USA > Connecticut > New London County > Groton > Historic Groton : comprising historic and descriptive sketches pertaining to Groton Heights, Center Groton, Poquonnoc Bridge, Noank, Mystic, and Old Mystic, Conn. > Part 7
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BAPTIST CHURCH
The searchers look things all over for holes. rents, bad places in plank, and search out any imperfection. They must be thorough, honest. trusty, perfect in their knowledge of their bus-
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iness. Now come the painters and the gen- eral finishing. The boats are then thoroughly watered to test or find any leak. This may last three or four hours, going up one side, then the other.
It is now time to prepare to launch by put- ting ways under, which are slightly inclined planes slushed with tallow mixed with oil, on which the vessel slides to her future element. This plant for several successive years has av-
Down below are great knees of 8 and 9 inches in thickness carefully marked in the shape desired. These are placed on the table and a saw so small and slender it looks incon- gruous is poised above the depth of clumsy wood bulk under it, but a hand regulates the force, and hands guide the clumsy piece with its marks exactly to the saw, and with another little shrill shout the saw ploughs its way exact to the line, and a knee is turned out
SUMMER RESIDENCE OF THE LATE MR. ELITE SPICER
eraged a vessel constructed and launched every ten days. The gross income in panic year was $741,000.
While we are waiting for the tide to touch the highwater mark, just stroll round to the different houses where the various parts are prepared and made ready for their respective places. Here is the sawmill where the im- mense logs are sent on the great carriage to be trimmed into shape. They roll along to the saw which strikes them with an angry, exult- ant scream, as it buries itself in the huge bulk, and with a yell runs its entire length.
as neatly as the shears would cut a pasteboard card. That one there, is where the trenails are sawed. A square stick of locust about 22 inches in length by one and one-eighth inches square. is fed to the hungry brute. Behold! he grabs it, the belt swings round and one sehnist ! and a smooth, round trenail is the result which goes No fasten that planking. One man turns 1800 of these trenails a day. So the numerous saws do each its own work.
Over there is the blacksmith shop. The roar of the flames and the clank ! clank ! of the anvil is turning ont those iron bands with which the
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vessels are strapped and the other iron work required. There is a funny looking box thing and they are steaming planks to make them pliable to bend into place over a bulging frame. There is a most picturesque frescoed little building near the shore, the most artistic of them all. A few panes of glass missing from the window in the peak and daubs of all colored paints forming a rich dado as high as a man can reach without a ladder, red, yellow. etc. That is the paint shop. Then we visit the power house, that furnishes all the force that performs these wonderful things.
The tide is now about full and the click-et- click of the men at work under the bottom warn you to get your place for viewing the launch. The rapping of those men tightening up the wedges is very exciting to an onlooker, and causes them to wish they could do some- thing, too. A little lull in the click-et-click, then it comes again, "Did yon see her move?" No, not yet. Click-et-click! "There she goes!" Some boy has noticed a slight advance from the marked line. "There she goes !! " from the older ones, and "Hurrah !!! " from the specta- tors and workmen. Every whistle in the yard and every saucy little motor boat in sight (like the proverbial small boy, always around ready to scream at the chance) send out their three times three. Hurrah! Amidst the great jargon of good cheer, she slides over the tallow and oil, ploughs down into the water, and as the water buoys up the full length of her, she makes a graceful bow to the audience and the firm that has caused her being, and floats out for the mission for which she was built. The shipyard is certainly worthy a visit, and the time is well spent in gaining much information as well as pleasure.
On the brow of "Store Hill," ( for in old days tlie general variety and grocery stores were at the foot of this hill, nearly at the head of the town dock, that they might conveniently sup- ply the vessels as they came in), turning to the right and walking through the deep lawn, we approach the Baptist church, the oldest re- ligious body in the place. It is of very plain architecture, painted white, but its tapering spire with its situation on the hill, give it a
picturesque effect. Far out on the waters of the sound, or back into the distant country hills, that slim white spire can be seen, pointing upward, seeming to pierce the blue skies and clouds. This church is a daughter of the old Fort Hill meeting house, and grand-daughter of Old Mystic church, the first Baptist church formed in this part of Connecticut. The Noank Baptist church was formed in 1843, though it is so intertwined with the old Fort Hill church as to have actually begun its existence eighty years previous. Its independent existence be- gan with two hundred and twenty-three mem- lers, of which one hundred were converts of the meetings held by Elder Jabez Swan in Mystic a short time before. There are nine of those members still living.
