History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 101

Author: J.W. Lewis & Company (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1532

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Orrin was born Sept. 3, 1799. Ile followed his trade as n harness-maker in the village of New Hartford, where he died Dee. 14, 1865, aged above sixty-six.

Hannah was born Oct. 11, 1801. She spent most of her life in New Hartford, where her husband, Willinin Warner, still lives. She died at Winsted, July 30, 1851, aged nearly fifty- three.

Amanda was born Feb, 11, 1803. After marrying Carlo Smith they moved to Sidney Plains, on the Susquehanna River, in the State of New York, where they remained a few years ; then returned to New Hartford. The widow, in a good old age, still livos in l'ine Meadow.

Jennette was born July 16, 1806; died April 27, 1827, aged less than twenty one years.

Caleb Croswell Goodwin, whose portrait necompanies this sketch, was born Feb. 11, 1808. He is still living on his farm which ho purchased on the east and opposite side of the river from the old homestead, while he yet retains possession of the old house and adjoining linds.

Horatio Nelson floodwin was born Jan. 27, 1812. Ile learned the trade of harness-maker of his brother Orrin, in New Hart- ford, and still follows this calling. For many years ho has filled the office of dencon well in the Congregationnl Church in Collinsville, where he still lives.

Hey. William Goodwin was born Inn. 1, 1814. He entered Williams College, Massachusetts, in 1838, graduated in 1812. and finished his theologien! course in 1845 nt the Theological Seminary in East Windsor, Conn .; since removed to Hartford. Ile reerived a license to preach, with other members of his elnss, at nn Assoeintion in Ware Village, Mass., in 1514. The convic- tions on the subject of baptism which he entertained before entering college grew stronger, so that enrly in his ministry be beenme a Baptist. After various pastorales in Connecticut and Masanchusetts, he was invited, in the spring of 1879, to return to his former held of Inbor, the Baptist Church in North Cole- brook, where Eller Babcock Inbored so earnestty and effectually, and almost gratuitously, and left behind him not only the savor of his good name, but one of the best parsonages in Litchfield County to the church and society.

Charles F. Maxfield .

"HIGHLAND FARM,"

RESIDENCE OF CHARLES F. MAXFIELD, NEW HARTFORD, CONN.

“生

en Filmen

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NEW HARTFORD.

E. M. CHAPIN.

E. M. Chapin, son of Herman and Catharine Mer- rill Chapin, was born in New Hartford, Sept. 5, 1833. He attended school in Litchfield in 1847 and '48, in Winsted in 1849, and at the Connecticut Literary Institution at Suffield in 1849, '50, and '51.

In 1851 he began business as superintendent in his father's plane- and rule-factory, which was established by H. Chapin in 1826, and continued until 1860, when a partnership was formed, consisting of H. Chapin, E. M., G. W., and P. E. Chapin, under the firm-name of H. Chapin & Sons, E. M. Chapin having the entire management. In 1865, E. M. and G. W. Chapin having secured the factory and business, a new part- nership was formed under the name of H. Chapin's Sons. In 1868, E. M. Chapin purchased the entire interest of G. W. Chapin, and has since conducted the business under the name of H. Chapin's Son.

· Mr. Chapin is an enterprising and public-spirited citizen. In 1868, and again in 1870, he was elected to the Legislature, lower house, and in 1872 was chosen to the Senate from the Fifteenth District. In 1856 he united in marriage with Mary E. Pike, and has two sons living.

CHARLES FRANK MAXFIELD.

Charles F. Maxfield was born in Winsted, Conn., July 13, 1853. He was educated at the Winchester Military School, the Cheshire Military Institute, and at the private select school of the Rev. Mr. Upson, in Washington, Conn. His school-days terminated be- fore he was twenty years of age, and he then went to Brooklyn, and entered the mercantile establishment of T. K. Horton & Co. as clerk. Here he remained about three years, and then went traveling extensively in Great Britain and throughout Continental Europe. Upon his return he entered the employ of T. J. Briggs, manufacturer of fine decorations and wall- paper, and subsequently engaged with J. S. Warren & Co., the largest manufacturers of wall-paper in this country, as traveling salesman, and though the youngest of a large forec of experienced salesmen in the employ of this firm, during the first year his sales amounted to over one hundred thousand dollars, strikingly illustrating his business tact and go-ahead- ativeness.

