USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 48
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* Recruits for the regular army had been previously secured from Wind- ham County under the following " New Inlisting Orders " :-
"ITHE Subscriber gives this public notification to all young Gentlemen who have an inclination of serving their country and gaining immortal honor to themselves and their posterity, that he has lately received fresh orders of Inlistment from government, which are much more favorable than those he formerly had. The period for inlistment is now fixed at five years, unless sooner discharged; after which time an honorable discharge will be given, where it is merited. Let no male or female disorganizer discourage you from engag- ing in this most landable undertaking, but voluntarily step forth and tell the world that no usurpers shall maintain ground on Columbia's shore, but that America is, and shall be a distinct republic. Come, my good souls, come forward, let me see you at the rendezvous at Mr. Staniford's, where you will get further information, and something good to cheer the heart.
WILLIAM YOUNG, jun. Capt."
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
Pomfret, captain : Ebenezer Grosvenor, first lieutenant ; Jonathan Copeland, Jun., Thompson, second lieutenant : Jeremiah Scarborough, Brooklyn, ensign. Third Company, George Middleton, Plainfield, captain : Elkanah Eaton, first lieutenant : George W. Kies, second lieutenant ; Jared Wilson, Sterling, ensign. Third Company, cavalry, Thomas Hubbard, captain ; William Trowbridge, first lieutenant ; William Cotton, second lieutenant; Ralph Hall, cornet. Citizens exempt by years or official position from military service were enrolled as the First Regiment of a Volunteer Brigade under command of General David Humphreys. Hon. Thomas Grosvenor, colonel ; Elipha- let Holmes, lieutenant-colonel ; James Danielson, first major. Such men as Lemuel Ingalls, Chester Child, Hobart Torrey, Abel Andrus, Moses Arnold, Shubael Hutchins, Ebenezer Eaton, Sylvanus Backus, John Davis, Luther Warren and Jeremiah Kinsman, were officers in this regiment. The first summons to arms occasioned no little excite- ment. June 21, 1813, men were ordered to rendezvous in the central taverns of their respective towns, "complete in arms to go to New London as there were British there." Arthur Joslin, Joseph Munyan, "most of the infantry and all the militia that did not abscond," met at Dwight's tavern on Thompson Hill, were marched into the meeting- house in old Revolutionary fashion, and up into the front seats of the gallery where they were treated to a stirring address from Rev. Daniel Dow. Some timid youth were said to have left their homes weeping, but the most that had faced the music went bravely forward. James Lyon went around to notify the militia of Woodstock, and when he returned from his mission found two companies already drawn up on the common ready to follow Adjutant Flynn, to the scene of action. These with companies from other towns marched on foot to New London and remained on guard there about three weeks. Another call came in September, when Artemas Bruce, Stephen Ricard, Charles Howard and some twelve or fifteen other Pomfret boys, went out under Captain Copeland and Ensign Grosvenor. Meeting others from Ash- ford, Windham and other towns in Norwich, they formed a company of 96. Slept in a barn, and proceeded next day by sloop to New London ; marched a mile south where they pitched their tents ; kept guard seven weeks and saw no fighting. A detachment of cavalry from the Fifth Regiment was stationed at New London and Groton, from September 1 to October 31, 1813-Comfort S. Hyde, Canterbury, lientenant ; John C. Howard, Jacob Dresser. sergeants : John Kendall, David Hutchinson, corporals ; Rhodes Arnold, Henry Angell, Charles Barrows, Elisha P. Barstow, Zachariah Cone, Ichabod Davis, Abial Durkee, John Gallup, Arnold Hosmer, Jonathan Hammet, Jun., Edward S. Keyes, Dana Lyon, Hezekiah Loomis, William Morse,
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Zeba Phelps, Elisha Paine, Bela Post, Shubael Strong, Otis Stoddard, Jasper Woodward, privales.
