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1800
Glass
Book
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Harile
yours truly 2.Cothrew
1
HISTORY
OF
ANCIENT WOODBURY,
CONNECTICUT,
FROM
THE FIRST INDIAN DEED IN 1659 TO 1872,
INCLUDING THE
Present Tobons of Felashington, Southbury, Bethlehem, Roxbury, and a part of Oxford and Middlebury.
BY WILLIAM COTHREN.
" I love thee, oh ! my native land ! I love thy sons, a brother band ! Thy rocks, and hills, and vales, to me, Are temples of the truly free ! "
VOL. II.
WOODBURY, CONN .: PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM COTHREN. 1872.
€
. 1
6
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by WILLIAM COTHREN,
in the Office of the Librarian of Congress.
PRESS OF THE STAFFORD PRINTINO OFFICE, NEW HAVEN, CT.
INTRODUCTION TO THE SECOND VOLUME.
OYFULLY do I bring this history to a close-a work of most ardnons labor, -long-continued,-and heartily can I join in the aspiration ;- "Oh ! that mine enemy had written a book "- especially a book of Town History ! The work has grown upon my hands to a volume more than twice the size contemplated and promised. It became inevitable. We have made history faster, and more voluminously, during the last twenty years, than for the preceding one hundred A faithful and minute account of these years has been attempted. At the same time, the careful inquiries and researches of the last twenty years, have added to the ancient history of the town an amount almost equal to that contained in the former volume, of most valuable and interesting matter. In this part of his work the author has been most ably aided by several antiquarian friends, and especially by the Rev. Benjamin L. Swan, of Oyster Bay, N. Y., a most care- ful and successful antiquarian scholar. Dne credit has been given to each assistant in the pages of the volume.
iv
PREFACE.
No work so elaborate, extended and complete, has been attempt- ed in this country, and it will remain for the reader to decide. whether the author has accomplished his purpose of making it a model of its kind. Neither time, arduous labor, nor expense has been withheld by him.
A large addition has been made to almost every chapter of the former work. The statistics of the several towns have been brought down to date, and include the results of the last election. As a book of statistics, it must remain for all time invaluable to all. In the genealogical part of the work, not only has all addi- tional information in regard to the families in the former volume been added, but the genealogies of a large number of other fami- lies have been included.
Woodbury has been celebrated for its Bi-Centennial Celebra- tions. A full history of all these has been included in the work.
A new feature in the work is exhibited in the illustrations. Mr. Henry Clay Curtis, an excellent artist, residing in Hartford, has profusely illustrated the work, so that the two volumes now con- tain about one hundred and sixty-seven cuts, of all kinds, inserted at great expense, contributing immensely to the attractions and and permanent value of the work.
The question of the "Church dissensions in Stratford," resulting in the settlement of Woodbury, has been seriously mooted. Ev- ery recorded item in the records has been carefully collected, and printed entire in the work, with such remarks and elucidations as seemed called for, placing the controversy, as it would seem, for- ever at rest. As the theory maintained in the former work had been adopted by all subsequent historians, State and Ecclesiastical. it seemed necessary to thoroughly examine the subject, and vin- dicato the " truth of history."
A leading feature of the work is a minute history of the efforts of the several towns in the ancient territory to suppress the late Rebellion. The author has treated this subject in a manner en- tirely different from that pursued by the various historians of the war. The latter have written general histories. The authors
V
PREFACE.
were obliged to say such a General did this-such a Colonel did that. The author of this work has attempted to write an individal history of the war. Private A. did this-Sergeant B. did that. He has attempted to reveal the nerve and sinew which did most to accomplish the great result. He has given a complete list of all the soldiers from the ancient town, with partienlar incidents in regard to many of them. About 400 pages of the work are de voted to this history. It is believed that it will be one of the most satisfactory accounts of the incidents of the Rebellion to the private soldier.
Finally. this work is now passed over for the examination of a discriminating public, upon its merits, and the author awaits its judgment with calm composure, believing it will be just.
WILLIAM COTHREN.
WOODBURY, May 1, 1872.
1
CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME.
CHAPTER I .- PHYSICAL HISTORY.
Page.
Page.
First Impressions,
842
Nonnewaug River,
846
Bestowal of names,
843
Shepaug
846
Quassapaug Lake,
844
Orenang Park,
847
Weraumang "
845
Shepaug Falls,
847
Bantam
815
Nonnewaug "
848
Kissewaug
815
Bacon's Pond,
849
Village Plain,
845
Kettletown.
