USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Redding > The history of Redding, Connecticut : from its first settlement to the present time > Part 15
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Conversing with an aged citizen of Redding on the generous and confiding nature of our towns-people, he substantiated the fact by a list of the public enterprises which they had aided at different times, with the amount contributed to each, as follows :
Eagle Bank, New Haven. $ 6,000
Virginia Land Company.
8,000
Michigan Land Company. 20,000
Bethel Bank 40,000
Midland Railroad 20,000
Making a total of
$94,000
I32
HISTORY OF REDDING.
The above in round numbers. He is quite sure that there have been enough minor enterprises aided to swell the grand total to $100,000.
Isaac Hilliard was a poet of considerable local celebrity whom Red- ding had the honor of producing, but at this late day I am able to collect but few facts and anecdotes concerning him, and most of these are gathered from the Federal journals, who were his traducers, owing to the fact that Mr. Hilliard, like a true poet, had espoused the cause of the people and was a Whig. The New England Republican of August 29th, 1804, has this to say concerning him :
"FORLORN HOPE.
"ISAAC HILLIARD, a wretched vagabond, originally of Reading, in Fair- field County, has lately published a large pamphlet, in which he warmly advocates the cause of democracy. To criticise such a work, one must sink himself to a level with the author ; that is, he must become an idiot, or a lunatic, or a brute. The composition is just about on a level with Peter St. John's poetry. The pitiable but wrong-headed writer is now busied in hawking his pamphlets about the streets. He presents them to every man whom he is not afraid to insult, and tells those to whom he delivers them, to pay him twenty-five cents each, if they like the work ; otherwise to return it. Never was a man better fitted to any cause than Hilliard to democracy ; and never was a cause better adapted to the man engaged in it than democracy to Hilliard."
The pamphlet referred to above, entitled the "Rights of Suffrage," and also Mr. Hilliard's chief poem, "The Federal Pye," the writer has been so fortunate as to procure. They are included in a pamphlet of some seventy pages, printed at Danbury in 1804.
A brief examination of the first-named work would force one to con- clude that, however brilliant a poet Mr. Hilliard may have been, he was not a master of prose. His nouns, adjectives, nominatives, and verbs are so commingled, that it is difficult to separate them ; but in his preface Mr. Hilliard observes that he has written for persons of limited education, and had not therefore adopted a lofty and flourishing style-a fact which explains, perhaps, the somewhat ungrammatical construction of his sen- tences. An extract from his poem "The Federal Pye" we will submit for the criticism of the reader. At a Federal "caucus" one Holdfast, a Federalist, arises and opens the proceedings with the following speech:
"BRETHREN, I know you see my tears, The strong expression of my fears. There's no one here that is a stranger- Then every one must know our danger. Poor people all begin to see Their rights are gone, they are not free ;
I33
HISTORY OF REDDING.
Some wicked men espouse their cause,
And say they're lost by cruel laws.
They have found out, as sure as death,
That they are taxed for their breath.
I am very sorry that our youth Should ever find out so much truth : The poor old men now make a noise And say we tax all their poor boys. Somehow or other, those poor souls Find other States don't tax their polls.
They say 'tis cruel, and a sin To pay for breath which they breathe in- And now they all set up this note,
If they pay taxes they will vote: They say they've found what we're about-
We taxed their polls and left ours out. That faculties, and the poll tax They wish were under the French axe, Together with all those that like 'em,
And let it have one chance to strike 'em. Why, they might just as well have said They wished all Federal rulers dead. The poor will rise in every nation
When they are drove to desperation." Etc., etc.
Redding is now much sought after by invalids for its health-giving properties, but it has been occasionally visited by epidemics of a fearful character. Small-pox, before Dr. Jenner's discovery of inoculation, was a fearful scourge, and news of its appearance in town always excited the wildest apprehension. The roads near the infected spot were at once fenced up, and no one save the physician and nurse was permitted to have any communication with the stricken family. If the disease became epidemic, pest-houses were erected in secluded localities, whither the patients were removed. Those dying of this disease were placed in a rude coffin, and buried at midnight, the clergyman standing at a safe distance and reading in a loud voice the service for the dead. An epi- demic called the "camp distemper" raged in the town in 1780-the year succeeding the encampment here of Putnam's division. It seems to have been of the same general character as the dysentery, but from the fact of its raging more violently in the neighborhood of the camps was called the camp distemper.
