USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Litchfield > Sketches and chronicles of the town of Litchfield, Connecticut : historical, biographical, and statistical : together with a complete official register of the town > Part 14
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157
CHIEF JUSTICE REEVE.
per of the Council. He was an enthusiast in his profession, and had indeed but little taste for anything else of a secular nature. In 1798, he was appointed a Judge of the Superior Court and of the Supreme Court of Errors. Here his peculiar talents found ample scope for their full development. Until the adoption of the Constitution of 1818, all our Judges were elected annually by the Legislature. Judge Reeve gave such universal satisfaction, that he continued to be re-appointed from year to year until 1814, when he was promoted to the office of Chief Justice. On reaching the age of seventy years, he retired to private life-still, however, devoting much of his time to his favorite Law School. He died here, December 13, 1823, in the 80th year of his age. He was eminently distinguished for his piety and learning. In seasons of revival, and indeed at all times, no layman in the parish was so efficient as a co- laborer with the pastor, as Judge Reeve.
Mrs. Sally Reeve died soon after the war, leaving an only son, Aaron Burr Reeve. The latter, died in Troy, N. Y., in 1809, leaving an only son, Tapping Burr Reeve, who received his first degree at Yale College in 1829, and died the same year. With him the family of Judge Reeve became extinct. April 30, 1798, the Judge married a second wife-Betsey Thompson-who survived him a few years.
MAJOR MOSES SEYMOUR was born in Hartford, July 23, 1742, and became a resident of Litchfield in early man- hood. Early in the war of the revolution, he was commissioned as Captain of the troop of horse attached to the 17th regiment of Connecticut militia. In June, 1776, Elisha Sheldon, Esq., of Salisbury, was appointed Major-Commandant of the Fifth Regiment of Cavalry; and the subject of this sketch received the appointment of Captain of one of the companies of this regiment. Though Major Sheldon was subsequently trans- ferred to the command of the Second Regiment of Dragoons in the continental army, Captain Seymour retained his connec- tion with the Fifth until the close of the war.
In April, 1777, on the occasion of the Danbury Alarm, Cap- tain Seymour mustered his troops and proceeded forthwith to assist in repelling the invason of Governor Tryon. He parti-
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HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD.
cipated in the skirmishing which followed the retreat of the enemy toward the Sound. At the capture of Burgoyne, in October of the same year, he was once more at the head of his favorite corps, and did good service in that most important and decisive engagement. A day or two after the terms of capitulation were signed, the American officers invited Bur- goyne and his associate-officers to dine with them. At this interesting festival Captain Seymour was present. His ac- count of the conversations that took place on the occasion, be- tween the conquerors and the conquered, and particularly his minute recital of the toasts given on both sides, are still re- membered with interest by his neighbors. The utmost cour- tesy and good feeling prevailed on the part of the principal officers, and the responses to the sentiments given were hearty and enthusiastic. At length, General Burgoyne was called upon for a toast. Every voice was for the moment hushed into the deepest attention, as he arose and gave-" America and Great Britain against the world !" The response which fol- lowed may be imagined.
During the night which succeeded the final battle between Generals Gage and Burgoyne, Captain Seymour watched with a British officer who had been wounded and carried off the field in the midst of the engagement. Soon after he had en- tered the room, the officer, who had not before learned the fate of the day, enquired eagerly of Captain S. as to the result. On hearing that the British had been defeated, he remarked -" Then the contest is no longer doubtful ; America will be independent. I have fought earnestly for my king and country, but the contest is ended !" The kindness of Captain Seymour to him, an enemy, deeply affected him. He thanked him again and again ; and finally offered him his watch and other rewards, which were of course refused. The gallant American did all in his power to relieve the distresses and soothe the mind of his charge-but his wounds proved fatal.
During the greater part of the war, Captain Seymour was stationed at Litchfield as a Commissary of Supplies for the army. In this department of the public service, his zeal and efficiency were conspicuous, and duly appreciated by Governor
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MAJOR SEYMOUR.
