USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > A biographical history of the county of Litchfield, Connecticut: comprising biographical sketches of distinguished natives and residents of the county; together with complete lists of the judges of the county court, justices of the quorum, county commissioners, judges of probate, sheriffs, senators, &c. from the organization of the county to the present time > Part 16
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piratical victors. The enemy immediately boarded her, when convinced that she had in reality surrendered, and the officers and crew were soon escorted into the presence of their new master, the Bashaw of Tripoli.
From this period, for more than a year and a half, the his- tory of Ray and his comrades is a tale of sad captivity and hardship. The officers of the Philadelphia suffered much from confinement, and the want of proper nourishment : but the greatest misery was allotted to the unfortunate crew. Strip- ped of almost all their clothing, reduced to so pitiful an alow- ance of food that life could scarcely be sustained, they were driven forth in bands to the performance of the most incredi- ble labors ; and when sickness necessarily succeeded to such unnatural exertions, the wretched captives received from their tyrants only threats and blows. At one time we find many of them employed to raise the wreck of a vessel, deeply sunken in the sand. At the coldest season of the year they are forced into the water at sunrise, and compelled to shovel the sand from the bottom, and carry it in baskets to the bank, Once through- out the day they are allowed a scanty meal, when they resume their labors until sunset, and then return to their prison to pass. the night upon the damp earth, and await the horrors of the succeeding day. Again, at another season, many of them are compelled, barefooted and almost naked, to drag a heavy wag- on five or six miles into the country, over burning sands, and back again, loaded with timber, before any food was allowed them, except, perhaps, raw vegetables. A number were re- leased from their sufferings by death, and to the survivors life became a burden almost insupportable. Eyery exertion in his power was made by Captain Bainbridge for the relief of his crew, and frequently, through the Danish Consul, he was en- abled to send them some comfortable provisions. Yet he was himself a captive also, and could effect but little for their relief.
But the American Government was not unmindful of the
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fate of its unfortunate defenders. During the summer of 1804, an American squadron was sent out under Commodore Preble against Tripoli. On the 3d of August, the squadron stood in for the harbor, and commenced a severe cannonade against the shipping, and also bombarded the town. Three of the Tripolitan gun-boats were captured, three were sunk, a num- ber of prisoners were taken, and many killed and wounded, with but little loss on the part of the Americans. On the 7th, Commodore Preble renewed the attack on the town with much execution, though sustaining a greater loss than on the former occasion. The Bashaw still demanding a large ranso m for his prisoners, on the 26th of August, and again on the 3d of September, the attack was renewed upon the town, and upon the gallies and gun-boats of the enemy. Soon after, the weather proving unfavorable, and the ammunition being great- ly reduced, the Commodore dismissed all the vessels but three, for Syracuse, and with these determined to keep up the block- ade. He was shortly afterward joined by two other ships un- der command of Commodore Barron, to whom the charge was resigned. But the season was now so far advanced that little more was done to the enemy, save the capture of a number of vessels laden with wheat, and bound for the Tripolitan market.
Early the following season the Bashaw was willing to treat for peace. He was impoverished in his finances, and justly alarmed at the report of the formidable armament preparing against him. On the 26th of May, three American frigates appeared in sight. The smallest came near the town, and hoisted the banner of peace, a signal to which he gladly res- ponded. The frigates however disappeared, and hope and fear alternately agitated the breasts of the Tripolitans and their miserable captives. On the 29th, three frigates and a brig bore down upon the town, and displayed the signals of peace, which were immediately answered from the castle. From this period, friendly negociations went on rapidly, and
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on the 3d day of June, 1805, the articles were signed. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon a salute was fired from the frigates and batteries, causing transports of wild delight in many a long desolate bosom. Ray enthusiastically exclaims,
" But ah! what joy when the saluting sound Was heard to thunder through the arches round ! Enraptured lays the choral hundreds sung,
And that drear mansion once with gladness rung !"
The "saluting sound" of course spoke freedom to the Amer- ican captives, and their first act on regaining their liberty was one so noble that it ought not to be omitted. They immedi- ately resumed a subject which had before enlisted their sympa- thies-that of librating a fellow-prisoner, a friendly Neapolitan, who had been able to render several of them essential services. They subscribed over three hundred dollars, wrote to Captain Bainbridge, had the sum deducted from their wages, and re- stored their still captive friend to freedom.