850
Indian Names,
846 Jack's Brook Legend,
852
Pootatuck River,
846 ! Mine Hill, 852
Pomperaug
846
Helicon Spring,
859
CHAPTER II .- INDIAN HISTORY.
Who were the Indians ? 861
Indian God, 880
Their character,
863
Pomperang's Grave,
881
Indian Regulations,
863
Nonnewang's 884
Indian Watches,
869
Bethel Rock Legend, 885
Definition of Indian names,
876
Reflections,
888
Indian Relics,
878
CHAPTER III .- ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
General Ecclesiastical Review, 890 -
" Stratford View " of the religious -
dissensions, 892
The " Woodbury View " re-stated,
re-affirmed, and proved,
.
895
CHAPTER IV .- CIVIL HISTORY.
Accuracy of American History, 929 Fundamental Articles. 932
Free Home-Lots, .
. 930
Lower Nonnewaug Falls,
935
vii
CONTENTS.
Old Mill-stones
936
Church Drum, 943
Bethel Rock church meetings,
939
Wooden Shoes, 944
First Meeting House, 94 0
Ride-and-Tie, 945
Second 942
Going to Church, 946
Sabbath-Day Houses,
942
Iron Kettle, 946
Church Customs,
942
Quassapang Scene, 947
The Parson and Lawyer-Werau- maug Lake. 950
CHAPTER V .- CIVIL HISTORY CONTINUED.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS.
Town Bi-Centennial of 1859,
951 | Rev. John Churchell's Speech, 1020
Ode of Invocation,
958
List of Deacons, 1026
N. Smith's Welcome, 959 Dedication of the Fathers' Monu- William Cothren's Address, 960 ment, 1040
Rev. Wm T. Bacon's Poem, 965
Rev. T. L. Shipman's Prayer, 1041
Rev. A. S. Atwood's Speech, 970
W. Cothren's Dedicatory Ad-
Bi-Centenniel Ode, 973
Hon. Seth P. Beers' Speech, 973
Dr. D. B. W. Hard's
975
Mrs. Ann Stephen's Ode, 977
Hon. Charles Chapman's speech, 978
Hon. I. W. Stuarts' Letter,
980 · Communion Exercises, 1038
Mrs. L. H. Sigourney's Ode, Geo. H. Clark's Centennial Poem, 982 Hon. Henry Dutton's Speech, Samuel Minor's 988
981 Dedication Hymn, 1048 Rev. Horace Winslow's Greeting, 1051 988 Rev. Wm. K. Hall's Speech, 1052
Rev. A. B. Smith's 1056
Mrs. Ann S. Stephens' Poem, 990
Rev. Geo. W. Banks,
1058
Rev. Philo Judson's Speech, 993
Dr. Bellamy's Letter,
1059
Masonic Centennial. 998
Rev. Willis S. Colton's Speech,
1062
Alonzo N. Lewis' Address, 1000, 1011
Rev. A. Goodenough's .. 1065
Rev. H. S. Newcomb's
.
1066
William Cothren's Address,
1011
Rev. John Churchill's Rev. Thomas L. Shipman's "
1070
E. A. Judd's Address, 1018
Rev. C. E. Robinson's Letter,
1071
First Church Bi-Centenniel.
1022
Rev. Chas. Little's
1072
Covenant of 1670, 1024
Rev. Philo Judson's 1073
Rev. W. T. Bacon's Poem, 1019
Miss C. E. Andrew's 60
1074
CHAPTER VI .- WOODBURY IN THE GREAT REBELLION.
Causes of the War,
1078 | Woodbury War Notes, 1183
Events of 1860,
1087
Farewell to Co. " I," 1191
Rev. Noah Coe's Buchanan Prayer,
1102
Scenes at 1209
James C. Polley's death, 1211
Convalescent Camp,
1212
Events of 1861,
1103
Col. Elisha Kellogg,
1213
First Union Meeting,
1120
" Woodbury Reds,'1
1123
Alexandria Alarm, 1219
Events of 1862,
1146
Events of 1863, I223
War Notes of 1863, 1226
Amusing War Stories, 1149, 1157
to 1183
March to Alexandria, 1199
Parson Champion's Revolution- ary Prayer, 1103
Letters, 1127
1214 Lt. Fred. Whitlock, H. H. Fox's Death, 1219
Events of 1864. 1230
1067
Rev. Curtiss T. Woodruff's Ser- mon, 1008
Rev. W. T. Bacon's dedication Poem, 1046 Rev. Mr. Noyes' Bi-Centenniel Sermon, 1029
dress, 1042
Bear Hill and Rag-Land Sheep Pasture,
942
viii
CONTENTS.
