USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > History of Litchfield county, Connecticut > Part 73
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" The school," says Mr. T. S. Gold, in his "History of Cornwall," " was a decided success, as far as its original plan was concerned, and was closed because the opportunities of educating the heathen on their own ground were opened, thus rendering it unneces- sary, and from the local opposition produced by the marriage of two Cherokee Indians with respectable white girls residing in the town."
The number of pupils in 1822 had risen to 34, rep- resenting the leading then known Indian tribes, and many of the Pacific Islands. Henry Obookiah, a Sandwich Islander, was a devoted Christian, and gave great promise of usefulness; but he died, while a member of the school, Feb. 17, 1818, aged twenty-six. A tablet erected to his memory in the cemetery at Cornwall bears this inscription :
memory of lexar OBOOKiAlt, a native of OWYHEE.
" Ili, orrival in this country gave rise to the Foreign Misalon School, of which ho was a worthy member. le wos once an Idolator, and was designed for a Pagan Priest ; but by the graco of God, and by the prayers and lustructions of plous friends, he became a Christian.
" Ile was eminent for plety ond missionary zeal. When almost pre- pared to return to his native Islo to preach the Gospel, God took him to himself. In his last sickness he wept and prayed for Owyhee, but was submissive. He died without fear, with a heavenly amlle on his counte- nance and glory lu his soul,
Feb. 17, 1818, Agel 26."
Thomas H. Patoo, another converted heathen, is interred beside him. Ilis monument bears this in- scription :
" In memory of
THOMAS HIANMATAR L'ATOO.
a native of the Marqueans Islands, and a member of the Foreign Almaion School, who died June 19, 1823, aged about 19 years.
" He was hopefully plous, und had a great desire to be qualified to be- come a missionary to his ignorant countrymen. But he died In hope of a better country.
"Thla atone la erected by the liberality of his Christian friends In N. Coventry, Conn., among whom he Arst found the Sarlour of sinnem."
t For history of Methodlat Episcopal Church at Cornwall, sev Supplement.
* Coodunsed from a historical address delivered by William G. Fennell, Aug. 13, 1880.
306
HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
There were not only Chinese, Japanese, and Portu- guese, but the Cherokee tribe of Indians was represented at this school. Two members of this tribe became en- amored with two of the young ladies of the village, offered marriage and were accepted. This created a good deal of feeling, and finally ended in breaking up the school.
"Cream Hill Agricultural School was established in May, 1845, by Dr. S. W. and T. S. Gold, at their farm on Cream Hill, and 'continued till April, 1869, twenty-four years. At the beginning there were but four pupils, afterwards increased to twenty, the limit of the school. The object was to unite, with classical and scientific education, theoretical and practical in- struction in agriculture,-to encourage a taste for the pursuits of rural life, to develop and strengthen the body as well as the mind. The results of the plan were eminently satisfactory, and we look with pleas- ure upon our pupils, scattered everywhere, in posi- tions of honor and usefulness ; but especially is the record of those who, in the opening of their man- hood, took up arms in defense of their country our especial delight and pride, while with tender hearts we recall those who were permitted to offer their lives a sacrifice that the nation might live."-T. S. GOLD.
The Adelphic Institute was opened at North Corn- wall by Ambrose S. Rogers in 1847, and continued until 1860, when it was removed to New Milford, and conducted until 1876. (See history of New Milford, elsewhere in this work.)
William C. and Miss L. Rogers' school was started by the former in 1852. He was subsequently suc- ceeded by his sister, Miss L. Rogers. It continued about two years.
Noah R. Hart and his brother, E. Burton Hart, es- tablished a boys' boarding-school in West Cornwall in 1853. It was discontinued in 1863.
The Young Ladies' Institute, or "Our Birds' Nest," was founded in 1852 by Mr. H. T. S. Johnson, a prom- inent citizen of the town. This school had a success- ful existence, and says Mr. T. S. Gold, "The memories of 'Our Birds' Nest' are cherished by many scattered here and there in our land as among the brightest and happiest associations of their lives."
