History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 110

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1317

USA > Connecticut > New London County > History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 110

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451

GROTON.

Willtam Avery, 1773, '79; William Morgan, 1773, '74 ; Thomas Mun- ford, 1773, '74, '74, '75, '75, '77, '77, '78, '78, '79, '81, '81 ; Stephen Billings, 1774, '78, '81, '87, '88, '88, '91, 1820; Park Avery, 1776; Jolin Hurlbut, 1776; Thomas Ap Niles, 1780, '84, '85, '85, '86, '87, '88, '89 ; Amos Gere, 1780, '80, '90; John Morgan, 1781, 1810; Elisha Wil- liams, 1782, '83, '83; Dr. Amos Prentice, 1782; Isaac Gallup, 1785; Isaac Gallup, Jr., 1785, '86, '86, 1801, '02; Nathan Niles, 1790; Thos. Avery, 1791, '91, '95, '95, 1815, '15, '19; Christopher Morgan, 1792; Simeon Smith, 1793, '93, '99, '99 ; Ben Adam Gallnp, Jr., 1795, '95, 1801, '02; Ebenezer Morgan, 1796, '98, '98 ; Starr Chester, 1797, '97, 1801, '02, '05, '05, '06, 08, '09 ; Isaac Avery, 1799, '99 ; Vine Stoddard, 1800, '01; John Daboll, 1802, '03, '06, '09; Joseph Chapman, 1802, '03; Phineas Hyde, 1803, '04 ; Thomas Baxter Gray, 1803, '04, '08; Rufus Smith, 1804, '05; Joseph Morgan, 1804, '05; Amos A. Niles, 1805, '05, '06, '09 ; John Spicer, 1806, '32, '33; Roswell Fish, 1807, '08, '12; Paul F. Niles, 1807, '08, '09, '11 ; John Morgan, 1811, '12, '12; Elijah Bailey, 1812; Noyes Barber, 1813, '13, '18, '18; Seth Williams, 1813, '13 ; Stephen Haley, 1814; Elisha Ayer, 1814; Rod- man Niles, 1815, '15; Judge William Williams, 1816, '17; Elisha Haley, 1816, '24, '26. '27, '32. '33, '34; James Mitchell, 1816, '17, '23 ; Erastus Williams, 1816, '17, '24; Philip Gray, 1818, '18; Nathan Niles, 1820; Elisha J. Stoddard, 1821; Roswell Allyn, 1820, '26; James Gallup, 1822 ; Nicholas L. Lester, 1822; Adam Larrabee, 1823; Erastus T. Smith, 1825, '28; Rufus Chapman, 1825; John Brewster, 1827; Gardiner Bill, 1828; Albert Latham, 1829, '30, '35, '37, '43; Joseph Tuttle, 1829; Guy C. Stoddard, 1830, '31 ; Cyrus Allyn, 1834 ; Jacob Gallup, 1835, '36; Sanford Stark, 1836, '43, '48; Elisha Morgan, 1837, '40, '45, '47, '62 ; Belton A. Copp, 1838, '39, '42, '44; Amos Clift, 1838, '39, '46; Noah Chapman, 1840, '41; Elihu Spicer, 1841, '42; Caleb M. Williams, 1844, '45 ; David A. Daboll, 1846, '47, '71 : Urbane Avery, 1848 ; James C. Lamb, 1849; Nathan G. Fish, 1849, '50, '57; Albert G. Stark, 1850; Waterman Z. Buddington, 1851, '56, '60; George Eldredge, 1851 ; Wanton A. Weaver, 1852 ; Elisha D. Wight- man, 1852; Peter E. Rowland, 1853, '61, '62; Hubbard D. Morgan, 1853 ; Erasmus D. Avery, 1854, '74, '77, '79; Thomas M. Clark, 1854; Noyes S. Palmer, 1855; Elijah B. Morgan, 1855 ; Isaac W. Denison, 1856 ; Benjamin N. Green, 1857; Robert Palmer, 1858, '69; Isaac C. Ammidon, 1858; John W. Miner, 1859; William Batty, 1859 ; George W. Ashbey, 1860; Philo Little, 1861 ; John E. Williams, 1863; Jared R. Avery, 1863, '66; Benjamin Burrows, 1864; Asa Perkins (2), 1864; Jeremiah N. Sawyer, 1865; Albert L. Avery, 1865; William E. Maxson, 1866; Asa A. Avery, 1867; Gordon S. Allyn, 1868, '74; Simon Huntington, 1868; William H. Potter, 1869; Lemuel Clift, 1870, '72; Daniel Latham, 1870; Cyrus Avery, 1872; William E. Wheeler, 1873, '75 ; James M. Turner, 1875; George B. Crary, 1876; George M. Long, 1876; Thomas W. Noyes, 1877, '78; Silas Spicer, 1878 ; Gurdon Gates, 1879, '81 ; John S. Schoonover, 1880; Robert A. Gray, 1880, '81.

