USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 32
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Of General Putnam's sons only Daniel remained in Brooklyn, Colonel Israel removing to Ohio, and Peter Schuyler to Williamstown, Mass. Colonel Israel Putnam's farm was purchased in 1795, by Joseph Matthewson of Coventry, R. I., the successful competitor for a gold medal offered in Philadelphia "for producing in market five hundred pounds of cheese to beat the English." Major Daniel Put- nam, now proprietor of much of the Malbone estate, is reported by Dr. Dwight as having the largest dairy in town. "cheese not excelled by any this side the Atlantic." It probably found a rival in that of Mr. Darius Matthewson, who after a few years carried on the Putnam farm, and, having married one of the notable daughters of Ebenezer Smith of Woodstock, may have managed "to beat" all other Brooklyn cheese as well as English. Other incoming citizens brought new blood and energy to town. Captain Elisha Lord of Abington, Captain John Smith and Samuel Dorrance of Voluntown, John Parish and the Cleveland brothers of Canterbury, William Cundall and
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Daniel Kies of Killingly, Vine Robinson of Scotland, were among these acquisitions. Great variety of elegant and useful articles were offered by Frederic Stanley, in his new and fashionable store in 1801. Gallup and Clark, and George Abbe and Co., also engaged in mer- chandise at Brooklyn village. Captain Eleazer Mather engaged exten- sively in the manufacture of hats. Dan Rowe informs the public through the columns of The Windham Herald. " that he has set up the clothier's business, where in addition to the usual business done by clothiers, he carries on blue dyeing either in wool, yarn or cloth, of all shades from sky-blue to navy-blue." Vine Robinson carried on a cooperage, and served in many public capacities. A distillery was kept in active operation by Dr. John Cleveland and his successor, George Abbe, transforming many thousand barrels of comparatively harmless cider into a far more potent and dangerous beverage. Brooklyn's first lawyer was Miles Merwin, who soon removed to Philadelphia. He was succeeded by John Parish, who gained a permanent footing, teaching a select school until his business was established. William P. Cleveland left the field after a few months trial. Kies, his successor, held his ground and received his share of patronage. Dr. Joseph Baker, Joseph Scarborough, James Eld- redge, John Parish, Roger W. Williams and Daniel Putnam served as justices. Joseph Scarborough, Roger W. Williams, John Parish and Daniel Putnam were sent successively to represent the town. Notwithstanding the gain of so many valuable citizens they were outbalanced in number by emigrants to new countries, so that the census report of 1800 showed a loss of over a hundred.
With increasing business and influence. Brooklyn sought with greater earnestness to gain those administrative prerogatives which she believed due to her central position in Windham County. The petition preferred in 1786, to obtain a new county, comprising the towns of Ashford, Pomfret,. Killingly, Thompson, Woodstock, with Pomfret for shire-town : court-house in first society, near the dwelling- house of Landlord Ebenezer Grosvenor-the town to build a hand- some and suitable court-house and jail by a voluntary subscription free from taxation, received no attention. Believing that removal was more feasible than division, and that her own village offered the most central and commodious site for a court-house, Brooklyn took the lead in 1794 in inviting all the towns interested in the movement to meet at Jefferds' tavern for farther discussion and renewed action. Dele- gates from all the invited towns were present and unanimously agreed "that the northeast part of Windham County was greatly aggrieved at being obliged to go so far to attend Courts and obtain justice." A forcible representation of the views and wishes of these delegates,
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presented to the Assembly by a competent committee, prodneed such an impression that a large majority of the Lower House voted to consider the premises, but were overruled by a vote of the Conneil. Brooklyn called an especial meeting to consider this result, Major Daniel Putnam, moderator, and after premising that justice to a very considerable part of the County absolutely requires a removal of the Courts, unanimously voted, "That this town will persevere in a measure so just and necessary. and they earnestly request the several towns most interested to cooperate with them and to persevere until the object is finally accomplished." Messrs. James Eldredge, Daniel Putnam and John Parish were directed to remain agents for said purpose until the same be accomplished. In 1800, Mr. Joseph Scarborough and Captain Daniel Tyler were chosen to cooperate with agents in petitioning for the removal of the Courts-agents to draw a hundred dollars from the town treasury for needful expenses. In May, 1803, Brooklyn, Plainfield, Sterling, Vohintown and Canterbury petitioned the Assembly-that Windham County ought to be divided into two shires, and that the sessions of the County and Superior Courts be holden alternately at Windham and Brooklyn, as soon as a convenient conrt-house and gaol should be erected at Brooklyn, free from expense to the County. Thomas Y. Seymour and Nathaniel Terry were thereupon appointed to examine and report. Captain Tyler, John Parish, Esq., Roger W. Williams and Vine Robinson were at once appointed a committee to wait upon these gentlemen, but with all their arguments they failed to secure further action, and were forced to abide the inevitable issue with prolonged patience.
