USA > Connecticut > Windham County > A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I > Part 31
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 (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110
Another of the old-time Ashford schoolmasters is Harvey Morey, who in
250
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
July, 1920, was still living at his home near Morey's Pond, Westford, although in very feeble health. He was born in Ashford, April 24, 1839; educated in common schools and as a young man taught district school winters and did farm work summers. He taught in this manner for about thirty years and was valued for his thoroughness and sound discipline. In later life he was member of the local board of education ; also served as selectman for many years; was member of General Assembly in 1876 and 1903. His son, Frank D. Morey, lives at the home place and is active in town affairs, at present tax collector.
ASHFORD WELFARE ASSOCIATION
A recent institution is the Ashford Welfare Association. No formal or- ganization has as yet been effected, but monthly meetings are held at Baker's Hall, Warrenville. It is understood that plans are on foot which practically assure the building of a community house in the near future, and the general purpose of the Ashford Welfare Association is to organize public sentiment and evolve definite plans to rally the community around such a house when it shall be established.
Allen B. Lincoln, a summer resident, suggested the movement at the fiftieth anniversary of the Ashford Bible Society in August, 1919, and expressed his confidence that conditions in the community were ripe for such a step, stating that it was up to the people of the town to seize upon the opportunity and also stating that success should come "in one year or five years" according to local response.
Meanwhile the monthly meetings are concerned with various local problems, as "good roads, better farms and possible new industries," as a recent call for a meeting stated it. It is believed that the fact that two trunk-line state roads will soon be completed intersecting at Warrenville, will afford such im- proved transportation facilities that a decided growth of population and in- dustrial activities is likely to result, and that the gradual trend of crowded urban populations "back to the soil" affords new opportunities of development for the "back-country" towns. There are several fine water-power sites avail- able in Ashford.
ASHFORD IN PUBLIC LIFE
The following record of senators and representatives sent to the Connecti- cut General Assembly from Ashford is of interest as indicating some of the men who have been active in the public life of the community.
State Senators (old 16th District) : Dr. John H. Simmons, 1861 and 1865; John S. Dean, 1877-78; John Mathewson, 1893-94; Henry R. Woodward (District 28) 1905.
House of Representatives : 1859, John S. Dean, Gardner Russell; 1860, Dyer H. Clark, Dwight Lincoln; 1861, Jonathan W. Knowlton, Duty Greene; 1862, Jared D. Richmond, Edwin A. Buck; 1863, John A. Murphy, Dr. Farn- ham O. Bennett; 1864, Hiram Cady, George Lincoln; 1865, Edwin A. Buck, Ralph Durkee; 1866, Edwin Knowlton, Holstein Brown; 1867, Davis A. Baker, Francis H. Shaffer; 1868, Chester Loomis, Leander Walbridge; 1869, Joseph Phillips, William R. James; 1870, John W. Church, Henry N. Squire; 1871, John T. Green, Whitman C. Durkee; 1872, Nathaniel L. Knowlton, Henry A. Eastman ; 1873, Chauncey F. Talbot, Lyman Lillibridge; 1874, Mason S. Ken- dall, Edwin A. Buck; 1875, Edwin A. Buck, George Platt; 1876, Ezra L. Knowlton, Harvey W. Morey ; 1877, Elisha D. Grant, Gerrit H. Chaffee; 1878,
251
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
Davis A. Baker, Farnham O. Bennett; 1879, Clifford W. Thomas, Albert M. Carpenter ; 1880, John S. Fitts, Loomis E. Stowell; 1881, Charles L. Dean, Nathan J. Moseley; 1882, Charles L. Dean, Danforth, O. Lombard; 1883, Thomas K. Fitts, George H. Baker; 1884, Everett M. Durkee, Thomas F. Dun- ham; 1885, Thomas K. Fitts, William A. Buxton; 1886, Alfred Walker, James H. Burrill; 1887, Davis A. Baker, Newell S. Delphia; 1888, Davis A. Baker, Newell S. Delphia; 1889, Robert D. W. Knowlton, David Russ; 1890, Robert D. W. Knowlton, David Russ; 1891, Nathaniel L. Knowlton, John Mathewson ; 1892, Nathaniel L. Knowlton, John Mathewson; 1893, Thomas H. Whitehouse, Stephen D. Curtis; 1894, Thomas H. Whitehouse, Stephen D. Curtis; 1895- 1896, Merritt E. Gallup, George O. Balch; 1897-98, E. Lincoln White, Henry R. Woodward; 1899-1900, Clifton H. Wright, Theodore M. Lyon; 1901-02, James E. A. Knowlton, Frank W. Morey; 1903-04, Davis A. Baker, Harvey W. Morey ; 1905-06, Robert D. W. Knowlton, Thomas K. Fitts; 1907-08, Oscar D. Baker, Albert C. Squier ; 1909-10, Ransom B. Tifft, Roscoe H. Wright; 1911- 12, Nathaniel L. Knowlton, Thomas K. Fitts; 1913-14, Bert H. Gardner, Henry A. Eastman; 1915-16, Oscar D. Baker, Alexander M. Bassett; 1917-18, James C. A. Knowlton, Frank W. Morey; 1919-20, Walter E. Green, Raymond O. Baker.