JUDGES OF PROBATE,

residents of Groton when Groton and Stonington constituted one pro- bate district, under the name of Stonington.

1814-19, Ralph Hurlbut; 1819-31, William Williams ; 1836-38, Stephen Haley.

CLERKS OF THE SAME.

1818-19, Erastus T. Smith ; 1831-38, Nathan Daboll.

JUDGES OF THE COURT OF PROBATE

for the district of Groton (constituted A.D. 1839).

1839, Stephen Haley; 1840, James Gallup; 1842, Nathan Daboll ; 1845, Joseph Durfey ; 1846, Amos Clift; 1847, Joseph Durfey ; 1848, Zebe- diah Gates; 1852, Albert G. Stark; 1854, Nathan G. Fish ; 1855, Amos Clift ; 1859, Sanford Stark ; 1860, Amos Clift; 1863, Hiram Ap- pleman ; 1864, Amos Clift ; 1874, Lemuel Clift; 1876, William H. Potter, now in office.

CLERKS OF PROBATE COURT.

1839, Nathan Daboll; 1841, Nathan G. Fish ; 1842, David A. Daboll ; 1845, John Hudson ; 1846, Albert G. Stark : 1854, Nathan S. Fish ; 1859, Amos Clift.

Since 1859 the court has mostly acted as its own clerk.

TOWN CLERKS.

1705, John Davie; 1707, Nehemiah Smith ; 1718, Samuel Avery ; 1730, Christopher Avery and Christopher Avery, Jr .: 1768, William Av- ery ; 1787, Charles Eldredge ; 1797, Amos Gere; 1803, Amos Niles ; 1804, Amos Gere ; 1805, Amos A. Niles ; 1821, Nathan Daboll ; 1837,

Elisha Morgan ; 1846, Sanford Morgan; 1850, James D. Avery ; 1851, Sanford Morgan ; 1853, James D. Avery ; 1854, Sanford A. Morgan ; 1859, Daniel Morgan ; 1860, Colby M. Morgan ; 1862, Elisha Morgan ; 1870, David A. Daboll : 1871, Elisha Morgan ; 1874, James D. Avery, now in office.

For sketches of ministers, see "Churches." 1

CHAPTER XLV. GROTON-(Continued). NAVY-YARD.

THE Thames is about sixteen miles in length, with depth of water for the anchorage of the largest ves- sels ten miles above its mouth. It furnishes the best harbor on the Atlantic coast, and perhaps in the world, landlocked and with good holding ground. Upon this river is situated the navy-yard lately estab- lished by the government, a brief account of which is here given.

On the east bank of the Thames, three miles above New London, the United States has established a navy-yard.

Early in the year 1862 the government became so deeply impressed with the need of greater facilities for the construction, repair, and dockage of its war- vessels that Congress authorized the Secretary of the Navy "to appoint a board of competent officers to examine the harbor of New London, Narragansett Bay, and League Island, and to report by the selec- tion of which the public interests would best be pro- moted." This board spent some eight weeks in making the requisite examination of the different places, and reported "that the harbor of New Lon- don possesses greater advantages for a navy-yard and naval depot than any other location examined by this board." The board said in their report,-

The harbor of New London "has a fine, clear entrance from the ocean, accessible at all times and all seasons ; from it vessels of any class can proceed to sea with almost any wind, and be clear of the land in a few hours."

"That no harbor in the United States is more sus- ceptible of defense against the entrance of a fleet than New London."

" The harbor of New London is well protected from violent winds and sea, and is not obstructed by ice. Vessels of any size may anchor there with per- fect safety at all times."

