of Connecticut was not equiv- ocal. The declaration and acts of her governor, her Legislature, and her representatives in Congress, were all in favor of a firm maintenance of the national honor, and against any concession to those who sought to compro- mise that honor, or to humiliate the nation. There were, however, in Connecticut, as in the other loyal States, some who, if not in sympathy with those who had seceded from the Union, were not heartily in accord with those who advocated prompt and energetic measures for the defense of the national integrity. The attack on Fort Sumter, however, aroused in many of these their dormant patriotism, and the sympathizers with the rebels were reduced to an impotent minority. As in other parts of the loyal North, there was here a spontaneous uprising for the support of the government; and such was the enthusiasm of the people that, in four days from the first call for troops, a regiment was at its rendezvous, and within three weeks 54 companies, or five times the quota of the State under the call, had ten- dered their services. Did space permit, an account of the self-sacrificing patriotism which was manifested in all parts of the State would be of interest. Different localities seemed to vie with each other in their efforts to sustain the government which had conferred on them prosperity and happiness. As time wore on, however, and the armies of the Union encountered disasters in the field, the opponents of the war became bolder and more outspoken. In the darkest hours of that struggle, however, they were not able to obtain control of the State government, and from the beginning to the end of that terrible war, Connecti- cut sustained her full share of the burden which it im- posed on the nation. It is worthy of remark that on the first day of the next session of the Legislature after the return of peace, the amendment to the Federal constitution abolishing and prohibiting slavery was ratified without a dissenting vote. The number of men furnished by the State during the war was 54,882, of whom 1,804 were in the naval service. This total, when reduced to a three years' standard, gives OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. 41,483, a surplus, in three years' men, of 6,698 over the total quota required to be furnished by the State. The number of men furnished, in proportion to the popula- tion of the State, was greater than that of any other State except Iowa and Illinois. The total war expenses of the State were estimated al $6,623,580.60. Connecticut furnished the following general officers who were natives or residents of the State, or who were officers of Connecticut .regiments, and became general officers during the war: Henry W. Benham, Darius N. Couch, Joseph R. F. Mansfield, Joseph A. Mower, Newton, John Sedgwick, Alfred H. Terry, Horatio G. Wright, major- generals; Henry L. Abbott, Henry W. Birge, Joseph R. Hawley, Alexander Shaler, Joseph G. Totten, Robert O. Tyler. Henry W. Wessells, A. S. Williams, brevet major- generals; Luther P. Bradley, Henry B. Carrington, Wil- liam T. Clark, Orris S. Ferry, Edward Harland, Henry M. Judah, William S. Ketchum, Nathaniel Lyon, Ra- nold S. Mackenzie, James W. Ripley, Benjamin S. Rob- erts, Truman Seymour, A. Von Steinwehr, Daniel Tyler. H. D. Terry, brigadier-generals; Erastus Blakeslee, Wil- liam G. Ely, Theodore G. Ellis, E. D. S. Goodyear, Ed- win S. Greeley, James Hubbard, Brayton Ives, Edward M. Lee, Gustavus Loomis, John Loomis, William H. Noble, John L. Otis, Joseph G. Perkins, William S. Pierson, Alfred P. Rockwell, Samuel Ross, Griffin A. Stedman, John E. Toutellotte, Edward W. Whitaker, Henry M. Whittlesey, Henry C. Ward, brevet brigadier- generals. It is a fact, of v/hich their descendants have reason to be proud, that the founders of Connecticut comprehend- ed the great principles of civil and religious liberty, and established the government, from the first in strict ac- cordance with those principles. While the other colo nies were suffering under the domination, and often under the tyranny of royal governors, she had her affairs administered by officers of her own choice. As has been seen she firmly and successfully resisted every attempted encroachment on her rights, and every effort, whether by insidious craft or open intimidation, to deprive her of her charter. In this State it was not found necessary after the Dec- laration of Independence to adopt a constitution, but simply to enact a statute providing that the government should be administered according to the provisions of the charter, which was already republican in its character. This form of government continued without essential change till 1818. The changes that time had gradually wrought rendered the adoption of a new fundamental law desirable, and accordingly, in that year, a convention of delegates from the several towns assembled in Hartford, and in a ses- sion of about three weeks elaborated a constitution-. This was submitted to the electors of the State, in Octo- ber of that year, and was ratified by a majority of fifteen hundred and four. The following is a list of the colonial and State gov- vernors of Connecticut: John Haynes, first chosen in 1639, served 8 years; Ed- ward Hopkins, 1640, 7; George Willys, 1642, i; Thomas Weller, 1655, 2; John Webster, 1658, i; John Winthrop, 1657, 18; William Leete, 1676, 7; Robert Treat, 1683, 4; [Sir Edmund Andross, 1687, 2]; Robert Treat, 1689, g; Fitz John Winthrop, 1698, 9; Gurdon Saltonstall, 17071 17; Joseph Talcott, 1724, 17; Jonathan Law, 1741, 9; Roger Wolcott, 1750, 4; Thomas Fitch, 1754, 12; William Pitkin, 1766, 3; Jonathan Trumbull, 1769, 15; Matthew Griswold, 1784, 2; Samuel Huntington, 1786, 10; Oliver Wolcott, 1796. 2; Jonathan Trumbull, 1798, 11; John Treadwell, 1809, 2; Roger Griswold, i8ii, i; John Cotton Smith, 1813, 4 ; Oliver Wolcott, 1818, 9 ; Gidion.Tomlinson, 1827, 4 ; Jonn Samuel Peters, 183 1, 2 ; Henry D. Edwards, 1833, i ; Samuel A. Foot, 1831, 1 ; Henry W. Edwards, 1835, 3 : William W. Ellsworth, 1838, 4 ; Chauncey F. Cleveland, 1842, 2 ; Roger Sher- man Baldwin, 1844, 2 ; Isaac Toucey, 1846, i ; Clark BisFel, 1847, 2 ; Joseph Trumbull, 1849, i ; Thomas H. Seymour, 1850, 4 ; Henry Dutton, 1854, i ; William T. Minor, 1855, 2 ; Alexander H. HoUey, 1857, i ; William A. Buckingham, 1858, 8 ; Joseph R. Hawley, 1866, i ; James E. English, 1867, 2 ; Marshall Jewell, 1869, i ; James E. English, 1870, i ; Marshall Jewell, 1871, 2 ; Charles R. Ingersoll, 1873,4; Richard D. Hubbard, 1877, 2 ; Charles B. Andrews, 1879, 2 ; Hobart B. Bigelow, 1881, 2 ; Thomas M. Waller, 1883. The deputy or lieutenant governors of the colony and State of Connecticut have been: Roger Ludlow, first chosen in 1639, served 3 years; John Haynes, 1640, 5; George Willys, 1641, 1; Edward Hopkins, 1643, 6; Thomas Weller, 1654, 4; John Web- ster, 16515, i; John Winthrop, 1658, i; John Mason, ' 1660, 9; William Leete, 1669, 7; Robert Treat, 1676, 17; James Bishop, 1683, 7; William Jones, 1692, 5; Nathan Gold, 1708, 16; Joseph Talcott, 1724; Jonathan Law, 1724, 17; Roger Wolcott, 1741, 9; Thomas Fitch, 1750, 4; William Pitkin, 1754, 12; Jonathan Trumbull, 1766, 3; Matthew Griswold, 1769, 15; Samuel Hunting- ton, 1784, 2; Oliver Wolcott, 1786, 10; Jonathan Trum- bull, 1796, 2; John Treadwell, 1798, 11; Roger Griswold, 1809, 2; John Cotton Smith, 1811, 2; Chauncey Good- rich, 1813, 2; Jonathan Ingersoll, 1816, 7; David Plant, 1823, 4; John S. Peters, 1827, 4; Henry D. Edwards,i83i, i; Thaddeus Belts, 1832, 1; Ebenezer Stoddard, 1833, i; Thaddeus Betts, 1834, i; Ebenezer Stoddard, 1835, 3; Charles Hawley, 1838, 4; William S. Hollabird, 1842, 2; Reuben Booth, 1844, 2; Noyes Billings, 1846, i; Charles J. McCurdy, 1847, 2; Thomas Backus, 1849, i; Charles H. Pond, 1850, i; Green Kendrick, 1851, i; Charles H. Pond, 1852, i; Alexander H. HoUey, 1854, 2; William Field, 1855, i; Albert Day, 1856, i; Alfred A. Burnhami 1857, i; Julius Catlin, 1858, 3; Benjamin Douglas, 1861, i; Roger Averill, 1862, 4 ; Oliver F. Winchester, 1866, i ; Ephraim H. Hyde, 1867,2 ; Francis Wayland, 1869, i ; Julius Hotchkiss, 1870, i ; Morris Tyler, 1871, 2 ; George G. Sill, 1873, 4 ; Francis B. Loomis, 1877, 2 ; David Gallup, 1879, 2 ; William H. Bulkeley, 1881, 2 ; George G. Sumner, 1883. GENERAL HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. CHAPTER I. GEOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY, AND ORIGINAL CONDITION. MIDDLESEX COUNTY was incorporated by an act of the Legislature passed at the May ses- sion, 1785, and at that time consisted of six towns. Of these, Mifldletown, Chatham, Haddam, and East Had- dam were taken from the county of Hartford, and Say- brook and Killingworth from New London county. Dur- ham was annexed to the county in May 1799, from the county of New Haven. New towns have been erected from the original six till the number is now fifteen. From the first Middletown and Haddam have been half shire towns, and public buildings have been erected and main- tained in each.. The form of the county is irregular. Its average length between north and south is twenty-seven miles, and its average width from east to west is about fourteen. Its general boundaries are Hartford county on the north, New London county on the east, Long Island Sound on the south, and New Haven county on the west. The surface of Middlesex county is generally uneven. On the margin of the sound is an area of from half a mile to two miles in width that is comparatively level, as are also small areas in other parts of the county. A range of wide hills passes obliquely through the county from southwest to northeast, crossing the Connec- ticut River at a place called the " Straits," and passing thence to the interior of New England. On the western borders of Middletown and Durham are Wallingford Mountains, some of which are known by distinct names, as Higby Mountain, from a settler near it, and Lamenta- tion Mountain, the origin of the name of which is uncer- tain. From the sides and bases of the many hills in the county issue springs which form brooks that gather into larger streams. These, as they pass onward to discharge their waters into the Connecticut River, afford valuable water power, which is extensively utilized for mills and manufactories. The Connecticut River passes in a general southeast- erly course through the county, separating the towns of Portland, Chatham, and East Haddam on the east from the other towns on the west of it. The same name (spelled Connectiquot) was applied by the Indians on Long Island to a river in Suffolk county, N. Y. In the Indian tongue it meant the Long River, and here it gave its name to the State. It rises in Canada, on the south- ern side of the water shed which separates th^ waters that pass through the St. Lawrence from those that go south through New England. At the point where it en- ters the United States it is no more than ten rods in width. For a distance of about two hundred miles -it forms the boundary between Vermont and New Hamp- shire, receiving affluents from the Green Mountains on the west, and from the White Mountains of New Hamp- shire. It passes centrally through Franklin, Hampshire, and Hamden counties in Massachusetts, and Hartford county in this State, receiving in its course through these counties large affluents on both sides. It passe.s through the northern part of Middlesex county and between this and New London counties to its mouth in Long Island Sound. The river varies in width through and along this coun- ty from thirty-five rods at the straits to more than one hundred in other places. The tide sets back in this river as far as Hartford, to which point it is navigated by steamboats as well as sailing vessels. Its minimum depth is about ten feet at high tide, and it has an average depth of fifteen feet. The ship channels in the river un- dergo changes from time to time by reason of natural or artificial changes along its banks. There are several islands in the course of the river through this county. These undergo gradual changes, some of them being augmented in area by the deposit of sediment, especially during freshets, and some are di- minished or even obliterated by the erosion of their shores, while others are formed around temporary obstructions of the current, then increased by the deposit of sedi- ment in the eddies below them. The current of the river is usually gentle, except at the lO HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Straits, some two miles below Middletown, and here it is necessarily more violent, especially during the ebbing of the tide. The river is subject to freshets, especially at the melt- ing of the snows in this vicinity in the spring, and later, when the snow and ice dissolve at the sources of the river and its tributaries in the mountains above. At such times the obstruction, at the Straits, of the large volume of the water tends to increase and prolong the floods above, and ice-packs have been known to occur at this narrow part of the river's course, which, by damming the waters, have occasioned much damage. These freshets, however, greatly fertilize the lands which are overflowed. This river and its tributaries formerly abounded with fish, and the taking of these in their season wa-s once an important branch of industry; but the number that fre- quent these waters, especially of the more valuable vari- eties, has so diminished, that the business has dwindled into comparative insignificance. Field said, in i8r8: "There are eighty places where shad are now caught in the season of fishing, beginning about the middle of April and ending in the middle of June, viz.: 26 in Say- brook, 17 in Haddam, 16 or 17 in Middletown, 13 in Chatham, and 5 in East Haddam. At the fish places in Saybrook there were salted, in 1817, according to the report of the deputy inspector, 2,194 barrels of shad; at the fish places in Haddam, 146 barrels; and at those in East Haddam, 169; making a total of 2,509 barrels." Middlesex county was, when first settled, covered with a h%avy growth of timber. The principal varieties were oak, walnut, and chestnut on the high grounds, and ma- ple, birch, beech, elm, ash, and hemlock on the decliv- ities of the hills and in the valleys. Interspersed among these were other varieties, and, in some portions of the county, pitch pine, as well as white pine and cedar, were found. The grand old trees of the primitive forests have long since fallen " beneath the woodman's sturdy strokes," and a later, growth is permitted to flourish only on lands least valuable for other purposes. At first much of this timber had so little value, that it was often burned to make way for the plough. The more valuable varieties were converted into lumber for building houses or ships, and, as the demand for fuel in neighboring cities and towns increased, greater economy was exercised with the less valuable varieties. But for the substitution of min- eral coal for the fuel which the timber growth formerly supplied, the entire surface would long since have been denuded of even the meagre growth which remains. The wild animals that traversed the forests on the hills and in the valleys of this region have long since disap- peared. The bear was destroyed, because of his depre- dations on the pig-styes and corn-fields of the early in- habitants; the wolf, that once made night hideous with his howls, that ravaged the sheep-folds of the settlers, and was at times the terror of the belated traveler, has been exterminated or driven to northern forests; the stealthy panther and lynx have fled before the advance of civilization; and the harmless and timid deer, that cropped the herbage on the hillsides, has been hunted for his palatable flesh and useful skin till the last bf his kind long since ceased to exist here. Other animdlfe dis- appeared as their changing environments became utltavor- able to their continuance, and many years have eltlpsed since any of the original denizens of the forests hei'K have been seen. CHAPTER II. THE GEOLOGY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. By William North Bice, Ph. D., Professor of Geolog-y in Wgfeleyan University. /. — T/ie Metamorphic Rocks. THE AREA of Middlesex county may be dli^lded geologically into two very well marked porubns, which require separate description. The boundary be- tween the two extends from a point in the north liH6 of Portland, about a mile east of the Connecticut Rivdf) in a direction approximately south-southwest, to a (jflint not far from the middle of the south line of Durham. The boundary crosses the river a short distance wesi; of the range of hills called the White Rocks in MiddletciWh. The district east of this boundary consists entirely bf highly crystalline rocks. The predominant rock i^ a micaceous rock, varying from a gneiss to a mica schi§^, according to the proportion of the mica to the quarl^ and feldspar, and the consequently varying degree tJt^ development of the schistose structure. Sometimes thfe gneiss becomes granitoid, almost losing its stratification. Sometimes the mica and feldspar disappear, so that the rock becomes a quartz-rock. A stratum of this quartz- rock forms the summit of the ridge called Great Hill, or Cobalt Mountain, on the boundary between Portland and Chatham. The extreme hardness of this rock, enabling it so effectively to resist the erosive action of water and ice, is doubtless the reason for the existence of the ridge the softer rocks around it having been worn away. In other localities the mica gives place to hornblende, so that the rock becomes a hornblende schist. Such a hornblende schist is the rock in which the ores of cobalt and nickel are contained, which were formerly worked at Chatham. The granitoid gneisses of this formation afford good building stones, and have been quarried in various places for this purpose. The piers of the bridge over the Connecticut at Middletown are built of gneiss from Collins Hill, in Portland. A gneiss from Hadddra Neck has been used in the building of some of the forti- fications in New York Harbor. The more schistose strata afford an excellent material for curb-stones, and have been quarried for this purpose at various localities in Haddam and elsewhere. These schists have been used to some extent for flag-stones, but the surfaces of the layers are not usually smooth enough to adapt them well for that purpose. The rocks above described have been entitled meta- morphic rocks, and there can be no reasonable doubt that that name expresses truly their nature and history. GENRAL HISTORY. 'I'hey were originally deposited as sedimentary rocks, de- j-Jved from the disintegration of older rocks. Subse- quently, by the joint action of heat and moisture, they ^suffered a molecular re-arrangement by which they as- sumed their present crystalline texture. They may once have been fossiliferous; but whatever fossils they may formerly have contained, have been entirely obliterated by the process of raetamorphism. At the time of their metamorphism the strata were subjected to extreme dis- location, being folded and broken in the most compli- cated ways. The evidence of these disturbances is seen in the extremely varying dips throughout the region. In some places, as at Arnold's curb-stone quarry at Had- dam, the strata are nearly vertical. The region of metamorphic rocks in which the larger part of Middlesex county is included, occupies the greater part of New England, and extends southwestward, along the course of the Appalachian system of mountains, nearly the whole length of the eastern border of the United States. In New England this belt of metamor- phic rocks lies .immediately upon the coast, but south- wardly it is separated from the sea by a strip of Tertiary and Quaternary deposits. It was formerly the belief of geologists that all highly crystalline rocks must be of the greatest antiquity, and such rocks were formerly called primitive, or primary, with reference to that belief. It is, however, now well established, that rocks of the most highly crystalline character have been produced at various periods, so that the crystalline character of the rocks of the Appalachian region is in itself no proof of their great antiquity. All that is certainly known of the age of a large part of this belt of metamorphic rock, is that it is not later than the Carboniferous Period ; the last great epoch of disloca- tion, with its usual accompaniment of metamorphism, in the Appalachian region, having been at the close of the Carboniferous. The opinion held by some • geologists, that all these crystalline rocks of the Ap- palachian region are of Archaean age, is certainly not proved, and is probably not true. The lithological character of strata is of very little value as evidence of age. Fossils afford the only reliable criterion of age, and the age of a non-fossiliferous stratum can be determined only by reference to fossiliferous strata which it overlies or underlies. It is not at all unlikely that rocks of various ages, Archaean and Paleozoic, may be included in this region of metamorphic rock. The only way by which, the problem of the age of these rocks can be solved, is by searching for the patches of rock, here and there, in which the metamorphism has been less com- plete than usual, and in which, therefore, traces of fos- sils have been preserved (as at Bernardston, Massachu- setts, where Upper Silurian or Devonian fossils have been discovered), and then carefully tracing the relations of these patches of fossiliferous rock to the underlying and ovt rlying masses of rock in which the fossils have been completely obliterated. The patches of fossiliferous rock appear to be so few and small, and the dislocations of the strata have been so complex, that it- is doubtful whether it will ever be practicable to solve the problem completely ; but confessed ignorance is better than im- aginary knowledge. Associated with these metamorphic rocks are numer- ous veins. Probably at the time of the dislocation and metamorphism of the strata numerous fissures were made, which were filled with crystalline material deposited from the hot waters which had held it in solution. These veins are sometimes very irregular, and cut across the strata in every direction ; but often they coincide closely for considerable distances in dip and strike with the strata themselves. Some of the veins are very thin, re- sulting from the filling of mere cracks. Others are many yards in perpendicular thickness. Most of the larger veins are of a coarse granite. This granite has been quarried at numerous localities in Middletown, Portland, and Chatham, for the sake of the feldspar, which is used in the manufacture of porcelain. The mica in these granites occurs often in large sheets, but they are too ir- regular to have any commercial value. These granite veins are the chief repository of the minerals which have rendered the towns of Middletown, Haddam, Portland, and Chatham famous among mineralogists. The feld- sp.ir (chiefly orthoclase, but in part albite) often occurs crystallized; and the crystals are sometimes of very large size, occasionally two feet or more in dimensions. The mica (muscovite) is often in beautiful crystals. The quartz, though generally of a smoky gray, is sometimes of a fine rose color. The accessory minerals, occiirring more or less abundantly in these granites, are very nu- merous. The following is probably not a complete list of the minerals which have been recognized in these granite veins: sphalerite, chrysoberyl, rhodonite, beryl, garnet, epidote, iolite (usually altered to fahlunite), le- pidolite, oligoclase, tourmaline (black, green, and red), columbite, samarskite, apatite, monazite, torbernite, au- tunite. Besides these granite veins, there are numerous quartz veins, though the latter are generally of small size. In the southeastern part of Middletown is a large vein containing argentiferous galenite, associated with pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite, in a gangue consist- ing chiefly of quartz, with some calcite and fluorite. This vein was extensively worked for lead in colonial and Revolutionary times, and has been worked more re- cently for silver : but the workings have been ■ aban- doned. //. The Connecticut Valley Sandstone. The northwestern portion of the county, including the towns of Cromwell and Middlefield, the larger part of Middletown and Durham, and a small part of Portland, is occupied by a group of rocks very diflierent from the pre- ceding. In the district now under consideration the pre- dominant rock is a red sandstone. The rock varies much in texture, sometimes becoming coarser and passing into a conglomerate, sometimes becoming finer and passing into a shale. The color is usually a decidedly reddish brown, owing to the presence of ferric oxide, but some of the layers are gray rather than red. Here and there the 12 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. percolation of waters charged with decomposing organic matter has effected a local deoxydation of the iron, and has thus produced spots and streaks of a greenish color. The sandstone proper (in distinction from the more shaly strata) is thick-bedded and massive, and can be quarried in large blocks of very uniform texture. It makes an ex- cellent building stone, and has been quarried at various localities in the Connecticut Valley and elsewhere. Espe- cially famous are the quarries at Portland, which have been worked for many years, and are still being worked on a_most extensive scale. Great quantities of the stone are sent every year to New York and other cities, besides what is used in the immediate vicinity. Besides the red sandstone (including the red shale and conglomerate), two other rocks occur in small quantity in this forma- tion. At several localities in Middletown, Middlefield, and Durham (the localities all lying nearly in one north and south line), may be observed onterops of a black, highly carbonaceous shale, containing thin seams and small nodules of bituminous coal. Associated closely with the black shale is a stratum of dark gray impure limestone. A characteristic locality for these rocks is the little gorge of Laurel Brook, near the Middletown reser- voir, in Middlefield. This black shale has unhappily proved a delusion and a snare to sotae of the farmers in the vicinity, who have expended considerable money in boring in search of coal. It is perfectly safe to say that no coal in workable quantities is to be found. A boring prosecuted with sufficient persistence will pass through va- rious alternations of- sandstone, conglomerate, and shale, with perhaps an occasional sheet of trap, and will event- ually reach metamorphic rocks like those which have been already described. A very simple consideration will make this evident even to the non -geological reader. The strata of the sandstone formation, in most parts of the Connecticut Valley, dip pretty uniformly to the east, the average inclination being not far from twenty de- grees. It is therefore evident that a stratum which is underground at any particular locality is likely to come to the surface further west. If a Durham farmer wishes to know what rocks underlie his farm, it will be much cheaper for him to take a walk through Wallingford and Cheshire, and examine the surface rocks, than to employ an adventurer with a diamond drill. The formation now under consideration occupies a strip of territory extending from New Haven nearly to the northern boundary of Massachusetts, and varying from four miles to somewhat more than twenty miles in width. From the northern boundary of Massachusetts as far down as Middletown the course of the Connecticut River lies in this formation, but below Middletown the river has carved a channel for itself through, the meta- morphic rocks. There are several other basins at inter- vals along the Atlantic coast occupied by formations similar to that of the Connecticut Valley. One is in Nova Scotia; another, the most extensive, extends from the Palisades on the Hudson southwestward across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Other basins occur in Virginia and North Carolina. All these localities present about the same variety of rocks. The rocks (with the excep- tion of the limestone and coal) have evidently been de- rived from the disintegration of the older rocks outside of the basin, the strata of conglomerate often containing pebbles whose source can be recognized with some de- gree of definiteness. The beds appear to have been de- posited in the brackish waters of shallow estuaries. The troughs in which these estuaries lay were probably formed at the time of the folding and dislocation of the older metamorphic rocks. The question is often asked whether the Connecticut River ever emptied into the Sound at New Haven. The old Connecticut estuary (as we have seen) communicated witii the Sound at New Haven. But it is probable that, at the close of the period of the depo- sition of the sandstone and associated rocks, the region southwest of Middletown was so much elevated, that the waters of the upper part of the valley found a lower path to the eastward, and accordingly commenced cutting the valley in which they now flow through the metamorphic rocks. It is probable, therefore, that the Connecticut River, ever since it became a true river, has occupied substantially its present valley. The rocks of the formation under consideration con- tain a variety of fossils, which serve as memorials of the life of the period in which the rocks were deposited. The black shales contain impressions of cycads and ferns, and more abundant remains of ganoid fishes. The cy- cads are a group of plants exceedingly abundant in the earlier part of the Mesozoic age, but at present very scantily represented. A familiar example is the beautiful plant commonly (though incorrectly) called the sago- palm, which is not infrequently seen in conservatories. The cycads superficially resemble palms and tree-ferns, but they are really much more closely related to the pines and other coniferous trees. The ganoid fishes are also a group now nearly extinct, though very abundant throughout the latter part of Paleozoic and the earlier part of Mesozoic times. One of the few modern ex- amples of ganoid fishes is seen in the bony pike, or gar- fish, of the rivers of the Mississippi valley. The ganoids are generally, though not always, covered with an armor of bony scales or scutes; and the internal skeleton is generally less perfectly developed than in ordinary fishes. In the fossil specimens of ganoids, accordingly, little or nothing is usually preserved excepting the scales. The red sandstones and shales have afforded few fos- sils except casts of trunks of trees and foot-prints of ani- mals. The tracks are very ab"ndant in certain layers, and are in great variety. Some of them indicate animals of very large size. One of the largest was a quadruped whose hind feet made a four-toed track eighteen inches in length. It is believed to have been an amphibian of the order of labyrinthodonts — an order now entirely ex- tinct. The majority of the tracks are three-toed, and were apparently made by animals which at least ordina- rily moved as bipeds, supporting themselves exclusively on their posterior limbs. Three-toed tracks of a biped naturally suggests to the mind the idea of a bird, and the tracks are popularly known as bird-tracks. Some emi- GENERAL HISTORY. 13 nent geologists have coincided with the popular opinion. It seems probable, however, that that opinion is errone- ous. While the tracks are acknowledged to resemble exactly those of birds, it is now well known that there was in the Mesozoic age another order of animals to which the tracks might be referred— animals, in fact, whose tracks would be undistinguishable from those of birds. The animals referred to are the dinosaurs— an order of reptiles remarkable for their approximation to birds in many parts of the skeleton, and particularly in the structure of the pelvis and hind limb. The dinosaurs were not clothed with feathers, and did not have the an- terior limbs developed as wings. But many of them were completely bipedal in their mode of progression, and their three-toed tracks would exactly resemble those of birds. So far as the appearance of the tracks goes, they might be referred with equal likelihood to birds or to dinosaurs. Two reasons, however, render the dinos- aurian character of the animals much the more probable. First, it is certain that dinosaurs were in existence at the time of the deposition of the sandstones, while it is very doubtful whether there were any birds. It is still in doubt whether the age of these sandstones is Triassic or Jurassic. Now dinosaurs are known to have existed throughout these two periods, while the earliest skeletons of birds have been found in the beds of the later part of the Jurassic. Secondly, the colossal size of some of these tracks is strongly against their avian character; for all the unquestionable birds of the Mesozoic age were compara- tively small animals, while among the dinosaurs were in- cluded the largest land animals that have ever lived. Of course, any determination of the affinities of the animals which made the tracks, must be regarded as merely pro- visional, in the absence of actual skeletons. But it is altogether probable that the three-toed tracks were those of dinosaurs. No mammalian remains have been found in the sand- stones of the Connecticut Valley; but a portion of a skeleton found in the corresponding formation in North Carolina has shown that at that period small marsupials, allied to the modern opossums, were already in existence. As has already been remarked, the age of the Connec- ticut Valley sandstone and the associated rocks is either Triassic or Jurassic. They are certainly newer than the Carboniferous, for they overlie unconformably a system of folded rocks in which the Carboniferous is in- cluded. It is equally certain that these rocks are older than the Cretaceous, of which well characterized de- posits are found in New Jersey. It is, however, at pres- ent impossible to fix the age more definitely. The char- acteristic fossils of the respective subdivisions of the Triassic and Jurassic periods, as recognized in other parts of the world, are chiefly remains of marine animals, the fossiliferous rocks being mostly marine. The Con- necticut Valley sandstones and associated rocks contain no marine fossils whatsoever — scarcely any fossils, in fact, except fresh water fishes, impressions of land plants, and tracks of land animals. Hence it. has been im- possible to correlate these rocks exactly with any par- ticular group of strata in other parts of the world. Litho'ogically the rocks much resemble the New Red Sandstone of England, and the Bunter Sandstein of Ger- many, which are of Triassic age. Lithological resemb- lance, however, in rocks of widely separated areas, is no reliable proof of contemporaneity. ///. The Trap Rocks. Closely connected with the Connecticut Valley sand- stones are remarkable developments of igneous rock. The typical rock in the trap dikes and sheets is a dolerite or diabase, consisting chiefly of pyroxene and labradorite,but containing also more or less of magnetite and some other minerals. The presence of magnetite gives a remarkable magnetic property to much of the rock. If a compass be moved about upon a surface of the trap rock, it will often be found that at different points within an area of a square yard the needle will point in every possible direction. Even hand specimens of the rock often exhibit strikingly this magnetic property. Some of the trap rock has be- come hydrated by the penetration of water and aqueous vapor into the mass, more or less of the pyroxene being converted into chlorite. The hydrous traps are often araygdaloidal, the cavities being filled with datolite, prehnite, calcite, and other crystalline minerals. Fine specimens of datolite in the cavities of an amygdaloid were obtained from a cutting near Westfield, in the build- ing of the Berlin Branch Railroad. The trap rocks of the Connecticut Valley often show, more or less distinctly, the columnar structure, resulting from contraction in cooling, which is so characteristic of igneous rocks. Very perfect examples of such columns may be seen at Mount Holyoke, in Massachusetts, and at Rabbit Rock, near New Haven. No very good examples have been ob- served within the limits of Middlesex county. The trap has been used very extensively for macadamizing roads, and to some extent as a building stone. For the former purpose it is exceedingly well adapted. The trap has been spoken of as an igneous rock, and there can be no doubt that it came up in a melted state from the interior of the earth. The sandstone in many places shows, along the line of contact with the trap, the most unmistakable effects of heat, being sometimes strongly indurated, sometimes rendered vesicular and almost scoriaceous by the conversion into steam of the moisture present in the sandstone, sometimes impreg- nated with crystalline minerals. A remarkably fine ex- ample of this local metamorphism of the sandstone may be seen in Middlefield, at Rice's Cut on the Air Line Railroad, about a mile northeast of Reed's Gap. The trap is sometimes seen to form unquestionable dikes cutting across the sandstone strata; but it more commonly occurs in sheets which cpincide in dip and strike with the underlying and overlying sandstones. The latter mode of occurrence admits of two explanations. The trap may have been poured out on the surface as a lava overflow after the deposition of the underlying sand- stone, and the overlying sandstone may have been sub- sequently deposited upon the cqoled and hardened sur- 14 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. face of the trap. Or, after the deposition of both the underlying and the overlying sandstone, some strain in the crust of the globe may have split them apart, forming a crack parallel with the planes of stratification, into which flowed the molten rock. In briefer technical lan- guage, the trap in intercalated sheets may be either con- temporaneous or intrusive. A pretty good criterion to distinguish the two cases is afforded by the contact with the overlying sandstone, where that contact can be ob- served. For it is obvious that, in the case of contempor- aneous trap, only the underlying sandstone should show the characteristic effects of heat; while, in the case of in- trusive trap, the underlying and overlying sandstones should show those effects in about equal degree. Un fortunately, contacts between the trap and the overlying sandstone are seldom accessible, the overlying sandstone having been removed by erosion from the surface of the trap hills, and the lines of contact on lower ground being generally covered by Quaternary deposits and by vegeta- tion. The most probable conclusion from the somewhat scanty evidence thus far collected is that some of the trap sheets are contemporaneous, and some of them in trusive. The trap was probably erupted, not all at once, but at intervals through a period of time commencing before, and continuing after, the close of the period of the deposition of the sandstones. The intercalated sheets of trap are much harder than the associated sandstones, and this fact has produced a characteristic effect upon the topography of the district. The Connecticut Valley, since its elevation above the sea level, has suffered a great amount of erosion by the action of water and ice. The trap, owing to its greater hardness, has offered much greater resistance to erosion than the comparatively soft sandstones and shales. Hence, the trap sheets generally reveal themselves, in the topography of the district, as north-and-south ridges. These ridges, which are remarkably uniform in char- acter, present generally an almost precipitous face to the west; while the eastward slope is gentle, corresponding nearly with the dip of the strata. The summit of the ridge is formed by the sheet of trap, while the baked strata of the underlying sandstone may often be seen beneath the trap on the steep west face. The most ex- tensive trap ridge of the Connecticut Valley is the one which extends from the Hanging Hills of Meriden to Mount Holyoke, in Massachusetts. A considerable ridge lies just on the western boundary of Middlesex county, extending from Paug Mountain, in the southwest corner of Durham, to Higby Mountain, on the western border of Middletown. Similar trap ridges are found in the sandstone basin of New Jersey; but in those the steep face is eastward, the dip of the strata being westward. The palisades on the Hudson afford a classical example of such a ridge. While the development of igneous rock in connection .with the Connecticut Valley sandstones is so extensive, there is remarkably little exhibition of igneous rock in the metamorphic region which occupies the larger part of Middlesex county. There is, however, one remarkable dike of trap, which extends almost continuously across the metamorphic region of Connecticut, from Branford on the south, to Stafford on the north, and continues thence northward into Massachusetts This dike crosses the towns of Killingworth, Haddam, and Chatham, in Middlesex county. IV. The Quaternary. No rocks of Cretaceous or Tertiary age occur in Middlesex county. The only geological phenomena, therefore, which remain for consideration, are those relating to the Quaternary age. In the earliest epoch of the Quaternary — the Glacial epoch — as is now well known, all the territory of the northeastern United States and Canada was covered by a vast glacier — a glacier such as those now existing in Greenland and in the Antarctic. The terminal moraine marking the south- ern boundary of the ice-sheet has been traced on Long Island, and westward across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Middlesex county shows the same character- istic evidences of glacial action which are found in other glaciated regions. These evidences are twofold. One class of signs is seen in the peculiar forms and surfaces of rocks, resulting from glacial erosion — the rounded forms of roches moutonn6es and the smoothed, polished and striated surfaces. The markings are often well pre- served on the harder rocks, as the quartzite of Co- balt Mountain and the trap rocks. They may be seen even on the softer rocks, when a fresh surface is laid bare by the removal of the superficial drift ; but of course on soft rocks the marks are speedily effaced by weathering. The othef characteristic evidence of glacial action is the ubiquitous deposit of drift — the irregularly stratified or entirely unstratified superficial mass of clay, sand, and gravel, often containing large boulders. Sometimes iso- lated boulders are perched on the summits of hills -com- posed of an entirely different kind of rock. The melting of the continental glacier in the Cham- plain epoch produced, of course, great floods in all the rivers. There is no more interesting chapter in the geological history of Middlesex county than that which relates to the post-glacial flood in the Connecticut River. Every one who has observed, at all attentively, the lower Connecticut (or the lower, non- torrential portion of almost any river), has learned to recognize the alluvial meadows or flood-plains by which the river is bordered. They are ordinarily dry, but in times of flood are covered by the water ; and their elevation above the ordinary water level is an indication of the height of the floods. Now the valley of the Connecticut is bordered, in many places, by strips of plain elevated far above the modern flood-plains, but exhibiting the same characteristically level surface, and bearing indubitable testimony to the height of the water in the post-glacial floods. These ancient flood-plains, elevated above the modern flood- plains, are called terraces. The highest terrace, marking the maximum height of the flood, increases in altitude as we go northward. At the Shore Line Railroad bridge, at Saybrook, the highest terrace is 36 feet above mean GENERAL HISTORY. IS tide level ; at Essex, 58 feet ; at Chester, 78 feet ; at Goodspeeds, 94 feet ; at Higganiim, 125 feet ; at Maro- mas, 152 feet ; at Middletown, 195 feet ; at Hartford, 2 to feet ; at Springfield, 240 feet. A part of this enormous height of water is undoubtedly due to the subsidence of the land. Strata containing marine shells of recent species, now elevated above the sea level, prove that in the Champlain epoch the north- ern part of North America stood at a lower level than at present, and that the amount of the subsidence increased progressively northward. On the shore of Long Island Sound the amount of subsidence below the present level was about twenty-five feet ; at Montreal, it was five hundred feet ; and, in the Arctic regions, it was more than a thousand feet. As the amount of this subsidence can be indicated only by marine formations, we have no exact measure of the subsidence in districts remote from the coast. In the Connecticut Valley the subsidence un- doubtedly increased northward ; but whether at a uni- form or at a varying rate we know not. Probably the amount of the subsidence at Middletown was not far from fifty feet, and at Springfield not far from one hund- red feet. Making allowance for the subsidence of the land, we should still have a flood at Middletown one hundred and forty feel or more above mean tide level. That amount of elevation may be assumed to be due to the increase in the volume of water by the melting of the glacier. The Connecticut River, at the maximum of the post-glacial flood, must have been indeed a colossal stream. From Hartford to Springfield and beyond, it averaged fifteen miles in width. Only a part of that vast flood found its way to the sea through the present channel of the lower Connecticut. In at least three places — the first north of Mount Tom, the second between Springfield and West- field, Massachusetts, the third between Hartford and Meriden — the Connecticut overflowed westward into the valley now occupied in various parts by the Farmington, Quinnipiac, and Mill Rivers. A part of the waters of the Connecticut resumed, therefore, in the post-glacial flood, the position of the old Triassic estuary, and reached the Sound at New Haven. The subsidence of the post-glacial floods, and the re- elevation of the land which had sunk below its present level, brought the region substantially into its present condition, and formed the conclusion of its geological history. Note. — In such an article as the foregoing, elaborate bibliographical references seem unnecessary. It may be well, however, to mention the principal authorities on this subject. Percival's " Geology of Connecticut " gives a very full and accurate account of the distribution of the different rocks, and from his work the map (see p. i), illustrating the present article has been taken. The main authority on the Quaternary Geology is Prof. J. D. Dana. His papers on the subject have been published in the ''American Journal of Science" and the "Transactions of the Connecticut Academy." Important papers on the trap rocks have been published by W. M. Davis and B. K. Emerson, in the " Bulletin of the Museum of Com- parative Zoology," and in the "American Jourual of Science." Information on many points bearing on the geology of our county may be obtained from Dana's " Manual of Geology," Dana's " System of Mineralogy," and Hitchcock's "Geology of Massachusetts." CHAPTER III. EARLY SETTLERS. IT is not possible now to learn when the first settlers came into the territory now included in Middlesex county. It has been stated that English settlements com- menced in Saybrook in 1635, and in Middletown in 1650; but probably there were settlers in both towns prior to those dates. The first settlers were almost wholly of En- glish descent. Some came directly from England, but more from older settlements in the colonies of Connecti- cut and Massachusetts. Dr. Trumbull estimated the number of inhabitants of Connecticut in 1713 at 17,000; and probably the towns now included in Middlesex county had 3,000 of these. The population of these towns at different periods is given elsewhere. It may here be remarked that from the first slavery existed among the people here, and that there were in the county in 1790, 208 slaves; in 1800, 72; in 1810, 57; in 1820, 8; in 1830, 2; and in 1840, but one. The slavery which existed here had practically but few of the odious features that characterized the institution in some portions of the country. The slaves were gener- ally kindly treated, and care was taken that in their gradual manumission they should not be cast helpless on the world, but that they should be cared for in their youth by their owners, and provided for in their declin- ing years by those whom they had served. The first settlers of New England left Europe and came here in order that they might worship God accord- ing to the dictates of their own consciences. To accom- plish this object they renounced the luxuries of the Old World, and encountered hardships of which their de- scendants can have but a slight conception. Field says they were "'strict in their religious principles and prac- tices. Attentive to public and family worship, they caused their religion to appear in all their conduct. They were also distinguished by some customs which owed their existence either to their particular religious sentiments or to the circumstances in which they were placed." " United together for the purpose of enjoying the or- dinances of the Lord, as they believed them to be taught in the Scriptures, and exposed to the same enemies and dangers, they settled in bodies, and abounded in mutual affections and kind offices. A man of common standing they called a good man, while the title of Sir was given to magistrates, ministers, and men of liberal education." Exposed constantly to the attacks from the Indians, they were careful to acquire the use of arms. They spent six and sometimes more days annually in military exercise. In plantations where there were 100 soldiers. i6 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. 20 were required to serve on guard on the Sabbath and on other days of public worship, and in no plantation less that 8, with a sergeant. In times of war and special danger guards were kept constantly in every town, and in some instanc&s several in the same town. The prac- tice of keeping guard on seasons of public worship con- tinued till May 1814, when the towns were excused from it by statute, except in time of war. This practice, probably, produced the custom of as- sembling people for public worship by the beat of the drum, which prevailed for a time in Middletown, Had- dam, Saybrook, Killingworth, and Durham. Whether it was ever introduced into Chatham and East Haddam is unknown. " The circumstances of these people were exceedingly straitened. They had sacrificed a large portion of their _ projiertj' by removing to America; were unacquainted with the business of subduing a wilderness; had no com- merce, and scarcely any means for acquiring property. In the meantime their families were to be supported, their children educated, and the institutions of the Gos- pel established and maintained; and these things were to be done in the midst of enemies whose motions they were obliged perpetually to watch, and against whose appre- hended attacks they were obliged to provide the means of defense. Necessity, therefore, compelled them to the most rigid economy. Everything about them bore the marks of simplicity. Their houses were constructed in the plainest manner, their furniture consisted of a few indispensable articles, their dress was made of coarse cloths, wrought in the family, and their tables were spread with the homeliest of fare. Scarcely an article of luxury was used in Connecticut for a century after En- glish settlements began, and very few articles were intro- duced for a considerable period afterward." In the midst of such surroundings " the hardy sons of New England " were reared; but it must not be imag- ined by those whose lot has been cast in pleasanter places that their lives were wholly without enjoyment, or that the hardships to which they were subjected pro- duced in them either physical or mental degeneracy. On the contrary, the sum of their happiness was fully equal to that of those who consider themselves more highly fa- vored by fortune; for their enjoyment of the few com- forts which they possessed was not abridged by unavail- ing repinings and longings after luxuries that were be- yond their reach. They partook of their homely fare with that relish which only an appetite sharpened by act- ive exercise can give; they slept sweetly on their humble couches, for their daily toil gave them robust health; and their homespun garments were worn with a feeling of laudable pride rather than shame, for they were the pro- ducts of their own industry, and vanity had not crept in among them. They lived by their industry -and frugality, erected^ their humble school-houses and churches, and reared their families in the rigid faith to which they held. Their children were not the effeminate sons and languid daughters of luxury, with pampered appetites that re- quired to be tempted with delicacies. They inherited the strong physical systems, the active intelligence, and the indomitable energies of their parents; and they were reared in the midst of circumstances that tended to de^ velop and strengthen these qualities. Thus was pro- duced in the midst of the inhospitable surroundings of these pioneers, the race of men who are everywhere dis- tinguished for their intelligence, their thrift, and their ready adaptability to Sny circumstances in the midst of which they m^y be placed. CHAPTER IV. AGRICULTURE IN MIDDLESEX COUNTY. By p. M. Augur. THE GEOGRAPHY, topography, and geology of this county are elsewhere treated of.- The soil in the county is fertile. There are no unreclaimable swamps, and no sand wastes. There are, however, moun- tains and rocky hills, too rough for culture, and only suited to forest growth and pasturage. In the three towns of Clinton, Westbrook, and Old Saybrook, there is considerable land in the highest state of cultivation, pro- ducing crops which would be considered enormous in the virgin soil of tht west, and specimens of corn and vegetables grown on these lands have gone abroad to other States as wonders of eastern products; while in the other towns in the county there is more or less land quite equal in fertility, especially in Middletown, Middle- field, Cromwell, the northwestern part of Portland, and the northern part of Durham. Much land is admirably adapted to produce the largest and finest crops of tobac- co, grain, market truck, and fruits, large and small, these fruits being superior in intrinsic richness to the same grown South or West. The pasturage on the hills of Mid- dlesex county is superior, the fine natural grasses abound- ing, and the butter from the milk of cows fed on it hav- ing an exquisite delicacy. We often wonder, as we travel in other States, how sons of New England can leave the green hills of the East and squat on the low prairies of the West, enduring the fierce winds, the poor water, and the coarse, inferior products of that region. It is a noticeable fact, that at the State fair held in Connecticut in 1879 or 1880, where a special list of premiums was offered for fine butter, four out of five of these premiums were awarded for butter produced on the hill-farms in northern Mid- dlesex, and the other on an adjoining hill-farm in Hart- ford county, just across the line. Fine strains of Jersey blood in cows, pure air, pure water, and the sweetest of pasturage are the necessary conditions for such superior production. Now, while butter, fat beef, veal, and mutton are pro- duced in such fine quality, choice and superior fruits are grown. The Rhode Island Greening apple grown on the Middlefield hills, and analyzed al the Middletown Ex- periment Station a few years since, was found to have a greater specific gravity and a better analysis than any GENERAL HISTORY. 17 European samples on record. The Newtown Pippins, as grown in western New York, and in Michigan, while be- ing superior in smoothness, are greatly inferior in intrin- sic excellence, and the Baldwin, the great apple of New England, 'and a staple for European markets, although planted largely in western New York, Ohio, and Michi- gan, nowhere equals in quality that of best grown New England specimens. Grass is here,' as elsewhere in New England, the lead- ing product, and the county is adapted to produce good crops of hay of excellent quality. From an examination of the census sheets of a single town, it is found that the largest average yield per acre of a single farm was i ton and 171 pounds, which, at fzo per ton, would be $21.71 per acre ; so there is no doubt that the hay crop of the county is a paying one, and when the farmers come to make two blades of grass grow where but one grew be- fore it will be still better. Corn. — There is hardly a farm in the county that does not raise maize or Indian corn successfully. A yield of 100 bushels per acre is occasionally reached, and 75 bushels frequtntly. In Middlefield, according to the last census, the highest farm yield was 80 bushels of shelled corn per acre, while the average town yield was 40-j^ bushels. This shows beyond all question, that on suitable land this crop is a paying one. It is un- doubtedly so all through the county, and particularly in the warm, rich lands of the Connecticut River valley, and in the shore towns. Clinton, Westbrook, and Say- brook have been especially noted for their superb fields of corn, and ears of wonderful size and perfection are always exhibited at their autumn fairs, and at the winter meetings of the Board of Agriculture. A gentleman from Illinois, the great corn State, once said at one of these meetings, speaking of the Clinton corn, that in his State he never saw finer specimens of ears than those. The corn fodder, well cured, is of such value as often to pay the entire cost of cultivation. By freeing land from stones, rocks, stumps, and all unnecessary fences, and by the use of Thomas's smoothing harrow and good horse culture in rows both ways, corn may be, and it has been, produced at a cost of thirty to forty cents per bushel, while the current price is usually more than twice those figures. There is usually much to en- courage the planting of sufficient corn for home con- sumption. Potatoes and other root crops. — There is, on nearly every farm in the county, land well adapted to the culture of potatoes. Suitable land of good fertility, a suitable variety, and good culture, will usually secure a good crop. According to the census sheets of Middlefield, the largest yield was 400 and the smallest 40 bushels per acre. The average yield per acre in the town was i28tV bushels. Other towns may have made a better average, but we have not seen their returns. Onions on suitable land, particularly for the past few years, have given paying returns. There is considerable land in the several towns of the county, especially the river and shore towns, well adapted for onions, or any other root crops. Mangolds, and English and Swedish turnips can read- ily be raised, and are produced, both for stock and for market, in all the towns of the county. Oats generally yield good returns. They are usually sowed on land previously planted with corn or potatoes. In 1880 the highest yield in Middlefield was 70 bushels per acre, the average yield 36-^. Tobacco. — In Middlefield, in 1880, the largest yield was 2,180 lbs. per acre, the lowest 1,400 lbs. The average was 1,794 lbs. Recently, however, the average of tobac- co has decreased, and other crops have taken its place to some extent. Wheat. — In Middlefield, in 1880, the highest yield was 34 bushels per acre; the average was 23 bushels. Rye in the town of Middlefield for the last census year gave an average yield of 18^ bushels per acre. The Dairy. — Having examined some records of the Middlefield dairies for the census year, I find as follows, from eight different persons; in all cases a matter of rec- ord with the parties respecting: ist, 5 cows for the year, 925 lbs. of butter and 300 quarts of milk sold; 2d, 6 cows made 1,250 lbs. of butter; 3d, 4 cows made 800 lbs.; 4th, 5 cows made 1,000; 5th, r cow liiade 300; 6th, i cow made 372; 7th, i cow made 300; 8th, i cow made 408. The reason for so often quoting from Middlefield in- stead of Haddam, Clinton, and other towns, is that the full original sheets of the census of 1880 for Middlefield were placed in my hands for a short period, and I was thus enabled to glean many items therefrom which I would not otherwise have obtained without difficulty. The great superiority of dairy cows has its counterpart in other neat stock. Many farmers in former years used thoroughbred bulls of the Devon and Short-horn breeds, and thereby greatly increased the size and beauty of their steers, producing better workers and finer beef. A change, however, has occurred in the practice of many farmers, and now more attention is given to gilt- edged butter and less to working cattle; indeed, on many farms, horses now, to a great extent, take the place of oxen. The popular opinion to-day is that for butter the Jer- sey and Guernsey cows are the best; for beauty and work, the Devon; for beef, the Short-horn; for large car- cass and abundant flow of milk, the Holstein; for milk alone on good moderate pasturage, the Ayrshire; and all are found here and there, through the county. Several herds of Jerseys have been kept in the north- ern part of the county during the last sixteen years and the result has been a great improvement in the character of the dairy cows among those who have availed them, selves of the advantages which these fine herds afforded for procuring fine thoroughbreds and grades. Dr. J. W. Alsop has done much to elevate the standard of quality in dairy stock, and the same may be said of Dr. Hazen, of Haddam. Lyman A. Mills, of Middlefield, commenced the breed- HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. ing of Jersey cattle in 1868, when much prejudice against the breed existed. He has taken care to have at the head of his herd only those animals and their descendants that had shown exceptionally high butter-producing qualities. The grades produced among the cattle in his vicinity by mixture with his tlioroughbreds have shown remarkable re- sults, even to the production of from two and a half to three pounds of butter ]k r day. Stock from his herd has been taken to all parts of the United States. In 1868 M. W. Terrill commenced breeding Short Horns and continued till 1879, when he changed to Jer- seys, which he has since continued to breed. His herd, which now numbers about forty, has shown remarkable results in the production of butter. A. B. Colegrove, of Middletown, has a herd of fifty registered Jerseys of great beauty and excellence. At the State fair of 1884, at Meriden, he was awarded the premiums on herd, bull, and cow; also a larger number of first premiums than any other herd. It is believed that this herd will strongly influence for good not only the dairy stock of Middlesex county but of the State and country. From IVie Constitution, Sept. 23, 1884, Middletown, Conn. A. B. Colegrove exhibited at the Conn. State Fair at Meriden, thirty head of fine A. J. C. C. herd registered Jerseys, headed by the Imported Kedive bull William the Conqueror, No. 7386, with ayoung herd of nine of his sons and daughters which took the sweepstakes, gold medal. Wil- liam the Conqueror headed the herd, consisting of Louvie 2d, No. 6181; Thyme 2d, No. 12430; Chiefs Louvie, No. 14378; Columbine of Maple Grove, No. 14379; Rosamond of Maple Grove, No. 14380. which took the herd prize, gold medal . Louvie 2d, No . 6181, took the sweepstake, sli- ver medal, as the best breeding cow over 4 years old; Chief's Louvie, 1st premium as 3 year old; Thyme 2d, No. 12430, 2d premium as 3 year old; Kosamond of Maple Grove, No. 14380, 1st premium as 2 year old; Lilly Valeur, No. 20791, 1st premium as yearling; Mary of Maple Grove, 2d premium as heifer calf. The adaptation of Middlesex county to the raising of poultry and the production of eggs is beyond question. J. Cowan, of Middletown, with more than i,ooo hens, and W. T. Clark, of Durham, with several hundred, are examples of highly successful egg producers. Sheep husbandry is successfully conducted by Messrs. Lyman, of Middlefield, Hubbard, of Middletown, and other farmers in the county. Much land in the hill towns is well adapted to the keeping of sheep with a decided profit and increased fertility of land. Here, as elsewhere, dogs are the great drawback to sheep husbandry. Agricultural Progress. Probably Middlesex county is not behind in agricul- tural progress. The old wooden plough, the old corn fan for winnowing, and many other clumsy devices have given place to better and more convenient implements and ma- chines. Farmers' clubs and agricultural societies are established in most of our towns, and at the exhibitions of choice fruits, grains, vegetables, fancy work, and beautiful flowers we find that all our towns have made very decided progress, and they are fully as far advanced as other parts of the State or country. The improved fruits and vegetables are abundantly found in the farm- ers' orchards, fields, and gardens. At the recent State fair more than half the fruit premiums were awarded to Middlesex county farmers. The social status of the farmer and farmers' families is much advanced. The farmer's home is now the abode of intelligence and cheerfulness. The book, the magazine, the daily and weekly journal, the voice of song, the sweet notes of instrumental music, the fragrance of flowers, and sterling independence and manliness of character, with genuine politeness, make the farmer's home often an ideal home, and farmers' sons and daughters are called to fill the highest places of honor, usefulness, and responsibility. This is not a matter of wonder. The educating influence of the farm is potent. A continuous series of object lessons is ever at hand, a constant pano- rama of nature's choicest views ever before and around us. The accumulated experience of the past is to accel- lerate future progress, and though the last half century has been unequaled in history it will unquestionably be greatly surpassed in the future. CHAPTER V. MEDICAL PROFESSION IN MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Bt Bitfus W. Mathewson, M. D. THE Middlesex County Medical Society was organ- ized in 1792. That the professional standing of the men who organized it may be better understood, a brief review is here given of the previous medical history of the territory which, seven years before, had been in- corporated into this county. It was here that the " Cler- ical Physicians " instituted the reform in teaching and practice which resulted in the elevation of the profession throughout the colony to a proper standard. fared Eliot, the father of the regular practice in this State, was a son of the minister of Guilford, and grand- son of the apostle, John Eliot. He graduated at Yale College in 1705, while the institution was located at Say- brook, which at that time belonged to New London county, and spent his whole professional life in Clinton, then Killingworth. He was assisted and succeeded by his pupil and son-in-law, Dr. Benjamin Gale, who gradu- ated at Yale in 1733, making that place for three-quar- ters of a century a great resort for medical instruction, equal in importance for that period to any of the cities for the present day. Drs. Jared Potter and Elihu Tudor were educated there. It was there that the first medical treatise was published in the colony, in 1750, by Dr. Gale; and later, " Cases and Observation," by the same; all of which were favorably noticed in- Europe. Those were the only medical publications in this State before the present century. Dr. Eliot had eleven children. The first, a daughter, died young. The second, Hannah, married Dr. Gale, and had eight children, most of whom died young. The third, Samuel, graduated at Yale, 1735, studied medicine, and died on a voyage to Africa for his health in 1741. The fourth, Aaron, studied medicine, married a daughter of Rev. William Worthington, of Westbrook, and settled in his native place as a physician and merchant. He was a GENERAL HISTORY. 19 judge, a colonel, a deacon, and one of his Majesty's just- ices. He was engaged largely in the manufacture of steel. In a petition to the Colonial Assembly for pecu- niary aid to carry on the work to better advantage, it was claimed that he supplied the colony and other gov- ernments with steel. The sum of ^^500 was voted, for three years, without interest; when due, an extension of two years was granted, on account of a large loss of steel by fire in Boston. He had three sons, who studied med- icine, mostly with their uncle, Dr. Benjamin Gale. One of them married a daughter of Dr. John Ely. They all settled in the new clearings at the West. Dr. Jared Eliot's fifth child, Samuel (Yale, 1740), studied medicine, and died at Saybrook in 1747, unmarried. He had six other sons, neither of whom studied medicine or divin- ity. Dr. Eliot was pastor of the church in Clinton for forty years, hardly failing to preach a single Sabbath. Dr. Gale built the first story of the stone tavern at Clinton, inside of which was another stone house, two stories high, constituting a house within a house, con- structed in a way to withstand the general conflagration. The upper story of the inner house, it was supposed, was used for anatomical purposes, and for meditation and study of the Scriptures, on which he wrote largely. After the doctor's death, the inner house was removed, and another story added to the outer walls. He was buried in the cemetery north of his house, at right angles with other graves, his feet toward the south, so that wl^en he arose he would face his former home. From his monument we read: "In memory of Dr. Benjamin Gale, who, after a life of usefulness In his profession, and a laborious study of the Prophecies, fell asleep May 6th A. D. 1779, set. 75, fully expecting- to rise again under the Messiah, and to reign with him on earth. 'I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth, and mine eyes shall behold him.'" Dr. Phineas Fiske was a son of Dr. John Fiske, of Milford, one of the most noted physicians in the colony. He graduated at Yale College, at its third commence- ment, and two years in advance of Dr. Eliot, yet, having spent six years as a tutor in that institution, he did not commence practice as soon. He was coteraporary with, and equal to, Dr. Eliot, but the misfortune was, he did not live as long. He was settled as a minister at Had- dam, then in Hartford county, where he died in 1738. Dr. Moses Bdrtlett, of Madison (Yale, 1730), studied both professions with Dr. Fiske, married the daughter of his preceptor, and settled in East Middletown, now Port- land, where he died in 1766. A monument was erected to his memory near the quarries, by his parishioners, on which is inscribed: " He was a sound and faithful divine, a physician of soul and body." Dr. Bartlett had three sons — Moses (Yale, 1763), Phin- eas, and Elihu (Yale, 1764). The two former studied medicine with Dr. Gale. Moses succeeded to his father's practice in Portland, surviving him for forty years. He was a deacon in the church. The foregoing includes those clerical physicians of this county to whom the profession is so much indebted for its advanced standing. All the sons of the clerical phy- sicians who studied a profession took to medicine; not one to the ministry. At the lime this society was organ- ized, there were but two medical colleges on this side of the Atlantic; and those had not fairly become established institutions. Not one of these original members had en- joyed advantages of medical college instruction, but they were confined to private teaching. Each physician constituted a faculty to teach, and an examining and li- censing board. Several of the members of this society made profes- sional teaching a specialty. Doctors had to be prepared for the new frontier settlements. They were like the medicines — hand-made. Steam and machinery had not come into use. The candidate " served his time," as it was then called, which was divided between the books on the shelf, the skeleton in the closet, the pestle and pill-slab in the back room, roaming the forests -and fields for roots and herbs, and following, astride of the colt he was breaking, the horse which was honored with the sad- dle-bags. The practice of inoculation was at its height at the time this society was organized, and was a source of great income to many of the members. The keeping of pock-houses (as they were called) was profitable. The location of these can generally be traced by the graves of the patients in the fields adjoining. Jenner's great discovery was not made until after this society had been in existence several years. Early in the present century, medical students desiring to obtain^higher advantages resorted to Dartmouth Col- lege, where the celebrated Nathan Smith, M. D., was then sole medical professor. The first graduates in med- icine in this county were graduated there. After the re- moval of Professor Smith to New Haven, and the open- ing of the medical institution there, a large majority took a single course of lectures, this being a great advance on former advantages, and received merely a license to prac- tice; and if they proved deserving, a degree was con- ferred in after years. This practice was discontinued about 50 years ago, since which two full courses of lec- tures have been required for an examination. Dr. John Osborn was the only one of the forty-seven incorporators of the Connecticut Medical Society resid- ing in this county, and it devolved on him by the char- ter to organize the county society. He was the first chairman of the county meeting, and the first treasurer of the State society. He was re-elected Fellow each year as long as he remained a member, also as one of the committee of examination for the county. The Osborn family furnishes a rare instance of supe- rior talent being transmitted from generation to genera- tion for nearly two centuries. Dr. John Osborn, the first of the name in Middletown, was born in Sandwich, Massachusetts. He graduated at Harvard in 1735, when ^^ ^^s offered a tutorship, which he declined, with a view, probably, of becoming, like his father, a Presbyterian minister. When in college he was distinguished for mathematical investigations, and Latin verses, which were much admired by the faculty. It was io HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX. COUNTY. while in college he wrote the elegy on the death of a sis- ter, which has been copied by Dr. Field in his Middle- town centennial address. After leaving college he wrote the " Whaling Song," a copy of which may be found in Barber's "Connecticut Historical Collections." The son, whose views were in accordance with his fa- ther's, was induced to 'give up the ministry, and turn his attention to medicine. The misfortune of the Osborns seems to have been that they were a century in advance of the times in their religious belief and their sentiments of toleration. It is to these differences with the sons of the pilgrims that the medical profession is indebted for five genera- tions of able members, and the Episcopal Church for large accessions of true churchmen. Dr. Osborn, about 1739, removed to Middletown, where he soon felt the cold shotilder of the pastor of the only church in Middletown, Rev. William Russell, who did not show favor to the new physician. He died of consump- tion in 1753, aged 40 years. Dr. Osborn shared the practice of Middletown with Dr. John Arnold, who, with his brother Joshua, of Mid- dle Haddam, was a student of Dr. Fiske (the former died in 1754, having had two wives and fifteen children), and, with Dr. Abijah Moores, who died of small pox in 1759, having been the father of twelve children, was succeed- ed by Dr. John Dickinson, who left the profession for public life. Dr. Eliot Raw son, a descendant of the noted secretary of Massachusetts, removed from East Haddam to Middletown about the time Dr. Osborn's health began to fail. John Osborn, the second of that name, was about thirteen years old at the time of his father's death. We do not learn that he possessed any extra advantages for a classical education. He early entered the office of the celebrated Norman Morrison, in Hartford, to study medicine. John Osborn and Alexander Wolcott, son of the governor, were considered the most distinguished of all his students. In 1758, before the former had at- tained his majority, he went with the army that attacked Ticonderoga, in the second French war, and in a sub- ordinate capacity was in the medical department of the provincial troops. The Osborns were hereditarily haters of France and lovers of England. If Dr. Osborn ever worshiped the likeness of anything in the earth beneath, it was the British crown. It was for this reason that his valuable services were not made available during the Revolutionary war. About 1763 he commenced practice in Middle- town, where he followed the profession more than sixty years. He was a man of extensive reading, and for some time possessed the best medical library in the State. His knowledge of materia tnedica was extensive and accurate ; he excelled in chemistry; he exerted himself to remove the prejudices against inoculation for the small-pox, and 10 improve the treatment of that distressing disease. About twelve hundred persons wer^ inoculated in Middletown during the winters of 1777 and '78. He was a very thorough teacher of medicine, and the char- acter of such physicians as Moses F. Coggswell, his sons. Prof. John C. and Dr. Samuel, as also Dr. Thomas Minor, taught solely by him, attest the thoroughness of his training. "As a practitioner he was eminent. He appreciated the worth, of well-bred and faithful physi- cians, but held quackery in the utmost abhorrence. He had great sensibility, quick apprehension, and strong passions ; he spoke his mind fearlessly, when and where he pleased, and it was not safe for any to attack him in words, for none better understood the retort keen." He inherited none of the courtesy or poetry of his father. These ornamental qualities seemed to have passed around him, to re-appear in full force in his four sons. His success, which depended on his great ability and strict- integrity, was a compliment to the people of his day. His presence was a terror to the young, and the aged now speak of their feelings at his approach with a shrug of the shoulders. He was emphatically a man of few words, and meddlesome talk and inquiries brought out from him sharp answers. He built and last occupied the' frame house on Main street, opposite the Episcopal church. He died in 1825, aged nearly 85 years, and a plain brown stone in the Mortimer Cemetery marks the last resting place of one who was so long a prominent citizen, and a physician who spent his whole life in Middletown. Dr. John Osborn had two sons who entered the profes- sion. Dr. William Brenton Hall was the son of Brenton Hall, Esq., a respectable farmer of Meriden, and grand- son of Rev. Samuel Hall, of Cheshire. Both places were societies of Wallingford at that time. Dr. Hall was born in 1764, and graduated at Yale College in 1786, and probably studied medicine in New Haven — perhaps while pursuing his , college course. He commenced practice in Middletown in 1790. He married, in 1796, Mehitable, the sixth daughter of Major-General Samue\ Holden Parsons, of Revolutionary fame. Dr. Hall made surgery a speciality, and had the most of that branch of practice. In August, 1796, he gained notoriety by his heroic professional conduct in attending the cases of yellow fever at Knowles Landing, or Middle Haddam. Dr. Tully, in his letter to Dr. Hosac, and in his work on fevers, gave the following account of that occurrence : " The brig Polly arrived from Cape St. Nicholas Mole ; on her homeward passage, one of her crew by the name of Tapper, died on board, of the yellow fever ; the clothes which he wore while sick were thrown overboard, though a sail, on which he lay when he died, was retained. " On the arrival of the brig at this landing, Hurd and Ranney were employed to assist in clearing her out. They were known to handle the sail on which Tupper died. At the same time Sarah Exton and Elizabeth Cook were employed in washing some of the sailors' clothes. A few days after, these persons were attacked with yellow fever. In about five days Hurd died, and within twelve hours Ranney and Sarah Exton. The alarm in the village was already so great, that Sarah Exton was left alone in the night, and was found dead GENERAL HISTORY. 21 in the morning, with her infant child at her breast. The whole village was panic struck. After the three first deaths, Dr. Bradford, _an old physician resident of the place, and Drs. Hollister and Thatcher, two young men, departed precipitately, and did not return until all traces of the disease had disappeared. About two hundred of their employers followed their example. Only five persons had firmness and humanity sufficient to remain to take care of the sick and bury the dead. The physicians who attended the latter cases were Dr. Wm. Brenton Hall, of Middletown, and Dr. John Richmond of a neighboring parish. From this single vessel there originated eleven cases of yellow fever in the town of Chatham, nine of which proved fatal." Dr. Hall was an active member of the medical society was treasurer of the State Society from 1799 to the year of his death; was elected Fellow from 1797 to 1809 ; was five years on the examining committee. He was largely engaged in teaching medicine. Dr. Osborn used to say he turned off doctors as fast as a rake-maker could rakes. In 1792, the town of Wallingford voted permission to Dr. Hall to open a house of inoculation for small-pox on his father's farm, in the northeast part of Meriden, near the Middletown line. Dr. Hall becoming bound to pay forty shillings or more for each case of small-pox in the town, spreading from the persons inoculated. Dr. Hall was noted for hospitality ; his house was a great center for the profession in the neighboring towns. His side-board was especially free. On his last attempt to visit a patient he fell from his horse before leaving his yard ; he was taken to his bed, which he was not after able to leave, and died in i8og, aged 45. Dr.Hall built and occupied the house next south of the Mutual Assurance building, on the west side of Main street. Dr. Ebenezer Tracy was born in Norwich town in 1762, and was cousin to the late Dr. Tracy of the same place. He studied medicine with Dr. Philip Turner, who was surgeon-general of the northern States during the Revolutionary war. Dr. Tracy settled in Middle- town in 1785, where he practiced more than 60 years, or as long as Dr. Osborn. Through his whole life he visited his patients on horseback, as did the Tracys and Turners of his native place. He was a gentleman of great smoothness of manners, and his practice was in ac- cordance with his character — mild and expectant. He was elected Fellow in 1794 and '98, after which beseems to have ceased his connection with the society. He was one of the examining committee as long as he remained a member. He built and occupied the house next east of the North Church, and he died in 1856. William Tully, the only child of William and Eunice TuUy, was born at Saybrook.Point, Conn., February i8th 1785, and was descended from John Tull-', who came from England in 1647. Young Tully early manifested a taste for books. In September 1802, after what he him- self termed " an exceedingly defective preparation," he entered the Freshman class at Yale, where he was gradu- ated four years later. Throughout his life he deplored his ignorance of arithmetic and mathematics, branches which were totally neglected in his preliminary education. For three or four years after graduation Mr. Tully spent his time in teaching and in studying medicine, taking, during that time, two courses of lectures under the cele- brated Nathan Smith, M. D., at Dartmouth College. In March 1810 he entered the office of Dr. Ives, of New Haven, where he gave much attention to botany, a science in which he afterward became an authority. In the fol- lowing October he was licensed by the Connecticut Med- ical Society to practice medicine and surgery, and in 1819 Yale College conferred upon him the honorary degree of M. D. After practicing successfully in Enfield, Milford, and Middletown Upper Houses, Dr. Tully finally removed in September 1818, to Middletown, where he became the intimate friend of the late Thomas Miner, M. D. The two published in 1823 a joint volume entitled " Essays on Fevers and other Medical Subjects." The book, writ- ten throughout with great ability, contained new and startling opinions, and dealt unceremoniously with the cherished prejudices and practices of the profession. It maintained that the fevers of the day had decidedly ty- phoid tendencies; that anti-phlogistic and reducing meas- ures were contra-indicated, and that a free use of stimu- lahts was required. The work was extensively read, and opinions as to its merits were widely divided. It opened a controversy which lasted several years, and as this was not always conducted in the most tolerant spirit, it en- gendered against the authors a prejudice which neither survived. In 1824 Dr. Tully was appointed professor of Theory and Practice in the Vermont Academy of Medicine, Castleton, where he afterward discharged the additional duties of lecturer on Materia Medica and Therapeutics, a position which he held until 1838. In 1839 he suc- ceeded Eli Ives, M. D. as Professor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics in Yale College, and the following year he removed to New Haven, the different periods of the year at which the terms were h§ld enabling him to con- tinue his lectures at Castleton. In 1833 he refused a pro- fessorship in the Medical College of South Carolina. Dr. Tully's last course of lectures was delivered in New Haven in the winter of 1840-1. Ten years later he re- moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, where he died Feb- ruary 28th 1859. Only three of his ten children sur- vived him. Among Dr. Tully's valuable contributions to medical literature may be mentioned his " Medical Prize Essay " on Sanguinaria Canadensis, published in the American Medical Recorder for 1828, and " Results of Experiments and Observations on Narcotine and Sulphate of Mor- phine," published in Silliman's Journal, January 1832. These, like all his other works, are characterized by thorougli and elaborate scholarship and original observa- tion. But his greatest work, published during his resi- dence in Springfield, is to be found in two large volumes entitled " Materia Medica, or Pharmacology an(;i Thera- HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. peutics." It is a monument to the industry, learning, and ability of the writer, and contains sufficient material to furnish capital for a score of ordinary authors. He also assisted Dr. Webster and Professor Goodrich in the scientific department of their dictionary, furnishing the definitions of the terms of anatomy, physiology, medi- cine, botany, and some other branches of natural history. All of Dr. Tully's knowledge was singularly minute and accurate. He was doubtless the most learned and 'thor- oughly scientific physician in New England. Thomas Miner was born in Westfield, Connecticut, Oc- tober 15th 1777. His father was a Congregational min- ister, and personally superintended the elementary edu- cation of his children. In September 1792, young Miner entered Yale College, where he was graduated in 1796. He spent the next six years, when not interrupted by ill- ness, in teaching and the study of law, and it was not until he was twenty-five that he commenced the study of medicine, which he did with the late Dr. Osborn, of Middletown. In 1807 he began to practice under a li- cense from the Medical Society, and, after spending short periods in several places, he finally settled in Middle- town, where he spent the remainder of his life. Dr. Miner's constitution had always been delicate, and, in 1819, he contracted a disease of the heart from which he never recovered. His professional career may be said to have ended at this time, though he was frequently called upon for consultation, and he contributed quite largely to medical literature. He was an accomplished linguist, and made many translations from the French and German for the medical journals. In 1823 he pub- lished, in connection with William Tully, M. D., a work, entitled " Essays on Fevers and Other Medical Subjects," which created a great sensation among the profession. Two years later he published an account of Typhus Syn- copalis, which was several times republished, wholly or as an abridgment, in other medical publications. In 1819 Dr. Miner received the honorary degree of M. D., from Yale College. He was afterward a member of the committee for devising ways and means, and form- ing the plan for the Retreat for the Insane, and, in 1834, was elected president of the Medical Society of Connec- ticut, having already served two years as its vice-presi- dent. He was remarkable for ripe scholarship and active intellect, He died in 1841, at the age of 64 years. Dr. Henry Woodward, son of Samuel Woodward, M. D., was born in Torringford, Connecticut, in 1795. He studied medicine with his father and brother, S. B. Woodward, then of Wethersfield, with whom he prac- ticed several years, when he removed to Middletown, by invitation of Dr. Tully, who was about to leave the city. He soon gained an extensive practice, and for years " his business was equal to that of any other physi- cian in the State, both for respectability and extent." He received the honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Connecticut Medical Society at an earlier age than any other gentleman in the State. He was twice chosen to represent the town of Middletown in the Leg- islature of the State. His moral character was above re- proach. He was a man of active benevolence; gave much in charity, and took hold of the great moral enterprises of the day with true zeal. He was a regular member of the Episcopal church, of which he was for some time vestryman and warden. In the midst of his activity and usefulness he was cut down by a disease of the chest, which, in a few months, terminated his life by rapid consumption. He died in 1832, aged 37 years. Charles Woodward, M. D., belonged to a family of physicians. He was the youngest son of Dr. Samuel Woodward, of Torringford, Connecticut, where he was born in August 1798. He studied medicine, first with his father, and afterward with his brother, Samuel B. Woodward. At the age of 24 he commenced practice at Windsor, in this State, but in 1832, on the death of his brother. Dr. Henry Woodward, of Middletown, he re- moved to that city, where he passed the remainder of his life. As a practitioner he was held in high esteem by his brethren in the profession, and was greatly beloved by his patients. The goodness and benevolence which were prominent traits in his character found expression in the following extract from an address which he delivered before the State Medical Society (of which he was presi- dent), in 1868: " There is a sentiment prevailing among- the members of our profes- sion, that as a profession we are not duly appreciated, and. for our ser- vices we are not properly remunerated. This may be true to a certain extent, but who has the affections of the community about him to a greater extent than the ' beloved physician 7 ' When stricken down by sicl^ness, who has more earnest prayers for his recovery 1 No one should enter the profession under the expectation of having a long rent-roll, or a large file of certificates of bonds and stocks; if he doeshe is doomed to disappointment. We should be governed by higher motives and nobler purposes. We should feel that we have entered a field where there is nn opportunity of practically carrying out the precepts and following the example of the ' Great Physician;' and inasmuch as we have lodged the stranger, given food and drink to the famishing, and visited the sick for the work's sake, we have followed his example and served him." Dr. Woodward's sons, Charles R. and Henry, are drug- gists in Middletown. In 1841, Dr. Woodward represented the eighteenth dis- trict in the State Senate. 'In 1849, and in 1857, he repre- sented Middletown in the Legislature. He was the first to move in the matter of securing the location of the insane hospital at Middletown. He died in 1870. Isaac Conkling, a native of East Hampton, L. I., and a student of Dr. Ebenezer Sage, of Sag Harbor, L. I., attended lectures in Columbia College, New York city, practiced three or four years in Portland, about as many in Oneida county, N. Y., and nine years in Middletown. He died in Portland, February 24th 1824, aged 44 Edward S. Cone was a son of Rev. Salmon Cone, of Colchester, a graduate of Middlebury College, 1815, a student of Dr. William Tully, and attended lectures in New Haven. He had a good practice. He died Feb- ruary 13th 1 83 1, aged nearly 36 years. Thomas Miner, 2d, a native of Stonington, attended lectures at Pitfsfield, practiced some years at West Stock- bridge, then in Middletown, and removed to Hartford, where he died. GENERAI, HISTORY. 23 William Bryan Casey was born in Middletown, in 18 15, and graduated from Columbia College, N. Y., in 1834. He received the degree of M. D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1837. He was physician to the New York Dispensary from 1837 to 1839, and practiced in Middletown from 1839 fill i860. He was an army sur- geon during the war of the Rebellion, and lectured on Obstetrics at Yale College in 1863 and 1864. He died in Middletown in 1870. He was one of the original trustees of the General Hospital for the Insane. He was mayor of Middletown in 1851. Elisha B. Nye was born in Sandwich, Mass., in i8i2,and removed to Middletown in i8ig. He was the first fresh- man that entered Wesleyan University, from which in- stitution he graduated in 1835. He studied medicine with Dr. Thomas Miner, and received the degree of M.D. from Yale College in 1837. He practiced in East Haddam till 1851. He then removed to Middletown, where he is still in practice. He has been president of the County Medical Society, and in 1883, he was chosen president of the Connecticut State Medical Society. Joseph Barrett, born in England in 1796, was profes- sor of Botany, Chemistry, and Mineralogy in Partridge Military Academy, and removed to Middletown with that institution in 1824. He graduated, M. D., Yale, 1834, practiced in Middletown till March 1881, where he died. He paid much attention to the language of the American Indian, and various branches of natural science. It was to him that the celebrated Dr. Thomas Miner confided -the story of his life, which was published in "Williams Medical Biography." George W. Burke, a native of New Haven, graduated at Wesleyan University in 1839. He studied medicine with Dr. A. Brigham, of Hartford, and in New Haven, where he graduated, M. D., from Yale in 1843. He prac- ticed in Palmer, Mass., and came to Middletown in 1853 where he is still in practice. Rufus Baker, a native of Maine, graduated, M. D., at Columbia College, D. C, in 1844. He practiced at Deep River till i860, when he removed to Middletown. Daniel A. Cleveland, a native of Martha's Vineyard, graduated, M. D., at Bowdoin College in 1856. Abram Marvin Shew graduated from Jefferson College in 1864. James Olmstead was born in New Haven, Conn., in 1849. He graduated, M. D., at Yale in 1874. He prac- ticed in New Haven and Middletown. Wm. E. Fisher, was born in Philadelphia, Penn., 1853. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1876. He has practiced in the thiladtlphia and Con- necticut hospitals for the insane. James M. Keniston, born at Newburyport, Mass., in 1848, graduated, M. D., at Harvard, 1871. He prac- ticed in Cambridge, Mass., from 1872 to 1882. Since then he has been assistant physician in the Connecticut Hospital for the Insane. Henry S. Noble was born at Hinesburg, Vt., and graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city. Previous to engaging in general prac- tice he was one year in the City Hospital of H.Trtford, Conn. He left general practice in 1879. and went to Hartford Retreat as assistant for one year, thence to the State Hospital at Middletown, thence to. Michigan Asy- lum at Kalamazoo, where he remained two years, and re- turned to the State Hospital at Middletown in 1884. Dr. Ellsworth Biirr, one of the earliest of the Thomp- sonians or eclectic physicians, was born in Haddam in 1813. He studied with Dr. Sperry, of Hartford, and settled in Middletown in 1837, where he practiced till his death in 1867. He was for several years professor in a medical col- lege in Worcester, Mass., where he graduated in 1849. He was the representative from Middletown for several years. William C. Bell, homoeopathic physician, studied medi- cine one year under Horace Ballard, M. I)., of Chester, Mass., and then mostly under Professor Child, of Pitts- field, where he was graduated, M. D., in 1833. He after- ward practiced in Austerlitz, N. Y., and in Great Bar- rington, Mass., till 1849, when he came to Middletown, where he has since practiced. Aaron S. Osborne was born in Austerlitz, and gradu- ated, M. D., at Long Island Hospital College in 1873. He has practiced in Middletown for the past ten years. Frank L. Burr, son of Dr. Harris R. Burr, was born in Killingworth in 1847. He graduated from Eclectic College, Pennsylvania, and received a diploma from the Connecticut Eclectic Medical Society in 1871. He com- menced practice the same year in Middletown. P^ V. Burnett graduated from the University of New York in 1876. Dr. Richard Ely was born in North Bristol, Guilford, now North Madison, in 1765, where his father of the same name was settled minister. He graduated at Yale in 1785, studied medicine with Dr. John Noyes of Lyme, who certified as follows : "To all people to whom these lines shall come— Greeting:. W hereas, Dr. Richard Ely, of Sayhrook, hath been liberally educated, and been a student with me in the theory aad practice of medicines and surgery, and, whereas, said Ely hath made great improvement In the art of physics and surgery, he is well qualified for a practitioner in said arts. I do, therefore, recommend him as a safe, judicious, and able physician, and well qualified for the practice. "Lyme, June 9th, 1786. "John Notes." Dr. Ely commenced practice in what is now Killing- worth where he remained four years, when he removed to Wilbraham, Mass. He remained there about a year when he returned to Pautapaug, now Centerbrook, where his father was then settled. He remained there till 1805, when he removed to Chester. He received the honorary degree of M. D. from Yale College. He died in 1816 from a fever brought on by overwork and exposure. He had been treasurer of the State Medical Society three years, at the time of his death ; he had been elected a Fellow 16 times in 24 years and was an active member of the society. He shared the confidence and respect of the profession and the public, in a large degree. Dr. George Haskell Aberneihy was born at Harwinton, Conn. He was the son of William C. Abernethy. His grandfather, William, was a physician. 24 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. He received the degree of M. D., from Yale College, in 1830. He was a student with Dr. B. H. Catlin, then of Haddam. After graduation, he spent a year in Belle- vue Hospital, and in 1831 commenced practice in Chester. Dr. Abernethy was clerk of the Middlesex County Society, in 1841-42, and Fellow in, 1835 and 1840. He was enthusiastic and successful in his profession, was tall and strikingly handsome, and very popular in the com- munity. He died in the fall of 1844, at Augusta, Illi- nois. Ambrose Pratt, a graduate of Yale in 1837, was born in Deep River. He graduated, M. D., from Columbia College, D. C, in 1843, and practiced at Chester till 1847, then at Milwaukee, Wis., till 1853. Then he opened at Chester a water cure infirmary with which he was very successful. In 1862 he volunteered as surgeon in the 22d Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, and remained with it till its muster out. Since then he has been in regular practice in Chester and vicinity. Sylvester W. Tjtrner, Yale, 1842, born in Killing- worth, graduated, M. D., Yale, 1846, and located in Chester, 1848. Dr. Samuel Redfield, son of Dr. John Redfield, of Guilford, and Amanda Russell, of North Guilford, was born in Guilford, September 12th 1762; served as a fifer during the Revolutionary war; after which he studied medicine with his father, and with Dr. Benjamin Gale, of Killingworth, and commenced practice as a physician in Guilford. After practicing about twelve years in Clinton, then Killingworth, he removed first to Fairfield, Herkimer county, New York, and afterward to Perrys- burg, Cattaraugus county, New York, where he died in 1837, aged 75 years. One of the first members admitted to the medical so- ciety was Austin Olcott, of Killingworth, now Clinton, in 1796, then about 20 years of age. He was born in South Manchester, which was the birth place of his father. Dr. George Olcott. He was full of courage in the daytime, and as great a coward in the night; was very loth to respond to calls after retiring, always requiring a second or third rapping up before he made his appear- ance. He stood very high in his profession; his consul- tation practice in adjoining towns was very large; was quick as by an intuition to recognize disease, and very positive in his diagnosis. The second case of tying the external iliac artery, in this country, was performed on a patient of his, in 1820, by Nathan Smith. The diagnosis and subsequent treatment were by Dr. Olcott. The limb was oedematous at the time of the operation. The an- eurism held eight ounces. The operation was perfectly successful, the patient living thirty-six years afterward, enjoying perfect health. Dr. Olcott had a very large practice for nearly half a century, the most of the time having no one but himself to support; had no bad habits, and died in destitute cir- cumstances from a failure to keep his accounts and col- lect his bills. He always rode on horseback to visit his patients. He died in 1843, aged 68 years. Josiah Byles removed from Griswold to Clinton in 1841, where he died in 1843. Dr. Denison H. Hubbard, son of Deacon Nathaniel Hubbard, was born in Bolton, Conn., in 1805. He studied medicine with Dr. J. S. Peters, of Hebron, governor of the State of Connecticut, and wiih Dr. William 0. Tal- cott, of Winsted. He graduated at Yale Medical Col- lege, in 1829. He began his practice in Glastonburyi Conn., removed from there to Bloomfield, where he prac- ticed till 1844, when he removed to Clinton, where he practiced till his death, in 1874. Dr. Hubbard was a good man, socially, professionally, and religiously. It was a part of his creed that beyond a reasonable provi- dence for the uncertainties of the future, a Christian had no right to accumulate property; and his jiractice seems to have been in exact conformity to his creed. For while he was- economical in the management of his af- fairs, and for more than forty years received a fair in- come from his business, he left comparatively little prop- erty. In 1872 he had an attack of hemiplegia from which he never fully recovered, although able to attend to a limited amount of business. In March, 1874, he had a renewed attack, which terminated in death, Au- gust 1 2th, of the same year. David Austin Fox, born in Lebanon, graduated at New York University in 1852, soon after commenced practice in Clinton. Dr. G. Harrison Gray and G. O. Johnson, each prac- ticed in Clinton a few years. Silas E. Peck, homoeopathist, practiced a few years in Clinton. Gideon Noble, a native of Coventry, probably, prac- ticed in Cromwell from 1791 to 1802, when he removed to South Glastonbury. He had a good education, pleas- ing manners, and acquired a respectable practice in both places. He dfed in 1807. Titus Morgan was born in Westfield, Mass. He prac- ticed in Cromwell from 1802 to 181 1. He was a gentle- man of refined poetic taste, and agreeable manners, a respectable physician. Dr. Bulkley practiced in Haddam from 182 1 to 1830. Richard Warner (Yale, 181 7), son of Selden Warner, of Hadlyme, studied medicine with Dr. Thomas Miner, of Middletown, and attended lectures at Yale college, where he graduated in 1821. He practiced several years in his native place and adjoining towns. He removed to Mid- dletown, Upper Houses, in 1832, and died October, 1853, after a brief illness, about fifty-nine years of age. He succeeded his brother as clerk of County Medical Societj', and was president of the Connecticut Medical Society at the time of his death. He had a large prac- tice and was popular with his medical brethren. His power of observation was strong; he was fond of botany and mineralogy; his name is mentioned several times in Silliman's Scientific Publications, as a discoverer of the localities of different minerals. As a citizen he was first in every good work, a leading member of church and society, with strong convictions of right and wrong, standing firm for the right often to GENERAL HISTORY. 25 the sacrifice of his own interest. He was popular with the masses. With the anti-slavery and terai)erance movements he was early and warmly engaged. One of the first to ban- ish liquors from his sideboard, and to stand firm for total abstinence. He was born at least a quarter of a century too early for his own comfort. He gained nothing but ridicule and llie title of a visionary fanatic for pushing innova- tions which have since become established successes. He was prime mover in setting the town of Cromwell off from Middletown. He selected the name of the new town. He held successively all the offices of the church society and town. In the improvements of the village he was earnestly engaged, as many of the fine elms bear testimony. In the movement for an academy and a new church edifice, he was foremost and persistently success- ful. William Meigs Hand was born in Madison, and was graduated, M. D., at Dartmouth College in 1812, and came immediately to Cromwell. In 1816 he moved to Worthington in Berlin. He was amiable and well- informed, interesting in conversation, and happy in writing sketches and essays; a successful practitioner and a man of good moral character. He published a pamphlet entitled " A Trip to Ohio," and a manual of medicine and surgery for the family. He died in 1822, aged 32. Ira Hutchinson, son of John and Mollie Hutchinson, was born in Gilead Society, in Hebron. He studied medicine with Dr. Silas Fuller, then of Columbia, subse- quently of Hartford, and graduated at Yale Medical College in 1825. After the death of Dr. Warner he located in Haddam, where he made successful practice till 1853, when he removed to Cromwell, where he died. Here, as in his former field, he soon secured a full prac- tice. He was in every sense a gentleman. /. Francis Ca/ovell Hall, John M. Murdock, Thomas G. Mather, D. Ward Northrop, Wesley U. Pearne, Robert G. Pike, Silas A. Robinson, Charles G. R. Vinal, Frederick Vinal, Samuel L. Warren, Harris Warren. Chatham — Lovell Hall. Chester — Jonathan T. Clark, Washington F. Wilcox. Durham — Henry G. Newton (office in New Haven). East Haddam— Julius Atwood, Francis H. Parker, Hiram Willey, E. Emory Johnson. Essex — Eben P. Lincoln, James Phelps, James L. Phelps, Henry P. Pratt. Portland — William H. Ingersoll, Dennis A. McQuillan, John M. Murdock. Saybrook — Washington F. Wilcox. Westbrook — David A. Wright. CHAPTER VII. FERRIES, STEAMBOATS, HIGHWAYS, RAILROADS. Ferries in Middlesex County. ALL INTERCOURSE between the opposite sides of the Connecticut River was, till the construc- tion of the bridges of the Air Line and Shore Line Rail- roads at Middletown and Saybrook Junction, by means of ferries. These bridges are only for the passage of railroad trains, but most of the travel, which would otherwise cross the ferries, goes over on these trains. The ferries are still utilized by teams and for local travel, but the great change which the establishment of railroads across the country and along the river has effected has ' diminished the importance of these ferries, and some of them have fallen into disuse, while others are only oc- casionally used. Although at an early period facilities for crossing the river, at various points along its course, were provided by private individuals or associations of neighbors, no ferry with privileges guaranteed by law was granted till 1662, when the Saybrook ferry, between Saybrook and Lyme, was authorized by the General Court. In 1664, Chapman's ferry, between Haddam and East Haddam, was granted. In 1724, Brockway's, between Pauta- paug and North Lyme, was established, and in 1726, Middletown ferry, between Middletown and what is now Portland, was granted. Knowles's Landing ferry was granted in 1735, but it was abandoned, and another grant was made in 1806. In 1741, the East Haddam ferry, between Haddam and East Haddam, was granted, but it was only occasionally kept, and in 181 1 a new grant was made. Upper Houses ferry, between what are now Cromwell and Portland, was authorized in 1759. Higganum, between Haddam and Middle Haddam, was granted in 1763. Warner's, between Chester and Hadlyme, was estab- lished in 1769. Haddam ferry, between Haddam and Middle Haddam, received chartered rights in 18 14. Steamboats and Steam Navigation on Connecti- cut River. The nearest approach to steam navigation previous to the i8th century was a boat built by John Silliman, of Chester. It was in the form of a scow, with paddle wheels propelled by horse power. He carried grain and GENERAL HISTORY, 37 other materials on the river, and at one time, it is said, he carried the mayor and aldermen of Hartford on an excursion trip. The loss of a load of grain, by the sink- ing of his boat by running onto a rock, compelled him to abandon the undertaking. At the time he met with the loss he used two scows fastened together, propelled by two horses. The wreck of these could be seen, a few years ago, just south of the Chester steamboat dock, sunk in the mud. No steamboat is known to have run on the Connecti- cut River prior to 1819, except the Fultoti, which plied for a short time. The Enterprise, built and owned by a Mr. Kelsey, of Middletown, came on soon afterward. In 1824, the Connecticut River Steamboat Company put on the river the Oliver Ellsworth, a new boat, com- manded by Captain Daniel Havens, of Norwich ; and in the next season the McDonough, another new boat. These were among the best boats of that time. They were well finished and furnished, were schooner rigged, and had figure heads and bowsprits, and carved work on their sterns. They were well patronized, and they did a large share of the passenger business between eastern and northern Connecticut and New York. At Calves' Island wharf, in Lyme, stages met these boats, and con- veyed passengers between that point and New London, and the region east. Stage connections were also made at Ely's ferry for Norwich, and at Hartford for the north. The Oliver Ellsworth ey.'pXoAtd. her boiler on Long Island Sound, in March 1827, by which accident four or five lives were lost. She was repaired, and was afterward commanded by Captain Stow, of Middletown, and others, till 1834, when she left the river. At about the same time the McDonough was sold, to run between Boston and Portland, Maine, In 1830, the Victory, an Albany boat, came on the route. Opposition brought down fares, and tickets for New York were sold as low as twenty-five cents. During the season of 1831, this boatj-an in connection with the other Connecticut River boats. In the spring of 1832, the Chief Justice Marshall, Captain Jabez Howes, came, and continued till she was lost, near Branford, in a heavy storm, in April 1833. In June of the same year came the Water Witch, Captain Jacob Vanderbilt, which made the passage be- tween Hartford and New York in thirteen hours. In August came the New England, of the Connecticut River line, a new boat, and one of the best then afloat. She was commanded by Henry Waterman, of Hartford. On the 9th of October 1833, at Essex, this boat exploded both her boilers, killing and wounding some 20 people. She left the river, in 1837, for the Boston and Portland line. The next boat was the Bunker Hill, Captain Sandford, which was so crank on its first trip that it was at once docked, sawed in two, and lengthened, after which she did excellent work till she struck on Cow Neck, in Oyster Bay River, while enveloped by a fog, in 1841. The Lexington, Captain Vanderbilt, ran, during part of the season of 1837, in opposition to the Bunker Hill. She was called the fastest boat of her day. The Cleopatra, Captain Reynolds, came on in 1837, and ran on alternate days with the Banker Hill and Charter Oak. She continued on the river till 1842, most of the time under the command of Captain Dunstan, who was, in 1846, lost on the Atlantic, at Fisher's Island. The Charter Oak, built at Hartford, under the super- vision of Matthew Hubbard, was an excellent steamer. She was transferred- from the Hartford to the New Lon- don route. During the season after the Charter Oak was built, Mr. Hubbard built a ship, at East Haddam, for Captain C. R. Dean, who claimed that the Charter Oak cost him more than $500; for said he: " Every broadaxe and plane was still when that boat came in sight below Higganum. All rested to see ' Boss Hubbard's boat.' " The spring of 1842 found no boats plying on the Con- necticut River below Hartford. The Splendid, which had run to Hartford every month in the previous winter, had been taken off. The Kosciusko, Captain Van Pelt, came on about the ist of May. The Globe, which had been built and fitted with the engine and apparel of the wrecked Bunker Hill, appeared about the 1st of June. She was, probably, as fast a vessel, and as much a favorite, as any that ever ran on the river. Directly after the Mexican war she was sold and went to Texas. She was, during most of the time she was here, under the command of Captain E. D. Roath, of Norwich. The Kosciusko ran on the river till 1846, when the New Champion succeeded her. This boat was under the command of Captain Van Pelt, and afterward of Cap- tain Tinklepaugh. She was a fortunate boat, very regu- lar in making her time, and she continued on the river till 1853, when she was succeeded by the Granite State. The Globe was, in 1847, succeeded by the Hero, which continued till the City of Hartford came, in 1852. The Hero was, during most of this time, under the command of Captain Joseph H. King. In the summer of 1850, the Connecticut, Captain Peck, ran on the same days as the New Champion, and the Traveller on the days of the Hero, and fares were very low. Early in June 1852, the City of Hartford, Captain Daniel A. Mills, came on. She was owned by a new company, was new, large, and well fitted and furnished. About the 1st of July 1853, the Granite State, Captain James H. King, owned by the old company, appeared. She was new and in excellent order. For the next few years steamboating on the Connecticut River was in its glory. The Granite State and the City of Hartford, com- manded by Captains King and Mills, afforded facilities for travel on this route that have never been surpassed. The City of New York cdxs\& out in 1866, under Cap- tain Mills. It was subsequently commanded by Captain Dibble. In August, 1881, it was sunk and badly dam- aged, but was rebuilt in 1882, and named the City of Springfield. 38 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. The Granite State was burnt near Goodspeed's Land- ing in May, 1883. The City of Hartford was refitted in that year and was named the Capitol City. The City of Lawrence, Captain Miner, and the Capitol City, Captain Russell, run on tlie Hartford and New York line at present. They are good boats and are well pat- ronized. The Silver Star came on in 1865, and for some ye^irs it did considerable business at the river landings, but after the advent of the Connecticut Valley Railroad this business waned and the boat was sold in 1883. The Lawrence, Captain Royal S. White, commenced running between Norwich and Hartford in 1846, and continued, with the Alice, till 1850. The Cricket, Captain Post, commenced running to New London and Long Island in 1850, and since then the Island Belle, the Mary Benton, the 6'. B. Camp, and the Sunshine have been on that route. With the exception of steamboats that have navigated the river for short periods, and those which have run temporarily in the place of the regular boats, the above list contains the names and times of all the Connecticut River steamboats. Roads and Turnpikes. The first settlers in Middlesex county came hither by way of Connecticut River, the great natural avenue of approach to the region along its shores. A few subse- quently came from eastern Massachusetts over such rug- ged Indian trails and paths as were then to be found in the untamed wilderness. As settlements multiplied along the river and extended back from it, communication be- tween them was first established and maintained through paths which were chosen because of the facilities for passage which they then presented, and without refer- ence to future exigencies or conditions. As the country became more densely populated these paths, which had become highways, were in some cases altered to meet the requirements of changing circumstances; new ones were established, and those which had become of little use were abandoned. In many cases, however, these primi- tive roads determined the location of those settlers who followed the pioneers, and it was afterward found diffi- cult to change them, though the routes which they fol- lowed were not the most feasible under the changed cir- cumstances. As time went on points more or less distant from each other became important, and more frequent communica- tion between them was necessary, yet during many years this communication was had by way of these tortuous and inconvenient roads; and more direct and easier routes were not adopted till after the inconveniences of the old ones had long been endured. Gradually the crooked highways were straightened where it was prac- ticable, and the most frequently travelled roads were kept in better repair, but it was not till early in the pres- ent century that roads between important points began to be constructed and maintained in this county by in- corporated companies, that received for their labor and expense tolls from those who passed over these roads. The first of these roads in Middlesex county was the Middlesex Turnpike, that extended from Saybrook through Haddam and Middletown to Goffe's Brook, in Wethersfield, thirty-two miles. It was incorporated in May, 1802. At the same time the Hebron and Middle Haddam Turnpike was incorporated. It ran from Hebron Meet- ing House to Middle Haddam Landing, thirteen and one- half miles. The Middletown and Berlin Turnpike, extending from Middletown through Berlin into Farmington, twenty miles, was incorporated in May, 1808. In October of the same year the Colchester and Chat- ham Turnpike was granted corporate privileges. It ex- tended from Colchester through Chatham to Middletown ferry, eighteen miles. Chatham and Marlborough Turnpike was chartered in October, 1809, and extended from Middletown ferry, via Pistol Point, to Marlborough, ten and one-half miles. East Haddam and Colchester Turnpike, from East Haddam Landing to Colchester Meeting House, ten and one-half miles, was chartered in October, 1809. Middletown and Meriden Turnpike, between Middle- town and Meriden Meeting House, seven miles, received its charter in October, 1809. Durham and East Guilford Turnpike extended from Durham street through North Bristol to East Guilford Green, fourteen miles. It was chartered in May, 181 1. Middletown, Durham, and New Haven Turnpike ran from Middletown tlirough [Durham, Branford, and North Haven to New Haven, twenty-three and one-half miles. It was granted in May, 181 1. Killingworth and Haddam Turnpike was incorporated in October, 1813. It extended between Killingworth street and Higganum, fifteen and one-half miles. Beaver Meadow Turnpike was a branch of the above. It was also chartered in October, 1813, and extended to Haddam street, tour and orre-third miles. Haddam and Durham Turnpike was incorporated in May, 1815. Its length was seven and three-fourth miles, from Higganum to Durham street. Chester and North Killingworth Turnpike ran from the bridge over Chester Cove to North Killingworth, about seven miles. The charter was granted in May, 1816. The turnpike from Norwich through East Haddam and Haddam to New Haven was chartered in October^ 1817 ; and that from Pautapaug Point to East River bridge in Guilford, in October, 1818. The Madison and North Killingworth Turnpike Com- pany was incorporated in May, 1835. Railroads. — Meriden and Cromwell Railroad Company. This company was incorporated in July, 1882, with a capital of $300,000. Work was commenced on the road, the termini of which are indicated by the name of the company, in the latter part of 1883, and the road went GENERAL HISTORY. 39 into operation in the autumn of 1884. About one-half of the road lies in Middlesex County. H. C. Wilcox is president of the company ; Ch.irles Parker, vice- president ; C. L. Rockwell, secretary; and A. Chamber lain, treasurer. The object of this road is to afford to the manu- facturers of Meriden an additional inlet and outlet for raw material and manufactured goods, and thus to re- lieve them from the extortions of monopolies. The stock is mostly owned by manufacturers and merchants in Meriden, and no debts have been incurred in the construction of the road, either by the issue of bonds or otherwise. MiDDLETOWN AND BERLIN RAILROAD. This was the first railroad that was constructed in this county. Its termini were Middletown and the Hart- ford and New Haven Railroad in the town of Berlin. The president of this company was Charles K. Alsop, of Middletown, and many of the directors and stockholders were citizens of this county. The road was completed and went into operation in the spring of 1849. Before its completion it was merged in the Hartford and New Haven Railroad, which has since become the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad. Air Line Railroad. In 1846, a charter was obtained from the Legislature of Connecticut for the New York and Boston Railroad, from New Haven to Windham, with authority to bridge the Connecticut River at Middletown, This charter was vetoed by the governor, but was again passed over his veto. The opposition to the measure was strong in Hartford, and an unsuccessful effort was made to pro- cure the repeal of the bridge clause of the charter at the next session of the Legislature. Another effort, in 1848, was successful. The bridge clause was repealed, but permission was granted for an impracticable suspension bridge at the Narrows. Meantime the company had been organized, surveys had been made, and work com- menced between Middletown and Sterling; but this act checked the enterprise, and work was suspended. The charter was renewed seven times, the last time in 1866. In 1868 the old bridge clause in the charter was re-en- acted, notwithstanding the violent opposition that was made. The company was reorganized under the name of the New Haven, Middletown, and Willimantic Rail- road, in 1867; with David Lyman, president, and O. V. Coffin treasurer, and in June of that year work was com- menced and so vigorously prosecuted that cars were put on, for freight and passengers, between New Haven and, Middletown, in August 1870. On the 17th of December 1872, the bridge across the Connecticut River was com- pleted and crossed by a locomotive, and, in February 1873, trains ran as far as East Hampton. August 12th 1873, the road was completed to Willimantic, and on that day a passenger train passed over it to that place. The bridge over the Connecticut is a wrought iron structure, 1,250^ feet in length, with a draw of 303 feet covering openings each 130 feet wide at low water. It is capable of supporting 40,000 pounds to a linear foot, which is five times the weight of any probable rolling load. Its cost was about $400,000. It was designed and built by the Keystone Bridge Company, of Pittsburg. The cost of the road was more than six millions of dollars. Of this cost, Middletown contributed $897,000; Portland, $318,000; Chatham, $12,000; and Middlefield, $70,000. A foreclosure of the first mortgage bonds took place in 1875, and the bondholders organized a new company under the name of the Boston and New York Air Line Railroad. The road was afterward leased to the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad Company for the term of ninety-nine years. Shore Line Railroad. By reason of an unusual reticence on the part of the former officers of this road, only a meagre history of it can be gleaned. It is learned from the recollections of those in the vicinity, that the New Haven and New Lon- don Railroad was completed, and trains first passed over it, in the summer of 1852. At that time the Connecticut River was crossed, to Lyme, by a ferry, which took over the passengers and the baggage cars of the trains. The present bridge was built about 1870. No important changes have been made in the route through Middlesex county since the road was built. In accordance with the usual custom in such cases, and with the usual result to the stockholders, the road passed into the hands of the bondholders by the fore- closure of the first mortgage. It was afterward reorganized under its present name, and leased for the term of ninety nine, years to the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad Company, by which it is now operated. Connecticut Valley Railroad Company. The act of the Legislature incorporating this company was passed at the May session, 1868. The incorporators were: Luther Boardman, Samuel Woodruff, O. V. Coffin, O. H. Clark, H. Scovill, J. C. Walkley, Henry G. Hub- bard, H. Johnson, S. E. Marsh, J. Silliman, D. A. Mills, J. W. Hubbard, E. Brainerd, S. W. Robbins, Isaac Ar- nold, and R. B. Spencer. The first meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors was held at the Mc Donough House, Middle- town, Saturday, October 2d 1869. The following named persons were elected directors:01iver D. Seymour, Francis B. Cooley, Elisha T. Smith, Nelson Hollister, Frederick R. Foster, Seth E. Marsh, Hartford; Gaston T. Hubbard, and Samuel Babcock, Middletown; Elisha Stevens, Crom- well; James E. Walkley, Haddam; Luther Boardman, East Haddam; Oliver H. Clark, Chester; S. M. Comstock, Essex. At a meeting of the directors held at the same place, October 7th 1869, the following officers were elected, viz.: president, James C. Walkley; vice president, Luther Boardman; secretary, Levi Woodhouse; treasurer, Nel- son Hollister; chief engineer, Seth E. Marsh. 40 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. The capital stock authorized by the cliarter was f 1,200,000. The construction of the road commenced in 1869, and the first shovelful of earth was thrown by Mrs. Walkley, wife of the president. The road was com- pleted«from Hartford to Saybrook Point, June 30th 1871, and from thence to Fenwick in 1872. First mortgage bonds to the amount of $1,000,000 and second mortgage bonds to $1,250,000 were issued. The cost of coristruction was much greater than was anticipated and the road did not prove a financial success. The result was that the first mortgage bondholders were compelled to assume control of it and the stock ceased to be of any value. On the first of July 1880, the company was reorganized under the name of the Hartford and Connecticut Valley Railroad Company, and the following gentlemen were elected directors, viz.: Samuel Babcock, Timothy M. Allyn, Charles T. Hillyer, Chester W. Chapin, Richard D. Hubbard, Henry Kellogg, Charles M. Beach, Franklin Chamberlain, and Daniel C. Spencer. The officers were: Samuel Babcock, president; Henry Kellogg, vice presi- dent; C. H. Smith jr., secretary and treasurer. The present offifcers are: Samuel Babcock, president and treasurer; George H. Watrous, vice president; W. C. Brainard, secretary and assistant treasurer; O. M. Shep- ard, superintendent. CHAPTER VIII. MIDDLESEX COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. Second Regiment Infantry. THIS, which was a three months regiment, was re- cruited mostly from the volunteer militia. Its surgeon, Archibald T. Douglas, was from Middletown, and one man in Company D, and the whole of Company A, sixty-nine in number, were from the same place. It made its rendezvous at New Haven, whence, on the loth of May r86i, it embarked on the steamer Columbia for Washington. It arrived off Fortress Monroe on the morning of the 13th, sailed up the Potomac, and the regiment encamped at Glenwood, where they remained a month, engaged in drill. On the 17th of June, they broke camp, marched to Roach's Mills, and afterward to Falls Church. At the battle of Bull Run they were engaged, and did good service, losing two killed, five wounded, and nine prisoners. Dr. Douglas was especially commended for his good service in this battle. The regiment was mustered out of service at New Haven, on the 7th of August 1861. Nearly all the men re-enlisted, and about two hundred of them afterward became commissioned officers in the army. First Connecticut Cavalry. This was first a battalion of four companies. It was intended that one company should be recruited in each Congressional district, but territorial limits were not ob- served in recruiting. The rendezvous of the battalion was made at West Meriden, where it encamped in the fall of 1861. Here it remained, engaged in drill and camp duty, during the succeeding winter, and on the 20th of February, 1862, it departed for Wheeling, Va., numbering 346 officers and men. They first encamped on an island in the Ohio River, opposite Wheeling, where they remained a month en- gaged in drill. They then removed to Moorfield, Va., where for a time they hunted guerillas and bushwhack- ers. Under General Lyon they participated in the battle of^ McDowell, on the 8th of May, and in the operations which resulted in the battle of Franklin four days later. They were in the forced march over the mountains and through the Shenandoah Valley, and they participated in the battles of Harrisonville, Cross Keys, and Fort Re- public. Under General Siegel the battalion took part in the operations in Virginia in the summer of 1862, and par- ticipated in the battles that occurred during General Pope's retreat. In the autumn of that year they were in the vicinity of Washington, and in early winter they went to the neighborhood of Fredericksburg. Thence, in January, 1863, they went to Baltimore, where they did provost duty till the next, summer. In this time it was increased to a full regiment of twelve companies. On the invasion by Lee, in the summer of 1863, the regiment engaged in active duty, and about the time of the battle of Gettysburg and afterward, detachments were sent to various points on scouting and other duty. In the spring of 1864 the regiment was attached to the Army of the Potomac at Brandy Station, Va. In the ac- tive operations that followed the regiment participated and was engaged in the peculiar duty which devolves on cavalry in an active campaign. During that year it par- ticipated in the battles of Craig's Church, Spottsylvania Court House, Meadow Bridge, Hanover Court House, Ashland, near Old Church Tavern. In the field (June 15th to June 28th), Ream's Station, Winchester, near Kearneysville, Front Royal, Cedar Run Church, Cedar Creek, and New Woodstock, all in Virginia. In the brief campaign of 1865 the regiment partici- pated, and it was engaged at Waynesboro, Ashland, Five Forks, Sweat House Creek, and. Harper's Farm. It was mustered out at Washington, D. C, August 2d, and it left for New Haven the next day. There were in the regiment sixty men from Middlesex county. First Regiment. — Heavy Artillery. This was recruited and organized as the Fourth Regi- ment of Infantry, in the spring of 1861. It rendezvoused at Hartford, and in June of that year it left for the seat of war. They first encamped at Hagerstown, Md., whence they advanced to Williamsport early in July. About the middle of August they went to Frederick GENERAL HISTORY. 41 City, and early in September to Darnestown, where they reported to General Banks. Early in October they went to Washington and occupied Fort Richardson, within the defenses of that city. In January, 1862, the regiment was changed from the Fourth Infantry to the First Heavy Artillery. It re- ceived two additional companies, and was recruited up 10 the number of r,8oo men. They remained in Fort Richardson engaged in heavy artillery drill, till early in April, 1862. They then went forward with the army of McClcllan, and assisted in the preparations for the siege of Yorktown, which was defended by 7,500 rebels against an army of 100,000. After the evacuation of Yorktown, the regiment went forward in the Peninsular campaign, and p.articipated in the engagements at Hanover Court House, Chickahominy, Gaines Mill, Malvern Hill, and Golden Hills. The excellent phjsical character of the men in this regiment, their superior intelligence, and their thorough drill and discipline gave to the organization a high repu- tation, which it sustained to the end of its service. When the army withdrew from the Peninsula it re- turned to the defenses of Washington, and occupied the forts along Arlington Heights, commanding the western approaches to the Capital. Two companies, however, remained with the army. In May, '.864, The regiment reported to General Biitler, at Bermuda Hundred, and it participated in the operation of that branch of the Union Army, which lasted during eleven months. In January, 1865, a portion of the regiment was en- gaged in the assault on Fort Fisher. It continued to serve with the army of the James till the close of the war, but, like other regiments of heavy artillery, it was often much scattered in different fortifica- tions. It was mustered out in September, 1865, after a service of four years and four months. More than two, hundred men from Middlesex county served in this regiment. Company G, at its formation, was largely composed of students from the Wesleyan University. A large number from Company H were also from this county. Seventh Regiment Infantry. This, which was a three years' regiment, was raised in the summer of 1861 ; and all the companies were at the rendezvous at New Haven early in September. About eighty of the men in this regiment were from Middlesex county. They left their rendezvous September 18th, i,ot8 strong. They remained at Washington and Annapolis till October 20th, when they embarked for Pori Royal. They remained at Hilton Head till December i8th, when they went to Tybee Island. They were engaged in the siege of Fort Pulaski, and were the first to garrison that fort after its surrender. In the latter part of May, 1862, it went to James Island at the mouth of Charleston Harbor, and on the i6th of June jt was engaged in the fierce fight on that Island. I The regiment was engaged at Tocotaligo, October 22d, after which it returned to Hilton Head, where it remained some weeks. It then went to Fernandina. Fla., and remained till the next April. In April four companies went to Hilton Head and thence on the expedition against Charleston. They participated in the battles of Morris Island and Fort Wagner, and their losses in these actions were heavy. The six companies that had remained in Florida joined their fellows on Morris Island during the seige. In the middle of October the regiment was sent to St. Helena Island, where they remained some time to rest from their fatigue, and for the sick to recover their health. Early in February, 1864, the regiment went with Gen- eral Gilmore to Olustee, Fla., and had a part in the battle at that place. In May it was transferred to Bermuda Hundred, Va., and during the ensuing summer it was on active duty. It liad part in the battle of Chester Station, in the actions near Bermuda Hundred from May loth to June 17th, in those at Deep Bottom, Deep Run, Chapin's farm near Richmond, New Market Road, Darbytown Road, and Charles City Road, in 1864; and the two actions at Fort Fisher, N. C, January 15th and 19th, 1865. Its losses by death were : killed in action, 90 ; died of wounds, 44 ; died of disease, 179. It was mustered out on the 20th of July, 1865. Tenth Regiment Infantry. This regiment, which had about eighty men from Middlesex county, was recruited in the autumn of 1861, and left Hartford for Annapolis on the 31st of October. On the 6th of November, they left Annapolis, and sailed, with other troops, for North Carolina. After tossing about on the sea off Hatteras for several weeks, they finally crossed the bar, and on the 8th of February 1862 it was engaged in its first battle, that of Roanoke Island, and here its conduct gave ample promise of the excellent service which was afterward done by the regi- ment. Its colonel, Chaxles L. Russtll, was killed while leading his column to a charge. On the i2th of March, they sailed for Newbern, North Carolina, and were engaged in the battle at that place on the 14th of the same month. The summer of 1862 was passed in the vicinity of Newbern, improving in drill and discipline. In Novem- ber they went on what was known as the Tarboro raid, and on the 14th of December they were engaged in the action at Kingston, North Carolina. In January 1863, they went to St. Helena Island. Here they remained till the latter part of March, when they went to Seabrook Island. Early in July, they went to the vicinity of Charleston, and they were engaged in the siege of that place till the 28th of October. In the following December the regi- ment participated in the battle of St. Augustine, Florida. It remained in the vicinity of St. Augustine till April i8th 1864, when it went to Hilton Head, and thence to For- 42 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. tress Monroe, where it was joined by the re-enlisted vet- erans who had returned from their furlough. They soon afterward passed up the James, and on the loth of May they were in action at Whitehall Junction, Virginia. From the 13th to the 17th, inclusive, of the same month, they were engaged in battle at Drury's Bluff. From thif time till its muster out,' August 25th 1865, it was in service in Virginia, and participated in no less than fourteen engagements, as follows : Bermuda Hun dred. Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, August ist and 14th, Deep Run, Seige of Petersburg, August 28th to September 29th, Laurel Hill Church, Newmarket Road, Darbytown Road, October 13th and 27th, Johnson's Plantation, Hatcher's Run, Fort Craig, and Appomattox Court House. During its term of service it lost : killed in action, 57 ; died of wounds, 59 ; died of disease, 152. Eleventh Regiment Infantry. The Eleventh Regiment was recruited at Camp Lin- coln, Hartford, and left that place for Annapolis on the i6th of October 1861. In this regiment Middlesex county was represented by more than two hundred men. It embarked for North Carolina on the 6th of November. One of the vessels carrying the Eleventh was beached near Hatteras, and those on board remained in distress twenty-three days. They finally got on shore, and the vessel went to pieces. i The regiment went up the Neuse River and was first engaged at the battle of Newbern, North Carolina, on the 14th of March 1862. From this time till midsummer the men of the regi- ment, after a change of colonels, were engaged in drill, and strict discipline was enforced, and they came to be one of the cleanest and most orderly regiments in their division. Early in July 1862, the regiment was attached to the army of the Potomac, and on the 14th of September it participated in the battle of South Mountain, and on the 17th in the severe action at Antietam. In this battle its colonel, H. W. Kingsbury, was killed. In the latter part of November the Eleventh, with other troops, moved to the vicinity of Fredericksburg, and at the battle there, December 12th, it was stationed on the picket line. During the summer of 1863, it was in the Department of Virginia, and although it was engaged in several ac- tions and reconnoisances its loss was not severe. In the spring of 1864, it received a veteran furlough, from which it returned early in March, and encamped at Williamsburg. On the gth of May it was engaged at Swift's Creek. It advanced to the Petersburg pike, and on the 1 2th was again fighting. On the i6th it partici- pated in the battle of Drury's Bluff, after which it was detailed to build earthworks at Bermuda Hundred. After several marches it reached Cold Harbor, Virginiai and was engaged in the battle at that place on the 3d of June. From the 15th of June till the 27th of August 1864, it was in active service before Petersburg, and it con- tinued to serve in the Department of Virginia till its mus- ter out, December 21st 1865. During its term of service it lost : in killed, 35 ; died of wounds, 41 : died of disease, 165. Twelfth Regiment Infantry. Early in 1862, this, which was known as the Charter Oak Regiment, was organized. It had about 80 men from Middlesex county. It left for Ship Island, Missis- sippi Sound, on the 24th of February 1862, and was at- tached to General Butler's division during 1862 and a part of 1863. It participated in the battle of Georgia Landing on the 27th of October 1862, and in March 1863, a detachment of 35 was captured, after a severe fight, at Pattersonville, Louisiana. On the 13th of April it was sharply engaged. It continued in the Department of the Gulf, and bore a conspicuous part in the siege of Port Hudson, in which it was engaged from the zsth of May till the gth of July 1863. More than three-fourths of the regiment re-enlisted as veterans in the spring of 1864, and had a furlough. They returned to New Orleans in May, and remained in that vicinity till July, when the regiment embarked for For- tress Monroe, and finally, in August, joined General Sheridan's army, in the Shenandoah Valley. While with this army, it was engaged at the battles of Winchester, September 19th 1864; Fisher's Hill, September 22d 1864; and Cedar Creek, October 19th 1864. The total loss during its term of service was: killed in action, 50; died of wounds, 16; died of disease, 188. It was mustered out of the service, August 12th 1865. Thirteenth Regiment Infantry. The organization of this regiment was completed at New Haven on the 7th of January 1862, and it sailed for Ship Island. It had about 80 men from Middlesex county. It participated in the battle of Georgia Landing, on the 27th of October 1862. It was engaged, during the winter of 1862-63, in camp and other routine duty, and in making reconnoisances. On the 14th of April 1863, it was actively engaged in the battle of Irish Bend, Louisiana, in which it made a brilliant charge on a battery of the enemy. On the 24th of May 1863, it was in action at Port Hudson, and on the 14th of June, it was again engaged at the same place. During a long period the regiment was stationed at different points, and was engaged in the ordinary duty of military posts. In March 1864, after having been six months at Thibodeaux, it went on the expedition up the Red River. It shared in the perils and hardships of that fruitless campaign, and, on the 23d of April, was engaged in the battle of Cane River, Louisiana, and on the T6th of May was again engaged at Mansura Plain, Louisiana. This was its last battle in that department. In July it sailed for Fortress Monroe, where the non-veterans were landed. The veterans went to Connecticut on their fur- lough. GENERAL HISTORY. 43 On its return it joined the army in the Shenandoah Valley, and on the igtla of September 1864, it partici- pated in the battle of Winchester. On the 22d of the same month it fought at Fisher's Hill, and on the 19th of October at Cedar Creek. In December 1864, the non-veterans returned to Con- necticut, and the veterans were consolidated with recruits into a battalion which went to Savannah, Georgia, and was scattered in detachments as provost-guards till their muster out, on the 25th of April 1866. Its total losses were: killed in action, 32; died of wounds, 13; died of disease, 129. Fourteenth Regiment Infantry. This regiment was recruited in the State at large, but it had more than 200 men from Middlesex county. It made its rendezvous at Hartford, and left that place for Washington on the 25th of August 1862, with a numer- ical strength of 1,015 ™en. Without drill or instruction the regiment was at once sent forward, and it had a part in the severe battle of Antietam, where it suffered a loss in. killed, wounded, and missing, of 137 men. The regiment participnted in the operations that fol- lowed this battle, and was again hotly engaged at Fred- ericksburg, where its losses aggregated 122 men. It continued with the Army of the Potomac, and win- tered neat Falmouth, Virginia. It was again in action during three days at Chancellorsville, and its losses there amounted to 56 men. It was next engaged at Gettysburg, where it captured five battle flags and a large number of prisoners. Its loss in this action, in which it was engaged more severely than in any other during the war, was 66. It was actively engaged in the subsequent operations of the army in Virginia during the summer and autumn of 1863, and was engaged at Falling Waters, Auburn, Bristol Station, Blackburn's Ford, and Mine Run. It made its winter's quarters near Stei^ensburg, Va. In the spring of 1864 it resumed active duty and was first engaged at Morton's Ford on the 5th of February. Between that time and the ist of December it was en- gaged in the battles of the Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Tolopotomy, Cold Har- bor (twice), Petersburg, June nth to July 6th, Deep Bot- tom, Ream's Station, and Boydton Plank Road. In the spring of 1856 it entered again on active duty, and was engaged at Hatcher's Run, February 26th, and again, March 2Sth, also at High Bridge, Farmersville, and at the surrender of Lee. It was mustered out of the ser- vice on the 31st of May, 1865. Though it had received additions from time to time, as it was weakened by losses, till it had had an aggregate of 1,726 men, it had at the mus- ter out a numerical strength of only 234. It had lost in killed, 132; died of wounds, 65; and died of disease, 169. Fifteenth Regiment Infantry. This regiment, in which were more than one hundred men from Middlesex county, was recruited at New Ha- ven, in August, 1862. It left for Washington on the 28th of that month with. 1,022 officers and men. On its ar- rival there it was encamped near Long Bridge and was en- gaged for a time in guard duty. It was in the fight at Fredericksburg though its loss there was not large. In February, 1863, the regiment went to Newport News, and thence, after about a month, to Suffolk, Va., where it remained during the month of April. It was there engaged in two reconnoisances, in each of which it was slightly in action. In July it went with the ex- pedition of General Dix up the Peninsula. It worked on the fortifications near Norfolk during the greater part of the fall of 1863. In January, 1864, it went to North Carolina where it remained during the summer of that year. Detachments were sent on unimportant expeditions against the enemy, but they were not engaged in any serious battle. In March, 1865, it went to Kingston, and in the action there, on the 8th of that month, a large portion of the men were made prisoners. The regiment was assigned to provost duty in Kingston after its occupation by the Union forces, and it continued there till about the time of its muster out, June 27th 1865. Twentieth Regiment Infantry. The Twentieth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry was raised in the summer of 1862 in the counties of Hartford, New Haven, and Middlesex. The latter contributed to its ranks more than 160 men. On the nth of Septem- ber it left its rendezvous at Oyster Point, near New Ha- ven, for Washington, where it arrived on the 13th, and soon afterward it went into camp on Arlington Heights, where it remained till the latter part of that month. It then went to the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, and thence, in November, to Fairfax Station, and afterward to Staf- ford Court House. In April it marched to Chancellors- ville where it was engaged, losing 197 officers and men. It was next engaged, at Gettysburg, in July, 1863, where it was in action six hours. In September of that year the regiment was transferred to the army of the Cumber- land and wflent to Bridgeport, Ala., where it arrived on the 3d of October. During the autumn it was engaged in fatigue and picket duty, and on the 20th of January. 1864, it had a battle with the enemy at Tracy City, Tenn. During the winter and early spring of 1864 the regi- ment was changed to different localities, and on the 15 th ot May it participated in the battle of Resaca, Ga., and four days later it and the Nineteenth Michigan Regiment assaulted and captured Cassville, Ga. On the 20th of July it was engaged at Peach Tree Creek, Ga., and from July 2ist to August 7th it assisted in the operations near Atlanta, Ga. It remained in the vicinity of that city till the isth of November, when, with the army of General Sherman, it marched to 'Savannah, where it arrived on the loth of December. After the capture of that place it remained till the 17th of January. It then marched at intervals till, on the iSth of March, it encountered the enemy at Silver Run, N. C, and had a brief engagement, 44 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Four days later it participated in the battle of Benton- ville, N. C, and on the 13th of April it was engaged at Raleigh, in the same State. During the campaign this regiment marched more than five hundred miles, destroyed miles of railroad track, built corduroy roads, captured and supplied itself with rations, endured wet, cold, hunger, and fatigue without a murmur, and was finally mustered out of the service June 13th 1865, numbering 506, present and absent." Twenty-first Regiment Infantry. Middlesex county furnished about one hundred men. for this regiment, which was organized in August, 1862. It went to Washington in September and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. It was first engaged in the battle at Fredericksburg, where its loss was not great. In the spring of T863 it went to Newport News and Suffolk. After participating in the defense of the latter place it remained for a time at Newport News, engaging in occasional raids. In February, 1864, it went to North Carolina, and on the i6th of that month it took an active part in the battle of Drury's Bluff. On the 3d of June it was in the battle of Cold Harbor where its conduct was highly commended. It was in front of Petersburg till the 3d of September, engaged in picket duty and skirmishes with the enemy. It then crossed the James River and participated in the assault on and capture of Fort Harrison, where it added new laurels to those it had previously won. It remained in the service till the close of the war, engaged in the usual routine of picket and camp duty. It was mustered out of the service on the i6th day of June, 1865. Twenty-fourth Regiment Infantry. Middlesex county furnished a larger number of men for this regiment than for any other in the service. It was a nine months' regiment, and was organized in Sep- tember, 1862. It had its rendezvous at Middletown, which place it left November i8th, and after remaining for a time as Centreville, L. I., it went to Louisiana, where it joined the army before Port Hudson. It arrived on the 21st of May, and participated in the sur- render of the place, which was on the i8tli of July, 1863. During this siege the regiment sustained a loss of sixty- six officers and men. It served in the Department of the Gulf nearly ten and one-half months, and was musterec} out of the service on the 30th of September, 1863. Twenty-ninth Regiment. — Colored Infantry. In the autumn of 1863, recruiting for this regiment was begun, and the maximum number of men had been en- listed by the latter part of Jan«ary, 1864. lis rendezvous was Fair Haven, Conn., and there it was mustered into the service of the United States on the 8th of March, 1864. On the 20th of the same month it embarked at New Haven for Annapolis, Md., On the 9th of April it left Annapolis and went lo Beaufort, S. C, where, during a few months, it was drilled and instructed. Thence it went, about the middle of August, to Bermuda Hundred, and entered at once on active duty. On the 24th of the same month it went to the front at Petersburg, where it was in the trenches during a month. It was then engaged in skirmishes and reconnoisance till the 19th of November, after which it was sent to garrison some forts which were considered important. On the 5th of December it went to the left of Fort Harrison, where it remained during the winter engaged in picketing, drilling, building forts and making roads, preparatory to the spring campaign. In March, 1865, it was stationed in^ort Harrison, and on the 3d of April it was ordered forward to take part in the race for Richmond. From that city it went to Petersburg, and thence to Point Lookout. On the ioth of June it embarked for Texas, and arrived at Brazos Santiago, on the 3d of July. Thence it marched to Brownsville, where it remained on duty during the balance of its term of service. It was mustered out at Hartford on the 25th of November, 1865. It took part in the following engagements : near Petersburg from August 13th to September 24th, 1864 ; advance on Richmond, September 29th to October 13th ; and Kell House, October 27th and 28th. List of Volunteers. • A list by towns is appended of the members of Con- necticut volunteer organizations in the war of the Rebellion. This list is taken from a catalogue prepared from records in the office of the Adjutant General, and includes recruits and substitutes. The first date following the person's name is the date of muster into service. For convenience the following abbreviations are used: dis. for discharged; des. for deserted; pro. for pro- moted; d. for died; k. for killed; wd. for wounded; r. for re-enlisted; vet. for veteran; m. for mustered out; tr. for transferred; n. t. u. o. r. for not taken up on rolls. Other abbreviations, the significance of which will be readily understood, are occasionally used. CHATHAM. Ackley, Delos, 24 I., Co. C, Aug. 30 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Aoley, Reuben T., 14 1., Co. K, Aug. 5 '62, tr. in. corps. Adams, William H., 2 Art., Co. L, Nov. 18 '6t, dis. June 16 '65. Anderson, George, 1 Cav., unassigned, Nov. 29 '64. Atkins, Williami 1 Art., Co. C, Nov. 30 '64, dis. June 6 '65. Avery, Charles, 21 1., Co. H, Aug. 7 '82, d. May 22 '64. Avery, Oliver C, 14 I., Co. K, July 26 '62, d. Dec. 4 '62. Baker, Frederick M., 24 1., Co. C, Aug. 21 '62, dis! Sept. 30 '80. Baiter, James, 1 Cav., unassigned, Jan. 7 '64, dis. Jan. — '64. Barton, Henry V., 24 I., Co. C, Aug. 27 '63, dis. Sept. 30 '83. Barton, Jason H., oorp.,11 I., Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, wd., 1., ret., wd d Aug. 8 '64. Barton, Joseph D., 24 I., Co. C, Aug. 22 '6'i, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Barton, Lawton D., 34 1., Co. C, Aug. 30 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Bayhan, John, 141., Co. K, Aug. 1 '62, wd, ra. May 31 '65. Berln, Abner A., serg. 21 1., Co.H, Aug.5'63,pro. 1 lieut.,m. June 16 '66. Berin, William H., 21 1., Co. H, Aug. 14 '62, dis. Deo. 31 '63. Boyle, Patrick, 1 Cav., unassigned, Dec. 7 '64. Brainard, John L., 34 I., Co. C, Aug. 30 '62. dis. Sept. 30 '63. Brown, Delos D., 21 1., Co. H, Aug. 5 '62, pro. capt., dis. Oct. 31 '84. Brown, E. Plummer, paymaster'solk., XT. S. N. Brown, George, 15 1., Co. B, Sept. 31 '64, m . Juno 27 '65. GENERAL HISTORY. 45 Brown, Henry B., acting asst. paymaster, TJ. S. N. Brown, Joseph, 2 Art., unassigned, Nov. 18 '61. Brown, Joseph J., 30 1., Co. B, Jan. 25 '64, m. June 13 '65. Brown, Thomas G., chaplain 21 1., Apr. 21 '63, m. June 16 '6">. Buel, Frederick D. H.,sergt. 31 I., Co. H.Aug. 12 '63, pro. 3 lleut., Jan. 4 '65. Burke, Ezra D., 24 1., Co. C, Aug. 30, 62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Burk, Joseph, 1 Cav., unassigned, Deo. 2 '64. Burke, Miles C , 12 1., Co. F, Nov. 19 'SI, dis. July 14 '63. Burke, Norman A., corp. 14 1., Co. K, Aug. 14 '63, dis Aug. 38 '63. Butler, Burdett L., 1 Art., Co. B, Sept. 6 '64, dis. June 29 '65. Carherry, Bernard, 2 Art., Co. E, Jan. 8 '64, missing June 1 '64. Carpenter, Don Carlos, 341., Co. C, Aug. 30 '63, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Carpenter, Grunnett, 21 1., Co. H, Aug. 8 '83, m. June 16 '65. Childs, Edward G., sergt. 21 1., Co. H, Aug. 5 '62, m. Aug. 11 '6i. Clark, Jonathan C, 24 1., Co. C, Aug. 30 '62, dis. Sept. 80 '63. Clark, Nicholas, 30 1., Co. C, Mar. 28 '64, m. Nov. 7 '65. Clavey, William, 1 Art., Co. B, Deo. 15 '64, m. Sept. 25 '65. Gushing, George, 29 I., Co. K, Jan. 7 '64, dis. Feb. 1 '64. Dickinson, Sylvester H., 15 1., Co. K, Deo. 2 '64, m. July 30 '05. Dixon, James, oorp. 21 1., Co. H, Aug. 6 '62, m. June 16 '65. Doane, William, 15 1., unassigned, Sept. 13 '64. Dumay, George C, 24 1., Co. C, Aug. 21 '63, dia. Sept. 30 '63. Dumay, Stephen R., 24 1., Co. C, Aug. 30 '63, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Button, Francis A., 21 1., Co. H, Aug. 14 '62, rn. June 16 '05. Dutton, [Francis J„ 21 1., Co. H, Aug. 15 '62, dis. Mar. 6 '63. Dutton, John L., 10 1., Co. B, June 2" '63, m. June 38 '65. Bdwardi George, 21 I., Co. H, Aug. 14 '63, d. Sept. 4 '64. Emory, James, 29 I., Co. K, Jan. 7 '64, dis, Mar. 5 '65. Evans, Hiram, 24 1., Co. C, Sept. 9 '62. d. Feb. 5 '63. Flood, A^ndrew, 14 I., Co. K, July 23 '62, wd., m. May 31 '65. Flood, George F., 24 I., Co. C, Aug. 30, '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Flood, N|elson, 101., Co. K, Oct. 29 61, r., vet., m. Aug. 25 '65. Fowler, Osmer, 1st Art., Co. D, Sept. 6 '64, dia. June 29 '65. Freeman, Harvey M., 15 I., Co. A, Sept. 13 '64, m. June 37 '65. Fuller. Benjamin R., 14 1., Co. K, May 37 '63, k. Sept. 16 '63. Fuller, Franklin, 14 1., Co. K, July 23 '62, d. Got. 16 '62. Fuller, jjames, 1 Cav., Co. B, Aug. 17 '61, dis. Feb. 8 '63. Fuller, Selden, 14 1., Co. K, June 3 '63, dis. Feb. 13 '63. Garner, Henry,30 1., Co. F, Mar. 38 '64, d. Feb. 23 '65. Gillon, Edward, 21 1., Co. H, Aug, 6 '62, m. June 16 '65. Goff, Frederick M., Corp., 14 I., Co. K, July 18 '63, dis. Mar. 15 '63. GofE, James B., 21 1., Co. H, Aug. 14 '63, d. Dec. 4 '62. Goff, Orrin L.,31 1, Co. H, Aug. 20 '63, dis. Jan. 30 '63. Gordon, Christian H., 29 1., Co. B, Aug. 31 '64, wd., dis. Aug. 31 '65. Harden, Albert, 30 I., Co. F, Mar. 28 '64, ra. Nov. 7 '65. Hills, Edwin R., 21 1., Co. H, Aug. 6 '62, dis. Mar. 21 '63. Hills, Osmer C, 21 1., Co. H, Aug. 6 '62, wd., m. June 16 '65. Hines, Patrick, 10 1., Co. I, Nov. 29 '64, m. July 30 '65. Hollister, Francis, 141., Co. K, July 36 '63, d. Dec. 23 '63. Hollister, Frederic J., 141., Co. K, July 31 '63, d. Deo. 23 '62. Horton, John, 1 cav., unassigned, Nov. 31 '64. Jackson, Andrew, 30 1., Co. C, Mar. 28 '64, k. July 30 '64. Jewett, Levi. 1st aast. aurg., 141., July 14 '62, wd., dis. Jan. 4 '65. John H. Selden, Corp., 21 1., Co. H, Aug. 11 '63, wd. twice, dis. Feb.7 Johnson, George W., 14 1., Co. K. Aug. 2 '02, d. Dec. 3 '63. Kenna George W., 3 Art., Co. E, Nov. 29 '64, dia. Mar. 3 '65. Lucas, Junius H.,1 Art., Co. H., May 23 '61, .. vet ,m. Sept. 37 '05. Lucas, Wm . H.. 1 Art., Co. H, May 23 '01, dis. May 21 '64. Maher, John, 1 Art., Co. B, Sept. 14 '64, m. Sept. 35 '65. Markham, Denison G., 24 1., Co. C, Aug. 30 '63, dia. Sept. 30 '63. Markhara, F. George, serg., 24 1., Co. C, Aug. 21 '63, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Mason, Frederic S., 34 I., Co. 0, Oct. 34 '63, d. Feb. 17'63. Maynard, George H., 31 1., Co. H, Aug. 6 '63, m. June 16 '65. McCarty, Timothy, 30 I., Co. H, Dec. 16 '63, m. Aug. 25 '65. McCourt, Patrick, 15 I., Co. H, Dec. 8 '64, m. July 20 '65. McGuire, James, 2 Art., Co. M, Nov. 18 '64, m. Aug. 18 '65. McQuillan, John, 1 Art., Co. G, Nov. 16 '64, dis. Aug. 1 '65. Morgan, Newton, 24 1., Co. C, Aug. 30 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63, Morgan, Robert, 1 L. Bat., Nov. 31 '64, d. Jan. 9 '65. Murphy, Joseph, 30 1., Co. F, Mar. 38 '64, m. Nov. 7 '65. Nichols, Frederick H., 31 1., Co. H, Aug. 15 '63, dis. June 10 •65. Nichols, Wm. H.,1 Art., Co. H, May 32 '61, dis. Nov. 3 '61. Nichols, Wm. H., 12 I., Co. F, Dec. 27 '61, dis. July 5 '63. Nichols, Wm. H.,34L,Co. C, Aug. 30 '63. dis. Sept. 30 '63. North, George S., I Art., Co. G, May 23 '61, dis. May 21 •64- Northam, David T., 24 1., Co. C, Aug. 33 '63, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Parker, John, 14 1., Co. K, May 31 '63, dis. Dec. 33 '63. Parker, Michael, 21 1., Co. H., Aug. 14 '62, d. Jan. 3 '65. Parmlee, George, 1 Art., Co. G, May 22 '61, d. Sept. 16 '61. Parmelee, Maurice D., 7 1., Co. G, Sept. 7 '61, r. vet., m. July 20 05. Parsons, Nathaniel T., 1 Art., Co. G, May 23 '61, dis. May 31 64. Pennington, Thomas, 29 1., Co. K, Jan. 7 '04, m. Oct. 24 'Oo. Pierce, Joseph, 15 1., Co. P, Sept. 13 '64, m. June 27 '65. Porter, Thomas, 17 I., unassigned, Deo. 6 '64. Price, Andrew C, 29 1., Co. K, Jan. 7 '64, m. Oct. 34 '65. '65. Rehall, Isaac, iSl , Co. C, Sept. 14 '64, m. June 27 '65. Rich, Bernice B., 21 1., Co. H, Aug. 7 '02, d. Jan. 4 '63. Rich, Denison A., corp,, 24 [., Co. C, Aug. 2r63, dia. Sept. 30 '63. Rich, Frederick A., 31 1., Co. H, Aug. 6 '62, pro. 1 lieut , m, June 6 '65. Rich, .Tames S., 13 1., Co. F, Deo. 17 '61. i . vet., m. Aug. 13 '65. Rich, Julius A., 121., Co. F, Dec. 21 '61, r. vet., m. Aug. 12 '05. Rich, Leander, 21 1., Co. H, Aug. 6 '62, dis. Nov. 29 '63. x Rich, Lorenzo D., 24 1., Co. C, Sept. 9 '63, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Roasting, Richard, 39 I., unassigned, Jan. 7 '64, d. Feb. 3 '64. Root, Newell, 21 L, Co, H, Aug. 6 '63, dis. Feb. 27 '63. Royce, William A., 2 lieut., 11 L, Co. K, Nov. 37 '61, dis. Mar. 18 '63. Salisbury, Samuel, 30 1., Co. D, Aug. 15 '63, d. Apr. 9 '65. Selden, Edward, 1 Art., Co. B. Sept. 6 '64, dis. June 39 '65. Selden, John H., oorp, ,31 1., Co, H, Aug. 11 '62, dis. Feb. 7 '65. Sellew, Henry T., 27 1., Co. H, Aug. 14 '02, m. June 16 '65. Sexton, Charles S., corp, 21 1., Co. C, Aug. 37 '63, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Skinner, John W., 34 1., Co. C, Aug. 35 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Smalley, Henry, 61.. Co. 1, Sept. 5 '03, wd., m Aug. 21 '65. Snow, Henry, 31 1., Co. H, Aug. 13 '62, m. June 18 '65. Strong, Clark, adjt. 241., Aug. 30 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Strong, David, 2d, 1st lieut. 24 1, Co. C, Aug. 21 '63, Sept. 30 '63. Summers, Lucius P., corp. 34 1., Co. C, Aug. 38 '03, dis. Feb 17 '63. Tate, James, 3 Art., Co M, Nov. 38 '64, dis. June 18 '65. Taylor, Eiectus, 39 1,, Co. K, Jan. 7 '64, m. Oct. 24 '6>. Tibbals, Frederick B., 1 Art., Co. A, June 21 '63, m. Sept. 35 '65. Tiiden, Albert H., 13 1., Co. B, Nov. 33 '61, m. Dec. 2 '64. Tilden, Chester L., 241., Co. C, Aug. 30 '02, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Tracy, George D., 14 I., Co. K, Aug. « '62, dis. Nov. 1 '63. Tracy, Jonathan C. 24 1., Co. 0, Aug. 23 '63, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Wall, John, 211., Co. H, Aug. 7 '62, m. June 8 '65. Wallace, Archibald F.,2 Art., unassigned, Jan. 7 '64. Wagner, Henry J., 1 Cav,, unassigned, Jan. 7 '64, not taken up on rolls. Ward, Thomas, 1 Cav., unassigned, Dec. 5 '64, n. t. u. o. r. Warren, Charles, 2 Art., Co, B, Jan. 7 '64, dis. Feb. 9 '64. Washington, Charles H., 3 1., Co. F, Mar. 28 '64, m. Nov. 7 '65. Wasson, John, 1 Art., Co. G, Nov. 80 '64, m. Sept. 35 '65. West, Aimon V., 31 1., Co. H, Aug. 8 '63, tr. 3d Corps. West, Gilbert, 21 1., Co. H, Aug. 7 '62, wd , m. July 14 '65. Whipple, George, 29 1., Co. K, Jan. 7 '64, m. Oct. 24 '65. White, George H., 24 i;, Co. C, Aug. 27 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63 White, Henry, oorp. 30 1 ' Co. A, Mar. 38 '64, m. June 3 '65. Willey, Leonard, sergt. 341, Co. C, Aug. 30 '62, pro. 3 lieut. dis. Sept. 30 '63. Williams, George, 10 1, unassigned, Dec. 7 '64, dis. Dec. 38 '64. Wood, Andrew J , 1 Cav., unassigned, Nov. 39 '04, dis. Dec. 16 '64. Wood, James. 3 Art., Co. L, Nov. 19 '64, dia. June 26 '65. Wright, Warren A., 241., Co. C, Sept. 9 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Young, William B., 24 1., Co. C, Aug. 29 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '03. Young, Henry B., sergt. 211., Co. H, Aug. 6 '63, m.Aug. 11 '65. CHESTER. Abby, James L., 30 1., Co. C, Aug. 3 '63, m. June 13 '65. August, John, 11 1., unassigned, Sept. 27 '64. Ayers, Willis, 20 1., Co. C, Aug. 5 '63, m. June 13 '65. Barker, John W., 30 1., Co. C, Aug. 2 '63, d. Feb. 10 '63. Bouton, Francis J., 8 1., Co. H, Sept. 23 '61, dis. Sept. 22 '64, term ex. Brown, David, 1 Art., CcK, Jan. 18 '64, m. Sept. 25 '65. Chapman, James, U 1., Co. K. Apr. 6 '64, m. June 14 '65. Chappell, Benjamin, 11 1, Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, d. May 6 '62. Culver, Frederick D., 11 1., Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, d. Oct. 26 '62. Culver, Lorenzo D., 11 1., Co. K. Nov. 14 '61, r Deo. 14 '63, m. Dec. 21 '65. Cunniugham, Edward, 1 Cav., Co. I, Dec. 31 '03, pris. Oct. 17 '64. Danter, Louis, 11 1., Co. E, Sept. 27 '64, m. Dec. 21 '65. Dagarn, Paul, 11 1., Co. B, Sept. 27 '64, m. Dec. 31 '65. Dickinson, Sidney G., sergt. 201., Co. C, Aug. 4 '63, wd., m. June 13 '65. Fargo, Samuel S., 30 1., Co. C, Aug. 8 '63, m June 13 '65. Fowler, James F., 29 1, Co. E, Dec. 19 '63, k. Aug. 21 '64. Fox, Edward T.,30 1, Co. C, Aug. 1 '63, wd. m. June 13 '65. Fox, Richard D., 20 1, Co. C, Aug. 6 '63, m. June 13 '65. Francis, John, 111, Co. B, Sept. 27 '64, m. Dec, 21 'SS. Gardner, Edward T,, 20 I., Co. C, Aug. 33 '63, m. July 13 '65. Gardner, Henry W., 20 I., Co. C, Aug. 13 '63, m. June 13 '65. Gardiner, Martin L., 1 Art., Co. H, May 22 '61, dis. May 21 '64. Gilbert, Nelson B., 3 lieut., 1 Art., Co. H, Apr. 11 '63, pro. 1 lieut., dis. Feb. 15 '64. Gilbert, Nelson B, 3 lieut., 3 In. Bat., Oct. 37 '64, pro. llieut., m. June 33 '65. Grant, Jacob, serg., 8 1, Co. H, Sept. 33 '61, r. vet. m. Dec. 13 '65. Haulman, Leder, 30 I . , Co. C, Mar. 28 '64, d. March 13 '65. Healy, Thomas, 15 1., Co. D, Deo. 17 '63, d. Aug. 10 '64. Fargo, Samuel S., 20 1., Co. C, Aug. 8 '62, m. June 13 '65. Jones, John, 1st, 30 1., Co. F,Feb. ]0'64, m. Nov. 7 '65. Jones, John, 2d, 301., Co. F, Mar. 28'64.m. Nov. 7 '65. Jones, Levi, 8 1., Co. H, Sept. 33 '01, dis. Oct. 27 '02. Jones, Thomas, 30 I,, Co. F, Mar. 28 '04, m. June 14 '65. 46 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Ladne, Alfred, 29 I., Co F, Dec. 17 '63, m. Oot. 24 '65. Lewis. Daniel W., 1st Art., Co. G. May 22 '61, d. June 26 "63. Lovl, Peter, 11 I., Co. E, Sept. 27 '81, m. Dee. 31 '65. Lombard, James, 26 I., Co. A, Aug. 30 '63, k. May 27 '63. Lynde, Joseph S.,20 I., Co. C, Aug. 5'63, dis. Mar. 23 '63. Marshall, Cyrus, 8 1., Co. H, Sept. 30 '61, r. vet., m. Dec. 12 '65. May, Andrew, 30 I., Co. C, Mar.28 "61, ra. Nov. 7 '65. Mills, Lewis, Corp., 3D I., Co. F, Mar. 28 '64, m. Nov. 7 '65. Moody, Blan1c,30 1., Co. F, Mar. 28 '61, m. Nov. 7 '65. Morgan, John, 1 Art., Co. A, Apr. 24 '81, dis. May 21 '62. Morgan, John H., 15 I., unassigned. Sept, 29 "64, dis. Oot. 7 '64. Mosher, Wm. H., 1 Art , Co. K, Miiy 23 '81, r. vet., m. Sept. 25 '65. Mosier, John S., 1 Art., Co. C, Mar. 26 '63, dis. Mar. 26 '65. Mott, Edward S., 5 L, Co. n, July 22 '61, r. vet., d. July 21 '64. Nicholas, Samuel,30 I., Co F, Mar. 28 '64, dis. Nov. 3 '85. Newton, Edwin N., 24 1., Co. B, Aug. 30 '62, dis. Sept. 28 '62. Olmsted. Charles, 1 Art., Co. H, May 32 '81, r. vet., m. Sept. 25 '65. Parker, Henry, 29 1., Co. E, Deo. 18 '82, m. Oot. 24 '65. Partridge, Thomas, 11 1., Co. D, Apr. 6 '64, m. Aug. 18 '65. Platts,Wm., corp.,241., Co. B, Sept. 10 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Potts, James A., 6 I., Co. D, Sept. 5, '81, r. vet., d. Dec. 4 '64. Pract, Ambrose, 23 I., Nov. 5 '62, asst. surg., pro. surg., dis. July 7 '63. Robinson, Frank, 30 1., Co. B Mar. 28 '84, m. Nov. 7 '65. Robinson, Isaac, serg., 29 1., Co. E, Deo. 18 '63, d. Aug. 26 '64. Robinson, James H., mus., 29 1., Co E, Dec. 18 '83, ra. Oct. 24 '65. Root. Stephen B., 11 1., Co. K, Nov. 14 '81, dis. Nov. '64, term ex. SeSrlesv'Edward, 6 1., Co. D, Sept. 5 '61, r. vet., wd., dis. Jan. 9'65. Shipman, Charles E , 7 I., Co. P, Sept. 9 '61, wd., dis. Sept. 8 '64. SiUiman, Charles N. corp.,1 Art., Co- G, May 22 '61, r. vet., pro. 1st lleut., m. Sept. 25 '65. Silllman,ThomasC.,24I.,Co. B, Sept. 11 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Smith, Henry, 37 I., Co. G, Sept. 4 '63, dis. Oct. 32 '62. Snow, Edward, 29 1., Co. E, Dec. 18'83, m. Oct. 24 '65. Stebbins, Charles A , 1 Art., Co. K, May 33 '81, dis. May 22 '64. Stewart, Henry, 30 1., Co. F, Mar. 28 '64, m . Nov. 7 '65. Talbot, Jerry, 30 1., Co. F, Mar. 28 '84, m. Nov. 7, '65. Warner, George W., mus., 34 I, Co. B, Sept. 15 '63, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Wellman, Charles, 11 1., Co. K,Nov. 14 '61, dis. Jan. 20 '83. Whaland, Thomas, 13 1., unassigned, Apr 5 '64, not taken ud on rolls. Willibad, Max, 6 I., unassigned, Sept. 29 '64, dis. Oct. 15 '64. Willis, Elijah, 30 I., Co. A, Mar. 28 '64, m. Nov. 7 '85. Woodruff, Bernard, 10 1., Co. E, Sept. 28 '64, m. Aug. 25 '65. Wright, Austin M., 11 1., Co. D, Nov. 12 '61, dis. Nov. 29 61. Wright, Charles E., 24 I., Co. B. Sept. 10 '63, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Wright, James, 1 Cav., Co. I,Deo. 21 '83, m. Aug. 2 '85. CLINTON. ♦Antoine, Jean M., 10 1., Co. K, Deo. 6 '64, m. Aug. 5 '65. Bailey, Albert A., corp. 10 1., Co. C, Oct. 22 '61, k. Dec. 14 '62. Beckley. Henry J., 14 I., Co. G, Aug. 5 '82, ra. July 20 '85. Bray, John, 1 Cav., unassigned, Apr. 13 '64. Itrennan, John O., 1 Art., Co. I, Feb. 18 '64, dis. Mar. 14 '64. Brooks, Chester W„ 29 1., Co. D, Dec. 12 '63, .m. June 28 '65. Brown, Henry, 15 1., unassigned, Dec. 21 '64, dis Mar. 7 '65. Buell, Edwin A., 9 I. band, Oct. 4 '61, m. Sept. 17 '62. Burnett, Robert, 11 1., Co. K, Feb. 9 '84, missing June 3 '84. Butler, Thomas, 29 I., Co. D, Dec. 16 '63, dis. Aug. 5 '84. Calhoun, Albert, 15 I., Co. G, July 21 '62, d. Jan. 9 '63. ♦Carter, Henry L , 6 T., Co. A, Sept. 5 '63, dis. June 15th '84. Cashier, George, 2 Art., Co. M, Feb. 9 '84, dis. May 5 '65. Clark, Milton A., 12 I., Co. F, Nov. 19 '61, r. vet., wd., m. Aug. 12 '65. Dardelle, Antonio, 27 I., Co. A, Aug. 23 '62, dis. July 27 '63. Dibble, Samuel, 27 I., Co- A, Aug. 23 '62, dis. July 27 '63. • Doane, George H., 14 I., Co. G, Aug. 8 '62, wd., dis. Jan. 28 '63. Dowd, Hosmer E , corp. 2U., Co. F, Sept. 10 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '83. Edwards, Eugene W., 1 Cav., Co. A, Aug. 3 '61, r. vet. Evarts, Joseph, 12 L, Co. F, Nov. 19 '81, r. vet., k. Oot. 19 '64. Germain, Achille, 11 I., Co. K, Feb. 10 '61, ra. Dec. 1 '65. Gladding, William E., 34 I., Co. F, Sept 15 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '83. Goldrick, Daniel, 3 L Bat,, Feb. 10 '84, m. Aug. 9 '85. Gordon, George, 1 Cav., unassigned, Apr. 12 '64, dis. Apr. 25 '64. Greif, John, 11 1., Co. C, Feb. 18 '64, dis. Mar. 17 '65. Gullgan, Thomas, 11 1., Co. K, Dec. 13 '61, r. vet., m. Dec. 21 '65. Hatton, George, 15 1., unassigned, Feb. 18 '64. Hamlin, Henry, 15 1., Co. K, Apr. U '84, m. July 20 '85. Harris, Frederick, 14 1., Co. G, Aug. 10 '62, dis. May 5 '63. Harrison, Sylvester, 24 I. , Co. F, Sept. 15 '62, dis Sept. 30 '63 Harvey, Abiel D., 10 1., Co. C, Oct .22 '61, dis. Oct. 7 "84. Hemraingway, Wash., 24 1., Co. F, Sept. lO '63, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Hiliiard, Samuel J., 27 I., Co. A, Aug. 23 '62. dis. July 27 '63. Howard, Samuel, serg. 39 1., Co. D, Dec. 11 '83, m. Oct. 24 '65. Hughes, Patrick H., 1 Art., Co. H, Deo. 18 '63, m. Sept. 25 '65. Hunsicker, Edwin T., 1 Art., Co. F, Feb. 18 '84, m. Sept. 35 '65. Hurd, John A., 14 I., Co. G, Aug. 5 '82, m. May 31 '65. Jennings, Theodore, 1 Cav., Co. K, Dec. 26 '83, m. Aug. 2 "65. Johnson, Samuel, 29 L, Co. D, Dec. 16 '63, m. Oct. 24 '65. "Substitutes and drafted. *Kelley, John, 8 I., Co. D, Nov. 16 "64, ra. Aug. 21 "65. K'elsey, Charles S., corp. 24 1., Co. P, Sept. 10 '62, dis. Sept, 30 '63. King, George, 10 I., Co. E, Dec. 16 '63, dis. Feb. 3 '65. Looby, Patrick H., 12 1., Co, H, Apr. 7 '84, des. May 9 '64. Lynch, Jeremiah, 10 1., Co. C, Oot. 22 '61, dis. Oct. 7 '84. Lyon, James, 1 Cav., unassigned, Deo. 28 '83, des. Deo. — '63. ♦McCormick. Edward, 10 1., Co. P, Nov. 8 '84, k. Apr. 2 '85. McCoy, George H., 29 1., Co. D, Dec. 16 '83, d. Jan. 3 '64. Magar, Job, 3 Art., Co. D, Dec 28 '63, m. Sept. 1 '85. Merrills, Joseph H., 24 I., Co. F, Sept. 10 '83, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Muller, Robert, 2 Art., Co. M, Feb. 9 '64, des. July 27 '65. Murphy, James, 1 Art., Co. I, Feb. 18 '84, des. Mar. 15 '64. Nichols, Charles S., 24 I., Co. F, Sept. 15 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Parks, John W., 14 I., Co. G, Aug. 8 '82, k. Sept. 17 '63. Pelton, Louis F., 16 I., Co. G, Aug. 3 '62, m. July 2 '85. Post, William J., 14 I., Co. G, Aug. 11 '62, m. JulySl '65. Printz, George W., 1 Cav., unassigned, Apr. 8 '64, not taken up on rolls. Purdy, John, 29 1., Co. D, Dec. 18 '63, dis. Feb. 26 '65. Richards, Chester, 15 1., Co. K, Apr. 13 '64, m. July 20 '85, Richardson, Richard, 11 1., unassigned, Apr. 13 '84. Kussell, George B., 14 1„ Co. G, Aug. 12 '62, m. May 31 '65. Scranton, Christopher A., corp. 1st Art., Co. A, May 22 '61, dis. May 21 '64. Sheldon, James K., 14 L, Co. G, Aug. 8 '63, dis. Mar. 27 '63. Simpson. John, 13 1., Co. H, Jan. 28 '62, r. vet., m. Apr. 35 '86. Smith, John S., 15 1., Co. B, July 23 '82, dis. Feb. 11 '63. Smith, John S. jr., 10 I., Co. A, Sept. 21 '61, r. vet. pro.capt. k. Apr, 2 '65. Spencer, Henry L., 14 I., Co. G, Aug. 4 '62, m. May 31 '65. Spencer, Jacob F., sergt. 29 1., Co. D, Dec. 23 '63, m. Oct. 34 '65. Stannard, GeorgeS.,141., Co. G,Aug. 6'63, d. Jan. 26 '63. Stannard, John E., 14 1., Co. G, Aug. 6 '63, m . May 31 '65. Stevens, Alonzo H., 37 I., Co. A, Aug. 33 '82, dis. July 27 '63. Stevens, Jared E , 24 1., Co. F, Sept. 10 '63, des. Nov. 20 62. Stevens, Samuel L. jr., 27 1., Co. A, Aug. 23 '82, dis. July 27 '63. Stone, Watson W., 2 Art , Co. L, Feb. 1 '64. dis. Apr. 2 '64. Stevens, Evelyn E., 7 I., Co G, Sept. 7 '61, r, vet., pro. q. m., m. July — '65. Valaly, Francis, 10 1., Co. A, Sept. 21 '81, dis. Oct. 7 '64. Wellman, Zina S., 24 1., Co. F, Sept. 10 '62, des. Nov. 18 '62. While, Samuel, 15 I„ Co. E, Dec. 28 '63, d. Nov. 6 '64. Willis, Oliver, 1 Cav., unassigned, Apr. 9 '84. Wilson, James A., 6 I., Co. K, Sept. 12 '61, i. vet., pro. 1st lleut., m. Aug. 21 '65. Wilson, Richard. 10 1., Co. A, Oct. 26 '61, dis. Feb. 22 '63. Woodstock, Aug. e., 24 1., Co. P, Sept. 10 82, dis. Sept. 30 '83. Wright, Charles R., 14 1., Co. G, Aug. 8 '62, dis. Mar. 28 '63. Wright, Justus C, 24 I., Co. F, Sept. 19 '62, des. Nov. 29 '82. ♦Tanson, George W., 6 1., Co. F, Sept. 5 '63, m. Aug. 21 "65. CROMWELL. Adams, William A.; 3 Bat,, Sept. 28 '84, m. June 23 '65. Addis, Charles, mus. 1 Art., Co. H, May 22 '61, dis. Mav 21 '84. Addis, Waiter J., 20 1., Co. K, Aug. 12 "62, d. Sept. 9 '64. Barnes. Edmund B., 24 1., Co. F, Sept. 9 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Balden, Lewis, 1 Art., Co. H, Deo. 26 '63, d. Aug. 7 '64. Beers, Samuel, 3 L. Bat., Sept. 26 '64, m June 23 '65. Bevans, Charles F., 1 Art., Co. H, May 22 '61, dis. Nov. 15 '61. Bevans, Charles P., 1 Art., Co. H, Nov. 19 3, m. Sept. 25 '65. Black, Edwin J. ,20 1, Co. D,jfug. 13 '82, m. June 13 '65. Blackman, Charles L., 81., Co. G, Sept. 4 '81, r. vet., des. Nov. 14 '64. Boardman, Arthur, 3 I„ E. Co. A., May 11 '61, dis. Aug. 13 '61. Bogur Enoch, 1 Art., Co. H, May 22 '61, dis. May 22 '64. Bosworth, Charles C, 2 Art., Co. M., Jan. 23 '64, wd., m. Aug. 18 '66. Boyle, John, 11 1., Co. D, Mar. 14 '8t, des. May 27 '64. Brown, Henry B., 34 I., Co. C, Aug. 30 '83, d. Mar. 25 '83. BuUE. Lewis, sergt. 71., Co. C, Sept. 6 '64, pro. adjt., d. (of suicide) Oct. 20 '62. Burke, Edward,ll I., Co. A. Mar. 17 '64, k. May 12 '64. Canniff, James H., 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 13 '62, des. Deo. 21 '62. Cargill, William A, 8 L. Bat., Sept. 26 '64' dis. Oct. 11 '64. Clark, Hiram A., 16 T., Co. K, Aug. 7 '62, d. Aug. 18 '64. Clark, Walter F., 7 I., Co. B, Sept. 7 '61, r. vet., d. June 21 '64. Clayton, Henry, II I., Co. D, Mar. 21 "84, des. July 6 '85. Cotter, James, 11 1., Co. D, Mar. 14 '64, wd., m. Deo. 21 '65. Connell, William, 12 1., Co. C, Deo. 20 '61, r. vet., des. Jan. 22 '85. Connelly, Daniel, 13 1., unassigned. Mar. 14 '84. Cunningham, William, 11 1., Co. G, Mar. 21 '64, des. Aug. 31 '65. Curry, Thomas,ll I., Co. G, Sept. ]0;'82, dis. Sept. 30 '63. "•Dixon, Charles, 81., Co. H, Aug. 12 '64, m. Dee. 12 '65. Donovan, William, 14 1 , Co. A, Sept. 5 '63, dis. Oct. 11 '65. "•Dougherty, Isaac, 1 Art., Co H, Sept. 11 '64, des. Aug. 2 '66. Eveland, Nelson B., 24 1, Co. F, Sept. 9 '63, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Fawthrop, Jo8eph,20I.,Co. D.Aug. It '62, dis. Feb. 16 '63. Puller, John C.,21 1., Co. I, Aug. 22 '62, m. June 16 "65. Geer. Henry S., serg., 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 12 '62, d. Jan. 17 '63. Giddis, Henry, 3 L. Bat., Sept. 26 '64, m. June 23 "65. GENERAL HISTORY. 47 Glbbert, Raphael, serg:., 7 I., Co. C, Sept. 6 '61, pro. 2d lieut., in. Dec. 20 '61. *Goraon, GeorgoR.,llI.,Co. A, Aug:. 22 '63, tr, to 2d Art. Haffej', John, 11 1., Co. P, Mar. 18 '6t. des. Nov. 33 '64. Hallnsr, Lewis, 1st Art., Co. H, May 22 '61, r. vet., dis. May 3 '65. Hellenthel, Philip, 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 14 '62, d. Oct. 27 '63. Hartman, Charles, wag., 30 I, Co. D, Aug. 16 '62, dis. Deo. 10 '83. Harney, Charles, 3 L. Bat., Sept. 26 '64, m. June 23 '65. ♦Hastings, Wm., 14 I, Co. E, Sept. .■) '63, des. Oct. 12' 63. Hawver, Hiram F, 7 I., Co. I, Sept. 13 '61, r. vet., m. July 20 '65. Horan, Wm. T., 15 1., Co. E, Sept. 27 '61. missing in ac. Mar. 8 '65. *Hoxie, Charles A., 14 1., Co. D, Oct. 1 '63, tr. 2H. A., May 31 '65. Hubbard, Charles T., 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 14 '63, m. July 4 '65. Hubbard, Frederick, serg., 1st Art., Co. B, Mar. 7 '62, dis. Mar. 13 '65. Hubbard, Jeremiah, 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 13 '62. m. June 13 '65. Hubbard, John H.. 1st Art., Co. L, Feb. 13 '63, r. vet., m. Sept. 25 '65. Hutchinson, John J., serg., 7 I., Co. C, Sept. 6, '61, pro. Ist lieut., wd. dis. Oct. 26 '64. Jackson, Wm., 51., unassigned, Dec. 23 '64, dis. Jan. IS '65. Johnson, Wm. C, serg., 3 L. Bat., Sept. 26 '64, m. June 3 '65. Jones, Daniel, 11 1 . , Co B, Mar . 17 '64, m . June 29 '65. Jones, Wells, 1st Art., Co. H, May 22 '61, r. vet.,m. Sept. 25 '65. * Kellet, Patrick, 6 1., Co. G, Sept. 5 '63, wd., k. Jan. 13 '65. Knoblock, Charles, 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 13 '62, m. July 1 '65. Knox, Charles C, 1 Art., Co. H, Deo. 25 '63, m. Sept. 25 '65. • Lee, John, 14 I., Co. D, Aug. 8 '63, des. Aug. 22 '63. Liebler, Frank, 24 I., Co D, Sept. 9 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Lincoln, Daniel S., 24 1. .Co. F, Sept. 10 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Lyman, Charles A., 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 14 '62, des. Dec. 1 '62. McCarrick, John, 14 I., Co. A, Deo. 14 '64, des. Apr. 6 '65. McCann, Terrence, 3 L. Bat., Sept. 27 '64, m. June 23 '65. Moose, Joseph, 24 I., Co. A, Aug. 30 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Nearing, Henry J., 24 1., Co. F, Sept. 8 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '83. Orr, James, 7 L, Co. B, Sept. 7 '61, r. vet., m. July 20 '65. Osborn, James H.. 1st Art., Co. H, Deo. 28 '63, m. Sept. 25 '85. Paddock, Luman, Corp., 24 1., Co. A, Aug. 30 '62, d. July 29 '63. Paddock, Sherman, 20 I., Co. K, Aug. 12 '62, m. June 13 '65. Painter, Theodore, 3 L. Bat., Sept. 28 '64, m. June 23 '65. Palmer, George H., 201., Co. D, Aug. 13 '62, m. June 13 '65. Penfleld, Charles T., 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 12 '62, m. June 13 '85. Kalph, James, 20 I., Co. K, Aug. 22 '82, wd.,di3. Mar. 17 '64. r.alph, Tilla, 24 1., Co. F, Sept. 15 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. .llobinson,Stillman,24 r., Co. G, Sept. 6 '62, dis. Sept 30 '63. Eocktord, Thomas, 9 I., Co. D, Sept. 27 '64, m. Aug. 3 '85. Eoraback, James H., 11 1., Co. E, Oct. 25 '61, dis. Oct. 23, '62. *Byan, James, 14 I.. Co. A. Sept. 15 '63, tr. to 2d H. Art , May 31 '65. , George H., 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 11 '82, m. June 13 'Oi. , John L., 24 I., Co. D, Sept. 15 '82, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Sage, J. Newell, 24 I., Co. F, Sept. 9 '62, dis. June 6 '63. Sage, Orrin B., 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 11 '62, m. June 13 '65. Savage, Edward B., 1st. lieut., 24 1., Co. D, Sept. 8 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Shipniaker, George B., 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 12 '62, d. May 23 '63. Shultz, Frank, 71., Co. I, Sept. 13 '61, wd. dis. Sept. 12 '64. Simpson, Timothy, 1 Art., Co. H. May 22 '81, dropped from roll Dec. 21 '63. Southwick, Lyman, 1 L. Bat., Dec. 3 '62, r. vet., m. June 11 '65. Smith, Hugh, 11 I., Co. K, Mar. 18 '64, wd. m. Dec. 21 '85. Smith, John M., 24 I., Co. D, Nov. 4 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Smith, Thomas, 111. , Co. A, Mar. 14 '64, des. June 3 '64. Smith, Wm. F. A., 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 11 '82, m. June 13 '65. Stevens, Henry S., chaplain, 141., July 21 '62, res. Dec. 22 '63. Stickney,Wm. S., 201., Co. K, Aug 12 '62, dis. Mar. 33 '63. Taylor, Martin V. B., 241., Co. A, Aug. 28 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Thompson, John, 11 1., Co. B, Mar. 14 '64, m. Deo. 21 '65.- Tracy, Frank C, 24 I., Co. A, Aug. 30 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Tryon, George F.,24 1., Co. F, Sept. 9 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Tyrrell, Horatio, 3 L. Bat., Sept. 26 '64, m. June 23 '65. Waterman, Arthur B , serg., 24 1., Co. F, Sept. 4 '63, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Waterman, Joseph, 1 Art., Co. H, May 22 '81. des. Feb. 15 '63. Welch, Frank M., 3 L. Bat., Sept 27 '64, m. June 23 '65. Welch, Patrick, 24 1., Co. G, Sept. 10 '62, des. Nov. '82. Westervelt, Isaac N., 1st lieut., 1 Art., Co. K, July 9 '63, m. Sept. 25 '65. Westervelt, Isaac N., corp., 7 I., Co. C, Sept 8 '81, pro. 2 lieut. 1 Art. Wilcox, Charles C, 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 12 '62, d. Sept. 1 '64. Williams, Charles K., 1 Art., Co. A, May 23 '61, dis. May 21 '64. Williams, Thomas, 10 1., Co. E, Dec. 20 '64, m. Aug. 25 '65. Winkel, Frederick, 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 12 '62, m. June 13 '65. Wright, Leverett, corp., 1 Art., Co. H, May 22 '81, dropped from rolls. DURHAM. Adams, John, 1 Art., Co-. B, Deo. 10 '84, m. Sept. 25 '65. Alber, Calvin, 15 1.,. Co. T, Aug. 9 '62, k. Mar. 8 '65. Albee, FranclsL., 8 1., Co. K,, Sept. 23 '61, r. vet., m. Oct. 21 '65. •Anderson, John, 8 L, Co. K, Nov. 18 '84, des. Dec. 18 '64. Augur, Julius, 151., Co. A, Aug. 8 '62, dis. Feb. 4 '63. Augur, Michael, 15 1., Co. A, Aug. 8 '62, m. June 27 '65. Augur, Wm. H, 7 I, Co. C, Sept. 8 '61, pro. capt., m. q. m. July 20 '65. Bailey, Ezra N., 15 I., Co. I, Sept. 3 '61, m. June27 '65. Bailey, Herman W., 131., Co. H.. June 18 '83, r. vet., wd., m. Apr. 25' 66. nuUivant, Thomns,15I.,Co. G, Aug. 14'63, m. June 2T '65. *Bemu8, Henry, 6 I., Co. B., Aug. 21'63, d. June 13 '61. Camp, Eli S., 15 X., Co. G, July 3D '63, dis. Dec. 19 '83. Camp. LeonidasM., 151., Co. A, Sept. 3 '64, wd., m. Aug. 8 '6'). Camp, Samuel G., 14 I., Co. B, Aug. 6 '62, dis. Mar. 3 '63. Campbell, Earl T., 14 1, Co. B, Aug. 19 '62. dis. Jan. 23 '63. Casey, John, 15 I., Co. G, Dec. 14 '64, missing Mar. 8 '65. Cavanagh, Robert, 15 I., Co. G, Dec. 9 '64, m. July 20 '65. Church, Henry H. 15 I., Co. A, Aug. 12 '62, m. June 27 '85. Church, William W., 1 Art., Co. G, Oct. 22 '61, dis. June 5 '62. Church, Wm. W.,27 I., Co. C, Aug. 26 '62, dis. Dec. 26 '62. Clark, Dallas, 121., Co. A, Nov. 20 '81, d. Dec. 12 '62. Clark, John B., 24 I.. Co. A, Aug. 30 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '83. Clark, John B., 15 I., Co. F, Sept. 3 '64, m. June 27 '65. Clark, Whitney D. 24 1., Co. F, Aug. 30 '82, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Clayton, Elias C, 15 I., Co. K, Sept. 13 '81, m. June 27 '65. Cottar, John, 24 I., Co. F, Sept 8 '62, d. Sept. 13 '63. Davis, Wm. H., 7 I. Co. C, Sept. 6 '61, dis. Jan. 2 '62. ♦Essig, George, 10 I., Co. E, Nov. 10 '64, m. June 6 '65. Farrell, John, 15 I., Co G, Dec. 14 '61, m. July 20 '65. Field, Franklin F., 151., Co. A, July 28 '62, m. June 27 '85. Filler, Robert H., 29 I., Co. I., Jan. 5 '84, m. Oct. 23 '63. ■» Fitzgerald, John A., 6 I., Co. D. Nov. 16 '61, m. Aug. 21 '65. Fowler, Hosmer, 15 I., Co. G, Jan. 1 '62. dis. Feb. 13 '63. Francis, Friend H., 15 I., Co. A, Sept. 3 '64, m. June 27 '65. Francis, Thomas, 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 20 '62. k. May 3 '63. Graham, Ira A., 14 I., Co. B, Aug. 8 '62, pro. 1st lieut., wd., m. May 31 '85. Griswold, Wait R., asst. surg., 22 I., Mar. 21 '63, dis. July 7 '63. Hall, Stephen, 29 1., Co. B. Feb. 6 '64, dis. Apr. 12 '64. Hardin, Wilkin, 29 1., Co. K, Jan. 7 '61, m. Oct. 24 '65. Hawlpy, Timothy E., 8 I., Co. K. Oct. 5 '61, tr. to signal corps. Hickey, Timothy, 15 I., Co. F, Sept. 3 '64, m. June 27 '85. Hickey, John, 24 I., Co. F, Sept. 6 '63, dis. Sept. 30 '63. *Hoyt, Frank, 10 I., Co. K, Nov. 18 '64, m. May 24 '65. Justin, Charles A. 15 I., Co. A, Aug. 7 '62, m. June 27 '65. Leslie, William, 15 I., Co. A, Dec. 9 '84, m. July 20 '65. Loper, Joseph, 29 I., Co. K, Jan. 7 '64, m. Oct. 24 '85. McDonald, John, 151, Co. I, Dec. 14 '64, m. July 20 '65. ♦Meister, Wendelin, 101., Co. C, June 11 '62, m. June 12 '65. Merriara, Edwin J., serg., 7 I., Co. C, Sept. 6 '61, r. vet., pro. 2d lieut., d. Oct. 6 '64 Mitchell, John, 30 1., Co. B, Feb- 6 '64, m. Nov. 7 '65. Mix, Stephen, 15 I, Co. K, Aug. 6 '62, m. June 27 '65. ♦Morse, AugustusW., 8 I., Co. K, Oct. 5 '61, i. vet., ra. Deo 12 '65. Morse, EckfordI.,15I.,Co. A, Aug. 7 '62, m. June 27 '65. Montgomery, Alex., 151., Co. I., Dec. 18 '84, missing in ac. Mar. 8 '85. Murphy, Patrick, 151., unassigned, Dec. 14 '64, dis. Jan. 9 '65. Nettleton, Edgar A., 13 I., Co. H, Feb. 10 '62, wd., tr. to In. Corps O'Neil, John,llI.,Co. D, Dec. 15 '84. m. Dec. 21 '65. Payne, Frederick J., mus., 34 1., Co. A, Sept. 22 '62, dis. Sept. 30' 63. Powers, Edward, 30 1., Co. C, Feb. 11, '81, m^^ Nov. 7 '65. Riche,Henry E., 15 I., Co. I, Sept. 3 '81. dis. Mar. 8 '85. Riche, James F., 151., Co. F, Sept. 3'61.m. June 27 '65. Riche, John T., 15 I., Co. F, Sept- 3 '64, m. June 27 '65. Keinhardt, Philip, mus.,.5I., Co. C, July 23 '61. wd.,r. vet., m. July ]» '65. Robinson, David W., 14 1, Co. B, Aug. 5 '62, m. June 27 '85. Shelly, Edmund W., 151., Co. I, Sept. 3 '64, m.June27'65. Sizer, Frederick M.,24I., Co. F, Sept. 10 '63, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Smith, Guernsey B., corp., 14 I., Co. B, Aug. 5 '62, dis. Jan. 30 '63. Smith, Guernsey B., 15 1., Co. A, Sept. 3 '64, m. June 27 '65. Smith, Howard A., 24 I., Co. A, Aug. 30 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Sweeney, John, 16 I.. Co. F, Sept. 2 '64, des. Sept. 24 '64. Thompson, Samuel, 13 I , Co. C, Feb. 11 '84, m. Nov. 7 '65. Tibbals, Charles M., 15 1., Co. F, Sept. 3 '64, m. June 27 '65. Vandervoort, John E., 141., Co. B, Aug. 5 '63, wd., dis. Jan. 25 '65. Vermllyea, Lucius H., 7 I.,Co.C, Dec. 9 '63, wd., m. July 30 '65. Young, George A., Corp., 29 I., Co. G, Jan. 7'64, m. Oct. 24 '65. EAST HADDAM. Andrews, Joseph, 1 Art., Co. A, Jan. 5, '64, d. of wds., rec'd Nov. 26 '64. Atwell, Benjamin, 10 I., Co. C, Oct. 29 '81, r. vet., d. Apr. 8 '64. Avery, William, 7 I., Co. H., Sept. 5 '61. r. vet., m. July 20 '6.5. Bailey, Joseph W., 20 1., Co. C, Aug. 18 '63, m. June 13 '65. BIgelow, Lucius, 121., Co. F, Nov. 27 '61, r. vet., m. Aug. 12 '65. *Baker, Abraham, 6 I., Co. E, Sept. 5 '63, des. Nov. 7 '64. * Barry, William, 10 I . Co. K, Dec. 14 '64. m. Aug. 25 '65. Bartman, Oassiiis M., 1 Cav., Co. E, Jan. 26 '64, m. July 11 '65. Bartlett, Leonard, 10 1., Co. H.. Oct. 39 '61, d. Apr. 20 '62. Batten, Andrew, 29 1., Co. I, Jan. 5 '64, m. Oct. 24 '65. Beebe, Koger G.,25 I., Co. F, Nov 21 '62, dis. Aug. 26 '63. 48 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Beobe, Roser G., 9 Art., Co. G, Aug. 25 '61, des. Aug. 14 '05. * Beick, Detlef. 6 I., Co. C, Sept. 5 '63, wd., d. Apr. 3 '05. Bill, Horace, 7 I., Co. l,Sept. 13 '61, wd., tr. Invnlid Corps. Bill, Julius, 10 T., Co. C, Oct. 29 '61, dis. Deo. 21 '61. Binuham, AlonzoE.,aerg.,32I.,Co. D, Aug. 23 '62, pro. 2d lieut.,dis. July 7 '63. Binghnm, Eliphalet N.,1 Art., Co. G, Jan. 5'64, d. May 3 '04. Bingham, John P., 16 I., Co. H, Aug. 7 '62, k. Sept. Vr '02. Bingham, Wells A., 10 I., Co. H, Aug. 7 '62, m. July 8 '65. Bingham, \Vm. H. H.,1 Art.,Co. G, May 22 '61, r. vet. pro. 1st lieut. Roardman, Andrew J., Jr.,corp.,37I.,Co. G.Aug. 23 '62, dis. Mar. 10 '68. * Bode, Henry, 61, Co. C, Sept. 5 '63. m. Aug. 21 '65. Bogae, Edmund, 131 ,Co. G, Jan. 7 '61, d. Oct. fl '63. Bogne, George, 13 I., Co. G, Jan. 7 '62, r. vet., wd., m. Oct 14 '65. ♦Bohm, William, 10 1., Co. B, Deo. 15 '63, des. May 25 '65. Bokcl, Phillip, 1 Cav., Co. L, Jan. 5 '64, m. Aug. 2 '65. * Brady, Peter, 11 1., Co. H, Dec. 28 '64, des. June 16 '65. Bradley, John W., Corp., 13 1., Co. G, Jan. 32 '62, r. vet., m. Aug. 12 'a5. Bramble, Alanson W., 26 I., Co. C, Nov. 5 '62, dis. Aug. 17 '63. Brennan, Patrick, 7 I., Co. I, Sept. 13 '61, wd., tr. Vet. Res. Corps. Brown, Charles R., 7 I., Co. I, Sept. 13 '61, dis. Sept. 12 '04. * Brown, Wm., 10 I., Co. E, Deo. 10 '64, d. Jan. 6 '65. Brooks, Wm. E.,121., Co. F, Nov. 27 '61, dis. Oct. 15 '62. Buell, John A., 101., Co. E, Sept. 30 '61, r. vet., k. Apr. 2 '65. Burke, Samuel, 22 1., Co. D, Aug. 23 ,63, dis. July 27 '63. * Uurke, Samuel, 14 I., Co. E, Sept. 24 '63, d. Burnham, David A., 131., Co. G, Feb. 5 '62, dis. June 1 '62. Burns, John, 20 I., Co. C, Aug 1 '62, d. Mar. 17 '65. Button, Benj ,201., Co. C, Aug. 6 '62, dis. Dec. 10 '62. Button, Nelson, 111., Co. K., Nov. 25 '61, dis. Nov. 24 '04. Corwell, James, 29 I., Co. D, Jan. 5 '04, m. Oct. 24 '05. Carrier, Robbins, 10 1., Co. B, Mar. 22 '64, m. May 24 '65. Chaitee, Eugene W., 101., Co. E, Sept. 30 '61, wd., dis. Oct. 7 '64. Chapman, Alfred G., 1 Art., Co. H, May 22 '61, r. vet., m . Sept. 25 '65. Chapman, Frederick A., 20 1., Co. C, Aug. 12, '62, wd., pris. Chapman, George L, 24 I., Co. C, Sept. 7 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '03. Chapman, Horatio D., 20 1., Co. C, Aug. 6 '62, m. June 13 '65. Chapman, John, 27 1., Co. G, Aug. 23 '82, dis. July 27 '63. Chapman, James F., 1 Art., Co. H, May 22 '61, r. vet., m . Sept. 25 '65. Chapman, Watson. 1 Art., Co . G. May 22 '61, dis. May 21 '64. ♦Church, Munroe, 14 1., Co. D, Sept. 5 '63, dis. Mar. 5 '64. Clark, Charles L., 131., Co. G, Jan. 7 '62, dis. June 30 '62. Clark, J. Tillottson, 20 1., Co. C, Aug 4,'63, dis. Jan. 15 '63. Clark, Leonard S, 201., Co. C, Sept. 1 '62, m. June 13 '65. Clark, Thomas, 10 1., Co. D, Deo. 21 '64, tr. '65. ♦Clark, Thomas, 1 Art., Co. M, Deo. 21 '84, m. Sept. 25 '65. Cochran, John J., 7 I , Co. I., Sept. 13 '61, i. vet., pro 2d liout., m. July 20 '65. Cone, William, 7 I., Co. 1, Sept. 13 '61, dis. Sept. 12 '64. Colvin. John, 1 Art., Co. K, May 23 61, r. vet., des. July 28 '65. *Cooper, George, 111., Co. B, Dec. 24 '64, des. June 5 '65. * Cronyer, Robert, 11 1., Co A, Dec. 15 '64, dis. May 9 '65. Culver, Warren, 20 1.,' Co. C, July 22 '62, m. June 13 '65. Dailey, Timothy, 13 1.,'Co.'g, Jan. 7 '02, dis. July 5 '62. Dale, David B., 5 I., Co. K, Mar. 5 '62, dis. Dec. 20 '62. Dale, David B., 1 Art., Co. K, Dec. 28 '63, wd., dis. July 7 '65. Davidson, Jesse M., 10 1., Co. C, Oct. 22 '61, des. Oct. 27 '61. * Day, Ebon, 6 I., Co. A, Sept. 5 '63, m. May 18 '05. Dean, Wm. H, 10 1., Co. D, Oct. 1 '61, r. vet., m. Aug. 25 '65. Dickson, Alraar F., 13 I., Co. F, Deo. 21 '61, r. vet., des. Mar. 17 '64. Dickson, Samuel S., 12 I., Co. F, Nof. 25 '61, r. vet., des. Mar. 17 '64. Douglas, Robert H., 26 I., Co. A, Nov. 7 '62, dis. Aug. 7 '63. Dowd, Emery O., 13 I., Co. G, Dec. 22 '61, dis. Mar. 10 '62. Dowd, Phineas, 7 I,, Co. I., Sept., 13 '61, d. Oct. 1 '04. ♦Donovan, .Tames, 101., Co. D, Dec. 15 '64, m. Aug. 25 '05. Drown, Azro., Corp., 1 Art., Co. G, May 22 ,61, r. vet., pro. lleut., wd.> m. Sept. 25 '65. Edwards, Horatio N., 26 T., Co. F, Aug. 30 '62, d. July 24 '63. Fowler, Henry M., 25 I., Co. F, Sept. 9 '62, des. Nov. 18 '62. Fowler, Samuel W, 12 T., Co. F, Nov. 30 '01, dis. Oct. 20 '02. Francis, Thomas A., mus., 131., Co. K,Feb. I0'02,d. Aug. '62 Fuller, Wm. H.,20I., Co. B, Aug. 20 '62, m. June 13 '65. Gay, Royal L., 131., Co. G, Jan. 7 '62, dis. June 30 '62. Gladwin, Casper H., serg., 27 I., Co. G, Aug. 19 '82, dis. July 22 '63 Gotr, Charles A., serg., 12 1., Co. F, Nov. 19 '61, dis. Jan. 30 '63. Goff, Charles S., serg., 101., Co. D, Oct. 1 '61, r. vet., wd., pro. 1st lieut., m. Aug. 25 '65. * Golden, John, 11 1., Co. F, Deo. 15 '64, des, July 7 '65. Grant, Joseph H.,1 Art., Co. G, May 22 '61,1. vet., m. Sept. 25 '85. Greenfield, Jacob R., Corp., 22 1., Co. D, Aug. 23 '62, dis. July 7 '63. Grover, Georges., 111., Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, r. vet.,wd.,d. June 10 '64 Hamilton, Charles T., 14 I., Co. C, July 29 '62, d. Oct. 29 '62. Harvey, Amos S., 27 I., Co. G, Aug. 23 '63, dis. Mar. 3 '63. Haskell, Wm. A., 28 1., Co. G, Aug. 8, '82, m. June 13 '65. Hathaway, W.H. M., 22 1., Co. D, Aug. 30 '62, dis. July 7 '63. * Henderson, John W., 14 1., Co. A, Sept. 5 '63, tr. to 2 H. Art. *Hine, Luther R, 141, Co. Q, Sept. 8 '83, k. May 5 '64. ■•Hlnes, James, 10 1., Co. I, Deo. 15 '64, des. June 18 '65. Holcomb, Wm. H., 201., Co. C, Aug. 11'62, m. July 14 '85. lUingerford, Gurdon H., 1 Art., Co. G, Mar. 20 '02, d. Nov. 28 '62. Tngraham, Asahel, 13 I., Co. G, Feb. 5 '82, r. vet., wd., dis. Aug. 15 '65- Ingraham, Wm.. 10 1., Co. C, Oct. 29 '61, d. May 14 '84. Ingraham, Wm., J., 7 1., Co. I, Sept. 13 '61 r. vet., m. July 20 '65. Jackson, .Tohn, 12 I., Co. F, Nov. 19 '81, r. vet., m. June 23 '85. James John M., 1 Art., Co. H, Dec. 26 '63, m. Sept. 25 '65. James, Henry B., 20 I., Co. C, Aug. 5 '63, dis. Apr. 13 '63. James, JohnM., serg., Aug. 1 '62, pro. 1st lieut., res. Oct. 30 '82. Jewell, Dan Lee, 2d asst. surg., 30 1., pro. 1st asst. surg., m. Junel3 '65.. * .loly, John, 11 1., Co. G, Aug. 19 '84, des. Nov. 30 '64. Johnson, Henry, 26 I., Co. F, Aug. 30 '62, dis. Aug. 7 '63. Johnson, Michael, 14 1 ., Co. K, Aug. 20 '62, m. May 31 '65. Johnson, Wm.,29I.,Co. I. Jan. 5 '64, m. Oct. 24 '65. Jones, John H., 29 1., Co. I, Jan. 5 '64, des. Apr. 9 '64. ■f Keenan, Joseph, 14 I., Co. E, Oct. 1 '63, des. Aug. 2 '64. Kidder, James P , 12 I., Co. F, Nov. 19 '61, r. vet., m. Aug. 12 '65. Ividder, .loseph M. 20 1 , Co. C, Aug. 14 '62, dis. Aug. 6 '63. Kiesh, George R., 20 I., Co. C, Aug. 6 '82, wd., m. June 12 '65. *ICiug, Henr5',8I., Co. I, July 27 '64, m. Dec. 13 '65. Kline, Jacob, 1 Art., Co. M, Sept. 5 '83, m. Sept. 25 '65. * Lamphere, Charles, 14 1., Co. D, Aug. 22 '63, supposed k. May 8 '64. *Larkin, Wm. H., 11 1., Co. K, Dec. 20 '64, des. May 12 '65. Lee, Andrew M., 12 I., Co. F, Dec. 12 '61, m. Aug. 18 '62. * Lee, Joseph, 10 I., Co. D, Dec. 15 '64, m. Aug. 25 '65. Leonard, James, 13 I., Co. G, Jan. 22 '82, r. vet., des. Aug. 28 '64. Leonard, Thomas, 20 1., Co. C, July 24 '82, m . June 12 '65. Loveland, GeorgeG , lArt., Co. G, Apr. 17 '62, dis. Apr. 17 '65. Luther, John W., 26 I., Co. F, Aug. 30 '62, dis. Apr. 17 '63. Luther, Orriu M., 28 I., Co. F, Aug. 30 '82, d. Aug. 5 '83. ♦MoCormick, Thomas, 141., Co. 1, Sept. 38 '63, tr. to 2 H. Art. * Maloney, James, 13 I., unassigned, Dec. 24 '64, m. Aug. 2 '65. *Maloy, Wm., 15 I., Co. H, Aug. 19 '64,m. Aug. 24 '65. Martin, Datus W., 231., Co. D, Aug. 28 '62, dis. July 7 '63. ♦Matthews, James, 1 Art., Co. M, Sept. 5 '63, des. Jan. 8 '65.. •Miller, Charles, 14 1, Co. I, Sept. 5 '63, d. June 21 '64. ♦Miller, Wm, 14 I., Co. F, Aug. 8 '63, des. Apr. 18 '64. Mitchell, Warren W.,26I., Co. A, Aug. 30 '62, dis. Aug. 17 '63. Moulton, George, 30 I., Co. B, Jan. 25 '64, missing July 30 '64. Muoket, Nehemiah M., 12 I., Co. F,Dec. 21 '61, r. vet., m. Aug. 12 '65. Mullahan, Edward, 29 I., Co. I, Jan. 5 '64, dis. May 23 '64. ♦Nelson, Wm., 14 L, Co. F, July 25 '64, des. Aug. 20 '64. •Nolan, Martin, 14 1., Co. I, Sept. 5 '63, tr. 2 Art. Nullingham, Justice, 7 1., Co. I, Sept. 13 '61, des. Sept. 18 '61, Palmer, Andrew, 25 1., Co. F, Sept. 9 '62, d. Feb. 13 '63. ♦Pavonet, Alphonso, 6 I., Co. T, Sept. 5 '63, m. Aug. 21 '66. Penfleld, Frederick W.,20I., Co. C, Aug. 7 '62, dis. July 27 '65. Pheli5S, Andrew C. jr. 22, 1., Co. D, Sept. 9 '62, dis. July 7 '68. Phelps, John H., 13 I., Co. G, Mar. 5 '82, dis. May 31 '63. Phelps, Maro, 22 I., Co. D, Aug. 25 '62, dis. July 7 '83. Pierce, DwightB..lArt., Co. A, Dec. 8 '63, m. Sept. 25 '66. Potter, David, 22 1., Co. D, Aug. 23 '82, dis. July 7 '63. Purple, Daniel, 1 Art., Co. H, May 22 '64, r. vet., m. Sept. 36 '65. Purple, Edmund C, 20 1., Co. C, Aug. 4 '62, m. June 13 '85. Purple, Henry, 12 1., Co. F, Nov. 27 '61, r. vet., m. June 28 '66. Purple, Levi W., 20 T, Co. C, Aug. 4 '62, m. June 23 '65. Rand, Ulysses, 26 1., Co. F, Sept. 10 '62, dis. Aug. 17 '63. Rand, Ulysses, 10 1., Co. H, Mar. 22 '64, m. Aug. 25 '65. Rathbone, Oramile W., 26 1., Co. A, Oct. 20 '62, dis. Aug. 17 '88. Reynolds, Andrew J., 13 I., Co. G, Jan. 22 '62, d. Aug. 17 '83. Reynolds, Gilbert G., 8 1., Co. G, Aug. 10 '84, k. Sept. 29 '64. Reynolds, Joseph N., 131., Co. G, Deo. 17 '61, i. vet., m. Apr. 26 '86. Reynolds, William H., 131., Co. G, Jan. 7 '62, r. vet., died May il'64. •Roach, Michael, 12 I., unassigned, Dec. 28 '64, m. Aug. 2 '66. Robbins, Cephas B., 1 Cav., unassigned, Jan. 36 '64, tr. U. S. A. Roberts, Alex., 291., Co. I, Jan. 5 '64, m. Oct. 24 '86. Robinson, Frederick C, 1 Art. Co. A, Jan. 5 '84, m. Sept. 36 '86. Rodman, Wm. C, 13 I., Co. G, Jan. 11 '62, dis. July 5 '82. Rodman, Wm. C, 23 I., Co. C, Sept. 8 '62, des. Oct. 2 '62. Rodman, Wm., 201., Co. C, Aug. 7 '62, dis. Apr. 15 '68. Hose, George H . , corp . , 22 1 . , Co . D, Aug . 35 '62, dis . July 7 '63 . Rose, George H., 1 Cav., Co. L, Jan. 5 '64, m. Aug. 2 '66. Sawyer, John A., 11 I., Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, dis. Nov. — '64. ♦Schultz, John, 10 I., Co. C, Dec. 15 '64, m. Aug. 25 '86. Shailer, Charles M., 7 I., Co. I, Sept. 13 '61, r. vet., pro. 1st lleut. m. July 20 '65. Shailer, Charles M., 1 I., Co. A, Apr. 20 '61, dis. July 81 '61. ♦Sheen, James, 10 I., Co. D, Dec. 15 '64, k. Apr. 1 '85. Sidders, Charles, 13 I., Co. G, Dec. 22 '61, r. vet., des. Aug. '84. Skinner, Edwin F., 27 I., Co. G, Aug. 25 '62, dis. July 27 '63. Sloan, John, 10 I., Co. H, Dec. 23 '64, des. Feb. 10 '66. Smith, Abner C, 20 I., Co. C, Aug. 9 '62, d. Mar. 28 '65. Smith, Henry H., 22 I., Co. D, Aug. 23 '62, dis. July 7 '83. Smith, Joel, 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 7 '62, d. Mar. 8 '64. GENERAL HISTORY. 49 Southwick, Wm. A., 7 J., Co. I, Sept. 18 '61, i. vet., m. June 23 '65. Snow, llomanzo B., U I., Co. A, Juno 6 '62, m. June 5 '65. Spencer, Kiohard D., 22 I., Co. C, Sept. p '62, dis. Jan 6 '63. Spencer, Wm. H., wasr-, 16 I., Co. A, Aug. 6 '62, dis. Feb. 19 '68. Squires, Wilbur J., 1 Art., Co. G, May 22 '61, dis. May 21 '64. ♦Stanley, Charles, 2R I., Co. D., Auk. 24 '64, m. Oct. 24 '65. Stephens, Jonathan D, 10 1., Co. D., Oct. 1 '01, dis. Mar. 4 '62. Stevens, Jonathan D., 21 1., Co. G, Sept. 10 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Stevens, Joseph S, 24 1., Co. G, Sept. 10 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Stevens, Win. N., 7 I., Co.I ., Sept. 13 '01, r. vet., wd.. in. July 20 '66. Stewart, Gordon W., 1. Art., Co. G, May 22 '61, dis. .Tan. 14 '64. »Stone,John.llI.,C(). F, Dec. 16 '61, m. Dec. 21 '65. *Thomas, Joseph, 14 1, Co. F, Sept. 5 '63, tr. 2H. A. Tillinghast, Denj.H.,12 I., Co F, Dec 27 '61, r. vet.,wd.,m. Aug. 12'a5. Vance, Thomas, 29 I., Co. K, Jan. 5 '64,d. Jan. 26'64. Warren, James, 14 I., Co. F, Oct. 1 '63, tr. 2 H. A. *Warren, James. 1 Art., Co. M., Sept. 5 '63, m. June 3 '85. Watrous, HezeUiah S., 13 1.. Co.' G, Feb. 5 '62, dis. July 29 '62. Watrous, Hczekiah S., 22 I., Co. C, Sept. 6 '62, des. Oct 2 '62. Way, Newton F., 221., Co. D, Aug. 25 '6.?, dis. July 7 '63. Welch, Edward C, 10 I., Co. H, Oct. 1 '61, dia. Oct. 16 '62. Weller, Henry,26 I., Co. P, Nov. 13 '62, des. Nov. '62. Wetherell, Aloiizo R., 22 I., Co. D, Aug. 23 '62, dis. July 7 '63. Wentbcrell, Randall H, U I., Co. K, Deo. 15 '61, r. vet., m. Deo. 21 '66. ♦Williams, George, 101., Co. D., Dec. 14'64, m. Aug.25'65. Wilson, Charles. 61., Co. K, Sept. 5 '63, des. Aug. 19 '64. ♦Wilson, Robert, 14 1., Co. P, Sept. 5 '03, des. Oct. 12 '63. ♦Wood, John, 111., Co. C, Dec. 24 '64, des. Sept. 13 '65. Wright, Charles M., 10 1., Co. C, Oct. 22 '61, d. Jan. 22 '62. Wright, Frederic, 29 1., Co. i, Jan. 5 '61, ra. Oct. 24 '65. Wright, James W., 25 I., Co. P, Sept. 9 '62, d. Aug. 17 '63. ♦Young, Charles, 10 T., Co. T, Dec. 15 '62, des. May 2 '65. ESSEX. Beebe, Frederick H., seig. 24 I., Co. B, Aug. 26 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '68. Beebe, Lucien J., 201., Co. C, Aug. 7 '62, m. Juno 13 '66. Beebe, Scth W., 24 I., Co. B, Aug. 25 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Blake, Henry, 91., Hnassigued, Feb. 3 '64, n. t.. u. o. r. Bi-ockway, George P., corp. 24 I., Co. B, Aug. 29 '82, dis. Sept. 20 '83. Bolin, Vandy, 2L. Bnt., Feb. 2 '64, m. Aug. 9 '65. Brooks, William, 2 L. Bat., Feb. 4 '64, des. May 1 '64. Brown, William, 2 Art., Co. E, Jan. 8 '64, des. Feb. 6 '64. Buck, George B., 24 I., Co. B, Sept. 8 '62, dis. Sept. CO '63. Bull, John E., 24 I., Co. B, Aug. 28 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Bushnell, George B, 11 I., Co. K, Nov. 14'6l,r. vet., m. Dec. 21 '65. Bushnell, Seieno H., 24 1., Co. B, Aug. 28 '62, d. July 20 '63. Carpenter, Jesse L., corp. 24 I., Co. B, Aug. 30 '62, dis. Sept. 30, '03. Carr, James S., 15 I., Co. F, Feb. 4 '64, m. July 20 '66. Case, John, 241., Co. B, Aug. 25 '62, dis. Aug. 1 '63. Clark, James H.,serg. 241., Co. B, Aug. 29 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '6S. Cleveland, Chauncey P., 11 1., Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, d. Jan. 20 '62. Cline, John, 10 !., Co. B, Deo. 12 '64, dos. May 10 '65. Cohn, Henry, 15 I., Co. A, Jan. U '84, m. July 20 '65. Collins, Charles, 2 Art., Co. E, Jan. 8 '64, des. Dec. 7 '64. Comstock, GeorgeA.,24I.,Co. B, Aug. 25 '62, des. Oct. 26 '62. Comstock, John D., 8 1., Co. K, Sept. 27 '61, d. Apr. 8 '62. Cummins, John J., 2 Art., Co. B, Jan. 11 '64, tr. to U. S. N. Denuison, Richard W., 24 I., Co. B, Aug. 29 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Dessour, Pierre, 11 1., Co. G, Feb. 2 '64, m. Sept. 26 '63. Dibble, Charles A., 24 I., Co. B, Aug. 28 '62, k. June 29 '63. Doaue, Christopher C, corp. 24 1., Co. B, Sept. 6 '62, des. Nov. 9 '62. Dolph, Charles B., 24 1., Co. B, Aug. 29 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Donovan, Patrick, 9 1., unassigned, Feb. 3, '64, n. t. u. o. r. Dunbar, George, 15 I., unassigned, Feb. 3 '64, des. Feb. 10 '64. Forrls, William, 7 I., Co, A, Sept. 5 '61, drowned Oct. 26 '61. Foster, Edwin, II I„ Co. E, Feb. 3 '64, tr. to V. S. N. Fuller, James H., IS. Bat., Feb. 2 '64, m. June 11 '85. Gladding, Charles A.,mus. 241., Co. B, Aug. 31 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Gladding, Colt P., 24 1., Co. B, Aug. 30 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Gladwin, Hudson E.,24 1., Co.. B, Aug. 25 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Halladay, John, 24 I., Co. B, Aug. 28 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Halladay, Thomas, 24 1., Co. B, Aug 30 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Hansen, Peter, 2 Art., Co. L, Feb. 3 '84, des. June 12 '64. Harris, Osmyn L., 24 1., Co. B, Aug. 31 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Hilton, James, 2 Art., unassigned, Feb. 3 '64, ii. t. u. o. r. Hore, Thomas, 2 Art., unassigned, Feb. 3 '64, n, t. u. o. i. Hough, BenneBetteA.,serg. 24I.,Co. B, Aug. 25 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Howe, Thomas, 15 I., Co. B, Feb. 4 '64. m. June 19 '65. Hull, Levi, 24 1., Co. B, Sept. 10 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Humphrey, Emory F., 1 Cav., Co. M, Deo. 25 '63, m. Aug. 2 '65. Hurd, William, 24 I„ Co. B, Aug. 25 '62, dis. Apr. 3 '63. Johnson, Horace P., capt. 24 I., Co. B, Aug. 25 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. ♦Kane, Charles, 10 I., Co. H., Deo. 12 '64, dis. Aug. 4 '65. Kellerman, Ludwig, 11 I., Co. H, Nov. 28 '64, m. Dec. 21 '65. Lester, Calvin, 1 Cav., unassigned, Jan. 11 '84, n. t. u. o. r. Lynn, LeverettG.,wag.24I., Co. B,Aug.28'62,dis.Sept,30'6a. Martin, Joseph, 2 Art., unassigned, Jan- ll'64,des. Jan. —'64. Mather, Richard H., corp. 24 I., Go. B, Sept. 10 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Maxwell, Thomas, 2 Art., Co. L, Feb. 3 '64, des. Feb. — '64. McCarthy, Jnmes, 2 L. Bat., Feb. 3 '64, n. t. u. o. r. McDonald, William, 1 Ciiv., unassigned, Jan. 6 '64, n. t. u. o. r. ♦Muhann, Patrick,7 I., Co. G, Nov. 30 '64, m. July 20 '65. *Meiser, Louis, 15 I., Co. I, Nov. 11 '64, m. Aug. 11 '65. Miller, John, 7 I., Co. H, Nov. 29 '64, m. July 20 '66. Morgan, Harrison S., 24 1., Co. B, Aug. 26 '63, dis. Sept. 30 '63. ♦.Montrey, Peter, 61.,Co. G, Dec. 2' '64, des. June 25 '65. Murphy, James, 1 Cav., unassigned, Jan. 11 '64. Newton, Charles, 24 1., Co. B, Sept. 6* '62, dis. Sept. 30 '62. Parker, Elisha, 24 I., Co. B, Aug. 30 '62, d. Dec. 8 '62. Parker, Henry C, 7 I., Co. A, Sept. 5 '61, r. vet., k. May 6 '64. Parker, Henry G., 8 1., Co. K, Oct. 5 '61, dis. Oct. 10 '64. Parker, Horace P., 20 1., Co. C, July 23 '62, dis. Aug. 12 '63. Parker, Timothy G., 12 I., Co. A, Nov. 20 '61, dis. Feb. 17 '62. ♦Patterson, Albert, 12 I., unassigned, Jan. 4 '65, des. May 23 '0.5. Payne, Hunting D., 11 1., Co. C, Dec. 3 '61, dis. Nov. 24 '64. Pratts, Albert TJ., corp. 201., Co. C, Aug. 5 '62, m. June 13 '65. Pochontas, Osceola, 1 Cav., Co. L, Jan. 5 '64,d. Oct. 11 '64. Post, Arthur L, 24 I., Co. G, Oct. 23 '62, dis. Aug. 7 '63. Post, BelaC.,2d lieut. 24 I., Co. B, Aug. 31 '62, pro. Ist lieut.,d. Sept. 11 '63. Post, Charles E., 11 I., Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, .-. vet., m. Deo. 21 '61. Post, Giles, 24 I., Co. B, Sept. 8 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Post, Samuel J., 24 1, Co. U, Sept. 10 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Pratt, Albert, corp. 20 1., Co. C, Aug. 28 '62, k. Aug. 8 '64. Pratt, Ainasa, 24 1., Co. B, Aug. 25 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Pratt, Samuel G., 24 I., Co. 13, Aug. 25 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '6.3. Rand, John W., 11 1., Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, dis. Oct. 22 '62. Hash, Ferdinand, 181., Co. F, Jan. 8 '64, m. June 27 '65. Riley, Jacob, 2 Art., Co. E, Jan. 11 '64, m. Aug. 18 '65. Robbins, Gurdon jr., q. m. 161., July 29 '62, m. June 24 '66. Robertson, James, 1 Cav., unassigned, Jan. 6 '64. Rodgers, William, 2 Art., unassigned, Jan. 7 '64. Rose, George B., corp. 11 I., Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, wd.,dis. Jan. 16 '63. Royoe, Charles M., 24 I., Co. B, Aug. 25 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63 Savage, Frederick B., 24 I., Co. B, Aug. 25 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Scoville, Heber H., 24 L, Co. B, Aug. 28 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '62. Seldon, Pratt, corp. 24 1, Co. B, Aug. 25 '62, d. Mar. 5 '63. Simmons, Gideon P., 13 I., Co. A, Nov. 20 '61, dis. Sept. 21 '63. Simmons, Joseph W., 12 1., Co. A, Nov. 20 '61, r. vet., d. Mar. 7 '64. Smith, Frank, 15 I., Co. H, Jan. 9 '64, des. July 17 '64. Smith, George, 1 Cav., unassigned, Jan. II '64, n. t. u. o. r. Spencer, Jiimes M.,24 I., Co. B, Aug. 31 '62, des. Nov. 28 '62. Starkey, Chailes jr., 20 1., Co.C, Aug. 4 '62, wd, m. June 13 '65. Stillman, Thomas J., 10 1., Co. A, Sept. 27 '81, r. vet, wd., pro. capt., , m. Aug. 25 '65. Sullivan, Thomas, 1 L. Bat., Feb. 2 '6t, wd., m. June 11 '65. Thompson, Charles, 2 Art., Co. M, Feb 3 '64, des. Apr. 30 '64. Tucker, Nehemiah H., 1st lieut-, 24 I, Co. B, Sept. 2 '62, res. Jan31 '63. Tucker, Richard B., 1 Art., Co. I., Jan. 4 '63, d. Mar. 29 '65. Wales, Blias, 24 1., Co. B, Sept. 8 '62, des. Nor- 28 '62. Wales, Richard P., 7 I. , Co. I. Sept. 5 '61, wd-, dis. Sept. 12 '61. Wilco-v, Joseph B., 24 I., Co. B, Aug. 30 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Watson, Henry, 1 L. Bat., Feb. 2 '64, des. July 24 '64. Wilcox, Miner J., 24 I., Co. B, Aug. 29'62, d. Apr. 25 .'63. Williams, Albert N., 24 I., Co. B, Aug. 30 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Wilcox, Frank S., serg. 24 1., Co. B, Aug. 26 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Williams, Parker, 24 1, Co. B, Aug. 25 '62, dis. Sept- 3 '63. Williams, Peter, 11 1., Co. A, Feb- 2 '64, tr. to TJ. S. N. Williams, Wm. E., corp 24 1, Co. B, Aug. 31 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Woodward, John J., 24 I., Co. B, Aug. 30 '62, dis. Aug. 7 '63. Wilson, Harry, I Cav., Co. K, Jan. 7 '64, des. Jan. 21 '64. ♦Wood, Leonard C.,1 Art., Co. I, Jan. 4 '63, d. Mar. 29 '65. Wilson, William, Feb. 2 '64, tr. to U. S. N. Wood, William J., 2 Art., Co. E, Jan. 8 '64, des. Feb. 6 '64. HADDAM. Armes, Franklin, ll I., Co. E, Dec. 10 '63, m. Deo. 21 '65. Antonio, Manuel, HI., Co. H, Feb. 15 '64, d. June 3 '64. Arnold, L. Nelson, 211., Co. H, Aug. 12 '62, m. June 16 '65. Austin, George J., 131., Co. G, Jan. 22'62,r. vet., m. Apr. 25 '66. Bailey, Frederick T , 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 11 '62, des. Deo. 15 '62. Bailey, Harvey B., 27 1., Co. G, Aug. 23 '62, dis. July 27 '63. Bailey, Herbert A., 20 I, Co. D, Aug. 8 '62, m. June 13 '65. Bailey, Hiram, serg. 21 I., Co. G, Aug. 16 '62, m. July 6 '66. Bailey, Morris S., 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 11 '62, m. May 29 '65. Bailey, Samuel R., 201, Co. D, Aug. 20'62,m. June 13 '65. Bailey, Wolcott, 20 1 , Co. D, Aug. 11 '62, m. June 13 '66. Barker, Charles H., 21 1., Co. I, Aug. 13 '62, m. June 16 '65. Barry, Wellington, serg. 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 13 '62, pro. lieut., d. Mar. 17 '65. Bonfrey, Watson B., corp. 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 13 '62, m. July 5 '66. Brainard, Cyrus, corp. 21 1., Co. I, Aug. 11 '62, dis. June 10 '65. 8 5° HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Brainaid, Ezra, 13 1., Co. K, Nov. 27 '61, r. vet., in. Apr. 25 '66. Brainard, Harrison A., 24 I., Co A, Aug. 25 '62, d. June21 '63. Brainard, JoliiiO.,20T.,Co. D.Aug. Il'62,de3. Dec. 15 '62. Brainard, Morris n.,21 I, Co. n, Aug. 19 '62, wd., m. .July 16 '65. Brainard, Oliver S., 1 Art., Co. G, Dec. 8 '63, des. Aug. 6 '65. Brainard, S.vlvester D., 24 I., Co, A, xViig. 2:^ '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63, Bretsford, Joseph, 21 I., Co. T, Aug. 15 '62, m. June 16 '65. Brooks, Charles W., 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 23 '62, d. Feb. 18 '63. Brooks, James H, 24 I, Co. A, Aug. 31 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Brooks, Lewis, 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 25 '62, des. Feb. 11 '63. Brooks, Wm. D., 16 I.. Co. F, Aug.J2 '62, d. Aug. fl '64. Burr, Edward, 24 I., Co. A, Aug. 25 '03, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Burr, Levi P., 14 T., Co. D, Aug. U '62, des. Nov. 23 '62. ♦Burton, Christopher, 8 1., Co. C, July 22 '04, des. Aug. IS '65. Canilio, Nareiso, 11 1., Co. H, Feb. 15 '64, pris. May 16 '64. Church, Andrew C, 21 1., Co. T, Aug. 25 '63, m. June 16 '65. Clark, Aaron A., 14 I., Co. G, Aug. 14 '62, k. July 3 '63. Clark, Fletcher, 20 T., Co. A, Aug. 28 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Clark, John W., 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 19 '(i2, May 2T '65. Clark, Stephen ■W.,mus. Aug. 19 '62, dis. Apr. 15 '63. *Claven, Peter, 11 I., Co. I, Jan. 27 '64, des. Apr. 25 '65. Cody, John, U I., Co. K, Dec. U '61, dis. Nov. 11 '02. Collins, Charles, 8 1., Co. D, Feb. 20 '64, dis. Apr. 21 '64. Cotton, Gahriel, 1 Art., Co. A, Feb. 16 '64, m. Sept. 25 '65. Day, Samuel J., 30 1., Co. B, Dec. 30 '63, m. Nov. T '65. Dickinson, Aaron B., 24 1., Co. A, Aug. 25 '62, d. Aug. 26 '63. Dickinson, Darius L., 1 Art., Co, G, Dec 8 '63, m. Sept. 25 '65. Dickinson, John E, 20T., Co. I', Aug. ]3'62, m. June 13 '65. Dickinson, Oswin S , 24 1 ., Co. A, Aug. 26 '63, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Dickinson. Philo F., 11 1., Co. K, Nov. 20 '61, dis. Jan. 14 '63. Dickinson, Samuel, 34 I , Co. A, Aug. 25 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '03. Drake, Charles L., 11 1., Co. K, Dec. 3 '61, wd., dis. ,Tan. 13 '63. Duboise, John F., 29 I., Co. H, Dec 20 '63, m. Oct. 24 '65. Estabrook, Frank G , 1 Art., Co. F, Jan. 15 '64, m. Sept. 25 '65. ♦Floyd, Edward, HI., Co. H, Dec. 24 '64, des. May 8 '05 Foster, Frank, 1 Cav., unassigned, Dec. 29 '63, ii. t. u.o. r. Fowler, Asa L., 24 I., Co. A, Aug. 25 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Freeman, Albert L., 20 T., Co. D, Aug. 13 '62, ni. June 13 '65. Frcernan, Wilbur, 21 1., Co. I, Aug. 20 r,->.. m. June 16 '65. Gammon, John, 15 I., Co. E, Mar. 5 '64, m. July 20 'liS. Gladwin, Kovirah J. ,20 I., Co. D, Aug. 14 '62, wd., dis. May 11 '65. Grimes, Patrick, 1 Art., Co. G, Jan. 2 '64, des. July 29 '65. 'Harris, John, 11 I , Co. A, Dec. 37 '04, m. Dec. 2r05. Hubbard, Andrew J., ^0 I., Co. D, Aug. 11 '62, m. June 13 '65. Huber, Jean, 6 I, Co. F, Sept. 5 '63, wd,, ra. Aug. 21 '65. Jackson, Andrew, 39 I., Co. C, Feb. 27 'lit. m. Oct. 24 '65. Kenj-on, James, 10 I., Co. A, Deo. 26 '63, d. Dee. 17 '64. Klein, Aaron, 11 I., Co.C, Feb. 18 '61, d. Oct. 14 '84. Lewis, Francis, corp.,24 1., Co. A, Aug. 22 '(ri, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Lewis, Francis L.,eoip., 11 I., Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, dis- Apr. 14 '63. Lewis, Wni. A., Corp., HI., Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, r. vet., dis. Aug. 7 '65. McSullie, Patrick, 16 I., Co. A, Dec 21 '(W, des. Aug. 2 '64. May. Kichard E., 201., Co. D, Aug. 13 '62, wd., ni. June 13 '65. Miller, Wm., I., Co. F, Sept. 7 'Ot, dis. July 15 '63. Noyer, Lewis, 11 I., Co. C, Feb. 18 '64, k. Aug. 8 '64. Odlier, John H., 24 I., Co. A, Aug. 31 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Otis, Uriah II., 20 I , Co. C, Aug. 12 '62, m. June 13 '65. Richards, Jarvis M., 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 11 '62, dis. Feb. 3 '63. Kusscl, George C, 131., Co. K, Jan. 22 '62, r. vet., m. Apr 25 '60. * Kyan, John, 11 1., Co. C. Nov. 25 '64, de.x. Sept. 13 '65. Selden, Henry M., 21 I., Co. H, Aug. 12 '62, dis. Jmu. 19 '63. Smith, Daniel, 29 1., Co. C, Dec, 7 '63, m. Oct. 24 '05. Smith, Daniel B„ 24 I , Co. A„Aug. 31 '62, m Sept. 30 '63. Smith, George, 29 1., Co. C, Dec. 7 '03, d. Sept. 16 '64. Smith, Nelson A., 29 I., Co. D, Dec, 10 '03, d. Aug, 24 '64. Spencer, Abiathar, 24 I., Co. A, Aug. 27 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Spencer, Charles D., 30 I., Co. D., Aug. 25 '62, dis. Mar. 13 '63. Spencer, Charles D., 1 Art., Co. O, Jan. 2 '6t, dis., ni. June 1 '65. Spencer, Cyrus, serg.,-e4 T., Co. A, Aug. 30 '62, d. Aug. 15 '63. Spencer, Kussell, 24 I., Co. A, Aug. 27 '62, d. Mar. 20 '63. Spencer, Samuel T., mus, 20 I, Co. D, Aug. 19 '63, d. Dec. 7 '62. Spencer, Selden H., 20 I., Co. D, Aug, 13 '03, m . Juno 13 '65. Spencer, Wm. H., 1 Art., Co. G, Jan. 4 '04, m. Sept. 25 '65. Strickland, Geo. A., '34 I., Co, A, Aug. 28 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Van Liew, Wm. T., 29 I, Co. H, Dec. 3003, m. Oct. 24 '85. Way, Benjamin, 15 1., Co. E, Feb, 16 '64, m. July 20 '65. Wetmore, George, 24 I., Co. A, Aug. 30 '02, d. from wds. Wood, Llo3'd A., Corp., 24 I., Co. A, Aug. 28 '62, dis. Aug. 30 '63. Wright, .Toseph, 16 I., Co. G, Aug. 1 '62, d. KILLING WORTH. Barnum, Edgar H., Corp., 12 1., Co. F, Nov. 19 '62, d. Sept. 26 '63. Black Thomas A., 1 Art., Co. D, Feb, 19 '64, tr. to. U. S. A. * Brennan, Clark, 15 1., Co. A.. Sept. 2, '64, m. July 20 '65. Brew8ter,JohnF..29I., Co. D, Jan. 4 '64, d. July 6 '64. Brooks,Orville W.,15I., Co. G, Aug. 14'62, ra. June 27 '65. * Carroll, James, 15 I., Co. B, Aug. 31 '64, in. June 23 '65 *Caslin, James, 151., Co.C, Sept. 5 '64, m. July 20 '65. Ohatfleld, Roderick, 24 I., Co. B., Aug. 30 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. * Condon, Lawrence B., 20 I., Co. F, Aug. 27 '63, m . J uly 19 '65. Davis, George S, 81., Co. A,Aug.l '63, des. May 28 '61. Davis, Watson, 12 I, Co. F, Jan. 15 '6'2, r. vet., m. Aug. 12 '85. * Davis, William. 15 I., Co, I, Aug. 29 '64, wd., missing Mar. '65. Donnovan, Louis, 1 Cav., unassigned. Dudley, Robert E., 121., Co. F, Nov. 19'61, r. vet ,ra. ,\ug. 12 '65. Dunn, Dennis, 11 1., Co. D, Feb. 23 '61, des. Apr. 25 '61. Evarts, Joseph V., 121., Co. F, Nov. 19 '61, d.-July 14 '6!. Everts, Wilbur S., 24 I., Co. B, Aug. 30 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '6!1. Franklin, Elford C, 12 I., Co. F, Nov. 19 '61, d. Deo. 8 '62. Frische, John, 11 I., Co. C, Feb. 27 '64, m. Dec. 21 '65. Gannon, John, 15 I.. Co. G, Jan. 5 'U4, des. July 7 '64. Gates, James S., 24 I., Co. G. Sept. 10 '62, dis. Sept 30 '63. Goodale, James, 5 I„ Co. K, Aug. 1 '63, d. Aug. 28 '64. Goodale, Hensiai-, 14 T., Co. G, Aug. 11 '62, tr. vet. r. corps. ♦Gropuzzo, Antonio, 10 I., Co. D, Nov. £3 '04, m. Aug. 25 '65. Grovcr, Asa M., 10 I., Co. C, Oct. 23 '61, r. vet., m. Aug. 35 '«5. Grover, Samuel K , 15 1., Co. G, Aug. 15 '62, m. June I9'05. Hull, Albert P., 24 I., Co. F, Sept. 18 '62, dis. Sept. 80 '63. Hall, Ambrose, 1 Ait., Co. L, Jlar. 1 '03, des. May 13 '62. Hall, Willoughby, 12 I., Co. E, Jan. 15 '62, r. vet., m. Aug. 12 '&5. Hall, Wilson S., 12 I., Co. I, Jan. 27 '62, d. Sept. 2 '62. Hnlsted, Joseph H., 29 I., Co. I), Deo. 15 •«3, k. Oct. 13 '64. Hanlon, Henry P , 11 1., Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, dis. June 14 '62 Harrison, Sanford, 29 I., Co. 1, Jan . 4 '64, m. Oct. 24 '65. Healey, John J., 71., unassigned, Feb. 20 'lU. Higgins, John, 8 I., Co. D, Feb. 34 '64, pris. May 16 '64. Hill, Samuel, 11 I., Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, d. Nov. 31 '62. Hull, Henry L., serg., 101., Co., C, Oct, 22 '61, r. \et., pro. 2 lieut., dis. June 2 '65, Hughes, John, 2 Art., Co. B, Jan. 4 '64, des. .\ug. 2 "O"). Jackson, John, 29 I., Co. D, Dee. 15 '63, m. June 17 '65. ♦Johnson, Wm., 15 1., Co. I, Aug. M '64, mi.-sing Jlar. 8 '65. ♦Kennedy, John, 201., Co. E, Aug. 1 '03, des. Oct. I '6:3. Kibbe, George W., 10 I., Co. C, Oct. 23 '61, dis. July 19 '62. Lane, George W, 8I.,Co. K, Sept. ■:7 '61, dis- Jan. 20 '63. Lord, Benjamin, 12 I., Co. C, Nov. 20 '01, d. Sept. 30 '63. McNamara, James B., 1 Art., Co. L, Mar. 4 '63, r. vet., m . Sept. 25 '65. McSween.y, Edwaid. 13 I., Co. D, Feb. 24 '64, des. June 12 '64. Marsh, George B., 121., Co. C, Deo. 1 '61, dis. Oct. 20 '62. Maish, Henry Clay, 121., Co. C, Nov. 20 '61, i. vit.. wd., m. Aug. 12 '85. Merrit, Alfred, 29 I.. Co. I, Jan. 4 '64, d. Aug. 17 '64. Murphy, Henry, 2 Art., Co. H, Nov. 10 '64, m. July 10 '65. Phelps, Gastin C, 16 I., Co. B, Aug. 12 '62, m Aug. 24 '65. Phelps, John A., 8 I., Co. K, Sept. 27 '61, dis. Oct. :.'S '62. Phelps, John A, 2 Art., Co. H, Jan, 4 '64, m. Aug. 18 '65. Hedfleld, Osbert, 24 T., Co. B, Aug. 30 '62, dis. Sept. ,30 '63. Richardson, Alonzo I., ST., Co. K, Oct. 1 '61, k. .■^ept. 17 '62. Rutty, Ellsworth, 24 T., Co. G, Sept 10 '62, d. July 5 -62. Scranton,Normau, 2tI.,Co. G, Sept. 10'62,dis. Sept. ;»'&'!. Smith, Charles, 111, Co I, Feb. 22'64, wd.,m. Deo 21 '65. Snow, Selden, 241., Co. B, Aug. 30 '63, des. Nov.2S'62. Steele, Edward, 121 , Co. 1,, Ian. 21 '62, dis. Mar. 4 '63. Stevens,CliarlesD.,24I.,Co. Li, Aug. 30 '62, d. Jlar. r63. Stevens, Ellis M ,81., Co. K, Sept 25'61,r. vet., m. Dec. 12 '65. Stevens, Emerson H., 81., Co. K, Sept. 25 '61, dis. Oct. 10 '64. Stevens, Irving, 24 1., Co. D.Aug. 30 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63, ♦Stone, Frederic, 201,, Co. A, Aug. 1 '63, des. Sept. 30 '6!. Thomas, JauusHenry, 291., unassigned, Dec. 15. '(:3, missing Mar. 8 '04. Willard, Charles W., 241., Co. F.Oct. 16 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Wright, Henry H., 141., Co. G, Aug. 19 '62, m. May3r63. White, Thomas, Corp., 141., Co. G, July 3r62, dis, Jan, 10 '63. , MIDDLETOWN. Soldiers in ('omp.4.nt H— 1st Artillery. Clark, Cyrus C, capt.. May 23 '61, pro. major. 14 C. V., Aug. 4 '63. Turner, John A, 1st lieut., May 32 '61, res. Nov. 6 '61. Hubbard. Daniel K, 2d. lieut.. May 22'61, pro. capt., dis. Sept. 20 '84. Morgan, Alfred L., serg., May 22 '61. pro. 2d lieut., m. Oct. 36 '61. Fox, George L.. corp . May 22 '81, r. vet., pro. 2d lieut., m. Sept. 25 '65. Johnson, Sam M., corp.. May 22 '61, dis. May 21 '64. Kneass, Mars, corp.. May 22 '61, dis. May 21 '64. Chappell. Hiram, mus.. May 22 '61, dis. Jan. 4 '64. Barrett, George, 1st. lieut., May 22 '61, dis. Sept. 16 '62 Beban, Joseph, May 22 '61. r. vet.,m. Sept. 25 '65. Birkett, James W., .May 22 '61, r. vet., m. Sept. 25 '65. Carey, John, May 22 '61, des. Feb. 11 '64. Clark, Cornwall S., May 22 '61, r. vet., m. Sept. 25 '65. Carley, James, May 22 '61, dis. May 21 '64. Gushing, Daniel, May 22 '61, dis. May 21 '64. Campbell, Robert, May 22 '61, dis. May 21 '64. Donohue, Michael, May 22 '61, r. vet., dis. Sept. 25 '65. GENERAL HISTORY. 51 Diiiloy. Jciliri. Mny 2i '(il, r. vet., in. Sept. 35 '85. Dunn, M:ii-U. Muy 32 '01, (Us. July 37 'HI . Green,. lolin T , May 3; '61, dis. May 31 '0-i. Hunt, .lames M., May 33 '(11, r. vet., m, Sept. 25 '05. Lannin, Nathaniel. May 33 '61, (lis. May 3a '02. Maek, .lohn. May 33 'fil, r. vet., m. Sept. 35 '65. Mack, Thomas, May ii '01, dis. Oct. 10 '01. Murniy, Uciliert, May 3.i '01, dis. Deo. HI '01 Markinn, William K , May :2'Z '01, r. vet., m. Sept. 3.i '05. JleDonald, ,lohn, Jfay 23 'Ol. i . vet,, m. Sept. 35 '0.5. Mavk.s Engeiie P., May 23 '01, dis. May 31 '01. Norton, Willis, May 32 '01, des. Feb 5 '63. Pike, Charles C, May 33 '01, v. vet , m . Sept. 25 '65. Price, .lohn H , May 33 '01, r. vet.,ni. Sept. 35 '65- Koliinson, (liles H., May £1 '01, r. vet., des. May 15 '05. RingwooJ, Patrick, May 3i '01, i-. vet., m. Sept. 35 '05. Uemeley, Frank D., May 32 '01. r . vet., m. Sept. 25 '05. Steed, ThomaiJ, May tH '01, dis. May 31 '61. Sawyer, William H , May ;-'2 '01, r. vet., m. Sept. 25 '65. Thayer, .\masa W., May 33 '01, r. vet., ni. Sept. 35 '65. While, Pierre, May 33 '61, r. vet., m . Sept. 35 '05. Wekh, Daniel, May 23 '01, i-. vet., m. Sept. 25 '65. ('OJIP.\NY A— SliCOND KEGIMENT. Dickerson. David, capt,, Maj' 7 '01, dis. Aug'. 7 '61. Douslap, .lames W., 1st llent.. May 7 '01, dis- Aug. 7 '61. Glcasnn, Isaac C., 3d lieiit-, Mrague, Henry K., Sept. 10 '63, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Skinner, John II., Sept. 9 '63, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Warner, Andrew J., Sept. 8 '6.', dis .bui. 34 '63 Ziegclmcir, Lndwig, Nov. 4 '63, dis. Sept. 30 '63. MlSCELI,.4.NEOUS. Adams, August. U I., t'o. E, ^[ar. I0'6t, wd.,m Dec. 31 '6t. Alexander, Squire, 39 I., Co. IJ, .iuneS '64, ni. Oct. 34 '6.i. Anjrciist. David D.. 7 I, Co. H, Sept. 7 '6l,d. June 37 '(i3. *.\nnateria, Manuel. 13 I., unassigiied, Dec. 7 '61, m. Aug. 3 '65. Antonio, .lohn. II I., Co. A. Mar. 36 '64, d. June 15 '64. Antonio, Siinon, II I, Co. A, Feb. 36 '64, des. Aug. 33 '61. Appplegate. Daniel, 11 I , Co. D, Nov. 35 '64, des. Junel7 '65. Austin. Chas. M., serg.. It I., Co. K, July 16 '63, m. May 31 '65. Bailey, Bartholomew, 8 L, Co. 1\, Sept. 33 '61, r. vet., m. Dee. 13 '65. Bailey, George G., 5 I.. Co. H, Feb. 10 '64, m. July 19 '65. Bailey. Leonard, 8 I., Co. Iv, Sept. '33 '61, r. vet., m. Aug. 5 '65. Bailey, Lewis. 31 1 , Co. I, Aug 21 '62, m. .lune 16 '65. Bailey, Emerson N., 14 I., (.'o. B, June 3 '63, wd , m. .lune 3 '65. Balicy. Kobert M., 3ii I., Co. H, Dec. 39 '63, m, June 18 '65. Bailey. Sylvester, 5 1., Co. K, Mar. 10 '63, dis. Apr, 31 '65. Baldwin, Chas. 0.,2d lieut,, 14 I., Co. E, June 15 '63, res. Dec. 3 '63. Bamber. John, 30 I., Co. G. Feb. 34 '64, m. July 19 '63. Barnes, William H., 13 1., Co. A, Nov. 30 '61, m. Deo. 3 '64. Barnes, W'm. H., 7 1.. unassigned, Nov II '64, des. Nov. 34 '64. Barnes, Wm. L.. 3 Art., Co. D, Jan- 3:3 '64, pris. Oct. 19 '61. Barry, Andrew. 1 Cav., Co. B, Nov. 26 '61, r. vet., m Aug. 3 '65. Barry, David, 91., Co. F, June6'()4, m. Aug. 3 '65. Bartholomew, Eiias, 211., Co. I, Aug. 23 '63, des. Jan. 31 '63. Hartiss, John J., corp, 7 I., (^o. I, Sept 13 '61, r. vet,, ni. July 30 '65, Bartiett, Matthew B , 33 I., Co, B, Aug. 39 '63, dis. Feb. 31 '63. Barton, Henry, 7 I., Co. K, Feb. 24 '64, des. May 13 '61. Baudin, Napoleon, 1 Art., Co. K, Dec. 6 '64, m. Sept. 25 '65. *Beal, John, 15 1., Co. I, .■Vug. 5 '64, m. July 20 '65. Beaugis, John, 11 I., Co. C, Mar. 28 '64, d. Aug- 9 '64. Beers, Henry P., II I., Co. K, Nov. 20 '61, dis. May 8 '62. Beeman, Edgar C, 2d lieut., 1 Art., Co. G, May 32 '61, dis. Nov. 17 '61. Brewer, Charles, 21 1., Co. I, Aug. 20 '62, ni . June 22 '65. Belke, Charles, 20 1., unassigned. Mar. 10 '6i, des. Apr. 3 '64. Bell, John, II I., Co. B, Mar. 10 '64, tr. V. S. N. Benedict, Chas. G., 31 1 , Co. I, Aug. 11 '62, wd., m. June 16 '65. Benhani, Chas. H., 1 Art., Co. G, May 22 '61, dis. May 2 1 '64. Bernard, Chas., 11 L, Co, A, Mar, 26 '64, des, Aug. 21 '64. Bernard, Jules, 11 L, Co. D, Feb. 24 '64, m. Dee. 21 '65. Uerrie, Pierre, 15 I., unassigned. Sept 38 '64, dis. Dec.9 '64. Berry, George, 15 I., Co. B, Mar. 9 '64, shot for desertion Aug. 14 '64. Bidweil, Richard, 7 1 ., Co. D, Sept. 7 '61, k. July 11 '63. * Bingham, Edinond C, 13 I., Co. CSep. 22 '64, m. June 13 '65, tr. Co. E. Bingham, Seth D., 8 I., Co. K, Oct. 1 '61, tr. Signal Corps. m. Sep. 25 '65. k. Dec, 13 '62. Blinn, Johns., 211., Co. B, Aug. 2.3 '62, dis. Mar. 37 '63. * Bourguin, Jack, 14 1., Co. A, Sep. 18 '63, des. Nov. '61. Bowring, Alfred, 1 Art., Co. G, Nov. 17 '61, m. Sep. 2.5 '65. Boyer, George W., 3 Art., Co. E, Dec. 19 '61, des. July 28 '65. Brad.y, John, 11 I., Co, 1., .Mar, 3 '61, missing June 3 '6i, Brady, John, 5 I., Co. I, Feb. 26 '64, de.s Mar. 13 '64 * Brady, .lohn, 81., Co. A, Nov. 17 '64, des. Nov. 30 '64, * Braun, William, 111., Co. C, Dec 3i) '64. des. June 3 '65. Breachum, Edward, 6 I., Co. H, Feb 39 '6t, ni. Aug. 31 '65. Brennan, Edward, 13 I., Co A, Feb. 39 '64, des. Mar. 25 '64. lirennan, Thomas, 31 I., Co. I. Aug. '.i'Z '63, m. June Hi '65. ■* Brennan, Thomas, 11 t., Co- B, Nov. 5 '61, des. Sep 6 '65. Bristol, Charles H., 1.5 1., Co, G, Deo. 17 '61, des. Brooks, Ellas. 2ii I., Co. A, Dee. in '61, m. Oct 34 '65. Brophy, William, 131., Co. K, Feb. 35 '64. des. Mar. 30 '64. Brown, Alfred, 13 1., Co G, Mar 10 '64, m. Aug. 12 '65. * Brown, George 1st., 101., Co. C,Dec. 12 '64, m. Aug. 35 '65. Brown, George, 15 1., Co. E, Mar, .38 '64, tr. U. S. N. Brown. John, I Cav., Co. B, Nov. 26 '61, r. vet., m . Sep. 25 '65. Brown. John, 8 I., Co. U, Nov. 21 '61, des. Mar. 24 '65. * Brown, Patrick A., II I., Co. T), Dec. 27 '64, ries. Feb. 23 '65 Brown, William, 15 I., Co. B. Mar. 9 '04, des. Feb. 20 '65. Brown, William H,. Corp., 7 1., (.;o. I., Sep. 13 '61, d. Jan. 1+ '63 Bryan, Gerald, I Art., Co. C, Sep. 34, '64, des. Nov. 10 '61. * Burns, William. 6 I., Co. D, Nov. 16 '64, m. Aug. 31 '65. Burr, William P., sergt., 31 I., Co. T, Aug. 13 '63, dis. Nov. 6 '63. Butler, Charles A., I Art.. Co. L, Mar. 6 '63, dis. April I '63. * liyng, James, 11 1., Co. G, Nov. 3.5 '64, ri '&'>. Harris, John, 11 1., Co. K, Mar. 5 '64, des. Mar. 29 '81. Harrison, Wm. H., 6 I.. Co. IJ, Sept. 21 '61, r. vet., wd., m. Aug. 21 '64. Hastings, John, 2 Art., unassigned, Nov. 25 '64, des. Deo. 25 '64. Hatfield, Samuel P., corp., 1 Art., Co. G, May 22 '61, pro. maj, m.Sept. 25 '65. Hawley, Horace, 1 Cav., Co. B, Nov. 21 '61, r. vet., m. Aug. 2 '8'). Hedges, Shaler W., 151., Co. E, Jan. 31 'ft5, m. July 20 '65. Herman, Robert, 13 I., Co. G, Feb. 18 '62, dis. May 31 '62. Henne, George, 13 1., unassigned, Feb. 29 '84, a. t. u. o. r. Hickman, Robert, 81., Co. A, Feb. 25 '64, dis. June 6 '65. Hilbert, Frank, 14 I , Co. E, Aug. 5 '62, m. May 31 '65. Hill, Frank, 13 I , Co. C, Mar. 1 '64, des. Apr. 12 '64. Hill, John, 1 Cav., unassigned, Deo. 6 '64, des. Dec. ir64. Hilis, Archibald, 13 I., Co. G, Dee. 30 '61, des. July 26 '64. *Hiney, James, 10 I., Co. K, Deo. 17 '64, des. Aug. 7 '6). Hutchinson, Thomas, 1 Art., Co R. May 23 '61. dis. Aug. 17 '62. Holmes, George W., 7 I., Co. I., Sept. 13 '61. v. vet., des. Aug. — '61. Holohen, James. 21 1., Co. 1.. Aug. 12 '62, wd..m. June 16 '65. Hope, James, 1 Cav., Co. A, Deo. 17 '64, in. Aug. 2 '65. Hopkins, George P., 12 I., Co. F, Nov. 19 '61, m. Aug. 12 '65. Howard, John, HI., Co. H. Mar. 29 '64, des. Apr. 18 '65. Hubbard, Henry D., 16 I., Co. G, Feb. 16 '84, d. Sept. 2 '64. Hubbard, Nathaniel, 21 I., Co. I., Aug. 13 '62, dis. Sept. 13 '63. Hudson, Charles, 21 I., Co. 1, Aug. 19 '63, wd., dis. Apr. 26 '65. Hudson, Chas. B., 13 I., Co. G, Jan. 23 '62, dis. Jan. 8 '63. Hudson, Lewis, 24 I , Co. C, Aug. 31 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Hunt, Chas. F., serg., 7 I., Co I, Sept. 13 '81, dis. Feb. 2 '63. Hunt, James, 1 Art., Co. G, Nov. 26 '61, des. July 29 '65. Hunt, William, 7 I., Co. I. Sept. 13 '61. dis. Sept. 12 '64. Hunter, John, 12 I., unassigned. Mar. 10 '6t, n. t. u. o. r Huntley, William, 13 I., unassigned, Feb. 29 '61, n. t. u. d. r. Huilburt, John, 10 I., unassigned. Mar. 26 '61, n. t. n. o. r. Hyde, John C, corp., 7 I., Co. I, Sept. 13 '61, dis. Apr. 1 '64. Jackson, Alfred, 29 I., Co. F, June 3 '64, in. Oct. 24 '6'). Johnson, Charles, 10 1., Co. E, Nov. 22 '64, des. Aug. 5 '6). Johnson, Chas., 10 I., unassigned. Mar. 26 "64, n. t. u. ». r. Johnson, Edward, 8 I., Co. A, Sept. 25 '61, i-ejcoted Nov. 3 '61. Johnson, Edward, Corp., 13 I., Co. H, Nov. 27 "61, r. vei., m. Sept. 1 '65. Johnson, Edward, 15 I., Co C, Mar. 7 '61, d. Oct. 12 '61. Johnson, Frank M., 3d L. B., unassigned, Sept. 38 '64, m. June 2.3 '65. Johnson, Geo. W., 8 I., Co. A, Fob. 24 '64, m. Dec. 12 '65. i-Johnson, Hugh, 7 I., Co. G, Nov. 30 '64, m. July 20 '65. Johnson, Samud, U I., Co. C, Mar. 28 '64, prls. May 16 '64. Johnson, Sumufl, 1 Art., unassigned, Sept. 28 '64, des. Oct. 26 '64. Jones, John, 11 I., Co. C, Mar. 28 '61, m. Deo. 31 '65. Jones, Will. M., 1 Cav., unassigned, Sept. 22 '64, des. Oct. 6 '64. ♦Jones, John, 10 I., Co. E, Nov. 21 '64, des. Apr. 14 '65. Jordan, John M., 11 I., Co. F, Nov. 2:1 '81, dis. Oct. 7 '62. Kavanagh, Joseph, 1 Cav., unassigned, Deo. 16 '64, n. t. u. o. i. Kavanagh, Thomas, 14 T., Co. E. Aug. 5 '63, dis. Feb. 27 '63. Kean, John, 1 Cav., Co. B, Mar. 26 '64, m. Aug. 2 '65. Keefer, Frank, 11 I., Co. C, Mar. 28 '64, des. May 17 '84. Kelley, Joseph, 15 I., Co. G, Mar. 8 '61, m. July 20 '65. ♦Kelley, Michael, 14 I., Co. K, Aug. 3 '64, tr. 2 H. Art. Kelley, Robert, 10 I., unassigned. Mar. 26 '64, n. t. u. o. r. Kelsey, Richard A., 1 Art., Co. G, May 22 '61, dis. Nov. 18 '61. Kerr, Wallace, 1 Cav., unassigned, Nov. 17 '64, n. t. u. o. r. Keyes, Wm. B., corp. 25 I., Co. A, Aug. 23 '82, dis. Aug. 26 '63. ■•Kiernan, Thomas, 8 I., Co. I, July 18 '64, m. Deo. 12 '65. Kimball, Alvah, 13 I., Co. C, Mar. 3 '62, m. Apr. 25 '66. Kimball, William, 13 I., Co. C, Mar. 8 '64, des. Oct. 29 '64. ♦Kimons, John, 15 I., Co. B, Aug. 19 '64, m. July 20 '65 King, George, 15 I., Co. G, Mar. 8 '84, tr. U. S. N. King, Peter, 13 I., unassigned, Mar. 10 '64, n. t. u. o. i. Kirby, Matthew, 11 I., Co. A, Deo. 1 '64, m. Oct. 2 '65. Klrkpatrick, William, 1 Cav., Co. M. Dec. 15 '64, des. Feb. 1 '65. ♦ Klump, Christian, 8 1., Co. F, July 12 '64, m. Dec. 12 '65. Knoblook, Frederick, HI . , Co . C, Oct. 25 '61 , wd . , dis . Oct . 24 '64 . GENERAL HISTORY. 55 Kyle. Michuel, 1 Ciiv., Co. I, Deo. 8 '04, m . Aug. 3 '65. Laffe.v, .lohii, 13 I.,'unnssigncd, Nov. 23 '84, dee. Dec.-21 '64. •Liiiie. Williiim, 14 I, Co. C. AiiR. 1 '64, 1i-. 2 H. Art. May 31 '65. Last, Valentine, 20 I., Co. G, Mar. 3 '64, des. Apr. 23 '64. Lttvery, Stephen, 1 Art., Co. G, May 22 '61, dis. Aug. 5 '61. Lawler, James, li T.. Co. B, Oct. 21 '61, drowned Apr. 9'e3. Lawler, Williaui, 1 Art., Co. M, Dec. 10 '64, ni. Sep. 25 '65. Leary, John, 11 1., Co. E, .Ian. 26 '63, pris. May 6 '64. Lee, Frederick, 13 I., Co. C, .Mar, 10 '64, des. July 15 '64. Lee, Henry A., 1 Art., Co. 0, Dec. 3 '63, m. Sep. 25 '65. ■* Lee. John, 291., Co. A, Aug. 19 '64, ni. Oct. 24 '65. Leeds, John A., 7 1., Co. C, Sept. 6 '61, wd.,r. vet., m. July 20 '65. Leibelsperger, Samuel, 13 I., Co. A, Feb. 29 '64, m. Apr. 25 '66. Leslie, William, 15 1., Co. E, Nov. 26 '64, m. July 20 '65. Lewis Charles E., Corp., 141., Co. E, June 23 '62, wd., m. May 31 '65. Lewif^, Michael, 21 I., Co. 1, Aug. 15 '62, wd., m. June 16 '65. Lomax, Henry, 21 1., Co. I, Aujf . 20 '62, m. June 10 '65. Longan, William, 20 1., Co. G, Mar. 2 '64, des. Apr. 23 '64. Lown. Timothy, 14 [.. Co E, June 9 '62, wd.. m.MaySl'lia. Lynch, John, 1 Art., Co. G, Dec. 29 '63, des. July 29 '65. Lynch. John, 9 1, Co. fJ, Oct. 17 '61, dis. Oct. 16 '62. Lyng, Thomas, 21 1., Co. I, Aug. 21 '62, m. June 16 '65. MeAlister, John, 1 Art., Co. G, May 22 '61, dis. May21 '64.1 McAlevy, Felix, lArt., unassigned, Jan. 2 '64, u. t. u. o. r. McBraine, William, 7 I., Co I, Supt. 13 '61, dis. June30'63. McBridc, William, 13 I., Co. B, Feb. 27 '64, des. Mar. 20 '84. McCammon, James, 21 1., Co. 1, Aug 20 '62, d. June 28 ' 64. McCarty, Jeremiah, 1 Cav., Co. B, Nov. 26 '61, dis. Nov. 24 '62. McCarly, Jatnes, 11 1., Co. B, Mar. 4 '84, m. June 26 '65. McCloud, James, II I., Co. F, Mar. 3 '64, des. June 18 '85. McCluckio, John, 1., Co. B, Sept. 27 '61, vet., m. Aug. 3 '85. McDermott, Chai les, 1 Art., Co. E, Dec. 17 '84, des. June 8 '65. McDonald, J. O'Connell, Bernard, 12 I., Co. E, April 8 '64, m. Aug. 12 '65. O'Connor, John, 15 I., Co. C, Sept. 28 '64, missing Mar. 8 '8'). O'Hare, John, 16 I., Co, C, Sept. 26 '64, m. July 20 '85. Oliver, Daniel W., 29 I., Co, G, Mar. 1 '64, m. Oct. 24 '65. OliveF, William, 12 I., Go. H, Mar. 28 '84, m. Aug. 12 '65. O'Neill, Thomas, 111., Co. D, Mar. 28 '64, m. Dec, 21 '65. ♦Orazis, Francisco, 10 1., Co. I, Nov. 23 '64, dea. May 23 '65. Osborn. Thomas, 1 Cav., unassigned, Sept. 22 '84, des. Oct. 6 '64. Paige, Chas. H., 1 Cav., Co. A, Dec. 19 '84. m. Aug, 2 '65, Patterson, William, 21 1., Co. I, Aug. 2(I''8!, m. June 16 '65, Pardee, Elbert A., oorp, 3d L. B., Sept. 24 '64, m, June 23 '65 Parrl, Auguste,ll I,, Co, E, Mar. 3 '84, m. Dec. 21 '65. Pastle, Thomas,5I.,Co. K, Mar, 8 '64, m. July 19 '65. •Patterson, James, 10 I., Co. D, Nov. 21 '84, m. Aug. 25 '65, Peek, Henry, HI,, Co, D, Mar, 26 '64, deserted. Peebles, George, 6 I., Co. K, Sept. 12 '61, wd., dis. Sept. 11 '64. "■Pendergrast, Michael, 13 I., Co. K, Sept. 24 '84, m. Aug. 12 '65. Peters, JohnS., 30 I., Co. C, Jan. 30 '64, dis. June 22 '65, Pettis, William, 15 I., Co.'c, Nov. 12 '64, m. July 20 '65. Phillips, John, 1 Cav., unassigned, Deo. 6'64,n. t. u. o. r. Pickens, Jarnes, 12 I., Co. H, Dec. 19 '61, ra. Aug. 18 '82. Picket, James, 14 I., Co. I, July 2'82, wd.,m. May 31 '85. Pikes, John F., 7 I., Co. F, Mar. 8 *84, tr. U.S. N. Pilkington, Jas. R., serg., 2 I. Rifle, Co D, May 7 '61, dis, Aug. 7 '61. Pilkenton, Jas. R., serg. 181., Co, 1, Aug. 20 '82, des. Aug. 28 '61. Piatt, Zenas, 20I.,'Co. D, Aug. 26'62, d. Jan, 3 '64. Powers, James H., 29 I., Co. I, Mar. 4 '64, m. Oct. 24 '65. ♦Powers, John, 111., Co. C, Nov. 25 '64, des. Mar. 19 '65. Prentiss, Charles W., 21 1,, Co, I.Aug. 9 '62, wd.,m, June! '65. Quimby, John, 121., unassigned, Mar. 8'64, n. t. u.o. r. Quinn, Patrick, 11 I.. Co. ICDeo. 1'61, d. Aug. 1'62. Raymond, Daniel W., lArt.,Co. G,May22'61, m.Sept. 25'65. Held, James, 11 1. , Co . G, Nov. 25 '64, des , J une 27 '65. Remington, James, 13 I., Co. C, Mar. 10 '84, dee. July 10 '84. Reynolds, James H., 1 Art., Co. M, Dec. 19 '84, m. Sept. 25 '65. ■» Reynolds, John, 1 Art., Co. E, Deo. 2 '64, des. Apr. 16 '65. Rice, James, 13 1., unassigned, Mar. 10 '84, m. May 13 '65. Rice, Wm., 1 Cav., unassigned, Sept, 22 '64, des. Oct. 6 '64, Riley, James, 141,, Co. B, June 6 '62, twice wd., m. June 5 '65. Riley, James, 1 Cav., unassigned, Sept. 20 '64, des. Oct. 6 '64. *Reiley, James, 12 I., unassigned, Jan. 4 '85, m. Aug. 2 '65. Riley, Simon W., 14 I., Co. A, Dee. 15 '64, tr. 2 H. Art. Riley, Simon W., 2 Art., Co. K, Dec. 15 '64, m. Aug. 18 '65. Riley, William, 12 I., unassigned, Feb. 28 '64, n. t. u. o. r. Roberts, Ozrin, 18 I., unassigned, Apr. 3 '63, des. Apr, 23 '63. Roberts, Ralph R., 21 1,, Co. I, Sept. 6 '62, m. June 3 '65. Roberts, Stephen, 15 I., unassigned, Feb. 26 '64, n. t. u. o. i . Robinson, Alexander, 11 1., Co. E, Mar. 10 '64, tr. TJ. S. N. *Robinson, George C, 15 I., Co. F, Aug. 12 '84, d. Apr. 22 '85. Robertson, John, 121., Co. ft. Mar. 10 '84, des. May 8 '64. Roty, Daniel, 11 1., Co. H, Mar. 10 '64, des. Aug. 3 '64. Hound, George C, 1 Art., Co. G, May 22 '61, dis. May 21 '84. Round, George H., 121., Co. H, Mar. 10 '64, des. July 3 '65. *Roussel, Bdmond, 1 Art., Co. F, Aug. 6 '64, des. June 30 '65. ■►Russell, Auguste, 13 1., Co. C, Sept. 26 '64, m. Nov. 13 '65. Russell, Frank, 17 I., unassigned, Sept. 28 '64, u. t. u. o. r. Ryan, William, 13 1., Co. A, Mar. 5 '64, m. June 23 '65. *Sayve, Germain, 15 I., Co. G, Sept. 3 '64, m. July 20 '65. Sohafer, George, 6 1., Co, H, Feb. 2U '64, dis. May 22 '65. Schmit, Henry, 1 Cav., unassigned, Deo. 19 '64, a. t- u. o. r. Schurr, Christopher, 5 1., Co. G, Mar. 24 '62, r. vet., m. July 9 '65. Schwartz, Charles, 1 Art., unassigned, Deo. 10 '64, u. t. u. o. r. Soranton, Charles W., 1 Art., Co. E, Dec. 16 '63, m. Sep. 25 '65. * Scriptures, Grossman, 1 Art., Co. B, Aug. 6 '83, m. Sep. 25 '65. Self, John, 11 I., Co. H, Mar. 5 '64, wd., m. Dec. 21 '65. Sergeant, George D., serg., 1 Art., Co. G, May 22 %I, m. Sep. 25 '6.5. Seufert, George, oorp., 14 1., Co. E, June 7 '62, m. May 31 '65. Shelly, Andrew, 5 I., Co. G, Mar. 7 "64, des. Mar. 7 '64. Shepard, William, 29 I., Co. F, June3 '64, ra. Oct. 24 '6.5. Sherwood, Edward, 20 I., Co. G, Mar. 2'64, des. Apr. 23 '64. * Simpson, Edward, 7 I., Co. E, Nov. 29 '64, des. Dec. 13 '64. Sines, Samuel, 1 Cav., unassigned, Deo. 7 '64, n. t. u. o. r. ■* Skidmore, Henry, 7 I., Co. A, Sept. 30 '64, des. May 20 '65. Skinner, John H , 24 1., Co. G, Sept, 9 '82, dis. Sept. 30 '83. Slack, Georg, 14 1., Co. B, June 23 '62, dis. Aug. 12 '63. Slack, Thomas, 7 I., Co. I, Sept. 13 '61, dis. Deo. 11 '62. Stuart, John, 101., unassigned. Mar. 26 '84, n. t. u. o. r. Smith, Alberto., 2 1, rifle, Co. D, May 7 '6L dis. Aug. 7 '61. Smith, Albert C, 121., Co. A, Nov. 20 '61, dis. Aug. 17 "63. S6 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Smith, Chaunoey P., 8 I., Co. E, Sept. 25 '61, des. Deo. i '61. Smith, Edtmind, Corp., UI., Co. E, June6 '63, wd., m. Mayai'65. Smith, Bdwin B., 12 I., Co. F,Dec. 20 '61, dis. .July 1 'ai. Smith, Franklin, ICav., unassigned, Dec. 8 '64, n. t. u. o. r. Smith, George, 20 I , Co. G, Mar. 2 '64, des. Apr. 24 '64. Smith, George C, 1 Cav., Co. I, Deo. 8 '64, des. Jan. 16 '65. Smith, George H, 20 I., unassigned, Feb. 29 '64, des. Apr. 2 '64. Smith, John, H I., Co. H, Mar. 8 '64, wd., m. Deo. 21 '65. Smith, John, 1 Cav., unassigned, Sept. 28 '64, des. Oct. 17 '64. ♦Smith, John, 11 1., Co. D. Dec. 7 '64, d. July 18 '65. Smith, John Z., 7 I., Co. D, Mar. 10 '64, wd., dis. Nov. 29 '64. Smith, Samuel, 111., Co. C, Mar. 5 '6.'), wd., m. Dec. 21 '65. Smith, Seymour W., mus., 24 1., Co. C, Aug. 27 '62, des. Nov. 19 '62. Smith, Stephen C., 2 Art., Co. D, Jan. 21 '61, in. Aug. 18 '65. Smith , Thomas, 1 Cav., unassigned. Mar. 28 '84, n. t. n. o. r. Smith, Thomas, 12 I., Co. K, Mar. 7 '64, m, Aug. 12 '65. Smith, Wm., 5 I., Co. F, Feb. 29 '64, des. Mar. 12 '64. Smith, Wra.,15I.,Co. H, Mar. iJ*64, m. July 20 '65. ♦Snyder, Frank, 1 Art.. Co. F, Aug. 31 '64, m. Sept. 25 '65. Spenoe, John, 1 Cav., unassigned, Nov. 21 '64, n. t. u.o. r. Spencer, Daniel H., 131., Co. F, Nov. 27'61,k. Oct. 19 '64. Spencer, Jabez A., 11 I., Co. I, Feb. 25 '64, m. Dec. 21 '65. Spencer, Stephen H., 1 Art., Co. V, Mar. 1 '62, dis. Apr. 1 '62. Spencer, Stephen H., II I., Co. I. Feb. 25 '64, m. Dec. 21 '65. Spencer, Wm. E., 11 I., Co. I, Feb.25 '6t, wd., m. Deo. 21 '65. Southmayd, Joseph G., 13 I., Co. F, Jan. 8 '62, dropped from roll. Stanley. J . Thomas, 20 I., Co. G, Feb. 27 '64, des. May 22 '64. Starks, Bissell, corp.,21 I., Co. I, Aug. 13 '62, des. June 21 '63. Star, Samuel A., 5 I., Co E, July 22 '61, m. July 19 '65. Starr. Ben.iamin, 71, Co. B, Sept. 7 '61 r. vet., d. Apr. 16 '65. Stevens, Frank A., mus., 11 1, Co D, Nov. 20 '61, d. Apr. 17 '62. Stevenson, James, 15 1., Co. B, Sept. 28 '64, m. July 20 '65. Stealer, Charles, 13 1., unassigned. Mar. 10 '64. n. i. u. o. r. Stratton, George, 12 I., unassigned, Jan . 4 '6.5, des. Apr. 5 '65. Sullivan, Henry, 13 I., Co. B, Feb. 29 '61, m. Apr. 35 '61. Sully, Wm., 11 1., Co. I, Mar. 8 '64, m. Dec. 21 '65. Swayne, Alfred, 1 Art., Co. B, Dec. 1 '64, des. June 26 '65. Tappan, Thomas, 7 1., Co. I, Sept. 13 '61, k. July II '63. Taylor, Charles, 1 Cav,, Co. B, Nov. 23 '61, m. Feb. 14 '6">. Taylor, Henry, 1 Cav., Co. B, Nov. 23 '61, m. Nov. 22 '64. Taylor, William, 14 I.. Co. B, Aug. 6 '62, r. vet., m. May 31 '6). Thayer, Merwin, 161., Co. A, Aug. 13 '63, dis. Jan. 12 '63. "Theoball, Alex.,13I.,Co. C, Sept. 19 '61, des. Apr. 16 '66. Thomas, John, 11 1., unassigned. Mar. 7 '6t, des. Mar. 31 '6i. Thomas, George S, 21 I., Co. I, Dec. 32 '63, d. May 30 '64. Thompson, George, 13 I., Co. I, Feb. 24 '64, des. Dec. 14 '64. Thompson, George, 13 T., unassigned, Feb. 29 '64, n. t. u. o. r. Thompson, John, Isl lieut, 7 I, Co. I, Sept. l.'i '61, pro. capt, wd., m. July 20 '65. Thompson, Michael, 7 I., Co. A, Nov. 30 '61, des. May 20 '6'i. Thornton, John J., 91., Co. E, Oct. 21 '61, des Nov. 1 '61. Timmons, Daniel, 14 1., Co. E, June 3 '63, d. May 8 '61. Tob.v, Joseph D., q. m. serg., 1 Art., Co. K. Apr. 17 '63, d. Nov. 7 '64. Toby, Wm. M., 11 I., Co. K, Feb. 24 '64, m. Dec. 31 '65. Toledo. Pedro, 111., Co. H, Mar. 4 '64, m. Dec. 21 '65. Tolhurst, Edwin sen., 32 I., Co. C, Sept. 9 '63, dis. July 7 '63. Toodon, Adam, 13 I., Co. C, Mar. 10 '64, des. May 25 '64. Tooley,Fred. W., 1 Art., Co. G. Sept. 1 '63, m. Sept. 25 '65. Tooley, George H., 151., Co. I, Dec. 1 '63,m. Sept. 25 '65. Tryon, Henry W., 14 1, Co. K, May 29 '63, dis. Apr. 9 '63. Utley, John M., serg., 22 I., Co. H, Aug. 30 '62, dis. July 7 '63. Van Horn, George, 12 1., Co. C, Jan. 15 '62, des. Jan. 23 '63. Wallace, William, 5 T., Co. H, Mar. 1 '64, des. Mar. 12 '64. Walsh, Edward, 1 Cav., unassigned, Dec. 3 '61, u. t. u. o. r. * Walsh, James, 11 1., Co. C, Dec. 7 '64, des. Juno 8 '65. * Ward, Andrew, 81., Co. I, Nov. 33 '64, m. Deo. 13 '65. AYarner, Andrew J., 24 I., Co. G, Sept. 8 '62, dis. Jan. 34 '63. Warner, Aaron C, 13 I., Co. G, Feb. I '6i, d. Feb. 28 '62. Warner, Edward C, 1 Cav., unassigned, Aug. 20 '61, des. Oct. 6 '64. Warren, George, U 1., Co. A, Mar. 14 '61, d. June 18 '64. Watson. John, 13 I., Co. A, Feb. 24 '64, des. Mar. 25 '64. * Welch, James, 7 1., Co. A, Nov. 30 '64, m. July 20 '65. Welch, John, 11 1., Co. E, Mar. 9 '64, dis. June 17 '65, sentence of G. C. M. Wells, George E., 21 1., Co. I, Aug. 13 '62, m. June 16 '65. Wells, Samuel 0., 21 1., Co I, Aug. 13 '63, d. Nov. 22 '63. » Werner, Emil, 8 1., Co. I, Nov. 21 '64, des. June '17 '65. West, Charles W., 18 I., unassigned, Dec. 16 '64, dis. Jan. 15 '65. Watson, William, 11 1., Co. 1, Mar. 2 '64, wd., dis. July 14 '65. Wheeler, Charles, 11 1., Co. F, Mar. 26 '64, des. May 5 '64. Wheeler, William, 11 I., Co. F, Mar. 36 '64, des. May 5 '64. Whitaker, William, 261., Co. G, Mar. a'64, d. May 29 '64. * White, William W., 10 1., Co. D, Dec. 20 '64, m. Aug. 25 '65. Wilber, Gilbert, 15 I., unassigned, Sept. 21 '64, des. Oct. 9 '64. Wilber, John B., 1 Art., Co. G, Dec. 6 '64, m. Oct. 2 '65. Wilcox, Benjamin C, 14 I., Co. B, Aug. 2 '62, wd , dis. Jan. 7'63. Wilcox, Enoch 2d, 14 1., Co. B, Aug. 5'62, k. Dec. 13 '63. Wilcox, Marhis W.. 7 I., Co. H, Jan^ 5 '61. wd , in. July '20 "65. Wiggin, Charles M., 11 I., Co. G, Mar. 2 '61, pris.. .May 16 '61. Williams, Charles, 7 I , Co. H. Nov. 30 '61, m. July 8 '65. * Williams, Henry, 10 1„ Co. D, Deo. 17 '64, m . Au. Wood, John, 11 I., Co. l. Mar. 4 '81, des. .lune 18 '64. * Wooster, Luman, 8 I.. Co. C. Jan. 4 '6>, in. Aug. 14 '67. Younsf, John A., 20 7., Co. C, June 10 '64. des. Ziegelmeier, Ludwig, '^4 7., CO. G, Nov. 4 '61. dis. Sept. 30 '83. OLD SAYBltOOK. Beebe, SilasF..34 1.. Co. D, Seiit, 15 'ei. rti-;. Sept. 30 Vi!. Cadwcll, ltiohard.(.,14 1., Co. G, Aug. r63,wd..ni. .May 31 '65. Champion, .loshua, 24'7., Co. C, Aug. 26 '63, dis. .Mar. 20 "6!. Chippie, Aloiizo. nius., 2.1 1, Co. F, Dec. 21 '63, in. Oct. 24 '65. Clark, Henry I., 24 1., Co. U, Aua-. 2j '63, di*. Aug.7'ii:t.' Daniels, Kichard B.. II 7., Co. K, Nov. 14 '81, r. vet., m. Dec. 21 '6). Dawes, William, 14 7, Co. G, Aug. 1 '62, m. June5'ft5. Dibble, Augustus L., 14 7., Co. G, Aug. 1 '62, wd., m. May. 31 '85 Dudley, EverettL., 14 7., Co. G, Aug. 1 '62, m. May 31 '6>. Dudley, William B., 14 7., Co. G, Aug. 11 '62, dis. Aug. 35 '65. Gourley, Andrew, wag., 26 7., Co. C, Aug. 3 I '62, dis. ..lUg. 17 '6\ ♦Green, .7ohn, 8 7.. Co. H, Nov. 19 '64, des. Mar 28 '65. Grey, Charle."!, 29 7., Co. D, Dec. 26 '6i, in. Oct. 24 '65. Hall, James W., 29 7., unassigned, Dec. 26 '63, ni. Mai-. 8, '64. Hill, Joseph W., 14 7., Co. G, Aug. 11 '63, dis. Mar. 5 '63. Hill, William, 297, Co. G, Deo. 26 '63. in. Oct. 24 'J5. Jenkins, Charles C, 29 I., Co' G, Deo. 28 'e3, in. Dee. 24 'ft5. Johnson, l.ewis, 30 7., Co. B, Apr. 4 '64, m. Nov. 7 '6>. Jones, Jordan, 29 7 , Co. G, Dec. 26 '63, m. Oct. 24 '65. Kelsey, Frederick W., 24 7., Co. B, Aug. 30 '63, dis. Sept, i30 '63. Ijewis, Thomas, 29 7, Co G, Dec. 26 '63, m. Oct.2f'65, ♦Mahon, Joseph 7''., 19 7., Co. B, Dec. 14 '64, in. Aug. 25 '&5. Muria.v, John, 34 7., Co. B, Aug. 30 '62, des. Nov, 18 '63. Page, Henry B., 14 7.. Co G, Aug. 4 '62, dis. Jtu. 15 '64. ♦Peterson, Ernest, 6 7., Co. G, Dec. 5 '64, in. Aug 21 '65. Phelps. Heniy. 14 7., Co. G, Aug. II '6.', ni. June 8 '65. Okcy, George, 29 7., Cu. C, Dec. 12 '63, d. Jan. 12 '65. ♦Pierre, Nicholas, 10 7., Co. K,Dec. 14 'U4, des. Aug. 7 '65: Pleasant John, 29 1., Co. G, Dec. 28 '83, m. Oct. 24 'a5. Riley, Willii.m, 1 Art., Co. L, Feb, 12 '84, des. Apr. 11 '64. Robinson, Henry, 30 1 . Co. F., Apr. 4 '64, k. .1 uly 80 '64. Spencer, Henry C , 34 7., Co. B. Aug. 3il '62, des. Nov. 29 '33. Spencer, Israel S., 1 Art.. Co. G, Mar. 5 '82, dis. Dec. 2 '6;3. Smith, David, 29 7., Co. G, Dec. 26 '63, m . Oct. 24 '65. Smith, Henry M.,29 7., Co. F, Dec. 26 '6t. in. Oct.24 'ft5 Smith, Thomas, 12 7., unassigned, Feb. 12 '64, n. t. u. o. r. Smithson, James, 1 Cav., unassigned, Deo. 23 '83, n. t. u. o r. Taswell, William H.,30I..Co. B. Apr. 4 '64, in. Nov. 7 '85. Taylor, George,2 Art., Co. M, Feb. 13 '64, tr. to U. S. N. Townsend, John, 30 1., Co. C, Fell. 13 '64, in. Nov. 7 '64. Tully, John B., 14 7., Co. G, Aug. 1 '63, d. Jan. 27 '84. ♦Verner, John, 6 7., Co. 7C, Sept. 5 '63, wd., m. Aug. 21 '65. Ward, Frederick S., Corp., 14 I , Co. G, Aug. 1 '62, k. Dec. 13 '62. •Warren, William, 10 1., Co. D, Dec. 21 '64, d. Jan. 10 '6.5. Webster, William H., 29 7,, Co. H, Dec. 26 '6;!, in. Oct. 19 -65. PORTLAND. Abbey, Charles P., 20 7., Co. D, Aug. 4 '63, m. May 21 '65. AclUey, Elijah, 20 7., Co. D, Aug. 15 ■6.3, m. June 26 '65. Allen, George, 1 Art., Co. 1). Dec. 5 '64, des. May 11 '61. Allison, James C, 30 7., Co. 7<;, Aug. 7 '63, m. June 10 '65. Babcock, Mark D., 30 I., Co. A, Mar. 19 '64, m . Nov. 7 '65. Bailey, Rufus H., corp,, 20 1. Co. D, Aug. 4 '63, m. June 13 '65. Baker, Samuel, 6 1., Co. A. Mar. 17 '64, m. Aug. 34 '65. Ballon, Samuel A., 111., Co. P. Mar. 15 '64, des. May 12 '84. Barre, John,15I., Co. K, Apr. 23 '64, m. July 20 '65. Barry, Patrick, 24 7., Co. H, Oct. 8 '62, drowned Aug. 4 '63. Barry, Peter, 7 Cav., Co. M, Apr. 20 '84, m. Aug. 2 '65. Bartlett, Joel F., 1 Art., Co. F, Aug. 1 '64, m. Sept. 25 '65. Becket, George E., 1 Art., Co. D, Aug. 5 '64, m. Sept. 25 '65. Bell, Grove L., 20 7., Co. L Aug. 4 '62. d. Dec. 2 '63. Bertolous, Dominico, 11 1 , Co. B, Mar. 31 '64, pris. May 16 '64. Bell, James, 30 7., Co. F, Mar. 19 '61, in. Nov. 7 '65. * Black, Lewis, 8 7., Co. B, Nov. 2r6l, dis. Oct. 16 '65. Boies, Charles E., 20 1., Co. E, Aug. 4 '63, m. June 17 '65. Brown, George, 131., unassigned. Mar. 18 '64, ii. t. u.o. ■-. Brown, Philip, 11 7., Co. A, Mar. 24 '64. m. Dee. 21 '85. GENERAL HISTORY. S7 * urown, William, U I., Co. F, Mar. 15 '61, des. Sept. 8 '65. Burke, Miles C, 12 1., Co. F, Nov. 19 '61, dis. July 14 '62. * Burnham, Thomas, 11 1., Co. A, Nov. 29 '84, des. June 19 '65. Burns, George, 11 1., unassigrned, July 22 '61, n. t. u. o. r. Butler, Burdett L., 121., Co. F, Nov. 19 '61, dis., disability. Button, William W., 1 Art., Co. M, Aug. 1 '61, des. Aug. 8 '65. Cdlti, Bartliolomew, 9 1., Co. B, Sept. 26 '61, r. vet. Caluhan, Charles, 111., Co. A, Mar. 21 '61, des. Deo. 1 '64. Campbell, Archibald, ad lieut., 20 I., Co. D, July 29 '62, res. Apr. 16 '63. Cane, John, 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 11 '62, m. Juno 13 '65. Carey, William H., 9 I., Co. B, Oct. i '61, d. Aug. 25 '62. * Cussed, John, 15 I., Co. C, Dec. IT '64, m. July 20 '65. Chadwoli, Henrys., 1st lieut., 201., Co. D, Aug. 5 '62, res. May 31 '63. Chapman, Owen. 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 22'62, d. Feb. 17 '63. Corbett, Michael, 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 21 '62, m. June 13 '65. Cornwall, Henry A., 20 1 , Co. D, Aug. 4 '62, m. June 13 '65. Cotter, Patrick, 2 1., Co. D, Aug. 6 '6i, m. June 12 '65. Craw, George F., 20 I, Co. D, Aug. 7 '62, m. July 17 '65. * Crowley, John, 1 Art., Co. D, Dec. 7 '61, m. Nov. 4'65. Dailey, Francis, 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 13 ■62, wd , m. June 13 '65. Daly. Michael, 16 1., Co. C, Mar. 16 '61, m. June 19 '65. Dean, Thomas. 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 21 '62, M. June 13 '85. DeBank, William, 20 I., Co. D, d. Jan. 30 '64. Demay, Heman, 20 1., Co. D, Aiig. 15 '63, d. May 31 '63. Dewey, Amos, 15 1., Co. D, Aug. 9 '64, m. June 19 '65. Dooley, James, 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 12 '62, m. July 19 '65. Donnelly, John, 11 1., Co. H, Nov. 14 '81, dis. Sept. 12 '62. Dorman, Joel H., 1 Art., Co .- P, July 29 '64, dis. June 29 '65. Downing, John, 21., Co. D. Aug. 4 '63, wd., dis. May 18 '64. Downy, Joseph, 13 1., unassigned, March 18 '64, des. Apr. 17 '64. Duane. Charles, U I , Co. K, Mar. 19 '64, m. June 19 '64. Dubar, Aaron, 11 I., Co. H, Mar. 16 '64, dis. Sept. 23 '65. Eaton, Thomas, 19 I., unassigned. Mar. 17 '64, n. t. u. u. i. Ebro, .lohn, 11 1., Co. I, March 16 '84, des. Aug. 25 '65. Edwards, George, 21 1., Co. H,Aug. 14 '62. d. Sept. 14 '64. * Edwards, George, 10 1., Co. C, Dec. 12 '64, m. Aug. 25 '65. Edwards, Samuel, 13 1, Co. A, Mar.16 ' 84, dis. July 25, '64. Edwards, Samuel H., 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 11 '82, m. June 13 '65. * Egan, Patrick, 8 I., Co. F, Nov. 21 '64, dis. Nov. 8 '65, Ellsworth, John M., 20 I., Aug 12 '82, wd., dis. July 18 '65. Enright, James, 13 1., Co A, Mar. 21 '64, des. July 25 '64. Ferris, George, 11 1., Co. B., Mar. 24 '64, des. Sept. 10 '84. Fisher, Charles, 13 1., Co. C, Mar. 19 '64, des. July 15 '64. Fitzpatrick, William, 9 I.. Co. H, Nov. 25 '61, r. vet , m. Aug. 3 '65. Fletcher, George, 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 11 '62, wd., m. June 13 '65. Foster, Wm., 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 8 '62, d. Nov. 26 '62. Fowler, Wedsworth, serg., 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 4 '62, m. June 13 '85. Francis, William H., 20 1., Co. D, Aug. '.22 '82, m. June 13 '65. Frankenburg, Edward, 11 I., Co. B, Mar. 26 '64, wd., m. Dec. 21 '65. Frankfort, John W, 12 1., Co. G, Mar. 15 '64, des. June 4 '84. Freeman, Weils D., 211., Co. A, Aug. 8 '62, m. ,Tune 16 '85. French, Charles T., 11 I., Co. E, Feb. 8 '64, d. Sept. 24 '64. Fuller, David M., 15 I., unassigned, Aug. '64, des. Aug. 24 '64. Gaston, Samuel N„ Corp., 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 9 '62, wd., d. June 21 '6S. Geary, Andrew, 1 Cav., unassigned, Apr. 25 '64, n. t. u. o. r. Gibson, Charles H., 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 4 '62, wd., dis. Jan. 28 '64. Gilmer, John, 71., Co. B, Sept. 7 '61, dis. June 20 '63. Gilmer, John, 7 I., unassigned, Feb. 5 '64, des. Mar. 28 '84. GofE, Edward N., 1 Art., Co. H, May 22 '61, i. vet., m. Sept. 25 '65. Goodrich, P. Henry, Corp., 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 4 '62, wd., m. June 10 '65. Gosman, John, 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 12 '62, k. Mar. 16 '65. Graham, Daniel D., 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 5 '62, m. June 13 '65. Hale, Edwin, 13 1., Co. F, Jan. 7 '62, r. vet., m. Apr. 25 '66. Hall, A. Gordon, adj.. 9 I., Nov. 25 '61, pro. lieut. col., Oct. 21 '62. Hall, John, serg., 201., Co. D, Aug. 4 "62, pro. 2d lieut., m. June 13 '65. Hall, Nathaniel B., 9 I., Co. H, Nov. 18 '61, r. vet., m. Aug. 3 '65. Hamilton, Samuel, 8 1., Co. G, Oct. 17 '81, dis. Dec. 1 '62. Hanchet, Lewis J., 1 Cav., Co. A, May 11 '64, m. Aug 2 '65. Hansel, Philip, 12 1., unassigned, Jan. 3 '65, m. Aug. 2 '6.5. Harrigan, David, 2 Art., unassigned. May 9 '64, n. t. u. o. r. Hawley, James C, 6 1., Co. A, Mar. 17 '64, m. June 5 '65. Hayes, Patrick, 13 I, Co. E, Feb. 18 '62, wd., dis. Jan 6 '85. Healy, Dennis, 9 I., Co. H, Nov. 25 '61, dis. Oct. 26 '64. Healy, James, 11 1., Co. H, Mar. 22 '64, k. Oct. 9 '65. Heart, William, 11 1., Co. F, Mar. 23 '64, d. Sept. 20 '64. Hollister, Joseph, 11 1., Co. A, Mar, 16 '84, d. June 17 '64. Hurlbut, Francis B., 20 1., Co. D., Aug. 5 '62, des. Apr. 10 '63. Jarvis, George C, surg., 71., Oct. 10 '63, m. July 20 '65. Jones, William, 11 1., Co. C, Mar. 24 '64, pris. May 16 '64. Karwin, John, 1 Art., unassigned, Jan 4 '64, n. t. u. o. r. ■•Kearns, Francis, 11 1., Co. H, Nov. 25 '64, des. June 17 '85. Keirns, Patrick, 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 15 '82, m. June 18 '85. Kelsey, Frederick, 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 12 '62, June 13 '65. *Kelley, Philip, 6 1., Co. G, Dec. 5 '84, m . Aug. 21 '65. Kennedy, Thomas, 7 I., Co., B, Sept. 7 '61, d. Feb. 28 '65. Leonard,. Charles, 18 1., unassigned, Mar, H '64, n. t- u, .o r. Leon, Charles, 11 1., Co. B, Mar. 16 '64, m. Dec. 21 '65. Lehan, Cornelius, 9 1., Co. G, Oct. 4 '61, dis. Oct. 31 '64. Lincoln, Sherman, Corp., 71., Co. B, Sept. 7 '61, r. vet., m. July 20 '66. Madden, Timothy, 10 I., Co. H, Nov. 23 '64, dis. June 16 '85. Markham, Edgar D., 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 17 '82, m. June 13 '65. ♦Marshall, William, 11 1., Co. A, Nov. 25 '64, m. Dec. 25 '65. McCarthy, James, 1 Cav., unassigned. May 3 '61, n. t. u. o. r. McDonald, Francis, 10 1., Co. H, Nov. 22 '64, des. Dec. 14 '64. ♦McDonald, .Tames, 6 I., Co. G, Dec 2 '64, m. Aug. 21 '65. McEwin, William, 71 , Co. B. Sept. 7 '61, r. vet., k. May 16 '64. McKlnley, Robert, 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 15 '62, wd., m. July 5 '65. "■McMekin, John, 1 Art., Co. H, Aug. 1 '64, m. Sept. 25 '65. McNally, William, 15 1., Co. K, Mar. 16 '64, m. July 20 '65. McNulty, Edward, 11 1., Co. D, Mar. 24 '64, m. Dec. 21 '65. *Meyer, Henry, 141., Co. F, Sept. 5 '6.3, k. Feb. 6 '84. Miller, David, 15 1., Co. C, Mar. 18 '64, tr. to TJ. S. N. Miler, George, ICav., unassigned. May 10 '64, n. t. u. o. r. Miller, Robert, 15 I., Co. C, Mar. 23 '64, tr. to 0. S. N. Mitchell, Alonzo H., 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 4 '62, m. June 13 '65. Monroe, John, 111., Co. D,Mar. 28 '64, m. Dec. 21 '65. Morgan, John L., 12 1., Co. G, Mar. 15 '64, des. June 7 '64. Mosely, Alfred L , 29 I., unassigned, Aug. 9 '64, dis. Sept. 13 '64. Mulcahy, Michael, 1 Art., Co. H, May 22 '61, dis. May 21 '64. Murphy, Lawrence, 11 1., Co. D, Mar. 28 '64, pris. May 16 '64. Nash, .John, 11 1., Co. H, Mar. 23 '64, wd., m. Dec. 21 '85. Negretti, Joseph, U I., Co B, Mar. 21 '84, m . Dec. 21 '65. Norton, William, 1 Cav., unassigned. May 11 '64, n. t. u. u. r. O'Brien, James, 12 1., unassigned, Feb. 24 '61, n, t. u. o r. O'Brien, Michael, 7 1., Co. I, Nov. 29 '64, m. July 20 '65. O'Brien, Morris, 1 Art., Co. H, May 22 '61, r. vet., m. Sept. 25 '65. O'Brien, Thomas, 11 1., Co. H, Mar. 23 '64, wd., m. Dec. 21 '65. O'Neil, Edward, 1 Art., Co. H, May 22 '61, r. vet., m. Sept. 25 '65. Parker, Frederick A., oapt., 20 1., Co. D, July 21 '62, res. Jan. 2 '63. Pease, William H., 7 I., Co. F, Feb. 16 '64, dis. Mar 31 '65. Pelton, Edward F, 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 15 '82, wd., m June 13 '65. Penfleld, Henry E., 1 Art., Co. H, May 22 '61, r. vet., m. Sept. 26 '85. Peters, Thomas, 111., Co. D, Mar. 24 '64, des. May 28 '64. Potter, Samuel, 201., Co. D, Aug. 8 '82, k. May 3 '63. Pratt, Francis, 20 I., Co. H, Aug. 19 '62, m. June 24 '65. Purple, Charles H, 11 I., unassigned, Dec. 22 '63, n. t. li. o. r. Quarmby, Thomas, 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 8 '62, dis. Aug. 19 '63. Ratte, Carlo, 11 1., Co. B, Mar. 21 '84, m. Deo. 21 '85. Read, Joseph, corp., 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 4'82, m. June 13 '65. Riley, John, 11 1., unassigned, Apr. 21 '64, n. t. u. o. i . Robinson, Horace T., 201., Co. D.Aug. 5'62,m. June 13 '66. * Robinson, John, 8 1., Co. B, Dec. 2 '64, des. Dec. 2 '64. Ryan, Thomas, 2 Art. unassigned. May 9 '64, n. t. u. o. r. Ryans, John, 11 1., Co. E, Mar. 24 '64, m. June 20 '65. Sage, Benjamin F., 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 4 '62, m. June 13 '65. Sanford, Oliver, 9 1., Co. H, Nov. 18 '61, r. vet., d. June 28 '64. Sanford, Stephen, 9 1., Co. H, Nov. 18 '61, d. Aug. 18 '62. Salisbury, Henry G., 201., Co. D. Aug. 13 '02, m. June 13 '65. Sawtell, Edward B., 15 1., unassigned, Aug. 9 '64, dis. Oct. 8 '64. Soanlin, Patrick, 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 15 '62, wd., d. Mar. 3 '65. Shepard, George A., 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 11 '62, m. June 13 '62. Sheridan, David, 9 I., Co.H, Nov. 18 '61, r. vet., m. Aug. 3 '65. Sheridan, Michael, 5 1., Co. G, Mar. 18 '62, des. Deo. 10 '62. Sherman, Lincoln, corp., 7 1., Co. B, Sept. 7 '61, r. vet., d. Dec. 15 '64. Smith, James, 11 1., Co. D, Mar. 23 '64, pris. May 16 '64. Smith, James, 13 I., Co. E, Dec. 22 '61, d. July 31 '83. * Smith, Nicholas, 11 1., Co. H, Nov. 25 '64. des. June 7 '65. Somerset, Thomas, 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 15 '62, m. June 13 '85. Spillane, Maurice, 1 Art., Co. H, May 32 '85, r. vet., m Sept. 25 '65. *Sprague, William, 10 1., Co. C, Dec. 12 '64, des. Aug. 3 '65. Stancliff, James M., serg., 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 4 '62, m. June 13 '65. Stocking, Joseph A., 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 12 '82, m. Junel3'65. Strickland, George E., corp., 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 6 '62, m. June '13 '65. Sullivan, Dennis, 11 1., unassigned. Mar. 18 '6t, dis. May 23 '64. Sweeney, Timothy, 1 Art., Co. H, May 22 '61, r. vet., m. Sept. 25 '65. Taylor, Harvey B., corp., 7 L, Co. B, Sept. 7 '81, e. vet., wd., m. July 20' 65. Taylor, Henry M . , 1 Art . , Co . L, Dec. 16 '63, m . Sept . 25 '65. Taylor, KnowlesH., lil., Co, A, Oct. 24 '61, i. vet., des. Apr. 1'64. Taylor, Samuel F., 20 1., Co. D, Aug. 13 '62, m . June 13 '85. Thomas B. Buck, asst. surg., ICav., Oct. 10 '83, m. Aug.2'65. Thomas, John, 13 1. , Co . A, Mar. 17 '64, des. June 9 '84. Thompson, Henry F., 9 1., Co. H, Nov. 18 '61, d. Apr. 8 '64. Tibbals, Halsey J., corp, 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 6 '63, m. June 29 '63. Tryon, Alvin, 9 I., Co. H, Nov. 18 '61, dis. Oct. 16 '62. Tryon, Charles E, 131, Co. F, Jan. 7 '62, d. June 28 '63. Tryon, George A., 1 Art., Co. H, May 22 '61, r. vet., m. Sept. 25 '65. Wales, Michael, 11 1., Co. K, Mar. 21 '64, tr. to U. S. N. Walsh, Henry, 18 I., Co. F, July 23 '62, m. June 21 '65. Wambold, Theodore, 1 cav., unassigned, July 29 '64, n. t. u. o. r. Warner, Alonzo, 91., Co. H, Nov. 18 '61, r. vet., m. Aug. 3 '65. Warner, William, 24 1., Co. D, Sept. 19 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. White, Lewis, 30 1-, Co. C, Feb. 4 '64, des. June 13 '64. 9 S8 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. "Wilcox, William H., 13 I., Co. A, Dec. 19 '61, i . vet., m. Jan. 14 '65. Wilder, Albert A., 20 I., Co. D, Aug. 13 '63, m. June 13 '65. Williams, John, 1 Art., Co. A, July 30 '6i, des. July 39 '85. Williams, Joseuli, 1 Cav., unassigned, Apr. 31 '84, n. t. u. o. r. Wilson, John, 13 1., unassigned. Mar. 16 '64, n. t. u. o. r. Wright, Isaac, 13 I., Co. A, Mar. 16 '64, des. July 27 '85. SATBROOK. Andrews, Edwin, mus, 11 I., Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, dis. Nov. 13 '84. Bailey, Arohus B., Corp., U I., Co E, Nov. 14 '61, dis. Jan. 3 '83. Bailey, George B., serg., 11 1., Co Iv, Nov. 14 '61, k. Sept. 17 '62. Barlow, Nathaniel, 11 1., Co. K, llco. 11 '61, dis. Aug. 8 '62. Beman, Charles, Corp., Ill , Co. K, Nov. 14 '81, d. Apr. 30 '63. Bennet, James N., 24 1., Co. B, Aug. 28 '63, des. Nov. 1 '63. Bradley, Henry C, 10 1., Co. K, Oct. 3 '61, dis. Oct. 30 '83. Bralnard, Sylvester B., 31 1., Co. I, Aug. 11 '62, m. July 5 '65. Bushnell, Charles C, serg., 11 1., Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, dis. Nov. 13 '64. Caten, Anthony, 9 1., Co. D, Nov. 28 '64, des. Jan. 9 '85. Clanoey, James, 6 1., Co. G, Nov. 21 '64, m. Aug. 21 '85. Curtiss, Levi O., 11 1., Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, wd., dis. Nov. 14 '65. Daniels, Oscar G., II I., Co. K, Deo. 1 '61, d. Mar. 3 '84. Denison, Charles S ,111., Co. K, Nov. 27 '61, res. July 27 '63. Dibble, George E, 13 I, Co. F, Nov. 19 '61, missing Dec. 31 '63 Dickinson, Amos, Corp., 11 1., Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, dis. May 6 '63. Dickenson, Charles S , 8 1., Co. K, Sept. 25 '61, r. vet., m. Deo. 13 '65. Dlx, Thomas, 1 Art., Co. G, Nov. 38 '64, shot (des.) Dec. 31 '64. Doane, Edmund E., 7 I., Co. G, Sept. 7 '61, k. May 31 '64. Donohue, Cornelius, 11 1., Co G, Deo. 30 '63, m. Dec. 31 '85. Dougherty, John H., 1 Cav., unassigned, Nov. 28 '84, u. t. u. o. . . Dugan, Charles, 2 Art., unassigned, Dec. 31 '63, u. t. u. o. r. Ernst, August, 1 Cav., Co. K, Dec. 30 '63, m. Aug. 2 '65. Erwin, James A., 101., Co. K, Oct. 3 '61, wd.,r. vet, wd., dis. July 14^85. Foley, Patrick, 14 I., unassigned, Nov. 21 '64, des. Dec. — '84. Foott, Richard, 1 Cav., Co. K, Dec. 30 '83, dis. June 3 '65. Foote, Bbenezer H., Ill, Co K, Nov. 14'61, r. vet.,pro. capt., m. Dec. 21 '65. ♦Forrest, Robert, 15 1., Co. I, Aug. 29 '84, m. July 20 '85. Gilbert, Smith S., Corp., 11 1, Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, r. vet., pro. 2d lieut., wd., res. Oct. 14 '64. Gladwin, Josephs., ID I., Co. K, Oct. 3'61, m. Oct. 7 '64. Gordon, Charles, 101., Co. E, Nov. 31 '64, des. June 11 '65. Hafflon, Gilbert, 12 1., Co. F., Nov. 19 '61, k. Oct. 19 '84. Hefflon, Frederick W., 8 I., Co. E, Feb. 16 '84, wd., m. June 8 '65. Hubbard, Alfred H., 11 1., Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, dis. Dec. 10 '82. Hull, Joel, 1 Art., Co. K, Dec. 7 '63, m. Sept. 25 '65. Hull, Joel, 11 1., Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, dis. Feb. 13 '62. Ingham, Frederick, 12 I., Co. F., Nov. 19 '61, d. Oct. 16 '83. Johnson, Charles, 1 Cav., unassigned, Nov. 25 '64, n. t. u. o. r. Jon&s, Austin W., 71., Co. G, Feb. 19 '64, m. July 20 '85. Jones, Holoomb N., 7 I., Co. G, Sept. 7 '61, i. vet., m. July 20 '85. Jones, Horace G., 7 I., Co. G, Sept. 7 '61, dis. Sept. 12 '64. Jones, Joseph, 12 I., Co. F, Dec. 28 '61, m. Aug. 18 '83. Lane, William, 11 1., Co. K, Nov. 11 '81, k. Sept. 17 '62. Lyman, Henry, 10 1., Co. K, Oct. 14 '61, wd., r. vet., k. Sept. 13 '64. Mclntyre, James, ICav., unassigned, Nov. 25 '64, u. t. u. o. r. McLaughlin, John, 151., Co. C, Sept. 1 '64, des. June 15 '65. Meehann, Patrick, 7 I., Co. G, Nov. 30 '64, m. July 30 '65. Mekeel, Edward B., 15 I., unassigned, Sept. 21 '64, des. Feb. 1 '65. Moran, John, 15 1., unassigned, Jan. 3 '64, des. Jan. — '84. Moran, John, 15 1., unassigned, Jan. 2 '84, des. Jan. — '84. Moutard, Emil, 15 1., Co. D,Nov. 29 '64, m. June 19 '65. Parker, Handell N , II I., Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, r. vet., m. Dec. 31 '65. Pratt, Charles S., 12 1., Co. F, Dec. 2 '61, d. Aug. 11 '63. Rand, Henry A., 11 1., Co. K, Nov. 20 '61, dis. Nov. 28 '64. Hedfleld, Herbert D.,5I., Co. B.July 22 '81, r. vet., m. July 19 '65. Rice, Samuel B., 11 1., Co. E, Deo. 30 '81, d June 20 '64. Ryan, Michael, 1 Cav., unassigned, Deo. 29 '63, n. t. u. o. r. Scheider, Henry O., mus., 11 1., Co. E, iSov. 25 '61, dis. Sept. 10 '62. Shipman, Jonathan A., lieut , 11 1., Co. K, Nov. 27 '61, res. Apr. 5 '62. Southworth, George R., serg., 11 1., Co. K, Nov. 14 '61, m. Deo. 21 '65. Southworth, Henry M., 11 1., Co. K, Nov. 14 '81, d. Apr. 20 '82. Starkes', Alpheus, Corp., 8 1., Co. K, Sept. 25 '61, dis. Deo. 23 '62. Stevens. George M., Corp., 81., Co. K, Sept. 23 '61, pro. 2d lieut., m. Oct 19 '64. Stillman, Frederick W., corp., 12 I., Co. F, Nov. 23 '61, d. Mar. 10 '83. Strunk, James, 5 1., Co. H, Sept. 21 '64, des. Toggard, Robert S., 1 Cav., Co. K, Jan. 4 '64, d. Oct. 4 '64. Tucker, William, 11 1., unassigned, Deo. 23 '63, n. t. u. o. r. Turner, Samuel C, 1 Cav., Co. C, Dec. 6 '81, dis. Sept. 18 '62. Verner, John, 6 1., Co. K, Sept. 5 '63, wd., m, Aug. 21 '65. Waterman, George, 12 1., Co. F, Nov. 19 '81, m. Aug. 18 '82. Watrous, Ambrose P , 8 I., Co. K, Oct. 1 '81, dis. Jan. 2 '63. Watrous, Henry, 2 Art., Co. G, Feb. 3 '64, d. July 24 '84. Watrous, Roscoe L., corp., 11 I., Co. K, Nov. 14 '81, dis. May 8 '62. W bber, Abel, wag., 11 1., Co. K, Nov. 14 '81, dis. May 6 '62. Wilson, Albert, 20 I., Co. B,Nov. 23 '64, des. on way to regt. Wright, Christopher C., 11 1., Co. K, des. Sept 10 '82. WBSTBROOK. Bone, Thomas, I Cav., Co. C, Nov. 27 '63, m . Aug. 2 '65. Boone, Christopher, 14 I., Co. G, Aug. 7 '62, wd., m. July 5 '65. Bouton, James, 8 1., Co. H, Sept. 23 '61, dis. Nov. 2 '61. Brown, Robert, 20 1., Co. G, Feb. 24 '64, des. Apr. 20 '64. Burdick, Leroy S., 12 1., Co. F, Dec. 21 '61, dis. Feb. 2 '64. Bushnell. Edwin W., serg. 12 I., Co. F, Nov. 23 '61, pro. 2d lieut., wd. m. Doc. 26 '64. Bushnell, John B., 12 I., Co. F, Nov. 23 '61, d. Oct. 24 "63. Bushnell, William A., 12 1., Co. F, Dee. 21 '61, r. vet., m. Aug. 12 '65. Brj'ant, George E., 1 Cav., Co. H, Dec. 9 '63, m. Aug. 2 '65. Chadwick, John H., 12 1., Co. F, Nov. 19 '81, k. Oct. 19 '64. Chapman, Carlos H, 121., Co. F, Nov. 23 '61, r. vet., m. Aug. 12 '65. Chapman, David C, 12 1., Co. F, Dec. 6 '61, r. vet., m Aug. 12 '65. Chapman, George W., 12 1.. Co. F, Deo. 8 '61, d. Feb. 7 '62. Chapman, Henry C, 121 ,Co. F, Dec. 2 '61, m. Aug. 18 '84. Chapman. Jedediah, 24 I., Co. B, Sept. 10 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Chapman, Levi M, 14 1., Co. G, Aug. 7 '62, wd., m. May 1 '65. Chapman, Roderick P.. 12 I., Co. F, Nov. 19 '61, r. vet., d. Mar. 27 '65. Chapman, Samuel H., 24 1., Co. B, Aug. 29 '63, dis. Sept. 24 '63. Chapman, Stanley L., 14 I., Co. G, Aug. 8 '62, dis. Dec. 26 '63. Chapman, William E., 7 I., Co. G, Sept. 7 '61, dis. Sept. 12 '64. Collins, .lames, 13 1., unassigned. Mar. 10 '64. n. t. u. o. r. Conway, Martin, 9 I., Vo. E, June]6 '64, m. Aug. 3 '65. Crandall, Orrin, 24 I., Co. B, Sept. 10 '62, dis. Nov. 7 '63. Creegan, William, 1 Cav., Co. H, Dec. 14 '83, m. July 29 '85. Doan, Andrew C, 24 1., Co. B, Aug. 29 '82, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Doane, Orrin E., 12 I., Co. F, Dec. 21 '61, tr. to V. K. Corps. Dibble, Alfred H., 14 I., Co. G, Aug. 6 '62, k. July 3 '83. Eagan, John. 15 1.. Co. G, Feb. 6'85, m. July 20 '65. * Eagan, William, 10 I., Co. E, Dec. 16 '84, des. June Tl '65. Gage, Edward B, 9 I., Co. I, June 25 '64, m. Aug. 3 '65. Giaer, Frederick, 9 1., Co. K, June 16 '84, m. Aug. 3 '65. Grumley, Wm. R, 14 I., Co. G, Aug. 11 '62, tr. to In. corps. Hall, Silas L., mus., 5 I., band, July 22 '61, ra. Aug. 16 '63. Harris, James, 10 I., unassigned, Dec. 18 '63, n. t. u. o. r- Hartman, Nicholas, 1 Art., Co. L, Nov. 28 '82, m. Sept. 25 '65. Hill, Albert, M. 14 I., Co. G, Aug. 8 '62, d. July 29 '62. Johnson, John, 1 Cav., unassigned, Feb. 6 '84, n. t. u. o. i. Kelsey, Alson A., 14 I., Co. G, Aug. 8 '62, d. Mar. 27 '63. Kingsley, Carroll E., 7 I, Co. G, Sept. 7 '61, dis. Sept. 12 '64. Knowles, Oscar F.. 24 I., Co. B, Aug. 30 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Latne, Charles, 14 I., Co. G, Aug. 5 '62, d. Oct. 21 '62. Lee, Thomas, 7 I., Co. K, Feb. 24 '64, des. May 13 '64. Leerienier, Giles P., 1 Cav., Co. B, Nov. 20 '61, k. June 29 '64. Levitt, James, 11 I., Co. E, Deo. 29 '64, des. Mar. 4 '65. McLean, George W., 2 Art., Co. B, Dec. 19 '63, des. Dec. 13 '65. McVee, Charles, 7I.,Co. G, Sept. 7 '81, r. vet., m. July20'65. Mallery, James, 10 1., unassigned, Dec. 11 '63, n. t. u. o. r. *Mulvahill, George, U I., Co. E, Dec. 29 '64, des. Apr. 10 '85. O'Rourke, John, 7 I., unassigned. Mar. 15 '84, n. t. u. o. r. Piatt, GeorgeH.,]2I.,Co. F, Nov. 19'61, n. t. u. o.r. Piatt, Newell H., 24 1., Co. B, Aug. 30 '82, d. Mar. 14 '63. ' Pratts, Samuel S., corp., 24 I., Co. B, Sept. 5 '63, d. July 20 '63. Post, Gilbert A., 24 1., Co. B, Sept. 10 '62, des. Nov. 17 '62. Read, William, 13 1., unassigned. Mar. 10 '64, n. t. u. o.~r. Roberts, William, 10 1., unassigned. Dec. 29 '63, n. t. u. o. i . Ryan, Philip, 13 I., unassigned. Mar. 10 '64, n. t. u. o. r. Smith, Dwigbt, 2 Art., Co. G, June 23 '64, des. July 12 '64. Smith, Lewis W., 1 Cav., Co. H, Dec. 8 '63, m. June 23 '85. Stannard, Asa B., 24 1., Co. B, Sept. 10 '62, des. Stannard, Charles B., 7 I., Co. G, Sept. 7 '61, dis. Sept. 12 '64. Stannard, Ezra D., 14 1., Co. G, Aug. 6 '62, d . Dec. 22 '62. Stevens, Joseph D., 24 1., Co. B, Aug. 3 '62, dis. Sept.30 '63. Talbot, William, 29 1., Co. K, Dee. 28 '64, m. Oct. 24 '85. Vellean, Peter, 24 I., Co. D, Sept. 15 '62, dis. Sept. 30 '63. Williams, William, 1 Cav., unassigned, Dec. 34 '64, n. t. u.o. r. Wright, Benjamin F., 24 1., Co. B, Sept. 10 '63, dis. Sept. 30 '63 Wright, Clark J., 24 I., Co. B, Aug. 30 '63, dis. Sept. 30 '83. Wright, Ezekiel,24 1.,Co. B, Aug. 30 '63, des. Nov. 28 '62. Wright, Serene A., 24 1., Co. B, Aug. 30 '62, d. July 3 '63. CHAPTER IX. CIVIL LIST AND POPULATION. Judges of the County Court. PRIOR to the formation of Middlesex county the following in the towns now belonging to it were judges: Hon. John Hamlin, Middletown (Hartford county), 1715, 1716; Jabez Hamlin, Middletown (Hart- GENERAL HISTORY. 59 ford county), 1754-84; Samuel Lynde, Saybrook (New London county), 1729-52; Elihu Chauncey, Durham (New London countyj, 1773-78; James Wadsworth, Dur- ham (New London county), 1778-89. The judges of Middlesex County Court have been: Hons. Dyar Throop, East Haddam, 1785-89; Matthew Talcott, Middletown, 1789, 1790; William Hart, Say- brook, 1790-96; John Dickenson, Middletown, 1796- 1807; Asher Miller, Middletown, 1807-23; Joshua Stow, Middletown, 1823-26; Samuel W. Dana, Middletown, 1826-30; Ely Warner, Chester, 1830-36; Noah A. Phelps, Middletown, 1836, 1837; John Stewart, Chatham, 1837- 39; William L. Storrs, Middletown, 1839, 1840; Ely Warner, Chester, 1840 ; John Stewart, Chatham, 18 — -44; John C. Palmer, East Haddam, 1844, 1845; Eliph- alet A. Bulkley, East Haddam, 1845-47; John C. Palmer, East Haddam, 1847, 1848; Charles C. Tyler, Middletown, 1848-50; Samuel Ingham, Essex, 1850-55; Charles Whittlesey. Middletown, 1855. This court was abolished in 1855. Associate Judges of the County Court and Jus- tices OF THE Quorum, Prior to 1785. Hon. Jabez Hamlin, Middletown, 1745-54; Seth Wet- more, Esq., Middletown, 1761-78; Hon. Hezekiah Brain- erd, Haddam, 1722, 1723; Hon. Joseph Spencer, East Haddam, 1778, 1779; Nathaniel Lynde, Esq., Saybrook, 1689,1721; Daniel Taylor, Esq., Saybrook, 1701-22; Hon. Samuel Lynde, Saybrook, 1724-29; John Murdock, Esq., Saybrook, ; Hon. James Wadsworth, Durham, 1716- 18; Elihu Chauncey, Esq., Durham, 1752-73; Hon. James Wadsworth, Durham, 1773-78. Since the organization of the county: Colonel Matthew Talcott, Middletown, 1785-89; Dr. John Dickenson, Middletown, 1785-96; Colonel William Worthington, Saybrook (now Westbrook), i'785, 1786; Dr. Hezekiah Brainerd, Haddam, 1785-95; Ebenezer White, Esq., Chatham (now Portland), 1786-96; Gen. William Hart, Saybrook, 1789, 1790; Hezekiah Lane, Esq., Killingworth, 1790-1802; Jabez Chapman, Esq., East Haddam, 1795-1802; Jonathan Lay, Saybrook (now Westbrook), 1796-1806; Abraham Pierson, Esq., Kil- lingworth (now Clinton), 1797-1802; Elijah Hubbard, Esq., Middletown, 1802-08; Col. Eliphalet Holmes, East Haddam, 1802-17; Wm. Morgan, Esq., Killingworth, 1802-17; Gen. Seth Overton, Chatham (now Portland), 1806-18; Col. Lemuel Storrs, Middletown, 1808-16; Col. Josiah Griffin, East Haddam, 1817, 1818; Joshua Stow, Esq., Middletown. 1818-22; Joel Pratt, Esq., Say- brook, 1818-23; Isaac Spencer 2d, East Haddam, 1818; William Carter, 1823-29; Obadiah Spencer, Saybrook (now Essex), 1814-26; Franklin G. Comstock, Chatham, 1827-34; George Carter, 1830-35; Gideon Higgins, East Haddam, 1835; Charles Arnold, 1836-38; Ely A. Elliott, 1836; Stephen Cone, East Haddam, 1837, 1838. Clerks of County and Superior Courts. Hon. S. T. Hosmer, 1785-1800; John Fisk, Esq., 1800-47; Elihu Spencer, of Middletown, 1847-53; A. B. Calef, 1853-59; W. W. McFarland, 1859, i860; A. B. Calef, i860, 1861; Waldo P. Vinal, 1861-65; Charles G. R. Vinal, 1865, present incumbent. State Attorneys. Hon. Asher Miller, Middletown, 1785-94; Hon. W. Samuel Dana, Middletown, 1794-97; Hon. J. O. Mosely, East Haddam, 1797-1805; Hon. S. T. Hosmer, Middle- town, 1805-15; Mathew T. Russell, Esq., Middletown, 1815-18; Major Andre Andrews, Esq., Middletown, 1818, 1819; Geo. W. Stanley, Middletown, 1819-27; Samuel Ingham, Essex, 1827-35; Stillman K. Wighiman, Mid- dletown, 1835-39; Eliphalet A. Bulkley, East Haddam, 1839-42; Samuel Ingham, Essex, 1842-44; Charles C. Tyler, Middletown, 1844-47; Charles Whittlesey, Middle- town, 1847-53; Waldo P. Vinal, Deep River, 1853-58; Moses Culver, Middletown, 1858-64; William T. Elmer, Middletown, 1864-67—; W. F. Wilcox, Deep River, 187 83; William T. Elmer, Middletown, 1883. Sheriffs. William W. Parsons, Middletown, 1785-91; Enoch Parsons, Esq., Middletown, 1791-1818; J. Lawrence Lewis, Esq., Middletown, 1818-2.7; Gideon Higgins, Esq., East Haddam, 1827-30; Linus Coe, Middletown, 1830-39; Charles Arnold, Haddam, 1839-45; Charles Stevens-, Clinton, 1845-52; Curtis Bacon, Middletown, 1852-54; Harris Burr, M. D., Killingworth, 1854-60; Charles W. Snow, Deep River, 1860-66; John I. Hutch- inson, Essex, 1866-72; Arba Hyde, Middletown, 1872— 75; George N. Lewis, Essex, 1875, died in office; Timothy Ranney, of Cromwell, was appointed to fill the vacancy and served till 1877; John I. Hutchinson, 1877 to present time. County Treasurers. Jonathan Lay, Westbrook, 1796-1806; Elijah Hubbard, Middletown, 1806-09; Seth Overton, Gbatham (now Portland), 1809-30; John Fisk, Middletown, 1830-48; Elihu Spencer, Middletown, 1848-54; A. B. Calef, Middletown, 1854-56; Elihu Spencer, Middletown, 1856-58; George W. Harris, Middletown, 1858. County Commissioners. The office of County Commissioner in Connecticut was created by the Legislature of that State in 1839. The following is a list of the Commissioners of Middlesex county from 1839 to 1884, together with their official years: Gideon Higgins, 1839-43, i860, 1861; Joseph Chidsey, 1839-42; Benjamin Dowd, 1842, 1843; John Stewart, 1842, 1843; Joshua L'Homraedieu, 1843-45; William J. French, 1843-45; William Marsh, 1843-45; Erastus Strong, 1845-47; Horatio N. Fowler, 1845, 1846; Benja- min Dqwd, 1845-47; Friend Dickinson, 1846, 1847; John Markham, 1847,1848; John Bushnell, 1847,1848; Ephraim Pierson, 1847, 1848; Linus Parmelee, 1848-51; Giles Blague, 1848-50; David Evarts, 1848-50; Wolcott P. 6o HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Stone, 1850. 1851, 1867, 1875; Samuel C. Silliman, 1850, 1851; William J. French, 1851-53; Asher Robinson, 1851-53; Jedediah R. Gardner, 1851-53; Isaac Arnold, 1853. 1854; Wyllys D. Kelsey, 1853, 1854; Bulkley Ed- wards, 1853, 1854; William H. Buell, 1855, 1856; Selden M. Pratt, 1855, 1856; Cornelius Brainard, 1855, 1856; Ely Warner, 1856-58; Watson Davis, 1856-58; Joseph U. Holmes, 1856-58; John R. Farnham, 1858-61; Wil- liam Woodward, 1858, 1859; Smith Ventres, 1858-60; Philo Bevin, 1859, i860; Cyprian S. Brainard, i86r, 1862; Michael H. Griffin, 1862; Augustus Bushnell, 1861, 1862; Henry M. Stannard, 1868-70; Nelson Shepard, 1869-71; Henry Smith, 1871-73; John P. Johnson, 1872-74; Curtis Bacon, 1874-79; Daniel B. Warner, 1875-77; Emory H. Peckham, 1876-78; Rufus C. Shepard, 1878, 1879, 1881-83; Miner C. Hazen, 1879. 1881-83; William R. Clark, 1863-67; Benjamin W. Coe, 1866-68; Willis E. Terrill, 1881-83; Elias Wellmann, in office; Silas R. Holmes, in office; Delos D. Brown, in office. Coroner and Medical Examiners. Coroner — Lovell Hall, Middletown. Medical Examiners — Sylvester W. Turner, Chester; Albert B. Worthington, Chatham: Silas E. Peck, Clinton; J. Francis Calef, Cromwell; Rufus W. Mathewson, Durham; Charles H. Hubbard, Essex; W. M. Knowlton, East Haddam; Miner C. Hazen, Haddam; Ambrose Pratt, Chester, for Killingworth; George W. ^urke, Middletown, for Middlefield; Daniel A. Cleveland, Mid- dletown; Cornelius E. Hammond, Portland; Edwin Bid- well, Saybrook; John H. Granniss, Old Saybrook; G. C. H. Gilbert. Population. The population of Middlesex county, according to the several census reports, has been as follows: 1756, 13,071; 1774. '7.569; 1782, 17,712; 1790, 20,217; 1800, 19,847; 1810, 20,723; 1820, 22,405; 1830, 24,845; 1840, 24,879; 1850, 27,216:^860,30,589; 1870,36,099; 1880, 35.580. The population of the several towns, according to the same reports has been as follows: Chatham, 1774, 2,397; 1782, 2,873; i79°, 3.23°; 1800, 3,29s; 1810, 3,258; 1820, 3,159; 1830, 3,646; 1840, 3,413; 1850, 1,525; i860, 1,766; 1870, 2,771; 1880, 1,967. Chester, 1840, 974; 1850, 992; i860, 1,015; 1870, 1,094; 1880, 1,177. Clinton. 1840, 1,239; 1850, 1,344; i860, 1,427; 1870, 1,404; 1880, 1,402. Cromwell, i860, 1,617; 1870, 1,856; 1880, 1,640. Durham, 1756, 799; 1774, 1,076; 1782, 1,061; 1790. 1,079; 1800, 1,029; 1810, 1,101; 1820, 1,210; 1830, 1,116; 1840, 1,095; 1850, 1,026; i860, 1,130; 1870, 1,086; 1880, 990. East Haddam, 1756, 1,978; 1774, 2,808; 1782, 2,625; 1790, 2,749; 1800, 2,805; '810, 2,537; 1820, 2,572; 1830, 2,664; 1840, 2,620; 1850, 2,610; i860, 3,056; 1870, 2,951; 1880, 3,032. Essex, 1850, 950; i860, 1,764; 1870, 1,669; 1880, I.8SS- Haddam, 1756, 1,241; 1774, 1,726; 1782, 1,950; 1790- 2,195; 1800, 2,307; 1810, 2,205; 1820, 2,478; 1830,3,025; 1840,2,599; 1850, 2,279; 1860,2,037; 1870, 2,071; 1880, 2,410. Killingworth, 1756, 1,458; 1774, 1,997; 1782, 1,853; 1790. 2,156; 1800, 2,047; 1810, 2,244; 1820, 2,342; 1830. 2,484; 1840, 1,130; 1850, 1,107; i860, 1,126; 1870, 856; 1880, 748. Middlefield, 1870, 1,053; 1880, 928. Middletown, 1756, 5,664; 1774. 4,878; 1782, 4,612; 1790.5.575; 1800,5,001; 1810, town, 3,368, city, 2,014; 1820, town, 3,861, city, 2,618; 1830, total, 6,892; 1840, town, 3,699, city, 3,511; 1850, town, 4,230, city, 4,211; i860, town, 3.438, city, 5,182; 1870, town, 4,203, city. 6,923; 1880, town, 4,906, city, 6,826. Old Saybrook, i860, 1,105, 1870, 1,215; 1880, 1,302. Portland, 1850,2,836; 1860,3,657; 1870,4,693; 1880, 4.IS7- Saybrook, 1756, 1,931; 1774, 2,687; 1782,2,738; 1790, 3,233; 1800, 3,363; 1810, 3,996; 1820, 4,165; 1830, 5,018; 1840, 3,417; 1850, 2,904; i860, 1,213; '870, 1,267; 1880, 1,362. Westbrook, 1840, 1,182; 1850, 1,202; i860, 1,056; 1870, 987; 1880, 878. TOWN AND CITY OF MIDDLETOWN. By Henry Whittemobe. Geographical and Descriptive. MIDDLETOWN originally included the present towns of Chatham, Portland, Cromwell, Middle- field, and a small part of Berlin. It was sixteen miles in length from east to west, and nine in breadth between north and south. As now constituted, it is bounded on the north by Berlin, in Hartford county, Cromwell, and the Connecticut River, which separates it from Portland; on the east by Cromwell and the Connecticut, which also separates it from Chatham; south by Haddam and Dur- ham; and west by Middlefield and Meriden, in New Haven county. Its greatest length from northwest to southeast is about eleven miles, and its average width is about four miles. It includes the city of Middletown. Like the other towns in the northern portion of Mid- dlesex county, its surface is greatly diversified with moun- tains, hills, and valleys, and it has but little level land. As in other uneven regions there are here many streams, all of wliich are affluents of the Connecticut River, and they afford excellent water power, which is extensively utilized for driving the machinery of mills and manufac- tories. Of these streams there are three jjrincipal ones, supplied by small tributaries. Ferry, or Little River, the largest, rises in Farmington Mountain, passes through the town of Berlin, and, flow- ing in a southeasterly direction, forms the boundary line between Cromwell and Middletown, entering the Connec- ticut River at the northern boundary of the city of Mid- dletown. A branch of this river rises in a spring, eight or ten rods in circumference, at the foot of Bluff Head, the easternmost point of Totoket or Branford Mountain, a little north of the source of a river which runs southerly into the Sound. It takes a course nearly north, runs through Durham and Middlefield, forming the boundary line between the city of Middletown and Staddle Hill District, where it assumes the name of West River, and forms a junction with Little River about a mile from its mouth. Sumner's Creek has two important branches, viz.. Miller's Brook and Pameacha River. The former rises in Miller's Pond in the northeast corner of Durham, pur- sues a northerly course till it strikes Pameacha -River, when it turns eastward and flows thence northward, and empties into the Connecticut River. Pameacha River has its source in hills near the borders of Durham, runs northerly till it strikes Warwick's Brook, where it turns eastward, and passes on between high, rocky banks, to the other branch. The surface of the country is strikingly and pleasantly undulating and diversified, and the prevailing soil an argillaceous loam, rich 'and fertile, which reposes gene- rally upon a bed of clay slate rock. The western sec- tion of the township embraces the eastern branch of a greenstone range of mountain, being genert^lly a succes- sion, but in some places a continuity of elevated hills. In this district the greenstone constitutes the upper stratum, and it is underlaid by and reposes upon argilla- ceous schist. It is traversed in all directions by highways, which, by reason of the unevenness of the surface over which they pass, are irregular and tortuous. Prior to the construc- tion of railroads some of these roads were turnpikes which had supplied means of travel and transportation between this town and others in the interior of the State, and had been links in thoroughfares between distant points. The Middletown and Colchester Turnpike ex- tended eastward, the Middlesex northward and south- ward, the Middletown, Durham, and New Haven south- westward, the Middletown and Meriden westward, and the Middletown northwestward. These were important items in public economy and gave to this town the best facilities then known for communication with other towns in the interior of the State and with distant places beyond its boundaries. The establishment of the modern sys- tem of thoroughfares has taken from these roads their importance, and within the last thirty years they have all been discontinued. The principal avenue to and from the outer world in former times was the Connecticut River, but with the development of the great railroad system throughout the country this thoroughfare has dwindled into comparative insignificance, and the railways that pass through the town and intersect at Middletown city are now the great avenues of ingress and egress. HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUlSfTY. The Aboriginees. As we search among the tombstones, trying to de- cipher the inscriptions nearly obliterated by age, for the purpose of obtaining information relative to the original white settlers of this locality, we naturally inquire, Who were the original settlers? Where did they come from? How did the red man acquire his title to the property which he conveyed to the first while settlers for a mere trifle? Much has been written by those who have in- vestigated this subject, but, unfortunately, there is much that still remains in obscurity; De Forest, in his " History of the Indians of Connec- ticut," says: " Below Hartford, and stretching to a considerable distance south of Middletown, we find a population which, in after times at least, was known as a distinct tribe, under the name of Wangunks. Their chief- tain, Sowheag, was sometimes called, by the English, Sequin, although this was apparently not his real name, but only another version of the word sachem, a king. When first known to the whites, he resided at Pyquag, or Wethersfield, but afterwards, on account of a quarrel with the settlers, removed to Miittabesett, now Middletown. "Southwest of the principal seats of the Wangunks, a large extent of country was held by a son of Sowheag, named Montowese. The able bodied men in his tribe were only ten in number. His mother must have been the daughter and helressof seme deceased sachem, for it was through her that he obtained his land." Where the tribe came from, when they came, and from whom descended, is all conjecture. DeForest says: " There is strong reason to believe that all the Connec- ticut clans except the Pequots, were only fragments of one great tribe or confederacy of tribes, the principal branches of which were the Nehantics and the Narra- gansetts." Sowheag or Sequin, as he was called by the English, was chieftain or sachem of the Wangunks. His charac- ter has been greatly misrepresented by some modern writers, who lose sight of the fact that he was human, and that his hostility to the whites was provoked by them, they being invariably the aggressors. His name is first mentioned in connection with the settlement of Wethersfield. Before the settlement of Mattabesett com- menced, Sowheag conveyed to Governor Haynes, of Connecticut, for a consideration, a large portion of the township. This title was not wholly extinguished until 1762, when the following deed from the Indian proprie- tors of the town of Middletown was executed: "This writeing made the twenty fowerth of January 1B72 between Sepunnames Joan alias Weekpissiolc, Machize, Wesumpha, Wamp- hanch, Spunnoe, Sachamas, Taccomhuit proprietors of Midleton, alias Mattabesett of the one part, and Mr, Samuel Willys, Capt'n John Tall- cott, Mr. James Kichards, & John Allyn, in behalf e of the inhabitants of Midleton on the other parte, Witnesseth: That the said Sepunna- mos Joan alias Weekpissiok, Machize, Wesumpsha Wamphanch Spun- noe Sachamos, Taccomhuit, being privy to & well acquainted with Sow- heag the great Sachem of Mattabesett, his gift of great part of the township of Midleton to the Honored Mr. Haynes formerly & for a further & full consideration to us now granted & payed by the aayd Mr. Sam'll Willys Capt. John Tallcott, Mr. James Richards & John Allyn, have given granted bargained, sould & confirmed & by these presents doe fully & absolutely give, grant & confirm unto the sayd Gent'n all that tract of land, within the foloweing abuttments, viz., on Wetherfield bounds on the North, on Haddam bounds on the South, & to run from the Great Kiver the whole bredth towards the East, six miles, & from the Great River towards the West, see farr as the Gen- erall Court of Connecticutt hath granted the hownds of Midleton shall extend. To Have & to Hould the afoarementionod tract of land as it is bounded, with all the meadows pastures woods underwood stones quarries brookes, ponds, rivers, profflts, comodities & appertenanses whatsoever belonging theirunto, unto the sayd Mr. Sam'll Willys, Cnpt. John Tallcott, Mr. James Richards, in behalfe and for the use of the inhabitants of the town of Midleton, their heirs and assignee for ever, allways provided their be thrcehundered acres of land within the township of Midleton on the Bast side of Conecticutt Biver, layd out, bounded & recorded to be & remayn the heirs of Sowheag & the Matta- besett Indians and their heirs forever, as also, one parcel of land on the West side of the Conecticutt River, formerly layd out to Sawsean shall be recorded & remayn to the heirs of the sayd Sawsean forever, any thing in this deed to the contrery notwithstanding, & the foresayd Sepunnamoe Joan alias Weekplsslck Machiz Wesumpsha, Wamphanch, Spunnoe, Saohamus aliat Taccomhuit for themselves, doe covenant to & with the sayd Mr. Willys, Capt. Tallcott Mr. Richards & John Alyn, in behalfe of the inhabitants of Midleton, that they the sayd Sepunna- mos, Joan Machiz Wesumsha &c. have onely full power, goodright * lawful authority to grant, bargayne soil and convay all & singlar, the before hearby granted or mentioned to be granted pr'miscs with their & every of their appertenances, according as is above expressed, unto the sayd Mr. Willys, Capt'n Tallcott, Mr. Richards & John Alyn in be- halfe of the inhabitants of Midleton afoarsaid, their heirs and assigns forever, & that they the sayd inhabitants of Midletone shall & may by force & virtue of these pr'sents from time to time & at all times forever hereafter lawfully, peaceably and quietly have, hold use occupy & pos- sesse & enjoy the afoarsayd parcell of land, with all its right members & appurtenances & have, receive & take the rents issues and proffltts theirof , to their own proper use & behouf e forever, without any lett, suitt, trouble or disturbance whatsoever of the sayd Sepunnamoe Joan alyas Weekpissick, Machize Wesumpsha, Wamphanch, Spunnoe, Sacha- moss Taccomhuit, their heirs or assignes or of any other person or persons clayming right by from or under us, or any of us, or by our means, act consent privity or procurement & that free & clear & freely & clearly acquitted exonerated & discharged or otherwise well & soflsently saved &kept harmless by the sayd Sepunnamoe, Joan Mach- ize Wesumpsha, Wamphanch, Spunnoe Sachamoss, Taccomhuit, their heirs executors & administrators of & from all former & other grants, gifts, bargaines, sails titles trebles demands & incumbrances whatsoever had made committed suffered or done by the sayd Sepunnamoe Joan Machize Wesumpsha Wamphanch Spunnoe, Sachamose & Tacamhuit. "In Witness hhareof they have signed, sealed & delivered this writ- ting with their own hands the day & yeare first above written. Signed, sealed & delivered Skponnamoe [l. s.] in the presence of us as Joan alias [ii. s.] on the other side Weekpissiok Joseph Nash mamechize [l. s.] Geobge Grave wesumpsha [l. s.] Thomas Edwards wamphanch [l. b.] ROBABD SANFOED SPUNNOE [i,. S.] Sachamas [l. s.1 TACCUMHtnr [L. s.] Midleton April the eight on thousand six hundred seventy and three Paskanna Rachiashk, Massekump Robin Pewampsskin with the consent of the natives whoe signed and sealed this deed above written were ac- knowledged to be interested in this land reserved to them theirln and for themselves, their heires & assignes, did and by these presents doe give, grant & confirm unto the inhabitants of Midleton their heires and assignes forever, all their right title interest in ail. that tract of land granted by the above written deed unto the sayd inhabitants of Midleton as fully & largely as is expressed in the above written deed as witness our hands the day & yeare first above written Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of us Paskanna [l. s.] Nath White massekump [l. s.] John Hall Robins [l. s ] Samuell Stocken Pewampskin [l. s.] Rachiash [l.s.] This above written is a true record of the deed of the land within the township of Midleton from the Indian proprietors pr me John Hall Recorder. Either the death of Sowheag occurred in the interim, or his imbecility prevented him from taking any active part in the affairs of his nation. The reservation on the west side of the river was in the neighborhood of Newfield, where the Indians had had a a cemetery previous to the settlement of the English among them. The Little River, where the bridge crosses it from the city to Newfield, was the head of navigation for their water craft. They held lands there until 17 13. The Wangunks remained for some time in Middletown and Chatham, living on three separate reservations. MIDDLETOWN— INDIANS— SETTLEMENT. 63 The last sachem but one of the Wangunks was called Doctor Robbins. He died previous to 1757. He left a son named Richard Ranney who was brought up among the whites, spoke and wrote the English lauguage, learned the trade of a joiner, and became a professor of reli- gion. In 1764, while ihe tribe still numbered between 30 and 40, only iwo squaws with iheir three children remained. One of these, Mary Cuschoy or Tike, was the blind and aged widow of Cuschoy, the last sachem of the tribe. She had been for some lime supported by the town. In 1764 a commiitee appointed for the purpose sold a large part of the lands; and on the first of June, 1765, reported that they had on hand funds to the amount of j£t63 19s. in Conlinenial bills and about ;^ioo in obli- gations not collected. As late as 1772, _;i^9o of this had been used for the support of Mary Cuschoy. The third religious society of Middletown being desir- ous of purchasing the land of the Wangunks, who were willing to sell, a committee was appointed in 1765 to sell the land and use the proceeds for the benefit of the pro- prietors. A portion of this was disposed of, and in 1769 Samuel Ashpo and nine others, then living at Farming- ton, obtained permission of the Assembly to sell their remaining lands at Wangunk. In 1785 a committee was appointed by the Legislature to collect all the money due on the Indian lands at Wangunk and pay it over to the proprietors who had all left the place. Settlement of Middletown. Middletown was first known by its' Indian name, Mattabesett. As early as 1639 the following record was made of the acl?ion of the General Court concerning the Indians here: " The menifold insolencyes that have beene offered of late by the Indians, putt the Court in mind of that w'oh hath beene too long: neglected, viz: the execution of justice upon the former murtherers of the English and it was uppon serious consideraoon and debate thought necessary and accordingly determined, that some speedy course be taken herein, and for effecting hereof it was concluded that 100 men be levyed and sent down to Mattabesecke, where severall guilty persons reside and haue beene harbored by,Soheage, notwithstanding all means byway of persuation haue beene formerly used to him for surrendering them upp into or hands; and it is thought fit that these counsells be impai ted to or friends at QuinnipiCocke] that prvition may be made for the safety of the new plantacons, and upon their joynt consent to proedeor desist." It appears that, prior to this, some provocation had been given to Sowheag and his tribe by the people of Wethersfield, and that some of these Indians had aided the Pequots in an excursion that they made against that town, in which they killed six men and three women, and carried away two girls. Sowheag entertained the hostile Pequots, treated the people of Wethersfield in a haughty and insulting manner, refused to give up the murderers, even after the conquest and destruction of the Pequot tribe, and was guilty of hostile acts toward the English; hence this action of the General Court of Connecticut. The New Haven .people were notified of this action, but the governor of that colony deemed it expedient to dissuade the Connecticut colony from the execution of its purpose. Though there were at that time settlements above and below Mattabesett, the hostile attitude of the Indians here prevented the influx of settlers. Some months prior to the autumn session of the Gen- eral Court, in 1646, however, it appears probable that steps had been taken toward a settlement here, for at that session Mr. Phelps was appointed an additional member of a committee, which already existed, for the planting of Mattabesett. What steps were taken by this committee toward the establishment of a settlement is not known. Probably a few immigrants established themselves here, though rapid progress does not appear to have been made, for on the 20th of Marcli i6ff, the addition was made of " Samuel Smith, senior, to the committee about the lands at Mattibeseck, in the roome of James Boosy." This committee reported that these lands might support 15 families, but a greater number than that were soon here. These were settled north and south from Little River, and the records (1651) state: "It is ordered sentenced and decreed that Mattabeseck shall bee a Towne, and that they shall make chos'ce of one of tlieire inhabitants, according to order in that case, that so hee may take the oath of a Constable, the next convenient season. "It is ordered that Mattabeseck and Norwaulk shall be rated this prsent year in theire proporcon, according to the rule of rating in the Country, for theire cattle, and other visible estate, and that Norwaaklc shall present to Mr. Ludlow, andMattabeseck to Mr. Wells, in each Towne one inhabitant, to bee sworne by them Constables iu theire severall Townes." In the next year it was decreed by the General Court that " Thomas Lord having engaged to this Court to continue his abode in Hartford for the ne.\t ensuing yeare. and to improve his best skill amongst the inhabitants of the Townes uppon this Kiver within this Jurissdiction,both for setting of bones and otherwise, as at all times, oc- casions and necessityes may or shal require; This Court doth grant that hee shall bee payd by the Country the sum of flf teene pounds for the said ensu ing yeare, and they doe declare that for euery visitt or jou rneye that hee shall take or make, being sent for to any howse in Hartford twelve pence is reasonable; to any howse in Wyndsor, five shillings; to any howse in Wethersfield, three shillings; to any howse in Farmington, six shillings; to any house in Mattabeseck, eight shillings; (heehaning promised that he will require no more;) and that heo shall be freed for the time aforesaid from watching, warding, and training; but not from finding armes according to lawe." The town was represented in the G;;neral Court in the autumn of 1652, and in November 1653, "the General Court further approved that the name of the plantation commonly called Mattabeseck, should for time to come be called Middletown." The reason for the selection of this name is not known, but it is thought that it was so named from some town in England from which some of the settlers came, or for which they had a particular regard. In 1654, the " Persons and Estates " in the town were rated. The number of taxable persons was 31, and the amount of the estates was £'2,\T2,. The following is a list of the settlers in Middletown from 1650 to 1700; Adkins, Josiah, 1673; Allyn, Obadiah, 1670; Allyn, Thomas, 1650. Bacon, Nathaniel, 1650; Barnes, Thomas, 167 1; Bid- well, Samuel, 1674; Biggs, William, 1677; Blake, John, 1677; Blomfield, William, 1650; Boarn, John, 1677; Bow, Alexander, 1660; Brown, Nathaniel, 1655; Burk, Thomas, 1670. 64 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Cheney, William, 1655; Clark, Samuel, 1676; Clem- ents, Jasper, 1679; Cole, Henry, 1650; Collins, Nathan- iel, 1664; Collins, Samuel, 1665; Cooper, Thomas, 1696; Cornwell, William, 1650; Cotton, Samuel, 1697. Doolittle, Samuel, 1693; Durant, George, 1663. Eggleston, Samuel, 1663; Elton, John, 1677. Ferman, Thomas, 1679; Foster, Edward, 1670. Gilbert, Jonathan, 1672; Gill, John, 1676; Goodale, Richard, i67'[; Graves, George, 1650. Hall, John, 1650; Hall, Richard, 1650; Hall, Samuel, 1650; Hanilin, Giles, 1650; Hands, Benjamin, 1678; Harris, Daniel, 1653; Harris, William, 1650; Higby, Ed- ward, 1667; Hill, Thomas, 1678; Hopewell, Thomas, 1662; Hubbard, George, 1650; Hulbert, John, 1669. Johnson, Isaac, 1670; Jones, Francis, 1672; Jordan, John, 1678. Kirby, John, 1653. Lane, Isaac, 1664; Lewis, Thomas, 1687; Lucas, Wil- liam, 1667. Markham, Daniel, 1677; Martin, Anthony, 1661; Mil- ler, Thomas, 1650. Payne, John, 1676; Phillips, George, 1680; Prior, Daniel, 1696. Ranney, Thomas, 1660; Roberts, William, 1680; Rock- well, Joseph, 1693; Rollo, Alexander, 1697; Russell, Noadiah, 1686. Sage, David, 1662; Savage, John, 1650; Scovill, Ar- thur, 167 1 ; Shepard, Edward, 1687; Smith, Joseph, 1675; Smith, William, 1650; Southmayd, William, 1674; Starr, Comfort, 1673; Stanclift, James, 1686; Stocking, Samuel, 1650; Stow, John, 1667; Stow, Nathaniel, 1676; Stow, Samuel, 165 1; Stow, Thomas, 1669; Sumner, William, 1687. Tappin, James, 1662; Treat, Matthias, 1659; Turner, Edward, 1665. Ward, John, 1664; Ward, William, 1659; Warner, An- drew, 1667; Warner, Robert, 1655; Webster, Robert, 1650; West, Benjamin, 1698; Wetmore, Thomas, 1650; White, Nathaniel, 1650; Whitmore, Francis, 1674; Wil- cox, John, 1654; Wright, James, 1690. Of the earliest of these a majority located near the meeting-house which stood near the entrance to the old grave-yard, though several settled farther south, on Main street, and some others near the southern end of it. A portion settled in what is now Cromwell, then called the "Upper Houses." Mill Privilege Granted to Thomas Miller, 1655. " MiDDLETOWN Jany 16th 1655. "The agreement between Thomas Miller and ye Townsemen of Middle- townein yeTownesbehalffasffolloweth: " These are to certifle whom it may conoerne that if ye said Thomas Miller engageth to builde a sufficient mill to grind the Townes Corne to have it fltt to Grinde with by the tenth of December next ensuing the date hereof and the Towne is to flnde the stone worke and Mill stones • fltt for ye mill that is to say onepairsot sufficient mill stones bedded ffltt to work and one spindle and Inke [Link] and six paire of iron hoops four for the shaft and two for the trundle heads and one thousand of double tenns and a sleadge and one dozen of mill bills and a mill chisel and two Gudginsand a brass for the spindle and f oure boults for ye Cogg wheel to provide all these in seasonable time that is to say the nails and hoops and Gudgins by the twentie -fourth of June next ensuing the date hereof and the stones and the other part of the Iron worke specified by the twentie nineth of September next ensuing ye date hereof, to bring all in place for him and the said Thomas Miller en gageth for ye To wne that in case ye mill falle and be insufficient by any apparent breack so yt he be discouraged or taken away by death in some short time so that he neglects the Townes work. If that any of these fall out within two years, then thehousesand Ii-one worke remaine the Townes; and the rest of ye mill they shall have Liberty to purchase as indifferent men shall Judge Reasonable between both; and he the said Miller is content for him and his to Ingage and doth by these presents ingage that if hesee cause to sell the mill; the Towne shall have the first proffer, and Hetusal of it as Indifferent Men Mutually Chosen shall Judge between both, or In case the Towne haveJust exceptions, against his heirs, executors andadmin- strators or assigns ye Towne shall have ye forfateing of it as above mentioned and neither he nor any that shall succeed him, shall Leas ye Mill to any but such as the Towne shall accept of or give theyre Just Ground or Grounds to ye Contrary; and this Mill is to bee sett up on the South part Pameccha River thre or f ouer schore rods above where the Rivers meet in one. In Witness Whereof ye parties above written have Sett to theyre hands ye day and year above written. That this is a True Coppie of the first agreement between Thomas Miller and the Towns In ye name and 1 Thomas Miller Behalf of ye Towne [ of Midl^townebeing I his ~I Marke. their Townmen J men of Midletowne, Respecting the Mill asisl John Halle Junior. above speoifyed according to the True Intent 1 Robert wabner. of both parties we underwritten the 24th day 1 Giles Hamlin. of the 10th month 68 Doe Testify J This is a True Record of the agreement I William Waiid." December «h 1728 Rockwell Town Clerk r Grant to George Durant, Town Blacksmith. " At a town meating the 16 of aprall 168.3 the town having acsepted georg durant living in moldin an inhabitant of middelltown do grant to him a hows lot containing flv acors which leyeth next goodman bows lot with five acors adition jeyning to it at the rear of it and allso two acors and a thurd of mddow leying in the long medow betwean samme- vell stockin and John curbeys, and also fowr acors of swamp leying at the rear of mr hambling, between sargant Cornall and goodman aliln buting upon the weast riverrit and also won peac of bogey meddow lying betwean william warde and thomas oowchis meddow betwean the two creackes and allso six acors of the pond begining at mr stows iin with a slip of meddw lying by it on the weast sid of it, this six acors of pond and slip of medow lyeth on the east side of great river and on peace of upland containing twenty acors leiing on the east sid of the great river and allso won peace of upland liing on the hunting hill con- taining fifty or thre scor acors to be laid owt as the towns oommitty and goodman dudurant shall judg fit for his conveneyenc withowt predijis to the town, which land is to be a part of his proportion of undevided upland. " At the same town meating goodman harris, goodman wetmore, and Robert warner wear apointed to be a eomittey with goodman deurant to do this worok. " george durant allso doth ingadg himsellf to be hear resident the next mioelmus, inseuing the deat hearof and allso to inhabit upon it and to do the towns worck of smithing during the tearm of four years befor he shall mac sale of it to any other. " This commity being apoynted by the town have laid out to the said georg durant thre scor acors of grownd upon the hunting hill having the rookey river for the bownds northward runing from thenc a hun- dred rods southward and four scor and twelve rods the bredth bounded with thre marok treaa at thre corners and the southeast corner with a stacke and stons laied by it. " The town reserving a hors way to the mill in case of nead leaving the gate or bars as thay find them . " Sketches of the Settlers. In a note to his Centennial Address, Dr. Field says of these early inhabitants: "William Bloomfield was from Hartford, a:nd it is said he returned thither; if he did he afterward removed to Long Island. Nathaniel Brown was from Hartford. He had five children born to him, in Middletown, from 1661 to 1669, and it is probable that he died in the last mentioned year. His son, Nathaniel Brown 2d, lived in this place after him. George Graves was from Hartford and returned to that place: while here he was elected twice a representative to the General Court. William Markum removed to Hadley, Mass., and died there. What became of John Martin is not known. William Smith, who was from Wethersfield, removed to Farm- MIDDLETOWN— SKETCHES OF THE SETTLERS. 65 ington. Matthias Treat was also from Wethersfield and died before 1663, having a farnily which removed from th:s place. A man by the name of Joseph Smith died in Rocky Hill in Wethersfield in 1673, who may have been the s;ime person whodwelt a while in the Upper Houses. Robert Webster was from Hartford, son of Gov. John Webster of Hartford, afterward of Hadley. He was the ancestor of the late Noah Wesbter, LL. D. While here he re-i)resented the town almost continually in the Gen- eral Court. " Inquiries concerning the previous residence or resi- dences of Thomas Allen have not been pursued to a satisfactory result. " Obadiah Allen was recommended by the elders of the church in Windsor, which renders it probable that he at least resided in that town for a time. This nanne is not always spelt with an e, Allen; in a town record book it has been spelt, Alyn and Allyn; on the old church records it is Allin. '' Nathaniel Bacon probably came directly from Eng- land. He was a nephew of Andrew Bacon, of Hartford. The family were from Stretton in England, county of Rutland. " William Briggs was from Wethersfield. "From whence Alexander B. and William Cheney came, it is not ascertained. The latter was a representative to the General Court in several instances. " Jasper Clements was born in England, about 1614. He died here in 1678, aged 64, leaving property for sup- port of schools in the town. " Henry Cole married in Hartford in 1646. He was not a land holder there, but may have been a resident. He moved from Middletown to Wallingford soon after 1670; Edward Higby purchased part of his property. " Nathaniel Collins, the first settled pastor in Middle- town, and his brother, Samuel Collins, were from Cam- bridge, Mass., sons of Dea. — Collins. " William Cornwall was an early settler in Hartford, and had five sons, three of whom, John, Samuel, and William, Jr., accompanied him to Middletown. It is said that he died in 1677 an old man. "George Durant had lived in Maiden, Massachusetts, and probably came from that town to this place. " Samuel Eggleston was from Windsor. " Edward Foster; of his previous history I have no in- formation. " John Hall had been in a familv state many years before he left England, and' was an early settler both in' Hart- ford and Middletown. His three sons, Richard, Samuel, and John Hall, Jr., probably came to Middletown when he did. He died May 26th 1673, in the 89th year of his age. John Hall, Jr.. was a deacon. " Giles Hamlin is generally considered as coming here immediately from England. He was born about 1612- He was in the habit of crossing the; Atlantic, and was en- gaged in foreign commerce, partly by himself and partly with John Pynchon, of Springfield, his brother-in-law, John Crow, Jr.,who dwelt in Fairfield, and Elder Goodwin, of Hartford, afterward of Farmington, He died in 1689. "William and Daniel Harris came to Middletown from Rowley, Massachusetts. " George Hubbard was an early settler in Hartford, and had six sons, Joseph, Daniel, Samuel, George, Nathaniel, and Richard. The two oldest sons settled in Middle- town. " This George Hubbard was a distinct person from the George Hubbard who resided in Wethersfield, Milford, and Guilford. The genealogies of their families show this. " Thomas Hubbard,who became a settler and proprietor in Middletown, is supposed to have come from Wethers- field, as there was an inhabitant early there of that name. He died in 167 1, and whether he was related or not to either of the .George Hubbards just mentioned is not known. " Jojin Hurlburt was from Wethersfield, son of Thomas Hurlburt, of that city. " Isaac Johnson was from Roxbury, and recommended from the church there to the church in Middletown. " John Kirby, one correspondent states, settled first in Boston, and it may be that he landed there and remained for a short time. Another correspondent says that his first child was born in Hartford, and a third that he had a child born or baptized in Hartford in 1646, but adds that he lived in Wethersfield, and had children born there in 1649 ^nd 165 1. From this town he removed to Mid- dletown. In 1654 he owned a house and land in Row- ington, Warwickshire, England, and the presumption is that he emigrated first from that place. " Isaac Lane. I know not from what place he came. " William Lucas. There was a William Lucas at Mar- blehead in 1648, who may have been the same person that came here. He died in 1690. "Anthoriy Martin. There was an early settler in Wethersfield by the name of Samuel Martin; but the point has not been investigated, whether Anthony was from that town. " Thomas Miller was recommended to the church in Middletown from the church in Rowley. " Thomas Ranney is said to have been from Scotland. He was married to Mary Hubbard, the eldest child of George Hubbard, of Middletown, in 1659, and had five children, Thomas, John, Joseph, Mary, and Elizabeth. He died January 2Sth 17 13, and was the first person buried in the oldest grave-yard in the Upper Houses. " David Sage is said to have been from Wales. "John Savage married in Hartford in 1653, and may have resided there, though not a proprietor in that place. " Samuel Stocking was from Hartford and a son of George Stocking. " Samuel Stow, who preached to the people in Middle- town some years as a candidate for the ministry, I have very lately been informed by a friend, was not born in Concord, Mass., but in Roxbury, and that he did not live in Concord until after he became a candidate. The probability therefore is that his brother, Thomas Stow, if not his nephew, John Stow, were also born in Roxbury, Mass. Samuel Stow died May 8th 1704. 10 66 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. " James Tappin. There was a man named James Tap- yian, married at Guilford to Hannah Garrett, March 5th 1656. But it is doubtful whether this was the same per- son that settled in Middletown. " Edward Turner was from Milford, and had two or three children baptized there. His wife was recom- mended to the church in Middletown, from the church in thnt ]ilqre. " Jdhn and Willimn Ward are supposed to have been both from Rowk-y. The former was recommended from the church in that lowi;, "Andrew, Robert, and John Warner were sons of Andrew Warner, who emigrated from Hatfield, Eng., about 1630, who was at Cambridge in 1632, and at Hart- ford among the early settlers. He was a deacon in Rev. Mr. Hooker's church and an influential man in that town. He removed to Hadley in 1659, where he died in 1684, at an advanced age. The three sons in Middletown were farmers. Andrew Warner died January 26th 1682. Robert repeatedly represented the town in the Genera! Court; he died April loth 1690. John died in 1700. The Warners in Chester and Lyme are descendants of Daniel Warner, one of their brothers. " Thomas Wetmore is said to have been from Wales. He married a daughter of John Hall, in Hartford, in 1645, and had two or three children baptized there. He died in 168 1, aged 66. " Nathaniel White was from Hartford, a son of John White, of Hartford and Hadley. " John Wilcox was from Hartford. From the Town Records. The following extracts from the town records s^ive facts relative to the early history of the town which can- not be learned elsewhere. The records which were made prior to 1652 are lost, but they are complete from that time to the present. The first recorded vote of the town, which is given in the history of the First Congregational Church, was for the building of a meeting house. " March the ]6, inri:3 ny reason nf much disorder in and speaking for the Inter pvorcuting of disorders, it is agreed that one of r he selected townsmen wliorn thay shall apoynt among themselves to propound Ihnse tilings us arc spol*"■ Arthor Scovell ^■ William Biggs "'I-"'" William Cornwell 'i'9- " October 27, 1671. Goodman Barnes admitted an inhabitant " "November 16, 1671. Mr. Goodale admitted an inhabitant." " November 16, 1671. John Hill the shooemaker admitted an inhab- itant." "March 8th 1671-2. Samuel Bidwell adm'd an inhab't." " March 11 1672-3 Abram Martin admitted an inhabitant." "March 11 1872-3 Nathaniel Watson admitted an inhabitant." " Augt. 4, 1874 Sargent Sam'U Ward admitted an inhabitant." " Novr. 9, 1674 Edward Higby Sen'r chosen ordinary keeper." " October 16, 1677. It was ordered by the towne that who soever re- saives a border into his hous in this towne. it the border remayn w'th him when the list is taken hee that bords him shall be ingaged & hereby to pay all the rates which shall com by such border both to sivell & ekcsastecall charges in the towne." j "December 30, 1678. John Jorden admitted an inhabitant." "December 30, 1678. William Tomson admitted an inhabitant." "At a towne meeting November 18,1679. The towne mad choyc of Capt'n Danill Harris & Leften'nt Nath Whit and cnsine William Chiny to take the wholl of the magesene of the town & pouches and pikes & despose of it in places in the towne whare they see most convenient for the good of the wholl & soe to keepe it, that theire may be an aeount given ns need shall requier to the towne. At the same towne meeting it was voated be willing that a belle which is purchesed by parte of the inhabitance of the towne and properly belongs to thepurcheserstheirof & their heirs aftter them, that if they he willing that thesayd belle shall be hanged up in the meeting house, that now is belonging to the sayd towne whether the towne will as a towne defraye ye charge of the suf- fisent hanging & flting to suttable ringing of the sayd belle for the ben- eflte of the towne and to pay yearly the charge of ye ringing at all sutt- able seasons & so to continue soe longe as ye sayd purchers shall see cause. The towne voated excpted the same abovesayd." " The proprietors of the bell are these underwritten Mr. Gills Hamline 03 00 00 Ensigne William Cheny ' 01 00 00 Capt'n Danill Harris 00 16 00 JohnHurlbut 01 00 00 John Wetmor 00 15 00 John Higby 00 10 00 Sam'llBidell 01 00 00 DanillHubard 00 10 00 Mr. Comfort Star 00 10 00 John Jordan 01 00 00 Sarg'nt Sam'U Ward 00 06 06 John Blake 00 07 00 Richard Hubard 00 06 00 Nathanill Browne 00 05 00 IsaacLane 01 00 00 Thomas Wetmor Junior 00 05 00 John Hall junior 00 09 09 Will'm Harris... 01 00 00 Thomas Hill 00 05 00 Mr. Edward Foster 00 10 00 John Browne 00 a5 00 Nathanill Stow 00 0.5 00 Danill Harris junior 00 10 00 Nathanill Hubard 00 15 00 Francis Whitmore 01 00 00 Joseph Hubard 00 10 00 Samuel Wetmor 00 05 00 John Hall senior 00 10 00 George Phillips 02 00 00 Edward Turner 00 15 00 Sarnt William Ward 01 06 00 John Ward 01 00 00 Thomas Stow junior 01 00 00 Jams Tappine 01 00 00 John Cornell 00 10 00 Andrew Warner payd nothing Samll Cornell 00 05 00 Samll Egellstone 00 10 03 John Stow junior 00 06 00 Danill Markham - 00 14 07^ Sarnt Samll CoUins 00 09 09 Ichabode Stow 00 01 00 MIDDLETOWN— TOWN RECORDS. 69 Savnt Samll Stookine 00 05 00 Thomas Ferman , 00 05 00 John Gill 00 03 00 Thomas Ward 00 08 00 William Tomson 00 08 00 Thomas Bacon 00 05 00 Nathanill Bacon : 01 00 00 John Borne 00 VZ 00 Samll Hall junior 00 05 00 laace Jonaon 00 07 00 Thomas Harris 00 04 00 Mr. William Southmaya 00 10 00 Thomas Cornell 00 04 00 John Hamline 00 10 00 Jonathan Smith 00 05 00 John Stow senior 00 11 00 Jacob Cornell 00 10 00 Seath Warner 00 04 00 Kiohard Hall 00 00 00 JohnPayne 00 02 00 John Bacon 00 01 08 Samuel Whitmore 00 08 00 "Desember 26, 1883. At the same time it was ag:reed by the towne that in all places wherein the townsmen see caus to clear by cuttinjr bush and see caus to leave trees for shadow, that whosoever shall cutt downe or demolish any of the said trees left for shadow without leave from the towns men shall pay five shillings pr tree the on halfe to the towne and the other halfe to the informer and the townsmen to gather the sayd moneys." "June 30, 1685. At the same towne meeting the towne made choyce of these mentioned as pattentees for the towne to procuer a patten for the towne according to the Court order. The men are Mr. Gills Ham- line, Leftnt White & Ensign Ward and Bnsigne Chiny & Captn Harris and Deacon Hall and Robert Warner & William Harris and Deacon Alyn." " Whereas the General Court of Conecticut Colony have formerly granted unto the proprietors, inhabitants of the towne of Midleton in the sayd Colony all those lands both meadowes & upland with their up- lane with their appurtenances within these abutments following viz. On Weathersfleld on the North, & on Farmington bounds, & on the comons on the West & on Hadam bounds on the South & on the wilder- ness on the Bast, the bredth is from Wethersfleld bounds on the North full fower miles south of the sayd meeting house of Middleton &to run the whole bredth on the west side of Conceticutt River Ave miles from the sayd North & South lyne & on the East side of Conectieutt River their bounds to run on the East side of Conectieutt full six mile from the sayd river the whole bredth from Weathersfleld bounds to Hadam bounds, The sayd lands having been by purchess or otherwise lawfully obtained of the indian native proprietors & whereas the pro- prietors inhabitants of Midleton in the Colony of Conectieutt, in New England have made application to the Governor & Company of the sayd Colony of Conectieutt assembled in Court the 25th of May 1085, that they may have a patent for confirmation of the af oarsay d landes to them so purchassed & granted to them as af oarsayd & which they stood seized & quietly possessed off, for many years last past, without interup- tion; now for a more full confirmation of the afoarsayd tracts of land as it is butted & bounded afoarsayd unto the present proprietors of the sayd township of Midleton . Know Yee. ^ , That the sayd Governor & Company assembled in Gen- I Colony I erall Court according to the commission and by vertue 1^ SeaL^I ^j j.jjg po.5yer granted to them by our late soveraingne Lord King Charls the second of blessed memouie in his letters pattings bearing date the twenty third of Aprill in the f owerteenth yeare of his sayd Ma'ties reigne have given & granted, & by these presents, doe give, grant, rattif y & conflrme unto Mr. Giles Hamlin, Liuetenant Nathaniel White. Captn Daniel Harris Bnsigne Wm. Cheeny, Bnsigne Wra. Warde, Mr. w'm. Harris, Deacon John Hall Deacon Thomas AUyn, & Mr. Robert Warner & the rest of the sayd present proprietors of the township of Midleton, & theire heires & assignes forever, & to each of them in such proportion as they have already agreed upon for the division of the same all that afoaresaid tract of land as it butted & bounded together with all the woods, uplands curable lands, meadowes, pas- tures, ponds, havens portes, waters, rivers, islands, fishings, huntings fowleings mines, mineralls, quarries, & precious stones, upon or within the sayd tracts of land with all other profflts, and commodities thereunto belonging or in any wis appertaining & doe allso grant, unto the afoar named Mr. Giles Hamlin, Liuetenent Nath White Capt. Daniel Harris, Bnsigne Wm. Cheeney, Ensigne Wm. Ward, Mr. Wm. Harris, Deacon John Hall, Deacon Thomas Allyn, and Mr. Robert Warner and the rest of the present proprietors, inhabitants of Midle- town, their heirs and assignes forever, that the af oareayd tracts of land shall be forever hereafter deemed reputed & be an entire township of itself to have and to hold the sayd tracts of land & premises with all & singular their appurtenances, together with the priviledges, immuni- ties & franchizes, herein given & granted, to the sayd Mr. Giles Hamlin L'nt Nath White, ('apt. Daniel Harris, Ensigne Wm. Cheeny, Bnsigne William Warde, William Harris, Deacon John Hall, Deacon Thomas Allyn & Mr. Robert Warner & the rest of the proprietors, inliabitiinis of Midleton, their heires. & assignes forever, & to the onoly proper use & behoofe of the sayd, Mr. Giles Hsimlin, Livetenant Nathaniel White, Capt. Daniel Harris Bnsigne Wm. Cheeny. Ensigne Wiiliiun Ward Wil- iam Harris, Deacon John Hall, Deacon Thom.is Allyn, & Mr. Robert Warner & all other the presant proprietors inhabitants of Midleton their heires & assignes forever, according to the tenour of his Ma'ties Manor of Bast Greenwich in the County of Kent in the Kingdome of Englnnd in free and comon soceage & not in Capittee, nor liy Knights service^, they yielding & payeing therfore to our soveraign lord the King, his heires & successors onely the fifth parte of all the oare of gold & silver which from time to time & at all times hereafter shall be there gotten, had, or obteyned in leiu o£ all rents, services, duties & demandes, what- soever according to charter. " In Witnessc Whereof we have hereunto caused the scale of the Col- ony to be hereunto affixed this eleventh day of March, in the yeare of our Lord one thousand si.x hundred eighty five; six and in the second yeare of the rigne of our Soveraigne Lord James the second of England, Scotland, France & Ireland King, Defender of the Faycii &o, " RouERT 'I'HEAT Govcrnor. " Pr order of the Generall Court of Conectieutt signed pr "John allyn Secrety. " March 30, 1687, pr order of the Governor & Company of the Colony ot Conectieutt. signed pr. John Allyn Secyr. " March 13, 1688. John Cotton admitted an inhabitant. " January 28, 1691-2. At the sam towne meeting the towne agreed that all towne meetings shall be warned for the futuer by setine up a paper upon a post apointed for that purpos to be set upon the meeting hous greene and that it shall beset up so long before the meeting as that there ma.v be on publike day between the setins' up the said papers and the time of meeting, the said papers to he fairly written aud that it shall be specified in the said writings the acation of tlie said meetings, but if any spcsiall occatione be that theire cannot staj- so long, then the townsmen shall give warning as formerly before the time of this voat. " Middletowne September 29th 1692- At a towne meeting the towne did unanimusly consent to those proposisions which the elders of New Haven County propounded to those towns in order to seting up of leetuers in the sevrall plantations and hope they shall endeavour the answering those proposishons the towne doth see cause to blesse God and return thanks to the elders for theire care and kindness in this matter. " Januarys, 1699, 1700. At the same metin it was presented to the town that whereas the towne at a town metin Janry the 24, 1693-4 ga\e leve to Leftenant ffraucis whitmor to irrect and build a substantiiill stone bridge over the fery river for carting over & ganging under it, there having been diferences arising therefrom, lietwen the town & Lef- tent Whitmore by reson of different interpretation of the same, it being now proposed to the town to Interperit there one vote, the town does it as follows, yt there was no other but yt thereby he had liberty to try the country & town by a brefe whether there woold be mony enof raysed by fre subscriptions from town & coutvtry as he shall think sofleient to build such a bridg & pay him tor his trouble & charg, that it might be free to town & country forever, then to go on with it, otherwise not to meddle about it any further, this was voted in a full town metin unaimosly not one hand against it." •■ Att a town meting March the 31, 1704, it was voted that there should be erected one garrison at the uewfield, and all the inhabitants on the west side ot the west river and on the south side the rivelet shall belong- to it. and be assisting in the building and another at the south I'ai m and those that inhabit on the west of the mill river and south ot the fulling mill river shall belong to that, and assist in ye building of it, & all the inhabitants on the east side the mill river iiud on the south side the creek shall erect a third garrison and belong to that. & all on the east side the grate river shall erect another garrison and belong to that, and our neighbors on the north side the rivelet shal erect another garri- son and belong to that, all to be don at the ohurg ot the severall per- sons belonging to ye severall garrisons. & the hows to be garrisoned in the several quarters shall be that which the major part of the severall quarters above mentioned shall agree. " it was also voted at the sam time that for the present there shall be one garrison erected in the town plot at the charg- of those that inhabit there, and the hows to be garrisoned where the maj'r part of the inhabi- tants shall agree. " December 28, 1708. John Sleed admitted an inhabitant." " " " IchahodCoal " " " " December 28, 1708. John Williams adm'd an inhab't. " " " Samuel Frany " " " 70 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. '■ Jany. 5, 1708-0. Deneon Danill Markham adm'd inh't. " " Soigreant John Olark " " James Ward " " " Joseph Rockwell " " '^ Hezekiah Sumner '* " John Uevin " Thomas Stevens " " " Samuel Doolittle " " Zaccheiis(!unde " " " Samuel (^otton " " Samuel Roberts " " " Jonathan Center " " " Edward Shepurd " " " Benjamin West " " " Daniel Prior " " Daniel Markham Junior " '^ " James Markham " " ■' John Roberts " " " Decemb'r 26, 1710. John Andrews adm'd an inhabitant. "Jany. 1,1710-11. Thomas Buck admitted " " '■ Ebenezer Smith " " " " Att the same March 23 1708-9 the town by a voate gave liberty to mr. John Hamlin and Sarg't Itrancis whitmore to build a warfe on the north side the crick upon their own chargfor their own and the towns benitlt for con\'eniancy of landing and laying of vessels, they exacting wharfage of none but of strangers-." " December 29, 1713. John Saines admitted an inhabitant. " " " Robert Collins " " " " " " Thomas Lewis " " " "April 11, 1715. The town by a very full voate did agree that all male persons within the sd town from sixteen years old to sixty shall kill or procure the killing of one duzen of black birds within this presant year or pay one shilling money into the town tresury and all persons that shall kill more then duzen or procure the killin of said blackbirds shall be alowed eightpene pr duzen tor every duzen; provided those persons bring sd birds or their heads into the selectmen or anyone of them who are hereby ordered to take an account of the same, and to allow as afore sd and it was further agreeed by voate yt all or any person that shall kill any winged crow and bring in the head to the selectmen as aforesd shall be alowed sixpence pr head by ye sd selectmen, as or in money out of the town treasurey." "January 11, 1719-20. Samuel Gaylord admd aninhabt." " February 8, 1719-20. We the subscribers do petion to the inhabitants of Middletowne that we may improve the land we have encloased at the place called the three mile hile two crops more, and in so dowing you will oblige humble peticioners. " John Stow, Thos. Stow, Sarg Bacon, Sarg Stow, Benjamin Wetmore, David Strickland." " This petion is granted provided the petioners procure & alow to the town flax enuff to make a sofloiant ferry roape to reach acioss the ferry river." " May 8, 1723. Att the same meeting the town by voate grant to each person that shall kill a fox, within the bounds of Midletown & and brings the head to the Selectmen or to either of them, to be payed by the town two shillings pr head for every fox head so returned, that is killed in the bounds of sd Midletown." " December 16, 1723. At the same meeting the town granted to the south farmei's the liberty of one acre of land for a burying place where it maybe most eonveniant between Capt. Wm. Harrisis & Jonathan Steads land." "April 1, 1728. At the same town meeting the town accepted or granted to the widow Hope Haully liberty to let her dwelling house, that part of it which stands on the highway, to stand so long as the same house stands provided she pay as an acknowledgment one Indian corn pr year so long as the sd house stands. " Memorandum of the payment of one Indian corn pr year, by the AVidow Hope Hawley ns obliged by her grant. 1729. Reed per Joseph Rockwell, T. Clerk. nso. 1731. 1732. " " " " " " 1734. 1735. " " Jabez Hamline " " 1736. " " Wm. Rockwell 1737. 1738. " " " " 1739. ' 1740. " " " 1741. 1742. " ' 1743. " " " " " " 1745. 1746. 1747. " 1748. "The Widow says the house is fell down." J Joseph Southmayd j Seth Wetmore " "December 7, 1730, Daniel Hubbard admitted an inhabitant " " " Lemuel Lee " " " 31, " Jonathan Allen " " " " 27, 1731, Att the same meeting the town by vote doe order that a town house shall be built and voated that the dementions otsd house shall be thirty five feet in length and twenty five feet in breadt hand seven feet and a half between joysta between the sill and the plate and Giles Hall Esqr Capt. George Phillips & Leut. Nathli Bacon were chose a comtee to take the case and procure the building sd house and by voate the above named comtee are fully empowered to agree with workmen and finish said house, and it was voated that sd house shall be sett att the center of the town at the ston so called." " May 2, 1732, Att the same meeting it was voated that the town house shall be setton the place when the last old meeting house stood near to Richard Hubards." "Middlotown December ye 25, 1738. We the select men of Middle- town upon the request of James Markham, do give our liberty to James Markham to setup rope works near the house where his Father dwelt in the highway, not to hinder or block the highway to the damage of his neighbours & to hold sd privilege while the town shall disannul it. As witness our hands the day and year above named. Thos Johnson, ) Jonathan COLi-ENe [ Selectmen. ■< ; Beniaman Adkins ; ( ' "December 22, 1740. Voted and granted to Jonathan Temans, to improve the excise money now in his hands (being between fifty shil- lings and three pounds.) in providing colours for the train band to which he belongs." " December 26, 1758. Voted that whereas there hath been some motions and proposals made in the General Assembly & a vote in the house of Representatives proposed that the town of Middletown shall be the place appointed for the meeting and holding the General Assembly at least once a year, on conditions that .Middletown will provide a house convenient to meet in, and whereas this town have ordered the town house to be finished, the chimney removed &c, it is now voted and agreed, that there be added to the town house when the Comee shall pull down the chimneys thereof twelve feet in addition to the present length of it and finish it as the rest is to be done." " December 14, 1767. " Mrs. Mary Pelton appointed key keeper." " Know all men by these Presents, That Eliot Rawson of Middletown in the County of Hartford in the State of Connecticut being truly de- sirous to do every thing in my power to releive all those that arc suffer- ing for their country, for liberty, or for righeoutness sake, do will & determine that my five Africans or negroes shall be free it they behave well, upon the Seleotmens giving a certificate according to law, that Phillis llawson shall be free, in six months from the first day of next June, that Duchess Rawson, Francis Rawson, Lettice Rawson & Eve Rawson, shall be made free at twenty four years of age. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal. " Middletown June 30, 1780. " Eliot Rawson. [seal.] "In presence of Giles Miller, 1 Isaac Miller, Hezekiah Hale, j " Middletown June 30, 1780. Then Eliot Rawson pei-sonally appeared & acknowledged the within instrument to be his free act and deed. " Coram Isaac Miller, "Just. Pacis." "December 29, 1783. Voted that General Paraons, John Dickinson Esqr, Mr. Benjamin Henshaw, Col. Brown, & Matthew Talcott, Esqr., beacom'eeto prepare instructions in the name of this town to their representatives directing them to use their influence in the next as- sembly to effect a division of Hartford County, and for establishing Middletown for the place of holding the the Court, & also to use their influence to procure the mercantile part of the town of Middletown, to be incorporated into a City, with the powers & privileges prayed for by vmrt of the inhabitants of New Haven, in a memorial now depending in the Assembly, and to prepare a memorial for the aforesaid purpose, and to sign & to deliver the instructions to the representatives in behalf of the town." "Jany. 13, 1784. Voted that the town consents to the prayer of the memorial of the inhabitants of Worthington on condition that the proposed town take & support such part of the poor of Middletown as the list of that part of Worthington lying in Middletown bears to the list of the town, and that express provision be made for the same, in the bill of form & that the parish lines be not altered thereby." Proceedings of the General Court Concerning Middletown. The following are nniscellaneous extracts from the early records of the proceedings of the General Court concerning Middletown. "May 1665.— This Court desires and appoints Mr. Samuell Willis, Mr. James Richards, Lt. Sam'll Wells and Samuell Boreman to issue the present difference between the inhabitants at Middle Town and the Tn- MIDDLETOWN— TOWN RECORDS. 7' diiins dwelling by the said Towiio; and also to settle the bounds of what land tlicy shal see cause in an equitable way to allow to the said [ndians at Middle Town. Any thi-ee of the aboue said Gent: have powei- to issue provided Mr. Willvs be one. " October 1067.— This Court grants Mi". Hamlin liberty to retale wine and liqrs to his neighbors atMldleton. " October 1668. -This Court ot-ders that Midleton ferryman shall have but fewer pence for a horss and man for Magistrates & Deputies. " This Court grants Captn John Tallcott & Lnt. John Allyn liberty to talto up their former grant of land near the south bownds of Midle- ton at or near a place called Coginchauge;* and if they do not Judge it coiivcuicut to talfe up all their grunt there, they niuy take up halfc of tlieir grant olsewliere; and Ens: White and Wm. Cheney are app(i.\ nied to lay it o\)t to them. " Cnptn Clarke hauing nioucd this Court that lie might hanu eim- firmed to him his grant iu the place where he took it up upon Jlaltulie- sctt liiver, the Court haueing heard what hathe been alledgcd to the case by ITarmington as allso by Captn Clarke, doe .ludg that the true and just right in the sayd land belongs to Captain Clarke, provided it be not within Farmington's first grant of five miles. "Miiy.ilth 1671.— This Court appoynts James Steele and Sarg't Hugh Wells to lay out to the Marshall as Capt'n Clarke's agent or assigno. his land according to his grant in tlie place where he took it up, at Matta- besot Uiver. " October 1671.— Midleton hath one barell of powder Windsor stock is 300 lbs. of powder and 100 lbs. of lead. New Haven oertifyed that they had their ammunition for their town, according to lawe. Miiford am- munition is suflicient, according to lawe. Guilford ammunition issulfi- ' cient according to lawe. "This Court doth impower Capt'n Tallcott to take care to preser\e the great Artilery that belongs to the Colony at Saybrooke. " 167.'5.— James Wells and John Clarke haueing returned to this Court, under their hands, that they haue layd out to Mr. John Blaokleach, of Hartford, his grant of land on the east end of Midleton bownds and abutts on Midleton bownds on the west, and is two hundred rod in length north and south, and on Haddum bownds on the south, and on the commons on tlie north and east and is one hundred and sixty rods in breadth east and west ; Nov. 9, 1674 ; the Court saw cause to approue of this return and doe conflnn the same to the sayd Mr. John Black- leach. " 1677.