History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 59

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

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The Methodist Episcopal church edifice of Pleasant Valley was built in the years 1847-8, the funds hay- ing been raised within the society. The first organi- zation of the class and society is uncertain, but it

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HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

must have been some years before the building was erected. There were about thirty original members. During the summer of 1880 the church was thor- oughly renovated and repaired, about eight hundred dollars having been expended for this purpose. The society has been under the direction of a preacher, appointed by the Conference, or presiding elder since it was constituted. It belongs to the New York East- ern Conference. Its present membership is about forty. The present pastor of this church is Rev. - Moffat.

The brick Methodist Episcopal church on Wash- ington Hill was built abont the year 1830. The society has been able to support preaching only at intervals. This church has at the present time a membership of about sixty.

From the letter of Rev. Mr. Eells the following in relation to ecclesiastical matters is quoted :

" There is in Barkhamsted society one hundred and fifty-five heads of families or ratable persons, as taken from the list, who are Congregation- alists, thirty-seven Churchmen, ten Methodists, and five Baptists. There is but one meeting-house. In Winsted society there are the same denominations, but quite a few Churchmen, more Methodists and Baptists, the exact number I am unable to learn. There has been no sectaries ever ordained in this town. The Church of Christ in Winsted was formod in the winter of 1783. The Rev. Aaron Woodworth was ordained to the pastoral charge of that church Jan. 18, 1792, and in six years from that day he was dismissed and preached his farewell sermon. They were mutually agreed in the dismission, and the cause assigned was they were unable to support him."

The First Ecclesiastical Society of Winsted had its birth on Wallen's Hill, along the line of the old North country road. Many of the members of the society were residents in Barkhamsted, and the first parson- age and meeting-house were built just over the line in this town, the former in 1787, the latter, after much dissension and many "stake-pitchings," in 1793.

The Wallen's Hill meeting-house was sold and taken down in 1800, and one in East Winsted was built. Boyd's " Annals of Winchester" gives a graphic account of the early history of this society.

CHAPTER XXIII.

BARKHAMSTED (Continued).

CIVIL AND MILITARY.

THE town of Barkhamsted was incorporated in October, 1779. If records of the early proceedings of the inhabitants were ever kept, they must have been lost, as we can find no account of town votes previous to 1806. We cannot, therefore, give the names of all of the first officers of the town.

Joseph Wilder was the first justice of the peace, and for many years the only one. He came to the town from East Haddam about 1771. He was a man of extensive power and influence. One of his de- scendants, now living in the town, has a quantity of his private and public documents (cases tried, etc.),

handsomely filed, in a good state of preservation. He died leaving a numerous posterity, many of whom have since filled positions of trust and honor in the town.

At the first meeting of the proprietors of Barkham- sted, held at Windsor, Jan. 1, 1732-33, Henry Allyn was chosen clerk, and we find no record of any change in the office until 1772, when, at a meeting of the pro- prietors, March 28th of that year, it was voted that it would be more advantageous to the proprietors to have a clerk residing in the town of Barkhamsted, and accordingly Pelatiah Allyn was chosen. In 1795 Matthew Allyn was chosen proprietors' clerk, and we find nothing on the subject subsequent to that time.

The first town clerk seems to have been chosen in 1790, when Israel Jones, Jr., took the office, and con- tinued until 1811. The following have since held that position :

1811-24, John Merrill ; 1824-30, Joseph Wilder; 1830-35, Amos Beecher ; 1835-51, Merlin Merrill; 1851-53, E. N. Ransom ; 1853-55, James Tiffany ; 1855-60, E. N. Ransom ; 1860-68, Sheldon Merrill; 1868-69, A. E. Merrill ; 1869-72, Dwight S. Case; 1872-81, William E. Howd ; 1881, Sheldon Merrill, the present incumbent.

