USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Derby > The history of the old town of Derby, Connecticut, 1642-1880. With biographies and genealogies > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historyofoldtown00orcu 0
SEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01068 5466
GENEALOGY 974.602 D440
proved by Samuel Sortant
THE
HISTORY
OF THE
Old Town of Derby,
CONNECTICUT,
1642-1880.
WITH
BIOGRAPHIES AND GENEALOGIES.
BY SAMUEL ORCUTT, Author of the Histories of Torrington and Wolcott, Conn.
AND AMBROSE BEARDSLEY, M. D.
30
PRESS OF SPRINGFIELD PRINTING COMPANY, SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 1880.
-
1127440
TO THE
MEMORY
OF THE
EARLY SETTLERS
OF THE 1
OLD TOWN OF DERBY,
This dolork is Dedicated
BY THE AUTHORS.
And even now amid the gray, The East is brightening fast, And kindling to that perfect day, Which never shall be past.
Thus once more our journey is ended ; our track hath been centuries long ; We have heard the wild whoop of the savage, and the rude note of puritan song ; We have watched the bright wave of progression as it broke o'er our valleys and hills ;
We've seen builded the castle of beauty by the lake, with its chattering mills ;
E'en we've tarried a while in the present, (so soon to be counted the past !) And have caught at the sparks of the furnace that holdeth the future in "blast ; " We've followed the thread of the story as traced up this history's page, And have seen that forever the present was the rose that was crowning the age.
There were struggles, and crosses and trials; and days when the sun was withdrawn ; Vet forever there came in the morning the light of encouraging dawn ; Our men have been men with a purpose, and our maidens have been gentle and true,-
With a faith that was strong, and as rugged as the rocks where from childhood they grew.
Though the names that these pages have rescued, forgetfulness nearly had claimed, Yet heroes were they that had borne them, as proud as our country e'er hath named. So farewell, ancient pilgrims ! we have sung to your memory our best song, Which in the ages to come, may cheer the travelers on the journey so long.
PREFACE.
-
History is the record of experiences in the ages that are past; and experience, while varying through the changing of circumstances, is a teacher worthy to be carefully studied, and to whose voice it is wise to listen.
The person who is indifferent to the past is too selfish to be of much benefit to the world in the present, and too heedless of wisdom to accomplish much for human good in the future.
One object sought in the writing of this book has been the promotion of reflection on the past, which would result, it is believed, in careful consideration of what shall be the life of the future, for it would be un- pardonable to give a book to the world without some high motive of good, in the mind of the author. How well or poorly the purpose may have been attained is not a question now, the existence of the motive is the only fact of which we can be certain.
As to the completeness of the book, it may be said that no work of the kind which has fallen under the author's observation is more so in the amount and defi- niteness of the matter printed, and yet much remains
iv
PREFACE.
unwritten that would be of great interest, while the time occupied in putting the material into form has been too short to allow perfectness in any single department.
The Indian History, for which the community as well as the authors are under great obligation to the Rev. Joseph Anderson, D. D., of Waterbury, and the prepara- tion of which, so far as he prepared it (more than one- half), cost many weeks of study and research,-he being peculiarly competent for the task,-is but the outline of what might be, and it is to be hoped will be, some day, placed before the public in book form.
The Historical and Biographical parts are much more extended than was originally intended, or promised in the circular given to the community; and the Genealo- gies, although very incomplete, being confined almost wholly to the town records, except such items as differ- ent families have by their own effort placed in the hands of the authors, have been obtained by great effort and carefulness, and should give much satisfaction.
It is to be hoped that the subject will be taken up by a patient hand, for such only can succeed, and another volume secured to the memory of those who, otherwise, will soon be forever forgotten.
The authors present their thanks to the town for their generous purchase of a copy of the work, for without this aid the price must have been greater, or the book much abridged; and even now they are at their wit's
V
PREFACE.
end to know how to work out of the undertaking with- out loss.
They are much indebted to those who have allowed their portraits to enliven the pages of the book, this being a very great addition, and one for which thousands will be thankful as well as the authors.
