USA > Connecticut > New London County > Norwich > History of Norwich, Connecticut: from its possession by the Indians, to the year 1866 > Part 36
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Early in December of that year, the town received the famous Boston Circular from the selectmen, recommending the disuse of certain enume- rated articles of British production. A town meeting was immediately convened to consider the subject, and "the said meeting being full and well-pleased with the important measures offered to their consideration," appointed a committee of the most prominent inhabitants to advise and report at their next meeting. This report was framed "in conformity with the noble example set by Boston," and consisted chiefly of an agree- ment not to import, purchase or make use of certain articles produced or manufactured out of North America ; such as tea, wines and spirituous liquors, superfluities of every kind, and in general all foreign manufac- tures, except linens and broadcloths of a very low priee, and felt hats.
They recommended also the raising of sheep's wool, flax and hemp, and the establishing of domestic manufactures ; and that the citizens should especially promote those new manufactures that had been set up among them, of paper, stone and earthen-ware. The report closes in this man- ner :
" And it is strongly recommended to the worthy ladies of this town that for the future they would omit tea-drinking in the afternoon ; and to commission offieers, to be mode- rate and frugal in their acknowledgments to their companies for making choice of them as their officers, which at this distressing time will be more honorable than the usual lavish and extravagant entertainments heretofore given."-Voted unanimously Dee. 14, 1767, and ordered to be printed in the New London Gazette.
* No. 44.
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HISTORY OF NORWICH.
The names of the committee bringing in this report will show who were the leading patriots of the town at that time.
Hon. Hezekiah Huntington,
Mr. Gershom Breed,
Hon. Jabez Huntington,
Mr. Jeremiah Kinsman,
Simeon Traey, Esq.,
Elisha Fitch, Esq.,
Capt. Richard Hide,
Col. Wm. Whiting,
Capt. Hugh Ledlie,
Eben'r Hartshorn, Esq.,
Major John Durkie,
Capt. Jabez Perkins,
Mr. Isaac Traey,
Dr. Daniel Lathrop.
The idea of Independence had not then become current in the country. A redress of grievances was the extent of the patriot's aim. The above report closes with expressing a determination to remain "loyal subjects of our Sovereign Lord the King ; holding firm and inviolable our attachment to and dependence on our mother country."
The national song, Rule Britannia, was often sung with a variation of the chorus :
Rule Britannia ; rule the waves, But never make your children slaves.
Norwich was one of the first towns in the colony to make experiments in manufactures. The manufacture of paper was begun by Christopher Leffingwell in 1766, the Connecticut Gazette being issued on paper from his factory in December of that year. His stocking-looms were set in operation about the same time.
As the troubles with the mother country took a more serious aspect, iron-works became specially important. The foundry of Elijah Backus at Yantic was serviceable in the casting of cannon and mortars, and there was full employment everywhere for hammer, bellows and furnace.
The encouragement of home manufactures and the rejection of all imported luxuries were regarded as tests of patriotism. Common dis- course grew eloquent in praise of plain apparel and Labrador Tea. The music of the spinning-wheel was pronounced superior to that of guitar and harpsichord.
Homespun parties were given, where nothing of foreign importation appeared in the dresses or upon the table. Even wedding festivities were conducted upon patriotic principles. It is related that at the marriage of Miss Dora Flint at Windham, in December, 1767, the numerous guests were all arrayed in garments of domestic manufacture. The ladies ap- peared without silks, ribbons, gauze, or lace. The refreshments, though in great plenty and variety, were all of domestic produce, and the popular beverage was Hyperion, or Labrador Tea .*
* Ceanothus Americanus. It grows all over New England, and is ealled also Red- root and New Jersey Tea. Not the green plant, but the leaves properly dried and cured make a tea which is said to be both wholesome and palatable. The aborigines used it.
368
HISTORY OF NORWICH.
In the summer of 1768, a stage-coach was established between Norwich and Providence ; leaving Lathrop's tavern every Wednesday morning, and forming a weekly line. This was the first public conveyance upon this route.
June 7, 1768, an entertainment was given at Peck's tavern, adjoining Liberty Trec, to celebrate the election of Wilkes to Parliament. The principal citizens, both of town and landing, assembled on this festive occasion. All the furniture of the table, such as plates, bowls, tureens, tumblers and napkins, were marked "No. 45." This was the famous number of the "North Briton," edited by Wilkes, which rendered him so obnoxious to the ministry. The Tree of Liberty was decked with new emblems, among which, and conspicuously surmounting the whole, was a flag emblazoned with "No. 45, WILKES & LIBERTY."