A severer scourge was an epidemic that visited the town about 1810, and which displayed many of the characteristics of Asiatic cholera.
134
HISTORY OF REDDING.
Strong men were stricken down by it in a day, and there was scarcely a house where there was not mourning for the dead. In one school district alone, Lonetown, it is said that twenty died of this disease. The victims of this scourge were interred in the old cemetery near the Congregational Church. They were buried hastily, at midnight, and the Rev. Nathaniel Bartlett, who officiated on the occasion, stood on the ledge a few yards south of the church and there read the burial service in tones so loud they were heard by residents on Umpawaug Hill, fully two miles distant.
The legal document by which a slave was freed in 1806 is a rara avis in 1906, and reminds one that no longer than one hundred years ago our fathers here in Connecticut were slave owners. We copy it from the original now in possession of Miss Julia H. Sanford, of Redding :
"To all people to whom these presents shall come, greeting :
"Know ye, that whereas Pomp, a negro man, formerly a slave for life to our honored father Hez'h Sanford, late of Redding, deceased, the heirs of s'd Hez'h Sanford's estate verbally agreed that s'd Pomp should go free at the age of twenty-five years, provided that he conducted him- self well and was appraised and inventoried according to said time and set off to Aaron Sanford that term of time as part of his portion. S'd Pomp grows uneasy and says he wants a writing to show, and part of his time given off, and further says he will serve one year faithfully from the first day of this inst. April, 1806. Hence we, Aaron Sanford, Hez'h Sanford, and Wm. Sanford, three of the executors on the estate of Hezh. Sanford, late of Redding, deceased, agree and promise to set s'd Pomp free at the Ist day of April, 1807, or when he, the s'd Pomp is of full age by law to be set free, on condition that the authority and selectmen will give a certificate or letter of emancipation, and set him free according to law. The condition further is that the s'd Pomp is to serve the s'd Aaron Sanford faithfully in his business of farming one year from the s'd Ist day of April, 1806, that is, until the Ist day of April, 1807, and try to be prudent, and take good care of his property, and not see it wasted or squandered away, and not to steal or take any of s'd Aaron Sanford's property for his, the s'd Pomp's use and benefit, and to behave himself well as a servant, and not to use any bad language. And the s'd Aaron Sanford is to give in the remainder of time to bring s'd Pomp to the age of twenty-five years, which will be four months and twenty days.
"In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands, in Redding, the 7th day of April, 1806.
"AARON SANFORD, HEZH. SANFORD, WM. SANFORD.
"Witness :
"AARON MOREHOUSE, JOSEPH HAWLEY, LEMUEL SANFORD."
I35
HISTORY OF REDDING.
Another heirloom treasured by Miss Sanford and which we are per- mitted to copy is the "setting out" or marriage portion given by her grand- father, Andrew Lane Hill, to his daughter Hannah on her marriage to Isaac Beach, Sept. 26, 1797. Mr. Hill was a wealthy man for his day, and the list shows what was thought proper and necessary for a maid of quality at that time :
£
s. ₫.
2 cows valued at. 9
0
0
Feather beds, bolsters and pillows at.
13
15 0
One 4 ft. cherry table at.
2
O
0
One common dining table at. IO 18 O
One small round ditto (mahogany) 2
5
0
One looking glass .. 6
Six Windsor chairs, 3 1-6. 2
I
7
O
One red chest.
2
18
5
59 yards of furniture callico.
6
O
0
8 pr. sheets at 20.
8
O
O
8 ditto of pillow cases
I
12
0
14 towels, case of diaper, 15 yds.
I
IO O
18 yards ditto, ditto in table linen
I
16 0
By sundries of crockery, bo't of Lemuel Sanford & Stephen Betts 2
2
I
3 tin milk pans at 2-4.
O
7
O
6 table spoons at I.