Hon. Edwin A. Buck removed in 1876 to Willimantic and from that district was afterwards member of the state senate; was state treasurer and bank commissioner, and in the democratic state convention of 1880 was named as possible candidate for governor, receiving a number of votes from Windham and Tolland counties. He was active in Democratic councils for many years.
Hon. Charles L. Dean, son of the Hon. John S. Dean, removed in later years to Malden, Mass., whence he became prominent in republican polities, serving many years as mayor of Malden and also a member of the state legis- lature.
Danforth O. Lombard removed to New Haven and entered the service of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad as purchasing agent for ties and timber used in construction and repairs.
Following have been judges of probate for the dates specified : 1859, Dyer H. Clark; 1860, Jared D. Richmond; 1861-62, Horace Gaylord; 1863-64, Eben- ezer Chaffee; 1865-68, Henry H. Platt; 1869-71, Edwin A. Buck; 1872-75, Henry H. Platt; 1876, Alanson Peck; 1877, Danforth O. Lombard; 1878-88, Davis A. Baker; 1889-90, Alfred M. Shegogue; 1891-96, Davis A. Baker; 1897- 98, George O. Balch; 1899-1902, Davis A. Baker; 1903-16, Oscar D. Baker; 1917-20, James E. A. Knowlton.
Michael D. Richmond was registered as commissioner of Superior Court in 1859-60; Jared D. Richmond also was commissioner of Superior Court and judge of probate, 1861-62, and registered attorney. Ashford has had no law- yers since the Richmonds. William H. Platt was commissioner of Superior Court, 1905-07.
Following has served as physicians in Ashford : John S. Simmons, at Ash- ford Town, 1859 (and prior) to 1891; F. H. Bennett at Westford, 1859 (and prior) to 1879, when he removed to Willimantic; Doctor Skinner, Westford, 1859-62; George F. Shove, Westford, 1879-84; Remus Robinson, Westford. 1881-84; William Richardson, Westford, 1886-93; F. B. Converse, Westford, 1897-1906, then removed to West Willington, where he is now located. Ash- ford has had no resident physician since 1906.
CHAPTER XI TOWN OF POMFRET
EARLY HISTORY OF POMFRET-ABINGTON SOCIETY BY MARY M. OSGOOD-POMFRET IN 1920-A NEW WORLD PAGEANT-POMFRET STATION-POMFRET IN PUBLIC LIFE.
EARLY HISTORY OF POMFRET
A tract of land in the Wabbaquasset country came into possession of Major Fitch in 1684. When the first pioneers were "sent to spy out Woodstock," they brought back such a good report of this Connecticut land to the south of it, that certain Roxbury men were induced to try and buy it. On May 1, 1686, a deed of transfer made over to these men 15,100 acres of this land, which was to be surveyed and laid out by them. This land had originally belonged to the Indian Owaneco, son of Uncas, and when transferred to the new owners, Owaneco and his son gave their consent to it.