Its history has been at times almost dramat- ic, and at all times has it been as salt savoring the community. We can here hardly touch on its power for good. There has never been in the history of Noank the open sale of liquors, or intoxicants allowed. Public opinion, so im- pregnated with the influence of that church's teachings to the young, and their parents' in- heritance before them, is such that they rise up manseated and alarmed at such sales in their midst. Many times it has been attempted, and some times carried on surreptitiously for awhile, but as soon as proof could be obtained, it was stopped. The present house of worship was built in 1867, at a cost of $12,000, having a seating capacity of about four hundred. Since that time, improvements have been made as times and conveniences have demanded, and at present it is lighted by electricity, has a fine modern pipe organ installed at the cost of $2,500, is heated with hot air, has a baptistry with water supply, a well equipped kitchen, and a large Sunday school room.
The Methodist church was formed as a chapel, partially dependent on the conference for support, in the year 1878. After years of using what was known as the chapel. it became advisable to build a better and larger house, which was done in 1903. They have now an auditorium with a seating capacity of two hun- dred and fifty to three luuindred, fitted with modern improvements. A well equipped kitch-
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W
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
HISTORIC GROTON
RESIDENCE OF MR. JOSEPH SEARING, " COVE NOOK FARM"
RESIDENCE OF JUDGE ARTHUR P. ANDERSON
CATHOLIC CHURCH
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en, and Sunday school rooms are below the main auditorium. The total value of house and furnishings is about $7,000. The same year was built a Protestant Episcopal and also a Roman Catholic church.
1843, it was used for meetings when occasion called, funerals being held there, as well as prayer and preaching services. Many now liv- ing have a reverential feeling for the school house which now stands with its modern front
BY THE WATER SIDE
The schools, both District No. It in the cen- tre of the village, and District No. 6 in upper Noank, are so closely allied to the Baptist
and back added to the "big and little" parts of other days, which interpreted meant the rooms of the big and little children, or the senior and
"AN EXQUISITE RETREAT," ON THE G. & S.
church history as to be part and parcel with it in interesting reminiscences and personal spiritual experiences. The school house of No. 11 was built in 1837, and from that time until
primary grades. The school house has now five rooms with grades and classes up to date, presided over by teachers who efficiently hold them up to the required standard, and when
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students are admitted to the high schools of other towns they take an advanced place, some vi them nearly ready for the sophomore year.
District No. 6. upper Noank, carries the re- ligious remembrances still further back to nearly a century. It has always been called "the old school house." Before District No. 1I was formed and the house built, those who have passed to the great beyond, but would have long passed the century mark at this time, wearily plodded over the hills with their little dinner pails from lower Noank on the shores, to that school, for their meagre advantages of learning to read and write. Our great grand- mothers, at four or five years of age climbed those hills, more than a mile, to school, and stopped to rest at the same house one of them
METHODIST CHURCH
went to live in afterwards with her young hus- band, which was her home until she died at nearly ninety-one years of age. She could tell of seasons of great religions blessings in the old school house, of prayer meetings and searching sermons. A musically inclined member discoursed on the singing schools, when the singing began to improve from the
old habit of "lining off" from the one red . hymn book held by the minister, while he gave them line by line to sing. The old house has
LIGHTHOUSE
been removed, and a modern one takes its place, with modern methods of teaching and an up-to-date teacher. Though it is a mixed school it arrives at a good grade of scholarship and has no reason to be ashamed.
We will return over the hills our great grandmothers trudged as they went and came from school. The view from hill to ocean is just as beautiful, but the world has moved strangely and wonderfully the last century, and now we see from those hills the conven- ient trolley car gliding along the highway each half hour, connecting Groton with Westerly, R. I., and sounding its triumphant little whis- tie as it slips out of sight around some curve.