Other public improvements were attained at less cost and labor. A new road through Plainfield to Providence, greatly accommodating the south part of the town, was accomplished about 1790. Samuel Butt, Ebenezer Scarborough and Daniel Putnam were commissioned to confer with Plainfield gentlemen and construct a suitable bridge at Pierce's fordway, where it crossed the Quinebang. The projected turnpike from Norwich to Woodstock excited much discussion. Parish, Putnam and Joseph Scarborough were delegated " to meet the state committee sent to view said road, and show them the minds of said town respecting said business." Public sentiment apparently favored the project as the town afterward voted to oppose report of Daniel Putnam to oppose Norwich highway. Ebenezer Searbor- ough, Captain Roger W. Williams and Capt. Andrew Murdock assisted the committee to lay out Norwich turnpike in 1799, the town again declining to oppose it. It also declined to oppose a highway from Brooklyn meeting-house to Windham, but appointed an agent to oppose a highway petition brought by Asa Bacon of Canterbury.
Tho Gropenon
The Heltotype Printing Co.211 Tremont St.boston.
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PROGRESS IN POMFRET, ETC.
Highway districts were remodeled in 1803. Bridges over Blackwell's Brook as well as the Quinebaug Bridge were maintained at the expense of the town. The question relative to the town's poor was promptly met by directing the selectmen to vendue them to the lowest bidder.
Village improvements were not neglected. The burial-ground so early given to the society had received more than customary attention. Propositions were made from time to time to enlarge and improve it. In 1802, it was voted that a committee be appointed to find the bounds of the burying-ground, and agree with the adjoining proprie- tors for an enlargement of the same. Two years later it was voted to purchase land as an addition to the same and wall it in. Captain Tyler at the same date leased the society land for a pass-way, a row of Lombardy poplars, one rod apart, to be set out on each line.
VI.
PROGRESS IN POMFRET. THE DODGE CONTROVERSY. RE- FORMED CHURCH. METHODISTS. BAPTISTS. TURNPIKE OPPOSITION. TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF CALEB ADAMS.