The Alger Institute was established in 1848, and named in honor of Charles Alger, of Hudson, N. Y. It passed through various hands, and was finally abandoned as a school.
(For present condition of schools, see County His- tory.)
PHYSICIANS.
Most of those who have practiced medicine in Corn- wall have been referred to elsewhere. Dr. Hollister, from Salisbury, resided at the Centre for several years, about 1830. Dr. John Scoville, after practicing at North Cornwall for fifteen years, about 1845 removed to Ashley Falls, Mass., where he now resides. Dr. Smith, from Kent, practiced at West Cornwall about 1843, and went West. Dr. Edward Sanford, from
Goshen, resided at West Cornwall for nearly thirty years, till 1876, when he bought the residence of the late Dr. B. B. North, at South Cornwall, and continues his practice there. Dr. Elias B. Heady is now prac- ticing at Cornwall Bridge. Sufficient to say of them that they have been faithful, and generally successful in affording such relief to suffering humanity as eomes within the power of the physician to bestow.
In January, 1878, Franklin W. Hall, M.D., from New Haven, took up his residence at West Corn- wall as a physician.
CEMETERIES.
The oldest burial-ground used in Cornwall was on the hill west of the present residence of Ozias Palmer. Few marked graves remain, as some bodies have been removed, and time has effaced the testimonials from others. Its neglected condition is discreditable.
The cemetery near South Cornwall has been occu- pied nearly one hundred and twenty years, as we find tombstones marked 1763, and some may be earlier. By the liberality of Mr. J. C. Calhoun, assisted by others, not only has this ground been enlarged and handsomely laid out, but provision has been made for its care in the future. Mr. Calhoun left one thou- sand dollars as a fund, the interest to be annually ex- pended in the care of the cemetery.
Cornwall Hollow has the old cemetery on the hill, on the road leading to Goshen, west side, and the new one, opened early in the present century, near the Baptist church.
About fifty years since a small burying-ground was set apart near North Cornwall. This has since been enlarged. There is another in the southwest part of the town, near Cornwall Bridge, and still another in the southeast part, on the old Warren turnpike. A few stones still standing near the North Cornwall church mark the graves of some who died of small- pox. Others who died of the same disease are buried on the old Wright farm, on the old Sharon and Go- shen turnpike, where a marble monument marks the burial-place of Capt. Joel Wright and family.
CIVIL HISTORY.
This town was incorporated in May, 1740. The following is a list of the representatives from 1761 to 1881 :
1761-62 .- Thomas Russell, Joshua Pierce.
1763 .- Thomas Russell, Joshua Pierce, Amos Johnson.
1764-65 .- Thomas Russell, Joshua Pierce.
1766 .- Noah Rogers, Heman Swift, Thomas Russell.
1767 .- Thomas Russell, Heman Swift.
1768 .- Thomas Russell, Elijah Steele, Heman Swift, Thomas Porter.
1769 .- Joshua Pierce, Thomas Porter, Thomas Russell.
1770 .- Joshua Pierce, Thomas Porter, Heman Swift.
1771 .- Heman Swift, Thomas Porter.
1772-73 .- Thomas Russell, Heman Swift, Thomas Porter.
1774 .- Thomas Porter, John Pierce, Heman Swift.
1775 .- Heman Swift, Thomas Porter, Edward Rogers, John Pierce.
1776 .- Edward Rogers, John Pierce, Thomas Porter, Judah Kellogg.
1777 .- Edward Rogers, John Pierce, Judah Kellogg.
1778 .- Edward Rogers, Judah Kellogg, Abraham Payne.
1
307
CORNWALL.
1779 .- Judah Kellogg, Edward Rogers, Andrew Young. 1780 .- Edward Rogers, Andrew Young. 1781 .- Mathew Patterson, Noah Rogers. 1782 .- John Sedgwick, Mathew Patterson. 1783 .- John Sedgwick, Matthew Patterson, Andrew Young, Edward Rogers.
