USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Seymour > Seymour, past and present > Part 7
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the tavern in going and returning from New Haven. As the house was large, now containing 17 rooms, nine below and eight above. many could be acommodated at one time ..
In those days a tavern was not complete without a bar, nor was this large estate complete without a cider-brandy mill. Cider- brandy sold at this tavern at six cents a glass. For the most part the teamsters brought their lunch, and sitting at the table ordered tea, which was the only article of food furnished for the table ; so also the feed for the horses was carried by the drivers. The un- written history of this old tavern would furnish material for an in- teresting story. if the facts could be gathered.
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The large new house was built in the best style, with plank siding to make it warm and strong. The rooms were large, facing the south, one on each corner, the front door, hall, and stairs being between, In addition to the great chimney and fireplaces. These rooms have low ceilings, but are exceedingly pleasant, looking out upon the gentle slope of the lawn to the bridge and Little River, and off to the hills.
Back of the front rooms was the bar room, extending the length of the house, making another pleasant room, the : ar proper being at the east end and somewhat secluded by a little partition. The work on these rooms was of the best order. In the bar-room there was a long mantle above the great fireplace, and above the mantel it was finished in woodwork something like a large panel painted in a dark brown, and grained by the painter in a most artistic way, still remaining in its original form. In the east front room, there is a handsome corner closet decorated with fancy woodwork as is the rest of the room. Above the mantels also of these rooms it is fin- ished in wood. The entrance to the bar-room is principally through a large door on the west side, a door which is set in about four feet, having little windows at the sides. In its present state this room is very pleasant.
The large ball room is above, where history has been made, but not written. In the height of the season, this room was fitted out with several cord bedsteads to accommodate a goodly number. On one occasion the house was full and among those assigned to this room was a young man of large and powerful proportions, who purposed not to have the night pass without some fun. No one thought it a wise thing to lay hands on the young giant, so he had the first fun in his own way. When all was quiet, he placed himself beneath the cord bedstead where two were quietly sleeping and suddenly rising to his feet spilled out the astonished occupants, shaking the house in so doing.
It might be mentioned here that several names were given to the lady of the house and one of them was "Tury," also called "Aunt Tury," the house being known as "Aunt Tury's Tavern."
After this disturbance, Aunt Tury was on hand to learn the cause, and as no one ventured to punish the giant she gave emphatic warning that there should be no repetition of any such disturbance. Soon all was quiet and all heavy in sleep, when suddenly two other occupants found themselves rising in air to fall to the floor, and the
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house again resounded from the shock. Aunt Tury grasped a heavy horse whip and ascended to the scene of action, driving the young giant about the room under the heavy blows of the whip, until she felt satisfied that he was justly punished. Then was the time for the others to have their fun, for they would certainly tell that Aunt Tury gave him a horsewhipping if he didn't "treat," a thing which he was glad to do to stop their mouths. Still taking advantage be- cause of the second episode, he must treat again or else they would tell.
Aunt Tury was equal to all emergencies during those rough times and among rough men. She prospered, and the bag of silver grew in weight, as also did the bag of gold, until a little fortune had been secreted away in the hiding place. But such things are too often disturbed. There was a young negro at the tavern, who served on many occasions, also acting as the colored coachman. During some busy time, he saw Aunt Tury hasten to change some money, and while unobserved himself, he learned the way to the secret chamber of gold.
Soon it was missing. This was an emergency requiring some judicious acting to find out the thief and catch him before he was gone. Knowing the fondness which the colored boy had for pie, she made a fine pie with a good dose of jalap in it, for she mistrust- ed him. Soon he was very sick. But still to keep him within her control, some strong tea was prepared with more jalap. This brought him to the condition requiring the presence of the doctor and soon Dr. Stoddard was present. "What have you been doing to get so sick as this ?" said the doctor, "You must have done some- thing very bad !"
Having been informed of the case, he quickly ordered more tea-containing more jalap, for this was one of the favorite articles used by him. Becoming very sick, the colored boy began to get frightened. Seeing this the doctor said, "You are very sick -- dan- gerous ! You haven't long to live ! You have done something! If you have anything to say, you must say it quick, for you can't live more than two hours !" After a moments thought, out came the confession, "I took the money." "Money ! where did you hide it ?" "Under the sill in the horse barn," was the faint reply. Hast- ening to the hiding place, the large bag of gold was brought forth safely ; and from that hour the boy rapidly recovered.
