USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Norfolk > History of Norfolk, Litchfield County, Connecticut, 1744-1900 > Part 33
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An incident occurred when, after an absence from the town of several years, I returned to attend the academy taught by Prof. William B. Rice. A thunder storm in February, a rare occurrence, sent a bolt of lightning against a maple tree standing just back of the house where I boarded (that of Anson Norton, Esq.), and shat- tering the tree, threw a part of the trunk with a crashing noise against the house. It was in the middle of the night, and the next morning many villagers came to see the tree and the effects of the lightning. Among the number was Dr. Eldridge. Some one asked, "Were you afraid during the terrible storm last night?" "Yes," was the reply, "a man is a fool not to be afraid in such a storm."
In the funeral sermon of old Dr. Welch (the father of Drs. James and Wm. Welch), he said it had been observed that fa- miliarity with the human body in post mortem examinations, etc., begot in physicians an irreligious tendency and skepticism, but in the case of Dr. Welch the opposite effect was produced.
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I will not say what a power he was in town affairs. The salvation of your beautiful park from railroad encroachment is a case in point, when, single-handed, he beat back the purpose of those eager to sacrifice the beauty of the village to the supposed necessity of a corporation.
THE COLD SUMMER.
Boyd says: "The cold summer of 1816," to which often the father of the writer used to refer, "added to the gloom of the period of business depression. The spring was cold and backward, and the summer cold and dry. Frosts pre- vailed every month of the year. The mowing lands yielded less than half an average crop. Scarcely an ear of corn in the town came to maturity. Potatoes were few and small, and dairy products were scant in quantity and low in price. Much apprehension prevailed of a famine during the winter, which was measurably averted by a provident planting of turnips when it was seen that other crops were to fail. This crop was large, and thereby the lack of hay was partly made good in wintering such stock as was not killed or sold off the preceding fall."
There is a tradition that the only corn that ripened in this town that year, was upon a very rocky piece of ground, favorably located, where it was believed that the rocks, warmed by the sun through the day, prevented frost at night. Who dares say that rocks are of no use in a corn- field ?
The Masonic Fraternity celebrated their Centennial in Norfolk, September 17, 1896. The following notice of that celebration, including an interesting historical address, was published at the time in one of the local papers, has been preserved, and is herewith given :-
1796-1896 - WESTERN STAR - NORFOLK MASONS CELEBRATE THE ONE- HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF WESTERN STAR LODGE, NO. 37, A. F. & A. M. - A LARGE ASSEMBLY OF MASONS PRESENT - FLAGS, BUNTING, FLOWERS - BANQUET, SPEECHES AND MUSIC IN VILLAGE HALL.
Thursday evening, September 17th, was a memorable occasion for Norfolk. Memorable not only as the rounding out of a full
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century for Western Star Lodge, No. 37, A. F. & A. M., but mem- orable for the interest which the whole town took in an institution, of which many are not members, but whose record and good deeds are known and admired. It was an assembly of brave men-and fair women-for, be it known, on this occasion many ladies were present and the valuable services they have directly and indirectly rendered Western Star Lodge in the past were recognized, and thanks tendered them. It was an assembly of brave men, some of whom had displayed their bravery on the battle field in defense of their country. It was an assembly of which any town might be proud. The occasion was also memorable in another respect. It is a remarkable coincidence that the one hundredth anniversary of George Washington's farewell address occurred last Saturday, Sept. 19, and the one hundredth anniversary of Western Star Lodge occurred last Thursday, Sept. 17. George Washington was a Mason, and also for many years he was the Worshipful Master of a Ma- sonic Lodge. Thus it appears that Western Star Lodge began where Washington left off, and Western Star has for one hundred years nobly and successfully carried forward a work in which Washington was so deeply interested. May the name and fame of Western Star Lodge be as enduring as the name and fame of George Washington.
Neighboring lodges were well represented. St. Andrew's Lodge of Winsted sent the largest delegation, about fifty brethren arriv- ing by the 4.46 p. m. train and departing by special train at 11.30 p. m. Western Star Lodge was opened at 7 o'clock to receive the visiting brethren, and for an hour the Masons exchanged greet- ings and formed new acquaintances. At 7.45 the fraternity formed in line in front of the lodge room and marched three abreast to Village Hall, where the banquet was held. Village Hall had been transformed into a bower of beauty. The decorations were elab- orate, flags, bunting, flowers and Japanese lanterns being used with artistic taste and effect. Tables extended around three sides of the hall, while three long tables occupied the centre. Leversidge's full orchestra from Winsted occupied the stage and discoursed enchant- ing music before and during the banquet.
