History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 63

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: New York, Preston
Number of Pages: 1506

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Though debarred from special town privileges, the citizens of Thompson parish were awake to public affairs, and bore as ac-

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tive a part in town administration as was practicable under their circumstances. At the annual town meeting in Killingly, 1760, Pain Converse and James Dike were elected selectmen; John Jacobs, John Whitmore, Benjamin Joslin, Daniel Alton, John Corbin, Francis Carrol, highway surveyors; David Barrett, grand juror; Samuel Watson, Richard Child, listers; Ensign Edward Converse, horse brander. In military affairs it was al- ways active. A second military company was formed, taking in the northern residents, in 1754.

A number of Thompson men served in the French and Indian war-Samuel Larned as captain ; Diah Johnson, ensign: Isaac Stone, Benjamin Joslin, Zebediah Sabin, Nathaniel Ellithorpe, Luke Upham, Joseph Town, Joseph Newell, Nathan Bixby, Thomas Shapley, Noah and John Barrows, as privates-many of them suffering severely through imprisonment and loss of health. In 1761 Edward Converse was appointed captain of the first Thompson company, then Company 7, 11th Regiment ; John Alton, lieutenant ; Joseph Elliott, ensign.

After the death of Samuel Morris, the valuable farm upon the Quinebaug was sold by his son to Benjamin Wilkinson, of Rhode Island, a man of great energy, but of restless and roving spirit. The capacious " Morris House " was now opened as a tavern. A shabby old traveler passing the night there, asked Mr. Wil- kinson casually what he would take for the whole establishment. He named a large sum and thought no more of it till within a few weeks the old man appeared with a bag full of gold and sil- ver, ready to close the bargain and pay hard cash for it. Amazed at his promptness and ever ready for trade and change, Wilkinson yielded the Morris purchase to the wily old man (Mr. John Hol- brook, of Woodstock), and himself removed to Thompson hill, pur- chasing the "old Red Tavern" and Sabin farm, then thrown into market by the death of Lieutenant Sabin and the removal of his sons. The restless energies of Mr. Wilkinson found ample scope in this new field. As yet tavern and meeting house stood alone on the bare, broken hill-top. The minister's house, built by John Corbin, occupied the present site of Mr. Chandler's resi- dence, southward. The small house built by Samuel Watson was north of the hill, and so encompassed by underbrush that it was said Mrs. Watson lost her way when trying to go to meet- ing. Mr. Wilkinson cut down the brush, routed off stones and ousted the aboriginal tree-stumps, transforming the rough field

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into a comfortable common for "trainings." He "rectified " the pound and set out an extensive peach orchard east of the meet- ing house.

It was his benevolent practice to plant a peach stone by every rock on the road side, that boys, travelers and church attendants might have a free supply. He also served as the committee for enlarging the meeting house, which was done by cutting the same in two and inserting a strip fourteen feet wide between the bisections. This feat being accomplished, the so- ciety proceeded "to culler our meeting house," voting "That the cullering of the body of our meeting house should be like Pom- fret and the Roff should be cullered Read ;" Mr. Wilkinson's artistic instincts thus anticipating modern fashions. The in- serted strip was laid out into pew spots and sold to such parish- ioners as were able to build upon them. Other spots were ob- tained by taking seats from the ancient " body," and little twenty- inch alleys were promiscuously devised "for the people to go into their seats." Three choristers were needed to lead the singing in the enlarged meeting house, together with Joel Con- verse and Thaddeus Larned, to assist the above "in tuning the psalm." Jacob Dresser, Lusher Gay and Simon Larned now served as deacons.

Mr. Wilkinson's tavern might have been considered as an adjunct to the meeting house, so much was it resorted to before service and at intermission. As a native Rhode Islander he was less strict in his views of Sabbath keep- ing than his Connecticut neighbors, but only on one occasion in- curred official censure, after the whole congregation had been disturbed one hot summer day by what seemed the lugubrious creaking of a very rusty grindstone upon his premises, and after service he was waited upon with formal remonstrance. But to the great astonishment of the committee Mr. Wilkinson had the effrontery to deny the charge, even against the present evidence of their own ears. "Why, there it is grinding now louder than ever," they rejoined. "Come into the orchard and see for yourselves," replied the smiling landlord, and then for- mally introduced them to a pair of Guinca hens, a novel importa- tion, whose doubtful cries, aggravated by homesickness, had subjected the rash experimenter to such official visitation. The " Red Tavern," under Mr. Wilkinson's administration, increased greatly in popularity, and was the scene of many a dance and

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merry-making. Taverns were also kept by Edward Converse, James Dike and John Jacobs- the latter tavern becoming in time very famous as the halfway house between Boston and Hartford.