A visit to the railroad station next. The telegraph operator is ticking at his machine. the freight agent is booking freight ; fish, lob- sters and general freight are going out. Flat cars are coming in loaded with lumber from the south, lumber from Oregon ordered months ago, knees from Sault St. Marie, Mich., floor timber from Nicollette, West Va., tre- nails from Canada, and lumber from other points near by. Immense anchors, their mam- moth chains, coils of hempen hawsers that call ont an exclamation of wonder at the size, cav- ernous iron water tanks, etc., all for Palmner & Son Co., shipbuilders. Then there is the freight for the numerous grocery stores, markets and other stores. We find the amount received for freight in one month to be $7.000, at others
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/
TROLLEY SCENE
$5,000 and $6,000. Amount received for pas- senger tickets to have been $1,500 a month be-
There are two well equipped hotels for summer visitors. The Ashby house in the lower part of the village accommodates about fifty guests, and The Palmer in the upper part of the village entertains from sixty to seventy- five visitors. Artists from the large cities find abundant material in the beautiful scenic sur- roundings for their winter art exhibitions, which bring them fame and golden shekels, or gold certificates of Uncle Sam's, meaning pros- perity in the world's goods.
Quiet, unassuming Noank, making but lit- tle pretentions of its benevolent deeds and char- itable acts, though always ready to answer the call for sympathy of the great outside world, in its poverty and the distress of its poor. From the beginning, alert to answer the call of its country in the conflicts of the Revolution and the war of 1812, while the call of the Civil war to save the unity of the nation rallied the young men to its defence in enthu- siastic numbers, and gave their native village an honorable mention among men by their poble service to and for their country.
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HISTORIC GROTON
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The Work of Fanny Ledyard Chapter, D. A. R.
By MARY E. BURROWS
T BILE pioneer chapter of the Daugh- ters of the American Revolution in the town of Groton was the Fanny Ledyard Chapter of Mystic, Old Mystic and Noank. It was formed June 8, 1893, the chapter number being 10. It was also the second chapter in the United States to appoint a chaplain among its ( fficers, who opens each meeing with relig- ious exercises.
To Mrs. Eliza A. (Miner) Dennison be- longs the honor of the first membership and the early promotion of the chapter. She was ac- cepted by the national board as a member and appointed regent of "A" chapter April 1, 1893. endorsed by Mrs. DeB. Randolph Keim state regent of Connecticut, her national number being 2966. As regent of "\" chapter the responsibility was placed on her of forming that chapter, and she immediately began her work of securing eligible members. The first member of the chapter was Mrs. Eliza (Deni- son) Brown of Noank whose name comes on the charter following the regents as number two. In a short time she had the required number for the charter (thirteen) and three more for good measure, making a roll call of sixteen for the beginning. These papers were sent to Washington the middle of April and accepted by the national board June 1, 1893.
The first regular meeting was held June 8, 1893, at which time came the choosing of a name. Several names were proposed when from one corner came a whisper, from as quiet and unassuming a gentlewoman as our chapter heroine herself, to one of the ladies nearer the front row, "Why don't you name it Fanny Ledyard? She was the first to give aid to the suffering victims of Fort Griswold?" The front row lady, Mrs. Sarah ( Burrows) Buck- ley, audibly voiced that whisper and the name thus proposed was unanimously adopted.
Fanny Ledyard was reincarnated and lives again to do deedsof mercy and kindness in the chapter which bears her name, and the
D. A. R. CABINET
Cabinet and frame of charter, made of wood from Fanny Ledyard's house; upper shelf, picture of " White Hall" gates; second shelf, picture of Hart . ford bridge; third shell, Fanny Ledyard's plate. old hand woven linen and bundle of fax; fourth shell, books of D. A. R.
name was chosen for us by the honored school- teacher whom so many have risen up from her ministrations to call blessed-Miss Ann An- gusta Murphy.
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the fist taking up of the practical work of the chapter was on September oth, to com- memorate the massacre of Groton Heights at the ord fort, with mvned guests from the chapters of New London and Norwich. Ever since that date as the year rolis round, the day has been observed, and "the memory of the spirit of those heroes and heroes of that dreadful day is perpetuated and newly aroused in each heart which attends these anniversa- ries. February 22 has always been celebrated with but one exception in the hiteen years-a perpetuation of the spirit of that great leader- the magnanimous Christian gentleman and the Moses of our country. Patriotic and 'literary exercises and colonial teas bring to mind the habits and costumes of "ye olden times," and each time arouse a new interest in historical research as to what and how our grandsires did and lived.
