USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 134
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Samuel Jones, the first of the name in Winthrop, came from Westbrook, about 1778. His posterity have been prominently identified with the western, and more recently with other parts of the town. His son, Josiah, who died in 1878, aged 91, kept a tavern for a number of years in the old centenarian house, which was built, as already said, by Mr. Noah Platts.
Later came to Winthrop from Westbrook, about 1765, Isaac Post, the forefather of the Posts who reside in the eastern part of Winthrop. In this vicinity stands a time- worn and very antiquated farm house, one-half of which is believed to be 120 years old or more. It was built by . Jeremiah Kelsey, who gave it to Jeremiah K. Post, a son of the above-mentioned Isaac. It has been occupied by the Posts nearly 79 years.
Passing reference may be here made to another old house in Winthrop, now occupied by Miss Clarissa Rice which was built by Mr. Daniel G. Bailey, an early land owner, in 1764, and which is just 120 years old.
OLD HOUSES.
In addition to those that have been already incidentally mentioned, there are several other old houses in the: town that deserve brief notice.
One of the most venerable of these is the farm house located south of the village of Deep River, on the road to Centerbrook, which has been owned and used by the town for a number of years as an almshouse.
541
SAYBROOK-THE REBELLION.
The history of this antiquated, and now somewhat dilapidated, relic, which was doubtless built by one of the earliest Pratt settlers, may be traced back 93 years, and may be reasonably considered much older. Previous to 1807, it was directly on the old country road, but in that year, when the Middlesex Turnpike was opened, a change in the direction of the road left it several rods to the west.
Another ancient house is that which is owned and oc. cupied by Mr. Solomon Molander, on the Straits road (or Chester street). It was built by Captain William and Nathan Southworth, and was intended for the joint oc- cupancy of their families, but on its completion it was, by their mutual agreement, occupied by the former, while the latter occupied one of the old Kirtland houses, on the Connecticut River. Its exact age has not been ascertained, but it cannot be less than 75 years old.
Until August 1881, when it was destroyed by fire, an ancient dwelling stood on Chester street, not far north of the Congregational church. This house was not only noticeable for its venerable appearance, but also memor- able as having, in long past years, been occupied succes- sively by some of the prominent families in Deep River. Though its age is not precisely known, it must have been 100 years old or more.
Belonging to Mr. Ansel D. Platt, and just south of his residence on the east side of South Main street, is an old house, the external appearance of which, by careful pres- ervation, conceals its real age. It originally stood where the Congregational church now stands, and was removed to its present location about the time the Middlesex Turnpike was opened to travel, in 1807. Tradition says that it was occupied, possibly built, by Mr. Doty Lord, about the year 1790.
The house fronting the Connecticut River and oppo- site the Deep River station of the Connecticut Valley Railroad, which is now occupied by Mrs. Horace S. Phelps and family, was built by Mr. R. Kirtland, in 1799. This fact is verified by a rough inscription on the upper stone of the kitchen fireplace, probably cut by himself, "R. K., 1799." The house was subsequently bought and occupied by Nathan Southworth jr., whose grand- _ daughter, Mrs. Phelps, now owns it.
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
The following votes, copied in chronological order, from the town records, will sufficiently indicate the spirit and attitude of the inhabitants of the town in regard to the Civil War of 1861-1865:
October 7th 1861 .- " Voted, That the Town of Say- brook pay to the volunteers that have enlisted, or that may enlist from this town in the United States service the sum of ten dollars each to be paid from the Treasury of said town."
July 28th 1862, special meeting .- " Whereas the Presi- dent of the United States, at the suggestion of a majority of the Governors of the loyal States has called for rein- forcement of the Army to the number of 300,000 men the more speedily to crush out the present rebellion; and
whereas the Legislature of this State has approved of the same by providing an additional bounty to encourage enlistments;
" Therefore as a further inducement to speedy enlist- ments, be it resolved,
"That the Selectmen of the town of Saybrook are hereby instructed to pay from the treasury of the town the sum of one hundred dollars as a bounty to any and each person that may enlist from this town, not exceed- ing ten in number, into the service of the United States, on or before the twenty-fifth of August next ensuing, provided that he be accepted and sworn into said ser- vice within a reasonable time; and the same shall be in lieu of all other bounties provided by the town."