O
6
O
6 silver I
8
4
By one brass skimmer.
3
By two dishes. .
0
2
4
By two iron candlesticks. O
I
6
By cash to buy crockery. O
3
0
By tin plate & other tinware. O
5
II
1798 p'd the blacksmith for boiling kettles, iron, etc .. I Iron pot & kettle.
O
9
I
Copper tea kettle 18-9.
I
9 3
Brass candlesticks, warming pan, 13-6, shovel & tongs, 12 I
5
6
Brasses, &c., for drawers .. I
3
6
Brass andirons, 2 2-6, common ditto & gridiron. 2
0
6
Two trammels and 13 1-4 pewter at 1-9. I
3
2
Block tin teapot. 0
6
O
Pare of small bellows. O
3
O
I bedquilt
I
12 O
3 bed carry ( ?) blankets
3
O
0
I coverlid
I
O
O
2 underbeds O
18
0
Case of washed knives and forks. I
II
IO
Two sets of china cups & saucers.
I
2
0
One woman's riding saddle. 6
O
O
One pr. sugar tongs. 0
2
One hair sieve ... O
3
By fulling iron by Marchand. O
O
9
3
O
By a great spinning wheel.
0
IO
0
0 Jan. by a flax stretcher O
8 O
99 made by Marchant. O 16
0
6
O
II
O
Six common kitchen do I-6.
O
IO
O
One set of drawers at. .IO O
0
By a churn made by Seth Wheeler. O 8
6
A cedar tub made by Seth Wheeler.
A bedquilt
8
O
6
By two brass kettles.
I36
HISTORY OF REDDING.
Nov. by a small 99 looking glass 0 9 0 Freight 9-I p'd Henry Sturges for bringing the
looking glass from New York. 0
0 9
An old account-book mildewed and mouldy, its leaves discolored by time, and its writing half illegible from the same cause, may not be sup- posed to furnish very interesting reading; yet if one will go through its pages carefully, he may cull much that is both instructive and entertain- ing
A book of this character, 130 years old, the daybook and ledger of a former merchant of the town, furnishes the following extracts :
Jan. 24, 1751. Jeams Hull, Dr.
S. d.
July To I ink horn 3/6, reckning 3/. 0
6
6
" 2. To 2 qts. rum 16/6, I do. 11/6.
13. To 2 qts. rum 22/, the sugar 6 /, rubston 3/6 .. I
II
6
Sept. 24. To 2 hanks har. 8/ rum, 2/6.
0
IO
6
Dec. 3. To I ax 55/, I pint rum 2/6. 3 I
6 0 1752. To licker 4/9, licker 1/6 .. 0
3
I750. Daniel Gould, Dr.
4)
s. d.
Dec. 2. To making clock.
O
9
0
175I. To punch 2/ 0
I
12 0
Aug. 22. To punch 6/, rum 2/6 0
8 8
Sept. II. To I qt. wine 12/.
0 12
0
There is also credited to Mr. Gould:
I cow waid 389 1b., @ 1/9. .25 . .. 18 8
Robert Seeley, Dr. July 3, 1753. To Testament 25/, 2 trays 12/,
Oct. 22. To 2 1b. nails 14/, I comb 14/, To parshon 15/, to 10 lbs. hogs fat 20/, To I brom 6/, to bunit paper 3/, silk 6/.