The tables were bedecked with spotless linen, and flowers in vases were pleasing to the eye. Plates had been laid for two hundred persons. At each plate were a bouquet, and a badge bearing this inscription: "1796-1896, Centennial Celebration of Western Star Lodge, No. 37, A. F. & A. M., Norfolk, Connecticut, September 17, 1896."
After all were seated at the tables, and chatting with their neigh- bors, Worshipful Master W. L. Egleston rapped for order. He then delivered a most cordial address of welcome and stated the
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object of the gathering. He briefly mentioned the history of West- ern Star Lodge, and then requested the Rev. John P. Hawley of New Hartford to invoke the Divine blessing upon this occasion.
Mr. John D. Bassett of Norfolk, a versatile speaker, had been chosen toastmaster. At the proper time he commenced the "feast of reason and flow of soul" by telling humorous anecdotes, and during the remainder of the evening he made many fitting re- marks in introducing the speakers and in commenting on the topics presented.
Brother Ralph I. Crissey, of Norfolk, spoke of the history of Western Star Lodge as follows:
MR. CRISSEY'S SPEECH.
"A historical address must of necessity be somewhat dry and prosy, especially so when composed largely of statistics, but I will make this very brief and try not to test your patience in what I have to say.
Western Star Lodge, No. 37, received its charter May 18th, 1796; 11 charter members. On the 31st day of August, 1796, its first officers were installed into their respective offices by the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the State of Connecticut, Right Worshipful John Mix. Howard B. Ensign was Grand Master at the time and E. G. Storer was Grand Secretary, both of whom signed the charter. Giles Pettibone, Jr., was Master, Ovid Burrall, Sen. Warden; Jeddediah W. Phelps, Jun. Warden; Benjamin Welch, Treasurer; Joseph Battell, Secretary; Frederick Plumb, Sen. Dea .; Ariel Lawrence, Jun. Dea .; Joel Walter, Tyler, Francis Benedict, Levi Thompson and A. Phelps were the other three charter mem- bers.
After the installation of the officers the records say they pro- ceeded to the meeting house, where a most excellent sermon was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Edwards, and a very pertinent oration was spoken by our worthy brother, Grand Secretary Mix. Then pro- ceeded to the house of Brother Giles Pettibone, Jr., and partook of a most excellent dinner, provided for the occasion. Numerous toasts were responded to, among which were these: "Our illustrious brother, George Washington, president of the United States;" another, "May our wisdom be as conspicuous to our sisters as our Grand Master Solomon's was to the Queen of Sheba."
The first communication of the lodge was held Sept. 14th, 1796. It was the custom of the lodge to celebrate St. John the Evangelist's day in December, and St. John the Baptist's in June, on which occa- sions they usually went to the meeting house and had a sermon by some clergyman in this section. Parson Robbins of Norfolk was frequently the speaker. Sometimes on these occasions an oration
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was delivered by some one of the brethren. One by the Master, Giles Pettibone, Jr., and later one by Joseph Battell at the time Master, are highly spoken of. It was the custom on these occasions to invite neighboring lodges. Montgomery Lodge of Salisbury, Cin- cinnatus Lodge of Barrington, whose charter also bears the date of 1796, and the lodge at New Hartford were often invited.
The jurisdiction of Western Star comprised the towns of Nor- folk, Colebrook, Winchester and Torrington.
At a communication of the lodge April 8th, 1800, we find the following: Whereas a number of members of this lodge from Win- chester and its neighborhood have petitioned the Grand Lodge for a charter for a lodge to be holden in Winchester. A committee of two from each town was appointed to confer with the petitioners to try to induce them to withdraw their petition. Benjamin Welch, Giles Pettibone, Ovid Burrall, Lewis Norton, Seth Wetmore, Moses Wright and Isaac Benedict were appointed. As a result of this the Grand Lodge was petitioned to grant Western Star liberty to hold its communications in Norfolk, Winchester, Colebrook and Canaan, to do any and all regular Masonic business in either of said towns. This was evidently granted, as their meetings from this time until April, 1816, were holden in these several towns, the lodge voting where to hold its next communication. Also the cele- bration of St. John's days after this were in these different towns.
