USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Suffield > Celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Suffield, Connecticut, October 12, 13 and 14, 1920, with sketches from its past and some record of its last half century and of its present > Part 9
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Chair in Chippendale style, third quarter of the 18th century.
Loaned by Karl C. Kulle.
Roundabout chair, 1720-30. Belonged to Amos S. Crane of Suffield.
Loaned by Amos B. and John Crane.
Easy chair, about 1800. Belonged to Dr. Oliver Pease of Suffield.
Loaned by Mrs. Edward A. Fuller.
Ladder back chair, 1770-80. From the Dr. Horace S. Fuller collection.
Loaned by Mrs. C. F. Sutton.
Chair in Chippendale style, third quarter of the 18th century. From the Dr. Horace S. Fuller collection.
Loaned by Mrs. C. F. Sutton.
PICTURE. Congregational Church of Suffield, which stood from 1838-1868.
Loaned by Miss Fannie Mather.
PICTURE. "Consultation of the Doctors." 1760. Belonged to Dr. Oliver Pease of Suffield.
Loaned by Mrs. E. A. Fuller.
PICTURE. Engraving, "Washington's Younger Days."
Loaned by Mrs. Sarah L. Spencer.
CANDLESTICKS. Pair, yellow glass. Belonged to Mrs. Henry Wright of Suffield.
Loaned by Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Fuller.
Pair, Brass. Belonged to Hezekiah Spencer of Suffield.
Loaned by Mr. Alfred Spencer. Single, Brass. Belonged to Fannie L. Crane of Suffield. Loaned by Amos B. and John Crane.
SAMPLER. 1823. Worked by mother of the late Arthur Sikes. Loaned by Mrs. Arthur Sikes.
The Hostess House with a Group of Hostesses in Front
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An Interior of the Hostess House
Specimen Indian Relics found near Lake Congamond
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The Old Boston Neck Mill Dam Probably constructed about 1687 by Major Pynchon
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QUARTER MILLENNIAL OF SUFFIELD
LAMP. Brass body, glass globe with prisms. Belonged to Adeline Fuller of Suffield.
Loaned by Mr. and Mrs. Chas. S. Fuller.
INK POT. Belonged to Alfred Spencer, of Suffield, who lived prior to 1837.
Loaned by Mr. Samuel R. Spencer.
MIRROR. Cutwork frame, decorated with pheasant wings overt. About 1780-90. Belonged to Asahel Hatheway of Suffield.
Loaned by Mr. D. D. Carrington.
PORTRAITS. Hezekiah Spencer (1795-1873) and Cecelia Spencer (1806-1889) of Suffield.
Loaned by Mr. C. Luther Spencer.
SILHOUETTE. Seth Pease of Suffield (1764-1819), Assistant Postmaster-General during Jefferson and Madison administra- tions.
Loaned by Mr. Seymour Loomis and Mr. John Norton.
FAMILY RECORD. Owen record and silhouettes.
Loaned by Amos B. and John Crane.
TURNED COUCH. Or stretcher, Dutch style, 1710-20. Be- longed to Josiah King, Jr., of Suffield in 1762.
Loaned by Mrs. Harriet W. Strong.
VASES. Parian marble. Belonged to the Joseph Fuller family.
Loaned by Mrs. C. F. Sutton.
Fancy vase from the Dr. Horace S. Fuller collection.
Loaned by Mrs. C. F. Sutton.
Bohemian Glass vase. Belonged to the Kendall family of Suffield.
Loaned by Mrs. Edmund Halladay.
GIRANDOLES. About 1820. Formerly belonged to Parkes Loomis of Suffield.
Loaned by Mrs. L. P. Bissell.
FOOTSTOOL. Belonged to Horace Granger of West Suffield.
Loaned by Mr. Samuel R. Spencer.
FOOT WARMER. Belonged to Mindwell Pease Norton of Suffield.
Loaned by Mr. Seymour Loomis and Mr. John Norton.
ANDIRONS. Belonged to Dr. J. K. Spellman of Suffield.
Loaned by Mr. Clement Mather.
WARMING PAN, SHOVEL AND TONGS. Brass.
