USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Woodbury > History of ancient Woodbury, Connecticut : from the first Indian dead in 1659 to 1872, Vol. II > Part 11
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the more readily rush out to their stacked arms, for defence. But, in the most dangerous times, they did not run even this risk. Each man took his trusty weap- on into church with him.
Although there are no relics in town, so far as we are aware, that were brought over in the May-Flower, in which, if tra- dition is to be believed, almost every ancient thing now in this country was brought over, yet there is in our bounds a look- ing-glass 250 years old, two paintings of about the same age, and one over 300 years old; a small brass tea-kettle, brought from Holland, about the year 1656, a gun made and dated in 1624, the " Pequot-gun," now held as an heir-loom in the Minor family, so-called from the alleged fact, that it had, during the French and Indian wars, been the in- strument of death to forty red-skins, and an iron kettle, which is
now in the possession of Treat Davidson, of Roxbury, and was brought to this country in 1660. It descended to the present owner from Nathan Botsford, one of his ancestors, who himself brought it from England. This is, no VVV doubt, the oldest culinary vessel in the terri- tory, and, sad to relate, it is no longer used for a culinary purpose. It has for some years been degraded to the sordid use of a hog-trough, by its irreverent owner !
For long years after the first settlement of the town, the fore- fathers were obliged to take their fresh fish principally from the Quassapaug Lake. Nor has it been disused for that purpose even to the present time. But, in these later years, it has become a place of great resort for pleasure parties of both sexes, who de- light to visit its limpid waters, and sail over its fair bosom, gath- ering mosses on the shore, and lilies near its banks, breathing words of affection, of thought, and of deathless secrets, and utter- ing vows of eternal fidelity. A sweet serenity settles over the
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. spirit, worn by life's turmoils, as one rocks listlessly and dreamily over its pellucid depths.
In these days of civilization and refinement, surrounded PLACE by the comforts, conveniences and luxuries of life, we can little estimate the hardships and difficulties encountered by the sainted men and wo- men who first trod these smi- ling valleys, subdued the un- compromising wilderness, and made the howling wastes to " bud and blossom as the rose." Here they came, in their lofty trust, having no cover for their heads but the over-arching heavens, no lodg- ings for their weary and travel-worn bodies but such as nature afforded. The men of the present day may carelessly smile at the idea of our fathers' thinking so much of a journey to or from the sea-coast, or even from Woodbury to Bethlem, as we are told they did. But they forget the obstacles and dangers they had to en- counter. They forget there were no public roads, and no vehicles, that could be employed for the transportation of their goods. There were no railroads, nor steamboats, running in all directions with the swiftness of the wind. The first females, as well as the males, went on foot, or on horseback, through a trackless wilder- ness, guided by marks upon trees, or feeling their way, wherever they could find room to pass. In the midst of the first drear winter their provisions gave out, and some of the settlers were obliged to take their way through the pathless forests to the older settlements for food to sustaim them during the remaining wintry months. Some of those sturdy men went to Stratford, a distance of twenty-five miles, with hand-sleds, and returned laden with corn for their pressing necessities. We can have but a faint idea of the dangers that surrounded those early founders, on such a journey, exposed to all the perils and privations of these interior forests. They were surrounded by numerous red men, fierce and cruel, who could have destroyed them at any hour, in their isolated and fee- ble condition. Added to their lack of bread, the pioneers had
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neither dwellings, nor clothing sufficient to prevent suffering. Should any emergency happen, they were cut off from any succor, or effective retreat. What a sad beginning had these now fair and opulent towns on the Pomperaug and Shepaug. !
It has been seen that all the ideas of our fathers were essen- tially religious, and that the pious sentiment entered into every- thing. Even in the exhibitions of the tender emotions, and in the preliminary ceremonies of a matrimonial alliance, they ever exhibited the same grave countenance, and air of devotion, as when going to a prayer meeting. Perhaps they were the only people who treated the subject with the consideration due to that most important and indissoluble union of "Kindred hearts." But the " course of true love" was usually urgent. There was no time for " billing and cooing," much less for vain flirtations! As an instance of the way in which the thing was done, take the follow- ing characteristic example : John Minor, Jr., being seriously in- clined, by the state of his affections, unto the blooming and comely damsel, Sarah Judson, immediately mounted his horse, and with a deer-skin for a saddle, rode over in front of the house of the fair Sarah's father. Without dismounting, he sent for her to come ont to him, and on her complying with the request, he informed her plainly, that the Lord had sent him to marry her. At this startling announcement, the sensible maid, neither fainting in the present fashionable mode, nor asking time to consult her mamma, replied with hearty good will, "Here is the handmaid of the Lord -His will be done !" What else could the maiden do ; for John was a good man, and she believed both him and his message! There was nothing more to be done, than to get on horseback the next Sabbath eve, and sitting on a pillion, behind her messenger from the Lord, ride to the parsonage, and be duly joined in the holy bonds of wedlock. Of the fruits of that primitive marriage, there are many representatives here to-day !