Lambert Hitchcock, the founder of the village of Hitchcocksville, who was so actively connected with the business interests of the town from 1818 to 1843, was chosen senator of the Fifteenth District in 1840, and re-elected in 1841. He held other offices of trust. Hon. Hiram Goodwin, the only lawyer known to have settled in the town, was senator of this district in 1862, and again in 1864, in which year he was chosen president of the Senate pro, tem. Judge Goodwin went to Riverton in the fall of 1830. He is a native of New Hartford, where he studied law with William G. Williams, Esq. He also studied at the law-school at Litchfield. Locating in this village at the age of twenty-two, he has remained until the present time. As a gentleman of the old school, as a citizen and lawyer, he is widely known, beloved, and honored by all who know him.

REPRESENTATIVES TO LEGISLATURE.

The town was first represented in the General As- sembly, October session, 1796, by Israel Jones, Jr., and Pelatiah Allyn.

1797 .- Israel Jones, Jr., Pelatiah Allyn, Joseph Wilder, Samuel Hayden. 1798,-Joseph Wilder, Pelatialı Allyn, Isaac Jones, Jr.

1799 .- Israel Jones, Pelatinh Allyn.

1800 .- Israel Jones, Ephraim Munson.

1801 .- Ephraim Munson, Pelatiah Allyn, Calvin Cone.

1802 .- Israel Jones, Pelatiah Allyn, Ephraim Munson.

1803-4 .- Pelatiah Allyn, Israel Jones.

1805 .- Pelatiah Allyn, Israel Jones, Jolin Merrill.

1806 .- Israel Jones, Pelatiah Allyn.

1807 .- Pelatiah Allyn, Robert Willcox, Robert Whitford.

1808 .- Pelatiah Allyn. Israel Jones.

1809 .- Pelatiah Allyn, Medad Munson.

1810 .- Robert Willcox, Pelatiah Allyn, Gideon Mills, Jr.

1811 .- Robert Willcox, Gideon Mills, Jr., Samuel Munson.

1812 .- John Merrill, Moses Ilayden, Joseph Hayden.

1813 .- Jolın Merrill, Josiah M. Ilart, Moses Hayden.

1814,-Pelatiah Allyn, Moses IJayden, John Merrill, William Taylor.

1815 .- Luke Loomis, Moses Hayden, Oliver Mills, Samuel Hayden.

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BARKHAMSTED.

1816 .- Josiah II. Ilart, John Merrill, Moses Hayden, Oliver Mills. 1817 .- Moses Hayden, Oliver Mills, Samuel Muuson, Amos Beecher. 1818 .- John Merrill, Oliver Mills, Zophar Case, Zalmon Howd. 1819 .- Zopliar Case, Salmon Howd .* 1820 .- John Merrill, Josiah Smith. 1821 .- Johu Merrill, Elijah Jones. ' 1822 .- Salmon Howd, Samuel Muasoo. 1823 .- Samuel Munson, Elijah Jones. 1824-25 .- Jesse Ives, Elijah Jones. 1826 .- Samuel Munson, Zophar Case. 1827 .- Jesse Ives, Amos Beecher. 1828,-llenry Alleu, Lester Loomis. 1829 .- Elijah Jones, Mathew Allen. 1830-31 .- Mathew Allen, George Merrill. 1832 .- Lester Loomis, Joel Tiffany. 1833 .- Mathew Allen, Joel Tiffany. 1834 .- Mathew Allen, Lambert Ilitchcock.

1835 .- Elijalı Jones, Chester Wentworth. 1836 .- Iliram Goodwin, Elijah Jones. 1837 .- Iliram Goodwin, Daniel Sanford. 1838 .- Daniel Sauford, Merlia Merrill.

1839 .- Merlin Merrill, Garry Upsou. 1840 .- Garry Upson, George Cornish. 1841 .- Alexander Cleveland, Timothy Hayes. 1842 .- Jehiel Case, Anson Wheeler. 1843 .- Warren Phelps, Richard A. Doolittle. 1844 .- Warren Phelps, Daniel Yonugs. 1845 .- Not represented.

1846 .- Sanford Allen, Hiram Buruham. 1847 .- Samuel W. Pine, Linus Bliss. 1848 .- Edward Camp, Salmon Howd.