December 18th, 1801, lodge convened at the house of brother John C. Riley, in Winchester, proceeded to the meeting house to listen to the sermon and oration. A vote of thanks was extended to brother Erastus Baker for his very timely oration. Also voted to extend the thanks of the Lodge for the most excellent sermon this day delivered to us, and that a copy be requested for the press. Also voted that $6 be drawn from the treasury and be presented to the Rev. gentleman, but the Rev. gentleman's name is not given.
On Monday, Dec. 27th, 1802, they met in Canaan, at the home of Brother Seth Rockwell, opened lodge in due and ancient form, then in procession proceeded to the meeting house and listened to a well adapted discourse delivered by Rev. Mr. Morgan.
In June, 1803, in Colebrook, at the house of Brother Arah Phelps, Rev. Chauncey Lee preached the sermon, and so on, having their St. John celebrations, as well as their regular communications, in the different towns.
Rev. Mr. Bradford, Rev. Mr. Marsh, Rev. Mr. Prentice, Rev. Sylvester Burt, Rev. Ralph Emerson, are all mentioned as delivering sermons on these occasions, always passing a vote of thanks and presenting them with from $6 to $10.
The regular hour for all communications was at 10 a. m., occa- sionally at 2 p. m., but not often at that hour. The attendance at
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these festivals was large. Their bills were quite considerable and were usually paid by the brethren, usually paying the minister from the treasury. The bills are often itemized on the records. I will give you one as a sample; it was at the celebration of St. John the Baptist at Canaan, June 10th, 1818. I copy it verbatim from the record :-
Paid Mr. Pomeroy for Liquors,
$35.23
Paid Mr. Pomeroy for 72 Meals,
72.00
For Music hired.
6.00
Warner's Bill for Ribbon,
3.32
13 Female Singers,
13.00
66 Providing for them at Mr. Finn's,
5.80
" 7 Clergymen and Wives,
7.00
Voted from the treasury to the Rev. Mr. Bradford who deliv-
ered the sermon,
10.00
Total,
$152.35
Then this entry: "Paid of the above by visiting brethren, $51.84."
They were evidently much more strict in discipline than most lodges are at the present time. One brother expelled for excessive indulgence in spirits, charges preferred against another for not pay- ing his bills more promptly, receiving a sharp reprimand from the Master with the assurance that he would be suspended unless he reformed in this matter. They had a temperance committee to look after and see that none of the brethren made improper use of liquor.
The lodge was very prosperous. All regular communications were largely attended and many specials were held. Propositions were very numerous; hardly a meeting was held without several being received and they were the influential and leading men of all these four towns.
Apparently one great source of annoyance to them was the col- lecting of interest upon money loaned. Brother Michael F. Mills was their attorney, and I should judge that his success in getting either interest or principal was many times very unsatisfactory. I have heard of no trouble in placing the surplus in our treasury since I have been a member.
April 7, 1816, a petition from a number of brethren in Winchester and Torrington was received, praying that a new lodge might be established in Torrington. Voted not to approve of the petition for a new lodge in our jurisdiction. Brother Joseph Battell and Eleazur Holt were appointed to oppose it at the Grand Lodge.
June 13th, 1817, Seneca Lodge, No. 55, at Torrington was char- tered with thirty-five charter members, a large majority of whom were members of Western Star. Israel Coe, one of the charter
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK.
members from St. Paul Lodge at Litchfield, lived to be 97 years old. He has been dead but a few years. Doubtless some here re- member him. This new lodge took many of Western Star's promi- nent members. Such men as Clarence Humphrey, Joseph D. Hum- phrey, Truman Wetmore, Samuel Hurlbut, Lemuel Hurlbut, John Wetmore, Elisha Hinsdale, Leonard Hurlbut and John McAlpine were among the charter members. I have not been able to find a record of the line of jurisdiction between this and Seneca Lodge as established at that time, but have no doubt that it included Tor- rington, Winchester and Colebrook, as many of its charter mem- bers were residents of those towns.
May 14th, 1823, St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 64, was chartered, the two lodges taking from the jurisdiction of Western Star more than one-half of its territory and a very large per cent. of its members.
May 17th, 1869, our territory was again divided, and about one- half of our remaining jurisdiction and members went from us, when Housatonic Lodge, No. 61, received its charter with twenty-four charter members.
