USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Litchfield > Semi-centennial of the Litchfield historical and antiquarian society > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
The settlers of the river towns which were included in the original Colony of Connecticut came from Massachusetts, the few Plymouth men who reached Windsor in 1633 having made no permanent settlement. They were an off- shoot of the Bay, bringing with them a constituted civil authority, and being one Colony from the first, though they settled in three communities. The constitution which they soon established was not a confederation or an entirely new establishment of government; it was rather such adjust- ment of former conditions as seemed wise to them when they found themselves, or made themselves, quite independent of
-13-
their mother colony. There was never a religious test in the Colony of Connecticut, except for the one proviso that the governor must be a member of the church.
Our other Colony, that of New Haven, was more Massa- chusetts-like than Massachusetts itself. Mr. Davenport and his colleagues expected to establish at the fair haven which they discovered setting back from the Sound, if not the millennial kingdom, yet a true theocracy ; and certainly none but a member of the church could be allowed to have any- thing to do with what might be thought the secular side of the affairs of such a state.
Thus the Colony on the river and the "confederation" on the Sound were organized on principles which differed, speaking generally, as did those of Plymouth and Massa- chusetts Bay. But here it was the Independent settlement- at least that organized on Independent or Separatist prin- ciples-that prevailed. Neither Connecticut nor New Haven had at first a charter, and exercised its government in its own way; and from the first Connecticut was the stronger ; not so much on account of position or of mercantile advan- tages, as because of its form of government and the methods of its administration; and that too, although part of its towns before the time of union lay on the Thames and part beyond Milford, touching on the west another unit of the New Haven "confederation" in Stratford.
When the King "came to his own" again, Connecticut secured a charter for what was practically a free and inde- pendent government ; and-what is pertinent to our present subject-the limits which the charter gave to the Colony were such that it was made to include all the New Haven towns. So then, as I was saying, while in Massachusetts the Puritan principles prevailed, in Connecticut it was the Independent principle which gained the ascendency. But there are "survivals" of each of these types to-day within the limits of our happily united commonwealth.
-14-
Now, I think that this difference of original type among the settlements now merged in the good State of Connecti- cut has a visible survival in the topographical plans adopted by the different companies of settlers. Those who came to the Connecticut Newtown from the Massachusetts New- town, to Hartford on the great river from Cambridge near Boston, came that they might carry out their principles in a state which they desired to found. They came under their own leaders, with plans in part matured and in part ready to crystallize into form, glad to leave the brethren with whom they had not found themselves quite in accord, and the more glad that they were leaving them before they had come to an open breach. It was practically an independent settlement of those who were to found an independent state. We may see this intimated, I think, in the lay-out of the settlement-something practical, sufficient for the present, yet allowing the possibility of growth. At the crest of a ridge, the slope of which rose not very steeply from the river, and under the protection of another ridge running nearly at a right angle to it, they selected a plan for the center of their town, making room there for a building which should be meeting-house both for Lord's day and for week-day public assemblies and room also for a burial- place. Thence there led a street in a direction parallel to that of the general course of the river, and another which led to the river itself, and the town was laid out with its square and its two roads. From this simple plan it grew as need required or opportunity was afforded. The long road is now Main Street, and from it the land slopes both to the east and to the west ; the other has become State Street, and it still leads to the principal landing on the river.
The plot of ground on which stood the first meeting- house and in which the first of Hartford's dead were laid to rest, has been encroached upon, but it still affords room for the City Hall (long the State House) and the postoffice.
-15-
The nature of the growth of Hartford can be seen by any one who studies its map or walks down Main Street; it was long without special order or method.
The development of each side of the settlement was determined by practical considerations; and how different these were on the east and on the west can be seen by the fact that there is no street crossing Main Street, and that in almost no case does a street that reaches it on one side find exact correspondence with a street on the other side. All testifies to a practical, or would-be practical, community, attempting to satisfy its needs as they arose and to have a place convenient to live in. We can see, I think, in the simple first outline, and then the irregular growth of Hart- ford, an embodiment of Mr. Hooker's idea of a new state, holding to simple principles and fitted to adapt itself to the needs of a practical people.