Reports of brilliant naval victories and achievements aroused more and more of the old martial spirit of Windham County. Many young men had gone out as soldiers and sailors in the army and navy. Dr. James Tyler of Brooklyn, was one of the first surgeons received into the United States navy. Septimus, son of Captain Daniel Tyler, joined the army in 1812, commissioned as assistant-quartermaster- general. Amasa Trowbridge of Pomfret, left a lucrative practice at Watertown, New York, to serve as surgeon in the American fleet on the Lake. His letters describing important naval engagements excited much interest. May, 1814, he writes to Mr. John Trowbridge of Pomfret :-
" I should not trouble you with a letter was it not for the purpose of trans- mitting information which must be pleasing to every person who will be pleased with the success of the American arms over our enemies. A secret expedition was fitted out at Sackett's Harbor under the command of Com- modore Chancey, Generals Dearborn and Pike. The fleet consisted of a ship of 26 guns, 22's ; a brig of 24 guns, 24's; eleven schooners varying from four to eight guns each, manned by 200 marines and 700 sailors; 2,370 troops con- sisting of infantry and artillery, embarked on board of this fleet on the morn- ing of April 25, at Saekett's Harbor, and the fleet immediately put to sea. I embarked at the same time as surgeon on board the brig Oneida. I soon per- ceived that the place of our destination was Little York, about 300 miles up the Lake, the seat of government in the upper province of Canada. Winds proved favorable and we arrived before that city abont 6 a. m. on the 27th. The fleet came to anchor about two miles from the town, and within half a mile of the shore at a very favorable spot for debarking the troops. We unmanned in a few minutes, and three hundred riflemen commanded by Major Forsyth reached the shore. They were met with 300 British Regulars and 150 Indians. A severe contest ensued; other troops soon landed, which together with the guns of the schooners which commenced cannonading obliged the enemy to retreat. Our troops then all landed and formed in battle array, commenced their march against the forts near the town. Our vessels hauled up at the same time within 300 yards of three batteries and a strong fort; a general cannonading commenced and was carried on with spirit on both sides for one hour. At this moment one of the enemy's strongest batteries blew up, and 40 of their men were seen flying in the air, accompanied by three cheers from our brave Yankees; about the same time our troops came to the charge with the enemy in line, and obliged them to retreat to the block-house and fort. The well-directed fire from our vessels soon obliged them to leave their strongholds, and our troops were advancing upon them when their magazine blew up, containing, as by their own statement, 500 barrels of powder. I cannot describe to you the sublimity of the scene ! It seemed that the heavens and earth were coming together. The magazine was placed deep in the earth and surmounted by an immense body, of stone, probably for the purpose of injuring an enemy in case it should be necessary to explode it. Our troops were within 200 yards when the explosion took place, and were leveled with the ground in a moment, and covered with stones. About 40 were killed and 200 wounded, General Pike and several other officers fatally. The enemy did not escape the destruction of their own works. Hundreds were killed and wounded. "Our men soon recovered and marched on, took some prisoners, and the town soon capitulated on condi- tion that private property should be respected. They had set fire to a new ship carrying 30 guns; to the store-house containing £320,000 of public prop- erty. Gen. Schaffe, their commander, made his escape with about 300 Regu-
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
lars and the principal part of the Indians. We took two schooners and about one million of public stores and property, 28 pieces of cannon. We continued in the city four days. The people were polite and treated us very well. We have many real friends among them. We left the place May 2, and proceeded to our fort at Niagara, opposite to Fort George, and there landed our troops and wounded."
Another letter written a few months later, gave details of farther action :-
" The battle at the Falls, our retreat to Fort Erie, the desperate attack and shocking slaughter of the enemy in their attempt to storm this place, and the tremendous fight at the batteries on the 17th inst., you have undoubtedly seen official accounts of. In these actions the American arms have been triumph- ant, and our haughty foe completely humbled. More real courage and hero- ism could not be displayed than was shown by the troops on these occasions. I never expected to witness such scenes, but it was my fortune to be called to the head of the surgical department in this branch of the army, and I have the proud satisfaction to believe that I have met with the approbation of the whole army in conducting the surgical department. I feel a peculiar pride in being placed in a situation where I can exercise the medical and surgical talents which I have labored a number of years to ac-
quire. The battle at Chippewa, at the Falls, at Fort Erie, and the siege of that place which lasted 57 days, furnished a large number of the most important cases in surgery. General Gaines mentioned my name in his official account of the action at the Fort. Here were 400 wounded, princi- pally of the enemy, in the most shocking manner. I was constantly at my dressing and amputating table for 36 hours. Our force here is respectable, and we shall in a few days attempt to drive the enemy from this part of Canada. I have no doubt but we shall do it if Chauncy keeps the ascendancy on Lake Ontario.
