A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I, Part 44

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

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and basins, porridge bowl and spoons, brass andirons, shovel and tongs, a candle- stick and old style lamps. Among the ancient books in his collection is "A. Practical Discourse on Death," by William Sherlock, D. D., London, 1689.

Besides all of the above mentioned relics and rare curiosities Mr. Jewett has an endless lot of furniture and kitchen articles, with spinning and weaving machinery, old chairs, etc. Mr. Jewett also has a library of over eight hundred volumes, including many choice literary relics probably not to be found else- where.

THE HAUNTED HOUSE

By Allen Jewett

In the month of December, 1847, my parents moved into the "haunted house" in the south part of Hampton in the Howard Valley district. They did not know the reputation of the place before moving there. We had been there but a short time when mother, who was in the kitchen, heard someone walking in an adjoining room. Being alone in the house she thought it strange that anyone should come in without rapping. On going to the room she was surprised to find that there was no one in the room although the sound of foot- steps continued. This occurred in the daytime and was the beginning of a long series of unusual things that occurred there. Doors would be opened and be swung back and forth. If an attempt were made to shut or hold the door, it only increased the violence of its motion, and if fastened, the fastenings would be removed by unseen agencies.

One evening there was a loud knocking at the front door. On opening the door there was no one there. A light snow had fallen the forepart of the eve- ning. Father went out and around the house but there were no tracks in the snow.

On another occasion mother and my sister, a girl about fourteen years of age, went to get some chairs from a room in the southeast corner of the house. This room had two windows on the east side and one on the south. There was an open fireplace on the west side of the room; mother's spinning wheel stood before one of the east windows. It was a bright moonlight evening. The cur- tains were up and objects in the room were plainly discernible. Suddenly a window was darkened and there appeared to be someone outside looking into the room. Instantly the object came through the window and rim of the wheel and landed on the floor. It resembled a human body without head or legs and went across the room by jumping along, making quite a loud noise and disappeared near the fireplace. Sounds like the dropping of water were heard frequently on the cellar stairs, but no moisture ever appeared there.

These manifestations occurred in the daytime as well as in the night and continued until we left the place in June, 1848. Sometimes mother would question the unseen forces trying to learn the cause of the uncanny visitations, but could never get any response except by renewed demonstrations. It will be remembered that these manifestations took place about the time of the advent of modern spiritualism, proclaimed by the Fox sisters in March, 1848. The house had been moved from its original location to get rid of the trouble without effect. There was a story of the mysterious disappearance of a ped- dler, but the fact of murder was never proved. The last time I visited the place, the old house had gone to decay. The chimney was still standing and

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some of the old timbers were scattered around. The house stood on the north side of the road leading from Howard Valley to Westminster, a few rods east of the three bridges.

HAMPTON HAPPENINGS

By Eleanor Sharpe

Frequent reference is made to the efficiency of women in assuming new_ duties imposed upon them, by the absence of men, in military occupations. There is a house standing in Hampton about a mile north from the center which is known as "the house the women raised in the time of the Revolution." A certain young man had planned to build for his bride. He went as a soldier and the carpenter framed the house, but when that was done, there were not enough available able-bodied men to raise it. . Sally Bowers, the prospective bride, solicited the help of women and with united strength the house was raised and stands today a veritable witness of the efficiency of women, when put to the test.

Economy and conservation are frequent topics at the present time. There is in the north cemetery at Hampton a visible illustration that those topics were considered long years ago. Deacon Samuel Moseley used to carry the produce of his farm to market in Boston and his method of transportation was by oxen and sled. Somewhere on the way was an ample milestone of good width and height, and telling the traveler to take "the right-hand road to Boston and the left-hand to Worcester." Deacon Moseley brought that milestone to Hamp- ton on his oxsled and today it stands to mark his grave. Whether it was in- tentional on the part of the one who set the stone, none may say, but the direc- tions to the traveler are still readable.

In this same cemetery is buried Peter Foster who with twelve sons served in the army during the Revolution.