Ray now entered as Captain's clerk on board the frigate Essex, and returned home during the following year. What- ever may have been his conduct before entering the service, it was irreproachable during his connection with it, and he left with the good will and respect both of his commander and of all the other officers.
In 1809, the subject of this notice settled in a town in Es- sex county, New York, and resumed his old mercatile occupa- tion, but with no better success than before. In 1812, upon the declaration of war with Great Britain, he was appointed a Brigade Major in the detached militia stationed at Flatts- burgh. After a short term of military service, he resided in various parts of the State of New York, and finally settled in Onondaga, where he filled the offices of Justice of the Peace and Commissioner in Courts of Record He died in Auburn in 1827.
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The first work of Ray was published in 1808, entitled, "Hor- rois of Slavery, or the American Tars in Tripoli." It is a well written narration of the unfortunate expedition of the Philadelphia, and the subsequent sufferings of her crew, to- gether with a description of Tripoli, the manners and customs of its inhabitants, and the transactions of the United States with that government. The volume is interspersed with va- rious poetical effusions, and a few pages of verse are appended to it.
In 1821, Ray published a volume of poems, containing also a brief narrative of his sufferings in Tripoli. His poems are characterized by melodious versification, and are often forci- ble. Yet they lack imagination, and betray a want of delicate taste in their author. Rev. C. W. Everest give him an hon- orable place in his " Poets of Connecticut," from which work this sketch is principally taken.
In the conclusion of his long and well written "Exordium" to his first volnme, Ray deprecates criticism, alluding, we pre- sume, as well to his verses as his Narrative, and he may be head in his own defense :
" Reader ! lay prejudice aside, And let calm reason be your guide ; If in the following, then, you find Things not so pleasing to your mind, And think them false, why disbelieve them ; Errors of weakness ? then forgive them ; And let our sufferings and abuses For several facts make some excuses ;
And when you 're captured by a Turk, Sit down and write a better work !"
We make two or three extracts from his poems on the fol- lowing pages.
216 TRIPOLI.
Ye lurid domes ! whose tottering columns stand, Marks of the despot's desolating hand ; Whose weed-grown roofs and mouldering arches shows The curse of tyranny, a nation's wo ; In every ruin, every pile, I find A warning lesson to a thoughtful mind. Your gloomy cells expressive silence break, Echo to groans, and eloquently speak . The Christian's blood cements the sthe stones he rears This clay was moistened with a Christian's tears ; Pale as these walls, aprisoner of has lain, Felt the keen scourge and worn the ruthless chain, While scoffing foes increasing tortures pour, Till the poor victim feels, alas ! no more ! Here thy brave tars, America, are found, Locked in vile prisions, add in fetters bound. Must free Columbia bow Before yon tinsel tyrant's murky brow ? Cringe to a power which death and rapine crown ? Smile at a smile, and tremble at a frown ? Kneel at a throne, its clemency implore, Enriched by spoils and stained with human gore ? Bear the sharp lash, the ponderous load sustain, Suppress their anger, and revenge restrain ? Leave a free clime, explore the treacherous waves, The sport of miscreants and the slave of slaves ? Heavens ! at the sight each patriot bosom glows With virtuous hatred on its conntry's foes ; At every blow indignant passions rise, And vengeance flashes from resentful eyes. But Heaven in just, tho' man's bewildered mind Th the dark ways of providence is blind ; Else why are some ordained above the rest, Or villains treated better than the best ?
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Why, martyred virtue, hang thy injured head ? Why lived an Arnold, why a Warren bled ? Earth's murderers triumph, proud oppressors reign, While patriots bleed, and captives sigh in vain ? Yet slumbering Justice soon shall wake and show Her sword unsheath'd, and vengeance wing the blow, Columbia's genius, glorious as the sun, With thy blest shade, immortal Washington, Unite to guard us from nefarious foes, And Heaven defend, and angels interpose !
VILLAGE GREATNESS.
In every country village, where Ten chimney-smokes perfume the air, Contiguous to a steeple, Great gentle-folks are found, a score, Who can't associate any more With common " country people."
Jack Fallow, born amongst the woods, From rolling logs, now rolls in goods, Enough awhile to dash on -- Tells negro-stories, smokes cigars, Talks politics, decides on wars, And lives in stylish fashion.
Tim Ox-goad, lately from the plow, A polished gentleman is now, And talks of " country fellows ;" But ask the fop what books he's read, You'll find the brain- pan of his head As empty as a bellows.
