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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01150 6513
Gc 974.601 W72La v.2 Larned, Ellen D. History of Windham County, Connecticut
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
H.B HALI
umbnIl
MAJ. GEN. ISRAEL PUTNAM
Surad Sulnam
HISTORY
OF
WINDHAM COUNTY,
CONNECTICUT.
BY ELLEN D. LARNED.
" If, when we lay down our pen, we cannot say in the sight of God, 'upon strict examination, I have not knowingly written anything that Is not true' . . .. then study and literature render us unrighteous and sinfui."-Niebuhr.
VOLUME II. 1760-1880.
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR.
1880.
WORCESTER, MASS. : PRINTED BY CHARLES HAMILTON. 311 MAIN STREET. MDCCCLXXX.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1880, by
ELLEN D. LARNED,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
1
1135524
S
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9000C
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PORTRAITS.
1. Maior General Israel Putnam, Brooklyn, . Frontispiece.
PAGE.
2. General Samuel Mcclellan, Woodstock, . . 147
3. Ilon. Samuel Huntington, Scotland, signer of the Declaration of Inde- pendence, President of the Continental Congress, Governor of Connecticut, 236
4. Colonel Thomas Grosvenor, Pomfret, 265
5. Rev. Josiah Whitney, D. D., Brooklyn, 464
6. Rev. Daniel Dow, D. D., Thompson, 536
7. General Lemuel Grosvenor, Pomfret, 543
8. Smith Wilkinson, Esq., Putnam, pioneer of Cotton manufacturing in Connecticut, 547
9. General Nathaniel Lyon, Eastford, 567
10. Hou. David Gallup, Plainfield, . .573
·
County Map.
. 551
PREFACE.
Ir is perhaps but natural in completing a work of this charac- ter, attempting to cover so large a field, that the author should be more conscious of its omissions than its inclusions. To show what had been accomplished by WINDHAM COUNTY in the past it was necessary to include the present-a delicate and difficult matter, rather within the province of the gazetteer than the historian. Passing events and conditions have been touched as briefly as possible and present actors very sparingly introduced. Critics will note with more asperity of judgment the absence of statistical details and tabulated statements, especially with refer- ence to the three wars in which Windham bore a part; as also of genealogical and topographical data, so essential to a thorough knowledge of any particular section. A future supplement may supply these facts, which it has been impossible for the author to collect at the present time. She has achieved, she trusts, a clear and truthful narrative of the settlement and development of the towns comprising Windham County, gathered from the archives of the towns and State and from innumerable other sources-a narrative which though strictly confined to county limits, very strikingly sets forth the growth and development of the Nation, and its institutions. The observing reader will see in how many ways this little corner has sent out its influence, and how vitally it is connected with the growth of the body politic. Great pains have been taken to represent its social character and changes, and to gather up and collate every possible detail of the lives and services of those residents most connected with its development. Undoubtedly with all this care persons worthy
vi.
PREFACE.
of mention have been omitted, and undue prominence may have been given to others. Mistakes and misapprehensions in a work of this kind cannot be avoided, especially in such matters as were never before brought into history, derived from many independ- ent sources. But it is believed that these defects and errors are comparatively trifling, and that the friends of Windham County have good reason to be satisfied with this record. Especially will they be gratified with the faces of honored citizens, familiar still to some and greatly revered by all, that enrich its pages. Long cherished as priceless treasures by descendants and friends, they will be warmly welcomed in many Windham County homes, and will give to future generations a more vivid realization of the days and scenes with which they were connected. The public will join with the writer in thanks to the kind friends who have generously aided in the reproduction of these valned por- traits ; others which were greatly desired it was impossible for various reasons to secure. As the record of events comes down to the present, it seemed but fitting that our picture gallery should include a living representative-our chief official resident, the present lieutenant-governor of Connecticut-which his friends and constituents will highly value.
Grateful thanks are also due to the many friends who have given valuable information. Especial mention should be made of our efficient State Librarian, Charles J. Hoadly, Esq., who furnished needful material and opened many sources of informa- tion. Reports of interesting incidents, not to be found in the County, were sent back from the papers of the late Hon. Ephraim Cutler, Marietta, Ohio. J. R. Simms, Esq., Fort Plain, New York, author of the History of Schoharie County, and other historical works ; Mr. George Webb, Elizabeth, New Jersey ; Mr. Pulaski Carter, Providence, Pa .; Mr. J. Q. Adams, Natiek, R. I .- former residents of Windham County-have kindly contributed many valuable notes, incidents and remi- niscences. Documents collected by the late William L.
vii.
