USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Plymouth > History of the town of Plymouth, Connecticut : with an account of the centennial celebration May 14 and 15, 1895 : also a sketch of Plymouth, Ohio, settled by local families > Part 19
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Miscellaneous Exhibit.
Wooden mortar (made in England, over 175 years old)-Mrs. N. Beach.
Wooden bowl (200 years old), knitting needle case (45 years old)- Mrs. G. Bates.
Pearl fish hook-D. G. Cooper.
Minerals, also purse-C. Purrington.
Foot stoves, gridirons, knitting needle case, tin lantern, mortar- W. Tolles.
Bread tins, snuffer, razor-Miss C. Allen.
Jack knife-Miss H. Tolles.
Foot stove, lantern-Mrs. Fenn.
Fire shovel-Miss Bailey.
Warming pan-Mrs. D. Mills.
Mortar-H. D. Allen. Tin lantern, foot stove-F. Tudd.
Warming pan (300 years old)-D. Griffin.
Warming pan (100 years old)-E. S. Beach.
Side-saddle (over 100 years)-A. P. Clark.
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Cane (1703)-J. Starr.
Candle snuffers-E. L. Pond.
Stone from oldest frame house in America-W. L. Norton.
Foot stove, hand-forged pitch fork-Mrs. Rouse.
Tin apple dish-W. F. Goodwin.
Brass andirons-Steven Fenn.
Glass candle sticks-Mrs. Loomis.
Wooden bottle-Mrs. Ann Brooks.
Copper warming pan-A. I. Kinne.
Warming pan-Charles Johnson.
Bible (1706), old books, clarionet, large blue mug brought from Eng- land by Stephen Bucknall, silver tea measure, old scales, lace collar, linen-E. M. Talmadge.
Copy of first edition of "Hartford Courant" - E. M. Talmadge.
Fac-simile of first newspaper published in the United States, (1703,) sugar bowl, book case-W. S. Edgarton.
Paintings on glass, Chinese paintings, wooden tray-Miss E. B. Wells.
Lace, long shawl of Madame Bellamy's, caps worn by Mrs. Hart when an infant, tin tea caddy, pewter porringer, N. E. primer-Mrs. S. Kellogg.
Books, worked table cover, pewter-Mrs. M. Leach.
Boot-jack used in the family by successive generations for 150 years, tinder box, weaver's shuttle, wooden saucer used through the Revolutionary War, hatchet, books, notes on farming, 1794, The In- structor, 1767, dictionary-Mrs. John Warner.
Butter moulds, spoon moulds, gun 150 years-Mr. Sheldon Potter. Platters, bread bags, embroidered shawls, stand, chair, bed spread, toilet cover, shell fan, comb-Mrs. George Langdon.
Chairs, clock, one of the first Wheeler & Wilson sewing machines- Mrs. George Wedge (Todd Hollow).
Chair-Mrs. Helen Hough.
Decanter-Mr. Chauncey Beach.
Very curious stand, 200 years, bible, 1767, shuttle for weaving car- riage lace, chair of Miss Anna Darrows, pitcher and plate, linen lace cap border, all from Scotland except the chair-Mrs. Walter Webb.
Blue covered dish-Mrs. Whiting.
Chair, 100 years, sugar bowl-Mrs. Amos Barnes.
Teapot, baskets, boy's stockings knit of linen, books, wheels and swifts, grain fan-Mrs. A. P. Fenn.
Prayer book and Bible (presented by the English Society for the Propagation of the Gospel), contribution boxes-St. Peter's Church.
Minerals, crockery, spectacles, snuffers and tray, bread trays, knife (1785), singing book-Mrs. Enos Blakeslee.
Plates, platters, salt cellar, double foot stove (made in Plymouth), "Litchfield Monitor" (containing notice of Washington's death), collec- tion of coins-Mrs. Arthur Beardsley.
Pitch pipe, singing books (with patent notes and wooden cover- John Bradley.