Rimmon Hill is an elevation of 400 feet nearly two miles long, be-
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the Naugatuck and Little rivers. The land for the most part is well adapted for agriculture. Near the northern portion there are three old homes which belonged to the first settlers. Back a little west of the highways is a house in the last stage of service, long used for storehouse and shed. . More than 300 broad acres stretch out over
THE CI ARK-HINE-SANFORD HOMESTEAD
this region sloping to the east and northwest, now one of the best farms in the region of miles around. The house is a large two story dwelling, with long sloping roof to the north. The house was well finished, having a corner closet for the better household utensils. The old stone chimney to the very top bears witness of its age.
The earliest names now to be found are those of Clark and Edwin Hine. The family of William Clark is associated with this homestead. William was married about 1774 and his oldest daugh- ter Eunice became in 1804 the wife of Dr. Stoddard.
In later years Sheldon Sanford kept house here while building a new house on the corner a few rods east. He was the last to occupy the old dwelling. The property now belongs to Albert
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Carrington. During the best days in a single year, 1870, $3,000 worth of cattle were sold from this estate. Near the corner stands a famous chestnut tree 26 feet in circumference, having increased three feet in 30 years. It is a fine specimen of a chesnut, with wide spreading branches, and still growing.
ONE OF THE OLDEST TREES IN SEYMOUR.
About an eight of a mile on the eastward slope from this chest- nut tree in the open field, there is a barn which marks the location of an old homestead, occupied last by Philo Sanford, the father of Sheldon, the house being destroyed by fire. Philo Sanford bought this place of Levi Riggs; the Riggs family was one of the first settlers in this region and towards Pinesbridge.
From the Carrington place and the old chestnut tree, going south, the first house is another of the old houses referred to as still standing on Rimmon, and the other is nearly opposite towards the south.
The one on the west side of the road was known a century ago as the Pangman place, the name Nathan Pangman appearing on the tax list of 1792.
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OLD LANDMARKS, HOMES, AND FAMILIES.
This was probably occupied a generation before. At a later day, one by the name of Booth lived there. The house stands on a little elevation near the road, facing south, two stories, the roof in the rear sloping down to one low story, and the sides are shin- gled. Rising above the roof is the stone chimney. Sloping west- ward is the farm land of many acres.
On the other side of the road, there was at first an humble dwelling of small proportions, very rude in its structure, and evi- dently put together with unskilled hands. The living room speaks of many years ago. Scarcely is there anything at right angles ; the
OLD RIMMON CEMETERY,
doors do not fit ; great cracks can be seen everywhere. Most of this room is finished in wood. Across one corner is a partition which makes a sleeping room. Through the many cracks the wind whistles and groans.
This was the little house bought or built by Mr. Simeon Wheeler, by whose name it is still known, being owned at present by Burr Howard. Lyman Wheeler built a substantial addition,
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two generations ago, making an excellent home. From this side of the roadl the land slopes toward the rising sun until it meets the Naugatuck River.
The views from this high road of 400 feet are fine and varied. On the southeast part of this hill, there was during the last century (18th) a road winding down to the ford extending northeast until it met the New Haven road on Beacon brook. This road has not been used for more than 100 years. However, by the side of this deserted way, there was a little cemetery, first occupied 1768, and having been deserted for more than 100 years, no one having been buried there since 1795. It is located about a mile above the R. R. station on the high bluff west of the track a few rods back in a per- fect wilderness. Many of the stones were broken by boys and the falling of the first growth of trees, and now overshadowed by the half-grown second growth. The "deserted village " of the poet tells one story, and this little deserted cemetery tells another. It is said that one of the Brewster family of the Mayflower has been given a resting place in this solitude, calling to mind the burial place in the wilderness of the new world on Cole's Hill at Plymouth during the winter of 1621.
In the deserted burying ground on Rimmon Hill, there were seven gravestones with the following inscriptions ; which are taken from W. C. Sharpe's History of Seymour, the original descriptions being now almost indecipherable.
