USA > Connecticut > New London County > Norwich > History of Norwich, Connecticut: from its possession by the Indians, to the year 1866 > Part 35
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The 9th and 10th of February, 1857, were marked by a freshet which might be called the Half-century Flood, as occurring so near the anniver- sary of that of 1807. The destruction of property was greatest in the
* This incident gave rise to a little poem, by Brainerd, called "The Captain." Though but a fragmentary production, it is very graphic and highly finished.
356
HISTORY OF NORWICH.
last instance. The heavy timbers from Lord's and Lathrop's bridges came floating down with fearful power. In the flood of 1807 it was East Chelsea that was submerged, the rise of water being in the Shetucket and in Stony brook ; but in that of 1857, the water front of the city was swept over by the raging flood. The river below was blocked up by the ice, and the loosened streams meeting with this obstruction, were thrown back upon the wharves and buildings of Water street in a sudden deluge, which however performed its mission at once, and having opened a passage below, rapidly retreated.
CENSUS OF NORWICH, JAN. 1, 1774.
Persons.
Families. Dwelling-houses.
First Society,
1978
317
283
West
875
133
111
Newent, -
641
98
92
East, -
-
1100
76
69
New Concord,
932
146
130
Chelsea,
1019
127
104
Hanover, -
323
53
44
Eighth,
453
74
68
7321
1024
901
Males under 10,
1099
Females
1054
Males between 10 and 20,
916
Females
749
Males between 20 and 70,
1468
Females «
1574
Males above 70,
78
Females
94
In 1779, number of families in First Society, 367 ; persons, 2184. In Chelsea, 129 families, 1111 persons.
In 1775, Norwich ranked as the second town in the Grand List of the Colony :
New Haven, £73,210.6.2.
Norwich, £66,678.29.2.
Farmington was third on the list, and only £101 less than Norwich. Hartford stood at £48,120.10.
CHAPTER XXVII.
FIRST NEWSPAPER, THE NORWICH PACKET.
IN 1773, the first Newspaper was established in Norwich. The pro- prietors and printers were Alexander Robertson, James Robertson, and John Trumbull, under the firm of Robertsons & Trumbull. It had a flourishing head-piece inclosing the rude cut of a ship under full sail, and an imposing title, making pretensions to a wide circulation, as represented below in reduced size.
OCTOBER, MDCCLXXIII.
VOL. I. NUMBER 3.
THE
Kef9
AND
THE
CONNECTICUT,
NEW-HAMPSHIRE &
MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE-ISLAND
WEEKLY ADVERTISER.
From THURSDAY, OCT. 14, to THURSDAY, OCT. 21, 1773.
Price, six shillings and eight pence per annum.
The press was at first set up in an office "at the foot of the Green, near the Court House," but in July, 1775, was removed to a new building "near the Meeting House," which from that time forth, for fifty years or more, was known as Trumbull's printing-office.
358
HISTORY OF NORWICH.
At that eventful era, when the great struggle for liberty commenced, Norwich might be taken as a fair model of the best class of New England towns. The streets were lively with industry and enterprise, and the society was ahead of most others in educational facilities, literary culture, and the embellishments of domestic life.
The memory of this period was long kept green in the hearts and minds of those inhabitants who lived into after generations. They looked back to it as to a golden age of hearty social enjoyment, where economy and hospitality went hand in hand, and stateliness harmonized with sim- plicity. It was a period when a moderate degree of prosperity satisfied desire, destroying anxiety for the future, without awakening the greed for superfluous wealth ; when apparel and furniture were gay and glittering, but not extravagant; when few were so rich as not to be kept vigorous and bright by daily attention to business, and few were so poor as not to . command a plentiful table ; when thought was expansive and bold in speculations concerning liberty, but had not yet deepened into solemn con- siderations of the rights of man.
We are not wholly dependent on tradition for vivid sketches of this great transition period. A community is photographed in its local papers, and a lively impression of the general affairs and domestic pursuits of the town may be gathered from the contemporary numbers of the Norwich Paeket.
As the early files of this paper are now very rare, a few excerpts relat- ing to local affairs may prove interesting.
[1773.] Oct. 28. The season has been so very mild, that a mess of green peas was picked the last week in this town, spontaneously grown from seed produced this year.
Dec. 13. The officers and soldiers who belonged to Gen. Lyman's regiment of Pro- vincials, and were at the taking of Havannah, are notified to meet at the house of Mr. John Durgie,* Innholder, in Norwich, to enquire why the last dividend of their prize money has not been paid, &c.