Loaned by Mr. and Mrs. Chas. S. Fuller.
FIRE FENDER. Brass, with lion feet.
Loaned by Mr. and Mrs. Chas. L. Spencer.
CARPET. Brussels carpets were made as early as the middle
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QUARTER MILLENNIAL OF SUFFIELD
of the 18th century at Wilton, England. This carpet is over one hundred years old.
Loaned by Mrs. Hobart Truesdell.
DINING ROOM
SIDEBOARD. Hepplewhite style, 1790-1800. One of a pair which belonged to Ebenezer King, Jr., of Suffield.
Loaned by Mr. Alfred Spencer.
CONSOLE TABLE. Hepplewhite style, 1790-1800. One of a pair which belonged to Ebenezer King, Jr., of Suffield.
Loaned by Mr. Alfred Spencer.
DINING TABLE. Drop leaves, Dutch legs, second quarter of the 18th century. Probably belonged to Lieut. Thomas Spencer of Suffield.
Loaned by Mr. Alfred Spencer.
TRIPOD TABLE. Third quarter of the 18th century. For- merly belonged to Hezekiah Spencer of Suffield.
Loaned by Mr. Alfred Spencer.
HIGHBOY. 1725-50. Scroll-top, with spiral flame finials.
Loaned by Mr. and Mrs. Philip Schwartz.
CHAIRS. Four chairs, showing Dutch influence, 1710-20. Originally belonged to Consider Williston of Suffield.
Loaned by Mrs. E. A. Fuller.
Two chairs, showing Dutch influence, 1710-20. Originally belonged to the Oliver Sheldon family of Suffield.
Loaned by Mrs. Donald North of Howard, Rhode Island, and Miss Alena F. Owen.
TEA TABLE. Walnut, about 1725. Raised edge and candle slides. From the Gay Mansion, Suffield.
Loaned by Mrs. John M. Holcombe of Hartford.
SHEFFIELD PLATE TEAPOT. Belonged to Thompson Grant of Enfield.
Loaned by Mr. and Mrs. Chas. S. Fuller.
SHEFFIELD PLATE CANDLESTICKS, SNUFFER AND TRAY. For- merly belonged to Thaddeus Granger, East St., Suffield. Loaned by Mr. E. A. Fuller.
EARLY GLASS DECANTER. Belonged to Frances Olcott Mather of Suffield.
Loaned by Miss Fannie Mather.
EARLY GLASS DECANTER. From the Latham family.
Loaned by Mr. Chas. R. Latham.
ENGLISH CUT GLASS DECANTER. From the Latham family. Loaned by Mr. Chas. R. Latham.
LOWESTOFT TEAPOT, CUP AND SAUCER. From the Latham family.
Loaned by Mr. Chas. R. Latham.
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QUARTER MILLENNIAL OF SUFFIELD
LOWESTOFT TEAPOT, CUP AND SAUCER. From the Dr. Horace S. Fuller collection.
Loaned by Mrs. C. F. Sutton.
STAFFORDSHIRE TEAPOT. From the Alfred Owen family of Suffield.
Loaned by Miss Alena F. Owen.
"OLD BLUE" PUNCH BOWL. About 200 years old. Wedding gift of Anne Hathaway, wife of Theodore King, great grand- father of the present owner.
Loaned by Mrs. O. R. Bugbee.
GLASS BREAD PLATE. Formerly belonged to Paul Sykes, who lived prior to 1798.
Loaned by Mrs. Arthur Sikes.
STAFFORDSHIRE PLATTER AND VEGETABLE DISHES. Belonged to Dr. Oliver Pease of Suffield.
Loaned by Mrs. E. A. Fuller.
STAFFORDSHIRE PLATES. Two Clewes plates and one Enoch Wood plate from the Dr. Horace S. Fuller collection.
Loaned by Mrs. C. F. Sutton.
PEWTER PORRINGERS. Belonged to Joseph Fuller of Suffield. Loaned by Mrs. C. F. Sutton.
STAFFORDSHIRE PITCHER. Belonged to the Kendall family of Suffield.
