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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02321 6986
Gc 974.602 Ea77t Town of Eastford, Centennial 1847-1947
EASTFORD
1847 - 1947
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Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
TOWN
OF
CENTENNIAL 1847 . 1947
EASTFORD
Published by THE EASTFORD CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE Eastford, Connecticut June 7, 1947
FOREWORD
With the publication of this Commemorative Centennial Booklet one of the desires of my later life has been satisfied. From the time I sat at my grandfather's knee (James M. Keith) and listened with dis- interested attention to his continuous repetitions of stories of the past, through the thirty years of teaching Eastford's history to my pupils, to the assignment given to me at the October Town Meeting, the con- viction has been growing that the priceless heritage of history and happenings should be preserved. I have welcomed this very ap- propriate opportunity to bring together material I have collected through the years and in addition the contributions of a representative group of old residents.
To have been able to accomplish this, I am indebted to many citi- zens of Eastford who have in various ways assisted me. My very great appreciation of their help is poorly expressed by the mere mention of their names. I hope the results of our combined efforts will be of value and interest to our progeny.
I wish to acknowledge the help received from the following per- sons in preparing this book.
To Mrs. Catherine Tatem French, co-editor, for doing the neces- sary correspondence, editing and preparing manuscripts.
To Mrs. Gertrude L. Bowen and Charles Sanga for their very efficient help in collecting ads from our business concerns.
For the gifts of Ads which have made it possible to sell this book- let for a nominal charge.
To Miss Esther Harmon for the work of compiling a list for the photographer.
To Mr. Herbert Grube for his cooperation in taking the photo- graphs.
To Mrs. Margaret Warren Day for typing my own manuscripts for the printer.
And to Mr. John H. Smith for the many hours spent in the Town Clerks' offices of Ashford and Eastford tracing our oldest houses back to original dates.
Space will not permit me the privilege of thanking all my other committee members individually. I wish it were possible, for each and everyone has fulfilled and executed his responsibility with efficiency and good will. It was my ambition to have every family in town re- presented on some committee, and I have very nearly realized my desire. As you read the list of committee members please remember that each one has my very sincere thanks for his cooperation and will- ingness to do the task I asked of him.
MRS. ELEANOR KEITH LEWIS General Chairman.
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GREETINGS
Eastford has reached the end of its first century. It is fitting. therefore, that we pause and review the persons and events which have made the history of one hundred years of a distinct and individual town. To commemorate this event we are uniting to observe with proper ceremonies a Centennial.
May we at this time extend to all citizens of Eastford, both those of the present, and all who at some time in the past called this town their home, as well as all visitors, a welcome. We hope that to all at least some portion of these observances will recall memories of the past.
The Board of Selectmen wish to thank all who in any way have participated in this Centennial.
LEWIN E. NEWTH, Chairman CHARLES W. CLARK, FRED KING.
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WTIC-MORNING WATCH-JUNE 7, 1947
THEME
Ladies and gentlemen, G. Fox & Co. presents, "THE HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS OF CONNECTICUT," a commemorative vignette celebrating a Century of Connecticut Living.
THEME UP AND OUT
The Highways and Byways of Connecticut - which have their birthdays just as you and I and quietly, with no fanfare or celebration, mark their anniversaries with pensive contemplation of all the simple greatnesses they've viewed.
Today, we take one of these commemorative roads to Eastford created as a township one hundred years ago in 1847. Eastford we pay homage to, this morning, as she takes her place among the other hoary centinarians of our state.
Ecclesiastically she had birth in 1777 but, then, she was a child of Ashford's. It was a century ago she came of age.
Just as they have for all these years, Bigelow Brook and Still River flow beneath the over-hanging trees which stand as sentinels before the gathered strength of Nachaug Forest.
Among the green and white trim houses we see the castle built in 1802 by Squire Bosworth and the Captain Summer House. There is Indian Hut and Horseshoe Brook and the birthsite of Nathaniel Lyon.
We could not go to Eastford on her birthday without paying tri- bute to her best-known son whose deeds of valor certainly did their share in molding America's destiny.