Marriages were notified in such terms as these :
Nov. 1773. Last Thursday evening, Mr. Mundator Tracy, an accomplished young gentleman, was married to the agreeable Caroline Bushnell, a young lady endowed with every qualification to make the connubial state happy.
John Chester, Esq. of Wethersfield, to the amiable Miss Elizabeth Huntington, daur of Col. Jabez Huntington.
Deaths in this way:
Feb. 17, 1774. On Friday last, departed this life at Pomechoag, her saffron colored majesty, Ann Queen Dowager, of the Monallegan Indians, and yesterday her remains were interred in a manner suitable to her high rank, in the Indian burying ground at Chelsea.
* The popular pronunciation of Durkee.
Below Pelas
359
HISTORY OF NORWICH.
Feb. 10, 1774. Yesterday, Mr. James Burnam, of this town, brought to market & sled load of wood, which completes the number of 2,500 loads, which he lias drove in himself, 4 miles, and sold since 1754. A great part he cut himself-all bnt 50 loads on his own land-all which he has done withont upsetting a cart, breaking a wheel or sled, bruising a finger, or injuring an ox or horse by any wound. He sold his wood for £820 ;- has about 5 times as much more on his land, which he intends leaving for some other person to cart and draw, he having done his full share that way. He has also expended 500 days of labour on 2 acres of land, in snbduing and fencing it.
From another article respecting this Mr. James Burnham,-a large- minded, hard-working farmer,-we learn that in 1760 his house and fur- niture had been consumed by fire ; that he replaced his loss with a com- fortable house neatly furnished ; built 400 rods of stone-wall with his own hands ; gave the public a highway through his land of 100 rods ; built and painted a school-house and gave it to the district, and for several years had chiefly supplied it with fuel. Such an example of unselfish eterprise with limited means, in a secluded sphere, deserves to be perpetuated.
1774, Feb. 11. By Capt. Holmes who arrived at Stonington last Sunday from the West Indies, we hear the melancholy news of the death of Capt. William Billings of this town, who died about the beginning of January last of a fever at Dominica. His death is universally lamented by all his acquaintance .*
March 3, 1774. A number of Physicians in the County of New London, taking into consideration the importance of those that enter the practice of Physick being endued with competent knowledge to prosecute the undertaking in such a manner as shall best promote the publick good ; request their brethren of the Faculty in said County to meet at the house of Mr. Azariah Lathrop in Norwich on Thursday the 24th inst. at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, to consider upon the matter and prefer a Me- morial to the General Assembly at their next Session, that the Practice of Physick may be put under some better regulation.
This memorial was signed by Theophilus Rogers and ten other physi- cians. It was the first step toward medical organization in Connecticut.f The Assembly at this time declined acting upon the petition, but after the Revolution several medical associations were incorporated. Of the New London County Medical Society, Dr. John Barker of Franklin, one of the original memorialists, was the first President.
April, -. Dr. Turner has recently extracted the bone of an alewife from the throat of Mr. Ebenezer Lord, where it had been lodged for 25 years, and at various times had given him exquisite pain. It was about the size of a brown thread needle and was barbed from end to end.
* Capt. Billings was scarcely 40 years of age. His wife (Mary Richards) survived bim 30 years. One of their daughters married Captain Bela Peck and was the mother of Mrs. Harriet Peck Williams.
t App. to Norwich Jubilee, article Physicians, by A. Woodward, M. D.
360
HISTORY OF NORWICH.
May 2, 1774. A great military parade took place at Woodstock, accompanied by a mock fight, under the direction of Capt. Samuel M'Clellan. A party dressed as In- dians, seized upon some children who were looking on, and ran off with them, but were pursued by the troop and the children rescued.
Oct. 20, 1774. Last Thursday (Oct. 14) between the hours of 7 and 8 o'clock P. M. a smart shock of an earthquake was felt here, and we are since informed it was felt also at Newport in Rhode Island ; but have not heard of any damage done by it .*
July 10, 1775. This day Mr. Safford of Preston sets off for Crown Point and Ti- conderoga, to open a communication between those fortresses and this town.
The above article leads to the supposition that a portion of the recruits then in garrison at these posts belonged in this vicinity. Post-riders at that era were important agents, performing the work of the mail, the post- office, and the telegraph.t
Every shop seems to have been a variety store, containing a miscella- neous assemblage of goods. The advertisements often represented a ludi- crous combination of pursuits.