Nov. 20, 1878, he united in marriage with Georgetta Robbins, of Brooklyn, N. Y., youngest daughter of the late Daniel A. Robbins, a large builder and en- terprising business man of that city.

In 1879, Mr. Maxfield purchased the old Maxfield homestead at New Hartford, and the year following negotiated for the place known as the old Hart place, formerly owned by Maj. Sanford Brown, on the hill north of the village, and immediately commenced the improvement of the locality by cutting off the forest. He carried forward the improvements with energy, 1 graded, laid out walks and drives, etc., and began the

erection of a residence which when completed will be one of the finest in interior and exterior decorations in Connecticut. It is charmingly located on a high eminence, commanding a beautiful view of the Farm- ington River and the valley, the village of New Hart- ford, and the hills beyond. It is an elegant country- seat, and reflects much credit upon the æsthetic taste of its owner.

Mr. Maxfield is an enthusiast in the breeding of fancy stock, particularly that of Swiss cattle, and has carried off numerous diplomas and sweepstakes at competitive exhibitions. He is the owner of the fa- mons bull Conrod Tell, now considered the best bull in the United States by the best judges. He is a breeder of a high class of poultry, and has more than fifteen distinct varieties. He is a leading representative of a class of wealthy experimental and progressive agri- culturists.

Politically he is a Democrat, and a member of the Church of the Redeemer, of Brooklyn, of which the Rev. William A. Leonard is rector.

Mr. Maxfield is about the average height, and his face shows intelligence, foresight, and decision as the chief elements of his character. He is a public- spirited citizen, of a genial and social nature, and very popular with the masses.

CHESTER W. GILMAN.

Chester W. Gilman was born June 8, 1818, in Hart- land, Conn., son of George C. Gilman. His early life was spent on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he commeneed for himself. His first business enterprise was peddling clocks in Ohio, where he was engaged some ten months, when he re- turned to Hartland with two hundred dollars saved from his carnings, with which he purchased cows to stock a farm near the old home, which he contracted for at three thousand one hundred and fifty dollars. Mr. Gilman remained on this farm until 1854. At that time he had paid for the farm and built a good house and barn. Thinking he could better his con- dition, he exchanged for the large farm in New Hart- ford, where he has since resided, and which under his management has become one of the finest farms in that part of the country. His specialty being dairy and blooded stock, he has a fine herd of Alderney cattle and a good grade of horses.

Mr. Gilman was married when twenty-eight years of age to Antinett Smith, of East Haddam, Conn., youngest of fourteen children,-seven sons and seven daughters ; all the sons and six of the daughters grew to adult age. Mrs. Gilman died in 1870, leaving five children, one daughter having previously died at eight years of age. Of the five children that survived their mother three are now living,-Jennie, married David W. Meeker, of Florida; Mary E., married George Spencer, a merchant of New Hartford; Ilenry lives at home. Two sons-Chester W. and Elias E .- were

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HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

killed by a railroad accident at Tariffville, Jan. 15, 1877.

Mr. Gilman was a second time married,-June, 1872, to Julia A., daughter of Allen Jewett, of Win- sted.

Politically Mr. Gilman is a Republican ; has served several terms as selectman, and represented the town in the Legislature in 1872.

Mr. Gilman and his wife are active and consistent members of the Congregational Church. He has been superintendent of the Sunday-school, and is one of the substantial representative men of his town.

CHAPTER XL. NEW MILFORD.

Geographical-Topographical-Indian History-Documentary Ilistory- Original Indian Deed, etc.

THIS town is located in the southwestern part of the county, and is bounded as follows: on the north by Kent, on the east by Washington, Roxbury, and Bridgewater, on the south by Bridgewater and the town of Brookfield, in Fairfield County, and on the west by the towns of New Fairfield and Sherman, in Fairfield County. The surface is hilly and broken, and the soil generally good. It is well adapted to agriculture, and the raising of tobacco forms one of the chief occupations of the inhabitants. It is watered by the Housatonic River and its tributaries.

INDIAN HISTORY.

