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 53
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 53
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 53
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 53
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 53
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 53
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The record further says : " Ye party above mentioned is found guilty of witchcraft by ye Jury." But of the subsequent issue of the trial, or the fate of the unhappy Lydia, no further mention is to be found. It is a part of that mystery which seems to envelop the history of all cases of witchcraft in the Colony of Connecticut.
Some iteras of the "Account of debt- due from Henry Stiles, Sr., to Thomas Gilbert, " which accompanied the inventory of Stiles's estate, as presented to the Court, throw a little light upon the connection of Lydia with Stiles's death. They show that Henry Stiles, being a bachelor, boarded with Gilbert; that the last settlement made between the two, prior to Stiles's death, was on March 25, 1649, and that he was then pay- ing Gilbert " three shilling per week for diet." Gilbert had also charges for his own service " about building his [Stiles's ] cow-house," 28 days at 18. 67 .; also one-half the services and half the diet of John Burton [prob. Stiles's ' hired man'] since April, 1651. and for dieting harvesting hands, two harvest seasons, ete. Gilbert was living in a house which he had purchased. in 1647, from Mr. Francis Stiles, and which was separ- VOL. I. - 57
450
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
ated only by an 18-rod-wide lot (Wm. Gaylord, Jr.'s ) from Henry Stiles's lot. Evidently Stiles and Gilbert vere intimately associated in their daily work and interests, and it is quite possible that Lydia Gilbert may have taken some offense with their boarder, and that this feeling was sufficiently known to their neighbors to bring her under the suspicion (so common in those days) of having invoked the aid of witchcraft to compass his death. What relationship she bore to Thomas Gilbert we do not know, for he seems to have had no children born to him at Wind- sor, nor mention of any wife. She may have been his sister; but, who- over she was, we are left to infer that she bore not the best of reputation in the community, since the record of her indictment says "thou hast, of late years, and still dost give entertainment to Sathan . and by his help hast killed the body of Henry Stiles, besides other witchcraft."
Shortly after this trial Gilbert sold his property in Windsor + Thomas Bissell, and moved to Hartford, where he had brothers. In a few years (1659) he died ; and in a letter received from ilon. S. O. Gris- wold, of Cleveland, Ohio, October. 1886, he says. as the result of a close examination of records, etc., "In the settlement of his debts, as given in the Probate records, the distribution of his estate appears. with the names of his children, among which that of the alleged witch does not appear. She must have died, either by a natural death, or was executed. I think the reasonable probability is that she was hanged."
WINDSOR. AS REPRESENTED IN THE BENCH AND BAR OF CONNECTICUT !!
The GENERAL COURT, the first in the colony, consisted of eight gentlemen com- missioned by the General Court of Massachusetts, March. 1635-6. " to govern the pro- ple at Connecticut for the space of a year next ensuing." Two were from Windsor, viz : ROGER LUDLOW. first-named in the commission, and therefore presiding judge : and. virtually Governor of the new Colony, and WILLIAM PHELPS. This court was legiste tive, judicial, and executive in its character.
The PARTICULAR COURT, the highest strictly judicial body in the colony, existed from 1638 until 1065, and consisted of two branches-the first composed of mayis- trates elected by the " freemen " at large, and presided over by the Governor, or Deputy-Governor: the other branch consisted of deputies sent by the several towns. Its sessions were held at Hartford, and of the thirty-tive who, at one time or another, ocet- pied its bench, the following Magistrates were from Windsor :
Allyn, Matthew. 1658-62.2 Clarke, Daniel. 1659-60. Clarke, Henry, 1650-56. 59-62.2 Ludlow, Roger. 1639-54. Mason, John, 1642-62.2 Phelps. William, 1639-43, 56-62.ª Wolcot, Henry, 1643-56.
I Indebredness acknowledged to Sherman W. Adams. Esq., of Hartford -- in Memorial Hist. Hartford County. In this list we have necessarily included citizens of
" Until superseded by the charter.
451
WINDSOR'S JUDGES AND LAWYERS.
