USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Woodbury > History of ancient Woodbury, Connecticut : from the first Indian dead in 1659 to 1854 > Part 1
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1800
Class FICA
Book
k . W89 CG
HISTORY
OF
ANCIENT WOODBURY,
CONNECTICUT,
FROM
THE FIRST INDIAN DEED IN 1659 TO 1854,
INCLUDING THE
Present Towns of Hetashington, Southbury, Bethlem, Roxbury, and a part of Oxford and Middlebury.
BY WILLIAM COTHREN.
"In the silent greenwood glade, In the dim old forest shade, By the gliding river, Are historic voices ringing, Music on the soft breeze flinging, And they haunt me ever. I love them well, for they to me Are as some pleasant memory."
WATERBURY, CONN .: PUBLISHED BY BRONSON BROTHERS. 1854.
-
F104 . W88 CG
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1854, by WILLIAM COTHREN,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Connecticut.
PRESS OF CASE, TIFFANY AND COMPANY, HARTFORD, CT.
(
PREFACE.
To a casual conversation with a stranger, a few years since, the publie is indebted for the following pages. They are not the result of hasty examination, or crude investigation, but have consumed the hours that could be spared from the incessant demands of a most laborious profession, for nearly seven years ; and, during all that time, have greatly eneroaclied on the hours that should have been devoted to sleep. The labor of compilation was not undertaken for the want of other occupation ; but because, after a little examination, the historical incidents of the town were found to be of so important and interesting a character, I felt unwilling to see them irretrievably lost to the world. Nor did I undertake it with the hope of acquir- ing "filthy lucre," being fully assured, that such labors are never suitably rewarded-not even appreciated, by the thoughtless many. Notwithstanding this, labors not to be understood, except by those who have been engaged in similar undertakings, have been cheer- fully borne. More than fifteen hundred manuscript volumes of ec- clesiastical, ministerial, state, probate, town, and society records, and many thousands of old manuscripts, of all sorts, have been carefully examined, and the facts contained therein relating to the history of the town, collated. Every source of information has been laid under contribution, from the archives of the state, to the forgotten files of old papers in the neglected garret of the private citizen.
When this work was commenced, if one had asserted that twenty pages could be written concerning the history of the town, he would
iv
PREFACE.
have been greeted with the smile of incredulity. Yet the materials have grown on my hands, till a large work has been produced, and it would have been far easier to have written several additional volumes, than to have compressed the materials in hand within the present limits. It has been said by a worthy friend, that he, who can write a good town history, is well fitted to write an excellent book on any other subject. Whether this assertion be strictly cor- rect or not, it is certain that such an individual is well fitted for any kind of hard labor !
The difficulty attending an enterprise of this nature, is greatly increased by the apathy and indifference manifested by many indi- viduals, of whom information is solicited. And the same persons, who neglect or refuse to give information, are the first to complain of the errors or incompleteness of a work, when published. But amid the many discouragements of this kind, it becomes a pleasant duty to mention, in this place, the names of a few of the numerous friends, whose kindly sympathies and intelligent aid have cheered me on in these difficult and painful labors. But for these, it is prob- able, that continued ill health, and the pressure of other duties, would have caused the abandonment of the work, however much I might have regretted the stern necessity.
To my fellow-townsman, and professional brother, Hon. Charles B. Phelps, who has been long a resident of the town, I have been indebted for many suggestions in the progress of the work, and for valuable assistance in the biographical part, in addition to his sketch of St. Paul's Church.
Hon. Seth P. Beers, of Litchfield, Conn., and Dr. Avery J. Skil- ton, of Troy, N. Y., have very essentially aided me in the genealog- ical chapter.
To Charles C. Thompson, Israel Minor, and Augustin Averill, Esqrs., of the city of New York, I am under great obligations for their active cooperation with me, in various ways, in accomplishing the objects of the publication.
Gen. Daniel B. Brinsmade, of Washington, Conn., and Joseph A.
,
V
PREFACE.
Scovill, Esq., of New York, have greatly assisted me by well-timed labors.
