USA > Connecticut > New London County > Ledyard > History of the town of Ledyard, 1650-1900 > Part 18
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
judge. About this time "he sold his Garnavillo farm, and pur- chased of the United States Government a tract of 2,200 acres of land in Grand Meadow, and employed his brother-in-law, Will- iam Larrabee, to superintend the opening of a farm on his new purchase. The crops of wheat raised the first two years on the part brought under culti- vation, being about 320 acres, paid the cost of rais- ing, all the improvements made, and the price paid for the whole tract of land." In 1858 he was elected judge of the Tenth Judicial District of Iowa; and re- elected in 1862. His work in this office was highly commended by those who were familiar with it and capable of appreciating its merits. "In 1870 he was appointed by Gov. Samuel Merrill to fill a vacancy on HON. ELIAS HEWITT WILLIAMS. the bench of the Supreme Court of the State, and served only till his successor, elected at the next following elec- tion, had qualified. The published opinions written by him are models of clearness and brevity." He next turned his attention to the construction of railways in different parts of Iowa and adjacent States. Some of the enterprises in which he engaged were very successful ; but one was quite the reverse. "Financial disaster overtook the eastern capitalists who had undertaken to supply the necessary funds, and the enterprise was thrown into an embarrassment from which it never recovered." Judge Will- iams kept up his habits of reading and study through life. "He had a retentive memory and his knowledge was extensive and minute. He was untiring in his efforts to benefit his friends, his
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LEDYARD.
neighbors, and the county, state and nation in which he lived. To the young he was an especial friend, and in conferring bene- fits upon them would present thenr with such delicacy as to make himself appear the recipient of the favors." In the recorded action of the Clayton County bar, taken soon after his death, are the following, among other appreciative words: "Resolved, that in the death of Judge Williams, we feel that Iowa has lost one of its brightest intellects, a mind of high culture, an able jurist, a man of strict integrity and of kindly heart." Judge Williams was married, in 1849, to Hannah, daughter of Capt. Adam Larra- bee, of Ledyard, Conn. They had two sons and two daughters. He died at his home in Grand Meadow, Iowa, Aug. 20, 1891, aged 72. Mrs. Williams and the four children survived him. [See Iowa Historical Record for January, 1892.]
WILLIAM HENRY WILLIAMS, son of Seth and Lucy Ann (Noyes) Williams, was born in Ledyard, Oct. 22, 1838. He at- tended the district school and worked on his father's farm in his boyhood. He fitted for college in Providence, R. I., and received his collegiate education in Brown University, being a member of the class of 1865. He studied law in the Columbia Law School, New York, and was graduated in 1868. He engaged in the practice of law in New York City.
He was married Sept. 3, 1895, to Susanna H. Hunter, of Hagarstown, Md. Mr. Williams died March 1I, 1901.
ORRIN MERWIN WILLIAMS, son of Seth and Lucy Ann (Noyes) Williams, was born in Ledyard, Nov. 17, 1845. His youth was divided between attendance upon the district school and labor upon the farm on which he was born. He fitted for college at Philips Academy, Andover, Mass., and was graduated from Yale in 1869. He studied law with Judge Thomas Wilson, of Winona, Minn., and being admitted to the bar, served as city attorney in that place for several years. He died in 1876, at the age of 31 years.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
COL. SAMUEL W. WOOD was born in New London, Conn., Feb. 13, 1802. He was a direct descendant of John Wood, a native of Warwick, England, who died Dec. 20, 1738, aged 90. Mary Wood, widow of John, died May 3, 1744, aged 77.
Col. S. W. Wood was son of Capt. Samuel Wood, who died Aug. 13, 1812, aged 48. Diadaima, widow of Capt. S. Wood, died June 13, 1829, aged 57.
When about twelve years of age the subject of this sketch lived in the family of Rev. Timothy Tuttle; and from their first ac- quaintance with each other a warm friendship ever existed be- tween the Tuttle family and the Wood family.
Col. Wood's principal business in life was that of a farmer. As he ripened into manhood and advanced in years he developed a good deal of talent for public business ; and a large amount of such business was entrusted to his hands. When quite a young man he was colonel of the regiment to which he belonged. At one time he held the office of judge of probate. He settled a large number of estates. He often acted for retired soldiers in procuring their pensions. He was for many years superintendent of the Congregational Sunday-school. While holding the office he secured the attendance of the whole congregation, and of some also who were not members of the congregation, so that at one time it was jocosely, but in a sense truthfully said, that the Sun- day-school included eleven tenths of the congregation. In the matter of attendance it was the banner school of the State.