General Nathaniel Lyon - born July 14, 1818 - spent his forma- tive years in this fair countryside learning well his lesson of sacrifice and patriotism. Colonel Knowlton was his hero! All the townsfolk knew that, so no one was surprised when he left his loved home hills to go to West Point.
Faithfully, and well, he fought against the Seminoles and Mexi- cans assisting in this nation's victories.
At last, he found himself a Captain doing his duty in the West. Brusque and bold, fired with a deep abiding sense of honor and true justice he strongly felt the subjugation of the negroes in the south. He left no moment silent when he could speak for their release.
The Civil War broke out.
With grim initiative and self-reliance - he saved Missouri for the Union when the Governor of that state - a Confederate sympath- izer - rallied his militia to force Missouri to secede. Lyon took them prisoners. A captain had ignored State's Rights and taken up arms against a Governor. The north rejoiced and Lyon was promoted to a General. He based his tactics on the sound philosophy of war - the best defense is a good attack.
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On August 10, 1861, he died from bullet wounds at Wilson's Creek, Missouri, attacking with all his vigorous force - the first northern General to die in saving this democracy.
He came from Eastford.
This was - and is - Connecticut.
EASTFORD
Amid the graceful, round-topped hills, Down in the Nutmeg State, A little town, like an angel-child, Lies asleep in the lap of fate.
The charm of the summer sky o'er head, The stars in the evening mild,
The meadows green and the wooded paths Fill the dream of that sleeping child.
The song of the birds is in her ear, With a note that is free from care.
The early flowers come forth to view And beauty is everywhere.
Rev. John P. Trowbridge.
"Our Father's God! from out whose hand The centuries fall like grains of sand,
We meet today, united, free
And loyal to our land and Thee,
To thank Thee for the era done
And trust Thee for the opening one.
Oh make Thou us, through centuries long,
In peace secure, in justice strong; Around our gift of freedon draw
The safeguards of Thy righteous law; And, cast in some diviner mould,
Let the new cycle shame the old!"
Esther C. Trowbridge.
ANECDOTE
That our forefathers became used to sitting thru a church service without a fire is proved by this story.
Evidently there was some opposition to the installing of stoves in the Congregational church. The Sunday following their installation, one woman fainted "because" she said, "It was so hot with the stoves going."
It later developed there had been no fires in the stoves that Sun- day.
F. W. LATHAM as told by her grandmother
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CENTENNIAL GENERAL COMMITTEE
Left to right: John Smith, Leta Trepal, Marjorie Buel, Eleanor K. Lewis, chair- man; Catherine French, Alfred Warren, John Tatem.
General Committee:
Mrs. Eleanor Keith Lewis, Ch.
Mrs. Marjorie B. Buell
Mrs. Catherine Tatem French Mrs. Leta S. Trepal
Mr. John H. Smith
Mr. John M. Tatem Mr. Alfred C. Warren
Parade Committee:
John Tatem, Alfred Warren Co-ch. Herbert H. Buell Ralph G. Bunnell J. Henry Day Herbert Merrill Archa S. Walker
Finance Committee:
Mr. Lewin Newth, Selectman Mr. Chas. W. Clark, Selectman Mr. Frank King, Selectman Mrs. Margaret W. Day, Town Treas.
Program Committee:
Mrs. Edith Wheaton Smith, Ch.
Mrs. Katherine King
Mrs. Florence Warren Latham
Miss Mamie Nahibowitz
Miss Jennie Shishko
Miss Lillian Vaida
Mrs. Marie Trowbridge Wetherell ·
Mr. Irving Andert
Mr. Stewart Tatem
Committee on Invitations:
Miss Beatrice L. Buell, Ch.
Miss June Bosworth
Mrs. Carolyn Warren Day Mrs. Esther C. Fabian Mrs. Ruth French
Mrs. Dorothy Bowen Mattocks
Miss Marjorie Newth
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Committee on Lunch Booths: Mrs. Leta S. Trepal, Ch. N.A.L.A. Mrs. Agnes Buell, Mrs. Wm. Harris E.L.A. Mrs. Chas. Tatem, Mrs. Ruth Tatem P.S.S. Mrs. Herbert Merrill E.P.L. Mrs. Ethel Spink E.F.P. Mr. Harold Barrett B.S. of A. Mr. Eugene French G.S. of A. Mrs. Etta Klee, Miss Esther Harmon
Committee on Old Houses:
Mr. John Smith, Ch. Miss Marie Gurnee Mr. Harold Carpenter Mr. Herbert Green
Committee on Exhibits:
Miss Susan E. Van Wert, Ch.
