USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 31
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Windham County. As so much has been said of the last wolf it is but fair to chronicle the last of the Bruins, especially as it was an animal of most exemplary morals, never suspected of purloining so much as a chicken, and instead of routing ont a whole town for its destruction was so accommodating as to set itself up for a target. Even his presence had been unsuspected until one pleasant spring morning, when Mr. Adams espied him on a knoll not far from his residence. Approaching unperceived he managed to get a shot at him when the bear fell backward, uttering such terrible and unearthly cries as to be heard even across the distant Quinebaug. Another shot stilled the eries and sent the last bear to his fathers. The size and weight of the defunet representative of a departed race were very remarkable and it was conjectured that he had long outlived the ordinary limits of bearish existence. The year of his demise cannot be settled but it was probably about 1780.
General Putnam, now resting from his arduous labors and conflicts, must have been greatly interested in hearing of this exploit, recalling as it would the much more famous adventure of his early days .* The later years of Putnam's life were eminently peaceful and happy. Disabled as he was with right arm paralyzed and useless, he was still able to share in the pleasures and duties of life ; could ride about his farms and attend public meetings and social gatherings. Released from the burden of keeping up an establishment, he made his home with his sons, Colonel Israel, Peter Schuyler and Daniel Putnam, and frequently visited his daughters, Mrs. Tyler, Mrs. Waldo and Mrs. Lemuel Grosvenor. We catch pleasant glimpses of him in these restful years, enforcing with admonitory staff prompt obedience upon his numerous grandchildren, encouraging young girls with hearty applause upon their first essay in a public ball-room, or making a friendly call upon his neighbor, Dr. Cogswell, to the detriment of the Sunday sermon of the ungrateful minister. He was frequently seen at "a raising" and other social gatherings and merry-makings, " sur- rounded by a crowd of children and grandchildren, friends and neigh- bors, relating abundant anecdotes of the olden time, while his happy audience greeted with loud laughter the outflowing of his ready wit and his kindly and genial humor." Ile was the oracle in tree-culture, stock-raising and other practical matters, ever ready to advise with his quick eye and clear head, ripening and mellowing as the years passed on. He was cheered by visits and letters from his military friends and comrades, and many tributes of respect and gratitude from fellow-
* See Appendix.
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
citizens at home and far and wide over the land. IIe rejoiced with his whole great heart in the achievement of American Independence, the adoption of the Federal Constitution, the new impulse it brought to the Nation ; and in the various projects for growth and develop- ment. Always a respecter of religion, long a member of the church, he was drawn with advancing years to a deeper appreciation of spirit- ual things. He studied the Scriptures carefully, he abjured the use of profane language, he expressed "a great regard for God. and the things of God." To his dear friend and pastor, Mr. Whitney, he freely disclosed the workings of his mind. Good old Elder Benjamin Lathrop of Windham had also "a free and friendly talk with the old General," and reported him " much engaged in getting ready to leave the world"-and so a sudden summons found him calmly waiting his discharge. "Death, whom he had so often braved on the field of battle, had no terrors to him on his dying bed, but he longed to depart and be with Christ." He died May 19, 1790, after two days' illness. His funeral as befitting his character, rank, and distinguished publie services, was the most imposing ceremonial that Windham County had then witnessed. The grenadiers of the Eleventh Regiment, the Matross Company of Brooklyn, and military companies from other parts of the State, the brethren of the Masonic order, together with a large number of strangers and a great concourse of friends and neighbors, accompanied the remains "to the Congregational meeting- honse in Brooklyn : and after divine service performed by the Rev. Dr. Whitney, all that was earthly of the patriot and hero was laid in the silent tomb under the discharge of vollies from the infantry and minute guns from the artillery." An eulogium was pronounced at the grave by Dr. Waldo in behalf of the Masonic brethren. An inscrip- tion prepared by President Dwight of Yale College most faithfully portrayed the character of the great leader, who held to Windham County the relation of Washington to the Republic-" first in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen."
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CLOSING YEARS OF GEN. PUTNAM.