PREFACE.
Weaver, Esq., received from Mr. Thomas S. Weaver, and excerpts from his local notes and genealogical papers, pre- served by Prof. Cleveland Abbe, of Washington, D. C., were especially helpful. Very valuable papers and pamphlets were found in the collection left by John McClellan, Esq., Woodstock. For these many favors, and the innumerable details furnished by residents of every town, for the sympa- thy and aid received from so many sources, the writer can only express her appreciative thanks, and her hope that their expectations may be fully realized. In completing a work which has given her a much higher estimate of Windham County's past standing, the writer cannot but hope that it may excite a truer appreciation in others, and by stimulating county feeling and healthy emulation, help to make its onward conrse yet more prosperous, and its future record yet fairer and more honorable.
THOMPSON, June 30, 1880.
E. D. L.
TOPICAL INDEX.
Aboriginal Inhabitants, I., 1-11, 33, 8-43, 58; 143, 54, 71-3, 85, 6; 570. II., 389,90; 532, 40.
Ashford Whipping, II., 27, 8; 303.
Bacchus, II., 172, 3; 218; 560.
Boundary Disputes and Settlements. I., 13-15, 21, 37, 50, 63-5, 89 ; 120-8, 33- 36, 7, 42, 6, 8, 9, 55-7, 68, 9, 75; 226-9, 37, 8, 40, 53-5, 94-6; 341; 487- 95. II., 107-9; 456; 527.
Canal and Railroad Projects, II., 76; 502, 3, 7, 52, 7, 8.
College Graduates, I., 507, 54, 72, 3. II., 17, 91; 305.
Connecticut Path, I., 2, 19, 29. II., 87.
Dark Day, II., 373.
Ecclesiastic Constitution, I., 263 ; 425, 69, 70, 7-85. II., 221-5, 74, 96; 465-7. Emigration, I., 287 ; 556-60. II., 19, 51, 77; 105; 317, 18, 41-3.
Executions and Murders, I., 39; 231, 2, 88, 9 ; 363, 4. II., 290-3; 303, 60, 1, 81; 479.
Land Bank Scheme, 383, 4.
Medical Society, II., 269.
Military Organization, I., 269, 99. II., 137, 9, 40.
Probate Courts Constituted, I., 260 ; 526, 39.
Population, I., 261; 570. II .; 142; 388; 589, 90.
September Gale. II., 429, 36, 40.
Singing, I., 60; 522. II., 98; 103; 259; 369; 450.
Slaves, I., 551, 2, 70. II., 220; 389 ; 593.
Social Condition, I., 262, 3; 570. II., 52 ; 388-90, 4-7; 414; 588-90.
CONTENTS.
BOOK V. 1740-1775.
I. PAGE. General Affairs .
Pomfret. Brooklyn Parish. Putnam. Malbone. Rival Church Edifices. 1
II.
Ashford. General Town Affairs. Westford Society. First Baptist Church. Eastford Society. Corbin Land Claim. 19
III.
Affairs in Canterbury. Whitefield's Visit. Separates. Baptists. West- minster Society
37
IV.
Town Affairs in Windham. Wyoming Emigration. Social Life, Scot- land Parish
46
V.
Canada Parish. Pew Dispute. School Districts. Troubles with Rev. Samuel Mosely. Voluntown .. 57
VI.
Religious Settlement in Plainfield. General Town Affairs 71
VII.
Town Affairs in Killingly. Thompson Parish. Baptist Church Formed. Killingly Hill. South Killingly Church. Chestnut Hill. Baptist Church
77
VIII.
Woodstock's Three Parishes. Baptist Church. Town Affairs. Troubles with Massachusetts . 97
BOOK VI. 1764-1783.
WINDHAM IN THE REVOLUTION.
I.
Opposition to Stamp Act. Non-importation. Food for Boston. Resolves and Onsets. A Great Uprising .
. 111
II.
Preparation for the Conflict. Onward to Cambridge. Bunker Hill. Home Affairs. Death of Rev. Joseph Howe . . 137
D
X.
