USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 23
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The following data covering the founders of Norwich were compiled from various sources for the quarter-millenial celebration in 1909:
I. Deacon Thomas Adgate, 1649. Born about 1620; died 1707. One of
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those appointed to "dignify the pues." His house was on north end of Lowthrope Meadows.
2. Robert Allyn, 1659. "First constable in the Town." Died 1683, at Allyn's Point.
3. Wm. Backus, 1659. Died soon after the settlement. His home-lot was next north of Thomas Bliss, from Washington street to the river. Father of Stephen Backus.
4. Lieut. Wm. Backus, Jr., 1659. He styled himself "yeoman," but was known successively as sergeant, ensign and lieutenant.
5. John Baldwin, 1659. Constable in 1696. Ancestor of Judge Simeon E. Baldwin of New Haven. Home-lot on West Town street, near the river. 6. Deacon Thomas Bingham, 1659. Born 1642; died 1730. Home-lot on West Town street above Thomas Waterman and extending to the river.
7. John Birchard, 1659. Born 1628; died 1702. First schoolmaster. Home-lot on West Town street, opposite Samuel and William Hyde.
8. Thomas Bliss, 1659. Died 1688. Home-lot on Washington street adjoining John Reynolds. His house is still standing.
9. Morgan Bowers, 1659. Home-lot on West Town street adjoining John Post.
IO. John Bradford, 1659. Son of Governor Bradford, of Plymouth. Townsman in 1671. Home-lot on East Town street west of Huntington lane.
II. Deacon Hugh Caulkins, 1659. Born 1600; died 1690. One of the most useful men of his time. Home-lot on West Town street.
I. John Caulkins, 1659. Born 1634; died 1703. Active in town affairs. Home-lot on West Town street.
13. Richard Edgerton, 1659. Died in 1692. Townsman and constable.
14. Rev. James Fitch, 1659. Born 1622; died 1702. First pastor of First Church in Norwich; held the office fifty-six years. Called by Cotton Mather, "the holy, acute and learned Mr. Fitch." Home-lot from Simon Huntington to the river.
15. John Gager, 1659. Died 1703. Constable in 1674 and 1688. He was son of William Gager, "a right godly man and skillful chyrurgeon."
16. Lieut Francis Griswold, 1659. Born 1622; died 1671. Represented the town in the General Court in eleven sessions. Home-lot on West Town street.
17. Christopher Huntington, 1659. First townsman. Died 1691. One of the most useful of the pioneers. Home-lot on Washington street corner of East Town street.
18. Deacon Simon Huntington, 1659. Born 1629; died 1706. Townsman in 1690 and 1696. Home-lot on south side of East Town street west of Lieut. Thomas Tracy.
19. Samuel Hyde, 1659. Died 1677. Home-lot on north side of West Town street above the rocks.
20. Wm. Hyde, 1659. Died 1682. Townsman in 1673 and 1679. Home- 'ot on West Town street.
21. Thomas Howard, 1659. Slain at the Narragansett fort fight in 1675. Home-lot on north side of West Town street below Bean Hill church.
22. Lieut. Thomas Leffingwell. Born about 1622; died after 1714. Home- lot located on the corner of the present Washington street and Harland road. House occupied by D. H. Torosian in 1909. Leffingwell was famous for bringing relief to Uncas when he was besieged by the Narragansetts. Rep-
* There is to be found in Holland's "Life of Lincoln" a brief account of the New England trip, including the visit to Norwich, and also an interview between Mr. Lincoln and Dr. Gulliver that took place on the train to New Haven the morning after his speech in Norwich.
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resented the town in fifty-six sessions of the General Court.
23. Major John Mason, 1659. Born in England; died in Norwich, 1672. Deputy Governor of Colony of Connecticut. Distinguished among the Founders of Norwich. In his hand the sword of the Lord was mighty against the savage Pequots. Firm friend of Uncas and the Mohegans. Valiant soldier ; wise counsellor. Home-lot corner of Town street and New London turnpike.
