USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Windsor > The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut : including East Windsor, South Windsor, Bloomfield, Windsor Locks, and Ellington, 1635-1891 > Part 50
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > East Windsor > The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut : including East Windsor, South Windsor, Bloomfield, Windsor Locks, and Ellington, 1635-1891 > Part 50
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > South Windsor > The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut : including East Windsor, South Windsor, Bloomfield, Windsor Locks, and Ellington, 1635-1891 > Part 50
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Bloomfield > The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut : including East Windsor, South Windsor, Bloomfield, Windsor Locks, and Ellington, 1635-1891 > Part 50
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Windsor Locks > The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut : including East Windsor, South Windsor, Bloomfield, Windsor Locks, and Ellington, 1635-1891 > Part 50
USA > Connecticut > Tolland County > Ellington > The history and genealogies of ancient Windsor, Connecticut : including East Windsor, South Windsor, Bloomfield, Windsor Locks, and Ellington, 1635-1891 > Part 50
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The Chaffee and Hooker houses are now standing on the castem side of the Green: the former retains much of its pristine appearance: the latter has been somewhat remodeled and modernized, and is ocen- pied by Deacon Woodford. North of this, and a little back from the street, stood the old store, packing honses, etc. Their trade was large. From every portion of the country there was constantly pouring in large supplies of horses, beef cattle, wheat, and produce of all and every sort. The Green was often heaped with goods of all kinds which had been received, or were being shipped. An eye-witness assures us that from her window she has counted as many as thirty teams in the road waiting their turn. Old people even now love to dwell upon the theme. " They sometimes retailed a hogshead of molasses in a single day." " They did a larger business than any house in Hartford at the time," are some of the expressions which fall from their lips.
Nothing seemed to come amiss to their mill; notes at thirty days were given in exchange, and always promptly paid: while under the bank of the Little River near by.' lay many - sometimes six or seven - coasting vessels, and generally some larger English or West India ves- sels. A letter from Oliver Welles to Mr. Peter Verstille, merchant af Boston, dated Windsor, 12 April. 1778, says: - Ezra Webb is not yet heard of: the rest of our sea vessels are all returned, and was really a pleasant sight to see seren (from our steeple) coming up thro the meadow at once, all near of equal distances." Their trade to Liverpool and the West Indies was at that time very extensive, and during some parts of the year the Little River was quite full of vessels, loading and miloading. and the Green was lively with hearty sea-captains and bronzed and jolly sailors. Several of these captains resided here, among whom was Capt. NATHAAMEL HOWARD, father of the late Major Howard and of William Howard. He always brought home a little stock of fine silks and choice goods from his various voyages, and his wife kept store in the building now occupied by the Misses Stiles. It is related of her that she was remarkable for dressing well, which excited the envy of some of ber
" There being at that time no bridge at Hartford to obstruct the navigation of the river, Windsor was a port of entry, and West India and other goods were, during a part of the year, landed at the Rivulet ferry.
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STORES, TRADE, COMMERCE.
less fortunate neighbors: and that when on one occasion she sported in umbrella, which the captain had brought from furrin ports, and which was the first article of the kind ever seen here, she was followed by ses- eral of her follow-citizen-esses, in a spirit of derision, carrying sieres elevated on the tops of broom-handles, etc .! William Howard afterward traded here, and kept the post-office. The business had previously been carried on under the name of Howard & Alford.
At MATSON'S store, which stood a few rods from Pickett's Tavern. a comparatively large business was done, down to about the beginning of the century. A few years before this the amount of business was $40,000 per annum. They dealt largely in Turk's Island salt, which, doring high water in the Connecticut, was landed direct from the West Indies and exchanged for northern produce. The old salt-room of the store is still cold and damp.