1784 .- Andrew Young, John Sedgwick. 1785 .- John Sedgwick, Matthew Patterson, Heman Swift.
1786 .- John Sedgwick, Samuel Wadsworth, Heman Swift, Matthew Pat- tersou.
1787 .- Matthew Patterson, Heman Swift, Rev. Hezekiah Gold, Rev. John Cornwall.
1788 .- Rev. John Cornwall, John Pierce, Samuel Wadsworth, Ebenezer Jackson.
1789 .- Ebenezer Jackson, Samuel Wadsworth.
1790 .- John Sedgwick, Ebenezer Jackson.
1791 .- John Sedgwick, Dr. Timothy Rogers, Tryal Tanner.
1792 .- John Sedgwick, Timothy Rogers, Isaac Swift. 1793 .- John Sedgwick, Isaac Swift, Samuel Wadsworth, Tryal Tanner. 1794 .- Samuel Wadsworth, Isaac Swift.
1795 .- John Sedgwick, Ebenezer Jackson, Isaac Swift, Samuel Wads- worth.
1796 .- John Sedgwick, Isaac Swift.
1797 .- John Sedgwick, Isaac Swift, Judah Kellogg.
1708 .- Elijah Steele, Jr., Tryal Tanner, John Sedgwick, Judah Kellogg. 1799 .- John Sedgwick, Isaac Swift, Samuel Wadsworth, Judah Kellogg. 1800 .- Judah Kellogg, John Sedgwick, Samuel Wadsworth. 1801 .- Judah Kellogg, Oliver Buruhanı, Samuel Wadsworth. 1802 .- John Sedgwick, Benjamin Gold, Oliver Burnham. 1803-4 .- Benjamin Gold, Oliver Burnham.
1805 .- Jolin Sedgwick, Benjamin Gold, Oliver Burnhar, 1806-7 .- Benjamin Gold, Oliver Burnham. 1808 .- Oliver Burnham, Johu Calhoun, Benjamin Gold. 1809 .- Benjamin Gold, Oliver Burnham. 1810 .- Oliver Burnham, Beojamiu Gold, John Calhoun. 1811-12 .- John Sedgwick, Benjamin Gold, Oliver Burohem. 1813 .- Oliver Burnham, Noalı Rogers, Reuben Fox. 1814 .- Noah Rogers, Benjamin Gold, Oliver Burnham. 1815 .- Noah Rogers, Jolin II. Pierce, Oliver Burnham. 1816 .- Oliver Burnham, John H. Pierce, Philo Swift. 1817 .- Philo Swift, Oliver Burnham, James Alling. 1818 .- Noah Rogers, Philo Swift.
After this the new constitution began to operate, and the representatives were chosen annually, not biennially.
1810 .- Oliver Burnham, John H. Pierce. 1820 .- Oliver Burnham, William Kellogg. 1821 .- William Bennet, Samuel Ilopkins. 1822-23 .- Ollver Burnham, Samuel Hopkins. 1824-27 .- l'eter Blerce, Benjamin Sedgwick. 1828 .- Seth Plerco, Jr., l'eter Bierce. 1829 .- Peter Bierce, John A. Sedgwick. 1830-31 .- George Whoaton, Frederick Kellogg. 1832 .- Benjamin Catlin, Frederick Kellogg. 1833,-Benjamin Catlin, Victorianne Clark. 1834 .- Victorianus Clark, Philo Kellogg. 1835 .- Phllo Kellogg, Anson Rogers. 1836 .- Caleb Jones, William Clark. 1837 .- Caleb Jones, Myron Harrison. 1838 .- Culeb Jones, Benjamin Sedgwick. 1839 .- John C. Calhoun, Isanc Marsh. 1840 .- Isaac Marsh, John R. Ilarrison. 1841 .- John R. Harrison, Frederick Kellogg. 1842-40,-William Ilindman, Edwin Whito. 1844 .- John Scovlll, John E. Sedgwick. 1845,-Edward I. White, Joseph Essex.
