USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > New Canaan > Landmarks of New Canaan > Part 3
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ing their activities by buying the Davenport place in 1851. Their children later became closely identified with the upper Oenoke Ridge section, and the house which some of them oc- cupied, the present Esty place, is an almost identical copy of the Betts house. Edmond and Theodosia Ogden died shortly apart, after al- most 40 years' residence and after long and full lives. In 1891 their heirs sold the property to a New York merchant and his sisters, Roland and Sarah Ridley.
Now began the third successive ownership that was to exceed the span of a generation. The Ridleys had already spent many summers in the house across the road, and this habit of summer occupancy they continued faithfuly for the length of their tenure, or until 1925. Toward the end of this period, because it was lived in so little, the house got the reputation among the children of the neighborhood of be- ing "haunted"-this was probably due to the fact that the magnificent barn in back had be- come a fabulous bat roost, from which the house itself was not immune. The surviving Ridley in 1925 sold the property to Thomas S. Cole, who was then living in the next house north and had acquired nearly all the lands owned by Deacon Benedict on the Ridge more than a hundred years earlier.
A year later, the house with its again inevi- table 30 acres came into the possession of the family in whose hands it remains today. With a background of fifteen summers in New Canaan behind them, Louise Van Anden Frank and her husband George S. Frank were the buyers. Al- though continuing to come there only for the summers, they restored it to its original charac- ter. Their daughter is Mrs. Morris, who with her four children, Joan, Whitney, Louise and George, have completed the final restorative touch-all year round living.
Turning now to the house itself, we have here another example of the possibilities in- herent in the center-chimney type construc- tion-how with the chimney as a pivot a housc can be completely altered and transformed. The chances are the house John Betts, Jr. built, was a one and a half story structure facing south to the present Country Club Road. There
are both internal and external evidences for this. The internal ones are structural (signs of an old stairwell on the north side of the chim- ney, etc.), the other the fact that the half a house John gave his widow Sally, he carefully designated as the east half, which we know contained the kitchen and would properly be- long to the distaff side.
Then some owner after the Revolution raised the ceiling (carpenters in the 1920's verified signs of a lower one), added the full second story and in the process produced a house fac- ing west to the main Ridge road as it does to- day. Another clue to this is the way the win- dows across the top front are not evenly spaced but flank the center one in pairs, a sign of the better styling that came along in post-Revolu- tion times. For many years after that war, a smithy stood on the corner and was part of the property-although the hardware includes no strap-hinges, the H-hinges which remain and the pre-machine nails undoubtedly came from its forge.
At basement level the center chimney is about average size for New Canaan houses, and is made of the usual native ledge rock, probably originally laid up dry. It tapers sharp- ly at first floor ceiling level, another sign of the smaller height of the original house. Three fire- places ring it on the first floor, that on the west in the present dining room, the original kitchen, being remarkable for its beautifully cut and fitted hearthstone in one piece nine feet in length, its great weight supported by massive cantilever beams in the cellar. The chimney has the usual complement of concealed and uncon- cealed closets, cupboards, and ovens, one of these a smoke closet on the second floor from which people still living can remember coming to their homes, hams and other smoked meats hung there during the Ogden tenancy.
Special mention should be made of the iden- tical mantelpieces in the north and south rooms, one still waiting the carver's touch, the other one carved "country-style" in that good journeyman manner so frequently found, and only lately coming into its own, as a subject of study and admiration. The uncarved wood- work is in the present paneled study on the
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north, formerly the bedroom of Mrs. Ogden, who was bedridden the latter part of her life. The carved mantelpiece is in the living room on the south, the proper show-off place. The un- reliability of family traditions is shown by the fact that one of the Ogdens claimed the carv- ing was done by a member of his family using a pen-knife on long winter evenings, while an- other Ogden stated the carving was there long before he was born in 1859.
Other features of note are the well preserved wide board floors, the good proportion to the clapboarding, and the interesting front door with surrounding woodwork and fan-lights.
Mrs. Frank had to rip off a Victorian ginger- bread porch in order to bring this latter fcature to the attention and gaze of an admiring public.