Loaned by Mrs. Fordham Russell.
"OLD BLUE" SUGAR BOWL. Belonged to the Kendall family of Suffield.
Loaned by Miss Marjorie Halladay.
PICTURES. Print "Mount Vernon" from the Halladay family. Loaned by Miss Marjorie Halladay.
Print "Washington Greeting Lafayette." Belonged to Chaun- cey Pomeroy of Suffield.
Loaned by Mrs. Chas. C. Bissell.
Print "Battle of Lexington." Belonged to Hezekiah Spencer of Suffield.
Loaned by Mr. and Mrs. Chas. L. Spencer.
MIRROR. "Constitution" style, about 1790. Belonged to Mary Hastings Kent of Suffield.
Loaned by Dr. Harold M. Brown.
RUG.
Loaned by Mrs. Chas. R. Latham.
The fourth room was in charge of Sibbil Dwight Kent Chap- ter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Mrs. David W. Goodale, Regent, chairman; and was used for an exhibition of old china, embroideries, samplers, funeral wreaths, and miscella- neous articles of old time handiwork and interest; and, in addi-
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QUARTER MILLENNIAL OF SUFFIELD
tion, beautiful handicraft, the work of our foreign sisters. The things in this room were not catalogued but listed 260 different objects. The Daughters assisting in this room were dressed in grey gowns, with cap kerchief and cuffs, making the picturesque appearance of the Pilgrim. Mrs. Philo W. Street was in charge of the two cases of rare old china, all of which had been used in the homes of Suffield, and handed down from one generation to another as heirlooms. Many pieces were included in the wedding outfits of the women of several generations ago.
Mrs. Albert R. Pierce was in charge of the large case of exquisite embroideries and needlework; without doubt the most valuable collection in the room. Many of these fine pieces were loaned by the descendants of the most prominent families who were active in town affairs a century and more ago. They came from Boston and New York and even from as far away as Cali- fornia, the senders all showing the deepest interest in the "old home town." One fine embroidered bridal dress belonging to ยท one of the "Parson Gay" family was a marvel of intricate needlework; and this was only one of the more than one hundred pieces in the case. The wonder to this generation is how they could set all these beautifully exact stitches with only a tallow dip as illuminating power.
Mrs. John L. Ingraham was the custodian of the miscellane- ous case which was filled with all manner of beautiful and his- toric articles, such as the compass by which the Town of Suf- field was laid out 250 years ago; and the beautiful old com- munion set of solid silver owned by the First Church of Christ of Suffield, and used until some twelve years ago. There were silver spoons made from the shoe buckles of Jonathan Edwards, the eminent divine. Several quaint dolls and strange toys in a good state of preservation were objects of interest. The voting list of 1834, and an autograph letter from Gideon Granger, Postmaster-General, written to Oliver Pease, town clerk of Suffield, attracted much notice. A number of very old books, both interesting and valuable, were in this collection, among them being a New England primer. Silhouettes of by-gone people of note gave a good idea of the features, if not the expression, on the faces.
The wall space and foreign work was cared for by Mrs. D. W.
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QUARTER MILLENNIAL SUFFFIELD
Goodale. Here were displayed many samplers, funeral wreaths, lustre work, hairwork, and memorial pictures; all showing the beginnings of artistic taste, and in the main, work of youthful fingers. One elaborate bedspread was knitted by a child of nine years. The musket carried by Elihu Kent, the husband of Sibbil Dwight Kent, the Patron Saint of the local chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, carried by him on the march to Lexington, was on exhibition, as well as one carried in the war of 1812, and another during the Civil War. One object attracting universal attention was the first Post Office of Suf- field. A wooden box about twenty inches high and long, by a little less in depth, and containing twelve boxes was all that was needed at first for the distribution of the mail of Suffield people. Another object of interest was the "ungodly fiddle" that was used to lead the singing of the congregation of the Zion Hill Church in its very early days.