In the genealogical and biographical portions of the work, I have received indispensable assistance from Mitchell S. Mitchell, Esq., William E. Curtis, Esq., Col. Jolin Lorimer Graham, Robert M. C. Graham, Esq., and Alexander Fraser, Esq., of New York ; the venerable Roger Sherman, of New Haven, Conn .; Col. Henry Stod- dard, of Dayton, Ohio ; Hon. Amasa Parker, of Delhi, N. Y .; Dr. E. T. Foote, of New Haven ; Rev. Samuel Fuller, D. D., of Ando- ver, Mass .; Rev. Wm. S. Porter, of New Haven, Conn .; Henry H. Martin, Esq., of Albany, N. Y .; IIon. Henry Dutton, of New IIa- ven ; Rev. Fosdick Harrison, Rev. A. B. Chapin, D. D., of Glas- tenbury, Conn .; William Moody, Esq., of Washington, Conn .; Rev. Grove L. Brownell, of Sharon, Conn .; Eliphalet Whittlesey, Esq., of Salisbury, Conn .; Rev. William T. Bacon, Hon. Thomas Bull, and Garwood H. Atwood, M. D., of this town ; Dr. Laurens Hull, of Angelica, N. Y., and others, too numerous to mention. Many ladies, also, entered into the spirit of the work, and lent me their valuable assistance.
To my friends, Philo M. Trowbridge, Willis A. Strong and David S. Bull, who have proved themselves "friends in need" to me, and true lovers of their native town, I am under more than ordinary obli- gations for the continued and indispensable aid they have afforded me, during the entire progress of the work.
In regard to the spelling of Indian names, entire uniformity has not been attempted. As a general rule, however, the orthography of Capt. John Minor, the early settler and Indian interpreter, has been followed. Christian names have been spelled in the mode adopted by those who bear them. Throughout the work, tradition has been discarded, and facts introduced in its stead. Where state- ments were well authenticated, they have been stated without quali- fication ; but where there has been any doubt, they have been intro- duced with some qualifying term. Whatever suited my purpose in any author, has been taken, without hesitation, giving credit where
vi
PREFACE.
the amount appropriated seemed to warrant it. In discussing every question, entire impartiality has been the aim of the author.
The utmost pains has been taken to have the work free from errors ; but in a book of this nature entire accuracy is not to be expected. Errors will doubtless be discovered by careful antiquari- ans, but it is believed that it will be found as free from such defects, as it is possible for painful solicitude and indomitable labor to make it. Many persons, undoubtedly, will take up the work, and, glancing hastily and carelessly over its pages, pronounce this or that state- ment erroneous, without consideration or investigation. Such read- ers will invariably be wrong in their criticisms, while a careful reader may detect mistakes.1
A town history gives an author very little scope for the display of any literary or artistic ability he may possess. I have given myself still less opportunity than usual for any display of this sort. For although the collection of the facts has occupied my leisure time for nearly seven years, yet the composition of the work has occupied only seventy-five days, with frequent interruptions from professional business. Notwithstanding this, in submitting the following pages to a candid and intelligent public, the author neither courts nor dep- recates criticism. He has only to say, that whoever will follow in his footsteps, and present to the public a work with fewer imperfec- tions than he has doue, a feat which can probably be accomplished, will deserve and receive, not the criticisms, but the encomiums of the writer.
WOODBURY, January 2, 1854.
1 Persons discovering errors in this volume, are respectfully requested to commu- nicate them to the author.
CONTENTS.
Introduction, and map of Indian purchases, PAGE.
9
CHAPTER I .- PHYSICAL IHISTORY
Situation, boundaries and rivers, 11
Mines and minerals, 14, 15
Orenaug, Bethel and Castlo Rocks, 12
Mine IFill-Spathie iron ore, 15-19
Geology-Trap formation, 12
Chalybeate springs, 19
Bacon's Pond; Quanopang Falls, 13
Squaw Rock ; fruits ; trees; wild ani-
Nonnewang Falls; Steep Rock, 14
mals,
19, 20
CHAPTER II .- HISTORY OF THE INDIAN PURCHASES.
Tantannimo's decd,
21 'Third, or Quassapaug purchase, 26
First, or Pomperaug purchase, 22 Fourth, or Nonnewaug purchase, 27
Yohcomge's deed, 23 Fifth, or Kettletown purchase, . 28
Cheabrooke's deed, 24 Sixth, or Confirmatory purchase, 29
Wesunek's deed,
25 Promiseek purchase, . 31
Second, or Shepang purchase, 25
South purchase, 31
Pootatuck purchase,
31
CHAPTER III .- CIVIL HISTORY.
Church dissensions at Stratford, . 32 |Pomperang granted, 35
Causes the settlement of Woodbury, 32 Mr. Walker's church removes, 35
Rev. Mr. Walker begins to preach, .