Other entries at this period are :
I gal. molasses at 19/, 1% bush. salt 17/, almonek 1/9, Philip 6/, I pail 12/, I skimmer 3/6, I basket 9/, 14 yds. Calocho 13/9, I tray of pins 4/, 2 lbs. brimestone 12/, To paid the pedler 34/, to sundrys training day 25/6, I cake soap 8/, by 3 dear skins ££28, os. od., 4 bbls. £3, 1/2 bush. ots 8/, I doz. butins 6/, To poundeg. of sheep 8/, I hogshed 80/, I hankerchief 25/, 6 pipes 2/6, To writing note.2/, I sickle 23/, 1/2 bl. powder II /, I botle 3/, 8 sqr.glass 40/, 90 lbs. pork £9, 10s. 9d., I pr. cards 45/, I 1b. Tobacco 4/, 17 bush. rye in Boolston cleaned £II, I2s. 9d., I oz. Indigo 15/, To charge of writ 16/, 2 qts. Methegling 20/, I beaver hat £13, I caster hat £8, I frying pan 78/, 1% 1b. allam 4/, I Spanish dollar 64/, I pr. gloves 23/, I cart- whip 5/, I pr. nee-buckles 6/6, 4 1b. II oz. Tobacco 20/10, 31/2 lbs. hay sead 54/6, I pr. cart wheels £7, Ios., I grindston 50/, I 1b. shot 3/6, 2 vinegar cruses 20/, I mustard pot 10/, 1/2 quire paper 7/, I 1b. lead 4/, poundeg of 14 hogs 39/4, 2 qt. basons 42/, By poundeg of Barlow's hors 8/, 6 tacks 1/6, To interest, and fall of money 6/, flints 3/, 2 doz. pewter buttons 7/, 35 bush. wheat in Boston cleaned £55, 18s., 3d., I bbl. pork in Boston £20, I hat band 2/.
This list might be extended indefinitely, but enough has been given to show the prices of articles in general use at that day.
7
I 0
2 22. To 2 qts. rum 22/ ... I 0
2
0
May 16. To 17d buckram 16/, 24ª woding 16/.
I37
HISTORY OF REDDING.
A Lodge of Free Masons was once in active operation on Redding Ridge, as is shown by the following extract from the records of the Grand Lodge:
"Oct. 19th, 1796. A petition from sundry Free-masons residing in the towns of Redding and Weston, was presented to the Grand Lodge of Free-masons then in session at New Haven, praying to be formed into a new Lodge, which petition was laid over until the next session of the Grand Lodge. At the next session of the Grand Lodge of F. & A. M. held at New Haven on the 17th May, 1797, the prayer of the petitioners was granted, and a Lodge formed under the name of Ark Lodge No. 39, F. & A. M. and William Heron was appointed Master."
At the October session 1804, of the Grand Lodge, Lemuel Sanford represented Ark Lodge, also at the May Session 1808, the October ses- sion 1808, and the May Session, 1813.
In 1823, a Lodge was built by the Members of Ark Lodge No. 39, on Redding Ridge. This Lodge continued its labors until May 12th, 1839, when it surrendered its charter to the Grand Lodge.
On the 23d of December, 1869, the charter was again taken up by the following members : David H. Miller, Chas. A. Jennings, Chas. H. Can- field, Lewis Northrop, Chas. O. Olmsted, David E. Smith, H. R. Osborn, E. Thompson, Aaron H. Davis, Luzon Jelliff, Seth P. Beers and Water- man Bates, and is still working, its present Lodge Room being situated in Georgetown.
A Lodge of Odd Fellows succeeded that of the Free Masons on Red- ding Ridge, but only continued in active operation for a few years.
One of the earliest antislavery societies in the State was organized in Georgetown, in December, 1838. Dr. Erasmus Hudson and Rev. Nathaniel Colver were appointed by the Connecticut Anti-slavery Society agents for the evangelization of the State, and in October, 1838, entered Fairfield County in the furtherance of their mission. They lectured at Sherman, Danbury, Redding, Georgetown, and Norwalk, being driven from each place in succession by mobs who abused and threatened, and in some cases stoned them. At Norwalk they were burnt in effigy, and assailed with brickbats and all manner of missiles. At Weston they or- ganized the first society in the county. In November a call was issued for a convention to be held in Redding (Georgetown), December 12th, 1838. On the 29th November, Messrs. Colver and Hudson went to Georgetown to hold meetings. They met on Monday night in the Bap- tist church, but the mob was so violent that the meeting was adjourned until Tuesday evening. All through Tuesday there was great commo- tion among the enemies of the cause, and this culminated in the evening, when a mob composed of men and boys, some with painted faces and some wearing masks, surrounded the church, and assailed it with stones,
138
HISTORY OF REDDING.
clubs, and hideous outcries. Being dispersed by the citizens the band betook itself to quieter forms of mischief. Dr. Hudson drove to the meeting a beautiful milk-white horse, and on that night his tail was sheared so closely that it resembled a corn-cob ; and other outrages were committed. At this meeting a society was organized, called the George -- town Anti-slavery Society. The constitution of this society bears date December 4th, 1838; its officers were: President, Eben Hill; Secretary, William Wakeman; Treasurer, John O. St. John.