Tin lantern, pewter lamp, cup and plate, tea pot, looking glass, key for unlocking bolt, scrap book, books, N. E. primer, spelling books, Lindley Murray grammar, sermons, etc. (samples of three generations) -Mrs. J. B. Atwood.
Chairs, wheels and reels, candlesticks, forks, shears, quilt, toddy stick-Mrs. S. J. Hoadley
Turnkey-Dr. Heath.
Front of pulpit from the First Congregational Church-Mrs. E. J. Morse.
Shell comb-Mrs. Porter Rice.
Tin oven and dripping pan, Indian scalp knife (found near house), silk dress waist, old calico-Mr. Charles Baldwin.
Chair (125 years old)-Mr. Cyrus Skilton.
Sword used in Revolution-Mr. H. Ploucquet.
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Old blue china, with curious fish platter (brought from China), chairs, table, soap dish (for soft soap), candle sticks, bread basket, carders, Bible-Mr. Wm. Bull.
Cherry table (150 years), turnpike fare board, full collection of green- backs, glass mug, etc .- Byron Tuttle.
Cup made from Charter Oak, known to be genuine-Mr. A. J. Hill.
Corn fan (for separating chaff from grain), tool used to form inside of pewter tumblers (manufactured on Town Hill about 1830), "conch shell" (supposed to be 100 years old, once owned by Jared Blakeslee), nail maker's hammer (used by Randall Mathews before the days of cut nails), flax (ready to spin) and linen shirt (from same crop, grown by Elam Fenn about 1857), pewter faucet (patented about 1810 by Gaius Fenn and manufactured on Town Hill), folding table (100 years old), sheep shears-Jason C. Fenn.
LETTERS OF REGRET.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, HARTFORD, May 14, 1895. 1
CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON CELEBRATION, TOWN OF PLYMOUTH, TERRY- VILLE, CONN.
Dear Sir-Governor Coffin duly received your kind invitation to at- tend the celebration to-day and to-morrow, and has been hoping to be present at the exercises this afternoon or evening, or to-morrow.
The pressure of official business has, however, been and remains so severe that he has been compelled, under the orders of his physician, to cancel all engagements other than those which it is impossible for him to omit without disregarding his official duties.
He instructs me to thank you, and those whom you represent, most cordially, for your thoughtful attention, and to express his sincerest good wishes for the complete success of your very interesting and im- portant celebration.
Yours truly,
FRANK D. HAINES, Executive Secretary.
NEW HAVEN, May II, 1895.
RICHARD BALDWIN, ESQ., TERRYVILLE, CONN.
Dear Mr. Baldwin-I have anticipated attending the celebration in Plymouth next week, with a great deal of pleasure, but yesterday en- gagements came up which will make it impossible for me to be present.
Thanking you for your kind invitation and with best wishes for the success of the event, I remain,
Yours truly,
C. E. HOADLEY.
MR. JASON FENN:
NEW YORK, May 13, 1895.
My Dear Sir-I had hoped to be with you on Plymouth's Centennial, but much to my regret, I shall be unable to do so. Please express my thanks to the committee for their kind invitation. My great great grandfather, Moses Foote, and his wife, Ruth Butler, were among the early settlers of Northbury and members of the old church there, as early as 1749.
Four stalwart sons grew up and became members of the old church, with their wives, and two of their sisters. Three of the sons were in service in the Revolution from old Northbury, and two of them, in that great struggle, gave up their lives for their country. One, Ebenezer, died while in service in 1778, at Horse Neck (now Greenwich), Conn .. and in the same year his widow, Rebecca, and his sister, Lydia (wife of Isaac Curtis). united with the old church. So afflictions not infrequently lead us to the cross. David was killed by the British at Fairfield in their attack upon that place in 1779. He and his wife were members and had been for many years. In 1769, ten of the Foote family o' mature age were members of the church under Mr. Storrs' ministryf
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IHISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
and with their families attended his church. The membership was then about IIo, and about one in eleven of the members bore the name of Foote.
It was wonderful how well the Foote's liked the Bronson's. The three oldest sons married three daughters of John Bronson, Jr. David married Comfort, Moses married Thankful, Aaron married Mary, and then, as there were probably no more to be had, the next son, Ebenezer, married Rebecca Barker.