- Midleton house lotts at 35s. pracre; improved uplands 20s. pr acre ; one half e of their meadow at 10s. pr acre, the other half e at 30s . pr acre. " Daniell Harris is by this Court approued and confirmed to be Captain of Midleton Truiue-band, and Nath: White, Leiutenant, and Wm. Cheeny, Ensigne of the sayd company, and Samuel Stockin, Sarjt. "September 1675. —The Councill came to an agreement with the Indiiuis of Farmington, Hartford, Wethersfleld and Midleton, wherein the In- dians ingaged to continue in friendship with the English and to be ene- mies to their enemies, and to discouer or destroy them &c. And the councill ingaged to pay unto them the sayd Indians, 3 yards of cloth for euery head of or enemies they shall take, and 4 yards of cloth for euery person they shall deliuer aline; as pr the agreement on file, will ap- peare more at large. "October 9th 1675. -Joseph Harris, Rich'd Hubberd, John Isirhey, John Higbey, Israel Willoox, Nath: White;— These are to appoynt yon forthw'th to repayre to ftiidleton, and it Mr. Goodall's vessell be there, you are to goe on board her and guard her up to Hartford, unless the guard allready in her from that towne be still on board her, and in such easeyou are to reinaj'ne in your towne untill Monday next, and then you are to repayre to Hartford tor farther orders. " Whereas Indians belonging unto Wethersfleld and Wongham have shewed their willingness to dwell peaceably in or townes and tliere to bring their corn fursecurety, the councill doe recommend it to the peo- ple at Wethersfleld and Midleton upon whose lands the Indians haue planted, that the corn be equally divided upon the land where the corn grew, after they haue huslced it, and the English to take care of their part and the Indians of what belongs to them, to get it conveyed into the towne for securety. "May 1676. The constable of Midleton oomplayneing that he could not rayse their proportion of wlieat ordered on their town, it not being to be had there, was by the Councill ordered to rayse what he could upon the inhabitants of Midleton that had wheat, and to grind it and bake into bread and send up to Hartford wth all speed. "August 1676. The Councill sees cause to declare unto all such per- son or persons, both English and Indians that haue or shall pretend to any right or possession there, upon the sayd deserted or vanquished landsin that country, that all such shall make their application to the government of this colony, for such grants, leave and liberty to take up and possess such and so much as they shall see cause to grant and allowe them; it being both duty to God and or King, and allso is or intent and purpose to have it all so layd and dissposed as may best advantage reli- gion and the safety of the inhabitants. And whosoever shall presume otherwise to possesse themselves there, may expect to he dealt wth all as intruders and contemners of his matie's authority in or hands. i-Coginchauge; afterward Durham. "September 1676. Cohause being taken by the Indians between Mil- ford and New Haven, was brought before the Councill. and aolcnowl- edged that he had been In several engagements against the English; and was accused by Menowmot that he had wth anolher Indian shott Wm. Hill; that he wth 4 ni ore kild Kirby of Midleton, between sd Midleton and Wethersfleld, upon the rohde; and that he burnd Goodman Coale's house; besides other robberies that they have comitted. The Councill having heard and examined the sd Cohash, find that he is an open and desperate enemle of the English, and that he was taken in open hostilli- ty against us, and so is a child of death, and df»e sentance him to suffer the paynes and terrors of death; and that if the Indians see cause to p\it him to death, they shall doe it forthwith; if not, lip shall bo shot to death by Konic Bnglisli. '• May inih 1679.- This ronrtordcrs Hint it' any swine at Midleton be Iciund on the coiiiun, without rings or yoiikes, within three miles of Coueelieult Kiver they shall be liable to be pounded, according to to; mer laws respecting swine. '■ May 12th 1681.— Henry Wakely petitioning to this Court to grant him some satisfaction for seruico he did for the colony in or about Miit- tebeseck, and for some damage he reoeiued thereby, the Court to issue all complaints and differences in the matter between him and M-idleton and the colony, doe see cause to grant him two bundled acres of lantV prouided he take it up where it may not prejudice any plantation or former grant made by this Court. Captn. Minor and Lnt. Joseph Jud- son are appoynted to lay it out to hlin according to his grant. " May 1684 —This Court upon the information they haue reeeiued that John Hollybutt hath purchased two parcellsof land of Andrew Warner in Midleton, at a place commonly called Wongum, and one parceli by the towne which was sold to pay delits, which ho hath re- eeiued and recorded to sayd Hollybutt and deeds made but not signed by said Warner, doe order and impower the said administrator of the estate of the sd Andrew Warner to make, signe and acknowledg dteds for the sayd land, that so the sayd land may remayn flrnie to the sayd Hallebutt his heires and assignes foreuer. " October 13th 18S7.— This Court grants Mr. Giles Hamlin three hun- dred acres of land for a farme, prouided he take it up where it nuiy not pre,]udise any former grant to any person or plantation . "This Court grants Mr. Jeremy Peck, Mr. Samuel Andrews, Mr. James Pearpoynt, Mr. Samnell Kussell, Mr. James liayley, Mr. Moses Ncvse, Mr. John James, Mr. Noadiah Kussell, Mr. Timothy Woodbridge, Mr. Samuel Mather, Mr. Edward Tompson, Mr. John Fraysor, Mr. Cip- rian Nicoolsand Ens. Nath. Stanly, two hundred noies of land a piece where they can And it, provided they take it up where it may not pre- judice any former grant to any \>erticu\nv person or plantation: and the furvayorsof the next plantations to any place where either of those aenin, or Mr. Ha-.nlin or Mr. .Inhn Goodyear shall see iciison to take up their respective grants are hereby oppoynted to layout the same to such (j1 them as shnli desire it, they p:iyenig for the same. " IMii.v UillO.- Thi.^ Court upon the rerinest of Captiiin Harris of Midle- ton doe release him from his commission of Oiptain, iind grant the traine band priuiledg and liberty to choose a new captain for the s'd company. " October 1090.— Captain White is confirmed ("apt'n of Midleton traine band, and is to be commissionated accordingly, and by reason of some disgust or various apprehensions about the choys of a leiutenant, this Court grant them liberty to goe to a new choyse of a I'nt, wherein all freedom is to be attended. " May 1691.— Francis Whitmore is chosen and appoynted L'nt of Midleton train band, and is to be commissioned accordingly. "May 1696 —Capt. Nathan'll White informing this Court that the sonldiers of Midletown had chosen Serg't John Hall to bo Ensign of their company, this Court confirmed their choice. , " May 1699.— Upon the motion of the Kepresentalive of Midletown, liberty Is granted to the trainhand in the said town to divide into two companies, upon an equall division. BllIDGES. "October 1696.- This Court gi'ants the one halfe of the countrey rate that shall be levied in Midletown this year to the inhabitants of the said town to be levied and expended forthwith tor the promotion and further carrying on the work of building ye bridge over their ferrye river. "May 1697.— Upon the petition of Ensign Chcenie, this Court did de- clare that their true intent in granting the one hiilfc of the countrey rate to the town of Midletown for the carrying on of the worke of the bridge over the ferry river, was that the said one halfc of the said rate should be delivered to Mr. Francis Whitmore for his incourngement and to be improved by him for the f uriher carrying on the said worke, for the publick use; and this Court doth hereby impower the s'd Francis Whitmore to asice, sue for, require, recover and receive the same of the constable or constables of the said town or other offloers that have any part thereof, or ought to collect the same. "October 1698. It is ordered by this Court and the authority thereof, that from and after the last day of this present instant, October, he the said Francis Wliitmore, his heirs, execut'rs or assigns, shall and may have and hold tlie said bridge by him built at Middletown as aforesaid. 72 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. and shall have and receive the fare of two pence money for each time liir liorse and niau and ioad, and one pcnnie a time a single person, un- Icsfo wlicre persons shall otherwise aggree, forever, of and from nil and every person using and passing over the said bridge from and after the said last day of this instant October aforesaid (except the magis- trates and ministei'sof this Colonic, representatives of the General As- scnilily, posts and souUliors in the ('olouie service), the said Francis Whitrnorercimbiiising those p'rticnlar persons that have freely con- triljiited towards the building of the bridge, and allowing them free passage till the money gi^en by them for that use be repaid, and keep- ing a snlBoientferrye furnisht with a good boat for the transporting passengers when the waters are so high that there is no passing over tile said bridge; the said Francis Whitmore ingnaging to finish the bridge aforesaid within the space of one year after the last of this in- stant, nnlesso by some inevitable providence prevented, and keeping tlie same always in good repair for safe and comfortable passage. "May iun7.— Liberty is granted by this Conrt to any one of the in- IVtliilantsof Midietown to purchase of the Indians there inhabiting, clainiingpropriety of land in Wongunck Meddowe, about one acre of grasse land in the said meddowe. 'May 1698.— This t^inrt grants liberty to theSunosquawsin Midletown tosellhalfe an acre of her land in the said town to some inhabitant there. May ITIl.— Upon consideration of the petition or request of Caus- chawet, Indian man, and his squaw, and of the Indian squaw, or widow of Mussecuppo, late a sachem deceased, now living or residing at Mid- dleton or Glassenhury, pra.ving forliberty to be granted to them to sell one certain piece or piireei of land to them belonging, of about two acres, lying in Wongung Meadow in Middleton, unto Joseph HoUister of Glasscnbury, for the pnyinga debt which they owe to -him; which said piece of land is bounded with Wongung Brook on the north, with Geoi-ge Stockings land on the south, witbCapt. Nathanael Whites land on the west, and with Samuell Cornwalls land on the east: This As- sembly do grant liberty to the said Indians to sell the said land to the said .Joseph Hollister, and also liberty to the said Joseph HoUister to buy the same; provided it may be done with the consent of the inhabi- tants of the said town of Middletown. Growth of the Town. The population increased steadily, and in 1703 what was from the first known as the Upper Houses (now Cromwell) was set off as a separate parish or society. Middlefield began to be settled about 1700, and was incorporated as a parish in the autumn of 1744. The settlement of Westfield commenced about 1720, and in 1766 it became a parish. The portion of the town that was on the east side of the river did not begin to be settled till about 1700, but in 1 7 14, 31 petitioners were incorporated as the parish of East Middletown. In 1710 a settlement in Middle Haddam began, and in 1749 a parish was incorporated there. The increase of the population in Middletown during more than a century after the first settlement was slow. 'I'here wa^ then nothing here to invite a rapid immigra- tion. The country was rough, and the labor of subduing the forest and bringing even small portions of the soil under cultivation was great. Markets for that which was produced here were distant and difficult to reach. Imports were small, and were mostly limited to articles of necessity; for the luxuries of the present day were hardly known here two centuries since. The people were self-reliant. Not only was their food the product of iheir own industry, but the materials for their clothing were produced on their farms, and they were clad in rai- ment of domestic manufacture. Their implements of luisb.mdry were inade by themselves, or by the few me- chanics who settled among them, and though simple in iheir construction, they were well adapted to their uses. In short, every comfort by which they were surrounded was the product of their own industry, and the little wealth which some of them were able to accumulate was the result of their own frugality. Their strong religious convictions had prompted them to seek these then inhos- pitable forests, and their rigid intolerance of any infrac- tion of their moral code, or system of faith, preserved among them for many generations a simplicity of life which is less prominent in the present cosmopolitan age, and an enforced assent and obedience to the prescribed dogmas of their church which have come 'to be regarded almost as historical curiosities. In 1680 one vessel of 70 tons was owned here, and the town had but few merchants.* Fifty years later, or in 1730, the place could boast of only two vessels, having a sum of 105 tons, and but few more mercantile establish- ments. During the 50 years that preceded the Revolution, Mid- dletown became gradually more and more prosperous. An increasing trade, especially with the West Indies, stimulated agriculture and domestic manufactures, and though the increase of the population was still slow it was more rapid than it had formerly been. Increasing commerce necessitated the building of ships, and this in- dustry was carried on more largely than before at Mid- dletown, as well as at other points on the Connecticut River. Grist mills had long before banished the primitive wooden mortars and pestles for grinding grain, saw mills had early sprung into existence to furnish lumber in place of the original "split plank and puncheons," and, later, fulling mills, for dressing the home manufactured cloth, had been erected. Carpenters, blacksmiths, wheelwrights, shoemakers, etc., that the pioneers took care to bring with them, had multiplied to meet the requirements of the gradually increasing population ; but manufactories had not then come into existence here. During more than a century the people had pursued the even tenor of their way, and their industry and frugality had been re- warded by a prosperity which had supplied their reason- able wants and gratified their moderate ambition. The Pequot war occurred before the settlement of Middletown, and that of King Philip when there were only about fifty families here. In Queen Anne's war, at the beginning of the last century, Middletown bore its part, and Nathaniel Gilbert, Benjamin Cornwell, John Allen, Samuel Doolittle, Nathaniel Hobart, Jonathan Gilbert, Waite* Cornwell, Edward Bow, John Lane, Charles Butler, Jacob Conte, Thomas Stevens, Jacob Doude, and Jeremiah Leman were volunteers from this place. In the French wars of 1744 and 1755, which continued for a longer period, it is known that Connecticut fur- nished a larger proportion of men than any of the other colonies. In the present state of the records the names and number of those from Middletown who were in these wars cannot be ascertained. It is said that many who went never returned, and this is positively asserted of those from Upper Middletown. *See plan in Barber's Hist. Coll., p. 508. MIDDLETOWN— MEMBERS OF LEGISLATURE. 73 Census of 1776. An enumeration of the inhabitants of Middletown, taken September ist 1776, gives the total population as .5.037. Of these, 4,836 were whites and 201 blacks. There were males under 10 years, 736; females under 10 years, 763; males between 10 and 20, 576, all unmarried; females between 10 and 20, 11 married and 600 single; males between 20 and 70, 679 married and 268 single; females between 20 and 70, 706 married and 390 single; males above 70, 38 married and 7 single; females above 70, 23 married and 39 single. There were 588 ofificers and soldiers in militia rolls; 104 able-bodied men be- tween 1 6 and 45, not in militia rolls; 202 men in Con- tinental Army; and 5 men " raised for defence of the Colony and now in the Colony." Of the negroes, 47 were males under 20, 49 females under 20, 62 males above 20, and 43 females above 20. ■Civil List. Representatives. — The town of Middletown has been represented in General Court and General Assembly by the following-named persons. The abbreviations M. and O. are used to indicate the May and October sessions, respectively: William Smith, Sept. 1652 to Sept. 1653, 1655 M., 1655 O.; John Hall jr., 1653 M.; William Cornwell, 1654 M., 1664 O.; Thomas Wetmore, Sept. 1654; Robert Webster, Sept. 1653 to May 1655, 1656 M., 1656 O., 1657 O., 1658 O., 1659 M.; Thomas Allen, 1656 M.; George Graves, 1657 0.-1658 O.; Samuel Stocking, 1658 M., 1659 M., 1659 O., 1665 M., 1665 O., 1669 M., 1669 O., 1674 O., 1677 O., 1681 O.; Nathaniel White, 1659 O., 1 66 1 M.-1664 M., i66j M., 1666 M.-1667 M., 1668 M.- 1672 M.. 1673 M.. 1674 M.-i678 M., 1679 M.-1684 M., 1685 0.-1687 M., 1689 M.-1694 M., 1695 M.-I696 M., 1697 M.-1710 M.; William Cheney, 1660 M., 1660 O., 1662 M., 1663 O., 1664 O., 1667 O., 1670 M., 1672 M., 1672 O., 1673 O., 1675 O., 1676 M., 1677 M., 1678 0.- 1679 M., 1684 0.-1686 M., 1687 O., 1690 M., 169s M., 1695 O., 1696 O.; Robert Warner, 1660 M.-1661 O., 1662 O., 1663 M., 1664 M., 1665 O., 1686 O., 1687 M.; Giles Hamlin, 1666 M.-1668 O., 1670 O.-1671 O., 1673 M.-1674 M., 1675 M., 1678 M., 1679 O.-1681 M., 1682 M.-1684 M.; Samuel Collins, 1672 O.; John Grave, 1676 O.; Daniel Harris, 1678 O., 1684 O.; William Harris, 1687 O.; William Ward, 1689 O., 1711 M., 1712 O.-1713 O.; John Hamlin, 1690 O.-1693 O.; Nathaniel Bidwell, 1696 M.; John Hall, 1696 0., 1699 M., 1700 M.-1701 M., 1704 O., 1705 M., 1707 O.-1710 O., 1711 O.; Samuel Stow, 1697 M.; Samuel Bidwell, 1697 O.-1698 0., 1703 O., 1705 O.; William Sumner, 1701 O.-1703 M.; Thomas Ward, 1706 M.-1707 M., 171 1 O., 1712 M.; Edward Shep- ard, 1 710 O., 17 1 1 M.; John Warner, 17 12 M.; Joseph Rockwell, 17 1 2 O.-1717 M., 1719 M., 1719 O.; William Harris, 1714 M.-171S M., 1720 M.-1721 M., 1722 0., 1728 O.; William Savage, 1715 O.-1716 O., 1718 M.- 1721 M., 1722 0.-1725 O., 1726 O.; Samuel Hall, 1717 M.; Izrahiah Wetmore, 17170.-1718 O., 1721 O., 1722 M., 1723 M.-1726 O., 1728 M.; John Sage, 1717 O., 1721 1 0., 1722 M., 1726 M.; John Andrews, 1727 M.-1730 M.; Giles Hall, [727 M., 1727 O., 1730 M.-1731 M., 1732 O.; Joseph Wetmore, 1729 M.; George Phillips, 1729 O., 1730 0.-1732 M., 1733 M.-1738 M., 1740 0.; Jabez Hamlin, 1731 O., 1732 M., 1733 O., 1734 M., 1735 0-1758 M., 1766 O.-1773 M.; Thomas AUyn, 1732 O.; Joseph White, 1733 M.; Nathan- iel Bacon, 1734, O.; Seth Wetmore, 1738 O., 1740 M., 1741 M.-1743 O., 1744, O.-1747 M., 1748 M.-I7SO M., 1753 0-. 1754 O.-1756 M., 1757 M., 1757 O., 1758 0.-1766 O., 1768 M.-1769 O., 1770 O., 1771 M.; Thomas Johnson, 1739 M., 1739 O., 1744 M.; Return Meigs, 1747 O.; Joseph Southmayd, 1750 O.-1753 M. Joseph Wright, 1754 M.; Michael Burnham, 1756 O. Matthew Talcott, 1758 O., 1759 O.-1764 M., 1772 M. 1774 O., 1775 M., 1779 M., 1780 M., 1781 M.-1782 O. John Fisk, 1759 M.; Richard Alsop, 1764 O.-1766 M. 1767 M., 1767 O., 1770 M., 1771 O., 1772 O.-1774 M. Titus Hosmer, 1773 O.-1778 M.; John Dickinson, 1775 O., 1776 O., 1778 M.,'1778 O., 1779 O., 1780 O., 1781 M.; Comfort Sage, 1776 M., 1777 M., 1779 M., 1780 M., 1781 0.-1784 0., 1785 O.-J786 O.; Ebenezer Bacon, 1778 O., 1779 O., 1780 O., 1783 M., 1783 O.. 1785 O.- 1786 0., 1789 M., 1798 O., 1799 M, 1800 O.; Samuel H. Parsons, 1784 M.-1785 M.; George Phillips, 1787 M.-1788 M.; Asher Miller, 1785 M., 1788 M.-1789 M., 1790 M.-1793 M., 1798 M., 1803 O.-1804 O.; Elijah Hubbard, 1787 M., 1787 O., 1788 O., 1789 O., 1790 O.- 1797 M., 1799 M.-1800 M., 1801 M.-1808 M., 1811 M.- 1814 O.; Samuel W. Dana, 1789 O., 1790 M., 1793 O.- 1796 O., 1822, 1826; Stephen T. Hosmer, 1797 M., 1800 M.; Andrew Campbell, 1797 O.-1798 O.; Amos Church, 1797 O.; John Pratt, 1799 O., 1806 M.-1808M., 1809 M., 1809 O.; Jehosaphat Starr, 1800 O., 1801 M.; Enoch Par- sons, 1801 O., 1803 M.; Abijah Savage, 1802 M., 1802 O.; Joshua Stow, 1805 M., 1805 O.; Jabez Stocking, 1808 O., 1815 O., 1816 M.; Lemiiel Storrs, 1808 O.; Chauncey Whittlesey, 1809 M.-1811 O., 1816 0.; Ebenezer Sage, 1810 M.. 1810 O.; Samuel Wetmore, 1812 M.-1814 M.; Alexander Collins, 1814 0.; Elisha Coe, 1815 M., 1816 O.-1817 O., 1819 M., 1820.; Arthur W. Magill, 1815 M.; Samuel Gill, 1815 0., 1816 M.; Nathan Starr jr., 1817 M.-1818 M.; John Alsop, 1818 M.-1820, 1823; Hosea Goodrich, 1818 O.; Seth Paddock, 1821; Elisha Treat, 1821; Josiah Savage, 1822, 1823; Daniel Rand, 1824, 1825; Miner Hotchkiss, 1824, 1825; Daniel Burrows, 1826; William L. Storrs, 1827-29, 1834; Elijah Pad- dock, 1827, 1828, 1833; Ebenezer Jackson jr., 1829-32, 1846; Henry Woodward, 1830, 1831; Joseph Coe, 1832, 1850; Samuel Russell, 1833, 1846; Jedediah Wilcox, 1834; Stillman K. Wightman, 1835-37, 1842; William Plumb 2d, 1835, 1836, 1841; Timothy Savage, 1837; Richard Hubbard, 1838; Eben Wilcox, 1838; Charles Woodward, 1839, 1847, 1857; Henry D. Smith, 1839, 1847; Noah A. Phelps, 1841; Alexander Sage, 1842; Daniel M. Crowell, 1843; Elihu Spencer, 1844, 1848, 1851, 1855; Alfred Hubbard, 1844; Edwin Stearns, 1848, 1849; Earl Cooley, 1849; Noah H. Phelps, 1850; Buckley Edwards, 1851; Daniel H. Chase, 1852, 1853; Elisha S. Hubbard, 1852; 11 74 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Benjamin W. Coe, 1853, 1854, 1862; Benjamin Douglas, 1854, 1872; Austin Baldwin, 1855; Patrick Fagan, 1856; George W. Guy, 1856, 1870; Osborn Coe, 1857; Julius Hotchkiss, 1858; Alfred Hubbard, 1858; Ellsworth Burr, '859; G. W. Bacon, 1859; Moses Culver, i860; Asa Hub- bard, i860; Edward A. Russell, 1861; Charles Hubbard, i86i;BartIett Bentjr., 1862; Charles C. Hubbard, 1863; David Savage, 1863; John M.Douglas, 1864, 1865; George S. Hubbard, 1864; John Barry, 1865; John H. Watkin- son, 1866; Moses W. Terrill, 1866; Michael H. Griffin, 1867,1868; Arthur W. Bacon, 1867, 1869, 1870, 1874; George L. Tuttle, 1868; Edwin Scoville, 1869; Samuel J. Starr, 1871; D. Ward Northrop, 1871, 1881, 1882; Abner Roberts, 1872; Joseph W. Alsop jr., 1873; Ashbel Bidwell, 1873; James K. Guy, 1874; Charles R. Fagan, 1875, 1876; George W. Roberts, 1875; Daniel Strong, 1876; Richard H. Newhall, 1877; Charles H. Williams, 1877; William W. Wilcox, 1878; Samuel J. Hubbard, 1878; Charles R. Woodward, 1879; George W. Atkins, 1879; William W. Wilcox, 1880: S. Otis Barrows, 1880; James Lawton, 1881, i88j; Horace R. Butler, 1883, 1884; John T. Walsh, 1883; Michael W. Lawton, 1884. Town Clerks. — William Smith, 1650 to November 1656; Robert Webster, November 1656 to November 1661; John Hall, November 1661 to February 1695; John Hamlin, February 1695 to December 1707; Nathaniel White, March 1695, for a few weeks; Joseph Rockwell, December 1707 to January 1735; Jabez Hamlin, January 1735 to De- cember 173s; William Rockwell, December 1735 to death, July 28th 1765; Joseph Clark, August 20th 1765 to death, April 2ist 1778; Bezaleel Fisk, May 1778 to September 1797; John Fisk, September 1797 lo death, February rsth 1847; Thomas G. Mather, February 1847 to Octo- ber 1849; Elihu Spencer, October 1849 to October 1851; Elihu W. N. Starr, October 1851 to October 1865; Charles A. Boardman, October 1865 to October 1866; Elihu W. N. Starr, October 1866, still in office. MiDDLETOWN PrOBATE DISTRICT. This district was formed in 1752, and included Chat- ham (with the exception of that part lying south of Salmon river), the part of Berlin which at first belonged to Middletown, with Haddam and Durham. The parts of this district east of the Connecticut were detached from it in 1824, upon the formation of Chatham District. At the same lime the part of Berlin just named, was detached from it upon the formation of the Berlin District. Haddam was detached from it in 1830, and made a separate district in connection with Haddam Neck. Middletown District now embraces Middletown, Mid- dlefield, Cromwell, and Durham. Probate Judges. — Jabez Hamlin, May 1752 to June 1789; Asher Miller, June 1789 to June 1793; John Dick- inson, June 1793 'o June 1807; Asher Miller, June 1807 to death, December 24th 1821; vacancy, when Judge Brace officiated ; John Alsop, May 1822 to July 1832; S. K. Wightman, July 1832 to June 1834; August Cook, June 1834 to June 1835; S. K. Wightman. June 1835 to June 1838; Samuel Cooper, June 1838 to June 1842; Linus Coe, June 1842 to June 1844; Samuel Cooper, June 1844 to June 1846; Linus Coe, June 1846 to June 1847; Samuel Cooper, June 1847 to June 1849; Elihu Spencer, June 1849 to July 1850; Noah A.Phelps, July 1850 to July 1852; John H. Sumner, July 1852 to July 1853; Noah A. Phelps, July 1853 to July 1854; Dennis Sage, July 1854 to July 1856; Waldo P. Vinal, July 1856 to July 1864; William T. Elmer, July 1864 to July 1866; E. W. N. Starr, July r866 to July 1867; Charles G R. Vinal, July 1867 to July 1868; E. W. N. Starr, July 1868 to July 1872; John L. S. Roberts, July 1872 to July 1873; D. Wr.rd Northrop, July 1873 to January 1881; Silas A. Robinson, January 1881 to Janu- uary 1883; Eldon B. Birdsey, January 1883, now in oflice. The Custom House, District of Middletown. The oldest persons now living who remember anything about the location of the office state that the earliest place they can remember is the store now occupied by G. E. Burr, on the east side of Main street (No. 100). This certainly is a very old building, having a square roof and dormer windows of an ancient period. From this build- ing it was removed to the brick building on the north- west corner of Washington and Main streets, in which the office continued until the present building was ready for occupancy in 1834. After a long and bitter controversy as to the site of the Custom House, the present building was put under con- tract, August ist 1834, under the supervision of Noah A. Phelps, the collector, who, having been educated as a lawyer, and possessing much natural ability, was well fitted to manage the business. The contract was with Barzillai D. Sage and Sage & Merriman for the total sum of $12,249, ■"'"d on the 19th of October 1835, '' "'^s reported as thoroughly finished. There having been some alterations one way and the other from the original plan, the total amount paid was $12,289. I' was stated to be " a handsome and substan- tial structure, fire- proof without, and nearly so within," and to have been erected with fidelity and skill. For all this a bond was taken at the time of contract, that if any latent defect should thereafter appear the con- tractors should make it good. The officers at the Custom House are.: Augustus Put- dam, collector; George W. Burke, special deputy collector; and F. Howard Thompson, clerk. The collector and special deputy were appointed in 1869, and have held their respective offices 15 years. The successive collectors, with dates of their appoint- ments, have been: George Phillips, June 1795; Chaun- cey Whittlesey, December 1797; Alexander Wolcott, August 1801; Henry Wolcott, July 1828; Noah A. Phelps, of Hartford, March 1829; Austin Baldwin, April 1841; Philip Sage, of Portland, October 1844; William D. Starr, February 1849; Samuel Cooper, June 1849; William D. Starr, April 1853; Samuel Babcock, October MIDDLETOWN— STEAMBOATS— POST OFFICE. 75 185s; Patrick Fagan, February 1857; Origen Utley, May 1861; Augustus Putnam, January 1869. Statement of tonnage at sundry dates: June 30th 1797, 4,509 tons; June 30th 1800, 2,070 tons; June 30th 1810, 5,363 tons; June 30th 1820, 10,172 tons; June 30th 1830, 11,859 tons; June 30'th 1840, 12,193 tons; June 3otli 1850, 11,861 tons; June 30th i860, 15,815 tons; June 30th 1870, 17,128 tons; June 30th 1880, 15,790 tons; June 30th 1882, 116 vessels, 16,840 tons. On the 30th of June 1876, there were 119 sail vessels of 12,682.09 tons; 27 steam vessels of 6,050.03 ions; and 12 barges of 1,960.35 tons. Total, 158 vessels, 20,692.47 tons. First Steamer in the District. — The old records show- that on the 24th of August, 1819, the steamer Enter- prise, io4ff tons, took out enrolment No. 41, in the name of James Pitkin of East Hartford, agent of the Connecticut Steamboat Company. Alexander Wolcott was, at that time, collector. 1 he first vessel ever documented in the district was the sloop Nancy, of Killingworth, owned by John Wilson and Silas Kelsey, of Killingworth, and Hezekiah Hotch- kiss, of New Haven. She was new, of forty-nine tons burden; was surveyed by Richard Dickinson, commanded by Capt. John Wil- son, and took her enrolment and license, each numbered "one," June 6th 1795. Steamers. — The first steamboat documented for the New York line was the Oliver Ellsworth, May 7th 1824. She was new, having just been finished in New York. Her registered tonnage was 227I-I tons, and she was owned by the Connecticut River Steamboat Company. She was followed by the Maidonough, 272^ tons. May 12th 1826, also just built at New York. The Chief Justice Mar- shall, 314-/^ tons, was built in New York in 1825, but was not brought here until March 20lh 1832, when she was documented by David F. Robinson, secretary of the Hartford Steamboat Company. The New England, 261^ tons, came on in 1833; the Bunker Hill, 3io|-|^ tons, came on in 1835; in 1838, Charter Oak, 439f|- tons, built at Hartford; in 1842, Globe, 48iff tons, built at New York; in 1844, Bell, 430^! tons, built at New York; in 1845, Hero, 462!! tons, built at New York. The intervening period was filled by the use of some of Vanderbilt's boats, notably the Water Witch, and the Lexington, afterward burned in Long Island Sound. The wonder of the time was the palace steamer City of Hartford, (1,306 tons, 1852), which was visited by thou- sands, who up to that time had never seen such elegance of finish and such magnificent furnishing. This steamer is still running under the name of Capitol City. The other two passenger steamers on the New York line since 1852 were the Granite State (1,187 tons), burned at Good- speeds in 1883, and the State of New York (1,417 tons), which was rebuilt in 1882, and name changed to City (f Springfield. For the accommodation of small places along the river, the Washington Irving (149 tons), owned by the East Had- dam and Hartford Steamboat Company, commenced run- ning in 1855, and after the war of the Rebellion the Silver Star (276 tons), which had been uped as a dispatch boat on the James River, took this route and kept it until 1882. Long Island Route — In 1850 the Cricket, owned by Joy Post jr., ran from Hartford to New l,ondon and Green- port, Long Island. In 1857 the L. Boardman (204 Ions), I. T. Clark, managing owner, took the route, and was fol- lowed successively by the Mary Benton (365 tons) in 1861, and the Sunshine (427 tons) in 1864. For ten years this popular and safe boat has run regularly on this route, being commanded first by Captain George W. Bates, and lately by his brother, Hanson A. Bates. MiDDLETOWN PoST-OfFICE. In the "Statistical Account ot Middlesex County," by Dr. Field, published in 1819, occurs the following: " The mail has long been carried on the road from Hartford to New Haven through Middletown and Durham in this county. » * * ♦ About the j'ear 1800 a post road was established from Middletown, through Chatham, to Bast Haddam Landing and thence to New London; and in 1802, another, from Middletown, through Haddam, to Saybrook; but in 1810 these were given up, and a route was established from Mid- dletown to Middle Haddam, Haddam, East Haddam Landing, and thence to Saybrook. The post road from Middletown through Chatham and Hebron, to Vfindham was established in 1814; that from Middletown through Chatham, to Colchester in 1817; and that from Middletown through the west part of Haddam to Killingworth, the same year." The post-office at Middletown was established in 1775. The successive postmasters have been: Wensley Hobby, from 1775 to October 1807; Thaddeus Nichols, frum October 1807 to April 1815; Joshua Stow, from April 1815 to April i8i8; Samuel Williams, Irom April 1818 to November nth 1821; Joshua Stow, from November 1821 to February 20th 1841; E. W. N. Starr, from Feb- ruary 20th 1841 to October ist 1842; Eli Wilcox, from October ist 1842 to May 21st 1845; Allen May, from May 27th 1845 to June 14th 1849; William Woodward, from June 14th 1849 to April 1853; Norman Smith, from April 1853 to ; Samuel Babcock jr.. from January 1859 to May 15th 1861; Arthur B. Calef, from May 15th 1861 to June 30th 1869; Bartlett Bent, from July ist 1869, now in office. The post-office was first kept in a small building used by Wensley Hobby as a store, standing on the west side of Main street, on the extreme north part of the lot now occupied by E. B. Chaffee. From this time onward the office was in various localities until the evening of March 31st 1841, when it was removed to the northeast corner room on the first floor of the Custom House. Almshouse. The first almshouse in Middletown was completed and occupied in May 1814. It stood in the southwestern part of the city near Pameacha River. It was a substantial brick building, 40 by 60 feet in size, two stories high in front, and three in the rear and at the ends. It had in the lower story a work room, kitchen, cellar, and dungeon; in the second, two rooms for the steward, a victualling room, and a spare room for occasional uses; in the third, 13 lodging rooms, four of which had fire places. It had also an attic of sufficient size for twenty lodging rooms. The ground on which this stood, two and one-half 76 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. acres, cost $800; the buildings, fences, etc., $7,655; and the furniture, $300; a total of $8,755. Prior to the erection of this almshouse the puor of the town were " boarded out " or assisted at their homes. The town farm was purchased in 1853. This consists of 35 acres in the home farm, and a wood lot of 16 acres. On the farm is a large brick dwelling house, with barns, etc., beautifully situated on the south side of a bend in the Connecticut River, and it adjoins the farm of the Con- necticut Hospital for the Insane. The premises are un- der the superintendence of Frederic Cooley, who has made valuable improvements on the property. The average cost of maintaining the farm amounts to about $2,000 annually. Action of Middletown Concerning the Constitu- tion OF 1818. " At a town meeting of the Inhabitants of Middletown held on the first Tuesday of FebyA. D. 1818, the following resolves were unani- mously passed, Hesolved that in a country like ours where the rulers exercise their power by delegations from the people, it is, we conceive, essential to the preservation of freedom that the public will, constitu- tionally & deliberately expressed should establish some plain standard to which all may immediately refer, to ascertain the authority of the government, and the rights of the community. " Resolved, that for this purpose it is highly important that the State of Connecticut be provided with a written Constitution, which shall trace as far as practicable, definite boundaries between the executive, legislative, &]udiciary departments, which may erect a barrier against the encroachments of power, or the collisions of party violence, & which may secure to the people, the uncontrolled enjoyment of those privileges which they have not, by compact transferred to their tem- porary rulers. " Resolved, That the Representatives of the Town in the ensuing General Assembly shall be furnished by the Town Clerk, with a copy of these Resolutions and that the said Representatives be hereby re- quested to make all due exertions to procure from the Legislature a recommendation for the meeting of delegates from the several towns in this State, in order to prepare a written Constitution, which shall afterwards be presented to the people for their examination. " Resolved, That we Invite the co-operation of the friends of Civil liberty throughout this State. " Voted, That the foregoing Resolves be published in the Middlesex Gazette. "At a meeting of the Inhabitants of Middletown duly qualified legally warned & held on thelthday of July 1818, at9o'c'llc A. M., Alex- ander Wolcott Esqr & Joshua Stow Esqr, were elected delegates to meet in Convention at the State House in Hartford, on the 4th day of August next, to proceed if they deem it expedient with the other delegates there assembled, to the promotion of a Constitution of Civil Government for the people of this State." Ratification or the Constitution . " At a town meeting of tho Inhabitants of Middletown quallfled to vote in Town or Freemen's meeting legally warned & held on the 5th day of October A. D. at 9 o'ck A.M. for the ratlBcation & approval of the Constitution formed by the Convention it was Voted, That those who are in favor of adopting the Constitution give a vote, with the word Tes, written thereon; those against with the word No. On counting the votes. Two hundred & fifty voted for the ratification, of sd. Consti- tution & one hundred & twenty-five voters voted against the ratifica- tion of said Constitution . Lead Mine. Dr. Field, in 1852, gives the following account of a lead mine in Middletown: " On the north side of Strait Hills, and near Butler's Creek, as it enters the Connecticut River, there is a mine usually called the Lead Mine, which excited a good deal of attention before the American Revolution, and on which foreigners had expended large sums of money. In May 1775, Jabez Hamlin, Matthew Taloott, and Titus Hos- mer were appointed a committee to provide stores of lead as they should judge necessary for the use of the Colony, or to take ore raised out of the mine at Middletown and refined and fitted for the use of tho Colony. In July following , the Assembly ordered them to work the mine. They did so and put up works for smelting and refining the ore, which were completed about the month of September; and at this time high expectations were raised of providing from it a large amount of lead . In March and July of the following year orders were given upon the committee to furnish quantities of lead for military purposes, and November 5th, 5,140 pounds were reported to be in the hands of the committee, and Capt. Samuel Russell was added to the committee to procure lead for the State and 10 work the mine. The vein ran north- erly toward the river, was followed thirty or forty rods, and in some places was very rich . But the vein being enclosed in granite rock, it was very difficult to get the ore, and as it approached the river it sunk abruptly into the earth. The works, however, were continued until the beginning of 1778, but at a session of the Assembly begun in Febru- ary of that year a report was made, that the manufacture of said ore was unprofitable to the State. The committee were therefore ordered to discontinue the works after having finished the ore on hand." This mine was worked as a silver mine a short time, about 1852, but was soon abandoned. Middletown Ferry. In 1726 the General Court, "Upon consideration of the petition of Izrahiah Wettmore, of Middle- town, showing that there is much need of a ferry to be setup and duly maintained at Middletown, near the warehouses to transport passengers across the river of Connecticut, praying for liberty to setup said ferry. Granted by this assembly, that the said Wettmore shall have the sole lib- erty of setting up a ferry at said place for the space of ten years, and that the fare be sixpence for a man, horse, and load, and three pence for a single man and horse." A year later, upon the petition of Mr. Wettmore, the authorized fare was increased to twelve pence for man, horse, and load; and four pence for a single person, or single horse. In May, 1737, " Upon the memorial of Capt. George Philipse and Jabez Hamlin Esq., agents for the town of Midletown, praying that the ferry over Connec- ticut River at Midletown (In the town platt)which was formerly granted to Mr. Izrahiah Wettmore, should be granted to the town of Midletown, &o . , for the reasons assigned in the memorial: This assembly do there- upon grant the said ferry to the said town of Midletown, to be kept by such person or persons as they shall nominate and appoint from time to time to keep and attend to the same; and that this grant shall continue during the pleasure of this assembly. And this assembly do hereby en- act that the fare of said ferry for the future shall be as formerly." In 1742 it was "* * * Resolved by this assembly, that the fare of said ferry be nine pence for man, horse and load, and three pence for a single per- son, in bills of credit of the old tenour or an equivalent in the new ten- our bills, at all times in the year said ferry is passable and no more; any usage or custom to the contrary notwithstanding." It appears by the town record that on December Qlh 1737, It was " Voted Messrs. George Phillips Nath'n White and Joseph South- mayd be a com'tee with full power to lease out the ferry against the Town Piatt in Middletown (that is granted to the town) to the highest bidder, he finding himself with Boat, Canoon, &c.: Provided he bea per- son sufficient to keep said ferry and to pay for the hire of the same, said Com'tee not to lett the same for more than three years at a time, and they to set up notifications on ye sign post at least Ten Days before such bidding appointing the time and place for such bidding. " In May 182 1, it was'enacted (Section 13, Title 16, Re- vised Statutes) that " The ferry across the Connecticut River, between the towns of Mid- dletown and Chatham, shall be maintained exclusively by the Colches- ter and Chatham Turnpike Company; and the said company shall have and possess the said ferry with all its appurtenances and privileges in as full and ample a manner as they were formerly possessed by the town of Middletown," etc . In June, 1852, the Middletown Ferry Company was incorporated. Section i of the act sets forth that " The ferry across the Connecticut River between the towns of Mid- dletown and Portland, shall be maintained exclusively by the Middle- town Ferry Company hereinafter incorporated, and the said company shall have, possess, and enjoy the said ferry with all its appurtenances and privileges in as full and ample a manner, and with the same powers as they have been heretofore possessed and enjoyed by the Colchester and Chatham Turnpike Company, and those claiming under it " MIDDDLETOWN— FERRY— RAILROADS. 77 Section ^.narnes as corporators, Stephen Brooks, Evan Davis, Joseph Bacon, and Norman Smith, " being the present proprietors of the Middletown Ferry under the thirteenth section of the sixteenth title of the Revised Statutes, together with such persons as may be hereafter associated with them," etc. It is remembered that about 1810 a scow boat was used for taking teams over this ferry, and that passengers were carried in a small row boat. The scow was propelled by oars, and it had sails for use when the wind was favor- able. The landing in Middletown was then below where the railroad bridge now is, but it was on a sandy beach which extended for some distance up and down the shore, so that advantage could be taken of the wind and tide in landing. The ferry was then conducted by a Mr. Bowers, then by Mathew Haling, and afterward by a Mr. Savage. An assistant ferryman during many years was a colored man named Thomas Lewis, commonly called '" Tom." About 1830 a horse boat was put on the ferry, and then, or soon afterward, William J. French became the conductor. A few years later this boat was replaced by a larger one, on which four horses could be used instead of two as on the first. Stephen Brooks and Evan Davis succeeded Mr. French, and continued to conduct it as a horse ferry till 1852, when the Middletown Ferry Com- pany was incorporated and the steamboat Mattabesett was placed on it. This was built in New York and its cost was about $15,000. In 1859 a small steam apron ferry boat was placed on the ferry as a spare boat to the Mat- tabesett. It was built by S. Gildersleeve & Sons, and its cost was $3,500. The Mattabesett was used till 1870 when the present steam ferry-boat, ihn Portland, succeeded it. This was also built by Gildersleeve & Sons,' and its cost was $30,000. The first president of the Ferry Company was Stephen Brooks. The succeeding ones have been Erastus Brai- nerd, S. Gildersleeve, Erastus Brainerd jr., and Henry Gildersleeve, the present president. 'The capital of the company is $40,000. Railroads. The Connecticut River was during nearly two centuries the main avenue of travel and transportation between Middletown and the great centers of trade and population of the country. During a portion of each year, however, communication between this town and distant places was by the more tedious stage routes over qommon highways. During the first two decades of the present century turn- pikes came into existence, and these afforded improved means of travel, and supplied a great desideratum, espe- cially in that portion of each year when the navigation on the river was closed. The era of railroads came, and the people of Middle- town were not slow to disccrti their prospective utility. The following record shows the action of the town in the case of the Hartford and New Haven Railroad: " At a special meeting of the Inhabitants of tlie Town of Middletown held at the Town Hall on the 3l8t day of Oct'r A. D. 1835, affreeable to notice. "Charles Woodward Esqr. was chosen Moderator. Voted, That the thanks of this meeting be presented by the Moderator to the President & Engineer of the Hartford & New Haven Kail Road Company for the attention which they have given to the route through Middletown, & the communication they have just made to this meeting on the subject. " Voted, That William S. Camp be, & he is hereby appointed an agent as proposed & suggested to this meeting by the President of said Rail Road, at the expense of said Company to see the several proprietors of land on the Railroad route & procure from them, on the best terms for said Company release deeds of such lands as may be wanted for said Railroad." The New York and Boston Railroad was chartered in 1846, and when the people in Hartford assumed an alti- tude of hostility to this road, the people in Middletown manifested their interest in the enterprise by their action in town meeting, as shown by the following record: "A special meeting of the inhabitants of Middletown was held agree- able to notice in the Town Hall on the 25th day of Jan'y A. D- 1847. " Whereas this Town is deeply interested in the success of the con- templated New York & Boston Hail Road, & whereas efforts are now making in Massachusetts & are soon to be made in Rhode Island for its extension through a portion of those States to Boston & whereas the people of Hartford in a hostile spirit have given formal notice that they shall petition the next Legislature of our own State to repeal so much of the existing Charter as authorizes the erection of a bridge over Con- necticut River for the purposes of s'd Railroad & whereas it is perfectly apparent to all that such a bridge will afford ample facilities to the free navigation of said River, & Whereas the increasing demands of the public require immediate action in the premises, we feel sanguine that if decisive steps are now taken, said Road will forthwith be extended to Boston, & said Charter triumphantly sustained & that thereupon a great national inland thoroughfare will be opened from Boston to New York, directly through this town, which for profitable investment, safety at all seasons of the year, shortness of time & distance will defy competition & Whereas at a full convention of delegntes from the sev- eral towns, along the proposed route of said road, holden at this place on the 13th instant, said towns were requested to appoint agents whose duty it shall be to act in furtherance of this popular & noble enterprise. It is therefore Resolved, That persons be now appointed as such agents, whose duty It shall be to represent the interests of the Town, in facili- tating the extension of said Road & in defending said charter, or in act- ing upon any other matter relative to said Road, which may effect the interests of the Town, & so far as consistent with said interests, they shall endeavor to act in accordance with the views of the original Town Railroad Com'ee." At a special town meeting held April 14th 1851 " The following resolution was passed, the vote being taken by ballot by order of the meeting, yeas 372, nays 176, viz .: "Resolved, That the Selectmen of this town be directed, and they are hereby required to apply in the name of this town, to the next General Assembly of this State, to be holden at the City of Hartford, for per- mission to loan the credit of this town, and to issue bonds for the same to an amount not exceeding two hundred thousand dollars to aid the New York & Boston Railroad Company in constructing their road with- in the limits of this State." Through all the subsequent struggles of this company, and till the completion of the road, the people of Mid- dletown gave it their support. By taking stock from time to time, and loaning its credit to the company the town contributed toward the construction of the road an aggregate of $897,000. In the case of the Connecticut Valley Railroad the following extracts from the town records show the action of the town: "A Special Town Meeting was called ;to be held in Middletown on Thursday the 14th day of Jan'y 1869, for legal voters of said town to oast their ballots, for or against the following Vote: " Vote, That Gaston T. Hubbard be & he is hereby authorized to sub- scribe, in the name & behalf of the town of Midd'n for ilfteen hundred shares of the Stock of the Connecticut Valley Railroad Company, at the par value thereof, whenever such Agent shall receive a written notice so to do, signed by all the members of a Committee of five persons to be appointed at a special town meeting hereafter to be called for that pur- pose. The meeting was held according to notice and when the returns came in from the several voting districts the following was declared to be the aggregate vote. Yes five hundred & .seventeen. No Ninety four." " A Special Town meeting was held In Middletown on Ist day of 78 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. October 1869, when no objection being made to its legality, & after o full discussion tlie following Vote was passed. Voted, "Tliat a Com- mittee of five persons, be appointed, in accordance with the vote of the special town meeting of the town of Middietown held at the Town Hall on the Mth day of January A. D. 1869, said Committee to be con- stituted as follows: Henry G. Aubbard, AUyn M. ColegroTC, Samuel Babcock, Augustus Putnam & Michael H. Grilfln." " MiDDtETOWNk Conn Oct 2, 1869. "G. T. Hubbard Esqb. Sir, You are hereby authorized to subscribe for fifteen hundred shares of the Capitol Stock of the Connecticut Valley Rail Road, in conformity with the vote passed at a meeting of the voters of Middletown held at the Town Hall Augt 14 1889, and the vote passed at a subsequent meeting held at the same place Octrlst 1889, appointing the undersigned said Committee. " Henry G. Hubbard Aug Putnam Samuel Babcock M. H. Griffin Allyn M. Colegrove." " I have subscribed to the Capital Stock of the Connecticut Valley Railroad fifteen hundred shares, in accordance with the above authority this 2d day of Octr 1869. "Gaston T. Hubbard, Agent for town of Middletown." It is thus seen that the town contributed toward the construction of these roads an aggregate of $1,137,000. It is hardly necessary to add that the usual course of foreclosure of first mortgages has been followed in the cases of tht-se roads, and that beyond the benefits which these roads afford of increased facilities for travel and trans- portation the town has received no return for these ex- penditures. Middletown in the Revolution. It is not necessary to rehearse the events which led to the war of the Revolution, for with these almost every one is familiar. It is proposed to give here a brief his- tory, based on such records as are available, of this town in its relation to that important war. It must be remembered that at the breaking out of the Revolution, Middletown had developed the most pros- perous foreign commerce that the town ever enjoyed, and that, as a consequence, agriculture and domestic manu- factures had a degree of prosperity which they had never before reached. There were few towns, therefore, that felt the calamities of war more keenly than did this. No hesitation, however, was ever manifested by the people in the discharge of what they deemed their patriotic duty. More than a century of self-government, under a charter or constitution which neither threats nor bribes could compel or induce them to relinquish, had so greatly strengthened the independent spirit here, as elsewhere in Connecticut, that, regardless of mercenary considerations, they were ready to resist the first encroachments on their liberties. When the news of the enactment of the Boston Port Bill, and of the arrival of General Gage to enforce it was received, the inhabitants of this town, to the number of more than five hundred, assembled and adopted the fol- lowing resolutions: "That we will heartily concur in any salutary measures that may or shall be devised and come Into or recommended by a General Congress, from all or most of the Colonies, or by the greater places of trade or commerce on the Continent, or by the Inhabitants of this colony, for the preservation of the rights of British Americans. " 2. That Messrs Matthew Taloott, Eichard Alsop, and Titus Hosmer be our committee of correspondence, whose duty it shall be to collect all such intelligence as may be necessary to enable us to act our part presently and to good effect in the system of America; to communi- cate such intelligence to others as may be useful to them and the com- mon cause, and in our behalf to co-operate with the committees of other towns in concerting any general plan of proceeding for the good of the whole." The non importation and non consumption of British goods was recommended by the Continental Congress and the Colonial Assembly, and it was promptly and heartily concurred in by the people here, as the follow- ing record shows: " December 5, 1774.— Whereas the Continental Congress of Delegates from the British Colonies In America held at the City of Philadelphia on the fifth day of September last, did in behalf of said Colonies, enter into an association for non importation, non exportation, & non consumption as by their Journal appears did in the eleventh article of the same recom- mend & direct that a committee should be chosen & irapowered in every city, town & place in said colonies to inspect the conduct of the inhabitants and see that said association was duly kept & observed, & whereas the House of Representatives of this Colony in their sessions held at New Haven, on the 2d of October last, did resolve that said as- sociation ought to be kept & observed, by the inhabitants of this co- lony, and did recommend it to the seyeral towns in this colony, in theirj town meetings, to choose committees for the purposes In said eleventh article of said association expressed; " Voted That Major Matthew Talcott, Capt. Philip Mortimer, Titus Hosmer Esq., Major Jehosaphat Starr, Mr. George Phillips, Capt. Solo- mon Sage Joseph Frary, Capt. Uoger Biley Capt. NathanleT Gilbert, Capt. Isaac Miller, Daniel Whltmore Capt. Stephen Hubbard, Francis Clark, Capt. Ebenezer Johnson, Joel Adkins, Liut. David Tryon Elijah Hubbard Jr. be a Committee for this town to inspect tlie conduct of the Inhabitants of this town, touching the said association & see the same duly observed & kept, to publish the names of any wilful transgressor of said assooiatlon-and generally to do everything necessary to the carrying Into execution the association aforesaid, according to the true intent and meaning of said Congress." The members of this committee, as well as those of the committee of correspondence, were active and effi- cient in the discharge of their duties, and among the prominent and influeiitial men in the town, who exerted themselves in giving a right direction to public opinion, Titus Hosmer, Esq., was one of the most efficient. A company of light infantry was formed in Middle- town during 1774, and iReturn Jonathan Meigs was made its captain. On the receipt of the news of the battle of Lexington, in April 1,775, Captain Meigs marched his company, fully armed and uniformed, to the environs of Boston, where Captain Comfort Sage, with his troop of artillery had already arrived. In the same month Samuel Holden Parsons, whose family resided here during the Revolution, together with several others, undertook the project of surprising and seizing the post of Titonderoga. The successful execu- tion of this project did much to inspire the patriots here, as well as elsewhere, with confidence. A lead mine in thisitown had been worked by foreign- ers, who had expende.d on it large sums of money. At the commencement of the Revolution it was in possession of Colonel James, a British officer, who had a large quantity of ore ready for exportation. The Government of Connecticut at once seized and smelted this ore for use in the war. The following extracts from letters of Titus Hosmer to Silas Deane, Esq., show, among otherihings, that great expectations were entertained concerning this mine. They also show to what expedients the people were com- pelled to resort for obtaining the most necessary war materials. " Middletoww, May 23, 1775. • • * " Our next object was to provide for our troops; and here you might have been entertained with very various debates MIDDLETOWN— REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 79 whether the soldiers should take their chances to find lodgings in de- serted houses, barns, and hovels, or whether tents should be provided for them; whether they should have spoons to eat their pease with, pails to draw water, bottles to oarrj' it with them, and many such important subjects; on which the gentlemen on the saving establishment shone with peculiar luster. " The state of the Lead Mine in this town has likewise engaged our at- tention. Upon enquiry, we llnd the ore is plenty and reputed rich, the vein Is opened, seven tons of ore now raised and ready for smelting, and any other quantity may be had that may be required. The only desi- deratum is, how to smelt the ore and the metal. This may unquestion- ably be done it skilful workmen can be obtained. Mr. Wales who is now at New York, has orders to make enquiry there for such workmen, and gain every information necessary on this subject. Tf you could give us any light, from enquiries you can make where you are, either with regard to workmen, or the process, you will render an acceptable service to your country, as there can be no reasonable doubt, if we can succeed in refining, that this mine will abundantly supply, not only New England, but all the colonies with lead, in such plenty as to answer every demand of war or peace. " Our men enter into the service with great ardor. Most of the Cap- tains have enlisted more than their compliment, and some who came too late have bought iu, rather than be disappointed of a share in the ser- vice. Samuel Webb is Lieut, in your brothers place. Mr. Whitney goes General Spencer's Quarter Master. Everything out doors is spirit, ac- tivity, and determined bravery. The outside of the sepulchre is fair, but within— the Scripture will tell the rest; tho' we have not so many devils as Mary Magdelen had; indeed the Devil of Avarice is all that we have to complain of ." "MiDDLETOWN, May 28th '75. " We have resolved to give a bounty of five shillings on a stand of arms complete, and one and sixpence for a gun-lock manufactured in this colony . Also a bounty of ten pounds on every fifty wt of saltpetre and £5 on every 100 lbs. of sulphur manufactured from materials found in this Colony, and manufactured here, within one year from the rising of this Assembly. Ibelleveyou mustbeadvisedof this before, and I only mention them to introduce a request that you would inform yourself as well as you can, at Philadelphia, bow the earth impregnated with nitre may be known and distinguished, and by what process the saltpetre is separated; also, how the ore or bed in which Sulphur is found may be known, and how itisseparated; which may be of service towards matur- ing and setting on foot the manufacture of gun-powder. I am informed Sulphur is found in Maryland; if so, perhaps the delegates from that colony may give some intelligence that may be material." "MIDDLETOWN, Nov. 19th 1775. "Kibbe has discovered a method. of combining an alkali with the nitrous acid, and at the same time disengaging and precipitating the oily and heterogeneous matters that prevent the orystalization of the Nitre " He at present makes it a secret not to be communicated, but for a large reward Major Troop purchased of him. I bought it of Major Troop. I am under no Injunction to conceal it, and as I have no vex-y sanguine expectations from the Nitre works in this Colony, I will give you the best account of it I can, in hopes it may be of some greater use where you are than (I fear) it will be here. , • * • » " Major Troop and Mr. Chapman had wasted the summer in a number of fruitless experiments, but they practiced upon this plan, since which they have had success. They had before made about iO lbs. of saltpetre which cost near four months; they have since in about six weeks, made 170 lbs. and continue to turn out about 30 lbs. per week. But 30 lbs. a week will not defray their expence, when the bounty ex- pires. The best native earth contains but a small proportion of nitre. Mr. Troop gave me a particular account of their weekly expenses, as follows: " 1 Team constantly employed to get earth Z s. 10 d. per dieni.£0 17 2 men with the team, at 3 s per diem each 1 16 2 men at the works, at 8 s per diem each 116 i loads of wood, at 5 s 1 00 Besides the wear and tear of works, utensils, contlngences &c. not less than 1 W 6 09 30 lbs. saltpetre at 3 s _ii^ Net loss per week 1 19 " As none of the manufacturers of saltpetre in this Colony at present seem to think of attempting any other way of procuring niateriels for their manufacture but from earth found under barns, &c., I expect they will be given up at the expiration of the Colony's bounty, without woh, in their method they must be accompanied with loss. "I believe a nitrous compost may be made, by a mixture of animal and vegetable substances, proper earth, ashes, lime, &o. digested and Incorporated by putrefaction in a suitable place, which will render the manufacture of saltpetre profitable, independent of the Colony bounty and I am preparing to try the experiment at my works. If this will not, I must give them up with the rest, in the Spring. " The discovery of this method * ♦ * was merely accidental, —tho it appears to be tho fame with that practiced by the Norwich artist, who demands £500 for his secret- You have my- free consent to communicate the above process to any gentlemen to whom it may be useful; but as those here who made the first discovery have been at great expense, and are endeavoring by the sale of their secret to lick them- selves whole, I should not chose to have them blown at present by a publication in the newspapers, or otherwise. " Our Lead works have been kept back by the great rains this month past. In ten days at farthest, I shall be able to inform you how they succeed. The Stamping mill is going and the furnace will begin to blow next week, unless prevented by stormy or cold weather. We are very ignorant here of what is doing with you, and some begin to com- plain, that the measures of Congress are very secret. When will a Con- federation tiike place? Shall we not be in danger of falling to pieces soon, if it is delayed? Remember, we know not of the extent of the powers of Congress. Jealousy is easily excited, in many minds, once excited it is not easily conjured down. You may curse my cold that has confined me to-day, for the trouble of the long letter, and thank my want of paper it is no longer— as I have only room to subscribe my- self. "Afectionately yours, "Titus Hosmeb." Although the people here were, from the first, strongly opposed to the measures adopted by Great Britain to op- press the colonies, and to force submission to these op- pressive acts, and this opposition became stronger as time went on, there were those here who not only doubted the propriety of the course pursued by the colonies, but were strictly and conscientiously loyal to the English govern- ment. Toryism, however, never flourished here as it did in those portions of the country where the presence or proximity of the British troops encouraged those who were disafifected toward the American cause. Of the few that were here, some took refuge in Nova Scotia or else- where in the King's dominions, and others took care to conceal their real sentiments. Instead of being a place where loyalists might with impunity declare their senti- ments it was rather the colony to which they were sent for safe keeping. The tory mayor of the city of New York, and many other smaller tories were sent hither to be cared for by the people, who were also often called on to bestow kindness and hospitality on those who fled from Long Island to escape the consequences of their patriot- ism. » The last royal governor of New Jersey was sent by a convention of that State to Governor Trumbull, who was requested, in case of his refusal to give his parole, to treat him as a prisoner. He was brought into the State on the day of the Declaration of Independence, and after a few days, by his own request, was sent to Middletown. Here he remained till the people became alarmed because of his presence, and in town meeting took the following ac- tion: " January 7th 1777.— Voted that upon a motion made to this meeting for a committee to remove Gov. Franklin out of this town, Capt. Samuel Russell, Col . Comfort Sage and Seth Wetmore to be a committee to prefer a petition to his Honor Gov'r Trumbull, to remove said Gover'r Frank- lin from this for safety of this town & State." It does not appear from any record here that action was taken by Governor Trumbull, but the journal of Congress of tlie 22d of April in that year records the fol- lowing: "Congress resolved. That Gov- Trumbull be informed that Congress have received undoubted intormatiou that William Franklin, late Gov- ernor of the State of New Jersey, and now a prisoner in Connecticut, has, since his removal to that State, sedulously employed himself in dis^ persing among the inhabitants the protection of Lord Howe and Gen. 8o HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Howe, styled the Kine's Commissioners for granting pardons, &o., and otherwise aided and abetted the enemies of the Dnit«!d States; and that hu be requested to order the said William Franklin, Esq., into close con- tlnomcnt, prohibiting to him the use of pen, ink, and paper, or the ac- cess f>f any pei-son or persons but such as are properly licensed by Gov- ernor Trumbull." During 1J76 the militia of Connecticut were subjected to five heavy drafts, and in August of that year all the stpndinf,' militia of the State west of the Connecticut River, were ordered to march to New York city. Instead of the question, who went from Middletown that year ? the proper inquiry would be, who did not go ? Of offi- cers from this town Comfort Sage went as a colonel, and General Samuel H. Parsons. Captain Jabez Hamlin, who went as an ensign under Captain Return Jonathan Meigs the previous year, died this year. It is known that the hardships and privations of the militia this year were very great; that many from Middletown suffered severely, and that some died in prison or of cold and hunger. Of those who died in prison, the names are known of James Smith, Abijah Kirby, Nathan Edwards, and Reuben Kirby, from Upper Middletown alone. The number from all parts of the town must have been large. Early in the campaign of 1777, the State of Connecticut was invaded, and during this year the services of her sons were required in other States. The following from the town records will give something of an. idea of what was done here to supply men for the ranks of the Continental army, in addition to the services that the militia rendered from time to time: "April Uth 1777.— Voted that this town will & do promise and engage to such of the inhabitants thereof, who have enlisted or shall enlist into any of the Continental battalions of infantry, raising in this State, for the terra of three years orduring the war, that they will take care that their families in their absence, shall be supplied with all necessaries of life, as they may stand in need of at the prices limited by law, they leav- ing or remitting monies to a Com'ee of supply, to be appointed for that purpose, and in case any person or persons who are unable to advance or remit a sufficient sura to support his family shall enlist they promise and engage that the deficiency shall be made up by the town, so that his family shall not suffer by his absence, and that no other or higher expense or price shall be charged to such soldiers, than the prices of the necessaries 'supplied as limited by law as aforesaid, and Chauncey Whltlesey Elihu Starr, Thomas Allin, Seth Wetmore, Jr., Capt. Stephen Hubbard, Stephen Johnson, Capt. Ebenezer Johnson Daniel Whitmore, Lieut. David Tryon. Dea'n ,Tohn Earl Hubbard, Francis Clark, Comfort Butler. Joshua Plum Timothy Gipson Israel Kelsey Daniel Wilcox, John Kirby, John V7ilcox, John Higby, Dea'n Ebenezer Bacon & Capt. David Coe are appointed a Com'ee on behalf of the town to see that the afore- said premises & engagement be duly kept & perforraed, and to receive & lay out the monies, that may be advanced or remitted for the purposes therein expressed; said Cora'ee men on receipt of any sum or sums of money to give duplicate receipts for the same, one of which to be given to the soldier who shall advance such sum, & the other to be lodged in the hands of the Selectmen of the town for the time being, & each of said Com'ee men to account with said Selectmen for the expenditure of such sums, when thereto required. "The town took into consideration the absolute necessity, of imme- diatelytfurnishing their quota of the Continental army, to be raised in this State & having considered of the best method to effect the same, voted & resolved, that a Com'ee be appointed to consist of two persons ought of each school district in the town plot, & one person out of each of the other school districts in the several societies in this town and that said Cora'ee be Instructed & impowered " 1st. to obtain an exact account of the numbers of non commis- sioned oflBoers and private soldiers inhabitants of this town, who have enlisted into any of the continental battalions of infantry raising in this State, and deducting the same from one hundred and fifty eight, our quota ascertain the number yet to be raised. "Ziidly. To obtain and take an exact account of all male persons of the age of sixteen years or upwards in their respective districts, soldiers who have engaged in said service only excepted. "3dly. That they ascertain the proportion of our quota yet to be raised, to each of said districts, agreeable to the number of male persons of the age of sixteen years or upwards, such districts shall be found to contain, ministers of the gospel only excepted. "Ithly. That when the proportion of each district is ascertained as aforesaid, that they divide the males of sixteen years & upwards in each district into as many distinct & equal classes, as the number of soldiers to be raised in such district, for their proportion shall amount to, tak- ing care that the old men, middle aged & young men, rich & poor raen be distributed into each of the said classes equally as may be, & notify the same accordingly. "Sthly. that it shall be the duty of each of said classes, Immediately to procure one soldier to enlist, into some of the continental battalions aforesaid . "6thly. That such of said Coih'ee as live in the respective societies in this town, do call the classes in such society to meet at some suitable time and place, to procure such soldiers as aforesaid and that upon such notice, said classes do meet for that purpose. " And it is further voted & agreed in case any detachment of men shall be ordered to be made, to complete our deficiency of the conti- nental army, that we will use our endeavors that those classes who shall furnish their soldiers as aforesaid, shall be freed from such de- tachraent, and that a suitable person shall be detached f rora each of those classes who neglect or refuse to furnish such soldiers which there can be no reason to doubt will be attended to by the military ofBcers, entrusted to make such detachments. And that Capt. Philip Mortimer Titus Hosmer Esqr. Joseph Clark, Capt. Thos. Goodwin, Lieut. Hugh White, Capt. Saml. Savage Ozias Wilcox, Thomas Kirby, Capt. Roger Hiley Samuel Porter Joseph Graves Zaccheus HIgby Joslah Bacon Joel Adkins, Daniel Hall Nehemiah Hubbard, Hezekiah Hale, Capt. David Miller Capt. Jabez Brooks, Elijah Johnson Ensign John Rogers, Lieut. David Tryon Ensign Oliver Hubbard, & Joseph Johnson shall be said Com'ee. Among the families in Middletown that received aid were those of Colonels Return, Jonathan Meigs, John Sumner, and Jonathan Johnson; Captains Robert Warner, Edward Eells, Abijah Savage, David Starr, and William Sizer; Lieutenants William Henshaw, Hezekiah Hub- bard, John Hubbard, and Othniel Clark. Probably all these were in the Continental service, certainly many of them were; but how many' officers and men from this town were in the Continental army it is not possible now to learn. Field says: " First or last, all that could. In some capacity, took part in the long contest. Continential soldiers went where they were commanded. Militia men by regular drafts and orders, or on the report of danger, flew to the places where the enemy came, or was apprehended. Old men, exempted by age from service, showed a disposition to do what they could. About sixty here formed themselves Into a company, to learn more of the military art, with a determination to preserve the liberty of their country. They marched in these streets. The drummerof the company was over eighty, and was as much engaged and alert as in his younger days. Lads sympathized and imitated. Mothers, wives, daughters, and sisters, while laboring more in the house for the comfort of those gone to the camp, entered themselves into the field and did the work of men." Many of the records of what was done b.y the people of Middletown during the Revolutionary war are lost- others are scattered and cannot now be collected, and the participants in that war, as well as their immediate descendants, have passed away. The names of only a few of them remain, and of these the materials for sketches of only a few of the most prominent exist. Return Jonathan Meigs was, as before stated, made captain of a company of light infantry that was formed here in 1774, and, after the battle of Lexington, in April, 1775, went, with his company, to Boston. He was a na- tive of this town, though his parents were from Guilford. He was made a major in 1775, and in that capacity ac- companied Arnold on the expedition against the city of Quebec. Abijah Savage, of the Upper Houses, who was then an officer, and who afterward became a captain in the Continental Army, was with him, as probably were others from Middletown and Chatham. Great suffering MIDDLETOWN— REVOLUTIONARY HEROES. 8i was experienced on this perilous march of 63 days, of which Major Meigs wrote the best account'^that has been given. When the assault on the city was made, the New England men fought bravely, and Major Meigs with a batallion entered within the walls, but was made a pris- oner. He was exchanged in 1777, was appointed a lieutenant colonel, and authorized to raise a regiment. When he had partly raised it, he marched to New Haven, and was designated by General Parsons to execute a project he had formed for the surprise and capture of a body of the enemy at Sag Harbor, L. I. On the 23d of May he crossed the Sound with 170 men in whale boats, marched three miles, surprised the enemy, took posses- sion of the wharves and vessels, destroyed twelve brigs and sloops with a large amount of forage and provisions, killed six men, took ninety prisoners, and returned with- out the loss of a man, having gone, by land and water, ninety miles and accomplished all this in twenty-five hours. For this exploit Congress complimented the of- ficers and men of the expedition, and presented Colonel Meigs an elegant sword. Probably many from Middle- town took part in this expedition. At the storming of Stony Point by the forces under General Wayne, Colonel Meigs commanded one of the assaulting regiments, and here probably many men from Middletown were present. It is known that John Strong from Middle Haddam was there. Colonel Meigs returned to Middletown after the con- clusion of the war and remained till 1787 when he went, with other early emigrants, to Marietta, Ohio. No government had then been established in that territory, and Colonel Meigs drew up a system of regulations which the immigrants adopted. The bark was removed from a large oak, that stood at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers, and these regulations were attached to this tree where they could be consulted by the settlers. During the latter part of his life Colonel Meigs was an Indian agent among the Cherokees, who named him " The White Path." While in the discharge of his func- tions he ^ied, January 28th 1823, in the 83d year of his age. Giles Meigs, a brother of Colonel R. J., lived and died in this town. In the Revolution he was a captain of militia, and went with his company to New London. John Meigs, another brother;- volunteered at the be- ginning of the Revolution, and served through the war. He was an adjutant in the regiment of Colonel Webb, and for a time was acting brigade major. He was com- missioned a lieutenant, and soon afterward a captain. During a part of the war he was stationed in Rhode Is- land, and for two or three years he was in the neighbor- hood of the Highlands. He removed to Hartford in 1797, and died there in 1826, aged 73 years. Josiah Meigs, also a brother of Return Jonathan, graduated from Yale College, and was a tutor in that institution. He afterward became a lawyer and practiced in Bermuda. Subsequently he was tor many years pro- fessor of mathematics and natural philosophy in Yale College; then in succession, president of the University of Georgia, and surveyor general of the United States. He was finally placed at the head of the United States Land Office, at Washington, and there he died in 1822, at the age of 65. General Samuel Holden Parsons, the son of Rev. Jon- athan Parsons, was born at Lyme in 1837. He gradu- ated at Harvard College in 1756, then became a law student with his maternal uncle, Hon. Matthew Griswold, afterward governor of Connecticut. He practiced his profession in his native town, which he represented in the Legislature for ten or twelve consecutive years. He was appointed King's attorney for New London county, and in 1774 removed to the town of New London. At the opening of the Revolution he resigned his position as King's attorney, and cast his lot with the rebellious colo- nists. In 1775 he was made a colonel, and marched his regiment to Roxbury, where he remained till the enemy evacuated Boston. In 1776 he was appointed a brigadier-general, and was in the battle of Long Island, which was fought in August of that year. In the course of the war he was engaged in many military affairs under Generals Washington and Putnam, in the vicinity of New York, along the Hudson River, and in western Connecticut; and in all these he displayed military ability and courage. He was one of the board of ofificers that was convened for the trial of Andr6 in 1780, and he became a major- general about that time. In 1781 he made a successful attack on the British troops in Morrisania, for which Con- gress directed the commander-in-chief to convey to him their thanks. In the latter part of 1781, he was, by the request of the governor and Council of Safety of Connecticnt, placed in command of the troops and coast guards of that State. After the war General Parsons engaged in the practice of his profession in Middletown. He became a member of the Legislature, and was the most active of any in the measures for the formation of Middlesex county. He went to Ohio in 1785, and in January 1786, he was one of the three commissioners who made, with the Indians near the mouth of the Great Miami River, a treaty whereby the United States acquired a large and valuable tract of country. He returned to Middletown, and in 1787 he was appointed, by Congress, first judge in the territory northwest of the Ohio River, but prior to entering on the duties of this office he participated in the convention of this State which, in January 1788, ratified the Constitu. tion of the United States. In 1789 he went to the Wes- tern Reserve to arrange for a treaty with the Indians who claimed lands there. He did not have a part in that treaty, however, for in descending the rapids of Great Beaver Creek, November 7th 1789, he was drowned. He had reached the age of 52. Nehemiah Hubbard was a descendant of George Hub- bard, one of the earliest settlers of Middletown, and was born in April 1853. At the age of 14 he became a clerk in the store of Colonel Matthew Talcott, and continued 12 82 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. till the age of 21, after which he made several mercantile trips to the West Indies. On the breaking out of the Revolution he entered the army, and in May 1776, was appointed, by Governor Trumbull, a paymaster. In May 1777, he was appointed, by General Greene, deputy quartermaster-general for the State of Connecti- cut, which post he filled nil after the resignation of Gen- eral Greene as quartermaster-general of the array. He was afterward in the quartermaster's department with Wadsworth and Carter, who supplied the French army, and was present with that army at the seige of Yorktown and the surrender of Cornwallis. In this department of the service he was one of the most efficient officers in the army, and he acquired the confidence of all with whom he was associated. After the termination of the Revolution he became a merchant in Middletown, where he remained till his death. He was president of the Middletown Bank from 1808 till 1822, and was also president ot the Savings Bank from its organization till his death. In person, Mr. Hubbard was tall and commanding. He was a man of unbending integrity, of quick and dis- criminating judgment, and of a noble, frank deportment. He died February 6th 1837, aged 85 years. Matthew Talcott became a merchant in Middletown about 1750. He was a colonel in the militia, and was a warm supporter of the Revolutionary cause. After the organization of Middlesex county, he was appointed a justice of the quorum, and afterward judge of the County Court. He died August 29th 1802, at the age of 89. Chauncey Whittlesey was educated at Yale College, and became a minister; but relinquished the clerical profession and became a merchant. In 1776, he was one of the committee " to procure and purchase such articles of refreshment and clothing as should be directed by the governor and his council of safety," and he was efficient in the discharge of the duties of that position. He was collector of customs for the port of Middletown from December 1797 till August 1801. He died in March 1812, at the age of 65. Elijah Hubbard was, in May 1777, appointed "com- missary and superintendent of the stores provided by the State for the continental troops." He discharged his duties well, and enjoyed the confidence of his superiors. He was a magistrate, and for the last six years of his life a justice of the quorum. He was a member of the Gen- eral Assembly in more than thirty sessions, and while in attendance on a session of that body. May 30th 1808, he died, at the age of 62. John Pratt was a native of Hartford. He entered the Revolutionary array at the commencement of the war, and roFe to the rank of a captain. He was in the service till the close of the Revolution, and in the Indian war, which raged afterward in Ohio, where he served under Generals St. Clair and Wayne. He resigned in the latter part of 1793, and soon afterward settled in Middle- chosen a representative in the Legislature. He served in the sessions of May 1806; October 1806; May 1807; October 1807; May 1808; May 1809, and October 1809. He died December 27th 1824, aged 71. Revolutionai-y Soldiers. — 1777, Capt. Elijah Blackman, Gideon Cruttenden, John Hanis, John Foster, David Hull, Comfort Marks, William Graves, Moses Boardman, Capt. Robert Warner, Joseph Lung, Davis Johnson, Butler Gilbert, Joseph Harris, Capt. Edward Eells, Capt. Abijah Savage, John Robinson, Joseph Dewey, William Brown, Thomas Powers, Ariel Peck, Roswell Hubbard, Joseph Cone, Daniel Cone, William Henshaw, Lieut. Hezekiah Hubbard, Thomas Barnes, Ensign Othniel Clark, Ozias Cone, Lieut. Jonathan Hubbard; 1778, William Bacon, Lieut. David Starr, Christopher Fisher, Samuel A. Boardman, George Anger, Jonathan Sizer, Ebenezer Willis, William Matthews, Jacob Gilson, James Francis; 1779, Col. Return Jonathan Meigs, 'Col. John Sumner, Col. Jonathan Johnson, David Hull, Abraham T. Kimball, Joseph Willis jr.; 1780, Stephen Savage, John Swift, Capt. William Sizer, David Roberts jr.; 1781, Lieut. John Meigs; 1782, Ensign George Cotton, Allen Gilbert jr., Abijah Hubbard, Jonathan Taylor. Middletown in the Civil War of 1861-65. The news of the bo'Vnbardment of Fort Sumter was the cause of great excitement in Middletown, as in other towns throughout the loyal North, and called forth dem- onstrations of loyalty and patriotism from all classes. The Mansfield Guards displayed the United States flag over their armory, and at once commenced filling their ranks with recruits. The artillery company also raised the national flag, and began the enrolment of new mem- bers, so as to be prepared for effective service when nec- essary. Flags were also displayed on the college grounds and froni the residences of prominent citizens, including the newly elected Lieutenant-Governor Douglas. On the 20th of April a large and enthusiastic mass- meeting was held, at which patriotic resolutions were adopted, the enrolment of volunteers, which had already commenced, was continued, and stirring speeches were made. The following is taken from the city records: "At a special meeting- of the Common Council held the 21st of April 18(11, Alderman Haokstatf, in behalf ot the 'Savage Eevolving Fire Arms Company,' offered to furnish the volunteer Co. now organizing, with thirty two of pistols, provided the balance r45) necessary to furnish each member be purchased of them. "Voted: That the thanks of the Board be presented to the 'Savage Revolving Fire Arms Co.' for their handsome and liberal donation, and that the city be solicited to purchase the 45 in addition to make up the complement. "Voted: That Councilman Dart be authorized to purchase the requisite number of belts for said pistols." " Voted: That this Board recommend to the Selectmen of this town to call a Town Meeting, for the purpose ot rendering aid to the volun- teers and their families." At a special meeting of the freemen of the city held May 25th t86i, it was " Voted: That the Common Council be authorized to pay a bill of the 'Savage Fire Arms Co.' for $900 on account of forty Ave pistols furnished Company A. 2d Regt. Conn. Volunteers. "Voted: That the Common Council be instructed to purchase six town. He became a magistrate and was many times | rtftg^°'rOTn"volT'^^^^^^ Innteers.'" MIDDLETOWN— THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 83. On the 24tli a full company of volunteers from this city and town, the Mansfield Guards, under Captain David Dickerson, took their departure amid the same enthusiastic demonstrations of loyalty that were exhibited on the departure of the first troops from other towns throughout the country.* This company proceeded by rail to New Haven, where, with the other companies of the Second Regiment, they were quartered for some time before they left for Washington. A special Town Meeting was called, the record of which is here given. "A special Town Meeting: was held at the Town Hall on Saturday, April 27, 1861, pursuant to legal notice, when & where the following reso- lutions were offered for the consideration of the meeting & after discus- sion were adopted, viz. 1 " Voted, That the sum of ten thousand dollars be, & the same is liere- by appiopriated for the purposeot equippingjc uniformingthe military Companies formed & to be formed in this town, under the proclamation of the Governor of this State, pursuant to the requisition of the Presi- dent of the United States; also for the purpose of rendering assistance to the families of those who have or may hereafter volunteer in said Companies, during their absence from home,, and that the Selectmen of of this Town are hereby authorized, empowered & Instructed to borrow on the credit of this Town from time to time, such sums of money as they may deem necessary for the aforesaid purposes, not to exceed in the whole the sum of ten thousand dollars. " Voted, That Benjamin Douglas, Rev. .7. L. Dudley, Rev. F. J. Good- win, M. H. GrilBn, Wm. G. Hackstafl, Charles C. Hubbard, Rev. James Lynch, Rev. Jeremiah Taylor, Waldo P. Vinal, & Rev. George Wood- ruff be, and they are hereby appointed a Committee to be known as the "Aid Committee," who shall have power to supply the volunteers in the Military Companies raised & to be raised in this town, with equip- ments & uniforms, & to furnish their families with all necessary pecuni- ary assistance during their absencefrom home & a majovit.y of said Com- mittee are hereby authorized to draw orders on the Treasurer of this Town from time to time, for such sum or sums of money, as they shall require for the aforesaid purposes, and it shall be the duty of the Town Treasurer to accept said orders, & pay the same from any monies appro- priated for that purpose." On the 9th of May the Mansfield Guards, with the other companies of the 2d Regiment, embarked for Washington. On that day they were presented with the pistols voted to them by the city authorities. On the 1 6th the Wesleyan Guards, Captain Robert G. Williams, and the Union Guard, Captain Augustus C. Clark, left for the rendezvous of their regiment (the 4th Connecticut), at Hartford. These companies, with their regiments, left Hartford for the seat of war, on the loth of June 1861. To the officers were presented the revolvers voted to them by the city council. Within two months from the commencement of hostil- ities the patriotic ladies of Middletown organized an aid society, and began their benevolent work of supplying the soldiers in the field with such articles of comfort and such luxuries as the government was not able to furnish. This work was continued through the war, and many a poor soldier, as he languished on his cot in some distant hospital, "with no hand of kindred to smooth his lone pillow," had reason to bless his unknown benefactress in Middletown for comforts which, but for her, he would not have enjoyed. The spirit of the people here was shown on the receipt of the news of the battle of Bull Run and the defeat of the Union forces. Lieutenant Governor Douglas at once put ♦Previous to their departure, A. M. Colegrove, of Middletown in- vited them to supply themselves freely from his stock of under cloth- ing, and during the whole of Saturday and Sunday the ladies in the city worked on their uniforms. in circulation a paper for the organization of a company to proceed to Washington at 24 hours' notice, and to serve for 30 days. He signed the paper himseK, and ob- lained a hundred other signatures. The reverses then experienced by the Union forces aroused anew the patriotic feeling of the people. At a meeting of the council, July 15th, several prominent cit- izens offered $100 each toward a fund of $10,000 for the raising of recruits. On the 24th a mass-meeting was held at which the enthusiasm reached a higher pitch than ever before, and at a town meeting on the 26th the sum of $100 was voted as a bounty " to each and every volunteer to the number of one hundred and twenty-five men, provided they enlist on or before the 25th of Au- gust." The legality of this being questioned, another meeting was held, July 30th, which ratified and confirmed the action of the previous meeting. On the 2oth of August a bounty of $100 was voted "To each volunteer for 3 years provided that each and every enlist- ment be credited to the town's quota, & that the person enlisting has not and shall not receive bounties from other towns." On the 6th of September 1862, $150 bounty was voted " To each and every volunteer for 9 months enlisting prior to 10 o'ck P. M. Sep'r 9, provided such person be credited to the town's quota & that the name of each be returned to the Selectmen prior to the time specified "above, & that this bounty be in lieu of all other bounties voted or appropriated." In the month of September a camp for nine months' volunteers was established at Fort Hill, just south from the city. This was the rendezvous of the 24th Regi- ment, Colonel Samuel H. Mansfield. Here the com- panies remained from the time of their arrival till November 18th, when they left their camp for the seat of war. In September a draft took place here under the direction of the selectmen. Ninety-six were drafted, but only thirty-nine were retained, and of these, twenty pro- cured substitutes. At a town meeting on the 20th of this month it was "Voted That the Selectmen be a Com'ee to see that the families of all the drafted men from this town, be well proi'ided for at their dis- cretion . "Voted. That the Selectmen be authorized to pay all Volunteers from this town, for nine months service, the sum of fifty dollars, on account of bounties heretofore granted, on the presentation of the cer- tificate of the Surgeon of the Military Post that they have duly passed the necessary examination & the Certificate of the Commanding OiBoer of the Post, that they have taken the prescribed oath." At the battle of Antietam, on the i7th of September 1862, General Mansfield, of this town, was killed. At a special meeting of the Common Council " called to take action in relation to the death of J. K. F. Mans-' field, it was " Voted: That the foUowing gentlemen be appointed a committee to proceed to New York, and escort the remains of General Mansfield to this city, viz., Hon. E. Jackson, His Hon. the Mayor, Alderman Hack- stafl, and Henry G. Hubbard, Esq. "Voted: That Messrs. Bent, Douglas, G. T. Hubbard, Kussell, Camp, S. C. Hubbard, aud E. W. N. Starr be a committee with power to make all necessary and proper arrangements for the funeral of General Mans- field." His funeral took place here on the 24th. He was buried with the military honors to which his rank was en- titled, and the solemn occasion attracted a large con- course of people from all parts of the country. Curiosity 84 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. , to witness a military funeral drew hither a few on that occasion, but a desire to honor the memory of one of the country's martyrs, and one of the State's most highly es- teemed citizens was the prevailing feeling. Another draft of men from Middletown town and city, Middlefield, and Durham took place at New Haven on the 29th of August 1863. Two hundred and forty-seven were drafted, and those who were accepted, or their substitutes, were distributed among the different regiments of the State. Still another draft for Middletown occurred at New Haven on the 19th of September 1864. The deficiency to be filled was forty. Probably no better account of the action of the town during the latter portion of the war can be given than the extracts from the town records which are here quoted: " Oot'i- 20, 1863. Voted, That a bounty of $150 be paid by thia Town to each Volunteer who shall enlist and be accepted to fill the quota of this State, assigned to this town by the Adjutant General, under the late call of the Governor for 800 more volunteers for the nine months ser- vice; & that the Selectmen of this Town be authorized & empowered to borrow a sufficient sum of money on the credit of the town, to meetall obligations assumed or to be assumed on account of the payment ol^ sd Bounties." "Feb'y 38, 1863. Voted, That Messrs. Benjamin Douglas, Edwin Stearns, Alfred Hubbard & Horace D. Hall be aCommittee to takeinto consideration the matter of issuing Town Bonds, to the amount of the indebtedness incurred by the town in aid of the War." " August 26, 1863. The following votes were then adopted nearly unanimously, viz., " Voted, That a sum not exceeding forty thousand dollars be, & the same is hereby appropriated for the purpose of carrying into effect the following votes. "Voted, That Benjamin W. Coe, Samuel Babcock, Origen Utley & Alfred Hubbardi are hereby appointed a Com'ee to draw orders upon the Treasurer of the Town, in favor of su.jh persons, residents, and le- gal inhabitants of this town, in sums not exceeding three hundred dol- lars to each such person, as may be drafted and liable to service from this town, under the present act of Congress, and the draft at present ordered and pending; provided in the opinion of said Committee, the said person so drafted require his pecuniary assistance for the support of their families or those dependent upon them. " Voted, That the Town Treasurer be, & he is hereby authorized and directed to borrow such portion of such sum of forty thousand dollars, as may be neoessarj' to carry out the preceding vote & other votes passed at this meeting, " Voted that all orders drawn & signed by said Com'ee and accepted by the Treasurer be a valid binding & legal obligation of said Town, & that the Treasurer be & hereby is empowered & directed to pay said or- ders upon presentment." " Deer .5, 1863. Voted, That three thousand dollars be appropriated & placed in the hands of the Selectmen, to be expended at their discre- tion in obtaining Volunteers to Jill the quota of this Town." " Dec'r 29, 1863. Voted, That Samuel C. Hubbard & Anthony Thatcher, in conjunction with the Selectmen, be a Committee, to expend, not exceeding $12,000, (including the amount appropriated Deer. 5, inst.) for the purpose of procuring men to fill the Quota of this town under the late call of the President." *' Jan'y 2nd 1864. The Selectmen made report that an Injunction issued by the Judge of the Superior Court, had been served upon them requiring them to suspend any action on the Vote passed In Town meet- ing Deer. 29 inst, appropriating money to raise the town's Quota." " Jan'y 18, 1864. Voted, That this meeting hereby confirm the votes passed at a special Town meeting held at the Town Hall in this town on the 26th day of August, 1863, relative to appropriating moneys &o. for the relief of drafted men and their families." " July 30, 1864. Voted, That the town of Middletown pay to each in- dividual who shall Volunteer under the i-ecent call of the President of the United States for five hundred thousand men to enter the army or navy of the United States, in pursuance of an Act of Congress author- izing the same & to each person who has or shall furnish a substitute under said Act, the following sums, to wit, " To each person who has or shall volunteer or who shall be drafted or furnish a substitute for one year the sum of one hundred dollars. Two hundred dollars for two years, & Three hundred dollars for three years or the war, provided said drafted man or volunteer or substitute shall apply upon the quota of men under said call assessed to, or to be furnished by said town of Middletown. " Voted, That in addition to the above bounties, the town of Middle- town pay the sum of twenty-five dollars to any person who shall furnish an acceptable volunteer or substitute to apply upon said quota of the town under said call. " Voted, That the sum of fifty thousand dollars be & the same is hereby appropriated to defray the expenses of the foregoing Votes, and that the Selectmen of the town be authorized to borrow such por- tions of the same as may be needed to carry out the object of said Votes, & that the Selectmen be directed to draw all necessary & proper orders on the Treasury to effect the objects & purposes of the foregoing Votes, & that the Treasurer be instructed to pay the same." "August 13,1864. Voted, That Messrs. Benjamin Douglas, N.V. Fagan & Edwin Scovill be added to the Com'ee of Selectmen for the purpose of aiding them in procuring the funds necessary in aid -of vol- unteers, drafted men, or substitutes on the quota of this town. " Voted, That none of the bounties voted at the meeting of which this isan adjournment, shall be paid to persons who haye volunteered or furnished substitutes, prior to said call of the President, or to any person who shall have furnished a substitute for three years, at an ex- pense of less than $300." " Aug't 23, 1864. Voted, That the whole matter of filling the quota of this town, be left with the Selectmen & Committee appointed with them, to actat their best discretion in the premises." "Aug't 30, 1884. Voted, That the Selectmen & Committee be in- structed to raise the money as voted at previous meetings for the pur- pose of filling the quota of this town . " Voted, That in case the Selectmen & Committee cannot raise the money by guaranty or otherwise, that the Selectmen be authorized & instructed to draw orders upon the Treasury for the above object. " Voted That Samuel L. Warner be added to the Com'ee." " Nov'r 19, 1864. Voted, That the Selectmen of Middletown are here- by authorized & empowered to pay the sum of one hundred dollars to each & every man who volunteers & is accepted into the service of the United States for the term of three years, or the war, & to every person who shall furnish an acceptable substitute for the same time for the U. S. service, the number not to exceed one hundred and fifty. The money to be raised & paid as provided in the following Vote. " Voted, That the sum of $25,000 be & the same is hereby appropri- ated to defray the expense of the foregoing vote & that the Selectmen of the town be authorized to borrow such portion of the same as maybe needed, to carry out the object of said votes & that the Selectmen be directed to draw all necessary & proper orders, on the Treasury to effect the objects & purposes of the foregoing vote & that the Treasurer be instructed to pay the same." CITY OF MIDDLETOWN. Incorporation. " December 29th 1783.— Voted that General Parsons, John Dickinson Esq., Mr. Benjamin Henshaw, Col. Brown, and Matthew Talcott, Esq. be a committee to prepare instructions, in the name of this town, to their representatives, directing them to use their infiuenee in the next Assembly to efteot a division of Hartford County, and to establishing Middletown for the place of holding the Court, and also to use their in- fluence to procure the mercantile part of the town of Middletown to be incorporated into a city with the powers and privileges prayed for by part of the inhabitants of New Haven in a memorial now depending in the Assembly and to prepare a memorial for the aforesaid purpose, and to sign and deliver the instructions to the representatives in behalf of the town." The outcome of this action was the incorporation of the city in May 1784, by an act of the Legislature, while the town was still a part of Hartford county. Middlesex county was not formed till 1785. The act defines the boundaries and corporation as fol- lows: "Beginning at the mouth of the Little Elver or Ferry River; thence in a northeast line to the east side of Connecticut River, at high water mark, until it comes to a point due east from Sumner's Creek; thence southerly and westerly, as the said creek runs to Warwick's Bridge; thence west to the Little River, including the dwelling-house of Re- turn Jonathan Meigs; thence northerly and easterly down the Little Uiver, as the same runs to the first boiindary, including the waters of the said Little River, Sumner's Creek, and Connecticut River, within the preceding limits, be, and the same are hereby ordained, constituted, and declared to be from time to time and forever hereafter one body corporate and politic in fact and in name by the name of ' The Mayor Aldermen, Common Council, and Freemen of the City of Middletown.' MIDDLETOWN— CITY ORDINANCES— STREETS. 85 Section III Provides that 'there shall be a meeting of said city hol- den annually in January at such time and place as by the bv-laws of said city shall be directed, for the purpose of choosing all the annual officers of said city and the annual olHeers of said city chosen at such meeting: shall continue in office until the expiration of the month of January then next unless others shall be sooner chosen and qualified in their stead.' "Section IV Provides that 'the said city in legal meeting- assembled shall choose a mayor who shall hold his office during the pleasure of the General Assembly.'" First Meeting, Ordinances, Etc. ^ . The following is a copy of the recorded proceedings of the first city meeting after the granting of the charter: " At a meeting of the city of Middletown, (being the first meeting of said City) warned agreeable to the Charter of Incorporation and holden in the Town House in said City on Tuesday the ISth day of July Anno Domini 178i. " This meeting was Opened by the Hon'ble Jabez Hamlin Esqr. moderator. " Bezaleel Fisk was Chosen Clerk of slid City and sworn in said meeting. " The Persons after named were Chosen to the Several Offlces preflxt to their names. " Mayor, The Hon'ble Jabez Hamlin Esqr. " Aldermen, Genr. Samuel H. Parsons, Philip Mortimer Esqr., Mat- thew Talloott Esqr., Genr. Comfort Sage. " Common Council-men, Mayj'r Jonathan Otis, Mr. Wensley Hobby, Colo. -Return J. Meigs, Mr. Elihu Starr, Cap. George Starr, Cap. Icha- bod Wetmore, Mr. Elijah Hubbard, Dean. Chauncey Whittlesey, Cap. George Phillips, Cap. Arthur Magill. " Voted that this meeting be adjourned until to morrow morning at 9 o'clock." At the meeting the next day, Capt. Thompson Phillips was chosen treasurer; Major Robert Warner, first sheriff; and Mr. Samuel Canfield, second sheriff. The first resolution adopted by the common council , was at a meeting on the 20th of July 1784, and was in the following words: " That Genl. Parsons, Matthew Talcott Esqr., Capt. George Phillips, Capt. George Starr, Genl. Sage & Mr. Elijah Hubbard,' Be a Committee to confer with such Committees as may be appointed by the Cities of New Haven, New London, Hartford & Noi-wlch or their Hespeotive Court of Common Council to agree upon such Commercial Regulations as may in their opinion be most Beneficial for promoting the Com- merce of the State." The first local ordinance adopted was "A Bye Law Restraining Swine and Geese from Going at Large in the City." At the same meeting, July 27th, " An ordinance to prevent Ballast being thrown into the River " was enacted. It prescribed a penalty of ten pounds for the c^ense. In Septeniber of that year an ordinance was enacted prohibiting, under the penalty of ten shillings, the sale of meat or bread, in quantities less than forty pounds, by "Steel Yard Weight," and subsequently one was adopted " to ascertain the Size of Bread." Although some of the ordinances and regulations of those early times would provoke a smile, if seriously pro- posed now, yet when the changes which a century has wrought are considered it will be seen that these ordi- nances were adapted to, or were perhaps the outgrowth of the circumstances by which the people were then sur- rounded. Quarantine regulations were adopted at a meeting of the Common Council held in August 1803. All vessels entering the port "shall come to the Eastward of Buck Point, so called & under the North Shore of the River & there aoide, untill the requisitions of the Statute of this State in such case provided for, shall be complied with.'' At the same meeting, William B. Hall was appointed health ofificer. An ordinance providing for the inspection of cord wood was adopted in January 1804, the inspector to receive- eight cents on every cord; one-half to be jjaid by the vendor and one-half by the purchaser. Streets Named. "An Ordinance for naming the streets of Middletown— Be it ordained by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of the City of Middletown, in Common Council assembled, that the several streets in said City shall respectively be known and called by the following names, viz: " Bridge Street— The Highway from Ferry River to the Elm Tree at the burying ground shall be called Bridge Street. "Main Street. -From said Elm Tree to Warwick's Bridge shall be called Main Street. " Water Street. — The highway along the river side from Summer's creek to the place where it intersects Bridge Street shall be called Water Street. "Spring Street.— The Highway from the corner of the Bacon lot near the Bassil House to its termination beyond John Wetmore's shall be called Spring Street. "Prospect Street.— The Highway from the South East corner of Peter Stow's home lot to where it enters the Turnpike Road shall be called Prospect Street. " Turnpike Road.— The Highway from the old goal to the Bridge at the Stepping Stones shall be called Turnpike Road. "Liberty Street— The Highway from Prospect leading by the new burying ground to Main Street shall be called Liberty Street. "Green Street.— The Highway from Main Street at Samuel Bull's southwest corner to Water Street at the North end of the Distillery shall be called Green Street. " Ferry Street.— The Highway from Main Street to Water Street at the Ferry shall be called Ferry Street. " Washington Street . — The Highway from Water Street at the store of Eben Sage Westerly to the bridge West of Abraham Doolittle's shall be called Washington Street. " Cherry Street.— The Highway from Washington to Ferry Street on the Bank of the River in the Rear of Eb Sage's House shall be called Cherry Street. "West Street. — The Highway from A. Doolittle's southerly to the City Line shall be called West Street. "Butternut Street.— The Highway from Swaddle's house southerly round to the house formerly owned by R. J. Meigs shall be called But- ternut Street. "Swamp Street.- The Highway from Nine Starr's to the City line in Long lane shall be called Swamp Street. " High Street.— The Highway from Washington Street at the N. W. Corner of the late Col. Hamlin's home lot to Warwick's bridge shall be called High Street. " Cross Street.- -The Highway from High Street at the N. East Cor- ner Tim Starr's Home lot until it intersects Butternut Street shall be called Cross Street. " Low Street.— The Highway from Cross Street near the bouse for- merly owned by James Adkins extending Southerly to the City line shall be called Low Street. "Court Street.— The Highway from High Street extending easterly by the Court House to Water Street shall be called Court Street. " Lumber Street.— The Highway from Washington Street at B. Wil- liams' corner southerly until it intersects Water Street shall be called Lumber Street. " Pearl Street.— The Highway from Washington Street running south- erly by the Court House shall be called Pearl, and when continued through the whole shall be called by the same name. "Parsonage Street.— The Highway from High Street running easter- ly between Mary Alsop's and M. T. Russell's to Water Street shall be called Parsonage Street. " Church Street.— The Highway from High Street near where the old meeting house stood running easterly until it enter Main Street near the Episcopal Church shall be called Church Street. "UnionStreet.— The Highway from Main Street at P . Meigs' South West corner running easterly until it enter Water Street shall be called Union Street. "South Street.— The Highway from Union Street at John R. Wat- kinson's new store at the Creek running Southwesterly until it enters Sumner Street shall be called South Street. "Sumner Street.— The Highway from Union Street at the late Stephen Clay's northeast corner running southerly to the bridge shall be called Sumner Street. 86 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. " Mill Street— The Highway from'Main Street down Mill Hollow un- til it intersect the City line shall be called Mill Street. " Loveland Street.— The Highway next South of Church Street run- ning from Main to High Street shall be called Loveland Street. "ElmStreet.—TheHighway leading Northerly from Court Street in the rear of William Cooper's house round to Water Street shall be called Elm Street. "Bank Street.— The Highway leading Northerly from Parsonage Street at the West end of Wm. Cooper'astore shall be called Bank Street. " Passed in Court of Common Council, S.luly 1809. "Test. .Tno. Fisk, City C'lk." Sidewalks, In February 1810, the first ordinance providing for the laying of sidewalks was adopted; and at the same meet- ing it was further provided that — " Each proprietor of land adjoining said walk shall erect or cause to be erected suitable posts with or without a railing upon s'd lines, or shall set out trees in front of and a foot from the same, opposite to his own land respectively, on or before the first Monday in .Tune next." Whipping Post. William Southmayd, now 92 years of age, remembers to have seen a man whipped, about 1805, for some crime or misdemeanor. He received eight stripes, and at the conclusion of his punishment he left for New Haven and was not seen here afterward. The whipping post stood on the Soutli Green, near the junction of Main, South Main, Church, and Union streets. It was also the "sign post " or place for posting notices. From the door of his store, Mr. John Johnson, now 91 years old, saw this post, which had become rotten at the surface of the ground, pulled down by a horse that had been hitched to it. This was about 1815. A guide post was set up in its place. Mortality of the City in 1825. During the summer of 1825 an epidemic, known as the spotted fever, or sinking typhus, prevailed to an alarm- ing extent,' and led to an investigation for the purpose of ascertaining whether the spread of the disease was owing to any local causes. The following report shows a record that but few other cities of the same population in the United States can produce. "The Committee And that until within a few years ptst, the city of Middletown had the reputation of being one of the healthiest places in New England— so much so that it was the resort of strangers from many parts of our country— and although our search has been diligent, we cannot find any satisfactory reason, why that reputation should not have been fully sustained. The report of the sexton shows the annual average burials from ]819 to ISZl -inclusive to be 50, from a population of 3.000 in the city, and not less than 800 without the city, who bury within the limits of the city, being about one in sixty of the whole pop- ulation." City Officers. Mayors. — Jabez Hamlin, July 1784 to death, April 25th 1 791; Asher Miller, January 1792 to death, December 24th 1821; Samuel W. Dana, January 1822 to January 1830; Elijah Hubbard, January 1830 to January 1838; Richafd Hubbard, January 1838 to January 1840; Sam- uel D. Hubbard, January 1840 to January 1842; Noah A. Phelps, January 1842 to resignation, April 1843; Charles R. Alsop, April 1843 to January 1846; Horace Clark, January 1846 to January 1850; William. B. Casey, January 1850 to resignation, September 1850; Benjamin Douglas, November 1850 to January 1856; Edwin F. Johnson, January 1856 to January 1858; William B. Ca- sey, January 1858 to resignation, May 1859; Edward A. Russell, May 1859 to January 1862; Samuel L. Warner, January 1862 to January 1864; Bartlett Bent jr., Janu- ary 1866 to January 1868; Samuel C. Hubbard, January 1868 to January 1870; Samuel Babcock, January 1870 to January 1872; O. Vincent Cof5n, January 1872 to Janur ary 1874; Charles C. Hubbard, January 1874 to January 1876; AVilliam T. Elmer, January 1876 to January 1878: Joseph W. Douglas, January 1878 to January 1880; Silas A. Robinson, January 1880 to January 1882, Edward Payne, January 1882 to January 1884; D. Ward Nor- throp, January 1884, now in office. City Clerks. — Bezaleel Fisk, July 1784 to January 1785; Benjamin Henshaw, January 1785 to January 1786; Eze- kiel Woodruff, January 1786 to January 1790, resigned; William Brown, January 1790 to January 1793; John Fisk, January 1793 to January 1818; Henry Wolcott, January 1818 to January 1819; John Fisk, January 1819 to death, February isth 1847; E. B. Tompkins, February 1847 till death, February 1855; Edward T. Woodward, February 1855 to June 1855, resigned; Ira Gardiner, June 1855 to January 1756; Elihu W. N. Starr, January 1856 to January 1864; Charles A. Boardman, January 1864 to January 1874; George H. Ward, January 1874 to January 1875; Charles A. Boardman, January 1875 to January 1876; Henry S. Nichols, January 1876 to Janu- ary 1877; Frederick E. Camp, January 1877 to January 1881; James P. Stow, January 1881, still in office. Treasurers. — Nehemiah Hubbard, January 1795 to January 1801; Matthew T. Russell, January 1801 to Jan- uary 1817; John Fisk, January 1817 to death, 1847. From January 1819, this office was united with that of city clerk, and both offices filled by one and the same person. Court Houses. The first Court House erected in Middletown was located on the north side of Court street, corner of Pearl, the site now being occupied by the residence of J. Peters Pelton. It was a wooden btiilding, two stories high, 75 feet by 40, built by subscription, on land purchased of Mr. Samuel Russell by deed bearing date, September 1788, consideration ;^SSo. The contract for digging the cellar and laying the foundation walls, was made with Joel Hall, of Chatham, for ;^72, and was paid in rum: that for the frame was made with Sainuel Hawley, of Middlefield, for _5^ 1 30, payment for the same being made in West India rum at 3 shillings per gallon, and molasses at 16 pence per gallon. The frame cost 750 gallons of rum and 231 gallons of molasses. It is now impossible to determine the whole cost, but the only subscription list now to be found is here given: " We the Subscribers promise to pay the several sums affixed to our names respectively to such persons as shall undertake to build a Court House somewhere in the highway lately opened between the estate of MIDDLETOWN— PUBLIC BUILDINGS— CITY COURT— OLD LANDMARKS. 87 Dr. Eliot Bawson, & Mrs. Ellsworth, as witness our bands, this 37th day of December 1786. Comfort Sage £50 Asher Miller 40 Ezekiel Woodruff 20 George Starr 40 BezaleelFisk 3,5 Thompson Phillips 40 Sam'l W.Dana 40 M.Tallcolt Russell 25 Eliza'h Bigelow ]5 Kiohard Hamlin 30 Neheraiah Hubbard — 40 Philip Mortimer 20 Mary Alsop 30 George Phillips CO John E. Hall...'. 30 Seth Wetmore 25 Oliver " 15 Seth Wetmore, for Staddle Hill engages 10 Arthur Magill i;30 Lamberton Cooper 25 Asahel .Tohnson 10 Ichabod Wetmore 30 Wm. Keith 8 Hezekiah Hurlbert 25 Giles Safre 10 Wm. Itichards J5 Ashbel Durnham 20 Eben'r Sage 30 Chas. Plum 8 Jon'n Denny 10 Nathan Starr 10 Sam'l Bull ]5 Chaunoey Whittlesey 15 Keuben Plum 10 .los'h Smith 20 Sam'l Johnson 15 £851 " Wensley Hobby will give all the painting & glazing of the windows & find all the materials except glass, suposes to be worth at least Sam. H. Parsons Thomas Goodwin, in ru m £15 15 10 The present Court House, the second building of the kind, since the county of Middlesex was formed, was built in 1832. It is of brick, stuccoed in front, with a portico to the roof,84 feet by 50. It cost $ro,ioo,of which the coi^nty paid $2,600, the city $1,500, the town $3,000, and individuals $3,000, it being all arranged at the time that the city and town were to enjoy certain privileges in the building. Here the records of the city and town are kept, and those of the courts until quite recently. Here are the offices of the town clerk and selectmen. County Jails. There have been three jails in Middletown. The first was on Washington Street Green, and was erected about 1786. In a town meeting held March 13th of that year, " On memorial of Amos Wetmore & others praying for liberty to erect a goal in the Highway Westward of Dea'n Whittelsey's— Voted that the memorial be granted agreeable to the Request of the Petitioners &that Eben'r Bacon, Colo. Tallcott & Nehemiah Hubbard junr. be a Com'tee to Lay out a place for a Goal & a Convenient Garden and Goal yard in sd. Highway." The building was a small wooden structure and was probably used until the building of the second jail. The second jail was located on the east side of Broad street, between College and Court streets. The lot, 55 by 95 feet, was purchased in February 1817 for $250. This was also a wooden building and was sold October 20th 1847. The present jail was built in 1848. It is a stone struc- ture 44 by 26 feet, and contains twelve cells. It cost, without the site, $3,300. Of this sum the town appro- priated $r,ooo, the county $2,300. The lot was a gift from the^wn. The building is located in the south- western part of the city and has not been materially altered since its erection. It is used as a place of tem- porary confinement and for prisoners convicted of minor offenses, the principal jail being at Haddam. A resi- dence for the jailer was built a few years ago in front of the jail building. ^ City Court. This court was incorporated by an act of the Legisla- lature, passed at the session of 1879, and was opened for the transaction of business on the 7th day of April in that year. W. T. Elmer, Esq., was judge of the court from 1879 until April 7th 1884, when he was succeeded by A. B. Calef, Esq., the present incumbent. The first associate judge was Robert G. Pike, and in February 1884, Daniel J. Donahue, now in office, be- came his successor. E. B. Birdsey, Esq., served as prosecutor in this court from April 7th 1879 "^ April 7th 1884, when he was suc- ceeded by M. E. Culver, Esq., now in office. W. U. Pearne, Esq., has been the clerk of the court since its organization. • Old Houses. The Gaylord House. — The oldest house now standing in the city is believed to be the one on Washin^jton street, now occupied by Dr. F. D. Edgerton. It was erected about 1720 by Samuel Gaylord, a native of Windsor, in this State. The initials of himself and wife, S. 6r" M., are still to be seen, cut in a stone, on the side of a fire- place therein. He died in 1729, but it was not til! 1750 that the title passed from his family to Capt. Michael Burnham, of Hartford, who kept a tavern here until his death in 1758. It was during his residence in this house that " St. John's Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons " was organized. The Burnham family continued to hold the premises until about 1810. From them the title passed through several parties, and in 1848 Capt. Joseph W. Alsop pur- chased it, and it still remains a part of his estate. One of the Starr Mansions. — The long house on the north side of Washington Street near Main, known by the name of "Jehosaphat Starr," was purchased by him in 1756, the date of its erection being unknown. The land upon which it stands was a part of a grant to the Rev. Samuel Stow in 1670. Mr. Starr enlarged it to ac- commodate his numerous family (14 in all) and it re- mained in the possession of his descendants till 185 1, when it was sold to strangers. The Henshaw House. — On the northeast corner of Broad and College streets, now the property of Charles A. Boardman, was purchased in 1756 by Benjamin Hen- shaw, and on his death the title was vested (1790) in his son Daniel, who lived there till 1803. During this lime children were born unto him, and among them a daughter who married the Rev. John Jacob Robertson, D. D., and this couple accompanying the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Hill to Greece in 1830, she became the first female missionary born in this town. Another of these, a son, John Prentiss Kewley, born June 19th 1792, in after life became widely known as the Rt. Rev. Bishop of Rhode Island. The "highway" in front of this house bore the name of " Henshaw Lane " and terminated at this property till 1830, when Broad street was laid out over the western portion of it and the street in front was extended west- ward. When Mr. Henshaw remov&d from town in 1803, the property was purchased by Mr. William Boardman, the father of the present proprietor. Hubbard Mansion. — The dwelling-house now owned and occupied by Jonathan Kilbourn, on South Main street, is believed to be the second in age now in exist- 88 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. ence in this city. The land, with the unfurnished house, was bought by John Kent, in February 1733. He com- pleted and occupied it as his residence until his death, December 1775. In the settlement of his estate it became the property of his daughter Hannah, wife of Elijah Hubbard, the parenis of the Hon. Samuel D. Hubbard, a former post- master-general of the United States, and it was his home for many years. Mr. Kilbourn purchased the place in 185^, and has not changed its external appearance since his ownership. The Elihu Starr House. — March 27th 1759, Samuel Starr purchased of Andrew Bacon and Ann, his wife, a piece of land on the north side of the highway now known as Church street, '' with the double dwelling- house in process of erection." In 1768 he conveyed the premises to his son, Elihu, who occupied it till his death, in July 1798. The property remained in the possession of his heirs for many years, and was purchased by Wil- liam Southmayd in 18 19. Upon his death, and the settlement of his estate, it be- came the property of his daughter, Elizabeth, the wife of William Woodward. In 1873 it was purchased .by the firm of W. & B. Douglas, and has since been oc- cupied by the pastors of the " Strict Congregational So- ciety." The Wetmore Homestead. — The farm on which is the Wetmore homestead on the Meriden Turnpike, was a portion of the landed estate of the Rev. Samuel Stow, who deeded it to his daughter, Rachael, who became the wife of Izrahiah Wetmore, May 13th 1692. The present house was built in 1746, by their fifth son. Judge Seth Wetmore, and has been kept in excellent preservation. Its carved work and landscape gainting are the admiration of the past and present generations, and show it to have been a superior specimen of the mansions of "ye olden time." It has been continuously occupied by the family, five generations having been sheltered beneath its roof. Judge Wetmore was a prominent man in public life, be- ing deputy from this town 48 terms, running from 1738 to 1 771, was judge of the County Court, and "justice of the Quorum " (with Jabez Hamlin) for the county, from 1761 to 1768. Though rigid in requiring the exact fulfilment of the laws, he was courteous and tender, much given to hospitality. Jonathan Edwards, after- ward president of Union College, a'nd Timothy Dwight, president of Yale, were wont annually to visit their Aunt (Mrs. Wetmore) during their vacations, and Pierrepont Edwards and Aaron Burr, also her nephews, were mem- bers of his family and studied law with him. Thus this noble mansion was open to the best and most learned of the State, to the benefit and improvement of those born therein. Very many of these sons and daughters have proved themselves wofthy of their training, earnest and useful in the ministry and the law, and in commerce they have nobly represented this nation as reliable and trustworthy. In South America and in China the house of Wetmore & Co. remain among the first to this day. Hotels and Taverns. Bigelow's Tavern. — Timothy Bigelow, believed to have come from Hartford, in March 1760, purchased a house and lot on the east, side of Main street, being the site now occupied by the stores of A. G. & R. A. Pease, and S. T. Camp. These premises were used by him as a tavern until his death, in 1772, and from that time by his widow, Elizabeth Bigelow, until 1818, when the property was sold to the Swathel family, who also kept tavern there till 1826, when the building was demolished and stores erected in its place. This tavern was the principal house of entertainment in this town and, not to be behind the times in matters of tradition, it is said to be one of many places where General Washington stopped on his journey through New England. It was for many years the office of the public stage-coach on the route between Hartford and New Haven. Central Hotel.— \x\ 1825, Mrs. Harriet M. Swathel, the last proprietor of the Swathel Tavern, purchased of Samuel Gill the dwelling house and lot on the northwest corner of Main and Court streets and opened a tavern, which was known as the '' Central Hotel." This tavern was kept by various persons under the same name until about 1850, when the building was removed, and the present McDonough House erected on the site. Washington Hotel. — In 1812 a number of the citizens formed themselves into an organization known as " The Washington Hotel Company," and purchased the house and lot constituting the homestead of the first mayor, Hon. Jabez Hamlin. On this site they erected the large brick building now in existence, and in which was held the public reception of General Lafayette on his journey through New England in 1825. This building was used as a hotel and private boarding house till 1835, when it became the residence of the Rev. Samuel F. Jarvis, D.D., LL. D., and in i860 the property of the Berkeley Divin- ity School and the home of the Bishop of the Diocese of Connecticut. The Mansion House was built about 1827, by Hon. Samuel D. Hubbard, and kept as one of the leading hotels for many years under various proprietors. About i860 the name was changed to the Douglas House; later it became the Clarendon House, and now bears the name of the Forest City Hotel, having been improved and re- modelled by its present owner, Anthony R. Parshley. Kilbourn House. — Jonathan Kilbourn is 82 years of age. He came to Middletown in 1825, when there were three hotels in the city: John Swathel's, wher* Pease's store now is, on Main street; Boardman's Coffee House and Hotel, South Main street, near the Baptist church, where Dr. Rush now lives; and Robert Paddock's, in South Main street, vyhere is now the residence of Samuel Coe. In 183s Mr. Kilbourn bought of Esther, widow of John Williams, a private residence that stood on the site of the present Kilbourn House. This was opened as a public house, and was called the Farmers' and Mechanics' Hotel. In 1853 it was leased to Thomas Mitchell, and was finally sold to him. The old wooden dwelling was MIDDLETOWN— NEWSPAPERS. 89 burned in 1873, and the present structure was afterward erected. Jonathan S. Dickinson, who was at the same time the mine host of the McDonough House, kept this hotel for a time. He was succeeded by John Turner, and he, in 1876, by the present landlord, Jonathan Wetherbee. McDonough House. — In May 185 1, a number of the citizens of Middletown organized the "McDonough Hotel Co.," and in December df that year purchased the old " Central Hotel," removed the buildings, and erected on that site, the present brick edifice, which was named for Commodore Thomas McDonough, the hero of Lake Champlain, whose residence was a few feet north, on Main street, and whose portrait hangs in the office of the hotel. From the time of its erection, this has been the leading house of its kind in this city. The Press of Middletown, The Middlesex Gazeite. — According to Dr. Field, a pHnting office was established in the city of Middletown in the year 1785, by Messrs. Woodward & Green. The publication of a newspaper, called The Middlesex Gazette was soon after commenced by this firm. Mr. Green sub- sequently withdrew from the business, which was con- tinued by Mr. Woodward until about 1797, when Tertius Dunning purchased the paper. He continued its publi- cation until his death, in October 1823. His son, Charles Dunning, continued it for a short time, and in 1824 it was sold to Epaphras & Horace Clark. In July 1828, they sold it to Theodore N. Parmelee and Edwin T. Greenfield. About a year after this Mr. Greenfield bought out the interest of Mr. Parmelee, and continued, to publish the paper until 1830, when Mr. Parmelee again . assumed charge. In 1832 it was sold to Edwin Hunt, arid Samuel W. Griswold, Esq., became editor. It next jjaSsed into the possession of Joseph Longking jr., and ceased in 1834. The New England Advocate. — Shortly after the cessa- tion of the Gazeite, a newspaper called The New England Advocate was started by George F. Olmsted, by whom it was published about two years. the Connecticut Spectator was established here, in Jan- uary 1814, by Loomis & Richards. In 1815 Loomis sold out his interest in the enterprise to Richards, by whom it was continued a year or two longer. The Sentinel and Witness. — January ist 1823, the first number of the American Sentinel made its appearance. It was established by the firm of Starr & Niles, consisting of William D. Starr and William H. Niles. In 1827 Mr. Starr beliame the sole proprietor. In January 1833, the Witness was established by H. W. Green; after 32 num- bers had been issued, it was united with the Sentinel, on the 14th of August 1833. The name was changed to Sentinel and Witness, and Mr. Starr became sole propri- etor, and so continued until March 25th 1851, when his son, William J. Starr, and William H. Dunham were taken into partnership. The latter gentleman withdrew from the firm in October following, after which Mr. Starr and his son continued to conduct the paper under the firm name of W. D. Starr & Co. November 14th 1854, the firm name was changed to W. D. Starr & Son, and so continued until the death of the senior partner, October 26th 1855. From this time his sons, William J., and Samuel J., conducted the paper until June ist 1867, when it passed into the hands of Townsend P. Abel, and the name was changed to Our Country, and it was issued under this name until September 19th i868, when Samuel J. Starr again became proprietor and restored the old name of Sentinel and Witness. In January 1878, the paper passed into the hands of Robert G. Pike, and in June of that year was purchased by the present proprietors, Ernest King & Son. It has always been the organ of the democratic party of Middlesex county. It is issued every Saturday from its office near the corner of Main and Center streets. The Daily Sentinel ^2& issued from the office of the Sentinel and Witness, by Samuel J. Starr, from January 2d 1876 till June loth 1876, when it ceased. The Monitor, a weekly paper, was started by Ernest King & Son, March i6th 1878, and was continued by them until the purchase by this firm of the Sentinel and Witness, when it became merged itl that paper. 2^he Constitution. — A weekly paper of this name was commenced on the first Wednesday in January 1838, by Abner Newton. The first daily paper ever published in the city of Middletown was issued from the Constitution office, July ist 1847. It was continued but a few days. July ist 1856, Mr. Newton took his son, Abner jr., into partnership, under the firm name of A. Newton & Son. Abner Newton sen., died May 28th 1871, and, July ist of that year, Abner jr., took entire charge under his own name, and continued it until his death, August 28th 1876. In March 1877, it was purchased by Charles W. Church, a son-in-law of the founder, and is still conducted by him. The Daily Constitution was issued from the same office, by Abner Newton, July loth 1872, and continued until a few days before his death. The Daily News. — The second attempt to establish a daily newspaper in Middletown was made by J. N. Phelps & Co., in October 1850. In March 185 1, Messrs. W. B. Casey & Co. assumed charge of the paper, and continued its publication until October 185 1, when it jvas discontinued. The News and Advertiser was started in January 1851. It was issued from the same office as the Daily News, as an independent paper, until July 1852, when it became a whig organ, and advocated the election of General Scott to the presidency. Like some of its predecessors it had but a short existence, and passed away many years since. The Daily Herald, in connection with a daily paper in New Britain, was first published in this city, October 19th 1883, by C. E. Woodruff. November ist of that year, the firm name was changed to the Woodruff Publishing Company, and, March sth 1884, the office became the property of its present owners, " The Middletown Pub- lishing Company." 13 90 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNT\^. Fire Department. The precautionary measures adopted by the good people of Middletown, nearly one hundred years ago, to guard against fire, have had a salutary effect on those of succeeding generations, for there are not many cities in the United States, of the same population, where so few fires have occurred, and wlicre the destruction of jsroperty has been as small as is shown by the records of this city. The first ordinance adopted by the common council, of which there is any record, was as follows: " MiDDLBTOWN, 3d Monday of February, A. D., 1799. " An Ordinance in addition to an Ordinance entitled 'An Ordinance to prevent Damages by Tire ' in tlie city of Middletown passed Jan'y 14 1785." " Be it ordained by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, That the sd. City be, and the same is hereby divided into three Wards, each Ward to consist of one School Bistrict, And that it shall be the duty of the Wardens as often as once at least on the first weeks of Novr. Jany. and March annually, to examine the State of Chimnies, Fire Places, Hearths, Stoves, and receptacles for Ashes in any and all Houses or Shops, within their respective Wards not to endanger the Buildings taking Are, and in all Cases where the sd. Chimnies, Fire Places, Hearths, Stoves, and receptacles for Ashes in the Opinion of such Warden is not sutflciently guarded, he is hereby authorized and directed to give such orders as he shall judge necessary." The penalty for refusing to obey the warden in any particular was two dollars. Having adopted suitable measures for guarding against fire, they next made provisions for fighting the "fire fiend " when it should appeal. The following ordinance was adopted, providing for the purchase of fire apparatus. "Be it further ordained That there be provided, for the use of the City Six Ladders of suitable Length. Six Pike Poles to be kept— one- Third in the Northern, one third in the Centre and one third in the Southern part of the City and also Two Fire Hooks, Chains & Hopes at such Places and under such Orders as the Mayor & Aldermen shall Direct." The first fire company was organized in 1803, as ap- pears by the following, copied from the city records. "At a meeting of the Freemen of theCity of Middletown onthe22d of February 1803. "Hon. Asher Miller present in the Chair. nv T.owa to nvpiront I ^ By-Law for preserving the Buildings in the •d»mr™hk?T«rfi h City of Middletown from Fire was Read and damage D3 i! ire. j approved. "At a General Assembly of the State of Connecticut holden at Hart- ford on the Second Thursday of May A. D., 1803. "Upon the petition of the Inhabitants of the City of Middletown in the State of Connecticut by their Agents, Eli.iah Hubbard and Enoch Parsons showing to this Assembly, that said Inhabitants have at great Expense provided a Fire Engine &c., and that a Company to take care of and work the same is about being raised, praying that the Mayor, Aldermen, & Common Council of said City may be empowered to grant to such Company the same privileges &c. as have been usually granted to similar companies in other parts of the State. " Resolved by the Assembly that full Powerbe and hereby is granted to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council in and for said City to cause to be raised, established and organized within the Limits thereof a Fire Engine Company to consist of Inhabitants not exceeding Twenty and to exempt them from Military Duty, for and during the time they shall actually serve therein." The power of appointing and discliarging members of the company was vested in the mayor and Common Council. James Casey, a proq;iinent merchant, received the first appointment as foreman of the engine company, which, many years subsequently, received the name of Mattabesett Fire Engine Company, No. i. The following persons were the first appointed as mem- bers of this company: Samuel Wetmore, Phineas Ranney, Daniel Rand, Samuel Cooper, William Boardman, Samuel Snuthmayd, Joseph Boardman, Charles Curtiss, John Hinsdale, John R. Watkinson, Samuel Gill, William Cooper, Hy. Carrington. James Casey continued to hold the position of foreman until 1809, when he resigned and Samuel Wetmore was appointed in his place. At a meeting held in the court house on the first Monday of February 1803, it was " Voted, That Nehemiah Hubbard, Jr., Jeps. Starr, and James Casey be and hereby are app'd a Com'tee to procure a Fire Engine for the use of the City." At a meeting held at Mrs. Goodwin's Tavern, on the 4th of February 1803, several ordinances were passed relating to " the Preservation of sd. City from Fire," and among them the following, dividing the city into wards and describing the boundaries of each: " The First Ward to include that part of said City which lies North of a line, to begin at Connecticut River, South of the house in which Com- fort Sage, Esq., formerly lived, to extend through the middle of the road Westward by the Goal to the City Line. " The Second Ward to include all that part of the City which lies be- tween the line aforesaid and a line commencing at Connecticut River, North of the Store belonging to Nehem'r Hubbard. Esq., & extending Westward through the middle of parsonage and Henshaw Lanes [now College street] and from the termination thereof in the same direction Westward to the City Line. " The Third Ward to include all that part of said City which lies Southerly of the last mentioned line." Every resident owner of a house, store, or office was required to " keep in constant readiness and repair one good Leather Bucket containing not less than two Gal- lons." Any person setting up a stove in a house, with- out the examination and approbation of the fire wardens, was to pay a fine of two dollars. Section 5 Makes it the " Duty of each Fire Warden to visit all Dwell- ing Houses in his Ward, at least once in each year to see whether they are provided with Buckets & Ladders, &c." Section 6 requires the wardens to " examine the Stoves, Chimnies. Fire Places, &o., once in the first weeks of Nov. Jan'y & March." Section 9 requires " the Fire Wardens, in order for the more easy distinguishing them at Fires shall each of them carry in his hand a White Wand or staff of at least two feet in Length." In the same sec- tion, " ft is also enioined of the Inliabitants on the Cry of Fire in the Night, forthwith to place a Hghtecl Candle at one or mnre of the Front IVindows of their respective Houses." Section 12 provides, " That the Foreman shall be chosen by the Court of Common Council & continue in oflice during the pleasure of said Coui-t. And all further vacancies in said office shall be filled by said Court." Section 13 authorizes the foreman to choose his own second. Section 16 makes it the " Duty of the Foreman his Second and Com- pany, to muster at the place where the Engine is kept,at four o'clock in the afternoon of the first Saturday in every month, or, if hindered by bad Weather, the first fair day after such Saturday, Sundays excepted, so longas the season shall permit & woi-k and play the engine." The fine for absentees was fifty cents. Section ffi makes it the " Duty of each of the Wardens in said City to appoint three respectable Freeholders, Inhabitants in the Limits of his Ward each of whom on every alarm of Fire, shall take with them one or more Bags or Sachs iay well be proud, and in their internal arrangements, and their adaptation to the purposes for which they were designed, they are not excelled by any institution of the kind in the country. The hospital has an engine of 25-horse power for artificial ventilation and other purposes to which machinery may be applied. It is warmed by steam, and lighted by gas; and by reason of its abundant supply of pure water and its excellent and judiciously arranged sewers and drains, its sanitary condition is as nearly per- fect as possible. The farm has been skillfully managed, and its produc- tiveness has steadily increased. It is worthy of remark that the sewage from the buildings is, by an ingenious arrangement of the drains, distributed on the different fields of the farm in rotation, greatly increasing their fertility. In 1866, a commodious wharf was constructed on the bank of the Connecticut River,, one third, of a tij.i,l,e from ffv I ^^ i ,' , if' I a I e y io8 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. level of more than 20 acres, affording room and excellent sites for the buildings. To the east a green lawn slopes to a small brook, affording good facilities for drainage. On three sides, a beautiful prospect opens. The whole farm is capable of the highest culture." The first two buildings erected were named the Pratt, and the Street Homes, in honor of-the generous ladies who had donated $5,000 each to the institution. The school was formally opened on the 30th of June 1870. The progress of this school has been encou/aging, though at about the end of the third year was the darkest period of its history. In 1874 the homes then in existence were filled to their utmost capacity, and at that time, Mr. Allyn, the first president of the school, donated $10,000 for a third house, which was named the Allyn Home. Mrs. Martha Rogers, who had at the first given a chapel bell, followed this with other gifts, and finally donated $5,000 for a house, named in her honor, the Rogers Home. These homes were furnished mostly by the generous donations of friends in different parts of the State. An appropriation of $10,000 was made by the Legis- lature in 1881 for a fifth home. This was named the Russell Home, in honor of Mrs. Samuel J. Russell, whose legacy of $5,000 enabled the directors to com- plete it. An appropriation of $ro,ooowas also made to provide a water supply, which had previously been derived from the city water works. The necessary land was pur- chased, a dam and reservoir were built, and the water supply was provided at a cost of $10,419. At its January session, 1884, the Legislature appro- priated $15,000 to erect a building for school rooms and a chapel hall. This building is now in process of con- struction. The subjects committed to this institution are viciously inclined girls between the ages of eight and sixteen years. This class includes the stubborn and unruly; truants, vagrants, and beggars; those in danger of falling into vicious habits; and those who have been guilty of punish- able offenses but who are not deemed incorrigible. In this institution they receive a good common education, and are taught those branches of industry that will ren- der them self supporting. To accomplish this latter object, as soon as they become proficient in one department, they are transferred to another, and as soon as they are fitted to earn their own living, they are " placed out " in suitable families, but they continue under the control and guardianship of the school till they are 21 years of age. The present average number of inmates of the establishment is 215. The present officers are: Charles Fabrique, president. New Haven; H. D. Smith, secretary, Plantsville; Charles F. Browning, treasurer, Middletown; Charles H. Bond, superintendent; Mrs. Lydia M. Bond, assistant superin- tendent; Miss Sadie L. Bailey, office assistant. accept the shelter of the poor house. Her condition aroused the sympathies of Mrs. Williams, mother of Bishop Williams, Miss Mutter, Miss Clara Alsop, Miss Eliza Tibbs, Miss C. Sebor, and MissC. Jackson. They hired the upper part of the old Sage house, on Cherry street, and there they placed this unfortunate old lady and one or two others. Afterward, the house now oc- cupied was hired for a time, before it was purchased, and four or five were provided for there. At first each of the churches was represented in this work, but soon afterward they withdrew and left it to the management of the original parties. It then came under the super- vision of the Episcopal Church, and a matron was em- ployed to care for the inmates. This was in 1865, and during the session of the Legislature in that year the home, under the above title, was incorporated. The cor- porators were: Rev. Frederick G. Goodwin, Rev. Henry De Koven, Ebenezer Jackson, Henry G. Hubbard, Charles R. Sebor, John H. Watkinson, and Joseph W. Alsop jr. Section 2 of the act of incorporation provides " that the said trustees shall be seven in number, and shall always be clergymen and laymen in either Protest- ant church in the city of Middletown, and some clergy- man in the Protestant Episcopal church shall be presi- dent of the board of trustees." A house on the corner of Pearl and Court streets was purchased and fitted up, and here, under the care of a matron employed for the purpose, six ladies, who had known better days, have been comfortably provided for. The officers are: Miss Clara Alsop, president; Miss S. Thorne, secretary; and Miss H. Sebor, treasurer. By the contributions of its benevolent friends, this institu- tion has accumulated a fund that renders it partially self- sustaining. Middlesex County Orphans' Home. St. Luke's Home for Destitute and Aged Women. A poor woman, who was a descendant of a prominent family, was left without a home, and was compelled to As "The death of the martyrs was the seed of the Church," so the death of a little child gave origin to the Middlesex County Orphans' Home. In the fall of 1876, the sympathies of Mrs. E. W. N. Starr were enlisted in be- half of a little girl only nine months old, the child of brutal parents. Owing to peculiar circumstances, Mrs. Starr was unable to obtain possession of the child, and it died of neglect and starvation. There was at that time no institu- tion in the State that provided for half-orphans, neglected, or destitute children, and it was to meet this and similar cases, that Mrs. Starr conceived the idea of establishing a home that should afford shelter and protection for every little helpless waif not otherwise provided for. She talked the matter over with her lady friends, and the result was that, on the gth of May 1877, a meeting was held at Russell Library Hall, and a temporary organization effected. There were present at this meeting: Mrs. E. W. N. Starr, Mrs. Dr. Joseph Cummings, Mrs. William W. Wilcox, Mrs. B. W. Barrows, Mrs. Stephen C. Southmayd, Mrs. Charlotte Warner (now Mrs. C. P. Cornwell), Mrs. C. P. Graham, Mrs. James G. Foster, Mrs. Nelson Smith, Miss Elizabeth Brooks (now Mrs. Prof. Prentiss, of Wesleyan University), Mrs. Orange MIDDLETOWN— ORPHAN'S HOME. 109 Judd, Mrs. G. M. Southmayd, Mrs. D. W. Northrop, Mrs. Edwin J. Hurlbut, Mrs. Dr. George W. Burke, Mrs. Augustus Putnam, Mrs. Benjamin Butler, Mrs. Cyrus D. Foss, Miss Emily A. Selden, Mrs. Isaac B. Lincoln, Mrs. J. D. Sibley, Miss Clara Pratt, and Mrs. C. J. Hill. The first money raised, with the exception of a few in- dividual subscriptions.was from an entertainment given by which the sum of $220 was realized. Subsequent enter- tainments were given and sufficient funds were raised to meet all necessary expenses. The institution was duly incorporated by an act of the Legislature passed February 28th 1877. The names of the incorporators were: S. D, McConnell, A. W. Hazen, C. J. Hill, G. L. Westgate, B. W. Barrows, Joseph Cum- mings, James F. Spalding, A. C. Denison, J. O. Mun- son, A. S. Cheesebro, Frederic Gardiner, Benjamin Douglas, James H. Bunce, Robert G. Pike, J. N. Camp, O. V. Coffin, M. B. Copeland, Jesse G. Baldwin, Henry Ward, Charles C. Hubbard, Julius Hotchkiss, Henry A. Sawyer, George Stancliff, Henry G. Hubbard, J. W. Alsop jr., M. D., William Lyman, Samuel T. Camp, Moses W. Terrill, James G. Baldwin, S. S. Scranton, Robert Sugden, E. W. N. Starr, William C. Fowler, Samuel C. Hubbard, Samuel Stearns, jr., Aaron G. Pease; S. C. Hastings, Joseph W. Hays, George F. Prior, N. B. Strickland, John 0. Couch, Samuel J. Starr, John P. Hoffort, D. A. Cleaveland, Henry D. A. Ward, George W. Burke, R. L. De Zeng, R. W. Mathewson, E. P. Augur, Lucius R. Hazen, 0. C. Buckland, William D. Willard, H. N. Rutty, A. B. Calef, James R. Rockwell, John H. Sage, J. E. Bidwell, William W. Coe, D. Ward Northrop, R. A. Pease, W. F. Burrows, William W. Van Deusen, George S. Hubbard, Parsons Coe, James P. Norton, W. F. Burrows, Frederick W. Hubbard, Curtis Bacon, F. W. Bliss, L. M. Leach, William H. Reynolds, Charles W. Burr, J. W. Hubbard, and Edward Pad- dock. The associate incorporators were composed of the fol- lowing ladies: Mrs. J. W. Alsop, Mrs. B. W. Barrows, Mrs. George W. Burke, Mrs. Benjamin Butler, Mrs. J. E, Bidwell, Mrs. James H. Bunce, Mrs. H. F. Boardman, Mrs. Dr. L. Bailey, Mrs. S. H. Butler, Mrs. Rev. John W. Beach, Miss Caroline E. Bacon, Mrs. Dr. Curamings, Mrs. A. R. Crittenden, Mrs. D. W. Camp, Mrs. Dr. Cleaveland, Miss Mary Copeland, Mrs. William Douglas, Mrs. Benja- min Douglas, Mrs. Evan Davis, Miss Nelly Doug- las, Mrs. Dr. Edgerton, Mrs. Cyrus H. Foss, Mrs. J. G. Foster, Mrs. F. L. Gleason, Mrs. C. P. Gra- ham, Mrs. Harriet Gerand, Mrs. Ira L. Gardiner, Mrs. Dr. Frederic Gardiner, Miss Margaret S. Hubbard, Mrs. G. H. Hurlbert, Mrs. E. E. G. Hurlburt, Mrs. J. P. Hoffort, Mrs. C. J. Hill, Mrs. A. W. Hazen, Mrs. Prof. Harrington, Mrs. Orange Judd, Mrs. Elizabeth Kilbourn, Mrs. Isaac B. Lincoln, Mrs. Abner Newton jr., Mrs. D. Ward Northrop, Miss E. M. Northrop, Mrs. Robert Pit- kin, Mrs. Rev. George Pientiss, Mrs. A. Putnam. Mrs. C. J. Post, Mrs. A. R. Parshley, Miss Clara Pratt, Miss Fanny A. Russell. Mrs. Samuel Russell, Mrs. William M. Rice, Mrs. Isaac Roberts, Mrs. M. E. Rockwell, Mrs. E. W. N. Starr, Mrs. Nelson Smith, Mrs. W. H. Sherman, Mrs. J. D. Sibley, Mrs. G. M. Southmayd, Mrs. Stephen C. Southmayd, Mrs. Henry S. Steele, Mrs. Leopold Strauss, Miss Emily A. Selden, Miss Sarah Sill, Mrs. N. C. Stiles, Mrs. Rev. A. W. Tabor, Miss Sarah Thome, Mrs. Prof. J. M. Van Vleck, Mrs. Henry S. White, Mrs. J. H. Watkinson, Mrs. Charlotte Warner, Mrs. G. L. Westgate, Mrs. William Wilcox, Miss Eliza H. Woodward Miss. Frank Ward, Mrs. Henry Ward. Section 5 of the Articles of Incorporation provides: " That the board of managers for the time being- shall have the entire control o£ the concerns of said corporation, and they shall make all the subsci'iptioDS, donations, funds, and estates belonging to the same solely for the use and benefit of said corporation, and for the charitable objects for which it is incorporated; and no side, transfer, or in- cumbrance of any part of the estate of said corporotlon shall be valid until approved by at least a majority of said managers. The said managers shall have power and authority to receive into the Home of said corporation such indigent children as they may Judge most suitable objects of charity, and also to accept a surren- der, in writing, by the father, or, when there is no father, by the mother or guardian, or from the selectmen of the town of Middletown, or any other town in this State, of any indigent child as aforesaid; and they shall have sole and exclusive care, guardianship, and direction of such child so received or surrendered, which a guardian appointed by a Court of Probate, may or ought to have. And the said managers may, with the consent and approbation of the Judge of probate of the Middletown district, bind out any child whom they have received under their care and direction, — if male, until twenty-one years of age; if a female, until eighteen years of age, or until her marriage within the age of eighteen years, to be apprenticed to some proper person, to be instructed in some suitable trade, pursuit, or profession, according to the rules and regulations which may be from time to time adopted by said corpora- tion." From the list of associate incorporators forty ladies were elected as a board of managers, and from these were selected the several officers and committees. The com- mittees were divided into an executive, a beneficiary, a finance, and visiting committee. The following weiethe first regularly elected officers: President, Mrs. Rev. Jo- seph Cummings; vice-president, Mrs. Rev. C. J. Hill; recording secretary, Mrs. Orange Judd; corresponding secretary, Miss Eliza Woodward; treasurer. Miss Nellie Douglas. A building was rented for the reception of the chil- dren, and the institution formally opened on the 15th of July 1878. During the first two months m expenses were incurred for the care of the home, Mrs. R. S. Bai- ley and Mrs. M. E. Rockwell volunteering their services for this purpose. The institution was supported entirely by voluntary contributions, a part of which was a weekly donation of a basket of provisions, valued at $5, from each member of the board of managtrs. The total amount of receipts, from October i7ih 1S77 to December 2d 1878, was $1,086.17, and the expenditures were $750.34. For the year ending December 5th i88i, the receipts were $1,654.88, and the expenses $1,381.95. For the year ending December 4th 1882, the receipts were $2,974.16, and the ex|)enses $2,226.48. The institution prospered under the management of these ladies, and an appeal was made to the State for an appropriation for its permanent support. This led to the appointment of a committee of investigation, and as the result of their report, the Legislature passed an act, in March 1883, providing for the establishment of homes no HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. for destitute children, over 2 years of age, in every county in the State. Through the efforts of Mrs. Hill and other ladies, the sum of $610 was raised at different periods towards the establishment of a home. This sura was deposited in the Middletown Savings Bank, where it still remains, but owing to an act of the Legislature giving the State au- thorities control of the children, this money is no longer required for that purpose. The following ladies have served as officers of the home during the different periods named. For 1878: Mrs. O. J. Hill, ist vice-president and acting president; Miss Nellie A. Douglas, treasurer; Mrs. N. C. Stiles, record- ing and corresponding secretary. For 1879: Mrs. Cyrus D. Foss, president; Mrs. George Prentiss, ist vice-presi- dent; Mrs. Rev. B. W. Barrows, 2d vice-president; Mrs. Rev. M. W. Tabor, 3d vice-president; Mrs. George W. Burke, treasurer; Mrs. N. C. Stiles, recording and cor- responding secretary. For 1880: Mrs. Cyrus D. Foss, president; Mrs. Rev. George Prentiss, vice-president; Mrs. Rev. Charles J. Hill, 2d vice president; Mrs. J. E. Bidwell, 3d vice president; Mrs. George W. Burke, treas- urer; Mrs. N. C. Stiles, corresponding and recording secretary. In 1881-82: Mrs. Rev. C. J. Hill, president; Mr. Rev. Frederic Gardiner, ist vice president; Mrs. J. E. Bidwell, 2d vice-president; Mrs. J. G. F'oster, 3d vice- president; Mrs. George W.Burke, treasurer; Miss E. M. Northrop, recording secretary; Mrs. Dr. F. D. Edgerton, corresponding secretary. J-ODGES AND SOCIETIES. St. Johns Lodge, No. 2., F. & A. M. — In 1733 the Grand Lodge of England, F. & A. M., granted a dispen sation to certain petitioning brethren in Boston, Mass., for the formation of a lodge to be knowm as St. John's Lodge, and a Provincial Grand Master was ap pointed for New England with power to grant dispensa- tions for the formation of other lodges. Subsequent to this, Thomas Oxnard, of Boston, received the appoint- ment of Provincial Grand Master of New England from the " Right Honorable and Most Worshipful John, Lord Ward, Baron of Birmingham, County of Warwick, Eng- land." The first charter granted by the Provincial Grand Master of New England for the formation of a lodge was in 1734, to Benjamin Franklin and others for a lodge in Philadelphia. The second charter was for a lodge in Newport, R. I., dated December 27th 1749. The third charter was to " Hiram Lodge," New Haven, Conn., August 12th 1750. On the organization of the Grand Lodge of the State of Connecticut this Lodge surrendered its old charter, and applied for a new one under the name of Union Lodge. This placed St. John's Lodge of Middletown second on the list and it has since been known as No. 2. The fourth was to St. John's Lodge, New London, Conn., and the fifth to St. John's Lodge of Middletown, of which the following is a copy: T. Oxnard G.M. To all and Every our H. Worshipful and Loving Brethren, Free and Aocepted Massons now Residine:, or that may hereafter Reside in Mid- dletown, in the Colony of Connecticut, The R- Worshipful Thomas Oxnard, Esqr., Provincial Grand Master of the Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Massons in North America Seiideth Qreeting: WiiEiiEAS, Application hath been made unto us by Ichabod Camp and Sundry other Ilrethern of the Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Acceptcii Massons now Residing: at Middletown aforesaid, that we would be pleased to Constitute them into a Regular Lodgre that Massonry may Increase and Flourish in those parts. A^oiD Kiinw Tc That we have Nominated, Ordain'd, Constituted and appointed, and by these Presents do Nominate, Ordain, Constitute and Appoint OurRt. Worshipful and Well-beloved Brother Mr. .Tehosaphat Starr, to be the First Master of the Lodge at Middletown aforesaid; and do hereby Im- power him to Congregate the brethren together and form them into a Ites'ular Lodge. He taking Special Care in Choosing Two Wardens and other OflBcers necessary for the due Regulation thereof, for One year, at the End whereof the Lodge shall have full power to Choose and Ap- point theire Master and other OflBcers, and so on Annually. The Master and Wardens for the Time being talking Special Care that all and every Member admitted into said Lodge from Time to Time have been or shall be made Regular Masons, and that they do cause all and every; The Regulations contained in the Printed Boolt of Constitutions (except so far as they have been Altered by the Grand Lodge at their Quarterly meetings in London) to be Itept and observed as also all such other Rules and Instructions as shall be from Time to Time Transmitted to them by us or by our Deputy or by the Grand Master or his Deputy for the Time being; and that they do send Annually an Amount in writing to us or our Deputy or to the Grand Master or his Deputy for the time being of the names of the Membei's of said Lodge, and their place of abode, with the days and place of meeting with any other things that they may thinlc proper to Communicate for the benefit of their Lodge, and that they do send Two Guineas for their Constitution, to be paid into the Stock of the Grand Lodge in Boston; and further, that they do Annually Keep or cause to be kept The Feast of St. John the Evan- gelist, and Dine together on that Day or near that Day, as shall be Judged most convenient; and Lastly, that they do Regularly communi- cate with the Grand Lodge in Boston, by sending to their Quarterly Communications such Charity as their Lodge shall think fit for the Relief of poor Brethren. Given under our Hands and Seals at Boston, This Fourth Day of February, Anno Domini One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty-four and of Masonry Five Thousand Seven Hundred and Fiftj'-four. By the Grand Master Command. Benjamin Hallowell, D. G. M. Charles Brockwell,, S. G. w. James Forbes, J G. W. John Leveeeit, G. S. The first regular communication of St. John's Lodge of Middletown, Conn., was held at the tavern of Captain Michael Burnham, February 26th 1754. This tavern was the house now occupied by Dr. Edgerton on Washington street below Main. It appears by the town records that Captain Michael Burnham came from Hartford and purchased this property in 1750. The charter members were; Jehosaphat Starr, Thomas Tyler, Richard Alsop, Ichabod Camp, John Easton, Sam- uel Griffin, Samuel Bement, Jedediah Stow, Israel Ab- bott, Phillip Mortimer,George Phillips, Thomas Edwards, George Lawson, William Davis, Elijah Davis, and Com- fort Sage. " Jehosaphat Starr read his deputation from Thomas Oxnard Esq., appointing him Deputy Grand Master of the lodge and after the usual ceremonies he nominated aloud Brother Thomas Tyler for his Senior Warden, Brother Richard Alsop for his Junior Warden, Brother JVUDDI.ETOWN— ST. JOHN'S LODGE. II I Ichabod Camp for his Treasurer, and John Easton, his Secretary. A committee on bylaws was appointed and subsequently submitted the following, which were adopted: Bu Laws for the well BegidatiHd the Fint Liidue of Free and Accepted Massnm in MUhUetnwii, Fehruaiu Sath TiT.-rf. Presented by Bro. Tlimnas Tylei- aiul unanimously leoeiveJ and con- sented too Dy the Right Worshipfnll Johosaphat Star, Deputy Grand Master, the Wardens and niombeis of Said Lodge. Follow Ueason. 1st. Jt is ordered thatthis Lodge meet every Wednesday evening- till tlie members are Good workmen. 2d. The Lodge to be opened at )^ Past Bo'oloclc, fioni March 10th to lUth September, and at 6 o'clock fiom 10th Sepr. to 10th March again, to be closed always by nine, or sooner it the master pleases, which, when done, no Brother shall Insist upon, or force another to tarry longer. 3d. If any of the brethren should be so imprudent as to sware pro- fanely during Lodge hours he shall pay one shilling LawfuU money to the Treasurer of the Lodge to be Deposited in the fund for the Relief of Poor Brethren . 4th. When a Candidate is proposed tor admissicm the Proposer siiall pay to the Treasurer Twenty Shillings L. M. as Earnest for his Initiation in Case lie be accepted, if he be not Balloted in the money to be return'd. .5tb. Every Candidate, at his Admission, shall pay to the Treasurer Twenty Shillings L. M. more for the use of the Lodge, and shall be at the expense of a pair of Gloves to each of the members present at his admission all other Charges to be born by the Lodge. 6th. Whereas, by the new Regulations of the Grand Lodge in London, Liberty is granted to particular Lodges to Admit u Candidate if they think proper when there are no more than three votes against him, but the better to preserve Harmony this Lodge declines that Priviledge, and no Candidate shall be admitted unless the votes are Unanimous. 7th. A Candidate shall not be Ballotted for the same night he is Pro- posed, but the next Lodge night after; that his qualitications may be discussed, &c.. unless the Lodge can with safety dispence with this Law by being well acquainted with the Merits of the Candidate, nor shall a Candidate be admitted the same night he is Ballotted in, but the next Lodge Night. 8th. Every member and Visiting Brothershall pay one shilliug L. M. each night he is at the Lodge. 91h. When an Occasional or special Lodge is call'd for the Admission of a Candidate he shall be at the whole Charge of that night. loth. Though for Certain reasons it is provided in the Book of Consti- tution that the feasts of Saint John's the Baptist & Evangelist maybe omitted, yet as them Reasons no way Affect this Lodge the said festi- vals shall be observed & kept in due form and according to ancient Usages. 11th. The Members of this Lodge shall be very Cautious of their Be- havior both in Lodge and without, that no unjust Reflections maybe thrown on the Royal Art. 13th. The Master shall order this Lodge to meet on the evenings of the first and third Wednesdays of every month. 13th. The Treasurer of the Lodge shall aocompt once in six months, and the surplusage of all monies in his hands, shall be put into the Chest, in order to Raise a fund for the Relief of poor Brethren. 14th. If any of the Brethren should be so void of shame as to disguise himself in liquor, or shall come disguis'd to the Lodge, he shall pay a fine of Two shillings L. M., be dismissed for that night, and the Next Lodge night he comes, shall be severely Reprimanded & dealt by ac- cording to the manner of Masons. 15th. Whoever promotes feuds or animosities, or endeavors to dis- turb tiie Tranquility of the Lodge, shall likewise be dealt by us as seemeth meet unto the master and his men. 16th. As Masonry ought never to be neglected, and as true (.'ement is necessary tor keeping the Lodge in a firm state, so it any member shall be in town and absent himself of a Lodge A ight, he shall be charg'd his Club unless he give a satisfactory reason for his absence. 17th The foregoing Laws shall not be Abrogated Nor any new ones made unless it be by a Majority of Votes. "Summons tor Qu.4btebly' Meeting. " Boston, March 12th 1754. " Right Worshipful Brother "I have received orders from our Right Worshipful Brother Thomas Oxnard Esq. Provincial Grand Master in North America to summons the Masters and Wardens of all Regular Lodges within his District to attend him at the Royal Exchange Tavern, in King Street, Boston, the second Friday in April next at 6 o'clock P. M., being Grand Lodge or Quarterly Communication. You are desired to attend with your Wardens and bring what Charity your Lodge shall think proper for the Belief of poor Brethren. You are desired to send a List of your Mem- bers and the time and place of your meetings. The Grand Lodge in January last Pass'd the following Vote to which you are to Conform viz. Voted that no Brother within our District shall be master of any Regular Lodge under Thirty years of age "I am Right Worshlpfull l" Your Humbl' Se'v't & Bro'r " John Letbbett G. S. " To "Mr. Jehos Starh Master of the) Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons In Middletown, Connecticut." ; The lodge continued to work under the original char- ter until May 20th 1795, when a new charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, signed by William Judd, G. M.; and John Mix, G. S., and the old one sur- rendered. The stated communications of the lodge were held subsequently at the house of Mrs. Ashabel Shaler, mother of Nathaniel Shaler, in the old frame building (still standing) just below the Episcopal church, on Main street. Early in the present century it met at the Washington Hotel, corner of Main and Washington streets, which is now owned and occupied by the Divin- ity School. Afterward, a piece of property on High street was purchased by the lodge, with a view of erect- ing a building. Nothing was done, however, and the property was subsequently sold. Some of the most distinguished men in the country have been, at different periods, connected with this lodge, among whom were General Comfort Sage, General Samuel Holden Parsons, Commodore McDonough, Chief Justice Stephen T. Hosmer, Rev. Abraham Jarvis, the second Episcopal Bishop of Connecticut, and a long list of prominent citizens of Middletown. The growth of Freemasonry in the United States, as indicated by the membership of St. John's Lodge during the several dec- ades from the time of its organization, has been fluctuat- ing. From 1754 to 1764 there were admitted 116; from 1764 to 1774, 29; froth 1774 to 1784, 37; from 1784 to 1794, 28; from i794_to 1804, 132; from 1804 to 1814, 59; from 1814 to 1824, 78; from 1824 to 1834, 64; from 1834 to 1844, 12; from 1844 to 1854, 5s; from 1854 to 1864, 106; from 1864 to 1874, 121; from 1874 to 1884, 78; making the total membership from 1754 to 1884, a period of 130 years, 895, being an average of about 7 members a year or 70 for each decade. The largest num- ber was from 1794 to 1804 being 132; the smallest, from 1834 to 1844, was only 12. There have been periods of 9 to 12 years when none were admitted. From 1836 to 1848 a period of 12 years, none were admitted. This covered a period when the Morgan sensation entered largely into politics. The oldest living member of St. John's Lodge is William P. Spencer, of Higganum, who was admitted in 1824. The oldest living past master is Jonathan Kil- bourn, who united with the lodge in 1828 and served as master. It is a fact worthy of notice, that all the buildings used by the lodge for their meetings during the 130 years are still standing and in good condition. The following named persons have served as W. M.: Jehosaphat Starr, February 4th 1754; Richard Alsop, June 4th 1755; Phillip Mortimer, December 27th 1756; George Phillips, December 27th 1757; Ichabod Camp, December 27th 1758; Phillip Mortimer, June 24th 1760; HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. George Phillips, December 27th 1764; Richard Alsop, December 27th 1765; Comfort Sage, December 30th 1767; John Cotton, December 27th 1781; Samuel H. Parsons, June 26lh 1782; Comfort Sage, December 27th 1783; 'Robert Warner, December 27th 1784; Asher Miller, December 25th 1786; Lamberton Cooper, Decern ber 27th 1788; Ebenezer Sage, December 15th 1790; Stephen T. Hosmer, December 23d 1794; Samuel Can- field, June 2ist 1798; William B. Hall, December 17th 1800; Alexander Collins, June 25th 1804; Stephen T. Hosmer, December 28th 1809; Samuel Ells, December 26th 1810; Levi H. Clark, December 30th 1812; William C. Hall, December 29th 1813; Stephen T. Hosmer, January 4th 1814; Samuel Cooper, May 14th 1816; Lysander Wells, December 26th 1821 ; Samuel Cooper, December 26th 1823; Horace Clark, December rsth 1824; Samuel Babcock, December 20th 1826; George W. Bull, December 17th 1828; Edward S. Cone, Decem- ber 8th 1830; Merrils Ward, February 2d 1831; Alanson Work, February 6th 1833; Lot D. Vansands, February 24th 1834; Joseph C. Burke, December 17th 1834; Jonathan Kilbourn jr., December 2Sth 1835; Caleb Mil- ler, January i8th 1836; Samuel Babcock, December 2d 1846; Townsend P. Abel, December 15th 1848; Elliott Bradley, December 20th 1850; William B. Casey, Decem- ber 19th 1856; James E. Bidwell, January nth i860; George H. Bishop, December 28th i860; Henry Wood- ward, October 2d 1863; George H. Bishop, December i8th 1863; Alfred O. Smith, December 16th 1864; Wil- liam Shay, December 21st 1866; Charles W. Stearns, December 13th 1867; William H. Burrows, December itth 1868; J. B. Kilbourn, December 9th 1870; J. L. S. Roberts, January 3d 1873; William H. Fagan, December nth 1874; L. C. Vinal, December loth 1875; Arthur W. Bacon, December 8th 1876; John V. Adams, Decem- ber 14th 1877; W. K. Bacon, December 13th 1878; Charles R. Fagan, December 12th 1879; Franklin H. Taylor, December 3d 1880; L. O. Davis, December 2d i88r; Russell H. Whittaker, December ist 1882; Wesley U. Pearne, December 7th 1883. Present officers: Wesley U. Pearne, W. M.; Henry Bernard, S. W.; R. W. Burke, J. W.; L. O. Davis, treasurer; E. S. Davis, secretary; J. E. Bidwell, W. K. Bacon, L. O. Davis, trustees. Makk Masters Degree. — The records do not show the exact date of this organization, but it was the out- growth or continuation of St. John's Lodge, F. & A. M., and the first meeting was held about 1781. The first record in the minute book contains the by laws, which are similar to those of the Blue lodge. The following are the names of the first signers of the by laws, with the distinguishing " mark " of each: Samuel H. Parsons, turn stars; John Lewis de Koven, hope and anchor; John Cotton, ink and pen; John Heart, ark; Stephen Ranney, rose; Joseph Webb, time; Eli Foot, justice; Ralph Pomeroy, the sun; Matthew Reed, two pillars; \Vm. Redfield, the square; Wra. Wor- thington, hand in hand; David Starr, key; Step. Lay, olive leaf; Wm. Joyce, the compass; Elijah Bingham, seven candlesticks; Comfort Sage, Bible; Robert Warner, raysof light; Jehosaphat Starr, moon; John Heart, heart; Allyn Pryor, stone; Daniel Cotton, beaver; Edward Mil- ler, five points; Simuel Burr, bee hive; Noadiah Bissell, the artch; Sam'l Stillman, quadrant, and taken by Samuel Stocking; Jared Brown, wheat leaf; Ebenezer GrifHn, sword; Nathan Sage, ship; Sam'l Willis, lamb; John Webb, lion; Noah Coleman, lancet; Eben Gray, bald eagle; W. C. Moore, ship compass; Wm. Douglas, head and marrow bones; Bishop Abraham Jarvis, pulpit; John Brown, Somerset, Massachuseth State, pine tree; S.Titus Hosmer, trine, motto of Middletown: Per as pera ad astra; Samuel Clark, north pole, motto, Commerce; Rev. Ashabel Baldwin, Stratford, an organ, motto: May it always sound forth the praises of friendship and love; Bezaleel Latimer, liberty: a woman in a flowing robe with a branch of olive in her hand and a cap above; Noadiah Hubbard jun'r, plough, motto: Husbandry; Joshua Stow, the eye, motto: Vigilance. Washington Chapter. No. 6, R. A. M. — A royal arch chapter was formed, in 1783, which subsequently became Washington Chapter, No. 6. By the following record it appears that certain royal arch masons formed themselves into a chapter " for the purpose of promoting the royal craft." " We the subscribers of St. John's Lodge, No. 3, ia Middletown, State of Connecticut, haviDg been duly Initiated into that most sublime de- cree of an excellent super excellent Eoyal Arch Mason, in regular con- stituted Koyal Arch Chapters. For the purpose of promoting the Royal Craft, assembled ourselves at the Lodge Room in said Middletown at Mrs. Abigal Schaler's after properly examining each other, and ftnd- ing each and every one of iia to heve been regularly made agreed to form ourselves into a Royal Arch Chapter under sanction of St. John's Lodge. "Witness our hands this 5th day of Sept. A. D. 1783 and of Koyal Arch Masonry 5783. " WiLiiAM Joyce "William Redfield " John Lewis IJeKoven " Kdward Miller " David Starr " Oliver Lewis." The following ofificers were then duly elected to serve for three months: John Lewis De Koven, captain general or royal arch captain; William Joyce, senior grand mas- ter; William Redfield, second grand master; David Starr, third grand master; and Edward Miller, scribe. Broth- ers Lewis and De Koven were appointed a committee to form a code of by-laws. Brothers De Koven and Joyce were appointed a committee to procure seven aprons and seven sashes to be worn by the ofificers. The second convocation of this chapter was held at the same place, September i2th 1783, when the following names were balloted for and passed: Brother Jonathan Heart, Samuel Holden Parsons (who was then master of St. John's Lodge). Ralph Pomeroy, of Hartford, pro- posed himself by letter. William Redfield was elected treasurer at this meeting. At a subsequent convocation, held September 19th 1783, Samuel Holden Parsons, Ralph Pomeroy, and Joseph Webb received the noble degree of Royal Arch Mason. On December 26th 1783, a regular convocation was held at the lodge room of Mrs. Abigal Shaler, when the following officers were elected to serve for one year: MIDDLETOWN— SOCIETIES. "3 Captain general, or royal arch captain, Comfort Sage; senior grand master, Lewis De Koven; second ^rand master, Ralph Pomeroy; third grand master, William Redfield. Regular convocations were held, from year to year, with no other than this self-constituted authority, until 1796, when the chapter received a charter from Wash- ington Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, New York city, from which it derived its present name. The following is a copy of the charter: " At a Washington Chapter of Koyal Arch Masons, held in the City of New York North America on Tuesday the fifteenth day of March A. L, 5796 (1796). " FTiereos Brothers William Redfleld in behalf of himself and sun- dry other Brethren residing: at Middletown in the State of Connecti- cut did on this day present a Memorial to this Chapter, praying that they might be invested with sufHcieut power to form and hold a regular Chapter in Middletown aforesaid." " Now be it Known that by virtue of the power to us regularly com- mitted we have in ample form constituted those of our beloved brethren into a regular Chapter by the name and stile of Washington Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, No. 3, held in the City of Middletown, Connecticut, and Installed the several officers into their respective stations in man- ner we have received it to wit " The Most Worshipful Brother William Bedfleld H. P.; The Right Worshipful Brother Stephen T. Hosmer K . . g; and the Right Wor- shipful The Rev'd Abraham Jarvis S . . . e: The Worshipful Brother Robert Warner R. A. C: and the Worshipful Brother Thomas Leveritt Z . . .1; the last four severally by Proxy. " And our said beloved Brethren and their successors in offlce are hereby authorized and directed, by and with the assistance and concur- rence of a majority of the members of the said Washington Chapter to be summoned and present upon such occasions to elect and install the Officers of said Chapter as often as vacancies happen in manner and form as may be prescribed and directed by the Constitution and Gen- eral Laws of the Mother Chapter, but in no wise to have power to grant any dispensation to hold any Chapter under them or to install any other than the officers of the said Washington Chapter to be elected in man- ner and form aforesaid. " And further, we do hereby enjoin upon the said Washington Chap- ter at least once in every year immediately or as soon after the election and installment of the several new Officers to communicate to us the state and condition of the said Chapter, that we may know what Breth- ren have attained to this e-valted degree, and who by their virtue and zeal for the prosperity and welfare of the Order have been promoted to offlce. " In Witness whereof we the presiding Officers of Washington Chapter hereunto set our hand and caused the Seal of our Said Chapter to be affixed. " John Abrams H. P. W. C. R. A. M. " John C. Ludlow K. W. C. R. A. M. " Wm. Richardson, S. W. C. R. A. M. " Attest: " Bz'L HlOKS, Secretary." Nothing is known at the present time of the Washing- ton Chapter, R. A. M., New York city, that granted this charter, nor of the " Moi/ier Chapter " referred to in the charter. The chapter continued to work under the charter until a new charter was granted. The old charter was not recognized and was never sur- rendered. It is carefully preserved among the archives of the chapter, and is an interesting masonic relic. The present officers of the chapter are: Walace K. Bacon, K.; H. C. Harris, S.; C. W. Harris, treasurer; E, S. Davis, secretary; E. S. Miller, C. of H.; L. O. Davis, P. S.; William Walker, R. A. C; J. S. Bailey, 3d v.- C. H. Edwards, ist V.; Henry Woodward, 2d V. The first meeting of the Grand Chapter of the North- ern States of America, after its organization, was held, agreeably to the Constitution, in the city of Middletown, Connecticut, on the third Wednesday of September 5798- Present: Companions William Woart, general grand sec- retary; Rev. Abraham L. Clark, general grand chaplain; Excellent Benjamin Hard jr., general grand king, was rep- resented by Companion Henry Fowle, of St. Andrew's Chapter, Massachusetts, his proxy; Excellent James Harrison, deputy grand scribe, Massachusetts, repre- sented by companion Samuel Billings, his proxy; Excel- lent Seth Wheaton, deputy grand high priest; Excellent Gershora Jones, deputy grand king; and Samuel Eddy, deputy grand scribe, Deputy Grand Chapter Rhode Is- land, were represented by excellent companion Rev. Abra- ham L. Clarke. The septennial meeting of the General Grand Chapter uas held at Middletown, January 9th 5806. Cyrene Commandery, No. 8, K. T. — The following report of this commandery is taken from the able and interesting address delivered in 1878 by R. E. Sir Henry Woodward, Past Right Eminent Grand Commander of Connecticut: "In the year 1867 there were living in the towns of Middletown and Portland, fourteen Knights Templar, and hailing from four different commanderies, ten from Washington No. i, Hartford, two from New Haven, one from Palestine No. 6, and one from Malta Commandery of Binghanipton, New York." The first meeting was held November 4th 1867, and the following Sir Knights were nominated for the first three officers, viz.: Sir Alfred O. Smith, E. C; Sir Henry Woodward, Gen.; Sir C. W, Stearns, C. G. Instead of petitioning for a dispensation, these Sir Knights, acting on the advice of R. E. Sir Stiles G. Sperry, then Grand Commander of the State, applied to the Grand Commandery, which was about holding its semi-annual conclave at New London, and within three days after the first steps were taken, a char- ter was granted. The charter members were: Sir Knights Horace Clark, T. B. Abel, Jonathan Kilbourn, Henry Woodward, A. O. Smith, James E. Bidwell, C. W. Stearns, Samuel Stearns jr., E. G. Parkhurst, S. Nelson Hall, Alfred Hall, George Stancliff, W. H. Budd, and J. C. Van Benschoten. The commandery was instituted De- cember 19th 1867, by R. E. Sir S. G. Sperry, R. E. G. C, at the McDonough House. The following officers were duly installed: E. Sir A. O. Smith, E. C; Henry Wood- ward, Gen.; C. W. Stearns, C. G.; T. P. Abel, Prel.; Samuel Stearns jr., S. W.; E. G. Parkhurst, J. W. ; John Kilbourn, Treasurer; J. E. Bidwell, Rec; S. N. Hall, St'd B.; W. H. Budde, Sw'd B.; J. E. Bidwell, Wdr. E. Sir Elijah Ackley was the first person who received the orders of knighthood in the commandery. In 1883, while apparently in excellent health, he dropped dead of apoplexy at his home. The total number of Sir Knights at present is 78. The following nained persons have since served as E. C, viz. : Henry Woodward, December 6th 1869, and December 5th 1870; E. Ackley, December 2d 1872; J. S. Bailey, December isth 1873; J. S. Smith, December 20th 1875; J. B. Kilbourn, December 4th 1876; C. R. Pagan, De- cember loth 1877; W. K. Bacon, December 1st 1879; Ira L. Gardiner, December 6th 1880; G. R. Burdick, 16 114 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. December sth 1881; Henry Woodward, December 4th 1882, and December 3d 1883. The present officers nre: Henry Woodward, E. C; W. K. Bacon, G.; Ira L. Gardiner, C. G.; J. W. Hub- bard, P.; R. H. Whiiaker, S. W.; J. S. Bailey, J. W.; C. W. Harris, treasurer; E. S. Davis, secretary; F. W. Flagg, St. Br.; J. R. Pitt, Swl Br.; Willis Cheeney, warder; C. B. Bidwell, ist. G.; H. H. Abbe, 2d G.; G. R. Burdick, 3d G.; Wallace Pease, sentinel. Central Lodge, No. 12, I. O. O. F., was instituted June 1 2th 1843, by Charles William Bradley, grand master of Connecticut. The charter members were, Stephen M. Shaddick, Erastus H. Booth, Origen Utley, Charles H. Mather, and Timothy Sage. The first officers were: Stephen M. Shaddick, N.G.; Erastus H. Booth, V.G.; Origen Utley, secretary; J. E. Bidwell was initiated July 13th 1843 and was elected treasurer. He is at present permanent secretary, which position he has held for 30 years. The present officers are: Benjamin F. Robinson, N. G.; H. W. Ward, V. G.; John B. Kirby, recording secretary; David Dickinson, treasurer. The present membership is 224. Schiller Lodge, No. 92, I. 0. O. F., was organized February nth 1874. The charter members were Louis Wolf, Leopold Strauss, Christopher Snyder, Jacob Schwiger, Frederick Kennebecker, Henry Bernhard, and Henry Katt: The first officers were Leopold Strauss, N. G.; Jacob Schwiger, V. G.; John C. Fisher, record- ing secretary; Louis Wolf, treasurer; Henry Katt, finan- cial or permanent secretary. The present officers are: Ernest Firl, N. G. ; George Kauth, V. G.; Andrew Lohneiss, recording secretary; Frederick Kennebecker, treasurer; Adam Heinrich, financial or permanent sec- retary. SowHEAG Encampment, No. 6, I. O. O. P., was in- stituted September 27th 1844, by John L. Devotion, grand patriarch, assisted by John C. Palmer, of Oriental Encampment, East Haddam, and C. A. Converse, of Pal- myra Encampment, New London. The charter members were Erastus H. Booth, Origen Utley, Alfred Hall, Thomas C. Simpson, James S. Parmalee, Patrick Fagan, William Chapman. The first officers were: E. H. Booth, C. P.; Origen Utley, H. P.; Alfred Hall, S. W.; T. C. Simpson, scribe; J. S. Parmalee, treasurer; P. Fagan, J. W The present officers are: Henry H. Bullard, C. P.; Henry R. Young, H. P.; William Inglis, S. W.; John C. Fisher, scribe; Henry A. Chamberlain, treasurer; Herbert W. Ward, J. W. Present membership, 75. Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division No. i, Middletown, was organized by John F. Nolan, March ist 1872, At the date of its organization the society consisted of only 12 members. Since that time it has increased to 66 members, and it had, in August 1884, over $3,000 in the treasury. It is a mutual aid and burial association. The first board of officers, elected at the time of its organization, consisted of John F. No- Ian, president; W. J. Tynan, vice-president; Owen Joyce, recording secretary; Daniel E. Green, financial secretary; W. J. Coughlan, treasurer. The following persons have acted as presiding officers since that time: E. Lavins, J. F. Nolan, A. Griffin, Thomas Kinsella, J. Splane, John Hoar, and Frank, McCarton. It is at present governed by the following officers: John Djvitt, president; John H. Griffin, vice-president; Timothy O'Brien, recording secretary; Daniel McCarthy, financial secretary; Martin Gorman, treasurer; W. J. Kelley, assistant secretary. Apollo Lodge, No. 33, K. of P.— This lodge was in- stituted, November 6th 1872, by grand chancellor E. E. Bowns, in the hall of the G. A. R., over Pease's store. Delegations from East Berlin,' Middlefield, Hartford, Essex, and Willimantic, attended the ceremonies. After the exercises, the newly instituted lodge and visiting delegations marched to the hotel and partook of a colla- tion furnished by the lodge. 'I'he first officers of Apollo Lodge were: F. E. Fowler, P. C; W. K. Bacon, C. C; S. M. Bacon, V. C; John Greenwood, P.; Moses Hallas, M. of E.; W. C. Spencer, M. of F.; J. B. Bacon, K. R. S.; J. C. Broatch, M. at A.; E. II. Wells, I. G,; C. C. Chamberlain, O. G. The other charter members were: F. B. Comstock, E. M. Tuttle, W. G. Mack, F. B. Clark, Daniel S. Johnson, and W. N. La Fountain. The following have been chancellor com- manders: W. K. Bacon, S. M. Bacon, Moses Hallas, James Gleason jr., Thomas Heming, L. M. Willard, R. H. Kelsey, S. O. Barrows, C. G. Bacon, E. R. Davis, B. D. Putnam, A. H. Kelsey. In January 1875, the lodge leased a hall in South- mayd's Block. This hall they occupied until July ist 1883, when they leased their present quarters in Assur- ance Building. The present membership is about 125. The lodge has about $2,000 on hand. Section No. 73, of the Endowment Rank, K. of P., was instituted January gth 1878, by supreme chancellor Davis. The officers and charter members were: G. M. Southmayd, president; R. H. Kelsey, vice-president; William Maitland, chaplain; S. M. Bacon, secretary and treasurer; D. Maitland, guide; A. Guild, guard; F. S. Simons, sentinel; J. C. Lamb, William Hunter, D. I. Chapman, J. L. Drake, H. A. Hull, F. B. Comstock, F. S. Hull, F. Kennebecker, D. P. King, W. D. Smith, George McCrum, C. C. Chamberlin, W. C. Hussey, Thomas Heming, F. B. Clark. McDoNOUGH Lodge, No. 327, Knights of Honor, was organized July 19th 1876, with eleven charter mem- bers, in the parlor of the McDonough House. The char- ter members were: William H. Fagan. H. A. Chamber- lain, John W. Bray (of Hartford), E. B. Smith, Joseph VV. Douglas, L. C. Vinal (of Providence), Dr. F. L. Burr, E. H. Wells, Wallace Pease, A. B. Smith, and B. O. Pratt. The first officers were: W. H. Fagan, past dicta- tor: H. A. Chamberlain, dictator; John W. Bray, vice- dictator; Edwin B. Smith, assistant dictator; Joseph W. Douglas, treasurer; L. C. Vinal, financial reporter; B. Olney Pratt, guide; Edwin H. Wells, chaplain;* W. Pease, guardian; Austin B. Smith, sentinel. The organization is a secret and benevolent one. A weekly benefit of $3 is paid to sick members. A prominent feature is the Widows' and Orphans' Benefit. Fund, from which a sum, M I DDLETO WN— SOCIETI ES. 1*5 not exceeding $2,000 is paid at tiie death of a member to his family, the amount being raised by assessment of members. Meetings are held in Assurance Hall on Tues- day evenings. The present officers (1884) ;ire: G. F. Peckham, dictator; Seth D. Clark, vice-dictator; A. B. Robinson, assistant dictator; Joseph T. Elliott, reporter; James H. Kelsey, financial reporter; Joseph W. Douglas, treasurer; H. Raymond, chaplain; C. B. Lanpher, guide; Fred. C. Gardiner, guardian; Clin J. Clark, sentinel; Edward Clark, past dictator; F. L. Burr, M. D,, medical examiner. The lodge numbers about 180 members. Forest City Council, No. 3. Order of Chosen Friends, was organized at Middletown, Conn., March 2d 1881, with 50 members. " Tbe Objects of this Order are: . " Ist. To unite in bonds of Fraternity, Aid, and Protecliou, ali accep- table wliite persons of good character, steady habits, sound bodily liealth, and reputable calling-. " 2d. To improve the condition of its membership, morally, socially, and materially, by timely counsel and instructive lessons, by encour- agement in business, by assistance to obtain employment when in need, and by establishing a fund from which a weekly benefit may be paid to slok or distressed members. " 3rd. To establish a relief fund from which members of this oi'g-ani- Eation, who have complied with all its rules and regulations may receive the benefit of a sum not exceeding Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000) which shall be paid as hereafter provided, upon either of the following conditions, viz.: " 1st. When a member reaches the age of seventy-flve years- " 2d. When, by reason of disease or accident, a member becomes permanently disabled from following his usual or other occupation. " 3rd. Upon satisfactory evidence of the death of a member." This order is national, has a large membershi|5, and is rapidly growing throughout the country, having councils in nearly every State and territory except the yellow fever districts, which are excluded. The following are the names of the first officers of this council: C. H. Bond, P. C. C; A. D. Wright, C. C; E. A. Gladwin, V. C; J. F. Calef, recorder; G. E. Wood, financier; Giles Bishop, treasurer; F. L. Burr, M. D., J. F. Calef, M. D., medical examiners; W. H. Pollard, prelate; Richard Lilley, marshal; G. H. Griswold, war- den; Mrs. E. A. Bishop, guard; Miss B. Fram, sentry; Joseph T. Elliott, C. H. Bond, Frederick Kelsey, trustees. The following are the names of the jjresent officers: E. A. Gladwin, P. C. C; Frederick Kelsey, C. C. ; J. W. Baker, V. C; D. T. Haines, secretary; Joseph T. Elliott, treasurer; F. L. Burr, M. D., J. F. Calef, M. D., medical examiners; Mrs. E. A. Bishop, prelate; R. Lilley, mar- shall; Mrs. Richard Lilley, warden; Hubbard B. Manley, guard; Reuben Hunt, sentry; C. H. Bond, Joseph T. Elliott, George E. Burr, Trustees. Mattabesett Council, No. 704, Royal Arcanum. — This council was instituted August 31st 1882, with the following charter members: C. H. Bond, J. T. Elliott, E. P. Hedges, J. H. Kelsey, F. S. Hills, E. B. Smith, or- ator, G. M. Pratt, J. A. Taylor, S. M. Southmayd, O. F. Grover, H. H. Sherman, D. A. Cleveland, M. D., J. C. Chapman, J. Peters Pelton, E. S. Davis, W. P. Post, G. H. ^ells, Edward Clark, and G. Watson Lane. The first officers were: J. T. Elliott, regent; E. S. Davis, vice-regent; C. H. Bond, past regent; G. Watson Lane, secretary; J. A. Taylor, collector; J. H. Kelsey, tre.isurer; E. P. Hedges, chaplain; Edward Clark, guide; G. H, Wells, warden; W. P. Post, sentry. The successive presiding officers from the institution of the council to the present time have been : J. T. Elliott, E. S. Davis, E. P. Hedges. The present officers are; E. P. Hedges, regent; H. H. Sherman, V. R.; Daniel T. Haines, orator; E. S. Davis, P. R.; G. Watson Lane, secretary; J. A. Taylor, collector; J. H. Kelsey, treasurer; F. S. Hills, chaplain; J. T. El- liott, guide; W. P. Post, warden; A. W. Whitney, sentry. Forest City Council, No. 3, Knights of Colum- bus. — This society was afganized in October 1883, being the third council of the order in this State. The first officers were: James McCarthy, G. K.; John H. Griffin, D. G. K.; William J. Collins, R. S.; John F. Nolan, F. S.; Charles Fitzgerald, treasurer; D. J. Donahoe, advo- cate; P. V. Burnett, physician. The present officers are: J. H. Griffin, G. IC; W. J. Spain, D. G. K.; A. P. Dree- inan, R. S.; the other officers being the same as at or- ganization. The society numbered, in July 1884, 80 members. It is a inutual aid association, providing for the payment of $1,000 in case of the death of a member, and $5 per week in case of sickness. Harmony Lodge, No. 165, I. O. G. T. — This lodge was instituted March 17th 1873, by Rev. Alpheus Winter, who was at that time G. W. C. T. of this State. The charter members were Lizzie S. Rice, E. W. Stevens, S. M. Stevens, Nellie Harris, John D. Rowe, H. E. Weeks, Ida Crosley, A. J. Chataway, Charles Savage, Jenny P. Stevens, Clara Crosley, Robert Cochrane, Frank Hull, Robert McKay, C. D. Rice, William E. Burr, Mary A. Rowe, and Mary E. Patten. The first officers were: J. D. Rowe, W. C.T.; Lizzie S. Rice, W. V. T,; H. E. Weeks, W. S.; E. W. Stevens, W. F. S.; Mrs. E. W. Stevens, W. T.; A. J. Chataway, W. C; Charles Savage, W. M.; Robert McKay, W. G.; Mrs. J. D. Rowe, R. H. S.; Sophia M. Stephens, L. H. S.; Mary A. Patten, A. S.; Clara Crosley, D. M. The successive chief templars have been: J. D. Rowe, S. O. Barrows, E. W. Stevens, L. M. Willard, Carlos W. Clark, J. H. Daniels, William Houston, John Hutchins, Walter B. Gardner, George Pilkington, Augustus Kelsey, L. B. Butler, Alva H. Kelsey, Henry A. Hull, John Carpenter, Gaines Screen, A. B. Scranton, Mazzina Howarth, and Frank K. Loveland. The present ofiicers are: S. B. Butler, W. C. T ; Mrs. S. B. Butler, W. V. T.; George Tultle, W. S.; A. B. Scranton, W. F. S.; William D. Smith, W. T.; Oliver W. Bidwell, W. C; Newton Stannard, W. M. Since the organization of tl^e lodge about 500 persons have been received into membership, and much good work has been accomplished. The lodge is now in a prosperous condition and numbers about 50 active mem- bers. Meetings are held weekly on Monday evenings, in Union Hall, South Farms. Centennial Lodge, I. 0. G. T. — This lodge was in- stituted February nth 1876. The charter members were: F. A. Aston, H. C. Beebe, B. F. Kingsley, C. D. ii6 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Greaves, Stephen Hall, A. N. Pierson, Edward Smith, J. E. Nichols, George H. Wells, J. S. Stewart, W. G. Coe, J. G. Hedges, G. W. McCormick, J. H. Screen, C. W. Clark, W. F. Kelsey, F. P. Greaves, Rosa Edwards, Lena Aston, Louisa Burnham, Addie Oliver, Mrs. Levi Wilson, Carrie A. Clark, Carrie A. Greaves, Louis Bade, Levi Wilson, Sarah E. Burnham, and Clara J. Clark. The first officers were: Carlos W. Clark, W. C. T.; Mrs. Clara J. Clark, W. V. T.; James E. Nichols, C; Sarah E. Burnham, S.; W. F. Kelsey, A. S.; Henry C. Beebe, F. S.; G. W. McCormick, W. T.; Louisa. Burn- ham, W. M.; J. S. Stewart, D. !».; Carrie A. Greaves, G.; W. G. Coe, O. G.; Lena Aston, R. H. S.; Carrie A. Clark, L. H. S.; Levi Wilson, P. W. C. T.; F. A. Aston, L. D. The present officers are: F. A. Aston, W. C. T.; Mary Chalker, W. V. T.; Mrs. F. A. Aston, S.; William H. Ely, F. S.; Amelia Willard, C; Mrs. Levi Wilson, M.; Flor- ence Sage, G.; William Bishop, S.; Mrs. William Bishop, R. H. S.; L. M. Daniels, L. H. S.; Sauer, A. S.; Mrs. Frederick Schmidt, D. M.; H. C. Beebe, L. D. The Middletown Reform Club. — The Middletown Reform Club, an open temperance organization com- posed of both sexes, was organized in McDonough Hall, by Dr. Reynolds, April 6th 1876, with 121 signatures to the pledge. The following officers were then elected: Albert L. Crook, president; A. Kinmore, jst vice-presi- dent; Charles Thompson, 2d vice-president; A. Wein- gartner, 3d vice-president; Charles W. Galpin, secretary; B. F. Kingsley, financial secretary; E. Burton Prior, treasurer; John R. Gibbons, ist marshal; James Cant- well, 2d marshal; Jacob Cramer, steward; James Stan- ton, sergeant-at-arms. Meetings have been held every Sunday afternoon up to the present time. Since the organization more than 500 signatures to the pledge have been obtained, and 300 of these during the last four years. The Sunday evening meetings are now held in the town hall at 5 o'clock. All meetings are opened with devotional exercises. The present officers are: Augustus M. Bidwell, presi- dent; George A. Coles, ist vice-president; G. T. Hub- bard, 2d vice-president; John W. Baker, secretary; Wil- liam H. Bishop, treasurer; James Houston, ist marshal; Giles Bishop, steward. St. Mary's T. A. B. Society.— The St. Mary's Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society was organized May i8th 1874, with 30 members. At the first meeting the following board of officers was elected: M. B, Butler, president; Richard D. Hyland, vice-president; D. J. Donahoe, recording secretary; John J. Foote, correspond- ing secretary; John H. Griffin, treasurer; Andrew Griffin, marshal. The successive presiding officers have been: M. B. Butler, Charles Fitzgerald, John H. Griffin, James McCarthy, Philip J. Tormay, J. J. Dempsey, M. J. Kel- ley, Thomas W. O'Keefe, John Slavin, and M. F. O'Keefe. The present officers are: William J. Collins, .president; Dennis Phalon, vice-president; T. J. Clue, recording secretary; Thomas F. Dooley, financial secre- tary; John A. Dunn, assistant secretary; John Slavin, treasurer; John T. Carroll, marshal. The society is in a flourishing condition, and has 80 members in good standing. Middletown Band of Hope. — In the autumn of 1871, about lialf a dozen boys met in a barn on South Main street, and there held a Band of Hope meeting. In response to a request from the boys. Prof. Jacob Freder- ick Huber, of Wesleyan University, prepared a pledge. The first signers were Frank K. Loveland, William D. Breckenridge, and William H. Whitney. The first offi- cers of the band were: William H. Whitney, president; Willie W. Wilcox, secretary; Frank K. Loveland, treas- urer. During the first year weekly meetings were held, mostly at the house of the superintendent, Mrs. C. D. Rice. After that they were held at the homes of the children, or at the school room of Mrs. E. T. Wells, for a time, until the children resolved to secure a permanent place for their meetings. A fair was held, from the re- ceipts of which they were enabled to rent the Mission Rooms, where meetings were held every Saturday. Meet- ings are at present held in the town hall every Saturday afternoon and also on the first Thursday evening of each month. The present officers are: Mrs. C. D. Rice, president; Mrs. Dr. Morgan, superintendent; Miss Frances A. Ward, librarian; Miss Lizzie Chapin Rice, secretary; Frank D. Hapley, treasurer. Eureka Temple of Honor, No. 31. — This Temple was instituted November 26th 1880. The charter mem- bers and first officers were: Thomas Williams, W. C. T.; Richard Lillie, W. V. T.; Frank B. Hale, W. R.: Levi Wilson, W. T.; H. C. Beebe, W. A. R.; J. D. Hall, W. F. R.; A. M. Bidwell, W. C; W. C. Boone, W. U.; H. F. Raynor, W. D. U.; F. Kennebeckef jr., W. G.; S. C. Cullom, W. S.; F. H. Sage, John Bright, C. F. Bushnell, George H. Griswold, L. M. Willard, William H. Bishop, Augustus Guild, S. W. Fowler, H. S. Fussell. The successive presiding officers have been: John J. Covey, Richard Lillie, Fred E. Gibbons, William A. Ben- ham, Hiram H. Beebe, Arthur D. Wells. The present officers are: Arthur D. Wells, W. C. T.; C. W. Rackliffe, W. V. T.; A. H. Rutty, W. R.; E. d! Buck, W. A. R.; T. H. Thompson, W. F. R.; Alexander Proctor, W. T.; Fred S. Paddock, W. U.; Wilbur Say. W. D. U.; John G. Hopkins, W. C; Frank Magee, W. G.; C. A. Shepard, W. S. The number of members, September 1st 1884, was 65. Meetings are held every Monday evening at 140 Main street. Woman's Christian Temperance Union. — This branch of the national organization bearing the above title was instituted in the autumn of 1882. There were at first 22 members. The first president was Miss Mary A. Baldwin, and a vice-president was chosen from each church. The present officers are: Miss Mary F. Bur- ton, president; Miss Caroline Bacon, secretary; Mrs. Nellie Douglas, treasurer. The membership is now 100, and two vice-presidents are chosen from each church. Mansfield Post, No. 53, G. A. R.— This Post was or- ganized March 9th 1882, and was named in honor of the gallant General Mansfield of this town. The objects of the organization are: MIDDLETOWN— SOCIETIES. 117 I. "To preserve and strengthen those kind and frater- nal feelings which bind together the soldiers, sailors, and mariners who united to suppress the late rebellion and to perpetuate the memory and history of the dead. II. " To assist such former comrades in arms as need help and protection and to extend needful aid to the widows and orphans of those who have fallen. in. " To maintain true allegiance to the United States of America based upon a paramount respect for and fidelity to the National Constitution and laws, to dis- countenance whatever tends to weaken loyalty, incites to insurrection, treason, or rebellion, or in any manner im- pairs the efficiency and permanency of our free institu- tions; and to encourage the spead of universal liberty, equal rights, and justice to all men." The first officers of the Post were: John C. Broatch, P. C; George M. Southmayd, S. V. C; D. Newland Davis, J. V. C; Rev. H. Stevens, chaplain; F. W. Whittlesey, surgeon; John G. Pelton, O. of D.; Roland B. Hills, O. of G.; J. Peters Pelton, quartermaster; Joseph J. Noxon, adjutant; F. M. Wells,0. M. C; Edward Stroud, sergeant major. The Post meets at the Assurance Building, every Thursday evening. The present officers are: J. C. Broatch, C; J. G. Pel- ton. S. V. C; R. B. Hill, J. V. C; Edwin Stroud, adjutant; F. E. Camp, Q. M.; F. D. Brewster, chaplain; F. W. Whittlesey, surgeon; E. By water, O. D.; Charles E. Pollard, O. G.; S. M. Johnson, sergeant major; D. N. Davis, Q. M. S.; Joseph Daniels, drum major; Joseph C. Hetzel, fife major. MiDDLETOWN SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION. — This society was organized in 187 1. The original members were: Professors J. Johnston, J. M. Van Vleck, J. C. Van Benschoten, William North Riee, C. T. Winchester, and G. Brown Goode; Rev. F. Gardiner, Hon. R. G. Pike, Dr. A. M. Shew, Rev. Henry E. Sawyer, and Henry D. A. Ward. Of these. Prof. Goode was particularly active in the formation of the society. The object of this association is- the promotion of scientific knowledge among its members, and the en- couragement of others in scientific investigations. To accomplish this the association holds monthly meetings, except during the summer months. At these meetings original papers on scientific subjects are presented, scien- tific matters are discussed, r6sumes of the progress made in the different departments of science are given, and lectures by eminent scientists are delivered. Two or more "field days " in each year are devoted to investigations by the members in such departments of science as may be best observed in the field, such as geology, mineralogy, botany, etc. There have been one hundred and thirty five different members of this association, and there are at present fifty- five active members, and forty-three non-resident mem- bers. The presidents of the society have been (in chrono- logical order) Prof. John Johnston, Rev. Frederic Gard- iner, D. D., Prof. John M. Van Vleck, and Prof. William North Rice. The Conversational Club. — This is a private asso- ciation, composed chiefly of the literati and professional men of Middletown. It was organized on the evening of November nth 1862, at the house of Rev. Joseph Cum- mings, D. D., and its purpose is the discussion of any questions interesting to its members. The name was adopted December 28th 1862. There have been upwards of a hundred members elected to date. The number, at any one time, is limited to twenty-five. The Century Club, a social organization, was or- ganized in 1876, and in 1878 was incorporated under the general law of the State. It numbers among its mem- bers many of the leading residents of the city. Its first officers were: Joseph W. Alsop, president; Joseph W. Douglas, vice-president; Frank C. Smith, secretary; Frank B. Weeks, treasurer. The present officers are: Joseph W. Douglas, president; D. Ward Northrop, vice-presi- dent; James P. Stow, secretary and treasurer. The so- ciety numbers about 35 members. Philological Club. — The Philological Club of Wes- leyan University was the outgrowth of a desire on the part of the instructors in language and literature in the college to form an association for the promotion of in- vestigation in their allied provinces, and interchange of views thereupon. Organization was affected on January 22d 1881. The present active membership of the club is about twenty, and is made up entirely of instructors in the college, and undergraduates in elective classes in lan- guage and literature. Regular meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday evening of each month in the college year, at which articles prepared in acccordance with a program previously arranged are read, and reviews of progress in philology and archaeology, and of recent publications in those departments are presented. During its brief exist- ence the club has been of considerable efficiency, and will undoubtedly prove a permanent organization. Bible Society. — On the 4th day of November, 1818, the "Bible Society of Middletown and its vicinity," aux- iliary to the American Bible Society, was organized. Nehemiah Hubbard, Esq., was chosen president, and Hon. Titus Hosmer, Thomas McDonough, Elisha Hart, Joseph Hill, Epaphroditus Champion, Daniel Parmelee, and Jonathan Huntington, vice-presidents. A code of by laws was adopted which provided, among other things, for the encouragement of the formation of branch socie- ties in other towns and societies. The records show that the society was reorganized in 1829, with Nehemiah Hubbard, president, and Joseph W. Alsop, Rev. David Smith, Rev. John B. Crane, and Chauncey Whittlesey, vice-presidents. From time to time explorations of the territory within the sphere of this society's operations have been made by agents or committees of visitation. The .destitute have been sought out and supplied with the Scriptures, Bibles have been distributed in hotels, hospitals, alms- houses, and other places where it was believed they might come under the observation of those who might not otherwise have facilities for their study. Money has been liberally contributed to aid in carrying on the work ii8 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. of the parent society, and, in a quiet, unostentatious way, the society has steadfastly sought to accomplish its benevolent purposes. The following have been 'the successors of the first president of the society: Jonathan Barnes, elected 1836; Richard Hubbard, 1838; Richard Rand, 1840; Hon. Samuel D. Hubbard, 1844; Dr. A. W. Smith, 1854; and Hon. Benjamin Douglas, who has served from 1858 to the present time. The Friendly Society. — The following extracts from its records, give the only history that can now be obtained of this society: " We, the subsoiibers, mutually promise and agree to, and with each other, for the purposes of promoting sociability, good humour, and in- nocent chearf ulness to form and incorporate ourselves into a Society or Body and to facilitate the attainment of those desirable ends, we do in full meeting- and upon mature deliberation enact and ordain the fol- lowing regulations or laws, subject to such addition, alteration or amendment, as this society shall judge most conducive to the end and design of its institution. " Vote 1.— That the name by which this body will incorporate and stile themselves is and shall be. The Friendly Society. "Vote 3.— That this Society will convene and meet on Thursday evening weekly at Mr. Timothy Bigelow's Tavern in Middletown, at7 o'c'k and depart decently at 9 o'clock, P. M. " Vote 3.— That the sum that each individual of this Society shall ex- pend on each convention evening, shall not exceed two shillings and six pence lawful money. •• Vote 4. —That each member of this Society shall pay four pence lawful money every four weeks unto the treasurer of this Society for the purpose of raising a fund to be appropriated to such charitable use, as this Society shall direct. " Vote 5.— That when any person shall apply for admission as a mem- ber into this society a sixth part of the members then present voting against his admission, shall be sufficient to exclude him. "Vote 6.— That the sentiments of this Society relative to any matter about which they shall vote shall be by ballot. " Vote 7.— That each member of this Society shall have liberty to in- troduce his friends, when they may happen in town, provided they pay their club or proportionable part of the expenses of the entertainment, that shall be provided when they are present. " Vote S.— That for the future when any person shall be admitted as a member of this Society, heshall on his admission advance and pay to the Treasurer his proportionable part of the fund or stock that shall then be collected, and undisposed of by this Society. " Vote 9.— That Capt. Samuel Willis, Jun'r, be President of this Society from Thursday the third day of March for i weeks then next ensuing. " Vote 10.— That Nath'l Shaler be appointed Vice-President of this Society. " Vote 11.— That Willard Wright be Treasurer of this Society. " Vote 12.— That whatever shall be said or transacted in meeting by this Body, shall not be mentioned out of it, to the prejudice or injury of this Society, or any member of it, & we do hereby solemnly engage and promise on our honor?, punctually to observe this \'ote. "Feb'y34, 1T74." " At a meeting the 21st April 1774, " Voted That the hours the members meet to begin at 8 o'clock P. M. & to brake up at 10 during the summer. "At the al)Ove meeting " Voted That any person proposed by his friend for admittance, shall be proposed one night and stand over to the uexi night for a ballot for admission. " Voted That this Society shall have liberty to animadvert on thebe- havior or conduct of any member of it, which may indicate or manifest any contempt or neglect of the same whether by neglecting or refusing to attend at the meetings of this Society, or for any other cause, or by any conduct which may evince that he is influenced by motives and principles inimical to this Society, and repugnant to its interests and that this Society shall have power and authority to suspend, admonish and expel any member of the same, as the demerits of his case may de- mand and require. "June Ifl 1774." 1774, June 10 Nathaniel Shaler elected President. " " " ReturnJonath'n Meigs " Vice-President. July 7 Charles Whiting elected Secretary. "The above ofScers retained during the time of the records now extant. Dec. 29 Voted That the Society meet once a fortnight on Wed- nesday evening at the usual hour and the usual place. • The last record dated Feb'y 23, 1775. "Members. " Samuel Willis jr., admitted Feb'y 24, 1774. 1774. Arthur Magill, " " Nathaniel Shaler, 11 41 Charles Whiting, " Willard Wright, " " Samuel Bull, " " " John Scott, " March 3, Jabez Hamlin Jr., " " " Wm. Henderson, " " " Geoi'ge Phillips Jr., " March 10, John Osborn " " 17, Giles Sage, " 24, Jeremiah Wadsworth,". April 7, Return J. Meigs, May 12, Amos Bull, " 19, Samuel B. Webb. " 2«, Joseph King, June 23, Wm. Bull, " 30, Elisha Clark, July 7, Isaac Williams, Aug'tll, George Starr, Dec'r 15, Joseph Smith, Feb'y 8, LITERARY INSTITUTIOI 1774. 177.'i.' Middletown has always exhibited a liberal spirit in of- fering encouragement to such enterprises as were likely, directly or indirectly, to advance the prosperity of the town, and to such institutions as would tend to elevate society, morally, or intellectually. In 1824 efforts were made to secure the location of Washington College in this city, and the following rec- ord shows the action of the town in the matter: " At a town meeting held on the 21st of April 1824, it was Voted, That upon Washington College being located in this town, this town will at the request of the Ti-ustees of sd College, take the proper and legal steps to obtain a partition and division of the interest of said town from the interest of the town of Chatham in the Quarries, lying in the sd Towns, so that each of said towns may bold & use their Interest in said Quarries in severalty & that the Selectmen for the time being, be, & they are hereby appointed and empowered by this Town as a Com'ee to procure & obtain sd Partition & division in such manner as they shall judge best & proper & that any controversy that now exists or hereafter may exist regarding the right of this town in said Quarries may be car- ried on and maintained in the name & at the exjiense of this Town. " Whereas by a Vote of this Town passed on the 30th March last, the use of the Town's interest in the Two Quarries belonging to it was granted to Washington College if located & continued in thisplace, untill said use shall nett the sum of $20,000 (twenty thousand dollars) therefore Voted That the Town in case it should be preferred by the Trustees of Washington College to the terms of the former vote, will pay over annually to said College, the nett prolits& rents of itsinterest in the two Quarries belonging to said Town, untill the nett profits & rents of said Quarries shall amount to $20,000 on Condition thatsaid Col- lege be located and continued in said Town." This institution (now Trinity College) was finally lo- cated at Hartford. In the same year arrangements were made for the removal of Captain Partridge's American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy, which was es- tablished at Norwich, Vt., in 1820, to this city. To ac- complish this desired result the following action was taken: "At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Middletown held on the 2d day of August, 1824, by special warning from the Selectmen of said town for the purpose of considering whether it will proffer any ■ aid in procuring Capt Partridge's School to be removed and established in thisTown & making such grant from the Quarry or otherwise as the inhabitants may deem proper. Nehemiah Hubbard being chosen Moderator it was " Voted, That in the opinion of this meeting it is an object of great importance to the interests of this town to procure the removal of Capt. Partridge's Scientific and Military Academy to this place. MIDDLETOWN— SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. "9 " Whereas by virtue of sundry ancient grants of the proprietors ot the Common and Undivided lands in Middletown and Chatham, and the uniform and uninterrupted usage in pursuance thereof, conflrmcd and regulated liy recent votes & conveyances, and a resolve ot the General Assembly in relation thereto, as appears of record, said town of Middle- town has a leg:al and unqualified risht to get stone for the general use of saidtownandfor the particular use ot its inhabitants in either of the Town Quarries in Chatham & Middletown, and whereas, the removal of rapt. Partridge's School to, and its establishment in Middletown will be manifestly advantageous to said town, and its inhabitants, and said Town are desirous of promoting the estiibllshnient of the same, which cannot be obtained without the aid of the Town by furnishing stone to be taken from said quarries.— Therefore it is Uesoived, and the Town in consideration of the premises, and ot our interest in the land to be purchased, and the buildings to be erected for the pur- pose aforesaid, in proportion to the net value of this grant, the evidence of which is to be furnished to the Town by persons hereinafter named who have been appointed to purchase said land, & erect said buildings, in lilie manner as to the subscribers for said land and buildings, do hereby grant to said persons hereinafter named, full right & authority for & in the name & behalf of this Town to enter upon said Quarries, or either ot them, personally or by their agents, and to raise, dig & remove therefrom stone in such manner and quantities, from time to time within live years from the 1st day of .January next, as they may deem necessary to be used iji the erection of said buildings & to defray the expense of raising & transporting the stone, not exceeding in value at the cash price Ten thousand dollars clear of the expenses ot raising and transporting the same, and should the quantity of stone so to be raised within said term, exceed the quan- tity used in erecting said buildings & appurtenances the excess shall be, by the said persons sold, applied & expended in completing the afore- said buildings, & the town doth hereby appoint, authorize, empower and direct Nehemiah Hubbard, .loshua Stow & Ali^xander Wolcott, or either of them, for & in behalf of said town, to make, execute Sc deliver to Thomas Mather, John Hinsdale. George W. Stanley. Elijah Hubbard, John Ij. Lewis, John A Isop and Samuel D.Hubbard, the Committee lierein before referred to, or to such person or persons as they or a raa- nority of them shall name or request, a lease or leases for the aforesaid term of Five years from said 1st day ot January next, in pursuance of tlie foregoing Vote, which lease shall vest iu the Lessee or Lessees, all the right of said town to enter into & upon s'd Quarries, and to dig. raise & remove therefrom stone, & to do any lawful act for & in behalf ot said town in relation thereto during the term & for the purposes aforesaid . " Test. Wm. H. FiSK, Town Clerk Protempore." A site for the building was secured, and the corner stone of a large and substantial edifice was laid "accord- ing to the forms of the masonic order, by the fraternity." This building and the chapel were so nearly completed that the institution was opened in 1825, and its fifth an- niversary was celebrated in September of that year. At that celebration more than two hundred cadets, from nineteen States and the District of Columbia, were present. The institution was designed to meet the wants of the American republic at that time. Its course of instruc- tion was literary and scientific, as well as military, and in its organization and discipline it was strictly military; the students were called cadets, and were dressed in uni- form. It was the aim of the conductors of this institu- tion to gratify different tastes, talents, and attainments, by permitting students to advance according to their ability, instead of being detained by those iess able or industrious, regard being had alone to thoroughness in their acquirements. Captain Partridge retained exclusive control of the discipline of the institution, and instruction was given by himself and the teachers whom he employed till 1828, when a board of trustees was appointed and the faculty was in;;reased. At one time the cadets numbered 243. Many of the students were from the Southern States, and the standard of scholarship in all was very creditable. Of those who were students in this academy, many have acquired distinction as statesmen, authors, engi- neers, pr military officers. The institution ceased here, and in 1829 the buildings reverted to the original proprietors. Wesleyan University.* Of the various public institutions that adorn the city of Middletown, no one occupies a more beautiful situation than Wesleyan University. Its line of imposing buildings crowning the summit of the hill on the side of which the city lies is the first object to catch the eye of the visitor who aproaches Middletown over that most pleasant road, the river. If, on landing, he take the middle one of the five streets that climb this hill, it will lead him straight to the college gate. A nearer view of the college and its surroundings only discloses more clearly the charm of its situation. No other New England college can boast a more beautiful. A large and admirably kept campus, planted with noble elms and maples; a line of five handsome brown stone buildings, three of them comparatively new; glimpses of other buildings behind them and of smooth green lawns and playgrounds stretching off in the rear to meet the slopes of the higher Indian Hill— this is what the visitor may see when he reaches the college gate. And if he will take the trouble to climb the tower of Judd Hall and look off on the green and rolling landscape that surrounds the pleasant city of Middletown he will see the finest view to be had in the Connecticut Valley south of Mt. Holyoke. It would be difficult, indeed, to to find a place, in most respects, better fitted to be the site of an institution of learning than Middletown, within easy distance of the large cities and itself combining most of the conveniences of city with all the healthful- ness and rural charm of the country. About the time when Captain Partridge's school was closed, the Methodist Episcopal church began to give earnest and general attention to the cause of higher edu- cation. One or two attempts at college building, at the close of the previous century, had failed somewhat dis- astrously; and in 1795, when the buildings of Cokes- bury College, Baltimore, were burned to the ground, Bishop Asbury wrote to a friend, with an evident sense of relief, " Its friends need not mourn: the Lord called not the Methodists to build colleges." But during the years between 1815 and 1825, academies and schools of similar grade, under the direction of this denominatior) had been established in good numbers throughout most of the Eastern States. Some of these, like those at Kents Hill, Maine, and VVilbraham, Massachusetts, achieved an immediate and lasting popularity. The success of these schools revived the interest in collegiate education, and determined the leaders of the church to found some in- stitution in which the education begun in these second- ary schools could be carried on and completed. Propo- sitions of this sort chanced to come to the ears of sotne of the trustees of Captain Partridge's defunct American Literary, Scientific, and Military Academy. At a meet- ing, held early in 1829, one of them casually remarked *ByProf. C. T. Winchesieb. 120 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. that if the Methodists were thinking of founding a col- lege, it might be possible to dispose of their emptybuild- ings to them, and that for such a purpose they might well sell the property for $4,000. Rev. Laban Clark D. D., then presiding elder of the New Haven district, hap- pened shortly after to be in Middletown; and being in- formed of this remark, he at once notified them that he would be one of ten to purchase the property, and would promptly secure the other nine. This led to the serious consideration of the matter; and at the ensuing session of the New York Conference, May 1829, Dr. Clark pre- sented from the trustees proposals for the transfer of the property in due form, and urged their acceptance upon the conference. A committee, consisting of James Em- ory, Samuel Lucky, and Heman Bangs, was appointed to consider these proposals. The New England Conference, being invited to unite in the project, appointed Timothy Merritt, S. Martindale, and Wilbur Fisk to act in conjunc- tion with the New York committee. The first act of this joint committee was to issue proposals inviting the several towns within a specified region to compete for the location of the college by the offer of subscrip- tions. Liberal offers came from Troy, New York, Bridge- port, Connecticut, and Wilbraham, Massachusetts; but those from Middletown were now so modified that the committee had no hesitation in preferring them. The trustees of the academy, with the consent of the stock- holders, offered the entire property, valued at about thirty thousand dollars, to the conferences, on the two conditions, that it should be perpetually used for a col- lege or university, and that a fund of forty thousand dollars should first be raised for the endowment of the college. About eighteen thousand dollars of this fund were promptly subscribed by citizens of Middletown. The report of the committee recommending the accept- ance of this offer was adopted at the session of confer- ence in May, 1830, and the forty thousand dollars en- dowment was soon raised. A board of trustees was elected, one third by each of the two conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church — the New England and the New York East — that had intrusted themselves in found- ing the college, and the other third by the trustees of the Military Academy; and application was at once made to the legislature for a charter for "The Wesleyan Univer- sity." This first charter provided that the power to elect a faculty, arrange courses af instruction, and determine all matters of administration should be vested jointly in the trustees and in an eqilal number of " visitors " to be elected annually by the two above-named conferences, and by such other of the conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church as might afterward be admitted to such representation. This awkward division of governing powers continued until 1870, when, by an amendment to the charter, the board of visitors was abolished. . At present the trustees are elected, a part by the board itself, a part by the conferences of the Methodist Chuich, and a part of the alumni. At the first meeting of the joint Board of Trustees and Visitors, August 24th 1830, Rev. WillburFisk, D.D., then principal of Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham, was elected first president of the Wesleyan University. In October of the same year, a preparatoryschool was opened in the build- ings, under the superintendence of Rev. W. C. Larabee. In May, 1831. the charter was granted the University; and on the 21st of the following September its halls were opened to students. The faculty consisted of President Fisk, Professors Augustus W. Smith and John Mott Smith, and Tutor W. Magoun. The catalogue for 1831 registers forty-eight students; the first class graduated in 1833 numbered six; and in 1836 one hundred and twenty names were on the college rolls. Those early years were, however, a time of constant struggle. The $40,000 was but a very slender founda- tion for a college, and additional contributions were, as President Fisk said, "as meagre as the leakage of a mis- er's purse." The new college was in want of libraries, museum, apparatus-^in short, of all education appliances whatever. But by untiring exertions the endowment was slowly increased, a few books were got together to begin a library, and President Fisk went to Europe to purchase apparatus. In its early days of poverty and struggle the institution had many faithful and helpful friends, among whom Rev. Heman Bangs, D. D., and Rev. Laban Clark, D. D., deserve especial mention. It was Dr. Clark who first determined that the college should be planted in Middletown. and in all its early difificulties it had no more earnest and prudent helper. A Methodist preachtr in those days, when to be a Methodist preacher meant to ride a circuit of a hundred miles, he was a man of tireless energy and indomitable persistence. Although he enjoyed in his youth only the most slender educa- tional advantages, he had not only trained his naturally shrewd and penetrating intellect in the hard school of experience, but broadened and ripened it by wide and careful reading. His enthusiasm, tact, and prudence were of great value in the early counsels of the college, and he has been not inaptly called the father of Wes- leyan University. His knapsack, saddle-bags, and home- spun suit deposited in a chest made from the wood of the first Methodist church in America, are religiously preserved in the college library. But to no one was the college so much indebted in those early days as to its first president, Willbur Fisk. A sound scholar, a thinker and writer of acknowledged reputation both within and without his own denomina- tion, he was almost the only one of the founders of the college who had any very clear ideas of what a college ought to be or to do. The course of instruction, the plan of administration, the methods of discipline, all were largely of his deciding. Upon him, too, devolved most of the labor of enlarging the slender endowment. . From the day of his arrival in Middletown, in the December before the opening of the college, to the day of hi^ death, his time and his care were all given to the Wesleyan Uni- versity. He endeavored by extensive correspondence to increase the general interest in the institution; he travelled through the Northern and Eastern States to collect moneys for it; though always in feeble health, he attend- W E S L E Y A N U N I V E K S I T 1 . MiDDLETdWN, CuNN. MIDDLETOWN— SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. 121 ed personally to most of the minute details of its ad- ministration; and, almost with his last words he com- mended "this poor university " to the friends of educa- tion. It was a pet notion of Dr. Fisk that the rigid plan of a four years' course of study and the corresponding di- vision of students into four classes fostered tradilional college jealousies and impeded the progress of the abler students. In accordance with these peculiar views — which were afterwards entertained by Presidents Wayland of Brown, and Marsh of the University of Vermont — the proficiency of the student was, at first, made the only basis of classification; and any student, able to pass the requisite examination, received a diploma, without re- gard to the time he had spent in college. The plan, however, soon fell into disuse; diplomas were, in fact, given only at the close of the college year, and students naturally arranged themselves in classes from the start. In the catalogue of 1836 we find the ordinary distinctions of Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores,and Freshmen. It is worthy of note, also, that, at the suggestion of President Fisk, the Wesleyan University anticipated some of the most important features of the new education, by giving much more attention to the modern languages than they commonly received at that time, and by establishing, very early in its history, a scientific course, to meet the wants of those who wished to obtain advanced literary and scientific training, but whose tastes or circumstances forbade the ordinary classical course. But perhaps Presi- dent Fisk is remembered most of all for the rare beauty of his character and his personal influence over his stu- dents. To them he was like a father; while his pure and lofty piety, his gentle and saintly temper endeared him to all who knew him. He died in 1839. His widow survived him forty-five years, living in pathetic seclusion alone, in a house* on one corner of the college campus. At the death of Dr. Fisk, Dr. Stephen Olin, then in Europe, was elected president. On his return from Europe, the following year, Dr. Olin found himself too feeble to assume the duties of the presidency, and con- sequently resigned it early in 1841. In February of that year, Dr. Nathan Bangs was elected to the vacant post. Dr. Bangs, then in the midst of a long and honorable career, felt that the sphere of his greatest usefulness lay elsewhere: he accepted the position with reluctance, and in July, 1842, willingly resigned it to Dr. Olin, whose health had now so improved as to justify his acceptance. Dr. Olin's fame as a pulpit orator, and his previous snccess in a similar situation, caused him to be greeted with an enthusiastic welcome. He was thoroughly pre- pared for his work. He had filled the chair of belles lettres for seven years in Franklin College, Athens, Georgia, and for four years had been president of Ran- dolph Macon College. He was a thorough and enthu- siastic classical scholar, and inclined to be rather more conservative than President Fisk in his views of a college education; it was during his administration that the mod- * At the present writing (September 1884), this house is just being removed. ern languages disappeared altogether, for a time, from the curriculum. He was a finished and graceful writer; but it was only in the pulpit that his greatest power was seen. Here he was supreme. In his power of sustained and commanding eloquence he was unapproached by any other preacher in his own denomination, unsurpassed by any. While he was president, his health was so feeble as never to allow him to devote himself as he wished to the work of instruction. He was, however, very success- ful in improving the financial condition of the univer- sity, and extending its reputation; and his noble and commanding character was itself an inspiration to all the students under his charge. He received very effi- cient aid in the general administration of the college from Professor Augustus W. Smith LL. D., who for several years filled the office of vice-president. Dr. Olin died in 1851. After an interval of a year. Dr. Smith, who had been connected with the university from its foundation, and had won high reputation as professor of mathematics, was elected to the chair of president. During the administration of President Smith the perma- nent existence and prosperity of the institution was in- sured by the raising of an endowment fund, which, for the first time, placed the university upon a solid financial basis. About one hundred thousand dollars were sub- scribed to this fund; and although, as is usual in such cases, the full amount subscribed was never realized, yet, by the persevering labors of President Smith, ably aided by Professor H. B. Lane, more than eighty thou- sand dollars was at this time invested for the endowment of professorships. Isaac Rich, of Boston, was the chief donor to this fund, making at this time the first of his princely donations to the university. Upon the resignation of President Smith, in 1857, Rev. Joseph Cummings, D.D., LL.D., President of Genesee College, was elected to the vacant post. The personal force and energy of President Cummings, his tireless industry, his hearty devotion to the welfare of the college, together with his skill and popularity as an instructor, combined to make his administration, in many respects, a very successful one. It was particularly marked by the growth of the material interests of the institution, in which President Cummings always took especial concern. To his labors the college is princi- pally indebted for the line of noble buildings that now crown the hill. During the Commencement week of 1868, a new and tasteful library building, capable of containing one hun- dred thousand volumes, was dedicated. This building was erected by the late Isaac Rich, at a cost of forty thousand dollars. During the same week, the contribu- tions of Mr. Rich to the Endowment Fund were in- creased to one hundred thousand dollars. In the fall of 1868 the old " Boarding Hall " was remodeled and transformed into "' Observatory Hall," by the addition of a handsome tower, in which was placed one of Alvan Clark's finest refracting telescopes In 1866, the cen- tennial anniversary of the Methodist Episcopal Church, an appeal had been made to the friends of the college to 17 122 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. contribute moneys for the erection of a new chapel. The civil war had then just closed; one hundred and thirty- three Wesleyan alumni and students had seen service in the Federal armies during the struggle, and thirteen of them had fallen. It was proposed that the new chapel should be a memorial to those thirteen, and that a memorial window should bear their names. In response to this suggestion $60,000 were contributed, and the graceful Memorial Chapel was erected. It was dedi- cated during the Commencement season of i87i,and the lower floor of Captain Partridge's old south building, which had formerly served as a chapel, has thenceforth been devoted to the humble purpose of a coal bin. The Commencement week of 187 1 saw the dedication of another noble building, the Orange Judd Hall of Natural Science, erected during the years 1869-71, at a cost of one hundred thousand dollars, and believed to be one of the most complete and elegant structures of its kind in the country. For this building the University is indebted to the munificence of Orange Judd, Esq., of New York, who will ever be remembered as one of the most faithful and generous friends of his Alma Mater. The basement or first floor is devoted to the department of chemistry; the second floor to the department of natural history; while the third and fourth stories contain the museum of natural history. It was during the administration of President Cum- mings that provision was made for the regular increase of the library and the scientific collections of the college. During the years 1864-5, ^ library fund, amounting to twenty-seven thousand six hundred dollars, was raised by the Alumni. This fund, although originally none too large, and since somewhat depleted by unfortunate in- vestment, has secured for the library a continuous, if not a very rapid, growth. The whole number of vol- umes now (1884) in the library is about 33,000. An in- crease of this fund is at present one of the most urgent needs of the college. The completion of the Orange Judd Hall of Natural Science, in 1872, provided ample accommodations for the proper care and arrangement of the scientific collections of the University; and in the years immediately following, large additions were made to these collections, chiefly by the endeavors of Mr. G. Brown Goode, then curator of the mu- seum. Since that time the growth of the museum has been constant and rapid. The department of mineralogy contains a nearly coinplete series of the min- erals of Middlesex county — one of the richest fields for the mineralogist in New England — mostly collected by the late Professor John Johnston. The botany of the county is also fully represented. The most extensive collections, however, are in the department of zoology. The Shurtleff series of shells comprises 8,000 species, from all parts of the world. The vertebrata of North America, especially the reptiles and fishes, are represent- ed by a collection which rank^i among the first in the country. The whole department of zoology contains over 1,300 distinct species. Probably no other New England college has so extensive a museum actually used to illustrate instruction in its under-graduate de- partments. In 1872, important changes were made in the curricu- lum of the college. Increased provision was made for the study of the modern languages and the physical sci- ences, and the plan of the course was materially changed by making the studies of the last two years largely elec- tive. It was in the fall of this year that the college was for the first time opened to ladies. Four ladies were ad- mitted September J872, and were graduated in 1876. Comparatively few ladies have, since then, availed them- selves of the privileges of the college: not more than eight or ten have usually been in attendance at any one time, though the number seems now to be slowly increas- ing. At the date of the present writing (1884) only four- teen in all have been graduated. The experiment of co- education (for it must still be considered an experiment) can hardly have been of injury to the college: no changes have been made in the course of study to accommodate it to the ladies, and there has been no lowering of the tone of scholarship, for the young ladies have shown themselves able, both mentally and physically, to perform the intellectual labor of a college course quite as well as the gentlemen who sit in the class with them. It is prob- able, however, that there are still many of the alumni who have some doubts as to the wisdom of the measure, and it has never been very popular with the undergradu- ates. President Cummings resigned his position in June 1875, though he continued in charge of the department of philosophy until January 1878. At a special meeting held July 28th 1875, the trustees elected as the successor of President Cummings, Rev. Cyrus D. Foss, D.D. Pres- ident Foss entered upon his duties at the commencement of the fall term, and was formally inaugurated October 26th 1875. He found it necessary to give immediate at- tention to the enlargement of the permanent funds of the college. The growth of the endowment during the pre- vious ten years had by no means kept pace with the growth of the unproductive wealth of the college, in buildings, collections, and other material facilities. The increase in the number of buildings, and the needful en- largements of the course of study rendered the annual expenditures, of necessity, greater than ever; while, on the other hand, in the stagnation of business and general financial depression that followed the panic of 1873, the productive property of the college had depreciated greatly in value. In March 1876, a committee of the trustees decided that only about one-half of the bills re- ceivable reported at the previous Commenceinent could be any longer considered good. A debt, allowed gradu- ally to increase for twenty years, had reached the sum of sixty thousand dollars; while the total amount of funds from which income was available was only one hundred and forty thousand dollars. In these circumstances, it was evident— to quote the words of President Foss in his report to the conference in 1876— that "only large and generous help, promptly given to the institution, could save it from disaster." Never, perhaps, was the Univer- MIDDLETOWN— SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. 123 sity in a more critical position. It is gratifying to be able to record that the generosity of its friends soon re- moved it out of urgent danger. A committee appointed by the Alumni Association appealed for aid to all the graduates of the college. In response to this appeal about forty thousand dollars was subscribed, of which the greater part has been paid. Still more largely liberal was the response to the untiring personal efforts of President Foss. The inevitable annual deficit, while it yet contin- ued, was met by generous annual subscriptions, in ad- vance, chiefly from the trustees. The debt of the Uni- versity was paid. And, during the five years of President Foss's administration, nearly two hundred and fifty thou- sand dollars was added to the permanent funds. If the needs of the college were still great, the danger of im- ' ' mediate disaster was past. Of the group of generous friends whose liberality brought this timely aid, the larg- est giver was Hon. George I. Seney. , , But it was not financial success alone that marked the administration of President Foss. A character so noble, a kindness and courtesy so unvarying, an enthusiasm for goodness so inspiring, a piety so high and pure — these could not fail of their effect upon all who knew him. His influence was itself an education of the best sort. No president of Wesleyan University was ever more respect- ed; none was ever better beloved. In May of 1880 President Foss was called by the Gen- eral Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church to fill the highest ofiflce in the gift of the church. At the annual meeting of the trustees in June following, the chair of President, thus made vacant, was filled by the election of Rev. John W. Beach, D.D., who at present occupies the position. The permanent endowment funds of the Wesleyan University now amount to about $800,00©; the whole property of the college may be estimated at about $1,250,000. The faculty at present numbers eighteen members, of whom all but one — the librarian — are officers of instruction. The number of students enrolled upon the last catalogue is 201. There has been a slow but steady increase in the attendance for the past few years. The college has graduated, in all, about 1,400 students — the exact number, if we mistake not, is 1,370 — of whom about 1,100 are still living and at work, many of them in the most influential positions in school, church, and State.* Wesleyan University has always been under the direc- tion and patronage of the Methodis't Episcopal church; but it has never been a sectarian institution, still less — as it is sometimes curiously thought to be — a theological school. It gives no theological instruction whatever; some of its trustees and faculty, are usually, as at pres- ent, members of other churches than the Methodist; and its students are of all religious denominations and of *For many interesting- statistics of the alumni tiie reader is referred to the Alumni Recm-d of IVesUyan Univermj, edition of 1881-3, J. C. Uuike, S. B. Goode, and C. W. Smiley, editors. It is believed that no other eoUeg-e has so complete a record of its alumni. From the " His- torical Sketch " (by the present writer) in this record this article is ohieily taken. A few facts are also drawn from an article prepared by the present writer for " The College Book," Boston, 1878. none. It is probably true, however, that the general tone of morals among the students is higher, and the scholarly purpose more pronounced in Middletown than in most other colleges. Student life is, indeed, much the same thing here as everywhere else, with its odd mixture of seriousness and gayety, its conviviality and occasional nonsense, its stubborn adherence to traditions not always reasonable. But most Middletown students belong to the class who go to college and not to the class who are sent; many of them are not wealthy, but they have the better wealth of thrift and energy, and are not likely to waste the privileges of a college course. The average expenses of students in Wesleyan are probably somewhat less than those of students in most other eastern colleges, but it is very doubtful whether there is in any college community a quicker intellectual life, or more genuine social refinement. A word of commendation ought here to be given to the college chaptered fraternities. What- ever they may be elsewhere, their influence in Middle- town seems to be only good. Each one owns or leases a large " club house," which contains lodge room, dining room, and parlors, and which affords to young gentle- men the comforts and some of the social amenities of a home. Three of these club houses have been erected within a few years, the " Psi Upsilon," on Broad street, the " Eclectic," on College Place, and the " Alpha Delta Phi," at the corner of High and Cross streets. The last two are perhaps the best specimens of domestic architec- ture in the city. Wesleyan University is one of the youngest of our New England colleges, having but just completed its first half century. The man who received its first di- ploma, Daniel H. Chase, LL.D., of Middletown, is still living; and at every meeting of the trustees is still seen at least one man who was present at that meeting in the " Lyceum of Captain Partridge's Academy " where the Wesleyan University was born. Its friends confidently believe that the college has passed the days of embarass- ment, and that its career has but just begun. In the beauty of its location, its buildings, apparatus, and all other material facilities, in the wise adaptation of its course of study to the needs of the student, and in the ability and energy of its faculty, Wesleyan University may compare favorably with other eastern colleges; and in the next score of years it will doubtless greatly in- crease its influence and attract many more students to its halls. Berkeley Divinity School.* The Berkeley Divinity School is situated at the south- west corner of Main and Washington streets, its property extending on Main street, to the land of the Episcopal church. The buildings are: (i) a large three story brick house on the corner, formerly the residence of Rev. Dr. Samuel F. Jarvis. A part of this is occupied by the Bishop of the Diocese (who is also the Dean of the school) as a residence. The library and class rooms are in the second story, while the third floor and the attic furnish ♦Bt Ret. Fredebio Gabdineb, D.D. 124 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. rooms for students. (2) A two story students' dormitory extending on a north and south line from the rear of the first building to the rear of the chapel. This contains twelve students' rooms. It was built in i860, of brick, but was intended only as a temporary structure and it will be hereafter removed. (3) The chapel, a beautiful struc- ture of Portland stone, erected by the liberality of Mrs. Mary W. A. Mutter, in 1861, and restricted in use to re- ligious worship. Besides the seats for the faculty and students, it contains about 60 sittings which are free. (4) The so-called " Wright House," a two story brick dwelling house, purchased in 1868, and used for students' commons, the second story and attic containing also about seven rooms for students. There is also a wooden gymnasium behind the first building. The origin of the school was in this way: when the then Rev. Dr. Williams was rector of the church in Schenec- tady, New York, he had gathered about him several theo- logical students. In 1848 he removed to Hartford, Conn., as president of Trinity College, his students following him, and, on October 29th 1851, was consecrated as As- sistant Bishop of the Diocese. Several eminent divines being then connected with the faculty of the college, or with the parishes in the city of Hartford, it was thought wise to organize a theological department of Trinity Col- lege. The instructors were Bishop Williams, the Rev. Dr. Coit, then a professor in Trinity College, the Rev. A. C. Coxe, now bishop of western New York, having been consecrated in 1865, and the Rev. E. A. Washburn, after- ward rector of Calvary Church in New York. Sixteen young men had already been graduated, when the increasing numbers and importance of the school made a more permanent and independent organization desirable. At the meeting of the General Assembly in 1854, a charter was granted constituting a Board of Trustees, eleven in number, of whom six should always be clergy- men and five laymen of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the. State of Connecticut; vacancies occurring in the board to be filled by election by the convention of the Diocese. The trustees were authorized to meet for or- ganization whenever the sum of $40,000 should have been subscribed for endowment. The original trustees were: the Rt. Rev. T. C. Brownell, D.D., Bishop of Conn.; Rt. Rev. John Williams, D.D., Assistant Bishop of Conn.; The Rev. D. R. Goodwin, D.D., president of Trinity College; The Rev. F. G. Goodwin, D.D., rector of Church of the Holy Trinity (then called Christ Church), Middletown: These being trustees ex-officio. The Rev. Thomas C. Pitkin; Rev. Jacob L. Clark, D.D., of Water- bury; Edward S. Hall, of New York; Ebenezer Jackson, of Middletown; William T. Lee, of Hartford; Charles A. Lewis, of New London; Leverett Candee, of New Haven. Bishop Williams, having resigned the presidency of the college, removed to Middletown and it was decided to locate the new Divinity School in that city. In August 1854, the trustees met for organization at the residence of Bishop Williams. The organization was effected and the Rev. William Jarvis was elected secre- tary and treasurer. At a subsequent meeting, on the 19th of January fol- lowing, the course of study was arranged and negotiations were entered into for the purchase of a site for the build- ings of the school. At a special meeting, April i8th 1855, it was unanimously decided to accept the offer of Mr. E. S. Hall of so much of the property now occupied by the school as belonged to the estate of the late Rev. Dr. Jarvis for the sum of $10,000. Negotiations on the subject were continued for some years, the school having rented the building, and finally Mr. Hall presented the property, and also an additional $10,000 to the school, on condition that it should never be removed from Mid- dletown. In 1856 Rev. Edwin Harwood, now rector of Trinity Church, New Haven, became the first resident professor, beside the Bishop, and was the only one until the election of Rev. T. F. Davies, as resident professor of Hebrew, in the same year. In October 1857, the professorships were as follows: The Rt. Rev. J. Williams, D.D., LL.D., professor of doctrinal theology and ritual. Rev. T. W. Coit, D.D., LL.D., professor of ecclesias- tical history. Dr. Coit was then pastor of St. Paul's Church, Troy, N. Y., but spent several weeks in each year lecturing to the students. He became a resident profes- sor in 1873. Rev. Edwin Harwood, M. A., professor of the litera- ture and the interpretation of Scripture. Dr. Harwood had become professor, as above, in 1854, and continued until 1859, when he resigned to. become rector of Trinity Church, New Haven, where he still remains. Rev. F. J. Goodwin, D.D., professor of the evidences of Christianity. Dr. Goodwin was then rector of Christ Church (now the Church of the Holy Trinity), Middle- town, where he remained until his death, in 1869; but gave instructions in his department until compelled by ill health to relinquish it, in 1867. Rev. A. M. Littlejohn, M.A., professor of pastoral theology. Dr. Littlejohn was then rector of Trinity Church, New Haven, but came weekly to the school for his teaching until his removal to Brooklyn, L. I., where he was consecrated bishop, January 27th 1S69. Rev. E. A. Washburn, M. A., professor of the polity of the church. Dr. Washburn was then rector of St. John's Church, Hartford, but came regularly to the school until his removal to New York as rector of Calvary Church. He died in that position, February 2d 1881, one of the most eminent and respected divines of what is known as the Broad School of Churchmen. Rev. Francis T. Russell, professor of elocution. Pro- fessor Russell was then rector of the church in New Brit- ain, but afterward settled in Waterbury, where he be- came and still remains the first principal of St. Margaret's School, an eminently successful institution for the edu- cation of young ladies. He still continues his valuable instructions in the Divinity School, to which he makes frequent visits. Rev. Thomas F. Davies, M.A., professor of Hebrew. Dr. Davies was an alumnus of the school, and his pro- MIDDLETOWN— SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. 125 fessorship has ever since been filled by alumni. In 1861 he resigned to become rector of St. John's Church, Ports- mouth, N. H., from which he removed to St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia, where he still remains. Bishop Williams was the dean of the school, as he still is, and was authorized to appoint a librarian. January rath 1858, Mr. Jarvis resigned his office of secretary and treasurer, and A. H. Jackson, M. D., of Middletown, was chosen in his place and continued to discharge its duties until his death. The Rev. Dr. Harwood resigned his professorship in March 1859, and was chosen non-resident professor of ethics, but never took further part in the teaching of the school. A committee was appointed to provide for the instruction during the rest of the year, and to nom- inate a successor. The Rev. Frederic Gardiner, of Maine, was selected, but was unable at the time to accept the position. On June 15th 1859, the Rev. Samuel Fuller was elected and continued to discharge the duties of the professorship until, on account of his increasing age, in 1882, at his own request, he was retired from active service and be- came Profsssor Emeritus. By death and resignation the board of trustees was gradually changed, Bishop Williams and Mr. E. S. Hall being the only original members now remaining. The Rev. Dr. Todd, now dead, of Stamford, became a trustee in 1857; Mr. John H. Watkinson, of Middletown, was elected in i860, and others have since been added, until the present board consists of the following persons, the first three being ex officio: The Rt. Rev. John Williams, D.D., LL. D.; the Rev. G. W. Smith, D.D., president of Trinity College; the Rev. J. Lewis Parks, M. A., rector of Church of Holy Trinity, Middletown; the Rev. Francis T. Russell, M. A.; the Rev. Francis Goodwin, M. A.; the Rev. Storrs O. Seymour, M. A.; Edward S. Hall, Esq.; John H. Wat-, kinson, Esq.; Lyman W. Coe, Esq.; Charles E. Jackson, Esq.; Henry B. Harrison, Esq. In i860 an offer was received from Mrs. Mary M. Mutter to build a chapel' for the school, on condition (i) that seats not occupied by the students should be free, (2) that daily service should be celebrated in it during term time, (3) that the services, when held on Sundavs and holy days, should not be so fixed as to interfere with the hours of service of the parish church, and (4) that the chapel should be under the immediate charge and jurisdiction of the bishop of the diocese. This generous offer was thankfully accepted, and the beautiful chapel, now standing on the grounds of the school, was subse- quently built and conveyed by deed of trust, containing the above conditions, to the trustees, who formally ac- cepted the same. The Shaler and Hall Quarry Com- pany, of Portland, generously furnished gratuitously the necessary stone. When the Hebrew professorship became vacant, in 1861, Mr. Wm. H. Vibbert, then a student in the school, was appointed instructor ad interim, and after his ordina- tion, in 1862, was made professor of Hebrew. His in- structions continued twelve years, and he then, resigned to take charge of St. Luke's Church, Germantown. Dr. Vibbert subsequently became rector of St. James Church, Chicago. Meantime the increasing number of students made more room necessary, and a temporary dormitory of brick with twelve additional rooms was added and is still standing, known as " the wing." In June 1865, the Rev. Henry De Koven, D.D., who had already been discharging the duties for some time, and who was residing in Middletown, was appointed professor of Homiletics without salary, and also chaplain, and a vote of thanks was recorded by the trustees for his previous valuable and gratuitous services. Four years later he resigned, on account of ill health, and subse- quently went abroad, settling near Florence. He died in Switzerland, in 1884. At the same time it was left discretionary with the Bishop to employ the Rev. H. A. Yardley as his assistant in instruction. He decided to do so, and Mr. Yardley afterward became a regular professor and the chaplain of the school. He continued his instructions until within a fortnight of his death, in April 1882, but increasing illness had compelled him to give up his chaplaincy some years earlier, in 1876. Although the school had been founded as a school for the Diocese of Connecticut, so many were attracted to it from other dioceses that more accommodation for stu- dents was imperatively needed, and the dwelling house known as "the Wright house," then belonging to Dr. Blake, and adjoining the grounds of the school, was pur- chased in 1868 for a students' boarding house and dor- mitory. This was effected chiefly by the liberality of the Alsop family, the frequent benefactors of the school. A word should be said of this house, since it was the first one built in Middletown of Atnerican brick. The late Mr. Glover's house had already been built of imported brick. The Wright house was built between 1745 and 1750, by Joseph Wright, of brick made in Newfield dis- trict, and was occupied after his death by his grandchil- dren and great-grandchildren until 181 6 or 181 7. In 1820 it was again occupied by them. In 1846 it was sold to Dr. Casey and by him, after several years, to Dr. Blake, and by him to the Berkeley Divinity School. No other buildings have since been acquired or erected, though a library building has long been in contemplation and is greatly needed. The school is also greatly in want of more convenient rooms for the students. In 1869, in consequence of the death of Dr. A. H. Jackson, his brother, Mr. Charles E. Jackson, was chosen secretary and treasurer, and now fills those offices. In 1868 the Rev. Frederic Gardiner, D. D., then con- nected with the parish church, was added to the list of professors, and in the following year terminated his con- nection with the parish to become professor of the lit- erature and interpretation of the Old Testament. He was subsequently appointed librarian, and on the resig- nation of Dr. Fuller, in 1882, his department was changed to that of the literature and interpretation of the New 126 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Teslament, while his former duties weie translerred to the professor of Hebrew. In February 1873, the Rev. T. W. Coit, D. D., LL. D., who had from the beginning given instruction in the school in ecclesiastical history, removed to Middletown and became one of the resident professors. About 4,000 volumes of his large and valuable library had been de- posited for many years with the school, and soon after his coming to Middletown the remaining 10,000 were ac- quired by the school. The whole library is now some- what above 17,000 volumes. In January of the follow- ing year, 1874, the Rev. John Binney became professor of Hebrew, giving instruction also in Chaldee and Syriac as electives- In 1876 he became chaplain of the school, and in 1882 his department was enlarged by the addition of the literature and interpretation of the Old Testa- ment. At the beginning of January 1883, the Rev. William A. Johnson entered upon his duties as the professor chosen to fill the place of Mr. Yardley. The list of the faculty at present is as follows: The Rt. Rev. John Williams, D.D., LL. D., Dean and professor of doctrinal and pastoral theology and the prayer book. The Rev. Thomas W. Coit, D. D., L.L. D., pro- fessor of church history. The Rev. Samuel Fuller, D. D., professor emeritus. The Rev. Frederic Gardiner, D. D., professor of the literature and interpretation of the New Testament, and librarian. The Rev. John Binney, M. A., professor of Hebrew and the literature and interpretation of the Old Testament, and chaplain. The Rev. William A. Johnson, M. A., professor of Christian evidences and homiletics. The Rev. Francis T. Russell, M. A., pro- fessor of elocution. The whole number of alumni in 1884 is 293, of whom 15 are deceased. Although, as already said, the school was designed as the theological training school for the diocese of Connecticut, many of these have come from remote parts of the country, and they are now distributed everywhere from China to Oregon, three of them being missionaries in the Indian country, and some of them are to be found in most of the dioceses of the United States. The number in the school in the session of 1883-4 was 34. The school year begins about the 20th of September, and continues until the first of Jane, with a short recess at Christmas, and another at Easter. During term time and sometimes in the vacations also, many of the students are employed on Sundays as lay-readers in the neighbor- hood and some in feeble parishes in distant parts of the diocese. The library, containing, as before mentioned, over 17,000 volumes, is almost wholly theological: but its books are lent freely to any body who may wish to use them. It is at present stored in the class rooms, but a special and fire proof building is urgently needed, as well as funds for its care and for the purchase of new books. Its only means of increase at present is from the dona- tions of friends. The endowment of the school, though still very far from" sufficient, has gradually grown by the liberality of I many generous friends, conspicuous among whom have been Mr. E. S. Hall, of New York, the late* Mrs. Mary W. A. Mutter of Middletown and other members of the Alsop family, the late Miss Margaret Belden of Norwalk, the late Mrs. F. A. Russell of Middletown, and especially the late Mr. Joseph E. Sheffield of New Haven. The present endowment, over and above the real estate in Middletown, a small amount of unproductive real es- tate elsewhere, and a considerable amount of stocks given to the school in their present form, but yielding no in- come, is as follows: General endowment fund $118,363.00 Belden legacy 14,353.00 Mutter professorship 25,000.00 $157,716.00 Special Funds. Susan Bronson Legacy 500.00 Alsop Memorial Fund 3,000.00 Richard Mansfield Scholarship. . 1,000.00 Chapel Endowment Fund 10,000.00 James Scovill Scholarship 1,000.00 $15,500.00 $173,216.00 That so much has been accomplished with so small an endowment is due to the personal activity of Bishop Wil- liams, the founder of the school. It is hoped that in the near future such further endowments may be obtained as shall fit the school more fully for its work and greatly increase the effectiveness of all that has been already given. Schools in Middletown.* If to any one thing more than another is due the prestige of New England to-day, it is her schools and school system. It is a noteworthy fact that the early settler had scarcely constructed the rude building to shelter his family before the meeting house was voted and built; and regularly, on the Sabbath day, all the people of the little settlement, with the exception of those required by law to be detailed for guard duty against the savages, gathered in this meeting house for worship and religious instruc- tion; and close upon the heels of the meeting house came the school. The church was first and most important because the home could not perform all the functions and supply all the wants of the church — the home could, however, to a considerable ex- tent, supply the need of the school, and so the school came second, and after the little colony had in a measure established itself. The foresight of the fathers in this regard was of inestimable value, not only to the infant commonwealth, but to Connecticut of to-day; and to it the State owes her proud position among her sister com- monwealths. And as the several settlements and colonies helped themselves in this regard, the State assisted and provided for the education of the young, some of the statutes in *Br w. U. Peabne Esq. MIDDLETOWN— SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. 127 force at this time, having been enacted as early as 1650. Among these are the statutes requiring parents and those having the care of children to bring them up in some honest and lawful calling or employment, and to instruct them or cause them to be instructed in the neces- sary branches of learning, and making it the duty of town officers to see that the heads of families were nol negligent of their duty in this regard. Throughout the whole history of the State is found the enactment of wise laws as they became necessary, and the appropriation of large sums of money, the in- come of which is to be used for the support of schools, and the use of which for any other purpose is punishable by severe penalties, so that to-day the State is provided with good schools, which are also free schools, and no one, be he rich or poor, can be deprived of a good com- mon school- education if he will take it, and if he refuse, then the State interferes and insists under certain penalties that he shall take some advantage of the bene- fits provided. The settlement of the town of Middletown dates as early as 1650. In February 1652, it was voted to build the meeting house and the vote was speedily carried into effect. It must be remembered that the settlers were few and poor, and that whatever could be accomplished by manual labor was quickly and cheerfully done, and that money especially must have been a scarce commodity, since there were but limited means of producing articles of exchange and the market was certainly a small one. In view of these facts and also of the fact that each home must have been the school room for its own young, and faithful mothers the instructors, it is not to be wondered at that the first recorded vote pertaining to school mat- ters is dated April 14th 1675, probably about twenty- five years after the first settlement. The following is the vote: "Hot ye4, lB75i At ye same meeting ye town granted teu pounds for ye year ensuing towards ye inoourigm't of a sclioolemaster to teach o'r children to read & write and made choice of goodman Wilcocli, Wil- liam Harriss and Seargt Ward to enquire after and agree with a meet person for that work, and to levy ye remainder of his higher upon ye children schooled to ye summ of ten pounds more." The vote does not disclose where the school was to be kept, and it is a fair inference that the thing was quite experimental. The number of householders at this time was between 50 and 60, and probably the schoolmaster's salary, small as it was, was not easily raised, for on November 29th 1676, is found the following vote: "November 29, 1676. The town voated to entertayn Mr. Thomas Webe as a acolimaster to teach chillderea to wrightand read at least for tryall for the winter season, abougrht halfe a yeare, finding- him meat & drinUe or sum other small ineoredgement; at the same time was voated that the watchhous shall be forthwith fitted up for a scholl- hous. In this vote a place is designated for the school to be held — the watch-house. In all probability the sturdy set- tlers had small occasion to use it for any other purpose. It seems that Mr, Webb's " tryall " was satisfactory, because in the following March the town passed this vote: " At a town meeting ye 13th of March 1676-7 the town granted Mr. Thomas Web as sohoolemaster to ye town twentyfive pounds for hissal- lery for one year beginning ye twentyeighth day of Decemlier past; this sum at)0ve said to he levyed as followeth, ten pound to be paid by the town according to former grant for ye ineoiirageiuent of a schoole master, fifteen pound to be levyed on ye cliililreJi that have gone, shall goe, or ought to goe to school in cqciall proportion." It will be observed that by this vote each child must pay his proportion whether he went to school or not. That this school was successful may be presumed by the following vote: "September 7, laSO. Thetowne voated to ashool hous of twenty six foot long & seaventeen or eightene foot wide & si.v foot & a halite he- tweene Joints in higlit. & secondly that the townsmen shall use the best means they can to get it done if it may be before winter. & thirdly that this hous shall be sett up in some place neare the watch hous. How does this little first school house compare with the more pretentious ones of to-day ? And yet this rude log cabin, as it probably was, was of more real interest to that little community than the spncious and comforta- ble school rooms are to the parents and scholars of the present time: — as witness the following vote, to provide for the maintenance of the public school in addition to the town money and private contributions: "January 6, 1695-0. Att the same towne and proprietors nieetnig upon the motion of yc Keverent Mr. Kussell it was votted that if in any time coming there sluil be made an.v lands I'.v wn.v of islands upon the great river, within the bounds of this township, thHt all such lands shal be improved for ye benefit and encouragement of the public school in this towne." At the time of the settlement of Middletown there were three separate groups of settlers; one near the south end of Main street, one in the vicinity of the old ceme- tery, St. John Square, and the third at the present site of Cromwell; "North Society," or "Upper Houses" as it was called. The North Society increased quite rapidly in numbers, so that in 1703 they petitioned for and were granted leave to settle a minister. Whether there was any dispute with regard to the location or management of the town School does not ap- pear; but it is quite reasonable to suppose that, with the large number of inhabitants in this part of the town, there would be a feeling that they ought to have some school opportunities nearer to them than the then town school. The following grant from the General Court was made in October 1709. SCHOOLS. " Upon the consideration of the petition of the inhabitants on the north side the riveret in Middletown, now presented to this As- seniblj', praying that so much of the school money arising by law as shall be levyed on their part of the list of that town, may be ordered to be improved for a school amongst tliem on the north side the said river; This Assembly grants and allows the same, providing thej' shall maintain a school for reading- and writing, for one halt of the year, annuallj" and do order that on default thereof, the said money shall be paid toward the maintenance of the town school as formerly." In the mean time a settleinment had been made upon the east side of the " Great River," and had considerably increased in numbers. "Upper Houses '' had been in- corporated as a parish in 1704, and the town school house near the watch-house had been built about thirtv years before.* *It seems that both the settlement at "Upper Houses" and on the east side of the River, demanded that the money collected from them should be at least in part expended for schools in their midst. And the matter promised to be quite a serious cause of trouble. 128 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. On the 15th of February the school committee sub- mitted the following proposal to the town, although what action the town took, if any, is not shown. It will be noted that the ferry alluded to was a small ferry across what is now called Sabethe River, connecting the !' Up- per Houses " with Middletown: '" We whose nnmes me underwritten being apointed ft Committe for the mannsfing the town schole in Midletown do unanimosly agre to multe the following- proposells to the town for their ooncurence and oonfermation. Impriniis,thata new sehoole house be erected for the nc- comidation of the wholl neighburhood at som place betwene Bows, Tappins and Fosters corner as shall be thought by the said Committe to be most convenient at the charge only of those that inhabbit on the south of the ferry, and the west of the great river. Sly. For the incoridging of learning and supporting of the said town schole. It is agreed that twenty-five pounds be annually raised out of the inhabitants of the whole town, according to their Istates, in the grand levy as it shall be approved and pased by the GenV'U Assembly, from time to time, untill that with the forty shillings upon ye thousand pounds ordered by the Gen'll Assembly with the incomes of other dona- tions shall amount to the som of forty pounds pr annum, and after- wards the said twenty-flve pounds raised by the town to abate as the the other inooms do increase from time to time, which som shall be ira- . proved as followeth, viz., what part of it arises on the inhabitants on the north side the ferry shall be improved among the children there, to enter them in learning, provided thay keep a half year scole amongst themselves; and upon their default it shall be payed to the town schole, on the south side thesaid ferry, and what of thesaid twenty-five pounds arises on the inhabitants on the east side the great river, with their part of the forty shillings on the thousand pounds which shall be improved amongst the children there, they obliging themselves to keep a halfe years schole to instruct their children in learning amongst them- selves, but upon their default the whole shall be payed to the town schole, on the west side the great river, and if any of their children be- ing well entered in theirspellingwantto be parfectedin reading wright- ing an sifering and their parents or masters will allow them, they may come over and be further instructed at the town schole upon free cost. " Sly, that the Committe apointed for the scole be standing, and if any of them by the providence of God be removed by deth or otherwise that then the town shall make choice of othei-s won or more to make up the vaconcy. " 41y, that the sd. Committe are hereby inpoured and ordered to procure from time to time a sutable and soflcient scholemasterto teach and instruct children and youth & to perfect them in learning as the law directs, and to agree with him for price & order him his pay from time to time accordingly, also to demand, receive, and improve all such gifts and donations as are or shall be made to the said schole for the best use and bennifit thereof. " Sly that no a, b, e darians be allowed to come to be taught at the said town schole, unles it be when there is not a compliancy of others to keepe the scholemaster imployed, and it be with the said master's concent. " February the 15th lTlO-11. " Thomas Miller " John Hamlin " Thomas Allin " Noadiah Kussell " IZRAHIAH WetMORE " JOHN HALL " John Warner June'r " Thomas Ward; " George Stocking " Isaaok Johnson," This proposal contains the history of the first " High School." No definite action is recorded, but from sub- sequent records it is presumed that the " proposells " were accepted and adopted. Besides the territory now comprised in the towns of Middletown, Middlefield, Cromwell, Portland, and Chatham, a part of the present town of Berlin was granted to Middletown in 1609. Settlers had moved in, and the parish of Kensington had been formed. In the May session of the General Court, 1744, the following resolution was passed: " Upon the memorial of David Sage and others, Middletown, within the parish of Kensington, and those within the district of that train- band annexed to that company called the Northwest Quarter of Midle- town, praying liberty to erect a school among them ; Uesolved by this Assembly, that the memorialists and inhabitants within the following bounds (viz.), on the west by Farmingtown east line from Midletown northwest corner; south, so far as the district of that company called Midletown Northwest Quarter; north, by Weathersfleld, to extend so far east as the district of said company ; east and south by the bounds of said company or trainband; shall and may assemble together, as so- cieties by law arc enabled, and form a school amongst said inhabitants, and regulate the same according to the laws of this Colony in such case provided; and also that the niemorialists and inhabitants within the bounds aforesaid shall and may, from time to time, draw out their pro- portion of money, according to their list, as shall and maybe granted on the publick list for the support of schools in this Colony; and that the money by them received of Midletown of the sale of the western lands shall be for the use aforesaid; always provided a school be kept amongst said inhabitants according to law." There seem to be no further records relating to schools for a long time. Probably decent schools were maintained, with periods of success and depression. How they fared when the colonies became involved in the long and tedious war of the Revolution, is not shown; and whether it was due to the war or a lack of interest in the schools it seems that the school was allowed to deteriorate. But there were men of public spirit who saw the great misfortune of a lack of proper school opportunities, and on the 9th of September 1782, the following memorial which was received with favor was presented to the town: " Sept. 9, 1782. To the Inhabitants of Middletown, to be assembled in town meeting this day. Gentlemen The education of children we look upon a matter of great Importance & which in many places too very much neglected, & in order that our children may no longershare in the common calamity, we the subscribers have entered into a written agreement to set up, support & maintain at our own private expense, a school to be steadily kept, both winter & summer, & having no place on our land convenient as that spot on which onewasformerly built afew rods west of the meeting house, we therefore earnestly request the favor of this town, to grant us liberty to build a house, on that spot of ground and as it cant possibly, in any degree discommode the public nor any private person, and as our design In its own nature is laudable St. cant but meet the approbation of every generous mind, so we flatter ourselves, you will so far countenance our design, as cheerfully to comply with our request. " Nath'l Eells 1 Com'ee " Wm. Sage |. '■iS^^"'* " TiMO. Gibson J whole. " Voted, That the memorialists have liberty to erect a sohoolhouse as mentioned above, during the town's pleasure." It would be exceedingly interesting, were it possible, to follow the division and organization of districts, as the population increased, until from the one little town school, with its single teacher, and ten, fifteen, or twenty scholars, supported at an annual expense of a hundred dollars, there are now in the territory originally com- prising the town of Middletown more than 45 school districts, with 48 schools, 78 teachers, an enumeration of 4,885 children, and a payment of more than $50,000 an- nually, to support the public common schools, to say nothing of the private schools in the same territory. The present town of Middletown (exclusive of the city, which will be noticed hereafter) is divided into eighteen school districts, as follows, commencing at the north east corner of the town: Newfield, Westfield First, West- field Second, Westfield Third, Westfield Fourth, Staddle Hill North, Staddle Hill South, Connecticut Industrial School for Girls, West Long Hill, East Long Hill, Du- rant, Farm Hill, Millers Farms, Johnson Lane, Bow Lane, Hubbard, Haddam Road, and Maromas. In these dis- tricts there were, January ist 1884, 1,213 persons between the ages of four and sixteen years. Each district has its own school house. In that of Millers Farms are six rooms, five of which are occupied. Durant has a fine MIDDLETOWN— SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. 129 brick school house with two rooms, both of which are occupied. The other school houses are ordinary wood buildings, having but one school room each.* School is maintained in each of the districts, except Haddam Road, for at least 36 weeks in each year; in Haddam Road District for at least 24 weeks in the year. The Connecticut Industrial School for Girls, while be- ing one of the school districts of the town, is fully de- ■ scribed elsewhere, and therefore is not included in this statement. The supervision of tlie schools is vested by law in a board of school visitors consisting of six members, two of whom are chosen each year for the period of three years, which board is also non-partisan. It is their duty to as- certain the fitness of teachers, to visit the schools, and see that they are properly managed, and to report to the town and State board of education. The executive officer of the district is the district com- mittee, who is chosen for one year. For the year ending August 31st 1884, the town schools of Middletown were supported at a cost of $7,162.61, of which $6,761.50 was paid by the town. The City School District. — Prior to 1839 all the districts in the present town limits, except the four West- field districts, were incorporated into the First School Society, but of the time and manner there is no record. The city proper was divided into four districts, and they were a part of the First School Society. In 1839 these four districts, upon their own petition, were incorporated into " The Middletown City School Society." Each district, however, retained its old organ- ization, limits, and school. These districts were desig- nated: "The North," "North Middle," " South Middle," and "South." Shortly after the organization of the City School So- ciety, a high school building was erected on College street. In 1857, under authority from the General Assembly, the four districts were consolidated, and the " Middle- town City School Society" became "The Middletown City School District." Certain disputes having arisen regarding the western boundary, the following bounds were fixed for the new district: " The Middletown City School District includes the City of Middle- town, excepting- that part of the same which lies west of a line begin- ning at the center of Newfleld bridge near the factory on Jackson street, and running thence in a straight course to a point In thesoutherly line of the city about eighty-one and one-half feet westerly from the center of BabcoolJ street. The location of said line is indicated by four stone bounds set in the ground, each having on its upper face the letters C. S.D., and a groove showing the position of the line. The affairs of the district are managed by a board of education consisting of nine members, three of whom are chosen each year for the period of three years. Upon this board are conferred all the powers and du- *The school house in the East Long Hill District requires more than a passing notice, on account of its antiquity . Tt is a small one story building, with very thick walls constructed of small stones. No record exists as to its beginning, and it ante-dates by many years the memory of the oldest inhabitant. Whether it was always used for school pur- poses is not known. ties of school visitors and district committee. The an- nual meeting of the district is held on the third Monday of September. For a time the district utilized the four old school buildings, and the new one on College street. In 1868-69 the latter building was remodelled and enlarged to its pres- ent capacity, namely: a two-story French roof brick build- ing, with basement. As now used this building has six rooms on each of the first and second floors; two school rooms, an apparatus room, and a commodious hall on the third floor; with ample accommodations in the basement for cloak rooms and heating apparatus, and an extra reci- tation room if required. The building is well ventilated, furnished with good desks, etc., warmed throughout with steam, and every precaution has been taken with regard to sewage for the attainment of the best sanitary condi- tions. There are also ample grounds about the building. This house was formally opened in January 1870, and denominated the "Central School." By this change the other buildings were rendered unnecessary, and two of them, on Pearl and William streets, in the two middle districts, with their sites, were sold. On the night of November 29th 1878, by a fire, the origin ot which was never satisfactorily explained, all above the second floor of the central school building was destroyed, and the lower floors were much damaged by water. Steps were taken at once to rebuild, temporary quarters, in the mean time, having been provided for the school in the town hall, the basement of the Universalist church, and the Union Mills building, corner of Main and Union streets, so that the building was again ready for occupancy before the close of the summer term, 1879. In the hall of the central school the annual graduation exercises are held, at the close of the winter term, in April, at which time also the promotions are made. The high school department occupies three rooms on the second floor and two rooms on the third floor; three rooms on the second floor and one on the first floor are devoted to the grammar grades, while the remaining five rooms of the first floor are used for the primary depart- ment. The records pertaining immediately to the schools are kept in the office in this building. The old building in Green street was occupied to the extent of its capacity, and for a time a primary school was maintained in the rooms in the rear of the Catholic church. This Green street building was erected in 1818, but it was not large enough for the increasing wants of the district. Therefore, in 1872, a new brick two-story building was erected on the same site, and formally named the " Johnson School," in honor of Edwin F. Johnson, formerly mayor of the city, and president of the Board of Education, a gentleman noted for his pub- lic spirit and interest in the cause of education. This structure is well lighted, ventilated, and fur- nished, has an ample basement, but not extensive grounds. The same care is taken here as at the Central, with re- gard to the health of teachers and scholars, and in the summer just passed appliances were put in to heat the whole building by steam. There are on each^floor three 18 13° HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. rooms, two of which are occupied by the grammar grade, and three by the primary; one room is at present unoc- cupied. Scholars are promoted from this school to the the next higher grade at the Central. The school house on South Main street, the only re- maining school of the district, was built in i860, and consisted of a one-story brick structure, with one room. The roof was raised and an additional story, and a school room was built, in 1880. This school is unfor- tunately situated, and has but little more land than is covered by the building. It is used only for the lower primary grades, promotions being made to the next higher grade at the Central. The district is divided into sub-districts for each school, so that all the scholars of the grade of the school in the sub-district where they reside are required to attend that school. During a large part of the time, since the for- mation of the city district the principal of the Central School has been also superintendent of all the schools in the district. The number of teachers at present employed by the district is 23; the number of scholars attending the schools of the district last yeiir was 974; the number graduated in 1884, 11; the whole number enumerated was 1,424; a large number of whom are in private schools and the parochial schools of St. John's (R. C.) Church. The total cost of maintaining the schools of the district during the year ending August 31st 1884, was $22,455.71. The schools of higher grade are well supplied with philosophical, astronomical, and chemical apparatus, and -books of reference of later date; while a respectable li- brary is owned to which additions are made each year. While there have been many changes in the Board of Education, there have been comparatively few in the of- .ficers. The following gentlemen have filled the office of presidentof the Board: Rev. Cyrus H. Fay, 1857-58; Rev. J. L. Dudley, 1858-59; Rev. F. J. Goodwin, 1859-60; Edwin F. Johnson, 1860-62; Benjamin Douglas, 1862-68; Robert G. Pike, 1868-74; ^ev. Frederic Gardiner, 1874-77; Elisha B. Nye, 1877-79; George W. Atkins, 1879-80; Robert G. Pike, 1880-82; George H. Hulbert, 1882-84; George A. Coles, 1884. The following is a list of the secretaries: Walter S. Carter, October 1857 to January 1858; Elisha B. Nye, January 1858 to 1859; Patrick Fagain, 1859-60; Dr. George W. Burke, 1860-78; D. Ward Northrop, 1878- 80; Wesley U. Pearne, 1880. The offices of treasurer and clerk of the district are combined in one. Hon. Daniel W. Camp was elected clerk and treasurer in October 1857, and was annually re-elected until his death, which occurred in August 1877. Charles F. Browning was appointed to fill the vacancy, and holds the office at the present time. Support of the Public Schools. — The main sources of support of the schools are: (i) Appropriations by the State, (2) Incomes of State and private funds, (3) Taxes. As was said in the beginning the State has always been very liberal in her support of the schools, and likewise stringent with regard to the duties required of her sub- jects. In October 1700, the State granted to the towns, under certain restrictions, from the funds paid by them into the treasury, forty shillings on the thousand pounds to be used by them for the maintenance of the public schools. This statute afterward with the change of currency was made to read " two dollars upon every thousand." In October 1754, this allowance was reduced to fifty cents per thousand; in October 1766, it was increased to one dollar per thousand, and in May 1767, it was restored to two dollars per thousand. This law remained in force for many years, but was subsequently changed to appro- priate a stated sum to the weaker districts whose share of the income of the school fund was sm;ill. In 1871 an appropriation of fifty cents per capita of the enumeration was made, which was increased in 1872 to one dollar and fifty cents per capita. This statute is in force at present, and the appropriation is known as the " civil list appropriation." In 1733 the State appropriated the avails of the sale of "certain western townships" (being seven townships in the county of Litchfield) to the support of the public schools. Also in 1766 an act was passed granting, for the same purpose, the arrears then due of an excise on liquors and tea, which had been imposed some years be- fore, also the interest of the excise money then collected, and in October 1774, the principal of such excise was granted for the same purpose. The use of these moneys for any other purpose was prohibited under heavy penalties. The " School Fund," so-called, is a fund arising from the sale of lands in Ohio known as the Western Reserve. By an act passed in May 1795, the principal sum arising from this sale was made a perpetual fund, the income of which was to be divided among the several school societies, in proportion to their respective assessment lists, for the support of schools, and to be forfeited if misapplied. In 1821 the method of distribution was changed to a per capita division of the net proceeds on the enumeration— which method is in force at the pres- ent time. The Town Deposit Fund.— In 1836 the United States Congress, there being a surplus in the treasury, passed a statute providing for the deposit, under certain condi- tions, of all this surplus except a stated sum with the several States, or at least with such as would comply with the conditions, in proportion to their respective representation in both houses of Congress. Connecticut speedily made such enactments as would enable her to comply with the requirements of the Federal statute, and received her proportion of the fund. This money 'was, in turn, deposited by the State, under similiar conditions', with the several towns, in proportion to their respective population. The conditions of deposit were: ist That the money should be considered as a deposit in trust for the State; 2d, That at least one-half of the income should be appropriated to the support of the common schools; MIDDLETOWN— SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. I3f 3d, That the town should make good any deficiency that might occur through mismanagement or otherwise; 4th, That the town should repay the whole or part of the fund, when called for, to the State. In i86r a statute was passed requiring the whole in- come of this fund to be appropriated to the support of schools. How well this town fulfilled the conditions may be judged from the fact that the original fund long since disappeared, and exists only on paper; the town, however, pays the amount of yearly interest toward the maintenance of the schools. The Donation Fund. — This fund is peculiar to the town of Middletown, and its income is distributed among the districts formerly included in the First Society, i. e. all the present town except the four Westfield districts. The origin of this fund is found in the will of Rev. Samuel Stow, once a preacher in Middletown, who died in the year 1704. The will is recorded in the Probate records at Hartford. The inventory of his estate, which was made by Nathaniel Stow, Ebenezer Hubbard, and Noadiah Russell, showed tnat he owned several tracts of land, amounting in the whole to thirteen hundred and sixty- eight (1368) acres. The will was executed August 13th 1702, — was very long and numerous in its bequests, or directions for the division of his property, among which was the following: "Item: as to a paroell of land at the Screights Hill coiitainiug- seven hundred twenty-four acres and a half, more or less, being an hun- dred and fifty-three rods in breadth and two miles and a half long-,— cut- ting on highway west, and on undivided land east,— on Thomas Wet- more's south, and Mr. Giles Hamlin's laud ncn-th: " I give all this to my sonn and heir Samuell Stow, the sonn of my sonn John Stow, advising him with the advise of his Father or some of his friends to give an hundred acres to some publicis good of the Town at one of the corners of It in a square dimentiou." The whole of this land was appraised at only thirty-six pounds sterling, — seven hundred and twenty-four acres for less than two hundred dollars! It is understood that this gift for the public good be- came the nucleus of the present donation fund, to which was added, in 1734, the estate given by Jasper Clemens, as shown in the following extract from the town records, December 24th 1734: "Voated: That Mr. Geo. Beokwitb or those that shall challenge the es- tate given by Mr. Jasper jClemens to the use and benefit of a scoall for Mid-town shall have all the right given by said Clemens in his last will and testament to the said scoall. " Viz. That for three hundred and fifty pounds money, he or they giv- ing Bonds with surety or sureties for the money for a reasonable time with the interest, If he or they doe not pay the money down and the in- terest of s'd money to be paid from year to year until the principle be paid, and Giles Hall Esq. and Jabez Hamlin Esq., with Capt. George Phillips are hereby fully empowered to give and execute lawful con- veiance of s'd land, and the interest of the money to be from year to year disposed of according to the will of said Clemens,— passed in the aifirraative by a unanimous voat." The income from the rental of the lands and money which constituted the donation fund belonged to the First School Society of Middletown. In process of time the available assets of this fund were collected and in- vested in twenty-four shares of the Middlesex County National Bank, in which form the fund has remained for many years. This fund is "held by a board of self-per- petuating trustees, originally appointed by the State Leg- islature, and now consisting of Samuel T. Camp and Dr. George W. Burke (there being one vacancy), the latter acting as treasurer, and annually distributing the divi- dends among the several school districts. The apportionment of the several funds is made upon the annual enumeration, and both the town and city dis- tricts receive their respective shares of each. A "capitation tax " also furnished some funds for the support of schools. This was an assessment on the scholars, uniform for each grade, and based on attend- ance. It was discontinued in 1861. The last source of income is taxes. Each town is re- quired by law to raise a sum equal at least to one dollar on the thousand of its assessment list. This amount is raised in Middletown, but the amount annually paid for the support of schools in excess of the income from State and other funds is more than the tax levied. Since the town has jurisdiction over the territory of the city school district, the tax so raised from property within the dis- trict is paid into the district's treasury; in addition thereto the city school district also levies annually a tax of about two dollars on the thousand. Private Schools.- — It is difificult, from the nature of private schools, to procure much that is reliable or satis- factory regarding their history. It is doubtless true that during the years when schools were primitive, and the means of higher education more scarce, teaching was a part of the work of the minister; and that as the popula- tion increased there arose a demand for instructors in lines of study calculated to prepare young men for col- lege, and to lay the foundation for some special profes- sion or business. At the same time, with the increase of business, and the growth of the town in importance, it became a center whither many youths from other towns and counties were sent to complete their education, under competent instructors, or to prepare for the more complete and extensive work of a college course. Among the earliest of these instructors was the Rev. Enoch Huntington, the fourth pastor of the First Church, a graduate from Yale College in the class of 1759, dis- tinguished for scholarship during his college course, and for remarkable intellectual ability afterward. During his long and successful pastorate, there weie under his instruction a very large number of youths, who, in after years, gave evidence of the value of his early training. Among these may be mentioned President Dwight of Yale College. Others who were engaged in this work were: Chauncey Whittlesey, graduate from Yale in 1764, and Jonathan Ingersoll, Yale. 1766; both of whom were noted for their ability and qualifications. Doubtless others of equal ability succeeded them, whose names are now lost. Prior to 1800, Rev. William Woodbridge opened and carried on for a number of years, a school for young ladies. During the first portion of the present century a school for the instruction of both sexes was opened by Elijah Garfield, of Lee, Mass., but later on he instructed youths only who were desirous of preparing for business or college. A school for boys was opened in the building on High street, opposite thecollege, known as the "Webb House," t^i HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. and later on as the " De Koven House," by Isaac Webb, a graduate and tutor of Yale College. This school was successfully carried on by Mr. Webb for a number of years, and until his death, which occurred in 1842. Among his pupils was Rutherford B. Hayes, afterward president of the United States. About the year 1825, a school for young ladies was opened and maintained for a number of years in the building on the southwest corner of Court and Pearl streets, now known as St. Luke's Home, by Miss Mary Ann Bartlett. It seems that this school was quite suc- cessful, and was extensively patronized. In 1835, Daniel H. Chase, LL. D., opened in the city a school which was called " The Middletown Institute and Preparatory School." This school was most suc- cessful for many years, and was patronized, not only largely by the people of this town, but numbers of stu- dents came here from other places and countries. This school numbered about 80 pupils, including many Span- iards and Cubans. The building on the west side of Main street, below Grand street, formerly known as the " New York Hotel," was the home of the non-residents, and the building, just north and in the rear of this, now used for a dwelling, contained the school rooms. The school was well equipped, and had two distinct and ex- tensive courses of study, one preparatory for college, and the other designed to furnish a finished education, second only to a college course. This school was continued until 1870, when it was closed. Dr. Chase also conducted, from 1840 to 1843, the Mid- dletown Female Seminary. He was succeeded by his brother, Sidera Chase, who continued it until 1848, when it seems to have been discontinued. Probably this " seminary," or " institute " as it was called, was carried on in the same building before occupied by Miss Barllett. About 1850, Rev. Josiah Brewer, then residing in the house now occupied by Hon. Benjamin Douglas, on South Main street, opened "The Middletown Female Semi- nary." The school was held in a brick building, then standing north of the residence, and it seems to have been a school of more than ordinary facilities for furnish- ing a complete education for young ladies. Some years . later the school was moved to the Union Mills building, corner of Main and Union streets, and about 1856 was discontinued. Shortly afterward, a school of similar character was opened in the same place by Miss Maria Payne. This school was subsequently moved to a new brick building erected on Broad street, near William, by General J. K. F. Mansfield. Miss Payne continued here, with excel- lent success, until 1868, when she gave up the control. The school was conducted a year or two by other parties, when it was discontinued. In 1859, Rev. Henry M. Colton opened a boys' school in the stone building on High street, known as the "Starr House." This school was continued until about 1870. In 187s, James H. Bradford, formerly superintendent of the Connecticut Industrial School for Girls, opened a quasi military school for boys, called " Bradford's Stu- dents' Home," in the " Webb House," on High street. After about two years this school passed into the hands of Rev. B. A. Smith, and was conducted as a select school for younger children. In 1883, the control of this school was assumed by the Misses Patten, who still re- tain it. In 1884, Edwin H. Wilson, late superintendent of schools in the city school district, opened a school in the building formerly occupied by Charles R. Alsop as a res- idence, corner of Washington and North High streets, for a limited number of boys and youths, designed to furnish an advanced grammar school education. It is known as "The Wilson Grammar School." Westfield Falls Home School, a church summer boarding school for boys and a day school for both sexes, was opened at Westfield in May 1884. The institution is pleasantly located, and is under the principalship of its founder, the Rev. G. Henry Smith, A. M. The parochial schools of St. John's R. C. church, and Captain Partridge's military school, are not mentioned, because they properly belong to other topics, and may be found in another part of this work. CHURCHES OF MIDDLETOWN. First Congregational Church of Middletown. The first public religious services in Middletown were said to have been held under a large elm tree, near the entrance of the old grave yard, and it is probable that, prior to the erection of the first meeting house, the peo- ple worshipped in private houses. The following is a copy of the first vote of the town, of which any record exists: " Feterary the 10th 1652. It was agreed at a meeting at John Halls hous to buld a meeting hous and to make it twenty fot square and ten fot between sill and plat, the heygrt of it." This house, which was soon built, stood in the middle of Main street, near its northern end, and was surrounded by palisades; a protection against the savages which was then considered necessary. The exact time when the organization of a religious society was effected cannot be definitely ascertained; but it was probably soon after the first settlers came, for church membership was then a necessary qualification for citizenship, and town privileges were granted to the people here in 165 1. Not long after the commencement of the settlement. Rev. Samuel Stow, a graduate of Cambridge College, was employed as a candidate for the ministry. The fol- lowing extract shows that, for a time, his ministrations had been acceptable: " A vote of ye towne 80 of August 1657, whether it be the mind of ye towne to Continue mr. Stow amongst us Ipokinge at him as in conveni- ent time to call him to office. God in his providence make way there- unto. It was concluded by ye towne that he should continue among us for that end according to ye vote above written." MIDDLETOWN— CHURCHES. J33 Dissatisfaction, however, appears to have arisen, for on the 3d of February 1668: "It was agreed Inatowue meeting' that ye towne should appoint a towne meeting wherein (some able helpo being agreed upon and at- tained) mens reasons shall be given for and against mr Stow's continu- ation and they are -willing to act as ye rule shall appear. " November 27, 1658. It is agreed at a towne meeting that wee should seeke out for help in the ministery." The following action was taken the next year: "At a towne meeting Ootr the flft, 1659. the inhabitants of Mldle- towne being met together did manifest by a vot that they did not desire Mr Stow's continuance amongst us, in thee work of the ministry with reference to calling him to ofloe. At the same town meeting Willyam Harres and Bobeart Warner wear chosen by the towne to treate with master Bowers of new haven consarning his afording hellp to uss in the ministery." The General Court took action in the matter in 1660, as these records of their proceedings show. The follow- ing is a record of the proceedings, March 14th 1660: "This Court haveing heard and considered the difference twixt ye Towne of Middle Towne and Mr. Stow and their allegations and an- swers, doe judg and determine th»t ye people of Middle Towne are free from Mr. Stow as their engaged minister. That the people of Middle Town shall give to Mr . Stow Lrs Testimonial according as was drawn up and presented by the Worshipfull Gouenorin ye Court. And Mr. Stow is not infringed of his liberty to preach in Middle Towne to such as will attend him until there be a settled ministry there. "It is ordered by this Court that ye people of Middle Towne shall pay vnto Mr. Stow for his labour in ye ministry the year past *401. woh is to be paid him by the 10th of April next." On the 4th of October 1660, the General Court took final action relative to the dismissal of Mr. Stow, as ap- pears by the record: " It is ordered by ye Court respecting Mr. Stow of Middle Towne, there appearing such vnsutableness in their spirits that Middle Towne shal have free liberty to provide for themselves another able, orthodox and pious minister as soon as they can who is to be approved by M r. War- ham, Mr. Stone, Mr. Whiting takeing in ye help of ye Wor'll Gournr and Mr. Willis.w'ch being done Mr. Stow is to lay down his preaching there, the said Town giueing Mr. Stow Testimonial Lrssuch as theGent forenamed judge fit. In ye meantime the Towne to allow Mr. Stow his vsual stipend he continuing the exercise of his ministery as formerly." Mr. Stow relinquished the ministerial office, and re- sided in the town as a private citizen. Under the date of May 2Sth 1661, appears this record: "Whereas upon divers agitations before ye Generll Court between mr. Stowe and ye inhabitants of Middletowne the Court did declare that ye towne of Middletowne are free from Mr. Stowe as their en- gaged minister & ye Court appointing a Comittee to further a setled ministriein that place & after long endeavorers by ye people there to procure them a minister, there appears a probability of their obtaining of Mr. Collins for that purpose. The Comittee doth approove of their proceedings therein, &c., of his acceptance of their motion, & accord- ing to ye minde of the Court doe advise both Mr. Stowe & all the in habitants of Midletown to a loving X carriage to .Mr. Collins & frindly compliance with each other, that ye memory of all former ditterences may be wholly buryed & that Mr. Collins may have all due encourage- ment in ye worke of the ministry, that he is called unto in that place, &ytyelong desired comfortable & peaceable setiementof Midletown maybe obtained, wch is the desire of the Comittee appointed by the Genii Court to promote the setlemt of the ministry there Hartford Decembr 6th 186]. " Mathew Allen. "In ye name of ye Comittee, 4th of November 1663. At the sam town meating the town did agre that the hows for mr. Collins should be 36 foot long 18 foot wid, ten foot hy betwean joints and stone chimneys in the middell, with silleradg by leantowing or otherwise as may be most convenient." Afterward, in the same year, this record was made: "At a towne meeting Septembear the ninteene, 1661, the inhabytans of Midlletowne manifested by a voet there desyers of mr. Cohns coming amoingst them to cary one in the work of the ministry, uppon try all. "At the same meeting it was voeated that the inhabytanes of MidUe- town manifested theare willingnes to allowe mr. Collins five and forty pownds starleing a yeare, hise wa ges begining at the time when bee ♦About 1133.00. shall come amongst theme, to carry one the work of the ministry, for a settelled tryalland acording to that proportyone for what pains he shall tacke amongst theme, betwen this and this spring." The following records show the action of the town concerning the permanent settlement of Mr. Collins over this church: " Mr. Nathanill Collins. Sir. you may be pleased to Remember wee wrote to you, a few linnes bearing date the 11th of December '63, whare- in we gave you an invitation unanimusly under our hands to the worke of the minestry amongst us, in order to farther and more soUem in- gagements, when god in his providenc shall make way theirto, the Acceptance whereof you have hitherto manifested by your long con- tinuatyon amonge us, in that worke, our present state you now know, namly that God by his providenc hath brought us hopefully nevere gathering into an ekclyastioall body, then formerly though some of our neighboures and brethren are wee would hope consoienciusly differing from us, respecting the manor of it, namly as you know some judging wp are a church allredy, others that wee are not, however wee that thinke wee are allredy a church and we allso that thinke we are not but in some short time may be one both sencablle of the essentiall need of an officer to despenc the sealles as well as the word amongst us. to such as shall be regulerly fitt. doe therefore by these preseno give you to know that our eyes are upon and our desires towards yourself for that worke as soon as we shall be in such a capasety and request your answer to this our motion as god shall direct and incline so desiering god to guide you in this great motion we rest waiting your answer your loving f rinds and neighbours, the inhabitants of " Middletown." " December 11.— '65. the towne being met together did fully declare this above written to be their mind oonserning mr. CoUinsis being called to ofBs." All doubts concerning the status of the society as an ecclesiastical body were finally set at rest, for on the 4th of November 1668 the First Congregational Church at Middletown was formed, and Rev. Na- thaniel Collins, a son of Deacon Collins of Cam- bridge and a graduate of Harvard College, was ordained as the first pastor, and by approval of the General Court he became the "settled minister of the town." His labors were abundantly blessed, and the church and people were united and happy under his ministrations which continued for sixteen years. At the end of that period his relations with the church were severed by his death, which occurred in 1684. His death was deeply lamented by the whole community, and Cotton Mather said of him: " More wounds were given by his death to the whole colony of Connecticut than the body of Csesar did re- ceive when he fell wounded in the senate house — that the church of Middletown, upon the Connecticut River, was the golden candlestick from whence this excellent per- son illuminated more than the whole colony; and that all the qualities of most exemplary piety, extraordinary in- genuity, obliging affability, joined with the accomplish- ments of an extraordinary preacher, did render him truly excellent." During his pastorate seventy-six persons were admitted to the church. "At a towne meeting in Midletowne FebuarySth i 680-6, the towne by a unanemous voate declare that they did desler Mr. William Den- eson to continue with them for farther tryall in the worke of the min- istry in order to settelling amongst them ." "August 11,1686. The inhabitants of Midletowne being meet to- gather did by a unanimus voat shew theire desier of Mr. Noadiah Bus- sell for the work of the minestry among them on tryall in order to set- tling amongst them in that work of the ministry." Mr. Russell was, on the 24th of October 1688, ordained as the second pastor of this church. He was a native of New Haven, and a graduate of Harvard College. Dur- ing his pastorate of twenty-five years, 180 person were admitted to the church. He was greatly beloved by his 134 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTV. people, and continued his connection with the church until his death, which occurred in 1713. He was one of of the founders and trustees of Yale College, and one of the framers of the " Saybrook Platform." He was succeeded by his son William, a graduate of Yale College, June 1st 1715. The latter continued his pastorate for forty-six years, and during that period 305 persons were admitted to the church. He died at the age of 70 on the anniversary of his ordination. The fourth pastor was Rev. Enoch Huntington, a native of Windham, who graduated at Yale College in 1759. His ordination as pastor took place January 6th 1762. He had a fine voice, and was an eloquent preacher; but on one occasion, while suffering from a severe cold he attempted to speak, which so injured liis voice that he ever afterward spoke with a great effort, and at times he could scarcely be heard. He continued his labors, however, for forty-seven years, and endeared himself to his people. Three hundred and forty-six per- sons were added to the church during his ministry. He resigned his pastorate shortly before his death, whiclx occurred in i8og. The Rev. Daniel Huntington, a native of Lebanon, who had been previously settled in Litchfield, was in- stalled as the fifth pastor of this church, Sejjtember loth 1809, and dismissed at his own request, February 6th 1816. During this period of seven years 98 persons were admitted to the church. In July of the same year. Rev. Chauncey A. Goodrich was ordained, being the sixth pastor of the church. He was dismissed, December 1817, in consequence of ill health. Rev. John R. Crane, a native of Newark, N. J., and a graduate of Princeton College, was the seventh pastor of the church. He was ordained November 4lh 1818, and remained thirty-five years, dying in office August 17th 1853. During his pastorate 539 persons were added to the church. He was succeeded by his eldest son. Rev. James B. Crane, the eighth pastor, who remained but 2 years, resigning on account of ill health. Rev. Jeremiah Taylor, the ninth pastor, a graduate of Amherst College, remained for twelve years, and was dis- missed at his own request in the autunm of 1868, his pastorate closing with the two hundredth year of the church. Rev. Azel W. Hazen, the tenth pastor of the church, entered upon his labors on the loth of March 1869. commencing in the 201st year of the church's history. Up to the present time 390 persons have been added to the church, making a total of 2378 since its organiza- tion. During this period there have been 37 deacons, commencing with 1670 and ending with 1879, as follows: Thomas Allen, Samuel Stocking, and John Hall jr. chosen 1670; Daniel Markham, 1690; William Sumner, 1695; Obadiah Allen and Joseph Rockwell, 1704; Boriah Wetmore, 17 13; Solomon Atkins, 1735; John Hubbard, 1743; Jonathan Allen, 1743; William Rock- well, 1749; Jabez Hamlin, 1754; Joseph Clark, 1765; John Earl Hubbard, 1765; Chauncey Whittlesey, 1778; Jacob Wetmore, 1782; Oliver Wetmore, 1784; Timothy Boardman, 1784; Matthew T. Russell, 1798; Thomas Hubbard, Joseph Boardman, and Samuel Eels 2d, 1812; Henry S. Ward and Richard Rand, 1828; Cyprian Galpin, 1840; John B. Woodford and Evan Davis, 1844; John H. Sumner, 1846; Robert P. Rand, 1850; Selah Goodrich, 1850; Henry E. Sawyer, 1869; Charles A. Boardman, 1870; Ralph J. Miner, 1873; Edwin P. Augur, 1875; Lucius R. Hazen, 1877; Frederic L. Glea- son, 1879. The Sunday school of this church was organized in 1820. The present officers are: E. A. Gladwin, Miss Carrie T. E. Sill, superintendents; J. W. Bailey, clerk; and C. A. Boardman, treasurer. "At a towne meeting Marcti 19th 1665, or 66, it was voated tliat thair shall be a galery in the meeting lious, from the east end to the midle beanie, and that the towns men shall have power to order the workeand to get it don." " At a towne meeting desember ITth 66, wharas mr. Hamline this day gave a drum to the towne and train band, the towne voated to alowe Goodman Huberd fourtie shillings for sweeping the meeting hous and keeping theglas and for his son Josephes beating the drum for all oomon meeting both on saboth days and all other meeting and to be beaten twis on fornouns and twis in afternouns on Saboth days and thanksgiviiigdaysand fast daj's, to bebeatten from the meeting hous to against mr. Stow's to begine first with a preporatine and after a calle, this is for the year iusuinar, but the drum for f uter to be beaten after thesam maner." "November 11,1669. The towne by a vooat agreed to builldanew meeting hons of thii-tie two f oote square & fifteen foote between joints, at the same meeting made choice of John Halle junior to be master worltman for the building of this hous." This house was completed in 1670. Some differences of opinion as to the proper site for it arose between the people of the Lower and Upper Houses, but a com- promise was effected, as appears by the following extract from the town records. "Midletowne 19th of the 2nd 1670. " This witneeseth an agreement between the inhabitants off Midle- townie on each side of the rivnlet relateing to ye placing of their pres- ent new meeting house, that tliey have mutually condescended for peace salie namely the inhabitants of the north side being present and the Committy chosen by the south side and impowered to act in their be- half . They have jointly agreed to set the meeting liouse in the midst of the highway neer against the corners of George Hubard & Thomas Wet- mer [on the east side] Robert Warner & Thomas Watts [on the west side] theyre lotts and inasmuch as the highway is too straight on each side ye proprietoures Thomas Watts excepted whoe was notpr.sent have granted to allow half a rod of each side, that is to say Thomas Wetmer halt a rod at ye north corner from thence to hould as wide as the p'es't apple trees will allow the fence to stand nigh to them a rod in length at ye south corner to come of to nothing. " George flubard half a rod wide throe rod in length against ye body of ye meetins' house from thence to oome out into an angle threorfour rod further. " Kobert Warners to begin at Thomas Watts, hisdivideing lyne (now in the use of .Tnsper Clements) half a rod in width to come out at nothing at ye north end twelve rod in length. ■' The inhabitants Jointly (ye proprietors of ye foresaid land excepted) removing the fence belonging to theforementiond land and setting it in as good state as it is at present. This alteration during ye time of ye duration of this present meeting house, when that is altered then the land to return to ye proprietors again. "To the truth of ye present above mentioned agreement we under written do witness by subscribing our hands the day and yeer above written and yt after interlining. In presence of us ] .lAMES KiCHARDS Sam Hooker. THO. WlSTMER George Hhbeht S'r his X marke ROBEUT Warner for themselvs & theires in reference to the land , 1 William Harbiss William Cheny William Ward Sam'll Collihs Nath White John Wilcook ye Committee chosen by and im- poured to act in ye behalf of ye inhab- itants of ye south side of ye litle river. j At ye desire & with ye j consent ( of ye north side. MIDDLETOVVN— CHURCHES. 135 This house stood on the east side but within the limits of Main street, about opposite what is now Liberty street. Tradition says that it was like its predecessor, a log structure; and that it was, at first if not afterward, surrounded by palisades. The following extracts from the town records, relating to the maintenance of proper decorum in meeting, and to the formation of other societies from this parish are given in their chronological order: "Desember 29,1085. At the same time the towiie iimde choyc of Josiah Adkins to looks after the boys below in the meeting- lions, to keep them from playing or disorder in the meetin time on the Saboth in the time of exercise and John Blake & John Wetmor ware eliosen for the like servic in the gallery. " January 18, 1703-3. At the same meting it was proposed by the in- habitants on the north side the rivelet for a liberty to provide a minis- ter and a meeting house seperate from this side and maintain it upon there one charg, which proposition was granted on these conditions, that they do in halfe a yeare or one whole yeare at farthest procuer and settle an orthadox & aproved minister orderly amongst them that beijig accomplished then to be free from the charg of the ministy on this side the rivelet, they paying equally with us here til that be accomplished, but if this be not accomplished within said time, all the above is to be null and voyde. " Desember 28, 1TO8. The town also pastavoat that no inliabitant should interrupt the meeting by disorderly speaking without liberty from the modderator, upon the penalty of six pence pr. time. " March 22, 1708-9. At the same meeting the town granted to Mr. David Deming twenty acres of land on the north side the rlverlet in one or two plaois if it maybe found thear &and not predaguissing any highways nor outletts, provided he setteleth and oontinueth in tlic work of the ministry there, then it shall be his own land. " Leut. John Savig, Sargt. Dauiell White & John Warnerjunior ware chosen a comitty to see after and lay it out upon his charg if it may be found. " Whereas at a town meeting March 22th 1708-9, the town by a voate granted to Mr. David Deming about twenty acres of land, provided he settled there with our neighbours on the north side the riverett in the work of the ministry, but m. Deming failing, by the request of the neighbours on the north side the riverett attthis town meeting January 13th 1712-13, the town by voate grant the same priviledge or quantaty of land to m. Joseph Smith upon the same tearms provided he settle there in the work of the ministry and do impower the same oonitte. formerly chosen to lay it out on the same tearmes'as before specified. "Attatown meeting in Middletown May 11th 1714 then the petition to be prefered to the' General Assembly by the inhabitants on the east side the great river belonging to sd. town, was read in the meeting in presence of the inhabitants of sd. town then mett. Att the same meeting the town by voat do appoint & impower the representatives belonging to sd. town, to attend the General Assembly in May i:ith 1714, to answer sd. petition and to defend the town's privileges before the GeneralAssembly if it be prosceded upon by the petitioners, if it be the mind of the town to grant the neighbours on the east side the great river, to be a sosiaty of themselves and have liberty to call & settle n minister amongst themselves, provided they can be thought titt & able by the honble general assembly to carry on such a work, and to do it with only there one estate and pay there proportion to the ministry on the west side the great river until they have on ortherdox minister setled orderly among themselves. This was voated, in the aftermitive by considerable majority, and at the same time the neighbours on the east side declared they would withdraw there petition that they de- signed to prefer to the next assembly. The third meeting house was built in 1715. Field says : "When the subject of erecting the third house was agitated, it is said that ditterent divisions of the inhabitants contended for its loca- tion at the east, north, and west corners of the great square, lying be- tween Main and High streets; that it was agreed to have the point de- cided by lot; but as there were four corners to the square, it was suggested it would be well to draw for them all. This was done, and the south corner was taken, where none wished the house to be erected Butasthelot was considered as expressing the divine will, the people went forward and bui it there." t The following extract from the record of the pro ceedings of the General Court seems to indicate that if the location was determined by lot an authoritative sanction was required to satisfy all parties. "This Assembly appoint Joseph Talcott, Esq'r, Mr. John Hooker and Mr. James Wadsworth, a committee to endeavour to promote a good agreement in the south society in Midletown about the place for setling their meetinghouse; and in case such endeavours prove unsuccessful to that end, to state the place themselves according to their wisdom and discretion, at the charge of the said society. " Upon the report made to this Assembly by Major Joseph Talcott, C'apt. John Hooker, Capt. James Wadsworth, committee appointed by this Assembly in May, 1714, to consider of and endeavour to compro- mise a difference among the inhabitants of the South Society in Midle- town, referring to the place of erecting their new meeting house, being all upon the spot the first day of June anno Dom. 1714, and after using all their endeavours for an amicable agreement between the inhabitants of said society and could not bring the people then to that desired issue; and that the above-named committee declare they think the place where the said new meeting house is erected in said society is the most accomodable and most ruleable place that can be found for them under their circumstances: This Court well approves of their report and therefore do order and enact and it is hereby ordered and enacted, that all persons belonging to said society shall contribute and pay toward the building and finishing the said new meeting house lately erected for the use of the said society, according to their proportions in the pub- lick list; and that all the inhabitants of said society do attend the pub- lick worship of God in the said new meeting house, when it is made comfortablefor their reception, and pay all dues and duties as above, till orderly dismissed therefrom." The house was sixty by forty feet in size, and in 1740 it was enlarged by the addition of eighteen feet to its width. A bell was procured, as is elsewhere shown, and it ap- pears from the following record that the meeting house had no tower in which to hang it: "December2B, 1745.— Voted & granted that the subscribers for malt- ing a building to hang the meeting house bell in, have liberty to erect the same in the high way either near the dwelling house of Capt- George Phillips or the dwelling house of Allin Ward." The fourth church building was 68 by 51 feet in size, and was erected in 1799. It stood on the present site of the Bank Block. It was removed to near the head of Main street and converted into a hall. The fifth was built in 1873. It covers an area of 135 by 80 feet, and its cost was between $90,000 and $100,- 000. The front and tower are of brown stone, and the body of the building is of brick. It stands on Court street, a short distance from Main. South Congregational Church. Rev. Charles J. Hill, in an historical sketch of this church, delivered July 9th 1876, says: "A hundred and forty years ago the Congregational was the estab- lished church of Connecticut, and, like all churches that depend upon State alliance for authority, power, influence, and support, it became cold, formal, and arrogant,— a State Church without much vital relig- ion. It had no Sabbath-school, no prayer meeting, and allowed no lay- man to exhort or teach. To accommodate those who did not wish to become members of the church, and yet desired to have their children baptized, it adopted what was in derision called the ' half-way cove- nant,' whiph allowed them to secure the baptism of their children without assuming the obligations of church membership." The church was in the condition of the church at Laodicea, to which John was commanded to write: "Be- cause thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am about to vomit thee out of my mouth." In 1741, all New England was electrified by the preaching of Edwards and Whitfield, and a great revival was the result. Whitfield came to Middletown, and on the South Green preached to an assembly of over 4,000 people. The effect was immediately felt in all the churches. A young man who had been converted com- menced exhorting others, and holding prayer meetings. 136 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. This was contrary to the tenets of the Congregational Church, and the deacons and elders commanded him to desist; but he was in a condition of mind that if he were to hold his peace, the very stones would cry out. The officers of the church, failing in their efforts to suppress him, bound him out to a neighboring farmer, to whom they gave instructions not to permit the young man to hold any prayer meetings or exhort people. The farmer sent him to work in the field, but the young man refused, saying that he did not owe him anything, and would not work. The farmer was finally obliged to let him go. This system of persecution led to dissensions in the First Congregational Church, and several of the members commenced holding prayer meetings at private houses. They finally separated from the old and organized a new church. They were called "Separatists," or "Strict Congregationalists." Their numbers continued to in- crease, and on the 28th of October 1747, Rev. Ebenezer Frothingham, who had been pastor of the Strict Congre- gational Church at Wethersfield for several years, ceased his labors there and was formally ordained as pastor of this church. In 1767, Mr Frothingham published a de- fense of the principles of the Separatists, in which he de- clared: "The mnin thing: I have in view through the whole of this book is free liberty of conscience, the right of thinliing, choosing, and acting for one's self in matters of religion, which respect God and conscience, and to contend earnestly forthis important privilege, neither I nor any other person should be ashamed to do, cost what it will." For a number of years the church had no meeting house, but held their services at the residence of their pastor, in the house still standing on the north side of Mill street, next to the corner of South Main, which went by the name of the " Separate Meeting House." Under the ministrations of Mr.Frothingham,the church grew and prospered, and in 1774 a house of worship was erected on the east side of Main street near the south corner of Mill street. This building is still standing. Here, for fourteen years, Mr. Frothingham preached ear- nest, bold, and strong sermons, the result of which was evidenced by the fact that eighty persons signed the fol- lowing agreement: " We, the subscribers of the Second Strict Congregational Church and Society in this town, believing it to be our duty to attend the public worship of God and support a gospel minister, do agree according to our several abilities, to raise such supplies as shall be necessary to ren- der the life of a minister comfortable, in order for his usefulness among us, and that we will attend a society meeting, annually, on the last Monday in September, in order for raising such supplies as shall be nec- essary for the comfortable support of a gospel minister. And we fur- ther agree that we will be accountable to this church and Society for any neglect of fulfilling this, our agreement; provided always that no force of civil law is to be used in collecting support for the gospel min- istry among us." In those days $450 was considered a comfortable sup- port, and it is stated, that all the land on the south side of the highway from Mill street to Pameacha, was deeded by the town to the Strict Congregational Society. In 1788, after a pastorate of 41 years, Mr. Frothing- ham, at the age of 71, resigned his charge to other hands, though he remained in Middletown until his death, which occurred ten years later. Following his resigna- tion the church voted to call Rev. Stephen Parsons, who. after a pastorate of seven years, publicly announced that he had embraced the opinions of the Baptists. In Au- gust 179s, he was dismissed. In 1797, Rev. David Hunt- ington was called to the pastorate of the church, and continued for three years. Rev. Benjamin Graves was the next pastor, who continued for eight years, from 1804 to i8i2. The financial distress of the country, brought about by the war of 1812, had its effects on this church, causing dissensions which resulted in the removal of Mr. Graves. The church was left without a pastor for four years, but in August 1816, Rev. Ahab Jinks was settled, receiving a salary of $450, together with the use of the parsonage, which was valued at $2,700. Under his ad- ministration 84 persons were added to the church. About this time, Mr. Elisha- Sears organized a Sabbath-school, of which he was superintendent. This was one of the first Sabbath-schools in the country. Mr. Jinks remained as pastor of the church for three years, at the end of which time he was dismissed at his own request, and went west as a missionary. In 1822, Rev. Thomas DeVerell became pastor, but re- mained only one year. In 1827, Rev. Edward R. Tyler, commenced his labors with this church, and continued his pastorate until 1832. During this period the ladies organized a Union Benevolent Society, which proved of great assistance in bearing the financial burdens of the church. A Home Missionary Society, which has ever since been an efficient and faithful auxiliary to the church, was also organized. Under the influence of Mr. Tyler the Sabbath-school was reorganized in 1828, and grew in numbers and strength. During his ministry 168 united with the church. In 1832 he was compelled, in conse- quence of failing health, to resign. Rev. William H. Beecher, the son of Dr. Lyman Beecher, was installed as pastor in March 1833, but continued only six months. In 1835, Rev. Robert McEwen accepted a call as pastor, and labored with the church for three years during which period 62 were admitted to membership. His resigna- tion was accepted with many regrets. From 1839 to 1844, Rev. Mr. Granger was pastor of the church, and 173 members were added during that time. From 1844 to 1849, Rev. Andrew L. Stone was pastor and 82 were added to the church. Rev. John L. Dudley was called by the church in 1849, and remained for nineteen years. He was succeeded, in 1868, by Rev. John P. Taylor, who remained until 18^4, and was succeeded by Rev. Charles J. Hill, who came November 27th 1875, and was dismissed May 23d 1883. Rev. Peter M. Snyder, the present pastor of the church, commenced his labors Jan- uary 3d 1884. The present officers of the church are as follows: dea- cons, Benjamin Douglas, William M. Dean, Chester Kelsey, Levi S. Deming; clerk, Eugene Culver; treasurer. Deacon Benjamin Douglas. « " Middletown, January 13th 1772. " On the Memorial of Daniel Whitraore and others, commonly called Seperates, praying for liberty to erect a meeting house for divine wor- ship on the highway, it Is now Voted and granted that they have liberty to erect said house in the highway, between Capt. John Loveland's house and the house of Mr. Robert Hubbard of the dimentions of fifty foots long, and forty foots wide; the house to be built In the middle of MIDDLETOWN— CHURCHES. 