USA > Connecticut > Windham County > A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I > Part 51
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Dr. Louis Morasse came to Putnam in 1888. His years of practice in that city were interrupted by a trip to Paris, where he went for his health and further study. He, too, showed an interest in public affairs, serving as justice of the peace, notary public, health officer, and town physician. He was promi- nent in the French-Canadian convention, a man of genial disposition, upright and honest. It is no wonder he left many friends.
That same year Dr J. J. Russell came to Putnam and is among the few named who are still in practice. Following Doctor Miller as a homeopathic phy-
MASONIC TEMPLE, PUTNAM
PUTNAM HIGH SCHOOL
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
sician, he has sustained the popularity of that school of medicine and is con- sidered one of the most popular physicians of the town.
Dr. Crabtree, who inherited the mantle of Dr. Bradley as an Eclectic, served the community for a short time, being followed by S. C. Chase of the same school. He later made a name for himself in magnetic healing.
Dr. Lowe, another native of Maine, located in Putnam in 1901. He served for a time on the city board of health. He was most sympathetic, unassuming, kind-hearted, generous, and retiring. It was perhaps the fact that he was the old-fashioned type that inspired his patients with such confidence.
Edward F. Perry, the only native of Putnam who returned to practice his profession, has done excellent work in that line. He served creditably in France in the late war and is back again at the present time, to the gratification of his former patients.
Marguerite Bullard, the first and only woman to practice medicine in the town of Putnam, has brought credit to her sex and honor to the town by the excellence of her work. She has been and still is pathologist at the Day Kimball Hospital, and deserves honorable mention among her fellow practitioners.
The Mother towns of Putnam have been taken care of since the days of the practitioners mentioned in previous sketches by men who have amply sus- tained the reputation of their predecessors. Pomfert was supplied after the death of Doctor Williams by Doctor Santille, who after a few years went to Providence and later gave up the practice of medicine. He was followed by Dr. S. B. Overlock, who is still occupying the field. Doctor Overlock is a man of exceptional ability, specializing in surgery and at the same time doing a gen- eral practice. He has been president of the State society and is at present State councilor of Windham County. The eastern part of Connecticut is de- pendent on his professional skill as a surgeon, as is also the Day Kimball Hospital.
Following Dr. Witter, of Woodstock, we have Drs. C. C. Gildersleeve and E. R. Pike. Doctor Gildersleeve is a graduate of Yale Medical School and after serving a term in Worcester Memorial Hospital, settled in East Woodstock. It was with great regret that the people learned of his determination, after having ministered to their wants for fifteen years, to remove to Norwich. Dur- ing his stay in Woodstock he was associated with Doctor Overlock in the Day Kimball Hospital. He is at present a leading surgeon in Norwich and has transferred his hospital work from the Day Kimball to the Backus Hospital. He has been prominent in town and church affairs and is a citizen of influence, both in civic and professional life.
Dr. R. C. Paine followed Doctor Holbrook in Thompson with credit to himself and benefit to the people whom he serves.
Putnam and the surrounding towns have reason to congratulate themselves upon the services rendered by these self-denying and faithful men, who through sunshine and storm have ever been ready to minister to the wants of others, satisfied with the knowledge that they have been the means of relieving the sufferings of their fellows.
Putnam chairmen of the County Medical Society have been as follows: 1879, John Witter; 1882, H. W. Hough; 1883-84, John Witter; 1890, J. B. Kent; 1896, F. A. Morrell; 1900, Omer LaRue; 1903, Henry R. Lowe vice-president and in 1904, president ; 1912, Edward F. Perry vice-president and in 1913, presi- dent. In 1915, Marguerite J. Bullard was vice-president, and in 1916, president.
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
WINDHAM COUNTY TEMPORARY HOME
(Data furnished by Mrs. E. T. Whitmore, Secretary.)
Nothing better bespeaks the character of any community than its care for the unfortunate poor, especially innocent children and the feeble aged.
In 1883, a commission appointed by Governor Bigelow found that there were 809 children in alms houses and similar places in Connecticut. The history of neglect and cruelty in the care of such children in some instances, had compelled attention to the problem. Mrs. Virginia T. Smith and Henry E. Burton, as members of the State Board of Charities, worked out plans for a betterment. It was pointed out that it was better for the state to train these children to be in- dustrious and self-reliant, not only for the sake of the children, but as public economy.