Mrs. Ruth Goodhall
Miss Lucie Harmon
Mrs. Harry Tatem
Miss Cornelia Trowbridge
Mr. Fred Bowen
Mr. Howard Black, Jr. Mr. Egbert Griffin
Registration & Information Booth:
Mrs. Ruth Y. Lewis, Ch.
Mrs. Arlene Bowen
Mrs. Clarice Sumner
Mrs. Helen Spink
Miss Jean Trepal
Miss Shirley Keith
Parking Committee: Arthur Hess, Ch. August Benz John Ward Edward Jezierski
Building and Construction:
Mr. Edward Trepal, Ch. Mr. Richard Merfeldt Mr. George Chilkott Mr. Jack Sanga
Public Address System:
Mr. Eugene H. French
Publicity Committee: Mrs. Beatrice Kennedy Mrs. Catherine French
Sunday Committee: Eastford
Rev. George H. Reese
Mr. Wm. S. Warren and Mr. Robert Froehlick, Church Com.
Mrs. Astrid Bunnell and Mr. Kenneth W. Walker, Music Com. North Ashford Rev. William Harris
Mrs. Wm. Harris
Mrs. Herman Marcy
Mrs. Ruth Goodhall
Lighting Committee: Mr. Gabriel Kosa
Decorations Committee:
Mrs. Nancy E. Lawton, Ch.
Mrs. Herbert W. Cunningham
Mrs. Elva Keith Bates
Mrs. Sophie Kozey Brodon
Mrs. Marguerite Barlow
Mrs. Emily Bunnell
Miss Gizella Rosyar Mrs. Clarice H. Sumner
Maintenance Committee:
Mr. Otto King, Ch. Raymond Bates John Condon
Norman Green
Fred King
John King Wm. Kosa
G. Aldrick Lewis
M. Kent Lewis
Caro Piecyk Robert McFarlane
Nurses on Duty:
Mrs. Ruth Tatem, Ch. Mrs. Nellie Grube Mrs. Emma Jobes Mrs. Gertrude Spink
TOWN OFFICERS
Chosen June 27, 1847 James Lyon, Moderator
Afsefsor Fielder Watkins
Board of Relief Earl Preston Jos. Latham Palmer Carpenter Selectmen Jairus Chapman James Trowbridge Willard Lyon
Town Clerk and Treasurer John Adams Agent Town Deposit Fund Joseph Latham Treasurer Town Deposit Fund John B. Adams
Constables Mason Southworth Dan'l Dorset
Grand Jurors Ceyrl Whitaker Alba Hewit Daniel Leonard
Haywards Wells Chamberlain Amos Weeks Ephraim Allen
Sealer of Weights and Measures Joseph D. Barrows Pound Keepers James Deans Jos. Keyes Thomas Young Fence Viewers Zuinglus Baelard James Deans Zenas Bugbee
Elected Oct. 7, 1946, First Monday Susan Van Wert Moderator
Assessors Herold Barrett, Expires 1947
Harry L. Tatem, Expires 1948 Roy D. Latham, Expires 1949 Board of Tax Review Wm. S. Warren, Expires 1947 Chas. H. Buell, Expires 1948 M. Darwin Lewis, Expires 1949 Selectmen Lewin E. Newth Charles W. Clark Fred King Town Clerk- Registrar of Vital Statistics Lillian A. Keith
Treasurer - Agent Town Deposit Fund Margaret Warren Day
Constable Caro P. Latham
Justice of Peace
Herbert Merrill; Trial Justice
Edward A. Trepal
Gertrude Bowen Eleanor K. Lewis
Grand Jurors Herbert Buell
Collector of Taxes M. Darwin Lewis
Registars of Voters Alfred C. Warren
Henry A. Lawton Board of Education Wm. S. Warren
Edith W. Smith Chas. H. Buell
Library Directors Dorothy Bowen Mattocks
Ethel Spink Lillian Huntington Eleanor Keith Lewis Catherine Tatem French Judge of Probate Court Harry L. Tatem Representative to Gen. Assembly Herold W. Barrett Health Officer Dr. Ernest R. Pike
615.