Perhaps the best tribute to a house as fine as the Betts house can be made by a reference to the barn. Mr. Morris has been besought by builders to sell them his barn, their intent be- ing to tear it down and cart its timbers away. Whereas they wouldn't dare ask a man for his own home, they would be humbly grateful for just his barn, that they might put something akin to quality in their modern construction. Need more be said or inferred?
THE LIBRARY
STEPHEN B. HOYT, Author
EDWIN EBERMAN, Artist
[ December 12, 1946]
The architectural gem, designed by the late Alfred H. Taylor and built by John Mahon, of native granite every piece of which was thoughtfully selected for its particular spot in the structure, is our Parthenon.
Walk east on Cherry Street some Winter af- ternoon when the late sun illumines the north facade and see the art and craftsmanship re- vealed in the mosaic which frames the paladin window. This was not accident. Mahon strug- gled to select these stones. His men worked long days in laying them. Then came Taylor, and refused. Stones were removed and others selected. Profit went to the winds. It had to be beautiful.
In the story of its financing, the library re- veals New Canaan of a half century past as to its civic pride, methods of awakening public sentiment and constancy of the few who visu- alized an objective. It was not allegro in tempo, nor brilliant in publicity technique, but patient and persistent with unflagging zeal and confi- dence. No discussion of the library structure
and history would be complete did it not men- tion the names of New Canaan people who fostered its childhood days.
In 1811 Rev. William Bonney, the Congrega- tional minister, was the first of these to enter the era of our independence as a Town just set apart from Norwalk and Stamford. The body politic now took on a different complexion. Congregational ministers whosc grave and au- tocratic responsibilities had given that unique character to early New England which has never ceased to intrigue writers of historical novels even to this day, now found themselves quite out of style in the garb of Cotton Mather and the all but deified Calvanists. Nonetheless, they were still the representatives of culture in their communities and in the Rev. William Bonney, the newly born New Canaan enjoyed a leader who recognized his position and its obligations. He did many fine things for the young community, among which was the founding of our first library.
In an ancient yellowed journal, one may rcad
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NEW
Есличи Свечиan 1946
The Library
in the fine script of Mr. Bonney's quill pen, the following preamble to our first library organi- zation:
"Constitution of the Young Peoples Library of New Canaan-
"Whereas the improvement of the mind in im- portant knowledge is essential to usefulness, re- spectability, and happiness, and the season of youth is eminently favorable to such improvement-We the subscribers considering the scarcity of books adapted to early life, do form ourselves into a Library Company for the above purpose and en gage to govern ourselves by the following articles."
Then follows a formidable array of "musts" and "do nots" by which they protected their treasures and governed the privilege of using them.
Next,comes their catalog listing one hundred and seven volumes with the value of each set forth in pounds, shillings, and pence totalling 32 pounds, 10 shillings, and 10 pence, or trans- lated into the new currency, $81.98. Although
the year was 1811 rural people still figured in the old English manner.
The titles reveal pretty sturdy taste in book reading-not many for amusement or diversion. Here are some of them: Fordyce's Sermons, Smith on the Prophesies, Mores' Strictures on Female Education, Solitude Sweetened, Zim- merman on Solitude, Memoirs of Pious Women, Drelincourt on Death, Baxter's Saints Rest, Watts on the Mind, Practical Piety, Volume 1, Pilgrim's Progress. Some few sweetmeats to reward the digestion of this substantial diet are: Hawkins' Voyage, Life of Putnam, Village Dialogues in two volumes, Silliman's Travels, Edwards on the Affections, Rural Philosophy, Farmer Boy, Life of Washington, and even The Vicar of Wakefield and Robinson Crusoe.
After this imposing list of books, comes their "Acts and Votes of the Company." They held but one meeting a year at which they elected Rev. William Bonney librarian, David Chi- chester, or Trowbridge Benedict, treasurer, and an "Examining Committee" of five. As
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would be expected, these five were Benedicts, Wceds, Davenports, Crisseys, Carters, Stevens, St. Johns, Fitches, Keclers, Comstocks, Ayres, a true cross-section of the newly born town start- ing out at last on its own after nearly a century as a part of Norwalk and Stamford.
