USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Torrington > History of Torrington, Connecticut, from its first settlement in 1737, with biographies and genealogies > Part 23
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First Regiment Heavy Artillery, C. V.
Sanford H. Perkins, capt., Co. I, May 23, 1861 ; promoted maj., 14th C. V., June 7, 1862. Albert F. Brooker, Ist lieut., Co. I, May 23, 1861 ; promoted capt., Co. B, May 23, 1862. Edward H. Mix, 2d lieut., Co. I,
Ist lieut., Co. C, resigned Feb. 6, 1862.
Collis S. Hough, sergt., Co. I, May 23, 1861 ; re-enlisted as veteran, Dec. 17, 1863.
David W. Smith. corporal, Co. I, May 23, 1861 ; discharged May 23, 1864, term expired.
King Walbridge,
Charles Huxford,
66
66
66
66 66
" 21, 66 66 Frank R. Brooker, private,
Wilbur W. Birge, Edward C. Castle, 66 66 May 23, 1864, term expired.
Clement Griffin, 66 died, Nov. 23, 1862.
Asahel C. Johnson,
re-enlisted as veteran, Feb. 5, 1864.
James H. Mott,
" discharged May 23, 1864, term expired.
Hayden D. Palmer, 66
66 re-enlisted as veteran, Dec. 30, 1863.
Eber N. Stocking,
66 discharged, disability, Sept. 23, 1861.
Elisha J. Steele, private, May, 23, 1861 ; re-enlisted as veteran, Dec. 30, 1863.
Charles W. Smith,
66
66
" Nov. 16, 1863.
Henry M. Stocking, “
66
66
Lambert W. Steele, “ 66 66 66
Dec. 10, 1863.
Recruits, Company I.
John Keaton, private, Co. I, April 12, 1862 ; re-enlisted as veteran, April 19, 1864.
Second Regiment Heavy Artillery C. V.
Dr. Jeremiah W. Phelps, Ist ast. surgeon, Sept. 5, 1862 ; resigned, Sept. 15, 1862. Jonathan A. Wainwright, chaplain, Sept. 8, 1862; resigned, Jan. 20, 1863.
Wilbur W. Birge, sergt. maj., July 28, 1862 ; promoted to Ist lieut., Co. F, Feb. 6, 1864. William T. Spencer, Ist lieut., Co. C, July 22, 1862; promoted capt. of Co. K, Aug. II, 1863.
Morris H. Sanford, 2d lieut., Co. C, July 21, 1862 ; promoted Ist lieut., Aug. 11, 1863. George K. Hyde, sergt., Co. C, Aug. 25, 1862 , promoted 2d lieut., Co. G, Feb. 6, 1864.
66
66 66 66 disability, Sept. 23, 1861.
239
TORRINGTON IN WAR TIMES.
Orsamus R. Fyler, sergt. Co. C, Aug. 9, 1862 ; promoted 2d lieut., Co. I, Feb. 6, 1864. David C. Munson, corporal, Co. C, Aug. 4, 1862.
Albert P. Newberry, corporal, Co. A, Aug. 4, 1862; died in Va., April 14, 1864. David J. Thorp, corporal, Co. C, July 28, 1862; killed at Cold Harbor, Va., June 1, 1864. Martin L. Judd, corporal, Co. C, Aug. 11, 1862.
William H. Hyde, corporal, Co. C., July 24, 1862 ; discharged, disability, Aug. 8, 1863. John Wilcox, Co. A, died from wounds, June 16, 1864. Andrew J. Brooker, Co. A, died from wounds, Oct. 12, 1864.
Hicks Seaman, musician, Co. C, July 28, 1862.
Andrew E. Workman, musician, Co. C, Aug. 4, 1862.
Milo F. Barber, private, Co. C, Aug. 11, 1862 ; discharged, disability, April 18, 1864. Anson F. Balcom, " 66 died, wounds Va., Sept. 19, 1864.