Battle of Cold Harbor, 1280
Battle at Winchester, 1230
Battle of Cedar Creek, 1238
Decoration Day, 1294
W. Cothren's Address, 1294
Soldiers' Monument Meeting, 1296
Dedication of Soldiers' Monument, 1299 W. Cothren's Address at same,
1300, 1308
Col. A. H. Fenn's Speech, 1304
Woodbury " Secesh " Flags, 1280
Rev. A. N. Lewis' Poem of Wel-
come, .
1286, 1607
Wm. Cothren's Address of Wel
come,
1287 |
Final Remarks on the War, 1343
CHAPTER VH .- ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY CONTINUED.
Rev. Lucius Curtis dismissed, 1347 |Rev. Samuel R. Andrew-Life
Religious Revivals, 1347, 1357 and Character, .
1354
Rev. Robert G. Williams Settled, 1347
Rev. Chas E. Robinson 1351
Rev. Chas. Little, 1352 Dea. Matthew Minor's Biography, 1365
Rev. Horace Winslow, 1353
Minor Jubilee, 1369
Rev. Gurdon W Noyes Settled, 1353
Hon. Noah B. Benedict's Will, 1369
CHAPTER VIII .- CIVIL HISTORY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 342.
Tories, 1372
Moll Cramer-the witch, 1380
Break Neck Hill, 1381
Remember Baker, 1373 Parson Wildman's Donati'n Visit, 1383
Col. Seth Warner, 1373
Natural Curiosities, 1382
Walker Headstone, 1383
Ram Pit Hill. 1383
Parker Academy, 1384
Ancient Burial Ground,
1377
New Burial,
1377
Building Association, 1384
Ancient Tea Party,
1379
CHAPTER IX-CIVIL HISTORY CONTINUED .- CRIMES AND CASU- ALTIES.
Murder of Bennet Ward, 1390
Matthew M. Morriss. 1390
66 Lucius H. Foot, 1392
Suicide of Ralph Lina, 1396
| Suicide of Columbus W. Randall, 1397
Thefts, 1397
Burlaries in Curtiss' Factory and
Walker's Store, 1397
War Notes of 1864. 1254
War Letters, 1259
Events of 1865, 1266
Soldiers' Welcome Home, 1283
Welcome Ode, 1284
Dea. P. M. Trowbridge's Address, 1285
Complete List of Woodbury Sol- diers, 1304 Woodbury Roll of Honor, 1316, 1313 Andersonville Prison, 1324
Mr. Andrew's account of his Set- tlement, 1357
Parson Stoddard and the Flint Lock, 1375
Epidemics, 1376
Woodbury Bank, 1384
New County Proposition, 1378
King Solomon's Lodge,
1385
Woodbury Contributions, 1291
List of those who sent Substitutes, 1293
Local School Fund, 1372
CONTENTS.
ix
CHAPTER X .- HISTORY OF THE SOCIETIES AND TOWNS SET OFF FROM ANCIENT WOODBURY-CONTINUED FROM PAGE 218.
Southbury Society,
1400 | New Preston Society, 1407
Rev. Jason Atwater,
1400
Washington War Votes, 1407
Rev. A. B. Smith, 1400
Washington Volunteers, 1408
South Britain Society, 1401
Frederick W. Gunn's Boarding School for Boys,
1410
Roxbury, ·
1413
Rev. Austin Isham,
1413
Rev. Oliver S. Dean,
1413
Bethlehem, 1404
Rev. J. H. Varce,
1414
Rev. Eph. M. Wright, 1404
1404
Revivals, 1414
Roxbury Volunteers, 1415
Roxbury War Votes,
1415
Washington. .
1406
North Congregational Church,
1416
Rev. Ephraim Lyman,
1406
St Paul's Church,
1416
Rev. Wm. H. H. Murray,
1407
Centennial of Same,
1417
Rev. Willis S. Colton,
1407
CHAPTER XI .- BIOGRAPHIES AND AUTO-BIOGRAPHIES OF NA- TIVES, RESIDENTS AND DESCENDANTS OF ANCIENT WOOD- BURY IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER.
