A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I, Part 32

Author: Lincoln, Allen B
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co.
Number of Pages: 930

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The religious revival of 1813 and 1814 was felt in Pomfret, and brought about good results. Industries there continued to thrive, the Pomfret Manu- facturing Company holding a prominent place among them. The Pomfret Woolen Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1817, but was damaged by a flood, and after a time was obliged to discontinue manufacturing. Bridges and dams were carried away by that same freshet. New roads were built at that time. Not as much was accomplished in town affairs as in manufacturing, although a "Moral Society" advocating temperance, called the "Connecticut Society for the Reformation of Morals," was formed in 1812; and in 1813 a Ladies' Library was formed in Abington Society. The first agricultural society in the county was formed in Pomfret in 1809. By 1818 the society was a real stimulus in the production of cheese, butter, pork, lard, and beef. Rye, corn, and oats were raised and wool was added to the list of products at that time. An organ was installed in the church of the First Society of Pom- fret, and in 1819 a Sunday chool was formed.

Vol. 1-17

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

The year 1820, marked the beginning of the decline of Pomfret, as other towns established postoffices and probate privileges. In that year its popula- tion reached 2,042. Many prominent citizens died, and others removed to New York and other cities; some new inhabitants came in, however. A new church was built in 1832. Episcopalians attended services in Brooklyn until 1828 when they organized a parish of their own, and the next year erected a church. Previous to 1828 Abington's church had remained peaceful and unchanged, but upon the loss of her minister a revivalist took his place, adding many church members. A Sunday school was organized in 1826. In 1834 there was a controversy over the building of a meeting house which ended in having the old one repaired. The first temperance society of the town was formed in Abington. A Second Advent Church was formed there in 1840. A town house was built in Pomfret in 1841. Pomfret Factory continued in its in- dependent way and employees were watched over by Mr. Smith Wilkinson, and the life of that community kept clean and wholesome. In 1826 a new stone building was put up and the old factory was given over to the manu- facture of woolen goods; followed by the building up of Rhodes Village. Manu- factures established in other parts of the town were doing good business, and the towns on the hilltops flourished, rather than those in the valleys. In- dustries developed, and there was advancement in every way, but the popula- tion had decidedly diminished. The town was affected by the financial panic of 1837-1838, but the coming of the railroad brought many new people and established the town as a summer resort, thus stimulating agriculture and dairying. New and fine residences were built, the Abington United Library and Ladies' Library were consolidated.

ABINGTON SOCIETY By Mary M. Osgood

While life in Abington for the past fifty years has moved on in the quiet way of most rural communities, there have been many changes. The com- pletion of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad with the stations, Abington and Elliott, facilitating the transportation of passengers and freight is especially convenient for pupils attending high school in Putnam and Wil- limantic. The number of automobiles, heavy trucks and long distance moving vans on the state road indicate that the place is on one of the thoroughfares of the state. Instead of one daily mail brought from Dayville, as fifty years ago, there are now four, and Elliott, which attained a postoffice soon after the opening of the railroad, has the same number. The first morning train brings the daily papers. Rural free delivery serves the people in the north part of the community.

Farm work has somewhat changed with the introduction of more and im- proved machinery, more convenient barns, silos and spraying outfits. Most of the cheese and butter dairies have disappeared and milk is sent by train to Boston. There are a few exceptions to the work of farming in Abington. George W. Taft, coming into the place and engaging in the lumber business, found the roads, over which he must take his lumber, almost impassable in spring, and devised a better machine than the one in use. One after another was designed until the new model Champion road machine was the result, and secured the ready sale it merited. The real story of this machine is similar

THE GLORIES OF THESE HILLS, FIELDS AND VALLEYS

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to that of many inventions. "Obliged to design and make the tools and ma- chines with which to work, discouraged by friends and relatives, driven to expensive litigation on account of infringement of his patents," Mr. Taft says, "those years were the most trying period of my life in which I literally worked night and day." Following the organization of the American Road Machine Company the works were removed to Kennett Square, Pa., resulting in a more extensive business.

Samuel Dresser, who made the fine high-priced calf skin boots, once the fashionable foot gear for men, was the last of his calling.

The lumbermen, Childs and Whipple, J. H. Elliott, William Ingalls and Sons, have cut down acre after acre of wood land for poles, ties, ship building and carpenters' use.