The twelve new proprietors were all residents of Roxbury, Mass., although two of them were then preparing to move to New Roxbury (now Woodstock) with their families. During that summer the 1,500 acres were selected and laid out south of New Roxbury on the Mashamoquet River, and became known as the Mashamoquet or Roxbury Purchase. A patent of a township was issued by the governor and company of Connecticut for this and adjacent land, and the following fall permission was given "to settle a plantation in those parts." Five thousand seven hundred and fifty acres south of the Mashamoquet Pur- chase and including the Mashamoquet River were sold by Fitch to Capt. John Blackwell of England, a noted Puritan and friend of the commonwealth, who secured confirmation of his purchase from the General Court of Connecticut, and a patent for a separate township, which should include this land, the town to be called Mortlake, after the name of the Village of Mortlake in Surrey, England. The owners of the new lands were anxious to begin settlement, but during the time that Andross was governor and for some years after, noth- ing could be done. The survey and divisions having been accomplished, in March, 1694, the proprietors met in Roxbury to receive their shares. How- ever, settlement was delayed by the Indian war, the Wabbaquessets having returned to their native lands along the Quinebaug and the Mashamoquet, were fairly peaceable and friendly, but were sometimes induced to join the Mohawks in their warfare. In 1691 Capt. John Sabin, the first known settler of this country, bought 100 acres of land of Major Fitch for the sum of nine pounds. It is not known when he took possession of his purchase, but before 1696 he had built a house with fortifications, and had gained authority and influence over the Indians. During the Indian war he protected his frontier, and kept the Indians in service to the English. He and his family were the only known inhabitants of that country at that time, although Benjamin Sitton
252
253
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
may have been there in 1698 as he bought "fifty acres of wilderness land at a place called Mashamoquet, bounded west .by Windham Rode."
After the war settlers began to take possession, the first one coming before 1700. Among them was Mrs. Esther Grosvenor whose coming was an asset to the community, for she was skillful in tending the sick, and for a long time was the only one in the community practicing medicine. One of the settlers arriving in 1707 built a sawmill on the Mashamoquet, and another erected a gristmill two years later. The country was fertile, the hills were open and covered with coarse native grass which made them easy to cultivate; the Indians were fairly peaceable; and the new settlement was near Wood- stock; all of which made the first years, often so hard to bear, easier for the new inhabitants. Church was attended in Woodstock. In 1708 the settlers were ordered by the General Assembly to send in their list of polls and estates; two years later the first military company was formed. In 1713 the inhabitants appealed to the Assembly that they be made a town. The Assembly in grant- ing the appeal, stated that they should have a minister, that they should have town privileges for the next four years, and that the town should be named Pomfret. The first town meeting was held that same month. Town boundaries were determined, Mortlake being included in its limits. Mortlake had been purchased for the purpose of establishing a colony of English and Irish Dis- senters, but after the accession of William and Mary to the throne these peo- ple were allowed religious liberty and so had no need of the territory, Captain Blackwell himself returning to England. For thirty years Mortlake was left a wilderness. The land adjoining this property accrued to Major Fitch, was soon sold by him and was settled by the new purchasers. In 1706 these pur- chasers feared that their tract was to be added to Canterbury, and a petition was sent to the General Court that they be left as a part of Mortlake. The request was granted and they were left free for several years, except for the payment of rates to Canterbury. After Captain Blackwell's death his prop- erty was sold to a Mr. Belcher who in turn sold it in small lots, yet still re- tained his jurisdiction over it. By 1714 it was laid out, a place for a training field being allowed for, and 1,200 acres left to be disposed of later. Mr. Belcher desired that his property become a part of Pomfret, closely seconded by the desire of the town to possess this territory, but as no satisfactory arrange- ment could be made, Mortlake remained a manor with the rights and privileges of a township, its government being administered by an individual. The land south of it was divided between Canterbury and Pomfret in 1714.
Pomfret, meanwhile, had secured a minister and the year following, 1714, a meeting house was built and a pound was ordered made. The western boundaries of the town were surveyed again, and division was made of the land left untouched in the western part. This was laid out and is now in- cluded in Abington. The opening of this new land brought new settlers, most of them people of good character, and considerable property owners. It was then possible to open roads, later all roads were turned over to the town. Capt. John Sabin and his son built a substantial bridge "over the Quinebaug at ye falls near Pomfret, in 1722." It was not until the following year that any school was provided, and then three were opened, in the north, south and centre of the town. Mortlake had made little progress thus far and there was much lawlessness among the inhabitants. The land south of Mortlake had been divided between Canterbury and Pomfret, and the families, to the num-
254
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
ber of about twenty, were obliged to cross the independent township of Mort- lake on their way to the meeting house, to town meetings and trainings. For this reason the inhabitants requested that they be allowed to maintain a school of their own, and also to have their own train band, which requests were granted.