The COURT OF ASSISTANTS, consisting of at least seven members sitting at a ses. sion, chosen from the assistants in the General Court, was established in 1665; its jurisdic- tion extended to higher matters than those in the jurisdiction of its predecessor, the Particular Court. Of the fifty who served on its bench the following were from Windsor :
Allyu, Matthew. 2, 1710-34. Clarke. Daniel, 1662-64, 66-68.3 Clarke, Henry, 1082-October, 62.ª Ellsworth. Oliver, 1780-85, 1802-08. Newberry, Ponjamin, 1685-90. Newberry, Roger, 1790-1802. Wolcott, Erastus. 1786-90, East Windsor. Wolcott. Henry, 1662-81.8 Wolcott. Roger, 1714-16, 20-12. Wolcott, Roger, Jr., 1154-60.
.
At the COURT OF SESSIONS at Hartford. 1687 8. during the Audrox Gorerumen. among the justices present was Benjamin Newbery of Windsor, and the following Windsor men were on the Grand Jury : John Bissell, John Moore, Return Strong, and Nathaniel Loomis of Windsor.
The SUPERIOR COURT OF THE COLONY, established 1711 (colonial to 1326, State to 1798: since then a County Court) ; after 1819 it became a single-judge court :
Governor Roger Wolcott of Windsor was a chief judge of this court.
Governor William Wolcott Ellsworth of Windsor and Hartford.
SUPREME COURT OF ERRORS. constituted 1784-1806 :
G wernor Oliver Wolcott. Jr., East Windsor and Litchfield, chief judge, 1787-1796. Governor Oliver Ellsworth, Windsor, 1755-89. General Erastus Wolcott. 1789-92.
General Roger Newberry. Windsor.
Governor William Wolcott Ellsworth of Windsor and Hartford, associate judge, 1847-61.
PROSECUTING OFFICERS :
(King's Attorney) John Bissell of Windsor, 1727.
Peletiah Mills of Windsor, 1728.
Roger Woleott, Jr., of Windsor, 1731-1753.
(State's Attorney) Oliver Ellsworth of Windsor, 1477.
LAWYERS from Windsor :
Governor Roger Wolcott, Sr , admitted to the bar, 1208 ; th . tirst regularly admit-
ted in the township.
Sammel Moore of Windsor, 1:09.
Captain Thomas Stoughton. (East) Windsor, 1714.
John Bissell of Windsor (later of Bolton), 1714.
Peletiab Mills of Windsor. 1719 (principal inn-keeper of Windsor).
Roger Wolcott. Jr., of Windsor. 1730; appointed under a law limiting the number of attorneys in the Colony to eleven, three being appointed to Hartford county. Bildad Phelps, Windsor, 1760.
Roswell Welles of Windsor. 1764.
General Roger Newberry, Jr., of Windsor, 1765.
Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth of Windsor, 1777.
Alexander Wolcott, Jr .. of Windsor, 1781.
3 Named in the charter. See Connectiont Legislative Manual.
452
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
In 1783 the present BAR ASSOCIATION of Hartford county was established. The following Windsor names appear on its roll :
Oliver Ellsworth.
Roger Newberry.
Hezekiah Bissell.
Gaylord Griswold of Windsor, admitte I to bar, 1790; removed to New York about 1793; was a representative to U. 8 Congress.
In the Commetient Register List of "Practicing Attorneys" of Hartford County (numbering, at that time, only 17) appear the names of :
1789. Roger Newberry of Windsor.
Alexander Wolcott of Windsor.
1793-1802. Hezekiah Bissell, Jr., judge of County Court, from Windsor and Hartford.
1797-1829 John Sargent. practiced at Windsor.
1800-1813.
David Bissell. Jr., East Windsor and Hartford
Samuel Woodruff, Jr., removed from Granby (where he had been Judge of County Court) to Windsor about 1827, and practiced there about three years.
1804-1807.
Roger Newbery, 3d, at Windsor.
1805-1816. Samuel Putnam Waldo, practiced at East Windsor; was the author of several volumes, including a Life of President Jackson, the Tour of
President Monroe through U. S .; compiler of Robbins Journal.
1805-1840. Grove Griswold, at Granby and Windsor.
1805-1825.
Joseph H. Russell. at Windsor.
1308-1816.
Sherman Everest, Canton and East Windsor.
1809-1821.
Godfrey Scarborough, at Suffield and East Windsor.
1811-1813. Guy Gaylord, at East Windsor, and, with him,
1811-1813. Charles Reynolds, at East Windsor.