CONTENTS.
III.
Campaign of 1776. Struggles and Disasters. Death of Knowlton. Town Resolutions. Campaigns of 1777-78. Discouragements . 159
IV.
Gloomy Days. Endurance. Home Affairs. Brightening Prospects. 183
Victory .
BOOK VII. 1783-1807.
I.
Banishment of Tories. Sufferings of Soldiers. War Settlements. Adop- . 205
tion of Federal Constitution
II.
Windham's Prosperity. The Windham Phenix. Religious Declension. . 213
Political Agitation
III.
Scotland's First Bell. Life at the Parsonage. Changes. Trouble with Dr. Cogswell .
230
IV.
Hampton Set Off. Death of Mr. Mosely. Prosperity and Progress. Gren- adier Company. Grow Church. Deacon Benjamin Chaplin . . . . 238 V.
Organization of Brooklyn. Adams' District. Last Years of General Putnam. Colonel Malbone. Captain Tyler. Growth and Pros- 249
perity . .
VI.
Pomfret's Progress. Oliver Dodge. Reformed Church. Methodists. Baptists. Turnpikes. Trial and Execution of Caleb Adams . . 265
VII:
General Affairs in Ashford. Visit from President Washington. Turnpike Enterprise. David Bolles and the Baptist Petition. Congregational and Baptist Churches . . 293
VIII.
Canterbury Bridges. Enterprising Young Men. Master Adams' School. Town and Church Affairs. Westminster Society. Cleveland . . . . 304
IX.
Plainfield Church in Pursuit of a Pastor. New Meeting-house. Dr. Bene- diet. Plainfield Academy. Distinguished Citizens. Town Affairs . 319
Y.
Killingly Established. North Society. Trials of Baptists. South Killingly Church and Trainings. West Killingly Church. Emigration to Ohio .
. 330
XI.
Town Organization in Thompson. Business Enterprise. Ordinations of Daniel Dow and Pearson Crosby. Report of School Inspectors. Sale of Thompson Tract. Improvements and Excitements. Counter- feiting 343
CONTENTS.
xi.
XII.
Town and Church Affairs in Woodstock. Academy Founded. Thief- Detecting Society. Murder of Marcus Lyon. Losses and Changes . 362 XIII.
Organization of Sterling. Meeting-house Erected. Town and Church
. Affairs in Voluntown. Line Meeting-house .
. 383
XIV.
Windham County in 1800. Population. Business. Morals. Religion.
Schools. Social Condition
388
BOOK VIII. 1807-1820.
I.
The Carding Machine. Pomfret Manufacturing Company, Manufacturing Furor. War of 1812-14 II. Windham Enterprise and Difficulties. Fun and Fishing. Church Affairs . 411
III.
Town and Church Affairs in Hampton. Chaplin Society. Organization of Church. Meeting-house and Minister . . 417
IV.
Enterprise in Canterbury. Fatal Accident. Church Affairs 422
V.
Plainfield Manufacturers. Death of Dr. Benedict. Ilighways and Bridges. . 427
Sterling. Voluntown .
VI.
Manufacturing Excitement in Killingly. Church Affairs. United Traet 431
Society .
VII.
Thompson's Manufacturing Companies. Village Growth and Improve- ments. The Great Revival of 1813-14 . . 438
VIII.
The Revival in Pomfret. Business Affairs. Moral and Agricultural 444
Societies
IX.
Business in Woodstock. Churches. Academy. Thefts and Whipping. . 451
Dudley Land Case .
Town and Church Affairs in Ashford . X.
. 456
XI.
Town Affairs in Brooklyn. Unitarian Controversy. The New Constitu- tion. Change of County Seat. 460
. 399
xii.
CONTENTS.
BOOK IX. 1820-1845.
I.
Transferrence of Courts. Brooklyn Enterprise. Death of Dr. Whitney. Ministry of Samnel J. May. Execution of Watkins . 471
II.
Temperance Work in Windham County. Organization of County Temper- anec Society. Efforts and Results . . 480
III.
Miss Crandall's Schools-White and Colored. Canterbury in Danger. Excitement. Expulsion .. . 490
IV.
Canterbury. Plainfield. Voluntown. Sterling . 502
V.