VIEW AT EASTFOR
THE TOWN HALL
TOWN HALL
In the center of the town, on what might be described as "the com- mon" in Eastford Village, stands the Town Hall. Although the building is one hundred years old this year, its present use is comparatively new.
From the time of the Town's incorporation in 1847, there was al- most continuous official discussion regarding a site for a Town Hall and because there was no such building, continuous wrangling as to where the Town Meetings would take place each year. It was not until 1926 that the problem was solved.
The Methodist Society, now declined in numbers, had joined with the Congregationalists in 1916 to form a Federated Church. Ten years later, with understandable misgivings, they turned their church build- iny over to the Town. It proved to be a practical arrangement and for the past twenty years has served the town well as its Town Hall.
But the history of the old building as a church should not be for- gotten. A former member of the church and the wife of one of its pastors, writes as follows:
"Methodism in Eastford dates back to the year 1795. Jesse Lee preached the first sermon in town.
"In May 1815, Captain Leonard Dean deeded the Society land with a church already on it about two miles west of the Village. As later the Society weakened, they united with the Universalists and built a church not many rods west of the present church and worshiped there until 1847.
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"In January of that year Willard Lyon deeded land where the building now stands. The church has been renewed many times by powerful revivals, at times being the strongest society in the town. One occurred during the pastorate of Rev. G. W. Hunt when there was reported one hundred conversions, seventy uniting with the church. In 1895 with Rev. Joseph Richardson pastor, there was a spiritual awakening. The time was when the church was without a pastor. All records have not been kept.
"On September 23, 1897, the church observed its One Hundred and Second Anniversary which was a season of great rejoicing. Rev. Daniel Dorchester delivered an interesting and instructive address.
"During the Pastorate of Rev. O. E. Tourtellotte, assisted by Rev. J. R. Miller, the pulpit platform was extended and the large organ moved from the gallery in the rear of the church to the right of the pulpit. After the services were discontinued, the Society gave the organ to the East Hartford M. E. Church where Rev. Tourtellotte was pastor later.
"During Rev. Joseph Richardson's pastorate here, triplets were born to them. Rev. J. R. Miller was converted and both he and Rev. O. E. Tourtellotte began their ministry from this church. It has been re- marked that the result of the revivals in the Methodist church has kept the church on the hill alive."
Carrie Buell Miller.
Mrs. Miller mentions the address delivered by the Rev. Daniel Dorchester, D.D. and we quote the following from it:
"It is said that in May, 1815, a house of worship was erected about two miles west of Eastford Centre, largely by Capt. Leonard Dean, and given to the Methodist Society. Subsequently, in 1831, as the Methodist people became more numerous in the centre, another church edifice was built jointly by the Methodists and Universalists, and oc- cupied alternately by each. The present house was erected in 1847, and has been used ever since. A pipe organ, a great rarity in those days, was put into this house. In the same year, Eastford was incor- porated as a separate town, formed out of Ashford, with 855 popula- tion. The debt on this church was paid off in 1866.
"A room for public town meetings was finished off in the base- ment of the Methodist Church."
On July 1, 1926, this building became the property of the Town of Eastford. The deed was signed by Mrs. Ariel W. Green, Mrs. Nettie Lyon, Warren P. Keith, Mrs. Elisha Perry and Mrs. Blanche Bosworth, Trustees.
The General Court authorized theAshford-Eastford horse brand to be the number 3.
Foster Dean's "good store" was moved to Bridge Street, Putnam, where it still stands.
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EASTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY
During the month of May in 1887, a book agent interested Fred- erick Sumner in some fifty books, known as a Circulating Library, which could be bought for fifty dollars. Mr. Sumner raised this amount of money by popular subscription. Each person who gave him one dol- lar became a member of a group later to be known as the Eastford Cir- culating Library Association. The books were purchased and in due time arrived.