1812-13.
Thomas S. Sill (of Windsor), at Hartford ; rem. to Erie, Pa., and rep. that distriet in U. S. Congress.
1814-15. Sidney A. Grant, at East Windsor.
1814-36. Henry Leavitt Ellsworth, at Windsor.
1815 -. John Milton Niles, at Suffield and Hartford: born in Windsor.
1816-1818. Algernon S. Grant, at East Windsor.
1816-1817. Ebenezer Lane, at East Windsor.
1820, or earlier, and for about 5 years later. John Watson, 3d, at East Windsor.
1822-1824. Apollos D. Bates, at Windsor.
1823-45. Horace H. sill. at Windsor.
1825-73.
William Barnes, at Warehouse Point, East Windsor.
1826-98. William H. Perkins, at Windsor.
1827-31.
Selah B. Treat, at East Windsor: became a clergyman and secretary of the A. B. C. F. M., and a contributor to periodicals.
1827-31.
Thomas R. Holt, at Windsor.
1830-78. Erastus Smith, first at Windsor, then at Hartford; in early life a teacher; noted for his wit and inattention to personal appearance; often heldt court as U. S. Commissioner; died 1878.
1833-38. Richard G. Drake, at Windsor; after 1839 associated with Charles Chap- man, Esq., of Hartford.
1834-35. Henry R. Buckland, at Windsor.
-1859. George Griswold Sill, ex-Lieutenant-Governor.
Albert W. Drake. See Drake Genealogy.
453
WINDSOR'S PHYSICIANS.
Windsor Physicians .- DR. BRAY' ROSSETER was the first physician of Windsor. His father, Mr. Edward Rossoter, who is described as "a goilly man of good estate,": belonging to an excellent family in the west of England, was one of the Assistants of the Massachusetts Colony, and a chief promoter and member of the Dorchester Company, which came in the Mary and . J.An. But the life of honor and usefulness which seemed opening to him in this trans-atlantic sphere was ent short by death, which came to him at Dorchester October 23, 1630.
Doctor Bray Rosseter, his son, was one of the principal men among those gentlemen who commeneed the settlement of Windsor in 1636. He was a well-educated gentleman, and had probably been trained in the best schools in England. Shortly after his arrival he was admitted to practice by the General Court of Connecticut, " being first tried and approved by [ Rev. ] Mr. Hooker, [Rov. ] Mr. Stone, and old Mr. Smith, of Wethersfield, in the face of the said Court."3 He served in Windsor as Magistrate, and as Town Clerk, which office he held until 1652. About this time he received a very pressing invitation from Mr. Leete and other principal inhabitants of Guilford to settle there as a physician. He accordingly removed thither and purchased the property of Mr. Samuel Desbourough, who was about returning to England. "At a General Court. October 10, 1651," say the Guilford Records, " Mr. Rosseter [was] admitted and appraised a planter here upon the purchase of Mr. Desbourough's accommodations :" and in June following " Mr. Rosseter for his own person was freed from watching, living here as a physician in practice." In Jan., 1655-6, the town of Hartford granted £10 towards [the Rev.] Mr. Stone's charge of Phissick which he hath taken of Mr. Rosseter." The next year Mr. Stone gave as one reason of his proposed removal from Hartford that . we have no Physician at Hartford or near at hand," etc. We find him, the next year, engaged as Town Surveyor, an office which he had also filled to a considerable extent while at Windsor. "At a General Court, held the 3d day of the 1st month [April] 1653: Mr. Rosseter hath agreed, and undertaken forth- with, to survey and stake out the whole of every man's particular pro- portion suthiciently, for the sum of $5, all men's land to be laid out in two parts." During the difficulties in the church at Guilford, which followed Rev. Mr. Higginson's departure, Dr. Rosseter removed to Kil- lingworth : but when peace was restored by the settlement of the Rev. Joseph Elliot in 1664, he returned to Guilford, and resided there until his decease, in Sept. 80, 1672. (See Genealogies.)
1 Or Bryan. There seems to be equal authority for both names.
2 Dudley's letter to Countess of Lincoln.
$ Extract from his own letter to the Governor, dated Guilford, June 28, 1669. Ir was customary in those early days for the medical examining committee to be composed wholly, or in part, of clergymen, who were always more or less skilled in medical lore.