At cach annual meeting, "the worth of a share" in the company was declared to be seventy-five cents. By 1818 the routine seems to have been working so well that they dis- pensed with the examining committee and left the management entirely to the Librarian.
The last half of the volume is devoted to a record of the circulation of the books. Pages are ruled both ways with names at the left mar- gin and a vertical column for cach month where charges are entered by number of books loaned. Here a study reveals the popularity of certain books and indicates their choice in reading matter. It is truly "handwriting on the wall"-faint harbingers of new fields in litera- ture.
The Examining Committee inflicted fines upon any who "had failed to return a book when due-twelve and one-half cents and one cent daily until returned." Also, "for turning down any page, a fine of six cents or for greas- ing the print or tearing a leaf, twelve and one- half cents."
Choice of books was controlled by an alpha- betical roll call each month when a "proprietor" should have one minute to make up his mind.
For nearly half a century we have no records of our public library. In 1880 Rev. Joseph Greenleaf seems to have gathered the remains of his early predecessor, Rev. William Bonney, and started a movement to establish not only a library but a reading room as well. He awak- ened public sentiment and marshaled consider- able financial support from the leading citizens and organized the New Canaan Library Asso- ciation. They shared the quarters of the Town Attorney, Francis M. Bliss, upstairs in the building on the north side of Elm Street two doors west of Main. The story from now on has been well told so recently in the Library letter now in circulation that the brief space re- maining for this sketch will touch upon other features of the Library history.
The two elms on the south lawn are not such very ancient trees as their size suggests. They are remembered by people of the present gen- eration as small trees. They stood in the wall of a garden which occupied a lower level since filled in. It is believed they were planted by Captain Stephen Hoyt who built the house which stood on the library site until circa 1915 when it was moved across the street by Benja- min Weed. But the gnarled druidic old elm in the fence on the north lawn has looked about as it does now as long as any can remember. It has been struck by lightning three times at least. Branches have been broken and torn by wind and decay. The root crown once standing well out of earth and into the sidewalk, was cut nearly in half when the present retaining wall was built. Some despaired for its life. But there it stands.
To an older generation it was known as "The Indignation Elm." During the war of 1812 which caused such dissension in New England, Connecticut was nearly on the point of seced- ing from the Union. Meetings of protest were held throughout New England. Resolutions were framed and there was much strong talk abroad. Well, New Canaan's particular con- tribution to the prevailing local sentiment which threatened portentious things, took the form of an "indignation meeting" held under this great elm. If the tree was large enough for that in 1812, one can imagine its age.
This type of irregular formed elm as con- trasted with the more common graceful ones like those on the south lawn, is very slow in growth and very tough and long-lived. There is another outstanding specimen of it on the lawn of the John F. Caskey property on Oenoke Ridge.
Some years ago the book committee was obliged to scratch here and there pretty hard and often to get money for new books. They solicited pretty thoroughly but found them- selves going back to the same few who had contributed before until it required more than casual devotion to their good cause to keep it up. But they had the necessary devotion and they asked again and again. One day their most generous supporter was approachcd so soon
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after the last time that even his patient good will was threatened for a moment. He said, "I don't ever read any books myself-I suppose they are all right, but I bet you have got a hun-
dred books in that library that have never been read yet and I can't see what you want of any more."
Then he gave fifty dollars.
Edwin Eleman 1946
THE GREAT WEST ROAD ELM
STEPHEN B. HOYT, Author EDWIN EBERMAN, Artist
[December 19, 1946]
This ancient tree stands on the East side of West Road nearly opposite its junction with High Ridge Road.
Obviously a native seedling that came up in the fence when the colonists started to fence and subdue this wild land, it escaped the clear-
ing process and was preserved by the late William Lockwood when he built the big house that once stood on the hill that rises toward the East from the retaining wall where the great tree stands.
When A. H. Mulliken acquired the property,
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he retained a tree specialist to spray and guard the health of the tree and spent a large sum on it annually for it was a major undertaking to climb and spray it in those days.