HAMPTON ANECDOTES By Allen Jewett

Two of Jerome Pearl's daughters lived at the old homestead many years. They were never married. Sarah had a number of offers but declined them all; to the last man who applied, she said: "Captain, I have often said that I should never marry, but Beulah is dead and if the right man called, perhaps I might accept." "Well," said the captain, "what kind of a man must he be ?" Sarah replied, "He must be a temperance man; he must not chew or smoke tobacco, or take snuff, and he must be a democrat and belong to the Congregational Church." The captain picked up his hat and said, "Goodbye, Sarah, you will never find that kind of a democrat."

Captain Steddman had a nice oak tree cut on his land, and offered a re- ward of $1.00 to anyone who would tell him who cut it. Chippery Dodge, a basket maker, heard of the offer and went to Mr. Steddman and said, "I hear that you have offered $1.00 to find out who cut your tree." "Yes," said Stedd- man. "I can tell you who cut it," said Dodge. "Who was it?" Dodge an- swered, "Chippery Dodge cut the tree, and better stuff you never see," he added. He got the dollar at once.

Hezekiah Hammond was a practical joker; his farm lay on both sides of

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Little River. One day he was crossing the river in an ox-cart. He sat in the forward end of the cart, and his two hired men sat in the hind end. When the middle of the stream was reached, Hammond shifted his seat to the cart tongue, pulled the pin and dumped both men into the river.

Rev. George Soule, father of Rev. Sherrod Soule, preached in Hampton several years. A silk hat he wore had become rather "seedy," so he purchased a new one, and he bethought him to make one of his worthy parishioners a present of the old one. He met the old man and told him to call at the pastor's study, which he soon did. "There," said Mr. Soule, "I have bought me a new hat-I cannot wear two at once, I will make you a present of one." His visitor turned and tried them both on and said, "This one fits me the best" (trying the new one), and thanking Mr. Soule, departed. The next Sunday he appeared at church wearing a new hat-a fine silk hat.

Solomon Smith, when a boy in school was told by his teacher for some misdemeanor that he must either say that he was sorry and ask forgiveness, or take a whipping. "Well," said Solomon, "If I have done anything that I am sorry for, I am willing to be forgiven." And he was forgiven.

A certain man sold a puppy, saying to the purchaser, "Hope he will be as good a woodchuck dog as his mother. She never failed to kill three woodchucks a day as long as she lived." "And how long was that ?" "She was past four- teen." Being of a mathematical mind, the purchaser solved the problem that there were 5,000 days in fourteen years, and at the rate of three woodchucks a day that dog cleaned up 150,000 woodchucks. So Hampton's woodchuck dog rivals Putnam's wolf. Woodchucks are not scarce in Hampton today, a fact which of course tends to corroborate this story.

CHAPTER XV TOWN OF STERLING *

EARLY HISTORY OF STERLING-STERLING EKONK GRANGE-HENRY M. SAYLES- STERLING IN PUBLIC LIFE-ONECO VILLAGE-AN INTERESTING CAREER.

Sterling was originally a part of Voluntown but because of the length and narrowness of that town, it was divided into two parts and the northern part became Sterling. In 1696 English war volunteers had petitioned the General Court for a tract of land for settlement. A tract six miles square was granted, but as nearly all the territory in Connecticut had been appropriated,-by Major Fitch, the Winthrops, and others-the only available land was a strip bordering on Rhode Island. A committee was appointed to view the tract, and after three years reported favorably. The next year it was confirmed to the volunteers. After considerable delay and much trouble over boundaries the lots were laid out in 1706, and granted not only to a long list of officers and soldiers, but to ministers, chaplains, and others who had served in civilian capacities during the war. One hundred and fifty lots were laid out in the volunteers' land which became known as Voluntown. However, little progress was made for several years because of the remoteness of the tract, and the poverty of the soil.

Meanwhile the strip of vacant land to the north of Voluntown was being occupied by residents of Plainfield, which town was desirous of annexing this land to her own. A grant of 300 acres was allowed to the Rev. M. Coit of Plainfield, laid out north of Egunk Hill, where the Providence road crossed Moosup's River, and was transferred to Francis Smith and Miles Jordan. Smith put up a mill and opened his house to travelers, and these two men to- gether erected a bridge across the Moosup, for which they received land on the Providence road. The pleasant location of this land and the convenient road passing through it attracted other settlers, who attended church and enjoyed privileges in Plainfield. In 1715 they joined with Plainfield in a petition to be annexed to the latter village. A survey of this land was ordered by the Assembly, but as neither party cared to assume the charge of this survey, ap- parently nothing was done about it for several years.