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Miss Faddle, lately from the wheel, Now talks affectedly genteel, And sings some tasty songs, too ; But my veracity impeach, If she can tell what part of speech Gentility belongs to.
Without one spark of wit refined. Without one beauty of the mind, Genius, or education, Or family, or fame to boast --- To see such gentry rule the roast, Turns patience to vexation.
To clear such rubbish from the earth, Though real genius, mental worth, And science to attend you, You might as well the sty refine, Or cast your pearls before the swine ; They'd only turn and rend you.
THE WAY TO BE HAPPY.
Do troubles overwhelm thy soul, Like billows of the ocean, That o'er the shipwrecked victim roll In terrible commotion ? Seize bold Imagination's wing And soar to heaven, so seeming, Or reign a potentate or king- - "Tis all obtained by dreaming.
Do pain and poverty unite To rob thee of all pleasure ? Like thieves break in at dead of night, And steal away thy treasure ?
219 The treasure of a tranquil mind, With joy and rapture teeming, Seek, seek, my friend, and thou shalt find More solid joy in dreaming.
For let the world still darker frown Than night-clouds on creation, And shower its tenfold vengeance down, Its wrath and indignation, On this devoted head of mine, One star is still left gleaming -- One light that will forever shine, The hope, the bliss of dreaming.
Whene'er I lay me down to rest, With toils and sorrows weary, A heart most feelingly distressed, And all on earth looks dreary ; Aerial powers around me throng, With light and glory beaming, And waft my raptured soul along The paradise of dreaming.
And oft as pensively I walk In solitary places, I hear celestial spirits talk, And think I see their faces ; They bid me leave all earthly things, While tears of grief are streaming --- I mount Imagination's wings, And find my heaven in dreaming.
THE LIEUTENANTS.
Who's he that walks with such a swagger With cockade, uniform and dagger, Holding this motto up to view, " I am much better, sir, than you ?"
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Why, 'tis our officer -- young Davy -- A smart Lieutenant of the Navy ; Who's challeng'd, tho' they call him cruel, Twice twenty bumpers to one duel, And fought where clubs, not cannon, rattle, A score of watchmen in one battle ; Wounds he's received-in all his clothes, And bled profusely-at the nose ; For which grown bolder still and braver , He basks in govermental favor. And who is that with feathered head, And coat broad-faced with warlike red ? That blustering, tell me what it means ? Why, he's Lieutenant of Marines ; Whose duty 'tis to follow fashions, To draw his pay and eat his rations ; To 'list recruits for calls emergent- To drill them, or to make his sergeant- Defraud them out of half their pay, Then flog them, if a word they say ; For all the art of war consists In pay-rolls and provision lists, Well filled, which men are forced to sign, -- This, this is martial discipline.
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TIMOTHY MERRITT.
TIMOTHY MERRITT, a celebrated clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was born in Barkhamsted, in October, 1775. He entered the ministry in 1796, and was stationed on New London Circuit, where his services were both acceptable and useful. During the next year he was stationed on the Penobscot Circuit, in the Province of Maine, and continued in that Province for about fourteen years. Du- ring this period his labors were arduous and peculiar. He filled appointments constantly on the Sabbath, and delivered occasional week-day lectures ; and, as most of the stationed preachers were unordained, he had to visit their societies to administer the ordinances, and assist in organizing and regu- lating affairs necessary for the peace and prosperity of the cause. Occasionally he attended Quarterly Meetings for the Presiding Elders, from twenty to an hundred miles from home, taking appointments in his way to visit the churches. He went to his appointments in canoes, and skated to them in winter, on the streams and lakes of that cold region,
Mr. Merritt had by this time become one of the most emi- inent and successful preachers of his denomination in New England. From 1817 to 1830, he was stationed in Boston, Providence, New Bedford, Lynn, Springfield and Bristol, and extensive revivals followed his ministry. In 1831, he was the editor of Zion's Herald. From 1832 to 1835 he was in New York, as one of the editors of the Christian Advocate and Journal.
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Thence he returned to the New England Conference, and was stationed at Lynn a second time, where he continued two years. His health and physical cnergies failing, he was pla- ced upon the superanuated list, and there continued until his death.
