USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Southington > Ecclesiastical and other sketches of Southington, Conn > Part 44
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Att a Cort holden at Farmington In hartford County September the 12 1768 presant Jared Lee Justis of peace for sd County John whedon plantiff vs Samuel Baily of Farmington In sd County James Thomas Deft a tranchant person Lately Resideng In walingford In Newhaven County being atached and Brought to Answer one Complaint of John whedon whear In he saith that In the Night season next after the 15 Day of march Last past the sd Samuel Baily and James Thomas not . haveing the Fear of God Befouer their Eyes being Instigated by the Deval In sd night season Late In the sd Night Did by Fors and arms violently asalted with Clubs wepens and Large billits of wood the Dweling hous of youer Complainant In sd Farmington when and whear he and his Family woer In Bed In the peace of God and the king and Did thearby Greately Terify and afrite the Complainant and his Famely and Did 52
410
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
with the same Fors of arms Brake and Distroy aboute Eighty squaers of Glas with the sashes of the sd Complainant Dweling hous all which Is Contrerary to the Peace of ouer sd Lord the king and the Law of this Colony to the Damidg of youer Complainant the sum of Fifty pounds Lawfull mony as per Complaint (writ) on file Dated Farmington Sep- tember 12 1768 the sd Samuel Baily and James Thomas plead not Gilty In maner and form as set forth In the plantiffs Complaint and haveing herd sundry Evedence In the primeses-and this action not being Determinabel by this Cort tis Considered that the sd Samuel Baily and James Thomas shal Becom Bound with Good Sincerity to appear befouer the County Cort to be holden at hartford on the Firs Tuesday of november next Coast alowed £1-0-5 Lawfull mony
You Samuel Baily and Samuel Sloper of Farmington In hartford County acnoledg youer selfs Bound &c &c
Befouer Jared Lee Just peace.
You James Thomas Resident In walingford In Newhaven County and Samuel Sloper of Farmington In hartford County acnoledg youer selfs &c &c
Befouer Jared Lee Just peace.
" STRONG LICKER."
at a Cort holden at Farmington In hartford County Janerary the 13: 1762 presant Jared Lee Just peace for sd County whearas David Cul- ver of Farmington In sd County was atached and brought befouer Jared Lee Just peace to answer unto one sertin Complaint Givenin In the Name and behalf of our Lord the king by obadiah Andrus Con- stabel to the sd Jared Lee Just peace the Complainant saith that the sd Culver was In the hous of Jonathan Root In Southington on the 20 of october Last past and Did ther Drink Strong licker to Exses that he was Found Drunk In the Lane near Aaron websters and at his one plaes of abode being bereaved of the eues of his Reason and under- standing and Lims the sd David Culver pleads Gilty In Cort theirfouer Find that the sd Culver shal pay as a fine to the town tresuar of this town the sum of 0-8-0 Lawfull mony as Fine and Coast alowed £0-3-6 mony whear of Execution Remains to be don £0-8-0 Fine Febuary the 6 1762 then Execution Granted on 0-3-6 Cost the above Judgment
Feb 22: 1762 then Execution Returned satisfied obadiah Andrus Constabel of Farmington
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
" DRUNKNES."
at a Cort holden at Farmington In and for Hartford County August 25: 1760 Present Jared Lee Just peace for hartford County Barker of warterbury In Newhaven County being atached his body by varteu of one writ sighned pr Tho wells Asistant Dated at Farming- ton August 19: 1760 and brought to answer unto one sertin Complaint Given In to Jared Lee Just peace for hartford County by Josiah New- ill Granjuror for sd County whear In the sd newill In the Name of our lord the king Complains and saith the sd Barker was Gilty of the sin of Drunknes at or Near the hous of medad Lewis In Farmington on the 4 Day of march 1760 at Evening being bereaved and Disabel apearing In his speach Jester and behaver the sd Barker appeared In Cort and pleads not Gilty as set Forth In sd Complaint the Evedence being herd on oath and find that the sd Barker Is not Gilty as aledg In sd Complaint and the sd Barker shal be dismised on pay- ing the Coast of prosecution alowed £0-15-4 mony
Fees paid by Barker this Day £0-15-4
TRESPASS.