Although money was very scarce in those early days and the resources of the people very limited, Thompson, in some unac- countable way, seemed more favored than its neighbors, its tax- list considerably exceeding that of Killingly's first society. Its main industry was farming; its most convenient market the town of Providence, over the cart road constructed by Nathaniel Sessions of Pomfret. The first reported trader was Mr. Samuel Morris, who improved his eligible position on the old road to Boston by taking in his neighbors' produce and forwarding it to market. Business was carried on in other parts of the parish through the agency of a peculiar institution known as "the Butter cart " which picked up butter, eggs and all sorts of domestic products, to be exchanged for " store goods " in Boston and Providence. This institution was peculiarly valued by the wives and daughters, supplying them with pins, needles, beads, ribbons and little articles of finery dear to the feminine heart, and the return of the freighted vehicle was hailed like a ship from the Indies.

A very flourishing business was started in the South Neigh- borhood by Mr. Daniel Larned about the year 1770. A great revival of trade had followed the return of peace, especially between Providence and the West Indies, exchanging all kinds of colonial produce for those vital necessities, rum, sugar and molasses. Beginning in a small way by taking in the surplus products of his own neighborhood, Mr. Larned gradually ex- tended business operations over a large section of country, send- ing carts and agents far up into the new settlements of Vermont and New Hampshire, buying up beef, pork, grain and ashes for Providence market. Taking for a partner Mr. John Mason, of Swanzey, the business increased in magnitude. Larned's store became a great place of resort for all the surrounding country. Rum, molasses, spices and even tea came into common use. It is said that the arrival of the first whole hogshead of molasses at this store was made a matter of public celebration, the children being allowed to indulge without stint in their favorite dainty- roasted potatoes and molasses, crammed down their throats sizzling and dripping. The ideal of supreme felicity, as ex-

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pressed by a youth of that generation, was to sit "in the great room," with his especial adorable, and eat fried potatoes and molasses. Larned's store and residence were under the famous " Revolutionary Elm," of the South Neighborhood. Mason built the house now occupied by Mr. William Converse, of Putnam.

Their business, though much impeded by public disturbances, was kept up throughout the war period, and greatly revived after its close. New roads were laid out to accommodate " Larned and Mason." A nail shop was set up for the manu- facture of iron utensils ; potash and pearl ash made in large quantities; pork and beef packing carried on ; great supplies of grain and produce taken in. Finding the maritime transfer of so much merchandise costly and inconvenient, Larned and Mason decided to build a special carrying-ship for themselves. A body of stalwarts was dispatched to cut and hew timber in the Thomp- son woods, and Green's saw mill engaged for the season. Captain Jonathan Nichols, a newly arrived citizen of much me- chanical ingenuity, had charge of the work, and in a few months a neat little sloop was constructed and on exhibition at Quadic ship yard, a truly remarkable specimen of inland enterprise and architecture. Transported by sections to Providence, it was there carefully put together, and successfully launched as the sloop "Harmony," and brought its plucky owners both profit and glory. Under the stimulus and increased population of this flourishing business, the South Neighborhood was considered as quite the head of the new town which took the place of the old parish-" District No. One," as it was named in a revision of school districts.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

THE TOWN OF THOMPSON .- (Continued.)

Organization .- Affairs of the Body Corporate .- Foreign Trade and Traffic - Highways .- Thompson Turnpike .- Fourth of July Celebration .- Protection against Small-pox .- General Progress .- New Town Scheme .- The Civil War .- Temperance Sentiment .- Modern Improvements .- Town Expenses and Government .- The Public Schools .- First Church of Thompson .- First Baptist Church .- Baptist Church of Thompson Hill .- Methodists at West Thompson .- Fisherville Methodist Church .- East Thompson Methodist Church.

T OWN organization was secured with less than customary controversy. In many respects the parish had enjoyed unusual privileges, and its local interests were quite dis- tinct from those of the mother town. In 1761 the vote was car- ried "that Thompson Parish be set off as a town-Jacob Dresser, Esq., agent for preferring a memorial; " but in the threatening condition of public affairs division was deemed inexpedient. In 1782 it was again voted in Killingly town meeting, "That said town be divided and Thompson Parish be a distinct town," and division again refused by the general assembly. Renewed peti- tion May, 1785, carried the day. The North society of Killingly and its inhabitants were constituted a distinct town by the name of Thompson, said town to be responsible for its share of state taxes, pay one-half the debts and share one-half the credit and stock of the former town, and support the poor belonging within its limits.