One early call to the chapter was not to pro- tect historical soil but to help make such. In the far state of California where no Revolu- tionary soil can be found, the Sequia Chapter planted a Liberty tree and sighed for histor- ical soil for its growth; a call was made for contributions from each chapter and that from Lexington was the first trowel full placed round its roots; then across the broad Atlantic came that from the grave of Lafayette, and so on, from the various and far aways came the soil which gives growth to that tree. The Fanny Ledyard chapter sent hers from the grave of their patron saint in Southold, L. I., and so historic and revolutionary soil like the spirit has spread, and found a rich abiding place in the beautiful, bountiful Golden State.
Soon after this a fund was started for a tab- let to commemorate the loving deeds of Fan- ny Ledyard in ministering to the wounded and suffering of the battle of September 6th, 1781. In June, 1895, the tablet was finished and placed on her grave. A delegation of the chap- ter with several Sons of the American Revo- lution accompanied by others not of either or- ganization visited Southold and held dedica- tory services appropriate for the occasion and its presentation to the village. The tablet was accepted by Rev. Dr. Whittaker in behalf
of the village. Visits are frequently made to the spot to pay respect and to keep an over- sight as to its condition. When the house where our heroine had always lived was re- moved, Dr. Whittaker saved some of its time stained oak and forwarded it to the chapter, from which was made a carved frame for the charter, and a cabinet in which to preserve relics.
Another historical monument is the pair of gates at the old Whitehall burying ground just above Mystic, where Revolutionary patri- ots rest with the families of old Colonial sires. The grounds were cared for and put in order, stones righted and work finished by placing fine iron gates at the entrance.
Markers for the graves of Revolutionary patriots were obtained from the generous Sons of the American Revolution, and one lone hero of Groton Heights sleeping about a mile from Noank was tenderly remembered, his grave made orderly and a marker placed there for David Palmer.
A contribution was made towards the pur- chase of Putnam's wolf den at Pomfret, Connecticut.
April 7, 1897, the chapter became a mem- ber of the Mary Washington Association, the badge of membership to be worn by each re- gent while holding that office. To encourage luistorical research socials were organized for such study, papers were written, original . poems composed, and so mind and heart were opened to the work before them. As the work of the chapter grew and so much was done for the country's good by its women, this work assumed other forms and the literary work came in at regular meetings and special anni- versaries. Among their cherished members have been three real daughters, Mrs. Nancy Lord Stanton, Miss Mary Ann Wheeler, Mrs. Abbyline Starr. These were cach presented with the gold spoon given to real daughters.
Miss Abigail Ledyard of Southold. 1. 1. great grand niece of Fanny Ledyard, is an honorary member of our chapter.
Many historical spots have been visited. One trip which stands out in bold relief is that to Lebanon, Conn., June 17, 1896, by invita-
t
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tion of the S. A. R. to dedicate the bronze tab- let in the little old war office in. Jonathan Trumbull's grocery store.
Article 2nd of the constitution reads: "T6 promote as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowl- edge," a quotation from Washington's will. Under this heading we place first, as homage to the distinguished author, a contribution to the "National University" fund of Washing- ton. Contributions to the Southern Educa- tional Association for the education of the mountain whites; for a scholarship of the Connecticut Literary Institute at Suffield, and two prizes to the Mystic high schools for the best historical essays on the battle of Groton Heiglits, have been given.
The insignia of the Daughters is a seal of American womanhood. It immediately es- tablishes a bond between the wearers reach- ing out to sociability and good fellowship; consequently this chapter has always extended most cordial welcome to any visiting Daugh- ter in this community and is always pleased to be addressed by her on the work of her home chapter. From time to time they have given to some prominent official to whom they wished to pay their respects, receptions reach- ing through the state to each chapter regent or her representative. Such honor was paid Mrs. DeB. Randolph Kiem, state regent, on two occasions, to Mrs. Sarah T. Kinney, state regent ; to Mrs. Agnes ( Martin) Dennison, vice-president general of national society and previously registrar general; to Mrs. Donald McLean, regent of New York City chapter and later to her as president general of the national society.