33
Good Ifill prayer, 36
Three hours allowed him each Sabbath, 33
The old " White Oak," 36
Mr. Walker excluded the church, . 33 Location of the settlers, 37
Main Street the old Indian trail, 38 Fundamental articles, 39
Division of lands,
41 | Reflections, 42
CHAPTER IV .- CIVIL HISTORY, CONTINUED.
Woodbury incorporated, 44 | Inhabitants ordered back, . 51 .
Signification of its name, 44
Rev. Z. Walker moves his family, . 51
Pangussett Ferry, 45 General Court establishes town bonn- daries, 52-54
King Philip's War, 46
The people driven to Stratford, 47
Town first represented, 54
Advice of the General Court, 48
Representatives' salary, 54
Woodbury patent, . 55
Parson Walker's letter,
48
North purchase granted, 56
viii
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V .- CIVIL HISTORY, CONTINUED.
Character of Capt. John Minor, .
58 | Character of Lt. Israel Curtiss, . .
61
Character of Capt. William Curtiss, 60 Character of Col. Joseph Minor, 62
Life of Hon. Samuel Sherman, 60 Character of Hackaliah Preston, . 62
Life of Lt. Joseph Judson, Senior, 61
Character of Hon. William Preston, 62
Life of John Judson,
61
CHAPTER VI .- CIVIL HISTORY, CONTINUED.
List of early settlers, 1682, 65 Buckskin clothing, 75
Divisions of land,
.
65 Wooden shoes, 75
Home-lots of the early settlers,
66 Matters of etiquette, 76
Palisaded houses,
66 Advent of Sir Edmund Andross, 76
Old Parsonage house, 66 List of inhabitants of 1702, 77
First, second and third mills,
67 First blacksmith,
78
First meeting-house,
69 First divoree, .
78
The drum for a churel bell,
72 Bachelors' accommodations, 78
First marriage, birth and death,
72 Fortifications, 78
First wheelwriglit,
72 Parson Stoddard kills two Indians, 79
First clothier, .
72 Indians restrained, . 79
Town braud; roads,
73 List of inhabitants of 1712, 80
First physicians,
74 Wood Creek expedition,
80
Localities,
74 |Reflections,
80
CIIAPTER VII .- INDIAN HISTORY.
Formation of tribes, 86
Caleb Martin's petition, 99
Oppression of the Mohawks, 87
Lt. Warner's petition, 99
Pomperaug's burial-plaec, 88
Indian treaty, 99
Succession of chiefs, . 88
Indian orehard at Pootatuek, 100
Nonnewaug's grave, 88
Petition of Hatehet Tousey, 101
Human sacrifices, ..
89
Mowehu's petition, . 103
Legend of Bethel Roek, .
90
Life of Weraumaug, 105
Legend of Squaw Rock,
92
Mr. Boardman's praying-mateli, . 106
Legend of Nonnewaug Falls,
92
Scatacook elan, 106
Numbers of the Pootatucks,
93
Moravian missionaries, . 107
List of principal Pootatueks,
94
Last sale at Pootatuek, 107
Watehibrok's disclosure,
96 Last Pootatuek Indian, . 108
The belt of wampum,
98 Remnants of the red men, 108
Shepaug garrison,
98
Remarks, . 110
CHAPTER VIII .- ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Ifalf-way covenant system, . 113
Life of Rev. Mr. Walker, 134
Church at Stratford divide on this
Settlement of Rev. Mr. Stoddard, 135
question, 115
" Build him an honse," 136
Chaunecy and Walker corresp ispond-
Mr. Stoddard ordained, 137
enee, 115-130
Prosperity of the church, 137
Mr. Walker ordained, 131
Second meeting-house, 139
Church covenant, 132
New Style, 139
Second church moves to Woodbury, 133
133|
Review of ninety years, 142
CHAPTER IX .- CIVIL HISTORY, CONTINUED FROM CHAPTER VI.
Land divisions, 145-147
Burial grounds sequestered, 151
Education, .
148
Ministerial lands, 152
Apple-trees and cider mills,
148 Efforts to form county of Woodbury, 153
Seasons of great mortality, 148 Mine IIill, 155
Northern Lights, 149
Wolves and wild-eats, 155
Hubbell's Ferry, 150
" Town House" repaired, 156
IImman's Ferry,
150
Casualties, 156
Bridge built by Washington, 150 Ancient iron kettle, 157
Life of Mr. Stoddard, 140
Walker and Reed story,
.
CONTENTS. ix
Model tea-party,
157 Expedition to Havanna, 163
Ruloof Dutcher's estate,
158 The French Neutrals, 163
Umbrellas, calico, witchcraft, .