1849 .- Alexander P. Cleveland, Ablel Case. 1850 .- H. Case, Arba Alford. 1851 .- Orville Jones, Ezekiel Hays. 1852 .- Constant Youngs, Alfred Alford.

1853 .- George Merrill, James Tiffany.

1854 .- Lauren Smith, Emerson S. Coruish.

1855 .- E. J. Youngs, G. Kellogg. 1856 .- Cornwall Doolittle, Erasmus N. Hansom. 1857 .- B. W. Johnson, Horace Case. 1858 .- Abner Slade, G. W. Merrill. 1859 .- Chester Dowd, Owen Case. 1860 .- Ifart Doolittle, Philamon l'erry. 1861 .- Roel O. White, Watson Giddings. 1862 .- Rufus Cleveland, M. Hoyt Hayes.

1863 .- Jesse Dutton, Asn L. Demming. 1864 .- George D. Demming, J. W. Atwater. 1865 .- IT. N. Gates, Lemuel Richardson. 1866 .- Lauren Smith, Ruel S. Ricc. 1867 .- Charles B. Stevens, Edwin P. Jones. 1868 .- Albert Baker, Sheldon Merrill. 1869 .- Dr. A. E. Merrill, Calvin Aldrich. 1870 .- Harvey B. Stantard, William H. Payne. 187] .- Lemuel Hurlbut, Iliram C. Brown. 1872 .- Dwight S. Case, Abram Kilbourn. 187J .- Augustus Smith, Samuel II. Case. 1874 .- Elisha Payne, Monroe Hart. 1875 .- Delos 11. Stephens, Frank A. Case. 1876 .- Ruel S. Rice, Frank M. Butler. 1877 .- William E. Howd, Edwin E. Caso. 1878 .- William Tiffany, Byron O. Hawley. 1879 .- Arba Alford, Frank A. Cuse. 1880 .- Cornell HI. Tiffany, Henry P. Lnue. 1881 .- Leander Plant, George O. Clark.

In the year 1779 the town of Barkhamsted, then being a part of Farmington District, was annexed to the Probate District of Simsbury. In the year 1825 the towns of New Hartford and Barkhamsted were taken from Simsbury Probate District, and together constituted the Probate District of New Hartford, and so remained until 1833, when Barkhamsted was made

a separate probate district. By direction of the Gen- eral Assembly of 1834, the records of the New Hart- ford Probate District from 1825 to 1833 are to be kept in the probate office for the District of Barkhamsted. Since Barkhamsted became a distinct probate dis- trict the judgeship has been held by the following incumbents :

1833-26, Launcelot Phelps; 1836-38, Amos Beecher, Jr .; 1838-46, Jesse Ives; 1846, Amos Beecher, Jr .; 1847, Hiram Goodwin ; 1848-50, Leis- ter Loomis; 1850, Amos Beecher ; 1851-54, James Eggleston ; 1855- 57, George Merrill; 1857-61, Daniel Youngs; 1861-63, James Tiff- any ; 1863, Daniel Youngs; 1864-66, Merlia Merrill ; 1866-70, Ed- ward J. Youngs; 1870, and now in office, Daniel Youngs.

Rev. Mr. Eells, in mentioning the names and con- dition of the early settlers of the town, says,-

"It was not before the year 1774 they had gained such a settlement as to be called upon for military duty. The first military company was formed Octbr, 1774, and Mr. I'elatiah Allyn was chosen captain, and Israel Jones lieutenant."

The excitement which led to the Revolutionary war had now grown to great magnitude, and all able- bodied men were required to perform service in the army. The following extracts from Mr. William Wal- lace Lec's centennial address show the state of feel- ing at that time :