Doubtless the question has often occurred to each of us, how · did our fathers and mother's dress? What were their costumes î and fashions ? By the indefatigable exertions of our " Antique Committee," at the Bi-Centennial celebration, in 1859, this ques- tion was very satisfactorily answered, by their actual, not " coun- terfeit presentment." We saw an " early father," a fine old Eng- lish gentleman, in small clothes and coat of brown silk, white plaited ruffles, powdered hair, and cocked hat. We saw an " early mother," in aslı-colored brocade, with white damask skirt, open in
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front, high-heeled shoes, with large buckles, and an enormous bon. net. We saw the Puritan costume contrasted with that of the Cavalier of the same age. But these were the holiday suits, brought from old England, and belonging only to the more opu -. lent citizens. After the first settlement here, such rich articles for long years were "rarities under the sun." All the garments of both sexes were of homespun, of their own manufacture, from the raw material to the perfected garment. The small clothes, and even the coats of the men, were often made of deer-skins and leather. Nothing is more commonly mentioned in the early in- ventories of estates. And yet, amid all this rigid simplicity, the General Court, four years after the settling of Woodbury, passed an act against the excess of apparel among the people, as " unbe- coming a wilderness condition, and the profession of the gospel ;" ordering, that any person who should wear any clothing, that should be "apparently beyond the necessary end of apparel for covering, or comeliness," should, on due conviction, forfeit ten shil- lings for every offence ! How great a commotion would be made by the passage of such a law, in these days of expanded crinoline, and of lengthened Shanghai coats !
One of the few luxuries of the early fathers was the fruit of the orchard, and the beverage made from it. The apple-tree was the constant attendant of the early founders of towns, and followed them in all their wanderings. They made haste, not only to "sit under their own vine," but as soon as possible, with equal satis- faction to sit under their own apple-trees. Nor, with all their stern morality, does it appear that they had the fear of a " Maine Law " before their eyes, for they freely granted the privilege of erecting " cyder mills," even in the highways, the place of great- est notoriety and temptation. These privileges were doubtless granted as a sort of set-off against their prohibitory law, which enacted that if any "Barbadoes liquors, commonly called Rum, Kill-Divell, or the like," should be landed in any part of the col- ony, it should be confiscated. There had been a still earlier law among the Pilgrims, abolishing the " vain custom of drinking one to another," assigning as reasons for the act, that "it was a thing of no good use," was an inducement to drunkenness, " occasioned much waste of wine and beer," and forced masters and mistresses " to drink more often than they would." I believe that the rea- sons given hold good to the present day, but our sage legislators never give a reason for their legislation.
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
And thus we draw to a close our account of some of the lead- ing events of the first hundred years in the history of the town. We have lingered over them, because they are fraught with .great lessons for all the coming generations; because of their unique interest, and because their like will never come again. Well will it be for us and the inhabitants of the future times, if we shall labor as earnestly and worthily, and if we shall leave behind us, when we too, as we hope, shall have ascended to that " rest that remaineth to the people of God,"-work and results that shall equally embalm our names, and secure the like filial reverence of our posterity.
WARAMAUG
CHAPTER V.
CIVIL HISTORY-CONTINUED-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS.
TOWN BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF 1859; MASONIC CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF 1865 ; FIRST CHURCH BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF 1870.
T HE town of Woodbury has become celebrated for its contennial cele- brations. No town in the State has so thoroughly looked up its own history, and with becoming pride celebrated its leading events, and put its history on enduring record for the benefit of posterity. It has set an example, in this re- gard, worthy of the imitation of all our old towns. It arrests the attention of the young, sets be- fore them all that is glorious in the past, and stimulates to a healthy emulation of right action.
