USA > Connecticut > New London County > History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 181
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Also voted, that the town being northward of the above said line shall be called by the name of Jeffer- son.
When the Legislature assembled in May following the foregoing vote of the town was taken into consid- eration and adopted, and the town was divided on the line therein suggested. But the name of Jefferson for the new town was not adopted, for the reason that the society of North Stonington had been so named by the General Assembly, and had had charge of the schools for a great many years, and the name had be- come so identified with its vital interests that it was considered best not to change it, so the new town was called North Stonington.
Mills and Manufacturing .- The town of North Stonington is noted for being the sources of the Mystic, Shunnnek, and the western branches of Ash- away River. One of the Ashaway branches has its
main source in Wyassup Lake (raised now into a reservoir, with its floating island), and courses its way along, giving water-power to Peabody's saw-mill, and through the old dam on the Holmes estate, where in the long ago was a mill, and enters the Spalding Pond, where it mingles with the rivulet that rises ou the southern and western slopes of Pung-hung-we- nnek Hill, then on and by the old Spalding mills into the Bureh or Clark Mill-pond. Another source of the Ashaway rises in Voluntown, and its down- ward course is fed by the rivulet from the eastern slope of the Pung-hung-we-nuck range of hills, form- ing the water-power for the manufacturing establish- ments at Laurel Glen, mainly erected and run at first by Charles Kenyon, but now successfully operated by Deacon Barber and others. Passing Laurel Glen, the stream enters Burch or Clark Pond, forming the water-power for Clark Falls Mill, which was erected by the late Alfred Clark and Peleg S. Tift, in equal partnership, in 1864, costing $33,762,282. A manu- facturing company was organized and known as the Clark Falls Manufacturing Company, hired the mill and supplied the machinery at a cost of twenty thou- sand dollars, with a lease at ten per cent. on the actual cost of mill and privilege, or at a rent of three thou- sand three hundred and seventy-six dollars per annum, which was operated under the superintendence of A. S. Briggs, manufacturing army goods until the close of the war, since which they have manufactured flan- nels, suitings, and various patterns of woolen goods. 'The firm-name of the company has never been changed, though there has been successions in the . ownership.
Three-fourths of the mill property is now owned by Alfred M. Clark, and the balance by Mrs. B. F. Lang- worthy.
Mr. Briggs has had control of the operations of the mill ever since its erection, and now owns a half-in- terest in the manufacturing company, and acts as their agent. The mill is now in successful operation, using raw stock to the amount of one hundred thou- sand dollars per annum, and, with the tenement- houses, are in good repair. Some of the sources of the Shunnuck River are found on the western slope of Cosatuck Hill and the eastern side of Swan's Hill, merging in the valley between, and furnishing water-power for Denison Hewitt's saw-mill; coursing on, the waters soon reach the manufacturing estab- lishment of John D. Gallup, not now in use, then onward, gaining additional volume from auxiliary rivulets, until it is met by the old dam near the vil- lage of Milltown, where the water is taken in a canal, mostly underground, to the factory-wheel on the cast side of the village. Other sources of the Shunnnek River may be found on the eastern and southern slopes of Win-che-choog Hill, joining at the foot, and passing on through Assekonk Swamp, gaining addi- tional volume until it reaches the village of Milltown, where it unites with the branch of the more northern
739
NORTH STONINGTON.
sources. United, they pass on down over the saw- mill dam and merge with the factory-flume waters, and form the water-power of the Frink Mills.