In September of that year, another festival was held at the same place, in mockery of the pompous proceedings of the Commissioners of Customs appointed for the colonies by the British Ministry. These Commissioners had published a list of holidays to be observed by all persons in their employ, and among them was "September 8th," the anniversary of the date of their commission. The citizens of Norwich were resolved to make it a holiday also. At the conclusion of the banquet, toasts were drank, and at the end of every one was added :
"AND THE 8TH OF SEPTEMBER."
Thus :-
" The King and the 8th of September."
" Wilkes and Liberty and the 8th of September."
" The famous 92 and the 8th of September."
Songs were also sung with this chorus; nor did the assembly disperse without indignant speeches made against "British mis-government," and the disgrace of wearing a foreign yoke.
October 4th, a town meeting was called to consider "the critical and alarming conjuncture of affairs." This was a full assembly, and all hearts were warm and unanimous. There was no need of discussion or debate. The record of the meeting in the town book is inscribed upon the margin with the word
"LIBERTY ! LIBERTY! LIBERTY!"
three times repeated. This word alone shows the spirit that pervaded the assembly. They passed a vote of cordial approbation of the measures adopted by the Bostonians, on the 12th of September, saying :
" We consider the noble cause they are engaged in as the common cause of our country, and will unite both heart and hand in support thereof, against all enemies whatsoever."
369
HISTORY OF NORWICH.
It was customary at this period for the town to give a paper of instruct- ive hints to their deputies respecting the points it would be desirable for them to advocate in the assembly. In these instructions we find them repeatedly urging :
That manufactures be encouraged.
That debates be open.
That a close union of the colonies be promoted.
That measures be taken to lessen the number of lawsuits, or some bet- ter provision be made for their speedy issue.
In May, 1769, they recommend "that some effectual measures may be concerted to lessen the amazing flood of private business at the Assem- bly."
Jan. 29, 1770. The margin of the public record is again emblazoned with LIBERTY! LIBERTY! The following is an extract from the resolu- tions then passed :
" We give this public testimony of our hearty and unanimous approbation of the agreement the merchants have entered into, to stop the importation of British goods ; we will frown upon all who endcavour to frustrate these good designs, and avoid all correspondence and dealings with those merchants who shall dare to violate these obli- gations."
They proceeded to choose two diligent and discreet persons from each society, in addition to the Merchant's Committee, to make critical inspec- tion into the conduct of all buyers and sellers of goods, who were to pub- lish the names of those that should counteract the intent and meaning of the non-importation agreement, to the intent that such persons might be exposed to the odium and resentment of the people. They also recom- mend to the wealthy persons in town to enter into subscriptions for setting up and carrying on the making of nails, stocking-weaving, and other use- ful branches of manufacture, and every one in his respective sphere of action to encourage and promote industry and frugality.
In August, repeated meetings were convened for the same purpose ; that is, to devise methods to support the non-importation agreement, which was the leading measure of the day. They declare their fixed opinion of the wisdom and importance of this measure,-that they will "spare no pains to give it a fixed and solid form, by following every breach thereof with the full weight of their indignation, and withholding all commerce from any who dare to violate it;" and that they are "both grieved and incensed at the alarming conduct of New York in violating tlie same."
Elijah Backus, Esq., and Capt. Jedidiah Huntington, were selected to represent the mercantile and landed interest, at a meeting proposed to be held in New Haven, the day after the college commencement, to resolve on measures to support this agreement.
24
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HISTORY OF NORWICH.
Let it not be supposed that all this spirit evaporated in votes and public speeches ; there is abundant evidence that the action was suited to the word, and not a threat returned void. The committees of inspection were exceedingly vigilant ; the lady who continued to indulge in her cup of tea, or the gentleman in his glass of brandy, were obliged to do it by stealth. Any person who was found to have violated the agreement, had his name posted in handbills through the town, and published in the New London Gazette, a proceeding usually followed by insults, at least from the boys and populace. As the citizens were so strenuous upon this subject, it may be gratifying to curiosity to see a list of the articles specifically enu- merated in the pledge not to "import, purchase, or use, if produced or manufactured out of North America."