"The currents at New London are not rapid, the water is clear, and there is nothing to be appre- hended from deposits at this place after the lines of wharves have been established and the wharves con- structed."

" At New London an abundant supply of the softest and purest water can be obtained."

1 End of W. H. Potter's history of Groton.

452

HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

This report of the board of officers was referred to the Naval Committee of the House, and in the spring of 1864, after viewing the site and hearing the testi- mony of experts, that committee reported also in favor of the harbor of New London as eminently adapted to naval uses, and recommended the estab- lishment of a navy-yard thereat. There was no im- mediate action on this report. In the year 1867 the following resolution, prepared by John R. Bolles, who had written many pamphlets and documents set- ting forth the advantages of the site, was passed by Congress :

" Resolved, That the Secretary of the Navy be, and he is hereby, au- thorized to receive and accept a deed of gift, when offered by the State of Connecticut, of a tract of land lying on the Thames River, with not less than one mile of water-front, to be held by the United States for naval purposes."

In accordance with this resolution, the land was in 1868 donated by the State and duly accepted by the government. In 1877 a pile-wharf was built. In 1874 the first store-house was erected. In 1875 the Navy Department ordered three of its civil engineers to proceed to the New London station and make the necessary examination, and lay out the premises with the view of developing and improving the grounds for building and repairing ships-of-war. This board, consisting of Civil Engineers Chandler, Stratton, and Endicott, matured a plan defining the lines of quay- wall, establishing the grades of the yard, locating docks and dock-basins, hauling-up ways for iron- clads, and shops for all classes of mechanics required. These shops and store-houses are so grouped that each department is by itself and independent of every other. The plan was adopted by the department, and appropriations have been made by Congress for permanent improvements. Several acres have been graded and substantial buildings commenced.

Secretary Thompson conceived the idea that Ameri- can boys could be induced to enter the service and ship as apprentices, to be under instruction until ar- riving at the age of twenty-one, and then at their option to remain connected with the navy or enter the merchant service. Several ships-of-war were detailed to test the practicability of this experiment. These ships, composing the " training-fleet," were to go into winter-quarters during the inclement season, and cruise for instruction in seamanship in the summer months.

As the headquarters of this fleet, the New London navy-yard offers unequaled facilities. The natural advantages are unsurpassed, and the anchorage, wharf- age, abundance of pure water, and protection froni the severity of storms has given this the preference over all other points in the opinion of experienced and intelligent men. Temporarily the training-fleet has been anchored in Narragansett Bay, at Coaster's Is- land Harbor. Preparations, however, have been made at the New London station for the reception of these ships, and a large drill-room has recently been con-

structed for the use of the school. This drill-room is one hundred and eighty-two by forty feet, and de- signed expressly as a hall of instruction in the use of small-arms and manual exercise. This is said to be the most elegant drill-room east of New York City.

Estimates have been submitted for the construction of one thousand lineal feet of quay-wall, the granite material to be taken from quarries already opened within the limits of the yard and easy of access. For building purposes this granite is of excellent quality, and there is an abundance of superior sand for mortar and gravel for concrete, all valuable ma- terial in the construction of navy-yard improvements.

There are quarters constructed for the civil engi- neer, boatswain, and carpenter, and occupied by them.

The commandants have been Commodores Hunt, Worden, Fairfax, Simpson, and Hopkins.

The officers now in charge are Commodore William E. Hopkins as commandant, and B. F. Chandler, resident civil engineer.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN CHANDLER was born in Augusta, Me., Sept. 19, 1816; is the seventh de- scendant of William Chandler, who came from Eng- land to Massachusetts as early as 1637. His son, Capt. Joseph Chandler, drowned Oct. 16, 1785, was a soldier in the French war, and had two sons, Joseph (2) and John. They became men of importance, and each held rank as general of militia. John was a Revolutionary soldier. Joseph (2), his father, born in New Andover, N. H., was appointed captain in the United States army in 1808, in command of forts in Portland Harbor. In 1809 he resigned his commis- sion. In 1811 he was appointed clerk of the courts in Kennebec, and held that position one year. He became cashier of the "Kennebec Bank" at its or- ganization ; was the first president of the "Granite Bank;" in February, 1828, was chosen major-general of Second Division of Maine militia; was appointed postmaster of the city of Augusta in November, 1830, by President Jackson. He died suddenly, Sept. 12, 1846, aged sixty-six. Nov. 5, 1806, he married Me- hitable, daughter of Maj. Mark Andrews, of Augusta. They had five children, B. F. being youngest. Maj. Andrews was an officer in the Revolution ; was also a successful merchant. He died at an advanced age in Perry, Wyoming Co., N. Y.