The first mill in the village was known as Ayres' grist-mill, which was subsequently owned by Joseph Hewitt and others, and later became the property of Luther Avery, who conveyed it to Hosea Wheeler in 1803, who sold it to Nathan Pendleton in 1813. After his death his widow, Phebe Pendleton, conveyed it to George W. Bentley in 1840. Up to this time it was described as a grist-mill, turning-shop, and full- ing-mill. Mr. Bentley built the present factory build- ing soon after he purchased the property, and the same was operated until after 1850, in the manufac- ture of cotton yarns and cotton cloth, when the cotton machinery was removed and woolen put in its place, and operated ever since. George W. Bentley sold the property to Russel Bentley in 1842, afterwards it was reconveyed to Mrs. Phebe Pendleton before 1859, when it was leased and operated by Thomas Clark, Welcome Stillman & Co., until Stillman's death. Before his death Clark & Stillman purchased the mill, and Clark sold Stillman one-half of the machinery, and after his death operated the mill until 1871, when he sold it to James M. Pendleton, who now owns it. Passing downwards, the accumulated waters are met by Vincent's dam, just north of the old turnpike, and the waters of the pond are taken by canal across the road and used to run his saw-mill and sash and blind manufacturing establishment. Still farther on the Messrs. Brown arrested the natural flow of the river by a dam for a grist-mill, which, after several years, has passed away out of use. The river, un- vexed by any more dams, passes on by the remains of an old dam, where in the long ago the Richardsons owned a mill, down into the "White Rock Pond," where it mingles with the Ashaway waters, previously merged at Potter Hill with the calm-flowing Pawca- tuck, then all on together, moving looms and spindles by the millions, and the buzzing wheels of. industry, till they are lost in the ocean.
The sources of the Mystic River are found on the northern slope of Lantern Hill and the hills that rise to the north; moving down they soon reach Lantern Hill Pond, where they meet a dam that utilizes the water in running Main's mills. Then on and into Indiantown Pond, at the south end of which, in 1814, the Williams manufacturing establishment and dam were erected by Cyrus Williams, and by Henry and Silas Chesebro, and by them operated for a number of years, when the mills and water-power were sold to late John Hyde, and operated for a while by the late George W. Moss, and then were operated by Mr. Hyde at intervals until his death. Passing on, the Mystic waters were stopped and raised by an upland Fish, who built one of the first saw-mills erected in this region, some two hundred years ago.
The mill remained until the Mystic Manufacturing Company, chartered in 1814, purchased it. Still far-
ther down, within the last two years, the Messrs. Whitfords have built a mill-dam across its waters for sawing and other purposes. The Lantern Hill Silex Company was formed, as a joint-stock com- pany, to excavate and draw from the everlasting hills that cluster around old Lantern Hill their mineral wealth, commenced and are still in operation there and at Mystic Bridge;
Population in 1880, 1769. Grand List, $734,798.
TOWN CLERKS.
1807, Stephen Avery; 1828, Ansel Coats; 1829, Dudley R. Wheeler; 1831, Isaac P. Langworthy; 1832, Henry C. Brown ; 1833, Oliver Hewitt; 1850, Thomas W. Wheeler: 1855, Charles N. Wheeler; 1862, Thomas W. Wheeler; 1865, William H. Hilliard; 1879, Henry C. Green ; 1880, William H. Hilliard; 1881, William H. Hil- liard.
The probate district of North Stonington was set off from the probate district of Stonington in 1835.
JUDGES.
1835-37, Elias Hewitt; 1838, William Randall, Jr .; 1839-45, Elias Hew- itt; 1816, Thomas P. Wattles, M.D .; 1847, Elias Hewitt; 1848, Ansel Coats: 1849, the Legislature failed to appoint; 1850-54, Thomas P. Wattles, M.D. ; 1855-57, Charles Perry White; 1858-59, Thomas W. Wheeler; 1860-62, Charles Perry White; 1863-64, Francis S. Peabody ; 1865, William B. Hull; 1866-82, Charles Perry White.
SENATORS.
1837, Elias Hewitt, Stanton Hewitt, Jr .; 1845-46, Dudley R. Wheeler; 1855, Francis S. Peabody; 1867, Thomas Clark; 1881, Charles P. White.
REPRESENTATIVES.
When North Stonington was first organized as a town it was entitled to but one representative.
1808 .- Elias Hewitt.
1809 .- Sands Cole.
1810 .- Chester Smith.
1811 .- Nathaniel Pendleton.1
1812 .- David Coals, Sands Cole.
1813 .- Thomas Wheeler, Elias S. Palmer.
1814 .- Parez Ilewitt, Gilbert Billings.
1815 .- Nathan Pendleton, Latham Hull.
1816 .- Chester Smith, Daniel Packer.
1817 .- David Coats, John Brown.
1818 .- Nathan Pendleton, Stanton Hewitt.
1819 .- Samuel Chapman, Daniel Packer.
1820 .- Nathan Pendleton, David Coats.
1821 .- John Langworthy, Benjamin Pomeroy.