At a Cort holden at Farmington In and for hartford County No- vember the 30 Day A D 1758 presant Jared Lee Just peace In and For sd County Joseph Page of Farmington In sd County brings an action In his one name and In the name of our Lord the king of and against Thomas kinkade Daniel woodruff Junr and David Clark Junr all of Farmington In hartford County being Gilty of the breach of one Law of this Coloni Law Book Page 172 the sd page saith that the afoured persons or sum one of them Did Enter Into the sd Joseph pages hom Lot In Southington parsh In Farmington In the Night season next after the 28 Day of November Instant and near the high- way Cut a sartan Cart Rope made of Flax aboute 5 Rod Long Into thre several peaces of the sd Joseph page one property and in his poseson and In * * * which Is to the sd Joseph page his Damidg the sum of ten shil- ing Lawfull mony and being Cauesed to Apear by writ on File signed Jared Lee Just peace Dated November the 29 Day A: D 1758 the De- inquants Apear In Cort and plead not Gilty as aledged In.sd Com- plaint the Thomas kinkead and Daniel woodruff Junr and David Clark Junr being heard and Examined and the Evedence being herd In the premeses and Find their not Gilty as aledged In sd Complaint and writ on file and find the sd Thomas kinkade and Daniel woodruff and David Clark Shal Recover the Coos of prosecution a Gainst Joseph Page.
CHAPTER XXV.
LOCALITIES AND NAMES.
Panthorn; Lake Compound ; Nashaway Plains; Quinnipiac River ; Lake Podunk ; Wonx Spring ; Tyler's Pond ; Wolf Hill Range; Tod's Corner; Shuttle Meadow ; Clark Farm ; South End; Queen's Street; French Hill ; Marion; Plantsville.
LIKE all towns this has various localities bearing names whose origin or meaning the present generation cannot trace. While some names cannot be certainly traced, the most of them are easily interpreted by tradition or history.
PANTHORN.
This region now embraced by the town of Southington, was early known as Panthorn. I find the name first appearing in a deed dated 1706, and afterward frequently in various documents during succeed- ing years. The phrase "poor as Panthorn" was current in Farm- ington for sometime before 1724, and probably as early as the begin- ning of the century. Some look for the origin of the name in the Indian ' language, but no dialect gives us the word that even in a cor- rupted form, accounts for the name. A tradition 2 is handed down that a man from Wallingford was plowing on the "Great Plain," and returning home spoke of the heat being so great that his "cattle panted clean up to the end of the horns." Another tradition comes from Wallingford to the effect that a section of the trail or bridle-path from Wallingford to Farmington, and through the south part of this town, was called "the horn"; this section was difficult to traverse, particularly with cattle, on account of the underbrush.
Such a name (the horn) is common in other parts of the country, and it is not improbable that it prevailed here. But whatever the origin, it can be traced back to the first settlement of the town. "Poor as l'anthorn " probably referred to the soil rather than the people, for the settlement (1698) did not occur until about the time when we find the name current.
1 Dr. Trumbull, the acknowledged authority in such matters, says it is not of In- dian origin.
2 See Southington Press, April 4, 1859.
413
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
LAKE COMPOUND.
This is a beautiful sheet of water in the northwest part of the town, and quite a place of resort for pleasure seekers. Among the Indians that signed the deeds conveying Mattatuck (Waterbury) in 1674 were John Compound and Aroncompound. The former is said to have been at the head of the clan that encamped a portion of the time on the shore of this lake. Tradition says that returning intoxicated from Farmington he came to the side opposite to his encampment, and un- dertaking to swim 1 across, instead of going around, he was drowned. The name now given (Compounce) evidently was corrupted from "Compound's pond."
NASHAWAY PLAINS.2
This is the name given to the territory southeast of the village of Southington, and appeared in deeds more than a hundred years ago. It is sometimes spelled Nashua, but generally Nashaway. The name is of Indian origin. Nashave, nassawaii, and ashawiwi, meaning "mid- way," or "between," or "the half-way place." The tract, now the site of Lancaster, Worcester Co., Mass., when settled was called Nashaway, or Nashawke, because between the branches of the river, and this name was subsequently given the river itself. In Windham Co., Conn., is an- other Nashaway between Quinnebaug and Five Mile Rivers. Thus in Southington the plateau bearing this name was probably so called be- cause lying between the Quinnipiac and the low marshes . through which Misery Brook runs.
QUINNIPIAC RIVER.3
It is also written Quinnypiock, Quinopiocke, and Quillipiack. Presi- dent Stiles, on the authority of an Indian of East Haven, also writes it Quinnepyoogha. The meaning is supposed to be "long water place."