In every official position which he was called to fill, Col. Wood performed his work in a very orderly and systematic manner ; and in this way usually won the approbation and esteem of all interested. The natural workings of his mind seemed to be of such a character that he was seldom willing to accept conclusions that rested upon anything short of positive demonstration. It was probably this peculiar quality of his mind which prevented him from attaining to satisfying convictions in the things of re- ligion sufficient to warrant his making a public profession of his faith. He could not demonstrate moral and religious truths as
16
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LEDYARD.
he could mathematical propositions. And because he could not demonstrate them he was reluctant to affirm that he believed them, and so by profession number himself openly with church members. Such at least was the view which his pastor, the Rev. Mr. Tuttle, was wont to entertain of him.
Col. Wood married Miss Julia Ann Witter, of Preston. Three daughters were the fruits of this marriage. He died Oct. 29, 1863, aged 61. Mrs. Wood died Feb. 19, 1882, aged 78.
THE BILL LIBRARY.
CHAPTER XIII. History of the Bill Library.
IN the month of January, 1867, the following letters were re- ceived from Hon. Henry Bill :---
"Norwich, Conn., Jan'y 12th, 1867. "My Dear Sir :--
"Having a desire to leave a permanent testimonial of my great regard for my native town, I propose to give the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) to trustees, the income from the above sum to be paid annually for books, for the use of all the inhabi- tants of the town. I have no definite plan, and would like the advice of yourself, Judge E. Spicer, B. F. Lewis, N. B. Geer, Isaac Avery, Maj. J. L. Gallup, John Brewster, Israel Allyn, James A. Billings, Henry Larrabee, Frank Brewster and Palmer Allyn.
"I would like to have you and the above-named gentlemen act as trustees. I hold myself responsible for the interest of the above sum from the Ist day of January, 1867, until the said sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.) is paid.
"Respy. Yours,
"HENRY BILL. "To "Rev. N. B. Cook, "Ledyard, "Conn."
"Norwich, Conn., Jan'y 15th, 1867. "My Dear Sir :-
"As you are the first named, and consequently chairman of the board of trustees for establishing a free library in Ledyard. you will please notify the members of said trust to meet together
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LEDYARD.
at such time and place as you may think best, and I will meet the gentlemen and explain my plan, etc., to them, and pay over in cash for the establishing of said library. Please let me know the time and place. I have added, as you will see, to the list of nantes first sent to you, and herewith you will find a com- plete list.
"Respy. Yours,
"HENRY BILL. "Rev. N. B. Cook, "Ledyard, Conn."
Mr. Bill's letter of January 15th named the following addi- tional trustees, viz .: Sanford B. Stoddard, Ralph Hurlbutt, Leonard C. Smith, Rufus M. Gallup, N. Sands Gallup and George Fanning.
It seems to have been Mr. Bill's intention in naming the ad- ditional trustees, to have all parts of the town represented, and in this manner create an increased interest in the library. Upon the receipt of the foregoing letters, a meeting of the gentlemen named therein was called to consider the matter, and the follow- ing resolutions were presented by Rev. N. B. Cook and signed by the trustees present.
"Whereas, Our friend and former townsman, the Hon. Henry Bill, of Norwich, has, in a letter communicated to the under- signed, made known his determination to give to the town of Ledyard the generous sum of One Thousand Dollars, the income thereof, to be used and applied for the purpose of establishing a town library for all the inhabitants of said town, and has re- quested us to take in trust the charge and management of the same ; therefore,
"Resolved, That the undersigned, being the trustees assem- bled at the vestry of the Congregational Church in said town, and being sensible of the duties imposed by a trust of such im- portance and responsibility, do hereby accept the office of trustees of the same, and promise our best endeavors in its behalf.
"Resolved, That we hereby express to Mr. Bill our grateful appreciation for his noble gift.
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HISTORY OF THE BILL LIBRARY.
"Resolved, That we express, in behalf of Mr. Bill, our earnest prayer, that in the gracious providence of God, his life may be long spared to witness the success of his benevolent contribution to the happiness of his beloved native town.
"Resolved, That this library be called the 'Bill Library.' "Signed by the Trustees."
At the session of the Legislature, held in 1867, the "Bill Library Association" was incorporated, and the document sealed and signed on the eighth day of June, 1867, by
L. E. PEASE,
Secretary of State.
At a meeting of the Trustees, held June 15th, 1867, Rev. N. B. Cook was elected President of the Association, and Edmund Spicer, Esq., Secretary, Treasurer and Librarian.
