USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 43
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
Thompson indulged like its neighbors in a murder alarm and trial, occasioned by the instantaneous death of a noted inn-keeper while angrily disputing. It was generally thought that "passion was the cause," producing rupture on the brain, and legal investigation acquitted the arraigned offender of overt complicity but sentenced him to a public whipping and branding on the hand, on account of his assumed ageney in rousing such angry passions. The giving way of the tavern floor during the funeral of the deceased, precipitating mourners and body into cavernous depths below, suggested untold horrors to terrified spectators and deepened the impression left by this "tragical occurrence." The detection of a fraudulent money coinage at about the same date created also much excitement. An expert from New Hampshire brought down die and tools, and per- snaded a simple-minded youth to engage with him in this unlawful art. Good silver money was obtained from a large number of persons under various pretexts, some undoubtedly conniving at its disposition. One good dollar was made to cover a number of spurious coins, which were chiefly expended by an accomplice in buying horses in the new countries. The work was carried on in a hut near King's Pond for a time, and then for greater security removed to a cave in Buck Hill woods, and brought large profits to all concerned till the younger partner brought the hidden deed to light. Intoxicated with the rare delight of plenty of spending money, he came down to Thomp-
361
COUNTERFEITING, EMIGRATION, ETC.
son Hill, treating all the loungers at the several stores and taverns, throwing out at each place a new silver dollar in payment. Such unexampled flushness and freeness aroused suspicion and the cheat was discovered. The young man was arrested and packed off to Windham for trial, to the great consternation of many aiders and abettors, who stowed themselves away in old barns and meal-chests until the search subsided. The prisoner evaded trial by forfeiture of bonds, and took a journey out West, whence after many months he returned a sadder and wiser man to his own town and settled down into a sober and law-abiding citizen. His tempter went into banish- ment and bankruptcy. A few years later a larger gang in the same vicinity engaged in counterfeiting bank-notes which also ended in exposure and punishment, the leaders suffering prolonged imprison- ment.
Though business in Thompson was brisk and offered many indnce- ments, it did not check the increasing rage for emigration. Honored names borne by early settlers were no longer represented. Many families had emigrated to Vermont, New York and far Ohio. A num- ber of young men went out soon after 1800 to seek their fortunes in the opening South. James II. Converse after graduation from Yale removed to Tennessee. Elijah Jewett, Jonathan Ellis, Augustus, William and Noadiah Larned, Jacob Dresser and many others, en- gaged in business in different parts of the south. Some died from country fever; one, David Whitmore, was murdered at Augusta, Georgia. Some achieved wealth and good positions, and only re- turned to their old homes for matrimonial or business partners. The summer visits of these successful adventurers with their dash, display and lavish expenditure caused much fluttering and excitement among the fair belles of the town, and generally resulted in weddings and new departures.
Federalism ruled the councils of the town with little apparent oppo- sition till after the advent of Jefferson's administration. Joseph Joslin, who brought up from Rhode Island a strong proclivity for "State Rights," was one of the leaders in organizing a Republican party, which in 1803 numbered but sixteen voters. Their ranks were now strengthened by Dr. Knight, the Jeffersonian postmaster, and the leading Baptists and Methodists, so that in 1806 they cast ninety-six votes, only thirteen less than the Federalists. A grand Fourth of July celebration was thereupon held at Thompson Hill in honor of this mar- velous increase. Dr. Knight, Captain Jonathan Converse and Joseph Joslin were committee. A bower was built upon the common, a band of music procured, and Jesse Jacobs authorized to prepare appropriate toasts. Joseph Wheaton, Esq., was president, and Dr. Knight vice-
46
362
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
president of the day. Elder John Nichols read the Declaration of Independence and offered prayer, "and there was a good entertain- ment, and a good oration delivered by Elder Amos Wells of Wood- stock." Under this ministerial patronage the affair passed off with great deeeney and propriety in spite of the glum looks and dispar- aging comments of the unsympathizing Federalists. Thompson sent as representatives during its first twenty years, Obadiah Clough, Jonathan Nichols, Paine Converse, William Dwight, Israel Smith, Thaddeus, Henry, George and Daniel Larned, Simon Davis, Joseph Gay, John Jacobs, Jun., Noadiah Russel, Wyman Carroll, and Isaac Davis.
