USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Westport > Westport in Connecticut's history, 1835-1935 > Part 5
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Although bridges were built at an early date, the first roads led to such points in the streams as were fordable. On the wider rivers ferries were operated.
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60
WESTPORT IN CONNECTICUT'S HISTORY
It is interesting to speculate on the cause of roads having been built originally up both sides of our main streams. The reason must have been that they were tidal rivers for a con- siderable portion of their length. A traveller approaching the Saugatuck, for instance, in the days before bridges had been built might, at low tide, cross at the ford where the present King's Highway bridge is located. At a higher stage of the tide he could not cross there. He would be forced to go up river some two miles, and at extremely high tides even further. The later building of bridges did away with this tremendous inconvenience.
The earliest Post Road (now King's Highway) followed fairly closely the Pequot trail. The old Greens Farms Road is another probable Indian trail, as are Cross Highway, the Easton Road and the Ford Road. As to the north and south trails, it will perhaps be easier to visualize at least one of them by following a sort of personally conducted tour. Let us start at the corner of King's Highway and Treadwell Avenue, going east on Treadwell Avenue to Indian Hill Road, which was originally called Indian Field, taking the right turn there and following straight down that road to the west of the Dolge factory, past the old Potter or Sherwood place to where the road intersects with the Shore Road (now called Saugatuck Avenue), following that road to the shore. Another path leaves King's Highway just before one reaches Treadwell Avenue at a point near the new stone house of Mrs. Tarantino, follows closely a stream near the present Westport-Norwalk boundary for some distance, then joins Indian Hill Road near the Bradley residence at Charles Street. These are definitely known to have been Indian trails.
Another well-authenticated Indian trail started at the shore, followed the general direction of Compo Road up to and over Narrow Rocks Road (mentioned as the Great Rocks). At a point slightly east of where that road formed formerly a junc- tion with Greens Farms Road at Compo Corner, it passed up over the hill to the west side of Belden's Pond, going directly behind the present Putney home, through the property of the late Dominick Nuzzo to that of Mr. Mansfield, where there
61
WESTPORT IN CONNECTICUT'S HISTORY
is an old Indian mortar, through Mr. Mansfield's property, Green Acres, through Hill's woods to a point back of Audley's garage. It then bore west to what is now East Main Street at the westerly side of the present Fenton place, along East Main and Whitney Streets to Roseville. Road, through the woods to North Avenue and Cross Highway and probably on to the Aspetuck valley.
As early as 1650 an effort was made to improve the roads, but it was not until 1679 that we have any records of moment. It was then ordered by the court that the roads from plantation to plantation be reputed County Roads or King's Highways "and to so remain until the court see good reason to make alteration of the same." (Counties were established in 1666.) The inhabitants were required to work one day a year on the roads clearing brush and digging gutters of a sort. It was at that time that the road now known as King's Highway re- ceived its name.
In 1680 the boundaries of Fairfield (including at that time, of course, and for many years afterward much of the present Westport) were expressed by patent but "they could not guess the number of acres settled or unsettled, the country being mountainous, full of rocks, swamps, hills and vales." But in the same year the town committee bounded and staked the Long Lots, so-called, for final "divident" of all undivided lands, and it was upon these Long Lots that the descendants of the first settlers took up farms. There were eleven roads serving these Long Lots and five of them are now in the town of Westport.
These were called eleven o'clock roads, and for an interesting reason. Those in charge wanted them to run true north. They figured that in this longitude at the time of year in question the sun's shadow at eleven o'clock in the morning would lie true north. The long lots roads are as a matter of fact between 15 and 20 degrees west of north, but since today in this longitude the variation of the compass is between 12 and 13 degrees west of north the old surveyors were not so bad.
The twelfth road laid out at that time was described like this: "An highway running near the road beyond Maxumux
62
WESTPORT IN CONNECTICUT'S HISTORY
to Saugatuck bounde east with Simom Couch & on the West with the Norwalk Line. The South East side hath at the front a great Oak tree between said Couch and said Highway with a heap of stones." This is the Green's Farms Road.
The long lots highways ran back into the center of Redding. They were laid out straight and wide; but as they encountered obstacles they went around, and sometimes they were not very. successful in picking up the same line again, as one can gather from traveling over them. In these days of the machine the obstacles of the past would mean nothing.