Loaf Sugar,
Wrought plate,
Snuff,
Gloves,
Mustard,
Shoes,
Starch,
Women's hats,
Malt liquors,
Men's hats, except felts,
Linseed oil,
Muffs, tippets, and ermine,
Cheese,
Lawns and gauze,
Tea,
Sewing silk,
Wine,
Women's and children's stays,
Spirituous liquors, .
Broadcloths above 9s. 6d. per yard.
Cordage and anchors,
Cambrics above 5s.
Sole-leather,
Linens above 2s. 6d.
Deck nails,
Silks of all kinds except taffety,
Clocks,
Silk handkerchiefs,
Jewelers' ware,
Silk and cotton velvets,
Gold and silver buttons,
Gold and silver lace, Thread lace,
All sorts of head-dress for women, as caps, ribbons, flowers, feathers, and turbans .*
As an example of the proceedings of the committee, the case of Mr. Ebenezer Punderson may be cited. This person was a man of good manners and education, who kept a school upon the plain ; but whose name was posted through the town, with the charge of having repeatedly drank tea, and being questioned about it, declared that he would continue to do so. He said, moreover, that Congress was an unlawful combina- tion, and their petition to his Majesty haughty, violent, and impertinent, and uttered other words, indicating disregard of the Continental associa- tion. The committee thereupon ordered, "that no trade, commerce, deal- ings, or intercourse whatever be carried on with him, but that he ought to
* At Woodstock, the non-importation agreement, which was voted by the citizens, (Col. Israel Putnam in the chair,) rejected all' imported articles except the following, which we may take as a list of what were considered positive necessaries, that one could not decently live without : Bibles, pins, needles, gunpowder, lead, flints, German steel, apothecary's drugs, spices, and window-glass.
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HISTORY OF NORWICH.
be held as unworthy the rights of freeman, and inimical to the liberties of his country." This had the desired effect. A public recantation was made by Mr. Punderson, who averred that he was sorry for what he had done, and would drink no more tea until the use should be fully approved in North America ; moreover, that he would no more vilify Congress, nor do any thing against the liberties and privileges of America.
At a later period, however, [August, 1777,] the estate of Mr. Punder- son in Norwich was confiscated, the Commissioners stating that he had left the town and "joined the enemies of America." Certain property owned in town by William Bayard and Charles Ward Apthorp of New York, was confiscated at the same time. The height of land east of the Shetucket, still known as Tory Hill, was a part of this confiscated estate. We are not aware that any other property in Norwich was sequestered on account of toryism.
Great exertions were made about this time to establish regular posts, and safe transportation lines through the colonies. Norwich was not behindhand in this business. In addition to the regular stage-route to Providence, individuals were engaged to ride weekly to all the larger cities in the vicinity, conveying letters, papers, memorandums, and small bun- dles. No effective system, however, was established in concert with other parts of the country, till March, 1774. At that time, Mr. William God- dard, a distinguished printer of Baltimore, arrived in town, being on a tour through the northern colonies to engage the friends of liberty to abolish "the illegal and oppressive parliamentary post office, and establish a provincial subscription post." Mr. Goddard held a conference with some of the citizens, who entered readily into his plans, and a regular weekly communication was forthwith established between Norwich and Boston, for which £60 per annum was subscribed. The route led through Windham, Pomfret, and Mendon. The post left Norwich on Thursday, reached Boston on Saturday, and started the next Monday for Norwich again. This was the first regular post between the two places.
New London was at this period the regular place of letter-delivery for the three counties of New London, Windham, and Middlesex. A post- office was not established at Norwich till 1782.
The manufactures of the place were daily becoming more important. A fulling-mill with a dye-house attached was established by Christopher Leffingwell in 1770, and another by Simon Huntington in 1772; choco- late mills were put in operation ; pot and pearl ashes were made by the calcination of plants, and a pottery for moulding stone and earthen ware was begun at Bean Hill. Another important enterprise was the manu- facture of cut shingle-nails from old iron hoops, which was commenced in 1772, and continued during the war, by Edmund Darrow. This naillery was not large, employing only from four to six hands, but was a great
372
HISTORY OF NORWICH.
convenience to the community, and merits notice from its being one of the first attempts in this country to make nails in a way less slow and tedious than the old operation of hammering them out of solid iron.