Susanna, wife of Lieut. Thomas Clark, died Apr. 1, 1768, aged 29 years.
Phoebe, wife of David Johnson, Aug. 6, 1777, in the 47th year of her age.
In memory of Joseph Riggs, son of Mr. Joseph and Mistress Anna Riggs, who departed this life March 22, 1794, in the 8th year of his age.
Joseph Riggs died Mar. 19, 1791, in the 38th year of his age, who was a pattern of industry, a friend to virtue, and a pillar of society.
In memory of David Johnson Riggs, son of Mr. Joseph and Mistress Anna Riggs, who departed this life March 24th, 1794, in the 15th year of his age.
In memory of Mrs. Sarah, relict of Mr. Benajah Johnson, who departed this life May 7, 1773, aged 72 years.
Thomas Clark, died Oct. 11, 1797, aged 33 years.
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OLD LANDMARKS, HOMES, AND FAMILIES.
Col. Ebenezer Johnson gave to his son Timothy land at Pines- bridge, located on the east side of the Naugatuck river, and upon it Timothy built a house about 1725, the house being located south- east of where Mr. Jones now lives on the old road, near the orchard. The other son of Ebenezer, Charles, received the land located on west side of the Naugatuck river just below the ford. Some of this land is still in the family.
Pinesbridge was the locality two miles north of the Falls where the Johnsons bought land previous to 1700 of the Indians, and came here to settle about 1720. A little red house still stands on the hill above the road on the east side which was the home of Alexander Johnson, the son of Timothy and Abigail Brewster, a descendant of Elder Wm. Brewster of the Mayflower, who were married in 1725. Alexander was born 1730 and married Dec. 30, 1755, which date represents nearly the date of the house. It is probable that Timothy did not live there, but rather south near the ford of the river, below the pines and cemetery. Alexander gave the ground for the cemetery near 1795, after which the old cemetery on Rimmon road was deserted. The great white pines add beauty to this solemn place. The first burial was that of Timothy Johnson, July 23, 1794. Alexander Johnson was also buried here. He died Sept. 8, 1817, aged 87 years.
It is said that Alexander was very much troubled by the wild beasts coming down from Rock Rimmon to the injury of crops and flocks. In connection with the history of the Indian Chuse, there was mentioned as the most famous hunters among the whites the names of Alexander Johnson and Gideon Washburn.
FIRE-PLACE IN HOUSE OF ALEXANDER JOHNSON.
The little red house has but few rooms, including the small hall, facing the west. The south room contains a medium sized fireplace with a large flat stone in the back, -a stone as taken from the fields, giving the fireplace an artistic and primitive appear- ance. The view across the valley is a sightly one, and the house with the hill for a background reminds one of
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the pictures of a Swiss cottage. In the rear of the house is a little porch set back under the roof with stone floor. As every house has a spirit about it, so this one has, giving one the feeling that it is better to be absent than to be present.
ROCK ON BUNGAY.
The great rock on Bungay is on the estate of Robert Healey, northwest of his house. This estate formerly covered a large tract of land, more than a century ago, belonging to Abner Tibbals, who was a school teacher and farmer. In 1794 Abraham Bassett bought the estate, and three generations of Bassetts lived upon it. In 1816, 59 acres located on West street were given to his son Samuel. In 1874 Robert Healey became owner. Glover Bassett raised the old house making two stories, three generations ago.
On going up the Bungay road more than a mile westward from the Falls there is a rise of 400 ft., the views eastward being of the finest and most varied for a country road. This was the locality of several of the early families, the Canfields, Botsfords, and Miles. The region was a part of the Camps Mortgage, and when it was divided among the proprietors March 12, 1702, section No. 10 was
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set off to the Widow Miles, wife of Samuel, the land extending from the Bungay road to the Naugatuck river. Jonathan, son of Widow Miles, built a house on this land about 1724, and left two sons, Theophilus born Feb. 11, 1730, and Jonathan 2nd, born 1745. Theophilus had a son born Nov. 27, 1778, who married Freelove Nettleton and had six children, Mary Jennett, who married Isaac Botsford; Clark; Lucretia, who married Jabez Pritchard; John ; Sarah, who married Judson Canfield, and Sheldon Miles, now living in an octagonal house which he built in 1855 on the southern slope of the ancestral lands.
