The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. I, Part 51

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Hartford, Conn., Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard company
Number of Pages: 1038

USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Windsor > The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. I > Part 51

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There was also a store (built by Major ELLSWORTH ) on the site of Dr. Wilson's former house. Lieut. Jonathan Ellsworth, son of Josiah and grandfather of Judge Oliver, born in 1669, and died 13 Sept., 1749, in the Sist year of his age, resided in an old house ( which had been pulled down before 1802), and upon the spot afterwards occupied by his grand- son, Lient. David Ellsworth. He kopt there a tavern for many years, and also a small store of West India goods, rum, etc. He was an enter- prising man, and much concerned in public affairs. He was a man of very sound sense, and also noted for his sharp wit, which gained him the name of " Hector " Ellsworth. His death was caused by being thrown from his horse while riding in Windsor street. In person he was very tall. large, and of strong constitution.

One STRONG traded on the site of the second house south of the Misses Stiles.

But the palmy days were destined to pass away From Windsor. In addition to the failure of the Hookers, the ercetion of a bridge across the Connectiont at Hartford also damaged the interests of Windsor, and she gradually fell behind in the race.

Few vessels came up above Hartford bridge after 1820. An amus- ing story of the last days of the quarrel between Windsor and Hartford, to which this bridge gave rise, is still told. It seems that the first bridge erected there had a draw in its center, but, being destroyed by a freshet, it was replaced by another bridge having its draw (a drop draw ) at the western end, next to the city. Just below the draw. Lyman's wharf ex- founded into the river, at which vessels were always loading and unload- ing, so that Windsor vessels were nich hindered in getting through the gap. On one occasion Mr. Afford, of the firm of Howard & Alford, was dropping down the stream in one of his vessels, and, coming to the bridge, was refused passage by the bridgemaster, on the ground that the way

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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

below the bridge was blocked up by vessels at Lyman's wharf. Afford, however, insisted on the draw being raised, saying that he would look out for a passage, he could get along. Finally, up went the draw - Afford dropped down the stream, but just as he had got in the gap under the bridge, he slipped an anchor, and loudly declared he couldn't go any further-even if he did go through the draw -that the way was obstructed by the vessels below. The bridge keeper swore and fumed. the draw could not be dropped so long as the vessel was under it - the current of teams and passengers across the bridge was obstructed, and becoming every moment more impatient and numerous -- but imperturb- able skipper Afford, as cool as a cucumber, held his place - protesting his willingness, but his inability to budge an inch further. Finding him firm, the Hartford folks made it convenient to move some of their vessels out into the stream, and then the Windsor captain floated down the river exulting.

In 1859 the only stores in Windsor were H. S. Hayden's (formerly Loomis & Sheldon's -and originally Col. James Loomis'), on Broad Street Green, and a little shop in the southwest corner of the Palisado Green, kept by Mr. Fenton.

Ship-Building. - Timothy Loomis's Common-place book records that, " The first sloop raised in Windsor was on the 19th day of Decem- ber, 1723. Mr. J. Wd, Master Workman. Said sloop was laucht May 7. 1724. The boat belonging to said sloop was launched May 28, 1724."

Hayden's shipyard, owned by Master John Hayden, who came from Essex, Conn., about the close of the revolutionary war, was situated at the present old red house, half a mile from Hayden Station. There was also a shipyard at the Rivulet ferry. These, together with three yards on the east side of the river, at Warehouse Point, the mouth of Scantic River, and at Higley's Ferry, were used for ship-building until 1820, or thereabouts. From General F. E. MATHER of New York city we learn that " about 1810 Allyn M. Mather built a ship near the . Stone Bridge' on the Island road ; later Howard & Alford built one at . the Rivulet Ferry '." The launching of vessels from any of these yards was always quite a matter of interest to the towns-folk, who repaired in large numbers to witness the scene. One old gentleman, however, was wont to exclaim that he couldn't see what there was so wonderful in a ship launch ; as for his part he " would just as lief see a turtle slip off an old log into the water."

