USA > Connecticut > Historic towns of the Connecticut River Valley > Part 17
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of Leather was to inspect the premises of the tanner, to see that the curing liquors were of the best quality, and that the work was done with care and skill, and to mark the good hides with his seal, and confiscate the poor ones. For each hide under five inspected, the sealer received twopence; when the number was greater than five, he received twelvepence for every ten hides inspected. The Packer's duties were to unpack hides sent in from the farms and other settlements and to repack them, and brand each barrel which he had packed with the letters C. R. which were supposed to stand for Connecticut River.
The first Customs Master was Jonathan Gilbert, who began his duties in 1659. He was a trader and ship-master and his warehouse was at the Landing. Mr. Gilbert was also High Sheriff.
The Brander of Horses' duties were as his title implies. His brand mark and the color and age of each horse exported from the Colony were recorded by the Town Clerk, who received six- pence for each entry.
John Gunning was the Chimney Sweeper. He received his appointment in 1639. The danger from fire was great, should the thick soot from the wood fires become ignited, and it was his duty to see that the chimneys were free from such accumula- tions. In those days and with those people one man was as good as another. There were a few who possessed more money than their neighbors and others who were better educated, but there were only two classes - as we of this country know class distinc- tions - and the dividing line between them was morals and citi- zenship. There is no reason to believe that any man was " looked up to" because of his wealth. There is reason to believe that every man was highly respected because of his mental attain- ments, and there is absolutely no doubt that the good citizen who kept the laws and made it his business to see that others kept them, who lived and worked for the good of the community, as well as for himself, and lived in the fear of the Lord, was honored and came as near to being one of a superior class as the Colony of Connecticut had. So, while we regard the Chimney Sweeper as a very humble officer, it is hardly probable that his fellow settlers did so regard John Gunning and it is probable that he was as well off as the average settler.
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REMINISCENT.
The first paper money issued by the Colony of Connecticut was when Connecticut was called upon to help in the " reduc- tion " of the French in Canada, in 1709. Of the 350 men under command of Colonel Whiting who took part in that campaign of disaster, ninety were killed. A special assembly of June 8, 1709, passed a bill that paper money should be printed to the value of £8,000, the bills ranging in value from two shillings to five pounds. Only one half of the bills were signed and issued, at first, the other half being kept in the treasury till it should be needed. A tax was imposed for the redemption of the bills first issued, at the expiration of one year and for the other half at the expiration of the second year. The act required that these bills should be received for one shilling on the pound more than gold or silver.
In 1713, Connecticut consisted of four counties - Hartford, New Haven, New London and Fairfield - and a population of 17,000. Each county supported a regiment of militia, giving a total for the Colony of nearly 4,000 men.
The only direct exports to Great Britain were, tar, pitch, tur- pentine and fur pelts. The principal trade of the Colony was with Boston and New York, to which places grain, pork, beef and cattle were sent ; and with the West Indies, the trade being, besides pork, beef and cattle, horses, hoops and staves. The chief articles received from the West Indies were, rum, molasses and cotton.
The total annual expense of the Colonial government at this period was about $3,500. The Governor received equivalent to $800 and the Lieutenant-Governor, $200 a year. The cost of the Legislature was $1,600. The Legislature, or General Assembly, met twice a year but a session seldom continued for more than ten days.
The Connecticut Gazette of May 31, 1766, gives the following account of the reception of the news that the Stamp Act had been repealed and of the shocking accident that was the result of the careless enthusiasm of the people :
Last Monday evening the long expected, joyful news of the total repeal of the Stamp Act arrived in town; upon which happy event, the General Assembly of this colony, now sitting here, appointed the Friday following
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OLDEST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
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as a day of general rejoicing. The morning was ushered in by the ringing of bells - the shipping in the river displayed their colors - at 12 o'clock twenty-one cannon were discharged, and the greatest preparations making for a general illumination. Joy smiled in every face, and universal glad- ness diffused itself through all ranks and degrees. But sudden was the transition from the height of joy to the extreme of sorrow! A number of young gentlemen were preparing fireworks for the evening, in the chamber .of the large brick school house, under which a quantity of powder granted by the Assembly for the purposes of the day, was deposited. Two com- panies of militia had just received a pound a man, by the delivery of which a train was scattered from the powder cask to a distance of three rods from the house, where a number of boys were collected, who un- designedly and unnoticed, set fire to the scattered powder, which was soon communicated to that within doors, and in an instant reduced the building to a heap of rubbish, and buried the following persons in its ruins viz.