Sacred be this Monument to the memory of ISRAEL PUTNAM, ESQUIRE, senior Major General in the armies of the United States of America ; who was born at Salem, in the Province of Massachusetts, on the 7th day of January, A. D. 1718, and died on the 19th day of May, A. I). 1790. Passenger, if thou art a Soldier, drop a tear over the dust of a Hero, who, ever attentive to the lives and happiness of his men, dared to lead where any dared to follow ; if a Patriot,
remember the distinguished and gallant services rendered thy country
by the Patriot who sleeps beneath this marble ;
if thou art honest, generous and worthy, render a cheerful tribute of respect to a man, whose generosity was singular, whose honesty was proverbial ; who raised himself to universal esteem, and offices of eminent distinction, by personal worth and a useful life.
[It would be pleasant to leave General Putnam in his last resting place with a grateful remembrance of his life, character and services, but subsequent developments and modern theories compel a brief notice. For Windham County readers, indeed, no word is needed. They have not cared to look at their old friend through modern eye- glasses, fashioned in New York and Boston. Insinuations as to his military capacity and standing, his courage and loyalty, have failed to make the least impression upon the minds of those who look upon General Putnam through the eyes of their fathers and grandfathers, men of sense and judgment, who saw him face to face, and knew just what he was and what he had done. The words with which General Lemuel Grosvenor of Pomfret, sent back a pamphlet concocted by one of the early propounders of the modern theory are here given, as
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
expressing the involuntary sentiment and impulse of every Windham County citizen :-
" Sir, your letter enclosing a pamphilet was duly received, but I do not thank you for a publication which is intended to slander a character of one now deceased with whom I had the honor of a personal acquaintance as a townsman of mine, and so distinguished a friend to his country-and whose whole life was devoted to their service in the French War, but more especially in the Revolution and especially at the Noted Battle of Bunker Hill, where he was a distinguished commanding officer, and not an idle carrier of the intrenching tools as you represent. I therefore return the pamphlet as I do not wish it to disgrace my library. Yours, etc.,
LEMUEL GROSVENOR.
Pomfret, January, 1832."
But while accepting the testimony and verdict of cotemporary asso- eiates, we would not shrink from candid, critical investigation, and would deprecate indiscriminate eulogy as well as vindictive censure. Rather with scriptural plainness and fidelity would we record the errors and failures as well as the virtues and triumphs, remembering that the best of men are still but human. That Putnam's military career during the Revolution fulfilled the extravagant expectations of enthusiastic admirers cannot be maintained. Ilis age, his lack of early military training, the character of his previous military experience, were all against him. Yet the service that he ren- dered, especially at the breaking ont of the war, was most vital, and it may be doubted if without his prestige and popularity the army would have cohered or Bunker Hill Battle have been fought. He held the helm till it was taken by Washington, and like John the Baptist prepared the way for his master. The world is indebted to Dr. Tarbox, for his chivalrous championship and successful vindica- tion of Putnam's claim to leadership at Bunker Hill. Johnson's late "Campaign of 1776," relieves Putnam from reputed responsibility for the mischances and defeat at Long Island, and closer investigation in other cases where he has been blamed, prove that he did the best possible under the circumstances, and justify the words of President Sparks :- " That he never made mistakes I would not say, for it cannot be said of a single officer in the Revolution, but I am sure it may be safely affirmed that there was not among all the patriots of the Revolution a braver man, or one more true to the interests of his country, or of more generous and noble spirit." John Adams declares, "That he never heard the least insinuation of dissatisfac- tion with the conduct of General Putnam through his whole life." Colonel Thomas Grosvenor, his townsman and military associate, reports him "ever the first in public life at the post of honor and danger," and in his private conduct " excelled by none." The honored friend and associate of Washington and Trumbull, the faithful counsel-
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lor and supporter of Connecticut's sturdy patriots throughont the Revolution, he lived and died "respected and beloved :" " his word an ample security for everything it pledged ;"* his uprightness com- manding "absolute confidence." Against such overwhelmning testi- mony from those who knew him, charges brought many years after his decease can have little weight, based as they are upon professional and sectional jealousies, and that eaptious spirit of eriticisin which would blacken the purest character and belittle the most heroic deeds. Leading as they have to a more careful and critical examination, they will give to the world a more correct understanding of his services, and a higher estimate of the worth and weight of his character.
A contemporary reportf lately come to light we leave to its own merits, premising that the writer was like Peters a banished Tory, who compiled his "History " between 1780 and 1799.
Note on General Putnam [extract]. " He is resolute, bold, enterprising and intrepid, has no notion of fear, and is at the same time, generous, kind and humane; was fond of doing good acts, and ever treated loyal prisoners with the same attention and hospitality as he treated his own soldiers. In 1775, he offered his services to General Gage, the commander-in-chief of America, if he could have a provincial regiment, which he offered to raise at his own expense. The proposal was rejected with scorn and indignity."
