USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Oxford > History of Oxford, Volume 1-2 > Part 14
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Thomas Clark, Esq., Capt. John Riggs and Mr. Josiah Strong, were appointed a committee to apply to the Hon. County Court to establish a place for a site for the same.
It was in meeting on the 23d day of December, 1793, that Mr. Timothy Candee was appointed to build the meeting house, the same vote agreeing to give him therefor the sum of six hundred and seventyfive pounds, about $2,253.75. It was told me that the stipulated sum did not pay to Mr. Candee the expenses of the building; to meet the expenses of the house so embarrassed him pecuniarily that he gave up what of estate he had and removed to Pompey, N. Y., where he lived out his time. The meeting house then built, which is the present Congregational Church, was raised in the year 1795, as entered on public record by Dr. Hosea Dutton. The same year the Oxford Turnpike, said to have been the second in the State, was chartered.
The same year the hotel building, now styled "Oxford House," was erected by Daniel and Job Candee. The same was first and for many years occupied by Daniel Candee as inn holder. He was succeeded by his nephew, David Candee, who continued in the position a space of forty years.
The first postoffice was kept in that building, Daniel Candee, postmaster. David Candee, upon taking the position of landlord, took also that of postmaster, which he held for a great number of years, and then passed to his son, George N. Candee, by whom it was taken into a merchant store.
I am not able to detail so particularly of the Episcopal parish of St. Peters, as I am of the Congregational, not having had access to the parish records. This parish was gathered together and in- stalled by the labors of Rev. Dr. Richard Mansfield, a missionary of the Church of England, who was located at Derby as a minister of the gospel, where he lived to a very great age and to the end of his life. As I have heard him spoken of, he was an exemplary man as a christian, neighbor and citizen, and regarded with veneration by all. The date of the beginning of the parish as I am told by the clerk is 1764. I cannot tell who was the immediate successor to Dr. Mansfield, as gospel minister. Rev. Mr. Prindle, a native born citizen of Oxford, a graduate from Yale College, after a twelve years' ministerial service at Watertown, was pastor at St. Peters for several years. Mr. Prindle was justly noted for sound and forcible intellect, for stern integrity, and as orthodox and firm in
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principle. He was a useful minister. His last residence for many years was on a farm in the northerly part of Oxford, where he died at a great age about the year 1832.
After Mr. Prindle, Rev. Aaron Humphreys was pastor, but how long I do not certainly know; but it may be some ten years or more. I can give no particular account of Mr. Humphreys' life and ministerial service in Oxford, not being advised. Rev. W. A. Curtiss, a native of Coventry, in this State, came here in April, 1829, from New York. His pastorate continued little more than two years. He was a preacher of considerable ability, but such was his imprudence and indiscretion that he was ever upsetting his own dish. Rev. Ashbel Baldwin, Rev. Dr. Burhans, Revs. Messrs. Todd, Sanford, Marvin, Nichols, Eastman, Loop, Gray, Smith, Clark, Pierce, (for about ten years,) Anketel, Buck, were in turn in charge of the parish and church as Presbyter. The church edifice first erected stood on the hill westerly from the central street and ad- jacent to the cemetery. It was taken down and removed, and the edifice now standing on the Public Green was erected in the year 1834. It was dedicated by Bishop Brownell in the year following. Rev. Charles Smith was then minister.
To the year 1798, Oxford was part and parcel of the town of Derby. As any matter of historical nature would be so much of Derby's history, we must consider Oxford people as a community in the parish capacity. About the year 1791, the people aspired to become a town. It was then they prefferred their petition to the General Assembly for incorporation as such. Year after year to the seventh, they presented their petition, when on the seventh they were successful, and Oxford was incorporated a town. Not in the least daunted for being six times repulsed, they persevered until victory crowned their efforts. Their indomitable determination, their energetic action, their unfaltering perseverance, are to be regarded with admiring approbation. When speaking of this with one who was active in the cause, I said, "How long were you in gaining success by prevailing with your petition?" He said, "Seven years; just as long as it took our country to gain her independence."