Joseph Stoddard has a large and profitable apple orchard. N. O. Badger is a blacksmith. William Brayton is a wagon maker, deals in corn and runs a gristmill. Dr. James Hutchins is a veterinarian. Darius Colburn and Merritt Gallup are contractors and builders. Israel Randall, Randolph Bul- lard, Charles Brooks, Andrew Lanphere, Palmer Bullard, Frank Bird, Warren Fuller, Arthur Vaughn, M. McGorty, George P. Sumner, Burt W. Whitehouse, Andrew Amidon have successively conducted the store at the corner for groceries and general merchandise. Andrew Sharpe is now the enterprising grocer.

At Elliott, Charles Martin, Everett Elliott have had a grocery. At present Theron Clapp is doing a prosperous business in this line. Dr. John Clark has been interested in raising high bred stock. Willis Covell is the efficient town clerk and judge of probate for Pomfret.

Members of the General Assembly from Abington in the last fifty years are Clement Sharp, Charles P. Grosvenor, Randolph Bullard, Arthur T. Gros- venor, Willis Covell, Merritt Gallup, Albert Smith, Joseph H. Elliott, Frank Bird, Frank Haines, Fitz Henry Paine. Thomas O. Elliott has been represen- tative five terms and one term as state senator; was also member of the con- stitutional convention of 1902. George F. Holbrook was appointed deputy sheriff in 1894 and served continuously for twenty-five years.

Charles H. Osgood spent most of his business life in the service of the county, being deputy sheriff a few years, then elected sheriff four successive terms or sixteen years. He was prosecuting agent for a time and for years in charge of the county jail.

The following list gives the names of families that have lived in Abington for successive generations, several being constituent members of the parish, but in recent years from death or removal they are no longer numbered among the residents: Ayer, Baxter, Dennis, Dresser, Goodell, Ingalls, Lyon, Osgood, Randall, Sessions and Trowbridge. Mention should be made of the late Hon. Charles Osgood. His ability and integrity recommended him to positions of trust and responsibility ; for five terms he represented the Town of Pomfret in the lower house of the Legislature. He was chairman of the state prison committee and was author of a bill giving to the prisoner a deduction of five days from his term in prison for each month of good behavior. To him was chiefly due the promotion of the select schools which in successive years were of great value to the young people of Abington. Having strong local attach- ment, everything pertaining to the material, social and moral interest of the community received his hearty and generous support.

Wolf Den Grange, a modern institution, was organized in 1887. Abington

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

Hall was rented for several years, then purchased and improvements made. Practically every neighborhood in the town is represented and the present membership of 166 is the largest of any subordinate grange in the county. The main object is the improvement of agriculture; but promotion of cordial, social relations among the members and of pleasant acquaintance with neigh- boring granges has proved of equal importance. Demonstrations for the pro- motion of better methods in farming are well attended and appreciated. The grange purchased Liberty bonds in each drive, gave liberally to the Red Cross and the Young Men's Christian Association. Andrew Amidon is master, and Mrs. Elizabeth Jewett Brown, secretary.

A "proprietary library" was formed in 1793; price per share twelve shillings. There were 100 volumes at first, mainly theological and philosophical works. In 1883 the ninetieth birthday was celebrated by a public meeting, entertained by an old folks concert and historical papers. The one hundredth anniversary was also fittingly observed.

The Ladies' Library was formed in 1813. That a quarter of a century before the movement for the higher education of woman began, before the day of women's clubs, the women of Abington should form a library and manage it successfully so many years, was regarded as so unique a feature that the Connecticut Board of Woman Managers of the Exposition in Chicago in 1893 requested a copy of the constitution to be placed on exhibition in the women's educational department. In 1879 the two libraries joined in cordial partnership under the original name Social Library.

The principal event of the past fifty years in library annals was the erec- tion in 1887 of the library building. The funds were given by residents of Abington, and many former residents of the place. Money, books and por- traits have been donated. The most prized of these memorials are the portraits of Rev. Walter Lyon, minister of the Congregational Church from 1783-1826; portrait of Hon. A. S. Chase of Waterbury, a liberal donor to the building fund; and a portrait of Dr. George Sumner, late of Hartford. This is the oldest library in the county and the first to attain a library building. T. O. Elliott is the president of the library association. Mrs. Phebe Sharpe was secretary, and for several years had charge of the library. The present secre- tary is Clara C. Martin.