158 French and Indian Wars, . 166-170
List of original proprietors, .
161
CHAPTER X .- REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY.
Cause of the war,
172 |Woodbury census, 198
Convention of 1766,
173 Sugar-house prisoners, 199
Town meeting of 1774,
174 : Col. Ethan Allen taken prisoner, 200
" Great Boston Alarm,"
175 | Alarm lists, 200
Town accepts American league, 176
Events of 1777, 201
Continental articles of association, 177
Danbury alarm,
201
Capture of Ticonderoga,
184
" Three years' men," 204
Rev. Mr. Marshall suspected,
184
Capt. Nathan Stoddard killed, 205
Dr. Wheeler " must have salt,"
186
Appearance of Continental army, 205
Committee of inspection appointed,
187 Events of 1778,
206
Copy of Tory complaint, 188
Events of 1779,
207
Enlistment bounties,
189
Events of 1780,
209
Council of safety,
190
Abel Wakeley,
209
Life of Daniel Sherman,
190
Volunteers to take New York,
210
Soldiers' wives provided for,
191 Bounty for enlistments, 210
Supplies furnished by the town,
192 Events of 1781, 212
Events of 1775,
194 | La Fayette passes through Woodbury, 213 195
Events of 1776,
195
" The Johnsons,
215
All the militia go to New York.
196 : Peace declared,
215
The eight sailor prisoners,
197
General review,
216
Bethlem volunteers,
197
CHAPTER XL-HISTORY OF SOUTHBURY AND SOUTH BRITAIN SOCI- ETIES, AND THE TOWN OF SOUTHBURY.
Southbury society incorporated, 219 | Rev. Williams H. Whittemore settled, 231
Remonstrance by sixty-three persons. 219
South Britain society incorporated, 231
Society line changed, 221 Ministerial " settlements," 233
First meeting-house, 221 Church organized, .
234
Rev. Jolın Graham settled, 222
Life of Rev. Dr. Tyler, 235
Church " embodied," 224
Rev. Matthias Cazier settled, 235
Character of Mr. Graham,
225
Rev. Bennet Tyler, D. D., settled, 235
Rev. Benjamin Wildman settled, 227 Rev. Amos E. Lawrence settled, 236
Second meeting-house, 227 Rev. Oliver B. Butterfield settled, 236
Character of Mr. Wildman, 228
List of deacons, 236
Rev. Elijah Wood settled,
230 Town of Southbury incorporated, 236
Rev. Daniel A. Clark settled, 230
Present state of the town,
237
Rev. Thomas L. Shipman settled, 231
CHAPTER XII .- HISTORY OF BETHLEHEM SOCIETY, AND THE TOWN OF BETHLEM.
North Purchase settled,
239 Life of Rev. Dr. Bellamy, 249
Bethlehem society incorporated,
240
Rev. Azel Bac __ as, D. D., settled, 253
First meeting-house, 241 Origin of Sabbath schools, 253
Rev. Joseph Bellamy, D. D., settled, 241 Character of Rev. Dr. Backus, 253
Rev. Dr. Bellamy's Church History, 242
Rev. John Langdon settled, 256
Great sickness of 1750, 243
Rev. Benjamin F. Stanton settled, 256
Half-way covenant practice abolished, 244 Old and New Lights, 244
Rev. Paul Couch settled, 256
Rev. Aretus G. Loomis settled, 257
" Great Awakening, 244
Town of Bethlem incorporated, 257
Character of first settlers, 247
Third church built, 257
First currant bushes and elm trees, 248
Present state of the town, 258
Second meeting-house. 248
2
Rev. Noah Smith settled, 336
Mode of church singing,
226
Events of 1782, 214
List of companies,
182 | Draft of 1777, 203
Tories-Committee of Observation,
x
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIII .- HISTORY OF JUDEA AND NEW PRESTON ECCLESIAS- TICAL SOCIETIES, AND THE TOWN OF WASHINGTON.
Judea first settled,
259 | Rev. Gordon Hayes settled, 267
Judea society incorporated, 260 New Preston society incorporated, 268
Rev. Reuben Judd settled, 261 First meeting-house, 269
Church gathered, 261
Rev. Noah Wadhams settled, 269
Location of school-houses, 269
Rev. Samuel Whittlesey settled, 270
Rev. Daniel Brinsmade settled, 262
Church gathered, 270
Rev. Noah Merwin settled, 262
Rev. Jeremiah Day settled, 270
Rev. Ebenezer Porter, D. D., settled,
263 Rev. Charles A. Boardman settled, 271
Character of Rev. Dr. Porter, 263 Rev. Robert B. Campfield, 271
Second and third churches, 265 Rev. Benjamin B. Parsons, 271
Great mortality, 266
List of deacons, 271
Murder of Caleb Mallory's family, 266
Town of Washington incorporated, 271
State of the church, 265, 267
Rev. Hollis Read settled, 271
Rev. Stephen Mason settled,
267
Revolutionary incident, 272
Incident at church, .