Mr. Levi Jones, John Knowles (an apprentice to Mr. Thomas Sloan, blacksmith) and Richard, second son to Mr. John Hans. Lord, died of their wounds soon after they were taken from under the ruins of the building. Mr. William Gardiner, merchant, had both legs broke. Doctor Nathaniel Ledyard, had one of his thighs broke. Mr. Samuel Talcott, Jun., very much burnt in his face and arms. Mr. James Siley, goldsmith, had one of his shoulders dislocated and some bruises in other parts of his body.
Mr. John Cook, Jun., had his back and neck much hurt. Ephraim Perry, slightly wounded. Thomas Forbes, wounded on his head. Daniel Butler (the tavern keeper's son) had one of his ankles put out of joint. Richard Burnham, son of Mr. Elisha Burnham, had his thigh, leg, and ankle broke. Eli Wadsworth (Captain Samuel's son) is much wounded and buint in his face, hands, and other parts of his body. John Bunce, Jun., (an apprentice to Mr. Church, hatter) wounded in the head. Normond Morrison (a lad that lives with Captain Siley) a good deal burnt and bruised. Roderick Lawrence, (Captain Lawrence's son) slightly wounded. William Skinner (Captain Daniel's son) had both his thighs broke. Timothy Phelps (son of Mr. Timothy Phelps, shop joiner ) had the calf torn off one of his legs. Valentine Vaughn (son of Mr. Vaughn, baker) had his skull terribly broke. Horace Seymour (Mr. Jonathan Seymour Jun's., son) two sons of Mr. John Goodwin, a son of Mr. John Watson, a son of Mr. Kellogg, hatter, were slightly wounded. Two mulatto and two negro boys were also wounded.
When the new theatre was opened in Hartford, the Connecti- cut Courant, of August 10, 1795, gave it the following notice. It is evident that the press agent had been liberal with passes :
The new Theatre in this city was opened on Monday last, with a cele- brated comedy, entitled, The Dramatist, preceded by a handsome and pertinent address by Mr. Hodgkinson. From the specimen that has been
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given of the ability of the performers, and the assurance of the managers that they will so conduct the Theatre, that it may be justly styled a school of morality; it is presumed that it will be a great source of instruction and amusement to those that visit it; and we will hazard the assertion, notwithstanding the prejudices that some have entertained against it, that as an amusement it is the most innocent and, as a source of instruction it is the most amusing of any that we ever yct experienced. While the theatre is well conducted, on chaste principles - when vice is drawn in colors that will disgust, and virtue painted in all its alluring charms, it is hoped it will meet the approbation and encouragement of the citizens, and of the neighboring towns.
"The handsome and pertinent address " by Mr. Hodgkinson included the following poem.
Here, while fair peace spreads her protecting wing,
Science and Art, sccure from danger spring,
Guarded by freedom - strengthened by the laws,
Their progress must command the world's applause. While through all Europe horrid discord reigns, And the destructive sword crimsons her plains : O! be it ours to shelter the opprest,
Here let them find pcace, liberty and rest ; Upheld by Washington, at whose dread name Proud Anarchy retires with fear and shame. Among the liberal arts, behold the Stage, Risc, tho' oppos'd by stern fanatic rage! Prejudice shrinks, and as the cloud gives way, Reason and candor brighten up the day. No immorality now stains our page, No vile obscenity -- in this blest age, Where mild Religion takes her heavenly reign,
The Stage the purest precepts must maintain : If from this rule it swerv'd at any time, It was the people's not the stage's crime.