August 22d 1862. At a special meeting called to vote bounty to a sufficient number of volunteers to fill the quota of this town, under the call of the president, of August 4th 1862:
" Voted, To pay a bounty of seventy-five dollars to any volunteer into the service of the United States for the term of nine months, in pursuance of the last order of the president, upon his being accepted and sworn into said service within a reasonable time, provided that the number does not exceed the proportion required of the town under said call; and in case the full number ap- portioned to the town is made up by enlistment as afore- said, the bounty shall be increased to one hundred dol- lars; and the selectmen are instructed to draw on the Treasurer for the several amounts, which shall be in lieu of all other bounties of the town."
At a special meeting held September 14th 1863, in reference to the military draft ordered by the president of the United States:
" Voted, That the sum of one hundred and fifty dol- lars be appropriated to each of the individuals drafted from this town, as bounty to those who shall honor said draft in person, or procure a substitute, or pay to the Collector of the Internal Revenue in the Second Congressional District of this State, the sum of three hundred dollars."
November 21st 1863, special meeting .- " Voted, That it is the intention of the town of Saybrook to use all honorable means to recruit by volunteering or enlist- ment a sufficient number of men to fill the quota of the town, under the last call of the President of October 17, 1863.
" Voted, To appoint a Committee of five, who shall have the whole matter of recruiting in charge, and em- ploy such recruiting officer or officers as may be deemed expedient, and make such expenditures of money, not exceeding the amount appropriated by this meeting, as may be deemed best in furtherance of the object.
" Voted, To appropriate the sum of six hundred dol- lars, to be placed in the hands of the Committee, who shall be appointed by this town to recruit men to fill the quota of this town, by the President's last call of Oc. tober 17, 1863.
" The following named persons were appointed said Committee, viz .: J. Albert Shipman, Lozel J. Platts,
542
HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
Ezra S. Williams, John W. Marvin, Henry C. Kingsley. " Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to borrow money or draw orders on the Town Treasurer for the sum of six hundred dollars, or any amount not exceed- ing that, to be appropriated for the above- named pur- pose."
Special meeting, July 30th 1864 .- " Voted, Whereas the President of the United States, during the present month has made a call for 500,000 men, and whereas, in order to fill the large quota assigned to this town, pre- vious to the day set for a draft, extraordinary induce- ments must be offered for recruiting, therefore
" Resolved, That a special committee of one be ap- pointed by this meeting to pay the sum of one hundred dollars to any person bringing proper evidence that he has recruited or caused to be recruited either as princi- pal or substitute, and either in the Army or Navy, since the said call of the President and previous to draft, a person that has been applied on said quota; meaning that a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars be paid for each recruit as aforesaid.
"Resolved, That the sum of two thousand eight hun- dred dollars be appropriated, and the same is hereby ap- propriated for the above named object.
" Resolved, That the Selectmen be hereby instructed to borrow the sum of two thousand eight hundred dol- lars, or such part thereof as may be needed for the above named purpose.
" Mr. Sedley Snow was appointed to act as the Com- mittee, and subsequently Mr. Arba H. Banning was ap- pointed to act with him."
Special Meeting August 19th 1864. "Voted, That including the appropriation made by this town at the special meeting hield July 30, the amount of money which the Committee appointed for that purpose are hereby di- rected to pay to any person bringing proper evidence that he has recruited or caused to be recruited, either as prin- cipal or substitute, and either in the Army or Navy, since the last call of the President for 500,000 men, and previous to a draft, if a draft is had in this town in pursuance of said call, a person that has been applied on the quota of this town, shall be as follows: viz., for each person so recruited to serve one year shall be paid the sum of two hundred dollars, and for each person so recruited to serve three years shall be paid the sum of three hundred and fifty dollars, provided nevertheless that the amount thus paid shall not exceed the actual cost of the recruit so accredited, if purchased.
"Voted, Further that the selectmen are hereby author- ized and instructed to borrow the sum of eight thousand dollars, including the amount appropriated at the meet- ing of July 30th last, or such part thereof as may be needed to carry into effect the foregoing resolution: and that the same be paid to the Committee appointed at the meeting of July 30th, to make similar payments, and that the said amount of eight thousand dollars including the amount previously appropriated for this object, or such part thereof as may be needed to carry into effect the foregoing resolution is hereby appropriated for that pur- pose.
" October 17th 1864, special meeting .- Voted, That the vote upon the subject of recruiting, at the special meeting held August 19th 1864 is hereby approved.