Edward M. Balcom, private, Co. C, Aug. 11, 1862. John R. Blakeslee,
Virgil R. Bissell,
Aug. II, 1862.
66 died at home, disease contracted in army. Edward M. Dunbar, 66 66
Joseph Durocher, 66
66
Orlando D. Evans,
John Friend,
66 Aug. 6, 1862. July 24, 1862; discharged, Nov. 9, 1862.
Frederick O. Hills,
66 Aug. 1I, 1862.
William H. Hart,
66
66 66
66
died in hospital, Va., June 24, 1864. died at Baltimore, Md., Sept. 23,
Harlow S. Johnson, 1864.
James Jukes,
66
66
66
John De Lowry,
66
66
honorably discharged.
Dennis Murphy,
66
66
Aug. 4, 1862.
James Moran,
66 Aug. 7, 1862.
Charles E. Morse,
66 Aug. II, 1862.
Carrel F. North,
66 Aug. 14, 1862.
Alonzo Smith,
60 July 25, 1862.
David J. Thorp,
66
killed at Cold Harbor, June 1, 1865.
George C. Thompson,
July 23, 1862.
Wright Waterhouse, 66 66 July 28, 1862.
Henry M. Woodruff, 66 66 Aug. II, 1862 ; died in hospital, N. H., July 22, 1864.
Lucien N. Whiting, 66 Aug. 4, 1862.
Harrison Whitney, Milo Young, 66
66 66 Aug. 11, 1862 ; died in hospital, May 14, 1865.
Charles G. Mason, private, Co. E, July 30, 1862.
Hubbard E. Tuttle,
Aug. 6, 1862.
Lant Ryan, corporal, Co. K, Aug. 12, 1862.
Asahel N. Perkins, private, Co. K, Aug. 7, 1862 ; died, wounds.
Patrick Farrell,
66
honorably discharged, June 1, 1864.
Enoch G. Warhurst, 66 Aug. 6, 1862.
Patrick Peacock,
65 66 honorably discharged.
died, Alexandria, Va., April 1, 1863.
Orrin H. Cooke,
Alfred Calkins, 66 66
66 66 66
died, Feb. 28, 1863.
Cornel A. Hammond, "
" July 28, 1862.
Giles A. Come,
66 66
66
66
Mckenzie Millard,
240
HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
Co. C Recruits.
Newton A. Calkins, private, Co. C, Dec. 9, 1863.
John Delowry,
" Jan. 2, 1864.
William H. Hart, 6. " Dec. 28, 1863.
Andrew Harris, 66 66 " Dec. 23, 1863.
James M. Hayes,
" Dec. 15, 1863 ; died in Va., July 24, 1864.
Patrick Kenedy, 66
" Feb. 11, 1864.
Lewis A. Luddington, " Jan. 5, 1864.
Jeremiah McCarthy,
" Dec. 28, 1863 ; killed Va., Sept. 19, 1864.
Patrick O'Conner, 66 64 Dec. 15, 1863.
Henry W. Ostrum, 66 " Dec. 28, 1863.
George W. Pierce,
" Dec. 15, 1863 ; killed, Cold Harbor June 1, 1864.
Albert M. Scoville, " Dec. 28, 1863 ; died, Va., Oct. 19, 1864.
Horace A. Thompson, private, Co. M., Feb. 12, 1864.
George H. Wheeler, private, Co. M, Feb. 12, 1864.
Second Regiment Infantry, C. V.
Henry G. Colt, private, May 7, 1861 ; honorably discharged Aug. 7, 1861. George M. Evans, 66
Third Regiment Infantry, C. V.
Allen G. Brady, lt. colonel, May 14, 1861 ; honorably discharged Aug. 12, 1861.
William G. Brady, sergt. major, May 14, 1861; " Aug. 12, 1861, Joseph P. Reed, private, May 14, 1861 ; Rifle Co. F, honorably discharged Aug. 12, 1861. George M. Evans, private, Nov. 2, 1861 ; Cav. Co. D, re-enlisted as vet., Dec. 17, 1863.