In 1718 certain residents of Voluntown requested town privileges for a part of Voluntown, but the Assembly would not grant the petition as it entirely excluded the southern part of the town. A committee was appointed to view the land and report to the Assembly. It was proposed by them to combine Voluntown and the land lying east of Plainfield, as neither Voluntown nor the lands north of it were large enough alone to make a good parish, but combined it would be sufficient to establish worship. In 1719 the Assembly ordered the northern land annexed to Voluntown. This territory included the present

* Sterling, incorporated from Voluntown in May, 1794, was named from Dr. John Sterling, a resident. It was eleventh in the county in order of incorporation; 102nd among the 168 towns of Connecticut. Its area is 17,504 acres.

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Town of Sterling, except a piece of land one mile in length in the extreme northern part of it, which remained in possession of the colony. The survey and annexation were soon accomplished, and thirty lots were laid out and turned. over to the purchasers. One lot was reserved for the minister. Some were probably unsalable. A number of purchasers were well-known residents of Plainfield, others had already settled in Voluntown on the addition, and a few were new inhabitants. Several residents of the former northern part of Volun- town, and the addition were dissatisfied with the new arrangement, and some. of them joined with Plainfield in an attempt at resettlement. The mile strip north of the Town of Voluntown was contended for during a period of several years by Voluntown, Plainfield and Killingly.

In 1720, a temporary minister was provided, a regular minister was not. secured until 1725, when the first, and for a long time the only Presbyterian Church in Connecticut was maintained. In 1721 town government was set up. A pound was ordered built and highways ordered to be laid out. Later pounds- were built in different parts of the town. A dam and sawmill were built "on. ye stream that runs out of Monhungonnuck Pond," and a dam and sawmill on the Moosup. Serious trouble arose over the town boundaries, and the north- ern inhabitants were much disturbed at the prospect of having part of their lands turned over to Old Voluntown proprietors. The people of this northern part were much more prosperous and it was also more populous than the south- ern part. The convenient location, the good land and the mill and tavern located there attracted a better class of people than did old Voluntown. A controversy had arisen over the location of a church, and the northern part desired it to be built on the summit of Egunk-now Sterling Hill. For a long time the controversy continued, with Voluntown divided and weakened by it. The congregation increased in spite of factional troubles over the location of the church. The town suffered at that time by the droughts and frosts of 1725-26. In 1726, a military company was formed in the town. . By 1728 the population of the town had increased greatly in strength and in numbers. Many of the new inhabitants were Scotch-Irish. The meeting house previously started on Egunk and abandoned for some time was completed.

In 1732 the town provided a school master, and in 1735 ordered "That the school be kept in four places, three months in a place, six months in ye north, and six months in ye south end." The first schoolhouse was built two years later, "four rods from ye northwest corner of ye meeting house and a. rate of two pence allowed for the same." One of the two new pounds was allowed to the people north of Pachaug River. More trouble was encountered over boundaries, so that appeal had to be made to the General Assembly to settle the Rhode Island line, and in other cases necessitated a settlement by law. In 1739, the vacant mile north of Voluntown was added to the town, and a more regular settlement attempted after the annexation. Highways were built in the northern section. The division of land, ordered in 1740, was not accomplished until 1747.

The great religious revival of 1741 made its influence felt in Voluntown, and was followed by the division of the church, and the adoption of Separate principles by many of the church members. In 1758 the Separates united with the church of Plainfield, and the Baptists, who had gradually come into being, were allowed to unite with the church in Stonington. The Presbyterian Church meanwhile continued to be torn by dissensions. School committees

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managed the affairs in the north, south and central sections of the town. The boundaries of the town were adjusted satisfactorily, but the unwieldy length and extreme narrowness, the poor soil, and the religious troubles retarded its progress and disheartened its inhabitants. Many citizens of the town prepared to join in the emigration movement which was beginning to be agitated at that time.