Benjamin F. received an academic and collegiate education at Waterville and Cambridge. His health . failing while at college, by medical advice he ex- changed his college course for the study of civil en- gineering, with which he became so pleased as to adopt it for a profession.

Mr. Chandler was a natural printer, his love for the " art preservative" amounting to a passion. When but a small lad his father with his knife cut out of wood the letter "A" to amuse him, and from that small commencement he not only made the acquaint- ance of types (spending almost his first "ninepence" for an alphabet), but was not content until he had in-

Eng ª vy A H Ritchie

B. J. lohandler U. S.h.

453

GROTON.

vented a press and was a printer. We extract from the Boston Printers' Exchange of April 23, 1878, this paragraph : " There has lately come into our possession a small newspaper, the Star, size 5 by 7, published in Augusta, Me., 1832, by B. F. Chandler, then a boy of sixteen. This was probably the first amateur paper ever published in this country. It was started with a capital of twelve cents. The boy continued his business for two years, then sold out his office for two hundred dollars, bought books, and entered col- lege, receiving a scientific education, and is now and has been for many years a civil engineer in the United States service, stationed at the Portsmouth navy-yard, where many and great improvements have been made under his superintendence. The ruling passion is, however, still strong. We have lately sold him a Gordon press and a good variety of job type, with which he amuses himself during his leisure moments. He prints for his friends without compensation. He is a printer from an inherent love of the art, like the late ex-Mayor N. B. Shurtleff, of Boston. We have seen specimens of his work, which are equal to that of some of our best printers." Since this was published Mr. Chandler has purchased two entire printing- offices, has had three presses at one time, and nearly. two hundred fonts of type. His office is well fur- nished with the signs and characters of all the arts and sciences, astronomical, chemical, mathematical, commercial, etc. It is strictly an amateur office. "Leisure hours, when not engaged in professional duties, are spent in 'sticking type' or 'kicking the Gordon,' for the fun of it."

After studying two years in Boston, Mr. Chandler received an appointment as engineer on the "Bruns- wick and Florida Railroad." He went to Florida for one winter, sleeping on the ground and generally "roughing it," and entirely recovered his health. From Florida he went to Augusta, married, Oct. 25, 1839, Silvina Parris, daughter of Luther Briggs, of Pembroke, Mass., and continued civil engineering. He became noted for his skill, and was employed by the town, by the State, and by the United States. When Augusta received its city charter Mr. Chandler was made civil engineer of the city, and was often appointed by the courts to survey the boundaries of disputed lands, and also "referee" in many of these claims. This led him to the study of law, but from distaste for the profession he abandoned it shortly after his admission to the bar.

About 1841, the British government needing a first- class engineer, engaged Mr. Chandler, through Sir John Caldwell, to go to the Grand Falls of the St. John River, New Brunswick, and make surveys and plans for the improvement of the rapids. This en- gaged him for a year, but Sir John suddenly died while on a visit from England. With his death the scheme of improvement ended, and Mr. Chandler returned to Augusta, entered the employ of the "Ken- nebec Locks and Canal Company," and was there and

elsewhere in active labor for years in his profession. In July, 1852, he was appointed civil engineer in United States naval service, and ordered on duty at Portsmouth navy-yard. This yard was then a very small and poor affair, and Mr. Chandler at once be- gan to build and make permanent improvements. For twenty-seven years he was in charge at Ports- mouth, and he has made it one of the best and most complete navy-yards in the United States. He made all the designs, and the work was done under his supervision. By his advice and through him the national government has expended thousands ou thousands of dollars, and has never suffered the loss of one by negligence, carelessness, or trickery of his. In 1875, Mr. Chandler was president of a commission detailed to lay out territory for the development of a first class navy-yard at New London Station, Groton, Conn. Under his direction and superintendence the surveys were made, plans drafted, etc., and in July, 1879, he was transferred from Portsmouth to build up the new yard. From the time of his transfer the work of improvement has been going on, and at the present time (September, 1881) he has constructed a large brick building, a drill-room for naval recruits in the training-school. Mr. Chandler has served the longest period of any of the engineers in the naval service on navy-yard duty, and ranks as " comman- der" on the staff. During his service he has been temporarily on duty at Boston, New York, Philadel- phia, Norfolk, and Pensacola, and has been frequently called to Washington by the Navy Department for consultation.