137 the street and to face the east, and so situate as that one half of said house shall be due east of said Hubbard's land and the other half due east of said Loveland's land. Voted in the affirmative by majority. " The second church building was erected on the site of the present church, corner of Main and Crescent streets. It was a plastered building, similar in appearance to the present court house. In 1867, the second house of wor- ship was demolished and the present structure erected in its place. It is of brick, and its cost was $80,000. An elegant parsonage has recently been donated to the society by Miss Emily A. Williams. It is located on Crescent street, near the church. Sabbath School. — The records of this school contain the history of the " first beginnings" of Sabbath school work in Middletown. In 1820 or 1821 Mr. David Sly came to the town and started a Sunday school, composed of such children as could be induced to come into it from the various churches, and also such as were not in any of the churches or congregations. This was called the Middle- town Sabbath School Union, No. i. Its sessions were held in the old district school house, which stood on the west end of what is now " Union Park." The South Congregational Church was the first to ap- preciate the importance of denominational efforts in this direction, and of making it an auxiliary to the church, and, on the ist of January 1828, the teachers in the "Union School," belonging to the South Congregational Church, withdrew and organized a school of their own. On the 19th of January, the pastor, Rev. Edward R. Ty- ler, and Mr. Josiah Danforth, were appointed a commit- tee for purchasing books for a library, and on the loth of February the school received its first installment of 102 volumes. As appears by the records, this was the " pioneer school " of the county, for on the r4th of April following its organization a meeting of the officers and teachers was held, when it was voted " to form a county union so as to increase the influence of Sabbath schools within the county of Middlesex, and for the increase of Sunday schools within its limits, to form a depository for supplying the schools with suitable books on lowest terms, to stimu- late and encourage each other in the instruction of chil- dren, and carrying into full effect the glorious system of the Sabbath school cause in the neighboring parishes." Thirty-four teachers volunteered their services at the organization of the school in January 1828, viz: Edwin Hunt, superintendent; Miss H. Miller, secretary; Joseph Lewis, Josiah Danforth, Herbert Rogers, Joseph Sumner, Samuel W. Griswold, Richard Cornwell, Timothy Board- man, Charles Scovil, Samuel Green, Frederic Treadway, William Eells, Alfred Wood, Martin R. Griswold, George Wood, Charles Boardman, Mrs. Mary Hall, Mrs. Mary Savage, Mrs. Maria Southmayd, Mrs. Maria Beecher, Mrs. Mary Boardman, Mrs. Esther Bidwell, Mrs. Eme- line J. Newton, Mrs. Agnes Hammond, Miss Hannah Southmayd, Miss Mary Ann Scovil, Miss Sarah Ann Boardman, Miss Hannah Hunt, Miss Julia Stocking, Miss R. S. Ladd, Miss Nancy A. Ladd, Miss Almira S. Nash, Miss Emeline Belden. Weekly teachers' meetings were first established by vote of a meeting of officers and teachers, held October 8th 1833. The following persons have served a super- intendents of this school since its organization, viz: Edwin Hunt, Morris Bailey, Josiah Danforth, William Woodward, Benjamin W. Tompkins, Frederic Treadway, Samuel W. Griswold, Charles W. Newton, Benjamin Douglas, Caleb F. Gates, M. B. Copeland, John N. Camp, Elanthan B. Frlsbie, George S. Deming, John N. Camp. The Crimson Roll of Honor. — When the tocsin of war sounded the call "' to arms," to defend the im- perilled nation, the young '' soldiers of the cross " in this school were among the first to enlist. Among them were: John C. Broatch (at present commander of Mans- field Post, G. A. R.), Dwight Wolcott, William Wallace Miller, James Inglis, David Wilson, Gardener Smith, Edmund Smith, Henry Frisbie, Albert R. Crittenden, and Hibbert P. Smith. Dwight Wolcott, member of Company B, 14th Regi- ment, Conn. Volunteers, fell in battle at Fredericksburg in 1862, and was buried in the trenches with the "un- known " dead. William Wallace Miller, member of Company B, 14th Regiment, Conn. Volunteers, was killed while on picket duty at Deep Bottom, Va., August 15th 1864. His re- mains rest in the Mortimer Cemetery, marked by an ap- propriate monument. History of the Church and Parish of Holy Trinity, Middletown. As to the precise time when services were first held in this parish, according to the ritual of the Church of Eng- land, there is some obscurity. The Rev. James Wetmore, a native of this town and a grandson of the first preacher* of righteousness therein^ graduated at Yale College in the class with Dr. Johnson of Stratford, and was his intimate friend. Becoming dissatisfied with the authority under which he was preaching, he declared for Episcopacy with President Cutler and Dr. Johnson. He joined them in London early in 1723, and, having received holy orders, returned with them, being assigned by the "Society for the Propagation of the Gospel," as assistant to Trinity Church, New York city, and in June 1725, as rector of the parish at Rye, Westchester county, in that State. In his report to that venerable society, he writes from there, on the 3d of October 1745, in this language:f "I was three weeks ago at Middletown, in Connecticut, the place of my nativity, which I have been used to visit annually while my father lived there, and have frequently preached among them and baptized many children and some adults." There is very little doubt that he held the first services here, prior to 1730. These services, "held in a private room, which served as a chapel for some time," were in the house of his nephew, Ichabod, which stood on the north side of Washington street, a little distance west of the residence of the late Professor Henry Yardley. Here the interest was created which furnished the * The Rev. Samuel Stowe. tBeardsley History, p. 100. 19 138 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. "one hundred sober-minded people," who met the Rev. Mr. Punderson at his first service here, in the summer of 1739. Thus it would appear that the foundations laid by the Rev. James Wetmore were deep and broad, and that his influence was felt strongly among some brethren of his was proved by their earnest works. At the organization of the parish in 1750, his brother* Caleb was one of the wardens, and continued in office, either as vestryman or warden, until 1784, a period of 34 years, at which time he was 78 years of age. His brother Jeremiah died in 1753, but his two sons, Jeremiah and Ichabod, became early efficient in their father's room. Jeremiah, who continued to reside in the homestead on Washington street (now at the head of Broad), appears among the vestry from 1770 to 1786, only four years before his death, while Ichabod was warden in 1772, and continued in that position till 1800. Here were two, and some of the time three of the Rev. James's immediate kindred in office in the church he planted, many years. In Dr. Beardsley's history, we find that "towards the end of the year 1742, thirty families at Middletown, earnestly desire to be mentioned to the venerable society, in hopes of their future favors," and in September 1748, Dr. Johnson of Stratford, reports to the same society, "that Middletown and Wallingford are joining in order to form another mission in due time, and they are going on with their church at Middletown." In 1749 he reports the raising of the church as near at hand. At this time the services here were conducted by a lay reader, Mr. Ichabod Camp, a native of the adjoining village of Durham, and a graduate of Yale College, spoken of by Dr. Johnson, "as a sensible, stu- dious and discreet person, and a candidate for Holy Orders." He embarked for England early in the spring of 1749, and having received Orders there, was appointed by the "Society for the Propagation of the Gospel," as its first missionary to this place, with the understanding that a portion of his services was to be given to Walling- ford.I It will be observed by the report of Dr. Johnson, mis- sionary in 1748 and 1749, that this little band had de- termined to build a church before their organization was effected, being urged 10 do so by their first teacher, the Rev. James Wetmore. For an account of their trials and discouragements in obtaining a location, we refer to the sermon of the late rector, the late Rev. F. J. Good- win, preached on the twenty-fifth anniversary of his rectorship. " The requestfor a spot of land on which to erect their arlc, pious and reasonable as it was, was yet, at once refused. Nothing daunted, they applied again, for a piece of ground In quite a contrary direction, but with no better success. Great opposition was made, both by mag-is- trates and people, to their building^ an Episcopal Church at all. Most men would have been discouraged by such repeated disappointments but notso with the Churchmen of that d\*-f1 :;^v*Cr-;>. MIDDLETOWN— BIOGRAPHIES. '6s in 1841, was made colonel of the regiment, resigning in 1844. In 1847, he was elected captain of the 7th Light Infantry Company (which he organized as the Mansfield Guards) of the same regiment, and in 1853, was again elected colonel. During the administration of Gov. Thomas H. Sey- mour, he was adjutant general of the State. In i860, he was elected brigadier general of the 2d Brigade, Con- necticut Militia. The reorganization and concentration of the militia system into one division, in t86i, relieved him of this position. On the appointment by the Legis- lature of James T. Pratt as major general of the State militia, he appointed General Starr as division inspector; both, however, resigned the same year, in October, in consequence of the refusal of the State Legislature to so amend the militia laws as to render them efficient. Soon after the breaking out of the Civil war, the com- mand of the 4ih Regiment Connecticut Volunteers was offered to General Starr by Governor Buckingham, but his delicate health prevented his acceptance of the posi- tion; but, nevertheless, he was well represented, inas- much as, during the first year of the war, there were over 30 commissioned officers in the field, all considered effi- cient men, who owed their knowledge of military tactics to his gratuitous tuition. He was subsequently appointed by Governor Buckingham to the command of the mili- tary post at Middletown, during the oiganization of the 24th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers. This was the last of his military services to the State, which covered a period of about 30 years. He was postmaster at Middletown during a portion of President Van Buren's administration, and was the one to remove the office to its present position in the government building. With the exception of one year, he has held the position of town clerk and registrar from 1852 to the present time, and excepting one year, was judge of the Probate District of Middletown from July 1866 to 1872. While acting in this position, although having no legal education, his decisions were invariably confirmed by the higher courts. From January 1856, to January 1864, he held the position of city clerk and treasurer. In person. General Starr is tall and erect, of spare build, but of fine military bearing. In his private life, he is " sans peiir et sans reprOi.he." William Walter Wilcox. Most of the representative men of this country are born and educated in the school of adversity, and their suc- cess in life is achieved by honest, hard work and perse- vering effort. To this class belongs William W. Wilcox. Two brothers, viz., Thomas and John, one of whom was his American ancester, came from Hartford to Middle- town in 1650, and settled in the second and third eccle- siastical parishes, viz., Middletown Upper Houses and Westfield Parisb. William W. was the only child of Wil- liam W. and Mary Wilcox. The death of his father oc- curred before he was born, and his mother died before he was two years old. He was placed in the care of his grandmother until he was six years of age, when he was taken into the family of his aunt, the wife of Ira K. Pen- field, of Portland, Connecticut, where he remained until he was nineteen years of age, attending school a portion of the time, the remainder working in his uncle's shop. Being in delicate health he went to New York and en- gaged himself to a book concern, a.s traveling agent. He visited different parts of the South and finally recovered his health. In 1848, he returned to Middletown and engaged himself for seventy-five cents a day to Eldridge H. Penfield, who had just commenced the manufacture of grommets for sails. Here he learned the mechanical operations connected with the manufacture of gronmiets. Penfield having insufficient capital to continue the busi- ness, through the influence of Mr. Wilcox, his uncle, Ira K. Penfield, sold out his business in Portland, and buy- ing a half interest, the new firm of E. H. & I. K. Pen- field continued the manufacture of grommets. Consign- ing goods to agents brought small returns, and at the end of two years E. H. Penfield became discouraged and sold his interest to Ira K. Penfield. By strict economy young Wilcox had saved $250 while in the employ of E. H. & I. K. Penfield. This was his capital in the new firm of Penfield & Wilcox, which, with his services, gave him one-quarter interest in a business which had thus far not proved a success. An impetus was given the business at once by closing the agencies, and dealing di- rectly with consumers. With trunks full of grommets, and tools to insert them, Mr. Wilcox started out with the determination to visit all the sail lofts along the coast to Halifax, Nova Scotia, showing the use and utility of the new metallic grommet, presenting a gross or two to those who could not be induced to buy. In this way the business became a success, notwithstanding the op- position of journeymen sail makers, who opposed their use for several years, as lessening the amount of labor in making sails. A new round edge sail thimble was soon after invented by Mr. Wilcox. Cast of malleable iron and galvanized, they soon came into general use, and entirely superseded the wrought sharp edge thimble, which cut and wore the ship's ropes. He was the first in this country to intro- duce galvanized iron work for ship's use. At the end of ten years, having accumulated a capital of $4,500, he dissolved partnership with his uncle and started in business for himself, having hired a building on the Pameacha River, at the present location, for $75 a year. About this time he invented an improved grom- met, made in three parts, which he patented. He also added to his stock a variety of sailmakers' and ship chandlery goods. The increase of business that followed necessitated an increase of capital, and he subsequently took in Joseph Hall jr., of Portland, as partner. At the end of the next ten years he purchased Mr. Hall's inter- est, and a new copartnership was formed, consisting of W. W. Wilcox, E. Bound Chaffee, A, R. Crittenden, and Homer Churchill; who now comprise the firm of Wil- cox, Crittenden & Co. The house is now one of the largest in this line of business in the United States. Mr. i66 HiStORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTV. Wilcox has recently invented a new grommet for which he received a patent, August 26th 1884. He has always confined himself strictly to his business, at the same time manifesting a deep interest in the affairs of his native town, and, in 1877, he was solicited by his friends to accept the republican nomination for the Legislature, and was elected by a considerable majority. As an evidence of his personal popularity, it may be stated that for thirteen years previous to this time Mid- dletown was represented in the Legislature by demo- crats. In 1879, Mr. Wilcox received the nomination and was again elected. He has held other public positions of trust and responsibility. In 1880, he was nominated for State Senator, but was defeated by a small majority, his opponent being Dr. J. W. Alsop. He has also served as a member of the Common Council. His investments have been confined strictly to his legitimate business. In 1883, he was solicited to become a director in the Middletown National Bank, and was elected to the position. There are few men who have lived in Middletown during the last century who have borne a more enviable reputation or have been held in higher esteem by their fellow citizens. His life presents a worthy example to the rising generation, affording a practical demonstration of the self made man. On the 17th of November 1853, he married Elizabeth, daughter of George and A. E. Crittenden, of Portland, by whom he had three children, two of whom, William Walter, born April nth 1862, and Mary C, born August 8th f866, are now living. Captain Joseph J. Hendley. The records of the paternal and maternal ancestors of Captain Hendley form an interesting contribution to American history. His great-grandfather, William Hend- ley, married a German lady. They came from England about 1745, and settled in Boston, and bought land on AVheeler's Point, now South Boston, where they kept a dairy farm. They had four children. William, the eldest, the grandfather of Captain Hendley, was born in Boston, in 1 747. He was an ardent patriot in the war of the Revo- lution, and composed one of the famous " Boston Tea Par- ty." He fought in the battles of Concord and Bunker Hill, enlisted in the rebel army, and continued in the ser- vice of his country to the close of the war. The maternal ancestor of Captain Hendley was Thomas Miller, who came from England in 1643, and settled in Rowley, Massachusetts, in 1644. In 1653, he removed with his family to Middletown, where, in 1655, he erected a grist mill on the South Pameacha River, then called Miller's brook, and now the Sanseer River, the town of Middletown furnishing most of the material for the same in consideration of his grinding the town's corn. This wjs probalDly the first mill erected in Middlesex county. Henr)', the father of Captain Hendley, was born in Bos- ton, on the i8th of January 1770, and came to Middle- town in 1791. He was a tanner by trade and worked for Samuel Frothingham during the summer and followed the sea in the winter. He was lost at sea in 1807. He formed one of the crew of the hr\g Marlboro, oi Glaston- bury, Wadsworth, master. On her passage from St. Croix to Middletown, she foundered at sea and all on board perished. On the 27th of December 1795, he married Esther Miller,a descendant of the fourth generation from Thomas Miller. Her father was Joshua Miller and her mother was Anna Starr, daughter of Captain Daniel and Esther Starr. They had six children: Anna, the eldest, was born September 26th 1796, married Joseph J. Badger; William, born January 25th 1798, never married; Mary, born January 20th 1800, married Caleb Miller; Esther, born August 4th 1802, married Elisha Sears; Henry, born June 22d 1804, never married; Joseph J., born June 25th 1807. Captain Joseph J. Hendley, the subject of this sketch, has had quite an eventful life. He was born at South Farms, in the town of Middletown. He was only six months old when his father died, and was thus compelled in early life to " paddle his own canoe." On the 23d of August 1810, his mother married the Rev. Benjamin Graves, then pastor of the South Church, Middletown. They had one daughter. In 1813, they moved to East Haddam, Millington Society, and resided there until after the war of 1812-15, when they returned to South Farms, and soon after settled at Bow Lane, where Joseph received his education at the district school. At the age of fifteen he went to work in a woolen mill at Wol- cottville, where he remained for two years, when he re- turned home and spent one year at the Pameacha woolen mill. In 1825, when he was eighteen years of age, he shouldered his pack, bade his feeble mother good bye, and started on foot for New Haven, where he shipped on a vessel bound for New York, receiving two dollars wages for the round trip. This, with three dol- lars received from his mother, and two suits o( clothes, was all his worldly wealth. After his return to New Haven, he shipped on board a schooner bound for Guadaloupe, W. I., at which place the captain and one man died of yellow fever. He was in the European, South American, and West India trades until 1830, after which he was in the New Orleans and Florida trade, and was first ofificer with Captain William H. Pratt, of Deep River, Conn., until 1833. He then took charge of the schooner Helen Mar, of New Orleans. He made several voyages to Apalachicola, Fla., and one voyage to the Brazos River, Texas. On one of these voyages, Henry Brooks, of Middletown, his mate, fell overboard in the night, while reefing the mainsail, and was drowned. Brooks was a young man of excellent moral character and a good sea- man. At that time (1833) there was but one house on Galveston Island, and Texas was a State of the Re- public of Mexico, at war with the mother country. In the fall of 1834, Captain Hendley took command of the schooner Louisiana, in which he made regular trips to the Brazos River. Active hostilities had then ''■■"^ '"f "//; v/y !( If., irM('n MIDDLETOWN— BIOGRAPHIES. ,67 commenced, and the vessel was loaded principally with troops and munitions of war. He was twice chased into the river by the Mexican man-of-war, Montezuma, com- manded by Captain Davis, then blockading the coast of Texas, and the terror of all blockade runners. In 1836, Captain Hendley, in connection with his brother, William Hendley, Sylvester Gildersleeve, and Alexander Keath, built the schooner William Bryan for the Brazos River trade. She was a successful vessel in that trade and was commanded by him until 1839, when he, with his brother William, and Sylvester Gildersleeve, of Portland, built the schooner Robert Mills, for the same trade, and in 1842, they built they built the ship Star Republic. This ship was commanded by Captain Hendley and sailed by him between Galveston and New York up to 1845. O" the voyage from New York to Galveston in 1843, on the 6th of October, he encountered a hurricane off the northeast point of Abaco, one of the Bahama Islands. The whole coast of Florida was deso- lated and Sand Key light house blown down, in which the keeper and his whole family perished. Great damage was also done at Key West, but the little ship came safely through, losing part of her spars and most of her sails. In 1845, before the annexation of Texas, Captain Hendley and his brother William, together with Philip Gildersleeve and John L. Sleight, formed the commercial house of William Hendley & Co., at Galveston, and, in connection with John H. Brower, of New York, estab- lished the New York and Texas line of packets. The Star Republic was the pioneer ship, and, with other ves- sels owned principally by the Wakemans of Southport, Conn., at that time constituted the Texas and New York line of packets. In 1848, these vessels were disposed of, the line reorganized, and eight vessels of larger capacity were built from time to time, and placed in the line, viz.: the ships S. F Austin, B. R. Milam, William B . Travis, J. W. Fannin, Wm. H. Wharton, S. Gildersleeve, A^ational Guard, and J. C. Kuhn. These vessels were built by S. Gildersleeve, Portland, Conn., and owned principally by J. J. Hendley, William Hendley, S. Gildersleeve, H. Gil- dersleeve, P. Gildersleeve, J. H. Watkinson, William Jarvis, and John H. Brower, of New York. The corresponding and financial partner of the firm of William Hendley & Co., Philip Gildersleeve, died in 1853. He was a competent, clear-headed man, and had but few equals. His loss was seriously felt by all the other mem- bers, and through his death the business of the firm for a time suffered, but on a reduced scale it again pros- pered. The line was successfully conducted until the breaking out of the war. During the intermediate time, the Austinvia.s wrecked on the northeast point of Abaco; the B. R. Milam was stranded on Galveston Bar, and abandoned to the underwriters; the William B. Travis and William H.Wharton were sold for a foreign trade; and the /. W. Fannin, loaded with grain for Ireland, foundered at sea; the National Guard and /. C. Kuhn were sold to the United States government, and the ^9. Gildersleeve was burned at sea by the rebel steamer, Ala- bama. This closed the Texas and New York line of packets. After the war the house was successfully con- ducted until 1874, making a total period from its com- mencement, of twenty-eight years. William Hendley and John L. Sleight died in 1873, and in July 1874, Captain Hendley closed up the old business of William Hendley & Co., and retired from commercial life. Captain Hendley never married, but lives in the quiet enjoyment of bachelorhood. He makes his home with his half sister, Mrs. A. D. Button, at Plainfield, N. J., but spends most of his time traveling, and at the resi- dence of his nephew, Mr. H. F. Boardman, of Middle- town, where he is surrounded with the familiar scenes of his early days. He is now in his seventy-eighth year, but still quite strong and hearty, and in the full posses- sion of his mental faculties. His brother, Henry, also a mariner by profession, and an officer of the ship Emblem, of Portland, Me., which was wrecked in Cadiz Bay, in 1855, was on the wreck three days and died at Cadiz after being taken off. Captain Hendley and Mrs. Esther S. Sears, widow of Elisha S. Sears, still survive. Leonard Bailey, M. D. "Nothing succeeds like success," is a trite saying, more forcible than elegant, but to no profession in life does it apply with greater force than to that of the med- ical, and whatever educational advantages or previous experience a man may have had, his ability is measured by his success. Dr. Bailey commenced practice in this city unaided and alone, with neither friends nor influence, and what- ever success he has achieved in his profession is due to his own efforts. His paternal ancestor was John Baylie, one of the 28 proprietors who settled the town of Haddam in 1662. His grandfather was a soldier of the Revolution, a mem- ber of the loth Connecticut regiment, commanded by Colonel — afterwards General — James Wadsworth. Leonard was the youngest son of Benjamin and Lau- rana Bailey, and was born in that part of the town of Haddam now known as Higganum, on the ist of Jan- uary 1836. He was sent first to the district school, and then to the Brainerd Academy. He commenced the study of medicine in Philadelphia, and graduated in 1S57, standing fifth in a class of forty. At the age of 22 he spent one year in the office of Dr. Burr of this city (Middletown), where he commenced his practice. He subsequently went to East Haddam, where he practiced for three years. In 1861, he returned to Middletown, where he has since remained. In 1862, he again visited Philadelphia, where he attended a course of medical lectures during the winter of 1862-63. During this pe- riod he was frequently associated with and received in- structions from Professors S. D. Gross, Pancoast, Wood, and Dunglison, and other eminent physicians and sur- geons of Philadelphia. When he resumed his practice in Middletown, and de- termined on making this his permanent home, the pros- i6K HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. I)ect was not very flattering. There were at that time ten physicians in the city, most of whom were old resi- dents, and there appeared to be no room for another; but he went quietly to work, devoting' every leisure mo- ment to the acquisition of knowledge, and availing him- self of every means in his power to achieve success. His first efforts with his patients proving successful, his business gradually increased, and he has probably at the present time a more lucrative, if not a larger prac- tice than any otlier physician in Middletown. He carefully diagnoses every case and makes each a special study, clinging to no stereotyped or obsolete theories; assuming that each case of even the same disease requires a special, if not a different method of treatment. To his intense love of and devotion to his profession, he unites a genial, happy disposition that carries joy and comfort to the sick room and inspires the patient with courage and confidence. His personal popularity would naturally draw him into public life, but for this he has neither the taste nor in- clination. His purse strings are ever loose to relieve the needy and unfortunate, and many a bill for professional services will be canceled only at the day of final reckon- ing, when the " Judge of all the earth " shall say: " In- asmuch as ye did it unlo one of the least of these, ye did it unto me." On the 3d of February 1863, he married Sarah J., daughter of Burriage Robinson of Portland. Hon. Samuel L. AVarner. Edmund Burke once said to a friend: "Men give me credit for genius. If an intense and ardent desire for the acquisition of knowledge and persevering efforts in the use of the means for accomplishing that end is genius, then I have genius." Those who have listened to the earnest and eloquent appeals of Samuel L. Warner in behalf of his clients, give him credit for genius, as well as great legal ability; but if any young man of ordinary ability is willing to use the same means and make the same sacrifices to attain the ends, the prize is within his grasp. Mr. Warner had the same trials, struggles, and iiard- ships as those of most men who succeed in life. Levi Warner, his father, was a prosperous and enterprising farmer, born in the town of Wethersfield, and was descended from one of the original settlers who came there from Boston about 1635. He married Sarah, daughter of John Larkin, of Wethersfield, by whom he had eight children: Mary, William, Samuel L., Levi, Sarah A. John, George Francis, and Albert, all living. Samuel L. was born at AVethersfield, on the 14th of June 1828. He attended the common schools of his na- tive village, and subsequently went through a prepara- tory course at the academy. After teaching school for four years, he commenced the study of law with Judge Matson, of Hartford, and soon after entered a law school at New Haven. He completed his course at Harvard Law School, where he spent two years; and in 1854 was admitted to the Suffolk county (Massachusetts) bar. He returned to Hartford, intending to commence practice in that city, bu , through the influence of Gov- ernor Seymour, who took a deep interest in his welfare, he obtained the appointment of executive secretary to Governor Pond. Owing to the illness of the latter the duties of the office devolved to a large extent on young Warner. These he discharged with great credit to him- self, and the executive ability displayed by him at that early age showed that the confidence of his friends had not been misplaced, and the experience thus acquired proved of great advantage to him in after years. In the spring of 1S54, he removed to Portland and commenced the practice of law in that town, where he soon obtained a lucrative practice, and the success at- tending his efforts brought him into prominence in all courts in the State; and his business increased to such an extent that he found it necessary to open an office in Middletown. The judicial history of the period before and after the time when Mr. Warner commenced practice shows' that the courts of Middlesex county presented a field for the best legal talent of this State; and at each session of the court were represented men who have since become distinguished as jurists and statesmen, whose reputation is almost world wide. Among these may be mentioned Hon. Charles J. Mc- Curdy, Hon. William D. Shipman, Hon. Lafayette S. Foster, Hon. Isaac Toucey, R. G. Baldwin, Henry Dutton, Charles Chapman, Thomas C. Perkins, and others; all of whom were engaged in the trial of important causes in the Middlesex county courts. To be brought into immediate contact in the trial of causes with these legal giants would intimidate most young men, but Mr. Warner had confidence in himself. He had been a close student not only when preparing for admission to the bar, but had availed himself of every leisure moment to familiarize himself with the requirements of his pro- fession. He was, moreover, a close student of human nature, and was familiar with the ways of the w()rld,"and of the general principles of business; was careful and ob- serving, allowing nothing to escape his attention, so that when he was subsequently called to the trial of import- ant causes he realized the fruits of this course of study and was prepared to successfully contend with men who enjoyed the advantages of a large experience and a longer established reputation. His intense application to, and study of his cases soon made him proficient and successful in his practice. His continued success at the bar rendered him popular with the people, and in 1862, he was elected mayor of the city, and continued in office for four years, during which period he labored hard and finally succeeded in establishing the present system of water works and securing the necessary legislation to place it on a substantial basis. To him, in a great meas- ure, is due the credit of having established the finest system of water supply in our State, which affords equal, if not the best protection against fire of that of any city in the Union, In 1858, he represented the town of Portland in the State Legislature. c^Z^^^^^-^-i^ tX^ d /c/^c^.-^^L^,. Ai, / . ^/rjv-RT'niJ'^s: MIDDLETOWN— BIOGRAPHIES. 169 At the breaking out of the Rebellion, he was an active and earnest supporter of all measures for a vigorous prosecution of the war, and in 1862, he was nominated for Congress, but was defeated by his opponent, Governor English. The following term he was again nominated by the republican party, and elected by 1,700 majority, in a district strongly democratic, receiving the support of many prominent democrats. In 1865, he was again nominated, but declined to accept the nomination. He was a member, and one of the secretaries of the con- vention that nominated Abraham Lincoln for the second term. In 1861, he purchased the Nehemiah Hubbard home- stead, on Main street, to which place he removed his ofifice and where he has since continued. He enjoys a large and lucrative practice, and stands at the head of the bar in Middlesex county. The success on the trial of causes to the jury has caused his retainer in nearly all such cases of importance in the county during his practice. The records of the Supreme Court of Errors show his mastery of his cases in that forum. It is said by the judges of that court that no briefs or presentment of causes in their court show more or better preparation or conception of the case than do his. In his jury trials he makes no mistakes and if any are made by his adversary, he is quick to take advantage of them. He makes his clients' case his own, and enters into it with intense earnestness and enthusiasm. It is said of him that in the examination of witnesses in the trial of a cause, if he becomes convinced of the untruth- fulness or prevarication of the witness, his examinations are almost merciless, and no sagacity could escape his detection. Socially he is a man of large hearted, generous im- pulses, and will make any sacrifice to serve a friend. He delivered the addresses at both the Lincoln and Garfield memorial services held in the North Church. He was the unanimous choice of the committee to de- liver the oration at the centennial celebration of Middle- town, held on the 14th of July 1884. This was one of the most carefully prepared, and best historical addresses ever delivered before a Middlesex county audience, and was listened to by a large and intelligent concourse of people. On the 30th of April 1855, he married Mary E., daughter of John Harris, of Norwich, by whom he has had two children: Harris, born October 26th 1858, and Charles W., born November 20th 1863. His brother Levi, next younger than himself, who studied with him, is one of the leading lawyers in Fairfield county, and was twice elected to Congress from the Fourth Congression.al District. His mother, who is still living, is now 82 years of age and in the full enjoyment of health and of all her mental faculties. The Russell Family. The Russells have been identified with the history of Middletown for nearly two hundred years, and each generation has left its impress on the community by the noble deeds and Christian virtues of its several members. The family is a branch of the English line so well known, and William Russell, the emigrant, is said to have ac- companied Colonel Fenwick, Robert Greville, second Lord Brooke, being connected by marriage with the latter. William, the American ancestor of the Russell family, was born in England in 1612, came to America in 1638-9, and settled in the colony of New Haven. His will, dated October 24th 1664, is found among the New Haven records. He left two children: Anna, born June 29th 1660, and Noadiah, born at New Haven, July 22d 1659. Of Rev. Noadiah Russell, the youngest son, Dr. Field says: " He was left an orphan, with an elder sister, when about a year old, but through the friendship and benevo- lence of Mrs. Elin Glover he was publicly educated. He was graduated at Harvard College in 1681, where he he was for a time tutor. He subsequently taught an academy in Ipswich, Mass., and became a member of the church in that place, and was thence recommended to the church in Middletown, to which place he came in 1687, and was settled as pastor of the First Congrega- tional Church. He was one of the twelve ministers who founded Yale College, at Saybrook, in 1700, and was one of the framers of the Saybrook Platform. On the 28th of February 1689, he married Mary, daughter of Giles Hamlin, one of the first settlers of Middletown. By her he had nine children, viz: William, Noadiah, Giles, Mary, John, Esther, Daniel, Mehitable, and Hannah. Two of his sons, viz., William and Daniel, were edu- cated at the seminary which he had assisted in founding and governing. With this, William was connected for a time as tutor, and afterward as trustee. Both became ministers of the Gospel. Daniel settled in the parish of Stepney, in Wethersfield, and William succeeded his father in the congregation in Middletown, June ist 1715. Rev. Noadiah Russell labored in the ministry just forty-six years — dying in the same month, and on the same day of the month on which he was ordained. " He was a gentleman," says Dr. Trumbull, " of great respect- ability for knowledge, experience, moderation, and for pacific measures on all occasions." Samuel Russell, eldest son of Capt. John and Abi- gail Russell, was born at Middletown, Conn., August 25th 1789. His father having deceased when he was but twelve years of age, he was placed under guardianship, and after receiving an ordinary education was placed in the store of Messrs. Whittlesey & Alsop, Washington street, Middletown, and afterward with Mr. Samuel Wetmore, where he remained until he arri»red at majority, he then went to New York city, and entered the house of Messrs. Hall, Hull & Co., foreign shipping merchants, and was sent by them as supercargo to Spain; after which he was invited to enter the house of B. & T. C. Hoppin & Co., Providence, R. I., who were engaged in the Cal- 23 170 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. cutta and China trade, where he remained until he became a partner of Messrs. E. Carrington & Co., Cyrus Butler, and B. & T. C. Hoppin. On the 26th of Decem- ber 1818, articles of co-partnership were signed for the transaction of business in China for a term of five years, which at the expiration of that time eventuated in the establishment of the house of Russell & Co., at Canton — one of the most celebrated firms in China, doing busi- ness under the same name up to the present time; having numbered among its partners such men as Phillip Ami- don, Augustine Heard, William Henry Low, John C. Green, John Murray Forbes, Joseph Coolidge, A. A. Low, W. C. Hunter, Edward King, Robert Bennett Forbes, Warren Delano jr., and Russell Sturgis. Mr. Russell's life in China is thus briefly described by one who knew him intimately and enjoyed his lifelong friendship: " While he lived no friend of his would venture to mention his name In print. While In China, he lived for about twenty-flve years almost an hermit, hardly known outside of his factory except by the chosen few who;enjoyed his intimacy, and by his good friend, Hoqua, but study- ing: commerce in its broadest sense, as well as its minutest details. Re- turning home with well earned wealth he lived hospitably In the midst of his family, and a small circle of inmates. Scorning- words and pre- tensions from the very bottom of his heart, he was the truest and staunchest of friends; bating notoriety, he could always be absolutely counted upon for every good work which did not involve publicity." The house of which he was a member had a world- wide reputation, and the name of Samuel Russell was potent wherever commerce reached. It is said of him, personally, that his word was as good as his bond. In 1837, he returned to Middletown, where he had made previous arrangements for the erection of the ele- gant mansion on the corner of Washington and High streets. This was done under the siipervision of Hon. Samuel D. Hubbard. He did not sit down, on his return, simply to enjoy his wealth, but entered heartily into pub- lic and private enterprises. He founded the Russell Manufacturing Company, and was its first president. He was president of the Middlesex County Bank nearly ten years, and was a large stockholder. During the panic of 1857, he advanced $75,000 of his private fortune to sus- tain the bank through the crisis. He was constantly as- sisting private individuals who were in financial trouble, and while he frequently lost large sums in this manner, it never occasioned him any regret. His motto was " Duties are ours; events are God's.'' He was a man of broad and liberal views, and gave freely to the support of all religious denominations. He gave liberally toward the building of the Roman Catholic church, and induced the quarry companies of Portland to contribute the stone. He assisted nearly all the other churches by large contributions. He made judicious in- vestments of his money, which yielded large returns, but it is said of him that he gave away, and lost by assisting others, a sum fully equal to all he made m China. In his business he was very methodical and painstak- ing; in his private life was frugal and economical, avoid- ing all display or ostentation, but very hospitable. His friends always found a hearty welcome under his roof. In his private charities no one but himself and the re- cipients ever knew the extent of his gifts. Mr. Russell was twice married; first, on the 6th of Oc- tober 1815, to Mary Cotton Osborne, in New York city, daughter of David and Mary Cotton Osborne, of Strat- ford, Connecticut, an orphan (both parents having died in the West Indies), by whom he had two sons: George Osborne, and John Augustus Russell. During Mr. Russell's first absence, in China, his young wife died suddenly at the early age of twenty-three, leaving his two little children in charge of his sister, Frances. After having completed the five years' engagement with the Providence house, Mr. Russell returned from Canton for a brief stay, during which time he married Frances A., the sister of his first wife, and again returned to the East. George and John, his sons, did not inherit strong consti- tutions, and although sent to Europe for travel and treat- ment, and living much in the West Indies, neither of them attained far beyond the age of early manhood. George Osborne, the eldest, married Amelia C, daughter of Thomas Mather, and left two sons: Samuel and George Osborne. John A. married Helena E. Webster, of Cuba, and left one son, Frank W., who died while a youth. Mr. Russell had one son by his second wife, Samuel Wadsworth Russell, who married Clara A. Casey, daugh- ter of Dr. William Casey, of Middletown, by whom he had three children: William Wadsworth, Mary Alice, and Cornelia Augusta. This third son of Mr. Russell was much young.er than his half brothers, and survived his father some years, but died at the early age of 31. Samuel Russell, son of George Osborne, and grand- son of Samuel Russell, the East India merchant, lost his father when but three years of age, and was brought up by his grandfather. He represents the family in Mid- dletown, and is in possession of the fine old residence, built by his grandfather, and maintains with pride the characteristics of the old mansion. He married for his first wife, Lucy McDonough, second daughter of Hon. Henry G. Hubbard, and granddaugh- tet of Commodore McDonough, by whom he has three children: Samuel, Thomas McDonough, and Lucy Hub- bard. He married, for his second wife, Sarah Chaplin Clark, daughter of John Clark jr., and Caroline Madison Pickering, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, by whom he had one daughter, Helen Pickering. Mr. Russell has been, for some years, the vice-president and a director of the Russell Manufacturing Company, and also holds several directorships elsewhere. Edward Augustus Russell was born in Middle- town, Connecticut, on the i6th day of June 1797. He was the second son of John Russell and Abigal Warner, his wife, and was born in the old family homestead, which had been owned and occupied by four generations before him, among whom were the Rev. Noadiah Russell, and the Rev. William Russell, who were consecutively together pastors of the North Congregational Church in this city for seventy-three years — or from 1688 to 1761. At an early age he was apprenticed to Mr. Samuel Wetmore, merchant, with whom he remained as long as Mr. W. continued in bu,siness in Midd^eto^yn, Mr, Rus- ^^.^^^.^^ ^"t^-c^ ^^-^ MIDDLETOWN— BIOGRAPHIES. fjt sell then went to Providence, R. I., as clerk to Edward Carrington & Co., in the East India trade. On the i2th of September 1820, he married Miss Elizabeth Brown Hall, daughter of William Clark Hall, a native of Boston, but more recently of Middletown, and moved to Petersburg, Va., where he was engaged in business for about two years, when he returned North to enter the office of Mr. George Douglas in New York. He had not been there long, however, when offers of strong inducement caused him to _sever his connections with Mr. Douglas and to seek a home from which he then supposed he might not return for many years. In the spring of 1825, he sailed from New York for China, to take part in the house of Russell & Co., in Canton, which had been formed the year before by his elder brother, Samuel, in partnership with Mr. Philip Amidon, of New York. He was, however, within two years from the time of his arrival there, stricken down with that dread scourge of the East — liver complaint — and after a long and protracted illness was obliged to return to his native country. Again entering the office, in New York, of Mr. Doug- las — this time as partner — he continued for some years, and until this connection was severed by his being called to the presidency of the Royal Insurance Company in that city, which position he held until he retired from active business, and returned to Middletown in 1838. During the remainder of his life, he was interested in the affairs of his native town, and held many trusts out- side as well as at home. He was mayor of the city from May 1857 to January 1861, was representative to the Legislature, delegate to National Convention, president of the Charles River Railroad, as well as director in other roads, and was also interested in the development of the manufacture of silk in the State of Massachusetts. By his marriage he had seven children, three of whom, with one grandson, now occupy the old homestead. He died in Middletown, April 4th 1874, on the same spot where he was born, and which has now been owned and occupied by seven generations of the same family. Abram M. Shew, M. D. When it is considered that one out of every 300 inhab- itants of this country is hopelessly insane, it becomes a matter of the deepest importance to every citizen to know what means are provided for the care of these poor unfortunates, and to learn something of the character of the individual who is intrusted with their care and pro- tection. Most of the people of Middlesex county are somewhat familiar with the condition and general man- agement of the State Hospital for the Insane (located at Middletown), either from personal observation or from published reports; but of that great motive power and creative genius that moves, guides, controls, and regu- lates that ponderous piece of human machinery, made up of hundreds of helpless human beings, they know but little. To manage successfully such an institution requires the genius, the sagacity, the wisdom, the tact, and the iron will of a Napoleon, combined with the gentleness, the thoroughly sympathetic nature, and tenderness of feeling peculiar to the weaker sex. To what extent the present incumbent fulfills these re- quirements must be determined by his eighteen years' experience as manager of that institution. Abram M. Shew, M. D., the subject referred to, was born in Le Ray, Jefferson county. New York, on the i8th of September 1841. He was the youngest child of God- frey J. Shew and Betsey, daughter of Abram Beecher, of Kent, Connecticut. At the age of 11, he removed with his parents to Watertown, New York, where he received his academic education at the Jefferson County Institute. He had in- tended to enter Union College, Schenectady, but the breaking out of the war, in 1861, aroused in him the spirit of patriotism, and caused him to forego his cher- ished plans. He had already spent one year in prepar- atory studies; he therefore decided to enter at once upon collegiate preparation for medical duty. He entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he was enrolled among the pupils of Professor W. H. Pancoast. He received great encouragement and aid from the late Professor Dauglison. In 1862, Dr. Bates, who was then Inspector of Prisons, offered to Dr. Shew the ofRce of assistant physician of the New York Asylum for Insane Convicts, at Auburn. On the expiration of his services at Auburn, he returned to Philadelphia, prosecuted his studies with diligence, and graduated with honor. Immediately after the receipt of his diploma, Dr. Shew presented himself before the army examining board, and was appointed assistant surgeon of the United States Volunteers. Three days later he was ordered to report to the medical director of the Department of the South, and was by him assigned to duty as post surgeon and health officer at Hilton Head, South Carolina. Six months after this he was ordered to Beaufort to assume the charge of the post hospital. This position he held till the close of the war. On his return to Philadelphia he was appointed one of the resident physicians of the Philadelphia (Blockley) Hos- pital. While there his early interest in mental disorders was re-awakened, and led to the decision to make mental pathology the specialty of his professional life. In the spring of 1866, he received the appointment of assistant to Dr. Buttolph, superintendent of the New Jersey State Lunatic Asylum at Trenton. In that relation he gave special attention to plans of hospital buildings and methods of construction, and the best modes of providing for the wants of different classes of patients. The re- sults of his studies were then embodied in plans for an ideal hospital, which attracted the notice of specialists, and were finally adopted by the board of trustees of the Connecticut Hospital for the Insane. In September 1866, Dr. Shew was appointed to super- intend the construction and organization of this institu- tion, and entered upon the performance of his functions on the 15th of the following month. 172 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. On the 27th of January 1869, Dr. Shew married Eliza- beth Collins Palmer, eldest daughter of Hon. Lewis Palmer, of Watertown, N. Y. Her death occurred on the 19th of January 1874. On the 12th of June 1878, he married Clara, only daughter of S. L. Bradley, of Auburn, N. Y. She died on the 22d of September 1879. Two children were the issue of his first marriage, viz; Lewis Palmer, born February 26th 1870; Alma Eliza- beth, born December 27th 1873. William Wilcox. William Wilcox comes from the old hardy stock of pioneers who were the original proprietors of the planta- tion at Hammonassett, subsequently called Kenilworth and finally Killingworth. In October 1663, the General Court of Connecticut resolved that there sliould be a plantation at Hammonassett. Joseph Wilcox the pro- genitor of William Wilcox, was one of the 27 proprietors who established their claim under this act. The first marriage and birth recorded in the town are as follows: " John Meigs and Sarah Wilcox were married the 7th day of March 1665." " Hannah, the daughter of Joseph Wilcox, was born the 19th day of January 1665." There is no family name more thoroughly identified with the history of Killingworth than that of Wilcox. From 1790 to 1805, Joseph Wilcox, Joseph Wilcox 2d, and Nathan Wilcox represented their town in the State Legis lature. Thomas C. Wilcox, the father of William, was born in KilHngworth and followed the occupation of his ances- tors, viz., farming. About 18 15, he married Eunice, daughter of Jonathan Smith, of Haddam, by whom he had ten children: Philander S., Thomas C, William, Jonathan E., Carlos, Samuel B., Charles W., Saphronia, Eunice J., and Rebbeca M.; all except the first son and daughter are now living. William, the subject of this sketch, was born in Kil- lingworth, October loth 1819. His childhood was spent like that of most boys of the period, working on the farm during the summer and attending the district school in the winter. At the age of 18 he left home and came to Middletown and entered the gun manufactory of Smith & Cooley, successors of the Johnsons, where he remained for three or four years. Under the then existing laws, the father was entitled to the services of his children until they became of age, and William paid his father $130 out of his hard earnings for the three years time. In January 1842, he commenced the manufacture of locks in company with William H. Lewis, and continued for about two years. In 1845, be removed to Zoar, the present location, and formed a copartnership with Lot D. Vansands for the manufacture of locks, principally plate or stock locks for the Southern trade. He subsequently commenced the manufacture of padlocks. For forty years he has continued in the same place. His uniform success in business indicates good judgment, honesty, and fair dealing, and those who know him best speak in the highest terms of his social qual- ities as well as of his business qualifications. Mr. Wil- cox in his manner is modest and retiring, avoiding all means that would tend to draw him into public life. He has been for a number of years a member of St. John's Lodge, F. & A. M., and was at one time junior warden; but declined further advancement to which he was justly entitled. On the 27th of August 1847, he married Sarah G., daughter of Horace Edwards, of Middletown. She died on the 4th of June 1883, leaving no children. Mr. Wilcox occupies a large and beautiful residence on South Main street, where he has surrounded himself with all that can conduce to his comfort and happiness. The grandmother of Mr. Wilcox, who was a Ventres from Haddam, lived to the extraordinary age of 106 years, lacking a few days. Norman C. Stiles. The centennial celebration of the incorporation of the city of Middletown, held on the 13th of July 1884, at which time the leading industries and manufactures were represented in the procession, awakened a desire on the part of the citizens of Middletown not only to learn the history of the rise and growth of these great industries, that have contributed so much to the wealth and pros- perity of the city, but to know something of the individ- uals connected with them. Among the most prominent of those represented in the procession was the Stiles & Parker Press Company; and several of the other manufactories represented on that occasion, as well as some of the largest manufacto- ries in the country, are dependent to a great extent on the goods made by this company, the founder of which was Norman C. Stiles, who commenced life as a poor boy, and, by his own efforts, pushed his way from the lowest to the top round of the ladder, and succeeded in establishing one of the most important industries in the country. Mr. Stiles was born at Feeding Hills, a village of Agawam, Mass., on the i8th of June 1834. His father was an industrious farmer, a raiser of tobacco, and also engaged in the manufacture and sale of whip lashes, an important article of manufacture at that period. When Norman was but five years of age, his father lost his property, and the son was thus deprived of the educa- tional facilities and other opportunities enjoyed by most boys of his age. The inventive genius and mechanical taste were early developed in the lad, and when but ten years of age he had thoroughly investigated the " true inwardness " of a clock, by taking it apart and putting it together again, leaving it in good ,running order. When he was but 12 years of age he built an ell to his father's house, doing all the work alone, including the painting. He constructed various other devices about this time, displaying remarkable mechanical ability as well as in- ventive genius. He made a miniature steam engine and a fire engine, and constructed a violin. At the age of 16, he removed to Meriden, and engaged f%vsxsa' f^'j- A^/;- ^/^^>1.. Sh-rl-; .S-s'o fiosfon ^yh)~^' ■?^''^^.. 2-?.. C" cJat? Cc/ MIDDLETOWN— BIOGRAPHIES. 173 with his brother in the manufacture of tin ware; but this gave him no opportunity to develop his mechanical tastes, and he soon after became connected with the American Machine Works, at Springfield, Massachusetts, where he remained until he was of age. He subsequently engaged himself to a Mr. Osgood, who was a contractor for the Holyoke Machine Company. He soon after returned to Meriden, Connecticut, and entered the employ of Snow, Brooks & Company, now known as Parker Brothers & Company. He was employed in making dies, and other small work requiring great skill and ingenuity. This ex- perience proved of great value to him. He subsequently entered the employ of Edward Miller & Company, Mer- iden, where he remained until 1857, when he concluded to " paddle his own canoe." He at first hired bench room of B. S. Stedman, and soon after bought out the stock and tools of his landlord. In i860, he invented a toe and instep stretcher, which proved quite a success. In 1862, his factory was destroyed by fire, involving a heavy loss. He soon started again, taking in, as special partner, Alden Clark, who soon after retired in favor of George Clark, a nephew. In 1867, the partnership was dissolved. The business having increased to such an ex- tent as to require additional facilities, Mr. Stiles removed to Middletown, where he has since remained. Previous to this, he made several improvements in his stamping press, among others an eccentric adjustment, which was a great improvement on other punching presses then in use, and far superior to what was known as the Fowler press. This device he patented in 1864. Parker Bro- thers, of Meriden, who were engaged in manufacturing the Fowler press, adopted Mr. Stiles' eccentric adjust- ment, which involved a long and expensive litigation, re- sulting finally in a compromise and the organization of the Stiles & Parker Press Company, in which Mr. Stiles held a controlling interest. His pluck and perseverance were finally rewarded with success, and he has built up a large and extensive business, involving the necessity of open- ing a branch factory and office in New York city. In 1873, he attended the Vienna Exposition, through which means he obtained a foreign market for his goods. The presses are now in use in the armories and navy yards of the United States, as well as those of Germany, Austria, Prussia, Sweden, Turkey, Egypt, and Mexico. Among the various classes of manufacturers using these presses, may be mentioned the manufacturers of fire arms, agricultural implements, builders' hardware, locks, brass goods, clocks, sewing machines, and their attach- ments, tin ware, silver-plated and Britannia ware, pocket cutlery, etc.; and in fact nearly every class of metal workers are compelled to use these goods. During his residence abroad, Mr. Stiles became promi- nently connected with the manager ot the Vienna Expo- sition, and was nominated as one of the Advisory Com- mittee, but his position as exhibitor precluded his acceptance. He was a member of the Advisory Com- mittee at the Centennial Exposition held at Philadelphia in 1876. He is one of the seven directors of the United States Patent Association, which includes examiners of the Patent Office, solicitors of patents, and inventors. He has interested himself to some extent in the public affairs of Middletown, and served two years as a mem- ber of the Board of Aldermen. He is a member of Cyrene Commandery, Knight Templars, and is also a member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity. On the 23d of March 1864, he married Sarah M., daughter of Henry Smith, of Middletown, by whom he has had three children, viz.: Henry R., Edmund E., and Millie B. Francis D. Edgerton, M. D. Francis D. Edgerton was born at East Hampton on the 26th of August 1838. His early education was at the public and select schools of his native town. Early in life he evinced a taste for the profession his father had for so many years successfully followed, and was afforded every opportunity to acquire a thorough education. At the age of 13 he entered the preparatory school at Wil- braham, Massachusetts, where he remained for two years. He then went to East Greenwich, Rhode Island, where, in 1857, he delivered the salutatory address before the graduating class at the anniversary exercises. In 1857, he entered Wesleyan University and gradua- ^ ted in 186 1. He subsequently studied medicine with his father, and in 1862 attended a course of lectures at Berk- shire (Massachusetts) Medical College. In 1863, he at- tended a course of medical lectures at the University of Vermont, receiving from that institution his diploma of M. D. Soon after this he passed an examination for as- sistant surgeon of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volun- teers, and received his commission, but was prevented by circumstances from entering the service. In 1863 and 1864, he attended a course of lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, connected with Columbia Col- lege, New York, where he graduated in 1864, and re- ceived a second diploma. In April of the same year he passed a competitive examination, under the Commission- ers of Charities and Corrections, and spent 18 months in Bellevue Hospital and six months in the hospitals on Blackwell's Island. On the 6th of July 1866, he came to Middletown and commenced practice as the successor of Dr. John Ellis Blake. He was secretary and treasurer of the Middlesex County Medical Society from 1873 to 1877; was treasurer of theConnecticut Medical Society from 1876 to 1882; and has been the attending physician at the State Indus- trial School from the date of its organization. As a representative of the State Medical Society, he delivered the annual address before the graduating class of Yale Medical School, in 1878. In 1868, he married Amelia Dupont, who was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, daughter of the late Henry C. Cruger. To Dr. Edgerton and his wife were born three children : Henry Cruger, born May 21st 1870; Francis Cruger, born July nth 1873; and John Warren, born February 20th 1875. TOWN OF CHATHAM. By M. L. Kobebts. Geographical and Descriptive. THE town of Chatham is situated in the northeast corner of the county, and is bounded on the north by Glastonbury, in Hartford county, on the east by Marl- borough, in Hartford county, and Colchester, in New London county, on the south by East Haddam and Had- dam, and on the west by Middletown and Portland. It is separated from Middletown by the Connecticut River, which washes the southwest corner of the town. The township was originally a part of Middletown, the original grant of which extended three miles in breadth east of the river, and in 1673, by virtue of another grant, it was extended three miles in breadth further east. This tract was incorporated, at the October session of the General Assembly, in 1867, as a town, and named Chatham, after a town of the same name in England, noted for its ship building, a branch of industry in which it was expected it would some day rival its English name- sake. At the time of its incorporation it embraced the whole of the ecclesiastical parish of East Middletown, a part of the parish of Middle Haddam, the whole of the parish of East Hampton, and a small portion of the par- ish of Pine Swamp, alias Westchester. The name of East Middletown Pirish was changed to Chatham, and in 1842 it was set off as a separate town by the name of Conway, but at the same session the name was changed to Port- land. The township is about nine miles in length from north to south, about six miles in width on its southern border, and three on its northern. Its surface is very uneven and hilly, and in some parts mountainous. The soil is hard and rocky, and better adapted to grazing than to cultivation. The Bolton Mountains.or rather a continuation of that range, are situated on the western border of the town. Meshomasic or, in colloquial parlance, Somersic Moun- tain, one of this range, situated partly in Chatham and partly in Glastonbury, is famous for its rattlesnakes with which it has abounded from its discovery to the present day. So numerous were these reptiles at the time of the first settlement that, the towns were under the necessity of offering a bounty for their destruction, which was usually '■ six-pence a tail," to copy the quaint language of the record. The late Dr. Chapin, in his " Glastonbury for two hundred years," published in 1853, says that the Indian name of this mountain testifies to the same peculi arity, Me-shom-as-sek s\gmiy\ng great TAttXtsuakt. This definition he obtained from " Roger Williams' Key to the Indian Language," Meshom, great, and sesek or assek, rattlesnake, or an abundance of rattlesnakes. The Hon. J. Hammond Trumbull, of Hartford, who is considered the best authority on the Indian language in the United States, in a volume published in i88r, entitled, " Indian names of places in and on the borders of Connecticut, with interpretations of some of them," says that there is no foundation for Dr. Chapin's interpretation, but that he can suggest nothing better unless it can, by some steep declivity or deep chasm, be identified with Mas- saworaasog, which denotes a great declivity (literally, down going), and is applicable to a steep ledge, hillside, or high bank, which might easily be found in the vicinity. Of late years these reptiles are not found in any con- siderable numbers, but occasionally, in a hot, dry season, some have been killed even in the center of near vil- lages. Bald Hill, famous for its rattlesnakes, trailing arbutus, and peculiar kind of quartzite rock much sought after for scythe stones, is situated in the same locality. Great Hill, or Governor's Ring, so called from the supposition that Governor Winlhrop obtained gold enough to make a ring from its rocks, is the southwestern terminus of this range. The famous Cobalt Mines, of which more will be said in another place, were excavated in the side of this mountain. A good view of Long Island Sound can be obtained from its summit on a clear day, and, with the aid of a powerful glass, vessels can be seen sail- ing up and down upon its waters, some thirty miles away. Clark's Hill, so called from its having been in possession of families of that name from the first settle- ment of East Hampton Parish to the present day, lies to the eastward of Great Hill. A good view of the sound can also be had from this point. Pocotopaug Lake, northeast of the village of East Hampton and near to Marlborough line, is a beautiful CHATHAM— NATURAL FEATURES. 175 sheet of water, nearly nine miles in circumference, fol- lowing the circuitous windings of its shore. Its waters average about eight feet in depth and enclose several small islands. Its Indian name was always supposed by the inhabitants of the town to mean " clear water," as its waters are very clear and transparent; but Mr. Trumbull, in the work before mentioned, says that the meaning of the name is obscure, but the interpretation which seems most probable is-"divided pond," Pohqutae- paug, the pond having the appearance of being double, composed of two nearly circular ponds, united by a short narrow strait. This pond was in the line of the old bridle path between Providence and Middletown, and travelers were taken across this strait on a raft. This bridle path entered the town just north of the present dwelling house of Morris Colbert, and passing down the hill in a westerly direction ascended the Bear Swamp ledges through what is now known as the Dug- way, and, swinging to the northward of Great or Baker's Hill, so-called, it came out on the shore of the lake, on Markham's Point, where it crossed to what is now called Hinkley's Point, then turning to the left and northward of the lak,e crossed the summit of Clark's Hill, and thence in a westerly direction toward Middletown. The waters of this lake abounded with pickerel, perch, bull- heads, roach, and dace for a number of years after the settlement of the town, but the introduction of black bass, a game fish, into its waters a few years since, has had a tendency to diminish the original denizens, both in size and number. There are no inlets, of any size, to Pocotopaug Lake, it being fed probably by low springs, as rains that do not run off the ground do not affect its height materially. There is a beautiful legend connected with this lake, that an Indian maiden sacrificed herself here by direction of the Great Spirit, and the promise to her was that no person should ever be drowned in its bosom. Taking the legend for what it is worth, it is a well established fact that up to the time of writing, no person, so far as known, has ever been drowned there. To the east of this lake rises a bare round hill, known as Baker's Hill, from a family of that name that live near its summit. On the top of this hill a well was dug some 40 feet in depth for some parties in New York, who were intending to build a summer house here, but for some reason failed to do so. This well is now nearly filled with stones and debris dropped in by visitors to this locality. A good view of Colchester, Westchester, Marlborough, Gilead, and East Haddam can be obtained from this point. A chain of ledges skirts along the eastern side of this hill and runs in a northerly direction into the town of Marlborough. At the foot of these ledges lies Bear Swamp, a locality where bears were plenty at the time of the first settlement of the town, and which is almost impenetrable on account of the thick growth of underbrush that covers its face. Bear Swamp Brook, a continuation of what is known further south as Potash Brook, runs through this swamp in a northerly direction into Marlborough where it loses itself in Dickin- son's Stream. Flat Brook, near the eastern border of the town, flows southerly under the Rapallo Viaduct on the Air Line Railroad, and empties into Salmon River near the Colchester line. Salmon River, the two prin- cipal sources of which rise in Hebron and Lebanon, flows through the parish of Westchester and across the southwestern corner of the town, separating the parish of East Hampton from Westchester, and the town of East Haddam from Haddam, and empties into the Connecti- cut near Mount Tom. On either side of this steam rise abrupt hills covered with groves of hemlock, oak, and chestnut. In Connecticut Land Records, volume iii, page 85, this river is described as the west bound of Jeremy Adams' farm in Colchester, in a grant to him from Uncas, in 1662, and is called the Tatamacuntaway. Pine Brook, the only outlet of Pocotopaug Lake, is re- corded in Connecticut Land Records, volume i, page 456, as Niuppaquashneag Brook. This word, evidently corrupted, properly represents Wunni-appoquasinne-auke and means good flag place or where flags (Appoqua- sinash, for making mats, etc.) are plenty (Trumbull's In- dian Names, page i). This steam flows in a south- westerly direction, furnishing power for the many thriv- ing industries of East Hampton, and empties into Salmon River a few miles from its mouth. Muddy Gutter Brook and Green River flow through the central part of the town in a southerly direction, and empty into Pine Brook. Cobalt Brook, rising near the Cobalt Mine, flows through the village of Middle Haddam and empties into the Connecticut River near the old ship-yard. Taylor's Creek, flowing down from Great Hill Meadow, in the east part of Portland, divides the two towns. Glen Falls, where the water flows over a precipice 30 feet in height, is on this stream. Eastward from the Connecticut River, the ground rises, in some places gradually, and in others precipitously for about a mile, the height bearing the name of Hog Hill from the fol- lowing circumstance. Soon after the settlement of this locality the hogs belonging to the early settlers were suffered to roam at large, under certain restraints. Dur- ing a severe storm they took refuge in the basement of the first meeting house in Middle Haddam Parish, which stood near the southern extremity of this hill. This house, standing on a side hill, was stoned up underneath, leaving a vacant place under the church, a small aper- ture being left in the wall for ingress and egress. Some party or parties closed this aperture and imprisoned these animals, who were not discovered until the following Sabbath, when their grunting disclosed their presence, and they were released from their prison. East of this hill, and about a mile distant from summit to summit, rises another to about the same height, known as Chest- nut Hill. Through the valley, between these two hills, Green River flows, uninterrupted to its mouth. South of East Hampton village is Miller's Hill, so called from an early settler of that name, and. to the south and east of this are the ranges known as the Smith Hills. Mill Brook rises between these two hills, and flows southerly to Salmon River. Bevin Hill, in the western part of East Hampton village, and Mott Hill, north of the lake, were 176 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. so called from early settlers of those names. North of Pocotopaiig Lake is a stream known as Wells' Brook, which flows in a southerly direction, and empties into Dickinson Stream in Marlborough. All the streams de- scribed abounded with delicious brook trout at the time of the early settlement, but in many of them they have long since disappeared, and their number greatly dimin- ished in the others. From the Town Records. The first town meeting was held in Chatham on " De- cember ye 7th 1767." The following extract is from the record of this meeting: " Upon tlie Bequest of Robert Stevenson in a memorial Laid before this meeting that he might have the previlidg of Erecting a Storehouse and Whavf upon the Shore near the place Called Indian Hill; after Due Consideration this meeting Granted him Comitee upon his own Cost To View the Circumstances of s'd place and to make Report to the next Meeting the Comiiee Chosen for the purpose are Mr. John Cooper Capt. Samll Hull and Mr. Bbnezer White. " Whereas Robert Stevenson in the former part of this meeting Ex- hibited a memorial to the town of Chatham Requesting that he might have Liberty to Erect a ware house and wharfe in a Certain place in s'd town this meeting appointed him a Comitee To View the Circumstance of s'd place and upon the Report of S'd Comitee this Meeting Voted he might have the priveledge Requested in S'd memorial Provided he Ever maintain a Dubllolc Road for nassing and Repassing Between his Ware house and wharfe when erected. " To the inhabitants of the Town of Chatham To be Convined by Legal warning on the 10th Day of Jnnr. 1785. Gentlemen Whereas a Considerable Number of the inhabitants of this Town who Live at the Extreme part of the Town South of Salmon River and at a Great Dis- tancefrom the place Where Annualandfreemansmeetingsareattended in s'd Town who have not only To I'ide Twelve or fourteen miles in an exceeding bad Road to attend s'd meetings but Likewise a very Bad Mad River To ford and many Times is by no means fordable which must needs Deprive us of those Priveledge which mankind in General Do injoy to Remidy which we most Earnestly Entreat and Request of s'd Town To pass a vote that they will not oppose us at the General as- sembly in having all the Lands South of Salmon River in s'd Town with the Inhabitants thereon Living Annexed To Some other Town Where we Can Enjoy our Town Priviledgs Equaly with the rest of mankind in Riding about four or five miles in Good Roads which will Greatly ease the Burdens we Labour under and merrit the Harty Thanks of your Humble petitioners Benjamin Trobridge Thomas Williams Abner Brainerd Stephen Brainerd Sam'U Ackley Joshua Brainerd Robert Usher Zephaniah Michel Asce Michel Lemuel Scovel Joshua Briggs. "The above petition being Laid Before the meeting and after Due Consideration the meeting by major Vote Granted their Request." January loth 1785, it was "Voted by this meeting To Chuse aCommitee in order to prefer a memorial To the General Assembly To Grant the Liberty of Seting up a Lotery in order to Raise Money for the purpose of Building a Bridge across Salmon River. "The Com'ee chosen and appointed are Doctor Robert Usher Capt. Stephen Brainerd and Capt. Elijah Smith." Civil List. Representatives. — The following is a list of the repre- sentatives for the town of Chatham from 1768 to 1884, inclusive: David Sage, 1768 M.-1769 M., 1771 M., 1772 M., 1774 0.-1775 O.; Nathaniel Freeman, 1769 M., 1770 M.- 1771 O.; Ebenezer White, 1769 O.-1770 O., 1771 O.-1774 M., 177s M.-1778 M., T779 O., 1780 M.,'i78i M.-r782 M., 1783 M.-1784 O., 1785 O.-1786 0., 1788 M., 1788 O., 1789 O., 1791 M.; Elisha Cornwell, 1769 O.; Silas Dun- ham, 1772 O.-1774 O., 1778 O., 1780 0.; John Penfield, 1776 M.-t777 M., 1778 M., 1779 M., 1780 O., 1781 M., 1787 M,, 1787 O., 1789 M., 1789 0.; Jeremiah Bradfor* 1778 O.; Joseph Kellogg, 1779 M.-1780 M.; Chauncey Buckley, 1781 O., 1782 M., 1783 O., 1784 M., 1785 M., 1786 O., 1788 M., 1788 O., 1791 M., 179T O., 1792 O., 1793 M., 1794 0., 1796 M., 1797 O., 1799 M., 1800 0., 1801 O.; Moses Bartlett, 1782 O.; James Bill, 1782 O., 1783 M., 1784 O., 1787 M., 1787 0., 1789 M.; 1790 M., 1790 O., 1792 M., 179s O., 1798 M., 1798 O.; Joseph Blake, 1785 M.; Bryan Parmelee, 1785 O., 1802 M.; Eli- jah Smith, 1786 M.; Hezekiah Goodrich, 1790 M., 1790 0., 1791 O.-1797 M., 1798 0., 1799 M., 1800 O.-1803 M., 1805 M.-1806 M., 1809 O.-1812 M.; Timothy Rog- ers, 1793 O., 1794 M.; Joseph Sage, 1795 M.; Moses Cook, 1796 O., 1797 M., 1801 M.; Daniel Shepard jr., 1797 O., 1798 M.; Seth Overton, 1799 O.. 1800 M.; Stephen Griffith, 1799 O., 1814 M.; Robert Usher, 1800 M., 1804 O., 1805 M.; David Clarke, 1802 O., 1803 M., 1814O.; Enoch Sage, 1803 O.-1804 O., 1806 O., 1816 M.-1820; John H. Strong, 1803 O., 1804 M.; Benjamin Hurd, 1805 O., 1806 M., 1809 M., 1810 M., 1810 O., 1812 M., 1812 O., 1817 M., 1817 O., 1819 M.; Nathaniel Markham, 1806 O., 1807 M.; Daniel Cheeney, 1807 M., 1807 O.; Jonathan Bowers, 1807 O., 1808 M.; Isaac Conkling, 1808 M.; Abel Penfield, 1808 O'., 1809 M., 1812 O.; Jesse Hurd, 1808 O., 1813 M.; Constant Welch, 1809 O.; Jabez Comstock, 18 ti M., 181 1 O. ; Asahel H. Strong, 1813 M.-1814 M.; David Churchill, 1813 O., [814 O.; Samuel Hall, 1815 M., 1815 O.; Joseph Dart, 1815 M, 1815 O.; Nehemiah Gates, 1816 M., 1816 O., 1818 M., t8i8 O., 1820, 1867, 1868; George White, 1821; Ira Lee, 1821; Nathaniel Markham jr., 1822, 1824, 1827, 1829, 1831; Guy Cooper, 1822, 1823, 1828, 1829, 1836; Ralph Smith, 1823, 1825, 1826; Phillip Sage, 1824, 1825, 1830; Franklin G. Comstock, 1826; Elijah Colton, 1827; John Stewart jr., 1828, 1830; Joseph Hall, 1831; David Williams, 1832, 1833; John Markham, 1832; Nathaniel C. Smith, 1833; Selden Cook, 1834; John Markham jr., 1834, 1836, 1838, 1851; Edward Lewis, 1837, 1838; Laz- arus Watrous, 1837; William R. Smith, 1839, 1840; Francis Young, 1839; Braddock Strong, 1840, 1842; Ralph Goodrich, 1841; Elijah Clark, 1841, 1842; Cyrus Hurd, 1843, 1844; Daniel B. Niles, 1843; Lewis Utley, 1844; Hiram Markham, 1845, 1846; William Bevin, 1845, 1852, 1854; William G. Buell, 1846, 1847; Charles Jacobs, 1847; Alfred Brooks, 1848; Nathaniel C. Smith, 1848, 1849, 1850; Levi Bunce, 1849, 1850; Amasa Carpenter, 1851; Martin Roberts, 1852; Washington S. Ackley, (853; A. B. Cone, 1853; John Stuart, 1854; Elijah Clark 2d, 1855; Hiram Veazey, 1855, 1877; John Carrier, 1856, 1857, i860; William Veazey, 1856; Henry M. Dun- ham, 1857, 1874; William B. Brown, 1858, 1859; Henry W. Clark, 1858; Charles A. Buell, 1859, i860, 1864, 1866; Charles A. Strong, 1861; Jarvis Boies,i86i; A. N. Niles, 1862; John P. Purple, 1862; John W. Tryon, 1863; Charles L. Strong, 1863; Alexander Bailey, 1864; Har- rison Brainard, 1865; Chauncey Bevin, 1865, 1866; Ben- jamin B. Hopkinson, 1867; Stephen A. Loper, 1868, 1869; Martin L. Roberts, 1869-; E. A. Brainerd, 1870; D. B. West, 1870; Samuel North, 1871; B. D. Hurd, 1871; E. M. Simpson, 1872; Sylvester Bailey, 1872; Robert L, Young, 1873; Abner G. Bevin, 1873; William H. Shep- hard, 1874; Clark O. Sears, 1875, 1876; Leverett D. CHATHAM— HIGHWAYS— CEMETERIES— MINES. 177 Willey, 1875; ElishaN. Ackley, 1876; David H. Selden, 1877; Hubert E. Carpenter, 1878, 1879; Frank A. Clark, 1878; Frederick H. Dunham, 1879; Franklin"^ D. Strong, 1880; John L. Watrous, 1880; Philo" Bevin, 1881; John H. Selden, 1881; Delos D.Brown, 1882; Nathaniel C. Johnson, 1882; Henry P. Markhani, 1883; Titus E. Ar- nold, 1883; Henry S. Gates, 1884; Irvin N. Tibbals, 1884. Toivn Clerks. — The following is a list of the town clerks of Chatham from 1767 to 1884: Jonathan Penfield, T767-94; Daniel Shepard jr., 1794- 1802; Zebulon Penfield, 1802-36; Edward A. Penfield, 1836-41; John Markham, 1841-42; Nathaniel C. Smith, 1842-66; Seward Willey, 1866-67; Festus E. A.dams, 1867-69; Charles H. Strong, 1869-73; William H. Bev- in, 1873-84. Roads. The original north and south highways, extending the entire length of the town, were situated one mile apart, from the river eastward. Some portions of these old highways are in use now, in different parts of the town, but their original width is nowhere maintained. Quite a number of highways also extended across the township in the opposite direction, but were irregularly laid out to suit the convenience of the settlers. Some of them were mere bridle paths and though traveled considerably, it is probable that none of them were Appian Ways. The Hebron and Middle Haddam Turnpike was char- tered in 1802, with a capital stock of $8,000. It ex- tended from Hebron Meeting House, through Marl- borough, and entered the town to the eastward of the residence of the late Capt. Eleazer Veazey, and swinging to the southward of Pocotopaug Lake, terminated at Mid- dle Haddam Landing. The Colchester & Chatham Turnpike Company was chartered in 1808, with a capital stock of $9,000. It ex- tended from Colchester, through the parish of Westches- ter, and, entering the town at Comstock's Bridge, it kept a northerly direction over Miller's Hill, and, leaving the present limits of the town near the Cobalt Manufacturing Company's works, terminated at Middletown ferry. For a short distance it used the highway of the Hebron & Middle Haddam Company, and both companies united in maintaining a toll-gate where the railroad now crosses, near the residence of Capt. N. C. Johnson. The Chatham & Marlborough Turnpike Company, which was chartered in 1809, with a capital of $9,000, and whose highway extended from Middletown ferry to Marlborough, also crossed the northern part of the town, over what is known as Mott Hill. All the turnpikes were long since given up by the com- panies, and the roads are now maintained by the town. The Air Line Division of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad enters the town on an iron bridge 70 feet in height over the pond of the Cobalt Manufac- turing Company, and extends by a circuitous route across the town from west to east. It crosses the valley over Cobalt Brook on a fill 80 feet in height, and, entering what is now known as Great Hill Cut, half a mile in length, and from 15 to 60 feet in depth, swings around to the northward over Muddy Gutter Stream on a fill 60 feet high, enters the village of East Hampton, north of the residence of William E. Barton, and, crossing the main street, between the Free Methodist Church and the store of C. O. Sears & Co., and Pine Brook, near the residence of D. W. Watrous, on iron bridges, enters the cut known as Bishop's Cut, or Hall's Summit, the highest point of the grade in the town, being something over 400 feet above the level of the river. Leaving this cut it swings around to the southward, and enters what is known as Linkpot Cut, of solid rock, 1,800 feet in length, and an average depth of 40 feet. After leaving this cut, it crosses Flat Brook, on the Rapallo Viaduct, an iron structure i,378>^ feet in length and 60 feet high, and, winding in and out of numerous cuts and fills, it enters the town of Colchester near the Lyman Viaduct, an iron structure similar to the Rapallo, but of much greater height. The benefit derived by the building of the road to the manufacturers and citizens of the town, though considerable, is nearly overbalanced by the debt of $112,000 incurred by loaning the town credit to aid in its completion, and thus entailing upon future genera- tions " a burden grievous to be born," which the rail- road company will not aid in lifting. Cemeteries. The oldest cemetery in the town is the one on Hog Hill, near where the first meeting 'house stood. It was first laid out in 1742. Prior to this time the dead were interred either in the old yard, near the quarries, in Portland, or in the one in Maromas District, in Middle- town. The oldest headstone is that of Ebenezer Burr, who died September 28th 1743, aged 33. The oldest cemetery in East Hampton Society is the one near the lake, which was first used for a burying ground in 1743. Mary, the wife of John Bevins, jr., being, according to the record on the headstone, " the first person laid in this yard." She died September 17th 1743, in the 37th year of her age. The other cemeteries in the town are one at Middle Haddam, near the Con- gregational Church, laid out in 1794; one in Tarsia Dis- trict, East Hampton, 1776; one north of Pocotopaug Lake, 1787; one in Young Street, 1789; Waterhole, 1793; the Selden yard in Middle Haddam, 1825; ^^"d the Skinner yard, in East Hampton, about i860. Scattered thrd'ugh the town are numerous private cemeteries, and unmarked graves of victims of small-pox and other con- tagious diseases. Cobalt Mines. About the year 1762, Dr. John Sebastian Stephawney a German, opened a cobalt mine at the foot of Great Hill. He employed a number of men for a short time, and made a horizontal opening into the hill. In 1770 (^ renewed the works, in connection with two other Ger- mans, John Knool and Gominus Erkelens, but in a short time made over the management of the concern to his 24 178 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. associates. A large opening was made in the hill, and the superincumbent matter was prevented by stanchions from falling upon the laborers. Many casks of ore were obtained and sent to Europe, but little was known as to its character or value. Erkelens finally became the principal manager of the concern, and operations were suspended about the year 1787. Nothing more was done there for about 30 years, or until 1818, when Mr. Seth Hunt, from New Hampshire, commenced operations, and continued them about two years. He and his asso- ciates, five in number, expended about $20,000, and ob- tained, as they supposed, 1,000 pounds of cobalt, which proved in England to be nickel containing from three to four parts of cobalt. This proof induced a suspension of operations. In 1844, the mine was again opened, by Professor Shepard, author of the " Report on the Geo- logical Survey of Connecticut. He employed a few hands for a short time, but it is ^?ot known what discov- eries he made. In 1850, Edmund Brown, with some friends, began operations a few rods eastward from the old excavations. He employed many hands, sunk a shaft 38 feet deep, worked from the shaft some 50 feet, and took from the opening a large amount of ore. They then commenced a tunnel 700 feet east of the shaft, at a ra- vine, and proceeded with it some 35 feet westerly, with a view of meeting the opening from the shaft, in the mean- time putting up stamping works, laboratory, and smelt- ing works. In the course of 15 months, after expending a large amount of money, the company failed, and Mr. Brown died shortly afterward. Dr. Eugene A. Frank- fort, a native of France, a graduate of the Medical School of Bonn, and of the Chemical School of Giessen, came to Middle Haddam, in 1857, to test the ores obtained by Mr. Brown. He practiced a short time as a physician, and then removed to Middletown. Through his influ- ence and report upon the character of the ore obtained, a company was formed, under the name of " The Chat- ham Cobalt Mining Company," with its principal office in Philadelphia. A large amount of money was expended in mining, but the cobalt could not be separated from the arsenic and nickel with which it was associated, and the works were abandoned, the buildings and furnaces taken down and carried away. Post Offices. The Middle Haddam post office was established in 1804, and John Hugh Peters was appointed postmaster. Since his death the postmasters have been John Stewart, John Stewart jr., Henry Stewart, Huntington Selden, John Carrier, Henry Hurd, Linus Parmelee, Josiah Ack- ley, and' John A. Carrier. East Hampton office was established in 1818. The postmasters have been Frank- lin G. Comstock, David Buell, William G. Buell, Noah S. Markhara, Joel W. Smith, and Clark O. Sears. West- chester office, when first established, was within the limits of the town, being kept by Franklin S. Comstock, near Comstock Bridge. Moses W. Comstock also kept an office known as East Hampton Lake, afterward changed to Chatham, about 185 1 or 1852. Cobalt post office was established in 1851. The postmasters have been Charles Rich, Henry W. Tibballs, Daniel Judson, and Rufus^b. Tibballs. Schools. Both of the ecclesiastical societies made early arrange- ment for the support of schools within their respective localities, and committees were appointed from year to year to take charge of educational matters. Of these early schools but little is known, and the names of but few of the teachers have been recovered. John Norton" jr., William Bevin, and Joseph Frazier Montgomery were among the early teachers in East Hampton Parish, and later, Elisha Niles and Timothy Rogers served in that capacity. The town is at present divided into eleven districts for school purposes, and the contributors toward the maintenance of common schools are quite liberal. There is no academy within the limits of the town, and scholars desirous to obtain a more liberal education are obliged to seek it elsewhere. INDUSTRIES OF THE TOWN. Manufactures in East Hampton. About 1743, a forge was erected near the outlet of Pocotopaug Lake, but little is known of the amount of business that was done, or how many hands were em- ployed while it continued in operation, which was until 1810. Captain Abijah Hall, an iron worker from Lyme, appears to have been the master workman up to the time of his death, when he was succeeded by his son, Abijah Hall jr. In 1825, a new forge and a scythe fac- tory were built on the site of the old one, and at these business was done for several years, but the buildings are now all taken down and removed. A few rods south of this formerly stood a bell foundry, 38 feet by 22, to which an iron foundry, 40 feet by 20, was attached. This was at first operated by Goff, Abell & Buell, and later by Buell & Veazey, then for a time by Hiram Veazey. These buildings have also been taken down. Bevin Brothers Manufacturing Company. — The next factory in order, or the first one, in fact, that is now in active operation, is that of The Bevin Brothers' Manu- facturing Company, which stands on the site of the East Hampton Manufacturing Company's works, which were organized in 1830 by Butler N. Strong, Harry Strong, Dan. B. Niles, and Alfred Williams. They carried on a limited business in the manufacture of waffle irons, coffee mills, clock bells, and other metal goods. In 1837, Chauncey and Abner G. Bevin bought out the firm, and in 1838 admitted their brother Philo as a partner, under the name of Bevin Brothers. They manufacture sleigh, hand, house, cow, sheep, door, and ship bells; also pre- serve kettles and waffle irons. At first they employed but six hands. As their business increased the old build- ings were torn down and new ones erected which cover over an acre of ground. The casting shop, which is the largest, is 35 by 174 feet, one story high; the finishing CHATHAM— MANUFACTORIES. t^g shop 34 by 165 feet, two stories high. There is an office and nine other out-buildings. From 50 to 75 hands of both sexes are employed throughout the entire year, and the business continues to grow and increase, requiring constant changes to meet the demands of the trade. Soon after the great fire in Chicago, during which the court- house in that city was destroyed, the large bell which hung in that building, being ruined, was purchased by Everhart & Co., of Chicago, manufacturing jewelers, who shipped a portion of this famous bell to this 'firm, who cast it into miniature bells to be worn as a relic of the great fire. Many thousands of these little souvenirs were cast for the Chicago firm, who sold them readily at first for ^3 each. It may be interesting to know that part of the metal of this court-house bell was from remnants of cannon used in 1832 in the defense of Fort Dearborn at the time of the Indian massacre. In 1868, they took the firm name of "The Bevin Brothers Manufacturing Com- pany," which they still retain. The Eureka Silk Manufacturing Company. — The next factory in order on the stream is The Eureka Silk Manufacturing Company, which is a branch of the largest concern interested in the silk manufacture in the United States. The buildings were erected in 1880 by the Merrick & Conant Manufacturing Company, and were purchased by the present company in 1882. The main building is 50 by 105 feet; dye house, 40 by 75 feet; and store house, 25 by 50 feet. They employ about 80 hands, and consume about 30,000 pounds of silk per annum. The Merrick and Conant Manufacturing Com- pany was organized in 1880, with a capital of $50,000, which was increased, in February 1882, to f 100,000. The incorporators were: J. L. Merrick, H. E. Conant, J. A. Conant, Bevin Brothers Manufacturing Company, Chauncey Bevin, H. H. Abbe, A. G. Bevin, Philo Bevin, A. H. Conklin, E. G. Cone, E. C. Barton, and H. D. Chapman. They sold out, in 1882, to the Eureka Silk Manufacturing Company. Their buildings stand on the site of a saw mill and carding works, formerly owned by Buell & Sears, and later by Bevin Brothers, who erected a building which was used by Markham & Strong, for the manufacture of coiifin trimmings, for some years, when they united with parties in Winsted, Conn., formed The Strong Manufacturing Company, and removed the business from town. The Starr Brothers Bell Coio'ANY own and oc- cupy the next factory on the stream. They were organ- ized in 1882, under the general law, with a capital stock of $20,000, for the manufacture of bells of various pat- terns. ' The main building is of wood, 156 by 30 teet, two stories high; a brick foundry, 126 by 38 feet, one story high; and two other frame buildings, 40 by 30 feet, and 120 by 20 feet. From 25 to 30 hands are employed. These works were built by the firm of J. S. Hall & Co., and by them sold to Veazey & White, who carried on the bell business here until 1882, when the above firm purchased the entire works. Veazey & White at one time manufac- tured church bells, which were mounted with a patented contrivance, being a self-acting, rotating, automatic ap- paratus by which the clapper or tongue did not strike twice in the same place, thus obviating the liability to fracture, which so often occurs in large bells when much used. The East Hampton Bell Company, formed in 185 1, by J. N. Goff, Amiel Abell, J. S. Hall, D. W. Watrous, and G. S. Goff, for the manufacture of sleigh and other bells, occupies the next buildings on the stream, which stand on the site of Cook's ancient grist mill. In 1837, Mr. J. N. Goff, A. Abell, and Alfred Williams commen- ced the manufacture of waffle irons in a building that stood about 20 rods east of Buell's Hotel. They subse- quently took in Charles A. Buell as a partner, and re- moved to the Pocotopaug Stream, where they continued until the above company was formed. In 1854, J. S. Hall sold out to R. S. Clark, and in i860 Clark and Watrous sold out to the other parties. Three large frame buildings are now used, one 25 by 90 feet, three- stories high, one 25 by 25 feet, one story, and an office, 18 by 30 feet. From 30 to 40 hands are employed, and about 190,000 pounds of bell metal, besides other materi- als, are consumed annually. Gong Bell Manufacturing Company. — The works of the Gong Bell Manufacturing Company adjoin those of the East Hampton Bell Company. The company is a copartnership concern, composed of H. H. Abbe, A. H. Conklin, E. G. Cone, and E. C. Barton. They com- menced the manufacture of gongs and other varieties of bells, in 1866. New patterns of almost endless variety, are continually added to their catalogue, and their goods are sought for by all the leading firms in this country, and in Europe. The following extract from the official reports of the British Commission at the exhibition of the world's fair in Philadelphia, in 1876, is a fair and truthful representation of the exhibits made by this company: " The Gong Bell Manufactuiing Company, of East Hampton, Conn., exhibited a case of polished bells for hand, call, and sleigh bells, also a stand of gongs of which several were mounted. The samples were beautifully finished, and excellent in tone and quality. A specialty, called the Cone Globe hand bell, which is constructed by mounting two gongs on a frame with a hammer so arranged as to strilie both gongs at the same time, the bells being tuned to accord, produces not only a full, clear tone, but a very musical sound." Three large frame buildings, besides other smaller buildings, are required for their works. The main build- ing is 50 by 25 feet, three stories high, with a wing 22 by 22 feet, two stories high, and an additional building, 30 by 45 feet. They employ 35 to 40 hands, mostly skilled laborers. Upwards of 50 tons of bell metal, and 40 to 50 tons of iron are consumed annually in the manu- facture of these goods. Some 5,000 gross of bell toys, besides large quantities of door, hand, table, call, and sleigh bells, are produced annually. They were the pio- neers, in 1872, in the manufacture of revolving chimes on wheels, and they also control some 20 different patents. The East Hampton Plate Company, established in 1880, is one of the most successful in this line of busi- ness. Parties from New York, Philadelphia, and other large cities, find it to be for their interest to send their i8o HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. goods here to be plated. The factory is directly oppo- site that of the Gong Bell Manufacturing Company, and it was formerly used by the East Hampton Silver Plate Company for the manufacture of coffin trimmings, until they removed to Ridgetown, Ontario. The building is of wood, 30 by 35 feet. Mr. A. D. Willard is secretary of the company and general manager. Watrous & Co., AND R. Wall 2D.— The next facto- ries are on the bend of the creek, and are occupied by R. Wall 2d and Watrous & Co. The buildings are of wood, one 200 by 40 feet, one-and-a-half stories high, one 80 by 30 feet, two stories high, and one 80 by 30 feet, one story high. Here formerly stood a saw and grist mill, and one of the buildings on this site was for- merly used by Newbury Darling for the manufacture of scythes, and after he removed from town Bosworth & Roberts occupied it about one year in the same 'business. Later, Noah S. Markham manufactured a concave oval shanked hoe of a superior quality of cut steel, in the building, until competition, by throwing an inferior arti- cle upon the market, compelled him to give up the busi- ness. Afterward, Clark & Watrous carried on the man- ufacture of sleigh bells here, and later, D. W. Watrous & Co. manufactured both sleigh bells and coffin trimmings for a number of years. Watrous _& Co. manufacture bells and toys of various kinds and patterns. Mr. Wall also manufactures bells of many varieties, among which is the Russian star saddle gong, of peculiar style and workmanship, beautifully finished, and of elegant design. Mr. Hall deserves great credit for what he has accom- plished. He came to this country about 30 years ago, from the Emerald Isle, a poor lad, and he is now a suc- cessful competitor of some of the oldest manufacturers in his line of business. NiLES, Parmelee & Co. — The next buildings in order on the stream are those formerly used by Niles, Parme- lee & Co. for the manufacture of bells. They were erected about 1853. Later, they were used by D. B. Niles & Sons for the manufacture of bells and coffin trimmings, and still later by the Albany Casket Company for the manufacture of caskets and coffin trimmings. The buildings are at present unused, but are in good repair. The Barton Bell Company. — The next building on the stream is used by the Barton Bell Company, which was organized in i88r. The incorporators were: O. L. Clark, A. W. Barton, and A. G. Barton. Mr. Clark is president, and A. W. Barton secretary and treasurer. Mr. Barton is a descendant of William Barton, the pioneer of the bell business in this country. They man- ufacture bells of elegant form and fine workmanship, and some 25 hands, mostly skilled laborers, are employed. There are some specialties made by this firm, unlike the goods made by any of their competitors, and one of the most elegant and beautiful designs shown in their catalogue is that of " Barton's New Saddle Gong," which consists of a chime of gong bells mounted with plumes. They also manufacture the Globe bell, patented by William E. Barton. The building used by this com- pany is of wood, 26 by 80 feet, three stories high, and was erected by the Union Bell Company. Skinner's Mill. — Next beyond the Barton Bell Com- pany's works is the saw and grist mill of H. Skinner & Co., size 32 by 85 feet, three stories high, with a wing 45 by 28 feet, two stoiies high. Beyond this is a small building used by Joseph Arthur for smelting metals. It stands on the site of a building used by D. W. and L. S. Sexton, and afterward by Sexton, Veazey & Brown, for the manufacture of wrought iron cow bells. H. B. Brown & Co.— The works of H. B. Brown & Co., manufacturers of bolt cutting and nut tapping ma- chinery, are located about a mile beyond Skinner's saw mill. The business was first established by this firm at New Haven, in 1865, and removed to its present loca- tion in 1876, and the property purchased by H. B. Brown. The original building was erected for a cotton mill, by Henry Skinner, about i860. It was 33 by 70 feet, three stories high, and provided with 15-horse water power. It was burned in the spring of 1884, and a new building is in process of erection, of the same size but two stories in height. About 20 hands are employed, mostly skilled laborers. The trade is principally with railroad companies and machine shops. The building stands on the site of Abell's saw and grist mill. Beyond this, on the same stream, was the factory of the Pine Brook Duck Company, a saw mill, a pistol factory, and a satinet factory, formerly owned by Justin Sexton & Sons. AVith this latter a saw mill was connected. House's paper mill also stands on the same stream. Manufactures on the Cobalt Stream. The Cobalt Water Power Company was organized February 20th 1866, with a capital of $2,000. The in- corporators were: Harrison Brainerd, Daniel S. Tibballs, William Tibballs, David Dickinson, and Isaac E. Wills. The first officers were: president, Harrison Brainerd; secretary, A. B. Bailey; treasurer, James N. Tibballs. The present officers are: president, B. C. Clark, Boston; secretary and treasurer, F. J. Bailey. The large reser- voir, which supplies the several mills on the stream, was erected in 1866, on the site of the old dam. The com- pany purchased the right from the different parties. The dam is 10 feet high and about 10 rods wide. If the water is used economically in the spring it will keep the mills running the whole year. The Cobalt Manufacturing Company. — One of the largest mills on the stream is that recently occupied by Bailey & Brainerd, for the manufacture of coffin trim- mings. One of the buildings was probably erected pre- vious to the Revolution, and was owned by Mr. George Hubbard, the father of Stephen Hubbard, of Cobalt, who is now about 90 years of age. It was used as a grist mill. The other buildings are of more modern construc- tion, and they were used at one time for the manufacture of hoes and axes. The works are now occupied by the Cobalt Manufacturing Company. Bailey & Markham.— The grist mill now owned and run by Bailey & Markham was erected many years ago CHATHAM— MANUFACTORIES— SOCIETIES. by John Stewart, and was used by him for the manufac- ture of oakum. It was subsequently used for working the cobalt ore by Brown & Risburg, and at a later period by Samuel W. Taylor for smelting brass cinders. It was next used by Brainerd & Cook for grinding feldspar. In i860, it was purchased by Alexander Bailey and changed into a grist mill. In 187S, it was purchased by Bailey & Markham, the present owners, who continue to occupy it as a grist mill. The old building is 20 by 40 feet, two stories high. The stone building used for storage is 40 by 50 feet, one and one half stories high. They use water power, about 22 feet fall. Capacity, 75 bushels per day. J. C. Clark.— The business of J. C. Clark, manufac- turer of sleigh bells, located on the Cobalt Stream, was established here in 1865, under the firm name of Wells & Clark Brothers, composed of James J., Cyrus R., Watson W., and J. C. Clark, and Isaac Wells, a brother-in-law. The business was continued by them for seven years, when they dissolved partnership, Mr. J. C. Clark taking the business. He took Mr. P. H. Hilliard, of Westerly, Rhode Island, as a partner, and continued the business, under the firm name of J. C. Clark & Co., for one year, when Mr. Clark purchased his partner's interest. The buildings were erected by Wells & Clark Brothers. They are now owned by the Portl-and Savings Bank. These buildings consist of a casting-room, 16 by 32 feet, two stories high, and a finishing-room, 20 by 40 feet, three stories high. They use water of about 8-horse power, but they are provided with an 8-horse power engine for use when the water is low. They employ about 20 hands, and consume about 150,000 lbs. of bell metal per annum. The Oakum Manufactory of Tibballs Company is located on the Cobalt Stream, about seven-eighths of a mile nearer Middle Haddam landing on the Connecticut River. The business, which is now carried on by the Tibballs Brothers, was started by their father, Thaddeus Tibballs, in 1828, and with one exception it is the only manufactory of the kind in Middlesex county. Daniel, the oldest brother, was first taken into the firm. In 1873, he separated from his brothers and started an oakum manufactory in Boston, Massachusetts. The business is now carried on here by the three brothers, Russell, James, and Dana. The original buildings, which were of wood, were destroyed by fire in 1870, and were soon after rebuilt in a more substantial manner. There are now two large mills, one of brick, and the other of stone and brick. The brick mill is 30 by 30 feet, three stories high. The stone mill is 30 by 45 feet, three stories high. In addition to this the company have two large frame storehouses, and a large dock and storehouse on the Connecticut River. The large reservoir of the Cobalt Water Power Company supplies the mills with 2S-horse power. Steam power of 12-horse is used in addi- tion to this when required. The firm employ about 14 hands, and produce about 60 bales, of 50 pounds each, per day. The transportation facilities by water and rail enable this firm to compete successfully with all others in this line of business throughout the country. Middle Haddam. A very large business was done at this place, some years ago, in ship building, which was the most import- ant branch of industry. Among the principal ones en- gaged in this were Mr. John Stewart and Mr. Jesse Hurd. Owing to the lack of building material in this locality, and the heavy expense incurred in transporting lumber from the east, it became unprofitable, and for some years past very few vessels have been built here. At one time over two hundred men were employed here in this busi- ness. A little house, standing near the Stewarts' residence, was built previous to the Revolution, by a tailor named Luther Whitmore, who paid for it but 10s., ()d., in cash. The balance was paid by him in labor and material con- nected with his business. SECRET SOCIETIES. Warren Lodge, No. 51, F. & A. M., was constituted August ist 181 1, by a charter from the Most Worshipful Stephen Titus Hosmer Esq., Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of Connecticut, upon the petition of David Clark, Zebulon Penfield, Ira Lee, Samuel R. Dick inson, Edward Bowles, John Parmelee, Samuel Brown, John Richmond, Jabez Hall 2d, Sparrow Smith, Simeon Young, Elisha Niles, Morris McNary, Charles L. Smith, Thomas Stewart, Benjamin Hurd, Joseph Dart, Horace W. Bowers, Seth Branch, Jeremiah Taylor, Samuel Tay- lor, Stephen Griffith, Ralph Smith, Eliakim Ufford, John Ackley, Jacob Hurd, Stephen Brainerd, John H. Strong, Joel Bradford, Nymphas Wright, Elijah Colton, Richard Carrier, Jeremiah Penfield, Noah Shepard, Elizur Good- rich, Hezekiah Goodrich, David Stocking, Stephen Ran- ney, Abel Lewis, Daniel Hale, Samuel Cook, Seth Over- ton, and Jonathan W. Brown, praying that they be con- stituted into a regular lodge, to be holden at the dwelling house of Orrin Alvord, in the parish of East Hampton, and David Clark was appointed first worshipful master, Joseph Dart, senior warden, and John Parmelee, junior warden. This lodge was holden in various places throughout the town until its charter was revoked, May 13th 1846, by the Grand Lodge. It was restored May 14th 185 1, when George W. Leonard was appointed wor- shipful master; Joel Patten, senior warden; William R. Smith, junior warden; and has since held regular com- munications in Portland. Its past masters, before 1846, as far as known to the writer, were: David Clark, David Churchill, Jesse Hurd, David Stocking, Benjamin Hurd, Ebenezer Force, Samuel Simons, Frederic Morgan, Bliss Welsh, Warren Gates, Ira Lee, and Nelson C. Daniels. Anchor Lodge, No. 112, F. & A. M., was instituted August 9th 1871, by William W. Lee, deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, upon the petition of Horatio H. Abbe, Irvin H. Abell, Jerome L. Alvord, Edwin R. Baker, Hiram Barton, Abner A. Bevin, Rev. Thomas G. Brown, Delos D. Brown, Jacob L. Cook, Horatio N. Darling jr., David Hodge, Alexander H. 182 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Markham, Randolph P. Myers, William H. Nichols, William H. Nichols jr., Martin L. Roberts, Elias D. Root, Clark O. Sears, Nathaniel C. Smith, and Warren Veazey. Its first officers were publicly installed and were: Horatio H. Abbe, W. M.; Abner A. Bevin, S. W.; Delos D. Brown, J. W.; Martin L. Roberts, treasurer; Irvin H. Abell, secretary; Rev. Thomas G. Brown, chap- lain; Edwin R. Baker, S. D.; William H. Nichols, J. D.; Elias D. Root and David Hodge, stewards; William H. Nichols jr., tyler. Its past masters have been Horatio H. Abbe, Joseph D. Barton, William Dickson jr., and Delos D. Brown. The lodge has a membership of about forty and is at present officered as follows: Delos D. Brown, W. M.; Amasa R. Darling, S. W.; Ellison L. Brainerd, J. W.; Edwin R. Baker, treasurer; Irvin H. Abell, secretary; Rev. Thomas G. Brown, chaplain; George A. Strong, S. D.; Hayden L. Clark, J. D.; David Hodge and Clayton L. Smith, stewards; Robert A. Beckwith, tyler. Sons of Temperance. — Pocotopaug Division, No. 57, in East Hampton, and Columbus Division, No. 63, Sons of Temperance, in Middle Haddam, were instituted about the year 1850 and "run well for a season," but owing to their system of benefits, were short lived, although instituted for a noble purpose. Union League. — During the Rebellion of 1861-5, councils of the Union League were instituted in both so- cieties, but with the collapse of that gigantic measure the object for which they were instituted was accomplished and they became a thing of the past. Ltfe Boat Lodge, No. 87, I. O. of G. T., was insti- tuted October 14th 1867, by Thomas H. L. Talcott, grand secretary of the Order in Connecticut, and it has since kept up its organization with varied seasons of prosperity and adversity. Its object is to promote the catise of total abstinence from all that intoxicates. The officers for the first quarter were: Martin L. Roberts, W. C. T.; Stella N. Smith, W. V. T.; Irvin H. Abell, secre- tary; Gertrude A. Smith, financial secretary; Herman E. Rich, treasurer; Jerome L. Alvord, chaplain; Henry T. Sellew, marshal; Agnes A. Dickson, D. M.; Abbie T. Shepard, I. G.; John M. Starr, O. G.; Abbie J. Morgan, A. S.; Augusta A. Markham, R. H. S.; Martha G. Rob- erts, L. H. S.; Ozmer C. Hills, P. W. C. T.; Jerome L. Alvord, lodge deputy. Il now numbers about 90 mem- bers. The worthy chief templars have been Martin L. Roberts, Hermon E. Rich, Lucius H. Goff, Horatio D. Chapman, James Fuller, Harmenus W. Goff, Lewis H. Markham, Horatio N. Darling jr., Frank A. Clark, Kate J. Dickson, Robert A. Beckwith, and Amasa R. Darling. CHATHAM IN THE WARS. The French and Indian War. The names of but four persons who served in the French and Indian War have beeen recovered, though doubtless there were many others. These four were: Rev. John Norton, chaplain; James Bill, Marcus Cole, and Daniel Hubbard. The Revolutionary War. Extracts from town treasurer's book, i8th June 1780: " State of Connecticut to Town of Chatham Dr. to supplying Capt. Brainerd's Compa'y with provisions and stores to March to Westpoint in an alarm. By orders from Gen'l Ward for twenty days. To 800 lbs. of Bread, 24 | jQ^. 12. o To one Barrel Pork 6. 0.0 To one Beef Kine 3. 6. o To 10 Gal. Rum, at 9 | 4. 10. o To Man & Team to Carry Baggage & Stores for the Company 8 days, at 9 | . 3. 12. o To the Expense of Team 8 days 2. 8. o 29. 8. o "State of Connecticut to Town of Chatham Dr.: To a blanket for Dan'l Blis Cont'l Sold. . . £\. 8. o To Do. & knapsack for Nath'l Roberts Con'l Sold I. 3. o To Do. for Wm. Grey State Soldier 17. o To Do. for Stephen Ackley State Sold'r. . 18. o 1781.— Sept. 6. To 20 X J^ Gal. Rum for Militia stores in N. London alarm 8. 4. o To a blanket for Jesse Kneeland Cont'l Soldier- i. 4. o To 3 lbs. pork at | 10, 5 lbs. wheat flour at I 3 for a soldier in N. Haven alarm. 5. 5 1782. — May 20. To one blanket for Ephraim Norcutt a state soldier i. 4. o To 20 I Money paid to Joel Bacon for his bounty in a tour to West Point i. 0.0 To a blanket for Amos Rich in Cont'l service 8 | i 8. To a knapsack for Do. 2 | 9 2. 9 To a blanket for Henry Goslin a Cont'l Soldier 8. o" At a town meeting held in Chatham, December 19th 1774, the following was voted: " That this Town Do accept and approve of The Do- ings of the Continental Congress held at Philadelphia in September Last and agree to Keep and observe the Same and Do our utermost that the Same Shall be punctually Kept and observed according To the True Intent of the Congress and the following Persons are appointed as a Com'tee of observation according to the Eleventh article of Said association with the Powers and authorities therein mentioned (Viz) Eben'r White Esq'r John Cooper Capt. Moses Bush Charles Goodrich Capt. John Penfield Enoch Smith Doct'r Jer'h Bradford Capt. George Stock- ing Capt. Stephen Olmsted Capt. Abijah Hall & Capt. Silas Dunham." April ist 1777, "The Proclamation Issued by his Honor the Governor and Counsel of Safety on the i8th of March Last was Taken into Consideration and the following vote Passed Relative To the Matters Therein Contained, viz.. Voted that the Inhabitants of this Town will with one Consent join with and Support to the Ut- most of there power the authority, Selectmen and all in- forming officers in carrying into Execution the Laws made for Regulating and ot fixing the Prices of Certain articles therein mentioned." Also at the same meeting "Voted that a Committee be appointed and Directed To Engage in Behalf of the Town To provide necessarys for the families of the Soldiers Belongmg thereto who Shall Engage and Go into any of the Continental battalions To be Raised in this State agreeable to the Recom- CHATHAM— THE REVOLUTION. l8q mendation of his Honour the Governor and Com'tee of Safety in a proclamation Issued March ye i8: 1777. "Voted that Messrs: John Cooper David Robinson Charles Goodrich Moses Wilcox George Stocking Chauncey Bulkley John Giddins James Bill Bryan Parmelee Thos Cowdery Thomas Williams and Joseph Dart Be a Commitee agreeable to the above Vote and To Execute the Same." " At a Town Meeting Held in Chatham by the Inhabi- tants of said Town * * September ye 30th AD 1777 * * Voted by this meeting that the Soldiers Inlisted into the Continental army Shall Be provided with Neces- sarys agreeable To the Resove (?) of the Governor and Counsel of Safty Held in Lebenon the 12th of Sep. 1777. " Voted that there Should be a Commite Chosen and appointed in Each Parish ot sd. Town To procure Said Necessarys above mentioned. " Chosen as said Com'tee in the first Society Joseph Sage Hezekiah Goodrich Thomas Cooper Lt. Noadiah Russel Capt. Joseph Churchel Elisha Shepard Jesse Johnson Joshua Goodrich Nicholas Ames John Ufford & William Dixon & Jeremiah Goodrich. " In Middlehaddam Elisha Taylor Capt Joseph Dart Enoch Smith Josiah Strong Chancy Bulkley John Gid- dings Gershom Rowley Benj'n Smith Hezekiah Sears Elisha Hurlbut Sam'el Young Lemuel Higgins and Jonathan Smith Jun. " In East Hampton John Hinkley John Bates Benj'n Gogg Elkanah Sears Isaac Kneeland Thomas Cowdery Stephen Brainard & John Clark Jr. " Whereas the Town of Chatham Having Twenty nine Bushel and an half of Salt Stored in the Town of Bos- ton voted by this Meeting that Said Salt Shall be Dis- tributed To the Continental Soldiers Belonging To Chatham at the former Stated price. " Voted that the Commission officers from Chatham now in the Continential Army their families Shall be Provided for by the Town in the Same form and man- ner as the Non commission officers and Soldiers are." At a Town Meeting held in Chatham, December 6th 1777. '•' David Sage Esqr. Capt John Cooper Ebenr. White Esqr. David Robinson Jesse Johnson John Shepard Enoch Smith Thomas Seldon John Eddy Jnr. Capt Joseph Dart Chancy Bulkley Jonathan Clark Jnr. Thomas Cowdery Capt Abijah Hall James Bill Moses Cook Jonth Parraerlee Jur. Stephen Knowlton and John Giddins were Chosen as a Committee of Supplys for the Ensuing year. " It being put To vote by the moderator of tins meet- ing Whether this Town would any Longer Provide for the famelies of the Commission officers Gone into the Contenentall army in the Same manner as the Non- commission officers and Soldiers are provided Voted for in the negative." At a town meeting held in Chatham the 22d of Decem- ber 1777, it was: " Voted that the Commission officers Belonging To this Town now in the Contenantial Service Shall Be Provided by the Com'tee of Suppleys Chosen in the former Part of this meeting with the Necessary Provision for their families at the Price of Wheat at Two Dolers pr Bushel and any other articles in proportion not Exceeding Twelve Pounds a year Each." ^ . ^ March oth 1778 "Voted To Chuse a Com tee To pro- vide Clothing For the Continental Soldiers in the army agreeable To an act of Assembly Made the Second Thursday of Jan. AD 1778." " The persons whose name are hereafter Inserted are Chosen and Appointed for the Com'tee as afore Said (viz) Lt. Joseph Sage William Dixon Joseph Kellngg Capt. Joseph Churchel Jeremiah Goodrich Jnr Thomas Cooper Chancey Bulkley Elisha Taylor Elisha Hurlbut Josiah Strong Hez'h Sears John Eddy Jur Amasa Daniels Sam'll Young Jooth Clark Jnr Benj'n Smith Thos Selding Jacob Hurd Capt. Jos Dart John Giddings William Wright Stephen Hurlbut Jonathan Smith Jur Capt. Daniel Brainerd Warren Green Jur Enoch Smith ye 3d Edward Shepard Doct. Jeremiah Bradford Reuben Stocking Jedediah Hubbard Seth Doane Josiah Purple James Bill John Clark Jur Oren Alvord Nathan Levi Benjamin Goff Andrew Carrier Rowland Percival Thomas Williams & Sam'll Kilburn." December 7th 1788 "Capt Joseph Churchel Doct Jerh Bradford and John Norton are Chosen as a Com- mittee of Supplys for the Ensueing year and each one To provide for sd. Solders families in the Respective Par- rishes To which they Belong." April 19th 1779 "Voted by tliis meeting That the Town Treasurer if needful By the Instruction of the Selectmen Should Borrow Money in order To Supply the Com'tee of Suplys To provide for the Soldiers Fami- lies." June 29th 1779 "it being put to vote Whether or not this meeting Appoint a Com'tee to provide Clothing for the Soldiers agreeable To a Late act of Assembly voted in the negative. " Voted the select men of the Town Should Class the Inhabitants In as many Classes as there is Soldiers to provide for and Each Class to provide for pne. " At a Town Meeting Held in Chatham by the In- habitants of Said Town * * * It being Put To Vote by the moderator Whether or not They would appoint one or more as Deligates To a Meeting or Convention To be held at Hartford on Tuesday Next according to the do- ings of other Towns in this State Voted in the Afirmative it being Put To vote Whether They would Chuse and appoint more than one To attend said Convention at Hartford Voted in the Negative." David Sage only was chosen. Desember 6th 1779, " Voted by this meeting the Se- lect men of the Town Should be orthorized and impow- ered To Settle with the Com'tee of Suplys who had the care of the Soldiers families in the year Past in a Just and Equitable way allowing them the Discount of their own money Disbursted from Time To Time and every other way as they shall find to be Just and Right." March, 13th 1780, "Voted that the Com'tee of Sup- lies Each Com'tee man Having the Care of a Soldiers famile the Soldier having Inlisted During the present War Shall have Liberty To Draw out of the Town Treas- ury the Sum of Two Hundred Pounds he giving a Re- ceipt for the Same and being accountable To the Town Treasurer. "Voted that Each Com'tee man having the Care of a Soldiers Famely the s'd Soldier having inlisted for three years only Shall have Liberty To Draw out of the Town Treasury the Sum of fifty pounds he giving a Receipt and also being accountable To the Town Treasury. "Voted further more that if the above s'd Sums be found insufficient the Com'lee man or men Shall have Libirty To Draw out more money from the Town Treas- ury having first obtained a permit in Writing of the Select men of the Town Specifying the Sum He being accountable To the Treasurer as in the above." June 26th, 1780, " Voted That the Town would Raise a rate or Tax upon the Inhabitance as a bounty To En- corage Soldiers To List To fill the Continentials Army for three years or During the war." 184 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. ' Voted To appoint a Com'tee Instantly To Confer and Consult how much To Raise and in what manner To proceed; and To bring in their Report to the meeting. ' The Coniitty Chosen & appointed are (viz) Capt. Abijah Hall, Lieut. David Smith and Col'l John Pen- field. " Voted by this meeting To Except the Report of said Com'tee Which is Specified in the Next vote. " Voted by this meeting that Each Soldier that Shall inlist into the Continentiall army for the Term of three years or During the war as this Town Quota to the num- ber of fourteen shall receive as a premium four bushel & one half of wheet for Each Month that he Shall Con- tinue in Service or an Equivalen in other Specie or money Six pounds of which Sum Shall be paid on their inhsting and Six pounds at the Expiration of the first Twelve Month and Six pound at the End of Every Six Month after Succesively whilst on Service. ' N B it is to be under stood that s'd men are To piss muster Before they Receive any part of their Bounty and the Treasurer of this Town for the Time being is ordered to pay the Same accordingly and is hereby orthorized to hire the Same on the Credit of the Town from time to time as he shall find Necessary. "Voted by this meeting To Raise a rate to pence on the Pound this State money on the present List forth- with in order to Defray the above Said Charge. " Collectors Chosen To Gather the above s'd Rate are Enoch Smith ye 3d, John Wilcox and Isaac Sears. " Recruting officers Chosen and appointed To inlist Said Soldiers are Capt. Joseph Kellogg, Capt. Joseph Blague, Capt. Abner Stocking, Capt. Silas Dunham, Capt. Abijah Hall, Capt. Daniel Stewart and Leiut. David Smith." July 6th, 1780, "Voted That the Town would make an allowance in addition to what the assembly hath granted in order to inlist Soldiers into the army. " Voted to appoint a Com'tee immediately To Consult and Confer what Sum To Grant for Each Soldier who Shall inlist into the Service, the Com'tee Chosen and appointed for the purpose are Col'n John Penfield Capt. Silas Dunham & Capt. Elijah Smith. " Voted that Each able Bodyed Effective man that Shall or has inlisted or be atached to Serve in the Con- tinential army till the last day of Decem'r next Shall Re- ceive Six Bushel of wheat pr month or So Much State money as Shall purchase the same Exclusive of all other premiums or Bounties whilst he Continues in Said Ser- vice that has inlisted or been atached Since the General assembly Sat in may last not Exceeding Thirty. " Voted that Each able Bodied Effective man that Shall or has inlisted or been atached to Serve in the State Service for three months from the fifteenth of July in- stant Shall be intitled To four Bushel of wheat for Each month whilst in Service Exclusiveof all other premiums; or so much State money as to purchase the Same at the Time he Returns from Service. " Voted that the Commission officers and noncommon officers Shall be intitled to the Same as the Soldiers have. " Voted by this meeting To Raise a Rate on the pres- ent List of four pence on the pound this State money To Defray the above said Charges." "At a meeting of the Inhabitants of Chatham * * * held Novem'r 14th A. D. 1780 for the purpose of Carring Into Execution an act of the General assembly of the State of Connecticut at their Session in October Last intitled an (Act) for Clothing and Storeing a Quan- tity of provision for the use of the Continental army and the forces Raised for the Defence of thi.s State. "Voted That there be forthwith Raised a Tax of Six pence on the Pound upon the General List of this Town as given in for the year 1779, Exclusive of the Increase of Said List by four-fold assessment To be paid in Good Beef pork and Wheat flower at the price mentioned in Said Act and with the same Provss (?) or in LawfuU money of the Hard Kind To be paid on or before the Time limited in Said act for Collecting Said Provisions and John Bidwell Samuel Taylor and Gideon Arnold are Chosen To Receive the Salt provided by the State for this Town and also To Receive the provision as they Shall Be brought in and To inspect procure the Cask and put up the Same agreeable To Said Act: To Receive a Copy of Said General List of the Town and Give Dwe Notice That Every person may have an opertunity To bring in his ratable part Either in provision or Lawfull Money by Said Limited Time and also To Receive the money so Brought in of Such person or persons if any Such there be who Chuse To pay in money and to lay out the Same in Procuring Provision for the purpose mentioned in said act and To make Return To the Selectmen of this Town of the names of Such persons as Shall Neglect To pay their Ratable part by said Limited Time: and That the Selectmen Do then pro- ceed to Make up a Bill of Assessment according To said act To be forthwith Paid in Lawfull Money or Bills of Credit of this State as a Penalty on Each Inhabitant of this Town which Shall be so Returned by said Receivers Neglecting and of 6d on the pound on all nonresidents which are Set in Said List and in Like manner Return Neglecting; To be paid in Lawfull money and Said Select men are To Deliver Said Bill of assessment with a proper Warrant annexed Thereto To the Collectors appointed To Collect the Same with their order to pay said assessment when Collected To the Treasurer of the_ Town; which money Shall be by the Selectmen improved in Procuring Provision for the Purposes mentioned in Said act: and John Bidwell Sam'U Taylor and Gideon Arnold are Chosen to Collect sd assessment on the Inhab- itants and Tax on the non residents. " Voted further by this meeting To Chuse a Com- mittee agreeable To a Late act of Assembly To ascer- tain the Number of Soldiers already in Service and also To Class the Town if need Be according to Said act the Committee for the purpose are as follows (viz) Colo. John Penfield Capt. Joseph Blague Hezekiah Goodrich Doct Jerh Bradford Capt. Daniel Brainerd Leiut David Smith Capt. Elijah Cook Capt. Bryan Parmerlee and Capt. Stephen Brainerd. December 4th 1780. " Voted by this meeting To ap- point a Com:tee agreeable to a Late Act of the General assembly to purchase Cloathing for Chatham's Quoto of Continental Soldiers the Com'tee Chosen and appointed are (viz) Doct'r Thomas Welles Jer: h. Goodrich jur Capt. Abijah Hall and Capt. Seth Doane." A committee of supplies for soldier's families was also chosen at the same meeting, consisting of " William Dixon Doct'r Thomas Weller jer. h. Goodrich jrn. Capt. Daniel Stow Nicholas Ames Capt. Daniel Stewart Jedediah Hubbard Capt. Abner Stocking Sam'll Ackley Andrew Carrier Isaac Smith jur. and Isaac Bevin." "Voted to Chuse and appoint a Com:tee To Class the Town into Eight Classes agreeable To a Late Act of the General Assembly in order To Raise our Quoto of State Soldiers To Guard this State. "TheCom:tee chosen and appointed are as follows (viz) Joseph Sage Ithemer Pelton Capt. Daniel Stewart Capt: Elijah Smith Doct'r Jer:h Bradford Capt. Bryan Parraelee L't James Bill and Capt. Stephen Brainard. " Voted that the above said Com'tee Should have Lib- erty the Space of fourteen Days to hire the said Eight men on the credit of the Town. CHATHAM— THE REVOLUTION. 185 " Voted that the said Com'tee Shall have Discretion- ary Power as they Shall agree Concerning the price to allow each soldier. " Voted that if Said Com'tee Do not within the s'd 14 day Succeed in Hiring as above they shall proceed Di- rectly To Class the Town as Directed by act of assembly and make their Return to the Town Clerk." At a meeting held on January 15th 1781, the inhabi- tants of Chatham "Voted * * To Grant L't Sam '11 Aken as a Bounty out of the Town Treasury the Sum of Twelve pounds this State money upon Condition that he undertake to go into the State's Service the Ensueing year. "Voted by this meeting To Except of and Confirm the Doings & Returns of the Com'tee who were appointed at Last adjourned meeting To Class the Town. "The Doings of S'd Com'tee are Written at Large as follows (viz) at meeting of the Com'tee Chosen by the Town of Chatham on the 2d day of January 1781 To De- vise ways and Means To Carry into Execution a Late act of the General Assembly of this State passed the 29th Day of November A. D. 1780 for Raising men for the Defence of Horsneck and other^ports of this State Did agree to Give Each able Bodied Effective man who Shall Voluntary Inlist himself into the Service of this State ac- cording to the said act: Twelve pounds State money as a bounty to be paid Each Soldier before He Shall march and forty Shillingg wages pr month the one Half in pro- visions to be paid Quarterly at the price Stipulated for Continental Soldiers the other half of s'd Wages to be made Good in L current money of this State the Town being intitled To what Wages the State Shall allow said Soldiers Likewise if any Soldier shall find himself a Blanket Gun Catridge box & Knapsack Shall be Elntitled to the premium By Law Allowed. "Chatham Jan. 8th 1781. f Elijah Smith Jeremiah Bradford Bryan Parmelee Com'tee { James Bill Ithamer Pelton Daniel Stewart Joseph Sage. " Voted To Raise a Rate of one penny half penny on the pound To be paid in flower and corn agreeable To a Late act of the General Assembly in order to Supply this State's Soldiers. " Voted by this meeting To Raise a Rate of Six pence on the pound on the present List in order To provide for Soldiers families and other Necessary Charges in the Town for the present year. " Gideon Hall Joseph Pelton Enoch Sage Chancey Bulkley Capt Daniel Brainerd Samuel Hill Nehemiah Gates and John Markham are chosen as a Com'tee To Suply the State Soldiers families. April i2th 1781. "Whereas a Com'tee in a former 'meeting in this Town were appointed To Class the Town agreeable to an act of assembly in order To Raise the Town Quota of Contenantal Soldiers voted the Select- men of the Town To over see that the Deficientcy if any be Should be Settled according to Said act of assembly. "Voted the Same Com'tee Chosen in a former Town Meeting To Class the Town in order to Rase the Con- tinantal Troops Should be a Com'tee To Class in order to Raise the Second Division of State Troops. " Voted to appoint a Com'tee to procure Clothing for the Soldiers according to a Late act of the General Assembly the Com'tee Chosen and appointed are Gideon Hall Thomas Rogers John Eddy jun and Dewey Hall. " Voted to Give Said Comittee Discreationary orders in Purchasing Said Clothing." July sth 1781. "Voted by this meeting To Raise four pence on the pound Through the Town for Suply of Beef for the army agreeable "To a late act of the Gen- eral assembly. "John Bidwell Gideon Arnold and Enoch Smith ye 3 are chosen Receivers of provision and Clothing agree- able to a Late act of the General Assembly. "Voted by this meeting that the Soldiers in the Town of Chatham Lately Draughted Called the three months Men Shall be paid out of the Town Treasury Consider- ing the publick Bounty and wages they may Receive as to make them Equal or as Good as the Soldiers were Who were Draughted the Last Sumer." December 3d 1781. "Thomas Bliss Gideon Hall Hez'h Goodrich William Dixson Elijah Stocking John Bates and Ralph Smith were Chosen Commitee of Suplies for the Soldiers families for the year Ensueing." February 21st 1782, "Eben'r White Esq'r Col'n John Penfield were chosen as a Com'tee to Represent the Town in Regard To meeting with a Com'tee appointed by the General! assembly in Respect To Delinquents and Claims To State and Contenential Soldiers. " Voted by this meeting To Raise men for Horse Neck Soldiers according To a late act of the assembly and To Do it by the Town. " Capt. Joseph Sage Capt. Joseph Kellogg Ithamer Pelton Josiah Strong Chancy Bulkley Capt. Bryan Parmelee and L't James Bill are Chosen as a Com'tee To procure this Town's Cota of State Soldiers and also the Continentall Soldiers When the Number is ascertained " Voted by this meeting forthwith To Raise two pence on the Pound on the Common List taken in the year 1781 in order to Defray the Charge of procuring and paying Said Soldiers the one half of which may be paid in Grain at the following prices (viz) Wheat at 6/ pr Bushel Rye at four and Corn at three and in the Care of the Town Treasurer To Direct where Such Grain Shall Be Delivered. " Collectors Chosen To Gather Said Rate are Amasa Daniels Thomas Cowdery and Jesse Johnson." On December i6th 1782, David White, Noah Smith, Thomas Cooper, Josiah White, Joseph Pelton, Hezekiah Sears, Capt. Stephen Brainerd, Isaac Bevin, and Benja- min Smith were Chosen a Committee of Supplies for the year ensuing. " Voted * * the Com'tee of Supplies Should have Liberty of Drawing Money out of the Town Treasury the year Ensuing by order of the Selectmen To Support the Soldiers' families." March loth 1783, Thomas Williams was chosen acom- mittee of Supplies for the " present " year. "Voted by this meeting the Selectmen of the Town Shall have full power To Settle with Some former Com'tees of Supplies according to their Best Discreation on account of Deprecation of State orders which They Raised in pay for Supporting Soldiers' families." "At a Town meeting held in Chatham the 25th of Sept'r 1783 Warned for the purpose of Chusing a Com'tee if found proper to joiyne the Convention which is to Set at Middletown the 30th Septem'r Instant by adjourn- ment in order To Consult about Some Public Concerne * * * it being put to vote by ye moderator whether we would Send a Deligate To Joyn Said Con- vention at Middletown Voted in the Negative." In the Revolution it is probable that if a complete list of persons betwLen the ages of 15 and 50, able to bear 25 i86 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. arms, could be recovered, the list of those who served would be considerably larger than those who did not. In all probability nearly all served for a longer or shorter period during those trying times. A few names* of those who saw active service have been recovered from the town records and other sources, and the list as far as it goes is thought to be reliable. List taken from the town treasurer's book, of soldiers to whom bounties were paid in 1781-82: Sergeant Beriah Wheeler, Hewit Alvord, Jabez Ran- ney, Jesse Morgan, William Gray, John Welsh, Stephen Ackley, Samuel Caswell, Stephen Ackley jr. Andrew Cornwall, John Fuller, Richard Beebe, Randall Shattuck, Martin Stiles, Ebenezer Brown, William Exton, Abishai Penfield, Hopkins West, James Cook, Elijah Green, Asahel Cheney, Elijah Abell, Ichabod Bailey, Ephraim Norcutt, Richard Struckland, David Snow, John Stock- ing, George Pelton, Josiah Goff, Col. Samuel Penfield, Samuel Fox, William Norcutt, James Bailey, Daniel Bliss, Jabez Hall, Jesse Kneeland, Aaron West, Joel Bacon, Nathaniel Roberts, Amos Rich, Isaac Johnson, Henry Goslin, Reuben Payne, George Carry, John Wright, Ithamar Pelton, Abraham Bailey, Daniel Miller, Daniel Lee, Samuel Brown, Capt. Churchill's son, Spar- row Smith, Joseph Shepherd, Abijah Fuller jr., Stephen Gates, Roland Pfrcival, Capt. Stewart, Amos Ranney, Jonah Strickland, Daniel Burton, Daniel Lane, Eph- riam Briggs, Joel House. According to Middle Haddam church records, Asa Brainerd died in the camp, December 1775; Gilbert died in the camp, March 1776; Jesse Swaddle died returning from captivity, December 1776; Josiah Arnold died re- turning from captivity,January 3d 1777; John Smith died at Milford returning from captivity, January 15th 1777; Elisha Taylor jr. died, "reftjrned from captivity last Saturday, January 23d 1777;" Seth Doane jr. returned from captivity same day as Taylor, January 30th 1777; John Snow died at Milford returning from captivity,some time in January 1777; Jesse Higgins jr. died at Danbury of an accidental wound, November 24th 1777; Jonathan Cook jr. died at New York, a prisoner, November 1777; Seth Higgins died a prisoner in New York, August 1777; Heman Higgins, in the army, died with sickness 1778; Jesse Higgins died in the army, December 1778; Nathan- iel Rich waskilled in the action at Norwalk, July nth 1779; Jabez Arnold jr. died at East Haven, on a tour of the militia, August 9th 1779; Capt. David Brooks, Na- thaniel Stocking, Jonathan Brainard jr., William Akins, Elisha Cook, Elijah Green, James Stocking, died in New York, June 4th 1782. From various scources, thought to be reliable. Abel Abell, Nathaniel Cone, Daniel Morgan, Elihu Hubbard, Richard Mayo, jr., Capt. Seth Doane, Reuben Stocking, John H. Strong, Joseph Hurd, Benjamin Hard, Jesse Hurd, Jacob Hurd, Major Jonathan Bowers, Timo- thy Clark, Jacob Norton, Dolphin, a slave, Joshua Frank, colored, David Clark, Daniel Clark, Stephen Clark, Elijah ♦Some of these names are also mentioned in the history of Portland which was then included in the town of Chatham. Clark, died 1777, Abner Clark, died, Amos Clark, Philo Clark, Daniel Churchill; Gideon Cook, died August 19th 1776, in New York, in the army; ^enry Strowbridge, John Trowbridge, Judah West, Ichabod Stoddard, Ben- jamin Cobb, Dr. Amos Skeels, Dr. Robert Usher, Dr. Elias Norton, Capt. Silas Dunham, Capt. Stephen Brain- erd, Capt. Stephen Olmstead, Stephen Olmstead jr., Daniel Judd jr., Nathaniel White, Peter Parker, Capt. Stephen Griffith, Nathaniel Ackley, Sylvester Summers, John Johnson, Lieut. Marcus Cole, Abner Cole, Hendrick Cole, Moses Cook, Nehemiah Gates, Soloman Bailey, Michael Smith, Samuel Young, Stephen Knowlton jr., Ebenezer Rowley, John Church, Lemuel Scoville, Na- than Scoville, Rev. Benjamin Boardman, Amasa Archer, Ichabod Lucas, Samuel Kilbourn, Timothy Kilbourn. killed in the battle of Bunker Hill; Othniel Brainerd, Sela Brainerd, Philip White, Comfort Beebe, Eli Bige- low, John Hill, Elisha Niles, John Markham, Lieut. Titus Carrier, John Niles, Robert Dingwell, Joshua Griffith, Joseph Dart, Sergeant Thomas Hubbard, Seth Knowles, Abner Stocking, David Strong, Richard Flood, John Rich, Samuel Rich, Cornelius Rich jr., Lieut. David Smith. War of 1812. The following were soldiers in the war of 1812: Joel Archer, Justus Bolles, Lester Brainerd, Zechariah W. Calef, Festus Cone, Patrick Derby, Lemuel S. Griffith, William Haling, Jesse Hubbard (died in the army in 181 2), Charles Markham, Nathaniel Purple, Russell Rich, E. Dunham Rowley, Porter Smith, Moses West, Warren West, John Willey, Elias Young, and Samuel Young. The Rebellion. The first recorded action of the town of Chatham per- taining to the war of the Rebellion, was at a special town meeting held at the South Congregational Church in East Hampton, May 25th 1861, when it was voted: "That the town appropriate not to exceed one thou- sand dollars for the support of the families of persons who have or may enlist in the service of the United States." July 28th 1862, a special town meeting was held, and was voted to pay the sum of $100 to each volunteer un- der " the late call of the president," before the 20th of August following. This action seems to have been taken in an illegal manner, for in response to the petition ' of 20 legal voters of the town and " as doubts were en- tertained as to the extent and effect of the Resolution of July 28th," another meeting was held August 9th 1862, and it was: "Resolved that the selectmen be instructed to put such construction on the vote of July 28th 1862, as to pay one hundred dollars bounty to every man enlisting in the town of Chatham since the date of said vote until our full quota is made up under the late call for six hun- dred thousand men * * * and extend the time of enlist- ment from the ?oth inst. to the demands of the Govern- ment." CHATHAM— THE CIVIL WAR. 187 August 20th 1862, a bounty of $100 was voted to every volunteer who had enlisted previous to July 28th 1862, and the bounty for subsequent enlistments for a service of nine months was fixed at $150. To meet the indebtedness incurred by the payment of bounties, the town voted, February 14th 1863, to issue town bonds to the amount of |i 1,850, the bonds to bear interest at the rate of six per cent, and none to be sold at less than par value. The sum to be raised was afterward increased to f 12,000, and twelve bonds of |i,ooo each were issued May ist 1863, made payable as follows: $4,000 in five years, $4,000 in ten years, and $4,000 in fifteen years. Eleven of these bonds were sold to the So- ciety for Savings, Hartford, Conn., at a premium of 2>^ per cent., and the remaining one. Bond No. 8, was pur- chased by Sylvester N. Williams, at 10 per cent, premium. At an adjourned special town meeting, held at East Hampton, July 28th 1863, the following resolutions were passed: " Whereas, under the recent act of Congress for calling out the national forces, approved March 3d 1863, some twenty-five or thirty citizens of the town of Chatham are liable to be drafted into the United States service for a term of three years or during the war, thus not only de- priving the community of their services, without which the industrial interests of the town must inevitably suffer but the families of the means of support, rendering the same liable to become a town charge — and whereas it is understood that said act is permissory and not manda- tory in as much as it allows the person drafted to furnish a substitute or pay the exemption fee — and whereas, in the opinion of this meeting, the act itself is unjustly dis- criminating, and that between the rich and poor, the de- cision of the Sec'y of War in fixing the price of exemp- tion at the maximum allowed by law, to wit, three hun- dred dollars, needlessly oppressive and burdensome — and whereas it is not the design or belief of this meeting that to comply with the conditions of the law is to defeat the object of the Government — and whereas we firmly believe that the rich and the poor should meet together on equal and common grounds, at least so far as civil and political rights are concerned, not forgetting that the Lord is the maker of them all, therefore "Resolved ist — That to provide against the possible contingencies set out in the foregoing preamble and to relieve to some extent those who may be drafted, of the burdens which the law unequally imposes and to furnish the Government with means to provide substitutes that the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars be and is here- by appropriated to each and every person drafted, whose ratable estate is set.in the list at a sum of twelve hun- dred dollars and the sum of three hundred dol- lars to each and every person drafted whose ratable estate is set in the list at a less sum than twelve hun- dred dollars and who fail to secure exemption from disability or other causes, with the understanding that said sums are to be received by the person for whose benefit the same is appropriated as a bounty, with the further condition and understanding that it shall be optional with the drafted whether they will render the service demanded by the Government in person or by substitutes or in the not less legal and honorable method of paving the price of exemption. " Resolved 2d — That the money thus appropriated be raised by the issue and sale of town bonds and the Selectmen and town Treasurer are hereby authorized and instructed to issue the same in sums not less than five nor more than ten years to run and in all other to be under the same regulations as those issued, bearing the date. May ist 1863." ****** At a meeting held September 5th 1863, the second resolution was rescinded and the first was amended by striking out th.e following: " and to furnish the Govern- ment with means." At the same meeting it was resolved, " That the Selectmen be authorized and empowered to borrow on the faith and credit of the town such sum or sums as shall be equal to the sum total required to pay to each person drafted and accepted the sum of three hundred dollars as provided in the first Reso- lution." At a meeting held September 24th 1863, the resolu- tions passed September 5th were rescinded and the fol- lowing were passed: " Resolved, That the sum of three hundred dollars be appropriated to each person drafted under the late call of the President for 300,000 conscripts, said sum to be used in procuring substitutes or in payment of the exemp- tion fee at the option of the person drafted; said sum to be paid when accepted by the board of enrollment or sworn into the service of the United States. " Resolved, That one or more of the Selectmen be in- structed to be present at the examination of drafted men from the town of Chatham, and pay to those who elect to serve in person or by substitute the sum of three hun- dred dollars for each person drafted from said town when accepted by the Board of Enrollment." December 21st 1863. — " Resolved, That the sum of eighteen hundred dollars or such part thereof as may be necessary be and the same is hereby appropriated by the town of Chatham to defray the expense of recruiting volunteers to fill the quota of said town under the late call of the President for 300,000 men, provided the fif- teen are secured." The selectmen were authorized to borrow the neces- sary funds to carry out the provisions of the above reso- lution. January 6th 1864. — " Voted, That a committee of five consisting of the Selectmen, Abner G. Bevin, and New- ton S. Williams be authorized tp procure substitutes and that they be unlimited and act discretionary in procuring the same." At a special meeting called in accordance with an act pa.ssed by the Legislature, November 1863, held in East Hampton, January i8th 1864, the former acts of the town, making appropriations for the benefit of drafted men were legalized. January 23d 1864. — " Voted, to lay a tax of six mills on a dollar on the levy next to be completed, to defray the expenses incurred by paying the exemption fee for drafted men under the call of the President for 300,000 volunteers." At a special meeting, held April 4th 1864, the sum of $100 was voted " in favor of Timothy McCarty, a volun- teer in the service of the United States and credited to the town of Chatham." August 9th 1864. — "The following resolutions were presented to the meeting: " Whereas, under the call of the President for 500,000 volunteers 36 men are required from the town of Chat- i^ISTORV OF MIDDLESEX COUNTV. ham, ten only of whom are known to have been furnished, and whereas a draft is already ordered in such towns and sub-districts as shall not have furnished the number re- quired on the 6th proximo, and whereas in the opinion of this meeting, the desire to avoid a draft is dictated by economy as well as sound judgment, therefore, to en- courage enlistments and provide means to secure men to fill the quota of the town so that none shall be forced into the array against their choice, it is " Resolved — That the sum of five thousand dollars be and the same is hereby appropriated by the town of Chat ham to be known as the Volunteer and Substitute Re- cruiting fund, provided there shall be added to said fund by voluntary contribution on or before the 5th of Seix- tember next such sum as shall be equal to the ag- gregate sum of $25 for each and every person liable to a draft, including their several proportions of the tax here- after to be laid to pay the sum appropriated by this reso- lution. ******* "Resolved, 5th — That should the committee be unable to fill the quota as contemplated in the foregoing Resolu- tions and a draft take place, that they be instructed to divide the sum remaining in their hands pro rata among those drafted provided that no person shall receive any part thereof who neglects or refuses to pay the twenty- five dollars as provided in the first resolution." Committees were appointed to receive the money payed by those enrolled, and to notify those subject to a draft of the action of the meeting. August ,T7th 1864. — "Voted that the committee be in- structed to pay every man three hundred dollars who shall furnish a substitute to apply on the late call for 500,000 men. "Voted that the committee be instructed to fill the quota of the town by procuring one, two, or three years men." September 3d 1864. — "Voted that we appropriate the further sum of two thousand dollars for the purpose of procuring substitutes or volunteers under the late call of the President for 500,000 volunteers or men." A committee was appointed to procure bonds for this appropriation. A special meeting was held November 26th 1864, " To consider the propriety and expediency of procuring vol- unteers to apply on the quota of the town in advance of the call which it is believed will soon be made, and if thought best to take measures to procure the same, and provide the means necessary therefor by tax or other- wise.'' This meeting was adjourned till November 28th when the following action was taken: " Voted — That the Selectmen take immediate meas- ures to have the roll corrected according to the Adju- tant General's circular. " Voted — To reconsider the vote passed Sept. 3d 1864, appropriating two thousand dollars for the purpose of procuring substitutes or volunteers under the late call of the President for 500,000 volunteers. " Voted — That the sura of six thousand dollars in ad- dition to any appropriation heretofore made, be and the same is hereby appropriated by the town of Chatham to be expended in procuring volunteers to apply on the quota of the town in anticipation of future calls. " Voted — That the Selectmen be authorized and in- structed to borrow the sum of six thousand dollars, pledging the faith and credit of the town therefor, and that the same be used or so much thereof as may be necessary in procuring volunteers. " Voted — That the Selectmen be instructed to pay the sum of three hundred dollars to any person enlisting in the town and applying on its quota, and the sum not ex- ceeding three hundred dollars to any person furnishing satisfactory evidence that a volunteer recruit from out of the town has been mustered into the United States service and is credited to the town of Chatham. ********** " Voted, — That the number of men to whom the bounty is offered be limited to twenty and the premium for recruits the sum be fixed at ten dollars per man in- cluding expenses." The last recorded action concerning the war seems to have been made July 29th 1865, when it was voted to lay a tax of seven mills for the purpose of paying a por- tion of the war debt. CHURCHES IN CHATHAM., Congregational Church, Middle Haddam. In October 1738, Henry Akins, Richard Benfoy, Eben- ezer, Jonathan, and Nathaniel Burr, Edward Bill, Eben- ezer Dart, James Forsyth, Ephraim Fuller, Nathaniel Goff, Benjamin Harris, David Hurlbut, David Hurlbut jr., John and Thomas Hubbard, Josiah Johnson, James Pelton, Noah Phelps, Thomas Rich, Benjamin and Eben- ezer Smith, Samuel, Nathaniel, and John Spencer, George Stocking, and John Swaddle, residing in Middletown East Parish, and Joshua Arnold, William James, Abijah, Josiah, Nathan, and Benjamin Brainerd, William Mark- ham, Alexander Peterson, Ebenezcr Smith jr., David Smith, and John Stocking, residing in Haddam, on a tract of land lying between the Connecticut and Salmon Rivers, petitioned the General Court for an act of incor- poration as a parish, and in May 1740, their request was granted, and the parish was incorporated by the name of Middle Haddam. It derived its name from the towns in which it was situated, Middletown and Haddam, or, as some think, from the fact that the Haddam portion lay between the two rivers mentioned and the two towns, Haddam and East Haddam. Its original extent was nearly seven miles in length, about four in breadth, and its area was about 25 square miles. The settlers on this tract attended public worship, before this time, with the various churches that were most accessible to them; those in the Haddam part with the churches on the west side of the river, and those north of the Haddam line were attached to the East Middletown Parish, now Port- land. In both cases they were subject to very great in- convenience by the condition of the roads, and at many limes the weather rendered the river impassible. On the 24th of September 1740, a council of churches was con- vened, for the purpose of instituting the church and or- daining their chosen minister, the Rev. Benjamin Bowers. The Rev. Messrs. Stephen Hosmer, William Russell, Ashbel Woodbridge, Daniel Russell, and Moses Bartlett performed the solemnities. The confession of faith and CHATHAM— CHURCHES. i8g covenant were then made and signed by Benjamin Bow- ers, Ebenezer Smith, Samuel Spencer, Joshua Arnold, James Brainerd jr., Ebenezer Dart, Gideon Arnold, Thomas Rich, George Stocking, Thomas Hubbard, Jo- siah Brainerd, Ebenezer Smith jr., Nathan Brainerd, and Lemuel Daniels. Before the close of the year, William Brainerd, Sarah Brainerd, Nathaniel Rogers, Silence Rogers, Deborah Spencer, Mary Smith, Mary Hurlbut, Mary Stocking, Thankful Hubbard, Anna Brainerd, Abigail Arnold, Esther Markham, Hannah Smith, Thank- ful Rich, and Hannah Daniels had united with them. Mr. Bowers was a son of Captain Jonathan Bowers, and was born in Chelmsford, Mass., March 7th 17 13. His parents afterward removed to Bellerica, from which place he entered Harvard College in 1729, and graduated in 1733. He married, November 4th 1742, Sarah New- hall, of Maiden, Mass. She died July 31st 1757, and he married, July 31st 1759, Ann, widow of Stephen Hosmer Esq., of East Haddam. He died May nth 1761, in the 46th year of his age, and was buried in the cemetery on Hog Hill, but no monument marks his resting place. He is spoken of as a pious, exemplary, and devoted minister of the gospel. During his pastorate 171 persons united with the church, 477 children were baptized, and 131 marriages were solemnized. Jonathan Bowers, son of the Rev. Benjamin, married, July 6th 1779, Mercy Brainerd, by whom he had two children, Sally and Rus- sell. She died September 22d 1783, and he married Rebecca, daughter of Jacob Hurd jr., and widow of Joseph Carey. Mr. Bowers held the rank of major in the militia, served in the Revolutionary war, and was wounded at the battle of Bennington, Vt., and received a pension for many years. He resided for many years at Bennington, Vt., and Union Village, N. Y., but returned to Middle Haddam, and died there in September 1835, aged 81. He had one child by his second wife, a son, Horace W., who died in New York State in 1820, aged 36. Mrs. Bowers died December 21st 1855, aged roo years, 8 months, and 12 days. After the death of Mr. Bowers, the Rev. John Norton, of East Hampton, was chosen Moderator of the church, and severel children were baptized and a number of persons admitted to membership by him in the interval of seven and a half months that the church was without a pastor. The second pastor of this church was the Rev. Ben- jamin Boardman, a native of Westfield Parish in Middle- town, a graduate of Yale College in 1758, and afterward a Dean scholar and tutor in that institution. He was ordained January 5th 1562, and in September 1783, was dismissed, and in 1784 removed to Hartford, where on the sth of May in that year he was installed as pastor of the South Church. He died in Hartford February 12th 1810, aged 70 years. He was a man of superior talents and learning, but deficient in prudence and self-control. Differences originated between him and his people, which widened until they occasioned his dismission. In consequence of the great depreciation of the currency much of the difficulty was of a pecuniary kind. In 1775, he was absent for about nine months as chaplain in the army, at Roxbury. Owing to the power and compass of his voice it is said that his prayers and sermons could be plainly heard in Boston, and the British soldiers called him the cannon or big gun of the gospel. The records also show that he was the owner of several slaves. For two years the church was without a pastor, and there is nothing in the records of the church in regard to this period. May 19th 1785, it was voted to give Mr. David Selden a call to settle, which it would seem he either declined or did not immediately accept, as on the 2ist of June the call was renewed, and July 4th it was modified to make the settlement during life or until reg- ularly dismissed. Mr. Selden accepted this call and was ordained October igth 1785. Soon after his accession to the pastorate a new confes- sion of faith was adopted which continued in use until a very recent date. Mr. Selden was a native of Haddam Neck, and was trained up under the influence of the church of which he had now become the pastor. He was the youngest and ninth child of Thomas and Re^- becca (Walkley) Selden, and a lineal descendant 'of Thomas Selden, one of the first settlers of Hartford in 1636. He was baptized by the Rev. Mr. Bowers, March 22d 1761, and united with the church May 2d 1780, at which time he must have been a student at Yale College, for he graduated from that institution in 1782-. He studied theology with the Rev. Samuel Lockwood, of Andover, and was licensed to preach by the Hartford South Association, June 3d 1783. Soon after this he preached in Hebron, where he was invited to settle as colleague with Dr. Poraeroy. He preached also in other places, but soon returned to the place of his birth, where he passed a very useful ministry of 40 years. In his case is seen a prophet who was not without honor in his own country. He must have been in good report among his neighbors and associates from his childhood, and the confidence and esteem which they manifested toward him in choosing him for their spiritual guide continued and increased to the end of his faithful service. During his ministry of nearly 40 years he wrote 2,565 sermons, only one of which was left in print, a funeral sermon occasioned by the death of Miss Eliza Metcalf, which was published at the request of the mourners. Mr. Selden married, August i6th 1784, Cynthia, daughter of Rev. Eleazer May, of Haddam. Mr. Selden died suddenly of bilious colic, January 18th T825. During his pastorate 223 persons united with the church. His widow was born July 25th 1761, and died March 29th 1850. After the death of Mr. Selden the Rev. Isaac Parsons, of East Haddam, was chosen moderator of the church, and officiated in that capacity until the ordination of the Rev. Charles Bently as its fourth pastor, February 15th 1826. Mr. Bently was a native, of New Marlborough, Mass., and a graduate of Amherst College, 1824. He was dismissed by council, March 24th 1833. During his pastorate 95 were added to the church. He died July 23d 1869, aged 70 years, 3 months, and 23 days. 190 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. at ated from Yale College in 1846, and was ordained Putnam, Conn., September 8th 1852. After the departure of Mr. Hopkinson the church held no regular services, but met occasionally and listened to lay members of different churches until 1874, when a new edifice was erected in the Haddam part of the old parish, and its history since that time more properly be- longs to that town. From its organization, in 1740, to the time it commenced holding services in the edifice in Haddam, 820 persons had been admitted to its mem- bership. The deacons of the church have been Ebenezer , Smith, Gideon Arnold, Benjamin Harris, Daniel Arnold, Ezra Brainerd, David Smith, Dr. Thomas Brainerd, Sel- den Gates, Jesse Hurd, Edward Root, Levi Mitchell, Samuel B. Butler, David Dickinson, and Anson Strong. The first church edifice was erected in 1744, and stood on the south end of Hog Hill, not far from the old cemetery, and the dwelling house of the late Walter Clark. It was 44 feet in length and 36 in breadth, and was used as a place of worship until 1811, several years longer than it would have been had the people been united in the selection of a site for a new one. It is said that it became so dilapidated that if a shower came up in time of service umbrellas had to be brought into use to protect the congregation. It was abandoned early in 1811 and the congregation worshipped in the Episco- pal and Methodist churches until the new one was finished and dedicated, in May 1813. This second edi- fice was 50 feet in length by 40 in breadth, and was located west of the first one, on the highway, nearer the river. It was surmounted by a tower, and it still stands, although it has been sold by the society and converted into other uses. January 2Sth 1855, 22 members with- drew for the purpose of organizing a church, which is now known as the Second Congregational Church of Middle Haddam. Baptist Church, East Hampton. A church of this denomination was formed in this parish about 1785, and was for a number of years under the charge of Elder Solomon Wheat of Glastonbury. Elder William Welsh, a resident of the parish, afterward labored with them with great success until his death in 1838, and a few years later the church became extinct. The records of this church, though still in existence, were not accessible to the writer, and no further facts have been elicited concerning them save that in the early days of their existence they erected a small house of worship north of the lake, and in later times one that was standing a few years ago in what is now the garden of B. B. Hall. Second Congregational Church, Middle Haddam. This church was organized February ist 1855, with the following constituent members, who had previously In June 1833, the Rev. Stephen A. Loper commenced preaching to the church and congregation, and June nth 1834, he was installed their pastor. He is a native of Guilford, Connecticut, graduated at Bangor Theological Seminary in 1826, and was ordained at Hampden, Maine, January 1827, where he remained about four years. He was dismissed at his own request, November ist 1841. During his ministry 19 were added to the church. He is now residing with a daughter in Hadlyme. The Rev. William Case, a native of Winchester, who was born April 25th 1795, and who studied theology at An- dover Seminary, supplied the pulpit during about two of the interval between the dismission of Mr. Loper and the settlement of their sixth pastor. Mr. Case was or- dained September ist 1824, and died in Hartford. The Rev. Samuel Moseley, a licentiate, preached in the church until August 1844. He died in early life. The Rev. Philo Judson, a native of Woodbury, and a graduate of Yale College, 1809, came soon after Mr. Moseley retired and labored until the spring of 1847. During his brief ministry here a revival occurred, of the fruits of which 34 were added to the church. He died in Hartford about 1870, nearly 80 years of age. He was a very successful minister, having, it is said, gathered more than 1,600 per- sons into the fold of the Christian Church during his life- time. In May 1847, Rev. James Clay Houghton, son of Wil- liam and Mary (Clay) Houghton, who was born in Lyn- den, Vermont, May 13th i8io, began to preach in this place and was installed its sixth pastor, September 15th 1847. Mr. Houghton studied three years at Amherst, but graduated at Dartmouth in 1837, and at Hartford Theological Seminary in 1840. He was dismissed from the pastoral care and charge of this church by council, held November ist 1850, having received into member- ship 18 persons. He died at Montpelier, Vermont, April 29th 1880, aged nearly 70 years. Rev. William S. Wright, a native of Glastonbury, and a graduate of Yale College in 1833, acted as pastor of the church about two years, or until January 1853. He afterward preached in Avon and Chester. The Rev. James Kilbourn was installed the seventh pastor of this church. May 4th 1853. Mr. Kilbourn was born in Litchfield, Conn., May 27th 1816, graduated from Yale College in 1837, and from Yale Divinity School in 1843. He was dismissed from the pastoral care and charge of this church July ist 1857. He died at Racine, Wisconsin, July 23d 1883. After his dismissal the Rev. Isaac Parsons was again chosen moderator of the church, and supplied the pul- pit until March 1858, when the Rev. Benjamin Balch Hopkinson commenced preaching in the church, and continued to act as its pastor until May 1868. Mr. Hop- kinson is a son of William and Maria (Atwood) Hopkin- son, and was born at Groveland, Mass., March 6th 1820, and on his father's side was a descendant from the Rev. William Balch, first pastor of the first church in the east I withdrawn from the first church for that purpose: Daniel parish of Bradford, now Groveland, Mass. He gradu- 1 S. Tibballs, Henry W. Tibballs, Edward M. Simpson, CHATHAM— CHURCHES. 191 Russell E. Tibballs, James N. Tibballs, Rufus D. Tib- balls, William T. Tibballs, Samuel Taylor, George E. Tibballs, Alvin B. Tibballs, Lyman B. Tibballs, Lucy G. Tibballs, Eleanor R. Tibballs, Jane C. Tibballs, Adeline Norton, Alraeda A. Child, Lydia S. Tibballs, Lydia M. Tibballs, Charlotte S. Jones, Elizabeth Ufford, Maria A. Kinner, and Harriet Tibballs. Their first acting pastor was the Rev. William Dickson, who occupied the pulpit but a short time but was not installed. The second was the Rev. John Newton, a son of Abner, of Middletown, where he was born March 22d 1826. He graduated at Wesleyan University in 1847, studied law and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1852. Afterward he turned his at- tention to theology and commenced preaching to this church and congregation in 1856, and occupied this pulpit five years, during which time he never passed a Sabbath without preaching. He died unmarried, August 15th 1863. The Rev. Richard M. Chipman, a native of Salem, Mass., was the next stated supply of the pulpit, followed by the Rev. Oliver A. Kingsbury, and he in turn by the Rev. Elijah B. Smith, a native of Lyme, Connecticut, and a graduate of Amherst College in 1853. The Rev. Stephen A. Loper, a former pastor of the first church, occupied the pulpit about three years, and on the 7th of October 1870, the Rev. Edward P. Herrick was ordained their pastor, being the first who held that rela- tion after the organization was perfected. He was dis- missed in 1873 and. accepted a position as missionary to the City of Mexico. The Rev. Daniel Denison, a native of Hampton, Connecticut, a graduate of Yale College in i860, and of Andover Theological Seminary in 1864, was ordained pastor, December 30th 1873, and held that relation until 1884, when he resigned and removed to Wisconsin. The church and society purchased the edifice of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1855, and in 1864 re- moved it to its present location on the main street, be- tween the villages of Cobalt and Middle Haddara, and improved its appearance by entirely remodelling its front. The number of members at the time of its organization was 22; the present number is 78. The deacons of the church have been Charles F. Rich, Lyman B. Tibballs, Samuel North, John P. Purple, James N. Tibballs, and Titus E. Arnold. The church is now without a pastor. Episcopal Church, Middle Haddam. A small Episcopal church was formed in the eastern part of Middle Haddam parish in 177 i, which held meet- ings a few years and was dissolved. They built a house of worship in 1772, 26 feet by 24, which was taken down. It stood not far from the residence of John Eddy, and it is probable that he and the Tupper families, that gave the name of Tuppertown to the upper portion of Young street, were its chief support during its brief existence. The church at the landing was formed April 25th 1785, and their church edifice, 47 feet by 36, was built in 1787. The church was under the care of the Rev. Abraham Jarvis, D. D., of Middlefield, until 1791. The two suc- ceeding years the Rev. Tilliston Bronson, afterward pre- ceptor of Cheshire Academy, divided his labors between this church and the one in Portland, and then they re- verted to the care of Mr. Jarvis. From 1796 until 1810, Rev. Manoah Smith Miles ministered here one-half the time. From 181 1 to 182 1, Rev. Jasper D. Jones minis- tered here one-third or one-fourth of the time, with the exception of 1815-16, when the chtirch was supplied by Rev. Solomon Blakeslee and Rev. Reuben Ives. Mr. Jones was succeeded by Rev. Nathan Burgess, who preached here a quarter of the time in 1822-3. He re- moved to Vermont. Rev. Edward T. Ivis, a native of Cheshire, Connecticut, then had charge of the parish about two years. From 1825 to 1826, the Rev. Orson V. Howell, then connected with the Military Academy in Middle- town, ministered to the parish one-half the time. From 1826 to 1830, Rev. Ashbel Steele, a native of Waterbury, ministered to the people. Rev. Alpheus Geer became rector in 1831, and preached until the spring of 1837, be- ing connected during that period with the church in Hebron. Rev. James Sunduland came into the parish in 1837, and preached till the spring of 1838. He was suc- ceeded by the Rev. George A. Sterling. He was a native of Sharon, educated at West Point, and he studied the- ology in New York city. Rev. Benjamin S. Huntington took charge of the parish July 5th 1840, and resigned in the autumn of 1841. Rev. Charles W. Bradley preached here about five months in the latter part of 1841, and in the beginning of 1842. He was a native of New Haven, and he has since been secretary of State, and consul to China. Rev. Sylvester Nash, a native of Ellington, suc- ceeded him in May 1842, and resigned November ist 1845. Rev. Frederic B. Woodward took charge of the parish in April 1846, and resigned in April 1858. He was educated as a physician, and practiced in Woodbury, Connecticut, for a number of years before coming to Middle Haddam. He also practiced in this parish while he was rector of the church. He was succeeded by the Rev. Thomas F. Davis, who began the rectorship April 25th 1858, and resigned October 20th 1861. Since that time the following persons have officiated: Rev. William A. Hitchcock, from November 24th 1861 to October 20th 1862; Rev. Henry De Koven, D. D., from October 26th 1862 to October 27th 1863; Rev- William H. Vibbert, from November ist 1863 to De- cember ist 1873; Rev. John Binney, from February ist 1874 to February ist 1876; Rev. Elbert B. Taylor, from June ist 1876 to August 12th 1878; Rev. Adelbert P. Chapman, from December 1879 to March 1882; Rev. Frederic R. Sanford, from April 1882 to June 1883; Rev. Richard C. Searing, from September 6th 1883 to May 6th 1884; Rev. Frederic D. Harriman, from June 20th 1884. The early records of the church have been lost, so that the names of the constituent members cannot be as- certained. The interior of the church edifice was re- modelled in 1856. The church was consecrated by Bishop Brownell, September nth 1828. The petition for consecration was signed by George Hubbard, warden, 192 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. and Gordon Whitmore, Ebenezer Smith, and John Stew- art, vestry. The present number of families connected with the parish is 46. The number of communicants is 77. The first wardens, of whom there is any mention, are named in a deed of land for church purposes, granted by Samuel Taylor, September 19th 1786, and are Stephen Hurlbut and Nathaniel Cornwall. The present wardens are Edward A. Penfield and Nathaniel C. Johnson. Methodist Episcopal Church, Middle Haddam. The Methodists in this place held meetings as early as 1792, and, in 1796, built a house of worship a few rods east of the Episcopal church, 24 feet in length by 23 in width. They had at one time about 50 members, but from various causes their numbers greatly diminished, and their house of worship was closed for lack of sup- port. The names of their ministers have not been as- certained. This house was sold in 1855, to the Second Congregational Society, which removed it to its present site. Catholic Church, East Hampton. The Roman Catholics built a small edifice for church purposes, in 1871, on the old Hebron Turnpike, a few rods west of Muddy Gutter, where services were held, from time to time, by the Rev. Father of the church in Portland. They had held services, previous to this time, in private residences in Middle Haddam and East Hampton, but the precise dale of first service in the town cannot be ascertained. The Christian Advents. The Christian Advents have held occasional services in Sears' Hall, in East Hampton, for the past four or five years. Methodist Episcopal Church, East Hampton. About the year 181 7, the Rev. Joel W. McKee, one of the preachers on the New London circuit, which then em- braced all the territory from Manchester and Lebanon to New London and Lyme, commenced preaching occasion- ally in this place in private houses, where he could obtain permission to do so, and continued to preach, at least oc- casionally, until the close of the conference year in June 1818. In this year an extensive revival prevailed in this vicinity, and it is probable that it was at this time that the first class was formed. The circuit preachers continued their visits on week days until 1828, when they began to have, once in two weeks, preaching on the Sabbath, which continued until 1847, when they commenced to have preaching from Sabbath to Sabbath. In 1830, they built, on Miller's Hill, a house of worship, 48 ftet in length by 36 in width, which cost $1,800. In 1848, 28 members withdrew from this church and were formed into a free and independent church. They built a house of worship in the center of the village, and it was dedi- cated April loth 185 1. Its dimensions are 40 feet by 30. They maintained a separate organization until 1866, and were known as the Protestant Methodist Church. John Hunter, Elder Withey, Horace Brown, David A.Chapman, Peter Feltey, and others ministered to them in holy things during these years. In 1875, the United Church erected their present house of worship, near the Congregational church, and the other buildings have been sold, the one on Miller's Hill to H. N. Darling jr., who had it taken down and made into a dwelling place, and the other to Henry Skinner, and it is now used as a storehouse and shoemaker's shop. The present edifice is surmounted by a spire, and is 56 feet in length by 37 in width. The names of the ministers who have supplied this branch of Zion are as follows: 1818, Edward Hyde, Joel W. McKee; 1819, Edward Hyde, Joel W. McKee; 1820, Charles Baker; 1821, Zalmon Stewart; 1822, Daniel Dor- chester; 1823, Ebenezer Blake; 1824, Ebenezer Blake; 1825, Horace Moulton; 1826, Lewis Bates; 1827, Lewis Bates; 1828, Thomas G. Brown, Hector Bronson; 1829, Samuel Davis; 1830, Reuben Ransom; 1831, Mosely Dwight; 1832, Pardon T. Kenney; 1833, Freeman Nutting; 1834, Amos D. Simpson; 1835, Freeman Nutting, Amos D. Simpson; 1836, David Todd, William Willcutt; 1837, David Todd, John F. Blanchard; 1838, James Nichols, Solomon Cushman; 1839, Thomas W. Guile; 1840, Abraham Holway; 1841, Charles C. Barnes, Moses Stoddard; 1842, Lozien Pierce, Chester Field, jr.; 1843, Lozien Pierce, Israel Arnold; 1844, Edmund A. Stand- ish, William O. Cady; 1845, Andrew H. Robinson; 1846, L. W. Turner, John R. Vail; 1847, Charles Morse; 1848, Charles Morse; 1849, John Cooper; 1830, J. W. Case; 1851, Albert W. Allen; 1852, Henry Torbush; 1853, Henry Torbush; 1854, William Turkington; 1855, Frank Gibson, Hiram P. Shepard; 1856, Hiram P. Shepard, G. H. Whitney; 1857, William L. Wardell, Albert Gould; 1858, William Hurst; 1859, William Phillips. From i860 to 1866, services were held but a portion of the time, the Rev. Thomas G. Brown and others occupy- ing the pulpit occasionally until 1866. whe.n a major part of the members, uniting with the members of the Protestant M. E. Church, were. accepted by the confer- ence, since which time they have been regularly supplied by that body as follows: 1866, Otis E. Thayer; 1867 Mellen Howard; 1868, Mellen Howard; 1869, J. S Thomas; 1870, Anthony Palmer; 187 1, Anthony Palmer 1872, George H. Winchester; 1873, George H. Winches ter; 1874, A. W. Paige; 1875, A. W. Paige; 1876, J. F Sheffield; 1877, J. F. Sheffield; 1878, William Kirkby 1879, William Kirkby; 1880, E. M. Anthony; 1881, E M. Anthony; 1882, Henry M. Cole; 1883, John H. Sher man; 1884, George H. Lamson. Congregational Church, East Hampton. Shortly after the settlement on Clark's Hill in 1736, a number of families settled in what is now the society of East Hampton, but at that time a part of the society of East Middletown, now Portland. In May 1743, John Clark, Stephen Griffith, Hezekiah Russ, Samuel Wads- worth, Jonathan Bailey, David Bailey, John Bevin jr., Joseph Parke, Ebenezer Clark, Jabez Clark, William Clark, Shubal Lewis, Josiah Cook, Isaac Smith, William CHATHAM— CHURCHES. ^93 Norcott, William Norcott jr., Daniel Young, Ezra An- drew, James Johnson, Caleb Johnson, William Bevin, Seth Knowles, Isaac Williams, John Markham, and Thomas Lewis presented a memorial to the General As- sembly praying that upon their hiring an orthodox min- ister to preach to them six months in a year, they should be released from paying toward the minister's salary of East Middletown Society one-half their rate or taxes, that should be taxed against them on that account, and their petition was granted on that condition. In May 1746, they were made a distinct ecclesiastical society by the name of East Hampton. From the fact that many of the early settlers in this society were natives of East- ham, Mass., it is conjectured that this name was chosen in memory of their former home. In October 1748, they were embodied into church estate upon' their represent- ing that they were about to settle the Rev. John Norton in the work of the ministry among them, and upon the 30th of November 1748, the church was organized, and the Rev. John Norton was installed as their pastor upon a salary of 100 ounces of silver, or public bills of credit equivalent thereto, for the first three years after his set- tlement, and after that time to add to it in proportion as they should advance in their list, until it should amount to 130 ounces of silver, and that to be his standing salary. Mr. Norton was a son of Sergeant John and Anna (Thompson) Norton, and was born in the parish of Kensington in the town of Berlin, at that time a part of Farmington, November i6th 17 15. He graduated from Yale College, in 1737, and November 25th 1741, was ordained. In 1755, during the second French war, he went as chaplain to Colonel afterward General David Wooster's regiment, in the expedition to Crown Point. The mem- bers of the Hartford South Association, to which he be- longed, agreed to supply his pulpit from October 12th of that year, to February 2d 1756. The records of the church during the pastorate of Mr. Norton are lost; it is supposed they were destroyed by fire when the house of Miss Eunice Norton, his daughter, was burned, so there is no means of knowing the amount of work he performed for the church and society during his 30 years of labor among them. His salary, which amounted to about I170 of our money, was not promptly paid, and but a small portion of it, probably, in cash, — the ministers of that time being necessitated to engage in barter. No traditions that the writer has ever heard, have been handed down that give any insight into his character, or his ability as a preacher. Mr. Norton labored faithfully with this people 30 years, falling a victim to small- pox, on the 24th of March 1778, which disease he contracted while returning from Middletown, from some persons who engaged him in conversation respecting the way to some locality in the immediate vicinity. It is supposed that one of the parties had just been taken from some pest-house. He was buried, with a few other victims of that dreadful disease, in a cultivated field a few rods east of the residence of Leverett D. Willey, on Miller's Hill. There, on a red sandstone slab, ornament- 1 ed with a winged head, may be read the following in- scription: IN MBMORT OF THE REV. JOHN NORTON PASTOR OF THE 3rd CHTTRCH IN CHATHAM WHO DIED WITH SMALL POX MARCH "Mth A D. 1778 IN THE 63rd TEAK OP HIS AGE. The emigrant ancestors of Mr. Norton were John and Dorothy Norton, who came from England to Bran- ford, Connecticut, in (646. It is said they were of Norman descent and the first of the name came into England in 1060, with William the Conqueror, as his constable. The place to which the family traces its planting after crossing the channel is Sharpenhow, a hamlet of Bedfordshire. John, the emigrant, was the son of Richard Norton, of London, England, who was the 13th generation from Le Seur de Norville (afterward changed to Norton), the Norman ancestor. As before stated, he settled in Branford in 1646, and in 1661, he re- moved to Farmington. His son John, born in Branford, October 14th 1651, came to Farmington with his father in 1661, and died there, April 25th 1725. His wife's maiden name was Ruth Moore. They had a son, John, born in 1684, who married Anna Thompson by whom he had thirteen children, among them the subject of this sketch. After the death of the Rev. Mr. Norton the society voted to hire Mr. Lemuel Parsons to preach on proba- tion until the ist of January 1779, and on the 5th of that month they voted to give him a call to settle with them in the work of the gospel ministry on a settlement of 200 pounds, to be paid in four years in installments of 50 pounds a year. His salary during the four years they were paying the settlement was to be 70 pounds a year, and after that was paid it was to be 80 pounds a year so long as he should continue to be their minister. This amounted in the present currency to $266.67. They voted to pay this salary and settlement in country pro- duce at the following prices: wheat at five shillings per bushel: rye at three shillings and six pence per bushel; Indian corn at two shillings and nine pence per bushel; pork eight score per hog at twenty-five shillings per hundred, and smaller or larger in proportion; grass-fed beef at twenty shillings per hundred; butter at eight pence per pound; cheese at four pence per pound; sheep's wool at one shilling and four pence per pound; and fiax at eight pence per pound; or equivalent in money to above said articles. Mr. Parsons accepted these terms on con. dition that a committee should be appointed by the society each year who should consult with him in rela- tion to what should be deemed an equivalency in money. This precaution was made necessary by the unsettled state of the country at that time, passing through the stormy period of the Revolution, and the consequent depreciation of the currency. The uniform rate at which the committee usually settled with Mr. Parsons was twenty-four to one. Mr. Parsons was the son of Lieutenant Samuel and Elizabeth (Chipman) Parsons, and was born in Durham, Conn., May 2d 1753; gradu- ated from Yale College in 1773, and was ordained at 26 194 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. East Hampton, February loth 1779. Mr. Parsons lived near the site of the present parsonage, and died Febru- ary 14th 1791, four days after completing the 12th year of his ministry, and was interred by the side of his first wife in the cemetery near the lake, where two large red sandstone slabs, ornamented with a winged head, were erected to their memory. The following are the entire inscriptions: "In memory of The Reverend Mr. Iicmuel Parsons pastor of this Church His temper was cheerful manner kind and heart benevolent He lived beloved by relatives dear to his people in friendship and esteem with his brethren and respected by his acquaintances He was born in Durham May 2nd IT."):! Educated at Yale College 1773 Ordained over this floclc Feb. 10th 1779 and after a short but useful course he departed in thehope of the Christian Salvation Feb. 14th 1791 in the 38th year of his age. The memory of an amiable and virtuous consort Mrs Katherine Paraons who died April 9th A D 1780 in the 26th year of her age by an affectionate husband the Reverend Lemuel Pai-sons God adoring and in silence mourning his own and new born sons affecting loss on this monument is inscribed Virtuous bands of Hymen's yoke By death rough hands can ne'er be broke Each kindred mind by grief refined With angels joined its mate shall find." This last inscription was undoubtedly composed by Mr. Parsons, and the epitaph has been much commented upon, and also deemed worthy of a place in a printed collection of curious epitaphs. Mr. Parsons' ancestry has been traced to Comet. A period of one year and eight months intervened be- tween the death of Mr. Parsons and the ordination of the Rev. Joel West, the third pastor, six months of which time the pulpit was supplied by ministers hired by Mrs. Parsons, widow of the late pastor. The society records also make mention of a Mr. Porter, who preached as a candidate. This was David Porter, D. D., a native of Hebron, and a graduate of Dartmouth College, who com- pleted a long and able ministry in Catskill, New York, dying there in 1851, at the age of 89, Joel West, son of Captain Samuel, and Sarah West, was born March 12th 1766, in that part of the town of Lebanon that has since been incorporated as the town of Columbia. He grad- uated from Dartmouth College, in August 1789, and was ordained to the pastoral care and charge of the church of Christ, in East Hampton, October 17th 1792. Mr. West was a man who always looked on the bright side. He labored faithfully during his long pastorate, and was beloved by his people. Religion was at a low ebb during the first part of his ministry, there not being a member of the church for many years on whom he could call to offer public prayers. There was a time of revival, in 1818-19, and 52 persons united with the church during those two years, many of them being strong men, pillars of the church and society, who exerted a powerful in- fluence in the community. After a pastorate of 34 years Mr. West died suddenly, October 26th 1826, at the age of 60. He kept a careful record of the doings of the church, and of the baptisms, marriages, and deaths during his pastorate, which has greatly aided the writer in preparing this history. The plan of raising the cur- rent expenses of the society by tax was gradually done away with during this pastorate, many persons having withdrawn from the society by certificate and cast their lot with the Baptists and Methodists. His wife was born November 28th 1774, and died September 29th 1853, and is buried by his side in the Lake Cemetery. The mem- bers of the association to which Mr. West belonged, sup- plied the pulpit for sometime after his death for the' benefit of his widow. March i4lh 1828, the society voted that " the members of this meeting feel a willingness to settle the Reverend Timothy Stone in the work of the ministry, if they can obtain the sum of ninety-six dollars from the Domestic Missionary Society, and raise a sufficient sum by sub- scription to pay him his salary." Accordingly commit- tees were appointed to confer with the Missionary Soci- ety and circulate subscription papers. The plan proved a success, and Mr. Stone was installed, June 4th 1828. During his ministry here the articles of faith and cove- nant which are now in use by the church were adopted at a church meeting held May 31st 1829. There was also a very uncommon religious excitement among the people, and many were without doubt truly converted The Meth- odists took an active part in this revival, with whom Mr. Stone was on very friendly terms. He was dismissed by a council of neighboring churches, February 7th 1832, and cordially recommended as a faithful and worthy minister of Christ, to confidence and employment. After his dismission he returned to his family in Cornwall, from which place they had not removed owing to the ill health of his wife, which was the cause of his asking for a dismission. He was a man of great simplicity of char- acter and purpose, and seemed to be a living Christian, a pastor of high and steady aim to promote the best good of his flock. He died in South Cornwall, April 14th 1852, aged nearly 78 years. After the dismission of Mr. Stone the church and society procured the services of the Rev. Samuel Ives Curtis, and a council was called to ordain him as the fifth pastor. At this time there was a very strong feel- ing over the question of old and new school. Mr. Curtis was a new school man, having been educated theologi- cally at the Yale Divinity School in New Haven. The ministers of this region were strongly old school, with Mr. Parsons, of East Haddam, and Dr. Harvey, of West- chester, as leaders. It was no easy matter to ordain a candidate who came fresh from Dr. Taylor's instruction. After a long examination the council refused to ordain the candidate, but the church, not willing to abide their decision, chose a new CQimcil which ordained and in- CHATHAM— CHURCHES. 19S stalled Mr. Curtis, November 1st 1832. He was dismiss- ed from the pastoral charge of the church, November 2ist 1837, the principal reason for his asking for a dis mission being the fact that no suitable tenement could be found for himself and family. He died March 26th 1880, aged nearly 77 years. The sixth pastor was the Rev. Rufus Smith, son of Matthew Smith, of Chaplin, Conn., where he was born April 26th 1795. He commenced to supply the pulpit June loth 1838. He was for a time a physician in Gris- wold, but afterward studied theology and was licensed to preach. He was ordained September 19th 1838. He was a strict disciplinarian. He was in truth the bishop of his church. His prayer meetings were conducted in this way: " Bro. West, will you pray? Bro. Skinner, will you remark?" and it was by no means allowable to go outside of this routine. After a pastorate of seven years, which was his only pastorate, he was dismissed on account of impaired health, June 24th 1845, and re- moved to East Hartford, where he died after a residence of some years. His wife's maiden name was Clarissa Huntington. Rev. William Russell was hired by this society for nine months from January 9th 1846, and was installed as the seventh pastor October 14th of that year. He began to supply the pulpit the second Sabbath of October 1845. He was born in Stratford, February 15th 1815, and graduated from Yale College in the celebrated class of 1837, and from Yale Divinity School in 1841. He was ordained during this latter year in Wakeman, Ohio, re- maining there three years. He was dismissed from the church, October nth 1855, by the Middlesex Consocia- tion, at his request, on account of the divided state of the church, at that time building a new house of worship. During the four years that followed Mr. Russell's dis- mission Rev. Lewmas H. Pease, who is now employed as agent of the Seamen's Friend Society at New Orleans, La., supplied the pulpit about one year and one-third. Mr. Pease was born in Colebrook, Conn., January 20th 181 1, and graduated from Williams College in 1835. Dur- the remaining two years and eight months the church extended several calls and listened to scores of candi- dates. November 24th 1859, a unanimous call was extended to Rev. Henry A. Russell, who was installed the eighth pastor, December 14th 1859. He was the son of Charles A. and Lockey (Beebe) Russell, and was born in Pros- pect, Conn., August 14th 1826, graduated from Yale Divinity School in 1853, and received the honorary degree of A. M. from Yale College in 1855. He was called here from the pastorate of the first church of Winsted, which began April 19th 1854. His pastorate here of about four years and a half closed April ist 1865. He is now settled at Moers, N. Y. He married, September 8th 1858, Sarah Smith of Winsted. The Rev. Gustavus D. Pike, who is now in the em- ploy of the American Missionary Association as district secretary, supplied the church during the following two years, from the middle of 1865 to the middle of 1867. The Rev. George Whitefield Andrews was ordained the ninth pastor of this church, November 13th 1867. By vote of the society the request of Mr. Andrews that he be released from officiating as pastor for one year, from November 14th 1870, on account of ill health, was complied with, and he ceased to be pastor from that date, and was formally dismissed by vote of the consoci- ation. Mr. Andrews was born February 4th 1833, in Wayne, Ohio, his ancestors being from among the early settlers of East Haddam. He graduated from Oberlin College in :8s8, and from Andover Theological Semina- ry in 1867. The Rev. Burritt A. Smith supplied the pulpit until April ist 1874, about three years and a half. May 17th 1874, the Rev. Joel Stone Ives commenced to supply the pulpit, and September 29th he was or- dained the tenth pastor. Mr. Ives is the son of Rev. Alfred E. Ives (Yale, 1837), of Castine, Me., and was born in Colebrook, Conn., December 5th 1847, gradu- ated from Amherst College, July i6th 1870, from Yale Divinity School, 'May 14th 1874, and was licensed to preach by the Ne.vv Haven Central Association, May 4th of the same year. He was dismissed, at his own request, October i8th 1883, in order to accept a call to the pas- torate of the Congregational church, in Stratford, Conn., where he was installed the November following. Mr. Ives preached a centennial sermon in this church, July 9th 1876, which was published, and from which the au- thor has drawn largely for this account. He married, July 15th 1874, Emma S. Butler, daughter of Joel Ives Butler, of Meriden. November 20th 1883, the church voted unanimously to invite the Rev. Edward P. Root to settle as their eleventh pastor, and he was installed February 7th 1884. Mr. Root graduated at Amherst in 1871, and from Yale Divinity School in 1875. He commenced to preach in East Hampton, January ist 1884. The deacons of the church have been: Ebenezer Clark, Isaac Smith, John Clark, James Bill, Gideon Arnold, Moses Cook, Isaac Smith, Joseph Sage, David Clark, Warren A. Skinner, Diodate B. West, Samuel Skinner, and Allen C. Clark. The early records of the church having been lost, there is no means of determining the number of its constituent members, or their names though it is probable that the major portion of them were from the church in East Middletown. At the time of Mr. Parson's ordination there were 40 male members but of the female members he made no record. Their names were: Seth Alvord, Gideon Arnold, Ezra Ackley, Darius Adams, Joshua Bailey, Othniel Brainerd, Samuel Brown, James Bill, Elijah Cook, Joshua Cook, John Clark jr., Moses Cook, Moses Cole, William Clark, Dea- con John Clark, Moses Clark, Zacheus Cook, Joseph Caswell, Silas Dunham, Abijah Hall, Ebenezer Hall, Na- than Harding, John Hinckley, Daniel Hill, Dewey Hall, Samuel Hodge, John Johnson, Isaac Kneeland, Stephen Knowlton, Nehemiah Lord, John Markham, John Nor- ton, William Norcott, Edward Purple, Bryan Parmelee, James Rich, Ebenezer Sears, Deacon Isaac Smith 196 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEJC COUNTY. Isaac Smith jr., and William White. During his pastor- ate of 12 years, 67 members were added and 32 are re- corded as renewing their baptismal covenant. At the lime of Mr. West's ordination there were 45 male and 49 female members, making a total of 104. There were re- ceived during his pastorate of 34 years, 35 males and 93 females — a total of 128. The number of members in 1828 was 70, and during Mr. Stone's pastorate 16 mem- bers were received. In 1832, there were 71 members, and during the next five years 40 were added to the church. Mr. Smith admitted 22; Mr. William Russell, 49; Mr. Pease, 40; Mr. H. A. Russell, 40; Mr. Pike, 34; Mr. Andrews, 20; Mr. B. A. Smith, 5; and Mr. Ives, 100. The number of members, January ist 1884, was 190, the oldest being Amos Clark, who was admitted in 1829. At a society meeting, held December 20th 1750, the following vote was passed: "To build a meeting house for Divine Worship," two-thirds of the qualified voters being present, and voted also that said house be of the following dimensions, viz., 46 feet long, 36 feet in width, and 22 feet between joints. There was much difficulty in deciding upon a location. In November, a vote was passed praying the General Court " to afSx a place for a meeting house for Divine Worship," by ap- pointing Capt. Jonathan Hill, and Capt. Samuel Willes, of East Hartford, and Joseph Frary, of Middletown, a committee for that purpose. The doings of the commit- tee appear not to have been satisfactory, for in March 1752, the matter was again left to the General Court. There is no record when the first service was held in the meeting house, which was at last located where the present edifice stands. The audience room was nearly square, with galleries occupying three of its sides, while the pulpit occupied the fourth. Over the pulpit was sus- pended a sounding board or canopy, to prevent the voice of the minister from being lost in the regions of the upper air. The first edifice contained many square box pews, which compelled one-third of the audience to sit with their backs to the minister. It became much dilapi- dated, and in January 1854, it was injured by fire to that extent as to render it unfit for holding services, and March 4th of that year a building committee, consisting of Hiram Veazey, Amiel Abell, T. R. Markham, Stephen G. Sears, Alfred Williams, Abner G. Bevin, Amos Clark, A. N. Niles, and Henry Skinner were appointed and in- structed to proceed to build as soon as convenient. Dur- ing that summer the present edifice, 65 feet in length, 40 feet in width, with a spire 125 feet in height, was erected, and, January 2d 1854, it was voted "that the meeting house be now received into the hands of the society." In 1866, the society built a parsonage at an expense of $3,000, and is now free from debt. The society also has a small fund of about $1,000 left by Miss Eunice Norton and Silas W. Smith. Union Congregational Church, East Hampton. The members of the ecclesiastical society, living in the vicinity of the lake, becoming dissatisfied with the lo cation of the meeting house, in 1855 erected an edifice of stucco work, 56 feet in length, 35 feet in width, with a spire 120 feet in height, about three-fourths of a mile north of the old meeting house. It was finished in the summer of 1856, and in September of that year 25 persons who had been dismissed from the First Church for the purpose of organizing a new church, called a council of pastors and delegates from the neighboring ch-'rches. They were constituted a Christian church under the name and title of the Union Congregational Church of East Hampton. The names of the constituent members were: David Buell, Calvin Hall, Horace Clark, Oren W. Bowers, Elijah Norcott, Nathaniel C. Smith, Timothy R. Markham, Stephen G. Sears, Cyprian Hinckley, Warren Veazey, Dolly L. Hall, Amelia M. Hall, Emeline M. West, Amy Clark, Charlotte Smith, Electa M. Buell, Sarah S. Bevin, Harriet Markham, Rosepha Ann West, Emily V. Sears, Mary E. Sears, Anzolette D. Parsons, Betsey L. Veazey, Evelina O. West, and Marian R. West. The Rev. James J. Bell, of Brooklyn, N. Y., was in- vited to supply the pulpit, and he officiated as acting pastor until April ist 1863. No records of the doings of the church during his pastorate have been preserved, but during the winter of 1859-60, there was a powerful revival of religion among the people connected with this congregation, and a number of persons were added to its membership. For a long time meetings were held nearly every evening during the week. Mr. Bell was greatly aided in these services by the Rev. George Whitaker, a student of Wesleyan University, at that time teach- ing a select school in the basement of the church. The Protestant Methodists also worshipped with this" congre- gation during Mr. Bell's pastorate. After the dismission of Mr. Bell the church was without a settled pastor for about a year, but was supplied on the Sabbath by various individuals. On the 2d of May 1864, the church and society invited the Rev. F. W. Chapman to become their resident pas- tor. He immediately commenced his labors, and on the ist of July of that year, at a meeting of the members of the church, the articles of faith and covenant and stand- ing rules were adopted, and from that time commences its history as a Strict Congregational Church. Timothy R. Markham and Stephen G. Sears were chosen deacons at the same meeting. Mr. Chapman labored with this church about two years. He was a native of Canfield, Ohio, where he was born, November 17 th 1806, a descend- ant in a direct line of the seventh generation from Robert Chapman, one of the first settlers at Saybrook. He graduated from Yale College in 1828, from Yale Di- vinity School in 1832, qnd he was ordained in Sep- tember of that year. He died at Rocky Hill, July 21st 1876. August 26th 1866, the church gave the Rev. Henry E. Hart a call to settle, and, on the 19th of September of that year, Mr. Hart was ordained and installed pastor. Mr. Hart is a son of Ruel and Rosanna (Barnes) Hart, and was born in Southington, Conn., June 1st 1834, grad- uated from Yale College in i860, and from East Windsor Theological School in 1863. From 1863 to 1866 he sup- CHATHAM— WESTCHESTER PARISH. 197 plied the church in Ridgewater. He was dismissed from East Hampton, October 31st 1871. After the dismission of Mr. Hart the Rev. John B. Griswold, a native of Manchester, Conn., where he was born November nth 1830, acted as pastor for about two years. Mr. Griswold graduated at Dartmouth College in i860, and Bangor Theological Seminary, 1863, and was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry,January 28th 1872. June 7th 1874, the church and society invited the Rev. Francis B. Hornbrook to become their pastor, and on the 27th of August of that year he was ordained and installed. Mr. Hornbrook was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, May 7th 1849, graduated from Ohio State Uni- versity in 1870 and from Union Theological Seminary, N. Y., in 1874, received degree Ph. D. from Harvard in 1877. He was dismissed from the pastoral care and charge of this church, September ist 1876. After his dismission the Rev. William H. Fultz acted as pastor of the church until May 1880, since which time the church has had no regular services. John Watrous and Elijah C. Barton were elected deacons, September 27th 1874, to fill the vacancies caused by the resignations of Deacons Sears and Markham. One hundred and thirty-five persons have been connected with this church since its organization, and upward of sixty are now in good standing upon its roll. The Episcopalians of Middle Haddam held services in the meeting house for a short time during 1882-3. WESTCHESTER. The ecclesiastical society of Westchester was formed from the towns of Colchester, Haddam, and Middletown, in October 1728, and the church was organized in De- cember 1829. The part taken from Middletown was "the tier of lots or so many of them as butt upon Col- chester bounds east between Haddam bounds and Salmon River, which lots lie in length one mile east and west." This part of Chatham is known as the Waterhole District, so named from a small pond on the farm now owned by D. C. Williams. There is a cemetery in this district, 150 feet long and 132 feet wide, in which the first interment was made in 1793. An association was formed in 1874, and the grounds enlarged 66 feet in length and laid out in family lots. A fine monument has been erected here to the memory of Jonathan G. Bigelow and family, whose ancestors for a number of generations occupied a large farm just over the town line in Colchester. The first family who moved into this locality was that of Stephen Brainerd, who settled on an elevation of ground in Westchester Parish, not far from the town line in Colchester, about the time of the organi- zation of the society. When they moved here all was a dense forest, and deer were so plenty that they could be shot from their door. Mr. Brainerd was a son of Deacon Daniel and Susannah (Venters) Brainerd, of East Haddam, and a grandson of Daniel Brainerd, of Hartford, one of the first settlers of Haddam. He was born February 27th 1699, and married, December 24th 1730, to Susannah Gates. She died April 29th 1793, aged 87, and was the first person buried in the Water- hole Cemetery. He died March 30th 1794, in his 96th year. Their children were; Susannah, born Septem- ber 24th 1731, married Joseph Day; Elizabeth, born December 17th 1733, married Samuel Brown, of East Hampton; Hannah, born November 2d 1737, married Bezaliel Brainerd; Mary, born February 15th 1740, married Daniel Bigelow; Stephen, born March 24111^ 1742; Sarah, born April 3Gth 1744, married Judah Lewis; and William, born August 27th r746, married Lucy Day. Stephen Brainerd jr., married, October 30th 1765, Rachel, daughter of Joseph and Esther (Hunger- ford) Day, and lived in the Chatham part of Westchester. He was the captain of a compariy of militia called to White Plains, and to New London in the time of the Revolution. He died June 26th 1820, and his widow died July 14th 1839, aged 93 years. Their children were: Levi, born December 5th 1766, married Sarah Smith; Stephen, born February 22d 1769, married Olive Ackley; Rachel, born December 23d 1770, married Elisha Fuller; David, born October 5th 1772, died De- cember 20th 1775; Elisha, born October 3d 1774, mar- ried Ann Scoville; David, born July 2d 1776, married the daughter of Michel Hale; Olive, born September roth 1778, married Ezra Brainerd; Mary, born January 14th 1781; Reuben, born September 24th 1782, married, ist, Roxanna Brainerd, 2d, Ann Savage, and died at the old homestead, November i8th 1859; Clarissa, born October 6th 1784, married William Lord; and Sarah, born September 13th 1787, married Orrin Brainerd. All these children, except the first David, who died young, and Mary, Reuben, and Clarissa, removed to Hamilton, Madison county, N. Y. Dr. Robert Usher, son of Hezekiah and Abigail Usher, was born in Millington Parish, in 1743. When eight years of age he went to live with Dr. Huntington, of Windham, Connecticut, and with him studied medicine. When quite young he commenced the practice of his pro- fession in Westchester, locating in the Chatham part and soon became a successful and distinguished practi- tioner. As a physician he occupied a high position, es- pecially in Westchester, where he lived and died. Upon the breaking out of the Revolution he joined the army as a private, and was present at the battle of Bunker Hill. In January 1776, he was appointed surgeon to Colonel Wads- worth's regiment, and accompanied the army in its perils and hardships during the war. He married. May 2Sth 1765, Susannah Gates, who died December 13th 1777, and he married, January 25th 1779, Ann Cone, of Milling- ton. He died March 27th 1820, and his widow died May 20th 1849, aged 94 years. By his first wife he had five children: Oliver, born September i6th 1766; Jona- than, born July 4th 1768, died September 22d 1768; Robert, born December 14th 1772; Susannah, born Au- gust 23d 1774; Jonathan, born November 7th 1777. By his second wife he had eleven children: James, born igS HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. February 25th 1780, died young; James, born July i8th 1781; Revile Cone, born June 19th 1783; Anna, born October 25th 1784, died iBoi; Statia, born July 22d 1786; Abigail, born May 30th 1788, married Rev. Jona- than Cone, a graduate of Yale, 1808, and pastor of the Congregational churches in Bristol, Conn., and Durham, N. Y., for many years; Diodate Johnson, born April 6th 1790, died unmarried, March 24th 1871; Sophron, born January 29th 1792, married and lived on the homestead, where he died December 8th 1873; Harriet, born De- cember i6th 1793, died 1868; Elizabeth, born January 19th 1796, died 1838; and Josiah Cleveland, born August 24th 1802. The ancestors of Dr. Usher were residents of Dublin, Ireland, and one of them, James Usher, an Irish prelate, born in Dublin, January 4th T580, died in Reigate, Surrey, March 21st 1656, and buried in Westminster Abbey by order of Cromwell, was highly distinguished as a scholar, a preacher, and an author. Lieutenant Thomas Williams, born in 1728, a son of Charles and Mary (Robinson) Williams, resided in this quarter of the town. He married for his first wife, Anna, daughter of Judah Hart, of Kensington Parish, in Berlin, Conn., and widow of Nehemiah Gates, of East Hampton, by whom he had the following children: Anna, who mar- ried Enos Brown; Statia, Dotia, and Grace. His wife died January i6th 1784, and he married Elizabeth Spar- row, by whom he had two sons: John, born September nth 1785, and Sparrow, born May i8th 1788, who mar- ried Rebecca Carrier and lived at the homestead, dying there June 7th 1875. His second wife dying, he married Sarah Sparrow, who survived him and married Aaron Foote. He died February 25th 1806. The soldiers who served in the Revolution, from this part of the town, as far as known, were: Ephraim Briggs, Dr. Robert Usher, Capt. Stephen Brainerd, Nathan Sco- ville, Lemuel Scoville, and Henry Strowbridge, who was killed in battle, in September 1777. THE EARLY SETTLERS AND THEIR DE- SCENDANTS. About 1 7 10, the family of Gideon Goffe settled about a mile south of Middle Haddam Landing, and are thought to have been the first English inhabitants that had their residence within the present limits of the town. There is a tradition in this family that they are descend- ants of William Goffe, one of the judges that condemned King Charles the First to death, and it is believed by some that the regicide ended his days in Middle Had- dam Parish. But little is known concerning this family, save that at one time they were large landed proprietors. Gideon jr., Philip, and Nathaniel, sons of the settler, settled in town near their parents and left large families. Jonathan Yeomans was another early settler, living, probably, not far from the present steamboat landing, where, in 1735, the General Court granted him the priv- ilege of a ferry. Capt. Cornelius Knowles, son of Samuel, and grandson of Richard Knowles, who was an early settler at Plym- outh and Eastham, Mass., emigrated to Connecticut, and settled in Middle Haddam, building a house on the bank of the river near the landing, from which circumstance the place was long known as Knowles' Landing. The General Court also granted him a ferry at the same place that had been granted previously to Jonathan Yeomans. Capt. Knowles died, December 28th 1764, in the 71st year of his age, leaving a wife, Elizabeth, and several children. The first settler in East Hampton of whom anything definite is known, was John Clark, who settled on what is now Clark's Hill, about 1737. Elijah Abell, son of Benjamin and Lydia (Hazen) Abell, and grandson of Caleb and Margaret (Port) Abell, one of the early settlers of Norwich, Conn., settled on Hog Hill, not far from 1770. He was born May 12th 1729, and married, first, November nth 1754, Ann Lathrop, born in 1731. She died December 15th 1764, and he married, October 30th 1768, Mary Cleveland. His children by his first wife were Elijah, Abel, Jabez, Anna, and Eunice. He had, by his second wife, Benja- min, Elizabeth, Mollie, Sarah, Joseph, and perhaps others. He removed to Lempster, New Hampshire, where he died, at the age of 70. Elijah Abell, born Oc- tober r8th 1755, served in the Revolution, and died, Sep- tember 14th 1842, unmarried. Abel, born September 14th 1857, married Lucy, daughter of Daniel Hubbard, for his first wife. By her he had Daniel, Jabez, Alice (who married Joseph White), Asahel, Robert, Elijah, Isaac, and Abel. His wife dying, he married Jemima, daughter of Ozias Brainerd, and had Martha (who mar- ried Amos Rich), Araiel, and Jabez Lathrop. He also served in the Revolution, and after the war, in company with his brother, Elijah, built a saw and grist mill near where H. B. Brown & Co.'s machine shop now stands, at the foot of Chestnut Hill. The business was carried on after his death, which occurred March 14th 1841, by his son, Jabez L., who removed to Illinois. Amiel Abell married, 1833, Marietta Veazey, and was a member of the firm of Goff, Abell & Buell, who carried on the bell business at the stand just south of where the Hebron and Middle Haddam Turnpike crosses Pine Brook. Selling out his interest in this firm to Hiram Veazey, he united with others in forming the East Hamp- ton Bell Company, who carry on the same business on the site of Cook's ancignt grist mill. His son, Irvin H. Abell, carries on the printing business in East Hampton under the name of the Chatham Printing Company. The emigrant ancestor of this family is said to be one Robert Abell, of Lancaster, England, who emigrated to Boston sometime during the last half of the seventeenth century. James Ackley, son of James and Elizabeth Ackley, and a descendant of Nicholas, one of the first settlers of Haddam, lived in the Tarsia District, where he died December 31st 1777, in the 71st year of his age. He had, by his wife, Naomi, James, born January i8th 1739. His wife dying, he married Sarah Yates, and had Sarah, Naomi, and Samuel. James Ackley jr., married Ruth CHATHAM— SKETCHES OF THE SETTLERS. 199 Ackley, December 23d 1759, and had Naomi, born Sep- tember 19th 1760, married Elisha Niles; Nathaniel, born 1763; James, born 1765; Ruth, born 1770, married Samuel Skinner; Henry, born 1780, married Ruth Purple; and probably others. Nathaniel Ackley married Elizabeth Spencer, April 6th 1788, and lived in the Tar- sia District, near where Mrs. Warren S. Ackley now lives. He was a soldier in the Revolution and an enter- prising farmer. He died September sth 1838, and she died October 9th [860, aged 90 years. Their chil- dren were: Electa, who married Joseph Whitmore;^Ogden, who married Polly Youngs, and had four sons,*Enoch, Noah, Jeremiah, and PMijah; Rachel, married Ezra Young; Rhoda, married Julius Brainerd; Selden, Harriet, and Samuel, who died young, in September 1801; Sarah, married Loren Cowdrey; Abby Ann, married Horace C. Hinckley; Washington S., married Deidama Strong; Warren S., married Mary Ann Willey; and George Buck- ley, who married, first, Susan Thomas, and second, Lydia Howard. Stephen Ackley lived north of Pocotopaug Lake about the time of the incorporation of the town. He served in the war of the Revolution, as did also his son, Stephen Ackley jr., who was born in 1762, and went into the ser- vice in 1780. He died August 22d 1836, and his wife Mehitable, died March 2d 1837. James Ackley, brother of Nathaniel, married Olive Skinner, of Westchester, and resided in Young Street District, where he died in 1841. Their children were; Epaphroditus, Lydia, Dudley, Roderick, Silvia, Eliza, Isaac, and Maria. Thomas Ackley died February 23d 1794, aged 53 years, and he. is buried in the Lake Cemetery. Nothing is known of his parentage, or of that of Thomas Ackley, a native of this town, who emigrated to Sharon in 1768, and died there November 6th 1792, age 67. Darius Adams married Mary, daughter of Nathaniel White, in 1772, was for a few years a resident of East Hampton, and had two children, Lucy and Cynthia, baptized by the Rev. Mr. Parsons. Wally Adams, of Falmouth, Mass., married Rebecca, daughter of Cornelius Knowles, of Middle Haddam, February 13th 1766, and had Sarah, born November 29th 1766, and Knowles, born January i8th 1768. His wife died January 24th 1768, and nothing more is known respecting him. Jonathan and Seth Alvord, sons of Thomas and Mary (Strong) Alvord, of Northampton, Mass., were early set- tlers in East Hampton. They were descendants of Alexander and Mary (Voze) Alvord, who were married in Windsor in 1646, but settled in Northampton about 1660. Jonathan, born November i6th 1711, married, October i6th 1739, Elizabeth Sanford, of Milford. She died April 7th 1764, and he married, November 21st 1765, widow Mary Brainerd, of East Haddam. He was a captain in the train band and prominently connected with ofiSces in the society and town and resided in the East District, near the residence of Henry S. Gates. He sold out about the year 1770, and removed to Win- chester, where he died June 28th 1784. He had two sons: Eliphaz, born January 13th 1742; and David, born June 14th 1753, married Elizabeth Wetmore, of Torring- ton, and removed to Verona,' N.. Y. Eliphaz married, November 29th 1764, Esther, daugh- ter of Judah Hart, of Kensington, and a neice of the Rev. John Norton, and removed to Winchester where he held many offices of profit and trust, dying there April 15th 1825. Seth Alvord, born November 13th 17 14, married Eliz- abeth Spencer, and resided near the Daniel B. Niles place in East Hampton. He and his brother Jonathan were the first " quoristers appointed to set the psalm " in the church, in 1760. He died March 17th 1802. His fam- ily record has not been recovered, but it is known that he had sons, Ruel, Seth jr., Orrin, Hewit, and probably other children. Ruel, born about 1750, married, No- vember isth 1774, Hannah Hall, and had John, born 1775, died at sea, of the yellow fever, November nth 1800; Sybil, Mary, James Hall, Lucy, Esther, Jabez, and Hannah. James Hall, son of Ruel, born August 8th 1781, married, October nth 1804, Lucy Cook, and in 1809 removed to Winsted. Their son, John Watson, born in East Hampton, April i8th 1807, graduated at Oberlin Theological Seminary in 1836, and was ordained the same year; was acting pastor at Mawraee City, Ohio, 1836, 1837; Buckhamsted, Connecticut, 1838-42; in- stalled at Stamford in 1842; dismissed 1846; installed at South Boston 1846; dismissed 1852; secretary of Amer- ican Tract Society, in Boston, 1858-66; superintendent schools Freedman's Bureau, Washington, D. C, 1866-70; treasurer Freedman's Trust Company, 187 1-4; and died in Denver, Colorado, January 14th 1880. Seth Alvord jr., born July i8th 1754, married, July 3d 1777, Ruth Norcutt. She died in 1792,. and he married, in 1793, Sarah Sears, who died February 2d 1819. He died July 14th 1836. His children by his first wife were Lydia, Ashbel, Ruth, Sally, Seth, and Zenas; by his second wife, Otis, Beulah, Elizabeth, and Chauncey Hart. The late Jerome L. Alvord, who died, in 1871, from the effect of a kick in the breast he received while in discharge of his duty as deputy sheriff, was a son of Chauncey Hart. Or- rin Alvord kept a public house at the old homestead for some years, but removed from the town about 1811. His wife's name was Hannah, and their children, as far as known, were Elisha, Annis, Betsey, and Philanda. Hewit Alvord, born 1757, was a soldier in the Revolu- tion, and married, June i6th 1785, Joanna Hill, and died May 27th 1787, leaving a son, John Hewit. His widow married Stephen Burnham, of East Hartford. Ezra Andrews was a petitioner for the incorporation of the Society of East Hampton, in 1743, and one of the society's committee in 1748. He was a son of Samuel and Eleanor (Lee) Andrews, of East Haddam, where he was born October 25th 1718. He married, June 21st 1744, Kesiah, the widow of James Maker, of Middle Haddam, and had two children, baptized by Rev. Mr. Bowers, Jediel in 1745, and Ezra in 1747. He died about 1753, as his widow united with the church in Mid- dle Haddam December 9th of that year. 200 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Gideon Arnold was chosen deacon of the Congrega- tional church, in Middle Haddam, November i8th 1740, and was a descendant of Joseph Arnold, one of the first settlers and proprietors of Haddam, Connecticut. Three of his children by wife Abigail were baptized by Mr. Bowers— Abigail in 1741, Mary in 1743, and Jacob in I74S- He died in 1752. Gideon Arnold, son of Gideon of Middle Haddam, married Lucy, daughter of Gershom Hinckley, of Lebanon, September 2d 1761, and settled in East Hamp- ton, near the Eureka Silk Manufacturing Company's works. He was chosen deacon of the church there. February 5th 1795, and died February i8th 1807, aged 72 years. His wife died March 1st i8or, aged 63. Their children were: Apollas, born March 22d 1763, married Lucy, daughter of Deacon James Bill; Mary, born 1765, died young; Dan, born June nth 1767, studied medicine with Dr. Thomas Skinner, of Colchester, and practiced his profession a short time in Hebron, and afterward kept a store there, dying February 14th 1855; Mary, born 1768, died young; Mary, born 1772, died 1793; Charles, born 1776, lived in Hebron and Lebanon; and Lucy, born January 12th 1779, married Capt. David Buell. Apollas Arnold lived on the old homestead for a time and had a large family of children, but died at residence of his son, in West Hartford, November loth T842. The Bailey families of Chatham are without doubt descendants of the Haddam settlers of that name, but the records concerning them are very meagre, and would be difficult to trace. The marriages of male members of the family recorded before 1785 are as follows: April 6th 1758, Joshua Bailey and Ann Foote; Sep- tember 23d 1759, Recompense Bailey and Dorothy Arnold; January 15th 1767, David Bailey and Jemima Daniels; August 20th 1775, David Bailey and Dorothy Fox; November 4th 1779, Jonathan Bailey and Olive Welton; December nth 1781, James Bailey and Abigail Haling; November 5th 1784, Joshua Bailey jr. and Ruth Sears. William Barton, son of William Barton of the society of Wintonbury, a parish formed from the towns of Wind- sor, Farmington, and Simsbury, now the town of Bloom- field, was born November 26th 1762. He labored with his father, whose name he bore, and who was armorer at Springfield in the Revolutionary war. At the close of the war he returned to Wintonbury and manufactured pistols and other warlike implements until 1790, when he went to New York and engaged in the manufacture of andirons and other articles of brass. From that city he came to East Hampton in the spring of 1808, and commenced the manufacture of hand and sleigh bells. He was the first to manufacture round sleigh bells of a solid pattern, as prior to this time they had been cast in two parts and soldered together. Being liberal-minded himself he delighted in benefiting others, and the com- munity began to flourish around him. In May 1826, he removed to Cairo, N. Y,, where he exerted a happy in- fluence, but after 20 years returned to East Hampton to spend the remainder of his days with his friends and children. He died July 15th 1849, universally respected and lamented. His wife, Clarissa, died October 4th 1858, aged 91. Their children were: Nancy, married, first, Vine Starr, second, Walter Sexton; Clarissa, married Cyrus Brainerd and removed to Kankakee, Illinois; Hubbard, Hiram, Almira, Julia, Philura, and Jason. Hubbard, son of William Barton, carried on the manu- facture of bells for some time, succeeding his father in the business, but during the latter part of his life worked a small farm situated west of the Union Congregational Church in East Hampton. He married, December 6th 1821, Deborah G., daughter of Deacon David Clark, and by her had twelve children, six sons and six daughters. He died April loth i860. Three of his sons served in the Union Army during the Rebellion, one of whom, Jason H., enlisted in October 1861, in Co. K, nth Regi- ment, C. v., was wounded at the battle of Antietam, September i8th 1862, re-enlisted January 1864, wounded in front of Petersburgh, Virginia, June 19th, and died at Fort Schuyler, New York, August 8th 1864, aged 25 years. Hiram, son of William Barton, also carried on the business of bell making in a shop near his late residence on Barton Hill, and afterward in the factory on the road leading west from the Centre school house in East Hamp- ton, where his son, William E. Barton, carried on the same business until the factory was destroyed by fire in 1874. Hiram married, September nth 1825, Lois L., daughter of John Watrous, and by her had four children, three sons and one daughter. He was a veteran drum- mer, and as long as he was able enjoyed nothing so well as to indulge in his favorite pastime. He died October 22d 1878, aged 80 years. His oldest son, William E., succeeded to his business some time before his death, and after the destruction of the factory purchased the build- ings of the Union Bell Company, situated on the same highway, a few rods further west. In 1 88 r, the buildings, stock, and appurtenances were purchased by "The Bar- ton Bell Company," who now carry on the business. This is the oldest establishment of the kind in the United States, and sleigh bells made from the first patterns of William Barton, the inventor, and the improved styles made since by son and grandson are shown here by the great grandson who manages the business of the com- pany. Jason, son of William Barton, carried on the bell busi- ness in Middle Haddam for a time in partnership with A. B. Bailey and George S. Hubbard, under the firm name of Barton, Bailey & Hubbard. He was ingenious and in- vented the method of polishing the common bells by roll- ing in barrels made for that purpose. He also patented a door bell and a call bell, and after the business was abandoned in Middle Haddam manufactured the latter in the factory of his nephew, William E., in East Hampton. He was an abolitionist of the William L. Garrison school, but died May 4th 1862, before seeing the emancipation of the slaves, an event which he so de- voutly wished. CHATHAM— SKETCHES OF THE SETTLERS. 201 John W. Barton, son of Hiram, worked for his father and brother in the bell factory for some time, and in connection with Alfred B. White purchased the patent door bell of Jason Barton, and manufactured the same for some time in the shop now occupied by the Gong Bell Manufacturing Company, until ill health compelled him to abandon the enterprise, when he sold out his in- terest to Hiram Veazey and purchased of Leroy D. F. Gates an interest in the grocery business, in a store in Moodus, to which he attended as health would permit, up to the time of his death, which occurred October 9th 1867, at the early age of 32. John Bevin jr., and William Bevin, from what is now the town of Portland, were early settlers of the parish of East Hampton, locating on what is now known as Bevin Hill. They were undoubtedly sons of John Bevin, who was a son of Arthur Bevin, who resided in Glastonbury some time before that town was incorporated (1692), but was not a land holder until 1696. John Bevin jr. mar- ried Mary Bailey, September 10th 1724, and had seven children: Elisabeth, John, Daniel, Susanna, Mary, Noa- diah, and Hannah. His wife died September 17th 1743, in the 37th year of her age, and was the first person buried in the cemetery near the lake. William Bevin married Sarah Parke, December 20th 1739, and the following children are recorded to them in the Middletown records: Timothy, born February ist 1741, died March 19th 1741; William, born April 29th 1742, was a school teacher; Desire, born March i6th 1744, died March 30th 1744; Isaac, born January 12th 1746; and Lydia, born January 14th 1748-9. He had a second wife, Mary, who died July sth 1788. He died December nth 1793, aged 83. Isaac, son of William Bevin, married Sarah Clark, and the following children of theirs were baptized by the Rev. Lemuel Parsons: Lucy, October 29th 1780, married Edmund West; Mercy, May 4th 1783, married Nathan Champion; Stephen, March i6th 1786, married Mary Brown; Abner, September r2th 1788, died 1801. Three others were born before the death of Rev. John Norton: Isaac, 1774; Sarah, who married John Watrous; and Lydia, who married Cyprian Hinckley. Isaac Bevin, born 1774, married, November 13th 1800, Anna, daughter of Abraham and Rebecca Avery, of Glastonbury, and was a farmer living on Bevin Hill, where he died May Sth 1870, aged 96 years. His wife died June 19th 1851, aged 71. Their children were: Pamelia, who married Oramel Clark; William, born Jan- uary 17th 1804; Chauncey, born July 7th 1806; Isaac Avery; Abner Griswold; Philo, born August 12th 1813; Alice Stevens, married Constant Welsh; Adeline, mar- ried S. B. Childs; and Belinda, who married Hiram Veazey. William Bevin commenced the manufacture of bells in 1824, in connection with his brother Chauncey, under the firm name of Bevin Brothers. Subsequently they admitted Abner G. Bevin as a partner, and later their brother Philo. The firm name was retained until 1868, when they formed a joint stock company under the law of Connecticut, taking the name of the Bevin Brothers Manufacturing Company. William died in 1858, and the firm now consists of Chauncey (died August 1884), Ab- ner G., and Philo. James Bill, son of Lieut. James, and Kesiah (French) Bill, was born in Lebanon, February 20th 1736. He married, July 13th 1758, Asenath, daughter of the Rev. John Norton, and settled on land given him by his father, northwest of Pocotopaug Lake. He was justice of the peace for a considerable length of time, and during the Revolution served on the committee of inspection. He represented Chatham in the General Assembly for several sessions. He was deacon of the East Hampton church from February 5th 1795, until his death, which occurred July 25th 1823. His wife died January 2d 1810, and he married, September i8th 1818, Phcsbe Pel- ton. His children were all by his first wife, and were: Asenath, born November i8th 1759, married her cousin, Jonathan Bill, of Lebanon, a soldier in the war of the Revolution, who was at the battle of Bunker Hill, with Arnold in that remarkable expedition to Quebec, and also suffered the hardships of Valley Forge; Lucy, born December 31st 1761, married ApoUas Arnold; James, born February 4th 1764, married, August 31st 1783, Hannah Goodrich, and removed to the State of New York, and at one time represented Albany in the State Legislature; was afterwards county clerk of Greene county, and again appears as a judge in Oswego county; , Elvira, born February 4th 1764, married Eleazer Skin-' ner; Erastus, born July 6th 1768, married, November 27th 1788, Sarah Hall, and lived in Southwick, Mass.; Norton, born July 14th 1770, studied medicine with Dr. John Richmond, and was a physician of great promise (He married. May ist 1791, Sally, daughter of Joseph Buell. She died April 17th 1794, aged 20 years and 8 months, and he died January 6th 1798, aged 27, leaving two children); Clarissa, born August i8th 1772, married her cousin, Oliver Bill, and removed to Steuben, New York; Achsah, born November ist 1774, died July Sth 1775; Amos, born June 9th 1779; and Abner, born Au- gust nth 1781. Cyrus Bill, son of Oliver and Martha (Skinner) Bill, was born in Lebanon, October 17th 1772. He married Eunice Taintor, of Colchester, December 19th 1799. He resided in Middle Haddam, and was a merchant there until 1815, when he removed to Brooklyn, N. Y., where, up to 1845, he engaged in the dry goods trade. He was justice of the peace while he resided in Chatham. He died in 1852, and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery. His son, Charles Edward, born in 1803, was said to be the wealthiest member of the Bill family in America. Edward Bill, one of the petitioners for the incorpora- tion of Middle Haddam Parish, was the son of Joshua and Joanna fPotts) Bill, of Groton. He married Zerviah and settled first in Colchester, about 1732. The names of his children that have been recovered are: Jonathan, born in Colchester, May 5th 1733, married and lived in Chaih.im, and Benajah, Sibil, and Elisha, bap- tized between 1743 and 1748, by Rev. Benjamin Bowers_ William Bolles, of Marlborough, married Ruby Strong, 202 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. and resided in what is known as Young Street, where he died February loth 1825, aged 76, and she, March 4th 1828, aged 74. Their children were: William, who died in Marlborough, aged 21 years; Roswell; Guy, who was a sea captain; Elias; Alexander, who married Azubah Young; Epaphras; Edmund, who married Tabitha Griffith, and whose sons, Stephen, Guy, Charles, and Norman P. were masters of vessels sailing out of New York (He also had a son William, who followed the sea); Solomon Justus, who married Lydia Morgan, and resided on the old homestead: Joanna, who died, un- married, in 1838; Ruby, who married John Markhara jr.; and Lydia, who married Horace Brown. Dr. Jeremiah Bradford was the son of Gershom and Pricilla (Wiswall) Bradford, first of Kingston, Massachu- setts, and then of Bristol, Rhode Island, grandson of Samuel and Hannah (Rogers) Bradford, of Duxbury, Massachusetts, and a descendant of Gov. William Brad- ford, of Plymouth colony. He settled in Middle Had- dam, and married Rebecca Dart, June 3d 1756- He is said to have been an able practitioner and a man of good" sense. He died in 1814, at the age of 80. His children were: Vienna, who married George Talcott; Jeremiah jr., baptized October 29th 1758, graduated from Yale in 1779, studied medicine, but never practiced as a physician, married Mary Smith in T782, and about the year 1806, removed to Berlin, Vermont, where he died December 25th 1835; William, baptized 1760; and Joel, baptized 1764, married Sarah Stocking. Othniel Brainerd, son of Abijah, of Haddam, born June 5th 1728, married Lucy Swaddle, May loth 1750, and res'ided in Middle Haddam Society for a time, and finally removed to East Hampton, where he died, De- cember loth i8i6. His wife died in 1763, and he mar- ried Jerusha, widow of Samuel Kilbourn, who died Aug- ust loth 1806. His children by his first wife were: Lucy, who married Isaac Brown; Lois, who married John Johnson; Othniel jr., Azuba, Esther, and Seba. By his second wife: Ansel, Abigail, and Oliver. Oliver married in 1793, Lucy Rogers, and, after her death, Anna, daughter of Adonijah Strong. He resided north of the lake, in the house now occupied by William Grover, and had nine children- Aristobulas; Jerusha, who married William Utiey; Lucy, who married Erastus Buck; Adonijah S.; Ursula, married John G. Hinckley; Betsey, married Warren Veazey; Mary, married Francis Gilbert; Elizabeth, married Marvin T. Nash; and Amanda, who married Nathan Levee. Othniel Brainerd jr., married Grace Stocking in 1782. He served seven years in the war of the Revolution, and about two years before it closed received an orderly sergeant's warrant. He died in Madison county, New York, May 27th 1832. James Brainerd jr., son of James, of Haddam, married, July loth 1744, Rebecca, daughter of Jacob Hurd. He died in 1749, before the birth of his youngest child, Ichabod, who was born August 19th of that vear. Hi's other children were Abigail and James. James married Mercy Stocking, October 29th 1771, and died May 2d 1797. Their children were: Jared, who married Henri- etta Smith; Mercy, Lucy, who married Jeremiah Taylor; Parsons, James, George, Russell, and Abigail. Joshua Brainerd, born May 20th 1707, son of Caleb Brainerd of Haddam, settled in the east part of Middle Haddam, and was released from paying taxes for the support of that society in 1748, and allowed to pay his rate to East Haddam. He was married, three times, and by his first wife had a son Abner, who was born May ist 1 73 1, and lived in Chatham. Abner married, first, De- cember 29th 1756, Elizabeth Champion, of East Had- dam, who died in 1758, and in 1761 he married Eliza- beth Burr. His children were Elizabeth, Joshua, Abner, Caleb, Dorothy, Seymour, Gurdon, Jeremiah, Mary, and Jared Warren. Joshua married Hannah Foster and was the father of Julius Brainerd, who lived in the Tarsia Dis'trict, near the school house. Jeremiah married Eliza- beth Green, and settled in Rome, N. Y., and was a man famous for his ingenuity and firmness of character. He was a contractor on the great Erie Canal and built the first weigh lock and the first canal barrow in its present shape that was ever made. His inventions were numer- ous and useful. Ozias Brainerd, son of Jedediah Brainerd of Haddam, and Nathan Brainerd, son of Nathan and Sarah (Gates) Brainerd of the same place, resided in the Young Street District and had large families. Nathan married, for his first wife, Content Hannah, youngest daughter of Benja- min Smith. After her death he married Lydia, widow of Jabez Brooks, and youngest daughter of the Rev. Benja- min Bowers. He died April 29th 1809, and is buried in the Young Street Cemetery. Other families of the name have resided in different parts of the town, all of them descending from Daniel, one of the first proprietors and settlers of Haddam. Samuel Brown, whose parentage has not been ascer- tained, married, April 27th 1758, Elizabeth, daughter of Stephen Brainerd, and resided in the east part of East Hampton Parish, not far from the Colchester line, near the Lyman Viaduct. He died January irth 1795, ^g^^ by 3}^ inches and contains 34 pages. It was printed in 1762, by John Holt, New York. The book is a very interesting discourse on the origin of iron and iron sand, their uses, manner of melting, etc., showing exten- sive research, and application of his own theories. Dr. Eliot married Elizabeth Smithson, of Guilford. She died February i8th 1761. They had 11 children. He became ao extensive land holder, and a considerable por- tion has come down to his posterity through four generations. Rev. Eliphalet Huntington was the fourth pastor. He was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, graduated from Yale College in 1759, and was settled here January nth 1764. He married, April 24th 1766, Sarah, daughter of Joseph and granddaughter of Rev. Jared Eliot. She was born July 24th 1751. Mr. Huntington died of smallpox, Feb- ruary 8th 1777. It is said that he called to a stranger passing in the street to inquire for news from the army. The stranger had the smallpox, and Mr. Huntington contracted the fatal disease. He is represented as hav- ing been large and fine looking, a devoted Christian, and a patriot who took a deep interest in the success of the cause of independence. The fifth pastor. Rev. Achilles Mansfield, a native of New Haven, was installed January 6th 1779. H^ mar- ried Sarah, widow of Rev. Mr. Huntington. The house he occupied is now owned and occupied by Mrs. Henry Taintor. He died July 22d 1814, and his wife died December 27th 1817, aged 6g. He left three children: Nathan, a graduate of Yale College, died April 6th 1813, aged 28; Elizabeth, married Dr. Austin Olcott, May 6th 1807; and Susan, born January 31st 1786, married Rev. Joseph Huntington, of Boston, May i8th 1809. The sixth minister, Rev. Hart Talcott, began preach- ing here January 26th 1817, and was installed June loth the same year. He was dismissed, at his own request, January 26th 1824. Dissensions followed the removal of Mr. Talcott. Cer- tain prominent brethren were subjected to discipline, December r4th 1826. The church was divided into two nearly equal parts. The majority, holding the real estate, employed Rev. Peter Crocker, from Dartmouth, Mass., to preach to them. The quarrel continued till 1831, when a settlement of difficulties was effected. The conditions were that Mr. Crocker should leave, the dea- cons on each side should resign, the church to be no longer consociated, and an entirely new board of deacons should be elected. This result was precipitated by a great revival, which commenced in September 1829. Rev. Luke Wood, the seventh pastor, was installed October 13th 1831. He was born in Somers, Conn., in 1777. graduated from Dartmouth College in 1803, and studied theology with Dr. Nathaniel Emmons. He was dismissed in March 1834, and died August 22d 185 1, aged 74 years. The eighth minister, Rev. Lewis Fostor, was born in Hartland, Conn., in 1806, graduated from Yale College in 1831, was ordained pastor of this church December 3d 1834, and died in Clinton, October 27th 1839. Rev. Orlo D. Hine, of New Milford, Conn., was the ninth pastor. He was ordained and installed over this church, April 14th 1841. He was dismissed, October 14th 1842, and is now settled in Lebanon, Conn. 236 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Rev. Enoch S. Huntington was installed May 24th 1843, and dismissed March 26th 1850. He was born at Ashford, Connecticut, and died in Danbury, Connecti- cut, April 7th 1862. Rev. James D. Moore began his ministry here March loth 1850, and was dismissed May ist 1866. He was born in England, educated at Middlebury College, Ver- mont, and graduated from the Theological Seminary of Yale College. During his ministry, 123 were added to the church, and 53 were added the first Sabbath after his dismissal. His dismissal was the occasion of great grief to a large portion of his church, and he is still re- membered with sincere regard. He had a good classical education, united with a fund of general knowledge. He died at Hartford, January 17th 1869, and was buried in the Clinton Cemetery. Rev. William E. Brooks was ordained and installed May 23d 1867. He was a native of Maine, and had been captain of a companj' of volunteers from that State in the war of the Rebellion. He was dismissed May ist 1874. He preached a bi-centennial sermon, November 13th 1867, it being the 200th anniversary of the organ- ization of the church. He is now the president of a col- lege in Austin, Texas. Rev. J. Henry Bliss commenced his labors as acting pastor, January ist 1875, and still ofificiates. Mr. Bliss is a graduate of Hartford Theological Institute. The church has 215 members now living and residing in Clinton. The first meeting house, erected in 1667, was located on the hill near where the present church stands. This gave place to a better one about 1700. At a town meet- ing, August 20th 1703: " It was offered unto the town by .several of the neighbors which had by subscription purchased a bell in or to be hung up in the meeting house whether they would accept of said bell and hang it at the Town charge which was consented to and voted." "December 29th 172411 was voted to have the Bell recast with an addition of 50 pounds of copper and one quarter so much pewter and employ Mr. Liscomb of Saybrook to do the work upon condition that he do it for twelve pounds and that he demand nothing for his Labor if he fails in the well performance of his work." Rev. Jared Eliot, in his will gave " as a testimony of affectionate regard" for the society, j^io toward the support of a school in the society, and _;^s toward the purchase of a bell. November 24th 1823, the church voted to appropriate $40 to purchase a stove. This is believed to have been the first attempt to warm a meeting house in Killing- worth. A new steeple was added to the church in 1809. The old house was removed and the present church edi- fice was built in 1833, at a cost of $4,000; additions, $2,500. It was enlarged 16 feet in 1858, and in 1877, it was remodelled at a cost of over $5,600. An organ was placed in the church in 1870, at a cost of $2,200. Baptist Church. The Baptists of Killingworth organized first as a society in 1797- The records of this organization are not to be found. " An account of the number of the Baptists in Killing- worth, October ist 1822, who belong to the Second Bap- tist Church in Saybrook: Elisha Elderkin, Thankful Carter, Henry Archbald, Phebe Treat, Charlotte Parks, Lydia Morgan, Amelia Waterhouse, Elder ' Pierpont Brockett, Sarah Brockett, Mary Elderkin, Hannah Smith, Samuel Lester, Sally Buell, Pamela Clannin." The First Baptist Church of Christ, in Killingworth, was constituted September 22d 1825. The names of the first members were: William Carter, Hannah Carter, Phebe Treat, Charlotte Parks, Ruth Crane, Hannah Nichols, Lydia Morgan, Pierpont Brockett, Sally Brock- ett, Jennett M. Loomis, John S. GrifSng, Mary Elderkin, Parnell Peck, John A. Peck, Samuel Lester, Betsey Heron, Abner Farnhara, Amelia Waterhouse, Lucy Waterhouse, John Pierson, Sally Griffiih, Sally Buell, Julia Redfield, Polly Pierson, Pamela Clanning, Deacon Benjamin Carter, Samuel W. Gladding. This church recognizes no ministerial authority. The affairs are managed by three trustees, who are elected annually. The minister whom they hire becomes a member of the church. He is not installed, but is licensed to preach by the association of Baptist ministers. The first church edifice, built in 1835, was 38 by 40 feet. This building, greatly improved, is their present house of worship. It is valued at $4,000, and is situated on the south side of East Main street. Previous to 1835, the society worship- ped in the town hall. The society was incorporated as the Clinton Baptist Church in 1863. It numbers 99 living members. The present minister is Rev. A. J. Chandler. The Universausts. There was a society of Universalists who flourished about the time of the war of 1812, and continued to hold meetings in the east school house until about 1828, when they disbanded. Their preacher was Captain Ebenezer Lester. It is not known that he was a regularly or- dained minister, but it is known that he administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and baptized. Some of the members had seceded from the Congregational church, and the following is from the records of that church, December 30th 1813: " Whereas, our brother and sister, Jared Elliot and Clarissa his wife, have withdrawn from the watch and fellowship of this church and joined the society called Universalists, therefore voted to withdraw, and this church doth hereby withdraw our fellowship, watch, & care from the said Jared Elliot and Clarissa his wife, at the same time signifying that in case they should be convinced that they are in an error and seek restoration to this church that hath embosomed their fathers* we shall joyfully receive them to union with us," etc. The Universalists never owned a house of worship here. Methodist Church. The first Methodist class in Killingworth (now Clinton) was formed in 1829, and consisted of the fol- lowing persons: John Hopson Wilcox and Ann his wife. *Thls Jared EUiot was gi'andson of Dr. Jared Elint, former pastor of the Congregational church. He was a Justice of the Peace and a mem- ber of the General Assembly. He died September 25th 1S41. CLINTON-CHURCHES— BIOGRAPHIES. 237 Edwin Parks and Mary his wife, Richard Handy and his wife, Mrs. Polly Buell, Mrs. Sophia Buell, Mrs. Hannah Buell, Laura Handly, and Nathan Brooks. The first minister was Rev. Nathaniel Kellogg. The first church building was erected in 1830, and stood on the south side of West Main street. It was abandoned and sold in 1855. The present edifice was built in 1855, and cost, with improvements since made, about $10,000. The society has a convenient parsonage near the church. There have been a number of interesting revivals during its history. The present number of members is 178. Holy Advent (Protestant Episcopal) Church. " Organization of the Parish of the Holy Advent in Clinton, 1873. " We the subscribers, composed of residents of tht- towns of Ch'nton, Madison, and Weslbrook in the State of Connecticut, being desirous of becoming a body cor- porate under the constitution and law of said State, for the purpose of establishing and supporting the worship of Almighty God according to the doctrines and disci- pline and liturgy of the Protestant Episcopal Church in these United States and in communion with the same, do hereby resolve and constitute ourselves and our succes- sors into an organized association or corporation under the constitution and laws of this State. And for the aforesaid purpose of a society or parish of the said church to be known in law as the Episcopal Society of the ' Holy Advent Church ' in the town of Clinton, county of Mid- dlesex, in the State of Connecticut. " In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this lolh day of Se|)tember, A. D., 1873. Edwin B. Stevens, H. S. Meigs, Daniel M. Webb, M. Josephine Warren, David A. Wright, Mary G. Judson, Charles W. Redfield, Susan E. Griswold, John Andrews, J. J. D. Buell, John S. Pelton, Jane Wilson, M. J. Stevens, Mary B. Wright. S. A. Leffingwell, "Clinton Sept. loth 1873. Certified and authorized to call a meeting bearing date five days before said meet- ing. " Elias W. Wellman, Justice of the Peace. The chapel of " Holy Advent Church " was conse- crated by Rt. Rev. John Williams, bishop of the diocese of Connecticut, July 8th 1880. PROMINENT MEN. Edward Griswold. To this man should be given the credit of first organ- izing a settlement at Killingworth. Born in Kenilworth, England, 1607, he came to Massachusetts in 1639, re- moved to Connecticut the same year, and settled in Windsor, on the banks of the Farmington River. He was representative to the General Court in 1658, and justice of the peace before 1663. In 1663, the settlement of the plantation at Hamraonassett began, and was named Kenilworth, after the place of his birth. It may be re- marked that the various changes in the name of the set- tlement all took place after the death of Edward Griswold, in 1691, and are all the mistakes of clerks and recorders. Dr. Field, in his "Statistical Account," says that Ed- ward Griswold was from Saybrook, but there is no evi- dence that he was ever a landholder there. His brother, Matthew, settled at Saybrook as the at;ent of Colonel Fenwick. No stone marks the grave of Edward Gris- wold in Clinton. A very rough slab of granite, marked M. G., is supposed to be in meniory of his wife, dated 1670. This is the oldest record in the Clinton burying ground. John Griswold, son of Edward, was a deacon of the church, and a member of the General Court 28 sessions. JosiAS Hull. Josias Hull, one of the first settlers, emigrated from England to Windsor, Connecticut, about 1640. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Loomis, of Wind- sor, .May 20th 1641. He was deputy to the General Court from Windsor in 1659, 1660, and 1662. Here- moved to Killingworth in 1663, and died November i6th 1675. He was the ancestor of all of the name now re- siding in Clinton and Killingworth. Henry Crane. Henry Crane was a school teacher, and the second representative to the General Court from Killingworth. He removed to Durham in 1708. Joseph Wilcox. Joseph Wilcox was born in Killingworth, and was a warrant officer in the Revolutionary war. He married Phebe, daughter of Theophilus Morgan 2d, January 30th [785, and became his father in-law's successor. He was marshal of the State, and brigadier-general of infantry. He became involved in pecuniary difficulties, gave up his property, and removed to Marietta, Ohio, about 1810, and died soon afterward. General Wilcox did much to improve his native place. He built wharves, houses, vessels, planted shade trees, etc. He was ad- mitted to be one of the most capable business men in the town. Captain Daniel Griswold. Captain Daniel Griswold was a great-grandson of Ed- ward, and was born in 1722. He was a captain of infan- try in colonial times, and went with his company to Ha- vana, about 1759. He owned the mills where the Clin- ton Paper Manufacturing Company are now located. In 1792, he removed with his family to Little Falls, Her- kimer county, N. Y. The present residence of Henry Woodstock was occupied by Captain Griswold before his removal and was probably built by him. Judge William Morgan. Judge AVilliam Morgan, son of the first Theophilus, (see page 233),was born June ist 1746, and married Mir- iam Murdock, November 23d 1769. He was justice of 238 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. the peace for many years and also judge of the Middle sex County Court. He was member of the General As sembly, 1804-6. He died January 17th 1824. JosiAH Baldwin. Josiah Baldwin, one of the heroes of the Revolution- ary war, was born in Killingworth. He enlisted in the French war, in 1759. In 1775, he was first lieutenant of Capt. Samuel Gale's company, and went in command of the company to Ticonderoga to take the British posts there. He was afterward promoted captain, and was authorized to raise, and did raise, a company for the de- fense of the State. He was twice married, first to Eliza- beth Redfield, and second to Martha Stannard. Captain Baldwin died in 1819. Elisha Elderkin. Elisha Elderkin was born in Killingworth and learned the silversmith's trade previous to the Revolutionary war. In 1777, he was living in New Haven. He married Mary, sister of Capt. Caleb Brintnall, who was at one time mayor of New Haven. Elderkin was a captain of the coast guards, was assigned " captain of whale boats," and did good service. At the close of the war he settled in Killingworth and carried on his trade there. He died November zSih 1822, aged 67 years. His only son, Buckminster Brintnall, was captain of ist Company, 7th Regiment of Connecticut infantry. He was a brave and faithful man, whose character was above reproach. Nancy, dnughter of Elisha Elderkin, married Major General Horatio Gates Wright, of Washington, D. C, chief of engineers of United States army, commander of the 6ih Corps in the war of the Rebellion. The heirs of Elisha Elderkin received a pension for his services in the Revolutionary war. Dr. Aaron Elliot. Dr. Aaron Elliot, son of Rev. Jared Eliot, was born March i5ih 1718, and died December 30th 1785. He married Mary, daughter of Rev. William Worthington. of Westbrook. She died June 3olh 1785. He assisted his father in the manufacture of steel from black sand, and carried on the business after his father's death. He was a physician, deacon of the church, and a colonel of in- fantry. He was representative to the General Court nine sessions, and also town clerk. At his death the manufacture of steel was abandoned, and has never been revived. Abel Buell. Abel Buell, born in Killingworth (Clinton), February ist 1742, was son of John, son of Benjamin, son of first Sam- uel. His mother was Abigail Chalfield. He was an in- genious mechanic, and learned the trade of a silversmith of Ebenezer Chittenden, of Killingworth. He was mar- ried at the age of 19, and at 20 was detected in altering a five shilling note to five pounds. So ingeniously was it done that it could be discovered only by comparing the stubs from which all the colony bills were issued. Matthew Griswold, the king's attorney, conducted the prosecution (Griswold was a third cousin). As it was his first offense, and because of his previous good char- acter, he was dealt with leniently. His punishment con- sisted of imprisonment, cropping, and branding. The tip of his ear only was cut off, held on the tongue, and replaced, where it grew on. He was branded on the forehead, so high up that the hair afterward covered the scar. But the hot iron was held on long enough to say, " God save the King " After this he constructed a lapi- dary machine, believed to have been the first used in this country. With this machine he constructed a very beau- tiful ring, which was presented to Mr. Griswold, the king's attorney, and his pardon was obtained. About 1790, Abel Buell removed to New Haven. About this time Bernard Romans was constructing a map of North America. A survey of the coast of Florida was wanted. Buell undertook this task. While at Pensacola, a man, knowing him to be ingenious, asked him to break the Governor's seal and replace it without injury. Buell showed him how, but was arrested for it, and escaped in a boat of his own construction. He was three days at sea, but finally returned home safely. The map was published during the Revolutionary war, and it is believed to have been the first map engraved and pub- lished in this country. During the Revolutionary war it was exceedingly difiicult to procure types for printing, except French types. Mr. Buell constructed a type foundry, and employed 15 or 20 boys in manufacturing types. This is believed to have beeji the first type foundry in America. The Legislature of Connecticut, inipressed with the fact of his eminent services, restored to him his forfeited rights, Mr. Buell and some others were employed by the State in coining coppers. Mr. Buell constructed all the apparatus for this purpose; and to such perfection did he bring his machinery that he was able to coin 120 a minute. Soon after, he went to Eng- land, ostensibly to procure copper for coining, but really to gain some knowledge of machinery for manufacturing cloths. A letter from Mr. Buell to his sister in New Haven, written from England, is now preserved in the hands of George B. Butler, Esq., New York city. While Buell was -in England he passed through a town where people were constructing a bridge. Through some error or defect in contruction the builders could not make this bridge answer any useful purpose. Such was the ingenuity of Mr. Buell that he was able in a siiort time to instruct them how to do it in a proper manner. His services were considered so valuable that he was presented with a purse of a hundred guineas. Mr. Buell returned to this country and brought a Scotch- man by the name of Mcintosh with him. They erected a cotton factory (water power) in Westville, a suburb of New Haven, Conn., one of the first, if not the first of its kind, erected in this country. He made a profession of religion at Stockbridge, Mass., after he was 70 years of age. About the year 1825, Buell returned to New Haven, poor and needy, and died in the alms house soon after his return, aged about 83. CLINTON— BIOGRAPHIES. 239 A specimen of his work as a silversmith is now in pos- session of Mrs.Joseph J.Kelsey, in Clinton, in the shape of a silver milk pitcher, marked with the maker's initials, A. B. One ot Buell's sister, Abigail, married Samuel Green, October 25lh 1774, noted as a printer in New Haven, Conn. One sister. Hannah, married Phineas Bradley, of New Haven, February ist 1769. George B. Butler, of New York, is a grandson. One brother, John H., was captain and major in United States army •79 1-93- Ebenezer Lester. Ebenezer Lester came to Killingworth at an early age, with his father, who was a tanner, and settled at Waterside, in Clinton. He married a Miss Colfax, of New London. He was captain of a company in the war of the Revolution. His father-in-law was colonel of the Washington Life Guards. After the war closed he be- came a merchant in Killingworth. He built and owned several vessels. His store was the building now owned by Mrs. Jeremiah Lynch, on the north side of Main street, next west of the bridge over Indian River. He began preaching to the Universalists of this place about 1815. About 1831, he received a pension for his services in the Revolution. He died March i7lh 1838, aged 83. He left one son, Ebenezer, who settled in Boston. Captain Noah Lester, brother of Ebenezer, studied law. He was a captain of artillery in the United Slates service in 1809, and raised a company in Killingworth. Pie was then transferred to Fort Trumbull, New London, and afterward to Fort Independence, Boston Harbor, where he was in command at the declaration of the war of 1812. He then resigned, and returned to Killing- worth and took up the practice of law. He died about 1820, unmarried. Amaziah Bray. Amaziah Bray, son of Rev. Mr. Bray, of North Guil- ford, Connecticut, studied law, settled in Killingworth, and married Susan, daughter of Gen. Joseph Wilcox, in 1814. He was commissioned captain of artillery in 1814, and authorized to raise a company in Killingworth for the defense of the State. He was placed in charge of the defense of Clinton Harbor and Saybrook Fort, in May 1814, and served four months. He was afterward pro- moted colonel of the 2d Regiment of Artillery. A few years later his health failed and he removed to Marietta, Ohio. He returned to Killingworth, and died October 26th 1823, aged 42, and was buried at the expense of the town. John Stanton. John Stanton, only son of Adam Stanton, married Elisabeth, daughter of Jared Elliot Esq.^ and inher- ited his father's business. His, life was largely de- voted to religious subjects. He was justice of the peace for several years, and was an ardent whig. He died September 2d 1864, aged 82, leaving two sons and a daughter. His son, John, occupies the premises in Clin- 1 ton, on which the first Yale College building stood. The other son, Lewis Elliot, is a pr.icticing lawyer in Hart- ford, Connecticut. He was member of the Legislature from that city in 1880, and was chairman of the judici- ary committee. The daughter, Elisabeth, died May 5th 1868. Ely Augustus Elliot. Ely Augustus Elliot, only child of George Elliot and Patience Lane, was born .September i8th 1791, and was educated at Clinton Academy. He was made a lieuten- ant of artillery in 1814. and after the war was commis- sioned brigadier general of artillery. He married Susa.n M. Pratt, of Saybrook, July ist 1818. He served in the Coast Guards, as a lieutenant at Saybrook, in command of a section of Amaziah Bray's company, in 1814. He was a merchant in Clinton from 1815 to 1850. He was president of the board of directors of the New Haven & New London Railroad Company from 1854 to 1857. He delivered the annual address before the Agiicultural Society of Middlesex county, at Middletown, in 1849. He was judge of Probate from 1842 to 1844, and in 1846 and 1847. He was State Senator in 1839. Hedied January 6th 187 1. His wife died January 9th the same year, aged 76. They had three children: George E., Henry A., and Charles A. George E. married Cornelia C, daughter of David Redfield, and has four children: Mary Cornelia, teacher in Morgan School; Grace R., married Henry Gustave Rogers, of Naples, Italy, June 27th 1883; Ely Augustus, married Nellie M. Hunt, of Providence, R. I.; and George Edwin, now in Yale Col- lege. Henry A. Elliot married Phebe Elizabeth, daughter of Captain Levi Hull and Betsey Dibbell. They have one child, William Henry, who is employed in the office of the Consolidated Railroad Company, New York. He married Ellen Chittenden, of Scranton, Pa. Charles A. Elliot married Adelaide Augusta Wilcox, August T4th 1853. By her he has one daughter, Frances, unmarried. He married, second, Mary, daughter of John D. Lefifing- well. Their children are John, Susan, Genevieve, and May. Leet Hurd. Leet Hurd, son of Capt. Caleb Leet Hurd and Mary Griswold, was born in Clinton in November 1781. He married Wealthy Redfield, February 2rst 1810. He learned the trade of ship carpenter, and was master builder of many vessels. He was commissioned lieuten- ant of the Coast Guards inNovember 1814, was stationed at Clinton Harbor, and was paid for 34 days' service. He was a member of the Assembly in 1840, and was judge of Probate from 1847 to 1850. He was a great reader, and was well informed on all subjects pertaining to State and national politics. He died October 6ih 1879, leaving one son and three daughters. John L. Hull, son of Hiel Hull, was born September 26th 1808. At the time of his majority he was engaged in the cabinet business. A few years later, in connec- tion with his brother, Alfred, he added the lumber busi- ness, which was continued until his death. 240 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. He was a member of the Legislature in 1854, i860, and 1862. He died suddenly, May 3d 1862. He was uni- versally respected, devoted to the welfare of the church, prompt to aid the suffering, and charitable to the poor. Benjamin Wright. Benjamin Wright was a settler in Killingworth as early as 1660. He is said to have been a squatter on the lands on the west side of Menunketesuc River, near its mouth. His farm included the land given to Rev. James Fitch, then of Saybrook, by the General Court. Wright afterward bought his land of Mr. Fitch, and by the bounds first established was included in Killing- worth, and recorded as one of the first settlers. About T704, the line was changed, placing his residence in Saybrook, and a portion of his farm in Killingworth. When the settlers of Killingworth, in 1663, came to lay out their plantation they found Wright already within their bounds. He had led a solitiry life on his beau- tiful promontory some years, four miles away from the nearest white inhabitant. With an abundance of oys- ters, clams, and fish in front, and game in the thick for- est north and west of his residence, he was literally as well as poetically " Lord of the fowl and the brute." His son, James, in 1700, refused to bring in his list to the town of Saybrook for the year 1699. The General Court ordered ;£'30 to be added to his list of the previous year, and that he be listed at .^^200. The de- scendants who occupied the premises refused to be in sympathy with Saybrook. Bsnjamm Wright was a Cath- olic from England, and was said to have held a mili- tary office under King Charles, but when Cromwell de ■posed the king, Wright left England and settled in Guil- ford, Conn. He was there in 1745. ^'^ residence was on the corner of State and North streets in Guilford. He owned the land where Guilford Institute now stands. It has been reported and believed that he was arraigned before the Guilford authorities for being a " pestilent fellow." His children were: Benjamin, Jane, Elisabeth, James, Anna, John, Joseph, and Jonathan, who married Asena Hand and went to Wethersfield. Among his de- scendants are: Hon. William Wright, of New Jersey, at one time United States Senator; Major-General H. G. Wright, of Washington, D. C, and Hon. John B. Wright, State Senator in Connecticut in i86i and 1862, now deputy collector of internal revenue, residing in Clinton. Dr. Benjamin Gale. Dr. Benjamin Gale, practicing physician in Killing- worth, next after Rev. Jared Eliot (see page 19), was born in Goshen, New York, and married Hannah, daugh- ter of Rev. Jared Eliot, June 6th 1739. He had eight children, two of whom were sons, and died in infancy. Dr. Gale died May 6th 1790. Dr. Samuel Gale was a nephew of Dr. Benjamin Gale. He was born in Goshen, New York, removed to Killing- worth, studied medicine with his uncle Benjamin, and married his daughter, Elizabeth, September 4th 1766. He practiced medicine in Killingworth till 1786, when he removed to Troy, New York, where he died January 9th 1799. He was commissioned captain of infantry in 1775. His company marched to Ticonderoga, under command of his lieutenant, Josiah Baldwin. Cnpt. Gale also commanded a company that marched to Boston in the " Lexington Alarm." Samuel Gale, son of the above Samuel, was a physician in Tro)', New York. He married Mary Thompson, Sep- tember 15th 181 r. Their son, E. Thompson Gale, is president of the United States National Bank of Troy. He was married, January 17th 1844, to Caroline DeForest. Hon. William H. Buell. It is not for lack of material that the old town of Kil- lingworth has produced fewer distinguished men than some of her sister towns, for this was the original seat of learning in the State, and her youth have always enjoyed fair educational advantages; but for over 200 years her citizens have tilled the soil or sailed the sea, and have been content to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors, many of whom were connected with families who have been prominent in the history of our country. The maternal ancestor of W. H. Bucll was Edward Griswold, whose record is too well known to require a repetition in this sketch. His paternal ancestors, the Buells, were among the original settlers on the plantation of Hammonassett, afterward called Kenilvvorth. Hiel, of the fifth generation, the father of W. H. Buell, followed the occupation of a farmer and fisherman. He married Lucy, daughter of Josiah Griswold, by whom he had six children: Roxana, Hiel, Mary Ann, Heman, Robert, and William H. The latter, who was the youngest of the family, was born November 30th 1806. He had all the advantages of the town for schooling dur- ing the winter, and assisted his father in farming and fishing during the summer. From the age of twenty he taught school for eight terms, and during this time apprenticed himself to a shipbuilder; this occupation he followed until 1850, a period of 22 years. In 1850, he was appointed by the government to take the census of the southern portion of the State,which includes the towns of Clinton, Killingworth, Westbrook, Old Say- brook, Essex, Saybrook, Chester, East Haddam, Guil- ford, and Madison. This was an immense territory for one man, but he did it thoroughly and satisfactorily. Soon after this, prominent lawyers in the State, having unsuccessfully prosecuted bounty land claims, under the act of 1850, the business was undertaken by Mr. Buell and through his efforts a number of widows were pro- vided for, that had hitherto been omitted, as well as nu- merous pensioners. In 1858-59-60 he was elected State comtroller with Hon. William A. Buckingham as governor, and in 186 r, when the first call for troops was made by President Lincoln, he rendered material aid in the equipment of the 1st and 2d Regiments, Connecticut Volunteers, which went from New Haven. On the arrival of the ist Con- necticut Regiment at the Washington Navy Yard, Gen- CLINTON— BIOGRAPHIES 241 eral Scott remarked that he " thanked God for the arri- val of one regiment fully equipped." Mr. Buell has held other positions of trust in his native town and county, and has always been prominent in edu- cational matters, and was for some time treasurer of the school fund. He was justice of the peace for two years, and a director in the Clinton National Bank for 14 years! As a financier he has always displayed great executive ability, and he was fitted by nature for a higher posi- tion in life than the humble occupation he followed in his native town. His ability as a writer is well known, and it was the unanimous wish of the people of his native town that he should write that portion of the history of Middlesex county; and the writer of this sketch gladly adds his humble tribute of praise to that so freely bestowed by his friends and neighbors. On the loth of November 1830, he married Delia A., daughter of Jared Buell, by whom he had four children: Roxana, Mary Ann, William Henry, and Charles Francis Adams. Mary Ann, the second child, was married to Dr. E. C. Hine, a practicing physician of Philadelphia, now pro- fessor of natural history at Girard College. William Henry, the third child, married Jessie, the daughter of Hon. Abijah Catlin, of Harwinton, Conn., formerly State controller, also treasurer of the Con- necticut Trust Company of Hartford. Charles Francis Adams married Kate M. Heaney, of St. Paul. Minn. The wife of Mr. Buell died September 26th 1857, and he has since remained single. He is now nearly 80 years of age, and while he is subject to physical infirmities that render him less active than in former years, his mental faculties remain unimpaired. THE GALE FAMILY. The processional exercise of his skill as a physician for more thim forty years in [illlinjjrworth made Dr. Benjamin Gale not only eminent but renowned. He was lineally a descendant of Edmond Gale who came from England to Cambridge, Massachusetts, and died In Boston, in 1642. His son, Abel, moved in I7U4 to .Jamaica, on Long Island. Tn 1721 he changed his residence to Goshen, New York, wheresomeof his posterity still live. His son, llen.iftmhi, having graduated from Yale (Villege, be- gan his professional life as a physician in Killingworth. He married Hannah, the only living daugntei" of the Rev. Jared Eliot, also a phy- sician, a grandson of John Eliot, the celebrated apostle to the Indians of New England. In the early years of his practice. Dr. Gale, to abate the virulence of small pox among the People, persuaded them to boinoculated with the matter produced by it. Although this mode of treatment was severely censured by many, he, nevertheless was highly successful in lessening the fatal ravages of the much dreaded disease. He afterward wrote an important paper on the practice of inoculation for small pox in the British American provinces, particularly in New England, which was pnblished in the philosophical transactions of 176.5. Among the facts presented by him was that the numberof deaths from small pox before inoculation was practiced in New England averaged one to seven per- sons, and that inoculation reduced the rate of mortality to one in thirty. His personal observations on some other diseases appeared in later pub- lications. His liiblical knowledge permitted him to become the author of a comprehensive work on the Old Testament prophecies. The wide field of his studies also embraced the science of agriculture, and his paner on "An improvement in the drill-plough" was considered so meritorious by the London Society for the Promotion of the Arts and Pciences, that'its members, in 1770, awarded him a gold medal, now In the possession of E. Thompson Gale of Troy. His tomb in the grave- yard in Killingworth is marked by a marble tableton which is inscribed: " tn memory of Doctor lien.iamin Gale, who after a life of usefulness in his profession and a laborious study of the prophecies fell asleep. May 6, 17W, aged 7.T." By the side of his grave is that of his wife, who having obtained a good report through faith fell asleep, June 27, 1781, "^Their children were: Elizabeth, born December .3d 1740, married Dr. Samuel Gale; Catharine, born June2]stl7'ia,married Mr.Atwater; Mary, born KebruarvSd 1744, married Mr. Kedfleld; Juliana, born November 4th 1740, married Mr Hubbard; Hannah, born April 12th 1748, died Nov- ember 20ih 1797. Their two sons, Samuel and Benjamin, and a daughter, '^Sainuel Gafe, the son of John Gale, a brother of Dr. Benjamin Gale, was born in Goshen. March 3d 1743. When a youth he entered the ofiioe of his uncle Benjamin, in Killingworth, topuisue a course of reading to fit hill) for the practice of medicine. He began his profession as a phy- sician with his uncle, whoso eldest daughter, Elizabeth, he marriid. The oppressive ineastnes of the British ministry to coerce the people of the colonics losulimit to arbitrary taxation caused hun to take up arms in behalf of the burdened colonists. Given a captamcv by Gover William) and two daughters, to reside at Lansmg'burgh on the Upper Hudson But the vessel when it entered the Hudson was so impeded in its progress up the livcr by adverse winds and storms tliat it did not reach Van der Heydcns Ferry, the site of Tro.v until the beginning ot Septemlier. Anxious to know whether or not the lioufo for which he had previously bargained was occupied, he hastened to Lansingbui!!^i. There he learned that the house was rented to another settlor. On his retuni to the sloop, Jacob D. Van der Heyden, the owner o the farm adjacent the forr.v, persuaded him to settle on some pnrt ot his land as several other emigrants had done. Accepting the prolenrd use ot a part of Jacob D. Van der Heydeu's house until he could select a site and build on it a dwelling. Dr. Gale shortly thereafter licgan the erec- tion of a weather boarded building on the west side of the river road, now bliver street, and on the second lot south of the present line of Ferry street, and on its completion i-csided in it with his family until 17!I8, when he removed to his second home in Troy, No. ill) First street, where he and his wife and all their children^cxceiit their sons, .John and Samuel, died, and where their daughter, Sarah, lived until her death in 1862. Dr. Gale's skill as a physician quickly obtained for him a considerable practice among the settlers of Troy and the farmers of its neighbor- hood, lu the organization of the First Presbyterian Church he took a leading part. He was elected one of the first trustees of the society, December 3Ist I7H1, which olBce he held for a number of years. He was also one of the charter members ot the first lodge of masons eetablished in the village in 1790, Apollo Lodge, No. 49. His useful lite was termi- nated by death. January 9th 1799, when he was lifty-six >eais old. His two sons, Benjamin and John, established themselves as mer- chants in Troy. His third son, Samuel, born in Killingworth, in 1772. was graduated by the Medical Society of Vermont. May 9l.h 1792, and was licensed to practice medicine in Troy, April 12th 1798 He after- ward removed to the West Indies where for a time he followed his pro- fession. On his return to Troy, he changed his vocation to that (pf nn apothecary. Subsequently he was appointed postmaster of Troy, the duties of which office he discharged from 1804 to 1828. When the Uens- selaer Medical Society was organized in Troy, July 1st 18(18. he was made its treasurer. He was a member of the first board of directors of the liensselaer and Saratoga Insurance Company, incorporated in 1814; also one of the managers of the Troy Savings Bank, incorporated in 1823, and also one of the directors of the Farmers' Bank of Tioy. In 1811, he married Mary, the daughter ot Ezra Thompson of Dutchess county. He died July 21st 1839. leaving two surviving sons, E.Thompson and .lohn U. Gole. The former, born in Troy, April 27th 1819, having grad- uated, in 1837, a civil engineer from the Kensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, travelled thereafter extensively in the United States, (n 1819, he became one of the firm of Brinkerhoof, Catlin & Gale, hardware merchants. In August 1811, he sailed to Europe, where he i-emained travelling until November ]842. On his return to the United States, lie again actively engaged in the hardware business. In February 1843, the firm was changed to E I'hompson Gale & Co. In 18.5;J, it became Catlin & Sexton, Mr. Gale being a silent partner. In 18.59, he terminated his connectioit with the firm, but several years afterward his son, Alfred de Forest Gale entered as a parlner. the firm name being changed to Lane, Gale & Co. From 1850 to 1859, Mr. Gale was a director of the Far- mers' Bank of Troy, incorporated in 1801 . In 1859, he was elected presi- dent of the institution, which office he retained until 1805, when the li'aniieis' Bank and the Dank ot Troy, the two oldest banks In the city, were consolidated under the name of the United National Bankot Troy. He was then elected president of the new institution, which position he still holds. When the construction of the Troy and Boston Railroad was projected in 1848, Mr. Gale greatly furthered the undertaking by his influence and subscriptions. In 1849, he was elected one ot the directors of the road. Since the organization ot the Troy Gaslight Company in 1848. he has been one of its directors. Since lS)9hehas been yearly chosen a director in the Rensselaer and Saratoga Railroart of their farms, and that the part thus given up, with the common lands should be laid out in lots for such persons as should of fer themselves for inhabitants. These proposals were accepted and settlers came in from various places who, in May 1708, were favoured with a patent, confirming to them all the lands in the township. The number of adult male inhabitants at that time was 34, most of whom were heads of families. Their names were as follows: Caleb Seward, . David Seward, Joseph Seward, David Robinson and Joel Parmelee, from Guilford; the Rev. Nathaniel Chauncey, Isaac Chauncey, Robert Coe, Joseph Coe, Samuel Fairchild, James Curtis, Jehiel Hawley, and Benjamin B.ildwin, from Stratford; Richard Beach and Benjamin Beach, supposed to have been from the same place; James Baldwin, Samuel Camp, William Roberts. Samuel Sanford, and Thomas Wheeler, from Milford; Joseph Gaylord, Joseph Gaylord jr., John Gaylord. Joseph Hickcox, and Stephen Hickcox, from Waterbury; Joseph Norton and Samuel Norton, from S.iybrook; John Sutliff and Nathaniel Sntliff, from Deerfield; James Wadsworth, from FarminsiOi; Jonathan Wells, from Hatfield; Henry Crane, from Killingworth; Hezckiah Talcott, from Hartford; and Ezekiel Buck, from Weathersfield. ''Directly after they received their patent, these set- tlers purchased of the inhabitants of Killingworth the jurisdiction of the tract granted to them, for which they gave them the fee of 60 acres of land. " They were very early joined by John Norton, from Saybrook; by the ancestors ot the Lymans, Parsonses and Strongs, from Northampton; of the Newtons, Guernseys, Tibbalses, Merwins, and Canfields, from Mil- ford; of the Pickets, from Stratford; of the B.Ueses, from Haddam; and of the Hulls, from Killingworth, In later periods, families have settled in the town by the name of Hall, Hart, Bishop, and Scranton, from Guil- ford; of Smith and Johnson, frorn Middletown; of Chalker and Loveland, from Saybrook, and of Butler, from Branford. As early as '723, John Sutliff, Nathaniel Sutliff, and probably some others from Durham, settled on Haddam Quarter. Persons also from other towns settled on this tract. These had ihe consent of the people of Haddam that they might attend public worship in Durham; and in October 1773 the Quarter was annexed to this town. " There is a quarry of free stone in Haddam Quarter, from which stone have been taken to a limited extent for 70 or 80 years. " In 1756, there were 799 inhabitants in Durham, ex- clusive ol Haddam Quarter, in which there may have been 100 or 150 more. In 1774, there were 1,076, and in 1810, 1,101. " The reason that there has been no more increase of population for many years is that individuals and fami- lies have removed almost perpetually to other places. Many of the early settlers of the town have no descend- ants here at the present lime, or none who bear their names. Some of the people removed to Granville, in Massachusetts, about 1750; some to Sandersfield about 1765, and some to West Stockbridge and Richmond about 1786. Some removed to Durham, in the State of New York, about 1788; some to Whitestown about 1796, and others at more recent periods have gone to New Con- necticut. " There is only one school district in this town, though schools are taught in five different places. But one school appears to have been kept until December 1737, when the people on the west side of Coginchaug swamp were allowed to have a school. One was set up soon after at the north end of the town. "The following distinguished characters must be no- ticed: "Colonel James Wadsworth, one of the first settlers, was bred a lawyer, and though it is not likely that he was ever extensively employed in that capacity, yet he was called to various public services. The people of Durham gave him almost all the offices at their disposal; nnd when his abilities and worth came to be generally known, he was honored repeatedly by appointments from the Colony. He was the first justice of the peace in the town and had the command of the first military company at its formation. Upon the organization of the militia, in 1739, he was constituted colonel of the 10th regiment. For a time he was justice of the quorum for the county of New Haven. From 1748 until 1751, he was an assistant. In May 1724, he was appointed, with several other gentlemen, to hear and determine all matters of error and equity brought on petition to the General Assembly, and from 1725 until he left the coun- cil, was one of the judges of the Superior Court. In fulfilling the public duties assigned ^him, ability and in- tegrity were alike conspicuous; while an exemplary at- tendance upon the worship and ordinances of the Lord gave a peculiar dignity to his character. He died in January 1756, aged 78. "Colonel Elihu Chauncey, son of the Rev. Mr. Chaun- cey, was an upright, useful and worthy man. For a very long period he was connected with the county court in New Haven county, either as a justice of tne quorum or as judge; and for forty years, with scarcely an exception, he represented the town in the General Assembly. He died in April 1791, aged 81. DURHAM— ROADS— FIRST CHURCH. 271 " General Phinelias Lyman, an officer in tlie second FrenclT war, was born in Durham, but I am not suffi- ciently acquainted with his history to give his character; and as he removed from the tovvn after completing his educnlion. it does not so properly belonp; to this work. " The late General James Wadsworth was son of James Wadsworth Esq., and grandson of Colonel Wadsworth, whose character has just been related. He was gradu- ated at Yale College in 1748, and settling in his native town, was soon advanced in military life, and afterwards was constituted by the Assembly the commander of a brigade. For two or three years, in the course of the Revolutionary war, he was a member of Congress. > For some time he was justice of the quorum, and then judge of the Court of common pleas in New Haven county. In 1786 and 87 he was controller of public accounts in tlie State, and from 1785 until 1789, a member of the Coun- cil. At the latter period some objections in his mind against taking the oath of fidelity to the Constitution ol the United States induced him to retire from public business. He died in September 1816, aged 87." Durham in 1819. The following extract is from " Gazetteer of Connecti- cut " 1819: " The principal manufacture is that of shoes; of which, for some years past, considerable quantities have been made, and sent to the southern States for a market. There are 4 Tanneries, 2 Grain Mills, 3 Saw Mills, i Carding Machine, and i Cider Distillery. " The population of the town in 1810 was 1130; and there are about 150 Electors, 2 Companies of Militia, and 172 Dv/elling houses. "The aggregate list of the town in 1816, including polls, was $26,609. " This town comprises but one located Ecclesiastical Society. Besides which, there is i Society of Episco- palians, and 1 of Methodists. In the centre of the town there is a small but pleasant village. "There are, in Durham, 3 Mercantile Stores, 6 com- mon Schools, I small Academy, 2 Social Libraries, 1 Clergyman, and i Physician." Highways. September 2d 1707, three highways were ordered laid out across Coginchaug Swamp, four rods wide. These were to connect the east part of the town with the north west side, the middle west side, and the southwest side. These are the Causeway, the Lower Causeway, and the old road further soufli, July 2d i860, a highway was laid out from Elisha Newton's to Henry Parsons' house in Haddam Quarter. In 1863, the town voted to join Middlefield in laying out a highway from Crooked lane to David Lyman's. Middlefield would not join; the matter came into the courts and the trial was held in Durham. It lasted a long time and was hotly contested, but David Lyman won his road. This road leads to the railroad station, shortens the route to Meriden, and has proved one of the most useful highways Durham has ever had. It is called the Lyman road in grateful remembrance of the man who had the ability and the determination to carry it through. Turnpike Companies. In May 181 1, the Durham and East Guilford Turn- pike Company was chartered, with power to make and maintain a road from Durham to the stage road in East Guilford. In 1813, the Middletovvn, Durham, and New Haven Turnpike Company was chartered, to lay a road from Middletown to New Haven. This road became a part of the shortest stage line between Boston and New York. In May 181 5, the Haddam and Durham Turnpike Company was chartered. The act of the Assembly omits to state where the road was to be, but it was the old Haddam Turnpike. The toll for a four-wheeled pleasure carriage, with two horses, was 38 cents. In May 1824, the Guilford & Durham Turnpike Com- pany was chartered, with power to mike and maintain a road from Durham to the public square in Guilford, and thence to Sachem's Head Harbor, in Guilford. All these turnpikes, so far as Durham is concerned, are now highways, free, and maintained by the town. First Congregational Church. In 1708, the town asked and received permission to " embody themselves in church estate " with the appro- bation of the neighboring churches. A parsonage was built in 1708, though there vk^as as yet no church edifice. The first minister was Nathaniel Chauncey. He be- gan to preach in Durham for the second time. May 2'3d 1706, being 24 years of age. Durham then contained 14 families. For his first year's labor, Mr. Chauncey re- ceived 55 pounds in grain, at country prices, the use of the parsonage, and his fire wood. Subsequently his salary was raised to 60 pounds. He was allowed 100 loads of wood annually. With wheat at 5 shillings, and corn at 2^4 shillings per bushel, as the records show to have sometimes been the prices, his salary would be 240 bushels of wheat, or 480 bushels of corn. He was a graduate of Yale College, and the first to receive a de- gree from that institution. He was ordained early in 1711. There w-ere some sharp contests over the ordina tion, there being several theologians in his flock. The ordination was a grand occasion. The town paid the bill. Among the provisions were " a sheep, 2 quarters of mutton, 2 piggs, frrsh pork, salt pork, beef, a bushel and a half of mault, 3 Bushels Apjiles, a Barrel of Cyder, Metheglin, Rum, and groceries." Mr. Chauncey died in June 8th 1756, the town voted to apply to the com- mittee of the Reverend Association (the New Haven Association) for advice as to obtaining a candidate for the ministry to preach with them on probation for a set- tlement. The committee advised them to apply to Elizur Goodrich. After three months preaching on probation the town and church united in a call, and he was ordained and settled November 24th 1756, being then 22 years old. His salary was ;^72, and the use of the 5 lots reserved for the use of the ministry; the salary to be paid in ready money or in produce, at ready money market price. Beside this he received ^^70 as bonus upon set- tlement. A thorough scholar, he took private pupils 272 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. ani prepared students for college. He left an estate of $6,000 or |7,ooo. He died in November 1797. February loth 179Q, Rev. David Smith came to preach on probation. May 20th, the town, in town meet- ing, voted to give him a call; the church united with the town in the call, and on August 13th he was ordained. There was then but one church in the town, and it had 125 members. From the committee's report to the town, of their con- ference with Mr. Smith, it appears that he considered it improper for him to put a price on his services, and thought that the town should make the offer, and that he did not care to eke out his salary by farming, but wished to be placed in such a situation that he might give his whole time to his work. The report goes on to say among other things: " The Committee beg leave to report, that they have taken into consideration ye advanced prices of pro- vi.sions, and other necessary articles of subsistence, be- yond what they were forty years ago; also ye great dif- ference in ye style and manner of living in this State, and ye consequent increased expense — also ye situation of this Town, whereby a minister will unavoidably be liable to more expense to support a decent character, than in many other places." Before railroads changed the mode of travel, Durham was very centrally located, and the duties of hospitality were a heavy tax on its minister. His salary was $500 per annum, and the use of a five-acre lot and a seven- acre lot. The five-acre lot was worth $1,700 to sell; far more than it was worth to cultivate; and more than il would sell for now. In 1827, his salary was reduced to $45°; '" 1828, to $400. The town now, with probably no greater ability than then, raises over $2,500 per year for church and missionary purposes. He was dismissed January nth 1832, after a ministry of ^;^ years. During his ministry he received the degree of D.D. from Yale College. He died March 5th 1862, aged 94 He continued to reside in Durham after leaving the min- istry. At an election just before his death, his vote was challenged on the ground of non-residence. He had been on a visit to his daughter. He replied to the chal- lenger: "I have voted in Durham 59 years, and that is before you were born." He cultivated his land with his own hands, and did it well. He established the custom of holding prayer meetings, against strong opposition; but he would not hold them in haying time. One member, on being re- quested to take part in the meeting, replied that he was not going to keep a dog and bark himself. Preparatory lectures were held in the afternoon. One summer, those coming to the lecture, found the good doctor at work in his hay field, with a large amount of hay out, and a shower coming up. The male attend- ants, as they came up, of course had to join in saving the hay. A good deacon, leaving his own hay field, had put on his Sunday coat over a ragged shirt, and worked with it on. The minister exhorted him to takeoff his coat. "No," said he, "it keeps the heat out;" he worked valorously till the hay was saved, and duly attended the sermon, but acknowledged privately afterward that it was the hottest service he had ever known. During Dr. Smith's ministry, the Methodist and the Episcopal churches were organized. In the year 1774, there were only six dissenters in -Durham, in a population of 1,031. But during the min- istry of Dr. Smith, times had changed; revolutions in politics were followed by revolutions in religious thought, and dissent increased; infidel doctrines were openly avowed. Dr. Smith urged personal and family religion, and strict enforcement of church discipline. He was strongly liked and disliked. He was not afraid of making enemies. There were threats, and, it was thought, ac- tual danger, of personal violence. Henry Gleason preached his first sermon in Durham the first Sunday in April 1832; he preached his last on the second Sunday of August 1839, and died on the i6th of the same month. During his ministry of seven years, 136 were added to the church. Many were added to the Methodist church during the same period. A true, faith- ful, zealous. Christian minister, his was the golden age of the Congregational church in Durham. Charles L. Mills was installed April 28th 1841, and dismissed in September 1845, much to the regret of his people. He is still living, and engaged in ministerial labor. Rev. Merrill Richardson was then stated pastor for two years. L. H. Pease began January 1849; closed January 1851. Rev. James B. Cleveland was installed June 8th 1852, and dismissed September loth 1853. During his minis- try there was a revival, and a large addition to the church. Rev. Benjamin S. J. Page was acting pastor for three years, from October 1853 to October 1856. ; Rev. A. C. Baldwin was installed October i8th 1857, and dismissed April 16th 1861. During his ministry in May 1858, 40 persons united with the church in one day. Rev. Benjamin S. J. Page was again acting pastor for two years from February 1863 to April 1865. The strongest pulpit orator Durham ever had; he preached strongly and often against slavery and secession. It was during his last term of service that he preached his fast day sermon of two hours and three-quarters. Rev. A. C. Pierce began July 1866; closed August 1870. He went from Durham to Brookfield Junction, where he still remains. Rev. Henry E. Hart began November 1871; closed June 1875. Rev. A. S. Cheesebrough began April 1876; closed November 1884. He is 71 years of age and is the sixth minister who has closed his ministry in Durham. Deacons of the First Church with date of death and age: William Seward, May 31st 1764, 76 years; Thomas Lyman, July isth 1725, 75 years; Henry Crane, April 1741,64 years; Israel Burrit, 1750, 62 years; John Camp, 1754,53 years; Joseph Tibbals, October 14th 1774,87 DURHAM— CHURCHES. 273 years; Ezra Baldwin, March 4tli 1783, 75 years; James Curtis, 1790, 79 years; Daniel Hall, 1790, 72 years; John Johnson, November 18th 1819, 78 years; Daniel Parmelee, December nth 1825, 78 years; Abner Newton, Septem- ber 9th 1852, 87 years; Ozias Norton, October 8th 1808, 84 years; Josiah Jewett, removed; John Tibbals, March 9th , 45 years; Samuel C. Camp, September 24th 1823, 62 years; Seth Seward, January 3d 1846, 79 years; Timo- thy Stone, January 14th 1826, 52 years; Heth Camp, re- moved to Pennsylvania; Elah Camp, removed to Meri- den; Joel Parmelee, November 2d 1842, 37 years; Sam- uel Newton, April 24th 1864, 67 years; Wolcott P. Stone, March 4th 1882, 71 years; Gaylord Newton, December i6th 1883, 79 years; Nathan H. Parsons, living; Julius S. Auger, November 2Sth 1869, 56 years; Roger W. Newton, living. In April 1710, the first meeting house was raised. It was 40 feet square, with a flat roof and a turret. It was located on Meeting House Green, at the top of the hill. It soon became too small for the congregation, and was pulled down in 1738. The second meeting house was raised May loth 1736. It was 64 by 44 feet, and 25 feet between joints. It was situated on the northwest corner of the present green, where it stood for a hundred years. There was at first no bell; the congregation was summoned by the beat of the drum. Elias Camp gave the first bell. By a vote of the town in 1793, it was ordered that it should be rung at sunrise, noon, and at 9 P. M. The ringing at noon and 9 o'clock was con- tinued till about 25 years ago. The following story is told and generally believed: When the steeple of the second church was built, one Jesse Austin was on a ladder painting it, and the ladder fell and Mr. Austin with it, a distance of 90 feet, to the ground. He was a very slight man and was uninjured. The corner stone of the third meeting house was laid July 17th 1835, 0)i the site of the present South Congregational Church. It was 60 by 40 feet. This edifice was dedicated November 28th 1844, and soon after was burned. In June 1847, the present church edifice was dedicated. The ground on which it stands was given by Dennis Camp. About 20 years ago, it was refitted at an expense of about $1,500, and it has recently been refurnished, and new horse sheds have been built. The following account of the origin of the fund belong- ing to the First Ecclesiastical Society is given in one paper: "Originally, the .town of Durham, by grant of the General Assembly, was owned by sundry proprietors, and by them divided to each owner in allotments laid out at sundry times by their committee and drawn for by lots (viz.), at 6 or 7 different drafts and by vote of the proprietors whenever there was an alotment granted to the Several individuals. There should also be an alot- ment sequestered for the use of the Ministry forever — by which means the First Ecclesiastical Society became possessed of six or seven lots of land which were occu- pied by the Minister settled over the Society as a part of his Sallary. Some 30 years ago these lots were sold and the money derived from the sales constitutes the present funds of the Society. Until about the year 1791 there was not, I believe, an individual dissenter from the Con- gregational Society in Durham & there was but one Society." Church of the Epiphany. An Episcopal parish was organized in Durham as early as 1802. No church building was erected, but services were held in the school house in the Center District. Delegates were sent to the Diocesan Conven- tion in 1804, 1805, 1806, 1809, and 1819. During this period it was associated with the parishes of Middle- town and Berlin as one cure. In 1818, Rev. Daniel Burhans, as rector, reported to the convention 35 families, nine baptisms, and two funerals. It is evident that there must have been an error in that report, as in 1819 the Rev. Origen P. Hol- comb visited Durham, under the auspices of the Chris- tian Knowledge Society, and he reported that he preached in the South School house and took up a col- lection, but added that there were few Episcopalians in the place and that there was no prospect of permanent or successful organization. In 1851, the Rev. Fredrick Sill revived the services of the church and reported for that year ten baptisms and two funerals. From that year until 1859 occasional clerical services were rendered by the rector of Trinity Church, Middletown, but no at- tempt was made to sustain a parish organization. After the establishment of the Berkeley Divinity School at Middletown, the students, under the direction of Bishop Williams, acted as lay-readers at Durham, conducting the services in the academy on the green. Through the personal efforts of two of these students, Mr. Andrew J. Morse, of Wallingford, and Mr. Frank Goodwin, of Hartford, sufficient funds were raised by the aid of other parishes for the erection of a commodious church. The corner-stone was laid by Bishop Williams, June 28th 1862, and the building was consecrated as " The Church of the Epiphany," January 29th 1863. The fol- lowing Easter the parish was duly organized and was re- ceived into union with the diocese in the convention of that year. From that time the history of the Church of the Epiphany in Durham has been full of Christian life and prosperity. In 1869, the Rev. Frederick Gardiner, D. D., took charge of the parish and continued his ministrations for five years. Other duties compelling him to resign, he was succeeded by Mr. R. L. DeZeng as lay-reader, clerical services being rendered once a month by some one of the Rev. professors of the Berkeley School. Through the efforts of Mr. DeZeng, in a continued charge of seven years, the church building was greatly improved and beautified. A fine tower was added to the church, in which a bell was placed, as the gift of Miss Martha Rog- ers, of Middletown. A vestry-room was also built, and a rectory building lot purchased adjoining the church property. Mr. DeZeng was succeeded by Mr. George H. Gard- ner, of Utica, N. Y., who was then in his senior year at Berkeley. His ministrations were also most earnest and spiritually successful, as, also, were those of his sue- 36 274 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. cesser, Mr. Eli D. Sutcliffe, who was last in charge of the parish. Mr. Sutcliffe reported to the convention of 1884 29 families, 38 communicants, five Sunday school teach- ers, and 60 scholars. Methodist Church. The Methodist Episcopal church in Durham was or- ganized about the year 181 5. Rev. Messrs. Barnes, Bussie. Knight, Lorenzo Dow, Ebenezer Washburn, and Elijah Hibbard were among the first preachers of that denomination that visited and preached in this town. Abraham Scranton, Capt. Eliphaz Nettleton, Tim- othy Elliott, John Swathel, and Timothy Coe were among the first that identified themselves with this society. For several years they occupied the South District school house for a place of worship, and were embraced in Middletown Circuit, and afterward with Black Rock Circuit, and supplied with preaching half a day or at 5 o'clock P. M. on the Sabbath. The society at one time numbered about thirty. These early Methodists did not long enjoy prosperity. A difficulty occurred in the little church, the result of which was their almost entire destruction. Some were expelled; others withdrew, and from a society of about thirty they were reduced to ten or twelve; so that in 1828 the Methodists were but a name, and only had preaching at 5 P. M. on Sunday, and that but once in two weeks. Rev. Henry Hatfield traveled the circuit at that time. In 1829, Rev. Alden Cooper occasionally met the ap- pointment, and a few united with the society. Prayer meetings were held in the school house in the absence of the minister. In 1830, Dr. Chauncey Andrews, being in the practice of medicine in the town, secured a place for holding Methodist meetings, and at his own exjjense fitted up a room in the Acadtmyon the Green, and hired a local preacher from Middletown by the name of Isham, to preach six Sabbaths. From that time forward Meth- odist meetings were held regularly on the Sabbath, and the students and professors from the Wesleyan Univer- sity at Middletown supplied the pulpit. The society and congregation gradually increased, and as several families had removed from North Madison, who were formerly members of the Methodist church at Black Rock, transferring their membership to this society, the subject of erecting a church building was agitated. Several men of wealth and prominence in the town, among whom was Worthington G. Chauncey and his brother, William, Henry Lyman, AVedworth Wads- worth, Samuel Parsons, and others, gave their influence and assistance, the result of which was the building of the edifice now occupied by the society. In the autumn of 1837, Rev. Walter W. Brewer took charge of the society, and on the ist of January 1838, he commenced a protracted meeting. There was a great revival, and many members were added to the church. The present membership of the church is 192, of whom 10 are over 80 years of age. The Sunday school has 1 12 enrolled members, with 22 officers and teachers. The present church edifice was dedicated July 7th 1837. It cost about $4,000, and has recently been re- fitted, and pleasant church parlors have been fitted up in one end. The following is a list of the ministers who have sup- plied this church, with year of the commencement of their labors and duration of service: Rev. Harvey Husted, 1838, two years; Salmon C. Perry, 1840, one year; Orrin Howard, 1841, a few months; Luke Hitchcock, 1841, supplied for a year; McKendree Bangs, 1842, one year; William C. Hoyt, 1843, two years; Na- thaniel Kellogg, 1845, one year; Aaron Hill, 1846, two years; John E. Searles. 1848, two years; William Law- rence, 1850, two years; George S. Hare, 1852, two years; George A. Hubbell, 1854, one year; George Stillman, 1855, two years; R. H. Loomis, 1857, two years; J. W. Leek, 1859, two years; Levi P. Perry, 1861, two years; Horatio W. Weed, 1863, one year; Edwin Harriner, 1864, one year; Isaac Sanford, 1865, one year; L. D. Watson, 1866, one year; W. H. Norris, 1867, two years; E Cun- ningham, 1869, three years; W. J. Robinson, 1872, one year; G. L. Thompson, 1873, one year; G. B. Dusinberre, 1874, two years; J. 0. Miinson, 1876, two years; A. H. Wyatt, 1878, two years; C. J. North, 1880, one year; A. V. R. Abbott, 1881, one year; B. Pilsbury, 1882, two years; W. A. Richard, 1884. Center Congregational Church. This church was organized, by the consociation, in April 1847, with 62 members. The establishment of the second Congregational society, in Durham, was the re- sult of a natural division in the town. The people of Durham are geographically divided by Allyn's Brooks, one part living north, and the other south of Mill Bridge. The locality feeling was formerly very strong. The papers in the contest which preceded the division are numerous, and from them the following facts may be culled: The old church, which stood for a hundred years, was situated at the north end of the present green. When, in 1835, a new church was to be built, there was a sharp contest, the north and south portions, respec- tively, striving for the sites of their present churches. Legal opinions were invoked, and finally it was agreed that the people south should raise an additional $150 that was wanting, and the people north should pay nothing, and the town voted to allow the church to be built on the burying ground, near the former site. This left a fine open green surrounded by houses. It is the chief ornament of the town. This church was burned in 1844, and the struggle for the location of the new one was renewed with increased vigor. The opposing fac- tions were more determined than before, and the dispute was fiercer. There was a decision, January ist 1845, '^y E. H. Bulkeley, j"dge of the County Court, and Erastus Strong, Benjamin Dowd, and Friend Dickinson, commissioners and committee, locating the new edifice where the First or North Church now stands. There was a decision, March 26th 1846, by Rev. Leverett Griggs, Levi Yale, and George Cowles, locating it where the Center or South DURHAM— SOUTH CHURCH CEMETERY. 275 Church stands. There was a petition to the General As- sembly for a division of the fund, and a remonstrance against that petition. There were suits brought or begun in the Superior Court for mandamus and for injunction. Dennis Kimberley was attorney for the south faction, and Roger S. Baldwin for the north. It was finally agreed that those living north of the bridge should take the in- surance money and build a new meeting house, using the foundation and all that remained of the old church; and that those living south of the bridge should be at no expense in building the new meeting house, and that the society should repay to them all that they had con- tributed to the house that was burned. This offer was accepted, the money paid, and the church built. But the sectional feeling was still intense, and the next year the Center Congregational Church was organized. In look- ing over the records of the struggle one cannot fail to admire the earnestness and pertinacity of the contest- ants. The bridge over the " impassable gulf," as it was then called, has been recently repaired, and the hill cut down at an expense of about $2,000, and the bitterness of sectional feeling has nearly died out. The whole town must always reverence the spot where these forefathers worshipped for more than a century. The South Church was built in 1849, where it now stands. It formerly had a spire, but in a terrible gale of wind some zo years ago, the steeple was blown over, taken up in the air, inverted, and dropped nearly perpen dicularly down through the roof, the point sticking in one of the slips. It remained there for several years and people came from miles around to see it. The pastors of this church have been: Rev. James R. Mershon, ordained April 27th 1848, dismissed in April 1849; Robert G. Williams, ordained October iilh 1852, dismissed April 20th 1853; Irem Smith, ordained in August 1858, dismissed January 2d 1861; I. W. Ses- sions, pastor about five years; A. C. Hurd; and E. C. Bald- win, the last stated pastor. The deacons have been: Wolcott P. Stone, died March 4th 1883, aged 72; Isaac Parraelee, died November 29th 1878, aged 79; William A. Hart, died March loth 1879, aged 73; Ward B. Bailey, and Frederic N. Parmelee. Burying Ground. The old burying ground, so called, north of Allyn's Brook, was given by the proprietors soon after the settle- ment of the town. The new burying ground was laid out in 1822, on land devised for that purpose by Ebene- zer Robinson in 1780. Before its use for a burying ground, the income from it had been devoted to the Center School. The oldest stone in the yard is that of Jonathan Clem- ments, who died March ye 8th 17 12, aged 45 years; it is two feet high. This slab bears the figure of death's head, as do several other of the oldest stones, The ghastly grinning skull soon gave place to the smiling round- faced cherub that adorns most of the slabs of the next generation. There are various styles of these, some having drooping wings, and some pinions plumed for flight; some are crowned with mora or less artistic effect, and some have one or more stars standing out upon their diadems. Our forefathers liked to put more of their history, as well as sentiment and affection, on their grave stones, than is customary in these days: " Richard Spelman, May 31st, 1739; 34 years. " Behold and see as you pass by. As 5'ou are now, so once was I; As I am now so must you be. Prepare for Death and follow me." "Abigail Seward, Nov. ist, 1739; 39 years. "Beneath this Turf is Laid A pious Motherly Maid." The following is on the stone of Nathaniel Chauncey, the first minister: "Is Chauncey dead, that Godly seer I What heart so hard as to deny a tear? A tear for one so well beloved and known. Sure such a heart must be a heart of stone. " In memory of the Rev. Nath'l Chauncey, faithful pastor of the Church in Durham. He died Feb. ist, 1756, in his 75th year, and in the 50th year of his min- istry." " Abner Newton, Feb. 24th, 1760; 69 years. " The age of man is but a span, — His days on earth are few. At Death he must Embrace the dust." This stone lay on the ground at Oliver Coe's 117 years: "Miss Sarah Smith, June 22d 1761; 25 years. " My sun is set. My glass is run, My candle's out. My work is done." " Mrs. Anna Meeker, March 22d 1764; 67 years. " A loving wife and tender mother Left this base world to enjoy the other." "Thomas, son of John and Bethiah Canfield, Nov. [5th, 1770, in his 2ist year. Between his birth and death was 718 Born, 267 died." "Piety and virtue, zeal in the cause of liberty and the love of peace, order and religion, will perpetuate to pos- terity the memory of Mr. Nathan Curtiss, who died in militia service at Westchester, near New York, aged (near 42 years) Sept. 21st, 1770. " An empty tomb, a mournful sound, The parents', wife's and children's wound." "Nathan Hall, aged 21 yrs., while absent from home in the defence of his country, died of the small-pox at Springfield, N. J., Feb. 20th, 1777." " In memory of Lieut. Miles Merwin, who having served his generation according to the will of God through a useful life, finished his course on earth Dec. i2th, 1786, in the 66th year of his age. "The sweet remembrance of the just. Like a green root, revives and bears When dying nature sleeps in dust." " Noah Parsons, M. A., a gentleman of sprightly genius, improved by a liberal education at Yale College, of which he was some time a tutor. The fair prospects of his youth soon clouded by disorders of body, which, continuing several years, he took a voyage to the West 276 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Indies for the recovery of his health, and died [on^jthe Island of Hispaniola, May, 1774, jn his 37th year." " Sacred to the memory of Mr. Elias Camp, who died Mar. 26th 1796, in the 78th year of his age. He was a tender husband and an obliging neighbor, a good citizen, and though denied the enjoyment of parental felicity, was blessed with so much of this world as enabled him not only to perform many deeds of charity, but to make a present of an excellent bell to the town of Durham, which has greatly promoted its convenience and regular- ity, and ought to be recognized with gratitude on every sound thereof." "Sarah Johnson, May 19th 1790; Aged 24 years. An amiable disposition, a friendly heart, a cheerful temper, engaging manners, a virtuous behaviour, filial piety and conjugal tenderness, made all her friends lament her death with inexpressible grief. Short and vain are our fondest hopes of sublimary bliss. This lovely pair joined in wedlock with the pleasing prospects of felicity in the connubial state, 'ere one year revolved, was called, as is humbly hoped, to happier realms. And to mourn the loss of so dear a partner was the unhappy lot of her bereaved husband, Thomas Johnson." " The memory of James Lyman, who died on the banks of the Mississippi, the 22d of October,'i774, in the 22d year of his age, is engraved on this monument, erected near those of his departed relatives, that his name may live with theirs in these abodes of silent instruction. How visionary are the empty projects of time! How in- teresting the serious realities of ETERNITY!" "Miss Mary Ann Bowers, Apr. 23rd 1851; aged 55 years. She manifested her attachment to her Saviour'b cause by a liberal donation to the First Ecclesiastical Society in Durham, and to the various benevolent insti- tutions of the day. " Faith had an overcoming power; She triumphed in a dyiajj: hour." School?. December 25th 1711. — The town voted to instruct the selectmen to hire a schoolmaster for six months, " for the advantage of children in the town, that they may be in- structed to write and read." October 8th 1722. — The town voted to build a school house, 26 feet by 18, on the School House Green. December 27th 1737. — A school was allowed to the people on the west side of Coginchaug Swamp. The town account for 1766, shows that there was a mid- dle school, a north school, a south school, and a west side school. For keeping the middle school was paid j£t, 7s. 6d.; for the north school, ^7, 10.; for the south, ;£^, 19s. 6d.; for the west, ;^5, ss. 8d. There was for a long time a school house in Haddam Quarter, just east of the house of J. E. Newton. Select schools have been kept from time to time. The ministers used to fit students for college. In 1811, Elizur Goodrich was hired to teach such a school, for three months, for $90 — a very fair price, as prices then were. May ist 1843, Durham Academy filed its certificate of incorporation. From that time to the present, a school of high grade has been taught there, generally with a high reputation. Henry N. Johnson, for many years a rector of Hopkins' Grammar School, was one of the first and most famous of its principals. There are still many to tell how they studied under him, and how they feared him. VV. R. Griswold had a boarding school in connection with the academy, having a considerable number of pu- pils from New York, and other places. Mark Pitman, now principal of the VVoolsey School, Fair Haven, had at one time nearly 100 pupils there. The school is now small, because there are few children in the town. The school rooms of the town have accommodations for nearly 300 pupils. There are 120 sometimes attending school at one time. There were only male teachers 100 years ago. Now, Deacon N. H. Parsons, in the winter term, is the only male teacher in the town. The school houses have nearly all been recently re- paired, and are all in excellent order. The refitting of the academy building, some years since, cost $2,690. In 1780, Ebenezer Robinson gave, by will, ;^ioo, or $333. fo'' llie use of the Center School, on condition that a school should be kept for 1 1 months in each year, in the school house lately built on a lot of land given by him for that purpose. The school is still faithfully kept for 44 weeks in each year. Some of the fund was in- vested in land, which was sold at a profit, so that the amount of the fund is now $1,152.18. College Report. The following list of men, who have received a colle- giate degree, is taken from Fowler's History of Durham, as far as that history extends: Name. William Seward Pliiiifhas Lyman Fliineha^ Lyman Nathariiui Chauncey Etna I linn Chuunuey luhulind Ciiinp Daniel Lyman ISilhu Lyninn Noah Parsons Ebenezer Guernsey KdS'er Newton Roger Newion tiainuel Johnson , Charles Chaunoey Saniuc4 Seward Chaunoey Goodrich Daniel Lyman Elizur Goodrich Lemuel Guernsey Samuel Goodrlcli Elllui Chauncoy Goodrich... Ebiuezer llellinap Itiibeit c'pelmun Charles AuKUStus Goodrich. .losepli E. Camp Jii mes Wndsworth William Wudsworth Noali Coe Timothy Tuttie David Marsh Smith Elizur Goodrich Smith Talcott Uiiies Henry Mates Camp I )^v ight Seward Collins Stone J a [n es Wadsworth Webster llo»^ers Walliiey Henry G. Newton George W. Newton .lohn S. Camp William E, Walkley Walter L. Merwiu College. Class. Yale. 1734 1T:i8 " ]7ti3 n4U " 1743 " 174a '^ 17« " 1745 " 1747 *• J7.>7 »' 175S " 17S0 «' 17Uil tt 1777 It a7B;J " 177U n 177U • ' 177i) " 1782 " 17.3 k* 1U84 »* 1783 " 17S6 " ]78ti " 17s7 " 1787 Williams. ]8i)2 Yale. 18US 181)8 *' 1811 " 1833 " 1823 "■ IbJt " 1831 " ]8.i2 *' 18t.i Wesleyan. 18(>ll 1870 " ]8;i " 1879 ** ]87« Yale. 1878 ( Profession. Minister. Lawyer. Minister. Lawyer. Tutor. Minister. Tutor. Mnnsier. Lawjer. Lawyer. Minister Lawyer. Minister. Law.ver. Minister. Teacher. Lawyer. Lawyer. Civil lingineer. DURHAM— MILITARY HISTORY. 277 The Revolutionary War. The extracts from the town records, given elsewhere, show that Durham was active in the Revolution. A committee of inspection was annually appointed to guard against traitors and tories. Every householder had to go or send a man to the war. Militia. The military spirit was formerly very active. There were two companies, a military and a rifle company. The sharp rivalry between them brought almost every man of suitable age into one or the other. Officers were numerous, and the number of captains, majors, and colonels 25 years ago was large. After the war of the Rebellion, a company of the Connecticut National Guard was formed here. It had its armory in the base- ment of the Academy. It continued its regular term of five years. The War of the Rebellion. From the beginning, Durham took an active interest in the war. A large number of the best men of the democratic party united with the republicans in the first election after the struggle commenced, and from that time till the close of the war there was no ticket labelled " Republican," voted. Practically, the " Union Party " was the only party in the town. It controlled every election and held every ofifice. A branch of the Union League was formed, with a large membership. The churches shared in the general enthusiasm, and from every pulpit rang denunciations of rebellion and treason, and the nation and the army were remembered in every prayer. Meetings were held and associations formed to send aid to the sick and wounded. Money was freely voted to assist the families of volunteers and to encourage en- listments. Money was voted by the town in response to nearly every call for volunteers. Over $[3,000 was paid by the town and nearly $5,000 by individuals. A tall flagstaff was raised near the North Church, that could be seen from nearly every part of the town. The flag was raised for every victory, and its appearance, often accompanied by the ringing of the church bell, quickly gathered an eager crowd. It was sometimes hung at half mast; the last time being when Lincoln was assassinated. The largest gathering ever assembled in Durham met in a grove in the northern part of the town, at the close of the war, to give the soldiers a welcome home. The volunteers from Durham have always been highly honored by their townsmen. Perhaps it may seem un- fitting to single out names from such a company. They were taken from the best men of the town, and it is be- lieved that no town can furnish a list of men of higher average of character. Among the substitutes furnished there may have been bounty jumpers or deserters, but of the more than one hundred who were actual residents every man was honorably discharged, mustered out with his regiment, or died in the service. Whitney S. Brainerd died first, Dallas Clark was the next. Thomas Francis- was killed at Chancellorsville. His son, Thomas A. Francis, too" young for a regular soldier, enlisted as a drummer and died at New Orleans. ■Another son enlisted. Some one expressed his surprise that Francis should let both his sons enlist as well as himself. He replied that he wished he had more sons to go. Calvin Albee was killed near Kingston. Lieutenant Edwin J. Merriam died of wounds. He w.is a irue Christian and did good Christian work in the army. Henry- Beraus was killed; John B. Clark was wounded and carried the ball for years, but it killed him at last, Ira A; Graham became a lieutenant, was wounded, and has since died. George H. Twichell died from the effects of the hardships of the service. John E. Vandervoort was wounded and discharged. William H. Augur became a captain. Seager S. Atwell enlisted as a private and rose to, the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Leonidas M. Camp was wounded and reported killed. Col, F. E. Camp of Middletown was born and spent his youth in Durham. The soldiers have celebrated every memorial day. Talcott P. Strong is the commander of the organization. A list of the Durham soldiers, including substitutes and drafted men is given elsewhere. The following list includes only those who were actual residents of the town. Calvin Albee, Francis L. Albee, Michael Angly, Curtiss C. Atwell, Seagar S. Atwell, Julius Augur, William H. Augur, Bartholomew Bailey, Ezra N. Bailey, Henry L. Bailey, Heman Bailey, Leonard Bailey, William Bailey, George H. Barnes, Henry Bemus, H. H. Bishop, Gilbert E. Blinn, Elijah N. Brainerd, Ezra Brainerd, Whitney S. Brainerd, Charles C. Camp, Eli S. Camp, Frederick E. C.imp, Howard A. Camp, Leonidas M. Camp, Samuel A. Camp, Samuel G. Camp, William E. Camp, Frederick A. Canfield, Henry H. Church, William W. Church, Dallas Clark, John B. Clark, Russell P. Clark, Whitney D. Clark, William H. Davis, Edward Dempsy, George W. Farn- ham, Franklin F. Fields,''Hosmer Fowler, Nelson Fowler, Wadsworth W. Fowler, Wedworth W. Fowler, Charles C. Francis, Friend H. Francis, Thomas Francis, Thomas A. Frances, William H. Francis, Ira A. Graham, W. R. Gris- wold, Samuel L. Hall, William H. Harrison, Charles E. Hart, Frederick J. Hart, Lewis W. Hart, Timothy E. Hawley, John Hearn, John Hickey, Timothy Hickey, Albert P. Hull, Henry S. Hull, Sylvanus Hull, Charles A. Justin, James Lyden, Leverett G. Lynn, Leonidas M. Maynard sen., Leonidas M. Maynard jr., Edwin J. Merri- am, Stephen Mix, Augustus W. Morse, Eckford I. Morse, Robert M. Murdock, Edgar A. Nettleton, George Olin, Frederick Parmelee, Harry Parsons, Frederick J. Payne Edwin W. Priest, Philip Reinhardt, John T. Rich, James F. Rich, Henry P. Rich, John R. Richmond, David W. Robinson, Norman Scranton, Edmund W. Shelley, Albert M. Sizer, Frederick M. Sizer, Pranklin S. Smith, Howard A. Smith, Guernsey B. Smith, Phineas L. Squires, Arthur G. Strong, Talcott P. Strong, William H. Thomas, Charles M. Tibbals, Edwin L. Tuttle, George H. Twich- 278 HTSTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. ell, John E. Vandervoort, Henry A. White, Luther B. White, Seymour L. White. SwATHEL House. A large building at the north end of Main street was formerly known as the Swathel House. The town being on the great mail route from New York to Boston, six stages passed through it daily; this was the half-way house between Hartford and New Haven, and passen- gers used to stop for meals. General Washington dined there. Silas Deane, Minister to France, also dined there, and a troop of boys trotted before his carriage and four horses for a mile before he arrived, and another did the same for a mile on his way to the south. The Fall of Mill Bridge. The story of the fall of Mill Bridge was for many years the most interesting narrative in the history of the town. Every child has heard the story. Over Mill Brook, or Allyn's Brook, was the Mill Bridge, which connects the north and south parts of the town. It was formerly of wood, and was 94 feet long and 21 feet wide. February 2ist 1822, there was a great flood; the water rose rap- idly and poured over the mill dam just east of the bridge, bringing down great cakes of ice. Some of the supports of the bridge were carried away. Near noon the stage coach approached. It is said that the miller ran out from the mill to warn them of the danger, and some of the passengers desired to get out; but the driver said: " I will take you over,'' and whipped up his horses. The first pair of horses got safely over; the stage with the others went down. The current was very swift, and a moment sufficed to bring them all to Back Lane, where a huge log lay across the stream for the convenience of foot passengers. There was no bridge there. The stage struck this log, which was covered with water, and was overturned. The driver caught a limb of a tree, and saved himself. One passenger swam ashore and was saved; two passengers were drowned. One body was recovered that afternoon, the other the next day. It was in the same stream, just north of the dam, that Frank H. Merwin, a young man of about 16 years, was drowned in the August of 1873. He was bathing in the pond, which is only a few feet deep. Where the current runs by the bank it is deeper; and walking along he stepped off the bank and disappeared. His body was only recovered after hours of search. Libraries and Literary Societies. October 30th 1733, the Book Company of Durham was formed with eight persons as members. It was a co- partnership for the purpose of buying books. This is supposed to have been the first institution of the kind in the State. In 1788, the new library company was formed in con- nection with the old. These libraries were continued until 1856, when the books passed into private hands. In 1787, the Kthosian Society was formed by people of the north end of Durham and Middlefield; it had a library, and held debates. There began to be free thinkers in Durham, and this society was thought to en- courage infidel sentiments. December 30th 1854, Durham Lyceum was organized. Dr. Benjamin L. Fowler, a young physician, was the leading spirit. The library is still in existence, being kept with the Academy Library. For a number of years, at different times, it has had a hall, and held literary ex- ercises, debates, etc., which have been generally attended. The library has upward of 500 volumes. About 1876, Durham Academy Library was formed, largely through the lioerality of S. S. Scranton. The Lyceum' Library was placed with that of the Academy, and the joint libraries have about 1,500 volumes. It is open regularly for the drawing of books, and has been of great value to the town. The largest private library in the town is that of the late W. C. Fowler. A noteworthy feature is his collec- tion of Connecticut books. Professor Fowler under- took to form a complete collection of all books written by Connecticut authors. He also had a large and interest- ing collection of ancient relics, among them a gun made in the iSth century. Temperance Societies. The first temperance pledge known to have been signed in Durham, is contained in a covenant signed by Rev. Nathaniel Chauncey and his wife, and several of their people. It contains covenants as to worship, reverence, observance of the Sabbath, business, lying, etc. The twelfth and thirteenth clauses are as follows: " i2th. We will watch agst. all Intemperance in ye use of Lawful things, and in particular agst. excessive drink- ing. " i3fh. Wee will not allow ourselves in unnecessary frequenting Public or Private drinking houses." June 30th 1828, a temperance society was organized, with the following pledge and members: " Believing that the use of intoxicating Liquors is for persons in health, not only unnecessary but hurtful; that It is the cause of forming intemperate appetites and hab- its; and that while it is continued the evils of intemper- ance cannot be prevented, " Therefore, we the subscribers for the purpose of pro- moting our own welfare and that of the community, agree that we will abstain from the use of distilled spirits ex- cept as a medicine in case of bodily infirmity; that we will not allow the use of them in our families nor provide them for the entertainment of our friends or for persons in our employment; and ihat in all suitable ways we will discountenance the use of them in the conmiunity. " Rev. David Smith, Wedworth Wadswoith, Abner Newton, Roger Newton, Seth Seward, Talcott Barnes, David Johnson, Peres Siurtevant, David Harrison, M. D.', Alfred Camp, Wolcott P. Stone, Nathan S. Camp, Wm. A. Hart. Silas Merriman, Allen Siiipman, Alpheus W. Camp, Dennis Camp, Chs. Lyman, Horace Newton, Jo- seph Chedsey, Abner Newton jun., Samuel Newton." Within eight years, it had 377 members. It has been followed by many other societies. Maple Leaf Lodge, No. 64, /. O. of G. T., was insti- tuted, February 15th 1867, with 38 charter members. Its meetings were held in Academy Hall, and for some three DURHAM— INDUSTRIES. 