1846 .- Carrington Todd, William Hindman.
1847 .- Chalker Pratt, John C. Calhoun.
1849 .- John Scovill, Myron Harrison.
1849 .- Hezekiah C. Gregory, Reuben Wilcox. 1850 .- Amos M. Johnson, Charles Lewis. 1851 .- Edward W. Andrews, Isaac Marsh.
1852 .- Isaac Marsh, Charles Lewie.
1853 .- John R. Harrison, William Hindman.
1854. Jacob Scovill, Henry Swift.
1855 .- Sherman Barnes, Earl Johnson.
1856 .- Jacob Scovill, Samuel S. Reed.
1857 .- Ralph C. Harrison, John W. Beers.
1858 .- Russell R. Pratt, Edward F. Gold. 1859 .- Alvin B. Palmer, George H. Swift.
1860 .- Nathan Hart, Jr., Rossiter B. Hopkins.
1861 .- Dwight W. Pierce, Philo C. Sedgwick. 1862 .- Stephen Foote, H. C. Gregory. 1863 .- Marcus D. F. Smith, John McMurtry.
1864 .- S. P. Judson, John McMurtry.
1865 .- Robert T. Miner, E. Burton Hart.
1866 .- Gad W. Smith, Solon B. Johnson. 1867 .- Silas C. Beers, H. C. Crandall.
1868 .- George L. Miner, Edward Sanford.
1869 .- William H. Harrison, M. A. Nickerson.
1870 .- William H. H. Hewitt, George C. Harrison.
1871 .- Alanson Preston, Niles Scoville.
1872 .- Henry L. Beers, Chester Wickwire.
1873,-Virgil F. McNiel, Robert N. Cochrane.
1874 .- Luman Harrison, Smith Bench. 1875 .- Myron I. Millard, George II. Crandall.
1876 .- Henry L. Beers, Ralph I. Scoville. 1877 .- William L. Clark, Ingersoll Reed. 1878 .- Elbert Shepard, Amos Waterbury.
1879 .- Daniel W. Manvel, James A. Cochrane.
1880 .- Sebia Wells, James F. Reed.
1881 .- Ilorace C. Hart, Russell Bierce.
SENATORS FROM THE TOWN, BEGINNING IN 1837.
1837-38, Peter Bierce; 1844-45, Philo Kellogg; 1847, Samuel W. Gold; 1855, George A. Whenton; 1850, Sammuel W. Gold; 1870, Victory C. Beers.
MILITARY HISTORY. SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
Phineas Hart was a pensioner. He lived to about eighty years. When over seventy he walked a jour- ney in one week of over three hundred miles. He lived and died at a house on the Canaan road, a little north of James Reed's.
Capt. Edward Rogers, the father of Col. Anson Rogers, was an officer both in the French and Revo- lutionary wars. He held a captain's commission during the latter. He was a man of good judgment, genial manners, and kindness of heart. His papers, still in possession of his descendants, show his abund- ant labors, and, in lack of a complete list of soldiers furnished by Cornwall, we give a mileage list of his company, also an alarm list, which is marked as Capt. Rogers' company, though the names of other cap- tains are attached to it. Some erasures and some ad- ditions on the list as here printed, in different ink, indicate it as having done duty for some time. This contains all the names on it :
308
HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
An Abstract of the Mileage of Capt. Edward Rogers' Company, in the late Col. F. Gay's Regiment, returning at the end of the campaign.
Miles Dis-
Men's Names.
Discharged at
Returning to
laat.
Edward Rogers, captain.
North Castle
Cornwall
77
6
5
Nathaniel Ilamlin, lieutenant
Sharon.
77
6
6
Hezlı. Andrews, lieutenant.