When Litchfield County was first settled at Wood- bury, in 1672, the Potatuck tribe of Indians was the only and largest tribe in this part of Connecticut ; and its existence had been known by the Connecticut colonists for more than thirty years. As civilization appeared, advanced, and caused the most powerful tribes of Southern New England-the Narragansets of Rhode Island, the Mohegans and Pequots of West- ern Connecticut-to disappear, the section not yet reached by the white man became the home of the aboriginal inhabitants. . The Wepawaugs inhabited Milford when that town was settled, and the Po- quassets resided at Derby, where their principal village was located. As Milford was settled in 1639, some fifteen years before Derby, those of the Milford In- dians who did not go West to the Six Nations, or remained in the town, joined the Poquassets, and re- mained there till the white settler made his appear- ance, when the Indian seems to have immediately made preparations to leave for some wild and secluded locality where he conld enjoy the solitude his nature so much craved. Thus the Poquassets, most of them, united with the Potatucks, whose principal village was in the present town of Southbury, on the Honsa- tonic River, where they reserved a large tract of land in all their deeds to the first settlers of Woodbury, as

also in the confirmatory purchase of the inhabitants of that town in 1706. At the time New Milford was set- tled Nomwag was their chief. That the tribes formed from the original powerful tribes found here by the first settlers of Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, and Connecticut were less powerful, and that the growing disintegrating clans therefrom became of less conse- quence as the country became settled, may, perhaps, be true to a certain extent.

The fierce spirit of the Pequots was broken at the last battle at "Shoco Swamp," and they never after- wards were a terror to the whites. As was natural, the broken tribes would rally, if possible, after being driven back again and again into the shades of the primeval forest, and make a stand like a defeated army hotly pursued by a victorious enemy. History has recorded the acts of cruelty and deeds of daring and bravery exhibited by the natives when opposed by the first English footsteps on our shores ; but, as the great tribes have been broken and scattered, they have had less power of resisting the advance of the white man, and the incidents of more local history have not been recorded. This probably accounts for the remark of De Forrest in his "History of the In- dians of Connecticut," where he says of the Pota- tucks, "Their insignificance is sufficiently proved by the almost total silence of authors concerning them, and by their noiseless disappearance."

The Potatucks were a powerful tribe, with whom the white settlers never had any difficulty ; but as the neighboring settlement of Woodbury increased in population they longed for some more congenial re- treat, and in time most of them joined the clan at New Milford.

When the Weautenaugs of New Milford first be- came a distinct clan is not known. That they occu- pied lands here opposite the village prior to 1671 is quite evident; but how long before that we have no positive proof. That they were then an insignficant clan is evident from the fact that they were unknown in history and in song, only as the name of the place would indicate some knowledge of the locality by the colonial authorities. Afterwards, however, they be- came of more importance, probably as early as 1650. At the time of the settlement of New Milford there were probably small clans along the Housatonic River northward, refugees from larger tribes, and, if not making any permanent place their residence, roamed over the vast expanse of wilderness for purposes of hunting and fishing. There was, undoubtedly, quite an extensive clan in the southern part of Berkshire Co., Mass., on the Housatonic River; which had been there many years among those grand old moun- tains, the natural home of the red man, springing from the Mahikanders or River Indians, who lived on the east side of the Hudson River below Albany. But all these small tribes or clans were very insignifi-

* Cotren's History, p. 29.

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NEW MILFORD.

cant and weak in comparison with that large and powerful tribe of Northern New York, the Mohawks, who claimed jurisdiction over all the territory of Western Massachusetts and Connecticut, and came down annually to collect tribute from them, which must be satisfied or a fierce army of blood-thirsty Mohawks would soon appear among them to enforce their demands. They were compelled to pay for fear of death or captivity. The cry, " A Mohawk !" caused all the signal-fires to be lighted on the mountain heights, and drove the peaceful Indians along the Housatonie River into their forts, or to the settlements of the whites for protection. The New Milford Indians had forts on both sides of the Housa- tonic River, probably in the vicinity of the Steep Rock, about six miles above the village, as appears from an ancient map of Weautenaug, found when the town was first settled. And there was also a fort somewhere in the locality of the residence of E. T. Brewer, from which circumstance the place has always been called " Fort Hill."