The residents of each end of the town were anxious to procure society privileges, and in 1762 petitioned the Assembly to that effect. Voluntown was found to be more than sixteen miles long, and only three or four miles wide. It was occupied by 200 families; the inhabitants were scattered, a great many of whom were six or eight miles from any meeting house; the roads too were bad; but in spite of these facts the committee did not recommend division and contended that the majority of the inhabitants were opposed to it, and that they were unable to bear their share of the heavy charges, owing to the recent droughts and unusual public charges. In 1772, fifty-four persons north of the Moosup River, received permission from the Assembly to become a dis- tinct society, or to join with the church in South Killingly, and many chose the latter. Some years later, however, they became a distinct society. Owing to the inconvenient length of the town little trouble was encountered by the inhabitants of the northern part to secure town privileges. When it was pro- posed in 1793 to divide into two towns, the proposal was readily accepted, and the following year the northern part was made a town, and named Sterling. It was to have one representative, be liable for its share of debts, take care of its poor, and to have its share of town money and property. The town was given its name by a temporary resident, Dr. John Sterling, who promised to give a public library for having the honor conferred upon him.

The new town had a population of about nine hundred. Although incon- venient in shape, it had many advantages, such as good water privileges, a fine stone quarry, a post-road running through the center, and good Scotch citizens of splendid character to take charge of public affairs. With the Turn- pike Society, Sterling did her part in the way of highway improvements. A bridge was built over the Moosup River. The town had no place in which to hold town meetings, as the inhabitants in the different parts of Sterling at- tended the churches nearest them, some in Voluntown-that town was then building a new meeting house on the boundary line-others in Killingly, Plain- field and Rhode Island. Consequently they had no meeting house of their own, which could have been used for the purpose of town meetings. Public spirited individuals decided to remedy the deficiency and assumed the respon- sibility of building a meeting house at their own expense. It was built on Sterling Hill, which was in the center of the town, and was used, after its erection, for public meetings and sometimes for religious services. Regular services were not held there for several years. Schools were improved gradu- ally, and in the course of a few years were maintained in ten school districts. An academy was built near the meeting house, and with a tavern and its other buildings, and large residences the town presented a fine appearance. Doctor Sterling did not present the promised library, but one was procured by private gifts. The town was much in favor of the proposed change of county seat, and committees joined with other towns in conference and action.

Early in the nineteenth century the first factory was built in Sterling, by Dorrance, Hall and others. It was destroyed by fire soon after it was erected,

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but was replaced shortly by a larger factory, built by Samuel Ames of Provi- dence, and in 1818, was described as "one of the largest manufacturing es- tablishments in the state, running 1,600 spindles." The buildings for the workmen were made of stone, taken from a ledge of rock which because of its peculiar features was called "Devil's Den Chimney." The American Factory on the Quanduck, and a small cotton factory on the Moosup were also main- tained and there were three grain mills, one carding-machine, one fulling mill and clothery works, two tanneries, four mercantile stores and two taverns re- ported in 1818. A postoffice had been opened by that time, and the academy and public library continued to be maintained. There were three doctors and a lawyer. Good bridges were built, and roads changed for the convenience of the manufacturing concerns. After 1812 the meeting house, before that time used for meetings and occasional religious services, was occupied by the Baptists. General meetings of several Baptist churches of the vicinity were held once a year. Some years later a religious revival added more than fifty new members to the church.

The cotton factories continued in operation for some years, gave employ- ment to many, and supplied a market for farmers. The Sterling Company was one of the first in the country to bleach cloth by means of chlorine rather than by sun bath. The first pyroligneous acid made in the county was extracted from wood for the use of the dyer, by Mr. William Pike, who also effected the invention of chlorine as a bleach. His success with the pyroligneous acid en- couraged him to further experiments along that line. Pyroligneous and citric acids, sugar of lead, tincture of iron, naphtha, and fine charcoal were produced in three plants,-two in Sterling and one in Voluntown-which annually used five or six thousand cords of hardwood and at least twenty men to help in the production. Mr. Pike was the first to bring into use one-horse wagons. The Hartford, Providence and Fishkill Railroad was of great value to Sterling, providing an easy way to ship ores, etc., to market. Oneco came into existence when a small cotton factory was built in 1830. It was given the names of the various owners of the factory until it was finally named Oneco by its Norwich proprietors, who took advantage of the natural resources, and worked the fine granite quarries. There were indications of even more valuable ore as specimens of plumbago and dendrite and large quartz crystals were found. The "Devil's Den Chimney" was blown up when the railroad was built. The cotton fac- tories that burned down were not replaced, and the natural resources of the town were its principal assets. The "sap works" of Mr. Pike still continued in thriving condition. Old tin and iron were melted down at those plants making another industry for Oneco, and adding to the prosperity of that place. A public hall was built there and there were many public spirited residents. In "the Line Store" in the northeast corner of the town, there was a Union Free-Will Baptist Church, and a postoffice. Sterling Hill continued as a resi- dential district. In 1860-61 the meeting house was made over, and put into the possession of the "Sterling Hill Meeting-house Association."