" After the sacking of Danbury by the British in 1777 the feeling against the Tories was so Intense that many of them left their homes aud settled tu more remote localities, and six of these families came to l'lens- ant Valley, In Barkhamsted; they were Gregorys, Weeds, Taylors (two familles), Wildmans, and Holcombs. A bitter feeling existed towards them by the soldiers and their children during and after the Revolution- nry war, and no indignitics wero too great to be henped upon them. They would find their corn cut while In silk, their potatoes pulled while In blossom, trees mutilated, fences torn down, etc. Of all their descend- anta, only a few, those of Abner Taylor, remain in Connecticut. After the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga a portion of his nrmy was marched through this town en route for Boston, but many deserted along the route and remained in the country. Among them were three, Shaw, Thorne, and Miller, who settled on u by-road near West Ilill Pond. After the In- corporation of the town, in 1779, the prospect bocame more prosperous; It was evident that the colonies were not to be conquered, and many were the settlers who came to the town,-the Newells, Collins, Humphreys, Bakers, l'ikes, Rices, Cunes, Andrusses, Moosen, etc., among them being Lieut. Gideon Mills, from Simsbury, whose ofdest daughter, Ruth, was the mother of Jolin Brown, of Harper's Ferry fame."

Herewith is given a list of soldiers from Barkham- sted who fought during the war of the Revolution :

Lient. Gideon Mills (grandfather of John Brown), Lient. Aber Slade (served also In French and Indian war), Lieut. Abiel Hoskin, Abner Slade, Jr., Solomon Humphrey. Thomas Wilder, Solonon Nowell, Asa Gilbert, Cypriun Barker, Nathanici Collins, William Taylor (at battle of Monmouth), Daniel Hurwell (was held prisoner In New York by British), John Frazier (nt battle of Saratoga and surrender of Burgoyne), Martin Moses, Ashbel Moses, David Loc (stood guard ovar Maj. Andre the apy), Samuel Blce, Humphrey Case, Junto Rob- erts, Nehemiah Andruss, Amasn Malory (at defense of New Haven when captured by British In 1779), Samuel l'ike, James like, John l'ike, Jolın Ives, Walt Munson, Medad Hunson, David Squler, Walt Rice.

WAR OF 1812.

Jesse Ives, Enoch Burwell, Joseph Burwell (served at New London), Jnunca Eggleston (played the ffe at battle of Sackett's Harbor), Jesse Markham, Elljah Connon, Stephen A. French, Newberry Merrilla.

MEXICAN WAR.

Capt. Justin Hodge, Calvin Ford, Thomas Shaw.

For many years after the Revolutionary war the military spirit prevailed throughout the colonies,

* After the adoption of the constitution, In 1818, the regular October acasion was discontinued.

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HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

especially in Connecticut. The Twenty-fifth Militia Regiment was made up from this locality and flour- ished late in the last century and early in this. For a number of years Col. Israel Jones, of Barkhamsted, commanded this regiment, he having previously passed through the various other grades from captain up. He died in 1812, and was buried in the old Centre hurying-ground.

As late as 1850 the militia law was very strict ; every able-bodied man between the ages of eighteen and forty-five was required to perform military duty. The Rifle Company of Winsted and the Grenadiers of New Hartford were partially composed of Bark- hamsted men. The Light Guard of Riverton, with its showy uniform, was one of the model companies of the State. It was made up almost entirely of men from that village, and commanded by Capt. Justin Hodge, who afterwards served in the Mexican war, and in the war of the Southern Rebellion from the outbreak until the disbandment of the volunteer forces after the surrender at Appomattox. Capt. Hodge entered the service as quartermaster of the First Connecticut Volunteers, April 23, 1861, imme- diately after Fort Sumter was fired upon, and from that position was promoted into the United States Quartermaster's Department, from which he was dis- charged as lieutenant-colonel at the close of the war. Other Barkhamsted men did brave service during this war, notably Capt. Edwin R. Lee, of the Eleventh Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, who was killed at the battle of Newbern, N. C.

The old artillery company of fifty years ago, which belonged to the Twenty-first Regiment, was made up in a great measure from Barkhamsted men, sev- eral of its captains being from this town. At " gen- eral training" this company, with its gay uniform, was greatly admired. After these independent com- panies came the regular militia, whose lack of drill and of uniformity of dress gave them a ridiculous ap- pearance and the name of " rag-toes."