The Rev. Stanley Griswold, in a "centennial ser- mon" delivered in 1801, says,-

"The natives had sundry fortresses, or military stations, in and about this town to guard against attacks from distant tribes. Some spots in the town bear an allusion to them to this day, as Fort IIill, Guarding Mountain, etc. It has been said that all the tribes along the river, from its source to the sea, were in strict alliance and friendship, and that by means of certain sounds made on the guarding heights an alarm might be spread within the space of three hours through the whole line of the tribes, a distance of near two hundred miles."

Guarding Mountain, spoken of by Mr. Griswold, is on the west side of the Housatonic River near "Conetia Park," the grounds of the New Milford Agri- cultural Association. There has been some doubt expressed whether these Indian forts and guarding heights were of Indian or colonial origin. But it seems that there should be but little doubt that they were means of defense, and signals established by the Indians themselves, principally against the incursions of the Mohawks. The Western Massachusetts and Connecticut Indians were friendly with the white settlers, who almost invariably made satisfactory pur- chases of their lands, and the natives were never engaged in wars among themselves. There were mountains used for guarding heights in Woodbury and Litchfield, and all along up the Housatonic River. These forts and signal-stations were in existence und use when the whites first settled here. The first white settlers in New Milford never had any fears from the Mohawks, neither is there any historical account or tradition of any depredations upon the white settlements up the river. When the Mohawks eame to punish our Indians for not paying tribute, they would fly to their forts, and, if they could not reach them, to the houses of the English for shelter. Sometimes their enemies would pursue them so closely that they would enter the houses with them, and kill them in presence of the family. If there was time to shut the doors they never forced an entrance,

nor did they on any occasion do the least harm to the English, always being on the most friendly terms with them."* The garrisons authorized to be erected by the colonial government of Woodbury, Danbury, and Weautenaug in 1708, and also the Committee of War for the frontier towns in Fairfield County, and of New Milford in 1709, against the assaults of the enemy, were all independent of the efforts of the natives for their own defense before these acts were passed, and before the town was settled. The early colonists had fears of attacks from the Indians, and there were occasional alarms; but time proved that these alarms were generally groundless, and the forces sent for defense were soon removed.

Later, however, in 1722, the Eastern Indians and the Province of Massachusetts Bay were at war, and it was felt in Connecticut; and in 1723-24 there was a considerable excitement and alarm, when the Eng- lish and French wars were prevailing and the frontier settlers were exposed to danger by the French ineiting the Indians to attack them ; but the excitement soon subsided.

From the ferocious and treacherous character of the Indians it is ne wonder that the early settlers of the country should have fears of hostility and war from them. In 1675, at a meeting of the Council of the colonial government, they came to an agreement with our Indians here in New Milford, "who engaged to continue in friendship wth us, and to be enemies to o' enemies, and to discouer them timely, or de- stroy them ; that they would do no prejudice to the English." They never manifested a disposition of hostility to the colonists, and were always friendly to them after the town was settled.t

The colony was also suspicious of our Indians during the French and Indian wars; as, perhaps, they well might be, although subsequent events proved that their fears were groundless; although about five years before the settlement of our town the terrible border wars broke out in all their fury. A treaty of peace having been entered into between the government of Canada and the Five Nations in New York, the whole weight of the war fell on New England. Many towns on the frontier had been burned by the Indians, t and the colonial government at Hartford had fears that the enemies and Indians were preparing to make a descent upon the frontier towns of New England, by information which had been received from Col. Schuyler. At a council at IIartford, in February, 1706-7, a letter was read from Capt. John Miner and Mr. John Sherman to the Deputy Governor signifying their suspicion that the Potatuck and Weautenang Indians were invited to join with the enemy."¿ There was, in the opinion of the government, danger that our Indians would be

· Cortron's IlIst. Ancient Woodbury, vol. I. p. 87.

t Col. Itecorda, 1665-77, p. 369.

Į Frost, p. 105.

2 Col. Records, 1706-16, p. 15.

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HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

allured from their former agreement of comity and friendship, and be induced to join our enemies. Writings were presented relative to the matter, and the Indians were examined relative to the induce- ments held out to them to become the enemies of the settlers. For the preservation of the small frontier towns, and to prevent their revolt, the honorable the Governor and Conncil ordered Capt. John Minor and Mr. John Sherman, of Woodbury, "with all conveni- ent speed to remove the said Indians down to Fairfield or Stratford, or both, as shall be judged most con- venient." Provision was made that "if by reason of sickness prevailing among them they cannot at pres- ent be removed, then to take two of their principal persons and convey them to Fairfield, there to be kept safely as hostages to secure the fidelity of those that remain at those inland places."* But it does not appear that the tribes were removed by the direction of the Council, though hostages may have been taken to carry out the object of the order.