Rev. Garrett G. Brown,
1422 | Edward J. Hubbard, 1432
Hon. Seth P. Beers,
1423
Hon. James Huntington, 1433
Hon. Chas. Chapman,
1423
Willis Lambert,
1433
William Cothren,
1426
Henry Minor
1434
Hon. Samuel G. Goodrich,
1527
Rev. Dr. Elisha Mitchell,
1435
Hon. Orlando Hastings,
1430
Hon. Wm. T. Minor. 1444
Rev. John Purves,
1450
Hon. Henry S. Sanford, .
1450
Dr. Avery J. Skilton,
1450
Dr. Azariah B. Shipman,
1455
Mrs. Mary Ann W. Smith,
1459
Dr. Parson G. Shipman, 1458
Rev. Bennet Tyler,
1461
Hon. Isaac Toucey,
1464
Arthur B. Warner, 1465
Col. Seth Warner,
. 1465
Hon. Warren W. Guthrie,
1366
Hon Simeon H. Minor, 1443
Rev. Benjamin C. Meigs,
1444
Hon. Chas. B. Phelps, 1445
CHAPTER XII .- GENEALOGIES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 481. In Alphabetical order.
CHAPTER XIII .- STATISTICS.
Rev. John W. Wolcott, 1401
Rev. Homer S. Newcomb, 1401
Southbury War Votes, 1401
Southbury Volunteers,
1403
Rev. A. Goodenough,
1414
Rev. Geo. W. Banks,
1405
Bethlehem War Votes, Bethlehem Volunteers,
1405
1428
Hon. Joel Hinman,
X
CONTENTS.
APPENDIX.
Colton Family,
1605 | Rev. Alonzo Norton Lewis' Poem
Curtiss Family, 1605 to Returned Soldiers, 1607
Hon. David F. Hollister,
1606 Rev. Wm. T. Bacon's Reunion
Rev. Alonzo Norton Lewis,
1606| Poem, . 1609
TABLE OF ERRATA.
Page
1611
CHAPTER I.
PHYSICAL IHISTORY.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS ; BESTOWAL OF NAMES; VILLAGE PLAIN ; MIDDLE QUARTER ; WHITE OAK; INDIAN NAMES ; QUASSAPAUG ; WERAUMAUG ; BANTAM ; KISSEWAUG; POOTATUCK ; POMPERAUG; NONNEWAUG; SHEPAUG; ORENAUG ; BETHEL ROCK ; NONNEWAUG FALLS ; SHEPAUG FALLS; BACON'S POND; KETTLETOWN; DIVERS LOCALITIES ; JACK'S BROOK ; MINE HILL; HELICON SPRING.
A FTER a lapse of seventeen years, during® which history has more than "repeated itself," in great and stirring events, in the progress of living ideas, in the advance- ment of literature and science, in the spread of Christianity, and in the clear understanding and final establishment of the true principles of civil liberty, and the enfranchisement of the human race, it would seem wise to review the whole ground-work of our history as a nation, and as civil communities, that we may learn the true lessons of the recent past, and take prudent and judicious departures for the scenes and events of the future, through which we are yet to pass. We have been so overwhelmed with the tumultuous events which have oc- curred in the last few years, that we shall be astonished, on a calm retrospect, to observe what strides we have made in human progress, and how totally unconscious we have been of the mag- nitude and importance of the history we have been making, and of the share each little hamlet has had in producing it. It is from the careful examination of the elements, that go to make up any desirable event, or result, that we are able to understand and duly appreciate it, and derive from it the lessons desirable for future use and improvement.
It will be our pleasing duty, then, to review the history of our ancient and honorable town, and gather for the use of ourselves, and those who shall succeed us in our pleasant abodes, in this val-
842
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
ley of valleys, and on these rejoicing hills, so favored of Heaven, the " remnants, that remain" of the treasures not discovered be- fore the completion of our former enterprise, and to preserve them in the archives of our local history, "that nothing may be lost." To accomplish this, the plan of the former work will be followed, recording, step by step, all further facts obtained, under the several heads employed before, sometimes repeating facts found in the first volume, for greater clearness of statement, and to save reference to another volume, so inconvenient in the read- ing of any work.