LAKE PODUNK.
This is put down on ancient maps as the name of the little pond just south of George Bishop's, but which an hundred years ago was a large body of water. The origin of the word can be traced in no In- dian dialect that I have been able to consult. It is probably a cor- ruption.
1 Tradition also says, that he had a large kettle with him, brought from the white settlement, and that he made the attempt to paddle across in this.
2 Conn. Hist. Coll., Vol. II., p. 33. Article by J. H. Trumbull.
3 Conn. Hist. Coll., Vol. II., p. 25.
414
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
WONX' SPRING.
This is a spring in the southwest part of the town, and many believe the tradition that it was named for an Indian chief Wonx (Uncas?) by name, who being overheated one day drank so freely of the water that he soon died. His comrades hung his body on a tree so as to secure it against wild animals, while they went to Farmington for a canoe to carry it home. Hence the name. But it is evidently a corruption of Wongonk or Wongum, the name given to a section of the Mattabesset tribe that dwelt across the river from Middletown, but which on hunt- ing excursions encamped in this valley. Wongonk could be easily corrupted into Wonx.
SHUTTLE MEADOW.
This name I find a hundred years ago sometimes written Shekel Meadow. But from two or three points of sight the valley is in shape precisely like a weaver's shuttle. and hence probably the name. And all the more apparent the likeness when the woods on either side ex- tended down to its edge. As the meadow is now converted into an artificial lake (supplying New Britain with water,) the resemblance is less likely to impress the beholder, but old people remember when its form very naturally suggested the name.
WOLF HILL.
On one of the old' maps of the State, I find the ridge of land ex- tending from Plantsville north to Plainville laid down as "Wolf Hill range." The origin of the name is said to date back to the first settle- ment of Farmington. It seems that wolves had their home chiefly on the west, mountain, and seldom appeared on the east side of the river. As late as the middle of the last century, the farmers along the line of West street had a palisade fence about their barns, into which their cattle were placed at night for safety from these beasts. As the earliest maps give this name to the hill, it is probable that it represented the region infested by these animals. Many stories have been handed down concerning encounters with them. When bounties were offered for their destruction, parties were formed to search for their dens in order to capture the young. Sometimes such expeditions were at- tended with great hazard, as the parent would set out in swift pursuit of those who had robbed her of her whelps. There is said to have been a rock somewhere on the hill that contained a kind of cavern within which the men would conceal themselves, and await the approach of the animal in order to fire their rifles with advantage.
1 Over one hundred years old.
415
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
FRENCH HILL.
This name is derived from the fact that here was the encampment of a part of Count Rochambeau's army, while on the way from New- port to the Hudson river, in 1781. It lies in the southwest part of the town, and furnishes a kind of north wall to Marion Village. Really it is but the abrupt termination of the Little Plain, as old records call it, and seen from the south has the appearance of a bluff. The marks of the camp remained visible until a few years ago, and in adjacent fields have been picked up French coins, military buttons, and other relics.
QUEEN STREET (NORTH END).
This extends north from Burying Ground Hill, and was the first populated street in the town. Several houses seem to have been put up about the same time. That now owned by Washburn Dunham John Root is said to have built, and if so, it is the oldest house in town. In a house, afterwards known as Deming's Tavern, or at least on the site of the tavern, were occasionally held religious services during the four years the people were engaged in completing the " meeting- house " on the hill. This was in the winter time and in stormy weather.
FLANDERS.
This district lies in the northeast part of the town, but the origin of the name is a mystery to even the residents. It is supposed, however, to have originated in this way. John Hart (son of Deacon Thomas) lived on the Henry Lewis place, and had a son John who graduated at Yale College in 1776. He was brilliant and has been likened to Aaron Burr in many of his qualities. But he became thoroughly de- praved, and among his vices was that of swearing. How he escaped the law that then was severe on such blasphemers, does not appear. Further south, near where Gad Andrews now lives, was a Hoisington, whose vice was that of telling the most improbable stories. To "swear like John Hart," and "that's one of old Hoisington's lies," are phrases that old people remember as current in their youth. One day Hois- ington met Hart and challenged him thus : "Hart, you stop swearing, and I'll stop lying." Hart, who was versed in literature of all kinds, and ever ready with a quotation, seized upon one from 1 Sterne, "Our armies swore terribly in Flanders, cried my uncle Toby, but nothing to this." Hoisington said, " Well, if you won't swear more than the army did in Flanders, I'll stop lying." The bargain was struck, and swear- ing as they did in Flanders, that is as John Hart did, became a byword, and finally fastened on the neighborhood.