The next and youngest son, Obed, then aged 20, my great grand- father, married Mary Todd, the minister's daughter, then about 19 years of age, and the eldest of her father's family. Tradition has it that she was a favorite with the young people and with all. Both were members of her father's church. We can, perhaps, imagine the prepara- tions for the wedding, the prior announcement from the pulpit, as cus- tomary in those days, the procuring of the license, and finally, when all preparations complete, the gathering of young men and maidens of the congregation, the parents, and the simple ceremony of the marriage of the minister's daughter. Eleven children were the fruit of the happy marriage, and all grew to maturity. Seven of them were born in good old Northbury and were baptized in the old church, and one of these, my grandfather Samuel, was baptized there on May 27, 1770. In later years he used to say that when a boy he lived in the northeast part of the town, near Poland river, and used to go two or three miles to meet- ing, that Rev. Storrs was their minister and wore a big white wig. The farm where he lived in boyhood was sold in 1779 to Ozias Tyler for $8,000, Continental money.
A sterling set these eleven children were, and Mary Todd brought them up to be a blessing to the community. One of them, in the year 1847, in writing his remembrances of his grandfather, Rev. Samuel Todd, says: "I shall not forget how he used to shake his large white wig when any one of my good mother's little flock made a mistake in the old Westminister catechism." These eleven children were possessed of more than ordinary talent, and each filled a sphere of usefulness in their day and generation. And in turn they brought up their children well. Several were judges on the bench, several legislators, several ministers. One of Mary Todd's children (Bernice Foote) had four sons, three of whom were ministers, who were a power in the land in their day. The Christian influence of Obed and Mary Foote still lives among their numerous descendants from generation to generation.
I send you, as a loan to the centennial loan exhibition, an old- fashioned silhouette of Mary Todd Foote, made when she was advanced in years. I also send you a spoon made by Joseph Hopkins, of Water- bury. You will find a biographical sketch of him in Bronson's History of Waterbury, page 411. This spoon was made for Rev. Samuel Todd about 1755 to 1760. It bears the maker's name, stamped on the handle. It bears the engraved initials T., S. M., standing for Todd, Samuel and Mary. It is not silver. Ministers in those days, with a salary of £100 a year, like Mr. Todd's, payable in "Old Tenor" Connecticut currrency, could not afford to buy silver, especially as it took eleven shillings old Tenor paper currency, in which his salary was paid, to buy one shilling in silver.
And this brings me to my most worthy ancestor, Rev. Samuel Todd, whose daughter married Obed Foote. He was Northbury's first minis- ter. Here he came, with his young wife Mercy Evans, at the age of twenty-three, in 1740, to give to the new church of Northbury the best efforts of an earnest life. They were soon established in their new home, the house built for them by the good people. The size of it was 25×32, as appears from the records. In Northbury all his children were born, and here twenty-four of the best years of his life were given de- votedly to the people of this church and community. It was a time of great trials. The controversy between the "old lights" and the " new lights" was at its height during these years, only equalled by that eighty years later in Massachusetts between the orthodox Congregation-
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alists and the Unitarians, disrupting churches and pastoral relations with their flocks. Mr. Todd was one of the "new lights." Financial troubles, too, came to vex the people. When Mr. Todd came in 1740 at £100 per year in "Old Tenor" paper currency and fire wood, it took a little over three shillings, "Old Tener," to buy a silver shilling. Paper money increased so that in 1755 it took eleven shillings of "Old Tener" currency to buy a silver shilling. In the meantime, with a growing family, a fixed salary payable in a constantly depreciating currency, frequent changes were necessary to correspond with depreciation in money, and this led to complaints, for pastor and people both suffered. The church was in its infancy, a feeble church struggling to pay its ex- penses, and to build and finish their new church, and it was not done for nearly twenty years. Then this currency inflation culminated in 1756 and was succeeded by a violent currency