From the lofty ridges which form a distinguishing feature of our landscape, fine views of the Sound, the shipping, and of a pleasant coun- try of farms may be obtained. The "Glen" in the valley of the Saugatuck is widely famed for its beautiful and picturesque scenery. The valley of the Aspetuck, in the eastern part of the town, also offers many attrac- tions to the tourist. Little River, in the upper part of its course, flows through a wild and picturesque region and is a famous trout stream. Gallows Hill, in the western part of the town, near Redding Station, was. the scene of the execution of a spy and a deserter in the war of the Rev- olution.
CHAPTER XVIII. Redding in the Civil War.
The news flashed over the wires in 1861 that the flag had been fired upon at Sumter, and that war was imminent, was received by the citi- zens of Redding with the same courage and decision that had been dis- played by their ancestors at the opening of the Revolution, nearly a hun- dred years before. The old flag had been dishonored, and the Union, the inalienable birthright bequeathed by the fathers, had been declared to be at an end.
It was felt to be a time for action, for the burying of party differences, and for uniting in support of the measures which were at once adopted for overcoming the threatened evil. Public meetings were held, at which sentiments of the purest patriotism were expressed, and volunteers hast- ened to enroll themselves for the defence of the flag. These acts of loy- alty were supplemented by certain practical measures adopted at special town meetings, and which can be best exhibited by extracts from the town records of the period. On the 23d of April, ten days after Sumter fell, the following "Notice" was issued :
"The legal voters of the town of Redding are hereby notified and warned to attend a special town meeting to be held at the Town House
Photo by Miss Sarah Marlette Talmage.
THE SAUGATUCK VALLEY FROM PINNACLE ROCK, ON THE FARM OF G. A. TALMAGE.
The river escaping from the defiles of The Glen here flows through smil- ing meadows to be compressed a mile below in the grim jaws of the Devil's Mouth.
Photo by C. B. Todd.
THE GLEN NEAR NOBB CROOK
139
HISTORY OF REDDING.
in said Town on Monday Apr. 29, 1861, at 2 o'clock P. M., to consider the expediency of appropriating funds to defray the expenses of the fam- ilies of those who enlist in the service of the U. S. army under the present call of the President for troops.
"JOHN EDMOND, BURR MEEKER, FRANCIS A. SANFORD, Selectmen of Redding.
"REDDING, April 23, 1861."
"At a special Town Meeting legally warned and held in Redding on the 29th day of April, 1861, Walker Bates, Esq., chosen Moderator.
"Voted, unanimously, that an appropriation be made from the treasury of the Town, for the families of those who have enlisted, or may enlist from the town in the service of the U. S. Government under the present call of the President for troops, the same being a call for 75,000 volun- teers for the space of three months.
"Voted, unanimously, that such appropriation be as follows, to wit, three dollars per week for each of the wives, and one dollar per week for each of the children of the several persons enlisting as aforesaid, during the time of service of such person un'der said call.
"Voted, that a committee of three be appointed for each grand divi- sion of the town, to disburse the foregoing appropriation-such commit- tee to receive no pecuniary compensation for their services. Sturges Ben- nett, Thaddeus M. Abbott, and James Sanford chosen such disbursing committee.
"Voted, that the selectmen be instructed to draw orders on the Treas- urer of the Town on application of either of the foregoing named com- mittee, in favor of such as are entitled to an appropriation as aforesaid, under the foregoing vote.
"Voted, that the selectmen be instructed to call a special town meeting as soon as practicable, for the purpose of making an appropriation for those who enlist from this town in the service of the U. S. Government.
"The above and foregoing is a true record.
"Attest,
LEMUEL SANFORD, "Town Clerk."