They are specially indebted to the Ousatonic Water Company for help in procuring a picture of the Dam; also to Mr. William E. Miller, photographer, for his gen- erous and very satisfactory aid rendered in taking a num- ber of pictures without charge; to the Town Clerk, Mr. D. E. McMahon, for his genial courtesy in the frequent and oft-repeated calls made upon him to search the rec- ords under his care; to Mr. Charles Reed who has greatly assisted in hunting up the lost tribes of the benevolent societies, and for many other little attentions in obtaining various items from the records, which were very highly appreciated; and to Mr. George W. Beach, who, in behalf of the Naugatuck Railroad, has furnished several illustrations for the book.
Special thanks are tendered to Mr. John W. Storrs for his poem, "The Story of the Years" (page 680), written at the request of the authors, the which they would not be without for a large consideration, and which, as a poem, would do honor,-penned in a hurry as it was-to many a well-read and celebrated poet.
The story of the book is thus : When the History of
IA
PREFACE.
Torrington, Conn., had been completed, Mr. George W. Beach, Superintendent of the Naugatuck Railroad, see- ing it, remarked to the author, " If you will write a like history of Old Derby, I will see that a portrait of my father is furnished for the work." He then recom- mended a call on Doctor A. Beardsley as being the source most likely to furnish proper information as to anything already done or likely to be done in the matter. Some six months afterwards this suggestion was fol- lowed, but the Doctor spoke discouragingly and the sub- ject was fully dropped. After three months the author met the Doctor again on other business, at which time he urged somewhat the undertaking as very desirable ; a proposition was made which was at once accepted and the next day the work was commenced. Whatever matter the Doctor has furnished, being written neces- sarily in great hurry, has been carefully rewritten but designedly left in the Doctor's style, which has hereto- fore been so agreeable to the community.
SAMUEL ORCUTT.
.
1
BIRMINGHAM, June 1, 1880.
During a residence of nearly half a century in Derby many pleasant memories have been awakened and attach ments formed, while endeavoring to aid in beautifying the local surroundings and improve the advantages of the growing population of the town; and being familiar with so many households by reason of forty-four years' practice of my profession ; and, withal, naturally fond of reviewing the historic past, I had gathered interesting reminiscences at the suggestion of many friends for twenty years, with a view, some day, of publishing them in book form; but had nearly abandoned the project, when the Rev. Samuel Orcutt called upon me and offered to join in the undertaking, and soon the work was com- menced.
The researches into musty records, the work of in- quiry for confirmatory evidence of traditions among the oldest families, and the varied correspondence to gain trustworthy information, have been far more onerous than at first was expected. Of this none can know but those who attempt to write a Town History. Much that had been written is omitted in the printing, for want of room. The authors have aimed at correctness, and have endeavored to make such selections as would be most interesting and appropriate in such a work, thus
viii
PREFACE.
rescuing from oblivion many facts and traditions which would otherwise have slept in the ages of the past. Whatever has been contributed by the undersigned has been written by piece-meals, as Sallust wrote his history of the Roman Empire.
The genealogies are necessarily imperfect from the great difficulty in procuring facts and dates from reliable sources, but the authors have been faithful to this depart- ment, and as a whole have published a work far more extended than was promised to the subscribers.
With this brief statement of my connection with this book, I tender my cordial thanks to the town and those individuals who have aided and encouraged its publica- tion; resting assured that when the hand that now writes. is moldering in the dust, many will feel grate- ful to the authors who have given to the public this History.
A. BEARDSLEY.
YALE COLLEGE, NEW HAVEN, CONN.,
February 1, 1880.
This may certify that I have looked with much interest through the History of Derby, by Rev. Samuel Orcutt. It seems to me to have been prepared with great fidelity and thoroughness, and to take rank with the best town histories which are so interesting and valuable to every son of New England.
NOAH PORTER.
B
CONTENTS.
..
INDIAN HISTORY.
CHAPTER I.
PRIMITIVE CONDITION,
xvii
ETHNOGRAPHIC HISTORY,
CHAPTER II.