1822 .- John D. Gallup, Nathan Pendleton.
1823 .- William Randall, Jr., Asher Coats.
1824 .- Chester Smith, Thomas T. Wells.
1825 .- Sands Cole, Stanton Hewitt. 1826,-Nathan Pendleton, Latham Hull. 1827 .- Cyrus Williams, Stanton Hewitt, Jr.
1828 .- Latham Hull, Samuel Chapman.
1829 .- Latham Hull, John D. Gallup.
1830 .- Ezra llewitt, Stanton Hewitt, Jr.
1831 .- Elias Hewitt, Stephen Main.
1832 .- Latham Hull, Stanton Hewitt, Jr.
1833 .- Latham llull, David Coats.
1834 .- Oliver Hewitt, Ephraim Wheeler.
1835 .- Latham Hull, Stanton Hewitt, Jr. 1836 .- Gurdon llewitt, Latham Hull, Jr. 1837 .- John D. Gallup, Amos Hull.
1838 .- Latham Hull, John D. Gallup.
1839 .- Elias Hewitt, Thomas H. Ilewitt.
1840 .- Latham Ifull, Nathaniel M. Crary.
1841 .- Oliver Hewitt, Peleg Clark.
1 In 1811 the General Assembly gave the town two members.
740
HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
1842 .- Charles G. Simon, Latham Hull, Jr. 1843 .- John D. Gallup, Oliver Hewitt.
1844 .- Latham HnlI, Charles S. Brown. 1845,-Allen Wheeler, William B. Hull.
1846 .- William B. Hull, Nathaniel M. Crary.
1847 .- John D. Gallup, John Sheffield. 1848 .- Latham Hull, Oliver Hewitt. 1849 .- Oliver Hewitt, Francis H. Wheeler. 1850 .- Francis II. Wheeler, Christopher Hull.
1851 .- Allen Wheeler, Asher Prentice, Jr. 1852 .- Asher Prentice, Jr., Ephraim W. Maris. 1853 .- William B. Hull, Charles P'. White. 1854 .- John D. Gallup, Denison Hewitt.
1855 .- Robert Y. Latham, C. H. Kenyon. 1856 .- Samuel It. Wheeler, Dudley W. Stewart. 1857 .- Cyrus W. Brown, Jr., Chester S. Prentice.
1858 .- Zebulon Treat York, Roger Griswold Avery.
1859 .- Dudley It. Wheeler, Stephen A. Brown.
1860 .- Dudley R. Wheeler, Cyrus W. Brown, Jr.
1861 .- Samuel R. Wheeler, Thomas Clark.
1862 .- Thomas Clark, Chester S. Prentice. 1863 .- Stephen A. Brown, Charles Stanton. 1864 .- Lot W. Kumey, John D. Babcock.
1865 .- Thomas W. Wheeler, Samuel L. Main.
1866 .- Richard Wheeler, Thomas Clark.
1867 .- John D. Gallup (2), Alphonso Browning.
1868 .- John D. Gallup (2), Alfred Clark. 1869 .- Alfred Clark, Roger G. Avery.
1870 .- Joseph D. Hewitt, Ashur II. Chapman.
1871 .- Joseph D. Hewitt, Ashur HI. Chapman.
1872 .- Samuel Thompson, Amos A. Browning.
1873 .- Samnel B Wheeler, Benjamin F. Billings.
1874 .- Samuel L. Main, B. F. Billings. 1875 .- Andrew Avery, Edgar H. Wheeler.
1876 .- Andrew Avery, Edgar IF. Wheeler.
1877 .- Alfred Clark, William II. Hillard. 1878 .- Alfred Clark, Orren Chapman. 1879 .- Charles L. Brown, John S. Bentley.
1880 .- Alfred M. Clark, John S. Bentley.
1881 .- Alfred M. Clark, Samuel T. Browning. 1882 .- Orren Chapman, Charles Brown.
SELECTMEN.
The first election for selectmen in North Stoning- ton took place June 15, 1807 :
Latham Hull, Sr., Chester Smith, David Coats, Sanford Palmer, Elias Hewitt, Sr.
The next election took place November 24th of the same year, and after that they have been elected annually, as follows :
Chester Smith, David Coats, Elias Hewitt, Sr., Nathan Pendleton, Jere- minh York.