In this connection we present some interesting facts concerning the party navigation of the Connecticut above Hartford, condensed from a

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EARLY NAVIGATION ON THE CONNECTICUT.

paper by our friend, Mr. Jabez H. Hayden of Windsor Locks, published in the Hartford Courant of 26th May, 1886 :

In 1636, three years after Captain Holmes, Mr. Pynchon commenced the settle- ment of Springfield, and the vessel, with his supplies, sailed up six miles further, to the foot of Entiell Falls, beyond which his vessel could not be taken. From this point land carriage was provided to Springfield, fourteen miles; and when he afterwards built a warehouse to facilitate unloading and loading his vessel, the landing was known as Warehouse Point, a name still retained for that locality. Mr. Pynchon's vessel was here on the breaking out of the Pequot war, May, 1637, and the General Court of Con- nertieut pressed it into service. " It was ordered that Mr. Pincheon's shallopp shall be employed [in this design. ]"

When larger boats than Indian canoes were first used above the falls is unknown, but there came a time when they made that-boats (scows), which they were able to take over the rapids and pass and repass by water from Warehouse Point to Springfield. One hundred years ago much of the freight for the up-river towns was re-shipped from sloops at Warehouse Point, and thence sent forward by seows. A warehouse was then standing about forty rods south of the new bridge, and all the evidence tends to prove that that was the site of Mr. Pynchon's warehouse.

A person born at Pinemeadow. now Windsor Locks, in 1776, told me that she on one occasion counted sixteen sloopsat Warehouse Point. During high water in the spring three or four at a time were not unusual. After the bridge across the Connecticut was built at Hartford in 1809, it proved so serious an obstruction that fewer sloops went beyond Hartford, and soon nearly all the up-river freight was stopped and reshipped at Hartford. As late as 1820 it required many boats to supply all the towns along the river in Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire. These boats carried a square mainsail and topsail, which was only useful before the wind. When the wind was not favorable they propelled their boats along by the shore by poling, a slow and tedious process.

At night the boats were " tied up "; the men went on shore and sought food and lodging at some farm house The capacity of the boats was from twelve to eighteen tons. A boat arriving at Warchouse Point discharged all above fifteen tons of her freight when the wind was favorable, and all above twelve tons when there was a head wind. The fallsmen, employed at one dollar cach, added to the crew, made one man per ton of freight when a boat was poled over the falls. The freight that had been taken off at Warehouse Point to lighten the boat was carted around the falls by teams to Thompsonville, where it was again taken on board. The boatmen sometimes remained at. llartford, waiting for a fair wind, until there was quite a fleet of boats. I have counted more than thirty of them in a single day, running up to the falls before a south wind.

In 1822 a charter was granted for the Farmington canal, to run from New Haven to the Connecticut river at Northampton, with a view to supply that place and the towns above on the river - leaving Hartford out in the cold The business men of Hartford were nowilling to relinquish their " up the river trade," and in 1824 they, too, obtained a charter for a canal. Theirs was the Commetient River Company, with authority to build a canal around Enfield Falls, and, with the co-operation of Massa- chusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire, "to improve the navigation to the sources of the Connectient River and Lake Memphremagog in Vermont." The passenger busi- ness on the Eric canal had proved a success, and to show the feasibility of establishing a steamboat line for freight and passengers along the Connecticut, the Connectient River Company contracted in August, 1824. "for a steamboat to navigate the river above this place " (Hartford). This was the steamboat Barnet, launched at New York September 2, which arrived at Hartford November 15. About a week later the first steamboat that went above Hartford steamed up to Warehouse Point. I was out gun-

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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

ning that day with another lad of my own age (fourteen), and a man who had driven up from Hartford to llayden station told us that the steamboat was coming. We reached the river in good time, and awaited ber arrival. There was a fusilade of mus- ketry below on both sides of the river. We tried to make our guns speak as loudly as cannons, and burned all our powder in heavy charges while the boat was passing, and the crowd of men and boys who Inul joined us shouted themselves hoarse. One man walked along the shore some distance, and found that the boat went against the stream "almost as fast as a man could walk." The exhaust steam from the engine was heard from a great distance. One little boy in our crowd, supposing it a thing of life, said to his mother when he reached home : " It was so tired that it puffed, and it puffed. and couldn't hardly get along." A like enthusiastic reception awaited the head to the highest point reached on the river.

The first effort to get the Barmet over the falls was a failure. It left Warehouse Point well-manned, and with much labor it was carried nearly up to the island, a few rods above the railroad bridge. It then returned to Hartford, and on the 27th of No- vember again steamed up to Warehouse Point, and the next day, with a seawhoat lashed on each side, well filled with fallsmen (thirty) with their poles, they set forth, and this time were successful, and the boat reached Springfield that night. The boat reached Brattleboro, Vt., December 12th, and set out on the return to Hartford on the 14th, and arrived on the 19th. The successful trip bad demonstrated all that was an ticipated, and the event was celebrated by a great supper at Mr. John Morgan's coffee house, many guests from Springfield and other towns being present. Still New Haven believed that the Farmington canal was to be the gateway to the sea.