. xxviii
CHAPTER III.
CHUSE AND THE LAST FAMILIES,
.
CHAPTER IV.
xli
FURTHER AUTHENTIC RECORDS,
·
Ivii
CHAPTER V.
THE INDIAN AS AN ENEMY,
.
. 1xxiv
·
HISTORY OF DERBY.
CHAPTER I.
PAUGASUCK AND PAUGASSETT, I
CHAPTER II.
DERBY, 1675-1680, .
45
CHAPTER III.
C
A MILL, A MEETING-HOUSE, AND WAR,
75
CHAPTER IV.
EDUCATION, ENTERPRISE AND IMPROVEMENTS,
CHAPTER V.
.
102
DISSENTING DERBY AND THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, . I34
CHAPTER VI.
DERBY IN THE REVOLUTION, .
.
.
165
CHAPTER VII.
AFTER THE REVOLUTION,
.
·
201
xi
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE TOWN OF OXFORD, . .
228
CHAPTER IX.
COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES, . · 245
CHAPTER X.
THE FIRST CHURCH OF DERBY AND THE WAR OF 1812, . 282
CHAPTER XI.
ROADS, BRIDGES AND FLOODS, . . .
·
304
CHAPTER XII.
BIRMINGHAM, .
.
·
343
CHAPTER XIII.
THE DAM AND SHELTON, · .
· 39I
CHAPTER XIV.
ANSONIA,
.
· 413
CHAPTER XV.
· THE TOWN OF SEYMOUR, · . · 442
CHAPTER XVI.
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION,
486
BIOGRAPHIES, .
523
GENEALOGIES, .
693 APPENDIX,
. 785
ILLUSTRATIONS.
STEEL ENGRAVINGS.
A. BEARDSLEY,
I
SAMUEL ORCUTT,
I
JOHN I. HOWE,
366
FRANKLIN FARRELL,
420
LEWIS HOTCHKISS, .
438
JOSEPH ARNOLD, :
. 523
J. H. BARTHOLOMEW,
525
ROYAL M. BASSETT,
528
SHARON Y. BEACH,
533
WM. E. DOWNES,
545
ALMON FARRELL,
547
CHARLES PINNEY,
633
THOMAS WALLACE, WM. B. WOOSTER,
LITHOGRAPHS.
BENJAMIN HODGE,
556
WILLIS HOTCHKISS,
.
.
.
. 564
ARTOTYPES.
ABRAM HAWKINS,
358
SYLVESTER COLBURN,
364
SULLIVAN COLBURN,
364
JOSIAH COLBURN,
543
WILLIAM HAWKINS,
555
PHOTO-ELECTROTYPES.
ZEPHANIAH HALLOCK,
554
ZEPHANIAH SWIFT,
659
WOOD CUTS.
FIRST MEETING. HOUSE,
79
SECOND MEETING-HOUSE,
I26
FIRST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
149
·
663
674
ILLUSTRATIONS.
xiii
GEN. HUMPHREYS DELIVERING THE FLAGS,
199
OXFORD IN 1836,
242
DERBY LANDING IN 1836,
255
OLD STONE BUILDING,
258
THE SCHOONER MODESTY
266
TRAIN AT HIGH ROCK,
317
BEACON FALLS DAM,
318
HIGH ROCK GLEN,
320
SHERMAN'S CUT,
32 I
BIRMINGHAM IN 1836,
349
M. E. CHURCH AND PARSONAGE,
BIRMINGHAM IRON FOUNDRY,
359 365
STERLING ORGAN CO.,
368 370
ST. JAMES'S CHURCH,
374
PUBLIC SQUARE, BIRMINGHAM,
376
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND PARSONAGE, BIRMINGIIAM,
379
PUBLIC SCHOOL, BIRMINGHAM,
387
RESIDENCE OF GEO. S. ARNOLD,
388
OUSATONIC DAM,
390
NORWAY IRON BOLT WORKS, SHELTON,
407 409
INDIAN WELL,
4II
OSBORN AND CHEESEMAN CO., ANSONIA,
421
CHRIST CHURCH AND PARSONAGE, ANSONIA, .