Thus it came about that at the January session of the General Assembly in 1883, a law was passed to establish in each county a "temporary home for de- pendent children," and the Windham County Home was opened at Putnam Heights, November 1, 1883. The building, owned by H. O. Preston, was healthfully located on a farm. Mr. Preston was appointed superintendent and Mrs. Preston matron. The first child was admitted during that month, and within the year fourteen, ten boys and four girls, of average age, about six years. During the year, eight were placed in private homes. Expenses over receipts the first year were $207.76, equalling a tax of 117/10,000ths of a mill on the then grand list.
Mr. and Mrs. Preston relinquished the personal charge after the first year, and a board management was appointed to supervise the home, with the follow- ing members : J. D. Converse of Thompson (who became superintendent) ; A. A. Stanton of Sterling; E. H. Hall of North Windham; Henry E. Burton and A. C. Lippitt of the State Board of Charities. The management appointed com- mittees of women in each town of the county to take personal interest in the work and assist in placing the children in private homes. The list of town com- mittees appointed in 1883 was as follows: Mrs. Frank E. Baker, Brooklyn; Mrs. Davis Baker, Ashford; Mrs. Marvin Sanger, Canterbury; Mrs. Mary Utley, Chaplin; Mrs. Timothy Walker, Eastford; Mrs. John Tweedy, Hampton; Miss Mary Dexter, Danielson ; Mrs. J. J. Penrose, Central Village; Mrs. John Gard- ner, Putnam; Mrs. Darius Adams, Pomfret; Mrs. Ellen O. Wedge, Sterling ; Mrs. Elijah Crosby, Thompson; Miss Anne Tingley, Willimantic; Mrs. J. B. Barber, Woodstock; Mrs. Chas. Brown, Scotland.
Mr. and Mrs. Converse took a deep interest in the welfare of the children, and the work went forward successfully.
Much was accomplished under their charge during twenty-five years. The building was remodeled and better equipped. Children were enabled to assist in the work of the farm, and taught many useful activities. All were required to attend school. The annual meetings were "red letter days," with an enter- tainment by and for the children, and many visitors brought and received in- spiration. Public officials and prominent citizens were among those attending. Not infrequently the adoption of some child would follow. Many were from time to time placed in good homes.
One woman who has long observed the work said: "I believe that nine- tenths of the children who are placed in homes turn out well. I have seen some of the most unpromising boys and girls, when placed in homes of the right
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
influences and training, grow up fine men and women, and coming to occupy responsible places in life." Instances are not infrequent where, in after life, those who have made good take pains to express their gratitude.
There have been some perplexing problems, some few wayward children, but on the whole the results have been very gratifying.
. The institution now has sixty-five acres of land. The old building was burned and a new one erected in 1899; there is now a hospital connected with the home. The children took great interest in their "war gardens" in 1918. The total number of children received since 1908 is about 350; total number from beginning, over 1,000. The present number resident is about 100. Modern electric conveniences for light and water systems and laundry have been in- stalled. During 1919, about 150 different children were received and sixty-one placed in homes. Plans for teaching the rudiments of trades and domestic science are under consideration.
Following Mr. Converse, Mr. Job L. Thatcher of Dudley, Massachusetts, was superintendent and the present incumbent is De Witt C. Park. The committee from the towns is now composed of the following: Mrs. George O. Balch, Ashford; Mrs. Sidney W. Bard and Mrs. S. Hyde, Brooklyn ; Mrs. W. B. Gallup, Chaplin; Mrs. E. A. Douglas, Sterling ; Mrs. J. M. Tatem, Eastford; Mrs. P. B. Sibley, Miss Mary Dexter, Danielson; Mrs. W. J. Bartlett, Putnam; Mrs. George Loring, Plainfield; Mrs. F. B. Willoughby, Scotland; Mrs. M. D. Elliott, Thompson ; Mrs. E. H. Lillibridge, Plainfield; Mrs. George M. Sampson, Wood- stock ; Miss Annie H. Tingley, Willimantic ; Mrs. Nellie C. Cleveland, Hampton ; Mrs. Charles O. Thompson, Pomfret; Mrs. Oscar Tourtellotte, Thompson; Mrs Oliver A. Hiscox, Woodstock; Mrs. E. P. Brown, Windham; Mrs. H. W. Hawes, Canterbury.
PUTNAM IN PULIC LIFE -
Several from Putnam have been prominent in state and county affairs. Gil- bert W. Phillips in 1863 and again in-1879 was president pro tem of the Senate. From 1863-66 Gilbert W. Phillips was state's attorney.
G: Harold Gilpatric in 1919-20 has been state treasurer, and has been re- elected for another term, 1920-2.