Soon Pomfret was flourishing and prosperous, and had increased in wealth and population. By 1713 there were over one hundred inhabitants of the town-roads and bridges connected it with adjoining towns. One of the in- habitants put up a gristmill, malt and dye-house. The inhabitants were so diffused throughout the township that it was found necessary to provide more schools for those living at a distance from the ones already established, and in 1733 four new schools were ordered.
Mortlake at that time was the only shadow over the peace and prosperity of the town, for its residents, without government of their own, were lawless and disagreeable. The settlers south of Mortlake were anxious that their tract be set off as a township. Pomfret gave its consent and a petition was sent to the General Assembly to that effect in 1728, but was refused. Dis- appointed in not securing town privileges the society decided to at least have their own minister, and proceeded to call one. Not having asked leave, how -. ever, of the Windham County Association, they were told by the association to dismiss him, which they refused to do and the new minister continued to preach and to keep his followers. Meanwhile, more families were added to the twenty-eight already established there and in 1731 the society was set off as a distinct parish and included this south part of Mortlake which was not formally added to the new society until the following year, as there were such serious objections to this annexation by the society. A minister was then procured who met with the approval of the association and a meeting house built. It was not until 1735, however, that a permanent minister was settled among them and the meeting house finished. The society was called Mort- lake but the church was called the Second Church of Pomfret. Schooling was provided for the children and the training field was used for "trainings." Meanwhile Pomfret objected to having the north part of Mortlake on her hands to be looked after. In 1731 the first meeting of this north society was held, a standing school was provided for and a training field set aside. In 1738 a practicing physician came to Pomfret. In 1739 Mortlake changed hands, the new proprietors were more accessible and the land more open for improve- ment, but Mortlake still remained a manor.
The western part of Pomfret was still only partly cultivated in 1740 and the ravages of a wolf caused great trouble, the wolf later being hunted down, trapped, and killed by Israel Putnam, the story of which has since become familiar to all. The rest of Pomfret was in a prosperous condition. While as yet there were no libraries established for the public in Hartford, New London or Norwich, public spirited citizens of Woodstock, Pomfret and Kil- lingly, Mortlake and the west part of Thompson Parish formed a Union Li- brary Association in 1739 and the library was known as the United English Library for the Propagation of Christian and Useful Knowledge. The books were divided between Woodstock and Killingly, and between Pomfret and. Mortlake in 1745 as the roads between the towns were sometimes impassable in winter, and the library in Putnam became one of her most valued institutions.
In 1741 the great revival awakened the Second Church of Pomfret, in
255
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
ISRAEL PUTNAM WOLF DEN, POMFRET
Mortlake Parish, to fresh zeal and activity by the addition of 106 new mem- bers. Those who became Separates gave trouble for a time in the church, but later most of them were united with the Separate Church of Canterbury. Pom- fret was not affected by the Separate movement felt elsewhere, but neverthe- less there was division both in church and society at that time. Mortlake in the south was added to her, and she was obliged to part with her valued western section. The inhabitants of this section were so far removed from the rest of the town that they became dissatisfied with the situation, and a meeting of the society was held to decide what could be done for the accommodation of those who were obliged to go so far to church. The western inhabitants desired to become a distinct society and this was opposed by those in the east. The inhabitants of the west appealed to the General Assembly in 1749, and they were allowed to become a society, to be known as Abington. The Assembly in the same enactment annexed Mortlake with parts of Canterbury and Pom- fret to Pomfret as a parish, thereby causing great dissatisfaction in Pomfret, and giving offense to the owners of Mortlake. About fifty families were in- chided in Abington's limits and it was not until 1751 that this enactment was allowed to stand so much land having been included in Abington that Pomfret had no desire to accept the situation as it was, for the reason that some of the inhabitants of the eastern part of Abington preferred to remain in Pomfret as they were much nearer Pomfret church than they were to Abing- ton. On petition of. a majority of sixty-six Abington inhabitants and seven of Mortlake the enactment was allowed to stand, and Abington built her church, called a minister and provided for schooling. The minister was ordained in
256
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
1753. Abington carried her share of town and public affairs and filled her share of town offices.
In the new parish, comprised of Mortlake and parts of Canterbury and Pomfret, the two latter sections could not agree; also Mortlake had no town government, nor was it obliged to pay town taxes. However, these three were united in desiring to become a township, but Pomfret would not consent to this. On application of the north part of Canterbury and the south part of Pomfret to the Assembly, that body added Mortlake to Pomfret and the sec- tions of Pomfret, Canterbury and Mortlake became a distinct society known as Brooklyn. Pomfret after the addition of Mortlake was obliged to provide the necessary school accommodations to include her new territory. In spite of her troubles over her changes in territory in 1756 a new minister was ordained, and a frame for a new meeting house raised four years later. There were at that time three self-supporting religious societies in Pomfret. The town, with Woodstock, Ashford, Mortlake and Union and the two northern societies in Killingly, constituted a district for a probate court, and was called the district of Pomfret. The library continued in a prospering condition, -- Pomfret being distinguished for intelligence and cultivation ; many young men, too, being educated at Yale, eleven attending one year, a thing seldom equalled in other towns of its size.