In the summer of 1828 the steamboat Blanchard was built at Springfield, the first (?) stern-wheel boat. She made her trial trip up the river in August. On the 10th of September the Blanchard arrived at Hartford with about fifty passengers, and left on her return next morning at 9 o'clock. There was no line of passenger boats be 1 ween llartford and Springfield before the canal was opened. When that event was celebrated, November 11, 1829, the steamer Blanchard brought a party from Hart ford, and others came in carriages to the lower locks, where they were met by gentle- men from Springfield and elsewhere, who came down through the canal on the steamer Vermont ( " recently returned from her excursion to Windsor, Vt."). After locking the steamer through into the river, they locked her back. Two seow-boats had been titted up for the excursion through the canal, and horses provided. 1 well remember the re- quest of Mr. Thomas Blanchard of Springfield, the builder of the boat, when we were expecting to be invited to come aboard. He politely invited us young men not to come on the stemmer because he wanted room for all the stockholders of the canal, to show them that the stern-wheel steamer was adapted to use on the canal " because it did not wash the banks." The steamer led the procession, followed by the two stows well filled. At the head of the canal the Vermont steamed on to Springfield with the company she brought, and the stockholders returned with us to the lower locks. There were sixteen freight boats passed through that first day the canal was tilled.

The steamboat Massachusetts at one time ran as a passenger boat ; it was too large to pass through the locks of the canal, but powerful enough to run up over the falls. Later the steamboat .Agawam, Captain Peck, made daily trips between Springfield and Hartford, landing and taking on passengers at the stopping places between. The Agoram and her commander were made famous by Dickens's account of his passage in her from Springfield to Hartford, 1812 (?). If Dickens's trip had been up instead of down the river, he might have had another item to add. I have seen Captain Peck when the water was extremely low stop over into the river on Scantie bar, and with a lever lift upon the boat to carry it over the sand into deeper water beyond.

The completion of the railroads soon ended the freighting and passenger business by water, except a few large heats of about ?- ton capacity still bringing some heavy

Grace (Episcopal) Church.

Residence of Judge H. Sidney Hayden. VIEW ON BROAD STREET GREEN, WINDSOR, CONN.

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OLD AND NOTABLE HOUSES.

Freight to Windsor Locks and Warehouse Point, but could not be run up or down over the falls in extreme low water.

Old Houses. - The dwellings of the first settlers were undoubtedly try-outs (see p. 33), succeeded soon by log cabins, such as the western emigrant of to-day ereets on his new claim. These were followed, as the circumstances of their owners improved, by a better class of houses, two stories high, containing two square large rooms above and below, with a chimney in the center, and steep roofs. Some of these houses had a porch in front, about ten feet square, of the same height as the main part of the building. This porch formed a room overhead, and the lower part was either enclosed or left open, and supported by pillars, according to the faney of the occupant. Of this description was the house of Rev. Mr. Booker, of Hartford, and of Rev. Timothy Edwards, of ( East) Windsor. At a later period, as the necessities of growing families increased, and they needed more room, the seants or lean-to was added to the rear of the house, leaning towards the upright part, and continuing the roof down to the height of the first story. This afforded a kitchen, buttery, and bedroom. This, with an addition to the chimney of a fire- place, for a kitchen, became the established order of domestic architect- nre. Examples of this kind of house will be found in the old MOORE and ALLYN houses, which stand nearly opposite to each other on Broad Street Green. The former, of which we present a likeness on the opposite page. taken from a drawing made some years since, was built by old Deacon John Moore, and presented - so says tradition -to his son John as a xet-out on his marriage day, A.D. 1690. It was in its day, and even within the recollection of some now living, a fine honse, but finally served as a kitchen to a more modern house which occupies its original site. Still some of its ornaments remain - sufficient to hint of its former glory. The lady to whom we are indebted for its portrait, and who is herself a descendant of the old house, writes ns as follows: "I have pointed out the door for the cat, for, at that early day, it was considered a very necessary accommodation to so important and privileged a men- ber of the household. The old song, you know, sings of him, who, when

' He made a great hole for the great cat to go thro',

A little hole made, for the little cat too.'