454
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
The first post-mortem examination made in the Colony of Connecti- cut was made by Dr. Rosseter, at that time a resident of Guilford. March 11. 1662-3, the " Court allows unto Mr. Rosseter, twenty pounds. in reference to opening Kellie's child :' and his pains to visit the Dop. Governor, and his pains in visiting and administering to Mr. Taleot. Of this twenty pounds, he hath already received 11/ 1x 47. Hle is to make no further demands of any particular persons."
For some time after Dr. Rosseter's removal to Guilford there seems not to have been any physician at Windsor. They, as well as their s's- ter towns upon the river, had to depend upon Dr. Lord, who resided at Hartford, and whose fees were regulated by a session of the General Court in Hartford. the 20th of June. 1652, as follows: "Thomas Lord, having engaged to this Court to continue his abode in Hartford, for the next ensuing year, and to improve his best skill amongst the inhabitants of the town upon the river within this jurisdiction, both for setting of bones and otherwise, as at all times, occasions, and necessities may or shall require: this Court doth grant that he shall be paid by the country the sum of fifteen pounds for the said ensuing year, and they do declare that for every visit or journey that he shall take or make, being sent for to any houses in Hartford, twelve pence is reasonable: to any house in Windsor, five shillings : to any house in Weathersfield, three shillings ; to any house in Farmington, six shillings: to any house in Mattabeseek [Middletown], eight shillings, che having promised that he will require no more); and that he shall be freed for the time aforesaid from watch- ing, warding, and training: but not from finding arms, according to law."3 Dr. Lord died in Wethersfield in 1662.
In October, 1654. one Daniel Porter was "allowed and paid ont of the public treasury," the salary of six pounds per year, with "six shil- lings to each town upon the river, to exercise his art of surgery." > This encouragement was continued to him the following year. Also as late as 1661-2. In 1674, one ROBERT HOWARD, of Windsor, is mentioned as a physician. The period of his practice extended from about the year 1660 to the time of his death in 1684. He was not educated a physician, but was early a millwright. In his inventory are to be found medical books, surgical instruments, etc. Howe's Chirurgery was of the number.
" This may possibly have been some ante-nortea surgical operation; " but," says Dr. W. A. M. Wainwright, of Hartford, in the Hartford Co. Memorial, " if it was post-mor- tem, as is most probable, it was the first autopsy made in New England of which any record has been found, antedating by a dozen years the one made in Boston in 1674, an account of which is given by Dr. Green in his " History of Medicine in Massachusetts," and said by him to have been "one of the earliest recorded instances of a post-mortem examination to be found in New England."
2 Col. Rer., i. 234.
3 Col, Rec., 1. 279.
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WINDSOR'S PHYSICIANS.
As will be seen by the records, different cases of surgery were often sont off (at town expense) up to Hadley, Hatfield, and other towns in Massa- chnisetts, to be placed under the care of famous physicians who resided there. Among the Wolcott Papers in the Library of the Connectiont Historical Society we find the following letter addressed :
" For His much Respected Friend, Mr. Henry Wolcott, at Ilis House In Windsor.
" Respected S
"My service being presented to you and to y' Rest of my Masters; these may acquaint you that I have, through God's blessing. performed a cure upon Godman Denslow's lad, though with a good deal of difficulty, care, and trouble; it Remains therefore on your part to perform what you have Ingaged; his Diet and dressing at 4 shillings per week, amounts to ten pounds, six shillings. What I have expended in medicines and otherwise, of which I shall give you a true account, amouuts to twenty- seven pounds. I desire you to take some effectual course that I may be paid: for I can truly affirm that I am at least Indamaged teu pounds by y. lal, though I should not tas I hope I shall not, meet with difficulty in getting what is my due: I purpose to see you y' next week, and if it may be. I desire that my pay may be ready against I come down. I have not at present to add but that I am
Sr Your Friend & Servant." THOMAS HASTINGS."
Hatfieldl. Decembris- 11th, 1645.
June 5, 1702. ₺12 were paid to Doctor Jacob Reed [of Simsbury ] and Obediah Hosford for the care of Mary Gaylord. - Ton Records.