279 and a half or four years were attended with considerable interest. The population of the village was somewhat scattering and slowly diminishing, and in an almost strictly temperance community there proved to be alack of incentive to temperance works that exists in other places. It was, therefore, deemed expedient to disband the lodge while it had a fair roll of members, and this was done, July 14th 1871. During its existence 124 per- sons were connected with the lodge. The funds remain- ing from the sale of property, etc., were expended in a series of temperance lectures. Before temperance societies were organized here there were twelve places where liquor was openly sold. Now there are none, nor are there any common drunkards in the town. The last vote on the license question was 88 against and 8 for granting licenses. Cider is still made and drank; and as the pledges of these times expressly exclude beer, wine, and cider, few are found to sign pledges, though public sentiment is very strong in favor of temperance. Drain Companies. In 1 7 16, the General Court granted a commission of sewers to drain a part of Coginchaug Swamp. The part to be drained seems to have included nearly the vvhole swamp south of the causeway. In the petition the swamp is described as " wet or flowed lands." About a hundred years afterward the Superior Court for Middlesex county again appointed commissioners of sewers, with powers extending further north, nearly or quite to Middlefield. In 1876, Miles T. Merwin procured the organization of a drain company, under the authority of the Superior Court, to drain the swamp between the causeway and Middlefield. These meadows have become very valuable. Most of them produce heavy crops of coarse grass; some parts fair second quality hay. They require no cultivation and no manure, and contribute largely to the present agricultural prosperity of the town. Durham Acqueduct Company. In 1798, Jeremiah Butler, John Johnson jr., and others, were incorporated as the Acqueduct Company of the Town of Durham, by the General Assembly of Con- necticut, for the purpose of conducting water into the town street of Durham. The water was brought from a spring; near the top of Durham Hill, in the town of Mid- dletown; the pipes were of wood, and when these de- cayed, after some years, the company died out. In 18 — , the General Assembly chartered the Durham Acqueduct Company. This company brought water in lead pipes. The demand has steadily increased. In 1883, new pipes were laid throughout, at an expense of $2,500. There are now 41 shares which are worth $200 each. The water is excellent and abundant. Quarrying and Mining. Durham has an inexhaustible supply of excellent free stone which has been quarried in several places. The Quarry District is so-called from the quarry near the school house, from which free stone is taken when needed. The foundation of the North Church is built of Durham free stone, wliich has been thought to be supe- rior to the Portland stone. Anciently the stone was taken from a quarry in H:id- dam Quarter, near the house of the late Oliver B. Coe. This quarry is more than 200 years old. The stone was taken long distances. One of the old buildings of Yale College was built largely from this quarry, as were also the houses of Benedict Arnold and Pierrepont Edwards, of New Haven. The stone was also taken to Cromwell in considerable quantities. Grave stones were made there, and the old stones in the grave yards for miles around were made and sold in Durham. A few years ago a considerable amount of stone was taken from the premises of Samuel G. Camp. There is not and there never has been a brick house in Durham. A company has recently been formed to mine for coal in the south part of Durham. A similar attempt was made a few years ago. A steam engine and diamond drill were employed in the work which resulted in the finding of an excellent spring of water. There is a large quantity of excellent feldspar in Dur- ham. Manufacturing in Early Times. There was much more small manufacturing in Durham formerly than to-day. On one brook, viz., Wheeler's Brook, which flows near the South School House, there were formerly two tanneries, one owned by Abram Scranton, and one by Jesse Atwell, one spinning wheel shop, one malt house owned by John Johnson, one grist mill by Joy Scranton, one cloth mill by John Chalker; in later times there was a comb shop by ■ Carrington & Camp, and later still, a wheel and repair shop by Henry Bailey. There was a tannery near the foot of Brick lane. There were four tanneries in the town. These tanneries supplied leather for the shoe trade, which was by far the most important manufacturing in- dustry in the town. Shoes were made and sent to the Southern States. The houses on Main street were mostly occupied in that business. It is said that the shoe shops in Durham formerly gave employment to between 300 and 400 men. Potash was made in the northern side, at the hill, which still goes by the name of Potash Hill. There were three grist mills, and two or more saw mills. Cloth was manufactured in every house. Flax was raised to a large extent. There were many sheep. There were two distilleries, and several cooper shops. W. C. Fowler, in his history, states that he remembers the time when there were three grist mills in the town, one fulling mill, and a clothier's shop, one butcher's 28o HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. shop, one watchmaker, and a malt house, a corn kiln, and four blacksmith's shops, and a manufacturer of gravestones. This must have been during the present century. Merriam Manufacturing Company. This establishment takes its name from L. T. Merri- am, of Meriden, manufacturer of japanned and stamped tin ware, tin toys, etc. He was induced to locate here through the influence of Miles Merwin jr., and others. The company was organized January 25th 1851, with a capital of[$i5,ooo. The first directors were Miles Mer- win jr., L. T. Merriam, Samuel Newton, William Wads- worth, and Enos Rogers. The first president. Miles Merwin jr., held that position till shortly before his death. He was succeeded by W. A. Parmelee, who retired from the company in 1882. Mr. Merriam's connection with the business terminated two years after its organization, but the name was retained for obvious reasons. Sep- tember 7th 1853, the capital was increased to $25,000. The success of the enterprise has been somewhat varied, but some of the permanent employes have added not a little to the social life of the village, and the support of its various institutions. The concern has ample facilities for producing and distributing its wares, and has an established reputation for manufacturing reliable goods. About 20 persons are employed. The present directors are: W. H. Walkley, F. Hubbard, E. L. Johnson, S. S_ Scranton, and F. P. Hubbard. W. H. Walkley is president of the company, and F. Hubbard is secretary. The Present Time. Durham, in the census of 1880, had 990 inhabitants The number is now probably somewhat less. July ist 1884, there were registered, between the years of 4 and 16, 165 children — less than one-half the number in 1810, one generation ago. There are upwards of 75 persons over 70 years of age. The oldest man is Horace Newton, 85 years. The oldest person is Mrs. Parsons Coe, who is 88 years old. Durham is noted for the longevity of its inhabitants. Most of the deaths are of persons over 70 years old. A little more than one per cent, of the population die yearly. Most of the inhabitants are farmers. The crops raised are principally rye, oats, Indian corn, hay, and tobacco. There are four churches, six district schools, one acad- emy, two post offices, four grocery stores, two meat markets, one hotel, one barber shop, two tin factories, one livery stable, one saw mill, two blacksmith shopj', and one lodge of Knights of Honor. There is a cream- ery in the south part of the town which does consider- able business. There are two resident physicians, two resident clergymen, and one lawyer. There is a factory in the south part of the town for the manufacture of Pond's Extract. In politics the town is very evenly divided, the repub- licans having had the advantage for a few years past. It was formerly strongly democratic. Samuel Parsons, in the times of the whig party, rallied and encouraged the whigs so that they brought the party nearly to an equal- ity with the democrats. Samuel Parsons engaged in business in New York, and became by far the richest man in Durham. In 1856, the republicans obtained a majority of 10. When the war began, party feeling almost ceased. In the election of 1862, the vote was 138 union to 65 demo- cratic. The town has two representatives, and this, with its small vote, has caused it to be very fiercely contested. It is not uncommon for every vote to be cast, or accounted for as sick, absent, or paired. The closest vote ever had in Durham, and it may have been the closest vote ever had in any town, was in the town meeting of 1880. There were 14 names on each ticket, and the average dif- ference was one-seventh of one vote. Majorities of less than ten are very common. The academy is now taught by Miss Pitts, a graduate of Cornell. The attendance is small, because the num- ber of children in town is small. There are about 450 church members out of a possible 650, and the town only needs to add a Catholic church, as the fifth, to make the competition reasonably close. The number of summer visitors who are attracted by the quiet beauty of the town increases yearly. Among Its attractive features are its long shaded streets, its pleas- ant green, its beautiful drives, and its fine views. Among the men of Durham who have received a lib- eral education, should be mentioned S. W. Loper, who, though not a college graduate, has recently received the degree of bachelor of arts, causa honoris, in recognition of his scholarly acquisitions, especially in the line of ge- ology. Assessment List. The grand list of the town of Durham amounts to $467,430. The largest list is $16,290. There are five lists more than $10,000, only one of which, however, belongs to a single living person; one is the list of the Merriam Manufacturing Company, one of a partnership, and two of estates. There are five lists between $5,000 and fio,ooo. There are 87 polls, and 312 taxpayers altogether. The smallest list is $20. 166 pay taxes on less than $1,000; 36 pay on less than $100. These figures include nonresidents. The usual tax is one per cent. There are few towns where prosperity is so evenly dis- tributed. There are 226 houses, valued at $164, 425, an average of $727 each. The lowest valuation of a house is $100; the highest is $2,500, from that of the estate of Parsons Coe. There are assessed, 12,649 acres of land, at $195,342, or $15 per acre. There are 20 mills, stores, and manu- factories, 210 houses, and 873 neat cattle. Among resi- dent tax payers there are 8 Baileys, 16 Camps, 6 Coes, 5 Davises, 7 Fowlers, 5 Hubbards, 5 Halls, 6 Johnsons, 7 Nettletons, 10 Newtons, 5 Parsons, and 5 Southmayds. The Camps were formerly much more numerous. DURHAM— BIOGRAPHIES. 281 Descendants of the Settlers. Of the descendants of early settlers, the most numer- ous are the Newtons, Merwins, Camps, and Parsons. The first Newton who came to Djirham was Abner New- ton, of Milford, who married Mary Burwell, and settled in Durham, north of the Mill Bridge, in 1724. He owned the grist mill which stood there. Those now living in Durham are descendants of his grandsons, Abner and Burwell. Abner Newton, son of William C. Newton, is the seventh in descent from the first Abner, who was a grandson of Roger Newton, who came from England to America soon after the first settlement. He graduated from Harvard soon after it was founded, preached ten years in Farmington, and then settled in Milford. He is said to have been a descendant of a near relative of Sir Isaac Newton. The Miles Merwin place, situated just east of the head of Brick Lane, is one of the oldest, perhaps the oldest house in the town. On the front of the chimney are the figures 1727, showing when the front part was built; on the rear of the chimney are the figures 1755, showing when the addition was built. Daniel Merwin came to Durham from Milford, at some time before 1724. The favorite Merwin name in Milford was Miles; it was continued in Durham. Daniel Mer- win died in Durham in 1766, aged 79; Lieut. Miles Mer- win died in 1786, aged 66; Miles Merwin died in 1793. aped 50; Miles Merwin died in 1859, aged 87>^; Miles Merwin died in 1879. aged 84; Miles T. Merwin, Miles Tyler Merwin. and Miles Herbert Merwin are still living. Miles Merwin, who died in 1859, had at least 57 living descendants, nearly as many more having died. It is said that it was a descendant of Daniel Merwin, who drove a fat ox to Valley Forge in the Revolution. W. C. Fowler, LL D. Most of the facts stated in this history have been con- densed from the History of Durham, prepared by \V. C. Fowler, LL.D., and printed by the town. The writer was acting school visitor jointly with him during the ten latter years of his life. During this time Prof. Fowler lived on his place in Durham, and culti- vated his farm. He was remarkable for the correctness and certainty of his memory, which remained unim- paired. Aged people often remember what took place in their youth, and forget the things of the present. He remembered both equally well. He seemed to take as much interest in his farm as if he were a young farmer just starting. He watched the schools like a man of 45. He knew the village gossip, kept the run of the young people, and what they were doing. He always had on hand some literary work, and occupied his time fully. He talked like a book, and it was a pleasure to listen to him. He loved his native place, and was zealous for its interests. He was an illustrious example of the way in which old age may be used, enjoyed, and improved. His other public works are more widely known, but his His- tory of Durham should always make his name remem- bered among his town people. Chauncev Goodrich. Chauncey Goodrich was born at Durham, Connecticut, October 2olh 1759: graduated from Yale College, in 1776, with a high reputation for genius and acquire- ments. After spending several years as tutor in that in- stitution he established himself as a lawyer at Hartford in 1781, and soon attained to eminence in the profession. He was a representative in the Legislature in 1793, and a representative in Congress from 1795 to 180T. From 1802 to 1807 he was a councilor of the State; and he was elected United States Senator from 180; to 1813. He received the office of mayor of Hartford in 18 12, and resigned his seat in Congress. He was elected lieutenant-governor of the State in 1813, and was also a delegate to the Hariford Convention in 1814. He died at Hariford, August i8th 1815. 37 TOWN OF EAST HADDAM. By E. Emory Johnson and flosroBD B. Niles. Geographical and Descriptive. EAST HADDAM is one of the oldest and largest towns in the State. Its diversified scenery, its bracing atmosphere, and its early historic associations, have made the town an object of admiration to travelers, and of love to her sons and daughters; and she has reared many worthy sons who have graced the higher pursuits of life. The town is beatifully situated on the Connecticut River, about i6 miles north from Long Island Sound, or Saybrook Point, about 32 miles south from Hartford, and fourteen below Middletown. It is bounded on the north by Chatham and Colchester, on the east by Col- chester and Salem, on the south by Lyme, and on the west by the Connecticut and Salmon Rivers; the last named divides the town from Haddam Neck, which is a part of Haddam, lying west of the Connecticut River. The original name for the town in the Indian tongue was MaU^i/-mo0-cftis, -which, being interpreted, means "the place of noises," and it has generally been supposed thai from Mount Tom, a sightly eminence at the head of Salmon Cove, these mysterious sounds emanated. Settlement. A tract of land, of which East Haddam is a part, ex- tending from Chatham line to Chester Cove, reaching six miles easterly and westerly from the river, was purchased from four Indian kings, in 1662, for 30 coats, of a value not exceeding $100. The tract thus purchased was taken up by 28 persons, mostly young men from the vicinity of Hartford, who settled on the northern part of this land on the west side of the river. Barber says their names were Ackley, Arnold, Bailey, Brainerd, Brooks, Clarke, Cone, Gates, Shayler, two Spencers, two Smiths, Ventres, Wells, Bates, Butler, Corbe, Dibble, Ganes, Hannison, Jones, Luxford, Parents, Piper, Stan nard, Webb, and Wiat. About six years afterward, the privileges of a town were granted this colony, and the tract was called Had- dam, from Haddam in England. This was about tlie zoth town founded in the State. No settlement was made on the east side of the river till some two years later, or about 1670. All the inhabitants on both sides of the river formed one society until 1700, when they formed two societies, but it was not till 1734 that the town was divided agreeably to the divisions of the socie- ties; the west society retaining the name of Haddam, while the east took the name of East Haddam. The first settlement of East Haddam was begun at Creek Row, about the year 1670, more than 200 years ago. The first house, it is said, stood a few rods northeast of the site where Mason Gates' house now stands. Quite a number of houses were erected in this vicinity, and were occupied by the Gates, the Brainerds, and the Cones, and the same family names are peculiar to this neighbor- hood. Field, in his history, claims that the settlement at the Creek Row commenced in 1685; which appears to be an error, as from a document found in the colony records, it is certain that " Robert Chapman had a dwelling-house in East Haddam, north of the Creek Row, in 1674." It seems to be conceded on all sides that the settlement at Creek Row was first; then it must have commenced as early as 1670. Besides, as the land was purchased, and the settlement commenced in Had- dam in 1662, it is hardly supposable that 23 years would pass by before any attempt was made to settle the east side of the river. Indian History. Very little is known of the Indians who inhabited this locality. It is probable that they were few in number, and belonged to the tribe of Wangunks. Of these In- dians DeForest remarks: " None of the other aborigines of Connecticut were so given to powwowings, to sacrifices, and to religious cere- monies. The cause of this peculiarity was remarkable. In the township of East Haddam, at the junction of Moodus and Salmon Rivers, and within plain sight of the Con- necticut, stands a considerable eminence, now known as- Mount Tom. Strange noises and rumblings are said tO' have been heard at times in the bowels of this mountain. * * * * It is natural to suppose that at no time were these phenomena more common, or more extraor- dinary, tbaa when the winds sighed, hieawily through un- EAST HADDAM— COLONIAL RECORDS. 283 broken forests, when ancient trees sometimes fell by their own weight in the lonely woodlands, and when the place was only inhabited by an ignorant and superstitious peo- ple, whose senses were easily led astray by their imagin- ations. Machemoodus, there, was believed to be the pe- culiar residence of Hobbamock, and here the Indians held their greatest powwows." From Colonial Records. The following extracts from the colonial records, re- lating to East Haddam, are given in chronological order: October 1709.—" This Assembly do establish and con- firm Mr. Thomas Gates to be Captain of the company or trainband, on the east side of Connecticut River in the town of Haddam. June 1720. — "They spake of some land they had on the east side of New London River, and some in Had- dam about which they thought themselves wrong'd; and they were directed to take opportunity, at the council to be called, to lay the matter fully before the same, where they should be heard. October 1720. — " As to the land in Haddam, it was shewn to this board that the land so reserved, vizt. three hundred acres to the Indians, is not recovered from their vendees, but remained as it was when they first sold it. October 1723. — " Upon the petition of the people liv- ing at the north end of Lyme, on the north side of the Eight Mile River, and those living at the south end of Haddam east society, particularly those that live within a mile aiid three-quarters of the north bounds of said society, desiring a committee may be appointed to go and view their circumstances: This Court appoint that John Hall Esq., Messrs. Stephen Whittelsey, and Hawkins Hart, or any two of them, be a committee at the cost of said petitioners to go to the places aforesaid, look into their circumstances respecting their being set off from the societies they now respectively belong to for the publick worship and their being allowed to set up the publick worship of God among themselves distinct from the aforesaid societies; and that said committee make report of their opinion on the premises to the General Assembly in May next; the societies aforesaid to have no tice of the time of the committee's meeting on said service. May 1725. — " Upon consideration of the petition of the south inhabitants of Haddam East Society, as also a prayer made by the society of Haddam East side: This Assembly appoint Messrs. John Hall Esq., Mr. Hawkins Hart, and Mr. Stephen Whittlesey, to repair to the place, view their state and circumstances, and if they judge it reasonable and best that there should be a new society, as desired by the aforesaid petition, then they make report thereof to this Assembly in October next at New Haven, with the best line of their petition: but if they judge it best and most convenient that they con- tinue as one society, as is desired by said prayer, that then the said committee do resolve and determine the place of erecting a meeting house that shall be most ac- commodable for the whole present society; and this to be done at the charge of the said whole society. October 1725. — " We the subscribers being appointed by the General Assembly held at Hartford, May the 13th 1725, a committee on consideration of a petition of the south inhabitants of Haddam East, as also a prayer made by the society of Haddam East, to repair to the place and view their state and circumstances, and give our judg- ment if we thought it best and reasonable that there should be a new society according to said petition; or otherwise, if we think it best that they continue in one society, then to resolve and determine the place for the erecting a meeting house for the whole, according to said prayer; accordingly we met at the said Haddam East, October the 5th 1725, and on the 6th day of October in- stant the committees of the parties met, and we heard their pleas and reasons on the premises of said petition and prayer, and on the 7th instant we viewed the State and parts of said Haddam East, and have carefully, in obediance to the trust reposed in us by the Hon'ble Assembly, according to our measure, considered the pleas and reasonings of the parties, and upon the whole are of opinion that it is best and may most conduce to the weal and tranquility of the people of said Had- dam East in general, that they continue in one entire society; and therefore do determine and resolve, that the place for erecting and building a new meeting house to be on the hill in the broad highway or street that lyeth north and south, at the east end of the present meeting house lane in said Haddam East; which hill is called or known by the name of Cone's Hill, a little northward of said lane. " John Hall, " Hawkins Hart, " Stephen Whittlesy. "At a Meeting of the Governour and Council in Hart- ford, March 30th 1727. "Present — The Honourable " Joseph Talcott Esq., Governour. " Capt. Hez. Wyllys, " Capt. John Shelding, " Mr. John Austin. " Roger Wolcott, ) ,:. , „ ■ ^ ^ '• Nath'l Stanly, \ ^^^ '"■' Assistants. '■ Capt. Samuel Olmstead, Capt. Brainerd, Daniel Brain- erd, and John Church, of East Haddam, laid a memorial before this board, shewing that the finishing their meet- ing house is hindered thro contention in the society, and that the inhabitants at some of their last meetings have been confused for want of a moderator, and the select- men refuse to warn another meeting: Upon hearing the parties, it is the opinion of his Honour and the Council that it is needful that the inhabitants of East Haddam should meet and fairly vote in the affair of their meeting house as they, or the major part of them, may think it most for their benefit. " Whereupon it is resolved, That Capt. Samuel Olm- stead warn the inhabitants of said society to meet at their old meeting house on the first Thursday of April next ensuing, at ten of the clock afternoon to consider and vote what they shall judge is most beneficial for the fin- a84 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. ishing their new meeting house: Warning to be given three days inclusive before the meeting; and Mr. Justice West of Lebanon is desired and impowered to preside moderator in said meeting, to keep order and lead the inhabitants in their voting; and if Mr. Justice West of Lebanon doth not attend it, Mr. Justice Woodward is ap- pointed moderator, and desired to attend. October 1733. — " Upon the memorial of Jonathan Beebe, Samuel Olmsted jun, and Thomas Clark, in be- half of themselves and the rest of the inhabitants of the easterly part of East Haddani, praying to be a society distinct by themselves and to have the privileges allowed to them that are usually granted to other societies: Granted by this Assembly to the memorialists, to be a society and to have the privileges as prayed for, and that the bounds of said parish shall be as follows, (viz:) on the west, a line running from the mouth of the brook that runs into the southern end of the pond near to John Bates's, and from thence extending southerly till said line strike the middle of the line that divides between the town of Lyme and said East Haddam, then with a line beginning at the place where the brook runs out of said pond, thence running by said brook to the bridge called Moodus bridge, and from said bridge a north line to Colchester bounds; bounded easterly, partly on Col- chester and partly on Lyme; northerly, on part of Colchester; and southerly, on Lyme; and that said par- ish shall be called by the name of Miilington. May 1734. — " An Act Dividing the Town of Haddam in the County of Hartford, and Making the Same into Two distinct Towns. " Be it enacted by the Governour, Council and Represen- tatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority 0/ the same, " That what part of said town of Haddam lyeth on the west side of Connecticutt river, and the island in said river, with all those lands on the east side of said river bounded westerly by the said river, southerly by the cove and Salmon river unto Middletown line, and northerly by Middletown line unto said Connecticutt river, shall be and remain to be a distinct town, with all powers and privileges proper to other towns in this Col- ony, and be known by the name of Haddam. Always provided, that the said town of Haddam do not send more than one Deputy to this Assembly at any time for the future on the publick charge of this Colony. " And it is hereby further enacted. That all that part of said town of Haddam which lyeth east of a line drawn from Middletown line on the north by Salmon river to the cove into which said Salmon river eraptieth itself and by said cove until it come to the great river of Con- necticut, and so by Connecticutt river to the south bounds of Haddam, .shall forever be and remain one distinct town, with all powers and privileges proper to other towns in this Colony, and shall be called and known by the name of East Haddam. Always provided, that the said town of East Haddam do not send more than one Deputy for the future upon the publick charge of this Colony. May 1736. — ''On the memorial of James Cone, agent for the parish of Miilington, in the township of East Had- dam, praying this Assembly to appoint such method as this Court shall think best for prefixing a place to erect a meeting house upon in said society: Granted, that Giles Hall, Richard Lord, and Samuel Willard, Esq'rs, be a committee to repair to said parish of Miilington and as- certain a place they shall think most proper and conven- ient for erecting a meeting house in said parish, and re- port their opinion to this Assembly in October next. October 1736. — "Upon the report of the committee ap- pointed by this Assembly in May last to ascertain a place in the parish of Miilington to erect a meeting house upon: Resolved by this Assembly, that the place described in said report (p/z) upon the eastern side of a hill, about a mile or mile and quarter soulheastwardly of the house of Mr. Jonathan Chapman, and about three quarters of a mile east of the house of Samuel Fuller, where said committee have marked two white oak stad- dles and laid stones about them, shall be, and is hereby appointed to be, the place for said parish to build a meeting house upon. October 1739. — "Upon the memorial of Jabez Chapman of East Haddam, praying this assembly that a certain is- land, commonly called by the name of Twenty Mile Is- land, lying between the towns of Haddam and East Haddam, may be annexed to the town of East Haddam: Resolved by this Assembly, that the said island be an- nexed, aud the same is hereby annexed, to the town of East Haddam accordingly. October 1741. — "An Act appointing a Court of Probate in the County of Hartford, and for limiting the District thereof. " Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and Bcprcsen- tatiiics, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same. That the towns of East Hadd.im, Haddam, Col- chester, and Hebron, including the jiarish of Middle- Haddam, all in the County of Hartford, be one entire district for holding a Court of Probate, and shall be known by the name of the District of East Haddam; and said court shall be held by one judge and a clerk, with powers and privileges as the other Courts of Probate in this Colony here. And in all cases where the law allows of appeals, they shall be made to the Superior Court to be holden at Hartford. May 1742. — "An Act to enlarge the Bounds of the District for holding a Court of Probate, called the Dis- trict of East Haddam. " Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and Repre- sentatives, in General Court assembled, and by the au- thority of the same. That all the lands in the town of Middletown that lye on the south side of the river called Salmon River shall be, and they are hereby, annexed to the aforesaid district of East Haddam. October 1749. — "Upon the memorial of Colo. John Bulkley, etc., praying a ferry to be stated at the ware- houses in East Haddam, across Connecticut River, and that Joseph Bate and Richard Mather should be allowed to attend the ferry there: Resolved by this Assembly, EAST HADDAM— REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 285 that the said Joseph Bate and Richard Mather have lib- erty to keep a ferry across said river at said place, until this Assembly order otherwise; and that the fare for man and horse be three pence proclamation money; one penny half-penny for a single person; for a single horse one penny half-penny; and two pence for an ox or cow; and for a score of sheep or swine, six pence, and so pro rata for a greater or less number. East Haddam in the RevoLUTioN. Few if any towns in Connecticut have a brighter Revo lutionary record. Nothing in the history of the town is more worthy of mention; nothing, probably, will be more highly appreciated than the following extracts from the records of the town, which illustrate the sublime patriot- ism of its early settlers: " At a Town Meeting Legally Warned and held in East Haddam March 26, 1770. "At the same meeting Mr. Ebenezer Cone, jr. was chosen Moderator for said Meeting. East Haddam, 26 March A. D. 1770. The Inhabitants of the Town of East Haddam in Town meeting Legally Assembled taking into consideration the Weighty Dangerous Con- troversy Subsisting between Great Uritain and these Colonies in Point of Right a Controversy big With Con- sequences of the Utmost Importance to the Welfare of Both Countries & may Prove the Ruin of Both unless Some happy Means are Devised to prevent it, and amongst the Various Plans proposed & Means Devised None appear More likely to bring the affair to a happy Issue than the Late Vertuous Agreement of the Merchants on the Continent in Regard to the Non Im- portation of English Goods, almost Universally entered into (except by a growling few Who Justly De serve the Contempt of Every Honest Man) Which agree )nent We Heartily ajiprove of and Do greatfully Thank each Vertuous Merchant who has Subscribed the same and Indeed we look upon it as our Sheet Anchor in the present Storm Which seems to hover over us, and there- fore are Jealous of every thing that has the least ap|)earance of prostrating said agreement and Lately Some reports have been spread of Some of the Merchants in this Town to their on that score Whether true or false we know not and in order to Set that affair in its true Light we think [it best to appoint a Com'tt Carefully to Inspect into the Conduct of all Sellers and Buyers of English goods and More especially Critically to Examine those Merchants Suspected as aforesaid (if they see cause to Submit to an Examination; and that the Saire bee a Standing Com'tt for said purpose and that they Make Report to this Meeting— Voted that Doctor Thomas Mosely, Jabez Chapman 2nd, and Din'l Brainard be a Com'tt for said purpose. •' And Whereas there has been a late Meeting of Many Principle Merchants of this Colony at Middletown in AVhich a Plan Was begun Which we Most Heartily ap- prove, and apprehend may be of the Happiest Conse- quence and in Order to promote & further said Plan We are Unanimously agreed and Do heartily recommend it to two or three from amonghst the Merchants and Farmers in this town to attend their Next meeting at Hartford. " Unanimously recommended that Saml Worthington Esq and Mr. Humphrey Lyon of Said Town be Desired 10 attend on Said Meeting, &, also be a Com'tt to take in Subscriptions for the Purpose proposed by said com- pany." It appears from the record that the above named meeting was adjourned till the " glh day of April at 4 of the Clock afternoon," when " Gibbon Jewet was Chosen a Com'tt with Doctor Thomas Mosely, Dan'l Brainerd, and Jabi'z Chapman to Examine the Traders and take Care to Inquire if there be any Goods Come into this Town Contrary to the agreement of the Merchants." On the same i)age it is recorded: " The inhabitants of the Town of East Haddam Le- gally and in full meeting convened having a Long Time and with the greatest Concern and Attention Observed the Unhappy Dispute Subsisting Between G't Britain and the Colonies relative to the Right of Taxation and with Carefulness and Impartiality barkened to the many Ar- guments and Reasons offered the Public on the Subject by the most able & Eminent Men in Great Britain and America which Reasons and Arguments on both Sides being Duly Weighed the argument against Taxation ap- pearing so greatly to preponderate That we had not the least Doubt in our Mind but that the Oppressive Tax- ation Would be Countermanded Especially after Several Petitions & Remonstrances from the Different Colonies in America should have been heard. But to our Great Surprise we find the Authority not only Determined to Continue those Taxes but to treat humble Remonstran- ces and Petitions Coming from the most faithful and Loyall Subjects as Seditious Mutinous and Enemitousto Good Government therefore think it needless for us to enter on a further Discussion of the Rights and privi- leges of those Colonies Since they have been so Judici- ally Canvassed by the Most Wise and Sensible Men in the Nation Shall Content Our Selves by saying No more than that we find our Rights Privileges and Money Wrested from us & we unjustly oppressed by those Whom the Ties of Nature & Trade urge to be one United and happy People. "Viewing ourselves under these Disfavorable Circum- stances our Petitions and Complaint treated with Con- tempt Insulted by petty ofificers appointed to Extort what little Cash we have Circulating among us under a pretext of Defraying American Charges (which no Doubt of Late are Greatly Increased) by Which Means we are desenabled to Carry on a foreign Trade to any Advan- tage. In this Miserable Condition we are led to put in Practice that first Law of Nature, Self Preservation, which can be effected in a Constitutional way only by a Disuse of British and Encouragement of American Manufactories. It is with Pleasure we hear the Laud- able Attempts and Resolutions of Several principal Towns in the Several Colonies on the Continent & some in this Colony for the Encouraging American Manufac- 286 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. tories more of which we hoped to have Seen that we might have appeared in a more proper Succession but having Earnestly engaged in this affair could not any longer conceal our intentions & Desires for the accom- plishing Projections so Beneficial. The Conduct of the Reputable Merchants lately convened at Middletown is Very agreeable to us and have Desired Saml Hunt- ington Esqr. and Mr. Humphrey Lyon to joyn the Mer- chants at their adjourned meeting and to obtain What Subscriptions they can in the Interium for the Purposes Mentioned at this last meeting also Voted Daniel Brainerd Esqr., Doctor Thos. Mosely, Mr. Jabez Chap- man 2d, and Doct'r Gibbon Jewet, to be a Com'it of In- spection to see that no Importation is made contrary to the Spirit and Meaning of the non Importation agree- ment. "Voted and Resolved that we will have no Commer- cial Connections or Friendly Communications With Such as shall act Contrary to the Non Importation Agree- ment and that the Inspectors do give Due Notice of any that shall be giiilty of S'd Breach Directly or Indirectly in the most public Places in the Town and in the New London Gazette Voted in the affirmative Test. " Dan'l Brainard, Town Clerk." " At a Town Meeting Legally Warned and held in East Haddam July the 9th 1770; at the Same Meeting Mr. William Selby Was Chosen Moderator for Said Meeting; at the Same Meeting it Was Voted that the present Selectmen should erect & Build Some Suitable House in Some Suitable place in order to store the Town Stock of Powder Lead &c. in at the expense of the Town." At the meeting held September 6th 1770, " Daniel Brainard, Land Holder, and Mr. Humphrey Lyon Merchant Was Chosen to Represent Said Town at New Haven on the Next Djy after Commencement at a meeting of the Merchants & Land Holders of this Colony Relating to the Non Importation agreement and make Report of this meeting. " At the Same Meeting it was Voted to colour the Powder House Lately Built White upon the cost of the Town." The meeting at which the above vote was passed was adjourned to the " i8ih day of Instant September," when the above named committee made their report, and it was voted: " That the Selectmen Should pay the Expenses of Sim'l Huntington Esqr. Mr. Humphrey Lyon to Hart- ford at the Meeting there in May Last & also pay the ex- penses of Mr. Humphrey Lyon and Dan Brainard to New Haven on the Day after Corainencement according to the above Vote." " At a Town Meeting I,egally Warned and held in East Haddam Januany 5th 1775 for Which Meeting Mr. Israel Champion was Chosen Moderator at Which Meeting the Committee of Inspection Chosen November i7i 1774 M^de Report Relating to a Complaint that Had been Exhibitted to them by Sundry Inhabitants of Said Town against Doctr Abner Beebee of Said Town for be- ing Inimical to the Liberty of these American Colonies Which Report Being Read — Voted at the Same Meeting that We accept & approve of the Report of the Coni'tt Respecting Doctr Abner Beebee and that we shall hold him to be enimical to these Colonies & will Break of all Connections by way of Trade &c. With said Beebee & all those that Shall have any Connection With him as aforesaid untill Said Beebee Shall Comply & sign the Confession S'd Com'tt Drew for him to sign & then we Will Restore him to his former favor and We De- sire S'd Com'tt to Advertise What is Done in the New London Gazette. " and also Voted that Said Com'tt Shall Judge & De- termine every Matter referred to them Without making Report to the Town and When Said Com'tt Shall any Ways Publish that they find any Person enemical as afore Said or hath any Dealings With any Body that is Judged to be enemical that then We Will Break of all Connec- tion and Dealings with every such Person or Persons." " At a Town Meeting Legally Warned and Held in East Haddam November the 17th A. D. 1774. Mr. Is- rael Champion was Chosen Moderator for said Meeting This Meeting Taking into Consideration the Association of the General Congress held at Philadelphia on Septem- ber Past Which is Recommended by the Honorable Repre- sentatives of this Colony Do fully Approve of said Asso- ciation and Voted and Agreed Unanimously that we will Comport therewith and that Col. Joseph Spencer, D.iniel Brainerd, Jabez Chapman, and Samuel Huntington Esqrs Doct'r Thomas Moseley, Mr. Israel Cham- pion, Capt. Ichabod Olmstead, Mr. Daniel Olmstead, Capt. William Cone, Doct'r Gibbon Jewett, Capt. Chris- topher Holmes, Capt. Ebenezer Spencer, and Mr. James Shaw be a Committee to Inspect Agreeable to the iilh Article in Said Association And also Voted that said Committee Examine & Hear all Complaints Against Any Person or persons that are enemical to the English Con- stitution and Desire to introduce a more Arbitrary & Ty- rannical form of Government Different from What Hath Been Generally Enjoyed since the Revolution Brought about under God by King William and Queen Mary A. D. 1688 Until the Present Reign and have or shall try to Undermine the Privileges of this Colony; And that said Committee publish to said Town What they Shall find. " At a Town Meeting held in East Haddam o.i the 24th day of March 1777 it was Voted that Samuel Hun- tington Esqr., Timothy Gates, Israel Spencer, Mathias Fuller, Capt. Jonah Cone Be a Committee to Provide Such Necessaries as the Families of any Such Soldier Belonging to the Town of East Haddam as have or shall Inlist in the Continental Service Shall want During the absence of Such Soldier in the Publick Service S'd Nec- essaries to be Delivered to S'd Soldiers' Families at the prices Stated by Law Provided Said Soldiers Do or Shall from lime to time Lodge with S'd Committee Money Sufficient for S'd Purpose and the Necessary Cost of S'd Committee In Procuring Such Necessaries Shall Be paid By this Town and the Select Men are Directed and Or- dered from Time to Time to Give Orders on the Treas- urer for Such Necessary Cost. EAST HADDAM— REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 287 " At the Same Meeting it was Resolved and agreed and we Do Mutually Pledge our Faith Each to the Other Strictly to adhere to the Law of this State Regarding Prices and that we will Use our joint and Several Influ- ences to Support and Maintain the Same; in our Gen- eral Spheres and Capacities. We are Sensable we Cannot Vote out a Law of this State But all we Mean is to Shew our Actual Hearty Compliance with the Before one men- tioned act, and pledge our Faith Each to the other to see the same faithfully executed." On the 7th of April 1777, it was " Voted to give to Every Soldier Belonging to this Town That have or Shall Voluntarily Inlist himself into any of the Eight Battalions to be raised By this State the Sum of Six Shillings pr. Calender month During the time he Shall Continue in S'd Service; Said Sum to be paid to S'd Soldier or his attorney annually." " At a Town Meeting Legally warned and held in East Haddam, the i6th of September: 1777 " For which meeting Coll. Dyer Throop was Chosen moderator. At the Same meeting Voted that Capt. Samuel Gates: Mr. Silvanus Tinker: Samuel Huntington Esq. Doct. Gibbon Jewett: Capt. Christopher Holmes: Capt. William Cone: Mr. Job Spencer: Capt. Matthew Smith: Lieut. David B. Spencer: Dea'n Thomas Fuller: Capt. Ebenezer Spencer: Mr. George Cone Jr.: Capt. Ichabod Olmstead: Ens. Increase -Crosby: Capt. John Willey: Mr. Nathan Gates: Mr. Levi Palmer: and Lieut. Nathan Jewett: Be a Committee to provide the following Articles for every non Commissioned Offi- cer and Soldier in the Continental army Belonging to this Town: (viz.) one Shirt or more Either Linnen or flan- nel one hunting Shirt or frock, one pair of woUen over- halls one or two pair of stockings, and one pair of shoes to be transmitted to Capt. Eliphalet Holmes, as soon as may be, taking his receit therefor, which Said Holmes is Desired to Dispose of Said articles, to his Said Soldiers at the prices following (viz.) Shoes at 8s. 6d. pr. pair: Stockings at 6s. pr. pair: Shirts Hunting frock and over- halls according to their quality and in proportion To Good yard wide tow Cloth at 25. gd. pr. yard and good yard wide Checked or Striped flannel at 3s. 6d. pr. yard: and that Capt. Holmes be Desired To transmit the money arising on the Sale of Said articles to Samuel Huntington Esq. one of S'd Committee: and that this Town Pay the Cost of Said articles and Transportation." " At a Town Meeting held in East Haddam January the 6th A. D. 1778 For which meeting Israel Champion was Chosen Moderator — " At the Same Meeting The Article Proposed by Congress of Confederation and Perpetual Union be- tween The States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay. Rhod Island and Providence Plantation: Connecticut: New York: New Jersey: Penselvania- Delaware: Mary- land: Virginia: North Carolina: South Carolina and Georgia: Being Repeatedly read and Explained to This Meeting and After due and Mature Consideration — Voted Unanimously That this Meeting does highly approve: of: and Consent To Said Articles: and that this Vote be re- corded: and a True Copy thereof: Properly Attested: be Delivered by the Town Clerk to the Representatives of this Town. "At the Same meeting: Capt. Samuel Gates: Mr. Sil- vanus Tinker: Samuel: Huntington Esqr.: Doct. Gibbon Jewett: Capt. Mathew Smith: Lieut. David B. Spencer: Deac'n Thomas Fuller: Capt. Ebenezer Spencer: Mr. George Cone 2d: Capt. Ichabod Olmstead: Ens. Increase Crosby: Capt. John Willey: Mr. Nathan Gates: Mr. Levi Palmer: and Lieut. Nathan Jewett Were Chosen a Com- mittee to Provide Blankets: Shoes and Other Articles as Pointed out By an Act of Assembly at Their Late Ses- sion for the Benefit of the Soldiers in the Continental Army. " At the Same Meeting Voted thp above S'd Com'tt Should Purchase and Send to the Soldiers in the Con- tinental Army That went from this Town Sole Leather for eighty Pair of Taps for Shoes with Shoe thread an- swerable." "At a Town Meeting held the 7th day of December 1778 Mr. James Olmstead, Messrs. Lemuel Griffin jun'r, Mathias Fuller: and Abraham Willey: were chosen a Com'tt to Provide for the Soldiers' families for the year ensuing. " At the Same Meeting Mr. Thomas Fuller: Mr. Tim- othy Chapman: Capt. Jonathan Olmstead: Mr. Bazaleel Gates: Mr. William Selby: Mr. Mathew Sears: Mr. Sam- uel P. Lord: Mr. Abner Hall: Mr. Samuel Emons: Mr. Amasa Dutton: Capt. Ebenezer Dutlon: Mr. Silvanus Cone, Mr. Asa Harvy: Mr. George Griffin: Deac'n Ben- jamin Fuller, Capt. Zechariah Hungerford: Mr. Elijah Cone and Mr. J.imes Dickson, were Chosen a Committee to provide Such Clothing for the Soldiers in Continental Service as they are or shall be enabled to: by Resolve of the Assembly or of this Town." " At an adjourned session of the same meeting it was Voted that the Select men Shall have Liberty to Draw out of the Town Treasury: five Hundred pound: Money to Purchase Grain with: for the Support of the Poor of the Town that need: and also for the Soldiers' Families which are to be provided for: agreeably to an Act of As- sembly. "At the Same meeting: Mr. James Olmstead was Chosen a Com'tt man to Lay out Said Money: for S'd Purpose Taking the Advice and Direction of the Select Men therein. " At the Same Meeting Mr Johiel Fuller was Chosen a Com'tt man To provide for the Soldiers Families ac- cording to Act of Assembly in yt Case." January nth A. D. 1779, it was "Voted to Raise by Rate or Tax The Sum of three Hundred pounds Money, to purchase Cheese and Butter for the Soldiers in the Continental Army that Belong to this Town, and for the Transportation of the Same to Said Soldiers." " Also that Samuel Gates Mr Thomas Fuller Capt. Daniel Cone: Capt. Ebenezer Dutton: Capt Israel Spen- cer: Capt. John Willey: Mr Nathaniel Sparrow and Capt Zachariah Hungerford: were chosen a Committee to Lay out the Said three Hundred pounds in Cheese and But- 288 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. ter for Sd Soldiers use and to Transport the Same to them as soon as may be. " At the same meeting: Voted that the Select men Shall have Liberty to hire 800 pounds money for a Short lime to purchase S'd Butter and Cheese with and a Quantity of Grain for S'd Towns poor &c." At a town meeting held July 26th A. D. 1779, it was " Voted: that if any two able Bodied men Belonging to the Town of East Haddam that Shall Inlist into the Continental army within twelve Days to Serve During the war Shall receive as a bounty the Sum of Two hun- dred pounds money Each out of the Treasury of the S'd Town: the one haft to be paid at the end of three months: and the other half at the end of Six months. At the Same meeting voted that if any of the present Cloathing Committee Shall apply to the Select men for money to purchase Cloathing for the Continental Sol- diers they Shall Give orders on the Town Treasurer for Such Sums as they Shall Judge necessary for that pur- pose. " At the Same meeting voted: that the committee that was appointed to purchase Butter and Cheese for the Soldiers in the Continental army Last Winter Shall have Six pounds Eight Shillings money paid them out of the Town Treasury for the Like Sum Sent to S'd Soldiers. "At a Town Meeting held Dec. 6, 1779 Messrs. Thomas Hall 2nd. Thomas Smith 2nd Josejih Emons: Simeon Ackley 2nd: and Asael Andrews: were Chosen a Committee to provide for the Soldiers Families for the year Ensuing." At a town meeting held the 26th of June A. D. 1780, It was " Voted to give (in addition to the Wages and bounty already given By this State) the sum of forty Shillings pr month Lawfull Silver money or the new emitted Bills of this State which Shall be kept equivalent to Silver money: to any able Bodied Effective Man that Shall and does Enlist at or before the first day of July next to serve as a Soldier in the Continental Line of Continental Troops: to fill up the quota of this Town for and during time Such Soldier Shall serve as aforesaid which Tour of Service shall be Either until the Last of December next: for three years: or during the war: which Said Sums of money Shall be paid to Said Soldier or Soldiers or their order or orders by the Treasurer of this Town or an or- der drawn by the Select Men of this Town on said Treasurer for Said Purpose in the following manner first to those that Shall inlist and Serve until the Last of December next at the expiration of Said Term: and to those that Shall inlist for three years, or during the war to be Paid Annually: and if not Punctually paid: with Lawfull Interest until Paid: And it is to be under- stood that the TrooD of Horse is not to hire any person out of the foot Companies: nor the foot Companies out of the Troop of Horse. " At the Same meeting: Voted that the Several Com- mission Officers of the Several Military Companies in Said Town Be a Committee to procure By enlistment the said quota of men for Said Town for the Continental Service agreeable to the above Vote.'' At a town meeting held the i6th day of November 1780: " It was Voted that Col. Jabez Chapman: Capt. Samuel Gates: Doct. Gibbons Jewett: Capt. Enoch Brainard: Capt. Eliphalet Holmes: Capt. Israel Spencer and Capt. Jonathan Kilborn Be a Committee for the Purpose of Dividing and classing all the Inhabitants of this Town who either give in Lists or are included in any Militia Rolls: either of the Trainband alarm List or Companies of Horse — Into as many Classes as this Town Shall be found deficient in number of men Required to compleat their quota of the Continental Army (and make Return to the Town Clerk) agreeable to a Late Act of the Gen- eral Assembly of this State. "At the Same Meeting Voted that a Rate or Tax of one Shilling on the pound (State Money) on the List Given in the year 1779 Be laid on the Polls and salable estate of the Inhabitants of this Town to be Collected and paid to the Treasurer of this Town By the first Day of February next — always provided and it is to be un- derstood that all Such Inhabitants of this Town who Shall and do pay their Ratable proportion of Provisions to the Committee appointed by this Town to Receive the Same: all agreeable to a Late Act of the Assembly: Shall be Discharged from his or their proportion of Said Tax." The Same Meeting Voted: "That Mr. Samuel P. Lord: Capt. Ebenezer Dutton: and Capt. Eliphalet Holmes: Be a Committee To Receive the Governments Salt: To Pro- cure Barrels: faithfully To Receive: Inspect: and put up: all Such Provisions as Shall Be raised Collected and De- livered to them by a rate or tax on the List of the In- habitants of this Town for the year 1779 and a true ac- count thereof to Keep: and that they be Sworn faith- fully to Discharge Said Trust: all agreeable to a Late Act of the Assembly.'' December 4th 1780. — "Messrs. Thomas Fuller: George Griffin and Phineas Parmeley were Chosen a Clothing Committee to provide Clothing for the Soldiers in the Continental Army for the year ensuing." "At the same Meeting Messrs David West, Nathan Goodspeed, Increase Crosby and Stephen Scovel, were chosen a Com'tt of Supply for the Soldiers Families for year ensuing. " The Same Meeting Voted to give the Second Divis- ion Of Soldiers: that was called for and that went into the Continental Service for Said Town Last July The Same addition Bounty and wages: as those that Inlisted by the first of July as by their Vote at a Town Meeting held on the 26th Day of June Last. The Same Meeting Voted that Joseph Willey 2d a Detached Soldier for the Continental Service: Should have the same additional Bounty as the above Soldiers are Intitled to by s'd Vote." At an adjourned session of the same meeting, Decem- ber 19th 1780, it was EAST HADDAM— REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 289 " Voted that the Report and doings of the Committee: appointed by S'd Town for classing the Inhabitants of Said Town (in order to Raise S'd Town's quota of Con- tinental Soldiers Agreeable to a Late Act of Assembly) Be approved and excepted of And that Said Report and doings be Lodged on file with the Clerk of said Town." At an adjourned session of the same meeting, Decem- ber 26th 1780, it was "Voted that the Inhabitants . of S'd ToWn Shall be Classed in order to Raise Said Town's quota of State Soldiers (Being 8 in number) Agreeably to a Late Act of Assembly." The same meeting Voted that the Same Committee That was appointed to Divide and Class the Inhabitants of Said Town (in order to Raise S'd Town's quota of Continental Soldiers) Shall be a Com'tt to Class the Inhabitants of S'd Town In order to Raise S'd Town's quota of State Soldiers." At an adjourned session of the same Meeting held January g\.\i 1781, it was " Voted that the forrher Com'tt appointed at a Town Meeting held Nov. 16, 1780 (To Receive the Govern- ment Salt &c. Shall be a Com'tt with the addition of Mr. Noadiah Gates to receive in and put up Said Town's quota of flour and grain for the State agreeable to a Late Act of Assembly." At the same " Voted that a Rate or tax of four pence on the pound (to be made on the List of 1779) Be Laid on the Inhabitants of S'd Town And be Collected and paid into the Town Treasury by the first of March next. Provided and it is to be understood that Those persons that do pay one penny half penny on the pound on S'd List in Wheat flour or rie Do. or Indian Corn and De- liver it to the above S'd Com'tt (Agreeable to a Late Act of Assembly) Shall be exempted from said four penny tax. "At the same meeting Voted that the doings of the Classing Com'tt for raising the eight Soldiers for Defence of this State be accepted and approved of and that it be lodged on file with ye Town Clerk." At a meeting held on the i6th day of April, A. D., 1871, it was " Voted that the Report and doings of the Late Class- ing Com'tt (for raising the Six State Soldiers) Be excepted and lodged on file with the Town Clerk." At the Same " Voted that the class No. i should have Liberty to Draw out of the Town Treasury the Extra Sum that it shall cost to procure the Light Horse man over and above what it costs to procure a footman Provided S'd Class does procure S'd Horseman for the State Service agreeable to a Late Act of Assembly." At a meeting held June 2Sth 1781 " Messrs. Silvanus Tinker, Noadiah Gates Capt. Ebe- nezer Dutton and Capt. Eliphalet Holmes was Chosen a Committee to Receive and put up for S'd Town their quota of Beef Pork Flour &c.: for the use of the army. (Agreeable to a Late Act of Assembly.)" At the Same " Mr. Jedediah Higgins was chosen a Surveyor of Highways for the present year in the room of Mr. Edward Chapman going into Continental Service. " At the Same Meeting Voted that the Town will make good to the Supplyers and Purchasers of Cloathing now procured and to Be Sent to the Continental Army the full Sum which S'd Town Has Directed Said Purchasers to Buy at: So far as the State shall not make payment: and S'd Town will make Good any Discount in the Mon- ey which may happen Before the Said Purchasing Com- mittee Can Receive the pay of the Publick: and allow the Interest if not paid within one month after the De- livery of the Clothing." At a meeting held on the 13th day of November 1781: "Whereas the General Assembly at their Session in October 1780 Resolved or Enacted that the Several Towns in this State Should collect and put up (for the use of the Continental Army) as much Beef, Pork and wheat flour as will amount to six pence on the pound on the Lists for the year 1779 Stated at certain prices as P act. In Compliance with Said Act This Town at a meet- ing held on the 16th Day of November 1780 Voted that a Rate or Tax of one Shilling on the pound (State mon- ey) on the Lists given in the year 1779 Be Laid on the polls and ratable estate of the Inhabitants of This Town to be Collected and Paid To the Treasurer of S'd Town by the first Day of February next for the Purpose of Col- lecting Said provision also at a Town meeting held by adjournment on Tuesday the 9th Day of January 1781 Voted that a Rate or Tax of four pence on the pound on the List of 1779 Be Laid on the Inhabitants of Said Town and be Collected and paid to the Treasurer of Said Town by the first of March next for the Purpose of Collecting a quantity of wheat flour and rie Do. and Indian Corn for the use of the Army (Agreeable to a Late Act of As- sembly) which Said Taxes proves to be Ineffectual for the Purpose above s'd — Therefore upon Reconsidering said.Votes for Taxing in State Money — Voted that a Rate or Tax of Six pence on the pound Lawful Money Be Laid on the polls and Ratable estate of the Inhabitants of Said Town to be made on the Lists in the year 1779 and to be collected and paid to the Treasurer of Said Town by the 24th Day of November Instant: for the Purpose of Col- lecting_S'd Town's quota of provision in Beef, Pork &c. for the army — and one penny }4 penny on the pound for this Town's quota of wheat and rie &c. : to be paid by the 24th of November Instant — Provided and it is to be understood that all such Inhabitants of this Town that have or Shall pay their Ratable Proportion of provisions (Agreeably to S'd Acts of Assembly) to the Committee appointed by this Town to Receive the Same By the 22d Day of Instant November: Shall be Discharged from his or their Proportion of Said 6 penny and penny half pen- ny taxes. " At the Same Meeting Mr. Joseph Emons and Capt. Eliphalet Holmes were chosen Purchasers & Receivers of Beef and flour: and Capt. Ebenezer Dutton was Cho- sen a Purchaser and Receiver of Beef: and Messrs. No- adiah Gates and D.iniel Lord jr. were Chosen Receivers 38 290 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. of flour all for said Town's quota of provision for the army. " At the same meeting Capt. Eliphalet Holmes was Chosen a Committee to procure Salt for S'd Town to put up S'd Beef &c. " At the same meeting: Voted that the Com'tt ap- pointed to procure Barrels to put up the Town's quota of Beef: Shall have Liberty to Draw the Extra Cost of Barrels (if any there be of what is not allowed by the Com'tt of pay Table) out of the Town Treasury." December 3d 1781. — Mr. Thomas Fuller " was chosen a Com'tt to provide Cloathing for the Soldiers in the Continental Army (if called for by the State) for the year ensuing." At a meeting held February 8th 1782. — "Voted to Divide or Class the Inhabitants of said Town into as many Classes as there are Soldiers Required for said Town'^ quota of men for the part of Horse neck or western frontiers. "Capt. James Green Major Daniel Cone: Capt. Ichabod Olmstead, Capt. Williafh Cone and Capt. Ithamer Harvey were Chosen a Com'tt for the Purpose of Classing the Inhabitants of S'd Town as aforesaid and make Report of their Doings. "At the same Voted that the Inhabitants of S'd Town shall be Divided or Classed upon the Lists given in the year 1781. " At the Same Meeting Capt. Eliphalet Holmes and Isreal Spencer Esqs. were Chosen Agents to Represent S'd Town at Hartford Before the Committee appointed by the General Assembly to ascertain the Deficiency of Continental and State Soldiers in the Several Towns in the County of Hartford. At the Same Meeting " Messrs. Thomas Fuller and Silvanus Cone 2nd, were Chosen a Committee to supply the Soldiers families for the present year. " At the same Doct. Zachariah Chapman, Doct. Daniel Southmayd, and Mr. Robert Hungerford 2d were chosen a Com'tt to Class the Inhabitants of S'd Town into as many Classes as said Town shall be found Deficient of their quota of Soldiers to fill up the Continental army (said Classing to be made on the Lists 1781 and to make Report to this meeting.") At an adjourned meeting held on the 26th day of March 1782, it was: " Voted that Doct. Gibbon Jewett, and Capt. Eliphalet Holmes be a Com'tt to examine into the affair and the Class No. I that Neglected Raising their State Soldiers for the last year; and also to examine into the affair of that Class that hired a Horseman for the State Service the year past and neglected Sending said Horseman into service, and to See if they Judge proper To Re- cover Such Sum of money as shall average with other classes that hired State Soldiers the same year. "Together with a reasonable part of S'd Horseman's Bounty to be by him returned S'd Sums to be paid into the Town Treasury for the use of said Town. "At the same Mr. George Cone 2nd and Mr. Amos Randal were chosen Committee of Supplys for Soldiers' Families for the present year. ■'At the Same meeting Voted that Capt. Eliphalet Holmes Be a Committee for Superintendent) To Inspect Take Care and See that Soldiers in the army Belonging to this Town That come home on furlough or otherwise) Be Sent on to camp at a proper time to return as he shall Judge most fit and also to take up Deserted Soldiers that Belong To this Town and Send such De- serters on to Camp when ever they may be found." "At the Same meeting Voted that the Inhabitants of Said Town Be Divided into five classes in order to Raise five Recruits or Soldiers for the Continental army to fill up Said towns Quota of men as pr Act of Assembly. "At the Same— Voted that Capt. Eliphalet Holmes s'd Towns Com'tt man for to Look up Deserted Soldiers &c. to send them on to the army, Shall have Liberty By prompt orders from the Selectmen to Draw his first Cost of the Town Treasury for Said Service." "At the Same meeting Voted that the first and 2d Classes for Raising the State Soldiers the present year Be included in one Class for Raising a Continental Recruit: and the 3d and 4th Included in one for Raising the sec- ond Continental Soldiers and the 5th and 6th in one for raising a third: and the 7th and the 8th for raising a 4th Continental Recruit and that the 9th class Raise the 5th Continental Recruit." "Dec. 2d, 1782, Capt. Eliphalet Holmes, Messrs. Noadiah Gates and Joseph Fowler were empowered to inspect the accounts of the several Clothing Com- mittees and Committees of Supplies ' with full power to sue for and Recover all Balances they Shall find Due Said Town.' " East Haddam in the Rebellion. The following extracts from the town records show the action of the town during the great civil war: On the 31st day of July 1862, it was: "Voted: That a bounty of One Hundred Dollars be paid by the Town of East Haddam to each and every person of the number constituting the quota of such Town, who has or may hereafter before the 20th day of August 1862 volunteer (and be accepted) under the late call of the President of the United States for 300,000 men and that the town treasurer be empowered to raise a sum sufficient for said purpose by loan or other- wise." At the meeting held in pursuance of notice, August 14th 1862, it was: "Voted: That the vote passed July 31st 1862, grant- ing bounties to volunteers be so extended as that the treasurer be empowered and directed to pay each volun- teer from the town of East Haddam under the call of the President of the United States for 300,000 men in July last and for an additional 300,000 men on the fourth day of August 1862, the sum of one hundred dollars as bounty to the number of sixty in the aggregate or what- ever number may be the quota for this town, on present- EAST HADDAM— THE REBELLION. 291 ing of their certificates on the Adjutant showing that they have been mustered into the service of the United States." September 6th 1862.— "Voted that the sum of seventy- five dollars additional bounty be paid by the town of East Haddam upon the conditions of the vote passed at the last town meeting to a sufficient number of volunteers to fill its quota of nine months' men, who shall enlist after this date." Also " Voted that a committee of three be appointed to ascertain the number of volunteers that have gore from this town since the commencement of the war, and present the same to the proper authorities, and make use of their best efforts to have the quota to be furnished from East Haddam so reduced as to be right and just under the circumstances." The following persons wefe then appointed to act as the said committee, viz., Richard S. Pratt, Charles C. Brownell, Silas R. Holmes. "Voted that the Committee be empowered to employ whatever assistance they may deem necessary at the ex- pense of the town." " Voted that the selectmen be requested to investigate the cases of those who have received bounties from this town and soon after procured their discharge from the service thereby defrauding the town out of said bounty and if they find that fraudulent measures have been re- sorted to, to procure said bounty, to prosecute those guilty of said fraud." At a meeting held on Saturday,October 25th 1862, it was "Voted that the selectmen be and are hereby in- structed to draw an order on the treasurer of the town for the sum of $75.00 in favor of any person who shall show to them conclusive evidence that he inlisted in the service of the State and United States between the time of the adjournment of the Town Meeting, Sept. i, 1862, and the hour of one o'clock A. M. on the loth of Sept., and that he had been mustered into the service of the State and had been accepted and ordered into the ser- vice of the United States and that he is n£)w in said ser- vice and that his name is placed to the credit of this town which order to be in lieu of the $75.00 to be paid on the 6th of Sept. 1862." "Voted That the sum of two hundred dollars be and is appropriated by the Town of East Haddam to each of a sufficient number of men who shall volunteer to fill the deficiency in the quota of soldiers of said Town under the lale order of the Adjutant-general of Conn, and that the Selectmen of said town are hereby authorized to draw orders on the Treasurer of said town in favor of such men who shall so volunteer to fill such deficiency when the said volunteers shall furnish to the Selectmen sufficient evidence that they have been accepted and mustered into the service of the State and of the United States and that their names are properly accredited to the town of East Haddam." July iSth 1863.— "Voted That the Town of East Had- dam pay to each able-bodied man that may be drafted from said Town the sum of $300.00." At a meeting held on July 27th 1863, it was "Voted That the following resolutions be adopted, viz. Whereas many of the citizens of tl^is Town liable to do military duty and who may hereafter be drafted into the service of the United States under the recent act of Congress en- rolling the military forces and the families or dependents of such drafted men or such men as may hereafter be drafted, may become a public charge to this town in case such men should be compelled into the military service of the United States under the requirement of said act. Therefore voted That a sum not exceeding $12,000.00 be and the same is duly appropriated by the town of East Haddam for the purpose of defraying all the necessary expenses that may be incurred by said Town under the provisions of this series of votes. "Voted That Richard S. Pratt, Edward P. Brownell and Ebenezer Fox be a committee to draw orders on the Treasurer of the Town in sums not exceeding $300.00 in favor of such persons, married or single, as may be drafted from this Town and liable to serve under the aforementioned act, who in the opinion ot said com- mittee require this pecuniary assistance for the support of their families and those dependent upon them. " Voted That the Town Treasurer be and is hereby directed to pay such orders as may be drawn as afore- said by said committee. " That the Town Treasurer be and he is hereby author- ized to borrow such portion of said sum of Twelve Thousand Dollars as may be necessary to carry out the foregoing vote." At a meeting held on Saturday, August 15th 1813 "Voted To rescind the votes passed at the last two Special Town Meetings. "The following Resolutions were adopted, viz.: " Whereas The President of the United States as au- thorized by a late act of Congress has ordered a draft of Three Hundred Thousand men from the enrolled mili- tary of the several States for the military service for the term of three years or during the war, the quota of this town being 54, and whereas said draft may fall with great severity upon such portion of the enrolled military force of the Town of East Haddam and those families as are pecuniarily unable to respond to the requirements of said draft it is Voted That a sum not exceeding Three Hundred Dollars be and the same is hereby appropri- ated for the relief of each person drafted from this town who after due examination by the proper board shall be held to service under said draft and who in the opinion of a committee to be appointed by this meeting may re- quire pecuniary assistance for the relief of himself, his family or those depending upon him, or for the procura- tion of a substitute or for the payment of such exemp- tion fee as may be required by law. " That D. B. Warner, Daniel Bulkley, and Francis M. Palmer be a special committee under the foregoing vote and it should be their duty to attend the conscript at the time and place for examination with the necessary funds and render them such assistance as may be in their pow- er under those votes; it shall also be the duty of one of 292 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. this number to attend at the time and place of drafting and see that fairness and impartiality be rendered to the entire quota required from this Town, said committee to make report of their doings at a subsequent or the next annual Town Meeting. " That the selectmen be and they are hereby author- ized to borrow the sum of Eight Thousand Dollars for the purposes aforesaid and to draw their orders on the Treasury in favor of the special committee for such sums as may by them be required to carry into effect the full intent and purposes of this and the preceding vote." At a meeting held September 5th, "Voted that the votes relating to military matters passed at the last meeting (Aug. 15) be rescinded. " The following Resolutions were Voted viz. Re- solved — That the Town Treasurer be and he is hereby authorized to borrow on the credit of the Town such sum not to exceed $1 1,000 as shall be necessary to pay to each man drafted from this Town at the approach- ing draft, who shall be examined and held to service, or who shall furnish an accepted Substitute the sum of Three Hundred ($300) Dollars. " Resolved: That Amasa Day, Silas R. Holmes and Daniel B. Warner be a committee to supervise the draft and in behalf of the Town to see that fairness and im- partiality are used and to ascertain who may be entitled to receive the bounty from this Town and to pay the same and that said committee be requested to assist all in their power those persons drafted and accepted to procure substitutes in full at the next annual Town Meeting." December 3d 1863. — "Voted that Silas Holmes be appointed a Special Agent to procure a sufficient num- ber of volunteers to fill the quota of this Town. " That the sum of Thirty Five Hundred Dollars be appropriated from the Treasury of this Town to defray the expenses of said Agent and any expenses incurred by him necessarily for such volunteers." June 13th 1864. — "It was voted that Silas R. Holmes Esq. be appointed Agent for procuring Substitutes, and that we hereby appropriate Five Hundred Dollars to defray expenses of procuring said substitutes and that it be left to his discretion as to the number he shall pro- cure provided the $500 appropriated shall cover all ex- penses. " That Luther Boardman, Elijah Day, Harper Boies and Thos. Gross Jr. be appointed a committee with whom Mr. Holmes shall consult regarding the expenditure of the above appropriation." August 6th 1864. — " Voted that the town of East Had- dam pay to each individual who shall volunteer under the recent call of the President of the United States for 500,000 men to enter the army or navy of the United States in pursuance of the Act of Congress authorizing the same and to each person who has or shall furnish an acceptable substitute under said call, the sum of Three Hundred Dollars if said volunteer or substitute is accepted for three years. And for each person who shall volunteer, furnish a substitute, or be drafted into the army or navy of the United States for one year the sum of One Hundred Dollars. " Provided said Volunteer, Substitute or drafted man shall appear upon the quota of said town of East Had- dam under said call. "Voted that Silas R. Holmes, O. H. Parker, and Harper Boies be a committee to borrow the necessary amount of money on the credit of the Town to carry out to procure the necessary number of substitutes to fill the quota of East Haddam, and it should be the duty of said Committee also to receive of such persons as are subject to the draft, a sufificient additional amount to what is ap- propriated by the town and State to procure a Substitute for them and have such substitute placed to their re- spective names." August 27th 1864. — ''Voted That there be hereby appropriated from the Treasury of this Town in addi- tion to the sum appropriated by said Town on the 6th inst, for the purpose of encouraging volunteering from said Town, or procuring Substitutes to fill the quota of the same, under the late call of the President of the United States for 500,000 men, the sum of $200 to each person who shall volunteer into the army or navy of the United States for one year and for each Substitute such sum as shall be within $200 of the amount said substitute shall have or may cost the individuals procuring the s:ime. "Also that the committee appointed at the last meeting be and are hereby empowered and authorized to carry the aforesaid Resolution into effect. " Voted that the vote passed by a town meeting on the 6th inst. allowing for the town Treasury the sum of One Hundred Dollars to each person drafted in this Town under the late call of the President of the United States for 500,000 men shall be so charged as to allow from said Town Treasury to each and every person so drafted the sum of Three Hundred Dollars instead of One Hun- dred Dollars as is now provided and allowed by said vote. " That the selectmen of the Town be and they are hereby instructed to draw town orders payment con- ditional on the future action of the Legislature legalizing the action o( this and previous meetings appropriating pecuniary aid for the purpose of filling the quota of the town under the late call for 500,000 men in favor of those persons who are entitled to receive a balance voted by resolutions pjissed at this meeting." December 7th 1864. — "Voted the sum of $300 be and the same hereby is appropriated to each and every per- son who shall volunteer or procure a substitute for the the term of three years for the army and navy with in- terest from the date of their acceptance in the service and payable from the Treasury of this town upon the legalization of said appropriation by the legislature of Connecticut provided such volunteers or substitutes be applied on the quota of this town. "That the number of men to whom the town will pay the $300 as before specified shall not exceed fifty-five. " That the selectmen of this town be instructed to EAST HADDAM— TOWN OFFICERS. 293 draw town orders to the amount of $300 and in favor of each person who shall volunteer or furnish a substitute in accordance with the preceding resolutions payment conditional upon the future action of the State Legisla- ture legalizing the action of this meeting." Civil List. Representatives. — The Representatives from East Had- dam from 17 13 to the present time have been: Thomas Gates, 1713 M., 1714 M., 1714 O., 1716 M., 1719 O., 1720 O., 1723M.-1725 JNI., 1726 O., 1728 O., 1730 M., 1733 O., 1750 O., 1751 O; William Spencer, 1717 M.-1719 M., 1720 M; Daniel Brainerd, 1721 O.- 1722 O., 1726 M., 1727 O., 1728 M., 1729 M., 1729 O., 1730 O., 1734 M., 1757 O., 1759 M; Jabez Chapmnn, 1731 O., 1746 O., 1747 M., 1773 O.-1776 M., 1777 M.- 1779 O., 1784 M-1786 M., 1787 M,, 1789 M.-1790 O, 179.1 O., 1792 M; Samuel Olmstead, 1733 M., 1736 O; Isaac Spencer, 1734 O., 1735 O., 1736 M., 1737 M.,- 1741 M., 1743 M; James Brainerd, 1735 M; Stephen Horsmer, 1741 O., 1742 M., 1744 M., 1745 O; Noadiah Brainerd, 1742 O.-1743 O., 1745 M., 1746 M; Daniel Gates, 1744 O; James Cone, 1747 O.-1749 O; Joseph Spencer, 1750 O., 1751 M., 1752 O.-17S3 O, 1755 M., 17SS O., 1756 O., 1761 M.-1763 M., 1764 O; Thomas Adams, 1752 M; Daniel Cone, 1754 M., 1754 O; Chris topher Holmes, 1756 M., 1758 M., 1758 O., 1759 O., 1763 O., 1768 M.-1770 M; David Brainerd, 1767 M; Daniel Brainerd jr., 1760 M., 1760 O., 1765 M., 1765 O., 1766 O., 1767 M., 1767 O.. 1769 M.-1776 O; Joseph Fowler, 1764 M; Dyer Throop, 1766 M., 1770 O.-1773 M., 1777 O., 1779 M., 1780 M., 1780 O., 1782 M., 1782 O., 1783 O.-1787 M., 1788 O; Samuel Huntington, 1776 O., 1777 M., 1880 M., 1780 O., 1781 M., 1783 M; Israel Spencer, 1778 M., 1779 O., 1781 M.-1783 O., 1787 O., 1788 M; Eliphalet Holmes, 1786 O., 1787 O.-1892 M., 1793 O.- 1794 O., 1796 O.-1809 O., 1810 0.-i8ri O., 1813 M., 1813 O., 1814O., 1815 M., 1816 O., 1817 M; Epaphro- ditus Chapman, 1791 M., 1792 O., 1793 M., 1795 M; Barzillai Beckwith, 1792 O; Epaphroditus Champion, 1793 O., 179s O..1796 M., 1805 M.-1806 O; John O. Mostly, 1794 M., 1794 O., 1895 O., 1796 M., 1798 O.- 1804 O; Isaac Spencer jr., 1795 M., 1796 O.-179S M., 1817 O., 1818 M; John Brainerd, 1807 M., 1807 O; Josiah GrifBng, 1808 M.-i8[o W; Joshua Cone, i8ro M; Josiah Griffin, 1812 M., 1812 O., 1814 M., 1814 O., 1815 O., 1817 M., 1828, 1832; Sylvester Chapman, i8io O.- 1814 M., 181S M., 181S O., 1816 0; Josiah Barber, 1816 M., 1817 O; Chevers Brainerd, 1816 M., 1818 O., 1819 M;' Richard Lord, 1818 M., 1821-2-4; William Hunger- ford, 1818 O., 1819 M., 1820, 1824, 1825; William Pal- mer, 1820-22, :83i, 1835; Aaron C. Palmer, 1823, 1825, 1834; Gideon Higgins, 1826, 1827, 1833, 1838, 7839; Ozias Holmes, 1826, 1830, 1840; Joseph Brainerd, 1727; Timothy Green, 1828, 1830, 1832, 1833; Stephen Cone, 1831; Eliphalet A. Bulkley, 1834, 1841; William Marsh, 1835,' 1836; John C. Palmer, 1836, 1837, 1842-44; Joseph Paddock, 1837; William H. Cone, 1838, 1839, 1848; Ed- ward P. Brownell, 1840, 1841, 1855; Nathan Jewett jr., 1842, 1843; James E. Swan, 1844, 1846; William Palmer jr., 1846, 1847; Lemuel Dickinson, 1847, 1849; William Silliman, 1848; Daniel B. Warner, 1849, 1850; Thomas Swan, 1850, 185 1; Ozias H. Parker, 1851, 1857, 1877; Jonathan O. Cone, 1852; Lewis M. Hilliard, 1852, 1853; William D. Shipman, 1853; Moses Culver, 1854; Erastus F. Peck, 1854; O. O.Clark, 1855; Jared B. Silliman, 1856; Ebenezer Fox, 1856; R. W. Miller, 1857, 1858; Alfred Gates, 1858, i860; Loren Cowdrey, 1859; Ozias E. Palmer, 1859; Nathan Jewett, i860; Emory Johnson, 1861; Silas R. Holmes, 1861; W. E. Cone, 1862, 1863; Francis Griffin, 1862, 1863; Luther Boardman, 1864, 1865; Richard E. Hungerford, 1864; John B. Hungerford, 1865, 1866; Jacob R. Greenfield, 1866, 1867; Timothy Holmes, 1867; Elisha Bingham, 1868, Lord W. Cone, 1868; Charles E. Browntll, 1869; Edwin A. Em- mons, 1S69, 1870, 1874, 1876; Almond Day, 1870, 1873; D. S. Purple, 1871, 1872; L. B. Carver, 1871, 1872; Julius Attwood, 1873, 1874; Albert E. Purple, 1875; David Watrous, 1875; Salmon McCall, 1876; Hiram Willey, 1877; E. Emory Johnson, 1878,1879; Francis H. Parker, 1878, 1880; Daniel B. Warner, 1879; Thomas Gross jr., 1880, i88r; Lauriston M. Stark, 1881 ; Richard H. Gladwin, 1882, 1883; Joseph W. Hungerford, 1882; William M. Sisson, 1883; Albert E. Olmstead, 1884; Joseph E Warner, 1884. Town Clerks. — " At a publick meeting of the Inhabit- ants of East Haddam, December ye 23d 1703 being le- gally warned, AVilliam Spencer Junr was chosen Clarke for ye East Side." He served until 1706, and was suc- ceeded by: Thomas Gates, 1706-34; Daniel Cone, 1734- 66; James Gates, 1766-69; Daniel Brainerd, 1769-77; Timothy Gates, 1777-97; Timothy Gates 3d, 1797-1802; Timothy Gates jr., 1802-14; Timothy Gates, for a part of 1814; Christo|)her C. Gates, 1814, 1815, 1818-23; Nathan L. Foster, 1815-18, 1823-38, 1839, 1840; Syl- vester Gates, December 29lh 1838 to January 7th 1839; Alfred Gates, a short time in 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, 1843, 1851, 1852; Daniel B. Warner, 1841, 1842, 1843- 51: George W. Lester, 1852, 1853; Charles Babcock, 1853, resigned January .Td 1854. Alfred Gates was ap- pointed by selectmen in 1854 to fill vacancy. He was elected in fall of 1854 and served till his resignation, Jan- uary 6th 1862. N. Olmstead Chapman was then ap- pointed by the selectmen and afterward elected. He resigned, January 17th 1866, since which time Julius Attwood has been clerk. Probate District. The Probate District of East Haddem was formed in October 1741, and embraced the towns of Haddam, East Haddam, Colchester, Hebron, and that part of Middle- town (no'vv Chatham) lying south of the Salmon River. Haddam was taken from this and united to a new dis- trict in 1752, and Plebron in 1789. Colchester has re- mained a part of this district till within a few years. The first judge of this court was Hon. John Bulkley, of Colchester, from 1741 to 1753; Hon. James Spencer, of 294 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. East Haddam, from 1753 to 1789. In 1776, while the latter was out of the State, Daniel Brainerd Esq., of East Haddam, was appointed to act as judge, while Judge Spencer was connected with the armies of the United States. Isaac Spencer, Esq., of East Haddam, succeeded James Spencer, and held the office for 29 years. In 1832, the district was so modified as to include only the town of East Haddam. The following is a list of the judges since that date: E. A. Bulkley, 1832, 1833; Stephen Cone, 1833, 1834; E. A. Bulkley, 1834, 1835; Stephen Cone, 1835, 1836; John C. Palmer, 1836-38; E. A. Bulkley, 1838-42; Stephen Cone, 1842-44; Gideon Higgins, 1844-46; William M.irsh, 1846, 1847; Moses Culver, 1847-50; J. O. Cone, 1850, 1851; Moses Culver, 1851, 1852; Wil- liam D. Shipman, 1852, 1853; Roswell Davison, 1853 -55; Edmund Smith, 1855-57; Alfred Gates, 1857, 1858; Charles Attwood, 1858, 1859; Julius Attwood, 1859 to the present time. Militia of East Haddam. The circumstances under which the early settlers were placed rendered it necessary that they should be trained in the use of firearms, and local military organizations were found in all parts of the country. In the earlier history of the town the companies of East Haddam be- longed to the 1 2th Regiment. In 1776, East Haddam and Colchester were formed into the 24th Regiment. A company from Hadlyme belonged to the 33d Regiment. The different commanders of the 24th Regiment from East Haddam were General Dyer Throop, Jabez Chap- man, David B. Spencer, General Epaphroditus Champion, ^ John O. Mosely, Josiah Griffin and Jonah Gates. In 1816, there was a general re-organization of the militia throughout the State, which was preserved till within a few years. It is within the memory of our young men that "Training Days " were great events in the history of the town, from which all other .events were dated. Soldiers with their tall hats and taller plumes, dressed in showy uniforms, met in companies in the different societies in town, once a year, where they were drilled in the manual of arms — marched in sections, platoons, and by company, and dismissed after several general discharges of musketry. How the boys reverenced these famous soldiers! The greatest scalawag in town, upon these occasions, was transformed into a hero, in their eyes, as long as he wore the regimentals. Among the early captains of these companies were: East Haddam, North Company: Samuel Olmsted, Ste- phen Cone, Thomas Gates, Daniel Gates, Caleb Chap- man, John Percival, Joshua Percival, Gen. Dyer Throop, Jonathan Olmsted, Jonathan Kilbourn, Jehial Fuller, Levi Palmer, Abner Hale, Deacon Caleb Gates, Elisha • Cone, Darius Gates, Darius Brainerd, William Palmer. East Haddam, South Company: John Chapman, John Holmes, Nathan Smith, Jabez Chapman, Daniel Cone, Berzaliel Brainerd, Deacon James Gates, Matthew Smith, ' Major Daniel Cone, Colonel David Spencer, Elijah Ackley, General E. Champion, Jeremiah Smith, Robert Cone, Samuel P. Lord, Richard Green, Joseph Church, Samuel Crowel. Millington, North Company: Joseph Arnold, William Church, John Willey, Enoch Brainerd, Amasa Dutton, John Arnold, Noadiah Emmons, Nathaniel Lord, Major N. Emmons, Aaron Fox, Oliver Church, Diodate Lord, Hezekiah Lootnis, Manley Beebe. Millington, South Company: Jared Spencer, John McCall, Aaron Cleveland, Jonah Cone; William Cone, Ebenezer Dutton, Nathan Jewett, John Chapman, Joseph Gates, Robert Anderson, Amos Randal, Col. Josiah Grif- fin, Diodate Jones, Samuel Morgan, Gardner Gallop, Uriah Spencer, David G. Otis, Jon. Beckwith Berah Beckwith. Hadlyme Company: Deacon Chris. Holmes, Ephraim Fuller, Ebenezer Spencer, John Shaw, Colonel Eliphalet Holmes, Zack. Hungerford, Abraham Willey, Ebenezer Holmes, Jabez Corastock, Charles Spencer, Newton Marsh, Benjamin Crosby, Robert Hungerford, Chauncey Beckwith, Calvin Comstock, Ozias Holmes. Public Schools. The town of East Haddam has 17 school districts, in which prosperous scjiools are maintained. The numbers and names of these districts, and the number of children of school age in each is as follows: First, or Center District, 37 scholars; Second, or Land- ing, 79; Third, or Red Lane, 53; Fourth, or Uptown, 27; Fifth, or Bashan, 68; Sixth, or Town Hill, 19; Sev- enth, or Nicket Lane, 33; Eighth, or Leesvill-, 16; Ninth, or Moodus, 130; Tenth, or Millington Green, 31; Eleventh, or Plain, 2r; Twelfth, or Olmstead, 16; Thir- teenth, or Foxtown, 8; Fourteenth, or Tater Hill, 18; Fifteenth, or Millington West, 19; Sixteenth, or Acby, 20; Seventeenth, or Hadlyme, 47; a total of 633. Roads. The original settlers of East Haddam laid out the town into nine sections of three-fourths of a mile square, and the roads running north and south were made that distance apart as boundaries for the same. In this " layout " con- venience and topography seem to have been of very little account. Any one familiar with our roads will readily notice this observance of distance. The same distance is also observed to a certain extent in the roads running east and west. The East Haddam and Colchester Turnpike, extend- ing from "East Haddam Landing to Colchester Meeting house," was granted in October 1809, with a capital stock ot $6,288. About the year 1800, a post road was estab- lished from Middletown, through Chatham, to East H id- dam Landing and thence to New London. A turnpike from Norwich to New Haven, through East Haddam and Haddam, was granted in 1817. Cemeteries. For many years after the settlement of the town, (he people carried their dead across the river to Haddam for burial. Not far from the year 1700, a party of EAST HADDAM— CEMETERIES. 295 mourners, bearing their dead, crossed the cove and the narrow peninsula of Haddam Neck, and attempted to cross the river. It had overflowed its banks, and the floating ice rendered a passage impossible. Slowly and sadly the procession retraced its steps through the snow and buried its dead in the forest, in a romantic spot a little back from the cove. This person was Mrs. Ar- nold, a great- great aunt of Mrs. Elijah Bingham, Thus commenced the Cove Burial Ground, and the place is now known as Grave Yard Point. It is situated about one and a half miles north of the Landing, and a little west of William 0. Brainerd's. Although the spot has twice been cleared of wood within 90 years, large trees stand beside the rude grave stones, as if to offer their protection and throw over the spot their solemn shade. The brown stones, covered with the moss of time, are adorned by the tradition d angels having the usual round heads, with wings protruding from the ears. In a prominent part of the cemetery is a moss-covered tabular monument with this inscription: " Under this tombstone lyeth interred the body of the Rev. Stephen Hosmer, the first pastor of the First Church of Christ in East Haddam, who departed this life the i8th day of June, A. D., 1749, and in the 70th year of his age. And at his right hand lyeth Mrs. Sarah Hosmer, his beloved consort, who departed this life September ye 30th A. D. 1749, and in the 67th year of her age. " Sweet souls we leave you to your rest. Enjoy your Jesus and your God, Till we from bands of clay released. Spring out and climb the shining i-oad." Near this is another slab of brown stone with this in- scription: "Here lieth the body of Thomas Gates, Jus- tice of the Peace, April ye 20th 1734 in ye 70th year of his age." Near this is another slab recording the death of Deacon Daniel Brainerd, who died 1743. Beside this stands a handsome stone for those days, which has re- mained in a good state of preservation and records the death of Capt.-'-in Joshua Brainerd, who departed this life May the 13, A. D. 1755 in the 84th year of his age." In a line with this stand rude brown stones which mark the graves of Nehemiah, Lucy, Uri, and Hannah Brainerd, and at the end of the line stands the only marble stones in the yard. They mark the graves of Berzaliel Brain- erd and Lydia his wife. They were the grandparents of Win. O. and Abby Brainerd, who own the ground. Here, too, is the resting place of many of the Cones, the Ack- leys, Arnolds, Olmsteads, and many old families of the town. The other grave yards in East Haddam were laid out or commenced as follows: Old yard in Hadlyme, 1723; Long Pond yard, 1726; Moodus yard, 1748; Meeting House^yard, in Hadlyme, 1750; Bashan, 1760; "Tater Hill," 1760; Near Millington Green, 1764; Eight Mile River, 1769; Landing, 1773; Mt. Parnassus, 1774; Center Congregational Church, 1778; Wicket Lane, 1793. There is probably no more healthy town in the State, the air and water being uncommonly pure. Some of the old accounts refer to periods when virulent diseases pre- vailed throughout the town, but of nothing very serious. Within a few years past malaria~has prevailed to some extent along the river, and, in fact, it has prevailed throughout the whole State. In 1775, there were ^^^^ 40 deaths in the town; in the year following, more than 50. The population of East Haddam in 1800 was 2,805. The total number of deaths in the town for 10 years after was 614, or an average of over 60 each year, being h much larger average of mortality than has existed since that time. In 1870, the population was but 2,952, or 147 more thsn it was at the beginning of the century. The number of deaths during the year ending June ist 1870 was 54, or an average of one in 55 per- sons. Twenty of these deaths were caufed by consump- tion, six by typhoid fever, and two were accidental. The other deaths resulted from diseases pertaining to child- hood and old age. Twenty-two of the number were under 33 years of age, ii over 70; 7 over 80, and one over 90 years. Thus while two-fifths failed to reach the average of human life, more than one-third passed the three score years and ten allotted to man. Miscellaneous. December 5th 1774, it was "Voted that Swine Might * Run at Large upon the Common & Highway provided that they Ware Will Ringed in the Nose to prevent their Rooting for -the year Insuing. "And also Said Meeting taking the Distressed Circum- stances of Jonah Spencer and his family into their Con- sideration and finding that Said Jonah's Wife hath of Long time been Visited With Sore and Distressing Sick- ness, and pain and that he had thereby been prevented in the performance of his Usual Daily Labor & his family thereby Reduced Therefore Voted that the Said Jonah have Liberty to Draw out two pound L M out of the Town Treasury for his and his families Relief and Support." At a meeting held January 5th 1775, "Voted that Capt. John Willey have Liberty to make a Dam for the Purpose of Building a Mill on Eight Mile River on his own Land." Manufacture of Salt Peter. — At a town meeting held in East Haddam on the loth of January 1776, " Upon the Petition of Major Dyer Throop, Jabt-z Chapman Esqr, Capt Elijah Attwood and Mr. Nathaniel Goodspeed, Requesting that they might have Liberty to Erect Suitable Buildings for the Purpose of Manufac- turing Salt Peter Somewhere in the Town Street between Daniel Brainerd Esqr and Mr Israel Spencer's Where they can find a Convenient place for the Works and not Discommode the Public the Town Voted that they might Have Liberty as Requested in said Petition Provided that they did not Discommode the travel." Brander of Horses. — At a town meeting, held on the first day of December 1778, Mr. Joseph Church was chosen brander of horses for the year insuing. Salary of Town Treasurer. — On December 7th 1778, it was " Voted that Timothy Gates Treasurer for said 296 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. town Should have 1 2^^:00:0 money out of the Town Treasury for his trouble in S'd ofifice for the year past." Inoculation f 01- Smallpox. — At the annual town meet- ing held December 2d 1782, it was "Voted that In- oculaiion for the Small Pox may be Set up in Some con- venient place in Said Town and' to be under the Direction and Restriction of ye Authority and Select Men of Said Town as long as it is carried on;" but on December 24th of the same year, upon consideration of the subject, it was " Voted that Inoculation for the Small Pox Shall not be Set up in S'd Town." However, it must have been subsequently permitted, for on November ist 1794, it was voted to " Recall their former vote that granted liberty to Ennoculate for the Small Pox and that Enoculation (or the Small Pox shall discontinue and stop in said Town." The Expected Court House. — The following preamble and vote were passed December ist 1783: "Whereas at the approaching session of the Assembly it is probable the Counly of Hnrtford will be divided and the Town of East Haddam made a Shire or a half Shire Town pro- vided the Inhabitants of Said Town would Build a Court House and Gaol at their own Expense and whereas a member of Gent'n in said Town have liberally Subscribed to the amount of one half of the Expenditure that will be necessary to Build a Court House and Gaol Therefore Voted that a tax of three pence on the pound be laid on the polls and ratable estate of Said Town to be Collected and paid by the first day of December next on the List of 1783 and to be used and Improved toward the Building Said Court house and Gaol So far as said subscription Shall Fall short: provided Said provision Shall be made." Dr. Gibbon Jewctfs Pension. — At a meeting held Sep- tember 18th 1777, the following vote was passed relating to Dr. Jewelt's pension: "Whereas Doct. Gibbon Jew- ett of s'd Town has obtained a certificate for a Pension for Being Impaired in his health by Service as a Physi- cian in the army in the year 1776 and it appearing to the Inhabitants of said Town unjust and unreasonable (con- sidering the circumstances) therefore voted that Israel Spencer Esqr Capt. Eliphalet Holmes be a Committee to Lay Before the Hon'bl General Court to be holden at New Haven in October next the facts relative to the said Jewett's service &c. and to Remonstrate against Said Pension" and at a meeting held on the 24th day of July 1788, the above preamble was again used to introduce the following vote: " Voted Major David B. Spencer Be an Agent for Said Town to lay into the Hon. Superior Court of this State on Information Objecting against Said certificate and stating the unreasonableness of said Jewett's Pension being Settled upon him and to appear and lake proper methods to support said objections be- fore said court. The following persons were appointed justices of the peace, or, as they were formerly called, commissioners, for East Haddam, at the time of the formation of the county: General Dyer Thrdop, Colonel Jabez Chapman, Israel Spencer, Timothy Gates. Captain Green was a leading citizen of the town. There were annual elections then, and Captain James Green was chosen " Brander of Horses," December Sth 1766, and every year to 1773. Every year from this until 1789 he held important offices in the town. In former days there was a forge near the spot where the old bank now stands. It was there he made guns during the war, which echoed the notes of the Declaration of Inde- pendence on many a battle field to the satisfaction of his present rebel associates, if not of his late royal master, and East Haddam was all rebel. As early as June 30th 1774, it voted unanimously for a declaration, and Jan- uary 6th 1778, adopted unanimously the articles of con- federation. They were prompt, generous, and patriotic in furnishing arms, money, and men. There is no record of the regiment to which he was at- tached, except it was a cavalry regiment and he was with it as captain in some engagements during the war, prob- ably in the year 1776. He died March nth 1809 and his widow died November 27th 1816. They were both buried in the Landing Cemetery. The old stones which are falling to decay, were replaced with a marble slab, by the sons of Captain Green, with both inscriptions as follows: "Sacred to the memory of Captain James Green who died March nth 1809 M 80, also Of Mrs. Ruth wife of Captain James Green who died Nov. 27, 1816 M 79." Running east from the Ackley farm is an old road known as Pike's Lane. On this road lived one Thomas Riley who in his younger days, according to tradition, sailed over the seas with Captain Robert Kidd. MILLINGTON. According to Field's history, the first settTer in Mill- ington was Jonathan Beebe, from New London, who settled by the Long Pond about 1704, and was soon joined by several persons, who have now no descendants in East Haddam. They settled west of the pond, on the hill, about the Hayward farm, recently owned by Row- land Allen. Some traces of their houses still remain, but most of them are completely obliterated. Except at this spot, there were no inhabitants in Millington until about 1732-3-4, when families moved into it by the names of Arnold, Barnes, Brainerd, Chapman, Church, Cone, Em- mons, Fuller, Gates, Olmsted, and Spencer, from East Haddam Parish; of Harvey and Hungerford, from Hadlyme; of Clarke, from Haddam; of Graves, from Colchester; and Stewart, fiom Voluntown. Daniel Smith, from some part of Plymouth Colony; Lemuel Griffin, from Lyme, and Thomas Fox, from Colchester, settled here not long afterward. Millington Society was for a number of years the most thickly settled and influential portion of the town. In 1810, there were 172 dwelling houses in that society, while in the First Society there were but 167. There were also a number of stores, and quite a large local business was carried on; Millington being the center of trade for quite a large tract of country. EAST HADDAM— MILLINGTON. 297 With scarcely a solitary exception, those who now re- main are tillers of the rugged soil, and are noted for their frugality, industry, and hospitality. The growing ten- dency of the age to centralize in the cities and villages, and the tempting allurements of the South and West, have diminished her population. Many of her children sleep in her hill.iide cemeteries, and many others have wan- dered far and wide; but none of them find happier hours than when they return to meet the hearty welcome of their native home. Sixty years ago, the Middle, or Green School District numbered 69. The same district now has about one-third of that number. At the same time the West District numbered 51; it now numbers but 13. The Old Chimney Stocks form quite prominent fea- tures of the landscape in Millington. The tan yard at McLean's, once the scene of a large business, is now a . mass of ruins. Just east of the yard is the cellar over which stood the house of Nathan Beebe, an uncle of Manly, and great uncle of Sherman Beebe. * * * Sherman broke loose from the old farm and went to Cali- fornia in its early days, where he prospered, and returned to buy the large farm he now occupies in North Milling- ton. He has seven sons, and is one of the town's heaviest tax payers. Just west of the tan yard, near the Dutton barn (so called), stood another house, and a short distance north, on the Colchester road, are ruins which mark the resi- dences of the Elys and Fullers. A half mile-south, on the corner, stands what is called the old Auger Stock, and further on, near Alexander's shop, lived Deacon Diodate Lord. The Austin Beebe house is a comparatively late 'ruin. This corner, now so deserted, seems to have been quite a settlement many years ago. A store was kept here by Timothy Spencer, and just north, on the old stony road leading to Long Pond, lived Isham Fuller and Dr. Nye. The latter moved away, and afterward gained consider- able renown. The old house below Deacon Ackley's was built by one Williams, one of the early settlers. " Wall Street," the old road running north from the Green, is now entirely deserted. The store built by Ephraim Warner, near its entrance, in which consider- able business was carried on, was long since converted dren living: Fluvia, married L. W. Cone; Nancy, married Charles Minor; Emeline, married W. L. Fuller; William, living in Brooklyn, L. L Joseph jr. had one son, Joseph H., who married Har- riet M. Swan, who died early in 1879. He left two chil- dren, Dwight and Fred. The old Esterbrook house, standing on Millington Green, was for a long time the parsonage. It was built about the time of the ordination of the Rev. Hobart Esterbrook as pastor of the Millington Congregational Church, November 20th 1745. The old road leading past the Estabrook house, or rather the road branching off from this to Chapman's Mills, was in early days a main thoroughfare upon which several families lived, but which is now lonely, deserted, and almost impassible — its silence seldom broken save by an occasional ox cart rattling over the stones, or by the sharp crack of the hunter's gun. The terminus of the road, however, pre- sents attractions which richly repay a rough and toilsome journey. The wild and romantic beauty of the scenery about Chapman's Mills is not surpassed by those historic spots about which volumes have been written. The pond here is the source of the Eight Mile River which empties into Hamburg Cove. It starts with two separate outlets which surround a rocky island and join about a half mile below. Both streams leap down rocky ledges, over one hundred feet high, with a roar that can be heard far away. The grist mill upon the west branch has gone to ruin, but the saw mill has been kept in running order. Between the two mills, on the island, stands the house now occupied by Cyrus W. Chapman, so that the place still retains the name of its original owners. It was owned and occupied for several years by Colonel A. T. Niles, and here the writer spent many " happy hours of childhood." Following the river from the point where its branches unite, at the foot of the falls, down over Kettle Hill, so called from the deep circular holes in its rocky crest, along the old coal pit bed, the once black face of which is now white with birches; by the rough chimney pile which marks the little house where Benjamin Banning raised nineteen children, whose exploits at diving from rauUen stalks into the dew surprised many a morning teamster; through the hop yard with its tall evergreens, into Mr. Joseph Arnold's horse shed. A short distance its frowning precipices, and its Devil's Cave, and we north was Ephraim Warner's house, and further north, but short distances apart, stood the Marsh house, the Burke house, the Ephraim Arnold house, the Plum house, the Hall house, the Beri Gates house, and the Wickham house. Here large families were raised, and the street formed an important thoroughfare of the town. Now, grass and weeds grow over its traveled paths; green mounds of house-leek and rude piles of stone and mortar are the only evidences of former civilization. A goodly portion of the north part of Millington Society was owned and occupied by the Arnolds; Ephraim, John, and Joseph. The last was the father of Isaiah Arnold and the grand- father of Samuel and Joseph jr. Samuel has four chil- reach the " Plain " with a feeling that we have journeyed the wilderness and finally reached the promised land. The Plain forms the southeast corner of the town and is within the bounds of Millington Society. The traveler here finds a pleasing landscape, with thrifty and well cultivated farms which were originally owned by settlers from the adjoining town of Lyme. The old Chimney Stock, which occupies so prominent a position just north of Nathan Jewett's, was known as the GrifiSn house, where lived Edward Dorr Griffin, D. D., president of Williamstown College. The' old Jewett homestead is just beyond the bridges across the Lyme line. Returning to Millington Green, and taking the Had- lyme road south, we soon come to the old Spencer 39 298 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Chimney Stock, where lived Gen. Joseph Spencer, of Revolutionary fame. Here, too, David Brainerd, tlie celebrated missionary, spent several years of his youth. Nearly opposite the Spencer place is the Williams place, where lived Dr. Datus Williams, a prominent physician of the town. He afterward moved to near the Center Church, where he died a few years since. His son, George G., president of the Chemical Bank, New York city,, has enlarged and beautified the place till it is now one of the finest in the town. He occupies it as a sum- mer residence. A few rods south of the Spencer place is the Lyman place, where Dr. Lyman, who was for many years pastor of the Millington church, lived. In the woods near Bald Hill, about two miles south of Millington Green, are the remains of the old house where lived one Will Fox. Near by is the Oakley house, where lived Dr. Root, father of Francis G. Root, of Leesville. Dr. Root afterward lived at the Warner house, on Potash Hill. Millington Ecclesiastical Society. The following is the first record of the society of Mil- lington: " At a society meeting warned according to directions of ye law, to be holden on ye third day of December, Anno Domini, 1733, at ye mansion house of Jonathan Chapman, in ye parish of Millington, in ye town of Had- dam, John Bulkley was chosen Moderator of said meet- ting, and James Cone was chosen Clerk and sworn to a faithful discharge of his office by John Bulkley, justice of the peace. Samuel Emmons, Samuel Olmstead, and Mathias Fuller were chosen society committee. Also, it was voted that ye society will engage some suitable per- son to preach ye gospel to ye people in this society; also, it was voted that the committee as above said shall apply themselves to ye Rev. Mr. Hosmer for his advice and directions in their endeavors to engage some person to preach among them as aforesaid." The meetings of the society were held at the house of Mr. John Chapman for a number of years. As near as can be ascertained his house stood near the lower part of the hop yard. The Rev. Mr. Hosmer, alluded to in the above report, was at that time the pastor of. the church in the first society. It appears by the records that the society made several applications for preachers before they succeeded in having a permanent settlement. The first religious services were held for a considerable period in a house standing near the "Burke House," on Wall street. It appears that the first call for preaching was given to a Mr. Williams, for at a meeting held De- cember 1734, it is recorded, " that ye society will not give Mr. Williams forty shillings a day for preaching ye gospel to ye people in said society." At a society meet- ing held March 7th 1735, it was voted that the commit- tee be instructed to engage the services of the Rev. Mr. Hosmer, and in case he refused, to apply to the Rev Nathaniel Brainerd. At the same time there was voted the sum of 70 pounds a year for the support of the'ministry. June 30th 1736, the society applied to the Rev. Mr. Brown, and engaged him to preach the gospel for two months at 35 shillings a day. At a subsequent meeting,, held in September 1736, the society voted a call to Rev. Timothy Symmes, and as an inducement it was " further voted tiiat ye society will give Mr. Symmes three hundred and twenty pounds to- wards his settlement, and thirty pounds in labor towards building him a house, also one hundred pounds salary, and find him his fire wood; and that ye society will clear, break up, fence, and sow with wheat two acres of land, the first year Mr. Symmes is an ordained minister in said society, and also plant out one hundred of apple trees on said land ye next spring after it is sowed with wheat." This call was accepted by Mr. Symmes in a letter dated October 26th 1736. The society meetings were generally adjourned " to ye hour of eight of ye clock in the morning." For a number of years the society suffered by a divis- ion arising from a difference, partially doctrinal but more from different views in regard to forms. Finally, at a society meeting held the 17th of April 1776, "it was voted not to oppose a number of said parish who call themselves Old Fathers and Desenters of New England, if they should apply to the Hon. General Assembly of this colony to be made a district Ecclesiastical Soci- ety." Several legacies were granted to the society, from time to time. The first one, of $260, was bequeathed by Mr. Samuel Gates, who died August 21st 1801. A farm was also given, by Mr. Simeon Chapman, who died March 31st 1813; but to be used by his children during life. This bequest amounted to $4,280. A legacy of f 1,440 was also left by Thomas Beebe, who died June 6th 18 16. He was a son of Dr. Beebe, who lived a short distance southeast of the Esterbrook house. A part of the old chimney still remains. Dr. Beebe was a strong tory during the Revolutionary war, and made himself so obnoxious that a party, headed by Captain Aaron Fox, took him from the house one night and gave him a coat of tar and feathers. Thomas, the legator, was not religiously inclined, and it is said that he did not make his bequest because he loved the society more, but that he loved his family less. Captain Aaron Fox was, for a number of years, captain of the Millington militia. His grandfather, Ebenezer, was one of the earliest settlers of Millington. He was one of three brothers who came from England. One of them settled in Massachusetts, one in Rhode Island, and Ebenezer in Foxtown, where he built a log house near the old house built by Aaron Fox, and now owned by iVfatthew Fox. The brothers occasionally visited each other, taking the journey through the wilderness on horseback, their wives riding behind them. A portion of the house where Ebenezer, the son of Aaron, recently died, was built by Enoch Arnold about 150 years ago. People came from a great distance to the raising. It was covered with white oak clap boards securely fastened with wrought nails. Two of the orig- EAST HAODAM— CHUkCH AT MILLINGTON. 299 inal rooms still remain. The Old Chimney Stock, just west of Charles Swan's, is what remains of a house built and occupied by Brockway Beebe, and later by Josiah Willey. Turner Miner came from New London about the year 1770, and erected a house where Charles Swan lives. The place was subsequently bought by Rufus Swan, who gave it to his son, Wheeler. Turner Miner mar- ried a daughter of General Joseph Spencer by his second wife. The wife of Deacon Jeremiah Hutchins, and Mrs. James Stranahan, are daughters of Mr. Miner, and con- sequently granddaughters of General Spencer. Rev. Nathaniel Miner, who preached in Millington for a num- ber of years, is a nephew of Turner Miner. Millington Congregational Church. The first meeting house was erected in Millington in 1743. It was 50 by 40 feet, and stood on the Green, a few rods south of the present cliurch. The building of the present house was proposed in society meeting, Janu- ary 2ist 1832, when it' was " voted that the society build a meeting liouse 32 feet by 44, from i6 to 18 feet posts, with a steeple not exceeding 60 feet in height." The house was built by Mr. Edward Worthington, and dedi- cated to divine service on the 23d of January 1833. The society tendered Mr. Worthington a vote of thanks for the faithful discharge of his work. For the excellent bell on the church the society were mainly indebted to John Chapman and William H. Cone — to the former for his liberal subscription — to the latter for his great activ- ity in the matter. The first minister in Millington was Rev. Timothy Symmes, of Scituate, Mass., who was ordained December 2d 1736. Dr. Field says: "In the great revival of re- ligion which spread in New England a few years after his ordination, his feelings were extravagantly raised, and he prosecuted his work with a zeal not according to knowledge. This gave rise to difficulties which ended in his dismission in 1743." He was succeeded by Mr. Hobart Esterbrook, son of tlie Rev. Mr. Esterbrook, of Canterbury. He graduated at New Haven in 1736, and was ordained in Millington, November 20th 1745. He was a steady, judicious, and faithful minister, and he is remembered with respect and affection by his people. He died January 28th 1766, in the 50th year of his age and 20th of his ministry. The next minister in Millington was Mr. Diodate Johnson, who was ordained July 2d 1767. He was a son of the Rev. Stephen Johnson, of Lyme, was educated at Yale College, where he took his first degree in 1764, and became a tutor. Endowed with superior genius and learning, and animated with fervent zeal for his work, he entered the ministry with the fairest prospects of usefulness. His labors, however, were soon ended, for consumption closed his life January 15th 1773, at the early age of 28. Rev. Eleazer Sweetland was installed May 21st 1777. He was a native of Hebron, and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1774. He died March 2Sth 1787, aged 36 years, much beloved and respected by all who knew him. Rev. William Lyman, D.D., was ordained December 13th 1787. He maintained his pastoral relations with the church at Millington for 35 years, and was known as one of the most popular and eloquent preachers in this part of the country. He had a powerful voice, an easy flow of words, and all his writings were stamped with vigor and power. In the latter part of his ministry he became afflicted with hypochondria. This, with his in- dependent manner, finally aroused an opposition among his people, and at a society meeting held on the 23d of May, 1822, it was voted " that a committee of five be ap- pointed to consult the interests of the society, es- pecially as it respects our relations with Dr. Lyman as our minister." William Cone, Esq., N. B. Beckwith, Deacon Israel Cone, Russel Dutton, Esq., and Captain Hobart Esterbrook, were appointed as said committee. The committee reported against the doctor, and on the last Wednesday in August, at a meeting of the Ecclesi- astical Council, the relation between pastor and people was dissolved. His farewell sermon, replete with denun- ciations of the sins and shortcomings of his flock, was delivered with such vigor and eloquence that the long years which have intervened have failed to obliterate its impressions from the minds of those who heard him, and his hymn about the conspiracy of " Wicked men " was in keeping with his sermon. Many anecdotes are related of Dr. Lyman's dry humor and eccentricity, which he often carried to the pulpit. In his day, the temperance agitation had scarcely commenced, and the indulgence of the social glass among the higher class was much more common than now. The clergy and the elders were wont to meet and discuss grave matters over their toddy with a freedom that would be quite scandalous in these days. Mr. Elijah Parsons used to call regularly upon an old lady of the same name who lived at the Landing and get his mug of " flip." The old lady, knowing his hours, used to have her " flip-iron " hot, and concoct his favorite beverage with dexterity and skill. Dr. Lyman and Rev. Mr. Vail, of Hadlyme, who were his cotemporaries, were wont at regular intervals to meet with him at the " Blacksmith's Arms " (the house north of Maplewood Seminary), and discuss grave matters belonging to their profession, over their " mugs of flip." So, too, in those days, the General Assembly used to open with an election sermon, which furnished an occasion for a general gathering of the clergy throughout the State. Great dinners were furnished at the expense of the State, and " Santa Cruz " was a prominent feature of the bill of fare. It is related of Dr. Lyman that at an Ecclesiastical Council held in Westchester, when the company, being invited to re- fresh themselves at the sideboard, one of his ministerial brethren suggested that their first refreshment should be to wash off the dust of travel, the Doctor decided the matter by the following epigram: " Our fathers ot old, First washed their eyes, And then their throats; But we, their sons, more wise, Will wash our throats, And then our eyes." 300 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Dr. Lyman moved to Western New York, where he died several years ago. Soon after his dismission a won- derful revival of religion occurred in Millington under the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Saxon, called to this day by the good people of Millington " The Great Revival. Dr. Lyman was succeeded by the Rev. Hermon Vail, who was ordained, April 6th 1825. In September 1827, Mr. Vail asked for a dismission from his pastoral charge, which was granted by the Ecclesiastical Council soon after. For nearly three years afterward the society was without any regular pastor. In 1830, the Rev. Nathaniel Miner received a call from the society, which he declined, principally on account of the dilapidated condition of the old meeting house. He occupied the pulpit, how- ever, as a stated supply for three years, and was installed as their regular pastor, May 28th 1833, which was after the erection and dedication of the new meeting house. Mr. Miner was born in Stonington, Connecticut, edu- cated at the " Literary and Theological Seminary," of Bangor, Maine, and received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Amherst College, in 1840. He was ordained at Chesterfield, Montville, in October 1826; went to Millington from Bozrahville in 1830. His salary was at first $375, then $450, and finally $500 per year. Near the close of his ministry in Millington a small farm was purchased, formerly owned by Rev. Hobart Ester- brook, and on it was erected what is now known as the Millington parsonage. Mr. Miner married Emeline S. Ransom, of Salem, by whom he had five children. Three of them are living, " two rfre not and yet are." He was dismissed from his pastoral charge in Millington at his own req"est by the Middlesex Consociation at their annual meeting held at Essex, in October 1858. Since that time he has resided in Salem, and has retired from active service. Mr. Miner was succeeded by Rev. A. C. Beach from Wolcott. He was a graduate of Yale College, and was installed as pastor of the church in Millington in 1859, He was dismissed in 1875, and was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Griswold, who is still in charge. The deacons of the Congregational church in Milling- ton since its organization have been as follows: NAME. ELECTED. DIED. AGE. January 13th 1780.. December 80th 1700 Moved to Lebanon November 10th 1815 April 15th 1790 February 22d 1818.. Moved away 1858 October nae Gen. Jos. Spencei* November 20th i767.. .luly 4th 1771 75 Ebenezer Button Benjamin Fuller February 26th 1778... February 3«th 1778... Miiv 178M 03 78 Barzillfti Herkwith. . . Juae4thl7n0 79 April 1st I79B August 2Bth 1816 Aprin7th ]818 ApriU7th 1818 toMoodus. Nowdea April 30th 1841 August 27th 1858 Now in olBce Njitlianifl Ceckwith .. William E.Cor]e,nioved con in istCong'l ch Now in office urch. Epapli loditus Gates — Charles Miner EAST HADDAM LANDING. I The first dwelling house in East Haddam Landing was erected in 1743. A market for produce was opened about the same time, and a store house, which stood on the spot now occupied by Dr. Harris's barn, in front of Tyler's store, was built. A large store house stood on the site of the store, and just back of it, on the ledge of rocks, stood a hotel with a piazza on the river front. During the Revolutionary war many soldiers, on their way from the eastern part of the State to the North River forces, made this a favorite route, and stopped at this public house. Later, the house in which Ashbel Ray now lives was the principal public house, and was called " The Blacksmith's Arms." The name was painted in rude letters upon a swinging sign suspended high between two posts. It was further illustrated by a bent, muscular arm wielding a blacksmith's hammer. The present generation remember the Landing as a beau- tiful village, with a row of fine houses at the summit of a gently rising green, and two neat white fences mark- ing two parallel roads and terraces, which, in contrast with the bold, abrupt mountain behind, presented one of the most attractive and picturesque scenes on thai most charming of rivers. The most central, perhaps, of the dwellings was the one alluded to above. It was then the residence of Captain James Green, and its high stone stoop, facing both ways, spoke hospitality almost as plainly as its gaily painted sign. The brick house next north of this is a fine build- ing of more recent date, and belonged to the Captain's son, Timothy. Next beyond stands the former resi- dence of his daughter, Nancy (Mrs. Jared Spencer, Esq.), and further on (the site of the bank build- ing) was the forge and then the residence of Oliver Green. The next house to the "Arms " on the south side, was the residence of Captain Green's brother-in-law, Mr. Thomas Marshall. Next south lived his son Richard; next to that, his daughter, Hannah, Mrs. Joseph Hungerford. These buildings have been metamorphosed into the Maple Wood Music Seminary. Here, then, in the midst of his children, lived Captain James Green, and just over the way, as first post-master of East Haddam, he presided over that even/ in New England — the mail arrival and distribution. His de- scendants have nearly all left their native town, and have prospered and maintained the honor of the family name in the busy world of trade and progress, but they have never forgotten the old town, to which they return every summer like pilgrims to their native shrine. Down near the steamboat dock, Noah Buckley erected a large store, and built up quite a large wholesale and importing trade with the West Indies. He owned a large farm in Mill- ington, where he raised mules which he used to send out in his vessels, and exchange for molasses, sugar, etc. He bought the brick hotel built by Samuel Lord, where the Champion House stands, and accumulated considerable money. Like many others, he was wooed and won by the tempter, in the person of Roswell C. Peck, who in- duced him to invest in a banking, speculation in New York. He lost his property and went to Chicago, then in its infancy, and again became rich and well known as the " miser money lender." EAST HADDAM— THE LANDING. 301 Ship Building. Ship building was begun at the Landing sometime during the Revolutionary war, and formed quite an im- portant branch of business till within a few years. Sev- eral coasting and generally two or three sea vessels were owned here. In the year 1815, there were launched from this yard two brigs, and three schooners. One of these brigs soon after sailed on her first voyage bound for the West Indies, but was never heard of more. Congregational Church. The inhabitants of the town of Haddam on the east side of Connecticut River, and south of Salmon River, began to act as an ecclesiastical society in 1700. The first meeting house was completed in about five years; it stood in the street, near where the dwelling house of Isaac C. Ackley now stands, and was 32 feet square. This continued to be the place for worship for about 23 years. The second meeting house in this ecclesiastical society was finished in June 1728. It stood a little north of the first, on the rising ground about 80 rods south of the present meeting house. It was 55 by 40 feet in size. The last Sabbath in June 1828, was the last time public worship was attended in the first house, and the first Sabbath in July of the same year, the first Sabbath in which it was attended in the second house. This house was occupied till November 24th 1784, a period of a little more than 56 years. The third meeting house, which is now standing, and is a commodious, and at the time it was built, was an elegant house, was finished, and opened for public wor- ship on Thanksgiving day, November 27th 1794. This house cost about $4,000. It is 64 feet long and 44 feet broad, with a projection 18 by 4 feet. List of Deacons. — Thomas Gates, 1704. died 1734, aged 70 years; Daniel Cone, 1704, died 1725, aged 60 years; Daniel Brainerd, 1725, died 1743, aged 77 years; Isaac Spencer, 1734, died 1751, aged 72 years; Jeremiah Gates, 1741. died 1761, aged 65 years; Noadiah Brainerd, 1743, died 1746, aged 50 years; Daniel Cone Esq., 1746, died 1776, aged 83 years; James Gates, 1762, removed to Richmond, Mass.; Samuel Huntington 1770, died 1797, aged 74 years; Thomas Fuller, 1770, removed to Hart- ford; John Percival Esq., 1782, died 1813, aged 80 years; / Caleb Gates, 1795, died 1822, aged 73 years; Ephraim Gates, 1806, removed to State of New York; John Per- cival, 1814, died 1848, aged 66 years; Gordon Fowler, 1824, died 1854, aged 82 years; Jeremiah Hutchins, T824, died 1871, aged 81 years; William E. Cone, 1848; William O. Brainerd, 1871; Miner H. Gillett, 1871. Pastors. — ist. Rev. Stephen Hosmer, came from Hartford. Educated at Cambridge, Mass., graduated in 1699. Chosen pastor January 6th 1704; married Mrs. Sarah Long, of Boston. He died June i6th 1749, having served this people for 45 years. He was buried in the Cone burying yard. 2d. Rev. Joseph Foster, who became pastor May 15th 1751; died June lotii 1771, in the 49th year of his age and the 21st year of his ministry. 3d. Rev. Elijah Parsons; ordained at East Haddam, 1772. Pastor 54 years, 3 months; died at East Had- dam January 17th 1827, in the 8oth year of his age. 4th. Rev. Isaac Parsons, born August 28th 1790. Studied at Williams College, also at Yale and graduated from that institution in x8ii. Ordained October 23d 1816. He was dismissed April 23d 1855. 5th. Silvanus W. RoUum, installed October 1856, con- tinued till May 1871. 6th. S. M. McCall; installed January 3d 1872. Rev. Mr. McCall is a native of Lebanon, Conn. He graduated from Yale College in 185 1; and was pastor of the Con- gregational church at Old Saybrook, Conn., from E|e- cember 1853 to November 1871. St. Stephen's Church. The Episcopal society was formed April 27th 1791, in consequence of a division among the people of the First Congregational Society respecting the location of their present meeting house. " A Register of the Original Formation and subse- quent Proceedings of the Episcopal Church in East Had- dam, Begun the 26th day of April, A. D., 1791 — " We the Subscribers, inhabitants of East Haddam conscious of the propriety and sensible of the utility of the method of worshipping almighty God, agreeable to the Episcopalian method of worship, do hereby avow that it is our wish, desire, and principle to pay our de- votion to the Almighty after the Episcopalian mode of worship, and consider ourselves in the situation of the other Episcopalians in this State. Dated at East Had- dam this i6th day of March, A. D., 1791 — " Elias Worthington, Ebenezer Cone, Timothy Cone, Williarn Gelston, Joshua Brainard, Amasa Brainard, David Brainard, Daniel Lyan, Daniel Chapman jr., Jona- than Spencer, John Brainard, John Warner 3d, Chevers Brainard, Andrew Champion, Phineas Cone, Robert Cone, Ruben Champion, Oliver Warner, Jesse Winslow, Fran- cis Beckwith, Joseph Andrews, Mathew Sears, Joel Spencer, Brainard Cone, Jabez Chapman, Abraham Annable, Humphrey Lyan, Oliver Attwood, Daniel War-, ner, Ephraim Warner, Stephen Belding. " The persons whose names are as follows. Viz. Elias Worthington, Ebenezer Cone, Timothy Cone, William Gelston, Joshua Brainard, Amasa Brainard, David Brainard, Daniel Lyan, Daniel Chapman, Jr., Jonathan Spencer, John Brainard, John Warner 3d, Chivers Brainard, Andrew Champion, Pheneas Cone, Robert Cone, Reuben Champion, Oliver Warner, Jesse Winslow, ■ Francis Beckwith, Joseph Andrews, Mathew Sears, Joel Spencer, Brainard Cone, Jabez Chapman, Abraham Annabel, Humphry Lyan, Oliver Attwood, Daniel War- ner, Ephraim ^Warner, Stephen Belding, all inhabitants of the town of East Haddam, have declared themselves to be conformists to the Episcopal Church as designated and tnown by the Laws of this State. " This therefore is to certify whom it may concern 302 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. according to the tenor and direction of sd. Law that all the above named persons are professors and members of the sd Episcopal Church, and that they attend divine worship agreeable to the form prescribed and directed by the same, and also do contribute to the support thereof. " March 23, 1791. Abraham Jarvis, " Rector of Christ's Church, " Middletown. " East Haddam, April 26, 1792 (evidently it should be 1791.) "We Inhabitants of the Town of East Haddam and places adjacent, professors of the Episcopal church, whose names here follow: " Elias Worthington, Jesse Winslow, Ebenezer Cone, Francis Beckwith, Timothy Cone, Joseph Andrews, William Gelston, Mathew Sears, Joshua Brainard, Joel Spencer, Amasa Brainard, Brainard Cone, David Brain- ard, Jahas Chapman, David Lyan, Abraham Annable, Daniel Chapman jr., Humphry Lyan, Jonathan Spencer, Oliver Attwood, John Brainard, Daniel Warner, John Warner 3d, Ephriam Warner, Chivers Brai.iard, Stephen Belding, Andrew Champion, Jeremiah Selby, Phineas Cone, Gibbons Jewett, Robert Cone, George Jewett, Reuben Champion, Zacheus Spencer, Oliver Warner, Gersham Rawley, John Chapman jr., Elijah Attwood jr., Selden Chapman, Samuel Crawell, Ebenezer Raw- ley, having met together for the purpose of forming our- selves into an Ecclesiastical Parish and choosing the proper officers, requisite to constitute a regular Episcopal Parish, agreeable to the appointment and established usage of s'd Church, and being led to a choice by the Rev. Abraham Jarvis, do accordingly choose the follow- ing persons to be the Clerk, Wardens, and Vestry Men for the Current year: — " Daniel Chapman jr., Clerk; Jabes Chapman, ] „, , Timothy Cone, [ ^''''^^"=- Amasa Brainard, ) William Gelston, )- Vestry Men; Reuben Champion, ) Reuben Champion, ) ^, T 01 Choristers. Jonathan Spencer, \ "At a meeting of the Episcopal Society of East Haddam holden at the dwelling house of Mr. Wm. Gelston on the i3lh day of May, A. D. 1791; " Voted — that a tax of two pence on the Pound be laid on the Inhabitants of s'd Society, to be made out on the List of the year 1790 to defray the necessary expense of s'd Parish and to hire preaching in future. "Voted — thai the Wardens be a Committee to draw subscriptions for Building a Church and put them in cir- culation in Fifteen days from this time." ■'We having examined the Claims of Andrew Champion, Gidian Spencer" and thirty-nine others, "who say they are Dfssenters from the first Ecclesiastical Society in East Haddam, and have joined themselves to a Churfh or Congregation of the name of the Episcopalian Church or Congregation in East Haddam, and that they ordi- narily attend upon the public worship of said Church or Congregation, and that they contribute their several Shares and proportions towards supporting the public worship, and ministry thereof, do, upon Examination, find that the above facts are true. " Dated at East Haddam September 5th, 1791. " Israel Spencer, ) Justices of Eliphalet Holms, ) the Peace." "At a meeting of the Episcopalian Society in East Haddam on the loth day of October 187 1; " Voted That there be a committee of Six persons ap- pointed to collect the money and materials, subscribed for building a Church, and to superintendent the same. " Voted that Col. Jabez Chapman, Col. David B. Spen- cer, Capt. Timothy Cone, Mr. Jeremiah Selby, Mr. Amasa Brainard, and Mr. Samuel P. Lord jr., be a com- mittee for the above mentioned purposes." February 13th 1792, it was voted "That the commit- tee for building the church bs directed to build it 54 ft. Long, 37 ft. wide and 21 ft. posts, with a steeple, agreeably to a plan made out and lodged with them this day." It appears from the record that the church was noj: finished until about the i6th of October 1795, for " At a meeting of the Church wardens, vestrymen, and parishioners of St. Stephen's Church in the Town of East Haddam on the i6th Day of October 1795, '' was unani- mously Voted that, as Almighty God had been pleased to put it into their hearts to build a new Church for the celebration of His worship, and had, in the course of His good providence, enabled them to complete it ac- cording to the best of their abilities, it was their full pur- pose and earnest desire that the sd new Church, to be called St. Stephens Church, be dedicated to the worship and service of Almighty God. " We, therefore, the Church wardens vestrymen and parishioners of the sd Church do, for us and for our suc- cessors, dedicate, appropriate, give, and grant to Al- mighty God our heavenly King and Father, to be conse- crated and used to His worship and Service, accord- ing to the Liturgy of the Episcopal Church in North America, divesting ourselves of all rights and title, and disclaiming all authority to employ it hereafter to any common or prophane use; and we the church wardens Messrs. Jabez Chapman, Esq., and Capt. Timo- thy Cone, do in our name, and in behalf of the Society, Sign and Seal this Instrument of dedication, and Ac- quaint the Right Rev'd Doctor Seabury, our Diocesan Bishop, therewith, and request him to consecrate the same, and to Set it apart to be forever hereafter employed for the Service and worship of Almighty God. Promis- ing as far as in us lies to take care of the Repairs of S'd Church, that it may be kept together with its furniture and Sacred utensils and Books, in a decent State for the celebration of Divine Service, and also that we will, as God Shall enable us, endeavor always to procure and Support A Minister in priest orders to celebrate God's holy worship according to the liturgy aforesaid— in wit- ness whereof we, the s'd church wardens, have hereunto EAST HADDAM— ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH. 303 set our hand and Seals the Day and year above written." The following is a list of the clergymen who have been employed by St. Stephen's Church, from 1793 to the present time: Rev. Solomon Blakeslee took charge March ist 1793, and remained until May loth 1815. He then removed to St. James' Church, New London. He returned and again became rector April 7th 1818, remaining till Octo- ber 8t.h 1 82 1. From 1815 to 1818, there was no settled minister, and only occasionally the services of any clergyman. During a part of the year 1822, Rev. Seth B. Paddock offici- ated. Rev. William James took charge of the parish, together with St. Peter's, at Hebron, April 8th 1822, and left Jan- uary 29th 1827. Rev. Peter G. Clark was then employed for two-thirds of the time, from November 8th 1827 until- May 1833. Rev. Stephen Beach was appointed rector June 2otli 1833, having charge also of St. Jphn's Church, Essex. In October r836, he resigned the care of St. John's parishf and resided, with the care of the church, at East Haddam, until his death, January 14th 1838. Rev. William G. Hayes officiated from June 1838, till No /ember 1st 1838. Rev. Charles W. Bradley was appointed rector Febru- ary loth 1839, and continued in charge of the parish till August 2d 1840. Rev. Albert D. Isaacs, deacon, officiated from August 1840 to November 1840. Rev. Thomas G. Salter took charge of the parish March 21st 1841, and remained" until November 20th 1842. ^ Rev. Alexander Burgess, deacon, was appointed min- ister November 28th 1842, and concluded his services December nth 1842. Rev. Henry DeKoven, deacon, was appointed minister October 29th 1843, and commenced his services at the parish the following Sunday. He resigned the parish September ist 1844. Rev. Alpeus Geer, by agreement with the vestry of the Parish of St. Stephens, took charge of the same, and en- tered upon his duties September ist 1844, He resigned the parish April 12th 1852. Rev. George W. Nichols next took charge, commencing his duties on Sunday, May 19th 1852. He resigned the same April 1853. The Rev. Benjamin Franklin followed on the nth of December 1853, being the third Sunday in Advent; and resigned the parish on the first Sunday in July 1854. Rev. George W. Nichols resumed the rectorship on Sunday, July 2d 1854. His health required him between the i6th and 17th Sundays after Trinity (September 23d and 30th 1855) to desist from the duties of his charge, and at the latter date the Rev. Gilbert B. Hayden as- sumed them temporarily. This arrangement continued till the 17th of September 1856, when the Rev. Michael Scofield took temporary charge of the parish. Rev. Mr. Scofield remained only till November 3d 1856, The Rev. H. B. Hitchings, deacon, commenced his services the first Sunday after Trinity, June 14th 1857. He resigned the parish November ist 186?, and became rector of St. John's Church, Denver, Colorado. The Rev. Henry T. Gregory became rector and took charge of the parish immediately on the departure of Mr. Hitchings, November 1862. He resigned April 13th 1868. He was succeeded by Rev. E. C. Gardner, in October 1868. He resigned about Ciiristmas 187 1. He was a graduate nf Trinity College, Hartford, and the Berkeley Divinity School, Middletown. Rev. George Rumney entered on the rectorshfp Feb- ruary 7th 1872, and is still rector of the parish. Rev. Mr. Rumney is a graduate of Hamilton College, N. Y., class of '49, also of the Theological Seminary of Alexan- dria, Va., class of '52. Inscription on the bell of St. Stephen's church: "A. Z*. 81S Sorndc^ Prion E. J. V. P. Du Miguel Villa Mueva Procunaclor El V. Du Josef Estavaiia A. D. 815 Sorndo Prion E. J. V. P. Du Miguel Villa Mucva Procunador El V. Du Josef Estavana." 'Translation — The Prior being the most Rev. Father Miguel Villa Muevaf The Procurator the most Rev. Father Josi F. Estevan. Corrales has made me. Made in the year A. D. 815. This ancient bell hung for many years in a Spanish monastery. It was probably torn down in the time of Napoleon I., and subsequently brought to this country. It is said to be the oldest in the United States. " King in the valiant man and free, Tlie larger heart, the kindlier hand ; Ring out the darkness of the land. King in the Christ that is to be." East Haddam Library. The East Haddam Library was established in 1794, and has now about 700 volumes. It is kept at the store of Mr. H. H. Squire, under the auspices of the " Lady's Literary Association." The following is a list of the officers of the organiza- tion: Miss Lorrissa Gelston, president; Miss Nellie Bab ■ cock, vice-president: Miss Nettie Warner, secretary and treasurer; Miss Jennie .Ar-nold, librarian. A library was formed about the same time in Milling- ton, but tlie company was dissolved after a few years. A company in Hadlyme was formed in 1790. There was also a library established in Moodus, which was soon after discontinued, but revived about fifteen years since. It numbers nearly 300 volumes, and is kept at the house of Amasa Day. Columbia Lodge, No. 26, F. & A. M. In 1794, an application was made to the " Grand Lodge of the Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons in the State of Connecticut," by Epaphroditus Champion, William Higgins, Andrew Champion, Samuel P. Lord jr., Sylvanus Tinker, George Lord, Samuel Spencer, Daniel Chapman jr., Sylvanus 304 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Lindsly, and Jonathan O. Mosley, masons, who at that time resided in and near the town of East Haddam, peti- tioning that they might be constituted a " Regular Lodge," and praying that Jonathan O. Mosley be appointed first master, Daniel Chapman jr., first senior warden, and Samuel P. Lord jr. first junior warden. In compliance with the petition, Columbia Lodge, No' 26, was instituted, with the brothers named as first officers. The charter was witnessed by the Most Wor- shipful William Judd, Esq., grand master, and the seal of the grand lodge was affixed, at New Haven, the 17th day of October Anno Lucis Five Thousand Seven Hun- dred and Ninety-Three, and of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-Three. Columbia Lodge was installed by the Most Worshipful D. G. Master Eliphalet Bulkley, master of Wooster Lodge, No. 8, January 8th 1794. The first officers were: Jonathan O. Mosley, W. M.: Daniel Chapman jr., S. W.; Samuel P. Lord jr., J. W.; George Lord, secretary; Andrew Champion, treasurer; Sylvanus Lindsly, S. D.; Samuel Spencer, J. D.; Chevers Brainerd, S. S.; Hezekiah Mack, J. S.: David Belden, tyler. V The first communication of which there is any record was held in the house now occupied by Samuel Martin, fanAiliarly known as " Oliver Attwood Hall." Meetings were also held in the dwelling now occupied by Mr. Maltby Gelston and the one now in possession of Dr. N. C. Harris. January 3d 1817, a committee consisting of William Cook, Chevers Brainerd, AVilliam Jones, Samuel Crowell, and Elijah Ackley was appointed to treat with the in- habitants of the Landing School District for the- pur- pose of ascertaining whether the lodge could have the privilege of altering and fitting up a room in the school house chamber in which to hold communications, but there is no evidence that they ever made any report to the lodge. December 14th 1820, it was voted; "That the Lodge hold its sessions at a dwelling house near the Court House, in Haddam the year ensuing, commencing Jan- uary next, — the Haddam Brethren to pay the expense of moving the Lodge." During the time intervening betwee'n 1820 and 1835, the lodge held some communications in Haddam and others in East Haddam. In 1877, the "Haddam Brethren," withdrew from "Columbia Lodge " and instituted Granite Lodge, No. 119. The present membership of Columbia Lodge is 64. Champion House. Among the interesting land marks of this historic old town is the large, commodious, and beautifully located hotel on the banks of the Connecticut River, know as the Champion House, where visitors from all parts of the country come during the heat of the summer to enjoy the cool breeze and healthy atmosphere. As an evi- dence of the health of the locality. Dr. Bailey, who has been located here for upwards of thirty years, states that while there has been no permanent increase in the popu- lation since 1810, the mortality has decreased 50 per cent. The building, which is of brick, was erected about 100 years ago by Mr. Lord, as a private residence. It was opened as a hotel in 183 1 by Mr. George Doug- lass, and called the Steamboat Hotel. The building has since been enlarged by the addition of a story and an L, and other improvements have been made. The prop- erty changed hands two or three times, and the hotel was kept for some years by Captain James Selden. It was purchased about two years ago by Mr. Ferdinand Ward, of New York city, who made still further improvements. It was reopened on the 28th of May i88r, by Mr. F. D. Greene, brother-in-law of Mr. Ward, and provided with ample facilities for the accommodation of 60 guests. Maple Wood Music Seminary. This institution was established about twenty years ago, by Prof. Dwight S. Babcock. It was conducted ex- clusively by that gentleman, with marked success, until three years since. Students of the art attended this school from various parts of the Union, and the Inter- prise bid fair to greatly enhance the prosperity of the town. However, about 1880, the malaria became so common in the locality that the patronage of the semi- nary was withdrawn, and the large building, with its spacious opera hall, and a capacity for accommodating one hundred pupils, stands unoccupied. Prof. Babcock removed to Providence, R. I. GOODSPEED'S LANDING. This beautiful village is located in the western part of the town on the Connecticut River, and is one of the principal landing places between Old Saybrook and Middlelown. The railroad station known as Goodspeed's is on the opposite side of the river in the town of Had- dam. There is a ferry-boat which also bears the name Goodspeed, that plies from shore to shore. John Chapman, the oldest son of Robert, the first set- tler, settled at Goodspeed's Landing, his dwelling stand- ing on the site now occupied by the Gelston House. He established this ferry which has always remained private property, and still retains its original name of " Chap- man's Ferry." There are at Goodspeed's many beautiful homes; and several important industries, which are more fully men- tioned elsewhere. The elegant block in which the post office is kept is one of the finest structures in the county. It was erected by William H. Goodspeed. Ship building was formerly carried on at this point, but not so exten- sively as at the Upper Landing at an earlier dale. The burning of the Granite State — a terrible catastro- phe — occurred off Goodspeed's. Among the passengers aboard the fated steamer were a young man and his bride, the latter of whom was drowned in her efforts to escape from the flames. EAST HADDAM— GOODSPEED'S LANDING. 305 The wreck of this unfortunate vessel may still be seen about one-half a mile below the ferry. Gelston Family and Gelston House. Deacon Maltby Gelston, a farmer of Bridgehampton, L. I., during the Revolution, fled with his family, as refugees from British rule, to East Haddam. He occu- pied a house standing on the bank of the Connecticut River, near the one recently built by David Watrous. A part of the old foundation can still be traced. After the war closed he returned to his farm on Long Island. William Gelston, his seventh child, on his return from the war, in 1781, married Asenath Sayres, daughter of Matthew Sayres, who was then one of the largest land owners in the town of East Haddam. He erected and lived in the large house near the Episcopal church in the year 1760. William Gelston, soon after his' marriage, purchased the property where the Gelston House now stands, where he lived till 1826. A part of the old man- sion is now attached to the present house. Through purchase, and inheritance by his wife, he became possess- ed of a large tract of land, and for convenience he con- cluded to move. He bought of Samuel Crowell the house now occupied by the Gelston family. Soon after moving here in 1826, he sold his place at the ferry to Joseph Goodspeed. More than 20 years ago the Gelston House Company was formed, the largest stockholders of the company being Hugh Gelston, of Baltimore, and George S. Gel- ston, of Fort Hamilton, two sons of William Gelston. The present hotel was built and named the Gelston House. Mr. Gelston reared a family of seven sons and three daughters. He was sheriff for 20 years, and filled many town offices. He died at the age of 85. His son, William, followed him as the possessor of the landed estate, and died in 1875, at the age of 89 years. He left four children, Maltby, John, Mrs. West, of New Lon- don, and Lucy. The Gelston House is to-day one of the popular hotels of the county. For several years the students of Wes- leyan University have taken their annual supper at this house. Mr. Ralph Swan is the present proprietor. One of the largest trees in the State, an old landmark, stands in front of the hotel. Chapman's Ferry. As stated elsewhere Chapman's Ferry was established by John Chapman. The following is a form of the grant as given in the Colonial Records: May 1694. — ''This Court grant Capt'n. John Chapman the priviledge of setting up a ferry over the Great River in Haddam for the future." In October 1698 the General Court passed a vote that "Capt'n. John Chapman is by this Court allowed the same fare for keeping the ferry in the township of Had- dam as is allowed to the keeping the ferry in Saybrook." It is said that the first ferryman at this ferry was one Ray, and that he continued to serve in this capacity for forty years. Having become somewhat superannuated, he was by much persuasion induced to retire; but he never seemed to abandon the thought that he might some day return to his old post of duty. " Many a year Is in its grave ' Since he crossed the restless wave, But the evening, fair as ever Shines on ruin, roclr, and river." The ferry is now owned by W. R Goodspeed. Industries of Goodspeed's Landing. Many of the inhabitants of East Haddam are engaged in agricultural pursuits. Tobacco is extensively cultiva- ted, especially in the Wicket Lane and Red Lane Districts. Great quantities of wood and timber are annually expor- ted from the town. The latter business is largely carried on by W. C. Reynolds at Goodspeed's Landing. A few rods from Goodspeed's Landing on the Con- necticut River, near the center of the village, are the works of W. J. Squire, manufacturer of Gilt Netting, established in 1872. Mr. Squire is the inventor of im- proved machinery for this purpose, by which he is able to tie 1500 knots per minute, thus materially reducing the cost of production from that by the old method. He is the pioneer in this special line of goods. He has a factory 30 by 64 feet, 2 stories high, which is run by steam, and employs from 12 to 15 hands. It produces annually from 50,000 to 60,000 pounds of goods. Foremost to-day among the manufactures of nickel, silver, and silver plated flat goods, stands the firm of Luther Boardman & Son, of East Haddam, Connecticut. Mr. Luther L. Boardman was born in Rocky Hill, Conn., December 26th 181 2, and at the age of 16 years, or in 1828, entered the employ of Mr. Ashbel Griswold, of Meriden, Conn., and in the spring of 1840 we find him upon his own resources, engaged in the manuff^cture of britannia spoons in a small building where now stands the shop of William D. Clark, of Chester. On the 3d of May 1842, the works were moved to East Haddam, and Mr. Boardman took possession of the ground he now occupies. In 1865 he built his new shop, a commanding structure, 100 by 40 feet, and introduced a Kilbourn & Lincoln turbine wheel, and a thirty-horse power steam engine. The plating of britannia goods commenced at this shop in 1857, and the manufacture of nickel silver goods in 1865. The visitor at these works will be astonished at the endless variety of electro plated flat goods which are here produced. Their nickel tin- ned goods embrace the same large and tasteful assort- ment. Mr. Norman Boardman was born in East Had- dam, August 5th 1840, and after receiving all the advan- tages of an academic education was admitted into part- nership with his father, January ist 1864. When in full operation this firm employs fifty operatives, with a monthly pay roll amounting to about $3,000. Mr. J, S. Ray, who is located a short distance above the Boardman works, has been engaged in the manufac- ture of coffin trimmings since 1852. It is claimed that he made the first white metal handles ever produced in this country, and his goods have had a reputation equal, if not superior to any other establishment of the kind in 40 3o6 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. this country. His factory is 38 by 100 feet, two stories high, and is run by water of 20-horse power, except when the stream is too low. To meet this difficulty he has an engine of 20-liorse power, so that his works are kept running throughout the entire year. Ship Building.— George E. and William H. Good- speed were formerly engaged in ship building at this place. Among the vessels constructed by them were the following: the schooners Sidney C. Jones and Commodore, in 1846; the schooner Telegraph and ship Hero, in 1847. These were built on the sloping lawn in front of the Gel- ston House; subsequently the business was carried on at the ship-yard a little further down the river. Between 1848 and 1854 the schooners Bay State, Agawam, Norfolk Packet, Peter B. Anderson, Almon Bacon, E. T. Smith, the barque Goodspeed, and the ship E. Bulkley were built. From the latter date to i860 there was a decline in this industry at Goodspeed's Landing, although during the period eight or ten coal barges vvere made for the Dela- ware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. In 1861, however, ship building was again begun and carried on quite extensively. Between i860 and 1866, they built among other vessels the following: the gunboat Kanawaha, a ninety- day craft, for the United States; the steamers Sarah S. B. Gary, El Cid, Chas. Benton, Dudley Buck, General Lyons, Wm. Kennedy, Chas. W. Lord, Tillie, Mary Benton, Silver Star, Sunshine; and the schooners Early Bird, Lodowick Bill, Right Bower, and Sandy Llook. Upwards of 400 men were employed in and about the ship yard when the Kanawaha was constructed in order that she might be completed in the specified time. TSTational Bank of New England. , This Bank was originally organized in 1854, and was then known as the Bank of New England. In 1865 it was reorganized, and was then named the National Bank of New England. It is located at Goodspeed's Landing, in the Gelston building. The [Tresident at the time of reorganization was W. H. Goodspeed. Thomas Gross jr., now president, was then cashier. The capital is $130,000, and surplus $40,000. This bank has been unusually prosperous having declared dividends regularly in Jan- nary and July of each year since its foundation. The present cashier is Arthur H. Dayton. Middlesex Lodge, No. 3, I. 0. O. F. This lodge was instituted, April 22d 1840, at Moodus, in the house now occupied by William Gates.with Charles W. Bradley, John C. Palmer, Daniel B. Warner, George Douglass, and Watrous B. Smith, as charter members. The following were the first elective officers: Charles W. Bradley, N. G.; John C. Palmer, V. G.; Daniel E. Warner, secretary; George Douglass, treasurer. The lodge continued to meet in this place till October 28th 1840, when it was removed to East Haddam Land- ing, the meetings there being held in the hall over the store of the late R: S. Pratt. Meetings were held in that room till January ist i860, when the lodge was again re- moved to the hall over the brick store at Goodspeed's Landing, where it is at present located. The lodge has at this date 105 members, a fund of $3,500, and a library of 600 volumes. From its organi- zation to the present time the lodge hus been in a flour- ishing condition. The following is a list of the Noble Grands from the foundation of the lodge to the present time: Henry A. Palmer, Samuel Daniels, W. A. Babcock, J. O. Cone, O. C. Clark, Edward H. Purple, A. G. Palmer, H. F. Gard- ner, S. H. Edwards, William A. Chapman, J. R. Green- field, N. B. Palmer, O. E. Palmer, Robert R. Smith, E. S. Richmond, David Potter, J. Mcintosh, J. F. Johnson, S. H. Fuller, Revillo Brooks, j; Attwood, F. W. Pen- field, C. S. Gates, Robert Mintie, A. S. Harvey, A. Drown, L. D. Brooks, H. R. Rogers, H. A. Bates, C. W. Bradley, J. C. Palmer, R. S. Pratt, D. B. Warner, T. C. Boardman, Nathan Pratt, William H. Kingsley, Porter H. Swan, G. E. Goodspeed, L. Boardraan, William Palmer jr., Oliver Warner, William Marsh, Asa E. Gil- lette, William B. Dickinson, F. M. Palmer, William H. Goodspeed, Jonathan E. Clark, Henry Smith, Daniel Cone, Nathaniel Tyler jr., R. E. Hungerford, William S. Tyler, F. A. Roberts, W. T. Holt, H. C. Emmons, H. G. Loomis, M. E. Bailey, C. A. Champlin, James I. Morgan, Lyman Loomis, N. S. Boardman, W. M. Smith, C. H. Belden, M. C. Morgan, J. R. Greenfield, L. Gladwin, N. Daniels, N. R. Stark, S. W. Smith, John M. James, A. H. Palmer, L. B. Williams, Frederick L. Ray, H. H. Squire, C. D. Sweet, A. G. Chapman, C. S. Gladwin, C. D. Payne, J. B. Boardman, James E. Williams, William H. H. Gates, George Rumney, W. R. Good- speed, D. W. Smith, D. R. Arnold, E. E. Grimshaw, D. R. Arnold, M. Emmons, C. D. Payne, C. W. Board- man, A. H. Dayton, William A. Cone, George E. Em- mons, John P. Boardman, James E. Williams, C. W. Boardman, E. E. Grimshaw, G. S. Richmond jr., J. T. Martin, Charles L. Peck, R. S. Fuller. MOODUS. Moodus is a contraction of the Indian word Machit- moodus, meaning " place of noises." Formerly, the place was also called Mechanicsville. Prior to 1812 but very few dwellings composed the now flourishing village. There was no manufacturing, and the small hamlet was dependent upon East Haddam Landing and Leesville for its necessary domestic supplies. An old teacher -gives a description of the place in 1815. "Assuming the boundaries to be the house of Wilbur Chapman on the west. Wigwam Brook on the south, the Alanson Gates House on the east, and the Methodist Church on the north, there were 11 dwellings and other buildings as fol- lows: " The house of Mr. Chapman was then occupied by his grandfather, Robert B. Its roof was flat, covered with earth, from which sprang up a sparse vegetation, and EAST HADDAM— MOODUS. J07 protected by a balustrade. There was a square-roofed building on the opposite side, then occupied by Erastus Chapman. These were white, standing out in strong contrast of color from all other buildings in the vicinity. On the stream just south of the road, and approached by a gate, near where the road to the Neptune Twine Mills is now opened, was a saw mill, and just below a carding mill and clothiers' works, in one of which the rolls were prepared for the wheel, and in the other the cloth was colored and dressed. " East of the Chapman House, on the same side, was the house of Ozias Chapman. " Next came the house near the stream, occupied by ' Old Mr. Hurd,' who was on active duty at the grist mill when over ninety years of age. The stream was crossed by a bridge of planks a little above the present arch. Its position necessitated a curve in the road as we approached it, and an unfortunate young man, who had passed an evening with a young lady in the neighbor- hood, on taking a straight course for home instead of following the curve, found himself with a broken arm among the rocks in the stream. " East of the bridge, occupying the ground where Smith's (Boies) factory now stands, was the grist mill with its overshot wheel, where boys, waiting for their grists, would look upon the mimic rainbows and fancy resemblance to those described in their 'American Pre- ceptor' as rising from the spray of Niagara. " Passing east to the ' Plain ' the next building was a dilapidated old house occupied by Phineas Gates, which soon gave way to the dwelling occupied by Mr. Day. Across the street, in the house now occupied by Mr. Richmond, was Dr. Jonah Cone. This was only about two-thirds of its present dimensions. Quite a distance south was an old brown house, and a little south of that a small old house and a shoemaker's shop, and a small dwelling on the hillside sloping toward Wigwam Brook. East, on the Bashan road, was the Alanson Gates (Daniel Lord) house, unpainted and the grounds un- adorned. "The street through the Plain was wider than it is now by nearly the depth of the yards on the east side, and was wholly destitute of trees. From Mr. Day's the road • up town ' descended the hill in a northerly direction. The stream was crossed by a bridge similar to the one described, and the road wound around the hill and came out at the foot of the hill south of the cemetery. Just north of the bridge referred to was a path running to the east, parallel with the stream, which passed a long low building known as the ' Old Malt House,' then curved and terminated at the grist mill which stood where the twine mill now stands. This path was the only approach to the mill, and was so obstructed by a point of rocks that it could be passed only on horseback, and then the boy had to keep the middle of it or his grist would be brushed off by the rocks, or the corner of the mill. On the knoll north of the mill stood a one-story gambrel roofed house for the accommodation of the miller. "The house opposite the residence of Mr. William L. Gntes, owned by Harper Boies, was built by Erastus Chapman, the son of Ozias. Sylvester, one of the sons of Ozias Chapman, owned a store near the Congrega- tional church, and was a man of considerable influence. The family of Ozias was quite a large one, consisting of nine sons and six daughters. "There may have been, 'and probably there were, a few more families in the vicinity, hut we have mentioned the principal ones, and they were nearly all composed of Cones, Gates, or Chapmans. Thomas Gates was the original settler, and the old cellar still remains near the Daniel Lord place. " This finishes the catalogue of buildings in Moodus in 1815." The first step in advance was the erection of the stone mill and store and other necessary buildings. The first school house in Moodus was built in 1828. Previous to that the children were divided between Red Lane and " Up Town " Distycts. Now there is a com- modious school house with two departments located near the center of the village. Dr. Jonah Cone was a practicing physician in the town for a period of forty years and was a very estimable as as well as a popular man. He was the brother of Joshua Cone, who was the father of Judge Hiram Cone, who died in Georgia during the year i860, at which time he was judge of the Supreme Court of that State. Joshua Cone had two other sons, who were graduates from Yale College, one of whom became quite prominent in the legal profession, the other died soon after leaving college. Moodus at the present time is the business center and the most populous portion of the town. This has arisen from its fine water privileges on which have been built several large cotton factories. There are two hotels in the village — the Barker House and -the Machimoodus House. Moodus Noises. The Indians who inhabited the place were numerous, and of a fierce and warlike character, remarkable for the worship of evil spirits. They called the town Machitmoo- dus, which means in English, " the place of noises " — a very suitable name because of the noises or quakings which were common, and which were familiarly called " Moodus noises." The noises soinetimes resemble slow thunder; at others, the rattling of musketry or the dis- charge of cannon. They have been the subject of much discussion, and many theories have been advanced about their origin. An old Indian's reason was, that " the In- dian's God was very angry because the Englishman's God came here." Many persons credit the report of a transient person named Doctor Steele, from Great Brit- ain, who, hearing about these noises, came here and dug up two pearls, which he called carbuncles. He told the people the noises would be discontinued for many years, as he had taken away their cause, but as he had discov- ered other smaller ones they would be heard again in process of time. Notwithstanding the absurdity of this 3o8 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. prophecy, it seemed to prove itself correct, for the noises did cease for many years, and finally returned. The Docr tor was a mysterious sort of person, and in order to allay the fears of the simple and terrified inhabitants, arising by reason of the noises, attempted many magical opera- tions, and for this purpose took possession of a black- smith's shop, which stood on the hill northwest of the Atlantic Duck Mill, in which he worked night and day, excluding all light so as to prevent any prying curiosity from interfering with his occult operations. He claimed that the carbuncle had grown to a great size in the bow- els of the rocks, and must be removed. The Doctor finally departed, and has never been heard of since. From this circumstance arose this ballad, by John G. C. Brainerd, editor of the Hartford Mirror: " MATCHIT-MOODUS. " See you upon the lonely moor A crazy building rise? No hand dares venture to open the door- No footstep' treads its dangerous floor- No eye in its secret prys. " Now why is each crevice stopped so tight, Say, why the bolted door? Why glimmers at midnight the forge's light- All day is the anvil at rest, but at night The flames of the furnace roar. " Is it to arm the horse's heel That the midnight anvil rings? Is it to mould the ploughshare's steel, I Or is it to guard the wagon's wheel That the smith's sledge hammer swings ? " The iron Is bent and the crucible stands. With alchemy boiling up ; Its contents are mixed by unknown hands, And no mortal fire e'er kindled the brands That heated that cornered cup. " O'er Moodus Kiver a light has glanced. On Moodus hills It shone ; On the granite rocks the rays have danced And upward those creeping lights advanced. Till they met on the highest stone. " O, that is the very wizard place. And now is the wizard hour. By the light that was conjured up to trace. E'er the star that falls can run its race. The seat of the earthquake's power. " By that unearthly light I see A figure strange alone. With magic circlet on his knee And decked with Satan's symbols, he Seeks for the hidden stone. " Now upward goes that gray old xpan. With mattock bar and spade. The summit is gained and the toll begun And deep by the rock where the wild lights run The magic trench is made. " Loud, and yet louder was the groan, That sounded wide and far; And deep and hollow was the moan, That rolled around the bedded stone Where the workman plied his bar. " Then upward streamed the brilliant light- It streamed o'er crag and stone; Dim looked the stars and the moon that night. But when morning came in her glory bright. The man and the jewel were gone. " But woe to the bark in which he flew From Moodus' rocky shore- Woe to the captain and woe to the crew. That ever the breath of life they drew. When that dreadful freight they bore. " Where Is that crew and vessel now? Tell me their state who can. The wild waves dash o'er the sinking bow- Down, down to the fathomless depths they go To sleep with a sinful man. " The carbuncle lies in the deep, deep sea, Beneath the mighty wave; But the light shines up so gloriously That the sailor looks pale and forgets his glee. When he crosses the wizard's grave." Many theories have been advanced as to the cause of these noises. One is that there is a subterranean passage leading from a large cave near Mount Tom to the sea, and that the noises are produced by certain delicate combinations of wind and tide. A more reasonable ex- planation of their cause is that there exist mineral or chemical combinations which explode many feet below the earth's surface. The jar produced by the noises is like that of exploded gunpowder. Baptist Church. The Baptist Church in East Haddam was originally "The Third Baptist Church in Colchester." It was organized at the house of David Miner, November 22d 1809. The first meeting was held at Bulkley Hill school house, December 15th 1809 — preaching by Eliada Blakesley. Among the familiar names of the early mem- bers are John and Guy Bigelow, Daniel Bulkley, Anson Ackley, Seth Hayes, and Turner Miner. The church prospered and increased in numbers, notwithstanding they had no regular place of worship, services being held in the school house, and occasionally at the house of some mem.ber for 16 years. The first meeting in East Haddam was held at the school house in the North- west District December 1825. Soon afterward, on the 15th of December, the first meeting was held in their new meeting house, on the East Haddam and Colchester Turnpike, where Ransom Rathburn now lives. About this time, the name was changed to the " Baptist Church of Colchester and East Haddam." Changes in places of worship and the erection of new meeting houses are not generally productive of harmony in any denomination. It seems that this change was no exception to the general rule, for cases of discipline for contempt against some of the most prominent members became quite frequent soon after the removal. In fact, during the 50 years that have elapsed since that time, this society has been par- ticularly [prominent in its intestine strifes. The last strife, but a year or two since, wherein the Beebe fac- tion was arrayed against the Brooks and Stark faction in the civil and ecclesiastical courts — injunctions and counter injunctions more potent than the Pope's bulls, closing the doors of the church for months, a fight which was widely known and discussed as the " Moodus Church war " — is fresh in the memory of every towns- man. The first pastor of the new church was Alvin Ackley, June 19th 1827. June 18th 1833, Amos Watrous, and September 3d 1843, Thomas N. Dickinson were set apart as preachers of the work. August .ist 1844, it was voted to sell the EAST HADDAM— CHURCH IlSf MOODUS. 3<^9 meeting house in Millington, and put the avails in a build- ing for public worship in Mechanicsville (Moodus). On the 2ist of September following, the church was reor- ganized under the name of the " Central Baptist Church in East Haddam." New articles of faith were adopted, and since that time the place of worship has been at their new house in Moodus. The first pastor of the church in Moodus was Elder Bela Hicks, whose successors have been as follows: Rev. A. J. Watrous, Elder Knapp, Levi Wakeman. June i8th 1854, Elder James M. Phillips; August 31st 1856, Elder A. Watrous; May 3d 1858, Rev. A. V. Dimmock; Sep- tember 6lh 1862, Rev. Mr. Haven; March 25th 1866, Rev. Thomas Attwood; April 30th 1867, Rev. Percival Matthewson; May 8th 1870, Rev. C. N. Nichols. The present parsonage was purchased in 1868 for $2,000. Methodist Episcopal Church, Moodus. As early as 1792, Methodist preachers passed through the town of East Haddam on their way from Middle- town and Hartford to Norwich and New London and occasionally preached here. A family of Chapmans and another by the name of Ely, living in the eastern part of the town, were among the first Methodists in East Had- dam. Lorenzo Dow preached in the house of Judge Higgins, at East Haddam Landing, in 1825 and 1830. Lewis Bates and Thomas G. Brown, still living at East Hampton, are known to have preached here, besides many others whose names are unknown. Classes were formed at Millington and Leesville early in this century, but no steps were taken to build a church until the spring of 1834. At that time Danforth Burgess bought of Ab- ner Brainerd, a piece of ground in Moodus for $50. On this lot a frame for a church building was erected in the fall of 1834. The building was completed the following year and was dedicated about November 25th 1835, Schuyler Seager, of Middletown, preaching the sermon. The building committee consisted of Danforth Burgess, Erastus Downing, Timothy F. Andrews, and David Cicero Wheeler. The church was enlarged in 1850, and in 1882 the interior was repaired and greatly improved at a cost of $750. The property now consists of a church, valued at $3,500; a parsonage, valued at $1,800; and a house on the Willimantic Camp Meeting Grounds, val- ued at $350. The charge was a portion of a circuit until 1844, when it became a separate station. The successive ministers have been: 1834, Leonard B. Griffin, Parden T. Kennef; 1835, Freeman Nutting, Amos Simpson; 1836, David Todd, John F. Blanchard; 1837, David Todd, assisted by students from Middletown; 1838, James Nichols, Solomon Cushman; 1839, Thomas W. Gile, assisted by students; 1840, Charles C. Barnes, Moses Stoddard; 1841, Abraham Holway, assisted by students; 1842, Lozien Pierce, Chester Field; 1843, Lozien Pierce, Ebenezer Blake;- 1844 and 1845, William S. Simmons; 1846, Benjamin L. Sayer; 1847 and 1848, Henry Tarbush; 1849, Moses Chase; 1850, George W. Brewster; 1851, Roger Albiston; 1852 and 1853, Warren Emerson; 1854, John F. Sheffield; 1855, William Cone; 1856 and r857. Nelson Goodrich; 1858 and2i859, Henry W- Conant; i860, George Burnham; 1861, L. D. Bent- ley; 1862 and 1863, C. M. Alvord; 1864, F. A. Brown; 1865 and 1866, George W. Wooding; 1867 and 1868, Joel Bishop (died June 1868); 1869, William Turking- ton; 1870, J. M. Worcester; 1871, H, S. Smith; 1872 and 1873, Anthony Palmer; 1874-76, J. H. Nulling; 1877, A.W.Paige; 1878 and 1879, E. M. Anthony; 1880 and 1881, E. F. Smith; 1882, R. D. Dyson; 1883 and 1884 F. C. Newell. The present membership is 115. The Catholic Church in Moodus.* Previous to 1850 the district of Moodus was not visited by any Catholic priest for the purpose of hold- ing divine service. Occasionally one. might be seen there, but it was to administer the last sacraments of the church to some stray Catholic, who happened to be dying, for at that time the Catholics were few and scat- tered over a wide area; and as the custom is at present, where Catholics are too few to constitute a parish, they were assigned to the care of the nearest resident pastor. Moodus is not a parish, but only an outmission, and is attached to the parish of Colchester, whence it is attended every second Sunday. From 1850 to 1853 Rev. Father McCabe officiated in Moodus occasionally. From 1853 to 1855 Rev. John Lynch used to attend Moodus, coming from Chester, where he resided. From 1855 to i860 Rev. Clark Reilly, and others from various places visited Moodus as occasion required. The Rev. Father Creighton, the first pastor of Col- chester, appointed in t86o, was the first priest who held divine service at regular intervals in Moodus, going there once a month, and as there was no church in Moodus service used to be held in the house of one of the pa- rishioners. Mr. Creighton, for a consideration of $165, purchased a site for a church from Mr. Foote, of Marlborough, Conn., and Rev. Mr. McCarton, who succeeded Mr. Creighton in 1867, built a-church thereon. Rev. Patrick Fay assumed charge on the removal of Mr. McCarton in 1873, and remained in charge until his death in 1879. The Rev. J. H. Duggan followed and administered the parish until April 1880, when he was removed to Water- bury, and was replaced by Rev. B. W. Bray, the present rector. In 1883, Father Bray enlarged the church, and fitted it up in an elegant and tasteful manner. The church will now seat 300, and in case of need, accommodation can be found for fifty more. The site on which the Catholic church stands is the highest and most prom- inent in, the village, and from the church door the view of the wooded hills and deep-shaded valleys to the south and west, with the white-painted homes and mills of Moodus in the foreground, is really beautiful and impressive. The Catholic population of Moodus at * By Rev. B. W. Bbat, Pasiok. 3'o HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. present is about 250. There is a Sunday school number- ing sixty children, and the mission, financially and mor- ally, is in a thriving condition. The Moodus Savings Bank. This institution was organized in 1827. The first offi- cers were: W. E. Nichols, president; Charles E. Brown- ell, vice-president; and E. W. Chaffee, treasurer. The present officers are: C. E. Brownell, president; Amasa Day, vice-president; E. W. Chaffee, treasurer and secretary. The first directors were: W. E. Cone, Amasa Day, D, S. Purple, Robert Chapman. The present directors are William E. Cone, David Purple, William L. Fowler jr., Albert E. Purple, Theodore Fuller. The Connecticut Valley Advertiser. This newspaper is published at Moodus. It was estab- lished in 1869, by E. Emory Johnson, Esq., who con- ducted it for a period of four years, when it was pur- chased by Joseph E. Selden, an old resident of the town, under whose management it has since remained. The Advertiser has a weekly circulation of 2,500 copies, and is sent into various parts of the world, wherever East Haddain people have gone. Moodus Drum Corps. Among the prominent organizations in the town of East Haddam is the Moodus Drum and Fife Corps, which is very widely known, and has a reputation second to no other sitiiilar organization in the country. It has been invited to participate in nearly every im- portant event, in which martial music was appropriate, that has occurred in or about New England in many years, "and on each occasion acquitted itself creditably. These musicians have taken part in two grand contests for the championship of the State, and have in each in- stance borne off the honors. The first, an elegant banner, was won at Rockville, Conn., on the 10th of October 1877; the second was won at Hartford, Conn., in October 1880. They have also had friendly contests with many other prominent bands, the most noted of which was the famous Ninth Regi- ment Drum Corps of New York city. This occurred on the 24th of February 1879, at the armory hall of the Ninth Regiment, in the presence of three thousand people. The affair, which concluded with a grand reception, was one of the finest in the history of the regiment, and one of the most enjoyable in the history of the corps. The band was organized in the autumn of 1864, under the tuition of the veteran drummer, W. Percival, and consisted of the following members: F. W. Brainerd, W. S. Comstock, D. L. Williams, Emory Lewis, H. E. Cook, U. S. Cook, U. S. Purple, T. R. Spencer, J. S. Ackley, William Brown. Of course many changes have occurred during the 20 years of the existence of the corps, yet a goodly number of the original members remain, and the leader, Mr. Per- cival, though he has long since laid aside the drum and sticks, finds pleasure, in his 85th summer, in listening to the practice of his boy. The style of their playing is that of the days when their teacher was in his prime, and their costume is of the old continental fashion. Their drums, too, are of the old style, and several are more than one hundred years old, yet in a perfect state of preservation. The corps is now prosperous under the leadership of Dr. U. S. Cook, to whom much credit for its excellent standing is due. The i)resent members are. — Fifers: Benjamin Adams, fife major; G. R. Buell, Leander Cook, Charles C. Mor- gan, W. A. Cone, Edward J. Grindshaw, W. A. Kinner; snare drummers: U. S. Cook, drum major; W. S. Com- stock, D. J. Treat, Merrill E. Wetherell, D. L. Williams, secretary; base drummers: Sidney E. Ackley, William E. Odber, George N. Bowers. INDUSTRIES OF MOODUS. The Moodus Water Company. — Bashan Lake is situated in the northeastern part of East Haddam, and covers an area of about 400 acres. It is from this body of water that the motive power of the many mills at Moodus is derived; indeed, the industrial prosperity of the town is largely traceable to the existence of this lake. In 1857, the old Moodus Water Company was formed under the joint stock act of the State, and Bashan Lake, together with certain rights of flowage, was purchased. The stock owners were the then proprietors of the mills on the stream below the lake. Each mill owner took a certain number of shares of the stock, and the value of the shares so taken was made the basis of assessment for taxation or contribution. The company proceeded to raise a dam at Bashan, and also constructed a small res- ervoir on Fall Brook, a branch of the Moodus River. But the stockholders found themselves in a dilemma similar to that of the States under the old articles of the confederation. There was no power inherent in the or- ganization by which it could compel the payment of the assessments levied on the stock. Consequently, in 1872, a charter was obtained from the Legislature incorpora- ting the Moodus Reservoir Company. The charter is somewhat unique, and evinces the wis- dom or forethought of Mr. C. E. Brownell, under whose supervision it was prepared. It declares the special ob- jects and business of said corporation shall be " to build and purchase and hold reservoirs, and develop and im- prove the water power and water supply on Moodus River and its tributaries, and to buy, sell, own, and deal in any real or personal property necessary or convenient for the prosecution of said business, and generally to do all things incidental to said business, and to the proper management thereof. " Capital stock of said corporation shall be $7,500, and the said capital stock shall be divided into 300 shares of $25 each. EAST HADDAM— MOODUS MANUFACTORIES. 3" " No person or corporation shall be entitled to sub- scribe for the capital stock of said corporation except such as are owners or part owners of mills or mill sites situated upon Moodiis River, in the town of East Had- dam, and any corporation owning a mill or mill site situ- ated upon said Moodus River may become a subscriber to the capital stock. The shares of stock shall be appur- tenant to the mill or mill sii,es in which the several stock- holders shall be owners, and shall not be transferred by the parties except upon the transfer of the interest of such shareholder of his interest in the mill or mill site to which said stock is appurtenant, and whenever any stock- holder shall transfer and convey his interest in the mill or mill site to which his said stock is appurtenant, or whenever the same shall pass from him by operation of law or otherwise, his title to said stock shall pass with the title to the said mill or mill site, and as an appurte- nance to the same and said miU or mill site owned by each subscriber thereto shall always be subject to a lien for the payment of the capital stock subscribed by him and for the payment of the assessment on said stock." The charter further provides for an annual tax of four dollars per share,, which cannot be suspended so long as any indebtedness of the company remains unpaid. A new dam was built, in 1883, at what is known as Great Falls. In i860, the outlet at Lake Bashan was so modified as to reduce the level of the water eighteen inches. This resulted in a law suit brought by adjacent landowners versus Moodus Water Company. Among other privileges the water company purchased a lease by which they were allowed to build the dam as high as the water would rise. On the dam being so raised, about 1865, an action was brought against the company for flowage. A third action was brought for drawing the water down to the old mark, on the claim that an excavation had been made prior to the modification of the outlet above described. The first action was decided against the company, the fiowage petition in its favor, and the third, tried before Judge Origen Seymour, resulted in a com- promise. The Union Manufacturing Company.— The old grist mill which was located at this place, was a fixed institu tion for many years. When and by whom it was built is unknown; but from' all information it always presented that worn-out, tumble-down appearance, which is sufifi- cient evidence of antiquity. There was also a saw mill here, which was operated for several years, and was probably the first mill of the kind in this portion of East Haddam. The Indian name of the settlement in this locality was " Pum-pum-Bash unk." In 1829, a company was organized, composed of the following gentlemen: Noah Bulkley, William Palmer, Aaron C. Palmer, Joseph W. Cone, Augustus Olmstead, Lemuel Dickinson, and Asa Smith, who, under the firm name of " The Union Manufacturing Company," com- menced the manufacture of cotton yarn at this place. A dam was erected near the mouth of the small pond, and a suitable building was constructed on the site of the old grist mill, which had been removed. The amount of the capital stock actually paid in March 4th 1830, was $17,000; and at that time the company had introduced looms, and were making cotton shirtings. This com- pany continued business up to the time of the failure of Noah Bulkley, after which the mill was run irregularly until the purchase of the concern by Elijah Purple and Colonel William Palmer jr. in 1845. After the purchase of the mill by Purple & Palm'er, they discontinued the making of twine, which was carried on by the "Union Manufacturing Company," in 1840, under the superintendence of Mr. Edward Brownell. New looms were introduced, and the manufacture of cot- ton duck was begun. The new firm continued the busi- ness, not without success, till the 15th of April 1856, at which time the entire property was conveyed to N. A. Cowdry, of New Haven, who, on the first of August 1856, sold the same to the Moodus Water Power. Company. Once, in making conveyance of personal property and real estate, Mr. Bulkley conveyed to Prime, Ward & King, of New York, a portion of his interest in the Union Company; and after the purchase of Mr. Cowdry, this firm in New York failed, and conveyed their title to a house in London; thus, at one time " The Union Manu- facturing Company's " property was owned partly in Eng- land, and partly in " Pum-pum^Bash-unk." This alien- ated part of the estate was recovered by Mr. Cowdry, and reunited to the industrial wealth of America. After the water power company came into possession of the j)roperty, it was sold to various parties. Mr. S. S. Card purchased the mill, which was at once demolished, and the tenements were sold at different times, as pur- chasers could be found. For a period of 27 years this mill was operated, and to-day there is not a vestige remaining to show that there was ever a manufactory there, and of all those who were directly interested, not one remains to tell the story. New York Net and Twine Company. — It is stated elsewhere that from time immemorial a grist mill existed at Bashan, where subsequently stood the factory of the Union Company. The same observation may also be made with reference to the site where now stands what is familiarly known to-day as the " Red Mill," the next one in order, and the first in the United States which manufactured by machinery cotton seine twine. It is believed that Captain Stephen Cone was the original owner of this property, and that he purchased it from the twenty-seven men who bought the town from the Indians; at all events, he is the first of whom any record is given, and he reconstructed and operated the grist mill here. For a long time previous to the Revolutionary war, this property was in the Cone family, and subse- quently came into the hands of Jonah Cone, who was a lineal descendant of Captain Stephen Cone. In 17 12, Jonah Cone deeded this property to Captain Thomas Gates, and the latter left the estate to his son, George Gates, by whom the mill was rebuilt. From 312 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. George Gates the property descended to N. D. Gates, and from him to Phineas Gates, wlio was the father of William L. Gates. Phineas Gates held the property but a single day, and then deeded it to Gideon Brainerd, and from him it passed into the possession of Dyer Higgins, and thence to George Higgins and Hezekiah Crowe)]; from Crowell it repassed to George Higgins, and then into the hands of " The Smith Manufacturing Company," and finally in. 1834 to the " Nichols Company,'' where it remained un- til 1869, when a half interest was sold to Demarest & Joralemon, of New York city, and the name was changed to its present style. Ebenezer Nichols, the founder of seine twine man- ufacturing and the builder of the fifth mill was born in East Haddam, June 24th 1770. He received the usual common school education, and early applied himself to business, first to mercantile, and later to mechanical pur- suits. In 1822, he was in the service of the " Smith Manufacturing Company," and it was during this period that he experimented with and perfected the machinery for making seine twines. Mr. Nichols commenced his experiments in the Smith Company's mill, on a twister containing 24 spindles; 12 for the first and i.i for the last process; both on one machine. The twine thus made was from the yarn which he purchased from the Smith Company. The experiment was a success, and in 1827, not having sufficient room, and the company being unable to supply him with what yarn he needed, he re- moved into a room of the Union Company's mill at Bashan. Large quantities of yarn were at times trans ported from the mills at Uncasville, a distance of 25 miles. Soon after, Mr. Nichols bought out Mr. Stanton S. Card and Mr. George Higgins and associated with him in the business, Timothy Green, They built the " red mill," and at once commenced operations on their own territory. William E. Nichols, the son of Ebenezer Nichols, was born August rsth 1806, and at this time (1827) was a medical student; but because of failing health he aban- doned his professional studies and turned his attention to manufactures. About 1828, he purchased the interest of Card & Higgins, and with his father gradually extended the business. Ebenezer Nichols died November 19th 1842, j/E. 73 years. About 1837, the firm associated with them, Mr. Roswell Davidson, built a small shop, now a a part of the " East Mill," and engaged in the manufac- ture of gimlets, under a patent granted to Mr. Orville Percival. In this enterprise they were not successful, and the building was for a time devoted to the manufac- ture of spool thread, and finally twines. About 1850, W. E. Nichols purchased the interest of Mr, Green, and took the entire business on his own account, Mr. Davidson having previously retired. During 1849, Mr. Nichols perfected and patented a pro- cess for twisting twine and rope, by which both the strand and main cord were "laid up" simultaneously, making a line known in the market as "patent" or "hard laid twine." To meet the increasing demand for his goods he enlarged both of his mills, and the business flourished until the breaking out of the war in i86t. In 1869, Mr. Nichols associated with him the firm of Demarest & Joralemon, of 100 Barclay street, New York, and Mr. Z. E. Chaffee of this village, under the firm name of "The New York Net and Twine Com- pany." This firm purchased the machinery owned by the late Charles H. Havemeyer, of Newburgh, N. Y., for the manufacture of twine and netting, built a new mill in the eastern part of the village of-Moodus, at the "Great Falls," in size 68 by 40 feet, three stories high, with basement and necessary tenements. In 1880, an addi-- tion 40 by 50 feet, of the same height as the main build- ing, was annexed thereto. The power at this mill is sup- plied by a " Journal Turbine " wheel, 14 inches in diam- eter, which revolves 900 times per minute, and affords 45- horse power. The machines knit any size of twine, from six to twenty-four threads, and from one and a half to six inch mesh; they tie from eight to nine hundred knots per minute, and it is believed that they make more per- fect work than can be done by hand. In 1869, Mr. Nichols sold his two twine mills to the Net Company, thus merging the business into one con- cern. The Nichols " East Mill," before mentioned, is located about one-fourth of a mile east of the Moodus post office, and is 30 by 100 feet, ground size, two stories high, with basement, and is operated by a 30-inch turbine wheel, under a head of 20 feet. This mill is operated exclu- sively on soft twines, carpet warp, and kiiitting cotton, and produces about 1,800 pounds of goods per week. The lower, or as it is familiarly known, the " Red Mill," is located in the center of the village of Moodus. In size it is 36 by 100 feet, with detached picker-room, is two stories high, with basement, and is operated by a turbine wheel 30 inches in diameter under a head of 2 1 feet. In the basement of this mill are located the works of the Moodus Machine Company, where general repairs for the mills are made, and machine building is carried on to some extent. The two stories above are devoted to the manufacture of hard laid- twine, and pro- duce about 3,300 pounds 'per week, of all sizes, from nine threads to cord suitable for clothes lines. This mill is under the supervision of Mr. Gelston Mitchell, who has been in the employ of the concern for 43 years. It and the one at " The Falls " are furnished with powerful force pumps and hydrants, with sufficient hose to reach all the tenements. The company employs about 80 operatives, male and female, and has a monthly pay roll of $2,500. Eighteen bales of cotton are used per week, and 6,000 pounds of twine and netting are pro- duced. Mr. Z. E. Chaffee, who was the business superinten- dent for several years, died June loth 1877, since which time the general management has devolved on his son, Mr. E. W. Chaffee. The Hon. William E. Cone, who for a period of 25 years was the bookkeeper and general manager of the EAST HADDAM— MOODUS MANUFACTORIES. 3^3 affairs of the company, was born in 1805. Mr. Cone entered the employ of the concern in 1842, and remained until 1867; twice he has served in the General Assembly, and twice in the State Senate. Atlantic Duck Mill.— On the 23d of September 1851, a corporation called the Atlantic Duck Company was organized. The principal stockholders were: Eldad Taylor, R. W. Miller, F. M, Palmer, M. H. Silliman, J. B. Silliman, William Palmer jr., Joseph Nickerson, Eli- jah B. Purple, T- C. Boardman, C. A. Hubbard, Samuel Ingraham, William Palmer, and Benjamin Flanders. Wil'iam Palmer jr. was chosen president, and the capital stock was fixed at $10,000, all of which was paid in by the 6th of April 1852. This stock was, in 1853, increased to 150,000, and in 1859 reduced to f 40,000. Operations by this company commenced at the stone mill, and a successful business was carried on there till about 1857. In that time the company purchased land farther up the stream, erected a large mill, and placed in it the best machinery that could be procured. During the night before which operations were to commence the mill was burned. It was at once rebuilt, and it has been successfully operated since. Albert E. Purple, a son of Elijah B. Purple, deceased, has long been local manager and secretary. The motive power of this mill is a Swain turbine wheel, under a head of 40 feet. Forty operatives are employed. The mill has 1,712 spindles, and about 7,000 pounds of cotton are used weekly. WILLI.4MS Duck Company. — On the ist day of De- cember 1855, the Williams Duck Company was organ ized, with a capital of $30,000, which was subsequently increased to $38,000, all of which was paid in. The pur- poses of the corporation were the manufacture of cotton duck, cotton and woolen goods of all descriptions, and all kinds of machinery from wood and iron. The mill was burned in the winter of 1863-4, but it was at once rebuilt, and work was resumed. It covers an area of 100 by 45 feet, and has three stories above the base- ment. 5,000 pounds of cotton per week are used in this mill, and 30 operatives are employed. It is said that the goods produced here are not excelled by any in the market. Jehial F. Williams has been president of the company from its organization. The Undine Twine Mills. — It has been stated that Mr. A. E. Purple purchased from Jonathan O. Cune the mill and privilege belonging to the estate of Stanton S. Card. Mr. Purple commenced operations at once at this place, and he is still manufacturing cotton twines, carpet warps, etc., with good success. The name "Undine" was adopted in 1878. This mill is operated by a 30-inch Tyler wheel, and runs 1,216 spindles, consuming 2,600 pounds of cotton per week, and producing 2,200 pounds ot goods. There are employed 15 operatives. On the 22d of June 1878, Mr. Purple purchased from W. E. Nichols & Co., or the New York Net and Twine Company, the factory known as the " Nichols East Mill." This mill, under Mr. Purple, has been put into the best possible condition, and new machinery for the manufac- ture of " patent," or hard laid twine, has been intro- duced. The motive power is a 27-inch Hercules wheel, under a head of twenty feet. The mill operates 1,424 spindles, consuming 4,000 pounds of cotton, and pro- duces 3,300 pounds of manufactured goods per week. It employs about 20 operatives, with a monthly pay roll of over $500. The Granite Twine Mill. — The first cotton mill in Moodus was erected in 1815. It was located on the west bank of the Moodus River, about a mile and a quarter from its mouth, and was known as the " Stone Mill." It was 66 feet in length by 36 in width. It was at first capable of operating from 1,500 to 2,000 spindles. In 1816, a joint stock company called, in honor of its most active promoter and first president. Captain Asa Smith, the " Smith Manufacturing Com- pany," was organized. The principal stockholders were: Captain Asa Smith, Phineas Gates, Robert B. Chapman, Judge William Carter, of Killing- worth; and Julius Chapman. The land and the water privilege were purchased from Phineas Gates, a large landholder here. At first yarn was made by machinery and was woven on hand looms by people in their houses, and it was not till 1820 that power looms were intro- duced. Robert B. Chapman was the business agent and manager. A small store was established in one corner of the mill, and subsequently removed to the " Red House," just opposite the present stone store. This was the first store in Moodus. Judge Carter became the business agent, and in 1822 the present stone store was built, in which Ebenezer Nichols was clerk. In 1825, Mr. Car- ter was succeeded as manager by his son William Carter jr., and he, after one year, by Joseph Brainerd. In 1829, the company failed, though its liabilities were small, and after some litigation Epaphroditus Champion, in 1831, purchased the property, which consisted of nine acres of land, with the water privilege, factory, store, two dwelling houses, and other buildings. Mr. Champion also purchased the machinery, and operated the mill, ir- regularly, till his death in 1842. By his will Mr. Champion devised the property to Mrs. Sarah Cowdry, and after her to her son, Loren, and his heirs, if any. It was leased to Sweet & Smith, which firm afterward became Sweet & Wetherell, and it was operated by them till 1849, when Allan & Ulford be- came the lessees. In 1849, the mill was destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt by the Cowdrys, and in 185 1 was leased by the Atlantic Duck Company, which was formed that year. This company operated the mill successfully till the spring of 1858, when, having built a mill of their own, they relinquished it. Palmer & Purple then oper- ated it for a time, but were soon succeeded by Cowdry, Rogers & Co., who continued the manufacture of duck till the death of Mr. Cowdry, in the spring of 1861. J. B. Silliman & Co. then leased the mill, and it was oper- ated by this firm till the death of Mr. Silliman, in the summer of i86g. Frothingham & Baylis, of New York city, then became the owners, and the mill was idle dur- ing four years. 41 314 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. In the autumn of 1873, C. E, Blair and C. E. Brown became tlie owners of the property. They introduced new machinery, and engaged in the manufacture of car- pet warp and wrapping twines. After about two years, the property reverted to Frothingham &Baylis, who sold it to William H. Crowningshield, and he in turn deeded it back, after a year. In 1878, it was purchased by William L. Fowler jr., was renovated, new machinery was supplied, and the manufacture of cotton twines, cord, etc., was entered on. In t88i, an addition, 12 feet square, surmounted by a bell tower, was erected. The-machinery is driven by a 36-inch Cushman wheel, 1 ,000 spindles are operated, 260 bales of cotton are an- nually used, and 104,000 pounds of goods are annually produced. Brownell & Company. — In 1825, J. H. & E. P. Brown- ell conducted a wool carding and cloth dressing estab- lishment on the site of the present mill of Brownell & Company. This clothiery was afterward utilized for the manufacture of satinet, and for various other pur- poses. In 1844, E. P. Brownell purchased his brother's interest, and entered into a partnership with Stanton S. Card and Elijah Spencer. They enlarged the mill to its present capacity, and commenced the manufacture of seine twines. Several changes in the firm were made, and in 1852 it was dissolved; and, under the same name, a new one was formed, consisting of E. P. Brownell, Richard S. Pratt, and Charles E. Brownell, a son of the senior partner. In 1872, Charles E. purchased the inter- est of Mr. Pratt, and under the old firm name of Brown- ell & Company, he and his father conducted a prosper- ous business. In 1875, Edward P. Brownell, the senior partner, died; and since that time the business has been conducted by the junior member of the old firm. The manufactory is 24 by 70 feet in size, and three stories in height above the basement. The first floor is used for carding, the second for spinning, and the third for twisting and packing. The motive power is a 40-inch Hunt wheel, under a 20-feet head. Seine twine, carpet warp, and knitting cotton are manufactured here. Fif- teen operatives are employed, and about 2,500 pounds of cotton are used annually. Yankee Mill. — On the site of this mill a grist mill formerly stood, and many other grist and saw mills were scattered along the stream. The history of these has faded away in the long ago, and of other mills of various kinds that afterward existed little is known except that they once were there. This cotton mill was long known as Smith's mill, be- cause, until the death of Watrous B. Smith, who had, during more than 40 years, been its general manager, it was controlled by the Smiths. After Captain Asa Smith, in 1819, sold his interest in the stone mill, he purchased this property from Noah C. Hurd, and during the next year erected a cotton mill. Mr. Ransom Whittemore became his partner, and they commenced the manufacture of cotton yarns, but after- ward engaged in making shirtings. Connected with the mill was a machine shop, in which the machinery was made and repaired. In 1825 Watrous B. Smith, a son of Asa, became general manager. In the same year Mr. Whittemore sold his interest to Noah Bulkley, and in 1826 new looms were introduced. It is remembered that during this year the arch bridge here was built, under the superintendence of Captain Asa Smith, Phineas Gates, and Stephen Cone; and that the expense was defrayed by subscription. In the spring of 1829, Watrous B. Smith purchased his father's interest in the business, and, with Noah Bulkley, as a partner, established the Oakville Manufacturing Company. The career of this company was not prosper- ous, and, in 1843, an assignment was made to John C. Palmer. In 1844, the mill, with its contents, was de- stroyed by fire. It was at once rebuilt by Mr. Palmer, and in 1845, W. B. Smith was again manager of a mill here. The new firm. Palmer & Smith, introduced duck looms, and engaged in the manufacture of cloth. In the summer of 1846, Fox & Polhamus, of New York city, purchased the interest of Mr. Palmer, and the firm became W. B. Smith & Co. In 1864, Mr. Smith became sole proprietor. In 1865, Harper Boies pur- chased the property, and Robert C. Smith, son of W. B. Smith, became his partner, Mr. Boies purchased the in- terest of Mr. Smith in 1866, and he has successfully con- ducted the business since. The mill is 45 by 70 feet in size, and the machinery is operated by two 3o-inch Humphrey improved wheels. Since t88i, exclusive attention has been given to the manufacture of seine twine. About 5,000 pounds of cotton are used per week, and twenty hands are em- ployed. The Moodus Manufacturing Company. — The his- tory of this concern is of considerable importance. Mr. Daniel Wetherell, the builder of this mill, was born in Portland, Connecticut, March 22d 1814. In 1843, Mr. Sweet, of Grafton, Massachusetts, a partner of Mr. George Smith, of Valley Falls, Rhode Island, came to Moodus and rented the " Cowdry mill." On the ist of April 1844, Mr. Wetherell purchased the interest of Mr. Smith in the Moodus mill, and successfully operated the same, in company with Mr. Sweet, up to 1848. In 1846, Mr. Wetherell turned his attention to the water privilege farther down the stream. During the same year, the firm purchased land of Mr. Amasa Day, and erected the main building of the Moodus Yarn Company. The dimensions were 100 feet long, 40 feet wide, and four and one-half stories high. It was constructed entirely of stone. The canal right was purchased from Mr. Sylvester Cone. The concern was ready for opera- tion in 1849, and the making of spool thread was begun in that year. This was continued to 1851, when the manufacture of print goods was commenced, with 48 looms, the number being subsequently increased to 96. Sweet and Wetherell failed in 1847. An unsuccessful attempt was then made to form a joint stock company. In this state of affairs, H. & S. B. Chace, of Valley Falls, creditors of the former firm, took East haddam— moodus manufactories. ^•s possession, and in 1848 organized the Moodus Manufac- turing Company. The original members of the company were: S. Chace, H. B. Chace, Oliver Chace jr., George Smith, and I. S. Harrington. The first officers were: Harvey Chace, presi- dent; I. S. Harrington, secretary and treasurer. The capital stock was $12,500. In 1864, an addition was made of a building 69 by 36 feet. The motive power is two turbine wheels under a 4i}4 feet head, and a steam engine, that was introduced during the dry season of 1871. The mill operates 5,712 spindles and 100 looms; consumes 3,500 pounds of cotton per week; and produces about 3,300 pounds of goods. Fifty-four operatives are employed, with a monthly pay roll of $1,200. In 1872, this firm imported from Manchester, England, 3,268 mule spindles, and in 1874, from the same place, a Slubber speeder, the only one ever brought to this country. The selling office is located in Providence, R. I. Mr. Samuel B. Chace died in 1871. He was known as "'The bobbin boy of 1806, and the railroad and reservoir man of 1828." Card & Company. — Stanton S. Card, a native of Sterling, Connecticut, came to Haddara in 1821, and en- tered the service of the Smith Manufacturing Com- pany as a machinist, and afterward became general owner. George Higgins then owned and operated a grist mill where the "Red Mill" was afterward located. This privilege was, in 1826, purchased by Ebenezer Nichols, who erected over the grist mill a cotton fac- tory, and Messrs. Card & Higgins became his partners. They engaged in the manufacture of cotton twines which they carried on successfully till 1830, when Mr. Nichols purchased the interest of his partners. Messrs. Card & Higgins then purchased from Austin Chapman, the site now occupied by the lower Neptune Mill, and erected thereon a mill for the manufacture of seine twines. This mill was completed in the spring of 1832. It was 36 by 40 feet, and three stories in height. Here Messrs. Card & Higgins commenced the manufacture of cotton twines, wrapping twine, stocking yarn, etc., and the business was prosperous. In 1840, Emory Johnson and Jonathan O. Cone, sons-in-law of Mr. Card, became partners, and the firm name was changed to Card & Co. In 1846, Mr. Higgins retired from the firm, and Elijah Spencer and Roswell Davidson were ad- mitted. In 1845, another mill, the one now owned and operated by Albert E. Purple, was built. Three or four years later, Mr. Davidson sold his in- terest to the company, and in November 1861, Mr. Spen- cer died, and the company consisted of Messrs. Card, Johnson & Cone. Mr. Card had erected a grist and saw mill in the upper part of the town. In 1849, the lower mill was enlarged by the addition of 20 feet to the main structure. In 1861, Mr. Johnson sold to the company his in- terest in the concern, and in 1865, Mr. Cone sold his interest in the upper mill, after which it was rented, at different times to different parties, and was idle a por- tion of the time. Albert E. Purple was for a short time associated with Mr. Card in operating the lower mill. On his retirement from the firm, E. Emory Johnson, a son of Emory Johnson, was admitted as junior part- ner. In 1867, Mr. Card died, and the lower mill prop- erty came under the management of Emory Johnson, and the upper mill came to Jonathan 0. Cone, who soon sold it to Albert E. Purple. The Neptune Twine Mills — Mr. Emory Johnson, the proprietor of the Neptune Mills, was born in the town of Chatham, August nth 1817, and at an early age entered the employ of the Central Manufacturing Com- pany. He subsequently became a partner in the firm of Card & Co., where he had a long and valuable experi- ence. Desiring to embark in business on his own ac- count, in the spring of i86o he sold out his interest in the firm, and from them purchased the privilege where now stands his " upper mill." A good substantial stone dam was built, and a building was erected, 80 feet long by 34 feet wide, and in the spring of 1862 the mill was in full operation. This mill was the only one in town that did any business during the great Civil war. After the death of Mr. Card the lower mill, belonging to the firm of Card & Co., came into the possession of Mr. Johnson, and he soon afterward put it in excellent condition by extensive repairs and the introduction of new machinery, and it has since been operated, in con- nection with the new mill, in the manufacture of cotton seine twine. The lower mill is 80 feet long by 36 feet wide, and three stories high. A brick lapper room 28 by 32 feet, was annexed in 1883. Cotton seine twine welting cord, carpet warp, and knitting cotton are the articles made. These goods have acquired an enviable reputation, and are sold to the principal dealers through- out the United States and Canada. There are employed in these mills 30 operatives with a monthly pay roll of $950. Nine thousand pounds of cotton are consumed each week, producing about 7,500 pounds of goods. The upper mill is operated by a 30- inch Bristol turbine wheel, and the " lower mill " by a 36-inch Cushman wheel. Gas is used for illuminating the " upper mill." In 1864, the name of " Neptune " was adopted, and, in 1876, the first premium medal and di- ploma was awarded to these mills. Pine Brook Duck Company and The Anchor Mills. — In i860, Mr, Daniel Wetherell organized what was known as The Pine Brook Duck Company, and erected a mill at Pine Brook, on Haddam Neck, and in 1 86 1 commenced the manufacture of light cotton duck. The business succeeded well under his management, and the prospects for a success were favorable till September 2oth 187 1, when the mill was totally destroyed by fire. Not abating in energy, Mr. Wetherell proceeded to re- build, and in 1872, he erected what was known as the "Anchor Mills," on the site of the old building, and com- menced the manufacture of cotton warps. This venture did not prove very successful, and in 1877, business here was entirely suspended. Mr. Wetherell has since de- voted his attention to agricultural pursuits. 3t6 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Pine Brook takes its rise in Pocotopaug Lake, in East Hampton, and farther down the stream are the famous bell factories of that town, several saw mills, an old satinet mill, and finally the Anchor Mills of Mr. Weth- erell. Below the Anchor Mills was formerly the paper manufactory of C. B. House & Co. A little farther down the stream empties into Salmon River, about half a mile below Leesville. LEESVILLE. Mr. Jonathan Kilbourn was the pioneer at this place, and the first to take advantage of the splendid water power here presented. Mr. Kilbourn removed from Colchester and settled upon his new land in the year 1763, and at once commenced clearing the ground and making other preparations for the manufacture of linseed oil. There were many obstacles to be overcome; it was like taking up an abode in a new country; but the de- termination and perseverance evinced were fully equal to the task. The building to be used as the oil mill was built on the same site where the present mill stands, and was a low frame building. In 1764 everything was in operation, and Mr. Kilbourn had built and was living in the house on the hill, known to-day as the Lummis house, and owned by Mr. Isaac Weildon, Be it remem- bered that this was the first oil mill erected in the State of Connecticut. During this present year (1764) Mr. Kilbourn was elected a selectman in the town, and dur- ing the years that followed, he held several positions of trust. He connected with his works a carding and full- ing mill and also built the first saw mill, the business of « which increased rapidly from year to year. Here was the first carding introduced to the town in its simple and undeveloped form. Mr. Kilbourn was a natural me- chanic, and while at this place he invented the iron screw, used for expressing the oil from flaxseed; also an apparatus for pressing cloth. This was the first screw and boxes ever cut by machinery in the world. It is claimed by the family, which by the way is a very large and honorable one, that Mr. Kilbourn admitted into his shop, an Englishman who, observing his invention, took the proper dimensions etc., went to England, and claimed to be the original inventor. There is on record the following, viz.: "April 25th 1767: Town meeting. East Haddam: Voted — That it is absolutely necessary to build a Bridge over Salmon River, a little northerly of the dwelling house of Jona- than Kilbourn, Esq., and south of Salmon Hole; one end of the Bridge to lye on Haddam, and the other end on East Haddam. Jonathan Kilbourn, Esq., is a committee to build the said Bridge." The bridge was built accord- ing to instructions, by Mr. Kilbourn, and by vote it was rebuilt in 1807. Subsequently it was frequently repaired, but was carried completely away by a flood, and at pres- ent a good substantial iron bridge crosses the stream just south of the present mill, and about ten rods be- low the old wooden structure. Mr. Kilbourn removed to Colchester, after remaining at the mills and doing a successful business for nearly 20 years, and died on the 14th of October 1785, in the 79th year of his age. On his tombstone is the following inscription: " He was a man of Invention great, Above all that lived nigh; But he could not invent to live. When God called him to die." Captain Jonathan Kilbourn, the son of Jonathan Kil- bourn, was the successor at the mills, and for several years, in partnership with his brother, David, carried on an extensive business. The manufacture of oil was con- tinued, also the fulling and carding mill. Captain Kil- bourn was born, in Colchester, April 12th 1742, and was about 42 years of age when he took control of the prop- erty. He was a man of enterprise and public spirit, as was also his brother David, who was associated with him. They carried on an extensive and successful business for nearly 20 years, when misfortune seemed to dawn, and the hitherto successful career of the family seemed to be on the wane. In the year 1800 there was living at the Landing a family of Lords, who came from England but a few years previous, and to this family the Kilbourns became somewhat involved. They (the Kilbourns) were anxious to enlarge their works and to develop more fully the re- sources of the place, but cruel fate proved unrelentless, and about the year 1806, the mortgage was foreclosed. The property came into the possession of Samuel P. Lord, and was controlled by his sons, Richard and George, who associated with them one Josiah Barber, who by marriage was in some way connected with the family. It was claimed by the Kilbourns that they had been grievously wronged by the Lords, and actually de- frauded to the amount of several thousand dollars, and tradition says that they pronounced " a woe and a curse " upon the place. Jonathan Kilbourn and his successors, Captain Jona- than and David, whatever may have been their misfortunes, most certainly evinced determined and enterprising spirits, and their positions, socially and politically, ranked with the first in the State. Jonathan was a commissioned lieutenant (June 14th 1776) during the Revolutionary struggle, and in October 1778 he was commissioned as captain of the Third Company, 25th Regiment. David was a man of sterling integrity, and filled very many important positions. He was a justice of the peace for 12 years in succession; he was also first selectman, auditor of public accounts, moderator, and chairman of the highway committee. He was also a deacon in the Congregational church, and in October 1789 he was commissioned as captain of the Third Com- pany, 25th Regiment, of Connecticut militia, the position made vacant by the resignation of his brother. David removed to New York, where he died at the residence of his son, Samuel A. Kilbourn, in Liberty, Sullivan county, August 6th 181 2, aged 68 years. Captain Jonathan died about the year 1795. Captain Kilbourn left an- other enduring monument to his memory, in the shape of EAST HADDAM— LEESVILLE. 3'7 a large stone basin, capable of holding two or three bar- rels of water, which now stands, as it has stood for years, in front of the Kilbourn residence. This basin was dug out of solid rock, and served as a reservoir; a hole was drilled through the bottom and connected with the spring on the hill by a wooden pipe composed of bored logs. Into this cool reservoir for many years there bub- bled up a spring of pure cold water, affording a conven- ience and a comfort which the farmers of the present day seldom enjoy. In i8o6, the Lords took control and proceeded to further develop this splendid water power which was still in its infancy. Samuel P. Lord was a man of consider- able wealth and influence in the town, and resided at the Landing. Mr. Lord died at the Champion House in 1809, and bequeathed to his sons, George and Richard, the entire amount of his large property. About this time their business at the Landing was closed up, and the two brothers moved to Leesville (then called the Hollow), in order that their whole time and entire ener- gies might be devoted to the prosecution of their new business. On the site of the old oil mill they proceeded to erect a woolen factory and clothiers' works; they also built a bark mill and enlarged the saw mill which had been first erected by the Kilbourns. Instead of one saw as heretofore they introduced eight, and sawed a length of 70 feet. The woolen mill contained five machines for spinning, and used about 10,000 pounds of wool annu- ally. Richard lived in the house occupied and owned by the late Charles D Wright, and George resided in the house now owned and occupied by Hobart Wright. Jo- siah Barber, who married into the Lord family, was at this time associated in the business and the firm name was Lord & Barber. The name of the place had changed to " Lords' Mills." Business continued pros- perous for seven or eight years. On the night of March the 30th 1815, these mills, with nearly all their contents, were consumed by fire, and the loss occasioned by the sad disaster was about $25,000. The Lords were not disheartened, nor did their ener- gies relax in the least. During the next summer they erected a fine brick building, 65 by 35 feet on the ground, and four stories high, with a roomy attic. This building was supposed to be fire proof, the floors, as well as walls being laid with brick. In 1816, they introduced about 500 additional spindles, and were putting forth every ef- fort to increase and otherwise enlarge their business. They had, in connection with their works, a machine shop, where all the necessary machinery was made and repai'red; but they had encountered heavy losses and were compelled to mortgage their property heavily to the State of Connecticut, on account of loans received from the school fund, and in 1822, a foreclosure was the re- sult. George and Richard were both arrested and con- fined in jail for debt, subject to the limits; Richard escaped his creditors by running away to New Connecti- cut, which he subsequently purchased, and George died on his limits in Haddam, in the house opposite the court house. After the failure of the Lords the property was held in charge by Isaac Chapman, who acted as agent in behalf of the State. For some time the mills remained idle. In 1823, Mr. John Gray, of Lisbon, Conn., assumed the command, and the wheels were once again put in motion. The mill was filled with machinery adapted to the manu- facture of satinets, and the store, which had been opened by the Lords, was filled with a general assortment of merchandise. This property inventoried at the time of the failure, $28,000. About the ist of May 1825, Mr. Gray went down to New York, and there purchased $roo,ooo worth of stock and merchandise, which he had shipped to East Had- dam. One month afterward, he failed in business, and made an assignment to John Breed and Asa Childs, of Norwich, and to Nathan Sears, his general manager and superintendent. With the failure of Mr. Gray, at Lord's Mills, ended the manufacture of woollen goods at this place, and a new era was to be inaugurated. Looms were introduced, and machinery adapted to the manu- facture of cotton cloth. There were then in this village 17 dwelling houses, besides the mill, store, saw mill, and storehouses, all of which were in good condition and re- pair. In the year 1826, Mr. Henry S. and S. H. P. Lee jr. bought the property from the State, and under the firm name of H. & S. Lee, commenced the manufacture of 4-4 cotton slieetings and cotton battings. They es- tablished the first post office, at which S. H. P. Lee jr. was postmaster, and gave the village its present name. The Wrights had leased the saw mill, and, as formerly, it was doing an immense business, and Salmon River in those days was the scene of busy commercial life. Vessels of light draught were built here, and launched and taken out during high water or times of freshet. The sloops Napoleon and Eliza were built at this place. Leesville had, at this day, acquired quite a business reputation, and was the center of trade in the town for a long period of time. An immense quantity of timber was sawed here and boated down the river, and large rafts of logs were almost daily seen upon the waters of the Salmon. In various ways, however, the Lees spent a vast amount of money and were obliged at various times to bor- row aid from their cousin, Samuel Parsons, Esq., of Hart- ford, who was at that time the cashier of the old United States Bank in that city. This state of affairs continued until 1832, at which time an assignment was made to Doctor S. H. P. Lee, of New London. Mr. Parsons again came to their relief, and Henry S. Lee was enabled to make settlement of their indebtedness, and resumed (S. H. P. Lee jr. retiring) manufacturing and contiunued until about 1840, when from pecuniary inability he was compelled to relinquish entirely. After the removal of the Lees, Samuel Parsons jr., came from Hartford to Leesville, and operated the mill for nearly one year, in order to run out the stock on hand, after which he went to Europe, and his father, Samuel Parsons, owned and had control of the property, which was leased by him in 1843 to the new firm of Richmond & Wheelock. In 3t8 HISTORV OP MlDbLfeSEX COUNTY. 1843 they commenced the manufacture of print goods. The career of this firm, however, was very short, and in 1846 they too were obliged to follow in the'footsteps of their predecessors, and on account of the failure of Adams & Tiffany during this year they made an assign- ment. But again, for the sixth time, was business re- sumed. In the spring of 1849 a company was organized, composed of Stanton S. Card, Daniel B. Warner, and Martin Chapman, all residents of the town except Mr. Chapman, who lived in the adjoining town of Haddam. The mill underwent a thorough renovation, new ma- chinery adapted to the new business was introduced. On the 8th of June 1854, N. A. Cowdery Esq., bought up the interest of Card, Warner, and Chapman, and as apears by record in the town clerk's office, on the next day after the purchase, sold the same to a company which has since been known as The East Haddam Duck Company. The amount of stock was limited to $30,000 and the or- ganization comprised the following named gentlemen, viz.: Stanton S. Card, president; J. R. Gardner, D. B. Warner, and Loren Cowdery, directors. The amount of capital stock actually paid in August 24th 1854, was $15,482.50. The company at once went to work, threw out old and put in improved machinery, and commenced the manufacture of cotton duck, with Loren Cowdery as general manager and agent.' On the night of J"ne 19th 1861, by some cause which has ever been shrouded in mystery, this splendid mill, with all of its improved machinery, stock and goods on hand, was for the second time burned to the ground. Frothingham & Baylis about 15 years ago purchased the entire stock of the company, and to-day are the sole pro- prietors of the Leesville manufacturing property, although they are known at home and abroad as "The East Had- dam Duck Company." After the death of Mr. Silliman the affairs of the concern were speedily adjusted, and Mr. Nelson H. Bowers, a young man of considerable mechanical skill, was chosen superintendent by the firm, which position he now fills, not only with credit to him- self but with profit to his employers. The mill, tenements, and other buildings connected with the property are all in excellent condition, and the machinery used is all of first-class modern construction. The mill runs 1,000 spindles, uses 624 bales of cotton a year, and produces about 192,000 yards of sail cloth, or cotton duck. It contains 12 Patterson looms, and em- ploys about 25 operatives, with a monthly pay-roll amounting to $1,000. There is one more fact connected with the place which had almost been forgotten, and is worthy of record. Mr. Joseph Whittemore was for many years proprietor of the hotel at Leesville and was co- temporary with the Lords and Lees. The fact which we record is that he had a family of 14 daughters,' all of whom were born, reared, and married at the old home- stead. Mr. Whittemore died in the year 1855, at the ad- vanced age of 74 years. If the manufacturing interests did meet with misfortunes and failures from year to year, the Whittemore family was most certainly a brilliant suc- cess. There is still another little incident with reference to the hotel of Mr. Whittemore which we must not fail relate. The house was opened to the public in the year 1827, and Mr. Whittemore employed an old Scotchman by the name of Fisher to paint him a sign which would indicate or represent his various branches of business viz: ship building, navigation, farming, &c. The sign, when finished and put in position, represented on one side a view of Mount Tom, the mouth of Salmon River, with a scow boat fully manned, also a section of the Connecticut River, with a sloop heading up the river, under press of canvas; on the other side was painted an animal intended for a cow, but no one could tell to what species it belonged, as the hind parts resembled a hog, the shoulders an ass, and the head a fierce bull. The picture excited roars of laughter and many remarks, which, with some doggerel, the boys would sing (a specimen of which we quote) was the means of driving the poor old Scotchman from the place. " But Joseph keeps a tavern and wants a good sign, Something: neat and cheap, but appropriate in design; He called on friend Fisher, who said he could paint A cow or a scow or old Patrick bis saint; But when he had done it, it looked like a fool For instead of a cow he bad painted a bull. CHOBtrs— Berry down down, hi derry down, A bran new sign is raised in the town. " Now Joseph was pleased with the fun that was made, And cared not a straw for whatpeople said: Tho' most of his neighbors when by it they'd pass Would swear 'twas no bull, but a real jackass. Chorus— Derry down down, hi derry down &c. Old Mr. Starr, of Middletown, the grandfather of E. W. N. Starr, had a government contract for making swords. The blades were forged in Middletown, and every one of them were ground and polished at Kil- bourn's Mills. The Leesville of to-day is a pleasant village of about 15 families, the heads of which are worthy citizens, noted for honesty, frugality, and democracy. HADLYME. The society of Hadlyme was formed from East Had- dam Society and Lyme Third Society in October 1742. About two-thirds of the society is in East Haddam. About the time settlements began at Creek Row, Samuel Spencer from Haddam settled in the upper portion of Hadlyme. As early as 1692, Thomas Hungerford was an inhabitant of this parish; and John Holms, from New London, was a resident there as early as 1710. Isaac, John, and Abel Willey, from New London; Thomas Harvey, from England: and John Marsh, from Braintree, Mass., were among the first settlers in this locality. Here is a copy of the original record: " Att a General Assembly holden att . New Haven on 14th Day of October Ano: don — 1742 — Upon the meniorial of Isaac Willey, Stephen Scovil, John Corn- stock and other members of the first Society in East Haddam and the third Society in Lyme preferred to this Assembly in May Last and the Report of the Comittee EAST HADnAM— HADLYME. 319 thereon — to this Assembly in their present Sessions pro- posing that ye memorials: st be formed into a Distinct Society for Carrying on ye worship of God a-raongst themselves according to ye Bounds &c — Limits therein Specified. This Assembly Do Enact, Decree, and Order That ye said Isaac Willey, Stephen Scovil, John Corn- stock and the Rest of the Inhabitants of the Parrish hereafter Described be and they are here by Imbodyed and made one Distinct Eclesiastical Society by the name of Hadlyme, and that the Bounds thereof to be as follows viz Beginning at a Whitoak Tree Standing by the Great River being accounted ye bounds between Lyme and East Haddam thence Running Southerly to William Clemans. In eluding' Mr. Selden's farm by the River thence East ward from said Cleman's house unto ye house where Consider Tiffany now lives including that house thence running northwesterly to the South East corner of James Masses farm thence running northeasterly by s'd Masses his Land to the Repouted bounds of East Haddam. Then beginning at s'd Whitoak Tree by the Rii^er from thence Extending one mile and three quarters north To the River and from the Extreem of that Extent Easterly to James Booge's house including said house thence Easterly to Elijah Ackley's house including s'd House thence East unto the Line of Millington Parrish and from thence Southerly By s'd Millington Line unto the Line between s'd East Haddam and Lyme and by Last mentioned Line unto Mose his Land aforesaid." A council, consisting of Rev. Messrs. Stephen Hos- mer, George Beckwith, and Thomas Skinner, Elders, and Deacon Jeremiah Gates, Daniel Ely, Esq., Benjamin Colt, John Gates, Henry Champion, and Deacon Eleazor Smith, Messengers, convened at the house of Lieutenant John Comstock, on the 26th of June 1745. This council drew up, for those who desired to be em- bodied into a church, a confession of faith and other articles of confederation, " to which they all assenting and consenting, signed the same as follows:" "Grindal Rawson, Pastor; John Hungerford, Samuel Crosby, Ephraira Fuller, John Millard, John Comstock 2d, John Comstock, Samuel Dutton, Christopher Holmes, John Comstock 3d, William Comstock." They had employed various candidates to preach to them, before the organization of the church and the set- tlement of Mr. Rawson. " December 9th, 1742, a Society Meeting (of which, Capt. John Hungerford was the Moderator) proceeded to make arrangements for the building of a Meeting House. " Att the same meeting it was then and there voted the Meeting House which said society have a Greed io build shall be in length /^r/y and six foot, and in width it shall be thirty zxi^ five foot, and the post to said house shall bee twenty foot long. ' Same time ' it was voted that the place for the meeting house to stand upon, should Bee on the Nole west of Job Beckwith's house." " Said Meeting House was probably raised in the sum- mer of 1743, after sending Christopher Holmes as a committee ' to the Legislature to obtain liberty to raise the same.' " " It was taken down in the fall of 1840, and the pres- ent edifice erected on the same site, was completed the same year, and dedicated on the 6th of January, 1841." At a meeting held "May ye 28 1745 it was then and there voted that wee Will Give ye Rev. Mr. Rawson to- wards building his house in s'd society if he Settles in tiie work of the ininistre a-mongst us the sum of one hun- dred pound old tenor in Labor to be payd in the lime that we way his settlement." The Hadlyme parsonage, the large brown house on the hill, was built about 1746. Mr. Rawson lived here dur- ing his ministry. Afterward his son. Rev. E. G. Raw- son, brought up a large family here; in fact, for over 100 years, it was the home of the ministers. The pastors of this church have been: Rev. Grindal Rawson, who was installed, September i8th 1745, and and died, March 29th 1777, in the 70th year of his age, and the 32d year of his pastorate. Rev. Joseph Vaill was ordained February 9th 1780, and died November 2isl 1838, aged 87 years, having been 52 years pastor of this church. Rev. Ralph S. Crampton was installed May 23d 1832, as colleague with Mr. Vaill and was dismissed November 5 th 1834. ' Rev. George Carrington was installed as junior pastor February 25th 1835, and was dismissed February 2d 1842. Rev. Stephen A. Loper commenced here in February 1842; was installed May 15th 1845, and dismissed June 3d 1850. Rev. E. B. Hillard was ordained and installed March 14th 1855, and was dismissed April i ith i860. Rev. Daniel W. Teller began January ist i86g, was ordained and installed April 19th 1870, and was dismis- sed January 2d 1872. The following have been acting pastors, who served a year or more: Revs. Matthew Scribner and Samuel Collins, from 1777 to 1780; William Goodwin, 1850 to 1851; James Noyes, 1851 to 1853; William D. Sands, 1853 to 1854; Henry W.Jones, i860 to 1866; Charles Cutting, 1866 to 1867; Henry M. Vaill, 1872 to 1875. The following have been deacons in this church: June 8th 1746, Samuel Dutton, probably died 1749; June 8th 1746, Samuel Crosby, probably died 17S5; January 1750, Christopher Holmes, died April 12th 1792, aged 77; March 1756, Samuel Selden, was a col- onel in the Continental Army; died a prisoner of war in the Old Brick Church, N. Y., 1776, aged 52; April 1792, Jabez Comstock, excused 1802, died 1807, aged 84; March 1780, Israel Spencer, excused 1802, died 1813, aged 82; October 1802, Israel S. Spencer, excused 1833, died 1837, aged 74; June 1803, Israel Dewey, died 1806, aged 52; June 1815, Ithamar Harvey, died 1847, aged 82; January 1828, Selden Warner, excused 1833, died 1843, aged 82; March 1833, Samuel C. Selden, excused 320 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. 1846, died 1852, aged 65; May 1833, Elijah Comstock, excused 1846, died 1858, aged 84; September 1846, Isaac Chester jr., dismissed April 1852; November 1854, Frederick A. Tiffany, left the place in 1868; November '854, Joseph Selden, dismissed in 1859; February 1866, William C. Spencer; May 1869, Almon Day, dismissed in 1874; September 1874, Silas R. Holmes. The advanced position which this church occupies re- garding the temperance reform is shown by the rules which were adopted some years since: 1. "The church regards the manufacture, sale or use of alcoholic liquors as a beverage, in the midst of the light which now exists upon the subject, as inconsistent with the Christian profession. 2. " No person shall be received into its membership on profession or by letter, who manufactures, uses or sells such liquors as a beverage. • 3. " If any member is known to do any of these, it is made the business of the Standing Committee to report the case to the church. 4. "The church recommends and requires all its mem- bers to use their influence in every legitimate way against such manufacture , use or sale.'' Manufacturing. C. A. Chester, of Hadlyme, was formerly engaged in the manufacture of shingles and small lumber. About 14 years ago, he devoted his attention to irregu- lar turning of handles of every description. The busi- ness has become one of the principal branches of in- dustry in the town, and the facilities for work have doubled within a few years through the careful attention of the proprietor. Mr. Chester's goods are said to be the best in the market. PROMINENT MEN. Dr. Eliphalet Nott. East Haddam, and particularly Millington, has been the birthplace or residence of many prominent men, men whose names have been illustrious in connection with national and State governments; men who have adorned the higher and nobler professions of life; men, and women too, who can be referred to with pride. Many of them sleep in the church yards; many went forth and have never returned from the fields where they so nobly toiled; some still live to adorn their chosen professions. One of the most remarkable men of the age was Dr. Eliphalet Nott, who lived during several years of his boyhood on the old road running north from the old Austin Beebe house in Millington. He lived here with relatives, having been left an orphan at quite an early age. During his early life he had to endure many of the hardships of poverty. For want of shoes he was forced to go barefooted most of the year. When quite young he had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, and not- withstanding his limited opportunities, and the obstacles he had to encounter, at the age of 19 passed a successful examination for the degree of Master of Arts, and actually had the degree conferred upon him, by Brown Univer- sity, without his having attended college a single day, He chose the vocation of the ministry, and after the usual three years' study, was ordained at the age of 22. He was married soon afterward, and with his bride, on horseback, started on his wedding trip to what was then the far West. They stopped and made a settlement at the new village of Cherry Valley, about fifty miles west of Albany. Soon after his settlement the fame of his talents reaching Albany, he was invited to become the pastor of one of its principal churches, which invitation he accepted. While here he preached his famous sermon on the death of Hamilton, which attracted universal attention, and which still ranks as one of the most eloquent and strik- ing ever delivered in the United States. Seven years after he came to Albany he was called to the presidency of Union College, in the building up and management of which he displayed talents for business that' would have sufficed for the government of a nation. He was also the inventor of the famous " Nott Stove," for burn- ing coal, the patents of which procured a vast revenue, so that when he died he was one of the richest men in the State of New York, west of Albany. In the 50th year of his presidency he gave to Union College, as a permanent endowment, the sum of $610,000. He held his position during 61 years, and died in the 93d year of his age. Born before the Revolution, inheriting an alrnost per- fect bodily constitution, with talents of the highest order, which were used only for the benefit of mankind, he lived to see the close of the Rebellion, bequeathing to the world a name and a fame that will never die. General Epaphroditus Champion and Jonathan O. MOSLEY. East Haddam boasts of the unusual honor of having two members of Congress at one time, both of whom were elected for several terms, under the old law for electing Congressmen by general ticket. These were General Epaphroditus Champion and Jonathan O. Mos- ley. General Champion lived at the old Tyler place, East Haddam Landing. He was a member of the Gen- eral Assembly in 1793. He had command of the 24th Regiment of the Connecticut State Militia before his election to Congress. Colonel Mosley lived but little over a mile north of General Champion, on the place now owned by William J. Morgan. He was a lawyer, and held the office of state's attorney for Middlesex county, from 1797 to 1805. He was elected to Con- gress for eight terms; had held command of a regiment of State militia, and was also a justice of the peace in town for a number of years. His granddaughter is the wife of the Hon. Hiram Willey. His grandson, William, O. Mosley, resides in Hadlyme. His father, Thomas Mosley, was quite a popular physician; was a member of the State Medical Association, and was also a justice of the peace. Timothy Green, a resident of the Landing, was afterward elected to Congress under the district EAST HADDAM— BIOGRAPHIES. 321 system. These members all proved thejnselves a credit to the town, county, and State. Captain Green, the father of Timothy, was identified with the early history of the town as a large landed proprietor; was captain of accompany in the Revolution; was the first postmaster in East Haddam, and held many other positions of trust. The Emmons Family. The Emmons family, which settled on the East Had- dam and Colchester Turnpike, where Ralph Stark now resides, furnished several prominent men. Among them were Rev. Nathaniel Emmons, who settled in Boston, and acquired a national reputation for power and eloquence as a Congregational minister; and Ichabod, his brother, who moved to Berkshire county, and became somewhat noted as a politician. He was sent to the Legislature for many years, and many anecdotes are related of his wit and humor. He declared, at one time, that he should continue going to the Legislature until he had " secured a tax on ministers and jackasses,'' which were then about the only exemptions, and he kept his word. Edward D. Griffin. Edward Dorr Griffin, who was born near Nathan Jew- ett's, became a brilliant light in the ministry, a doctor of divinity, and president of Williams College, in Massa- chusetts. His brother, George Griffin, became equally brilliant as a lawyer, and was for many years a leading member of the bar in New York city, where he amassed a fortune of several hundred thousand dollars by legit- imate practice alone. As a birth-place and residence of the legal fraternity East Haddam has been quite famous. Gen. Dyer Throop. Gen. Dyer Throop was the first judge of the County Court for Middlesex county. He held the office from 1785 to 1789. Previous to this he held the office of justice of the peace. At the close of the Revolutionary war he commanded the 24th Regiment of Connecticut Militia. He died June 4th 1789, at the age of 51. Francis H. Cone. Francis H. Cone, who died in Georgia a few years since (the oldest son of Joshua Cone), was, perhaps, one of the most brilliant men ever raised in this town. He was a distinguished lawyer, afterward elected to the ofifice of judge of the Supreme Court, in the State of Georgia, which position he filled with great credit. Theo- dore C, and Frederick T., were also graduates of Yale. EUPHALET A. BULKLEY. , Hon. Eliphalet A. Bulkley practiced law for several years in East Haddam, where he had good success. He afterward removed to Hartford where he continued practice and became very wealthy. He graduated at Yale College in 1824, and is placed upon the records of the Lionian Society as the Hon. Eliphalet Adams Bulk- ley, Pres. Soc. Fellow Y. C. Sen. Conn., from East Had- dam. The Cone Family. Daniel Cone, born in 1626, came over from Edinboro> Scotland, and settled in Haddam, with his four sons, in 1670. He left one son in Scotland. The family moved to East Haddam a few years afterward, built a log hut, and settled on the farm recently purchased of Jonathan Cone by Benjamin Edwards. Until this transfer it had remained in the Cone family. Daniel died in 1706. His sons were: Daniel, Jared, Stephen, and Caleb. One of them retained the homestead; one settled on the spot where Zachary Cone now lives; one near the Palmer Place now owned by Mrs. Doane; and the other near Elijah Warner's. The homestead finally came into the posses- sion of Capt. Stephen, who in turn bequeathed it.by will to Stephen, John, and Reuben. Capt. Stephen was buried in the Methodist cemetery in 1752. He occupied a house standing a few rods east of the one above referred to. It was demolished a few years ago. He erected a new dwelling on a spot about ten rods north of the pres- ent house, the foundations of which are now completely obliterated. The house was two stories in front and in rear. The settlers in those early days used to assemble, at times and surround the wolves, starting as far as Mid- dle Haddam and driving them down on the neck where they became good targets for the hunters. Stephen used to interest his grandchildren by relating how the family often sat on the back door step and listened to the howl- ing of the wolves as they were driven through the forest. At that time the highway ran from Fuller's Landing, near Schofield's, in an easterly direction, and struck the Moodus road, near Oliver Emmons'. The house where Edwards now lives stands directly in this old highway. The property next descended to Stephen and Thomas Cone. Thomas occupied the land where Chloe Cone now lives. She was a direct descendant, her father be- ing Joshua, who was the son of Joel, who was the grand- son of Thomas. Stephen third retained the old place which from him descended to Elisha, thence to Elisha second, thence to Stephen, thence to Jonathan. The Thomas branch is now represented by Chloe and her nephew, Theodore. Theodore served in the Rebellion as a colonel in the Confederate army, and is now in Wash- ington, D. C. The daughters of Stephen and Thomas intermarried with the Gates, Fullers, Chapmans, and Williams, thus creating a relationship which extends to nearly all the old families in town. Zachary, Robert S., William, E., and the late Helon Cone, of Millington, are direct descendants of Jared, by different branches. Zachary married Elizabeth, daughter of the late Rev. Isaac Parsons, and retains the old place. A. Jared jr. moved to Millington, married a daughter of the early Matthew Smith (See Smith family), and settled on the Balahack road, which runs west from Edwin Em- mons'. The Old Chimney Stock still stands. Then, the road now running by Ephraim Martin's did not exist. The old road was several rods west of the present one, but terminated near the same point. Jared died in 1742. Nehemiah, his son, lived^.in^the Christopher Marsh place, and died in 1819. His chil- 42 322 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. dren were Mary, Newel, Statira, Sarah, Jared, Lucy, and Betsey. Deacon William E. Cone is a son of Newel. He has always resided in East Haddam, has often repre- sented the town in the State Senate, and House of Rep- resentatives, has filled the most important town ofifices, and always performed his duties with great fidelity. His only son, William A., is now living at Goodspeed's Land- ing, where he is engaged in the insurance business. Wil- liam R. Cone, president of the ^tna Bank, Deacon James E. Cone, and the late Sylvanus F. Cone, of Hart- ford, were from East Haddam. Obituary. — " Sylvanus F. Cone, brother of Deacon James E. Cone and William R. Cone, president of the ^tna Bank, died yesterday morning at 7 o'clock, of ty- phoid and malarial fever, at his residence on Warrenton street. Mr. Cone was taken seriously ill the last of Feb- ruary, but having a vigorous constitution he recovered sufficiently to be about and attend to his affairs. About two weeks since, he suffered a relapse, since which time he has failed rapidly. He was born in East Haddam, in August 1814, and moved to this city in 1835, since which time he has resided here continually. He always took a warm interest in public affairs, rarely or never failing to exercise his rights as a citizen. He was, for many years, a member of the board of selectmen, as well as assessor, and filled other important trusts, always performing his duties with scrupulous fidelity. He was possessed of a most genial and kindly disposition, retaining his youth- ful feelings and appearance to a wonderful degree, and was esteemed and beloved by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He leaves a wife and four sons, Jo- seph H., William E., and John B. Cone, of this city, and Augustus F. Cone, who resides in Cincinnati; and one daughter, Miss Ella B. Cone. The funeral service will be held at his late residence on Warrenton street, on Wednesday afternoon." Of the early settlers near Elijah Warner's, Isaac Cone was a direct descendant, and owned the farm extending from Bald Hill to Minor Gillett's, and lived on the place now owned by Thomas Gross jr. The mother of Timothy Holmes and Mrs. Hubbard Ayres are also direct descendants of this branch. The family name of this branch in East Haddam, seems to have become ex- tinct with the death of Robert D. Cone, for many years a school teacher. He was a bachelor, and lived for sev- eral years with Jonathan Clark. The old gambrel roofed house standing on the old road running west from Daniel Peck's was Erastus Cone's. He was the uncle of Lord Wellington. Erastus' father was Israel, who was the son of Israel. The father of William H. and Charles was Samuel Cone, who lived where William C. Gates now lives. Just east of Gates' is an old chimney which marks the house where lived Samuel's father. Deacon Nathaniel. One of his sons went to East Hampton and from him the present Cones in Chatham descended. Nathaniel was elected deacon of Millington Church about one year before his death, which occurred April 15th 1790. He had eight sons in the Revolutionary war. Rev. Spencet H. Cone, the eminent Baptist divine, was born in Millington, just south of E. F. Peck's. For a number of years he stood at the head of a Baptist Church in New York city. Helon Cone settled in Foxtown, among whose rocks he delved out quite a fortune. He left by will $10,000, in trust, to be loaned at low rates of interest to deserving young men of the town — the principal and accumulated interest to be so used forever. Time would render the possibilities of such a fund beyond computation, and he was advised that such a provision would hardly stand the test of law. He revised it and demised that when the sum shall reach $75,000 it shall be applied to the build- ing of a free academy in Millington Society. He died in 1878. His nephew, William H., son of Samuel, died three years before. He was the largest land owner in the town, and for many years exerted a great influence in town affairs. He left one son, William Lyman, now living on Millington Green. Thus it may be seen that Israel and Samuel formed different branches of the original family, but all of the name of Cone in the United States, forming numerous and wide-spreading branches, may trace their origin to that same old trunk which is represented by Daniel Cone, who settled in Haddam. Jonathan Olmstead Cone. Among the 28 proprietors who settled within the limits of Haddam Society on the west side of the river, was Daniel Cone, the ancestor of Jonathan Olm- stead Cone. He had been for some time previous a citizen of Hartford, from which place he removed with ten others who composed a part of the 28 proprietors to whom permission was given by the General Court, in 1660, to occupy the plantation known as Thirty Mile Island. The deed for the lands was obtained direct from the Indians. In 1685, Daniel Cone with a few others removed to the east side of the river and settled near what was known as Creek Row. From that period down to the present time the Cones have been promi- nently identified with this locality and have borne a con- spicuous part in the history of the town and county. Stephen, the father of J. O. Cone, was born in the town of East Haddam, where he married Mary Fuller, daughter of Thomas Fuller, a member of the First Con- gregational Church of Haddam. Jonathan Olmstead Cone was born in East Haddam, on the i8th of October 1814. He was fitted for college by Rev. Isaac Parsons, who, in 1813 or 1815 had been an instructor of President Woolsey, in Hartford. Young Cone entered Yale College with the class of 1831, and left it in the third term of the freshmen year. He sub- sequently taught school in the vicinity of his home and afterward in New Jersey. Later in life he traveled quite extensively in the South until he reached Texas. He remained there about a year, until the invasion by Santa Anna. He returned to East Haddam about six months after the battle of San Jacinto, and in 1836 engaged in the manufacturing business, vyhich he continued until EAST HAt)t)AM— BIOGRAPHIES. 32j 1 86 1. He then purchased the farm which his American ancestor, Daniel Cone, acquired by deed from the Indians in 1662. He disposed of the property in 1870 and re- tired from business. He evinced a deep interest in everything that pertained to the welfare and happiness of his fellow citizens. In the settlement of estates and other matters requiring considerable legal ability, he was of great assistance to his neighbors and friends who relied to a large extent on his judgment. He was justice of the peace for eleven or twelve years and judge of- Probate for the District of East Haddam from 1850 to 1851. In 1852, he was elected a member of the Legislature. On the 7th of December 1836, he married Almira O. Card, daughter of Stanton S. Card. Mr. Cone died in 1883, leaving no children. His widow resides in the town of East Haddam, near the vil- lage of Moodus. William R. Cone. William R. Cone, of Hartford, son of Joseph W. and Mehitabel Cone, was born at East Haddam in 1810. He became a student at Yale College in 1826, studied law in that institution, and was admitted to the bar at New Haven in 1832. He then became a partner in practice with William Hungerford Esq., and the partner- ship continued till the death of the latter, though after i860, he refused further retainers. Besides his professional business, Mr. Cone has been largely connected with many of the important enterprises of the day, a list of which cannot be given for want of space. His wife, to whom he was married in 1833, was Re- becca Brewster, seventh in descent from the Puritan Polder, William Brewster. The Brainerd Family. Among the early settlers from Haddam was Daniel Brainerd jr., who settled at the lower end of the Creek Row, near the spring just below the Royal Ayres place. His father, Daniel, came from England when eight years of age, and was the ancestor of the Brainerds in this country. He settled in Haddam in 1662, and was a prosperous and influential man, a justice of the peace in the town, and a deacon in the church. The family is very numerous in this part of the country, and has always ranked among the highest in wealth and influence. Two doctors, Daniel and Hezekiah, were eminent physicians; Thomas, Israel, Timothy G., Elijah, and Nehemiah were popular ministers of the gospel; Hon. Jeremiah and Hon. Hezekiah gained much distinction as legislators and judges, while David and Rev. John earned world-wide renown as missionaries among the In- dians. The latter two were children of the Hon. Heze- kiah. Their older sister married Gen. Joseph Spencer, of' Millinglon, in whose family David, the eminent mis- sionary, lived for four years. David's labors were for a long time with the Lenni Lenape and other tribes along the Delaware River. The finest church in Easton, Pa., is Brainerd Church, a fitting monument to his name and fame. Daniel Brainerd, the original settler, had eight chil- dren, as follows: Daniel jr., Hannah, James, Joshua, William, Caleb, Elijah, and Hezekiah. All the Brainerds in this country are said to be descendants of these children. Of this town, William O. and Abby Brainerd, Mrs. Silas Nichols, Judah and Benjamin Lewis, Milton, John, and Frank Brainerd, and many of the Days in Westchester, are descendants of Daniel jr. The Gates descended from Hannah. Joshua Brainerd's residence is marked by the old cellar mound, just south of Selden Brainerd's; and from this branch descended Colonel Orrin Warner, Brainerd Emmons, Miss Lucretia Brainerd, and Mrs. Blakeman. Joshua was commander of the first military company formed in East Haddam. Erastus and Silas, the Portland quarry owners, are descendants of James. Selden T. Brainerd, David B., and George Sexton, of East Haddam; Fisk and Henry Brainerd, of Haddam Neck, and Cornelius Brainerd, of Higganum, are descendants of William. Caleb was the ancestor of David Brainerd, of East Haddam. Mrs. Francis Palmer is a descendant of Elijah. John G. C. Brainerd, a brilliant writer, editor of the Hartford Mir- ror and author of a book of poems from which the poem " Machit-Moodus " was copied, was also a native of this town. Hon. Joseph Spencer, Hon. Joseph Spencer (eldest son of Isaac), married, August 2d 1738, Martha, daughter of Hon. Hezekiah and Dorothy (Hobart) Brainerd. Joseph Spencer was ad- mitted to the church at Millington, March 23d 1746. He was Assistant (Senator), Connecticut, in 1774 and 1775; and judge of Probate in 1775. "June 30th 1774, in town meeting duly warned — Hon. Joseph Spencer was chosen moderator, a unanimous vote was recorded for a Declaration of American Rights." "January 6th 1778, Articles of Confederation were unanimously adopted." He presided on this occasion also, and frequently besides. (E. H. Records.) In May 1778, he was made a member of the Council of Safety. In the Colonial army, 1756, he was a major, and afterward a colonel, and must have served with some distinction, for at the commencement of the war with Great Britain the State of Connecticut turned immediately to him as a leader, and the Assembly, in the month of March 1775, appointed " Col. David Wooster a major-general, and Col. Joseph Spencer, and Israel Putnam to be brigadier-generals," thus making him second in rank in the State. The war had now actually begun, and Washington had been chosen commander-in-chief. Congress proceeded to appoint four major-generals and eight brigadier-gen- erals; they named Ward C. Lee, Schuyler, and Putnam for the former positions, and Pomeroy, Montgomery, Wooster, Heath, Joseph Spencer, Thomas, Sullivan, and Green for the Utter, thus making Spencer's rank tenth in the Colonial army; but there is nothing which touches a soldier quicker than to see his subordinates placed 324 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. above him, and there is notliing so destructive to disci- pline as such promotions, except for cause. Many feU this besides Spencer, who was at first so offended that he left camp, but was soon induced to return. Gen. Beth Pomeroy, the senior brigadier, refused to serve, and Spencer took rank next to Putnam in the army at Bos- ton. In the division of the army by Washington into three grand divisions, the command of the right wing, on Roxbury Heights, was given to Gen. Ward, the senior major-general, and with him were associated Spencer and Thomas, the ranking brigadiers. In August 1776, Spencer was commissioned major general by Congress. Trumbull painted most of the military and public men of that day, but seems to have omitted Spencer. Spencer's was the last brigade which left Boston for New York; this was on the 4th of April 1776. During the occupation of New York Spencer occupied a redoubt on the present Pike street, between Monroe and Cherry streets, called Spencer redoubt. He also held the left at Harlem, of the line of defense extended across the city from the Hudson to the Harlem at Mc- Gowan's pass. These various positions are now so cov- ered up by the march of population and the growth of the city that they are past recognition, except the pass at the northern extremity of Central Park. On the zglh of August 1776, Washington called a council of war on Long Island, at the Dutch Stone Church, near the junction of the present Fulton and Flatbush avenues, in the city of Brooklyn. The follow- ing ofificers were present, viz.: Washington, Putnam, Spencer, MifHin, McDougal, Scott, Wadsworth, and Parsons, and on the 7lh of September the question as to the expediency of retaining New York city came before the council, and the majority voted to retain it. On the i2th of September, however, another council re- solved on the evacuation with only three dissenting votes, which were given by Heath, Joseph Spencer, and James Clinton. Major General Spencer was soon after placed in com- mand of all the American forces in the State of Rhode Island, and July nth 1777, Major General Prescott, the- English commander, fell into his hands as a prisoner of war. He was treated kindly by his captor, and in a short time was sent to General Washington, who exchanged him for General Charles Lee, a prisoner since December 1776. General Spencer arranged an expedition in September 1777. which was actually embarked, to cross to Long Island, and surprise the enemy. At the last moment, having learned that the English commander was appraised of his plans, he countermanded the order. The facts proved that he had acted rightly, for the enemy had de- termined to allow them to land, and then by destroying their boats, to cut off their retreat and make them pris- oners. Congress ordered an investigation into the affair, to ascertain why the expedition was not prosecuted, and Spencer, in indignation at the implied censure, resigned his commission, and General Sullivan was sent to Rhode Island to succeed him. On the 30th of August 1778, Spencer assisted in Sullivan's retreat, and this seems to have been his last military service. He then returned to his home on the banks of the Connecticut, and doubtless intended to remain there; but his native State had not forgotten him, and he was elected to represent it in ^ Congress. He married a second time, in 1756, Hannah Brown, of Waterbury, widow of Mr. Southmaid; she united with the church December 13th 1788. According to the East Haddam town records, "Col. Jos. Spencer was elected deacon of the Millington So.;iety, November 20th, 1767;" afterward the record shows that " he was excused from service during the Revolution," and again, "reelected April 4th 1788." The last town record reads, " Hon. Joseph Spencer died January 13th 7789, aged 74," to be exact, 74 years, 3 months, and 10 days. He had by his first marriage three daughters and two sons, and by the second marriage four sons and four daughters. His brother. Rev. Elihu Spencer, of the College of New Jersey, was born in Millington. His grandson, John Sergeant, was candidate for vice-president of the United States in 1832. Elizabeth Spencer, daughter of Joseph jr., of Milling- ton, became the wife of the Hon. Lewis Cass, candidate for president in 1848. Hon. Isaac Spencer, of Millington, was for many years treasurer of the State of Connecticut. Calvin Willey. Calvin Willey was born at East Haddam, Connecticut, September 15th 1776; he read law and was admitted to the bar in 1798; he served in the State Legislature and Senate a number of years, and was postmaster at Staf- ford Springs eight years; judge of Probate for seven years; in 1824 he was a presidential elector; and a Senator in Congress from 1825 to 1831. He died at Stafford, Connecticut, August 23d 1858. Datus Williams, M. D. Datus Williams was born in the town of Norwich, Connecticut, February 25th 1793. He was one of nine children, being a descendant in the seventh generation from Robert Williams, of Roxbury, Mass. He was a son of a farmer, and in early life enjoyed such educational privileges as were usually accorded to youths similarly circumstanced at that time; that is the privilege of attending the district school in the winter, the rest of the year working on the farm. While thus employed in assisting his father on the farm pertaining to what has since been known as the Bacon Academy in Colchester, Conn., he formed the purpose of prepar- ing himself for the practice of medicine. With no re- sources but his own exertions, which would, to many have offered insurmountable obstacles to the accomplish- ment of such a purpose, we find him soon after teaching school in New Jersey. While thus engaged in supplying himself with the necessary means, he devoted himself to iJ'Al'^'';^ v;/-;;^ J.-^ILjIAMS .M..jr> EAST HADDAM— BIOGRAPHIES. 325 reading and study, preparatory to that of medicine, and in the year 1820 became a pupil of Dr. Osgood, of Leb- anon, and subsequently of Dr. Cogswell, of Hartford, Conn. He attended lectures at the Yale Medical School, and while there, was a chum of Professor Charles Hooker. He received a license to practice, from Yalu College, in 1823, and the same year commenced practice in that part of East Haddam known as Millington. He con- tinued in this place until 1835, when, a vacancy occur- ring in the western and more populous portion of the town, he moved thither, where he continued in active and successful practice, except when prevented by ill health, up to the time of his death, which occurred No- vember 4th 1867, in the 75th year of his age. For two years previous he had suffered severely from rheumatism, as well as from asthma, a disease to which his family has always been subject, baton the morning of his death he had seemed to be better than for some days before. A few minutes after having passed into the yard, he was discovered by his wife lying upon the ground, as she supposed, in a fit. Dr. H. E. Williams, a son of the de- ceased, who was at home at the time, writes; " I immedi- ately ran to him and raised him, but life was already ex- tinct, he having died evidently without a struggle, though yet rigid in apparently the spasm of an apopleptic fit." As to the immediate cause of death, he suggests farther, " either metastatic rheumatism, or, perhaps, valvular os- sification." Dr. Williams possessed some qualities which constitute the good physician in more than a common degree. At the bedside of the sick he was calm, self-possessed, cheerful, hopeful, and so benefitted his patients by in- spiring them with hope, as well as by his prescriptions. If in diseases of a mild type he trusted more than some to the vis medicatrix natures, he had good authority for doing so; while he was prompt and not sparing with potent remedies in cases demanding their use. Practicing in a region of rough and hilly roads, a considerable por- tion of it but sparsely populated, and frequently called upon long and fatiguing' rides, very few, it is believed, have more promptly or faithfully responded to the sum- mons of the sick, undeterred by storm, darkness, or little prospect of other compensation than a consciousness of having ministered to the relief of suffering humanity. Imbued with much of the esprit de corps, he was jealous of the honor of the profession, and showed little favor to quacks and their abettors. He usually attended and enjoyed meetings of his professional brethren. By a recommendation of the Connecticut Medical Society, he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine from Yale College in 1843. In 1853, he represented the Middlesex County Medical Society at a meeting of the American Medical Association, and repeatedly attended the State convention in the same capacity. He appre- ciated and imijroved the privileges of citizenship, and faithfully discharged its duties. He took an interest in whatever pertained to human progress, whether local or general, and kept himself posted therein. In the family and social circle, he was uniformly kind, social, and genial. Dr. Williams, moreover, thought and acted with refer- ence to the future as well as the present life. In 1839, he became, and continued to the time of his death, a communicant of the First Congregational Church in East Haddam. In 1824, he married Miss Clarissa M. Peck, daughter of Ezekiel Peck, of Millington Society. Three children were the result of this marriage: .H. E. Williams, M. D., who graduated at the N. Y. Uni- versity Medical College in 1847, and practiced his profession in the city of New York until 1864, when he entered the service of his country as assistant surgeon of volunteers. He died from disease contracted while in the service. George Gilbert, the second son, is president of the Chemical Bank, New York. A third, and the youngest child, a son, died in infancy. George Gilbert Williams. Not only has Middlesex county produced some of the greatest statesmen, jurists, divines, and military heroes ihat adorn the annals of American History, but some of the most prominent business men and ablest financiers in the country were born and reared side by side with the honest, hard working farmers o^f this county, and have inherited those sterling traits of character that dis- tinguish the sons of New England wherever they are found. Among the prominent financiers may be mentioned George Gilbert Williams, president of the Chemical Na- tional Bank of New York, -one of the long established, best conducted, and most successful and foremost finan- cial institutions in the great metropolis. Mr. Williams comes from a race of men distinguished for their piety, their zeal, and their devoted and firm ad- herence to the great principles of civil and religious liberty, among whom was Roger Williams, said to be of Welsh origin. The immediate ancestor of Mr. Williams was born in Norwich, Conn., and settled in East Had- dam. His father was Dr. Datus AVilliams, who for forty years was a prominent physician of that town; and his mother was Clarissa Maria Peck, of Millington Society, in the town of East Haddam. George Gilbert Williams, the subject of this sketch, was born at East Haddam, on the 9th of October 1826. As a child he was thoughtful, earnest, ambitious, and studious, and faithfully improved every opportunity afforded him for the acquisition of knowledge. At an early age he was instructed at the district school and then at the academy, and afternoons by the clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Isaac Parsons, in his native town, and then sent to the Brainerd Academy at Haddam, which was then a flourishing institution. He applied himself with great assiduousness to his studies, and made rapid pro- gress especially in mathematics. When he was but 15 years of age, at the earnest solicita- tion of Mr. John Quentin Jones, president of the Chem- 326 HISTORY- OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. ical Bank, New York, he was sent thither and entered that bank as assistant to the paying teller. The same fidelity, honesty, and application that characterized him as a buy, were displayed in his new relations as a busi- ness man, and he rose rapidly, filling the position of pay- ing teller when he was but 20 years of age, being at that time the youngest paying teller in the city of New York. I" 1855, he was elected cashier, which position he filled for many years, displaying great financial ability. His judgment and skill were put to the severest test during this period, which included the great financial crisis of '57; the bank passed through the trying ordeal, meeting all its obligations in gold. From his early childhood he enjoyed the*ninterrupled friendship of Mr. Jones, the president of the bank, who was his faithful adviser, companion, and kind benefac- tor, and on the death of that estimable gentleman, which occurred on the ist of January 1878, Mr. Williams was elected to fill the office made vacant by his decease. He devoted himself to the duties and responsibilities incumbent on the position, but he found time, neverthe- less, to satisfy the demands made by his friends to fill other positions of trust and responsibility, especially those that appealed to his sympathies and large hearted benevolence. He is one of the governors of the Lying-in Hospital, of New York, is a director in the Fidelity and Casualty Company, formed for the purpose of giving bonds for bank clerks, and others, who are unable to give the necessary security in obtaining positions of trust and responsibility. He is a member of the executive com- mittee of the Union Trust Company, treasurer of the In- stitute for Savings of Merchants' Clerks, and trustee in the United States Life Insurance Company. Mr. AVilliams' principles are based upon thoughtful and sincere religious convictions, and he is a member and vestryman ot St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, on Madison avenue. Economy and prudence, united to careful and judi- cious investments, have had their usual result, and he has accumulated a liberal fortune, which is used in a liberal but unostentatious manner. At his beautiful residence on Fifty-eighth street, near Fifth avenue, he entertains his numerous friends, who always find a hearty welcome. In his well assorted libra- ry and handsome paintings he finds ample scope for the gratification of his literary and artistic tastes. With all the new formed associations, however, he still cherishes a special fondness for the scenes of his child- hood, and delights to linger near the spot where, under the tender care of fond parents, he received his first im- pressions of life. On the 14th of November 1867, he married Virginia, daughter of Aaron King, of New York. While this union has been blessed by five children, only one, viz., Clara Jay, remains to cheer them in tlieir declining years, the others having passed through the golden gates to await at the portals of Heaven the coming of their par- ents. Of those who have " gone before " are Nina Buell, born October 20th 1868, died April nth 1875; Roy Quentin, born October 8th 1874, died September 19th 1882; Clinton Caswell, born May ist 1877, died May nth 1877; and Irene, born October 27th 1878, died Jan- uary 7th 1882. The secret of Mr. William's success may be attributed to his unswerving fidelity, as a religious duty, to every trust committed to him. And his life affords a worthy example to the young men of the present generation, who think that characters are formed and fortunes made within a brief space of time. Nature has not lavished on him extraordinary gifts, but he has made the best use of the opportunities afforded him, and has received his just reward in this world, with the promise of the reward that is to come, when the Judge of all the earth shall say " well done, good and faithful servant." Luther Boardman. Luther Boardman commenced life as a poor boy, and worked his own way up, unaided by relatives or friends. He was the fourth, child of Jason Boardman and Lydia Deraing, and was born at Rocky Hill, Connecticut, De- cember 26th 1812. His father and grandfather were both sea captains, and from them he probably inherited those traits of character that were the foundation of his success in life. He attended school during the winter months until he was sixteen, when he apprenticed himself to Ashabel Griswold, a Britannia ware manufacturer, of Meriden, Connecticut, where he continued until he be- came of age. He then went to South Reading, Massa- chusetts (now Wakefield), and took charge of an estab- lishment in the same line of business, owned by Burrage Yale, and at the end of two years became himself the proprietor. In 1837, he returned to Meriden, and subse- quently removed to Chester, Connecticut, where he as- sociated himself with Russell & Beach, Brittania and hollow ware manufacturers. Soon after this he started the manufacture of spoons in the same place, and in 1842, he removed to East Haddam, and has since been engaged largely in the manufacture of plated ware. In 1864 and 1865, he represented the town in the State Legislature, and was one of the delegates from Connecti- cut to the convention that nominated General Grant for his first term. He was one of the original proprietors of, and the lar- gest stockholder in, the Connecticut Valley Railroad and its first vice-president. He was for a number of years land commissioner of the State for the road, and as such assisted in laying out and establishing the line of the road, and he was one of the original incorporators and a large stockholder in the bank of New England. October i8th 1838, he married Lydia Ann, daughter of James A. Frary, by whom he has one child, Norman S., born August sth 1840. William H. Goodspeed. Dr. Field, in his " Statistical History of Middlesex County," gives the names of Nathaniel Goodspeed as one of the earliest settlers of that part of the town of East Haddam, now known as Goodspeed's Landing. He ^5^*""*'>v. '-\. Iv EAST HADDAM— BIOGRAPHIES. 327 came from within the bounds of the Plymouth colony, about 1670, and probably followed the occupation of a farmer. Some of his descendants must have crossed the river, for Joseph Goodspeed, the father of William H., kept a small store at Tylerville previous to 1804. In that year he removed to East Haddam and opened a store in the old building near the ship yard. He mar- ried Laura, daughter of Nathan Tyler, of Haddam, by whom he had six children: George K., William H., Joseph F., Mary Ann, Nathan T., and Sophia. His first wife died in 1832, and not long after he married the widow of Dr. Bigelow. William H. was born at East Haddam, on the 29th of December 1815. He attended the public, and part of the time a private school, until he was sixteen years of age. He was a smart, active boy, and attended to most of the outdoor business of his father. Soon after he be- came of age he became a member of the firm wiTli his father and brother, and on the death of his father the business was continued by him and his brother. While he attended strictly to the business of the firm he was active in the promotion of public enterprises. He was one of the original incorporators of the Bank of New England, of which he was first vice- president and subsequently president. He was for a number of years vice-president and manager of the Hart- ford and New York Steamboat Company; was one of the projectors of the Connecticut Valley Railroad Company, and was indefatigable in his exertions to make the enter- prise a success. He, in connection with his brother, was largely engaged in the business of ship building, and one of the thirteen gun boats ordered by the Government during the war of the Rebellion was built by him at East Haddam. This was the Kanawaha of 569 tons, built in i860. He could never be induced to accept any political nomination, yet he was one of the most active politicians in his native town and used his influence to advance the interests of his friends. He was never knOwn to shrink from any duty, and whenever he became involved in litigation, either in his private or representative capacity, he would fight to the bitter end for what he believed to be right. He was generous to a fault, and could always be relied upon to aid in any benevolent enterprise. He has left his im- press upon the community where he lived and his public acts will remain as a perpetual monument to his memory. On the 19th of April 1847, he married Louisa M. Robbins, of Rocky Hill, Conn. They had two children: Louisa R. and William R. The death of Mr. Goodspeed occurred on the ist of January 1882, and the management of his large and ex- tensive business interests devolved on his son, William R. who has proved himself equal to the important trusts and great responsibility connected therewith. He married, on the 12th of October 1875, Hattie B. Smith, of Waterbury, Conn., by whom he had two children: Louisa B. and William H. His first wife died on the 24th of June _i879, and on the 2Sth of May 1881, he married Phoebe E. Smith, of New London. By her he has had one child, Phoebe E., born May 20th 1882. George E. Goopspeed. George E. Goodspeed, oldest son of Joseph Good- speed and Laura Tyler, was born in the town of East Haddam, February 2d 1813. He acquired a fair educa- tion in the public schools of his native village, with a few months' tuition at a private school of a Mr. Clark. He entered his father's store as clerk when but 16 years of age, and soon acquired a knowledge of the business that made him a valuable assistantto his father. On hisbecom- ing of age he was made a member of the firm. He or- ganized the Bank of New England and was the first president and main support up to the day of his death. Of a naturally quiet and peaceable disposition, he shrunk from litigation and whenever it became necessary to liti- gate any of the interests with which he was connected he turned the matter over to his brother William. He had no taste or inclination for politics, and invari- ably declined to accept any nomination for office. He was a member of and liberal contributor to the Episcopal church during his life. March 25th 1844, he married Nancy Green Hayden, daughter of Horace Hayden, of East Haddam, formerly of Essex, Connecticut, by whom he had four children: Joseph Horace, Georgiana, Carrie Hayden, and George Edward. The third child, Carrie Hayden, died -May 29th 1856. The others are all living. The sons reside in Boston, Massachusetts. Joseph Horace is auditor of the Mexican Central Railroad, and George Edward is connected with the Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Com- pany. The death of Mr. Goodspeed occurred Novem- ber 16th 1863. His widow and only remaining daughter live together at the homestead. Hon. Daniel B. Warner. Daniel Warner, the ancestor of the East Haddam branch of Warners, was one of three brothers who came from Scotland and settled in Massachusetts about 1640, Dr. Field mentions one John Warner, from Sunderland, as among the first settlers of the town of Haddam. Daniel, the father of Hon. Daniel B.Warner, was born at the Warner homestead, on the main road running north and south through the town about one and a quarter miles from the Landing. He followed the occu- pation of a farmer, and was at the same time engaged in the lumber business. He married Nancy, daughter of John Brainerd Esq. Eight children were born to ihem: Phoebe Ann, Daniel B., Elijah C, Betsey R., Floretta, Jeannette, Catharine, and John C, five of whom are still living. Daniel B., the second child, was born at East Had- dam, March 24th 1807. He was educated at the public school, with a few month's tuition at a private school kept by Rev. Peter G. Clark. He was for three years clerk in a store, after which he engaged in the- ship lum- ber business. East Haddam was at that time one of the principal places for ship building on the Connecticut 328 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. River, and he did a large and prosperous business. In April 1828, he commenced dealing in ship timber and plank, also pine lumber. Some ten years after this he commenced building vessels, which he continued for about 20 years, and some of the largest vessels built on the river were built at his yard. One ship, the Chauncey Jerome jr., built in 1851, registered 2,000 tons. He was elected to the Legislature in 1849 and 1850, and again in 1880. He was elected to the Senate in 1852 and 1853. During the latter year, Hon. Thomas H. Sey- mour, who was then governor, received the appointment of minister to Russia; the unexpired term being filled by Lieulenant-Governor Pond, and Mr. Warner was elected president pro tem. of the Senate. Hon. William D. Ship man, now one of the most eminent jurists in the country, represented at that time the town of East Haddam in the Legislature. During his life Mr. Warner has served his native town and county in various capacities. He was for three years county commissioner, and was postmaster for a number of years. He was a director in the East Haddam Bank, and when in 1865 that institution became embarrassed, after the death of the cashier, who was killed on the steamboat dock, Mr. Warner was appointed president, and wound up its affairs in a manner exceedingly gratify- ing to the directors, paying the depositors in full, the losses being borne by the stockholders. During his early life he took an active interest in mil- itary affairs, and was at one time brigade major on the staff of General Oliver Warner. On the 17th of April 1835, he married Mary Ann, daughter of Oliver Green, of East Haddam. Her grand- father, James Green, manufactured muskets for the gov- ernment at this place during the war of the Revolution and was the friend and cotemporary of General Epaphro- ditus Champion. The issue of this marriage was five children: Charles B., born July 28th 1839; Mary G., born August 7th 1842; Sydney B., born December 5th 1848; Georgiana L., born April 3d 1852; and Nettie L., born September 22d 1854. Charles B., the eldest son, was for a time engaged as a clerk in New York city, and subsequently went to China, where he became connected wiih the house of Bradley & Co. He remained there for seven years, and on his re- turn to East Haddam, joined his father in the lumber business, the copartnership of father and son continuing down to the present time. Emory Johnson. "An honest man 's thenoblest work of God."— S7ia?te»pcar6. There are certain brands of goods in every class of trade that have an established reputation, on which not only the name, but the character, of the individual is stamped. Many business men adopt as their motto, ''^Honesty is the best policy," and such persons are governed by no higher motive, being satisfied with the approval of their fellow men; but the man who puts his goods upon the market, resolved that every pound shall contain 16 ounces of pure material, and every yard shall contain 36 inches, honest meiisurement, looks for the reward of an approving conscience, rather than the good opinion of his fellow men. Emory Johnson, the subject of this sketch, belongs to the latter class. Influenced solely by a determination to produce nothing but what will bear the closest scrutiny of a discriminating public, and conscious of the fact that the "All-seeing eye " of the Great Architect of the Uni- verse is always upon him, discovering the " thoughts and intents of his heart," he has not only established a repu- tation for honest productions, but in all his dealings with his fellow men he has kept in view the golden rule. It is to this, and not to any great gifts of nature, that he owes his success in life. Born and bred an humble tiller of the soil, he learned his first lessons of life while sur- rounded by good and holy influences, assisted by the teachings of nature and nature's God. Jared Johnson, the father of Emory, was born in the town of Chatham. He married Sally, daughter of Joseph Ransom, of that town, by whom he had five children, viz., Emory, Sally, John B., Joseph F., and Mary. Emory, the eldest, was born August i ith 1817, near the society of East Hampton, in the town of Chatham. He was sent to the public school at that place until he was sixteen years of age, working a portion of the time on his father's farm. About 1833, he removed to the town of East Haddam, near the present location of Johnsonville, where he worked at the trade of wagon- making until he was twenty-two years of age. He sub- sequently engaged himself to the firm of Card & Hig- gins, manufacturers of cotton seine twine, knitting cot- ton, and other cotton goods of a similar character. By strict economy and industry he managed to save up a few hundred dollars, and in 1842 he formed a copartner- ship with Stanton S. Card (his father-in-law), Elijah Spencer, Roswell Davidson, and Jonathan O. Cone. This continued for several years, the firm doing a pros- perous business. In i86r, Mr. Johnson disposed of his interest in the lower mill, and purchased a new mill privilege that had not hitherto been taken up. On this he erected a new factory, which has since continued in successful operation. Not long after the death of Mr. Card he acquired possession of the lower mill, which he reconstructed, putting in new machinery and fitting it up with every mOtiern improvement. In all his operations Mr. Johnson has been uniformly successful. The de- mand for his goods has been such that when other mills have been lying idle he has been able to continue run- ning most of the time through the dull season. The extensive manufacturing faciliiies and great public improvements in and around Johnsonville indicate the enterprise, the activity, and the energy of the man who for sixty years has labored for their growth and develop- ment, and these will remain as an enduring monument to his name long after he has passed away. The turmoil and excitement of a political life never had any attraction for Mr. Johnson, but in 186 1, at the solicitation of his fellow citizens, he permitted his name t^ v-?-?^^-^ (/y^ ■J-o- '/nuMM E„ in^CMmJs. EAST HADDAM— BIOGRAPHIES. 3^9 to be used as the Republican nominee for the Legislature, and was elected by a large majority. Outside of his business affairs his tastes and inclina- tions have led him to engage in works of charity and benevolence. For more than thirty years he has been an active member of the Methodist church, where he still occupies the position of trustee and steward. He was for a number of years superintendent of the Sunday school, where he labored faithfully to impart that relig- ious instruction which should fit the children for a useful, happy life here on earth, and a more blessed inheritance hereafter. Recently, his other duties have compelled him to seek relief from these more active duties, but he still maintains his interest in them and seeks by every means in his power to promote and encourage their growth. On the 24th of October 1838, he married Eliza A., daughter of Stanton S. Card, of the town of East Had- dam, by whom he has had two children: Elijah Emory, born May 23d 1841, and Stanton C, born March loth 1851, died July 26th 1871. The death of his wife occurred on the loth of April 1882. Although he has lived to nearly three score and ten years, the age allotted to man, he is still in the enjoy- ment of all his mental and physical faculties, and is able to give full attention to the management of his large and extensive business. William Ebenezer Nichols. No name has been more prominently connected with the history of Moodus and of the cotton twine manufac- ture than that of William E. Nichols. He was born in Clinton, August 15th 1806, the third son of Ebenezer and Hannah Grinnell Nichols. About the year 1820, the family moved to Moodus. The son received a common school education, which, by constant reading and appli- cation, he improved to a degree beyond that of the boys of his own age. When 17 years old he went to Saybrook to study medicine with Dr. Carter. There he remained for two years, afterward studying for a short time with Dr. Richard Warner, of this town. But, at this point, his health broke down, and after a winter of rest spent at Nantucket, he reluctantly gave up the practice of his chosen profession, and went into business with his father, starting with no other capital than his father's experience and his own inventive brain. Ebenezer Nichols had previously, in 1826, put up in the present Red Mill, a machine which he called a " twister," for the making of cotton yarn into seine twine. It is believed that this is the first instance on record of the manufacture of cotton seine twine. The yarn was bought of the cotton shirting factories in the vicinity, and, when m.ide into twine, was sold in 'quanti- ties of a few pounds each to [the fishermen along the Sound. Flax and hemp had, up to this time, been the only materials used for nets, and, at first, great diflSculty was found in introducing the new miterial among fish- ermen. But, by degrees, the prejudice against it was overcome, and in this humble beginning was laid the foundation for the present cotton seine twine industry of America. But to William E. Nichols, the son and co-worker of Ebenezer Nichols, is largely due the successful develop- ment of the twine industry to its present proportions. In 1827, the twister was moved to the present Stone Mill and a year afterward to the old mill at Bishan. As the demand for the twines increased, other twisters were built. The mill site of the Red Mill was purchased, and about the year 1830, the father and son, in company with Messrs. Card and Higgins, started the first cotton seine twine manufactory. The interests of the other partners were afterward purchased, and we find the accounts kept here in the name of E. Nichols & Son until the death of the father in 1842. The mill known as the East Mill was erected about 1837, by William E. Nichols, Timothy Greene, and R. Davison, and the manufacture of gimlets begun in it. This project was abandoned after a few years, and the mill was then fitted up for the manufacture of cotton spool thread. In 1844, this was also abandoned, and Mr. Davison having withdrawn from the business, for a short time the mill was controlled by Mr. Greene alone. But in 1850, the property was purchased by Mr. Nichols, and from this lime on until 1869, he continued to operate both the Red and East Mills in the manufac- ture of twine. In 1849, he received a patent for his well known " whirl-agig " twister for the making of hard laid twine, which machine has proven a great success, both mechan- ically and financially. Other important improvements and patents were developed as the business advanced. In 1865, he associated with himself Messrs. Demarest and Joralemon, of New York, and Z. E. Chaffee, of Moodus, and erected the present large factory at the Falls, for the manufacture and knitting of cotton seine netting. This was among the first attempts to knit fish nets by machinery. In.1869, the mill at the Falls, the Red Mill, and the East Mill, were consolidated into one management, under the name of the New York Net and 33° HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Twine Company. This company became widely and favorably known, and to-day continues to be in success- ful operation. William E. Nichols, or Dr. Nichols, as he was famil- iarly called, will long be remembered as one of the fore- most agents in the growth and prosperity of the village and town. He was one of the active movers in the organization of the Moodus Reservoir Company, was the first president of the Moodus Savings Bank, and it is said to have been on his suggestion that the name of the village was changed from Mechanicsville to Moodus. He was a man of wide acquaintance among men, quick thought, and extensive reading, his library being one of the largest private libraries in the State. By his consid- erate speech, his unpretending ways, his unostentatious gifts, and upright life, he gained the love and respect of the community in which he lived. He united with the First Congregational Church of East Haddam, July 4th 1858. He was married June 6th 1861, to Catharine T. Gillette. She died in March 1869. By her he had two children: William E., born August 27th 1862; and Mary C, born December 23d 1868, both of whom are now living. He died in New York city, of general congestion, April 28th 1878. TOWN OF ESSEX. Bt Bichabs M. Batles. Geographical and Descriptive. THE TOWN of Essex lies on the west side of the river, and is bounded on the north by Saybrook, west by Saybrook and Westbrook, and south by Old Say- brook and Westbook. The soil of this town is composed of a mixture of sand and loam, in quality and proportions suitable to make for the most part a soil that is, with moderate fer- tilizing, very productive and favorable to cultivation. Several ridges of hills, founded upon rock ledges, extend in a general northeasterly and southwesterly direction across the town, and their intervales afford rich flats of arable land or spontaneous meadow. The width of the river at Brockway's, against the northern part of this town — the site of an ancient ferry — is 96 rods. The tide in its ebb and flow here varies about three feet. Nott's Island, lying southeast of the latter point, belongs to the town of Lyme. It was formerly called Eight Mile Island. Brockway's Island, lying opposite the north part of this town, also be.'ongs to Lyme. Potapaug Point, is the low point of land upon which the principal part of the village of Essex is built. Numerous localities are mentioned in the ancient records, some of which retain their names to the present time and some have been forgotten by their ancient names. Scotch Plains, or Scott's Plains, was the comparatively level tract stretching away from the neighborhood of the railroad station southwest to Westbrook. It was of a good soil, and, probably having but little wood upon it was easily cleared. The land was fertile and very desirable as "plowable " land, and the proprietors all, or nearly all, had shares in it. The origin of the name is unknown, but it was in use among the earliest settlers. Kelsey Hill is west and southwest of Deep River, about one and a half miles from the Connecticut. It is mentioned as early as 1702, when land was laid out on it for Rev. Thomas Buckingham. Land was also laid out at the south end of it for Benjamin Lynde in 1723. Whittlesey's Brook, mentioned as early as 1727, is a small stream about one and three-quarter roileg south from Potapaug Point. John Clarke jr. took up land on his ;^5o right where the brook crossed the country road. Rocky Hill is on the west side. of the turnpike, a short distance north of where the late Alpheus Parker lived. Rocky Hill Plain lies east of it, beginning a little south of it, and extending north to the land of John Case, a distance of about two miles. The " boyne tree," spoken of in the original description of the quarter lines, stood near it. The term " boyne tree " means bound tree. Muddy River is a brook that drains Scotch Plains, and flowing northward near the railroad station empties into Falls River. Sites for mills of different kinds have been improved upon it. Viney Hill, named as early as 1709, is the hill eastward of where Jared C. Pratt now lives. The hill has from time immemorial been covered with running evergreen vines, called ground laurel or running vine, which cir- cumstance gave its name. The vines are in much demand for decorative purposes on festival occasions, and, beside the local use for this purpose, whole sloop loads have been carried to New York. A brook by the same name flows through it into Muddy River. Book Hill is an elevation of about 200 feet, northwest from Essex village, near the north line of the town. Beaver Pond lies on or near the south line of the town. It was once a beaver pond, and had a dam across it which was constructed by those industrious animals. In 1705, the proprietors granted John Clarke liberty to dig out the stream that ran through it, the pond then being a sort of marsh. At that time, the dam was there, and the records show that it lay below or south of Clarke's land. It has long been known as a quagmire, the ooze of which was of unknown depth. In olden times, cattle used to go astray, and sometimes never return or be found, and it was supposed that they had wandered into this marsh and sunk out of sight in its ooze. The Rev. Thomas Buckingham, one of the cor- porators of Yale College, settled on the border of this pond, and tradition says that he made something of a business of trapping beavers, which were numerous here then, and their skins were valuable. His hQtpe was near the Porter Griswold place, When 43 332 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. the Valley Railroad was built, great difficulty was expe- rienced in getting a foundation solid enough for its road bed. Piles, 70 feet in length, were driven down, and re- peated attempts were made before the sinking of the road bed could be arrested. The pond now feeds the stream that furnishes power for a grist mill at Saybrook. Walnut Hill was probably the hill to the west of the settlement of Ivoryton. It was noted for the growth of hickory wood which it bore. • Cedar Swamp, mentioned in the records as early as 1728, is in the western part of Chester, and is still known by its original name. The Maple Tree, a well known locality at the time, was probably at Meadow Woods, near where Muddy River joins the Fall River. Bushy Hill is a wild country north of Ivoryton. It was known by this name as early as 1727. Later a road led up to it through a pair of bars near the present school house in that vicinity. Stone-pit Hill, which name has been contracted to " Stumpit Hill," by which it is familiarly known, is the hill to the west of the residence of Dr. B. H. Stevens. It has quarries of granite on the north side. These quarries were known and utilized at an early date, and gave the name, which appears as early as 1750. The tradition has been handed down that General Washington and his staff passed through this region once during the Revolu- tion. He was on his way from New London to Hart- ford, and his road lay over this hill. As he passed this point, several boys who were near the road were overawed by the military appearance of the party, but as they stood gazing with fear and wonder the General bowed to them. This incident was related by Wells Denison and others, boys at that time, but who have now long since passed away in the ripeness of old age. Gridley's Cove was that now called South Cove, on the south shore of Potapaug Point. The former name was given to it in 1702, or before. A heap of rocks in the cove bore the name of Gridley's Rocks. Prospect Hill is the high hill now just south of Ivory- ton, where George Clark formerly lived. Samuel Willard had land on it in 1722. Its name appears in the original bounds of the quarter. Tillis' Point is now called Ferry Point. This bluff on the river, above the old ferry, is named in honor of a man by the name of Tillis, who was killed by the Indians and buried here. This is a tradition that ante-dates any written record. Curbine Point, which lies just above this, is now called Sills' Point. Robert's Hill is situated about one-third of a mile north of the Congregational church in Centerbrook. In its side, and on the old Eli Denison place, there is a quarry of steatite or soapstone, which was also some- times called cottonstone. This lies about one half a mile northward from the railroad station, on the road to Meadow Woods, and near the present residence of Rich- ard Denison. The existence of this bed of stone was known to the Indians. They used the material in mak- ing pots and mortars, some of which have been found in their graves, and about the fields in the vicinity. Soon after the Revolution, the owners of a furnace in Killing- worth used the material in making an oven for baking steel. It is said to possess durable qualities, and to be capable of taking a very high polish. Efforts were made as early as 1815 to bring it into use in manufacturing, but it was found to be too hard for practical purposes, and nothing further than preliminary experimenting was done. A quarry of granite lying near it is now being worked. Great Hill is a mile west of Essex village, on the right of the road going to Westbrook. Long Hill is below the village, on the west side of the turnpike that leads to Saybrook. Millstone Hill is on the north line of this town, about two miles above the village, and about one-fourth of a mile from the river. The name was applied to it previ- ous to 1704, at which date land was laid out at the west side of it to John Webb. Pound Hill is the elevation in the back part of the vil- lage, on which the churches stand, and it received its name from the circumstance of a cattle pound being once located here. The old road from Saybrook to Hartford ran along under this hill, but above the present line of North street. This bluff is about 40 feet above the level of the village street on the point, which extends from its foot easterly to the river. It commands beautiful views of the embowered village beneath it, the coves on either hand, the windTng river, and the opposite hill-sides. The name Potapaug is variously spelled, but most com- monly it appears in the old records as it is here spelled. It is of Indian origin, and is said to mean " bulging out of the land or jutting of the water inland." It was ap- plied by the Indians to the point upon which the village of Essex stands, but was early applied by the white set- tlers to the whole region known as the Quarter, which then covered the land of the present towns of Essex, Saybrook, and Chester. The list of Potapaug, which then did not include Ches- ter, for the year 1814, amounted to 125,186.72. There were then 275 dwelling houses and seven merchants' stores. There was a library belonging to the Second So- ciety of Saybrook, which in 1695 contained 30 volumes and had previously numbered 100. Business began to thrive and the village to build up soon after the Revolution, at which lime there were but few houses on the Point. The number of dwellings in the next 30 years had increased to 30, and within a tnile as many as 100 could be counted, besides a few stores and mechanics' shops. These were mostly on Main street. The expenses for maintaining the various departments of the town work for the current year, included in the last report of the selectmen were: for the almshouse, $11.92; for partial supplies, $612.80; for roads, bridges, &c., $2,346.68; for schools, including teachers' wages, $3,775-22; interest on the funded debt, $2,293.71; notes, $1,540.28; taxes, $1,875.80; sinking fund, $1,500; sal- aries of officers, $604.35; liquors, $1,278.55; small-pox, $63.03; miscellaneous expenses, $623,39; making a total ESSEX— SETTLEMENT. ^33 of $16,525.73; which was provided for by receipts from taxes, loans, and balance from previous year, and other sources, amounting to $19,610.29. Indians. By the treaty with Mr. Winthrop and his associates in 1636, or about that time, the Indians gave to the Eng- lish their right to the river and the bordering lands. A considerable Aboriginal settlement is supposed to have existed at Ayres' Point and along the shore from there to Potapaug Point. On the point nearly half a mile be- low the present village site, where an Indian burying- ground lay, remains have been found in a sitting posture, and Indian arrows, pestles, axes, and other implements have been found upon a sandy plain lying back from Ayres' Point, together with other indications of former Indian occupancy. Settlement of Potapaug. '' After the abandonment of the original idea of the set- tlement of Saybrook, the territory appears to have been sold to a company of settlers, who, under the jurisdiction of the colony of Connecticut, founded the town and gained possession of the land. In order to give each of the different sections of the town a more complete con- trol over its own local affairs, the territory was divided into three parts, each of which was owned and occupied by a company who were allowed to exercise in their re- spective sections all the proprietary rights that were en- joyed by the inhabitants of the town with respect to the common lands within the limits of their grant. These three sections were named the Oyster River Quarter, the Eight Mile Meadow Quarter, and the East Side of the River Quarter. The Eight Mile Meadow Quarter included the terri- tory now occupied by the towns of Chester, Saybrook, and Essex. It was also called the Potapaug Quarter. The earliest record that can now be found indicates that the setting apart of the quarter referred to was about the middle of the 17th century. A memorandum of the proprietary records bears date January 4th 1648, and reads as follows: " The town for the improvement of those out lands that lye remote have divided themselves into 3 parts ac- cording to the quarters as they are laid out." The Eight Mile Meadow Quarter was valued in the aggregate at ^^2,000, and its proprietorship was given to the following men, whose shares were as indicated: Master Eldred, ;^2So; John Clarke, ;^2oo; William Hyde, ;^2oo; William Parker, ;^20o; William Pratt, ^150; William Waller, ;^iso; Thomas Birchard, ;^3oo: Mr. Fenwick, ;^25o; John Birchard, ;^ioo; John Clarke, ;^ioo; John Parker, ;^ioo. The boundaries of this " quarter " were as follows: " That is to say from the roidle of Curbine point to a marked boyne tree, and from the marked boyne tree to the south side of Rockky-hill, and from the south side of rockky hill to the south corner of prospect hill, and from the south corner of prospect hill to run a north- west line seauen miles and the tenth part of a mile, which said tract of land with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging, that is to say from the end of the northwest line to the great river together with all the meadow betweene Curbine point and Tillis point doth belong to the proprietors of Potapaug." The proprietors held occasional meetings for the transaction of their business. The meetings were not held regularly, but as occasion demanded, and to make them legal it was necessary to give notice to every pro- prietor. A committee was elected for this purpose, and empowered to call meetings of the proprietors in this manner whenever in their discretion it was necessary. These men were chosen as occasion dictated, without any stated term of service, and when they became tired of acting their places were filled by other selections. The first mention of the selection of a committee for this pur- pose was in February 1701, when at a meeting held at the house of Robert Lay, John Parker sen., was chosen and empowered to call meetings of the proprietors at such times and places as he should deem expedient, and to preside at such meeting. Two measurers of land were chosen, and authorized by the quarter to lay out parcels of land to individuals as they desired. These measurers were often paid for their service in land. In fact land was the most convenient thing that the settlers could use with which to pay for any service or make any gift. There was but little regu- larity about the layout of the land, and it was generally in small parcels of irregular shape, and frequently of in- definite and unstable boundaries. The lands were de- scribed as lying near some object or adjoining the land of another, and lines were marked by heaps of stones, rocks, trees, and very commonly by saplings, which they called "staddle." These parcels of land, granted either for some special purpose or consideration, or to satisfy proprietary claims in pro rata divisions, were frequently of not more than two or three acres in size, and rarely reached so great an area as 50 acres in a single piece. Oftentimes when a proprietor was entitled to so many acres he made choice of it in five or six different parcels, more or less, choosing a small parcel here and another there, as the custom allowed him to do, until the re- quired amount was made up to him. As might be ex- pected from such a condition of things, the systematic tracing of titles, or location of the original divisions is now almost beyond the realm of possibility. The follow- ing persons were measurers during the years indicated, and some of them perhaps for longer terms: Deacon William Parker, 1703-14; Joseph Pratt, for some time previous to his death, in 1704; Nathaniel Pratt, 1704-27; John Clarke, 1705-66; Samuel Pratt, 17 14; Hezekiah Buckingham, 1724, to his death in 1752; Charles Wil- liams, 1724-35; -Samuel Willard, 1725; Thomas Starkey, 1730-52; Jabez Pratt, 1730-52; Samuel Williams, 1738- 49; Daniel Williams, 1752-70; David Pratt, 1768; Jabez Denison, 1770; Gideon Buckingham, 1770. On the 12th of December 1670, a joi'nt meeting of the proprietors of Potapaug and Oyster River was held to 334 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. consult in regard to the dividing line between the two quarters. According to the minutes this meeting was called for by the fact that " since the first foundation of these quarters, a people hath been planted at homanasak which is feared will entrench upon the quarter of Oyster River." The proprietors of Potapaug therefore by a " louing compliance," agreed to allow an enlargement of the Oyster River bounds from their lands so as to divide with them the contraction which they should sustain by the encroachment of Homanasak upon their western bor- der. " That is to say they shall have half the bredth of the land at the north end from homanasak line to Connecti- cut river and then the line to run to the rock in the falls river, and from the said rock to prospect hill to remaine as already done, and that the Commons in each quarter shall be free without any trespass or molestation for the proprietors cattell to feede upon, and upon the abousaid consideration it is agreed that the great Cedar Swamp ajoyning to the pond shall belong to both quarters." Some dispute in regard to the line between the town and Potapaug Quarter had arisen, and Messrs. Matthew Griswold and Thomas Tracy, of Lyme, had been called to determine it, but probably through neglect of proper marking and recording the line had again fallen into dispute, and the proprietors, September ist 1684, deter- mined to call Messrs. Griswold and Tracy, again to de- cide the question in controversy, agreeing to abide by their verdict. The town agreed to the proposal, and accordingly the arbitrators met and gave their award on the ist day of October 1684, in the following language: " That the bounds between the town and potapauge quarter doth begin at the Southerd end of Prospect hill, at the Rock which lyeth at the head of the river the line doth extend to Beaver pond and from thence to Rockie hill, and from Rockie hill to the Boyne tree that is now fallen down, and from the Boyne tree to a tree standing about the middle of Curbine point near the great river having stones laid up against it. And all the meadow and marsh lyeing between Tillis' point and Curbine point with all the severall spongs and branches thereof begin- ning at the Creek that comes in at the great Rock that runs in westerly about Tillis" point doth belong to Pota- pauge quarter. And that which wee meane & understand to be Tillis' point is the great bluff point above the fferry." A misunderstanding appears also to have arisen be- tween the inhabitants of the other part of the town and the proprietors of Potapaug in regard to the absolute rights of the latter to the use and disposition of common land within their limits. This conflict of ideas was har- monized by the agreement September 1st 1684, between the town and the quarter that the latter should act inde- pendently of the former in perfecting the first and second divisions of land which had been begun several years be- fore, and in laying out what " areable and mowable" land they should from time to time see fit, together with what pasture land they should deem necessary: while the privi- leges of timber, stone, wood, and feeding upon the lands thus allotted to individuals should be considered as com- mon until they were enclosed; and all other lands should lie common to the inhabitants of the town of Saybrook, and be disposed of only by order of the town in general. The proprietors in this quarter in 1694 were John Fenner, John Parker, John Clarke, William Parker, Joseph Pratt, Joseph Parker, William Pratt, David Parker, and Nathaniel Pratt. John Clarke here men- tioned was a lieutenant, and owned the ;^ioo right of his father and the;^2oo right of his grandfather, that appear in the original scheme of 1648. He had also bought of John Tully, who held it in 1670, the .1^^250 right that Mr. Eldred held in (he original scheme. The ;^2oo right held in that by William Hyde was sold by him about the year 1660 to Robert Lay, and in 1699 was owned by his son Robert Lay. In 1679, Joseph Pratt came into possession of a .;^ioo right from the estate of Lieutenant William Pratt, deceased. In December 1709, Nathaniel Pratt owned a;^ioo right that had belonged to John Birchard. The line between this quarter and Oyster River was run out at different times. February 23d 1703, a com- mittee was appointed for that purpose, and others were appointed January T3th 1728, May 6th 1730, January 23d 1731, and again in 1735. It was voted May 9th 1723, that a _;^5o right should be settled upon the first minister who should settle here, and this was given to Rev. Abraham Nott September 7th 1739. March i6th 1738, the proprietors resolved to prosecute all trespasses in cutting timber upon any land that had been laid out. At a proprietors' meeting, December 25th 1765, a com- mittee was chosen, consisting of Lieutenant John Clarke, Daniel Williams, Gideon Buckingham, and Jabez Deni- son, to lay out to every individual the land that belonged to him in order to complete the last division of land that had been made. The committee were further authorized to sell all such small pieces of land as yet remained common; to remove all nuisances or encroachments upon the highways or common land, and to " Do all things Relating to high ways as a former Committee was appointed to Do att a meeting of the proprietors of this quarter the third day of may A. D. 1738." The com- mittee was further directed to call proprietors' meetings whenever any dispute or difficulty arose upon which they considered the judgment of the proprietors neces- sary or desirable. The committee thus appointed were discharged with thanks, February 6th 1786, and a new committee, consisting of Benjamin Williams, Deacon Josiah Nott, Timothy Starkey, Abraham Pratt, and Jared Clark, were appointed to the same business. As the settlement of the land progressed, frequent misunderstandin{;s and difficulties arose concerning the bounds of individual owners of lands as well as between the quarter and its neighbors. The settlement of these difficulties was entrusted to the committees appointed for specific cases, to adjust matters in dispute. The unsystematic manner in which land was divided, and the carelessness with which surveys were made, were prolific sources of these disputes, and they frequently resulted in extended litigation. ESSEX— SETTLEMENT— LAYING OUT THE LAND. 335 The meetings of the proprietors, called " quarter meet- ings," were held at private houses in different parts of the settlement, and they generally convened at nine or ten o'clock in the forenoon. The opening and closing of highways was under the direct supervision of the quarter. These were originally ten or twelve rods wide in many cases, but about 1744 it was found desirable to narrow them down, and the land thus gained to the ad- joining owners was counted to them in the subsequent divisions of land. The land measurers were generally charged with the duty of adjusting the highways. June 20th 1743, they were directed to procure an open high- way through the land of Benjamin Bdshnell and Ensign Starkey to Lemuel Pratt's house, " and so to come out by the Cranbury Pond." About this time, the middle of last century, nearly all of the land had been divided to individuals, and there remained only small and unim- portant parcels here and there that had been omitted in the selections of the proprietors. There was, there- fore, but little for them to do, and their meetings were but seldom. The ofiBce of a " Recorder" was supplied as early as 1701, if not before, and subsequently the term "clerk" was substituted for it. This officer was required to take an oath of office before a magistrate. February 13th 1728, Hezekiah Buckingham took the oath as a pro- prietors' clerk, before Justice Whittlesey, of Saybrook. The following persons held the office of " Recorder," or clerk to the quarter; William Pratt, chosen in 1701; Hezekiah Buckingham, chosen in 1723; Daniel Williams, chosen in 1749; Danforth Clark, chosen in 1768; and Felix Starkey, who held the office in 1828. A proprietors' committee was appointed to sell the ex- cess of land in the highways, and the small parcels of common land that remained, and to look after the com- mon interests of the proprietors generally. This propri- etors' committee, consisting of three persons, stood for an indefinite length of time. But few meetings were called during the latter half of the last century. January 30th 1797, a proprietors' committee was chosen, com- posed of Abraham Pratt, John Bull, and William Lynde. February igth 1805, the proprietors met again, at the house of Danforth Clark. Timothy Starkey was moder- ator, and the following votes were passed: " Voted, that tlie Proprietors' Committee be Directed to look up all proprietors Lands and dispose of them to the best advantage it was then Motioned that this meet- ing be Dissolved it was then Dissolved accordingly." The next record of a meeting of the proprietors bears date December 8th 1828. Having been, as the record recites, legally warned, it was held at the house of Eliza- beth Clarke. John Bull was moderator, and Ezra S. Mather clerk pro tern. A committee was appointed to inquire into the proprietors' rights about the Iron Works Pond, and to report to a meeting to be held on the 22d day of December following. At the meeting on the latter date John Bull was moderator, and Felix Starkey clerk, and the committee were instructed to remove any nui- sances that might be found on the proprietors' land, at or near the old Iron Works Pond. This is the latest record of a meeting of the proprietors. Division of the Land. The land of the quarter was divided in parcels and at times which suited the convenience or desires of the pro- prietors. They frequently sold, exchanged, and conveyed their lands among themselves and to others. Their proprietary rights were also transferred to other indi- viduals at their pleasure. Lands were granted to indi- viduals occasionally, for particular reasons, aside from the regular scheme of a general division. Certain cus- toms appear to have been observed, among which was that of granting a quantity of land to a young man in consideration of his being the eldest son in his family. The following is the earliest existing record of a meet- ing of the proprietors of the quarter: " At a quarter meeting the 12th of ffebruary 1689-90, It was voated and agreed that there should be twenty acres laid out to the hundred. " At the same meeting it was voaled and agreed that that percell of land in the southwest corner of Scotch- plaine should be the pattern to size all the land by that shall be laid out in the abovesaid division of twenty acres to the hundred pound Right, and that the men agreed upon to lay out this division shall pass a Judge- ment upon the land as to the goodness of the land and the Convenient lying of it, and what it wants in quality to make it up in quantity proportionable to the aforesaid Scotch-plaine land. " At the same meeting it was voated and agreed that all those lands that lye between the falls river and the streame that runs into Samuell Pratts field not already laid out and agreed upon shall for ever lye common ex- cept the proprietors of this quarter doe joyntly agree otherwise." A similar plan to that indicated in the second vote was adopted in other divisions of land. When a dis- tribution was decided upon some specified parcel of land was taken as a standard in respect to quality, and the de- ficiency or excess was balanced by an inverse proportion in quantity. The lands falling to each individual in a pro rata divi- sion were not surveyed and laid out to him at once, but the matter frequently remained with some an open ac- count for months, and sometimes perhaps for years. But it appears to have been a settled principle with the pro- prietors to settle and complete one division before open- ing another. Accordingly whenever a division of land was decided upon, due notice was given that all who had unsatisfied claims in the previous division should present them and have the balance of land due them laid out be- fore a given time, when the new division should begin. February 27th 1701, it was determined that there should be laid out 30 acres to the 100 pounds. A division of 40 acres to the 100 pounds was made January i8th 17 14, at which time the proprietary rights were held by the following persons in the amounts desig- nated: Deacon William Parker, ^^50; Ensign John 33^ HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Pratt, ^loo; Major John Clark, ;^3oo; Nathaniel Parker, ^150; Mr. Buckingham, ;^ioo; Robert Lay. ;^[oo; William Pratt, ;^ioo; Joseph Parker, ;^ioo; David Parker, ;!£'ioo; the Denisons, ;^z5o; John Fenner, ;^ioo; Nathaniel Pratt, ;^ioo; " Nathaniel Pratt in Pardonship," ;^ioo; William Pratt jr., "with his Brother," ;£'ioo; Samuel Pratt, ;^5o; David Pratt ^^50; Thomas Starkey, ^^'so; Mr. Lynd, :£2So. A division of 40 acres to the ;^ioo was drawn March 1 2th 1725, the following proprietors then being repre- sented to the amounts attached to theirnames: Benjamin Lynde, ;^2So; Joseph Parker, ;^5o; John Denison, ^^150; David Denison, £^0; Jabez Denison, ;^So; Nathaniel Parker, ;^iso; Robert Lay, .3^1°°; Jo'i" Pratt, ;^ioo; Lieut. Nathaniel Pratt, ;^ioo; Samuel Willard, ;^5o; "in partnership to ye Pratts," ;£'ioo; Joseph Gilbert, ;^5o; Jabez Pratt, ^^50; David Pratt, _;^So; Mr. Abraham Nott, ;^5o; Thomas Starkey, ;^So; John Fenner, ;^ioo; Benjamin Pratt, ^^50; Mr. Buck- ingham, deceased, ^^50; Hezekiah Buckingham', ^^50; Joseph Pratt, j£so; Charles Williams, ^£50; Major John Clark, ;^iSo; Lieut. John Clark, ;^5o; Joseph Clark, ^So; Samuel Clark, ^^50; William Pratt, ^^50. A division of thirty acres to the hundred pounds was agreed upon October 14th 1730, and five men were chosen to lay it out. The following persons drew lots: Mr. Lynde, Major Clark, Rev. Abraham Nott, Lieuten- ant Nathaniel Pratt, Charles Williams. Robert Lay, John Fenner, Lieutenant Benjamin Pratt, John Pratt, Samuel Pratt, Ensign Samuel Willard, Heze Buckingham, Jabez Pratt, Joseph Pratt, John Pelton, Captain Samuel Doty, Nathaniel Parker, Samuel Clark, John Clark, Joseph Clark, Heze Pratt, Daniel Denison, Jabez Denison, En- sign Starkey, Gideon Pratt, John Denison, David Pratt. It was agreed that all of this division should be taken up on the west side of Muddy River. At the same meeting it was resolved that " all the re- maining land except onely for needful highways commonly called sequestered land shall be divided and laide out." The committee appointed for the purpose was directed to lay out the land in ^^50 lots, the quality of the land just south of Ebenezer Hayden's being given as the standard. This land lay south of Falls River. It con- sisted of 42 lots, some of which were regular in shape, and adjoined each other. The drawing of the lots was made November 12th 1730, the same names appearing on the list of participants as in the last division, with the addi- tion of Samuel Lay, who drew one lot, and Joseph Par- ker, and the estate of Deacon Parker who together drew one lot. The others drew one lot each, except Hezekiah Buckingham, John Pratt and Mr. Fenner, who drew two each, John Denison, Nathaniel Parker and Major Clark three each, and Mr. Lynde five. A division of 30 acres to the 100 pounds was made February 28th 1735. The following men drew lots in this: Deacon Nathaniel Pratt, John Pratt, heirs of John Denison, Mr. Pelton, John Kirtland, Samuel Clarke, Captain Benjamin Pratt, Captain Thomas Starkey, Wil- liam Parker, Charles Williams, Abraham Nott, Gideon Pratt, John Clarke, Daniel Denison, Samuel Pratt, Joseph Pratt, Jabez Pratt, Major Clarke, Samuel Willard, David Pratt, Benjamin Lynde, Mr. Lay, Hezekiah Pratt, Na- thaniel Parker, Jabez Denison, Joseph Clarke, Captain Doty, Hezekiah Buckingham, and the heirs of John Fen- ner. Each proprietor had his choice in succession, as his name was drawn and was allowed four days in which to make his selection, and have the measurers set it off for him, and if he neglected to do so in that time, the one who stood next on the list should proceed with his selection. March i6th 1738, a division was made of 15 acres to the 100 pounds, in which the following proprietors par- ticipated: John Pelton, Samuel Willard, John Clarke, Gideon Pratt, Joseph Clarke, Daniel Denison, John Pratt, Society Land, John Kirtland, Mrs. Sarah Fenner, Heze- kiah Buckingham, Deacon Nathaniel Pratt, Samuel Lay, Elizabeth Fenner, William Parker, Hezekiah Pratt, Rev. Mr. Nott, Nathaniel Parker, Ensign Starkey, Benjamin Lynde, Samuel Pratt, Samuel Clarke, Deacon Ebenezer Pratt, Jabez Pratt, Jabez Denison, CaJDtain Pratt, Charles Williams, Captain Doty, Joseph Pratt, David Pratt. Some Early Settlers. A family by the name of Ayres settled at Ayres' Point about the year 17 10, and gave name to that locality. Families by the names of Lay and Pratt, from Saybrook or Lyme, and John Denison from Stonington, settled at Potapaug Point about 1690. Some time afterward the settlement was joined by John Starkey, from New Lon- don, the Hayden's, from near Boston, and Charles Wil- liams, from Rhode Island. Families by the name of Platts settled in the western part of this parish at an early period. February 26th 1701, Charles Williams, of Providence, was granted six acres on condition that he should become a settler here for ten years. Additional grants were made to him in the following year and at other times. Rev. Thomas Buckingham, the progenitor of a numerous family, settled near Beaver Pond, March 9th 1702. The quarter granted him 30 acres and a ,^^50 right in the proprietorship, to draw only in future divis- ions, which was to be in full of all the claims he had on the quarter. This right was owned February 3d 1727, by Samuel Doty, who in 1723 had been granted ten acres of land against Kelsey Hill, to build upon. Benjamin Lynde, of Salem, Mass., had land laid out to him at the south end of Kelsey Hill in 1723. Edward Bull had land here as early as 1730. Robert Lay built the second house from the foot of Main street on the north side, (now standing there) about the year 1730. The family of that name were the early owners of most of the land on the north side of this street, while the Parkers were the principal owners on the south side. The Haydens came here from Dorchester, Mass., in the early part of of the eighteenth century. Tradition says that Lieut. William Pratt was the first settler who died in Potapaug Quarter. He formerly lived in Hartford, had served in the Pequot war,and on his return settled here. His house stood a little north of the site of the rope walk. He mar- ESSEX— EARLY ROADS. 337 ried the daughter of John Clarke, and was the progeni- tor of a numerous family. He died October 19th 1698. He was a native of Essex, England, and it is supposed that the name of this village was adopted out of respect to him and the place of his nativity. His son, Nathaniel, settled upon Stone-pit Hill, where some of the founda- tion stones of his house are still visible. It is said that one of the Parker's built the first house in the quarter. Early Highways. Roads grew into use as the offspring of necessity, without any formal survey or definite layout. June 24lh 1708 appears to be the earliest date at which any effort •was made on the part of the proprietors to systematize the highways running through the Quarter. At that time they directed the measurers, who were William Parker, John Clarke, and Nathaniel Pratt, to learn what roads were necessary and what terms could be made with the individuals through whose lands they ran, and report at a future meeting, to be " warned " by the clerk when they should have accomplished their work and be ready to report. In November 1709, the proprietors ordered a high- way laid out from the Iron Works to Major Clark's house at Muddy River. The land taken by this road was to be made up to the individual proprietors damaged thereby in equivalent land from the common land of the quarter. Some of the highways laid out at that time were described as follows: "a highway from the south bounds of the quarter by Roocky hill and so to run northly or as the path lyeth to the north bounds of the afors'd quarter or to the first of the two rivers below paticounk hill shall be a country road and be 12 rods wide in all the parts of it only whear thear was land layd out one eather sid of the s'd rood befor and in all soch plases it is expected that all shuch parsons that haf had land befor layd out as afors'd due keap to thear anchint bounds be the ways broder or noroer. " a higway from the afors'd cuntryrood and lying one the north of Sargent Nathaniell Pratt land ouer mody river and to lead to the ioren work or to Charls Williams hous the sd hiway to be 12 roods wid. " a high way of 12 rods wid leading from the last menshoned way ouer fols riuer whear the cart way gos ouer below the ioren works and so rong northerly be- twen the hills and the brook and so untell it corns to whitlsy brook so coled and from theans to the country rood in the playens. "We layed out a high way of 12 roods wid from Potapaug houses to the fols riucr and and to the head or uper end of eagght mil meado as the path caled meado path lyes now in all the parts of it saving only against north west cornor of Mr Lays land and and against the northeast cornor of Hezekiah Buckinham land that his hous stands vpon and against the sovwest cornor of Mr John Denson desesed hes land and John Graus north- east cornor thees two places the way wel not be 12 roods wid but it is expeacted that the aforemensened persons or thear eagens do comply with thear old bovnds one the weast sid of the higway we marked two sraal tres or great stadell standing 12 roods from the fence of the s'd Denson land the soutermost of them is a whit ock and the other is a black ock which stands to the southword of that which is coled harford one rood both of which thes are marked with H W and all the land from the north sid of the s'd black ock tre or stadl to the fols riuer shal ly for higway for the acomidating of catell or what els going over [ ] s'd riuer it is all ways to be understod that the hiway from the ould cosway to the [ ] medo is but eagt rods wid and a part hiway. " We layed out a higway one the south of the befor mensoned whit ock tre or stadl and it is to go over foles- riuer at the plase coled mapletree and so between the two hills and [ ] book hill that bein 12 rood in weadth. " We layed out another or a seacond higway which leads from the way that [goeth] to the uper eend of eaght mil meado this way begins about 16 rood to the north [ ] of fols riuer and at a whit ock tree with a great boyne one the south side of ,the same and is marked with H W which tree stands on the weast sid of the way which lead northerly betwen the swamp and hill and so up the hill untill it comes to two chesnot trees standing togather the northermost of them being the bigest and stoupeth lords the north from thess two tres the path runing northly to the great riuer lefing Ensin John Pratt land to the west of it. " we layed out a higway begening at or nere the two chesnot tres befor mensoned which way runs north eastr- ly vntel it corns ner to the southwesL cornor of a pees of land formerly belonging to Joseph Pratt de'sed and so to the great riuer lefing the s'd Pratt land one the East sid of it. " another higway leads from the afors'd meado path or higway beyond that which is by the broad swamp be- gin'g about 16 rood from the south east cornor of som [land] blonging to the aiers Joseph Pratt deseesed and of a whit ock tree marked [with] H W and standing to the west sid of the s'd higway this way leads norwest [about] 40 or 50 roods then turning up the hill and so northerly and across the weest [side of] that which is coled mellston hill and betwen som land belonging to John [ ] which land was formerly John Weeb and [ ] land formerly Joseph Pratt desesed and so over the [ ] the [ ] way that leads to the great river. " a higway from the ioran works or from Charls Wil- liams hous betwen the s'd Charls Williams land mr. Ben- jaraens Lind land and William Pratt Senior land upon Scots playen hill so acros the hill so to go ouer the swamp and betwen Joseph Pratts land and Samuell Comstoks land and Mager John Clarks land on the weest sid of the s'd clarks land afors'd in all which higways are 12 rood wid vnleast it be whar the land was layed out befor the laying out of the higway or higways. "a higway of 7 rood wid between the iorond work pond and mr. Benjamen Lind land which lyeth at the 338 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. northwest corner of Scots playen and this way is to ex- tend to the lin that divids betwen oyestriver and pota- paug Quarter Layed out by "Deaken William Parker " Mager John Clark " Sargent Nathanill ^'ratt." The surveys of highways was accepted and approved by the proprietors at a meeting on the loth of February 1710. The following entry, as affording a peep into the dim- ness of that interesting period when the English settlement here was new, is worth transcribing from the fading records and preserving in this enduring form: " Say Brook July ye 13th, 1725. " We William Parker and John Clarke of lawfull age doe testify yt the country Road from Saybrook, to goe to Hartford went over ye brook yt Runs in at ye head of that which is called twelue mile island coue, and so on ye east side of ye place where John & Nathaniel Kirt- land's barn did stand, and so along to ye place called ye old Riding place oner ye Riuer called ye deep Riuer leaning ye sd Riuer on ye west of ye sd Road or highway, and yt Mr Joseph Pratt late of Say Brook deceast, told us yt he was att ye laying but of ye two points calld ye deep Riuer points and also shewed us a tree standing on ye west or northwest side of ye afore sd deep Riuer and easterly from sd Riuer which he ye sd Joseph pratt tolde us that yt was one of ye corner trees of ye point called layes and ffenness point, the afore sd tree as we Remember was a black oak tree, and from thence ye Road or highway lead to the landing place att ye head of Patequonk coue where stands another tree which is well known and is called ffeners corner tree. We also testify yt there was no other Roade or w^y as a Roade oner sd deep River where it is now for many years after ye afore sd points were laide out. The Road above mentioned that goes ouer ye deep Riuer is at that Rockky place near the high Hill yt lyes on ye east side of ye Riuer. " William Parker " John Clarke." At a meeting, February irth 1773, it was voted "that a Committee shall be chosen To Treat with mr. hezekiah pratt and Samll lay In order To bye one Rod In weadth of land In order To In Large the highway leading Down to Capt. haydens wharf." That highway was the present Main street of Essex village, which from the fact that it was first laid out across Mr. Lay's land, was once called " Lay's cart path." Prices of Some Common Articles. The following prices of common articles about here in Revolutionary times will afford opportunities for inter- esting comparisons: wheat, 5s. to 9s. per bushel; rye, 3s. 66.; corn, 2s. 6d. to 5s.; salt, 12s.; pork, 3^d. to iid. per lb.; beef, zd. to 2}4d.; wool, is. 6d.; flax, 6d. to 7d.; tallow, 8d.; wheat flour, 3d.; tea 12s.; sugar, gd.; nails, iid. to is. 6d.; twine, 3s.; iron, 65^d.; oakum, gd.; ship rigging, 7d. to lod.; marlin and spunyarn, 8d.; striped linen, 3s. 4d. to 4s. pd. per yard; chintz, 5s. 6d.; oak wood, 9s. per cord; hickory wood, los.; pine boards, ;£6 per thousand feet; pitch, 20s. per bbl.; turpentine, 24s.; lamp black, is 6d.; linseed oil, 53. per gal; bricks, 3s. per hundred; lime 2s. per bushel; glass, ss. per square; chain cables, ;^3 6s. per hundred weight; sail- makers' and riggers' labor, 3s. 6d. per day; carpenters' labor, 6s.; ship work, 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d.; board, 6s. per week; rum, 2S. to 3s. 6d. per quart. Form of Indenture, 1804. The following indenture is interesting as showing how such papers were drawn up in the early part of this cen- tury: " This Indenture witnesseth that Lucy Spencer of Say- brook in the County of Middlesex Guardian to her son George Spencer aged about sixteen years and six months, hath put her said son and by these presents doth freely and voluntarily put him an apprentice to Nathan Pratt of said Saybrook goldsmith to learn the art of trade or mystery of a goldsmith and with him after the manner of an apprentice to serve from the date of these presents until he shall arrive at the age of twenty-one years; dur- ing which time the said apprentice his master shall faith- fully serve his secrets keep and his lawful commands everywhere freely obey. " He shall do no damage to his said master nor see it to be done of others, but that he to his power shall let or forthwith give warning to his said master of the same. "He shall not waste the goods of his said master, nor lend them unlawfully to any. " He shall not commit fornication nor contract matri- mony within the said term. " He shall not play at cards or any other unlawful game whereby his master may have any loss. With his own goods or others during said term without the license of his said master he shall neither buy nor sell. Hfe shall not haunt taverns or play houses, nor absent him self from his said master's service day or night unlawfully but in all things, as a faithful apprentice he shall behave himself toward his said master and all his during said term. And the said master his said appren- tice in the same art which he useth by the best means that he can, shall teach and instruct, or cause to be taught and instructed in every part thereof finding unto his said apprentice meat, drink, apparel, lodging and all necessaries during said term and shall instruct him or cause him to be instructed in reading, writing and arith- metic so that he may be able to do common business. And at the expiration of said term the said master shall furnish his said apprentice with two suits of clothes, one suitable for him to wear to meeting upon the Sabbath, or abroad at any time, the other suitable for common wear and also give to his said apprentice a good Bible and a gun and bayonet fit for a soldier. And for the true per- formance of all and every of the said covenants and agreements, each of the parties bind themselves unto the other firmly by their presents. In witness whereof the parties above named to their Indentures have inter- ESSEX— WAR'OF 1812. 