Canaan ...
87
7
3
Joel llinman, ensign.
4
Cornwall.
77
6
5
William Avery, sergeant.
Sharon ..
77
6
5
Jacob Williams, sergeant ..
Canaan
87
7
3
Timothy Doughty, drummer
Philipsborongh.
Sharon
83
6 11
Samuel Darrow, fifer ..
Norwalk
Canaan
70
5 10
Timothy Knapp, corporal
.Cornwall.
60
5
C
Gershom Dormon, corporal.
North Castle
Sharon
77
6
5
Daniel Harris, corporal
Norwalk.
Caaaaa
70
John Denmin, corporal.
North Castle
Woodbury.
55
4
7
Solomon Emmons.
Cornwall
77
Francis Browa.
77
Timothy Rowley ..
.....
44
77
6 6
Daniel Harrisoa
46
77
6
5
Janies Wilson.
Norwalk
60
5 0
John White, Sr
Philipsborough.
44
83
6 II
James Sterling
Norwalk
=
60
5 0
Ichabod Brown.
North Castle ..
=
77
6
5
Benjamin Carrier.
Philipsborough
Canaan
93
7
9
Roswel Faller ..
North Castle
87
7 3
Aaron Brownell
46
87
7 3
David Whitney
87
7 3
William Fellows
87
7 3
Peter Tooley
Norwalk
70 6 10
Asa Cole ...
5 10
Ebenezer Pardee.
Dead
Nehemiah Smith.
Norwalk
Canaan
70
5 10
Asa Smith ..
70
6 10
John Whitney
North Castle
87
7 3
George White ...
..
87
7 3
David Lawrence
87
3
Uriah Williams
Norwalk
70
5 10
John Curtice ..
North Castle,
87
7 3
Luke Rowland
Norwalk
70
5 IO
Jonathan Blinn
70
5 10
Samuel Franklia
.North Castle
87
7 3
John Cuselloy
Dead.
65
4 7
Simeon Rood
Norwalk
40
3 4
Timothy Jehason
North Castle ..
55
4 -J
David Franklin
Dead.
55
4 7
John White (2d) ..
North Castle ...
Sharon.
77
6
Samuel Lamsoll Dead.
Elnatlını Knapp.
Norwalk.
Sharon.
60
6 0
Daniel Coon ...
North Castle
77
6 5
Cornelius Hamilin.
Norwalk
60
6 0
William Robinson
North Castle.
77 60
6 0
Asa Hamlin.
North Castle.
77
6 5
Sluman Abels
Philipsborough
83
6 11
Peter Pratt.
North Castle.
77
6 F
David Simons.
Philipsborough
83
6 11
Gamaliel Pardee.
Norwalk
40
5 0
David Ilicock
.Northi Castle
Woodbury
55
4
7
Adamı Wagner
5.5
4 7
Daniel Potter.
55
4 7
Nathan Bristol
44
55
4 7
Justus Johnson
55
4 7
Lemuel Gillet.
Dead. In captivity.
70
6 10
Samuel Sirdam
44
70
5 10
Samuel Williams North Castle
87
7
3
A List of the Number and Names of such as are of the Alarm List who have their Abode within the Limits of the Fourth Company, or Train-band, in the Fourteenth Regiment in the State of Connecticut :
Col. Heman Swift,
Elijah Hopkins,
James McClary,
Capt. Thomas Porter,
Jonathan Crocker,
Nehemialı Barsley,
CORNWALL, 17th March, 1777.
pr. JOSHUA PIERCE, Captain of the Company.
CAPT. ROGERS.
Easiga Benoni Peck,
Ilezekiah Barse,
Samuel Bassett,
Abraham Payne,
Josiah Patterson,
Joha Dibble (2d),
James Barse,
Samuel Sawyer,
John Dibble (3d),
Thomas Dean,
Sele Abbott,
Timothy Cole,
Hezekiah Carter,
Job Siminions,
Noah Bull,-
David Lindely,
Jesse Jerrards,
38 in number.