AMASA TROWBRIDGE, Surgeon, U. S. A.
Fort Eric, U. C., September 30, 1814."
Such reports of victory were hailed with joy by all parties, and served to enlist public sympathy more and more in behalf of the war. Woodstock was particularly gratified by the continued successes of her young townsman, Lieutenant Charles Morris, who had already greatly distinguished himself by naval exploits in Tripoli, where her Eaton had won such brilliant laurels. As first lieutenant of the Con- stitution he bore a prominent part in the achievements of that famous frigate, evading a British squadron after three days chase, and assisting in the capture of the Guerriere, when he received a severe wound. Promoted to the command of the John Adams, he performed important service, till finding it impossible to avoid capture he destroyed his ship and managed to effect escape with every man of his crew.
Reports of false alarms and ridiculous panics brought back by the militia put the people in better humor. Abner Reed, a Windham drummer, had an amusing experience at Stonington. Foraging one night for provisions, he espied to his consternation a British sloop coolly working its way up the harbor. Judging with Yankee calculation, that to go back to his company would be traveling over the ground twice, he hastened on to town and gave alarm. It made
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WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN, ETC.
a terrible scare ; there was only one old iron ship cannon at hand, no cartridges ready and but a few cannon balls. Volunteers emptied their powder-horns and rifled the stores ; paper was mustered out, but no heavy wadding could be found. Reed like a true patriot stripped his coat into wadding. Vest and-pantaloons ?- followed suit and still the greedy cannon asked for more. Finding that no one else was ready to make sacrifices, Reed swore, yes ! swore roundly, "That he would not use his shirt nor shoes if all Stonington was burnt." Failing. in fire, strategy was next attempted. Cart-bodies strapped on logs were dragged into position by some twenty or thirty men ; and finding that the inhabitants were awake and preparing to meet them, the British quietly withdrew. Other versions of this or some other alarm ascribed relief to Mrs. Bailey's red flannel petticoat, but however apochryphal these stories may have been, they had an inspiriting influence. The summons to the relief of New London when invasion actually came, August 9, 1814, awakened something of the old Revolutionary enthusiasm. Lieutenant Hough of Canterbury, with a small body of militia, helped defend Stonington from the attack of the British fleet, and he was himself knocked down by a shell and taken up for dead. David Fuller of Scotland begged leave of Captain Palmer to lead the first company, warned the men at sunrise and at 3 P. M. marched off with seventeen men direct for New London. Other companies, drafted from the militia of different towns, followed as soon as possible. Marvin Adams, David Walden, and others from Scotland, reached Norwich town, August 23, and lodged in the old Court-house. Joining other companies in Norwich they proceeded next day to New London, running races nearly the whole distance with little regard to military order. "They remained in New London about six days, living in tents and drawing rations of salt pork and sea-biscuit." Those who did not like this fare bought milk of the inhabitants. They then proceeded to Stonington, and were placed on guard there, watching the British ships and keeping a general look-out. For most of the men it was a pleasant experience. Duties were light and discipline lax. One valiant Windham County captain was court-marshaled and sent home for embezzling the soldiers' flour for the use of his own family. Captain James Aspinwall of Canterbury, took the place of the delinquent and gave universal satis- faction, especially as a disciplinarian, "booting" his first lientenant before the whole company for slowness of motion .* Part of the men were furnished with uniforms ; the remainder figured in their Sunday suits. Substitutes in standing guard could always be obtained for a pint
* J. Q. Adams, Natick, R. I. 52
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
of whisky. A white cow challenged one night was allowed to retire unmolested. An old seow loaded with lumber raised an alarm another night, but all perils were surmounted at last, and after various terms of service the several companies returned home in safety.
The increased travel during the war, the troops and carting passing over the public roads, the arrival of huge loads of cotton from the South for the use of the factories, kept alive a pleasant excitement. Wood- stock Hill was the scene of a remarkable conjunction between two government cannons-one ordered by the Secretary of War, the other by the Secretary of the Navy-which toiling over the turnpike from opposite points of the compass drew up before the door of Bowen's tavern at the same moment, to the greit wonder and delight of the attendants and spectators, who celebrated the auspicious meeting with the usual treating and cheering.