Let them spurn aught that's out of virtue's rule,
The Stage will ever be a virtuous school. And though 'mong players some there may be found, Whose conduct is not altogether sound, The Stage is not alone in this to blame Ev'ry profession will have still the same :
A virtuous sentiment from vice may come ! The libertine may praise a happy home ;
Your remedy is good with such a teacher ; Imbibe the precept, but condemn the preacher.
In matters of every day life the people of the eighteenth cen- tury were not so different from those of the twentieth as one
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might suppose. The chief difference was, that what they said and did, was not as we would say and do it.
For instance; the man who wished to air his views, or to " knock " someone in a communication to the public press, existed in seventeen hundred, just as he exists in nineteen hun- dred. And, if one may judge from the following communica- tion to the New London Gazette, dated in Hartford on June 24, 1768, these eighteenth century " knockers " were just as timid about signing their names as the same genus is now. The com- munication is as follows :
Mr. Printer - I wish you would put this into your newspaper for the complainant. Sir :- I was at Hartford a little while ago, and I see folks running about the streets after the gentlemen that belonged to the Gen- eral Assembly; and I asked what it was for, and an old woman told me that they came a great way, matter of forty miles easterly, to find fault with what the Assembly was a going to do. And what I want of you is, to complain of it; for it does not seem clever to have them gentlemen pestered so by cats-paws, when we have got them to do all our business for us by themselves. And you know when folks have folks talking to them all the while, it will pester them. I wonder people will act so; if what I once read in a book is true,
" Know, villians, when such paltry slaves presume To mix in treason; if the plot succeeds, They're thrown neglected by."
How entirely nineteenth-century. Crowds of people chasing legislators ; old women gossiping ; and a reformer writing. The only difference is, that while the chasing of the legislators " pestered " them in 1768; it helps them to lay up treasure where moth and rust docs corrupt, and they like it, in the nineteenth century.
The early law makers of Connecticut evidently had no sus- picion, that in time, the Constitution of the United States would provide that no cruel or unusual punishments should be inflicted, for they certainly showed great ingenuity in devising both cruel and unusual forms of punishment. The Connecticut Courant, of January 4, 1785, thus describes the punishment of a man who was convicted of stealing a horse: The sentence of the Supreme Court was ; that the criminal (or victim) "Should sit on a wooden horse for half an hour. receive fifteen stripes, pay a fine of fio, be confined in gaol and the workhouse for three
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months, and every Monday morning for the first month to receive ten stripes and sit on the wooden horse as aforesaid ".
The Courant says in commenting upon the punishment :
One of the rogues was sentenced to ride the wooden horse, that wonder- ful refinement of punishment in our modern statutes. Accordingly, on Thursday last that terrible machine was prepared - consisting of one simple stick of wood supported by four legs; and by order of the sheriff placed on the State House square. Hither the prisoner was conducted, and being previously well booted and spurred by the officer, was mounted on the oaken steed. Here he continued for half an hour, laughing at his own fate, and making diversion for a numerous body of spectators, who honored him with their company. He took several starts for a race with several of the best horses in the city; and it was difficult to determine who were most pleased with the exhibition, the criminal or the spectators. After this part of the sentence had been legally and faithfully executed, the culprit was dismounted and led to the whipping post, where the duties made him more serious. The whole was performed with order and regularity.
Another man, convicted of polygamy, was sentenced by the same term of the Supreme Court, "to receive ten stripes, be branded with the letter A, and to wear a halter around his neck during his continuance in the State and if ever found with it off, to receive thirty stripes ".