XII.
TOWN AND CHURCH AFFAIRS IN WOODSTOCK. ACADEMY FOUNDED. THIEF-DETECTING SOCIETY. MURDER OF MARCUS LYON. LOSSES AND CHANGES.
W OODSTOCK, during this period, was alert and active. State and town boundaries, change of county seat, the condition of schools and roads, excited much interest. Almost immediately after the close of the war a committee was appointed to confer with Massachusetts respecting the colony line. Noah Mason and Darius Ainsworth were instructed to re-settle Ashford bound " upon the old and established line, withont any regard to the proposal of Ashford committee." The lines between Union and Thompson were also perambulated and renewed. At the annual town meeting in 1785, Captain Nehemiah Lyon served as moderator. Jedidiah Morse was chosen town clerk and treasurer : Captains Amos Paine and Ephraim Manning, Daniel Lyon, Thomas May, Noah Mason, Shubael Child, Darius Ainsworth, selectmen ; Captain William Lyon, Benjamin Heywood, constables ; Ebenezer Smith, collector; David Sprague, John Holbrook, Ebenezer Coburn, Nehemiah Clark, Silas May, Davis Carpenter, General Samuel MeClellan, grand-jurors. It was ordered that a decent sign-post and stocks be erected in the most convenient place near the town pound, also, that the selectmen should hire a place for a workhouse. Each society was allowed to provide a pound for its own accommodation. A revival in business was indicated by requests for building spots in various localities. Hezekiah Bugbee had liberty to erect a blacksmith's shop near his dwelling-house on the common under a large black oak ; John Flynn to build a black-
363
TOWN AND CHURCH AFFAIRS IN WOODSTOCK, ETC.
smith's shop and coal-house on the highway near his dwelling ; Asahel Marey, a cooper's shop on the highway near his residence ; Elijah Hurlbut a house on the highway. Elijah Williams of Pomfret, having purchased a house on Woodstock Hill of Asa Bishop, was allowed by the proprietors in 1784, " to set up a store" near the same, paying for land rent the sum of six and eight-pence annually.
This prosperity was somewhat checked by a providential visitation. A tornado swept through the town, August 23, 1786, reported as "amazing, awful in its consequences. It entered the town at the northwest corner, proceeded in a southeasterly direction abont ten miles, and a quarter of a mile in width, destroying and damaging everything that lay in its wake. General estimation of damages as appraised by nine of the principal gentlemen of the town included twenty dwelling-houses damaged ; sixty-three barns and outhouses destroyed and damaged ; 2,478 apple trees destroyed and other fruit trees not numbered ; a thousand acres of wood-land damaged ; walls, fences, English grain, standing corn, pulse, hay, wool, flax, household furniture and lumber, destroyed and damaged." A petition was pre- ferred for a charitable contribution in behalf of the sufferers.
After many years of seclusion and suffering, Rev. Abel Stiles, senior pastor in Woodstock, had passed away. The New London Gazette reports :-
"In him uncommon strength of mind and superior capacity were refined and brightened by a learned education. His classic knowledge was exten- sive; his acquisitions in natural and moral philosophy, considerable; in divinity, eminent. As a preacher, clear, weighty, solemu; hasty in his natural temper. His soul for many years before his departure waded in clouds and temptations."
Captain Samuel Chandler-the last surviving son of Colonel John Chandler (save Thomas of Vermont)-died in 1781. His distin- guished son, Hon. Charles Church Chandler, died suddenly in the height of professional success and eminence in 1787. A cotemporary makes this record :-
" Died on the 8th instant [August], the Honorable Charles Church Chandler, Esq., of Woodstock, of a malignant eynanche, and on Friday following, attended by a numerons procession, his remains were interred. He was an eminent practitioner in the law; he sustained several important publie characters with reputation and ability-as Judge of Probate, repre- sentative of the town to the General Assembly, and had been elected a member for Congress. As a man of genins and ability, he was universally known and respected; as a man of philanthropy and goodness, he was universally beloved. He needs not the soft hand of flattery to portray his virtues ; his best and most honorable epitaph is ingraven in the memory of all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. A widow with six children and an aged mother, and numerous more distant relations with the public at large, regret his loss."