I must not omit to say, the people at last resorted to strategy, and by strategy they succeeded. The town election of the town of Derby was at hand. The town meeting was warned to be held at nine o'clock forenoon, but never opened till one o'clock afternoon. The people of Oxford agreed to go together in a body, and be on
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hand and ready to open the meeting of the town at nine o'clock a. m. It was carried out to the letter. The hour of meeting was set and known to every man who might vote. They all congregated and formed in procession on the main street of the central part, and ready at a given signal simultaneously to start. The signal
ST. PETERS CHURCH.
given, the procession moved. It was so much the custom then to open a town meeting with prayer, that proceedings without prayer were hardly regarded as legitimate. To save trouble from that direction, Rev. Wm. Bronson, minister here, was taken along to
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offer the opening prayer. The signal for a move being given, the procession moved on; no time was lost. They reached the place of meeting; it was nine o'clock; they set about the business of the hour with a diligence that told what was meant. The Derby people were in consternation. They started out and ran their horses in every direction, calling on persons to hasten to the meeting. But before enough of the voters could be gotten there to outnumber the Oxford voters, Nathan Stiles, who resided where Dr. Thomas Stoddard now resides in the town of Seymour, was chosen Town Clerk, and the meeting had voted that town meetings should be holden one-half the time in Oxford. Derby no longer opposed the movement of Oxford to become a separate town, but turned over and aided in the matter. These facts were given me by Capt. David McEwen, a prominent citizen, one ever ready and active in public enterprise, a man of laudable character, a farmer by avoca- tion, and when in the prime of life was one of the most thorough, flourishing and successful operators. I am told he was marshal of the day and led the procession. In and by the act of incorporation, it was ordered that the first town meeting be held on the third Tuesday of November, 1798, that Thomas Clark, Esq., warned the meeting, and that John Riggs, Esq., served the meeting as modera- tor. It will at once be seen that the people then as a town com- munity were in a crude state, and without authority vested in themselves for town organization. The town meeting was held in accordance with the foregoing. One who was in attendance told me that snow fell heavier than we often know it to fall, yet the meeting was as fully attended as any town meeting he had known in this town. The public green of the central part is made up of what is called "Meeting-house acre land," given by a Mr. Chatfield, for a site for a meeting house, and of land thrown out by proprietors or owners along down on the easterly side till it ends upon the turnpike road. This constitutes what is called Upper Green. It was at the time agreed that anything of rubbish or whatever could encumber the ground so thrown out and left thereon, should, if left there lying thirty days, become forfeit to the owner. The lower green is proprietors' land and laid by the proprietors' com- mittee for a public common and a military parade ground. Esq. Charles Bunnell told what I am about to state. The committee came along as was expected, in their way above to lay out land. As they were passing, he, (Bunnell, ) spoke with them of the land
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now constituting the Green, and requested them to lay out for public use. They replied that they would consider the matter. As they returned he was stationed to hear their reply to his request. They said they so laid out the land as he requested. Charles Bun- nell was unselfish and public spirited, a worthy, respectable and respected citizen. In the confidence of the people-he was promi- nent in position. His residence was that of our late fellow-citizen, Harry Sutton. He died March, 1838, aged 80 years. The land was in a forbidding state, being a thickly grown bramble. The people turned out under the lead of a committee, three military officers of the day and time, to-wit: Capt. John Davis, (afterward Colonel,) Lieut. Samuel Andrew Buckingham, and Ensign Eben- ezer Fairchild. They cleared the land of rubbish, and brought it to its present desirable condition. This was done at a large expense of time and money. The whole public common, both upper and lower, were laid ont and improved under the lead of the same com- mittee, as I was informed by Lieut. Buckingham, (afterward Cap- tain). This may be regarded a prominent instance of perseverance in public enterprise.
Before the lay and building of the turnpike road, public travel was not as it now is, but passed over easterly by the schoolhouse in the center, on to what we now call back street, and down. The dwelling house now occupied by Michael Flynn was the hotel kept by Mr. Gideon Tucker.