First Regiment Cavalry Recruits, Co. G.
Nelson Hodges, private, Nov. 30, 1863.
Cornelius Horgan, " Dec. 22, 1863.
Eighth Regiment Infantry, Co. C.
Henry H. Riggs, corporal, Sept. 25, 1861.
Thomas J. Hubbard, corporal, Oct. 5, 1861 ; re-enlisted veteran, Dec. 24, 1863.
William H. McCarty, private, Sept. 25, 1861 ; discharged, disability March 4, 1863.
John Collins, private, Co. F, Sept. 4, 1863 ; substitute or drafted.
James Churchill, private, Co. I, Sept. 4, 1863 ; " 66 John Hern, Co. F, Sept. 4, 1863 ; “ 66 66
William Matice, Co. I, Sept. 4, 1863.
Frank Miller, Co. A, Mar. 29, 1864.
Henry C. Woodward, private, Co. I, Feb. 25, 1864.
Tenth Regiment.
Simon Lathrop, Co. A., killed N. C., Dec. 14, 1862.
Eleventh Regiment Infantry, C. V. Recruits.
John C. King, private, Mar. 30, 1864; not taken upon the rolls June 30, 1864. Lewis Dayton, Co. D, killed Sept. 17, 1862.
Thomas Lackey, private, Co. H, Mar. 30, 1864.
James McGrath, Apr. 1, 1864.
George Sinclair, Co. K, Apr. 1, 1864; trans. U. S. navy, Apr. 29, 1864.
241
TORRINGTON IN WAR TIMES.
Michael Welch, private, Co. K, Mar. 30, 1864. Henry Williams, " Co. K, Apr. 1, 1864.
Lewis E. Walling, " Co. E, died during the war.
Thirteenth Regiment Infantry, C. V.
Hurlburt C. Hayes, corporal, Co. B., Jan. 11, 1862.
Charles F. Cleaveland, private, Co. B, Dec. 22, 1861 ; died Apr. 8, 1862.
Edward M. Dunbar, " Dec. 2, 1861 ; discharged, disability, June 30, 1862.
Edward A. Foot,
66 " Jan. II.
Frederick E. Hawley,
" Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged, disability, Feb. 28, 1863.
Dennis Hegany,
" Dec. 22, 1861 ; re-enlisted as veteran, Feb. 8, 1864.
George E. Hewlett, " Dec. 22, 1861 ; transf. to Ist. La. Regt., Aug. 8, 1862.
Edward Murphy,
" Feb. 20, died Apr. 7, 1862.
Michael Higany,
" Feb. 20, re-enlisted as veteran, Feb. 29, 1864.
Henry A. Hurlbut, Co. G., honorably discharged.
Fourteenth Regiment Infantry, C. V. Co. C.
William Bradshaw, Co. A, died Aug. 16, 1864.
Edward Carroll, private, July 8, 1862; deserted April 30, 1863.
Fourteenth Regiment Infantry, C. V. Recruits.
Frederick Cheever, private, Co. D, Sept. 17, 1863 ; substitute or drafted. Nicholas Deane, Co C, Sept. 7, 1863 ;
supposed prisoner. Feb. 6, 1864. Ferdinand Grossloff, Co. D, Sept. 17, 1863 ; deserted to the enemy April 30, 1864.
John Fitzpatrick, 66 Co. E, " honorably discharged.
Thomas Rumble Co. A, Sept. 11, 1863 ; supposed prisoner Oct., 1863.
George Smith 2d,
Co. H, Sept. 8, 1863.
John Suffang,
Co. C, Sept 8, 1863.
Sixteenth Regiment.
Christopher C. Johnson, Co. E, died in Andersonville prison.
Seventeenth Regiment Infantry, C. V.
Allen G. Brady, major, Aug. 29, 1862 ; discharged, disability, Oct. 21, 1863.
Twenty-Second Regiment Infantry, Co. E.