Windham. Willimantic Village. Chaplin . . 511
Hampton. Ashford. Eastford Parish . 520
VI.
VII.
Woodstock. Thompson
. 527
VIII.
Killingly. Pomfret. Pomfret Factory
. 539
BOOK X. 1840-1880.
The Present Outlook. Putnam. Danielsonville. Willimantic. Windham Green. North and South Windham. Scotland. Chaplin. Hamp- ton. Ashford. Eastford. Brooklyn. Canterbury. Voluntown. Sterling. Plainfield. Central Village. Moosnp. Wanregan. Day- ville. Williamsville. East and South Killingly. Grosvenordale. Thompson. Pomfret. Woodstock. Notable Meetings of Woodstock. Windham County's Latest War-Record. The Army of Emigrants.
To-day and To-morrow . 551
APPENDIX. A .- Origin of Town Names . 591
B .- English Report of Putnam's Wolf Fight 591
C .- The Battle of the Frogs 592
D .- A Relic of Slavery . 593
BOOK V.
I.
POMFRET. BROOKLYN SOCIETY. PUTNAM. MALBONE. RIVAL CHURCH EDIFICES. GENERAL AFFAIRS.
THE heavy burden borne by Windham County through the weari- some French and Indian war was not without its compensations. Stringent compulsory demands called out the energies of the towns and developed their resources. Wider experience, and the stimulat- ing discipline of camp and battle, made stronger men of those engaged in warfare, and fitted them for greater usefulness at home. No town was more favored in this respect than Pomfret. Her sons greatly distinguished themselves in the war, and returned to engage with equal zeal and fidelity in the service of town and county. At the annual meeting of the town, December 1, 1760, many of these returned soldiers were elected to town offices. Deacon Jonathan Dresser served as moderator. More than fifty men were needed to fill the various publie offices. Ebenezer Williams, Esq., Captain John Grosvenor, Captain Zachariah Spalding, Deacons Edward Ruggles and David Wil- liams were chosen selectmen ; Timothy Sabin, town clerk and treasurer ; Ensign Nathaniel Clark, Ephraim Ingalls and Samuel Williams, con- stables-one for each society ; Rufus Herrick, John Gilbert, William Allworth; Paul Adams, Solomon Griggs, Daniel Cheney, Jonathan White, George Sumner, Samuel Cotton, Ebenezer Deming, Ebenezer Williams, Esq., David Chandler, Amasa Sessions, Jacob Goodell and Abijah Williams and John Nathaniel Abbott, highway surveyors ; Weld, fence viewers ; John Parkhurst, Jun., Josiah Sabin, Ephraim Tucker, Jun., Joseph Scarborough, Thomas Williams, Deacon Samuel Craft and Ebenezer Goodell, listers ; John Williams, Jun., Adonijah Fasset and John Williams, grand-jurors : Jedidiah Ashcraft, James Copeland, Joseph Philips, Nathaniel Rogers, Ephraim Griggs and John Holbrook, tithing-men ; William Sabin, John Davison, Jonathan Allen, Josiah Wheeler and Captain Zachariah Spalding, horse-branders ; Ben- jamin Smith and Benjamin Sharpe, weight-sealers : Samuel Carpenter, exeise collector ; Ensign Nathaniel Clark, town-collector; Benjamin
1
2
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
Griffin, key-keeper. Most of these officers will be recognized as descend- ants of the early settlers of Pomfret. The sole survivor of the first settlers at this date was apparently Mr. Nathaniel Sessions, "a sober man and useful member of society, " who forty years before had opened the first cart road from Providence. Now in serene old age, resting from his labors in his pleasant home in Abington, he was ever ready to aid the town with his counsel and suggestions, and passed his leisure hours in the study of the Scriptures, committing a large part of them to memory in fear that he should be deprived of his eyesight.
The mill-site on the Quinebaug had now changed owners. In 1760, the land between the Quinebaug and Mill Rivers, with privilege of . the Falls, mills, dwelling-house, malt house, dye-house, and all their appurtenances, was sold by Nathaniel Daniels to Benjamin Cargill, of South Kingston, R. I., a descendant of Rev. Donald Cargill, of Scot- land. Mr. Cargill at once took possession of his purchase and by his shrewdness and good management so improved its business facilities that " Cargill's Mills" soon became a noted place of resort for all the surrounding country ; malting, dyeing and grinding for parts of Pomfret, Woodstock, Killingly and Thompson Parish.