My ancestor was not quite so provident: but be it known that in every door of the old mansion was a passage for puss, that she might pursue her vocation from garret to cellar without let or hindrance." We may remark, also, that the old ehm which overshadows the house always possessed as much interest as the dwelling in the hearts of the

1 Mrs. Fanny L. Bissell.

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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

ocenpants - being one of the oldest and most beautiful trees in the town.

The old ALLYN HOUSE, built by the first Squire Allyn, and after- wards ocenpied by his son, the second squire, was considered, in its day, the grandest house in town, if not in the " universal Yankee nation." It was painted red, and the old people yet relate the anecdote of a certain child, who, having gone down to witness the training on Broad Street Green, saw, for the first time in his life, the Allyn House. In narrating the day's adventures to his parents. on his return home, he assorted. with all the naïveté and innocence of childhood, that he had seen "Heaven, the big house where the angels lived!" Here was the center of the best society of the times, and here, also, was justice dispensed by the squire. " How changed the scene !" When we went over it, in the spring of 1859, we found naught but empty rooms : garrets filled with broken spin- ning-wheels and antique furniture: and in the "best room" a party of negro wenches preparing pies and cookies to be peddled off at an ap- proaching 'Lection day. It has since been totally demolished.

Next to this old house stands the elegant modern dwelling of one of Windsor's wealthiest and most liberal-minded citizens, Judge H. S. HAYDEN, to whom, as well as to other members of his family, we are indebted for many acts of personal kindness, and for munch of the value and interest which these pages may possess for those who read them.

Undoubtedly the most historie house now standing in Windsor is the CHIEF JUSTICE ELLSWORTH Mansion' Under its stately elmis, its exterior plain but commanding in appearance, it has always seemed to us peculiarly characteristic of its distinguished builder, who, with all the honors which he gained (honors which meant so much more then than now ) was ever the plain, quiet, good citizen -putting on " no frills" -- a pure, strong mind. and a sincere Christian, Within, every room is filled with memories of the noble patriot ; the paper on the walls, brought from France; the various souvenirs of his visit abroad : the old-fashioned, elegant, and substantial furniture ; the great painting which covers nearly a wall of the parlor, representing the Chief Justice and his wife, life-size, with a view of the exterior of the house appearing through a window behind them, these and many other things render it, perhaps, the most remarkable house in Windsor. Much pains has been taken by its present occupants to keep it in the same state as when the Judge himself was alive.

' Gen. Washington, on the occasion of his visit to this mansion (see p. 419), is said to have greatly delighted the Judge's children, especially the boys, William and Henry Leavitt, by singing to them " The Darby Ram," holding the younger boy, the while, upon his knee.

---

H. James Harden.

THE CHIEF-JUSTICE ELLSWORTH MANSION, WINDSOR, CONN.

CHIEF-JUSTICE OLIVER ELLSWORTH AND WIFE. After the painting by R. Earle, 1992, now in the parlor of the above house. (By courtesy of the " Century Publishing Co.")

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EARLY DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE.

But to return to our synopsis of the orders of New England archi- tecture : the next step was the carrying of the same form of house up to the second story, making what is called an upright house.

The form of roof was also often changed to that peculiar humpback form, known as the gambrel-roof, of which many specimens are yet remaining. The old brick house on east side of Palisado Green, known as "the Chaffee Honse," is a fine specimen of this style of roof. These were succeeded by houses with twee chimneys, and a large hall in the center. These were more elegant in form and arrangement than their predecessors, but have sometimes been objected to because the rooms are apt to be small and the house cold. Since then the orders of architect- ure have become sadly confused, and all sorts of dwellings have arisen - varying according to the whim, the convenience, the means, and the tastes of the occupants. Yet. taken as a whole, the architectural effect of Windsor is pleasing, and its dwellings evince prosperity as well as taste. (In connection with this subject reference is made to the pleasant chapter on " Architecture in Hartford." by Wm. C. Brocklesby, in Hart- ford Memorial County History.)