24. Dr. John Olmstead, 1659. Born about 1626; died 1686. The first doctor in the town. Home-lot where the Gilman family live, at 380 Wash- ington street.
25. John Pease, 1659. "A sea faring man." Home-lot the last on West Town street at the river crossing.
26. John Post, 1659. "A sea faring man." Home-lot the last on West street next above Thomas Bingham.
27. Thomas Post, 1659. Died 1701. Constable. Home-lot on West Town street, adjoining John Gager.
28. Josiah Read, 1659. Died 1717. Constable. Home-lot on Washington street east of the Coit Elms.
29. John Reynolds, 1659. Died 1702. His dwelling, on Washington street, is one of the oldest in Norwich. Home-lot included Backus Hospital grounds.
30. Jonathan Royce, 1659. Died 1689. Home-lot on West Town street between Allyn and J. Tracy.
31. Rev. Nehemiah Smith, 1659. Born about 1605; died 1686. Home-lot on West Town street north side opposite T. Post.
32. Sergeant John Tracy, 1659. Died 1702. Home-lot on south side of West Town street between John Baldwin and John Pease.
33. Lieut. Thomas Tracy, 1659. Born about 1610; died 1685. Home-lot on East Town street adjoining Christopher Huntington. One of the most distinguished of the Founders of Norwich. He and John Mason were wit- nesses of the deed of Unkos, Owaneco, and Attawanhood, granting nine miles square to the inhabitants of Norwich, for the sum of seventy pounds. First representative to the General Court.
34. Robert Wade, 1659. Date of birth and death unknown. Home-lot south side of West Town street between John Birchard and John Gager.
35. Sergeant Thomas Waterman, 1659. Born 1644; died 1708. Home-lot on West Town street adjoining John Mason. Youngest of the Founders, sixteen years of age. He represented the town in the General Court in 1679.
OTHER EARLY SETTLERS
36. Caleb Abell, died August 7. 1731. Three of this name are found at an early period among the inhabitants of Norwich-Caleb, Benjamin and Joshua. Caleb married in July, 1669, Margaret, daughter of John Post. Robert Wade transferred to Caleb Abell his house lot, Town street. It was located between John Birchard and Morgan Bowers. He was chosen con- stable 1684; townsman 1689; appointed to keep tavern in 1694. Gen. Elijah Abell, a gallant officer in the Revolutionary War, born in Norwich, was a descendant of Caleb Abell.
37. Richard Bushnell was born September, 1652; died 1727. Came to Norwich with his step-father, Thomas Adgate. In the earlier part of the eighteenth century, Richard Bushnell was one of the most noted and active men in Norwich. He performed the duties of townsman, constable, school- master, poet, deacon, sergeant, lieutenant and captain, town agent, town N.L .- 1-11
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deputy, court clerk, and justice of the peace. His dwelling was on the Mont- ville road a mile south of the city. Married, in 1672, Elizabeth Adgate.
38. Samuel Lathrop, died February 29, 1700. Was son of Rev. John Lathrop, of London; came with his father to America in 1634 when about fourteen years of age. He married at Barnstable, Mass., November 28, 1644, Elizabeth Scudder. He was a house carpenter, and came to Norwich in 1668. He had nine children by his first wife. His second wife, Abigail Doane, sur- vived him and lived to the age of 103 years.
39. John Elderkin, died June 23, 1687. Elderkin's earliest grant at Nor- wich was in 1667, and was conveyed in 1668 to Samuel Lathrop. The next was at the old landing place below the Falls, where he built a grist mill for the convenience of the town. Here for a long course of years stood the mill and the miller's house. Elderkin built the second meeting-house for the town. Of his first wife nothing is known. His second wife was Elizabeth, relict of William Gaylord, of Windsor.
40. Stephen Gifford, born about 1641 ; died 1724. He was an early settler and is classed as a proprietor by Miss Caulkins. Constable in 1686. His home-lot extended from Mediterranean lane to the chapel of First Congre- gational church.