" Voted, That it be left discretionary with the select- men to make such further expenditure for recruiting purposes, not exceeding the sum of fifteen hundred dol- lars, as the circumstances may seem to warrant, and as they may deem advisable.
" Voted, That the Selectmen are hereby authorized and instructed to borrow on the credit of the town the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, or such part thereof as may be needed to carry into effect the foregoing resolu- tion.'
October 7th 1867, the report of the war committee appointed at the previous annual meeting was accepted, giving the names of all the residents of the town, who served in the army and navy of their country during the recent Rebellion; either as principals or substitutes, with suitable resolutions.
Following the list of names above referred to, resolu- tions were adopted as follows:
" Resolved I. That the blood spilt, the treasure ex- pended, the privations endured, and the sore trials of friends near and more remote during the recent war were indispensible to the suppression of that wicked re- bellion, the result of which in the unsettled state of the Country, and in taxes grievous to be borne, are still upon us, and that they should be considered with the losses and privations of our Revolutionary forefathers, as necessary trials, to secure and maintain a free and inde- pendent Government.
"Resolved 2d, That while we recall with gratitude and veneration the many struggles and sacrifices made by our ancestors of the Revolution in gaining our inde- pendence, we accord to those who fought and bled to maintain it, equal honor and equal gratitude.
" JOHN W. MARVIN, "J. ALBERT SHIPMAN, { Com." " BRADLEY TERRELL.
CIVIL LIST.
Representatives. - The Representatives to General Court and Assembly from the town of Saybrook, from 1670 to the present time, have been:
Robert Chapman, 1670 M .- 1671 O., 1674 M., 1675 M., 1675 O., 1676 O .- 1678 M., 1679 M., 1679 O., 1680 O., 1692 M., 1693 M .- 1694 M., 1704 O., 1706 O., 1710 O .- 17II O .; William Bushnell, 1670 M .; William Pratt, 1670 O .- 1672 M., 1673 M .- 1678 M .; William Parker, 1672 M., 1673 M., 1673 O., 1674 O., 1676 M., 1678 0 .- 1679 O., 1680 0,-1683 M., 1691 O., 1692 O., 1693 M., 1695 O., 1706 O .- 1709 M., 1611 O., 1712 M .; Robert Lay, 1678 O .; John Chapman, 1681 O., 1683 O .- 1687 O., 1689 M .- 1690 O., 1691 O .; William Dudley, 1682 M .- 1684 M., 1685 M., 1686 O .- 1687 O., 1689 M .- 1691 M., 1692 M., 1692 O., 1693 O., 1694 M., 1695 M .; John Pratt, 1684 O., 1691 M .; Abram Post, 1685 O .; John Parker, 1686 M., 1698 O .- 1700 O .; Nathaniel
543
SAYBROOK-REPRESENTATIVES.
Lynes,* 1694 O .- 1695 O .; John Clark, 1694 O .. 1696 M., 1696 O., 1700 M., 1701 M., 1703 M., 1703 O., 1706 M., ' 1708 M., 1709 O., 1711 M., 1712 M,, 1712 O., 1715 M., 1716 O .- 1717 O., 1720 O., 1724 M., 1728 M .; Nathaniel Lynde, 1696 O., 1697 O .- 1698 O., 1700 O., 1701 O .- 1702 O., 1703 O .- 1706 M., 1708 O., 1709 O., 1722 M .; John Whittle'sey, 1696 M., 1697 M., 1698 M., 1699 M., 1703 M., 1731 O., 1735 M .; Nathaniel Chap- man, 1697 M., 1697 O., 1699 O., 1701 M .- 1702 O., 1704 M., 1705 M .. 