On June 8, 1887, the Rev. Clinton Jones called a meeting of the subscribers, at which time the Association was actually formed. By- laws were drawn up and the following officers elected: President, Stephen O. Bowen; vice-president, Charles O. Warren; treasurer and librarian, Mrs. Timothy J. Walker.
Additions to this nucleus of books were made from year to year, by gifts from friends and former residents, until in 1896 the library contained 340 volumes.
That year a communication from Judge Jarius Carpenter of Madison, Wis., stated that the brothers and sisters of Alfred P. Car- penter would give to the Town $500 as a memorial fund if the town would establish a Town Library. It was voted to accept the offer. Consequently, on December 3, 1896, the Association made the town a present of their library and the Association ceased to exist.
In passing, it might be said that Lieut. Alfred Carpenter was kil- led during the Civil War and his body was never found. Hence the establishment of this Memorial Fund.
The first library was kept by Jane Walker in the spacious hall of her home - at present the residence of Mrs. Emma Lewis.
Then in 1900, the books were moved to the present car garage of Mrs. Dorothy Mattocks - then the property of Stephen O. Bowen.
In 1904 we find the books were moved to a small octagon-shaped building which stood between the home of Harvey Spink and the old cellarhole. This was rented from E. O. Sumner and later from A. M. Bowen for twelve dollars a year. ·
Lack of space, in 1920, made it necessary to transfer the books to the south room over the Center School. Then, as the number of pupils increased, a grammar room was necessary, so we find the books moved to the north room of the same building. In 1934 a permanent home was made for the much traveled books, in the basement of the Town Hall.
The librarians, as listed in the minutes of the secretary's book are as follows: Mrs. Timothy Walker, 1887-1900; Mrs. S. O. Bowen, 1900-1902; Mrs. C. M. Jones, 1902-1904; Miss Florence Warren, 1904-1908; Miss Mary Bowen, 1908-1910; Miss Mabel Jones, 1910; Miss Pansy Neff, 1911; Mrs. Lillian Keith, 1912-1914; Mrs. Alice Carpenter Bosworth, 1914-1938; Miss Lillian Huntington, 1938.
About 1914 a traveling library was established in North Ashford with Rev. Peter Collins in charge, and for two years, at this time, a Bookwagon was run by Daniel Hine, who distributed and collected books.
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It is estimated that 4,500 books are well arranged on the shelves. One may see also, an old chair used in the school room many, many years ago; and the old table that was used in the Methodist Church, at an early date and served as a Communion table. Some one mentioned remembering seeing caskets resting on this same table.
Summer guests of the village and visitors are profuse in their com- pliments of our library.
C. T. F.
EASTFORD POST OFFICES
In Colonial days the mail was carried by stage coach to Pomfret where it was distibuted and sent on to surrounding towns. The old box which held the mail, with a pigeon-hole marked "Ashford", can be seen at the Ben-Grosvenor Inn.
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EASTFORD POST OFFICE
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The first authentic record of a Post Office in Eastford is in 1844- when Major Joseph Dorsett who lived in the Castle, was Post master and kept the Post Office in his store. At that time this location was convenient, as it was near the church and people could collect their mail on Sunday between the morning and afternoon service as well as renew the live coals in their foot stoves.
Major Dorsett was post master from 1844 until 1865. His son Ben- jamin Dorsett's name is given in an old record as post master in 1858; soon after this it was moved into the village and housed in the store now owned by E. H. French. Isaac Warren bought this store in 1873 and was post master for many years. As there was no civil service in those days post masters were changed when the other political party came into power. Mr. Warren was a republican so following the elec- tion of Grover Cleveland the post office was moved to Aaron Bowen's store which stood on the sight of Bowen's Garage. Mr. Bowen was a democrat and was post master from July 1, 1885 to 1889. Following Benj. Harrison's inaugeration as President it was returned to the War- ren store only to go back, for four more years, to Bowen's store during Cleveland's second term as President - July 1, 1893 to 1897.