James W. Manning, from 1869-70 and again from 1871-73 was state comp- troller.
James B. Tatem from 1887-90 held the office of state dairy commissioner.
Samuel H. Seward from 1886-1901 was clerk of the courts (county). Edgar . M. Warner from 1902-20 has held the above office.
Charles H. Osgood, 1889-94, was prosecuting agent for the county.
Prescott May, from 1864-70 held the office of county sheriff; from 1873-87 Charles H. Osgood; and in 1914 John O. Fox.
In 1862-63 and again in 1879 Gilbert W. Phillips was state senator from. the Fourteenth District; elected in 1880, he resigned and Richmond M. Bullock was elected to fill out the unexpired term. In 1889-90 Lucius H. Fuller was state senator from the Sixteenth District; and in 1901-02 Charles H. Brown was state senator. In 1911-12 George A. Hammond was state senator from Putnam, now a part of District Twenty-eight; from 1917-20 Archibald Mac- Donald was senator.
Putnam representatives in the General Assembly, 1856 to date are: Richmond N. Bullock, 1856-57; Harrison Johnson, 1858; 1859, William H. Chamberlin ;
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
1860-61, Gilbert W. Phillips; 1862, Warren W. White; 1863-65, Lucien Car- penter; 1866, James W. Manning; 1867, Charles S. Bliven; 1868, Augustus Houghton; 1869, Hezekiah Babbitt; 1870, Hezekiah Babbitt; 1871, Edmund T. Whitmore; 1872-73, Gilbert W. Phillips; 1874, Almanzon Herendeen; 1875, Jerome Tourtellotte; 1876-77, Richmond M. Bullock; 1878-79, George Buck; 1880, Jerome Tourtellotte; 1881, Lucius H. Fuller, Samuel H. Seward; 1882, Lucius H. Fuller, Thomas J. Thurber; 1883, Prescott Bartlett, Charles N. Allen; 1885, George A. Hammond, Charles N. Allen ; 1886, George A. Hammond, Charles D. Torrey ; 1887-88, Charles D. Torrey, Gustavus D. Bates; 1889-90, George W. Holt, Walter S. Carpenter; 1891-92, George M. Morse, John H. Gardner; 1893- 94, George M. Morse, John H. Gardner; 1895-96, William R. Barber, Edgar M. ยท Warner; 1897-98, William R. Barber, Charles H. Brown ; 1899-1900, Franklin W. Perry, Byron D. Bugbee; 1901-02, Albert L. Mansfield, William H. Taylor; 1903-04, Alex A. Houghton, Freeman A. Libby ; 1905-06, John O. Fox, George A. Hammond; 1907-08, Charles L. Torrey, Edgar M. Wheaton; 1909-10, Joseph McKachnie, John A. Dady ; 1911-12, John F. Carpenter, Hector Duvert; 1913- 14, Archibald MacDonald, Joseph Plessis; 1915-16, Archibald MacDonald, Joseph Plessis; 1917-18, 1919-20, Ernest B. Kent, Aldemar A. Brodeur.
Judges of the Probate Court of Putnam, 1859 to date have been as follows: 1859-62, Horace Seamans; 1863-98, John A. Carpenter; 1899-1916, Edward G. Wright; 1917-20, David Flagg.
CHAPTER XIX TOWN OF SCOTLAND
EARLY HISTORY OF SCOTLAND-SCOTLAND COMMUNITY-SCHOOLS-T. K. PECK- DAVID L. FULLER-THE FULLER BOYS-MEN AND EVENTS IN LATER DAYS-SCOT- LAND IN PUBLIC LIFE-DOCTOR AYER'S RECOLLECTIONS.
The town was originally the southeast section of the Town of Windham. Isaac Magoon purchased several hundred acres of land, and in 1700 settled in a place which he named Scotland. Windham had been laid out in 1678, the first settlement made in 1688, and it was made a town in 1692. Magoon's purchase consisted of low land in the southern part of Clark and Buckingham's tract, and also of sixty acres on both sides of Merrick's Brook (believed to take its name from an early Norwich land-owner) and through which ran "the road to the Quinebaug Plantation," afterward Plainfield. On this latter tract Magoon probably took up his residence. In 1701 and 1702 he sold several farms, and the new settlers soon began to arrive. Many Mohegans lived in that part of the town. In 1704 this land was surveyed with the other parts of Windham. Property rose in value rapidly apparently, as one farm sold for seventy pounds ten shillings. Before long a sawmill was put up on Merrick's Brook, and in 1706 privilege was given to build a gristmill on Wolf Pit Brook. A new road was ordered to be laid out that same year. A pound was built and a schoolhouse erected in that part of the town. Church was still attended in Windham, though the settlement continued to increase in numbers. Many of the settlers were of the old Puritan stock, and among them were descendants of Robinson, Brewster, and Bradford. There were also some French Huguenots and Scotch Presbyterians. Many were members of the Windham church, and also took active part in the affairs of the town and attended town meetings and trainings there. Most of the settlers were established near Merrick's Brook and on the road leading to Canterbury.