In 1773, Mr. Thomas Harland, from London, commenced the business of clock and watch-making. His advertisement stated that he made hor- izontal, repeating and plain watches in gold, silver, metal or covered cases; spring, musical and plain clocks; church clocks and regulators. Watch- wheels and fuzees of all sorts and dimensions, cut and finished upon the shortest notice, neat as in London, and at the same price.
Mr. Harland taught a number of apprentices, who established them selves in other places, and thus, through his means, the business became extensively spread in the surrounding country. This very ingenious arti- zan also superintended the construction of the first fire-engine owned in Norwich. This was in 1788.
The comb-making business was established in 1773, by Noah Hidden, near the meeting-liouse. Mr. Alvan Fosdick about the same period un- dertook the manufacture of cards at Bean Hill. In 1780, Nathaniel Niles began to make iron wire at the Falls, connecting also with his works a card-factory, and inventing, it is said, his own peculiar machinery.
Other artizans who made their appearance at this stirring period were John Page, a gunsmith from Preston, England, who found ready employ- ment ; Zurishaddai Key, a tape-weaver from Manchester, who set up a tape-factory at the Landing ; and Richard Collier, a brazier from Boston, whose foundry and sale-shop was nearly opposite Trumbull's printing- office .*
* Warming.pans were at that time a conspicuous article in the assortment of a bra- sier, and a row of them adorned the front of Collier's shop.
CHAPTER XXIX.
PREPARING FOR INDEPENDENCE.
THREE-PENCE sterling duty on a pound of tea! What a mighty fer- ment, leading to what great results, this little tax created ! The Act was passed in 1767, and it included other articles to be taxed,-paper, paints, glass, &c.,-but these duties were soon repealed, leaving the three-pence on tea, as the assertion of the principle that Parliament had the right to tax the Colonies, and this assumption could not be admitted by a free people.
On the 8th of December, 1773, the pretended sachem of Narragansett, "Ok-nooker-tunkogog,"* and 70 of his tribe, emptied 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor, thousands of spectators manifesting their joyful acquies- cence in the destruction of the Chinese herb, heretofore so highly prized.
A circular from the Boston Committee of Correspondence, dated May 13, 1774, calling for co-operation in resistance to the oppressive laws of the mother country, and directed to the selectmen, or principal citizens of the various towns, met every where a cordial response. In Norwich, a town meeting suggested by this communication was convened by the selectmen, June 6th,
" To take into consideration the melancholy situation of our civil, constitutional Liberties, Rights and Privileges which are threatened with destruction by the cnemics of his Majesty's happy reign and government over the American Colonies."
The citizens at first assembled in the court-house, but were obliged to adjourn to the meeting-house in order to accommodate the large concourse of people who came together. The Hon. Jabez Huntington was chosen moderator, and a series of patriotic resolutions drawn up by Capt. Joseph Trumbull and Samuel Huntington, Esq., were passed, almost by acclama- tion.
In transmitting an account of these proceedings to the Selectmen of Boston, Capt. Trumbull observes :
" You are called by Providenee to stand foremost in the contest for those liberties wherewith God and nature have made us free. Stand firm therefore in your lot, and from the apparent temper of our people we can assure you of every support in the power of this town to afford you in the glorious struggle."
* See newspapers of 1773.
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HISTORY OF NORWICH.
A standing Committee of Correspondence was at this time appointed, consisting of
Capt. Jedidiah Huntington, Chr. Leffingwell, Esq., Dr. Theophilus Rogers,
Capt. William Hubbard,
Capt. Joseph Trumbull.
Col. Barre, in his celebrated speech in Parliament against the Stamp Act, had called the Americans Sons of Liberty, and this was adopted as the title of those associations which were organized through the colonies to resist the oppressive acts of England. In Norwich, however, we find no instance of that almost idolatrous homage to Liberty personified, which was then common in the country. Liberty was cherished as a principle, but not worshiped as a divinity. The highest personification adopted was calling their magnificent pole upon the plain, Liberty Tree .* Neverthe- less, here as elsewhere, patriotism was continually rushing into extremes of speech and action.
In calmly reconsidering the Revolutionary period, we are astonished at the violent ebullitions of passion which often marked its progress. Per- haps without these deep revulsions and over-actings of popular excite- ment, our independence would not have been so readily secured; yet the personal animosity and extravagant vituperation of the period can not be defended.