Riley Dunbar, private, Sept. 20, 1862; honorably discharged July 7, 1863.
Twenty-Third Regiment Infantry, C. V.
Henry Barber, Co. A, honorably discharged. John Deloury, private, Co. A, Aug. 30, 1862 ; honorably discharged Aug. 31, 1862.
Andrew Barrett, Co. H, Aug. 22, 1862 ; Aug. 31, 1863.
Twenty-Eighth Regiment Infantry C. V.
Lucius E. Bissell, corporal, Co. F, Sept. 1, 1862.
Lafayette Bailey, private, " Aug. 21, 1862 ; honorably discharged Aug. 28, 1863.
Erwin W. Curtiss, " " Sept. 1, 1862 ; died May 27, 1863.
Lewis E. Dailey, 66 " Sept. 1, 1862 ; honorably discharged Aug. 28, 1863.
31
242
HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
Twenty-Ninth Regiment Infantry, C. V.
Henry S. Freeman, private, Co. H, March 2, 1864.
died in Texas Oct. 13, 1855. Edward Freeman, Co. C,
George Wright, private, Co. I, Dec. 31, 1863.
Thirtieth Regiment Infantry, C. V.
Thomas W. Browne, private, Co. F, March 28, 1864 ; not taken on the rolls June 30, 1864.
Colored Drafted Men and Substitutes, assigned to Fourteenth Regiment R. I. Heavy Artillery.
Richard Harrison, private, Co. D, Sept. 9, 1863.
Nelson Harrison, " Co. D, Sept. 9, 1863.
Hannibal Randall, Co. D, Aug. 22, 1863 ; died place unknown.
John N. Smith, Co. B, 2Ist Mass., died during war.
Harvey F. Bellamy, Co. B, 2Ist Mass.
Russell P. Fellows enlisted at Bristol in Co. K, 16th regiment early in the war, was taken prisoner April 20, 1864.
Harvey Fellows enlisted in Co. C, 25th regiment, was taken prisoner but was exchanged.
CHAPTER XIX.
THINGS THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT.
MUSEMENTS have been sought by young and old in all generations and nations ; the only difference being simply as to the kind indulged in. Among the sports engaged in for many years in Torrington, were hunting matches; in which the animals and birds killed were counted at a certain rate and the side which counted the less number were ob- ligated to pay for a good dinner, and treat all round. On one occa- sion there was a hunt and the count was to be on the heads of the animals killed. Miles Beach being on one side, went into the corn- field and caught one or two hundred mice and brought the heads, claiming that a head was a head, and should be counted. In this transaction, whether he was much of a sportsman or not, he de- monstrated that he was a good mouser.
On another occasion of a hunt, the tails of the animals were to be counted. One man shot at a squirrel, cut off his tail and carried it to the rendezvous, where it counted all the same, while the squirrel went on his way in new fashion.
WILD CATS.
These animals seem to have exercised the minds of either the young men or the old men or the children, to an extent quite sur- prising. During some years before 1800, the town voted fifty cents bounty for a wild cat's head, and at that rate the treasurer of the town paid for a considerable number of them, but, either to keep some lazy fellows hunting, so as to keep them from worse employ- ment, or to make believe there were wild cats, or to put the real wild cats out of the way, so that the young fellows would not be scared in going home nights after seeing the girls, the town offered in 1802, one dollar a head bounty, and in 1806, it offered two dol- lars a head.
A little above Daytonville, on the road to Newfield, east of the road is a strange looking hollow called Wild Cat hollow, and it is well named if the name indicates a place where wild cats could hide.
244
HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
The formation is by the upheaval of the rocks, and large stones thrown in according to no rule of masonry.
A PROSECUTION FOR PROFANITY.
" To Ebenezer Norton, Esq., his majesty's justice of the peace, for Litchfield county in Conn.