Pomfret took a very active part in the French and Indian war, and her men served so well that they brought distinction to themselves and to their town. They were strengthened by the hardships endured, and after the war these same men held positions of prominence in Pomfret. The return of Colonel Putnam, in 1765, gave added impetus to public improvements in Pomfret and her societies. Colonel Putnam was called upon to serve in many capacities after his distinguished service to his country, and he was called upon to act as moderator at town and society meetings, first selectman, deputy to the General Assembly, and to take the most active part in all affairs and improvements; such as, the laying out of roads, setting out school districts, and various services for the church in all of which he served faithfully and well. Before the outbreak of the Revolution he presided at indignation meet- ings in different parts of Windham County, and it was largely due to him that the county was brought into such prominence during the war. His home drew scores of visitors-relatives, friends, every soldier who passed through the county, and many distinguished strangers-and after a time he moved to Brooklyn Green, where he opened a tavern, which soon became one of the most noted gathering places in Eastern Connecticut, and many thrilling events took place there during the Revolution. Due to the presence of Colonel Put- nam, the fine tavern and the people who were attracted there, it was decided to build a new church in Brooklyn Parish, the old one having become worn and shabby. "This, however, was opposed by Colonel Malbone, a decided Tory, who rallied other loyalists to him and an Episcopal Church was erected by them and maintained until the Revolution when it was closed and its loyal members scattered.
In the meantime the library in Pomfret was not neglected, but new books were added to it, and in 1775 a library was built in Brooklyn Parish. Bridges were rebuilt and repaired, a dam was built over the Quinebaug, and a large gristmill put in operation. Other taverns had come into being, and a grocery store was opened. There were several doctors practicing in the town and
257
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
parishes. Many more young men were graduated from Yale, besides those of the banner year of 1759, when eight graduated. It was impossible, how- ever, for Pomfret to continue to increase because of the scarcity of new lands, the best being held by descendants of the first settlers, which could not easily be purchased, and consequently many inhabitants migrated to the new lands which were opened for colonization.
In 1786 Brooklyn was made a township, but this loss did not hamper Pomfret's prosperity, for its central location and influential townspeople gave it a position of increasing prominence in the county. Its probate office gave it business from Ashford, Woodstock, Thompson, and parts of Killingly and Brooklyn. The postoffice, which was opened in 1795, also served all the sur- rounding towns. There were grist mills, a bolting mill, a fulling mill, a black- smith's shop, sawmills, oil mill and potash works, "a mill to grind scythes, and a mill to churn butter." Shoes were also manufactured, and stores were opened in Pomfret and Abington. One group of mills and houses became known as Pomfret Landing. New roads were built. The poor were taken care of; in 1788 a house was hired for them and in 1796 one was built to pro- vide suitable accommodation. Two pounds were built in 1795, one of them in Abington. Due to the efforts of Pomfret's leading physician, Dr. Albigence Waldo, an association of Windham County medical men was formed some years before the formation of the Connecticut Medical Society. Pomfret Assemblies of this period were fashionable affairs, and were also very exclusive. The United Library continued to be maintained. Pomfret church alone of all the Windham County churches was unaffected by the Separate movement, and it was not until the advent of a new minister that trouble was encountered, and the church divided. The new reformed church and its minister became so popular that many from surrounding towns left their own churches and united with the Reformed Church. The minister was found to be nothing but a profligate, however, and in 1802 the townspeople returned to the First Church of Pomfret, and were united once more. Baptists and Methodists formed societies of their own, and took their place among the other churches. Abing- ton Society was prosperous, and the church in sound condition. Schools were improved, and later, in 1798, the parish was divided into school districts. In 1793 the Social Library of Abington was formed. Turnpikes were laid through Pomfret, necessitating heavy taxes.
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.