Trumbull, General Wolcott, and others. Few men in this section of the State labored as untiringly or accomplished more. I have elsewhere stated that Litchfield was a depot for military stores and provisions. Captain Seymour was employed not only in the purchase of these articles, but assisted in storing and guarding them while here, and in superintending their transportation wherever they might be ordered by the com- petent authorities. In September, 1781, we find him with his dragoons, by order of General Wolcott, guarding a train of wagons loaded with supplies for the French Army, from Litchfield to Fishkill .*
With the Peace of 1783, the subject of this sketch retired to private life with the rank of Major. In 1789, he was elec- ted by his fellow-citizens to the office of Town Clerk-a post to which he was annually re-elected during the remainder of his life, a period of thirty-seven years ! This uninterrupted bestowment of an office upon one individual for so long a time, is unprecedented in the history of the town. He was also a member of the House of Representatives at sixteen regular sessions, commencing with the October session, 1795. In the early part of the present century, Major Seymour was occasionally a candidate of the political party with which he was connected, for the Council of State. In 1805 he received 7,426 votes, and at the election of the succeeding year he re- ceived 7,671 votes, for that office.
Major Seymour was a gentleman of the old school, retaining to the last the manners and costume of that now obsolete class.
On the 7th of November, 1771, he married Molly, daughter of Colonel Ebenezer Marsh, and had five sons and one daugh- ter-the latter alone surviving at the present time. Of these
* The French Commissary, Jujardy N. Granville, (who appears to have pos- sessed a very imperfect knowledge of our language,) left the following curious acknowledgment of the service, which is on file in the Comptroller's Office :
" WE, Commissary of War, employed in the Army of Rochambeau, Certified that the Detachment composed of 24 Dragons or Light Horses commanded by Mr. Moses Seymour, capitaine, came on with our teams and stores from Litchfield. We certified beside that the said Capitain Moses has taken a great care for the security of our convoy and bagage while he stay with us till this place.
Fishkill, Sep 22, 1781."
JUJARDY N. GRANVILLE.
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HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD.
five sons, one became distinguished as a financier and Bank President ; two became High Sheriffs of this County ; one was a Representative, Senator, and Canal Commissioner, in the State of New York; and one was for twelve years a United | States Senator from Vermont-the most remarkable family of sons ever raised in Litchfield. The daughter, Clarissa Sey- mour, married the Rev. Truman Marsh, for many years Rec- tor of St. Michael's Church in this town.
Major Seymour died at his residence in this village, Sept. 17, 1826, in the 84th year of his age. His remains rest in our East Burying-Ground.
There is yet another name which I would mention with respect in this connection-that of ELISHA MASON, the last of the Revolutionary Soldiers in Litchfield. With a patriot- ism as unquestioned and a zeal as ardent as can be claimed for the most renowned of our heroes, he performed the humbler duties of his sphere as faithfully as they, though all uncheered by the hope of fame or pecuniary reward. He died in this village, June 1, 1858, in the 100th year of his age. I frc- quently had occasion to consult him on matters of local inter- est, and found his mind clear and his memory retentive almost to the last. He seemed like one who had come down to us from a distant generation. In the last interview I had with him, (January 18, 1858,) he assured me that he well remem- bered the first meeting-house ever built in this town, and which was demolished when he was about three and a half years old. He also recollected the old fort which occupied the site of the present Court House, as well at that which stood on Chestnut Hill-both of which were erected as a defense against the In- dians. In the great struggle for Independence, he had periled his life in the cause of his country. And what was his re- ward ? On one occasion, at the expiration of a term of service, he was discharged on the Hudson, and paid off in continental currency. Starting homeward on foot, he reached Danbury, where he spent the night. In the morning, on attempting to settle his bill, his continental money was refused. · He offer- ed larger and still larger sums-and finally tendered bills to the amount of forty dollars, for his lodging and meals ; but the
161
ELISHA MASON.
landlord refused to take the currency on any terms. Mr. Mason was finally compelled to pawn his rifle to cansel his in- debtness. As his wages were but eight dollars per month, he thus offered the avails of five months' services for his keeping for twelve hours! But though so poorly requited by the country for which he had fought, the soldier lived to enjoy the blessings of a free government, and in bequeathing them as a rich legacy to his posterity, he felt himself abundantly repaid for all his toils and privations.
Ten years ago, many an active participant in the stirring events of that great contest which resulted in the freedom of America, still lingered with us ; and many a story of personal adventure was told, at many a fire-side circle, to eager listeners. Now, alas! the lips of those venerable men are forever sealed. Henceforth their chivalric deeds will live only in uncertain Tradition, or in the results which an all-wise Providence shall cause to flow from them. While enjoying the rich blessings which they assisted in achieving and transmitting to us, let us not fail to cherish their memory and emulate their potriotism.