On the 5th of July, 1858, a mammoth Pic-Nic was held upon the Orenaug Cliff's, at which were assembled some two thousand persons from the several towns of " Ancient Woodbury." The Hon. Samuel G. Goodrich (Peter Parley) delivered an oration, and the professional men of the town followed with short speeches. At the close of the day's entertainment, it was moved by William Cothren, and seconded by Rev. John Churchill :
"That a Committee of two from each of the towns once in- cluded, in whole or in part, in the ancient town of Woodbury, be- appointed by the meeting, with power to add to their own num- ber, and to appoint all necessary Assistant Committees, for the purpose of making efficient arrangements for the Historical Cele bration of the Second Centennial Anniversary of the first Explo_ ration of the Town, and the reception of the first Indian Deed, at Bethel Rock, on the 4th day of July, A. D. 1859, and also to in-
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vite gentlemen to deliver the various addresses, &e., of the occa sion."
The motion was unanimously adopted, and the following named gentlemen were appointed such Committee:
William Cothren, C. B. Phelps, W. T. Bacon, P. M. Trow bridge, Woodbury ;
R. W. Frisbie, S. II. Mitchell, Washington ;
T. B. Wheeler, A. B. Downs, Col. C. Hicock, Southbury ; Abraham Beecher, II. W. Peck, Bethlehem ;
H. B. Eastman, F. W. Lathrop, Roxbury ; N. J. Wilcoxson, Alfred Harger, Orford ;
Dr. Marcus DeForest, Jr., Leonard Bronson, Middlebury.
This Committee made all the necessary arrangements for the celebration, and adopted the following :
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
JULY 4TH AND 5THI, 1859. First Day-10 A. M.
Antique Procession, escorted by the Band and Roxbury Guards. Ode, by the Chair-tune " Bruce's Address."
Prayer, by Rev. R. G. Williams, of Woodbury.
Short Introductory Address, " Welcoming the Emigrants from Woodbury home again," by Nathaniel Smith, of Woodbury.
Music by the Band.
Historical Address, by William Cothren, of Woodbury.
Music by the Band.
Recess of one Hour for Refreshments.
Music by the Band.
Song-" The Pilgrim Fathers," by G. S. Minor.
Poem, by Rev. William Thompson Bacon, of Woodbury.
Ode, by the Choir-tune, " Auld Lang Syne."
Benediction, by Rev. Thomas L. Shipman, of Jewett City,
SECOND MORNING,-8 o'clock.
PRAYER MEETING AT BETHEL ROCK.
SECOND DAY,-10 o'clock, A. M.
Music by the Band.
Centennial Hymnn.
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
Prayer, by Rev. Friend W. Smith, of Woodbury. Hymn.
Sermon, by Rev. Henry Beers Sherman, of Belleville, N. J.
Hymn.
Speech :- "The early Clergy of Ancient Woodbury," by Rev. Anson S. Atwood, of Mansfield, Conn
One Hour for Refreshments.
Music by the Band.
Ode, by the Choir-tune, " Sweet Home."
Speech :- " The early Lawyers of Ancient Woodbury," by Hon. Seth P. Beers, of Litchfield.
Music by the Band.
Speech :- " The early Physicians of Ancient Woodbury." by David B. W. Hard, M. D., of Bethlehem.
Music by the Band.
Speech :- "The Founders of Ancient Woodbury," by Hon. William T. Minor, of Stamford.
Ode, by the Choir-tune, " America."
Speech :- "The early Schools of Ancient Woodbury," by T. M. Thompson, of Woodbury.
Speech ;- " Grand-children of Ancient Woodbury," by Hon. Chas. Chapman, of Hartford.
Speech :- The Cousins of Ancient Woodbury," by Hon. Henry Dutton, of New Haven.
Volunteer Speeches, by distinguished sons of Ancient Wood- bury from abroad.
Reading of Letters and Odes prepared for the occasion.
Concluding Prayer, by Rev C. T. Woodruff, of Woodbury. Benediction, by Rev. Philo Judson, of Rocky Hill.
Hon. NATHANIEL B. SMITH, President of the Day. Hon. D. B. Brinsmade, of Washington, Joshua Bird, of Bethlem, S. W. Baldwin, Esq., of Roxbury, Cyrus Mitchell, Esq., of Southbury, Nathaniel Walker, Esq., of Oxford, Leonard Bronson, Esq., of Middlebury, )
Vice Presidents.
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
HENRY MINOR, Chief Marshal.
Assistant Marshals :
R. I. Tolles,
Elijah D. Judson,
George Camp,
Elisha P. Tomlinson,
Robert Peck,
James Stone,
Benjamin Doolittle,
Truman S. Minor,
W. C. MeKay,
George P. Crane,
George Saxton.
James H. Minor.