Speeches, letters, essays, newspapers, were full of obloquy and personal reproach. They were eloquent in railing, calling names, and holding up caricatures to be ridiculed and demolished. The nation was in truth moved to its lowest depths ; the rude and ignorant were aroused to a sturdy and bitter fury, while lowering discontent or gloomy resolution hung upon the brows of the well-instructed and true-hearted.
No set of men were more generally buffeted with scorn and ridicule than "the sycophant addressers of Governor Hutchinson." In the vilify- ing, clamorous style of the day, they were called "an infamous gang of villains," "groaning court-tools," "myrmidons of despotism," &c.
July 4, 1774, Mr. Francis Green, a merchant of Boston, who was one of "the addressers of Hutchinson,"t being on a journey into Connecticut, in order, as he stated, to collect debts and transact some private business, put up at a tavern in Windham. This gentleman was a loyalist, and of course obnoxious to the Sons of Liberty, who affected to believe that he
* Poles were erected in many places, and dedicated " to the Immortal Goddess Lib- erty." Dr. Warren in his oration of March 5, 1775, addressing his fellow-citizens, uses the expression, "your adored Goddess Liberty."
t Francis Green, Esq., graduated at Harvard College, 1760. He was at the capture of Havana, 1762; died at Medford, April 21, 1809, aged 67. He was author of an "Essay on imparting Speech to the Deaf and Dumb," printed at London in 1783.
375
HISTORY OF NORWICH.
had some sinister designs in this journey. He had been stigmatized in the patriotic papers as "one of that insidious crew who fabricated and signed the adulatory address to strengthen the hands of that parricidal tool of despotism, Thomas Hutchinson." The patriots of Windham were no sooner aware of his presence, than they proceeded to show their dis- pleasure. Assembling early in the morning, they surrounded the tavern, uttering shouts of insult and threats of exalting him upon a cart, unless he instantly left their precincts. This he did without delay, being fol- lowed with hoots and execrations. An express had been previously des- patched to Norwich, with information that he was bound thither. The whole town was moved with this intelligence, and the sexton was ordered to give notice of his arrival by ringing the bell. Mr. Green's carriage, therefore, no sooner stopped at Lathrop's tavern, than the bell rang an alarm, and the citizens were in an uproar.
The plain was soon alive with the concourse, and a message was trans- mitted to Mr. Green, giving him his choice, to depart in fifteen minutes, or be driven out on a cart. He was very reluctant to go ; pleaded busi- ness ; that he had debts in town to collect ; and stepping out upon the green, attempted to address the people: whereupon Capt. Simeon Hunt- ington, a very stout man, collared him and called him rascal. By this time a horse and cart, with a high scaffolding in it for a seat, made its appear- ance, and demonstrations of lifting him to this conspicuous station being made, Mr. Green took the most prudent course, entered his carriage, and amid shouts and hissings drove off; a part of the populace following him with drums beating and horns blowing, till'he was fairly out of their pre- cincts. On his return to Boston, Mr. Green issued a proclamation and offered a reward for the apprehension of any of the ruffians who had forced him to leave Windham and Norwich. It read as follows :
ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD.
Whereas five Ruffians, calling themselves by the names of Hezekiah Bissell, Benja- min Lathrop, Timothy Laraby, Ebenezer Backus, and Nathaniel Warren, aided and assisted by a great number of others, did (in the night of the 4th inst. at Windham, in the Colony of Connecticut, and again in the morning of the 5th inst.) in a lawless and hostile manner assault the subscriber, surrounding the house in which he was, for- cibly entering the same and intruding themselves into his particular room, endeavoring to intimidate him by threats, from the pursuit of his lawful and necessary business, menacing to seize him, with his papers, baggage, &c. and to carry him off, as well as intimating that his life was in danger, if he did not submit to their illegal demands, of desisting from his business, and of immediately quitting the said town, and did also presumptuously interrupt and insult him, by repeatedly insisting on his departure, and
WHEREAS, (it is supposed by their instigation,) a great number of other Villains and Ruffians, one of whom called himself by the name of Simeon Huntington, did also in the morning of the 6th instant, in the same hostile but more cowardly manner, sur- round, threaten, assault and lay violent hands on the subscriber at Norwich, in said
.
376
HISTORY OF NORWICH.
Colony, and by force compel him to quit his lawful business, and depart that town, thereby not only impeding him in the collecting of debts justly due to him, obstructing him in the settlement of accounts, and other important transactions ; (to his great det- riment and injury) but also putting his life in danger; And
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