At the first regular meeting held Nov. 9th, 1867, Rev. N. B. Cook resigned as President, and Christopher Newton, Esq., was elected to succeed him. Mr. Newton died in 1875, and in 1876, Mr. Franklin Brewster was elected, who held the office till his decease in 1885. Hon. John Brewster succeeded him, and re- signed the position in 1894. He was followed by Lt. William T. Cook, who, on account of ill health, resigned in 1897. George Fanning, Esq., was then elected President, and has continued to hold the office since that time.
In 1885, William T. Cook, George Fanning and Isaac G. Geer were elected Vice-Presidents, and were re-elected annually till 1894, at which time George Fanning, Isaac G. Geer and Rev. A. E. Kinmouth were chosen. At the annual meeting of 1897, William T. Cook, Isaac G. Geer and Rev. A. E. Kinmouth were chosen Vice-Presidents. Edmund Spicer, Esq., who was elected the first Secretary. Treasurer and Librarian, retained these of- fices until 1885, at which date William T. Cook was chosen Secretary, Mr. Spicer retaining the treasurership and Librarian until he died in 1890. His son, John S. Spicer, was then chosen Treasurer and Librarian, and is still retained as Treasurer. In 1894, Miss Hattie J. Gray was elected Librarian, and held the
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LEDYARD.
position till her marriage in May, 1899, when Miss Marian I. Gray was chosen her successor.
William T. Cook remained as Secretary from 1885 to 1894. George Fanning was then chosen Secretary, holding the office till 1897, at which time Russell Gallup was elected.
The first annual meeting, followed by the "Library Dinner," was held at the house of Mr. George H. O'Brien. About this time, Hon. Henry Bill donated to the Congregational Society, his old homestead, to be used as a parsonage, and thereafter the an- nual meetings and dinner took place at the "Bill Parsonage."
Here the trustees and invited guests, numbering half a hun- dred or more, gathered each year, the trustees first transacting in the pastor's study the business necessary, then adjourning to the large hall-a hall originally built in the house for the Masonic Lodge established in North Groton-up stairs, to partake of the banquet so faithfully served by the ladies interested in the happi- ness of the occasion. Having finished the repast, then came the "Feast of reason and flow of soul." 'At the close of these exer- cises, the company arose and all present joined in singing "Praise God from whom all blessings flow," and this manner of closing the meetings with the doxology has continued to this date. It is a fortunate circumstance that the founder of the library was enabled each year to attend these meetings as long as he lived. Those who attended our gatherings in the earlier years of our institution will recall with much pleasure, the presence of Edward Bill, Esq., of New York City, an honorary member, who met with us every year till his decease. He always produced an essay, sometimes in poetry, sometimes in prose, to which his hearers ever listened with interest. Among our guests, at dif- ferent occasions, were John L. Dennison, Esq., Richard . A. Wheeler, Esq., Rev. Dr. Pratt, S. T. Holbrook, Esq., Chas. W. Carter, Esq., Hon. H. H. Starkweather, John W. Stedman, Esq., Rev. James A. Gallup, Rev. Robert Allyn, Rev. Charles Cutting, Hon. John T. Wait, Jeremiah Halsey, Esq., Gov. Wm. A. Buckingham and Rev. John Avery, all of whom delivered essays
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HISTORY OF THE BILL LIBRARY.
or addresses, befitting the occasion, as indeed did many others of the guests. The number of our invited guests grew larger and larger as time went on, until we lacked for room at the parsonage, and it was finally suggested that our annual meetings be held at the Congregational Church, and that the exercises be open to the public. So in August, 1893, our first regular meeting was held in the church at Ledyard Centre, and the following was the order of exercises given at that time :
Organ voluntary by Miss Hattie E. Fanning, followed with prayer by Rev. John Avery-then an anthem-then the oration by Rev. A. E. Kinmouth-a solo by Miss Chrissie Whipple-a Poem by Mrs. Ida Whipple Benham-Ten-minute speeches by Mr. Warren Lee Goss, Richard A. Wheeler, Esq .- Poem written by Mrs. R. Maria Allyn-Short addresses by Rev. E. M. Will- iams, of Groton, Rev. John Avery, and remarks by others.
Tables were placed on the lawn east of the church edifice where dinner was served, after the literary entertainment. Be- tween four and five hundred people were in attendance.
The succeeding year's orations have been delivered as follows : In 1894, Rev. James A. Gallup.
In 1895, Hon. Charles A. Russell.
In 1896, Rev. Mr. Barrows, pastor of the Road Church in Stonington.
In 1897, Rev. Mr. Pitner, of Norwich.
In 1898, Rev. Lewellyn Pratt, pastor of Broadway Church, Norwich.