41. Christopher Huntington, Junior, born 1660; died 1735. "The first born of males in Norwich." Son of Christopher Huntington the Founder. A man of the highest character, and a prominent contributor to the pros- perity of the most vital interests of the town. For near forty years he "used the office of a deacon well." Town Clerk 1678 to 1691.
42. Elizabeth Hyde, born August, 1660; died at Lyme, 1736. Daughter of Samuel and Jane (Lee) Hyde, the first child of English parentage born in Norwich. Married, in 1682, Richard Lord, of Lyme.
43. Col. Christopher Leffingwell, born 1734; died 1810. Pioneer paper manufacturer. Soldier and patriot in the Revolution. Prominent citizen.
44. Major James Fitch, Jr., born in Saybrook, 1647; died 1727; married (1) 1676, Elizabeth Mason; married (2) 1687, Mrs. Alice (Bradford) Adams. During his residence in Norwich "he took a leading part in all town affairs, and served as land-surveyor, registrar, captain of the train-band, and com- missioner of boundaries." In 1698-99 he sold his house and home-lot to Samuel and Simon Huntington, and later made his home in Canterbury. His home-lot was on the east side of the town Green, and his house probably stood south and near to the present residence of Wallace S. Allis.
45. Governor Samuel Huntington, LL.D., born 1731; died 1796. Repre- sentative in Legislature 1764, and Senator 1773; Associate Judge Supreme Court of Connecticut 1774; member of Congress 1775-1780 and member of the Marine Court; signer of the Declaration of Independence; President of Congress 1779-1781 and 1783; Chief Justice of Connecticut 1784; Lieutenant- Governor 1785; Doctor of Laws, Yale College, 1779; Governor 1786-96.
46. Benjamin Huntington, LL.D., born 1736; died October 16, 1800. Graduated at Yale 1761; married daughter of Jabez Huntington, of Wind- ham; State Counsellor during Revolutionary War; director of battery built on Waterman's Point 1775; agent of colony to purchase the "Spy," bought to watch British; superintended building of the "Defence" 14-gun brig, 1776; representative from Norwich 1775; member Continental Congress 1784 and of Constitutional Congress 1789; Judge Superior Court 1793; LL.B. from Dart- mouth College 1782; moved to Rome, N. Y., 1796. His body was brought to Norwich for burial. First Mayor of Norwich, 1784 to 1796.
47. Benedict Arnold, born Norwich, 1741 ; died in London, 1801. Gen- eral in the Revolutionary army. Distinguished for his heroism at Quebec,
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Lake Champlain, Ridgefield, and Saratoga. Detested for his treason and for the burning of New London. The house where he was born, on east side of Washington street, below LaFayette street, was destroyed sixty years ago.
48. Aaron Cleveland. The Aaron Cleveland house is now standing on West Town street at Bean Hill next below the meeting-house. Here Aaron "carried on" the hat business, and at the same time wrote poems, essays, lectures, and sermons upon all subjects of the day, social, political and reli- gious. Aaron was great-grandfather of Grover Cleveland (see No. 78).
49. William Cleveland, died in 1837. Rev. Benjamin Lord purchased a house on the site, next to the Johnson home. This was his residence. This property was held by the Lord heirs until 1830, when it was sold to William Cleveland, grandfather of the President. William built a shop east of the house where he carried on the business of gold or silversmith. This dwelling house was burned in 1852. (See No. 79.)
50. Dr. Philip Turner, born in Norwich, 1740; died in New York in 1815 and was buried in St. Paul's churchyard. He was highly distinguished for his professional skill.
51. Joseph Trumbull, the eldest son of Governor Trumbull, and the first Commissary General Continental Army; in 1778 bought the property between the present residence of A. W. Dickey and the house of Mrs. Kelley.
52. Diah Manning, 1760-1815, drum-major of Washington's Body Guard. He carried to Major André his breakfast on the day of his execution, bringing it from the table of General Washington. House on Town street, corner Old Cemetery lane.