Town affairs required very little attention. New roads were dis- cussed and other public improvements, but nothing undertaken. The energies of the first society were now wholly absorbed in building the long projected meeting-house. After a year's sus- pension work was resumed. At a society meeting, December 4, 1761, William Sabin was chosen moderator; John Payson, clerk ; Captain John Grosvenor, Gershom Sharpe and Samuel Carpenter, committee. It was then voted to raise money and go forward with the finishing of the house-money to be raised by a tax of ninepence per pound on the list. A stalwart body of seats in the centre of the house had already been erected. Forty-four pews were now ordered -twenty-six against the walls ; eighteen ranged behind the body seats. It was also voted, " That those forty-three persons that are highest in the list shall have the liberty of drawing forty-three of the pews ; they building each one his own pew and finishing the wall of said house, adjoining to his pew, to the first girth ; he that is highest in the list to have the first choice, and so on till they have done drawing ; re- serving room for one pew for the ministry in said society, where the Rev. Mr. Aaron Putnam shall choose it." The difficulties and differ- ences which delayed so long the initiation of this work had now sub- sided, and all parties united with great apparent zeal and heartiness in its progress and completion. Thomas Stedman, the skillful architect of the new meeting-house in Canada Parish, was employed as master- builder. Galleries were built around the sides of the house, a high
3
POMFRET, BROOKLYN SOCIETY, ETC.
pulpit and massive canopy erected, and the outside " cullered " in the most approved fashion of the day-the body deep orange with doors and bottom-boards of chocolate color, "window-jets, " corner and weather-boards, white. This fanciful "cullering" was greatly ad- mired and copied, and the house when completed was probably the largest and finest in the county. The formal dedication of houses of worship was not then in vogue, but a preliminary "lecture sermon " was preached in this by Mr. Putnam, Thursday, January 20, 1763. The old meeting-house and training-field adjacent were sold by order of the society, and liberty granted to build sheds on the east line of the common within four rods of Rev. Mr. Aaron Putnam's house.
Brooklyn society was increasing in strength and numbers. Ebenezer Witter of Preston, John and Israel Litchfield, James and Thomas Eldredge, William and Nehemiah Prince, Stephen Baker, Rufus Herrick and Andrew Lester had become its residents. The original settlers were represented by many thriving families. A remodeling of school districts, in 1762, shows the distribution of the inhabitants :-
"District I. Containing Captain Spalding, Prince's place, that farm that was the Reverend Mr. Avery's, Nathan Cady, Adonijah Fasset, David Kendall, John Kimball, Rev. Mr. Whitney, Stephen Baker, Ezekiel Cady, Uriah Cady, Daniel Tyler. Thomas Williams, Samuel Cleveland and Joseph Cady.
District 2. All the lands and houses of Colonel Malbone that are in the society, William Earl, Moses Earl, Jonas Frost, Jedidiah Ashcraft, Joseph Hubbard, Abner Adams, Benjamin Fasset, Nehemiah Adams. John Hubbard, Daniel Adams, Noah and Paul Adams and Samuel Wilson.
District 3. To contain Peter and Richard Adams, Widow Allyn, Lieutenant Smith, Sergeant Woodward, Renben Darbe, Jonas Cleveland, Josiah, James and Joseph Fasset, John Allyn, Lieutenant Spalding, Elijah Monrose, Joseph Dyer, Jonathan Backns, Andrew Lester, Captain Prince, Nehemiah Prince, Thomas Wheeler, William Copeland and Moses Smith.
District 4. To contain Nehemiah Bacon, Joseph Scarborough, Samuel Jacques, James Bennet, Joseph Ross, Widow Barret, Lieutenant Smith, Dr. Walton, Barnabas Wood, Deacon Scarborough, Colonel Putnam and Thomas Eldredge.
District 5. To contain Samuel Williams, Jun., William Williams, Jun., Deacon Williams, Samuel Williams, Ebenezer Weeks, Rufus Herrick, Jedidiah Downing, Widow Davyson, Banjamin Fasset, Jun., and Amoral Chapman.