It is perhaps the largest and most perfectly formed elm in New Canaan and shows no signs of the ravages of disease or time.
That picturesque ancient institution, the "Perambulation Line" traverses the meadow land opposite, a guardian sentinel between the Stamford and Norwalk sides of Canaan Parish during the eighteenth century. The region was the scene of most active land speculation on both sides of the line. The great elm looked down upon men's land dreams, their genera- tions of farm toil and, later, upon their more
care free state when they came seeking charm and peace.
There was relatively limited demand for elm as lumber. It was used only for wagon wheels and certain pieces of farm machinery. Being tough and twisted as to its grain, it would not split readily and was avoided by both lumber- men and cutters of fire wood. Nature seems to have protected the elms among all the trees of the forest with a certain immunity in its com- mercial uselessness and in the name of beauty they stand today, Gods of the tree family whose unmatched grace is accepted without chal- lenge. May the effort science is now making, guard them from the dread bark disease which has appeared in recent years.
GOD'S ACRE AND THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
The Reverend MERRILL F. CLARKE, Author
EDWIN EBERMAN, Artist
[ December 24, 1946]
Church Hill is known as "God's Acre" because it was for many years the village burying ground. Over eighty years ago the decision was made to remove the bodies so far as possible, either to Parade Hill cemetery or to the new one now known as "Lakeview." This triangular hillside has since been an open space main- tained by the Congregational Church, in whose name the title stands, as a park. A trust fund set up by the late Mrs. Henry B. Rogers helps to meet the maintenance. The Community Christ- mas tree, planted many years ago by Stephen Hoyt, is the center of the carol singing Christ- mas Eve. The Garden Club planted dogwoods on one slope a few years ago, which are now well established.
In the left foreground is the Wayside Cross, a memorial erected after the First World War.
"Dedicated to the glory of Almighty God in memory of New Canaan men and women who by their unselfish patriotism have advanced the American ideals of liberty and the brother- hood of man."
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
This is the third church building of the Con- gregational Church. The first was a small and very plain structure set up on what is now the roadway at Park Street and St. John's Place (sic) corner, thirty feet square, with "slips," that is, backless benches, instead of pews. "Canaan Parish" being then the town, and the
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Edura Ellerman 1946
God's Acre and The Congregational Church
town's business being the charge of the church, the building was erected by a tax of ten pence on the pound in the tax list.
The second building was begun in 1750, completed in 1752, and stood just South of the present church. It was fifty by forty, with a gallery and belfry. The present pulpit stood first in this church. The "slips" were replaced
by box pews (square), the floor in them being eight inches above the aisle level. In 1801 the church and town were separated, the town being incorporated and taking over the gov- erning functions. The members formed an ecclesiastical society, which defrayed the church expenses by the renting of pews.
The present building was begun in 1840. It
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is one of the loveliest churches in New Eng- land.
An account of how the church was built is contained in the following letter. Unsigned, it was probably written by a cousin of the late Charles S. Benedict who moved to Fredericks- burg, Virginia, after the Civil War. Dated from there, it appeared in the "New Canaan Mes- senger" as of November 6, 1879.
"In the year 1840 the good people of the Congre- gational Society and Church in New Canaan began to talk about building a new church edifice. In 1841 subscription papers were started to accomplish that object, and very liberal subscriptions were obtained. A plan and specification of the present house werc procured by Rev. Theophilus Smith, at that time pastor, (and who afterward gave them) and sub- mitted for the action of the Society. The Society was pleased with them and voted to build accord- ing to that plan as far as they could; but voted also that they would build within their means. Of course the Society saw at once that they could not adopt much of that plan without more money, for they had obtained only some two thousand dollars or so. William St. John, who then was not a member of the Society, was persuaded by the urgent solicitations of his many friends to see if he could obtain more money for building. Accordingly sometime in November, 1841, he drew up a subscription paper stating that if one thousand dollars was not raised by the first day of January, 1852, all subscriptions on it should be null and void.