Mr. Merritt was in many respects an extraordinary person. Possessed of rare intellectual endowments, and blessed with an unusual degree of mental and bodily vigor, he was fitted to endure the fatigues and labors incident to the new and wild region in which his lot was cast for many years. The Rev. A. Stevens, A. M., in his " Memorials of Methodism," calls him " a prince and a great man in our Israel." One of his as- sociates in the ministry says of him, " No man has been taken from the Itinerant ranks of New England, who had a higher claim to an honorable memorial among us, than had Mr. Mer- ritt. He was a learned man-a man thoroughly read in di- vinity and philosophy ; critical in his observations-powerful in analysis -- of untiring application-deeply experienced in the things of God-always exhibiting the fruits of the spirit by the patience of faith and the labors of love. He was a self-taught man. By close and long continued application, he acquired a terse, perspicuous and beautiful style of writing and speaking. The attention he bestowed upon the arguments of an opponent, before answering him, was remarkable. He weighed every word, and comprehended it, before he framed a sentence, and then replied in the most concise and forcible manner, Thus he seldom either misunderstood or misrepresented-always. kept directly to the point, and seldom failed of a complete vic- tory. There was a dignified simplicity, a loftiness of language and thought, accompanied by a solemnity and fervency of spir- it, which awed the hearer, and made him feel that God was near : and not unfrequently, as the good man's soul filled and gathered strength, and in the light and majesty of confiding faith, rose higher and higher still, the spectator would stand
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entranced, like an astonished Israelite looking up into the mountain to see Moses talking with God."
Another clergyman says, " Holiness to the Lord, was his constant motto. He literally forsook all to follow Christ and seek the salvation of his fellow-men. Both his mental and phy- sical system were formed for the work, He had a muscular energy fitted for labor and fatigue. He was constantly grasp- ing for new subjects of thought and new scenes of usefulness. Mr. Merritt's gravity was not sour or sombre, so as to render him unsocial or unamiable. I ever found in him one of the most free and social companions of my life. The out-pourings of his amiable heart never appeared more interesting and ex- cellent than in his confidential correspondence, which I have had the happiness to enjoy for more than forty years, and to which I never refer without the purest pleasure. As a preach- er, his subjects were generally well chosen, his manner serious, plain, distinct and direct. He was often doctrinal, and in these discourses he stated his object and presented his propositions with precision, and brought his Scripture proofs aptly, fully, and forcibly. His inferences and reflections were various and pertinent. He felt that he was called to defend the great doc- trines of the gospel, and did it fearlessly, searching out and ex- posing error and detecting sophistry. But his most delightful theme was the doctrine of holiness. In treating of this he found ample scope for illustrating every part of Christian expe- rience, and of explaining and enforcing all the practical duties enjoined in the gospel. There were no flashes of wit, no ef- forts of eloquence to excite a stare, no meretricious drapery, no bombast, no passionate exclam ations for effect, no useless verbiage to fill an empty space-but a straight-forward, plain effort to open, explain and improve the subject and to profit his hearers. The duties of a pastor were conscienciously and faithfully performed by him, as the various places of his charge can testify."
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When his physical energies gave way, his active mind felt the shock and totterings of the earthly tabernacle. But this was the time for the more beautiful development of Christian resignation and calm submission. He died in the full exercise of faith, and patience, and love ; and his memory is embalmed in the affections and gratitude of many hearts. A likeness of Mr. Merritt may be found in the frontispiece of "The Memorials of Methodism," before alluded to.
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:
HENRY WALTON WESSELLS.
This distinguished officer in the army of the United States; is a son of Dr. Ashbel Wessells, of Litchfield, in which town he was born the 20th of February, 1809. He spent the year 1828 at Captain Partridge's Military School in Middletown, Conn., where he was a classmate of Thomas H. Seymour, of Hartford, since distinguished in the councils of the nation and as an officer in the late war with Mexico.
In July, 1829, young Wessells entered as a cadet at the West Point Military Academy, and graduated in 1833. He at once entered the Army as brevet second-lieutenant in the Second Infantry-a regiment to which he has ever since been attached, and in which he has won all his laurels as a military commander. The two years immediately succeeding his grad- uation, were spent at Hancock Barracks, near the disputed boundary between Maine and the British Possessions, and in Boston. In 1835, he was engaged in the Creek War in Geor- gia, and subsequently, until the breaking out of the Seminole War in Florida, he was stationed at Green Bay and Fort Gra- triot. In 1837, Lieut. Wessells joined the army in Florida, and the five succeeding years were passed in the protracted and most dangerous struggle with the Seminole Indians.