In 1644 there was laid out the route with which the twelfth highway connected. It forked from the road leading to Mill Plain across fields to the east of Sasqua Hill and ran below the hill along the west bank of Mill River until it crossed a stone bridge over Sasco Creek. It then wound west a short distance, crossed a second stone bridge over the same stream, then over the Sasco River to the grazing fields of Maximux.
In 1672 Compo Road is described as "the Great Highway that runs from the sea-beach up to ye rocks at ye little ponds (Round Pond) and the Stephen Wakeman Pond to run over the hill to ye Hazekee Meadow butting on ye rocks and over ye swamp to ye muddy creek and ye mere swamp and a high- way running from ye swamp to Compo Creeks mouth."
It was not until 1685 that owing to great neglect of public highways a law was passed appointing surveyors duly sworn to clear the main roads of all sloughs, brush, trees and stones and keep them in good repair. They were fined if they did not function properly. In the old days, if a road was reasonably clear of stumps, windfalls and boulders, it was considered passable and acceptable. The farmers, accustomed to driving through rough pastures strewn with stones, were not par- ticularly demanding. Not until almost the beginning of the present century were highways gravelled and graded.
Volumes could be written about Westport's roads and their development from the early trails to the speedways of today. These notes and comments must, however, suffice for the present purpose. But for the curious, much history may be traced on the accompanying map.
63-64
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WESTPORT IN CONNECTICUT'S HISTORY
CONNECTICUT CANTER
Mount your horses and see the place; A canter is such a pleasant pace, With views to enjoy of fiction and fact- An easy gallop, to be exact. You can pause at the top of a praying hill, Or draw your reins where the waters spill- Count the boulders-but better to do, See the customs of men as you ride through.
When I was young, my children dear, There wasn't such comfort as you know here. Sheep were raised, and in bright sun The fleecy wool was ably spun.
No butcher's wagon in the street- We hung and exchanged our stores of meat. No time for women to relax, Garments were made of wool and flax.
The only light, I would reveal,
Was made of the spark of flint and steel
With what a pleasant, old-world grace They cooked in the open fireplace. Brick baking ovens had they, too, And visiting makers of suit and shoe. The resting sessions were always brief --- We slaughtered and salted down the beef, Filled the cellars, and stored the hay, And went on working the livelong day.
Families were big-yes, one, two, three, Four, five, six helped mightily. Eight, nine, ten and sometimes more Helped when the snow was piled at the door- Plenty to do-then some you bet;
Houses were full. It's my regret To see the families growing small: A son or so-some, none at all. It doesn't seem like the old home state- But Time brings changes, I tell my mate.
Prices were low, and all around Butter was sixteen cents a pound. Some squeezed the dollar, it would seem,
65
WESTPORT IN CONNECTICUT'S HISTORY
Until you could hear the eagle scream. Held it close at the County Fair Till they clean forgot 'twas a bird of the air; But they weren't mean-only things came slow- Winters were hard, with blizzards and snow. I recall one year like an icy sheet,
When Litchfield cattle froze on their feet.
The ground was rocky-just see my own, Many the house of native stone; Now and again some man, 'tis said, Had pebbles for pie, and rocks for bread . . .
A great old grandmother was mine, With other grand-chicks, forty-nine. Some dotted here and others there, Most favored her; but some were fair. When the British came, and bad luck fell, She cast her silver into the well, And pewter dishes, spoons and knives. She was born, she said, with a cat's nine lives. With her youngest babe, on horseback, she Went riding forth most fearlessly To save the cattle at Sasconeck. She flew till she grew a tiny speck, Then drove them all into Easton town
Lest England claim them . .. Up and down By hill and vale she rode that day. The child looked scared; but she had her way. The women of my long line since then Talk pretty pert to their good men. Whether British, or flood, or wolf at the door, They can be counted on more and more.
Then soldiering was our job. Some came- Blue coats, red feathers that tossed aflame. Our braves went marching, for all prepared, Lest they should find themselves ensnared. Come closer-sometimes the men we'd lose For love of a rum called Santa Cruz. Their feet got tangled-I can't tell how, But you know spirits-I must allow, Sometimes a mate made his drink too long- And Santa Cruz was exceeding strong. .