1 Tristam Shandy, vol. iii. chap. 11.
416
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
MARION.
This region was known as the Union district, but some thirty years ago or more it was thought best to have a different name for con- venience when a post office was established. At that time several Southington young men were South in business, and among them the sons of Asahel Upson of this district, who were at Marion, Ga. It was proposed to call this district Marion, which was at once acceded to. At one time the school-roll numbered eighty, and three families furnished twenty-nine of the number-Philo Barnes, 11; Freeman Upson, 9; Asahel Upson, 9.
TYLER'S POND.
This is a small sheet of water lying an eighth of a mile southeast of the town poor-house. Before the surrounding woods were cleared off, it was probably a deep pond abounding in fish. The original banks of the pond can still be traced. A multitude of other hollows like this were once permanently filled with water, but clearing away the forests has caused them to dry up.
SOUTH END.
This was once a flourishing section of the town, and embraces the street running from the South Burying Ground to the Cheshire line. The village was built up along the original twenty-rod highway. Be- fore 1780 there was a grist mill there, and soon after a saw mill erected. It was here Rev. Mr. Robinson had a controlling interest in a mill and kiln that ground and dried the corn for the West India market. There was also a store that for several years was carried on successfully. At one time a large portion of the wealth and social position of the town was on this street.
CLARK FARMS.
This hamlet was planted by the Clarks, and the family owning the adjacent farms suggested this name. The fourth house in the town was built here. and the sight is still distinguishable in the rear of the Avery Clark house, down in the orchard.
TOD'S CORNER.
On the old maps the northeast part of the town bears this name, but the origin is unknown. There was a man by the name of Tod con- nected with Col. Chester of Wethersfield by marriage, and also in landed interests in this part of the State, and his name may have been attached to a section as in other cases, "Clark Farms," "Chester Tract," &c.
417
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
PLANTSVILLE.
This section of the town for many years was known as "Pearl's Cor- ner," and the "Corner," and it was at the junction of roads leading from Farmington to Waterbury, and from Bristol to New Haven. This fact gave rise to the tavern that stood upon the corner where Mrs. Laura Smith now lives. When the house was built or first opened as a public house is unknown. Joel Brocket was the first landlord of whom we know. About 1800, Joel Root built the first store. Afterwards Mr. Orrin Pearl settled there and put up several buildings on the north side of the highway, and begun the horn comb manufacturing. At one time there were two or three stores, and the business of the town appeared to center there. The only thing that seems to have kept the village of Southington where it is, was the location of the three churches. But for this, the corner had probably been the centre of the town. As the case stood it has made a strong competition with the present center, and has surpassed the center in enterprise. The name Plantsville was given the village by the "Plant Brothers." who, about 1840 started their manufacturing shops.
53
CHAPTER XXVI.
SOUTHINGTON PARISH MADE A TOWN.
Vote of Farmington; Delay in the Town Organization; Act of Incorporation in 1779; First Town Meeting; Officers; List of Freemen in 1779-83.
THE feeling awakened by the organization of the "Southern ffarm- ers" into a parish in 1724, seemed never to have died away. It exhibited itself in various ways for fifty years until the parish became a town. At what time the movement toward a separate town exist- ence began is not known. But it was consummated, so far as Farm- ington was concerned, by a vote in regular town meeting, Sept. 21, 1773, as follows:
" Voted that ye town give their free consent that ye Parish of South- ington with that part of the parish of Farmingbury in the Bounds of sa Farmington be made a District Town with all the privileges of other Towns &c."
But this vote was not carried into execution until years after. Vari- ous reasons can be given for the delay, but they are not of interest. The depressed condition of the country, and the union of all the peo- ple in their patriotic purposes led to an indifference in lesser matters.
But the final action of the General Court was taken in the fall of 1779, and the township was constituted.