Not the least interesting section of Oxford is Quaker Farms. I could wish I had more of historical fact of this section to narrate. It was the earliest part of the town settled. Next to Quaker Farms, a neighborhood in the northerly part of the town, bordering on what is now called Middlebury, once called Bristol Town, was settled in advance of the central part. Quaker Farms is a region of valuable land. It is not surprising it was early sought for. The first English inhabitant of Oxford, as I take from record, was Dr. Butler, a quaker and hunter, who for some years from the year 1715, had a hermit residence. He lived about forty rods sontherly from the old burying ground, northwest side of the brook, under the hill at the turn of the road. The locality must be the turn of the road easterly from the house once the residence of the late Capt. Nathaniel Wooster, and the residence of the present Silas Hawkins. The first English person born in Oxford was Lieut. John Griffin, born in 1725, died 1821, aged 96 years. Lieut. Griffin was
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distinguished as a soldier in the French war, was lieutenant in the army-he spent his summers in campaign service, coming home for winter and returning to duty in the spring, for three consecutive campaigns, and at last a victor under Wolfe upon the plains of Abraham before Quebec. The facts of his soldier life were given me by his son-in-law, Wm. Morris.
The first, second and third births in Oxford occurred at Quaker Farms. The third was Dr. Joseph Perry, of Woodbury. Perry was a prominent name with the first inhabitants of Quaker Farms; so also was Wooster, Hawkins, Hyde, Nichols, et. al. Perry, a name once numerous and respected, of which but one, Capt. H. A. Perry, is there to tell of the name that was. Capt. Zachariah Hawkins, a farmer; his house stood on the site of the Meigs dwell- ing house-a substantial man of sound judgment, and a valuable citizen. Silas and Charles Hawkins, his grandsons, and Lewis, John and Samuel Hawkins, his great-grandsons, represent the name. Of the Wooster name there were many. They were mostly farmers. Nathan, a son of Arthur Wooster, was a graduate from Yale College. He was educated with the intention of being a clergyman of the Church of England. He lived and died on his farm at Quaker Farms. Joseph Wooster, located on Good Hill, was an enterprising farmer. Sixteen was the number of his sons and daughters. Rev. Henry Wooster, minister of the Baptist Church at Deep River, was a son of Joseph Wooster, Jr., and was a man of culture, in popular standing, and well approved as a useful minister. He is deceased.
Col. Wm. B. Wooster, of Birmingham, a popular politician and a well-known and influential lawyer, being well approved; a son of Russell Wooster, and was also a grandson of Joseph Wooster. He took an active and valorous part as a loyalist, contesting against the secessionists in the late civil war. Capt. Nathaniel Wooster was a noteworthy citizen, and by trade a blacksmith. He died at a great age, little short of 90 years. Capt. Ira Hyde, and Marcus. his son, represent the Hyde name. Hon. Benjamin Nichols alone represents the Nichols' name. Subsequently there was the name of Tomlinson, of which name, David Tomlinson was in his day a distinguished citizen. Mr. Tomlinson entered Quaker Farms an emigrant from Woodbury, and that when young I should think, from information given me, at the age of 18 or 20. He was then placed in charge of land there owned by his father. His wife was
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a daughter of Jabez Bacon, of Woodbury. He was a merchant, and as such an extensive operator. He began in a small way and enlarged as he advanced, and as I was told, first occupying a room in the chamber of his dwelling as a salesroom. He was remarkably successful in his business. His business as a merchant was extensive beyond that known of any other for many miles radius; and not the less so were his operations as an agriculturist. His acres numbered 1,500. Whatever the soil, he applied what was suitable to the peculiarity. Seldom did his land lie idle for lack of application. Possessed of a keen discernment, he at once saw as he set his eye upon the spot, what he could put there. The late Judge Phelps, of Woodbury, remarked of Mr. Tomlinson that he was the best speci- men of a patroon there was in Connecticut. He chartered vessels, fitted and put to sea. Once his vessel and cargo were taken by French privateers. Such and other losses embarrassed his estate. He was eleven times sent to the House of Representatives, and when he died, which occurred March, 1822, aged 60 years, he was a member of the State Senate. His eldest son, Charles, is living, and is over 90 years of age. Samuel Meigs, a member of the Tom- linson family by marriage, lived, reared his family, spent his day and time, and died, at Quaker Farms. His last days he spent as a farmer; earlier he was storekeeper in Mr. Tomlinson's employ. He several times represented Oxford in the House, was Judge of the County Court, and many years a Justice of the Peace. His two sons, David T. and Charles A., are merchants, occupying what was the stand of their grandfather.