The only time when the Weautenaug Indians mani- fested a warlike spirit was about the year 1725, when it was reported to the Governor and Council at Hart- ford, that they and the Potatuck Indians had "lately had several dances, and sundry of them have painted themselves, as is usual for Indians to do that design war." In consequence of this act, and because paint- ing was the badge of war used by the Indians that were then engaged in war with the English, an order was made declaring that if any Indian shall be seen painted after the 21st day of August, 1725, they shall be taken for enemies and provided against as such. It was supposed that there was a secret understanding among the Indians of the colony, and that they had been incited to acts of cruelty and murder by the English. Soon after the New Milford Indians had painted themselves and had had dances, the shepherd of Stratford was taken by two Indians, painted, and carried captive and stamped till he was breathless, and buried as dead, and David Lane, a child of Stratford, barbarously murdered and mangled. In consequence of these hostile developments, the Indians were re- strained within certain bonnds, to be considered as enemies if found without those limits, and could be summoned before any authorized English persons to give account of their rambles and business.

The planting fields of the Indians were on the west side of the river, opposite the village, and have to this day been known as the "Indian Fields." These fields were reserved in their deed to Milford gentlemen of Feb. 18, 1702-3, which appears in a former chap- ter. There were several Indian burying-grounds in the town, and it was in this reservation that the largest one is found. It was on Fort Hill, south of the residence of E. T. Brewer. The Rev. Mr. Gris- wold states that their graves were of a circular form, and that they were buried sitting up, as in a natural

posture upon the ground. There were two other burying-grounds on the east side of the river,-one, the bluff, in the vicinity of West Street, in the vil- lage, and the other was, on the anthority of the Rev. George S. Bennett, after crossing the Aspetnck River, on the river road which passes through it, where skeletons have from time to time been unearthed. A few years since, while digging the cellar of a dwelling- house on West Street in the village, the workmen found some parts of the skeleton of an Indian, where the second burying-ground spoken of was located, and near by were the relics buried with their owner, which miglit be needed in the fair hunting-grounds to which the departed had gone when he reached the spirit-land. There was a beautifully-formed toma- hawk, a finely-modeled pipe, some well-preserved dishes, and several nicely-wrought arrow-heads and stone hatchets. Some years ago some of our citizens made excavations in the largest cemetery in the In- dian fields on Fort Hill, and found many graves as de- scribed by Mr. Griswold, containing the implements of war and necessary utensils in their journey beyond . the setting sun. The probability is that at one time they had quite a village on Fort Hill, near Guarding Mountain. They did not long retain possession of their planting-field. In 1705, John Mitchel, of Wood- bury, purchased the Indian fields, and at the date of the settlement of the town their principal village was at the Trout Falls, on the Housatonic River, about two miles below the village, to which the natives had given the name Mitichawon. This is one of the most inviting places of residence for the red men that can well be imagined in this section of the State. The river seems to have broken through the mountain, leaving a deep gorge, of perhaps a quarter of a mile in length, through which the water descends quite rapidly, affording one of the best fishing-places on the river. Here were plenty of salmon, and in the spring of the year shad and lamprey-eels were found in great abundance. The Potatuck Indians of Wood- bury finally sold a large part of their lands, and many of their leading men joined with others in forming the Weautenaug tribe.t It was not, however, till 1733 that they sold about three-quarters of their reservation in the southwestern part of Southbury, when they seemed to have all removed to New Mil- ford. When they commenced coming to the Great Falls is not definitely known, but it must have been some time before the town was settled. The greatest man of the tribe was Wereaumaug, who came about 1715, and was soon chosen their chief. He had been a sagamore of the Potatuck tribe. There has been much speculation as to the size of this tribe. Mr. Griswold, in his "Century Sermon," states that when the town was settled there were about two hundred warriors connected with them. President Stiles, of Yale College, thought that there were three hundred war-

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History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 101

Author: J.W. Lewis & Company (Philadelphia, Pa.) Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1532

Author: J.W. Lewis & Company (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1532