1705 O., 1707 M., 1707 O., 1712 O .- 1714 O., 1715 O., 1716 M., 1718 M .- 1716 M., 1722 O .- 1723 O .; Benjamin Lord, 1709 M., 1710 M .; Stephen Whittlesey, 1710 M., 1718 M., 1718 O., 1822 M .- 1723 O., 1724 O., 1725 M., 1726 M .- 1728 O., 1730 O .; Daniel Buckingham, 1713 M .- 1717 O., 1719 M., 1724 O .; Nathaniel Pratt, 1719 O., 1720 M., 1721 M .; Thomas Buckingham, 1719 O .- 1721 O .; Joseph Dudley, 1721 O .; Samuel Lynde, 1624 M., 1725 M .- 1727 O., 1728 O .- 1730 M .; Samuel Pratt, 1725 O., 1731 M .; Samuel Wil- lard, 1729 M .- 1732 M., 1733 M., 1734 M., 1734 O., 1736 M., 1736 O., 1737 O .- 1738 O., 1739 O .- 1741 M., 1765 O., 1766 M .; Samuel Dotey, 1732 M .; Nathaniel Clark. 1733 M .- 1734 O., 1739 M., 1739 O., 1741 O .- 1743 M .; Andrew Lord, 1733 O., 1735 M., 1735 O., 1737 M., 1737 O., 1743 O .; Jedediah Chapman, 1735 O .- 1737 M., 1739 M., 1740 M .- 1747 M., 1748 M .- 1750 M., 1751 M., 1751 O., 1753 M., 1754 M .- 1755 O., 1757 M., 1757 O., 1763 M .; Joshua Bushnell, 1738 M., 1738 O .; Ambrose Whittle- sey, 1744 M .- 1747 M., 1748 M .- 1751 O., 1753 M., 1754 M .- 1755 O .; John Tully, 1747 O., 1752 M., 1752 O., 1753 O., 1766 O., 1768 O .; John Murdock, 1747 O., 1750 O., 1752 M., 1752 O., 1753 O., 1758 O .- 1762 O., 1763 O .- 1765 M., 1766 M., 1767 M .- 1768 M., 1769 M .- 1770 M .; Hezekiah Whittlesey, 1756 M .- 1757 M., 1758 O., 1759 O .- 1762 O., 1764 M., 1764 O., 1766 O., 1767 M., 1768 O., 1770 M., 1770 O., 1774 M .; Samuel Lord, 1758 M .; William Tully, 1759 M., 1799 O., 1801 M .; John Shipman, 1763 M., 1763 O., 1765 O., 1767 O., 1768 M., 1769 O., 1770 O., 1777 M., 1777 O .; Samuel Field, 1771 M., 1774 O., 1776 O., 1780 M., 1780 O., 1781 O .; William Worthington, 1771 M .- 1774 O., 1776 M., 1777 M., 1778 M., 1779 M., 1779 O., 1781 M., 1782 M., 1783 O., 1785 M., 1786 O., 1790 O., 1791 O .; John Cochrane, 1771 O., 1772 M., 1781 M .; Stephen Chalker, 1772 O .- 1773 O .; John Ely, 1775 M., 1783 M., 1784 M., 1784 O., 1785 O., 1786 M .; Benjamin Williams, 1775 O., 1776 O., 1786 O .; Justus Buck, 1775 O., 1780 O .; Sam- uel Shipman, 1776 M., 1782 O., 1786 M., 1787 M., 1788 O .; William Lynde, 1777 O., 1785 M., 1785 O .; Edward Shipman, 1778 M .- 1780 M., 1782 M., 1782 O .; William Hart, 1783 M .- 1784 O., 1787 M .- 1788 M., 1789 O .- 1791 M., 1792 M., 1792 O., 1793 O .- 1795 O., 1796 O .- 1799 M., 1800 0., 1801 O .- 1802 O .; William Mitchell, 1787 O .; Elisha Chapman, 1788 M .; Jonathan Lay, 1789 M., 1790 M., 1791 M., 1792 M .- 1793 O., 1794 0 .- 1796 M., 1797 O., 1798 M., 1799 O., 1800 O., 1801 0 -1803 O .;
Timothy Starkey, 1789 O., 1793 M., 1794 M .; John Bull, 1789 M., 1796 M., 1804 O., 1806 M., 1807 O .; Elisha Ely, 1791 O .: Samuel Williams, 1796 O., 1797 M., 1798 O., 1799 M., 1801 M., 1804 M., 1807 M., 1809 M., 1811 M., 1812 O., 1813 M., 1814 M,-1815 M .; Daniel Brain- erd, 1800 M .; Smith Clark, 1800 M .; Elisha Hart, 1804 M., 1804 O .; Richard Ely 2d, 1803 M., 1808 M., 1809 M .; Joseph Hill, 1803 O., 1805 M .- 1806 M., 1808 M., 1808 O., 1809 O .