When the news of the death of General Washington reached Hartford, the people of that city were depressed and sorrowful. The following account of the services held, and the reproduction of the hymn written by Theodore Dwight for the_ occasion, are from the Connecticut Courant, of December 30, 1799:
In consequence of the afflicting intelligence of the death of Genl. Washington, divine services were performed at the north meeting house in this town on Friday last. The town never exhibited a more solemn and interesting appearance. Notice having been given to the inhabitants of this and the neighboring towns, the concourse of people was greater than almost ever was known on any former occasion. The stores and shops were shut through the day -all business being suspended - the bells were muffled, and tolled at intervals, from nine in the morning till the services commenced. The meeting house was greatly crowded, and still a large portion of the people could not get in at the doors. The services were appropriate, solemn and impressive. A very eloquent and pathetic sermon was delivered by the Rev. Nathan Strong, to a most attentive, devout, and mourning audience, from Exod. XI. 3. "And the man Moses was very great", &c. The music was solemn and sublime; and the whole scene exhibited in the strongest of all possible colors, the
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deep affliction of the people at a loss utterly irreparable. The floods of tears, the badges which were universally worn, the church was hung in black, a procession of many hundreds of persons, composed of men of all classes, and the solemn grief pictured in every countenance, made im- pressions on the minds of the beholders, which many years will not efface. We presume that the sentinients and feelings which inspired the persons present, pervade the whole country, on the distressing event which called · them together. However divided into parties on political subjects, with respect to the character of this great man, we trust that there is but one opinion in the United States. As he lived, loved and admired, he has died truly lamented ; and his memory will be honored as long as wisdom, virtue and piety shall be esteemed among men. "The beauty of Israel is slain upon the high places ; how are the mighty fallen ".
The following was the hymn written by Dwight :
What solemn sounds the ear invade ! What wraps the land in sorrow's shade! From Heaven the awful mandate flies, The Father of his Country dies.
Let every heart be filled with woe, Let every eye with tears o'erflow, Each form oppressed with deepest gloom, Be clad in vestments of the tomb.
Behold that venerable band ! The rulers of our mourning land, With grief proclaim from shore to shore, Our guide, our Washington's no more !
Where shall our country turn its eye? What help remains beneath the sky? Our Friend, Protector, Strength, and Trust, Lies low and mouldering in the dust.
Almighty God, to thee we fly - Before thy throne above the sky, In deep prostration humbly bow, And pour the penitential vow.
Hear, O Most High! our earnest prayer - Our country take beneath thy care, When dangers press, and foes draw near, May future Washingtons appear.
There is a patriotic nobility of sentiment; fine appreciation of the dead hero, patriot and soldier ; and faith in, and devotion to, Almighty God, that is typical of a Dwight in this hymn, which becomes even more striking by two or three readings.
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ELECTION DAY.
Kendall's account of the doings on election day in Hartford, toward the end of the first decade of eighteen-hundred, refers to the reforms that were made about the time the new Con- stitution was adopted. Among them being, that the clergy were no longer dined at the expense of the public, that the elec- tion sermon was eliminated and that the Governor's guard was no longer fed at public expense. It will be noticed that leaving the clergy to go hungry was one step in reform and the restrain- ing one of their number from exhaling superheated atmosphere for two hours on election day, was another. An ante-reforma- tion election day was observed somewhat as follows, according to Kendall :
The Governor had volunteer companies, both horse and foot. In the afternoon the horse were drawn up on the bank of the river to receive him and escort him to his lodgings. The mounted guard wore blue cloth and the Governor was dressed in black with a cockade in his hat, which was of somewhat ancient form (probably the three-cornered chapeau). In the morning the foot guards were paraded in front of the State House, where they afterward remained under arms, while the troop of horse occupied the street on the south side of the building. The clothing of the foot was scarlet coats, white waistcoats and white pantaloons. Their appearance and demeanor were military.
The apartments and galleries in the State House were filled by the members of the Legislature and other notable citizens, awaiting the arrival of the Governor. At about 11 o'clock his excellency made his appearance and took his place at the head of the procession, which pro- ceeded to a meeting-house about a half mile distant. Those in the pro- cession were on foot and included the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, assistants, high sheriffs, members of the lower house of the Legislature, and all of the clergy of the State. It was preceded by the foot guards and followed by the horse guards. Arrived at the old South Meeting house all of the military, except a few officers, remained outside. Neither the Governor nor any of the other high officials, wore anything like insignia of office. The only women in the church were the twenty in the high gallery opposite the pulpit, who composed the choir.
On the large platform behind the pulpit were four ministers; one to open the ceremony with prayer; another to preach the election sermon ; another to offer the closing prayer and the last, to pronounce the bene- diction. The sermon was on matters of government and when all was finished the procession returned to the State House, the clergy on foot, numbering about one hundred.