Windham was anxious to keep her Scotland' colony as part of the town, and when Scotland began to show signs of dissatisfaction, the town voted in 1726 that when Windham had a certain sum of money, Scotland would build a meeting house in the eastern part of the town, and when a minister should be found to pay toward his support and that of the church. However, the Scotland inhabitants manifested a desire for independence. The next year they received permission from the town to have their own minister during the winter months, the town kindly volunteering to pay for his services. This did not seem fair to the Scotland inhabitants, however, and in 1731 they ap- pealed to the General Assembly for society privileges. A committee was ap- pointed to investigate their circumstances, favored their assumption of parish privileges, and stated what the boundaries of the new parish should be,-less than a third of Windham's territory. Some of Scotland's inhabitants opposed division, but in 1732 the majority won their point and Scotland was made a parish, about eighty families being included in the new parish.
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
The first act of the parish, after the appointment of officers, was to secure a minister, the next to erect a meeting house. The meeting house was ready for use in the fall of the following year although not completed until some time later. No regular minister was appointed until 1735. School was established in two different parts of the parish, two months in each place. After the Great Revival of 1741, a great many members of the church became dissatisfied and adopted Separate principles, and established a Separate Church in 1746. The following year the Windham Consociation met in Scotland to protest against the separation, but in spite of its efforts the new church increased in numbers and in influence. One of their number was imprisoned for four months for preaching too freely, which only served to increase his zeal, and in 1749 he was ordained as the pastor of the Scotland Separate Church.
In 1758 a committee was appointed to divide the parish into school districts. Several young men were educated at Yale during that period. Scotland con- tributed in every way to the advancement of the town. One of her most valued citizens was her pastor, Rev. Ebenezer Devotion, who was chosen by Windham as the man best fitted to represent the town in the critical period just previous to the Revolution. In 1772 it was voted to build a new meeting house, but this vote met with some delay due to the opposition of the Separates who were also to be forced to pay heavy taxes to help meet the expenses. Upon appeal to the Assembly the Separates were released from the payment, which had been a heavy burden to them for many years.
After the Revolution Scotland Parish shared in the growth and prosperity of the town, and contributed by the raising of sheep, hogs and cattle, and by sending butter, cheese, beef, pork and wool to market. It also shared in town privileges, one-third of the town meetings being held in its meeting house. As the parish had built a new meeting house just before the Revolution, it had no particular home demands and could give full time and energy to the prose- cution of the war. Upon the return of peace a bell was procured for the meet- ing house. A little later a singing school of high standing was instituted and was greatly enjoyed by the young people. In 1790 a social library was formed for the convenience of the east part of the town. In that same year the Rev. James Cogswell received the first doctor's degree to be conferred by Yale Col- lege on any Windham County minister. Religion was at the time at a low ebb, and the Congregational Church was in feeble condition, losing more members than it gained inasmuch as the Baptists were held in more favor. The Separates continued to maintain their church although that church also lost members owing to the Baptists. Adequate schools were maintained, and the central school for two seasons was kept by William Eaton,-afterward the conqueror of Tripoli. Samuel Huntington, whose home was in Scotland in 1786, was elected governor of the state, but throughout all the years of his public career he main- tained his interest in his native town, and he frequently visited there probably making his influence felt in politics, for the town had conservative tendencies at that time.
For some years there was dissension in the Congregational Church, but a few years after the installation of a new minister in 1811 peace was restored, and the church again built up. The Separate Church dissolved in 1813; but the Baptists and Methodists remained in favor. There were saw, grist and fulling mills in the parish. The question of separation from the town and local independence was brought up because of the increasing taxation, this
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burden and other inconveniences increasing with the years, during which time Scotland struggled to obtain its independence which was not granted to it until 1857. Its first town meeting was held on July 4th of that year, and was made a notable event by a social gathering in the afternoon when addresses were given by Governor Cleveland, Rev. Mr. Tallman, and citizens of the new town. The change of status made little difference in local administrative affairs, but by a change of boundaries the Main Brick works were brought within the town limits. A new meeting house had been built by the Universalist Society in 1843. In 1850 a plant for the manufacture of clothing was put into operation and maintained for a time. Scotland is rich in historic associations, and has many memorials of her early days and of the distinguished men who lived there. It is the smallest of the towns in the county and also the youngest, and has no business facilities to contribute to its growth.