On the other hand, the theocratic purposes and mercantile character of the community found an expression in the plan of New Haven. As soon as the settlers began to build on the level ground, they marked a four-square city, like that described in the Revelation, of which the length and the breadth were equal. What is now called George Street was measured a half mile in length, and on it a square was con- structed, the other boundaries being the present York, Grove and State streets. Then this square was divided into nine equal squares by two streets parallel to Grove Street and two at right angles to it; and the central square was reserved as common land for the meeting-house, the burial plot, whipping-post and other public uses.
There were other common lands outside of the great square; and to these, as well as to a landing-place on the harbor, irregular lanes or roads led; but the outline of the town itself was entirely symmetrical, and the symmetry of that part of New Haven has been well preserved. It has been practically impossible to encroach upon the central
-16-
public square ; and the Green of the city, dignified by stately church edifices, and (may we say it?) by the removal of the State House, in unshorn proportions and surrounded by ancient mansions and modern structures for public uses and academic piles, testifies to the thoughts of those who laid it out. It embodies an idea of dignity and solidity and conscious completeness which is lacking elsewhere; it tells of a community with a lofty religious principle and a strong element of worldly respectability. One does not wonder that the people of New Haven objected to being incorpo- rated into the slightly older and much more democratic colony to the north.
If from Hartford we look to its neighbor towns, parts of the same Colony, we find in Windsor and Wethersfield the same river road which in Hartford ran along the ridge, only here on level ground and widening out into a green, on either side of which the settlers built their homes, and from which their portions of land stretched on the one side to the river and on the other side to the hills. Guilford, a town of the New Haven "confederation," was a typical settlement of farmers, though in its theories closely allied with the community of well-to-do merchants and traders further west. It, too, had its central green, with houses all around it, but there were no other squares to protect their common, and fields for tilling and grazing must have come close to the homesteads of all the settlers.
Saybrook, which antedates New Haven by several years, and (perhaps) Hartford by a short time, was before all things else a military post. Lion Gardiner's first work there was to build a fort at a convenient spot to guard the mouth of the river, and the extremity of a point of land actually within the river's mouth was selected for that purpose. Then the neck of this point was protected by a stockade, and places were assigned for the residences of the "persons of quality" who were expected to arrive from England.
-17-
There is very little now to remind one of the original purpose and plan of this settlement, but it is of interest as being unique within the borders of the State. We are pass- ing now from the quarter-millennial anniversaries of the oldest towns in our Colonies to the bi-centenaries of towns of the second generation, such towns as Newtown, with its broad extent of farming lands, and New Milford, with its opportunity of using the forces stored up in a river. These, and after them, settlements still further to the north and west, such as that in which we now stand, marked the frontier of those days, slowly but surely pushing on, taking possession and holding for men's use more and more of the soil, yet always watching against the dangers of the yet unconquered wilderness. These towns, too, show by their topography and the traces of their ancient plans the purpose of their settlers, how they held to the old custom of a broad common-like street, and how (perhaps unconsciously) they prepared for the comfort and delight and health of those who inhabit them in these later times. But on all this I may not dwell. It must suffice to have reminded you that in the early settlements of that which since the year 1662 has been the one Colony or State of Connecticut, we find different ideas differently maintained and expressing themselves in differing ways; and it would seem to be not uninstructive or unpleasant to note how these ideas have prevailed, have supplemented one another, and have been brought into harmony, as the years have passed on.
DWIGHT C. KILBOURN, Esq., the well-known historian of Litchfield, and Clerk of the Superior Court, spoke as follows :
Fifty years ago the founders of this Association did not know, nor could they have prophesied what changes in the mode of living, what achievements in knowledge, what victories of mind over matter would take place in this brief
-18-
half century that would furnish material for the purpose of this undertaking.