A call for additional troops was issued by the President early in the summer of 1862, and a draft to fill it seemed imminent. Under these circumstances a special town meeting was held July 26th, 1862, at which it was voted, "that the selectmen be a committee to correspond with the Adjutant-General, to ascertain whether if the town furnished its quota
140
HISTORY OF REDDING.
under the recent call for additional troops, it would exempt the town from a draft under said call," and the meeting was adjourned to July 3Ist, 1862, to await the action of the Adjutant-General. His answer being in the affirmative, the meeting on reassembling, July 3Ist, passed this resolution: "Resolved, That a bounty of fifty dollars be offered to every volunteer from this town, who shall enlist into the service of the United States between the present time and the 20th of August next, under the present call for additional troops, such bounty to be paid to each volunteer enlisting as aforesaid, on certificate of his acceptance from the proper authority when presented to the selectmen." A subsequent meeting held August 23d extended the time in which the bounty would be paid to September Ist. September Ist, a meeting was held for the equalization of bounties, and the bounty of $50 was voted to all who had enlisted prior to the vote of July 3Ist, 1862, as well as to all who should enlist hereafter, except those enlisting under the first call of the President for troops.
The selectmen were also authorized "to borrow such sum of money as might be needed to carry out such vote. Mr. John Edmond was also appointed an agent for the town to ascertain the full number of those who had enlisted from the town. Six days after, September 6th, another town meeting was held and voted an additional bounty of $50 to all who had previously enlisted (except under the first call), and an additional bounty of $100 to all who should thereafter "volunteer to fill up the quota under the present call," thus making the bounty paid each volunteer $200. Throughout the war the town was anxious to avoid a draft, and made strenuous efforts to fill its quota by volunteering. July 13th, 1863, when a fourth call for troops was daily expected, a town meeting was held, and the selectmen authorized to draw from the treasury of the town and pay over as a bounty "to each person who shall or may be drafted under the next call of the United States Government for troops, and who shall not be able to get excused for physical inability, or any other cause, the sum of $300, or such less sum as the Secretary of War shall fix upon for the procuration of a substitute"; and George Osborn, David S. John- son, and Daniel Rider were appointed a committee to procure recruits. Substantially the same plan was pursued by the town for filling its quota under the various calls of the President for troop's, and so successfully, that no draft ever occurred within her limits. The sum total of the war expenses of the town is variously estimated at from twenty-two to twenty- five thousand dollars.
The war record of Redding, so far as it relates to the number of men furnished the General Government, is, it is believed, exceeded by but few towns in the State. From official returns in the Adjutant-General's of- fice, it appears that Redding furnished one hundred and eight men to the land forces of the United States-more than one-fifteenth of the entire
Photo by Miss Sarah Marlette Talmage. ROCK GORGE, LITTLE RIVER, SANFORDTOWN.
-
Photo by C. B. Todd. A REDDING PASTORAL.
141
HISTORY OF REDDING.
population of the town, and fully one-third of all its able-bodied male inhabitants. To this number must be added many of her sons who en- listed in other towns and States. The names of these one hundred and eight soldiers constitute a roll of honor whose lustre time will not dim, but brighten, and which all good citizens will be glad to see preserved in this enduring form: They are given with as full details as can be gath- ered from the somewhat meagre returns in the Adjutant-General's office.
SECOND REGIMENT (ARTILLERY).
I. Andrew H. Sanford, volunteered Jan. 5, 1864, was taken sick through fatigue and exposure while in Virginia, and died in hospital in Philadelphia, June 5, 1864.
2. Morris H. Sanford, volunteered July 21, 1862 ; was made 2d Lieu- tenant, Co. C; promoted to be Ist Lieutenant Aug. 1, 1863. Again pro- moted to be Captain. Was wounded in the shoulder at the battle of Fisher's Creek.
THIRD REGIMENT (THREE MONTHS). MUSTERED IN MAY 14, 1861.
3. George W. Gould, Co. G. Honorably discharged Aug. 12, 1861.
FIFTH REGIMENT. MUSTERED IN JULY 12, 1861.
4. John H. Bennett, Company A. Transferred to Invalid Corps Sept. 1, 1863.
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