During the war of the Southern Rebellion Bark- hamsted patriotism was aroused to its utmost inten- sity. Meetings were held frequently, and patriotic resolutions were passed. Bounties were voted to those who would enlist in the army or navy, and everything was done to aid the government in sub- duing its enemies. During the year 1862, when the government was greatly in need of troops, and some, whose sympathies for the Union cause were not so great as their instinct of self-preservation, were taking themselves off to Canada to avoid being called upon for service in the army, the inhabitants of the town, at a special meeting,

" Voted, Whereas a most dangerous and alarming epidemic, which, though manifesting itself in numerous and divers forms in different sub- jects, is still traceable in most cases to the protean cause of an enormous and rapid increase of the white liver, has recently Broken out, and is rapidly spreading, not only through our own town, but over this entire section of the State, threatening, if not speedily checked or suppressed, the total extinction of our entire able-bodied white male population be- tween the ages of eighteen and forty-five,

" And whereas it ie believed that the adoption of prompt sanitary measures are necessary, and will speedily check, if not entirely suppress, the further progress of said distemper, be it therefore

" Resolved, That the selectmen be directed to publish in the Winsted Herald the names of all persone who have, or shall present to them, any certificate of exemption from liability to perform military duty, together with the specified cause for which such certificate was granted."

BARKHAMSTED VOLUNTEERS OF THE SOUTHERN REBEL- LION OF 1861.

Justin Hodge. lieutenant, regimental quartermaster, Co. F, Ist Regt .; enl. April 23, 1861 ; pro. to A. Q. M.

Alfred Alford, Co. B, 2d Regt .; en1. May 7, 1861. John White, Co. B, 2d Regt. ; enl. May 7, 1861.

George W. Burwell, Co. A, Ist Squad. Cav .; enl. Aug. 8, 1861. Jerome Manchester, Co. A, Ist Squad. Cav .; enl. Aug. 12, 1861. Albert E. Merrill, Co. A, Ist Squad. Cav .; enl. Aug. 8, 1861. Lyman Doolittle, Co. K, Ist Squad. Cav .; enl. Dec. 29, 1863. Charles Behr, Co. B, Ist Squad. Cav. ; enl. Oct. 1, 1864.

Benjamin F. Chatfield, Co. E, Ist Squad. Cav. : enl. Oct. 7, 1864. Peter Karr, Co. M, Ist Squad. Cav .: enl. Nuv. 14, 1864.

William Allen, Ist Squad. Cav .; enl. Nov. 7, 1864 ; unassigned recruit. Thomas O'Neil, Ist Squad. Cav. : enl. Nov. 26, 1864 ; not taken upon rolls. William Smart, Ist Sqund. Cav .; enl. Nov. 1, 1864 ; hot taken up on rolls. Henry Smith, Ist Squad. Cav .; enl. Nov. 30, 1864 ; not taken up'on rolle. Thunine White, Ist Squad. Cav. ; enl. Oct. 6, 1864; not taken up ou rolls. Robert Wilson. let Squad. Cav .; enl Nov. 23, 1864; not taken up ou rolle, John King. Co. A. Ist Heavy Art .; enl. Oct. 6, 1864. George Illmenser, Co. B, Ist Heavy Art .; en]. Sept. 1, 1863. Daniel McGrath, Co. D, Ist Heavy Art .; eul. Oct. 4, 1864. James Marshall, Co. F, Ist Heavy Art .; enl. Oct. 4, 1864. George A. Rout, Co. K, Ist Heavy Art .; enl. May 23, 1861. Shelden L. Rice, Co. K, Ist Heavy Art .; en]. May 23, 1861.

Bradley D. Lee, Ist lieutenant, regimental quartermaster, 2d Heavy

Art .; eol. Aug. 1, 1862; pro. to capt. A. C. S. March 22, 1864, Winthrop II. Phelps, chaplain, 2d Heavy Art .; enl. May 4, 1863. George C. Curtis, Co. C, 2d Hlenvy Art. ; enl. Dec. 19, 1863.

Chester D. Cleveland, Co. E, 2d Ileavy Art .; eul. Aug. 1, 1862; second lieutenant : pro. to major.