There were rumblings in the political sky, as there ever have been and ever will be, but the great Civil War was not even a cloud thereon.
Little did they dream, when placing these few Indian arrowheads and old sermons on those pine shelves in Sey- mour's new brick building, of such a beautiful building as this being erected to hold the precious mementoes of Litch- field's sons, who went forth upon the bloody field of battle to perpetuate this Nation in whose founding Oliver Wolcott, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Tallmadge and Elisha Sheldon were potent factors.
It gives me at this time peculiar pride to know that the memories of nearly four hundred Litchfield men of the rank and file, who when their government called them to its defense nobly responded, may be preserved in these rooms by some tangible objects connected with them while living. That while their mouldering ashes are marked with tablets of stone, and beautiful flowers are yearly placed over them, here we may find some article belonging to them personally while in service-swords, guns, clothing, letters and a thousand and one other mementoes that have been hallowed by them while living-and now, when these veterans are silent, as soon they all will be, our children and children's children can see and feel these personal trophies of their heroic ancestors.
I know I but voice the feelings of that once large number, now so small and rapidly diminishing, when I thank this Historical Society and the donor of these fine rooms for the opportunity of placing herein those memorabilia which we carried to the front, and are so much attached to as being a part of our marches, our battles and our daily lives, as a permanent record of Litchfield's valor and devotion to the Union.
-19-
The expression "The Sword of Bunker Hill" is only a type, though a pleasanter and higher sounding name which includes knives, forks, buttons, cups, letters and a host of articles identified and interwoven in the soldier's life. The phrase is more poetical but the sentiment is the same.
The time is fast approaching when that great struggle that placed more than half a million of brave men in patriots' graves will be but a dim page of history. It is so now to many of our children, and they only realize what it means when they see the gray-haired veteran tottering along and hear him tell the tales of strife. But as they pass through these rooms and gaze upon these emblems it will be a vivid illustration of the dangers we underwent, and will tell them the living story not only of those early days when bleeding feet of patriots stained the snows of Valley Forge, but of those later days when starvation was meted out to the men equally brave in the dreadful prison pens, and the assassin's bullet struck down the nation's President. Such are the lessons our Society has shown, is furnishing, and will continue to furnish, I trust, for all future generations.
The work so feebly done by our predecessors has now grown stronger and fuller. May its course be ever onward and lasting, and may those coming after us ever bless the loving and noble hand which has so well provided for us.
The closing address of the morning was by Dr. F. W. PECK, President of the Scientific Association, who spoke as follows :
In the summer of 1902 it was proposed to organize a Scientific Association, the principal intention being to have monthly meetings for the discussion of scientific subjects. During the second month of our existence as an Association a friend of the enterprise suggested that we begin to collect specimens for a museum of the natural history of Litchfield
-20-
County. In order to increase our interest he offered to pay the necessary expenses in having one specimen of each kind of bird or animal in the County properly mounted, provided we would secure the specimens. At that time the Associa- tion organized various sections to take up the collecting in the various branches of natural science. The principal sections in this line are zoology, botany, mineralogy, den- drology and entomology. In these lines a good beginning has been made. Little has been done in icthyology, but we hope soon to have a good representation in that line in our museum.
With the gathering of these specimens has come the problem of where they could be kept for safety and exhibi- tion. We were advised that the only way of securing such room was to have a collection of such value as to make the room a necessity. Now, by the kindness of another friend, we are provided with a room well adapted for our purposes.
From the beginning the interest in the Association has been unexpectedly great. We thought to have a small Asso- ciation for discussion of scientific subjects. At our last annual meeting the membership was reported at one hun- dred and sixty. For some reason not foreseen by the origi- nators, the Association seems to have fitted into an unoccupied corner. Years ago the donor of this building had an ideal. She desired to see in Litchfield a building in which there should be, beside the library, a department for the preservation of historical relics, also one devoted to a museum of natural sciences. It is an experience that has seldom fallen to my lot to have an enterprise, started in such a small way with no expectation of great permanence, to have this enterprise developed by one friend into one of definite permanent value, and then to find that our existence had been anticipated in the plans of another.