There was also a store (built by Major ELLSWORTH) on the site of Dr. Wilson's former house. Lient. Jonathan Ellsworth, son of Josiah and grandfather of Judge Oliver, born in 1669, and died 13 Sept .. 1749, in the 81st 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, Lieut. David Ellsworth. He kept 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 somel 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 STRose 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 erection of a bridge across the Connecticut 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 erreted 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- tended into the river, at which vessels were always loading and unload- ing, so that Windsor vessels were much hindered in getting through the gay. On one occasion Mr. Alford, 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
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
below the beider was blocked up by vessels at Lyman's wharf. Alford. however, insisted on the draw bring raised, saying that he would look out for a passage, he could get along. Finally, up went the draw . Alford 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 funnet. the draw could not be dropped so long as the vessel was under it - the entrent of teams and passengers across the bridge was obstructed, and becoming every moment more impatient and numerous-but importurl- able skipper Alford, as cool as a cucumber, held his place - protesting his willingness, but his inability to budge an inch further. Finding hit firm. the Hartford folks made it convenient to move some of their vessels ont into the stream, and theu the Windsor captain floated down the river exulting.
In 1859 the only stores in Windsor were U. 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 Palisade Green, kept In Mr. Fenton.
Ship-Building. - Timothy Loomis's Common-place book records that, " The first sloop raised in Windsor was on the 19th day of Devem- ber, 1723. Mr. Je W4, Master Workman. Said sloop was laneht 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 month of Scantie River, and at Higley's Ferry, were used for ship building until 1820. or thereabouts. From tieneral F. B. MATHER of New York city we learn that - abont 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 seene. One old gentleman, however, was wont to explain 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 farts concerning the early 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. Hadden of Windsor Looks, published in the Hertford Concent of 20th May, 1886 :
In 1636, three years after Captain Holmes, Mr Pynchon commenced the settle- ment of Spring'sold and i would, with his supplies, sailed up six miles further, to the foot of Enguld 9.9. beyond which his vessel could not be taken From this point lael cerrito are provided to springfield, fourteen miles: and when he afterwards built a warehouse to filter " he ding : add lending his vessel, the landing was known as Warehouse Point : mam sell retained for that locality. Mr. Pynchon's ved was here on the breaking out of the Pequot war. May, 1637. and the General Contt of Con- nections pressed it is a service. .. It was ordered that Mr Ping heon's shallopp shall be en ploy di [in the design |
When larger heats thea indiin canoe- 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 resshipped from Sloops at Warehouse Point, and thenve sent forward by scows 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 1276 told me that she on our decision counted sixteen shaped Warehouse Point. During high water in the spring there 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 stoops went beyond Hartford and son marty all the uptiver freight was stopped and reshipped at Hartford Aslate as I Seit required many hosts to supply all the towns along the river in Massachusetts Vermont, and New Hampshire These beats carried a square mainsail and topsail, which was only useful before the wind When the wind was not favorable they propu lled their beats along by the shore by poling, a slow and tedious process
At night the lossts were " tied up"; the men went on shore and sought food and lodging at some farm house The capacity of the beats was from twelve to eighteen tons. A bus arriving at Warehouse Point discharged all above fifteen tons of her freight when the vind was fa sealde, and all above twelve tous when there was a head wind. The fallsmeu employ ed at one dollar each, added to the one w. made one man per ton of fri be when a boat was poled over the falls. The freight that had been taken off at Warchour Poim to lighten the boat was carted mound the falls by teams to Thompsonville, where it wa again taken on board The boatmen sometimes remained at Hartford. waiting for a fair wind outil 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 upwilling to relinquish their " up the river trade, ' and in 1524 they, too. obtained : charge for a canal. Theirs was the Contient River Commitny, with authority to build a caval ground Enfield Falls, and, with the cooperation of Massa- chusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire. "to improve the navigation to the sources of the Connectiont River and Lack. Memphromagog in Vermont." The passenger busi- news on the Eric canal had prove I a success, and to show the feasibility of establishing a steinbelt line for freight and passengers along the Connecticut, the Connecticut River Company comtraced in August, 1824. " for a steamboat to navigate the river above this place " illastford. This was the steamboat Barnet. launched at New York Septembrei, which arrived at Hartford November 15. About a week later the first steamboat that went shove Hartford steamed up to Warehouse Point. I was out gun-
430
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
ning that day with another lad of my own age (fourteen), and a man who had dinin up from Hartford to Hayden station tobl us that the steamboat was coming. W. reached the river in goal time, and awaited her arrival. . There was a Ensilado of mus ketry below on both sides of the river. We tried to make our guns speak as loudly .. cannons, and burned all our powder in heavy charges while the boat was passing. aml the crowd of men and boys who had joined us shouted themselves hoarse. One man walked along the shere some distance, and found that the boat went against the stream "almost as fast as a man condil walk " The exhaust steain from the engine was heard from , great distance. One little boy in our crowd, supposing it a thing of life, sa to his mother when he reached home : ". It was so tired that it puffed, and it putter and couldn't hardly get along." A like enthusiastic reception awaited the boat to the highest point reached on the river.