Although our country is so young, and our experience so recent, it is yet very difficult for us to picture to ourselves the novelty with which this wilderness must have struck the early gaze of our forefathers, as they came here, "bearing the ark of their covenant into the wilderness." The land was all before them. They had full authority to enter and possess it, by solemn conveyance from the Indian proprietors, and by the full consent and endowment of the General Court, encumbered by no conditions, except to receive as many other "honest inhabitants " into proprietorship with them, as the plantation would "conveniently entertain "-a matter of prime necessity in new and feeble communities. How does our most fertile imagination fail to grasp and comprehend the mingled emotions which must have struggled in the bosoms of our sturdy forefathers, as, after a weary wandering in the deep forests and beside the "great rivers," they stood upon the summit of "Good Hill," first local name selected and pronounced by their lips, in the new home, and gazed into the wild and beautiful valley, divided by its lovely, meandering river, seeking with the eye, even in this first moment of enraptured vision, the sequestered nooks in which they would build their happy, moral abodes, and erect their family altars, first offerings to their adorable God and Master. Like the land of Canaan to the Israelites of old, the new land was all be- fore them, with its woods and rocks, and hills and streams-name- less as yet. Here were a thousand hills, valleys, streams, and beau- tiful local objects of every form and style of loveliness, with no names by which they might be called ; no appellation by which they might be described. They had bought land at "Pompe- raug ;" they had been granted liberty by the General Court to found a new plantation there, and that was all there was of de- signation. Every thing betokened that the silence of nature had remained unbroken by human voice, since those early days, when
843
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
" the morning stars sang together," save by those of nature's own uncultivated children, the red hunters of the forest. Nature, in all its grand magnificence, met the enchanted view of the pale face in these sweetly fertile plains, and mountain fastnesses. The grim chiefs of the woody wilds alone roamed over these retired sol- itudes, save the wild beasts, that growled upon a thousand hills. The whole face of the country was one vast wilderness, uncheered by the benign rays of civilization.
Such was the scene, and such were the circumstances that greet- ed the eyes of Capt. John Minor, the intrepid surveyor, and his sturdy companions, as they entered this territory, which was then the farthest point from our coast and larger rivers, that had been explored, two hundred years ago. This wilderness must be re- claimed ; human habitations must be crected ; the church of God, with its accompanying school-house, must be builded from these over-arching forest trees, and all objects must receive names and designations.
We may imagine the first surveyor, like a second Adam, with every living and inanimate object before him, awaiting the bestow- al of an appellation. And right royally did he and his associates fulfill this duty of necessity and convenience, as they scattered among the hills and valleys, and reclaimed the waste lands. Per- haps no town anywhere has so successfully preserved its early de- signations as this. Everywhere we meet the "old landmarks." We will mention some, of them, that they may be recorded, as well as remembered forever.
It was natural that they should then and there name the place whence they had had the pleasure of beholding, their "land of prom- ise ; " their future homes. They called it Good Hill. It was good and pleasant for them, in more particulars than one. It was the place of good hopes and anticipations. It was the place of good views. It was the place of good lands, and, afterwards, became the location of their " Good Hill Division," in the proportionate distribution of the lands of their new territory among the proprietors. The place where the present village stands, which was, at that date, with the adjoin- ing intervales, cultivated by the Indians, and planted with scant crops of corn, beans, and some few other productions, was called by preëminence The Plain, and the designation has been handed down to the present day, in the conveyance of lands. The fertile plateau where the pioneers spent their first night, a little south of the village, they named Middle Quarter. It was so named, prob-
-
844
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
ably, because they deemed it nearly midway between the plain land, which they named Judson Lane, and on which the first framed house was built, and White Oak, a place so designated by them, in the upper part of Southbury, nearest the present town of Woodbury, the place where they spent the second night of their explorations. This spot has always been one of interest. The old oak long since passed away, as is stated on a preceding page, but the interest still lingers around the ancient locality, and our artist has given a sketch of it for a future chapter.
These few names sufficed their first wants, as they builded their cabins amid these vales and hills, keeping as nearly together as possible. As the settlement extended its limits, they learned and appropriated the good old names, which had been used by the original native proprietors, and they have been carefully handed down to the present. No town of equal dimensions within the writer's knowedge has retained so many of them, and they are of far greater euphony, for the most part, than those preserved in other parts of the State. Many of our towns long since forgot the local names of the former occupants of the country. In the the neighboring town of Watertown, for instance, it is said that not a single Indian appellation, or name of local objects or places, now remains. This is the more singular, as there must over be a lingering interest or curiosity in all the remaining traces of the aboriginal race, which preceded us, even in the least observant minds.