The Foreign Work was a great addition to this room and, while not strictly old, they were all fine specimens of handwork. One case was given to them as well as a large place on the wall. Curious and intricate stitches were shown in crochet and needle- work, in bright colored flowers and sofa pillows. A large bed- spread in fine crochet, all in one piece, was a beautiful exhibition of patient work. Another large blanket of wonderful weaving of red and blue wool brought from Poland was beautiful in design and texture.
A large painting by Willis Adams, Suffield's noted artist, of one of the beautiful views on the Connecticut near his home on East Street was on one of the walls of this room; another was a quaint picture of the old ferry boat so long used at the Douglass Ferry.
Exhibition of Indian Relics
The exhibition of Indian relics, selected from the large col- lection of Mr. Henry A. Miller of Suffield, was a feature at- tracting many interested visitors during the celebration. This collection of nearly 4000 perfect specimens has been found mainly near the Miller homestead on the east shoreof Congamond Lakes or nearby. This was evidently a favorite place for the old tribes in the days before the white men. The interlacing
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QUARTER MILLENNIAL OF SUFFIELD
branches of the great pine trees formed a thick tent protecting them from the cold of winter and the heat of summer. A warm sandy soil free from brush and carpeted with pine needles made a comfortable place for the wigwams, and the fish and game furnished abundant sustenance. History tells little of the tribes, but the evidence is that Indians went there from the Agawams on the east, from the Pequots on the south and probably from the Mohawks on the west and north.
Among the many specimens found and examples of which were exhibited were hard stone mortars with pestles for pounding and grinding corn, soapstone pots for boiling corn, fish and other food, spear points, arrows and spear heads, axes, hatchets, tomahawks, chisels, gouges, celts for skinning and tanning hides, and stones for polishing them. Such formed the chief instruments for domestic life, for industry and for war. Among other articles were pipes, firestones, banner stones, love tokens, paint pots, charms, ear and nose ornaments, scalping knives and record stones with a notch for every scalp.
From Suffield Sons and Daughters
Letters regretting inability to attend the celebration were re- ceived by the Invitation Committee from several sons and daughters of Suffield or descendants of old Suffield families and the following expressions have been culled from responses:
From Mr. Judson Harmon, former Governor of Ohio and a member of President Cleveland's cabinet.
"I thank you for the invitation to the Suffield anniversary and am very sorry I shall be unable to attend. I have the volume issued on the two hundredth anniversary fifty years ago, and a few years later made a visit to Suffield where my grandfather, David Harmon, was born. I was entertained by one of my dis- tant kinsmen, whose Christian name I have noted somewhere but do not now recall. No Harmons appear on the committee of invitations, which causes me to wonder whether that once prolific tribe has become extinct in Suffield, though it is numer- ous elsewhere. If so it must be due to the wanderlust which ap-
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QUARTER MILLENNIAL OF SUFFIELD
pears so generally in American families. I wish you all a suc- cessful celebration."
From George Francis Sykes, professor of Zoology and Physi- ology in Oregon State College, Corvallis, Ore.
"As a lineal descendent of one of the early settlers of Suffield and myself formerly a citizen of the town, I take pride in the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary celebration. Although not one of the seven sons of Sumner, son of Jesse, son of Victory, to claim residence in Suffield now, our hearts and our hopes are with you at this momentous time. My mother and two sisters, Lottie and Clara are voters in the State of Oregon. Although so far away we are connected by geographic links with the old home town; Horace is in Chicago, Jesse in Cleveland and Eu- gene in Springfield. Greetings to friends and former acquaint- ances in Suffield."
From Hannah L. Phelps, Long Beach, California.
"As a native of Suffield, a long time resident and one whose ancestors for four generations have lived and are buried there, I could not but be greatly interested in anything concerning its history and development. I should greatly enjoy seeing the beautiful old town again."
From Mrs. C. C. Nichols of Wilmington, O. (formerly Elouisa Fitch King).
"We appreciate the invitation and feel that it is a privation to forego the pleasure of being in Suffield on so interesting an occasion. Dear Old Suffield! The birthplace of my parents and grandparents and many other relatives who have long ago passed over. My father was Joseph Warren King and my mother's maiden name was Betsey Kendall. Many wishes for the success of the great anniversary from my husband, Clinton Corwin Nichols and myself.