From 1897 to 1938 it remained in the South-east corner of the Warren store. Isaac Warren was post master from 1897 until he re- signed in 1902 when Edwin O. Sumner purchased the store and was appointed post master. He held this office until Feb. 8, 1908, when he sold the store to Aaron Bowen and the latter's son, Fred A. Bowen, was appointed post master. Fred Bowen and his wife "Aunt Susie", who was his able assistant, served the public with kindness and efficiency for 30 years.
Mrs. Florence Warren Latham, grand-daughter of Isaac Warren, received the appointment as post master in April of 1938. After keep- ing the post office for one year in Barrett's store, it was moved across the street to a room in the ell of the Slye house where it is now located in convenient and comfortable quarters.
The old Phoenixville post office building which stood on the west side of the highway opposite the home of Mrs. Stanley Szymanski was purchased by Henry Ford and moved to his colonial village in Dear- born, Mich.
The post office in North Ashford was located for many years in the store in the ell of the house occupied by Darwin Lewis. These two post offices have been closed and their patrons are served by the Star Routes.
During the horse and buggy days the mail for Putnam left Eastford at 4 o'clock in the morning and the incoming mail arrived here about 3 in the afternoon. The present schedule is as follows: Leaves Eastford 8 a.m. returning from 12 to 1:15 p.m.
One of the early mail routes was from Eastford to Mansfield Cen- ter. The carrier left Eastford at 5 o'clock in the morning and returned the following day. He also served the post offices at Phoenixville, Chaplin, North Windham and Mansfield Hollow. Horses were changed at North Windham. Later this route ended at North Windham where
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the mail was put on the train and the carrier returned in the late after- noon reaching Eastford about 7 o'clock in the evening - at present this mail leaves Eastford at 5 o'clock in the afternoon and is taken to the train in Willimantic.
When there were many mail trains it was possible to send a letter to Hartford at 4 o'clock via Putnam and get a reply back via North Windham at 7 o'clock the same day.
The money order system was started in 1892 and the first money order drawn on this office was paid to H. B. Buell, Dec. 31, 1892. At first very few orders were issued, not even an average of one a day.
This year is also the centenary of the postage stamp. The first ones were put on sale July 1, 1847 and were not popular at first so few were used. Many people preferred to let the recipient pay the postage. Before that time the post master usually wrote or stamped in one corner of the envelope the amount paid or to be collected. This determined by the distance the letter was to travel. Up to 100 miles was 5c over 100 miles 10c a half ounce.
In 1855 Congress passed a law requiring the use of postage stamps. The stamp business boomed at once. Now there are many comme- morative stamps issued which make interesting collections.
FLORENCE WARREN LATHAM.
The early General Court gave a bounty of one shilling for every 1000 blackbirds killed.
North Ashford was known as Northford at the time the "Old Bolton Meeting House" was in use.
The hours of labor for mill help in 1850 were a "long 69 per week." Winter artificial ilghting by means of fish-oil lamps ceased on the 20th of March. On Saturday the help was rung out at 3:30 p.m.
As early as 1775 Selectmen were directed to provide a work house in which lazy, idle and impotent persons were taken care of and put to work.
Ashford may have been named because of the numerous ash trees but more likely for Ashford, England.
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
In October 1777 under the leadership of Benjamin Sumner and others it was decided that the gospel could be supported in two Socie- ties and they were endowed with distinct society privileges. It was a hard time but in spite of the war the spirit was great and it was voted to build a meeting house in Eastford Society, the size to be the same as that of Woodstock's west society. On June 30, 1778 the County Courts committee was asked to "stick a stake for the location of the house in the land of Lieut. John Russell." Mr. Andrew Judson of Stratford consented to be the first candidate and public services were held Sept. 23, 1778 when Andrew Judson, Benjamin Sumner, Samuel Snow, Jonathan Chapman, Elisha Wales and Simeon Deane entered into the church covenant in the presence of the Rev. Stephen Williams, John Storrs and Elisha Hutchinson making a solemn and fresh dedica- tion of themselves and being formed into a church. Having organized, it was voted on October 13th of that year to call Mr. Judson to be the gospel minister and he was offered 500 pounds, 70 pounds in salary.
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