364
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
Dr. Thomas B. Chandler, eldest son of Captain William and Jemima (Bradbury) Chandler, one of the earliest champions of Epis- copacy in the Colonies, a devoted adherent to the Crown and Church of England, died in 1790, at his home in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. "Ile possessed an uncommonly vigorons and highly cultivated intellect," and was ranked among the leading men of his generation. His brothers, Captain Samuel and Winthrop Chandler, died the same year. The latter had inherited the fine taste of his mother and was widely celebrated for his skill in portrait painting. The Worcester Spy, August 19, 1790, reports him :-
" A man whose native genins has been serviceable to the community in which he resided. By profession he was a house painter; but many good likenesses on canvas shew he could guide the peneil of a limner. He left a manuscript that discovers he had merit as a botanist; many plants, the growth of his native county, are in his manuscript not only well delineated but are accurately and botanically described. The world was not his enemy, but as is too common, his genius was not nurtured on the bosom of eucour- agement. Embarrassment, like strong weeds in a garden of delicate flowers, checked his usefulness and disheartened the man."
Although the poverty of the times compelled extreme economy in expenditure, Mr. Chandler's merits were not unrecognized at home, and many family portraits of his execution preserve the memory of this first Windham County artist. The portraits of Judge Devotion of Scotland, his wife and children, though crude in exeention, give a strong impression of the individuality of each subject, and compare favorably with the ordinary portraits of that date. The widow of Captain Samuel Chandler married Dr. Whitney of Brooklyn. His only surviving brother, Theophilus, still occupied Chandler land within the limits of Thompson.
Samuel McClellan, appointed in 1784 general of the Fifth Brigade, relinquished his mercantile traffic for the care of his land and public duties. His sons, Samuel, William and Lemuel, went out early into the world. John, oldest son by his second wife, Rachael Abbe, fitted for college with Reverends Stephen Williams and Eliphalet Lyman, was graduated from Yale in 1781, studied law with Governor Hunting- ton, and his neighbor Hon. Charles C. Chandler, was admitted to the bar of Windham County, August, 1787, before attaining his majority, and remained for a time at the family homestead, succeeding to the practice of his honored instructor. His early associates and fellow- students, Abiel Holmes and Jedidiah Morse, were graduated in 1783. Holmes, after preaching for a time in Georgia, was installed pastor of the First Church of Cambridge, Mass. ; Morse had distinguished himself as a teacher and compiler of Geography, before accepting a pastoral charge at Charlestown. The brothers of Abiel Holmes, other sous of General McClellan and Deacon Morse, and many other descend-
365
TOWN AND CHURCH AFFAIRS IN WOODSTOCK, ETC.
ants of old Woodstock families, remained in their native town, engag- ing in trade, farming and mechanical pursuits, and doing their part as good citizens. The old Chandler homestead passed into the hands of Christopher and Philip Arnold, who operated mills and opened a store. Several Providence families, removing to the south part of Wood- stock during the war, became permanent and valuable residents. The eccentric Samuel Dexter maintained a residence on Woodstock Hill, journeying often back and forth to attend to business interests in Massachusetts, though never braving the perils of Douglas woods without a shudder. Rufus Kingsley, a later immigrant, was allowed to erect a shop, sufficient to inclose his clothiery works. Jesse Bolles of Ashford, engaged in shoe manufacture at Quasset. This little hamlet, quaintly perpetuating Woodstock's aboriginal designation, was favored with flourishing pottery works, established in 1793, by Thomas Bugbee, Jun. The clay deposit was found available for finer purposes than chimney-building and stone-cementing. With the aid of a skilled artisan, Mr. Bugbee succeeded in constructing a great variety of needful pottery ware-milk-pans, pudding-pots, jars, jugs, mugs and inkstands-which were sold all over Windham County. All the store-keepers in the several towns patronized Mr. Bugbee, and his pottery cart was one of the most familiar and useful institutions of the period when tin-peddlers' carts were yet far in the future. The demand for milk-pans alone kept the kiln burning through the sum- mer. After preparing the clay by grinding, moistening and kneading, each separate piece was fashioned into shape by hand and turning wheel, sized with a glazing mixture and subjected to a week's baking. Six bakings were usually accomplished in a summer, turning out in the aggregate some five thousand pieces, including perhaps two thousand milk-pans. The coarser parts of the clay were made into brick which found a ready