How widely this report was circulated we have no means of know- ing, but it might very easily have arisen from the subjoined incident recorded in Humphrey's Life of General Putnam :-
" Not long after this period [May, 1775], the British commander-in-chief found the means to convey a proposal privately to General Putnam, that if he would relinquish the rebel party, he might rely upon being made a Major- General on the British Establishment, and receiving a great pecuniary com- pensation for his services. General Putnam spurned at the offer, which, however, he thought prudent at that time to conceal from public notice."
From the nature of the case it is not probable that direct proof of either offer can ever be obtained, and we are left to choose between the assertion of the Tory historian and that of Putnam's authorized biographer ; which of the two is most worthy of credit, it is not for us to decide, but it is easy to see which is the most in accordance with common sense, and the facts and probabilities of history. Knowing what we do of Putnam's sentiments and conduct during the summer of 1775, we could as soon believe that streams could run up hill, or the sun go back in its course, as that he could have made such an extraordinary proposition.]
Putnam's antagonistic neighbor, Colonel Malbone, accepted defeat and change of government with becoming philosophy, and by his
* President Dwight of Yale College.
+ History of New York during the Revolutionary War, by Thomas Jones, 1879.
33
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
kindness and open generosity, his scorn for anything like pretension or hypocrisy, gained the respect and admiration of those most opposed- in sentiment. The later years of his life were harassed by pecuniary embarrassment. His experiment in slave labor* brought him poor returns. His negroes were idle and wasteful, costing more than their profit. Thirty pairs of shoes a year, their price paid in gold, was one item of outlay. They were a happy, jolly set, fond of fiddling and frolieking. Once a year they held a grand jubilee, electing a king, and installing him in office. Pero, the most intelligent of their number, son of an African king, usually obtained their suffrages and received royal homage. Some of these negroes left their master during the Revolution. Others in time obtained their freedom under the Emanci- pation Act. A few adhered faithfully to their master and mistress, and clung to the Malbone estate even after their decease. Notwith- standing his losses and embarrassments, Colonel Malbone was ever ready to go beyond his means in sustaining his church, or befriending a needy neighbor. Some one in his presence expressed a great deal of sympathy for a poor man who had lost his cow, the main support of his family. "How much are you sorry ?" was the sharp query. The informant hesitated. "Well! I'm sorry twenty dollars," he replied, taking that amount from his pocket-book. Another characteristic retort merits preservation. An aristocratic kinswoman expressed her desire that there might be " a place fenced off in Heaven for servants and common people." " It would be so disagreeable to be mixed up with everybody." " And I," roared the angry colonel, " hope there'll be a place fenced off in Hell for d-d fools."
Colonel Malbone's death preceded that of Putnam by several years. The epitaph, written by John Bowers of Newport, gives a truthful impress of his character :-
" Sacred be this marble to the memory of Godfrey Malbone, who was born at Newport, R. I., September 3, 1724, and died at his Seat in this town, November 12th, 1785. Uncommon natural Abilities, improved and em- bellished by an Education at the University of Oxford, a truly amiable disposi- tion, an inflexible integrity of Heart, the most frank Sincerity in Conversa- tion, a Disdain of every Species of Hypocrisy and Dissimulation, joined to manners perfectly easy and engaging, nobly marked his character and rendered him a real Blessing to all around him. That he was a friend of Religion this Church of which he was the Founder testifies; as do all indeed who knew him that he practiced every virtue requisite to adorn and dignity Human Life."
* Inventory of stock appraised by Godfrey Malbone, sen., when conveyed to his sons, Godfrey and John, October 16, 1764 : 80 cows, 45 oxen, 30 steers, 40 two-year-olds, 20 yearlings, 39 calves, 6 horses, 600 sheep, 150 goats, 150 hogs, 27 negroes, viz., Prince, Harry, Pero, little Pero, Diek, Tom, Peter, Peter Virginia, Domino, Caddy, Adam, Christopher, Dinah, Venus, Rose, Miriam, Jesse, Primus, and others, negro boys, etc.
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COL. MALBONE ETC.