Of his eight children seven attained maturity, viz .: Silvia P. (deceased), Helen A. (deceased), Benjamin P. (deceased), Josiah A. (deceased), Joseph, Sarah Jane (deceased), and Frank. All were well educated. Joseph and Frank reside in Waverly, Mass. Mr. Chandler is a splendid specimen of the "genus homo," striking in personal appearance, resembling the poet Longfellow, for whom he is often taken. He is leal and loyal to his friendships, and a gentleman of broad, liberal views and intellectual culture, con- sequently an extremely agreeable social companion. His character through life has been marked by hon- esty, integrity, and honor, and he to-day, among the many officers of the navy, holds no second place in the regards of his large circle of friends, while his pre- eminent ability in his profession is conceded by all.1

CHAPTER XLVI.

GROTON-(Continued).

The Averys and the Old Avery Mansion.2-The old Avery mansion is believed to be the oldest dwell- ing-house in the town of Groton standing on its origi-

1 Oct. 15, 1881, Mr. Chandler was transferred to the retired and re- served list, with relative rank of commander.

2 Contributed by J. George Harris.

454

HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

nal foundations. It dates back two and a quarter cen- turies. James Avery, born in England in 1620, who came to Massachusetts Bay with his father, Christo- pher, in 1630, was raised on the farm near the fishing- station on Cape Ann, where Gloucester now stands, married Junna Greenslade at Boston in 1642, and with her and three children came to the Pequot settlement at the mouth of the Thames in 1650, with what was called the Cape Ann colony. He lived on the land allotted to him on the west side of the river until 1656, purchasing such other lands there as he con- sidered desirable; but when he discovered the supe- rior qualities of the broad plains of Pequonoc, a mile or two east of the river, he determined to cross over

that had been occupied there as a church edifice and watch-tower, which was exposed to sale to make room for a new meeting-house, took it in pieces, trans- ported it over the river and through the woods to his place, and added it with improvements to his dwell- ing, where it still stands as a western part of the old mansion. The first story of the addition was con- tinued as a single great room, and during the balance of his life Sabbath services were generally held there.

It is matter of history that dwelling-houses of the better classes of people in those days were of two stories, the upper jutting over the lower about a foot on the front side, with roof high and steep, frames of white oak, timbers much larger than those now in

THE OLD AVERY MANSION, ERECTED IN 1656.

and settle there. When he removed he sold his pos- sessions on the western side and invested all his means in the acquisition of lands around his new residence, which was the middle portion, or first in- stallment of this ancient Avery mansion, giving his place the name of Birch Plains. There he resided for nearly forty years, or until his death in 1694, during which time he held most of the principal offices of the new town of New London, of which it was then a part; a magistrate on the bench, and was a representative in the State Legislature for fourteen consecutive years.

Ten years before his death, when he found it diffi- cult to travel two or three miles and cross the river to church every Sabbath, he purchased the building

use, and smoothly-finished beams all in sight. Be- tween the inner and outer sheathing of the sides burnt or sun-dried clay was built in between "the clay boards," since called clapboards. And the old Avery house is perhaps the best specimen of that class of ancient architecture extant.

There, after the lapse of two and a quarter centu- ries, stands the old double and triple mansion, which, with its surroundings, has descended through eight or nine generations from eldest son to eldest son ; in the early times known as "the two-chimney house," from the many years that it was the only house in town that had more than one chimney, and so di- versified by the additions of later generations in its style of architecture that, in nautical parlance, it

455

GROTON.

appears as though it might have been built in a gale of wind.