market. Mr. Peregrine White, of East Woodstock, greatly distinguished himself in the construction of clocks, with eases six and seven feet high and the face of a full moon upon the dial-face. Elijah Williams' store and other business enterprises gave life to Woodstock Hill, which as the place for general town meetings, public trainings and gatherings, took precedence of the other villages. Town meetings were conducted with all their ancient formality, being opened by prayer and the reading of the law for their regulation. On the day of the annual spring election for governor and deputies, a ser- mon was preached in the meeting-house by one of the standing clergy. Deaeon Morse, as town clerk, delighted in recording text and name of preacher, often characterizing the sermon as "excellent," " suitable," "very suitable." Party spirit sometimes raged fiercely in these meet- ings. It was the custom for voters to express acquiescense in a nomi-
366
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
nation by remaining on their seats, and only rising when they wished to express opposition to a candidate. It was said that the Rev. Mr. Lyman was once so carried away by zeal against a nominee of doubtful orthodoxy as not only to rise up and violently declaim against him, but actually to lay hands upon his less excitable brother minister, Rev. Stephen Williams, and "fairly lift him up from his seat and make him vote against the gentleman nominated,"-a report which called out a furious onslaught from Judge Swift. Mr. Lyman denied the charge, addneing certificates from thirty-eight freemen present at the meeting, who did not see the transaction, which was rebutted by the direct and positive testimony of fifteen respectable citizens that they did see it, and so the question was left unsettled.
In religious affairs there was much agitation and rivalry. Baptists, Methodists and Universalists disputed the field with the three estab- lished churches. Despite these opposing influences and the prevailing religious declension, Woodstock's First church and society maintained its leading position and even gained in strength and numbers. Many influential families were connected with this church. Mr. Lyman was a resolute and aggressive leader, a staunch supporter of established institutions, and the Federal and Ecclesiastic constitutions. His bold- ness in refusing his pulpit to Oliver Dodge, and in opposing the elec- tion of irreligious candidates, subjected him to vexations prosecution and a fierce assault in the columns of the Windham Herald, but he was comforted and sustained by the approval of a majority of his own people and the cordial sympathy of ministerial brethren. The worthy deacons of the church-Jedidiah Morse and William Skinner-con- tinued to exercise their office with much fidelity and acceptance, their exemplary conversation, benevolence and public spirit giving them much influence in the community. Deacon Morse served at this date as clerk and treasurer for town, society, and south proprietary, justice of peace, notary public, and was usually sent as deputy to the Assembly. The first society was at this time much engrossed in repairing its meeting-house, "which being by Divine Providence, much shattered and broken by thunder and lightning," April 30, 1787, necessitated immediate attention. Elias Mason, Matthew Bowen, and Amos Paine, society committee, were impowered to procure proper materials and workmen. " Voted, that the turret of the meeting- house be all taken down and the place where it stands boarded and shingled up as the other parts of the roof." The work, however, did not go forward. More thorough repairs were needed ; pews and body seats must be taken up, and as a number of the pews had now no legal owner or proprietor, it was proposed that all the pew-holders should give up their claim to the society. A vote "that those persons who
367
RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS, ETC.
have legal right to the pews take them up at their own expense and replace them in good order" was revoked, and the matter intrusted to " a judicious, disinterested committee, to ascertain the number of pews in the meeting-house which have now legal owners according to the first grant or stipulation of the pews. . And to abide their judgment thereon." Thomas Grosvenor, Daniel Larned and Amasa Sessions, appointed to this service, met at the house of David Williams, July 6, 1789, and having heard and fully considered the difficulties as stated, and the several town and parish votes at the time of building and repairing said house, were of opinion :-
"That the Grantees of the floor or ground whereon to erect pews, their heirs and assigns, are the legal owners of the pews they have erected, and [which] are now standing thereon ; and do adjudge and determine that they have right to continue their ownership upon making such repairs in uniform- ity with other parts of the house as the original grantees were expected to do and did or otherwise that the right shall revert back to said society."