SCOTLAND COMMUNITY
By Mary Austin Gallup
When Isaac Magoon came in 1698 to the new settlement of Windham, he found that many settlers had already preceded him, so with the bold and intrepid spirit of those old pioneer days he traversed the outlying wilderness to the east, spending several months in that trackless region before he found the place he desired for a home. In 1700 he built his simple little dwelling on the east side of Merrick's Brook and named the region Scotland after his own native country. In two or three years this settlement numbered about twenty families, who were undoubtedly attracted by the pleasant location, fertile soil and sufficient water power for their log and corn mills. This little parish was a part of the ancient Town of Windham so all these settlers attended religious services at Windham Green, a distance of seven or eight miles over a rude and narrow trail.
Rev. Samuel Whiting was the first pastor of this the first Congregational meeting house in Windham, having preached his first sermon on January 1, 1693, though the meeting house was not completed until April, 1703. One of the Scotland members was appointed to assist in regulating the then important matter of seating the congregation "according to age, wealth and position," and he himself was honored with next to the chief seat. It appears from ancient records that the Scotland settlers held high positions in the town and were active in secular as well as church affairs, regularly participating in trainings, town meetings and all social and religious affairs held at the "Green." Reverend Whiting continued his ministry until his sudden death, from pleurisy in 1725 in the fifty-sixth year of his age and the twenty-second of his pastorate.
The church of Windham called, in 1726, the second pastor, Rev. Thomas Clapp, but now the settlement in Scotland parish was so large that it was desirous of becoming a separate society and petitioned the General Assembly to that effect. A counter petition was also presented by the minority averse to separation, so not until six years later was Scotland parish given society privileges, the Assembly also approving the location selected for their meeting house, "a knoll east side of Merrick's Brook and south side of the road from Windham to Canterbury." This meeting house was speedily erected and on October 22, 1735, the church was organized with eighty-nine members resid- .ing in Scotland who were dismissed from the first church in Windham to be
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a "particular church by themselves for the attendance upon and carrying on all the ordinances of the Gospel in this place."
Rev. Ebenezer Devotion of Suffield, a graduate of Yale, was ordained the first pastor by a council from the six surrounding churches. The church, under the leadership of this able and pleasing young divine, enjoyed a period of tranquil harmony and happy growth until the great Separatist movement in 1746, which affected the entire county. Scotland Church was torn by dis- senters and dissentions until finally a dozen prominent families withdrew from the church and held separate meetings in private houses. Thereupon the church pronounced sentence of excommunication upon them. They at once organized and built a church edifice, about a mile southeast of the village, long known as the Brunswick Meeting House in which services were held until 1813 when they disbanded. A flourishing apple orchard now blossoms and fruits where they once worshipped, its southwestern triangle of greensward marking the site of the vanished meeting house.
Reverend Devotion, "a great divine, a pious man, an able politician and eminent for every kind of merit," died in 1771 at the age of fifty-seven, having wisely and faithfully ministered to the church and community for nearly forty years.
The second pastor, Rev. James Coggswell, was ordained in 1772, and that same year it was voted to erect a new meeting house on the north side of the road, the parish agreeing to pay Elisha Lillie 450 pounds to build the house, "Walls clapboarded with rived pine clapboards and colored with a decent color." The pulpit was well elevated, with a huge sounding board suspended above it. The pews were square and so high that with the congregation seated only the heads of the grown people were visible. A pew was built in the gallery, which extended around three sides, and was assigned to the colored portion of the congregation. During the closing years of the century this church, like many others, suffered from the prevailing apathy in religious affairs. There were few accessions and many losses by deaths, removals and converts joining neighboring Baptist churches, through meetings held by Bap- tists just over the boundary line on Pudding Hill. Reverend Coggswell's pas- torate covered the dark days of the Revolution and extended over a period of thirty-two years. Becoming too aged, and infirm to perform the duties of his office acceptably to his parish he removed to live with his son in Hartford. An unhappy controversy resulted from his claim for support from the parish until the end of his life. As the parish was legally bound by the terms of his settlement as pastor to support him, but refused to do so until he passed his claim in the courts of law.
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