Edwin S. Beecher, Co. E, 2d Heavy Art .; enl. Aug. 1, 1862. Anthony B. Gurneey, Co. E, 2d Heavy Art .; enl. July 29, 1862 Charles A. Hart, Co. E, 2dl Heavy Art .; eal. Aug. 9, 1862.

Henry A. Rexford, Co. E, 2d Heavy Art .; enl. Aug. 21, 1862; killed at Cold Harbor, June 1, 1864.

Ruel S. Bice, Co. F, 2d lleavy Art .; enl. Ang. 14, 1862.

Walter II. Denning, Co. F, 2d Heavy Art .; eol. Aug. 13, 1862. Henry H. Griffin, Co. F, 2d Heavy Art. ; enl. Ang. 18, 1862.

Alfred C. Alford, Co. F,2d Heavy Art. ; enl. July 28, 1862; killed in action, Sept. 19, 1864, at Winchester, Va.

Charles Burr, Co. F, 2d Heavy Art .; ent. Ang. 7, 1862.

William Burke, Co. F, 2d Heavy Art .; enl. Sept. 2, 1862. Wayne B. Castle, Co. F, 2d Heavy Art .; enl. Aug. 15, 1862. William II. Tiffany, Co. F, 2d Heavy Art .; enl. Aug. 9, 1862.

Orville B. Tiffany, Co. F, 2d Heavy Art .; enl. Aug. 20, 1862; pro. to second lieutenant.

Timothy B. Cannon, Co. F, 2] Heavy Art .; enl. Jan. 5, 1864.

Franklin Andress, Co. F, 2d Heavy Art .; enl. July 30, 1862; killed at Cold Harbor, Va., June 1, 1864.

Noah Hart, Co. F, 2d lleavy Art .; eul. Jan. 21, 1864.

Jeremiah Jennings, Co. I, 5th Inf. ; enl. July 22, 1861.

Franklin J. Atwater, Co. B, Gth Inf .; enl. Sept. 12, 1861 ; died Aug. 19, 1863, of wounde received at Fort Wagner.

James Doun, Co. B, 7th Inf .; eul. Nov. 15, 1864.

Joel W. Oakes, Co. II, 7th Inf. ; enl. Feb. 16, 1864.

Perlin F. Rust, Co. C, 8th Iof .; enl. Oct. 7, 1861.

James E. Pelton, Co. C, 8th Inf .; enl. Sept. 25, 1861 ; wounded at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862.

Elijah White, Co. C, 8th Inf .; enl. Sept. 25, 1861 ; killed et Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862.

William A. Smith, Co. E, 8th Inf .; enl. Sept. 1, 1863 ; killed at Chapin'e Farm, Sept. 29, 1864.

George Baker, 8tlı Inf .; eul. Oct. 5, 1864.

Clayton II. Case, Band, 10th Inf .; enl. Oct. 26, 1861.

John Murphy, Co. E, 10th Inf .; eul. Sept. 30, 1861.

Henry B. F. Root, Co. E, 10th Inf .; enl. Sept. 30, 1861.

Edwin R. Lee, captain, Co. D, 11th Inf .; enl. Nov. 26, 1861 ; killed at New-

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BARKHAMSTED.

bern, N. C., March 14, 1862. He was buried on the banks of the Nenee River, and afterwards brought North and buried at Pleasant Valley. Ile was a young man of talent and a gallaut soldier. Francis Reze, Co. E, 11th Inf .; enl. Nov. 14, 1864. Teanc Elwell, Co. I, 12th Inf .; enl. Feb. 24, 1864. Joseph Elwell, Co. I, 12th Inf .; eal. Feb. 24, 1864; died December, 1864. Therou Barbour, Co. D, 13th Inf .; enl. Dec. 30, 1861. Orville A. Roet, Co. D, 13th Iuf. ; eul. Dec. 30, 1861. William H. Tucker, Co. D, 13th Inf .; enl. Jau. 7, 1862; died Dec. 6, 1865. Ellsworth Case, Co. E, 13th Iuf .; enl. Feb. 27, 1862. William Kinsella, Co. K, 13th Inf .; enl. Sept. 29, 1864. Audrew Walter, Co. K, 13th laf. ; enl. Sept. 24, 1864. Juline F. Searle, Co. E, 14th Iuf. ; enl. Ang. 26, 1863; dietl Feb. 23, 18G4. Elisha S. Booth, Co. F, 14th Iuf .; enl. July 24, 1862; died Jan. 5, 1863, of wounds.