425
ROCK RIMMON,
445
HUMPHREYSVILLE,
472
FALLS OF THE NAUGATUCK,
481
SWAN'S MILLS, .
483
GEN. DAVID HUMPHREYS,
593
EDMUND LEAVENWORTH,
615
JOHN LINDLEY,
617
ABIRAM STODDARD,
632
STEPHEN N. SUMMERS, .
. 657
ALLIS'S BOOK STORE,
WILCOX AND HOWE HARDWARE, SHELTON,
ERRATA.
Page 16, 5th line from top, read Pomperaug for Pompesaug.
Page 87, 10th line from bottom, read 1688 for 1668.
Page 90, read Agur for Agar, etc.
Page 96, read Major for Mayor Johnson.
Page 158, read Shelton for Shelon.
Page 196, Nathan Mansfield is supposed to be a son of Dr. Mansfield, which is an error.
Page 197. James's Church of Hartford is an error.
Page 199, last line read 1781 for 1761.
Page 214. 3d line from top read credulity for incredulity. Page 248, 9th line from top, read 1773 for 1763.
Page 264, 23d line from top, read packets for pickets.
Page 442, H. B. Munson is said to have been Representative in 1850, which is an error as to the date.
Page, 488, read fires of evil passion, instead of fire's evil passion.
FURTHER CORRECTIONS.
Page 263, Isaac Lane should be Isaac Lum.
Page 272, read Truman Gilbert for Truman Gillett.
Page 353, third line from top, read Loomer for Louver.
Page 426, fourteenth line from top, read, as the Parish, for "New Parish.' Page 524, second line from bottom, read 1854 for 1834.
Page 553, Read Ephraim for Agur Curtis.
Page 567, ninteenth line from top, read model for inold.
Page 608, eleventh line from top, read New Haven for New York.
Page 646. bottom line, read Post Master for Poor Master.
Page 702, first line from top, read Ruth Edwards Beardsley for Priscilla Sil- liman.
Page 748, ninteenth line from top, read Ball for Bell.
PREFACE TO THE INDIAN HISTORY.
THIS part of the History of Derby has grown far beyond the limits contemplated in the original plan of the work. After some of the material for it had been collected, information was received that the Rev. Joseph Anderson, D. D., of Waterbury, was preparing a brief course of lectures on the aboriginal history and antiquities of the Naugatuck valley, and at once a request was made for the use in this work of such parts of those' lectures as related to Derby. The request was very cordially granted and the offer made of any further assistance which Dr. Anderson might be able to render in giving com- pleteness to this part of the work.
From Dr. Anderson's researches it was evident on the one hand that the Milford tribe was the stock from which the abo- riginal inhabitants of the lower Naugatuck and Ousatonic val- leys had sprung, and on the other hand, that the Tunxis Indi- ans, who came into the Naugatuck valley from the east, were related to these others in various important ways ; so that any large and thorough treatment of the subject would naturally embrace the whole field covered by the lectures. It was there- fore determined to make the lectures the groundwork of this part of the History. They are given entire, and such other facts are added as could be obtained by diligent search from whatever sources, the additions being chiefly from the Indian deeds recorded in Derby, Milford and Stratford, which were not within the lecturer's reach at the time his lectures were
xvi
PREFACE.
prepared. These deeds were forty in number, covering the space of time from the date of the first to the last one of over one hundred years.
The public, therefore, as well as the authors of this work, are indebted to Dr. Anderson, who is second to few in regard to the extent and thoroughness of his researches in this depart- ment, for something more than one-half of this aboriginal his- tory. His accurate description of the Naugatuck valley, and his brief ethnological sketch of the Indian tribes our readers will without doubt appreciate.
In view of all the facts it is believed that the treatment of this field equals in thoroughness and accuracy, if it does not exceed, that accorded to any other piece of territory within the bounds of Connecticut. To the thoughtful reader it will not only afford instruction and pleasure in the perusal ; it will aid him in forming a truer judgment respecting the mutual rela- tions of the native inhabitants and the early settlers of New England. THE AUTHORS.