P OMFRET'S prosperity and standing were unaffected by the loss of its southern section. Its central position and influential publie men gave it increasing prominence in the County. Its Probate office brought it business from Ashford, Woodstock, Thompson and parts of Killingly and Brooklyn. Its post-office, established January 1, 1795, accommodated all the neighboring towns. Lemuel Grosvenor presided as Probate judge and post-master, and was also prominent in military affairs. Colonel Thomas Grosvenor had resumed his legal profession, served in the Governor's Council, and was held in high repute throughout the State,-his office a place of constant resort for soldiers, Indians, and all who needed help and counsel. Older men, once prominent in the town, had passed away. Colonel Ebenezer Williams died in 1783; Captain Stephen Keyes in 1788: Samuel Craft, Samuel Carpenter, Daniel Trowbridge, Isaac Sabin, Isaac Sharpe and Dr. John Weld, all prior to 1790. Benjamin Thurber and other refugees returned to Providence after the close of the war. Lemuel Chandler, young Dr. Weld and many other sons of the first settlers, removed to Vermont and the distant Genesee Country. These vacant places were quickly filled by new comers from abroad or rising 34
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young men at home. Daniel Dwight of Thompson engaged in mercantile business in Abington. Major Hale continued his card manufacture. John Wilkes Chandler, son of Peter, married Mary Stedman of Hampton in 1792, and, after a year of tavern-keeping. devoted himself with great energy to farming in the old Chandler homestead on the Mashamoquet line. A beautiful farm near the centre of the town, inherited by Elisha, son of Ebenezer Williams, was purchased and improved by Captain Evan Malbone, who stocked it with negroes as well as with cattle and sheep, his southern propin- quities making their help more congenial than that of the blunt yeoman who claimed an equality of race and privileges. Malbone land in Wiltshire sold under mortgage was purchased by Aaron Cleveland of Canterbury, Thomas Mumford of Newport and John Hancock of Boston. Several families had now settled in the extreme west of the town, Alexander Sessions, Jonathan Randall, James Wheaton, Seth Chase, Jeremiah Brown and others. Colonel Night- ingale, who removed to Pomfret with many of these families during the war, " had a grand farm; lived most elegantly and entertained hospitably." Ithamar, son of Eleazer May, took possession of a fine farm east of Prospect Hill. Business was lively in all parts of the town. Capt. Cargill built a new mill house in 1787, and set up "three complete sets of grist-mills and a bolting-mill," together with a black- smith's shop and two trip-hammers, a fulling-mill, "a mill to grind scythes, and a mill to churn butter." The Sessions's ran saw-mills upon the Mashamoquet, and an oil-mill and potash works were carried on by Ebenezer Holbrook and Sons. Business was also developing in the southeast section near Cotton's bridge. Mills were running merrily, and a barter store opened by the Gilberts, where so much produce and merchandize were landed that the cluster of mills and dwellings came to be known as "Pomfret Landing." Stores were opened in Pomfret street and Abington village, and shoe-manufac- turing carried on by Capt. Joseph Griggs and Mr. Seth Williams of Raynham, who removed to Pomfret about 1791. Among other busi- ness projects a mining company was attempted, Gillem Philips, the proprietor of a reputed lead-mine, making over his right of mining lead in 1784 to Evan Malbone, Benjamin Cargill, Elisha Lord, Jona- than Hall, Edward Knight, David Brayton, Jonathan Randall, Jr., Benjamin Durkee, Ephraim Tucker, Thomas Angell, Penuel Cady, Jeremiah Fields, Stephen Williams, Pardon Kingsley and Thomas Grosvenor-the grantor receiving one thirty-second part of the profits ; also Pardon Kingsley, one-sixteenth. Henry Chandler of Woodstock, opened shop near the north school-house as a tailor, hoisting for sign the painted likeness of a full grown cabbage head.