This point being settled, in the following March it was voted "to go on to repair the meeting house "-Captains Joseph Peake and Hezekiah Bugbee, committee-the proprietors of the pews on the lower floor to advance their proportion of the cost according to the dignity of their pews, and four new pews to be built in place of the hindmost body seats. This action raising uneasiness in the minds of some individuals, another meeting was warned to see if they would order further repairs which were much wanted, and "also new color the outside, which it was thought would be a great saving," and also if any persons have any reasonable objections that they might offer the same, "that if possible the society may be united and har- monious ; which is greatly to be desired in repairing the house of God." The desired harmony not appearing, and a majority declining to accept the report of the committee, the work was again delayed, and no thorough repairs accomplished. Four new pews were built in time on the ground floor, which was repaired under the direction of Captains Joseph Peake and William Lyon ; the singers had liberty to alter the gallery in order to accommodate said singers with separate seats; Jedidiah Kimball, William Chapman, Amos Paine, Alvin Peake, Sanford Holmes, Samuel Torrey, Benjamin Lyon, Jun., and Israel Williams, had each of them liberty to build a pew in the back part of the gallery ; black's were allowed the use of the hindmost seat in the front gallery : Samuel Torrey, Daniel Bottom and David Williams, Jun., were appointed to act as choristers for the congrega- tion when assembled, and in 1795, the body of the meeting-house was painted white and the roof also painted. The annoyance caused by
368
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
the irruption of Mr. Dodge called out the following vote, April, 1796 :-
" That for the future the society choose a suitable person to keep the key of the meeting-house, to sweep it, &c .- and to open the doors thereof at any time and at all times on Sabbath days and other publie days, such as town meetings, society meetings, public Fasts, Thanksgivings, public lectures appointed by the pastor of said society, and at no other time without the voice or consent of the society."
Mr. John Bartholomew was first appointed to this responsible office. Deacon Morse having served the society faithfully for twenty years as clerk and treasurer, his resignation was accepted with suitable acknowledgments. William Bowen, David Williams. Jun., Israel Williams and Amos Paine, succeeded successively to this office. In 1802, a new stone pound was erected, and also a new sign-post and stocks, the post "to be square and painted white and the stocks to be painted red." The society was also called to consider " some method to repair the horse-block." In 1806, the society was asked to agree with some suitable person to ring the Academy bell, the use of which was now allowed them, and joined with the North society in procuring mortuary accommodations. The surplus rate collected for the latter object was divided between the societies, "to be appropriated for the use and benefit of promoting singing."
Mr. Johnson continned in charge of the church in East Woodstock after the decease of Mr. Stiles, but his usefulness was impaired by unpleasantness in his domestic relations. Whispered insinuations re- sulted in a ministerial investigation which acquitted Mrs. Johnson of overt offense, but recommended greater prudence. Farther develop- ments confirming the wisdom of the ancient adage, that "Caesar's wife should be above suspicion," a council was again called to consider the question of dismissal. This was at first refused, but it appearing on farther evidence that there had been some collusion between husband and wife, Mr. Johnson was eensured " for not acting with that sim- plicity that becomes a gospel minister, and betraying a degree of human infirmity that was to be lamented," and formally dismissed from his pastoral office in Woodstock. Happily for the church it was soon able to extend a call to "a very worthy character," Mr. William Graves of Hatfield, who was ordained and installed, August 31, 1791, his pastor, Dr. Joseph Lyman, preaching the ordination sermon. Few events disturbed the even tenor of his faithful pastorate. The church maintained its ground if it did not make advances. Its first deacons, Caleb May and Nehemiah Lyon, were succeeded by Elias and Charles Child, chosen respectively in 1782 and 1789. Singing received the usual attention and was early noted for its uncommon
369
RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS, ETC.
excellence. The house of worship required little attention for many years.
The singing in West Woodstock or New Roxbury society, was less easily regulated. Society concurred with church in '1782 in voting :-
" That inasmuch as there are but few psalm-books amongst us, the singing be carried on by reading the portion line by line till the last singing in the afternoon, and then a whole verse to be read at a time: also, That Stephen Johnson and David Perrin be added to the choristers already appointed (i. e., Lemuel Child, Joseph Carpenter, Ebenezer Paine, Abraham Perrin)."
In 1785, a meeting was called to hear the request of a number of the inhabitants, " to see if ye church and congregation will agree as to the mode of singing, whereby they may all rest easy," and after "largely being debated on," voted :-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.