If its history could be written, with due regard to the current manners and customs from one generation to another, its pages of eccentricities, from the stand- point of our own times, would be singularly interest- ing. It is to be supposed that the funeral ceremonies at the burial of James Avery were not unsuited to a man of his quality,-not unfashionable, for fashion ruled then as it rules to-day, and while the poor were quietly and silently buried, the rich were carried to the grave on the shoulders of the people with great display. When the Rev. Thomas Cobbett was buried at Ipswich, Mass., in 1685, it was "Voted, that some person be appointed to look to the burning of the wine and heating of the cider for the occasion ;" and it is recorded that the expenses of his funeral was only one shilling short of twenty pounds. Indeed, the indisputable records show that there were used thirty-two gallons of wine, barrels of cider, more than a hundred pounds of sugar, and four dozen gloves, and this was but the funeral of a poor clergyman. Felt says the funeral charges of a highly-respectable man at Salem as late as 1739 were ten times as much. When Wigglesworth, an eminent divine, was buried by his parish, in 1753, six gold rings were furnished for the pall-bearers and eighteen pairs of white kid gloves for attending ministers. It even became ne- cessary for the General Court to interfere and pass an act to prevent extravagant funerals, prohibiting such splendid spectacles on Sunday by declaring that they should not take place "on the Lord's day," until no one could be buried on that day without license first being granted by a justice of the peace.

If the old white-oak timbers, almost petrified by time, and as enduring of fibre as when they stood under their green foliage on Groton hills, could only tell us of all the interesting vicissitudes of their event- ful years, their tales would equal those of the Arabian Nights. We might fancy the astonishment of the old timbers in 1718 to see the first tea ever brought to this country, which the women at first knew not how to steep, and by mistake served up as greens with a piece of boiled pork; and after learning how to make it, how long it was before the people could learn to like it as a beverage. If they could talk they might tell of their surprise at their first sight of wheat-flour in 1720 as an article of food, so high in price that only a very few rich families could afford it, the masses for years afterwards continuing, as formerly, to use exclu- sively bread made of rye and Indian corn ; how they drank water and roasted rye until, in 1770, they reluc- tantly learned the use of coffee ; how families sat around the fire and read and worked in the evening by the light of the pine-knots, burning clear and bright from their mixture of pitch and turpentine, until tal- low candles were invented as well as a lamp to burn fish-oil; how much they were surprised to see a horse in a wagon driven up the lawn in 1730, and in

a sleigh in 1740, the first wagon or sleigh ever seen in town, for at that time all horses paced, and none were taught to trot until forty years afterwards, riding hav- ing always been on horseback, with the gentleman astride on the saddle, and his lady companion behind him, sitting sideways on the pillion, supported by her arm around his waist. They would tell us also of the wonderful curiosity with which the household exam- ined and tasted two or three boiled potatoes on the breakfast-table in 1733, the first vegetable of the kind raised in this country in beds of the garden, as we raise beets and carrots; and also of the care with which, early in the nineteenth century, the ladies of the household cultivated in their flower-beds the round, red, love-apples that they never dreamed of serving up for the table as a dish of tomatoes. The brown weather-boards outside and the smoothly-pol- ished woodwork inside would tell us of their infinite disgust when, in 1734, for the first time in this country, paint was used to cover their bronzed surfaces, and that to themselves none was applied until near a cen- tury later ; when, in 1783, wall-paper first made its ap- pearance, and at a much later period when the white and silver-sanded floors were swept and covered with woolen carpets. And then how many changes have they witnessed in the habits and amenities of social life! Only captains, merchants, schoolmasters, mag- istrates, and doctors, with their wives and daughters, were entitled to the address of " Mr." and " Mrs." (for common man and wife were called "goodman" and "goodwife," and their children " goody"), insomuch that the General Court of Massachusetts passed a special act that one of its citizens, who had been con- victed of stealing corn from an Indian, should no longer be called " Mr." It was not until after 1730 that any person in this country had a middle name, so desirous were the Puritans to avoid the pattern of royalty ; and this desire is apparent up to a much later day,-not one who appears on the battle-roll of the Groton monument tablet has a middle name. The old frame would also tell us of the embarrass- ment in date and records produced in 1752 by an act of the British Parliament changing the beginning of the new year from the 25th of March to the 1st of January, and setting forward the calendar eleven days, so as to make the 1st the 11th of the month, producing the change from old to new style. It would tell us how the good, Puritans reluctantly abandoned their plan of simply numbering the months from one to twelve, and adopted the Julian names, which they considered popish and as perpetu- ating the names of heathen idols. And if it were to tell us these things it would but speak as with the voice of true history.

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History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 110

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1317

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1317