The "glorious news" of Jackson's triumphant victory at New Orleans reached Windham simultaneously with that of signing the Treaty of Peace. The Windham Herald, February 16, 1815, announced the joyful events :-
" We congratulate our readers on the heart-cheering news which they will find in our paper of this day. The rumor of the glad tidings of PEACE reached this place Monday afternoon. It was immediately announced by loud peals from the belfry of the meeting house. In the course of the evening this gratifying news was fully confirmed by hand-bills from Hartford, &c. No event since the peace of the Revolutionary War could have diffused such general joy. Every countenance appeared glad and mutual gratulations were reciprocated without distinction of party. The rejoicings were re- sumed, the next day, by the ringing of the bell, firing of cannon and other demonstrations of joy."
The immediately succeeding offer of " good Gin at Peace price," in- creased the general hilarity. Appropriate celebrations were held in most of the Windham County towns-the old field-piece of the Brook- lyn Matross Company doing triple service in honor of the occasion. All parties rejoiced alike that the war was ended, and the bluest Feder- alist conld not but exult in the triumph of his countrymen. Amidst the general rejoicing a few families were called to mourning. Septimus Tyler, the most dearly beloved son of his father, died of yellow fever, while bearing Govermental dispatches to Hayti.
[It is pleasant to know that many Windham veterans of 1812 still remain to tell their own story, and reap the benefit of their country's latest enactment in their favor. As these good men received fair pay and a generous land bounty, had a very pleasant time while on
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WINDHAM ENTERPRISE, ETC.
service and suffered no damage, their experience belies the common impression as to the gratitude of Republics. It is well that our great Nation is so prosperous as to be able to reward men who are willing even to expose themselves to danger in her service. ]
II.
WINDHAM ENTERPRISE AND DIFFICULTIES. FUN AND FISHING. CHURCHI AFFAIRS.
P ARTY spirit raged fiercely in Windham town during this period. Colonel Dyer died in 1807,* but Swift, Perkins, Clark, Gray and other prominent men, upheld the Federal banner. Peter Webb, Elisha Abbe, and others, whose commercial ventures had been destroyed by British invaders, hotly supported the administration. Recruiting officers found no lack of response in Windham. Henry, son of Col. Thomas Dyer, a graduate of West Point, was captain in the regular army. The business losses occasioned by the destruction of shipping and the suspension of foreign traffie were partly made np by increased activity in manufactures. Clark and Gray's paper-mill at Willimantic Falls was now under full headway. A carding-machine, grist-mill, saw-mill, blacksmith's shop and coal-house were reported in the same locality, while Reuben Peck carried on the clothiery business in its various branches, having large experience in the art of dyeing and dressing. The Spaffords and Allens at South Windham were experi- menting in various directions. Jesse Spafford and Amos D. Allen pro- cured a patent for an ingenious planing-knife, making bonnet-chip out of shavings. Joshua Smith carried on clothiery works at South Windham,
* The Windham Herald, May 21, thus notices the death of its most distin- gnished citizen :- " Died on the 13th inst., after a short illness, the Hon. Eli- phalet Dyer, aged 86, late chief justice of this State. He early took a decided part in favor of the American Revolution ; was a very active and useful mem- ber of Congress during the most difficult period of the war. He was then ap- pointed a judge of the Superior Court, and continued to fill that station with respectability until the year 1793, and during several of the last years of that period presided in the court. He then left public life at an advanced age to enjoy retirement; the powers of his mind continued with unusual vigor to the last. Though disconnected from civil life during his retirement, he ever remained a firm Federal republican ; uniformly maintaining the principles of the American Revolution. He constantly attended all publie meetings, and gave his advice and support to such measures as in his opinion had ever been productive of civil liberty and happiness to the State; and bore a firm and honorable testimony against that spirit of innovation, which he plainly saw was attempting to destroy our valuable institutions. He left the world with great cheerfulness and composure, enjoying the supports of that religion of which he had for a long time been an exemplary professor."
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
assisted by his son-in-law, George Spafford, and made cloth for the army, which had a high reputation for the excellence of its indigo blne. Amos D. Allen carried on furniture manufacture at the family homestead. A very excellent and thorough workman he trained his workmen to conform to his own high standard, and specimens of his work were distributed through the surrounding country. Hundreds of tall elock cases, embellished with many quaint and curious designs, were sent ont from this establishment and found a ready market, especially at the South. The Taintor brothers with George Abbe and Edmond Badger, associated about 1810, for the manufacture of paper, building a mill on the Nachauge in the north part of the town, then called New Boston. They made writing paper in three grades, of strong texture but comse finish. Elijah M. Spafford, in 1814, set up new clothiery works at Willimantic Falls, carrying on carding, water- spinning and weaving, as well as cloth-dressing and dyeing.