Thus it will seem that these large numbers going from us have greatly reduced our numbers and somewhat crippled the old lodge, leaving the few remaining members at times almost disheartened and discouraged.
In April, 1827, a committee was appointed to draft a petition to the Grand Lodge requesting that Colebrook be set back to this lodge. Nothing more is heard of it upon the records, but it looks as though the petition was granted, as in 1835 in the dark days of Masonry the lodge voted to divide the money in the treasury be- tween Norfolk, Colebrook and Canaan, in proportion to its mem- bers: Norfolk, $42; Colebrook, $15; Canaan, $27. At this meeting they voted to place all the books, notes and other property of the lodge in the hands of the treasurer, and that the furniture of the lodge be placed in charge of the Senior Warden for safe keeping.
These were indeed 'dark days.' Occasionally meetings were held, officers elected and some routine business transacted. In 1838 several communications were held. Richard Tibbals and Warren Brown were received. These two were the only additions to the lodge for a period of some thirty years from 1829; but little was done until about 1860, since which time all of the present mem- bers have been received, and the records show that very few com- munications have been omitted.
Old and feeble as we are, we, like most parents, take great pride in our children, who have been so prosperous and are now so strong and vigorous; and it is a great pleasure to us to have so many rep- resentatives of the three families with us upon this our centennial anniversary, and our hope is that the fraternal feeling which now
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK.
exists, and, I think, ever has existed, may continue so long as the sun shall rule the day and the moon govern the night."
"A SKETCH OF NORFOLK, CONNECTICUT."
A small pamphlet bearing the above title, published in 1886 by "S. H. D.," found in the Norfolk Library, contains many historical facts and items of interest, from which some quotations will be made.
"Norfolk is situated in the northwestern part of the state, on the line of the "Hartford and Conn. Western Rail- road, and is fast becoming one of the most popular inland summer resorts in Connecticut The summit of the railroad is reached about one mile and a half south of the village, at an elevation of 1336 feet above the sea. Beautiful scenery, pure mountain air, and freedom from malaria, con- stitute some of the chief attractions of the place for city visitors."
"Fine educational advantages are afforded by the Rob- bins School, founded by descendants of the first pastor of the Congregational Church, and bearing his name. It is built on the former site of the old Robbins homestead.
"The Shepard homestead is an old land-mark, Capt. John A. Shepard having kept a hotel there for many years, in the days when the stage coach rumbled over our hills. Nor- folk being on the line of the old Hartford and Albany turn- pike, the old Inn was a busy place.
A sketch of Norfolk would be incomplete without men- tion of the library and picture gallery of Mr. Robbins Bat- tell, at his residence, containing a fine collection of paint- ings, chiefly by American artists. The large painting by Thomas Hovendon, "Last Moments of John Brown," is very lifelike and pathetic. Standing on the steps of the jail, and surrounded by a guard of soldiers, the old hero is bending to kiss a little child, a member of the down- trodden race for whose sake he died. While looking upon the pictured face of John Brown, as he is led to the scaf- fold, these words, written of him during his imprisonment, by Ralph Waldo Emerson, were brought to mind: "The
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK.
saint, whose fate yet hangs in suspense, but whose martyr- dom if it shall be perfected, will make the gallows glorious like the Cross." Most of the pictures are landscape views of great beauty, seeming almost like bits of nature trans- ferred to canvas. F. E. Church, Bierstadt, and many other artists of note, are represented in the collection.
"Bald Mountain, the highest point of land in Norfolk, has an elevation of 1763 feet. A quarry on the side of the mountain affords a fine quality of granite, from which a block weighing nearly sixteen tons was taken and used in completing the Hoosac Tunnel.
Haystack Mountain, 1633 feet above the sea, commands a magnificent prospect, the most extensive in town. The Bolton range, fifteen miles east of Hartford, Talcott, Ivy, and Mohawk mountains toward the south, Bear mountain in Salisbury, the highest point of land in Connecticut, 2355 feet above the sea; mountains and valleys of Canaan, and extended views in Berkshire County, Mass., are all included. A tower has been erected on Haystack mountain. A car- riage road to the summit has also been constructed this season, which is a great convenience to tourists, rendering the ascent much easier for pedestrians.