The first effort to get the Burnt over the falls was a failure. It left Warchou- Point well-manned, and with mach 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 Nu vember again steamed up to Warehouse Point, and the next day, with a scow boat 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 successtul trip had 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 1525 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 tween Hartford and Springfield before the canal was opened. When that event was celebrated, November 11, 1599, the stemmer Blanchard brought a party from Hart. ford, and others came in carriages to the lower locks, where they were met by genthe 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 he river, they locked her back. Two scow-boats had been fitted up for the excursion through the canal, and horses provided. I 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 steater 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 scows well filled At the head of the word the Ferment 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 filled.
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 fall -. Later the steamboat lywurden, Captain Peek, made daily trips between Springfield and Hartford, landing and taking on passengers at the stopping places between. The Agarram and her commander were uuule famous by Dickens's account of his passage in her from Springfield to Hartford, 1842 (2). 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 step over into the river on Seantie 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 boats of about 75-ton capacity still bringing some heavy
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THE OLD MOORE HOUSE, BROAD STREET GREEN, WINDSOR.
THE OLD ALLYN HOUSE, BROAD STREET GREEN, WINDSOR.
£
4
tirare (Episcopal) Church.
Residence of Judge H. Subwey Hayden. VIEW ON BROAD STREET GREEN, WINDSOR, CONN.
431
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 day-mitx (see p. 33), succeeded soon by log cabins, such as the western emigrant of today greets na bis 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 frout, 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 fancy of the occupant. Of this description was the house of Rev. Mr. Hooker, of Hartford. and of Rev. Timothy Edwards. of ( Fast) Windsor. At a later period. as the necessities of growing families increased. and they needed more room, the scents 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- ure. Examples of this kind of house will be found in the old Moong and ALLEN 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 set-out on his marriage day, A.D. 1690. It was in its day, and even within the recollection of some now living, a fine house, but finally served as a kitchen to a more modern house which ocenpies its original site. Still smine 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 is 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 mem- 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 elm which overshadows the house always possessed as much interest as the dwelling in the hearts of the
' Mrs. Fanny L. Bisseil.
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
occupants - being one of the oldest and most beautiful trees in the town.
The old ALLYN Horse, built by the first Squire Allyn, and after wards occupied by his son, the second squire, was considered. in it 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 asserted, with all the merete and innocence of childhood, that he had seen . Hemen. 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 I. S. HAYDEN, to whom, as well as to other members of his family. we are indebted for many acts of personal kindness, and for much 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 plus, its exterior plain but commanding in appearance. it has always seemed to us peenfiarly characteristic of its distinguished buibler, who, with all the honors which he gained chonors which meant so much more then than now) was over the plain, quiet. good citizen -putting on - no frills " -a pare, 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 souvenir 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 1. Lusion (see p. 419), is said to have greatly delighted the Judge's children, esp by the boys, William and Houry Leavitt, by singing to them " The Darby Ram," holding the younger boy, the while. upon his knee.
1
He Jiang Manydaw.
THE CHIEF-JUSTICE ELLSWORTH MANSION, WINDSOR, CONN.
CHI.F-JUSTICE OLIVER ELLSWORTH AND WIFE.
After the painting by R. Farle 1792, now in the parlor of the above house. (By courtesy of the Century Para -
433
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 gombrel-roof, of which many specimens are vot remaining. The old brick house on east side of Palisado Green, known as "the Chaffee House," is a fine specimen of this style of roof. These were succeeded by houses with two 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 sally 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 Win. C. Broeklesby, in Hørt- 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 about to be married, had a raising, and during the joy- ous occasion, 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.
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