53. Rev. Benjamin Lord, D.D., was born at Saybrook, Conn., in 1694, and died at Norwich in 1784. For sixty-seven years pastor of the First Church in Norwich. He was graduated at Yale in 1714 and received the degree of D.D. in 1774.
54. Dr. Solomon Tracy, born in 1650; died in 1732. He was a youth at the settlement of the town. In addition to the duties of his profession he served the town as representative in the General Assembly and as lieutenant in the train-band.
55. Madam Knight (Mrs. Sarah Kemble Knight), born in Boston in 1666, and died in New London in 1727. The greater part of her life was spent in New London and Norwich, where she stood high in social rank and was respected both in church and civil affairs. In 1717 the town of Norwich granted her liberty "to sitt in the pue where she use to sitt in ye meeting- house." A silver tankard which she presented to the church is still preserved. She was remarkable for her versatile gifts and is remembered by her journal of a journey alone on horseback from Boston to New York in 1704.
56. General Andrew Huntington, born 1745; died 1824. John Elderkin sold land on East Town street to Samuel Lothrop, who built a house upon it soon after 1668. Portions of his house were probably incorporated in the present building now owned by Mr. Fitch, which was constructed about 1740, by Joshua Huntington (1698-1745). (See No. 61.) Commissary General, judge and merchant. Lived in this house from 1766 until his death.
57. Simon Huntington, Jr., born 1659; died 1736. In 1688-89 Simon Huntington, the proprietor, granted land on East Town street to his son, Simon, who held many civil offices, was deacon of the church from 1696 to 1736. and in 1706 opened "a house of public entertainment." Captain Joseph Carew probably used parts of the house built by Simon Huntington, Jr., when he constructed in 1782-83 the house now occupied by Mr. Kelly. Joseph
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and Eunice Carew Huntington and their children occupied this house until 1854.
58. Hon. Jabez W. Huntington, born 1788; died 1847. United States Senator from 1840 to 1847, lived in the Simon Huntington house (see No. 57) after his marriage in 1833 to a daughter of Joseph Huntington. "A statesman of unbending integrity and unswerving fidelity to the interests of the Union."
59. General Jedidiah Huntington, born 1743; died 1818. Fought at Bunker Hill and in many of the most important battles of the Revolution. He entertained both Washington and Lafayette in the house on the corner of East Town street and Huntington lane. He married, in 1766, Faith Trum- bull, the daughter of the famous war governor. After the war he held many important positions and in 1789 was appointed Collector of Customs at New London and held that office until his death.
60. General Ebenezer Huntington, born 1754; died 1834. Was the half- brother of Jedidiah. After Jedidiah removed to New London his house was occupied by Ebenezer. He left Yale College when the war commenced and served until the troops were disbanded in 1783. In 1810 and in 1817 he was elected a member of Congress. Major General, Connecticut militia, over thirty years. His four unmarried daughters were "the Ladies Huntington."
61. Colonel Joshua Huntington, born 1751; died 1821. Married, in 1771, Hannah, daughter of Col. Hezekiah Huntington. He was in business at the Landing, but at the call to arms he followed his brothers in giving himself to the service of his country. He was high sheriff of New London county and had charge of the first United States census (1709) in this region. He lived in the house on Huntington lane now owned by Mrs. Theodore F. McCurdy.
62. General Jabez Huntington, born 1719; died 1786. Graduated at Yale College, 1741. "The house in the lane" is today practically unaltered from its condition when it was occupied by Gen. Jabez Huntington, who as the head of the Connecticut troops did much for American freedom. It surely includes a portion of the whole of the house of his father, the first Joshua Huntington, and may include the house built by the founder, John Bradford. General Jabez Huntington was the father of Jedidiah, Andrew. Joshua, Ebenezer and Zachariah. "If the annals of the Revolution record the name of any family that contributed more to that great struggle, I have yet to learn it."