INDIAN HISTORY.
CHAPTER I.
PRIMITIVE CONDITION.
CAREFUL review of the geographical position and re- lations of Derby is important in order to a full under- standing of the movements of the Indian tribes within its borders in historical times, their gradual extinction, and the complete acquisition of the territory by the incoming English. It is also important, because of the close connection, now generally recognized, between a people and the physical characteristics of the region in which they dwell. It seems appropriate, therefore, to begin with a geographical survey, cov- ering the valleys of the Ousatonic and Naugatuck rivers.
The chief river of western Connecticut is the Ousatonic (more properly the Owsatunnuck, and known in former times as the Pootatuck and the Stratford river). It enters the state from the north, about seven miles east of the western boundary, and flows in a direction somewhat west of south for about thirty miles. Having almost touched the New York state line, it bends toward the east, and for a distance of thirty-five miles flows in a south-easterly direction, when it turns again and flows nearly due south for nine or ten miles, and empties into Long Island Sound between Stratford and Milford. Between the two bends of which mention has been made (in that part of its course in which it flows to the south-east) it receives several tributaries from the north-prominent among them the She- paug river which drains Bantam lake in Litchfield and smaller lakes in Goshen ; the Pomperaug, which flows through Wood- bury and Southbury ; and Eight-mile brook, which drains Lake Quassapaug. Just above the second bend, where it turns to go
C
xviii
INDIAN HISTORY.
southward, and, as we have observed, nine or ten miles from its mouth, it receives the Naugatuck river. The Naugatuck belongs to this group of southward-flowing tributaries, but is much the largest, and constitutes the main branch of the Ousatonic. Its general course from Wolcottville to Birmingham is south- ward and parallel to the other tributaries. Its length, running between these two points, is thirty-eight and a half miles. The river is formed by the union of the east and west branches at Wolcottville, near the southern boundary of the town of Tor- rington. The west branch rises in Norfolk and flows through the north-east corner of Goshen, and through Torrington in a south-easterly direction ; the east branch rises in Winches- ter and flows more nearly southward. Between the two branches there is a range of hills which terminates abruptly at its southern extremity in a hight known as Red mountain. South of Wolcottville, the hills on opposite sides of the stream are about a mile apart ; but just above Litchfield station they come close down to the river, and the valley for many miles below is narrow, and flanked by precipitous hights. All along its course there are alluvial lands, curiously arranged for the most part in triangular pieces on the east side of the stream ; and between Waterville and Naugatuck these lands broaden out into extensive meadows-the " interval [or inter-vale] lands " of Mattatuck, which attracted the first settlers to this part of the state. In the neighborhood of Waterbury, not only are the meadows wide, but the hills which overlook them are low, and partake of the character of bluffs, while on the eastern side there is an opening in the hills large enough to afford room for a thriving little city. Below Naugatuck the water-shed be- comes narrow again, and the hillsides precipitous. This is
especially true of the section below Beacon Hill brook. The hills are not only steep, but high and rocky, and the valley is gorge-like. The "dug road" on the eastern bank, and the rail- road on the western, are cut into the foundations of the mount- ains, and at the same time overhang the rushing waters.
From Beaver brook to the mouth of the river at Birmingham, about two miles, there is a fine tract of meadow land about half a mile in width. In the upper part of the valley (for example, just above Waterville) there is much that is wild and pictur-
xix
BROOKS AND RIVERS.
esque ; but the entire section between Beacon Hill brook and Seymour is of quite exceptional beauty and grandeur.