This programme was carried out in full, as laid down. The Committee had sent out circular invitations all over the Union cordially inviting the sons of Woodbury to return home and join us in the commemorative services. Notices had also been insert ed in many newspapers, so that the invitation was widely and thoroughly disseminated.
The following action, which was decided upon in April, 1859 will explain itself, viz :
The Indian Deed given to the founders of Woodbury, in 1659 granted
Ker ".1 purcell of Land, bounded as followeth : Potateu! River Southwest : Naugatunek River northeast ; and bounde on ye northwest with trees marked by me and other Indians."
Potatenk river was the Housatonic, and the "marked trees extended across Sonth Farms west to the Housatonic river. Al north of Derby then to this line was comprised in this deed, in eluding Ancient Waterbury west of the Naugatuck, part o Litchfield and New Milford. The committee, therefore, consider ing these towns and the towns formed out of them, to be of nea consanguinity to us :
Totel: "To invite our cousins, the towns of Waterbury Naugatuck, Seymour, Watertown, Plymouth, Litchfield, New Milford and Bridgewater, to unite with us in our approaching Centennial Anniversary."
A committee appointed by the citizens of Woodbury, changer the place for the exercises selected by the vote passed a year ago on Orenang Rocks, and secured the field of Mr. T. M. Thompson directly east of the First Congregational Church in Woodbury It was an exceedingly fine location for the celebration. The large tent of Yale College was procured and supplied with seats speakers' stand, &c., and the still larger tent belonging to the
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HISTO RY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
Litchfield County Agricultural Society, was procured for the Pic- Nic provided by the Woodbury Ladies. A large tent was also provided for invited guests, besides a table set out under the apple trees, loaded with the various articles of the Antiquarian Pic-Nic proper, such as bean porridge, baked beans and pork, Indian pudding, &c., served up in the old style, in old pewter and wooden platters, with old pewter spoons, and other antique articles to match. Besides these, the General Committee fur- nished a tent for each of the other towns in which to hold their Pic-Nic, except Washington, which chose to furnish its own tent- cloth.
On the first morning of the celebration, the Chief Marshal, Henry Minor, Esq., made out the order of procession, as follows, viz :
A single Fifer and Drummer. Antique Procession. Masons. New Milford Band. Warner Light Guards. President of the day. Vice-Presidents. Orator of the day and Poet. Clergy. The various Committees of Arrangements. Emigrant Sons, &c., of the Territory. Citizens at large.
The Chief Marshal wore the Revolutionary military undress of a Major-General, and Dr. Davis, of Bethlem, wore a military suit worn by Col. Bellamy in the war of 1812.
A cloudless sun rose over the fair valley of Woodbury, on the morning of the fourth, and the weather was cool and most de- lightful.
The day was ushered in by the booming of cannon and the ringing of bells, in the various parts of the town, in the most spirited and joyous manner. At an early hour the peo- ple began to fill the town, and at 10 o'clock, A. M., the streets were almost impassable. The people of Washington came under the direc-
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
tion of Sherman Hartwell as Marshal, in a procession of more than a mile in length, escorted by the New Milford Band. In it were one six-horse team, loaded with fifty persons, ten four-horse teams sixty two-horse teams, and fifty one-horse teams, with flags, ban ners, and some antique costumes. Much credit is due to Russel W. Frisbie and Thomas F. Brinsmade, for this fine turn out. Rox bury came out in her ancient strength. Her procession consisted of two hundred and seventeen teams, under the direction of Col. Philo N. Hodge, as Marshal. This processisn was rich in antique display, and contained several things worthy of special mention Among them was a cart, bearing for a motto, " Days of Home spun," drawn by six yokes of oxen, the team of Ira Bradley, con taining a flax-breaker, hetchell, flax cards, double flax spinning wheel, and quill wheel, all in operation, worked by ladies in antique costumes. The driver was Le Roy Bradley, in corres ponding dress. Another wagon bore John A. Squire, of Roxbury and twenty-two of his grand-children, while another still loaded with people in antique dress, bore a flag with the motto, "Times and Seasons continue-Manners and Customs change." This
section was escorted by the Warner Light Guards of Roxbury, ir a new and elegant uniform, under the command of Capt. Lewis Judd, who performed escort and sentinel duty during both days and by the excellence of their military evolutions, the strictness of their discipline, and the gallantry of their bearing, might be favorably compared with many a veteran company, which had seer years of drilling. Southbury, also, turned out more than one hundred teams, under Charles Whitlock, as Marshal. All the other towns came with very creditable processions, besides the numerous conveyances crowded with people, who did not join any procession.