At present our Association finds itself as having come into being almost by accident, developed into usefulness by one friend, housed and helped on our way by another.
-21-
It may be that the work of these Associations and the presence of this building may be details in some unsuspected plans that a kind Providence, who watches over the welfare of all men, may have for the future good of our own town of Litchfield.
Following Dr. Peck's address, Capt. Edgar B. Van Winkle, who is not only the Treasurer but a mainstay of the Historical Society and who was indefatigable in his efforts to make Friday's affair the success it was, read a number of letters of regret from distinguished people, including His Excellency, Rollin S. Woodruff, the Presidents of the New Hampshire and Rhode Island Historical Societies, Edmund Clarence Stedman, the poet-banker, and the venerable John Bigelow, ex-Minister to France. In the course of his letter Mr. STEDMAN said :
"Litchfield County and the breeze-swept walks, the elm- fringed Green, and the ancient homes of Litchfield town are endeared to me by many memories. I should love, but am unable, to hear the legends and associations so familiar to me in youth, rehearsed again upon the occasion to which you hospitably invite me.
"There was a time, now a century old, when our little State of Connecticut was foremost in the beginnings of American literature. Its poets and satirists represented our post-Revolutionary wit and imagination, and it was their wont often to refresh their souls and bodies in the 'mountain county' of their State. Law and statesmanship have no less radiated from old Litchfield-nor can I think of any other typical New England town from which they have been more effectively diffused throughout the land. Certainly no Association has a more rational 'excuse for being' than yours, which now enters so auspiciously upon a new half century."
-22-
We greatly regret that we have only time and space to give the following extracts from Mr. BIGELOW's letter :
"I presume I am indebted to you for an invitation to attend the semi-centennial anniversary of the Litchfield Historical Society's birthday on the fifth of July next. I need hardly assign all the reasons why a young gentleman of my tender years, who in a few months will cross the ninety-first parallel of longevity, may be constrained to deny himself the pleasure he would have in accepting the invita- tion. That, however, is no reason why I should not allow myself to dwell for a few moments in my library upon another anniversary in which I helped to celebrate the centennial birthday of Litchfield County, and that too some years before your Historical Society had been brought to the birth.
"I forget the orator of that anniversary, but I remember hearing with intense pleasure and interest a poem delivered by John Pierpont.
"Litchfield has always been associated in my memory with two other circumstances of a very agreeable nature. First, that it was the country home of your father and his family, to whose office door I first affixed the words, 'John Bigelow, Attorney at Law.'
"And the other was that Litchfield was the seat of the only law school I believe in the country for nearly a hundred years. Had I known of the existence of such a school when I graduated from college, it is not very likely that I would have abandoned the profession for that of journalism, as I subsequently did."
Friday morning the men held forth, but after twelve o'clock they gave way to the women, for the afternoon exercises were under the auspices of Mary Floyd Tall- madge Chapter, D. A. R., and there was a large gathering
-23-
of "Daughters" from all over the State. These included regents and representatives from the following Chapters. Fanny Ledyard, Mystic; Sarah Ludlow, Seymour; Green Woods, Winsted; Dorothy Ripley, Southport; Ruth Hart and Susan Carrington, Meriden; Melicent Porter, Water- bury ; Nathan Hale Memorial, East Haddam; Stamford; Ansonia ; Katharine Gaylord, Bristol; Mary Clap Wooster, New Haven; Wadsworth, Middletown; Hannah Woodruff, Southington ; Whiting Trumbull, Watertown ; Judea, Wash- ington and Torrington. Including the speakers, especially invited guests and others, the number who came from out of town for the exercises of the entire day was at least 150.