Example :
Ebenezer Freeman, from Boston. Blue-Dyer, Informs the Public that he carries on the business of dyeing of Cottton, Tow and Linen a most beautiful blue (in indigo) with the greatest despatch. Also takes in genteel Boarders. Has a Handsome Chaise to let. Ladies' Gauze Caps, Flys, Handkerchiefs, Aprons, &c. ready made in the newest taste at his house leading to the Landing, mostly opposite to Capt. Hubbard's #
A noted feature of that period was the great number of taverns, and these were connected with a constant stream of dinners, suppers and club meetings that were necessary to support them. On the Plain were two of special note, the Lathrop Inn, and one kept for many years by Joseph Peck. John Wheatley was also a landlord in this neighborhood for a
* Another slight shock of an earthquake, experienced in this part of Connecticut, May 6, 1788, is recorded in the Packet near that date.
t A curious interest is excited when we observe how large a proportion of advertise- ments in the old newspapers of our country relate to strays. Taken up at such a time ; came into the inclosure of the subscriber ; strayed away, &c., &e. Innumerable are the spotted heifers, red steers, white-faced yearlings, brindle cows, sorrel mares, roan horses, and other animals, that are advertised as lost or found,-suggestive at least of loose fencing and a bountiful supply of live-stock.
# Capt. Wm. Hubbard occupied the house late the residence of Joseph H. Strong.
361
HISTORY OF NORWICH.
short period, but he entered the army in 1775, and fell in the first action in which he took part.
Upon Bean Hill, Major Durkee entertained country travelers and town politicians ; the Leffingwell tavern near the east end of the town plot was a noted place of resort ; Lathrop at the Falls and Morgan on the Great Plain were licensed to receive guests and furnish refreshments ; and at the Landing, public houses were kept by Ebenezer Fitch and Jeremiah Harris, while on all the neighboring roads, wherever ways met, a bridge occurred, or a few houses were clustered together, the traveler was con- fronted by the alluring tavern sign.
The same year that the Norwich Packet was commenced, [1773,] an- other printing-press was set up on the Plain by Green & Spooner. It is probable that they were on the ground before the Robertsons, but they published no paper. Judah Paddock Spooner, son of Thomas Spooner of New London, and brother-in-law of Timothy Green, who printed the New London Gazette, was the acting partner of the concern. This office, like that of the Robertsons, issued pamphlets and books of considerable size. The paper used by both firms was manufactured at Leffingwell's mill on the Yantic.
In some instances the two presses were rivals, reprinting the same works, and each endeavoring to forestall the other. Green & Spooner preceded the Robertsons in bringing out an edition of Watts' Psalms, [1773,] and of the Manual Exercise as ordered by his Majesty in 1764. They were competitors also in issuing school-books and almanacs.
The celebrated Dialogue concerning the Slavery of the Africans, which advocated the doctrine of immediate emancipation,-written by Dr. Hop- kins and addressed to the Continental Congress,-came from the press of Green & Spooner in 1776. They also reprinted and assisted in sowing the country with Paine's Common Sense. This establishment continued its operations about five years.
In May, 1774, "Nathaniel Patten, Book binder and Stationer from Boston," opened a shop "near the east end of the Plain," not far from Robertson's printing-office. He proposed "to bind, gild and letter books in as splendid a manner as can be done in London;" and at the same time offered for sale the largest assortment of books that had probably ever been displayed in this part of Connecticut. His stock included works of Doddridge, Watts, Owen, Harvey, Rowe, Thomson, Smollett ; Blair's Grave, Pilgrim's Progress, Vicar of Wakefield, Arabian Nights, Milton's Looking-glass for Laity and Clergy, New England's Memorial, King Philip's Bloody War, Lord Somers' Judgment of Kingdoms and Nations, Hancock's Oration on the bloody 5th of March, 1770, Rev. Mr. Sampson Occum's much-approved Collection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs, and many other standard and popular works, besides school-books
-
362
HISTORY OF NORWICH.
and works for children. Of stationery he had a great variety, and to this" he added articles in the fancy line, which resemble the items of more modern days.
" A famous tincture for taking out stains. Surprising excellent tooth-drops. Venitian tooth-powder.
Imperial lip-salve.
A most curious eye-water.
A most excellent worm-powder," &c.
It would probably have been difficult at that day to find in any other place on the continent, out of the range of the great cities, a literary counter presenting greater attractions to the old and young of both sexes, than was furnished by the book-shop of Mr. Patten on Norwich Green.