It was in the military alone, that any suitable approach to magnificence
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was shown. The Governor was in black, the Lieutenant-Governor wore riding boots and the sheriffs wore their village habiliments (all of which were of a varied nature) and dress swords. At the State House the military formed on either side of the street and presented arms, as the Governor passed through their lines. Then a general division took place. The Governor, Lieutenant-Governor and the assistants going to their special room in the inn; the ministers to another and the members of the Legislature to another where dinner was served.
Soon after the dining was finished, the Assembly met in the council room to examine and count the written votes for the officers, when the public, official announcement was made. Then the Lieutenant-Governor administered the oath to the governor, who returned the courtesy and continued it with the other officials elected. At a few minutes past 6 o'clock, the military fired a salute and were then dismissed. On the night after election there was a grand, public ball and on the Monday night after election there was another ball not for the people, but for the few select ones.
Election day and in fact the week following that day, was a general holiday in Connecticut. About the only one the people had, for such was the odd state of mind of the Congregational leaders in authority, in the early days in New England, that nearly all that was tender and beautiful in Christ's religion was resigned, without the asking, to the Church of Rome. So the early Christians of the Congregational faith (and Christians they surely were) knew nothing of Christmas, Easter and Whitsun- tide, but rather lived " in the fear of the Lord " and election day was their chief holiday. Indeed, so late as 1886, in a Vermont city, a Congregational Church refused to place a beautiful cross, that had been presented by a friend, behind the pulpit on Easter, " because it was so much like Popery ". It was a strange religion that willingly robbed itself of the tenderness, and retained so much of the harshness of Christianity and yet this same unbeautiful religion was a power for good, great good, in the Colony and young Nation and produced many of the Nation's finest and most liberal men and women.
A queer old custom that may have originated in a spirit of fun, was the election day of the negro population, when a negro governor was elected. Or perhaps the custom was established by the masters to keep the slaves in good humor and by placing the most intelligent of them over the others, they may have relieved themselves of many of the petty annoyances that exist with slavery. The custom obtained long before the Revolution,
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and continued to a few years after the second war with Great Britain.
" Nigger election " was usually on the Saturday after the regular election of the Colony, or State. It was an occasion of unusual liberty and delight for the negroes. Much of the voting was done by proxy, as not all of the blacks could attend the election. Often the choice was largely left to the masters, who chose a black for governor who was able to keep his fellows in order by means of his superior intelligence and great muscular strength. Sometimes the existing black governor passed his office and authority on to another of his own choice, but above all, the whites required that the black governor should be one notable for his honesty.
After the election, the governor appointed aids, military offi- cers, sheriffs and justices of the peace. In fact, the whole busi- ness was carried on with as much dignity and as nearly like an election by their masters, as the farcical natures of the negroes permitted. They had their post-election parade and, generally, this was followed by a feast of some kind. The governor's duties were never definitely defined, any more than the duties of a policeman's club are defined and, like the policeman's club, he was a sort of instrument of punishment to be held over the heads of wrong-doers among the people of his own color. Neptune, one of the negro justices of the peace, generally known as "Squire Nep", was a terror to evil-doers of his own color for when one of them was brought before him, Squire Nep always inflicted the most severe punishment upon conviction. Nep was a barber, and was as much respected by the whites for his integrity, intelligence and influence among the negroes, as he was feared by the latter. On one occasion, a nigger thief had been taken before Jonathan Bull, a white magistrate. Squire Bull sent him to " Squire Nep " for trial. Nep found him guilty and sentenced him to receive thirty lashes upon his bare back, and to give up his gun and tobacco as a means of restitution. The execution of the sentence took place at night, by the light of a candle, upon the South Green.
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WEST HARTFORD.
WEST HARTFORD.
W EST Hartford was originally a portion of Hartford and was for many years known as West Division. It was owned by a large company of proprietors who voted to divide the district in 1672. Up to that year, nothing · had been done toward a survey and division of the land. In fact, nothing was done till 1674, when a strip of land extending north and south for the full length of the Town of Hartford and east from the Farmington line for a mile and a half, was set off and divided into lots, in proportion to the individual interests of the proprietors.
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