In compliance with this act and lawful warning, Thomp- son held its first town meeting June 21st, 1785, " at the Rev. Mr. Russel's meeting house," on Thompson hill. Deacon Simon Larned, oldest justice and most honored citizen of the new town, was appointed by assembly to preside at the meeting and lead its inhabitants to the choice of moderator and clerk. Jason Phipps, Esq., from the northwest section, was chosen moderator, and Jacob Dresser town clerk. The freeman's oath was then administered to seventy-eight persons. They then voted and

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chose Thomas Dike, Esq., Captain Pain Converse, Simon Larned, Esq., Jason Phipps, Esq., Mr. Stephen Brown, selectmen; Jacob Dresser, town treasurer; Simon Davis, Peleg Corbin, constables; Jason Phipps, Samuel Barrett, Jacob Converse, Ebenezer Prince, John Bates, John Jacobs, Deacon William Richards, highway surveyors and collectors; Amos Carrol, William Richards, fence viewers; Henry Larned, Jonathan Ellis, Samuel Palmer, William Richards, listers; Simon Davis, Peleg Corbin, town collectors; John Wilson, leather sealer; Ebenezer Cooper and Jeremiah Hopkins, grand jurymen; Nathan Bixby, Peter Jacobs, Edward Paull, tithing men; Amos Carrol, sealer of weights and meas- ures; Joseph Watson, key keeper. Captains Daniel Larned and Pain Converse, and Thomas Dike, Esq., were chosen to join with such gentlemen as Killingly should appoint to settle all debts and charges, and divide debts and credits as directed. Jacob · Dresser was authorized to purchase books for the town records.

At the annual town meeting, December 12th, some of these offi- cers were replaced by Alpheus Converse, Ensign Joseph Brown, Daniel Russel, Roger Elliott, Captain Jonathan Nichols, Edward Joslin, William Smith, Asa Barstow, James Paull, Joseph Gay, Captain Simon Goodell, John Carrol, James Hosmer, Ephraim Ellingwood, Peter Stockwell, Elijah Bates, John Wilson, provid- ing for a more equable distribution of town offices among all classes and sections. Jacob Dresser was retained many years as town clerk and treasurer. Accounts between the two towns were settled with promptness and harmony, the "credits" allowed to Thompson out-balancing the debts by some twenty- five pounds. By an arrangement with the ecclesiastic society the meeting house continued to be used for town meetings and other public purposes. Jason Phipps was sent as Thompson's first representative to the general assembly. Others sent during these early years were: Obadiah Clough, Jonathan Nichols, Pain Converse, William Dwight, Israel Smith, Thaddeus, Henry, George and Daniel Larned, Simon Davis, Joseph Gay, John Ja- cobs, Jr., Noadiah Russel, Wyman Carrol, Isaac Davis.

Major Daniel Larned was elected in special town meeting, Nov- ember 5th, 1787, to represent the town as delegate to the state con- vention called to ratify the federal constitution. A committee was soon sent to consult with committees from other northern towns with regard to obtaining a new county or half-shire, and upon receiving its report the town voted to instruct "our deputies to

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join with Pomfret deputies with regard to making Pomfret a half-shire, with this proviso, that we may be free of cost of court house and jail." The young town looked carefully at the cost of any expenditure, and managed its affairs with much shrewd- ness and economy. Amount due for ordinary expenses, allowed January, 1795, including payment of listers, £53; balance in treasurer's hands, £65; debts allowed by town, January, 1796, £56, 16s .; paying bounty for crows' heads, at 8d. a head, agree- able to a rate of the town, 7s., 4d .; whole amount, including abatements, £58, 12s .; balance due from treasurer, £170, 17s., 11d.

School and highway repairs were managed mainly district- wise, with reference to the town in doubtful cases. In military matters there was much enthusiasm, stimulated by the appoint- ment of Daniel Larned to the generalship of the Fifth brigade, the only citizen of Thompson ever attaining to that honor. The several companies included in the Eleventh regiment were filled with willing recruits, and the grenadier and infantry companies equally alert and ready for parade and action. The frequent training and musters on Thompson common were observed with delight by all participants and spectators. The general training held at Thompson hill during the administration of General Larned was unfortunately discommoded by a very severe rain storm, but the spirits of the dripping soldiers were kept up by the bountiful supply of free liquor, furnished gratuitously by the general and his predecessor in office, General McClellan.