63. Colonel John Durkee, born in Windham, 1728; died May 29, 1782. Leader of 500 men who compelled Ingersoll to resign the office of stamp master for Connecticut. Colonel at Long Island, Harlem, White Plains, Trenton and Monmouth. He was in Sullivan's Indian expedition. Durkee's tavern at Bean Hill was "opposite the home-lot of Mr. Samuel Abell." He was known as "the Bold Bean Hiller."
MEETING HOUSES AND BURYING GROUNDS
64. The first meeting-house stood near the southeast corner of the Green, "with the open Common around it." Of its erection there is no record. It was probably built by a "general turn-out of the inhabitants." In 1668 a small rate was collected to pay Samuel Lathrop "for repairing the Meeting- house." It was in use only twelve or fourteen years. Opposite present Norwich Town post office.
65. In 1673 the town contracted with John Elderkin to build "forthwith a new meeting-house." The building committee were Deacon Hugh Calkins,
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Ensign Thomas Leffingwell, Ensign Thoman Tracy, Simon Huntington and William Backus. It was completed in two years. Elderkin contracted to build it for £428. This building was repaired and a "leanto" added, in which several new pews were made. These improvements being completed in March, 1698, five of the oldest and most respected inhabitants were directed "to seat the people with due regard to rank." The site of this second meeting- house was on the summit of the hill. It was to serve as a watch-tower, and a garrison post, as well as a house of worship.
66. December 6, 1709, a vote was passed to build a third meeting-house, the dimensions not to exceed 55 feet by 45, to be modeled by a committee of the church, and completed by March 1, 1712. This building was on the rocks near the site of the second meeting-house. John Elderkin, 2d, son of the old church builder, was the architect. It was completed in December, 1713. A vote was passed to sell the old edifice, which had lasted forty years.
67. The site of the fourth meeting-house was at the corner of the Green, under the rocks, where the present church stands. It is said to have been a "square building, with a front porch or platform," with doors on three sides. It was voted for in 1748, but was not begun until 1753; it remained unfinished for several years. It was completed in 1770. On the 7th of Feb- ruary, 1801, it was destroyed by fire, with several other buildings. The present building, the fifth meeting-house, was built partly by subscription and partly by a lottery.
68. Post-Gager Burial Ground, 1661. In 1661 the town bought this land for a common burial-place. Many of the proprietors and early settlers were interred in this "regular oblong plot," 11 rods long and 7 wide. The last interment was in 1740. In 1872 the present monument was erected to the memory of Major John Mason and the other proprietors. It is on West Town street, half a mile above the Uptown Green. No traces of graves remain.
69. Entrance to Old Burying Ground, 1699. At Norwich Town through Old Cemetery lane near the corner of Town street (the River road), and the Uptown Green ; a portion of the home-lot of Rev. James Fitch.
70. Entrance to the Old Burying Ground, 1796. On East Town street, adjacent to the Governor Huntington house, through the Hubbard gates, inscribed by Faith Trumbull Chapter, D. A. R., with names of soldiers of the Revolution buried within. A portion of the home-lot of Simon Huntington.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS
71. Court House, 1762. In 1735 the first court house was erected on the south side of the parsonage lot. In 1762 a new one was built on the Green near the present watering trough. This was moved across the street in 1798 near the present school, used until 1833, when courts were moved to the Landing, and then used as a school building until 1891.
72. Town and Court House, 1829. Built on north side of Church street. Burned April 11, 1865.
74. Jail, 1815. A third location was chosen in 1815, when the Perit house on the opposite side of the Green was purchased for the county house, and a jail was built on the adjoining lot a short distance back of where the store now stands. This lasted until the courts were moved to the Landing, in 1833.
73. Jail, 1759. First jail was at southeast corner of Green. About 1759 a new one was built back of old brick schoolhouse. This was burned in 1786 and rebuilt and used until 1815.