Samuel Sawyer,
Rufus Payne,
-
John Millard, Jr., John McHannah, 33
Peter Ramer,
Samuel Abbott, 38
John Carter,
Jethro Bonney,
-
Jelin Sprague,
Abel Abbott,
74 Capt. Rogers'
company.
Lieut. Ebenezer Dibble, Elnathan Patterson,
Silas Clark,
Lieut. Matt. Patterson, Sherman Patterson,
Kitchel Bell,
55
4 7
Ephraim Herrick
44
James Daley
William Jakways.
Norwalk. Сазнал ...
70
5 10
Isaac Cool.
North Castle
Woodbury.
55
4 7
Andrew Coe.
North Castle. Woodbury
David Donglass
In captivity.
77
6 5
6 5
Joel Jackson
Norwalk
Elisha Forbes.
87
7 3
Lewis Hurd ..
Solomon Reynolds
87
7 3
Samnel Partridge
6 5
77
6 5
Joseph Brown ...
. Woodbury
55 4
7
Joshua Parmele, sergeant
Simeon Barnes, sergeant
Woodbury
55
4 7
5 10
6 5
70
8. d.
Thomas Hamlin ...
The subjoined order for teams shows that the pres- sure of military necessity was felt even among our hills :
309
CORNWALL.
" These Lines are to Sertify all whom it may Conserne that I the Sub- ecriber was sent by Mr. Isaac Bauldwin A. D. Qt. to Edward Rogers with a desir for him to Procure teu teame in this Place to transport one Hun- dred Barrels of flower to Litchfield on next Sabooth Day. If the teams Cannot be procured no other way they must be pressed.
"pr. Jos. GREGORY.
"CORNWALL, April 9, 1779."
Gen. John Sedgwick was an officer in the war of the Revolution. He was superseded by Col. Heman Swift, which offended him to such a degree that he resigned his commission and retired from the army. He was a brave and good officer. For many years he represented the town in the legislature. His energy at the time of Shay's Rebellion, in 1787, saved our county from participation in the affair.
Col. Ethan Allen was the son of Daniel Allen, who resided in Cornwall, and, though it does not appear that Col. Allen was born here, yet most of his boy- hood was spent here, and we rightly claim some share in the honor which attaches to his name. The resi- dence of his father was on the corner south of the North Cornwall church, a large old house, torn down about 1830.
Gen. Heman Swift came from Kent about the year 1764-65, and settled on the road from Sharon to War- ren and Litchfield, about half a mile southeast up the hill from the residence of his son, the late Rufus Swift, Esq. Early in life he was selected by his fel- low-citizens for public service, both in a military and civil capacity. He was an officer in the old French war, and in the Continental army, having received a colonel's commission over Maj. John Sedgwick, which circumstance created a momentary excitement, and the major resigned his commission and retired from the army. But this breach of good feeling did not long continuc. Col. Heman Swift continued in active service during most of the war of the Revolution. He was a personal friend of Washington, by whom he was held in high esteem.
Col. Swift's carly education was very limited. This circumstance prevented the attainment of as high a position as otherwise he might have occupied. He was for many years after the close of the war a member of the Upper House of the State legislature. He pos- sessed a noble personal appearance, and during the later period of his life bore the title of "General." He died in November, 1814.
Capt. John Jeffers was a Revolutionary soldier in the Continental army against the British and Indians. The military company which was under Jeff'ers' com- mand, and which he often led to perform feats of valor, received the gentle appellation of " Hell- Hounds." When in 1812 war was declared by the United States against England, Jeffers made applica- tion to a distinguished member of Congress for a brigadier-general's commission in the army ; but this request was not granted.
Few, if any, of the distinguished men who have borne an active part in the transactions of Cornwall since its first settlement woukl rank before the Hon.