Frauklin B. Davis, Co. A, 16th Inf .; enl. Aug. 14, 1862.

Thomas Murray, Co. I, 16th Inf .; enl. Nov. 23, 1864. Abel P. Beere, Co. K, 25th Inf .; enl. Aug. 29, 1862. Nathan Coe, Co. G, 27th Inf .; enl. Sept. 10, 1862. Augustus Eggleston, Co. G, 27th Inf. ; enl. Sept. 11, 1862. Henry E. Cleveland, Co. F, 28th Inf .; enl. Ang. 23, 1862.

James W. Staunis, Co. F, 28th Inf .; en]. Aug. 28, 1862.

George H. Goodwin, Co. F, 28th Iuf .; enl. Aug. 29, 1862.

Myron N. Hubbard, Co. F, 28th Inf .; enl. Aug. 25, 1862; died May 6, 1863, at Fort Barrancas, Fla.

Warren Alford, Co. F, 2d Heavy Art .; enl. Aug. 13, 1862; pro. to first lieut. ; wounded Sept. 19, 1864.

Henry B. Lee, Co. F, 7th Inf .; enl. Sept. 9, 1861; pro. fo second lient .; killed Aug. 16, 1864.

CHAPTER XXIV.

BARKHAMSTED (Continued).

MISCELLANEOUS.

OF schools Rev. Ozias Eells, iu his letter to Dr. Trumbull, says,-

" There are ten school districts in the town and part of two more,-one in East Hartland part, two and two halves in Winsted part, and seven In Barkhamsted. There is no academy in the town."

There are at the present time (1881) ten school distriets in Barkhamsted,-viz., 1, Centre ; 2, Centre Hill; 3, Washington Hill; 4, Northeast; 5, South ; 6, South Hollow; 7, North; 8, Green; 9, Riverton ; 10, Pleasant Valley ; 11, Mallory. Besides these, there are several part distriets,-i.e., portions of this town set off to districts in other towns.

The Centre school-house, as it was originally built in 1821, was a two-story building. The lower room was finished immediately, and the first school was taught by Dr. Knapp, of Hartland. The school- room was filled to overflowing with scholars of all ages from four to twenty. It was decided to com- plete the upper room for a select school. The neces- sary funds were furnished by the principal men of the district, who were called " the proprietors of the upper room." This "upper room," as it was familiarly called, was also intended for religious meetings, sing- ing-schools, and such other purposes as were deemed fit by those interested. The " upper room" was com- pleted in 1824, and dedicated. Rev. Cyrus Yale, of New Hartford, preached the dedication sermon, an original hymn was composed for the occasion by Mrs. Deacon Sanford, of the northeast part of the town.

The first school was taught in the "upper room" in the winter of 1824 by Rev. Saul Clark. For a num- ber of years this select school was well supported, and students from Yale and Amherst Colleges were en- gaged as teachers. Some of those teachers are still spoken of by their former pupils in grateful remem- brance, viz., Dunton, Stevens, Marsh, and Schneider. This school was called the "grammar school." In the autumn of 1875 the house needed repairs, and it was thought best to take away the lower room and convert the upper room into a district school-house, which was accordingly done, and the house as it now stands is neat and comfortable. For several years a select school was taught in Pleasant Valley by Rev. George B. Atwell. Of libraries Rev. Mr. Eells says,-

" There is a public library in Barkhamsted, consisting of seventy-five volumes, and formed in the year 1797. There is another in Winsted society."

About 1836 there was a public library established in the village of Riverton. It was well kept up for six years or more, but finally became scattered, and was sold off at auction.

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History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 59

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