The following is a copy of the Act of Incorporation:
" At a General Assembly of the State of Connecticut holden at Hartford on the second Thursday of October A. D. 1779-
" Upon the memorial of the inhabitants of the society of Southington and also of that part of the society of Farmingbury within the limits of the town of Farmington by their agents, John Curtiss, Daniel Lankton, Asa Bray and Zaccheus Gillet, showing that said town of Farmington is large and extensive and their numbers great, whereby the transaction of their public affairs is rendered difficult, that the Me- morialists live at a great distance from the County Town, but are settled very compactly and commodious upon a tract of land in the south part of the town, of about seven miles north and south and about eight miles east and west, and are nearly twenty thousand
419
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
pounds upon the Grand List, praying to be incorporated into a distinct town as y' Memorial &c .;
" Resolved by this Assembly that the Memorialists with all the lands lying within the following limits and bounds (viz.), to bounds south by the present established line of Farmington, and by the north line of the societies of Meriden and Cheshire; west by the last line of the town of Waterbury; north by a highway running between said Farm- ington, New Cambridge, and Southington, and the first society in said Farmington; and east beginning at the northeast corner of Southing- ton society in a twenty rod highway, and from thence extending southerly a parallel line with the said twenty rod highway until it meets with Meriden north line &c .; and the same are hereby incorporated into a distinct and separate town, with all the powers and privileges that other towns by law have and do enjoy, and shall be called by the name of Southington-and that they shall have and receive from the joint stock of said Farmington now on hand their full share and proportion thereof according to the List of said town. And it is further Resolved, that the inhabitants of the said town of Southington shall pay all state taxes already due, or that are or may hereafter be laid on the list of 1778 to the Collector of the State tax for said town of Farmington, and also all town taxes already laid and due, to the Collector of the town tax to be appropriated for the use of the town in the same manner as if said Southington had not been incorporated, and if it shall appear on a final adjustment of the town accounts which the said towns of Farmington and Southington are directed to make as soon as may be, that the said town of Farmington is indebted to the inhabitants of the said town of Southington they shall contribute their proportion to settle and pay the same, taking for a rule of that proportion their List for the year 1778: and that the Listers of the said town of Farmington, be, and they are hereby directed to make out, the Lists . of the said towns of Farmington and Southington for the year 1779, distinct and separate, and transmit the same so made to this Assembly at their next sessions. And the treasurer is directed hereafter to issue his warrant to the Collectors of the said towns accordingly.
" And it is further Resolved that the town of Southington shall be subjected to maintain and support their own poor, including in the number such as for convenience of support have been removed from said Southington and are now residing in said Farmington.
" And it is further Resolved that said town of Southington shall fur- nish and supply the officers and soldiers in the Continental army who belong to said Southington, and shall raise from time to time their just proportion of men to fill up said army in the same manner as other towns in the State are by law obliged to do, and under the same regu- lations, forfeitures and penalties.
420
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
" And it is further Resolved that any Justice of the Peace within said county, shall and he is hereby impowered to grant a proper warrant for the calling the first meeting of said town of Southington upon application therefor."
Within a month after the passage of this Act, a regular town meet- ing was "warned," and held' Nov. 11, 1779; " Jared Lee Esq." was moderator, and "John Curtiss Esq." clerk. These men at the time were the most prominent in the parish, and it was a tribute paid them in thus selecting them for the first office bearers of the new town. Timothy Clark, Esq., was also very prominent as a Deacon of the Church, and Justice of the Peace, and him they made Treasurer. The Selectmen chosen were five, and were also of considerable prominence in the parish, viz. Jonathan Root, Major Asa Bray, Capt. Daniel Lankton, Capt. Zacheus Gillet, and Ensign Justice Peck.
The constables appointed were Amos Root, Ensign Job Lewis, and Mark Harrison.
A committee consisting of Jonathan Root, Capt. Josiah Cowles Capt. Daniel Lankton, Major Asa Bray, and Capt. Zacheus Gillet, was ap- pointed to settle all accounts between Southington and Farmington.
It was voted to have the annual town meeting the second Monday of December.
At this meeting due attention was given to the duties of the town arising out of the war. But it was not until a month afterward (Dec. 13) that all the offices of the town were filled and from this really begins. its municipal history.
As a matter of interest and easy reference there is subjoined a list 2 of all who were made "freemen" after the town government was organized, and until the close of the war-1779-83 inclusive.
LIST OF FREEMEN.
Admitted in 1779.
Titus Dawson,
Nathaniel Jones,
David Andrus,
Elam Finch,
Noah Lyman,
Ichabod Andrus,
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