The Quaker Farms Episcopal Church must have been erected some time between the years 1812 and 1815. It was at first a chapel. By and by it was dedicated an Episcopal church and took the name of Christ Church. So Quaker Farms became a separate parish.
What Oxford was a hundred years ago, (1776,) may be per- ceived from what is written of Oxford as parishes. Oxford, a hundred years ago, townwise, was Derby. Anything of town history would not be a history of Oxford, but of Derby, and therefore, at the breaking out of the war of Independence, (as it resulted, ) what part was taken and to what extent by Oxford people, if found on record at all, would be found at Derby and as Derby's part in the scene enacted. As the people of that age, as may be seen from their works that follow, were a sturdy, stout-fisted yeomanry, the soil of whom was their wealth, from which they gained their support
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and drew their abundance, and well principled and forward in every good word and work, we may believe that love of country prevailed with them, and that they were forward in discharge of duty. Upon my early acquaintance, there were eight revolutionary pensioners, Oxford men. How many might have laid down their lives in their country's cause does not appear. The names of the pensioners are Capt. Samuel Candee, Capt. Job Candee, David Peck, Edward Bassett, Isaac Chatfield, Timothy Johnson, Phineas Johnson, and Jeremiah M. Kelly.
Mr. Timothy Johnson related to me an incident that I must not omit to mention. The corps of which he was one, was on the bank of the Hudson, under Gen. Wayne, and in presence of Wash- ington. Wayne besought Washington for a permit to lay siege to the British fortress on the bank of the Hudson called Stony Point. Wayne was refused permission. He besought a second time. Washington said the undertaking was too hazardous, it could not be successful, and refused him permission, believing it would be but a sacrifice of men. Wayne, nothing daunted, applied a third time to the Commander-in-Chief for his permit; told his plan and ex- pressed his confidence of success. This he did with earnestness, such as told of the will to his purpose. Permission was granted him. He was allowed to pick his men. Timothy Johnson, my narrator, was one chosen, and, as I think he said, his brother Phineas was another. The men chosen, they onward marched to the onslaught. Washington reviewed them as they passed-he looked very sober, and thought they would all be killed. They were marched in to the enemy's picket. They halted. They were fast. Wayne came along with a piece of bread and meat in his hand, saying, "Blood may run in rivers; any one who desires it may leave the ranks and he should not be branded with cowardice." But one left. Wayne then went through the line of troops and took the flints from every gun, that there should not be a gun fired giving light for the enemy's aim. The night was densely dark. All made ready and about to commence the march. Wayne said, "Death to the man that attempts to leave or falters in duty." Onward they marched and soon came upon the enemy's picket. The picket hailed. No answer. He fired and ran. Wayne and his force ran after him. The fortress was encircled with the limbs of the apple trees piled thick and high, the twigs of which were sharpened to a point, so that it would seem impossible to get over
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or break through. But, said Mr. Johnson, "We we so close upon the sentinel or picket, that he could not fill the gap made for him; we ran through the same and so entered the enclosure." The enemy in the meantime kept up a brisk fire, but not a man was hit.
CHRIST CHURCH, QUAKER FARMS.
They made up to the walls of the fort, and set about scaling. The man first over the wall was killed, the only one lost of the detach- ment. The contest was sharp and severe, but short. The British soldiery surrendered. Wayne received a severe wound with a cut- lass over the eye, a cut in such a manner as to cause the eyelid to
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fall. "He bled like a butcher," as it was told me. Wayne said that he would ever be proud of carrying the scar of that wound. A noble instance of American valor, and though a hundred years ago, we, of the present day, may look back upon such deeds of our ancestors, of which there were many, and pride ourselves that we were born of Anglo-Saxon blood. With pleasure and with pride we behold the bravery of Oxford's sons in so daring a display.
In 1861, at the breaking out of the Civil war, Oxford's sons proved equal to the emergency. Cheerfully they left their homes and with alacrity they proceeded to the scene of the war. No fewer than seventyfive men entered the loyal army by enlistment, as I, who then kept the record, very well know. Of this number but few, probably not more than five, disgraced themselves by desertion. Mainly they stood manfully at their post and bravely fought the battles of their country, and so continued till crowned with victory over the enemy. Thanks and more than thanks are due to them. They are deserving of our gratitude in the highest degree, for to them we owed our safety and our peaceful enjoyment of our com- fortable homes. May they ere long, through the liberality of our government, be pensioned for life. Long life, with comfort abound- ing, be theirs; so may they enjoy much of the fruits of their toil, their privation, their suffering, their exposure upon the battle field.