Trinity Church was greatly weakened by the loss of its chief patron, so that Mr. Fogg for a time even meditated upon withdrawing from the pastorate. The stipend from the Missionary Society had ceased, Dr. Walton had removed, patriotic adherents had withdrawn their countenance, dreading the imputation of disloyalty. Trial by fire had, however, left a grain of pure metal. A faithful few still elung to the church of the Mother Country, and for their sake Mr. Fogg decided to remain and continue the Episcopal worship. Thirty acres of land intended by Colonel Malbone for a glebe were confirmed to the parish in 1787, by his brother, John Malbone. Captain Evan Malbone, a relative of Godfrey and John, had now removed to Pomfret, and aided in supporting the church. Another acquisition was Dr. John Fuller, successor of Dr. Walton, who had made a large fortune by privateering, and was accustomed to treat the whole congre- gation to cake and wine during the intermission of service. With great assidnity and fidelity, Mr. Fogg resumed his ministerial labors, "submitting himself to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake ; " "Giving none offence that the ministry might not be blamed," and gaining the respect and confidence of the whole community.
The Congregational Society, as it was now called, was in a prosper- ous condition, and though its members had paid heavy taxes for war expenditures and town organization, they proceeded in 1788, to repair their elegant meeting-house. A hundred dollars, to be paid in flax seed, or any other material that could be used about the work, was appropriated for painting and repairs. Thirty dollars were allowed to Mr. Whitney to supply himself with wood at a dollar a cord. Liberty was granted in 1793, to repair the meeting-house clock or put up a new one. In the following year it was voted to raise a small tax for the purpose of paying a singing-master to teach the art of singing- society committee to hire, direct and pay said singing-master. Sing- ing thus dignified into an "art," received more and more attention, and after a few years the society chose a committee of eight " to set np a singing school, viz., one out of each school district to look up and collect the singers therein, and a sub-committee of three to look up and hire a singing-master, and to raise such sum as the committee shall see fit to lay out for the purpose of recruiting the singing." Accustomed to the management of general secular affairs, the society still acted in matters that would seem without its province, choosing delegates to represent it at the great meeting held at Jefferds' tavern in 1794, for the purpose of securing the transferring of the Court- house, and voting " to persevere" in effort when the petition was rejected. Its own especial functions were discharged with much efficiency. Dilatory rate-payers were brought to time by the enact-
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
ment, " That the names of the persons that have not paid their society taxes shall be publicly read for the future at the opening of the annual society meeting," but this was quickly set aside as too stringent a remedy. Twenty-five pounds were added to Mr. Whitney's salary in 1796, " on account of the present high price of provisions."
Mr. Whitney held his place in the affection of his people and the esteem of all. Though moderate in his doctrinal views and opposed to the High Calvinism then coming into fashion, he enjoyed the respect and confidence of his brethren in the ministry, and maintained strict church and family discipline. Deacons Baker, Scarborough, Witter and Davison, together with Esquire Frost, were constituted a committee to inquire into matters of scandal and reclaim offenders. Negleet of family prayer was pronounced a censurable evil. In 1799, Mr. Whitney with Dr. Cogswell, Rev. Andrew Lee, Rev. Elisha Atkins, and one or two other ministers of congenial sentiment. united as the Eastern Association of the County of Windham, representing a milder type of theology than the larger body. That his church favored this step, and sympathized with him in his regard for the old Half-way Covenant now eschewed by the more rigid churches, was manifested by the following discussion and decision, occurring as late as 1805 :-
" Query. Whether children of age or above twenty-one years, still living with their parents, members of the church, might be baptized on their parents' account.
Church generally of opinion that if such children's character was good, and they desired to receive baptism on their parents' account, they might be allowed. Accordingly Lucy and Joseph Prince, children of Major Timothy Prince, were baptized with their brothers and sisters, minors."