The Providence and West India trade, instituted before the revolution by Larned & Mason, was carried on with much spirit until the sudden death of the senior partner, in 1797. His funeral was made the occasion of the greatest military and Ma- sonic display ever witnessed on Thompson hill. The New Lon- don Gazette reports : "General Larned was buried under arms. His corpse was attended by the brethren of Moriah Lodge to the meeting house, where a sermon was preached by the Rev. Daniel Dow; a Masonic address and prayer followed by the Worshipful Master of Moriah Lodge. A procession was then formed and moved to the grave in the following order: Military; Masons, clothed with the badges of their order; Clergy; Pall (corpse) bearers; Mourners and Strangers." After an elaborate eulogium pronounced by Mr. Daniel Putnam, the ceremonies were closed

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by a Masonic prayer by the worshipful master and a sprig of cassia deposited on the coffin.

The privilege of ordering and making her own highways was joyfully assumed by Thompson, ever painfully conscious of early privation in this regard. "A road from Thompson to Muddy Brook Line by the way of Mr. David Jewett's," and another from Child's mills (now Wilsonville) to Dudley line leading to Dudley meeting house, were at once allowed; also a special road for the accommodation of Larned & Mason, running east of Fort hill through "the Thompson Land," considerably shortening the distance to Boston. Travelers over this road were accom- modated at the new tavern opened by Mr. James Dike. New roads were laid out in various sections, and many old ones recti- fied. The project of establishing turnpike roads with stage coaches and mails running regularly over them was hailed with enthusiasm. Captain Jonathan Nichols, Israel Smith and Jacob Dresser were commissioned by the town "to wait upon the com- mittee appointed by the General Assembly to view and lay out a stage road from Hartford to Massachusetts or Rhode Island Line." Captain Nichols and his associates were incorporated in 1797 as " The Boston Turnpike Company," and to him was en- trusted the oversight of constructing the road. The work con- sisted mainly in straightening and widening roads previously existing, viz., the north and south road through the town, and the old road to West Thompson. A change was made in the road over Thompson hill which previously ran considerably west of the present lay out. A new bridge was built over the French river, formidable gates and toll houses erected, milestones let- tered and set up, and the Boston and Hartford turnpike opened for public accommodation, bringing in the stage coach, daily mails and nineteenth century civilization.

Business was made much more lively but town expenses pro- portionately increased. The proposal to lay out another turn- pike from Rhode Island line to Dudley, east and west through the town, met with strong opposition from reluctant tax-payers. A committee was appointed to lay out such road-Captain Jona- than Nichols, Simon Davis and Roger Elliott to wait upon them. The town rejected their report and refused liberty to begin the road. After some years' effort the town refrained from opposing petition. Elijah Crosby, Joseph Watson, Nathaniel Jacobs, Peleg Corbin, Thomas Chaffee, Noadiah Russel, John Nichols, and

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associates were thereupon incorporated as "The Thompson Turnpike Company," in 1803, and a second turnpike was soon opened, becoming a main thoroughfare of travel between Provi- dence and Springfield, intersecting the Boston turnpike on Thompson hill. Stages were run daily over both lines, and a vast amount of travel and teaming passed over them. A third turnpike was at about the same date constructed in the south part of the town, known as the Woodstock and Thompson turn- pike, furnishing another route to Providence, and connecting westward with Somers. These enterprises brought heavy bills of expense upon the town, increasing the annual outlay from seven or eight hundred dollars to over two thousand ; but by care and larger assessments all debts were paid, and in 1810 and 1811 expenses had dropped down to less than a thousand dollars, with a balance in the treasury. Nathaniel Mills succeeded as town clerk and treasurer in 1798, serving faithfully many years.