Benjamin Whiting, grand juror for said county of Litchfield for the time being, and other informing officers for said town and county, on their oath, in the name and behalf of our sovereign lord the now king ; complaint and infor- mation make against Matthew Grant of Torrington in said county for breach of law, for that he, the said Matthew, being at the dwelling house of Epaphras Sheldon Esq., and at Mr. Ebenezer Coes, in Torrington, on or about the 2 1 st day of January last, past, and several of his majesty's subjects being present, the said Matthew did at the aforesaid place, in a very tumultuous and angry way and manner, did with a loud voice sware, by God vainly, rashly and in a passion and profanely, and used those vain words following, viz : 'The south end of Torrington is as bad as hell, and that the Wilsons would all go to hell, and that they would go to the devil,' and many other rash and profane words, did then and there express in a very wicked way and manner ; all which the complainers say, was contrary to the peace of our sovereign lord the king, and the law of this colony ; and pray that the said Matthew Grant may be pro- ceeded with as the law directs, made and provided in such cases.
Dated at Torrington this 5th day of March, 1773. Joseph Allen, Joseph Tanter,
Evidence for the king.
Benj. Whiting, Noah Wilson, Grand Isaac Goodwin, jury.
Benjamin Beach,
Ephraim Bancroft, ) Constables. Jabez Gillett, of Torrington."
On the back of this paper is written the order for Mr. Grant's arrest, dated September 23, 1773, or six months after the complaint was made, by which time the hot excitement had probably cooled down a little.
Items taken from Mr. William Whiting's account book :
" Memorandum. Be it remembered that in August, in the old of the moon, and the sign in the heart, is the time to cut bushes to kill them and not fail."
" Memorandum of the day that Mr. Nathan Gillett set out for New Con- necticut [Ohio] to the town of Morgan." [Year 1801.]
In those days when a family removed to the then far west, it was a topic of general conversation, and prayers were offered for them in church, and many persons noted the day the family started, and for fifty years could tell the day, without having made any memo- randum. But about 1815 to 20, such removals became so common that memory failed to note the day every one started. One woman
245
THINGS NOT LEFT OUT.
now living, remembers seeing the emigrant wagons on Litchfield turnpike, day after day, moving on slowly toward Litchfield and the west, there being some times half a dozen of these wagons in com- pany, covered with white canvas; old fashioned lumber wagons, with no springs ; some drawn by horses, some by oxen, some by cows. Hundreds of families were on the road from six to eight weeks in going from Connecticut to Ohio.
" Memorable day this 8th day of May 1803. There was a snow midleg deep. Peach trees were all in bloom. It froze very much two nights. Young men say it will kill the fruit, old men say it will not, and now we wait for time to bring forth."
As to the result we are not informed, which is much to be re- gretted.
" List for the year A. D. 1797. Six acres plough land ; fifty-five acres of cleared pasture, twenty-seven acres of bush pasture ; forty acres of wood land."
This is very much in proportion, as many farms are at the present day, after the changes of eighty years.
" February 20th, A. D. 1802. This day Ira Loomis took a cow for three years, and at the end of three years is to return the cow and the oldest calf."
SQUABBLE HILL.
At the foot of a certain hill lived a family long ago, in a house, now all gone, which family had so much trouble within itself, so many squabbles, that the hill has been known ever since by the name of Squabble hill, and as in all such cases is a steep hill to climb.
LACONIC CORRESPONDENCE.
Mr. John. Alvord, possessed a somewhat remarkable character, not for industry and wealth, but as having read up, surprisingly, the history of the ancient philosophers, and as having a great admiration for those ancient worthies. While living in Winsted the following correspondence transpired between him and Doctor Woodward of this town :
" Mr. John Alvord,
SIR : In looking over my old notes, I find one signed, John Alvord, dated Jan., 1808 ; ten years ago last January. You sir, are one of the philosophers and wise men of the day. I ask if it is not time to pay it. If you conclude it is not, I must be compelled to submit the matter to other wise men.
Yours,
SAM WOODWARD."