contraction, for the colony of Connecticut decided to pay only one shilling silver for nine of its old tenor currency and to repudiate the remainder, and it did so. In this year, Mr. Todd, knowing the burdens of his people, presented the following: "To the society meeting at Northbury, February 12, 1756: Christian brethren and friends, there are evidently many difficulties subsisting among us, in particular with regard to my support among you, the which we have great reasons to suspect is one great ground and rise of all the rest, the which is just ground of great humiliation and lamentation, as greatly threatening our ruin. Yet, I think I can truly say, I am free to serve you in the work of the ministry so long as there is a hopeful prospect of doing service to your souls. And as this day you have been consulting to find out some method hopefully to make the affair with regard to my support more comfortable, and have concluded upon none, I would therefore propose to your consideration the one method, in order for my support in the time to come, and that is by free contribution; and to this end to have a public contribution once in two months on the Lord's day at the close of the evening worship, to be gath- ered by the deacons, to begin the first Sabbath of March next, and what any one shall see it their duty to hand in at other time, it shall be accept- able, and if the society please you may make a grant of the ministry money to me. If this society agree in and desire, record may be made thereof, and I will serve you by the grace of God, as long as God by his providence shall continue me in the work of the ministry among you. Requesting an interest in your prayers that I may be abundantly faithful and successful among you, from yours to serve in the order of the Gospel. SAMUEL TODD."
We have no one to narrate to us the trials of those times, through Queen Anne's war and the old French war. Nor do we know what was the harvest resulting from the good seed sown by Mr. Todd in those years of discouragement and trial. Rev. E. B. Hilliard wrote to me in 1892:
"I have a very high estimate of Mr. Todd. He was the Apostle of Plymouth in the truest sense of the term, and deserves the highest honor the town can pay him. I have proposed that we endeavor to erect a tablet to his memory in the Plymouth church."
Twenty-four of his best years had been given to Northbury when in 1764 he was dismissed at his own request. The next two years he preached at Lanesboro, Mass. Then he went to Adams, Mass., a new settlement, where he organized the first Congregational church, and was its pastor for twelve years.
After the close of his pastorate he served as chaplain in the Conti- nental army for a short time, but his health and age (now past sixty), forbade his continuance and he retired from that service. His son Samuel, born in Northbury, about this time was in Williams' Massachu- setts' regiment in the Burgoyne campaign and was at his surrender at Saratoga. Rev. Mr. Todd with his wife retired first to his sister's at Northfield, Mass., and thence in 1782 to Oxford, N. H., where after preaching occasionally in the new settlements, as he was able, he finally received the Master's summons June 10, 1789, aged 72. His widow
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
died September 14, 1804, aged 87. Grave stones mark their burial place. Their memory should be tenderly cherished by the church of their early labors, to which was devoted their life's best work.
So many of my ancestors spent their days at old Northbury in carly times that I feel interested in this centennial, and I much regret that I cannot be present. But I send greetings in behalf of the descendants of Rev. Samuel Todd and Mercy Evans Todd, and of Obed Foote and Mary Todd Foote, to the good people of Plymouth and those who cele- brate the day with them. May it be a day of thanksgiving for the bless- ings of the last hundred and fifty years, and for our Christian ancestry !
Let eloquence, poetry, music and history combine to make the day interesting for young and old. All honor to our Plymouth ancestry ! and may their virtues be perpetuated in their descendants.
I am, yours with sincere respect, HORACE ALLEN FOOTE.
NEW YORK, MAY 13, 1895.
GEORGE LANGDON, ESQ., PLYMOUTH, CONN. :
Dear Sir :- I cannot but feel thankful for the invitation kindly sent to me to be present at the Plymouth Centennial Celebration on the 14th and 15th of May, inst. Were it possible I would gladly be with you on that occasion. It would be a pleasure to me to make once more even a short visit to Plymouth, my birthplace, and especially at such a most interesting time as surely may be expected.