From Mrs. H. Spencer Colton Wright Cornwell, Minnequa Hospital, Pueblo, Colorado.
"As my father and I both attended the C.L.I., as a former resident of dear old Suffield and lineal descendent of William Pynchon, Gov. Wyllys, Deacon Samuel Chapin, Quartermaster George Colton and allied families I regret my inability to attend the celebration. In my club, sociological and Americanization work I have tried to inculcate the fundamental principles of
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QUARTER MILLENNIAL OF SUFFIELD
true religion and patriotism bequeathed to us by those God fearing Puritans-thus trying in a most modest way to prove myself a worthy daughter of Suffield.
In accepting an invitation to be present, Frank B. Gay, Director of the Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, wrote:
The grandson of a Suffield woman and with relatives still living and honored in its community, I well recall the many delightful hospitalities I have enjoyed in its homes. My father took me to the two hundredth anniversary of the town; and memories of the doings on that day are still much more lively and persistent than of many other affairs since, which I have attended. I have never forgotten the "new Congregational Church" and its organ, the program which seemed rather long to the boys of my age; then there was the big band which we trailed wherever it played. But beyond all else was the "feed" in the vast tent-so it seemed to us. Another reason for accept- ing is that it seems likely I shall be unavoidably absent at the Tri-Centennial anniversary even though the committee of that day shall remember me.
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SUFFIELD CENTER AND SHADED COMMON. "It is Ordered that there be a Convenient Piece of Land, of about twenty or thirty acres, laid out in the Center of the Town, and set apart for Common Use: as to set the Meeting House on or for a Training Place, or any other Publick Use to be left Common-" Pynchon Committee Report, January 12, 1671.
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SUFFIELD OLD AND NEW
IN OTHER DAYS
Mists have settled thickly over the years as they have receded into the past, hiding much of the lives of the early generations of Suffield, as of other old New England towns. Life went on leaving something of its history in the quaint and laconic town records and something in family histories or traditions or story, but more that is lost. Socially, economically and religiously Suffield was little different from other valley towns. Like others it had its Indians, taverns, negro slaves, tithingmen, stocks, pounds, and commons; and its minister and schoolmaster. For over one hundred and fifty years it maintained a rank but little below that of Springfield and Hartford. Politically, however, its situation was somewhat unique, because it lay in the direct path of the long warfare over boundaries, both town and colo- nial. In a general way the history of this controversy has been recorded and published, but there were many peculiarly stirring times for Suffield people and in them was the genesis and de- velopment of that persistent feeling that ultimately led to sepa- ration from Massachusetts.
No complete history of the town has yet been undertaken, but it has been more fortunate than many others in the results of the labor and research of Suffield men of the last generation. They opened a door to a better knowledge of the past and their work is a legacy that will be more and more prized with the years. Preeminent in this labor of love for the old town was the late Hezekiah S. Sheldon who, besides compiling and publishing his "Documentary History of Suffield 1660 to 1749," collected many valuable records and relics of early Suffield and rare books of colonial times, including Suffield imprints, now constituting the Sheldon collection in the Kent Memorial Library. He care- fully examined the old records of the Pynchon family and of Hampshire county, and any others throwing light on the early history of the town. Though he included much of the results of his research in his documentary history, he left many notes that have not been published but have furnished much material for the pages that are to follow.
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SUFFIELD OLD AND NEW
The late William L. Loomis, for many years town clerk, de- voted much labor to the collection of the genealogical record of the old Suffield families and carefully transcribed them in a large volume now kept in the town vault. Other historical data have been brought to light from time to time in connection with church or school anniversaries. In connection with records of all Connecticut towns, the State Library at Hartford contains much material relating to Suffield but still awaiting the special study of a Suffield historian.
Supplementary to the story of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of the town, it is the purpose in the pages to follow to include some references to men and events not generally in printed record, or that furnish glimpses of the periods to which they belong; to trace briefly the history of the churches, schools and other institutions, of enterprises that have passed orstill persist, and to add briefly some record of the events and changes of the past fifty years or since the celebration of the Bi-Centennial in 1870. The hope is that much of this later history, though within the memory of many now living, will gather value with age, and for those who may celebrate the three hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the town, leave a clearer record of the years behind them.