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Many public matters elaimed the attention of the town. At the annual town-meeting, December 3, 1787, Samuel Crafts was chosen moderator ; Ebenezer Kingsbury, Lemuel Ingalls, Joseph Chandler, seleetmen : Captain Josiah Sabin, town clerk and treasurer : Elijah Williams and Elisha Lord, collectors; Samuel Perrin, Oliver Grosvenor, Aaron Cleveland, John H. Payson, Elijah Philips, Elisha Harrington, Captain Edward Knight, Richard Goodell, Ithamer May, Silas Chandler, Joshua Sabin, Peter Cunningham, Amasa Goodell, James Trowbridge, Samuel Keyes, Eliphalet Sharpe, Daniel Goodell, surveyors; Nathan Dresser, Stephen Averill, Peter Chandler, Nehemiah Dodge, Daniel Goodell, Amasa Kinne, a committee to divide the town into highway districts. Peter Chandler having fenced out a new road near his house was allowed to fence in the old one. Highways continuing refractory, the selectmen were ordered "to divide and point out to each surveyor his district of ways to be repaired, and apportion to each the inhabitants he is to employ and collect tax from, and call all surveyors to account for labor done and money collected." Particular inhabitants not accommodated by a public highway to their houses were allowed to expend part of their highway tax on their own private ways at the discretion of the select- men. The laying out a publie highway from Pomfret street to Cargill's Mills gave the town a great deal of trouble. John Williams, Esq., Peter Cunningham, Caleb Fuller, Ithamer May, Lemuel Ingalls, Captain Fields, Zech. Osgood, William Sharpe, were appointed a com- mittee, September 29, 1794, to join the selectmen in examining the old road to this locality, the new road from Abraham Perrin's house, and the road leading from Eleazer and Ithamer May's, and " say on which of the above roads Colonel Lemuel Grosvenor shall lay out the public money now in his hands." The town refused to accept their report, or to alter the road leading from Perrin's house, or to lay out a new road, strongly urged by some parties, running an east course from the Gary school-house south of Mr. Samnel Perrin's house to the Quinebang, where it was proposed that a new bridge should be erected. In the spring a committee of nine, viz., Benjamin Cargill, Peter Chandler, Ebenezer Kingsbury, Benjamin Durkee. Joshua Sabin, Squire Sessions, Lemuel Ingalls. James Wheaton, William Field, were appointed to examine the several roads and Cargill's bridge, and fully empowered to carry into execution the contract of the selectmen with Messrs. Abraham, Noah and Jedidiah Perrin, or continue the old road if they thought best, and " their determination should bind the town therein and be a sufficient warrant for the laying ont the turnpike money so called." The "road from Little Bridge that crosses Mill River, leading to nigh the dwelling-house of Mr.
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Abraham Perrin," was accordingly established and recorded, May 14, 1798. It was also voted, to rebuild Mill River bridge and repair Cargill's bridge.
The poor were carefully maintained. Bidding them off at vendue was little practiced in Pomfret. In 1788, a house was hired for their accommodation, and Dr. Jared Warner appointed their physician in all cases, his services to offset his taxes of every kind. The selectmen were ordered the following year to make the best disposition of the poor for their comfort and the least expense to the town, by putting them to one man or otherwise as they should think proper, and to be vigilant in putting out all vagrants and idle persons that were found residing in the town and not legal inhabitants. In 1791, it was voted to build a house for the poor, and Deacon Robert Baxter and Mr. Joseph Chandler chosen to superintend the cire of the poor. The honse was not accomplished for two years when it was further ordered to be built on land belonging to the town, to be sixty feet long and fourteen wide, one story high with two stacks of chimneys, two cellars and four rooms. Selectmen were required to take care of the poor after their removal to the townhouse.
Two pounds were ordered in 1795, one in Abington on the old ground, and one in the First Society on the common. This vote was revoked the following year and it was decided " to build one good and substantial pound of stone, anywhere adjoining a road running east and west through the south part of Captain Amasa Sessions' farm, procuring from him a right to improve the same forever." A by-law was passed in 1797, restraining horses, asses, mules and sheep from going at large on the commons. Swine, well-yoked and rung, and geese were allowed to rove till 1806, when they were restricted under certain penalties. Cows were left apparently to their own discretion. A bounty of seventeen cents was offered for every crow's head.
In the county-seat movement Pomfret was deeply interested, and its agents-Sylvanus Backns, Evan Malbone and Lemuel Ingalls-in- structed "to continue in office till the business is completed one way or the other-under this restriction, not to put the town to any expense." Again and again they joined in memorial for relief in the place of holding courts. The project for a half-shire had a few advo- cates. In 1802, Captain Seth Grosvenor, Peter Chandler and General Lemnel Grosvenor, were appointed agents to petition, with or without others. for a half-shire. When in response to a vigorous effort a com mittee was actually sent by General Court to inquire into the expedi- ency of erecting a Court-house at Brooklyn, Pomfret indignantly withdrew from the field and declined to send a committee to wait upon
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the state committee, and the matter was allowed to rest for several years.