339 changeably set their hands and seals the ist day of May A. D. 1804. In presence of Sam'l Jones, Lucy Spencer, Dan Lane, Nathan Pratt. The Raid on Essex — 1814. During the war of 1812-15, while the British fleet was cruising around Long Island Sound for the purpose of blockading New London Harbor, it was suspected by the commander that a conspiracy existed among the ship owners of Potapaug to destroy these vessels and thus raise the blockade. Accordingly, on the evening of the 7th of April 1 8 14, two or three vessels of the squadron anchored off Saybrook Bar, and despatched two launches, each carrying nine to twelve-pound carronades, and 50 or 60 men, and four barges containing about 25 men each. These were under the command of Lieutenant Coote or Coutts, as different authorities spell the name, who had previously gained. a familiarity with the locality and its surroundings by visiting it in the disguise of a clam peddler. The party were provided with torches and other ma- terials for burning the shipping. Before midnight they were discovered by the keeper of the lighthouse, as they entered the mouth of the river, but as there were no American troops in that locality he could do nothing to aid the helpless inhabitants in preparing to offer any re- sistence. Some of the troops landed at the old fort at Saybrook, where, finding no soldiers to oppose them, they cut down the flag and proceeded on their way. Owing to a strong northerly wind and the freshet, they did not arrive at their destination until 4 o'clock on the morning of the 8th. They landed at the point and formed into line, numbering 240 men, and being divided into squads proceeded to their work of destruction. Very few of the citizens were appraised of their coming until a few minutes before they landed, and many of them knew nothing of it until the flames from the burn ing vessels, which lit up the country for miles around, awoke them from their slumbers. Fear and consternation seized the people. Aged women and little children hur- ried off to Centerbrook, taking such valuables as they could gather, expecting that their homes were to be burned and fearing that the men would be put to death or taken prisoners. Their fears, however, proved groundless, for there was no attempt to molest the people. A few houses were searched by the picket guards for arms and am- munition, while the main body of troops proceeded to burn the vessels at the diff'erent yards and those anchored in the lower and upper coves, firing every vessel they could find, with a few exceptions for particular reasons. A vessel belonging to Mr. Judea Pratt of New City, was saved through the mystic ties of free masonry. Lieutenant Coutts had ordered the vessel to be burned, but Mr. Pratt met him and gave a masonic sign of recog- nition, and after a few minutes conversation, it is said, the troops were withdrawn and the vessel saved. Jere- miah Glover, who had a sloop lying in the lower cove, begged the British to spare it, and they finally consented to do so on condition that he should pilot them down the river and back to their ships. Several hogsheads of rum which were stored at the Point were destroyed to prevent them from falling into the hands of the marines. One man, desiring to concil- iate the officers, brought out a waiter with decanters of rum and glasses. One of the officers drew his sword and with one sweep cut off the necks of the decanters and smashed the glasses. Many other incidents connected with this raid are preserved in the traditions of the local- ity, and would be interesting to the readers but the want of space forbids repeating them here. About 10 o'clock in the forenoon the British called in their guards and proceeded down the river, with a brig, a schooner, and two sloops. But the wind shifting ftom northeast to southeast they set fire to all these except the schooner, which they anchored about a mile and a quarter below the Point, and there remained until evening. During the day a number of the militia from Saybrook, Westbrook, and Potapaug had gathered on the shore, where they planted a nine-pounder, and about sunset opened fire with it upon the schooner, which appears to have grounded so that they could not get away with her. The British then took to their barges and pulled down the river, under cover of tlie darkness, except when be- trayed, as they were at the start, by the light of a pier which they had fired on the opposite side of the river. They endeavored to maintain silence in their passage, but the militia were enabled to mark them with some degree of accuracy, and fired upon them from the shore as they went, doing, as is supposed, some deadly execu- tion. The number killed is not known, but it is related by an aged man at Westbrook, that a year afterward he had occasion to go to Plum Island, and while there he saw eleven recently made graves, which the keeper of the light-house told him were the graves of men that were killed by the militia, and buried there by Lieut. Coutts on his way from the raid on Essex back to the fleet. During this perilous passage. Captain Glover, the pilot, lay in the bottom of the boat for protection against the balls that were flying about them and now and then striking the boat. He escaped unhurt, and saved his sloop, being landed about a week later on Fisher's Island. The burning of the shipping at this place was a wanton piece of destruction, and Lieut. Coutts some years after- ward stated to an American sea captain, who was a large owner in the vessels burned, that it was the most unpleasant duty he was ever called upon to perform, and that when he undertook it he never expected to get away with his men. The loss occasioned by this raid was estimated to be about f 160,000, sixty thousand of which fell oi!i the people of Potapaug. The number of vessels destroyed is claimed by some to have been as high as 28, but the following list comprises all that the writer has been able to find any account of: 44 34° HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, Name. TONS. VALUE. SAVED. Ship Guardian , 319 UO 50 285 270 IfiO 315 30 300 76 .55 100 140 375 310 160 75 344 235 $15,000 4,000 1,.500 13,000 8,500 7,500 13,300 1,200 12,000 2,600 2,500 5,000 7,.5fl0 15.000 12,000 7.000 2,000 8,500 6,700 $1,500 200 600 1,300 1,000 1,300 100 Briir Felix 200 100 *' Washington 800 1,000 800 200 One pleasure boat and a work shop. The hulk of one of the vessels, the ship Osage, was towed up the North Cove, where it still may be seen at low water, lying just below the grist mill at Meadow Woods. The following letter from Capt. William Van Deursen, 3d Regiment United States artillery, commanding Fort I westerly of Dr. Gideon A. Dickinson's dwelling house. gun decks were inexcusably dirty, his men generally much inferior to ours, and the discipline not to be put in competition." The Borough of Essex. The Borough of Essex was constituted by an act of the Legislature of the State passed in May 1820. Its cor- porate name was "The Warden, Burgesses and Freemen of the Borough of Essex," and the boundaries given in the act were: "Beginning at the most northeasterly part of a stone wharf or pier, owned by Jesse Murray and others, a lit- tle northerly of Pettipauge wharf, thence northwesterly in a right line to the northeast corner of New City wharf, thence southwesterly in a right line to a small appletree standing on George Williams' land, about six rods northerly of said Williams' dwelling house, thence south- erly in a right line to a small oak tree, standing at the lower side of a ledge of rocks, about fifteen rods north- Trumbull, at New London, written about a year previous to the burning of Essex, is of interest in connection with this affair. It will be remembered also that this same Capt. Hardy was with Nelson at the battle of Trafalgar, and as Nelson was dying he said: " Kiss me, Hardy; kiss me:" "Fort Trumbull, July 15 1813. "I yesterday had the honor of dining with the cele- brated Sir Thomas Hardy, on board His Brittanic Majesty's ship Ramilies, having been sent off as a flag officer by Brigadier-General Burbank. When Sir Thomas first discovered the flag approaching he hoisted a white flag at his foretopmast-head, and a boat was dispatched with a lieutenant and ten men on the barge coming up with us. The officer presented the commodore's compli- ments, with a request that I would enter his boat, which I accordingly did. On coming alongside of the ship the sides were manned with six young men dressed in white. On entering the ship I was met by Sir Thomas in per- son, who welcomed me on board. I immediately intro- duced myself to him. He took me by_ the arm into his cabin. On entering I was struck with admiration at the style and grandeur in which it was fitted up. Everything appeared to be conducted on the most splendid and magnificent plan, and I think I may safely say I never have seen anything of the kind that compared with it. " Sir Thomas himself appeared to be a man of great simplicity of manners, apparently a perfect stranger tb everything like pride or ostentation. He is about 5 feet 10 inches high, of light complexion, blue eyes, brown hair and red whiskers, and is somewhat bald. He cannot be called a handsome man, but has a countenance which strongly bespeaks the greatness of his mind and the nobleness of his soul. He was very affable, had a great deal to say and many inquiries to make, and appeared unwilling to let the flag depart when it did. He took me all over his ship, and justice requires I should state that it is not in the high order of our frigates. His crew and thence southeasterly in a right line to a large button- wood or button-ball tree, standing in the highway near the dwelling house of Thomas Tripp; thence in an east- erly direction in a right line across the south cove, so called, to an old stone pier, owned by Benjamin H. Meigs and others, situated a little southerly of the south cove channel, thence in a northerly direction in a right line to the first mentioned bound." By its charter it was empowered to elect annually, in May, a warden, six burgesses, a clerk, a treasurer, and a bailiff. The latter officerwas to perform the duties gener- ally of a constable. The warden and burgesses, with the approval of the freemen of the borough, had power to levy taxes, to lay out and regulate streets and walks, to keep in order a public sign-post, to make by-laws regulating markets, wharves, moorings, trees, chimney sweeping, abating nuisances, and in relation to other local matters provided they did not conflict with any laws of the State. All such by-laws, after being approved by a public meet- ing of the freemen, were to be published at least three weeks in some newspaper published in the borough, or if no newspaper was published here they were to be so published in some newspaper in Middletown; and were still further subject afterward to the ruling of the Supe- rior Court. The warden and burgesses were also to form a fire company. Joel Pratt Esq., in accordance with the appointment of the charter, called and presided at the first meeting of the borough, which was held at the Episcopal church on the 13th, being the second Tuesday of June 1820. This meeting elected Samuel Ingham, clerk; Joseph Hill, warden; Ebenezer Hayden, Timothy Starkey, Sala Post, Joseph Platts, Gurdon Smith, and Gamaliel Conklin, burgesses; Samuel M. Hayden, treasurer; and Felix Starkey, bailiff. The borough meetings were held at the Baptist meet- ing house, with very few exceptions, until the annual meeting. May 3Tst 1847, which was held at Hill's Acad- emy. Soon after this they were moved to the Union ESSEX— THE BOROUGH. 341 House, where they continued to be held until the sus- pension in 1855. The first meeting of the warden and burgesses was held at the office of Joseph Platts, June 20th 1820. At this and subsequent meetings by-laws were passed pre- scribing the mode of warning the meetings of the free- men, and those of the warden and burgesses, and estab- lishing a sign-post; prescribing the form of oath to be taken by the treasurer; restraining horses, cattle, sheep, swine, and geese, establishing a pound and the offices of haywardsand pound-keepers; for preventing injuries by fire; relative to nuisances, and providing for the appoint- ment of street inspectors; imposing a penalty for neglect- ing or refusing to serve in any office; empowering the warden and burgesses to settle and adjust all debts against the borough, and providing for their payment; naming the streets and public grounds in the borough; and relative to the mode of taxation, locating a pound and altering the place of holding meetings. Several streets were named in a by-law passed in May 1821. These were Main street, from the corner near Captain Hezekiah Pratt's to the wharf near Hayden & Starkey's store, which was once called " Lay's cart path;" Hill street, from the corner above mentioned to the store of William Parker; Public Square, that piece of ground that lay between Captain John Pratt's shop, John G. Hayden's store, and William Parker's dwelling house and store, on the north and east, the lot and garden of Jo- seph H. Hayden on the north, and the dwelling house of Captain Henry L. Champlin on the west; West street, from the shop of Captain John Pratt, by the dwelling house of Dr. Gideon A. Dickinson, to the western limits of the borough; Norlh street, from Main street, by Abraham Pratt's dwelling house, and the then late resi- dence of Captain Noah Scovill, deceased, to the northern limits of the borough; Church street, from John G. Hay- den's store, by the Episcopal and Baptist churches, to North street; New City street, from North street, by the dwelling house of Reuben Post, to the North Cove; Lit- tle Point street, from North street, by the dwelling house of Captain Gideon Parker, to the North Qove; New street, from the corner of Main and North streets, by the- dwelling house of Gurdon Smith, to the North Cove; Cross street, from Main to New street, by the store'of George Harrington; South street, from the corner near Captain Henry L. Champlin's store, by the dwelling house of Joseph Hill, Esq., to the southern limits of the borough; S|jring street, from South street, southerly of the dwelling house of Nathan Pratt, to Hill street. It may be interesting to review and locate by more re- cent descriptions, some of the points mentioned in the foregoing. Capt. Hezekiah Pratt's house still stands at the foot of the hill, in front of the Congregational church, on the east side of the road. The store of Hayden & Starkey was the old brick building on the south side near the foot of Main street, now closed. The store of William Parker stood on the lot now occupied- by the residence of Mrs. Stephens, next west of the store of H. W. Starkey & Co. Capt. John Pratt's shop was a black- smith shop, the site of which is still occupied in the same way by his grandsons. The present shop is a substan- tial brick structure, standing a short distance west of the Episcopal church. Between the shop and the Episcopal church stood the store then occupied by John G. Hay- den. The building was afterward occupied by others, and finally as a soap manufactory. It was torn down a few years since. The lot and garden of Joseph H. Hay- den is now occupied by the residence of W. H. Phelps. The house of Dr. Gideon A. Dickinson is still standing, on the north side of the road, under the hill, being the third house east of the crossing of the turnpike. Abra- ham Pratt's dwelling house was the house now owned by' M. E. Hall. The Noah Scovill place is now occupied by Gilbert Thompson, the house having been burned and replaced by another. The dwelling house of Reuben Post was that now occupied by Capt. A. Judson Pratt, being the fourth house on the north side of New City_ street from the corner of North street. The dwelling house of Capt. Gideon Parker is now owned by William Keyes, and is the second house on the north side of Little Point street. The dwelling house of Gurdon Smith was that now occupied by Mrs. Arnold; that and the house of George Harrington, now owned by Mrs. J. B. Pratt, were the first houses built on that street. The store of George Harrington is the unoccupied building next below the post office, and belonging to the estate of Nehemiah Hayden. Capt. Henry L. Champlin's store stood on the southeast part of the lot now occupied by the residence of Mrs. H. L. Champlin. The dwelling house of Joseph Hill stood on the east side of the road, opposite the residence of Thomas Chrystal. The dwell- ing house of Nathan Pratt is that now occupied by William H. Phelps. At a meeting, July 4th 182 1, the borough elected four street inspectors, four fire inspectors, and four haywards according to a by-law that had been passed establishing those offices. The number of haywards was afterward increased. Three assessors and three members of a board of relief were afterward chosen in conformity to a by- law which was approved by the borough June 12th 1845. The office of warden was successively held by the fol- lowing: Joseph Hill, 1820-23; Obadiah Spencer, 1824, 1825; Ebenezer Hayden, 1826-29; Ezra S. Mather, 1830-36: Gurdon Smith, 1837, 1838; H. L. Champlin, 1839, 1840; Uriah Hayden, 1841, 1842; Ambrose W. Post, 1843; Elias Redneld, 1844; Nathan Pratt, 1845, 1846; Gurdon Smith, 1847, 1848; Cornelius R. Doane, 1849; Gideon Parker, 1850-52; A. F. Whittemore, 1853; John L. Parker, 1854; C. R. Doane, 1855. The borough clerks were Samuel Ingham, 1820, 1821; William Bull, 1822; Joseph H. Hayden, 1823, 1824; Amasa Pratt, 1825, 1826; Samuel M. Hayden, 1827-29; Felix Starkey, 1830; Joseph H. Hayden, 183 1; Elias Redfield, 1832; Samuel M. Hayden jr., 1833-35; Uriah S. Hayden, 1836; George Post, 1837; F. W. Shepard, 1838, 1839; Uriah S. Hayden, 1840-43; Horace H. Starkey, 1844; John G. Hayden, 1845-55. During its existence, the corporation frequently con- 342 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. sidered such questions as providing fire engines, engine houses, and apparatus, building a steamboat wharf, and flagging the sidewalks on Main street; but beyond ihe appointment of committees of inquiry but little was accomplished. The last borough meeting was held May 28th 1855. The jurisdiction and limits of the town were so nearly like it that the borough organization was no longer needed. The Town of Essex. The town of Saybrook, as it then existed, extending from the sea north to the Chester line, was divided by act of the State Legislature in 1852, and the two towns of Saybrook and Old Saybrook formed from it. The present territory of Essex and all of the town lying south of it became the newly erected town of Old Saybrook, while that part which lay north of it retained the name and prerogatives of the original town. Two years later the town of Old Saybrook was itself divided, and a new town formed of the southern part, which carried with it the old name, while the remaining part, which retained the records and honors of the old town adopted the new name of Essex. The act of 1854 constitutes and defines Essex in the following lan- guage: "All that 'part of the present town of Old Saybrook, which constitutes the second society of said town, and is bounded northerly and westerly by the town of Saybrook, easterly by Connecticut river, and southerly by the first school society of Old Saybrook, to remain an independent town, with the name of Essex, by which name it shall be hereafter called and known." The division was enacted the first Wednesday in May 1854. By the act itAvas provided that the selectmen of the new towns should divide the paupers, according to their discretion; divide the deposit fund in proportion to the population of each; and divide all other property of the towns in proportion to their respective lists in the grand levy of 1852. The population of the town of Essex then was 1,519; while that of Old Saybrook was 1,036. By the grand levy of 1852 the assessment of Essex now was $22,475.71; and that of Old Saybrook was $iS,35o.3i. Essex then had three paupers, and its deposit fund amounted to ^2,989.47. The almshouse and three acres of land connected with it was sold to Capt. Jabez Pratt for $1,150, and the proceeds were di- vided between the two towns on the^basis of the grand levy of 1852. By an act of May 23d 1859, an addition was made to the town from Saybrook, as follows: " Commencing at a rock on Book Hill at or near the northwest corner of the town of Essex, thence south- westerly to a point where the south boundary line of the Second School District in the town of Saybrook crosses the Middlesex turnpike road; thence westerly to a point two rods north of the dwelling house of widow Thomas Pratt; thence southwesterly to a point where the east line of the Winthrop or Fourth School District crosses the main road leading from the village of Winthrop to Westbrook; thence southerly along said district line to Westbrook; thence easterly along the north line of the town of Westbrook to the town of Essex." On the proposed amendment to the State Constitution, in 1855, to the effect that " Every person shall be able to read any article of the constitution or any section of the statutes of this State before being admitted as an elector," this town cast 116 votes in favor and 97 against. The town in 1882, voted on the license question, 28 "for," and 238 "against." Caring for the poor of this town is a very light burden upon its tax-payers. The town for several years had an arrangement with the town of Saybrook, by which its paupers were cared for in the almshouse of that town. An almshouse, with a garden of 90 rods of ground, in the southeastern part of the town, was purchased of Gus- tavus Pratt, November 29th 1854, for $650. It is located at the junction of an old road with the Middlesex Turn- pike. Since its purchase it has remained much of the time unoccupied, the number to be cared for being too small to warrant keeping the house open. The following list gives the number of votes cast for each State governor by this town since its organization as the town of Essex: 1855, William T. Minor, "know- nothing," 161; Samuel Ingham, democrat, 107; Henry Dutton, whig, 17. 1856, Minor, 114; Ingham, 160; Gideon Wells, whig, 6. 1857, Alexander H. Holley, re- publican, 121; Ingham, 154 1858, William A. Bucking- ham, republican, 137; James T. Pratt, democrat, 138. 1859, Buckingham, 172; Pratt, 127. i860, Buckingham, 228; Thomas H.Seymour, democrat, 162. 1861, Buck- ingham, 209; James C. Loomis, democrat, 158. 1862, Buckingham, 216; Loomis, 89. 1863, Buckingham, 223; Thomas H. Seymour, democrat, 125. 1864, Bucking- ham, 207; Origen S. Seymour, democrat, 105. 1865, Buckingham, 209; Seymour, 92. 1866, Joseph R. Haw- ley, republican, 223; James E. English, democrat, 144. 1867, Hawley, 244; English, 170. 1868, Marshall Jew- .ell, republican, 253; English, 168. 1869, Jewell, 245; English, 132. 1870, Jewell, 232; English, 121. 1871, Jewell, 249; English, 140. 1872, Jewell, 243; Richard D. Hubbard, democrat, 152. 1873, Henry P. Haven, republican, 214; Charles R. Ingersoll, democrat, 134. 1874, Henry B. Harrison, republican, 183; Ingersoll, 150; Henry D. Smith, temperance, 60. 1875, James Loyd Green, republican, 222; Ingersoll, 175; Smith, 36. 1876, Henry C. Robinson, republican, 213; Ingersoll, 178; Smith 24. The time for holding elections of governor was that year changed from spring to fall, and the gu- bernatorial term extended to two years, after which the returns show: 1876, Robinson, 299; Richard D. Hub- bard, democrat, 200; Joseph Cummings, temperance, 6. 1878, Charles B. Andrews, republican, 219; Hub- bard, 169; Charles Atwater, greenback, 11. 1880, Ho- bart B. Bigelow, republican, 292; James E. English, democrat, 207; George P. Rogers, prohibition, 5. 1882, William H. Bulkley, republican, 256; Thomas M. Waller, democrat, 227; Rogers, 5. ESSEX— TOWN OFFICERS— CIVIL WAR. 343 Presidential electors have received the votes of this town as follows: 1856, republican, 131, democratic, 143; i860, Lincoln, 204, Douglas, 66, Breckenridge, 57, Bell, 29; 1864, republican, 239, democratic, 136; 1868, repub lican, 248, democratic, 159; 1872, republican, 265, dem- ocratic, 127, temperance, 2; 1876, republican, 301, dem ocratic, 196, temperance, 4; 1880, republican, 291, dem- ocratic, 216, temperance. 5. Civil List. The first town meeting in Old Saybrook was held in the new Methodist church in Essex the first Monday of October 1852. The officers of the town then were: five selectmen, a clerk, four constables, a collector, five, grand jurors, ten tythingmen, six haywards, three pound- keepers, six fence viewers, two highway surveyors, nine wood inspectors, a town treasurer, a town agent, a treasurer for the town deposit fund, a registrar, two assessors, and five members of a board of relief. The selectmen elected in 1852 were: Richard P. Williams, William Willard, Ezra S. Mather, William R. Clark, and Stephen W. Starkey; and in 1853, the same except Wil- lard and Mather, the number being reduced to three. Gurdon Smith was clerk for these two years. The officers elected by the town of Essex were two constables, four grand jurors, twelve tythingmen, five haywards, one pound-keeper, four fence viewers, five wood inspectors, a town treasurer, a town agent, a treas- urer of the town deposit fund, an agent of the town de- posit fund, a registrar, three assessors, three board of re- lief men, a sealer of weights and measures, a clerk, and three selectmen, and in 1855, three school visitors, and a school fund treasurer. Representatives. — The representatives to the General Assembly from Essex have been: Obadiah Spencer, 1855; James Phelps, 1856; William H. Doane, 1857; Edward W. Redfield, 1858; Henry C. Wooster, 1859, i860; Carnot O. Spencer, i86r, 1862, 1878, 1879; Cor- nelius R. Doane, 1863, 1864; Henry L. Pratt, 1865, 1866; William C. Hough, 1867, 1868; S. M. Corastock, 1869; Giles Potter, 1870-72; Edward W. Pratt, 1873, 1874; Selden M. Pratt, 1875; John L Hutchinson, 1876, 1877; Charles Kelsey, 1880. 1881; William F. McCrery, 1882; Horace W. Starkey, 1883; James Milnor Pratt, 1884. Town CUrks.— The town clerks have been: Gurdon Smith, 1854; James Phelp.s, 1855, 1856; John G. Hay- den, 1857; John L. Parker, 1858-60; Edward W. Red- field, 1861-74; Carnot O. Spencer, 1875-78; James L. Phelps, 1879; F. Augustus Tiffany, 1880; James L. Phelps, 1881 to the present time. War Record. The action of this town in regard to the late Civil war is gathered from its records in the following substance: A special meeting of the town was held on the 28th of July 1862, and an appropriation of $2,000 made from the treasury of the town for the encouragement of enlist ments for three years or during the war. A bounty of $100 was then offered to those who should enlist under the recent call, before the first of September. The pay- ment of this bounty was so arranged that those who had families should receive but one-fourth of it, while the re- maining three-fourths was to be paid to their families at such time or times, within one year, as the judgment or convenience of the selectmen should dictate. At the same time a committee was appointed to solicit Gov- ernor Buckingham and others to address a mass meeting in this town on the subject of enlistments. The follow- ing committee was also appointed to encourage enlist- ments, and to superintend the business: Jared E. Red- field, George Conklin, Henry L. Pratt, H. B. Parmelee, Richard L. Pratt, and Samuel Griswold. Another meeting was held on the 25th of the follow- ing August, when the bounty was raised to $150, that should be paid to residents of the town who should en- list before September ist, for the term of nine months. The bounties were to be paid as before, except that the three-fourths paid to the family should be paid within the nine months. At a subsequent meeting on the 8th of September, the same offer of bounty was extended to the loth of September, provided the quota should not be sooner filled. The acts of the selectmen in the payment of bounties were confirmed by the town at a meeting held on the 6th of October. For nearly a year there seems to have been no effort on the part of the town, as a corporation, required to meet the demands of the Government for recruits. A' special meeting was held September 14th 1863, at which it was voted that each drafted man, who should pass ex- amination, from this town, should receive $300 for his bounty if he entered the service, or to assist him in se- curing a substitute if he chose to do so. This action was confirmed at a meeting, January i8th 1864. Connecticut Valley Railroad Stock. When the Connecticut Valley Railroad was built the town took stock in it, and the records show the following action in regard to the subject. In response to the pe- tition of 157 voters or tax payers of the town a meeting was held on the 25th of September 1869, at which it was voted that the town should subscribe for 480 shares of the certified stock of the company, and Carnot O. Spen- cer was appointed the agent of the town to subscribe for the stock and cast its vote in stockholder's meeting. The Second Ecclesiastical Society. This society was incorporated by the action of the General Assembly, May loth 1722, on the petition of the inhabitants of the northern part of the town of Saybrook, which had been made the previous year but was not im- meaiately granted because of their disagreement in regard to the bounds to be established. By the act of incor- poration it was endowed with such powers and privileges as were enjoyed by parishes in the colony generally, in the lawful settling and maintaining the puiilic worship of God. The bounds were set forth as follows: — 344 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. " Beginning at tlie southeasterly corner (by the brook) of Mr. Benjamin Lynds farm, and keeping the line of the said farm on the southerly side thereof unto the country road; and from the southwesterly corner of said farm a west line until it intersects the dividend line between Oyster River and Potapaug quarters: and from thence to the northward of the west so as to fall four miles from the sea upon the dividing line between the towns of Say- brook and Killingsworth; then bounded west on Kill- ingsworth, north upon Haddam, and East upon Connec- ticut River." The act authorized the building of a meeting house by a tax upon the ratable estate within the bounds described, and in a similar manner sustaining an ortho dox minister and meeting other parish charges. A proviso was inserted, however, that if the people of Pattaconk, now Chester, should afterward become a dis- tinct parish, they should be reimbursed in the amount they had paid toward the erection of a meeting house and minister's house in the Potapaug Parish. In May of the following year, the Assembly directed that the people of the new parish should be exempt from paying any part of the minister's rate in the old South Parish. The following list of inhabitants, made April 26th 1723, probably comprises all or nearly all the heads of families residing in this parish at that time: John Clark, Andrew Warner, Benjamin Pratt, John Clark jr., Joseph Pratt, Nathaniel Kirtland, Robert Pratt, Ebenezer Pratt, Phillip Kirtland, Joseph Graves, Thomas Pratt, Abra- ham Andrus, Nathaniel Pratt, Hezekiah Buckingham, John Pratt, William Pratt, John .Fenner, Joseph Clark, Thomas Starkey, Daniel Pratt, Samuel Comstock, David Pratt, Jabez Pratt, John Graves, Jonathan Hough, John Denison, John Whedon, Caleb Pratt, Daniel Denison, Samuel Pratt, Samuel Pratt jr., Jabez Denison, Samuel Williams, and Charles Williams. The first meeting of the society was held on the loth of September following its incorporation. At this meet- ing, Samuel Pratt was chosen clerk of the society, and Major John Clarke, Lieutenant Nathaniel Pratt, Charles Williams, Andrew Warner, and Samuel Pratt were made a committee to obtain an orthodox gospel minister for the parish. Ebenezer Pratt and Nathaniel Kirtland were appointed to give notice of parish meetings, whenever it should be necessary to hold them. At a meeting a month later. Lieutenant Nathaniel Pratt was chosen moderator, to stand as such until another should be ap pointed. John Clarke was chosen his successor in the following February. It was at once decided to employ the Rev. Abraham Nott for four months, after which service it was decided to give him an invitation to settle. He continued to serve the parish, receiving for his settle- ment 80 acres of land, 10 of which were to be cleared for a home lot; a house built for him, he furnishing the glass and nails; and a yearly salary of ;£so, and his fire- wood. The salary was to be increased as the estates of the society increased in value, until it should reach j^jo. It may be of interest to remark, that in the building of this house the carpenters were allowed three shillings and sixpence per day, and the scorers two shillings and sixpence per day for their work. Rates were laid upon all the estates for the minister's salary, and other ex- ^ penses of the parish, and these rates were paid in labor, or material by those who preferred to do so. The min- ister's lot was enclosed, and the post and rail fence was valued at three shillings per rod, and Virginia fence at one and sixpence a rod. The people evidently desired to have Mr. Nott ordained as their pastor, but were in doubt as to his doc- trinal position. They accordingly, at a meeting Decem- ber 5th 1723, appointed a committee to request Mr. Nott to state in writing " in what way he intends to lead the church in discipline if God in his providence call him to be pastor of a church here."- Whatever reply Mr. Nott gave to this seems to have been satisfactory, for on the 20th of April 1725: " It was voated by ye Inhabitance of ye North Parish in Say Brook yt they will send up to ye generall assem- bly for Liberty to ordaine ye Reverend Mr. Nott." The record further states that " Abram Andrus pro- tested ye above written voat." Previous to the erection of a meeting house public worship was held at the house of Charles Williams. In the early part of 1723 the society began to take steps to- ward the erection of a meeting house. Some differences existed in regard to its site, but April 26th of that year it was decided to place it on a knoll on the north side of the " cart path," near the southeast corner of the minis- ter's house lot. Work upon it progressed slowly, and indeed for some time can hardly be said to have pro- gressed at all. In January 1724, it was decided that the size of it should be 30 by 40 feet on the ground and -20 feet between joints. At that time work had probably been begun upon the frame. The society then agreed that Daniel and Jabez Pratt, who were probably skilled workmen, should have four shillings a day for their labor; while other laborers upon it were to be paid three shil- lings a day. The meeting house must have been nearly enclosed in May 1724, when the society directed the committee to finish the building sufficient to hold meet- ings in by three weeks from that time, which was the 13th of the month. They evidently considered it lit to hold service in during the summer at least, without a floor, for that was not laid until the following year. In the spring of 1725, it was decided to lay the floor and have the sides plastered from sills to girths and have the underpinning pointed. Though it was not completed in several years, yet it was used for public worship, prob- ably from the year 1724. The building cost ^94, 7 shil- lings, and 8 pence. The society, in September 1726, di- rected the committee to go forward with the work, lath- ing and plastering, building a pulpit, and seating the room below the galleries. In 1730, it was lathed and plastered overhead, and seats were put in the galleries, the front of which was also finished.plain, and with ban- isters. That year two pounds were paid for sweeping the meeting house. The item of glass was an important one in those days. Up to 1743, the glass in the windows of this building had cost nearly ;£'ii. ESSEX— CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 345 After the completion of the meeting house a committee was chosen annually to seat the people. Their scheme varied from year to year to suit the exigencies of the time. The first of these committees was appointed Au- gust nth 1727. The parish at the same time voted that " men with their wives should sit toge-ther in ye Pues." The following order of seating shows something of the inteiior arrangement of the building as well as the peo- ple who attended public worship then, and pictures viv idly that custom of a long by-gone period: " I. We desire and order Maddam Nott, ye elder Deacon's wife & mr. Fenner to take their place in ye Pew nex est of ye Pulpit. ",2ly. Mr. Lay, mr. warner, mr. williams, mr. John Pratt & their wives to take their Places in ye first seats in ye square togither with widdow Sarah Pratt. "3. The Pew nex west of the Pulpit Left. John Clarke, Left. Benjamin Pratt, Serg't William Pratt, David Pratt and their wives with ye Jun'r Decons wife. "4. Capt. Sam'll Pratt, Jos. Clarke & Nath'll Clarke and their wives in ye middle pew fronting to The Pulpit. " 5. Mr. Balwin, Mr. Buckingham, Mr. Starkey, Mr. Dan'll Pratt, Mr. John fenner, Philip Kirtland and their wives in ye Pew at ye north est Corner. " 6. Mr. Jonathan Parker, Mr. Samuell Comstock. Dea. andrus, Jos. Graves, John Graves & their wives in ye north west Corner Pews. " 7. Mr. Abner Parker, Mr. Daniell Denison & their wives with widow Parker in ye estern Pew fronting ye Pulpit. " 8. Mr. John Pelton, Mr. Nath'll Kirtland, mr. Jona- than hough, mr. Jabez Pratt, and their wives in ye second seat in ye square. "9. Mr. Sam'll Williams & wife samuell Bushnell, Will'm williams in ye western Pew fronting ye pulpit. " 10. Mr. Gladdin, Robert Pratt, sam'll Lay, Benja- min waterhouse and their wives, and widdow haiden in ye third seat in ye square. " II. Mr. Jabez Denison, Mr. Sam'll Pratt, mr. heze. Pratt, mr. Jos. Pratt and their wives in ye middle Pew att ye est end. " 12. Mr. anerist, mr. abram warner, mr. Caleb Prati, and abraham waterhouse and their wives in ye midle Pew at ye west end. " 13. In fore seat in ye galiry faceing to the Pulpitt Mr. John ward, andrew warner Jun'r, Mr. moses Baldin and John Pelton & their wives. " 14. In the fourth seat in ye square Thomas Pratt, Jonathan Shipman, abraham shipman, Daniel williams and their wives. "15. In the fifth seat in ye square Josiah fornam, John Corbitt, Nehemiah haiden. Tit. Scovill and their wives. " 16. Mr. John Lyn, mr. Jos. Shipman, mr. Geabe warner & John williams and their wives at ye south west Corner. " 17. Benjam' fox, Gedion Web, Leftis newill and their wives in ye Pew att ye south est Corner Togeither with widow webb & widow Shipman. " 18. We Order ye Young men Bearing- Rate into the front seat in ye west gallery. " By order of us, ^ " Benjamin Pratt " Dated Januar 25th 1731 | 2 " Nath'll Kirtland "Nath'll Clarkesen'r." In 1748, Samuel Doty and his family were granted the privilege of building a pew "ouer the wimins stars for themselves to sit in," and at the same time it was voted that " Jabez Pratt, Jr., William Clark, Jeams Denesen, Hez'a Buckingham Jr. and John Clark ye 3 have the same Privelig ouer the mens stars." In 1756 the house had become somewhat out of repair, and the attention of the society was called to it. The following year the " two ends and fore side " were clap- boarded anew, and new windows were put in. The build- ing was now in a fair condition for service, and so con- tinued until 1785, when it became necessary to do some- thing to make the house comfortable. There was evi- dently a strong party in favor of a new house, bufthe conservative element held tenaciously to the old one, and it was decided to repair it sufficiently to make it "com- fortable this winter," But the advocates of a new house gained strength, and October ist 1789, it was decided to build one. For this purpose a subscription was raised which amounted to five hundred pounds. The house was built during the next three years. It was placed three or four rods west of the old one, and like that building it stood with its side to the road, facing west- ward. The old meeting house was sold at public vendue, August 6th 1792, and was struck off to Benjamin Wil- liams for twenty-five pounds. It was removed to New City Wharf,where it was used as a store-house and work- shop until about i860, when it was taken down. The new house, 40 by 60 feet in size, having been completed, was formally presented to the society by the subscribers who had built it, at a parish meeting held at the house of Danforth Clark, September 24th 1792. A bell was placed in it, and the parish voted that the ring- ing and tolling, which should be brought into the ordi- nary parish charges, should be according to the following plan: "The Bell shall be Rung at Nine o'clock on Sundays and Rung again at J^ an hour before meeting shall be- gin, and continue to Ring and Toole Except a space of ten Minites till the Minister is seated and also on pub- lick Lecture Days and be Rung Every Evening at 9 o'clock." The pay of the sexton was now made six pounds a year. The tolling of the bell was regulated by the following society action, December 25th 1797: " Voted that when the Bell is Tolled for the Death of any Person in this place it shall be done in the following Manner, viz.: "As soon as the Friends of the Deceased shall give Notice to the Bellman he shall toll the bell a short time as at a funeral then make a short rest after which he shall ring the Bell a little while then make another short rest and conclude by signifying the age or sex of the 346 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Deceased by tolling the bell in the following manner, viz.: For a man four strokes, for a woman three strokes, for a Male child two, for a female child one, the strokes to be about the same distance from Each other as when tolling for the Minister." The committee to seat the meeting house reported a scheme reserving certain pews for specified classes of persons, and selling all the others for the year to the highest bidder, which plan was adopted. For several years thereafter the society pursued the plan of selling the pews conditionally, on the amount so raised reach- ing a certain fgure, in default of which the sale was void, the current expenses were raised by tax, and the meet- ing house was " seated " by the discretion of a com- mittee. It happened probably more than half the time that the sale of pews did not hold, and the society had to resort to the rate list. The plan of taxing the people to support the gospel was rapidly growing into disfavor. It was also attended with some new difficulties growing out of the uprising of other denominations than the estab- lished order. In the early part of the century this was partially provided for by a State law, under which per- sons who joined other churches and paid for the support of the gospel in them were exempt from paying minis- terial rates in this society on the presentation of proper certificates to that effect. But the plan of taxing for the support of the church was unpopular, as may be seen in the fact that it was in the main avoided in the erection of the meeting house. The plan of selling the seats was also opposed by a large class. In this emergency it was de- cided to raise a fund, the income from which should be sufficient to meet the current expenses. This plan was headed by Ebenezer Hayden, who offered to contribute $2,000 on condition that the people would raise $4,000 more. This subscription amounted to over $6,000, was dated November 23d 1815, and the list contained the names of 133 contributors. The society was already in possession of some property that afforded an income for the support of the gospel, derived from other sources, so that as early as 1819 at least, the fund amounted to $7,604.90. At that time the salary of the minister was $365 a year. The wholesale taxation for the support of the gospel was now practically ended, though small sums were after- ward raised to make up some little deficiencies in the expenses. The seats were soon after again sold, and that course has ever since been pursued. The conference house, standing^on the opposite side of the road a little east of the church, was built in 1831. At this time the first enrollment of a membership of the society appears, that body heretofore having comprehended the entire population of the parish, except those disconnected by their own volition. The interior of the meeting house was remodelled in 1859, the old pews being discarded and their places filled with seats, which remain at the present time. At the same time the steeple was taken down, and the belfry that now adorns the building sub- stituted. The house was also turned part way around, so that instead of facing west and showing its broadside to the road, as it did before, it faces south and upon the road. Although provision was made for public worship a few years earlier, yet no formal church organization was effected until 1725, when, in May, the Assembly granted " liberty unto the inhabitants of the North Parish in Sey- brook to imbody themselves into church estate, with the approbation of the neighboring churches, and to set- tle an orthodox minister amongst them." This liberty was carried out November i6th| following, at which time the Rev. Abraham Nott, who had been the minister of the parish from its incorporation, was duly ordained a gospel minister for the Second Society of Saybrook as this was then called. The salary of Mr. Nott was, at first, _;^5o a year, with prospective increase to ;^7o, and the supply of his fire wood. The last item was after- ward commuted to ;^i5 a year increase of salary. This salary, he declared in a complaint to the Assembly, in October 1750, had been paid in " bills of credit of the old tenour," which were of so small value as to greatly distress him. Mr. Nott died January 24th 1756. During his pastorate the size of this parish had been diminished by the investment of the people of Chester with parish privileges, in October 1740. Mr. Nott was succeeded by the Rev. Stephen Holmes, a native of Woodstock, who was installed here Novem- ber 24th 1757. He practiced medicine in addition to preaching the gospel. His tombstone in the old burying ground north of the village states that he died Septem- ber 13th 1773, "in ye i6th year of his Ministry, and 42d of his life." He was followed by the Rev. Benjamin Dunning, a native of Newtown, who was settled here May 24th 1775. The ministry of the latter continued until 1785. A tombstone in the old burying ground re- cords the fact that he died May 12th 1785, in the 22d year of his ministry, at the age of 45 years. The Rev. Richard Ely was insta.led here in 1786, and performed the service of the gospel ministry until the settlement of his colleague, the Rev. Aaron Hovey, in 1804. He soon afterward retired from the pulpit and re- moved to Chester, where he died August 23d 1814, in the 81st year of his age, and the 57th of his ministry, and he was buried near his predecessors in the old burying ground on Little Point. The Rev. Aaron Hovey was born at Mansfield, June 22d 1774, and entered Dartmouth College in 1794, gradua- ting in 1798. He was, from his youth, of a decidedly religious tendency, but did not decide to enter the ministry until he had taught school and studied law for a while. In 1801, he commenced the study of theology with Rev. Charles Backus, D.D., of Somers, and in the, early part of the following year he was licensed to preach by the Association of Windham County. He be- gan preaching for the Second Society of Saybrook in the autumn of 1803, and was ordained colleague with Mr. Ely, September sth 1804. Mr. Ely soon afterward re- moving to Chester, the entire pastoral labor devolved on Mr. Hovey. He was an earnest and indefatigable la- borer, and besides his ordinary pastoral labors he took ESSEX— CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 347 an active part in Sabbath school work, and found time and energy to instruct a large number of students in sci- ence and literature, preparing some for college and fitting others for the practice of navigation, a line of business interest which then was absorbing the attention of a large class of the people of this parish; nor were his energies confined to his own parish. For 34 years he was the register of the Middletown Association, to which body he belonged. During his pastorate of this church sev- eral revivals occurred, the most notable ones of which were in i8i6, 1820-1, 1827, 1829, and 1835, which gave to the church, respectively, 20, 90, ji, 20, and 38 mem- bers. At the time of his ordination, the membership of the church was 107, which number at the time of his death had reached 200, During his pastorate he had admitted 403 members, this augmentation having been counter- balanced by the withdrawal of the Deep River church, in addition to the ordinary diminution by removal and death. Soon after his settlement, Mr. Hovey married Huldah, the daughter of his predecessor, she being then the widow of Uriah Hayden 2d. He died September 9th 1843, thus closing a pastorate of 39 years, being the longest term of any minister that has ever served this church. The Rev. Joseph D. Hull was employed as colleague with Mr. Hovey a few months in 1843. After the death of the latter, he was settled as pastor, January 31st 1844. He served the church in this capacity until October 16th 1848, when he was dismissed. A call was then given to Rev. John H. Pettengill, October 30th 1848, and he was settled April 25th 1849. He remained until December ist 1852. Rev. Joseph W. Sessions preached here a few months from some time in 1853 to April 1854. Rev. William E. Bassett preached a short time in July to Sep- tember 1854, but declined a call to settle. The Rev. Elijah D. Murphy was a supply during the year 1855. Other supplies were employed for a short time. The Rev. Henry Richard Hoisington was settled here April 22d 1857. The story of his life, as told on his tombstone in the burying ground by the school house in Centerbrook, is in substance as follows: he was born at Vergennes, Vt., August 23d 1801; graduated at Williams College in 1828; was ordained pastor of the Presbyterian church in Aurora, N. Y., August 28th i83i;a missionary in Ceylon and the United States from March 1833, to Jan- uary 1854; stated minister to the Congregational church in Williamstown, Mass., from Oj:tober 1853, to April 1856; installed here April 22d 1857, and died May i6th 1858. He was struck down with apoplexy while in the pulpit preaching from the text, " To-day, if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts." He died in the latter part of the same day. 'The Rev. John G. Baird, after preaching a short time, was called, and was settled June 2d 1859, and continued pastor of the church until his dismissal, November ist 1865. Since that time the church has had no settled pastor. The pulpit has been occupied by temporary supplies much of the time; a few of whom have covered terms of two or more years duration. Rev. Henry A. Russell served the church two years, beginning April ist 1866. Rev. Judson B. Stoddard was a supply from Jan- uary 1869 to 1875, a term of six years. Rev. Henry C. Fay supplied from October 28th 1877, two years. Rev. Thomas D. Murphy preached here from June 6th 1880, to June ist 1883. Rev. Thomas D. Barclay has supplied the church from November 4th 1883, to the present time. At the beginning a committee of three was annually chosen to order the affairs of the society. This com- mittee was afterward called the " prudential commit- tee." It was decided that the eldest member of this committee should, from lime to time, be the moderator of society meetings. Two collectors were also elected to collect the necessary rates. Tythingmen were first elected in 1724. Those chosen for that year were Abra- ham Andrus and Robert Pratt. Parish clerks were also chosen annually from the beginning. The annual meet- ing was in December, but within a few decades past it has been changed to November. The society at the first quite vigorously opposed the separation of the people of Pattaconk as a distinct soci- ety. Efforts were made in that direction as early as 1729. October 6th, of that year, a committee was appointed to represent the parish at New Haven in the matter. Again, May 6th 1730, it was voted " that Patequonck shall not be sett of as a distinct parish;" and October nth 1731, Charles Williams was chosen to go to New Haven to represent the parish in opposition to the petition of Pattaconk to be set off. In 1733, the Assembly made that part of the parish exempt from paying minister's rates here. But the scheme of withdrawal, which seemed to have been in almost constant agitation among the people of the northern part of the parish, reached its final culmination in 1739 and 1740. The line at first recommended by the Assembly was protested against in October 1739, but in the following year committees of the two parts of the parish met and agreed on a line between Pattaconk and Potapaug, which was the Deep River from its mouth up to the bridge where the country road crosses it, and thence a direct line west to the Kil- lingworth line. The society now consented to the setting off the people of Pattaconk as a distinct society, and in January 1741, appointed a committee to "perambulate the line " and erect monuments on it. The name Ches- ter is at this time, for the first, applied to the new soci- ety. In 1756, an attempt was made to effect a union with Chester in the employment of a minister. The line between this and the society of Pochaug, now Westbrook, was a source of considerable trouble for many years. From about 1733 to 1770, committees were frequently appointed to run this line. Some idea of the fellow feeling that existed in the society in its infancy may be gathered from the fact that May 13th 1724, Ebenezer Parker was "freed by a vote of s'd parish from all Parish Charges for ye year past and for ye future so long as it shall be ye pleasure of God to continue his Blindness." 45 348 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Probably the first institution of the " penny collection " in this church was in 1738. An order of the parish at that time directed that on and after the first Sabbath in April a contribution should be gathered at the meeting house after public worship on the first Sabbath in every month, and by the junior deacon be paid to Mr. Nott, and an account kept of the same. Considerable interest has been manifested by this so- ciety in regard to the music in its public worship. In t8i8, the society appropriated $40 to psalmody, " in- cluding that which is already appropriated." In 1821, a singing school was maintained at the expense of the parish, to promote the singing in church. The same was done repeatedly in after years. In 1847, $50 was ap- propriated to the purchase of a double-bass-viol for the use of the choir. November 30th 1852, 16 members withdrew to form the society of Essex. The present membership of the church is 107. The Sunday school, connected with it, numbers about 160. Services have been held at Ivory- ton on Sabbath evenings since April 23d 1877. The successive clerks of this society have been as fol- lows: Samuel Pratt, 1722-25; Abner Parker, 1726-28; John Clarke, 1729-32; Jabez Pratt, 1733-42; John Pratt, 1743-53; Philip Kirtland jr., 1754-64; Edward Pratt, 1765-66; Josiah Nott, 1767-83; John Bull, 1784; Zephaniah Pratt, 1785-87; John Bull, 1788-1801; Josiah Nott, 1802-14; Joseph Platts, 1815-26; Heman Starkey, 1827-28; Josiah Nott, 1829; Joel M. Pratt, 1830-31; Henry C. Sanford, 1832-33; Tertius Nott, 1834; Aaron E. Hovey, 1835; Selden M. Pratt, 1836-39; Josiah E. Nott, 1840-43; H. C. Sanford, 1844-45; Ogden C. Pratt, 1846; William Denison 2d, 1847-76: R. N. Pratt, 1877; J. W. Bushnell, 1878 to the present time. Eminent Divines. — The ecclesiastical parish of Pota- paug, now the town of Essex, has probably furnished a larger number of learned divines than any other parish of the same population in Middlesex county, among whom were the following: Samuel Nott, D. D., grandson of Rev. Abraham Nott, first pastor of the Second Congregational Church, of the town of Saybrook. He was for along time pastor of the Congregational church at Franklin, Conn. He was brother of Dr. Eliphalet Nott, president of Union Col- lege. The latter was born after the family removed to Ashford, Conn. Rev. Edward Bull, pastor at Cheshire, Conn. Rev. Horace S. Pratt, D. D., pastor at St. Mary's, Ga., and afterward professor of English Literature in the University of Alabama. Rev. Nathaniel A. Pratt, D. D., pastor at Darien, Ga., afterward at Roswell, Ga. Rev. Richard B. Bull, now pastor at Lamar, Mo. Rev. Handel G. Nott, pastor in Maine, and afterward at Rochester, N. Y. He was father of Rev. Kingman Nott, successor of Dr. Cone in the First Baptist Church, New York, and also of Rev. Richard M. Nott, who re- cently died in Wakefield, Mass. Rev. Edward Bull, a laborer among the Freedmen. Rev. Austin H. Norris, now pastor in Newaygo, Mich. Rev. Lewellyn Pratt, D. I)., professor of theology in Hartford Theological Seminary, the second son of Selden M. and Rebecca C. (Nott) Pratt, both of Essex, Conn. He was born in that part of the town of Essex now known as Ccnterbrook — formerly a part of the town of Saybrook — on the 8th of August 1832. His early education was received at the district school and afterward at Hill's Academy, of Essex, which he attended for some years. He subsequently entered Williams College, from which he graduated in the class of 1852. After leaving college he taught and studied theology in Philadelphia. He was ordained by the Philadelphia Presbytery in 1864, was professor of natural sciences in the National College for Deaf Mutes at Washington, D. C, from 1865 to 1869; was professor of Latin language and literature at Knojt College, 111., from 1869 to 1871; was appointed trustee of Northwest Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1870; was pastor of Congrega- tional Church, at North Adams, Mass., from 1871 to 1876; was professor of rhetoric at Williams College from 1876 to 1881. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Williams College in 1877, was chosen trustee of the same college in 1884, became professor of practical theology in Hartford Theological Seminary in 1880, which posi- tion he still holds. On the 17th of October 1855, he married Sarah P. Gulliver, of Philadelphia, by whom he has had two chil- dren, only one of whom, Waldo Selden, is now living, and is at present associate professor in Hartford Theo- logical Seminary. St. John's Episcopal Church. From about the year 1780, the principles of the Church of England were held by individuals here, who were under the care of Rev. Bela Hubbard, of New Haven, but no society existed until about 1790. Mr. Solomon Blakes- ley, of East Haddam, and others, occasionally conducted services here during the last years of the last century and the first years of the present one. He served the church previous to August 2d 1794. In 1793, he oflS- ciated occasionally at JC\, Zs., e,d. a Sabbath. The church edifice was erected in 1790 arid 1791. It stood on the old road west of Muddy River, in the neighborhood of the present railroad station, and on land now owned by Edgar Griswold. About 10 years later, it was taken down and moved to Pound Hill, where it now stands. It has since been enlarged. The building was consecrated July 12th 1821. A subscrip- tion " to finish the leanto," containing names, with sums aggregating;^! I, Ss., is dated July 13th 1792, and is still preserved. The following record tells a story that sounds queer to the ears of the present generation, but was not so strange a thing at that time: " May 5th 1794. " We the Subscribers Due promis to pay unto Uriah Essex— CHURCHES. 349 Hayden ihe sums affixed to our names to be Laid out in Tickets in the liartford State house Lotery by said Hay- den, which Tickets if they Should Draw a prize or prizes shall be appropriated for the ues of finishing the Church by him ye sd Hayden. s. d. " Uriah Hayden ; 6 — o "Timothy Starkey 4 — 6 " David Williams 6—0 " Elisha Mather 6—0 " John Griffin 6 — o " By Desire William Trip 12 — o " Ebenezer Hayden 2d 6 — o " Samuel Hayden 6 — o " Asa Williams 4 — 4 " N. Scovell 6—0." The following names, with the respective sums at- tached, which appear on a subscription paper to hire the Rev. William Green six months from the second Sunday in April 1799, will show who were the supporters of this church in its infancy: Elisha Mather, $3; Noah Scovell, $S; David Williams, $3; Israel Doan, I5; Joseph Bell, $4; Uriah Hayden, %2; John G. Hayden, $r; Samuel Hayden, $2; David Williams jr., |i; Noah Scovell jr., $2; Peter Clarke, $i; Ebenezer Hayden 2d, $4; Rich- ard Hayden, $1.50; Richard Powers, $1; Judea Pratt, $2; Henry Hayden, $r. The early records of the church are scanty and frag- mentary. Rev. William Green was its rector from 1797 to 1799, at least, but following the latter date for several years the records are silent. At the last mentioned date there were 21 communicants. The Rev. Peter G. Clark was here in July 1822, and continued till April 1827, and perhaps a little while longer. Thirteen communicants were admitted by him, between those two dates. The Rev. William Jarvis was rector for awhile, about 1828. The church is at this time reported as comprehending 51 fam- ilies, 46 communicants, a Sunday school of 44 scholars and six teachers, and as having contributed to the Church Scholarship Society, during the previous year, $500. The Rev. Ashbel Steele appears as rector October ist 1829. The first confirmation by the bishop was under his ministry, September 26th 1830. He continued here until July ist 1832, or later. The Rev. Stephen Beach, from Salisbury, entered upon the duties of rector, June 20th 1833. He appears as rector of both this and the church at East Haddam. He resigned in 1836; the lat- est record found of him being August 27th. The Rev. James M. Tappan began his ministry here, July 7th 1837, and continued until his death. His memorial tablet in the Little Point Burying Ground states that he was a " Presbyter of Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, born in Gloucester, Mass., Jan. 12, 1802, died in Essex, Conn., March 24, 1839." The Rev. Thomas H. Vail began his ministry here at Easter 1839, and his lat- est record bears date August nth 1844. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Solomon G. Hitchcock, about September i6th 1844. He probably remained but a few months, as it appears Rev. Joseph Scott began his ministry June ist 1845, and resigned April 5th 1846. The Sunday school in the latter year had 45 scholars and nine teachers. An organ was placed in the church the same year. The Rev. Joseph S. Covell took charge the third Sunday after Easter, 1846, and continued till July 1848. The Rev. Sylvester Nash followed him in September 1848, and continued in charge until his resignation, March 28th 1853. The Rev. Hiram Stone became minister and took charge April i6tli 1854. He was ordained and became rector November 19th fol- lowing. His ministry continued till May 1856, and a month later Rev. Thomas F. Davis jr., took charge as minister. He was in charge until April 1858. Rev. Delancy D. Rice had charge from June 1858, to Easter Monday i860. Rev. J. M. Bartlett entered upon his duties May 25th 1862, and continued till August 14th 1881. Rev. Henry C. Randall, the present rector, entered upon his duties November 22d 1881. The present parsonage was purchased in 1833. The present number of communicants is 53. The Baptist Church of Essex. This denomination appears to have gained an exist- ence here in 1805. A society had been, organized in the western part of the parish, now Winthrop, as early as about 1745, and it was joined by a few families from neighboring parishes. "Asplundo represents a church having been organized among them in 1788; but it was probably organized previously to that time." The records of the North Parish of Saybrook contain the following entry: " To all Persons to whome these Presents may Come, Greeting: " Know ye that James Baly of Saybrook is this 19th Day of March, 1765 Received into the Baptis Church of Christ in Saybrook and was this Day Baptized by me. Signd With my hand Paster of the Baptis Church of Christ in New London North Parrish." " Joshua Morse." The first preaching by a Baptist minister, of which there is any account, was in 1804, when Elder Simon Dickinson, of East Haddam, held meetings here a few times, and baptized several persons, who became members of the East Haddam church. Up to July ist 1809, the number of persons from this vicinity who had joined the P2ast Haddam church was 22. By June i8th 181 1, as the fruits of a revival, 31 others had been added to that number. At the date last mentioned, a council of neigh- boring churches convened here and organized an inde- pendent churchj with 64 members, by the title of the Sec- ond Baptist Church of Saybrook. Mr. Sala Post was one of the moft zealous advocates of the peculiar prin- ciples of this church, and from the year 1805, for several years, his house was made the meeting place for those who listened to the teachings of the Baptist preachers who visited this field. Meetings were also held at other private houses, and at the "great school-house," which building was finally purchased by Mr. Samuel Williams and presented to the society as a meeting house.. It was 35° HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. used for this purpose until 1817. The use of the Episco- pal meeting house also had been obtained occasionally. The house of Mr. Sala Post, where some of the first meetings were held, was bought by Mrs. Irene Williams, in 1822, and presented to the Baptists for a parsonage. It was occupied as such until 1840, and was afterward used as a Methodist parsonage. It is still standing on the north side of New City street, being the next house east of the store of C. O. Spencer. Another parsonage was occupied, which is now the dwelling of William Smith, at the foot and on the south side of New street. Still later, a parsonage has been obtained on the lot next north of the church. The first pastor of the church was the Rev. Oliver Wilson, who was ordained August 12th 1812, the services of thus inducting him being held at the Second Society's meeting house, now the Congregational church at Cen- terbrook. He continued with the church until October 23d 1814. During the latter year the church received by the bequest of Mr Jared Hayden, who died on the 3d of April, a fund of $6,443. A church was soon afterward erected on land given for the purpose by Mr. Samuel Williams on the hill just north of the present town hall. This building was long known as the " Brick Meeting House." It stood on the rock on the east side of Church street, overlooking the present school house. It was dedicated in the autumn of 1817, having been erected at a cost of about $3,500, about one half of which had been raised by subscriptions. It was 38 by 50 feet and was supplied with a tower and bell. From the close of the first pastorate to the year 1818 there was no settled pastor. Among those who supplied the pulpit during that time were Elders Hubbard and Gustavus F. Davis. The Rev. Asa Wilcox began his labors here April 24th 1818. An act of incorporation was obtained in May 1819, and another, in conformity with later legislative enactments, was established in 1826. The pastorate of Elder Wilcox closed in April 1828, and he was followed in August by the Rev. Pier- pont Brocket. The latter resigned in August 1835 after which the church was for a while without a pastor. In April 1836, Elder Henry R. Knapp commenced his labors, which continued until April 1840. A conference house was built in 1837, was sold in 1845, and has since been used as a school house, being known as the " Point school house." It still occupies its original site. Rev. William G. Miller began pas- toral labors with this church April ist 1840,, and con- tinued until his death, April 13th 1845. The corporate name of the church was changed by the Legislature in the spring of 1840, to the " First Baptist Church and Society of Essex." The Rev. William H. Card preached here from August 1845 to August 1846. At that time the new meeting house, the present com- modious and imposing structure, was built. Begun in 184S, it was completed in the early part of the following year, and dedicated on the 23d of June. The Rev. Henry Bromly served this church from September 1846 to March 1847, when the Rev. William G. Howard en- tered upon a pastorate that extended to September 1849. Rev. Marvin Eastwood was pastor one year, from De- cember 1849. I" September 1851, Rev. Joseph A. Bailey began preaching here, and was ordained October 22d 1S51. His labors closed in September 1855. Rev. Silas Ilsley occupied the pulpit from November 1855, to May 1859, and was followed by Rev. Bradford H. Lincoln, in July 1859. The pastorate of the latter closed March ist 1862. The pulpil was then supplied by Rev. Henry Bromly and others for several months, after which a call was accepted by Rev. William I. Gill, and he entered upon his labors the first Sabbath in April 1863. He continued with the church three years, during which time he was absent for a while, engaged in the work of the Christian Commission on the field of the war. He was dismissed the last Sabbath of March 1866. The pulpit was sup- plied for a few months by Rev. Mark A. Cummings and others. Rev. Jerome B. Morse commenced his labors on the first Sabbath in December 1866, and continued until the first Sabbath in January 1870, when another season of irregular supply followed. The Rev. G. W. Nichol- son began on the second Sabbath in October following, and continued his labors until May ist 1873. The Rev. John Duncan, D. D., began work here the first Sabbath in October 1873, and continued till the last Sabbath in June 1879. For nearly a year the pulpit was again filled with temporary supplies, until the Rev. Samuel J. Knapp began as a " resident supply," May 1st 1880. His labors closed in October 1882, and he was followed, in Janu- ary 1883, by Rev. S. Washington, who is the present pastor. Other bequests than those already mentioned have been made to this church, the interest on which is to be applied to missions. These were: one by Capt. William Williams, who died in 1836, leaving $2,376, and another by Mrs. Irene Williams, who died in 1840, leaving $1,907 for the same purpose. Drafts have been made on the membership of this church for the organization of others. In 1825, it dis- missed 25 to form a church at Killingworth, and in April 1830, it gave 15 to form the church at Deep River. De- spite the losses thus sustained the church has had a steady growth, which may be seen from the following numbers showing its membership at different dates: 1811,64; 1817,61; 1828,101; 183s, 151; 1849, 198; 1855, 239; 1861, 248; 1883, 249. The Sunday school was organized about 1825. Asa Wilcox was the first superintendent. Joseph Hayden was superintendent for many years, and at his death, De- cember 24th 1844, left a legacy of $500, the interest of which was to be devoted to the purchase of books for its library. The Methodist Episcopal Church. The Methodist society of Essex was formed in the fall of 1824, by Rev. Aaron Pierce and Rev. Smith Dayton, who were then acting as conference missionaries in this region. The first class was composed of eight members, ESSEX— CHURCHES— SCHOOLS. 35' some of whom are still living. The class was soon in- creased by the fruits of several revivals. The first church edifice was erected in 1826. It is now the town hall. Previous to 1835, this church was a part of the West- brook circuit, and its services were conducted by the preachers of that circuit. In the year last mentioned it was made a separate field, and supplied with a minister. The pastoral service of this church for several years appears to have been irregular, and the records are de- ficient. The following ministers served it: James M. Bray, 1835; G. C. Creevy, 1849-51; Edwin E. Griswold, D. D., 1852, 1853; Hart F. Pease, 1854. 1855; E. S. Hebberd, 1856; J. W. Leek, 1857, 1858; W. Lawrence, 1859; S. J. Stebbins, i860, 1861; H. D. Lathaw, 1862, 1863; Horatio N. Weed, 1864, 1865; Ira Abbott, 1866, 1867; Loren Webb, 1868, 1869; G. H. Goodsell, 1870- 72; G. B. Dusinberre, 1873, 1874; W.W.Elder, 1875, 1876; O. J. Range, 1877-79; A. Graham, 1880; E. L. Bray, 1881; F. Saunders, 1882, 1883; T. N. Laine, 1884. A parsonage was purchased in 1848, for $1,000, and another in 1868, for $1,200. The present church edifice was built in 1849. Congregational Church, Essex. Religious services, with a view to the organization of a Congregational church in this village, were first held December sth 1851, in the old Methodist meeting house, under the ministration of Rev. E. B. Crane. The erec- tion of a new house of worship was commenced in June 1852, and the corner stone was laid on the first day of September following, at which time the church was fully organized by a council of the neighboring churches duly called. The merabtrship of the new church had with- drawn, to the number of 52, from the church at Center- brook, July 2d of that year. The church edifice, having been completed, was dedicated August 10th 1853. The Rev. E. B. Crane, closing his ministrations on the first Sabbath of July 1852, was followed by Rev. E. W. Tucker, who was employed as a stated supply for one year. A unanimous call was extended to James A. Gal- lup, February 26th 1854, and he, accepting, was ordained and installed May 17th following. Alter a harmonious and successful pastorate of nearly 12 years, his resigna- tion took effect October Sth 1865. He was followed by Rev. Oliver S. Taylor, who labored here as acting pastor from January ist 1866 to February isth 1867. The Rev. L. T. Spaulding was installed October 2d 1867, and con- tinued till November ist 1869. Henry W. Teller, being called to the pastorate, was ordained and installed July 7th 1870. He closed his labors January 15th 1873. Rev. J. Howe Vorce commenced his labors as acting pastor August ist 1873, and continued till April ist 1875. Rev. A. S. Gardiner was employed as acting pastor from August ist 187s to August 3(st 1877. George H. Cate supplied the pulpit from March ist 1878 till April 2d 1879, when he was ordained and installed. His pastor ate extended to June Sth 1880. E. Clarence Oakley supplied the pulpit awhile, beginning September ist 1880, and on the 30th of June 18S1, was ordained and installed as pastor, in which relation he continued until March 27th 1S83. Rev. J. Howe Vorce again commenced act- ing as a stated supply July Sth 1883, in which capacity he still continues. The total membership of this church, January ist 1884, was 166. The Sunday school con- nected with it numbers about no. The deacons of the church are Gamaliel Conklin, elected January 4th 1855; Charles S. Munger, elected July 31st 1872; and Stillman J. Tiley, elected at the same time. Public Schools. The earliest reference to the matter of schools that is found in the action of the society was February 15th 1726, when a committee was appointed to go down to Saybrook to treat with the selectmen about the school money for the society. A committee was appointed for the school in 1729, and again at a later date. The first schoolmaster, of which we can learn as being paid by this society, was Joseph Pratt, who, December 30th 1735, re- ceived, one pound, five shillings, from the funds of the so- ciety toward his pay as a schoolmaster. He appears to have been employed in after years in the same capacity. December 22d 1736, a legacy in land which had been left for the improvement of schools was sold and the avails, amounting to ;£i2°, 8 shillings, were put at interest. The school was probably kept at first in private houses, but in 1737 the society resolved to build a school house. A site was agreed upon, but at a Liter meeting it was changed; disagreement followed, and the matter was finally submitted to arbitration, and a council of men from Lyme was called for that purpose. They decided that the site should be about 20 rods west of Muddy River, and the society ordered. May 23d 1738, that the frame, which had already been set up elsewhere, should be moved thither. This building was completed in the course of the two years following, and the society meet- ing was held in it, in December 1739. It was in size 16 by 21 feet, and cost;£^8i, 15s., 3d. "old tenor." It was a common custom in early times to move the school from place to place for different parts of the year. At a meeting of the society, December 3rst 1733, it was voted " That the school set up in this society be removed from place to place and to such places within this socie- ty as in the discretion of the committee may most ac- commodate the society." January 25th 1743, the parish refused to move the school thus to accommodate those who lived distant, but a week later the meeting decided to move it and to keep it for the coming year, four months at the school house, two months at Daniel Pratt's house, two months at Hezekiah Buckingham's, two months at Philip Kirtland's, and two months at Sam- uel Bushnell's. The financial affairs of the school were for many years managed by the "prudential committee " of the society, who managed the funds and property that had already been set apart for the school. About the year 1754, a distinct committee was appointed to take care of the school. On the 7th of April 1768, the parish was divided, by its own vote, into four school districts, the locations of 35- HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUlSfTV. wliich may be best understood from the following description: A north and south line was run from the north to the south bounds of the parish, passing lo rods west of the house of George Clark and lo rods east of the house of David Cone; and all that part of the parish lying west of this line was called District Number 4. A second line was run from a- point on Daniel Williams' mill pond, 10 rods west of his dwelling house, south to the south bounds of the parish, at a point 10 rods west of where Daniel Bushnell then lived. District Number I occupied all that part of the parish lying east of this line and south of a line from the mouth of Twelve Mile Island Cove to the point on Williams' mill pond above described. District Number 3, also called the Middle District, occupied the space between Districts Numbers i and 4, and was bounded on the north by a line running east from the first line described, passing at a point 10 rods south of the house of Azariah Pratt and 10 rods north of the house of Thomas Pratt jr., till it intersected the line running from Wil- liams' mill pond to the mouth of Twelve Mile Island Cove. District Number 2 occupied all that part of the parish lying north of Numbers i and 3 and east of Number 4. At the same time, it was decided that the old school house should be sold at public vendue and the proceeds be added to the school fund already accumulated, the interest on which was applied to the support of schools. On the 9th of February 1769, District No. i was di- vided into three districts, the two new ones thus formed being called the Southeast and the Northeast Districts. The bounds of the Southeast District were " a west line from the Cove which shall Pass half way between tiraa- thy tookers and the widow Shaus to continner till a South Line will strike the south East Corner of Doctor Cham- pion home Lot and then southerly to pass half .way be- twene Isac pratts and widow mary Pratts 2d and Con- tiner till it Coms to the society Line and thence Runing Eastward and Nor Ward as s'd society is buted till it Coms to ye first mentioned Bound." The bounds of the Northeast District were "the North Line of s'd South East District and from the west end thirof a Northerly Line to 12 mile Island Cove or till it intersects the 2d District southerly Line thence Eastwardly to Connec- ticut River thence southerly as the society line Runs to the Eastward to the first mentioned Leaving Samuel Buckingham's house on the East Line." The remaining part of the former district still retained the title of Dis- trict No. I. It was voted at the same time that a school house should be built in each district, and that a rate of six pence to the pound on the grand levy should be raised for that purpose, each district being entitled to the money raised in it. A committee was appointed in each district to see that the school house was built. These committees were: Benjamin Wilh'ams, Edward Bull, and Josiah Nott, in No. i; Uriah Hayden, David Tratt, and Peleg Hill, in the Southeast District; Gideon Bucking- ham, Thomas Tiley, and Hezekiah Buckingham in the Northeast District; Gideon Kirtland, Daniel Pratt, and John Denison in No. 2; William Clark, Mr. Prinedone, and Thomas Pratt jr., in No. 3; and Nathan Post, George Dibble, and Daniel Piatt in No. 4. The money author- ized to be raised by tax in each district was to be appro- priated toward the building of a school house, when a sum equal to three-fourths of that amount should be raised by subscription. Several years passed before the districts were all supplied with school houses. About this time the society employed a competent schoolmaster for 11 months in the year, and his services were distributed in the different districts, a part of the time in each. He was probably assisted by "school dames," who carried on schools in the several districts during some of the time, while he was engaged in other districts. There were, in 1814, eight schools in Potapaug. These were located, and each numbered scholars, as follows: No. I, near the meeting house at Centerbrook, 72; No. 2, Deep River, 95; No. 3, at Comstock's, 43; No. 4, West District, 45; Southeast, No. 5, 70; Meadow Woods, No. 6, 66; "The Point," No. 7, 82; Pound Hill, No. 8, 80. Total number of scholars, 553. Besides the State moneys drawn, in common with other towns, for school purposes, Saybrook had received, by bequest of Mr. Ed- ward Lorey, in 1689; by act of the Legislature in 1718, as a recompense for the removal of the college; and by a sum realized from the sale of Litchfield lands, a con- siderable fund for the support of its schools. After some losses had been sustained, the fund was divided among the different parishes, and in 1819 the fund belonging to this parish was $652.43. The old "Point school bouse " stood on, or near, the present site of the Essex Savings Bank. It had been in use many years, and had become dilapidated and out of keeping with the times. About the year 1845, meetings were held to discuss the question of a new school house, but a majority of the people, at successive meetings, voted to repair the old one. Excitement on the subject waxed high. A stormy meeting was held, and the major- ity again ruled that the old building should be repaired. In the middle of the nightj after this meeting had dis-- solved, a terrific explosion aroused the inhabitants of the neighborhood, and when daylight came the old school house was discovered to be in ruins. The force of an unknown quantity of gunpowder had blown thf^ sides out, and the decision of the previous evening was effect- ually reversed. The Baptist conference room, standing under the hill on North street, was then purchased, and has since been used for the village school. The "Great School House'' was an institution designed for the advanced education of youth. It stood in the western part of the village, on the lot now occupied by the residence of George A. Cheney. It was built by in- dividuals about the year 1805, and was a two story build- ing, finished for school purposes above and below. A school flourished in it for about 30 years, and it was afterward used for lodge meetings and other purposes. About 30 years ago it was moved from its original site. ESSEX— SCHOOLS— CEMETERIES. 353 and devoted to other uses, and was finally destroyed by fire. Under the general act entitled "An Act in Alteration of an Act concerning Education," passed in May 1867, the school districts of this town were abolished, and the town made a single school district by the vote of the people in town meeting, October 3d 1870. This arrange- ment placed the management of the schools in the hands of a committee of twelve, which was composed of two men from each of the former school districts. There are now five schools in the town, besides the department that is accommodated in the academy build- ing. Three of these have two departments each — one at Essex, one at Centerbrook, and one at Ivoryton. The other two, having but one department each, are located, one at Meadow Woods and the other in the " South Dis- trict," about a mile below the village. Hill's Academy. A number of enterprising citizens took the initial steps toward the establishment of Hill's Academy by a stock subscription bearing date May 8th 1831. Stock was to the amount of about 75 shares of $25 each. Land for the site of the building was furnished by Mr. Joseph Hill; hence the name. A two story building was erected in 1832, at a cost of $2,500. The company was incor- porated by act of the Legislature in May 1833. The charter names were: David Williams, Joseph H. Hayden, Richard P. Williams, Elias Redfield, Joseph Post, Samuel Ingham, Gideon Parker, Henry L. Champlin, William Williams, William Bull, Ezra S. Mather, Uriah Hayden, Timothy Starkey, John Urquhart, Alva Post, Reuben Post, Noah Starkey, and Austin Starkey. The corporate name was Hill's Academy, and the management of its affairs was placed in the hands of five trustees. The in- structor of the school was by the charter made exempt from military duty. By the bequest of Captain William Williams the Acad emy received, in 1836, property to the value of $2,376.48; and at the decease of Col. Joseph Hill, which took place July 5th 1843, the school received, by his will, a valuable shad fishery property situated in the town of Lyme. The shad fishery at that time yielded an annual income of about $600, but its value has depreciated until now % all the revenue that can be derived from it is about $50 a year from the grass that grows upon its meadows. For many years a flourishing and profitable school was maintained. The property is still held by the corpora- tion trustees, but the school has been for several years a public school, maintained by the town as a high school department of its system of public instruction. Lucius Lyon was an instructor in this academy, and Febuary 22d 1848, he received a lease of the acade- my property for ten years, in consideration of which he obligated himself to maintain such a school as the laws of the corporation required, and was also to receive all the income of the property from y,ear to year. He then erected the seminary building, in 1848, and using that for the accommodation of boarding pupils, carried on a flourishing school by the combination of the two institu- tions. The seminary building is 70 feet long, and four stories high, and was designed to accommodate 30 boarding pupils. The combination, in its successful days, had an attendance of about 100 pupils, and em- ployed four teachers. Before the expiration of his lease, Lyon sold the combination to James L. Newell, and it was afterward occupied by Rev. Mark A. Curamings. The seminary was closed soon after its connection with the academy expired. Cemeteries. The first English burial place within the present limits of this town was that on Little Point, in the northern part of the village. It occupies a beautiful site on a bluff about twenty feet high, overlooking the cove and the river. It was opened as a burial place at a very early date. The initial ground was in the eastern part of the present enclosure, the earliest tombstone to be found there bears in quaint characters the following in- scription: "HERE LYETH THE BODY OF SARAH; THE WIFE OF NATHANIEL KIRTLAND, WHO DE- PARTED THIS FEBRVARY THE 5 17 16, IN THE 22D YEAR OF HER AGE." The ground was formally laid out by a vote of the proprietors of the quarter, October 14th 1730, to lay out a suitable quantity, not exceeding an acre and a half for a burial place " to be for sd use to the end of time." December 26th 1814, a meeting of all denominations in the parish was held to take action in regard to fencing the cemetery. The result was the erection of a stone wall four feet high and two and a half feet thick at the base. The ground then enclosed by this wall was 12 rods wide and 24 rods long. There was also a hearse house in the southwest corner, and the main entrance was a short distance north of it, in the west end. The ground has since been enlarged by the addition of 20 rods to its length, on the west end, and the stone wall has been re-set, so as to enclose the whole with a wall of nearly the same dimensions as the first. The ground contains many hundreds of graves, the most of which are marked with neat monumental slabs. In the newer part of the cemetery may be seen many nicely kept burial plots and a number of costly monuments. These are of grey and Scotch granites, brown stone, and white marble. They bear the names Pratt, Wooster, Stevens, Hayden, Manwaring, Starkey, Ingham, Post, Tucker, Collins, Hurlbut, Goodrich, Doane, and others, the names Hayden, Post,and Pratt being often repeated. Some monuments of the old style are in the old part of the ground. Quite pretentious in their day, they bear the names of Uriah Hayden and Ann, his widow; Samuel M. Hayden and Elizabeth, his wife; Nehemiah Hayden and Sarah, his wife; Richard Hayden and Patty, his widow; Richard Powers, Timothy Starkey, William E. Williams and Abby, his wife; William Williams, Noah Scovell and Desire, his wife; Seabury and Lewis Scovell, Lyman Pratt, Ethan Bushnell, Ebenezer Hay- 354 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. den, and others, the most of them dating in the first part of this century. The old burying ground at Centerbrook covers half an acre, lying in the rear of the school house, on the east side of the road. It is enclosed with a plain picket fence, the ground having but little ornamentation, though being neatly kept. A few monuments bear the names Scovell, Bull, Comstock, Nott, Shepard, and Hovey. The earliest date on a tombstone here is 1800, though but few graves appear to have been made earlier than about 1835. In the rear of the Baptist church at Essex, a very nicely laid out and cared for plot of about half an acre contains some neat and costly memorials. It was opened for this purpose at a comparatively recent date. A small burial plot has been improved about one-fourth of a mile northwest of Pound Hill. It is located in a side hill sloping eastward, and is made available by terracing. It is occupied by a vault and about 12 graves. Three monuments stand in front of the vault. These bear the names: Captain Henry L. Champlin, died May isth 1859, age 73; Joseph Hill, died July rjth 1843, aged 76; and Joseph H. Hayden, died December 24th 1844, age 46. Shipbuilding. Beginning in the early part of the last century, ship- building has been one of the most important interests of this place. The advantageous position of this point for the purposes of commerce, and the facilities it afforded for the building of vessels were the inviting conditions that led to the building of a village here. . The sites of former scenes of activity in this industry are scattered all around the borders of the South and North Coves. Single vessels were built here and there, until there is scarcely a house lot around the shores that has not at some time had one or more vessels built on it. There have also been regularly established yards, with the conveniences, that were used many years for ship building. The water was, in early years, much deeper than it is now. In fact, the rapid filling in of the coves has itself so changed the conditions as to preclude the reasonable possibility of launching vessels of any size from many points that years ago were used in that way. Permanent yards were used for many years on the south side of the South Cove, by Noah Starkey and David Mack, near the present residence of the latter. It is said that there have been times when a person could stand on Pound Hill and see 30 vessels on the stocks at a single sweep of vision over the water front. Two sets of marine railways have been in operation but they are worn out, and only one of them is now kept in working repair. During the first years of the present century, from 1,200 to 2,000 tons of shipping were built here annually. At that time, and for years subsequently, the commerce of this place, which was principally coastwise, was not exceeded by that of any other on the river, except, perhaps, Middletown. This industry attained the height of its first period of prosperity during the first few years of this century, but suffered a severe check in the embargo of 1812-14. After that it grew again, and reached its zenith about the year 1840, or soon after. Since that time it has been gradually declining, until at this time the business may fairly be pronounced extinct. No vessels of any consid- erable size have been built here in the last ten or twelve years. Of those who have been prominently engaged in the business it will be of interest to mention a few. John Tucker began to build vessels about the year 1720, but the work was not extensively carried on for several years. Richard Tucker built vessels about 1750. Nehemiah Hayden built a " snow " for the West India trade as early as 1742. A " snow " is a vessel having two masts resembling the main and foremast of a ship, and a small mizzenmast carrying a trysail. He was engaged in the business for several years afterward. Uriah Hayden, a noted builder, began about 1750, and continued till after the Revolution. He died November 24th 1808, in the 77th year of his age. He was the builder of the OUver CromwcU, the first, or one of the first war ships ever owned by the then newly formed government of the United States. She was a man of war, carrying 24 guns, and was built for the colony of Connecticut, in 1775, and afterward transferred to the general government. Ebenezer Hayden began building vessels about the same time. Samuel Williams Esq., was building vessels during the last years of the last century and the first years of this. Judea and Asahel Pratt engaged in the business about the first of this century. Captain Noah Scovell built vessels during the first no years of the century or thereabout. Amasa Hayden built ships from 1800 to 1830, approximately. Noah and Austin Starkey built a great many vessels from 1815 to 1841. David Williams was also largely engaged in the work from 18 15 to 1840. Charles Tiley carried on the business from 1825 to 1840. Richard P. Williams built many ships from 1830 to 1850. David Mack was a prominent builder from 1835 to 1870. Captain Frank West was engaged in it for 20 years pre- vious to 1856. Nehemiah Hayden built a great many vessels from 1840 to 1855. The largest vessel ever built on the river up to that time was the Elizabeth Dcnison, a ship of about 1,000 g tons capacity, which was built here by Noah Starkey in 1839. The ship Middlesex was the largest vessel ever built here. She was of about 1,400 tons capacity, and was built in 1851, by Nehemiah Hayden, on the north side of the point, just below the bridge that opens the way to the ferry. Wharves. At a quarter meeting January 15th 1753, a grant was made to Abner Parker for 20 feet on the bank leading to the river, and fronting the highway, for his convenience in building a wharf and warehouse that might be a pub- lic benefit. This wharf is the old steamboat landing at the foot of Main street, and it was afterward owned by ESSEX— INDUSTRIES. 355 the Haydens, in whose possession it is still retained. The warehouse erected by Abner Parker in 175413 still stand- ing, a long, low, gambrel-roofed structure, that bears upon its face the evidences of its great age. An addition was made to it about 1783. This storehouse has been the receptacle for immense quantities of goods that, during the years previous to the building of railroads, were stored here to await the open- ing of navigation on the river, or the convenience of their owners, to be transported to the interior towns of the State. Large quantities of salt, for the use of the State, were stored here during the Revolutionary period. During that time, and at other times, pearl ashes, salt pork, molasses, lumber, tobacco, sugar, rum, and miscel- laneous merchandise were stored here for distribution to the country lying miles around. The proprietors of the quarter, February nth 1773, gave Captain Uriah Hay- den liberty to fill in between Hayden's and Parker's wharves. Parker's wharf, at that time, was the one above referred to, and Hayden's wharf was the one south of it, and directly in front of the present resi- dence of Henry Hayden. A considerable trade with the West Indies was carried on from about the time that ship building was com- menced through the middle of the i8th century, and horses were exported in exchange for sugar and other comfnodities. After the Revolution, a considerable trade was carried on with Nova Scotia. The long pile dock just above the bridge was built by H. D. Braddock, about 185 1. It is now considerably dilapidated. A sail-loft and boat-shop stands beside it. The pile dock below Hayden's wharf and adjoining the new paint works was built by H. C. Wooster about the same time. Other docks of this kind were built years ago in the North Cove, but are now nearly or quite gone. The present steamboat wharf was Robert Lay's wharf, built about a hundred years ago. door the old " George the Third " knocker of polished brass shines as brightly as it did when it was placed there 118 years ago. On the walls of this room hangs a picture of the king and queen, which is said to have hung here ever since the" house was built. It is a line drawing, partially colored, and the garments are loaded with trimmings thickly bestudded with diamonds, the sparkling effect of which is imitated very nicely by flakes of mica or some similar substance. The Union House was built in 1836, by a company, for the purpose of a hotel. It has been kept as such ever since. Mills and Manufactories. Taverns and Hotels. There are two hotels in the village, the Union House and the Griswold House. The seminary building, on the hill, was occupied for a while as a hotel and board- ing house under the name of the Pettipaug House. There have been but few old taverns in this town. One of the most noted in its day was the house of Danforth Clark at Centerbrook. This was a place of much resort a century ago, and later. The house stood next west of the meeting house, on the present site of the residence of Chapman Gladding. Ethan Bushnell kept a tavern in the present Griswold Plouse, beginning about the year 1800. The house now occupied by Henry Hayden, at the foot and on the south side of Main street, was used as a tavern from the time it was built, in 1766, to the close of the century. The old sign is still preserved. It bears the figure of a ship and the inscription " V and A, 1766," which was meant to stand for Uriah and Ann, the proprietor and his wife. The sign was imported from England. The southeast room of this house is an interesting specimen of antique finish. On the south March ist 1705, a grant was made to Ensign William Pratt and Serg't Nathaniel Pratt of liberty to erect a saw mill on Falls River, and to have land adjoining for the convenience of laying timber and lumber upon. February 8th 17 15, Charles Williams and John Clark jr. received a grant for the privilege of establishing a corn mill or grist mill upon F^lls River. This grant recited that a former grant had been made to the owners of the iron works, and that the proprietors owned the land flowed by the iron works dam, but granted the privi- lege of flooding for the benefit of the corn mill, provided that no detriment should result to the iron works or saw mill which then stood upon the dam. This grant ex- tended to Williams & Clark the right to rebuild and hold the dam in the event of a failure to do so on the part of the owners of the iron works and saw mill. January i8th 1714, land was granted to the same Williams & Clark on the north side of Falls River, east of the iron works dam, to erect a mill upon and the right to build a dam and necessary highway to and from the mill. This mill site was at the present site of the Connecticut Valley Manu- facturing Company's factory at Centerbrook.- The site of the old mill on the left bank of the stream is marked by a groove in the perpendicular face of the rocks, which is said to have formed one side of the chimney of the building. As early as 1703 there was a new dam on Falls River for the iron works. At a meeting February 23d of that year, Charles Williams was granted six rods of land 15 or 20 rods below the dam "to be takin up whar it may best sut sd Williams for the seating up a trip ham- mer * * * * and he is to haf liberty of the stream for that work." January 13th 1726, a grant of 17 acres at the iron works pond and the island therein was made to him. The iron works pond lies in the rear of the resi- dence of Deacon William Denison. The enterprise of working iron from its crude state appears to have been established by Charles Williams at this early date. The ore that was smelted here was brought from Pond Meadow. It was found in the bogs of the old Iron Mine Swamp, near Wright's mill. Ore was subsequently found about two or three miles north of there at a place called New Mine Plains, on the road leading from Ivoryton to Winthrop. Ore from that locality was'also brought to this place to be worked. 16 356 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. The manufacture of combs in this country was first begun by Phineas Pratt and his son Abel, about the close of the last century. They were the first inventors of machinery for cutting the teeth upon combs, by which -they could be produced so as to compete with English manufacturers. The shop in which they worked stood a few yards west of the site of Pratt's blacksmith shop, and the first machinery was driven by wind power. Abel Pratt carried on the business during the first years of this century. Ivory, which was then first coming into use for this purpose, was worth 90 cents a pound. Williams' ivory comb factory was located near the grist mill at the mouth of Falls River. It was estab- lished in 1802, but did but little business before 1807. After that, it was successful and proved a profitable business to its owners. In 1816, the business was united with a comb factory at Deep River, from which has grown the present establishment of Pratt, Reed & Co., at that place. The building here was used in the manu- facture of ivory buttons a few years, about 1819. It was afterward removed and is still standing about half a mile west from its original site. A turning shop and tan works were once in operation on Muddy River in the southwestern part of Center- brook. A fulling mill also was located on the same stream, a little further down. The dam of the latter re- mains. Near the mouth of the Falls River at Meadow Woods stands a grist mill, known as Williams' grist mill, which has been established there about a hundred years. It is now run by A. F. Pratt. A former grist mill is said to have stood just east of this site, and to have been owned by David Post. On the left bank of Falls River, opposite the grist mill near its mouth, there formerly stood a saw mill, known as Williams' saw mill. It was built about a century ago. The site is now occupied by a shop used for the manu- facture of cofifin trimmings, operated by George W. Dickinson & Co. The factory of Tiley & Pratt stands on the Falls River about half a mile from its mouth. The shop was built about 40 years ago, for the manufacture of buttons. It was operated by Mason H. Post and Strickland Williams. Bitts were afterward made here by Samuel Smith & Co., and in 1874, the present firm established the manufac- ture of fancy bone goods, notions, etc. The building is 20 by 40 feet, two stories high, and from six to twelve hands are employed in the work. A building standing on the same property is used by the Indestructible Paint Company for the manufacture of chemical paints. This building was occupied by Stillman J. Tiley, about 10 years since, as a turning shop, and later David Shiverick manufactured all kinds of joiners' tools in it for abou-t three years. On the site of Kelsey's factory, at Centerbrook, a card- ing mill was once operated by Harvey Sanford. After ward there was a turning shop here, which was run first by George M. Denison and afterward by N. B. Pratt. The business was abandoned, and the building was moved off several years before the present building M'as erected. This building, which is 22 by 50 feet, two stories high, was built about 1861, and the business of manufacturing ivory and hard wood fancy and station- ers' goods, was established by Edward Kelsey, the pres- ent proprietor. Falls River furnishes the power, and about 12 hands are employed when the shop is busy. The grist mill of J. W. Bushnell was established in the present building in 1875. The building in which it is located was once a town hall, standing near the Congre- gational church, and was bought by S. Bushnell & Co., and moved to its present site, in 1855. A grist mill and saw mill had been established near this in the early years of the settlement, and these branches have been carried on in one building or another on nearly the same site ever since. The saw mill was abandoned in 1880. The manufacture of ivory and horn goods was carried on by J. A. & S. M. Comstock, who also owned the saw and grist mill. The Centerbrook Manufacturing Company was organ- ized in 1867. They carried on the manufacture of au- ger bits on the premises now occupied by their success- ors, the Connecticut Valley Manufacturing Company. The latter company was incorporated under the general law of the State, February loth 1874, with a capital of $30,000. The company bought at sheriff's sale the prop- erty of the former one, and have since continued the business. The ofificers of the company are: George A. Cheney, president; A. M. Wright, treasurer and superin- tendent, both of whom have held their positions from the first; and C. G. Cheney, secretary. The main building is 100 by 25 feet, two stories high; and the forge room is a one story building, 125 by 25 feet. About 70-horse power is obtained from the stream, and the shop em- ploys an average number of 50 hands, the most of whom are skilled workmen. The goods are sent to all parts of this and foreign countries. On the same stream, a short distance above the iron works pond, stands the factory of H. G. Jones, manufac- turer of axe and hammer handles, spokes, treenails, etc. The site was once occupied in the manufacture of combs by the Pettipaug Manufacturing Company. Piano keys and other articles of ivory were added to the list in 1854, when it was operated by J. Simeon Dickinson and others. In 1866 they were succeeded by the Comstock & Dick- inson Manufacturing Company. The factory came into the hands of its present operator January ist 1882. The building is 40 by 60 feet, two stories high, with a wing 20 feet square. An average of 12 skilled hands are em- ployed, and the goods manufactured are sent to all parts of the world. The site of the old Bull mill, between Centerbrook and Ivoryton, has been improved more than a hundred years. Three brothers, John, Reuben, and Edward Bull,, built a grist mill, which was in operation until i860. The property passed from the Bull family to Edwin Griswold in 1859, and afterward to Comstock & Dickinson. About 25 years ago the building was burned, and afterward a roof was built over the cellar, and the manufacture of shoddy Qarried on in it by Thomas N. Dickinson. He ESSEX— INDUSTRIES. 357 gave up that enterprise in 1866, and afterward Nehemiah Hayden & Co. used it as a distillery of witch hazel. The factories of the Comstock, Cheney Co., are located about a mile west of Centerbrook, on the Falls River. These are devoted to the manufacture of ivory goods, consisting mainly of key boards for musical instruments. Around these factories, and supported by them, a village of about 500 inhabitants has been built up, which, in deference to the material which is so extensively wrought, is named Ivoryton. There are two large buildings in which the work is carried on. Near the site of the lower one, in 1802, stood a saw mill, which was owned by one of the Clarks. The site was afterward occupied by a carding mill operated by Benjamin Bushnell, who, about 1847, sold it to Samuel M. Comstock, and he moved it about 200 feet down the stream to its present site, and began the manufacture of combs and other ivory goods. It now forms a part of the lower factory. The business has grown with the passing years until it is now one of the most important institutions of the kind in the country. The present company was organized, under the general State law, in 1872, with a capital of $250,000. The directors were: S. M. Comstock, George A. Cheney, John E. Northrop, Charles H. Rose, Simon W. Shailer, and William A. Comstock. The officers were: S. M. Comstock, presi- dent, and George A. Cheney, secretary and treasurer. The present officers are: George A. Cheney, president; E. B. Comstock, secretary, and John E. Northrop, treasurer. The lower factory is devoted to the working of ivory. Here the ivory parts of keys are made, as well as a vari- ety of other goods. Additions have been made to the initial building at different times, the principal part of the building, as it now exists, having been built in 1874 and the two years following. This building compre- hends a main building 35 by 75 feet, two stories high, another 30 by 50 feet, three stories high, and another 25 by 70 feet, two stories high. Water power is used here exclusively, the company controlling three large reser- voirs. About 45 hands are kept regularly employed in this factory, though its capacity is sufficient for double that number. The amount of ivory consumed here monthly is from eight to nine thousand pounds, the present cost of which is about $3.50 a pound. The upper factory is devoted to the wood work for key boards. About 150 hands are employed in this, and both water and steam are used to furnish power. ' The main building is 50 by 250 feet on the first floor, 150 on the second, and 100 on the third floor. The building opposite the lower factory was formerly a seminary, kept by Rev. Mr. Denison, at Winthrop, whence it was moved to its present site and used as a boarding house. The bell on the factory is .the one which formerly belonged on the seminary. The wadding manufactory recently owned by W. C. Hough & Co., stands about an eighth of a mile south of the foot of Main street. The first building was erected in 1852, for a saw mill, by Gladwin & Wooster, who con- tinued that business about five years. The manufacture of shoddy and wadding was established in it about 1864, by J. N. Dickinson and J. E. Redfield, the latter of whom, in 1867, became associated with W. C. Hough in the organization of the firm of W. C. Hough & Co. The goods manufactured here are made from or- dinary and damaged cotton and cotton waste. About 2,600 pounds of this material are daily consumed when the mill is in operation, and about 25 hands are employ- ed. The factory at first was a frame building 45 by 140 feet, two stories high, to which was annexed, a few years ago, a brick building 26 by 56 feet, two stories high, with an extension 30 by 60 feet, one story high. The power always employed has been steam. The works have been sold to outside parties within the year past, and are not now in operation. The ivory works of G. W. Dickinson & Co. are located a short distance northwest of the railroad station, in a brick building 25 by 100 feet, three stories high. The manufacture of piano keys and a variety of stationers' goods and notions, of ivory and some valuable woods, is carried on. Ten or fifteen hands are employed, though the building and its equipments are large enough to meet the requirements of an increased business. It was erected in 1883. The plant occupied by the tap and die works, now owned by J. E. Redfield, near the lower end of the rope walk, was established as a foundry about the year 1850. It was first 'occupied by Hunter, Thompson & Co., and in 1854, by a joint stock company called the Neptune Works. In 1855, it was operated by C. B. Conant & Co., who were succeeded by Star & Co., and they in turn by V. W. Vanvoorhes & Co., who held it until about 1872. At that time it passed into the hands of A. & A. E. God- dard & Co., who established the manufacture of emory wheels. The firm, in 1878, became Goddard, Son & Co., and afterward the manufacture of taps, dies, and reamers was added by H. Prentiss & Co. Since 1881, it has been owned by J. E. Redfield, and has been employed in the manufacture of taps, dies, reamers, screw-plates and emory wheels. Steam has always supplied the motive power, and about 30 men are employed when the shop is in full operation. A rope walk, for the manufacture of rigging for the ships building here and at other points on the river, was established about the commencement of the present century. Its site was a little south of the present one. The upper end of it was near where the sign-post now stands, and the lower end was back of the Episcopal par- sonage. The present one was built in 1818, by George Harrington, Gurdon Smith, and Reuben Post. It was afterward owned by Hayden, Williams & Co., and later by A. F. Whittemore and David Andrews. It is now owned by William N. Robbins. The manufacture of large ropes has been given up, and its equipments are devoted to making fish lines and other small goods. Six or seven hands are employed. It has frequently changed owners. Two block and spar shops have been in operation on the South Cove. One was owned by Benjamin. H. 3S8 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Meigs, and was closed at his death, about 40 years ago. Another was carried on by Gamaliel and George Conk- lin. This was closed about 20 years since. A carver's shop, another adjunct of the shipbuilding enterprise, was in operation at the beginning of the century. January 9th 1800, Samuel Lay leased to Ezra L'Hommedieu, of Saybrook, a shop near the wharf at the foot of Main street, in which to carry on the carving business. A business of considerable extent is carried on at Centerbrook by Hermon O. Rose, in the printing of visit- ing cards and sale of novelties in a great variety of goods that can be sent through the mails. This business was established in 1880, and has been annually increasing. It employs ordinarily 10 or 12 hands, and during the busy season — from the ist of November to the middle of March — from 25 to 30. Customers are obtained through newspaper advertisements and circulars, and the receipt of letters is about 200 a day, while during the holiday season it sometimes reaches about 2,500 in a single day. About half a ton of matter a week is sent through the mails. Ely's Ferry. From the lower part of the village a road runs north- east about a mile, following a natural dyke, which, with the expanse of meadow connected with it, separates the North Cove from the river. At the end of this distance the river is narrowed up so that a short ferry passage lies between this point and Ely's Landing, directly opposite. This road and the draw-bridge over which it passes in crossing the mouth of the cove were built in 1825. Two four-horse stage coaches used to pass each way daily over this ferry on the route between New Haven and Norwich. A house and store stood on the shore at the ferry several years ago. It was occupied by Samuel Wheat. The boat used is a large, square flat-boat, with aprons on the ends to let down upon the shore to facili- tate boarding and landing. The boat is propelled by sail or oars. The ferry property is now mostly owned by S. C. Ely. »The Pettipaug & Guilford Turnpike, which had its terminus here, and formed part of the turnpike from Norwich to New Haven, was abandoned, and its charter was repealed by act of the Assembly, on the petition of the company, dated April 20th 1839. Masonic. Mount Olive Lodge, No. 52, F. & A. M., was con- stituted, February 13th 1812, the ceremonies being con- ducted by Rt. W. John R. Watrous, D. G. M. In pur- suance of orders from the Grand Lodge, he installed the the officers, who were as follows: George W. Jewett, W. M.; William Lynde, S. W.; Timothy Starkey 2d, J. W.; Felix Starkey, treasurer; Erastus Worthington, secretary; Samuel Dickinson, S. D.; Samuel Hough, J. D.; Daniel Williams, S. S.; Samuel Clark, J. S.; William Marvin, tyler. The charter, which bears date, November ist 181 1, contains the following names: Jared Clark, Judea Pratt, Hezekiah Pratt, Daniel Williams, George W. Jewett, Danforth Clark, Samuel Colt, Samuel Hough, John Shipman, John Taylor, Timothy Starkey jr., Felix Starkey, Samuel Clark, William Marvin, Erastus Worth- ington, Ezra L'Hommedieu, Uriah Hayden, Benjamin H. Meigs. The lodge was constituted at the house of Danforth Clark, at Centerbrook. Its subsequent meetings were held at the house of Ethan Bushnell, which is the present Griswold House, until December 4th 1816, when it moved to the house of John G. Hayden, the second house above, on the same street. September 17th 1823, it returned to its former quarters. A single meeting was held at the house of Widow Maria Pratt, January i8th 1826, after which the home of the lodge was again at the house of John G. Hayden until its suspension. No reg- ular meetings were held during the year 1828, but on the 27th of December the lodge met and elected officers for the coming year. After this it ceased working for nearly thirty years. Up to this time it had received 69 mem- bers. Its presiding officers had been: George W. Jewett, 1813-15; Samuel Hough, 1816, 1817; William Lynde, 1818; Felix Starkey, 1819; Timothy Starkey, 1820; Sam- uel Ingham, 1821, 1823-; Charles U. Hayden, 1823; Wil- liam Lynde, 1824; Pliny Hamant, 1825, 1826; Felix Starkey, 1827; Pliny Hamant, 1828; Samuel Ingham, 1829. The charter was revived and the lodge reorganized September nth 1855, with the following members: Sam- uel Ingham, Cornelius R. Doane, Gardiner K. Dickinson, William S. Hayden, James Phelps, Edward W. Redfield. Noah A. Smith, George Post, John G. Hayden, Gardiner K. Dickinson jr., and Prentiss Pendleton. The lodge met in the building now known as Masonic Hall, then called Odd Fellows Hall, which has been regularly occu- pied to the present time. The following have held the office of W. M.: James Phelps, to July 1856; E. W. Red- field, the remainder of 1856, and 1857, 1858; Noah A. Smith, 1859; Jared E. Redfield, i860; William Hillhouse Doane, 1861; Thomas Williams, 1862-65; William C. Hough, 1866; Ezra Pratt, 1867-69; Ebenezer Williams jr., 1870; Morris B. Hall, 1871, 1872; Joseph R. John- son, 1873, 1874; James R. Post, 1875; Gardiner K. Dick- inson jr., 1876; Joseph R. Johnson, 1877; John E. Bull, 1878; Thomas Williams, 1879; James R. Post, 1880 to 1884 The present number of members is about 80. The officers for 1884 were: James R. Post, W.M.; James Milnor Pratt, S. W.; Samuel J. Post, J. W.; Edward W. Redfield, treasurer; Richard H. Mather, secretary; Ezra Pratt, S. D.; Gustavus W. Pratt, J. D.; Edward W. Pratt and Marcus C. Beebe, stewards; Sylvanus M. Pratt, tyler. The jewels now in use by the lodge were the original jewels of the old lodge, and were made by Nathan Pratt, who was a manufacturing jeweller in this village in the early years of the century. At a special convocation of the officers of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Connecticut, held in Essex, on Monday, the 17th day of July 1865, a royal arch chapter was opened in due form, when the grand high priest installed Edward W. Redfield, high priest of ESSEX— SOCIETIES. 359 Burning Bush Chapter, and presented him with a dispen- sation for the chapter, in which he was named to act as high priest, with Felix Starkey as excellent king, and Thomas Williams as excellent scribe. The other officers were: William C. Hough, captain of the host; Gardiner K. Dickinson jr., principal sojourner; R. Elmore Whitte- more, royal arch captain; Rowley Flint, Gurdon Rob- bins, and Ebenezer Williams jr., grand masters of the third, second, and first vails. The following are the suc- cessive high priests: E. W. Redfield, 1865-67; Thomas Williams, 1868, 1869; William Hillhouse Doane, 1870-72; John I. Hutchinson, 1873-76; Gardiner K. Dickinson, 1877-79; Joseph B. Johnson, 1880; John I. Hutchinson, 1881, 1882; James R. Post, 1883, 1884. The officers for 1884 were: James R. Post, M. E. H. P.; Daniel M. Da- mon, E. K.; John E. Bull, E. S.; Hosmer Shailer, C. H.; Thomas Williams, P. S.; Edward W. Redfield, treasurer; Samuel I. Phelps, secretary; Frank E. Phippeny, R. A. C; Gardiner K. Dickinson, Gustavus W. Pratt, and Morris B. Hall, G. M's of the third, second, and first vails; R. E. Whittemore, chaplain; John I. Hutchinson, marshal; W. W. Johnson, tyler; and Alpheus P. Tripp and Gurdon H. Post, stewards. Odd Fellows. Fenwick Lodge, I. O. of O. F., was formed at Essex, March 19th 1845, the ceremony of its institution being conducted under the direction of Grand Master John L Devotion, of Norwich. The founders, who had been members of Middlesex Lodge at East Haddam, were: Rev. Junius M. Willey, James Phelps, Nathan Pratt, Augustus J. Foster, and William H. Goodspeed. The first officers were: Rev. Junius M. Willey, N. G.; Na- than Pratt, V. G.; James Phelps, R. S.; and Augustus J. Foster,treasurer. The first hall used was in the building now known as the Griswold House, then the residence of Ethan Bushnell, which was occupied 14 months, dur- ing which time the lodge received 33 members. The lodge room next occupied was the " Great School House," which then stood in front of the site now occu- pied by the residence of Mr. George Cheney. This was dedicated to oddfellowship May 14th 1846, and was occupied six years and ten months. The hall in Mack's block, now known as Masonic Hall, was leased January I St 1853, at which time the membership of the lodge numbered 82. The room was occupied 23^ years, during which time it admitted 182 members, and paid in benefits $1,813.85. During the war the lodge suffered a period of decline, when it held but few meetings, but the charter was main- tained and the lodge was subsequently revived. The present lodge room, in the upper story of Miner's store, at the head of Main street, was first occupied July 6th 1876, having been fitted up at a cost of about $700. It is one of the finest lodge rooms in the State. From the founding of the lodge to January 1882, it had received ^52 members, paid $2,843.85 in benefits, and lost 25 members by death. From its membership two lodges have been formed— Webb Lodge, at Deep River, and Chrystal Lodge, at Lyme; and two grand masters of the State had been furnished, viz.: Hon. James Phelps and Rev. Junius M. Willey. The lodge at present has a membership of 50. The obituary roll contains the fol- lowing names of past grands; Rev. Junius M. Willey, Edward W. Pratt, Nathan Pratt, William Gorton, James Tucker, Nathaniel A. Starkey, Eliphalet R. Post, John G. Hayden, Orson R. Tucker, and Adin Tooker. The past grands now belonging to the lodge are: George K. Stillman, R. H. Mather, Caleb C. Dibble, Benjamin Mack, Samuel B. Hunt, Edwin Salter, John I. Smith, A. E. Mack, N. E. Mack, J. R. Burnett, J. P. Southworth, Charles M. Royce, WilHam A. Bushnell, William A. Phelps, N. A. Tripp, C. F. Kelsey, T. P. Fordham, E. O. Pollard, R. E. Tripp, George W. Swan, Joseph M. French, George B. Stillman, James K. Webb, and Osbert S. Comstock. Good Templars. Essex Lodge, No. 109, I. O. of G. T., was instituted November 20th 1868, with 19 charter members. The first officers were: M. B. Hall, W. C. T.; Mary J. Conk- lin, W. V. T.; Ezra Pratt, W. S.; Loretta Webb, W. A. S.; Edwin Pratt, W. F. S.; Cornelia Post, W. T; L. T. Spaulding, W. C; F. H. Beebe, W. M.; Philander Wil- liams, W. I. G.; N. G. Post, W. O. G.; Cornelia Pratt, W. D. M.; Carrie D. Hall, R. H. S.; Emma Strickland, L. H. S. ; L. Webb, L. D. & P. W. C. T. The lodge meets every Monday evening, at Masonic Hall. The successive presiding officers have been:' M. B. Hall, L. Webb, C. H. Hubbard, Edwin Pratt, Ezra Pratt, L. T. Spaulding, James R. Post, Joseph H. Pratt, C. E. Starkey, Richard Tripp, and R. H. Mather. United Workmen. Essex Lodge, No. 14, of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, was instituted August 14th 1882. Its charter members and first officers were: Charles H. Hubbard, P. M. W.; James R. Post, M. W.; Alfred E. Goddard, F.; William P. Gladwin, O.; Julius L. Wilder, R.; Morris B. Hall, Fin.; Charles S. Hough, Rec'r; George W. Swan, G.; Jacob Minke, I. W.; George E. Bushnell, O. W.; and Charles H. Hubbard, M. D., medical examiner. Meetings are held at Masonic Hall on the first and third Tuesdays in every month. Newspapers. Three newspaper ventures have had an existence in the village of Essex. The Saybrook Mirror was started by O. G. Wilson, about the year 1850. The office was in the upper story of the building now occupied by Swan's furniture store. It was published about six years. Charles L. Howard published the Essex Gazette a year or two, about 1880. The Middlesex Republican was pub- lished a few months in 1880, by H. C. Newton. Banks. Saybrook Bank, of Essex, was first organized in 1848. In 1865, it was reorganized as Saybrook National Bank 360 HISTORY OF Middlesex countv. of Essex. Its presidents have been successively: Samuel Ingham, Edward W. Pratt, Cornelius R. Doane, and Jared E. Redfield, who is the present incumbent. The present cashier is Charles S. Hough. Essex Savings Bank was organized July 30th 1851. The first directors were Gideon Parker, Jared C. Red- field, James Phelps, Amasa Hayden, and Henry C. Wooster. The presidents have been: Henry L.Cham- plin, 1851-59; Cornelius R. Doane, 1859-74; James Phelps, 1874-78, and again, i88i to the present time; Horace W. Starkey, 1878-80: Horace H. Starkey, i88d, 1881. John L. Parker was secretary and treasurer from 1851 to i86t, and Edward W. Redfield from 1861 to the present time. Cornet Band. The Essex Cornet Band was organized in 1876, with 17 members. Its leaders are G. B. French and C. Har- rington. It has 21 members at the present time. An octagonal stand has been erected on the hill, near the town hall, and here the band regales the people of the village with strains of inspiring music when the atmos- phere of summer evenings invites performers and listeners to the open air. Fire Companies. Washington Fire Engine Company, No. i, was organ- ized about 1832. An engine was bought in Brooklyn N. Y., in 1834, at a cost of $400. The means were furnished by individual contributions. The company soon gained a membership of about 30. The law allowed 12 to be exempt from military duty. This engine was used until 1881, when a new engine was pur- chased in New York. Engine Company, No. 2, was organized about 1852 and purchased an engine at the same cost as the other. Previous to 1854, an engine house was built, at a cost of $200. This company was disbanded after an exist- ence of about 10 years. The engine house now occupied by Company No. i stands on North street, opposite the school house. PROMINENT MEN. Captain Henry L. Champlin. Captain Henry L. Champlin was long known and highly esteemed as a ship master and owner of the first London line of packets from New York. He was the son of Silas Champlin and Elizabeth Lay, and was born at Lyme on the i6th of July 1786. He enjoyed fair educational advantages, and commenced his seafaring life at a very early age. Reliable, steady, and correct in his deportment, strictly temperate in his habits, he soon became mate of a ship. About 1807, when he was only twenty-one years of age, he was put in charge of a packet in the Savannah trade by the firm of Hall & Hall of New York, and continued in their employ, a favorite with owners and passengers, until the war of 1812. Sub- sequently he was the founder and principal owner of the first line of London packet ships, in which he was com- mander for many years. His mild and manly bearing, his high moral and upright qualities, together with his prudence, carefulness, skill, and great presence of mind, made him deservedly popular as a commander. He was remarkably successful in all his voyages, and never lost a vessel, and scarcely ever a small spar or sail, and never had to call on the underwriters for a dollar; a fact more noticeable, as he had charge of many different ships of the line, as they were built from time to time. For a considerable period previous to his death he had retired from the sea, having a comfortable and tasteful residence at Essex. Captain Champlin was no ordinary man. Coming from a highly respectable family, yet he had no wealthy or influential friends to assist him in rising in the world, and it was by his integrity, prudence, and perseverance, that he became a noted, prominent, and useful man. Having been eminently successful in business himself, he took delight in helping worthy young men forward in the world. Not a few who have attained eminence as sea captains, began their course with him, while in active service, and many others have been assisted to important posts on shipboard, and in other pursuits through his personal efforts and influence since his retirement from the sea. The poor always found in him a kind and thoughtful benefactor, and the afflicted and troubled, a sympathizing friend. He was deeply interested in the good order and intelligence of the community, and in the support of the institutions of the gospel at home and abroad. As an upright and honorable man, as a judi- cious and safe counsellor, as a liberal benefactor, and as useful and Christian citizen, he stood deservedly high in the esteem of all who knew him. On the nth of November 18x5, he married Amelia P. Hayden, of Essex, Conn., by whom he had ten children, two only of whom are now living: one, a daughter, Mrs. E. C. Stephenson, now a resident at the homestead: the other, a son, Charles Champlin, a resident of Chicago, 111. The death of Captain Champlin occurred on the 15th of May 1859. Hon. Samuel Ingham. The following biographical sketch of Samuel Ingham was prepared soon after his death by Hon. William D. Shipman. Samuel Ingham was born in Hebron, Conn., Septem- ber sth 1793, and died in Essex, in the same State, No- vember loth 1881. All the education he received previous to his professional studies was learned from the common schools. He studied law in the office of Governor Mat- tocks at Peacham, Vermont, and with the late Judge Gilbert, in Hebron, in this State. He was admitted to the bar in Tolland county. Conn., in 1815. He practiced his profession during the first four years in Canaan, Ver- mont, and Jewett City, Connecticut. In 1819, he re- moved to Essex (then a part of the town of Saybrook), where he continued to reside until his death. ESSEX— BIOGRAPHIES. 361 From 1828 to 1834, Mr. Ingham represented Saybrook in the Lower House of the Legislature. In 1834 he was speaker. He was reelected in 1835, and again made speaker. At the same election he was chosen a member of Congress, but of course on being ofificially notified of his election to Congress, he vacated his seat in the State Legislature. He was reelected to Congress in 1837, and served for two years as chairman of the committee on naval affairs. In 1839, he was again a candidate for Congress, but was defeated at the polls by the late Chief Justice Storrs. His failure to be returned to Congress was a source of great regret, not only to his friends at home, but to the members of that body over which he had repeatedly presided as chairman of the committee of the whole, with great skill and ability during some of its most stormy and protracted sessions. Had he been re- elected he would undoubtedly have been the candidate of his party for speaker, the third federal office in power and dignity; a position for which he was iminently fitted. In 1843 and 1850, Mr. Ingham was a member of the State Senate. In 185 1, he was returned to the lower branch of the Legislature and elected speaker. For nine years he was state attorney for Middlesex county, and for four judge of the County Court. He was also tendered a seat on the bench of the Superior Court and Supreme Court of Errors, but declined. From 1858 to i86r, he was commissioner of customs in the Treasury Department at Washington. Mr. Ingham was also four times a candidate for governor of the State, receiving the full vote of his party, but failed through the defeat of the latter. This long career in connection with prominent public office naturally suggests inquiry touching the personal and professional character of the man who, for nearly forty years, filled so large a space in the eye of the public. It will be interesting to note some of the char- acteristics of the times in which he lived. Born during the first administration of Washington, and coming to the bar at the close of the second war with Great Britain, his youth and early manhood covered a period in which our political institutions were being formed, and the foundations of the federal government laid. The conduct of public affairs involved the discussion and settlement of great questions on which preceding history shed but a feeble light. But the public men of that day were distinguished by high personal qualities and em- inent public virtues. Such an atmosphere was favorable to the development of sterling traits in rising and thoughtful young minds. When Mr. Ingham came to the bar, and during the most active part of his profes-sional life, he was brought into contact with many able and accomplished lawyers, both on the bench and in the forum. But it was an age of simple habits, small libraries, small fees, and limited resources. No marked success was to be obtained ex- cept by constant, self-reliant labor, and upright conduct. These habits and qualities Mr. Ingham illustrated throughout his long life, and they made him honorably conspicuous at the bar and in public station. Though he was without the advantage of a university education, though he was neither a polished orator nor an elegant writer, he rose to eminence in public affairs, and became, in one respect at least, a formidable power at the bar. It cannot be said that, in the discussion of legal questions, he exhibited what a distinguished lawyer has called " deadly precision;" for his mind was distinguished rather for its robust sense than for acute or exact reason- ing. But in his best days he had few equals as an ad- vocate before the jury; a function far more important in his time than at the present day. With gigantic frame, an imposing presence, a powerful voice, rendered effec- tive by deep and unaffected emotion, aroused by sympa- thy with and zeal for his cause and client, he often made a powerful impression which carried conviction to the minds he was addressing. It can truly be said of Mr. Ingham, that he was, under Providence, the architect of his own fortunes, and rose to prominence by his own merits. From 1819 to the end of his life, he resided in a country village, in a rural county, where there was no circle of powerful friends to accelerate his advancement in public or professional life. He sprung from an humble origin. What honors he re- ceived, therefore, did not come by gift or inheritance, but were won by manly personal effort. Mr, Ingham's private character was without a stain. His habits were simple and unostentatious. For the last twenty years of his life he was an earnest and consistent member of the Episcopal church, and until his health failed, a regular and devout attendant on its ministra- tions, and a liberal contributor to its support. Dying at an advanced age, and after years of retire- ment from active life, Mr. Ingham's departure made no ripple on the stream of human affairs, whose current sets steadily toward the grave, and drops into its silence and darkness the distinguished and the obscure. But those who remember him in his full vigor will not soon forget the massive, antique figure which has so quietly passed away. Hon. James Phelps. Hon. James Phelps was born in Colebrook, Litchfield, county, Conn., on the 12th of January 1822. His father was Dr. Lancelot Phelps, who was for many years a prominent citizen of the State, and one of the representa- tives in Congress from 1835 to 1839. Hon. James Phelps received his early education at the common schools of his native town, and subsequently ^ attended the Episcopal Academy of Cheshire, Conn. He afterward entered Washington, now Trinity College, at Hartford, but owing to a severe illness during the first year of his course, he was obliged to relinquish his studies for a long period. As soon as his health would permit he commenced reading law with Hon. Isaac Toucey, of Hartford. In 1842, he removed to Essex, Conn., and studied with Hon. Samuel Ingham. He was also for a time in the law department of Yale College. He was admitted to the bar in 1845. Besides holding the office of judge of Probate and 362 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. other local positions, he was a member of the Statfe Legislature in 1853, 1854, and 1856, and of the State Senate in 1858 and 1859. In 1863, he was elected by the Legislature a judge of the Superior Court for the regular term of eight years. He was reelected in 187 1, and in 1873 was elected judge of the Supreme Court of Errors, and resigned in the spring of 1875, upon his election to the Forty-fourth Congress. He was re-elected to the Forty-fifth, Forty-sixth, and Forty-seventh Con- gresses as a democrat. In the 44th Congress he was appointed on the stand- ing committee on the District of Columbia, pensions, and foreign affairs, and on the special committee to in- vestigate frauds in the Louisiana election, and in the revenue in the collection district of St. Louis. In the 4Sth and 46th Congresses he was assigned a place on the committee of ways and means, and during that time the entire subjects of tariff, internal revenue, and refunding of the national debt were exhaustively considered and reported on by that committee. He also served in the 46th Congress on the committee on expenditures in the Navy Department. On financial questions his votes and his views were in accord with those of a large majority of his party in the House of Representatives; but not with those of a ma- jority in his section of the Union. He favored the resumption of specie payment when it could be safely and properly accomplished, but was op- posed to its being prematurely forced by violent and ex- treme contraction of the currency, and was an earnest advocate of the restoration of the standard silver dollar. He was noted for faithful and assiduous attention to the interests and wants of his constituents at the capital and in the different departments of the government. He was unwearied in his personal attention to the pension claims of the soldiers in his district. He procured the estab- lishment of the breakwater at the entrance of New Ha- ven Harbor, and the extensive permanent work for the improvement of the channel of the Connecticut River below Hartford, and liberal appropriations for those works and for other needed improvements in his district. During his last term he was the only democratic repre- sentative from the State in the 47th Congress, and the fact that immediately preceding his first election his dis- trict had for six years been represented by a republican is convincing evidence of his popularity with his con- stituents. His elections to a judgeship were each time made by a Legislature politically opposed to him, and the two last were by the unanimous votes of both houses. His pro- fessional and public life have been so entirely honorable that no suspicion has ever thrown even a shadow over his character for uprightness and integrity. He makes no pretension to those classical accomplish- ments which are the valuable results of a long course of university training and culture. He claims nothing from ancestry or pedigree, and nothing of popularity or ability or professional attainments and success, which are not common to all others of similar advantages. Whatever ot merit he possesses has been acquired by persevering industry, energy of purpose, and fidelity to principles, which have secured for him a reasonable measure of public confidence and support. In his private life, he is quiet, modest, and unassum- ing, and during his forty years' residence in the little village of Essex, he has obtained a strong hold on the hearts of the people. He is the confidential adviser and friend alike of the rich and poor, and no man has ever lived in the community whose loss would be more deeply felt. He has been for many years a faithful, consistent, and devoted member and a liberal supporter of the Episcopal church. On the 30th of September 1845, he married Lydia A., daughter of Hon. Samuel Ingham. Two children were born to them: Samuel Ingham and James Lancelot Phelps. Samuel Merritt Comstock. In the Muniment office at Frankfort-on-the-Main, in Germany, is a pedigree of the Comstock family, spelled Komstock and Comstohk, which gives nine generations previous to 1547, when Charles Van Comstock, a baron of the Roman Empire, was implicated in the Van Bene- dict treason, and escaped irlto England with several no- blemen of Austria and Silesia. The arms of the family are Or; two bears rampant; Sable, muzzled; Gules, in chief, and in base as word issu- ing from a crescent. Upon the arms a baronial hel- met of the German Empire mantled on gold; and Gules surmounted by a baron's coronet, jeweled, thence from an elephant rampant, also proper. The following explanation is given of the arms,viz., the bears imply courage; the sword issuing from a crescent shows that the family had fought against the Turks. The elephant in the crest was given as an indication of per- sonal prowess and sagacity. It is not a difficult matter to trace in the life of Samuel M. Comstock, the subject of this sketch, the distinguish- ing characteristics peculiar to the baronial ancestor. The personal " prowess and sagacity " indicated by the ele- phant in the crest, were exhibited in Mr. Comstock to a marked degree. It was a common saying among his friends that he "laid his plans three years ahead," and saw the end from the beginning. That he was a man of great foresight, of unflinching courage, strong will, and determination of character, is admitted by all who knew him, and to the possession of these qualities he was in- debted to a great extent for his uniform success in life. Samuel Comstock, his father, was captain of a vessel engaged in the West India trade. He married Rebecca Carter, by whom he had ten children. Samuel M., the ninth, was born in that part of Pota- paug Parish now known as Ivoryton, in the present town of Essex, on the 14th of August 1809. He enjoyed the usual advantages of a common school education, and commenced early in life to earn his own living. When he was 20 years of age he went to work in the comb factory, located on the present site of the Connecticut /7 C^^n^-^^^^^^^-^ ESSEX— BIOGRAPHIES. 363 Valley Manufacturing Company. He soon acquired a knowledge of the details of the business, and doubtless saw at that time where great improvements could be made in the process of manufacture. In 1834, he commenced the manufacture of screw drivers in connection with Joseph A., his brother, and Edwin Griswold,under the firm name'of Comstock & Gris- wold, in the building at present occupied by Horace G. Jones for the manufacture of axe helves. Finding the business unprofitable it was discontinued at the end of six months, and the building fitted up with new machin- ery for the manufacture of combs and ivory goods. In this Mr. Comstock had ample opportunity for the dis- play of his inventive genius and mechanical ingenuity. Old methods were discarded and improved labor saving machinery substituted. The old fashioned tooth picks and fine tooth combs were about the only class of goods manufactured from the ivory at that time, but the prolific brain of Mr. Comstock was continually at work, devising new plans and opening new fields for utilizing the material and economizing the cost of production. No sooner was a new article of manufacture decided upon by the firm than the inventive genius of Mr. Comstock contrived the method for its production. His was a thoroughly practical mind. He had no vis- ionary theories, or castles in the air, for his plans were put into immediate execution as fast as they were de- veloped. In 1847, he sold his interest and severed his connec- tion with Comstock & Griswold, and (having purchased the water privilege now owned by the Comstock & Cheney Company) started in the same business alone. Later he associated with him his young nephews, and for many years continued the business under the firm name of S. M. Comstock & Co. New buildings were erected and further improvements made in the methods of manufacture, and an almost end- less variety of goods produced of every conceivable style and pattern. To his inventive and mechanical genius Mr. Comstock united rare business qualifications seldom found in any one man. This is shown by his uniform success in business. From the start the busi- ness has been one of continued steady growth. The village of Ivoryton, which a few years ago was almost a wilderness, is now one of the most beautiful villages in the State, and this has been accomplished mainly through his efforts. He was large hearted, liberal, and generous. While not connected with any particular sect or denom- ination, he gave liberally to the support of religious and benevolent objects. He was kind and considerate to his employes, and while, during working hours, he required a faithful performance of duty from every man, yet when the labors of the day were completed, he engaged heart- ily in the sports of the men and took an active interest in everything that concerned their welfare or happiness. While deservedly popular in the community he had little time to devote to politics. In 1869, however, he nected with the Deep River Ivory Comb Company, and was president and treasurer of the company until its re- organization in 1864. Pie was a man of enlarged views, honest and upright in all his dealings with his fellow men, and endeavored strictly to obey the golden rule. November 29th 1838, he married Harriet Hovey, of Mansfield, Connecticut, whose ancestor, Rev. John Rus- sel, of Hadley, Massachusetts, was famous for the active part he took in sheltering the regicides who fled to this country during the reign of Charles II. Miss Hovey was a niece of Rev. Aaron Hovey, who, for a number of years, was pastor of the Congregational church at Cen- terbrook. Eleven children were the issue of Mr. Com- stock's marriage with Miss Hovey. Two died in in- fancy, and one, a promising youth, Walter Merritt, died in early manhood. Six children are now living: George Hovey, Elizabeth A., Harriet S., Robert Henry, Elliot B., and Archibald Welch. Robert H. and Elliott B. are actively engaged in the Comstock Cheney Company, the former as director and the latter as secretary of the company. Elizabeth A. married John E. Northrop, the present treasurer of the company. Many of the older inhabitants remember the grand- father of Mr. Comstock as a Revolutionary pensioner, who, during the days of their childhood, entertained them during the long winter nights with his thrilling ac- counts of the scenes of the American Revolution. The death of Mr. Comstock occurred January i8th 1878, at Wilmington, North Carolina. David W. Manwaring. Sixty-three years ago, on the 2d of October 1821, David W. Manwaring was born in the little old fashioned one and a half story frame house, situated at the foot of Little Point, near the Upper Cove at Essex, Conn. His parents were poor and could not afford to give him even the limited advantages for acquiring an education which his playmates enjoyed. When he was but 13 years of age, his father died, leaving a widow and five children, one boy, David, the oldest, and four daughters. The responsibility of caring for his widowed mother and sisters weighed heavily on his mind, and, young as he he was, he determined to make an effort to support them. Six months after his father's death, he left home without his mother's ■ knowledge, and landed in New York, friendless and alone, on the 12th of June 1835. The only capital he possessed was a brave heart and an honest face; with these he soon obtained a situation in a grocery kept by Abraham Leggett, on Front street, where he was employed to build fires, sweep the store, and run on errands at a salary of $3.00 a month, with board and washing. At the end of the first week, his homesickness confined him to his bed, but Mrs. Leg- gett, with a mother's intuition, discovered the cause of his sickness, and kindly offered to let him go home. He accepted the nomination for the Legislature, and was was afraid to trust himself, however, and kept up bravely elected by a large majority, In i§69, he became con- j until the feeling wore off, He remained with Mr. Leg. 41 3^4 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. gett five years, his wages being increased from year to year, until they reached $25 a month. When he arrived at the age of nineteen, he concluded to " paddle his own canoe," and after sending home all his wages except $2, he walked down South street, looking for a safe invest- ment. He found a vessel loaded with conch shells, which were then in great demand as a substitute for cameos. On his investment of $2, herealized $40. The manufacture of bags and sacks from burlaps, for general commercial purposes, was first established in this country by him, early in the year 1839. He is now the oldest and largest manufacturer and dealer in the United States. He hired a loft at 250 Front street, and com- menced making bags by hand, but the increasing demand for the use of bags compelled Mr. Manwaring to use sewing machines in his loft instead of hand. Perceiving with a quick eye and a long head the outlet for bags in the future was going to be enormous, he commenced to make improvements to meet this demand. He now oc- cupies 248 and 250 Front street, also 271 Water street. The Front street warehouses are used by him for the storage of his materials for making new bags, also for his second hand bags; with the exception of the upper lofts, which are devoted to bag making by hand labor. Ten years ago he built the factory at 271 Water street, extending through the block, and connecting with 250 Front street. It is well equipped with steam-driven ma- chinery for the manufacture of bags of all sizes and de- scriptions, for the transportation of such merchandise as grain, flour, coffee, salt, fertilizers, ores, etc. Mr. Man- waring is not only an extensive manufacturer of bags, but a large importer of burlaps, bagging, rope, twine, Russia mats, etc., the burlap and bagging coming chiefly from Dundee, Scotland, the principal seat of its manu- facture. He buys this material direct from the manu- facturer, as he buys everything else connected with his business from first hands to enable him to manufacture cheap, buying for cash only. He has extensive business connections through agents, in London, Liverpool, Ant- werp, Havre, Barcelona, Lisbon, Calcutta, and other prominent foreign seaport cities. His business in the home trade extends north, south, east, and west. His house is well known to all the buyers of bags. His in- tegrity and honesty have secured for him the bulk of the business. The first floor of the Water street factory is used for office purposes. The second floor is the printing and marking department, where a large number of girls are employed in stamping names and various devices upon bags by means of metal marking plates. Upon the third, fourth, and fifth floors, the bags are cut and sewed together by a large number of sewing machines running by steam and operated by girls. At the top of the factory is situated the steam engine and boiler; also the repairing room for the sewing machines, which is in charge of a skillful engineer and machinist. The machinery includes one of the best automatic spooling machines ever invented; twelve spools can be spooled at once, and the arrangement is such that more can be added if required. The spooling machine is required to spin the sewing cord on spools for the operators who make the bags. The engine also operates the hoisting machinery by which stock and goods are raised and lowered. The number of hands employed is about 200. The capacity of the factory is equal to the daily production of 35,000 bags of various kinds. Mr. Manwaring is also a leaner of bags to steamship companies and shipping houses for the exportation of grain to Europe. Not less than five million bags are annually rented by shippers from the port of New York alone. After arrival at des- tination they are emptied, baled together, and re-shipped to the owner to be put in order for another voyage. The duration of their services varies, but averages about five voyages. His business is with the large buyers of bags Only, orders from 100,000 to 500,000 bags at a time be- ing a common occurence. The total number of bags handled by him last year exceeded 15,000,000. His factory is called the "Pioneer Bag* Factory," as he was the pioneer in the business. His son, William M., is associated with him in business, and between them ihey hold three memberships on the produce exchange, two on the maritime exchange, and two on the hay and produce exchange. His house is so well known throughout the United States and Europe, that it makes it unnecessary for him to send out drummers to solicit business, as his competi- tors are obliged to do; there being no buyers of bags in large lots, but what write or wire him for quotations iefore closing their purchases; every one dealing with him unite in saying, that whatever Mr. Manwaring says or represents they can depend on. His word is his bond, and in many large transactions not even is he asked to give a written contract. Soon after Mr. Man- waring commenced business for himself he felt the ne- cessity of an education. With only a "tallow dip" for a light he studied through the long winter nights, and finally employed a teacher to assist him. By this means he fitted himself to manage his increasing business. The first deposit he ever made was in the Seventh Ward Bank for $191. Since then he has deposited millions. He has been a stockholder there for many years, and has been frequently solicited to become a director in the several institutions with which he is connected. Among his business friends he is honored and cherished, as but few men are. He is of a genial disposition, has a kind word for everyone, and everybody. He is a devout Christian, and has been one from his early years. For 24 years he was a trustee and member of the Calvary Baptist Church, where he was one of its leading and active members; but is now a trustee and member of the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, of which the Rev, Dr. Armitage is pastor. He is liberal to charitable purposes, giving to those who are in need, but doing it in such a way that but few know \vho is the donor, .he being very modest in this re- spect. ESSEX— BIOGRAPHIES. 365 He married Elmira, daughter of William F. Braddock, of Essex, Connecticut, by whom he had three children: David W., doing business by himself; William M., asso- ciated with his father; Juliet S., deceased. His wife died June 17th 1872. His present wife is Adeladie E. Moore, daughter of William and Margaret Moore and granddaughter of Gen. Amariah Kibbe, gen- eral of Connecticut Militia, Somers, Connecticut. She is a very estimable lady, and is esteemed by all those who are fortunate enough to make her acquaintance. Mr. Manwaring resides at 66 West Fifty-third street. New York, which house he owns. Alvan F. Whittemore. The common American ancestor of the Whittemore family was Thomas Whittemore, who came to this coun- try between 1639 and 1645, and settled in that part of Charlestown, Mass., which is now embraced within the limits of the town of Everett, Mass. In the New England Genealogical Register appears the following: " Earlier than the year 1300, we find the first recorded name, i. e., John, Lord of Whytemere, having his domicile at Whytemere, on the northeast side of the parish of Bobbington, in the manor of Claverly, in Shropshire. At the present time the same locality bears the name of Whittemore. It is recorded by two historians that Whittemore Hall, at Whittemore, was the place of origin of the Whittemore family. The Anglo- Saxon of the word Whytemere is white meadow, or lake, and the first John, Lord of Whytemere, derived the name of the family from the place where they originally resided." Daniel, the great-grandfather of A. F. Whittemore, was born in Boston, Mass., February 5th 1715, on the homestead of Thomas, the American ancestor of the Whittemore family. He removed to New London, Conn., previous to 1738, as the marriage records of New Lon- don show that he married that year, Alvan F. Whittemore, the subject of this sketch, was born in New London, ort the 22d of August 1796. He removed to Essex, Conn., in 182 1, and^ engaged in the mercantile'.business. He soon after married Eliza, daugh- ter of Nathan Pratt, a manufacturing jeweller. By her he had seven children: George, Alvan, Isaac, William, Elizabeth, Samuel, and Henry. Not long after the death of his first wife, which occurred August 6th 1833, he married Mrs. Teresa Masson, widow of Thomas Masson, who had two children by her first husband: Thomas and Jane. The result of the second marriage was four chil- dren: Maria, Jane Masson, Elmer, and Louisa. Mr. Whittemore was the first postmaster of the borough of Essex, and held the office consecutively for 25 years, being what was then known as a " hard-shell democrat." His removal took place under President Taylor's administration. He was earnestly solicited by representatives of both parties to again accept the appointment, but positively declined. He was at one time largely engaged in the shipbuilding interests with Richard^P. Williams, and was also engaged with that gentleman in the harbor improvements at the mouth of the Connecticut River, from 1838 to 1842. He carried on quite an extensive manufacturing business — prin- cipally toilet soaps and patent medicines. He was the first one in this country, if not in the world, to utilize bayberry tallow in the manufacture of toilet soaps. He was one of the first in this country to introduce the witch hazel, the manufacture of which was commenced in 1846. During his whole life, he was actively engaged in public matters. He was a man of positive convictions, and while during his early life he engaged in the sale of spirituous liquors, he became one of the earliest advo- cates of temperance. The one paramount object of his life, however, seemed to be promotion of religious enterprises. All his thoughts and energies were centered in this object. He united with the Baptist church in 1 82 1, and from that time up to the day he received a paralytic stroke in i860, he was one of the most earnest and devoted members of that church. Educated in the school of adversity, he was extremely economical in his habits, but very liberal in his charities, practicing the most rigid self-denial to aid in relieving the wants of others, or in the advancement of the cause of religion. Some few years previous to his death, he received a paralytic stroke, followed soon after by a second stroke, which impaired his mental faculties, and he became quite childish before his death, which occurred on the 17th of January 1867. His wife survived him about 10 years, her death occurring on the 13th of Janu- ary 1877. Four children are all that remain: Rev. J. S. Whitte- more, who is at present pastor of the Presbyterian church at Norwood, Mercer county, Illinois: Henry; and Rev. R. E. Whittemore, who gave up preaching some years ago and has since been largely engaged in the manufacture of witch hazel and toilet soaps at Clin- ton, Connecticut. Henry Whittemore. It is a remarkable coincidence that the names of both the paternal and maternal ancestors of Henry Whitte- more have almost the same meaning. In the New Eng- land Genealogical Record it is stated that " The Anglo- Saxon of the word Whytemere is white meadow or lake and the first John, Lord of Whytemere, derived the name of the family from the place where they originally re- sided." The maternal ancester of Mr. Whittemore was Lieut. William Pratt, one of the eleven proprietors who settled under the Fenwick Patent at " Eight-Mile Meadow," sub- sequently known as Potapaug, in the town of Saybrook previous to 1648. In the genealogy of the Pratt family appears the following: " The motto belonging to the emblazonry of Pratt of Ryster Hall in Norfolk, thus alludes to the etymology of the name: ' Rident Fiorentia Prata,' the flowing meadows smile." The name Pratt is from Pratum — a meadow. John de Pratellis was a favorite minister of Richard 366 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Coeur de Lion. William de Pratellis (or William Pratt), the brother of John, was the English ancester of Lieut. William Pratt. In 1191, William de Pratellis accom- panied King Richard to the Holy Land. King Richard, on a certain occasion went out hawking, accompanied by a small escort. Becoming fatigued he fell asleep and was surprised by a body of Turks. A sharp conflict en- sued, and the king would have been captured but for William de Pratellis (William Pratt), who called out that he was the king and permitted himself to be captured, thus enabling the king to escape. He was afterward ransomed by King Richard, and knighted for his valor. Henry Whittemore, or, as appears by the town records, Henry Warner Whittemore, was born at Essex, Conn., on the 28th of July 1833, his birth being the cause of his mother's death. Being deprived of a mother's care in infancy, he be- came a weak, puny child, unable to avail himself to any extent of the educational advantages afforded by the public school and academy of his native town, and it was not until he received the appointment of a clerkship with the Pontchartain Railroad Company, at New Orleans, La., to which place he removed in 1854, that he realized the importance of a more thorough education. By hard study for two or three hours before breakfast, and during the long winter evenings, he soon qualified himself for the rapid advancement that followed. At the end of two years he was made chief transportation clerk of the road, and harbor master at Lake Pontchartrain, and on the death of the superintendent in 1859 he was appointed to fill the vacancy, holding for a time the combined offices of superintendent, secretary, and treasurer. At the first meeting of the board of directors, following the death of the superintendent, Mr.Whittemore was elected secretary and treasurer of the company. At the end of the first year his failing health compelled him to resign the position, much to the regret of his associates in the board of directors. He was immediately offered the secretaryship of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad Company, at that time the longest road in the United States. This however, he was compelled to decline for the same reason.' He soon after removed to Memphis, Tenn. On the breaking out of the war, in 1861, he inlisted in the Confederate army, but was soon after relieved from duty, owing to ill health, and other physical disabilities. After the surrender of Memphis in 1862, he returned to his native town, where he remained for a short time, and then removed to New York, and for some years was em- ployed as bookkeeper and treasurer in a large dry goods jobbing house. In 1869, he organized a stock company, for the manufacture of wood carpeting and parquet flooring, of which he was the inventor. After placing the business on a firm basis, he sold his interest and bought a farm in Rockland county. Here he had leisure to devote to literary pursuits, of which he was ex- cessively fond. He devoted several months to the com- piling of the Revolutionary history of Rockland county, and in 1878 he organized the Rockland County Histor- ical and Forestry Society, of which he was an active member for several years. In r879, he organized the Wayne Monument Association, and was chairman of the executive committee and principal manager of the cele- bration of the one hundredth anniversary of the storm- ing of Stony Point, held on the i6th of July 1879. In August 1883, he returned to his native county of Middlesex for the purpose of compiling its history. He entered upon the work with his accustomed energy and enthusiasm, and soon after engaged a valuable corps of assistants to write up each separate town in the county. Persevering, self-reliant, and independent, he entered upon every undertaking with a determination to succeed, and seldom failed, his motto being: " What I will to do I can do." In his business and social relations he has always been scrupulously honest, truthful, and conscien- tious, and fearless in the discharge of every known duty. Strong in his convictions, but sensitive in his nature, he is cautious in giving expression to his views, for fear of causing offense or wounding the feelings of others. He was for many years actively engaged in Sunday school work, and, being excessively fond of children, he never failed to interest and instruct them. He has been for many years a member of the Baptist church, but is very liberal in his views, and confines his labors to no church or sect. On the ist of October 1857, he married Eliza Kingsley Holt, of New Orleans, La. They have seven living chil- dren, having lost three. Four were born at the South and three at the North. Robin, the youngest, was born at Washington's Headquarters, Tappan, N. Y., on the 26th of October 1878. Samuel B. Miller. Samuel B. Miller, wholesale commission fish dealer, No. 7, Fulton Market, New York city, was born at Hemp- stead, Queens county, Long Island, March 13th 1820. His father was a weaver; but, in 1827, came to Fulton Market, and from then until 185 1, the year of his death, was engaged in the fish trade. When but 13 years of age Mr. Miller came to this market and began work for his father, with whom he stayed two years. At the ex- piration of this time, the ambitious lad made oath "never to work for wage again for a man on the land," and boldly struck out for himself as a dealer in fish. This occupation he has followed ever since; and, April ist 1884, completed his fifty-first year as a fish merchant. In 1851, his brother, Charles — a prominent citizen of Brook- lyn, who, at the time of his decease, in October 1873, was an alderman of that city, representing the First Ward — became a partner, remaining in the firm until his death. In that year Mr. Miller gave an interest in his business to his two sons, Ernest M. and Clarence G., which they still retain; though the original firm name, S. B. Miller, remains unchanged. Mr. Miller was married in 1841, to Miss Mary Ann Van Mater, by whom he had seven children, five of them — three daughters and two sons — now living. Mr. Miller is, in a certain sense, the father of the Fulton Fish Market, being the oldest dealer there, and has seen the commencement of the business ^/c^J) mf^/LU ESSEX— BIOGRAPHIES. 367 career of every other member. He is rich in reminis- cences connected with this famous market. From him we learn that, while now there are about one hundred and fifty varieties of eatable fish sold in this market, 50 years ago there were but six or eight. Oysters were then a staple article. Prices averaged about as now. The old market was merely a platform, and the market men were forced to transact their deal- ings, in all weather, without covering. In 1869, the fish dealers of the market secured a charter from the State of New York, empowering the commissioner of the sinking fund of New York city to lease the bulkhead and one half the slip to the " Fulton Market Fish Mongers' As- sociation," for the purpose of building and sustaining a public market. A stock company was formed with a capital of $200,000 — Mr. Miller being a charter member — and the bulkhead leased. At the expira- tion of the lease it was renewed for 10 years, at a cost of $6,500 yearly, and the present building, at a cost of $135,000, was erected. The building is 193 by 64 feet, with 193 feet water front, and is entirely over water, being supported by 274 spiles, and is one of the strongest frame edifices in the State. Annual rentals are paid by all members; 250,000 pounds of fish are daily handled there. Mr. Miller is a man possessing many necessary qualifications to success. His ability to endure long physical strain is remarkable; while, coupled with this is a keen, far-seeing mind and strict integrity. He expects the same of his fellowmen; and, while positive and quick in his business life, he is a most genial man. He has the rare faculty of inspiring both affection and respect in all with whom he comes in contact; and we are glad to note that his financial success has been com- mensurate with his intrinsic worth. He has for 13 years been president of the Fish Mongers' Association. In politics, Mr. Miller acted with the whigs until the break- ing out of the late war, from which time he has been a member of the democratic party. In voting for city offi- cers, it is the man he .seeks to honor, not the party. Mr. Miller, while still a hard worker, is not unmindful of the pleasures of those near and dear to him. In 1865, he purchased, in the village of Essex, the Williams house and some land adjoining that had belonged to Miss Polly Glover. There was a small house on the property, which Mr. Miller remodelled and made large additions to, mak- ing a most beautiful summer residence, which he has appropriately named the Valley Home. He has ever since occupied it during the summer months. Mr. Miller is well known to the citizens of Essex and vicinity, having divided his time between this and his home in Brooklyn for the last 18 years. Of a very social disposition natur- ally, Mr. Miller entertains, during the summer season, many friends from the city and elsewhere, who are always loth to leaVe his hospitable roof. Indeed, while his family now consists of only himself and wife, his summer home is seldom inhabited with less than a dozen people. Captain William W. Urquhart. The subject of this sketch, a son of the late Captain John Urquhart, was born in Essex, June 26th 1838. He entered the merchant service when quite young, and, at the age of 21 years, was master of the fine ship American Eagle, of E. Morgan's Sons' London line. He has al- ways been remarkably fortunate in his profession, and has made some of the quickest trips across the Alantic on record. At the time of the loss of the French steamship Ville du Havre, Captain Urquhart was in command of the ship Trimountain. On the morning after the disas- ter he received the rescued crew and passengers of the Ville du Havre from the Loch Earn to his own vessel, where they were kindly cared for, and landed safely at Cardiff, Wales. For his kindness to the survivors of the wrecked vessel, Captain Urquhart was presented with a handsome silver service, costing $1,500. He also re- ceived, from the citizens of Bristol, England, a hand- some silver salver, and from the French Transatlantic Steamship Company, a fine gold chronometer and chain. In 1879, while in command of the Isaac Webb, Captain Urquhart rescued the crew of a disabled British bark, the Ivolina, of Falmouth, and carried them to Liverpool. For this service he received a beautiful and costly silver beaker, gold lined, having embossed gold bands, and bearing an appropriate inscription. TOWN OF HADDAM. Bt Richard M. Batles. .Geographical and Descriptive. THIS TOWN lies upon the Connecticut River, and is the only township in the State that is bi-sected by that water. Salmon River forming a part of its east- ern boundary, it includes what is known as Haddam Neck upon the east side of the Connecticut. The town is bounded on the north by Middletown and Chatham; on the east by East Haddam; on the south by Chester and Killingworth; and on the west by Killingworth and Durham. Its location is central in the county, and the county is central in the State. The town contains four railroad stations, on the Con- necticut Valley Railroad, viz.: Higganum, Haddam, Arnold's and Goodspeeds; four post ofifices: Haddam, Higganum, Haddam Neck, and Tylerville; eight churches; and fourteen school districts. Extensive flats of natural meadow of apparently ex- haustless fertility skirt the river at Haddam, on the west side, and opposite Shailerville and Higganum on the east side. The town contains about 30,000 acres. That part of it lying on the west side of the river was formerly cal'ed Haddam Society, that on the east side Haddam Neck, and a section in the northwest part, which has since been joined to Durham, Haddam Quarter. The surface of this town on both sides of the river rises into hills, which, with the intervening valleys, form a succession of varying undulations. The elevations reach from 200 to 300 feet in height, though their average is less. The " Strait Hills " run across the northwestern part, and another range runs nearly parallel with them. " Long Hill " lies back of the hills near the river, below Mill Creek, and stretches away toward " Turkey Hill," in the southern part of the town. These ranges of hills, in a general way, extend nearly north and south. The rocks of this town have yielded valuable specimens of the precious minerals. Among these are beryl, garnet, black tourmaline or schorl, pyrites, and quartz crystals. Many rich specimens from here have been secured for the museum of Yale College and private collections without number. The surface of the town is traversed by a number of small streams. The largest of these is Higganum River, called in the early days of the settlement " Tom Hegganumpos." It has three branches: the northern branch, called the Shopboard Brook, the middle or west branch, called also the Candlewood Hill Brook, and the south or Ponsett Stream. The first rises in Middle- town, the second in the northeastern part of Killing- worth, and the third in the western part of this town. Just below the junction of the three branches the water has a very abrupt descent of 30 feet, through a rocky gorge less than 30 rods in length. Mill River is another considerable stream, which rises in the southern part of the town and after receiving the waters of Beaver Brook flows eastward into the Connec- ticut. This stream takes its name from the fact that upon it was erected the first corn mill in the town. The soil of this town is generally good, but the surface is for the most part too hilly and rocky for cultivation. The southern part of the town is sandy, especially in the neighborhood of the river. In some of the intervals along the streams there are tracts of level and produc- tive land. One of the most remarkable rocks in the town is that known by the singular name of Shopboard Rock. It is about half a mile above the village of Higganum. The rock presents a bare, worn, and sloping surface about 60 feet high and 75 feet across. Tradition says that the name was derived from the circumstance that a tailor once cut a suit of clothes on it for a customer whom he met at the place, and the stream flowing by it was named Shopboard Brook. From the fact that the name appears on the records as early as 1713, the event in which it originated must have taken place at a very early date. Two islands lie in the middle of the river opposite this town. These are Lord's Island, called by the early settlers Twenty Mile Island, from the fact that it was supposed to be 20 miles from the river's mouth, and Haddam Island, in the same way called Thirty Mile Island. The first is on the line between this town and Chester, only the upper end of it being abreast of this town. The second lies between Haddam Centre and Higganum. The distances suggested by their names are HADDAM— SETTLENENT. 369 considerably in excess of the truth, and they are not 10 miles apart. Haddam Island, which is entirely within the limits of this town, was for many years one of the most valuable fishing stations on the river. The water upon the east side of the island was deep and much frequented by fish, and being narrow, was easily swept with a seine. Two fishing companies, one at either end, occupy it for this purpose. Legends exist that some of Kidd's fabulous treasures were deposited in this island, and many seekers after hidden wealth have dug for it here. The following turnpikes have been in operation in this town: the Middlesex Turnpike, along the river, char- tered in 1802, and abandoned since the completion of the railroad; the Haddam and Durham Turnpike,running from Higganum to Durham, chartered in 1815, aban- doned nearly 50 years ago; the Haddam & Killingworth Turnpike, chartered in 1813, from Higganum to Killing- worth; and a branch of the latter, diverging from it in the Burr District, and running to Haddam Centre through Beaver Meadow, granted in 1815. All these have been abandoned for several years. The town is remarkably healthy, as shown by its mortuary records, though it has been visited by several severe and fatal epidemics. The latest grand Levy shows the town to contain 480 houses; 21,890^ acres of land; 31 mills, stores, etc.; 192 horses; 1,012 neat cattle; sheep valued at $557; 39 car- riages and wagons subject to tax; clocks and watches valued at $840; musical instruments to the value of $2,825; bank, insurance, and manufacturing stock held to the amount of $81,917; railroad and other corporation bonds, $6,600, etc. During the previous year the amount expended on roads and bridges was $2,789.09. Purchase and Settlement. The first purchase or occupancy of any of the land within the limits of this town by Englishmen, of which there is any account, was about 1652, when Captain John Cullick, who had for some time been secretary of the colony of Connecticut, having extinguished the Indian title, obtained a confirmatory grant for what was then called Twenty Mile Island, now Lord's Island, and a tract on the east side of the river near it, the dimensions of which are not given. Cullick had probably made little or no improvement upon his land previous to the settle- ment of Haddam. The locality and afterward the newly organized town, took its name from Thirty Mile Island. Individuals con- templated making a settlement here as early as 1660, and in October of that year the Legislature accordingly ap- pointed a committee to purchase the lands from the In- dians. For some unknown reason the negotiation was not consummated until nearly two years later. The de- sired purchase was finally made on the 20th of May 1662, when the committee above referred to, consisting of Matthew AUyn and Samuel Willys, obtained from four kings and two queens of the Indian tribes that occupied them a deed for these lands. The value of the articles given in payment would probably not exceed $100. The territory extended from " Mattabeseck-mill-river," a stream afterward called Miller's Brook or Sumner's Creek, substantially on the line between the subsequent towns of Chatham and Haddam on the north, down to " Pattaquounk " Meadow, which is now called the Cove Meadow, at Chester. Soon after this purchase, a company of 28 men from Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfield, in whose behalf the purchase had been made, entered upon the land and commenced improvement. These men were: Nicholas Ackley, Joseph Arnold, Daniel Brainerd, Thomas Brooks, Daniel Cone, George Gates, Thomas Shailer, Gerrard Spencer, John Spencer, William "Ventres, John Bailey, William Clarke, Simon Smith, James Wellsi James Bates, Samuel Butler, William Corbee, Abraham Dibble, Samuel Ganes, John Hannison, Richard Jones, Stephen Luxford, John Parents, Richard Piper, Thomas. Smith, Joseph Stannard, John Webb, and John Wyatt. The first lo as here named are known to have come from Hartford, while the places whence the others severally came are not definitely known. They are supposed to have been mostly young men, many of whom were just married. They paid back the expense of the purchase by installments as they were able. Some part of the amount seems to have remained unpaid for several years. March 13th 1669, the town voted to pay to James Insigne, of Hartford, 38 shillings, 6 pence, which the record says was part of the purchase money of the plantation. The whole number of those whose names appear as the founders of the settlement did not come here at once, but remained at some other place, where, perhaps, business or some other attraction detained them for a greater or less period of time. Indeed, it is possible that a few of them never settled here at all, but sold out their interest to others; and of those who did settle there were some who remained but a short time. Some of them were so slow in improving their rights here that the action of the society appeared necessary to prompt them. Nicholas Ackley, for ex- ample, was so far delinquent that the little colony took such action in his case that resulted in obtaining the fol- lowing covenant from him to assure them that he would in fact become one of them: " This writing made ye eight off november 1666 bindj eth me niklis Akly of harford to come with my ffamely to setle att thirte mille Hand by ye twenty ninth of Octo- ber next inseuing date hearof, ealso to have my part of fence up yt belongs to my home lot by ye Last of nexst inseuing as of failing hearof to forfit ten pounds to ye inhabitant of thirte mile Hand as witnes my hand and Seall. " Nicholas Ackly " witnes James Bate." It is probable that the settlement progressed but slowly and no formal or systematic organization of the society was effected within three or four years from the date of purchase. If anything was done in this direction no record of it remains. One of the earliest scraps of evi- 370 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, 'dence extant in regard to organizing the settlement on a basis looking toward the establishment of permanent homes for individuals is the following: may sixty-six — whom it may consearne written was apyntted by the Gennarl Corte of Connecticut a Committee to Plant the Planta- sion at thirty mile Island or to order the planting of the sayde Plantasion and accordingly we did Promote the planting of the sayd Place what in us lay, and in order thearto we did make a purchase of the Indians of such Lands as we thought convenient for the Peopell that should inhabit the said p'antasion and that land which we did intend for thirty mile Island Plantasion that land from Midleton boundes to the sowth [towards] the end of the purchas which if we mistake not runnes to the brooke belowe Pattaquonck meadows we say al] that Land we did grant to the sayd Plantasion for we did not intend any of if for Saybrook or any other Plantasion, Judging it might be but a competency for that plantasion upon which purchas of the sayd Land for that place the peopell nowe inhabiting at thirty mile Island weare en- couraged to setell themselves and ffammilyes at the sayd thirty mile Island Plantasion. " Samuel Willis, " Mathew Ali,yn, "wm. wadesworth, " Samuel Cormen." Soon after the " settling of the plantation " others joined the settlers. Among the first of these were Richard Walkley from Hartford, John Bates, and William Scovil. In October 1668, the town was invested with privileges as such, and about that time the name Had- dam was given to it, as it is supposed out of respect to Haddam or Hadham in England. Desirable persons were admitted by vote of the town to the privileges of inhabitants and were granted accord- ingly shares in the common proprietorship and allotments of land to their individual use. All lands held in indi- vidual fee were taxed on a fixed scale of valuations, which varied from 5 to 20 shillings per acre according to the availability and situation of the land. The charac- ter of those who proposed to join their society, or in- deed who frequented it, was subject to rigid scrutiny, and a remarkable degree of candor was evinced in their expressions of disapproval when an undesirable person Mngered in their society, as the following extracts will show. April loth 1673, it was " agreed by voate that John Sled and his wief should not be entertained in the towne as inhabitants or resedence and also Goodman Corbe was forewarned not to reseave him into his hows becose they weare not persones qualified according to Law." Again, January ist 1683, the townsmen were ordered " to warne frederick Elies and his wief to de- parte the towne by next march inseueing." On the iith of February 1686, a patent was granted by the Assembly to the inhabitants for all the lands of their town that had previously been granted them and confirming those grants with all their appurtenances and privileges to them and their heirs and assigns forever, The Settlers and Their Homes. At the first, or at least as soon as some degree of order could be established, the settlers opened a highway run- ning substantially where the old country road from the court house to the foot of Walkley Hill now does. Why they chose such a rough spot of ground it is hard to understand, but the evidences prove beyond a doubt that here they laid out the " town plot " and built their houses. Some of the cellars remained visible until within the memory of persons now living. Nineteen home lots were laid out here, and houses were probably built on the most of them. For the greater part the lots were nearly uniform, being about four acres each, and extended from the highway to the river, a distance of from 80 to 125 rods. Each man also had a lot of about three acres on the opposite side of the highway from his four acre lot. These lots must have been seven or eight rods in width on the highway. Those on the east side of the road are all bounded on the northeast by the "Great River." Haddam in ye Olden Time. From data gleaned from the records, and carefully compared and verified, the writer has arranged a map of the original town plot. While it is impossible to assert anything in regard to the definite shapes of the lots, their relative position in regard to each other, and to other objects specified, is accurate and can be abundantly veri- fied by the records. Some objects then existing remain to the present time, and help to locate the whole plot by fixing certain points. The burying ground, without a doubt, remains where it was then provided for, adjoin- ing the lot of Joseph Arnold. The " highway that leads into the woods" is probably the road that starts back of the court house and runs westerly up the hill. The other " highway into the woods " is the road that runs from the old road up the hill past the residence of Mr. Zachariah Brainerd and the Methodist church. Wells' Brook still runs through its primitive gorge. Besides the town plot another settlement was made about a mile southeast. This was called the Lower Plantation, or sometimes the Lower Town Plot. It ex- tended along a highway from Mill River southward. A very early record, the date of which, however, has been lost, states that seven men were at first assigned to this settlement. Their names were James Bates, William Ventrous, Abrf^rn Peible, Richard Jones, John Hanni* HADDAM— DIVIDING THE LAND. 371 son, Samuel Gaines, and John Parents. If these all act- ually settled here, but a short time elapsed before changes were made. The accompanying map, carefully compiled from the earliest existing records, exhibits a few differences. Richard Jones' lot, for example, was soon in the possession of John Chapell, who sold it to Thomas Spencer in 1671. The six acre lot of Thomas Shailer was sold to John Bate in 1672. Samuel Gaines proba- bly sold his lot at a very early date, to one of the others, whose name appears on the map, but not on the list. Of these, there are four: John Wyatt, William Corbee, Thomas Richeson, and Nicholas Ackly. A landing was early established at the mouth of Mill River, and a road was reserved to go to it across John Wyatt's lot. Returning to the Town Plot, a few facts may be sug- gested. The home lot of Samuel Butler was soon after- ward sold to Richard Walkley. The lot at first laid out for a blacksmith, was given to John Elderkin in consid- eration of his building a mill. The lot marked for the " First Minister " was probably given to the gospel mes- senger who answered to the terms of the reservation. The "Parsonage forever " lot has been held by the First Ecclesiastical Society, of Haddam, down to a recent date. The highway that goes to the meadow and to the river, runs between that lot and the first minister's lot. This parsonage lot, owing to the conditions of the reservation, could not be sold outright, but was leased by the trustees of the society holding it, August 12th 1859, to William and James Brainerd for a term of 999 years. The lot is now owned by Zachariah Brainerd. Tradition says that the first blacksmith shop was on the opposite side from the residence of the late Blinn Brainerd, and that the name of the blacksmith was Brooks. It has already been seen that the first settlements were made on the river. The reasons for this are obvious. Some 30 or 40 years later, the people began to push in. land. In the interior and western part of this town, the families of Dickinson, Hubbard, and Ray established themselves. They were followed by the founders of fam- ilies bearing the names, Lewis, Hazelton, Tyler, Higgins, Thomas, Knowles, Burr, and others. The plain at Cock- aponsit presented an attractive field for the settler, and, about 1694, Nathaniel Spencer, John Baly sen., and Ephraim Baly each had a house lot of eight acres there, besides other parcels of land. Stephen Smith, and John, Nathaniel, and Joseph Sutliff settled in Haddam Quarter, which, in 1773, was joined to Durham. - The following extract tells something of the conditions under which title to their houses were obtained. " Ordered that every inhabitant of this plantation shall personally inhabilt here upon his land four years from the time of his first comeing hither before he shall have liberty to sell his land." Division of the Land. The settlers made no extensive divisions of the land ' at first, but held their cultivated fields, their pastures, and their timber lands in common, and divided to each individual a home lot, and a few other small par- cels of land, mostly meadows, that seemed most desirable to hold for individual use. The lots that were distrib- uted in these small allotments were of nearly uniform size. There were seven of these small divisions, and nearly every settler had a lot in them all. The Home Lots in the Town Plot contained about four acres, and those in the Lower Plantation about eight acres each. Additional Lots in the Town Plot lay on the opposite side of the highway, and contained about three acres each. The Home Meadow lots varied in size from two to five acres, and lay between the river on the northeast and a common fence on the southwest. The Upper Division of the Upper Meadow was on the east side of the river, and lay between the " great rocke" on the northeast and the river on the southwest. The lots varied in size from three to seven acres. The Lower Division of the Upper Meadow lay on the east side of the river between the same bounds on the northeast and southwest as the division last men- tioned. These lots contained two acres or a little more. The Cove Meadow lay on the east side of the river, and was bounded by the " great rocke " on the northeast and the river on the southwest. The lots were about four acres each. The Equal Division lay on the east side of the river, between the " great rocke " on the northeast and the river on the southwest, the lots containing uniformly three acres each, from which circumstance doubtless it took its name. The " great rocke " so often mentioned in the bound- aries of the meadows was the ledge or rock-ribbed hill that rises from the inner edge of the meadows. In these seven divisions the settlers participated, with perhaps an occasional exception in some of them. Other grants were soon after given for small parcels of land in Mach- imoodus and Heganumpos. Small parcels of the common land were granted to in- dividuals from time to time as their needs and the favor of the town afforded occasion. Out of the numerous records of the kind a single example here will suffice to illustrate: " At a towne meeting February 7th 1667, it was Agreed that Joseph Stannard shal have six acres of land given him out of ye Comon land abutting one the mil river southeast one his owne swamp northeast one ye Common highway southwest on ye Common land nor'- west, provided that the water passage w'thin the swamp shall be free for ye touns use." February 1669, it was ordered that whenever any land was to be given to any individual, every one should have notice of the proposed grant, and it should not issue unless every inhabitant assented to it. This resolution appears to have been too strong for practical application and it was repealed February 4th 1673. The division of the common land was under discus- sion at an early day, and this was resolved upon at a meeting December nth 1670. Then it was decided that 43 372 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. land should be laid out to individuals so as to make the distribution equal among the householders. At this time a tract of common land extending one and a half miles inland from the river was reserved to be held in common forever, but this reservation was relinquished by action of the town, March 13th 1671. The decision to lay out all undivided land was confirmed February 7th 1671. Allotments of land were made according to the valued property of householders. June 13th 167 1, it was decided that a division should be made in which there should be twenty acres laid out to every hundred pounds valuation. In this division lots were chosen by individuals as their names were drawn by lot. Simon Smith and George Gates were chosen to ap- praise all the buildings that had been erected since the first appraisement, and to make a new list of the estate of each individual as a basis upon which he was to take up land. The choice of location was drawn in order as fol- lows: "Mr. Bate, George Gates, Thomas Brooks, parson- age lot, Daniel Bramrd, John Baly, Wiates lot, Garird Spenser, Tho. Spenser, Steven Luxford, John Hensson, Joseph Stanrd, Samuell Spenser, James Welles, widow blachford, thomas Shailler, william Corbe, Mr. NoyeS) John Bate, william ventrous, Goodman Ackley, thymo Spenser, thomas Smith, Goodman dybell, dainell Cone, william Clark, John Paranes." This was the first general division of common land on the west side of the river, and it was probably not laid out in a body, but each man in the order in which his choice occurred was allowed to select twenty acres to every hundred pounds of his valued estate, wherever he desired to locate it upon land that was not already taken. In 1686, the town decided that no more land should be taken up by individuals on the west side of the river within two and a half miles of the river. This estab- lished a line which is afterward mentioned in records as the "two mile and a half line." The " Third Division of Outlands " was ordered by vote of the town Januarv 27th 1707. It covered a tract of land one mile and sixty rods square, in the northwest corner of the town, adjoining Durham on the west and Middletown on the north. It was laid out in thirty lots with the dividing lines running north and south and a highway running across them from east to west. The lots were numbered beginning at the east corner. The number of proprietors had now reached thirty. The sur- vey of this tract seems to have been so carelessly done that when about seven years later the lots were re- measured more accurately the whole tract was found to be two miles, 152 rods, two feet, five inches long instead of the one mile and 60 rods. The " Fifth Division " was ordered by vote of the town, March 13th 1716. It was to include the land en- compassed by the northern and southern bounds of the town and the " two mile and a half line " on the west and a line running parallel with it one mile from it to the east. The scale upon which this division was made was fifty acres to the hundred pounds. It was to be laid out in no regular order, but as the individual selections should determine. There were 36 drawers. January 14th 1719, the people in town meeting decided that in the future division of land every inhabitant, whether he had been a proprietor or not, should be en- titled to a lot according to the appraisement of his estate on the public list. The list of the estates in this society for that year was as follows: Capt. James Wells, ;^i3o, 7s.; Elijah Brainerd, 77, 11; Benjamin Baily, 43, 2; Joseph Ray, 3; Daniel Hubbard, 79; Joseph Clark, 42; Daniel Spencer, 30; Benjamin Towner, 49; Gerrard Spencer, 140, 10; John Fiske, 40, to; Samuel Ingram, 36; Thomas Selden, 69, 5; John Baily jun'r, 47, 12; Mr. Simon Smith, loi, 15; Ens. Moses Ventrous, 118, 14; Timothy Shaler, 85; Daniel Clark, 64, 5; John Ventrous, 66, 10; James Ray Sen'r, 43; John Spencer, 19; Azariah Dickison, 54, 18; James Ray Jun'r, 38; John Clark, 50, 2, 6; Dea. Thomas Brooks, 54, 13,6; Hezekiah Brainerd, 116, 15, William Brainerd, 103, 8; Benjamin Smith, 100, 15; John Bai- ly, 58, 10; Lt. James Brainerd, 121, 5; Richard Walkly, 54; Solomon Bate, 62; John Bate, 28, 5; Jonathan Bate, 19, 15; David Arnold, 29; Deacon Jo- seph Arnold, 116, 5; Nathaniel Baily 52; Ebenezer Ar- nold, 73, 7, 6; Isaac Tyler, 41, 2, 6; Nathaniel Spencer, 41, 3; Lieut. Thomas Clark, 115, 15; John Coe, 42; Ca- leb Cone, 70, 13; Widow Bate, 49; Nathaniel Smith, 22, 2, 6; William Clark, 84, 15; Jonathan Arnold, 94; Tim- othy Spencer, 69, 10; Caleb Brainerd, 108, 16; Serg't Thomas Shaler, 105; Joshua Arnold, 45, 12; John Ar- nold, 39, 18, 6; Ephraim Baily, 25, 17, 6; Joseph Smith, 81, i; William Smith, 39, 17, 6; Isaac Bartlett, 18; Tim- othy Walters, 39, 2; Simon Smith jr., 38; Jonathan Smith, 18; James Brainerd jr., 24; Thomas Brooks jr., 24; Mr. Phineas Fiske, 64, 11, 6. A division of land beyond the "two mile and a half line " was ordered February 29th 1720. This was dis- tributed on the scale of 60 acres to the 100 pounds. There were 100 who drew lots in this division. Another division, based on a ratio of 10, 20, or 30 acres to the too pounds, according to location of lots, was de- termined on in 1723, to be laid out by the ist of March of that year. There were 100 who drew lots in this dis- tribution. Establishing the Bounds. The lands granted to the settlers of this town by the Indian deed were not all confirmed to them. It over- lapped on the north some of the land that had already been confirmed to Middletown, and this of course had to be relinquished. But the greatest conflict of claims was with Saybrook and Lyme on the south. The claim of these two towns was based upon a grant of the Leg- islature to the old town of Saybrook when it included the territory of the other to extend its borders four miles further north, making the north line of that town twelve miles from the sea. This encroached heavily upon the land that Haddam had bought of the Indians, HADt)AM— BOUNDARY LINES. 373 by the authority of the Legislature. However, the claims of Thirty Mile Island appear to precede those of Say- brook yet the question caused much dispute and its final settlement looked more like the decision of superior forces than of impartial justice. Committees were fre- quently appointed to meet the representatives of the other towns to negotiate a settlement, and the case was carried to the General Court, where it received its final decision. February 9th 1667, the town sent Abram Deible " to goe to Sea-Brooke to treat with them for a meeting to agree about ye bounds betweeneour townes." Some arrangement was undoubtedly made for on the 27th of the same month the town appointed Gerrard Spencer, Abram Deible, and Samuel Butler " to treat wth Sea Brooke men about ye bounds." On the loth of March following the townsmen were directed to send a letter to the committee to give them a hearijig. A hear- ing was gained, and in May 1668 the General Court ap- pointed a committee to labor with these plantations "to gayne a complyance betweene them " &c., before the October meeting of the court. June 3d, this town appointed Abram Deible and Rich- ard Piper to go to Hartford to meet the committee in behalf of the town. The committee reported and the General Court accordingly recommended that the line be settled according to the proposition of Saybrook men which was a compromise making the north line of Say- brook and Lyme ten miles from the sea instead of twelve miles as they had claimed, or eight miles as Thirty Mile Island contended they were only entitled to. A com- mittee was now, October 20th, appointed to join with Saybrook in conference, the result of which seems to have been an agreement, however reluctant the commit- tee of this town may have been to consent to it. In the following May the matter was again before the General Court, the town having on the 5th appointed William Clark, to represent them before that body, and if need be to employ counsel. The court now gave its decision in accordance with the plan already mentioned. At the same time it granted that the bounds of Haddam should run from the river on the west six miles in to the wilder- ness provided it did not interfere with any other grant pre- viously made. November 3(st 1669, the town appointed a committee of four men to measure the town lines ac- cording to the recent decision of the court. Several at- tempts were made before this could be satisfactorily ac- complished, and we find the town appointing committees at different times to lay out the bounds. Finally, April 5th 167 T, the committees of the two towns, Haddam and Saybrook, met and ran the line from a point on the river two miles south of the marked tree that stood twelve miles from the sea, west into the woods. This point on the river was then near the lower end of Twenty Mile Island. The controversy with Lyme was nearly the same as that with Saybrook, and the decision of the General Court had an equal application to it. But a longer time seems to have been used in obtaining a full settlement of the line. Committees were appointed at different times in 1669, 1670, and 1673, to accomplish this, and they finally, May 7th 1673, agreed upon the boundary in the following language: " that the devident line betwixt our townes shall run from the Great river begining in the midel way betwixt the lower point of Mr. Chapman's meadow and the uper side of the mouth of the Cove above the major Leueret's farme hows and so to run east the extent of the bounds of haddam and that the above sayd devident Line shall be and Continue notwithstand- ing grantes and Agreements whatever the diuiding line betwixt ourboundes ffor euer." The line between this town and Killingworth had been an unsettled one until May 1669, when the General Court decreed that the north line of Killingworth as far as Haddam extended westward, should be a continuation of the line between Haddam and Saybrook. In December 1704, some disturbance appears to have arisen over this matter, which was placed in the hands of a committee, and thus, no doubt, satisfactorily disposed of. The bounds of Haddam, though by the circumstances narrated they were contracted on the south, were enlarged on the east by a grant of the General Court in May 1674, which made the east line of the town a north line from the southeast corner, which was six miles from the river. A condition that accompanied this extension, was that the town should grant Mr. Robert Chapman fifty acres of land by his house to the northward of his meadow abutting on the river, and 300 acres besides to be located by the discretion of a committee named in the grant, in consideration of which Mr. Chapman was to relinquish whatever claim he had on any other land in the town limits. In 1675, the General Court appointed Mr. Nathaniel White and Deacon John Hall to lay out the bounds of Haddam, both east and west, according to the grants. In 1705, September 12th, the bounds of Haddam were run by Caleb Stanly along the Middletown line six miles from the river westward, thence south 38 degrees east- erly, being a course nearest parallel with the river, to a point on the south line of Haddam six miles from the river. This parallel line then formed the dividing line between this town and Durham. Its course was after- ward changed for the northern part by the annexation of what was called the Haddam Quarter to Durham, which was done in October 1773. About the year 1685, a settlement was begun on the east side of the river, below Salmon River, which in- creased until it became strong enough to be made a sep- arate town by the name of East Haddam. The Town Ecclesiastical. The history of the town under this caption is neces- sarily a history of the First Ecclesiastical Society of Haddam, now represented by the Congregational church at Haddam Centre. In preparing this sketch the works of Dr. Field and Rev. E. E. Lewis have been drawn upon for a considerable part of the substance incorpo- rated in it. The movements of the settlers for the first few years 374 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. are enveloped in much obscurity, but there is evidence to show that the worship of God was one of the first matters to which they gave attention, and it is without doubt that the observance of public worship began with the settlement. A private house was used for this pur- pose for TO or 12 years. As has already been seen the proprietors in all their divisions of land set apart one share for the benefit of the parsonage, and another share for whoever should be their first minister. It appears that the Rev. Jonathan Willowby was employed here for a time, but though the first minister of whom there is any account, he was probably not fully settled, and therefore did not receive the share that had been set apart for the first minister. The Rev. Nicholas Noyes succeeded him, and answered the conditions sufficiently to receive the share referred to. This share, including all the additions that were from time to time made to it, amounted to over 500 acres, though it is not probable that Mr. Noyes received all this. Parts of it were held and afterward given to other ministers. There is a tradition that the first meeting house was built on a site about thirty rods below the present county jail, and on the opposite side of the street. In February 1667, Joseph Arnold gave a part of his home lot for the site of a house for Mr. Willowby. Documentary evidence uniformly associates the home lot of Joseph Arnold with the burying ground and church site. Before or soop after the completion of his house, Mr. Willowby left, and the house naturally fell into the possession of the town. Having no other use for it, and having no meeting house, they used it for that purpose. December 7th 1667, the town arrived at the following de- cision, and this is the first record that, has been found touching the subject of building a meeting house: " At the same metting it was a Greed and netted by the in habytantes that the settled plas whear the meting houes shall be bilt is at the frunt of the minestryes Lote in the Litell medowe Lying a gainest the eand of the hom lote of Joseph Arnuld, that now he dwelles in." The minister's lot here spoken of was probably that whereon Mr. Willowby's house had been begun, which, as has been seen, was taken from the home lot of Joseph Arnold. This house was used for the meetings of the town, and without doubt for meetings for worship. No- vember nth 1669, the town voted that Mr. Noyes should have liberty to take the parsonage for his own use, but before he did so he should give the town sufficient no- tice to allow them time to secure another place to meet in. February 7th 1670, Mr. Noyes accordingly gave the town " warning to provid themselves a place fit to meet in by this time come two yeare." The town, November 2ist 1670, voted to build a meeting house, and appointed a committee to attend to it with power to call out the in- habitants to work upon it in proportion to their several estates as should be decided by the discretion of the committee. But little if anything was done until Febru- ary 1673, when a rate of forty pounds was ordered to be paid in labor or money for the building of the meeting house and in March the town contracted with John Clarke to frame the building. It was to be 28 feet long, 24 feet wide, and 13 feet between joints, and in its sides were to be eight windows. May isth 1674, the towns- men were ordered to go forward with the work of build- ing, and buy shingles, clapboards and nails to finish the building. It was probably completed sufficiently to admit being used during that year, though it remained in an unfin- ished condition for several years longer. Rev. Nicholas Noyes came here in 1668, on a salary of ;£^4o, and the use of the minister's lot, the salary to be paid, " one half in wheat and Pease, and the other half in Porke and indian Corne." Several years later this sal- ary was increased somewhat. By remaining for a term of four years he became entitled to the lot that had been set apart for the first minister, and afterward received other parcels of ground. He appears to have been held in high esteem by the people, who made efforts to retain him longer in this field, but he withdrew about the year 1682. About this time the town paid Goodman Henerson ten shillings for sweeping the meeting house, and Joseph Arnold eight shillings for drumming. This was for the year 1682. In January 1683, a committee was sent to New Lon- don to solicit Mr. John James to become minister here. Though but little is known regarding his ministry here, it is supposed that he came soon after that time and re- mained several years, perhaps till 1691. In the summer of 1691, Rev. Jeremiah Hobart, from Hempstead, Long Island, came here and entered upon the work of the ministry. The town offered him .?^6o salary, and firewood, besides the parsonage lands on both sides of the river, and a lot of four and a half acres, on which they agreed to build a house for him. This house was to be 40 feat in length by 18 feet in breadth, and 10 feet in height of posts. The town went forward with the work of building, and as they progressed, the item of nails was provided for by selling 20 acres of land at Moodus to Thomas Hungerford. Mr. Hobart thus be- came settled as pastor of this people, though not for- mally installed. Some difficulties afterward arose, by which the people became dissatisfied, and in April 1695 they refused to acknowledge him as their pastor, and ap- plied to the Assembly to be organized into a church ac- cording to the accepted form, which was done in 1796. Their relations with Mr. Hobart, however, were not settled by this action, and after the matter had occa- sioned considerable trouble, the Assembly, in 1698, appointed a committee to investigate and determine the controversy. That committee met in November, and after deliberating for some time upon the matter, declared that the agreement that had at first been entered into was still binding upon each party. This decision was accepted and acted upon, and Mr. Hobart was accordingly installed as pastor of the newly organ- ized church, in November 1700, he being then 70 years of age. From that time forward, neither he nor the people seem to have been fully satisfied. His salary HADDAM— ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETY. 375 remained at ^^40 a year and firewood, which was to be cut by the people, every male person in the town between the ages of 16 and 60 years being required to cut wood one day in the year for him. In 1705, the quantity allowed him for the year was 80 loads, and it was to be brought in by the loth of November. In 1709, he was allowed 40 cords for the year. There was probably a large faction in the society that was opposed to Mr. Hobart, and in consequence his salary and the other obligations of the people to him were not promptly fulfilled; and this annoyed and irritated the aged min- ister, whose manner was probably not as conciliatory as might have been expedient under the circumstances. In connection with this subject, a glimpse of the records of the town affords an interesting illustration. In the last end of the first book of town records, a leaf has been torn out, and the pages that precede it contain a long account of a difficulty between Mr. Hobart and the town with reference to his engagement here, in which the decision of a committee of the General Court of Connecticut was required to adjust the matter. Fol- lowing the torn leaf is this curious record, which explains itself: "Haddam, March ye 6th 170^." "At a meeting of the Towne in Generall both west & east side inhabitants; Convened together to consider what may be thought adviseable to be done in order to the unuseall & unthought of difficulty which arises in s'd Towne Respecting the Reverend Mr. Jerimiah Hobbarts tearing out part of a leaf out of the ancient Towne book, and for the repairing of the foresaid breach wee doe unanimously make choyce of Cap'tn John Chapman, Deacon Thomas Gates, deacon Daniell Cone, Lieut. James Wells and deacon Thomas Brooks a Committee: who are hereby Impowered and desired to take ~all moderate & ruleable Methods that the fore s'd Town book may be made vallid and Sufficient to all persons that now are or ever after Shall be Concerned with s'd Town book. The fore said Inhabitants do oblige themselves to defray all necessary Charges that the fore s'd Committee shall be att in prosicuting the above said designe." The committee report that if the copy of what was torn out can be found and duly recorded again it shall be valid, or if Mr. Hobart would deliver up all papers having reference to the record torn out, and would agree not to give any further trouble to the town or any one in regard to the matters therein contained, then with Mr. Hobart's acquiescence the town book was to be valid to all intents and purposes. Mr. Hobart, in his answer, dated March 12th 170^, complies with the arrangement of the committee " in real self-deniall for peace & loues sake," and agrees to suppress and destroy all papers that he has that might give him any advantage over the town to make them any trouble for the lack of the missing record. After a period of 24 years' labor with this people Mr. Hobart died at the age of 85 years, having been assisted for a little more than a year by a colleague. He attended public worship in the forenoon of Sunday, November 6th 1815, and partook of the sacrament, and during the intermission between services died suddenly while sitting in his chair. This ecclesiastical society comprehended the whole people of the town, on both sides of the river. But to- ward the close of the century the people of East Had- dam were incorporated as a separate society. But little is known of the positions occupied in church sittings by different individuals, nor what deference was paid to wealth, age, or rank, but that the matter of order- ly seating was not ignored may be seen from the follow- ing paragraph, from the minutes of a town meeting in December 1714: " Capt. James Wells, Lft. Thomas Clark, Simon Smith, Thomas Brooks, and Joseph Arnold were Chosen a Com- mitty to order where persons should Sett in the meeting hous for the future." The Rev. Phineas Fisk, a graduate of Yale College, was ordained as colleague of Mr. Hobart, January 27th 17 14. The people, in their call to him, which was acted upon in town meeting, November 15th 1712, enumerated the following inducements in case he would be their minister until " providentially and inevitably removed or prevented :" a home lot of six acres; 40 acres on the neck; 20 acres of timber land; 30 acres from the commons; a one-hundred-and-fifty-pound (?) right in all the common land; a new house to be built for him, 42 by 19 feet and 16 feet between joints, with a lean-to 10 feet wide the whole length of the house, a stone cellar and a " stack of chimneys with three smoakps below and two above in the chambers," — Mr. Fisk however to find nails and glass; — the use of the parsonage lands; one day's work annually from all the hands and teams in town within a distance of two and a half miles of him; and in addition to all this a salary of 35 pounds the first year, 45 the second year and so on to increase until it amounted to 70 pounds a year. The pastorate of Mr. Fisk was a long and pleasant one, harmony prevailing between him and his people. This salary was increased, until in 1736 it reached as high as no pounds. In 1718, the town decided to build a new meeting house. A period of prosperity seemed to be smiling upon the society, and a house of larger dimensions was needed. This was to be 36 by 44 feet on the ground and 20 feet between joints, and it was to be located at " the most convenient place adjoining to the burying lot." A building committee was appointed in 1819, and a tax of four pence on the pound was laid upon the list to pro- vide funds for the work. The house was completed about September 172 1. The roof was covered with shingles two feet long and averaging five inches wide which cost 25 shillings a thousand; the clap-boards for the sides were four and one-half feet long and six inches wide, and for them was paid seven shillings a hundred. That the inside was plastered is probable from the fact that 300 bushels of shells and 4,000 cedar lath were or- dered, the shells doubtless being burned into lime. The church was seated with pews, and had galleries. Addi- tional pews were afterward put in at different times to accommodate the wants of an increasing congregation. 376 HISTORY OP MIDDLESEX COUNTY. The ministry of Mr. Fisk closed suddenly by his death, October 17th 1738, when at the age of 51; and in the midst of a career of usefulness and successful labor. It was during his pastorate that we find one of the earliest suggestions of that custom that prevailed in many New England towns, the observance of an " Elec- tion Sermon." It was considered by the town ecclesias- tical as a very proper thing to have religious services and a sermon connected with the annual election of officers and transaction of important town business. The elec- tion sermon was preached in 1726 by Mr. Fisk. The town very soon appointed a committee to secure the services of another minister. The Rev. Aaron Cleve- land was chosen, and negotiations having terminated sat- isfactorily, he was ordained as pastor of this society on the second Wednesday of July 1739. He was to receive for settlement, ;^Soo and a yearly salary of ;^iSo, which should be increased ;!£^io every year until it reached jQ2oo. Through the depreciation of currency the salary of Mr. Cleveland a few years later became so small that he could barely subsist upon it, and on his own mo- tion he was dismissed in 1746. The house in which Mr. Cleveland lived stood at the top of " Jail Hill " in the corner field on the north side of the Beaver Meadow road and west side of the road from the school house that intersects the other here. The remains of a cellar, beneath an apple tree a few rods from the bars, mark the site of the house. At the time Mr. Cleveland became pastor a change seems to have been made in the organization of the society. It became more distinct as such, and perhaps less an integral part of the town political. The society was organized more perfectly according to law, and its records were kept subsequently more distinct from those of the town generally, though still the body politic main- tained its guardianship over the interests of the body ecclesiastic. The Rev. Joshua Elderkin, after having served a while on probation, was installed as pastor of this society in the latter part (probably September) of 1749. Being of a feeble constitution, he was not able long to bear up under the duties of the position, and after a few years was obliged to give up preaching altogether. He had received at his settlement the value of about _^i,6oo, on the supposition that he was to spend his life with them. At his own request he was dismissed April i8th 1753. The town then petitioned the Assembly- to direct him to refund a part of the settlement money, he having, served them only about three and a half years. The Assembly accordingly decided that Mr. Elderkin should reimburse the parish to the amount of £SS°< " o'd tenor," he be- ing allowed; at his request, time to sell his " mansion house " at such appraisement as Jabez Hamlin, of Mid- dletown, and Elihu Chauiicey, of Durham, should set upon it, and either Mr. Elderkin or the parish should havt, liberty to sell it at the appraised value. He was followed by Rev. Eleazer May, a native of Wethersfield, and a graduate of Yale College in 1752. He was ordained and installed here June 30th 1756. His salary was, for some of the time at least, raised by the rate of two pence on the pound annually levied on the lists, but was not to fall below _;^7o, nor to exceed £ioa. The parsonage occupied by him stood on the west side of the road, just north of what is now Meeting House Park. At the ordination of Mr. May, the church con- sisted of 100 members, 38 males and 62 females. The pastorate of Mr. May continued through all the trying years that intervened between that time and the year 1803, when his term of service, covering nearly half a century, was closed by his death, which occurred April 14th of that year. During his time 239 persons were admitted to the church, and during 42 years of the time he administered baptism to 977. The question of building a new meeting house began to be agitated as early as 1758, but for several years the site could not be agreed on. Twice a committee from the County Court at Hartford was sent down to settle it, but their reports were not satisfactory and were not acted upon. The Assembly was petitioned to help them out of the difificulty, and a committee was sent down to decide the matter. Even after this was done the people were slow to accept it, but finally it was determined that the house should be built on the site indicated by the Assembly committee, which was at the northwest corner of what is now laid out as Meeting House Park. A con- tract for its erection was entered into between James Hazelton, jr., Eliakim Brainerd and Daniel Ventres, for the society, and John Coach and Joseph Shailer. The society was to erect the foundation of stone and raise the frame when it was ready. Beyond this Messrs. Coach & Shailer were to complete the building for ;^8oo. , Its size was 45 by 65 feet "and a proportionable height," and without a steeple. The frame was raised by September following the last date, and the house so far completed as to receive the seats by a year from that time. The church was dedicated October 24th 1771. This house was the Sabbath home of this society during its most prosperous years. It was then that the number of the congregation reached its maximum. It was the principal church, and for many years the only one in the town on the west side of the river. At the beginning of the occupancy of the new church, the music received additional attention. In July 1759, "Stephen Smith Jun., and Jeremiah Spencer were chosen choristers or to tune the psalm, as occasion shall re- quire." In October 1773, the society voted that Dr. Watts' hymns should be used in public worship. It was soon after granted that the " singing men and women " should have the front seat in the gallery on the women's side of the house. Thus early was the choir organized, and then rehearsals were provided for by a vote that they should have " liberty to sing a psalm or two in the meeting-house in the time of intermission." The liberal disposition of the society was slill further evidenced in a vote ■' that they be indulged in singing without reading line by line, the psalm being first read." Afterward still further efforts were made to improve the singing. In 1800, a tax of $50 was voted " to revive HADDAM— ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETY. 377 singing," though it is not specified how it was to be done. A few years later, the clarionet and bass viol were intro- duced, and in 1806 the society, by its express vote, approved of the use of instrumental music in their worship. Mr. May was followed by the Rev. David Dudley Field, D.D., whose naroe is the most conspicuous of any of the ministers of this parish. He was the sixth pastor of the church. He was a native of Madison, then East Guilford, and graduated at Yale College in 1802. A call was given him from this society February 14th 1804, at a salary of $500 a year. It was accepted, and he was accordingly ordained on the nth of the following April. He entered on his work with the enthusiasm and ardor of a young man, and during his pastorate made a deep impression of himself upon the hearts and character of the people. The church numbered 107 members when he came, and 188 were added during his ministry. At its close, the church numbered 165. He was dis- missed, at his own request, at the end of his 14th year, April nth 1818. While here, he occupied two parson- ages; first the old house that now stands on the east side of the village street, nearly opposite from the school house, and second, the house now owned and occupied by Mr. Zachariah Brainerd, opposite from the Methodist church. , The Rev. John Marsh, a native of Wethersfield and a graduate of Yale, began preaching here on the first Sab- bath in June 1818, and having received a call on a salary of $700, was installed on the 13th of December. About this time the church enjoyed a revival of remarkable power and fruitfulness. Seventy- four of the converts united with the church at one time, January 17th 1819, and during the year 41 more were received, making an accession of 115 during the lirst year of Mr. Marsh's pastorate. Several other revivals followed during the next ten years, and in 1828, 70 members were received at one time. At that time the influence of the awakening spread throughout the town, and was felt by the other denominations that had been established. Altogether the number of converts in the whole town was estimated to be from 200 to 300. Besides the revival work, which seems to have been taken hold of so earnestly by Dr. Marsh, the temperance reformation found in him an indefatigable and outspoken advocate. He preached abstinence from the use of in- toxicants, from his pulpit, by his practice, in social inter- course, by printed tracts, and by organized association. Probably through his efforts, the Middlesex Association for the promotion of temperance was formed at a meet- ing in the old church, September i6th 1828, to which delegations from all parts of the county had been called. Among those who became initial members of that society from this town were: Jonathan and Selden Huntington, Benjamin H. Catlin, Ira Hutchinson, and Davis Brain- erd. Owing to the active part he took in this matter he was made secretary and general agent of the Connecticut Temperance Society at its formation in 1829, and in 1833 received a call from the American Temperance Society of Boston, to become their agent at Philadelphia. To accept this call required his dismission from this church, which was effected April ist 1833. This church has an honorable record in the active part it has for many years taken in the support of missionary enterprise, both home and foreign. In 1822, the frame of a house which was needed by the Sandwich Islands Mission was hewed and fitted, and sent as a gift to that mission, the captain of the vessel that carried it generously refusing any pay for its trans- portation. Before the introduction of a stove into the old church, the conveniences for making the congregation comfortable in cold weather were few and quite imperfect. The old foot stove was brought, with its supply of coals from the hearth, in the morning, and at the intermission it was re- filled from the hearth of some indulgent neighbor who lived near the church. But the congregation was large, and their comfort called for more accommodations than the generosity of the few homes that were located near the church could supply, so the " Sabba-day houses" came into use. These weresmall houses, each one of which was probably erected by the united efforts of a number of families living distant from the church, and in them fires were made for the accommodation of the people during intermission between the forenoon and afternoon sermons. Here lunch was eaten, social conversation en- joyed, and the foot stoves filled for the afternoon. Per- mission to build them was granted by the following vote of the town: . " January 13th, 1735: Voted to grant liberty to any of the inhabitants of Haddam to build and set up small houses on the common or town land anywhere within the half mile for their conveniency and comfort on the Lord's Day provided thejcin no ways damnific any high- way." These buildings were set up around the second and third meeting houses, and it is said that the corner stone of one of them remains in the path a little north of Mr. Cephas Brainerd's residence. The next minister of this church was the Rev. T. S. Clark, who commenced preaching here in the latter part of 1833, and was installed April 15th 1834. After a short pastorate, he resigned August 25th 1836 Dr. David Dudley Field was again settled as pastor of this church April nth 1837. During his second pastor- ate Brainerd Academy, perhaps the offspring of his influ- ence, was built in 1839; a revival which added 40 mem- bers to the church occurred in 1841; and the church at Higganum was formed, withdrawing 135 members from this church. The old church was now left with a mem- bership of only 127. The dismission of Dr. Field oc- curred April nth 1844, after which the church remained without a settled pastor for about two years and a half. During this time the pulpit was filled for longer or shorter terms by Revs. D. C. Tyler, T. M. Dwight,W. H. Gilbert, and L P. Warren. Rev. Elisha W. Cook began preaching here the first Sabbath in July 1846, and was installed on the i8th of 378 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. the following November. His labors closed here April ist 1852. At the separation of the Higganum church a division of the real estate that had fallen to the eclesiastical so- ciety was made, and each of the two societies was at lib- erty to manage its own affairs without any interference or patronage from the town. In November 1845, the old society decided to build a meeting house, and appointed a building committee and a committee for raising funds by subscription. A site was secured by a lease for 999 years, from George S. Brainerd, and the corner stone was laid June 21st 1847. The house was completed at a cost of about $4,000 and was dedicated on the 3d of November 1846. In the new house was placed a communion service of silver, the tankard of which had been presented in 1836 by Mr. Stephen Tibbals, and the plates and chalices in 1847 by a contribution of the widows of the church. The former gift was valued at $100 and the latter at $80. Rev. Erastus Colton was the acting pastor of the church, though not installed, from October 1852 to Au- gust 1854. I In the early part of 1855 the Rev. James L. Wright began preaching here, and, proving acceptable to the congregation, he was called to the pastorate, and duly in- stalled on the i6th of May. He remained until his death, which took place, after a short illness, January i8th 1 87 1. He was deeply mourned by the congregation whose respect and affection he had gained by his winning qualities. In numerical order he was the tenth pastor, and the fourth who had died on the field. The present pastor. Rev. Everett E. Lewis, preached his first sermon here, September 17th 187 1, and receiv- ing a call, began his labors on the first Sabbath in De- cember. His installation took place January 17th 1872. January ist 1872, the membership of the church was 120. A conference room was built in the rear of the church in 1866, at a cost of $650, The society had been with- out a parsonage for more than 20 years when the present house was purchased in 1868. Its cost was about $1,800. In 187 1-2, repairs and improvements were made on the church and parsonage at an expense of $800, and a few years later a debt of $700 was cleared from the society by their vigorous effort. The conference room was en- larged and a church parlor added during the summer of. 1884. The following were some of the early deacons of the church, elected previous to the present century: Daniel Brainerd, Esquire, died 1715; Thomas Brooks, died 1734; Joseph Arnold, died 1752, at the age of 86; James Brainerd, died 1742; Thomas Brooks, elected about 1742; Elisha Cone, elected about the same time; Elijah Brainerd, elected 1759; Col. Hezekiah Brainerd Esq., elected 1764; Joseph Smith, elected 1771; Nehemiah Brainerd Esq., elected about 1784; Eliakim Brainerd, elected about the same time. The " half-way covenant " was once introduced into the Haddam church, but was soon rejected. This church has raised up the following persons to en- ter the ministry, all of whom it is supposed have found their work in Congregational churches: David, John, Elijah, Eleazer, Chiliab, Nehemiah, Israel, Israel second, James, and Davis S. Brainerd, Aaron Cleveland, Heze- kiah May, Jonathan Hubbard, Israel Shailer, Daniel Clark Tyler, and David B. Hubbard. Others from Had- dam who have entered the ministry in other denomina- tions have been: Simon, William H., David T., Na- than E., and Julius S. Shailer, and Andrew M. Smith, in the Baptist Church; and Charles Dickinson, Phineas Doane, William R. Brainerd, and H. M. Smith in the Methodist Church. Although attention may have been given to the instruc- tion of children in the catechism, 'there is no record of a Sunday school in connection with this church previous to 1819. Under the energetic influence of Mr. Marsh a school was organized that year. It was opened on the second Sabbath of May, and continued until the last of August. Sixty boys and too girls were in attendance with considerable regularity. Their ages ranged from seven to 16 years. The school was divided into five classes, had five teachers, one to each class, and five su- perintendents, who rotated in their official action. From that beginning the Sabbath school has gone on to the present time. Town and Society Action. There are some acts of the town and items of historic record that do not come under any topic of connected narrative, but still are of interest, inasmuch as they throw light upon the conditions under which our ancestors lived, and help to a clear understanding of them and their times. Among the first matters which the existing records show that the town acted on were orders regulating the laying out of highways, erection of bridges over the numerous streams which they found everywhere crossing their path, providing for fencing the common fields, granting parcels of land to individuals, regulating the time for turning swine and cattle upon the pasture com- mons, and providing pounds for the imprisonment of stray cattle, swine, or other animals. A landing was probably made upon the river bank near the town plot, though no record of it can be found. April 9th 1667, a landing was agreed on, to be located at the southeast side of the creek then called " Beaver brooke." It was to be for the use of the lower end of the town, and a convenient highway was to be made from it to the common highway through the land of John Wyatt. This was probably the second landing estab- lished by the settlers of this town. Ear marks were in use here as early as 1688. These were certain cuts and nicks upon the ears of cattle and sheep, which by their kind, combination, and position distinguished the animals belonging to one man from those of another. The various kinds of marks were the "crop," "slope," half-penny," "swallow-fork," "ell," " square crop," " hole," " nick," " slit," " hollow crop." HADDAM— FROM TOWN RECORDS. 379 "latch," "flower-de-luce," and perhaps some others, and they might be on the upper or under side of the ear, and on the right or the left ear. A register of each man's mark was kept by the town clerk. In its primitive condition the town acted directly on matters that in later years make of the details of business that is left to the discretion of representative officers. The following is a curious and interesting example of the kind, as well as a reminder of the tedious process by which nails were produced in those days, and their con- sequent value. " At a toune meting at hadom October 20th, 1668, it was ordered and agreed by the toune that the tounesmen shall Proquer ffouer thousand of nailes: thre thousand and a halef of sixpeni nailes and haluef a thous.ind of eaight peni nailes and the toune doth in Gage to paye them in wheat for them and allso to satisfi them for thear trobell in Geting of them." Regulations in regard to the extermination of wild ani- mals were not very common in this town. In 1669, the town agreed to pay 12 shillings each for every wolf that should be killed in it. Some consideration appears to have been exercised for widows in straitened circumstances, as is shown by this extract from the records: "At the same meting it was agreed that the town will forgive the widow Jones her towne rate that is be hind of last yeare." Burying grounds were provided for by order of the town, and land for them was set apart from the common land of the town. The town also made choice some- times of those who should dig their graves, as the follow- ing entry will show: " Jan. 27, 1714-15. " Ebenezer Frisbey is chose to digg graves for the year ensuing and shall be allowed five shillings pr. grave for grown persons and equivalent for lesser persons." The bloody and destructive war known as King Phillip's war, seems to have troubled this town some. Weak and unable to offer much resistance as it must have been at that time, the town made what preparation it could for self defense, and probably sent a petition to *the Council at Hartford for some manner of protection or assistance. What equipments they had were put in order, and the inhabitants presented to the Council the name of Jarrad Spencer, asking his appointment as en- sign, and also that of William Ventres as sergeant of their " Trayn Band." Their further action in regard to Haddam is expressed in the following paragraph from their records: " Upon inteligence and occasion of some parties sculk- ing ennimies that are come downe to lye about and amongst these plantations to annoy and destroy as they can catch, the Councill doe advise and order that the people of Haddum doe forthwith agree and come to- gether into the two uppermost best garrisoned places in their towne to assist and defend each other, or agree to remove to some other plantation upon the River, as they may best for themselves and families." Some trouble appears to have been occasioned by wildcats, as the subjoined entry suggests. ■ "Jan. 13, 172I, "At said meeting it was by vote agreed that what per- son or persons shall within the precincts of this west so- ciety Kill any wild Cat or wild Cats and do to the satis- faction of the constable make it evident that he or they have so done shall for each Cat so killed shall be allowed for each Cat four shillings per Cat." The small-pox caused considerable alarm about here soon after the Revolution. January nth 1787, the town granted to Dr. Hezekiah Brainerd the exclusive privilege of inoculating persons to prevent small-pox, for a term of four years, provided he should erect a building in which to receive for attendance such persons as should be in- fected with that disease, and he should himself have the care of such persons as should be placed in it. A loca- tion was given and a hospital was erected upon it, in the southwestern suburbs of the town center neighborhood. A few years later, the people were assured that no further danger of the dreaded disease was imminent, and the the house was removed, but the field in which it stood is still known as the ".Pox House lot." Growth and Progress. Haddam was originally included in the county of Hart- ford, and on the formation of Middlesex in 1785, became a part of the latter county. It was the central town of new county and was made a half-shire town. The Indians who remained in the town, exercising the riglits of hunting and fishing wherever they pleased, which rights they had reserved in their deed to the white settlers, it is said were troublesome for many years. For half a century the people were in the habit of carrying arms with them whenever they left their homes, and what now appears as a strangely discordant custom, that of carrying the instruments of war into the church on the Sabbath, was a regular pratice with them. But though the settlers seem to have suffered more or less alarm, yet there is no record that the Indians ever committed any serious depredations or acts of violence. Highways were laid out through the town, or to dif- ferent points in it from the earliest settlement. Perhaps the first one was the common highway through the town plot and to the lower plantation. The record of this is not dated, and as some changes were made either before or after, it does not agree with the impressions gathered from other parts of the records in all particulars. The record recites the establishment of a highway through the town, that from James Wells' four acre home lot to Daniel Cone's home lot should be four rods wide and thence to the lower end of the town it should be five rods wide. This was probably the first road that the settlers laid out. The first record of the laying out of highways other than the above is as follows: " Whereas Mr. Piper, Daniell brainrd and John Cha- pel! weare ordered and appoynted by the towne to laye out high wayes for townes use thay haveing dunne them as heire thay stand entred. 49 38° HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. " One high waye at the reare of the thre acre Lots twelve rods wide. "One high way that goeth from the high way that is betwen will Clarke and George Gates runeing by richard pipers fence so over muddy brooke and through the land of Mr. James bate and from thence southwest to the ende of the boundes eaight rods wide. " One high way lying by muddy brooke Lying by John beailyes Lote up the hille to the high way that goeth by Garrird Spensers lote ten rods wide. "One high way that runes by mudy brooke betwen the liteell swamp and the Great hill over beaver brooke by the parsonag lote: so to the side of tirkey hille: so to the end of the bounds ten rods wide. "One high way by the south side of George Gateses lote and by Mr. batesis lote neare James Wellesis Lote so south and be west tordes the Lote of the widow blach- fordes to the end of the boundes ten rods wide. " One high waye from the reare of thre acre lotes by tho. brookes lote west thirty rods wide and runes west and be south by Garrard Spenseres lote twelve rods wide to the end of the boundes, " One high way by the northwest side of Garrard Spen- sers lote tille it comes into the high way that lyeth by tho. brookesis lote twelve rods wide. " One highway from Garrird Spensers bound tree south and by James Welles lote to the end of the bounds ten rods wide. " One high way that comes from James welles lote comes over the hill and swampe by mr. batesis Lote, so into the high way that is over mudy brooke ten rods wide. " One high waye at the east side of Jarrird Spenseres lote runeing west ten rods wide. "One high way lying by the side of Richard piperes lote runing to the reare of mr. Noyesis hows lote and ouer the Great hille wheare persones dige stones sixteen rods wide. " One high way lying between James welles and peter blachford and runes to the mille brooke neare the Dame and ouer the brooke by the side of the hille to the ende of the boundes ten rods wide. " One high waye lying one the southeast side of mr. Noyesis lote up the hill: and comes into that high way that goeth ouer neare the dame and then tomes east ward tordes the mille land and then comes downe into the contry road againest wiates lote twelue rods wide. " One high way from the reare of the thre acr lotes and runes north west to Tom heganumps first branch and then tomes southward to the end of the boundes and from this high way another highway goeth ouer hegan- umpes by balyes lote northwest to the eand of the boundes ten rodes wide." The division of the town into road districts did not take place until the year 1828. In April of that year, it was divided into 17 such districts. Some idea of the growth of the town is given by Dr. Field, in his pamphlet on Haddam, published in 1814. He thinks there may have been 30 families in the town at its incorporation in 1668; and perhaps 60 families in 1700. In 1718, 62 names are mentioned on a tax list, and in 1739, there were 71 voters, and it is probable that in either instance the number of families was somewhat in excess of the numbers mentioned. It is supposed that about 1750 there were 150 families within the town, of which number 20 were on Haddam Neck. The following is a list of the freemen in Haddam So- ciety in 1730: Rev. Mr. Phineas Fiske, Capt. James Wells, Capt. James Brainerd, Capt. Thomas Shailer, Capt. Caleb Cone, Ensign Simon Smith, Deacon Thomas Brooks, Lieut. Thomas Clark, Lieut. Joseph Smith, Serg't Jarrard Spencer, Samuel Ingram, Ensign Moses Vent- rous, Ensign John Fiske, Solomon Bate, James Ray, John Ventrous, Josiah Arnold, Deacon Joseph Arnold, James Hazelton, Nathaniel Baily, Richard Walkly, William Clark, Nathaniel Spencer, Caleb Brainerd, Hezekiah Brainerd, Elijah Brainerd, Thomas Brooks jr., Joshua Arnold, James Brainerd jr., Isaac Bartlet, Nathaniel Sut- liff, John Coe, Lieut. William Brainerd, John Baily jr., Ephraim Baily, Daniel Clark, Gideon Arnold, Serg't Daniel Hubbard, William Porter, Azariah Dickenson. In 1814, there were in that part of the town on the west side of the river 340 dwelling houses, 390 families, and 1,951 inhabitants, of whom 967 were male, and 984 were female. On Haddam Neck there were then 47 dwelling houses, 62 families, and 349 inhabitants, of whom 174 were male, and i75were female. The "list" of Haddam in 1718 showed a valuation of .;^3,6o7, 14s., and 8d.; that in 1813 showed for Haddam Society, $32,- 107.73; and for Haddam Neck, $5,422.33. The expense of supporting the poor of this town in 1813 was $320. The French War. There is little evidence of the participation of the peo- ple of this town in the French war. There is, neverthe- less, existing evidence to show that some interest was taken by the people, and that a few at least offered their services to their country. At the annual town meeting in T758, Capt. Jabez Brainerd was appointed to receive the produce of the country " mentioned in the act of the General Assembly of the Colony Entitled an act to sup- ply the Treasury in the present Extraordinary Emergen- cy of government and for creating and Issuing Bills of Credit, and Dispose of such produce according to such act." From a private letter written some years afterward is gathered the information that James Smith, Samuel Tyler, Col. Abraham Tyler, Lieut. Higgins, Lieut. N. Dickerson, " and many more in Haddam," served in that war. Militia. The regulations governing the organization of the militia in this town were similar to those of other towns, and in later years uniform with the prescribed rules hold- ing throughout the State. A militia company was formed at a very early date. George Gates, one of the proprie- tors, was probably its first captain. He was succeeded by another of the first settlers, James Wells Esq., in May 1714- HADDAM— REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 381 Following Ihese the successive captains of this com- pany up to 1814 were: Dea. James Brainerd, Caleb Cone, Thomas Sbailer, John Fisk, Gideon Brainerd, James Wells, Thomas Shailer, Joseph Selden, James Hazleton, Dea. Eliakim Brainerd, John Ventres, Oliver Wells Esq., Joshua Smith, David Dickinson, Samuel Shailer, Major Huntington May, Arnold Tyler, Col. John Brainerd, Stephen Dickinson, and Gideon Higgins. A new company was formed at Higganum about 1730. The successive captains of this company were: Nathaniel Sutliff, Abraham Brooks, Jabez Brainerd Esq., Charles Seers, John Smith, David Brainerd, Col. David Brainerd Esq., Heman Brainerd, John Brainerd, Noadiah Cone, John Clarke, Curtis Smith, Daniel Brainerd, James Walkley, and Amos Smith. A company was formed at Ponsett, from the Higga- num company, in May 1771, and its successive com- manders were: Stephen Smith, Abner Smith, Samuel Hubbard, Edmund Porter, Jeremiah Hubbard, Jonathan Burr, Samuel Stannard, James Thomas, David Spencer, Samuel Hubbard, Abraham Hubbard, and Sylvester Brainerd. These companies were parts of a regiment that had been under the command of Hezekiah Brainerd Esq., and Abraham Tyler. In 1740, a company was formed at Middle Haddam, when the people of Haddam Neck were transferred from the Haddam company to that. The honors of the captaincy at different times fell to the following mem- bers from Haddam Neck: Deacon Ebenezer Smith, Thomas Selden, Ansel Brainerd, Elias Selden, and Daniel Brooks. In 1773, the militia of "Haddam Quarter" were transferred from the Higganum company to that of Dur- ham, when that section was united to the latter town. The Revolution. The data from which to make up a narrative of the particular doings of the people of this town while that great struggle was in progress are meagre and fragmen- tary. The militia were in constant drill, and prepared in a rude way to enter the service of their country at short notice, though the defense of their own immediate terri- tory was to them of the first importance, and they seem with reluctance to have left their firesides when occasion called them to go into the service on distant fields. The equipments of the militia were put in more perfect order as- the prospect of being called upon to defend them- selves by resort to arms grew imminent. February 6th 1776, it was voted that all who had powder, balls, or flint from the town treasury should return them or pay for the same at the rate of six shillings a pound for pow- der, eight shillings a pound for ball, and twelve pence a dozen for flints. The first intimation of a call for men appears on the records under date of March 27th 1777, when the town appointed a committee to confer with the governor respecting the quota of men to be raised, and also the sudden rise in cattle which had been occasioned by some speculative action of under commissaries, much to the discomfiture of the people and the embarrassment of the government. March 31st 1777, the town voted unanimously that they would join with, and to the utmost in their power support the civil authority, selectmen, committee of in- spection, and all informing otificers in carrying out the lavvs made for regulating and fixing the prices of certain articles, as recommended by the governor and council of safety in their proclamation of March rSth 1777. At the same time they voted that the families of all soldiers who had enlisted or should do so, to fill up the battalion of this State, should be supplied, in the absence of such heads, with necessaries at the prices affixed by law, and if the committee appointed to superintend this business could not obtain such supplies at the prices affixed, the town should be drawn upon to make up the deficiency. At a meeting held on the 22d of April following, an effort was made to raise the quota of men for the Con- tinental army. Accordingly a bounty of;£^s was offered to every able bodied volunteer who should enlist for three years or during the war, from this town in any of the nine and a half battalions to be raised in the State. All non-commissioned officers and soldiers were also to be supplied with two shirts, two pairs of stockings, and one pair of shoes annually. The time for which this offer held good closed in ten days following the meeting. At another meeting, held on the 2d of May following, a bounty of ^£4 was offered for enlistments that should be made up to the sth of the next January. September 24th 1777, the town voted that the select- men should hire some person to bring the salt that be- longed to the town, which was then at Boston, to this place, where the selectmen should sell it out at cost, in- cluding expenses. The following is "A rool of the Persons who took the oath of allegiance & fremans Oath Sept. 1777:" — Capt. Abraham Brooks, Capt. Cornelius Higgins, Ens. Jere- miah Hubbard, Capt. Stephen Smith, Major Abraham Tyler, Dr. Brainerd, Joel Arnold, Hezekiah Clark, Gid- eon Brainerd, Joseph Cone, Deacon Cone, Capt. Samuel Hubbard, Capt. John 'Smith, John Willcocks, Jedediah Brainerd, Josiah Brainerd, Increase Brainerd, Samuel Brainerd, allegiance, Daniel Ventres, James Cone, Joel Hubbard, Elijah Brainerd, William Brainerd, Ebenezer Thomas, Capt. John Ventres, James Pelton, Elisha Brainerd, Dudley Brainerd, John Seward, Edmund Por- ter, Lieut. Josiah Brainerd, Daniel Smith, Waken Brooks, Gideon Bailey, Nathaniel Tyler, Aaron Thomas, Charles Smith, Josiah Brooks, David Hubbard, William Bailey, Lieut. Phineas Brainerd, Capt. James Hazelton, Jonathan Brainerd, James Hubbard, Captain Sears, John Clark, Eber Tibbals, Thomas Shailer jr., Baz. Shailer, Lieut. James Clark, Capt. Eliakim Brainerd, Lieut. William Smith, Simon Tyler, Jonathan Smith" Lieut. James Arnold, Lieut. William Willcox, Augustus Lewis, Samuel Scovil, Abijah Brainerd, David Brainerd, Phineas Brainerd, jr., William Smith, Stephen Bailey, Lieut. Samuel Brooks, Evan Thomas, Nehemiah Brain- erd, Ens. Joseph Brooks, Deacon Ezra Brainerd, Samuel 382 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Pratt, Prosper Brainerd, Samuel Stannard, Lieut. Arnold Hazelton, Asa Shailer, Samuel Lewis, Jeptha Brainerd. "These four took the Oath of Allegiance." On the loth of the following December, committees were appointed by the town, to procure clothing for the soldiers in the army, and to provide for their families, at home. For several years afterward, similar committees and committees of inspection were annually appointed. On the 9th of July 1779, an alarm at Saybrook called for help from this town. Captain John Ventres, with his company, responded, and repaired to the defense of that place. Nothing serious appears to have resulted, however, and the company were retained in the service only two days. This company was then attached to Colonel Worthington's regiment. The pay roll for that expedition shows that the following wages— ^remarkably high, on account of a depleted currency — were paid, per day, for service: To the captain, jC^2 8s.; lieutenant. ^\ I2S.; ensign, jQ\ 4s.; sergeants, jC\ 9s. 2d.; cor- porals, _^i 7s. 3d.; privates, los. 6d. The company was then composed of: Captain John Ventres; Lieutenant James Arnold; Ensign Oliver Wells; Sergeants Thomas Shailer, Charles Smith, Reuben Smith, and Jonathan Smith; Corporals Samuel Arnold, Samiiel Lewis, David Arnold, and Augustus Lewis; Drummer Daniel Smith, and Privates Frederick Smith, Obadiah Dickerson, Elihu Bates, James Arnold, Roger Thomas, James Merwin, David Higgins, George Kelsey, William Ely, Samuel Ray jr., Josiah Scovel, Nathan Brooks, Hawes Higgins, Jesse Brainerd, Noah Clark, Ezra Shailer, Jesse Tinker, Jeffrey Smith, John Porter, Samuel Bates, Samuel Shailer, Jethro Smith, Oliver Brainerd, James Smith, Peter Ray, David Dickerson, Jonathan Smith, Hezekiah Shailer, John Smith, Zachariah Brainerd, John Church, Abraham Tyler jr., and Daniel Ray. In 1780, another quota of men was due for the Con- tinental army, and June 26th a bounty of £^j„ and a monthly allowance of 25 shillings in addition to their wages, was offered to all volunteers who should enlist be- fore the sth of the following July. This additional al- lowance was to be paid in wheat, at five shillings a bushel. On the following day, a premium of five bushels of wheat per month was offered, in addition to wages, to every volunteer before July 5th, who should represent the town in the quota of 2,500 called for from this State. Recruits were, however, required to relinquish to the town the benefit of any grants that the General Assembly might thereafter make. The town decided to receive taxes in provisions, and fixed the following schedule of prices: Beef, best qual- ity, per pound, 5 pence; beef, inferior, but good, per pound, 4^ pence; pork, from hogs weighing five score or less, per pound, 5 pence; pork, five to eight score, per pound, S/^ pence; pork, over eight score, per pound, 6 pence; wheat flour, per cwt., 24 shillings. On the i8th of December, the town offered a bounty of ;^20 for recruits for three years or ^^30 for those who would enlist for the term of the war, and an additional bounty of ;£io yearly and 40 shillings monthly while in the service. These bounties were to be paid either in money or provisions, and the offer held good till the 7th of February following. Early in 1781, a quota of five men was due from the town for the defense of the State at Horse Neck. On the 17th of January, a town meeting offered a bounty of ^b and a guarantee of 40 shillings a month for men to fill this quota. Other calls followed, and March 26th the men of the town were divided into nine classes? according to their assessments. On the 22d of June, two of these classes had furnished a man each, and the town voted that they should each furnish another man, and that the seven delinquent classes should furnish two men each, to fill the town's quota under a late call of the General Assembly. In September of this year another alarm appeared at Saybrook, and Capt. John Ventres and his company again entered the service. They were under the regi- mental command of Col. Tyler, and used six days — from the 7th to the 12th, inclusive — in the expedition. February 25th 1782, the town voted to raise the six men required of it for the defense of Horse Neck, and a committee was authorized to obtain the men at whatever price they might cost. On the i8th of March following, it was voted to raise two men from each of the nine classes in the town, to fill the quota in the Continental army. The committee on recruits, which had previously been appointed, was now instructed to look up deserters from the Continental army. In respect to illicit trade, the town, August Sth 1782, passed the following resolutions: " I. We will to our utmost bring to justice all who have been or may be concerned in this pernicious Traffic & use every lawful means to prevent and suppress it. " 2. to which end we will to the utmost of our power & influence strengthen the hands of' all officers, civil & military in the discharge of their duty & support the full & vigorous Execution of the laws of this State. " 3. we will give every assistance to those that are vested with authority to Restrain & punish all suspicious persons traveling without proper passes or carrying British goods or other property made Siezable by law. "4. We will avoid as far as possible all intercourse, communication & dealings with such as have been or may be concerned in trading with the Enemy or who have been or may be justly suspected of being so con- cerned. " 5. we will give every support" and assistance in our power to those that shall Exert themselves to detect & bring to Justice persons concerned directly or indirectly in trading with the Enemy & treat as mean false and designing Every insinuation that such Endeavours are in the least degree inconsistent with the honour of good Inhabitants of these United States or that they are not Becomeing and praiseworthy. " 6. in the prosecution of these objects we will En- deavour to conform to the laws of this State being determined not to resort to force unless the circum- stances of the case make it absolutely necessary." HADDAM— REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 383 It was resolved that these resolutions should be pub- lished in the public prints. A quota of State soldiers was due August 20th 1782, when a committee was appointed to hire them, the number required being six men. The town struggled hard to do its part in the great effort of the new-born nation, and when the sheriff stood ready to serve an execution upon the selectmen the town voted authority to borrow money on the credit of the town to satisfy the execution, and also "that Ens. Scovil proceed with vigour and Resolution to a Speedy collection of the arrearages of the Taxes in his hands." But the dawn of peace gave the town a chance to recuperate its exhausted energies. January nth 1787, a committee was appointed to look up the fire arms, tents, and all articles of camp equipage belonging to the town and deliver them into the hands of the town treasurer. The following papers, which have been preserved since the Revolutionary period afford interesting glimpses of the customs and conditions of that time. " Haddam may 21st 1777. " This may Certify that I have Inlisted my Self as Soldier in the Continental army for three year under John Smith Lieut, for James Clark Junr. " H. & Sylvanus Clark. " Hezekiah Clark Jur." " Haddam, May 26th A. D. 1777. " this may Certify that Samer Negro hath Inlisted him- self a Soldier in the continental army in behalf of aron Hubbard and Daniel Spencer Junr, in a Regiment of foot to be Commanded by William Douglass Esqur for the term of three years according to the act of the Gen- eral assembly Passed in this State may 1777, Enlisted by me. Gideon Baily lieut." " Saybrook 30th June 1777. " Theese may Certify that the following List contains the names of Sundry Souldiers Inlested into Coll. John Ely's Regiment before the 29th Instant and the Dates of their Inlistment. "Jesse Brainard i6th June 1777. " Sam'l Cone i6th " Amos Brainerd i6th "Jonathan Smith i6th " Felix Auger i6th " Beniah Wheeler 20th " Jonathan Church 20th "Bushnell Dudley 17th " Jeptha Brainerd 29th "Certified pr John Shipman." The following is addressed on the back "To the Clark of the County Court." " Haddam, August the i6th, 1777. " A Returne of Sarjt Charles Smith, Nathan Brooks & Peter Ray in the third Company in the Seaventh Rigi- ment of Militia Who Were Ordered to March pursuant to Orders Rec'd: from Maj'r Tyler the Eighth of August to the Peeks kills for the Difence of the united States of america have intirely Refused and Neglected to march for that Purpose. " John Ventres Capt." A regimental return of Capt. John Ventres' company dated August 30th 1777, shows the company to contain a- captain, lieutenant and ensign, three sergeants, a clerk, a drummer, two corporals, and 27 privates fit for duty. There were in service a sergeant, corporal, a fifer, and fifteen privates, while five were cleared by the late act, two were at sea, and four unfit for duty. An endorse- ment, acknowledging the receipt of money for public ser- vice in the company, is dated October 30th 1777, and bears the signatures of John Clark, Increase Brainerd, Oliver Bailey, Samuel Ray, and Jonathan Smith. " Haddam December the ist 1777, pursuant to Orders from Lieut. Col. Graves to detach two Able Bodied men well armed and equipt to served under Capt. John Hop- son of Gilford which men are as follows viz David Dick- enson and Moses Ely, which orders I have obayed. " John Ventres Capt.'' " Pursuant to Orders Receiv'd you are hereby com- mand to warn all the Soldiers under my Command to Appear at the usual Place of Parade on monday the 8th Day of Instant June at five o'Clock afternoon with their Arms Compleat in Order for mustering. John Ventres Capt." " Dated Haddam June 6th [778." " To Joshua Smith, Clerk " Hereof make Return & fail not." This bears the following endorsement: "Haddam June 8th 1778. " then warning was Left at the usual place of abode of all the Soldiers under your Command. " Left By nie Joshua Smith, Clark." " This certyfys that Daniel Ray Jun'r Inlisted himself a Soldier in Behalf of the First Class in the town of Had- dam to serve Six months from the Date of his inlistment. " Certify d Pr me Abraham Tyler, " Lt Colo & muster master of 17 Regt." " To mr. Jeams Ray and Samuel Ray and Hasa Shailer and Bazl Dudley and Nathan Brooks and Solomon Bates and Joseph Bates and Elihew Bates and Timothy Shailer and Jacob Miller and Andrew Southworth Jonathan Bates, Sarah Williams all of Haddam, Creat- ing you are hearby Notified to apeair if you see cause at the Dweling house of Capt. Arnold Hazelton on Thus^ day next at three O'Clock in the afternoon to shew Rea- sons If any you have why you should not pay your Proposonebel part for the purpus of hireing a solder in the first Class for twelve mounths to any Indiferent per- son to Sarve and Return. " Haddam may 6 A. D. 1782. " Joseph Brooks ) Selet- " Eliakim Brainerd j men." This paper is endorsed as follows: " Haddam May the 8th A. D. 1782. " then Read the within Notification in the hearing of all the within Named Persons Excepting Asa Shailer, 384 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Joseph Ray, Jacob Miller, Jonathan Bates, Sarah Wil- liams, Nathan Brooks, all these Persons whose Names are mentioned haves warning left at their houses. " Pr. Joshua Smith jr." The following named persons also served in the war of the Revolution: Christopher Bailey, died April i8th 1840, aged 84; Eliakim Bailey, died October 30th 1838, aged 80; John Bailey, died June ist 1815, aged 62; Jacob Bailey, killed at Stony Point, July i6th 1779, aged 32; Sergt. Reuben Bailey, died June 1826, aged 72; Lieut. Gideon Bailey, died May loth 1806, aged 54; Samuel Burr; Stephen Burr; Benanawel Bonfoey, died August 14th 1825, aged 70; Lieut. Elijah Brainerd, died May 23d 1828, aged 72; Aaron Clark, died April i8th 1812, aged 70; Noadiah Cone; Thomas Church; James Kelly Child, died March 23d 1839, aged 73; Thomas Child, died at the age of nearly 90; William Clark, died June 1830, aged 74; Lieut. Cornelius Higgins; Francis Lewis; John Smith, died May 8th 1834, aged 78; Joseph Scovil, died March ist 1839, aged 82; Lieut. John Smith, died January 181 1, aged 72; Col. Abraham Tyler, died November i2th 1805, aged 71; Abishai Smith; Capt. John Brainerd, died 1820, aged 67. War of 1812. In the war of 1812-14, this town took but little part, though its people were affected by the restrictions upon commerce, yet not to such an extent as some other towns were. A company of volunteers was raised in this town and commanded by Samuel Brooks and Deacon Nehe- raiah Brainerd. The following men were in the service during that war, nearly or quite all of them belonging to the company mentioned above: Charles Arnold, Noah Clark, John Ventres, Samuel Church, Simon Knowles, Linus Parmelee, John Brainerd, George Kelsey, Samuel Kelsey (?), Dudley Clark, George Clark, Arza Dickinpon, John Northam, Eleazer Lewis, Elijah Williams, Timothy Tyler, Arnold H. Hayden, Stephen Brooks, James (?) Brooks, Horace Smith, George S. Brainerd, Matthew Hubbard, Thomas Church, Captain Abraham Hubbard, Sergeant Selden Huntington, Orren Crook, Ezekiel Bailey, Warren Ely, Nathaniel Stocking, Joseph Stan- nard, Joseph Shailer, John Shailer, Simon Shailer, Hez- ekiah Brainerd, House, Daniel Brainerd, David Church, and Goff. This list has been kindly fur- nished by Mr. A. S. Clark, a native of this town, but now a resident of Chicago. The War of the Rebellion. Haddam acquitted itself nobly in the great civil war of 1861-5. The following is a synopsis of the action of the town during that period. At a special town meeting, held on the sth of August 1862 a bounty of $100 was offered for recruits to fill the quota of the town in the recent call for 300,000 men. A committee appointed to procure recruits consisted of Luther N. Arnold, Smith Ventres, Isaac Arnold, Cor- nelius Brainerd, and Philander Burr. On the 22d of the same month f 100 bounty was offered for recruits in the Connecticut militia for nine months' service. At a special meeting, August 12th 1863, the town de- cided to pay each drafted man who should be held to service $150 as a bounty or to assist him in obtaining a substitute. The selectmen at this as well as at other meetings, we"?e directed to borrow money on the credit of the town to meet the present needs, and immediately following the execution of the order the town voted a tax to be raised to meet the expense incurred. At a special meeting, August 2Sth 1864, it was directed that the selectmen should give an order on the town treasurer for $225 in favor of any man who should enlist or obtain a substitute to count to the credit of the town in making up its quota under the recent call for 500,000 men. December 31st 1864, the town voted a bounty of $150 to any recruit or drafted man who should count on the quota of the town under the call for 300,000 men, which quota for this town numbered 20. Isaac Arnold and A. J. Sherman were appointed a committee to procure vol- unteers or substitutes. The names of men who represented this town in the service of the United States during the Civil war appear in the general history of the county. Connecticut Valley Railroad. The question of subscribing to the capital stock of this railroad was brought before a special town meeting, February isth 1869, and the proposition to take 300 shares was lost by a vote of 116 against 3. Another vote on the question was reached on the 2d of the following March, the conditions of the proposition now being that all the avails^f such subscription should be applied to the construction of the road south of the city of Mid- dletown, and that it should not be made binding until at least 10,000 shares of the stock should be taken by re- sponsible individuals or corporations. The proposition was adopted by a vote of 231 against 183. Daniel Scovil was appointed the agent for the town, to subscribe in its name and behalf for the stotk and vote upon the same in stockholders' meetings for one year. At a third meet- ing, held on the 30th of the following August, the num- ber of shares was increased from 300 to 400. The grow- ing popularity of the movement is shown by the vote which now stood 208 in favor against 84 opposed to it. The payment of the first installment of 5 per cent, was ordered January loth 1870. The issue of bonds to the amount of $40,000, to meet the expense of this stock, was decided upon at a meeting March 7th 1870. The bonds were dated April ist 1870, to bear six percent, in- terest, to be redeemable in ten years and due in 20 years. March 20th 1880, the town authorized the issue of new bonds, bearing four and a half per cent, interest, with which to replace the first issue at the expiration of the first ten years. The bonds were bought by C. T. Hillyer of Hartford, and are still running, no part of them hav- ing been paid. HADDAM— SCHOOLS— MILLS. 38s Educational. The first record in relation to schools is in 1705, when Nathaniel Spencer, John Ventrous, and Thomas Brooks were chosen by the town a committee for the school on the west side of the river. November 8th 1708, the town decided to procure a "sufficient schoolmaster" to be employed 10 months in the year, from the middle of February. The master was obliged to teach all the children sent by their parents to the school, " both for reading and writing." The in- habitants agreed to pay such schoolmaster for his ser- vices " as the law directs concerning schools," and to give the offer some definiteness in regard to results, they agreed to pay fbr all male children between the age of five and 12 years, and all female from five to seven years, whether they were sent to school or not. On the ioth]of the following March, the town voted to employ William Sco- vill as school master according to that plan. The school was at first accommodated in a private house. The question of building a school house began to be agitated in 1709, and a vote to build one near the house of Capt. Samuel Clark was passed that year. Whether the house was built according to that vote or not does not appear. Another attempt to build a school house was made in 1716, when on the 13th of December the town voted to build one 16 by 18 feet in size, " near the Sign Post." The building was also to be used for those who " dwell remote," in attending church. Whether this building was erected at that time or not the docu- mentary evidence does not show; but in 1728, a school house was in question, and a subscription was raised for that purpose. This subscription contains the names of 59 persons, and the sums subscribed amounted to ;i^24, 3s., 6d. In 1730, the town paid for school _£&, los. In 1732, the town voted to keep the school at the school house three months, and to move it from place to place during the remainder of the year. The time that the school should be kept was regularly voted upon every year by the town. The following vote was passed March i6th 1735-36: "At said meeting it was voted and agreed upon that the school for the teaching Children to Read or knit or otherwise shall for the first six months ensuing of this present year be kept in divers parts of this town by School Dames only and as for the number of school Dames and the places where said school shall be kept it is wholly left to the descretion of the school committee to order. "Also further by vote it was fully agreed that after the above six months are Expired- that then for the next five months ensuing the School shall by a School master be keept all the term of s'd five months at our presen school house." In 1814, there were 13 school districts in the town, 12 of which were on the west side of the river. Their loca- tions and the number of scholars who attended school in each were as follows: No. i, Haddam Centre, 94; No. 2, Higganum, 83; No. 3, Ponsett, 40; No. 4, Shailer.ville, 75; No. 5, Turkey Hill, 38; No. 6, Candlewood Hill, 35;! No. 7, Tylerville, 67; No. 8, Walkley Hill, 19; No. 9, Brainerd District, 27: No. 10, Little City, 30; No. 11, Beaver Meadow, 26; No. 12, Burr District, 41; and Haddam Neck, 72; making a total in .the town of 647 scholars in the schools. The most of these schools were taught by men in the winter and by women in the summer. Early Mills. The scraps of information concerning the early estab- lishment of mills for sawing and grinding, and fulling cloth, are so scattering that it is difficult to make a satisfactory statement concerning them, or to give a certain and definite account of their founding. Means for reducing their grain to meal were among the first needs of the colonists, and the manufacture of boards for protecting themselves and their stock from the rigors of the weather was begun as soon as it was possible to establish the facilities. Special inducements were offered those who would engage in these enterprises, and the full- ing mill soon found its place when the settlers became so well established as to begin the manufacture of cloth for their garments. The following is the earliest record concerning these matters. It is without date, but was passed at some time between 1662 and 1669: " Whereas the towne are in Great nascsity of a Come mille and are not abell to bild one have sould the above said lands that were laid out for a Smith to John Elder- kin of Norwich to billd a mill for them and have ingaged to acomodate a smith with land any wheare in the towne that shall come wheare he shall like and to make it equivilent as near as they can to what was laid out for a smith." What Mr. Elderkin did in the matter is not known, but somewhere he failed in making good his agreement with the town, and March 26th 1669 the townsmen were instructed to bring suit against him for that delinquency, but with what result is not known. It was not permitted for the people to go to mill at any time. Probably the business did not require running the mill but a part of the time. The town voted, No- vember nth 1669, that " euary monday shall be the day for euary one to cary his Cotne to mille to Grinde." It is probable that the mill established by Mr. Elderkin was on the stream known as Mill River. March 13th 1670-71, it was voted that ten acres of land should be laid out on the east side of that river at the south end of John Henerson's six-acre lot, to belong to the mill forever. The second enterprise of the kind was probably estab- lished upon Higganum River. A grant or contract hav- ing been previously made, the following action in regard to it was taken February 19th 1678. " At the same meeting it was voated that the time of the goeing of the sawe mille at heganumpos is defered to the first of may next insueing. " At the same meeting it was uoated the streame one heganumpes riuer shall belonge to the aboue sayd mille during the time of saweing and the mille be kept in good 386 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. repaire for that worke exsept their be a desertion by the owners of the mille for one yeare; prouided that noe extraordanary prouedence fall out to hinder them." The- owners of the mill were granted, at the same meeting, lo acres where it was most convenient for them, and an additional tract of sixty acres, provided they would build a dwelling house and place an inhabitant in it in four years. •f" 1695, ''is town covenanted with Joseph Rogers, granting him the privilege of putting up a saw mill at the end of his grist mill. Some of the conditions were that he should furnish the townspeople with timber or lumber for their own use, for 12 pence less per 100 feet than they could purchase the same at any other place on the river, and he should have one half for sawing logs of any kind except oak, for which he was to he paid 12 pence a 100 feet. The mill on Mill River probably belonged to the town for several years after this time. February 28th 1704, a committee was appointed to take action " concerning our rain to bring her into order and equipage to do the town's work." During the same year, probably after the mill had been put in good repair, it was determined by the vote of the town that Moses Ventres should tend " the come mill," and grind only on Monday, Wednes- day, and Friday of each week. A grant was afterward made — at what time is not defin- itely known, though it was probably not many years — to Joseph and Simon Smith and Benjamin Towner, to set up a saw mill on the brook where Ensign Moses Ven- tres had formerly erected a dam. This grant was probably made in complement of a general offer which the town had made in 1706. That offer was to the effect that any one who would set up a saw mill on the stream upon which the corn mill already stood, should have liberty to cut from the common for- ests of the town, wherever they might choose, as much timber as they wanted to saw. December z5th 17 18, Gerard Spencer and others had a saw mill on Higganum River. The town granted them, at the above date, 16 rods wide from the saw mill to the highway, as long as they should keep the mill running. At this time Daniel Clark had a fulling mill on the com- mon highway on Mill Brook. These examples are not given as an attempt to make a detailed history of the establishment or progress of these mills. They are the earliest of which anything is known, and the records of them show their importance in the eyes of the people at that time. Quarries. Various kinds of stone abound in this town, bat the mass of rock formation consists of a bluish granite or sandstone, varying in hardness, and a mixture of shaley substances too soft for any practical purpose. Some of these veins have been worked to a considerable extent. The quarry on Haddam Neck began to be worked in 1762, and work in it was continued till the difificulties of 181 2 restricted the movements of commerce. About the year 1794, the quarry below the village of Haddam was opened. This quarry begins about 100 rods from the river, in a stratum of blue stone which stands nearly on its edge and runs in a direction nearly north and south, appearing on both sides of the river and extending in its course for many miles, even beyond the limits of the town. In the early years of the century So or 90 hands were frequently employed in these quarries. Half a mile south of this place Shaler's quarry was opened about 1810. But little has been done there of late. Stone from these quarries is used for building, curbing, and paving purposes. Prices in the early years of the century ranged from 10 to 14 cents a square foot for slabs two inches thick, and 17 to 21 cents for curbing four inches thick. Markets were found in the cities of this State and Rhode Island, and in Boston, New York, Albany, and Baltimore. The quarries known as the Hazelton and the General Brainerd quarries are still being worked, though the forces are much smaller than formerly. The latter was purchased, July 19th 1884, by the Haddam Granite Com- pany of New York. Manufactures. This industry has received but a moderate degree of attention. In recent years, however, a single locality, Higganum, has been rapidly growing by the increase of manufacturing. One of the earliest items in this line is the record that shows a grant as given to Thomas Brooks jr., December 14th 1725, to set up a shop and a trip hammer upon Wells' Brook. A scythe factory was in operation a few years in the early part of the century. It was located on Pine Brook. A gin distillery was set up in 1813, and about that time the manufacture of gun barrels was begun by Hezekiah Scovil, at Candlewood Hill. Usher's Mills stood one-fourth of a mile west from Higganum Landing. A clothier's ]works and carding ma- chine were here in 1814, the former fulling and dressing 4,500 yards of woolen cloth and dressing 1,000 yards of women's wear per annum, while the latter carded 3,000 pounds of wool. One spinning machine was connected with them. There were also in 1814, besides the above, one clothier's works, two carding machines, five grist mills, nine saw mills, seven tanneries, two cider distil- leries, and one brick yard. Shipbuilding. Shipbuilding was begun in this town during the early years of the last century, though no considerable progress was made for many years, and at no time has the busi- ness been carried on as extensively as at some other points on the river. One of the earliest instances re- corded is the item that Nathaniel Tyler, in the summer of 1734, built a brig on the river at the foot of a lot be- longing to Joseph Arnold at the town center. About that time, or perhaps before, something was done in that line on the bank of the river west of Haddam Island. Still later the work was carried on in the lower part of the town. A sloop was built at Higganum in 1754, and from HADDAM— INDUSTRIES— TOWN OFFICERS 387 that time on for a century, the business was carried on there more or less. In 1815 there were launched from yards in this town, four brigs aggregating 745 tons, and one schooner of no tons. The last vessel was built about twenty years ago. Commerce. This town began some participation in the West India trade about the middle of the last century. It was, how- ever, more extensively engaged in the coasting trade. There were, in 1814, belonging to Haddam, one ship, three brigs, five schooners, and three sloops, aggregating 1,597 tons. In the following year, Haddam owned one ship, 3i8-§^ tons; four brigs, 737-|f tons; three schooners, 288|-| tons; and five sloops, 394^1 tons. In the early part of this century, the exportation of cord-wood from this town was an important item of in- dustry. Higganum Landing was the point most fre- quented in this business. From there, 2,000 cords were car- riedjn 1807. Hickory then brought $5 to $6 a cord, while oak brought from $3 to $4. These prices, in view of the comparative value of money at that time, were much higher than the prices obtained for wood in later years. Fisheries. Fishing was doubtless pursued from the beginning of the settlement, but little was done for the market, outside of local needs, until about the year 1760. The river, and its tributary streams, at that time abounded with shad, salmon, and various other kinds of fish. Salmon, now so rare in all our rivers occupied by commerce, were so numerous in the stream that flows into the river from the east, and forms the boundary between this town and East Haddam, as to give it a name. But this fish long ago became a stranger in these waters. The shad have held their place in these waters, and the shad fishing has continued to be an industry of much profit and importance. Dr. Field says: " These used to be consid- ered as hardly eatable;" but that erroneous impression had, even in his time, faded out from the popular mind. There were, in 1814, 16 or 17 places in this town where they were caught, and about 200,000 fish were annually taken here. The largest single draught at that time had been made in 1802, and numbered about 2,300 fish. Ferries. Several ferries, operating within the limits of this town or between it and East Haddam, were granted to the town or to individuals at an early date. One of these was established at an early period at a place called Brainerd's Wharf, where the road or highway leads east- ward by Cedar Hill. A grant was made for it from the Colonial Assembly to the people of Haddam. The rates to be charged were: for a man, horse and load, two pence; for a foot man, three farthings; for an ox or other neat cattle, three pence; and for a sheep, hog, or goat, one farthing. There were in 1814 four ferries, two between Haddam and East Haddam, and two between Haddam and the Neck. Chapman's Ferry was the oldest, and from the first had been held as private proverty. This connected Haddam and East Haddam, and had been established under a grant made in 1694. It had been aband.oned for many years, when the East Haddam Ferry, between the same points was granted in 181 1 to George Lord and Eber Rutty. A ferry between Higganum and the Neck, known as Higganum Ferry, was granted to Haddam town in May 1763. Haddam Ferry, plying between Haddam and the Neck, was granted to Calvin and Roswel Brainerd in 1814. Town Elections and Officers. The following is a copy of one of the earliest records of a town meeting for the election of officers. It bears date February 7th 1666: " At a towen mettinge whear of it was a Greed — by the in habytantes that willam ventrous and John baly and George Gattes are choesen towens men to order the a ffears of the towen for the yeare insuing es may be for the bennifit of the towen. " Also that Joseph Arnall and Richard Jones eare chosen seruaers for the yeare in suing. " Also that James Welles and John henderson eare choesen fenes ueuer for the yeare in suing. "Also that Abraham dybell is choesen by the towen to goee with a petichon to the General corte conserning the boundes and the Island." Officers were at first chosen by vive voce vote in town meeting, but October 7th 1668 it was voted that towns- men and constable should be " chosen by papers." The number of officers was at first small. Three men " to manage town affaires," were annually chosen, and these, with the town measurers or surveyors, and a constable, and fence viewers, were the principal oiificers chosen for several years. Collectors of town and minister's rates were afterward added to the list, and still others, as oc- casion seemed to develop the necessity, were placed upon that list. The men " to manage town affaires " were afterward called townsmen, and still later selectmen, which title first appears in 1682. Representatives. — The Representatives for the town of Haddam from 1670 to 1884, are given in chronolog- ical order below: George Gates, 1670 M.-1673 O., 1674 O.-1677 M., *678 M., 1678 O., 1679 O., 1680 M., 1681 M.-1683 O., 1685 M., 1686 M., 1686 O., 1687 O.-1689 O., 1690 O., 1691 M., 1694 O., 1698 M., 1699 M.-1701 M., 1702 M.; Peter Blachford, 1670 M; James Bates, 1670 O., 167 1 M., 1672 M.-1673 M., 1674 M., 1684 M., 1684 O., 1685 O; John Gilbert, 1673 O; Richard Pyper, 1674 M; Jarrad Spencer, 1674 O.-1677 M., 1678 M.-1680 M., 1683 M., 1683 O; Joseph Arnold, 1689 M.-iego M., 1691 M., 1691 O; Daniel Brainerd, 1692 M.-i693 0-> 1695 M-> 1695 O., 1696 O.-1698 O., 1701 M.-1706 M., 1710 M., 1711 O., 1712 0., 1715 0; John Chapman, 1696 M., 1697 O., 1698 O., 1701 O., 1703 O.-1705 M., 1706 M., 1706 O; William Spencer, 1699 M.-1700 0; Thomas Gates, 1703 M., 1707 M., 1707 0.,_i7o8 O.-1709 O., 1711 )0 388 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. 5 ^ ! '//^ "i-, Jo- seph Smith, 1775 M., 1775 0.; Phineas Brainerd, 1776 M.; Ezra Brainerd, 1777 M., 1777 O., 1780 0., 1782 M., 1785 M.-1787 M., 1788 0., 1790 M., 1791 O., 1792 O. 1793 0., 179s M., 1796 O., 1797 M., 1801 M., 180 M., 1813 M.-1816O., 1818 O.; Nehemiah Brainerc 1777 O., i78r 0., 1789 M., 1789 O., 17—'^ ■"' Cornelius Higgins, 1778 0., 1779 M., 17 1782 M.-1784 O., 1786 M.-1787 M., I M., 180.. lemiah Brainerd, 790 O.-1792 M. -//" -•, w/v "-. '78o M.-1781 M., 1786 M.-1787 M., 1792 O.-1793 O. azleton, 1779 0.; Josiah Brainerd, 1782, 0.; »Q^ A/r . T:T«>,.iI,;oK C^.'fU ,-0. r\ James Hazleton, 1779 0.; Josiah Brainerd, 1782, 0.; Abraham Tyler, 1783 M.; Hezekiah Smith, 1783 O., 1794 M.; Oliver Wells, 1784 M.; Edmund Porter, 1784 O.; David Brainerd, 1787 O., 1788 O.-1789 O., 1790 O., 1797 O., 1798 M.; Edward Selden, 1787 O., 1788 M., 1790 M., 1791 M., 1792 M., 1794 M.-1796 M., 1797 0., 1804 M.-1805 M.; Daniel Brainerd, 1794 O., 1795 O.- 1796 0., 1799 M.-1802 M., 1806 O., 1807 M., 1809 M.; John May, 1797 M., 1798 M., 1798 O.; Oliver Wells, ail 11 niimigLUlJ, j.uv.^ w., .wwy ^. .^.j ..^., ..Has Selden, 1808 O.; Elesas Selden, 1809 M.-1810 M.; Re Chapman, 1811 M.-1812 M.; Ansel Brainerd, 1812 O.; Timothy Chapman, 1813 O.-1814 O. " ' " James K. Childs, 1815 M., 18 ' '^ Brainerd "' '° Warner, 1825, 1831; Charles Arnold, 1826, 1828-30, 1832-34, 1841;. Nehemiah Dickinson, 1834, 1835, 1838; Lyman E. Burr, 1835, 1836; Warren Tyler, 1836, 1837; Gideon Brainerd, 1837, 1838; Samuel Arnold 2d, 1839, 1842, 1851; Russell Shaler 2d, 1839, 1840; Ephraim Pierson, 1840, 1841, 1849, 1862; Diodate Brainerd, 1842, 1843; Ansel Spencer, 1843, 1848; Samuel Arnold, 1844; William B. Dickinson, 1844, 1875, 1876; Hezekiah Sco- vill, 1845, 1847, 1857, 1861, 1869; Daniel M. Tyler. 1845; Isaac Arnold, 1846, i860, T863, 1874-76; Henry M. Brainerd, 1846; Harvey E. Brainerd, 1848, 1849; Russell Shaler, 1850, i860; Coleman Clark, 1850; Joseph R. Shaler, 1851; Asa Shaler, 1852, 1754; Jonathan Ar- nold, 1852; Charles Russell, 1853; D. P. Lane, 1853; Philander Burr, 1854; Smith Ventres, 1855; James S. Selden, 1855; Warien S. Williams, 1856; George S. Clarke, 1856, 1862; David Church, 1857, 1858; Jared H. Shaler, 1858, 1859; Orrin Shaler, 1859, 1882, 1883; Chauncey Arnold, 1861; Charles S. Russell, 1863; George L. Dickinson, 1864; Stephen H. Burr, 1864; Noah Burr, 1865, 1866; William J. Smith, 1865, i866; Daniel Sco- ville, 1867, 1873; Charles A. T. Dickinson, 1867, 1868; Warren Taylor, 1868, 1871; James C. Walkley, 1869: Henry H. Clark, 1870; W. K. Smith, 1870; George W, Arnold, 1871; Jonathan W. Clark, 1872; Leroy A. Smith, 1872, 1879; Aipheus W. Tyler, 1873, 1874; James W. Cone, 1877, 1878; Ephraim P. Arnold, 1877, 1879; William F. Brainerd, 1878; Giles Taylor, 1880; Francis A. House, 1880, 1881; John Russell, 1881; Henry H. Brainerd, 1882, 1884; Clinton B. Davis, 1883, 1884. Town Clerks. — The following have been elected town clerks for this town successively as the dates show: Capt. George Gates, 1698; Joseph Arnold, 1703-15, 1720, 1727-39, 1741-43; Hezekiah Brainerd, 1716-19, 1721-26, 1740, 1744-72; Nehemiah Brainerd, 1773-1802; Smith Clark, 1803-13; John Brainerd, 1813-37; Ezekiel S. Clark, 1838-55; John H. Russell, 1856-84. Haddam Centre. This is the oldest settlement of the town. The village is pleasantly situated on the hill overlooking the river. The village street is nearly level for a mile or more, run- ning parallel with the river at an elevation of about 50 feet above it. Greenwood Cemetery occupies a bluff near the south end of the village.. It belongs to a private company, who purchased the ground of David B. Ventres. The first grave made in it was that of Nehemiah Brain- erd, who died December 15th 1S46. The oldest bury- ing ground in the town is that just east of the court house in the upper part of the village. It was dedi- cated to that use during the very early years of the settlement. The oldest headstone now to be found bearing a date is that at the grave of Daniel Brainerd, the progenitor of that numerous and prominent family in this town, who died April ist 17 15. The old parsonage, once occupied by Dr. David Dud- ley Field, stands on the east side of the village street, nearly opposite but a little above the school house. This was the birthplace of the eminent counsellor, Hon. MADtDAM— BtAlDtDAM CENTRE. 3^9 David Dudley Field. Dr. Field afterward built tlie house now occupied by Mr. Zachariah Brainerd, oppo- site the Methodist church, and in that house the now eminent jurist, Hon. Stephen J. Field, associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, was born. In the year 1878, the four sons of Dr. Field, viz., David Dudley, Steven J., Cyrus W., and Henry M., pur- chased several parcels of land in this village, and sub- sequently had the land laid out and improved as two parks, one of which was called Meeting House Park, and the other Field Park. The former contains about two acres, and the latter a little more than 12 acres. By a deed bearing date November ist 1880, these grounds were placed in the hands of the Haddam Park Asso- ciation, to be kept as a memorial of the Rev. David D. Field, and Submit Dickinson, his wife, parents of the grantors, and to be maintained as a public pleasure ground for the people of Haddam forever. Brainerd Academy, a large three story stone building, was erected in 1839. It adjoins Field Park. Its found- ers were Nehemiah and John Brainerd. A deed, bear- ing date January 15th 1840, placed the property in the hands of a board of 12 trustees, who were invested with liberal discretionary powers in regard to the system of instruction to be followed in the institution. Vacancies in the board of trustees were to be filled by election by llie board, which must always consist of eight members of the Frst Ecclesiastical Society, of Haddam, and four members of some other Congregational society or so- cieties, of Middlesex county. Further grants of land were afterward made to the institution by its generous founders. A fiourishhng and successful school was main- tained for several years, but it has been falling away of late, until it has but a comparatively feeble support. The Superior Court is held alternately at Middletown and Haddam. It sits here on the third Tuesday in April, and the fourth Tuesday of September. The re- moval of the county buildings from this town has been repeatedly under discussion for many years. The first court house was built in 1786. Its site had been oc- cupied by a town house or hall, and the town held the right to use the lower floor of the court house for its meetings. This building was 28 by 44 feet on the ground, and two stories high. The court room was above, and the town hall below. The building stood on nearly the identical site of the present court house. It was a wooden building, and had entrance doors on thq east, south, and west sides. A flight of stairs led up in the northwest corner, and the judge's bench was on the east side of the court room. The jury sat on the north side of the bar, which was immediately in front of the judge, and a narrow room was partitioned off across the north end of the building, just behind the jury, for that body to retire in. The present court house was built in 1829. A jail was built at the same time as the first court house. It became untenable, and was condemned about 181 2. Another was soon afterward erected on a site a few rods southeast of the site of the present work- house. It was a wooden building. The present hand- some stone building was erected in 1845, at a cost of about $6,500, of which sum the town of Haddam gave $1,000 and the people of the town by individual sub- scriptions gave $3,000, one-half of the latter amount be- ing contributed by the Hon. Samuel Arnold. Addi- tions have since been made to the building. From the church history published by Rev. E. E. Lewis, is taken the following paragraph in relation to the Methodist church of this village, which has been silent now for many years, the last preacher in charge having been the Rev. T. P. Marsh, who closed his service here in 1869, or about that time: " The earliest class that was afterward connected with the Haddam Street Methodist Church was formed at Chapman's Ferry about 1815. Probably in 1829, Had- dam Street Class was formed, and the next year, 1830, the place was made a station, and Robert Travis was appointed to it by conference. After two years Na- thaniel Kellogg succeeded him, and in 1834 S. C. Davis became the preacher. In 1835, in connection with a religious quickening of the previous winter, a class was formed in Higganum, and the Maromas and Candlewood Hill classes were reorganized and transferred to Haddam station. Services were held in the court house till the meeting house was erected in 1837, at the dedication of which Rev. Dr. Fiske, of Wesleyan University, preached. This same year the first trustees of the church, Ephraim Pierson, Alva Kelsey, and D. M. Tyler, were elected. The church reported its largest membership, 80, in 185 1, just previous to the formation of the church at Higga- num. Regular services have not been kept up for sev- eral years." Columbia Lodge of Free Masons, which had been or- ganized at East Haddam, was moved here about 1825 to 1830, and remained here, meeting in the ball room on the second floor of the house then occupied by John Brainerd, now occupied by Albert Dickinson, next below the " stone store." The lodge remained here between five and ten years, during which time William Cook and David Ventres were masters of it. While here it i'e- ceived a number of members, and was afterward moved back to East Haddam several years before a lodge was instituted here. Granite Lodge, No. 119, F. df A. M., was chartered January 5th 1879, with 26 charter members. Its wor- shipful masters have been: Albert H. West, Charles A. Dickinson, Richard E. May, and Ezra F. Brainerd. Its first officers were: A. H. West, W. M.; William E. Od- ber, S. W.; T. J. Clark, J. W.; E. P. Arnold, treasurer, and J. M. Ingersoll, secretary. Higganum. ' A store was opened at the landing here in 1752, and about that time the locality began to build up and busi- ness increased until it became the most lively part of the town. Large quantities of cord-wood were shipped from here in the early years of the present century. In 1814, a clothier's works, a grist mill, and an oakum factory stood on the stream that flows into the Connecticut 39° HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. River here. A brick yard was in operation about half a mile north of the landing. This was started in i8og or 1810. It was formerly owned by Luther Freeman, and lastly by George A. and Orrin Freeman, until about 1850 when work in it was suspended. The clothier's works above referred to were run by Jonathan Usher, afterward by Roswell Reed, and probably closed about 1850. Wool was carded in the same shop until about 10 years since. The shop stood on the ground now occu- pied by the western end of the Higganum Hardware Company's shop. The oakum factory was run by Sel- den Usher, Ebcnezer Cook, Elijah Hubbard, and David Allen. It stood just above the bridge, on the site after- ward occupied by the webbing mill which was carried away by the great October flood. A grist mill once stood on the left bank of the stream, just above the present site of the Russell Manufac- turing Company's cotton mill, near the foot of the rocky falls. It was established in the early part of the last cen- tury, or perhaps earlier. Benjamin Bailey, in 1733, deeded one-half of it to his son Benjamin. A later mill stood on the same site, and was burned about the year 1835 or 1836. A saw mill stood on the right bank of the stream at about the same point. Benjamin Bailey settled in the western part of the village probably as early as the year 1700. Jabez Brainerd settled here somewhat later. John and Ephraini Bailey were also living here about 1712 to 1716. Of the two last mentioned, John lived where Hezekiah Scovil now does, and Ephraira lived where the Methodist church stands. James Child came from Warren, Rhode Island, and commenced shipbuilding at Higganum in 1762 or 1763. He carried on the business until his death, in 1788, when he was succeded by his son, James Kelly Child. By the latter it was continued until 1837, his sons, Chauncey and Hezekiah, being associated with him during the latter years of that period. The sons kept up the business un- til 1854, since which time but little has been done here in shipbuilding. During the war of 1812, James Kelly Child built two gun boats for the Government, after a model furnished by the department. Matthew Hubbard built vessels here for a while during the early years of the century. Jonathan and Selden Huntington built ves- sels here as early as 1805, and for about 20 years after that date. John May, before 1832, commenced the busi- ness here, and continued it until 1835. George M. Clark built a schooner here in 1865, since which time nothing has been done in the line. The birthplace of David Brainerd, the celebrated missionary, stood in a field sloping toward the river about two-thirds of a mile below the Congregational church in Higganum. The hole left by the cellar of the house marks its former site. Higganum Cemetery occupies an elevated site near the busy portion of the village. The ground was opened for burial in 1741. The oldest stone in the ground is that which stands at the grave of Thomas Bevins, who died May 17th 1742. The ground covers about three acres, and contains among the numerous monumental tablets some handsome and even elegant monuments. The following men from the neighborhood of Higga- num served in the French and Indian wars of the middle of the last century. Ezekiel Bailey, Simon Cone, — — Bonfoey, Samuel Brainerd, Martin McNary, Richard Blake and Jonathan Arnold. In the American Revolu- tion this vicinity was represented in the service by the following: Christopher Bailey, Eliakim Bailey, Jacob Bailey, (killed at Stony Point, July isth 1779) John Bai- ley, Lieut. Gideon Bailey, Sergt. Reuben Bailey, Ben- anuel Bonfoey, Lieut. Elijah Brainerd, Aaron Clark, Thomas Church, Noadiah Cone, Zachariah Brainerd, John Smith, Joseph Scovil, Lieut. John Smith, James Kelly Child, Thomas Child, William Clark, Jonathan Smith, Ezra Smith, and Col. Nehemiah Tyler. Jonathan and Ezra Smith died in the prison ship. The Higganum Savings Bank was chartered in 1874. Its first officers were: E. P. Arnold, president; E. D. Gil- bert, secretary; Cornelius Brainerd, treasurer; and Isaac Arnold, Cornelius Brainerd, James C. Walkley, George M. Clark and E. P. Arnold, directors. Its present offi- cers are, George M. Clark, president; E. D. Gilbert, sec- retary and treasurer. Its present capital is $30,000. The Great October Flood. One of the most memorable and destructive events known to the annals of this town was the great flood of October 4th 1869. At this season of the year it is com- mon for the usual rains to swell the streams to a consid- erable degree, and sometimes so much so as to cause some damage. But on the occasion referred to the dam- age was unusually great. A heavy rain fell during Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, the 2d, 3d, and 4th of October. The three streams that unite here to form Higganum River were greatly swollen, and at about noon on Monday a reservoir on one of the streams gave way and its contents being precipitated upon the already vio- lent flood, its force suddenly became irresistible and terrific. The whole valley occupied now by stores and shops was inundated, and the roaring torrent, as it swept down the Candlewood Hill Brook tore out deep gullies in the earth and carried large boulders down to the village center. The water rose nearly to the crown of the stone bridge at the foot of the hill that rises to the eastern part of the village, The webbing mill, a building 45 feet square and two stories high, with its machinery, valued at about $30,000, was lifted from its foundation and carried down over the falls by the cot- ton mill, where it tore away the corner of that building, and then went crashing to fragments at the foot of the falls. Barns and store houses went with it, and the debris was borne on the flood and scattered along the banks of the " Cove " and out upon the river. The mill had em- ployed from 50 to 100 hands, but fortunately, owing to the fact that it had been closed for repairs that day, there was no one in the building when it went down. In the valley of the Candlewood Hill Brook lived Mrs. Hannah Mcintosh, a widow, in a small house, alone. The neighbors, expecting to find the house swept away, as soon as the waters subsided repaired thither, but found HADDAM— HIGGANUM. 391 that the house had been moved only 12 or 15 feet, and that its interior was undisturbed. Further search, how- ever, revealed its unfortunate occupant a lifeless corpse, lodged upon a little ridge about 25 rods below. She had evidently attempted to flee, and in doing so had been overwhelmed by the rushing wave. The road that ran along by the side of this stream was undermined and cut down, so that for months it was impassible, and finally a new road was made on higher ground adjoining. The damage to roads and bridges was $10,000. HiGGANUM Manufactures, About a mile up the Candlewood Hill Brook from the junction, there is a water privilege which was utilized first by Hiram Woodruff and Giles Brainerd for the manu- facture of edged tools. They started this enterprise in 1826. This was the first manufactory of this class of goods ever set up in this town. These men failed about 1837, and gave up the business. Friend Dickinson then established in the same place the manufacture of axes, chisels, and drawing knives. He continued the business here until 1848, when he built a shop on the stream be- low, where now the polishing shop of H. Scovil stands. He carried on the business until the autumn of 1851, when he died. For the following five years his son, Ly- man Brainerd, and Orren Freeman carried on the work, and afterward Noble Dickinson and T. D. Hayes con- tinued it for two or three years. It afterward passed into the hands of Mr. Scovil, by whom it is now occupied. A saw mill on the Shopboard Brook, one and a half miles north-northwest of the village, was owned by five brothers, sons of Ephraim Bailey, from some time before 1780 to about 1812 or 1815. A saw mill was built by Braddock Strong, on the opposite side of the brook from the " Spar mill." The dam is 25 rods above, and water was led down through a canal. It was built in 1826, and kept in operation till about 1865. The shop known as the " Spar mill " was built by Alfred Brainerd and Harris Cook, about the year 1866, for grinding feldspar and flint for making crockery. The rock was brought from a quarry about four miles above here, and after being reduced to a powder was shipped to potteries in New Jersey and elsewhere. The business was carried on about 12 years, after which the shop was sold to D. & H. Scovil, and has since been used in the manufacture of hoes. A gin distillery was established in 1813, about a half mile below the village, on the east side of the turnpike. Water for the condenser was led through wooden pipes laid underground from a cool spring on the west side of the road near by. The establishment had a capacity for producing 250 hogsheads of gin annually. It was once burned and afterward rebuilt. For a time it was operated by Willard Smith, who gave it up about the year 1835. The Scovil brothers, Hezekiah and Daniel, established the manufacture of plantation hoes in several shops on the Candlewood Hill stream. What are known as the " brick shops " are located about half a mile above the village. The first was built about the year 1861. About 60 rods further up a dam was built in 1848, and a shop in the following year. An addition was afterward built. These " brick shops " are of considerable dimensions, and in them the principal part of the extensive business of their owner is carried on. The other shops, in which parts of the business are accommodated, have been already mentioned, Hezekiah Scovil, the ancestor of the proprietor of the last mentioned works, was the son of Joseph Scovil, and grandson of William Scovil, one of the first settlers of Candlewood Hill. He was born January 29th 1788, and in his early manhood, having learned the trade of a blacksmith, set up a shop where he carried on that busi- ness. He afterward learned of Eli Whitney the art of welding gun barrels, and being employed by him in the exercise of that art he established a shop on the stream that ran near his blacksmith shop, and carried on the work. This was done previous to 1814, and the manu- facture of gun barrels increased to such an extent that his time was afterward given exclusively to it. He con- tinued the business until his death, which took place October 9th 1849. A saw mill now occupies the site of the gun barrel shop at Candlewood Hill. The Higganum Manufacturing Company, was organ- ized in 1867, under the joint stock law of the State. Its capital stock was at first $13,000. The property was pur- chased in 1877 by the Higganum Manufacturing Corpora- tion which was at that time organized with a capital of $200,000, which was the amount paid for the plant. The new company was composed largely of the members of the former one. George M. Clark has been president of both companies from the organization of the first; Thomas J. Clark was vice-president, secretary, and treas- urer of the first company during the first five years of its existence; and Clinton B. Davis was secretary and treasurer during the remaining years of its existence, and has held the same position in the present company since its organization. The business, which comprehends the manufacture of a great variety of agricultural implements, occupies ex- tensive buildings in the heart of the village, at the con- fluence of the three branches of Higganum River. Abundant water power is supplied by these streams. About $200,000 worth of goods are annually manufac- tured, two-thirds of which find market in foreign coun- tries. Among other implements, over 400 kinds and sizes of plows are made here. A fire destroyed the foundry of this company March 13th 1869, causing a loss of about $10,000, and the flood of 1868 damaged them to the amount of $1,000. The great flood of 1869, how- ever, passed them with but slight injury. A pattern house was burned March 9th 1883, by which the com- pany sustained a loss of $74,000, mostly in patterns. Another fire destroyed a store house full of manufac- tured goods and lumber, June ist 1884, By this fire, a loss of $150,000 was sustained. i^i MlStokV of MiUDLfeSEX COtfNtV. The Stevens & Hubbard Manufacturing Company^ some of the members of which had established the busi- ness in 1878, was organized in 1880. A grist mill and saw mill were converted to the present use at the date first mentioned, and after passing through several changes of name, fell into the hands of the Higganum Hardware Company, in January 1884. About $40,000 worth of goods are annually manufactured, the goods consisting of chandeliers, brackets, cutting nippers, pliers, wire cut- ters, etc. A manufactory of wrenches and blind fastenings was started near the railroad station by Reed & Company, in June 1880. Steam power was employed, and about 20 hands were engaged in the business. The building took fire December 25th 1883, and burned to the ground. A large cotton mill, owned and operated by the Rus- sell Manufacturing Company, of Middletown, is situated on the Higganum River, below all the other mills. Higganum Congregational Church. After several unsuccessful attempts had been made to secure a Congregational church organization distinct from that at Haddam, an effort in that direction suc- ceeded in 1844. The church was formed here May 14th of that year; 135 members withdrew from the Haddam church to constitute this; and Dr. David Dudley Field was made acting pastorof the new church. Services were held in a school house until the completion of the church building, which was dedicated July 23d 1845. An ad- dition was made to the rear of the church, which in- cluded a chapel, a church parlor, and a kitchen, in 1870. A new parsonage on the lot north of the church, was completed in August 1882, and was dedicated Novem- ber 15th following. The pastors of this church have been: Rev. David Dudley Field, May 14th 1844 to spring of i8i;o; Rev. Stephen A. Loper, July 7th 1850 to July 7th 1856; Rev. Charles Nichols, November 1856 to Novem- ber 1864; Rev. John E. Elliot, May ist 1865 to July 21st 1867; Rev. Sylvester Hine, July 12th 1868 to January 9th 1878; Rev. George Sterliiig, April 1878 to March 28th 1880; Rev. Dwight M. Pratt, December i6th 1880 to the present time. Methodist Episcopal Church, Higganum. A Methodist church was organized here in 1853, with a membership of 18. A station had been occupied here as a branch of the old Ponset church, for some time previous to that date. A revival, which occurred in February 1850, gave a large number of conversions in this locality and no doubt prepared the way for the es- tablishment of the church. A class had existed here from 1835. A church edifice was erected about 1862, which enterprise was largely due to the efforts of Rev. Mr. Allen, a supply at that time. Mr. Malvin Tyler, a local preacher from Tylerville, was for many years a valuable helper in the work of this church, supplying the pulpit when occasion called him with generous prompt- ness and earnestness. The following ministers have served this church since i860: A. W. Allen, 1360-62; W. H. Adams 1863; B. A. Oilman, 1864; Burns, 1865; A. B. Smart, 1866; Bailey, 1867; Marsh and Smith, 1868; Smith and Blake, 1869; W.J. Smith, 1870; J. H. Pillsbury, 1871-2; W. A. Luce, 1873; W. A. Luce and H. D. Latham, 1874; H. D. Latham, 1875; D.J. Clark, T876; J. P. Gordy, 1877; C. W. McCormick, 1878; Charles L. Man, 1879; N. Edwards, 1880; J. F. Cooper and A. S. Kavanagh, 1881; A. S. Kavanagh, 1882; Thompson and Talmadge, 1883; C. H. Talmadge, 1884. The present membership is nearly 100. The Sunday school connected with the church numbers 104. Ponset Methodist Church. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Ponset, or the western part of the town, was organized in the spring of 1793. A meeting house was erected in 1795. This was 30 by 40 feet in size and had galleries on three sides. It stood about one-fourth of a mile north of the present one, just above where the road turns to Little City, the site lying between the lands now owned by Oliver Smith and Sylvester Burr. A new church, the present one, was built in 1842. At that time the Killingworth branch, which had belonged to this society, withdrew, and on its reorganization this church had 52 members. Its present membership is loi. The following preachers have been in charge at the dates given: John E. Searles, 1844; E. P. Ackerman, 1846; A. B. Pulling, 1848; George L. Ful- ler, 1852; D. Nash, 1854; R. D. Kirby, 1857; H. Scofield, i860; I. Sanford, 1865; A. B. Smart, 1865; B. Redford, 1868; W.W.Elder, 1872-74; Edward C. Hoag, 1877; D. N. Griffin, 1880; Edward Curtis, 1881; Samuel O. Curtice, 1882, present time. Ponset Protestant Episcopal Church. This church is the outgrowth of a Sunday school started by William C. Knowles, at his own house, in the summer of 1861. He has since been ordained and is now pastor of the church. The membership is small. The chapel, which was begun in the latter part of 187 1, was consecrated as St. James Chapel, by Bishop Wil- liams, November 10th 1877. Clerical services were ren- dered by neighboring ministers till the present incumbent was ordained in February 1875. Mr. Knowles also has charge of Emmanuel Church, Killingworth, where he resides. Haddam Baptist Church. This church is located in the lower part of the town, in the locality known as Shailerville. A few Baptist families resided here previous to the organization of a church. As early as 1792 some members of these fami- lies joined the Baptist church at Chatham. Meetings were held here in private houses for several years. In 1793, a sect called "Separatists," erected a meeting house here and conducted worship in it until 1800, when their minister, Mr. Charles Smith, died, and their meet- ings were suspended. In 1803, the Baptists obtained the use of it and ever afterward occupied it. A distinct HADDAM— LOCALITIES— THE NECK. 393 church organization was effected by a council in 1822, and in 1833 a new church, the present building, was erected on a site but a few rods north and on the oppo- site side of the road from the old one. Previous to the organization the pulpit had been supplied since 1806 by Elders Simeon Dickinson, Amasa Smith, Simon Shailer, Samuel West, and William Palmer. Since 1822, the pas- torate has been filled by Elders Simon Shailer, 15 years; Davis T. Shailer, i year; William Denison, i year; Sam- uel West, I year; Alfred Gates, 2 years; Ebenezer Loomis, 1 year; Frederick Wightman, 3 years; Russell Jennings, 2 years; A. D. Watrous, 5 months; and Albert Baldwin, 2}4 years. The present membership is about 90. The Sunday school numbers 75. Elder Jennings gave the church a parsonage April 26th 1878. He also donated the church a fund of $4,000, for the support of the gos- pel ministry in 1883. Localities, Brainerd District. — This is the northwest district of the town. Samuel Brainerd, Richard Bonfoey, and Shubael Crook were among the first settlers here. Sam- uel Brainerd and his family owned a large tract of land here. He settled about the year 1734. Elisha Spencer settled about the year 1750, a mile west of the present school house. A saw mill located about half a mile northwest of the old homestead of Samuel Brainerd was owned and occupied by his descendants previous to 1840. Candlewood Hill. — Elijah Brainerd and Stephen Smith settled here about the year 1734. William Scovil, Daniel Spencer, and others settled about the same time or soon after. A saw mill, the ruins of which still stand upon the land of Andrew Peck, was established as early as 1825. The site was occupied by a previous saw mill, which tradition says was burned. Little City. — The first settler here was Pelatiah Clark, who came here about the year 1740. Didimus Johnson, Joseph Burr, and a Mr. Seward settled at a later date. A saw mill in the southwest part, now owned by Phi- lander Burr, was built in 1840. An old one had occupied the same site more than 100 years ago. The cemetery in this locality was laid out December 30th 1822. Ponset. — Jared Spencer and Daniel Hubbard, who came from Middletown, were among the first settlers here. The old burying ground here was opened in 1761; the new one was laid out January i6th 1828. Ashel and Anson Bonfoey established a clothier's works here about 1814. It was abandoned before 1840. A grist mill once occupied a site on a small brook that empties into the Ponset Brook. It stood on the Haddam and Killingworth Turnpike, and was formerly owned by Samuel Hubbard and afterward by Ebenezer Wilcox. Burr District. — This occupies the southwest part of the town. Nathaniel Burr, Stephen Smith, and John Wilcox were among the first settlers in this locality. The burying ground was laid out January loth 1828. Turkey Hill.— CorneVius Higgins and Azariah Dickin- son were -early settlers here. The house where Chaun- cey Dickinson lives was kept as a tavern by Obadiah Dickinson nearly one hundred years ago. The burying ground was laid out in 1815. Tylerville. — A grist mill and saw mill once stood on Roaring Brook, a stream that flows into Clark's Creek. The mill stood between the old country road and the turnpike. The grist mill was built soon after the Revo- lution, and was probably abandoned about 1825. The saw mill, having been in operation many years, was given up about 1850. The burying ground was opened in 1782, though one grave at least had been made on the spot many years earlier. This was the grave of Mr. Solomon Bates, who died of small-pox July 13th 1759. Beaver Meadow. — A saw mill, established about one hundred years ago, is now in operation here. A carding mill which stood on the stream about one-fourth of a mile above, was operated about forty years ago by War- ren Pardee, who afterward made buttons there. Another ancient saw-mill site is marked by some of its ruins about one-fourth of a mile further up the stream. This has been abandoned 40 or 50 years. HADDAM NECK. Bt Henky M. Selden. The portion of Haddam early called Haddam Neck, is a triangular point of land between the Connecticut and Salmon Rivers, four miles long and four miles broad across its northern line. From its geographical position it should have been called Middle Haddam, as it is mid- way between Haddam and East Haddam — a name it afterward gave to the ecclesiastical society composed of it and the western half of the adjoining town of Chat- ham; a name continuing to the ecclesiastical society, and now also applied to the latter, though inappro- priately. The surface is quite hilly and rocky, the ranges run- ning generally north and south. The scenery viewed from their summits — of the Connecticut River and val- ley, and the hills and villages on the opposite shore, and of East Haddam to the eastward, with its village of Moodus — is varied and very beautiful. A large and valuable meadow, enriched by the annual freshets of the river, extends along the shore from the northern line southward about one and a half miles with a width of from 80 to 100 rods. This was early known as the Great Meadow, and so described for many years in deeds of the lots. Another large meadow extends from the foot of the hills southward across from the Connecticut to Salmon River Cove, and terminates at the junction of the two rivers just above the Upper Landing of East Haddam. This tract is called the Cove Meadow,and most of it is excellent land. Several smaller meadows lie between the two men- tioned. These meadows are divided into narrow and long lots of varying width, and generally front on the river. The land, generally meadow and upland, was originally 394 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. surveyed into comparatively narrow and long lots of from 80 to 160 rods long, and early described as the ist, 2d, 3d, etc., tier of lots. The best land is meadow and intervale near the Connecticut River, although much good land is found on and among the hills. Wild animals were numerous for many years after the settlement among which were bears and wolves. The latter were seen as late as 1770, and tradition says were successfully hunted by the men turning out en-masse (probably assisted by others, from the adjoining settle- ments) who formed a long line across the hills and ravines with diminishing intervals as they advanced, and drove the wolves before them to the Cove Meadow, where they were shot. The hills and valleys were heavily timbered, and the former generally underlaid with a system of ledges, or one continuous ledge extending from the north part of Chatham through the Neck and across and under the Connecticut River, and cropping out at frequent inter- vals. There are veins, however, some of them large, of gneiss stone of an iron gray color, excellent for building, curbing, and paving stone, which have been used quite extensively, and as far south as New Orleans. There is a vein of fine dark blue stone occasionally found running through the principal range of rocks un- derlying th-e more elevated portions. This vein, from its early discoverer and worker, David Allen, is called the Al- len Vein. It is of a free rift, with close seams and easily splits with a smooth surface. The principal quarry of gneiss stone on the Neck was opened by Deacon Ezra Brainerd in 1762, and was suc- cessfully worked by him many years, and a numerous force employed, until, through the competition resulting from the opening of other quarries elsewhere, it and the other quarries in the place qre not now worked. The principal openings were from 50 to 70 rods from the river, on a hill of considerable height and quite extensive, from which the descent is difficult, known as Quarry Hill. This and other quarries have been worked by Ansel, Capt. Roswell, Alfred, Deacon Cyprian S., Henry S., and Hezekiah Brainerd, the Shailers, and Elys, of Haddam, and others. Feldspar is abundant, and of good quality. The first quarried in the United States was in this place about 40 years ago, by Alfred Brainerd jr., and was sent to England. He, years after, in company with Diodate Brainerd and Harris Cook, opened several quar- ries, and built a large mill in Higganum for burning, grinding, and preparing it for use. They also shipped much in its native condition, and carried on quite an ex- tensive business. Quarries of trap rock, mica, and graphite have been worked. Among the different minerals found here are: Albite, anthophyllite, allanite, beryl, chrysoberyl, chlorophyllite, feldspar, feldspar crystallized, garnet, graphite, horn- blende, iolite, iron pyrites, kyanite, lepidolite, mica, mag- netic iron, crystals, ferruginous, rose, and smoky qiiartz, black, green, and red tourmaline. It is probable that several of the minerals credited to Haddam by Dana are to be found here, viz.: Automolite, adularia, columbite. epidote, molybdenite, spinel, sulpuret of bismuth, and zircon. On the hill rising from and extending back from Rock Landing, is a singular depression in the plain-like sur- face. It is apparently about eight rods long and six rods wide, and from 20 to 30 feet deep. The shape is oval with the outline and slopes regular and unbroken. Years ago this was a favorite place for base-ball playing. It was probably caused by the action of water when sub- merged during the glacial period, and later may have been used as a place of resort and place of defense by the Indians for which it was well adapted. There is a similar but large depression, of circular form, on Little Neck, between the junction of Pine Brook and Salmon River; and another in Leesville, on Basin Hill, to which it gives the name. Several small ravines, near the Connecticut River, were, according to tradition, caused by great water spouts occurring since the settle- ment. There is a small cave in the rocks near the south- ern extremity of the high ground of the Neck, with an entrance of about four feet in height, opening into a room several feet in diameter and height. The Indians remained on their reservations in the town for many years. They had a place of resort, in a deep hollow on Haddam Neck, called Indian Hollow, on land of William C. and Henry M. Selden, where a num- ber of their wigwams remained standing several years after 1740. The brook rising at Chatham line and pass- ing through it bears the name of Indian Hollow Brook. Mills and Manufactories. The principal stream of water on the Neck, is Pine Brook, having its source in Lake Pocotopaug, in the par- ish of East Hampton, town of Chatham, and running in a southerly direction empties into Salmon River Cove. It is a large and durable stream, excellent for power pur- poses. Near its mouth a company saw mill was early built, owned by Reuben R. Chapman and several of the name of Brainerd. Years after this, another saw mill was built still nearer the mouth, by Dudley Brainerd. This was afterward enlarged and improved by Henry Williams. Still further up the stream than the first saw mill, House & Co. built, in 1847, a large paper mill, which was burnt April 18th 187 1. Above the site of the paper mill of House & Co. was early a sword factory, built by Starr & Sage, of Middletown. This was in use in the time of the war of 1812, and the swords were used in that war. It was afterward changed into a scythe factory by Oliver Green. This in time was abandoned, and three oakum mills were built (as one after another were burnt), by R. & D. Rand & Oo., of Middletown; James Tibbals, manufac- turing agent. Oakum mill No. 3 was afterward managed by Deacon Edward Root till 1849, when he moved to Middletown, and R. & D. Rand & Co. sold to the Pine Brook Duck Co., who enlarged the mill and manufactured cotton H ADD AM— THE NECK. 395 ducking. This was burnt, and the property was pur- chased by Daniel Wetherell, who built a new mill and manufactured cotton batting until 1882, when House & Bro. purchased and greatly enlarged the mill, using it for the manufacture of paper. On a stream in the western part of the Neck, Lieu- tenant Simon Brainerd built a saw and grist mill. On the same stream, further up, and in the limits of Chatham, was early a company saw mill, built by Robert Clark, Captain Thomas Selden, several of the name of Smith, and others. There were, early, several small tanneries and a bark mill in the u])per part of the Neck, and saltpetre works at the time of the war of 1812. Ezra S. Gillette commenced the manufacture of bas- kets in 1852, and has continued to the present time, as- sisted by his sons, Charles O. and Merit P. Gillette. They have two factories, and manufacture 1,200 dozen baskets per year. Several others do a smaller business in the same line. Under an appropriation by the government, Salmon River Cove was dredged in the autumn of 1883, to admit larger steamboats, a small one having run regularly, in the summer of 1883, from Scovill's Landing to Middle- town. Sloops and scows formerly ascended as far as Leesville. Cemetery. The cemetery for the use of the people of Haddam Neck was laid out in 1734, on the east side of the road leading to and near Rock Landing, on a sandy knoll 12 rods square, and overlooking the river. It has connected with it a hearse and hearse house. There are several fine marble and granite monuments. On the opposite side of the highway, another yard has been laid out by Jarvis A. Morgan, and a few fine monuments already erected. Shipbuilding. The town early set apart a tract of land, below and ad- joining the present lower wharf at Rock Landing, for the use of the people in ship building, and for depositing timber and wood. The lower wharf, built by individ- uals, is 96 feet long, and the upper wharf is 80 feet long. Robert Clark built a sloop at Rock Landing, and after- ward built another at Ben. Clark Landing. Elias Selden, Esq., and Colonel Theodore H. Arnold, built, at Rock Landing, the sloop Coret, of which Asa Goff was the captain. Simeon Selden, Calvin Brainerd, and Jacob Tucker built, at Rock Landing, the sloop Lark, of which Horace Chapman was the captain. Edgar and Caleb Smith built the schooner Thomas H. Seymour, near the old Selden house, in 1848. Captain Chauncey Brainerd built the schooner Mary Ann, in 1815, at Town Rock, near the house of Edgar Smith, and he was her captain. Tfthe keel was laid on Friday, and every important part was commenced on Friday; launched on Friday, sailed from New York on Friday, and, it is supposed, was lost on Friday, with Captain Brainerd and all his crew, For many years after the settlement a large ainount of wood, timber, rails, and posts were shipped to different places but mainly to New York, and goods in part re- ceived therefor, which, being divided among those inter- ested, easily supplied the lack of a store. Merchants. The pioneer merchant was Robert Clark. The next was Dudley Brainerd, vvho built the house now occupied by Captain Charles S. Russell, in the basement of which he had his store. This store was next managed by Selden Huntington one year, succeeded by Elias Selden and Colonel Theodore H. Arnold, under the firm name of Stlden & Arnold, then by a Mr. L'Hommedieu, and in rotation by Lavater R. Selden, James S. Selden, Lucius E. Goff, Captain Charles S. Russell, Albert S. Russell, George E. Russell & Co., and Joseph Griffin. Chauncey Arnold built a store near his house which was managed by his family. It is now used as a place for voting, Robert Clark being the last surviving member of the Episcopal church in the eastern part of the ecclesiastical society, took it down and removed it to the Neck for his own use. Settlement. The date of the early settlement of Haddam Neck is involved in obscurity, but it is supposed to be about 1710 or '12, by the following persons, some of them settling later than others: William Brainerd, his wife Sarah Bidwell, and their children; James Brainerd jr., his wife Anne; Thomas Selden, his wife Sarah, and their children; Sylvester Dudley; Gideon Goff jr., and per- haps his father; Jabez Brooks Esq., and perhaps Thomas Brooks; Dr. Joshua and Deacon Gideon Arnold, their sisters, and possibly their father, John; Cone; Robert Chapman; Benajah Clark, and perhaps Deacon Ebenezer Smith and William Markham; Stocking. Of these, William Brainerd, the fifth child of Daniel and Hannah (Spencer) Brainerd, one of the original pro- prietors of Haddam, married Sarah Bidwell, December 13th 1698, and built his house between the foot of Quarry Hill and the house of the late Deacon Cyprian S. Brain, erd. 'I'heir children were: 1. Sarah, married Deacon Gideon Arnold, one of the settlers. 2. Sergt. William J., married Esther . 3. Hannah, married William Smith. 4. Samuel, married Esther Brainerd, daughter of Jabez and Hannah (Clark) Brainerd, and settled in Brainerd District in Haddam. 5. (Rev.) Chiliab, graduated at Yale, minister in Eastbury, town of Glastonbury. 6. Lieut. Josiah sen., twice married. He built his house on Quarry Hill in 1737. The house was torn down in 1883. He served in two expeditions to Canada; was with Gen. Wolfe, at the capture of Quebec; and also served in the Revolutionary war. 51 396 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. 7. Nathan, twice married. He built his house where the house of Oliver B. Arnold now stands. Serg't James Brainerd jr., son of Deacon James and Deborah Brainerd, of Haddam, who was the fourth child of Daniel and Hannah (Spencer) Brainerd, a Haddam proprietor. It is not now known where his house stood. He died October 2d 1776. His children were: 1. Benjamin, whose house was across the road from, and nearly opposite, the house of Henry L. Brainerd. 2. Jedediah, who served in at least one expedition to Canada in tRe French and Indian war, and was father of Jedediah jr., Amos, Candace, and others. He built where the house of Hamlin F. Johnson now stands, which last was built by Jedediah jr. His son, Amos, built the one- story house on the corner near, lately occupied by Daniel Wetherell. 3. Rebecca. 4. James. 5. Hannah. 6. Dudley. 7. Ozias. 8. Jonathan, who built the house now owned by Mrs. N. B. Northam. He is mentioned in account of Revo- lutionary war. He died about 1825, aged 88. Thomas Selden sen., from Lyme, son of Joseph and Re- becca (Church) Selden, of Lyme, and grandson of Thomas and Esther Selden, an Engli.sh settler of Hart- ford in 1636, was born in Deerfield, Mass. He built his house at the western head of Cove Meadow near the river and about opposite the new cemetery in Haddam. This was burnt, and his younger son, Capt. Joseph, built a smaller one near the old site, the ruins of which still remain. His eldest son, Capt. Thomas, built on the central ridge, across the road from the house of William C. and Henry M. Selden, where the post office is now kept. Capt. Thomas was father of Rev. David. Sylvester Dudley built, first, where Timothy Andrews lived; second, near the southern extremity of the high ground on the Neck and near Dibble's Creek, now known as the Ackley place. Gideon Goff jr. built his house one-eighlh of a mile north from the house of Justin E. Arnold. It is now standing, but unoccupied. His father, Gideon sen., may also have lived there. Jabez Brooks, or his supposed father, Thomas, built a little southwest of the house of the late Abial J. Brooks. He was an eccentric man, of whose ready wit anecdotes are told, and the first justice of the peace on the Neck. It is related of him that a customer employed him to draw a deed, which he prefaced with " Know one woman " etc., and on an objection being made, he re- plied, " It is all right. If one woman knows it, all men will!" Dr. Joshua Arnold, son of John and grandson of Joseph, one of the original settlers of Haddam, a peti- tioner for the ecclesiastical society, and a constituent member of the church, is supposed to have built on the south side of the road leading to Higganum, as also Deacon Daniel, a son of Deacon Gideon. Dr. Joshua is said to have introduced the common red hearted white cedar. A son, Jacob, built the Justin E. Arnold house. Deacon Gideon Arnold, a brother of Dr. Joshua, and son of John, was also among the early settlers, a petitioner for the ecclesiastical society, and a constituent member of the church, in which he was elected a deacon November 8th 1740, was father of Deacon Daniel, of the Middle Haddam church, and of Deacon Gideon, of the East Hampton church. His house was in the fields west of the Rock Landing road, and of the house of Martin B. Brainerd. One of the settlers, named Cone, built his house near the present one of "William H. Graham. He afterward, in 1 75 1, exchanged farms with Benajah Clark, of Walk- ley Hill, a great grandson of William, an original settler of Haddam. Benajah immediately built his house (now standing and owned by Alexander M. Clark), at the foot of the hill since known as the "Ben Clark Hill." Ben- ajah was a brother of Peletiah, the ancestor of the Little City Clarks. Robert Chapman of the fifth generation, and also fifth in name from Robert, one of the settlers of Saybrook, was settled just east of Pine Brook, and built a gambrel roofed one-story house close by where his only son, Reu- ben Rowle)', afterward built and where his grandson, Martin, now resides. He was a teamster in two expedi- tions to Canada, during the French and Indian wars. Josiah Brainerd jr., son of Josiah sen. and Hannah (Spencer) Brainerd, built a house (afterward burnt) where Samuel House built later. He next built the house near the river where his grandson, the late deacon Cyprian S. Brainerd, lived. A Mr. Norton built his house near and jiist south of the barn of Luther Arnold. Jonathan Cook built his house on the north side of the road to Higganum. Two families of the name of Stocking early lived on the opposite side of the road, and a little south of the Methodist Episcopal church, one of whom probably was John, and the other Nathaniel Stocking. The house on the west side is now owned and occupied by Warren S. Williams. Chiliab Brainerd, son of Josiah and Hannah (Spencer) Brainerd, built his house on the east side of the road, near the house of Enos B. Young. Congregational Church. The settlers were generally religious, and, retaining their membership or interest in the church on the west side, continued to attend public worship there, but it was very inconvenient, and they often found it difficult to cross the river. Those, also, living across the line in the western portion of the adjoining town of Chatham, then Middletown, were similarly situated with regard to the church in Middletown. At length, with increasing numbers, " it being more con- venient for them to meet together than for each section to worship where they had done, they united, in October 1738, in a petifiqn tq the Legislature for incorporation HADDaM— THE NECK. 397 as a parish, and their request was granted in May 1740." The new parish, or ecclesiastical society, was named Middle Haddam which it still retains. The history of this church from its organization to 1874 is given in the history of the town of Chatham. After the departure of Mr. Hopkinson in 1868, tem- porary supplies only were procured while the old church continued to be occupied as the place of worship. Mr. Bentley, a former pastor, preached several Sabbaths, coining from his home in BerJin. Occasionally a neigh- boring minister would hold a late-in-the-day service to obtain a letter for some member to unite with his own church, feo gathering the spoils which were thought to be destined to an inevitable distribution. Lay services were sometimes held, to the acceptance of those who as- sembled, by Deacon Samuel Skinner, of East Hampton. For a long time no services were held in the church, the members attending other churches or remaining at home, and it became evident that the church which had existed for 130 years must either dwindle away and dis- solve or locate its sanctuary more centrally to that por- tion of the original parish which still remained to it. Edward Davis Clark, a native and resident of the Neck, who died November nth 1869, in his will, after the disposal of various legacies, set apart the remainder of his property, about $2,500, to accumulate until it amounted to the sum of $5,000, then to be paid to the Ecclesiastical Society of Middle Haddam, provided it at that time should have a church located on the Neck and near the school house. The influence of this bequest not only hastened the building of the church, but decided its location. The place selected for the new house of worship was the summit of the hill directly in front of the school house, on Haddam Neck, a beautiful lot of one and a half acres, which was purchased for $225. Ground was broken for the house early in the spring of 1873. The building committee consisted at first of David Brainerd, Hezekiah Brainerd, and Job E. Brooks, to which was afterward added William F. Brainerd. The contractor was A. H. Allen, of Portland. Work on this building was commenced late in the autumn of 1873, and progressed through the following winter. It was finished on the outside, with a small ell in front for a porch, which was not satisfactory. In the spring of 1874, H. M. Selden, having drawn a design of a tower and spire in harmony with the house, was appointed a special committee to construct the same and finish the interior. It was dedicated September ^.