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OLD MILES HOMESTEAD.
The Miles house now standing was built about 1768, a large. square, two story house, facing the west, with foundation 32x40 feet. The square stone chimney 12×13 feet foundation rises above the roof ; the house is red, and homelike in its appearance. The fireplaces are of the generous size, and many have been the occa- sions when the family circle gathered about the flickering fire. Seven generations have come to the shelter of this old homestead and have gone forth again, and now the name Clark-Chatfield des-
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ignates the old place. The ancient surroundings invite one's atten- tion, as the great high stone posts for the gates to swing upon, the old stone walls covered with moss and age. The next house south was also an old Miles homestead, said to have been Jonathan Miles', 2nd, a small red house.
Some distance south, on the east of the road, on the crown of the hill, there stands a small red house known as the Isaac Bots- ford place, built by Clark Botsford 1816, with a little veranda set into the corner, covered by the main roof. Lovers of nature pause to take a view of the broad landscape from the crown of this hill, a view that lingers in memory.
THE SAMUEL BOTSFORD HOMESTEAD, FRONT VIEW.
Near by is the Bungay school where many generations of the boys and girls began their distinguished career. This was the local- ity deeded to Joseph Canfield in 1747, two houses near by have held families by the Canfield name. At the Canfield homestead, Sheldon Miles when a boy was thrown into the well by the break- ing of the well-sweep. The water was deep, and he was not injured. He is now living, 84 years of age, this year 1901. The old homestead stood second from the schoolhouse, on the east side of the road, a large house facing the south, two stories in front, one
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in rear, after the style of the early houses and very similar to the Samuel Botsford house as illustrated in another place. This loca- has been chosen for a summer residence because of good air and wonderful natural beauty.
Judson Canfield built the new house a little north of the old one, a pleasant two story house. Joseph of a recent generation lived in the little old one story house on the corner south of the Bungay schoolhouse, now the home of T. Brennan.
THE SAMUEL BOTSFORD HOMESTEAD, REAR VIEW.
Because of the familiar name of Botsford, there will be much interest taken in a view of the old Samnel Botsford homestead, and its history. Located on the southern slope down the Bungay road from the old Canfield place, the first house on the west side, facing the east, two stories, and one on the west, the roof sloping very low to the height of the door. A few rods below runs a little brook. All about there are marks of an old homestead, as the old well- sweep and the well-curb itself, the great maples and the stone walls, the old swing gate balanced on a post and the old flags growing but a little distance back. On the first floor there are six finished rooms, around a very large stone chimney, all stone to the
L. of C.
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very top. Differing from many of the ancient homes, all the second and third stories are combined in one room, in appearance like a great barn loft like a scaffold, reached by a wide ladder. Here the chimney is very large with a single fire place on the south side. There was no attempt to finish off this upper story, that still remains in its primitive state with the plank lining, or siding, left rough and very irregular, a most realistic illustration of how the people lived in early times. A generation or so ago, one little room, including a single window, has been done off from the great attic.
A generation ago, the house was said to have been 150 years old, or at the present time about 175 years old, one of the oldest in the town. This would be about the date of the marriage of Samuel Botsford, which was in 1726. The same year that Samuel Bots- ford was married, he received from his father, Samuel, of Milford, 80 acres of land in the Camp's Mortgage Purchase. Before this John Prindle owned land on Bungay and sold to Samuel Botsford, June 29, 1722. (John Prindle was in Derby as early as 1677.) This same tract Samuel Botsford Ist sold to his son Samuel, 80 acres of land bounded south by the common land, east by the highway, north by Abiram Canfield, west with thehigh way. This sale took place Dec. 31, 1726.
Evidently Samuel, son of Samuel, was the one who first occu- pied this estate. Nehemiah, son of Samuel, left this house to his wife for life then to his daughters. Asa Cooper, marrying one of the daughters, bought the rights of the others. Still later an Andrews entered the family, and at present the old homestead is occupied by George Andrews and his sister, Mrs. Adelaide William- SON.