At Windham Green, trade and business continued lively. Ripley and Baldwin engaged in carriage-making at their shop near the meeting- house in 1808, making and repairing carriages of all kinds at short no- tice. The introduction of wagons into general use was not accom- plished without some difficulty. The first brought into town was owned by Roger Huntington, and was sent to Leicester in September, 1809, for hand and machine cards. The lads who drove it, George Webb and Thomas Gray, found themselves the objects of great curiosity. People on the road everywhere stopped to look at them, and women and chil- dren flocked to the doors and windows, as if a menagerie was passing. At Woodstock quite a crowd gathered around them to examine the new vehicle that was to kill all the horses. One man had seen such a thing before in Hartford, "and the horse drawing it was fagged nearly to death." When the lads reached Leicester at 3 P. M, having driven from Pomfret that morning, they found to their surprise that the horse was not dead nor even tired. On their return the next day, Esquire MeClellan and other Woodstock people came out to see them, and as the horse had traveled over twenty miles with a load of cards and still appeared fresh, they decided "that perhaps such wagons might come into use after all."
Peter Webb, Timothy Warren, John and Charles Taintor, Jonathan Jennings, George Abbe, John Clark, Joseph, Gurdon and Eliphalet IInntington, continued to advertise great variety of goods, and take in country produce. Wait Stoddard offered the highest price for sheep and lambs' skins. Burgess traded in sole leather and skins and took in men's knit stockings for market. All the merchants offered " plenty of cotton yarn for weaving." Money earned by knitting and weaving could be expended in adornments as well as in useful articles. Mary
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WINDHAM ENTERPRISE AND DIFFICULTIES, ETC.
B. Young kept a large assortment of millinery and fancy goods, and Mrs. Carey, milliner, assured the ladies of Windham " that it was her care to watch the earliest dawn of every rising fashion." Joseph Allen " removed his Goose and shears to No. 4, Cheapside," where tailoring business was executed in the neatest and best manner. Howes was now associated with Dr. Benjamin Dyer in his drug store, which flour- ished greatly during the war, the thousand-dollar stock furnishing sup- plies when fresh importations were impracticable. Projects for village improvements excited much discussion and interest. Jabez Clark, Benjamin Dyer, Elisha White, John and Charles Taintor, John Stani- ford, Jun . Benjamin Brewster, Samuel Gray, John Byrne and Henry Webb, associated as an Aqueduct Company in 1807, which by bring- ing water into the town street by subterraneous pipes, accomplished a great public benefit. Finding it difficult to procure consent from the town to needful improvements, the centre district obtained an act of incorporation in 1814, with power to enact by-laws and maintain a clerk. Cattle and geese were now forbidden the roads, and encroach- ments removed. Ancient grants allowing tan-works, shops and houses on the public highways were revoked.
The necessity of keeping pace with expansion and development weighed heavily upon the fathers of the town. Five great bridges requiring constant supervision and renewal did not meet the demand. The growing village around Taintor and Badger's paper-mill asked for a new bridge and better road to Willimantic. A new turnpike to Killingly and other roads, were demanded. There was great need of a new house for the poor and better school-houses. Scotland Parish clamored for town privileges; the central district insisted upon incor- poration ; the war brought special taxes and burdens-and harder than all was the continued necessity of fighting for the maintenance of its prerogatives and Court-house. Jabez Clark, Hezekiah Ripley and Jobn Baldwin, were continned in service as agents for the town. All parties agreed in providing for this disbursement. Other demands were not granted without a protracted contest. The motion to divide the town met a curt refusal. The selectmen in 1815, were impowered to hire or purchase a house for the poor. Agents were appointed to oppose petition of John Taintor, and ask relief from the Assembly from their great burden of bridges. But in spite of opposition they were obliged to yield to necessity, and in 1818, the selectmen were authorized "to contract for Horseshoe Bridge over and across Nachange River on road leading to paper-mill, ordered by County Court." The six bridges were thus cared for :- Manning's Bridge, Nathaniel Wales: Newtown, Zenas Howes ; Iron Works, Alfred
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