1808 .- Chester Smith, David Coats, Elias Hewitt, Sr., Nathan Pendleton, Jeremiah York.
1809 .- David Coats, Elias Hewitt, Jeremiah York, Asa Prentice, Sands Cole.
1810 .- David Coats, Elias Hewitt, Sr., Asa Prentice, Sands Cole, Wm. T. Browning.
1811 .- David Coats, Ellas Hewitt, Asa Prentice, Sands Cole, Robert Wheeler, Sr.
1812 .- David Coats, Elias Hewitt, Asa Prentice, Sands Cole, Robert Wheeler.
1813 .- David Coats, Ellas Hewitt, Sr., Asa Prentice, Sands Cole, Robert Wheeler.
1814 .- Elias Hewitt, Sr., Asa Prentice, Sands Cole, Gilbert Billings, Joseph Ayre.
1815 .- Asa Prentice, Joseph Ayre, Daniel l'acker, Luther Palmer, Chester Smith.
1816 .- Chester Smith, David Coats, Daniel Packer, Luther Palmer, John Langworthy, Jr.
1817 .- Elias Hewitt, Sr., Wm. T. Browning, John Langworthy, Jr., Wm. Randall, Jr , Christopher Brown, Jr.
1818 .- Elias Hewitt, Sr., Sands Cole, Wm. Itandall, Jr., Perez Hewitt, Asa A. Swan.
1819 .- John Langworthy, Jr., Wm. Randall, Jr., Perez Hewitt, Asa A. Swan, Benjamin Pomeroy.
1820 .- John Langworthy, Jr., Wm. Randall, Jr., Benjamin Pomeroy Ethan Foster, John Brown.
1821 .- Latham Hull, Wm. Randall, Jr., John Dean Gallup, Elias Smith, Daniel Carr.
1822 .- Latham Hull, John Dean Gallup, Daniel Carr, Samuel Prentice, Asher Coats.
1823 .- Nathan Pendleton, Asher Coats, Sands Cole.
1824 .- Latham Hull, Nathan Pendleton, Sands Cole, ltussel Wheeler, Ezra B. Smith.
1825 .- Latham Hull, Ezra B. Smith, Stanton llewitt, Jr., Allen Wheeler, Smith Chapman.
1826 .- Latham Hull, Stanton Hewitt, Jr., Allen Wheeler, Smith Chap- man, Asher Prentice, Jr.
1827 .- Latham Hull, Stanton Hewitt, Jr., Smith Chapman, Asher Pren- tice, Jr., Stephen Main.
1828 .- Latham Hull, Stanton Hewitt, Jr., Stephen Main, Thomas Brown- ing, Abel Collins.
1829 .- Latham Hull, Stanton Hewitt, Jr., Stephen Main, Thomas Brown- ing, Abel Collins.
1830 .- Latham Hull, Smith Chapman, Stephen Main, Thomas Browning, Stanton Hewitt, Ir.
1831 .- Latham Hull, Stanton Hewitt, Jr., Stephen Main, Thomas Brown- ing, Elins Hewitt.
1832 .- Latham Hull, Ezra Hewitt, Amos Hull, Matthew Brown, An- drew Chapman.
1833 .- Ezra Hewitt, Amos Hull, Matthew Brown, Andrew Chapman, Thomas P. Wattles.
1834 .- Ezra Hewitt, Amos Hull, Matthew Brown, Andrew Chapman, Thomas P. Wattles.
1835,-Ezra Hewitt, Amos IIull, Matthew Brown, Andrew Chapman, Thomas P. Wattles.
1836 .- Amos Hull, Matthew Brown, Andrew Chapman, Amos C. Main, Elias Hewitt.
1837 .- Latham Hull, William Randall, Jr., P'eleg Clark, Ansel Coats, Jabez Gallup.
1838 .- Latham IInll, Peleg Clark, Francis S. l'eabody. George W. Bent- ley, Thomas Il. Hewitt, David Stillman, Peleg Kenyon.
1839 .- Latham Hull, Francis S. Peabody, Thomas HI. Hewitt, Percy Kenyon, George W. Ilentley, David Stillman, Peleg Clark. 1840 .- Latham Hull, John Dean Gallup, Robert Wheeler, Peleg Clark, George W Bentley, David Stillman, Charles II. Babcock.