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75. Office of Town Clerks. The first town clerk was John Birchard. We have no record of his appointment. He was in office eighteen years. Christopher Huntington, appointed 1678, was in office until his death, 1691. Richard Bushnell, 1691, for seven years. Christopher Huntington, Jr., 1698, for four years. Richard Bushnell again in 1702, in office for twenty-four years. Isaac Huntington, 1726 till his death, 1764. Benj. Huntington, 1764, in office nearly two years. Benj. Huntington, son of Isaac, 1765, in office thirteen years. Samuel Tracy, 1778, in office one year. Benj. Huntington, 1779, in office until his death, 1801. Philip Huntington, 1801, until his death in 1825, and his son, Benjamin, born 1798, was in office nearly continuously until 1830.
76. Dudley Woodbridge's Store. Dudley Woodbridge, in 1774, pur- chased of Ebenezer Lord his house and shop on the Green, north and next to where the present chapel stands. He sold goods of every description, groceries, shoes, dress goods, hardware, etc. In 1782, the first post office was established in Norwich; Dudley Woodbridge was the first postmaster, and held the office until 1789. The mails had previously been delivered by post riders. Mr. Woodbridge removed to Ohio in 1789 or 1790.
In 1790 Gurdon Lathrop occupied this store, as a general trader. In 1791 it was sold to Joseph Huntington and he formed a partnership with Joseph Carew. After October, 1800, the business was carried on by the firm of Joseph and Charles P. Huntington. On February 7th, 1801, this store and the meeting-house with several other buildings were burned. The Huntington Brothers moved their goods to the store "a few rods N. E. from the Court House." In August they moved to the large, new brick store, which they had had built on the site of the old Woodbridge shop. This building is now the chapel of First Congregational Church.
77. Tracy & Coit's Store. About 1780, Uriah Tracy and Joseph Coit leased from Thomas Leffingwell land upon which they built a shop 50 x 32, in which they carried on for many years an extensive business. It was a long, gambrel-roofed, one-story-and-half structure. Uriah Tracy bought in 1790 the Benedict Arnold house, where he lived until his death. Tracy & Coit's Store was one of the representative stores of Norwich.
78. Aaron Cleveland Shop. This building formerly stood the next but one below the meeting-house, Bean Hill. It was the shop of Aaron Cleveland, in which he carried on the business of hat making. It was moved across the road and is now known as "Adam's Tavern." President Cleveland was his great-grandson (see No. 48).
79. William Cleveland Shop. This building was the one used by William Cleveland as a goldsmith shop, 1830-37. It stood between the schoolhouse and the Johnson home facing the Green (see No. 49).
80. Brick School House. On Norwich Town Green. Founded by Doctor Daniel Lathrop in 1783. Now occupied by the Noah Webster Lit- erarv Association.
81. Brick School House. On Washington street. Built in 1789. The first school attended by Lydia Huntley (Mrs. Sigourney). Now used by the School-house Club.
82. Leffingwell Row. Sometimes called "the Long Shop," built by Christopher Leffingwell about 1780, was burned in 1882 with the red store adjoining. Its position near the fork of the roads opposite the residence of General Edward Harland made it a conspicuous landmark. It was occupied at different times by Leffingwell's stocking factory, various small shops, by the judge of probate and by the post office.
83. The Teel House, "Sign of General Washington." Built for a hotel
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in 1789 on Chelsea Parade; afterwards occupied for a school by William Woodbridge, now the parsonage of Park Church, for many years the resi- dence of General William Williams, who was distinguished for his benevo- lence and for his interest in the Mohegan Indians. He and his wife, Harriet Peck Williams, gave five acres now the grounds of the Norwich Free Acad- emy, and she founded the Peck Library, now in the Slater Memorial Building. He was born in 1788 and died in 1870.
EARLY INDUSTRIES
84. Stocking Weaving. The business of weaving stockings was begun in 1766 by Christopher Leffingwell with two or three looms. In 1791 nine looms were in operation producing 1,200 to 1,500 pairs of hose annually.
85. Grist Mill. A grist mill built by John Elderkin at No Man's Acre about 1661; was removed about 1667 under agreement with the town, to the Yantic river below the Falls, and a large tract of land was granted to him as compensation in the vicinity of the Indian burying place on Sachem street.
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