Pomfret was famed during this period for the excellence of its phy- sicians. Doctors Elisha Lord and Jared Warner were well established in Abington. Dr. Jonathan Hall, younger brother of Dr. David Hall, was now settled in the First Society, and giving promise of future eminence. The leading physician in the northern part of Windham County at this date was undoubtedly Dr. Albigence Waldo, who had returned from the Army with a greatly increased reputation, especially for surgical skill. He was a man of much breadth and energy, devoted to his profession, greatly interested in scientific questions and discoveries. The following note from a name famous in modern medical prac tice will show something of Dr. Waldo's position among his cotem- poraries :-
" LEICESTER, February 7, 1793.
DR. ALBIGENCE WALDO, Dear Sir :- About sunset this day. my eldest son received a kick from a horse, which has fractured his cranium. This is therefore, in the name of your devoted friend, desiring yon to make no delay in making us a visit. For God's sake, fail not ! but let dispatch and dexterity hasten you. I am in confusion and know not what to say further. Only fail not. In haste, 8 o'clock, P. M. Yours, etc., AUSTIN FLINT."
Dr. Waldo was greatly interested in the association of medical men for the advancement of their profession, and through his efforts the leading physicians of Windham County and its vicinity instituted a monthly meeting some years previous to the formation of the Connec- tient Medical Society. In June, 1786, Dr. Waldo reports a meeting at Dudley : August, at Stafford ; September, at Cargill's: "October, at Canterbury. Present : Doctors Coit, Thompson : Palmer, Ashford ; Gleason, Killingly : Lord and Warner, Abington ; Clark, Hampton ; Spalding, Mansfield : Huntington, Westford Parish." These meetings were continued with increasing numbers and interest till 1791, when " Proposals, together with Rules and Regulations for a Windham County Society," were issued, and a more formal organization effected -Dr. Albigence Waldo, clerk. He also assisted at the organization of the State Society in 1792. Dr. Waldo was famed for literary accomplishments and wrote much upon scientific and political ques- tions. He excelled in public speaking, especially upon funeral occa- sions. His eulogies at the burial of Putnam and other prominent persons were greatly admired, as were also the eulogies and epitaphs composed by him upon varions occasions. Mrs. Luey Waldo, daugh- ter of Captain Cargill, sympathized with her husband in literary pursuits, and enjoyed local celebrity as a writer in prose and verse, being especially proficient "in the art of letter-writing."
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
Society in Pomfret was very brilliant during this period, but had the reputation of exelusiveness. Some of the new families affected a superior style of living. The old established families had also fine houses and furniture, and were thought by their plainer neighbors to live in great magnificence. Many distinguished visitors from abroad were entertained at these fine mansion-houses. Fashionable belles and beanx came up from Providence and Newport. John Hancock im- proved his purchase for a summer country-seat and brought thither many distinguished strangers from Boston. Visits were exchanged between these notabilities : balls and dancing parties were given. Pomfret Assemblies became very famous and fashionable, and drew together all the elite of the vicinity. The airs and graces of the assembled gentry, and the aristocratic assumption of some families, excited the ridicule of the country people and led some local wit to affix to the fashionable quarter the derisive sobriquet of "Pucker Street," by which it was long distinguished. Several fine houses had been built on this beautiful street. and the elin trees set out by Oliver Grosvenor and the banished Frink were already its pride and ornament. The present " Eldredge house" was completed by Colonel Thomas Grosvenor in 1792. Its raising was accompanied by great mirth and festivity-a young Indian delighting the crowd by dancing upon its ridgepole.