Town supervision of schools has taken the place of district management. There is a graded system and completion of the eighth grade admits a pupil to the high school. The Ragged Hill School has been discontinued from lack of the requisite number of pupils. All pupils remote from school are fur- nished transportation by the town. The schoolhouse at "The Corners" has been enlarged and two teachers are now employed. A number every year attend high school in Putnam and Willimantic, where several have been pre- pared for a college course. In 1896 the fiftieth anniversary of the building of the schoolhouse at the Corners was celebrated by a reunion of the pupils of 1847. The old Register was found, the roll called, there were responses by those present and letters from pupils in Boston, Los Angeles and else- where. A letter from Mr. William Foster, the teacher in 1847, was read. Of the thirty-one boys in school that term, eleven enlisted in the Union army. The time passed quickly with the relation of amusing incidents of school life half a century earlier.

The plain Puritan meeting house built in 1751 still stands-a landmark

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on "ye Windham road"; but many changes and improvements have been made in the ancient house of worship. A hot air furnace and electric lights have been installed in recent years. It is a far call to the time when Rev. David Ripley came from Windham to this parish on horseback with his bride on a pillion behind him, and when his congregation sat in a cold building. "Priest Lyon," the second minister, had only the morning service in the winter and wore a red silk handkerchief around his head as a protection from the cold.

In the past fifty years the church has had the faithful ministration of the Rev. David Breed, Rev. A. J. Montgomery, Rev. Daniel Bliss, Rev. Henry Cartledge, Rev. Ezra B. Pike, Rev. J. Selden Strong, Rev. Joseph Kyte, Rev. C. W. Burt, Rev. Frank A. Fuller, Rev. George Clarke, Rev. H. M. Bartlett. The Rev. Stephen B. Carter supplied the pulpit two or three years, about 1880.

The Sunday school has been well sustained. A Christian Endeavor Society for several years proved of great benefit and the Ladies' Aid is an active and efficient organization.

The one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the building of the ancient meeting house was celebrated in 1901 by an "Old Home Day" which was largely attended. A reunion of the church and friends in 1907 was also a red-letter day in the annals of the community.

The substantial legacy of a wood lot from Rev. Walter Lyon about a century ago; also bequests to the permanent fund by one friend after another; a communion set, pulpit furnishings and other memorial gifts in recent years, numerous gifts of money for repairs, the Chase memorial of $6,000 to the permanent fund, all attest the love of the friends of this church. The Au- gustus Sabin Chase Memorial Fund was given several years ago by his three sons and three daughters, in memory of their father, who was born in Abing- ton Society.

The congregation is smaller today than formerly but the annual expenses are always paid, the apportionment for benevolence duly met and in the recent drive for the Pilgrim Memorial Fund the quota was far exceeded. A promising troop of boy scouts has recently been organized, with J. Nelson Platt as scout- master.

The Second Adventists built a commodious chapel near Abington station in 1875 and under the faithful charge of Rev. Hezekiah Davis and Rev .. A. Johnson enjoyed several years of prosperity but the congregation became so lessened by death and removal that about 1900 services were discontinued.

Through the efforts of the Misses Sarah and Mary Howard an attractive Episcopal chapel was built at Abington Center about 1880.

Strangers visiting the place speak of the well-kept, attractive homes and passing through Marcy Hollow inquire the name of the picturesque hamlet. The Mashonoquet that runs through the Hollow is a historic stream and is connected with many a tragic and romantic incident. On the very edge of the water and under the shadow of the woods the well-shaven lawn and the grouping of flowers around William Brayton's cottage make a bit of the wilder- ness bud and blossom as the rose. Across the lane is the blacksmith shop of three generations of Marcys, not like Longfellow's "under the spreading chest- nut tree," but in an old orchard.

Half a mile down the stream on the east side is a grove of stately old hemlocks that Miss Sarah B. Fay, formerly a summer resident of Pomfret, bought to rescue from the woodman's ax. Miss Fay long enjoyed and cared

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for the spot but has recently given the state the tract of ten acres-a choice bit of park reservation. A right of way through adjoining land gives access from the highway, but is not passable for automobiles. Half a mile above the Hollow is an old mill built prior to 1750, still grinding the grain of the farmers and carloads of western corn.