- 1810 0., 1812 M., 1813 O., 1817 O., 1818 M., 1821, 1824, 1827; Timothy Pratt, 1805 M .; John Stannard 2d, 1805 O .; Ambrose Whittlesey jr., 1806 M., 1808 O., 1813 M., 1814 O., 1817 O., 1818 O .; Thomas Silliman, 1806 O .; Elias Shipman, 1807 M .; Michael Hill, 1807 O .; Elisha Sill, 1809 O., 1817 M., 1819 M., 1824; Samuel Hart, 1810 M .- 1812 O., 1813 O., 1814 M., 1815 M .- 1816 O .; John Stannard, 1811 O., 1818 M,; Clark Nott, 1815 O .- 1816 O., 1819 M .; Joel Pratt, 1817 M., 1833; Samuel Colt, 1818 O .; Jonathan Warner, 1820; John Ayer, 1820, 1821; George Pratt, 1822, 1828, 1829; Ebenezer Hayden, 1822; Gurdon Smith, 1823; Jonathan Clark 2d, 1823; Ebene- zer Cone, 1825, 1826; Joseph Platts, 1825, 1826; Arthur Lane, 1827, 1830, 1834; Samuel Ingham, 1828-33, 1835, 1851; Joshua L'Hommedieu, 1831, 1832; Joel Pratt, 1833; Benjamin Dowd, 1834, 1840, 1841; Jedediah Post, 1835; Richard P. Williams, 1836, 1837; John H. Hayden, 1836-38; Elsha Kirtland, 1838; Ezra Williams, 1839, 1840; Alexander Clark, 1839; Alpheus Starkey, 1841, 1845; Asa H. King, 1843; Selden M. Pratt, 1843, 1844, 1852, 1853, 1857; George Chapman, 1844, 1845; George H. Chalker, 1846, 1847; Stephen Jennings, 1846; Cornelius R. Doane, 1847, 1848; Giles Blague, 1848; Ezra S. Williams, 1849, 1860, 1861, 1866; David P. Platts, 1849, 1850; Richard N. Dowd, 1850; Edward W. Pratt, 1851; Ozias H. Kirtland, 1852; Russel! Jennings, 1853, 1854; Lozel; J. Platts, 1854; John S. Lane, 1855, 1856; Josiah S. Dickinson, 1855, 1858; William Deni- son 2d, 1856, 1861, 1863; George Read, 1857, 1858; Jo- seph H. Mather, 1859; Gilbert A. Gladwin, 1859; D. P. Platts, 1860; John Rogers, 1862, 1873; N. B. Pratt, 1862; John Marvin, 1863, 1864; N. E. Shailer, 1864, 1865; John Denison, 1865; Oliver C. Carter, 1866-69; Daniel P. Platts, 1867; L. B. Southworth, 1868; Gilbert F. Buck- ingham, 1869, 1870; S. S. Gilbert, 1870; John W. Mar- vin, 1871, 1872; Epaphroditus Bates, 1871, 1872; Wil- liam L. Jones, 1873; I. Albert Shipman, 1874; G. N. Snow, 1874; Milon Pratt, 1875; Asa R. Shaler, 1875; Frederick W. Williams, 1876, 1877; Gilbert Stevens, 1876, 1877; William D. Worthington, 1878, 1879; Lo- zel J. Platts, 1878, 1879; Felix A. Denison, 1880, 1881; Joseph B. Lord, 1880, 1881; John Child, 1882, 1883; Ezra J. B. Southworth, 1882, 1883; George F. Spencer, 1884; Carlton M. Pratt, 1884.
Town Clerks .- The following is a list of the clerks of the town of Saybrook from 1680 to the present time, with dates of their election: John Tully, December 27th 1680; Samuel Willard, December 30th 1701; Samuel Pratt, March 15th 1716; Samuel Willard, December 23d 1718; John Tully, December 23d 1745; Samuel Tully,
* This name, which is spelled in the records both with and without the " s," probably refers to the same person as the Nathaniel Lynde or Lind farther on.
544
HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
December 11th 1776; Zephaniah Pratt, December 9th 1794; Samuel Tully, December 24th 1799; Clark Nott, December 8th 1801; Selden M. Pratt, October 6th 1828; Ulysses Mather, October 5th 1829; Obadiah Spencer, October 8th 1832; Selden M. Pratt, October 5th 1840; John Marvin, October 3d 1853; John W. Marvin, Octo- ber 6th 1873; Samuel F. Snow, October 4th 1880; Fred- erick L'Hommedieu, October Ist 1883.