Though the effort has been to make this supplementary record as accurate as possible, it is realized that it is far from complete, and could not be made so without an expenditure of time and research that this volume does not permit. Much that should be included may have been omitted, and as it is, these pages could not have been gathered together but for the prompt and cheerful co-operation of many different people of the town for whose kindness and interest the Committee on Publications wishes to make acknowledgment and to express appreciation.
The Pioneers
Among Mr. H. S. Sheldon's unpublished notes are the follow- ing sketches of the members of the committee appointed by the Massachusetts General Court to settle Suffield :
Major John Pynchon was the son of William Pynchon who was the founder of Springfield. He was born in England in 1625 and
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SUFFIELD OLD AND NEW
came to New England with his father, mother and three sisters in 1630, and to Springfield in 1636. In 1652 the father returned to England, and the son from that time was the chief man in western Massachusetts. His executive and administrative abili- ties were of a high order; he was legislator, judge, soldier and a devout Christian. He was a merchant, dealing largely in furs and shipping them to England. He owned boats and shallops, employed men and teams and did the principal transportation business of the valley. He also owned several saw and grist mills in the county, at this time of the first importance and value to the settlers.
Besides these numerous responsibilities, he was chief agent for purchasing the land from the Indians and settling the towns of Northampton, Hadley, Deerfield, Northfield, Enfield and Suffield. A monument of enduring granite should crown some hilltop that overlooks the valley where rest his ashes. No fitter name for memorial brass or sculptured stone has yet appeared in New England history.
Though there are portraits of his father, William Pynchon, and of other magistrates of the period, none of Major Pynchon exist.
Captain Elizur Holyoke was born in England and came to New England in 1637 when about twenty years old. He married Mary, sister of Major Pynchon in 1640, and thereafter dwelt in Springfield. As legislator, judge, and public man, he ranked next to Mr. Pynchon, and upon him as a counselor, guide and friend Major Pynchon chiefly relied. Capt. Holyoke was a farmer by ' calling but was chiefly employed in public affairs. He held a large landed estate in Springfield; from him Mt. Holyoke was named. He died in 1676.
Lieutenant Thomas Cooper came to this country from Eng- land in 1635 when eighteen years old. He was a first settler of Windsor and there worked at the carpenter's trade. He removed to Springfield about 1641 and built the first Meeting House there in 1645. He was chosen ensign of the Springfield company and afterwards lieutenant. On the fifth of October 1675, being in command of the Springfield company in the absence of Major Pynchon, he went out from the Fort as a scout to examine and explore the Indian Fort at Pecowsic. He was fired upon by In-
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SUFFIELD OLD AND NEW
dians in ambush and soon after died of his wounds at the age of fifty-eight. The death of Captain Holyoke and Lieutenant Cooper left but four of the committee to complete the settlement of Suffield.
Quartermaster George Colton was in Springfield as early as 1644. He later settled in Longmeadow where he died in 1699.
Ensign Benjamin Cooley came to Springfield as early as 1646 and later settled in Longmeadow where he died in 1684.
Rowland Thomas came to Springfield at about the same time and was much employed in the public business of the colony. From him Mt. Tom derived its name. He died in 1698.
Samuel, Joseph and Nathaniel Harmon, sons of John Harmon of Springfield, were the first settlers. They were associated with Major Pynchon in an extensive fur trade and had ranged through the forests and among the streams of this region. It is said that they had sought to secure a grant for the plantation some ten years before the petition of 1670, and they had probably begun a settlement before that year.
Samuel, who was unmarried, died in 1677, and his Suffield lands passed to his brothers, who became the leading men of the new plantation. Each brother had ten children, and Joseph had thirty-six and Nathaniel forty-five grandchildren, most of them born in Suffield. For more than one hundred years, the Harmons were numerous in the town, and were extensively intermarried with other old families. After the Revolution many joined the tide of migration to the new lands of the West, where now numer- ous families trace their ancestry to the Harmons of Suffield.
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