246
HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
" Dr. Saml. Woodward,
SIR : I this day recd. a line from you, stating that you held a note against me, etc. You was also pleased to rank me with the 'philosophers and wise men' of the day. I esteem it a high honor to be ranked with the philosophers and wise men even of the present day, which fall far short of the philosophy of ancient times. We do not expect to wear the ring of Guyges, or the cap of Fortunatus at the present day. Philosophy is good, and wisdom is profita- ble to direct, but neither will pay debts without money. I have three or four times this summer been invited into the company of those wise men you speak of, which has drained me of every cent in money I had, and almost every resource, and what to do in the present case I cannot tell.
If sir, you are determined ' to submit the matter to the wise men' you spoke of, I think there is no need of crossing the Styx in search of such ancient worthies as Minos, Aechus and Rhadamanthus, they were judges of higher matters. But there are a number of the sons of your old friend and honored master, Aesculapius, who I think may be ranked with the wisest of men at the present day. There is one resides in this place. As you pass by the forge of Vulcan, you go a little beyond the leather mill, and just at the left hand of A. B. C. college, resides one who I think may be ranked with the wisest of men at the present day. If sir, you will leave your note with him, or any of his brethren in office, I will pay it as quick as I can, and confess judgment if you desire it.
Yours,
JOHN ALVORD."
THE WHIPPING POST.
This method of penalty was continued to a later day in Torring- ton, than in some other towns, but was resorted to largely, in cases of stealing. Mr. Israel Coe, as constable, whipped two men about the years 1817 and 18 ; one for stealing a piece of broadcloth at the woolen mill, the other for stealing a silver spoon at Capt. Samuel Bradley's.
" At a justice court holden at Torrington in the county of Litchfield, on the 15th day of January, 1830, in presence of R. C. Abernethy, justice of the peace for said county holding the same, Nelson Fyler of said Torrington was brought before said court by virtue of a warrant issued by the said R. C. Abernethy, * * on complaint of Luther Cook, grand juror of said Torrington, charging the said Nelson Fyler that on the 14th day of January, 1830, at Tor- rington aforesaid, did feloniously take, steal and carry away one certain gold finger ring with a stone set therein of the value of five dollars, the proper estate of Ransom Hine of said Torrington, against the peace and contrary to the form of the statute in such case made and provided, and the sid Nelson Fyler being put to plead, for plea says he is not guilty in manner and form as in such complaint is alleged. And this court having heard the evidence, as well on the part of the state as of the said Nelson Fyler, find that the said Nelson Fyler, is guilty in manner and in form as in said complaint is alleged, and also find that the said ring was, when stolen, of the value of two dollars fifty cents. It is therefore considered and adjudged that the said Nelson Fyler pay a fine of five dollars to the treasurer of the town of Torrington, together with the costs
247
THINGS NOT LEFT OUT.
of the prosecution, taxed at nine dollars and thirty cents, and also pay to the said Ransom Hine, seven dollars and fifty cents, being treble the value of said ring stolen, as aforesaid, and the said Nelson Fyler neglecting and refusing to pay said fine and costs, shall be punished by whipping four stripes on his naked body and pay the costs of prosecution, and stand committed till this judgment be complied with. RUSSELL C. ABERNETHY, Justice of the Peace."
The warrant for execution granted and delivered to William Leach constable the same day; but tradition says the prisoner was whipped, but on his way to prison escaped from the constable.
This is said to have been the last case of whipping in the town.
WASPS.
Thomas Marshall, living near Winchester in Newfield, while gathering hay in the field usually worked without his pantaloons, keeping on only one garment, the old fashioned frock. In raking hay the old man frequently scolded his sons for leaving the hay, and would gather such as they left. One day the boys discovered a wasp's nest, and threw some hay on it and left it. Mr. Marshall pass- ing near it saw it, and going to it put both arms around it and began to walk away. The wasps made war on his legs with great vigor and no amount of fleetness, or persuasive influences could dispell them until they had nearly killed him.