In 1899, Rev. W. C. Stiles, of Stonington.
The same year, Rev. John Avery read an article on "The Pequot Indians." On one occasion, Rev. Frederic Denison de- livered an original poem, and at another time Rev. John Avery gave us an "Anniversary Poen."
When the library was first organized, Hon. Henry Bill, be- sides giving $1,000, the income from which to be spent in furnish- ing books, also donated at different times, more than two thou- sand volumes, making the value of his gift over three thousand
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LEDYARD.
dollars. Frederic Bill, Ledyard Bill and Charles Bill, as well as others, have contributed many volumes.
In the year 1897, Mr. Charles Bill (deceased), who with all the Bill brothers, had been made honorary members of the Asso- ciation, left by his will $500, one hundred of the sum to be spent each year for books for the library, in the meanwhile allowing the original fund of $1,000 to accumulate and which now amounts to over $3,000 of itself.
In 1898, Messrs. Gurdon and Frederic Bill donated to the As- sociation for its own use pieces of crockery consisting of a dinner set, complete, appropriately marked, to be used whenever occa- sion required.
In 1899, Mr. Gurdon Bill gave to the Association $500, the interest on which was to be applied towards defraying the ex- penses incurred at the dinner served at our annual meetings.
As a New Year's gift, the Association received from Miss Eliza Geer, to be used at our banquets, a set of silverware con- sisting in all of 480 pieces.
When the library was first created, book-cases were made and placed in the gallery of the Congregational Church. Here the books were kept for nearly twenty-six years, but in later years, the Bill brothers, seeing the necessity of a separate and permanent home for the growing library, secured a location on the "Com- mon" near the church at the centre, and contributed the sum of three thousand dollars for the construction of a suitable edi- fice, and under the supervision of Mr. Frederic Bill, there was erected, for library purposes, an appropriate building, that will remain a monument to the generosity of the family for many years to come. This building was suitably dedicated on the day of our annual meeting in 1893. It contains a hall, room for the meeting of the trustees, and a spacious apartment where the library is located. The walls are adorned with pictures of the trustees, many of the citizens of the town, also many natives of the town of Ledyard, who have gone out from among these rocks and hills and become eminent in other states.
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HISTORY OF THE BILL LIBRARY.
Of the trustees appointed originally, two have removed from town, four yet reside here, and thirteen have died, also the Rev. Charles Cutting, a more recent appointee.
Trustees now of record are :
N. M. Gallup,
Rev. A. E. Kinmoutlı,
J. B. Beckwith,
Erasmus Avery,
Wm. I. Allyn,
Isaac G. Geer,
John S. Spicer,
John Brewster,
N. Sands Gallup,
George Fanning,
Joseph A. Gallup,
Palmer Allyn,
Jacob Gallup,
Isaac W. Geer,
Russell Gallup,
Henry Hurlbutt,
Wm. T. Cook,
Charles A. Satterlee.
John M. Gray,
The honorary trustees have been :
*Henry Bill, *Charles Bill,
Benj. F. Lewis,
Henry Larrabee,
*Edward Bill,
I. Edwin Avery,
Gurdon Bill, *Charles Cutting,
Frederic Bill, Rev. John Avery,
Ledyard Bill, Frederic A. Bill.
The officers to-day are :-
President, George Fanning; Vice-Presidents, Wm. T. Cook, Isaac G. Geer, Rev. A. E. Kinmouth; Secretary, Russell Gallup ; Treasurer, John S. Spicer; Librarian, Miss Marian I. Gray.
During the past year 922 books have been drawn, and 391 magazines, and there have been 125 persons taking books regu- larly. The books are absolutely free. To draw one, it is only necessary to be a resident of the town.
There are now in the library 3,099 volumes, and the fund, the income from which additional books can be supplied, is $3,134.27.
Thus, by the beneficence of Hon. Henry Bill, and later years
*Deceased.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LEDYARD.
by the assistance of the Bill brothers-all of whom were natives of our town-we are provided with a fine library and substantial building for the benefit of all the inhabitants of the town.
As we meet each year to celebrate the anniversary of the foundation of the library, our hearts go out in grateful thanks to the donors.
[W. T. C.]
CHAPTER XIV. The Pequot Indians.