Although my "home life" in Plymouth was only a "span long," my visits there during my boyhood days were frequent and fondly remem- bered, as is also a year at the academy. All my recollections of the town and its people are full of pride and of gladness. Pride, that I was born among the "rock-ribbed hills" of Litchfield County, where the breezes of heaven are fresh and pure, but no purer than were the thoughts and the purposes which inspired the hearts and uplifted the souls of the sturdy and earnest men and women of that far-famed section of old Connecticut.
With gladness, because of the many days spent there, days such as fill a small boy's whole being with delight, tramping over the hills and through the woods on cool, crispy, yet sunny autumn mornings-
"When the sound of dropping nuts is heard, Though all the trees are still."
Then, too, at the annual feast of good trings-chicken pies, roast goose and Indian puddings (boiled in a bag)-prepared so temptingly by the dear old grandmother at Thanksgiving times. Later on the moonlight evening sliding down "Flag Hollow Hill." When early spring time came, there was the tapping of the maple trees back on the hillside, the boiling of pails and pails of the sap-impatiently, perhaps -waiting for the result, but by and by rejoicing because the sweetest and the best maple sugar ever tasted was the product.
A little later, when the sun poured down its summer heat, came frequent bathing and splashing in the little streamlet and its quiet pools under the trees down below Uncle Miles' old tannery. Such sports and occupations in boyhood days are remembered with gladness-are never forgotten.
The names and the features of many of the worthy and honored men living in Plymouth in the old days are well remembered. My be- lief was, and the conviction remains with me yet, that nowhere could have lived any more deserving of esteem and honor than such men as Eli Terry, Apollos Warner, Edwin Talmadge, Squire Butler, Stephen Mitchell, Edward Langdon, Dr. Woodruff, also the son of "Dr. Bill," Mr. Cooley, Lucius Bradley, Captain Isaac Bull, Squire Blakeslee, Seth Thomas, Silas Hoadley, Eli Terry, Jr., Silas B. Terry, and many others-prominent, influential and enterprising citizens. Some of the boys and girls of the old days are also remembered with pleasure. 1
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
will mention only a few of them: Egbert Butler and Malcomb, John Calhoun, Edward Warner and Sarah, Catherine Talmadge, George Langdon, David Warner, Edwin Johnson, Lyman, Norman, Walter and Sam Smith.
I cannot forget Mr. Isham, the teacher at the Academy in 1836. He was a gentle, gentlemanly, lovable man. The old Academy itself, at some time during the intervening years, seems to have become rest- less and perhaps ambitious for a "western career," possibly catching the spirit of the old saying, "Westward the star of empire takes its way," for when I last looked upon its venerated walls it had abandoned its old location and started towards the setting sun. Quickly, no doubt, upon "second sober thought," an honest home-sick feeling gained the mastery, the wandering desire was quelled, and the conclusion, "Plym- outh is good enough for me," "There is no place like the old home," prevailed. Excuse the rambling, incoherent makeup of this epistle. In closing, I will express a hope that Plymouth will have another hun- dred years of peace, prosperity and all needed blessings.
Very truly yours, S. B. JEROME.
[Mr. Jerome was a son of Chauncey Jerome, born in the house now occupied by Albert Gaylord. ]
ALLEGAN, MICH., APRIL 30, 1895.
J. C. FENN, SECRETARY OF CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE, PLYMOUTH, CONN.
We have the pleasure of being honored with an invitation to be present at the centennial celebration of the incorporation of the dear old town of my nativity, and in connection with that event thoughts of the past (so many of them) come to my mind. Many pleasant recollections ; some of which are sad and cast a shadow over the picture which is spread out before me-a map as it were of the changes which seventy years of my recollections cover. Would that I might present it before your eyes as it is photographed in mine as you gather for your centen- nial celebration. I suppose a great multitude of people will gather on that occasion. Could I be present with you and look into the faces of that multitude of people, I should be constrained to say, " One genera- tion passeth away and another cometh."
The old fathers have gone to their reward, and to us, their children, their memory is blessed. We commence where they left off, with their lives and examples before us. God has led this generation out into large fields and bestowed upon us wisdom and knowledge, and placed us environments such as the world has never known before, and so ladened us with responsibilities, and inspired us to recognize those re- sponsibilities, and to put forth our willing hands to the work before us. Let us consider the possibilities which may be achieved by us, for soon another generation will take up the work where we leave it and they will say of us-the fathers, where are they ?