The hemlocks, the stream, and the mill are favorite subjects for the brush and camera.

The wolf den of more than local interest is in a wild ravine well worth exploring. The Elizabeth Porter Putnam Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, of Putnam, now own the wolf den property, and have begun the reforestation of several acres. In August, 1920, a tablet commemorative of Putnam's exploit with the wolf was placed near the den by the Col. Daniel Putnam Association. (See account in Brooklyn Chapter .- EDITOR.)

Ragged Hill offers an extensive and pleasing prospect. A stretch of the king's highway gives the charm of a narrow grass-grown road through a bit of dark wood. Laurel drive in laurel time attracts lovers of the beautiful. Many picturesque spots are found in Jericho. Several houses in the vicinity of Elliott Station which in recent years have been bought for summer homes by people from Boston, New York and Providence. A man from New York who made frequent week-end visits to his family spending the summers here said, "Abington is a quiet place but it does not seem remote."

Within a few years the historic Cunningham estate with the graceful old elms standing in front of the stately house came into the possession of Dr. Grosvenor Goodridge of New York City. Hundreds of additional acres, en- larged buildings, drives and flower gardens add to the attractiveness of the place now appropriately named Mashamoquet Meadows.

Gwyn Careg Farm, the home of Dr. T. Morris Murray, is conducted upon approved modern methods. The grounds are made attractive with lawns and old-fashioned flower gardens. A feature of the place is a large artificial swim- ming pond.

Briefly speaking, the half century has passed in the daily duties of caring for home and family and work for local improvement ; and the record of Abing- ton in the World war indicates the patriotism of her people.

N. B. Abington's World war record with also very interesting extracts from letters of several service men will be found in the World War Chapter. -EDITOR.

POMFRET-1920

During its history of over two hundred years, Pomfret has never been more truly prosperous than now. Its inherent vitality is manifested in its status today. For the past half century it has become, ever more and more, a resi- dential community. Its history is, therefore, peculiarly a history of its people and their occupation of the land. This characteristic is rooted in the past. Even in the early days when the town was industrially active, its social promi- nence was always a matter of note. To quote from an early authority: "New settlers came to Pomfret in these years. Among them were Thomas Mumford and David Hall, of Newport, and John Hancock, of Boston. This marks the beginning of the reputation which Pomfret enjoys as a summer resort, which appears to date from about 1790. Society was very flourishing. Distinguished

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guests from Boston visited the Hancocks, and the Mumfords and Halls attracted fashionables from Providence and Newport. The pride and exclusiveness of the residents of the street led some wag to name the fashionable quarter Pucker Street, a name which has only recently passed out of current use."

Several fine houses were built on this street prior to 1790, notably the Colonel. Grosvenor mansion, and the elm trees set out by Oliver Grosvenor were already its pride and ornament.

These houses are still standing, the trees are ever more cherished, the resi- dents are people of wide outlook. The town is a summer resort of a distinctive: '

DESCENDANTS OF THE "MEN AND WOMEN," ETC.

sort. Much of its permanent population is made up of visitors who could never bring themselves to terminate their summer residence. Such of these as have not made homes here live in inns and boarding places that are, them- selves, traditional and hereditary.

Of these the most famous is The Ben Grosvenor. Starting in 1871 with one small dwelling, to take "a few friends," this famous hostelry now entertains, through its various cottages, as many as two hundred guests. Situated on the old village green, where the Congregational Church has long stood sentinel, The Ben Grosvenor maintains an interesting, time-honored atmosphere. On. the high-pillared porch of the main building, a structure of ancient lines, hangs the old sign brought from the first Grosvenor tavern of 1765, a house still standing and known as "Spring Farm."

In passing, it is of interest to note that in a room of this house, tradition has it, the Mormon Bible was composed. A version which does not place the writing absolutely in the house is perhaps as reliable as any : "The Rev. Mr. Spaulding

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took for a wife a Miss Sabin, born near where Mr. Allen now lives. The couple went to Pennsylvania to live, and for pastime in winter together wrote the Mormon Bible. After Mr. Spaulding's death in Pennsylvania his widow loaned the manuscript they had written to Joseph Smith, and never could get it back again. She came to Pomfret and died at Spring Farm. She told the Rev. Mr. Hunt that she very much regretted lending this manuscript, and that she had far better have burned it."