1841 .- Latham Hull, John Dean Gallup, Charles S. Brown, Russel Bent- ley, Allen Wheeler.
1842 .- Latham Hull, John Dean Gallup, Charles S. Brown, Russel Bent- ley, George II. Lewis.
1843 .- Latham Hull, John Dean Gallup, Russel Bentley.
1844 .- Latham Hull, John Dean Gallup, Matthew Brown, Charles II. Babcock, Russel Bentley, Nathan York, Jr., Nathaniel M. Crary.
1845 .- Latham Hull, John Dean Gallup, Nathaniel M. Crary, Itussel Bentley, Palmer N. Miner, Charles H. Babcock, Matthew Brown. 1846 .- John Dean Gallup, Nathaniel M. Crary, John Sheffield, Russel Bentley, Charles HI. Babcock.
1847 .- Latham Hull, Andrew Chapman, Thomas P. Wattles, William Vincent, Sanford Main, Oliver S. Ecclestone, Reuben W. York.
1848 .- Latham Hull, Andrew Chapman, William Vincent, Oliver S. Ecclestone, Reuben W. York, Isaac W. Miner, Charles H. Main.
1849,-John Dean Gallup, William Vincent, Isaac W. Miner, Andrew Chapman, Charles H. Main, Luke C. Reynolds, Charles P. White. 1850 .- John Dean Gallup, William Vincent, Isaac W. Miner, Luke C. Reynolds, Charles P. White.
1851 .- John Dean Gallup, William Vincent, Isaac W. Miner. 1852 .- John Dean Gallup, William Vincent, Isaac W. Miner. 1853 .- John Dean Gallup, William Vincent, William B. Hull. 1854 .- William B. Hull, Ephraim W. Main, Charles H. Babcock. 1855 .- Ansel Coats, Robert Wheeler, Matthew Brown, Joseph Frink, Alfred Clark, Chester S. Prentiss, Asher HI. Chapman.
1856 .- William Vincent, Ansel Coats, Sanford Main, Luke C. Reynolds, Samuel H. Prentice.
1857 .- Peleg Clark, Wm. T. Browning, Cyrus W. Brown, Jr. 1858 .- Wm. B. Hull, Wm. M. Hillard, Charles H. Babcock. 1859 .- Chester S. P'rentice, Reuben W. York, Samuel B. Wheeler. 1860 .- Chester S. Prentice, Asher HI. Chapman, Reuben W. York. 1861 .- Chester S. Prentice, Reuben W. York, Robert Palmer. 1862-63 .- Wm. B. Hull, Charles II. Kenyon, Denison Hewitt. 1864,-Wm. B. Hull, Denison Hewitt, Henry L. Miner.
741
NORTH STONINGTON.
I865-68 .- Chester S. Prentice, Dudley W. Stewart, Richard Wheeler. 1869 .- Chester S. Prentice, Dudley W. Stewart, Reuben W. York. 1870 .- Chester S. Prentice, Dudley W. Stewart, John D. Babcock. 1871 .- Chester S. Prentice, Alfred Clark, John D. Babcock. 1872 .- Samuel B. Wheeler, Andrew Avery, John C. Coats. 1873 .-- Samnel B. Wheeler, Alfred Clark, Andrew Avery. 1874 .- Andrew Avery, Samuel B. Wheeler, William B. Hull. 1875 .- Samuel B. Wheeler, Andrew Avery, Alfred Clark. 1876 .- Samuel B. Wheeler, Andrew Avery, Alfred Clark. 1877 .- Andrew Avery, Orrin B. Allen, Alfred Clark. . 1878 .- Andrew Avery, Robert P. Palmer, Nathan S. Edgcomb. 1879 .- Benjamin F. Billings, Alfred M. Clark, Orrin B. Allen. 1880 .- Alfred M. Clark, Isaac D. Miner, Orrin B. Allen. 1881 .- Orrin Chapman, Horace F. York, George W. Stewart.
Military .- Four of the militia companies assem- bled at Groton Bank during the last war with Eng- land, on the 20th day of June, 1813, belonged to this town ; also four of the militia companies that rallied and repelled the British at Stonington in 1814 be- longed to this town. As they have been included in Col. Randall's regiment on both occasions, in the his- tory of Stonington, it is not deemed necessary to enter their names again.