^d 1874. Thus the ancient church of Middle Haddam, just 134 years, lack- ing one day, from its organization on the 24th of September 1740, took up its abode here in this its later home. It is a steep roofed one story wooden building, facing eastward, 34 by 48 feet in size, the sides 16 feet high, with a tower in front projecting 8 by 12 feet, forming a porch, and surmounted with a belfry and spire. A hexagonal addition at the rear, 8 by 17 feet, gives space for the choir and pipe organ, back of the desk. It was at the outset felt that this feeble church could not build a house of worship unassisted, therefore an appeal was made to other churches for aid, and Henry M. Selden and Henry L. Brainerd were chosen solicitors by the ecclesiastical society. They were very successful in this work. The entire cost of the church, including the site, was about $6,000. Of this $3,500 was raised abroad, partly from non-resident natives of the place. A bell weighing 800 pounds was purchased in 1877, from subscriptions, avails of a lecture by Rev. Mr. Bell, the singing preacher, then boarding in the place, and a donation of $100 from Mrs. Martha M. Rogers, of Mid- dletown, whose name it bears. David Brainerd was elected a deacon April 21st 1878, and died in office April 26th 1879, aged 67. Henry M. Selden was elected a deacon for three years in 1878, and re-elected in 1881. Henry L. Clark was elected a deacon. May 9th 1881. Hezekiah Brainerd, a member of the church, who died February 3d i88o, gave to the ecclesiastical society (be- fore his death), certain notes to the amount of $7,448, and also devised real estate to the same. An expensive suit at law with the executor of an alleged later will fol- lowed and finally resulted in a compromise. Miss Lucy Selden, a member of the church who died December 31st 1882, bequeathed to the ecclesiastical society $250; $200 of which was to be a fund for the support of tl>e gospel, and $50 to aid in building a par- sonage for the society. A two story parsonage, 24 by 35 feet in extent, and about one fourth of a mile from the church, was built in 1883. The 13th pastor of the Congregational church. Rev. Frederick Munson, commenced his labors here the first Sunday in January 1875, and continued until January 1884. He, early in that period, received a call to settle as pastor of the church, but declined. During his min- istry here 23 were added to the church. Mrs. Mary (Brooks) Clark, widow of Edward R., and mother of Edward D. Clark, a member of the church, died March ist 1878, and bequeathed to the ecclesiasti- cal society $500 as a fund for the support of preaching. In 1884, the church was variously supplied until Oc- tober, when the present pastor. Rev. Francis Singleton Williston, commenced his pastorate. Since its organization, September 24th 1740, 837 per- sons have been members of the church. The present number of members is 46, of which 14 are male, and 32 female. The Sunday school was reorganized October nth 1874. The superintendents since that time, with terra of service, have been: William H. Graham, 1874-1876; Daniel P. Smith, 1876-1880; Luther N. Arnold. 1880, 1881; Deacon Henry M. Selden, 1881, 1882; Daniel P. Smith, 1882- 398 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. 1885. The number of the school, in 1883, was 50. The library numbers 350 volumes. Methodist Episcopal Church. The date of the organization of the Methodist Episco- pal Church of Haddam Neck, and the establishment of their house of worship is obscure, but supposed to be not far from the commencement of the present century. The first meeting house was in the chamber of Elisha Day's house, now owned by Warren S. Williams, and was conducted by a presiding elder named Roberts, from Baltimore. Their first house of worship was a gambrel roofed wooden building, 23 by 24 feet, and previously used for for a dwelling house on Bald Hill, in Chatham, but moved whole to the southeast corner of the second meet- ing of four roads on the town line. As rearranged it had galleries on three sides. In front of the pulpit was the altar, a square enclosed space, with a door and a bench around the inside. This was used until 1845, when a new church edifice, 30 by 40 feet, and surmounted by a tower, was erected on the same site, and dedicated June 10th 1846. This has an end gallery over the porch for the choir, and two aisles. The building committee were Diodate Brainerd, Justin Sexton, and John Brainerd. The church was supplied by circuit preachers, a new one almost every Sabbath, until 1844 or 1845, since which time they have had a resident minister, whose term has varied from one to three years. Their records, under the circuit arrangement, were kept in East Hampton, with those of the Methodist Episcopal church there, and were burnt in .1835. A parsonage, 22 by 30 feet, was built in 1858, between the houses of Henry L. Brainerd and Alexander Dallas jr., and midway between the Methodist Episcopal church and school house. The superintendents of the Sunday school connected with the Methodist Episcopal church since 1876, have been: Warren S. Williams, 1876-78; M. Gertie Williams, 1879, 1880; Rev. Herbert M. Smith, 1881; John B. Morgan, 1881; Charles O. Gillette, 1882, 1883. The library of the school consists of 225 volumes. The resident ministers of the church, since 1844, have been: Revs. Andrew J. Robinson, 1845, 1846; Albert Park, 1847; Charles Dixon, 1848; Emerson Etheredge, 1849; John W. Horn, 1849; Thomas G. Brown, 1850; David Bradbury, 1851; Ziba Loveland, 1852; Sewell Lumberton, 1853, 1854; Jesse E. Heald, 1855; Smith, 1856; Thomas G. Brown, 1857; Francis H.Brown 1858, 1859; Jabez Pack, i860, 1861; Joel E. Hawkins 1862, 1863; James H. Cooley, 1864; John \V. Case, 1865 Theodore M. House, 1866; Abraham S. Holway, 1867 Nelson Goodrich, 1868: Sanford Amidon, 1869-71 Theodore W. Douglass, 1872; Henry H. Arnold, 1873 E. Learned Latham, 1874; William O. Cady, 1875, 1876 James Tregaskis, 1877; John Cooper, 1878; William O. Cady, 1879; Walter P. Stoddard, 1880; Charles E. Sten- house, 1881; Benjamin F. Elliott, 1882; Frank L. Hay- ward, 1883; no appointment 1884. Schools. It appears that for some time after the settlement of the Neck, the children were educated generally at their homes. The ecclesiastical society of Middle Haddam, not long after its organization, established three schools; one at Knowles' Landing, one at the Center, and'one at the Neck. The one at the Center was built on the rocks, just east of, and near the house of Walter Clark> now owned by Joseph Hulberg, and a short distance west of the old first church. This, tradition says, was raised somewhat, and the space beneath afforded a convenient place of refuge for the wilder young men when liable to arrest. After it was abandoned, a store and shop was erected on or near the site by Walter Clark. The successor, school house No. 2, was built about one half of a mile west of the first meeting house, at the junction of the roads where meeting house No. 2 was afterward built. This', on the erection of the former, in 1812, was moved a short dis- tance eastward, and became the Henry Dingwell house. Deacon Jesse Hurd gave the site for the new and pres- ent school house on the west road, a short distance south of the old one, and built on its removal. The first school house on the Neck was built on the northeast corner of the highway, where four roads met, between the present houses of Oliver B. Arnold and Justin M. Smith. This had two chimnies, one in the northwest and one in the southeast corner, with a stout post in the center, called the Whipping Post. The door was on the south side near the southwest corner. This in time became dilapidated, and was abandoned. Its successor, school house No. 2, size 16 by 20 feet, was built across the_road from the former, and on the north- west corner, and had also two chimnies. This is now used for a barn, near its original site. School house No. 3, the present one, was built in 1822, on the southeast corner, where four roads met, a mile south and half a mile west from the former location. This is 24 by 30 feet, surmounted with a tower and is in excellent condi- tion. The ancient seats have given place to those of the most approved modern construction. A school library of 50 volumes belongs to the district. The building of the new house so far away fro'ra the old site caused a di- vision, and the people of the northern portion of the district continued to use the old house until 1825, when, by a union with a portion of Chatham and the establish- ment of a new school district, by the name of Pine Brook, they had built a school house in Chatham, one- half of a mile from the town line between Haddam and Chatham. Middle Haddam Center District was and is composed of a portion of Chatham and the northwest part of Haddam Neck. The northeast part of Haddam Neck was finally set off to Leesville school district in East Haddam. The southern portion of the Cold Meadow on the Neck is set to the Shailerville school in Haddam. The ecclesiastical society continued the supervision of the schools in the parish until by the or- ganization of school societies their charge was super- seded. HADDAM— THE NECK. 399 The school district situated wholly on the Neck con- tinued to be called Middle Haddam South, until by a more recent change the towns were given the supervision of the schools, when it was called the Haddam Neck District, or No. 14 in the town. College Graduates. The names of the college graduates, natives of this place, with dates, etc., are: Rev. Chiliab Brainerd, Yale, 1731, a settled minister in Eastbury, Conn.; died in 1739. Rev. David Selden, Yale, 1782, third pastor of the Congregational church in Middle Haddam; died Janu- ary 15th 1825. Edward Selden, Esq., Yale, 1783, a justice of the peace in Haddam, and moved to Windsor where he died. Rev. Israel Brainerd, Yale, 1797, pastor in Guilford and Derby, Conn., and Verona, N. Y. Rev. David Almeron Strong, Williams, 1845, pastor in South Deerfield and Coleraine, Mass. Austin Arnold, Yale, 1848, died. Cyprian Strong Brainerd, Yale, 1850, a lawyer in New York. Rev. Jacob Hurd Strong, Williams, 1854, pastor in New Preston, Oxford, and Torrington, Conn., and Soquel, Ferndale, Oakland, and Pescadero, Cal. Emerson Gilbert Clark, A. M., C. E., Union, 1876. Adelbert Thomas Golden Clark, A. M., C. E., Union, 1876. Evelyn Marcelon Andrews, B. P., Yale, 1876. Bridges. The first bridge over Salmon River, at Leesville, was built of wood, by Jonathan Kilbourn. This was in use many years, and was carried away by a flood. Previous to its construction, the crossing was by fording, some dis- tance below. The second bridge was constructed of long and large spars of pine laid horizont, illy and spliced together, with iron bands around the splicing, which sup- yjorted the floor. It was afterward strengthened b)' piers under the center, and it lasted many years. This was succeeded by a stone arch bridge, built by Col. Elijah Bingham and Silas Brainerd, for $2,100. This fell when the temporary supports beneath were removed, from the arch being too crowning. The contractors put up on the same site another stone arch bridge, which stood two years and then fell in a great flood, before the time guaranty expired. They then built another stone arch bridge, which stood three years, and then fell. These different bridges were built at the expense of the towns of Haddam and East Haddam, Salmon River being the dividing line. At this juncture there was a disagreement between the towns, and the sheriff of the county was ordered by the Superior Court to build a wooden bridge on the same site at the expense of the two towns. This was a beautiful structure, and stood many years. The frame and floor were arched, and the sides were protected by open work railing. This was in time suc- ceeded by a heavy horizontal wooden bridge with high si.les, constructed of a double series of plank placed at intervals, crossing each other diagonally, pinned together at each crossing, and boarded on the outside. The whole was covered by a shingle roof. It at length be- came weak, and was strengthened by the insertion of heavy arches, one at each side, from which suitable iron bolts at intervals extended downward and were fastened to the floor timbers. The bridge, partly by its weight and the force of wind, had sagged down stream considerably, and to prevent this increasing long iron rods connected it with rocks and trees above. The eastern abutment was washed away in the great flood of March 1876, and the bridge fell and was carried down stream and broken up. That abutment had always been insecure from its not resting on a rock. A strong and beautiful iron bridge was built several rods below, in the summer of 1876, from plans by George M. Clark, of Higganum, with heavy stone abutments laid solid in cement, and resting upon a rock foundation on each side. The highway approaches on each side were changed and graded. Post Office. The post office at Haddam Neck was established in '^53' L)y ''is appointment, as postmaster, of Samuel House, who kept the office in his dwelling house, on the corner near the Methodist Episcopal church. The mail was received on alternate days, and the mail route ex- tended from Middletown to Moodus, 16 miles. Mr. House resigned in i860, and Henry M. Selden, the pres- ent incumbent, was appointed December 30th i860. He also keeps the office in his house, and one-fourth of a mile south from its former location. The mail is re- ceived every day. The present mail route extends from Cobalt, on the Air Line Railroad, to Moodus, 11 miles. The mail for the place was formerly received from the adjoining post offices. Members of Legislature. The members of the Connecticut Legislature from Haddam, residing on the Neck, since 1776, have been: Deacon Ezra Brainerd Esq., Lieut. Josiah Brainerd, Edward Selden Esq., Capt. Elias Selden, Reuben R. Chapman Esq., Ansel Brainerd, Diodate Brainerd, Capt. Charles S. Russell, Capt. James S. Selden, Capt. Warren S. Williams, Cliauncey Arnold, Washington K. Smith, William F. Brainerd, Francis A. House. The Revolutionary War. In the spring of 1775, stirring news invaded these quiet regions. One Sabbath morning, signal guns were heard an- nouncing the beginning of the contest. Blood had been shed at Lexington and Concord, and there was a prompt response of pastor and people. He (Rev. Benjamin Boardman) and others immediately left for the camp. Seventeen men are said to have gone from the Hill, where the old church stood, and from both the Haddam 400 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Neck and Chatham portions of the society young men and old went forth into the coTiflict to such an extent that scarcely enough were left to assist the women in securing the crops. Only a few of their names can now be recalled. Of those from the Neck, serving in the army or en- gaged in jirivateering, were: Freeman, Sergts. Jabez, Joseph, and Master Gunner Samuel Brown Prince Ar- nold; Asa, Lieut. Josiah, Dr. and Deacon Thomas, Cor- nelius, Jonathan jr., Lieut. Shubael, and Lieut. Simon Brainerd; C.'apts. David and Samuel Brooks; Reuben Rowley Chapman, Esq., Nathaniel and probably Elihu and Jonathan Cook jr., Leveus Eddy, Isaac Looniis, Captain Elias Selden, James and Nathaniel Stocking, and probably John Smith. Of these, Free- man, baptized August 26th 1764; Sergt. Jabez, bap- tized September 12th 1762, died at East Haven August 9th 1779, and Master Gunner Samuel B. F. Arnold, were brothers and sons of Jabez and Martha (Freeman) Arnold, of the Neck. Joseph was a son of Dr. Joshua and Elizabeth Arnold, of the Neck. Asa, and it is believed Sergt. Simon jr., who was born November 9th 1752, and afterward became a captain, were sons of Simon and Heczibah (Spencer) Brainerd. Lieut. Simon lived awhile in Chatham, but moved to the Neck, where he built a house. Cornelius, born June 26th 1756, and Lieut. Shubael Brainerd, born January 12th 1752, were sons of Abijah and Esther (Smith) Brainerd, of the Neck. Lieut. Shubael married Ruth, daughter of Capt. Abner Stocking, of Middle Haddam, December 7th 1775, and moved to Higganum, probably to assist in the building of the Samson. He was first lieutenant on the Samson, and died in the Jersey prison ship at New York, June 4th 1782. Lieut. Josiah Brainerd, born May iithi7ii,a son of William and Sarah (Bidwell) Brainerd, of the Neck, served also in the two preceding French and Indian wars, and was with Gen. Wolfe at the capture of Quebec. He married (i) Sarah and (2) Hannah Spencer. Among his children were Deacon Ezra and Deacon Israel Brainerd. He died July 8th 1792. Dr. and Deacon Thomas Brainerd, born February 9th 175 I, son of Nathan and Sarah (Gates) Brainerd, of the Neck, was a surgeon in the army and a deacon in the Middle Haddam Congregational Church. He moved to Ludlow, Mass., in 18 14, where he died. Jonathan Brainerd jr., baptized August ist 1762, was a son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Stocking) Brainerd, of the Neck. He died about June 4th 1785, in the Jersey prison ship in New York. Capt. David Brooks, com- mander of the United States sloop of war Samson, lived in Higganum until his marriage with Jemima Stocking, of the Neck. He died in the Jersey prison ship at New York about Jane 4th 1782. Capt. Samuel Brooks, born January 20th 1745, was a son of Jabez and Eunice Brooks, of the Neck. He commanded the privateer Harlequin, and went on many sea voyages, and was be- loved by his men, who always fared as well as he did. He was a pleasant and genial man in peace, but in war a strong and determined fighter. Reuben R. Chapman Esq., born October isth 1758, only child of Robert and Mehetable (Rowley) Chapman, of the Neck (who was a soldier in the French war, and served in one or more expeditions to Canada), Cornelius. Brainerd, Leveus Eddy, and Lieut. Simon Brainerd, af- terward a captain, were in the battle of Long Island. They, also, with perhaps the exception of Cornelius Brainerd, but with the addition of Tharaar Rowley, probably Ithamar, and a number from Middle Haddam, went on a privateering expedition to Long Island, to capture some goods stored by the Briti.sh, of which they had been apprised by spies, who represented a probable easy capture. Arriving in the vicinity at night, they passed up a small creek and concealed their boat in the bordering bushes. After a careful reconnoisance, they found the goods had been removed and a strong guard stationed around the house in wait for the expected in- vaders. The enemy had been informed of their inten- tion. They were discovered and with difficulty eluded their pursuers in the darkness. They ran to the woods, where they hid several days, and all finally escaped, but without booty. Chapman afterward enlisted for the war as a trumpeter, but being an only child his parents pro- cured a substitute in the person of John West, of East Hampton. He afterward served in the commissary de- partment, during which he took a drove of fat beeves, for Gen. Henry Champion, deputy commissary general, to Newport, for the supply of Count Rochambeau's forces. When a detachment of the latter passed through Lebanon and encamped on Taylor's Plains, in Portland, he visited them there. He married Mary Doane, of Middle Haddam, December 19th 1781; served many years as justice of the peace; three half year terms in the Legislature, and died August 3d 1846 Jonathan Cook jr., son of Jonathan and Deborah Cook, was baptized April 26th 1752. Isaac Loomis was wounded in the war, and said he should carry British lead in him to his grave. He resided on the rocks west of and near Leesville Bridge. " Loomis Rocks " are named from him. Captain Elias Selden, born August 22d 1758, a son of Captain Thomas and Rebecca (Walk- ley) Selden, was discharged for disability at White Plains, then a private, afterward a captain of militia. He mar- ried. May 23d 1781, Ruth Kirbyj daughter of Deacon Joseph and Esther (Wilcox) Kirby, of Cromwell, "and died July 1st 1781. He was a brother of the celebrated Rev. David Selden, of Middle Haddam. From the Chatham portion of the society as far as the data at hand shows were: Rev. Benjamin Boardman, pas- tor of the Congregational church; Elijah and Abel Abell, Thomas Aikens jr.. Major Jonathan Bowers, Sergt. Oihniel and Seba Brainerd, Capt. Joseph Dart, George Carey, Timothy Clark, Seth Doane sen., Timothy and Seth Doane jr., Robert Dingwell, Dol- phin, a slave of Capt. Joseph Dart; Leveus Eddy, Wil- liam Exton, Abijah Fuller sen., Richard Flood, a man by the name of Gilbert, Elijah Green, Capt Joshua Grif- fith, Heman, Moses, Seth Higgins sen., and Seth Higgins jr., Elihu and Sergt. Thomas Hubbard, Capts. Joseph, HADDAM— THE NECK. 401 Benjamin, and Jacob Hurd (brothers), Seth Knowles, Richard Mayo jr., Daniel Morgan, Elisha and John Niles, Rowland Percival, Nathaniel Roberts, Amos jr. and Nathaniel Rich.Capt. David and Michael Smith, John Snow, Lieut. John Harris Strong, Capt. Abner Stocking, Jesse Swaddle, Elisha Taylor jr., Sergt. Beriah Wheeler, Samuel Young jr., and John Wright. Of these, Thomas Aikens jr., son of Thomas and Flan- nah (Brainerd) Aikens, was baptized June 2d 1754. Major Jonathan Bowers, was a son of Rev. Benjamin and Sarah (Newell) Bowers, the first pastor of the church , baptized April 28th 1754, and wounded in the battle of Bennington. Elijah and Abel Abell were brothers, and the former was wounded at Point Judith. Sergt. Othniel and Seba Brainerd were sons of Othniel and Lucy (Swaddle) Brainerd, of Middle Haddam, The former was born September igtli 1755, ^"d served seven years in the war, and died May 27th 1832. Seba was bora April 14th 1763, and served some time during the latter part of the war, and became a colonel of militia, and died about 1845, ^S^^ 82. Capt. Joseph Dart was probably a son of Cyrus. He served in the commissary department, and became a captain after the war. Seth Doane jr. and Timothy Doane were brothers, and sons of Seth and Marcey Doane, of Middle Haddam, and both baptized December 30th 1759. Seth Doane jr. died at his father's in Middle Haddam, January 30th 1777, after he had returned from captivity. Elijah Green was a son of John and Rachel Green. Capt. Joshua Grififith was father of Capt. Stephen Timothy Clark, son of Jonathan and Zilpah (Brainerd) Clark, of Middle Haddam, was baptized May 4th 1760, an ofificer on the Samson, was wounded and died in consequence. Deacon Jesse and Captains Joseph, Benjamin, and Jacob Hurd were brothers, and sons of Jacob and Thank- ful (Hurlbut) Hurd. Leveus Eddy, son of John and Elizabeth (Brainerd) Eddy, was baptized June 14th 1759, resided at the time in Young street, in Chatham, but afterward moved to the Neck. Capt. David Smith was probably a son of Benjamin and Hannah Smith, and born about 1738. Michael Smith lost a limb in the service. He married and settled in East Hampton after the war, and could never speak of the British with any degree of complacency. Lieut. John Harris Strong was a son of Joseph Strong. He was one of the men engaged in the action at Stony Point, and endeavored to be the first who should pull down the ensign of St. George, that floated over the fortress. In this he was unsuccessful, but always af- firmed that he aided the successful aspirant. He mar- ried Elizabeth Carey after the war, and in 181 1, removed to Euclid, Ohio, where, in 1817, he was chosen judge of the Court of Common Pleas, an ofifice he held until his death, April 28th 1823. Jesse Swaddle was a son of John and Susanna Swaddle. Sergt. Beriah Wheeler, son of Moses and Rebecca Wheeler, was baptized May 6th 1759. Samuel Young jr., son of Samuel and Rebecca Young, was baptized July 7th 1745. Amos Rich jr., a son of Amos Rich (deceased at the time of the record) and Mary, his wife, was baptized February 4th 1754. In the latter part of the year 1776, a number of men from this society, who had been kept as prisoners in the Jersey prison ship at New York, were released by ex- change. They were told that their last meal before they went should be a good one. Savoury soup was set be- fore them, and they all partook of it except one of two brothers named Doane, from Middle Haddam Landing, who did not like onions, with which it was flavored, and who returned comparatively well. Of those who ate, all died, either on the' way home, or soon after arrival, evi- dently the result of some slow poison introduced with their food. Jesse Swaddle died in December, on the journey home. John Smith and John Snow, having crawled as far as Milford, there died in January 1777. Joseph Arnold also expired before reaching home, Jan- uary 3d 1777. Seth Doane jr. and Elisha Taylor jr. only reached their homes to lie down and die. Many of the people engaged in privateering in some degree, incited thereto both by their patriotism and the hope of better providing for their families. Among the masters of privateers residing in the Chatham portion of the society were: Capts. Joseph, Benjamin, and Jacob Hurd, brothers; Joshua Griffith, Seth Doane, and Abner Stocking. Their vessels hailed from New York. Capts. Joseph and Benjamin Hurd, with their brother. Deacon Jesse, were captured, and all confined in New York at the same time. Their other brother, Capt. Jacob Hurd, was also captured and confined, but at another time. Capt. Stephen Griffith, a son of Capt. Joshua, was cap- tured and confined in the Jersey prison, ship, where he enjoyed some favor. His servant, by the name of Rich, while engaged in cooking for him, carefully extinguished the unconsumed fuel to use again, and was reproved for saving it by a petty officer on board. Rich replied with spirit claiming a right to do as he pleased with what he had gathered on the dock, and added, "I will attend to my business if you will to yours! " In the altercation, the officer struck Rich with his rapier, and in turn the latter emptied a dish of hot food into the Dosom of the officer, burning him severely, and from the effects of which he died 12 days later. Rich was promptly placed under arrest, but on investigation the homicide was justified by the commanding officer. Capts. J. Griffith, Doane, and Stocking were leaders in the Point Judith engagement. In the general alarm felt throughout New England over the news of the approach of Burgoyne's army from Canada to unite with Clinton's forces in New York — Colonel Sage, of Middletown, raised a body of troops, or militia, to march to West Point; among whom was a com- pany from Middle Haddam Society, under the command of Captain David Smith, of Chestnut Hill, in Chatham. He was a fiery, impetuous man, who cared little for red tape, a man of great force of character, and proud of his talent as swordsman. As they approached their desti- 402 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. nation, hungry and fatigued after their long march, they encamped without rations. Captain Smith called on the commanding officer to learn the reason why they were not supplied, and was informed that the supply train had not arrived, and it was uncertain when it would. Smith replied with much asperity, and said to Sage: " I can pick a pin from your coat collar;" accused him of incompetenc)', and added: " Aty men came to fight, not to staivc ! If the supplies are not here tomorrow morn- ing I shall then march ray men back to their homes." The morning came, but not the supplies, and true to his word. Smith marched his men home. His spirit is well illustrated by the following incident of another soldier: Samuel Pierson, a Revolutionary soldier, born in Wallingford, August 2d 1759, father of the late Ephraim Pierson, of Haddam, and Mrs. Susan House, of Had dam Neck, now living at the age of 84 — was, at the break- ing out of the war, an impressed seaman on board of a British man-of-war, from which he escaped and joined the American army. During the latter service, while marching barefoot over the frozen ground, vvith his head inclined forward, the better to pick his way, he was re- ]iroved by an ofificer behind him, for not marching in an erect, soldier-like manner, and who at the same time struck him with his sword. Pierson suddenly brought his musket back with such force, that the butt, striking the ofificer in the breast, knocked him down. He then wheeled and was about to pin him to the ground with his bayonet, and was only prevented by the efforts of his fellow soldiers. He was arrested, tried by court martial, and sentenced to be shot. General Washington, hearing of the affair, had the prisoner brought before him, and on learning the particulars, asked him if he did not know it was death for a private to strike an ofificer. Pierson replied with spirit: " I know it is death for an officer to strike me!" Washington immediately ordered his release, and a pair of shoes from his chest to be given him, and told him never to be without shoes again. He then reproved his officers, and charged them to be more careful and con- siderate for their men, adding, that such a soldier was too valuable to lose, and if he had a body of men like him he could pierce the enemy's center at any time. Pierson at length fell into the enemy's hands, and as he was being marched away, unarmed, in charge of two of his captors, he rhanaged under some pretext, to take off his shoes, and on approaching water he threw them away saying, "Catch tne, if you can!" rushed for the water, swam away and escaped. Aside from the regular sea voyages of the privateers, there were suddenly planned and executed, sortie-like adventures along the coast; prominent among which were several to Long Island for the capture of goods stored by the enemy, or persons hig)i in rank for ex- change; and, also, in watching the approach of the ene- my's ships into the Sound, by the eastern route, with the intention of capturing such as they could. Among the latter was the affair off Point Judith, in the State of Rhode Island, and near the Connecticut line, not hereto- fore in print, and in which many of the men of Middle Haddam Society were engiged. They orgtnized into six boat crews, consisting of from eight to cen men each. The boats were of the whale boat pattern, the stern con- structed like the bow. A swivel was mounted in the bow of each and the crews were properly officered. Among the several boat commanders, were: Capt. Samuel Brooks, of Haddam Neck; Capts. Joshua Grif- fith, Seth Doane, and Abner Stocking, of the Chatham part of the society; and Capt. Sage, of Middletown. Ar- riving at Point Judith they hauled up their boats in a sheltered bay near by, where they encamped. A constant watch was kept from an eminence for the approach of the enemy's ships. One morning soon after their arrival, the camp was excited over the news of a strange sail seen in the offing, whose appearance was soon generally dis- cussed. The rigging, some said, was like a man-of-war, others that her hull was like a merchantman. The conclusion being in favor of the latter, and to risk an attack, they were soon ready. As the ship drew near the boats put out from around the Point, advanced in succession to the rear, and fired their swivels in rapid rotation into the stern of the supposed merchantman, and retired to load and again take their turns in the attack. When the last had fired the ship wore around, raised a tarpauling cov- ering from her sides, and greatly to their surprise dis- closed a man-of-war with two rows of port-holes from which issued a broadside, harmless in effect, as the sea was high and they were so near the balls passed over their heads. The attacking boats hastily withdrew, passed around the Point into the bay and out of range with such speed that theboat-coramanded by Captain Brooks on striking the shore ended over and permanently lamed Elijah Abell, one of its crew, and brother of Abel Abell, who built Abell's mill in Chatham. The other boats, coming in on top of a wave, were landed high on the shore. Unsatisfied, they mounted two of the swivels on the rocks and replied with vigor to the continued broadsides of the enemy. An artillery company happening in the neighborhood and, hearing the melee, hastened down and took a part in the engagement until the ship proceeded on her way. Although no prize was taken, no lives were lost. A prisoner on board of the ship at the time told them, after his release, that a ball from one of the boats passed through a closet in the captain's cabin and broke every dish there, and another ball struck the mizzen mast and passed half through it; that the captain was highly enraged, and said: " ft was the most audacious proceed- ing he ever heard of, and if he could catch those fellows he would hang every one of them from his yardarm." Capt. David Brooks, a native of Higganum, and some of the time a resident of the Neck, where he married, was commander of the sloop-of-war, Samson, of which Shubael Brainerd was first lieutenant, and Samuel B. P. Arnold was master gunner. Of the crew, Jonathan Brainerd jr., Elihu Cook, James and Nathaniel -Stocking (supposed brothers-in-law of Capt. Brooks), it is believed HADDAM— THE NECK. 403 belonged to the Neck; and Timothy Clark, Elijah Green, and William Aikens, to Chatham. Timothy Clark had some position on board. Tlie Samson, built in Hig- ganum, with a sharp bow for fast sailing, and carrying six or eight guns of from nine to twelve pounders, took several prizes and gained quite a reputation among friends and foes as a strong fighter. Among the differ- ent engagements of the Samson with the enemy was her battle by night with the Swallow, a British sloop-of-war of 20 guns, in the Sound and near New York. As the two vessels approached each other, the Samson was hailed for her name. The reply was, " The Hornet /" The latter, a noted privateer from Philadelphia, had taken many prizes and was a terror to the enemy, who feared to contend with her unless with superior force. The engagement began and continued with great severity until the guns of each became unserviceable, and both vessels were leaking badly and in such a dangerous con- dition as to necessitate a mutual withdrawal for repairs^ The Swallow retired into Cow Bay where she repaired. Spies informed the Samson when her late antagonist was ready to sail, and she was off her port ready to meet her. In despair, the Swallow was scuttled and sunk by her escaping crew. One of the officers of the Swallow remarked that he had rather contend with two Hornets than with one Samson. The Samson, after important service in many an action with the enemy's ships, was captured in the English Channel, and her officers and crew confined in the Jersey prison ship, where Captain Brooks, Lieutenant Brainerd, William Aikens, Jonathan Brainerd jr., Elihu Cook, Eli- jah Green, James and Nathaniel Stocking (and how many more of the crew is unknown) all died in June 1782, as appears by the Middle Haddam church records, under well grounded suspicion of having been poisoned; all partaking of food which the master-gunner refused on account of the flavoring he disliked, and in consequence he alone survived. How many prisoners there were, from other ships and places, who had like experience and fate, is unknown. It was said that Cunningham, the steward of the prison ship, boasted that he had destroyed more rebels than the king's arms. Dr. Field, in his Brainerd Genealogy, page 106, mentions the suspicion of the administering of poison in liquor to the officers and crew of the Samson. This, written so much nearer the time, may appear more authentic than the above version given from tradition. The fact of the poisoning is of more importance than the method. Timothy Clark, who had some position on the Samson, was severely wounded in an engagement, and taken to the hospital at New London, for treatment, just before the attack on that place by the British. His father (Jon- athan) on learning of his condition, hastened with Capt. Samuel Brooks, down the river in a whale boat to bring him home. Arriving at New London, Col. Ledyard, the commander of Fort Griswold, urged them to remain and assist in the defense of the fort, as he had not men enough — to which they consented, as soon as they had taken their. wounded charge to a place of safety. They placed him on a litter, carried him to their boat, and rowed up the river several miles and left him with a Mr. Avery, where they armed and returned. As they neared the fort, they climbed a tree to learn the condition there, and saw the' British flag waving over it; there they remained until Ihey saw the enemy leaving the fort for their shipping. They then hastened onward and assisted in caring for the wounded, and burying the dead of the inhumanly massacred garrison. They then returned to their wounded charge and conveyed him home, where he finally died of his wounds. The privateer Harlequin, commanded by Capt. Sam- uel Brooks, of the Neck, and built later than ihe. Samson, won also a high reputation and several prizes. Master Gunner Samuel B. P. Arnold, served successively on board of both vessels. While in this service he was se- verely wounded by copper shot fired by the enemy. On one occasion, when pursued by a ship of superior force, which carried more canvas than the Harlequin, the pros- jject of her capture was evidently only a question of time, unless stratagem prevented. Night was fast ap- proaching, as the distance between pursuer and pursued constantly lessened. In the meantime Captain Brooks had ordered an empty cask from the hold, which was then sawed in two, and a whip rigged across the bilge, supporting a mast in the center, all to the perplexity of the wondering crew. When it became sufficiently dark, a light was fastened to the mast of the tub, and it was lowered into the sea and cast adrift. Every light on the Harlequin was suddenly extinguished as she tacked on a new course. Not long after they heard with satisfaction the guns of the enemy firing at the decoy tub. This incident, often related with great gusto by the master gunner, has since been used by the story writer in tales of sea prowess. It is related of Captain Brooks that while in a certain port with the Harlequin, another American vessel arrived and reported having seen two British vessels headed apparently for another port. Upon being asked why he did not attack thera, the Captain re- plied: "That he was glad to escape, for either of them were larger and carried more guns than he did." Captain Brooks sailed immediately for that port, and found the two vessels there, anchored side by side, a little distance apart, either of whom carried more guns than the Har- lequin. With an audacity worthy of the celebrated Paul Jones, he ran his vessel between them, and opened a rapid fire on each. They, fearful of injuring each other, replied with little effect, and he soon captured both. As officers for drafting entered the old first meeting house on Hog Hill, one Sabbath, Jonathan Brainerd sen., of the Neck, to avoid the draft, leaped from a second story window of the church to the ground, and striking on his feet, ran and escaped. He took the death of his eldest son, Jonathan jr., who died in the prison ship, so sorely to heart, that he had a younger son, Jeremiah, an eccentric youth, recorded on the records of Haddam as a fool, to prevent his being drafted. He, smarting under the indignity, took his father 52 404 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. down, as soon as he was able, and gave hira a severe pounding. Jonathan Brainerd sen. was born December i6th 1737, and married, first, Elizabeth Stocking, May ist 1760. She died June sth 1782, and he married, sec- ond, Hope Strong, of Middle Haddara, November 24th 1782. She was killed from being thrown from a fright- ened horse, and he married, third, Jerusha (Clark) Field- ing, a daughter of Benajah Clark, and widow of Timothy Fielding, and died in 1825 or 1826, aged 88. It appears that on the morning of the loth of August 1779, an aged father appeared before the council and re- lated his simple story. He stated that he had given five sons to the service of his country; that three of them had fallen in battle; that two were still in the arm)', and he came now before the council to ask that his sixth, and only remaining son — " the Benjamin of his old age " — who had recently been drafted, might be permitted to re- main at home with him. The following is a copy of the record: "Tuesday, August loth 1779. "On representation of Cornelius Rich, of Chatham that he has had five sons in the Continental Army; three of which are dead; killed in the service; one lately at Norwalk; that he has two more in ye army; one son only remaining with him, whom is lately detached in the Mili- tia service for one month, or five weeks, on ye sea coast; that his circumstances are such that he cannot part with, and has been detained till this time, praying this board that he may be excused from said service. This Board, in consideration of the particular, and almost singular circumstances of Mr. Rich's case, release his son from this detachment, and will direct his case be favorably considered for the future." The son mentioned as being killed at Norwalk, was the Nathaniel Rich mentioned in the church record as being killed in the action at that place, July nth 1779- He was wounded in the knee, and his comrades endeav- ored to carry him from the field during the retreat. As the British soldiers were near, and crowding our men fast, he begged of them to leave him and save them- selves, as they could not take him without the greatest hazard. In the course of two hours the enemy retreated, and our men, returning, found Rich dead, with the top of his skull torn off, supposed to be blown off by a mus- ket used to dispatch him. He was, in fact, brutally mur- dered. The names of the other two sons that were killed in the service have not been recovered, but it is thought that the name of one was John. Mr. Rich is remembered to have had sons by the name ot Nathaniel, John, Samuel, and Cornelius jr. The following story was current for many years after the war: It was said that Gen. Henry Champion sta- tioned a guard at some distance from Fort Stanwix(now Rome, N. Y.), probably during the advance of Burgoyne's army, with Lieut. John Harris Strong, of Middle Had- dam, son of Josiah, as commander. They were to be re- lieved in 24 hours. That time had long passed and they in their hunger felt obliged to detail several of their number to seek supplies. While these were away relief came; the absentees were reported and ordered by Cham- pion to be whipped. The commanding general on hear- ing of the affair sent a reprieve in order to learn the par- ticulars more fully. This was said to have been in the pocket of Champion while the punishment was inflicted. Henry Goslee, one of the victims, on learning the facts, swore vengeance, and declared he would kill Champion on opportunity. After the war was over they met in one of the stores in Colchester. They instantly recognized each other, but Champion was shy of the wronged man, and quickly withdrew. Goslee followed him into the yard and struck him a violent blow across the abdomen with a sharpened end of a hoop-pole — a stick about two feet long — cutting a long gash from which his bowels pro- truded. Champion, clasping his hands around himself, mounted his horse, rode to his home in Westchester, had the wound sewed up and finally recovered. Goslee in the meantime escaped and was not arrested. War of 1812. Among the soldiers from the Neck engaged in the war of 1812-14 were: Captain Roswell Brainerd, Ansel Brainerd, Lester Brainerd, Porter Smith, David Young, Elijah Young. It was during the war of 1812-14, that several young men and boys, among whom was Oliver B. Arnold, of the Neck, went early one Sunday morning to the river to bathe, near a fish place, at Middle Haddara Landing. They saw in the distance a fleet of small fishing vessels coming up the river. It was at a time when a rumor was current that spies occasionally passed up the river in vessels, the better to avoid observation, in their endeavor to gain information. Perhaps influenced by this consideration in some degree, but more by a desire for fun, they quickly mounted on the capstan of the fish place several eel pots lying around, which from their size and shape resembled cannon. A dense fog coming on helped the illusion. A fire was kindled, and a long handled torch prepared and lighted. As the vessels came near, Neil Goff, the captain of the party, waved his wooden sword over his head, and hailed them without effect. He then, in a loud voice, ordered, " Prepare to fire!" The blazing torch was waved, and at his second hail the vessels came to and answered every question promptly, gave their number, freight, port, and destination. One of the questions was: " If they had seen any suspicious vessels ?" Captain Goff, apparently satisfied, told them they might proceed. One of them, as if in apology, re- marked: " We didn't know that you fortified up here." Oliver Brooks Arnold, one of the party, born Novem- ber 25th 1797, a grandson of Captain Samuel Brooks, of privateer fame, and now residing on the Neck, and in his 87th year, contributed this and several incidents of the Revolutionary war included in the sketch of Haddam Neck, and the ecclesiastical society of Middle Haddam. War of the Rebellion. Among those from Haddam Neck who served in the Union army during the great Rebellion were: Sergeant HADDAM— THE NECK. 405 Luther N. Arnold, David Andrews, Evelyn M. Andrew?, Attwell, Morris B. Brainerd, George W. Brainerd. John L. Brainerd, Smiih B. Gillette, Phineas L. Hyde, Sergeant Newton Morgan, Ellsworth Russell, Stephen M. Russell, Henry M. Selden, Henry M. Smith. Of these, Sergeant Morgan died at home from wounds received at Port Hudson. Evelyn M. Andrews and Sergeant J. H. Selden were wounded, on account of which they are pensioners, the latter losing an eye. Phineas L. Hyde and Henry M. Selden are pension- ers for injuries received in the service. Literary Circle. The young people of Middle Haddam and Haddam Neck organized a society for mutual improvement, October ist 1861, called the "Literary Circle." This was popular and successful and accomplished much good. It continued nearly eight years. Its meetings were held semi-monthly, and varied with music and literary exercises. A manuscript paper, com- posed of original articles by the members, was read by an editor at each meeting. Venture Smith. A remarkable negro formerly lived here, named Ven- ture Smith. Several editions of his autobiography — a pamphlet of 24 pages — have been published, from which it appears he was born at Dukandara, in Guinea, about 1729, and was a son of Saungm Furro, king of the tribe of Dukandara, and named by him Broteer. The king was six feet and six or seven inches in height, two feet across the shoulders, and well proportioned. He was a man of remarkable strength and resolution, affable, kind, and gentle, ruling with equity and modera- tion. He descended from a large, tall, and strong race, exceeding the average of men. When Broteer, or Venture, as he was afterward called, was in his seventh year, the territory of his father was invaded by a warlike tribe from a distance of upward of 140 miles, and beyond an intervening desert. The enemy were supplied with musical instruments, guns, aiid other arms of modern use, and instigated, supplied, and equip- ped by some white nation to subdue the adjacent coun- tries (probably in the interest of slavery). Their army consisted of about 6,000 men, whose leader was called Baukurre. The old king, unable to resist the invaders, retreated, and was captured and tortured to death. They immediately marched towards the sea with their captives, among whom was the subject of this sketch, who was made waiter to the leader, and had to carry his gun. On the march he had to carry on his head a large flat stone, used for grinding corn, which weighed about 25 pounds, besides carrying victuals and cooking utensils. After a series of adventures in capturing other tribes on their way, as described in the biography, they in turn were overcome and captured by a tribe on the sea coast, who appropriated all the accumulated booty to their own use, and retained the captives for market as slaves. Young Broteer, with other prisoners, was taken to a ship, then in port from Rhode Island, commanded by Capt. Collingwood, whose mate was Thomas Mumford, and he was sold to Robertson Mumford, the steward, for four gallons of rum and a piece of calico, and called Ven- ture, on account of the transaction being a private ven- ture on the part of the steward. The number of slaves purchased for the cargo was 260. Venture was taken to Fisher's Island, where he remained about 14 years, subjected to many trials and oppressions, where he married a fellow slave. He had in the mean- time developed into a tall, broad shouldered man of gi- gantic strength. His height, without shoes, was six feet one and one-half inches, and his breadth was such that tradition says his custom was to turn sidewise in pass- ing through an ordinary door. He was soon after sold to Thomas Stanton, of Stonington Point, who sent him two miles after a barrel of molasses, and ordered him to bring it home on his shoulders. He managed to carry it the entire distance. To test his strength he took upon his knees a tierce of salt containing seven bushels, and carried it two or three rods, in the presence of several witnesses. He was next sold to Hempstead Miner, of Stonington, who soon after sold him to Col. Oliver Smith, who, more generous than the former owners, gave Venture the opportunity of gain- ing his freedom by working for others and paying him for the privilege. Here, out of respect to this master, he added Smith to his name. Venture was then 31 years of age, and by his great industry and frugality he earned his freedom in the succeeding five years, and for which he paid Col. Smith ;£-ji and 2 shillings, besides paying for the privilege of working away. In this period he worked awhile on Long Island, where, in six months, he cut and corded 400 cords of wood, and threshed 75 bushels of grain. His next ambition was to purchase the freedom of his wife and his three children, which he eventually accom- plished, besides buying the freedom of three other men. In about 1778, when 49 years of age, he disposed of his property on Long Island and moved to East Haddam, where he worked for several persons, among whom were Timothy Chapman and Abel Bingham. Anecdotes of his renown here as a wood-chopper are still current. While here he purchased land on Haddam Neck, near Salmon River Cove, and just below and opposite the mouth of Moodus River, to which he soon removed, and made subsequent purchases of land adjoining, until he owned over one hundred acres of excellent land and three dwelling houses. During his residence at Haddam Neck, he owned, at different times, of boats, canoes, and sail vessels, twenty or more. These he employed mostly in fishing and trafficking, often cheated by those with whom he traded taking advantage of his ignorance of numbers. Not- withstanding he was often wronged, he maintained his own integrity, and left a name for truth and uprightness that was never tarnished, and of which he was ever proud. 4o6 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. In his later years he became almost blind, and was led about by a grandchild. His autobiography, as related by himself, and clothed in appropriate language by a citizen of East Haddam, was first published in 1798, when he was 69 years of age, appended to which was a certificate of his high character, dated November 3d 1798, and signed by Nathaniel Minor Esq., Elijah Paramer Esq., Captain Amos Palmer, Acors Shefifield, and Ed- ward Smith, citizens of Stonington, Conn. This was reprinted in 1835, copies of which are now so scarce it is hoped that some of his descendants will publish another edition. Venture died a few years aftei- the publishing of his narrative. Venture died September 19th 1805, in the 77th year of his age, and was buried in the cemetery by the Con- gregational cluirch. The following inscription is copied from his tombstone: " Sacred to the memory of Venture Smith, African, though the son of a King, he was kidnapped and sold as a slave, but by his industry he acquired money to pur- chase his freedom who died Sep. 19th 1805 in ye 77th year of his age." " Sacred to the memory of Marget Smith relict of Venture Smith who died Dec. the 17th A. D. 1809, in the 79th year of her age." It is said that as the pallbearers were carrying the body of Venture to his burial, a distance of some three miles from his late home on the Neck, to the cemetery at the Congregational church in East Haddam, they fell the heaviness of their load so much (Venture was a very large and heavy man) as to cause one of them to remark, " We ought to have gone twice for our load." PROMINENT MEN. The Brainerd Family. The Brainerdsin America are descended from Daniel Brainerd, one of the proprietors of Haddam. No at- tempt is known to have been made to connect him with any family line in England. Undoubtedly he came, as a child, with some relatives who were emigrating from Es- sex or Warwick county, to Massachusetts Bay. Very complete records of emigration wei-e kept for the period which embraces the time of the boy's arrival in America. When about eight years old, in 1649, he was brought to Hartford, and lived in the family of Governor George Wyllys, who had in 1636, purchased a property which in- cluded the land on which the Charter Oak grew, and had occupied it in 1639. Wyllys became governor of Con- necticut in 1642, and died in 1644. The Brainerd boy grew to manhood in his family, and when 21, in 1662, became one of the twenty-eight origi- nal proprietors of the old town of Haddam. He is de- scribed by Dr. Field, as a prosperous, influential, and very respectable man; a justice of the peace, and a dea- con in the church, and the largest landholder in the town. He married Hannah Spencer, a daughter of Garrard Spencer, of Lynn, Massachusetts, who afterward re- moved to Haddam, and subsequently married one Han- nah Sexton, Seven sons and one daughter were the fruit of the first marriage, and the only children of Daniel Brainerd. He died April nth 17T5, and is buried in the old burying ground in the centre village of Haddam. The children of Daniel Brainerd were Daniel, Hannah, James, Joshua, William, Caleb, Elijah, and Hezekiah. Daniel and Joshua located in what is now East Had- dam; William, in what is known as Haddam Neck; James, Caleb, Hezekiah, and Elijah, remained on the west side of the Connecticut River, in the present town of Haddam. The only daughter, Hannah, marrjed George Gates, one of the proprietors, and also dwelt on the west side of the river. The descendants of Daniel Brainerd settled in Ver- mont, in Central and Western New York, and in various parts of Connecticut, but many of them remained in Had- dam; so that Dr. Field, in his genealogy, says, that when he settled in that town the descendants bearing the fam- ily name " were more numerous in the congregation and in the schools than those of any other settler." , The Brainerds of Haddam are almost all thrifty, in- dustrious, sober landholders, holding to Ihe Calvinistic doctrines and Congregational church order of their an- cestor. The most eminent of these descendants was David Brainerd, the Indian missionary, who died October 9th '747. aged 29 years and 6 months. His qualities of head and heart M'on the regard, admiration, and affection of so great a man as Jonathan Edwards. Miss Yonge in her book, " Pioneers and Founders," calls him the " Enthusiast." Dr. Sherwood, in his edition of the life Brainerd, just published, says: " No eulogy can exalt such a man. The simple story of his life proves him to be one of the most illustrious characters of modern times, as well as the foremost mis- sionary whom God has raised up in the American church —one whose example of zeal, self-denial, and Christian heroism has probably done more to develop and mould the spirit of modern missions, and to fire the heart of the Christian church in these latter days, than that of any other man since the apostolic age. One such per- sonage, one such character, is a greater power in human history than a finite mind can calculate." John Brainerd, David's younger brother, took his place in the Indian Mission, and carried on the work he began and was hardly inferior to his elder brother in the great qualities which go to make up the missionary character. Many of Daniel Brainerd's descendant's have attained to considerable position in the land. Jeremiah Gates Brainerd was for twenty-three years a justice of the Superior Court of Connecticut, dying the 7th of January 1836. His eldest son, William F Brain- erd, of New London, was a prominent lawyer, and quite famous as a wit and an orator. He died April 27th 1844. His second son, Dyar Throop, was an eminent physician, and lived to a very advanced age. His third son, John G. C, is of fame as a poet, occupying, it is HADDAM— BIOGRAPHIES 407 said by critics, a very high rank in the second class of American poets. He died in 1828, at the age of 32. Mary, a daughter of William F., and now living in New London, seems to possess much of the poetical talents which her uncle exhibited. Many of these people served in the Revolutionary war, both in the army and on board privateers, but it does not appear that any one rose above the rank of captain. Daniel Brainerd was an eminent medical professor and surgeon in St. Louis, and subsequently in Chicago, where he held high appointments in surgical institutions. He died quite recently. Thomas Brainerd was a foremost clergyman of the Presbyterian Church, long settled in Philadelphia, famous as a faithful preacher and pastor, eminent as a platform speaker, and a leader in patriotic effort during the war of the Rebellion. Lawrence Brainerd was well known as a thriving farmer and merchant at St. Albans, Vermont, where he accumulated a large estate. He was prominent as a leader in the anti-slavery movement, and at one time repre- sented his State in the United States Senate. He died shortly after the close of the late Civil war. Silas and Erastus Brainerd, brothers, acquired both prominence and wealth as the owners of one of the largest sandstone quarries in the country, at Portland, Connecticut. Other members of this large family were known as jewelers in New York, and are now represented in that business by Amasa Brainerd. Jeremiah Brainerd, of Rome, New York, had greal reputation in the days of the building of the Erie Canal, as a builder of bridges, an inventor, and a natural civil engineer. Rev. John Brainerd, D. D., now a comparatively young man, is a prominent minister in the Episcopal Church. In local fame Ezra Brainerd, who resided in Haddam Neck, is entitled to the first place. Born 17th of April 1744, in early manhood he became manager of the quar- rying interests near him, which some became large and important. He was a deacon in the Middle Haddam church for 66 years, a justice of the peace for very many years, and for a long series of years represented the town in the General Assembly, and acquired to a universal degree the confidence of his associates. Perhaps the best known member of this family, who still retains an active interest and home in Haddam, is Cephas Brainerd, of New York, the sixth in direct descent from Daniel Brainerd, and the son of Cephas Brainerd, of Haddam, Connecticut. He was born in that place, September 8th 1831. His education was ob- tained at the schools in his native town, which he attended each winter until his i8lh year, spending the summers in labor on the farm. At the age of 19, he entered upon a course of historical and general reading tending toward the line of specific study which was necessary for entering the profession of the law. The year following he began a thorough study of Blackstone. By a rigorous method, he made himself master of the elementary books placed in the hands of law students. After two years' practical training in New York, in the office of the late Chief Justice Curtis, he was adrnitted to the bar in September 1855, and shortly after became managing clerk in the office of the Hon. Truman Smith and Mr. Ebenezer Seeley, and soon acquired an interest in their business. In i860, he engaged in business alone, though retaining ofiSces with Mr. Seeley until his death in 1867. He won at first, and held until the last the confidence and warm personal interest of those two men, one perfect in his mastery of the law and the other inexhaustible in the personal resources of the advocate and debater, and to his association with them is due in great measure his own professional character. While holding for a short time the office of arbitrator of the Mixed Court under the slave trade treaty with Great Britain, his attention was turned to international law, for the study of which he acquired and has always since had a strong liking. His success and position in the legal profession is best determined by the nature and importance of the interests entrusted to his care. Some of the matters in which he has been professi(mally concerned may be noted here. In September 1864, with Mr. James S. Stearns, a former fellow student, acting as counsel for the Merchants' Re- lief Committee of the city of New York, and represent- ing the claims of one thousand negroes whose property had been destroyed by the rioters in July 1863, they sub- mitted an argument which was the basis of the opinion of the court sustaining the constitutionality of the law imposing upon cities the responsibility for damages oc- casioned by rioters. He was associated with Hon. Ly- man Tremain and Mr. John R. Dos Passos in the second trial of Edward S. Stokes for the murder of James Fisk jr., and in the appeals which were subsequently taken, and in the third trial which followed. His first appearance before the United States Supreme Court was as junior counsel with Truman Smith. The case involved very important questions of law, and suc- cess was the gratifying result of the first efforts of the young man, and the last of the old before that high tribunal. He appeared before a committee of the State Legis- lature to advocate a reorganization of the public school system in New York city, which, though rejected then, has since been in substance adopted. He has also ap- peared in behalf of grave interests before committees of Congress. Once in the efforts made by the merchants of New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore, to abolish the system of informers in connection with the custom houses, he was one of the counsel for the committee of the Chamber of Commerce of New York. He made an argument, subsequently printed and entitled "Book Seizures, Moieties and Informers Indefensible." Congress adopted the recommendations made by the merchant committees. After a ten years' struggle, in which he has borne a prominent part, making five oral arguments and printing 4o8 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. six, Congrtis decided iliat the claims of those for whom he appeared — upon the Getieva award — uninsured ship owners, whose vessels were destroyed, rebel cruisers not found culpable by the Geneva Tribunal, were superior to those of non-premium payers, while the claims of the insurance companies, who received large premiums to cover war risks, were rejected. While thus attending to professional duties, Mr. Brain- erd found time for philanthropic labor. He was for 27 years superintendent of the Sunday school of the Seventh Presbyterian Church in New York. For ten years he was connected with the New York Prison Asso ciation, as one of its managers and its recording secre- tary. The best service he has rendered in this connection has been in the Young Men's Christian Association. Joining the society in the second year of its existence, and receiving through its agency the divine impulse which made him an active and pronounced Christian man, he has rendered to it in return a service, the value and extent of which can hardly be over estimated. He has been one of the most active, efificient, and self-deny- ing of the directors of the New York Association since 1857, when be became a membert)f the board. But he has rendered a far wider service to this Christian work for young men. In 1865, he was chosen president, for that year, of the International Convention of Young Men's Christian Associations. In 1866, he was elected a member of the executive committee of that convention, becoming, in 1868, its chairman, a position of high re- sponsibility he has held ever since. At that time, the committee, consisting of five members, all residing in New York, was the agent of some sixty-five societies, which were expending but a few thousand dollars annu- ally. It now has thirty-three members distributed throughout the leading cities of the continent, and is the agent of 850 societies, which require in their work over $600,000 per year. Then the committee expended a few hundred dollars yearly; in 1884, the convention entrusted it with a many-sided work involving the expenditure of over $35,000. In all this growth, the work of the com- mittee, under Mr. Brainerd's leadership, has been a most important factor. From the most comprehensive sketch yet made of the history of the Young Men's Christian Association, we quote the following: " No account of the international work would be com- plete without mention of its chairman for the last 15 years, Mr. Cephas Brainerd. He, in the beginning, and when it was unpopular, grasped the basal idea of the work by young men, and he has clung to it tenaciously throughout." Every report of the committee to the conventions has been written by him. Till 1872, the entire correspondence was conducted by him, and has since that time been under his careful supervision. The various secretaries of the committee have prosecuted their work under his direction. This remarkable unsalaried service for so many years by one thoroughly qualified leader has been of incalcula- ble service to the work for Christ among young men in this and other lands. Mr. Brainerd has lived to see his correct conception and understanding of the associations, unpopular at first, gain at last general approval and ascendency. Mr. Brainerd was married, January 12th 1859, to Eve- line, daughter of Dr. Ira Huichinson, of Cromwell, who had spent 25 years of his professional life in Haddam. Three children born to them are all living: Cephas Brainerd jr., Ira H. Brainerd, and Eva W. Brainerd. The Field Family. No history of Middlesex county, and especially no his- tory of Haddam would be complete without some account of Rev. David D. Field, D.D., who, though not born in that town or county, has inseparably connected his name with both by his contribution to their early history. Dr. Field was the son of Timothy Field, a captain in the Revolutionary war, from the town of Guilford, or that portion of it which subsequently became the town of Madison, and was born on the 20th of May 1781. After the usual preparatory studies he entered Yale College in the class of 1798, and graduated in due course in 1802, in a class which embraced Isaac C. Bates, United States Senator from Massachusetts, Jeremiah Evarts, Governors Tomlipson and Pond, of Connecticut, and others of equal eminence. He studied theology with Dr. Backus, at Somers, and while there made the acquaintance of Sub- mit Dickinson, a daughter of Capt. Noah Dickinson, a soldier under Putnam in the French war, and afterward in the Revolutionary war, whom he married, and who was the mother of his ten children. Dr. Field was settled over the Congregational church in Haddam on the nth of April 1804; here he remained in charge of this church until the nth day of April 1818. After his dismission he made a missionary tour, on horse back, into what was then a wilderness, as far as Buffalo, and returning passed through the town of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, which he reached on Saturday night. At the request of the people he remained there and preached the next day. Subsequently receiving a call from that church on the 2Sth of August 1818, he settled as its pastor and remained there for 18 years. While in Haddam,, Dr. Field, in addition to the faithful perform- ance of his duties in a very large parish, embracing the whole of the town lying west of the Connecticut River, became much interested in historical investigations, especially ingathering up local histories of towns and churches and in studying the memorials of the worthies of New England. He became an active member, and at one time vice-president of the Historical Society of Con- necticut, and the corresponding member of the Histori- cal Societies of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, and made many valuable contributions to the stock of locgl historical knowledge. In 1819, he published a very im- portant history of Middlesex county, and about the same time a history of the town of Haddam, which are the foundations for the histories which have been subse- quently written of that county and that town. HADDAM— BIOGRAPHIES. 409 Upon the termination of Mr. Field's pastorate in Stockbridge, he was again called to the pastorate of the church in Haddam where he was installed over the people of his early care on the nth of April 1836. In 1844, a division in the large church 'took place and a new church was organized at Higganum, and over this Dr. Field was settled, and continued pastor of that church until July 1850; making a service over a Con- gregational church in the one town for more than 28 years. Doctor Field also prepared an elaborate historical dis- course for the town and city of Middietown which was delivered on the 13th day of November 1850. Doctor Field also prepared, as a labor of love, a genealogy of the Brainerd family, of something more than 300 pages, which was published after he had ceased statedly to oc- cupy any pulpit. He gives his reasons for this work in the preface, as follows: " The Rev. Israel Brainerd, from Haddam, a class-mate of my only brother, in Yale Col- lege, was for some years the pastor of the first church in Guilford. One of the prominent members of my own class was William Fowler Brainerd, who for many years was an able and eloquent lawyer in Connecticut. * * * Soon after I began to preach, I was settled as pastor of the church in Haddam, where Daniel Brainerd lived, the ancestor of all the Brainerds in the United States. * * *• In my walks I often passed the spot where his youngest son, the Hon. Hezekiah Brainerd, lived and reared a large and very remarkable family of children; among these were the missionaries David and John Brainerd. ******* in passing the spot 1 could hardly refrain from pausing and meditating on the piety which existed there a hundred years before, and especially upon the extraordinary lives and characters of the two missionaries." Doctor Field was famous the country round as a hard working and faithful pastor, and was called by the hard- headed people of his early time, whose chief enjoyment was the reading of the sermons of Jonathan Edwards, Nathaniel Emmons, and Doctor Bellamy, " a great ser- monizer." He often, like all the preachers of those days, delivered what were called " all day discourses " — that is, a consecutive and logical discussion of the topic, quite too long for a single church service. Few of the people of to-day have very much concep- tion of the kind of service which the New England pas- tor performed seventy-five years ago. It was preaching in the morning, preaching in the afternooon, the meeting in the evening — which was called the "third service " — and then the evening prayer meeting, held night after night in one or the other of the outlying school districts of the town, so that those who remember the announce- ments for the week in the old H.iddam church, can re- call the sturdy physique of Dr. Field in the pulpit, stuck like the nest of the barn swallow far up on the side of the church, appointing a meeting for every evening of the week in one or the other of these far-off school districts, to begin, as the phrase was, " by early candle light." Two brothers, members of the Brainerd family, were, during Dr. Field's last pastorate in Haddam, led by him to erect an academy in the town, and for those times to endow it handsomely. The last days of Dr. Field were spent in Stock- bridge, and there he died April 15th 1867, almost 87 years old. Of Dr. Field's ten children, seven were born in Had- dam, one of whom died in infancy. The eldest, David Dudley Field, was born February 13th 1805, at Haddam, in what is known as the old Par- melee House, now standing. At the age of nine he was taken from the village school into his father's study and there taught Latin, Greek, and mathematics. At four- teen he entered an academy at Stockbridge, under a famous teacher, Jared Curtis; in 1821, he entered Wil- liams College, where he distinguished himself as a scholar; graduated in 1825, and went to Albany to study law. When he left home his father took him into his study, gave him a Bible to be his guide through life — a book which he keeps to this day — and kneeling down com- mended his first born son to the care and protection of Almighty God. He remained a few months at Albany, in the ofifice of Harmanus Bleeker, and then removed to New York and entered the office of the Sedgwick Brothers, who were also from Stockbridge; lavvyers of distinction, culture, and liberal practice. Upon the death of one of them Mr. Field became the partner of the survivor. He was admitted an attorney and solicitor in 1828, and counsellor in 1830, and he is at this writihr, November 1 884, still in full practice at the bars of the State and Federal Courts. Mr. Field has never held office, ex- cept for a few months in 1877, when he was elected to Con- gress to fill a vacancy. His practice as a lawyer has been various, extensive, and of the most important character. Litigations involving large sums of money, large personal interests, and great and disputed legal principles have oc- cupied his office, almost from the commencement of his practice. For years he has stood in the front rank of the lawyers of the United States, and has probably argued more causes involving questions of Constitu- tional law in the highest court of his own State, and of the United States, than any living lawyer. His services in the cause of law reform, beginning with pamphlets written in 1839, have been continuous and important, re- sulting in the general agitation of that subject in this country, and finally in the adoption of Codes, either framed by himself, or modelled upon those framed sub- stantially by him, in the State of New York, and in vari- ous other States of the Union. The Code of Civil Procedure was adopted in at least 24 States and Territories, and the Code of Criminal Procedure in some nineteen States and Territories; while in one, California, the five codes which Mr. Field was so largely instru- mental in preparing, were adopted. In the efforts to secure a codification of international law, Mr. Field has borne a foremost part. This topic was presented by him to the British Association for the promotion of Social Science, held at Manchester in 1866. In 1877, he pre- pared and published " Draft Outlines of an International 4IO HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Code," which attracted great attention and discufision, and has been translated into French, Italian and Chinese. Mr. Field is, and always was a democrat, but he belonged to the free soil wing of that party. He supported Mr. Van Buren as candidate for the presidency against Gen- eral Cass, and occupied a leading position in the repub- lican party during ihe whole period of the Civil war, taking the strongest stand in favor of an indissoluble union and of its maintenance by all the means at the command of the nation. He dissented from some of the reconstruction measures, but voted for Mr. Hayes for the presidency; he, however, believed that he was not elected, and took part with the democratic party in the struggle which followed that election. Mr. Field, in the controversies of the profession, is a formidable, unrelent- ing antagonist, and presses with the utmost earnestness upon the court, all the considerations properly available for his client. But to those who know him as a friend, he is genial, kindly, and beloved. Perhaps to see him at bis best, is to see him walking or driving over the hills and along the pathways with which he was familiar in his boyhood, in the old town where he was born. Quite re- cently there has been published a selection from the writings and forensic arguments of Mr. Field, in two volumes, which bring quite within the reach of all some of the best specimens of his remarkable power. Dr. Field's second child, Emilia, married Josiah Brewer, who became a missionary to Smyrna, and his his- tory is well known. Her eldest son, Fisk P., is an emi- nent Greek scholar ; her second son, David J., after having been a justice of the Supreme Court of Kansas, is now the circuit judge of the United States for the dis- trict which which embraces that State. Timothy, Dr. Field's third child, entered the United States navy, and died at an early age. Matthew D, the fourth child, born in Haddam, June 26th 181 1, became a railroad engineer, and the latter part of his life dwelt in Southwick, Massachusetts, where he died, March 1870. He was the means of bringing to the attention of his brother, Cyrus, the project of a tele- graph across Newfoundland, and spent two years in its construction, and may be said to have suggested to his energetic and successful brother, Cyrus, the great enter- prise with which his name is connected. Jonathan E., the fifth child, was born in Haddam, July nth 1813, graduated at Williams College in 1832; studied law with his brother, David Dudley, in New York. He was a scuccessful and prosperous lawyer in Stockbridge, and held an honorable place at Berkshire bar. He was a democrat in politics, but united with the republicans on the breaking out of the Civil war. He was elected to the State Senate of Massachusetts, and became and remained its president during three succes- sive terms, and so long as he continued a member of the body. He died on the 23d of April 1868. Stephen J. Field was born in Haddam on the 4th of No- vember 1 816. In 1829, he went with his sister Emilia to the East, where he remained for two years and a half visiting Ephesus, Scio, and indeed all places of interest in the Levant. He returned from the East in 1832, and in the fall of 1833, entered Williams College, where he gradu- ated in 1837, taking the highest honors of his class. He spent some time as a student at law in the office of John Van Buren, at Albany; subsequently entered his broth- er's office in New York, and being admitted to the bar in 1841, became his partner, a connection which was con- tinued for seven years. In 1848, he sailed for San Fran- cisco via Panama, and landed at Sin Francisco on the 28th of December 1849, with $10 in his pocket. He was fortunate in his movements in California, and his capacity and powers were speedily recognized.. He possessed that firmness of character, that determination, and that moral and physical courage, which were essen- tial to the holding of a position of real influence among the class of people who then occupied California, and the position which of right belonged to him was speedily recognized. In a volume of reminiscences, printed by Mr. Field for his friends, he gives a most interesting ac- count of his career in that new State, but the limits pre- scribed to us do not allow of quotations. In 1851, Mr. Field became a member of the Legislature of California, and took the most active part in the framing of laws for that State; and he probably did more toward laying the foundations for the legislation and legal system of Cali- fornia than any other one person. The mining laws of that State came largely from his hands. It is said, he was seldom absent from his seat; he carefully watched all measures proposed, and there were few debates in which he did not participate. At the close of the ses- sion, Mr. Field resumed his practice as a lawyer, and de- voted the next six years unremittingly to it; so that his practice became, perhaps, the largest and most remuner- ative of any lawyer in that State, and he was rec- ognized by all as among the leaders of the bar. In 1857, he was elected a judge of the Supreme Court, and on a vote of 93,000 he received a majority of 17,000 over both his opponents. In September 1859, he became chief justice, and occupied that position as long as he remained upon that bench. With great industry and patience he addressed himself to his judicial duties, and established a reputation as a judge second to that of none occupying a State bench; so that when, in 1863, Congress decided to create a judicial district on the west roast, and have a judge represent it on the Supreme bench, the whole Pacific delegation, senators and repre- sentatives, democrats and republicans, went in a body to President Lincoln and urged the appointment of Judge Field. No other name was presented by the bar of Cali- fornia in opposition. He was at once nominated by the president and unanimously confirmed. His commission was dated on the loth of March, but Judge Field did not take the oath of office until the 20th of May, and the reason the judge gave was, that the 20th of May was his father's birthday, and that he would be delighted that his son should on that day assume such an exalted position. Judge Field has now been 21 years on the bench of the Supreme Court, apd is the senior justice, with the single exception of Mr. Justice Miller, who took his seat lo l£^.JL "i'Elh .AJhEZM]II''Em. S3MJLBIfH. HADDAM— BIOGRAPHIES. 4ir months later. Space does not permit a mention of the important opinions written by Mr. Justice Field; opinions by the court, and opinions dissenting from the judgment of the court; all of which are of great importance, all well reasoned and demanding from the student careful consideration. An appreciative review of Mr. Field's career as a jurist was published some years ago by Prof. John Norton Pomeroy, to which those desiring familiarity with his ofificial career must be referred. This sumrrjary is well worth study, but far 'more worth the study is his judicial history as exhibited in the causes he has heard and decided, to be found in the reports of the Supreme Court of California, of the Circuit to which he is assigned on the west coast, and in the Supreme Court of the United States. In 1880, Mr. Justice Field was promi- nently before the country as a candidate for the presi- dency — he was not nominated. The delegates from his own State, California, voted against him, and probably on the ground that he had rendered a decision — a most righteous decision — holding a city ordinance of San Francisco, aimed against the Chinese, unconstitutional. Many republicans regretted that Mr. Justice Field did not receive the nomination, knowing the patriotic posi- tion which he held during our Civil war, and his belief that law, while it remains law, should be reverenced and obeyed, and they would gladly have trusted him with the presidency, even though elected under the name demo- ^ crat. The remaining children of Dr. Field, Cyrus W., Henry M., and Mary E., were born in Stockbridge. Major General Alexander Shaler. The State of Connecticut cannot be held amenable to the charge that " Republics are ungrateful," for her people point with pride to the long list of military heroes who have distinguished themselves on every bat- tle field from the Pequot war in 1637 down to the war of the Rebellion, and not only are the names of these men enshrined in the hearts of the people, but the rec- ord of most of them has been carefully preserved so that future generations may recall the deeds of these illus- trious heroes, and thus enkindle anew the fires of patriotism, which for the last two hundred years have been kept brightly burning. Among those who distinguished themselves in the war of the Rebellion was General Alexander Shaler, who, though he enlisted under the banner of the Empire State, is a native of Middlesex county, and is justly en- titled to a place in her annals, by the side of such men as Generals James Wadsworth, Samuel Holden Parsons, Return Jonathan Meigs, Comfort Sage, and Epaphrodi- tus Champion, of the Revolution, and General Joseph K. Mansfield, of the last war. The paternal ancestor of General Shaler, Thomas Shaler, came from Stratford-on-Avon (the home of Shakespeare) about 1662, and settled in the town of Haddam. Among his descendants was Captain Ira, the father of General Alexander Shaler, a seafaring man, who for some years commanded a vessel sailing between New York and the West Indies. In 1835, he removed his family to New York, and commenced the business of buying and selling stone, principally the North River blue stone. He married Jerusha, daughter of Josiah Arnold, of Haddam, by whom he had 10 children. Alexander, the eighth child, was born in the town of Haddam, March 19th 1827, and remained there until he was seven years of age, when his father removed to New York. He studied in the private schools of the city, and finished his education in Brainerd Academy in the town of Haddam, At the age of 17 he was taken into his father's employ, and on his father's retirement, three years subsequently, he took charge of the business and continued it until 1861. He was then at the head of three business firms, viz.: A. Shaler & Co., blue stone dealers, New York; A. Shaler, blue stone and building materials, Hoboken, N. J.; and Shaler, Gardner & Co., general contractors, Hudson county, N. J. At an early age he manifested a great desire to be- come conversant with military matters, and in 1845, be- ing but 18 years old, commenced his military career by enrolling in the Fifth company, Washington Grays, sub- sequently the Eighth regiment. New York State Militia. During his connection with this company he was well known for his prompt attention to drills, and his mili- tary deportment soon won for him the admiration of all his associates and promotion in the ranks. In 1848, he was transferred to the Second company. National Guard, Seventh regiment. Immediately after uniting himself with this company he was elected a sergeant, and before the close of the year was elected first lieutenant. While holding the latter position he was acknowledged to be one of the best commissioned officers in the regi- ment, and in 1850, was chosen captain of the company. Through his untiring efforts he acquired for his company the reputation of being the best drilled in the regiment. His drill room became the center of attraction on drill evenings, and among other distinguished visitors who were attracted thither in i860 was Lady Franklin, who was at the time on a visit to this country. Being a resident of New Jersey during a part of this period, he identified himself wilh the military of that State, and for five years was colonel of the First Regiment, Hud- son Brigade. This command afforded him an opportunity to familiarize himself with the details of the different arms of the service, as the regiment consisted of a battery of artil|lery, a cavalry corps, one rifle, and three infantry corps. He held the position as captain in the Seventh Regiment, National Guard, New York, for nearly 11 years. Dur- ing that time he instructed all the recruits, brought the company to a high state of efficiency, and increased the membership to its maximum number. Col. Emmons Clark, now commanding the Seventh regiment, was a member of the last class of recruits instructed by him. In i860, he resigned his command in New Jersey and was commissioned major of the Seventh regiment, Na- tional Guard of New York. 53 ^12 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. As a drill officer Captain Shaler had no superior. He was distinguished for activity, promptness, and correct- ness. His popularity as an officer was military, not per- sonal. He was at times severe, almost to rudeness, and sometimes petulant and morose, but these were consti- tutional failings, and generally confined to the drill room. When not in uniform he was a gay, social, and pleasant companion. He possessed a strong and discriminating mind, was an able executive officer, and possessed the firmness and resolution which secured the adoption of his plans and ideas. Colonel Clark says in his history of the " Second Com- pany:" " In person he was remarkably commanding, and in his appearance as an officer always attracted at- tention and admiration. Tall, straight, and well-pro- portioned, with an active and athletic figure, and an easy and confident carriage, he was the beau ideal oi a soldier. His face was not handsome nor expressive, nor was he particularly prepossessing in manner, but a brief ac- quaintance soon developed his many excellent and bril- liant traits of character." When the American flag was fired upon in Charleston Harbor in i86r, he offered his services to the government and immediately thereafter his regiment was encamped in Washington. Major Shaler was charged with the su- perintendence of all the drills and camp regulations. He succeeded while there in getting adopted a new manual of arms prepared by himself for the use of light infantry troops using the Minnie musket. So perfect and at the same time so simple was the manual that in two days after the first drill of the officers the regiment was exer- cised in it at dress parade. He continued with the regiment during its term of service of about six weeks, and soon after his return to New York was commissioned, by the president, lieuten- ant colonel ist United States Chasseurs (afterward 65th New York Volunteers). The selection of officers, the organization of the regiment, its drill and instructions, devolved upon him. In July 1862, after the Peninsula campaign, he was promoted to the colonelcy. His regi- ment was attached to the 6th Corps, and took part in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac. It maintained throughout the war a reputation for discipline, profi- ciency, and reliability in all the duties pertaining to field service, enjoyed by very few other regiments, and was about the last of the Army of the Potomac which was mustered out of service. After the assault on Marye's Heights, at Fredericks- burgh, Virginia, in May 1863, he was appointed brigadier general United States Volunteers, and assigned to the command of the ist Brigade, 3d Division, 6th Corps, the brigade to which his regiment was attached, and which he had commanded, by virtue of seniority, after the res- ignation of General John Cochrane, March ist 1863. He executed that memorable march with the 6th Corps, of 34 miles in 19 hours, to reach the battle field of Get- tysburg. In the winter of 1863-4, the brigade was sent to Johnson's Island, Sandusky Bay, to guard against the an- ticipated effort from Canada to release about two thou- sand Confederate prisoners of war. For three months General Shaler was in command of the prison, and in the spring returned to the Army of the Potomac, with three regiments, leaving the two largest at Sandusky. He was captured by the enemy in the battle of the Wilderness, May 6th 1864, and confined at Macon, Ga., for a few weeks, where many changes in the manage- ment and in the treatment of the prisoners were brought about as a result of the experience had at Johnson's Island. He was subsequently removed to Charleston, S. C, with the fifty general and field officers ordered by the Rebel government to be placed under fire of the Union batteries on Morris Island. After six weeks of impris- onment and exposure he was exchanged in Charleston Harbor with a number of other officers, and reported to the War Department. Upon application of General Canby, then commanding the military division of West Mississippi, General Shaler was ordered to New Orleans to take command of some western troops, and was as- signed by General J. J. Reynolds to the command of the 3d Brigade, 2d Division, 19th Corps, and by Gen. Sol. Meredith, commanding the Department of Kentucky to the Post of Columbus, Kentucky, where headquarters were established in November 1864. In December following. General Shaler was placed in command of the 2d Division, 7th Army Corps, and of the White River District in the Department of Arkansas, with headquarters at Duvall's Bluff. While in the 7th Corps he was appointed by the president to be Major- General of U. S. Volunteers by brevet. He was not mustered out of service until four months after the close of the war. He frequently received verbal and written acknowledgments from superior officers for gallant con- duct on the battle field. During his term of service he participated in the fol- lowing engagements: Lewinsville, Va., September nth 1861; Siege of Yorktown, Va., April 5th to May 4th 1862; Williamsburg, Va., May 5th 1862; Fair Oaks, Va., May 31st to June ist 1862; Malvern Hill, Va., July ist 1862; Antietam, Md., September 17th and i8th 1862; Williamsport, Md., September 19th 1862; Fredericks- burgh, Va., December nth and 13th 1862; Marye's Heights, Va., May 3d 1863; Salem Church, Va., May 3d and 4th 1863; Gettysburg, Pa., July 2d and 3d 1863; Rappahannock Station, Va., November 7th 1863; Mine Run, Va., November 27th and 30th 1863; Wilderness, Va., May 3d and 6th 1864; was a prisoner of war from May 6th 1864 to August 3d 1864. In July 1865, he was breveted major-general for " Continuous, faithful and meritorious services through- out the war, and especially for gallantry in the assault upon Marye's Heights, Fredericksburgh, and the battles, of Gettysburg and Wilderness." In 1866, soon after his return home. General Shaler was elected a member of the New York Board of Super- visors. Early in 1867, ^^ "f^S appointed by Gov. Fen ton, major- THOMAS J. CLARK. HADDAM— BIOGRAPHIES. 4>3 general of the First Division, National Guard, New York, which position he still holds. In the same year, he was appointed fire commissioner, and made president of the department. He held the position until legislated out of office by the charter of 1873. His great ability as an organizer was here displayed in a marked degree, and his long experience in military discipline soon made him master of the position. He introduced many features of drill and routine that tended greatly to promote the eiB- ciency of the department, and the city of New York is greatly indebted to him for the best drilled and most efficient fire department in the world. All the impor- tant rules and regulations now in force in this depart- ment were adopted during his administration, from 1867 and 1870, inclusive. Within this period the losses by fire in the city of New York were reduced from $6,000,000 per annum to $1,500,000. Gen. Shaler's great ability as an organizer was recog- nized in a marked degree by his being invited by the municipal authorities of Chicago, shortly after the great fire in that city in 1871, to reorganize its fire department. He was appointed consulting engineer to the Board of Police and Fire of that city, and spent three months in reorganizing and instructing the officers and members of the fire department. He has taken part in the suppression of every riot in New York and its vicinity since, and including the Astor Place riot in 1849, except the draft riots of 1863, at which time he was in command of troops in the field. He was one of the organizers, and for four years was vice-president and president of the National Rifle Asso- ciation; was an incorporator of the Army and Navy Club, commander of the military order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, a member of the Union League Club, the New York Historical Society, the American Geo- graphical Society, the American Museum of Natural History, the General Society of Mechanics and Trades- men, and other charitable, benevolent, and social organi- zations. By an act of the Legislature, in 1884, he was appointed a member of a board created to provide armories for the organizations of his military command. General Shaler has held many positions of trust and responsibility, but the greatest compliment ever paid him was his appointment, in 1883, of president of the New York Board of Health. The population of New York numbers upwards of 1,250,000, and is rapidly increasing. It is also one of the most cosmopolitan as well as one of the largest cities in the world. Thus it will be seen that when the health, comfort, and well-being of so many people are taken into account, the office of president of the Board of Health becomes one of the most important in the system of municipal government, requiring experience in dealing with large bodies of people as well as a thorough knowl- edge of their sanitary requirements. General Shaler assumed the duties of this position at a period when great dissatisfaction existed in regard to the sanitary condition of the city, and urgent appeals had been made, from time to time, by her citizens, to the State Legislature, to aid in the removal of legal obstruc- tions that hindered the efficiency of this department. His political opponents viewed with jealousy the appoint- ment, and determined to hold him to a strict account of his stewardship. He went quietly to work, however, without fear or favor, reorganizing the department, clas- sifying and prescribing the duties of officers and em- ployees, and in his selection of subordinates he had but one end in view, viz.: the efficiency of the department. His efforts to secure clean streets and the prompt re- moval of garbage, a renovation of the filthy tenement house districts, and cleanliness of the public markets, have resulted in a marked decrease in the death rate of the city. But few men have had so active and eventful a life. He was neither born nor reared in affiuence, but, enter- ing business, and taking upon himself the obligations of a husband at the age of 20, he has, by his industry and frugality, secured a reasonable competency. In all his undertakings he has been eminently successful. The issue of his marriage with Miss Mary McMurray, of New York city, has been four daughters and one son; the latter having recently graduated, with high honors, at Cornell University, is about entering a life of usefulness which promises to be no less distinguished than that of his honored sire. Thomas J- Clark. Wlliam Clark was one of the 28 young men who, in the summer of i66j, settled on what was then known as "the lands at thirty mile island," subsequently (in 1668) called Haddam. He came from Hartford, and settled, with a few others, on the rising ground, back from the town meadow, beginning at the eastern point of Walkley Hill and extending down to the grave yard. While the Brainerds and Shalers left a numerous prog- eny, there are but few of the Clarks now remaining. These, however, are fitting representatives of their worthy ancestor — tough, hardy, honest, enterprising men, with strong individualitv, but modest and unassuming in their manners. Thomas J., the subject of this sketch, was the eldest son of George W. Clark and Cynthia Selden, being a direct descendant of William Clark, one of the original proprietors of the town of Haddam. He was born at Haddam on the 21st day of September 1830. His childhood was spent in " roughing it " amid the rocks and hills of his native town. He received a few months' instruction in the rudimentary branches at the public school. When he was but 15 years of age, he commenced working in the quarries and doing odd jobs of mason work. The strong spirit of self-reliance and independence were manifested at this early age, and three years later he started for Apalachicola, landing there in the fall of the year an entire stranger. He didn't sit down, Micawber like, " waiting for some- thing to turn up," but soon after engaged as an assistant in the engineer's department of a cotton pressing estab- 414 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. lishment. He soon learned to run an engine and earned good wages as an engineer. For two or three years he spent his winters at Apalachicola, and his summers at the north working at his trade as a stone mason. For several years after this he was engaged in the construc- tion of important works at different places, among which was the Asylum Street Depot in Hartford, erected in 1848. He subsequently entered into partnership with his brother, George M., taking large contracts for the erection of bridges, mill works, factories, etc., the stone and mason work being entirely under his supervision. He was engaged with his brother in the erection of the Russell Manufacturing Company's building at Higganum, and soon after this started with his brother the extensive manufacturing business now carried on by the Higganum Manufacturing Company. Mr. Clark is modest and retiring in his habits, but possesses those sterling qualities which go to make up the solid men of our country. He has never sought political honors, but attended quietly to his business affairs, and has aided materially in the development of one of the most prominent branches of industry in this country. In this he is now, and has been from the com- mencement of the business, an important factor. He is vice-president and has the general management of the mechanical department of the Higganum Manufacturing Company. On the 7th of December 1854 he married Elizabeth Quick, of Masthope, Pa., by whom he has had four children: Arthur, born August 2d 1858; Efifie Elizabeth, born December 21st i860; Alvan Thomas, born October 14th 1862; and Ada Selden, born February 24th 1871. The death of his first wife occurred on the 13th of July 1873, and on the 4th of November 1874 he married Sophia M. Warner, of Montrose, Pa. One child, Nina Gertrude, is the issue of this marriage. Until quite recently Mr. Clark has taken no active part in public affairs, but during the fall of 1884 the people of his native town insisted on his accepting the position of selectman, which his long experience and thorough knowledge of the duties incident thereto fully qualify him to fill. George Marshall Clark. George Marshall Clark is a thorough specimen of what Yankee pluck, perseverance, energy, and determination can accomplish. Inheriting nothing from his ancestors but his undaunted courage and indomitable will, he has left his impress not only upon the history of his own town and county, but his individuality is stamped on everything he has been connected with since his entrance upon the stage of life. He has cut and carved his way inch by inch through his own unaided efforts. It is said by his friends that the secret of his success in everything he undertakes is his bull-dog tenacity — " he never lets go except to get a better hold." For boldness of concep- tion, originality of thought and ability to execute, he has few equals. His ancestor, William Clark, was one of the twenty- eight young men who settled in Haddam in the summer of 1662. His father was George W. Clark, who was a farmer, contractor, and stone cutter. His mother was Cynthia, daughter of Thomas Selden, of Haddam Neck, a descendant of Colonel Selden, of the Revolution. Four children were born to them: Thomas J., George M., Henry L., and Mary. George M., the second child, was born at Haddam, on the nth of June 1833. While, like most boys of his age, his opportunities for acquiring an education were limited to the winter months, his whole course of study did not exceed fifteen months. He at- tended a private school during a portion of this time, and surprised his teacher by his progress in mathematics, for which he had an especial fondness. His father died when he was but twelve years of age, and the support of the family devolved on him and his elder brother. He commenced by getting jobs at farm work away from home, sending all his earnings to his mother. This he continued for three years, working a portion of the time at cloth dressing and wool carding. He subsequently worked about eighteen months at blacksraithing and making edge tools. He next took up ship and house carpentering, which he followed for about ten years, tak- ing jobs from Bangor, Me., to New Orleans, La. When he was but 17 years of age he started for Savannah, Ga., with $14 in his pocket; took steerage passage, and when he arrived he had just " four-pence-half-penny '' left. He soon obtained a job, however, and that winter he sent home $200 in gold to his mother, and when he returned in the spring, brought back $250 more. He was already a "jack-at-all-trades," and proficient in all, and he took contracts to build houses and engaged largely in-ship building, put up saw mills, etc.; he could also repair a boiler or weld a shaft equally as well. Whatever he undertook to do he accomplished. His motto was "what I will to do I can do." During 10 years he worked at the North during the summer months, and his winters were spent mostly in South Carolina and Georgia. In 1855, he was foreman for Stanton & Pendleton, of Stonington, who were engaged in fitting out whale ships. In 1856, he was foreman for Tom Brown, of Sag Harbor, who was engaged in the same business. In the fall of 1859, he engaged with the Meriden Cutlery Company as a journeyman carpenter for two weeks at |i.7S per day per day. The company was at this time engaged in reconstructing and enlarging their whole works. At odd hours during this period, and without the knowledge of the company,' Mr. Clark went over the ground, made his examinations and drew plans of all the works that were to be constructed. These were sul^mitted to the company and at the next meet- ing of the directors were adopted. Mr. Clark was at once placed in charge of all their outside mechanical operations at a salary of $10 per day. His brother, Thomas J , was an equal partner with him, and they were engaged for some years as contractors and jobbers, and until quite recently they divided equally their profits. They not only constructed dams, bridges, HADDAM— BIOGRAPHIES. 41S buildings, &c., for the Meriden Cutlery Company, but took other contracts for the same class of work, the magnitude of which is shown in the fact that they em- ployed at times upwards of 300 men. They constructed all the works of the Russell Manufacturing Company, located at Haddara. Mr. George M. Clark was the chief engineer in the construction of the Leesville bridge across the Salmon River, said to be one of the best country bridges in New England. He also makes plans and gives estimates for parties in and out of the State for the construction of dwellings, factories, bridges, dams, &c., devoting to these operations only such time as is not required for his other duties. In the fall of 1867, he and his brother commenced the erection of a factory at Higganum. On its completion, they went into the manufacture of mowing machines, George M. having, in the mean time, invented a new mechanical movement for these machines, but after continuing their manufacture for a short time, they discovered that they were infringing on other machines, and rather than pay the extravagant royalty required they abandoned the business and commenced the manu- facture of agricultural implements. At the beginning of their operations a stock company was organized, of which George M. Clark was president and his brother vice-president. Mr. George M. Clark invented and pat- ented a number of improvements on agricultural im- plements, all of which were turned in to the company. He frequently took contracts for work outside of his manufacturing business. In 1871, while engaged in the construction of a reservoir dam, the derrick fell, killing one man and seriously injuring Mr. Clark. He was picked up senseless and conveyed to his home, and though almost a helpless cripple for several weeks, he at- tended to all the details of his business, giving minute directions for everything connected with it. This al- most fatal accident suggested the invention of a wire rope clamp, which he soon after patented, being the first and only device ever used for this purpose. It ef- fectually prevents the slipping of the rope, and has doubtless been the means of saving many lives thereby. The magnanimity of Mr. Clark was displayed soon after this when another firm commenced the manufacture of a similar device, thereby infringing on his patent. In- stead of commencing an action against them, as most men would do under the circumstances, he went quietly to the members of the firm and explained the circum- stances which led to the invention, and offered to let them dispose of all the goods they had manufactured, making no charge for the damage he had sustained. This is only one of the many incidents that illustrate the great generous-heartedness and tender sympathy of the man. Often his workmen have become involved in trouble through sickness or other causes. They had only to make their wants known to receive immediate assist- ance. It would be a matter of interest to the people of Higganum to read the record of many of these little acts of kindness; but while a man is living these must remain untold. Mr. Clark has taken an active part in politics; is the leader of the republican party in this section, and for the last 18 years has been one of the town committee of the party. He is the Warwick of his parly, and has invari- ably refused to accept any office himself. He has, how- ever, recently been elected a representative to the Legis- lature by a majority of 73, while 20 years ago the town gave a democratic majority of 175. As an evidence of his far-sightedness and good judg- ment, it is said of him that though he has often taken contracts for work of which he had no personal knowl- edge, yet he never made a mistake in his calculations, or lost a dollar on a job. He is an earnest and faithful patron of all objects of benevolence. He was a member of Columbia Lodge, F. & A. M., of East Haddam, and a charter member of Granite Lodge, of Haddam; is a member of Burning Bush Chapter, R. A. M., of Essex, Connecticut, and of Cyrene Commandery of Middletown. On the 26th of August i860, he married Clementina, daughter of Edwin B. Bonfoey, of Haddam, by whom he has had four children: Estelle Eugenia, born September 17th 1864; Harriet Cynthia, born January 3d i86g, died February 25th 1873; Clementina and Isabel, twins, born August 26th 1871, Isabel died June 25th 1872. Mr. Clark has expended some $30,000 in the improve- ment of the old homestead, where his brother, Henry L., resides, on Haddam Neck. This brother met with an accident when quite a young man which rendered him a partial cripple for life. Samuel Benjamin Bailey, M. D. John Baylie, the ancestor of Samuel B., was among the 28 proprietors who obtained permission from the General Court to establish a plantation at Thirty Mile Island, subsequently known as the town of Haddam, and who commenced the settlement in 1662. He came from Hartford, where, in 1656, he was a constable. He located above Mill Creek, between the lands of Thomas Smith and Daniel Brainerd. He had three sons, viz.: John, Benjamin, and Nathaniel. Christopher, the grandfather of Dr. Bailey, was a soldier of the Revolution, who enlisted in the Seventh Connecticut regiment, made up of troops from Saybrook, Killingworth, Guilford, and Haddam. He served his country faithfully for six years, and many years after the close of the Revolution, being asked by some one whether he was drafted, he became very indignant, and replied: " Drafted ? No ! When my country called for me I went. I didn't wait to be drafted." Benjamin, the father of Dr. Bailey, was born at Had- dam on the 20th of May 1791, and died on the 13th of December 1872. On the 23d of January 1817, he mar- ried Lauranna, daughter of Capt. Charles Tryon, of Middletown, by whom he had nine children. Samuel B., the fifth child, the subject of this sketch, was born at Haddam on the 26th of January 1826. As a youth he evinced a great fondness for study, and availed himself of every opportunity for the acquisition 4t6 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. of knowledge. Long before he arrived at the age of ma- turity he commenced the study of medicine, which he pursued with great assiduousness and zeal. He subse- quently attended lectures in Philadelphia, and after re- ceiving his diploma in 1859, he commenced practice in his native town. He still continued his studies, and in 1864, he went to New York and took a course of lectures in Bellevue Medical College. He was a private pupil of Dr. Austin Flint, in ausculation and percussion. He also took a course with Dr. Frank Hamilton in operative sur- gery. In 1865, he returned to Haddam and resumed his practice, where he has since continued. His professional duties take him from one end of the town to the other, and he is often compelled to ride long distances, exposed to the blinding storms of winter, and the intense heat of summer, frequently with no other hope of reward than the simple "God bless you," from some poor afflicted, helpless patient. The experience, education, and natural ability of Dr. Bailey would have won him distinction and fame in a larger field, but his strong attachment to the town that gave him birth, and to the home of his childhood, proved more potent than the desire for wealth or fame. Dr. Bailey is greatly beloved by his friends and neigh- bors, and he commands the same respect and affection of the children, that distinguished the old doctors of long ago. His success as a physician can only be measured by the implicit confidence which his patients havt in him, and, in his extensive practice, he has to deal with many serious and complicated cases, which, owing to the long distance between his residence and those of his profes- sional brethren, compel him to rely on his own judg- ment. During his long professional career he has found time to engage in genealogical and historical research, and he has become thoroughly familiar with the history of the early settlers and the old landmarks of his native town. The people of Haddam, as well as the compilers of the history of Middlesex county, are largely indebted to him for valuable aid in compiling a history of the town. On the 19th of March 1862, he married Sarah S. Price, daughter of Patrick Price, a native of Georgia, by whom he had one son and three daughters. Samuel Arnold. Samuel Arnold was born in Haddam, Middlesex county, Connecticut, June 1st 1806. He received his education at Plainfield Academy, in Connecticut, and Westfield Academy, Massachusetts. He has devoted the most of his life to agricultural pursuits, and to various interests of commerce; having also for many years carried on one of the most extensive stone quarries in the Union. He was, also, for a number of years, president of the bank of East Haddam. He served his native county in the Legis- lature during the years 1839, 1842, 1844, and 1851, and was elected to the Thirty-fifth Congress as a representa- tive from Connecticut, serving as a member of the committee on claims. SAMUEL B. BAILEY, M.D. TOWN OF KILLINGWORTH. By Hon. William H. Bubll. OLD KILLINGWORTH. Extent and Boundaries. KILLINGWORTH was originally bounded on the south by Long Island Sound, on the west by Guilford, on the east by Saybrook, and on the north by the wilderness. Subsequently more definite bounds were established, fixing the east bounds to terminate on the sea shore at the " riding way." Two or three times after this the lines were run. The south line was made to terminate in the woods, nearly a mile west of the " riding way," and the bridge over the Menunketesuc River was included in Saybrook, and has remained so ever since. The following is from the General Court records, 1676: " This Court recommends it to the inhabitants of Kenil- worth to accommodate Say Brooke in the bounds be- tween them, soe that Say Brooke may run from the river towards the west three miles at their north bounds. And from thence to run a straight line' till they meet with the line where the 'wading place ' is at Manunketissick." The settlers were constantly beset with trouble as to boundaries. Guilford was originally bounded on the east by the west]bank of Hammonassett River, but when the General Court ordered a bridge to be built across the river, Guilford was ordered to build one-half of the bridge and the middle of the river was made the line of division. Another source of affliction was, Saybrook claimed to own the territory, and finally several, if not all, owners of real estate in Killingworth paid to Say- brook a sort of hush money to keep matters quiet. Settlement of the Town. The present Clinton was the original Killingworth. Main street was the identical ground where the first set- tlers took their home lots. These were surveyed in 1663, and were alloted to them by some method analogous to " drawing cuts." It may have been by drawing num- bers from a hat or box. Lot No. i was on the south side of Main street, east of Indian River, and is now owned and occupied by George E. Elliot, Esq. It was owned and occupied by Rev. Jared Eliot in his day, and has ever since remained in the possession of the Eliot family. Killingworth was originally a piece of ground "left out " as not worth settling. Guilford had been settled as a part of New Haven colony as early as 1640. Saybrook had been settled as early as 1635, an independent colony. Guilford was settled east of its center, on the beautiful lands of Hammonassett, on the west bank of that river. Saybrook settlers had reached west from their center to the equally rich lands east of Westbrook meeting house, and south of Main street. But the passage from Say- brook to Guilford was, at that time, almost an impossi- bility, even for a daring hunter. To travel with wheels was an impossibility. A river on the east was unfordable' for two miles, except at low tide at the mouth, called the "riding way" as early as 1663. There was another "riding way" on the Menunketesuc, about two miles north, at Chapman's Mills. The dividing line between Clinton and West- brook runs through the mill building. On the west was no ford on the Hammonassett River, except about two miles north of Main street, Clinton, just below Ham- monassett Mills. Tradition says that footmen between Saybrook and Guilford kept along the seabeach of Long Island Sound. But there was a delightful spot at the head of a beautiful harbor, where the first settlers lo- cated Main street. This street runs a little north of west and south of east about a half mile north of the head of the harbor. An abundance of oysters, fish, and clams were to be found in the harbor and in the rivers as far up as salt water flowed. In March 1663, the General Court appointed: " Wm. Wadsworth, Ens. Auery, and Lnt. Smith a com- mittee to veiw the lands at Homonoscitt and if they judg be not fitt for a plantation, and will not be uery prejudiciall to Say Brook, then they are to lay it out to Mr. Math: AUyn, Capt. Tallcott, John Allyn & Mr. Willis and according to the grant of the court, but if it be prejudicial to Saybrook they are to lay out what they judge right to the town of Say Brook and the rest to Mr. Matthew Allyn, Capt. Talcott, Mr. Willys, Mr. Joseph Haynes or Mr. Daniell Clerk according as the court shall determine, as far as it will go according their graunts, ye 4i8 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. ist graunt to be laid out ist, and so successiuly, and what any two of this committee agree to shall be a final issue of the case. The time of meeting and attending this service is to be appoynted by Say Brook and the gent concerned sometime in June next." " The committee appoynted to view Hamnionascit returned a writing under their hands dated June 3d 1663 wherein they expressed that according to their best judg- ment it will make a comfortable plantation for the enter- tainment of Thirty families to subsist comfortably." The committee were Wm. Wadsworth, Samuel Smith, and James Avery. ''This Court doth juilge that Sea Brook hath no right to Hammonascit. " This Court doth declare that the former act about Hammonascit not being a plantation is hereby revoked, and \.\\e. former order that it should be a plantation is to stand. " To prevent future inconveniences that may arise be- tween Say Brook and Hammonascit plantation, and for a full issue of this case, the court orders that the bounds between ye sd plantations shall be where the common passage over Menunketesuc River is, and so run north into the country, and south into the sea. The former vote concerning the bounds of these plantations is re- tracted. Mr. [Bryan] Rossiter, Matthew Griswold, and John West are to lay out the bounds according to order of Court." Bryan Rossiter, of Guilford, was a surveyor, and measured and laid out Main street, Clinton. He took a chance in the drawing for a "home lot," and his brother John also. Bryan Rossister remained in Guilford, but John came and remained with the settlers at Clinton. Matthew Griswold was then of Saybrook, an emigrant from Windsor, in the employ of Col. Fenwick. He fur- nished Lady Fenwick's tomb. It is not known that he was a stone cutter, but the bill of its cost was furnished by him. He was afterward one of the first settlers of Lyme, and was ancestor of Governors Matthew and Roger Griswold. He was a younger brother of Edward Griswold, one of the first settlers of Killingworth. The above copy of record seems to be the first copy of record concerning what the next year was named Kenil- worth, from the place in England from which Edward and Matthew Griswold came. From this name or man- ner of naming a fair inference is that Edward Griswold was the most prominent man of the little colony; espe- cially as he was the first delegate to the General Court, a justice of the peace in Windsor, and first deacon of the church. How was it that the people of Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfield knew of this little spot of ground unsettled? It may have been that Matthew Griswold, who had pre- viously removed to Saybrook, had traveled the road from Saybrook to Guilford, and perhaps hunted over the grounds, and had communicated his knowledge to his brother, Edward, who, although 64 years old, was ready to try the hard task of obtaining a livelihood in a wild uncultivated tract of ground, where a committee had solemnly reported that 30 families might obtain a "comfortable subsistence." The most attractive grounds of the plantation were almost surrounded by salt water at high tide. The following is from the Records, Vol. I, page 238: " The determination and conclusion of the committee chosen by the General Assembly for the ordering of the settling of Hammonasset, Oct. 1663. The binding arti- cles concluded on by the said committee: 1. That none put in above a Hundred Pound Estate for the Division of Land. 2. That every man's Proportion be laid out by lot. 3. That every one that puts in his name for a Planter Remove himself & family & Settle within two years from this time or else to forfeit his land to the Company or Plantation. 4. That every family so Removed & Settled abide for four years after the first two years have expired or else to lose their Land Receiving only the equitable expense. 5. If any Magistrate Remove thither he is to attend the same manner as the rest provided that he is to have some addition of Land beyond his proportion in consid- eration of his place as the Company shall think meet. 6. That there be a convenient allotment Reserved for the minister forever. 7. That they Shall Settle an Able Orthodox & Godly Minister free from Scandal with the advice of the major part of the Magistrates of Connecticut. 8. That none shall have an alotment for a greater Estate than he carried to the place. g. That there shall be thirty families on the east side of Hammonasset at the least.. Subscribed by f Samuel Wyllvs, the \ Henry Woolcott, Committee. ( Will'm WADSvi^ORTH. "Entered as Planters by the Committee: "Bryan Rossiter, Josias Hull sen., John Clow senr.,* Jonas Westover, William Huydon, Simon Mills,* John Clow jur.,* Josiah Gibberd,* Edward Griswold, William Kelsey, Josiah Ellsworth,* William Barber, John Meigs senr., John Stedman,* Samuel Buell, Matthew Beiquett,* John Skinner,* William Wellman, Robert Howard,* Richard Warkley.* "And that there be a liberty for two or three of Strat- ford & also Mr. Matthew Allyn is to have a liberty ac- cording to the articles & so it is left to the major part of those admitted to entertain the rest of number agreed upon which is to be at least thirty families in all. "All subscribed unto by the f Samuel Wyllvs, "Coinmittee •< Henry Wolcott, ( Will'm Wadsworth." The following " allotment of the several inhabitants of Hammonascit " is from page i of the town records of Killingworth: " Thomas Smith, William Barber, John Meggs, William Kelcey, Mr. John Woodbridge, Josias Rositer, Henry Farnam, William Wellman, George Chatfield, Thomas Stevens, Edward Griswold, William Huyton, Samuel ♦Those followed by * never settled. KILLINGWORTH— LAND TITLES. 419 Buell, John Kelcey, Robert Williams, granted, John Net- lleton, granted, Annanias Turnery, purchase, John Rosi- ter, by agreement, John Meggs, granted, John Shether, purchase of Jonathan Dunnin, George Sanders, granted, William Stevens, Josiah Hull senr., Eliezer Isbel, granted, Isaac Griswold, purchase, Jonathan Dunin." In 1669, the following list of freemen of the "Towne of Kennelworth," is recorded: Mr. John Woodbridge, Mr. Edward Griswold, Josiah Hull, John Rosseter, John Wilcockson, Samuel Buell, Jonas Westover, Eliazer Isbel, William Stevens, Nathaniel Parmerly, William Barber, John Meigs senr., Andrew Warde, William Keilsey, Wil- liam Welman, George Chatfield, Thomas Stevens, John Keilsey, John Meiggs jr., Josiah Hull, John Rosseter, townsmen; George Chatfield, constable. The actual first settlers were 21 in number. The act of the General Court required 30 families to settle be- fore an act of incorporation could be granted them. They gradually increased until 1685, when the General Court incorporated them or granted them a " patent." Patent of 1703. In 1703, a new patent was granted to the inhabitants of Killingworth by the General Assembly. " This assembly doth grant to Lieut. Henry Crane, William Stephens, Samuel Buell, and John Kelsie, and their associates, the present proprietors and inhabitants of Killinworth, their heirs, succesors, and assignes for- ever according to their and each of their respective and juft rights therein all that tract of land lying between the tracts of land belonging to the inhabitants of the towns of Gilford and Say Brook, butted and bounded as followeth, viz, on the south or southward by the sea, On the east or eastward running north from the sea to a white oak staddle on the banks with the top cut off and a heap of stones about it; thence runing a north line to a white oak tree standing in the line near Ma, na, qua, trsett, River at the old riding place* marked with K B on the west and with S B on the east Thence running a north line to Haddam bounds where is a heap of flat stones cast up; and near Haddam is marked two chestnutt trees growing on one root, close by a great rock which is upright || like a wall on the south side; on the north running from said heap of stones in Haddam lines due west to an oak tree marked with H B on the north side and K B on the south side with a heap of stones laid about it. From thence a due west line to the westermost branch of Hammonascit River. On the west by the middle of the said Hammonascit River, as the river runs till it falls into the seas. Together with all and singular the rights, profits, privileges, member and appurtances to the said tract of land or any part thereof belonging or in any wise appertaining, and doe order that the parties above named shall have a patent for confirmation of the prem- ises to them their heirs, successors, and assigns as *Tbia riding place is believed to be inland from the sea where are now Chapman's Mills, and this running of a new line is the change that left Benjamin Wright in Saybrook. above mentioned. The pattent to be signed by the Hon'r'l the Governor and by the Secretary in the name and behalfe of the Governor and company of this Col- ony." Notwithstanding these two patents, the first settlers were so anxious for the security of the titles to their land that they took a title deed from the secretary of State [see State Archives, also records of the town of Killing- worth], afterward paid tUe town of Saybrook to satisfy their claim, and again purchased the Indian title from Uncas, sachem of the Mohegans. Deeds From Unc-vs. A Deed 0/ Sale from Uncas. — " Witnese this writing made betwixt William Leete and Samuel Kitchel on the one part and Uncas the Mohegan or his son Ahaddon, alias Joshua, on the other part these, we the said Uncas and Ahaddon being the rightful heirs and possessors of all the lands royalties and privileges betwixt the East river of Guilford and Athammonassett river, and having sold most part of the land toMr. Fenwick and unto Guilford men long since i. e. all beneath Connecticut path to the seaside for valuable considerations already had and received, do now of our free will bargain and sell all the rest of the lands royalties and privileges to us belonging, which land runs half way Notowepesack which right came to us by Uncas' marriage of the daugh- ter of Erhequanach who dwelt at Athamanonassett and she was mother to the said Ahaddon. We say these lands rights royalties and privileges we do sell and deliv- er up unto the said William Leete and Samuel Kitchel to them and their heirs forever for and in consideration of an Indian coat worth thirty shillings and a shirt cloth worth ten shillings now had and received of the said William Leete and Samuel Kitchel in testimony of the truth of all the premises well interpreted and understood by us we have set to our hands this 13th of January 1663. " It was after the former writing agreed that Uncas or his son shall have leave to hunt in fit season within these tracts observing the directions of the said English and doing no hurt to them or their cattle. " In the presence of Thomas Chittenden, John Chittenden, Andrew Leete. " Dated January 13, 1663." Second Deed from Uncas. — "These Presents Witness that I Uncas Sachem Mohegan have hereby sold unto Mr. George fenwick a considerable parcel of the Land now Lying within the bounds of the Town of Killing- worth we Woncas & Joswah my son do by these Presents alianate assigin & pass ouer forever all our Right & In- terest whatsoever in all or any of the Land lying within the bound & Limits of the Town of Killingworth to the Inhabitants there which I have not formerly sold to Mr. George Fenwick & we Do by these Presents Ratify & Confirm this Sale to the s'd Inhabitants of Killingworth them their Heirs or Assigns — To have & to hold enjoy & possess forever free from any molestation by either of 54 420 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. us Woncas or Joswah or any other Person or persons from by or under us only we reserve Six acres of Land on the great Hammock four acres about to the middle of the Hammock and the other two acres at the East end of the Hammock of the best of the Land there & also free Liberty to hunt in the wood & fish in the Rivers and Harbours & to make of any trees for Canves & Rushes & flags to make Matts — & for the true perform- ance here of we have Interchangably Set to our hand this present November 26. In the year of our Lord 1669. "The mark of X Wonkas. "The mark of X Joswah his son. "Witness "Henry Crane "Nathan Bradlay." SayBROOK vs. KiLLINGWORTH. It appears from the Town Records of Killingworth, vol. I, p. 192, that there was in the early history of the county a quarrel between the towns of Killingworth and Saybrook. In regard to this matter the following from the records may be of interest: " Whereas there hath been a difference between Say- brook and Kennelworth Respecting the Land they do possess the Inhabitants of Saybrook being from the Con sideration of a peaceable Issue and that So there be unity and unanimity between us both the Inhabitants of Saybrook & Killingworth have therefore agreed and concluded on the Respects aforesaid & Thirty Pounds made sure by obligation bearing date herewith all & this underwritten Conveyanceis a full and final Issue between the Towns as above s'd " Know all ye therefore that we whose names are hereunto subscribed do in the name & on behalf & by order from th Town of Saybrook alienate & make over unto the Inhabitants of Killingworth all our Right title, claims & Interests which they possess falling within the boundaries of that Line which Runs north & South be- ing by Mr. Nathaniel White & to deac'n John Hall both of Middletown which was Run by Court order unto Hammonasset River, and from the sea to Haddam Bound from us our Heirs and Successors to them their Heirs & Successors forever. To have hold & quietly possess & enjoy without let trouble or molestation the aforesaid Land Either by us our Heirs & Successors or any for us in our names the mean- ing of Rights title, Claim & Interest as above mentioned is that which we have Rec'd both from Indians & En- glish — also the Land that the Wrights now enjoy which was sold them by Saybrook Tovvn before the last Run- ning of the dividend Line between Saybrook & Killing- worth the S'd Wrights are quietly to enjoy according to the tenor of the Deed of Sale which they had from Say- brook without any molestation from the Town of Killing- worth or any of them their Heirs or Successors. "This Deed of Conveyance is made over unto Mr. Edward Griswold, Samuel Buell, John Kelsey, In the behalf & for the use of the Town of Killingworth by us Samuel Jones John Chapman & John Whittlesey. " In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and Seals this 12th Day of Sept. A. 1684. " Samuel Jones [Seal] " John Chapman ' [Seal] " John Whittlesey [Seal] " Signed Sealed & Delivered In presence of us "Joseph Blague " Ephraim Howard. " Samuel Jones, John Chapman & John Whittlesey, each & all of them this 12th Day of Sept. 1684 Declared the above Instrument to be their act and Deed Before me. " Robert Chapman, Assistant." The Town of Killingworth "by their vote March ye i6th 1687 ordered that the Recorder should make Rec- ord of what was Disbursed for the Purchase of Land within their Township of Saybrook Town & the names of those that Did Disburse monies to the sd Purchase & the Respective Sums that each man paid — this to be entered in the book of Record for Land." It appears from page 138, vol. i, that the following persons " Did Disburse money for Saybrook purchase," viz.: £. s. d. " Captain Allen 2 — o " William Palmer i — o " Widow Willcox i — ro " Samuel Buel sen 2 '■ Jonas Westover i — o " Nathaniel Haydon a — o " John Griswold 2 " Daniel Kelsey o — 10 " Azariah Beach o — 10 " Christopher Tooley o — 7 — 6 " William Stevens i — 10 " Thomas Stevens o — 6 " Joseph Hull o — 6 " John Hull 0—15—0 " Andrew Ward i — o " Josiah Rossiter o — 10 " Mr. Bailey i— o " Will'm Barber i— o " Henry Crane i — 10 " John Kelsey i — 10 " Augustine Williams o — 5 " Peter Farnam o — 10 " Serg't Thomas Stevens i — o " Joseph Wright i — o " John Nettelton o — 15 " Wm. Goldsmith j — 10 " Wm. Wellman o— 10 " John Rossiter j q "Samuel Shethar o — 10 "James Stevens o 10 " John Lee o — 7 6." The following is from Vol. i, p. 176, Killingworth Records: ■' We the underwritten being appointed by the Court to run the line of the bound between Saybrook & Had- dam & betwixt Saybrook & Killingworth & the West KILLINGWORTH— THE ABORIGINE c«. 421 line of Killingworth unto Guilford bound have attended the same as followeth — first we begun betwixt Saybrook & Haddara at an Oak tree by the River Side before agreed on by both Towns which tree is marked with the Letter H on the North Side & with the Letter S on the South Side from whence (record ends suddenly). " April ye 4th A. D. 1699 — We whose names are un- derwritten being appointed to Run the line between Guil- ford and Killingworth have agreed that the heaps of Stones that we have this day made in the branch of Hammonasset River against a White oak tree with a heap of Stones at the Root of it & a ftone in the Crutch of it s'd heaps of Stones it is the North easterly corner of Guilford & the said Branch to be the Dividing Line be- tween s'd Towns according to the Running thereof till s'd branch falls into the Sea. Joseph Hurd Sen'r. William Stevens. Thomas Crittenedn. Samuel Buel. John Crane. Grant of Land to Soldiers. "May 21, 1688 — The Town by their Vote granted to those that were out soldiers in the Indian War, to wit Nathaniel Haydon; John Griswold; John Hull; Daniel Kelsey; Joseph Hull; Samuel Stevens; John Shethar; Samuel Shethar; Daniel Clark; John Lee; John Menter: Six acres of Land a piece in the wood without the two miles bound & to be taken up in two Fields the one on the westerly Side of the Indian River & the other on the Easterly Side of the S'd River which Land is not to prejudice no former grant or Highways nor to hinder or Debar any coming unto or carting from either of the Cedar Swamps. "Also Timothy Stevens is granted Six acres of Land he taking it up with the foresaid persons which Land is to be taken up & laid out within half a year. "That whereas the Town Did in the year — 88 grant unto that went out Soldiers in the Indian War Six acres of Land apiece whose names are Record & they having upon Reasons given neglected their taking of it in the Time prefixed them, the Town do now Confirm their grant unto them — provided they take it up within two months after the Date hereof & in two equal fields & all other terms as is upon Record at a Town Meeting Dec'r 21 — 1696." Indians. Previous to the settlement of Killingworth by the whites, the Indians had nearly all left, leaving only a few wigwams of superannuated ones and females who had not a disposition to remove with those of the fight- ing braves who had not been slaughtered in previous battles with the whites. The first settlers were not molested by Indians. They ordered two forts built in the town, and a draft on all above 16 years of age to assist in the work, but tradition says they were not molested. The occupants of the wigwams at the head of the har- bor were too poor and needy to be quarrelsome. A vote was passed in town meeting forbidding the letting of land to an Indian. Tradition says the last Indian resident was Elsie, who had her home under the edge of a bluff near the shore of Duck Island Bay, near a clump of rocks still known as "Elsie's Rocks." She had two sons, who went to sea and were both lost before her death. Elsie died Septem- ber 20th 1802. Traces of the Indians. On the farm now owned by Mr. Gaylord, situated near the wharf in Clinton, there is a field which was evi- dently used by the Indians both as a camping ground for the living and a burial place for the dead. Here may be found numberless shells that were deposited before the pale face looked upon the home of the Ham- monassetts. There are spots in this locality where the grass grows greener and more luxuriantly than in other places. These plats were undoubtedly fertilized by the refuse from the Indian wigwams that once stood thereon. Some years since, when the turnpike was cut through this lot near the shore, several skeletons were exhumed, and quite recently Mr. Gaylord, in digging a post hole, came upon the remains of what was supposed to be an aborigine Large quantities of shells reduced very fine cover the cultivated fields on the north and east sides of Clinton Harbor at this day. Their ex- tent and number indicate long residence and numerous persons; broken so fine that thousands of years must have been counted in the process of grinding. Over these fields the busy workmen tread, unconscious of the tribes that sleep beneath their feet. The Hammonassf tts dwelt in this section of the coun- try, and there is reason to believe that they frequented the northern part of Killingworth more in winter than in summer. They preferred to hunt the wild animals of the forests when their fur was in the best condition. There is a cave in the northern part of the town where an Indian used to live. They are also said to have lingered much around a wild granite ledge in the picturesque valley in which Mr. Henry Kelsey now re- sides. The sides of this ledge are nearly perpendicu- lar, and there are great fissures in the formation, one of which is upwards of 50 feet in length, and leads through the ledge from the west side in a southerly and upward direction to the southe.T.st corner of the eminence. In the deep recesses of the ledge the wild men of the forest were wont to hide themselves. A plain, northeast of Mr Martin Lord's residence, was also a dwelling place of the Indians. Mr. Henry Hull has in his possession a large stone ax weighing three and three-fourths pounds which was found about sixty years since in the Southwest District. Among the last of the Indians seen in this locality was one " Jim Soobuck." His children are said to be buried in the " Old Pine Orchard " graveyard, in the western part of Killingworth. 422 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Bridges and Highways. The following extracts from the records in relation to bridges and highways are of historical importance as showing how they were constructed and maintained in olden times: June 27th 1674. — The committee that was chosen by the Town to Join with the Towns mtn to order & settle the Highways in the Town how they shall be made and maintained Doe now order it as follows: " I. All that have Land lying on the westerly Side of the Bridges beyond Joseph Wilcox house Lot are to make and maintain their bridges. 2. All that have Land westerly from the Second Cove of meadow Commonly Called Eleazer's Cove are to make and maintain their own Highways & Bridges. " 3. All that have Land Either upland or meadow in Natha'l Huytons quarter Shall make & maintain all the Highways that lead to their land. " 4. All that have either upland or meadow lying in the field commonly called the Neck are to make and maintain the Highways & Bridges so far as they Lead to their Land. "5. All that have either upland or meadow in the Quarter commonly called the Planting field quarter & also for both the. Hammocks are to make and maintain all the Highways & Bridges so far as they lead to their Land. " 6. The true intent and purpose of these orders is that no man Shall be Compellable to make or mend any Highway or Bridge beyond his own Land — "Also it is ordered that when two or three men that are Interested in any quarter chosen by men Interested in that quarter Shall Judge it necessary to have the Highways or Bridges mended giving Convenient notice at least three Days warning & if any tnan Refuse or neg- lect to attend the Service Shall forfeit three Shillings for every Day's neglect of a man — & of a team Six Shillings which fine shall be employed by the men Interested in each quarter to hire others to work in the s'd Highways. Edward Griswold Thomas Stevens Henry Crane JosiAs Hull." The bridge across the Hammonassett River, between Guilford and Killingworth, ordered built by General Court, May 14th 1674. May 13th 1675.— The court further ordered the bridge to be finished by December: " Their bounds meeting in the Middle of the river, To be built by joint charge. By joint charge is to be understood that Guilford is to pay one half and Killingworth the other half of the charge." Menunketesuc Bridge. — October 13th 1692. — "Whereas complaint is exhibited to this court, of difficulties, and obstructions in the country Roads, between the towns of Saybrook and Kenilworth. This court having consid- ered the premises, and seeing the absolute necessity of a speedy redresse in the case. Do order and appoynt Capt John Grave & Lieut Steven Bradly, of Guilford, John Whittlesey Senr and John Parker Senr of Saybrooke, Saml Buell Senr and John Griswold of Kenilworth, to be a committe to survey, and settle the said road in as straight a line as they can from SayBrook Mill via Lieut Joanes Mill, to above sayd Samuell Buells house in Ken- ilworth, or in the most convenient place they can find for the end aforesaid and Kenilworth people to make and maintain the bridge over Eight Mile River in what place sayd Committe shall appoynt, and the sayd road being settled by the Committe SayBrook and Kenilworth people are hereby ordered and required forthwith to clear the sayd road, and marke it out in their respective bounds according to law & The charge of the above sayd Committe to be equally defrayed by sayd townes of SayBrook and Kenilworth." March 6th 1693. — "The return of the committe for the laying out of the road or way between Saybrook and Kenilworth being read in Court, was approved by the Court, and the Court expect that they make the bridge and way, passable, as soon as maybe." " In 1 795, " Some of East Guilford Petitioned that they might have liberty to be joyned to Kellingworth so as to pay the minister* of sayed Kellingworth." The town line between Kenilworth and Saybrook was fixed by Nathaniel White and Deacon John Hall (both of Middletown), in 1674. Hammock River Bridge. — May T4th 1697. — "Samuel Buell member of Genl Court Presented Petition of John Kelsie, Will Barber, Will Stephens, Robert Lane & Henry Farnum in behalf of some proprietors. That a Cart Bridge and Sluice be built upon the River, called the Hamock River at the charge of such persons who might be benefited thereby. To be determined by the Select men of said town of Killinsworth. This court consider- ing that it may be of common benefit to those whose lands are upon the said River do grant their Petitions. And that all persons in the judgment of intelligent men who shall be benefited thereby shall bear an equal proportion of the charge " (now called Water Side Bridge). The first petition for the above bridge was in 1696. Samuel Buell was member of the General Court. At this day it would seem unwise to pursue such a narrow policy as to make those who owned land (upland and meadow) on the Hammock, both Great Hammock and Little Hammock, pay for the above bridge. Too much of the above policy has been manifested in Clinton from lime to time ever since. No community can grow that gets its impulses from pure selfishness. This bridge is now a great public thoroughfare to a tract of upland and salt meadow, and an approach to the east side of Clinton Harbor for clams, oysters, and fish. Old Grist Mills. There was an old grist mill in the Southwest District, near where Cooper's paper mill now stands. Grant to John Elderkin. — " Also upon considera- tion of building a mill covenanted and agreed four acres •At)raham FierBon was then preaching In Kenilworth. tClLLlNGWORTH— IN THE WARS. 423 of meadow southwesterly from the mill & on the South Side of Manuqweset River being more or less in bredth at the northeast and 7 Rod at the Southwest and 15 Rod and then added in length 14 Rod more Westerly in Breadth Easterly 12 Rod Westerly 20 Rod Bounded every way by the common." It thus appears that a mill privilege was granted to John Elderkin in 1724. This may have been either on Indian River or where the Clinton paper mill now stands. French and Indian War. Captain Peleg Redfield commanded a company of soldiers in this war. The muster roll of this company is given below. The company was raised in the north so- ciety of Killingworth, and was made up of residents of this and adjoining towns. Captain Redfield died on his way home from Canada, at Stockbridge, Mass., Decem- ber 5th 1760. The State paid the expense of removing his remains to hi§ home. Return of Capt. Peleg Redfield's company for the opening of the campaign of 1759: Peleg Redfield, cap- tain; George Nettleton, ist lieutenant; Abraham Tyler, 2d lieutenant; Edward Shipman, ensign; Theophilus Redfield, Ezra Crane, and William Mitchell, sergeants; Josiah Waterous, clerk; Thomas Dibbell, John Marvin, Thomas Francis, and Reuben Clark, corporals; Miles Wright and Ezekial Hull, drummers; privates, Phineas Bailey, Joseph Bate, Daniel Bale, John Bailey, Permit Boassey, Robert Bradford, Moses Baldwin, Amos Bush- nal. Job Bulkley, Cornelius Chatfield, Amos Carter, Joshua Cone, Thomas Conklin, Zachary Clark, Thomas Clark, Daniel Clark, Joseph Clark, William Cramer, Daniel Comstock, Elijah Dee, Jeremiah Dowd, James Done, Israel Done, David Franklin, Nathaniel Sikes Farnow, Samuel Griffin, Mark Graves, George Hull_ William Hull, Samuel Hull, Asa Jones, Eliezer Isbell, Elihu Johnson, Ebenezer Horton, Phineas Person, Peter Kelsey, Russell Lane, Levi Leet, Wil- liam Lewis, Edward Merrel, Mitchel Merret, William Pratt, Caleb Pratt, Thomas Pratt, Ithamar Pel- ton, Samuel Parmele, Nathan Pelton, Azariah Pratt, James Redfield, Nathan Redfield, Jonah Rutty, Sam- uel Stephens, Christopher Tully, Gershom TuUy, Charles Tryal, Isaac Thomas, Joshua Wright, Peleg Willard, John Wilcocks, Eliakim Stephens, Abraham Stephens, Jonathan Shipman, Nathan Stephens, Thomas Stephens, Nehemiah Stephens, James Stephens, Elijah Stephens, Jonathan Smith, Josiah Scovel, Edmund Snow, Andrew Tully, Ezra Tyler, Nathaniel Wright, Stephen Waterous, Samuel Webb, Isaac Williams." " Kii.LiNGWORTH, Apr. 28th 1759. " Then mustered the Second Connectticut Regiment, Capt. Peleg Redfield's company; the Captain, two Lieu- tenants, one Ensign, five Sergeants, two drummers, and eighty-one effective men, rank, and file. " N. Whitney, Colonel, " and Muster Master to 2d Connecticut Regiment." Revolutionary War. The great object in the year 1774, was to inform the people ol their just rights, and of the tyrannical attitude Great Britain had taken against them, and to prepare them for the war, which seemed inevitable. To do this, in Connecticut, the holding of town meetings in the various towns was considered the most expeditious way of reaching the masses, and was adopted. Of the towns thus patriotic, Killingworth was among the first, as her first town meeting for this object was holden March 2oih 1774. The record of this meeting, and the sub- sequent ones for the same object, is as follows: "At a town meeting holden the 20th March 1774 El- nathan Stevens Esq. was chosen Moderator, Theophilus Morgan and Mr. George Eliot was chosen to attend the Congress to be holden at Middletown and make return of their doings at the next town meeting." "At a town meeting holden the T3ih day of Septem- ber 1774, Martin -Lord, Aaron Elliott, Capt. Samuel Crane, Caleb Baldwin, Capt. Nathan Griswold to be a Committee of Correspondence with such other commit- tee as shall be appointed by other towns." " At a town meedng legally warned and holden on the r3th day of December 1774, Elnathan Stevens was ciiosen Moderator, Col. Aaron Eliot was chosen Town Clerk. The inhabitants of said Town, taking into con- sideration the abridgement ot the natural and constitu- tional rights of the American Colonies by the operation of several late Acts of the British Parliament and the operation and resolves of the Constitutional Congress holden in the City of Philadelphia on the 5th day of September A. D. 1774, being read and the Acceptance and Recommendation of the Honorable House of Rep- resentatives of this Colony convened at New Haven on the 2d Thursday of October last, being deliberately con- sidered, recommending the same to be strictly adhered to, by the several towns in this Colony, it was there- upon "Voted: nemine Contradicente, that this Town do approve of the said Association and the several Resolves therein included, and do hereby recommend the same to be duly observed in this town and accordingly it was Voted, That Doer Samuel Gale, Benoni Hillard, George Eliot, Caleb Baldwin, Elisha Crane, and Aaron Stevens be a Committee of Correspondence and inspection and / they are requested to use all proper measures to see that the resolves of said Congress be faithfully observed and that ihty publish the names of any who shall presume to violate the same. " And then this meeting was adjourned to Prox day in April next. * * * * " "At a Town Meecing holden at Killingworth this 22d day of June 1775 Mr. Stejjhen Wilcox was chosen Mod- erator for this meeting. Mr. Daniel Redfield, John Wil- cox, Capt. Stephen Lane, Samuel Sheaiher were chosen in addition to the former committee of correspondence. " At a town meeting holden in Killingworth March 27, 424 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. '777> Doct Benj Gale was chosen moderator for s'd meeting. Voted: That the town would abide by the stating of all the Articles that are enumerated in the Act of Assembly, agreeable to the request of the Governor and committee of safety— and that the town will supply the soldiers that are or shall be enlisted into the Conti- nental service with all those articles that are mentioned in the orders from the Governor and Committee safety agreeable to said orders — Voted likewise that Messrs. John Pierson Esq. Dea. Abd Wilcox, Capt. Stephen Lane, Mr. George Eliot Lt. Noah Lane, Lt. Martin Lord be a committee for the above service. Voted. That 40s. should be given to each soldier that has or shall enlist into service over and above what is already given for the encouragement of soldiers in this town, and that two pence on the pound be granted for raising of said sum, and to be made on the list of the year 1776." " At a town meeting holden at Killingworth March 19, 1788, George Eliot chosen moderator of said meeting. Capt. Stephen Lane, Benone Hillard, Elisha Lane, Levi Hull, Daniel Towner, John Spencer, Daniel Parmalee was chosen a committee to procure cloathing for the sol- diers according to the Resolution or Requisition of the General Assembly. " At a town meeting holden in Killingworth Decem- ber 8, 1778. George Eliot Esq'r was chosen moderator of said meeting. Col. Aaron Eliot was chosen Town Register. Mr. Benj. Carter, Capt. William Morgan, Mr. John Spencer, Mr. Daniel Parmelee, Mr. Josiah Red- field, Mr. John Lane, Daniel Towner, Capt. Josiah Baldwin & Ezra Nettleton chosen a committee of supply." "At a town meeting holden the zzd 1779. George Eliot was chosen moderator. A committee appointed to provide for the soldiers in the Continental Army, John Wilcox, Capt. Silas Kelsey, Stephen Wilcox, Simeon Wil- cox, Jonathan Kelsey, Cornelius Parmelee, Gurdon Hull, Samuel Redfield," " At a town meeting holden in Killingworth Decem. 14, 1779, Esq'r George Eliot was chosen moderator. Col. Aaron Eliot was chosen Town Register. Amos Kelsey, Elisha Kelsey, Jonah Buell Jonathan Kelsey, Israel Stevens, John Pierson Esq., was chosen a Comit- lee to supply Soldiers' families." List of soldiers who marched from Killingworth for the relief of Boston, etc., in the Lexington alarm, April I77S- Samuel Gale, captain; Job Wright, ensign; Joseph Hiiliard, Nath'l Redfield, sergeants; privates, Levi Kel- ly (Kelsey), Joseph Wilson, Reu. Hurd, Jesse Cone, Titus Teal, Timothy Teal, Nathan Wright, John Buell, Sam'l Lewis, James Wright, Samuel Wilcox, Dan Chapman, Giles Wilcox, John Chatfield, Martin Redfield, Job Buell, Jonathan Murry, Elnathan Hurd, Robert Wilki- son, Reuben Buel, George Nettleton, David LeBarva; number of days in service, six; billeting, at is. 6d. per day, total cost, £22, 2S. 2d. (See Redfield Genealogy). It is said that the town of Killingworth furnished 100 men in the Revolutionary war. Occupation of the Settlers. The occupation of the early settlers of Killingworth was mainly agriculture. To obtain something to eat and something to wear was their first pressing need. There is no evidence or tradition that any one of them had money to pay for the necessaries of life. Each family supplied its own needs for food and clothing. They first sowed the flax, and when ripe pulled it by hand, threshed out the seed, rotted it, broke, dressed, hatcheled, spun, and wove it, before a shirt could be had. The sheep must grow, the wool be sheared, picked, carded, spun, woven, and the cloth cut and made up before a coat could be had. All this was done in the family. There were no factories and no machines; all the work must be done by hand. It is said that they caught oysters and carried them to Hartford, where they were exchanged for rye for bread, and such other things as they needed. They had plenty to eat, for there were oysters and fish in abundance. Shad were so plenty, after nets were made to catch them, that it was considered almost a disgrace for well to do families to place them on their tables. The poor could have them. The first settlers were not fortunate in securing dis- tinguished men to settle with them. Some who had agreed to unite in the enterprise failed to come. Mat- thew Allen, a prominent magistrate of Windsor, and af- terward of Hartford, was expected, and a home lot was reserved for him, but he did not come. They were emi- nently poor men. It was 40 years before they obtained' an act of incorporation, with town privileges, but they had church privileges in 1667. The grand list of the town in 1689, 26 years after the settlement, was;!^2,43o; in 1693 it was_;^2,2i8; in 1696, ;^2,404; in 1698,^^2,785; in 1703, £l,2^r, in 1710, £zfil'i 19s-; in 1714, ;^4,io2 IS. 8d.; in 1716, ^£'4,225 14s. About 17 10, Mr. Robert Carter settled in town and commenced building vessels. Not many years afterward a market for wood and timber was opened, especially for staves, hoops, ship timber, etc. Trade with West India sprung up, and with it a demand for horses, cattle, sheep, fowls, hay, and oats, The growth of the town from t72o to 1776, was very satisfactory, as the old houses still standing, built during that period, show, and the little old comfortless houses that were built earlier, and were standing 60 years ago, also show. The largest estate probated previous to the year 1800 was that of Theophilus Morgan, in 1788. This estate in- ventoried a little more than $15,000. Shipbuilding continued to flourish. It was mostly con- fined to coasting vessels of less than 100 tons, but five ship-rigged vessels and several brigs have been built here at different times. Up to 1840 the reputation of Killing- worth for producing small vessels for the coasting trade was unexcelled. The master builders best remembered were: Elias Crane, who died August 15th 1829, aged 68; Samuel Buell, who died July 29th 1852, aged 84; Benja- KILLINGWORTH— TOWN OFFICERS. 425 min De Wolf, who died September sth 1863, ,aged 79; Daniel Buell, who died April i8th 1859, aged 66; and Samuel Buell jr., who died January Sth 1881, aged 84 After the retirement of these builders the business sud denly stopped, and has not been revived. Fishing with wiers (brush and stakes) was one of the early methods, of catching fish. These weirs were built on sand bars, bare at low tide, something after the man- ner of pound fishing at the present day. Short seines were used as early as 1740, and were enlarged from time to time. They were first used in the harbors and creeks, but, about 1800, longer ones were made to sweep off into the Sound. Fine mesh seines were introduced about 1806, to catch white fish for manure. This method of manuring land more than doubled the production of crops, and gave life and profit to agriculture, until the establishment of large factories to convert the fish into oil. Agriculture is not encouraging at the present time, although the owner of land, having good health, great ambition, and no mortgages, can live and prosper. Commerce and navigation were profitable in Killing- worth as early as 1740, and probably before, and con- tinued to flourish till the commencement of the Revolu- tion. Great Britain ruled the sea then, and stopped the market for staves and hoops, and cattle, horses, and sheep. As early as 1777 the American army needed supplies, and the farmers of Killingworth had a market for all they could produce of hay, grain, beef, and pork. At the close of hostilities, and before the British Array evacuated New York city, the trade with New York commenced, and was very remunerative for the time. Before the war of 1812 commenced this trade for Kill- ingworth had become unproductive, and continued so until 1815, when the market for firewood, fowls, eggs and vegetables became profitable, and as many as six vessels (market boats), of 40 to 60 tons, found steady employment from Killingworth to New York. This continued until about 1840. The opening of the Great West, and the construction of railroads, destroyed all this trade, and for 20 years past scarce a vessel loads at the wharves where such activity once prevailed, unless it be with railroad ties. Some hay and straw pressed in bales are marketed in Newport, R. I., at the present day. The ocean attracts young men, and has employed many of them. The town formerly furnished all the mechanics neces- sary to build vessels: carpenters, riggers, painters, and sail makers. In 1884, only the remnant remains of what was once a profitable occupation. Civil List. Representatives. — The Representatives for Killing- worth from 1670 to the present time have been: Edward Griswold, 1670 M., 1670 O,, 1671 O.-1680 M., i68r M.,-1682 O., 1683 O.-1685 M., 1686 M., 1686 O., 1689 M.; Henry Farnum, 1670 M., 1670 O.; Thomas Stevens, 1671 M., 1683 O.; William Kelsey, 1671 M.; Josiah Hull, 1671 O., 1574 M.; Henry Crane, 1675 M., . .„„ .„ ■-. -738 M., 1739 O.; Abram Pierson, 1722 O., 1723 O., 1728 M., 1731 O. Joseph Wilcox, 1726 M., 1730 M., 1738 M., 1741 M. 1742 M., 1743 O., 1744 O., 1754 M.— 1755 M., 1760 M.. 1766 O.; John Stephens, 1726 O., 1727 M., 1729 M., 1729 0., 1730 O., 1732 0., 1736 O., 1743 M., 1744 O.; Jonathan Lane, 1729 M. — 1730 M., 1737 O., 1738 O., 1739 M., 1742 O., 1743 0.,i744 M., 1745 O., 1747 p., 1748 M., 1749 M., 1750 O., 1752 M.— 1753 M., 1755 O.: Daniel Griswold, 1732 M., 1733 M., 1735 M., 1735 O.; Elnathan Stephens, 1737 M., 1741 M., 1744 M., 1745 426 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. M., 1783 O., 1784 M.; Martin Lord, 1783 M., 1791 O., 1796 O., 1798 M., 1798 O., 1800 M.; Job Wright, 1781 M., 1789 M.-1790 M., 1795 O., 1796 M., 1813 O.; Abra- ham Pierson, 1788 0.-1790 M., 1791 M., 1792 M.-1796 M., 1797 O., 1801 M., 1801 O., 1802 0., 1803 O.-1804 O., 1805 O., 1806 O,, 1809 M.; Joseph Wilcox, 1790 O.- 1794 0., 1797 M., 1801 O.; Joseph Wilcox zd, 1795 M., 1798 O.; William Morgan, 1796 O., 1797 O., 1798 M., 1804 O., 1805 M., 1806 O., 1807 O., 1809 M., 1810 M., 1811 O., 1812 M.; Iloud Edward, 1797 M.; Abner Graves, 1799 M., 1799 O., 1800 O.; Nathan Wilcox, 1799 M.-1801 M.,1802 M.; Nathaniel Wilcox,i8o3 0., 1804 M.'; Asa Buel, 1802 M.; Daniel Lane, 1805 M., 1806 M., 1808 O., 1809O.-1810O., 1813 M., 1813 O., 1814 O., 1818O.; George Elliott 2d, 1802 O., 1803 M.; George Elliott jr., 1805 O., 1806 M., 1808 M., 1808 O., 1809 O., 1810 O., 1812 O., 1813 M., 1818 O.; Austin Olcott, 1807 M.; Da- vid Kelsey, 1807 M., 1808 M., 1811 M., 1811. O., 1814 M., 1815 M.-1817 M., 1822; Austin Olcott, 1811 M.; David Griswold, 1812 M., 1812 O.; William Carter, 1814 M., 1815 M., 1815 O.; David Dibble, 1814 O.; George Carter, 1816 M., 1817 M., 1818 M., 1826, 1827; Benja- min Hurd, 1817 O.; Jedediah Harris, 1817 O., 1821, 1823-26, 1829, 1831; Benjamin Hill, 1818 M.; Jared El liott, 1819 M., 1826-22; Moses Wilcox, 1819 M., 1820; John Stanton, 1823-25; Rufus Turner, 1827; Charles Stevens, 1829; David Wright, 1830, 1831; Elisha Kelsey, 1830, 1834; David Dibble jr., 1832, 1833; Luther Hall, 1832, 1S33, 1835; Joseph Stannard, 1834, 1835; James A. Pratt, 1836, 1837; David P. Kelsey, 1836; Philander Stevens, 1837, 1838; Josiah C. Chittenden, 1838; Leon- ard Davis, 1S39, 1840; Alanson Pratt, 1839, 1840; Jerry Parmelee, 184c, 1855, 1856; Jeremiah Griswold, 1841; Nathan Griswold, 1842; Wyllys D. Kelsey, 1842, 1843; Jedediah Stone, 1843, 1844; Julius Dudley, 1844, 1845; John Wilcox, 1S45, 1846, 1848; Ebenezer Griswold, 1849, 1847; Abel Wilcox, 1847; Joseph J. Buell, 1848, 1846; Nathan Lane, 1849, 1850, 1S62, 1871, 1872; Henry Harris, 1850, 1851; Harris R. Burr, 1851, 1852; Henry- Hull, 1852, 1853; Chauncey Parmelee, 1853, 1854; Joseph Maddox, 1854-56; Abner Parmelee, 1857, 1858; Henry D. Davis, 1857; Daniel Francis, 1858; Le- ander R. Bhitchley, 1859, i860; Charles Davis, 1859, i860; E. H. Parmelee, 1861; Nathan Griswold, 1861; W. F. Wilcox, 1862, 1863; J^ibbert Francis, 1863, 1864; Lyman E. Stevens, 1864, 1865; Andrew W. Burr, 1865, 1866, 1877; Washington E. Griswold, 1866, 1867; Moses N. Griswold, 1867, 1868; Randolph P. Stevens, 1868, 1869; C. D. Kelsey, 1869, 1870; U. S. Hull, 1870; Henry Kelsey, 1871, 1872; Isaac Kelsey, 1873, 1874; Horace L. Parmelafi, 1773, 1874; Leverett W. Parmelee, 1875, 1876; Charles G. Rutty, 1875, 1880; Sherman E. Griswold, 1S76, 1877; Henry Hull, 1878; J. Philander, Lane, 1878, 1879; J. C. Nettleton, 1879, 1880; Augus- tus W. Stevens, 1881, 1882; Sydney T. Davis, 1881, 1882; David K. Stevens, 1883, 1884; Myron St. Clare Burr, 1883, 1884. Town Clerks. — October 2d 1665, Josias Hull was chosen town recorder. He held the office till November 5th 1675, ^"'J ^^^^ November i6th 1675. He was suc- ceeded by Henry Crane, who held the office from Novem- ber 5th 1675, till December 29th 1707. The next clerk was Capt. John Crane, who was elected December 29th 1707, and continued in office until his death, October 1 8th 1711. His successor, John Kelsey, was chosen De- cember 18th 1711, and served till December 8th 1747. Col. Aaron Eliot was clerk from December 13th 1748 till his death, in 1785. Lieut. Abraham Pierson was chosen February ist 1786, and continued in office till October 1814, when he resigned. October 3d 1814, Eli- sha Kelsey jr., was elected. He served 20 years, or un- til 1834. Gen. Julius Dudley was clerk from October 1st 1834 to October 3d 1836. The present clerk is Hen- ry Hull. He was first chosen, October 3d 1836, and has held the office continuously from that time to the pres- ent, except one year, from December 1841 to December 1842, when Abner Parmelee was clerk, and one year, from November 1847 to November 1848, when Sylvester W. Turner held the office. Probate District. — The town of Killingworth was set off from the probate district of Saybrook in 1834, and was named Killingworth. In 1838, the name of the dis- trict was changed to Clinton. In 1861, the present town of Killingworth was made a district by itself. The judges since that time have been: Henry Hull, 1862—74; Lyman E. Stevens, 1874-83; Orlando E. Redfield, 1883, present judge. THE PRESENT KILLINGWORTH. The Killingworth of to-day is an offshoot of the orig- inal settlers of Main street in Clinton. The grandchil- dren of the original Nathaniel Parmele, Thomas and William Stevens, William and John Kelsey, Joseph Wil- cox, Edward Griswold, Samuel Buell, Josias Hull, Elea- zer Isbel, Henry Crane, and John Nettleton, gradually worked their settlements and homesteads northward, iheir fathers and grandfathers taking up land for them. The north boundary of Killingworth was for many years " the wilderness," and not until these settlers had sub- dued the hills and built houses did the line become fixed where it now is. It was a wilderness immediately north of Main street (Clinton) when the first settlers located there, and there was room for their sons to live and sub- due the land without going north far from their parents. But the grandchildren pushed their way farther north, taking land set off to their fathers. No one man owned large tracts. Each one (if he owned a homestead) could obtain grants of land through a committee appointed annually by town meeting. So these fathers provided homes for their posterity, paying nothing except the committees' fees. The original territory was divided into small tracts, new comers were voted proprietors without cost, and each of these annual layouts "was re- corded in the town records and called " divisions." As many as nine divisions are named on the records. To say that these men were a hardy race is drawing it KILLINGWORTH— SETTLERS— CRIMES AND ACCIDENTS. 427 mildly, when one goes over this ground and notices the amount of labor expended in felling trees, building fences, erecting shelters for their families, and a house of worship as early as 1735. It is generally admitted that these layouts of land commenced in North Killing- worth in 17 16. The first names were Isaac Kelsey, Esq., Deacons Josiah Hull, Joseph Wilcox, and Daniel Buell, John Wil- cox, Joseph Griswold, Nathaniel Parmele, Ebenezer Hull, Samuel Stevens, and Edward Rutty. Solomon Davis, Timothy Chittenden, Theophilus Redfield came and joined them from Guilford, and Harris and Graves from Saybrook. The above names are still the most prominent in the town. In 1735 they were organized into a parish. " The early settlers of the present Killingworth located as follows: Isaac Kelsey on Cow Hill, a few rods east of David Loomis; Deacon Josiah Hull on Cow Hill west of Mr. Reuben Hinckley [now Isaac Kelsey]; Deacon Joseph Wilcox on Tower Hill, just north of Col. Jed'h Stones* place; Daniel Buell lived where Mr. Sherman Stevens now lives, on Roast Meat Hill; Joseph Gris- wold* lived in the Southwest District a few rods east of the house where the late Nathan. Griswold lived; Na- thaniel Parmele lived near the house of Andrew Brooks; Samuel Stevens lived on Tower Hill near the Chas. Wil- liams place; Edward Rutty lived on Parker's Hill; Theophilus Redfield lived on Chestnut Hill. Fancy Dea- con Wilcox of Tower Hill, Isaac Kelsey of Cow Hill, Theophilus Redfield of Chestnut Hill, and Edward Rutty of Parker's Hill, all going to church, probably on foot, from three to four miles, through a keen, cold, blustering storm, snow, sleet, rain, sitting all day in the old open meeting house without a fire." The grand list of Killingworth since the division of the original town in 1838, has been as follows: in. 1838, $298,728; 1848,1265,276; 1858, $306,702; 1868, $289,- 653; 1878, fit230,iS9; 1883, $225,004. The industries of Killingworth, aside from farming, are: one paper mill, capable of making paper to the value of $150 per day; two fiour mills, four saw mills, one axe handle factory, one store, one tannery, and one meat market. The town records of the original Killingworth are by law kept by the present town clerk of Killingworth. These records are very full and complete, well written, and well preserved. manual exercise. When the order to fire was given, the guns were discharged and Captain Lane fell to the ground and immediately expired. There was no trial. The poor soldiers were dumbfounded; none could tell how it happened. Watrous denied having committed the dreadful deed, and continued to protest his innocence even on his death bed. The Murdered Children. About a mile and a half north of the Congregational church, in Killingworth, on the old road which runs parallel with tlie main street, is a group of dilapidated houses. In, one of these ancient dwellings there for- merly lived a Mrs. Higgins, who was possessed of a most violent temper. October 14th 1779, after having quar- reled with her husband, she grasped a common case- knife and cut the throats of her three children. The victims of this bloody tragedy were buried in the old cemetery, in the Union District. There was at that time a belief almost universally indulged in that grass would not grow over the grave of a murdered person; and it is said that for a long time the lot where they laid these children was barren as a desert. The natural sterility of the soil, however, Is a sufficient explanation of the phe- nomenon. Mrs. Higgins subsequently resided in the Pine Orchard District, near the Union Church. On that edifice there was a clock dial with stationary hands, and she was heard to say: " When those pointers come to- gether and stand at twelve, my sins will be pardoned." She also cherished the strange hope that her, husband, who was separated from her would return, and that she would again be the mother of three children in place of her dead offspring. She is reported to have made an attempt on her own life at the time of killing her chil- dren, but was prevented by her husband, and in after years always wore a black ribbon about her neck to cover the ugly trace of her savage rage. The story of her terrible deed was versified by a local poet, and within the memory of the living the aged women have been heard to sing in a mournful minor the sad song of this unfortunate woman. She was doubtless buried in the old cemetery in Pine Orchard District, but her grave, like that of her children, is still unlettered, and the historian looks in vain for the last resting place of her whom in charity he fain would call a maniac, not a murderer. Death of Captain John Lane. About the year 1773, Captain John Lane, captain of infantry in the Connecticut Militia, was killed in the lot next south of the Center school house. A stone marked the spot until a few years since. One Joseph Watrous, who previously lived in Saybrook, and who then lived in the old house now standing at the south of the street, in the center of the town, was suspected of having shot Captain Lane. The company were going through the *Son of Edward Griswold, the pioneer of the first settlers. Mr. Martin Lord's Letter. The following letter from Mr. Lord to Mr. Hull will be of interest to the reader: "Henry Hull, Esq. The following accounts of my Grandfather, and the witches are entirely traditional. Capt. Aaron Kelsey was in the French War, when we were under England. He was in some engagements, but where I do not know. He was also in the Revolutionary War, and was wounded in the battle of Stillwater, by a buck-shot which struck him a little below the knee. There being a deficiency of officers he was obliged to take command of the left wing of the regiment. 55 428 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. " Colonel Shipraan, of Chester, commanded the right wing. Captain Kelsey was taken to a hospital, and while he was there he lost four children in three days of the camp disorder, or modern dysentery. He had two sons in the Revolutionary war — John and Eli. John was 17 and Eli 16 when they entered the service. Eli was in several engagements. He was at one time in a com- pany of forty engaged with a regiment of British cavalry. The company held their ground until a company of foot soldiers came in sight, when they were obliged to run for their lives. Twenty escaped to a swamp and twenty were killed by the horsemen. He afterward went to Yale College, and died in his senior year. He intended to have fitted for the ministry. He never recovered from the injury he received while running from those horsemen. John Kelsey was probably in several bat ties, as I have understood that he and Eli were together in the war, but I have never heard so much said of him as of Eli. " I have the portrait of Mr. Coan.'also the likenesses of both his wives. " In regard to the witches, I know nothing about th^m, only what I have heard, and perhaps that is as much as any one ever knew. I cannot give the name of the one that lived in Lane District. " It has been reported, over and over again, about witches living in Chatfield Hollow. " The old woman's name was Goody Wee, and her daughter's name was Betty Wee. " There is a cut between the hills a little northeast of the Leander Watrous place, which has for nearly or quite a century been called ' Goody Wee's Crotch.' Undoubt- edly, it was named after the supposed witch. " It was formerly reported, the above named witches made their neighbors considerable trouble. For instance, they would enter the cream so it could not be worked into butter, and perform, according to the legends, other equally strange feats. It was said a person could not reach the top of Cedar Swamp Hill with a load of rails, as they would all slide out of the cart, by the agency of witches. Those things were imagined before Webster's Spelling Book and Beckwith's Almanac were published. The witches aforesaid are declared to have been seen riding through the air on broom sticks. I have never learned how they sat on them. " I do not think of anything more in particular to write. "Yours Most Respectfully, "M. Lord." Early School Houses and Teachers. The Center school house was formerly located in a lot now owned by N. E. Barnum, north of the residence of W. A. Hull. There was also a school house on what is known as Tower Hill, near the Saybrook line. There were traces of it within the memory of the oldest inhabitants. There was a third school house in what is now the Parker Hill District, near the Chester line. This build- ing was standing about 60 years ago. Among the early teachers was Jeremiah Hull. He prepared for college with a view of entering the ministry. At that time three Killingworth boys, who were at Yale, died within a few months, and at the earnest solicitation of his mother Mr. Hull gave up his proposed collegiate course. He taught school at Killingworth and the ad- joining towns for 28 seasons. He was deputy sheriff of Middlesex county for over 20 years. He served in this capacity at the execution of Lung. For a great many years he acted as trial justice, and most of the local suits were brought before him. He died September 21st 1858, aged 82 years. His son, Henry Hull, the present town clerk, was one of his father's pupils. He also taught school 28 seasons. He has also served the town in various capacities for the last half century,as selectman, justice of the peace, mem- ber of the General Assembly, judge of Probate, and in other offices. Francis Turner also taught in the vicinity of Killing- worth for about 30 seasons. Many now living in the town were among his pupils. Mrs. Julius Buell (Miss Rachel Evarts) was for a long time a teacher in the public schools of Killingworth and won an excellent reputation as a teacher. Agricultural Society. Several of the farmers of Killingworth, about eight years since, formed themselves into an association by the name of " The Killingworth Agricultural Society." In 1880, Deacon L. L. Nettleton, Washington E. Griswold, R. P. Stevens, Francis Turner, Nathan H. Evarts, and all others who had subscribed to the articles of associa- tion, petitioned the Legislature that they be constituted a body politic and corporate by the name of the " Kil- lingworth Agricultural Society." The petition was granted, the society organized under their charter, and Deacon L. L. Nettleton was appointed president, and continued until the last election, when he declined. David K. Stevens is now the president. As the society had no building in which to hold their meetings and their fairs, they at once made arrangements to build an Agricultural Hall, and to this end appropriated their share of the State bounty to agricultural societies towards paying the expenses of the building their hall. But some evil minded persons brought the subject before the Legislature, and the society was debarred from having any further benefit of it for that purpose, and they, in- stead of letting the State have it, divided it among the rest of the agricultural societies. How rich it must have made them' But the hall was built, and it is 33 by 56 feet, with base- ment, and by dint of perseverance and their annual fairs (without any further State aid), the society have paid their bills. The basement is now thoroughly cemented, and the society expect to pay this bill as they have their former ones. KLILLINGWORTH— THE REBELLION— FIRST CHURCH. 429 War of the Rebellion. The action of the town during the Rebellion is shown by the following extract: " At a Town Meeting held at the Town House in Kil- lingworth August 7th 1862, for the purpose of taking measures for encouraging enlistments in the Union Army etc. it was " Resolved; That for the purpose of encouraging en- listments under the call of the President of the United States, bearing date July ist A. D. 1862, for three hun- dred thousand additional troops, the town of Killing- worth will pay in addition to all other bounties and com- pensations, the sum of one hundred Dollars to each resi- dent of this town who since July ist 1862, has enlisted or who shall on or before the 15th day of August 1862, enlist into the military service of the United States and be duly accepted to serve for three years or during the war; and the Selectmen are hereby authorized and directed to pay the volunteers agreeably to this resolution; and bor- row such sums of money as may be required for such payment; and the Selectmen are also authorized to ex- tend, at their discretion, the time for enlistments with the benefit of this resolution from the 15th day of Au- gust 1862, to the first day of September 1862. " Provided; That nothing in this resolution shall be so construed as to authorize the payment of any bounty to persons enlisting after the Quota of this town for the above Three hundred thousand is full." At a special town meeting, held in the town hall in Killingworth, August 26th 1862, it was " Voted: That the Selectmen of this town be directed to pay to each volunteer who may enlist before the 4th of Sept. at 12 o'clock noon into the militia of this State toward filling the quota of this town to answer the requisition of the President of the United States for nine months, one hundred Dollars, and that the Selectmen be authorized to borrow on the credit of the town, money sufiScient to pay such bounty." At a special town meeting, held at the town house in Killingworth, October 25th 1862, it was " Voted: That the Selectmen of this Town be directed to pay to each volunteer who may enlist before the 27th of Oct. inst, into the Militia of this State toward filling the quota of this town to answer the requisition of the President of the United States for militia and be turned over to the service of the United States for nine months one hundred Dollars, " Provided always ; That the Selectmen be authorized to receive Volunteers on the day that they shall be directed by General Orders from the Adjutant General to draft to make up our said quota and give to the said volunteers one hundred Dollars each upon the same terms as above, and that the Selectmen be authorized to borrow money on the credit of the town to pay such bounty." At a special town meeting held at the town ,house, in the town of Killingworth, August 20th 1864, it was. "Voted: That the Selectmen, or an agent which may be by them appointed, be authorized to fill the quota of this Town, or any part thereof, with volunteers or substi- tutes under the present call of the President for Five hundred thousand men, and the Selectmen and Town Treasurer are hereby authorized to borrow money on the credit of the Town to pay for the same. Provided: The sum does not exceed ten thousand Dollars, or in ratio thereof." CHURCHES. Congregational Church. In 173s, the inhabitants of North Killingworth were or- ganized into a parish. January i8th 1738, 50 persons who had been members of the first society were formed into a church society. This was 71 years after the first church, and 22 year^ after they began to reclaim lands Cor settlement. Several times the people in the northern part of the town, tried to obtain the consent of the old parish to their organization. At a town meeting, Decem- i2lh 1728, " Lieut. Joseph Wilcox, Capt. David Buell, Capt. Jo- siah Stevens, Josiah Baldwin, & Justice Abraham Pier- son,* were chosen a Committee to confer with our north- ern neighbors the Farmers, Respecting said farmers em- bodying themselves, by themselves, for Public worship & to consider where it may be most commodious & Reasonable for a line to be Run between s'd Farmers and the rest of the Town, for dividing between the re- spective societies and make report to the next Town Meeting." This did not secure a division, and at a meeting held May 7th 1730, " Samuel Wilcox, Serg't Theophilus Redfield, Lieut. Joseph Kelsey, Ebenezer Crane & Daniel Buell were chosen a committee to draw a plan of the town in order to lay before the General Assembly in May the 19th instant. There to object against the memorial of di- vers of the inhabitants of said Killingworth, commonly called Farmers, requesting that Killingworth may be di- vided into two Distinct Societies and there to show to the General Assembly the unreasonableness of said Me- morial." " At a Town Meeting January ye 15th A. D. 1730-31 it was voted that our northern inhabitants shall join with us in building a new Meeting House, and that shall be Built by a Rate or Rates particularly by them- selves, and when said Northern Inhabitants shall be sett off, and be qualified according to law to be a Society by themselves & shall be a Building a Meeting House for themselves, that then, we that Remain, that is to say, the old society shall Reimburse back again that there will be our new Society as much as the said new Society shall disburse toward building the sd meeting house in the Old Society." The above resolution paved the way for a peaceable separation in religious and school matters. The first * This Abraham Pierson was son of Rector Pierson, and was called th« ' Worshipful Abraham Pierson." 430 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. meeting house was 58 feet long and 30 feet in breadth, and was so far finished as to be occupied in 1743. Rev. William Seward, the first minister, was born in Guilford, July 27th 1712, and was ordained December 27th 1737. The ordination council consisted of " Revr Elders " Phineas Fisk, of Haddam, Jared Eliot, of Kill- ingworth (Clinton), William Worthington, of Saybrook (Westbrook), Abraham Nott, of Saybrook (Centerbrook), Thomas Ruggles, of Guilford, William Hart, of (Old) Saybrook, and Jonathan Todd, of East Guilford. Mr. Seward died February 5th 1782. During his ministry here, 158 were received into full communion, 466 owned the covenant, 1,343 were baptized, and 307 couples were married. The second minister was Rev. Henry Ely, born in Wilbraham, Mass., May i6th 1755. He was educated at Yale College, and was a class mate of Noah Webster. He was ordained September 2Sth 1782. His salary was, by agreement, to be ;^30o as a settlement, and ;^9o yearly. In addition to this it was voted to give 60 loads of wood. He was dismissed February 12th 1801. Mr. Ely built the house where Mr. 0. E. Redfield now re- sides. It was voted, December 2d 1782, "that Lieut. Roswell Parmelee, Josiah Parmelee, and Sergt. Joseph Griswold, be a committee to git ye timber and hew and frame a house for Mr. Ely." The third pastor was Rev. Josiah B. Andrews, a native of Southington, Conn. He was a class mate of Dr. Ly- man Beecher in Yale College, and graduated in 1797. He was ordained April 21st 1802, and was dismissed April i6th 181 1. During his ministry here he received 143 into the church, united 67 couples in marriage, bap- tized 125, and attended 148 funerals. After leaving Killingworth he went to Perth Araboy, N. J., left the sacred office, studied medicine, and received a diploma from the New York Medical College, in 1816. In 1837 the removed to New York city, and practiced medicine there, preaching occasionally. He died in 1853. The fourth pastor was Rev. Asa King. He was called to Killingworth October 7th 181 1, and installed Novem- ber 20th of the same year. He was dismissed August ist 1832. The cause which led to his dismission was his devotion to the cause of temperance. For several years the cause had advanced rapidly in other towns, and especially in the south parish (Clinton). A few years later Mr. King and his total abstinence theories would have been welcomed in this parish. He died December 2d 1849, aged 80 years. Rev. Ephraim G. Swift was the fifth pastor. He was born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, August 14th 1782, and was installed pastor of this church December nth 1833. At his own request he was dismissed November 6th 1850. During his pastorate, ig8 were admitted to the church, and 296 were baptized. He united in mar- riage 153 couples, and attended 338 funerals. He died at Buffalo, New York, August 28th 1858. Rev. Hiram Bell, the sixth pastor, was born in Antrim, New Hampshire, graduated from Williams College in 1836, studied theology at East Windsor, Connecticut, was ordained at Marlborough, Connecticut, February 17th 1840, and, after a pastorate of 10 years at Marl- borough, was dismissed, and was installed at Killing- worth November 6th 1850. He received 120 into the church, married 76 couples, and attended 250 funerals. The present meeting house was built in 1820. On the 20th of May 1820, the last religious service was held in the old meeting house. The present edifice is a fine structure, considering that it was built in 1820, by a people of limited means. Rev. Timothy Lyman, the seventh pastor, was born in Chester, Massachusetts, graduated from Amherst College, studied theology at Andover, Massachusetts, was in- sta'led November 2ist 1866, and was dismissed March ist 1869. The Rev.William Miller was the pastor from March 1869 to May 1879. His ministerial labors were well blessed; many were added to the church. During that period, he wrote and published the much valued Historical Dis- course. The society had bought a farm and built on it a parsonage house, and was thereby largely in debt. It was through Mr. Miller's influence that the debt was paid off by voluntary subscription. It was also during his ministry that he became very intimate with General William S. Pierson and sister, and thereby they were in- duced to give the church an organ. It was then absolutely necessary to remodel the orchestra to receive the organ. The improvement of the whole of the interior of the church to its present form and finish. Was proposed by Rev. Mr. Miller and immediately seconded by the ladies, aiTd it was promptly done, and by volun- tary payments. The Rev. Mr. Miller has retired from the ministry, and resides in New Britain, Connecticut. The Rev. E. P. Armstrong, a graduate of Yale Theological Seminary, commenced his ministerial labors here January 2Sth 1880, and was ordained February 15th 1881. His ministerial labors were soon blessed, and a goodly number were added to the church. There was an old debt against the society for building the church edi- fice. Mr. Armstrong made a movement to have it paid off. He and the ladies put the papers in circulation to raise a certain part of the necessary funds, and the men were to raise the balance, or the ladies' subscriptions should be forfeited. The men were caught; the ladies won: the debt is paid. Rev. Mr. Armstrong was dis- missed, at his own request, April 17th 1883. The Rev. Ira C. Billman commenced his ministerial labors here September 1883, and he continues as acting pastor. Emmanuel Protestant Episcopal Church, Killing- worth. The Episcopal church in this town sprang from a church movement begun in North Bristol, now North Madison, in New. Haven county, near the close of the last century. Divine service was first held in a school house on Town Hill, in North Bristol. An interest in the worship of the church being thus awakened, the movement extended KILLINGWORTH— EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 43^ itself across the Hammonassett River into the north part of the town of Killingworth, where a society was soon formed, which united with the society in North Bristol, and began the erection of a house of worship about 1800. The ground on which the church building stands was given by Bezaleel Bristol. Among the names of the founders and early members of the church were: Asher Fowler, Nathan Fowler, Josiah Crampton, Nathan Crampton, Noah Hill, James Pardee, Bezaleel Bristol, Henry Davis, Lemuel Davis, Joel Norton, John Blatch- ley, and Elias Isbell. The church edifice is a wooden building. When first built its dimensions were 32)^ by 40 feet. Eleven and one half feet have since been added to its length. When erected, and until 1867, it was called Union Church — a name commemorative of the union of ihe societies of North Bristol and North Killingworth. The church was occupied in an unfinished condition for many years, and the interior was not completed uniil the fall of 1816. On Friday, June 6th 1817, the church was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. John Henry Hobart, Bishop of the diocese of New York. On that occasion 47 per-' sons came forward to receive the apostolic rite of con- firmation. For nearly half a century, the services were maintained by lay reading. The readers were chosen by the mem- bers of the parish, at the annual parish meetings. Oc- casionally a clergyman would visit them for the purpose of baptizing the children and administering the Holy Communion. Among the clergy who thus came forward to help this struggling parish, were the Reverends Mr. Keeler, Peter G. Clark, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Tappan, and Mr. Jarvis. For a long time, Rev. David Baldwin, resid- ing in Guilford, had charge of this parish, in connection with the churches at North Bran ford and North Guil- ford. In his report to the bishop, in convention, in 1835, he said: "During the last conventional year, I have offi- ciated eleven Sundays in Union church, North Killing- worth, administered the Holy Communion four times, and attended two funerals. Number of souls, as near as I can ascertain, belonging to this parish, 140." Tlie name of Rev. David Baldwin is still remembered with reverence and affection in this parish. Rev. Frederick Sill also did a good work here. Later on lay reading was conducted by students from the Berkeley Divinity School,- Middle- town. Through the want of the regular ministrations of a clergyman and various other reasons, the church dwin- dled away; many of the zealous old men had gone to their rest. The few who rem.iined were not able to sup- port a minister, and became almost discouraged. At length, in 1866, through the instrumentality of Mr, 'William Baldwin, a son of the Rev. David Bjldwin, an effort was made to revive this old parish. The effort was blessed abundantly, ar.d the services of .the Rev. Samuel Fuller, I). D., were procured. He was truly a pastor to the flock, visiting the parishioners at their homes, and sympathizing with thein in all their joys and A spacious chancel, together with robing and library rooms were provided, the pews were remodelled an i re- furnished, the name Union Church was changed to that of Emmanuel Church, and a greater degree of spiritual in- terest was awakened in the hearts of the people. This continued for the space of six years, when Dr. Fuller re- linquished his charge. A house for a parsonage and a few acres of land were purchased by the society. Dr. Fuller was succeeded by Mr. William C. Knowles, a candidate for deacon's orders, who came to reside in this parish in July 1873, and was ordained to the diaconate, February 21st 1875. Since that time he has continued to live in this parish, and to have the united charges of Emmanuel Church and St. James's Church, Ponset, in the town of Haddam. A tower has lately been erected on the church, in which has been placed a fine toned bell. A beautiful memorial window of stained glass, has been placed in the chancel, to the memory of Bezaleel Bristol and his wife, Mary Redfield Bristol. Notwithstanding the church is situated in a sparsely populated region, where no great increase in numbers can be expected, the services are well attended, and the condition of the parish is very encouraging. At the convention this present year (1884) the pastor reported to the bishop for the last conventional year one infant baptized; four persons confirmed; four admitted to the communion; present number of communicants, ^^. He also reported two marriages and nine funerals. Among the members of the society (now deceased) who labored long and earnestly for the good of the par- ish, and held offices as wardens, members of the vestry, etc., appear the names of Leonard Davis, Richard Bristol, William Blatchley, Jesse Tooley, and Henry D. Davis. At the annual parish meeting, held on Easter Monday of the present year, the following named persons were elected as officers of the parish: Alfred B. Scranton, par- ish clerk and delegate to convention; Samuel Shelley and Amasa P. Griswold, wardens; Chauncey Dudley, Albert Bristol, Childs Francis, and A. B. Scranton, vestry- men. The small but comfortable parsonage is occupied by the incumbent, who derives his support from the mis- sionary society of the diocese, and from the voluntary gilts of those to whom he ministers. A short distance from the church, on the banks of the Hammonassett River, is Emmanuel Church Cemetery, a beautiful plat of ground belonging to the society, laid out by the present pastor as a home for the dead. The first grave opened within this sacred enclosure received the mortal remains of Nathan E. Chatfield, who died March nth 1877, aged 32 years. Methodist Episcopal Church, Killingworth. In the year 1840 a few families living in the northeast part of Killingworth began to devise a plan for building a house of worship. At this time they were associated with the church located in the southwest portion of the sorrows. The church soon presented a new appearance. | town of Haddam. 432 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. They met at the house of David P. Kelsey, on Friday evening, December nth 1840, to consider the propriety of this plan. There were present at this meeting: Rev. James H. Perry, Rev. Ebenezer 0. Beers, David P. Kel- sey, Ebenezer Griswold, Jeremiah Griswold, Wyllys D. Kelsey, Martin L. Burr, and Charles D. Kelsey. A vote was taken and measures adopted for the advancement of the work. This society held successive meetings in various places for consultations in reference to the work, and to procure a tract of land on which to erect the building. The house was raised June 24th 1841, on a tract of land owned and presented to the society by Philo Par- melee. September 23d 1841, this house, known as the Metho- dist Episcopal Church in Killingworth, was dedicated by Rev. Mr. Holdrich. At this time there were about 24 members, whose names were as follows: David P. Kelsey, Elizabeth Kel- sey, Charles D. Kelsey, Olive Kelsey, Huldah F. Kelsey^ Elizabeth A. Kelsey, Polly Kelsey (widow of Jonathan), Wyllys D. Kelsey, Charlotte Kelsey, Polly Kelsey 2d. (married N. Burr), Martin L. Burr, Lucretia Burr, Rebecca Smith, Jeremiah Griswold, Mary Griswold, Moses N. Griswold, Eliza Griswold, Phineas Burr, Freeborn G. Burr, Harriet A. Burr, Edmund Lane^ Nancy N. Lane, and Nathan K. Hull. A revival was enjoyed under the leadership of N. Tib- bals, the second pastor, and a few of the above names were then added, with others not here recorded. The name of the minister in charge at the founding of this church was Ebenezer O. Beers. The names of the ministers that have succeeded him are: Nathan Tibbals_ William Bowen, Eliphalet P. Ackerman, Alonzo B. Pull- ing, Charles R. Adams, George L. Fuller, David Nash, James McBride, Lemuel LefBngwell, Richard D. Kirby, Henry Scofield, Henry Gidman, Isaac Sanford, E. Har- vey Parmelee, William W. Hurd, Charles Dixon, William Frederick Whicher, William A. Munson, William W. -Elder, Charles Ely, Isaac Sanford, Charles Hemstreet^ Wilbert C. Blakeman, Charles Green, James A. Deane, Charles O. Bramhall, Otis Saxton. When this church was established, but few names were upon the church roll; but these names represented men and women of sterling worth and fervent piety. The preachers too were earnest and faithful in their work. Almost every year brought additions to the church in its early life. Nine years passed away and not one of their number had died; but in June 1850, Edmund Lane was removed by death, and January 28th 185 1, Oliver Bris- tol died, and a few weeks later, Laura Ann Parmelee. So great have been the inroads made by death, and so painful the task of holding the fortress with so small a guard, that the light" force remaining have been disband- ed, though still with armor on they are found among the ranks of God's chosen ones, striving for the victory and looking for the crown. PROMINENT MEN. Abraham Pierson. Abraham Pierson, Esq., son of Dodo and grandson of Rev. Abraham Pierson, was born August nth 1756, and was called into public life at an early age. In 1780, he was chosen lister (assessor) for the town, was selectman in 1781, town clerk 1786-1814, captain of militia in 1786, representative to the General Assembly 24 sessions, from 178810 1819, and justice of the peace from 1786 to 1814. Upon the petition of Killingworth for a straight line of boundary with Guilford, in 1790, Mr. Pier- son prosecuted the petition of Killingworth before a committee of the Legislature. Guilford employed Hon. Pierpont Edwards, of New Haven, the most celebrated lawyer in the State, to oppose the petition. Deacon Pierson won his case, and the line was straightened. He died May nth 1823. His son, Dr. William S. Pierson, was a practicing physician in Windsor, Con- necticut, and was for many years president of the State Medical Society. He died July i6th i860, aged 72, leaving one son, Gen. William S. Pierson, of Windsor, and afterward of Hartford, Connecticut. General Pierson was in command of the rebel prisoners at John- son's Island, Sandusky, Ohio, in the Rebellion. He died April 1 8th 1879, aged 64. Before his death, he caused to be erected on Meeting House Hill, in Clinton, a gran- ite shaft, to the memory of his ancestor. Rev. Abraham Pierson, the founder of Yale College. Hezekiah Lane. Hezekiah Lane, son of John Lane and Experience Edgerton, was born January 22d 1739, and died Novem- ber 6th 1809. He represented Killingworth in the Legis- lature as early as 1776, and served in that capacity for 19 sessions. He was justice of the peace from 1776 to 1808. He was made judge of Probate for the district of Saybrook in April 1804. His son, Daniel Lane, Esq., was also a prominent man. He was clerk of the Probate Court for rnany years, a merchant, a surveyor, and a. justice of the peace. He died December 9th 1826, aged 70 years and 9 months. Philander Stevens. Philander Stevens, Esq., was born September 3d 1799, and married Hetta Hull, January i8th 1823. He was representative to the General Assembly in 1837 and 1838, and State Senator in 1848. He was a justice of the peace, judge of Probate in 1848, and town treasurer for many years. He was a man of the highest integrity, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his fellow cit- izens. His son, Randolph P., succeeded him as town treasurer, and was meriiber of Assembly in 1868 and 1869. He married Emily J. Norton, October asth 1847, and has five children living. -iliM"j£, iK lU^lTlJi KILLING WORTH— BIOGRAPHIES. 433 Abner Lane. Abner Lane was a man of remarkable gifts. It is said that " Poets are born, and not made." This adage applies with equal force to men like Abner Lane, who, though th-ey may be deprived of the means which would tend to the rapid growth and development of their genius, gradually force their way up through difficult surroundings until they make their influence felt, and the world calls them " great." Abner, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a hard working farmer, living in the town of Killingworth. He was the father of ten children. Abner, the seventh child, was born on the 26th of April 1808. He attended school during the winters until he was sixteen years of age when he commenced the trade of shoemaking. Such was his quickness of perception that he became a proficient workman after two months' experience. His thirst for knowledge led him to improve every leisure minute, and with the money earned at his trade he pur- chased books. Like Robert Sherman and Elihu Bur- ritt, the learned blacksmith, he worked at his trade with an open book before him. He was a deep thinker, and revolved a proposition in his mind until he became mas- ter of it. He, in ,turn, took up natural philosophy, chemistry, and higher mathematics. He subsequently engaged in the manufacture of clothes pins, and finally turned his attention to what was known as "irregular turn- ing," and was one of the pioneers and leading manufac- turers of axe helves and pick axe handles. He in- vented a machine for this purpose, but, owing to an ar- rangement with the proprietors of the Blanchard lathe, by which he was to have the use of the latter, he with- held his own invention from the market. He continued in business until he acquired a sufficient competence to enable him to pursue his studies and gratify his mechani- cal and scientific tastes. He built an office near his house where he made philosophical and chemical experi- ments with which he entertained and instructed his friends and neighbors and was frequently invited to de- liver lectures in Killingworth and adjoining towns. He possessed the rare gift of expounding the deepest scien- tific truths in simple language so as to make himself un- derstood by the popular audience. As an expert in patent causes his knowledge was highly valued, and he was frequently summoned before the United States courts to testify in important cases. He gave much attention to a system of signaling which he invented, by means of which he carried on communi- cations between Killingworth Hill and Falkner's Island, a distance of 20 miles. He made other experiments, such as sending up a baloon, and flying a kite with a fine wire attached instead of a string. On connecting the wire with a guage fitted for the purpose the pieces of metal would strike against each other when the kite had reached an altitude of 300 feet and the rapidity of vibrations would increase with the ascent. Another of his inventions was the gyroscope, a kind of paradox, in which there was an apparent suspension of the laws of gravity. This remarkable piece of mech- anism called forth much comment, and was exhibited before the faculty of Yale College. It is said that the principle illustrated in this curious piece of mechanism is referred to in the writings of the ancients. The genius and application of the man was alike won- derful, and his life affords a worthy example for young men who are struggling for success in life. He was of the fifth generation of the Lane family in America and descended from Robert Lane, who settled here in 1670. On the 17th of April 1836, he married Betsey, daughter of Michael Kelsey, of Killingworth, by whom he had two children; Angeline, born January 31st 1837, and Ludolph, born February 17th 1838. Angeline was twice married; to her first husband, Er- win Nettleton, October 27th 1861, who died in defense of his country, July 26th 1863. She was married to her second husband, Osbert D. Redfield, on the 24th of April 1866; he was also a soldier of the last war. His death occurred August 15th 1872. One child was the offspring of this marriage. Abner Lane died at Killingworth on the 25th of March 1874. The manufacturing business established by him was continued by Hosmer Kelsey, a prominent citizen of Killingworth, who, on his retirement, transferred the business to his nephew, Horatio Kelsey, who still con- tinues it. Hosmer Kelsey. Hosmer Kelsey was born August 28th 1826, and mar- ried Lodiska Parmelee. He was a successful manufac- turer of axe handles, the successor of Abner Lane, and retired with a competence. He had three children: Ida B,, born August 5th 1855, unmarried; Gertrude E., born April 6th 1857, unmarried; and Duane J., now in Yale College. Daniel Kelsey. Daniel Kelsey, son of Wyllis D. Kelsey and Charlotte Lane, was born in Killingworth, September ist 1834. He was a topographical engineer. When but a lad he mani- fested a great taste for measuring heights, distances, etc. He was educated at Durham Academy, and at the Scien- tific Department of Yale College. Predisposed to con- sumption, he had to combat with ill health at this most interesting period of his life. The latter part of his life was spent in Illinois. He was married to Mary F. Wil- liams, of Belvidere, 111., November nth i86o. He died in Belvidere, December loth i860. Rev. Asahel Nettleton. Rev. Asahel Nettleton was born in Killingworth, April 2ist 1783. He was licensed to preach by the New Haven West Association, May 28th 181 1. It is not known that he was ever a settled pastor. His mission was to " preach everywhere." Revivals of religion under his preaching prevailed all over the Eastern, Middle, and Western States. He published the " Village Hymns," once so popular. Dr. Leonard Bacon said of him: 434 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. The power of his preaching consisted very much in the clearness with which he exhibited and urged the duty of impenitent sinners to repent immediately-" Dr. John Todd said of him: " His throne was in the school-house meeiinn;, crowded, dimly lighted, breathless, and solemn." He died at East Windsor, Conn., May i6th 1834. Rev. Titus Coan. Rev. Titus Coan, son of Gaylord Coan, was born in Killingvvorth, February ist 1801. In early manhood he taught school in Killingworth. He left the town when he was about 26 years old. He made a profession of religion at Riga, N; Y., in March 1828. He studied tlieology at Auburn, N. Y., and was ordained in P;irk Street Church, Boston, Mass., April 4th 1833. He went on an exploring mission to Patagonia, landing near the strait of Magellan, November 14th 1833, and returned to New London, Conn., May 14th 1834. He was mar- ried to Fidelia Church, November 3d 1834, and em- barked, December 5ih, for Honolula, where he arrived June 6tli 1835, and was stationed at Hilo. He did not return to his native country until 1870. About 1837, he organized a church of 84 members. In 1838, there were 539 members admitted; in 1839, 5,244; and in 1863 there had been admitted to the church he planted, 11,491 members. He was a man who believed what he taught, and had an unflinching tenacity of pur- pose. Men who visited the islands spoke of him as hold- ing the natives in perfect confidence and simplicity by his truthfulness and firmness. He died at Hilo, Decem- ber 2d 1882. When a child he was rescued from drown- ing by a friend and neighbor, Julius Stone, now deceased. Rev. Philander Parmelee. Rev. Philander Parmelee was born in Killingworth, August 30th 1783, and married Abigail Wright, of Clin- May 5th 1812, and dismissed December 28th 1814. No- vember 8th 1815, he was settled at Bolton, Connecticut, where he died December 27th 1822. It is said of him: " He was a patient, laborious laborer, loved his Master's cause, was a faithful under shepherd. His influence for good has remained to this day." Henry Hull. Henry Hull, one of the most prominent citizens of Killingworth, is a son of Jeremiah and Jane Hull, and a grandson of Capt.James Hull. He was born July 3d 1804. He married Lydia A.' Dudley. By her he had two chil- dren: Amelia A., married Hiram Tucker in 1846, and died at Essex, Conn., December 26th 1865; Lydia L., born December 24th 1830, married Thomas Chrystal, Novem- ber 3d 1850, died February 3d 1883, at Essex, Conn. Mr. Hull's first wife died August z8th 1834, and Septem- ber r3th 1835 he was married to Rebecca Lynde. The children of this marriage have been: Artemisia D., born August 29th 1836, married Sidney Watrous, October 24.ih 1858; Mary J., born February 19th 1838, married first, February 19th 1861, to Capt. Edward Williams (who died at Shanghai, August 7lh 1861), second Anthony Anderson, October 5th 1876; Annie M., born April 27th 1840, married George S. Heffton, April 6th 1864; Henry L., born February 27th 1842, was second lieutenant Company H., loth Regiment C. V., died in Killingworth, November loth 1874; Sarah R., born August 7th 1844, married, first Elmer F. Wright, Octo- ber ist 1867 (he died September 9th 1872), married second. Rev. William H. Knouse, of Deep River, April 14th 1875; Willoughby A., born November 12th 1846, married Elizabeth R. Anderson; J. Novello, born June nth 1849, died July 5ih 1877. October 6th 1884, Henry Hull received his 47th ap- ton. May 28th 1812. He was settled at Victor, N. Y., 1 pointment as town clerk of Killingworth. TOWN OF MIDDLEFIELD. By p. M AnatJB. Settlement and Early History. THE FIRST SETTLEMENT of Middlefield was not until some fifty years later than that of Middletown, or about 1700. The people of Middle- town were undoubtedly familiar with her beautiful hills and valleys, her dense forests, her dashing waterfalls, and the abundent game and fish in her forests and streams. Yet the fertile fields of Middletown, her church, and schools, and society were such as to naturally prevent her sons from leaving their established homes at an early period. About the year named C1700) Benjamin Miller, with his wife and several small children, came from South Farms, Middletown, to settle in the wilds of Middle- field. He located on what might have been a partially open field, in the extreme south part of the town, not more than 100 rods from where is now its south line, and perhaps 50 rods south of the residence of the late Hiram Miller on South street. The same year Samuel Allen came from Middletown to a beautiful site in the extreme north of the town, and built a house known later as the Deacon Giles Miller place. As Benjamin Miller's place reached the south line of the town, so Allen's reached its north line. Though four rhiles from his former neighbors, he could undoubtedly see their houses, and they could see his. During this same year, Samuel Wetmore located in Mid- dlefield, near the center, opposite where the Methodist church now stands, on Main street. Though these three men were within what is now the town of Middle- field, they were in no sense neighbors, for Allen was two miles north of Wetmore, and Miller one and a half miles south, with an unbridged river between, and no roads to connect with either. Soon, however, the families of Hubbard, Ward, Bacon, Stow, and Turner came from Middletown; Lyman, Coe, and Camp from Durham; Birdsey from Stratford; and Bartlett from Guilford. So the people in this section gradually increased in numbers, until, in 1744, in Octo- ber, the parish of Middlefield was incorporated as a sep- arate ecclesiastical society: "Beginning at the southwest corner of said Middle- town bounds and running eastward on the south line of said town to the southeast corner of Talcot's farm, and from thence north on the east line of said farm to the northeast of said farm, from thence northwesterly to a cart bridge standing on the west river, from thence to the stoney hill to a place called the Stone-Horse-Block, from thence westward to the northeast corner of the lot orig- inally laid out to Richard Hall, and continued still west- ward on the north line of said lot to the west line of said town and from thence to the first-mentioned corner." It appears that the people of Middlefield, from the outset, were independent thinkers, each man having a will and strong convictions of his own, which is a strik- ing characteristic of their descendants. At the time the ecclesiastical society was incorporated the following were the chief citizens: Samuel Allen sen., Samuel Allen jr., Ephraim and Obadiah AUyn, Thomas Alvord, Nathaniel and Joseph Bacon, John Bartlett, John Birdsey, John Brown, .Abraham and Edward Camp, John Chilson, John Chilson jr., Joseph, David and Robert Coe, Gideon and Thomas Cook, John and Isaac Doud, Daniel Briggs, Jeremiah Guild, Ebenezer and Joseph Hale, Eliakim Hale, Samuel Stow, Hawley and Ebenezer Hubbard, Jeremiah Leaming, Benjamin Miller sen., Ichabod, Amos and David Miller, Moses Parsons, John, Rockwell and Daniel Stow, David Strickland, David Strickland jr., Stephen Turner sen., Samuel Warner, Samuel Wetmore sen., Benjamin Wetmore, Benjamin Wetmore jr., Beriah, Joseph, Thomas, Daniel, Caleb and Prosper Wetmore, Josiah Wetmore jr., and Titus John Wetmore. The sum total of the taxable list of these persons was more than ;^3,ooo at that time. These people were farmers, and as a rule, thrifty farmers, and it is a matter of note that in laying out their roads and farm lines the roads, as nearly as possible, ran straight and parallel, so that there are three principal streets running north and south, and five original roads east and west. The fields, as a rule, are rectangular and of course the lines parallel. This is strikingly the case even to this day. Little is known of the religious and moral character of the people previous to 1744. Of course, their connec- 56 436 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. tion was with Middletown, and although a few miles from public worship there is no doubt many of them were attentive to it. It is told of Governor Benjamin Miller (as he was called) that at one time in this period, he lost a number of pigs strangely, so he watched one Sunday, gun in hand, to learn the source of the mischief, and after a while a bear came along in search of a pig. Mr. Miller shot the bear, and saved the pigs; but he was arrested, taken before a magistrate in Durham, and fined for this profanation of the Sabbath. The women in those times were generally strong and vigorous, and ready, effective workers. An old lady, years ago, told the story of her wedding day. She rose early in the morning, washed, made a cheese, then dress- ed and rode on a pillion behind her intended husband, six miles to Middletown, where the marriage ceremony was performed. They remounted, went to their new home, and at once entered upon the arrangement of their residence. This couple lived to see the third generation of their descendants (great-grandchildren) sit at their table on festive occasions. Incorporation of the Town, etc. Middlefield continued to be a portion of the town of Middletown until 1866, when, by an act of the Legisla- ture, it was set off from the latter town and became a town by itself. The plan of settlement between the two towns was as follows: The war and municipal indebtedness of Mid- dletown was to be divided in proportion to the grand lists of the two towns the year of division. Middlefield was to take one-tenth of all the indebtedness and was entitled to one-tenth of the public property of Middletown. Of the paupers those only who were traceable to the terri- tory of Middlefield were to be provided for by the new town. In this way Middlefield escaped to a great extent the great pauper expense of Middletown, for as pauper- ism is largely the result of the liquor traffic and as no alcohol is sold in Middlefield the pauper expenses are light. Since the organization of the town the municipal and war debts have been paid, and a sinking fund for paying the railroad indebtedness is being raised by setting aside each year two mills on each dollar of the assessed value of taxable property, so that in 1887, when a con- siderable portion of the guaranteed bonds mature, they will be taken up in part and the balance funded at a low rate of interest. This will place the town in good finan- cial condition and enable the tax rates to be made com- paratively low. Civil List. The town has always been ably represented in the State Legislature. The representatives have been: Moses W. Terrill, 1867, 1883; Benjamin W. Coe, 1868; Phineas M. Augur, 1869; Henry Smith, 1870; P. W. Bennett, 1871; Alvin B. Coe, 1872; A. M. Bailey, 1873; James T. Inglis, 1874; Harvey Miller, 1875; John L. Wilbur, 1876; Willis E. Terrill, 1877, 1878; Edwin P. Augur, 1879; Daniel H. Birdsey, 1880; John O. Couch, 1881; A. B. Coe, 1882; Peter W. Bennett, 1884. Roads. Since the incorporation of the town three new roads have been made, while the layout of several of the old roads has been so changed as to entirely change the lines of travel in their respective localities. The moun- tain road, the only outlet of the town on the west, by a change in the layout and by a considerable expenditure of money and labor, has been so improved on both the west and east sides that the ascent and descent have be- come very easy, and thert, is more travel over this road than over any other common road leading into New Haven county. Post Offices. There are two post offices in Middlefield, one at the center and one at Rockfall. When the former was established a new post route was also established, and the stage which connected Durham with Middletown passed through Middlefield. This continued to be the post route until the Air Line Railroad was completed, and since that time the mail has been brought by rail. The Rockfall office is in the northeastern part of the town, and since its establishment the business of the town has greatly increased. Congregational Church.* According to information from various sources it ap- pears that while the Congregational church, as an or- ganized body, was not in active operation for a term of years, still meetings for public worship were held as stated from time to time, and probably at no time did the fire of Christian love wholly go out. Probably the support of the Church by a tax upon property, collectable by law, did more to disorganize the congregation than almost any other one thing, especially in those times of disagreement upon matters of doctrine, when the conflict at the time ran high. The date of organization of the first church in Middle- field is uncertain, as the first leaves of its records are missing, and the remainder somewhat mutilated, appar- ently by mice or insects. The society was incorporated by the Legislature in October 1744, and the church was probably organized about that time. The earliest existing entry on the society records reads thus: • " Att a meeting of the Inhabitanc of the Society of Middlefeaild Held By adjornment from the 20 Day of December 1744 to the fourth Day .of February 1745; att: the same meeting the Society Did By their Major vote Impower the Committee, viz.: John Bartlit Benjamin Miller,and Joseph Coe to go to the old Society's Commit- tee and Receve the monney that is Due to our Society and give Recepts of what thy Receve. " att the Same meeting the Society Did By a major vote signify their Desire that mr. Jonathan Lyman Preach with us Six Sabbaths more from this time. *Bt Rev. a. C. Denison. MIDDLEFIELD— CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 437 "Voted that Mr. Chancy or any one of the Ministers * * * may preach in s'd Society in Exchange with Mr. Lyman * * * * ^yte preach & Lectur Amongst us att Sum * * * *." (The stars indicate places that are missing.) At the next meeting held February 2Sth 1745, "The Society Did by their major vote, wherein two- thirds or more of the Inhabitants Qualified as the Law Directs and present Declar it Nesary to Buld a Meeting House for Divine Worship. "Att the same meeting the Society Did by their Major Vote make choise and impower Jabez Hamlin Esq'r to make application as soon as may Be to the Hon'ble the Gen'le asembly to apoint order and affix the place where the meeting house should be Erected." John Bartlit and Benjamin Miller were appointed to represent the society before the committee that the Gen- eral Assembly should appoint. In May, the society voted to go forward and build a meeting house " according to the proportion of timber already got." Joseph Miller, Benjamin Miller, and Sam- uel Warner were appointed a building committee. A tax of two shillings on the pound of " Ratable Estate " was voted. The first meeting house, built in 1745, was 40 feet square. After hearing several candidates the church called Rev. Ebenezer Gould, who was ordained as its first pastor, October loth 1747. After a service of nine years he was dismissed, in 1756. Nine years then elapsed before another pastor was settled, when Rev. Joseph Denison was ordained in February 1765. He died in February 1770, greatly beloved and lamented. He was born in Windham, in 1738, and graduated from Yale College in 1763. A vote in 1768 to give him sixpence on the pound on all the ratable estates in the society, on condition that he " give bonds to spend his days wiih us, and never be dismissed from the pastoral care of this church and congregation," shows the estimation in which he was held. In fact, he seems to be the only minister who ever died in the service of this church. The society, at a meeting held soon after his death, voted to '' pay for the mourning aparel that was got at his funeral, and the white gloves and the nails for the Cofen and the Cofen and digging the grave — 5:i5:9d, also voted to allow sal- ary to the widow to the end of the year." Calls were extended to Revs. Benjamin Dunning, Joseph M. White, and Chandler Robbins, before Mr. Dennison was set- tled, but not accepted. After his death. Rev. Daniel Brower was called, but declined. Rev. Abner Benedict, of North Salem, New York, a graduate of Yale in 1769, accepted a call, and was ordained November 20th 1771. He was voted a settlement of ^200, with a salary of ;^So, to be increased to ;^8o after two years. He is said to have been a scholarly and able preacher and pastor. By his personal address and influence, he is said to have secured the free- dom of all the slaves held by his people. He was dis- missed in 1785, to go to New Lebanon, New York, that an invalid daughter might enjoy the benefit of the medic- inal waters of that place, where he preached six years. He died at Roxbury, New York, in 1818. After his departure, religion seems to have been at low ebb. The records of the church and the society abruptly end in 1773, and are not resumed till 1808. Whether there was little of a religious nature to record, or whether the record has been lost, does not appear. From 1785 to 1820, there seems to have been no minister laboring per- manently here. Sometimes they would secure a preacher for a few weeks or months; sometimes neighboring pas- tors would hold a service here; then again, for months together, no public services were held on the Sabbath. The church appears to have become almost extinct. In 1808, appeared the dawn of a brighter day. The influence of a revival in Durham was felt here. A new church was formed, and 29 persons united with it, but for 12 years they were without a regular pastor. As the church had not control of the meeting house, they often met for worship, like the early Christians, from house to house. Feeling the need of a house of worship, in 1819 " the church and subscribers " built the Conference House, " for the use of the Congregational church in Middlefield, and at their disposal forever." The next year, May 24th 1820, Rev. Stephen Hayes, of Newark, New Jersey, was installed as pastor, with the understanding that he should devote one third of his time to this parish, and two thirds to that of Westfield. He was dismissed June 6th 1827; After an interval of two years he was succeeded by Rev. James Noyes, of Wallingford, a graduate of Union College in 1821. He was installed sole pastor of this church July 23d 1829, and so continued till his dismission in January 1839. He was afterward settled in Burlington, but spent the evening of his life in Haddam, where he died. He was followed by Rev. Dwight M. Seward for two or three years, and Rev. James T. Dickinson for a somewhat shorter time. Rev. James D. Moore, of Wiltshire, Eng- land, was installed as pastor Decernber 30th 1846, and dismissed April i8th 1850 to accept a call to Clinton. In 185 1 the church was served by Rev A. V. H. Powell; in 1852 and 1853 by Rev. William Jones; in 1854-56 by Rev. Francis Dyer; in 1857 by Rev. Prof. Lindsay. In June 1858 Rev. Spofford Dodge Jewett became pastor, and so continued for more than nine years, to August 1867, when Rev. Theodore S. Pond 'was ordained. After a year of service he left to go as a missionary to Syria, and was succeeded by Rev. Andrew C. Denison who remains to this time as acting pastor. The deacons of the church have been: Ichabod Mil- ler, elected , died 1788, aged 87; Joseph Coe, elected , died 1781, aged 71; Giles Miller, elected 1774, died 1804, aged 77; Prosper Augur, elected 1809 died 1836, aged 81; William Lyman, elected 1838, died 1869, aged 85; Horace Skinner, elected 1838, died 1848, aged 56; Phineas M. Augur, elected 1850; Ward B. Bailey, elected 1870, dismissed 1874; Rev. S. D. Jewett, elected 1875. The average age of the first five deacons was over 80. 438 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. In 1882 the church edifice was enlarged by an addition of fifteen feet in the rear, and was improved. The present membership of the church is about 140. The Methodist Episcopal Church.* The Methodist Episcopal church in this place had a small beginning, and its members were accustomed to meet in school houses and private dwellings. They gradually inceased in number till at length they formed part of a circuit and were visited by the circuit preachers. Being so near the Middletown University the presidents, professors, and students frequently filled their pulpit. The first Methodist church was a brick building, and was erected about 1829. As they gradually gained strength and numbers they were able to sustain a preacher alone. In the course of years the brick church was found too small, and to meet their enlarged wants, in the year 1866, the centennial of Methodism, they celebrated that inter- esting event by erecting their present building. It is the largest, best appointed, and handsomest church in town, and a credit to the liberal men who built it. It has an excellent lecture room, and teachers' room, and it is in every way convenient They also have a very roomy and pleasant parsonage, with ample grounds, and they are out of debt. There is a membership of about 100, and 90 children in the Sabbath school. The present pastor is Rev. Joseph Smith who is closing his third and last ministerial year here. The prospects of the church are bright and encouraging. St. Paul's Church, Middlefield. As Middlefield was originally a part of the town of Middletown, so also were the Episcopalians of that sec- tion members of Christ Church in the city. Among the early settlers of this portion of the town, was Beriah Wetmore, a brother of Rev. James, who was evidently one of " the brethren " in whom the reverend gentleman had succeeded in creating "a liking for the church." In proof of this, we find that a person resi- dent there was as early as 1767 appointed " to collect the rates " in that vicinity for the support of the parish (a customary way at that time for all denominations to support their ministry). This was continued for some years; and it will be remembered that Dr. Goodwin stated, the first time the marriage ceremony was per- formed in Christ Church was to unite Mr. Timothy Hierlehy and Miss Wetmore, of " Middlefield," and one of the zealous men also alluded to in this sermon as "undaunted by difficulties in the erection of the first edifice, was of ' Middlefield.' " By deaths and removals, these family names are now extinct in this section. Not so their influences. From that time, there have been those who came to the city, to attend the services here, till after the Berkeley Divinity School was removed to the city, when lay read- ers were furnished to them from that school. One of these Rev. J. Surges Pearce, is credited for active and *Bt Bbv. Joseph Smith. persevering work in procuring the erection of St. Paul's Church in 1862. The mother church, and especially the " Ladies' Mis- sionary Society," contributed liberally to the funds re- quired, and it was paid for and consecrated within two years. The local papers gave an interesting account of the consecration services, in which the Rev. Drs. Deshon, of Meriden, H. Dekoven, and F. J. Goodwin, of this city, took part, the sermon being from the Rt. Rev. J. Williams, the consecrator. This is still a mission, dependent upon the city for lay readers and clergy. The report of the warden to the convention of 1884 gives 20 families and 28 communicants.. Union Chapel, Rockfall. This is the school building put up in 1832, when the Rockfall District was set off from the East District in 1856. and the new school house was built. This, through the influence of Peter W. Bennett and others, was moved a little east, and located on land of estate of Thomas Atkins. It has this year been moved to the opposite side of the road where it will doubtless remain permanently. It has been and it is used for a union Sunday school, which was organized in July 1877, and is still prospering; also for Sunday evening religious services. Military. Middlefield, with other places, had her company of militia which had its annual drill on the first Monday in May, and again its regimental drill in autumn. Many of our leading men in the last generation held the office of colonel or captain. In the war of the Revolution several prominent men were in the army. Among whom were Elihu Stowe, Deacon Giles Miller, Deacon Prosper Augur, Sylvanus Nichols; also several of the slaves of Middlefield enlisted and went to fight the battles of the Revolution. All who went had their freedom on their return. Among those who were in the war of 1812 were Linus Coe, son of Col. Elisha Coe, and Asa Kimball, both de- ceased. The names of the volunteers from what is now Middle- field, who served in the war of the Rebellion are included in the Middletown list. (See page 50.) Schools. Xlie early inhabitants of Middlefield, like their friends in Middletown, were intelligent, and highly estimated the value of education; hence they soon established schools, and evinced strong interest in them. It is probable that their first schools were neighborhood schools, and that they continued so for many years. The first school records of Middlefield commence with its organization as a school society, and the first school after its organiza- tion was established in 1745. Measures had been taken that year to build a church, and as in many other in- stances in New England, the school was established at about the same time. On November i8th 1745, at a school meeting duly MIDDLEFIELD— SCHOOLS— INDUSTRIES. 439 called, " it was voted to have a school three months in winter and three months in summer. And Amos Miller was chosen School Committee." At a meeting held one week later " it was voted to lay a Tax of a penny on the pound for school purposes, which vvhould be at the rate of about 4}i mills on the dollar, and would be regarded as a heavy tax even at this time, when money is more abundant. In 1746, the tax was increased to i^ pence on the poun.d, equal to 6}^ mills on the dollar. In T748, 1749, 1750, the society voted a rate of four pence on the pound for school charges, which is about equal to the present rate for all town, county, and State purposes. A portion of this may have been, and prob- ably was, to pay for building a school house, for in 1747 a vote was passed that a school house should be built on a knoll south of the meeting house. In 1756, it was " voted to keei) a four months school in the school house by a sc/wol master and 6 months in summer in the four parts of the society by school dames." The schools kept by these dames were probably in private houses. In 1760, it was" voted to buiid a school house 14 by 16 ft. beside the chimney on a knoll south of the old school house, beside Benjamin Miller's fence." In 1799. or earlier, the society was divided into three districts, with boundaries thus defined: " First or South, beginning where the west river inter- sects the line of Durham, thence following said river northerly as against the meeting house thence west to the meeting house thence west to and south of Dr. Jehiel Hoadley's to Wallingford line, thence by Wallingford & Durham to the place of beginning. "Second or East District The Easterly line of the South District so as to include the road and all families living thereon to Widow Abigail Birdsey's (about 20 ft. back of Lewis Miller's present residence) thence North to Westfield. "Third, North included all North and West of the above Districts." In 1832, after a sharp struggle, the paper mill quarter (Rockfall) was set off from the Ej^st District, of which it was a part, and since has been a separate district. Since that time there havq been no material changes, except to adjust the district lines, and make them more definite; hence, at the present time there are four districts in town; the South, East, North, and Rockfall. About 1854 there was a general movement throughout Middlefield to improve the schools, with the result that new, convenient, commodious, welt ventilated school houses were built in all the districts, with the best mod- ern improvements. During the present year, 1884, an effort has been made to establish a high school in town. Tlie project failed by a small majority against it, but it will probably be ac- complished in the near future. A glimpse of the old time sc/iool-master may not be out of place. He was usually a stalwart man, often a tiller of the soil, and generally a man of pluck, who could wield the rod when necessary. His forte was to command and he expected his charge to obey. He must withal be a man of art. Often in a school of 60 pupils, 40 would write; hence 40 goose quills were to be made into pens, and mended once, twice, or thrice everyday. "Please mend my. pen, sir," was a cry continually falling on the ear of the pedagogue during the half hour devoted to the pen. The examination of the master by the board, included a specimen of writing by a pen he was required to make at the time, and the requirements in this respect were not small; indeed, they were often very exacting; hence the master must have a keen pen-knife, and be an expert in its use. He must also be a sol>er man, though there were sometimes exceptions to this. On one occa- sion a master in school, having imbibed too freely, fell asleep in his chair, and some sharp tricks were played on him, while so humiliated, but this was an exception, and as a rule those old masters were men of mark. The school dames too were women of high character, and their teaching was an important element in forming the standard of their generation. Mills and Manufactories. Commencing at the first mill privilege on the West River, as we ascend it, we find the old paper mill privi- lege. Here, in 1793, Jehoshaphat Starr and Nehemiah Hubbard started the business of paper making, and con- tinued for some 30 years, when larger firms, elsewhere, with greatly improved machinery, caused the paper busi- ness at this place to be abandoned. Then, for a time, Tidgewell Brothers made squares and bevels. After- ward, in 1868, G. W. Miller and P. W. Bennett started a bone and saw mill. In 1875, Bennett bought out Miller and he holds the property at the present time, although the line of manufacture has changed from time to time. Powder Mill. — This, the second privilege, was occu- pied about 1793 for powder making, by Vine Starr, and this business has continued most of the time since, being now in the possession of the Rand family, of Middle- town. It is quite remarkable that during more than 90 years of powder making only one life has been lost by explosion. The business is still flourishing. Third Privilege. — In 1798, Jehoshaphat Stowe erected a factory for cutting nails. The machinery used was in- vented by Daniel French, of Berlin, Connecticut, and it is believed to be the first instance of nail cutting by ma- chinery in this country. In 1812, and during the war with Great Britain, wire was manufactured at this place; afterward, for some years, it was used for wool carding; then for a while it laid idle. In 1845, the property was purchased, and a new fac- tory built for making pistols. Henry Aston, J. N. John- son, J. Neith, S. Bailey, Nelson Aston, and Peter H. Ash- ton took a large contract from the government. In 1852, the property was sold to I. N. Johnson. The building burned down in September 1879. In i88i, Mr. Otis Smith purchased and rebuilt, putting up a larger build- ing, where he manufactures Smith's revolver (his own in- vention) and other articles in the hardware line. Middlefield Falls. — This is one of the largest and finest waterfalls in Connecticut. 44° HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. West River here falls 35 feet, and when the stream is full the roar is heard for several miles. In the early history of Middlefield this great power was partly utilized to run a grist mill, which was built by William Miller, and which continued to be used down to about 1800. A saw mill took its place*about that time, and remained for more than 50 years. In the mean- time a cotton factory was built near the place, using water from the falls. This continued in successful oper- ation until 1874, when it was burned, with all the ma- chinery. The Russell Manufacturing Company, of which Henry G. Hubbard, of Middletown, is a leading mem- ber, erected on the spot a building, 200 by 38 feet, with a wing. The main building is five stories in the rear. The mill is used especially for spinning, and turns out a large amount of work. In 1779, during the Revolutionary war, a small mill was erected near the falls, using some of the power there for manufacturing snufif. The enterprise was not very successful, and soon ceased. The Russell Company is the upper privilege on the West or Coginchaug River. The first privilege ascending Beseck River is that of Isaac Cornwell who has a carriage and turning shop. At the second, the Farmers' Milling Company built a grist mill about 1845. Mr. David Lyman initiated the enterprise, which after running a few years, proved a complete and disastrous failure, involving a total loss of all that was invested in it; after changing ownership once or twice the mill burned in 1868. The property is now owned by Isaac Cornwell, and is a desirable water privilege. The next privilege is where Elihu Stow had a grist mill, about 1780, and for many years thereafter. Later it was owned by Deacon Horace Skinner, and was used for wood-turning; still later it was owned by Roswell Lee, and was used for a saw mill and a feed mill, and it is now owned by widow Roswell Lee. It is a good privilege. The fourth privilege is the bone and super-phosphate mill of G. W. Miller, a good and successful enterprise. The next privilege, the fifth on Beseck River, is that of the old grist mil! and saw mill, and later used by Andrew Coe in grinding bone and in the manufacture of bone charcoal for sugar refiners. Here now are part of the works of the Metropolitan Washing Machine Company. The next, or sixth privilege, is the one where the old distillery was located. This was established in the early part of the present century, and was, as such things al- ways are, a curse to the parish, and no small share of the troubles of the people were traceable to this fountain of blackness. In connection with this dismal old building was a wool carding mill where Capt. Alfred Bailey turned out wool rolls for the housewives of Middlefield. Here now are the principal buildings of the wringer works of the Metropolitan Washing Machine Company. The next, or seventh and upper privilege in town, was occupied in 1849 for the first in the manufacture of buttons. Prominent among the button makers were Mil- ler, Cbe & Bennett. Since the discontinuance of this industry the establishment has been used by William Ly- man in making his bow-facing oars, which for effective- ness, convenience„and novelty have attracted much at-, tention. Later, this privilege has also been used and is now in possession of the Metropolitan Washing Machine Company in making clothes wringers; so that three consecutive water powers and a powerful steam engine are now propelling their works, which have a capacity equal to the making of 400 clothes wringers per day. They make wringers, washing machines and mangle ma- chines, and this is supposed to be the largest establish- ment of the kind in the world. From 125 to 160 hands are employed. The company was organized in i860 and has been increasing in capital and extending its business from time to time since until the Universal Clothes Wringer has a world-wide reputation. The incorporators were: David Lyman, M. W. Terrill, and William Lyman. The first officers were: M. W. Terrill, president; David Ly- man, secretary and treasurer. The present officers are: R. C. Browning, president; Lyman A. Mills, secretary; M. W. Terrill, treasurer. The general office and sales room is located at 32 Cortland street, New York city. PROMINENT MEN. David Lyman. David Lyman, of Middlefield, was born in that town in 1820. He received his education in the public schools of his native town and at Guilford. He engaged early in business with his father, and afterward became the trustee of a large estate in Durham, in the management of which he displayed unconmion ability. He was interested with others in the large wringer manufactory at Middlefield. He was very active in promoting the construction of the Air Line Railroad, and was during three years its president. It was thought that the discharge of the arduous duties that devolved on him in this position im- paired his health and hastened his death, which took place in 187 1. His wife was Elizabeth Hart, of Guilford, Connecti- cut. They had nine children, of whom three have died. P. M. Augur. Phineas Miller Augur was born in Middlefield, Febru- ary 8th 1826. He received a good education in the common English branches in the public schools, then in an acidemy, in Latin, higher mathematics, and the natural sciences. In early life he was appointed county surveyor and some years later surveyor general's deputy for Middlesex county, which office he held several years. He made a survey and maps of Middlefield with the necessary post route; compiling statistics, etc., which David Lyman used successfully at Washington in secur- ing the establishment of a post office in Middlefield, MIDDLEFIELD— BIOGRAPHIES. 441 In 1866, when Middlefield was set off from Middle- town, he was chosen as sole assessor, and made out the first assessment list of the town. He was also chosen a member of the board of education, and has held the position continuously since. He has been a justice of the peace since the organization of the town. In 1869, he was elected to the General Assembly. He was a mem- ber of the committee on incorporations, and was the author of several bills now on the statute books. In early life Mr. Augur united with the Congregational church of Middlefield. In 1850, he was elected deacon of the church, and has filled the office since that time, but has recently resigned. At the age of 20, he married Lucy E. Parmelee, of Guilford, a lady of noble worth and excellence. They have had five children, three sons and two daughters, all of whom are married. At their last Thanksgiving festi- val, they, with children and grandchildren, made up a number of 22, all happy, healthy, bright, and vig- orous. When the Middlefield Farmers' Club was organized, Mr. Augur was appointed secretary, and continues to hold that position. He was elected a member of the State Board of Agriculture in 1869, and after serving two terms, declined a re-election. He was, however, elected in 1872, as pomologist of the State Board of Agriculture, and has since acted in that capacity. In 1876, he was delegated by the board to make a collection of Connecti- cut products for the Centennial Exhibition at Philadel- phia. Although a very small and inadequate sura was allowed by the State Centennial Commission, by close economy an exhibit was made which, in excellence, ex- tent, and variety of grains, corn, fruits, vegetables, and seeds, was regarded as among the very best, being spe- cially remarkable for the great number of fruits of Con- necticut origin. Mr. Augur has always been an independent thinker, sympathizing with anti-slavery, temperance reform, anti- monopoly, and civil service reform. He is in favor of the best schools, the best common roads, and village im- provement. He believes in economy, and condemns ex- travagance, either in public or private life. Mr. Augur, in connection with his sons, is extensively engaged in raising fruits, trees, and plants, and their nur- series, greenhouse, vineyards, and orchards embrace a large variety. TOWN OF OLD SAYBROOK. Bt Wiluam B. Tullt.* Discovery and Settlement. IN THE SPRING of 1614, Adrien Block ascended the Connecticut River to the rapids at the head of navigation. He named the beautiful stream the " Versch," or Fresh Water River, from a strong down- ward current that was perceived a short distance above its mouth. By the native savages it was called the ' Connittecock " or " Quonehtacut," and the aboriginal appellation survives to the present day, in the name of the river and the State of Connecticut.- Block was thus the first European navigator of the river, and probably the first to set foot on the site of what is now the town of Old Saybrook. Not long after this, the Dutch traders began to visit the country every year, and soon established a large trade with the natives; buying annually, it was said, not less than 10,000 beaver skins, beside such other commodities as the country could furnish. Amsterdam ships continued their voyages to the New Netherlands, and the trade in peltry was industriously prosecuted^ not only on the North and South Rivers, but on the "Fresh," or Connecticut River. In 1623, "two families and six men " were sent to the mouth of " Fresh " or Connecticut River, by the Dutch at Man- hattan Island, to commence the actual occupation of that part of the Dutch province. It is probable they did not remain long. Probably no more Dutch settlements were made at Saybrook till 1633.. In the summer of that year the Dutch traders on the Connecticut were directed to ar- range with the native Indians for the purchase of "most all the lands on both sides of the river," This was ac- complished and Hans den Sluys, an officer of the com- pany, also purchased at the same time, the " Kievets Hook,"f afterward called Saybrook Point, at the mouth * The writer is under oblis:ations to Messrs. Henry Hart nnd Daniel C. Spencer, for tlie loan of valuable books and papers, and for assistance and information. He is also indebted to many others in the same way. to whom he wishes to leturn thanks. + So cailed by the Dutch from the ciy of a species of bird called by the Ensrlish " Pewit" or "Peweet," supposed to be the sand piper. In Holland, its effgs are considered a great delicacy in the spring. of the Connecticut, where the arms of the States General were " affixed to a tree in token of possession."* In October 1635, Governor Winthrop arrived in Bos- ton, with men, ammunition, ordinance, and _;^2,ooo in money, for the purpose of erecting fortifications at the mouth of Connecticut River. Very soon after his ar- rival, he learned that the Dutch were preparing to take possession of the mouth of the river, so on the 9th of November, he dispatched a small vessel of 30 tons, with about 20 men, carpenters and others, under command of Lieutenant Gibbons and Sergeant Willard, to take pos- session of the mouth of the river, and erect some build- ings. This was the first regular English occupation of the territory comprehended within Lord Warwick's grant. The officers of the Dutch West India Company, who had bought this land of the Indians three years be- fore, had affixed to a tree the arms of the State's General, in token of possession of Kievets Hook, and the river above, but the Englishmen contemptuously tore down this shield, and carved a grinning face in its stead. f Winthrop's party took possession of the mouth of the river on the 24th of November, and early in the following December, a sloop which the Dutch Governor, Wouter Van Twiller, had sent from Manhattan to take possession of Kievets Hook, and erect fortifications to secure the possession of the river by the Dutch, arrived at the mouth of the river. The English, however, had been in possession long enough to get two pieces of cannon on shore, and they would not permit the Dutch to land. Governor Winthrop arrived soon after, bringing with him Lion Gardner, who had been an engineer and master workman in the service of the Prince of Orange, and who had married a Dutch wife, and who was expected to build a fort, and lay out a city, Gardner brought with him 12 men and two women. J The Dutch having been * A copper box with a cover, and about thesizeof a snuffbox, having a roughly engraved picture of TSTAT HTJYS on the cover, and a view oE AMSTEHDAM on the bottom is still preserved In Saybrook as a Dutch relic. It washed out of an Indian grave in the gale of Septem- berlSlS. + Bryant's H. N. T., p. 560, N. T. H, S. Coll, 11,277 In Brodhead, p. 26D. t Hubbard's History New England. OLD SAYBROOK— GARDINER'S LETTER. 443 repulsed, the English changed the name of Kievet's Hook to S.iybrook, out of compliment to the leading English proprietors of Connecticut— Lord Say and Lord Brook. The original Lndian name of Kievet's Hook and the land near it was Pattaquassett. Some of the principal events which occurred at Saybook during the four years that Lieutenant Gardiner remained there, can best be related in his own words. Extracts from Lion Gardner's Letter, from the Massachusetts Historical Collections. Robert Chapman and Thomas Hurlburt, having de- sired Mr .Gardiner "to consider, and to call to mind the passages of God's Providence at Seabrooke, in and about the time of the Pequit war," he wrote a letter, from which the following extracts are taken: " In the year 1635, I Lion Gardner, Engineer and Master of works of Fortifications in the legers of the Prince of Orange in the Low Countries, through the per- suasion of Mr. John Davenport, Mr. Hugh Peters, with some other well affected Englishmen of Rotterdam, I made an agreement with the forenamed Mr. Peters, for _;^ioo per annum for four years, to serve the company of patentees, namely the Lord Say, the Lord Brooks, Sir Arthur Hazelrig, Sir Matthew Bonnington [Bonighlon], Sir Richard Saltingstone [Saltonstall], Esquire Fenvvicke, and the rest of the company, [I say] I was to serve them, only in the drawing, ordering, and making of a City, Towns, or forts of defence. And so I came from Hoi land to London, where I was appointed to attend such orders, as Mr. John Winthrop Esquire, the present Gov- ernor of Conectecott was to appoint, whether at Pequit river or Conectecott, and, that we should choose a place, both for the convenience of a good harbor, and also for capableness and fitness for a fortification. But I, landing at Boston the latter end of Novtmber, the aforesaid Mr. Winthrop had sent before one Lieut. Gibbons, Ser- geant Wiilard, with some carpenters, to take possession of the River's mouth, where they began to build houses against the spring, we expecting according to promise, that there would have come from England to us 300 able men, whereof 200 should attend fortification, 50 to till the ground, and 50 to build houses. But our great ex- pectations at the River's mouth came only to two men viz. Mr. Fenwick, and his man, who came with Mr. Hugh Peters and Mr. Oldham and Thomas Stanton, bringing with them some Otterskin coats and Beaver, and skeins of wampum which the Pequits had sent for a pres- ent, because the English had required those Pequits that had killed a Virginean, one Capt. Stone with his Bark's crew, in Conectecott River; for they said they would have their lives and not their presents; then I answered Seeing you will take Mr. Winthrop to the Bay, to see his wife, newly brought to bed of her first child, and seeing though you say he shall, yet I know if you make war wiih these Pequits, he will not come hither again, for I know you will keep yourselves safe, as you think in the Bay, but myself, with these few, you will leave at the stake to be roasted or for hunger to be starved; for Indian corn is now 12s. per bushel, and we have but three acres planted, and if they will now make war for a Virginean and expose us to the Indians, whose mercies are cruelties; they, I say, they love the Virginean better than us; for have they stayed these four or five years, and will they begin now, we being so few in the River, and have scarce holes to put our heads in?" " I pray ask the magistrates in the Bay if they have forgot what I said to them, when I returned from Salem? For of Mr. Winthrop, Mr. Haines, Mr. Dud- ley, Mr. Humphrey, Mr. Belingam, [Bellingham] Mr. Coddington, and Mr. Nowell; these entreated me to go with Mr. Humfry and Mr. Peters to view the coun- try, to see how fit it was for fortification, and I told them that nature had done more than half the work, already, and I thought no foreign potent enemy would do them any hurt, but one that was near. They asked me who that was, and I said it was Capt. Hunger that threatened them most, for [said I] War is like a three footed stool, want one foot, and down comes all; and these three feet are, men, victuals, and munitions; there- fore seeing in peace you are like to be famished, what will or can be done if War? Therefore I think, said I, it will be best only to fight against Capt. Hunger, and let fortification alone awhile; and, if need hereafter re- quire it, I can come to do you any service; and they all liked my saying well. Entreat them to rest awhile, till we get more strength here about us, and that we hear where the seat of war will be, may approve of it, and may provide for it, for I had but twenty- four in all, men, women, and boys and girls, and not food for them for two months, unless we saved our cornfields,* which could not possibly be if they came to war, for it is two miles from our home. Mr. Winthrop, Mr. Fenwick, and Mr. Peters promised me that they would do their utmost en- deavor to persuade the Bay men, to desist from war a year or two, till we could be better provided for it; and then the Pequit Sachem was sent for, and the present returned, but full sore against my will. So they three returned to Boston." After recounting an unsuccessful trading expedition to Pequit, on which Mr. Steven Winthrop, Sergeant Tille [Tilly], Thomas Hurlburt and three other men went, he continues: " And suddenly after came Capt. Turner and Capt. Undril (Underbill), with a company of soldiers, well fitted to Sea Brook, and made that place their ren- dezvous, or seat of war, and that to my great grief, for, said I, you came hither to raise these wasps about my ears, and then you will take wing and fly away; but when I had their commission I wondered and made many allega- tions against the manner of it, but go they did to Pequit, and as they came without acquainting any of us, in the River with it, so they went against our will, for, I knew that I should lose our cornfield. Then I entreated them to hear what I would say to them, which was this: Sirs, seeing that you will go, I pray you if you dont load your barks with Pequits, load them with corn, for that is now gathered with them and dry, ready to put into their barns, *At Cornfleld Point. 57 444 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. and both you and we have need of it, and I will send my shallop, and hire this Dutchman's boat, here present, to go with you, and if you cannot attain your end of the Pequits, yet you may load your barks with corn, which will welcome to Boston and me." After relating how he sent 12 men with the Dutch- man, and three dozen new bags, how they skirmished with the Indians, killing one of them, and obtaining " a pretty quantity of corn," he says: " I was glad of the corn. After this I immediately took men and went to our cornfield to gather our corn, appointing others to come about with the shallop and fetch it, and left five lusty men in the strong house with long guns, which house I had built for the defence of the corn. Now these men not regarding the charge I had given them, three of them went a mile from the house a fowling, and, having loaded themselves with fowl they returned. But the Pequits let them pass first till they had loaded themselves, but, at their return, they arose out of their ambush and shot them all three; one of them escaped through the corn, shot through the leg, the other two they tormented. Then the next day I sent the shallop to fetch the five men and the rest of the corn that was broken down, and they found but three as above said, and when they had got- ten that, they left the rest; and, as soon as they were gone a little way from shore, they saw the house on fire. Now so soon as the boat came home, and brought us this bad news, old Mr. Mitchell was very urgent with me to lend him the boat to fetch hay home from the six mile Island, but I told him they were too few men, for his four men could but carry the hay aboard, and one must stand in the boat to defend them, and they must have two more at the foot of the Rock, with their guns, to keep the Indians from running down upon them. And in the first place, before they carry any of the cocks of hay, to scour the meadow with their three dogs — to march all abreast, from the lower end up to the Rock, and if they found the meadow clear, then to load their hay; but this was also neglected, for they all went ashore and fell to carrying off their hay, and the Indians, pres- ently, rose out of the long grass, and killed three, and took the brother of Mr. Mitchell who is the minister of Cambridge, and roasted him alive; and so they served a shallop of his coming down the river in the Spring, hav- ing two men, one whereof they killed at Six Mile Island, the other came down drowned to us ashore at our door, with an arrow shot into his eye, through his head. In the 22d of February, (1637) I went out with ten men and three dogs, half a mile from the house, to burn the weeds, leaves, and reeds upon the neck of land, because we had felled twenty timber trees, which we were to roll to the water-side to bring home, every man carrying a length of match with brimstone with him, to kindle the fire withal. But when we came to the small of the neck, the weeds burn- ing, I having before this set two sentinels on the small of the neck, I called to the men, that were burning the weeds, to come away, but they would not, until they had burnt up the rest of their matches. Presently there starts up four Indians out of the firy reed, but ran away, I calling to the rest of our men to come away out of the marsh. Then Robert Chapman and Thomas Hurlburt, being sentinels, called to me, saying there came a number of Indians out of the other side of the marsh. Then, I went up to stop them that they should not get to the wood- land; but Thomas Hurlburt cried out to me that some of the men did not follow me, for Thomas Rumble and Arthur Branch threw down their two guns and ran away; then the Indians shot two of them that were in the reed?, and sought to get between us and home, but durst not come before us, but kept us in a half moon, we retreating and exchanging many a shot, so that Thomas Hurlburt was shot almost through the thigh, John Spencer in the back, into his kidneys myself through the thigh; two more were shot dead. But in our retreat I kept Hurlburt and Spencer still before us, we defending ourselves with our naked swords, or else they had taken us all alive, so that the two sore wounded men, by our slow retreat got home with their guns, when our two sound, men ran away, and left their guns behind them. " But, when I saw the cowards that left us, I resolved to let them draw lots which of them should be hanged (for the articles did hang up in the hall for them to read, and they knew they had been published long before). But, at the intercession of old Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Higgis- son [Higginson], and Mr. Pell, I did forbear. Within a few days after, when I had cured myself of my wound, [ went out with eight men to get some fowl for our re- lief, and found the guns that were thrown away, and the body of one man shot through, the arrow going in at the right side, the head sticking fast half through a rib on the left side, which I took out and cleansed it, and pre- served to send to the Bay, because they had said that the arrows of the Indians were of no force. Anthony Dike, master of a bark, having his bark at Rhode Island, in the winter, was sent by Mr. Vane, then Governor. Anthony came to Rhode Island, and from thence he came with his bark to me, with a letter, wherein was de- sired that I should consider and prescribe the best way I could, to quell these Pequots, which I also did, and, with my letter, sent the man's rib as a token. A few days after, came Thomas Stanton down the river and staying for a wind; while he was there came a troop of Indians within musket shot, laying themselves and their arms down behind a little rising hill and two great trees; which I perceiving, called the carpenter whom I had shown how to charge and level a gun, and that he should put two cartridges of musket bullets, into two sakers guns that lay about, and we levelled them against the place, and I told him that he must look towards me, and when he saw me wave my hat above my head, he should give fire to both the guns; then presently came three Indians creeping out and calling to us to speak with us; and I was glad that Thomas Stanton was there^ and I sent six men down by the Garden Pales, to look that none should come under the hills behind us, and hav- ing pkQed the rest in places convenient, closely, Thomas OLD SAYBROOK:— GARDINER'S LETTER. 445 and I, with my sword, pistol, and carbine, went ten or twelve pole without the gate to parley with them. And when the six men came to the garden pales, at the cor- ner, they found a great number of Indians creeping be- hind the fort, or betwixt us and home, but they ran away. Now I had said to Thomas Stanton, whatsoever they say to you, tell me first, for we will not answer them directly to anything, for I know not the mind of the rest of the English. So they came forth, calling us nearer to them, and we them nearer to us. But I would not let Thomas go any further than the great stump of a tree, and I stood by him; then they asked who we were, and he answered, Thomas and Lieutenant, But they said he lied, for I was shot with many arrows; and so I was, but my buff coat preserved me; only one hurt me. But when I spake to them they knew my voice, for one of them had dwelt three months with us, but ran away when the Bay-men came first. Then they asked us if we would fight with Niantecutt Indians, for they were our friends and came to trade with us. We said we knew not the Indians, one from another, and therefore would trade with none. Then they said have you fought enough? We said we knew not yet. Then they asked if we did use to kill women and children? We said they should see that hereafter. So they were silent a small space, and then they said we are Pequits and have killed Englishmen and can kill them as musquetoes, and we will go to Conectecutt, and kill men, women, and chil- dren, and we will take away the horses, cows, and hogs. When Thomas Stanton had told me this, he prayed me to shoot that rogue, for, said he, he hath an English- man's coat on, and saith that he hath killed three, and these other four have their clothes upon their backs. I said no. it is not the manner of a parley, but have pa- tience, and I shall fit them ere they go. Nay, now or never, said he; so when he could get no answer but this last, I bid him tell them that they should not go to Con- ecti'cott, for if they did kill all the men, and take all the rest as they said, it would do them no good, but hurt, for English women are lazy, and can't do their work; horses and cows will spoil your corn-fields, and the hogs their clam-banks and so undo them; then I pointed to our great house, and bid him tell them there lay twenty pieces of trucking cloth, of Mr. Pincheons, with hoes, hatchets and all manner of trade, they were better fight still with us, and so get all that, and then go up the river after they had killed us. Having heard this they were mad as dogs, and ran away; then when they came to the place from' whence they came, I waved my hat about my head, and the two great guns went off so that there was a great hubbub amongst them. Then two days after, came down Capt. Mason and Sergeant Seeley. with five men more, to see how it was with us; and whilst they were there, came down a Dutch boat telling us the In- dians had killed fourteen English, for, by that boat I sent up letters to Conectecott, what had I heard and what I thought, and how to prevent that threatened danger, and received back again rather a scoff than any thanks for my care and pains. But as I wrote so it fell out to my great grief and theirs, for the next or second day after (as Major Mason well knows) came down a great many canoes, going down the creek beyond the marsh, before the fort, many of them having white shirts: then I commanded the carpenter, whom I had showed to level great guns, to put in two round shot into the sackers; and we levelled them at a certain place, and I stood to bid him give fire; when I thought the canoe would meet the bullet and one of them took off the nose of a great canoe wherein the two maids were that were taken by the Indians, whom I redeemed and clothed, for the Dutchmen, whom I sent to fetch them, brought them almost naked from Pequit, they putting on their own linen jackets to cover their nakedness; and, though the redemption cost me ten pounds, I am yet to have thanks for my care and charge about them; these things are known to Major Mason. There came from the Bay Mr. Tille, with a permit to go up to Hartford and, coming ashore, he saw a paper nailed up over the gate, whereon was written, that no boat or bark should pass the fort, but, that they came to anchor first, that I might see whether they were armed and manned sufficiently, and they were not to land anywhere after they had passed the fort, till they came to Wethersfield; and this I did be- cause Mr. Mitchell had lost a shallop, before coming down from Wethersfield, with three men well armed. This Mr. Tille gave me ill language, for my presumption (as he called it), with other expressions, too long here to write. When he had done I bid him go to his ware- house, which he had built before I came, to fetch his goods from thence, for I would watch no longer over it. So he knowing nothing went and found his house burnt, and one of Mr. Plums, with others, and he told me to my face that I had caused it to be done; but Mr. Hig- gisson, Mr. Pell, Thomas Hurlburt, and John Green can witness that, the same day that our house was burnt at Cornfield point, I went with Mr. Higgisson, Mr. Pell, and four men more, broke open a door and took a note of all that was in the house, and gave it to Mr. Higgisson to keep, and so brought all the goods to our house, and delivered it all to them again, when they came for it without any penny of charge. Now the very next day after I had taken the goods out, before the sun was quite down, and we altogether in the great hall, all them houses were on fire in one in- stant. The Indians ran away, but I would not follow them. Now, when Mr. Tille had received all his goods, I said unto him, I thought I had de- served for my honest care both for their bodies and goods, o( those that passed by here, at the least better language, and am resolved to order such raalpert persons as you are; therefore, I wish you and also charge you to observe that, which you have read at the gate, 'tis my duty to God, my Master, and my love I bear to you all, which is the ground of this had you but eyes to see it; but you will not till you feel it. So he went up the river, and when he came down again to his place which I called Tille's folly, now called Tilles point, in our sight in despite, having a fair wind he came to an anchor, and 446 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. with one man more, went ashore, discharged his gun, and the Indians fell upon him, and killed the other and carried him alive over the river in our sight, before my shallop could corne to them, for, immediately I sent seven men to fetch the Pink down, or else it had been taken and three men more. So they brought her down, and I sent Mr. Higgisson and Mr. Pell aboard, to take an invoice of all that was in the vessel, that nothing might be lost. Two days after came to me, as I had written, to Sir Henerie Vane, then governor of the Bay, I say came to me, Capt. Undrill [Underbill], with twenty lusty men, well armed to stay with me two months, or until something should be done about Pequits. He came at the charge of my masters. Soon after came down from Harford, Major Mason, Lieut. Seeley, accompanied with Mr. Stone and eighty Englishmen, and eighty Indians, with a commission from Mr. Ludlow and Mr. Steele, and some others; these came to go fight with the Pequits. But when Capt. Undrill and I had seen their commission, we both said they were not fitted for such a design, and we said to Major Mason, we wondered he would venture himself, being no better fitted, and he said the magis- trates could not or would not send better; then we said that none of our men should go with them, neither should they go unless we, that were bred soldiers from our youth, could see some likelihood to do better than the Bay men with their strong commission last year. Then I asked them how they durst trust the Mohegin Indians, who had but that year come from the Pequits. They said they would trust them, for they could not well go without them for want of guides. Yea said I, but I will try them before a man of ours shall go with you or them; and I called for Uncas, and said unto him, you say you will help Major Mason, but I will first see it, therefore send you now twenty men to the Bass River, for there went yester-night six Indians in a canoe thither; fetch them now dead or alive, and then you shall go with Major Mason, else not. So he sent his men who killed four, brought one a traitor to us alive, whose name was Kiswas, and one ran away. And I gave him fifteen yards of trading cloth, on my own charge, to give unto his men according to their desert. And having staid there five or six days before we could agree, at last we old soldiers agreed about the way and act, and took twenty insufficient men from the eighty that came from Hartford, and sent them up again in a shallop, and Capt. Undrill with twenty of the lustiest of our men went in their room and I furnished them with such things as they wanted, and sent Mr. Pell, the sur- geon with them, and the Lord God blessed their design and way, so that they returned with victory to the glory of God, and honor of our nation, having slain three hun- dred, burnt their fort, and taken many prisoners. Then came to me an Indian called Wequash, and I by Mr. Higgisson, inquired of him, how many of the Pequits were yet alive that had helped to kill Englishmen; and he declared them to Mr. Higgisson, and he writ them down as may appear by his own hand and I did as there- ■ .. ******** in is written. "Thus far our tragical story; now to the comedy. When we were at supper in the great hall they (the Pe- quits) gave us alarm to draw us out three times before we could finish our short supper, for we had but little to eat, but you know that I would not go out; the reason you know 2ndly. You Robert Chapman, you know that when you and John Bagley were beating samp at the Garden Pales, the sentinels called you to run in for there was a number of Pequits creeping to you to catch you; I hearing it went up to the redoubt and put two cross- bar shot into the two guns that lay above, and leveled them at the trees and boughs and gave order to John Frend and his man to stand with handspikes to turn them this way or chat way, as they should hear "the Indians shout, for they should know my shout from theirs, for it should be very short. Then I called six men and the dogs, and went out running to the place, and keeping all abreast in sight close together. And when I saw my time I said, stand! and called all to me saying. Look on me; and when I hold up my hand, then shout as loud as you can, and when I hold down my hand then leave; and so they did. Then the Indians began a long shout, and then went off the two great guns and tore the limbs of the trees about their ears so that divers of them were hurt, as may yet appear, for you told me when I was up at Hartford this present year '60 in the month of Sep- tember, that there is one of them that lyeth above Har- ford, that is fain to creep on all fours, and we shouted once or twice more; but ihey would not answer us again, so we returned home laughing. " Another pretty prank we had with three great doors of ten feet long and four feet broad, being bored full of holes and driven full of long nails, as sharp as awl blades, sharpened by Thomas Hurlburt. These we placed in certain places where they should come, fearing lest they should come in the night and fire our redoubt or battery and all the place, for we had seen their footing, where they had been in the night, when they shot at our sen- tinels, but could not hit them for the boards; and in a dry time and a dark night they came as they did before and found the way a little too sharp for them; and as they skipped from one, they trod upon another, and left the nails and door dyed with their blood, which you know we saw the next morning laughing at it. And this I write that young men may learn, if they should meet with such trials as we met with then, and have not op- portunity to cut off their enemies; yet they may with such pretty pranks preserve themselves from danger— for policy is needful in war as well as strength." Geographical and Descriptive. When the English first entered the river, to take pos- session of Kievet's Hook, the first land on the west side of the river that met their gaze, was the " Neck," or '■ Lynde's Point," as it was afterward called. This Neck was about two miles long, and nearly half a mile wide at its greatest breadth, and was bounded by the Sound on one side, and a cove, known as the South Cove, which is about a mile and a half long, and three-fourths of a mile OLD SAYBROOK— THE ABORIGINES. 447 wide, on the oilier side. North of this cove, and about a mile from the mouth of the river, was " Kievet's Hook," or Saybrook Point proper, which was formed by another cove putting up from the river, and known as the North Cove. This point was about a mile in length and about half a mile in breadth,the Neck where it joined the niiin land probably not being over an eighth of a mile in width, including the marsh. At the present time, the upland at the Neck, which is low, is only about ten or twelve rods wide, but there is quite a stretch of salt marsh, which has been, and is constantly encroaching upon the coves. The tides probably flowed across the neck, at every season of spring tides, as they do over the marshes on each side at the present time, but the road has been raised so much above its former level, that it has not turned the point into an island for several years. In fact it had not done so for many years, except when a heavy east- erly storm occurred on the high course of tides. These coves are shallow, except in the channels which are nar- row, and which extend but a short distance from the mouth, there being about four feet of water at high tide, and often almost none at all at low tide. The coves are constantly filling up, and the marshes which surround them on nearly all sides have extended considerably into them, within the memory of a generation, but there was undoubtedly quite a tract of marsh when the English took possession. It was the reeds and grass upon these marshes at this Neck that Lieut. Gardiner went out to burn on the 22d of February 1637 At this place after- ward a row of palisades was extended across from cove to cove, a ditch was dug, and some kind of a fortification erected, with, of course, a guard to watch for hostile Indians. The gate through the palisades is several times mentioned in old deeds as " the Neck gate anciently so called." The North Cove at its mouth, where it joins the river, is quite deep, and forms what is called the " anchoring ground," where 50 vessels may anchor at once. An English book published early in the history of the colony, and giving some account of Saybrook, says that on each side of the point are two bays, in which several hundred sail of vessels may ride at anchor. The bays probably had not been sounded, at least by the writer of the book. These coves abounded with bass, chequit, eels, and crabs, and were the feeding ground of numerous flocks of wild ducks and geese in their season, while the fiats west of Cornfield Point furnished an abundant supply of clams. The river, and even the creeks, were alive with shad and salmon, and it is no wonder that it was a favorite resort of the Indians. Back from this neck, and from the sea coast, a plain, nearly level, and from one to two miles wide, stretched to the first tier of low hills, which abounded in the other sections of the town. The first stream west of Connecticut River was called Oyster River, from the natural beds of oysters that were found in it near its mouth. It rises near the northern boundary of the present town of Old Saybrook, and empties into the Sound about half a mile west of Cornfield Point. J^ike many or most of the Connecticut towns, a large part of its surface is broken and hilly, but the pl.iin upon which the principal part of the village stands is fertile and easy of cultivation. The soil on Saybrook Point, that on Lynde's Neck at the mouth of the river, and that in the village near the center is light, as is that in the Ferry District, but in Oyster River District the soil is a little heavier, and the farms are equal to any in the State. Indians and Indian Wars. While most of the histories of Connecticut, including De Forest's History of the Indians, have very little to say about the Indians that inhabited this town, there is no doubt that it was as densely populated as any part of this State. Heaps of shells, flint arrow heads, and stone hatchets, which are found occasionilly even now, after two and a half centuries of cultivation, show that the clams, fish, and game that abounded here, induced many of the savages to make it their home. The ancient burying ground on Saybrook Point, which is only about an eighth of a mile from the fort, was used for that pur- pose by the Indians before the English arrived, as their skeletons, which are found occasionally even now, at- test. The lower part of this cemetery is bounded upon the South Cove; the bank next the cove being about ten or twelve feet high, and in the early part of the present century the waters of the cove came to the foot of this bank, where there was a sand beach. In the " Septem- ber gale," 1815, so much of this bank washed away as to disclose some of the Indian graves, and some of their treasures that were buried with them. The copper box, evidently of Dutch manufacture, before mentioned in a note, a little copper pail, and some bottles were found, which are still preserved. At the mouth of Oyster River, in the western part of the present town, was probably another settlement, as Robert Chapman, who settled there after the Indians had been partially subdued, found that a part of his farm had been dis-forested and cultivated by them. A few years ago the skeleton of a gigantic Indian war- rior (as was supposed) was disinterred on the grounds of G. H. Chapman Esq., in a good state of preservation. The frame was found in a silting position, but there were no weapons buried with it. The skull was found to have been fractured, probably with a tomahawk in some battle. The skeleton was sent to New London or Norwich. There also seems to have been another settlement about a mile above Saybrook ferry, and not far from the river, for arrows, pestles, axes, etc., have been found there. DeForest, in his " Indians of Connecticut," claims that the Indians in Saybrook and vicinity, were of the Nehantic (now called Niantic) tribe, who had been subdued by the Pequots, but that author afterwards speaks of them as Pequots, and that is the name given them by most historians. In 1634, the year previous to the settlement of Pattaquassett by the English, Captains Stone and Norton, in a small vessel, with a crew of eight men, came into the river on a trading voyage. Captain 448 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Stune was from St. Christopher's, in the West Indies,* and intended to trade with the Dutch at Hartford. After he entered the river, he engaged a number of Indians to pilot two of his men up the river to the Dutch, but that night they went to sleep, and were both murdered by their guides. The vessel, at night, was made fast to the shore. Twelve of those Indians who had several times before traded with the captain, apparently in an amicable manner, were on board. Watching their opportunity, when he was asleep, and part of the crew on shore, they murdered him secretly in his cabin, and cast a covering over him to conceal it from his men. They then fell up- on them, and soon killed the whole company, except Captain Norton. He had taken the cook room, and for a long time made a brave and resolute defense. That he might load and fire with greater expedition, he had placed powder in an open vessel close at hand, which in the confusion of the action took fire, and so burned and blinded him that he could make no further resistance. Thus, after all his gallantry, he fell with his hapless com- panions. The vessel was then plundered, burned to the water's edge, and sunk. Part of the plun- der was received by the Pequots, and part by the Eastern Nehantics. Sassacus and Niragrat, the sachems of those Indians, were both privy to the affair. and shared in the goods taken from the vessel. f This massacre took place about half a mile above Saybrook Point, and it is said that some of the timber and plank were found as late as 1785, together with a quantity of bar iron and a few other articles. J It was for this murder that the Indians brought the beaver and otter- skin coats and skeins of wampum mentioned in the first part of Lieutenant Gardiner's narrative. In the narrative of Lieutenant Gardiner, mention is made of old Mr. Mitchell's expedition to Six Mile Island after hay in 1636, of the killing of three men by the Indians, and the capture of "the brother of Mr. Mitchell who is the minister of Cambridge," who was roasted alive. Win- throp's Journal speaks of him as " a godly young man named Butterfield."§ The place where this occurred is supposed to be on the east side of the river, at what is now called Calves Island, formerly called Butterfield's Meadow. The capture of Tilly is supposed to have occurred at what is now called Ferry Point, about half a mile above the ferry between Saybrook and Lyme, and which has sometimes been called TilFy's Point. It is supposed that Tilly's warehouse, which was burned by the Indians, stood near the same place. After they had killed his companion, they carried him across the river in plain sight of the English, who could not assist him, where they cut off his hands and his feet, thrust hot embers between the flesh and the skin, and put an end to his life by lingering tortures. As all their cruelties could not extort a. groan, the ferocious Pequots themselves pronounced him a stout man. During two ♦ Giirdiner calls liim a VirgiDiati.^ tTrumbull, 1, p. 60, JiField's History Middlesex County. §PoB3iLily a brother-in-law of Mr. Mitchell. winters (those of 1635 and 1636) the fort was almost in a state of siege. In the winter of 1646 their outbuild- ings, stacks of hay, and almost e^ierything of the kind that was not inside the palings around the fort were burned, and some of their cattle were killed, and others came home with arrows sticking in them. At the time of the skirmish at the Neck leading to the Point, when Lieutenant Gardiner had been out to burn the marsh, the Indians pursued them to the fort, where they chal- lenged the English to come out and fight, and mocked them with shrieks and groans, in imitation of those whom they had tortured. They boasted that they could kill Englishmen "all one flies." A few charges of grape shot from the cannon dispersed them. Of the three men who came down the river in a shallop, one of them being shot through the head, as mentioned by Gardiner, the other two were ripped by the Indians from the bot- tom of their bellies to their throats, cleft down their backs, and hung up by their necks upon trees by the side of the river, that the English, as they passed by, might behold these objects of their vengeance. Early History of Saybrook Fort. When Lion Gardiner was hired by the patentees as "engineer and master of works of fortifications," he was to serve them, also, " in the drawing, ordering, and mak- ing of a city." Accordingly, after the Indians had been subdued, the Point was laid out in lots, streets were sur- veyed, and preparations were made for " the reception of gentlemen of quality " from England. Colonel George Fenwick was probably the only one of the patentees who ever visited the colony. He arrived in May 1636 — a few months after Gardiner took posses- sion. How long he remained is not known, but he prob- ably returned to England in the autumn of the same year. In July 1639, Colonel Fenwick came again to Connecticut, this time accompanied by his wife and fam- ily. They came in one of two ships that arrived at Quin- nipiac, direct from England, after a passage of seven weeks. These are said to have been the first European vessels that ever anchored in New Haven Harbor. We catch only an occasional glimpse of the daily life of the Fenwicks, at the fort, and that through contem- porary correspondence. Thomas Lechford, a London attorney, who lived in Boston for a few years, and re- turned to England in 1641, tells, in his " Newes from New England," that Master " Fenwike, with the Lady Boteler," were living at the mouth of Connecticut River, "in a fair house and well fortified; and on one side Master Higginson, a young man, their chaplain." "The Lady was lately admitted of Master Hooker's church [in Hartford] and thereupon their child was baptized." The exact date of Colonel Fenwick's departure for England has not been ascertained. Mr. Fenwick was present with the magistrates- at the sessions of the court, October 8th and 9th, and one writer* thinks that he sailed for England soon after, as among the proceedings of the General Court, December * Johu Hammond Trumbull. OLD SAYBROOK— SAYBROOK FORT. 449 ist 164s, was an Older that "the noats that should be sent by ech vessell to Seabrooke shalbe sent in to Mr. Hopkins as Mr. F. assigne." If so, he again returned to Connecticut, as he was present among the magistrates at . the session of May 20th 1647, and that of May i8th 1648, the latter being the last time that his name appears among the list of magistrates. At the session of the court, December 6th 1648, the treasurer was directed to send out warrants to the constables of each town upon the river for the gathering of corn for Mr. Fenwick, in payment of the " Fortt Rate," by the ist of March, " that it may be in readines, when called for, according to order and covenant, by Mr. Fenvvicke or his assigne." In the proceedings of the court in 1652, Capt. Cullick is spoken of as Mr. Fenwick's agent, so that there is nothing be- tween 1648 and 1652, in the Colonial Records, by which to determine the date of his departure. Tradition finds the cause of his return in the death of his wife, and the necessity of finding a more suitable home for his infant children. Tradition has given 1648 as the date of the death of Lady Fenwick, but J. Hammond Trumbull says that " his wife's death must have occurred shortly after the birth of her daughter, Dorothy, November 4th ,645." The most distinguished personage connected with the early history of Saybrook is John Winthrop, the younger. Having accepted the commission to build the fort and begin a plantation at Saybrook, he came with his wife to this country in October 1635. This commis- sion was only for one year, and there is no account of its renewal. Capt. John Mason, who made Saybrook his home for 12 years, will always be remembered as one of its most prominent characters in the olden times. When the fori at Saybrook was transferred by Col. Fenwick to the juris- diction of the colony. Mason was appointed to receive the investment, and at the special request of the inhabi- tants he removed to that place, and was made com- mander of the station. The name of Lion Gardiner is almost indissolubly connected with the early history of Saybrook. On the fly leaf of an old Bible which belonged to Lion Gardi- ner and which was in possession of the family a few years ago, the following is written: " In the year of our Lord 1635 the loth of July, came I Lyon Gardner & Mary my wife, from Worden, a town in Holland, where my wife was born. We came from Worden to London, & from thence to New England, ' and dwelt at SayBrook fort four years— it is at the mouth ,o( Conn, river — of which I was commander, & there was born unto me a son named David, 1636 the 29th of April, the first born in that place, & 1638 a daughter was born named Mary, 30th of August, & then I went to an island of my own, which I had bought and purchased of the Indians, called by them Moncho- nack by us, Isle of Wight, & there was born another daughter named Elizabeth, the r4th September 1641, she being the first child of English parents that was born there." Robert Chapman was another of the early settlers who was prominent in public affairs. According to family tradition, he came from Hull, in England, to Boston, in [635, from which place he sailed in company with Lion Gardiner for Saybrook, November 3d, as one of the com- pany who were sent to take possession of the mouth of the river under the patent of Lord Say and Seal. He is supposed to have been at this time about 18 years of age. He was one of the particular friends of Mr. Fenwick, and a man of influence in the town, as is evident from the fact that for many years he held the office of town clerk, and clerk of the Oyster River Quarter, and filled many other important stations. He was for many years commissioner for Saybrook, and was its deputy to the General Court 43 times and assistant 9 times, between the years 1654 and 1684. The records also show that each of his three sons were representatives to the Legis- lature: the eldest 22 sessions; the second, 18 sessions; the third 24 sessions. He was also a large land holder in the towns of Saybrook and East Haddam. Robert Chapman, after the Indians were subdued, settled on a tract of fertile bnd nearly three miles west of the fort, known as Oyster River, which has descended in the line of the youngest son of each famil}', never having been bought or sold, and it is now occupied by Robert Chap- man Esq., who is the youngest of the sixth generation. .According to the family tradition, Mr. Chapman was born in 16 1 6, and died October 13th 1687. Mr. John Clarke was an early settler at Cambridge, Massachusetts, as noted by Winthrop in his journal, as early as 1632. We learn from the will of his brother, George Clarke, of Milford, that he came from Great Mundon, Hertfordshire, England, to America. He (John) came from Cambridge to Hartford, Connecticut, about 1636, probably with Rev. Thomas Hooker's com- pany. In the first division of lots at Hartford, in 1639, he drew for a house lot, No. 138, on the west side of Bliss street. He had 22 acres of land assigned to him as his portion, and he was one of the committee to apportion the land. He was a juror of Hartford, in 1641, and was a soldier in the great battle with the Ptquot Indians at Mystic, in 1637. He was one of the petitioners to Charles II, for the charter of Connecticut. The precise time of his removal from Hartford to Saybrook is not known. He was recognized by the General Court as deputy from Saybrook as early as 1644, and was nomi- nated commissioner for Saybrook, in 1664. In 1647, he and "Capt. John Mason were directed to carry on the building of the fort at Sea Brook." He and Robert Birchard were appointed by the court to view the lands then granted to Captain Mason's soldiers. John Clarke was a large landholder in Saybrook, but he removed to Milford where his brother George resided probably sev- eral years before his death. His will was made at Mil- ford, January 19th 1673, and it is found in the New Haven Probate records. The name of his wife is not certainly known, but she was probably a Miss Coley. The order of the birth of his children is not known. Their names 45° HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. were: John, married Rebecca Porter.October i6lh 1650, and probably did not remove lo Milford at all; Joseph, who| had a wife but no children, and was lost at sea; Elizabeth, who married William Pratt, of Saybrook; and Sarah, who married Mr. Huntington.* The estate of John Clarke at Milford amounted to £201; at Saybrook, ^227; total, ^434, los. 6d. Purchase of Saybrook Fort. In 1644, a committee, consisting of the governor and o'.hers, was appointed by the General Court of Connecti- cut to treat wiih George Fenwick Esq., relative to the purchase of Saybrook fort, and of all guns, buildings, and lands in the colony, which he and the lords and gen- tlemen interested in the patent of Connecticut might claim. In December they came to an agreement as fol- lows: " Articles of Agreement, made and concluded betwixt George Fenwick Esq'r of Sea Brooke Fort, on ye one part, and Edward Hopkins, John Haynes, John Mason, John Steele and James Boosy, for and on ye behalf of ye Jurisdiction of Connecticott River, on ye other part, ye Sth of December 1644. "The said George Fenwicke Esq'r, doth by these pres- ents convey and make over to ye use and for ye behoofe of ye Jurisdiction of Connecticott River aforesaid, ye Fort att Seabrooke with ye appertenances hereafter mentioned, to be inioyed by them for euer. " Two demiculvening cast peeces, with all ye shott thereunto appertaining, except fifty w'ch are reserved for his own use. " Two long Saker cast peeces, with all ye shott there- unto belonging; one Murderer with two chamb'rs, and two hammered peeces; two barrels of gunpowder. Forty muskets with Bandaleers and rests, as also foure car- abines, swords, and such irons as there are for a draw- bridge; one row of lead and irons for the carriages of ordinance; and all ye housing withing ye Palisade: " It is also provided and agreed betwixt ye said part- ies, yt all ye land uppon ye River of Connecticott, shall belong to ye said Jurissdiction of Connecticott, and such lands as are yet undiscovered shall bee ordered and given out by a Committee of five, whereof George Fen- wick Esq'r, aforesaid is allways to bee one. "It is further provided and agreed yt ye Towne of Sea Brooke shal be carryed on according to such agreements, and in yt way which is allready followed there and at- tended betwixt Mr. Fenwick and ye Inhabitants there. " It is also provided and agreed betwixt ye said par- ties yt George Fenwick Esq'r shall have liberty to dwell in and make use of any or all ye bowsing belonging to ye Fort, for ye space of ten years; hee keeping those wch he makes use of in sufficient repaire, (extraordinary casualties excepted;) and in case hee remove his dwelling to any other (ilace yt hee give half a yeare's warn *Tho Huiitinstori mentioned iibovo whs probably Dea. Simon Hun- tington, of Norwicli, who. Miss Calkins says, in her history, inniried Sarah, daughter of Joseph Clarlse, of SaybrooJc, In October, 1853. The I River shall pay twelve pence pr. annu: during ye fores'd ing thereof yt provision may be made accordingly;, onely it is agreed yt there shall be some convenient part of ye bowsing reserved for a Gunner, and his family, to live in if ye Jurissdiction see (itt to settle one there. " It is further provided and agreed betwixt ye said parties that George Fenwick Esq'r shall inioye to his own proper use, these prticulers following: — " I. The house neare adioyning to ye wharfe, with ye wharfe and an acre of ground thereunto belonging, pro- vided ye said acre of ground take not up above eight rodd in breadth by ye water side. " 2. The point of land and ye marsh lying under ye barne allready built by ye said George Fenwick. " 3. The Island comonly called Six Mile Island, with ye meadow thereunto adjoining on ye east syde ye River. "4. The ground adjoyning to ye Towne-field w'ch is allready taken of and inclosed w'th 3 rayles by ye said George Fenwick: onely there is liberty granted to ye said jurissdiction, if they see fitt, to build a Fort upon ye westerne point, whereiinto there shall be allowed an acre of ground for a house lot. '■ It is also provided and agreed that ye said George Fenwick Esq. shall have free wanen in his owne land and lyberty for a fowler for his owne occasions, as allso ye like liberty is reserved for any other of ye Adventurers yt may come into these parts, with a double howse lott, in such place where they may choose to settle their aboode. "All ye foremenlioned grants (except before excepted) ye said George Fenwick doth ingage himselfe to make good to the jurissdiction aforesaid, against all claymes y't may be made by any other to ye premises by reason of any disbursements made upon ye place. " The said George Fenwick doth also promise yt all ye lands from Managansett River to ye Fort of Seabrooke, inentioned in a Pattent grannted by ye Earle of VVarwicke to certaine Nobles and Gentlemen, shall fall in under ye jurissdiction of Connecticut, if it come into his power. " For and in regard of ye premises and other good con- siderations, ye said Edward Hopkins, Jno. Haynes, Jno. Mason, Jno. Steele and James Boosy, authorized there- unto by the Generall Courte for ye jurissdiction of Con- necticott, doe in behalf of ye said Jurissdiction promise and agree to and with ye said George Fenwicke Esq'r, yt for and during ye space of ten full and compleate yeares, to beginn from ye first of March next ensuing ye date o( these presents, there shall be allowed and payd to ye said George Fenwicke or his assignes, ye perticu- ler sums hereafter following: — " I. Each bushell of Corne of all sorts, or meale yt shall passe out att ye River's mouth, shall pay two pence pr. bushell. " 2. Every hundred of Biskett yt shall in like manner passe out att ye River's mouth, shall pay six pence: " 3. Each milch cow, and mare of three years ould or upwards, within any of yeTownes or farmes upon the Joseph was probably a misprint, as there was no Clarice but John in the town at that time, except his son Joseph. Deacon Huntington and iiis wife lived together 63 years, she dying in 1731, aged 88. terme: " 4. Each Hogg or Sow yt is killed by any particular OLD SAYBROOK— THE FORT— SETTLEMENT OF NORWICH. 45 1 p'rson within ye lymitts of ye River and the Jurissdiction aforesayd, to bee improved eyther for his owne p'rticu- lar use. or to make raarketts of shall in like manner pay twelve pence pr. annii: " 5. Each hoggshead of Beaver traded out by this Jurissdiction, and past by water downe ye River, shall pay twenty shillings. " 6. Each pound of Beavfer traded within ye lymitts of ^ ye River shall pay two pence, only it is provided yt in case the general! trade with ye Indians now in agitation pr'ceed, this tax upon Beaver, mentioned in this and the foregoing article shall fall: " 7. The sayd Committee doe, by the power aforesayd consent and agree to and with ye said George Fenwicke yt bee ye said George Fenwicke and his heires shall bee free of any imposition or customes yt may heereafter by the Jurissdiction be imposed att ye Fort. At a session of the General Court, February 5th 1644 the articles of agreement with Mr. Fenwick are again re- cited, and some penalties are affixed for evasions, and non-compliance with the terras agreed upon with himi and it was ordered by the- court " that all the Inhabi- tants of this River doe take spetiall notice* of the said agreements, and doe pay to George Fenwick Esqr at Seabrooke, or his assignes, att or before the first day of March, 1645, and so every year, att, or before the first day of the said month of March, untill the tearme of tenn years be expired, such soms as shalbe due from them vppon any of the foregoing prticulers." In consequence of the burning of the old fort at Say- brook in 1647, a new one was begun in 1648 at a place called New Fort Hill. Removal of Settlers to Norwich. A heavy drain was made on the population of Say- brook by the removal of Rev. Mr. Fitch, and a large part of his congregation to Norwich. From his long familiarity with Uncas, and his frequent explorations of the Indian country, it is very probable that the project of establishing a plantation in the Mohegan country origi- nated with Captain Mason. At what period the plan of this new settlement was broached is uncertain. Probably it was for several years under consideration. A large proportion of the inhabitants of Saybrook entered into it; a few names from other places were added to the list and in May 1659, application was made to the Gen- eral Court for permission to begin the work. The peti- tion granted as follows: " Hartford May 20 '59. This Court haueing con- sidered the petition prsented by the inhabitants of Sea- brook doe declare yt they approue and consent to what is desired by ye petitioners, respecting Mohegin, proided yt within ye space of three years they doe effect a Planta- tion in ye place pr'pounded." A list of the names of those who signed this petition would be interesting, but no copy of the petition has been preserved. The records speak of the signers as " the inhabitants of Seabrook," implying that a majority of the people proposed to remove to the new s-fettlement; and this coincides with the current opinion that the com- pany consisted of Mr. Fitch and the major part of his church. What could have induced them to abandon their comfortable homes, and the improvements they had labored so long to obtain, is not known. Tradition has it that, being mostly farmers, they were driven from Say- brook by the crows and blackbirds. These were a great nuisance in the early days of the country, and did much damage, and in Saybrook, as well as in other towns, as the records show, bounties were offered for their destruc- tion, and in some towns, it is said, penalties were imposed if a certain number were not brought in by each inhab- itant every year. This story is doubtless a pleasant satire rather than a fact. The following list comprises most of the original proprietors of Norwich, the names of nearly all of them being found in the earlier records of the town of Saybrook: Rev. James Fitch, Major John Mason, Thomas Adgate, Robert Allen, William Backus, William Backus jr., John Baldwin, John Birchard, Thomas Bliss, Morgan Bowers, Hugh Calkins, John Calkins, Richard Edgerton, Francis Griswold, Christopher Hunt- ■ ington, Simon Huntington, William Hyde, Samuel Hyde, Thomas Leffingwell, John Olmstead, John Pease, John Post, Thomas Post, John Reynolds, Jonathan Royce, Nehemiah Smith, Thomas Tracey, Robert Wade. The removal of Mr. Fitch and his friends, though it weakened Saybrook, by no means left it desolate, and in a few years the vacancies were filled by new purchasers. Mr. Fitch was not the only minister that Saybrook fur- nished to Norwich. In 17 16, after the dismissal of Mr. Woodward, their pastor, Mr. Benjamin Lord was called " on tryal." He was a native of Saybrook, and then about 24 years of age. List of Freemen in 1669. "A List of the Names of the Freemen already made in the Town of Say Brooke, ye 4th 8th '69: " Mr. Robert Chapman, Wm. Bushnell, Mr.Wm. Pratte, Alexander Chalker, Mr. Thomas Buckingham, Wm. Lord Senior, Mr. John WastoU, John Clarke, Frances Bush- nell, Abraham Poste, Wm. Parker Senior, Samuell Joanes, Thomas Dunke, John Parker, Robert Lay, John Bushnell, Wm. Beamont, Edward Shipman, Richard Joseland, Joseph Ingham, John Chapman, Robert Chap- man jr., Thomas Norton. " Richard Raimond Sen'r is approbated by the Corte, but not yet sworne. " This is a true List of those who are already in ye Town of Say Brooke, as witnesse or hands, 4th, 8th, '69. " Say Brooke. Wm. Parker, Joseph Pecke, Samuel Jons, Constable." Attempt of Gov. Andross to Take Possession of Saybrook Fort. In 167s, Saybrook was the scene of an attempt on the part of Governor Andross, of New York, to take posses- sion of the fort and town. On the morning of the 8th of July in that year, to the surprise of the people of that 58 CE, j Townes men. 4S2 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. town, he arrived off Saybrook. They had received no intelligence of the affair, nor instructions from the gov- ernor and council. But the fort was manned, and the militia of the town were drawn out for its defense. Dur- ing the day, Gov. Andross addressed a letter to the gov- ernor at Hartford, announcing his arrival, and Mr. Robert Chapman, one of the townsmen of Saybrook, and captain of the train band, also wrote to Gov. Winthrop for orders and advice. On the same day, or the day after, Capt. Thomas Bull and his command arrived at the fort, prepared to defend it against Gov. Andross, if necessary. On the nth, Gov. Andross, with his armed sloops, drew up before the 'fort, hoisted the king's flag, and demanded the surrender of the fortress and town. Capt. Bull raised his majesty's colors and refused to sur- render. Gov. Andross did not like to fire upon the king's colors, and perceiving that he could not reduce the fort without bloodshed, judged it expedient not to fire upon the troops. He nevertheless lay all that day, and part of the next, off the fort. On the morning of Monday the 12th, the instructions of the council reached Say Brook by post, and the next morning the protest of the Council was received in the same manner, as Major Andross with his retinue was landing. He was met by the officers of the fort, who informed him of their instructions, which were: "to ten- der him a treaty by meete p'rsons deputed to that pur- pose in any place of this colony where he should chuse." The Major rejected the proposal, and forthwith com- manded in his Majesty's name, that the duke's patent, and his commission should be read, " which notwithstand- ing that they were required in his Majestyes name to forbeare, was done."* " Wee withdrew a little, declaring wee had nothing to do to attend it. Which being done, then Major An- dross manifested, that he had now done, and should saile immediately, unlesse we desired him to stay. Wee told him that wee had no order to desire him to stay, but must now read something else; and forthwith the protest was read in his presence. He was pleased to speake of it as a slander, and so an ill requitall for his kindnesse; and by and by desired a copy, which wee declared that wee had no order to give; but yet parted peaceably. His Honour was guarded with the Towne souldiers to the water side, went on board, and pr'sently fell down below the Fort, with salutes on both sides. "f Governor Dongan, the successor of Governor Andross, at New York, found in 1678, some papers in the Sec- retary's office, in which Andross acknowledges that " hee himself went with some soldiers to surprise them, in- tending when he had done it, to keep possession by a Fort he designed to make at a place called Seabrook, *Truintiull says that Captaia Dull commanded him in His Majesty's name to forbear reading. When the clerk persisted in reading, the captain repeated his command with such energy in hisToiee, and mean- ing in his countenance, that the Major was convinced that it was not sale to proceed. The captain then read the protest. Governor Andross, pleased with his bold and soldier-like appearance, said; " What's your name?" He replied, "My name is Bull, sir." "Bull," said thegovet- nor, " it is a pity that your horns are not tipped with silver " tLetter of Robert Chapman and Thomas Bull July 13th to General Assembly. but was prevented by the opposition of two companies of men then lodged there ready to goe out ag'st the In- dians, with whom they were in Warr."* The Narragansett war followed in the winter of the same year, and eight men were drawn from Saybrook for that service. Tradition says that Alexander Chalker was one of these men, and that he was killed. His sword is still preserved by his descendants. The names of the others have not been preserved. Condition of the Fort in 1693. Letter in regard to Saybrook Fort, to Col. John Allyn, Hartford. t " Saybrook ye 30 of August 1693. " Honour'd S'r, "Yours dated ye 20th Instant I have Rec'd,and in ob- servants to your orders and instructions have this day taken a view of ye effort, Mr. William Dudley, and Mr. John Parker being with mee, and we find that such are the Ruinous decays of ye said ffort, that the small mat- ter of charge by your honor proposed, will be altogether insignificant and worthless both to their majesties and this colony's Interest, the Gates are all down but one, and one of them gone, both wood and iron three of ye hooks of ye grate gate stole: most of ye Iron of one of ye Carriages, with all of the iron taken away, the Plat- forms all Rotten and unserviceable, part of ye stone wall y't supports ye mount falten down, most of ye mud wall decayed, with the Palisades ag't itt, about ffour Rodd of plank Wall on the north, that never was done, and Lyes open, the Jack, Jack-staff and Pillor to be repaired with now most of ye great shott pilfered and gone, and accord- ing to our favorable judgment doe compute ye Charge to be no less than fifty pounds to put it in a defensive posture, all which we att ye Request of ye Capt. signifies to your honours, and subscribe ourselves your honoured servants. " John Chapman Sen. " Will'm Dudley, Sen. " John Parker Jun'r." Yale College, While the inhabitants and churches in Connecticut were constantly increasing, the demand. for a learned ministry to supply their churches became more and more urgent, and a number of ministers conceived the purpose of founding a college in Connecticut, as Cam- bridge was at so great a distance as to render it inconvenient to educate their sons there. The design was first concerted in 1698, by the Rev. Messrs. Pier- pont, of New Haven, Andrew, of Milford, and Russell, of Branford. It was talked over among the ministers of the colony, till finally ten of them were agreed upon for trustees to found, erect, and govern a college. Doubts arising about their capacity to hold real estate, application was made to the Legislature for a charter of incorporation. In October 1701, the General Assembly *Col. Rec. 11 Ap. No. XXX. + Oopied from the original letter iu State Library at Hartford. OLD SAYBROOK— YALE COLLEGE. 453 incorporated the trustees, granted the charter, and voted them the sum of /^6o annually. November nth the trustees met at Saybrook and chose Rev. Abraham Pierson, rector of the college, and Rev. Samuel Russell, trustee, to complete the number of the corporation. At this meeting, Saybrook was fixed upon as the place for the college, and the rector was requested to remove to that town. Till this could be done, they ordered that the scholars should be instructed at, or near the rector's house in Killingworth. The corporation made various attempts to remove the rector to Saybrook, but it was not effected. The ministers had been several years in effecting their plan, and a number of young men had been preparing for college, under the instructions of one and another of the trustees. As soon as the college was furnished with a rector and tutor, eight of them were admitted, and put into different classes, according to the proficiency that each one had made. Some in a year or two became qualified for a degree. The first commencement was at Saybrook, September 13th 1702, when the following per- sons received the degree of M. A.: Stephen Buckingham, Salmon Treat, Joseph Coit, Joseph Moss, Nathaniel Chauncey, and Joseph Morgan. Four of them had pre- viously graduated at Cambridge. They all became min- isters of the gospel, and three of them, Messrs. Moss, Buckingham, and Chauncey were afterward fellows of the college. From motives of economy, the commencements were private for several years. Mr. Nathaniel Lynde, of Saybrook, generously gave a house and land for the use of the college so long as it should remain in the town. This house stood on the road leading from the fort to the village, a few rods west of the old cemetery on Say- brook Point. Tradition says that Mr. Lynde lived on the street running through the middle of the Point, known as the " Middle Lane " or Church street, and near the church, and the house of Rev. Mr. Buckingham. In 1704, Rev. Mr. Pierson died, and Rev. Mr. Andrew, of Milford, was chosen rector pro tempore, and the senior class was removed to Milford. Mr. Andrew acted as mod- erator at the commencements, and gave general direc- tions to the tutors, while Mr. Buckingham, the minister at Saybrook, and one of the trustees, had a kind of direc- tion and inspection over the college. In this state it continued till about 1715. In 1713, a valuable addition of books was made to the college library at Saybrook. From 170Z to 1713 inclusive, 46 young men were gradu- ated at Saybrook. Of these 34 became ministers, and two were elected magistrates. Mr. John Hart and Mr. Phineas Fisk were tutors. As the objects for which the college was established were considered highly import- ant, the collegiate school attracted the special attention both of the Lejsislature and clergy. Though generous donations had been made for its support, it was far from flourishing or happy. The senior class was at Milford under Mr. Andrew, the rector, and the other classes at Saybrook, under the two tutors. The books were neces- sarily divided, and exposed to be lost. At the same time the scholars were dissatisfied, both with the place, and manner of their instruction, They complained that Say- brook was not sufficiently compact for their instruction, some of them being obliged to reside more than a mile from the place of their public exercises. There had also from the beginning been a disagreement among the peo- ple of the colony, as to where the college should be fixed. Some were for continuing it at Saybrook, others wished to remove it to Hartford or Wethersfield, and a third party were equally zealous for its removal to New Haven. The trustees met at Saybrook, April 4th 17 16. When the scholars came before them, they complained of the insufiSciency of their instruction, and the inconven- iences of the place. It has been the tradition, that most of these complaints were suggested to them by others, with a view to cause a general uneasiness, and by this means effect the removal of the college. After a long debate on the circumstances of the school, it appeared that the trustees were no better agreed than the students, and leave was finally given to the Hartford and Weth- ersfield students, who were the most uneasy, to go, till commencement, to such places of instruction as they pleased. The consequence was that the greater part of them went to Wethersfield, and put themselves under the instruction of Rev. Elisha Williams, pastor of the church in Newington, some went to other places, and a number continued at Saybrook, but the small-pox soon after breaking out in the town, these generally re- moved to East Guilford, and were under the tuition of Rev. Mr. Hart and Mr. Russell till commencement. While the school was in this state people in different parts of the colony began to subscribe for the building of a college, hoping by this means that the trustees might be induced to settle the matter according to their wishes. About ;^7oo was subscribed for its establishment at New Haven, ^£^500 for fixing it at Saybrook, and considerable sums for the same purpose at Hartford and Wethersfield. The trustees met again at commencement, September 12th 1716, but could not agree any better than before, and they adjourned till the 17th of October, to meet at New Haven. When they met at that date, after discussion, they voted, " That considering the difficulties of con- tinuing the collegiate school at Saybrook, and that New Haven is a convenient place for it, for which the most liberal donations are given, the trustees agree to remove the said school from Saybrook to New Haven, and it is now settled at New Haven accordingly." Five of the trustees voted for New Haven, Mr. Wood- bridge and Mr. Buckingham were for Wethersfield, while Mr. Noyes did not see the necessity of removing the school from Saybrook, but preferred New Haven, if it must be removed. The trustees at this meeting received _;^25o from the General Assembly, which with ;^I2S in the treasury, and the subscription for building the col- lege at New Haven, encouraged them to vote to build a college, and a rector's house at New Haven, and they appointed a committee to accomplish the work. At the same time they appointed Mr. Stephen Buck- ingham, of Norwalk, one of the trustees. They sent orders to the scholars to come to New Haven, but 4S4 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. only those at East Guilford complied. Such was the obstinacy of those at Wethersfield, and such the countenance that others gave them, that they continued their studies there till the next commencement. The trustees met again at New Haven, April 5th 1717. Seven were present, including Stephen Buckingham. The acts of the former meeting were read and voted by all the members present, except Mr. Buckingham, who, on ac- count of his friends in Saybrook, judged it expedient not to act. The people in other parts of the colony were strongly opposed to its establishment iri New Haven, and the matter was taken up several times and warmly de- bated in the General Assembly. The trustees held the commencement at New Haven. The number of students was 31, of whom 13, the past year, had studied at New Haven, 14 at Wethersfield, and four at Saybrook. Soon after the commencement, the college building was raised at New Haven; but, nevertheless, Messrs. Woodbridge, Buckingham, and their party, persisted in their opposi- tion, and at the October session of the Assembly pre- sented a remonstrance, which was answered by the other trustees. After a full hearing, the upper house resolved: " That the objections against the vote of the trustees, were insufificient." The lower house, after a long debate, resolved nothing relative to the subject. This shows how deeply the colony felt interested in the affair, and how unhappily it was divided. Further votes were passed by the trustees to strengthen those already pass- ed, and their reasons were assigned for fixing it at New Haven, which were the difficulties of keeping it at Say- brook, arising partly from the uneasiness of the students, and partly from continued attempts to remove it to Hartford. They thought Hartford too far from the sea, and that it would not as well accommodate the southern and western colonies, in most of which, at that period, there were no colleges. The Assembly then passed an act advising them to finish their building and granted them a hundred pounds to be distributed among the instructors of the college. Notwithstanding the college seemed to be fixed at New Haven, there were some who still wished to have it at Wethersfield. They encouraged the students who had been instructed there the last year — about 14 in number to continue their studies at the same place. At the session in May, the lower house voted " to desire the trustees to consent that the commencement should be held alternately at Wethers- field and New Haven, till the place of the school be fully determined." The upper house was of the opinion that the matter was fully determined already, and therefore they did not concur. Gov. Saltonstall was supposed to be in favor of its establishment at New Haven, and his influence might have had some effect on the upper house. About this time (1718) they received several donations, that of Gov. Yale being the most considerable, and it was voted at commencement in September to call it Yale College. On the same day on which commencement was held in New Haven, a dissatisfied party held a kind of commencement at Wethersfield, in presence of a large number of spectators, in which five scholars performed public exercises. When the Assembly met in October, they passed a series of resolutions, among which was one appropriating 50 pounds from the sale of lands, to be given to the town of Saybrook " for the use of the school in said town." Another gave the governor and council power, "at the desire of the trustees, to give such orders as they shall think proper, for the removing of the books> belonging to the said college, left at Saybrook, to the library provided for them at New Haven." Upon the desire of the trustees, the governor and council met at Saybrook in December, and granted a warrant to the sheriff authorizing him to deliver the books to the trus- tees, but notwithstanding the pacific measures which the Assembly had adopted, there was opposition to their re- moval. The sheriff, when he came to the house where they were kept, found it filled and surrounded with men, determined to resist him. Nevertheless, he, with his at- tendants, forcibly entered the house, took the books and secured them under guard during the night. In the morning it appeared that the carts provided for carrying them to New Haven were broken, and the horses turned away. New provision being made, they were conducted out of the town by the major part of the county; but some of the bridges on the road were broken down, and when they arrived at New Haven it was discovered that about 250 of the most valuable books, and several im- portant papers were missing, and no discovery was ever made of them afterward. After this unhappy struggle, the heat of men's spirits began to subside, and a general harmony was gradually introduced among the trustees, and in the colony. Field says that after the first meeting of the trustees, in April 17 16, two of the trustees, at the succeeding session of the Legislature, without the con- sent or knowledge of their brethren, petitioned that the college might be removed to Hartford. "This surpris- ing and ungentleman-like proceeding caused passions, which had long been kindling, to burst forth, and from this lime to the permanent establishment of the college at New Haven, the subject of its location produced more debate and division in the Legislature, and in the Cor- poration, among civilians and clergymen, and the people at large, than almost any other subject which has ever been agitated in Connecticut." It is idle to speculate upon what Saybrook might have been, had the college remained here, but it doubtless would have been as large as New Haven. Patent of 1704. In 1704 Saybrook, as well as a few other towns, re- ceived a patent from the Legislature. This patent con- firmed the grants made in a previous one, defined ac- curately the boundaries of the town, and conferred the usual rights and privileges with the usual verbiage and formality. It was issued to " Robert Chapman, Thomas Buckingham, William Parker, William Beaumont, John Chapman, Abraham Post, John Pratt, John Clarke, Wil- liam Parker jr., Robert Lay, and Zachariah Sandford of the town of Saybrook in the County of New London in the colony aforesaid, Gents., and to the rest of the pro- prietors thereof." OLD SAYBROOK— PLATFORM. 455 The original document is in possession of Henry Hart Esq., who bought it some years since from a man in the town of Griswold. Though prizing it highly, he offered it to the town for the small sum paid for it, but the selectmen, with that penny-wise economy not un- common in town ofiScers, declined to take it, and the op- portunity of placing this valuable document among the archives of the town was lost. The Saybrook Platform. The Cambridge Platform, which for about sixty years had been the general plan of discipline and church fel- lowship in New England, made no provision for the general meeting of ministers, or for their union in asso- ciations or consociations, yet at an early period they had a general meeting both in Connecticut and Massachu- setts, and began to form associations. Their annnal meetings were at the times of the general election at Bos- ton and Hartford. At these times they had handsome entertainments made for them at the public expense. At these meetings they consulted together respecting the general welfare of the churches, the ministerial supply, and gave general directions regarding candidates for the ministry. But these associations and meetings were only voluntary, countenanred by no ecclesiastical constitu- tion, attended only by such ministers as were willing to associate, and could bind none but themselves. There was no regular way of introducing candidates to the churches, by the general consent, either of themselves or the elders. When they had finished their studies, if they imagined themselves qualified, and could find some friendly minister to introduce them, they began to preach, without any examination or recommendation from any body of ministers or churches. Besides, it was gener- ally conceded the state of the churches was not satisfac- tory with respect to their general order, government, and discipline. A great majority of the Legislature and clergy in Connecticut were for the association of minis- ters, and the consociation of churches. In this state of the churches, the Legislature passed an act, at their ses- sion in May 1708, requiring the ministers and churches to meet and form an ecclesiastical constitution. This act, after reciting the purpose and necessity of such a meeting, directed the ministers of the several counties, with the messengers or delegates of their churches, to meet at the county towns on the last Monday in June, " There to consider and agree upon those methods and rules for the management of ecclesiastical discipline, which by them shall be judged agreeable and conform- able to the word of God, and shall at the same meeting appoint two or more of their number to be their delegates, who shall all meet together at SayBrook, at the next commencement to be held there, where they shall compare the results of the ministers of the several counties, and out of and from them to draw a form of ecclesiastical discipline, which by two or more persons delegated by them shall be offered to this court, at their session at New Haven, in October next, to be considered, .„, ,.^. . ,. „ , ^ ' . J , r , hform of Churoh Discipline," tbe first book printed in the colony of Con- of and confirmed by them: And the expense or the necticut. He died in 1712, aged 30. above mentioned meetings shall be defrayed out of the public treasury of this colony." According to this act, the ministers and delegates met at the several county towns, made their respective drafts for discipline, and chose their delegates for the general meeting, which was held at Saybrook, September 9th 1708. Present — From the council of Hartford county, the Revs. Timothy Woodbridge, Noahdiah Russell, Stephen Mix; messenger, John Haynes, Esq. From Fairfield county, the Revs. Charles Chauncey, John Davenport; messenger. Deacon Samuel Hoit. From New London county, the Revs. James Noyes, Thomas Buckingham, John Woodward; messengers, Robert Chapman, Deacon William Parker. From New Haven county, the Revs. Samuel Andrew, James Pierpont, Samuel Russell. Revs. Thomas Buckingham and James Noyes were chosen moderators, and Revs. Stephen Mix and John Woodward, scribes. At this council it was agreed — " That the confession of faith owned and assented unto by the elders and messengers assembled at Boston, in New England May 12th 1680, be recommended to the general assembly, at the next session, for their public testimony thereunto, as the Faith of the churches of this colony." * The council a'so made rules for the consociation of the churches, for the settlement of disputes, and for pro- ceedings in the matter of discipline. President Stiles observes: "I have been told that the model from New Haven county, said to have been draughted principally by the Rev. James Pierpont, was that which, with some amend- ments, passed the Synod." When the Platform was adopted, there were 41 churches in what was at that time regarded as the territory of Connecticut; excluding the one in Rye, there were 40, and about as many ministers. f The platform consists of two parts: "A Confession of Faith," and "Heads of Agreement, and Articles for the administration of Church Discipline." - These having been unanimously passed and signed, they were presented to the legislature the succeeding October, and adopted, with this proviso: " That nothing herein shall be intended or construed to hinder or prevent any society or church, that is or shall be allowed by the laws of this government, who soberly differ or dissent from the united churches hereby established, from exercising worship and discipline, in their own way, according to their consciences." The Saybrook Platform, J thus unanimously recom- mended by the elders and messengers of the churches, and adopted by the Legislature as the religious constitu- tion of the colonies, met with a general reception, though some of the churches were extremely opposed to it. The confession of faith, having been adopted by the churches and Legislature, was also adopted by the college, and its *This was the Savoy confession, with some slight alterations. tHist. Acot. Saybrooii Platform, 1843. * In 1710, Thomas Short, of New London, issued "The Saybrook Plat- 4S6 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. trustees and officers, upon their introduction to office, were required to give their assent to it, and to the West- minster confession and catechisms. Common Lands. A large part of the land in the present town of Old Saybrook was owned and held in common for about a hundred years by proprietors, rights being set off to them according to the amount of money invested. At a town meeting, April 13th 1695, the preamble recites that on the 24th of December last, by an act of the town, the northern part of the Commons was put into the hands of the original proprietors for division, and they having met, recommended to the town that not only the northern part, but all undivided lands in town commons, should remain a perpetual common for the use of the inhab- itants of the town. The town, therefore, voted " that from this time and hereafter forever, these lands com- monly known by the name of the town commons, which are bounded on the nothern and westerne sides by pot- apauge, and oyster River Quarters, on the easterne part by the greate river, and on the southern part by the highway to the mill," such as were not already granted, should not be subject to general distribution. At one time the town commons were set in the list at ;£'7,ooo. Parsonage Meadow, Grants to Soldiers, etc. Early in the history of the colony a tract of salt meadow, bounded on the east by Connecticut River, and south by the North Cove, was set apart for the use of the ministry, and it is still held and owned by the Con- gregational society. The tract is called " Parsonage Meadow," and the point at the mouth of the cove, " Par- sonage Point." The following are some of the town votes on the subject, as copied from Vol. i, Saybrook Town Acts, by Henry L. Pratt: " Dec. 8th 1687 At the same Meeting John Bull pre- tending a claim to a certain Island of Meadow being compassed around with water, so with the Great River, Ragged Rock Cove, & the North Cove — but making nothing appear of any title, the Town being satisfied that he hath neither honest or legal title unto said Island of Meadow do agree and by Vote determine said Island to be and belong to the Town, and to be absolutely at their disposal." " At a Town Meeting May 25th 1688, being the third Monday in May. It was agreed and voted that the Island of Meadow that Lyeth the West side of the Great River below Ragged Rock — and four acres of upland lying in the Town Plat between Mr. Nathaniel Lynd's land and James Readfield's shall for the present be at the Townsmen's disposing: the benefit thereof, and for the future to be for the use of the ministry." " July 23d 1691 At a Town Meeting orderly warned^ It was agreed and ordered that the present Townsmen in the Town's behalf, should vindicate & manage the Town's Interest about a certain Island of Meadow lying betwixt the Town and the Ragged Rock." " March 21: 1677-8 It was voted & agreed that the fields should be cleared* by the next Tuesday the 26th of this Instant March, and then the Pinnyerf to search the fields." " Dec. 3d 1678 the Town did agree and Vote to add to Mr. Buckingham's maintenance ten pounds in order to the supplying him with wood at three shilling a load, proportioning a load to a hundred pounds Estate to be paid at or before the last of December yearly." At the same meeting Samuel Murrain, of Milford, de- sired to be presented „" to the Town to come & set up the trade of a tanner in Town, do grant to him for that and ye piece of land at the Neck gate, it was formerly granted to Thomas Johnson." " Joseph Parker was chosen Pinner for ye year ensuing." " At the same meeting Ensign Abraham Post Senior John Chapman, Mr. John Tully shall be established measurers of Land for the future." " Feb. 7 1678 The Town agreed that the Souldiers that went out of the Town in the Indian, war shall have five acres apiece of Land — those fields that were survey- ed by Wm. Parker. Sen., and Wm. Lord Sen. and Insign Post, on these conditions, viz.: that they shall not sell their several parcels of Land to any within the Term of 4 years from the date hereof, but to such as the Town shall approve of, and the Town do expect these Lands shall be fenced in for improvement within the terms aforesaid, — the names of the soldiers that the Town have given Land to, are as foUoweth, viz.: Wm. Parker Jun., John Clarke, John Large, John Pratt (Tailor), Samuel Ollicott, Samuel Pratt, Isaac Hasolberg, Andrew Bugert, John Lees, Samuel Chalker, Steven Bushnell, Thomas Morrall, Edward Shipman, Joseph Ingham, John Lorin, John Tillotson, John Bull, Nathaniel Rudd." "Sept 22 79 At a Town meeting called at Saybrook it was voted and agreed that Capt Chapman, William Parker Sen. and Liftenant Bushnell shall draw up a righting in way of a plea to the Court's demand concern- ing the land twixt the fort and the burying plot." At the next meeting, September 29th, it was voted that the above writing " be presented to the court as the Town Act, and have ordered the Selectmen to subscribe to it." " 1681 It was agreed & voted concerning the pasture lands lying about adjoining to the Stone Pits now under the improvement of Thomas Dunk as belonging to his wife; that there shall be no improvement of the said pasture by cattle by way of pasturage, as lying within that fencing, till the land be sufficiently fenced according to law, and so judged by the fence viewers to be made and maintained, and in case this be not allowed, the town declareth for the future, that they will not allow any future pastureage in the said fields." "At a Town meeting Jan. 30th 1681 It was agreed and voted, That for as much as sundry complaints have been made this day by sundry Inhabitants Proprietors of the West side, commonly called the thousand acres, Re- specting damages yearly sustained by reason of the in- sufficiency of the Ox-pasture fence having considered * The Common fields. + Pound keeper, who " pinned " the pound. OLD SAYBROOK— THE FERRY. 