Quite different from this was the care with which our fathers gathered up, and applied the beautiful Indian names which abound in our territory. This may, in part, be accounted for by the fact, that Capt. John Minor, the leading man among the colonists, had been educated as missionary to the Indians, understood well their language, and seemed to take a delight in fixing forever the abo- riginal names to the various localities, as he, in his office of sur- veyor, parcelled ont the lands among the pioneers. To the lovely lake on onr eastern borders he applied the name of Quassapang, or The Beautiful Clear Water. This pleasant sheet of water, so cosily nestling among the verdant hills, furnished one of the first fishing places to the new settlers, ent off as they were from the seaboard by the boundless forests lying between them and the sea. This is an enchanting little water retreat among the hills, where one may while away an hour of pleasant thought and rest, seclu- ded from all obtruding care, or may unite with friends in sailing
M311
vue.
QUASSAPAUG LAKE
VIEW LOOKING WEST
QUASSAPAUG LAKE, WOODBURY, CONN .- Two VIEWS.
845
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
over its limpid waters, enjoying the " feast of reason and the flow of soul." It has ever been a location of interest, and is yearly becoming the place of resort for those who admire the loveliness of nature secluded in its deep solitudes. Weraumaug is another lake of about the same size, one mile by two in dimensions, loca- ted in the north-west corner of the ancient territory, to which the same remarks will apply. It has now become the popular resort of the city-heated denizen, who seeks, for a brief space, rest and relaxation during the hot months. Like the former, it has be- come the place of sweet romance and many a flirtation, while reverend doctors of divinity and learned doctors of the law, " pass stately by," and form a solid back ground. Bantam, in the north- ern bonnds, north of what was, at a later day, called " Woodbury Farms," is another beautiful sheet of water, and point of much attraction. It is one of the principal boasts of the present town of Litchfield, the County seat, which is now in somewhat pleasant repute as a "summer resort," claiming attention, principally, for the life-invigorating air of its breezy hills and extended country views. The name of Bantam has usually been considered by his- torians as the aboriginal name of this lake, together with its river, and surrounding country. But there is every reason to doubt the correctness of this opinion. It has neither the look nor sound of any other words in our native Indian dialect.1 The only place called by this name, now recollected, is Bantam in the Island of Java. No reason can be assigned for the transfer of the name to this locality, except, perhaps, the fanciful one, that "like the Bantam of the old world, this was a wild and almost unknown region, inhabited by a race of barbarians." It is hardly probable, however, that our ancestors, in the necessitous circumstances of a new settlement in the unbroken wilderness, had time to make, even if they had the necessary geographical information, such far- fetched and philosophical, not to say poetical comparisons in diverse localities. Kissewaug is the name bestowed upon a long and narrow pond below Quassapaug lake, in the southern part of the present town of Middlebury. It also bears the more modern name of Long Meadow Pond. There is a somewhat apocryphal legend connected with this little lakelet, from which it is said to have derived its name, Kissewang. But it is by no means certain that the first syllable of that name, used as as separate word, has the same
1 Kilbourn's History of Litchfield, p. 24.
848
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
and lamprey eels, of enormous size, are caught in great abundance. Occasionally, even in these later years, a trout of very great size, and of the true speckled variety, strays into the pools below the falls. A few years ago, Mr. Thomas Tyrrell, who owns the land and mill at the falls, captured in a brook-pool near the river, by using a shad seine, a trout of large dimensions, for these waters. It was 373 inches in length, measuring 16 inches around the body in front of the fins, being the largest part, and weighed 17} pounds. This account is vouched for by several witnesses, and is no doubt correct. But the beauty of these falls has just been destroyed, by blasting down the cliff's. to make way for the road-bed of the Shepaug Valley Railroad, les "ing from Litchfield to a junction with the Housatonic Railroad. at Hawleyville. The rocks have been skillfully and ruthlessly blasted out, and thrown into the river, and across it, cutting down large trees two feet in diameter, and far into the fields beyond. The rock is thrown down the side of the mountain in large masses, some of them weighing a hundred and thirty tons to the boulder. It is a fine display of the power of man in his war with nature. The building of this Railroad, which runs the whole length of the ancient territory, from north to south, through the Shepaug valley, with terminus at Litchfield, is a remarkable result of the enterprize of our people. If one had been asked a year ago to name a locality. which was least likely to be traversed by a Railroad in this region, the unhesitating an- swer would have been, one through the Shepaug valley. And yet such has been the indomitable spirit displayed, that the cars will be running on the road by August, 1871, a little less than a year from the time when the first spade full of earth was thrown out to grade the way.
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