Oliver Burnham, whose late residence still remains, though in a dilapidated condition, about a quarter of a mile south of the North Cornwall church. His father, at the time of his death, was a resident of Cream Hill. The son Oliver served, while very young, as a soldier in the army of the Revolution, and in consequence of a wound produced at that time he received a small annuity from the government. He occupied the place of county surveyor for many years. For twenty or twenty-five years he represented the town in the General Assembly, usually in the House of Representatives, and served one term in the Senate. He held the office of magistrate until exempted by age. and served a short time as judge of the County Court. He was a native of Farmington, and born on Nov. 11, 1760. When he was fifteen years of age he enlisted as a soldier in the regiment of Col. Willis, and went in December, 1775, to join Gen. Washington's army, then near Boston. He served with distinguished credit during many hard- fought battles ; was captured, and thrown into prison in New York, but finally escaped.
As a politician, Judge Burnham possessed much shrewdness and tact. For many years he probably held a greater influence in the affairs of the town than any other individual. His vigorous intellect remained unimpaired until he attained about fourscore years. Although partial to the Episcopal Church, he was a regular supporter of the Congregational society. He died in the eightieth year of his age.
Among the residents of Cornwall who took an active part in the struggle of the Revolution was Jacob Sco- ville. He served as a private soldier through most of the war, and in his old age received the benefit of a pension. He was a single man through his military service, at the close of which he married a Widow Emmons, whose first husband died in a prison-ship in New York.
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
Of the sons of Cornwall who gave their lives for their country three lie buried in the Hollow cemetery ; one alone has a monument with this short epitaph :
" MAJ .- GEN. JOHN SEDGWICK, Born In Cornwall Hollow, Sept. 13, 1813. Killed near Spottaylvania C .- I1., Va., May 9, 1864."
Any attempt to do justice to the eminent services of Gen. Sedgwick must of course be a failure. "Among the distinguished heroes for the 'maintenance of the Union none held a more exalted position, or, dying, left a purer record on the page of our country's his- tory, than Maj .- Gen. John Sedgwick."
In 1832, in a letter to Gen. Cass recommending young Sedgwick for an appointment at West Point, the late Mr. Gohl wrote, " I believe, if permitted to enjoy that privilege, he would do honor to the insti- tution, and become of some service to his country." Would that all our recommendations to public places could be as well honored. Graduating with honor
310
HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
in 1837, he was first engaged in the Seminole war in Florida ; the next year, under Gen. Scott, employed in the removal of the Cherokees to their Western reservation ; next we find him fighting in Mexico, under Taylor, Worth, and Scott. Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Puebla, Churubusco, El Molino del Rey, and Mexico herself witnessed his valor.
The war of the Rebellion opened while he was on the frontiers, beyond Pike's Peak. Called to the Army of the Potomac, the command of which was twice offered to him and twice declined, he fought at Fair Oaks, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and the battles of the Wilderness, till he met a soldier's death at Spottsyl- vania.
Notwithstanding his familiarity with scenes of blood and carnage, he was as tender as a father of his men ; and though so long in publie life, and removed from the scenes of his boyhood, his love for them, for his ancestral acres,-for they had memories of which a soldier and a patriot might well be proud,-his love for the simple pursuits of husbandry, was as strong as if he had never wandered from his native vale.
But Gen. Sedgwick was known as one who never forgot his ancestral home. The adornment of his paternal acres was his pride, and it was his hope and ambition to retire from public life, here to enjoy that quiet which his duties as a soldier prohibited. The same qualities which made him a good officer made him a good farmer, and his example and infin- ence as a cultivator of the soil will be no less enduring than as a patriot soldier.
In 1858 the old Sedgwick residence, which had been so speedily rebuilt for his grandfather when it was burned by the Tories in Revolutionary times, was consumed by fire. Here Gen. Sedgwick built a noble mansion for his own occupancy ; but it was a sad day to his friends and neighbors gathered there, May 15, 1864, to perform the last offices to the patriot dead.
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