The companies were No. 2, commanded by Asa A. Swan; No. 4, commanded by John W. Hull; No. 6, commanded by Daniel Carr ; No. 7, commanded by Daniel Miner.
The following list shows the names of the men who volunteered and entered the Union army from North Stonington during the late war of the Rebellion :
THE ROLL OF HONOR. Infantry. THIRD REGIMENT. COMPANY D.
Lorenzo D. Knapp, Augustus Terwillinger.
FIFTH REGIMENT.
COMPANY G.
Partelo Burrows, corporal ; Horace E. Partlo.
SIXTH REGIMENT.
COMPANY D.
Andrew Hogan.
EIGHTH REGIMENT.
COMPANY B. Edward Williams, Peter Gourley.
COMPANY G.
Henry Bentley, John F. Edgcomb.
TENTH REGIMENT.
COMPANY F.
Thomas Johnson.
COMPANY H.
John E. Brooks.
ELEVENTH REGIMENT.
COMPANY A.
Matthew M. Brown.
COMPANY B.
Charles W. Harris.
COMPANY D.
Henry Burns, Charles Halpin, Edward Riley, George Smith.
TWELFTH REGIMENT.
COMPANY K.
Amos Bray, George W. Edwards, John C. Smith.
THIRTEENTII REGIMENT.
Edward C. Grafton.
Francis T. Hagadon.
FOURTEENTH REGIMENT.
COMPANY C.
John Burton.
COMPANY D.
James Drew.
COMPANY E.
James P. Bentley.
COMPANY G.
James M. Brown.
COMPANY H.
Jeremiah Haggerty, George McCracken, Francis French.
COMPANY I.
John Custenson, Thomas Waters.
TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT.
COMPANY E.
Elias P. Bliven.
COMPANY G.
Capt. James F. Brown (pro. lieut .- col.) ; 2d Lieut. E. Perry Packer (pro. capt.); Sergeants Darius H. Randall (disch. for app. in U. S. C. T.), John B. Brown (pro. 2d lieut.), Wm. P. Frink, Courtland G. Stanton (pro. Ist lieut.) ; Corporals Geo. H. Denison, Wm. R. Coats, Win. G. Hawkins (pro. 2d lieut.), Chas. A. Staple, Chas. A. Clark, Albert T. Crumb; Nathanl W. Perkins, Albert C. Babcock, Franklin T. Bent- ley, Sanford N. Billings, Elisha C. Brown, Erastus S. Brown, Edw. J. Buddington, Henry D. Brown, Jesse Brown, Jr., John T. Button, Bradford Clark, Wm. HI. Clark, John C. Coon, John H. Coon, Geo. S. Congdon, Jas. A. Davis, Chas. Dougherty, John Dunham, Latham M. Eccleston, Jas. M. Geer, John B. Geer, Thos. H. Gray, Paul H. Hillard, Ransom Kenyon, Lorenzo D. Knapp, Edwin A. Lewis, Stephen A. Main, Jesse M. Main, Latham H. Main, Silas W. Main, James Maples, James H. Merritt, Latham Il. Park, Asher M. Palmer, Joel W. Pitcher, Edward Pitcher, Edward C. Prentiss, Hewitt Peters, Calvin Il. Robinson, Charles F. Sherman, Joseph W. Stanton, Wil- liam N. Stedman, Charles M. Terwilliger, August Terwilliger, Ed- ward Toal, Alfred M. West, Michael Welch, Alvan H. Wright, Ed- win S. Wheeler (pro. qr.mr .- sergt.), Andrew J. Allen, Edwin M. Brown, John Davenport.
COMPANY H.
2d Lieut. William L. Hubbell (pro. capt.).
TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.
COMPANY A.
Sergt. William T. Hubbell (pro. 2d lieut.), George A. Avery.
TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT. COMPANY A.
Russell Andrews, Charles L. Burdick. COMPANY B.
Dexter A. Johnson.
TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT. COMPANY B.