267
Present state of the town,
272
Settlement of Rev. Cyrus W. Gray, 267
CHAPTER XIV .- HISTORY OF ROXBURY ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETY, AND THE TOWN OF ROXBURY.
Shepaug settled,
273| Town of Roxbury incorporated, . 281
" Winter Privileges,"
274 |Rev. Zephaniah Swift settled, 281
Roxbury society incorporated,
275 Rev. Fosdick Harrison settled, 281
First church built,
276
Rev. Austin Isham settled, 281
Rev. Thomas Canfield settled,
276 List of deacons, 281
Church gathered,
276
Casualties, 282
Ancient ordination,
277 Lt. Thomas Weller killed, 283
Mr. Canfield dies,
280
Present state of the town,
283
CHAPTER XV .- HISTORY OF THE OTHER CHURCHES BESIDE THE CONGREGATIONAL.
Review of ecclesiastical law,
284 | Episcopal church, Roxbury, 292
" Signing-off" certificates, 286
Zechariah Beers' certificate,
286
Episcopal church, New Preston, 295
Episcopal church, Woodbury,
287
Episcopal church, Bethlem, 297
Rev. John R. Marshall, first rector,
288
Baptist church, Roxbury, 297
Church edifice built, 289
Methodist church, Woodbury, 298
" Father Sherman," 290
291
CHAPTER XVI .- ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, CONTINUED FROM CHAPTER VIII.
Rev. Noah Benedict settled, 301 | Rev. Samuel R. Andrew settled, . 305
Half-way covenant practice abolished, 302
Character of Rev. Mr. Andrew, . 305
Rev. Worthington Wright settled, 303 Hon. Noah B. Benedict's bequest, 306
List of deacons, . 303
Rev. Lucius Curtis settled, 306
Rev. Henry P. Strong settled, 304
Ministerial fund, 306
Life of Rev. Mr. Benedict,
304
CHAPTER XVII .- HISTORY OF THE STRICT CONGREGATIONAL SOCIE- TY IN WOODBURY.
Society controversies, 308 | Seventy-one sign off, 310
Committee of 1795, . 309 Meeting-house law,
. 310
Committee of 1814,
310 | Prepare to build a church,
311
Methodist churches, Southbury, 299
List of clergymen,
Episcopal church, Judea, 293
Location of settlers, 261
First church built, 261
xi
CONTENTS.
Become a Baptist church, 312 | Rev. Grove i .. Brownell settled, 314
Strict Congregational society incor-
Rev. John Churchill settled, 315
porated, 312 State of the church, 316
Reuben Walker's certificate, 312
Church organized,
313
CHAPTER XVIII .- CIVIL HISTORY, CONTINUED FROM CHAPTER IX.
Slavery in Woodbury, 318 Influence of localism, 329
" Redemptioners"-Matthew Lyon. 320
New burial ground laid out, 331
Small-pox hospital,
321 Mexican War, .
331
Town approves U. S. constitution, 321 |Sonth academy, 331
Ravages of canker worms. 322
North academy, 331
Public libraries, 322
History of Masonry, 331
Guernsey town robbery,
323 Bethel Rock Lodge, 1. O. O. F., 339
Funeral of Washington,
324 Pomperang Division S. of T., 339
New Milford fever.
324 Woodbury Bank, 340
War of 1812, 325 " Hartford Convention," 327 Savings Bank and Building Associa- tion, 341
Constitution of 1819, 328
Daniel Bacon's town hall. 998 '
CHAPTER XIX .- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF NATIVES AND RESI- DENTS OF ANCIENT WOODBURY, WHO HAVE REMAINED IN THE TERRITORY.
The names will be found in alphabetical order. 343
CHAPTER XX .- SHORT BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF NATIVES OF WOODBURY, WHO HAVE EMIGRATED FROM THE ANCIENT TOWN, AND BECOME DISTINGUISHED IN THE PLACES OF THEIR ADOPTION. The names will be found in alphabetical order, 412 Alphabetical list of distinguished persons, 466
CHAPTER XXI .- GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
The families, eighty-eight in number, are arranged in alphabetical order. . 481
CHAPTER XXII .- STATISTICS.