66
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WESTPORT IN CONNECTICUT'S HISTORY
The minister, he was poorly paid, Also the doctor, so 'tis said- Each man who worked for his soul's best good
Would help to furnish the pastor's wood, Drawn on a sled. He'd neatly earn A place in Heaven. Then, in turn,
Doctors were helped-and well they might;
The housewives knew too much. That's right. Their shelves in homely science would fill With herbs from gardens, mixed with skill- Their 'pothecary-memory brings Tart tasting, healing, hellish things. Catnip, stinkwood, elderblows, Fox glove, tansy, vials in rows-
Mint, witch hazel from the tree, With scented sassafras, for tea.
And what not-pennyroyal-all Were tried before the doctor's call.
When a white horse neighed at the patient's door The man was sick-almost no more.
You'd have to be gasping and weak of knee Before they would call the poor M.D. . .
Very religious were all, I vow. Two sermons, but longer than they are now, And another at night. Those free to roam Saw that the gentler sex reached home. 'Twas sort of pleasant to see a face You knew was pretty and full of grace. When the church was cold, we had footstoves there And crumbs for the mice on the pulpit stair. Poor squany looking things to see, They'd look reproachfully at me- They grazed men's coats, upon the pegs, And skipped around the ladies' legs.
"Poor as a church mouse" so they say, That word was born of yesterday. No wonder they were slim of cheek, Those crumbs were there to last a week. If they grew folksy, now and then, The whole church heard (Amen, Amen).
In those days future punishment Was feared to a supreme extent. If men did wrong they'd quickly learn Sooner or later they would burn.
67
WESTPORT IN CONNECTICUT'S HISTORY
A farmer's fireplace once fell through Into the cellar. He fell too; Calling his good wife, Isabelle, He shouted: "Quick-I have gone to hell; The coals burn hot-and I'm scorching here Isabelle, save me, save me, dear.
My home was in a Shire Town, The courthouse was its boasted crown; And lawyers came and went-quite far They travelled for their legal star. Nothing but weather kept them-some, Much like the springtime with its hum Of birds returning-and the road Lit up with many an episode; (A witty word so often made Dark duties light by hill and glade).
The colored folks were here, and they Were sure respectable, I'll say. They'd work at that and peck at this- A friendly lot. Their names-don't miss, Were all first names of dignity That graced our village-you shall see. They came as slaves to our slave state But got their freedom. Early and late They labored on their plots of land The white man gave, you understand. One soul was queer. The story falls, He was a builder of stone walls, And 'round the rocks and bush-lined lakes He found a-plenty of black snakes. He loved to eat their hearts-it's true And gobbled up their livers, too. When he was lowered to the grave 'Tis said-you'll surely think I rave- That black snakes ran their heads from out The walls with: "What's it all about?" Down in the earth the critters gazed,
The mourners shuddered-daft and dazed. Another time, I passed the spot, My dears-believe you me or not- Nine snakes had dropped their skins. 'Twas rare. They looked like bottles lying there; But that was long ago, and birds
68
WESTPORT IN CONNECTICUT'S HISTORY
And serpents came in flocks and herds- You'd first look up for singing sweet, And then look down to guard your feet ..
Today the farmer strives and strives, But harder were old times. Those lives Were true and honest. Day by day, Oft cruelly beset were they- On all sides obstacles-no gold- And overplus of biting cold.
Yes, character they had of steel,
And they were men from head to heel.
In those days past the girls were good, Fair tribute to their womanhood.
Their hours were long-rewards came late, True men and women made this state. The farmsteads lonely-and forlorn?
Sometimes, perhaps, but Truth was born.
Those days were hero days and stand Like diamonds on History's hand. High over hills of goldenrod
Men labored in the fear of God;
And laureled homes burned bright to prove
That more than ever God was love. Mottoes they had for all who worked, And those eluding-those who shirked.
"Count your blessings before your sorrows,"
"One today is worth two tomorrows"-
"When angry count one hundred," read The child. "Go early to thy bed"; Another worked elaborately,
"Judge not lest ye be judged." To be, In truth, above, defeats and ills, They raised their vision to the hills.