21
CHAPTER IX.
PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENT.
THOUGH descendants of the puritans, and perhaps somewhat puritanic themselves, the first settlers of Litchfield and their immediate successors were not of that class who pro- scribed wholesome amusement and recreation. Their man- ners and customs were indeed simple. Industry and frugality were regarded as essential requisites. As already intimated, every man was from necessity a soldier and a hunter; and the duties incumbent upon him in these capacities were full of bold adventure and healthful excitement. Where game was so abundant, a hardy and athletic people like our fathers could not have wanted for sport. Our streams and lakes, too, with their teeming abundance, afforded pleasant and profita- ble employment for such as had no better business.
Husking-Parties, Apple-Bees, Raisings, Quiltings, Weddings, Spinning-Parties, and Balls, were made occasions of hilarity and social good-cheer-though generally conducted with rus- tic simplicity and the strictest regard to economy. Mr. Mor- ris says-" When young people of both sexes assembled to- gether for amusement, they employed themselves principally in dancing, while one of the company sang. The first use of the violin in this town for a dance, was in the year 1748. The whole expense of the amusement, although the young people generally assembled, did not exceed one dollar, out of which the fiddler was paid ! When this instance of profusion took place, parents and old people exclaimed that they should be ruined by the extravagance of the youth. In 1798," continues the same writer, " a ball, with the customary entertainment and variety of music, cost about $160, and nothing was said about it. It is not to be inferred from this difference, that our youth had become more vicious than formerly ; but it
Eng. by D.C. Hinman from a crayon sketch by Rembrandt Peale in the possession of Geo. Gibbs, Esq.
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民营产
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163
THE STOLEN BRIDE.
serves to show a material change in the wealth and character of the people."
Tradition yet tells of the festivities and merry-makings that took place on Litchfield Hill, when, a short time before the Revolution, a gallant young officer of the militia led to the hymenial altar the accomplished daughter of one of the mag- nates of the town ; and liow, in the midst of their rejoicings, the bride was mysteriously spirited away, and borne on horse- back to a quiet inn in Northfield ; with what fleetness, on that bright autumnal evening, the bridegroom and his attendants rushed over the eastern hills to the rescue; how, on their arri- val, the little inn was suddenly illuminated, the violin struck up a merry tune, the dance commenced, and the festive-board was spread ; and how, an hour or two later, the cavalcade, like a triumphal procession, returned to the village. Long years thereafter, when the wars with the mother-country were over and a grateful people were enjoying the liberties which that bridegroom, on the battle-field and in the council-chamber, had assisted in achieving, the venerable couple would some- times tell, to their children and their children's children, the story of the " stolen bride."
The establishment of the LITCHFIELD LAW SCHOOL by Judge. Reeve, in 1784, and the LITCHFIELD MONITOR (a weekly news- paper,) by Mr. Thomas Collier, during the same year, affords indication of the growing importance of the town, and at the same time tended to give it a wider reputation. The intelligence and social position of its inhabitants, no less than the beauty of its location, drew hither the wealthy and distingnished from abroad-some, for the purpose of enjoying the congenial quiet of the place ; others, to participate in its superior educational advantages. New and more fashionable pastimes were now introduced among our people. In May, 1785, several Theat- rical Performances came off in this village, the principal char- acters being sustained by students of Yale College. The Mon- itor says-" Distinguished Merit and literary Ability were so evidently conspicuous and amply displayed on the Occasion, as would have done Honour to a British Theatre." In July, 1787, Mr. Pool, an American Circus-Rider, announced that he
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HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD.
would give an exhibition "in Mr. Buel's Orchard, Litchfield." In November, 1789, Shakspeare's Plays were performed in " Mr. Buel's Ball-Room," by a company of strolling actors; and about the same time, " the Surprizing Performances of the celebrated John Brannan and wife, from Dublin, in the Curious and Ingenious Art of dancing on the Slack-Wire," was advertized.