DOCTOR SAMUEL MATHER, the son of the Rev. Samuel Mather, was born at Branford in 1677, graduated at Harvard College in 1698, at the age of 21, and was licensed to practice medicine by the General Assom- bly in 1702. This license is as follows;
[L. s. ] Count. ss.
"At a General Assembly Holden at Hartford. May 14, 1502, upon the recommenda- tion of the Rev. Mr. Samuel Mather, Doctor Thomas Hooker and Mr John Fisk this Assembly doth license Mr. Samuel Mather, Jr., of the town of Windsor, to he a Practi- tioner of Physick andl Chy rurgy. in this Colonie "
"In testimony that the above written is a true copy, I have caused the seal of his Majestie's Colonie to be hereunto assigned and subscribed.
ELEAZER KIMBERLY, SeC'y."
After a life of professional usefulness, during which he hell various civil and military offices of trust and honor, he died Feb. 6, 1745, in the 68th year of his age. He was the father of Mr. Nathaniel Mather, of Windsor (who lived upon " the Island "), who was the father of Elijah Mather, and also of Col. Oliver Mather, late of Windsor.
DOCTOR ALEXANDER WOLCOTT, the som of Governor Roger, and great-grandson of Mr. Henry Wolcott, the Emigrant, was born in East (now Sonth ) Windsor, January 7, 1712. He graduated at Yale College
456
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
in 1731. and shortly after became a student of medicine at the office of Dr. Norman Morrison, then a distinguished practitioner in Hartford. Here the same tudent and energy which had rendered him, at college. distinguished for his classical attainments -- enabled him to grasp the great principles and explore the mysteries of the healing art with more than usual rapidity and success. Having finished his course of medical study, Dr. Woleott (about 1740) commeneed practice in his native town. and soon attained a distinguished rank in his profession. He served with ability as surgeon at the capture of Louisburg, in 1745. and in 1776 he was, by appointment of the Assembly, placed at the head of the Exam- ining Committee for Surgeons and Surgeons's Mates in the Continental Army. The records of Windsor during the revolutionary struggle show that Dr. Alexander Wolcott was a firm friend to the cause of America, and always active, both in private and in public, to promote its success. He represented the town in the General Assembly many times, begin- ning in 1757. In 1795 he died, full of years and honors. He was thrice married, and had thirteen children, two of whom were physicians. Dr. CHRISTOPHER, Jr., succeeded his father at Windsor; and Dr. SIMON WOLCOTT removed to New London, and, in 1792, was one of the founders of the Connectient Medical Society.
Dr. Wolcott's residence in Windsor is now occupied by the widow of the late Sidney Bowers.
" His library," says the late'Dr. Summer, in an address before the State Medical Society, "was large and well-selected, and its array of folios, mostly in Latin, which would make a student, of this day, shud- der with apprehension. Yet in such form were the works of Bonetus, Senertus, and Morgagni, while in less ponderons shape, but in the same language, were found the frst edition of the great work of Sydenham; and Dr. Woleott was in the practice of reading these ponderous tomes of Latin and Greek, though one of the sons. to whom they devolved, looked upon them as excellent waste paper, and as such employed them."
Fortunately, however, a remnant of this splendid library was saved, and, falling into the hands of Dr. Summer, whom we have just quoted, was by him presented to Trinity College at Hartford. There this unique collection of some 200 volumes. many of them bearing the (Latin ) anno- tations of Dr. Wolcott, is carefully preserved, and is easily accessible to the curious, and more knowing, but less learned medical men of this generation.
DOCTOR ELIHU TUDOR,' son of the Rev. Samuel and great grandson
' In his commission as Surgeon's Mate, in the 43d Regiment of Foot, dated in Sep tember, 1763, his name was by some mistake written Edward Todos. As he had always disliked his name of Elilin; he ever afterward wrote and drew his pension under the name of Elirard.