457 these complaints, do find them to be real & insuffer- able, do therefore see cause at this meeting, by town act and voat to appoint & decide that for the future the ox- pasture shall be well found with a good sufficient four rail fence or other fence equivalent, to be yearly viewed by the fence viewers, as by oath they are bound to doe in any other the common fences And further- more do order there shall be no oxen or horses or any other cattle put into the aforesaid ox pasture until it be sufficiently fenced as aforesaid, & what cattle are found in the said field shall be accounted damage feasant And the Pinners are hereby ordered to take cognizance of this field, as any other of the fields belonging to the town. The town do hereby order that the aforesaid fence shall be done at or before the tenth of May annu- ally and the fence viewers to go out to view it the eleventh of May, and what is proved insufficient the townsmen are hereby ordered to take care that it be done as the Law doth direct in other common fences." "At a town meeting nth Jan. '76 it was voated and agreed that the fortification both palisades and gate all but the ditch the carge [charge I thereof shall be pay'd, the half of it by the whole town, the other half of the carge of the premises to be pay'd by those that dwell within the neck gate." Saybrook Ferry. The ferry between Saybrook and Lyme was established in 1662 as the following extract from the proceedings of the General Court for that year shows: " This Court grants Sea Brooke Inhabitants liberty to set up a ferrey at Tilleyes Point, and to take i2d. for a man & horse and 6d. for a single person." In October 1696, the ferry rates were fixed at "twelve pence pay or eight pence money" for man, horse and load, " fower pence pay or three pence money " for a single man, and "eight pence pay or five pence money " for a single horse; and 1698, the court ordered that "one shilling in money pr time " might be charged for horse and man in the months of December, January, and Feb- ruary. Travellers who were obliged to cross the river were put to great inconvenience on account of there being no wharf on the Saybrook side and "by reason of the un- certainty and alterations frequently made " in the road leading to the ferry. The court, in October 1719, ap- pointed John Hamlin and Richard Christophers, a com- mittee to view the ferry, to fix a place where a wharf should be built and to determine where the highway leading to the ferry should run. This committee having reported, the General Court took the following action (October 1720): "This Assembly taking into consideration the report of John Hamlin and Richard Christophers, Esq'rs, a committee appointed to view the ferry place between Seybrook and Lyme, and to consider how the ferry there may be best ordered and improved, and also what has been offered by Mr. Stephen Whittlesey and Mary Dud- ley concerning the same: It is thereupon ordered and resolved, that the wharf begun by Mary Dudley and her son shall be compleatly finished, and the causeway made and highway laid open from the said wharf and from the said Whittlesey's house according to the return of the said Hamlin and Christophers; and the one-half of the just cost which the said Mary Dudley and her son have been at, in building the said wharf so far as it be done, shall be allowed and paid unto them by the said Whittle- sey; the account of it to be adjusted and determined by Mr. Nathaniel Chapman and Mr. Daniel Buckingham, of Seybrook; and the said Whittlesey shall have liberty, if he desires it, to do what remains to be done to the said wharf for the finishing thereof, and also to make the causeway, one-half of the charge whereof shall be allowed liim by the said Dudleys in part of his half of the cost they have been at in what they have done to the said wharf as abovesaid; the account of which shall also be adjusted by the aforenamed persons. And the said Whittlesey and Dudley shall keep the said ferry joyntly and together until the first day of March next or as now they do; and from the said first day of March next it shall be kept by the said Mary Dudley and her son Wil- liam for the space of one year, and then the said Stephen Whittlesey shall take it and keep it for the like space, and so it shall be kept by the said Dudleys and Whittle- seys, their heirs, etc., by turns, by the year, for the future, until this Court shall otherway determine. And when it is the said Whittlesey's time, he may, if he will keep it at the creek on the north side of his house, pro- vided he build a wharf there according to what is men- tioned about it in the return of the aforesaid committee." In 1732, the ferrymen at Saybrook, William Dudley and Ambrose Whittlesey, petitioned the court to exempt them from carrying the officers of the government free of charge, or to increase the ferry rates, and in response to this petition the court ordered that the fare should be " thirteen pence money " for man, horse, and load in the months of December, January, and February, and nine pence during the rest of the year. In May 1744, the General Court ordered the ferrymen at Saybrook " to erect and repair the wharf at said ferry place on the west side, and also provide and constantly maintain good and proper boats, well manned with suffi- cient tackle and furniture," etc., and Samuel Lynde Esq., Capt. Jedadiah Chapman, and Capt. Elisha Shelden were appointed to see that the order of the court was com- plied with and the fares were again changed to four pence for man, horse, and load, three pence for each footman, three pence half penny for each horse, lawful money, except from November to April, inclusive, when the fares were fixed at six pence, four pence, and five pence, respectively, "the above fare to be accounted at the rate of four pence in old currency for one penny lawful money." In case the ferrymen should at any time be deficient in any of the particulars mentioned, the com- mittee was empowered to impose a suitable fine not to exceed five pounds. For some time prior to 1752 complaints were made that the ferry was much neglected, and the passage over 4S8 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. the river difificult and dangerous, and in the May session of this year the General Court appointed Samuel Lynde and Richard Lord to investigate the matter, and report to the court at its next session. The substance of this report is unknown, but the two gentlemen were voted 12 shillings each for their labor. No further notice of the ferry seems to have been taken by the General Court until October 1760, when the fol- lowing act was passed: " * * * The ferrymen or tenders of the ferries at New London and Saybrook shall carefully and diligently attend the convenience of passengers, and to that end they shall not at either of said ferries suffer said two boats to lie at the same time on the same side the river, but from time to time as soon as either of said boats have crossed said river and reached the opposite shore, the ferryman or ferrymen whose boat shall then lie at said shore shall immediately put off his boat and pass over to the other side of said river, whether there be any pas- sengers ready to go over or not, unless the ferryman who last arrived to the shore where the other boat shall be lying shall immediately return to the shore from whence he came as soon as he can unload his passengers or freight. And when it shall so happen when either of said boats shall have put off from the shore, any pas- sengers shall be waiting or come before such boat shall arrive at the other shore, the ferryman on the opposite side shall immediately put off and carry over such pas- sengers, and the fare shall belong to that ferryman on that side from whence they pass. And if any such ferry- man or ferrymen shall neglect to conform to the true in- tent and meaning of this act, he or they, for every such offence shall forfeit and pay the sum of twenty shillings. * * * >> At the same time the fares were fixed at 8d. Tor man, horse and load, 3d. for foot man, 6d. for led horse, 8d. for ox or other neat kine, and one penny each for sheep, svvine and goats, from October ist to April istj and dur- ing the rest of the year 6d., 2d., 4d., 6d., and 3 farthings respectively. After the Indians were subdued, some of them were servants to the whites, and others lived near them and became partially civilized, many of them taking English names. They gradually decreased, however, till ^t the beginning of the present century, only a few stragglers remained. The tradition has come down to us, that Obed, one of these Indians, sacrificed a deer to the Great Spirit on a hill about half a mile north of the head of Main street. The hill is still known as " Obed's Altar Hill," though the exact rock on which the sacrifice took place is not known. It was, however, one of the high rocks on the east side of the hill, and it is not visible from the lurnpike. Who this Obed was is not known, but an Indian' of that name was a servant of Colonel Fenwick, and it is probable that he was the one. Years afterward he laid claim to a piece of land, which the fol- lowing entry in the town acts explains: " The Teste of William Hide, & Morgan Bowers, who certifie & say that wee do well Remember that Obed the Indian was a servunt to Mr, Fenwick the space of four years, & we are able to say he was a faithfull servant to him, & that for his service, Mr. Fenwick Did Ingage a parcell of Land to him, We cannot Justly Say what Quantity, But we Do Conclude it was not less than four acres, and that Obed's father Did Possess the Land be- fore the Serviss of the said Obed was out. To this we Can Safely take our oaths. " This was given in before me, John Mason, the 19th of May 1673." On the town records is a deed from Uncas and Awaneco his son, October 17th i68r, to Thomas Dunk, of land at Salmon Brook, the tract being about three miles long by two in breath. " Uncus appeared & acknowledged the aboue Written Deed before mee." Samuel Mason, Com'r. New London June ye 9th 1682. "Uncas, his -f mark. "Awaneco, his + mark." Indians were sometimes apprenticed to the English, as follows: " I Ephraim Indian of Saybrook son to Black Jo, Deceasd Do hereby In consideration of money In hand reed of Mr. John Kirtland of sd Saybrook in the County of New London, &c Putt and bind myself Apprentice Unto the Above sd John Kirtland, His Heirs &c: During the whole term and time of three months from the first day of Aprill 1735, Untill the first of July next Ensueing the Date hereof, During all which time ye sd Ephraim shall faithfully perform his sd Master's Business: — His sd Master Allowing ye sd Ephraim the sum of two shillings & sixpence for Each Day the sd Ephraim shall work for ^his sd Master, and If anything of ye Above mentioned wages for Each Day be Due to ye sd Ephraim at ye Expiration of sd time his sd Master is then to pay the sd Ephraim. And If his sd Master Shall Give Leave to ye sd Ephraim to Go from him for fishing or hunting; or any of the sd Ephraims business, ye sd Ephraim is to pay day for Day after the Expiration of sd term for Each Day he is So Gone. In Witness whereof the sd Ephraim hath sett to his hand this twenty eighth day of february A: D: 173-^ his " Ephraim Indian + „ „,. ( John Tully mark Witnesses j J^^^^^,^ ^^^^^„ The Gale of September 1815. The following is from Samuel Tully's diary in regard to the " September gale " — the severest ever known here — Friday, September 22d 1815: "Stormy last night, with fresh N.E. wind, but little rain this forenoon, but storm increased in the afternoon, abating a little about sunset, but seems to close up soon after like a continued storm." Saturday 23d — " Storm has continued during the night, and this morning rages with wasting violence, wind blowing very powerfully, and rain falling in sheets. By 8 A. M. it blows a most tremendous and awful gale, tearing up the strongest trees OLD SAYBROOK— JOHN TULLY. 459 by the roots, or breaking them off, blowing down many buildings and raising the tide higher than was ever known in the memory of any person living, flowing into the cart path opposite the east garden. The water on the causeway by the windmill was nearly deep enough to touch a horse's belly, and extended in the road from Mrs. Newell's barn to the Dunk house, the distance of 30 or perhaps 40 rods." The Dunk house stood not far from the corner where the old school house stood, and on the south side of the road. John Tully. Among the early settlers of Saybrook was John TuUy, son of John Tully, of the parish of Horley, in the county of Surrey, England. He was baptized September 9th 1638, and with his mother and younger sister, and his mother's two brothers, Arthur and William Fenner, came to this country in 1646 or 1647. At a proper time one of the Fcnners, in behalf of John Tully, made a voyage to England for the purpose of obtaining possession of his property, but by some means now unknown was un- successful. John himself now undertook it, but neglect- ing to take his deeds, his uncle, William Tully (whot with a man by the name of John Tirrel, had charge of his property) denied his right, and asserted that he was an imposter, and that they had ample proof of the death of the real heir. Thereupon, he was forced to return to America in order to produce proof of his descent, and obtain the writings that would entitle him to the estate. On reaching the house of his mother, who not long be- fore had married Mr. Robert Lay, of Saybrook, he found the deeds, so essential to the case in question, cut into narrow strips and attached to a lace pillow, but, with much difficulty, they were so nicely pasted together as to answer the purpose. After reaching England he re- covered the estate, which he sold, and then returned to this country. The deeds of the property, which seems to have been valuable, are dated 1665. In 1671 John Tully married Mary Beaumont. In March 1676 he, with John Clark and Edward Shipman, were townsmen, and there was granted to him one-half acre in the town plat, " on south end of Matthew Bellamy's lot, provided he begins to build within the year." It is probable that he did not build, for in 1680 he bought of his step- father, Robert Lay, a house and lot in the town plat on Saybrook Point, about half a mile west of the fort on the Middle Lane, near the head of the salt meadow, across which the main road passes, in which house he resided till his death, October sth 1701. As he had not been bred a farmer, he disposed of his property in lands,* which, it seems, was very considerable, and supported his family by teaching arithmetic, navigation, and as- tronomy. In addition to this he furnished New Eng- land with almanacs from 1681 to 1702, the last of which was published in Boston after his death. He was also ♦In a list ot 46 proprietors of the town commons, he was the largest owner, his interest amounting to £608, 6 s. 8 d. John Ayer was next, £350. town clerk for several years. The family record quaintly says: " So greatly superior was this man's edu- cation to most of his cotemporaries in America, and so superstitious and ignorant were the common people in the country, that with them he was reputed a conjurer." This strange reputation, however, was acquired, as ap- pears, merely by exercising what at the present day would be termed common sagacity. He died, October sth 1701. His place of burial is not exactly known, but a family tradition says that it is in what is now the street, in front of the burying ground on Saybrook Point. The title page of one of his almanacs reads as follows: " An Almanack For the Year of our Lord, MDCXCIII. Being first after Leap Year. And from the Creation 5642. Wherein is Contained, Astronomical Observa- tions from the Suns Ingress into Aries, and the other Cardinal Points, with an Account of the Eclipses, Con- junctions, and other Configurations of the Celestial Bodies. With a brief Discourse of the natural causes of Watry Meteors, as Snow, Hail, Rain, &c. Calculated for and fitted to the Meridian of Boston in New England, where the North Pole is Elevated 42 gr. 30 min. But may in- differently serve any part of New England. By John Tulley. " Boston, Printed by Benjamin Harris at "the London-Coffee-House, 1693." After the calendar comes a notice " Of the Eclipses this present Year." The first being of the moon: " Is celebrated in 3 degrees of Leo, in a sign of the fiery triplicity, and as it is said, that generally after an Eclipse or male-configuration of Planets in the fiery Try- gon, It hath been observed that Wars have succeeded, Slaughter of Men, Rapines, Murders, Towns, Castles, Forts, Besieged, depopulation sometimes of whole Coun- tries, Villages and Provinces; and these are signified to be more violent, if an Eclipse happened in time of present War. If such a defect happen in a peaceable time, it incites many dangerous Contentions, many tedious Law-Suits, much variance amongst vulgar persons, even concerning trivial grounds. Sometimes Tumults happen. Insur- rections in several Counties or Countries against their Magistrates, when little or no cause is given." A list of cities and countries under different signs is given. Among them are " Under Sagitorius of King- doms, Spain, Hungary; Countries, Moravia. Dalmatia, Slavonia, some parts of the Low Countries; OV/>j,Rhems, Rattisbon, Worms, in many of these Kingdoms, Countries, or Cities, the Effects of the aforesaid Conjunction and Oppositions of the three Superior Planets may be mani- fested in one kind or other more or less." After explaining the causes of rain, hail, snow, etc., he touches upon earthquakes: " Plenty of Winds, gotten in the Bowels, holes and Corners of the earth, bursting out of the Earth, and the earth closing again causeth the shaking, or Earthquake, and is a token of ensuing War." His last almanac was published in Boston after his death in 1702. John Tully, grandson of John Tully, the settler, was 59 460 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. for Evidences take born in 1702, and was for many years town clerk and justice of the peace. He was also a large landholder and farmer. Extracts from Old Records and Documents. Among numerous cases tried before John Tully, as justice of the peace, were the following: " To John Tully one of his Majestes Justices of ye peace for ye County of New London, 1 the subscriber one of the Tything men for the first Society in the Town of Saybrook, in s'd County, do on my ofifice Oath, Com- plain and Present, that hannah parker and Ann Buck- ingham both of s'd Saybrook were on the nth day of January Last past (it being the Sabbath or Lord's day), at the meeting house in ye first Society in s'd Saybrook, and in the time of Divine service were then and there Guilty of the prophanation of said Sabbath or Lord's day, by laughing and talking in a prophane manner, to ye Disturbance of ye Publick worship of God, Contrary to ye Good Laws of this Gov'r'ment in that case pro- vided. Given under my hand this glh day of february i74f " James Bushnel tything man. Timothy Pratt Dan'l Ingraham Lydia Kirtland." On the back of the subpoena is the following return of the constable: " Saybrook february ye nth 174^. ' " then this Summons Was Red in ye hearing of the Within named timothy Pratt and Daniell Ingraham By me Nath'l Jones, Constable of Saybrook. " fees -00 —04 -2." The result of the trial is not known. " To John Tully Esq. a Justis of ye Pease for ye County of New London, Comes Martin Kirtland one of the Tything men for ye Town of Saybrook in Said County, and on Oath Informs against one John Buckle of Wethasfeild in Hartford County that he s'd Buckle on Lords day the 13th day of September Last being Master of a Vessle then Lieing in the Harbour in s'd Saybrook in Connecticut River within two miles of ye meeting House in ye first Parish in s'd Saybrook where the Pub- lick worship of God was then maintained, and being on Board s'd Vessle Did weigh Anchor and come to sail, and s'd Vessle Did then sail up Connecticut River with- out s'd master haueing obtained order or License from any magistrate or Justice of the Peace which is Contrary to the Laws of this Colony in that Case made & Pro' vided. Dated at Saybrook the nth Day of October A. 17^1. " Martin Kirtland Tything man." " Take for witnesses James Harris, Josiah Farnal." " John Tulley one of the Justas of the peace for Say- brook in the County of New^London, I Stephen Chalker, in the town and County aboues'd do inform and present upon my office oath to your worship, that upon the nth day of this instant September, which was on the Lord's day or the Sabeth, that Daniel Wetraore of Mideltoune, did sayl out of our harbour of Saybrook in ye County of New London for Long Island, Which act is Contra to our good and Wholesome laws of this gouvrment which we find in our lawbook page 105. " Dated Sept'r 21 1743. Stephen Chalkfr. ) Capt. John Burros with his wife and his Evidences [■ eldest son, and two eldest daughters and ) Mr. Sam'l Kirtland. " Mr. Daniel Wetmore Confessed Guilty Nov'r i6th I743-" " To John Tully Esq'r one of his Maj's Justices of ye Pease for the County of New London, Whereas I the subscriber one of His Maj's Grand jurymen for s'd County would hereby inform your worship against and Complain of Sarah Tooker of Saybrook in s'd County, wife to Taber Tooker of s'd Saybrook said County that whereas shee ye said Sarah Toocker hath not for this three Saboths or Lord's Days Last past, and particu- larly the Last Sabbath or Lord's Day being the 26th of this Instant January, applied herself or attended Publick worship by Law a Lowed in any Church or Congregation what Ever which neglect of her ye s'd Sarah Tucker is abreach off and Contrary to the good and Wholsom Laws of this government as at Large apears by our Colony Law book in ye (139) page of ye Same, and Intitl'd an act for ye Due Observation and keeping the Saboth or Lord's Day, &c. Now I the Subscriber here prays that Shee ye s'd Sarah Tucker may be sent for and Dealt with as ye Law Directs. Dated at Saybrook the 31 day of Jeneary Ad 1765. ^ " Stephen Nott " granguremaN. "For half a day for prosacuting is Prov'l mony." The above complaint is in a different handwriting from the date and signature. It will be noticed that the same word or name is spelled differently in different places in the same document, something not at all un- common in ancient writings. A similar complaint was made against Joseph Clark, of the parish of Chester, by Andrew Southworth, grand juror, the warrant being dated April 19th 1744. The following return and memorandum is on the back of the warrant: "Saybrook april ye 20th 1744. according to this pre- cept ye within mentioned prisoner is arrested and brought before ye worship by me Hez. Whittlesey Con- stable of Saybrook. " fees 0—8—0 "Saybrook April 20th 1744. " Judg'mt Given for ye fine & Costs. "Test: J. T., Justice. " In Behalf of our Lord "The King. OLD SAYBROOK— OLD RECORDS. 461 "The writt 0—6 " Serving & Return . 2 — o "Attend'ce i— o " Judg'mt 2 — o S — 6 Lawfull money. "All paid by a note & to ye Constable, i — 2 — o old tenor. " To John Tully Esq'r of Saybrook one of his Mages- ties Justices of ye peace for ye County of New London, whereas it is Enacted in one Parragraft of a Law of this Colony, Entitled an act for licensing and Regulating Houses of Publick Entertainment or ,Taverns, and for Suppressing unlicensed Houses, that if any Person or Inhabitant Belonging to any Town Shall be found in any Tavern or Licensed House in any such Town any time in the Night Next before or in ye Night next after ye Lord's Day, or after nine of ye Clock in any other night (except Such Person Shall Satisfy ye authority before whom they may be Brought that their was a Proper Reason or Extraordinary occassion for their being there at such time) and be thereof Convicted before such au- thority. Shall Incur ye Penalty of three shillings — yet nevertheless, Epaphras Nott, Charles Williams, Elijah Scovel, Ebenezar Williams, Ebenezar Parker, Will'm Waterous, Stephen Buckingham, Sarah Dunk Junr, Hannah Lay Junr, Diana Williams, Temperance Heyden Junr, & Lucy Parker Junr, all of Saybrook in ye County afores'd the Pains & Penalties of ye Law afores'd not in ye least Regarding, were on ye night next following after ye 6th Day of Jan'ry Last Past found in ye Dwelling House of Capt. Ed'wd Bull in s'd Saybrook it being a Tavern or licensed House of Publick Entertainment after nine of ye Clock on said night Contrary to & against the form, and Effect of ye Law of this Colony afores'd in our Law Book at Large to be seen in Page 129 &c — and thereof, under my office oath I hereby Complain & Inform your worship, that they may bj Delt with, according to Law in the Case. Dated Saybrook Feb'ry i8lh A. D. 1756. " Edward Beebe, graniuerman. " Doc'tr David Williams 1 Gtd'n Buckingham ^evidences." WiLLM Clark ] Sara Williams. J " To Either of the Constables of the Town of Say- brook in ye County of New London in ye Colony of Connecticut, Greeting, " Whereas Information & Complaint hath been duly made unto me the Subscriber hereof, of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for ye County afore^s'd by the Se- lectmen of said Saybrook; That one Samuel Emmes hath Left his wife & family at Stamford in the County of Fairfield in s'd Colony and hath Removed himself into this said Town of Saybrook & hath Continued to Reside here for this two or three months Last past, against the mind of a considerable number of the Inhabitants of s'd Town.: and without the approbation of the authority in and selectmen of said town of Saybrook and whereas the said Selectmen have also desired and Requested me the Subscriber to Issue out a Warrant according to the Direction of ye Law in such case: to warn ye s'd Sam'l Emmes to Depart out of the s'd Town of Saybrook. Therefore in Complyance with ye Request of s'd Select- men, These are in his Majesty's name to Require & Command you to warn the said Sam'l Emmes, forthwith to Remove himself, and to Depart out of this s'd Town of Saybrook, & not Continue to live here any Longer; & that on going out; he do not Return to reside in said Town of Saybrook any more. Otherwise Let him know that if he does not depart out of this s'd Town of Saybrook, but Continue to reside herein without Leave of the Selectmen of the Town afores'd. He may Expect to be treated and Dealt with according to the direction of the Law in such Case provided. Hereof fail not, & make due return of this writt, with your doings there- on according to Law. " Dated in Saybrook this 15th day of february in the 6th year of his Majesty's Reign, A. D. 1766. " John Tully Jus'ce of the Peace," Return on the back of warrant: " Saybrook February 17th AD 1766. " Then this within warrant was Red in ye hearing of Sam'U Ames within Named. " Test. Justus Buck Constable of Saybrook." " Fee 2s. lod." " Whereas Mr. Stephen Chalker of s'd Saybrook one of the Grand Jurors of Sovereign Lord the King for s'd Town & County under Oath, Hath Complained to me the Sub.icriber that on ye night following the 12th day of this Instant September, John a Negro Man Servant to Col. Sam'll Willard, Ens'n Sam'll Lord, and Cipio a Negro Man Servant to ye wor- shipfull Sam'll Lynde Esq'r, And Jacob an Indian Man Serv't to Mr. Joseph Lynde. — Did in Saybrook in the first Parish of s'd Town meet together in the street, and there Continued till after nine of ye clock, and did there make a Rout & Disorder, and Likewise Curse & Sware prophanely & utter Blasphemous words, all which is Con- trary to ye good & wholesom Laws of this Colony — page 86 & 99 of our Law book." .Then follows the warrant dated September i6th 1743. "John Tully Justice of ye Peace." " Please to Let the Masters or Mistresses have notice of their Servants being taken to answer ye above s'd." "John & Lunnon were found not Guilty of ye facts & were Dismissed as Delinquents " " Jacob not having sufficient to answer ye Charges was Disposed on in Ser- vice to Mr. Joseph Lynde, 36 working days next Ensuing this 24 of October 1743" Jacob's fine, ;£i los. od., and costs, £,2 5s. 4d., amounted to ;£t, 15s. 4d. The account was given to Mr. Lynde for Jacob to work out. Mid- night roysterers fared hard in those days. The witnesses were Mr. Isaac Chalker, Thomas Ingham, John Ship- man and John Griffing, and the Constable was John Parker. It was common for the surveyor of highways to make complaint of those who neglected to work their road tax. 462 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. In 1745, William Parker, surveyor, complained of " Dan- iel Lord jun'r of s'd Saybrook being legally warned to work at the Highways in ye first Society in s'd Saybrook on the first day of November Instant, Refused or neg- lected so to do, &c." The complaint was dated Novem- ber 4th. The result is given in one word on the back — " Satisfied." The following is Andrew Warner's account against the Town: "April— 1756, the town of saybrook indebted to andrew warner for notiiieing haddam to preamelate the hne — o — 2 — o for going on the line my self and a man with me — o — 4 — ase harris one wild Cat gaines warner two wild cats — 5 — o 1 1 — o Voted " A List of both Officers & Souldiers i)i ye first Com- pany or Train band in Saybrook made this 26th of March 1745. being training." Corpll Jonathan Buttler, Corpll John Whittlesey, Capt Samll Willard, Lt Andrew Lord, Ensn Samll Lord, Sergt Danl Buckingham, Sergt John Parker, Sergt Abram Parker, Sergt Benjam Chapman, Joseph Whittelsey, Josiah Dibble, Jedidiah Dudley, Stephen Harris, Danll Sanford, Isaac Jones, James Jones, Caleb Chapman, Saml Webster, Gideon Jones, Willm Parker, Nathl Sanford, Joseph Buckingham, James Clark, Danll Lord, John Waterhouse, William Tully, Ebenezer Ingham, John Loveland, Saml Dudley, Daniel Ingraham, Jonathan Bushnell. Moses Dudley, Samuel Tully, George Lee, Charles Dickinson, Humphrey Pratt, Joseph Whittlesey jr., Samuel Sanford, Thomas Bushnell, Ephraim Bebee, James Pratt, Nathaniel Shiptnan, Daniel Jones, Corpll John Kirtland, Drum'r Samll Kirtland, Drum'r Nathl Jones, Drum'r Isaac Pratt, Richd Dickinson, William Dudley, Timothy Pratt, Elias Tully, Abiel Lord, Saml Dunk, Jonathn Dunk, Samll Willard, Levi Chapman, Simeon Chapman, Benjamin Ingraham, John Dickinson, Jeseph Borden, Josiah Bushnell, Samll Ingraham, Danll Dudley, James Bushnell, Phinehas Bushnell, John Shipman, Lemuel Bushnell, Elias Shipman, David Reeves, Abraham Chalker jr., John Parker jr., John Wise, Christopher Jones, Elisha Ayer, Gideon Chalker, William Beamont, Josiah Dibble jr., Benjamin Shipman, Benjamin Chapman jr., Daniel Towner, James Ingraham, John Burrows, John Whittlesey jr., George Willard, Abner Lee, Samuel Shipman, Stephen Clark, Jedidiah Buckingham, John Stow, Jedidiah Harris, Elnathan Buttler, Henry Brooks, Nathaniel Bushnell jr., Stephen Chalker jr., Daniel Sanford jr., Prince Done jr., Azariah Mather, Samuel Clark jr., Daniel Ingraham, Christopher Lord, Travis Ayer, John Griffing, Elijah Lord, Ira Bushnell, Giles Blague, John Corbit, Samuel Wright, Edward Doty, Elisha Spencer, Wm. Burrows, Prince Done, A similar list of May 7th, probably same year, as the names are identical, contains in addition a list of those who were deficient in equipments, as follows: " Phineas Bushnell wants powder. " Stephen Clark hath only Gun. "John Burrows has only Gun. " Ephraim bebe has only Gun. " Daniel Lord has only Gun. " Daniel Towner wants Sword. " Theo. Whaley has no ammunition. " Caleb Chapman wants % lb. Powder. " Simeon Chapman hath no ammunition, but hath all at home. " " David Reeves wants powder. " Christopher Jones wants J^ lb. Powder. " Wm. Parker wants % lb. Powder. "Benj. Shipman has only Gun. "Ebenezer Ingham wants powder. ■ " John Griffing no Gun nor Belt. " Gideon Jones has only Gun. " Samuel Clark has only Gun. " Josiah Dibble has only Gun. " Samuel Dunk no Sword." What proportion of men Saybrook furnished in the first expedition against Canada in the early summer of 1755, history does not relate, but at the second call for troops by a special session of the Assembly, August 27th, Saybrook furnished its quota, as seen in original documents. " An account of what was Delivered out of Saybrook Town Stock of ammunition to Capt. James Harris's Company, Sept. 12th & 13th pr me John Tully. " Out of one Cask took out of Mr. Blague's warehouse, which weigh 'd by Capt. Harris's Stilly' ds 57 lbs. before opened after substracting ye weight of ye Rope it was weigh'd with. lb. Powd'r. lb. bull'ts. flints. To Reuben Chapman.. Capt. Harris Sam'llStannard. . . . Thos. Spencer John Morehouse... William Bushnell.. Paybody Greenel . . , Powd'r. I I I r OLD SAYBROOK— OLD RECORDS. 463 lb. Powd'r. lb. bull' ts. flints. Josiah Nott Gideon Kirtland Simeon Pratt Ebenez'r Glading Sani'll Comstock Joshua Wheeler Ezek'U Hill Sam'll Pratt Dan'll Pratt Abner Bushnell Wm. Gidings Wm. Hough Aaron Cone Capt. Leet & ) equally di- John TuUy j vided. . . Stephen Chalker Eliud Graves Josiah Dibble Martin Kirtland John Duglas John Denison Andrew Clarke Adonijah Bucking'm Wm. Rowland David Reeve Simeon Chapman Mr. N. De Wolf ^ Silvanus Dudley Edw'd Tryon Caleb Chapman Tho's Pierce James Clarke Benj. Pratt Gideon Webb Lewis for Eliot Lewis for Wm. Noyes Total. 41 24 Sundry papers; extracts from Town Records &c. "October 1763 paid Joseph Lenew 29 | and 4d In full for ray Unckel William Cochran his Rate for the Ox pasture Dam. Pr John Cochran." " November ye 22 1763. Then Received of Andrew Lord Collector for the Rate to Defray the Charge for Erecting the Dam two Shillings and nine pence half penny. pr. me Charles Lenew His + Cross." "November the 24th 1763, Mr. Elias Tally, Mr. Sam'll Clark, Mr. Sam'll Lynde Cometty men for the mcaddo dam pleese to pay or Answer to Humphrey Pratt the sum of ;£i los. lod. and in so doing you will Ablige ye Humble Searvents Mr. Lennew Jo L^new John Lenew. mark Joseph + Lenew." "Saybrook, Sept. 4th 1857. " Town of Saybrook Dr. "To 34 Persons watching on Guard one night by order of Authority ^^ — 8 — o " To Constable's fees for warning said Guard o — 6 — o " Paid Mr. Wolf in full ;^3— 14— » " Acc't Exhibited for the whole Pr Nathan Dewolf, Constable. t Allowed. At a town meeting, February 22d 1676, it was voted that no man be allowed to sell a gun without permission from the Selectmen. The following extracts from the town records are in- teresting, as showing where some of the residents of Say- brook Point were located, April 30th 1694. " Joseph Blague Bought of Rev. Mr. Thomas Buck- ingham of Say Brook & the Rev. Mr. Moses Noyes of Lyme Executors to the last will & Testament of Edward Lorey late of Saybrook deceased, one Dwelling House lying & being in Saybrook aforesaid, near adjoining unto the North Cove & on the other side of the Highway Westerly of his Own House, known by the name of the said Edward Lorey's House & being part of the said Lorey's Estate." February 9th 1702-3. — "At the same meeting there was voted and given to Mr. Joseph Blague liberty to erect a wharf into the waters from the Warehouse that was formerly Mr. Edward Lorey's, & to build a ware- house thereon if he please, provided he no ways endan- gers the Channell."* December 22d 1713. — " There was also liberty given by vote to Mr. Samuel Doty to Build a wharf north of his ware house thirty feet in Breadth if he sees cause." December 21st 1714. — "The town granted to Maj. John Clarke two Rods wide of land one on the East of his warehouse & one on the West & to run as far South as his other land laid out before & to the River." December 30th 1717. — "Same meeting the Town granted to Mr. John Burrows thirty feet Square of land on the bank between Capt. Samuel Doty's Warehouse and (hat what was Mr. Edward Lorey's, to be laid out by Daniel Buckingham & Stephen Whittelsey, & Bounded North on the edge of the bank. East on Capt. Samuel Doty his land." April 24th 1742. — Gideon Jones borrowed of the Town " Eighteen pounds in Currant Lawful money of this Colony being part of the Legacy Given by Mr. Ed- ward Lorie Late of s'd Saybrook Dec'd for ye maintain- ance of above s'd School in s'd town which I have in hand Rec'd of Sam'l Williams, Francis Bushnell, & Joseph Blague Select men of ye s'd town & trustees for improving s'd Legacy for ye use & benefit of s'd School." Secured by mortgage of four acres of land. Mr. Elias Tully kept school in the school house near his house after the Revolutionary war, and S. Emmons probably in 1801. He was at Pompey, N. Y., in 1802. ♦Probably " Blague wharf," which is under the present wharf of H. Potter* Son. 464 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Ira Kilborn kept in 1800. Mrs. Fairchild kept a private school for girls for a short time previous to 1800, in a room in Mrs. Newell's house. Samuel Tully taught at different times, at his own house, quite a number of boys, who studied arithmetic, navigation, and surveying. December 2Sth 1704.— "The Rev. Mr. Buckingham being pleased to offer to the Town that his Rate should be made Five pound short this year, upon the considera- tion of the great Public charge. Was excepted by the Town, and Deacon Nathaniel Chapman was chosen to return thanks to Mr. Buckingham for the same." January 29th 1707. — " It was agreed and voted, that if any of the pews be relinquished, that Mr. Nath'l Lynde shall have it for himself and family, — otherwise, if he see cause, shall have liberty to build a pew at the west end of the meeting house, and south of the place Sergt. Nath'l Pratt has for himself and family, the present seaters allowing the quantity of room for said pew." December 29th 1707. — "It was also granted to the proprietors of the pews next the Door on the south side of the Meeting House, and the proprietors of the pew granted to Wm. Tully, Liberty to make and maintain a window against their several pews if they see cause." There having been some doubt cast upon the title of the Congregational society to the triangular plot of ground opposite their church, known as the " Green," being the site where the former church stood for 114 years, an extract from the ancient town records, volume 3, page 334, under date of February 17th 1724, seei\is to be con- clusive on that point. After the usual form of convey- ance in use at that time from the grantors to the "Pres- byterian or Congregational Society," the boundaries are given as follows: " Twenty rods of land on the S. E. corner of our home lot, six rods East on great highway, and seven rods S.VV. on highway called Pennywise Lane, and Northerly on the remaining part of the homestead aforesaid. "John Pratt and "Isaac Pratt." December 17th 1776 — " Voted that a premium of 2-6 be given for every full grown wild cat, and 1-6 for every fox." March 1777.— "Voted that the Committee for collect- ing subscriptions for the fort, be desired forthwith to layout the sums they may have gathered toward com- pleting said fort. Also that selectmen divide the town into districts for keeping watch on the sea coast, and that a small guard house be built on ye Neck at ye expence of the Town, with a fire place therein as cheap as may be." Division of the Town. The increase of population in the second and third societies of the original town made it necessary to hold the town meetings in the most central location, and that was Potapaug. When they were first held there is not certainly known, but probably some years before the Revolutionary war. After Westbrook and Chester were formed into new towns, the preponderance of popu- lation was still with Potapaug and Deep River, and the town and electors' meeting were still held there. In 1852, an effort having a political signification, was made to divide the town, Hon. Samuel Ingham, of Essex, be- ing the leading spirit in the matter. It was strongly opposed by the people of the present town of Old Say- brook through their representative for that year, Mr. Ozias H. Kirtland, and by their committees, but the ef- forts of the people of Esssex, before a Legislature in sympathy with the political views of the petitioners, were successful, and the town was divided. Saybrook and Potapaug being set off from Deep River, that re- mained as the original town, and retained the name of Saybrook, together with the ancient records. The re- maining part having to adopt a new name, and not will- ing to relinquish the old one entirely, took that of Old Saybrook. Deep River is still the post ofifice address of the town of Saybrook, and Saybrook is the post office address of the town of Old Saybrook. The first town meeting was held in Potapaug, and Capt. John Bushnell was appointed moderator by the Legislature. As the records and the name were gone, there was no particu- lar object to be gained by remaining with Potapaug, so in 1854 the people of the present town of Old Say- brook petitioned to be set off, which was granted by the Legislature, and they became a town by themselves, retaining the name of Old Saybrook, while Potapaug adopted that of Essex — part of it having been incorpo- rated for several years as a borough. The first town meeting under that name was held July loth 1854, in the academy, Samuel M. Tully being appointed modera- tor by the Legislature. Civil List. Representatives. — The town of Old Saybrook has been represented in the State Legislature by the following named persons: James Phelps, 1853, 1854; Henry Potter, 1855; Wil- liam R. Clarke, 1856, 1865; William J. Clarke, 1857. 1858; Sumner Bull, 1859; Gilbert Pratt, i860; James Tread- way, 1861; R. C. Shepard, 1862; Richard E. Ingham, 1863, 1864; E. M. Lynde, 1866; James Rankin, 1867; John J. Doane, 1868; Ozias H. Kirtland, 1869, 1870; John S. Dickinson, 1871; Edwin Ayre, 1872, 1873; Robert Chapman, 1874; Frederick A. Chalker, 1875; Robert B. Chalker, 1876, 1877; David W. Clarke, 1878, 1879; Corydon M.Whittlesey, 1880, 1881; Ozias H. Kirt- land, 1882, 1883; Rufus C. Denison, 1884. Town Clerks.— 'X\\t clerks of the present town of Old Saybrook have been: William J. Clark, 1854 to 1861; Ed- ward Sandford, 1861 to 1862; Augustus Pratt, 1862 to 1864; Ozias H. Kirtland, appointed in 1864, still in otfice. New Saybrook. Among the property owned by Mr. George Fenwick was the entire " western neck," or Lynda's Point, as it was afterward called, extending from the mouth of the river beyond Cornfield Point, the eastern end of which is now called " Fenwick," and is the site of the light OLD SAYBROOK— NEW SAYBROOK. 465 house, Fenwick Hall, and mimerQiis cottages. This property, by a codicil added to his will, March glh 1656-7, was given to his sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Cullick, wife of Captain John Cullick, from wliom it descended to her daughter Elizabeth, wife of Benjamin Batten, of Boston. This property, containing about 800 acres, was one of the most valuable farms in Saybrook, on account of the sea weed and fishing privileges, by which large quantities of valuable fertilizers could easily be obtained. In 1674, the property was sold by Benjamin Batten and wife to Simon Lynde, of Boston, and possession was given by turf and twig. Simon Lynde came to New England from London in 1650, and was a prominent citizen of the colony of Mas sachusetts for more than 30 years.' In 1686, he was one of the assistant justices of the Court of Pleas and Sessions, and in the following year one of the justices assistant of t.he Superior Court. He died in 1687, possessed of a large estate in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, and leaving 12 children, of whom six survived him. Nathaniel Lynde, his fourth son, born November 22d 1659, after serving as apprentice to his father, who was a merchant, married, in 1683, Susannah, only daughter of Deputy Governor Willoughby, of Charlestown, and removed to Saybrook, Connecticut. Here he became possessed of several hundred acres of land, which his father deeded to him on the i6th of April 1685. This was a part, and probably only a part, of the Neck farm, as his brother, Benjamin, speaks of visit- ing " my Neck " as early as 1720. Mr. Lynde held many offices of trust, and was, for a time, associate judge of the Quorum. On the 9th of September 1703, himself and wife gave, by deed, for the use of the college, so long as it should be continued at Saybrook, "A certain dwelling house and house Lott Lyeing & Being in Say Brook containing by estimation Two acres &58 rods, with an addition of upland & meadow adjoyn- ing to the House Lott, Bounded E. with the Common, S. by cove, W. partly by N Lynde, & partly heirs of Capt. Robt. Chapman, N. highway & lands of N Lynde, & heirs of R. Chapman, House lot with additional land, in the whole 10 acres more or less. Delivered same day to Rev. Nodia Russell, Rev. Samuel Russell in behalf ol trustees." Mr. Lynde. who, two years earlier (1701), had acted as treasurer of the infant college, was a man of high character and large public spirit, and was devoutly re- ligious.* He died October 5th 1729, in the 70th year of his age, having survived his wife a little more than nineteen years. His remains, and those of his wife and his son Samuel, lie under three tabular monuments of stone, at the west side of the burying ground on Say- brook Point, and but a few rods from the site of the college, from which inserted slate tablets, with inscrip- tions, have crumbled away. One of the oldest tomb- stones now standing in the yard is that of " Susanna, ye daughter of Nathaniel & Susanna Lynde, Aged 4^^ months, Dec'd December ye 19 FI, 1685." Another ♦Lynde family. I stone near by is that of Willoughby, who died in 1704 at the age of 7. Nathaniel Lynde's brother, Benjamin, of Boston, was a judge of the Superior Court of Massachu- setts in 1712, and in 1728 was made Chief Justice of the Province, which ofifice he held till his death in 1745. He often visited his brother at Saybrook, as chronicled in his diary, and several times alludes to "my Neck." He owned a farm " at Kelsey hill, in Potapaug, contain- ing about 525 acres, and of the Buildings thereon, and of the Saw Mill on Deep River." - Flis son, Benjamin Lynde jr., was for some years one of the judges of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts. In his diary is the following entry: " Sept. 19th 1754 Died my Coz. Col. Samuel Lynde Esq., at SayBrook, then one of ye Judges of ye Superior Court in that Colony, and had been several years ist Justice of the Pleas for the County of New London, and now and for many years before, one of the Council, he was taken away by a fever in the 64th year of his age, much lamented, as he was greatly beloved." The owners of the land at Fenwick, may be summed up as follows: George Fenwick, his sister, Mrs. Eliza- beth Cullick, her daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Bat'ten, Simon Lynde, afterward his son, Nathaniel, after which it con- tinued in possession of the Lynde family till it was sold to Gilbert Pratt, about 1850. After holding it for several years he sold it to I. S. Otis, and after his death it was sold to Messrs. John F. Bushnell, R. M. Bushnell, and D. C. Spencer, who held it only a short time, and sold it to the New Saybrook Company. In the summer of 1870, the attention of a few citizens of Hartford was called to the " Lynde Farm " or " Light House Point," as a desirable location for a seaside re- sort, which would be made more available by the com- pletion of the Connecticut Valley Railroad, which was then projected. After a careful examination of the property, it was bought, and a joint stock company was formed under the laws of the State, so that the stock- holders should be gentlemen well esteemed in their re- spective communities, and that there should be none likely to disturb the harmony which should exist in a large company gathered for a few months in the sum- mer for purposes of health and recreation. It was also decided that in addition to the erection of a first class hotel, provision should be made for the building of cot- tages by the stockholders and others. It was therefore arranged that each stockholder of 40 shares .of $25 each should receive in fee the deed of a half acre lot, the choice of lots to be disposed of by auction. The following is a list of the original stockholders, each of whom subscribed for 40 shares: C. T. Webster, G. Wells Root, E. Fessenden, C. S. Weatherby, William M. Bates, Jacob Knous, H. S. Lord, A. M. Hurlbut, G. B. Barnes, Newton Case, R. A. Chapman, Perry Smith, Daniel F. Seyraourj William H. Bulkeley, E. S. Tyler, Henry Corning jr., Isaac Glazier, Roswell Blodgett, T. O. Enders, David A: Rood, S. C. Preston, A. P. Pitkin, F. R. Foster, Milo Hunt, C. A. Taft, Geo. E. Hatch, Ebenezer Roberts, Welch & Shipman, Henry Keney, P. 466 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. F. Robbins, C. T. Marston, L. Brainerd, H. P. Blair, J. C. Walkley, Augustus S. Jerome, S. H. White, H. Blanch- ard, Stiles D. Sparry, M. M. Merriman, G. F. Davis, G. P. Barker, H. A. Redfield, F. W. Russell, David S. Brooks & Son, C. Nichols Beach, H. K. W. Welch, trustee, Mrs. Eliz. H. Colt, R. D. Hubbard, John B. Russell, Daniel Phillips, R. S. Ely, Nelson Hollister, A. M. Ward, R. W. H. Jarvis, Geo. G. Sail, John A. Butler, C. C. Hubbard, Charles G. Day, Rev. Cyrus F. Knight, Wm. F. Tuttle, Wm. S. White, Samuel I. Tuttle, Wm. L. Wright & Son, H. & S. Bissell, Worthy & Merrick, A. B. Gillett, Patton & Covel, J. B. Clapp, D. C. Spencer, G. S. & C. L. Lincoln. Mr. A. M. Hurlbut was chosen president; Newton Case, vice-president; Samuel H. White, secretary; and George E. Hatch, treasurer. The land being bought, work was begun on the hotel in the fall of 1870. A wagon bridge, half a mile and eleven rods long, runs across the mouth of the South Cove, and connects the New Saybrook property with Say- brook Point. The Connecticut Valley Railroad also bridged the cove, and has a depot on the premises of the company. The number of cottages has been gradually increasing till now there are eighteen. Fenwick Hall. In the selection of a site for the hotel the committee representing the" New Saybrook Company exhibited a thorough knowledge of the topography of the country as well as a just appreciation of the beautiful and ex- tended views obtainable from this point of observation. In a southerly direction, about eight miles distant, may be seen the shores of Long Island Sound, beyond which and overlooking the same, a view of Shelter Island is clearly discernable. ' Plum Island lies in a southeasterly direction, distant about nine miles. Fisher's Island is seen some 20 miles to the eastward, and on the west about 22 miles distant, is Faulkner's Island. On the op posite side of the river is the little village of Lyme, the tall spires of the churches rising above the surrounding hills, and the landscape dotted here and there with the little farm houses and more pretentious village mansions, the whole presenting a very picturesque appearance. From the north and west stretches for a long distance a level tract of country, broken by little coves and inlets, while small streams winding through in a serpentine- course gradually find their way to the sea. Beyond this, forming a beautiful frame to the picture, rise the distani hills, and the eye is drawn from one object to another, affording great play for the imagination. Added to all this is the healthfulness of the locality. The pure sea breezes wafted from the southward and eastward across this vast expanse of ocean are tempered by the mild winds that come floating down from the northern hills and valleys, equally invigorating and refreshing to the invalid or the pleasure seeker. The highest temperature ever reached at this point was on Wednesday, Septem- ber sth 1884, when the thermometer registered 84 de- grees, while at different points along th'e coast and in the interior it rose to 90, and in some places to over 100 de- grees, the same day. The highest point ever reached previous to this was 81 degrees, the average temperature during the summer season being from 70 to 80. The plans for Fenwick Hall were drawn by S. W. Lincoln, a Hartford architect, who evinced a thorough knowledge of the wants and comforts of sea side guests. On every floor, extending the entire length of the build- ing,is a hall twelve feet wide, on the south side of which is the grand saloon, 45 by 31 feet, besides drawing rooms and parlors on the same floor. On the north and east side of the building, looking out upon the sea is the din- ing room, 44 by 80 feet. The sleeping rooms are all large and well ventilated, and arranged in suites of two, three, four,and six rooms connecting, provided especially for the accommodation of families. By the pecular architectural construction of the building, a cool sea breeze is in nearly every joom in the house. The ascent to the rooms is by abroad open staircase, of such easy tread that the invalid finds no difficulty in ascending to any height. Many of the rooms are provided with stationary wash stands with an abundant supply of water. A broad verandah extends along the entire length of the east, south, and west sides of the building, 454 feet long by 1 6 feet wide. Abundant opportunities for recreation and amusement are afforded by the surroundings. A sail on the open sea, a row around the coves and through the inlets, fish- ing, with pole, net or running line, still water or surf bathing, afford the guests a choice of amusements on the water, while the beautiful level tracts of land and smooth lawns afford an opportunity for croquet, tennis, and games of a like nature. The drives are pleasant and delightful, and the several places of historic interest in the neighborhood afford pleasant pastime and study for the tourist and an- tiquarian. A visit to the tomb of Lady Fenwick or Lady Alice Boteler, as she was called, who left her home of luxury and refinement with her husband, to found a new colony in a land then inhabited only by savages and wild beasts, will well repay the traveler. A short drive in a westerly direction toward Westbrook, brings one to Obed's Hammock, where the rude savage offered sacri- fices and oblations to his god. A drive along the banks of the Connecticut River, about four miles north, brings one to the little village of Essex, formerly called Potapaug, where the British, in the war of 1812, by order of Com- modore Hardy burned all the shipping. Canes from one of the old hulks are still supplied to curiosity seekers by persons living in the locality. About five miles funher north is the thriving village of Chester, formerly called Pattaconk, meaning " sweat- ing place," or " round hill," a beautiful promontory, covered with a thick growth of pines. Here the " medi- cine man " brought his patients and placed them in a heated enclosure until the fever disappeared. Several excavations on the top of this hill show where the eager seekers after the buried treasures of Captain Kidd were wont to spend days and weeks in their fruitless efforts to acquire sudden wealth. c c o U 5 Du %i C o en < o a ►J u H o." The Eighth company of the Fourth Battalion, of which Samuel Selden was colonel, was from Saybrook, and was officered as follows: Captain, Elisha Chapman; ist lieu- tenant, John Hart; 2d lieutenant. Job Wright; ensign, Nathaniel Jones jr. At December session, 1776, Martin Kirtland was appointed ist lieutenant of the artillery company stationed at New London, and Lee Lay was appointed lieutenant, to command at Saybrook. At the May session, 1777, John Ely was appointed colonel of a battalion, John Shipman one of the first lieutenants, and Richard and Joseph Chapman second lieutenants. In January 1778, the Legislature directed that, "One com- pany of 20 men, including one sergeant, i corporal, under a Lieutenant, should be stationed at Saybrook." July 3d 1776, Martin Kirtland was appointed captain of a company at New London, in the room of Captain Ely; Daniel Platts, ist lieutenant; Adriel Ely, 2d lieutenant; Daniel Kirtland, ensign.* July 31st 1776, Azariah Whit- telsey, of Saybrook, was appointed master of the colony ship, under Captain Coit. April 3d 1777, John Shipman * This apparently conflicts with his appointment as lieutenant of ar- tillery, at a later date. Both were taken from proceedings of Leglsla- lature. Hinnian, pp. 259, 365, OLD SWBROOK— REVOLUTION— WAR OF 1812. 469 was appointed lieutenant and commandant of the fort at Saybrook, in place of Lee Lay, resigned. "July 7th 1777. A letter was sent to Capt. Cockran at Saybrook to purchase flour and meat in the best manner he could, and to apply to the pay table for moneys." March 28th 1778, John Shipman jr. was appointed Lieu- tenant of the company of 24 men, ordered, raised, and stationed at Saybrook, by the General Assembly for 1778. The following letter was written in 184:, by Joseph Hill, of Essex, to Mr. Hinman: " In answer to your inquiries, according to the best information I have been able to obtain, the enemy during the revolutionary war, did not land in Saybrook to do much damage; they drove several small vessels ashore, and some were set on fire. They landed on Duck Island which is opposite Westbrook, and burnt the buildings; I believe it was in 1781. A guard consisting of about 20, commanded by a lieutenant, was kept in Saybrook fort; at night one of the whale boats was sent out of the mouth of the river to reconnoitre, and did not return until they could see by daylight, that the coast was clear. The first company, which was enlisted in the spring of 1775, and soon after marched to near Boston, was com- manded by John Ely, captain; Abraham Waterhouse, ist lieutenant; Elisha Lee of Lyme, 2d lieutenant; Dan. Platts, ensign. Some of the company belonged in Lyme. The uniform of said company was, hats bound with yel- low; many of them used white tow cloth, colored with peach tree bark. In the fore part of the summer, another company was raised in Saybrook, and marched for the camp near Boston. I believe said company was com- manded by Capt. Martin Kirtland. " During the whole of the war (a large number from said town were in thg service) the uniform of the com- pany was a red knott on one shoulder. The following persons were taken in the armed ship Blaze Castle, and carried to Halifax: Aaron Platts, William Carter, Abisha Chapman, Abner Stannard Jr, Josiah Wolcott, Jeremiah Lay, Daniel Jones, and John Stannard Jr, — all died but D. Jones and J. Stannard Jr, and all were from Saybrook. Those killed at Groton fort belonging to Saybrook, were John Whittlesey, Stephen Whittlesey, William Comstock, Daniel Williams, Jonathan Butler, and several wounded. It is well known that the American Turtle was invented and built in Saybrook by David Bushnell Esq. He died at an advanced age, in the State of Georgia, a few years since, after acquiring a handsome property, which was brought on by his friend and delivered to the children of his deceased brother Ezra, together with some curious machinery, partly built, which had been viewed by several gentle- men, none of whom I believe, have been able to deter- mine what it would have been if it had been completed." On the 8th of January 1778, Samuel Shipman, of Say- brook, agent for said town, stated to the General Assembly that since the commencement of the war with England to December 31st 1777, they had kept, by order of the town authority, at the harbor, and on the sea coast, in said town, a guard for their protection, at the cost (computing six shillings per day for each man, including provisions, ammunition, etc.), of _;^246:ii:io lawful money, which sum was allowed and voted by said town to be paid; and stated that said guards were kept for the security of the State at large, as well as the town, and that said expense should be paid by the State, and prayed the Assembly to allow and pay the same; which petition was negatived.* Among the soldiers who went from Saybrook were Captain Benoni Shipman, who was present at the execution of Andr^, having command of the guard at the scaffold; Samuel Clark, James Clark, Elias Tully, and William Lord, were among those who were in camp at Roxbury in the early part of the war; Elias Tully, who was an intimate friend of David Bushnell, afterward assisted him in navigating his tor- pedo, which with his other services procured him a pension. He died in 1848, aged 96. Samuel Clark, grandfather of William J. Clark, was lost at sea after the war. Saybrook in the War of 18 12. During the war of 1812, the people of Saybrook were alarmed and disturbed by the enemy even more than they had been during the Revolution. The following extracts are from the diary of Samuel Tully which was kept during this war as well as during the Revolution: " May 28th 1 813. — The frigates Macedonian, United States, and Hornet, Com. Decatur, are now lying off the river's mouth bound on a cruise." " June 9th. — Several sloops driven ashore near the lighthouse. Two- of them were set on fire by three barges sent from the British ships near New London. One sloop was taken by them in the river. The fire was quenched by our people, but not without great damage to the sloops. Three of the barge men were killed by our men." It has often been related by those who participated in this affair, how the farmers left their work, crossed the cove in boats, armed with their muskets, and without any ofificers, lay behind the beach, west of the light house, and drove the British from the vessels they had captured by the fire of musketry alone. These barges each carried a small cannon mounted on the bow, with which they tried to drive our men off the the beach, but were not successful. One ball fell into the pond, and another on the land near the farm house. This last was picked up by the tenant on the farm, who found that it weighed just six pounds. There were no casualties on our side. "June loth. — The barges stood into the river, and again set fire to one of the vessels quenched yesterday, but the fire was again put out. There were five barges. Two or three of them afterwards landed on Griswold's Point." "June i2th. — A Company of artillery arrived from Lyme with a field piece, and went to the Fort." "June 29th. — Five barges with more than 100 men came into the river after vessels, and fired two cannon * Hinman. 47° HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. shot which passed over the fort, and did no damage. About IOC assembled to oppose them, and firing from the fort, they soon moved off." " July S'h- — Si^ British barges filled with men came into the river as soon as five o'clock. The militia and people mustered and went to the Point and the Neck. The boats landed on the beach and took in some ballast and steered for Long Island." "July i2th. — Boys ordered to New London, Marched only to the ferry." " July 15th. Four or five barges appeared back of the Neck. Two ships went up sound and anchored off Kill- ingworth." " i8th. Boys marched with their company to New London." " July 22d. A number of vessels were taken by British boats, one near Wilcox's loaded with flour was set on fire, but the fire was quenched." "July 31st. Four British boats east of the river, took one or two vessels." "April 8th 18 14. Fast day. Last night about mid- night six barges or boats from a British ship and brig, came up the river and went to Potapoug Point and burnt about twenty-five vessels, consisting of ships, brigs, &c., as well those on the water as those on the stocks, — and returned on board, and it is believed altogether unhurt." When the British came in the night before, they landed at the light house, but found no one there, as the light was not kept burning during the war. They also landed at the fort, there being no guard there, and cut down the flag staff. During the day, while the vessels were burning at Essex, the whole surrounding country was alarmed, and the militia poured in from all quarters. The artillery company mounted their guns upon the fori which was garrisoned by 200 or 300 men, and waited the return of the enemy. At Ferry Point a temporary earth- work was thrown up, and a cannon mounted. Troops from New London were at Lyme. Capt. Samuel Dick- inson, of the Point, was on the fort that day, and just before he left home he told his oldest son, Samuel B., a boy of 14, to take his mother and the other children to their grandfather's at Oyster River, in the wagon. This did not suit him at all, so after his father had gone, he got his ducking gun and set off for the fort. As soon as his father saw him, he took his gun from him, and drove him off the fort with many severe blows with a stick, for his disobedience of orders. Thus are the fires of patriotism rudely quenched. About 9 o'clock the British came down the river, being saluted along by a fire of musketry and cannon, appar- ently without effect. The night was intensely dark, which was favorable for the enemy, as they were not dis- covered till they were opposite the fort, so that there were but few shots fired. Had it been ebb tide instead of flood, they might have escaped unhurt; as it was, several were killed, but how many was never certainly known. It is reported that after the war, 12 or 15 graves were shown, at Plumb Island, as those of the British killed in this affair. One of the guns on the fort was served by Samuel M. Tully, one of the gunners of the artillery company. The men who belonged in town went home before midnight, much chagrined at the escape of the enemy. Mrs George H. Chapman and her sister, afterward Mrs. S. Selden Warner, of Hadlyme, went to the Point, to the house of their sister, Mrs. Asa Kirtland, and with the family of Mr. John Kirtland, who lived in part of the same house, now known as the Chapin house, spent the day in cooking and feeding the hungry militia from out of town, who came in haste, and without provisions. The next day, Mr. Samuel Kirtland found a bearskin cap on the flats, that from its appearance had been knocked from the head of a British soldier by a ball. The cockade was in exist- ence a few years since. "April 28th 1814, A British barge took a small sloop, lying near the shore, a little below the fort, and the wind being favorable, took her immediately off." "May 9th, A sloop back of the Neck taken this P. M." "Sabbath, May 22d 1814, Last night at 8 o'clock we were alarmed by three British barges at the mouth of the river, who were supposed to aim at the destruction of the vessels at the Point 20 or 30 in number, but they missed their aim, being discovered." "24th, A fleet of 13 gunboats anchored off the mouth of the river, and at about 4 o'clock they weighed anchor, conveying 32 coasting vessels to the eastward, when a severe cannonading ensued lasting from 5:30 P. M. till 9, between said boats and the British vessels." 27th " Gun- boats returned up sound. A number of ships and other armed vessels followed them, but all escaped, — they then returned and anchored back of the Neck and off the river's mouth." " Sabbath 29th. — Ships lying in same position as yester- day. People greatly alarmed this evening by ships and boats." "June 2d. — About 1 1 A. M. two ships and a brig joined those lying off the river's mouth, with a schooner and 8 sloops, but did not anchor, the whole soon moved off and disappeared." "July glh 1814. — The English in two or three barges took a vessel out of Pochaug, and put a midshipman and two other men on board to take her down to their Sta- tion, but the wind being very light, Siannard one of the owners of the vessel went to the fort, when about 12 men in two boats, of the State troops stationed there, pursued the vessel and very fortunately retook her, with the said three men on board, and brought her into the river, without the loss of a man on either side." "August 12th. — Many cannon fired this morning, at Newport I think, — but it proves to be Stonington which the English battered severely, burning several houses &c." "Sabbath September nth. — People alarmed this morning by a ship and brig with six or eight boats full of men seeming to be preparing to land on the back of the neck, but went off without doing anything, two or three hundred men being assembled on the shore." On this occasion the men formed behind a round hil- OLD SAYBROOK— FIRST CHURCH. 47' lock, a little west of where the road to Fenwick touches the shore at Willard's Bay. During all these troubles, no American belonging to Saybrook was killed, except Mr. Charles Dolph, who, with others, went off in a boat from the Point to retake a sloop that had been captured by a boat from the privateer Boxer, of Lisbon. Lieut. Cyphe- nas Cowles, of the privateer, was killed, and five of the crew were captured. "February 30th. — Last Monday January 30th had news of peace between Britain and the United States." " March 8th. — Firing cannon on acc't of peace." Old Saybrook in the War of the Rebellion. Old Saybrook, in common with other towns, bore its part in the burdens and losses of the Civil war of 1861-5. Under the first call for troops for three months, no volun- teers were credited to Old Saybrook, but several who had been residents of the town and were then living in other places, were among those that went. The first action taken by the town in regard to enlistments, was at a special meeting htld July 24th 1862, when it was voted to pay a bounty of $75 to all who should enlist for three years or during the war. At another meeting, held August 22d 1862, a bounty of $100 was offered for vol- unteers to fill the call for nine months' men. At a third meeting, December 8th 1864, it was voted to pay any person who, since September 19th 1864, had or there- after should furnish a substitute to be credited to the town, $300. Several meetings of citizens, not town meetings, were held to discuss the matter of filling the quota of the town. Several men who belonged to the town of Old Saybrook were lost by being credited to Say- brook. At one of these meetings, December 4th 1863, a recruiting agent was appointed, and at the next meet- ing, a week later, it was reported that about $700 had been raised, and that there was a prospect of getting the men. The last meeting of the citizens was December 30th, and it was then reported that the quota of the town had been filled without expense to them, by enlistments of colored troops, who were credited to the town, by Colonel Aimy. the agent of Connecticut, in New York. Mr. G. F. Ward, of this town, who was in business in New York, at the time, in 1862, sent a check for $500 to John Allen, of Saybrook, to be divided among ten men who should enlist to fill the quota of this town under a recent call for three years' men. Under the next call, for 300,000 nine months' men, Mr. John Allen paid, on the 13th of September, from his own pocket, a bounty of $50 each to seven men enlisting from the town of Old Saybrook. ' Congregational Church. The first minister who preached the gospel to the peo- ple of Saybrook Point, was Rev. John Higginson. He came with his father, Rev. Francis Higginson, from Lei- cester, in England, in 1629, to Salem, Massachusetts, where his father settled. He probably came to Saybrook with Mr. Winthrop, in the fall of 1635, or perhaps the spring of 1636. In Gardiner's narrative, it is said that he was there in the spring of 1637. During his stay at Saybrook, it is probable that services were held in the " great hall " of the fort. There is no record of the building of the first church, which was probably a prim- itive and barn-like structure. In 1643, ^^ removed from Saybrook. Cotton Mather said of Mr. Higginson: " This reverend person has been always valued for his w%t{w\ preachifig and his holy living; besides his constant labors in the pulpit, whereby his own flock has been edi- fied, the whole country has by the press enjoyed some of his composures, and by his hand the composures of others also, passing through the press, have been accom- panied." He wrote the Attestation to the Magnalia, and among other compositions which he published was a volume o.f sermons dedicated to the people of Saybrook, Guilford and Salem, to whom he had ministered at different periods. Mr. Higginson was succeeded the same year (1643) by Rev. Thomas Peters, brother of the celebrated Hugh Peters, who was once the minister of Salem, Massachu- setts, and who was executed by Charles II., in 1660. Mr. Peters was an ejected puritan clergyman from Cornwall, England, and carried on the work of the ministry at Say- brook till 1645, when he went to Pequot with Governor Winthrop, and assisted in founding New London. Mr. Peters was succeeded in 1646 by Rev. James Fitch, who came over from England at the age of 16, in com- pany with 13 other young men, who were designed for the ministry. He spent seven years in Hartford in theologi- cal studies under Messrs. Hooker and Stone, and this is all that is known of him previous to his ordination in Saybrook, in 1646. He was born at Boking, in the county of Essex, England, December 24th 1622. At his ordination Mr. Hooker was present, but the imposition of hands was by two of the brethren appointed by the church to that office. Mr. Hooker had himself been or- dained in the same manner at Cambridge. This was a Congregational ordination in the strictest sense of the term. Unfortunately all church records prior to 1741 are lost, and consequently the knowledge of these early pastors is very meagre. It is probable that the first church was built about this time. It stood on a sandy knoll, about a quarter of a mile northwest of the fort, and near the eastern center of the Point. It was north of the middle road, now called Church street, and stood near where Mrs. Mary Burger's barn now stands. After a ministry of 14 years he removed with the major part of his church to Norwich. Rev. Dr. Lee, of Lisbon, in his half century sermon, says, that " he hesitated till a majority of his church removed — he then thought it his duty to comply." Miss Calkins, in her history of Nor- wich, says: " When a part of Mr. Fitch's church decided, in 1660, to remove to Norwich, it was a subject of sr>me contention between the two ))arties whether he should go or remain. He was greatly beloved by all and each side claimed him. After solemn prayer, and long deliberation, Mr. Fitch decided that it was his duty to keep with the majority, and so he went to Norwich." 472 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. As a paslor Mr. Fitch was zealous and indefatigable. In addition to other labors, he trained several young men for the ministry, as he himself had been trained by Mr. Hooker. In May 1656, while he was living at Saybrook, the General Court granted him "a compitent farme con- teining bet: 2 & 300 Acres at Manunketeseck." Rev. Thomas Buckingham, the next regularly ordained pastor, was the youngest child of Thomas and Hannah Buckingham, of Milford, and was probably Worn in the early part of 1646. His mother died, according to the church records, June 28th 1646, and he was baptized November 28th the same year. Where he was educated is not certainly known. He began to preach in Saybrook, a little before he was 19, quite early in 1665, immediately after the town had settled their difficulties with his pre- decessor. Rev. Jeremiah Peck, who succeeded Rev. James Fitch. The earliest entries in the first volume of town records are made in 1661. The following entry dates February i8th 1661.—" Journey to Guilford for Mr. Peck." Also, May sth 1662, " providing for Mr. Peck's supply for the year ensueing." August 20th 1662. — "Granted to Mr. Peck an hundred pound accommodation, both upland and meadow." The records also show that he bought eight acres of land in the town plat, and built a house thereon, and certain privileges were granted to him, on condition of his remaining five years. It appears that soon after this arrangement, a difficulty arose be- tween him and the town, which finally resulted in his resig- nation. In " Styles' Itinerary," consisting of three manu- script volumes in the archivesof Yale College, is the follow- ing entry: January 30th 1665. — " Controversy with Mr- Peck settled. The town confirm and give him full pos- session of his accommodation." And immediately after: "Agreement to Mr. Thomas Buckingham, February 14, 1665. Settlement by Mr. Peck's house, estimated ;£gs sterling, and give him _;^6o of it; said Buckingam pay ;^3S. Salary _;^6o per annum in provisions; confirmed by the town, 5th of March, 1665; and at same meeting, Lyme separated, having competency of land for 30 fami- lies." According to the first volume of town acts of Saybrook, Mr. Buckingham was not ordained and in- stalled pastor of the church, until the spring or summer of 1670, a little over five years from the time he com- menced the regular supply of the pulpit. There were probably two reasons for this: his youth, and, the difficul- ties encountered with Mr. Peck, which led them to give the candidate for settlement a thorough trial. By an entry in the Oyster River Quarter records, March 20th 1666-7. "The committee grants to Mr. Thomas Buckingham the homake that lyeth at the mouth of Oyster River." At at town meeting, ]\Jarch i6th 1670, " it was voted that every hundred pound estate shall yearly carry to Mr. Buckingham, a load of good wood." In the old cemetery on Saybrook Point, and a few rods from the site of the college in which he took such an in- terest, is a small crumbling slab of slate, which bears this inscription: HERE LYES YE BODY Or THE BEV'D MB. THOMAS BUCKINGHAM PASTOR OF THE CHURCH OP CHRIST IN SAYBROOK DEO'D APnili YE Ist 1709 IN THE 03d YEAR OP HIS AGE. "Feb. 7, 1675, At a town meeting it was agreed with Mr. Robert Nicholls for the sweeping the meeting house for the year ensueing, for which the town are to give him six and twenty shillings for his paines." It was during the pastorate of Mr. Buckingham, that the second church building was erected. The town had it in contemplation for several years, as will be seen by ex- tracts from the records. In January 1676, it was voted that the meeting house should be built of stone " & shall bee £0 and 30 foot within the walls." "Att the same meeting it was voted that the place of the meeting house shall be in some place convenient be- tween the fortification at the Neck gate, and the point by Mr. Buckingham's Lott." "It is also voted that the schoolhouse be removed to the corner of Widow Tousland's Lott in the Lane going to Mr. Buckingham's: which votes about the meeting house and school house are to stand, notwithstanding all former votes to the contrary, & to be a final Issue of those matters." February 22d 1676, Voted "same time that agreement Dec. 10, 1674, to set meeting house shall stand as act and voat of town, S. E. corner of Robert Bull's lot in Town plat." January r4th 1677, "Granted to R. Chapman Jr & Samuel Piatt a piece of upland four rod square upon the meeting house hill." November 7th 1677, " that they as Conueiniant and as speedy as may bee, Build a meeting house according to this modell, viz: that they will Build a new Building to the old house, and Repair the old soe much of it as is conduceable to the house, and to that end they doe agree to Raise 50;^ Estate in the provision at present By Rate toward the encouragement of the workmen." "At a full Town meeting M'ch 23d 1678 there were agatations & conclutions according to dimentions which were then consisting, a Meeting House, it was then voted that the town would build a house of God, domentions of fifty foot in length, and thirty foot in width, and four- teen foot between joynts, and be forthwith prosecuted to effect." " At the same meeting, Capt Chapman, Lieutenant Pratt, Deacon Bushnell, Mr. Wastall, Wm Parker Senior, Wm Lord Senior, and Sergt. John Pratt " were chosen a " Committy " " to consider the capacity of the Town to make payment for the erecting of the new meeting house &c." January 17th 1679. "At a Town Meeting some con- siderations about the form of a Meeting House, unani- mously agreed upon and voted, that they will have it to be sixty foot in length, and Thirty foot in breadth, & sixteen foot between joynts." OLD SAYBROOK— FIRST CHURCH. 473 " Whereas the Town Meeting have again this clay, be- ing brought by both duty & necessity, concluded to erect a new meeting house according to dimensions formerly agreed upon as appeareth by a Record dated 23d March, 77-78, and have had some intimation of likelihood of agreeing with Wm. Bushnell junior, to build the same, the Town do irapower their present Selectmen, viz Jno Parker, Sargeant John Chapman & Joseph Ingham, to treat, and if they can to sign with the s'd Wm Bushnell upon Reasonable terms, or if not with him, then they have hereby power to look out for some other, workman to carry on the work, ^nd to agree with him or them for price & pay, and the Town do ingage to Ratifie & Con- firm what they shall do or cause to be done, always pro- vided, that in case of difficulty they do take advice of such as may be skillful in such cases, and the Town do impower the s'd Townsmen to agree with, and to call forth such men as shall be meet to help in providing any stuff for shingles or clapboards, or what else may be needed for promoting the work unto the shingling of ye s'd house as far and as fast as they can." September 29th 1679. — " At a Town Meeting orderly, warned with respect to the settlement of the place of the New Meeting House, when it should be set down, it was then determined that it should stand near about the place of the old meeting house; this determination was by writ- ten papers." January 12th 1680. — "At a Town Meeting orderly called, it was voted and agreed, that the Selectmen then in being, to wit, John Whittelsey, John Post & Samuel Cogswell, shall have full power to hasten and perfect the work of ye meeting house in the behalf of the town so far as they are able in the year ensuing. At the same town meeting it was voted and agreed, that the new meet- ing house should be seated in the same manner as the ould Meeting house was, and that the old seats, that is the timber of them shall be improved about the seating of the new meeting house as far as they will go." January 20th 1680. — "At a Town Meeting legally warned, it was discoursed and voted, agreed and con- cluded upon the way of raising the new meeting house: I : that the Townsmen shall give notice unto ihe Town in general that it is desired that they would contribute their help towards raising the said house, upon the day when they with the Carpenters shall appoint: 2: that notice shall be given the Inhabitants in generall that the pro- vision for the day shall depend upon the voluntary con- tribution of the people, hoping that everyone will be ready according to their capacity to bring in for the pro- moting the comfort & honor of so good work: 3: that the Townsmen shall at the Town's charge provide Cake & Sider upon the Town account so much as is needful for the day and the rest of the Town: 4: that after the first day, the Townsmen shall provide what hands the carpenter shall say needful, for the carrying on of the remainder of the work, and they to be allowed suitable wages for their work; this was the Town Act." June 24th 1680. — " Att a 'Town meeting, it was voted and agreed as it is discoursed with the carpenter that built the meeting house, and the town understanding from him that the s'd carpenter has been a loser by his bargain, the town hath agreed that the carpenter shall have payed to him by the town to the amount just done to what the said house is worth, that is to say the frame of the said house." December 27th 1680. — "It was voted and agreed that the Townsmen in present being should go on to perfect the work of the meeting house in the behalf of the town according as the selectmen shall see need. At the same town meeting, Mr. John TuUy was chosen Town Clerk." 1681. — "It was agreed and voted that there shall be a contribution set up, when the church doth see meet." December 29th 1681. — " With the consent of the Town, the Townsmen have agreed with old Goodman Kirtland for the sweeping the meeting house for the year ensue- ing for thirty shillings, and also with Mr. John Wastall for beating of the drum upon Sabbath days& town meet- ing days for the year ensuing for thirty shillings. The Townsmen have also granted Goodman Kirtland forty shillings to'be paid by the Town for his keeping school for the year ensuing." The sixth minister, and third ordained pastor of the church in Saybrook was Rev. Azariah Mather, a descendant of the family so celebrated in New England for its many distinguished clergymen. He was a son of Rev. Samuel Mather, of Windsor, Connecticut, third minister of the first Congregational church in that town, and Hannah Treat, his wife, daughter of Hon. Robert Treat, of Milford, Connecticut, afterward governor of the Colony of Connecticut. Azariah was born August 29th 1685. Pie was ordained in Saybrook in 1 7 10. Tradition says that in his case, as in that of Mr. Buckingham and Mr. Fitch, the elders insisted on their right to impose hands with the ministry, and they were permitted ac- cordingly. He had been a tutor in the college at Say- brook, and was distinguished for his knowledge of the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin languages. He was an able, eloquent, and commanding divine.* A sermon in Latin, published by him on being baptized for the dead, and based on ist Cor. XV, 29, remains a testimony of his talents. He was dismissed in 1732. The number of members in his church at that time was 48; males 15, females 33. From the town records it is learned that Mr. Mather bought of the heirs of Rev. Thomas Buckingham, his house and land, September 23d 1710. His remains lie in the burying ground on Saybrook Point, not far from the grave of Rev. Thomas Bucking- ham, and his tombstone,like that of Mr, Buckingham — a slab of slate, is fast crumbling to pieces. The inscrip- tion is as follows: HERE LTETH THE BODY OF THE RET MR. AZARIAH MATHER BORN AT WINDSOR AUGUST 29TH 1685 EXPIRED IN SAYBROOK FEB'RY llTH 1736 ^TATIS SU.^ 63 HE WAS A FAITHFUL MINI-'TER A QENEBAL SCHOLAli AN EMINENT CHRISTIAN A VERY GREAT SUFFERER BUT NOW IN GLORY A THIUMPHEB. * Church record. 474 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. " He many weeks felt Boath's nttaoks nil t fervent prnyers kept him Daok His faith & piilienoe 'twas to try & Learn us how to Live & Die Haveinsr the wings ot faith & Love & leathers of an holy Dove he bids this wretched world adieu & swiftly up to Heaven flew Disturb not then his Precious Dust With censors that are most unjust." The " censors " are said to refer to a habit which im- paired his usefulness during the latter part of his minis- try — something not unusual among the ministry of that day — an over indulgence in wine — which unfortunately has been perpetuated on his tombstone. Rev. Jared Harrison, first minister at Chester, had a similar failing, which undoubtedly caused his dismissal from his pas- torate. Who ministered to the people between the disinissal of Mr. Mather in 1732, and the ordination of his successor, Rev. William Hart, does not appear from the church rec- ords. Mr. Hart, who was the son of Rev. John Hart, of East Guilford, now Madison, was the progenitor of the present family of Harts in Saybrook. He was or- dained November 17th 1736. He was a man of dis- tinguished talents, and was considered an able counsel- lor. He was niuch respected by the ministry, and esteemed and beloved by a united people. He was a distinguished controversialist in his day, and published several tracts against the doctrines of President Ed- wards, and Drs. Hopkins, Bellamy, and Whittaker. In one of these tracts he styled the peculiar sentiments of Dr. Hopkins, " Hopkinsianism," which gave rise to that term, afterward so common. He also distinguished him- self by his writings on the church controversy in Wall- ingford, by his sermon on regeneration at New Haven, and by his treatise on qualifications for a Christian com nuinicant. He was opposed to the practises of certain evangelists who went about the country preaching wherever they could get an audience, and reviling the settled clergymen. One of the foremost of these was Rev. James Davenport, of Southold, L. I. On one occasion in 1741, as related by Rev. Charles Chauncey, in " Things of a Bad and Dangerous Tendency," Mr. Davenport called on Mr. Hart, and asked permission to preach in his pulpit that day, which Mr. Hart declined to grant, unless he would retract some of his errors, such as denouncing the settled ministry of the people, and urging them to set up separate meetings, or go to other churches where the ministers were converted, which he refused to do. "To the Truth of all which, we Whose Names are underwritten do testify; having been Eye and Ear Wit- nesses to the above Conference. " Samuel Lynde, " Wm. Worthington, " Abraham Not, " George Beckwith, " William Hart, and others." On one occasion some men were disputing over a supposed case, that of the alighting of a flock of wild geese in a small pond on the Neck or Lynde's Point that afterward fell to the Hart family. The question was, whether it would be right to shoot at them on the Sab- bath, the on'y house within hearing distance being the one on the farm, the supposed hunter being the tenant. One argued that it would be a breach of Sabbath; the other that a supply of good food could be obtained with- out disturbing any one, and that the temptation would be too great to be resisted. It was finally agreed to leave it to Mr. Hart, and both sides of the case wei'e stated to him, but the only reply obtained, was, " If old Munn was there, he would do it !" The answer was probably sufficient, as old Munn was rather a lawless character. For many years the worshippers in the old meeting house were seated by a committee. Their duty, which was a delicate one, was to seat the people according to their rank and circumstances, and it was not unusual for some of them to be dissatisfied with the award. On one occasion a dissatisfied parishioner complained somewhat bitterly to one of the seating committee, when he was told that the seat was as good as he deserved. " If you were seated where you deserve to be," was the retort, " You would be no nearer the house of God, than the town pound !" The seating committee drew a plan of the house, and in each pew put down the names of those who were expected to occupy it, and submitted it to an adjourned meeting for their approval. At an adjourned society meeting, held March 7th 1747-S, the committee reported that they had " Drawn up a Plan or Scheam of Seating the meeting house as follows." Then comes the plan. At the bottom they say: " The plan or Scheam that is thus Drawn up is humbly offered to your better Judgment, By us, Daniel Buckingham, Sam'll Kirtland, Hez. Whittelsey, Joseph Buckingham, Nath. Jones." Mr. Hart was prevented from occupying his pulpit for two years before his death by paralysis and a colleague was settled with him. He died, July nth 1784. Rev. John Devotion, in his funeral sermon, says 'of him: "In council he was Job — 'Unto me men gave ear and waited, and kept silence at my command. After my words they spake not again,' and truly there was no need, for ordinarily they cut the Gordian knot. Solid judg- ment, well-studied discourses, faithful service, and a sa- voury conversation, with a sound mind, able to comfort souls with that comfort wherewith also he had been com- forted of the Lord, enabled him to rule the church with- out any schism during his long ministry." Mr. Hart married Miss Mary Blague, June 8th 1742, and their children, Mary, Rebecca, William, Samuel, John, Sarah, Joseph, Elisha, and Amelia, were all pres- ent at the funeral, except the eldest. In the same cemetery with Mr. Buckingham and Mr. Mather Is a large table of brown stone, with a tablet of slate set into it, bearing this inscription: SACB'ED TO THE MEMOHT OP IlEV'D WILL'M HART ■WHO RESTED FllOM HIS r.ABOtmS OK THE LORD'S DAV JULY 1 1th USi IN THE 72d YEAR OF HIS AQE & 48lh OF HIS MINISTRY. ■WISE IN COUNCIti MIGHTY IN THE SCRIPTURES INSTRUCTIVE IN HIS LIFE & MINISTRY. BLESSED ARE THE DEAD WHICH DIE IN THE LOAD. OLD SAYBROOK— FIRST CHURCH. 475 Anterior to his ministry, two Congregational churches had colonized from the first church, and formed distinct parishes, on account of distance from the sanctuary and increase of population. One of them was establishedin 1725, and the other in 1726. A fourth was organized in 1742. Before this it was not unusual for even females to walk to the sanctuary from eight to ten miles. In conse- quence of this repeated colonization the church was much diminished in numbers, amounting only to 48 members- The third meeting house was built in 1726. Instead of being built on the Point, as the others were, it was placed rather more than a mile west, on a small plat of ground at the junction of Main street and the road leading to Oyster River, facing south, where it stood till 1840, when it was taken down. The steeple was added in 1793, the work upon it being finished June 13th, and the bell was added in 1794. Rev. Frederick William Hotchkiss was ordained col- legiate pastor with Mr. Hart, September 23d 1783. He was the son of Mr. John Hotchkiss, of New Haven, mer- chant, was born October 30th 1762, and graduated from Yale College, September 1778, was licensed to preach October 1782, and began to preach as candidate in Say- brook in November of the same year. By his own re- quest a colleague was ordained in 1838, in the 56th year of his ministry, and 76th year of his age. He died March 31st 1844. Rev. S. McCall in his centennial sermon, July 30th 1876, says of him: " Need I refer to the mingled love and veneration with which his memory is regarded, and his name spoken among you still? Old men trusted him, young men hearkened to him, little children ran after him and clung to him. I love to recall a picture sometimes set before me, from the memory of those who witnessed the real- ity. The venerable man of God is passing up through the main aisle to the pulpit. The pews on either side are full of men and women. The high pulpit stairs are covered with little boys, partly because there is not room for them to sit elsewliere, and partly because they choose to get as near as allowable to their aged pastor, and there is a strife among them — not unseemly — to see which shall have the honor of opening the door for his advancing steps, and so gain the special benedic- tion of his gracious smile." When Mr. Hotchkiss was ordained, the church had 69 members; when his successor was ordained, there were 330 — 297 of whorii were then residents ot the town. An Episcopal church was formed in 1830, and a Metho- dist church in 1837, notwithstanding which the loss in total membership was small. Besides carrying on a pri- vate school, he fitted a considerable number of young men for college, of which he has recorded the names of eight from Saybrook, as follows: Ezekiel Jones Chap- man, Dorrance Kirtland, Asa Chapman, Charles Clark, John Clark, William TuUy, William Fish, and Henry Chalker, and the names of 22 from other places During the latter part of his ministry, the present church building was erected, and the old one was taken down. The new building was dedicated January ist 1840, the corner stone having been laid on the 4th of July of the previous year. Mr. Hotchkiss possessed a com- manding presence and a sonorous voice, and he was always in demand on public occasions, especially on '' training " day. He was for a time chaplain of the regiment to which the Saybrook company belonged, and his prayer could be distinctly heard by every man in the field. On one occasion, after the formation of the artillery company, there was a strife between the two companies to see which should get Mr. Hotchkiss to head the dinner table. He, however, settled the matter, by eating a hearty dinner with both companies. It is said of him, that for many years, it was a rare thing for him to eat supper in his own house, that meal being taken with some one of his parishioners. The humblest were visited as regularly as the more influential, and their coarser fare was partaken of with apparently as good a relish. It is related of one old lady, that on one occasion when he demurred at the large quantity of molasses she was put- ting into his tea, she replied: " It wouldn't be too good for you, Mr. Hotchkiss, if it was all molasses." In this way he became acquainted with his people, and obtained an influence over them, which ministers of the present day know but little about. In his " long prayer," on Sundays, among his numerous petitions, he never forgot the shad fishermen, in the fishing season, but prayed earnestly for their success. As this was one of the prin- cipal industries of the place, and as his most influentia parishioners were concerned in one way or another in fish- ing, it was eminently proper that he should do so. His " long prayer," as it was called, was, according to the custom of the times, much more lengthy than are the prayers of the clergy at the present day. " How long has he been praying ?" whispered one old " salt " to another, as he tip-toed into the porch of the old meeting house one Sunday morning, during Mr. Hotchkiss' " long prayer.'' " He was praying when I got here, and I was here before sunrise," was the whispered response. Forty year have elapsed since his death, and the affection with which he was regarded, still lives with those who remem- ber his pastorale. Rev. Ethan Barrows Crane was ordained as the col- league of Mr. Hotchkiss, June 27th 1838. He was born in Troy, N. Y., July 15th 181 1, graduated at Union Col- lege, July 1832, and the same fall entered the Theolog- ical Seminary at Auburn, where he remained three years and six months, — till the spring of 1836. He came in the freshness of his early manhood, full of life, ardor, and zeal. He was quick in though:, sym- pathy, and speech, abundant in labors, which were crowned with gratifying success. He very soon took rank among his ministerial associates as one of the first, and was especially relied on to make a speech when something must be said, and nobody had time to prepare. His conversation excited the admiration of the young — some- times, possibly, the envy of the old. He suffered not a little in spirit, as well as body, from imperfect health, 61 476 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. and was honorably dismissed from his charge in 185 1, after thirteen years of service. In that timfe 118 were added to the church — 36 by letter, and 82 by profes- sion."* Mr. Crane tendered his resignation to the church, September ist 1851, and by a council on the i6th the dissolution was effected at the close of the eccesiastical year, September 27th. The next minister was the Rev. James Beattie, of New Orleans, a native of Scotland. He served the church as stated supply from October ist 1851 to November ist 1852. His sound doctrine, his powerful voice, and his clear, deliberate utterances, will long be remembered by those who heard him. He was followed during a por- tion of 1853 by the Rev. Jesse Guernsey, of New Haven, a talented and effective preacher. On the 7th of December 1853, Rev. Salmon McCall was ordained pastor, Mr. McCall was born at Lebanon, Conn., March T7th 1826, and graduated from Yale Col- lege, July 1851. He resigned on account of ill health in 1871, after a pastorate of 18 years. During his term of service 134 were added to the church by profession and by letter. The next pastor was Rev. Francis N. Zabriskie, D.D., who was installed April r7th 1872. He was born in the city of New York, April 29th 1832, graduated at the University of the City of New York, and at the Theo- logical Seminary of the Reformed Church, at New Bruns- wick, N. J. Dr. Zabriskie resigned the pastorate of the church in 1876, and was dismissed by advice of a coun- cil August 2ist, closing his pastorate September 15th. f The next minister was Rev. Richard B. Thurston, who was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, June 28th 1819, graduated from Bowdoin College, September 1841, and from the Theological Seminary, Bangor, Me., August 1846. His ministry in Saybrook began December 31SI 1876, and closed June 19th 1881. Though regularly called, he was never installed, therefore must be ranked as stated supply. The present minister, Mr. Thurston's successor, is Rev.Wilson D. Sexton, who was born at Poland, Ohio, May 30th 1853, graduated from Western Reserve College, Hudson, Ohio, 1877, and at Union Theological Seminary, New York, 1881, and was ordained at Old Saybrook, August 3d 1881. Protestant Episcopal Church. Episcopal services were held as early as August 1825, in the Center school house, by Rev. Peter G. Clarke, of Essex. The first meeting in regard to building a Protestant Episcopal church in the first society in Saybrook, was held in April 1830, at which a building committee was chosen, consisting of Messrs. Richard Hart, William Lynde, Richard Chalker, Richard E. Pratt, Augustus Chalker, William Willard, William H. Lynde, Ira Bush- * Mr. McCall's centennial sermon. + During: his ministry the chapel was built, costing about $3,000. It was opened for service July 9th 1875. nell, and William Clark. At the next meeting. May 31st, the committee were directed to accept the propo- sals of Richard and Augustus Chalker, for building a church. It was also voted " to organize ourselves into a So- ciety or Church according to the order of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, under the name of Grace Church, Saybrook, Connecti- cut," and also to hold the annual meeting on the first Monday after Easter Sunday in each year. The names of the signers and organizers of the society, are as follows: Richard W. Hart, Nathaniel Clark, Richard Chalker, William H. Lynde, Daniel Bates, Erastus Haskell, Na- than Howell, Ira Bushnell, William Clark, Noah Walker, Richard E. Pratt, John S. Small, Charles E. Fisk, Ed- ward Denison, David-Spencer, Sylvester Chalker. The corner stone was laid_ in 1830. The following is a list of the clergymen who were called to take charge of the parish, and who officiated as ministers in charge, rectors elect, or rectors: Rev. Ashbel Steel, a part of 1830, 1831, a part of 1832; Rev. John M. Guion, a part of 1832, to a part of 1836; Rev. G. C. V. Eastman, a part 1836, to a part of 1837; Rev. William Warland, a part of 1837, to a part of 1842; Rev. Harvey Stanley, a part of 1842, to a part of 1843; Rev. W. G. French, a part of 1843, to a part of 1844; Rev. J. M. Willey, a part of 1844, to a part of 1847; Rev. John M. Guion, a part of 1847, to a part of 1849; Rev. C. R. Fisher, a part of 1849, 'o a part of 1850; Rev. S. J. Evans, a part of 1850, to a part of 1854; Rev. Jonathan Godfrey, a part of 1854, to a part of 1855; Rev. Peter L. Shepard, a part of 1855, to a part of 1868; Rev. J. E. Heald, from Christmas 1868, to June 20th 1878; Rev. 'John H. White, from November 1878, to January 1881; Rev. Jesse Brush, from March 1st 1881, and is now in charge of the parish. The corner stone of the new stone church was laid in 1871, and it was completed and consecrated in 1872. Present number of families, 80. Present number of communicants, 125. Methodist Episcopal Church. A Methodist Episcopal church was established in Old Saybrook in 1837, and the building was consecrated Sep- tember 2 ist. It is in the Ferry District, and has usually been supplied by the pastor of the Methodist church in Essex. In 1853, another Methodist church was established, and a building erected on the west side of the street^ nearly opposite the Congregational church. It was dedicated January nth 1854, and a parsonage was built adjoining. Rev. F. Bottome, of New York, was tbe first pastor. He remained a year or two, and then Rev. Mr. Boole, of New York, was sent to the church by the Conference. There were, however, but few of that denomination near the center of the town— nbt enough to support a minister— and when Mr. Boole went away serviQes were discontinued. The, building was afterward OLD SAYBROOK— EDUCATION. 477 bought by Miss Susan Hotchkiss, daughter of the former pastor, and presented by her to the Congrega- tional society for a chapel. The steeple was taken down, and after a few years' service as a chapel, it was again sold to Mr. George A. Vogel, by whom it was used as a public hall, and lastly it was sold to William E. Clark, who fitted up the lower part for a grocery and the upper part for a hall, which is now used for town meet- ings and other gatherings. The parsonage is now the residence of G. F. Ward. Schools. The cause of education was early considered by the settlers of the town, as may be seen by votes recorded in the Town Acts. "Mar. 19th 1673-74, allowed to Mr. Tilly thirty pounds a year, & a load of wood, & that every scollar shall bring, and that his pay shall be paid in these spe- cies (to wit)f]ve pounds in beefe at prize currant, and the rest in corn, in severall Graine in equal proportion— and the aforesaid money .to be gathered by collector and delivered to Mr. Tilly in consideration of his constant, thorough schooling of ye town male children, in reading, writing, and casting up of accounts." The same year, voted to employ Mr. Bellamy, at ^^o. "Jan. i8th 1676 At a Town meeting it was voated that the school house shall be set up at the neck gate where about now it is." "At the same meeting Mr. Bellamy was chosen to keep school." " It is also voted the school house be r^ioved to the corner of Widow Tousland's Lott in the Lane going to Mr. Bucking- ham's." "Feb. 22 1676 Voted to employ Mr. Bellamy to teach school 6 mos. in winter, town scholars to bear half the expense." " Dec. 3d 1678 At a Town Meeting it was agreed and voted, that the Schoolmaster's Salary should be Levied as followeth, viz: three pence a week for every schollar for the time Ihey have gone, and the remainder to be levied upon the Town's Rate." Mr. Edward Lorey, of Saybrook Point, in his will, dated June r7th 1689, gave to the town ;^3oo, to be ap- plied toward the support of schools. A part of this leg- acy was lost many years ago by the reception of bills of credit from those who had borrowed it. The remainder was divided in 1773 or 1774 to the several parishes in the town, according to their list. Little or nothing is known in regard to the schools in Saybrook from 1700 to the Revolutionary war. In 1799, Mr. Bray kept a private school in a room in Capt. Timothy Pratt's house, now Mrs. Treadway's. The following from the journal of a girl of 16 who attended the school, will show what studies were taught, and the style of a young lady's journal of that day: " Saturday Sept. 28th. — The ordinary duties of the Morning having been attended to, at 9 I walked to Capt. PrattP, where I met my School Mates, and School was soon after began with prayer by my Instructor. Our class was then called, and we read the 17th and i8th Chapters of Genesis. After that, studied our spelling Lessons, and the Boys were catechised, Mr. Bray explaining the cate- chism. He then asked us to repeat the commandments- We then took our seats, and he informed us, that some one of us, he was assured had been guilty of ridiculing, and making Game of his school Prayers; which surprised me much, for I knew myself innocent and know not how any of my Class could be guilty. After which, he severely reproved us, talking long and well upon the matter, shew- ing the evil of such doings. ^School was then dismissed, App'd 0. Bray." Reading, writing, spelling, and grammar seem to have been the only branches taught by Mr. Bray, except the customary catechism. The entry for "Lords Day," Sep- tember 29th, is as follows, showing how a young girl spent the Sabbath: " I tarried at home this day and read, in the Repository, The piece called Daniel in the Den of Lions. I also read several pieces in a book by Mr. McEwen on the Types of the O. Testament, one was the History of Joshua, another the History of Samson, and other pieces in the same. Also read several Chapters in the Bible. I also assisted about common family affairs, and closed with the usual Services. In the evening was present at the Singing Meeting and stayed till half an Hour past 9 or more." Miss Sarah Tully, commonly called " Miss Sally Tully,' was a teacher from youth to old age. In 1802, she taught in the First District, 16 weeks for $24, and H. Belden, 8 weeks for $37.40. Mr. Belden boarded with Mr. Hotch- kiss, and the School Society paid $12 for the 8 weeks board. The same year, Levi Collins taught 8 weeks for $33.37^. He was charged by H. Pratt, the tavern keeper, for his board, firewood, and candles, for 8 weeks, $i2,62j4. Miss Tully boarded with E.Clark 6 weeks, E. Shipman 6 weeks, and E. Tully 4 weeks, at $1 per week. In 1803, William Smith taught in the First District 5 months for $80, and Miss Tully 4 months for $24. The money that was annually received from the Stale for schools, was brought from Hartford or Middletown, from 1803 to 1824, by Mr. Jeremiah Stocking, who drove a stage coach between Saybrook and Middletown. His charge for doing the business was 25 cents. In 1824, Daniel Havens drew it, for which he charged f i.oo, and in 1838, Mr. Bidwell brought it at the old price. Mr. Bidwell drove the mail coach between Saybrook and Middletown for many years, and Mr. Skinner, who was one of the last, drove for a number of years. In 1840, Rev. Mr. Crane and Rev. Mr. Warland were paid $4.00 each for visiting schools. In 1856, there were 240 scholars in the society — 59 in the ist District, 53 in the 2d, 58 in the 3d, and 70 in the 4th. At a school meeting held in the First or Point District, October 27th 1818, of which Ezra Clark was moderator and Benjamin Dowd clerk, it was "voted to keep a five month school by a man and a woman, both schools to be under the direction of the man." Also " Voted that arithmetic shall not be taught in school." 487 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX CQUNTY. The cutting of the wood was sold to the lowest bidder; the lowest bid being 50 cents per cord. Also " Voted that the members of the first District have liberty to use the House and wood two nights in each week for the pur- pose of ciphering." In 1824, the First District was di- vided, the Point and the land adjacent forming the First District, and the other part the Center District. The first school meeting in the Center District was held at the house of Dr. Carter, June ist 1824, at which it was voted to build a school house 28 by 24 feet, with 10 foot posts. At the next meeting the committee reported that Capt. Elisha Hart would sell 16 square rods of ground for a site, next R. W. Hart's store for $50.00. The low- est bid for building the house was $440.00. The site, well, stove, fence, and painting, $120.00. Total, $561.00. October 13th 1824, " Voted that the rate of board be 23 cts. per day, and that the inhabitants have the liberty of boarding the teacher in proportion to the number of days they may send scholars to schools." April 15th 1825, " Voted, that Miss Mabel Bushnell be allowed the school house for the purpose of holding a school therein the ensuing summer." Previous to the division of the First District in 1824, the school house stood in the street in front of the mouth of the Neck Lane, or Maple avenue, as it is now called. The new district sold their interest in the school house to the ist District for one dollar, and it was to be conveyed by deed. A site was bought of Mr. James Ingraham, near what is called the " Cochran corner," where the roads meet that intersect Saybrook Point, on the south side of the road, " say about 36 feet in front to contain about 9 or 10 rods of ground for the consideration of $3.50 per rod, the District to erect and maintain a good picket fence next his land." One stormy night in October 1854, the school house was set on fire and burned to the ground, and the school was kept the next winter and summer in the next house, known as the " Cottage." A new building was contracted for, the cost of which was not to exceed $t,o5o, and it was built during the summer of 1855. The lot on which the old school house stood was exchanged with Capt. George Dickinson for one- fourth of an acre on the " Middle Road " on the Point, in what was known as the Beman lot, and the new house was built there. Eight rods of the land in the rear of the lot were afterward exchanged for four rods on the east side so as to take in the ancient well that belonged to the Beman house. In April 1722, Robert Lay jr., of Say- brook, sold to Deacon Nathaniel Chapman, Mr. Stephen Whittelsey and Ensign Samuel Jones, "Selectmen & Committee for ye School of ye Town afores'd " * * * "in consideration of ye sum of five Pounds in Currant money of this Colony. (Being part of ye fifty pounds given By ye Honb'U ye Gen'll Assembly of this Colony for ye Vse & maintainance of a School in Say-Brook aforesaid) which I have In hand Received &c * * * * * do Convey &c * * * * unto y said Selectmen, Committee fors'd School, & and their successors forever. A Certain Tract or par- cell of Land Lying & Being in ye Township of Say- Brook afores'd in Oyster River Quarter, at a Place Called & Known by ye name of Stonney Brook, Contain- ing ten Acres, Bounded South upon ye Country Road, West on ye Lands of Capt. Sam'U Chapman, North on s'd Lay's Lands, & East on the Heirs of Sam'il Stannard Dec'd * * * for the use & Benefitt of s'd School forever." This was probably for the establishment of one of the schools in what is now Westbrook, as Capt. Samuel Chapman was a prominent man in that society, and with his wife assisted in organizing the church there in 1726. The Oyster River school house formerly stood on the west side of the road, and opposite the " Doane house," but it was removed to the present location, where it was burned about 1816, after which the present house was built. Deacon William R. Clarke, who was for many years a prominent citizen of the town, and died in 18791 aged 81, was a teacher in the public schools of the town for many years. He was also a surveyor and measurer of land, and was authority in town and ecclesiastical mat- ters among his fellow citizens. In the latter part of his life, he was largely employed by the Connecticut Valley Railroad in settling land damages, and similar matters. Miss Hannah Williams was a life long teacher, and a good one. Her portly form and heavy thimble are well remembered by many now living. An academy was built in 183 1 where the Episcopal church now stands, and most of the young men of Say- brook at that period obtained a large part of their edu- cation there. College students and others taught there during the winter months. It had two rooms, one above and one below, one of which was sometimes used for the younger, and the other for the older scholars. When only one room was used for a school, the other was used for lyceums, religious meetings, etc., and after the last division of the town, it was used for town meetings. After the land was sold to the Episcopal society, the building was sold to Mr. J. H. Tileston for a joiner shop, and moved to his house on the Oyster River road. The bell was given by Mr. James Ingraham, who lived nearly opposite, and the first use made of it was to toll for his death, the church bell being out of order. Among those who taught at the academy was a man named Hurd, from Clinton, Ely, from Lyme, Perry Haskell, James H. Pratt, Rev. Mr. Hobart, Willis S. Colton, and Henry C. Sanford. A number of private schools have been kept within the last 40 years, which have been distinguished for their thoroughness and discipline. Misses Hetty B. and Nancy Wood kept a flourishing boarding and day school at their house, next the Congregational church, for many years, to which Rev. P. L. Shepard, formerly rector of Grace church succeeded. He removed it to his own house, changed it to a boarding school for boys, and gave It the name of Seabury Institute. Mrs. F. M. Manning has kept a boarding and day school for girls and young children, for several years past, which is doing a good work. OLD SAYBROOK— INDUSTRIES. 479 Early Mills. The first grist mill stood on the brook near where Mr. James Chalker now lives, and Deacon Francis Bushnell, who died in 1681, erected it in 1662, for which the pro- prietors gave him a farm on condition that a mill should be kept there continually, and that the inhabitants should have equal privileges in regard to grinding. The pres- ent grist mill, known as the " Ira Bushnell Mill," is about a quarter of a mile from the site of that one, and on another branch of the same stream. In 1696, " the lands, housing, & grist mill that belonged to Sam'l Bush- nell dec'd," were in possession of the administrator — Lieut. Samuel Jones. A tide mill, which was in opera- tion some years, was afterward built at the ox pasture dam. Part of the house now owned and occupied by Richard J, Cadwell, which is near Oyster River bridge, was this tide mill. Another tide mill was built at Oyster River bridge, probably soon after the war of 1812, by Judge William Lynde, and a small business in carding wool, as well as grinding corn was carried, on, but after a few years it was sold to Capt. Daniel Kirtland, on Saybrook Point, where it was removed and converted into a store. .It is now the store of Messrs. H. Potter & Son. After this mill was sold, Judge Lynde built, near his own house, a wind- mill, which was taken down between 1845 and 1850. A windmill was built near the "Neck Gate," where the palisades were placed, before the present century, but when is not known. It rotted and fell about the time of the last war with England. A fulling mill was built in the latter part of the last century, on the same stream on which the present grist mill stands, but a short dis- tance below. Portions of the old dam still remain. The business of fulling cloth was carried on for many years, on a small scale, by Mr. Ira Bushnell and his sons. Charles Bushnell, one of his sons, built the house where Charles King now lives, and for several years carried on a small manufacturing business there. He had two spinning jennies in his house, spun some yarn and wove some cloth, probably all by hand and foot power. Nearly the whole of that branch of the Bushnell family moved away and joined the Shakers. West India Trade and Shipbuilding. Saybrook being a maratime port, did quite an exten- sive trading business with the West Indies, most of it, however, being done in small vessels. The records in regard to this trade are very meagre, and little is known regarding it except by tradition. John Tully jr. had a store where the house of W. B. Tully now stands, and was concerned in the West India trade till his death in 1760, at the age of 26. He owned one-eighth of the sloop Polly as chartered to Charles Clark, of Colchester, June 1759, for a voyage to the West Indies. Captaii. Charles Chadwick sailed the sloop Molly in 1755. J. Tully insured the sloop Ruby from Saybrook to Bar- bados, W. I., Jabez Siowe, master, ^60, March 4th 1758. On a previous voyage, returning from Barbados to Say- brook in 1757, the insurance was ;^ioo on vessel and cargo. The sloop Attn and Lidia, Saybrook to Bar- bados, Jeremiah Brainerd, master, sailed May 4th 1758, insurance ;£6o. The following are the orders to Captain Stillman, of Saybrook, from the owners of the sloop Ruby: "July 20th 1758 To Capt. Sam'll Stilman Master of the ^iXno'p .Ruble now Riding at Anchor in the Harbour of Saybrook " You will Imbrace the first Wind and Weather and take your Departure from the Harbour and then Proceed on your Voyage to the Island of Antigua in the West Indies, if you can make by Runing to the South Ward, and then Dispose of your Cargo to the Best advantage for the Owners; but if you shall happen to fall to the Lew Ward, then you are to go to either of English or Dutch West India Islands as you shall think most Advantagious for the s'd Owners, and there dispose of your cargo & layout the neet Proceeds thereof in the Produce of s'd Islands And then you are to make the Best of your way home to this Port: unless you shall think it best to Stop at Anguilla or St Martin's, and make up your Load with Salt. " Or notwithstanding what is above written, when you shall arrive at any of the aforesid Ports you shall lite of a market for the Sloop, that you shall think advantagious for the owners, sell her, and lay out the neet Proceeds as above, and ship the affects home to this or some other Neighboring Port, in one, two, or three Bottoms, as you shall think best. And so God Send the good Sloop to her Desired Port in Safety, Amen, Dated at Saybrook the 20th of July A. D. 1758. " Sam'll Stilman "John Mordoch " Benjamin Merreleys " John Tully Jun " Samue'll Field " Theop. Morgan." The ship or brig America was largely owned here, and was lost after the Revolutionary war. Samuel Clark, grandfather of William J. Clark, was lost in it, and so was William Stowe, a brother of Mrs. David Newell, and William Kirtland, a brother of Daniel and son of Am- brose. Shipbuilding was formerly carried on to some extent, but no record of it remains. In the early part of the present century, Messrs. John, Asa, and Bushnell Kirt- land, of Saybrook Point, carried on shipbuilding for many years. They had a yard where John L. Kirtland's house now stands. The last ship built there was the Niagara, about 1820. In 1809, they received the follow- ing letter: " New York Jan. 14th i8og. " Messrs. Jno Kirtland & Brothers, " Gents — Provided that you have timber on hand suitable, we propose to you to take one l-,alf Interest in a Small pilot boat Schooner of about no Tons. Should you acceed to this proposition you will commence build- ing her immedeately, and forward us an order for such articles as you wish us to supply. We recommend 48o HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. giving her a great length, and let her be sharper than this description of vessels have usually been built with you, pierce her for about 14 Guns, and give her a roomy deck, with a full harpin. You will inform us what quantity of composition it will take to light water mark. We think by increasing the trunnels, we can do with much less composition, and the expense will not much exceed that of Iron, do not inform anyone what descrip- tioned vessel you are about to build, or who you are concerned with, perhaps it will be well to hold up an ide that you are building a Sloop, to prevent others following your example, let us hear from you on this Subject soon. " Your friends " Hall & Hull." The schooner was built at a landing in Ragged Rock Creek, toward the ferry, and when she was launched, she was so sharp that she lay over on her bilge, and they were forced to ballast her, before they could get her spars in. When she went up Sound, it was said that she made the best time ever known at that time be- tween the river and New York. This was the time of the Embargo, and the French ports were blockaded by English vessels, and this craft was designed to run the blockade. Her commander is not certainly known, but is sup- posed to have been a Captain Williams, of Potapaug. She was loaded with coffee, and dispatched for one of the French ports, off the mouth of which she arrived in a thick fog. The mate tried to prevail upon the cap- tain to attempt the passage before the fog should lift, but he refused, and the consequence was that when the fog lifted, she lay within range of a British man of war. Owing to her superior sailing qualities, she would have escaped as it was, had not an unlucky shot carried away one of her spars, when she was forced to surrender. Had she succeeded in getting in with her cargo, the for- tunes of her owners would have been made. The firm of Hall & Hull was composed of Deacon William Hall, who afterward lived in Saybrook, and a brother of Commodore Isaac Hull. The schooner was rigged after the fashion of those days, with an immense square fore-topsail. Among the vessels which navigated the river and sound, some of which were partly owned here, were the sloop Hylas, 67 tons, Aaron Chapman, 1816; brig Aurora, 197 tons, John Kirtland, N. Y. to Saybrook, 1816; sloop Industry, 25 tons, Chauncey Cooley; sloop Young Hornet, Samuel B. Gladding; sloop Maria, Thomas Silliman; sloop Driver, 92 tons, Gurdon Waterman, 1816; sloop Cleopatra, 55 tons, Charles Jones, of Saybrook, 1816; sloop Juliette, 66 tons, John C. Rus- sell; sloop Commerce, of Lyme, 48 tons; sloop Mercator, August Jones; sloop Betsey, 31 tons, William Spencer, 1816; sloop Young Phanix, Phillip Tooker, 51 tons; sloop Jay, of Saybrook, 90 tons, John L. Whittelsey. The cargo of the sloop Cleopatra, from Saybrook to New York, May nth 1816, consisted of "40 bbl. shad, 10 hhds. sugar, 8 bbls. sugar, 3 boxes hats, i sack do., and a quantity of wood." September 12th 1818, a sloop chartered by Mr. William Lynde, laden with potatoes and small stock, sailed for Bermuda, Charles Denison, master, and the nth of September 1819, she sailed with a similiar load. February 12th' 1819, T. Mather's brig sailed for West Indies. February 25th, A. Whittelsey's sloop Antelope broke from her moorings at Dickinson's pier, during a storm, and ran ashore on Plant- ing Field Meadow, and the sloop Syren drove ashore near Blague wharf. At the same time, a sloop loaded with wood went ashore near the lighthouse, and went to pieces. The Antelope and Syren were got off next day. The Syren was built at the head of the South Cove, at that point nearest Main street, and not far from the house of Mr. Samuel Kirtland, about 1812, and ran between Saybrook and New York during the war. Captain Sam- uel Dickinson, Captain Jeremiah Denison, J. and S. M. TuUy, Benjamin, Joshua, and Samuel Kirtland, were among her builders and owners, and all went in her at times, more or less. December 26th 1815, Messrs. John and Asa Kirtland launched from their yard a brig of i96f^ tons. February 15th 1818, a schooner, chartered by Lynde & Company, sailed for the Bermudas. March i2th 1818, a schooner, bound to West Indies, sailed with stock froTn Colchester. No vessels had been built here for several years, till about 1855, when a fishing schooner, largely owned in town, was built by a man named Brain- erd, just above the Fort. She was named the James H. Ashmead, after one of her Hartford owners, and was lost after a few years. The next and last vessel built here was probably the largest ever built in Old Saybrook. She was largely owned here, and was called the Mary E. Kellinger, after the wife of one of her New York owners. She was rigged as a three-masted schooner, and was com- manded by Captain Austin E. Penny. Her builder was a man by the name of Ketchum, from Long Island. She was built a little south of where the Pease House now stands, in 1865, and was lost a year or two after, in Ches- apeake Bay. Saybrook has produced many hardy mar- iners, some of them having been lost at sea. Captain John Ingraham jr. sailed between Hartford and the West Indies, in the schooner Harvey, in 1789, and, in 1800, in the brig Harriot. In one of his letters, dated at Port Republic, while in the schooner, 9th September 1799, he says: " I cannot determine when I shall be ready to Sail but think likely in 12 or 14 days & then shall likely wait some time for a Convoy as there is a Number of Boats which Cruise in the Bite, that make a practice of Rob- bing the unarmed vessels that fall in their way." In a letter of the 26th, he says: "I shall sail to morrow with about seventy Sail of American Merchant Vessels under Convoy of the Washington, Capt. Fletcher." In Febru- ary 1804, his brig was driven ashore in a gale in the harbor of Plymouth, England, and sustained some dam- age. His son, Capt. John D. Ingraham, was master of a vessel for many years, and was a volunteer acting master in the navy during the war of the Rebellion. He died in 1875. Capt. D.ivid Newell was another who followed the sea for a lifetime. He was in the harbor OLD SAYBROOK— SHAD FISHING. 48 r of Fayal, and witnessed the attack by 400 officers and men from three British vessels on the privateer brig, Gen. Armstrong, Capt. Samuel C. Reid, in which the at- tacking party lost 120 killed and 130 wounded, while the privateer lost only two killed and seven wounded. Capt Newell was engaged in the slave trade, and was killed during a rising of the slaves on board his vessel at the Island of Bonavista. His son, Capt. William Newell, sailed to all parts of the world till old age overtook him. On one occasion, during or after the war of 1812-15, he, in company with another Yankee captain, was in a saloon in a port in the Eastern Hemisphere, when anumberof English captains whowere present began to revile Americans and America, whereupon Capt. New- ell, seizing a stool,ldrove them all out of the saloon. He was a man of powerful frame, and commanding per- sonal appearance. Capt. Mather also sailed to the West Indies, and was lost with his ship. Peace and Plenty, in a gale at Turk's Island. Capt. Richard Wood went to sea for many years, and died at sea. Capt. Benjamin Whittlesey and his mate, Mr. Richard Dickinson, both of Saybrook, sailed on their last voyage for the West In- dies in a new brig or bark, built expressly for making fast trips, and were never heard of after leaving port. They were supposed to have been lost in a storm about 1848. Capt. J. Chauncey Whittlesey was in the West India trade for many years, sailing mostly from New Haven, and Capt. Samuel B. Dickinson also sailed to the West Indies. Fisheries. For many years, one of the principal industries of the town of Saybrook was its shad fisheries. Previous to the Revolutionary war, shad were not considered of much value, and it is said that if a family had one on the table, and saw a neighbor coming in, they would put it out of sight, being ashamed to be seen eating so common a fish. The river, the sound coast, and every creek and bay, teemed with them, as well as with bass, chequit, and salmon. It is probable that soon after the war, the shad fisheries began to be profitable. The fishing then was mostly done with short seines, which were hauled on shore without the use of capstans. It is said that Capt. Daniel Ingrahara, who died about 1845, aged about go, built the first fishing pier on the river. These piers, which were afterward used by most of the fisheries, were built on the river flats, near the edge of the channel, of logs and stone, the tops being out at high water, and on these, two capstans were placed for hauling in ropes attached to the two arms of the seine. The one built by Captain Ingraham, known as "Jamaica pier," was set directly off the mouth of Ragged Rock Creek, thus preventing any claim for rent, by the owners of the adjoining land. In the early years of the present century, shad fishing was at its height as far as the number of fish caught were concerned. The largest haul on record was made with a short seine by Mr. Elias Tully, who caught 3,700 at the point at the mouth of South Cove, now known as "Folly Point." Later a haul of 2,200 was made on Dickinson's pier. The fishery at the mouth of the river, near the lighthouse, was for many years one of the best. No pier was needed there, the seine being hauled directly ashore. The beach was covered with stones, which gave it the name of " Pavement." One season, either 1835 or 1836, shad were very abundant. Four thousand were caught at the "Pavement" in one day, the largest haul be- ing 1,700. At the last haul they got 400, and one of the owners suggested that the lead line be raised, and the shad allowed to escape, as they probably could not save them, there being a pile of about 5,000 shad caught that day and the day before, on shore, slill unsalted. The other owners would not agree to that, but they then stopped fishing, and went to dressing, and saved them all, with the help of people from the town. In those days, the shad were all salted instead of being sold fresh, and the principal fisheries presented a busy scene in the height of the season. The gangs usually consisted of eight or nine men, and when large hauls were made, extra men were employed to dress and salt. Large sheds were built to contain the salt, and hogsheads of salt fish, and the stores, with the fishermen, drove a thriving trade in salt and provisions. When all the fish- eries that were owned and fished by the people of the present town of Old Saybrook were in full operation they must have given employment to 250 or 300 men- On one occasion, early in the present century, Mr. Asa Kirtland, with several men, went around to " Plumbank," west of Cornfield Point, one night, for the purpose of fishing. While the party were camping in the plum bushes, waiting for the tide, he heard a splashing in a deep hole in Plumbank Creek, which runs through the salt meadows back of the beach. On going over there, he found Mr. James Shipman and somebody else, who had made a haul there, and had caught 300 shad. On the same night, Mr. James Dibble, with a piece of an old seine, caught 300 alone near Salmon Rock, on the flats west of Cornfield Point. In the morning Mr. K. came around into the river, and as he was passing the " Pave- ment '' fishery, one of the fishermen, who were mending their seine on shore, cried out, " Make a haul ! " They did so, and got 900. The fishermen shipped their net quickly, and did not invite them to make another haul. There happening to be a scarcity of salt in the town, an ox team was dispatched to Stanton's, in Clinton, for a 50 bushel load, to salt them with. This is related to show how abundant shad were at that time. It is said that at one time, 500 shad were caught at a haul in Ragged Rock Creek. The piers on the east side of the river channel were most of them owned by people on this side, with the exception of the " Griswold " piers near the mouth. The first pier on the east side of the river, op- posite the lighthouse, was " Zoar," then came " Gris- wold's " two piers, and then " Sodom." This name was given to it by Mr. Samuel Hart, of the firm of Pratt & Hart, grocers, on Saybrook Point. Mr. Hart was a noted wit. After Sodom was abandoned, and a new pier built, Mr. Hart was applied to for a name. His reply"was, " Lot fled to Zoar!" and the pier was called "Zoar " ever 482 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. after. " Dickinson's " pier was directly opposite the fort, and the next one above was " Gibraltar," so called because the fish house stood on a rocky hammock. " Sanford's" pier came next. It was sometimes called ' Woodiot," on account of the number of logs that were caught, which tore the seines. " St. John's " was the last below the ferry, those above on that side of the river being mostly owned by Lyme parties. On the west side of the river the "Pavement," near the light- house, was the first. This was abandoned in 1861. The fishery next above at the " Folly," was abandoned many years ago. The first pier was at the mouth of the South Cove. It was named " Cootesborough,"* because some Potapaug people owned it. It never was used much. Another was at Pipestave Point, near where the north end of Fenwick bridge is now. A pier was_built south- east of the Point, on which only one attempt at hauling was ever made. The seine was " set," on the strength of the tide," and the men were not able to hold the cap- stan. One let go and the capstan flew around throwing the men into the water and injuring several. The pier ever after went by the name of " Knock-'em-stiff." The "Fort" fishery was next. They formerly hauled the seine on shore, but later a pier was built, the remains of which are now under Pease's wharf. It was abandoned in 1858 or 1859. The next fishery was known as the " Parsonage," be- ing located oh the river flats above the mouth of the North Cove, and opposite the meadow owned by the Con- gregational society, to which society the rent of the fish- ery was paid. This was a famous fishery for many years, but was abandoned soon after the war of the Rebellion. What were known as the two " Ingham " piers, " Jamai ca " and "Federal," came next, and then the " Ayer " piers, " Washington " and " Independence." Independ- ence, the upper one of the two last named, was so near the Shore Line Railroad Ferry, that the ferry was in the way of their sweep. Accordingly, it was sold to the rail- road company, as was " Rebellion," which is directly under the railroad bridge. "Skunkhole" came next above the ferry, then the fishery on Tilly's or Ferry Point, and lastly, between Tilly's Point, and Mr. Ayers', on a flat, near the middle of the river, were " Santa Cruz " and " Newfoundland." Of these numerous piers and fisheries on the river, all have been abandoned, ex- cept "Washington" and "Federal;" they have been fished up to the present time with fair success. The gill net shad fisheries probably began about the same time that the seine fisheries did, and with nets about 20 or 30 rods long, and small round bottom boats or sharpies. While the hauling seines were set with one end fast to the pier or shore, and were hauled in at that point, the gill or " drag nets," as they were called, were let off the boat at certain "reaches" on the river, and both boat and net were allowed to drift down with the tide, the net being taken up whenever the owners saw fit, or when the tide was setting them upon some obstruc- •Essex, which was a borou«-h, was sometimes la derision called ' Cootesborough," because Captain Cootes burned the vessels there. tion. Later on these nets were increased in length, till they swept nearly the whole channel in some places. They are usually made at present, from 60 to 80 rods in length. The boats have also been much improved, and " Connecticut river drag boats " are now some of the most able boats in the world. The business is still car- ried on, but not so extensively and profitably as for- merly, and by a different class of people. Some of the most successful drag men have sometimes caught from 3000 to 5000 shad in a season. The fisheries on the sound began with short hauling seines, which were increased in length till horses were used to haul in the shore arm of the seine. In the early part of the present century, some large hauls were made on the sound shore, the fish sometimes being driven in shore in schools by porpoises. 1,400 were once caught at a haul on the flats. Some Indians once undertook to haul just as an immense body of shad pursued by por- poises came in shore. They struck the net with such force as to take it away from the Indians, and nearly tear it in pieces. The first fishery west of the lighthouse, was leased for many years, by a man named L'Hommedieu, who was called " Governor L'Hommedieu." The next where the wharf and bathing houses of Fenwick Hall now stand, was the "Avery place," and the next above, the " Gardiner place." These three fisheries were on the farm of William Lynde, judge of Probate, it having de- scended to him from Simon Lynde who bought it of Benjamin Batten, and they all paid him rent. He did not himself live on the farm, but in the village, and on the election day, which was the first Wednesday in May, the three gangs of fishermen with " Governor " L'Hom- medieu at their head, mounted on the horse that turned the capstan at one of the fisheries, with perhaps a drum and fife, and the usual accompaniment of boys, and sticks for muskets, marched to the residence of Judge Lynde, where, of course, they were treated to a drink all round. After their return to the fisheries, an im- mense bowl of toddy was mixed, and the day given up to wrestling matches, and other amusements. In those days, the farmer could not mow, the minister preach, nor the fisherman fish, without toddy. When the Washing- tonian movement started. Deacon Elisha Sill, who was a large owner in some of the piers on the river, and who took a great interest in the movement, decided not to furnish any liquor to his fishermen, but to give them cider instead, which was done. As there were two gangs of men, about 18 in all, in the same house, and many comers and goers, they drank a large quantity of cider. One of the owners of a fishery at the mouth of the river, hearing that they had drank a large quantity, on meet- ing a simple minded man who had fished there that sea- son, said to him: " Leonard, I hear that you have drank sixteen barrels of cider up there this spring." " It isn't so, Mr. K.," replied Leonard. " We've drinked barely ten barrels !" There was another fishery above the last, at Guard House Point, one at Willard's Bay, one at Gillett's Bay, on the east side of Cornfield Point, and fisheries all the way to Westbrook, on the west of Corn- OLD SAYBROOK— SHAD FISHING— QUARRY. 483 field Point. These- fisheries, however, ceased to be profitable, and were nearly or quite all abandoned pre- vious to 1850, when a new era in fishing was inaugurated, by the introduction of pounds. These nets were small, and very unlike those now in use. They were first used in Nova Scotia,whence the pattern was brought to Bran- ford, and a small. one set there. Mr. Frederick Kirt- land obtained the pattern from that, and set a larger and improved one, for white fish, in the summer of 1849. The next spring a company was formed consisting of Messrs. George H. Chapman, who owned the land at Oyster River where the fishery was located, his son, Robert, Frederick Kirtland, David Clark, and Ezra C. Ingham, and his son, Lucius, who built a larger net, and set it for shad. Its success led to the introduction of others, and in a few years every fishery on the coast was provided with them. Since their introduction, the bulk of the Connecticut River shad that have been sent to the Hartford and New York markets, have been caught in them. Not long before the war of the Rebellion. Mr. Kirtland and others went to Lake Ontario where they introduced these nets, and fished several years, and later they introduced them on Lake Erie, establishing an industry which a Cleveland newspaper, in 1884, characterized as one of the most important on the lake, after alluding to its establishment by Con- necticut men. In the early days of the country, salmon were very abundant, and were the fish mostly used by Saybrook people in their season, shad being considered too common. A lady who was born in 1783 distinctly remembered seeing a cart load of salmon, which were caught at AVillaid's Bay, east of Cornfield Point, tipped upon a barn floor. As soon as dams began to be built at the head waters of the river, so that salmon were unable to reach their spawning grounds, and factories and gas works begnn to discharge their poisonous refuse into it, and saw mills their saw dust, salmon began to decrease, till, after 1830, only a few scattering ones were caught, and about i860, they were entirely extinct.- Some years later some salmon, that had been artifically hatched, were placed in the river, and a few were caught at Saybrook in 1879, but they did not increase any, and two years later they were extinct. Bass and chequit were also abundant, bass weighing from 20 to 50 pounds being not unfrequently caught in the coves as late as 1830. For many years the white fishing industry was a very important one, immense quantities of the fish being used for ferti- lizing purposes, the farmers depending largely upon them for their crops, but the introduction of steam vessels with purse nets, and the great demand for menhaden oil, has broken up the schools, so that the fisheries are no longer profitable, and only occasionally a pound is set for them. There are natural beds of oysters on the Oyster River, and in the Connecticut River. The oysters on the natural beds are some of the finest in the world. Under the recent oyster law of the State, some of the river flats, and some of the ground off Cornfield Point have been taken up by practical oyster growers, for the pur- pose of planting oysters, but as yet nothing has been ac- complished. I Building Materials. In building a new town, the most necessary thing, next to the wood of which the houses were mostly built, was a supply of stone for chimneys and foundations. This was found in a rocky knoll less than half a mile west of the present main street of the village, and perhaps an eighth of a mile north of the Oyster River road. It is not known where the first stone were quarried, but it was probably in the early history of the town, as stone were indispensable. The right of the inhabitants of the town to get stone from the quarrj-, and clay from the low ground near it, has been reserved from the settlement to the present time, as appears by the town records. The clay pits were more valuable in ancient times, than at present, as the chimneys and cellar walls of most of the houses built previous to the Revolutionary war were laid up with clay mortar, instead of lime mortar — lime being very little used. At a town meeting held April 21st 1868, "It was voted & agreed upon that Mr. Chapman, Mr. Westoll shall renew the bounds betwixt Wm. Lord & Mr. Nichols by Setting in the Stakes which are reported for to be pushed down by Wm. Lord or his order. "At the Same Meeting it was voted and agreed upon that the land at the Stone Pits should be measured by Mr. Chapman, Francis Bushnell & Mr. Westoll, and that he shall have his Eight acres layed out. And the re- mainder of the land at the Stone Pits which is the town's, and that the quantity of acres shall be brought into the town. January ist 1669. — "At a town meeting it was agreed & voted that Wm. Lord shall have a fifty pound lot of Upland at the Stone pits adjoining unto his other land, only provided that the Stone Hills with a Highway to them shall Still remain for the town use." In February 1670, '"the town did grant to Wm. Lord Senior, that parsill of land Commonly called the Stone pits. Supposed to be about 4 or 5 acres, that is to say the said Wm. Lord shall have the use of the said land for feeding, & liberty to fence it in with his own land, always provided that the town has full liberty of the Highway that runs thither for egres & regres, or for the diging Stone or Clay, Without any Molestation or disturbance from the said Lord or any of his or any other." On the 237th page of Volume I, Town Records, May 1693-4, mention is made of a way to the stone pits from Oyster River highway, between Goodman Tracy's lot and John Olmstead's, of two rods wide. In January 1703-4, a committee was appointed " to inspect into the rights of the lands at the Stone pits now in hesitation between the Town and Benjamin Lord." In a deed from William Lord to William Lynde, 1805, this clause occurs: " Reserving to the Public the privilege of diging stone as usual on the premises, free of all incumbrance &c." The same reservation is made in a deed to Samuel Carter, of same date, of a tract of land south of that, but of which the northwest corner touched the stone pits. In a deed from Henry Hart to Richard E. Pratt, August 62 484 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. 20th 1864, of 13 1-2 acres, including the stone pit lot, is this reservation: " The people of the Town of Old Say- Brook have a right to get and cart stone from the Stone pit lot * * * Free of all incumbrance, except as to the privilege of working and carting stone." Most of the cellar wall stone used since the settlement of the town have been obtained from this qnarry, as were the stone with which the Episcopal church was built. Another requisite for building purposes, was sand for making mortar, and it is probable that the high bank of sand near the clam flats west of Cornfield Point, which is covered with plum bushes, was reserved for that pur- pose. At least that is the tradition, and the people of the town have always used it. When the salt m'eadow back of this bank, was granted in five acre tracts to Abraham Post, John Pratt, Samuel Jones, Thomas Nor- ton, John Chapman, and John Parker, in 1672, these tracts were bounded, some of them, " on the plum banks," and some "on the beach;" none by the high water mark. The tract nearest the upland was given to John Parker, and was bounded as follows: " Northwest with the land of John Chapman, north with the land of William Southmaid, east with the land of George Fen- wick, called the 'Cornfield ' & 'hundred acres,' south & southwest with the beach, and the point of Upland join- ing to the beach." The necessity of a road to this beach was manifest, and in February 1693-4, Nathaniel Lynde, on petition of the town, granted a highway through his land " to the Plumbanks and Hammoc." • "Gents, in answer to your desire and request, I Na- thaniel Lynde do hereby give and grant unto the pro- prietors of those lands and meadows at the Plumbanks and Hammoc and to their heirs and successors forever, for foot, horse, men and teams, free passage through my lands unto the sea, at southwest part of my field com- monly called Cornfield, always reserving power to myself, my heirs and assigns from time to time, and at all times forever to make such fences as I or they shall judge necessary." Manufacturing. Manufactories have never flourished in Old Saybrook. In 1854, a joint stock company of residents of the town was formed for the manufacture of skates, and a build- ing was put up near the depot of the Shore Line Railroad, at the head of the street. After working at it a year or two, the business was given up, and the build- ing was sold. After standing idle for several years, it was bought by the Catholics and converted into a church. During the present year 1884, the Catholics have completely renovated their church and added a steeple and organ loft. Messrs. Wellman & Gaylord built a shop west of the burying ground on the Point, and near the South Cove, a few years ago. It was run by steam power, but it was burned after a year or two, and what remained of the business was removed to Deep River. Stores, Hotels, etc. When the new Episcopal church was built in 187 1-2, the old building was sold to Messrs. D. C. Spencer and J. H. Day, who moved it to the south side of the road leading toward Oyster River, and a short distance from Main street, and converted the lower story into stores, and the upper into a hall. The hall was used for several years, as a school room, by parties living in the adjoining house, which was also the property of Spencer & Day. A grocery store was kept in the lower part, for two or three years, by W. P. Beach & Company, and later Dud- ley, Bushnell & Company kept both a grocery and a dry goods store in the two departments, on the lower floor. It has been unoccupied for two or three years. George Pratt and Samuel Hart were merchants on Saybrook Point, in the early part of the present century, their store standing below the bank, in front of the residence of Mrs. John D. Ingraham, near the rail- road track. It was taken down when the railroad was built. Mr. Giles Blague also carried on business in a store that stood between the store of H. Potter & Son and the brick store, and Captain Daniel Kirtland's was in the store now owned and occupied by H. Potter & Son. It is said that the house of Mr. Potter, ad- joining his store, was built by Captain John Burrows, in 1665. If this is the case, it is probably the oldest house in the county. Mr. Ezra Kirtland traded for many years in the next store west of Mr. Daniel Kirtland's, which is now a dwelling house, and owned by Mr. Potter. Captain George Dickinson built the " brick store," and Edward Ingraham, and afterward George D. Whittelsey, traded there. The store of Captain Elisha Hart, " up street," after his decease, fell into the hands of his clerk, Amos SheflSeld, who for many years carried on business there, and was one of the leading and wealthy citizens of the town. His wife was the daughter of Rev. F. W. Hotchkiss. After Mr. Sheffield's death, his son, Charles A., carried on the business for awhile, and then sold to Thomas C. Acton jr., who continues the business in the same building. The next store south is that of Major Hart, which, after his death, was occu- pied for a term of years by Sumner and James P. Bull. There were two buildings side by side, one of which had been used for a salt store, and after the death of the Bull brothers, this was sold to Robert C. Whittelsey, who moved it up the street to a point op- posite the Mill road, and opened it as a grocery. He afterward sold to George A. Vogel, and his son, George A. jr., carried on the business till he sold to D. Holmes, the present proprietor. The original store of Major Hart was bought by Giles A. Bushnell, who has enlarged the building, and carries on the grocery business. B. Dowd, and his sons in company with him, and afterward his son, Galen, did quite a business as wholesale and re- tail dealers in leather and boots and shoes. At one time, before the introduction of- machinery for the manufac- ture of shoes, about a dozen men were employed by them. The building is now occupied by Augustus Bush- OLD SAYBROOK.— MISCELLANEOUS. 4^5 nell as a boot and shoe store. On the opposite side of the street, on the southwest corner, stood a store in which James Treadway, traded, for a number of years, and which was moved to the corner below, south of the Methodist church. After he retired from business it was occupied by William E. Clark, as a grocery, till he bought the Methodist church. It is now occupied by William H. Smith, as a tin and stove store. Frederick Kirtland kept a shoe store for several years in the building next the Acton Library, now used as a Masonic Hall, and H. S. Chapman kept a grocery near the Junction. Mr. Humphrey Pratt kept tavern for many years in the house lately owned by Gilbert Pratt, deceased, and General La Fayette and Mrs. Lydia H. Sigourney both stopped there, when they were in town. Mr. William Willard kept a hotel on Saybrook Point — the Fenwick House, which he afterward sold to I. S. Otis. Burt Mc Kinney was the next proprietor, and under his manage- ment, it became a famous place of summer resort for Hartford people. It stood on the high ground facing the mouth of North Cove, and on the south side of the road. It was burned on the morning of May 7th 1863. Physicians. Dr. Samuel Field was the physician here for many years. He died in 1783. His son Samuel, who was also a physician, was here for several years, and after him Dr. Samuel Carter, who moved away about 1835. Dr. Asa Howe King was the next physician. He came here about 1835 and died in 1870. Dr. John H. Granniss came" here in 1868, and is now the only physi- cian in town. Dr. Thomas B. Bloomfield came here a few years ago, since Dr. Granniss came, but he only re- mained two or three years, and then removed to West- ' brook. Augustus Eliot, son of Rev. Jared Eliot, of Kil- lingworlh, was born June i8th 1720, graduated from Yale College in 1740, and settled at Saybrook as a " Practitioner of Physic," and built the house where Captain William Newell and Captain John Bushnell lived, now owned by R. M. Bushnell. He was engaged to be married, when he died, November 26th 1747. aged 27. SiLOAM Lodge, No. 32, F. & A. M. A lodge of free masons was established years ago in Potapaug, to which many of the people of the first society belonged, but a lodge was not established in the present town of Old Saybrook till 1870. In that year a charter, which was first granted to a lodge in Kent and Warren, in 179s, " "^^^ restored to Bro's John S. Dickinson, First Master; J. J. Tryon, First Senior Warden, John E. Dudley, First Junior Warden, with authority to open Lodge in the town of Old Saybrook, to be known as Si- loam Lodge, No. 32, and to hold jurisdiction over the Town of Old Say Brook. J. K. Wheeler Grand Secre- tary." The following is a list of the charter members: Samuel B. Dickinson, J. E. Heald, Frederick A. Chalker, Richard H. Tucker, Edward P. Blague, J. W. Tryon, Charles A. Pratt, Alfred L. Ingham, J. C. Whittelsey, James T. Ross, C. L. Emerson. The following have been masters: 187,2, J. S. Dickinson; 1874, F. A. Chal- ker; 1875, E. P. Blague; 1877, R. H. Tucker; 1878, J. H. Granniss; 1879, J. J. Tryon; 1880, T. B. Bloomfield; 1881, R. H. Tucker; 1882, Arthur Kirtland; 1883, Charles A. Kirtland. Public Library. Some years ago the ladies of Saybrook established a circulating library, the books being kept at the house of Miss Harriet Willard. These books, which had consid- erably increased in numbers after a few years, formed a nucleus for a town library. Hon. Thomas C. Acton, now United States Assistant Treasurer, at New York, gave a spot of land opposite his house for the erection of a building, and money enough was raised by entertain- ments, subscriptions, and contributions, to put up a handsome building of two stories, with mansard roof, near the corner where the two roads from Main street meet on their way to Oyster River. The building was dedicated July 4th 1874. It now contains over 2,000 volumes, many of them very valuable, and a collection of antiquities. Miss Amelia Clark has been the librarian ever since the building was erected. Tomb of Lady Fenwick. When the Connecticut Valley Railroad was built, its route, which was by the edge of the water on Saybrook Point, was where the Fort, and the tomb of Lady Fen- wick — which was a short distance south, stood. It was, therefore, necessary to remove the remains of Lady Fen- wick, which was done. The bones were found in a good state of preservation, and so was a braid of auburn hair. The bones were removed, and placed in their proper po- sition in a cofifin, by Dr. Richard W. Bull, and a grave was dug in the cemetery, not far distant. On the 23d of November 1870, the bones were taken to the Con- gregational church, where appropriate services were held, after which a long procession followed the remains to the cexnetery. The monument was placed over the re- ToMB OF Lady Fenwick. mains as nearly as possible as it formerly stood. As relic hunters had begun to chip off the monument, an iron railing has recently been placed around it. There was formerly no inscription on the stone, but about 1850 486 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. or 1855, a stone cutter, who was employed near by, placed the name " Lady Fenwick, 1648," on one side of the monument, and a similar inscription with a cross was afterward put on the other side by Miss Hart. The following receipt is copied from the town records: " April 2, 1679. " Received of Thomas Buckingham of SayBrook, Agent for Benjamin Batten Esq. of London, and in pay- ment for the Tombe stone of the Lady Alice Botler late of Say Brook; That is to say the full and just summe of Seven pound Sterling. I say Received by mee, " Matthew Griswold " Junior." Tomb Hill, where the tomb stood, was dug away and used for filling at the wharf and depot, and the fort shared the same fate, these old landmarks being sacri- ficed to the march of modern improvements, so called. Saybrook Point. Ill i860 or 1861, a steamboat wharf was built by I. S. Otis near Lady Fenwick's tomb, and a road was opened from the corner near the burying ground to the wharf, and not long afterward Capt. Richard Dickinson built a house on the new road. Afterward, he and his brother, Edgar, built a store near the water and on the opposite side of the street from the tomb. This store is now kepi by E. Dickinson. After the railroad was begun, a road was opened running south, and extending to the end of the new wagon bridge across the cove to Fenwick. On the northwest corner of this road a store was built, where Dickinson & Kellogg, Kellogg & Blague, and lastly J. Kellogg & Son, sold groceries. A post office has been established there under the name of Saybrook Point, and Joseph Kellogg is postmaster. The street running to the bridge was soon built up on the west side with dwel- ling houses, including the Pease House, the only hotel for transient guests. PROMINENT FAMILIES. The Hart Family. As the Hart family has for many years been prominent in the town, a notice of some members of the family, other than Rev. William Hart, may not be out of place. The first who came to this country was Stephen Hart, of Braintree, Essex county, England, born about 1605. He came with the company that settled Braintree, Mass., that afterward removed to Cambridge, and that consti- tuted the church of which Rev. Thomas Hooker was afterward pastor. Mr. Hart came to Hartford with Mr. Hooker's company in 1635, ^"^ was one of the original proprietors of that place. There is a tradition that the town was named from the ford he discovered and used in crossing the Connecticut River at a low stage of the water, and so from Hart's Ford it soon became Hartford, from a natural and easy transition. His grandson, William, was pastor of the church in Say- brook, and has already been noticed in the proper place. Rev. William Hart's oldest son, William, was born at Saybrook, and married Esther Buckinghnm, daughter of Joseph and his wife, Sarah Tully, in 1745. He was a merchant, and was an officer in the State militia during the Revolutionary war, and was in the engagement at Danbury. He was afterward a major general, and was for several years a candidate for governor of the State. In 1795, the Western Reserve (so called), belonging to the State of Connecticut, was purchased by subscription by a company of wealthy citizens of the State, for $1,200,000. William Hart was one of the company, and his subscription was $30,462. In 1785, he was engaged in the mercantile business with his brother Joseph in Hartford, and was much engaged in the West India trade. He was also a merchant at Saybrook. Owing to the destruction of a number of his vessels, while eng.nged in the West India trade, he and his heirs since have been among the claimants under the French Spoliation Bill, with little probability, however, of realizing anything from it, although years ago France paid these claims to our government. The investment in the Western Re- serve lands proved a profitable one to him and his heirs, some of the land still yielding an income to the family, though most of it has been sold. General Hart is described as a man of commanding person and presence, with a handsome, manly face, a rich complexion, and fine, clear, dark eyes and hair. He was an accomplished horseman, and often made the journey between Saybrook and Hartford on his favorite saddle horse. An old resi- dent of Hartford, dead years ago, used to tell her great- grandchildren, with much enthusiasm, what an imposing appearance he presented as he rode up to her door, and how it was ever her delight to set before him the very best entertainment the inn afforded. Major Richard William Hart, the only child of Gen. William and Esther Buckingham, was born at Saybrook, January T5th 1768, and married Miss Elizabeth Bull, of Newport, Rhode Island. Major Hart inherited from his father a large fortune, which increased by the rise in value of the land purchased by Gen. Hart in the West- ern Reserve, so that at his death he left an estate valued at half a million dollars, which was divided between his widow and two daughters. He was much esteemed and respected in his native State, and used his means liber- ally (or the good of those about him. He built a large house on the west side of Main street, near the corner of the road leading to New Haven, where he resided till his death. He was for many years a merchant, his store standing for a long time on the corner near his house, but he afterward moved it across Main street, nearly op- posite, where it still stands. Major Hart died of apo- plexy in 1837. He was a man of unusually fine personal appearance and handsome features. His only son died in early youth, but he left two daughters, the oldest of whom, Elizabeth M., married at Saybrook, in 1825, the Rev. William Jarvis, son of Hezekiah Jarvis, of Norwalk, and for a time resided in Saybrook. The second daughter of Major Hart, Miss Hetty B. Hart, died in Hartford unmarried, aged 76. OLD SAYBROOK— BIOGRAPHIES. 487 Elisha Hart, fifth son of Rev. William Hart, born in 1758, married Jeannette McCurdy, of Lyme, and had seven daughters but no sons. They were distinguished for their beauty and accomplishments, and moved in the highest circles of wealth and honor. The eldest daughter, Sarah McCurdy, married Rev. Dr. Samuel F. Jarvis, of Middletown, from whom she was divorced. Her remains lie in the burial ground on Saybrook Point. The second daughter, Ann McCurdy, married Con)modore Isaac Hull, U. S. N., who distinguished himself in the war of 1812 while in command of ihe frigate Constitution by capturing the British frigate Guerriere. After the war Commodore Hull was a frequent visitor at Saybrook, and with his wife spent a few weeks at the old mansion nearly every summer for several years till his death in Philadelphia, in 1843. Eliznbeth, the fifth daughter, married Hon. Hcman Allen, formerly member of Congress from Ver- mont, and minister plenipotentiary to Columbia, South America. He died in 1844, at Burlington, Vermont, where his wife also died. Amelia, sixth daughter, mar- ried Captain, afterward Commodore Joseph Hull, U. S. N., a nephew of Commodore Isaac Hull. Three of the daughters died unmarried. One of them, Jeannette M. McCurdy Hart, in i860, gave a handsome iron fence for the front of the ancient cemetery on Saybrook Point.* Capt. Elisha Hart died May 28th 1842, aged 84. He was also a merchant in Saybrook. His store is still standing on the east side of Main street, and is owned and occupied by T. C. Acton jr., as a grocery. The post office is also kept in it. Captain Hart lived in a large old-fashioned mansion, on the west side of Main street, a little north of his store, which is still standing, though it has recently passed out of the possession of the family. It is surrounded by large shade trees, and is one of the finest locations on the street. After Captain Hart's remains were carried out of the front door of the house, the door and blind were closed and a bar nailed across it, which was not removed, nor the door opened till after it passed out of possession of the family — a period of about 40 years. Rev. William Hart's house stood very near the spot where this was built, and was moved to the corner opposite the Acton Library, on what are now the grounds of Mr. T. C. Acton, and was used for many years by Captain William Clark as a paint shop. The house of Rev. William Hart's son-in-law, Rev. F. W. Hotchkiss, is still standing, and is nearly opposite Captain. Elisha Hart's, and is owned and occu- pied by Mr. Charles W. Morse, a son of Prof. S. F. B. Morse, the inventor of the telegraph. Gen. William Hart built and lived in the house north of the present Congregational church, now owned and occupied by Misses Hetty B. and Nancy Wood. Captain John Hart, another of Rev. William Hart's sons, resided in Massa- chusetts for several years, and then returned to Saybrook, *It is said that In tlie latter part of her life ahe embraced the Ctitholic faith. It was by her direction, and at her expense, that one o( the insciiplions on the tomb of Lady Fenwioli; was cut. A simple inscrip- tion was well enough, but when she added a hujre cross, an otEcnse against good taste was committed, which the descendants of the Say. brook Puritans are not likely to forget or forgive. where he lived in the Captain Samuel Shipraan house which stood a few rods south of the Congregational paisonage. He died in 1828, aged 78. Lieut. William Pratt. One of the early settlers of Saybrook was Lieut. William Pratt, the first of the name in this town. He is supposed to have come with Rev. Thomas Hooker to Newtown (now Cambridge), Mass., in 1633, from thence to Hartford, Conn., in June 1636. He married Eliza- beth Clark, daughter of John Clark, first of Saybrook, and afterward of Milford. The date of his death is not known. He attended the General Court as deputy, the 23d and last time, at the session in Hartford, May 9th 1678. The Dickinson Family. ' The Dickinson family, though not among the first set- tlers, were yet prominent people on Saybrook Point during and after the Revolutionary war. Captain George Dickinson, who was born in 1770, was for many years a ship master, and at times resided in foreign ports as agent. He was at Copenhagen, Denmark, when that city was bombarded by Captain, afterward Lord Nelson, and at his death, in 1857, at the age of 81, was the wealthiest man in the town. The Denison Family. Three of the Denison family, Jedidiah, Jeremiah, and Charles, were shipmasters, as were their fathers before them. Another well known shipmaster, of later date, was Captain E. E. Morgan, who, though a native of Lyme, was for many years a resident of Saybrook. He was long identified with the London line of packets, as master, and afterward as agent. At three different times Captain Morgan's ship was chartered by Joseph Bona- parte. Captain Morgan commanded four of the finest packet ships that ever sailed from New York. He died during the last years of the war of the Rebellion. He lived in the house that Major R. W. Hart built, and it is still owned by the family. Mrs. Elizabeth Miller Jarvis. In the history of the town of Saybrook there are two women whose names will ever be held in grateful, loving remembrance. One was Lady Alice Boteler or Lady Fenwick, who crossed the ocean with her husband to found a new colony in what was then only a wilderness, inhabited by savages and wild beasts; the other was Elizabeth Hart, daughter of Major William Hart, of this town, who afterward became the wife of Rev. William Jarvis, a nephew of Bishop Jarvis. This estimable lady was born in Saybrook in 1798, and was descended from a long line of honored ancestry. She was the child of Christian parents, and grew to womanhood greatly beloved by a large circle of acquaint- ances and friends. After her marriage she entered heart- ily into all her husband's plans, and proved a valuable assistant to him in his pastoral work. Hers was not a 488 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. life exempt from sorrow and suffering; but by Divine grace, each trial and each pain brought with it a deeper faith, a firmer hope, a stronger love, and thus an increase in holiness. With a cheerfulness which scarce showed the patience that was its source, with a deep affection for kindred, on whom in declining years, she leaned with implicit trust, with increasing kindness toward all her many friends, with unshaken faith in God, she lived among those who felt her presence to be a sacred bene- diction. She died on Saturday, June i8th 1881. " The g-entleness and purity . Throug-h her Ions life displayed. In living, loving memory Can never, never fade." Hon. John Allen. In the race of life, under a republican form of govern- ment, the citizens of a State are equal before the law. But it is nevertheless true that there are certain inequal- ities of natural gifts, varied as to individuals and expres- sion, which are transmitted from parents to children, from ancestors in past ages to their descendants, furnish- ing materials for study and often exciting laudable pride. Biography, therefore, becomes interesting and instruc- tive. Hon. John Allen, of Saybrook, Connecticut, the sub- ject of this sketch, who has borne a conspicuous part in public affairs, owes his success, not only to the faithful training of his parents, and the influences, surrounding his early life, but to his self culture, and the sturdy stock from which he sprang. The name, Allen, is said to have been of Saxon ori- gin, and to have been originally written "Alwyne," signi- fying in that language, Beloved of all. It often occurs in English history, both civil and eccle- siastical, and is uniformly written "Allen." Among those prominently mentioned are: Thomas Allen, sheriff of London in the 20th year of the reign of Henry V., A. D. 1413, and Sir John Allen, who was lord mayor of London in the fourth year of Queen Elizabeth, A. D. 1566. Hon. John Allen, of Saybrook, was the sixth in descent from Deacon Roger Allen, who came from England earlier than 1668, settled in Quin- nipiac, now New Haven, and was elected deacon of the First Congregational Church of New Haven colony, of which the Rev. John Davenport, a puritan divine from Coventry, England, was the first pastor. The impor- tance of this office is shown by the following from the New Haven records: " In 1669, Roger Ailing, having been inadvertently chosen town treasurer when he stood under a nomina- tion for the office of deacon in the church, the election was set aside and another Treasurer chosen." He was previously chosen a member of the court, and often employed in the settlement of estates and other public business. His house lot was situated on the square now bounded by Church, Chapel, State, and George streets. New Haven. Other families of the same name have emigrated to this country, and the records show that not less than 25 families of that name came within the first 40 years of the settlement of New England. Sixty-five persons by the name of Allen graduated from New England Colleges, prior to 1825, of whom 17 were clergymen. Deacon Roger Allen, the American ances- tor, wrote his own name Allen, though the name is spelled differently on some of the records, and is spelled Ailing by a portion of his descendants. His death occurred on the 27th of September 1674, and his property was ap- praised at j^394, 17s. The line of descent from Roger Allen is as follows: Samuel Allen, who was his eldest son, died August z8th 1709. Of the date of his birth there is no record. Dan- iel Allen; Timothy Allen, born April 17th 1712; Arche- laus Allen, born in North Haven, December 21st 1738. He removed to Wallingford and thence to Meriden, where he died at an advanced age. His eldest son, Levi, the father of Hon. John Allen, was born in Walling- ford, New Haven county, Connecticut, in that part of the town known as North Farms, on the 30th day of March 1777. He died on the 27th day of August A. D. 1861. He was 16 years of age when he removed with his pa- rents to Meriden, where a high plateau of land south of the " Hanging Hills" was purchased for a homestead. He afterward became its owner, and one of the most thrifty and enterprising farmers of that town. On the 20th of January 1814, he married Electa, second daugh- ter of Aaron Hall Esq., of Wallingford, who was a sol- dier of the Revolution, was with Washington at "Valley Forge, and in several engagenients in New Jersey, but he was never wounded. On his return from the war Mr. Hall occupied a prominent position in the community where he resided. He was a justice of the peace, an ar- biter in controversies, and the public regard for him is attested by the fact that to him was confided the settle- ment of more than 40 different estates. The issue of the marriage of Levi Allen and Electa Hall, was four children: John, Jennett, William, and Ed- ward Chauncey, all of whom were born at the family homestead in Meriden. John, the eldest, was born on the 6th day of February A. D. 1815. He received a good common school educa. lion, and at 11 years of age was sent to the high school at Ellington, established by Rev. John Hall. He subse- quently attended the private school of Rev. Mr. Corn- wall, of Cheshire, Connecticut. At the age of 14 he was placed in the store of Major Elisha A. Cowles, then one of the two stores and three dwelling houses (the only buildings) located near the in- tersection of Main and Colony streets, now the center of the city of Meriden. For a time thereafter he attended an evening grammar school kept daring the winter months by the Rev. Mr. Keeler, rector of " St. Andrew's" Episcopal Church, at his dwelling house, situated on the present site of the house of worship. He also became a member of the Elocution Society and Lyceum, estab- lished by the young men of Meriden, for their mutual improvement. OLD SAYBROOK— BIOGRAPHIES. 489 The idea of a Supreme Being in the universe and his personal relations to that Being, quickened his sensibili- ties, at this early age, and led him into the domain of religious thought. His parents were orthodox Congre- gationalists, the clergyman of that demonination, the Rev. Mr. Hinsdale, a Princeton theologian, and he was instructed in that belief, but to him many of the tenets of that faith were not satisfactorily apprehended, and they failed to meet his religious wants. His reading and re- flection at length resulted in his rejection of the distinc- tive teachings of John Calvin and the doctrine of the Trinity, and the adoption of views substantially in ac- cord with those of Dr. William EUery Channing as set forth in his published works. His conscientiousness and habit of thorough investigation had a marked effect upon his subsequent career. By his industrious and studious habits, and upright conduct, he won the confi- dence, and esteem of his employers. His clerkship in Meriden was continued with Major Cowles and his successors in business, Tibbals, Butler & Co., and Butler, Linsley & Co., for a period of six years. He was thereafter for one year in the employ of General Edwin R. Yale, then a prominent manufacturer of Meri- den. In the spring of 1836, he removed to New York, and entered the service of Perkins, Hopkins & White, whole- sale merchants, then extensively engaged in the dry goods jobbing business with the South. He remained with that firm, in confidential relations, through a period of unusual instability and difficulty in the mercantile af- fairs of the country, during which time by active partici- pation in the business he gained valuable experience in laying the foundation of his future prosperity. Upon the reorganization of that firm in 1842, he became inter- ested as a partner with Perkins & Hopkins, and upon a subsequent organization, the firm name was changed to Hopkins, Allen & Co. It was, however, as a member of the last named firm, whose high reputation was a fitting tribute to its enterprise, integrity, and success, that he became prominently known to the business world. His intercourse with the people of the South made him familiar with their views and policy in reference to the institution of slavery, and perceiving the growing antag- onism between free and slave labor, which foreshadowed serious difficulty to the country, he resolved to withdraw from mercantile business (then conducted largely upon credit) and retire, for a time, to private life. He there- upon removed from New York, and established his resi- dence where his family now resides. Being in active sympathy with the government of the United States in ils efforts to maintain its integrity, and suppress the Re- bellion, he received an unsought nomination to represent the Nineteenth Senatorial District, in the State of Con- necticut, and was elected thereto in 1863, and again in 1864, and in both years was chairman of the joint stand- ing committee on finance, whose labors were of the highest importance in thaticritical period of public affairs, when the State was raising money for the war. The financial measures recommended by that committtee and adopted by the Legislature, not only enabled the State to creditably place its full quota of men in the field, but es- tablished a policy in the revision of the tax laws, which has met the approval of the people of the State for 20 years, and reduced to a minimum amount the public debt. The present equitable method of taxing railroad property, on the basis of what it will sell for, by which the market value of its stock and bonds is made the measure of value of such property for purposes of taxa- tion, was suggested by him. On the 17th day of June 1864, Mr. Allen introduced into the Connecticut Legislature the first resolution in favor of the abolition of slavery by constitutional amend- ment, which resolution was as follows: "General Assembly, May Session, 1864. " Whereas: The formidable rebellion now existing against the authority of the United States originated in a conspiracy to subvert our free institutions and establish a separate government based upon the institution of human slavery; and whereas such slavery is incompatible with the peace, prosperity and union of all portions of our common country; therefore be it "Resolved: That our Senators and Representatives in Congress be and they are hereby requested, to use their efforts to secure the passage by Congress of the proposed amendment of the Constitution of the United States, for- ever prohibiting human slavery within the limits of the National Union." Mr. Allen was one of the delegates from Connecticut to meet a convention of loyal Southerners at Philadel- phia on the 3d day of September 1866, called to give ex- pression to the sentiments of the people in support of Congress against the defection of Andrew Johnson. He was prominent in the movement that arrested the "peace flag" heresy at Saybrook, or the raising of any flag not representing all the States of the Union. He was one of the Fellows of the corporation of Yale College while he was senator in the years aforesaid, the old law being that the six senior senators were members ex officio of that corporation. In the Hayes presidential campaign of 1S76, he was a republican presidential elector in this State. In 1867, he was elected president of the Peoria, Pekin & Jacksonville Railroad Company, of the State of Illi- nois, which position he held in the active administration of the property for many years, during which time that part of its road from the town of Virginia to the city of Jacksonville, was constructed. In 1883, he was again elected to the State Senate from the Twenty-first District, formerly the Nineteenth, and was made chairman of the joint standing committee on railroads, for which his experience in railroad affairs eminently qualified him. During the session of the Legis- lature of 1884, he was appointed chairman of the com- mission raised by the General Assembly to inaugurate, with appropriate ceremonies, the Governor Buckingham Statue, which ceremonies took place on the i8ih of June 1884. As such chairman, it devolved on Mr. Allen to intro- 490 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. duce the speakers participating in the exercises at the State Capitol. His opening address, in the battle flag vestibule, was as follows: " Men and Women of Connecticut: ' You have assembled in testimony of your regard for the illustrious patriot, statesman, and Christian, chosen to be the supreme Executive- of the people of this State and voice their will, during a period in which their 'lives and fortunes and sacred honor' were at stake, in the greatest struggle for free government the world has wit- nessed. " In the presence of these battle flags, and the sur- vivors of those who bore them to victory, you have come to dedicate a statue, erected, in love and gratitude, to the memory of William A. Buckingham. "As he looked to the source ot all strength for guid- ance, it is fitting to this occasion, that his pastor for many years, the Rev. Dr. Merriman, commence the ex- ercises with prayer. It is my privilege to present to you Dr. Merriman." After the prayer, the Hon. Henry B. Harrison, of the commission for the procurement of the statue, made an address of presentation. The statue was unveiled and received by Governor Waller, on behalf of the State, and an oration was delivered by Senator O. H. Piatt, from a platform at the north entrance of liie Capitol. The benediction was pronounced by Pre.sident Smith, ol Trinity College. Major John C. Kinney was the grand marshall of the day. 7,500 war veterans were present in the parade, and a large concourse of people were assem- bled on that occasion. On the loth of November 184.7, ^'I''- Allen married Mary Ann, daughter of Hon. Elisha Phelps, of Simsbury, Conn., whose father, Maior-General Noah Phelps,served in the French and Indian wars, and was a distinguished ofHcer of the American Revolution. Seven children were the issue of that marriage: Lucy Phelps, Jane Jennett, Edith Electa (who died in the sixth year of her age) Mary Constance, John H., William Hall, and Grace Electa. Lucy Phelps, the eldest, mar- ried Charles Leslie Morgan, of New York; Jane Jennett married Hon William Hamersley, of Hartford; and Mary Constance married Benjamin Knower, of Scar- borough on the Hudson, and New York. Mr. Allen has a keen love of the beautiful in nature, is simple in his habits, thorough in all matters of business, a man of quiet yet dignified demeanor, thoughtful of the wants of others, zealous and earnest in his efforts to promote the public good, conscientious, fearless, truth- ful, and independent. His beautiful home is at Old Saybrook, on Maple avenue. Daniel Chapman Spencer. The life of Daniel C. Spencer affords a striking exam- ple of what the young men of America are capable of. Commencing the battle of life at nine years of age, he has not reached half the period allotted to man ere he becomes associated with the largest commercial house in the United States, and when most men are still actively engaged in business pursuits, he is leading a quiet life of retirement, with a sufficient competence to place him beyond the possibility of want during his remaining years. He comes from a race of men, however, who have left their impress on every age, from the time of William the Conqueror, when Robert de Spenser became the steward or " dispenser of the king's bounty," down to the present time. His American ancestor was Jared Spencer, who came to this country about 1610, and settled first at what is now Cambridge, Massachusetts, and in 1662 removed to Haddam, in this county, from which place Thomas, one of his sons, removed, in 1685, to Pochaug, now West- brook. The descendants of Thomas were mostly farmers, but David, the father of Daniel C. Spencer, was a farmer, mason, and blacksmith. He was born in West- brook, but removed, early in life, to that part of the town of Saybrook known as Oyster River. He married Rachel, daughter of Asa Bushnell, of Westbrook, a descendant of one of the first settlers under the Fenwick patent. By her he had eleven children: David jr., Nancy, Charles Chauncey, Una Maria, Edwin, Alvin Benjamin, Julia Elizabeth, Daniel Chapman, Harriet Amelia, Emily Ann, and Mary Augusta. Daniel Chapman, the eighth child and fifth son, was born in that part of Saybrook designated as Oyster River, on the 3d of December 1823. He attended the public school until he was nine years of age, when he went to work on his father's farm, where he continued until he was 22 years of age. During this period he at- tended the public school and academy for a time in the winter. He might have lived and died a farmer, but a Providential'mi.-ifortune changed the whole current of his life. About this time, while working in the field, he had a sunstroke, the effects of which compelled him to give up farming, and for three years he filled a clerk- ship in the stores of his native town and in Westbrook. During this period he familiarized himself with the class of goods usually kept by country merchants, and learned their wants. This Was the stepping stone to his subse- quent advancement. He next entered the employ of L. L. Bishop, of New Haven, as traveling salesman, the stock of goods at that time being carried in peddlers' wagons. He entered into the business with his whole soul, and soon acquired a reputation as a salesman that extended beyond the limits of his own State. Messrs. Moulton, Plympton, Williams. & Co.-, one of the leading wholesale dry goods firms of New York, heard of him, and after a brief personal interview offered him the entire charge of their fancy goods department. He was fearful that they had overestimated his ability and was reluctant to accept the position, but so anxious were they to secure his services that they at once gave him a check to purchase the time of his unexpired contract from his employer. He remained with the new firm for two years, until their failure, and so well pleased were they with his management of their affairs that Mr. Moul- ton, one of the firm, prepared the way for his entrance J2>o C-. SFEITCEIi OLD SAYBROOK— BIOGRAPHIES. *49t into the house of Claflin, Mellen & Co., then the second largest dry goods house in the United State?. They were at that time located at the Trinity Building, No. Ill Broadway. The firm was then contemplating open- ing a notion department. After a brief interview Mr. Spencer offered to take charge of it for one year without any compensation. Mr. Claflin declined the offer and insisted on paying him a salary, with the promise of further compensation at the end of the year should the venture prove successful. The department was limited to a small space in the basement; but Mr. Spencer at once devoted his whole energies to the busi- ness, and at the end of the year his purchases and sales had nearly equaled those of some other departments long established. The balance sheet was so satisfactory to Mr. Claflin that he at once gave Mr. Spencer a check for f i,ooo in addition to his salary. The engagement was renewed on the basis of a percentage of the profits, and so rapidly did the business increase that the firm was soon after compelled to change their quarters for the purpose of increasing their facilities. They con- sequently purchased a site on the corner of Church and Worth streets, extending through to West Broadway, covering nearly an acre of ground. On this they erected a mammoth building six stories high. The notion department, under the management of Mr. Spencer, covered a large portion of the third and also a portion of the fifth floor. This soon equaled in importance that of other departments connected with the business. To handle the immense quantities of goods re- quired the aid of over forty clerks; and to control and direct this number of men, to attend to all the details of the business, required great powers of combination and organization, together with a strong will and decision of- character. Mr. Spencer, however, proved himself equal to the great responsibility. During his connection with the business, covering a period of thirteen years, the house rose from being the second largest to the largest dry goods house in the United States, the sales exceed- ing those of its distinguished rival by several millions of dollars. The strain, however, proved too great for Mr. Spencer's powers of endurance, and in the fall of 1867 he broke down completely, and was compelled to give up business." Mr. Claflin urged him to continue his busi- ness connection with the house, and to take as much time as he chose for recuperation and rest; but Mr. Spencer knew that the mere physical rest would be of little help to him so long as the care and responsibility rested upon him, and this he found it impossible to shake off. He therefore determined to give up business alto- gether and to spend the remainder of his days, which he then thought were few, in retirement and rest. This he did on the ist of January 1868. Soon after it became known to the different employes of his department that he was about to sever his con- nection with the house, a most touching scene awaited him, which for the time completely unnerved him. It is thus described in the New York Tribune of February 8th 1868: " Mr. D. C. Spencer, for many years past, the genial and able manager of the Fancy Goods Department of the well known house of Messrs. H. B. Claflin & Co., having been obliged, on account of ill health, to retire from business, his late employes, headed by his worthy and efficient successor, Mr. James H. Day, presented Mr. Spencer with a superb silver service of the richest, yet most chaste workmanship, contained in a truly elegant black walnut casket. Each piece of the service bears the following inscription: ' Presented to D. C. Spencer, By his late employes. On his retiring from business, Jan. I, 1868.' " Accompanying the service was a very handsome card, 36 by 40 inches, incased in a heavy gilt frame, on which is a photograph of the house of Claflin & Co., and one of each of the donors. In the center of this card, in an oval space surrounded by the photographs, are these words: " ' We, whose familiar faces surround this Card of Presentation, would respectfully state that in your retire- ment from business and our midst, we feel that we lose a genial face, a good counseling' friend, an exemplary Christian, and a true business man. " ' Expressive of our feelings of high respect for you and our deep regret that your impaired health compels our separation, we ask that you receive this card and service in the spirit in which it is presented as a me- mento of past pleasant associations. "' We would further add^that it shall be our earnest prayer that your health may be restored, and that you may long be spared to your family and for society's good.' " To these costly testimonials of the regard of his late employes, and their regret at losing him from their midst, Mr. Spencer replied in the following characteristic and appropriate letter: "'Gentleman: No language, however eloquent, can picture the surprise and pleasure awakened in my breast by the elegant present of which you have made me the recipient, and which I shall always prize most highly for its intrinsic worth, and far more as being a testimonial of your regard and esteem for me, and of the pleasure and benefit you have derived from our business relations. " ' When the heart is full, many words seem but to weaken the expression of our gratitude. I will therefore only say that for your handsome gift and the accompany- ing kind wishes in my behalf, I thank you from the bottom of a grateful heart. "'It has not been without sincere regret on my part that I have ended our business connection by withdraw- ing myself from your midst; but although the state of my health has rendered that withdrawal necessary, I shall ever treasure up in my mind the many pleasant memories arising from our past relations, and not one of your faces shall ever cease to be remembered with feelings of the deepest interest. I shall always 63 492 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. pray earnestly and hopefully that none of those faces may be overcast by clouds of sorrow or disappointment, but that each one of your lives may be crowned with success and happiness.' " This happy affair will long be remembered, both by the recipient and the donors, and the recollection of it will doubtless be a source of great pleasure to them in after years." Mr. Spencer had previously purchased a number of acres contiguous to the old homestead property in Say- brook, known as the Chalker farm. Here he retired to spend his days. The old place was enlarged and im- proved and soon made to "blossom like the rose." The meadows were turned into cranberry patches on which he spent several thousand dollars in working and improving. He surrounded his residence with trees and flowers until it now has the appearance of a fairy land. Amid these surroundings he soon recovered his health and then devoted his energies to making such public improvements in the town as should tend to attract others to this beautiful spot selected by Col. Fenwick as the '■ garden spot of the earth," more than two hundred years ago. Mr. Spencer purchased loo acres of land at Guard House Point, and subsequently, in connection with John F. and R. M. Bushnell, purchased 250 acres of what was known as the Lynde farm, which comprised a part of the Fenwick estate. This property was sold to the New Saybrook Company, and subsequently laid out in building lots, most of which were disposed of to parties who contemplated erecting summer residences. Soon after Mr. Spencer had disposed of his interest in this property he became connected with the New Say- brook Company as a stockholder and director. In the erection of the hotel known as the Fenwick Hall, and other extensive improvements made by this company, Mr. Spencer took an active part. His strong religious and benevolent nature has led him to make other improvements for the benefit of his neigh- bors and fellow citizens. He was largely instrumental in the erection of the beautiful stone building occupied by the Grace Episcopal Church, and one of the largest contributors to the building fund. He has been an ear- nest and devout member and a liberal contributor to its support since he became connected with the church. He holds the office of warden and clerk. He was one of the pioneers in the Valley Railroad enterprise and was instrumental in securing the present location as the terminus of the road. He is still a director in the company, which position he has held for many years. Mr. Spencer is a man of strong and positive convic- tions, naturally reticent about his own affairs, but always seeking to promote the good and happiness of others. Owing to his strongly sympathetic nature and his kindness of heart he is frequently imposed upon by parties who take advantage of his well known lib- erality. On the i2th of October 181; i, he married Emily Maria, daughter of William Stokes, of Westbrook, one of the most ardent and enthusiastic patriots, and a volunteer in the war of 1812. He was one of the brave men who shouldered his musket and intercepted the retreating British troops after the burning of Essex, in 1814. The issue of Mr. Spencer's marriage with Miss Stokes, was eight children: William David, the eldest, born in 1852, became a practicing physician; Ella Maria, born 1856, married Dr. B. W. Leonard, a prominent dentist of Saybrook; Daniel Stokes, born i860; Grace Emily, born 1861; George Jarvis, born 1866; Edmond Chapman, born 1869; Frederick Clarence, born 1870; and Henry Russell, born 187s, died on the fifth of May 1876. TOWN OF PORTLAND. By Mbs. J. S. Batnb. Geographical and Descriptive. PORTLAND is one of the two northern towns of Middlesex county. It was first known as East Middletown, being constituted the Third Society of Mid- dletown, in 1714. In 1767, it was incorporated as Chat- ham, that township also including the societies of Mid- dle Haddam and East Hampton. In May 1841, that part which was known as the First Society of Chatham was set off as a separate town, with the name of Portland. It is bounded on the north by the town of Glastonbury, on the east by Chatham, and the Connecticut River forms its western and southern boundary. It is nine miles long and three miles wide. The population of the township at the several census dates has been reported as follows: 1840, included with Chatham; 1850, 2,905; x86o, 3,657; 1870,4,694; 1880, 4,156. The assessors statistics, for 1883, are as follows: Acres, 11,642; valuation of real estate, $788,430; per- sonal property, $1,155,597; debt, $318; total taxable property, $1,944,027; polls; $755; school tax (State), $9,211.07; county tax, $387.98; road tax, $2,255.16; poor tax, $5,028.50. The village is. beautifully situated upon the eastern bank of the Connecticut River, where it sweeps around the bend opposite Middletown and Cromwell. Any one looking at Portland, as represented upon a good map, will see at once the significance and appropriateness of its Indian name, Wangunk, " The Bend." It is celebrated chiefly for its fine quarries of brown or sand stone; these, with other geological formations, are described at length in another place. There are some fine farming lands, principally near the river. In some places it is very rocky, but well adapted to sheep farm- ing. Its location, in regard to the river, and its other natural advantages, make it, after its rather uninviting approaches are passed, one of the most delightful of vil- lages. The Main street is about two miles long, and four rods average width. It is shaded by beautiful old elms, and in some places by a double row of maples. It is partly lighted and paved. It has a fine soldiers' monument, six churches, two post offices, stores, two public halls, and nine school houses. The shipyard of Gildersleeve & Sons is at the upper end of the village called Gildersleeve. This village has a post office and a large brick store. An account of the shipyard, churches, schools, and industries of the town will be found under those respective heads. Besides the great brownstone quarries for which Port- land is famous, it has other quarries, which in other lo- calities might be considered remarkable. The granite quarry on Calling s Hill, now disused, furnished the stone for the railroad bridge across the river. On this same hill is a chalybeate spring, known for many years, but never much used for medicinal purposes. There is also a spring near the top of Bald Hill, said to be strongly impregnated with iron. In 1789, appearances of iron were noticed on Calling's Hill, but the ore was imbedded in so hard a rock that no efforts were made to mine it. The fine feldspar mine, near Deacon Ralph Pelton's, has been worked by him since 1872. Several thousand tons of the stone have been taken out. A sample of the feldspar taken to the Centennial was pro- nounced the finest there. Fine beryls, garnets, etc., have been found here. Mica has been mined in several places. Coal of good quality was found at Indian Hill, about 1780. Plumbago has been found in small quantities. The cobalt mine, at the foot of Great Hill, was opened by Dr. Stephannes, but the operations were mostly carried on within the limits of Middle Haddam. Pacansett Pond and Job's Pond — so named from Mr. Job Payne, who formerly owned the land — are the largest bodies of water within the limits of Portland. Job's Pond has been thought very remarkable. It has no apparent outlet, and is in some places 40 and 60 feet deep. Says Dr. Field in his history: " It rises and falls as much as fifteen feet but not from such causes as affect other ponds. It is often the high- est in the dry season and lowest in the wet season of the year. When it begins to rise it rises regularly for six or twelve months and then falls for about the same period." 494 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Those, however, who are most capable of judging think that there is nothingmysterious aboutit; itis probablyfed by very deep springs which are not affected by the rain- fall until after a considerable time. This beautiful sheet of water, deeply set between the hills, is now known as Waroona Lake. This appropriate name is the Australian word for " solitude." Great Hill Pond is an artificial lakelet at the foot of Great Hill, covering about loo acres of marshy land. The highest elevations of land are Great Hill and Bald Hill. This last with " Mesomesic Mountain " and Raccoon Hill have long been noted as the resort of rattlesnakes. Hundreds have been killed here. In September 1881, Deacon Pelton, who has been very active in bruising the serpent's head, in one after- noon killed fifteen, and the next morning killed four and captured six. The largest was 5 feet 10 inches in length. The old elm near St. John's Chapel should be noticed as it supposed to be the largest in the State. Two feet above the ground it measures 22 feet, 8 inches girth. It was here when the town was first settled, and was held in veneration by the Indians who held pow-wows under it. A large amount of hay is annually gathered, the quar- ries using the most of it. Sheep are kept to some ex- tent. Deacon F. Payne and Osmer Pelton cultivate ex- tensive peach orchard's. Cardella Reeves is quite an extensive fruit grower. " Wangunk Meadow " has always been held as a com- mon field on account of the difificulty of maintaining and renewing fences after the annual floods. The boundaries of each man's share are defined, and each has a certain proportion of the outside fence to maintain. The land was granted in March 1698 (two previous grants being annulled) to Sam'll Bidwell, John Hamb- lin, John Bacon, Andrew Warner, and Will'm Cornwall jun'r. The first legible entry in their record is: " March ye 8th 1736-7 William Cornwell Senior, Sergt. Jas. Buck, and Joseph White were chosen to order the prudentials of s'd field. Joseph White Clerk, Corp'l Thomas Buck and Sergt. Ebenezer Gibs chosen fence viewers, Moses Cummin, John Robbins and John Jones hay wards," " The Proprietors by Major vote Agree that the s'd field shall be free for feeding by the propri- etors cattle for three weeks and noe more By Major vote this Meeting was Adjourned to the first Monday in Octo- ber next at Sun two ours high at Night." The proprietors now hold their annual meeting the first Monday in March; elect their officers, and arrange for the management of the field the year ensuing; the present officers are: Andrew Cornwell, H. B. Wilcox, J. E. Tryon, committee; Lucius Stewart, Martin Cavanaugh, Albert Hale, D. C. Horton, fence viewers; Titus Hale, S. W. Strickland, Nelson Cornwall, D. W. Cornwell, Charles Hall, Benjamin Chapman, Eugene S. Strickland, John E. Tryon, D. C. Horton, haywards; Luther Wilcox, clerk. Indians. The aboriginal proprietors of Portland were the Wan- gunks, or Womgoms, a small tribe or fragment of a tribe which had belonged to the great Algonkin race, but in the confusion resulting from the incursions of the con- quering Pequots the great tribes were split into large or small bands, under the leadership of their own sagamores, or sachems, and wandered along the banks of the Con- necticut River, sometimes settling in a locality which promised to supply their simple requirements, owning al- legiance, indeed, to one great chief or king, but with lit- tle clannish feeling or national strength. These small clans, comprising all Indians living on the shores of the Connecticut River, within the limits of the colony, were known to the early settlers under the general designation of " River Indians." Their king was Sequassen, the sachem of Hartford, but the particular chief of the Wan- gunks was Sowheag, or Sequin, who, when first known to the white men, lived at Pyquag, or Wethersfield, but after some quarrels with the settlers he removed to Mattabesett (Middletown). The eastern shore of the river, opposite Middletown, was at this time a dense forest. Huge masses of stone overhung the river, and trees which were the growth of centuries shaded the banks. The straits were then nar- rower, and the river consequently wider at this place, forming almost a lake. The main street of Portland was a swamp, inhabited by herons and other waterfowl. The woodlands and meadows farther back were consid- ered good hunting grounds, as they abounded in large and small game. Along the narrow trains through this dark forest the wild beast and Indian hunter alike noise- lessly traveled in single file. Few white men were seen here. Traders, like the Scheline brothers, who came to barter their brass kettles, glass beads, knives, etc., for furs and fish, made their annual visits, enjoyed the hospitality of their red broth- ers, and departed; their fathers' schooner laden with a valuable cargo. In 1672, the town of Middletown bought of Naschegon Sepunnemoe and several other Indians, a tract extending six miles eastward from the river, from Wethersfield bounds on the north, to Haddam bounds on the south. The Indians, however, reserved 300 acres on the east side for their exclusive use, besides the right of fishing where they pleased, cutting saplings, withes for baskets, etc. In 1675, Middletown set aside these 300 acres "for the heirs of Sowheag and the Mattabesett Indians." Some confusion has arisen from the fact that the Indians who lived on this reservation were called Wangunks, while the land was set apart for the " Mattabesset In- dians." The Indians applied names to localities descrip- tive of the place, beautiful and appropriate, but not capa- ble of arbitrary transference, and they usually took their names from the place where they lived. The word Wongunk, Wangunck, Wangonke, Wongom, Womgog, as it is variously spelled in the old records (each writer spelling it according to his understanding of the sounds which fell from the Indian lips). Wangonk, as it is most frequently written, meant in the Aboriginal tongue — as has been said—" The Bend." After the settlement of PORTLAND— THE INDIANS. 495 the Mattabesett Indians on the opposite shore, they were all probably called "Wangunks," meaning simply those living in the bend of the river. The exact bounds of this reservation are not recorded. There is a record, April 24th 1670, of the " Indian land at Wangonk, the upland with ten Acres of meadow within that square is thirtie three Acres, being a hundred thirty six rods long on the longest side, beginning at a beach tree by the river side west, a butting on the highway south, and the river, and on a highway east. The depth at the end is 54 Rods wide. The rest of the meadow belonging to the Indians at Wangonk is nine Acres. lying in various parcells inter- mixed among the Englishe's meadow land there and at Deer Island, is six or seven Acres, all which land was given to the Indians, By the Honourable Mr Rains & Mr Hopkins In the yeare fiftie A judged by these Gentle- men as a soficent alowance for them. Thare was allso fourtie Acres given to Sansennk & Siana half to each, buting on the boggie meadow north & east and on the swampe south, on the undivided land west." There was also some land at Indian Hill, and 200 acres south of the town house on " both sides of the highway," in the center of which tract the Third Society of Middletown afterward built their meeting house. The Indians did not seem at first satisfied with the loca- tion of their lands, for in 1672 the town appointed Ensign White, William Cheny, and Deacon Hall " to atend the Honoured gentlemen when they come down about laying out the Indian land at Wangonk." The same year, " it was Agreed by the town, to gratifie the Indians, in order to acquit all claims & titles to any lands within our bounds, that they should be either suited with land in undivided land, if they like, or in the land they propound for, so they give us assurance." And the committee were instructed to agree with those whose lands must be taken away to suit the Indians; and to give them other lands or the value of the land in money. There were numerous petitions preferred to the Gen- eral Court, on the part of settlers, for permission to buy lands included in the reservation. The General Court exercising a sort of guardianship or protectorate over the aborigines, its consent was necessary to the convey- ance of land. In 1693, the General Court granted Captain White " liberty to buy a smale parcell of land at Wamgom about halfe an acre of land or litle more of the Indian squa that is Massecup's wife;" and in May 1697, liberty was granted to "any one of the Inhabitants of Middle- town to purchase of the Indians there inhabiting claiming propriety of land at Wangunck Meddowe about one acre of grasse land in the said meddowe." The wild parties of the other part were also graciously permitted to sell the land which was the free inheritance of their fathers. In May 1711, "Canshamet, Indian man and squa widow of Massecup late sachem, all of Midletown or Glastonbury," were given permission to sell land, and in 17 13, upon petition of John Clark jr., of Middletown, certain Indians, named Siana Cuschay and Nannamaroos were empowered to make a legal convey- ance of half an acre of land within the meadow com- monly called " Wongunck." The Indian, Siana, may have lived at the place we call Siam. David Clark, of Mid- dleton, in 1715, bought, with permission of the General Court, of an Indian named Conschoy (probably the same as Cuschoy) " two acres of land which Lyeth upon an island commonly called Wongung island." As has been said, the " Honourable gentlemen" who came from Hartford in 1748 to fix the place for the second meeting house, " set the stake," nearly in the center of the Indian reservation of 200 acres. In June 1750, it was agreed "to Aply ourselfs to the town of Middletown for a Libberty for this Society to purchase three Acres of land of the Indians joyning to and Em- compassing the stake which the last gentlemen the as- semblys comite pitched for us to build our meeting house upon." But they soon " suposed that such a body of Indian Land lyeing so neare the centre of said Society was a Disadvantage to the publick Interest of this Parish;" and in 1756 they petitioned "the General As- sembly of the Colony of Connecticut at their present session in Hartford to appoint a Com'tee or gaurdians for the Indians belonging to said town to assist and direct them in selling their lands in s'd Society into one, two, three, four, five, or six acre lotments to the Inhabi- tants of s'd Society or such part thereof as s'd Committee or gaurdians shall advise to, at the same time agreed by Major vote that no man should have libberty to purchase more than one of the above said lotments." This petition (the original of which is in the State Li- brary) states these reasons why this sale of Indian land was considered advisable: that there were two tracts of land belonging to the Indians, in said society, one of which, containing about 200 acres, was in the center of the society, encompassing the meeting house, and lying upon both sides of the highway, running through the parish, and also that the tribe for whom the reservation was intended " have in the course of time suffered the common fate of the Indian natives of this country and are reduced to a very small number." In 1764, the tribe numbered 30 or 40 persons. Only two squaws and their three children, however, remained in Chatham, the others having removed to Hartford or joined the Mohegan or Farmington Indians. In 1765, a committee was appointed "to sell the land, and use the proceeds for the benefit of the Indians." They reported that they had on hand funds to the amount of ;^i63 19s. in Continental bills, and about _;^ioo in obligations, not yet collected. By 1772, over ^90 of this sum haS been spent for the support of old Mary Cuschoy, one of the two squaws just mentioned, the " blind and aged widow of Cuschoy, late sachem." The remainder of this fund was doubtless laid out for the benefit of the Indians in various ways. In 1785, a committee was appointed by the Legislature "to collect all the money due on the Indian lands at Wangonk and pay it over to the proprietors." 496 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. The last member of the tribe was "Old Betty," who lived at Pequin or "Betty's Hill " as late as 1830. For more than 80 years the Indians lived among the whites in this town. While they were the most nu- merous it does not appear that they ever used their power to the injury of the settlers. There are no bloody traditions of murdered settlers or burning cabins. They constantly dwindled in number, but remained quiet and gentle, unless under the influence of undue "fire water " or a frenzied " powwow," — amenable to the laws, and treated with kindness and consideration. Much of this part of their history is necessarily but the faint echo of tradition. The number of Indians who settled upon this reservation on the east side is not known. Twenty sig- natures are appended to a deed dated December 1732, now in the possession of Col. Bartlitt. The names are as follow: Mamoson, Betty, Cuschoy, Moses Moxon, James, Charles Robbin, young Sean, Long Simon, young Betty, Sary, Mesooggosk, Shimmoon, Moses Comshot, Jacob, Tom Robbin, young squamp, Mukchoise, John Robbin, Metowhump, and Mequash hesk; Siana, San- sennk, and Nannemaroos have been mentioned as own- ers of Wangunk Meadow. Tradition says that Mamoson was a great chief, and lived in the lower part of the town. There need be no surprise, therefore, that many communications received through the medium of the once popular Planchette bore his signature. Cuschoy is mentioned in oflficial documents of 1756 as the " only sachem left " of the Wangunk tribe, "a lame man and not able to travel much." " Doctor Robbin " is also mentioned in the records as the "last sachem of the Middletown Indians." The only son of his daughter (not his son as has been said), was Richard Ranny, " positively the last " sachem of the Wangunks. He was brought up among the whites, who taught him to read and write the English language. He learned the joiner's trade, was baptized (perhaps with the name of his benefactor), and became a professor of religion. "Long Simon," or "Jo Simon," used neither the -1- mark nor his savage totem, like the rest, but wrote a bold signature thus, SIMON. He was probably the Simon Choychoy who was one of the councillors of the Moh'egan sachem, Ben Uncas, and he is frequently mentioned in the Indian papers. " Sary," or Sarah Simon, is frequently mentioned in the day book of Ebenezer White, in 1744, as also is Cuschaw and Cuschoy. These were the old sachem and one of the squaws who were supported by the town. One of these Indians, at least, must have been of the royal Mohegan blood, as Mukchoise signs with the totem of Oweneco III. " Young Betty " was, probably, the squaw whom some still living can remember as " old Betty;" bent, white haired, her dark skin almost blanched by age, living in a hut on the spot still called "Betty's Hill." Every year, while she lived, the Indians of the tribe living in other places used to visit her., One citizen of the town vividly remembers seeing the Indians approaching his grand- mother's house, on their way to see Betty. Indians were associated, in his youthful mind, with war whoops, toma- hawks, and glittering knives; so he promptly removed his imperilled scalp to the darkest corner under grandmoth- er's bed, whence, after much reassuring argument, he was coaxed to see the Indians prepare their supper. They brought large stones to the house and heated them red hot, then placed them in their kettle, filled it with water, which immediately boiled, and poured from sacks which they had brought on their shoulders an abundance of young turtles; which, when cooked, they scraped from the shells and ate. There is a story extant of old Betty, illustrating the weak but familiar saying, that "the truth should not be told at all times," at least, not too soon after dinner. A gentleman while hunting or look- ing over his land, dropped in upon old Betty about noon. She was known as a famous cook, especially of fish and game; and her invitation to dine was accepted without hesitation. She placed a dish of savory eels before him, and he ate heartily, and enjoyed the meal; but, alas! he must ask old Betty where she got them. She answered calmly, " plenty black snake on the ledge," pointing to a pile of heads which were too serpentine to leave room for doubt. "The untutored mind " of the Indian could not apprehend delicate distinctions, and a contemporary remarked that the Indians were very fond of snakes. One of the Wangunks, known as Indian Thomas, was a soldier in the Revolution, and a pensioner, perhaps a descendant of that Thomas the Indian whom tlie town of Middletown, in 1657, voted to accept as an inhabitant "if they could agree upon terms." An Indian named John Cutchoyue is remembered to have visited this place from Long Island in 1822. Not many years ago, a row of Indian " fire places," or rings of stones inside of which they built their fires, still remained at the fish place, showing where their wigwams had stood. It is said that the house of the sachem, or perhaps the council lodge, stood on the corner now occupied by Mr. Hubbard's house, opposite Gildersleeve's store. The lot back of Newman Goff's is still called " hot house lot," from its being the place of an ancient Indian " sanitarium," made by digging iti the river bank a hole, in which was placed a hot stone, the top being covered with boughs or a blanket, over which the Indian was placed. After a profuse perspiration had in this way been in- duced, the occupant rushed out and into the river. This mode of treatment was used by the Indians in nearly all cases of sickness; but however successful it may have been at times, it was manifestly improper as a cure for small-pox, and when this disease raged among them, very many lost their lives by this "hydropathic" method. Indian Hill was also the burial place of the chiefs after they made their home on this side of the river. One, at least, of the royal Mohegan blood was buried here. Tradition asserts that he was visiting the Wangunks and died of small-pox. His tombstone was standing but PORTLAND— THE INDIANS. 497 a few years ago. and was seen by many. The inscription, copied by Dr. Field in 1853, was this: "Here lies the body of John Onekous, who died August the 30th 1722, aged 26 years." Three graves were opened on Indian Hill, in the spring of 1808, one of a man and two of children. " The man was placed sitting, wrapped in a blanket (which was not entirely consumed, but upon exposure to the air, became as burnt straw); in his lap were two small brass kettles, probably filled with soup or succatash at the time of burial, one of which had sunk down into the other, in which were a spoon, knife, phial, and pipe. His arm extended round the kettles, and where the flesh came in contact with the brass, from the elbow to the wrist, the flesh was preserved. In the hand of one of the children was found a brass cup, of the size of a tea cup, and here again the flesh on the fingers was pre- served, where they came against the brass. Around the wrist was wampum, strung on deer string, and near by beads, supposed to have been placed about the neck. In the grave of the other child was a coffee box containing wampum." Years ago, when the roads were worked, the school children sometimes picked up a pint of these beads at a time. It is conjectur£d that the point must have been the scene of an Indian battle, so many arrows have been found here. Their burial place was further east, near where Mr. John Lewis's house stands, under the chimney of which, it is said, is the skeleton of a gigantic Indian, whose bones were not disturbed, though exposed. Indian Hill no doubt has many other graves. Indian arrows, etc., are frequently picked up. Mr. C. Neff has a fine collec- tion, made within the last two years. Indian Hill was also the place where they held their grand " pow-wows:" trying by dances and incantations to conciliate or communicate with the evil spirit. As they believed the good spirit was too good to hurt any- body, it was not considered necessary to pay so much attention to him, though they made an annual feast to thank him for bountiful harvests, etc. There is a rock by the river, just by the ice house of Gildersleeve & Sons, always known as " Devil's Rock." It bears a mark somewhat resembling a large footprint, and the legend tells that once, when a great pow-wow was in progress, the evil spirit, being invoked, rushed up from the " Blow hole " in a whirlwind, seized a young Indian, and jumped off the rock with him into the river; leaving the impression of his foot upon the rock. There is an account of one of their pow-wows in De Forest's "History of the Indians of Connecticut." In 1734, a man named Richard Treat attempted to educate the Wangunks. He instructed 12 or 14 children, and held also a weekly meeting for religious instruction for such of the Indians as would attend. At the end of four months, however, finding no one disposed to assist or re- ward him, he gave up his efforts. He found the Wangunks without the most elemental knowledge of the Christian religion or scriptures. He " was obliged in his controversies with them to appeal to such principles of morality and natural religion as they held among themselves." He was also hindered by their imperfect undtrstanding of English as well as by their aversion to the humbling doctrines of Christianity. He met with many rebuffs and much discouragement. A writer of those days declared that: "The Indians are infamous, especially for there Scan- dalous Qualities; They are Lazy Drones and love Idle- ness Exceedingly, they are also most impudent Lyars and will invent Reports and Stories at a strange and mon- strous rate; and they are out of measure Indulgent unto their Children, their is no Family Government among them." Soon after his school and religious services had been given up. Treat visited the tribe, and found them holding a grand funeral dance. There was a great uproar; all were frantically dancing, yelling, and calling upon the evil spirit for some communication in reference to the deceased Indian, who was supposed to have been poi- soned or bewitched. Mr. Treat rushed among them, and by vigorous exertions, corporeal and spiritual, succeeded in breaking up the orgy. Though they at first told him he should not preach, and even threatened personal vio- lence, in order to get rid of him they promised, if he would go to a clump of trees at a little distance, they would come and listen to him. When he withdrew, how- ever, the pow-wowing recommenced. He renewed his remonstrances, and the same transparent ruse was used to insure his absence. But at last the Indians, " wearied by his persistance, or having obtained all the informa- tion from infernal sources they desired, desisted, and this has been called their last pow-wow;" but a trust- worthy tradition says, that after most of the Wangunks had scattered among other tribes, they would occasionally return and hold a pow-wow under the Great Elm, near St. John's Chapel. The morning a party of them were removing to the Western Reserve, they told Mr. Stewart, " Indian spirits cry, cry, in the woods all night." Indian names of places are very expressive and beautiful. Pacansett means, " the place where a strait widens;" naag, "a point of land;" pasinchoag, " meadow on the northside of a creek.'' Wangunk has been defined Meshomesic, colloquially " Somersic," formerly written Mesawmesick, Mesome- sick, and Mesomussuck, &c. Mr. J. Hammond Trum- bull translates thus: Massa-Monussuck, a hill or de- clivity; literally, " a great down-going." In Mr. Trum- bull's book on Indian names, he quotes Dr. Chapin's interpretation, viz., " great rattlesnake place," or, " abundance of rattlesnakes,'' a name so appropriate we could wish it more correct. The interpretation which generally obtains among our citizens is this: An Indian was sent to view the place, it having been proposed to the Indians to live there; he returned saying, "me saw me sick." ' Early Settlers. Land was granted, on the east side the river, to Wil- liam Cornwell and Robert Webster, as early as 1653, and 498 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. John Hall and Nathaniel White owned land there at that time. " Att a towne meeting Ferbarrary 21st 1658 the towne did chuse Samuel Stockin, Natt bacon, Ick- bord Warner, fore committy to vevve the upland uppone the east side of the great River, in order to ane equall divition, as the towne shal give them order," and 24 men are mentioned who should have " them equall pro- portion of the divition." In 1666, the town voted " that for this present yere insuing all improved land for come and gras on the east side of the great river, shall be free from molestation by cattel or cretres belonging to the towne as it has bene heretofore, and cattel which shall trespas heare shall be poundable," and John Savage was appointed pounder for the other side. Some, however, seemed to object to the pound, and a fine was collected of one who pulled it down. Perhaps for this reason it was, in 1670, voted " that ye east side the River should stil be deemed to ly as a common field." But in 1701-2, the pound was erected "near the hous of John Gill," and it was ordered " that this should be the place for branding all horse kind on that side." The owners of these lands may have cultivated them, coming over in boats and re- turning to Middletown at night. There is a tradition that two men swam over from Cromwell, with their clothes in a bundle on their heads, and back at evening. There is certainly some reason to suppose that there were several settlers on the east side before the year 1700, but there is only record of three. The first inhabitant of Portland mentioned is James Stancliff. February 24th 1686-7, the town "approved of the agreement made by the selectmen with James Stan- cliff, concerning the building the chimneys, and other stone work, and that when the work is finished the town empower the selectmen to give the said James Stancliff legal assurance of a parcell of land upon the rocks, ac- cording to their agreement;" and it was recorded to James Stancliff, May 3d 1690, " on small parcell of land on the east side the great River, Lying upon the Rocks, con- taining fourty nine rods. Lying in a square, being seaven Rods in breath, & seaven Rods in Length, measured from the top of the bank of the River and so eastward seaven Rods bounded on the great River west, and on the Common or town land east, north, and south." His house stood there, " founded upon the rock," in 1690. How long it had stood there then there are no means of knowing. The town, in 1696, granted him another half acre, " on the south side his lot not intruding upon the Rocks." This house stood on what is now Middlesex Quarry, and at least some part of it was standing 50 years ago. John Gill also built a house upon the bank about the same time, as is supposed, south and west of Mr. Frank Brainerd's. This was also standing in a dilapidated condition, within the memory of some still living. These houses had probably been altered and added to since their original erection, but stood on the same sites. William Cornwell settled back of Wangunk Meadow soon afterward. The following is a copy of the deed given to him by his father 100 years before the Revolu- tion: " This writing made the fourteenth of November in the yeare on thoutand, six hundred, seventy, and six, Between Sargt wiliam cornwell Senior of Midleton in the county of Hartford and collony of con.icttecut of the on part, and his sons william Cornwell and Samuell Corn- well of the same towne of Midleton and county of Hart- ford and collony of conicttecut on the other part; Wit- nesseth that the fore sayd Sargt William Cornwell for and in consideration of the full and just sume of eighty pounds sterling to him in hand payd or secured to be payd before the ensealing hearof and for Diuers other good causes him their unto raouing haue granted, giuen. Aliened, bargagned, sould, & confirmed and by these presents Doe fully, clearly, & absolutely giue, grant, aliene, bargaine, sellenfeof & confirm unto his sons afore sayd William and Samuell Cornwell and to their heirs for euer on parcell of meadow Land at Womgonk on the east side the great Riuer with the swampe adjoyning to it being about twelue Acres Abutting on undevided Land south and north and on the croked brooke west & on the foote of the hill east, and on parcell of playn land ad- joyning to the fore sayd meadow and swampe containing abought fifteene Acres Litle more or lesse Abutt- ing on Samuel Cornwells Land south & on un- deuid land north and on the fore sayd meadow and swampe west & on undeuided land east and on parcell of meadow at Wongonke comonly caled the Round meadow, being Near six Acres or their abought, part within and part without the fence which now standeth and the reuertion & reuertions remainder and remainders Rents & yearly Profits of all & giue these the sayd premises and euery part & parcell their of to haue and to hold the fore sayd parcells of Land with all their appurtances before by these presents bargayned, sould, or mentioned intended to be hearby granted, aliened bargained, sould, and confirmed & euery part & parcell their of unto the fore sayd William Cornwell junior and Samuell Cornwell their heirs, Executors Ad- ministrators & assigns for euer & the sayd Sarg't William Cornwell at the time of Ensealing & Deliuery of these presents is & standeth Lawfully seesed of the premises & that he hath full power and just right to sell the same and euery part & parcell their of & that the afore sayd parcells of Land with all their appurtances shall from hence forth for euer remain and continue unto his sayd sons William and Samuell cornwell their heirs, Execu- tors, Administrators & assigns, fully, freely, &, clearly acquitted, exonourated, & Discharged off & from all & all manner of former & other bargaines, salles, gifts, grants. Dowers, joyntures, Leases, rents, charges, annui- ties uses entayls judgments for fitures Executions Intru- sions, morgages, fines, Isues amersments & Incumbrances what so euer had made committed or wittingly or willingly Suffered or done by the sayd Sar'nt William Cornwell his heirs and assignes or by his or their means, act, consent, priuty or procuerment or by any other per- son or persons what so euer Lawfully clayming from by PORTLAND—EARLY SETTLERS. 499 or under him them or any of them and that it is Enroled to him in the Books of records in Midleton and shall be lawful for them the sayd william cornwell & Samuell Cornwell to alter the Enrolment theirof & to record the same to them selues their heirs & assigns for euer in . Witness where of the sayd John cornwell & John Hall junior by the appoyntment of their father Sarg'nt Wil- liam Cornwell hee being not able to signe it haue signed sealtd and Deliuered this writing " John Cornwell. "John Hall. "Signed, sealed, & Deliuered in presence of " John Hall. " Jonus Cornwell. "Acknowledged before me, "Nath: White, Comis'nr." The spot on which he built his house, and which is included in the above conveyance, is the corner opposite Mr. Den. Goodrich's on which the sign post stands. The settlement grew so that in 1710, 27 men, most of them heads of families, signed the agreement to build a meetinghouse. Their names may be found in the his- tory of the first church. They were all, probably, from the two first parishes of Middletown. To these were after- ward added: Lemuel Lewis,from the county of Barnstable, Mass.; John Penfield, from Bristol, R. I.; Joseph Blague, from Saybrook; and John Churchill, from Wethersfield, The record of these first years is included in the his- tory of the first church and society. In May 17 14, the town of Middletown and the General Assembly "granted the inhabitants of the east side to be a society by them- selves." They formed the Third Society of Middletown, and all the region comprised in the townships of Chat- ham and Portland was then known as East Middletown. Its citizens cleared the forests, killed the wild animals, cultivated their fields, find built their houses, churches, and school houses, as all settlers have done. In solemn " society or church meeting — for church and town were one — they decided boundaries, built bridges, and laid out highways, disciplined offenders, elected school com- mittees, provided " fierwood for ye youse of ye school," managed " Pacousett field," and " carried on the work of the Gospel in an orthodox way." In December 1736, it was voted to " prefer a petition to the town of Middletown that we that are the inhabi- tants on the east side the great River in Middletown might have liberty to be a town with all the priviledges of a town by ourselves and likewise to pursue the peti- tion if the town shall grant us these priviledges to the Gen. Assembly in May or Oct. next." But not yet was the ambitious townlet to be loosed from the safe apron-string of mother Middletown; although the " great River " rolling between, and the difficulty and danger of its crossing (hindrances to inter- communication which two centuries have not removed) showed that its independence was but a matter of time. November 2gth 1757. — " Capt John Fisk, Capt John to joyn with Middle Haddara and Easthampton in petitioning the town of Middletown for their consent that we on the east side the great River in Middletown should be a township by ourselves, provided the place of town meetings shall never be carried farther Eastward than where Mr. John Churchill now lives." Ten years after this, the desired consent having been obtained from Middletown, a petition was preferred to the Gen-. eral Assembly " that the 3d Society might be a township by themselves, with this condition; that the place for town meetings and to do all publick bussiness Be at- tended at our own meeting house in ye afore said 3d Society." The original of this petition for town privileges is now in the State Library in the Capitol at Hartford. It states the difficulty of transacting public business, "ye other side of ye great River, not only on account of ye great distance many of ye inhabitants dwell from ye first society, and ye great difficulty that often happens in crossing ye river to ye great hindrance of business," etc., and furthermore declares that there were 420 families within the bounds of the proposed town. So " att a general assembly held at Newhaven in Oct. 1767 Chatham was made a town." It took its name from Chatham, England, in reference to its shipbuilding, then an important and growing interest in the town. The first town meeting was held " Dec. ye 7th 1767. David Sage, Moderator, Jonathan Penfield was chosen clerk and sworn, Capt. Jeremiah Goodrich, Dea. Benj. Harris, Mr. Silas Dunham, Mr. Ebenezer White, Mr. Abiel Cheny were the selectmen." There were also elected, constables, listers (assessors) grand jurors, tything men. Collectors, a committee to settle with Mid- dletown, highway surveyors, fence viewers, leather sealers, hog haywards, and a committee to lay out the highways. It may be said here that the qualifications for freemen were " that they be of a peaceable and civil con- versation and otherwise qualified by law." Town meet- ings were held at the meeting house of the ist Society until the 8th of April 1799, when they met in the (then) " new town house," on Penfield Hill. This stood on the corner opposite Mrs. Van Vectens, and it is remembered by a few of our elders as the " old town house." Though small and inadequate, it was used till 1841, when Port- land was set off, and the Episcopal society gave their old church edifice to the town for a town hou^e, and it has so remained. In the old map or chart of Chatham, made by Eben- ezer White (ist) in 1767, is found the settlement back from the river on the hills, where now in the pastures may be seen old cellars and patches of lilac and aspara- gus, far from any habitation. In the woods near Cap- tain Harley Case's may be seen the ruined foundations of 25 or 30 houses; the owners of which many years ago emigrated to regions more favorable to farming opera- tions. The best preserved of these (though a ruin) is just beyond Captain Case's, that of his grandfather, and here stood the well whose " old oaken bucket " figured Clark, and Joseph White were chosen a committee for j in the Centennial as the bucket from which General 64 Soo HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Washington drank, while on his way to New York. To return to the old chart,. two ferries are marked, one from the foot of the lane by Mr. Joseph Gladwin's, to Crom- well, which was much more used than at present; the other at Brush Pond — some distance below the railroad track, running to Ferry street, in Middletown. The main road ran from the ferry through Pacausett, over " Hall Hill" to Penfield Hill, and on past Mr. Lucius Stewart's. It is here marked the Pacausett and New Lon- don Turnpike. This highway was laid out in 1659. There were two quarries: "Brush Pond Quarry," below the railroad, and " Shailor and Hall Quarry." There were a few houses at that end of the town, but the " main street " was an uninhabited highway. " Lewis' yard " occupied the place very nearly that Gildersleeve's now does. There were several houses here, as this was then the principal industry of the town. The only " meeting house " (the second built by the First Society) stood upon its hill in solitary state. Slavery existed to a certain extent. Every prominent family owned one or more negroes, who were well cared for and kindly treated. "Guinea " was a, negro owned by the Rev. Mr. Bartlett. When nearly a century old he came back and boasted to an incredulous generation of having himself reaped and threshed four hundred bushels of grain on " Hall Hill." Cato and Phyllis were two servants of Ebenezer White. A sketch of Cato is obtained by snatches, from Mr. White's journal. That he was a favored servant may be inferred from the fact that on several occasions when "Cato's teeth ached " " he did nothing that day." Cato may be followed through the pages of this diary as he dresses flax, goes to Great Hill for shingle stuff, lath stuff, and timber for cart hubs; as he mows, and hoes, and reaps, and cuts wood for ye fires, but on the 4th of June 1781, " Self and Cato went to Hartford. Cato In- listed into ye Continental Service in ye Count Line for ye term of three years. I gaue a bill of Sale of him to Capt. Nehemiah Lyon of Woodstock and said Lyon Gaue him on consideration of his sd Cato Inlisting as one of ye Cota of ye town of Woodstock a Bill of Emancipa- tion." The 8th of June is the entry, " this is the last day Cato worked for me." Every reader will be glad to learn that on the 6th of June 1783 " Cato came home being Discharged from ye Army." After this he took up his old duties, but received wages, and was called " Cato Freeman." The following is a bill of sale of a negro girl bought by Mr. Michael Stewart, who was the owner of several slaves: " Know all men by these presents that I Matthew Talcott of Midleton in the County of Hartford in the Colony of Connecticut, in consideration of the Sum of Seventy Pounds Current Money to me in hand paid by Michael Stewart of Col- chester in the county and Colony aforesd the Rect whereof I the said Matthew Talcott do hereby acknowl- edge and Do Bargain, Sell, Convey, and Confirm unto the said Michael Stewart his heirs and assigns one negro girl named Flora aged about eighteen years unto the said Michael Stewart his heirs and assigns to his and their own sole, and proper use, benefitt and be- hoof and I the said Mathew Talcott do Covenant for my Self, my heirs, Executors, and Administrators to and with the s'd Michael Stewart his heirs and assigns in man- ner and form following that is to Say that att and untile the Ensealing of these presents I and the true, sole, and lawful owner of the said Negro Girl named Flora and have good Right to sell and dispose of s'd Girl as afore- s'd free from all incumbrances, and further more I the said Matthew Talcott do promise for myself and my heirs to warrent and defend the s'd Negro Girl Flora unto the said Michael Stewart his heirs and assigns against all lawful claim, in witness wherof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 3d Day of December Anna Dom: 1741- " Mathew Talcott. " Signed, Sealed and Delivered in presence of " John Richards, Anne Richards." Some idea may be gathered of what it was to build a house in those days, from the old journals before referred to. February 7th 1774, the chimney having first been built, they went to Great Hill to get the frame of the house, and the splitting of lath and sawing of clapboards went on until August 13th, when they were making win- dow frames and lath for " ye tiegro rooms;" the 17th, they laid the parlor floor; September 26th, Eber Stock- ing was laying the chamber floor, lathing, paint- ing, and making "ye closets." It took him one day to make a door. The house was ready for occupancy some time in October. This house, which it took eight months to. build with no lack of workmen, apparently has lasted jUst a century. It is prob- ably the house in which Edgar Hale now lives. An- other house was built in 1788, perhaps that now occu- pied by Mr. Kilby. The old Sage house belongs to this time. It was built about 150 years ago, and long occupied by Deacon David Sage. It stands on the hill just east of the Congregational parsonage. The frame of the house in which Mr. D. Goodrich lives is very old. It was formerly the " old Churchhill place." It has been kept in such good repair that few would think of its century and a half. The oldest house in town is the one in which Mr. Horace Wilcox no>V lives; it is more than 200 years old. Every nail in its clapboards was wrought by hand. Mr. D. Goodriches', formerly the Churchill house, is about as old, at least the frame, but has not been kept in repair. The house now occupied by Mr. Jerry Button is more than a century old. The first tavern was ,near GlastonbUry, kept by Asaph Abbey. Zebulon Penfield kept oYie on Penfield Hill, a hundred years ago, and the hotel kept by a Mr. Williams, in the building now occupied by Mr. Brans- field, is of still more recent date; it was given up less, than 40 years since. Reference has been made to the journals of Hon. Ebenezer White, one of the most dis- tinguished citizens of the town in early days. This record covers 60 years of a very busy life. He began to have and to hold the said Negro Girl named Flora | whea a, young man of 28,, uader the rule of " Our PORTLAND— EARLY SETTLERS. 5°i Sovereign Lord, George " etc., and laid down his pen a citizen of a country to the freedom of which he had con- tributed in many ways. There is but one break in this record, but that an unfortunate one. The books were lent, and when returned the one from I77S to 1779 was missing. It is thought that a few extracts will be interesting to many. The first given relates two incongruous, but simultaneous occur- rences. " Daniel White is one year old to-day, and this day is ye terrible fight at Lake George." A month later, October 1755, they were " moeing for Capt Savage " and "planting Sergt Gibbs field for ry." These men were with the army. " First Day of April 1756 now men are a Listing to go into ye War in our Government's ser- vice." "April ye i2th I took ye Freemans oath." "ye 26th warning a muster." " May ye 3d Viewing Arms." 6th of May 1782 "Self Drawed attachment for then Drawed Deed for Drawed warrant against planted corn. Drawed two pine logs to mill with 3 yoke cattle. Danl gone to Training this p. m." All this " Drawing " in one day, " 22d of October Self pulling beens, and Tryd Case for profane Swearing." "nth December 1783 this is Thanksgiving Day throughout ye United States for a General peace." " 13th September 1785 This day Nabby went on a Voyage to Boston." Just before this great event there was bought in Middletown "4)4 yds Merene at three shillings a yard," and " two lutestring gowns at Hartford." "15th day of July 1792, Sabbath; Mr. Mor- ton preached his first Performance in ye pulpit." Throughout the journals the Sabbath days are marked by a star, and the texts care- fully noted, sometimes with a remark, as, " a laboured sermon," a "painful sermon," &c. "17th of September 1793 Rainy forenoon; afternoon Training, Captains Bidwell and Ames with ye Compy meet at ye Meeting House." "4th Day of July 1798. This Day the people make a great Fuz about Independance & Burnt much Powder." "8th of April 1799. This day ye freemen to ye number of about two hundred and sixty met in ye new town house ye first time." " Feb. 22d 1800. Self attending the meeting for celebrating the death of Gen Washington as recomended by the president. Mr. Strong delivered a sermon." " loth Day of Aprill 1800 this Day ye Female meeting at Mr Strongs with their Compliment." " May 24 1801 Mr Strong preach'd a funeral Sermon on ye account of Wm Dixon jr being drowned by turning ye anker out of ye boat." "7th of July 1803 Dan'l and Bragg mow'd all Siah meadow on ye north of ye great ditch from ye East end to ye old Warner line; they Soposed they mow'd abt 5j4 acres." This has come down to posterity as a wonderful feat with the scythe. " Nov 15th 1804 this day Dan'l a son born wh he calls Ebenezer." "July 4th 1805 this is my birth Day which completes my 78th year.'' After this, the entries are more scattering, the firm, clear handwriting so familiar to those who study the early records of our town, grow fainter and more uncertain. Here are a few prices gathered from old account books; a bill of 1761: " Return Meggs Dr. " To 22 loads of wood drawed to ye river j£ s. d. nere Hurlburts as me a Greed 2 15 o " Credit to one Beaver hat i 14 o " to one Castor hat i 00 o "2 14 o " Two loads of wood were balanced by a pair of shoes: " Sent by Mr. Gill to New York to be layed ;^ s. 6. out in books 3 4 o " " I baylies dictionary 2 " Watt's logick 7 6 " Every man his own lawyer. 9 " "One yard and nale of Taffety, ^£2 5s;" two handker- chiefs " for our own youse," one shilling ten pence apiece. A pound of butter cost three pence. Rum was plenty and cheap; brought from New York it was two shillings seven pence a gallon. In 1780, an ounce of Peruvian bark cost $12, and a " viol of Balsam of hon- ney bought at Hartford $40." These high prices were partly owing to the depreciation of Continental money. Shad could be bought for three pence. " 7 wgt of sug- gar for a hard dollar; one pound tobacko, three pence; two oz. pepper, one shilling four pence; an iron kettle, seventeen shillings; frying pan, /^i; 1 pare shoe buckles, 4s: rod.; one sword, j£s- los.; 3H yds. of blue cloth for a coat at 15s. a yard; i pare worsted stockings, i8s." To close this account of the early history of the town a few weather notes gathered partly from the journali, and partly from other sources are given. In 1755, this section suffered from a severe drought. November i8th 1755, " two hours before day was a ter- rible earthquake." The 19th day of May 1780, there was "thunder and rain in the morning; it slaked raining perhaps about 9 of ye clock and then came on a Darkness and continued until about ye middle of ye Day; ye whole face of ye sky was of a yallowish Cast, and even ye Air to y't Degree as to Color Cloths that were abroad and so Dark y't ye school was Dismissed, ye children could not see to read. It appeared to be Cloudy, no great wind nor rain, and spoke of as ye most rare Phenomenon, and many much Surprised and put y*m in mind of ye Day of Judgment." This was the " Dark Day " when the Connecticut Legis- lature refused to adjourn. Here are a few snowy days: January 9th 1780, "so Exceeding deep and drifted was ye snow that not one half was rode to ye meeting and it was most exceed- ing cold, sharp, and severe that ever I knew." We know it was no ordinary storm which could keep the early inhabitants from the "meeting." It even blocked the wheels of State. "Jan. 12th," writes the honorable member of the General Assembly from Chatham, "I wait at Hartford until night, no Assembly, ye Govenr not come to town and but few of ye members, by rea- son of ye great snow, and no paths." The next Sabbath HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. even "only a few with great difficulty got to ye Meet- ing house." This winter is mentioned, by several writ- ers, as unusually sevtre throughout New England. In July 1779, a severe hail storm passed over Chatham at the time of rye harvest. " It destroyed the grain in its course, broke windows, and left marks on buildings and fences which could be seen a year afterwards." The hail appeared to be uneven pieces of ice, many of them nearly as large as a hen's egg. May 5th 1780, a frost killed beans and squashes and " ye mane of ye corn." The 20th of May 1795, there was also a hard frost, which was credited with killing the canker worms, along with all other tender things. The 8th of May 1803, " was a Storm of snow in such quantity that by 10 o'clock its depth on the ground was four inches. My family rode to meeting in a slay. Remarka- ble to see fruit trees all in blossom and loaded with snow." The most remarkable freshets which are recorded as occurring in Chatham are as follows: December 1703, the meadows were '' alarmingly flooded." The nth of Feb- ruary 1781, was an " exceeding high flood." July 13th 1795, there was for 24 hours, " an excessive rain, watir covers all ye lower swamp so that ye bridge floats. The upper swamp is covered one foot and a half deep at our west end and ye whole of our meadow except ye high- way noles." From December 14th 1800, to the 25th of the same month, there " was no passing across ye meadow." Twentieth of March 1801, " Last night the water rose as it is said six feet perpendicular; and now ye water is above ye post fence at ye meadow gate. The oldest man Living does not remember such a sudden Rise of water & so great at this time of year.'' " The ist of April the water was found to be two feet deep on the top of the highest knoll, and the waters were so high and violent that they tore the banks to pieces in many places." There was also a remarkable flood in October 1843, at the time the corn was being gathered in. The water rose so fast that in a few hours the bridges were covered and the meadow was impassible, except by boats. The men worked all night, part of the time in boats, to save the crop of corn. The freshet of 1854 was the most remarkable within the memory of living men. " Strickland street " was flooded, and the shipyard was underwater. Johrv- Mc- Kay, who lived in the house now occupied by Mrs. Law- rence, on the river bank, died. William Norcott and oth- ers took the coffin out of the window into a boat and carried it to Henry Conklin's house, where the funeral services were held. The coffin was again put in the boat and rowed to the steps of the eastern (Center) church. Ar the same lime" the quarries were flooded, and the water rose to the second story of many houses on the sandbank, and pigs' noses could be seen sticking out of the garret windows. In 1816, it is said, there was a frost in some part of the town at least every month in the year. But the late frosts of May 29th and June 1884, were more distructive and later in the season than any recorded in the town. The coldest day on record in this town was January 27th 1873, The thermometer indicated a temperature of 29° below zero. Indian Wars. Although this part of Connecticut did not suffer from Indian depredations and cruelty as had other parts, the people here furnished men to assist their more afflicted brethren, rightly considering, says an old writer, " that if the fire of this were not timely extinguished it would en- danger their own fabrick." Major John Savage was a distinguished Indian fighter. The old Narrative of the Indian Wars speaks of " Ensign Savage, that young mar- tial spark, scarce twenty years of age, had at one time one bullet lodged in his thigh, another shot through the brim of his hat by ten or twelve of the enemy discharging upon him together, while he boldly held up his colors in the front of his company." He died in Chatham, in 1775. It is said there was a tract of land set off to him, in Virginia, as a reward for his services. The only son of Rev. Mr. Newell fell in battle, some time in 1755. How many men went from Chitham to join the expedi- tion against Canada cannot be certainly known. In April 1756, men enlisted in Chatham, and "June ye i6th they marched for Crown Point." Several from this town were at the assault on Quebec. The following letter, pre- served in the Sage family, mentions three of these: "Dec. 24, 1775. To Esqr. Sage. " I write a word to inform you of us here at Quebeck. the notice is short and David not Present, but he is well and harty; but has been sick, but I think I never saw him more fleshe, father can inform you of our travel and affairs, the men that came from Chatham are all well and harty but Goff and he will soon be so; but I fear the Small Pox will be too frequent among us for good. " Sam'll Cooper." Richard Strickland fought at Quebec, and died on the way home, of small-pox contracted in camp. Lieutenant David Sage (who is mentioned in the letter) was wounded at the time of the assault. He afterward died of small- pox, and was buried under the walls. Captain Hanchett, Lieutenant Savage, James Knowles, and others from Chatham, were present at the siege. The Revolution. At the first sign of the coming conflict with Great Britain the men of Chatham prepared to assist their brethren and assert their own rights by appointing a vig- ilant committee of 1 1 to carry out the recommendations of Congress for "non importation, non exportation, and non consumption of British goods." Chatham took prompt action upon all the recommendations of the Gen- eral Assembly or the Council of Safety, and assisted in the struggle for liberty as well with stout supporters of the government at home, as with fighting men abroad. They took the oath of fidelity to the State as is shown by the records; 62 voters taking this oath at one time, PORTLAND— THE REVOLUTION. 503 administered by Ebenezer White, and 58 at another time, and by tens and dozens all through the early years of the war. March 17th 1777, the town appointed a committee, and directed them to engage on behalf of the town to provide necessaries for the families of the sol- diers belonging thereto, " who shall engage and go into any of the Continental battalions, agreeable to the rec- ommendation of his honor, the Governor and Commit- tee of Safety in a proclamation." Also voted " that the soldiers enlisted into the Continental Army shall be pro- vided with necessaries and committees appointed in every parish to procure such necessaries." It was also voted to provide clothing for Continental soldiers. The selectmen for the year 1777, were Ebenezer White, David Sage, Col. John Penfield, Enoch Smith, Deacon David Smith, John Hinckley, and William Welsh." April 19th 1779, it was " voted that the Committee of Supply shall have liberty to draw money from the town treasury to provide for families of Continental soldiers," and the town treasurer should borrow money if needful to supply the committee of supply. Capt. Joseph Churchill, Deacon Jeremiah Bradford, and John Norton were this committee of supply. January 5th 1779, Ebenezer White paid |i6o for eight bushels of wheat " for ye Continental service." It- was voted that the selectmen of the town should class the in- habitants in as many classes as there were soldiers to pro- vide for, and each class to provide for one. The select- men this year were Dr. Moses Bartlett, Col. John Penfield, Capt. Joseph Kellogg, Deacon David Smith, Capt. Joseph Dart, Capt. Silas Dunham, Capt. Timothy Percival. In the year. 1780, ;!^20o a year was voted for the families of those soldiers who had enlisted for the war, and;i^5o for those who had enlisted for three years only, to be drawn from the town treasury by the committee of supply; and more money could be drawn if this were in- sufficient. It was also voted to tax the inhabitants of the town to raise a bounty to encourage soldiers to enlist for three years or during the war. November 14th 1780, was a town meeting " for ye purpose of raising Provision & filling up ye Continental Army." A tax of six pence on the pound on the list of the town was voted to provide provisions for Continental soldiers. A committee was appointed to ascertain the number of soldiers in service and to class the town. This committee consisted of " Cols. Penfield and Blague and Lieut. Smith before mentioned, and Hez'h Goodrich Doctjer'h Bradford, Capt. Daniel Brainard, Capt. Elijah Cook, Capt. Bryan Parmelee, Capt. Stephen Brainard." These quotations from the records* are sufficient to prove that Chatham nobly did its part in filling up the Continental armies with good soldiers, relieving them at the same time of all anxiety in regard to the care of their families in their absence, and strengthened the govern- ment by every available means. • For other extract* from the records see history of the town of Chatham . 1 Now it is purposed to follow, as well as may be by means of vague and meagre records, some of the soldiers who left their homes in Chatham to join the Continental armies at the front. At the time of the " Lexington Alarm," in April 1775, Capt. Silas Dunham marched from Chatham for the relief of Boston with his company, whose names have been found on an old pay roll in the State Archives. Timothy Percival was lieutenant; Isaac Kneeland, clerk; Marcus Cole, sergeant. The privates were: Stephen Olmstead, Ralph Smith, Samuel Kilbourn, Samuel Hall, David Hall, Caleb Cook, John Johnson, Nehemiah Day, Silvanus Freeman, William White, Sam- uel Sexton, Benjamin Kneeland, Thomas Hill, Daniel Clark, Amos Clark, Elijah Clark, Hezekiah Goff, Samuel Freeman, William Bevin, Daniel Park, Elijah Baily, Dan- iel Marchall, Lazerous Watrous, Nathaniel Markham, Elisha Cornwell, John Norton, Ezra Ackley, David Cas- well, Ezra Purple, Joshua Baily, James Johnson jr., Na- thaniel Gansey, Ithamar Pelton. They were five days in service on this expedition. In May 1775, the com- panies of Chatham were joined to those of Middle- town to form the Twenty-third Regiment. During the year 1776, many from this town were serving in the army, no less than five drafts being made that year on the militia of Connecticut. Each officer and soldier was to be allowed is., 6d. for each gun and bayonet used in the service, and for the use of each blanket, 3s. August 20th of this year, Chatham had an order from the Gen- eral Court for 300 pounds of powder. February 28th 1776, the governor and council decided that "the frig- ate of twenty-eight guns to be built in this state should be built at ('hatham on the Conn. River; " and Septem- ber 20th of that year the-overseers of the furnace at Salisbury were ordered to deliver to the agents for building the Continental ship at Chatham " twenty-four twelve- pounders, and four six-pounders by their paying at the rate of ^3., los. per hundred weight for the twelve- pounders and ;^4 per hundred for the less cannon." There were several ships of war built here during the Revolution; among them the Tncmbull, 36 guns; the Bourbon, 40 guns; and the Connecticut, built after peace was declared. These are mentioned in the article on shipyards more particularly. In- August 1776, the militia companies of Chatham were ordered to New York. They were also ordered to Rhode Island, Long Island, and the western borders of their own State. June 27th 1780, the militia of Chatham marched to defend West Point fort under Captain Brain- erd. They held themselves ready to march at an hour's warning to any threatened point. Great were the pri- vations and hardships of these soldiers, who were called to leave their families and business, even were they per- mitted to return, but what shall be said of the distress of those who were so unfortunate as to be taken prisoners? The number of those who died in the " Old Jersey " and other British prisons can never be known. Their sufferings can be inferred from the fact that few of those who escaped or who lived to be released, survived long the effects of their terrible imprisonment. Thomas 504 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Dean, a youth of sixteen, died soon after reacliing his home " from the effects of a cruel imprisonment;" and there lies in the cemetery near the Center Church the grave of Samuel Boardman, " who in ii days after his Captivity in New York departed this life Jan 12th 1777, aged 20 years." One hundred of the officers and men of the sloop of war Sampson were from Chatham. These were consigned to the Old Jersey, and many perished from cold, and hunger, and the want of the necessaries of life. Timothy Cornwall, Isaac Buck, David Sage, Bartlitt, Lemuel Lewis, and others died from sick- ness or in prison. Moses Pellon is said to have been killed in the war. It is impossible to obtain the names of those who fell in battle as no list or record of names was kept. At the end of the church record of deaths for the year 1775, of 'he First Society, is the laconic an- nouncement, "3 died in the Army," and in the year 1776. "13 died in the Army in different States." Yet the full names of all the "infant sons" and "infant daughters " who died at home are carefully set down by the pastor. We who grope too late among the dusty relics of the century gone can only snatch from obivion here a name, there a half forgotten incident. Not one of the grand names of those who first launched our Ship of State should have been lost, yet great-grandchildren scarce know of the heroic sire, whose deeds and sacri- fices should bear fruit in a race higher, nobler than com- mon men. Those three who fell at Lexington or Bun- ker Hill, foremost among Liberty's martyrs, the 13 heroes of '76, we shall never know their names, their only monument shall be the wide, free country for which their lives were the first installment of the great price to be paid. A list of Revolutionary soldiers who lived to return home, or who were afterward pensioned, is more easily obtained, though not without much research, and it is probably incomplete. Gen. Seth Overton served his country in many ways though he saw little or no active service in the field. He was agent for the government in contracting for the ship Connecticut, which was built in this town. Col. John Penfield died February 22d 1797, aged 66. Col. Joseph Blague was a Continental officer. He commanded a company in the battle of Saratoga, He then bore the rank of captain, but was afterward pro- moted for gallant services. General Lafayette gave him, in the presence of Washington, a beautiful sword as an expression of esteem for him as an officer. Lieutenant, afterward Captain, Daniel Stewart, served through the war. Through the courtesy of Mr. Lucius Stewart, the writer has been permitted to examine two of his commissions. The first is copied entire: " Jonathan Trumbull Esq. Capt. General and Com- mander in Chief of His Majesty's colony of Connecticut in New England; to Daniel Stewart Gent., Greeting, " You being by the General Assembly of this colony accepted to be Ensign of the Seventeenth Company or Trainband in the Sixth Regiment in this colony; "Reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Loy- alty, Courage, and Good Conduct, I do, by virtue of the Letters Patent from the Crown of England to this Cor- poration, Me thereunto enabling, appoint and Empower You to take the said Company into your Care and Charge as their Ensign carefully and diligently to discharge that Trust; exercising your inferior Officers and Soldiers in the Use of their Arms according the Discipline of War; Keeping them in good Order and Government, and com- manding them to obey You as their Ensign for His Majesty's Service. And you are to observe all such Orders and Directions as from Time to Time You shall receive either from Me or from other your Superior Offi- cer pursuant to the Trust hereby reposed in You. " Given under my Hand and the Seal of this Colony in Hartford the 19th Day of May, in the 12th Year of our Sovereign Lord George the Third King of Great Britain &c. Annoque Domini 1772. " JONTH. Trumbull. " By His Honour's Command " George Wyllys Secr'y." The second commission — of captain of the 4th Com- pany or Trainband, in the town of Chatham and bear- ing date January 1775 — is like unto the first with a few slight but very essential changes; it substitutes the "State of Connecticut," and the "Laws of this State," for " His Majesty's Colony," and " Letters Patent from the Crown." It refers to a former commission issued October 15th 1775, perhaps as lieutenant. Captain Stew- art was on Long Island, and on one occasion stood near General Washington when a cannon ball struck the ground under the general's horse. Washington calmly soothed his frightened horse, then rode a little further off. Capt. John Cooper. Ensign Daniel Shephard, afterward lieutenant. He died August 22d 1798, aged 76. Sergeant Eber Stocking served through the war. His cartridge box is still preserved by his descendants. He used to tell his grandchildren that on one occasion when they had bivouacked upon the field, on awaking in the morning, the forms of the sleeping soldiers were marked by mounds of snow which had fallen upon them during the night. Sergeant Stocking was for some years a pen- sioner. He died August 26th 1828, at the age of 73. Seymour Hurlburt served seven years in the Conti- nental army. It was said he was " the first in battle and the last man out," Samuel Kilbourn was sick with "camp distemper" (dysentery) at ■ the time of the massacre at Fort Griswold, Groton. When it was seen that an attack was imminent the sick were removed to a barn about two miles distant. Here they remained that night unattend- ed, in the terror and confusion of the time. The drink which had been left for them froze on the surface dur- ing the night, and they had not strength to break the thin ice. The scars resulting from this illness with the want of proper care, he carried to his grave. He was over six feet in height, of fine appearance. David Hall was at the battle of Long Island. PORTLAND— ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWN. 5°5 Abram Schellinx was drafted into the army. He was a chair maker by trade. His apprentice went with him to the war, and at White Plains both his legs were shot off. Abram Schellinx was a pensioner, and died October 23d 1821. Michael Stewart was in the army a short time. The War of 181 2. The second war with Great Britain did not call for such sacrifice or make such demands upon this town as the struggle for Independence. If any citizens of what is now Portland took an active part in the fighting- the fact has not come down to us. But they did all that was required of them when Col. Daniel White marched away with his men to New London, where the time was spent in patrol and sentry duty, and so much was the stern reality of war softened that it seemed like a prolonged picnic. Elizur Abby was captain; David Cruttenden, lieutenant; John Kay, sergeant. It is related that one party of soldiers returned from the " scene of war's alarms," ingloriously but comfortably, in an ox cart. Col. White rode a fine charger, Pomp, who lived for many years, and when incapacitated for further service by rea- son of his age, he would still show a martial spirit, and try to curvet and prance as of old, when he heard the music of the drums on training days. Portland as it is. The old town of Chatham covered a large extent pf territory, and as its three parishes increased in population, there was naturally talk of dividing the township. This was advocated as early as 1798. At a meeting of the school society of Chatham, on the 27th of September 1798, " the Question was put whether this Meeting will do anything relative to dividing the town of Chatham ? It was voted that this Meeting do approve of the petition which has lately circulated in this Society and is signed by a num- ber of its inhabitants relative to applying to the General Assembly to incorporate that part of the town of Chatham described in said petition into a distinct town." The division was made in May 1841; the bounds of the First Society in Chatham being taken for those of the new town. The name first given was Conway, but this was changed to Portland at the same session. This was in reference to the quarries, which resemble in size and the quality of the stone the great sandstone quarries of Portland, England. The first town meeting was held at the Congregational meeting house, the 21st of June 1841, for the purpose of electing officers to serve until the regular town meeting in October. Philip Sage was clerk, and Henry Hall, moderator. The selectmen appointed were: Edward C. Whitraore, Lucius E. Waldo, Selden Cook; treasurer, Selden Cook; constable, Samuel Wilcox; grand jurors, Rufus Sears, Chauncey Taylor; tything men, Charles Williams, Job H. Payne, Selden Cook, Edward C. Whitmore, Ralph Pelton, Enoch Sage; pound keepers, David Shepard, and Jesse Goff ; sealers of weights and measures, Gilbert Griswold and Daniel Shepard jr.; fence viewers, Agustin Overton, Samuel Wilcox, Hiram A. Penfield, Guy Cooper, Seth I. Davis, Alfred Payne, and Whitby Foster; haywards, Jacob Dunham, Whitby Foster, William G. Savage, Ralph Goodrich; assessor, Selden Cook; treasurer of the town deposit fund, Daniel Russel; highway surveyors and collectors, Whitby Fos- ter, Hezekiah G. Pelton, Amos Cornwall, George M. Brown, William Hale. It was resolved that the whole of the income of the town deposit fund, the current year, be appropriated to the use of the schools. It was resolved that William R. Smith, Ralph Goodrich, and Sylvester Gildersleeve should be the agents or managers of the town deposit fund. Resolutions were also passed relating to alterations of highways if necessary; divisions of town funds with Chatham, and that the poor house should be held jointly with the town of Chatham for the poor of both towns. It was resolved that the sign posts heretofore estab- lished in the Portland School Society should be con- firmed and kept in repair; also " that the first annual Town meeting of the town of Portland shall be held on the first Monday of Oct. next." Selden Cook was ap- pointed agent to appear for the town in all suits, etc. The selectmen were instructed to ascertain the property of the town of Chatham, and to make division of the same agreeable to the resolution incorporating the town of Portland. The pounds near Wangunk Meadow and at Pacausett were declared lawful pounds of the town of Portland; the earmarks were ordered to be transferred from the records of Chatham to those of Portland. The selectmen were requested to ascertain the liability of the town of Portland to maintain a road from Chuchill's Landing to Glastonbury, through Wangunk Meadow. It was voted that no money should be paid out of the town treasury without an order from the selectmen; that the town clerk should provide all suitable record books; that the selectmen be authorized to employ some person to clean the meeting house; and the thanks of the meet- ing were tendered to Mr. Hall for the impartial and able manner in which he had performed the duties of moder- ator. The meeting then adjourned. At the first annual meeting, 4th of October 1741, two assessors were appointed, Edward Lewis and Hiram A. Penfield; board of relief, Willam R. Smith, Edward A. Penfield, Daniel Shepard jr.; town clerk, Sylvester Stock- ing; treasurer, Edward Lewis; selectmen, the same as before appointed; constables, Samuel Wilcox, Hiram A. Penfield. A highway tax of two cents on a dollar, and a town tax of the same amount, was voted. Highway surveyors were, Hezekiah G. Pelton, Hiram A. Penfield, Harley Case, Ralph Pelton, Benjamin Abbey; collector of taxes, Hiram A. Penfield; grand jurors, Charles Williams, Al- fred Myrick, Chauncey Taylor, Alfred Payne; tything men, James W. White, Jonathan Fuller, Job H. Payne, Seth I. Davis, Chester Pelton, Sylvester Stocking; treasurer of town deposit fund, William R. Smith; haywards, Seth I. Davis, Whitby Foster, Alfred Hall, Henry S. Conkling. The same sealers of weights and measures, and the same pound keepers, were reappointed. Whitby Foster, Hiram A. Penfield, and David Cornwall were appointed So6 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. a committee to divide the town into highway districts. The fence viewers appointed were: Phillip H. Sellew, Ralph Goodrich, David Crittenden, Erastus Strong, Samuel Wilcox, John R. Ames, Seth I. Davis, and Daniel F. Hopkins. The selectmen were instructed to discon- tmue the highway from Churchill's Landing, through Wangunk Meadow, to Glastonbury. Resolutions were passed relative to the funds deposited with the State, by the United States, in pursuance of Act of Congress, and William R. Smith was appointed the town's agent to re- ceive the town's share of such funds. April 4th 1842, Kellogg Strong was chosen the first representative of the town in the General Assembly. The 26th of May 1845, the town voted to accept the old church of the Episco- pal society, and the deed thereof was received by the town, and it was voted to hold town meetings there. Some repairs and alterations being made, the town house was first used for a town meeting, October 6th 1845. May 24th 1851, it was unanimously voted to direct the selectmen to petition the Legislature, in the name of the town of Portland, for liberty to loan the credit of this town to aid in constructing the New York & Boston Rail- road, commonly known as the Air Line Railroad, within the limits of this State, to an amount not exceeding $20,000. October 3d 1853, an appropriation of $300 was voted for the erection of a lockup or house of detention, pro- vided the citizens of Portland would raise $200 more by subscription. Nothing more is recorded than the usual proceedings each year till 1861. January 30th of that year, several resolutions were passed at town meeting, supporting the Constitution of the United States and of this State, both of which as freemen they had sworn to support, and deprecating the agitation of abstract political dogmas, especially by the pulpit and the press. Objecting to the " fanactical efforts of John Brown to overthrow slavery by force," and urging the maintenance of peace, and " hushing the loud call to arms." July 28th 1862, it was resolved by a vote of yeas 67, nays 55. "That the Selectmen be directed to pay from the town treasury the sum of Sioo to every volunteer who may be enlisted into the regiments now being raised or filled in this State, under the recent call from the Presi- dent for three hundred thousand more troops. And if there shall 'not be sufficient funds in the treasury, then the selectmen are authorized to borrow money on the credit of the town to make up the deficiency. This bounty not to be paid to more than our quota under the above call, and on condition that all such enlistments shall be on or before the 1st of September 1862. It was afterward voted that all who had enlisted in excess of the town's quota should receive the same bounty. August 5th 1863, at a special town meeting, it was voted to pay a bounty of $300 to each person drafted into the service of the United States, and the sum of $15,006 was appropriated for this purpose. September 30th 1863, the town appropriated $10,000 for the support of such of the drafted men's families or dependents as should need such pecuniary assistance. The soldiers and their familes also received much aid aside from this. The ladies of Portland met frequently to make clothing, scrape lint, and make gallons of blackberry cordial which was sent with many other comforts and delicacies to their soldiers in the army or in hospitals. The ofiScers of the town of Portland, elected October ist 1883, were: Assessors: William H. Bartlett, Asaph H. Hale; se- lectmen: Joseph S. Worthington, James H. Pelton, Nel- son Pelton; board of relief: Charles H. Sage, Andrew Cornwall, John H. Hall; registrar of voters: Billings Neff, James A. Butler; town clerk: William H. Bartlett; town quarry agent: William H. Beebe; agents of town deposit fund: William H. Beebe, Gilbert Stanclifif: town treasurer; John L Worthington; collector: Billings Neff; auditors of accounts: N. L. Cramer, Asaph H. Hale; grand jurors: George B. Cleveland, Daniel E. Dunham, Clark G. Southmayd, Lucius P. Stewart, David Critten- den, W. S. Coe; haywards: Jabez E. Jones, Charles Hall, Reuben Pelton, Norman B. Stevens, Hudson Hale, Robert A. Mitchell, Hobart Davis; treasurer of town deposit fund: John I. Worthington; town agent: Joseph S. Worthington; town registrar: Stephen H. Stocking; constables- Billings Neff, John Hayes, John McKay, George O. Mosher, George Hill, Demas Cornwall, Phillip Sage; pound ' keepers: Gordon S. Goodrich, Henry Hodge, Frederick C. Southmayd: sealer of weights and measures: E. L Bell; town weighers: Ferdinand Gilder- sleeve, J. B. Carey, W. S. Coe. Civil List. Representatives. — The Representatives for the town of Portland have been: Kellogg Strong, 1842; Erastus Brainerd, 1843; Archibald Kinney, 1844; Russell Pen- field, 1845, 1846; Alfred Hall, 1847, 1851, 1852, 1858; Joseph Hall, 1848, 1865; William H. Bartlett, 1849; Ed- ward C. Whitmore, 1850; Enoch Sage, 1853, 1854; Ralph Pelton, 1855; S. Nelson Hall, 1856; Samuel L. Warner, 1857; George Stancliff, 1859; Jonathan D. Child, i860;' Henry Gildersleeve, 1861; Asaph Strong, 1862, 1863,' Henry H. Wells, 1864; R. S. Cornwall, 1866; George Cox, 1867; Daniel Strong, 1868 to 1870; William H. Beebe, 1871 to 1873, 1880; Evelyn White, 1874, 1875; David Crittenden, 1876; George H. Taylor, 1877,' 1878;' Nelson Pelton, 1879; Wellington S. Coe, 1881; John M.' Penfield, 1883; Andrew Cornwall, 1884. Town C/ifrij.— Sylvester Stocking served from 1841 till i860, when Ebenezer White was appointed, but on his death, January 12th 1861, Henry Kilby was ap- pointed till the next town meeting. S. Gildersleeve was appointed January 29th 1861. He resigned January ist 1864, and Joseph C. Gladwin was appointed till the next town meeting. Henry Kilby was appointed September 24th 1864; Joseph Gladwin was appointed October 2d 1865; William H. Bartlett was appointed October 1866, and has since held the office. Evelyn White has served twelve terms as selectman PORTLAND— EDUCATION. 507 land Nelson Pelton fourteen. Want of space forbids a more complete list of selectmen. Schools. The town of Middletown, at a town meeting held January gth i7o>^, made this grant of land to the inhabi- tants on the east side:- " Inasmuch as there is a parcell of pond, swamp, and bogga Land about thirty or fourty Acres lying on the east side of the grate River, called Pacowsett, which is not yet Layd out to any person; the town by vote do agree that the neighbors Inhabiting the East side the grate River may clere & improve the said Land until such time as they shall be in A capacity to maintain A schole or a minister, and then the said Land shall be sequestered, and Improved, & ye Income ther of shall be disposed of for such publique Use as the town by vote shall ord'r. Att the same meeting the vote above sayd was Interpreted by vote thus; that it is Intended and to be understood yt ye Land mentioned therein Is to be clered by the neighbors on the east side as sone as may be, and remain to the town's Use in Generall, untill they shall have eighter A schole or A minister on the East side setled and then the Income of the land to be and remain for the particular publique use & charg of the East side on the Acct above said." In March 1711, this petition was addressed to the mother town across the river: "March 13th 1711 this Day being warned and apointed foij a town meeting to agree for the set- tlement of the town schooU for the proper Use and benefit of the whole town in generall; we on the east side of the great River being allso very sensable of the necesity of the upholding schooling and the benefit thereof and likewise the evil that doth ordinarily follow in the want therof, we do therefore propound these fol- lowing things on our own behalf: — being very willing to agree in the most equitable and peaceable way with our loving neighbours of the town on the west side of the great River on both sides of the ferry Vizt that Is In all times coming annually that we on the East side keep a schooU among ourselves so much of the yeare as the money Raised of and from our selves shall amount unto, that is to say Raised on our grand List of Estates among our selves, and whether by country or town, and Likewise that we agree with our neighbourhood In a town way In voating and chusing committees that we may by no means hinder the settlement of a town schooll, or if it may please you best to desist. Either, but we think It a thing most Rationall, Loving neighbours, that our own money be Laid out upon our own children, and in charity we do believe and conclude that if your selves were in our sted you would desire the same, and If we were In your sted we should Readily grant, so we hope we shall not be looked on As those that Lay aside the best Rule but to prevent such an objection as this that we will thereby not keep a schooll nor pay to your neither which you may call your town or society schooll, to pre- vent yt which we never Intend, we desire that a com- mittee may be chosen to Inspect the matter, and upon our failure we shall look on our selves liable to Suffer a compulsion to pay our just proportion to the town or so- ciety schooll or schoolls as we are accounted formerly to belong unto, not els at present, but hoping you will give just ground to subscrib our selves In token of Love and gratitude your Loving freinds neighbours and bretheren &c. who are here unto subscribd. " John Gill Senr., John Sledd, wiliam cornwell senr., Jonathan Warner, Samll Hall, Jonathan Smith, Ebenezer Smith, Shamgar barns, George Stocken, Thomas buck, Thomas wright, John Miller, Richard Jill, Richard Goodale, Ebenezer hurlburt, Francis smith, John Gill Junr., Ephraim Wilcock, Nathanell Savige." The settlers were naturally anxious to establish a school as soon as possible, for, said a New England di- vine, even as early as 1690: " the Youth of this Country are very sharp and early ripe in their Capacities, above most in the world, and were the Benefits of a Religious and Ingenuous Education bestowed upon them, they would soon prove an Admirable People." The petition here quoted being granted by the town of Middletown, we find that, " At a meeting of the inhabitants on the East side the River in Middletown .April 17 11 it was agreed that the scool should be kept four months in the summer and two months in the winter; it was also voted that the children from six years old to ten years old shal bare ther proportion in upholding the charge of the scool if they shall go or no; and if any go younger or older to pay; agreed that George Stocken and Ebenezer Smith shal be to consult the best way for ordering the scool and John Sleid and Ephraim Wilcock likewise chosen for the same work. " At the same meeting it was agreed that if any per- son will send a child or children younger than six years old in the roum of those obliged to go it shall be ac- cepted." January 20th 1712, it was " Voted that the Scholl should be kept for the half year ensuing at two places, Viz at or about Thomas Buck's and at or about Francis Smith's, and Wm Corn- well Sr., John Gains should be a Comity with George Stocken to order the Schooll." February 24th 1713-14, it was " ordered that the com- ity should have power to fix the school in two or three places." Yearly these "neighbours," when they met to appomt their " prudential committees," and consult for building a meeting house and settling a minister, they also appointed their school committee for the year, and the most influential and responsible men were put upon these committees. That they believed in " rotation in office " is proved by the fact that in 39 committees, ap- pointed from 17 1 1 to 1750, there were 100 persons and 58 distinct names. Usually new men were elected each year; and two or three years elapsed before any of these same men were called upon to serve in the same capacity. December 27th 1722, it "was granted to the naibours 65 So8 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. on the back side of Womgog to have there part of money according to ther List to improve for the teaching ther children." This was the present Rose Hill District, and the first to be set off. December zzd 1727. — "Voted that the south farmers from John Penfields southward and eastward shall have their part of money to Instruct their children in learning, they improving the same with liberty for one year." The " south farmers " were the settlers of Middle Haddam and East Hampton. February ist 1741, they divided the town into three school districts: " The Society, for the encourigment of scholing, Agrees by Major vote as folio weth; Viz ist that the society shall be divided into three parts and the first part to begin at the place where Mr. Cornwell's and Miller's grist mill now stands and extend eastward as far as the west side of the hil called Collinges hil, and from there both south- ward and westward to the great River; and the next part to contain all that part which lyes eastward of s'd first part, to the extent of the bounds of the society; and the third part to Contain all that which is northward of the fore said two parts to the extent of the society. 2d that for the futor there sliall be eleven months school kept in this society yearly; that is six months of it by a good school master for reading and wrighting and five months by a good Mrs. for reading; and what is wanting more than we are to receive out of the town rate and coun- ty rate and by the General Assemblys donation and any other donation to enable the school committee as above said, the said term yearly, the remainder shall be raised yearly on the general list of the society and collected 3dly that the school Committee shall have their in- structions to order the school to be kept in each of the above said three parts one after another their propor- tionable part of the time according to their list of estate for the time being; and that where so ever the said school shall be kept it shall be a society school, and each one in the society shall have Liberty to send their chil- dren provided they answer a reasonable part about fier wood: and each of the above said parts shall have liberty to build a school house, and" that there shall be one comite man in each of the above said parts yearly, Voted, to raise a rate of one penny on the pound to enable the committee to carry on the schools." The " grist mill " here mentioned was on the site now occupied by Cox's mill. " Collinges hil " is just west, so by this division the first district extended from Cox's mill and the granite quarry to the river, both south and west, including the larger part of Portland; the second district included Middle Haddam and East Hampton; and the third all the northern part of the (then) society. They now vote to have the school kept eleven months in the year instead of six as had been done. By act of As- sembly every town or ecclesiastical society having 70 families must keep a school 11 months in the year, and those with less than 70 families six months. Notice that the schools in these three districts did not hold their sessions simultaneously, but " one after another their pro- portionable part of the time;" which would of course shorten the period of schooling in each district, the chil- dren in some districts having only perhaps two months schooling during the year, others four or five. December 19th 1752; it was " agreed that the north- ward part of the Inhabitants in the neck part of this society shall have Liberty to build a school house & draw pro- portionable part of school money." This, of course, was the present District No. i. In 1748, a tax of four pence on the pound was laid; in 1749, six pence; in 1754, it was raised to i2d., probably to build the school houses in the different districts. After this the rate was one penny on the pound. November zgth 1757, " Agreed that the necessary fier- wood for the use of the school should be provided by parents and masters according to the poles which are sent to school, whoever shall neglect to provide it shall be added to the penny rate." The question of " fier- wood " seems to have been a troublesome one; many votes were passed to compel those sending children to provide the wood. In 1772, the committee were instructed to provide the wood and " raise a rate on ye poles of ye children that go to ye s'd schools." At first the wood was hauled to the school house door by each one sending children; but the tax for firewood was kept up till within the memory of many now living. In 1765, " Capt David Sage, Dea Joseph White, and Lieut Samll Hall were chosen a committee to receive the Donations for the use of the school & particularly what is due to the school from the sale of Norfolk land." This was the General Assembly's grant of moneys from the sale of seven townships (Norfolk, Goshen, Canaan, Cornwall, Kent, Salisbury, and Sharon) in what is now Litchfield county, for the support of schools. This grant was made in 1733, and has been referred to as the " General Assembly's Donation." November 7th 1768, it was voted that [the Southwest School District "shall for ye time being keep their school half of ye time at ye old school house and ye other half of ye time at Pacowsett, until ye money raised by Rate and ye Donation & county money be expended." The "old school house" stood near where the Gildersleeve school now stands, and it was thought too far to send the children from " Pacowsett." " Voted also to divide ye northeast District in two parts or Districts; Viz ye north District to come as far south as ye south side of Mr. Jonathan Welles land, that is to say to ye south side of his lott from east to west, and ye other part to extend south to their old bounds." This was dividing the district next to Glastonbury from No. 5 (Up City). " Voted that ye southeast district of school shall be divided into three parts, those that line on ye short lotts to be one entier District & those on ye north on ye long lotts to run south to ye south side of Mr. Stewart's lotts,. so far south as an east and west line of his lott; & ye other part to begin at ye south line of sd Stewart lott and to extend, south to ye es;tent of their old. bounds, on ye Long lotts. PORTLAND -EDUCATION. 509 " 23d Nov. 1784. Voted that the northeast corner of s'd Society shall be made a distinct school district to ex- tend from the east bounds of s'd Society by a north and south line so far west as to include the house in wh. Solomon Chapman now dwels & from Glastonbury Line southward two miles." This was a readjustment of the boundaries of District No. 7. The ist of November 1791, Captain Joseph Sage and Lieutenant Nicholas Ames were chosen to receive and distribute to the several schools, the " forty shillings on every thousand pounds of the grand Levy, from the State Treasurer." This was the State tax. The last committee mentioned in the records of the First Society, appointed in 1794, were: Joseph Willcox, Welles Diggins, Jonathan Pelton, Luther Goodrich, Richard Brown, and Abel Strickland; Joseph Blague jr., Nicholas Ames, and John Ellsworth were appointed a special committee. The schools now passed from the care of the church or ecclesiastical society into that of the school society. In May 1795, an act was passed, which recognized the ecclesiastical societies in a distinct capacity as " school societies," and in May 1798, the school societies were invested with the powers, and sub- jected to the duties, which the former laws had given to, and required of, towns and ecclesiastical societies, rela- tive to the same objects, and from this date they are known in law as school societies. Their territorial limits were sometimes co-extensive with a town, sometimes in- cluded only part of a town, and sometimes embraced parts of two or more towns. This paragraph from the Act of 1795, quoted on the first page of the school so- ciety's record, sets forth the standing and duties of the school societies: " That all the Inhabitants living within the limits of the located societies who have or may have a right to vote in Town meetings shall meet, some time in the month of October annually, in the way and manner pre- scribed in the Statute entitled an Act for forming, order- ing, and regulating societies, and being so met shall ex- ercise the powers given in and by said Act in organizing themselves, and in appointing the necessary officers as therein directed for the year ensuing; and may transact any other business on the subject of schooling in Gen- erall and touching the monies hereby appropriated to their use in particular, according to Law, and shall have power to adjourn from time to time as they shall think proper." The record then begins with: " Agreeable to the Spirit and intention of the above recited Act of Assembly, the Inhabitants of the first loca- ted Society in Chatham met on the last Thursday of Oct., A. D., 179s, at 3 o'clock afternoon, at the meeting house in said society, being Warned by a special War- rent Signed by a justice of the peace together with three of the principal Inhabitants of said Society, Lieut David Robertson was chosen Moderator; Joseph Blague Jun'r was appointed clerk; the usual tax of one penny on the pound was voted; Capt. Nicholas Ames, Joseph Blague Jun'r, and John Ellsworth were appointed a committee to Superintend, Order, and Direct the affairs of the school throughout the Society. James Stanclift, Samuel Will- cox, Elisha Shepard, Seth Strictland, Samuel Butler, and Amos Goodrich were appointed school committee-men and collectors in the school Districts in which they sev- erally belong. It was voted that the wood expended by the several schools should be paid for by a tax on the polls attending to said schools." Joseph Blague was granted, " six shillings lawful money for the purchase of a book of records for this Society." The next year, 1796, the tax of one penny on the pound was changed to " five mills on a dollar." The meeting of February 6th 1799, chose " Rev'd Cyprian Strong, Rev'd Smith Miles, Doctor Moses Bart- litt, Doct. Ebenezer Sage, Joseph Blague Jun'r, Capt. Daniel Stewart, and Mr. Nathaniel Cornwell as Over- seers or Visitors of the schools." This was in accord- ance with the Act of 1798-9. The duties were about the same as those of the present acting visitors. It was voted not to levy the usual tax of five mills " if the interest arising from the sale of the Western Re- serve lands should be a sum equal to the whole amount of said tax." November 4th 1800, Seth Overton, Hezekiah Good- rich, and Enoch Sage were appointed to " set a stake for the place of setting a school House in the penfield district, (so called)." In i8or, it was voted that the district committee should cause every master to be examined by two or more of the visitors before he should be employed as an instructor. In 1803, the Northeast District was divided by annexing four families to the adjoining district of Glastonbury, and others to the adjoining district in Chatham. January ist 1805, a committee was chosen to affix a place to build a school house in the North Neck District. Doctor Isaac Smith and Doctor Isaac Conklin were added in 1807 to the school visitors formerly appointed, and in 1812, Rev. Eber L. Clark was chosen in the place of Rev. Dr. Strong, deceased. Jesse Hall, Samuel Hall, David Stocking, and Abner Sage were also chosen school visitors with those already appointed. It was also voted at this meeting that " the interest arising from the sale of the land which was granted by the town of Middletown in the year 170}^ to the Inhabi- tants of the east side of the river for the use of schools, or minister, be applied the present year for the use of the public schools." This is the grant of land at " Pacowsett " mentioned at the beginning of the history of schools. In the year 1815, the three eastern districts were "an- nexed into one," and " stake was set on the north side of a stone wall 50 or 60 rods westerley on the road that leads from Zebulon Penfields' to Capt David Smith's." This stood west of the present building, half way to Mrs. Alexander's. In i8r7, an examining committee of 17 members was appointed for " examining and inspecting the schools." It included most of the former school Sio HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. visitors. It is impossible, for want of space, to give all their names. In 1826, the committee for examining and visiting the schools consisted of Rev. Smith Miles, Rev. Hervey Talcott, Sylvester Stocking, Job H. Payne, David Crit- tenden, and Archibald Kinney. October 5th 1830, upon petition of Penfield Hill School District, a committee was appointed '' to designate a spot in s'd district to remove or build a school house that will enable them to receive the donation given to s'd Dis't by Mr. John Stewart deceased;" they established the site for said school house on the east side of the highway, between the dwelling house of Zebulon Penfield and the dwelling house of Daniel Shepard Esq. This was the present school house, a substantial and handsome brick building. The same year the Southwest District and Pacausett were divided. The stake for the Pacausett school house being set on lands of Guy Cooper, and the other on land belonging to Joel Hall, the present Pacausett school house. The last mentioned was the second building in the Southwest District, now Second District. It stood where the Edwards' block now stands. The final establishment of the several districts as they are at present — with a few unimportant changes hereaf- ter noted — was made October 3d 1832, "Doctor Isaac Smith being moderator, Rev. William Jarvis, Rev. Har- vey Talcott, Job H. Payne, Joseph Goodrich, Erastus Strong, Archibald Kinney, and David Cornwell, school visitors, and Doctor Isaac Smith, Jesse Hall, and Daniel Russel, school societys' committee; " it was voted " that the several school districts shall hereafter be known as follows: "Whites' school district as No. i, or First District. " South or Neck school district as No. 2, or Second District. " Meadow school district as No. 3, or Third District. " Penfield Hill school district as No. 4, or Fourth Dis- trict. " City or North school district as No. 5, or Fifth Dis- trict. " Pacausett school district as No. 6, or Sixth District. " New City (to Glastonbury) school district as No. 7, or Seventh District." The boundaries of these districts are defined in the school society's record, but it would require too much space to mention in detail. They are the same that now stand except in a few unimportant details. No. 7, which became in the final adjustment the last numbered, though tradition holds that the first school house in Portland stood within its bounds — two years ago in March was set back to Up City, No. 5. In 1856, school societies were abolished by the State, and their property and obligations passed to the towns. The town elected its first board of school visitors, Octo- ber 6th 1856, in'conformity to the act of the General As- sembly just mentioned. The following gentlemen com- posed this board: Samuel M. Emery, Hervey Talcott, S. G. W. Rankin, M. Parsons, Hiram A. Penfield, Alfred Hall, Ebenezer B. White, Joseph E. Goodrich, and James F. Buck. They held their first meeting, October 13th 1856, when the Rev. Hervey Talcott, having been a school visitor for a period of over 40 years, declined acting as such any longer. Henry Gildersleeve was chosen to fill the vacancy occasioned by his resignation, until the next annual meeting of the town. January 28th 1857, they examined and corrected the returns of the enumeration of children, jointly with the selectmen, and divided the amount raised by the one per cent, tax among the different districts. They examined into and reported the condition of the schools of the town. They reported that there had been expended on the schools: $1,145.25, State fund; $287.52, town deposit fund; $665.88, town tax; $1,465.94, tax on the time of attend- ance. District No. 2 also received $7.00 tuition of schol- ars from other districts, and Penfield Hill District $30 from local fund. The report was signed by Samuel M. Emery and S. G. W. Rankin, and at their suggestion a vote was passed by the town regretting the retirement of the Rev. Mr. Talcott, and thanking him for his long, able, and efficient service as school visitor. There were then (1857), in District No. i, 126 scholars; No. 2, 393; No. 3, 52; No. 4, 58; No. 5, 38; No. 6, 118; No. 7, 33. September 7 th 1866, it was proposed to consolidate the school districts and make one union district, which was rejected by a majority vote. There are seven schools in Portland, some of these consisting of several departments. They are managed by a board of nine school visitors, two of whom are elected annually. The present board consists of: president, George B. Cleveland; secretary, J. S. Bayne; visitors, C. H. White, C. A. Sears, F. D. Harriman, H. C. Markham, W. S. Strickland, Albert Hale, and Asaph Hale. The board annually assigns the duties of visiting the schools of the town to one or more of their number, of whom the secre- tary shall always be one, who shall visit such schools at least twice during each term, at which visit the school house and out-buildings, school register, and library shall be examined, and the studies, discipline, mode of teach- ing, and general condition of the school investigated. The acting visitors are: Dr. C. A. Sears, Mr. Asaph.Hale, and Rev. J. S. Bayne. The committee for the examin- ing of teachers consists of Rev. F. D. Harriman, and Rev. J. S. Bayne. The district committee for the hiring of teachers and the more particular oversight of each are: No. i, Asaph Strong, Titus Hale, Allen Butler; No. 2, John H. Hall, C. E. Hammond, Frank Brainerd; No. 3, William E. Kelsey; No. 4, Lyman Payne; No. 5, William N. Simpson; No. 6, H. C. Markham, and W. H. Ingersoll. The following account of the school houses of the town may be interesting to many: District No. r, a fine large building, erected in 1876. Mr. Sylvester Gildersleeve furnished the money for the sec- ond story, and gave it to the district as a public hall. It was named Gildersleeve Hall. He has also contributed a fund for the use of the school. PORTLAND— EDUCATION. 5" District No. 2 has had three school houses located in different parts of the district. The first of these stood near where Mr. E. Hinckley lives. The second, which was at that time called the Academy, occupied the spot on which the Edwards block now stands. The third was the present building, the " stone school house," as it is called. The site was bought of Joel Hall and Samuel Hall for $100. It was voted that " said district should allow J. Hall and S. Hall to construct and fit up and control the hall in the second story which should be leased to them for 999 years." Mr. Daniel Russell having furnished much of the money for the building of the second story, it was named Russell Hall. The building was finished and occupied in 1845. In 1856 it was bought by the district, as the room was needed for schools. Mr. F. A. Lillie has been principal since 1877. There are six rooms which are taught re- spectively by Misses Hattie E. Culver, Jennie S. Eddy, Alpha S. Hall, Annie L. Strong, and Louie S. Carrier. District No. 3, or Rose Hill. This is the oldest school house in town; built in some remote period to which the memory of any living runneth not back. There is a well founded tradition that it once stood beneath the sand bank, and was moved to its present position on the hill. It was pronounced "in bad condition " by the first board of school visitors in 1857, but it has been repaired, and probably sprinkled from the fountain of perpetual youth, as it is no worse now than It was then. The present teacher is Carrie A. Craig. District No. 4, Penfield Hill. This fine brick school house was built in 1830, partly with funds left by John Stewart, in his will. An addition was built in 1840. Miss Fannie Stewart is teacher. District No. 5, Up City, was built in 1857, at a cost of about $1,100. Miss Mary E. Shepard is the present teacher. The house in District No. 6 was built about 1830 or 1 83 1. Mr. H. P. Dennison has been the teacher of the first, and Miss Alice Strickland of the second room. The " Bank School " should have been mentioned in connection with District No. 2, in which it belongs. This building was erected about fourteen years ago. There are schools in three rooms, taught by Mrs. Mary Fitzpat- rick, Miss Maggie Forrest, and Miss Mary A. Fitzpatrick. Mr. William Ingers'oll has started a kindergarten school in place of the department formerly the second room of District No. 6. There is also a private school, for little children, taught by Miss Eunice White, who had taught twenty- six terms in the primary room of District No. i. Teachers. — Very few names of the first teachers in the town have come down to the present time. The first mentioned is John Ellsworth, who taught " over the meadow" in 1779, and a Mr. Selding taught in this part of Chatham about the same time. The Madams Newell, as they were called, the two daughters of the first pastor, taught at the parsonage; and rewarded their good scholars with bits of fennel, and juicy plums, delicacies at that time unknown in the other gardens of the parish. William Talcott taught in 1819 and 1820. Archibald Kinney taught for 20 years. About 1822, he taught the academy, which stood below the present post office. He had a very large school, and was a most successful teacher. He was very kind, and not as rigid in his government as the custom of the time. His schol- ars loved and obeyed him, and improved rapidly under his instruction. The vacation was in May, at the time of the " Election," and he visited his friends and hoed corn for pastime. He was tall and thin. He had a son and two daughters. He bought a farm in Suffield and retired. Hiram Penfield taught at Pacausett in 1830. Enoch Jackman came to Portland, March 17th 1737, from Vermont. He taught three winters at Pacausett, and three at Rose Hill. He was a successful teacher, and a prominent debater in the lyceums. He still resides in Portland. Harrison Whitcomb taught several winters at Penfield Hill, between 1830 and 1840. He came from Vermont, and he is now a physician in Rutland. Horatio Chapman taught the school at Pacausett sev- eral winters. Miss Maria Payne was a loved and successful teacher here for several years, though the greater part of her teaching was done in Middletown. While in Portland she taught a private school for young ladies. Miss Levantia Overton taught several years in District No. I, prior to 1857. Miss Mary Hopkins, now Mrs. Munn, taught during seven years in Portland, about 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Cummings are still remembered with affection by many of their former pupils. Mr. E. A. Sumner, the organizer and teacher of the Gildersleeve High School from 1879 to 1883, a gradu- ate of Wesleyan in 1878, now practicing law in Spring- field, Mass., was a faithful and efficient instructor here. Mr. W. S. Strickland, in a historical sketch appended to the Report of School Visitors for 1880, gives this list of prominent public men who were once teachers in this town: Hon. Lyman Trumbull, of Illinois; Bishops Gilbert and E. O. Haven, of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Judge Butterfield, of the Courts of New York; Orange Judd Esq.; and Rev. Nelson Cobleigh, D. D., late president of McKendrie College. Mills, Manufactories, Etc. Early Mills. — There were two mills in Chatham at a very early date. One of these, on the site of Cox's Mill, now called the Ravine Mills, stood here certainly as early as 1741. This mill supplied the Continental sol- diers with flour, which was drawn to New London for the troops stationed there. While almost all the able- bodied men were in the army, the owner. Miller by name as well as by profession, was spared to run the mill, and perhaps helped as much in this capacity as he would have done with a musket in his hands. S-2 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. What became of the old mill is not known ; but another was built, at the same place, in 1801, by Mr. Enoch Sage (grandfather of the present Enoch Sage). His three sons, Phillip, Alexander, and Charles Henry, helped their fa- ther build the dam. Afterward Mr. Sage sold it to John Ingraham, a rather eccentric man, who owned it for a time. He kept " bachelor's hall" in a room finished off over the mill. The following anecdote is related of Ingraham, who was very positive in his opinion. Soon after the news of Gen. Taylor's splendid victory at Resaca de la Palma was received, John was expatiating to a select audience upon the war, denouncing it as unjust and oppressive. Said he, "So old Taylor's whipped 'em has he? Its too bad, I don't blame them Mexicans a bit for fighting our folks; I say let them enjoy their religion and dont send men down there to forceours on 'em." " Force our religion on them, John," said one listener. " that 's not so." " I say tis so," thundered John, " didn't President Polk send a minister there by the name of Slider to force our religion on em? and didn't they send him back? " " But John " replied the listener, " Mr. Slidell was an envoy— a min- ister of State." "I say," roared John; "he was a minister, a Presbyterian minister, and I don't blame them for fighting. I would fight if I were they." John's earnest plea for liberty of conscience, though unsound in its premises, was greeted by his audience with " three times three and a tiger." He died January 2Sth 1848, at the age of 54. Mr. George Cox bought the mill of Brainerd and Adams, who settled Ingraham's estate, in 1852. The mill being very much out of repair, they expended about |i,ooo to put it in good working order. They also built the house adjoining, there being no dwelling there at the time, and the ground was covered with huge boulders. Mr. Isaac Cox afterward joined the firm. They have a good, solid dam, which withstood the great freshet of 1869. They have two sets of stones for grain and one for spices. They do custom and mer- cantile work, but it is largely a custom mill, grinding all kinds of grain, also spices. They put up pulverized sage and other herbs. The old chestnut tree opposite the mill is a relic of the primeval forest. It has been gradually dying for many years. The other mill, which antedated the Revolution, stood near the present line between Portland and Middle Had- dam. It was owned by Lieutenant George Hubbard, who held his commission from the British government in the old colonial times. The present mill was built by George Hubbard, grandson of Lieutenant Hubbard in 181 1. He tore down the old one and used the same site. The property descended to his heirs and by them was sold to Daniel and Jabez Jones. From them it passed into the possession of George S. Hubbard, who subsequently sold it to Bailey & Shepard, who took out the entire milling outfit and changed the mill to a manufactory of coffin hardware. They started their factory in 1854, or about that time. In 1857, Harrison Brainerd purchased Shepard's interest, and the firm was known as " Bailey & Brainerd, manufacturers of coffin trimmings, etc." They employed from 35 to 40 hands. Z. E. Dowd bought an interest in the business in April 1884, and the name was changed to The Cobalt Manufacturing Company. The power which drives the machinery in this factory and which carried the mills which have stood upon the same site, is mainly derived from the water flowing from the Great Hill Pond. A year or two before the Revolutionary war there was built by Nathaniel Cornwell,a fulling mill and cloth-dress- ing establishment on Cox's Brook, then called Carr's Brook, where the woolen fabrics spun and woven in the town were dyed and finished to take the place of the broadcloths formerly imported from England. The wool was carded, taken home, spun, and woven, and brought back again to be dressed. There is a story that Mr. Strickland, a member of the band in Chatham, sheared the wool from a sheep's back; it was cleansed and carded, spun, and woven; Mr. Corn well fulled and and colored, pressed, and finished it; it was taken home, the tailoress. Miss Esther Hurlburt, cut and made a suit which adorned the owner at the next training, within three weeks from the time the wool was growing on the sheep. A carding machine was added by David Cornwall about 1813 or 1814. This mill was afterward used for the manufacture of horn and ivory combs by Ephraim Tyler and Kelley Tyler. These combs were mostly exported to South America. There were no woolen or linen mills, but the loom was set up in many garrets and the spinning wheels were always busy. The old mill near Mr. Horace Wilcox's was formerly a wagon manufactory and casting shop. The plows made here were considered the best of their kind. Sorghum Mills.— There was a sorghum mill, built in 1865, near St. John's Chapel, by a few farmers and the Rev. A. C. Denison; Mr. H. Kilby being manager. The machinery was bought in Cincinnati. The total cost of mill and fixtures was about $1,800. It possessed a capacity of 200 gallons, the average product of one acre, per day. The business bade fair to become one of the leading enterprises of the town, when in 1868, on the 23d of September, a very severe frost ruined the entire crop, which was more than double any ever raised here before. The Feldspar Mill, near Deacon Ralph Pelton's, was built by him in 1877. The grinding is done by two ■stone chasers about five feet in diameter, moving around upon a bedstone of the same material. The crushed feldspar then passes to a revolving seive, and thence to a cylinder, containing 3,300 pounds of Norway pebbles, of 18 revolutions per minute, where it is finely pulverized. The Valley Mills were built by Taylor & Strong in 1871, as a planing mill. In 1876, they were bought by E. J. Bell, and turned into a flour and feed mill, with one run of stones, and a capacity for grinding 500 bushels of corn and oats per day. Four or five persons were employed. The mills were destroyed by fire March loth 1884. Mr. Bell is now erecting build- ings and making preparations for opening an extensive steam stone yard. The works when complete will cost PORTLAND— MANUFACTURING. 5 '3 about $10,000. A steam engine of 35-horse power will be used, and two gang saws and a rubbing bed. The Gii.dersleeve Steam Saw Mill was built in 1868. The mill is 26 by 80 feet; the engine house 24 by 30 feet. There is a 50-horse power engine, and a 54-inch circular saw. Capacity, 20,000 feet per day. The lum- ber sawed at this mill is mostly chestnut and oak, fur- nished by farmers in this and adjoining towns, during the winter, sometimes by raft in the summer. Logs from three feet long and four inches through, to sixty feet long and four feet through, are sawed here. A portion of the timber is used in the shipyard. The remainder is used for building purposes, in this and other towns. In addi- tion to the manufacture of native lumber, pine lumber is brought from the West, and dressed in various styles and shapes, according to the directions of the carpenter, for houses and other buildings. Nearly all the spruce handled by this concern comes from Bangor, Maine. A full assortment of building materials is kept; scroll saw- ing, turning, planing, and matching, and various kinds of wood' work are done here. Mr. Henry Kilby has been the efficient manager from the time it was first started. In connection with the mill are wagon works, under the superintendence of Mr. Frederick Gladwin. The build- ing is 24 by 70 feet. All kinds of wagons are made and repaired here. Blacksmithing for vessels, and horse and cattle shoeing are carried on. The Buck Carriage Manufactory, from 181 2 to 1825, made many carriages and wagons, which were mostly sent south. They employed 25 to 30 hands. James Buck was the last owner. United States Stamping Company. — The extensive works of the United States Stamping Company are situ- ated a short distance from the main street of Portland, and directly on the line of the New York & Boston Air Line Railroad. They are said to be the largest of the kind in the United States. The old method of cut- ting out and soldering the various articles of tin ware is now superseded by the stamping process. A single piece of tin, of any size desired, is, by a single operation of the ;press, stamped into shape. After passing through other machinery it comes out an article more perfectly formed than the most skillful workman could accomplish after hours of labor. The company manufacture plain, japanned, and stamped tin ware, patent street lamps, patent self-righting cuspadores, etc. The buildings are mostly of brick, and cover over an acre, and the dies and machinery cost several hundred thousand dollars. From 300 to 400 hands are employed, and the goods are ship- ped to every part of the world. The buildings are all heated by steam and lighted with gas, and particular at- tention is paid to their hygienic condition, while every- thing that can conduce to the comfort of the operatives has been carefully provided for. The business was formerly conducted by the Heath & Smith Manufactur- ing Company, which was organized in 1869. The pres- ent company was organized in 1879, under the general law of the State of New York, with a capital of $200,000, and bought out the former company. The incorporators were: Lorin Ingersoll, A. S. Compton, J. E. Ingersoll, J. P. Austin, and A. P. Cruikshank. The officers were: Lorin Ingersoll, president; A. S. Compton, secretary; J. E. Ingersoll, treasurer. When the business was first started the goods were all trucked to the ferry and ship- ped by the river steamers. The New York & Boston Air Line Railroad now runs directly through the property of the company. In 1873, the company, at a cost of $1,500, erected a fine depot, not only for its own accom- modation but for the use of the people of Portland. The company owns some 40 acres, on which it has erected several dwellings for the use of the operatives. In order to keep up the supply of water for the several buildings, an enormous reservoir with a capacity of 85,000 gallons was sunk in the solid rock to a depth of 12 feet — 20 by 30, through the center of which is a well 26 feet deep and 10 feet in diameter. The town voted to abate the taxes of the company] if they would continue their busi- ness here. The company are now putting up new and harrdsome brick buildings. The J. R. Pickering Company.— Attached to the buildings of [the United States Stamping Company are the works of the J. R. Pickering Company for the manu- facture of the " Pickering Governor," for steam engines. This is a private corporation, established in New York city in 1864. The business was removed to Portland, and the building erected in 1870. Fifty or sixty hands are employed, mostly skilled laborers. Tanneries. — During the last century and the first part of the present, there were several tanneries in Port- land. Daniel Shephard had one at Great Hill Pond; another, owned by Capt. Daniel Smith, was near Mrs. Alexander's, on the road to Penfield Hill. One, a little distance east of Titus Hale's, was owned by Elizur Goodrich. Capt. Smith's was the last one in operation in the town. It was given up early in this century, since which time there has been no tanning in Portland, and the " leather sealer," once an important town office, has become obsolete. Distilleries. — Early in the present century there were two distilleries in Portland. They made cider brandy. One, run by Dayton & Converse, stood near Mr. D. Crittenden's: the other was on Carr's or Cox's brook, kept by Noah Strickland. These also have become obsolete. Spectacles. — About 1834, Mr. Gilbert Griswold began the manufacture of gold and silver spectacles, making gold spectacles principally. He also dealt in watches, clocks, jewelry, small arms, and cutlery. Mattress Factory.- — A mattress factory was carried on for some years by Mr. Barnard Savage, in a building in Gildersleeve's shipyard. A few years ago the business was removed to New Haven. Tobacco Packing, etc. — Charles Abbey had a cigar manufactory at Gildersleeve from 1867 to 1878. He employed, in favorable times, 20 to 25 men. Asaph Strong was a raiser of tobacco previous to 1861. That winter, in company with Titus Hale, he bought and packed about 400 cases. During the next ten years he bought on his own account and packed on commission 514 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. for growers from 500 to 800 cases per year. In 1871, he commenced buying and packing for M. H. Levin, 162 Pearl street, New York, and is still his agent. The amount packed per year has ranged from 1,000 to 3,000 cases. As many as 125 men have been employed, some winters, sorting and packing. Other seasons not more 'l^^n 35. The amount packed and the length of season causing the variation. Some years the business starts as early as November, other years, from various causes, there is nothing done till January. The season closes about April, but sometimes lasts a little beyond that time. John Day packs, on an average, 500 cases per year, 350 pounds in a case. Joseph E. Lord is superintendent of his packing house, which is a fine large building, erected in 188 1. Charles White has two warehouses, the larger built in 1874, the smaller in 1867. He packs and ships, on an average, 1,000 cases annually, 370 pounds to a case- His cigar manufactory, begun in 1864, continues to the present time. He employs in good times 40 to 50 hands. C. R. & E. S. Hale began packing tobacco in 1876, since which time they have packed from 300 to 400 cases per year. Shipyard. For more than a century and a half shipbuilding has been the chief industry of that part of Portland now called Gildersleeve, and it was for a time the most ac- tive business of the town. Early in the last century, George Lewis built vessels on the present site of the Gildersleeve yard. The first vessel built in Portland was launched here in October 1741. It was a schooner of 90 tons. During the Revolution, several ships of war were built at the shipyard which occupied the Brain- erd Quarry. It was owned by a man named Bush. The Trumbull was one of these, of 700 tons, 36 guns, and the Bourbon, 900 tons, and 40 guns. This last was not armed on account of the occurrence of peace. The frig- ate Connecticut was biiilt by Philip Gildersleeve, master carpenter, at the yard near Steven's wharf, at the end of Shipyard lane, in 1798. She was 5x4 tons; 20 guns; and was commanded by Capt. Moses Tryon. The contractor was Gen. Seth Overton. Shipbuilding was begun at Churchill's yard in 1795. Two vessels by the name of Holker were built here. The first, built 1 8 13, 350 tons, 18 guns, was driven ashore by the English at Narragansett, and Idst. It was said that the Holker's captain was an Englishman, and choosing rather to risk the punishment of the Americans for deserting his vessel, than to meet the certain vengeance which awaited him if he were captured, he took to his boat and escaped. The second Holker, built in 18 14, of 400 tons, 20 guns, was cast away in a severe snow storm on the coast of Long Island; having overrun her reckoning. Tradition says that her keel was laid on a Friday. The ' Macedonian, same size, wis built the same year. The Saranac and Boxer were built for the government in 1815, the former 373 tons, the later 367 tons, each 16 guns. In Churchills' yard, 12,500 tons of shipping were built between 1806 and r8i6. Charles and David Churchill employed from 40 to 50 men. The name of " Churchill's Landing " was given to that part of the Meadow where they built. At one time this was looked upon as the business locality of the town, with prospects of becoming a large village, notwithstanding the freshets which every spring covered the whole vicinity with water. Here was the largest store in town, here was the ball room for assemblies, here were brought immense logs from Somersic, 80 feet long, straight, first growth. The yard was sold to S. Gildersleeve in 1828. Elizur Abbey's shipyard was in the meadow near the stone bridge. He built 35 vessels from 75 to 300 tons, the last being the schooner Charles H. Northam, built in 1853- David and Daniel White also carried on the business of shipbuilding in the meadow, at the same time as Captain Churchill, their yard being situated between Churchill's Landing (now called Siam) and the Gilder- sleeve yard. Sylvester Gildersleeve began shipbuilding near the present yard in 1821; November 20th 1838, he purchased the Lewis yard from Abel, son of George Lewis. The first vessel built here was a sloop. The Boston Packet, of 70 tons, Seth Overton jr., of Chatham, captain. In 1836, he built the schooner William Bryan, the first vessel sailing as a regular packet from \it^ York to Texas. From this arose the New York and Galveston Line. Between 1847 and 1850, five ships belonging to this line were built at the Gildersleeve yard, the largest, 700 tons. They were named after the Texas patriots: Stephen F. Austin, B. R. Milan, William B. Travis, J. W. Fanning, William H. Wharton. In 1854, the ship 6". Gildersleeve was built. She was burnt by the Alabama, while on a voyage to China, and paid for out of the " Alabama fund." In 1861, Mr. Gil- dersleeve built the steam gunboat Cayuga, for the United States Government. The marine railway of S. Gildersleeve & Sons was con- structed in 1877, at a cost of nearly $8,000. The track is 400 feet in length, laid on piles two feet apart. The gearing and chains are of heavy metal, the latter having been subjected to severe tests. The whole is in every respect substantially built, and is of sufificient strength for handling vessels of 800 tons and under with ease and safety. These railways have been in constant use since they were first laid, for repairing and rebuilding vessels. The shipyard, saw mill, etc., of S. Gildersleeve & Sons, give employment to a large number of persons. Many vessels of various kinds are sent here for repairs. A list of the vessels built here is appended. PORTLAND— SHIPBUILDING. 51S Vessels built by S. Gildersleeve & Sons. No Cite 1821 1833 1824 1826 1826 1826 1837 182 1828 1838 183!l 1829 1830 183 1831 1831 18.32 1832 is;i3 1833 1833 1831 1834 1834 1835 1835 18*5 1835 1835 1838 1836 1836 1836 1837 1837 1838 1838 183U 1839 1839 1840 1840 1841 1841 1841 1842 1343 1844 1844 1845 1845 1846 1846 1846 1846 1847 1847 1848 1848 1849 1850 1850 1850 1851 1851 1851 18! 18.51 1852 Hig. 1853 1853 1853 1854 1854 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 ni 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 1854 1855 1855 1856 1856 1857 1859 18.59 1860 1861 1862 1863 1863 1864 1864 1864 1885 1865 1866 1866 1866 186' 1867 1868 1868 1870 1870 1871 1871 1871 Sloop Schooner Sloop Schooner Sloop Schooner Sloop Brig Sloop Brig- Schooner Sloop Schooner Sloop Schooner. Sloop Schooner Brig Sloop Schooner Sloop Brig ScDw Brig Schooner Barque Ferry Boat Sloop Brig Ship Schooner Ship Schooner Ship Schooner Schooner Barque Schooner 106 1872 Ship Schooner Pilot Boat Schooner Ship Barge Schooner Barque Propeller Schooner Ship Barque Steam Ferry Boat Schooner Steam Gunboat Propeller Brig Steamship Schooner Schooner Schooner Barque Schooner Barque Steam Ferry Boat Ice Barge Steamer Steamship Name of Vessel. Boston Packet Caravan Gordon Stranger Emily Mary Planter Albany China [Aspasla Boston Niagara Jane Deborah .lane Maria Frances Ann Franklin Statira Mary Lydia Mary Shields Brace Mary Jane Erie Henrietta Amelia Julia Orion Henrietta Jane Mary Elizabeth Octavia Joel Hall Wm. Bryan Marion Shoal Water Eliot Isabella Samuel Hall Phoenix Robert Mills Henry Sterling Star Mary Cornelia Star Republic Middletown Lone Star Empire Hartford Silas Brainerd J. G. McNeil Marlon Nathan Shaler Uncle Bill Harmonia Stephen F.Austin B. R. Milan Wm. B. Travis J. W. Fanning Wm. H. Wharton Joseph Hall Freestone George Gillum Harvest Frederick Hall Ellen M. Duffleld Joseph Rogers Hannah E. Chave Ravenswood Lion Eagle S. N. Williams Jane M. Brainerd S. Gildersleeve B. M. Clark James Lawrence J. Godfrey Parthenia Annie J. Russell National Guard J. C. Kuhn The Spare Boat Free Wind Cayuga Dudley Buck Rival America United States E. F. Meanj' J. T. Worthington Helen Augusta Emily S. Gildersleeve Florence H. Allen Henry Harteau David Currie Mary R. Rankin Marcia S. Lewis Sabine P. G. Russell Brazos Portland Protection J. W. Allison Middlese.x City of Dallas Name of Captain. Seth Overton jr. G. Whitmore H. Churchill Seth Johnson C. Brainerd Edward Hall Wanten Ransom H. Churchill Norman Pease Daniel Weber W. Ran'5oni Robert Williams R. Garey. N. Pease Huntings S. Hall N. Pease Levi Stewart W. Ransom A. Wilcox Nye Whitmore Johnson Hilliard Cheney A. Strickland H. Churchill J. I. Worthington J. J. Hendley F. Goodspeed S. Johnson B. Murly Wm. Lawrence Evelyn White J.J. Hendley Henry Bacon Risley Warren Taylor Hinckley J.J. Hendley Brooks Knapp Lewis Simerman Geo. Milliard Tenterton Robei'tson John McCleve Sheffield Henry Churchill D.N. Morse A. M. Allen J. B. Bowles Peter Norris Gurdon Gates W. S. Coe Martin Brooks J. B. Cary Nichols Russell Geo. Hillard J. I. Worthington Dwight Johnson Cooper N. Johnson L. M. Hitchox Henry Russell Cicero Brown Amos Clark Evelyn White Chas. Hodge Geo. Gates D.N. Morse H. Leonard E. R. Jones Applegate Share Gurdon Gates .1. 0. Wilcox J. S. Worthington John McClPve John Carroll H. Fuller W. S. Coe S. Paddock Lewis Crosby Enoch Lewis Lewis Breaker R. Clark H. Fuller Chas. Hamilton Wm. Churchill J, N, Buell Names of Owners. Seth Overton, of Chatham. Gordon Whitmore and others. Joel Hall and others, of Chatham. Norman Pease, of Hartford. Joel Hall and others of Chatham." S. Gildersleeve; Bigelow & Bangs, of Boston. Joel Hall and others, of Chatham, Conn. . Norman Pease, of Hartford, Conn. Allen Stewart and Captain Huntings. S. Gildersleeve; R. T. Hicks, of New York. Henry Churchill, and others, of Chatham, Conn. Levi Stewart and others, JoelHall and others, " " Asaph and David Hall, " " Joel Hall and others, " " Seth Overton and others, " Itussell & Hall, Rain & Morgan, of New York. Asa Strickland and others, of Chatham, Conn. Henry Churchill and others, " " Joel Hall and others of Chatham, Connecticut. Wm. and .T. J. Hendley. S. Gildersleeve and A. Keith Russell & Hall, Chatham, Connecticut. S. .lohnson and others, Chatham, Connecticut. Ebenezer Flower, Hartford, Connecticut. S. Gildersleeve; J. W. Alsop, New York. Joel Hall and others, Chatham, Connecticut. Evelyn White and O. G. Terry. Wm. Hendley & Co , and S. Gildersleeve. Daniel Russell and others, Portland. Connecticut. Chas. Perry and others, Southport, Connecticut. Brooks, Jaoknian and others, Cromwell, Connecticut. Wm. W. Wakemen and others, Southport, Conn. J. W. Davis and 0. Perry, Southport, Connecticut. Wm. Hendley & Co , S. Gildersleeve and others. Brooks & Davis, Middletown. Connecticut. Wm. Hendley & Co. and S. Gildersleeve. Z. B. Wakeman and others, Southport, Conn. J. Godfrey. W. W. Wakeman, & others, Southport, Ct E. & S. Brainerd, Portland, Conn. Wm. Hendley & Co. and S. Gildersleeve. Henry Perry and others, Southport, Conn. Shaler & Hall Quarry Co., Portland, Conn. Wm. Hendley c& Co. and S. Gildersleeve. Dunham & Dimon and others. Wm. Hendley & Co., S. Gildersleeve & Sons,&others Middlesex Quarry Co., Portland, Conn. B. & S. Brainerd and others, Portland, Conn. Middlesex Quarry Co , Portland, Conn. E. Sherwood and others, Southport, Conn. Owners of Brainerd Quarry, Portland, Conn. Middlesex Quarry Co., Portland, Conn. Owners of Shaler and Hall Quarry Co., Portland Conn S. Gildersleeve & Sons; Wm. Nelson & Son, of N. Y. Whitehead, North Cai-olina. L. M. Hitchoox, Galveston, Texas. Owners of Brainerd Quarry, Portland, Conn. S. & H. Gildersleeve, Wm. & J. J. Hendley, J. H. Brower, C. Brown. 0. G. Terry, Hartford, Conn. J. Godfrey and others, Southport, Conn . Gleason & Willard, E. White, S. &H. Gildersleeve. Middlesex Quarry Co., Portland, Conn. J. H. Brower & Co., S. & H. Gildersleeve, Wm. & J. J. Hendley. S. & H. Gildersleeve, Wm. & J. J. Hendley, J- H. Brower & Co. Middletown Ferry Co. S. & H. Gildersleeve and others. IT. S. Government. Hartford & New York Steamboat Co. Wm. W. Wakeman and others, Southport Conn. Wakemaan, Dimon & Co. & S. Gildersleeve & Sons. Middlesex Quarry Co., Portland, Conn. J. I & J. S. Worthington & S.& H. Gildersleeve. S. Gildersleeve & Sons, H. G. Hubbard and others. H. G. Hubbard. S. Gildersleeve and others. H. Fuller, S. Gildersleeve & Sons, and others. Middlesex Quarry Co., Portland, Conn. Owners of Shaler & Hall Quarry Co. and S. G. & Sous. Lewis Crosby and others , Enoch Lewis. S. Gildersleeve & Sons, C. H. Mallory. Middlesex Quarry Co., Portland, Conn. S. Gildersleeve & Sons, C. H. Mallory & Co., Fuller, and others. Middletown Ferry Co. Consumers Ice Co., New York, N. Y. E. Brainerd, S. Gildersleeve & Sons, Churchill, &c. Middlesex Quarry Co., Portland, Conn. C. H. DeLamater & Co. and S. Gildersleeve & Sons. Ton- nage Valua- tion. 70 ,50 80 175 120 U'5 110 125 180 180 155 135 115 135 115 225 100 190 160 160 125 160 160 •140 160 135 70 125 160 100 300 125 160 135 60 125 2,50 100 100 300 100 40O 50 380 250 476 25 85 350 700 125 90 600 135 90 9.50 650 850 500 1,000 15! 140 145 5.50 1.5.5 1.50 1.50 135 1,000 175 175 75 145 1,400 300 400 600 375 170 1,500 1,100 45 360 500 a50 600 900 1,600 200 325 350 325 500 200 260 425 425 1,300 250 1,500 3(10 800 175 260 1,100 $3,.50O 2,500 3,800 8,000 5,800 5,000 5,3C0 6,000 10,000 9,000 7,.500 6,500 ;5,500 6,000 5,000 10,000 4.600 9,000 7,500 7,500 6,000 7,000 7,000 6,000 7,000 5,500 3,000 5,.50fl 7,000 4,500 10,000 5,.500 8,000 6,000 3,.50O 6,000 1],.500 5,000 5,000 10,000 5,000 20.000 2,000 14,000 13,500 32,000 2,000 5,000 17,500 30,000 6,000 5,000 27.000 6,500 5.000 35,000 28,000 29,000 33,000 3.5,000 37,000 7.500 6.800 7,000 2:1,000 7..500 7,.500 7,500 6,.500 3S,O0O 8,.500 8,500 5.000 7,000 59,000 8,000 17,000 25,000 30,000 8,500 65,000 40,000 3,500 10,000 125,000 35,000 26,000 85,000 1.50,000 14,000 19,.500 17,800 21,700 33,400 16,500 21,.500 28.000 28,000 65,000 18,000 67,500 30,000 20,000 18,500 27,000 110,000 66 S>6 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Vessels built by S. Gildersleeve & Sons. — Continued. 1 Ton- valua- No. Date 1873 Rii?. Name of Vessel Name of Captain. Names of Owners. age. tion. 107 Schooner Louise P. Mallory H. H. Stetson S. Gildersleeve & Sons, A.J. Bentley, G. Brown, and others. Consumers lee Co., of New York, N. T. .WO 28,300 108 1873 Ice Barge H J Bean 800 22,1100 109 1874 Schooner Uuth HobiHSOn N. F. Rogers S. Gildersleeve & Sons, H.G. Hubbard, C. Brown, and 725 34,000 110 1874 11 J . H . Brower, New York, N. Y. 350 23,000 111 187+ " Ada G Shortiand H. B. Doane S. F. Shortland, S. Gildersleeve & Sons, C. Brown, &e. 425 24,800 20,500 30,500 20,000 19,000 19.000 45,000 112 113 lU 115 116 1874 1875 1875 1876 1876 Ice Barge Minot F. Winch Wm. Kemp Wni. Nelson J. W. Mason New York City Ice Co., N. Y. National Ice Co., of N. Y. 800 800 800 800 117 187H Lightship Oil Barge No 41 United States Government. 300 118 1877 Chas. Pratt & Co., New York, N. Y. 300 3,000 12,500 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 6,000 119 1878 Schooner i^ Bebecca R. T. Spaulding S. Gildersleeve & Sons, and others. 250 liiO 121 122 123 124 1880 1880 1880 1880 1880 Oil Barge \ 14 Nautilus Neptune Navigator Novelty Nimrod Chas. Pratt & Co., NewYork, N. Y. 300 300 300 300 300 I2.S 188(1 11 Nymph Chas. E. Goin 11 11 300 126 1880 Lighter C. H. Mallory & Co., New York, N. Y. 300 4,000 127 188(1 0. P. Deering ,1 11 300 4,000 4,500 lae 1881 11 P. C. Golder 11 11 325 m. 1881 11 S. A. Walker 11 11 325 iw 1SR2 11 11 11 325 4,.500 131 1882 Schooner Emily Shepard E. Coggins S. Gildersleeve & Sons, N. Shepard, and others. 