Toward the close of the last century, the Hon. Messrs. Tracy and Allen, both of Litchfield, were in Congress at the same time with the Hon. Chauncey. Goodrich, whose wife was a Litchfield lady-a daughter of Governor Wolcott. During the same period, also, the Hon. Oliver Wolcott, Jr., of this town, (then a member of the Cabinet,) was residing at the seat of government with his family. Thus, the talent and beauty of Litchfield, (both of which had by this time become famous,) formed quite an element in the society of the national capital. An anecdote of General Tracy has been preserved, commemo- rative at once of Mrs. Wolcott's attractions and his own pecul- iar wit. Mr. Liston, the then British Ambassador, who was thoroughly English in his ideas, on some occasion said to him, " Your countrywoman, Mrs. Wolcott, would be admired even at St. James." "Sir," retorted the Senator from Connecticut, she is admired even on Litchfield Hill !"
Of the object of " Sabbath-Day Houses," I have already spo- ken. The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, in an address on the anniversary of the Landing of the Pilgrims, delivered in New York, December 20, 1853, alluded incidentally to the opposi- tion made to the introduction of stoves into the old meeting- house in Litchfield during the ministry of his father. This allusion called up divers reminiscences of the fierce war that was waged on the occasion. A New York correspondent of the Enquirer thus wrote-" When the heresy was broached, you probably recollect the intense excitement that prevailed on Litchfield Hill. The parties were formed-the Stove Party and the Anti-Stove Party. . For a time the storm raged fear- fully ; but the Stove Party at length triumphed, and on the following Sabbath the stove was in its place." The writer then proceeds to give the results. One maiden lady, of the
4
165
THE STOVE CONTROVERSY.
anti-stove party, " commenced fanning herself, and at length apparently swooned away"-declaring, when she recovered, that " the heat of that horrid stove had caused her to faint." The Cleveland (Ohio) Herald copied Mr. Beecher's remarks, adding-" We have a Litchfielder right by us, who remembers all about that stove, and its advent into the old meeting-house on Litchfield Hill"-and the editor proceeds to give the recol- lections of the gentleman referred to. The editor of the Hart- ford Daily Courant appended the following remarks :
"Now we have a word to say in the matter. Violent opposition had been made to the introduction of a stove into the old meeting- house, and an attempt made in vain to induce the Society to purchase one. The writer was one of seven young men who finally purchased a stove, and requested permission to put it up in the meeting-house on trial. After much difficulty, the committee consented. It was all arranged on Saturday afternoon, and on Sunday we took our seat in the Bass, rather earlier than usual, to see the fun. It was a warm November Sunday, in which the sun shone cheerfully and warmly on the old south steps and into the naked windows. The stove stood in the middle aisle, rather in front of the Tenor Gallery. People came in and stared. Good old Deacon Trowbridge, one of the most simple-hearted and worthy men of that generation, had, as Mr. Beech- er says, been induced to give up his opposition. He shook his head, however, as he felt the heat reflected from it, and gathered up the skirts of his great-coat as he passed up the broad isle to the Deacon's Seat. Old Uncle Noah Stone, a wealthy farmer of the West End, who sat near, scowled and muttered at the effects of the heat, but waited until noon, to utter his maledictions over his nut-cakes and cheese at the intermission. There had in fact been NO FIRE IN THE STOVE-the day being too warm. We were too much upon the broad grin to be very devotional, and smiled rather loudly at the funny things we saw. But when the editor of the village paper, Mr. Bunce, came in, (who was a believer of stoves in churches,) and with a most satisfactory air, warmed his hands by the stove, keeping the skirts of his great-coat carefully between his knees, we could stand it no longer, but dropt invisible behind the breastwork. But the climax of the whole was, (as the Cleveland man says,) when Mrs. Peck went out in the midst of the service ! It was, however, the means of reconcil- ing the whole society ; for, after that first day, we heard of no more opposition to the warm stove in the meeting-house."
On referring to the Society's Records, I find the subjoined reference to the transaction mentioned in the article from the Courant :
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HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD.
" The following representation in writing, viz.,
" An Association of Young Men, inhabitants of the Town of Litchfield, desire the First Ecclesiastical Society, by their Committce, to accept of a Stove and Pipe for their meeting-house. They request the Committee would consult the Society, and inform the undersigned where they would wish to have it placed. JOHN P. BRACE, HIRAM WALLACE, Committee. L. GOODWIN,
Litchfield, Oct. 18, 1816."