It is a striking evidence of an intelligent community, as well as of its prosperity and enterprise, that two printing-offices, with each its assort- ment of books for sale connected with it, and a third large book-binding and book-selling concern, should have been located so near together. During the same year likewise, [1774,] Samuel Loudon from New York opened a shop with a large assortment of books at the Landing, which made four book establishments for the town. This profuse display of lit- erature was not, however, of long continuance. The fiery blast of war, which swept over the land, soon prostrated every species of trade not essential to the preservation of life or defence of liberty.
Mr. Patten had left Boston on account of the troubles with the mother country in which that town was so deeply involved, and probably returned to it as soon as the British troops were withdrawn. Loudon also in the course of two or three years sold out his stock and removed elsewhere.
The Robertsons settled in Norwich, apparently with the design of mak- ing it a permanent place of abode. They seemed to have found a home. Their business was on a scale above the ordinary range of the common printing-press of a country town. In addition to their newspaper, they printed a variety of local pamphlets, political tracts, occasional sermons, surprising narratives, manuals of military exercise, school-books and hymn- books. They also issued proposals for reprinting works of history and poetry for more enduring circulation. But the brothers were considered unsound on the vital question of American liberty. They were stigma- tized as tories in mask and Scotch interlopers.
No cause for this obloquy appears in the columns of the Packet, the editors of which apparently aimed to maintain an honorable impartiality. Communications of the boldest patriotic bearing were freely admitted. The early numbers [1773] contained a series of vigorous essays, entitled "The Alarm," and signed Hampden. They were written by a distin- guished patriot of New York, and were directed against East India
863
HISTORY OF NORWICH.
monopolies, the importation and use of Tea, and the Declaratory and Rev- enue Acts of Parliament. Many other spirited addresses appeared from time to time in this paper, calculated to cherish and inflame the growing desire for political freedom.
Mr. Aaron Cleveland, a man of talent and a ready writer, contributed many pieces that had the ringing sound of genuine patriotism. One com- munication, which may serve as an illustrative example, was an elaborate article in the form of a sermon, upon the text, "Touch not mine anointed." [Ps. 105 : 15.] The writer's argument was designed to prove that "not kings, but the people are the anointed of God, and kings are forbidden to touch them, thus reversing the interpretation that had been given to the passage by others. It was further maintained that a free people are touched when their laws and civil rights are infringed or violated. The application is apparent.
As the Revolution advanced, and the great question of independence began to be discussed, the Robertsons avowed their dissent, and ceased to issue the Packet. The prejudice against them was too strong to be resisted. They withdrew from the concern, leaving the press in the hands of their partner, Trumbull, and removed to New York, where they openly espoused the royal cause.
Mrs. Amy Robertson, the wife of James, the younger of the two brothers, died in Norwich, June 15, 1776, shortly before they bade adieu to the place. A commemorative stone in the First Society burial-ground points out her grave.
The Robertsons were quite remarkable men. The sons of a printer in Scotland, emigrating to this country with nothing to open the way before them but their own industry and mechanical skill, they established them- selves (between the years 1768 and 1784) successively at New York, Albany, Norwich, Philadelphia, and Shelburne, N. S., publishing a news- paper at each place, of which they were the printers and editors.
Their first press was at New York, 1768, where for two years they pub- lished the New York Chronicle. In 1770 they opened a printing-house in Albany, and came from thence to Norwich. After the British army took possession of New York, they published in that city The Royal American Gazette. At a subsequent period of the war, James Robert- son issued at Philadelphia, The Royal Gazette. The following notice of Alexander's death is from the Norwich Packet of Dec. 30, 1784:
" Died at Port Roseway, [Shelburne, N. S.] in November, Mr. Alexander Robert- son, printer, in the 42d year of his age : a gentleman of probity, benevolence and phi- lanthropy ; much esteemed and now greatly lamented by a very numerous and respect- able acquaintance."*
* James Robertson, after the death of his brother, returned to Scotland.
364
HISTORY OF NORWICH.
The press of Green & Spooner continued in operation till 1778, when Mr. Spooner accepted an invitation from the government that had been recently organized in Vermont, to remove to that State and execute the public printing .*
After the Robertsons left Norwich, the Packet was published by Trum- bull alone, who appears as proprietor, printer and editor from that time to his decease in 1802. The paper was well conducted and a general favor- ite with the community.