On the breaking out of the war between the United States and Mexico, in 1846, Lieut. Wessells sailed with the troops under General Scott for Vera Cruz, in Colonel Riley's regi- ment, and was promoted to a Captaincy soon after his arrival ยท on the enemy's territory. He was actively engaged in the great battles of Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churus
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busco, and at the capture of the city of Mexico. In all these 'engagements, he was conspicuous; but was particularly dis- tinguished in that of Contreras, in which he was wounded, and for his services in which he was brevetted a Major. In the official report of Colonel Riley he is commended in the highest terms. Major Morris, in his report, alluding to a most important crisis in the history of that eventful day, says, " The color-sergeant, Dennis Daily, manfully bearing- himself among the foremost, was shot dead ; and Captain Wessells, though wounded at the same time, gallantly raised the colors and pressed on." We may add, that Morris's report is chiefly occupied with details of the services of Captains Wessells and Casey.
On his return from Mexico, in the autumn of 1848, Major Wessells re-visited his native town ; but sailed soon after (No- vember 10,) with the regiment bound for our newly acquired territory on the shores of the Pacific-and is now in California.
In May, 1849, the Legislature of Connecticut, in consider- ation of the distinguished services of Major Wessells in his country's cause, appropriated the sum of $300 for the purchase of a Sword, to be presented to him in the name of the State ; and Governor 'Trumbull, General Francis Bacon, Colonel George C. Woodruff, Colonel Henry D. Smith and Major A. C. Goodman, were appointed a Committee to procure the sword, and make a public presentation of it.
On the 24th of December, 1849, a meeting of the citizens of Litchfield was held at Spencer's Mansion House, to make preparations for the ceremony of Presentation-Chief Justice CHURCH in the Chair, and Dr. George Seymour, Secretary. At this meeting, the following gentlemen were appointed a Committee of Arrangements, viz.,-Generals George P. Shel- ton of Southury, William T. King of Sharon, Edward A. Phelps of Colebrook, Frederick Buel of Litchfield, and Merritt Hem- ingway of Watertown, Colonels David Gould of Sharon, Rob-
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bins Battell of Norfolk, John C. Smith of New Milford, Wil- liam F. Baldwin of Litchfield, Charles B. Smith of Wolcottville, Peter W. Mills of Kent, Dwight W. Pierce of Cornwall, Major Chester W. Birge, Captains Charles Coe of Winsted, William S. Nash of New Hartford, Solomon Marsh of Litchfield, Quar- ter Master George B. Turrell of South Farms, Dr. David E. Bostwick and Lieutenant Alfred H. Beers of Litchfield.
The following particulars of the ceremony of Presentation are copied from the Litchfield Enquirer of January 31, 1850 :
Not withstanding the severe storm of the preceding day, (which pre vented the attendance of many from abroad, who had designed being present,) a large concourse of citizens and strangers was drawn together to witness the interesting ceremony, and to do honor to one whose- conduct has reflected so much honor upon the town and State which gave him birth.
The day dawned beautifully. At sunrise, a national salute was fired. The " Bacon Guards," commanded by Capt. L. W. Wessells, and the- " Litchfield Artillery," commanded by Capt. Solomon Marsh, paraded during the forenoon, and presented a fine appearance. At half past 12, a Procession was formed, under the direction of Adjutant-General. SHELTON, (Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements,) and Colonel: BALDWIN-which moved around the East Park in the following or- der-
1. Military Companies.
2. Band.
3. Committee of Arrangements.
4. Committee of Presentation and Reception.
5. Officers, Past and Commissoned.
6. Citizens and Strangers.
Returning, the ceremony of Presentation took place on the Balcony of the Mansion House, in the presence of the crowd of spectators who thronged the street and side-walk in front, and some hundreds of ladies in the hall, balcony, and the rooms adjacent. Colonel Woodruff, in behalf of the Committee and of the State, made the presentation ; the gallant Colonel T. H. Seymour, of Hartford, (by request and in. behalf of the absent Major,) received the beautiful present.
COL. WOODRUFF'S ADDRESS.
Colonel Seymour :
The Legislature of this State, at its last session, made a liberal: appropriation for the purchase of a Sword, to be presented to Major HENRY W. WESSELLS, as a testimonial of respect for his bravery and gallant conduct in the late war with Mexico.
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A Committee was subsequently appointed to procure the Sword, and make a public presentation thereof. In the absence of His Excel-' lency the Governor, and owing to the decease of the late and lamented Major General of this State, it has devolved upon me, as the organ of- the Committee, to announce, that we have proeured the Sword, and are. now prepared to present it.
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