325 16,000 132 188;- Lighter Sam 'IB. Baker Jr. C. H. Mallory & Co. 400 133 1883 Schooner Emily F.Northam H. H. Stetson S. Gildersleeve & Sons, Capt. Stetson, N. Shepard, and others 650 25,500 134 18W Ice Barge S. T. W. Sandford National Ice Co., of New York. 825 16,000 135 1884 Wm.DeGroot 825 16.000 49,620 J2,406,700 Portland Quarries. Previous to 1665, the inhabitants of Middletown, though they knew of the great masses of brown stone, which overhung the river on its eastern bank, nearly op- posite the town, and though they made use of this easily obtained material in various ways, had no conception of the vast treasures which lay hidden around and beneath " The Rocks," as the huge detached masses were termed. At first the loose fragments were used for building pur- poses and for gravestones by the neighboring settlers, but soon persons from other places sought these stones, and quarry work was begun on the cliffs which jutted out over the river in places. The inhabitants of Middle- town began to realize in some degree the worth of these immense deposits of a stone which was everywhere found valuable and in increasing demand. "At a town meeting September 4th 1665, it was Voted — That whosoever shall dig or raise stone at ye rocks on the East side of the Great River for any without the town, the diggers shall be none but an inhabitant of Middletown and shall be responsible to ye town 12 pence per tunn for every tunn of stone that he or they shall digg for any person whosoever without ye towne, this money to be paid in wheat and pease, to ye townsmen or their assigns, for the use of the towne, within six months after the transportation of said stone." " It was also agreed; That the Inhabitants do freely give Mr. Richards this first freight which skipper Plumb is now taking in." Here is probably the first quarryman recorded to have shipped a vessel load from these quarries, though undoubtedly much stone had been carried off in scows and boats of different kinds. It would be impossible now to ascertain at what time the high, shelving rocks had disappeared, and the stone mast be procured farther inland and by digging below the surface of the ground. Perhaps as the stones lying upon the surface were removed the townsmen became alarmed lest the supply should fail, for all transportation was soon prohibited. "At a Town Meeting March 4th 17 15 the town by Voat doe prohibit all persons getting any stone in the town Quarry on the East side of the Great River for transportation out of the town, and whosoever shall pre- sume to get and to transport any stone for the futur contrary to this act of the town shall forfeit the sum of 20 shillings a stone for every stone by him or them transported out of the town, or sold in order to transpor- tation (one half to him who complains and prosecutes the other half to the town)." Ebenezer Gill was appointed to take charge of the town's quarry on the east side the river, and December 29th 1726 the town appointed and empowered the selectmen " annually to take effectual care of the rocks and quarries on the east and west sides the Great River." They were also empowered to lease or to grant liberty to particular persons to get stone, but it was declared that no inhabitant should be debarred from getting any stone for their own particular use. As early as 1690, James Stancliff owned considerable land on the " Rocks," partly bought of the town and partly granted to him in consideration of his services as a stone mason " in building the town's chimneys." It was about six acres, and lay in the rear, and is now a part of the Brainerd Quarry. His house stood near here in 1690. The Old Shaler & Hall Quarry.— The quarry which was first opened in this vicinity was afterward dis- posed of by the town to various parties, and at length passed into the possession of Shaler (or Shaylor, as the name is spelled in an old chart of Chatham) and Hall. This was in 1788. They began the active work of quarrying, and carried it on vigorously for some years, and this was long known as the " Shaler & Hall Quarry." In 1791 this firm bought the ground now known as the Shaler & Hall Quarry, In this first quarry, from 1810 PORTLAND— THE QUARRIES. 517 to 1820, thirty hands were employed eight months in the year and from four to six teams. " The quantity of ' stone prepared for market was then regarded as very great, though small in comparison with what is now prepared." The Town Quarry.— In 1786, as there still remained quarry land which had not been disposed of, " At a meeting of the proprietors of the common and undi- vided lands of Middletown and Chatham it was voted: that what remains undivided of the two quarries in Mid- dletown and Chatham remain for the use of the inhabi- tants of said towne to get stone for their own particular use, or for the general use of either of said towns." At a proprietors' meeting, April 14th 1812, a committee was appointed to give a deed of the quarries to the towns of' Middletown and Chatham equally. This committee failing to act, January 29th 1822, Joshua Stow of Mid- dletown, and Seth Overton, of Chatham, were appointed to execute a deed of the quarries in favor of the towns of Middletown and Chatham. A committee was also ap- pointed to investigate titles. March 18th 1822, these deeds were accepted by the towns interested, and by an act of the Legislature passed at the May session of the same year, all individual rights were extinguished. June 17th 1822, a number of hands, under the direction of a committee previously appointed by the town, com- menced opening the quarry in Chatham, and the work was continued without interruption other than the win- ter season, and occasional disputes in relation to bounda- ries, etc. It was estim.ated by the committee that the value of the quarry had increased to the same amount as money had been expended on it; which sum was stated to be not less than $1,000. April 21st 1824, it was "Voted, to give to Washington College the net profits and rents of our interest in the Quarries at Chatham and Middletown until the net profits and rents of said Quar- ries shall amount to $20,000 on condition that said Col- lege be located and continue in said town.'' September 6th 1824, the town of Middletown leased to John Lawrence Lewis the town quarry pt Chatham for a term of five years for the purpose of quarrying stone to erect buildings "to be occupied by Capt. Par- tridge as a scientific and military academy." Capt. Par- tridge's school having been given up in 1829, June 19th 1830, the quarry was leased to Joel Hall and E. and S. Brainerd for a term of five years. Before this time ex- pired, and while inducements were being held out by the town of Middletown and vicinity to Wesleyan Uni- versity to locate in Middletown, it was voted (on the fourth Monday in November 18,33), " That the interest of the town in the town quarry at Chatham should be' appropriated to the use and benefit of the Wesleyan University for the period of forty years, on condition that when the net amount of the avails thereof shall equal the sum of ten thousand dollars within said period said grant shall cease." The benefit of this grant was enjoyed till i860, during which time the fine university buildings which are the pride of Middletown, were erected of the stone taken from this quarry. The " Town's Quarry," which was a little over two acres in extent, was held and managed by the town until August 1884, when it was bought by the two adjoining corporations, the Brainerd Quarry Com- pany taking two-thirds of it and the Middlesex Quarry Company one-third. The price paid was $20,000, which was divided between Middletown, Cromwell, Portland, and Chatham. This quarry had been worked to the depth then considered practicable. For some years past it had been leased by the Brainerd Quarry Com- pany for a scrappling ground or place of deposit for stone, partly also on account of the river frontage. They built a freshet wall at an expense of $20,000, six feet in width at the bottom, laid on the solid rock. The " Town's Quarry," in which any of the towns- men had for nearly 200 years the right to dig stone for their cellars, steps, walks, etc., has thus become extinct, and with it the office of town quarry agent; the last in- cumbent of this office being William H. Beebe. The Brush Pond Quarry. — Some time prior to 1767, a quarry was worked below the present bridge of the Air Line Railroad, near where the Middletown ferry was then located. It was called the Brush Pond Quarry, and for some reason was soon abandoned. The Brainerd Quarry. — In 1783, Hurlburt & Rob- erts began work here. They sold the quarry to Erastus and Silas Brainerd, brothers, who came herfe from Middle Haddam. From about 1812 to 1884, the business was conducted under a partnership firm, and was managed by Erastus and Silas Brainerd during the greater portion of this period; the firm name being E. & S. Brainerd till 1857, then Erastus Brainerd & Co. Silas Brainerd died in 1857, and Erastus Brainerd sen. died in 1861. The business was managed by the surviving partners till 1884, when the " Brainerd Quarry Company " was organized and incorporated. The officers of the company are: Erastus Brainerd, president and general manager; Robert G. Pike, secretary; Benjamin F. Brainerd, treasurer. This company employs upward of 300 workmen, 45 yoke of oxen, and 36 horses. They also employ from 12 to 16 schooners in transporting stone to various markets along the coast. Large quantities are also shipped by rail to the interior and to the Western States. Four steam engines are used in hoisting stone, and in pump- ing water from the quarry. One 6o-horse power engine carries a large double-acting cylinder pump capable of discharging from 15 to 20 hogsheads of water per min- ute. Excavations have been made to the depth of 200 feet. The amount of stone produced annually is about 300,000 cubic feet. This stone is shipped to all parts of the country, and is used for elegant private residences, churches, and other public buildings, monuments, bridges, docks, piers, etc. A large old elm stands before the office of the com- pany. When this tree was a sapling, it stood on the bank of the " Great River," which now flows many feet distant, and boats were then fastened to rings in its trunk. The retirement of the river is due to an artificial SiS HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. formation made from quarry waste, along the whole front of the quarries, by the labors of the last 80 years. It varies in depth from 14 to 28 feet. The trunk of this elm was 21 feet high before the branches began. It now stands 28 feet below the present surface of the ground. Stones piled around its base, and continued upward, allow some circulation of air. There was a shipyard here in early times, owned by Captain Moses Bush, who built ships for the government during the Revolution. Where the present "quarry pit" is was a hill called Shipyard Hill, and the boys of 70 years ago coasted from its sum- mit across the frozen river. The old house now standing on the brink of the quarry is the " Bush house." Tradi- tion says that the office was in the boughs of the elm tree mentioned above, and was reached by a ladder, and here all hands were regularly " piped to grog " in the old nau- tical style. There is also an old elm in the Shaler & Hall Quarry, which stands 14 feet below the present surface. The Middlesex Quarry. — In 1819, a quarry was opened by Robert Patten and Daniel Russel above the old Shaler & Hall Quarry. The firm at first was Patten & Russell and afterward became Russell &' Hall. In 1841 this quarry was united with the original Shaler & Hall property, and the firms were incorporated under the name of the Middlesex Quarry Company. Their present officers are: F. W. Russell, president and agent; Charles A. Jarvis, secretary and treasurer; Henry Corn- well, superintendent; directors, F. W. Russell, Ferdinand Gildersleeve, Henry Gildersleeve, J. I. Worthington, C. F. Browning. Thomas Murdock is general engineer and W. J. Stuart is in charge of locomotive. This quarry employs 45 yoke of cattle and t6 horses, and sends its stone to market in five schooners and one steamer, owned by the company, hiring other vessels when required. They have recently laid a railroad track to run entirely around the quarry, and placed thereon an engine and six cars, which will be used in carrying stone, quarry waste, earth, rubbish, etc., thus doing away with the expense and trouble of keeping oxen, which have been used for this work heretofore. They have several steam hoisting engines, cranes, pumps, etc., with the most improved machinery. The largest engine was made by T. R. Pickering & Co., of Portland. The Middlesex Quarry Company have filled out 75 feet for a wharf. The Shaler & Hall Quarry. — This is sometimes called the " Lower Quarry," being the first seen on ap- proaching from the railroad or Middletown ferry. The ground was bought by Shaler & Hall in 1791, while they were carrying on quarrying in their upper property, then known as the " Shaler & Hall Quarry." When this title was dropped, in consequence of the incorporation of the Middlesex Quarry Company, it was carried to the new field of operations. The Shaler & Hall Quarry Com- pany was organized in April 1844. The first directors were: Joel Hall, Samuel Hall, Samuel Russel, Edwin F. Johnson, and Ebenezer Jackson. Joel Hall was presi- dent, and Samuel Hall, secretary. They have excavated to the present time five acres, to the depth of 150 feet. Three hundred men are em- ployed annually in quarrying and dressing the stone. Five steam del ricks are used in hoisting the stone from the pit, and 22 pair of cattle and 14 horses are used in drawing stone to the vessels and cars for shipment. Eight vessels of various tonnage are employed in carry- ing stone to different markets; besides large quantities shipped by cars. Stone sales are annually about $200,000. The present directors are: Elijah H. Hubbard, Philo Bevin, Edwin Bell, Titus Hale, George W. Harris. The officers are: Elijah H. Hubbard, president; Charles H. Sage, secretary and treasurer; Oliver W. Mack, agent. The Old Grave Yard. — The old grave yard which crowned a hill nearly in the center of the quarries and wa? until recently a strange and anomalous feature of its busy precincts, was granted by the town of Middletown to the inhabitants on the east side in 1712: "one acre between the land of James Stancliff and the Great River for a burial place." The first person laid here was Samuel Hall, who died February 22d 1712. Perhaps the inclemency of the season, or the breaking up of the river at this time prevented interment on the other side of the river, as had before this been the custom. After- ward it continued to be used by the First Society as a place of burial until land for a cemetery was bought nearer the church and laid out in 1767. Even after this an occasional burial took place, the last, that of George Bush, being as late as 1843. Thus, for many years, the old grave yard remained, silent in the midst of noise and clamor, a desert island set in an ever flowing and ebbing tide of laborers and cattle, green and blossoming with wild roses or golden rod amid the prevailing sombre tint, a quiet, peaceful spot to look upon, yet the subject of much dispute and litigation, the battle ground of courts and corporations; elbowed on every side by busy Labor and his master. Enterprise, who looked with prac- tical eyes at the treasures of stone beneath the scanty five to ten feet of soil, in which, under the carven cherub heads, slanting at unseemly angles, had reposed for nearly two centuries the dust of the pioneers, " Lying low, 'Neath the daisies or the snow; What care they, they cannot know." The vexed question was finally settled, and the Mid- dlesex and Brainerd Quarry Companies became the pur- chasers; the First Ecclesiastical Society receiving $6,000. The Legislature ordered the removal of the remains and appointed O. H. Piatt as commissioner for that duty. The earth was removed to a depth of several feet and deposited on land bought for that purpose in the rear of the Episcopal cemetery. The stones were then carefully replaced in their original order, an exact record having been made of the inscription on every stone. This mode of proceedure cost the quarry companies a large sum. William Sellew superintended the removal. The Work of Quarrying.— A brief description of the methods of working the quarries will doubtless prove interesting to many. Few people beside those actually PORTLAND— THE QUARRIES. 5'9 employed in the quarries are familiar with these methods, and some even who have lived all their lives in the vicin- ity have only a vague idea of this great industry. The work of quarrying begins about the last of March, or as soon as the river is open to navigation, and is steadily pursued until the close of November. The stone, when first taken out, is saturated with moisture, or " sap," as the quarrymen call it, and if it is exposed to the action of frost before it ig dry, it becomes disintegrated and worthless. For this reason time is allowed for the stone to season before freezing weather, as, once seasoned, frost cannot affect it; and the surface of the rock, where exposed, is covered with soil. " The work of excavation is materially assisted by the rocks being broken up into natural beds by parallel or nearly parallel fissures ex- tending downward to an indefinite depth, verging slightly from the perpendicular, and in some instances sloping to an angle of 25 degrees." These fissures are called by the quarrymen " joints." At right angles to these joints are " keys " or cracks extending to one or more strata, so that the blocks of stone " lie in the beds from two to twenty feet thick, from 20 to 100 feet wide, and from 50 to 300 feet long, with generally a southeasterly dip." These joints and keys facilitate the work of quarrying. The earth and rubbish are first removed until the rock is exposed. It is then split by wedges and liammers when cut parallel to the strata. If contrary to the strata, greater force must be used, and blasting is re- sorted to if the strata are very deep and close. The large mass being broken up the stone is readily cut. Blasting is quite generally done by means of electric- ity. From two to four holes are drilled in the rock intended to be blasted, according to its size and depth. These are charged with powder and connected with a battery by copper wires, protected from the weather by a covering of gutta percha. By a simultaneous dis- charge, the whole mass is moved without tearing it to pieces. The larger pieces are tilted over and hurled to the bottom, together with the debris. The large blocks are hoisted to the surface by the steam derricks. They are then hauled by the ox teams to thescrappling grounds, " where they are cut as straight and even as their irregular outlines will allow, the greatest care being taken to break them as little as possible." This work is under the supervision of men experienced in the business, and every stone is carefully measured before it leaves the quarry. The descent into the "pit" is in some places made by ladders, which are securely fastened to the rock, and the horses, oxen, and wagons are let down and raised by derricks or cranes. The animals are led into a huge box, a bar put in place, and they are swung off the brink, to be lowered 150 feet into the quarry,and they appear too well accustomed to this mode of reaching their work to show the least fear. The oxen are very large and splendid specimens of their kind, but sometimes 12 or 14 yoke are seen dragging the immense blocks of stone. There is a blacksmith shop in each quarry, and extensive barns for the accommodation of the horses and oxen. The stone, after being roughly dressed as mentioned above, are piled near the river bank and shipped as required, by the different vessels employed for that purpose. Each quarry has its wharf, cranes for loading the vessels, etc. As the cuttings in places reach many feet below the bed of the river, each quarry has a steam pump to carry off the accumulation of water. The great freshet of May 4th 1854, rising above the level of the quarries, completely filled them. They were emptied in ten days by the pumps, some of which threw a column of water 130 feet long and 2 feet in diameter every minute. It will be readily seen that these quarries must employ a small army of workmen. These would form an interesting study of themselves. Nearly all nationalities are represented. The majority are Swedes, who are strong and reliable and not given to strikes. The wages, hours of labor, etc., are regulated by agreement between the quarry companies. The workmen are cut- ters, rockmen, or teamsters, etc., according to their em- ployment. There are also bosses, measurers, time- keepers, etc. Every place where quarrying is carried on has its " rock boss," who oversees the gang of workmen, has charge of the blasting, etc. There are usually seven or eight rock bosses, each with his gang of workmen, at work at once in the same quarry. Some of the men have been working here more than half a century. The supply of stone is practically inexhaustible. Good stone has been found in several directions in sinking wells, etc.; and the piers of the Air Line Bridge across the river, it is said, rest upon a solid foundation of brown stone. It has been ascertained by means of the diamond drill that the stone is found, corresponding in quality and color with that now quarried, at the great depth of 313 feet. An interesting experiment tried in the Middlesex Quarry, at the joint expense of the three companies, re- vealed the fact just stated. The stone varies in all the quarries from fine to coarse, stones from the same stra- tum sometimes showing a difference in quality. The strata extend through all the quarries, with a southerly dip. The pitch from the Brainerd to the Shaler & Hall Quarry is about 20 feet. Any one who has seen the Portland quarries will not forget the sight. The im- mense blocks of stone, the magnificent oxen, the cheerful activity everywhere manifested. The sheer walls of rock from 100 to 150 feet in height with the black, sul- len pools of water at their base hint at tragic possibilities, though the fact is that accidents are few, and usually due to intoxication. The most interesting feature of the quarries to scientific visitors is, of course, the " tracks," which the gigantic birds or animals of prehistoric times left in tlie soft sand untold ages gone. These are com- prehensively treated of in another place. Stories are told of toads having been found as much as 25 feet be- low the surface in a joint lying close upon another. Durability of the Stone. — The firm texture and great durability of the Portland stone is now well known. It is also susceptible of receiving and retaining polish. It has steadily risen in the estimation of the public from the first. But its greatest recommendation to those who use it for building or for monuments to the memory of 520 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. the dead is its enduring quality, which defies the action of time and weather, and renders it well nigh as imper- ishable as the everlasting hills from which it is taken. In this respect it has been pronounced equal to granite. An association was formed in Hartford in 1836 to '"repair the waste of time and accident among the monuments erected as memorials of their deceased ancestors " in the 'old grave yard of that city which had been abandoned for about 30 years. In the prosecution of this work: " All the monuments were reset, in number about five hundred, and the tables — many of which had been suf- fered to fall — were rebuilt, supported by solid masonry, and when the monuments were broken they were repaired by being fastened with iron clamps. During the Revolutionary War some use was made of the Bolton stone: these had decayed somewhat in the ground. All or nearly all the marble monuments of 30 years standing, by the effects of the climate and the weather, were very much decayed; the upper parts of them being decom- posed and crumbling to pieces. It was found very dif- ficult to repair such of them as were broken, as they were not strong enough to bear the force of drilling. A large proportion of the monuments were of the Portland freestone. Some of these were over the graves of such as had been dead 190 years and were not in the least affected by the weather, nor had any of this description been injured by the seasons." As the persons in charge of these repairs had the best opportunity to note the waste of time and accident and the damage caused by the alternations of the seasons to the various monuments, more convincing testimony to the durability and permanent value of the Portland stone could not be given. The account just quoted (which was written in 1852), adds " the obelisk erected in the old cemetery, in connection with these repairs is there- fore wisely built of the Portland stone, bearing the ven- erated names of the early settlers of Hartford." The oldest gravestones in the cemeteries of Portland are of the native brown stone, and when the moss of nearly two centuries has been scraped away the carving is found sharp and distinct, every word of the long epi- taphs being easily read. The gravestone of the first per- son buried in the town, bearing date 17 12, is found thus perfect. That this stone also resist? the action of fire better than any building stone known, was proved in the great fires at Chicago and Boston. It was fitting then that the block sent from Connecticut, as her contri- bution to the monument erected to the Great Father of his Country,at Washington, should have been of Portland stone. It has already been placed in position in that structure. The graceful arch which stood near the Con- necticut building on the grounds at Philadelphia will be remembered by many who visited the Centennial. For carving and all kinds of ornamental stone work, brown stone is particularly adapted. The Soldiers' Monument in Portland is a fine example of the capabilities of brownstone in lending itself to ar- tistic expression. While many might prefer the dazzling whiteness of marble, there is something in the soft, quiet tint of brownstone which makes it harmonious to all sur- roundings, while its durability renders it particularly ap- propriate for the decoration of parks and pleasure grounds, in statues and fountains. It is well known that oiling stone prevents decomposition, and brown, stone is now sometimes oiled to preserve it for a greater length of time; but whether oiled or not its great durability is beyond all doubt. Prominent Buildings. — The old Hancock house at Boston was built of stone taken from these quarries, in 1737. The contract being between Mr. Thomas Han- cock, of Boston, and "Thomas Johnson of Middleton in the County of Hartford and Colony of Connecticut in New England, Stone Cutter," and Johnson was to receive the sum of " Three Hundred Pounds in Goods as the said Stone-cutter's work is Carryed on." The house was removed not many years ago and the stone found to be as good as when first used. A list of the modern build- ings erected with the products of these quarries, would include some of the handsomest structures in the coun- try. The palace built by William H. Vanderbilt, on Fifth avenue: the mansions of Frederick Gallatin and R. L. Stuart, on Fifth avenue; that of George M. Pull- man, Chicago; and George H. Corliss, Providence, R. I.; with the Union League Club House, Philadelphia, are composed entirely of brownstone, decorated in many cases with most elaborate carving. Stone is now being sent from the Middlesex Quarry for the magnificent resi- dence of James Flood, in San Francisco. The blocks are sent from the quarry to Newark, N. J., where they are dressed, carved, etc., ready to be put into the build- ing; they are then boxed carefully and sent by sea around Cape Horn. There are 14 columns, 13 feet 2 inches high, and 22 inches square. The steps are 23 feet long. Two stones now at the quarry, not yet shipped, weigh 18 tons apiece. Truly Portland has contributed in no small degree to the building up of our country; and her contributions to the general good, not "clocks and wooden nutmegs " but the imperishable product of uncounted ages, lifted from its mysterious bed by appliances of modern skill, carved by the art which is the supreme inheritance of the century; these "hewn stones after the similitude of a palace " shall be poured forth from our quarries, till the cities of the New World also stand " blossoming in stone." Physicians and Dentists. The physicians now resident in Portland are: Cushman A. Sears, a native of East Hampton. After a course of medical lectures at Pittsfield he studied one year with Dr. Stocking. He then attended the medical department of the University of New York, and grad- uated in March 1862. After three years practice in Glastonbury he removed to this place in 1865. C. E. Hammond, born at Ellington, May 7th 1824. He was a private student of Dr. Alden Skinner, of Vernon. He graduated from the medical department of New York University in 1848. He practiced medicine PORTLAND -EPIDEMICS— POST OFFICES. S2I with Dr. Skinner, his former preceptor, for four years, then settled in Glastonbury, where he practiced 17 years, and came to Portland in 1870. E. B. Morgan was born at Goodspeed's Landing in 1853. He studied one year with Dr. Turner, of Ches- ter, and graduated at the Long Island Medical College in 1 881. He has practised in this place two years. Dentists. — Dr. Weigh was here several years. Dr. Edwin Day came here from Middle Haddam about 1876. He removed to Ellsworth, Kansas, and is now mayor of that city. Dr. H. J. Fisk was born at Heath, Mass., was edu- cated at Bloomfield, Mass., studied dentistry in New York city, and came to Portland, October 19th 1878. Prominent Persons from Portland, Elihu Bartlett, son of Rev. Moses Bartlett, graduated at Yale in 1804. He intended studying theology, but his health did not permit. He settled in East Guilford, now Madison, where he died in 1779, aged 36 years. Asahel Hooker Strong, son of Dr. Strong, born in Port- land, ranked among the very first of his class. He was a distinguished special pleader at the bar. Dr. Ebenezer Sage, a physician, literary and political man, a member of Congress, settled in Hog Harbor, L. I. Daniel Shepard, graduate at Trinity, 1836, was a clergyman and teacher in Delhi, N. Y., where he died September 29th 1846. Rev. William Payne, D. D., graduate of Trinity Col- lege, 1834, a distinguished clergyman of the Episcopal church. Rector of a church in Schenectady, N. Y. Nathaniel Ogilvie Cornwell, Trinity, 1839, teacher and physician in South America. Frederick Hall, Yale, 1841; merchant. Diseases, Epidemics, Etc. From the very first the bank of the river and the low lands of our town have been the lurking places of mala- rious disease. In old times people built their houses back upon the hills to avoid the " shakes." Their de- scendants live among it and learn to endure it as " malaria." We do not find, however, any larger pro- portion of deaths in respect to the population now than then. In 1758 "thirty or forty " are said to have died with dysentery near Chatham quarry. In 1777, the small- poxyprevailed to a.great extent. It was probably brought by soldiers returning from the army. The church record shows eight deaths at about the same time, 1777, from this disease. It was also prevalent in 1781. Pest houses were built in retired localities, and several hospitals were advertised, where persons could be in- oculated for the small-pox and go through it surrounded " with every possible care and attention." This was esteemed a " safe and easy method." February 20th 1800, we read of the departure of a party of seven to be " inocculated for ye Small Pox at ye Me- sawmesick house." Three days afterward their minister called upon them there. As to enter the house and go among those unprepared for it, he probably " blessed them afar off." A few days after, a lady went out and returned with the report that they had " plenty of it." All but one of these patients, went through with the disease, were thoroughly " disinfected," and returned to their homes in two weeks. In March i8or, a great num- ber were inoculated for the small- pox, on Churchill Hill. The older citizens still remember these pest houses, fenced off from the public road, with the ominous sign displayed; with their arbitrary nurses who dictated the diet and kept the patients away from the lire. A two weeks' residence at these rural resorts was considered a small price to pay for immunity from the constant dread of contagion. November 8th 1795, " Capt. Bidwell's son John died as soposed of ye Philadelphia fever." This was probably the yellow fever, which raged in Philadelphia in 1793. Its character was not at first known. A letter from a gentleman in Philadelphia, published in the Middlesex Gazette, calls it " a fever highly putrid and contagious, in its operation very violent and rapid." It is not known whether any other cases of this fever arose from the one mentioned. It was noticed that " persons who caught the Distemper at Philadelphia died without com- municating the Infection to their friends, who in most cases were unapprized of the nature of the Distemper." Chatham also suffered from yellow fever by direct importation from Cape St. Nicholas in 1796. The dis- ease, however, did not spread beyond Middle Haddam. Summer diseases of children seemed also quite preva- lent the latter part of the last century, and the newspapers of that day contained many extraordinary recipes for prevention and cure. " Very old cheese powdered " and " Santa Cruz rum " seemed to be consid- ered efficacious. ,J|About 12 years ago, the small-pox revisited the town, and there were several fatal cases. Post Offices. Portland post office was established in 1827. It was first kept in the building now occupied by Bransfield, afterward in the " brick store," now C. Bell's, in the build- ing at the corner of Main street and Waverly avenue, and then removed to its present location in the Edwards block. The postmasters have been: George B. Smith, from 1827 till June 20th 1833; his widow, Anne B. Smith, from June 20th 1833 till February 3d 1844; Charles Henry Sage, from February 3d 1844 till April nth 1849; John Payne, from April nth 1849 till his death, July 21st 1852; William S. Strickland commenced July ist 1852; Captain George H. Taylor served four years; Guy Cooper, four years, till 1861; Richard Edwards, from 1861 till his death, in 1864; his widow, Mary J. Edwards, from 1864 till her resignation, October 1st 1879; Charles H. Edwards, since October ist 1879. The post office at Gildersleeve was established in 1872. Ferdinand Gildersleeve was at that time appointed post- back to his parish would have spread the contagion J master, and has held that position ever since. S22 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Banks. First National Bank.— The First National Bank of Portland, Connecticut, was chartered February 28th 1865. It has a capital of $150,000, and a surplus of $30,- 000. The first board of directors consisted of- Sylvester Gildersleeve, Joseph Hall, Erastus Brainerd, William R. Smith, F. W. Russell, William T. Gleason, Wellington S. Coe, John I. Worthington, James T. Pratt, Charles L Strong, and Hiram Veazey. The present directors are: Erastus Brainerd, AV. S. Coe, J. I. Worthington, George Stancliff, Nelson Shepard, LeRoy Brainerd, W. W. Coe, Charles H. Sage, F. Gildersleeve, H. Gildersleeve, and John H. Sage. The successive officers have been: Pres- idents, Sylvester Gildersleeve, Ferdinand Gildersleeve, and William W. Coe; vice-presidents, Joseph Hall, F. W. Russell, Ferdinand Gildersleeve, W. W. Coe, and Erastus Brainerd; cashiers, Joseph Woods, William W. Coe, and John H. Sage. Freestone Savings Bank. — This institution was in- corporated in June 1865, the incorporators being Sylvester Gildersleeve, Henry Gildersleeve, Daniel Rus- sell, Joseph Hall, Erastus Brainerd, George Gillurn, Wil- liam T. Gleason, John I. Worthington, George Stancliff, George H. Taylor, F. W. Russell, Franklin Payne, Heze- kiah Pelton, Hiram Veazey, Andrew Cornwall, Phillip Sellew, Charles C. Tyler, Nelson Shepard, William R. Smith, S. H. Stocking, Charles H. Sage, Joseph B. Gary, Gilbert Stancliff, Benjamin F. Brainerd, Wellington S. Coe, Joseph Woods, O. C. Buckland, Joseph Hall jr., Jesse Hall, and F. A. Parker. The first officers were: S. Gildersleeve, president; F. W. Russell, vice-president; W. W. Coe, secretary and treasurer. The present officers are: Evelyn White, presi- dent; W. W. Coe, vice-president; John H. Sage, secre- tary and treasurer. The amount of deposits is $247, 219.81; surplus, $9,000. . Libraries. There were, in 1815, in Chatham, first society, the Chatham Library, established 1787, containing 322 vol- umes, and the Republican Library, formed in 1793, 200 volumes. The Portland Library was organized April 7th 1884. The incorporators were Rev. J. S. Bayne, Rev. R. Povey, O. W. Mack, G. B. Cleveland, C. A. Jarvis, H. J. Fisk, J. H. Hall, A. N. Hale, Rev. F. W. Harriman, F. A. Lillie, T. R. Pickering, J. M. Murdock, R. N. Pascall, W. A. Chapman, and W. H. Edwards. The directors are: C. A. Jarvis (also president), F. A. Lillie, A. H. Hale, T. R. Pickering, and F. W. Harriman. Secretary and treasurer, W. H. Edwards; librarian, H. J. Fisk. There have been 350 volumes donated, and 100 purchased with the legacy bequeathed by the late Miss Maria Payne. The library is located at Dr. H. J. Fisk's dental office. All persons paying a subscription of $1.00 are entitled to use the library for one year. There are 54 subscribers at present. Public Halls. Waverly Hall was built about 1868. It has a seating capacity of about 270. It is fitted with a large stage, scenery, etc., and dressing rooms. Gildersleeve Hall was built in 1876, and presented to District No. i by Sylvester Gildersletve. It is of suffi- cient size to comfortably seat about 200 persons. It has a stage, and is well lighted and heated. It is at present occupied during school hours by the Gildersleeve High School. The Alms House. This is the same building which was formerly the almshouse for the town of Chatham and for some time after Portland was set off it continued to be used by both towns. It was formerly the custom on the 20th of March of each year to farm out the town poor for one year. A new. ell was built last year and the old one pulled down. There are now eighteen or nineteen persons supported in the institution. Mr. Titus S. Markham has charge. The care of its poor cost the town of Portland for 1883, $5,028,50; of this sum $1,361.86 was the almshouse ac- count, $2,973.35 expended for poor out of almshouse, $179.76 for poor in other towns, and $5 13. 53 for the in- sane poor. The Soldiers' Monument. At a special town meeting, September 9th 1871, it was voted " that we erect a brown stone monument to the memory of our dead soldiers." The monument was to cost $4,000, and to be enclosed with a suitable fence. The committee to select a site and to superin- tend the erection were: Frederick A. Parker, Asaph Strong, John I. Worthington, Seth I. Davis, and Ferdi- nand Gildersleeve. The monument is a graceful shaft of native brown- stone, 33 feet in height, surmounted by a life-like statue of a soldier standing at rest. It is placed in the north- ern part of the village near the First Congregational Church. The cutting was done at Batterson's in Hart- ford. Few towns possess so elegant yet imposing a monument to their fallen heroes. It cost $4,500 in all. The front is ornamented with an eagle and shield. The inscription reads: " Ebeoted Mat 30th 1872 Bt thb Town op Pobtland To THE MEMOBT OF HEB BBAVE SONS, Who gave theie lives in defence or the Union DUBINQ THE WAB OE THE HEBELLION 1861-65." It bears the names of Samuel N. Gaston, Grove L. Bell, Owen Chapman, John Gasman, Samuel Potter, Samuel Salisbury, William De Bank, Heraan De May, William Foster, Edward F. Pelton, Patrick Scanlon, Joel Smith, all of the 20th Connecticut Volunteers; James Smith and Charles E. Tryon, of the 13th Connecticut Vol- unteers; Thomas Kennedy, William McEwin, Sidney Val- entine,and Sherman Valentine.of the 7th Connecticut Vol- unteers; Daniel Sullivan, 3d Connecticut Volunteers; Ezeriah Hale, i6th Connecticut Volunteers; George PORTLAND— MISCELLANEOUS. 523 Edwards,';2ist Connecticut Volunteers; Patrick Barry, 24th Connecticut Volunteers: Michael Flannigan and William J. Hall, ist Cavalry Connecticut Voluntetrs; George I. Smith, 7th New Jersey Volunteers; William Mahar, loth New York Volunteers; John Colter, 99th New York Volunteers; Dwight Simpson, 37th Massa- chusetts Volunteers; William Matthews, United States Navy. Two of these soldiers died at Andersonville, others fell at Procter's Creek, Va., Beaufort, S. C, New Orleans, ■ Petersburgh, Va., Carlton, La., Ashland, Va., Cold Har- bor, Va., Peach Tree Creek, Chancellorsville, Chester- field C. H., Baton Rouge, Brashear City, La., Steven- son, Ala., Stafford C. H., Va., London Valley, Va., Silver Run, N. C. Private Collections. There are in Portland several fine collections of stuffed birds, etc. The first of these is that made by W. W. Coe. It is contained in a large and handsome room well adapted to the purpose. Two large cases, eight feet high, with armory between, fill the end of the apartment. There are about seven hundred specimens in all; among them many rare birds, albinos, etc, including the mythi- cal " white blackbird." The birds are so skillfully stuffed, and the natural attitude so well preserved in mounting, that there is no stiffness, as sometimes noticed in such collections. There are also many nests, and at least 500 eggs. Mr. John Sage has also a fine collection, some beauti- fully mounted, but the greater part of bird skins, scien- tifically arranged. He has also a variety of nests, and a large collection of eggs. Mr. Sage has some very choice tropical birds. Mr. Charles Neff has about 125 varieties of mounted birds, together with a large number of bird skins from different parts of the world, and 150 varieties of birds eggs in sets. Mr. Neff' s collection of Indian relics, a very fine one, has already been alluded to. Mr. James Lord has also a collection of stuffed birds, to which he is constantly adding. Ferries. Formerly Portland was connected with the opposite towns of Middletown and Cromwell by two ferries. The second, now discontinued, had its landing on this side at the end of " Worthington Lane." Later the landing was at Steven's wharf or the " Navy Yard," so called, and the ferryman was William Norcott. In more recent times the landing was made at the old place, Worthing- ton Lane, and the ferryman was General Stocking, as he was called. There has been no regular ferry here for some years. For years after the swift darting canoe of the Indian crossing the river to hunt the deer had disappeared, the only communication between Middletown and her east- ern suburb was a clumsy " scow." Then it became a | $3,000. flatboat, propelled by horse power. In 1847, the Legis- lature was petitioned to remove the landing to the termi- nation of the Main street, at Connecticut River. Prior to this the landing had been made much farther down, on the sandy flat below the railroad bridge. Jerry Haling was the last ferryman here. July 31st 1852, the town voted to change the horse boat ferry to a steam ferry, and the steam ferry boat Mattabesett was built and placed thereon. The steamer Portland vt us built in 1870, and is still running. GiLDERSLEKVE ICE HoUSE. The ice house of S. Gildersleeve & Sons was built in the fall of 1878, at a cost of about $10,000. It is 150 feet front, too feet deep, and 33 feet high, with two com- partments, making a storage capacity of ro,ooo tons. It is fitted with steam engine and endless chain elevator, capable of hoisting a ton of ice per minute. About 75 men, with teams and ice tools, are employed from two to three weeks in filling it, the length of time varying ac- cording to the weather, This is the only ice house on the Connecticut River for shipping ice to New York and other ports. Fires and Fire Company. There have been more large fires in Portland the past year than in the 10 years previous. The United States Stamping Company has been particularly unfortunate in this respect. On the evening of March ist 1884, their large factory and other buildings were destroyed by fire, which it is supposed originated in the drying room. A large quantity of finished goods was destroyed or injur- ed, and all of the machinery disabled. The total loss was estimated at $247,000. August 14th, the stables were burned, together with two horses, hay, harness, sleigh, and buggy; loss, $4,350. August 28th, another building was burned, with 300 bales of hay, and the case used at the Centennial with most of the goods which formed their exhibit; loss $2,200. James Laverty's wholesale liquor store was burned on the afternoon of June 4th 1884. It was quickly con- sumed, together with a shop, livery stable, and Mr. Laverty's house. Spreading in the other direction, it destroyed eight other buildings, mostly houses belonging to the Brainerd and Shaler & Hall Quarries. The pro- gress of the fire was checked by pulling down the house adjoining Mr. Laverty's. The Valley Mills were burned at about 2 o'clock A.M., March loth 1884. The loss was nearly $15,000, par- tially covered by an insurance of $8,000. Portland Fire Company was incorporated in 1884. The officers are: John H. Hall, president; Lorin Ingersoll, vice-president; W. A. Chapman, secretary and treasurer; Richard Pascall, foreman; L. O. Brown, engineer. The company has a new fire engine, hose carriage, and 600 feet of hose, which cost $1,750. The engine house cost $700. The town appropriation for the fire company Was 67 524 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. CHURCHES. First Congregational Church* Prior to 1700 there were but three houses in Portland. James Stancliff had built upon the river bank, opposite Middletown; farther back lived John Gill; while at the base of the hill beyond the Wangunk Meadow, on the left going toward Rose Hill school house, resided Wil- liam Cornwall. In 17 10, nine other families joined them, forming the nucleus of a society. The oldest record now extant, kept by Samuel Hall, gives an account of the first meeting of the inhabitants on the east side of the river, March 2d 17 10, for the building of a meeting house for the preaching of the gospel. A building committee was appointed, and 20 men pledged themselves to pay their equal proportion, according to their estates, in a bond of ;^2o. This agreement was signed by John Gill, William Cornwall sen., Samuel Hall, Nathaniel Savage, Ebenezer Smith, Sham- gar Barnes, Ephraim Wilcock, William Stancliff, Jonathan Gleed, Richard Gill, Coriah Bacon, Thomas Wright, John Bevin, George Stocken, David Strickland, Thomas Buck, Joseph Warner, Ebenezer Hurlbut, and John Meer. In 1 7 12-13, o"^ ^^""^ of land was granted the inhabitants "ye East side ye great river " between the land of James Stancliff and the river for a burying place. This was the old quarry burying ground, the remains of which have been removed and located east of the present Episcopal Cemetery. The General Assembly at the May session 17 14 granted to the inhabitants on the east side of the river parish privileges. The following is from the society records: "Whereas, the Honorable Assembly held at Hartford, May the 13th, Anno Domini 1714, granted to the inhabi- tants of Middletown on ye East ye great river liberty to be a society of themselves, we then propose as forthwith, June 3d, at a Society's meeting that Samuel Hall should be clerk and that the place of the meeting house should be at the east end of Mr. John Hamblin's lot or there- about; that the broad axe men shall receive for their labor two shillings sixpence per day, and the narrow axe men two shillings." It was voted that the meeting house should be 40 feel long, 26 fett wide, and 16 feet between joints. The next two years were spent largely in determining the site. There was quite a settlement in the northeastern part of the town beyond Mesomesic Mountain. The settlers probably came from Glastonbury. An old chart locates some 60 families in that section; and the ruins and founda- tion stones of some 30 houses can be seen to-day in the woods, a thick undergrowth of young timber having grown up around them. From the early records there seems to have been considerable strife between the people at Meso- mesic and the people on the Neck, as to where the meeting house should be placed. Seven or eight society meetings were held, and sometimes it was voted to build in the east- ern, and sometimes in the western, part of the town. At *By Eev. John S. Batni;. length it was wisely left to the judgment of a committee, who fixed the place for building at the corner of Samuel Hall's lot, commonly known as " Hall Hill," where the roads cross at right angles, near the residence of Gordon Stewart. The people at Mesomesic went so far as to put up the frame for a meetinghouse, though it was never inclosed. The underpinning may be seen to-day, in the woods, a mile and a half north by east of the residence of Captain Case. Some now living recall hearing their grandparents speak of the crowds of people that used to gather upon the green for worship on the Sabbath, around this meeting house. Samuel Hall, Joseph Warner, and Nathaniel White werecl-.osen a committee to procure a minister, with full power to agree with him on as easy terms as they could, and it was voted, December 13th 1720: " To give Mr. Daniel Newell a call to preach the Gos- pel among us; to give him for the two years ensuing, _^5o a year and his wood, and in the future to add some- thing to it, as the Society find themselves able; also to bestow certain lands, partly given and partly purchased at 30 shillings per acre, so long as he continues in the work of the ministry among us." It was also voted to build Mr. Newell a house 40 feet long, 20 feet wide, and 14 feet between joints; to finish the lower rooms, he finding glass and nails. This was the first parsonage and was located opposite the first meeting house. The meetinghouse was in the corner of the field now owned by Gordon Stewart, and the parson- age was on the left, in the corner of the field now owned by Titus Hale. The old asparagus bed of the parsonage garden has yearly sent forth its growth. October 25th 1721, Rev. Daniel Newell was ordained pastor of the church. It was this year ordered that those who paid the minister's rate in grain should pay good wheat at five shillings per bushel, rye at three shillings, and corn at two shillings. At the same meeting there was granted a rate of eight pence on the pound for de- fraying the charge of building the minister's house, and Ensign Smith and Sergeant Gains were chosen to give Mr. Newell a deed of the land on which the house stood. March 20th 1722, William Cornwall sen., and Jonathan Judd were chosen " tithing men " to look after the dis- orderly in time of exercise and between the meetings, and two years later. Ensign Smith and Joseph White were added to that responsible committee. December 3d 1722, it was voted "to buy a basin for the carrying water for baptizing children." This is the first sacred utensil spoken of. The names of those appointed on the committee of trust during Mr. Newell's ministerial service were: Jo- seph Warner, Richard Gill, Ensign Gaines, Ebenezer Hurlbut, Sergeant Hale, Ebenezer Gill, Joseph White, Nathaniel White, Jonathan Wilcock, and Sergeant Sav- age. Samuel Hall, formerly deacon in the North Church, of Middletown, and clerk of this church during all of its early history, was elected to the ofiice of deacon, and publicly ordained January 17th 1724. He served until his death, which, occurred March 6th 1740. January PORTLAND— FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 525 23d, following, Joseph White was also chosen deacon. Rev. Daniel Newell became pastor of this church at its organization. He was a native of Bristol, and grad- uated from Yale College in 1718. He died in 1731, aged 31 years. In the inscription on his grave stone it is said that he was a learned, zealous, and faithful minis- ter of Jesus Christ. During his ministry there were 237 baptized, 53 admitted to the church, 51 owned the cove- nant, and 10 united by letter. The following are the names of those who signed the covenant, and they are the original members of the church, the majority of whom probably brought letters from the churches of Middletown and Cromwell: Daniel Newell, Samuel Hall, Ebenezer Smith, John Gains, Richard Goodale, Samuel Eggleston, John Ranney, Shamgar Barnes, Thomas Buck, Thomas Wright, Nathaniel Wright, "Joseph White, Jonathan Judd, Esther Cornwall, Elizabeth Warner, Elizabeth Stocking, Mary Smith, Esther Savage, Naomi Gains, Mary Goodale, Sarah Warner, Patience Eggle- ston, Hannah Ranney, Susanna Bevin, Mercy Miller, Sarah Hurlbut, Elizabeth Wright, Mehitable White, Han- nah Judd. June ist 1732, it was voted to give Mr. Moses Bart- lett a call; to give him ;^25o, to be paid in the three years ensuing, he settling and continuing in the work of the ministry among them. At the same meeting it was voted to give Mr. Bartlett four score pounds a year' for his salary and the use of the parsonage added. The church which stood on Hall Hill was attended at that time by all the people of the town. They came from what is now East Hampton, a part of Westchester, and Marlborough, Middle Haddam, and Cobalt, and as far north as Glastonbury. June 6th 1733, Rev. Moses Bart- lett was ordained pastor. During the second and third years of Mr. Bartlett's ministry there seems to have been an unusual degree of religious feeling, and numbers were added to the church; but it was during the years 1741 and 1742 that there was the greatest revival. It was these accessions and the general prosperity of the church that suggested and effected the passage of the following resolution: " At a meeting of the Society on the east side ye Great River, February 3d 1746, thirty-six of the inhabi- tants of the society present in said meeting and qualified to vote, did by their votes declare that they judged if necessary to build a Meeting House in this Society and they that voted in the negative were but seven." " October 4th 1748, it was voted to proceed to build a meeting house 56 feet in length, 42 in breadth, the posts to be 25 feet long. The first church edifice had stood 32 years, and was doubtless too small, for the second meeting house was 16 feet longer, 12 feet wider, and II feet higher. The General Assembly appointed a committee and they located the house, but the people were not pleased, and a second appeal was made to the Assembly, and after a protracted delay a second com- mittee of gentlemen arrived and the new meeting house was located across the street from Colonel Bartlett's. December 15th 1848, David Sage was chosen and or- dained deacon of the church. June 4th 1750, it was agreed to apply to the town of Middletown for liberty to purchase three acres of land of the Indians " joining and encompassing the Stake which the last Assembly's committee pitched for us to build our Meeting House;" and Deacon David Sage was chosen to treat with the town of Middletown and take a lawful deed of the Indians. The deed with the Indian signatures affixed is still preserved among the society's papers. It is shown by the records that *at this period the society laid out the roads and built the bridges. December 27th 1766, Rev. Moses Bartlett died, aged 58. On the monument erected to his memory by his people he is called a " sound and skillful divine, a physician of the body and the soul." He was born in Madison, graduated from Yale College in 1730, and studied theology with his distinguished father-in-law. Rev. Nathaniel Fisk, of Haddam. During his ministry there were 809 baptisms, 88 joined the church on pro- fession of their faith, 24 by letter, and 255 assented to the covenant. January 26th 1767, a committee was appointed to see that " ye pulpit be supplied by some of ye neighboring ministers and to seek out some young candidate to come amongst us on probation for settlement," and soon after- ward it was voted to invite Mr. Cyprian Strong, who had been supplying the pulpit for some time, to become their settled pastor at a salary of p^^ioo per year, but the par- sonage was retained for the use of Mr. Bartlett's family the ensuing year. November 5th 1765, it was recommended that the committee, consisting of Captain Jeremiah Goodrich, Captain David Sage, and David Robinson, " be em- powered to purchase a piece of land for burying our dead," and a year later they purchased of William Bartlett an acre and a half of land for ^^, 5 shillings (the present cemetery, lying east of the Central Church), the deed bearing date January 24th 1767. From the incorporation of the town of Chatham in 1767' till April 8th 1799, until the completion of the new town house on Penfield Hill, all town business was trans- acted at the meeting house of the First Society of Chat- ham. November 7th 1783, Moses Bartlett was chosen clerk, and sworn. October 17th 1791, Dr. Moses Bartlett and Hezekiah Goodrich were chosen deacons, and Josiah White was chosen chorister. November 25th 1803, Deacon David Sage died, aged 86 years. For 55 years he had been deacon of the church and during this period, in spiritual power and influence, was second only to the pastor. He had been elected under Rev. Mr. Bartlett's ministration, and when the young pastor in the midst of his multifarious duties heard the summons and went up higher, all eyes at once turned to Deacon Sage for coun- sel and spiritual comfort, and during those years when the church was destitute, he was, ex officio, their pastor. It was at his house, still standing intact, the first back of the present parsonage, that the learned council convened 526 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. to examine Rev. Dr. Strong, and from which the next day they reverently wended their way to the church and installed the young pastor. November 19th 181 1, Rev. Cyprian Strong died, aged 67 years. Says his immediate successor: " It is recorded by one who had the means of information concerning him that he was highly and deservedly esteemed for his good sense, his thorough acquaintance with theology, and his uniform and blameless conversation. In the midst of numerous trials he was calm and resigned. The prominent features of his character are happily expressed on his monument: ' In morals exemplary, in doctrines un- corrupt, in reasoning profound, in declaring God's coun- sel perspicuous and solemn, and in death peaceful.' " A number who have been engaged in the ministry, pursued their theological studies under his direction. During the 44 years of his connection with the church, 201 were added to it, 24 owned the covenant, and 720 were bap- tized. June 17th 1812, it was voted to invite Rev. Eber L. Clark to settle as pastor among them, at a salary of $S°° per year, provided that he would admit people (in certain cases) to take the bonds of the covenant, and that he would baptize their children. The invitation was ac- cepted conditionally, and, September 24th 1812, a coun- cil was convened, and Mr. Clark was installed pastor of the church. He was dismissed November 7th 1815. During his ministry, 29 joined the church on profession of their faith, and five by letter. He afterward settled in the parish at Granby. In 1820, he was settled in Winchendon, Massachusetts, and from 1838 to 1855 he was pastor of the Congregational church at Richmond. He was a native of Mansfield, and a graduate of Williams College. From 1774 to 1790, Deacon Ebenezer White, Captain Samuel Hall, Colonel John Penfield, Colonel Joseph Blague, and Jeremiah Goodrich were empowered to man- age the affairs of the church, and from this time down to 1812, William Dixon, Jonathan Brown, Aaron Wilcox, David White, Jesse Johnson, Joseph White, Daniel White, Amos Goodrich, David Crittenden, and Samuel Penfield served, at long intervals, in the same capacity. Novem- ber 6th 1804, Moses Bartlett, who for some years had been clerk and deacon, was chosen treasurer, and held those offices till his death, in 1810. Hon. Ebenezer White, who represented Chatham at 32 sessions of the Legislature, was at the convention which ratified the Constitution of the United States, and was associate judge of the County Court, succeeded his father, Joseph White, as deacon, and held that office till his death, July 29th 1817, a space of 49 years. October 3d 1816, Rev. Hervey Talcott was ordained pastor of the church. At a meeting held November 3d 1812, measures were taken for establishing a permanent fund for the support of the gospel ministry. A subscrip- tion paper was circulated, which elicited 42 subscriptions, and, including other funds, made a sum total of $6,075. Mr. Talcott received a salary of $500 per year, with a settlement of $500 to be paid in two years from the time of his ordination. April i6th 1822, Erastus Strong was appointed clerk, and sworn, and Deacon Jonathan Brown became treasurer of the society. During the following year (1823) occurred the most remarkable revival of re- ligion that this church ever witnessed. From the first Sabbath in May to the first Sabbath in January follow- ing, 60 persons were admitted to the church on profes- sion of their faith. February 26th 1824, it was voted that the seating committee be discharged, and that each one should sit where he pleased. In 1827, it was voted "that the committee procure a load of wood for the use of the stove in this house the present winter." Dispens- ing with the seating committee and bringing into the meeting house a stove were among the fruits of the re- vival of 1823. At a regular ehurch meeting, November 2d 1821, Job H. Payne and Joel Strickland were chosen deacons of the church. During the year 1824, the meeting house was repaired at an expense of $500. At the annual meeting in 1826, it was first voted to sell the pews to the highest bidders; and John Payne was made auctioneer, and also elected treasurer of the society. At the first sale the pews ranged from $3 up to $20. August 28th 1843, it was voted "that in the opinion of this meeting it is expedient to build a new house of worship," and P. H. Sellew, J. R. Ames, and J. H. Payne were ap- pointed a committee to examine and select the site for the new meeting house. November i8th 1843, '' w^^s voted "that it is expedient and desirable that the corpo- rate name of this Society should be altered from the ' First Ecclesiastical Society of Chatham' to the ' First .Eccle- siastical Society of Portland,'" and this change was con- firmed by an act of the Legislature at its session the following May. At the annual meeting in 1845, differences of opinion prevailed as to the location of the prospective new church, and accordingly a committee,- consisting of Deacon Job H. Payne, Philip H. Sellew, and Ebenezer B. White, were appointed to select two or more judicious and dis- interested persons as an advisory committee, to consult together and report. The next year, by a vote of nine to fifteen, it was determined to place the new edifice on the old site, but it was decided by the moderator (one of the deacons of the church) to be no vote. At a meeting soon after it was voted thirteen to seven to build on "Meeting House Hill." This was likewise decided by the same moderator to be no vote. It is presumable that the foregoing decisions were reached by the moder- ator, in view of the smallness of the number prfesent, the general want of enthusiasm, and possible lack of the requisite pledges. Three years elapsed, when, Novem- ber 6th 1849, it was voted twenty-six to nine, three not voting, that the meeting house should be erected on the lot owned by John I. Worthington, situated between the dwelling houses of Harlord H. Caswell, and George H. Pettis, and William H. Bartlett, Ebenezer B. White, Henry E. Sage, Philip H. Sellew, and Reuben Payne were appointed a building committee. The present church edifice was built in 1850, and on the i8th of PORTLAND— FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 527 December of the same year was dedicated. It is of Gothic structure, 70 by 39 feet. The building cost |6,2oo; the site, bell, furniture, and other accomoda- tions, $1,450; total, $7,650. The following are the names of the society's com- mittee from 1812 to 1850: Daniel Shepard, Samuel Pen- field, David Ciittenden, Daniel White, Asahel Pelton, William Dixon, Seth Overton, David White, Dr. Isaac Smith, Nicholas Ames, Job H. Payne, John Payne, Erastus Shepard, Erastus Strong, Henry E. Sage, Philip H. Sellew, Ebenezer B. White, John R. Ames, Joel Strickland, and Joseph E. Goodrich. The follow- ing occupied other responsible positions: Elisha Brown, David Williams, Edward Lewis, Alfred Payne, Luther Wilcox, Joseph Abbey, Joel Bartlett, and Abel Lewis. February 7th 1851, George C. H. Gilbert and Frank- lin Payne were elected deacons. January 6th 1861, Rev. Hervey Talcott resigned his pastoral office, but was nominally the pastor until his death, which occurred December 19th 1865, in his 75th year and the 50th of his ministry. During his ministry 231 were added to the church, of which 175 united on profession of their faith, and 102 were baptized. Mr. Talcott was succeeded by Andrew C. Denison, who resigned the pastoral office December 28th 1867, having received a call to become president of Biddle Theological Institute, North Carolina. Losing health and wife at the South, he came North the following year, and has since been acting pastor of the church at Middlefield. During his ministry of some six years at Portland there were 21 baptisms, 28 united with the church on profession of their faith, and 18 by letter. In July 1867, the society received a munificent present from Sylvester Gildersleeve — a handsome and valuable clock for their church tower. Owing to the removal of Deacon G. C. H. Gilbert to Waterbury, and his resignation in consequence, J. Edwards Goodrich was elected deacon August 30th 1867. It was during the succeeding interim in the pastorate that subscriptions were solicited for the building of a parsonage, and under the superintendence of F. A. Chapman, Evelyn White, and William H. Bartlett — a committee apointed by the society — a commodious, ele- gant, and convenient house was built opposite the church. The ground and house, together with barn and additional buildings, cost about $5,500. October 14th 1869, Isaac C. Meserve, a recent gradu- ate of Hartford Theological Seminary, was installed pastor of this church. January 8th 1870, Francis A. Chapman was elected deacon in place of J. E. Good- rich, and held the office until his death, January 30th 1876. The Rev. Mr. Meserve having received a call to the State Street Congregational Church, Brooklyn, re signed and was dismissed July 6th 1871. May 7th 1874, he became pastor of the Davenport Congregational Church, New Haven. During his pastorate in Portland, there were nine children baptized, three admitted to the church on profession of their faith, and eight by letter. January igih 1872, Rev. Samuel Hopley became acting pastor, and served in that capacity for a short time. Rev. William B. Lee was installed pastor May 8th 1873. Under Mr. Lee's pastorate, there were 7 children baptized, 24 united with the church on profession of their faith, and 19 by letter. He was dismissed April 28th 1875. May i8th 1876, Rev. John S. Bayne was installed pas- tor of this church. During his ministry thus far, 17 children have been baptized, 21 have united with the church by letter, and 45 on profession of their faith in Christ. The present membership is 138. In the fall of 1877, a fine pipe organ, costing $2,000, was purchased and placed in the church. In the sum- mer of 1878, the church, parsonage, and barn were re- painted; and in 1883, the church building was re- shingled, the seats recushioned, the floors newly carpet- ed, and the walls newly frescoed, involving considerable expense, but promptly met with liberal subscriptions and soon canceled. Those who have acted on the society's committee since 1850 are: Joseph E. Goodrich, Ebenezer B. White, Franklin Payne, Francis H. Chapman, William H. Bart- lett, Edwin Bell, Dr. Gilbert, Edward E. Whetmore, Steven H. White, Reuben Payne, Horace B, Wilcox, George B. Cleveland, Billings Neff, Henry Kilby, and William Chapmstfi; treasurers: Ebenezer B. White, Dr. Gilbert, and Evelyn White; clerks: Erastus Strong, Ly- man Payne, and Demas Cornwall. Those who have oc- cupied other official positions of responsibility are: Sylvester Stocking, Edward Lewis, Adonijah Strong, Chester Brown, Benjamin Abbey, William C. Ranney, Theodore F. Lewis, James W. White, Henry E. Sage, Ellery B. Taylor, Andrew Cornwall, Charles Ames, Daniel Crittenden, Dr. Sears, Henry Kilby, and Freder- ick Goodrich. In the study of those events which compose the warp and woof of the history of this church, the organization and success of its Sabbath school deserve mention. It was organized in 1820, and during the first 30 years Deacons Job Payne and Joel Strickland alternately officiated as superintendents. The following have served as superintendents since 1831: Dr. Gilbert, J. Edwards Goodrich, Horace B. Wilcox, Henry Kilby, Reuben Payne, Lucius Stewart, and John Lewis. Trinity Church (Protestant Episcopal). On the 24th of September 1788, a company of citi- zens to the number of 37 signed a document agreeing to maintain services, according to the Book of Common Prayer, for one year; and then, having informed them- selves of the doctrines and customs of the Episcopal Church, they were to be free to continue or desist, as they might choose. This may be regarded as the founding of the parish, although its formal organization was deferred until April 17th 1789, when a meeting was held, with the Rev. Abraham Jarvis, rector of Middletown, in the chair. Nathaniel Cornwall was chosen clerk, and it was voted 5^8 fnSTORY OF MIDDT,ESEX COUNTY. to raise funds by taxing each member two pence on the pound, according to his rating in the civil list. The same year was signalized by the baptism of lo adults and 8i children, by Mr. Jarvis, in one day, June 24th, being the festival of St. John the Baptist. A church edifice was begun at once, and occupied as early as 1790; but it was never consecrated. It still remains standing (in 1884), a substantial wooden building, 50 feet long and 36 feet wide, without any tower or porch. It is now used as a town hall, having been presented to the new town of Portland soon after its separation from Chatham, which occurred in 1841. The second edifice occupied a site on Main street, nearer the ferry. It was begun in 1830, opened for di- vine service, January 20th 1832, and consecrated by Bishop Brownell, May 15th 1833. The material was brown freestone. It was 70 by 48 feet, had two towers, and cost ^8,000. It was demolished in 1874, to make way for a nobler structure, which stands upon the same ground. This was long in reaching completion, for the financial stringency of the times delayed contributions. The chapel, which constitutes a transept, was occu- pied in 1874; but the main building, though roofed and slated, stood unfinished till 1882, when it was finally consecrated by Bishop Williams, July 13th. It is a beautiful specimen of gothic architecture, with massive walls of Portland freestone, varied by md?ny gables and porches, a tower, two turrets, and an apsidal chancel. Inside are columns of stone, a stone altar, an eagle lec- turn of brass, a carved stone fount, and a fine organ, be- sides the usual pews and furniture of black walnut and butternut. All the windows are of rich stained glass, from English manufacturers. They contain pictures of Bible scenes, and bear inscriptions commemorating rela- tives of the donors. A full description of this church cannot well be given in this brief sketch; but visitors pronounce it one of the finest buildings (of its size) in Connecticut. It seats about 500, besides 125 more in the chapel, which can be connected by lowering the sashes in a stained-glass screen. It has cost (75,000 already; and lacks one or two features of the original design, which may be added hereafter. For the first two years the parish was under the care of the Middletown rector. Rev. Abraham Jarvis; and again from 1793 to 1796. The settled rectors of Port- land were as follows: Rev. Tillotson Bronson, 1791 to 1793; Manoah Smith, 1796 to 1828; William Jarvis, 1829 to 1837; Samuel Moody Emery, S. T. D., 1837 to 1870; James Field Spalding, 1872 to 1879; Frederick William Harriman, 1880. Mr. Bronson and Mr. Miles divided their ministra- tions between this parish and others in the neighbor- hood, until 1820, when Portland secured the whole attention of Mr. Miles. During the vacancy between Dr. Emery and Mr. Spalding, the Rev. David H. Short, D. D., supplied the services. The rectory stands opposite the church, and is a large, comfortable frame house, with about an acre of land. It was purchased in 1874; former rectors having occupied houses of their own. The parish has received legacies at various times from Joseph Blague, John Shepard, and Alexander Sage, to constitute a permanent fund, which now amounts to $13,000. The interest only can be used to support the services. It is noticeable that the office of parish clerk has been held by only three persons: Nathaniel Cornwall, 1789 to 1823; David Cornwall, his son, 1823 to 1866; and Charles A. Jarvis, from 1866 to the present time. Certain parishioners in the district known as "Rose Hill," desiring services for their own neighborhood^ an edifice was erected there, and named " The Chapel of Saint John the Baptist." Its corner stone was laid June 24th 1870; and it was consecrated by Bishop Williams, soon after. It is a gothic building, of wood, with stained glass windows, and all the furnishings of a complete lit- tle church. It cost about $3,000, and is held in trust by Trinity Parish. Services are maintained by lay readers from the Berkeley Divinity School; and the rector makes a monthly visit to administer the sacraments. Services are also held in the same manner at the " Free Mission Chapel," at Pacausett, which is open to all de- nominations. At the present time, 1884, Trinity Parish has 280 com- municants, and 160 families. It maintains five services and two Sunday schools every Lord's Day. Its property amounts to nearly $100,000, estimating lands, buildings, &c., at cost. It sends three delegates to the Diocesan Convention. It is a conservative parish, loyal to church principles, and at peace in itself. A quiet growth con- tinues to bless it with prosperity. Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1835, a Methodist class was formed, called " Chat- ham Methodist Episcopal class." Mr. Selden Cook was the appointed leader. The class was reckoned as part of Chatham circuit, on the New London district of the New England Conference. The presiding elder of the district was the Rev. Daniel Dorchester; the circuit preachers. Rev. Freeman Nutting, and Rev. Amos Simp- son. The class numbered, including the leader, 25 members, only one of whom is now left in the church — Mr. Chester Hurlburt, who was for several years leader of the old class. In 1843, the name was changed to the Portland class. In 1845, the circuit preachers' names were Rev. Edmund A. Standish and Rev, W. O. Cady. The latter is now a resident of Portland. The class, in the above year, numbered 5° members. The New England Conference being divided in 184T, the class became part of what was called the " Providence Conference," which name has of late given way to New England Southern Conference. In April 1851, Portland class was created a separate charge, and the Rev. F. W. Bill was stationed as preacher in charge. Twenty mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church in Middletown, who resided in Portland, joined the Portland Society. The services were held in the town house. Up to this time, the society had worshipped in what was called "the old church over the meadow." p. PORTLAND-CHURCHES. 529 Rev. F. W. Bill succeeded in raising a large subscrip- tion toward building a church in a more central location. In February 1852, a lot of land was purchased of Mr. Frederick A. Parker and deeded to the following gentlemen, who formed the church beard of trustees, viz: Edward Graham, Chester S. Hurlburt, Kellogg Strong, Sherman Kelsey 2d, Harrison Chamber- lain, Oliver W. Mack, and Thorans B. Spencer. The Rev. W. Kellen succeeded the Rev. F. W. Bill, and the new church enterprise was commenced. The Rev. A. H. Robinson followed, and at the close of his term the building was nearly completed. In April 1853, the Rev. George W. Wooding was appointed preacher, and during his term the church building was finished. It was opened and dedicated to the worship of God, July 27th 1853. Mr. Wooding was followed by Rev. Robert Par- sons for two years, since which time the following have officiated: Rev. John Whear, four months; W. J. Foss. seven months; Rev. I. G. Bidwell, two years; Erastus Benton, seven months; Albert Wyat, five months; L. W. Blood, two years; F. J. Wagner, one year; R. Donk- ersly, two years; W. O. Cady two years; W. H. Cook, and Rev. B. Gill, students, two years; E. M Anthony, two years; John Howson, one year; E. B. Bradford, one year; A. W. Seavey, three years; Walter Ela, two years; J. H. Nutting, one year; O. H. Fernald, three years. R. Povey is the present pastor. He resides in the Methodist Episcopal parsonage. The church property has been increased in value by the addition of a pipe organ and choir gallery, a new chapel, and extensive repairs. Its present membership is loi. The following names of class leaders and circuit preachers not already mentioned were received after the preceding history of the church was written: class leaders, S. Cook, Henry E. Cook, Ralph Pelton, H. Pen- field and F. Miller; circuit preachers, 1836 1837, Rev. D. Todd, Rev. Wilcott, Rev. J. F. Blanchard; 1838, Revs. T. Nichols and S. Cushman; from 1841 to 1850 inclusive. Revs. C. C. Barnes, Abraham Holway, L. Pierce, J. Arnold. Blake, A. H. Robinson, J. R. "Vail, I. G. Post, and W. Lawrence. Swedish Church. The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Zion's Church, of Portland, Conn., was organized in Jutie 1874, with a membership of 136, at the close of the same year. The first elected deacons were, Mr. J. Danielson, O. Hall- berg, andC. Olsson. The first elected trustees were, Mr. J. Hallberg, J. Holmgren, and J. Lundell. The ministers in charge of the church have been: Rev. T. O. Linell, now of Pontiac, R. I.; Rev. John Mellander, now of South Bend, Ind.; Mr. J. Holmes supplied the pulpit for some months. The present pastor, Rev. D. P. Ahlquist, from Marshalltown, Iowa, was installed over the church De- cember nth 1883. The house of worship, a frame structure, on Waverly avenue, was erected 1879. Its size was 46 by 31 feet. It was rebuilt and enlarged in 1883, its present size being 80 by 31 feet. This edifice will seat 500 persons. The membership of the church is at present 500; the communicants numbering 317. The Sunday school has in its ten classes, about 100 children. The superintend- ent of the school is Mr. Andrew Lindholm. Other offi- cers of the church at present are: deacons, Adolph Gull, John Larson, John Lundell, Samuel Anderson, Andrew Lindholm, and Adolph Monson; trustees: Adolph An- derson (president), John G. Forsberg (secretary), An- drew Bengtson (cashier), August Lundell, Cail G. John- son, and Frank J. Johnson. The secretary at parish meetings is Mr. Charles Ericson. The organist and leader of the choir is Mr. John Segerstrand. Connected with the church is also the Scandia Temper- ance and Aid Society; the officers being, Andrew Lind- holm, president; Adolph Gull, secretary; and Adol|)h Anderson, cashier. The Swedish Lutheran Zion's Church is connected with and under the supervision of the Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod of North Amer- ica. Baptists. A Baptist church was formed in the northeastern part of this town in 1783. Part of the members were from Glastonbury. It ceased to exist many years ago. St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. St. Mary's Catholic Parish, Portland, was formed in 1872, and the Rev. William E. Duffy was appointed pastor. Anterior to this time, the people were under the jurisdiction of the pastor of St. John's Church, Mid- dletown. Rev. William E. Duffy died, and the Rev. Dennis Desmond was given charge October ist 1876. He began the erection of the present church edifice, located on Freestone avenue, the corner stone of which was laid April 15th 1877. The church is of brick, cruci- form in shape, and has a seating capacity for over 1,000 persons. There is also, in connection with the church, a very handsome pastoral residence. Father Desmond re- mained with the congregation until he saw the comple- tion of all this good work, then the Right Rev. Bishop Mahon placed him in a new field with greater responsi- bilities — St. John's Parish, Middletown. Rev. J. Flemming, the present pastor, succeeded him September 2d 1881. Central Church. In 1850, a part of the first society, dissatisfied with the site chosen for the erection of a new meeting house, began building another, some distance east of the old meeting house. Thirty-eight members of the old church applied for dismissal in February 1851, and organized a new church, taking the name of Central Church. Joel Strickland and Job H. Payne, who had been deacons in the old church, and were included in the number dig- missed, were elected deacons of the new church, Sep- tember sth 1852. Rev. S. G. W. T. Rankin was their first pastor. He received his classical education at Ripley 53° HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. College, and his tlieological at the Lane Seminary. He remained lo years. He now resides in Glastonbury. Mr. Washburn succeeded him; then the pulpit was supplied for a time by students from Hartford Seminary, Mr. Wheeler then preached for three years, followed successively by Mr. Hannah, Mr. Colton, Mr. Parralee. Mr. Peck, Mr. Chase, and Mr. Harris. Rev. Nor- man Squires then occupied the pulpit for five years. Afterward, Mr. C. Trantor, Mr. Holden (three years), and Mr. Berry; Mr. Littlefield has preached for the last three years, and Mr. Horton has lately commenced his labors among them. The five last named were all students from Wesleyan University. The deacons have been: Joel Strickland and Job H. Payne, already mentioned; after their deaths, William Goodrich and Ralph Pelton were elected, and afterward William Kelsey and Silas Payne. The superintendents of the Sunday school have been: Rev. S. G. W. T. Rankin, Enoch Sage, Sherman Goodrich, Lucius Stewart, Gordon Goodrich, and Wil- liam Kelsey, The Central Church has about 70 mem- bers. The building is of wood, 60 feet by 40, and it cost $4,000. PROMINENT MEN. Sylvester Gildersleeve. There is no name on any of the town records of Mid- dlesex county that forms such a perfect connecting link between the present and the past as that of Gildersleeve. It is also associated with the early history of Connecti- cut; the name of Richard Gildersleeve appearing in 1636, on page 5, volume i. Colonial Records, now in the library in the new capitol at Hartford. The same name appears in the Savage Genealogy, volume 2, page 252, and in Farmer's Genealogy, page 121, both in the Wads- worth Atheneum at Hartford. In 1663, Richard Gilder- sleeve was a resident of Hempstead, L. I., and an ances- tor of Obadiah, the grandfather of Sylvester, who came to Chatham from Sag Harbor, L. I., in 1776, and com menced the business of shipbuilding at that part of Portland now known as Gildersleeve. The first yard was started a short distance south of the present one. Philip, his son, the father of Sylvester, succeeded him, and was master carpenter on the government ship Connecticut, built here about 1800. On the 4th of May 1780, Philip married Temperance Gibbs, of Windsor, Conn., by whom he had six children: Jeremiah, born August 24th 1781; Betsey, born April 23d 1783; Henry, born November 8th 1785; Lothrop, born December i6th 1787; Sylves- ter, born February 25th 1795; Cynthia, born March 28th 1797- Sylvester, the subject of this sketch, was born Febru- ary 25th 1795, in the little old two story red frame house situated on Indian Hill, at the northerly end of Chatham (now the portion of Portland called Gildersleeve). He attended the district school until he was eighteen years yard. This was during the war of 18 12, at which time, owing to the operations of the British army in Canada, our government was engaged in constructing war vessels on the western lakes. In 1815, when young Gilder- sleeve was but 20 years of age, he went, in company with some 500 workmen, to Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., to build for the government a one hundred gun ship, which was then one of the largest ever built in this country — the combined fleet of Commodore Macdon- ough at the battle of Lake Champlain mounting but 86 guns. Two of these monster ships were being con- structed at the same time. The weather was cold and the men were provided with a liberal supply of " grog," then considered an indispensible part of the rations. The ships were never completed, as the declaration of peace soon after rendered them useless, and the men re- turned home, some of them making nearly the whole journey on foot. Soon after his return to Chatham young Gildersleeve started in business for himself. His first vessel, built in 1821, was a one hundred ton vessel, called \\\t Boston Packet. Since that he has constructed upwards of one hundred vessels of from one hundred up to fourteen hundred tons each, one of which, the ship S. Gildersleeve, was burned by the privateer Alabama, and paid for by the government, out of the Geneva award. He continued in active business up to within seventeen years past, and has lived to see his sons and his grandson succeed him in the same business, his grandson, Oliver Gildersleeve, now engaged in shipbuilding, being the fifth generation in that business at the same place. In 1869, he added to the business of the place by build- ing the steam saw and planing mill, and wagon shops, now in full operation. His gifts to his children, and donations to objects out- side his family, approximate in the aggregate $75,000, and it does not seem out of place to mention here some of them, as it may be an incentive to others to " go and do likewise." He contributed over $6,000 toward building the pres- ent Episcopal church, $3,000 of which was donated at a period when the building had remained for five years unfinished, for lack of funds. This donation, which was entirely voluntary on his part, was an incentive to re- newed efforts, which finally resulted in the completion of the building in 1882. For the enlargement of the cemetery belonging to the Portland Burial Ground As- sociation he gave a large tract of land. He built an ad- ditional story to the school house in his district, at a cost of $2,000, for a public hall, and to make room for a high school, now bearing his name, where young men could be fitted for college; and for its future support endowed it with an additional fund of $12,000, which placed it on a substantial basis. The school is now in a flourishing condition. The clock on the First Congregational Church was another of his gifts. Many are the substantial evidences, in his native place and elsewhere, that he has lived, and not wholly for him- of age. He then commenced work in his father's ship | self, and that his works do follow him, and these will re- -Ut-v^ S::H. s.^- V */ /> / F-yii r cv J2 j:)^j.Li Sj-.s ±\^m' .:.;■ l PORTLAND— BIOGRAPHIES. SSI main an enduring monument to his memory. His active life covers a long and wide range of varied business, and other interests. He was for many years a director of the Middletown (now National) Bank, and, at the organiza- tion of the First National B.\nk of Portland, in 1865, was chosen president, and held the ofiSce up to 1879. He was also president of the Freestone Savings Bank from its organization until 1879; has been president of the Middletown Ferry Company; director of the Middlesex Quarry Company, of Portland, and the Middlesex Mu- tual Assurance Company, of Middletown. In connection with William and Joseph J. Hendley, and Alexander Keith, of Middletown, he built, in 1836, the schooner William Bryan, the first vessel that ever sailed from New York to Texas as a regular packet. From that vessel the New York and Galveston line of packets was formed, consisting at first of five ships and two barques, all but one built by him. Messrs. John H. Brower & Co. were the New York, and William Hend- ley & Co. the Galveston agents of the line, which con- tinued up to the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861. In 1814, he married Rebecca (born June 1794), daugh- ter of William Dixon, of Chatham, by whom he had four children: Louisa Matilda, born May 12th 1815, married Col. Elijah Miller, of South Glastonbury, Connecticut; Henry, born April 1817; Philip, born July 5th 1819, died October 12th 1853; Esther Rebecca, born April ist 1823, married Jonah C. Buckingham, of Barnwell C. H., South Carolina. The first wife of Mr. Gildersleeve died August loth 1824. On the 17th of November 1828, he married Emily Shepard (born July 21st 1804), widow of George Corn- wall, and daughter of Andrew Shepard, of Chatham. By her he had six children: Sylvester Shepard' and Statira, twins, born September ist 1829 (the first died October 2d 1852; the second married Charles A. Jarvis, of Port- land, secretary and treasurer of the Middlesex Quarry Company, died November 7th 1864); Isabella, born July 23 1833, married H. Hobart Gillum, died May 23d 1855; Ferdinand, born August 20th 1840; Lavalette, born December 6th 1841, died December i6th 1841; Helen Augusta, born July 21st 1845, married William W. Coe, now president of the First National Bank of Port- land. The second wife of Mr. Gildersleeve died on the 14th of July 1877. He still survives her, being now in his 90th year, and with the exception of a defective eyesight is in full possession of all his faculties, his memory re- maining unimpaired. Henry Gildersleeve. The eldest son of Sylvester and Rebecca Gildersleeve inherits from his father those rare traits of character that have distinguished the Gildersleeves, not only as a family of successful shipbuilders and merchants, but as a family who are noted for their public spirit and large hearted benevolence. Henry was born in Portland, in that part of the town now known as Gildersleeve, on the 7th of April 1817. He enjoyed the limited educational advantages afforded by the district school, but acquired sufficient knowledge of the rudimental branches to fit him for the occupation he had chosen. At the age of 17, he commenced in his father's yard to learn the business of shipbuilding, and soon acquired a thorough knowledge of the details of the business. At the age of 25, he was taken into partner ship with his father, under the firm name of S. Gilder- sleeve & Son. In December 1872, he associated himself with the house of Bentley, Gildersleeve & Co., shipping and commission merchants, on South street. New York. He retained his connection with the Portland shipbuilding firm and at the end of ten years he retired from the New York firm, resigning in favor of his son, Sylvester, who still continues the business in connection with his brother, Oliver, under the firm name of S. Gildersleeve & Co. Henry Gildersleeve, since retiring from his New York business, has devoted his whole time and attention to the shipbuilding and other interests with which he is connected in his native town. On the 29th of March 1839, he married Nancy, daugh- ter of Samuel Buckingham, of Milford, Conn., by whom he had one child, viz: Philip, born February ist 1842. His first wife died on the 14th of March 1842, and on the 25th of May 1843, he married Emily F., daughter of Oliver Northam, of Marlborough, Conn., by whom he had seven children: Oliver, born March 6th 1844; Emi- ly Shepard, born September 8th 1846: Mary Smith, born March 8th 1848, died October i8th 185 1; Anna Sophia, born February 26th 1850, died August 27th 1854; Syl- vester, born November 24th 1852; Louisa Rebecca, born May 9th 1857; Henry, born September 4th 1858. The death of the second wife of Henry Gildersleeve occurred on the nth of November 1873, and on the 12th of June 1875, he married Amelia, daughter of Col. Orren Warner, of East Haddara, by whom he had one child: Orren Warner, born November 26th 1878. Her paternal ancestor was Rev. David Brainerd, the apostle to the Indians. Her maternal ancestor was Hon. Calvin Willey, of East Haddara. Emily Shepard, the second child of Mr. Gildersleeve, was married on the 20th of September 1871, to Captain H. Fuller, of Osterville, Mass. Sylvester, the fifth child, married Minerva E. Johnson, December 9th 1874. He is one of the firm of S. Gil- dersleeve & Co., shipping and general commission mer- chants, 84 South street, New York. Louisa Rebecca married Charles L., son of Charles A. Jarvis, of Portland, on the 13th of September, 1882. Mr. Gildersleeve has been identified with many public enterprises outside of his shipbuilding interests. He was for a number of years a director in the Hartford Steamboat Company, and is now president of the Port- land and Middletown Ferry Company, and a director in the Middlesex Quarry Company, also the First National Bank of Portland; and trustee of the Freestone Savings Bank. He has been for many years an active member and a liberal supporter of the Trinity Episcopal Church at Portland, was a large contributor to the fund for the 68 532 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. erection of the building, and a member of the building committee. In i860, he represented the democratic party in the State Legislature, and sustained every measure for the vigorous prosecution of the war. Ferdinand Gildersleeve. Ferdinand Gildersleeve, the fourth child of Sylvester and Emily Shepard Gildersleeve, was born on the 20th day of August 1840, in the part of the town of Portland now called Gildersleeve, The Gildersleeves came originally to this country from Holland, and the Shepards from England, so that the Dutch and English charac- teristics combine in the subject of this sketch. He attended the district school in his native vil- lage till nearly twelve, and was for the three fol- lowing years at boarding school. He then, in 1855, at the age of fifteen, entered his father's store, and soon after becoming twenty-one he was admitted to membership in the firm of S. Gildersleeve & Sons, ship- builders and merchants. He is now and has been con- tinuously connected and identified with the business since first entering it. The establishing of the post office at Gildersleeve, in May 1872, was largely the result of his efforts. He was the first postmaster and continues to hold the office. In 1879, he succeeded his father as president of The First National Bank of Portland, and held the office for two years; is now a director in the same bank, and in The Middlesex Quarry Company; a trustee and director in The Freestone Savings Bank; a vestryman of Trinity (Episcopal) Church; and for many years has been a notary public. He was a member of the town board of education for several terms; has been on various com- mittees on enterprises and improvements in the town, and trustee for school and other funds. The well known Portland Lyceum was organized mainly by his brother, Sylvester Shepard Gildersleeve, in 1848. At Sylvester's death, in 1852, the Lyceum was closed. Ferdinand, with a few others, revived it in 1861, when it began its second series of interesting meet- ings and lectures. Mr. Gildersleeve married, on the 29th of October 1879, Adelaide Edna, born March 12th 1845, daughter of Wil- liam R. and Mary A. Smith, of Portland, by whom he had one child, William, born September 23d 1880. His first wife died September 28th 1880. On the i2th of September 1883, he married Harriet Elizabeth, born January 8th i860, of Hartford, Conn., eldest daughter of Ralph and Sarah A. Northam, formerly of Portland. Her paternal grandmother, Sophia Smith, was a descendant of Ralph Smith who came over in the May Flower. Mr. Gildersleeve was the first child born on the home- stead, where he now lives with his father, and where he has made his home, with the exception of his boarding school days, six months travel in Europe in 1864, and various trips in his own country at different times and in Canada. Oliver Gildersleeve. The eldest son of Henry and Emily F. Gildersleeve is a worthy representative of his honored sire and grand- sire — a man of robust constitution and great force of character, combined with excellent business qualifica- tions. He was born on the 6th of March 1844. He re- ceived his education at the Hartford high school, and at the age of 17 entered his father's shipyard, where he soon acquired the art of practical shipbuilding, and at the age of 21 became a partner; since which time he has largely increased the business, having added a marine railway capable of hauling vessels of 700 tons burden, and built a large ice house, provided with steam ma- chinery and all the necessary appliances for gathering ice from the Connecticut River, for shipment to New York and southern ports. In 188 1, he became a member of the firm of S. Gilder- sleeve & Co., shipping and commission merchants, 84 South street. New York, he being the active managing owner of the fleet of vessels controlled by that house, which are owned principally by the Gilversleeve family. As a young man he was very desirous of seeing the world, and at the age of 27 had visited the principal cities of his own country, Europe, and Canada. Pos- sessing an excellent memory, he acquired a fund of in- formation which has been utilized to good advantage in his business. In his works of charity and benevolence he has fully sustained the reputation of the Gildersleeve family. He is a junior warden of Trinity Episcopal Church of Portland, and has variously officiated as lay reader, Sunday school superintendent, and teacher. He is a trustee of the " Gildersleeve High School Fund," and has served three years on the district school committee; also for a number of years was a prominent debater and officer in the " Portland Lyceum." On the 8th of November 1871, he married Mary Ellen, daughter of Hon. Alfred Hall, a representative of one of the oldest and most influential families in the town of Portland, who were among the first settlers of the town of Chatham. By her he has five children: Alfred, born August 23d 1872; Walter, born August 23d 1874; Louis, born September 22d 1877; Emily Hall, born June 9th 1879, died August 12th 1880; Elizabeth Jarvis, born June 6th 1882, died January i8th 1883. George Oglevie Jarvis, M. D. In the Jarvis genealogy, it is stated that the Jarvis families of the United States and of British America are of English extraction, though originally from Normandy, whence they emigrated into England. The original name was Gervais. Their seal was at Bretagne, and the first name found is Jean Gervais, who lived about the year 1400. The arms of the Gervais family was a shield, "D'or, a une pomme de piu, places au canton dextre du chef: et un chouette places au canton scnestre accompagnee enpointe d'un crapaud, le tout de sable." Both in this country and Europe, the name Jarvis has been enrolled in almost all the learned professions and pursuits in life, It has given dignity to the bench and 'i i; Tf' PORTLAND— BIOGRAPHIES. 53i bar; it has graced the professions of medicine and surgery; it has adorned the pulpit and the stage; it has entwined its garlands of poetry with music and painting, and has thundered its deeds of daring over the ocean wave and among the distant islands of the sea. Earl St. Vincent, Sir John Jarvis, the renowned British admiral, was a noble type of the hero and English sailor. The late Bishop Jarvis and his son, the Rev. Samuel Farmar Jarvis, D. D., LL.D., were among the most prominent divines of the Episcopal Church. John Wesley Jarvis was one of the most accomplished artists of his time The earliest records of any settlement of the Jarvises in this country, show the name of one John Jarvice as living in Virginia, February i6th 1623; and John Jarvis is mentioned in the records of Boston as one of a cor- oner's jury, September 28th 1648. Dr. George Oglevie Jarvis, the subject of this sketch, was the son of John Jarvis and Elizabeth Boutle, and was born in New Canaan, Conn., on the 14th of July 1795- He was a thorough English scholar and an educator of youth during his earlier manhood and scholastic life. He studied his profession with his brother-in-law, Dr. Truman Spencer Wetmore, of Winchester, Cpnn. He was licensed to practice medicine and surgery in 1817, and first settled in Torrington. After the expiration of two years, he removed to Colebrook, where he remained until 1840, when he left for Portland. There he practiced his profession with increasing patronage and success un- til he died, a victim to erysipelas and diphtheria. He re- ceived the degree of M. D. from Yale College in 1846. He was greatly beloved by the people of Portland with whom he lived for so many years, and at his death left a large circle of friends to mourn his loss. Dr. Jarvis was of an inventive turn of mind and his genius and skill were largely exercised in that direction. His " Adjuster," an instrument for the more ready and easy manner of reducing and replacing fractures and dis- locations proved a success, and gave him an enviable notoriety. At one time he visited Europe, where he re- mained several months. In London they recognized his genius and ability, and, by special invitation, he delivered a course of lectures on " Fractures and Dislocation," be- fore the learned magnates of that ancient and intellectual city. These were published at the time in the London Lancet. As a mark of respect for the man, and as an ac- knowledgment of his genius, learning, and skill, the " So- ciety for the Promotion of Arts and Commerce " pre- sented him the largest gold medal ever received by an American. Prince Albert was president of the society, and the doctor had the distinguished honor of receiving it at the hand of the prince himself. During the last days of the doctor's life he prepared a work on electricity and ozone. It was carefully written and showed that the author was not only an ac- complished scholar, but a profound thinker and sci- entist. Dr. Jarvis was a model husband and father, and a genial friend and companion. He was the soul of hos- pitality and honor, and was never more happy than when surrounded by a circle of his neighbors and friends. With a keen and appreciative musical ear, his whole life seemed rounded as with pleasant harmonies. Dr. Jarvis married a very estimable lady, xVIiss Phila- mela Marshall, by whom he had six children, who were devoted to their parents, and who loved to meet with them around the domestic hearth. Firm in the doctrines of the Episcopal Church, their Christmas and other holi- days were the occasions of the most happy and interest- ing reunions, and of the renewal of delightful associa- tions. Charles Alpheus, the eldest son of Dr. Jarvis, has been for many years secretary of the Middlesex Quarry Com- pany, in Portland. Dr. George C. Jarvis, the youngest son of Dr. George 0. Jarvis, is one of the most prominent and successful physicians in Hartford, Conn. His early education was received at the district school, which he attended until he was fifteen years of age, after which he .spent a year at the iMilitary Academy at Norwich, Vt., and a year with the Rev. S. M. Emery, of Portland, Conn. He en- tered Trinity College in 185 1, and remained through the junior year, leaving in. 1853. He spent the next three years as clerk in a drug store in Middletown, thereby acquiring a practical acquaintance with the materia raedica. Doctor Jarvis commenced the study of medicine with his father, whose extensive surgical practice gave unusu- al facilities for illustrations in this branch of the pro- fession. He studied, also, about a year, with the distin- guished gynecologist, Dr. J. Marion Sims. He attended lectures at the Medical Department of the New York University, from which he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine, March 1861. He commenced the practice of his profession in Stamford, but remained only a few months, entering the army as assistant surgeon. First Battalion Connecticut Cavalry, receiving his commission December 1861. He was promoted as surgeon of the Seventh Connecticut Volunteers, October 1862, and served honorably and with distinction through the war, being mustered out July 20th 1865. His army record was noted for bravery and gallantry, as well as that of a skillful and reliable surgeon, as is shown in many places of trust and responsibility. On the return of Dr. Jarvis from the war, he settled in Hartford, Connecticut, and soon won position as one of the leading surgeons in the State, thereby receiving a large general and consultation practice. In 1869, he was appointed examining surgeon for pen- sions, and on the organization of the board in Hartford, was appointed its president. For six years he was a member of the examining committee for conferring de- grees at the Medical Institution of Yale College, and re- linquished the position through ill health. In 1874, he was appointed one of the visiting surgeons to the Hartford Hospital. 534 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. The Hall Family. John, the progenitor of the Hall family in this country, was born at Kent, England, in 1584, and died in Mid- dletown. Conn., May 26th 1663. He came to this coun- try in 1633, and settled at Cambridge, Mass., but soon after removed to Roxbury, where the prefix of respect, Mr., was accorded to him on the records of Mr. Elliot's church. In those days the prefix of Mr. was given to very few persons, and generally indicated that they were entitled to a coat of arms. Six years later he removed to Hartford, Conn., where he was subsequently made surveyor of highways.. He drew the home lot No. 77, of six acres, on the brow of Lord's Hill, which he sold, in 1650, to William Spencer. The Hall lot No. 77 is the same as the Sigourney place, and since occupied by Governor Catlin. In 1650, he removed to Middletown, of which town he was one of the original settlers. The home let, containing five acres, was located on the corner of Main and Washington streets, running to the Great River, and adjoining, on the north, the home lot of his son-in-law, Thomas Wetmore. On the 19th of March 1659, he received the appoint- ment by the General Court " for the entry and recording such goods as are subject to customs for Middletown." Concerning the second generation, we find that John Hall, who was also born in England, was town clerk and recorder from 1665 to the end of his life in 1694. He also represented the town in General Court in 1653, and at several other times. The following epitaph appears on his tombstone in the old cemetery, near the Connecticut River: " Here lyes our Deacon Hall, who studied peace with alM Was upright in his life, void of malignant strife. Gone to his rest, left us in sorrow, Doubtless his good works will him follow. " Samuel Hall, of the third generation of Middletown Halls, and the progenitor of the same family in Port- land, settled first at Middletown, Upper Houses, now Cromwell. As appears by the records he was made deacon of the church at that place, February 10th 1716. He subsequently removed to East Middletown, now Portland, where he purchased a farm. On the 9th of November 1721, he was elected deacon of the Congrega- tional church and held the office during life. John Hall, of the fourth generation, was born at Middletown, Upper houses, August 19th 1699, but moved to East Middletown, now Portland, where he died Janu- ary 3d 1767. John Hall, of the fifth generation, was born at East Middletown, now Portland, June ist 1723, and died March 7th 1754. Joel Hall, of the sixth generation, was born at Port- land, April 5th 1753, and died May 25th 1818. He, with Nathaniel Shaler, first started the quarrying business, and formed the Shaler & Hall Quarry Com- pany, which was afterward, with other quarry interests in 1842, organized as the Middlesex Quarry Company. He was married, May 29th 1774, to Hannah Ranney, by whom he had seven children: Joel, born January loth 1776; Samuel, born November 20th 1777; Abigail, born January loth 1780, married John Coleby; Esther, born March i8th 1786, married Robert Patten; Jesse, born June 28th 1787; Joseph, born August 21st 1789; Han- nah, born August 14th 1791, married John Payne. Samuel Hall, of the seventh generation, was born November 20th 1777, and died October 6th 1849. He was married October 6th 1798, to Ruth, daughter of David and Ruth Bates, by whom he had ten children. He settled at Turin, N. Y., where he had a farm, and was a civil engineer. He laid out the first road from Rome, N. Y., to Sackett's Harbor. About 1804, he removed to Portland, and joined his father in the quarrying business, in which he took an ac- tive part until 1834, at which time he retired from busi- ness. Hon. Alfred Hall, of the eighth generation of the Halls of America, was born in Portland, November isth 1809. His father was Samuel Hall, who married Ruth, daughter of David and Ruth Bates. The issue of this marriage was 10 children, Alfred being the sixth. He attended the public school until he was 12 years of age, when he was sent to the Episcopal Academy at Cheshire, Connec- ticut, where he fitted for college. At the age of 14 he entered Washington (now Trinity) College, Hartford, he then being among the first students who entered at its organization. He graduated in 1827, and was soon after appointed tutor at the college in Geneva, New York, now Hobart College, where he remained for two or three years. In 1830, he delivered the masters' oration at Trinity College. He then attended Cambridge Law School, after which he returned to Middletown, where he com- menced the study of law with Judge Samuel Storrs. He was admitted to the bar in 1832, and practiced law at that place until 1834, when he removed to Portland, and joined his father in the Shaler & Hall Quarry Company, now Middlesex Quarry Company. This business arrange- ment continued until 1845. He identified himself with the present Shaler & Hall Quarry Company, which was organized about that time, and he subsequently acquired a large interest in it, and became its president and agent, which positions he held until 1858, when he resigned and again took up the prac- tice of law. He always took an active part in politics and public education, and was elected to the Legislature in the years 1847, 1851, 1852, and 1858. In 1853, he was elected to the Senate from the i8th District. He was one of the trustees of the State Normal School for many years. His oldest son, Samuel, was the first son of a graduate to graduate from Trinity College. He was exceedingly popular with the masses and was a liberal supporter of all public enterprises. He was an active member of the Episcopal church during his life, and gave freely to all works of charity and benevolence.' Hon. ALFRED HALL. 'f/t<^^ y //^^^^^ PORTLAND— BIOGRAPHIES. 535 He was greatly beloved by his friends and ho)iored and respected by his political opponents. On the loth of September 1833, lie married Maria L., daughter of Seth and Maria Whiting, of Hartford, by whom he had eight children: Samuel, born October 14th 1834; Alfred G., born February 6th 1837, died Sep- tember isth 1867; Maria W., born July 3d 1839, died March i3lh 1844; Jane W., born August ist 1841, died March 21st 1844; James P., born May i8th 1844; Mary E., born December 29th 1846, married Oliver, son of Henry Gildersleeve, November 8th 1870; John H., born March 24th 1849; Alice E., born November 6th 1851. Mr. Hall died on the loth of September 1873. His wife survived him nine years, and died on the nth of July 1882. John H., the fourth son and sixth child of Hon. Alfred Hall, was born at Portland, March 24th 1849. He at- tended school at Portland until he was 12 years of age, when he was sent to Professor Chase's preparatory school at Middletown. Subsequently he attended the Episcopal Academy, at Cheshire, Conn., where he re- mained until he was 17, when he removed to New York and entered the house of Sturges, Bennett &Co., as clerk. He continued with this firm for five years, when he re- turned to Portland and assisted in the organization of the Heath & Smith Manufacturing Company. In 1872, he again went to New York and engaged in the printing business, but returned to Portland in 1877, and pur- chased of T. R. Pickering, a half interest in the manu- facture of the Pickering steam engine governors. In this he has been very successful and they have a large business which extends throughout the United States and Europe. He also owns a large interest in the Shaler & Hall Quarry Company. On the 9th of February 1870, he married Sarah G., daughter of William H. and Elizabeth Loines, of New York city, by whom he has had four children: Clarence L., born December 17th 187 1; Alfred W., born January 8th 1873. died September 22d 1873; Grace L., born De- cember 24th 1878; Mattie P., born January 2d 1883, died August 8th 1883. Mr. Hall is one of the most enterprising and pushing young men of Portland, and takes an active part in all public undertakings. Erastus Brainerd jr. The eldest son of Erastus Brainerd sen., was born at Portland, Conn., July 27th 1819. He attended the public school in his native town for a short time, and was then sent to a private school in Boston where he re- mained for two years. He then took a preparatory course of study, commencing with Rev. Mr. Corson, at Windham, Conn., and afterward at Guilford, intending to enter the- military school at West Point. Circum- stances, however, induced a change, and at the age of 21 he entered the office of the quarry company, which was then owned principally by his father and his uncle. Subsequently the management of the business de- volved on him in connection with Mr. Frederick Hall, and after his father's death he assumed the management of the entire business. It was then a partnership concern, but owing the complications arising from a diversity of interests it was organized into a stock company and Mr. Brainerd was elected president and general manager. It is to his ability, his honesty, integrity, and up- rightness of character that he owes his .idvancement in life, although he inherits from his worthy ancestors those virtues that have characterized them through each successive generation. His individual history is stamped on the history of the Episcopal church of Portland, of which he has been a lifelong member, and his generous gifts to that and other benevolent objects are too well known to require repetition in a biographical sketch. While he has always been ready to assist in every political movement that tended to promote honest legis- lation and place good men in office, he has invariably declined to accept office himself except on one occasion, in 1880, when he was one of the presidental electors that helped to elect Garfield. On the loth of October 1843, he married Emily H., daughter of Captain Henry Churchill, of Portland, by whom he had one child, Emily C, who was married to Charles H., son of Captain Charles Buckley, of South- port, and who, while traveling with his wife on the Con- tinent, died in Paris, leaving three children. She was subsequently married to George P. Hart, of New York city. Nelson Shepard. The early settlers of East Middletown, or what is now known as Portland, were a hardy, industrious race of farmers. They felled the trees, planted the first crops, and thus prepared the way for the civilization that fol- lowed, and while many of their descendants have left the plow, and have been successful in other avocations, a few have continued to till the soil, and have demon- strated the fact, that if a man has energy, perseverance, industry, and economy he will succeed in any under- taking. To this class belongs Mr. Nelson Shepard, a descendant of one of the oldest settlers in the town of Portland. Erastus, the father of Nelson Shepard, married Honor, daughter of Luther Goodrich, of Chatham. By her he had seven children: Emily, born 1812; Edward ist, born 1814; Edward 2d, born 18x6; Delia L., born 1818; Nelson, born 1820; Caroline, born 1822; Maria, born 1824. The first wife of Mr. Shepard died in 1832, and the same year he married Desire, daughter of Samuel Wilcox, by whom he had one child, Henry S., born Sep- tember 13th 1833. Nelson Shepard, the subject of this sketch, was born in the town of Chatham, or what is now called Portland, on the 25th of December 1820. He attended the pub- lic school a few weeks each year; the remainder of the time was spent in working on his father's farm. When he became of age he continued to work for his father, receiving f to a month wages for eight months of the year. On the death of his father he inherited about 536 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. 60 acres of land. This was the only capital on which was based his subsequent success. By strict economy and hard labor he was enabled to make several improve- ments on the farm, and in 1856, he built a new house on the site of the old homestead. When partly finished it took fire and burned to the ground. Instead of sitting down and mourning over his loss, he again went to work with a will and determination that surprised his neigh- bors, and he soon retrieved his losses, and distanced all his neighbors. About this time he commenced raising tobacco, which proved a very successful venture, and he has now accumulated a sufficient sum to support him in his declining years, and place him beyond the possibility of want. He has been for six years a director in the National Bank of Portland and in the Freestone Saving Bank; is also a stockholder in the Middlesex Quarry Company. He has served as selectman of his town for three years, and as county commissioner for three years. He is an active member and vestryman of the Episcopal church at Glastonbury. On the 2olh of November 1844, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Noah Tryon, of Glaston- bury, by whom he had five children: Gertrude Elizabeth, born May 29th 1848; Isabella Leland, born November nth 1850; Lizzie A., born October 30th 1853, died July 7th 1856; Carrie E., born November nth 1857, died February 7th 1870; Andrew Nelson, born May 3th 1861. Gertrude E., the eldest child, was married to Henry Corn- wall, on the 3d of November 1869 (he was a volunteer in the war of the Rebellion; enlisted in Twentieth Regi- ment, and served till close of war with honor and credit); and Isabella Leland was married to Erastus Hubbard Crosby, 2d, on the r4th of May 1880. ,>;V^,, J'ZZ^^t.-^^ T^y^Cy^ /:-,-■ •'ly - 7B£.-, :'. S-.', K.r] : TOWN OF SAYBROOK. Br Rev. William H. Knouse, Pastor of Congregational Church, Deep River. Introduction. THE TOWN OF SAYBROOK, as now con- stituted, is the relatively small remnant, after successive divisions,of the ancient and much larger town, which bore the same name. The earliest settlement in the original town was made in the extreme southeastern part, now called Saybrook Point, in November 1635. The territory to which the name of Saybrook was given, and which was sold to the Connecticut Colony, included, until 1667, the present town of Lyme, origi- nally called East Saybrook, on the east of Connecticut River. The settlers who came with Mr. Winthrop in 1635, and those who came with Colonel Fenwick in 1639, constituted but a small body. But about 1646 the number was increased by other colonists, who came from Hartford and Windsor. From a division of lands made in 1648, there appear to have been 43 proprietors then in the town. Among them were the ancestors of the Barkers, Bulls, Bushnells, Chapmans, Clarks, Lays, Lords, Parkers, Pratts, and Posts, as there were of the Cham- pions, Griswolds, Lees, and Wades, who settled after- ward in Lyme; and of the Backuses, Blisses, Fitches, Huntingtons, Hydes, Larrabees, Leffingwells, Masons, and Budds, who removed about 1660 from Saybrook or Lyme, and settled in Norwich. These all lived upon the Point or iu its near neighborhood, as did also the ancestors of the Chalkers and Tullys, who were very early associated with them. Among the early settlers in Saybrook Parish, after those who have been men- tioned, were the ancestors of the Waterhouses, Kirt- lands, Shipmans, Whittleseys, Willards, and Lyndes, the last three families of which came from Boston. Of the above mentioned names of the early settlers at or near Saybrook Point, the following are now found among the inhabitants of the present town of Saybrook, viz.: Bull, Bushnell, Chapman, Clark, Lord, Parker, Pratt, Post, Shipman, and Waterhouse (or Watrous). Of the names of subsequent yet early settlers in other parts of the original town, Westbrook, Chester, and Essex.the following now occur more prominently and numerously in this town, viz.: Bulkeley, Denison, Platts, South worth, Spencer, and Williams. The original town, exclusive of Lyme, which was incorporated as a separate town in 1667, extended from Long Island Sound on the south to the town of Haddam on the north, and from Connecticut River on the east to the town of Killingworth on the west, and was about eight and a half miles in length, and from five to six and a half miles in breadth, and contained, by computation, 40,000 acres. It belonged, until the incorporation of Mid- dlesex county, in 1785, to the county of New London. As already indicated, the settlement of the old town was confined chiefly to the territory adjacent to Saybrook Point. From an old record of the division of " lands that lye remote," dated January 4lh 1648, it appears that 13 years after the first settlement, there were 40 propri- etors, more or less, in the town, including Lyme. The reason for this division, as stated in the town records, was that " the inhabitants settling upon a rieck of land, found themselves straitened and disabled as to comfort- able subsistence." The persons chosen by the town to make the proposed division of these outlands, were: John Clark, William Hyde, William Pratt, Thomas Tracey> Matthew Griswold. The entire town was valued at ;^8,000. " Having first laid out of the nearest lands of the town, a sufficient and convenient tract of land, properly to belong to those that lived in the Town Plat, for the feed of their cattle, they divided all the other lands into three parts, which were called quarters." 1. The quarter, including the land on the east side of the Great or Connecticut River, called the Black Hall Quarter, extended three miles eastward and six miles northward, and was valued at ;^3,5oo. It embraced but a small part of what is now the town of Lyme. The lands on the west side of the river were divided into two quarters. 2. Oyster River Quarter, which, beginning at Oyster River, extended four miles westward to " Pootchaug," or "Manunkatesick," and northward seven miles and a tenth part of a mile from Prospect Hill. The line running northward divided the Oyster River Quarter, on the east 538 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. from Potapaug Quarter. Oyster River Quarter was estimated at ^^2,500, and included the present town of Westbrook, and the western portions of the present towns of Old Saybrook, Essex, Saybrook, and Chester. 3. The Potapaug Quarter (called, also, in an old record, " Eight Mile Meadow), beginning at Prospect Hill and Ferry Point on the south, extended eight miles on a line running north-northwest to the utmost bounds of the town's grant, and included most of the territory which now forms the towns of Essex, Saybrook, and Chester. It was valued at ;^2,ooo. These quarter divisions indicate, in a general way, the directions in which the settlement of the town originally extended; that is to say, eastwardly, as early at least as 1664, across the Connecticut River, into East Saybrook or Lyme (called by the Indians Nehantic); westwardly, along " the sea," or Long Island Sound, into Westbrook (the Indian name of which was Pochaug), which began to be settled from 1663 to 1664; andduringthe next 30 years, it extended gradually and sparsely over the extensive tract, which was called by the Indians Potapaug. This statement, respecting the progress of settlement in the town, is not to be understood as implying a numerous population in any part of it. At the beginning of the 18th century, the town was but sparsely settled, especially in the portions that were remote from the few centers; and away from these, the inhabitants were more or less widely scattered. In 1756, the population, which grew mainly by natural increase, was 1,931, and in 1774, 18 years afterward, had increased to 2,637. I" 1810, it was 3,996, and in 1830 it had increased to 5,018. The original territory of the town, exclusive of Lyme, remained intact from its first settlement, in 1635, until the year 1836, when the northernmost portion was incor- porated as the town of Chester. Then followed the incorporation, in 1840, of the south- western part, as the town of Westbrook. In 1852, a larger portion was detached, as the town of Old Saybrook, which was subsequently subdivided into the towns of Old Saybrook and Essex. Finally, in 1859, from the territory that remained afler these divisions as the town of Saybrook, still another portion, known as Centerbrook, was separated, and added to the town of Essex. Pre- vious to this last division, a school district in the southern part of Chester was returned, in 1856, to Say- brook. The original town has thus been divided since 1667 into six smaller towns, viz., Lyme, Chester, Westbrook, Old Saybrook, Essex, and Saybrook, the last named of which, as being the part from which the others voluntari- ly seceded, retains the original name of Saybrook, and by right of its name, has possession of the ancient town records. From this point onward, therefore, this narrative will deal with matters which belong more particularly to the history of the town which now bears the name of Say- brook, making reference to such facts only of the re- moter past as may be necessary to the clearer under- standing of the history. THE PRESENT TOWN OF SAYBROOK. Geographical and Descriptive. The town of Saybrook, as now constituted, is bounded on the north by Chester, on the east by the Connecticut River, on the south by Essex and Westbrook, and on the west by Killingworth. It forms an irregular oblong, about eight miles long from east to west, and about two and a half miles wide from north to south, and contains nearly 11 square miles, or 6,920 acres. The land is gen- erally hilly, much of it rocky, and not specially fertile, and is not easily available for profitable agriculture, though the level spaces lying between the hill ridges fairly rewarded the toilsome tillage of the thrifty early settlers. Along the Connecticut River the town is bordered by a rocky ridge, the highest point of which is Bork Hill, commonly called Book Hill. This ridge is broken, in the southern part of the town, by a cove, anciently known as Pratt's Cove, about half a mile long, navigable only by scows, and is terminated at the north by Deep River Cove. Into this empties the only stream that runs through the town, which, though of shallow depth, is called Deep River. This stream is said to derive its waters principally from Wilcox's Pond, in the extren:ie northwestern part of the town, and possibly in part from Cedar Swamp, a little farther north, in Chester. Its gen- eral course is southeast, east, and northeast, making by its irregularities a length of about six miles. Its entire capacity of water power is utilized by mills and factories, of which there are not less than eight in operation. The manufacturing village of Deep River is situated in the eastern part of the town, three-fourths of a mile from the Connecticut River, on a plain about a mile wide, which is enclosed by the ridge that-skirts the river and the hills that lie farther to the west. The village is con- sequently not in sight from the river. It is the business center of the town. Here is massed the bulk of the population; here is the town hall and the principal post office; here are also the factories, banks, telegraph, and telephone offices. Its main street is a part of what was until recently the Hartford and Middlesex Turnpike, and is finely shaded with elm and maple trees. It is gener- ally considered by travelers to be, when arrayed in its summer dress, one of the most beautiful villages on the west side of Connecticut River, as it is without doubt the busiest place south of Middletown. The Deep River station of the Connecticut Valley Railroad is located at the river, where also is the landing of the Hartford and New York Steamboat Company. Four miles from Deep River, in the northwestern part of the town, is the pleas- ant hamlet of Winthrop, with its church, store, factory, saw mills, cemetery, and post office. Through Winthrop passes the old mail and passenger stage route between Chester and New Haven. Early Settlers of the Town. It is somewhat difficult to ascertain with certainty the names of all the earliest settlers, or to fix the date of the SAYBROOK— EARLY SETTLERS. 539 earliest settlement. It is believed, however, that the earliest families who resided in the eastern part of the town were the Kirtlands, Lords, Pratts, Shipmans, and a little later, the Southworths and Denisons. In the west- ern part of the town the earliest settlers were the Platts, Bulkeleys, Bushnells, and Denisons, and somewhat later, the Posts. From the town records, it appears that John, Nathaniel, and Philip Kirtland were joint proprietors, in 1723, of nearly the entire plain on which the village of Deep River is located, and that their land extended to the Connecticut River. John Kirtland, in 1725, inher- ited from his father-in-law. Rev. Thomas Buckingham (who was pastor from 1670 till his death in 1709, of the first parish in Old Saybrook), 75 acres or more of land, about two miles west of the village of Deep River, near what was then known as the New Iron Mines District. His mother was Lydia, daughter of Lieut. William Pratt, one of the original settlers of Hartford and Old Say- brook. His paternal grandfather was Nathaniel Kirt- land, of Sherrington, in Buckinghamshire, England, who immigrated to America in 1635, when 19 years of age, and was a resident, in 1672, of Lyme. Of the descendants of John Kirtland and his brothers, Nathaniel and Philip, none are now residents of this town, and their property long since passed into other hands. Elijah Lord, the first of the name who settled in this town, about 1750, owned a farm in the southeastern part of the town. He was a son of Deacon Andrus and Hes- ter (Buckingham) Lord, of Old Saybrook, and was mar- ried to Sarah Doty, of the same place. The old home- stead, which he built, probably in 1771, is now owned and occupied by one of his descendants, William N. Lord. The Lords of this, and adjoining towns, are de- scendants of Thomas Lord, of the ancient family of Laward, in England, who in 1635 came with his wife, Dorothy, to Cambridge, Mass., and soon afterward set- tled in Hartford, where he was a merchant and mill owner, and where he and his wife died. The Lords of this town are descendants, also, by a maternal line, of the first' Pratt settler, Lieut. William Pratt, through his eldest son, Ensign John Pratt. The Pratts, who were among the earliest settlers of the eastern part of the town, were the descendants of Jede- diah, in the fifth generation, of Lieut. William Pratt.* Jedediah, the son of Benjamin and Sarah (Meigs) Pratt was married to Anna Wolcott, about 1768, by whom he had ten children. He died in 1814 aged nearly 74 years. A pleasing exhibition of his patriotism is *N0TB.— Lieut. William Pratt was a native of the parisli of Steven- age, Hertfordshire, England, and is supposed to have come with Eev. Thomas Hooker, to Newton (now Cambridge) Mass., in 1633, from thence to Hartford, Conn., in June 1636. He married Elizabeth, daugh- ter of John Clark, of the old parish of Saybrook. He was one of the original proprietors of Hartford, but sold his land there about 1645, and removed to Saybrook, in what was the Potapaug Quarter, and is now the borough of Essex; his home lot and house were in the region now occupied by the Hope-walk. He represented the town in the General Assembly continuously from 1686 to 1678. He was a large landholder in the town, and in other parts of the State. He died, probably, in 16T8. His eldest son. Ensign John Pratt, was also a large landholder In Pota^ pang, and elsewhere, and was a man of some distinction. ("Pratt Family.") given in the following notice of him by one of his de- scendants: " During the Revolutionary war, in the years 1779 — 1783, no military corps of Americans, no matter how great the number, were ever allowed to pass his house, without his stopping them, and, upon hastily constructed tables, of barrels and boards, he would empty his dairy of its pans of milk, his larder of provisions, and baking huge Johnny-cakes of Indian corn, would spread before the hungry soldiers an ample meal, while his high-sound- ing voice would bid all a hearty welcome; and his cocked hat would be seen in all directions, hurrying his servants, seeing that all had not only enough, but carried away a ration in his knapsack; and as the refreshed soldiers wound away through his extensive orchard, he would sing out a hearty wish that they would, when they met those British, give them z. genuine whaling, and that he and his Queen Anne were ready to be with them at the first alarm."* Mr. Lester Pratt, one of Jedediah's sons, was taken prisoner in the war of 1812, and confined in Dartmoor prison, until its close, when he was released, and per- mitted to return to his native land. Dr. Ambrose Pratt, now of Chester, extensively known in Middlesex county as a skillful physician, is a grand- son of Jedediah. Other descendants of the original colonist, Lieut. 'Wil- liam Pratt, through the line of his son John, who have been identified with the history of this town, are Deacon Phineas Pratt 2d, who died over 91 years of age, in 1875. Deacon Pratt was one of the earliest manufactur- ers of ivory combs in Deep River. His son, Ulysses Pratt, who died in 1881, aged 68, was for many years extensively engaged in the manufacture of ivory veneers for piano fortes, and was the senior partner in the firm of Pratt Brothers & Co., in Deep River. Mention may also deservedly be made of Mr. Obadiah P. Pratt, a far- mer, and universally esteemed for his moral worth and public spirit, who died in 1882, aged 66 years. Much of the land in the southeastern part of the town was oc- cupied by the Pratts. The Shipmans, descendants of Edward Shipman, one of the original colonists in the old parish of Saybrook, have been prominently connected with the earlier and later history of this and the adjacent towns as land- owners and otherwise. Mr. Samuel M. Shipman, the present postmaster of the Deep River ofBce, has dis- charged efficiently the duties of that position almost con- tinuously since 1861. The very numerous family of Southworths belongs to the early history of the town. Its pedigree may be traced back to the earliest settlement of New England. Constant Southworth, born in i6i5,came to Plymouth, Mass., in 1628, became a freeman of the colony, and was married in 1637, to Elizabeth Collier, daughter of William Collier, of Duxbury, Mass. His widowed mother, Alice, who preceded him, 1623, became the wife of Governor Bradford. His youngest son, Capt. William *(Pratt Family.) 69 54° HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Southworth, settled at first at Little Compton, R. I., where probably he married his first wife, Elizabeth, by whom he had nine children. The name is not now seen in Little Compton. After this wife's death, in 1703, he was married, in 1705, to Mrs. Martha, widow of Joseph Blague, of the old parish of Saybrook, where it is pre- sumed, he settled. By the second marriage he had two sons: Gideon, born in 1707, who was an early graduate of Yale College, while it was located at Saybrook Point; and Andrew, born December 12th 1709. This younger son was the Lieut. Andrew Southworth, who settled in the parish of Pattaconk (now the town of Chester) and by his marriage, 1732, with Temperance, daughter of John and Temperance Kirtland, became the near an- cestor, through his second son, Nathan, of all the nu- merous Southworths, who now live in this town. Contemporary, or nearly so, with the above mentioned earliest settlers of the eastern part of the town were the earliest settlers of the western part, or what is now Win- throp. Their names were Bulkeley, Biishnell, Deni- son, Jones, Platts, and Post. The Platts family of this town is ascertained to be, not of English, as com- monly supposed, but of German origin, the ancestor, Frederick Platts (or Platz), having come, with two brothers, from the Upper Rhine in Germany, and settled in Westbrook. He married a Miss Fox, of New London, formerly from England, and [settled about 1670 in Old Killingworth, now Clinton. He had six children. Obadiah, his third son, born in 1709, was married in 1737 to Hannah Lane, of Clinton, and settled in Winthrop. He built a house not far from the residence of Mr. Alfred Platts, which has disappeared. The town records give the fact that fifteen acres of land were deeded to him by a Chapman as early as 1735. His eldest son, Daniel, is supposed to have been the first child born in that part of the town. His third son, Noah (born in 1742 and died in 181 1), built a house, either before or during the Revolu- tionary war, which is still in habitable condition, though more than a hundred years old. In 1786, he built another house, which was occupied by his son, Col. Obadiah Platts, a commissioned officer in the war of 1812, and is now the residence of his grand- son, Mr. J. Lozel Plaits, who is one of the largest farmers and landholders in the town. The _ Bulkeleys are descended from Rev. Peter Bulkeley, who was born in 1583, at Odell, Bedfordshire, England, where his father. Rev. Edward Bulkeley, was minister. He received a thorough education at St. John's College at Cambridge, and succeeded to the benefice of his father in his native town. Here for about 20 years he was known as an eminent and very successful non-con- forming clergyman of the English Church. Silenced at length for non-conformity, by Archbishop Laud, he sold his large estate, and sought religious liberty in New Eng- land. Arriving in 1634 at Cambridge, Mass., he became, in 1637, the first pastor of the church of Concord, which was then but a wilderness. " Here he expended most of his estate for the benefit of his people; and after a laborious and useful life died, March 9th 1659, in his 77th year." John Bulkeley, a great-grandson of Rev. Peter Bulkeley, and of the fourth generation, born about 1687, was married to Deborah Shipman, of Saybrook, in the then parish of Chester, and became, through his son Job (who married Dorcas Conkling) the near ancestor of the present Bulkeleys in this town. The records of Say- brook notice a deed of 50 acres of land given in 1742 to Job Bulkeley from one John Loveland. The Denisons of this, as of neighboring towns, trace their ancestry to the original colonists, who came from England to Massachusetts about 1632, and whose descendants subsequently settled at Stonir.gton in 1649, and at Potapaug Point (Essex) about 1690. The first of the name in Winthrop is supposed to have been John Denison, who came March 1769, and whose first wife, Lydia Pratt, was the mother of all his children, five sons and one daughter. William Denison, his second son, was the father of Rev. William Denison and Rev. Albert Denison, well known thoughout the town and other parts of the State as estimable and successful Baptist minis- ters. Both have acceptably served in the pastorate of tht Baptist church in Winthrop. Rev. William Denison, the elder brother, now deceased was identified with his native place, not only as a pastor, but as the conductor for ten yeais, from 1854 to 1864, of a boarding school, called the " Winthrop Institute for Young Ladies." This modest institution, though for lack of means limited in its equipment and influence, provided, nevertheless, educational advantages which its pupils could not so easily have otherwise enjoyed. Samuel Jones, the first of the name in Winthrop, came from Westbrook, about 1778. His posterity have been prominently identified with the western, and more recently with other parts of the town. His son, Josiah, who died in 1878, aged 9r, kept a tavern for a number of years in the old centenarian house, which was built, as already said, by Mr. Noah Platts. Later came to Winthrop from Westbrook, about 1765, Isaac Post, the forefather of the Posts who reside in the eastern part of Winthrop. In this vicinity stands a time- worn and very antiquated farm house, one-half of which is believed to be 120 years old or more. It was built by Jeremiah Kelsey, who gave it to Jeremiah K. Post, a son of the above-mentioned Isaac. It has been occupied by the Posts nearly 79 years. Passing reference may be here made to another old house in Winthrop, now occupied by Miss Clarissa Rice^ which was built by Mr. Daniel G. Bailey, an early land owner, in 1764, and which is just 120 years old. Old Houses. In addition to those that have been already incidentally mentioned, there are several other old houses in the: town that deserve brief notice. One of the most venerable of these is the farm house located south of the village of Deep River, on the road to Centerbrook, which has been owned and used by the- town for a. nurnber of years, as, an, almshouse. SAYBROOK— THE REBELLION. 541 The history of this antiquated, and now somewhat dilapidated, relic, which was doubtless built by one of the earliest Pratt settlers, may be traced back 93 years, and may be reasonably considered much older. Previous to 1807, it was directly on the old country road, but in that year, when the Middlesex Turnpike was opened, a change in the direction of the road left it several rods to the west. Another ancient house is that which is owned and oc- cupied by Mr. Solomon Molander, on the Straits road (or Chester street). It was built by Captain William and Nathan Southworth, and was intended for the joint oc- cupancy of their families, but on its completion it was, by their mutual agreement, occupied by the former, while the latter occupied one of the old Kirtland houses, on the Connecticut River. Its exact age has not been ascertained, but it cannot be less than 75 years old. Until August 1881, when it was destroyed by fire, an ancient dwelling stood on Chester street, not far north of the Congregational church. This house was not only noticeable for its venerable appearance, but also memor- able as having, in long past years, been occupied succes- sively by some of the prominent families in Deep River. Though its age is not precisely known, it must have been 100 years old or more. Belonging to Mr. Ansel D. Piatt, and just south of his residence on the east side of South Main street, is an old house, the external appearance of which, by careful pres- ervation, conceals its real age. It originally stood where the Congregational church now stands, and was removed to its present location about the time the Middlesex Turnpike was opened to travel, in 1807. Tradition says that it was occupied, possibly built, by Mr. Doty Lord, about the year 1790. The house fronting the Connecticut River and oppo- site the Deep River station of the Connecticut Valley Railroad, which is now occupied by Mrs. Horace S. Phelps and family, was built by Mr. R, Kirtland, in 1799. This fact is verified by a rough inscription on the upper stone of the kitchen fireplace, probably cut by himself, " R. K,, 1799." The house was subsequently bought and occupied by Nathan Southworth jr., whose grand- daughter, Mrs. Phelps,, now owns it. The War of the Rebellion. The following votes, copied in chronological order, from the town records, will sufficiently indicate the spirit and attitude of the inhabitants of the town in regard to the Civil War of 1861-1865: October 7th t86i.—" Voted, That the Town of Say- brook pay to the volunteers that have enlisted, or that may enlist from this town in the United States service the sum of ten dollars each to be paid from the Treasury of said town." July 28th 1862, specialmeeting.—" Whereas the Presi- dent of the United States, at the suggestion of a majority of the Governors of the loyal States has called for rein- forcement of the Army to the number of 300,000 men the more speedily to crush out the present rebellion; and whereas the Legislature of this State has approved of the same by providing an additional bounty to encourage enlistments; " Therefore as a further inducement to speedy enlist- ments, be it resolved, " That the Selectmen of the town of Saybrook are hereby instructed to pay from the treasury of the town the sum of one hundred dollars as a bounty to any and each person that may enlist from this town, not exceed- ing ten in number, into the service of the United States, on or before the twenty-fifth of August next ensuing, provided that he be accepted and sworn into said ser- vice within a reasonable time; and the same shall be in lieu of all other bounties provided by the town." August 22d 1862. At a special meeting called to vote bounty to a sufficient number of volunteers to fill the quota of this town, under the call of the president, of August 4th 1862: " Voted, To pay a bounty of seventy-five dollars to any volunteer into the service of the United States for the term of nine months, in pursuance of the last order of the president, upon his being accepted and sworn into said service within a reasonable time, provided that the number does not exceed the proportion required of the town under said call; and in case the full number ap- portioned to the town is made up by enlistment as afore- said, the bounty shall be increased to one hundred dol- lars; and the selectmen are instructed to draw on the Treasurer for the several amounts, which shall be in lieu of all other bounties of the town." At a special meeting held September 14th 1863, in reference to the military draft ordered by the president of the United States: "Voted, That the sum of one hundred and fifty dol- lars be appropriated to each of the individuals drafted from this town, as bounty to those who shall honor said draft in person, or procure a substitute, or pay to the Collector of the Internal Revenue in the Second Congressional District of this State, the sum of three hundred dollars." November 21st 1863, special meeting. — " Voted, That it is the intention of the town of Saybrook to use all honorable means to recruit by volunteering or enlist- ment a sufficient number of men to fill the quota of the town, under the last call of the President of October 17, 1863. " Voted, To appoint a Committee of five, who shall have the whole matter of recruiting in charge, and em- ploy such recruiting officer or officers as may be deemed expedient, and make such expenditures of money, not exceeding the amount appropriated by this meeting, as may be deemed best in furtherance of the object. " Voted, To appropriate the sum of six hundred dol- lars, to be placed in the hands of the Committee, who shall be appointed by this town to recruit men to fill the quota of this town, by the President's last call of Oc- tober 17, 1863. " The following named persons were appointed said Committee, viz.: J. Albert Shipman, Lozel J. Platts, S42 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Ezra S. Williams, John W. Marvin, Henry C. Kingsley. Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to borrow money or draw orders on the Town Treasurer for the sum of six hundred dollars, or any amount not exceed- ing that, to be appropriated for the above-named pur- pose." Special meeting, July 30th 1864.—" Voted, Whereas the President of the United States, during the present -month has made a call for 500,000 men, and whereas, in order to fill the large quota assigned to this town, pre- vious to the day set for a draft, extraordinary induce- ments must be offered for recruiting, therefore " Resolved, That a special committee of one be ap- pointed by this meeting to pay the sura of one hundred dollars to any person bringing proper evidence that he has recruited or caused to be recruited either as princi- pal or substitute, and either in the Army or Navy, since the said call of the President and previous to draft, a person that has been applied on said quota; meaning that a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars be paid for each recruit as aforesaid. " Resolved, That the sum of two thousand eight hun- dred dollars be appropriated, and the same is hereby ap- propriated for the above named object. " Resolved, That the Selectmen be hereby instructed to borrow the sum of two thousand eight hundred dol- lars, or such part thereof as may be needed for the above named purpose. " Mr. Sedley Snow was appointed to act as the Com- mittee, and subsequently Mr. Arba H. Banning was ap- pointed to act with him." Special Meeting August 19th 1864. "Voted, That including the appropriation made by this town at the special meeting held July 30, the amount of money which the Committee appointed for that purpose are hereby di- rected to pay to any person bringing proper evidence that he has recruited or caused to be recruited, either as prin- cipal or substitute, and either in the Army or Navy, since the last call of the President for 500,000 men, and previous to a draft, if a draft is had in this town in pursuance of said call, a person that has been applied on the quota of this town, shall be as follows: viz., for each person so recruited to serve one year shall be paid the sum of two hundred dollars, and for each person so recruited to serve three years shall be paid the sum of three hundred and fifty dollars, provided nevertheless that the amount thus paid shall not exceed the actual cost of the recruit so accredited, if purchased. "Voted, Further that the selectmen are hereby aiithor- ized and instructed to borrow the sum of eight thousand dollars, including the amount appropriated at the meet- ing of July 30th last, or such part thereof as may be needed to carry into effect the foregoing resolution: and that the same be paid to the Committee appointed at the meeting of July 30th, to make similar payments, and that the said amount of eight thousand dollars including the amount previously appropriated for this object, or such part thereof as may be needed to carry into effect the foregoing resolution is hereby appropriated for that pur- pose. "October 17th 1864, special meeting. — Voted, That the vote upon the subject of recruiting, at the special meeting held August 19th 1864 is hereby approved. " Voted, That it be left discretionary with the select- men to make such further expenditure for recruiting purposes, not exceeding the sum of fifteen hundred dol- lars, as the circumstances may seem to warrant, and as they may deem advisable. " Voted, That the Selectmen are hereby authorized and instructed to borrow on the credit of the town the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, or such part thereof as may be needed to carry into effect the foregoing resolu- tion." October 7th 1867, the report of the war committee appointed at the previous annual meeting was accepted, giving the names of all the residents of the town, who served in the army and navy of their country during the recent Rebellion; either as principals or substitutes, with suitable resolutions. Following the list of names above referred to, resolu- tions were adopted as follows: " Resolved i. That the blood spilt, the treasure ex- pended, the privations endured, and the sore trials of friends near and more remote during the recent war were indispensible to the suppression of that wicked re- bellion, the result of which in the unsettled state of the Country, and in taxes grievous to be borne, are still upon us, and that they should be considered with the losses and privations of our Revolutionary forefathers, as necessary trials, to secure and maintain a free and inde- pendent Government. "Resolved 2d, That while we recall with gratitude and veneration the many straggles and sacrifices made by our ancestors of the Revolution in gaining our inde- pendence, we accord to those who fought and bled to maintain it, equal honor and equal gratitude. " John W. Marvin, ) " J. Albert Shipman, [■ Com." " Bradley Terrell. ) Civil List. Representatives. — The Representatives to General Court and Assembly from the town of Saybrook, from 1670 to the present time, have been: Robert Chapman, 1670 M.-1671 O., 1674 M., 1675 M., 1675 O., 1676 O.-1678 M., 1679 M., 1679 O., 1680 O., 1692 M., 1693 M.-1694 M., 1704 O., 1706 O., 1710 O.- 1711 O.; William Bushnell, 1670 M.; William Pratt, 1670 O.-1672 M., 1673 M.-1678 M.; William Parker, 1672 M., 1673 M., 1673 O., 1674 O., 1676 M., 1678 0,-1679 O., 1680 0,-1683 M., 169T O., 1692 O., 1693 M., 1695 O., 1706 O.-1709 M., 1611 O., 1712 M.; Robert Lay, 1678 O.; John Chapman, i68t O., 1683 O.- 1687 O., 1689 M.-i6go O., 1691 O.; William Dudley, 1682 M.-1684 M., 1685 M., 1686 O.-1687 O., 1689 M.- i6gi M., 1692 M., 1692 O., 1693 O., 1694 M., 1695 M.; John Pratt, 1684 O., 1691 M.; Abram Post, 1685 O.; John Parker, 1686 M., 1698 O.-1700 O.; Nathaniel SAYBROOK— REPRESENTATIVES. 543 Lynes,* 1694 0.-1695 0-; John Clark, 1694 O.. 1696 M., 1696 O., 1700 M., 1701 M., 1703 M., 1703 O., 1706 M., 1708 M., 1709 O., 1711 M., 1712 M„ 1712 O., 1715 M., 1716 O.-1717 O., 1720 O., 1724 M.. 1728 M.; Nathaniel Lynde, 1696 O., 1697 O.-1698 O., 1700 0., 1701 O.-1702 O., 1703 0.-1706 M., 1708 O., 1709 O., 1722 M.; John Whittlesey, 1696 M., 1697 M., 1698 M., 1699 M., 1703 M., 1731 O., 1735 M.; Nathaniel Chap- man, 1697 M., 1697 O., 1699 O., 1701 M.-1702 0., 1704 M., 1705 M.. 1705 O., 1707 M., 1707 O., 1712 O.-1714 O., 1715 O., 1716 M., 1718 M.-1716 M., 1722 0.- 1723 O.; Benjamin Lord, 1709 M., 1710 M.; Stephen Whittlesey, 1710 M., 1718 M., 1718 O., 1822 M.- 1723 O., 1724 0., 1725 M., 1726 M.-1728 O., 1730 O.; Daniel Buckingham, 1713 M.-T717 O., 1719 M., 1724 O.; Nathaniel Pratt, 1719 O., 1720 M., 1721 M.; Thomas Buckingham, 1719O.-1721 O.; Joseph Dudley, 1721 O.; Samuel Lynde, 1624 M., 1725 M.-1727 O., 1728 O.- 1730 M.; Samuel Pratt, 1725 O., 1731 M.; Samuel Wil- lard, 1729 M.-1732 M., 1733 M., 1734 M., 1734 O., 1736 M., 1736 O., 1737 O.-1738 O., 1739 O.-1741 M., 1765 O., 1766 M.; Samuel Dotey, 1732 M.; Nathaniel Clark. 1733 M.-1734 O., 1739 M., 1739 O., 1741 O.-1743 M.; Andrew Lord, 1733 O., 1735 M., 1735 O., 1737 M., 1737 O., 1743 O.; Jedediah Chapman, 1735 0.-1737 M., 1739 M., 1740 M.-1747 M., 1748 M.-1750 M., 1751 M., 1751 O., 17S3M., 17S4M.-1755 O., 1757 M., 1757O., 1763 M.; Joshua Bushnell, 1738 M., 1738 O.; Ambrose Whittle- sey, 1744 M.-1747 M., 1748 M.-1751 O., 1753 M., 1754 M.-1755 O.; John Tully, 1747 O., 1752 M., 1752 O., 1753 0-. 1766 O., 1768 O.; John Murdock, 1747 O., 1750 O., 1752 M.. 1752 O., 1753 O., 1758 0.-1762 O., 1763 O.-1765 M., 1766 M., 1767 M.-1768 M., 1769 M.- 1770 M.; Hezekiah Whittlesey, 1756 M.-1757 M., 1758 O., 1759 O.-1762 O., 1764 M., 1764 O., 1766 O., 1767 M., 1768 O., 1770 M., 1770 O., 1774 M.; Samuel Lord, 1758 M.; William Tully, 1759 M., 1799 0-. 1801 M.; John Shipman, 1763 M., 1763 O., 1765 O., 1767 O., 1768 M., 1769 O., 1770 O., 1777 M., 1777 O.; Samuel Field, 1771 M., 1774 O., 1776 O., 1780 M., 1780 O., 1781 O.; William Worthington, 177,1 M.-1774 O., 1776 M., 1777 M., 1778 M., 1779 M., 1779 O., 1781 M., 1782 M., 1783 O., 1785 M., 1786 0., 1790 O., 1791 O.; John Cochrane, 1771 O., 1772 M., 1781 M.; Stephen Chalker, 1772 0.-1773 O.; John Ely, 1775 M., 1783 M., 1784 M., 1784 O., 1785 O., 1786 M.; Benjamin Williams, 1775 O- 1776 O., 1786 O.; Justus Buck, 1775 O., 1780 O. ; Sam- uel Shipman, 1776 M., 1782 O., 1786 M., 1787 M., 1788 O.; William Lynde, i777 O., 1785 M., 1785 O.- Edward Shipman, 1778 M.-1780 M., 1782 M., 1782 O.; William Hart, 1783 M.-1784 O., 1787 M.-1788 M., 1789 O.-1791 M., 1792 M., 1792 O., 1793 O.-179S O., 1796 0.-1799 M., 1800 O., 1801 O.-1802.O.; William Mitchell, 1787 O.; Elisha Chapman, 1788 M.; Jonathan Lay, 1789 M., 1790 M., 1791 M., 1792 M.-1793 O., 1794 O.-1796 M„ 1797 O., 1798 M., 1799 O., 1800 O., 1801 O-1803 O.; * This name, which is spelled In the records both with and without the " s," probably refers to the same person as the Nathaniel Lynde or Lind farther on. Timothy Starkey, 1789 O., 1793 M., 1794 M.; John Bull, 1789 M., 1796 M., 1804 O., 1806 M., 1807 O.; Elisha Ely, 1791 O.; Samuel Williams, 1796 O., 1797 M., 1798 O., 1799 M., i8or M., 1804 M., 1807 M., 1809 M., i8ri M., 1812 O., 1813 M., 1814 M,-i8i5 M.; Daniel Brain- erd, 1800 M.; Smith Cbrk, 1800 M.; Elisha Hart, 1804 M., 1804 O.; Richard Ely 2d, 1803 M., 1808 M., 1809 M.; Joseph Hill, 1803 O., 1805 M.-1806 M., 1808 M., 1808 0., 1809 0.-1810 O., 1812 M., 1813 0., 1817 O., 1818 M., 1821, 1824, 1827; Timothy Pratt, 1805 M.; John Stannard 2d, 1805 0.; Ambrose Whittlesey jr., 1806 M., 1808 O., 1813 M., i8t4 O., 1817 O., 1818 O.; Thomas Silliman, 1806 O.; Elias Shipman, 1807 M.; Michael Hill, 1807 O.; Elisha Sill, 1809 O., 1817 M., 1819 M., 1824; Samuel Hart, 1810 M.-1812 0., 1813 O., 1814 M., 1815 M.-1816 O.; John Stannard, 1811 O., 1818 M,; Clark Nott, 1815 O.-1816 O., 1819 M.; Joel Pratt, 1817 M., 1833; Samuel Colt, 1818 O.; Jonathan Warner, 1820; John Ayer, 1820, 1821; George Pratt, 1822, 1828, 1829; Ebenezer Hayden, 1822; Gurdon Smith, 1823; Jonathan Clark 2d, 1823; Ebene- zer Cone, 1825, 1826; Joseph Platts, 1825, 1826; Arthur Lane, 1827, 1830, 1834; Samuel Ingham, 1828-33, 1835, 1851; Joshua L'Hommedieu, 1831, 1832; Joel Pratt, 1833; Benjamin Dowd, 1834, 1840, 1841; Jedediah Post, 183s; Richard P.Williams, 1836, 1837; John H. Hayden, 1836-38; Elsha Kirtland, 1838; Ezra Williams, 1839, 1840; Alexander Clark, 1839; Alpheus Starkey, 1841, 1845; Asa H. King, 1843; Selden M. Pratt, 1843, 1844, 1852, 1853, 1857; George Chapman, 1844, .1845; George H. Chalker, 1846, 1847; Stephen Jennings, 1846; Cornelius R. Doane, 1847, 1848; Giles Blague, 1848; Ezra S. Williams, 1849, i860, i86i, 1866; David P. Platts, 1849, 1850; Richard N. Dowd, 1850; Edward W. Pratt, 1851; Ozias H. Kirtland, 1852; Russell Jennings, 1853, 1854; Lozei; J. Platts, 1854; John S. Lane, 1855, 1856; Josiah S. Dickinson, 1855, 1858; William Deni- son 2d, 1856, 1861, 1863; George Read, 1857, 1858; Jo- seph H. Mather, 1859; Gilbert A. Gladwin, 1859; D. P. Platts, i860; John Rogers, 1862, 1873; N. B. Pratt, 1862; John Marvin, 1863, 1864; N. E. Shailer, 1864, 1865; John Denison, 1865; Oliver C. Carter, 1866-69; Daniel P. Platts, 1867; L. B. Southworth, 1868; Gilbert F. Buck- ingham, 1869, 1870; S. S. Gilbert, 1870; John W. Mar- vin, 1871, 1872; Epaphroditus Bates, 1871, 1872; Wil- liam L. Jones, 1873; I. Albert Shipman, 1874; G. N. Snow, 1874; Milon Pratt, 1875; Asa R. Shaler, 1875; Frederick W. Williams, 1876, 1877; Gilbert Stevens, 1876, 1877; William D. Worthington, 1878, 1879; Lo- zel J. Platts, 1878,1879; Felix A. Denison, 1880,1881; Joseph B. Lord, 1880, 1881; John Child, 1882, 1883; Ezra J. B. Southworth, 1882, 1883; George F. Spencer, 1884; Carlton M. Pratt, 1884. Town Clerks. — The following is a list of the clerks of the town of Saybrook from 1680 to the present time, with dates of their election: John Tully, December 27th 1680; Samuel Willard, December 30th 1701; Samuel Pratt, March 15th 1716; Samuel Willard, December 23d 1718; John Tully, December 23d 1745; Samuel Tully, 544 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. December nth 1776; Zephaniah Pratt, December 9th 1794; Samuel Tully, December 24th 1799; Clark Nott. December 8th 1801; Selden M. Pratt, October 6th 7828; Ulysses Mather, October 5th 1829; Obadiah Spencer, October 8th 1832; Selden M. Pratt, October sth 1840; John Marvin, October 3d 1853; John W. Marvin, Octo- ber 6th 1873; Samuel F. Snow, October 4th 1880; Fred- erick L'Hommedieu, October ist 1883. Present Town Officers. — The town officers elected in October 1884, for the ensuing year, are: Frederick W. Williams, Milon D. Pratt, J. Lockwood Lamb, selectmen; Frederick L'Hommedieu, town clerk; Henry R. Woos- ter, town treasurer. Ancient Town Records. Reference has been made, incidentally, to the fact that this town retains possession of all the ancient records, now known to be extant, of the original town of Say- brook. These documents, extending as far back as the year 1666, time-worn, discolored, and dilapidated, and characterized by an orthography and chirography so an- tiquated that only an expert can read them with facility, contain the record of old town acts, deeds, wills, allot- ments of lands, marriages, and births, with much other valuable material. The lapse of time has increased their historic interest and value to such an extent, that fre- quent use is made of them in tracing family histories and pedigrees, and in verifying or correcting old tradi- tions, events, and titles to property. The value of these relics of the remote past is evident from the fact that the General Assembly, a few years ago, caused copies of some of the more important to be made, and deposited in the State Capitol, at Hartford. The original volumes are now carefully preserved in a fire proof vault, ad- joining the town hall, in Deep River, which, by require- ment of the Legislature, was constructed in 1875, for the safer keeping of all town and probate records. The Town Hall. The earliest town meetings were held, of course, with- in the limits of the primitive settlethent, and usually in the meeting houses. As the population extended northward, they were held alternately in the old parish of Saybrook and that of Potapaug; and finally, as early as and probably before 1835, they were for a num- ber of years held exclusively in Potapaug Parish, and at the old church, until a town hall was erected near it. This locality was regarded as the geographical center of the town as then constituted, and from this fact re- ceived the name of Centerbrook, by which it is still locally known. In 1854, by which time the town of Saybrook was reduced to its present limits, excepting that Centerbrook had not yet been separated from it, it was voted to dispose of the town hall in that locality, and to transfer the town meetings to Read's Hall,' in the village of Deep River. Following this action, and possibly to some extent as the consequence of it, Cen- terbrook was joined to the town of Essex. In i860, this town ^instructed its selectmen to pur- chase the property known as Read's Hall and post office building, with the land adjoining, for the use and benefit of the town. The purchase was effected; and in this building, on the southwest corner of Main and Elm streets, all the town meetings have since been held. At some auspicious day in the future, the progress of improvement will doubtless require the erection of a new town hall, which in size, style, and convenience will comport vvith the dignity and enterprise of the town. Post Offices. The first post office in the original town was estab- lished in 1793, in its extreme southern part; the second was opened in 1810, in the then parish of Pattaconk or Chester. These were the only post offices in the old town as late as 1819. The first post office in the present town was estab- lished probably in 1827, and was originally located in the so-called " Green Store " of Mather, Read & Co. on the northeast corner of Main and River streets. 'Squire Joseph H. Mather, a man of more than average mental ability and the senior partner of the above firm, was ap- pointed as the first postmaster, and served as such for a number of years. The position was afterward held by Obadiah Spencer and Sedley Snow (both of whom were engaged in general merchandise while postmasters); then by H. G. Loomis, and finally in i86r, by the pres- ent incumbent, Samuel M. Shipman, who with the ex- ception of an interval of about eighteen months, has held the position and efficiently discharged its duties for more than 23 years. The unpretentious building adjoining the town hall, which now provides somewhat straitened quarters for the post office of Deep River, was in its infancy a cooper's shop, built»by Mr. Jabez Southworth sen., on the corner of Union and Elm streets, nearly lor years ago. After numerous removals from place to place in the village, and after serving various honorable uses, it was finally established on the site it now occupies, more than 60 years ago. In consideration of the humble origin from which it has risen, its eventful history, its varied useful- ness, and its venerable age, it certainly deserves to be re- tired as a relic of the past, and to give place to a younger and more substantial successor. The post office in the western part of the town was es- tablished about 1837. The name of the place was then Sayville, after Lord Say and Seal, but a few years after the post office was opened, it was changed to Winthrop, after George Winthrop. The first postmaster was Mr. Aaron Watrous, of the firm of Denison & Watrous, mer- chants. The present merchant, Mr. George T. Carr, now acts as postmaster. Deep River National Bank. In 1849, at its May session, the General Assembly of Connecticut granted a charter to the stockholders of the Deep River Bank, and their successors, with a capital of $75,000. On the Sth of August 1849, the commissioners ap- SAYBROOK— BANKS— HOTEL— SOCIETIES. 545 pointed to receive subscriptions to the capital stock, held a meeting for that purpose, and the whole amount was subscribed for, and 25 per cent, paid down. The following persons were then elected as directors, viz., Joshua L'Hommedieu, George Read, Sedley Snow, George Spencer, Samuel P. Russell, Warren Tyler, Jabez Southworth, Ulysses Pratt, Calvin B. Rogers, William H. Goodspeed, Gilbert Stevens, Reynold S. Marvin, and Stephen Jennings. At a subsequent meeting of the directors, on the same day, Joshua L'Hommedieu was elected president. On the 8th of October 1849, Gideon Parker was elected cashier, and has continued to hold the position to the present time. The bank began business by discounting paper, November 5th 1849. Soon after the organization of the bank, steps were taken for the erection of a banking house, and the build- ing now occupied by the Deep River Savings Bank was completed, and the Deep River Bank moved its books and effects from the house of George Read, where they were previously kept, into its new banking house, in the latter part of November 1849, where it continued until the erection, in March 1879, of the present building. The present banking house is a unique and handsome building, of brick, with Ohio stone trimmings, and with its beautiful frescoed interiors, is an architectural orna- ment to the main street of the village. Upon the petition of the directors and stockholders, the General Assembly, at its May session in 1854, au- thorized an increase of the capital stock to the amount of $75,000, making the total capital $150,000. This amount was soon taken up by the old stockholders. In May 1865, the Deep River Bank was changed into a national bank. In December 1853, Ulysses Pratt succeeded Joshua L'Hommedieu as president, and held the office until No- vember 1859, when he resigned, and George Spencer was elected president. In January 1865, George Spencer resigned, and in February following, Henry Wooster was elected, and acted until his death, in August 1866. He was succeeded by Richard P. Spencer, who has continued to hold the office to the present time. Deep River Savings Bank. The Deep River Savings Bank was incorporated by the General Assembly of Connecticut, at its May session, 1851. The following persons are named in the Act of Incor- poration, as incorporators, viz.: Alpheus Starkey, George Read, Zebulon Brockway, Sedley Snow, John C. Rogers, Joseph Post, Henry Wooster, Henry W. Gilbert, Joshua L'Hommedieu, Samuel P. Russell, Joseph H. Mather, Ulysses Pratt, Ezra S. Williams, and Calvin B. Rogers. The bank was organized, July 14th 1851, by the ap- pointment of the following officers and directors: George Read, president; Henry W. Wooster, vice-president; Sedley Snow, secretary and treasurer; directors, Joshua L'Hommedieu, Joseph Post, John C. Rogers, Ulysses Pratt, Zebulon Brockway. George Read was continued as president until his death in 1859. His successor, Joseph Post, was ap- pointed in i860, and continued until 1872, when the present incumbent, Asa R. ShaJer, was appointed. Sedley Snow acted as secretary and treasurer until his death, in 1873. He was succeeded by Richard P. Spencer, who held the position for two years, when the present incumbent, Henry R. Wooster, was appointed. The total deposits. May ist 1884, were $626,797.18 The surplus and profits 22,820.01 $649,617.19 The bank was located in a part of Mr. Sedley Snow's store, until May 1879, when it was removed into the present building on Main street. The Wahginnicut House. The Wahginnicut House, the only hotel now in the town, derived its name from a sagamore of one of the local Indian tribes, who rendered friendly service to the white settlers. It was erected about 1854 by Mr. Still- man Tiley,now of Essex, who kept it as a hotel for about two years. He was succeeded by Mr. David Watrous, who continued about eight years. The present pro- prietor, Mr. William D. Worthington, has been estab- lished since 1864. The hotel stands on an elevation which was early known as " Kirtland's Rock," from the fact that the dwelling house of Mr. Stephen Kirtland,one of the earliest residents of the town, occupied for many years previously the same site. The hotel commands one of the most beautiful views on the Connecticut River, and is capable of accommodating twenty or more guests. Societies. Trinity Lodge, No. 43, F. & A. M., in this town, is the successor of a lodge of the same name and under the same charter which formerly existed in the town of Killingworth. The original Trinity Lodge, No. 43, was organized in that town in November 1797, in compliance with a petition which was presented to the grand lodge in session at New Haven, October i8th 1797. So far as known, the petitioners were Noah Lester, Aaron Elliott, Eli Kelsey, Joseph Wilcox, and Nathan Wilcox, with others whose names cannot be ascertained, to whom a charter was granted empowering them to perform the functions of a masonic lodge within their territorial jurisdiction. Its first officers were the following: Noah Lester, W. M.; Aaron Elliott, S. W.; Eli Kelsry, J. W,; Joseph Wilcox, treasurer; Nathan Wilcox, secretary. The lodge held its meetings regularly in Killingworth, till 1805, when, by application to the grand lodge in ses- sion that year at Hartford, authority was obtained to hold its meetings a part of the time in the town of Say- brook; that is, in the months of March, April, May, and June of each year following, during the pleasure of the grand lodge. The lodge continued to hold its regular meetings and was duly represented in the grand lodge until the 546 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. year 1822. Having for the three years following failed to comply with the laws of the grand lodge, its char- ter was revoked, and, with the jewels, returned to the grand lodge. Its early records not being returned were lost; consequently no definite information can be obtained respecting the membership at that time, nor of other facts which would be of interest to members of the craft in this section. In the year 1854, the grand lodge, at its May session at Hartford, granted a charter or dispensation for the formation of a new lodge in the town of Chester, to the following brethren, who were previously members of St. John's Lodge, No. 2, at Middletown; viz.: Henry S. Russell, Samuel J. Auger, George D. Holmes, Samuel A. Wright, Daniel Barker, Daniel D. Silliman, and Robert M. Barnard. At the suggestion of the grand master and the grand secretary of the grand lodge, the new lodge took the forfeited charter and name of the former Trinity Lodge, No. 43, in Killingworth. The ofificers of the new Trinity Lodge, No. 43, when organized were: Henry S. Russell, W. M.; Robert M. Barnard, S. W.; Daniel Barker, J. W.; Samuel A. Wright, secretary; and Daniel D. Silliman, treasurer. The lodge meetings were held for the first two years in the town of Chester, at the expiration of which time a dispensation from the grand lodge was procured to hold them in Deep River, town of Saybrook, where, since that time, they have continued to be held. The lodge room is conveniently located near the center of Deep River, in the upper story of Snow's building, on the cor- ner of Main and River streets. The present member- ship is 90, with the following ofificers: Frederick W. Williams, W. M.; Frank E. Phippeny, S. W.; Charles R. Marvin, J. W.; William H. Chapman, secretary; and John W. Marvin, treasurer. Webb Lodge, No. 81, I. O. of O. F., was instituted August 2ist 1855, in compliance with an application previously made by the following petitioners, viz., Hi- ram G. Loomis, Albert J. Shipman, Rowley Flint, Harvey H. Brooks, Samuel M. Shipman, Frederick W. Williams, Henry W. Bogart, Bradley Terrell, and others. The in- stituting ceremonies were duly performed in the pres- ence of the most worthy grand master, Reynolds Webb (after whom the lodge was named) and his attendant grand officers; and the elective officers were chosen and duly installed, as follows: Albert J. Shipman, N, G.; Nathaniel A. Starkey, V. G.; Rowley Flint, treasurer; Samuel C. Gladding, secre- tary. The lodge continued to hold its meeting until Novem- ber 4th 1861, when, in consequence of the then dormant state of the order, it was deemed advisable to surrender its charter to the grand lodge. After an interval of about twelve and a half years, pe- tition was made and granted for the restoration of the charter, and the lodge was reinstituted by the most worthy grand master, Stephen Terry and his attendant officers, at Masonic Hall, Deep River, April 7th 1874; and the officers were duly elected and installed. The regular meetings of the lodge are now held every Thurs- day evening in its qwn lodge room, which is located in Pratt's Block on Upper Main street. Since its reorganization in 1874, the prosperity of Webb Lodge has been very satisfactory. Its member- ship at the close of the July term was 67, and it has now in bank a fund amounting to nearly f 1,000. During the past TO years, it has expended for benefits between $600 and $700 The present officers are: Charles S. Phelps, N. G.; Frank L. Stimpson, V. G. ; Virgil D. Norton, treasurer; William H. Chapman, secretary. Good Intent Lodge, No. 144, I. O. of G. T., was organized in Deep River, February 7th 1871. At the time of its institution, its principal officers were: Virgil D. Norton, W. C. T.; Mary E. Dickinson, W. V. T.; Rev. William H. Knouse, W. C; Henry N. Booma, W. S.; and Frederick R. Gilbert, W. T. For more than 13 years this meritorious society has sustained itself, despite the fluctuations of public inter- est in the beneficent reform which it worthily represents. Rarely, if ever, has it failed to hold its regular meetings, and in a quiet and unostentatious way it has done much good, not only to its own members, but to the commu- nity as well. It has a well selected library, which embraces, besides works on temperance, other volumes of a general char- acter, and an unexceptionable quality; it has also labored to promote the cause of temperance by the holding of public meetings, and the circulation of a temperance lit- erature. Its present membership is 20. Its lodge room is located on the southeast corner of Main and Kirtland streets. The principal officers are: John B. Norton, W. C. T.; Rebecca Phelps, W. V. T.; Dolly L. Tyler, W. S.; Davis N. Tyler, W. T.j Jane N. Chapman, W. C. Woman's Temperance Union. — No history of this tovvn, especially in respect of its moral progress, would be complete without due recognition of this society and its good work. It was organized in Deep River, May 13th 1875, as a local auxilliary of the State Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Connecticut. Its name indicates its special object and the spirit in which its work is done. At its formation sixteen earnest women signed its pledge and engaged, as members to give their best endeavors for the promotion of its work. Mrs. Jane N. Chapman was its first president, with Miss Eunice Southworth as vice-president, and Miss Ellen M. Williams as its secretary and treasurer. Such was the modest beginning of an organized and united effort by the women of Deep River for the promotion of temper- ance upon Christian principles and by the use of Chris- tian methods; an effort which has proved to be of incal- culable benefit to the moral interests of the town. Its membership rapidly increased, until it numbered 134, and its frequent meetings for discussion and prayer were fraught with growing interest and power. In May 1878, Mr. David Frost conducted a series of Christian SAYBROOK— SOCIETIES— EDUCATION. 547 temperance meetings in Deep River which, continuing for about two weeks, resulted in a deep and general awakening of public interest in temperance reform; a large number were induced to pledge themselves to total abstinence, including not a few inebriates. But the ground was already prepared for this special work by the earnest labors, during the three previous years, of the ladies of the Woman's Temperance Union, who with characteristic zeal entered into the new movement. In every possible way they lent their encouragement and aid. VVhen a fund had been secured for the purchase of the principal drinking saloon in the village, and a re- form club had been organized, the members of the Union collected an additional sum of $200 for the renovation and furnishing of the club room; and throughout the subsequent history of the club, they continued to be its warmest and most efficient friends. Though somewhat discouraged by the final failure of this club, which they did their best to prevent, the Union has never relaxed its faith and zeal in the prosecution of its work. Down to the present time it has sought to educate public sen- timent, and by constant agitation has endeavored to keep the cause of temperance before the community. It has secured from time to time the services of the ablest ad- vocates; to the extent of its ability, it has distributed a temperance literature; it has aimed to do a work of pre- vention, as well as suppression, by the introduction into the public schools of the town of suitable textbooks on physiological temperance. The Union at present numbers about 50 members, and doubtless has a successful future before it. Its officers are: Mrs. Horace P. Denison, president; Mrs. Charles Jennings, vice-president; Miss Sarah J. Parker, record- ing secretary; and Mrs. Jane N. Chapman, correspond- ing secretary and treasurer. In this connection, the fact may be noted that there are now no licensed drinking saloons in the town. Since 1880, when the inhabitants almost unanimously voted no license, the sale of intoxicating beverages has been contrary to law. Bible Society. The Deep River Bible Society is a modest institution which was organized as an auxiliary to the American Bible Society, February 20th 1837. After the formation of the Connecticut State Bible Society it transferred its auxiliary connection to that organization. Its object is the circulation in the town, by sale at nominal prices, or by gratuitous distribution, of the holy scriptures, without note or comment. For this object it receives funds from any source, but depends mostly on individual donations. Its depository at the Deep River post office is, though small, large enough usually for the needs of the town, and contains 100 or more Bibles and Testaments, varying in size, style, and price. The bal- ance of receipts, in excess of the cost of keeping the de- pository fully supplied, is donated annually to the (Con- necticut Bible Society for its general Bible work through- out the State. Schools. With the exception of the Young Ladies' Institute, be- fore mentioned as having had, under Rev. William Den- ison, a brief but useful career in Winthrop, and a board- ing school in Deep River, conducted from 185 1 to 1858 by Mr. Giles O. Clark, this town has not been favored with any special educational advantages. From the early settlement the common district schools have existed, and provided instruction in the elementary branches of knowledge. The oldest of these school dis- tricts in the town are the West District in Winthrop and the South District in Deep River. With the growth of the population, others have been added, until now there are four districts, collectively embracing six schools, one in Winthrop and five in Deep River, All these are primary schools, excepting one in the Centre District of Deep River, which, relatively to the others, may be called a high school. Each of these districts was, until 1867, independent of the others, paying its dwn ex- penses, and selecting its own teachers; but all were sub- ject to annual inspection and examination by school vis- itors, who were appointed by the town. Among the early teachers in the old South District were: Mason Denison, Jared Shaler, Deacon Samuel Griswold, Miss Ann Lord, Henry Tyler, and Giles O. Clark. This town is one of the comparatively fevV in the State which have taken advantage of the authority given by act of the General Assembly in 1866-67 for the consol- idation of school districts. Agreeably to a vote passed in November 1867, all the school districts of the town were consolidated into one Union School District; and in 1870 the town voted to assume the entire control of the schools. They were accordingly placed under the general supervision of a Board of Education, consisting of twelve members, four of whom are elected annually, to serve for three years. The Board of Education, as originally constituted, consisted of the following members, viz.: J. Albert Ship- man, John S. Lane, Henry Fox, Rev. John N. Chase, Midian N. Griswold, Felix A. Denison, Ansel D. Platts, Henry S. Ward, James A. Erwin, Henry L. Denison, Lozel J. Platts, William Denison. The school expenses, excepting in so far as they are met by the income derived from the State school fund, are now paid out of the general town tax. Reference may be made, however, in this connection, but only for its historic interest, to a small special fund belonging to the town, of $325, known as the "School Society Fund," the inconsiderable income of which is used for the pay- ment of school expenses. This fund is a legacy of the remote past, and its origin is involved in obscurity. The following facts, derived from Field's " Statistical Account," may possibly throw some light on the question of its origin: " In addition to monies drawn from time to time from the treasury of the State, these schools " (in the original town of Saybrook) " have the benefit of a considerable fund, belonging to the inhabitants, derived from various sources. Mr. Edward Lorey, in his last 70 S48 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. will, dated June 17th 1689, gave to them ;^3oo, to be applied to the support of schooling. The Legislature, by an act passed in October 1718, gave to them ;^So for the same purpose, in consideration of the removal of the college. They also received another sum afterward, accruing from the sale of Litchfield lands. A part of the legacy of Mr. Lorey was lost many years ago, by the reception of bills of credit from those who had borrowed it. " The remainder was divided, iij 1773 or 1774, to the several parishes in the town, according to their list; and all the school funds in the town are now " (1819) " given up to the parishes, to be used by them for the education of their children. Their whole amount is unknown. Potapaug (of which the present town of Saybrook was then a part) possesses $652.43." Another important movement in the promotion of education has recently been made. As the result of a growing dissatisfation, chiefly in the eastern part of the town, with the extent and quality of our educational facilities, a vote was passed, June 14th 1884, to appro- priate about $9,000 for the erection, in Deep River, of a suitable building for a graded school. This act in- volves the substitution for all the primary schools in the town, except that in Winthrop, of a system of graded departments in one building. Provision was also made at the same time for the erection of a new and improved school house in Winthrop. The new building in Deep River, now in process of erection, is eligibly located on an elevation commanding a picturesque view of Con- necticut River, and is surrounded by ample and pleasant school grounds. It will have a depth of 54 feet and a width of 68 feet, and exclusive, of the basement, will be two stories high, with gothic roof and a belfry. Com- modious class rooms will provide for five or six graded departments. When finished, it will be an ornament to the place, and with liberal equipment and efficient man- agement, will furnish far better opportunities for a good, practical education than the children and youth of the town have ever before enjoyed. The present Board of Education is constituted as fol- lows: Horace P. Denison, president; George F. Spencer, secretary; Lozel J. Platts, Joseph C. Fargo, Dwight S. Southworth, Simeon H. Jennings, Ansel D. Platts, H. Christopher Kingsley, Rev. William H. Knouse, Rev. A. F. Perry, Emery C. Parker, and J. Lockvvood Lamb. The acting school visitors are Rev. William H. Knouse and George F. Spencer. The number of children and youth in attendance at the schools is about 259. INDUSTRIES OF- THE TOWN. Though the original settlers were alm^-^t universally farmers, agriculture long ago ceased to hi te'ie prevailing and most important industry of the town, which is now chiefly dependent upon manufacturing for its prosperity. The rocky character of the land in the eastern part. which rendered it unprofitable for farming, provided, however, at an early period and for a number of years, a more lucrative business, that of Quarrying. — This business, from small beginnings, grew at length to be so thriving that at one time there were at least as many as eight quarries in more or less successful operation, in different parts of the surround- ing hills, which collectively employed about 100 men. The stone was shipped, for use in the construction of bridges and gutters, principally to the cities of New York and Philadelphia, arid even as far as New Orleans. The quarry most extensively worked was owned and carried on by Messrs. Jabez Southworth and Joseph Smith. It was opened June 13th 1821. Mr. Smith came to Deep River, from Haddam, in 1818. From Haddam came, also, other residents of the town who were orig- inally quarrymen. The business continued to be a pros- perous one for about 20 years or more, when it was ar- rested by the opening of new sources of supply on the Hudson River, which were in easier communication with the market, and supplied a better quality of stone. For a short time after the general demand ceased, the quarries were occasionally worked for the supply of local needs. The business is now entirely at an end. The Ivory Business. — This, in its different branches, constitutes the principal business of Deep River, and by its steady increase, it has contributed more than anything else, to the growth and prosperity of the place. It began in a small way, in the manufacture, by hand, of ivory combs, which were first made by Phineas Pratt as early as the year 1809. His father, Deacon Phineas Pratt, of Centerbrook, it is claimed, " was the inventor and maker of any machinery that would enable the man- ufacturer to compete with the English, apart of the same being indispensible at the present day."* After Mr. Pratt had begun the manufacture of ivory combs, as stated, Mr. George Read became associated with him. They continued together until 1816, when Mr. Read withdrew, and united with the firm of Ezra Williams & Co. Mr. Pratt was subsequently associated, in 1824 to 1825, with Mr. Alfred Worthington, under the name of Pratt & Worthington. When by the death of Mr. Worth- ington, this connection was dissolved, it was succeeded in 1830, by Mr. Pratt's sons, Ulysses and Alexis, under the name of U. & A. Pratt, for the manufacture of ivory turnings. In 1844, they were succeeded by Pratt, Spencer & Co., and in 1850, this firm was changed to Pratt Brothers & Co. In 1856, this last mentioned company erected a new factory, which, from its location, came to be known as the West Factory. The manufacture of combs was transferred to the new building, while the old building on Main street was used exclusively for the manufacture of ivory veneers, for pianos. The company had pre- viously discontinued the business of ivory turning, and sold the turning machinery to Mr. Calvin B. Rogers. The firm of Ezra Williams & Co., which, ■ as stated, was formed in r8i6, began the business of ivory comb mak- ♦ Vide " Pratt Family." Page 353. SAYBROOK— MANUFACTORIES. 549 ing in a small factory, on the west side of north Main street, a few rods south of the Pratt factory. This un- pretentious building was the precursor of the larger fac- tories which have since been required by the rapid growth of the business, and it was still standing, though not on its original site, until about 1877, when it was demolished. The new company, when organized, con sisted of Ezra Williams, George Read, Alpheus Starkey, and George Spencer (all of whom were thenresidents of Deep River) and Thomas Howard, of Providence, R. I., who imported and furnished the ivory. In 1819, more than twenty men were employed, and 50,000 combs were annually manufactured. In 1829, the name of the firm was changed to George Read & Co., who continued the manufacture of combs until a period prior to February 1839, when they com- menced the cutting of piano keys. The business was carried on in the old red shop, with various enlarge- ments, from 1 81 6 to 1851, when it gave place to a new factory on the site of the present one. In 1822, an ivory comb company was established in Meriden, Conn., under the name of Howard, Pratt & Co., and subsequently Julius Pratt & Co., one-half of whose capital was owned by George Read & Co., in Deep River. On the 6th of October 1863, the three com- panies,,viz., Julius Pratt & Co., of Meriden, and George Read & Co., and Pratt Brothers & Co., of Deep River, were consolidated into a single company, under the name of Pratt, Read & Co., which has continued to the present time. Before the consolidation of the companies, Julius Pratt & Co. were engaged in the manufacture of key boards, consequently this branch of the business was as- sumed by the consolidated company in 1863. In 1866, Pratt, Read & Co. erected an enlarged factory in Deep River, 128 by 38 feet, consisting of two stories and basement. The building erected in 185 r was turned around and attached as an L to the rear of the new factory. The consolidated company owned also the West Factory, formerly belonging to Pratt Brothers & Co. Previous to 1871, the business was about equally divided between Deep River and Meriden, but in that year the manufacture at Meriden was discontinued, the property was sold, and the entire business was trans- ferred to Deep River. Early on Sunday morning, July 31st 1881, the factory, which had stood unharmed for 15 years, caught fire, and in a short time, with all its contents, was entirely de- stroyed. The safe, containing the records, etc., of the company, was about the only property that was saved from the flames. No misfortune, except a devastating epidemic, could have apparently been more disastrous. The whole community felt the shock, and every interest of the town was, for the time, depressed. While, by the prompt energy of the superintendent, Mr. John G. Ed- monds, many of the employes found temporary work in the factories, of Ivoryton, the prospect of the future seemed gloomy enough. Moreover, it appeared doubtful whether the company would deem it expedient to re- build. The town, with an intelligent appreciation of the grav- ity of the situation, unanimously voted, at a special meeting, held August 6th 1881, to abate for five years thereafter all taxes on the property of the company that should be in excess of $25,000 assessment, provided the factory should be rebuilt and the business retained in Deep River. In about nine months after the burning of the factory a new and larger one was completed, nearly all the ma- chinery was replaced, and the first shipment of new goods was made. This new factory, occupying the site of the previous one, is constructed of brick and iron, consists of four stories, is 150 by 50 feet, with a projection from its cen- ter in the rear, 100 by 38 feet, and is as handsome as it is substantial. It is supplied with an engine of 75 horse power, with an additional water power of 25 horse. The company employs, in both factories, about 140 men, more or less, and pays directly to its help $70,000 per year. The company owns approximately 50 acres of land, of which about one-third is occupied by the various buildings necessary for the prosecution of the business. These comprise, besides the factories, three bleach houses, measuring together about 1,000 feet in length, dry houses, sorting houses, machine shop, blacksmith shop, storage vaults, lumber sheds, and barn. It also owns three dams, and controls, by perpetual lease, the main reservoir in the town. The ivory is sawn entirely in the west factory, where also the combs are manufactured, for which 16 cutting machines are employed. The new factory is used for the exclusive manufacture of key boards. The ivory is mostly exported from Zan- zibar, in Africa, in tusks, the average weight of which is 170 pounds. They have been known to weigh even 200 pounds. The factories in Deep River and Ivoryton re- ceive three-fourths of the prime ivory that is exported from Zanzibar, prime ivory being that which is of the best quality and heaviest weight. The entire waste of the material in this business is utilized for some purpose. The ivory dust makes a powerful fertilizer; the smaller scraps are burnt for the manufacture of ivory black, and the largest fashioned into a variety of trinkets or small articles. Denison's Stop Knob Factory. ^On an elevation, just south of River street, about midway between the village and Connecticut River, stands a modest looking frame building, occupied by Messrs, Denison Brothers, who do an extensive business in the manufacture of stop knobs for church and parlor organs. The knobs are made mostly of wood, while the circular piece which fits into the top is made of ivory or celluloid. On them are en- graved the names of the stops. An improvement in this line has recently been made by the Denison Brothers, which greatly facilitates^ the work of the organist in manipulating the keys. This consists of right and left oblique knobs, which enables the organist to see at a glance the names of the stops. The business of the firm SSo HISTORY OF MIDiDLESEX COUNTY. is principally with organ manufacturers. They use steam power, about six to ten horse, and employ from 15 to 25 hands. The size of the factory is 25 by 60 feet, two stories high. Rogers' Factory.— Situated on the Deep River stream, near the junction of Elm and Union streets, is the bone and ivory factory of Mr. Calvin B. Rogers. He was formerly of the firm of George Read & Co., in the same business, but has been established in this location about 20 years. The building is of wood, 75 by 30 feet, two stories high, with a capacity for the employment of about 30 hands. Water power is the main reliance, but in case of short supply the factory is provided with a 10 horse power engine. The sudden and unexpected death, on the 30th of June last, of Mr. Rogers, was justly regarded as a great loss to the entire town, with whdse interests he had been prominently identified for many years, as his father, Mr. John C. Rogers, had been before him. It is believed that provision will be made for the per- manent continuance of the business; meanwhile it is temporarily under the general direction, for the estate of Mr. Rogers, of his son-in-law, Mr. James A. Jones. Box Factory. — The immense business done by ivory and bone manufacturers in this locality requires other industries, among which is the manufacture of paper boxes for packing the goods. The business, commenced by Mr. Joseph French in 1853, has been carried on until very recently in a small factory on Main street, near Pratt, Read & Co. For brief periods, subsequent to Mr. French, it was conducted by Richard Webb and Samuel C. Gladding. The latter was succeeded, in 1857, by Mr. J. S. Wilcox, who managed it successfully for 24 years, when he re- tired, and transferred it in 1879 to the present owner, Mr. H. C. Kingsley. In September of the present year (1884), Mr. Kingsley removed from the old stand, and established himself in more commodious quarters, on the second floor of Union Block, on Main street. The business, though dependent chiefly on local de- mand, is remunerative and growing, and requires the employment of four cutting machines, operated by hand. As the work is comparatively light and easy, the labor of females, of whom about nine are employed, is generally sufficient. Jennings' Auger Bits. — Rev. Russell Jennings, who was previously well known in the town as one of the early and successful Baptist pastors, assumed, in 1851, the business formerly conducted by his deceased brother, the manufacture of auger bits. In 1855, he patented an important improvement, in these goods, which, by the aid of machinery subsequently invented and patented by himself, laid the foundation for a large and lucrative business. From 1865, when the manufacture first reached the point of successful operation, the business has con- tinued to grow rapidly; so that at the present time, such is the reputation of the " Russell Jennings Exten- sion Lip Bits " for their effectiveness and ease of opera- tion, and the uniform excellence of their workmanship, that there is a constant and increasing demand for them from all parts of the United States, and large orders are yearly received from Europe and other foreign countries. The manufacture is carried on in five factories, three in the neighboring town of Chester, and two in Deep River, under the superintendence of Mr. Henry Shaler. The office for correspondence and for the shipping of the goods is located in Deep River, and is in charge of the attorney and manager, Mr. S. H. Jennings. . Rev. Russell Jennings was born in Easton, Fairfield county. Conn., February 22d 1800, and has resided in, and been for many years, actively identified with the prosperity of Deep River, where he is noted for his public spirit, and for his liberal and unassuming chari- ties. The a. J. Smith Manufacturing Company. — A short distance west, of the depot of the Connecticut Valley Railroad are the works of the A. J. Smith Manu- facturing Company, for the manufacture of button hooks, wire and metal novelties, and small patented articles. The business has been established some fifteen years, but the present factory has been occupied about three years. The factory is a frame building, no by 30 feet, two stories high, and is run by steam of about 30-horse power. Thirty hands, more or less, are employed, and several tons of wire are consumed annually in the manu- facture of these goods. Williams & Marvin, Wood Turning. — This factory, located some distance up the Deep River stream, on the so-called Iron Mines road, not far to the west of the village, is an old manufacturing stand, dating as far back as 183a. The present business of wood turning was established in 185 1, by the late Mr. Nehemiah B. Pratt, who manufactured also velocipedes and carpet sweepers. After Mr. Pratt's decease, .in 1881, the busi- ness passed into the hands of Messrs. Williams & Mar- vin, who are manufacturers of mallets, tool handles, and variety wood turnings. The buildings are of wood, the main building being 25 by 60 feet, three stories high; a second building, nearly adjoining, is 30 by 31; feet, and two stories high. The water power is about 20-horse and the steam power 15-horse. About 15 skilled and ordinary hands are employed. The firm deals princi- pally with hardware jobbers and turners. The names of the partners are F. W. Williams and C. R. Marvin. Carriage Manufactory. — This business was estab- lished in i860 by Mr. George S. Hefflon, who came to Deep River from East Haddam. It is carried on in three frame buildings, which are located on the north side of Village street, a little to the west of Main. The carriage factory proper is 25 by 65 feet, and two stories high; the adjoining blacksmith shop is 20 by 40 feet. Detached from these, is the wood shop, with lumber room above, 25 by 25 feet. By, hard work and honest workmanship, Mr. Hefiflon has built up a good business in carriage and wagon making. He also does general repairing. Machine Shop. — On the old Winthrop road, a short SAYBROOK— MANUFACTORIES. 551 distance from the junction of Union street, is the machine shop of Mr. Charles W. Doane, who does the repairing for most of the large factories in this vicinity, there being no other jobbing or repairing shop within several miles of Deep River. The factory is a frame building, 25 by 40 feet, two stories high, and is run by steam power. He has been established here since 1870, and owns the property. The New Era Printing Office. — Over the machine shop is the printing office of Mr. Francis Sheldon, pub- blisher and editor of the paper called the New Era, which was started in Chester, in April 1874, as a monthly, and in April 1876 was changed to a weekly. In 1879, Mr. Sheldon removed his printing business to Deep River, and about that time, the paper was enlarged to a seven column folio sheet. Not long after this he formed a co- partnership known as the New Era Steam Printing Co., and the paper was again enlarged to its present size. The company was but short lived, and Mr. Sheldon again be- came the sole owner. When the enterprise had at length reached a point at which its success was reason- ably assured, Mr. Sheldon, already enfeebled by over- work, was prostrated by disease, and, after a brief ill- ness, died May 26th 1884, aged 42. He had shown no little mental activity and literary ability, as well as gen- eral journalistic skill, and by his own editorial talent, aided by a usually well chosen corps of local correspondents, had succeeded in making the New Era a vivacious and readable sheet, with a growing circulation in this and the surrounding towns. From 350 copies the first year, the circulation had increased, at the time of Mr. Sheldon's death, to 1,500 copies. Notwithstanding the loss caused by his untimely decease the Neiv Era will be continued. For the time being it is under the efficent editorial and business management of Mr. Frederick Hammond, who has for several years been associated wilh the late editor. The paper has a subscription list, and an advertising and job patronage that is equaled by few county papers in the State. Its advertising patronage covers most of the territory below the city of Middletown. The New Era is printed on a Campbell power press, run by steam. For job work a Universal press is used. Denison's Factory. — In the western part of Win- throp, just south of the Killingworth road, is the Denison Factory, run by steam, for the manufacture of joiners' planes, which was established about 1832, by Messrs. John and Lester Denison. It is now owned and carried on by Mr. Gilbert Deni- son. The business has been in the Denison family con- tinuously for fifty-two years. Jones' Factory. — In the eastern part of Winthrop, on what is called " the plain," is the water privilege be- longing to Mr. H. Goodrich Jones, whose factory for the manufacture of axles was unfortunately destroyed by fire a few years since. Though the business is now carried on elsewhere, it is hoped that at no distant day the factory in Winthrop will be rebuilt, and the business conducted there as successfully as before. Saw Mills. — In Winthrop there are, or have been, several saw mills. The Bushnell Saw Mill, located nearest the source of Deep River, once did a good busi- ness, but is now disused. Bulkeley's saw mill, on tlie same stream, is in operation, and farther down the river, is the saw mill known formerly as the old Post Mill, which is now owned and operated by Williams & Marvin, as an adjunct to their factory in Deep River. These three last mentioned mills are believed to occupy, wilh the exception, possibly, of that of the Deep River Lum- ber Co., the oldest water privileges in the town. Deep River Lumber Company. — Near the head of the river is the large saw mill belonging to the Deep River Lumber Company. The water privilege at the mouth of the river is said to have been included in a royal grant, which was given in 1662, to Governor Win- throp, of Connecticut. The first saw mill was located farther up the stream, near where the factory of Pratt, Read & Co. now stands, and was owned in 1758, and probably a number of years earlier, by Lieut. Andrew Southworth, as appears from a deed, recorded in the town records, by which he gave to his son, Nathan, 30 acres of land, with house and barn, in Deep River, but reserved the " privilege of a highway to his saw mill on Deep River." It subsequently came into the possession, by inheritance or purchase, of his grandson, William Southworth, who removed the mill to its present loca- tion, probably about 1810. The latter's sons, William and Charles, succeeded their father in the business. About 1830, Deacon Gilbert Stevens became a co-part- ner with Charles Southworth, and they were succeeded by Stevens & Starkey. In 1867, after the decease of Mr. Felix Starkey, the business passed into the hands of the Deep River Lumber Company, which was organized under the general laws of the State, governing corpora- tions, with a capital of $25,000. The officers were: Russell Jennings, president; Henry L. Shailer, vice-pres- ident; James A. Jones, secretary and treasurer; Simeon H. Jennings, auditor. The present officers are: Ansel Jones, president; and James A. Jones, secretary. The business consists of the manufacture and sale of hard and soft wood lumber, ship timber, etc. The factory is a frame building, 40 by 160 feet, run by water and steam, with about 25 horse power for the former, and 40 for the latter. About 20 hands are usually employed to run the mill and handle the lumber. E. E. Nettleton. — Mr. E. E. Nettleton, who has been engaged in the timber, lumber, and wood business, for the last nine years, located early in 1883, in Deep River, where he has invested a considerable capital, and has usually employed a large number of men. His bus- iness consists more particularly in the purchase of tim- ber lots in various parts of this and other towns, and the conversion of the timber, chiefly by means of portable saw mills, into lumber, wood, and railroad ties. In con- nection with the business Mr. Nettleton keeps also a lumber yard in Deep River. Deep River Fruit Earm. — Early in the present year (18S4) the Connecticut Valley Orchard Company, 552 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. the headquarters of which are in Berlin, Conn., pur- chased 130 acres of land located just west of Deep River, on the northeast side of Kelsey Hill. Under the efficient scientific and practical management of Mr. John B. Clark, late of the Massachusetts State Agricultural College at Amherst, already about 30 acres have been put under cultivation, and 30,000 fruit trees, consisting of apple, pear, plum, peach, cherry, and quince trees, have been planted. Under the continuance of the care- ful management with which it has been so far carried on, there is every reason to expect the ultimate and com- plete success of this large enterprise. Merchandise. The first merchants in Deep River were Mather, Read & Co., who occupied the so-called " Green Store." This was built about the year 1827 on its present site, on the northeast corner of Main and River streets. The building, which consisted at first of one and a half stories, was, at a later date, enlarged to two stories and a half. The original firm has had the following suc- cessors, viz.: Snow & Starkey, Snow & Marvin, Sedley Snow, and, lastly, the present merchant,Frederick L'Hom- medieu, who began in 1874. Prior to 1835, a general store was established near the Connecticut River by Baruck & Beckwith. They were succeeded by Jabez Southworth jr., and finally by the present occupant, Mr. John S. Lane. Between the years 1835 and 1837, Mr. Beckwith re- moved from his location at the river, and opened a new store in the village, opposite Mather, Read & Co. After his decease the business passed into the hands of Shailer & Kingsley. They were succeeded by the fol- lowing firms, viz.: Asa F. Shailer & Co., I. H. South- worth & Co., Richards & Griswold, Griswold & Smith, Spencer Brothers, in 1875, and finally, on the decease of the younger brother, Mr. Dwight Spencer, in 1882, Mr. George Spencer became the sole owner. In storekeeping, as in some other things. Deep River was antedated by Winthrop, where a country store was kept by Mr. Bani Denison as early as 1797. On his re- moval to Chester in 1806, or a few years thereafter, he was succeeded by Denison & Watrous, who continued the business for a number of years. After numerous changes, the business came in the hands of the present owner, Mr. George T. Carr. Principal merchants and tradesmen: Frederick L'Hom- medieu, general merchandise, 1874; George Spencer, general merchandise, 1875; John S. Lane, general mer- chandise; Shailer & Pratt, general merchandise, 1884; I. I. Bushnell, general merchandise, 1870; George T. Carr, general merchandise; Thomas P. Dixon, harness maker, trunks, etc., 1852; Joseph B. Banning, boots and shoes, 1834; .Charles D. Smith, furniture and undertak ing, T84T; William O. Post, clothing, 1882; Thomas L. Parker, druggist, 1883; S. S. Williams, stoves, tinware, etc. Statistics: Grand list for 1883, $566,952; value of dwellings, $249,362; mills, stores, and factories, $33,837; number of dwellings, 280; number of stores, mills, and factories, 30. CHURCHES. The inhabitants of the original town of Saybrook, were for more than a century, universally Congregationalists. " They appear," says Field, " to have maintained public worship from the beginning, though circumstances pre- vented the organization of churches and the settlement of ministers." In the progress of its settlement and the growth of its population, the town became divided into four parishes. These, in chronological order, were the following: I. The First Parish of Saybrook (now Old Saybrook), where the church was organized and the first meeting house erected in 1646. The second meeting house was built in 1726. II. The Second Parish, which embraced originally the entire Potapaug Quarter, was organized about 1722. The first meeting house was erected in 1727, and was followed, in 1792, by a second, which still stands, un- changed externally, on its original site, and is now the oldest church edifice in Middlesex county. III. The Third Parish, in Westbrook, was organized in 1726, and its first meeting house was built in 1727. IV. The Fourth Parish, in Pattaconk, now Chester, was organized in 1740, and the first meeting house was erected in 1742. As the present town of Saybrook was originally in- cluded in the Second or Potapaug Parish, its inhabi- tants, excepting a few Baptists in the western part, were, until the beginning of the present century, accustomed to attend public worship at the old Congregational meeting house in Centerbrook; and most of them con- tinued to do so until the erection of the churches in the village of Deep River, in 1832 and 1833. Baptist Church, Winthrop. Before giving an account of the churches in Deep River, it is necessary to notice the Baptist Society in Winthrop, which preceded them by at least 75 years. As early as 1729, several persons in the vicinity of Win- throp embraced Baptist sentiments, and were occasionally supplied with preaching by Baptist ministers from the eastern part of the State and from Rhode Island. As they increased in numbers, it is said that they began^ to excite the jealousy of the-magistrates, and that in Feb- ruary 1744, 14 persons were arrested on the charge of " holding a meeting contrary to law on God's holy Sab- bath day." They were arraigned, tried, fined, and driven on foot to New London, where they were imprisoned, without fire, food, or beds, for several weeks. Making allowance for whatever exaggerations may possibly have gathered about a tradition more than too years old, the main fact may nevertheless be received as substantially true, that these conscientious dissenters were the victims of a grossly unjust, though technically legal persecution; which, however, it may well be believed, was not regard- ed with favor by the great mass of their fellow Chris- SAYBROOK— BAPTIST CHURCHES. 553 tians, from whose religious doctrines and practices they so heroically dissented. " The prisoners were released in the spring of 1744, and on the 15 th of July following a church was formed, consisting of seventeen members. From this time till 1776, being few in numbers, and poor as to this world's goods, they had no stated pastor; their deacons, William Wilcox and Amos Potter, generally conducted their meet- ings, and Rev. Joshua Morse (then residing in Mont- ville) administered the ordinances to them, and labored with them as often as his duty to his own flock would allow." In 1776, Rev. Eliphalet Lester was ordained pastor of the church, and continued his ministry (with the exception of two years) till 1796, when he resigned. During his ministry, the church passed through many trials, yet his labors were very successful. Soon after his resignation. Rev. William Welch became the pastor, and continued till 1801. During the ministry of Rev. George Atwell, from 1802 to 1806, about 70 members were added to the church. Following him, during the next seven years, the pastors were Rev. Asa Spencer and Rev. William Witter. In 1814, Rev. Samuel West became the pastor, and remained (or eight years, during which per- iod 36 were added to the church. After Mr. West's re- moval, the pastors of the church from 1825 till 1854 were: Rev. Joseph Glazier, Rev. Russell Jennings, Rev. William Denison (during whose ministry, of three years, 69 members were dismissed to form the fourth church in Saybrook, now Chester), Rev. Baruck Beckwith, Rev. John H. Baker, Rev. Frederick Ketcham, Rev. H. S. Haven, Rev. Pierpont Brockett, Rev. Albert E. Denison, Rev. B. K. Mills, Rev. Harmon Ellis, and Rev. Ralph H. Maine. During the following 10 years, that is until 1864, the church was chiefly supplied by Rev. William Denison. It was during this period that Mr. Denison had charge, as before stated, of the "Winthrop Institute for Young Ladies." For the next four years, the church was sup- plied by Rev. Russell JenniVigs and Rev. Sidney S. Carter. In 1867, the old meeting house, erected in 1773, gave place to' the present one. This, after having been used for several years by the Methodist society of Deep River, was removed to Winthrop and rebuilt under the super- intendence of Rev. William Denison. It was dedicated January 28th 1868, after which the church was supplied for a short time by Mr. R. E. Whittemore, a licentiate of the church in Essex. In April 1869, Rev. William Denison ag:iin became pastor, and continued for about eighteen months. After the church had been supplied by Rev. M. A. Curamings and Rev. George W. Gorham, Rev. Fenner B. Dicken- son was called, in November 1872, to become pastor, and closed his labors November 1874. He was followed by Rev. William A. Bronson, in 1875, who remained nearly three years. Rev. Asa A. Robinson came in April 1879, and continued about three years. The present pastor, Rev. George H, Lester, began his labors in April 1883. The present deacons of the church are George W. Bushnell and Gideon K. Hall. The membership of the church is 86. Several members have aided the church by the gift of real or personal estate. The names of these donors are William Wilcox, Nathaniel Newbury, Stephen Utter, Jedediah Harris, and Wilbur F. Arnold. Rev. Russell Jennings, of Deep River, after, after having been for more than ten years a very efficient helper of the church in financial matters, has given them a fund of $5,000, which, with the munificent gift of Wilbur F. Arnold, recently deceased, has enabled the church to purchase a good parsonage, and places it in a better financial condition than at any former period in its history. The church in Winthrop is not only the oldest in this town, but is believed to be the oldest Baptist church, with one exception, in the State of Connecticut. The Baptist Church in Deep River. Previous to the year 1829 only two or three Baptist families had resided in the village of Deep River. In the winter of 1829 and 1830, Rev. Russell Jennings, then pastor of the Baptist church in Winthrop, and Rev. N. E. Shailer held a series of evening meetings in the vil- lage, which resulted in an interesting revival, and the ad- dition of quite a number of converts to the membership of neighboring churches. At the same time the question of organizing a Bap- tist church was agitated, and the way being open, it was decided to take measures for the accomplishment of this object. Accordingly, on the 22d of April 1830, an ecclesiastical council assembled, at the house of Mr. George Read, and unanimously voted to constitute the church, consisting of 27 members, 13 male and 14 fe- male. The public services of recognition were held in the afternoon of the same day, in a school house, which stood near the present location of the meeting house. They were as follows: On the 6th of June, George Read and Gilbert Stevens were elected deacons. Until July, the church was sup- plied with preaching chiefly by Revs. S. Shailer and R. Jennings, the meetings being held regularly at the school house above mentioned. In September following, Rev. Orson Spencer, of West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, became, by unanimous re- quest of the church, its first pastor. In the year 183 1, the erection of a house of worship, 38 by 50 feet, was begun, and completed in the spring of 18,32. Mr. Spencer continued his labors until November 1834. During his ministry, 26 were added to the church by baptism. After the dismission of Mr. Spencer, the pulpit was supplied by Mr. Henry Wooster, a licentiate, who was then employed as a teacher in the village. He was born in Oxford, Connecticut, November 8th 1808, and had re- moved to Deep River from Hamilton, New York. On the 30th of April 1835, he was publicly ordained by council to the pastoral office. He continued as pastor of the church until the close of 1839, when failure of his 554 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. liealth compelled his resignation. Thirty-three converts were added to the church during his ministry. He was succeeded, April ist 1840, by Rev. Russell Jennings, who had previously been pastor of the Baptist church in Nor- wich. In this year the church erected a parsonage. Mr. Jennings closed his pastorate April ist 1844, dur- ing which 39 converts were received in the church. In June 1844, Rev. Lawson Muzzy, of Williarasburgh, N. Y., assumed the pastoral care of the church. The parsonage, erected in 1840, was this year sold to Rev. R. Jennings, who remained as a resident of the village; and a site, adjacent to the lot on which the meeting house stands, having been donated to the church by Deacon George Read, a new parsonage, with outbuildings, was completed in the following year. In the same year also (1845), the meeting house was en larged by the addition of 17 feet to its length, and in other respects much improved, at an expense of about $1,700. In January 1847, Mr. Muzzy terminated his labors, and subsequently became the pastor of the Baptist church in Greenville. Twenty-five members were re- ceived into the church by baptism during his ministry. In March 1847, R.^^- Elisha Cushman began his min- istry, which continued for 12 years, and resulted in the addition to the church of 125 converts. He resigned, in the spring of 1859, to become the pastor of a new church in West Hartford; subsequently, he assumed the editorship of the Christian Secretary, which he retained until his death. His ministry was follojved, October ist 1858, by that of Rev. John N. Chase, of the Rochester Theological Seminary, who was ordained on the 30th of November following. The closing month of this year was rendered memorable by the death of the beloved senior deacon^ George Read. From the organization of the church, during a period of 30 years, his means and influence had been most freely and conscientiously devoted to its wel- fare. His life, replete with acts of benevolence, was marked for its childlike simplicity. His death, at the age of 72, occasioned deep lamentation, Mr. Gideon Parker was subsequently chosen as his successor in the ofifice of deacon. In 1864, the meeting house was thoroughly repaired and newly furnished, at an expense of about $3,000- The year 1866 was sadly eventful to the church by the death of an unusual number of its members, among whom was Rev. Henry Wooster, formerly a pastor, and always a faithful servant of the church, till he was sud- denly called away, in the 58th year of his age. During the pastorate of Mr. Chase, which closed November 26th 1871, 72 converts were received into the church. During the pastorate of Rev. Robert McGonegal, from May 1872 to November 1873, 27 were added by baptism, and during that" of Rev. William Gilkes, from December 1873 to July 1875, four were received. Rev. William H. Pendleton, D.D., became the pastor in December 1875, and continued until April 1879, in which period 19 were received by baptism. Rev. Robert M. Martin, of Providence, Rhode Island, a graduate of Brown University, and of the Rochester Theological Seminary, bjgan his labors July 1879, and closed them December i88r. Four were added to the church by baptism during his pastorate. The present pastor is Rev. A. F. Perry, who was set- tled in June 1882. Thirty-six have been added to the church since he began his labors. Four members of this church have been licensed as preachers of the Gospel, viz., Amos D. Watrous, Wil- liam H. Shailer, Joseph H. Mather jr. (deceased), and Fenner B. Dickenson. The Congregational Church. The residents of Deep River who united in forming the Congregational church were previously connected with the adjoining parishes of Saybrook Second (at Cen- terbrook) and Chester, chiefly the former. They loved the mother church at Centerbrook, venerable as it was for its age and sacred associations, and for having a his- tory which extended back into the ante-Revolutionary period; and they could give no better evidence of their affection than to organize and build anew, when the re- ligious wants of themselves and their children required, after the pattern of the fathers. Early in the year 1833, steps were accordingly taken toward the realization of this object. A house of wor- ship was completed in December of the same year, on land which was donated for the purpose by Captain John Piatt. On the 12th of the same month, the ecclesiastical society was legally formed, four months before the or- ganization of the church. Worship was held in the meeting house as soon as it was completed; it was not publicly dedicated until it was entirely paid for. "On Sabbath, the 30th of March following (1834) a meeting was called for the organization of the church, and at an adjourned meeting, the confession and cove- nant were adopted, and have continued unchanged to the present time. "At this meeting members of neighboring churches present wishing to be formed into a church in this place, signed letters requesting dismission and recommendation from their respective churches with a view of having their design accomplished. " The organization of the church was completed at a meeting held on the afternoon of Sabbath, April 13th 1834." Mr. George Spencer was chosen deacon. As such he acted alone until November 6th 1836, when Mr. Ezra Southworth was chosen as his colleague. Deacon Spencer, who on his election was in the prime of life and vigor, served the church with wisdom and fidelity for 44 years, until his death, July 24th 1878, in the 91st year of his age. Deacon Ezra Southworth, about 31 years old when elected, served the church 23 years, until his death, August 22d 1859, aged 56. Mr. John Marvin, elected to fill his place, November SAYBROOK— CHURCHES. 555 6th 1859, served as deacon about 14 years, until his death, September 26th 1873, aged 80. The election oL these members as ofifice bearers in the church falls within the first half of its history. The constituent members of the church numbered 49. The majority of them came by letter from the mother church in Centerbrook, known as the Second Congrega- tional Church in Saybrook, and a few from the church in Chester, or the Fourth Congregational Church of Say- brook. Of the original 49 members, 34 are now, Sep- tember ist 1884, dead. Additions to the church on confession of faith began to be made soon after its or- ganization. Two weeks thereafter, three converts were received. During the first year of its history, 19 in all were added, of which 17 were by confession. It was not until a year after its confirmation that the church was supplied with a settled pastor. Rev. Darius Mead, the first pastor, was born in Green- wich, Connecticut, and graduated at Yale College in 1828. He was installed pastor. May 27th 1835, and was dismissed on account of his ill health, October 3d 1837. His brief pastorate was memorable for a remarkable re- ligious interest, as the result of which, 79 were received into the church by confession. May ist 1836. The ministry of Mr. Mead was speedily followed by that of Rev. Zabdiel R. Ely, a native of Lyme, Conn., and a graduate; in 1833, of Yale College, who was or- dained as pastor, December rst 1837. He was dismissed, on account of ill health. May 29th 1839, and died in November, of the same year, at Walertown, N. Y. On the same day that Mr. Ely was dismissed Rev. Frederick W. Chapman, a native of Canfield, Ohio, and a graduate of Yale College, in 1828, and the Theological Seminary, in New Haven, in 1832, was installed as the third pastor. He continued with the church about 12 years, and was dismissed, September 14th 1850. During his ministry there were several seasons of special ingathering, the aggregate result of which was an addition to the church membership of 82 on confession of faith. Mr. Chapman died of paralysis, July 21st 1876, at Rocky Hill, Conn., in the 70th year of his age. For a number of years be- fore his decease, he was widely and favorably known throughout this and other States, as a family historian and genealogist. He was a member of the New Eng- land Historical and Genealogical Society, the Connecti- cut Historical Society, and other similar bodies. His remains repose in the Fountain Hill Cemetery, of Deep River, among the people whom he never ceased to love. More than four years elapsed after Mr. Chapman's resignation, before the church was favored with a settled ministry. On the 24th of December 1854, Rev. George W. Connitt was ordained as the fourth pastor. His brief ministry was terminated July ist 1856, and was signal- ized by the immediate withdrawal from the church of twenty-one members, who were in sympathy with the stalwart Calvinism of the dismissed pastor. This event, involving the loss of some of the mostj prominent and influential members of the church, had special import- ance as the first division in its history, and the first se- rious check to its almost continuous growth. The sece- ders immediately organized themselves into a Presbyte- rian church, with Mr. Connitt as their pastor, and continued to hold worship in the town hall for some years, when adverse circumstances compelled the re- moval of Mr. Connitt, and "ultimately, the disbandment of his weakened flock; most of whom, eventually, re- turned to the fellowship of the Congregational church. For nearly two years after Mr. Connitt's dismission, the churcli was pastorless, but on the ist of December 1858, Rev. Henry Wickes, of Guilford, Conn., already favor- ably known among the churches and ministers of the State, was installed as pastor. By this time, the condi- tion and prospects of the church had begun to improve; a revival in the early months of 1858, had strengthed and encouraged it by the accession, April ist 1858, of 30 converts. From time to time, during the ministry of Mr. Wicke?, additional converts were received. In 1865 fifteen were admitted, and in 1868 as many more. After nearly eleven years of faithful and fruitful work, Mr. Wickes felt constrained, largely by impaired health, to tender his resignation October 6th 1869, and removed to another field in Western New York. He was suc- ceeded by the present pastor. Rev. William H. Knouse, a graduate of New York University, and of the Union Theological Seminary in the same city, who was in- stalled pastor July 27th 1870. Previous to the beginning of Mr. Knouse's ministry the interior of the meeting house was reseated, re- furnished, and otherwise improved, at an expenditure of $2,000. During the past fourteen years of the present pastorate, 131 have been added to the church, including 80 converts. The membership is now 205. The Sunday school has about 200 members. Mr. Felix A. Denison for two years past has been its efficient superintendent. The Methodist Episcopal Church. In addition to the foregoing account of the churches now existing in the town, it is proper to notice, as form- ing no unimportant part of its ecclesiastical history, the Methodist Episcopal society; which, though now ex- tinct, contributed effectively throughout the 12 years of its existence to the religious and moral character of the community. For several years before its organization, a few residents of Deep River, belonging to the Metho- dist Episcopal church in Essex, were formed into a class, and were favored with the occasional ministrations of the preacher in charge at Essex. In 1850, the New York East Conference appointed Rev. Samuel H. Smith to have the pastoral care of Saybrook Ferry, Chester, and Deep River; and subsequently Rev. W.W. Hurd, a local preacher, received the same appointment. In 1856, the Methodists in Deep River, then numbering 23, with one probationer, were organized into a church, and by ap- pointment of the conference Rev. Joseph Vinton became the first regular pastor. At this time the meetings were held in the North District school house. In 1857-8, a small but neat meeting house was erected on the east 71 556 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. side of Main street, in thte northern part of the village, where the society continued to worship for about lo years. Mr. Vinton remained for two years, and was fol- lowed by Rev. Wilfred Dean, who labored for one year, and was the last pastor. The church, never strong in membership and means, now began to decline, and finally becoming unable to bear the expense of self-sup- port, were obliged, in 1868, to disband, and sell their house. It was bought by the Baptist church of Win- throp, and in 1870 was removed to that place. At the lime of the dissolution the members were trans- ferred to the Methodist Episcopal church in Essex; sub- sequently some of them united, by letters from Essex, with the Congregational church in Deep River, and have added materially to its strength and prosperity. Cemeteries. , In the remoter periods of the history of the town, and in fact up to a comparatively recent time, provision was made for the interment of the dead in grounds that were connected with the original parishes, and located not far from the meeting houses. The oldest cemetery within the present limits of the town is that in Winthrop, which dates as far back as the year 1750. The land was donated by Mr. Jeremiah Kelsey, one, of the earliest settlers in that vicinity. The first interment was that of Mr. Job Bulkeley. The recent erection of a neat and substantial gateway to the cem- etery was largely the result of the efforts of the public spirited ladies in that part of the town. When the churches in the eastern part of the town were organized, two small inclosures. were set apart for the burial of the dead, and these continued to be used until the year 1851. By that time it was apparent that additional ground would ere long be required, and the expediency of securing a single cemetery large enough for the needs of the village and its vicinity began to be seriously considered. The agitation of the subject re- sulted in the opening, during the year 185 1, of the Fountain Hill Cemetery. A joint stock company was formed, June 17th 1851, with the corporate name of the Fountain Hill Cemetery Association, and with a capital stock of $3,000, divided into shares of $25.00 each. In 1874, the stock of the company was increased to $6,000. The original direc- tors were: Sedley Snow, Ezra S. Williams, Ulysses Pratt, Niles P. Starkey, Calvin B. Rogers, Arba H. Banning, and Henry Wooster. The president was Alpheus Stark- ey, and the treasurer was Henry Wooster. The land, which was purchased of Mr. Harry South- worth, is admirably located on a gently sloping elevation, a little to the east of the village, and it consisted origi- nally of 40 acres. The stock was soon sold, and measures were taken to inclose and lay out the ground. As the work of improvement proceeded it became evident that by careful and liberal management the town would have a cemetery, which, for the convenience of its location, the extent and diversity of its surface, its capability of adornment, and the varied beauty of its own and the surrounding scenery, would be unsurpassed outside the cities of the State. That this expectation has been fully realized is due to the liberality and taste of its origina- tors; especially Deacon George Read and Ulysses Pratt, who, until they found a resting place within its pleasant grounds, gave freely of their time and "means to its im- provement. Rev. Russell Jennings has also been a gen- erous friend and donor. In 1882, he caused to be erected, at his own expense, a substantial and ornamental gate at the main entrance; and, in the following year, enlarged the cemetery by the free gift of eight acres of land adjoining it on the east, thereby securing an unobstructed and beautiful prospect of Connecticut River. The first interment in the cemetery was that of Mrs. Mary Towner, who was buried December 14th 1851, aged 75 years at her death. The remains of the dead who were previously interred in the village church yards have nearly all been transferred to the new cemetery. Its reputation for extent and beauty has attracted not a few residents of neighboring towns and elsewhere, who have bought family plots, and, in several instances, have erected costly monuments. But the special attractive- ness of Fountain Hill Cemetery consists not in its mon- uments, but in itself, in its own natural beauty as heightened by art. Its park-like spaces, shaded with a variety of deciduous and evergreen trees; its umbrageous ravines; its soft and graceful slopes, broken here and there with picturesque masses of rock, and the frequent glimpses of diversified scenery that everywhere gratify the eye, unite in making a scene of summer or autumnal beauty that is rarely found in association with the dead, and cannot fail to have an elevating and refining in- fluence upon the living. The interments, to date, number 803, but the capacity of the cemetery is sufficient to provide ample room for burial for an indefinite length of time. The present officers of the Cemetery Association are: Richard P. Spencer, president; Felix A. Denison, vice- president; James A. Jones, secretary and treasurer. The directors are H. G. Loomis, C. B. Rogers, Russell Jennings, Joseph Banning, Samuel F. Snow, Henry R. Wooster, James A. Jones. The town owns a hearse of modern style and con- struction for the free use of all interments that occur within its limits. Mr. Charles D. Smith, undertaker, has had, by authority of the town, the charge of it since 1856. PROMINENT MEN. George Spencer. Mr. George Spencer was born in Westbrook, October 6th 1787, where his more immediate ancestors had lived for several generations. The progenitor of the family. Ensign Gerard Spencer, originally came from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to,. Hart^oird, Connecticut,, in 1652,. and IKK'i: ail^SSEILL J'EI^milTiI? s. SAYBROOK— BIOGRAPHIES. 557 removed in 1662 to Haddam. The Spencers have con- sequently been residents of Middlesex county for 222 years. Mr. George Spencer settled in Deep River in 1818. He was one of the "old comb makers," having in his early manhood wrought at the business in the em- ploy of Mr. David Williams, in Essex, and he continued in connection with the ivory business during all its earlier history in this town. He was a man of robust mind, incorruptible integrity, and strong religious con- victions, and though nearly 91 years old when he died, his mental faculties were preserved in a good degree of vigor until the last. George Read. Mr. George Read was born March 22d 1787. His father, Cornelius Read, came from Antrim, in the north of Ireland, to Centerbrook, in Potapaug Parish, in 1769, where he settled. Subsequently he lived for several years in Deep River, and finally returned to Center- brook. The active temperament, energetic mind, and public spirit of Mr. George Read fitted him to take a prominent position in all public affairs; and he was heartily interested in all that concerned the material, moral, and religious advancement of the town. Engaged in the ivory business in Deep River from its infancy, he lived to contribute rauch"to its success and enlargement. Mr. John Marvin came to Deep River in 1837, from Lyme, where he was born in 1793. During his resi- dehce in the town he won universal esteem, and for 20 consecutive years from 1853 to his death in 1873, he was honored wich the appointment of town clerk. Mr. Sedley Snow, for many years a popular and suc- cessful nie;;chant in Deep River, occupied several re- sponsible positions, and for 19 consecutive years, from 1834 until his deaths in 1873, efficiently filled the posi- tion of town treasurer. By unanimous vote of the town in October 1873, its appreciation of the ability, integrity, and uprightness with which these faithful servants had discharged their official duties was publicly given and ordered to be per- manently recorded. Dr. Edwin Bidwell. Dr. Edwin Bidwell, the only resident physician in the town, became the successor of Dr. Rufus Baker in 1830, and for nearly 20 years of faithful and successful service has endeared himself alike to all classes as " the beloved physician." Not less is he esteemed for his warm interest in all that is conducive to the general good of the town, especially its sanitary well-being, and its educational progress. Rev. Russell Jennings. Among the thousands of Christians, both rich and poor, who profess to believe in the Word of God, there are comparatively few who ever experienced the real pleasure of giving, or know the meaning of the declaration, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Many give from impulse; others from habit; others from a stern sense of duty; but the great philanthropists, like Peter Cooper, Peabody, and a few others, whose names are in- delibly inscribed on the hearts of the American people, are actuated by higher, nobler motives. They delighted in doing good, and while their riches increased by mil- lions their enjoyment consisted in giving it away to pro- mote the happiness of others. Elder Jennings, as he is familiarly called, the subject of this sketch, is one of those exceptional Christians whose use of acquired wealth has been like the bubbling spring, which rises from the unseen depths to the sur- face, and pours forth its sweet, cooling water to refresh the thirsty and weary traveller. Reared in the school of adversity, by which he contracted the habit of strict economy, Elder Jennings learned from following the teachings of God's Word, that the real source of happi- ness is found in doing good to others, and early in life he formed the habit of giving, even from his scanty means, and when, after reaching the age of 65 years, he began to acquire wealth, the greatest pleasure he experienced was in the increased opportunities thus afforded for do- ing good, and of extending the Kingdom of God here on earth. Elder Jennings was born on the 22d of February 1800, in that part of the town of Weston, which afterward be- came separated and formed the town of Easton, in Fair- field county. Conn. He was the son of Stephen Jen- nings, a farmer. His early education was obtained at the public schools, and Easton Academy. After his con- version, he studied in what was then known as the Hamil- ton Literary and Theological Institution, which grew into what is now known as Madison University. He after- ward took the regular course in Newton Theological In- stitution, at Newton Center, Mass. During the three years, while a student at Newton, he preached on every Sabbath but two, and baptized just 50 persons, he hav- ing been ordained before entering Newton Institution, while acting as one of the missionaries of the Connecti- cut Baptist Convention. Afterwards he became pastor of the following' Baptist churches in the order of succession as here given: First Baptist Church, of Saybrook, Conn.; Baptist Church, of Meriden, Conn.; Baptist Church, of Waterbury, Conn.; Baptist Church, in Norwich city, Conn.; Baptist Church, in Deep River, Conn. On the next Sabbath after the close of his last pastor- ate, he commenced preaching as supply to the Baptist church, in Haddam, Conn., and continued to do so on every Sabbath excepting the last three, for the period of two years, when, in consequence of nervous prostration, he was obliged to rest for a while. For years after- ward he continued to supply destitute churches, and has preached occasionally up to nearly the present time. Previous to the financial panic of 1837, his brother, Stephen, was manufacturing augers and auger bits at Deep River, Conn. During the panic he continued manufacturing, and thus accumulated a large stock of manufactured goods, These goods and the factory SS8 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. were destroyed by fire. The insurance policy terminated the day previous to the fire and by neglect of the insur- ance agent, a renewal of the policy had not been com- pleted. This caused his financial ruin. In 1840, his brother Russell furnished money to re- build. He retained the ownership of one-half the fac- tory, but had no connection with the manufacturing business. After the factory was rebuilt, Stephen Jen- nings continued the manufacturing business for about to years. After his death, which occurred in January 1851, it was found that his estate was largely insolvent. To avoid having the estate so represented, his brother Rus sell took the factory and business and assumed all the debts, by which act his liabilities became about $15,000 more than all his assets. From that time the aim and struggle of his life was to pay off that debt, and thus to prevent his own estate from being represented insolvent. This was accomplished in the year 1864. After the death of Stephen Jennings, Charles R., the son of Elder Jennings, took entire charge of the manu- facturing interests, which he continued until sickness compelled him to give up business. This finally resulted in his death, which occurred on the ist of June 1859. Soon after this, Henry L. Shaler, a son-in-law of Elder Jennings, look the place of Charles R., and assumed the entire charge of the manufacturing business, in which position he continues up to the present time. In May 1867, Simeon H. Jennings, a nephew of Elder Jennings, took the entire charge of the sale of the goods, and the general management of the finances, both of which are still under his management. Previous to the death of his brother, Elder Jennings invented what is known as the Extension Lip Bit, for which he obtained letters patent, in 1855. While it proved to be an article of great utility, it became neces- sary for him to invent machinery for its manufacture be- fore it could be made at a profit, and it was not until after the year 1865 that he met with any great success. The demand for the goods rapidly increased, requiring increased facilities. During the 13 years struggle to pay off the debts which he had assumed. Elder Jennings yielded to every call of charity and benevolence, and when, for a short time, he yielded to a determination to pay off his indebtedness before making further benevolent contributions he found that his financial difficulties greatly increased. He then resumed the practice of giving, without regard to his in- debtedness, and from that time forth the Lord greatly prospered him, and he soon became wealthy. He was judicious in his charities, and gave largely to needy, struggling churches. About 20 years since, at the commencement of his prosperity, he established a do- mestic mission of his own. He assumed the care of sev- eral churches, each of which was unable to support a pastor. By his aid, amounting to about $2,000 annually, each one of these very soon had a settled pastor. He also was one of the largest annual contributors to the Baptist State Convention for Domestic Missions. He also gave liberally to home and foreign missions. He continued his Domestic Mission for nearly 20 years, and then gave to each of these churches a fund, the annual interest of which is now a substitute for his annual con- tribution. This includes the Deep River Baptist Church of which he is a member. The annual interest of each of these funds is to be used for the support of preach- ing; but the principal is to remain intact as a perpetual fund. By this arrangement, each one of the churches has now a settled pastor, and is thus enabled to live and prosper. When 70 years of age he bought land in the town of Chester, Conn., on which he built a meeting house at a cost, including furnishing, of over $16,000, and donated the same to the Chester Baptist Church. He also gave to this church a parsonage valued at about $2,500, and then in addition to his other gifts he gave them a fund of $5, 000. The place now occupied by the pastor of the Baptist church at South Windsor, Conn., as a parsonage, consist- ing of buildings and several acres of land, was purchased by Elder Jennings at a cost of $7,325. On one corner of this property he erected a church edifice, the cost of which, with the furnishing, was a little more than the cost of the Chester church, and the whole of this property he then donated to the South Windsor Baptist church. He gave $1,000 to the Baptist church in Moodus, Conn., and $4,000 and a parsonage to the Haddam Baptist church, and also $5,000 to the Easton Baptist church, $5,000 to the Winthrop church, and$io,ooo to the Baptist church at Deep River, Connecticut. He also made liberal donations directly to other Baptist churches to aid them in supporting preaching and building church edifices and parsonages, and in payment of church debts. Of his private charities there has been no end. His warm, sympathetic heart beats responsive to every ap- peal of the poor and unfortunate. The pleasure ex- perienced by him in giving the "cup of cold water in the Master's name," was doubtless greater than that of the recipient. A profitable lesson may be learned from such a life, showing that true happiness in this world consists, not in the abundance in what a man hath, but in using his riches to promote the happiness, and alleviate the suffer- ing of his fellow men. Hon. Richard Pratt Spencer. As the Spencers have figured prominently in Ameri- can as well as in English history, it is of considerable importance to the descendants to be able to trace the name as far as possible toward its original source. In " Collins' Peerage of England " it is stated that: "The family of Spencers who were made peers by James I. by the title of Lord Spencer of Wormleighton, and were afterward made Earls of Sunderland, obtained the Duke- dom of Marlborough by marriage with Lady Anna, second daughter and coheir of John Churchill, the cele- brated duke of that title. " The family claim a descent from the ancient baronial ^Cd^Ci^-tfi-^ ']j}i^:: ^-.^ J^i^ Jf^A SAYBROOIC— BIOGRAPHIES. SS9 family of De Spencer, of whom Robert De Spencer came over with the conqueror, and was, as his name implies, steward to that monarch." This is supposed to be the origin of the name Spen- cer — a dispenser of the king's bounty. Collins describes the arms of the Spencer family as: '' Quarterly first and fourth quarterly, Argent and Gule, in the second and third a fret. Or; over all, on a bend. Sable three Escalops of the first for Spencer. Second and third Sable, a lion rampant, Argent, on a canton, of the last, a cross. Gules; for Churchill." /rhe American ancestor of Hon. Richard P. Spencer, was Jared, " Gerard," or " Gerrard " Spencer, who was born as early as i6io, emigrated from England in 1634, and settled at New Town, now Cambridge. He removed first to Hartford, and was one of the 28 proprietors who settled Haddam about 1662, and was made a freeman in 1672. Thomas, one of his sons, removed to Pochaug, now Westbrook, about 1685, and from him descended most, if not all the families of that name now living in the towns of Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Saybrook, and Essex. George Spencer, the father of Richard P., was born in Westbrook, and married Julia, daughter of Comfort Pratt, of Potapaug, now Essex. The issue of this mar- riage was six children, viz.: George Tiley, who resides npw at Corning, N. Y., and is ex-judge of Steuben county; Julia, died young; Richard Pratt; Julia Minerva, wife of Dr. A. Pratt; Jane Elizabeth, wife of J. W. Mar- vin Esq.: and Susan Augusta, wife of Rev. Charles H. Bullard, of Hartford. Richard Pratt Spencer, the subject of this sketch, was born in the town of Saybrook, in what is now known as Deep River, on the 12th of February 1820. He was sent to the district school until he was 12 years of age. Later he attended the high schools at Madison, Berlin, Conn., and Belchertown, Mass. At the age of 18 he en- tered the employ of George Read & Co., manufacturers of combs and ivory goods, his father at this time being a member of the firm. Soon after he became of age he was taken into partnership. He subsequently withdrew from the firm, and with Ulysses and Alexis Pratt formed a new copartnership, under the firm name of Pratt, Spencer & Co. The Messrs. Pratt were at the time en- gaged in the manufacture of fancy ivory turnings, and, soon after, the manufacture of ivory piano keys. His connection with this firm continued until 1850, when he disposed of his interest in the business, and soon after removed to Corning, N. Y., wh^re he engaged in the banking business. In 1866, he returned to Deep River, and was soon after elected presidfnt of the Deep River National Bank, which position he still holds. In all his business operations he has been uniformly successful. He is a man of great financial ability, good judgment, cautious and far-seeing. To his high sense of honor, his integrity and uprightness of character, and his keen sense of right and justice, may be attributed the secret of his success. Except on one occasion,_he has taken no active part in politics. In 1882-3 he represented the Twenty-first Dis- trict in the State Senate. During its first session he was chairman of the committee on fisheries, and in the second session was chairman of the committee on banks. He was -for two years treasurer of the Deep River Savings Bank. He has been for many years an active member and a firm supporter of the Congregational church in his native village. In 1850, he married Clarissa, daughter of ^eorge H. Chapman, of Saybrook. By her he had no children. Her death occurred on the i6th of December 187 1. On the 28th of February 1877, he married Julia, daughter of Richard L. Selden, of Hadlyme, who is a descendant of Colonel Selden of Revolutionary fame. Three children are the issue of the last marriage: Rich- ard Selden, Florence Elizabeth, and George Selden. He has erected one of the most beautiful residences in Middlesex county, where he has surrounded himself with every comfort and luxury for the gratification of his social and literary tastes. To this he has added a large and well-selected library containing many rare and inte- resting volumes. With the exception of his gray hairs he evinces no indication of advancing years, but bids fair to live to a ripe old age. Harlan Pack Hubbard. " Tall oaks from little acorns grow." Colman S. Hubbard (born in 1816), the father of Har- lan Page Hubbard, came from \Vindsor, Vermont, in 1843, to Deep River, to superintend the manufacture of the Hubbard rotary pump, invented by his father. It was being manufactured on a royalty, at that time, by Ezra Williams.. Soon after he came to Deep River, Mr. Hubbard married Mary Pratt Read, daughter of David Read, who was a brother of the beloved Deacon George Read. The issue of this marriage was four children. The line of ancestry runs back in this wise: Asahel, born 1787, who moved from Meriden to Windsor, Ver- mont; Watts, of Meriden, 1753; Watts, of Berlin, 17 14; Samuel, of Berlin, 1678; Samuel, of Middletown and Hartford, 1640; George, 1620 (he married Elisabeth Watts, daughter of one of the earliest settlers of Middle- town); George, 1595, who came to this country from England, living in Glastonbury and Guilford. The sub- ject of this sketch has a very complete ancestral tree, which is very interesting. Harlan Page Hubbard, the eldest, was born in Deep River, on the 29th of D£cember 1845, and resided there until he was eight years of age, when he removed to Western New York with his parents, returning east to New Haven at the age of 12 years. His educational ad- vantages were such as may be summed up in the time- worn phrase, a " common school education," with the addition of two quarters in Latin, which was the sum total of his school day acquaintance with the foreign languages. He left school at the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, filled with patriotic zeal, and de- sired to enlist in the army as a drummer boy; but his 560 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. jjarents woLild nol give their consent, and he did the next best thing and soon after entered the establishment of the Whitney Arms Company, at New Haven. He sub- sequently spent two and a half years in the New Haven post office. At the end of this period, he removed with his parents to Boston, where he had engagements with two different mercantile houses, in one of which he was drawn, by the peculiarity of his position, into looking after the advertising and printing departments of the house. His first achievement in his new location was that of becoming a good proof reader. After trav- elling for a short time for one of the Boston firms with which he was connected, he returned once more to New Haven, where he soon found employment on the New Haven Daily Palladium, at first as collector and after- ward in charge of the subscription and mail department. In this last named position he spent several years, and gradually worked into the advertising department, becoming an expert solicitor, and adding largely to the revenue of the paper byhis efforts. In 1873, he was induced to leave his lucrative position on the Palladium to accept the place of business manager of the New Haven Daily Press, continuing in this posi- tion until June 1874, when he concluded to commence business for himself. He then started a newspaper advertising agency (for placing anybody's Jadvertisement in any newspaper at publisher's lowest rates), with a cash capital of fio, and an unusually good acquaintance, both with local business men and with New England newspaper publishers, a resolute will, and plenty of pluck, combined with industrious and economical habits; these, together with close financiering and hard work, laid the foundation for the successful achievements which have been the outcome of these small beginnings. His first day's profits were $6.25, which was considered a very fair beginning. The rapid success which followed this new undertaking led him to seek for increased business, in direct competition with the advertising agencies of the larger cities. In this he was eminently successful. One of the special features of his advertising business has been that of getting up for customers neat and attrac- tive advertisements, putting force into expression, and in this way he has secured a valuable reputation for getting up some of the " strongest " advertisements appearing in the newspapers of the day. During the winter of 1877-8, Mr. Hubbard issued catalogue, containing a list of all the newspapers for which he was agent, and in the course of its preparation he conceived the idea of a cartoon design for the front page of the cover of the book, representing the leading papers and magazines of the day in facsimile of title heading, and tastefully arranged in architectural forms, with the names of the different papers so clearly printed and attractively presented that any one at all conversant with the respective papers would recog- nize at a glance the correctness of the representation. In connection with the systematic grouping of the newspa- per titles in an arched form of construction, an inscribed keystone was fitted in so as to make the structure solid and enduring in completed appearance, and it contained the appropriate motto in entablature, "Judicious adver- tising is the Keystone of Success." Both the design and work of it were harmonious, effective, and perfect, and it attracted universal attention, and the expression quoted has become an axiom in the advertising world. In the summer of 1878, Mr. Hubbard conceived the idea of a newspaper directory. It contained many origi- nal features and proved a financial success, and led to the crowning glory of his life, which brought him into prominence throughout the civilized world, viz., the pub- lication of " Hubbard's Newspaper and Bank Directory of the world." In the latter part of the year 1880, the work of gath- ering materials for the proposed new book was com- menced and vigorously pressed. The assistance of United States consuls in all foreign countries was secured, and through these and other channels, Mr. Hubbard collected a mass of information relating to the newspa- pers and banks of the world, the like of which had never been dreamed of before. He designed a work in one volume of about 1,000 pages, but how far he underesti- mated the magnitude of his own purpose is shown in the fact that two huge tomes of about 1,300 pages each came into existence 18 months later. The difficulties encountered in this effort he speaks of in the preface. The whole world is a large field to ex- plore. Newspapers are printed in about 100 different nations, countries, colonies, &c., and in many diverse languages. Mail communication with distant lands is slow and uncertain. The correspondence involved was something enormous, and the translations from foreign languages to English, together with the arrangement and proper classification of the immense mass of details se- cured, taxed the patient endurance of many pens. The work is, to a certain extent, polyglot in character. The prefaces are in the four " giant languages," English, German, French, and Spanish. The names of the for- eign papers not in English are given in their vernacular, and a translation of each into English. Many introduc- tory and explanatory notes are in the four languages named. The work assumed a magnitude which became cosmopolitan. It grew to encyclopedic proportions, and took on many of the features of a gazetteer. The New York Tribune described it as being " fit to stand beside the great encyclopedia and the dictionary." It described over 33,000 newspapers and 15,000 banks. When this huge undertaking culminated, and Mr. Hubbard sent out his fwo mammoth volumes, the editors of the world's leading newspapers, never susceptible of imposition, and always' suspicious of inordinate claims, pronounced the work a genuine surprise and magnificent achievement — frankly admitting that Mr. Hubbard had accomplished even more than he promised, and had con- sumated a stupendous purpose in a masterly manner. Probably no other book issued from the press of the old or the new world ever attracted so much editorial at- tention or received such uniform praise as this. It is H. F. HUBBARD. SAYBROOK— BIOGRAPHIES. 561 spoken of as " This remarkable Compendium." "A Gazetteer as well as a Directory." " A monument more enduring than bronze or marble." "A work never before equaled." "A wonder of collecting skill." "A Master- piece in its way." " The only one of its kind." " The most wonderful of its class." "A Marvel of Enterprise." "A Library of Knowledge." " One of the most remark- able of books." " It furnishes information for which we might search through a score of Year Books, Almanacs, Diplomatic Registers, Statistical Reports and Blue Books and then not find it." This State Department at Washington characterized it as " a work of great importance and utility." The British government commended it as " a most valuable work, and a great undertaking of international importance." While the diplomatic and consular representatives of both countries endorsed it as " of great value and a work for which we could find almost daily use." Individuals also became enthusiastic over a work at once so unique and attractive, and Mr. Hubbard's per- sonal correspondence portfolio is fairly bloated with complimentary letters, really exaggerated in praise, from hundreds of the distinguished literary and professional gentlemen of the world. H. Carrington Butler, Ph. D., professor of chemistry at Trinity College, Hartford, acknowledges his indebted- ness to this work " for material for my forthcoming Cat- alogue of Scientific and Technical Periodicals." He says:"I have been engaged for many months for the Smith- sonian Institute, Washington, in compiling an exhaustive catalogue of scientific and technical journals published in all countries from 1665 to 1880, and I have consulted over 50 biographical works, including catalogues of li- braries in all languages,before your directory fell into my hands. Although I had between 3,000 and 4,000 esti- mated titles In my manuscript, I found in your admir- able work short titles of more than 500 technical and scientific journals of which I had no previous knowl- edge. These I obtained by going through the second volume of your directory, line by line, and comparing it with my manuscript. In pursuance of this laborious task I had frequent occasion to note the great accuracy of your work, especially as regards the 23 or more lan- guages which occur on its pages, at least so far as I am able to judge of them " * * * President Arthur gracefully expressed his " apprecia- tion of the high compliment you have conferred upon me in the dedication of the book;" and added, that " the value and usefulness of such a work cannot be overesti- mated." Its brilliancy of red cover and edges was the cause of Oliver Wendell Holmes writing — " When I first looked upon it, red all over, so that it seemed to ' Blush like a banner bathed in slauffhter," I thought it must be an account of all the bloodiest bat- tles ever fought, and I was much pleased to find, on looking through its pages that it iTiight rather be called a general index of peaceful civilization." Volume three was issued in 1884, to complete the series and give some particulars for which there was no room in the previous two. This contained the American newspaper corrected to date, and a classified " Diction- ary of Representative Newspapers " arranged by classes or kinds in the whole world. This feature was special- ly unique, and is particularly interesting and useful. This volume was termed the " Cosmopolitan Edition," particularly for the reason that a part of the book was printed on paper which Mr, Hubbard had manufactured, on purpose, from old newspapers from every country on this globe. It probably contains the most conglomerate mass of paper stock of any ever made, and is a rare curiosity. It is said of Alexander the Great, that "after he had conquered the world, he sat down and wept that he had not more worlds to conquer." Whether Mr. Hubbard, after this wonderful achievement, will sit down and weep that he has not more worlds to conquer, or whether he will attempt to open communication with the unknown worlds, remains to be seen. That his ambition knows no bounds, is shown in his gigantic undertakings that have astonished all his competitors in business, but- which in every instance have proved successful. Mr. Hubbard had a pleasant home in New Haven, where the latch string of hospitality is always prominently hung out, and vibrates invitingly to whoever may chance to pull it. This is presided over by an estimable and lovely wife, and is enlivened and made cheerful by four well sprouted! olive branches — two boys and two girls — to all of whorii the busy head of the family points with pride, as did pornelia of notable domestic fame, when she pointed to her children and remarked " these are my jewels." The county of Middlesex has every reason to feel proud of the rjame and achievements of this son of her soil, feeling that in his honorable and successful career he brings honor to the spot of earth that first witnessed his existence. Hon. Alpheus S. Willtams. Among the| distinguished men who were natives of this town, thej late Hon. Alpheus S. Williams is deserv- ing of a prominent notice in this work. He was born in Saybrook, Conn., September 20th 1810; graduated from Yale College! in 1831; and spent two years following in traveling iin Europe. He settled Detroit, Michigan, in 1836, and began the practice of law in that city. He was judge of Probate for Wayne county from 1840 to 1844; was recorder of the city of Detroit; and from 1843 to 1747 was proprietor of the Detroit Daily Advertiser. He served in the Mexican war as lieutenant-colonel. In 1849, he was appointed postmaster of Detroit by Presi- dent Taylor, i When the late war began, he was made major-general; of militia, and was president of the State Military Board. He was subsequently appointed a brigadier-general, and performed much service on the Upper Poton^ac; had command of a division at Win- chester; was at Cedar Mountain and Manassas; after the battle of South Mountain succeeded General Banks as corps commander; commanded the Twelfth Corps at Antietam; was in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, i^nd went through the Atlanta campaign While with Sherman in the " March to the Sea," he was brevetted major-general for gallant and meritorious ser- vice. He wap afterward on duty in Arkansas, and was mustered outjin 1866. He was a commissioner to settle military clainqs for Missouri; from i8_66 to 1869, he was minister resident to San Salvador; and in 1874, was elected to the Forty-fourth Congress from Michigan. TOWN OF WESTBROOK. By James A. Pbatt. Geographical and Descriptive. WESTBROOK, one of the three southernmost towns in Middlesex county, and one of the five that comprised the original town of Saybrook, is sit- uated about five miles west of the mouth of the Connec- ticut River, with a frontage of about four and a half miles on the Long Island Sound. It is bounded on the north by Essex and Saybrook, on the east by Old Say- brook, on the south by the Sound, and west by Clinton. Its extreme extent north from the Sound is about five miles. The central village is situated on a flat running back from the shore from three quarters of a mile to a mile, and bordering on the bay about two miles. This flat is surrounded on three sides by moderate elevations which terminate to the northward in high hills that abound in forests of every kind of wood known to this latitude. This north section also furnishes good tilling and grass land. The permanent population of the town at present is about 900. The town's largest population was from 1836 to 1850, when it reached 1,200. It is not easy to explain this decrease, which many New England towns have experienced. The fact that shipbuilding, which was once of consequence, both to the builder and to the timber men, has disappeared, that farming has ceased to be a profitable occupation, and that manufacturing never existed to any considerable extent, may account for it somewhat. The principal shrinkage has been in the border dis- tricts, where farms, from which the father and grand- fathers of the present generation reaped the harvest of wealth, are now abandoned and in decay. The unsurpassed fishing and bathing of its bay have drawn to Westbrook a new population, which, during the summer months, nearly doubles its census. The sound front is being rapidly covered with cottages,which now number about 100, erected and occupied during the summer months by families from abroad. Many of these beautiful little houses are owned by the Stannard brothers, who are representatives of one of the oldest and wealthiest families in the country. , Indians. The Indian name of the settlement was Pochoug, a word signifying the place where a river divides, and descriptive of the location of the principal tribe at Obed's Hammock, at the confluence of Pochoug and Menun- ketesuc Rivers. The large quantities of arrow heads, broken pottery, shells, and other Indian remains that have been found and are being unearthed in that vicinity, are evidence that it was some time the abode of a nu- merous and powerful tribe. A very common name for the western part of the town, in ancient annals, is Menunketeset, or Menunketesuc, in Indian dialect, Ma-na-qua-te-sett. The name is of Mohegan origin, and was applied to the West River, and the section bordering upon it, after its possession was claimed by Uncas. In his deed to Saybrook, in 1666, it is written, Mo- nonkateset, and it has been spelled and pronounced every conceivable way since. The significance of the word is lost. The soil on both sides of the rivers is a mass of shells, the remains of clam and oyster feasts before the discov- ery of America. A remarkable feature of the vicinity is the great num- ber of broken or unfinished arrow heads to be found at Round Hill, on the east side of the river. The only ex- planation for this is, that it was the headquarters for the manufacture of these implements from the slate and quartz found on the beach near by. This Indian settlement was probably abandoned at the annihilation of the powerful Pequol tribe, to which they belonged, in 1637. The Hammock was subsequently occupied by Obed and his tribe, from Niantick, on the western border of Rhode Island, and within the jurisdiction of the Connec- ticut colony at that time. This small tribe were living here at the time of the arrival of the first whites, and were known as the Menunketeset Indians. They returned to Niantick about the time of the King Philip war, in 1676. At the last uprising of the Indians in 1675 against the English, the governor and assistants being apprised that WESTBROOK— SETTLEMENT. 563 " the small plantations of Lyme, Saybrook and Killing- worth (Clinton) being not farr from some Indians whoe we understand by other indians, were in private consulta- tion at Podunk not long since all night * * * * and it is not knowed but they may be in the conspiracy with the other indians against the English," ordered Capt. Thomas Bull to " forthwith repayre to those plantations for their special defense and safety." The Menunkete- sets were undoubtedly among the suspected. After the removal of the tribe to the eastward, Obed, the chief, appea/s in colonial history on several occa- sions. In 1677 he, with another chief of the Nianticks, came before the governor and council, " desireing that they may be under the imediate government of the En- glish as the Pequots are," which was granted. In 1684, he complained to the council that the En- glish had taken possession of some of their land. This was ordered to be restored. This was the last resident tribe in town and its chief left his name attached to one of the oldest Indian settlements in the State. The half dozen other places exhibiting evidences of the Indian oc- cupation, were the stopping places of tribes who spent a portion of the year here for fishing, and returned to the north. The territory within the bounds and limits of West- brook was a portion of the domain of the Mohegan chief, Uncas, his claim covering all the land lying be- tween Connecticut River and Guilford and 12 miles north on the river. The title to this he assumed by right of conquest from the Pequots. To his complaint to the General Court in 1665 respecting his squaws' rights at " Homowoset " (Clinton), the committee re- plied that " Uncas had alienated all of it [his claim] to Mr.'Fenwick and the inhabitants of Saybrook and Guil- ford, except only six acres in Homonoset." George Fenwick quitclaimed his interest, with a small reserva- tion to the colony, and the Colonial Legislature con- firmed all previous titles by a grant in 1704. First Settlers. It is difficult to determine the exact date at which the town was first inhabited by the whites, as it was only an outlying portion of Saybrook, and its early records come under that title; but there are some points in those records that are easily recognized. That it was earlier than any at present accepted date, there can be no doubt. Robert Chapman, a resident of Saybrook, had his homestead not far from the Westbrook boundary line on the east. Mr. Chapman owned several tracts of land in this town, among them the meadow around Obed's Hammock. The Chalkers were also large proprietors in the same section, early in the fifties of 1600. The General Court, in May 1656, granted to Mr. James Fitch '■ a compitent farm conteining bet. 2 & 300 acres at Menunketeseck." Robert Chapman had for adjoining proprietors, Rob- ert Bull, William Jackson, and Thomas Dunck; the lat- ter's housg standing about one-half of a mile south of the present Congregational church. Thirteen families from Connecticut had begun a set- tlement at Southold, on Long Island, nearly opposite and within easy access, in 1640. The above facts, and many others that could be adduced, lead easily to the conclusion that more than 50 years before Peter Murdock, from East Hampton, Long Island, sailed up Pochoug River and took possession of his plantation, built a house and store, and set his slaves to build those enormous stone walls to enclose his pos- sessions, that are yet a curiosity, adventurous men had taken up their abode along the flat lands near the shore — or as early as 1650. Oyster River Quarter. The first distinct reference to the territory comprising the town of Westbrook ,in old records, or the most of it, for its western boundary had not been determined, was on the occasion of the location and distribution of the outlying lands in the old town of Saybrook in 1648. That year the old town, " for the Improvement of those lands that lye remote," divided those lands into sections called quarters; the "Oyster River Quarter " comprising the largest part of Westbrook, a small portion of Win- throp adjoining on the north, and a section of Saybrook from Oyster River west to the town line. The "Town Piatt," that part of Saybrook lying between this river and the Connecticut, had previously been appropriated. The familiar names of Lay, Post, Bushnell, and Chap- man occur among those to whom the distribution was made, and much of the same land has remained in the families to the present day. There were many undis- tributed patches, which were valueless on account of loca- tion or other unfitness for use at that time, and which were from time to time occupied without expense or hindrance. Years after the first distribution, upon a piece of this refuse land, the first church was built. The first and second school houses were set on other por- tions. The first parsonage occupied a tract, and Peter Murdock, with his strong Scottish inclinations, appro- priated a small piece as near the church as the ledge of rocks upon which it stood would allow, for a family bury- ing place. This, the present " Old Burying Ground," soon came into general use as a public burying place by the parish, and remained open to the highway until 1782, when it was fenced " at the expense of the Parish unless the means can be otherwise obtained." A question having arisen in 1812 as to the precise limits of the ground, the "Proprietors Committee of the Oyster river quarter" were called upon to locate and survey it. This "burying ground " was used for over a century and in it repose the remains of the only two ministers who have died in the town since the organization of the first church. One, the Rev. William Worthington, died 128 years ago, and the other, the Rev. John Devotion, was his successor for nearly a half century. The remains of Mrs. Devotion rest by his side. Those of Mrs. Temperance Worthington, the widow of Mr. Worthington, were buried in Durham, where she died in 1778. 72 564 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. The second, "Lower Burying Ground," was laid out in 1835, and it began to be used that year. The present " Westbrook Cemetery " was established in t866 by an association called the " Westbrook Cemetery Association," and it contains many fine monuments. In 1723 came into existence the mysterious "Pro- prietors' Committee," whose official signature is found ap- pended to titles to property. The original proprietors to the various tracts through- out the colony, becoming jealous of what they consid- ered the unauthorized appropriation of the undivided or common fragments of land, induced the General Assem- bly that year to enact, " that whatsoever part or interest the ancient proprietors, by custom as well as deed, have in any common or undivided land in any town, which they have not by their free Consent disposed of shall be allowed and taken to be their proper estate." These " ancient proprietors," or their heirs or suc- cessors, were also authorized " to divide or dispose of " any such " common or undivided " lands, and to ap- point a committee and clerk as agents to conduct their business. This was the origin of the " proprietors com- mittee," which existed for more than a century, the last Jonathan Lay being one of the last members of it, and Jared Piatt the last clerk, in 1838. Permanent Settlement. The town began to be permanently settled early in the sixties of 1600 by families who purchased, or had re- ceived from previous distribution, large tracts of land, and prepared for themselves comfortable homesteads, though it is not probable that any considerable number had moved in until the complete and final subjugation of the Indians, in 1676. The first settlers generally located in the outskirts. The Chapmans, from Saybrook, took up their residence in the eastern border. The Bushnells purchased land and located in the northeast. The Stannards, Spencers, Posts, Jones, and Wrights, occupied the extreme north and west portions. The Lays and Grinells settled near the center, and the Murdocks, coming later from East Hampton, L. I., purchased a large tract of land in the western portion, and built a house and store near the mouth of Pochoug River. It is highly probable that the northern border districts were the most thickly settled.part of the town 150 years ago, and certain it is that a store was kept at that time on " Toby Hill," in the almost limitless woods, at a point a mile from any present dwelling. The ghostly ruins of old cellars are thickly sprinkled through that section, and are an evidence of a once quite numerous community. One of the earliest industries of the town was "getting out shooks " for the West India trade, to be returned to the colony as casks filled with sugar, molasses, or rum. This accounts, in a degree, for the first inhabitants locat- ing in so uninviting a section, being in the midst of the material necessary for their business; but tradition adds as a reason, the jealousy of the Indians, whose settle- ments or camps were on the rivers or near the Sound, they occupying the fairest portion of the settlement. Early Roads. The earliest travelled road from Connecticut River, through Westbrook, to Guilford and New Haven, turned off the present Main street east of the Congregational church, to the southward, and running nearly parallel with the shore for three-quarters of a mile, turned abruptly to the beach; thence running back of the beach, it crossed the mouth of the rivers at t>he " riding way," ,and passed through Pine Orchard. The road probably originated with the Saybrook land owners at Menunke- tesuc Point. As early as 1663, there was a north route that crossed Pochoug River at its head, near the grist mill, and run- ning in as crooked a line as possible, much of the way in the present road, crossed Menunketesuc River at what is called in ancient records the " riding or wading place," about one quarter of a mile above the present bridge. The location of a public highway, thus early, was governed by the convenience of fording rivers, and these were the first above the bar at the mouth. In 1680, the present road, with some variations, was laid out by commissioners appointed by the General Court to be " fower or five rods wide," and a bridge built over Menunketesuc River, " that maybe a sufficient passage for hors and man at all times." This bridge was the first to span either river, and was built of timber. Complaint having been made in 1692 of the "difficul- ties and obstructions in the country roade between Say- brook and Kenilworth," [Clinton] a committee was ap- pointed to "survey and straiten said road, as far as they could, between Saybrook mill, vis. Lieut. Jones' mill and above Samuel Buell's house in Kenilworth." This com- mittee established the road in nearly its present line, and abandoned the former bridge crossing for the pres- ent one. The present bridge, in the center of the village, over Pochoug River, was not built until some years after, the direct route from Saybrook west being by the way of the fording place at the mill and Menunketesuc bridge. Incorporation. After having been inhabited by whites for nearly two centuries and incorporated as a parish 116 years, West- brook, by an act of the General Assembly passed at its May session 1840, became a full fledged town, with all the corporate rights and privileges pertaining thereto. The first town meeting was called by Dr. Ebenezer Cone, and was held in the Congregational church. Joseph Spencer, Jedediah Post, and Alexander Clark were chosen the first board of selectmen, and Ezra Stan- nard, town clerk. Alexander Clark, who resided on the " Compitent farm conteining bet. 2 & 300 acres at Menunketeseck," presented by the General Court to Mr. James Fitch, in 1656, was elected, the first representative in- th« General Assembly., : WESTBROOK— CIVIL OFFICERS— SHIPBUILDING— SLAVES. 5^5 Civil List. Representatives. — The representatives to the State Leg- islature have been: Alexander Clark, 1841; Ezra Stan- nard, 1844, 1845, 1848; Alfred Chittenden, 1846, 1847, 1853; Horace Burr, 1849; Jared Platts, 1850, 1851; Wil- aim H. Lay 2d, 1852; Jared F. Kirtland, 1854; P. M. Kirtland, 1855, 1856; Linus E. Chapman, 1857, 1858; F. W. Spencer, 1859, 1861, 1864, 1866, 1871; Henry M. Stannard, i860; Ezra Stannard, 1862; John Post, 1863; Horace Bushnell, 1865; George C. Moore, 1867, 1868; F. L. Kirtland, 1869: J. A. Pratt, 1870, 1872; H. F. Wil- cox, 1873, 1874; Joseph G. Smith, 1875, 1876; George Kirtland, 1877, 1878; Richard H. Stannard, 1879, 1880; Benjamin F. Wright, 1881; John A. Post, 1883; Oliver H. Norris, 1884. Town Clerks. — The following is a list of the town clerks of Westbrook from 1840 to the present time: Ezra Stannard, 1840-42; Jared Platts, 1842-48; Augustus Bushnell, 1848-53, 1855-64; Reuben Stannard 1853-55; George C. Moore, 1864-84. Westbrook Probate District. — The probate district of Westbrook was organized in 1854. The successive judges have been: H. M. Stannard,. 1854-56; Augustus Bushnell, 1856, 1857; H. M. Stannard, 1858-74; George C. Moore, 1874-84. Shipbuilding. Shipbuilding was an important industry of the town for more than a century, the two rivers, the Pochoug and Menunketesuc, with the forests of white oak and chest- nut that abounded in the northern section, fitting it admirably for that purpose. Brigs, schooners, and sloops, to be used in the West India or coasting trade, were built at various yards on Pochoug River, from a point in the midst of the timber a half mile above the town bridge to near its mouth, and at one yard on Menunketesuc River. Almost any place was extemporized for a ship yard, numbers being built by the side of the highways and on the sound beach. In the palmy days of the business, vessels were in pro- cess of construction continually, as many as a half dozen being on the stocks at once. Fifty or sixty years ago, the activities of the village were almost wholly devoted to the trades necessary to this branch of industry. Usually, the builders were the own- ers; often the ofificers and crew. No more substantial or seaworthy craft were ever built than these homely vessels, built of the native' timber, by carpenters whose trade was a profession, though it earned but "one hard dollar a day and grog, between sun and sun," and good for a half century of service. At Ball's yard, on Menunketesuc River, during the last war with England, a number of privateers were built that did good service. At one time during the same war, an unfinished vessel on the stocks in Hayden's yard, on Po^ choug River, near its mouth, was sunk, lest it should be burned by the cruisers of the enemy. The upper part of Mr. Hayden's dwelling was also taken down, that it might not* reveal the location of the yard. When the revolution in shipbuilding that drew this branch of business to large centers came, about 30 years ago, Westbrook, in common with many other small towns on the coast, lost its most valuable business, and to-day the carpenter, the caulker, and the rigger are among the lost arts. With such a location to incite and such surroundings to develop a love for the sea it was natural that the town should produce a hardy and skillful race of sailors. In the prosperous days of the sail ship, before steam had monopolized the carrying trade, the town was repre- sented in every branch of the sea service, and in all parts of the world. Its seamen were among the most efficient, and its commanders the most successful. Families, and generations of families successively, notably the Spen- cers, the Stannards, the Kelseys, and Posts have been master seamen of from the smallest coasting vessel to the largest merchant ship. Slavery. Negro slavery, as was the common practice throughout the State, was a recognized institution among the worthy fathers in the parish. It is interesting to note that the earliest death record, in 1724, commences with: "Cesar negro man servant to Capt. Samuel Chapman." The Lays, Chapmans, Murdocks, Spencers, Posts, in short every one whose means would allow, depended upon his " negro servant " to perform whatever was laborious or menial. The slave's social position was much the same as among every people in every age; and if tradition is not at fault, his perversity was as great, yet that the sober-minded folks did not wholly doubt the possibility of his final salvation, is evidenced by the fact that Toby and his wife Jude, a worthy couple, were received in the church, and permitted to sit on the broad stairs to the gallery and listen to the ponderous sermons of Mr. Devotion and his successor, on election, free will, and kindred topics. Toby had a number of children, all born in slavery and out of wedlock. The descendants of some of these became highly respectable people. He was the prop- erty of the Spencers, his last transfer being from Caleb Spencer to his sons — in the language of the will " I give my negro man Toby to be equally divided between my three sons Joseph, Caleb and John." This was not a desirable heritage as it entailed the burthen of his sup- port in old age. He died in January 1825, aged 82, and his wife sur- vived him about a year. Toby's name will live in the hill, on the side of which his cabin stood, and in the spring of crystal water near by, long after the cotemporaneous lords of the manor have ceased to be mentioned, "Jenny" and " Phillis," the property of the Jona- than Lays, were two other slaves that came down, aged and infirm, to the generation of some now living, and are remembered for their native peculiarities. 566 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Mills. The first mill in town, a grist mill, was built by Samuel Jones, one of the first settlers, and was located at the head of Pochoug River. The same privilege has been in use until within a few years. The mill was erected at some time between 1680 and i6go, and is familiarly mentioned in the Colonial records of 1692 as " Saybrook Mill or Lieut. Jones' Mill." The north route to Clinton crossed the river at the ." fording place," just below its dam. It is probable that Lieutenant Jones received his title to the mill site, and also to the extensive tract of land north of it, which he owned and lived upon, and perhaps some farther assistance in setting up the mill, as it was customary to grant, from the Colonial Assembly, as a condition that he should at all times be ready to serve the people of the town in the capacity of a miller. Some little time after the building of this mill, a wind- mill was set up by the Grinells, on the west side of the highway, about 50 rods south of the present Congrega- tional church. Not working well in that location, it was taken down and moved to the top of the hill just back of the church, where it stood until nearly 1800. The mill stones now grace a stone fence on the exact spot where they did service for nearly a century. John P. Dibble, the worthy chorister in the old church, for whom, and Mr. Jedediah Chapman, a subscription was opened in 1783, " to induee them to set up a school in the Parish for instructing our youth in the art of music and other matters beneficial to that subject," was its last miller. Here, for a number of years, he hummed stand- ard minor tunes to the rumbling mill stone accompani- ment, and discussed with himself the question of toll. A saw mill, probably the first within the town's limits, was erected by Samuel Wright, Nathaniel Chapman, Thomas Bushnell, and Benjamin Jones, on " Falls River," in the northwest part of the town, in 1748. Mr. Wright, upon whose land the mill was built, covenanted that the proprietors " may peaceably possess, improve, and enjoy s'd land on which s'd mill is to be built to Gather with ye dam, pond, Logsvay, &c., During the term of twelve years without Let or Molestation from any person or persons whatever." It was agreed that each owner should have the use of the mill for his own sawing three days in each year, "Each owner to find himself a Saw to saw his own turn and when his turn is out he shall be at Liberty to take it away again." Samuel Wright's turn was to "begin on the first Mon- day of October next and continue (if he shall then own one-quarter of s'd mill) three days, and the others to follow in the likewise course, Excluding Sabbaths, fasts and Thanksgivings." Iron Works. The " Iron Works," as they are called in old records, and spoken of by tradition, were located in Pond Meadow District, in the north part of the town. The water power used for that purpose now carries the " Platts " saw mill. The establishment combined a smelting furnace, where the metal was reduced from the ore, and a blacksmith's shop, where every kind of ham- mered work in use at that time, from a horsenail to an anvil or anchor, was made. The ore was obtained from " Mine Swamp," but a little distance off, and the present appearance of the mining grounds, and the large quantity of slag that re- mains at the site of the works, leave no doubt of its im- portance to a large section at one lime. It is not easy to tell the exact date of its origin, or give with absolute certainty the name of the founder. The Spencers were the last proprietors in the early part of the present century, and it is altogether probable that Thomas Spencer, a progenitor of the Spencer family, who settled near by, discovered the mine and founded the works, prior to 1700. In 1702, the General Assembly excused "Charles Williams of Saybrook from training, he being chief workman in the iron works there and living sixe or seven miles from town." These were the Westbrook works, there being no others of the kind in the ancient Saybrook, and the dis- tance mentioned agreeing with the true distance from the old town. Fisheries. Shad have always abounded in the bays that front the town, and a century ago were caught, in moderate quan- tities, in the two small rivers running through the town- Before the commencement of the present century no one thought of selling the fish, each one catching for his own consumption. At that time to offer it to a guest at dinner was considered an evidence of excessive economy and al- most a disgrace. As shad became marketable fish, and finally a luxury, the occupation grew profitable, and was carried on with considerable success for a number of years by " seine " fishing. The advent of "Pound fishing" and its application to shad, in 1849, gave a new impulse to the business-, which since that time has been one of the most important in- dustries of the town, the average annual catch being about 100,000, and the business giving employment to from 60 to 70 men. The white fisheries, at one time of considerable im- portance, have nearly disappeared, which is a source of regret to the farmers, to whom the fish were valuable as a fertilizer. Other varieties of fish are obtained from the adjoin- ing waters. The Stannard brothers. Captain John Kel- sey, and Oliver H. Norris are prominently identified with this industry. Ecclesiastical Societv. The territory comprising the present town of West- brook was incorporated as a separate and distinct so- ciety by an act of the General Assembly passed May 14th 1724, the Second Society, or present town of Essex, westbrook-ecclestastical society. 1^67 antedating it one year. For many years thereafter the parish was known as the Third or West Society in Say- brook, or West Saybrook. The records of the ecclesi- astical society were the history of the parish for three- quarters of a century. Not only did the society build the church, employ the minister, and tax every inhabit- ant for his support, but it divided the parish into school districts, built school houses, employed teachers, pro- vided a burying ground, built town pounds, and super- vised other matters now conducted by towns at large. The parish at this time probably contained a scattered population of from 200 to 250, judging from the birth and death rate. During the first four years from the set- off there were 42 births and 17 deaths. The church connected with the society was organized June 29th 1726, the day of the ordination of Mr. Worth- ington, the first minister, with 14 members, nine of whom were Chapmans, Posts, or Spencers. Abraham Post, the first deacon, served in that office alone for 7 years. The real wealth of the individual inhabitants of the parish, at the time of the set off, was nominal and un- certain. That they were rich in broad acres that had no market value, there is no doubt, and speculators were scarce. The first settlers upon the different tracts of land, most of which cost nothing but the trouble of lo- cating, had come to stay, and their estates were rated according to the improvements made upon them. The occupant's wealth was estimated by the value of his slaves, his stock, or his buildings. Prior to 1705, the titles to many of these farms were questionable,- so much so that the General Court in ihat year passed a special act, securing the then proprietors in their ownership, and giving them full power to sell and give titles. There was much undivided, unoccupied, and, of course, undesirable, land left at this time, and it is highly probable that the Rev. Mr. Worthington, the first minister, received his princely gift of 100 acres as a settlement from this. Money was scarce at this early date, the "Bills of Credit of the Colonies " being the principal circulating medium, and these had such an uncertain value at to be in poor repute. Mr. Worthington's yearly salary of sev- enty pounds, in a few years became four hundred, equiv- alent to about $125; not a large compensation for min- isterial service, when, in addition to other duties, two sermons and prayers, consuming three hours of time, were expected to be furnished every Sabbath. The little hard money used was derived from the trade with the West Indies. A rate bill, granted for the support of the poor of the parish, shows its grand list, in 1745, to have been 4,797 pounds, and the number of property holders, 89. The grand list of the undivided town of Saybrook, the same year, was 17,460 pounds, which shows that this parish was rated at more than one-quarter of what at present constitutes the five towns. Peter Murdock's 840 acres, entered by his son, John, is the largest assessment, being 302 pounds 15 shillings. The widow Jonathan Lay, who succeeded her husband in the ownership of the famous " Lay Tavern," estab- lished years before George Washington was born, and which was honored by his presence during the " Revolu- tion," comes next, being set in the list at 151 pounds 12 shillings. Eight Stannards aggregate 346 pounds; five Chapmans, 245 pounds; five Lays, 458 pounds; three Kelseys, 331 pounds; two Grinells, 225 pounds; five Wrights, 279 pounds; eleven Posts, 548 pounds; five Jones, 200 pounds; eight Spencers, 394 pounds; and nine Bushnells, 393 pounds. The warrant for the collection of this tax was directed to Jonathan Lay, collector " for ye West Parish in ye town of Saybrook," who was required " in his Majesties name forthwith to collect " the same, and it was signed by John Tully, justice of the peace. Of the sum collected. Dr. Gale, of Killingworth re- ceived " four pounds ten shillings, old tenor bills for Doctering James Jardgin in his last sickness." The town retained the Indian name of Pochogue until 18 10, when it was changed to Westbrook. " At a General Assembly held in New Haven the second Thursday in Oct. 1810, upon the petition of the inhabitants of the third Society in Saybrook, by their agents Samuel Hart and Joseph Hill, showing to the Assembly that the said society hath from the first settle- ment of said town to the present time, retained the Indian name of Poochague or Poorchague, which name it is believed very few if any, can either spell or pro- nounce correctly, which is found to be inconvenient to the said inhabitants and to the public, wherefore your petitioners pray the Assembly to pass a special resolu- tion in their favor, directing that said society within the present bounds and limits, may hereafter be known and called Westbrook as pr. memorial on file." In accordance with this petition the following resolu- tion was passed: " Resolved by this Assembly that the third society in the town of Saybrook, within the present bounds and limits thereof, shall forever hereafter be known, an.d called by the name of Westbrook, and not Poochague or Poorchague, and that said society retain all their ancient rights, powers, and privilages by the name of Westbrook." The first society meeting in the parish was held May 28th 1724, with Capt. Samuel Chapman as moderator. At a meeting held June 4th, it was voted " to choose a committee of three men to take the best advice they can in order to obtain a minister to dispense the word of God amongst us." June 29th, Abraham Post was in- structed " to go to Mr. Woranton [Worthington] to see if he can be obtained." In August, Mr. Worthington was hired for two months, at "8 pounds for the two months," and in October for one year, at a salary of 50 pounds, the soci- ety to find him his wood. Mr. Jared Spencer's house, which stood in the present new cemetery, near its center front, was fitted up for a parsonage for his accommoda- tion. The next year his salary was increased to 55 pounds. The society also voted to build a house for the minis- ter, " he glassing and finding the nails for the same." S68 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. This house, the first parsonage, built in 1725, stood about midway between the present Congregational church and the river. This parsonage house stood and was occupied nearly a century and a quarter, it having been torn down within the memory of middle aped people now living. It was a quaint looking square structure, with its roof rising to the peak from its four sides, the space between the ceiling on the inside and the outside covering being filled with sea weed. Doctor and Col. John Ely, the first resident physician in the parish, was its occupant for a number of years after the removal of the Worthing- tons. The Congregational society have built two dwellings for their ministers, though two others have come into their possession by gift — one from Mrs. Devotion, the other from Jonathan Lay, the last being the present par- sonage. Rev. Mr. Rich and Mr. Selden occupied their own dwellings. In October 1725, the General Assembly, held at New Haven, granted liberty to the inhabitants of the society " to embody into church estate and to call and settle an orthodox minister among them with the approbation of the neighboring churches." In the early part of the year 1726, Mr. Worthington received a call to settle. In March of that year it was voted " to advance the yearly salary of Rev. Mr. Worth- ington for the future, as long as he continues in the ministry among us, according to our increasing ability, the same to be compounded by ye general list of estates at five pence on the pound, not exceeding the annual sum of seventy pounds money, and his fire wood." It is difficult to determine what Mr. Worthington re- ceived a year, estimated by the present standard of value. He first received fifty pounds, which, in 1739, was increased to ninety, "in bills of credit of this and the neighboring colonies." In 1743, Mr. Worthington acknowledged the receipt, for his year's salary, of the " sum of thirty-two pounds ten shillings in lawful money of this Colony, which is equivalent to One hundred and thirty pounds old tenor," though his salary had not been increased from ninety. The depreciation in the value of colonial paper in these years was rapid. In 1747, a committee was ap- pointed " to consider of the representation made by Rev. Mr. Worthington relating to his salary, and report their opinion." The same year " in lieu of the seventy pounds granted to him in 1731 as his salary, and all additional thereto made heretofore," he was voted "two hundred and sixty- two pounds ten shillings old tenor, for the future, during the pleasure of the society." This was increased until it reached over ^^400 in 1753. In the year 1753, three years before Mr. Worthing- ton 's death, the matter of salary was established definitely. That year, after much controversy, it was agreed " that for the future as long as he is our minister, Mr. Worth- ington 's yearly salary shall be One Hundred and eight ounces of good coin silver, Troy weight, sterling alloy, or an equivilant thereto in bills of credit of the old tenor, the same to be estimated from year to year by the best judgment of John Tully Esq. and Mr. William Tully, both of Saybrook." Mr. Worthington's last receipt shows that that " equivi- lant " was " four hundred and ninety one pounds twelve shillings and six pense old tenor," this in 1755. As an additional inducement to Mr. Worthington to settle in the parish the society voted to deed to him and his heirs forever one hundred acres of land, including the homestead of about eight and a half acres, with the parsonage built upon it, " provided he continue in the ministry in the society." Mr. Worthington, in his letter of acceptance of the call and the gift, among other things said: "I thank you for your good will and kind offer to me. I see so much of your willingness to do for me ye day of small things as is a satisfactory evidence to me that as your ability is enlarged, you wont see me want what you can conveniently do for me." Accordingly, at a meeting held June 6th 1726, it was voted " that ye last Wednesday of the present month, June (Divine .Providence concuring) shall be and is here- by appointed to be ye day for the ordination of Mr. William Worthington, and that such proceedings be had as may be thought most likely and accomodable to at- taining said end." The committee chosen to superin- tend the matter of the ordination "were desired, with the advice of Mr. Worthington, to treat with such min- isters as they shall think proper and convenient in order to ye carrying on that Great, Weighty and Solemn af- fair." Rev. William Worthington was ordained pastor June 27th 1726, and preached acceptably in the parish a little over 32 years, dying November i6th 1756, at the age of 60. He was buried in the "Old Yard," and his tomb stone records that " he lived beloved and died lamented by all who were happy in his acquaintance." Mr. Worthington was a native of Colchester, in this State, a graduate of Yale College, and grandfather of John Cotton Smith, the eminent governor. Mary, the daughter of Mr. Worthington, by his first wife, who was the daughter of Major Samuel Mason, of Stonington, married Hon. Aaron Elliot, a great-grand- son of the apostle, John Eliot. Mr. Worthington preached the election sermon before the General Assembly at Hartford, May loth 1744, when it was ordered " that Sam'l Lynde Esq., and Capt. Jede- diah Chapman return the thanks of this assembly to the Rev'd William Worthington for his sermon delivered be- fore the assembly on the loth inst. and desire a copy thereof that it may be printed." Mr. Worthington died in November 1756. The next January " Esq'r Jed. Chapman and Capt. John Murdock were appointed a committee jto invite into the society some orthodox candidate for the Gospel ministry, well approved for that purpose, in order for settlement." In June the society agreed to "give Mr. John Devo- tion as a settlement, the sum of One Hundred pounds. WESTBROOK-PXCLESIASTICAL SOCIETY. 569 lawful money of this Colony— viz., fifty pounds at or be- fore the first day of February next, and fifty pounds the February next corae twelve months." His yearly. salary was fixed at " fifty pounds lawful money of the Colony for four years, then to be increased, five pounds yearly, until it reached the sum of sixty-five pounds and so to re- main as long as he shall continue in the work of the ministry in the Parish." The society also voted to furnish him his fire wood, " thirty-three cords in quantity, good and sound, and the first getting of the wood to commence when his wants shall call for it and so to keep pace with his wants until it in quantity shall amount to thirty-three cords and no more." The Rev. John Devotion was ordained October 26th 1757. A fast was observed, preparatory to the occasion, Thursday of the week before, " beginning at ten of the clock before noon." After a pastorate of forty-five years he dropped dead in a fit of apoplexy, a few rods from the church door, September 6th 1802, at the age of 73. On training day, as was the custom, he had taken dinner with the military company, at the house of Mr. Ephraim Kelsey, and was marching in front of the company, by the side of Capt. Nathan Kirtland, up to the church, for the usual service, when he was taken and died without a struggle. This, as an ending to a long and successful ministerial service in the church and society, was everything he could have desired. His widow, a daughter of Major John Murdock, survived him a little more than six months, dying March i8th 1803, aged 65. In Mr. De- votion were united the scholar, the earnest preacher, and the dignified and courtly bearing of a cavalier. He was a native of Somers, and a graduate of Yale. Mr. Devotion was a man of considerable means, and not wholly dependent upon his salary for his support. The house that he built and occupied is still standing, though the fire places in which he burnt 33 cords of wood a year have been taken out. At times during the Revolution he relinquished a portion of his salary, as he says, "on account of the extraordinary expenses of the war." He seemed to be willing, as well as able to be considerate to his people, as when, in 1785, the society, on account of arrears of salary, had irapowered him to draw his orders on the committee for the amount due, which orders were to remain on interest until paid, "Mr. Devotion came into the meeting and relinquished the aforesaid vote in full and every part thereof." Mrs. Devotion gave by will to the Congregational so- ciety the parsonage built by Mr. Devotion and occupied by them until their deaths. The house was used as a parsonage until 1813, being occupied by Rev. Mr. Rich until that time. That year it was leased for the term of 999 years. The land was given by Mr. Devotion and was disposed of in 1839, and the proceeds used in build- ing a parsonage for Rev, Mr. Hyde. In March 1804, the society gave the Rev. Thomas Rich a call with a settlement of $500 and a yearly salary of $350. The records say that in the vote taken there were 103 in favor and but one against. Mr. Rich ac- cepted the call and was ordained in June 1804. A sub- scription was immediately circulated to assist Mr. Rich in building a house, and about $500 in material was raised. Mr. Rich was dismissed in September 1810, at his own request, after the society had refused him aid in his pecuniary embarrassments, caused as he said " by mis- fortune in building and sickness in my family." To this the society rejoins: "we do not consider his embarrassed circumstances to arise from any public cause or depreciation of currency or from any neglect or fault on our part," and that "granting pecuniary aid would hazard the union of the society." He was a graduate of Dartmouth. Rev. Sylvester Selden was ordained pastor of the Con- gregatiotial church and society in 1812, and was dismissed early in 1834. He was a graduate of Williams College. December 1833, the record says: "upon consideration it was thought proper and expedient that the minds of the members of the society present should be tried in regard to the Rev. Sylvester Selden continuing with us as our minister or asking dismission." Result was 21 in favor of his asking dismission and 11 in favor of con- tinuance. Mr. Selden replied that if the society, or any individ- ual, was willing to take the responsibility of what he would have to sacrifice in the sale of his property, he would ask for dismission. The amount of the sacrifice he put at $500. Upon this the society voted that " they would pay Rev'd Sylvester Selden his salary until the loth day of March 1834," provided he supplies the pul- pit and other ministerial duties until that time, " and that they will pay him no longer." The Rev. Jeremiah Miller was settled as pastor the latter part of the year 1834, at a salary of $450, and was dismissed early in 1837, at his own request, " the leading reasons " for which, he said, were " the want of a suitable parsonage for the accommodation of a minister, and the pecuniary compensation which your Pastor receives for his services rendered for your benefit." He was a native of Avon, and a graduate of Amherst. Rev. William A. Hyde was installed June 28th 1838, at a salary of $500. After an acceptable pastorate of a little more than 16 years, Mr. Hyde was dismissed at his own request, in July 1854. He removed to Grassy Hill, in this Slate, and occasionally, to the time of his death, preached here to his old parishioners, who always wel- comed his coming. He was a native of Lisbon, and a graduate of Amherst. The church and society had no settled minister after .Vtr. Hyde until 1863, the pulpit being supplied by vari- ous persons — Rev. Henry T. Cheever, about two years; Rev. E. B. Crane two years; and Rev. Henry A. Loper» four and a half years. On the 17th of February 1863' Rev. J. H. Pettengill received a call to settle over the church and society, and was installed in April of that year, at a salary of $600. Mr. Pettengill was dismissed, at his request. May 1866. From May 1866 to January 1877, the pulpit was sup- plied by many different clerymen. 57° HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. About January ist 1877, Rev. D. A. Atkins was ordained and installed as pastor, at a salary of $1,000. He resigned in April 1878. Since that date there has been no settled minister in charge. Rev. John B. Doolittle was employed August ist 1878, ot a salary of $800, and resigned January 1880, on account of ill health. Rev. J. A. Tomlinson was employed January ist 1880, at a salary of |8oo, and was dismissed, to take effect April ist 1S83. Rev. E. B. Sanford began his pastorate August ist 1883, at a salary of $900. The question of building a meeting house was agi- tated very soon after the organization of the society, though on account of the small means of the inhabitan's, it would seem, it was not begun until 1727. April i2th 1725, it was voted "that whenever the So- ciety shall build a Meeting House they will set it upon the hill near James Jordan's house." October 17th 1726, it was voted "to send to the Gen- eral Assembly now sitting in New Haven for some assist- ance in building a Meeting House," and in January 1727, " it was voted and agreed to proceed to ye building of a Meeting House for God's Public Worship as soon as may be." It was to be " forty foot long, thirty-two foot wide, and eighteen feet between joints." Afterward, it was voted to build it as large as "ye timber will allow not to exceed thirty-three feet in width and twenty feet be- tween joints." William Stannard, Samuel Bushnell, and Peabody Grinell were chosen to superintend the build ing " with full power." February 29th 1727, the following action was taken, viz : "Whereas the society is apprehensive there sl-.ould be some speedy method taken for ye procuring of ye nails, glass and lead for ye Meeting House, for ye more easy and speedy procuring ye same, it is agreed and voted that there shall be a committee of three men chosen to procure so much lead and glass and so many nails as they by advice shall think needful, and to use their best endeavor to get ye same by ye first good op- portunity they can meet withall * * * * and that any person concerned shall have liberty to venture off any of his goods or moneys to sea in order to procuring the aforesaid premises." At a meeting held at the " Minister's House " in April 1727, " it was agreed and voted that whenever ye society shall build a Meeting House they would set it on the hill near James Jordan's house, at ye lowermost western part of it where it is thought most convenient." This, the first church in the town, the body of which was finished in 1729, was situated upon the site of the present Congregational church, and stood 100 years, be- ing torn down to make a place for the second one. Ii stood as a plain square building until 1795, 66 years after its building, when an addition and steeple were ad- ded to it. In January of that year, "a. committee was appointed with full powers and instructions to build and annex a suitable and proper steeple to the west end of the Meeting House, and to procure a suitable bell, clock & spire to said steeple." Previous to this people were called to meeting by the beat of the drum, " twice in the morning and once at noon on the Sabbath day." In 1827, when the old church had withstood the storms of almost a century, the question of repairing it was agitated in the parish. At a meeting held in July, says the records, " all present excepting one person voted that they should prefer building a new Meeting House to repairing the old one." In 1828, the sum of $3,000 was raised by subscription to be expended in building a meeting house, with the avails of the old one. The meeting house was to be 40 by 50 feet, built on the site of the first one, and " steeple and pulpit both to be placed on the southernmost end." This, the second Congregational meetinghouse, was dedi- cated June 17th 1829, and was torn down to make place for the present one in 1859. For a half century or more before the establishment of the church connected with the ecclesiastical society in the parish, the inhabitants worshiped with the church in Saybrook, one of the oldest in the State, having been organized in 1646. Here they listened for a number of years to the preaching of the Rev. Thomas Buckingham, one of the founders of Yale College, and possibly to the Rev. James Fitch, earlier, who for a time was a land holder in this parish. The church, one of the " Presby- terian Blue Lights" in its origin, was very strict in its rules and regulations, and recusants were summarily dealt with by the society. At times the inhabitants were summoned to answer for non-attendance, or refusal to paythe ministerial rates. Methodist Churches. On a Sunday morning in the summer of 1807, a little party of believers in the teachings of John Wesley met at the house of Mr. Samuel Stevens, on the northwestern outskirts of the town, and organized a Methodist class. The Rev. Ebenezer Washburn preached a sermon, and thus was established the first Methodist church in town, and one of the first in the State. They called themselves, first. Episcopal, afterward Wesleyan Methodists; and held their meetings for lo years in school houses, or pri- vate residences, the class leader usually conducting the services, though at times they were favored with a clergy- man. The memorable September gale of 1815 was an "evil not unmixed with good," as it felled the trees that furnished the frame for, and perhaps suggested the build- ing, the first Methodist church in town. This church, built in 1817, and situated about two and a half miles west of the " Congregational Church on the Hill," stood just 50 years. Its first minister was William Jewett, fol- lowed by Elijah Hibbard and Smith Dayton, though its pulpit was generally supplied by itinerants. It was a furious breeze that disturbed the little church 25 years later, filling it with dissension and strife, that in the, end led to the organization of the Methodist Episco- pal church, and the erection of its church edifice in 1841. The conduct that accompanied this disagreement would WESTBROOK— EDUCATION. 571 now appear ludicrous but that it is remembered that it took more than a quarter of a century to heal the diffi- culties. Soon after the rupture in the Fipt or Wesleyan Meth- odist Church the aggrieved members formed a new church and society, with the original name, that they had brought away with them, that of Methodist Episco- pal church and society. A quarterly conference, held at Clinton, in April 1841, at the request of the new church organization appointed a committee " to raise money to purchase ground and superintend the building of a House of Worship for the Methodist Episcopal Society in Westbrook." i This, the present Methodist church building was raised in July 1841, and the first quarterly conference was held in it, December 2Sth of the same year. Rev. Charles W. Carpenter, presiding elder at the time, officiated on the occasion. The Rev. Isaac San- ford was its first resident minister, being stationed over the church for the year 1842. Schools. The matter of a public school was agitated very soon after the set off of the parish, and in February 1726, a committee was chosen "' to treat with the East Society respecting a certain legacy given and left by Mr. Edward Lay* to ye inhabitants of ye town of Saybrook for main- taining a free school for the children of ye inhabitants of said town, supposing ourselves to have a just right to a proportionable part thereof, and as we are a distinct society it ought to be improj;ed in some other manner than has been formerly accustomed in order to attain ye end proposed by ye said donor .... they to do their best endeavor for obtaining ye said school to be kept ill our society some part of each year;" also " to in- quire after and use their best endeavor to obtain a proportionable part of ye fifty pounds granted by ye General Assembly to ye town of Saybrook for ye use of a school, or at least some part of the interest for main- taining a school among ourselves." This was the first public school in town. These matters were probably settled to the satisfac- tion of the parish, for January 26th 1727, it was voted " to set up a school forthwith or as soon as may be conveniently for so long a term in each year as ye law directs," and a committee was appointed " to take over- sight and management thereof, and to hire and agree with some suitable and meet person to keep ye said school for the ensuing year." The Edward Lay, here mentioned, was a member of the Lyme branch of the Lay family, and the gift was probably inspired by hia indignation at the removal of Tale College from Saybrook to New Haven. At the removal of the detained books of the college by a sheriff's warrant, in 1718, this indignation was expressed so forcibly that Mr. Lay and Captain Samuel Chapman of this parish were brought before the governor and council " to be examined of threatening words spoken to the sheriff of the county relating to the executing of his ofiBce " and placed under bonds of £30 pounds each "for their good behaviour towards his Majesties subjects, and especially to all his officers." Robert Bates, for many years afterward clerk of the ecclesiastical society in this parish, became one of the bondmen. This school was under the supervision of a committee chosen each year by the society. In 1733, it voted " that ye school shall be maintained in manner follow- ing, viz., of what ye county money is wanting from time to time of a sufficient supply, the society shall be at one- half of ye charge and those that send their children to school ye other half." The committee were instructed the following January to employ a school master for two months, at three pounds per month, and a school mistress for the other four months, at twenty shillings per month and no more. There seems to have been dissatisfaction in regard to the distribution of the public moneys, for it was repre- sented to the society, in 1740, that " Whereas there hath a difference arisen and is now subsisting in the town of Saybrook respecting the free schools in said town, and after many debates thereabout the town hath voted to refer the decision of that matter to a commit- tee, this society, taking the matter into consideration, think it needful to raise a small sum of money to hire some meet and suitable person as a counsel for us in the case." One farthing on the pound was voted for that purpose. This action had reference to money realized from sale of Western lands, for in 1744 it was voted that a certain sum received " from the sale of Western lands, should be let out in suras not exceeding twenty-five pounds, nor less than fifteen to any one man, and for a term not exceeding five years." Though a public school was established in Westbrook Parish in 1727, it was 14 years before a school house was built for its accommodation; the school in the meantime being kept in private houses, most likely much of the time at the parsonage. The question of building such a house was agitated in 1740. A meeting of the citizens was held at the house of Mr. Ephraim Kelsey on the evening of January 2d 1741, at which it was agreed "to erect a school house upon some convenient place be- tween the meeting house and the river." It was de- cided to locate it between the meeting house and Rev. Mr. Worthington's garden. Its dimensions were to be 21 feet in length, 15 feet in breadth, and in height 6J^ feet stud. It was to be plank- ed and the roof covered with 18 inch chestnut shingles, and the sides clapboarded with rift clapboards. It was to have two good floors, one above and one below, and to be sealed round the inside. There were to be in it three glass windows, the two larger ones two feet in length and 18 inches in width, and the smaller one 18 inches in length and 12 inches in width. The chimney was to be four feet between the jambs, at the back. It was to have one good door, well hung, and a hearth to the chimney, and to be well fur- nished with benches. The parish contracted with Mr. William Divall to build the house for 54 pounds, 12 shillings, he giving bonds accordingly. Mr. Divall did not finish the work to the satisfaction of the committee, and his bondsmen were sued to recover. 73 S72 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. This, the first school house within the bounds and limits of Westbrook, stood at the foot of the hill west of the present Congregational church, and was used for school purposes nearly 30 years. Until 1768, a period of 40 years from the time of the first school, Westbrook Parish constituted one school district and needed but one school house, but the increase of its population, especially in the north and west borders, made it desirable that school houses should be erected in those sections for their accommodation. Consequently, in 1768, the parish was divided into three school districts, and three school houses were built, the first house being sold and the site changed. -The third, that was to be on Pond Meadow, in anticipation of the division, had already partly built one. The lines of boundary of the districts, as per record, were as follows: The First District, " beginning at the southeast corner of the parish and extending northward in the parish line as far as Hornbrook; thence running westerly, including Ephraim Jones, Ephraim Jones Jun, and Benj. Jones and Simeon Lay; thence southerly to the sea. Second or western district to begin at the mouth of Eight mile river (Menunketesuc) running northerly, leaving out Simeon Lay, and to extend so far northerly as to take in all the inhabitants of Horse Hill and Mr. Daniel Lay; thence westerly to Killingworth line; thence by said line to the sea side, all the remain- ing part of the parish to be the third or northerly dis- trict." The First District, by the division, comprised the present Center, East, Hayden, and the largest part of the North District. The Second, or Western District, comprised the pres- ent Kirtland and Horse Hill Districts; and the Third, or Northerly District, comprised the Pond Meadow and the north part of the present North District. The school house in the First District was to be set somewhere between the meeting house and Mr. Heze- kiah Post's dwelling. It was set on the ground occu- pied by the front of the present town hall. Its dimen- sions were 20 feet in length and 16 feet in width. That in the Second District, 16 feet long and 14 feet wide, was set " on Horse Hill, about 33 rods below the brook to the southward of Jeremiah Wright's house on the east side of the highway." The Third District was to go on and complete the house already begun. This was probably built on the site of the present Pond Meadow school house. The parish levied a tax of two pence half penny on the pound on the common list to construct their build- ings, two pence in provisions or material, and a half penny in money. The parish remained thus districted about nine years. In 1777, the wishes of the north part of the First Dis- trict were gratified by being set off from that district, to be a Fourth School District. The limits of the dis- trict are described as, "including Mr. Samuel Spencer and Mr. Gideon Denison, and all northward from thence, that heretofore belonged to the First District, for a new and fourth district." It was arranged to build immediately a school house, i8 feet long and 14 wide, for the district, "somewhere betwixt Wid. Prudence Bushnell's and Mr. Joseph Whit- tlesey's." Through some difficulty this house was not built until 1784, at which time the parish, in school meeting, laid a tax of "two pence on the pound in provision or material, and two farthings on the pound in cash," for that pur- pose. This house stood on the ground occupied by the present North District school house, or very near it. In 1787, the Second District was divided to form a fifth district. The dividing line was " halfway between Josiah Wright's and John Lay's," the north portion, or present Horse Hill District, to be the Fifth. The school house in the Second District, being within the limits of the Fifth by the set off, was retained by the Fifth, they paying to the Second its proportion of owner- ship according to its list of estates. A school house was built by the Second on the site of the present Kirtland District house. The Sixth or Hayden District was set off from the First District in 1824, the dividing line being Pochoug River. A school house was built that year in the corner of the lot given by Mrs. Devotion to the First Ecclesi- astical Society. This house is still standing and in use. The Seventh or present East District, was formed,by a division of the First, and a school house built thit is at present in use. The second school house, built on the site of the present town hall, in the First District, in 1768-9, was burned about 1814. The third one, on the same ground, was built by proprietors in 1815, and rented to the dis- trict for school purposes. This building was sold to Jonathan Lay, Esq., and by his widow given to the First Ecclesiastical Society for a conference room. After the erection of the present church, with its chapel room, it was sold to the town for a town hall and used for that purpose until the building of the present hall in 1881. This building, the old " Conference House," as it was familiarly called, was as well known, and it will probably be as long remembered as any in town. Among its various vicissitudes it was pretty well torn to pieces in 1837, during an anti-slavery meeting. Thereupon the ecclesiastical society voted that they " would not have any more abolition meetings in their meeting house or conference house." The fourth and present school house in the First Dis- trict was finished and occupied in 1839. The Academy Association was formed in 1852, and the academy building was erected that year and occupied the following winter with about 80 scholars. Though this was the first building of the kind in town, a select school had been kept from four to six months in a year for a quarter of century, in various buildings. Edward D. Rawson, the first principal, was a graduate of Amherst College. 'Ijn4eir his. preceptorship &f two WESTBROOK.— MISCELLANEOUS. S7i years the school probably enjoyed the greatest prosperity, though under his sucessors the school maintained its character and excellence for years. Many have gone forth from its teaching? to make their mark in the world of letters, and those who have settled down to the more humble and quiet walks of life look back with pride and pleasure to their " Alma Mater." War of the Rebellion. Westbrook furnished for the army, in the war of 1861-65, 55 of its natives and citizens. Of these, four • were killed in battle, twelve were wounded, of whom two died in consequence, and sixteen died of disease or starva- tion. Several endured the miseries of Southern prisons. The town was represented in many of the most severe struggles of the war. Its killed or wounded were on the fields of Antietara and Fredericksburg, at Cedar Creek, Port Hudson, and Gettysburg, and in the Wilderness. Five from this town entered the navy, two of whom were lieutenant commanders, one acting master, and one master's mate.' One was on board of the Tuscarora in her cruise after the Alabama and Sumter, one was with Farragut in the Gulf squadron, and one on board of the Ironsides in the attack on Fort Sumter, when that iron- clad lay for two hours, aground on a torpedo which did not explode, exposed to the fire of all the batteries in Charleston Harbor. One was severely wounded by be- ing blown up with his vessel, by a torpedo, in a South Carolina river. T. Nelson Spencer entered the revenue service, and was promoted to the position of lieutenant, in which office he served during the war. He was afterward pro- moted to the position of captain, and died in the service, in 1874. Twelve descendants of Captain Samuel Chapman, one of the first settlers, and Deacon Jedediah, his son, who commanded a company in tlie Cape Breton expedition, in 1745, well represented the family in the war of the Rebellion. In addition to the citizens of the town who took part in the great struggle, about 30 non-residents enlisted and served to its credit. A few of these were substitutes, but most enlisted for the bounty offered by the people and military subjects. The Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society was active through- out the war, and did much toward alleviating suffering and making pleasant the soldier's life in field and camp. Westbrook Agricultural Society. The Westbrook Agricultural Society was organized January 4th 1879, and incorporated by act of the Legis- lature, March 3d 1882. From small beginnings it has become an important society, and its fairs have been some of the best in the State. Its first fair was held September 29th i88i, at which there were 901 exhibits for premiums. The number o( premiums awarded was 564. Amount awarded, $250.35. The second fair was held October loth 1882, at which there were 1,188 entries. Amount of premiums awarded, $349-3°- The third fair was held October loth 1883, at which premiums were awarded on 650 articles; amount,$337.o9. The fourth fair was held October 8th 1884, at which there were over 1,250 entries of animals and articles for premiums. There were 855 premiums awarded, amount- ing to about $360.00. The object of the society according to its constitu- tion, is to awaken and promote an intelligent interest in agriculture and kindred pursuits, and it has succeeded in this object beyond expectation. The Colonel Worthington Farm. This place is situated about three-quarters of a mile from the Congregational church, eastward, on the main street, and is so called from having been long in the pos- session of Colonel Worthington of Revolutionary fame. There is an old house standing on the premises. Its age is unknown, but William Chapman, who died within a few years, at the advanced age of 95, remembered having carried dinner to carpenters who were repairing the building when he was a small boy. The structure was probably built over 200 years ago. This ancient house was use. WESTBROOK— BIOGRAPHIES. 579 the large shipping interests once controlled by this firm. Captain Spencer has lived to see the death blow admin- istered to our commerce by the protection afforded to American ship builders, who, through their own folly, have been protected to death. "Sic transit gloria mundi." While the snows of 72 winters have whitened his locks, Captain Spencer is still hale and hearty, and, from pres- ent indications, it will be a long time ere he reaches' the final port and lets go the anchor. He is a man of large stature, of fine, commanding ap- pearance, open and generous in his nature. He still de- votes a portion of his time to his business interests in New York, but finds his greatest delight amid the scenes of his childhood, at his beautiful residence in Westbrook. On the 2d of September 1838, he married Amelia A., daughter of John Stokes, of Westbrook, by whom he has had five children: Joseph Timothy, James Hicks, Win- field Scott, Arabella, and John Stokes. Joseph Timothy followed in the footsteps of his father, and commenced his seafaring life on the David Crockett, making, three successful voyages, rising rapidly from the forecastle to the quarter deck. He subsequently com- manded a transport steamer for two years during the war. Soon after this he entered the service of the Mal- lorys as commander of one of the Galveston steamers. In 1870, while in command of the steamer Varuna, he was lost off the Florida coast by the foundering of his vessel by a hurricane, only five persons having been saved. The three other sons of Captain Spencer are engaged in business in New York, all of whom inherit many of the qualities which made their father successful. Alfred Goodrich Spencer. The youngest son of Timothy Spencer and Polly Bushnell, while possessing characteristics in common with his brothers, retained a strong individuality. In personal appearance, he was of large and commanding stature, and bore a face with strongly marked features. Mentally, he was a positive character, with firm convic- tions, which he never lacked the courage to declare, and deeply rooted principles, which were never considered as something apart from the man himself. Naturally of a conservative temperament, he was nevertheless a man of broad and liberal views, and was always among the foremost to lend his aid and influence to what he considered the common good. He was born the 9th of July 1814. His childhood was passed much like that of his brothers, and like them, he early chose the avocation of a sailor. He carried into his pursuit much of physical energy and a natural quickness of perception. A faithful application to the study of navigation, and an identification of himself with the interests of others that spared no pains to insure the faithful discharge of a trust, joined to a soundness of ]udgment, explain the honored success he achieved. His life as an ordinary seaman commenced at the age of, 15, in the coasting-service of Long Island Sound, and at the age of 26 he was in command of the ship Hector, of 860 tons, at that time one of the largest ships which sailed from the port of New York, and in the employ of E. D. Hurlburt & Co. On the failure of the Hurlburts he entered the service of Everett & Brown, and while with them he built and commanded the Silas Greenman, of 1,000 tons, and" later the B. C. Scrantoh, of 1,400 tons. Subsequently he entered the Black Star line, controlled by Williams & Guion, with whom he remained until his retirement from the sea. He" commanded at different periods the Belle Wood, Australia^ and Chancellor, of 1,800 tons, in the European trade, and the steamer Wilmington, in the employ of the United States Government. While in command of the Chancel- lor he collided with a british bark in mid ocean. Seeing that a collision was unavoidable, it was his duty, under the law governing such cases, to port his helm, but he saw that by so doing it would inevitably involve a loss of life; he therefore exercised his own judgment in viola- tion of the law, and thus prevented the serious conse- quences which must have followed. A suit for damages was brought by the owners of the bark against the Chan- cellor. After an adverse decision to the defendants in a lower court it was appealed to the English Admiralty- Court. It was supposed to be a hopeless case, but ir> Capt. Spencer's testimony he showed that he was influ- enced by motives of humanitj' which he considered para- mount to all existing codes, and to the surprise of all the decision _was rendered in his favor. Considering the circumstances, it was a signal triumph for an American shipmaster, in an English court against an English plain- tiff. During the French Revolution, when Louis Napoleon accomplished his grand coup d'etat. Captain Spencer arrived with his ship in Havre. His business required him to proceed to Paris to deposit a considerable sum of money. It was a time of excitement and uncertainty, Paris was said to be in a state of siege, but with the $14,000 concealed in his boots, he took the risk, accom- plished his purpose and returned in safety. In 1862, he stood on the dock in Liverpool, and, with hundreds of others, watched the confederate privateer,. Alabama, as she passed down the Mersey to begin her work of destruction of American commerce, and was- obliged to listen to the enthusiastic expressions of in- terest in her mission to be heard on every hand. His- faith in the ultimate success of the Union cause was- strong, and, turning to an English friend, he remarked that he believed the day would come when England would make good to the United States government the damage done by that vessel. He lived to see his p,^re- diction verified, and the discomfiture of his rebeS sympathizing friends. On the 14th of September 1840, he married Diana Magne, daughter of Joseph Nicholas Magne. Three children were born to them, viz.: Alice Adelaide, Frank- lin Timothy, and Alfred Goodrich. The latter years of Captain Spencer's life were spent in the quiet of his pleasant home in his native town, but his interest in the world's work and progress continued until his death, which occurred the 2d of June i88o.