The unique character which The Ben Grosvenor has maintained for fifty years is directly due to the personality of its founder. Its tradition is carried out by the son, Mr. John P. Grosvenor, who, owing to the physical disability of his father, has had entire charge during the past five years.

Mr. Benjamin Grosvenor's brother, Charles W., a veteran of the Civil war, a citizen prominent in state politics, and treasurer of the state from 1897 to 1899, also opened his house to summer guests for many years. This dwelling was one of the three original great houses of Pomfret in the early days. It stood near the site of Miss Eleanor Clark's residence, La Plaisance, was sold to Mr. Peck for the Pomfret School, and later was burned. Mr. Grosvenor then moved to his home, The Bowers, at the north end of the town, near the four corners, a place earlier owned by Captain Bowers. Here, also, his guests of many summers were entertained until he built Eastover, which is now The Mashmoquet Inn, under the management of Mr. Grosvenor's daughter and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. van der Laan.

A mile beyond the street and the Pomfret postoffice is the third of these deservedly famous homes for the summer guest, Fox Hill Farm, now owned and conducted by Miss Elinor Mathewson, a niece of the Grosvenors. This place dates back to the original grant from the Indians. The house here, more than a hundred years old, was a splendid example of the farmhouse of its period. It was burned in 1914, and a modern residence on the lines of the original house was built.

It is characteristic of Pomfret institutions that this feature of its well ordered life, the housing of its summer population, should remain where it started, in the Grosvenor and Mathewson families, who have imparted to it a distinction as rare as it is delightful.

To Pomfret's justly famed great estates one turns with delight. Not only are they beautiful but they are loved of their owners, and truly possessed by them. They are the 'achievement not of perfunctory investment, but of personal interest and devotion.

The handsomest of these large places are not on "The Street," as Pomfret's one long beautiful thoroughfare is known, but for the sake of geographic clarity, it will be well to map this first. As the world sees it today, then, Pom- fret runs, one long street, in the classic New England tradition, extending from the railroad station, without turn for about three miles, climbing the hills that rise to some five or six hundred feet above sea level. The road, to be sure, is of the most up-to-date construction, built, alas! with no care for preserving the beautiful roadsides, and fenced with ubiquitous, unbeautiful white rails; but Pomfret concedes every feature of progress, and where automobiles run, there must be safeguards. Nor are the homes abutting on the street for the most part other than modern, nor, alas! are they distinctive in architecture : but the noble trees, the well kept lawns and long sweeps of meadow serve to establish the beauty and charm expected of a historical New England village.

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At the top of the first steep rise, on the east, is the place recently purchased by Charles Swain from the Naylor estate, the present Pomfret generation of the old Gilleat family. Opposite to this on the west is the Vinton place. Among the many families who have come into the town either from adjoining towns or nearby states, there has been none that has left a broader mark or more pleasant memories than has the Vinton family. Madame Vinton, as she was called, came to Pomfret from Providence, R. I., in 1823, and purchased the land west of the road, a little north of the house now owned by Miss Gertrude Vinton. This place, Madame Vinton called "La Plaisance." The large part of it was absorbed into the Eleanor Clark estate, retaining its old name; the remainder, "Four Acres," is the present residence of Madame Vinton's grand- daughter, Miss Gertrude Vinton. Madame Vinton brought with her a family of five sons, all of whom became distinguished in church and state, and one daughter.

La Plaisance, as it is still called, the spacious home of Miss Eleanor J. Clark, slopes from the street, down the long, steep "Paradise" Hill to the west. Here the Wappaquian Brook, dammed at the foot of the hill into a beautiful pond, runs through the place. The grounds consist of wide, sweeping lawns, with discriminating planting of shrubs and trees. There are extensive greenhouses and hothouses, and a number of residences-homes of those who (attached to the interests of Miss Clark by years of devoted interest) have built up and now maintain this delightful property.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I, Part 32

Author: Lincoln, Allen B Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co. Number of Pages: 930

Author: Lincoln, Allen B
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co.
Number of Pages: 930