This was not the end of the matter, for he proclaimed that if he could find who did it he would whip him severely. After some time he obtained this information, but finally gave the boy his choice to take a severe whipping or pay a fine of five dollars by doing the churning of their large dairy, at ten cents a churning, until the whole should be paid. The son knowing too well already, his father's ability to use the whip, chose to do the churning on the terms pre- scribed, although it took him nearly six months to pay the bill.
HONEST OXEN.
Samuel Beach was a peculiar man, never answering a straight for- ward question, but talked shy in regard to everything. He lived west of Wolcottville, half a mile. On a certain occasion, he sold a yoke of oxen to Mr. Jerome of New Hartford, as honest and orderly oxen, and Mr. Jerome paying him for them, left them until he should come for them. After he had sold them Mathew Grant came along, and Mr. Beach told him he had sold his oxen. " How much did you get ?" In reply Mr. Beach told him. Mr. Grant
248
HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
said, "you sold them too cheap, I would have given ten dollars more." " I'll be boun for it," said uncle Sam, that's too bad. Well if Mr. Jerome don't take them you may have them." Upon this Mr. Beach made two great pokes and put them on the oxen. When Mr. Jerome came for them he inquired : "How is this Mr. Beach, you sold the oxen as orderly." "Well," said uncle Sam, "I'll be boun for it, they wear masa great pokes, masa great pokes ; and if you don't want them you can have the money." Mr. Jerome took his money, and Mr. Grant had the cattle.
This same Mr. Beach sold some pork in Goshen, agreeing that the hogs when dressed should weigh two hundred pounds. When he delivered them they weighed a little over a hundred each, and he was asked, "how is this Mr. Beach, your pigs were to weigh two hun- dred a piece." "I said, take one with another, they would weigh two hundred."
Under no questioning or remarks could any one get a straight an- swer from him, as efforts were made upon bets to that effect. The summer of 1816, was very cold and the hay crop was very light, and in the spring of 1817, there was much anxiety about getting the stock through until grass should grow. In the midst of this anxiety uncle Sam Beach was taken quite ill, and sent for Doctor "Ban" who after examining him said ; " Well, uncle Sam, I can do you no good, you will have to go now." His quick reply was; " I'll be boun for it, I've got hay enough to carry my cattle through."
A minister stayed at his house one night and in the morning asked him, if he had any request for which he desired prayers. Yes, said uncle Sam, " pray that I may get the Castle lot ;" a lot of land he had long desired to get.
SUPPORT THE CHURCH OR GO TO JAIL.
" 'To Phineas North of Torrington in the county of Litchfield collector of society taxes in the first society in said Torrington Greeting.
By authority of the State of Connecticut, you are hereby commanded forth- with to levy and collect of the persons named in the annexed list or rate bill herewith committed to you, each one his several proportion as herein set down of the sum total of such list, being a tax of assessment granted and agreed upon by the inhabitants of the said first society of Torrington, regularly assembled on the 15th day of August A. D., 1791, being a tax of one cent and five mills on the dollar, on the list of said society in the year 1790 ; the other being a tax granted and agreed upon by the said inhabitants regularly assembled on the 7th day of November, A. D., 1791, being a tax of three pence on the pound on said list of 1790. Said taxes were granted and agreed upon for the purpose of defraying the necessary charges arising in said society, and to deliver the sums
249
THINGS NOT LEFT OUT.
you shall so levy and collect unto the committee of said first society of Tor- rington on or before the first day of March next, and if any person or persons shall neglect or refuse to make payment of the sum or sums whereat he or they are respectively assessed and set in said list or rate bill, you are to distrain the goods or chattels of such person or persons and the same dispose of as the law directs, returning the overplus (if any be) to the owner or owners, and for want of goods and chattels whereon to make distraint you are to take the body or bodies of the persons so refusing and him or them commit unto the keeper of the gaol of said Litchfield county within the said prison who is hereby com- manded to receive and safely keep him or them until he or they pay and satisfy the said sum or sums assessed on him or them as aforesaid, together with your own fees unless the said assessment or some part thereof be legally abated.
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