Robert Cole, James H. Russell, Henry Seale, George W. Williams. COMPANY D. David Branch, William Cole, Andrew Cominger, Harry Crawford, Henry Gaunt, Isaac P. George, Alexander Jackson, Jefferson Miller, Wil- liam H. Smith, John R. Swingler, William M. Taylor, Henry J. Wells, John Edwards, Anthony Lucus. COMPANY E. George W. Boyd, Edward C. Carroll, George W. Odell, Charles Robin- son, Dennis W. Williams.
COMPANY F.
John H. Brown, William A. Washington.
Artillery.
FIRST REGIMENT. COMPANY H.
Andrew Allen.
SECOND REGIMENT.
COMPANY D.
William N. Cockfair.
COMPANY M.
Theodore Doune, George Jones.
COMPANY H.
COMPANY K.
742
HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
Cavalry. FIRST REGIMENT. COMPANY C.
George G. Hall, John Halpin, Joseph M. Brackett, George N. Chapman, William C. Whipple.
During the first century after the settlement of Stonington the ocean and rivers that largely formed its boundaries swarmed with fish of almost every variety, furnishing subsistence for the inhabitants. The area of the town was almost entirely a wilder- ness, save where the Indians had burned down the forest-trees to plant their maize and the marsh-lands bordering on the coves and rivers, where the flowing tides had held everything in check except the back and fox-tail grasses. Game in endless variety roamed through the wilderness, subject only to the bow and arrow of the Indian and the white man's rifle. While most of the game was made to contribute to the planters' benefit, some of them were dangerous and destructive, and preyed upon their herds at pleasure. Goats, sheep, and swine at all ages were taken and destroyed by the wolves and bears, who claimed a prior right to them. So bold and daring at times did they become that they would enter the barnyards of the planters at night and feast upon their herds, taking especial pleasure in the young, warm blood of kids and lambs. As the settlement progressed the more available places for cultivation were taken up, which compelled these foraging animals to seek shelter in caverns and the deepest recesses of the ledges and hills, where they might remain in secret safety dur- ing the day, and when the darkness of the night over- hung the hills and valleys alike they sallied forth in pursuit of their prey.
Not far from 1750, Maj. Israel Hewitt, who lived on Win-che-choog Hill, in North Stonington, became a noted hunter, kept a kennel of bloodhounds, and for pastime and pleasure devoted much of his time in hunting these dangerous animals. One old bruin, who rendezvoused in an undiscovered cavern in the upper part of the town, became so destructive among the farmers' herds in that vicinity that Maj. Hewitt was invited to hunt the rascal down and relieve them from so formidable a pest. So the old hunter, on horseback, in regal style, with servants, munitions of war, and a full corps of bloodhounds, started out in pursuit of the dreaded monster. The hounds soon came upon his foraging tracks, and with that heav- enly, or at least unearthly, music that nothing but bloodhounds can chant, they followed with unerring certainty the old mugwump to his den. The practiced ear of the major assured him that the game was bagged. So riding up to the place he saw from the tremulous murmur of his dogs that they had a dan- gerous animal in hand. After examining the mouth of the cavern and in vain trying to induce the hounds to enter (which they could easily have done), he re- solved to enter himself and force old bruin to a fight in his own den.
The major closely examined his rifle to see if it was well loaded, then picking the flint and throwing off his hunter's rig, he entered the cavern and cautiously crept along upon his hands and knees until he reached its lower chamber. By this time the darkness was all-pervading, except two headlights glaring at him from the farther end of the cavern, accompanied by a terrific growl, that told the hunter that his or old bruin's time had come. But the major was equal to the occasion. He, raising his rifle and taking delib- erate aim, added another glare to the infernal dark- ness which shook the cavern from its foundation to its summit. Slowly moving backwards, he reached the surface almost stifled with the sulphurous air of the den. Reloading his rifle and lighting a torch, he again descended into the cavern, and at the farther end he found old bruin with his headlights dim, beyond his growling and his howling, -he was dead. He re- moved the bear, and with the aid of an Indian servant took him on horseback and carried him home and dressed him, but none of the hounds would touch his meat. The site of this cavern, familiarly known as the "Bear's Hole," is situated some three miles north of the village of Milltown, and in former years was a famous resort for sight-seers and parties of young peo- ple. But a few invading red snakes having been seen guarding its portals, have sent it back to the silence and solitude that it enjoyed in the olden time.
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