The Naugatuck has many tributaries ; for instance, Spruce brook which flows through East Litchfield and empties near Campville ; Lead river which rises in New Hartford and flows through Harwinton ; the West branch, which rises in Morris and Litchfield, and divides Thomaston from Watertown and empties at Reynolds's bridge ; Hancock's brook, which rises in the north-east part of Plymouth, and empties at Waterville; Steele's brook, which flows through Watertown and empties at the north-west boundary of the city of Waterbury ; Mad river, which rises in the north part of Wolcott, and flows through the city of Waterbury ; Smug brook, which empties at Hopeville ; Fulling-mill brook, which flows westward and empties at Un- ion City ; Hop brook, which comes from Middlebury, and emp- ties at Naugatuck; Longmeadow brook, which rises in Middle- bury, drains Longmeadow pond, receives a tributary from Toan- tuck pond and empties at Naugatuck; Beacon Hill river, (an- ciently the boundary between Waterbury and Derby) one branch of which rises in the north of Prospect, the other in Bethany ; Sherman's brook, which tumbles through High Rock glen ; Lebanon brook, which rises in the south of Bethany and emp- ties at Beacon Falls ; Chestnut Tree Hill brook, which comes from the west and empties at Pines Bridge ; Bladen's brook, which rises in Bethany and Woodbridge and empties at Sey- mour ; Little river, which rises in Middlebury, drains Oxford and empties at Seymour ; and Beaver brook, which empties a little below Ansonia. These are all rapid streams, plunging downward into the deep valley of the Naugatuck. Compared with our western rivers it has but an insignificant water-shed ; yet there are eighteen or twenty towns embraced in it. Those which border upon the river are Torrington, Litchfield, Har- winton, Plymouth, Thomaston, Watertown, Waterbury, Nau- gatuck, Beacon Falls, Seymour and Derby. Those which, although lying back from the river, are drained in part by its tributaries, are Morris, Middlebury, Wolcott, Prospect, Beth- any, Woodbridge and Oxford.
It may be seen from this rapid sketch, that this region of country is but a narrow valley drained by a tributary river
INDIAN HISTORY.
of very moderate size, is of limited extent and has a decided geographical unity. Besides this, it has come to possess in modern times a unity of another kind. The township divisions and the centres of population are numerous ; but industrially the valley is one. The district extending from Winsted, just be- yond the head waters of the river and in the same valley, to Birmingham at its mouth, has become the seat of one of the greatest manufacturing industries of our country. As in other valleys of New England, the populations of the hills have crowded to the water courses, drawn by opportunities of lucra- tive employment ; and, at the magic touch of the finger of trade, have sprung up or risen into a larger life such busy cen- tres as Wolcottville, Thomaston, Waterbury, Naugatuck, Sey- mour, Ansonia, Birmingham and Derby. If we take railway connections into account, the thrifty village of Watertown should be included in the list.
To dwell upon the physical features of the Naugatuck valley is important, because the Indian history commences at a pe- riod when these characteristics were almost the only ones to be noticed. To obtain a clearer understanding of that history the reader must rid himself, so far as possible, of modern associa- tions, must lose sight of all political divisions of the territory, must forget the existence of these business centers which have just been enumerated, must suppose this dense population, and these dwellings and shops and streets and highways and bridges, and these extensive manufactories, and the railroads with their depots, stations and rolling-stock, all swept away-in fact, all the multitudinous products of modern civilization ; and go back to the primitive period in the history of New England. The river was here and the brooks flowing into it. The hills were here, and the occasional patches of meadow land ; and the entire region -the meadows excepted-was covered with stately forests. The woods abounded in game, and the streams in fish ; but the country was a pathless wilderness-the heritage and the pos- session of the red man. It was not divided as it now is among individual owners, but it belonged to the natives who roamed through its woods, and established their camping grounds upon its streams. The statement in the "History of Waterbury," that at the time of its discovery by white men there was no
xxi
SOURCES OF INFORMATION.
Indian settlement within the limits of the ancient town, might safely be applied to the entire valley, if a spot near the river's mouth be excepted. But what was true two hundred years ago may not have been always true; and besides, although there may not have been settlements here, it does not follow that the valley was totally unoccupied. The Indians not only claimed it ; they roamed over it as a well tried hunting ground. The lands in the upper part of the valley were especially attractive in this respect ; and it is said that in the section which is now known as Litchfield, "many of the hills were nearly cleared of trees by fires" which Indian hunters had kindled.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.