Two hundred and sixty-five years ago all the south-eastern portion of New London County was occupied by a powerful tribe of Aborigines known as the Pequot Indians. Their do- minions extended from the Niantic river on the west to the Pawcatuck river on the east, and from Long Island Sound on the south up a dozen or more miles into the interior ; and in- cluded the territory now covered by the towns of New London, Waterford, Groton, Ledyard, Stonington and North Stoning- ton. The territory to the east of them was occupied by the Narragansetts ; that to the west by the Nehantics; that to the north and north-west by the Mohegans. The Mohegans were originally Pequots, and had revolted and set up for themselves, under the leadership of Uncas, who subsequently acted a very important part as the friend of the early English settlers in their conflicts with the hostile Indian tribes. The Pequots were alto- gether the most powerful native tribe in Connecticut, and one of the most powerful in New England. Hence, as soon as they became unfriendly, they presented one of the most formidable obstacles to the peaceful settlement of the English in this por- tion of the country. They numbered altogether about four thousand souls. Sassacus, their chief, had twenty-six sachems under him, and some seven hundred warriors.
In the year 1637, June 5, the strength of this tribe was broken in the memorable battle near the site of the present vil- lage of Mystic, in which seventy-seven English soldiers, under Capt. John Mason, accompanied by about sixty Indians under the famous Uncas as their leader, surprised, in the early morn- ing, the camp of the Pequots, and slew some four hundred or five hundred of their number. By this single blow their pres-
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LEDYARD.
tige and power as a warlike tribe was destroyed. Yet they have existed as a conquered and powerless people right here among us for more than two and a half centuries and a small remnant of them exists to-day. The home of my boyhood was within two miles of their reservation, which was in the north part of the present town of Ledyard. Through my entire life I have been acquainted with this people. I have known their children who are now upon the stage, their parents, their grand- parents, their great-grandparents, and their great-great-grand- parents. Hence, among the historic statements of this paper, I shall take the liberty to weave in a good many personal remi- niscences.
In speaking of this Indian tribe it may be well perhaps to say, at the outset, that they have been classed by ethnologists with the great Algonquin race, which was found occupying all the south-eastern portion of North America at the time that the European nations began to take possession of it.
According to a tradition, which our ancestors found preva- lent among them, the Pequots had not been living very long in this part of the country when the English people came to dwell among them. Some time, not long before 1600, they migrated hither from Eastern New York. Having broken off from the Mohegans there, they were long known as Mohegans here.
The earlier intercourse of our ancestors with the Indian tribes of New England was of a friendly character. The In- dians invited the English people to settle among them, and opened the way for them to do so. A fact or two, illustrative of this point, may be properly mentioned in this place. Early in the history of the Plymouth colony, Mass., Massasoit, a prominent Indian chief, sought an interview with the colonists and entered into a friendly agreement with them. The terms of the agreement, consisting of half a dozen particulars, were specifically stated in writing. "This treaty of Peace," says a historian of Plymouth, "made under the influence of upright intentions by both of the parties concerned, proved mutually advantageous, and continued without any serious disturbance for more than fifty years," And if all the men who were promi-
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THE PEQUOT INDIANS.
nent actors in the early history of our Massachusetts and Con- necticut colonies had been like those who treated with Massa- soit, or like William Penn, of Pennsylvania, or Theophilus Eaton, of New Haven, it is possible, indeed very probable, that mitch bloodshed might have been prevented, and some of our most terrible wars with these savage tribes might never have been fought. After their defeat at Mystic the Pequots were scattered. Some sought refuge with neighboring tribes, that were not altogether hostile to them. Some wandered south- ward and found temporary or permanent homes as far away as North Carolina. Some lingered still here in the regions where they were born and where most of their lives had been spent, having attachments here which were hard to be severed. Sassacus, their sachem, who no longer wielded the influence among them that he previously had done, with a remnant of his recently powerful tribe, fled westward. They were pursued and overtaken by the English, and, in the furious battle of Fairfield 'swamp, their numbers were again largely reduced. Sassacus, at length, sought refuge among the Mohawks of Eastern New York, and among them he ended his career, a victim of the treachery of those in whom he had confided. The remnants of the tribe, which lingered about here in the regions which they had previously occupied, for a considerable time, were not allowed to organize and live together as a tribe, lest they might again assume hostile relations, and become an an- noyance to the English settlers. The way in which some of them were disposed of is described in the following extract from Hollister's History of Connecticut: "On the twenty-first of September, 1637, only about three months after the battle of Fairfield swamp, Uncas, the sachem of the Mohegans, Mian- tinomoh, the sachem of the Narragansetts, with representatives of the Pequots, met the magistrates of Connecticut at Hartford. About two hundred of the vanquished tribes were to be disposed of in some way. A treaty was then entered into between Con- necticut, the Mohegans, and the Narragansetts. By its terms there was to be perpetual peace between these two tribes and the English. If the subjects of either tribe did wrong, the in-
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