At one o'clock a most bountiful and delicious luncheon was given the speakers of the day and 150 out-of-town guests by the local Chapter at the Litchfield Club House. The large hall and the tables were most tastefully decorated with roses and laurel. The service was perfect and the viands so tempting that all the guests were most lavish in their praise of the generous hospitality of the members of Mary Floyd Tallmadge Chapter, the special committee in charge and its very efficient Chairman, Mrs. S. A. Willis.
At three o'clock came the exercises in the Historical Society's new building and the unveiling of the D. A. R. window. The Regent of the Chapter, Mrs. John L. Buel, presided and introduced the speakers in a very felicitous manner. The following young ladies, all members of the Chapter, acted as ushers: Miss Margaret Beckwith, Miss Carolyn Cowles, Miss Anna Doyle, Miss Bessie Kenny, Miss Gertrude Sanford and Miss Harriet Bulkley. Miss Edith Mason was page to the Regent.
After the invocation by Rev. John Hutchins, pastor of the Congregational church, and singing "God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand" by the audience, led by the Chapter chorus, the following programme was carried out :
-24-
In introducing Mrs. Kinney, State Regent of the D. A. R., whose subject was "The Mission of the Connecticut D. A. R.," Mrs. BUEL spoke as follows :
To hold in sacred remembrance our patriot dead, the founders of our country, to educate the youth of to-day, both native and foreign born, in the rights, the privileges and the duties of American citizenship ; to cherish and safeguard, as far as women can, the institutions of our American freedom bequeathed to us by our forefathers and foremothers,- these are the aims of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In these patriotic purposes the Connecticut Daughters stand among the foremost. That this is so, is due to united, earnest effort under the leader whom it is an honor and a privilege to have with us to-day. Year after year, for thirteen consecutive years, 4,000 Connecticut Daughters have unanimously called her to the highest office in their gift, the State Regency of Con- necticut. They have honored themselves in so doing, and they have honored the State. Under her distinguished lead- ership they have done historical, genealogical and educa- tional work of lasting value to this and future generations. She it is who has awakened them to the mission underlying the aims of our Society-a mission which should be cherished in the hearts of every American man and woman of Revolutionary descent. To-day, when the local Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, which I have the honor to represent, has fulfilled the mission that lay nearest to their hands, and has called this company together to pay grateful tribute to the memory of nearly 3,000 Litchfield County Revolutionary patriots, it is peculiarly fitting that she who is the fountain head of our energies should tell us more particularly of the mission of the Con- necticut Daughters of which to-day's sacred duty forms a part. I have the privilege and the pleasure of presenting our loved and honored Regent of Connecticut, Mrs. Kinney.
-25-
Mrs. KINNEY spoke as follows :
From the standpoint of a State Regent, and presumably from that of every Daughter of the American Revolution within her jurisdiction, the mission of the great national organization which we have the honor to represent is not only apparent, but it is significant and illuminating as well.
Nevertheless, it may be that here and there a wayfaring sister or brother is unaware of the lines along which Daugh- ters of the American Revolution are fulfilling their unwritten pledge to perpetuate the memory of the spirit of the men and women who achieved American independence, and in response to the request of the Regent of the enter- taining Chapter I am happy to say a word or two, not only by way of emphasizing the fact that our organization has a definite mission to perform, but also to indicate the practical service which is being rendered to State and Nation by Daughters of the American Revolution.
The National Society D. A. R. is the largest patriotic- hereditary organization in the world. It has a membership of about 60,000, of which number something over 4,000 are credited to our own little commonwealth. Its member- ship may be found in every State and Territory of the Union-in the Hawaiian Islands-in the Philippine Islands-in England, France, Italy, Germany-and even in far-away India. In a very real sense the organization is a branch of the historical and educational department of the United States Government, since the charter which was granted by the Congress of the United States obliges us to report our work each year to that same legislative body, and this report is printed and distributed by order of Congress precisely as other government reports are printed and dis- tributed. Whatever may be the ultimate destiny of the organization, the record of its historical, commemorative, patriotic and educational work has to-day, and for all time to come will have, a distinct and honorable place in the archives of the United States.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.