Present Town Officers .- The town officers elected in October 1884, for the ensuing year, are: Frederick W. Williams, Milon D. Pratt, J. Lockwood Lamb, selectmen; Frederick L'Hommedieu, town clerk; Henry R. Woos- ter, town treasurer.
ANCIENT TOWN RECORDS.
Reference has been made, incidentally, to the fact that this town retains possession of all the ancient records, now known to be extant, of the original town of Say- brook. These documents, extending as far back as the year 1666, time-worn, discolored, and dilapidated, and characterized by an orthography and chirography so an- tiquated that only an expert can read them with facility. contain the record of old town acts, deeds, wills, allot- ments of lands, marriages, and births, with much other valuable material. The lapse of time has increased their historic interest and value to such an extent, that fre- quent use is made of them in tracing family histories and pedigrees, and in verifying or correcting old tradi- tions, events, and titles to property. The value of these relics of the remote past is evident from the fact that the General Assembly, a few years ago, caused copies of some of the more important to be made, and deposited in the State Capitol, at Hartford. The original volumes are now carefully preserved in a fire proof vault, ad- joining the town hall, in Deep River, which, by require- ment of the Legislature, was constructed in 1875, for the safer keeping of all town and probate records.
THE TOWN HALL.
The earliest town meetings were held, of course, with- in the limits of the primitive settlement, and usually in the meeting houses. As the population extended northward, they were held alternately in the old parish of Saybrook and that of Potapaug; and finally, as early as and probably before 1835, they were for a num- ber of years held exclusively in Potapaug Parish, and at the old church, until a town hall was erected near it. This locality was regarded as the geographical center of the town as then constituted, and from this fact re- ceived the name of Centerbrook, by which it is still locally known. In 1854, by which time the town of Saybrook was reduced to its present limits, excepting that Centerbrook had not yet been separated from it, it was voted to dispose of the town hall in that locality, and to transfer the town meetings to Read's Hall, in the village of Deep River. Following this action, and possibly to some extent as the consequence of it, Cen- terbrook was joined to the town of Essex.
In 1860, this town instructed its selectmen to pur-
chase the property known as Read's Hall and post office building, with the land adjoining, for the use and benefit of the town. The purchase was effected; and in this building, on the southwest corner of Main and Elm streets, all the town meetings have since been held.
At some auspicious day in the future, the progress of improvement will doubtless require the erection of a new town hall, which in size, style, and convenience will comport with the dignity and enterprise of the town.
POST OFFICES.
The first post office in the original town was estab- lished in 1793, in its extreme southern part; the second was opened in 1810, in the then parish of Pattaconk or Chester. These were the only post offices in the old town as late as 1819.
The first post office in the present town was estab- lished probably in 1827, and was originally located in the so-called " Green Store " of Mather, Read & Co. on the northeast corner of Main and River streets. 'Squire Joseph H. Mather, a man of more than average mental ability and the senior partner of the above firm, was ap- pointed as the first postmaster, and served as such for a number of years. The position was afterward held by Obadiah Spencer and Sedley Snow (both of whom were engaged in general merchandise while postmasters); then by H. G. Loomis, and finally in 1861, by the pres- ent incumbent, Samuel M. Shipman, who with the ex- ception of an interval of about eighteen months, has held the position and efficiently discharged its duties for more than 23 years.
The unpretentious building adjoining the town hall, which now provides somewhat straitened quarters for the post office of Deep River, was in its infancy a cooper's shop, built by Mr. Jabez Southworth sen., on the corner of Union and Elm streets, nearly 101 years ago. After numerous removals from place to place in the village, and after serving various honorable uses, it was finally established on the site it now occupies, more than 60 years ago. In consideration of the humble origin from which it has risen, its eventful history, its varied useful- ness, and its venerable age, it certainly deserves to be re- tired as a relic of the past, and to give place to a younger and more substantial successor.
The post office in the western part of the town was es- tablished about 1837. The name of the place was then Sayville, after Lord Say and Seal, but a few years after the post office was opened, it was changed to Winthrop, after George Winthrop. The first postmaster was Mr. Aaron Watrous, of the firm of Denison & Watrous, mer- chants. The present merchant, Mr. George T. Carr, now acts as postmaster.
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