Regrets that we cannot be with you on that occasion might be in order, were it not for the fact that the Wise Disposer of Events seems to interpose and thinks it not best. Our oft infirmities admonish us that our very pleasant home which has been provided is the best place for us at our advanced time in life, and so, however much we may desire to mingle with you on that eventful occasion, the admonition comes to us that in order to prolong our days we must be good to ourselves and for- bear from engaging in those fatiguing and exciting incidents which in earlier days were pleasant and restful.
Hoping you may all enjoy even more of pleasure than you antici- pate, and that the effort which has been attended with much labor in the preparation may be eminently successful, we are
Truly yours,
MR. AND MRS. E. A. FENN.
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
CEDARCREST, GARRISON-ON-HUDSON.
MR. JASON C. FENN, SECRETARY :
Dear Sir-Mrs. Toucey and I anticipated much pleasure in attend- ing the Plymouth centennial celebration. Mrs. Toucey's love for her old home does not abate as the years roll by. As for myself, having early in life captured and carried off one of her fairest and best for my companion in life, is it a wonder that there is a warm spot in my heart for the dear "old town" nestled in among the hills of Litchfield county?
It would give us great pleasure to join in your festivities, but a recent injury to Mrs. Toucey compels us at this late day to send regrets, but wishing you all a happy and joyous time, one of Connecticut's "old time celebrations," I am Yours truly,
Garrison, Putnam Co., N. Y., May 12, 1895. JOHN M. TOUCEY.
ROCHESTER, N. Y., MAY II, 1895.
GEORGE LANGDON, ESQ., AND GENTLEMEN OF THE PLYMOUTH CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE:
I received your kind invitation to attend the celebration of May 14 and 15, and had confidently expected to be present, until to-day I find that it now seems impossible to leave home. Several of the former residents of Plymouth have called on me or corresponded with reference to the anticipated meeting, among whom are David S. Mather, of Buffalo, George Plumb, of Fairport, N. Y., my brother, Wallace Darrow, of Yorktown, N. Y. All are ready in any way to contribute toward the objects of the "Centennial."
We cherish New England and its institutions and influences, where our fathers sleep, with filial love. During the fifty years of residence in Rochester we have frequently visited the old home.
Yours Respectfully, ERASTUS DARROW.
HARBINE, NEB., May 8, 1895.
MR. GEO. LANGDON, CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE:
My Dear Sir-It would be an intense satisfaction to me to be present in dear old Plymouth next week. But Coxies army got the start of me. So I can only forward my regrets, together with the earnest hope that you may have a royal gathering (for in this country we all belong to the royal family), and that you will all be taxed to the utmost to find room for the gray-headed girls and boys who are permitted to do homage at that shrine of early associations. Bristol was my birthplace, and it has always had tender associations on account of kindred who lived or died there, and others who still live. But my boyhood and youth belong to Plymouth, I played ball on that green in summer. And what glorious coasting we had in winter! Then, incidentally (?) we put in some time trying to get a start up the ascent to the "Temple of Fame," under the tutilage of Miss Maria Smith. She used to tell us that she had eyes in the back of her head. Then, for a time, I attended Miss McNeill's select school in basement of the Episcopal Church. She was, for me, an inspiring teacher. Then at the old Academy, when it stood on the east side of the green. Several impressions remain. First, Judge Bissell, of Torrington, once with a few strokes of the pen, made and gave to me, as a reward of merit (I had the most head marks in spelling), the picture of a goose, which I long cherished among my treasures. Second, I recall the little boxes, with slide lids, which ambitious students used slyly to cut in the desks, and also the facility which some acquired in catching flies to put into them. Then there was that copy which Wallace Fenn once set in my copy book, "England thinks she can con- quer America." I said, "She can't do it!" And I still think so. Then the new school house was built, and what times we had in our competi- tive study. The "parsing" class was the center of interest. One little
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