These were one and all brilliant functions made so by artistic decorations of flags, the insignia, flowers, roses and ferns, gorgeous foliage, music, beautiful gowns, gentle women, their husbands and sons, with entertainment of wit, wisdom, and dainty refreshments.
Then there have been the many calls for gen- erous thinking of others less fortunate. The "Margaret" fund is put aside for the yearly dues of any one temporarily unfortunate, so
making her membership a burden. From this fund is quietly handed the amount required and no publicity attends its payment. The flower fund is a penny collection each month to furnish flowers to the sick of their number. There was the call in '98 for hospital shirts for sick and wounded soldiers and sailors of the Spanish-American war. The response was the forwarding of eighty shirts, and a quantity of comfort bags so much needed.
March 17, 1899, came a call for contributions towards a monument for Miss Rulinia Wal- worth, daughter of one of the founders of the D. A. R. This heroine contracted disease while nursing the sick of the Spanish war for whom she laid down her young life. Money has frequently been given to elderly needy members. A donation was made toward a loving cup to our state regent, Mrs. Sarah Kinney, for long and loving service. She most generously turned the sum at once into the continental liall fund.
An appeal came from a Memphis, Tenn., chapter, asking for a doll for a bazaar to be heid to raise money for a monument to the daughter of Patrick Henry. This can was also listened to and Aliss Fanny Ledyard by name, beautifully garbed m 19th century costume of blue silk gown, black saun coat trimmed with dainty lace, and white Gainsboro hat of white chiffon and velvet started on her mission to Memphis escorted by Mr. Adams Express. Other contributions are to the New London County Historical Society towards the Shaw Mansion, New London; Groton Annex; Na than Ilale school house; Franco Memorial fund; Young Men's Christian Association; jellies for Boston Hospital; Ellsworth Home- stead, Windsor; Hartford Bridge celebration; Fanny Crosby's birthday present; and mem- bership and dues of an invalid S. A. R. Two successive years general literature, periodicals and games were given for the soldiers at Fort Terry, Plumb Island, and Fort Mansfield, Watch Hill,. R. 1. An apportionment for the Connecticut column in Continental Hall was given, making the whole amount contributed
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for the Continental Hall fund to date two hun- dred and fifty-one dollars. A heartfelt tribute tc our martyred and lamented president, Wm. McKinley, was written by Miss Mary E. Bur- rows, and forwarded by the chapter to his sorrowing widow.
And with before us, the womanly kindness of our patron saint whose deeds have raised the most enduring memorial, the Fanny Led- yard chapter, D. A. R., strives by her work and deeds to do her honor, and also the country which she pledges to sustain.
HISTORIC GROTON
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West Mystic By HORACE CLIFT
EST MYSTIC in the town of Groton has an area of about two miles square. It extends from the river on the east to Fort Hill on the west. On the east side it extends from Beebe's cove at the foot of Devil's Foot Hill to near Porter's Rocks on the north ; and on the west side from the Burrows' cemetery on Fort Hill, north along the Flanders road to the old post road.
This section was the home of the Pequot Indians when New England began to be set- tled by the white race. Fort Hill and Pequot Hill are noted as being their strongholds.
The rugged crags near the river on the north known as Porter's Rocks are historic as being the resting place of the allied forces under Capt. John Mason the night before the attack on the Pequot fort in May, 1637.
A few years after that decisive battle the settlement of the section began. Robert Bur- rows, John Packer, John Fish, and Robert Park are named as first settlers, 1652-5. The Park family located at first on the east side of the river. From that time until near the year 1800 this territory was occupied and owned chiefly by the Burrows, Packer, Fish, and Park families. Descendants of these, from time to time have been honored with the chief offices in the town of Groton and they have in turn proved an honor to the town. Some of the descendants have become men of high repute in the nation.
In 1800, and for a number of years later there were no public highways in West Mys- tic excepting the route from the ferry to Fort Ilill, through Poquonnock to Groton Bank, which was laid out very early to facilitate in- tercourse; and the Flanders road opened in 1748, running from Fort Hill north to the old post road and Stark's Hill. With these two exceptions the travelled routes were pent ways with gates or bars.
The ferry was established not long after the first settlements, with Robert Burrows ferry- man. At one time there appears to have been
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