Another honse belonging to this Botsford family was occupied by Nehemiah Botsford, doubtless having been built on the original estate. This was a small one story house southward below the brook, once an old looking house, but in recent years the large chimney has been removed, a new one built, and the rooms have been changed, now belonging to the Water Co. The first Nehemiah Botsford was married in 1766. His son Nehemiah was a man sen- sitive to religious impressions, and one day while in the field he heard a clear voice speaking to him, saying, "It is high time to awake out of sleep !" As there was no one to be seen, he regarded this message as a divine warning. From that day he was a different
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man. Becoming interested in religion, he was converted and lived a better life. He was chosen deacon in the Congregational church, serving well for many years, and to this date he is spoken of as Deacon Nehemiah Botsford, a true prophet in his Christian faith, died 1842, age 65. This was also the home of his daughter, Maria Botsford. Abram Collins married Sarah, the daughter of Nehemiah Botsford, and lived in this little house. That region seemed to be one where strange voices were heard, for Abram Collins had a sim- ilar experience to that of Nehemiah Botsford, for while returning to his home one day, he also heard a voice above his head, "Abram ! Swear not at all!" It is said that he obeyed the suminons, and ceased swearing from that day.
On leaving the Bungay road, either at the old Miles place, or the Bungay schoolhouse, and going westward towards the Great Hill schoolhouse, there is an old homestead located on the second four corners, facing the west, a small story and a half house, with a large two story addition on the south. The old stone chimney stands in contrast with the new. Ezra Botsford built the small house about 100 years ago and raised a large family. This family of Botsfords were large people, more than six feet in height, and some of the men weighed 300 pounds. As a matter of fact, in the early history, there were many large and strong men who were grown up on Great Hill. This was later the home of Timothy Sco- field, who was a great singer ; and still later the home of Cyrus Bots- ford, who raised a large family of seventeen children. Cyrus was a music teacher and chorister, being thus engaged as early as 1810.
This little home was the place of large activities, and this little hive has swarmed again and again. For many years the interior of this house was not finished off, according to modern ideas, or the modern term, but remained in its rough and primitive appear- ance until within a half a century. In recent years, this has been known as the home of Marcus Davis, who had many sons and daughters to gladden the old homestead. Under his wise manage- ment, the place was improved, the new two story addition was built, thus combining the ancient and modern home. The new part was built in 1873. A few rods just across the four corners, there is another old landmark of a well still in use. Marcus Davis still occupies this home in his old age, at the opening of the twentieth century. He was born in the old Davis homestead, located on the Davis corners towards the schoolhouse.
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But before describing that locality, it is well to point out two or three Botsford homes located on the road north of the Marcus Davis place. One of these was the home of Curtis Botsford, known as "Curt," built in 1787, now the home of Edward Shay. These houses are some distance apart, and one of them was occu- pied later by a Hawkins family. Another Hawkins family early occupied the place where now lives Hildebrand, and where many years ago there was found in an old deserted oven, an account book, that was used at Derby dock in 1760 ; this was a large book, now in possession of John Riggs. This Hawkins-Hildebrand place is north on the mountain road that joins the Oxford road at the S. W. Buckingham place.
Great Hill was early the most important part of town. The section was purchased from the Indians in 1670, but in 1702 much of it was included in the Camps' mortgage, which was divided up soon after this date. There is a fragment of history, stating that "Jonas Tomlinson, emigrant, settled on Great Hill about 1680. He had two sons, Jonas and Agur." Samuel Bassett has generally been regarded as the first to settle on his land on the south side about 1717. Previous to 1745 a road was laid out over Great Hill and Rockhouse Hill on to Woodbury. This road or path is men- tioned in deeds as early as 1693. The Great Hill region covers a territory two miles east and west, and three miles north and south, the highest point being 640 feet, from which the widest views may be had of the country, hills, valleys, and the waters of the Sound.
For a hundred years there has been but little change in the general appearance of this region, for it bears the marks of New England thrift and industry, in the wide fields, long standing homes, some of which are small, and others large and stately, indicating the stability of the period of prosperity. However, the great changes are marked by the generations that have gone, declining of the farming industry, and decreasing population. If anything, at present there is a reviving, by increasing activity on the farms, and especially the peach orchard of many thousand trees, under the management of M. L. Coleman. The old houses still show that much time and labor was required to build them, after the heavy timbers were prepared, and also the shingles, when the house was to be shingled on all sides.
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