457
WINDSOR'S PHYSICIANS.
of Owen Tudor, a first settler of Windsor, was born in that town Febru- ary 3, 1732. He graduated from Yale College, where he was esteemed an excellent Greek scholar, in 1750, and studied medicine under the then famous Dr. Benjamin Gale, of Killingworth. He entered the army service during the French war, probably in August, 1759. as Surgeon's Mate, with the rank of a 2d lieutenant. -- Barber's Hist. Col. Conn .. p. 54. In this capacity he served with Gen. Wolfe in Canada, and at the capture of Ilavana. From 1762-1764 he seems to have lived in London, engaged in the hospitals and the active pursuit of his professional studies. Retarning then to his native land, with a mind richly stored by research! and observation, he established himself in practice at ( East ) Windsor. 'His first introduction to surgical practice, as we have been tokl, was on the occasion of the accidental blowing up of the Hartford school-house, on the 8th of June, 1766, on the day of rejoicing for the Repeal of the Stamp Act. The skill displayed by him in treating the sufferers by this deplorable accident gave him an excellent start. In the following year we find in the Connecticut Courant, under date of June 15, 1767, the fol- lowing advertisement :
"Doctor TUDOR, Lately from LONDON, Begs Leave to acquaint the Publick, that he sets out the 22d Instant, to visit the Mineral Springs at Stafford, in Connecticut, where he will be ready to give his Advice to those that choose to consult him in drink- ing the Waters."
Upon the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, Doctor Tudor, who was a pensioner of the British government, and favorable to the royal cause,' fell under the suspicion of his neighbors at (East ) Windsor. His popularity declined, and his practice, which was chiefly surgical, was, in his later days, not very extensive.
His reputation as a surgeon was at one time equal, if not superior, to any in New England. In person he was of medium height and upright form, near-sighted, always very neat in his dress, wearing ruffles, fine silver Imckles, and a nosegay in his button-hole. He died in 1826, at the advanced age of 93." 2
Previous to his death. in 1790, he received from Dartmouth College the degree of Doctor of Medicine, which in that day was a compliment and honor which can scarcely be appreciated in these days of indiserin-
' It is related that be used to have to text-pots, one of which was filled with sige-test, the other with real tea, which could be used according to the company he had at his table.
" It is said that the British Government, thinking the doctor was stretching out his life to an unconscionable long length, actually sent an agent over to see as to the facts of the case. It is a remarkable fact that very many of the pensioners of England lived to such an advanced age as to induce suspicions on the part of the Home Government that there was some trickery in the matter.
VOL. I .- 58
458
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
inate diploma-giving. He was one of the founders and second Vice- President of the Connecticut Medical Society.
" DOCTOR" PRIMes was originally a slave, belonging to Doctor Alexander Wolcott, to whom he acted as escort and body-guard in his visits to his numerous patients, and as an assistant in the preparation of medicines for the sick. "In this Primus and his master lived on for years, till it occurred to the latter that the old negro should be released from bondage. " Primus Mamimit," as he afterwards wrote his name. was free, but he did not waste months in doubts respecting his future course. He immediately removed to East Windsor, and was at once recognized as a doctor, and as such frequently employed. On one occasion he was requested to visit a sick child at Poquonock (in West Windsor). Primus obeyed the summons. On his way home he rapped at the door of his old master, who came out to inquire what was wanted. " Nothing particular, master; I called to say that I was sent for to see a child of our old neighbor; found it to be a very simple case, and said to the mother it was not necessary to send so far for a doctor, for you would have done just as well as any one else." - Dr. Sumner's Address.
The following " return of flour, grain, and meal" made by him to the Selectmen of East Windsor, during the Revolutionary War, accord- ing to a Publie Act of the Assembly, shows that " Doctor " Primus had not only picked up some of his old master's knowledge of physie, but also some of the Latin terms used in his written prescriptions : 1
Sir in obedence to your Directions I Present to your honer | the account of the Neseseres of Life I am Now in | Pos-ing of I have the flour that Come out ; of two Bushels of Wheat and a Bushel and [ half of wheat half a Bushel Promis to doct (?)- Rockwell one Bushel of Ry Promis to-drake | five Bushel of Corn Promis to Capt Aaron Bissell : totum est :
dated East windsor July 1 : 1780
Quantum : Sufficet :
Primus manumit
Dr. Primus lived in a small cabin on the west side of the street, at the top of the hill north of Stoughton's brook, in the present town of South Windsor. He was a large, good-looking man, quite gentlemanly, and had considerable practice.
DOCTOR TIMOTHY MATHER died April 5, 1788, aged 34 years: of whom it is well said that " his life was a relief to the distressed."