In 1802, Mr. Whitney was honored by the conferring of a doctor's degree from Harvard College, upon which accession of dignity the society appointed a committee to confer with Dr. Whitney relative to the settlement of a colleague, "but ten years passed before an assist- ant was procured." During this interval the church had commemorated the fiftieth anniversary of its pastor's settlement-February 2, 1806- Dr. Whitney preaching from Job x. 12, an historical discourse suitable to the occasion. Only three of the membership of 1756 survived to witness this anniversary, 447 had been added to the church during his ministry and 718 received the ordinance of baptism. The long pastorate had "commenced with the affectionate regard of the fathers, and their continued friendship, their cordial. candid acceptance of his labors, and repeated kindnesses, had continued to make the relation happy." The affection between pastor and people became even more cordial and tender as time went on, the ready sympathy and playful humor of the venerable divine, endearing him to old and young. He
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CAPT. TYLER, ETC.
was noted for his skill in administering reproof or instruction through the medium of " a little story," and his quick retorts and keen hits elicited much amusement and admiration. His roguish son attempted to frighten him once while performing perfunctory service one dark night as bell-ringer, and draped in white with deep sepulchral voice announced " I have come for you." " Well, if you have come, take hold and ring the bell," was the cool reply. "Do you make a p-int of this thing ? " asked a slurring brother when the flowing bowl was passed at a minister's meeting.
" A quart when ministers are present," returned the smiling Doctor. But when upon another occa- sion a brother minister urged that they might partake of some super- flnous beverage on the ground that they were military men-he was answered by the coachman's retort to the English church dignitary, who swore in his private capacity-" When the devil comes for John De Lancy, what will become of the Archbishop ?" A flaming Uni- versalist bored him with interminable discussion of his favorite doctrine till silenced by being told that he reminded him of Betty, the cook, who was troubled by chickens coming into the kitchen and kept driv- ing them out with her broom, each time with increasing clatter, till losing all patience she at last burst out-" Yon are like the Universals that don't know when their heads are taken off."
Mrs. Lois (Breek) Whitney, Dr. Whitney's first wife, died in 1789. Their two oldest sons died during the Revolution, being seized with small-pox on their return from a privateering expedition. Another son, Robert Breck, a teacher and composer of music, very highly esteemed, died of consumption at the age of twenty-one. Six daugh- ters survived their mother. Dr. Whitney married for his second wife the widow* of Sammel Chandler of Woodstock.
Daniel Tyler, Esq., senior member of the church, and oldest inhabit- ant of the town, died February 20, 1802, having nearly completed the first year of his second century. Throughout his long life he had been an active and useful member of society, closely identified with the growth of church and town. The church edifice of 1770-1, con- structed under his oversight, still testifies to his skill and public spirit. Of his many sons only Daniel, the youngest, remained in Brooklyn. Having married soon after his gradnation from Harvard College, a daughter of General Putnam, Captain Tyler was very prominent during the Revolutionary era, serving as adjutant to his distinguished father-in-
* Dr. Cogswell lets us into the secret that Dr. Whitney in his widowerhood " speculated " concerning sundry eligible spinsters of his acquaintance, but none who look upon the stately figure of Mrs. Anna Paine Chandler, as represented by her relative, Mr. Winthrop Chandler, can marvel that such solid charms should outweigh any fanciful speculations. The superior attrac- tions of widows were recognized before the days of Mr. Weller.
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law in many campaigns. He also raised and equipped the Brooklyn Matross Company, which rendered such efficient aid when New London and Rhode Island were threatened with invasion. Like his father-in-law. Captain Tyler was favored in matrimonial connections, his second wife, widow of the lamented Benjamin Chaplin, Jun., daughter of Judge Timothy Edwards, and granddaughter of President Jonathan Edwards, inheriting many of the traits of her distinguished ancestry. Captain Tyler was now actively engaged in business, receiv- ing and disbursing large quantities of produce. He advertises in 1784, in The Norwich Packet, "for five hundred bushels of FLAX SEED, for which he will pay in RocksALT, West India or European Goons at the lowest advance." He also offers the highest price for good butter and cheese, and requires a large quantity of good pork. In 1799, he reports in The Windham Herald, that " he will pay cash for 3 or 4,000 wt. of good tallow : he also wants to purchase a few good lots of pork, about 20 fat oxen. 1,000 wt. of clover seed and 500 bushels of barley ; for which a generous price will be given and good pay made." Captain Tyler's sons entered early into active life. Paschal P. Tyler engaged in business with his father. Daniel Putnam was graduated from Yale College in 1794, and died of fever soon after his settlement in Whitesborough, New York. Septimius, also a Yale graduate, engaged in teaching in the South. Dr. James Tyler, nephew and ward of Captain Tyler, shared for a time the Brooklyn medical practice with Dr. Baker. Mabel, sister of Capt. Tyler, married Seth Paine, Jun., like his father a skillful surveyor and prominent citizen of the town. Both died in February, 1792, and were buried within the same week, " Honored and lamented."
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