Increased business and growth in all parts of the town more than counter balanced the outlay. Thompson hill enjoyed a special boom with its stages and new inhabitants. Its first store was opened in 1796, by Daniel Wickham, in a new building east of the common, now the rear of Doctor Holbrook's residence. A new tavern house was built on the site southward by George Keith, especially for the entertainment of stages and their pas- sengers, which after many years of service has been recently demolished. The present "Watson House " was built by Mr. Joseph Watson in 1798. Several other houses were built on the Providence turnpike. Enterprising young men from various parts of the town were drawn to the growing village. John Nichols, 2d, and Theodore Dwight entered into partnership, erecting a store at the intersection of the turnpikes, on the site now occupied by Mr. Scarborough's residence. The only house north of this was that now occupied by Judge Rawson, built by Mr. Samuel Watson in 1767, and long the residence of his vener- able widow.

The new business impulse quickened all parts of the town. Labor came into demand and land increased in value. The farms east of Fort hill, owned by the English Thompsons, were now brought into market, Thaddeus and Daniel Larned pro- cured a quit claim deed from the agent of the family in 1803, for fourteen thousand dollars, and soon sold out the farms to lessees and other purchasers. The last of these substantial " tenement

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houses " has been taken down within a few years. Manufactur- ing interests were now coming to the front. The various saw mills on the different streams were busily at work. Josiah Perry and Elijah Child carried on grinding, sawing and dyeing on the French river, in the extreme north of the town. Rufus Coburn and Alpheus Corbin engaged in clothiery and potash works on the Quinebaug, at the present New Boston. Stephen Crosby was equally active in similar works on the site of the present Grosvenor Dale, and talk of new discoveries in cotton spinning was already in the air. In the extreme northeast Joseph Joslin was running mills, making potash and helping open Buck hill to civilization, himself carrying through the first cart road over that benighted section. A sometime resident of Rhode Island, and believer in state rights, he was one of the early leaders in organizing the Jeffersonian party in Thompson.

The early politics of the town were strongly federal and conser- vative, and it was not till 1803 that sixteen votes were cast for the republican or administration party ; but so rapid was its growth, enhanced by Methodist and Baptist votes, that in 1806 it cast 96 votes, only 13 less than the federalists. The first Fourth of July celebration on Thompson hill was held by the Jeffersonian re- publicans the same year-Doctor Knight (postmaster), Captain Jonathan Converse and Joseph Joslin, committee. A bower was put up on the treeless common, a band of music procured, and appropriate toasts prepared. Joseph Wheaton served as presi- dent of the day, Elder John Nichols read the declaration of in- dependence and offered prayer, "and there was a good entertain- ment and a good oration, delivered by Elder Amos Wells, of Woodstock," a Baptist minister. The approaching troubles with England checked the growth of this party, Thompson sharing with the majority of Connecticut towns in its dislike of the war of 1812. Unlike many other towns, she made no formal record of hostility, and promptly fulfilled every requisition of government -a number of her citizens performing military service in New London.

A victory of peace was won in 1811, the town consenting after long urging to provide for "the inoculation of the Kine pox among the inhabitants." A committee was appointed to agree with Doctor Fanchear upon terms and a committee of two in each school district to see that it was faithfully carried out. The persons serving were, in No. 1, George Larned, Eleazer Keith ;

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2, James Wheaton, Daniel Perrin ; 3, Jonathan Nichols, Jr., John Elliott, Jr .; 4, Noadiah Russel, James Webb; 5, John Barrett, Ebenezer Green; 6, Josiah Comins, Marshall Keith; 7, James Bates, Elijah Nichols, Jr .; 8, William Lamson, Jesse Ormsbey ; 9, Thomas Chaffee, Isaac Upham ; 10, Timothy Sheffield, Elijah Converse ; 11, Abel Jacobs, John Keith ; 12, Samuel Porter, Jesse Joslin ; 13, Dolphus Phipps, Jonathan Waters.

John Nichols was chosen clerk and treasurer in 1814. It hav- ing been decided in 1816 by the ecclesiastic society to build a new meeting house on the site of the old one, the town defrayed the expense of removing the old church edifice across the street and fitting up a hall for permanent town purposes. The first page of a new book of town records now ordered by the town chronicled an important change the inhabitants were notified to meet at the town house July 4th, 1818, to choose delegates to attend a convention to be holden at the state house in Hartford in August for the purpose of forming a constitution of civil gov- ernment. George Larned and Jonathan Nichols, Jr., were then chosen to represent the town and took part in that weighty public service. October 5th, the freemen were again summoned to give their votes for or against a ratification of the constitu- tion as submitted to their judgment and decision ; one hundred and seventy-four voted for ratification, ninety-three against it.

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History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 63

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: New York, Preston Number of Pages: 1506

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: New York, Preston
Number of Pages: 1506