After the several delegations had arrived, the General " Antique Procession " was formed at about 11, A. M., on the green in front of Hon. N. B. Smith's dwelling house, at the location of the First Meeting House in the town. Under the effective arrangement made by N. Smith, Esq., and H. W. Shove. M. D, aided by Rev Messrs. R. G. Williams and C. T. Woodruff, it became the marked feature of the occasion. It extended, while on its march towards the grounds, at least an eighth of a mile in length, exhibiting al the varying costumes of the last two hundred years. It was headed by an ancient drummer and fifer. Next came the clergy of the several towns, in bands and gowns, the clerical costume o
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
clergymen of all denominations, less than two centuries ago. Among the clergy, Rev. R. G. Williams was particularly noticea- ble for the perfection of detail in his costume. Then came the Puritan costumes of two hundred years ago, worn by the Minors, the Judsons, the Curtisses, the Stiles, lineal descendants of the early settlers of Woodbury, succeeded and contrasted by ladies and gentlemen in the cavalier costumes of the same period. Some of these costumes were magnificent, and all attracted much atten- tion. Succeeding the couples on foot, came others on horseback, the ladies on pillions. One couple attracted particular attention. They were Capt. Judson Hurd, aged 85 years, and Mrs. Harvey Atwood, aged 72, both dressed in ancient costumes, and riding a horse thirty years old. Then followed old chaises with couples clothed in the quaint fashion of other days. And here it should be noticed, that some of these antique costumes and dresses were bona fide relics of the olden times, descended as heir-looms from father to son. Nothing could be more curious than this proces- sion of ladies and gentlemen ; the latter gallanting the former in all the styles, from that of two centuries ago, down to the present time, the former displaying huge bonnets, high head-dresses, and gowns ranging in size from three breadths in a skirt to the ample dimensions of modern crinoline. The Masons and the general procession followed the antique, making a very imposing display. If the various processions as they entered the town, had been ex - tended in one line, they would have reached the distance of three miles. Nothing in the whole course of the day's proceedings ex- cited such general curiosity, conferred so much real pleasure, or gave so clear an insight into the past.
The procession moved directly to the speaker's stand, arriving there about half-past 11 A. M. The assemblage was, in all proba- bility, the largest ever gathered together in Litchfield county, and far the greatest ever convened in the state on a similar occasion, numbering not less than fifteen thousand persons. Not less than five thousand of these were within hearing distance of the speak- er's stand, part of them within, but more without the tent, which was open on all sides. The most effective arrangements had been made by the Chief Marshal for the preservation of order, and to his tact, and the aid of his excellent assistants, great credit is due. Everything was under perfect control. This vast multitude observed the strictest order, and there was no accident of any kind to mar the pleasure of the festive occasion.
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
The exercises of the day at the stand where Hon. N. B. Smit presided in his dignified and excellent manner, were opened by th choir's singing to the air of " Bruce's Address," the
ODE OF INVOCATION
BY WILLIAM COTHREN.
" Spirits of our sainted dead, Heroes to these valleys led, Sages of the hoary head, Kindly o'er us bend ; Smile upon this classic hour,
To us children, give your power, In this consecrated bower, Us your glory lend.
" Pioneers of Pomperaug, Dwellers near the Quassapaug, By meandering Nonnewaug, Hasten ye along ; Brothers near the Weraumaug. By the cliffs of Orenaug, By the falls of old Shepaug, Help to swell our song.
" From the pines on Bantam's shore, Softly whispering evermore. Weekeepeemee's verdant plain, And from Potatuck, Come we with our offerings,
All our dear and holy things, From each side the chorus rings, E'en from Naugatuek.
" Here we come with earnest zeal, Mindful of our ancient weal, Memories bright to us appeal, On this glorious day ; Here where Freedom's banner waves, .Here above our father's graves, We, as erst the native braves, Glad our honors pay.
" We revere those holy men, Soon returned to heaven again, But their works with us remain, On this festive day ;
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;HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
Thankful to our God above, For their deeds of matchless love, Their example let us prove, While on earth we stay."
PRAYER.
A fervent and impressive prayer was offered to the Throne of Grace, by Rev. ROBERT G. WILLIAMS, pastor of the First Congre- gational Church of Woodbury.
The Emigrants from Woodbury were then " Welcomed Home again," by Nathaniel Smith, Esq., of Woodbury :
MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WHO ARE HERE AS RETURNED EMIGRANTS :
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