STERLING EKONK GRANGE

By John E. Tanner

The central feature of community life in Sterling for the past thirty years has been with Ekonk Grange, and a brief resume of its history will be valu- able for future reference.

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Upon the invitation of John E. Tanner, George Austin Bowen, M. D., of Woodstock, at that time lecturer of the Connecticut State Grange, came to the Line Meeting House December 3, 1888, and gave a talk on the advantages of the grange as an organization to a farming community. At that time fifteen men and twelve women signified their desire to join the grange. It was voted to meet the next Monday evening for organization. Owing to a misunder- standing Brother Bowen was not with us and it was voted to meet Friday evening, December 14, 1888, for organization. It was thought best to meet the Saturday evening previous to that time to perfect the organization and a meet- ing was held in the vestry of the church for that purpose. John E. Tanner was elected master; E. Byron Gallup, overseer; A. A. Stanton, lecturer ; S. G. Young, steward; Silas L. Barber, assistant steward; Rev. John Elderkin, chaplain; Joseph C. Tanner, treasurer; Benjamin G. Stanton, secretary; Ezra A. Gallup, gate keeper; Miss Minnie Elderkin, pomona; Mrs. J. L. B. Fenner, ceres; Miss Addie Gallup, flora; and Mrs. Nathaniel Gallup, lady assistant steward.

At the meeting of December 14th, Brother Bowen was present and accepted the names of the officers as elected and with the assistance of Bro. John Fenner of Summit Grange of Rhode Island installed the officers and instructed us in the mysteries of the order. Upon the suggestion of Bro. Ezra Gallup it was voted to name the grange Ekonk and the National Grange gave us the No. 89. Thus Ekonk Grange, No. 89, P. of H. of the State of Connecticut was started. While the jurisdiction of this grange was the town of Sterling, when it was organized and ever since, many of its members came from the Town of Volun- town.

The roll book shows that John E. Tanner, Asahel H. Young, Avery A. Stan- ton, Jeremiah L. B. Fenner, Gashom P. Douglas, Rev. John Elderkin, Olive A. Gallup, Amanda Fenner, Ella C. Stanton, Avis I. Gallup, Benjamin G. Stanton, Nathaniel Gallup, Mary E. Gallup, George S. Gallup, Hannah C. Sweet, Laura C. Stanton, Hattie E. Tanner, Jared A. Gallup, Silas L. Barber, Luther S. Tanner, Stafford G. Young, Nettie L. Stanton, Joseph C. Tanner, Mary E. Sweet, Addie E. Gallup, Mrs. E. Byron Gallup, E. Byron Gallup, Ezra A. Gallup, William N. Sweet, Mrs. Stafford G. Young, Sarah A. Douglas, Minnie Elderkin, Mrs. Albertus Stanton, Warren Fenner, and Abbie A. Tanner were the names of the charter members.

At the meeting of January 4, 1889, Bro. G. H. Gallup and wife of Brooklyn Grange were received by demit and two new applications for membership were received. The gain for the year was, by initiation fifteen, by demit three and the total membership was fifty-four. Some of the topics that were discussed at the lecturer's hour were "Will a cooperative creamery pay on Ekonk Hill ?" "Home Surroundings," and about "Building a Grange Hall." "Children's Day" was observed June 15th and has been an annual observance ever since. It has been an open meeting, usually in charge of worthy flora and the children of patrons and those outside the order providing the literary part of the pro- gram; and at its close a treat is provided for all the children. It is looked forward to by all the children with joyous anticipation.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I, Part 44

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