In the olden time it was the custom for young men who were about to be married to first build "a nest for their bird." The raising of a new house was always, to a greater extent than now, an occasion of gen- eral hilarity. All the neighbors and friends were invited. and work was succeeded by frolies, games, and feasting. It was a custom, also, for the bride-elect to drive one of the pins in the frame of her future home. It is related that, about 1771, a certain young man residing in Pink street, who was abont to be married, had a raising, and during the joy- ous oprasion, become somewhat more elevated than his affianeed thought proper. So, although she had already complied with the custom of driv- ing the pin, she soon after took occasion to break off her engagement. She afterwards, however, married a young man of the same name, who purchased the house from her former lover: and so " they lived and died in peace " in the house which was built for her.

Slaves. - In every New England village church the darkies have a corner in the gallery, and another corner in the village graveyard, where ant-hills and tangled vines and weeds struggle for the honor of bedecking their humble and unhonored graves. So we, also, must give a passing notice to the sable inhabitants of ancient Windsor.

When slavery was first introduced into Connectient we do not know! nor does it seem ever to have been directly established by law.

1 Matthew Grant's Oll Church Records mentions among the deaths in 1641. " one Hager." If. as is probable, this was meant to be the same as Hagar, it would seem to have been a negro woman, possibly an Indian.

VOL. I .- 55

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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.

although indirectly sanctioned by legislative enactments, and frequently recognized by the courts. In May, 1660, the court decreed ~ that neither Indian nor negar serrants shall be required to train, watch, or ward." 2

Henry Wolcott, Jr's, inventory, in 1680, names CYRUS, valued at £30. This is the first slave in Windsor (and probably in Connecticut ) of which we have any record. We have also seen a deed of sale of a negro boy named PHILIP, in 1694, to Eleazer Gaylord, of Windsor, from Andrew Belcher, of Boston. In 1720 John Anderson, on the east side of the river, was assessed for a negro man. The record of burials in the Old Burying Ground of South Windsor gives the deaths (but not the names) of twenty-one negro slaves between the years 1786 and 170%. Eleven of these belong to the Wolcotts, three to the Elmers, iwe to the Rockwells, two to the Cooks, one to the Ellsworths, and two unknown. So that portion of Ancient Windsor appears to have been abundantly supplied, for that day, with slaves.

The importation of slaves into the State, however, was never very large, and in 1771 was prohibited altogether. In the Revolutionary war. freedom was granted to all slaves who enlisted and served through the war. Several such will be found in the list of Windsor soldiers in that war. The last colored survivor of the Revolution, who dwelt in Windsor. Was OLIVER MITCHELL, who died, as was supposed, from a fit, in his boat in which he had been to Hartford for the purpose of drawing his pension money, in March, 1840.

In 1784, the legislature, assuming that " Policy requires that the abolition of slavery should be effected as soon as may be consistent with the rights of individuals and the public safety and welfare," enacted that no negro or mulatto child born after the first day of March in that year, should be held as a slave after they had arrived at the age of twenty-five years. Masters of slaves were also permitted to release them, ou application to the seleetmen of the towns, provided such slaves were in good physical and mental condition, and between the ages of twenty-five and forty-five years. In 1788, a statute was passed, obliging all masters, within six months after the birth of each slave, to duly notify the town clerk of such birth, ete., on penalty of seven dollars for each month's neglect. This was intended to guard against the illegal holding, by unscrupulous masters, of those who were entitled to their freedom. In 1797, it was enacted that the children of slave mothers born after August of that year, should receive their freedom at the age of twenty-one. At the same time, the carrying of slaves out of the State for sale was prohibited ; and thus gradually the institution of slavery decreased, and finally disappeared, in 1848, by a formal act of abolition.

2 Col. Ree , i. 349

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THE SLAVES OF WINDSOR.

The following anecdote is preserved in connection with the libera- tion of slaves. An aged and faithful Windsor slave, working in the field with his master, was observed to be very moody and silent. At length he broke the silence by saying that such a neighbor had given his slave his freedom, and modestly suggested that " Massa ort to give me free- dom." The master quietly replied, " Well, Tom, you may have your freedom." " May I, Massa - when ?" " Now," was the reply. " What, now, Massa, right away ?" exclaimed the surprised slave. " Yes, Tom. yon may stick up your fork where you are, if you choose, and be free." Tom stood looking upon the ground more moodily than ever, while his master went on with his work. After a half-hour's consideration, Tom resumed his labor, remarking with a knowing look, " No, Massa, you have do meat, now you may pick de bone. I no go and take care old Tom myself."

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The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Vol. I, Part 51

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909 Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Hartford, Conn., Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard company Number of Pages: 1038

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Hartford, Conn., Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard company
Number of Pages: 1038