-having been presented to the Society's Committee, and the Society having been informed by their said Committee that they had accepted the Stove and Pipe referred to in said representation-Whereupon,
VOTED, That the Society's Committee be, and they are, instructed and directed to designate the place in which the said Stove shall be lo- cated, and give the necessary directions regarding the mode in which the said stove, and the pipe thereto attached, shall be erected.
Attest, J. W. HUNTINGTON, Clerk."
In nothing, perhaps, has there been a greater change during the last seventy-five years, than in the mode of traveling and . carrying freight. Until the close of the Revolution, traveling, especially in the inland towns, was performed almost exclusive- ly on horseback. The saddle and the pillion were regarded by the upper and middle classes as articles of special conven- ience and gentility-much more so than carriages and coaches now are. Horses were trained to carry double ; and it was not an uncommon thing to see father, mother, and at least one child, mounted on the some horse at the same time. Long journeys were sometimes taken with this tripple load. For years after the Old Forge, in the western part of this town, was erected, the ore for its use was brought from the iron- mines of Kent in bags slung across the backs of horses ; and the bar-iron manufactured there, was bent in the form of ox- bows, and carried to market on horseback ! Ox-carts and ox-sleds were common, and journeys of hundreds of miles wer not unfrequently made in these tedious vehicles. Many of the ambitious and hardy young men of this town, who emigrated to Vermont, to the Genesee Country, and New Connecticut, went on foot-each carrying a pack, in which was enclosed, as an indispensable part of his outfit, a new axe. Some who thus went, became men of wealth and distinction.
There was no public conveyance between Litchfield and the neighboring or more remote towns, for a period of nearly sev-
167
POST-RIDERS, MAILS, ETC.
enty years after the settlement of the place commenced. As early as 1766, it is true, Mr. William Stanton was a post-rider between Litchfield and Hartford ; but as it is understood that his journeys were performed on horseback, the inference is that he did not make a business of carrying passengers ! « In- deed, during the revolution, all regular communication be- tween the interior towns was suspended, even where it had before existed ; but expresses were sent hither and thither, as the exigences of the hour might demand. Litchfield was on the great inland route from Boston to New York, as well as from Hartford to West Point, so that the amount of travel through the town was very great.
The establishment of a weekly paper in this village, in 1784, seemed to call for some method of obtaining and circulating the " news." There was not a Post Office or a Mail Route in the County of Litchfield ; and how the subscribers contrived to get their papers, may well be regarded as a mystery by the publishers of our day. In 1789, Jehiel Saxton, a post-rider between New Haven and Lenox, passed through this town on his route, at stated intervals. In 1790, another of this inter- esting class of primitive letter-carriers and errand-men, com- "menced his long and lonely ride over the almost intermin- able succession of hills, between " the Litchfield Court-House" and the city of New York-leaving each place once a fortnight. That was a proud day for Litchfield-perhaps for New York also!
But at length the enterprize of the printer accomplished what the Government had failed to do. In January, 1791, the Monitor contained the following announcement :
" POST-OFFICE ESTABLISHMENT. - The Public, particularly Gentlemen in the Town and Vicinity of Litchfield, have some time lamented the want of a regular and weekly Intercourse with the City of Hartford, by a Post immediately from this Town-are respectfully assured, that a Post in conjunction with Mr. Isaac Trowbridge, the Rider from New York, will start from this Office for Hartford regularly, once a week, commencing on Monday next, the 31st inst. This Establish- ment has met the Sanction and Encouragement of Mr. Trow- bridge ; and the Undertakers will be subject to the same Reg-
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HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD.
ulation and Responsibility required by the Postmaster General. Consequently, every Duty annexed to the Business will be strictly and pointedly observed.
" And that the Public may be better accommodated, and derive a safe Repository for their Letters, &c., a POST-OFFICE is opened in Collier's Printing Office-at which Place all Des- patches, to be transmitted through the Medium of either Post, must be deposited. During the Winter, (and till the 1st of May next,) the Post from New York will ride once a fortnight, and arrive on Tuesday Evening, commencing the 5th of the ensuing month. Those who have Business or Letters are re- quested to leave their directions at this Office, for New York on Tuesday, for Hartford on Saturday Evenings, preceding the days of departure ; as the Posts will positively start at an early Hour. Letters will be received at this Office for any part of the United States.
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