A curious custom which was observed by the boys of fifty years ago may be of interest to the boys of the present time. This was the annual "raising of the Monument," as it was called, on Haystack. The day preceding Fast day, a quantity of brush was collected, formed in the shape of an image, or "bush man," and securely bound to a pole. In the evening it was conveyed to the summit of Haystack, where it was raised and lashed to a tree in some place where it could be seen from the village, and if it remained undisturbed through the night, it was hailed as a good omen, insuring an abundant crop of corn the ensuing sea- son. A gentleman now residing in town, and who assisted at the last "raising of the Monument," says that the cus- tom was abandoned about the year 1839."
"West Norfolk is a pleasant little village, nestling cosily at the foot of the mountains. From the side of the moun-
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK.
tain east of the schoolhouse, a view which is not surpassed in beauty in any part of the town can be seen by those who will take the trouble to climb high enough. Looking west- ward down the pleasant valley, Blackberry river flashing in the sunlight, and flowing through green meadows guarded by mountains, wends its way to the fair and happy land of Canaan, where it joins the Housatonic. The beau- tiful blue mountains of Salisbury in the distance complete a picture which all lovers of fine scenery must admire."
XXIV.
THE ROBBINS FAMILY - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF REV. MR. ROBBINS, BY HIS SON.
"The Rev. Ammi Ruhamah Robbins, son of Rev. Philemon Rob- bins, Pastor of the first church in Branford, was born in that town, August 25th, O. S. 1740. His early education was under the care of his father till the autumn of 1756, when he was received as a member of the College at Princeton in New Jersey. In the follow- ing spring, in consequence of the death of President Burr, he re- moved his College relation, and was admitted to the same stand- ing in Yale College. In Sept., 1760, he was admitted to the degree of A. B., and to the degree of A. M. in September, 1763. He was licensed to preach the gospel in June, 1761, and on the 28th of Oc- tober of the same year he was ordained the Pastor of this Church. On the 13th of May, 1762, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Le Baron of Plymouth, by whom he had thirteen children. The four first died in infancy, and one September, 1777. The remaining eight with their mother survived him. His ministry was much blessed, as may appear from the record of admissions to the church. He never received persons to a public profession of religion, but upon a charitable evidence of personal grace. In 1804 the mem- bers of the church amounted to 237: males, 91; females, 146. In 1801 the number was about 250.
On the first Sabbath of May, 1813, he preached in usual health, administered the ordinance of the Supper. That week he was taken with a painful disease in his face, which eventually became a large painful tumor. On the Sabbath May 23d he went to public wor- ship; near the close of the exercise, baptized two children and made a short address and prayer in view of parting with the first meet-
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ing-house, which was taken down that week. This was the last public service he performed. His disorder continued to increase and baffled all medical assistance, and terminated in his death Sab- bath evening, October 31st, 1813. During his sickness he mani- fested great submission to the divine will, and an increasing confi- dence in his Christian hope. Towards the close of life he was car- ried above the pains of death, and had great joy in the prospeet of immortality and the eternal presence of Christ. He died in the presence of all his family and many of his people, and had appar- ently an easy passage to the eternal state. In his person he was short, his body thick, muscular and uncommonly active. His com- plexion dark; his countenance pleasant and animated; his voice clear, musical and strong. In his deportment he was affable and obliging, possessing an easy and uniform flow of animal spirits; desirous of doing good to all, especially of leading his fellow sin- ners to a clear view of his much loved Savior. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." 'Moestissime scripsi.'
T. Robbins."
Frequent and extended mention is made of Mr. Robbins in this volume, as a teacher of young men for nearly fifty years, as chaplain in the army during the revolutionary war, and as the pastor of the church for more than half a century. So many of Mr. Robbins' descendants have been, during all the generations that have succeeded him, and still are very prominent in the affairs of the town, that the name Robbins has ever been a household word here, and by the "Robbins School" is sure to be perpetuated.
One of the old inhabitants who remembered Mr. Robbins well, wrote as his remembrance of him the following: "He was not a very large man; was rather short and fleshy; he wore what was called a cocked hat, short breeches, knee- buckles, and in summer low shoes and shoe buckles, and black stockings. He wore a ministerial frock coat with a "waistcoat" that buttoned up to his neck, not showing the ruffled shirt, worn by many in his day. He had eight chil- dren who lived to maturity, six sons and two daughters."
At the time of the completion of the meeting-house in 1814, soon after the death of their beloved pastor, the church obtained a communion table, which stood in front of the pulpit until the house was re-modelled in 1846. Upon
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