"The first day this paper was circulated the one thousand dollars was raised before 8 o'clock P. M. The good people responded to this call most heartily, and money enough, together with the entire frame was given to make it clear that the people could build the present church edifice, a great ornament to the place and the pride of all who built it. The panel work of the ceiling of the house was placed there by an extra subscription and con- tract of two hundred dollars. Some of the blinds, the additional covering of the bell-deck, the fixing of the tower posts so as to prevent lcaks, the ex- change of bells, and the stoves were all extras, and were begged for and were obtained only by addi- tional money raised by this same William St. John, all of which, together with money and timber raised before, cost much time and labor and forethought, and was done at a season of the year, when it was a great exposure to health.
"The house was built and seated by James Jen- ings, of Weston, Connecticut, who had built a good many other churches, (twelve, I think). He moved his family to New Canaan and lived there during the erection and completion of the structure. Mr. Jennings was a faithful, honest man and did as he agreed. The Society on their part with few excep- tions did as they agreed. The house was paid for in full when the keys were given up. All were satisfied and pleased.
"The church edifice was dedicated June 14, 1843. The topmost stick (the spire pole) of this building was the most difficult piece of timber to find in the whole frame. It is fifty-eight feet long and ten inches square. It came from the woods of Ebenezer Carter, Sr., and was given by Mrs. Rhoda Carter, Mr. Carter at that time being dead. It is white oak and is perfect the entire length, and has the corners all on even to the upper end. The frame of the entire house is excellent. The people prided them- selves in giving the best they had. Such a frame cannot now be produced in the whole town. In the building of this house a great many exerted them- selves very much. All did nobly, and many made personal sacrifices and great deprivations to accom- plish it.
"One family furnished the means to build one- third of the house. May the present and coming generations appreciate what the past has donc. The house was built almost exclusively by our own people who worshipped with us. No money or tim- ber was raised by fairs or festivals-they were not in fashion then. Mr. Samuel St. John of New Haven, whose parents belonged to us, gave $400. Mr. Alex Law, who lived in New York at that time, and whose mother was a member of the church, gave $200. Capt. Stephen Hoyt, sr., and Justus Hoyt, who did not belong any where in particular, gave each a handsome stick of timber. With these exceptions the house was built by those who wor- shipped with us. A noble work, much to be com- mended. The house cost, estimating the frame at one thousand dollars and including the carpets and furniture got by the ladies, six thousand, six hundred and sixty-six dollars, and some cents. The ladies of the church and congregation manifested their interest and zeal in the work by furnishing cake and refreshments in profusion and excellence at the raising of the frame which lasted several days. They also, by their solicitations and con- tributions furnished the carpets and furniture.
"The size of the church edifice is 60 x 43 fect with a projection in front of 8 x 24 feet long. The
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tower posts, eight in number, are forty feet long and ten inches square. The studs throughout the house are of the same depth as that of the posts. The girts and main rafters are all ten inches square. The floor timbers are all large, stout and good; there is no chestnut timber above the floor; this was done so as to prevent all stains from the weather. The foundation of the house is very superior and thoroughly done. On the outside the stones are faced and the same stones run through the entire width of the sill, and oftentimes more. There are two heavy walls also running the entire length to thoroughly support the center of the house. The foundation cost two hundred and fifty dollars, and was money well expended. The height of the steeple from the underside of the sill to the top of the wood is 113 feet; to the top of the lightning rod points 12112 feet. The plans and specifications for the house cost $125 and were given by Rev. Theophilus Smith. The frame I think is superior
to that of any church in its vicinity. The people took great pains to have it all good size and quality, and the corners all on.
"William St. John served the Society many times as collector and solicitor for their annual expenses. He was clerk and treasurer for the Society for many years, and often acted and for a long time in the capacity of Society's Committee. All this was done gratuitously and gladly. Now his health being crip- pled, many of his fond hopes blasted and his ex- pectations gone, he cannot resist the impression that his work with this people is done. May that wise, good and loving Providence which has always protected him and in all his wanderings and led him safely and pleasantly, lead and protect that people, and when death's dark day shall come may we all enter and dwell in that house which needs not hands, nor head, nor money to erect, for it is already built."
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