1. Members of Congress,
2. Judges of Superior and County Courts,
3. County Commissioners, 766 19. List of Sokliers in the war of 1812. 787
4. Roll of Assistants and Senators, 766
5. Justices of the Quorum, 766 6. Judges and Clerks of Probate, 7. Town Clerks, 767 768 8. Roll of Representatives, 768 9. List of Post Masters, 774 774
10. Sovereigns of England,
11. Governors of Connecticut. 774 775
12. Census of Woodbury,
13. Tax Lists, . 775 776
14. Justices of the Peace,
15. Members of the Constitutional Convention, 777
16. Members of the Convention for ratifying the Constitution of the United States, 777
766 | 17. List of Soldiers in the Fort Wil- liam Henry Alarm, 777
18. List of Revolutionary Soldiers, 778
20. Same list of statistics for the town of Washington, 789
21. Same for the town of Southbury, 22. Same for the town of Bethlem, 793 792
23. Same for the town of Roxbury, 795 796
24. Woodbury Chronology, 25. Great Freshet, 798
26. List of the present inhabitants of Woodbury, 798
27. Roll of the members of the First Congregational Church in Woodbury, 816
766
Ministerial fund, 317
Present state of the town. 341
١١٠
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
INTRODUCTION.
LESS than two hundred years ago, these pleasant hills and sunny valleys, now teeming with life, intelligence and happiness, were one vast solitude, unvisited by the cheering rays of civilization. Here roamed the savage wild beasts, and untutored men more savage still than they. From Wyantenuck to Mattatuck, and from Pootatuck to Bantam, were heard the dismal howl of the wolf, and the war-ery of the red men of the forest. Amid these secluded wilds sported the timid deer, and coy doves built their lonely nests. Among these hills the red hunter pursued his game, and sauntered by our murmuring streams, drawing thence his daily food. Here desperate fights and deadly ambuscades were planned. Here did the prisoner of war suffer the extreme tortures of his enemies. Here the romantic lover " wooed his dusky mate" in primitive simplicity. Here too the pow- wow held his dread incantations, and if tradition is to be believed, offered human sacrifices to appease the anger of Hobbamocko, the spirit of evil, the author of all human plagues and calamities. Here too in the golden days of the Indian Summer, the poor savage mused of the Great Spirit, the benevolent Kiehtan, giver of his corn, beans and tobacco, who lived far away to the south-west, in whose blest do- minions he hoped, at death, to find his happy hunting-grounds.
Everything now is changed. The desert waste that met the first gaze of our pioneer forefathers, has been made to bud and blossom as the rose. Where once were but scattered huts of the former race, are now enterprising and busy villages. The ceaseless hum of ma- chinery, giving employment, competence and happiness to hundreds of families, is now heard in our valleys, which, in those early days, but echoed the growl of the bear, or the cry of the panther. Instead
2
10
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
of the wretched orgies of the powwow, and the inhuman sacrifices of the midnight of barbarism, are churches dedicated to the service of the living God, where prayer and praise are wont to be made. Where once were cherished the savage instincts of men, and a taste for war, now are cultivated the arts of peace, and schemes for the happiness and advancement of mankind. Intelligence and enterprise now take the place of ignorance and sloth. These hills and vales that groaned with scenes of violence and blood, have been made vocal with the praises of the Great Creator. Instead of a race groping in the shadow of dim imaginings, we find one filled with hopes of a rational and glorious immortality. Our fathers found a howling wilderness ; we behold to-day as the result of their labors, from whichi they long have rested, one of the most happy and beautiful of New England's many lovely villages. An upright and an honored race, they wrought well and their works do follow them.
The simple, unfortunate race of the early days has departed- faded from the view, and almost from the memory of men. In their lowly, unnoticed, and unknown graves, they sleep well. "The chiefs of other times are departed. They have gone without their fame. Another race has arisen. The people are like the waves of the ocean ; like the leaves of woody Morven; they pass away in the rustling blast, and other green leaves lift their heads on high."
CHAPTER I.
PHYSICAL HISTORY.
LOCATION ; BOUNDARIES ; FACE OF THE COUNTRY ; HILLS AND MOUNTAINS ; RIV- ERS, STREAMS AND CASCADES ; GEOLOGY ; MINERALOGY; FOREST TREES AND FRUITS ; SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS ; CLIMATE ; WILD ANIMALS ; CAPABILITIES, &C.
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