When I began acquaintance here, fifty years ago, the people were more numerous than now. Then they were, with very few, if any, exceptions, an orderly, industrious and frugal people; a people content with their wages and happy in their circumstances. They respected worth, they venerated age. Character was esteem- ed, a good name was sought for-a people to be desired for neigh- bors and companions.
In the cause of education they scarcely soared above the popu- lar school. In the year 1798, the school society, (which included the whole of the town, ) was divided into school districts. School houses were built and schools supported long before that. Suffice it to say, the districts favorably maintained their schools without hindrance of course or progress; it being the purpose to educate the rising generation to a fair business standing.
Within the last fifty years, select schools have been kept for many a term, through which many were qualified for teaching, some of whom reached celebrity. Eight of Oxford's sons that I know and have heard of, graduated from college.
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Though the town was, and ever has been, chiefly agricultural, fifty years ago there was mechanical and manufacturing business done here. Hats were made here. Mr. Crosby, at the head of the shop, told me that at one time he had seventyfive men in his employ. There was a shop for the manufacture of edged tools, by Mr. Towner. There were also coopers, not less than four shops; blacksmiths, tailors, shoemakers, etc., all in and about the central part.
We look over the population now and compare it with that of fifty or more years ago. Who were they then and who are they now? Then the Candee names were many; now but two. Caleb, the first of the Candee name, emigrated from West Haven. He had his house where John Candee's house now stands. There he raised nine sons, who were remarkable for longevity. John and Sterne Candee are great-grandsons. Lieut. Samuel Wheeler, an early settler from Stratford, was prominent as a business operator. Robert Wheeler, his great-grandson, occupies in his stead. Of the Wheeler name, that of Abel stands forth as prominently as any other. The utmost confidence was placed in him, and trust with- out limit conferred. He was sent to the House of Representatives ten times. As Justice of the Peace he was dispenser of justice; Judge of the County Court, and one of the State Senators. He died in 1830, aged 65 years. Riggs, a prominent name, once numerous, now but one family of that name. Capt. Ebenezer Riggs, a valuable citizen in his day, is represented by his grandson of the same name. Esq. John Riggs, a public spirited and respect- ed citizen, raised a family of ten-five sons and five daughters. He built houses and settled his sons in a row with his own dwelling, so many that they named the street "Riggs street,"-not one of the name now left. The name of Davis, of which John Davis was eminent in the military line. He reached the position of Colonel, commanding the 2d Regiment Connecticut militia. The military force of his jurisdiction was essentially improved under his guidance and direction. He retained his faculties remarkably till his death, which occurred when 95 years of age. Dr. Hosea Dutton, from Southington, was an early settler here. He spent his life in the practice of his profession, and died September, 1826, aged 72 years. He was a man remarkable for application, a useful physician, an influential politician, not only at home, but as a writer. Dr. Noah Stone, from Guilford, came here about the year 1810. He was a
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valued practitioner, a man exemplary in life, correct in deportment, a fair model for imitation. He died March, 1851, aged 69 years. Rev. A. L. Stone, of San Francisco, and David M. Stone, editor of the New York Journal of Commerce, were his sons. Mrs. Hubbell, authoress of the "Shady Side," was his daughter. As may be seen we come and go and others come. Well is the world compared to a stage, and all the men and women to actors. The stage is vacated and again supplied by troops of succeeding pilgrims.
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MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.
Oxford Members of the Legislature.
The representatives of the town of Oxford from the time of its incorporation in 1798 have been as follows:
1799, Thomas Clark, John Riggs. 1800, Ebenezer Riggs, David Tomlinson.
1801, Ebenezer Riggs, Isaac Nichols. 1802, Thomas Clark, Abel Wheeler. 1803, David Tomlinson, two terms.
1804, Charles Bunnell, Justus Candee.
1805, Ebenezer Riggs, two terms.
1806, Philo Holbrook, two terms. 1807-8, Abel Wheeler, four terms. 1809, David Tomlinson, two terms. 1810, Justus Candee, David Tomlinson.
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