The original title, Norwich Packet, was retained during Trumbull's life, but the heading in other particulars was often changed, sometimes appear- ing in German text, and sometimes in Roman capitals ; now with a cut and a motto, and again in homely simplicity. After Trumbull assumed the whole proprietorship, it was entitled,-"NORWICH PACKET AND COUNTRY JOURNAL," with the ship under sail, and the motto, "A free press maintains the majesty of the people."
The size of the paper varied also, reflecting therein the instability of the times, and illustrating the difficulties and deficiencies of the paper manufactory. The original sheet, 15 inches by 92, of a pleasing buff tinge, was often superseded by the dingy, dark-blue, limpsy sheet, 13 by 8, that could scarcely bear its own weight without breaking. All the newspapers of that day were subject to similar fluctuations.
Mr. Trumbull was a native of Cambridge or Charlestown, Mass., and when he entered into partnership with the Robertsons, had but just attained his majority. He was remarkable for his genial humor, and always had a merry turn or witty remark at hand.
During the Revolutionary war he published a large edition of Hub- bard's Indian Wars, [1778,] various sermons delivered on special occa- sions, almanacs, orations and political papers, the French treaty, narrative of the Captivity of Col. Ethan Allen, and various other pamphlets, besides school-books and hymn-books in frequent editions.
* He established himself first at Hanover, on the east side of Connecticut river, that town being then claimed by Vermont, and for a short time published a newspaper there. But when the Vermont claims on the east side of the river were relinquished to New Hampshire, Mr. Spooner removed his press to Westminster, Vt., and in February, 1781, commenced "The Vermont Gazette, or Green Mountain Post-Boy."
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE STAMP ACT AND THE CALL FOR LIBERTY. MANUFACTURES.
BENJAMIN HUNTINGTON was chosen Town Clerk March 5, 1764. The first recorded town action that alludes to the subjects pending be- tween Great Britain and the Colonies, is the following :
" Whereas a question arose in the mind of the Clerk of this town soon after he was chosen, whether or no he might with safety proceed in his office on the report of an act of Parliament imposing Stamp papers, &c .- Wherefore it is unanimously agreed to a man in full town meeting and it is hereby desired that the clerk proceed in all matters relating to his office as usual,-And that the town will save him harmless from all damages that he may sustain thereby."
Soon after this, the citizens organized a watch and guard to prevent any stamps from being admitted into the place. They burned the stamp- master, Ingersoll, in effigy, and a large company went to New London to take part in the grand demonstration there made against some stamped ship-papers that had been admitted into the custom-house from the West Indies. No bolder spirit was manifested in Boston than in Norwich.
The Stamp Act had been passed by Parliament in March, but was not to go into operation until the 1st of November. Thomas Fitch, the Gov- ernor of Connecticut, after mature deliberation, decided to support it, and assembled his Council, to take in their presence the oath to that effect. Seven out of the eleven members present, after vainly remonstrating against his decision, indignantly withdrew, refusing to witness the offen- sive ceremony. Two of these were Norwich men,-Hezekiah and Jabez Huntington,-one a lawyer, the other a prosperous merchant.
Major John Durkee of Bean Hill was an active and daring leader in these stamp-act commotions. In September, 1765, he took command of a body of liberty men, that were gathered from Norwich and the neigh- boring towns and banded together for the express purpose of preventing the stamps from being distributed in Connecticut. Taking with them eight days' provisions, they set off towards Hartford, and being well mounted, overtook and arrested Mr. Ingersoll at Wethersfield, on his way to the Assembly, and with threats of violent usage in case of refusal, com-
366
HISTORY OF NORWICH.
manded him to resign his office of stamp-master. "The cause is not worth dying for," said Ingersoll, and signed his resignation.
This oppressive act could not be enforced. After hanging portentously over the country for a couple of years, it was repealed by Parliament in Mareh, 1766. The first anniversary of the repeal was celebrated in Norwich with peculiar festivity. In a communication to the Hartford Courant,* the proceedings are recorded in these loyal terms :
"Norwich, March 19, 1767.
Yesterday, P. M. a number of gentlemen of this town assembled under Liberty Tree to celebrate the day that his Majesty went in his royal robes to the House of Peers and seated on the throne gave his assent to the Repeal of the Stamp Aet, for which may he be forever blessed in family and person with all the blessings of heaven."
Liberty Tree was a lofty pole erected in the center of the Green, decked with standards and appropriate devices, and crowned with a cap. A tent or booth was erected under it, called the Pavilion. Here, almost daily, people assembled to hear the news, make speeches, and encourage each other in the determination to resist all oppression.
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