District 6. To contain John Litchfield, Israel Litchfield, Darius Cady, James Darbe, Senior and Junior, Samuel and Eleazer Darbe, Nathan Kim- ball, Benjamin Shepard, Nehemiah Cady, Caleb Spalding, Daniel, Nahum, John, Henry and Benjamin Cady.
District 7. John Fasset, James Copeland, Gidion Cady, Samuel Winter, Nathan Witter, Asa Tyler, Lieutenant Hunt, the farm that was Thomas Stan- ton's, Jacob Staples, Jethro Rogers, James Bidlack and Aaron Fuller."
The central school-house was now moved to a suitable place in one corner of the common, and "fitted up as well as it was before," and school-houses provided as soon as possible for the surrounding districts. A school was kept at least two and one-fifth months a year in each dis- trict. Faithful men were appointed to take charge of the school money. Innovations in public religious worship next claimed the attention of Brooklyn society. In 1763, the church concluded that the
4
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
pastor should read the Holy Scriptures for the time to come on Lord's day, viz. : a portion in the morning out of the Old Testament, and in the afternoon out of the New Testament, in course, immediately before first singing : omitting such chapters as should be thought less instruc- tive. The society voted meanwhile, to provide a cushion for the pul- pit. Also-
" To mend ye glass and frames and casements of ye meeting-house, and where ye clapboards are off or split to put on more, and put on shingles where they are wanted, and reetify ye under-pinning-Daniel Tyler to be the man to see that ye meeting-house be repaired."
These repairs were unsatisfactory. The house though but thirty years old, was rude and shabby. The elegant church edifices lately erected by the first and third societies of Pomfret excited envy and emulation. Brooklyn was increasing more rapidly than the other societies ; its affairs were managed by men of energy and public spirit ; its young pastor was eager for progress and improvement, and it could not long rest satisfied with inferior accommodations. In 1766, it was accordingly proposed to build a new meeting-house, but the society declined to consider the question and only voted-
"To put up a new window on the north side of the meeting-house, and board up the window that is broken against the front gallery, and put some new shingles on the roof where the water runs through, and put a new clap- board on the north side where one is off, and give Mr. Joseph Davison 27s. to do the same. "
This vote gave great offence to the "young American " element in the society, especially to Dr. Walton, who berated the conservatives for meanness and lack of public spirit, and declared the present house " old, shaky and not fit to meet in. "
The return of Colonel Putnam to Pomfret in 1765 gave a new im- pulse to public improvements in town and society. The distinguished success of this gallant officer in the field had greatly changed his position at home. Enemies more formidable than wolves had now been overcome. The obscure Mortlake farmer had proved himself equal to every emergency. His valorous exploits during the war had captivated the popular fancy. His services at Havana and Detroit had brought him prominently before the public and added dignity to his reputation, and no officer in the American ranks was more widely known or applauded. Time had blunted the edge of sectional prejudice, and he was welcomed home after ten years absenec as one whom all delighted to honor. ITis fellow-citizens once so chary of their favors now loaded him with public offices. He was called to preside as modera- tor at town and society meetings. He was made first selectman, and sent as deputy to the General Assembly. HIe devised and laid ont roads, he set out school-districts, he deliberated upon the great
5
POMFRET, BROOKLYN SOCIETY, ETC.
question whether to repair or pull down the meeting-house : nor did he disdain to "hire the master, " seat the meeting-house, collect parish rates, nor even to receive crows' heads and pay out the bounty money. Uniting with the church soon after his return he was sent as its "messenger " upon many important occasions, his military experience giving him, it may have been supposed, peculiar aptitude in disentangling and settling ecclesiastico controversies and complications. These various duties were discharged with character- istic heartiness and fidelity. His eye was quick, his judgment sound and practical, and whatever he devised he was sure to carry through with promptitude. Improvements on his house and farm soon bore witness to his untiring energy. Sword and gun were gladly exchanged for plow and pruning knife. He imported new stock. set out young trees and engaged in various agricultural experiments. But with all · his private and public duties he was ever ready to aid his neighbors by advice or service. When an alarm of fire was heard in the neigh- borhood he was the first man on the ground, and with his own brawny arms brought up from the cellar the well-filled pork barrel that was to furnish food for the needy household, and none was more prompt in relieving the wants of the destitute.
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