The United Library was reorganized at the close of the war. Captain Amasa Sessions, Deacon David Williams, Deacon Samuel Craft, Lieutenant Joshua Grosvenor, Messrs. John Payson, John Parkhurst, Sammel Waldo, Elijah Dana, John Grosvenor, Jun., Elijah Williams, William Sabin, Jun., Phinney Davison, Captain Josiah Sabin, Deacon Simon Cotton, and the Widow Coates, were admitted members. It was voted that the twelve dollars, continental money, belonging to the Library which had so greatly depreciated should be considered as the proprietors' loss, the clerk not answerable for or obliged to make it good ; also, that MIrs. Sabin, Squire Abishai Sabin's widow, where the Library now is, should continue to keep the same. Miller's History, Dr. Mather's Christian Philosopher, Boyl on Seraphie Love and Dr. Owen on Justification, were added to the collection ; Thomas Howard, Joshua Sabin, Ephraim Ingalls, Nehemiah Williams, Samuel Carpen- ter, Richard Goodale, Joseph Williams, Jonathan Sabin, Jun., Samuel Craft, Stephen Williams, Elisha Gleason, John Dresser, Samuel Perrin, Joseph Baker, Samuel Waldo, Daniel Goodale, Rev. Oliver Dodge, Deacon Joseph Davison, and Deacon Caleb Haywood, were afterwards admitted proprietors. The preponderance of theological and dogmatical works was very detrimental to the popularity of the library, and it was now losing ground in public favor. A Social
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Library formed in 1793, brought in works of a lighter character. better adapted for general reading-but this too failed to meet the wants of the whole community, and in 1804, a Farmer's Library was instituted. The last recorded meeting of the "Proprietors of the United Library in Pomfret for Propagating Christian and Useful Knowledge," was held February 12, 1805, when the Librarian was directed " to call upon the Proprietors to return the books into the Library agreeably to the original Covenant."
Abington Society was now rejoicing in the ministrations of Rev. Walter Lyon, a native of Woodstock and graduate of Dartmouth College, who was ordained as pastor, January 1, 1783. The occasion was one of unusual interest. The three churches of Woodstock, with those of Pomfret, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Eastford, Thompson, Seot- land, Sturbridge and Shrewsbury, were represented by pastor and delegates. The Reverends Joseph Sumner and Joshua Paine, sons of Pomfret churches, assisted in the service. The ordaining prayer was offered by Dr. Cogswell; charge to the pastor given by his former minister, Rev. Stephen Williams ; right hand of fellowship by Mr. Whitney of Brooklyn. Robert Sharpe and Benjamin Ruggles were chosen deacons in 1785; Joshua Grosvenor and Samuel Craft in 1793. The first pastor of the church, Rev. Daniel Ripley, after long infirmity and suffering, died in 1785.
Mr. Putnam remained in charge of the First church of Pomfret, conducting pulpit services and also instructing young men as long as his health permitted. Among his pupils who became celebrated in after life, were Elisha, son of Ebenezer Williams, Samuel Dexter and William Prescott of Boston. While yet in the prime of life he was in great measure disabled by a failure of voice and physical weakness which obliged him to seek the aid of a colleague, a painful necessity which led to still more unhappy consequences. Ifitherto this church had been remarkable for harmony and order. Alone among Windham County churches it had withstood the tide of Separate agitation, eschewing all fellowship with "New Light stuff," and stoutly defending the supremacy of the Saybrook Platform, but its day of trial and defection came. The period of Pomfret's highest secular prosperity was that of her deepest spiritual abasement, when brethren waged fierce war upon each other and her ancient church was rent asunder and almost annihilated. The young man invited to aid Mr. Putnam in the pulpit was Mr. Oliver Dodge of Ipswich, a recent graduate of Harvard. His lively and agreeable manners, and eloquent discourses, so strongly contrasting with Mr. Putnam's stiffness and solemnity, made a most favorable impression upon his hearers, and after a few months' probation he was called to settle as colleague
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