DOCTOR CHARLES MATHER, the son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Allyn) Mather, graduated at Yale College, 1763. He lived in East (now South) Windsor, in the house which Dr. Elijah F. Reed afterwards occupied. About 1795, Dr. M. moved to Hartford. He was estermed an excellent physician, especially in female complaints. Ile was noted for his long visits, never in a hurry, staid a long time after he got up to
459
WINDSOR'S PHYSICIANS.
go. He died in 1822. His oldlest son, Charles, who graduated at Yale, 1783, was also a physician in the city of New York.
DOCTOR CHRISTOPHER WOLCOTT, familiarly called " Dr. Kit," was the son of Dr. Alexander Wolcott (already noticed); was an intelligent. though somewhat eccentric man, whose long and well-spent life in Wind- sor contributed bis full share to confer lustre upon a name which has been distinguished in more than one profession. He was one of the founders of the Hartford County Medical Society.
In Windsor, also, the DOCTORS CHAFFEE, father and son, practiced with good reputation. And here the father, Dr. HEZEKIAH CHAFFEE, died in 1819, aged Số years.
Here, likewise, Dr. ABEL SIMMONS, a native of Ashford. in this State, and a physician of much promise, found an early grave in 1818.
Here, also, the DOCTORS SILL, the father, Dr. ELISHA N., and the son, Dr. THEODORE SILL, were both located. In the premature death of the son the profession and the community each suffered heavily.
Dr. CHARLES WOODWARD, now of Middletown, and Dr. GRAHAM LEE, afterwards of California, practiced for some years in Windsor.
WILLIAM S. PIERSON, M.D., a descendant of the Rev. Abraham Pierson, the first Rector of Yale College (1701-1707), was born at Kil- lingworth, Conn., 17 Nov., 1787; graduated at Yale College, 1808: graduated M.D. from Dartmouth College, 1813. He practiced a few years at his native place, and then removed to Durham, Conn., whence. after four years, he removed to Windsor. Here, after a long and emi- nently successful professional career. he died 16 July, 1860, widely esteemed and lamented. His residence. on Palisado Green. afterwards the home of his son. the late Gen. William S. Pierson, whose widow now occupies it, still keeps alive the memory of " the beloved physician" in many Windsor hearts.
ALBERT MORRISON, M.D., born at Hebron, Conn., 13 March, 1826: graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City. 1817; enjoyed a large practice in Windsor and vicinity ; was accidentally killed on the railroad at Windsor, 18 July, 1873, and " was buried from the church which he so dearly loved. The attending crowd bore witurss to the honor and respect in which he was heldl."
SAMUEL A. WILSON, M.D., born at Windsor, 9 Sept., 1828; gradna- ted from the Yale Medical School, 1853 ; practiced for many years in Windsor; but has now mostly retired from active professional work. His residence is on the Palisado Green.
The present practicing physicians of Windsor are NEWTON S. BELL, M. D., and ADOLF SCHLOSSER.
Dr. J. N. DICKSON is at present practicing in Poquonock.
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HISTORY OF ANCIENT WINDSOR.
The list of Windsor men who have represented the Town in the UNITED STATES and STATE GOVERNMENT will be found in Appendix F.
The Old Cemetery of Windsor, on the high bank at the northwest corner of the old Palisado Green, overlooking the " Little Rivulet " (Farmington River), is certainly one of the most beautifully located and historically interesting burial places in New England. Its area, within the past twenty-five years, has been considerably enlarged : and the quaint dignity of its old-time tables and headstones is sharply con- trasted by the loftier and more elaborate monumental glories of the " new portion."
Gen. FREDERICK ELLSWORTH MATHER of New York city, whose in- terest in the old burial place is evinced by the three handsome monu- ments which he has erected to his Mather and Wolcott grandfathers, etc., secured the passage by the State Legislature of an act, dated Jan- uary, 1859, authorizing " the First School Society of the Town of Windsor to receive Donations for the Care and Preservation of its Cemetery and Burial Lots."
But the Windsor Cemetery Trust Fund does not accumulate very rapidlly, and the intentions of its far-seeing and generous projector bid fair to be thwarted by the apathy and jealousies of others, who should be equally interested in its welfare. Such provision is greatly needed, for the benefit, especially, of those non-resident families which have no living representative residing in Windsor, to take care of their interests in this respeet.
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