Before I go, I would ask of you, Since you have seen this canter through, Just wish them well by elm and oak, These old-time, splendid country folk. If 'tweren't for them, I humbly say, We wouldn't be so smart today. That's all-it's late and I must quit. "Brevity is the soul of wit."
.
COLETTA RYAN.
Rendered in verse from "Fairfield One hundred years ago" by William Burr.
69
BRIDGE 1835 - WESTPORT, CONN.
ARCHITECTURE SCULPTOR PAINTING
73
PRESENT OWNER'S OF HOUSES 100 YEARS OLD
1-James P. Fraser
21-R. V. Coleman
41-E. C. Birge
61-E. Reynolds
81-Friendly Aid
2-IIenry Peacock
22-D. Wadsworth
42-J. Driscoll
62-W. Schilthius
82-Bedford
3-Kerr Eby
23-L. Ritter
43-Wm. Prince
63-E. Botherton
83-Lewis
4-Sally Hunter
24-G. Keith
44-H. Steeves
64-C. Barrett
84-E. Thomas
5-Oscar Howard
25-O. Linde
45-J. McNally
65-H. Baldwin
85-W. Emerson
6-Esther Raymond
26-E. C. Nash
46-So. Tel. Co.
66-G. Millett
7-Arthur James
27-E. Wilkins
47-Cong. Parsonage
67-D. McPherson 68-Hunt Club
88-F. Foster
8-Sam McCoy
28-R. Trimbel
48-HI. R. Sherwood
69-G. P. Jennings
10-M. Mulkley
30-Country Club
51-Westport Inn
71-S. Williams
91-F. Manners 92-H. Welch
12-A. Eckart
32-E. Townsend
52-B. Keeler
72-C. Farrelly
13-R. Sollitt
33-C. Ramsey
53-F. Gorham
73-Adams
93-E. V. Sherwood
14-C. Shattuck
34-N. Andersen
54-Fairchild 55-N. Hitchcock
74-A. Peffers 75-A. Boyd
94-H. F. Sherwood 95-K. Anderson 96-S. Wakeman
16-Dr. Bass
36-S. Brown
56-E. Holden
76-C. Stevens
17-W. Thorne
37-E. Reimer
57-G. Wright
77-J. Godfrey
97-J. Dooling
18-E. Dennert
38-J. Young
58-N. Elwood
78-F. Bedford
98-I. Putney
19-A. Binion
39-C. Van Wyck
59-C. Warner
79-Wchaught
99-K. Noyes
20-F. Coley
40-II. Pell
60-T. Masiello
80-Byram
100 -Wilcox
101-G. S. Jennings
102-Baker
(OVER)
6 6
Nº.90
Nº3
Nº22
A'º78
Nº62
n
9-Ralph Boyer
29-S. Carlton
50-Bdgpt. Hyd. Co.
70-R. L. Jones
90-F. Elwood
11-B. Fitch
31-J. Barbour
15-M. Holland
35-M. Brown
49-N. Greenberg
89-H. Brubaker
86-Beers 87-L. Welsh
by Edward John Acles
C
73
PRESENT OWNER'S OF HOUSES 100 YEARS OLD
81-Friendly Aid
2-Henry Peacock
22-D. Wadsworth
42-J. Driscoll
62-W. Schilthius
63-E. Botherton
83-Lewis
3-Kerr Eby
23-L. Ritter
43-Wm. Prince
44-H. Steeves
64-C. Barrett
84-E. Thomas
4-Sally Hunter
25-O. Linde
45-J. McNally
65-H. Baldwin
85-W. Emerson
5-Oscar Howard
26-E. C. Nash
46-So. Tel. Co.
66- -G. Millett
86-Beers
Esther Raymond
: 27-E. Wilking
47-Cong. Parsonage
67-D. McPherson
87-L. Welsh
7-Arthur James
28-R. Trimbel
49-N. Greenberg
69- -G. P. Jennings
89-H. Brubaker
10-M. Mulkley
31-J. Barbour
51-Westport Inn
71-S. Williams
91-F. Manners 92-H. Welch
11-B. Fitch 12 -A. Eckart
32-E. Townsend
52-B. Keeler 53-F. Gorham
73-Adams
93-E. V. Sherwood
13-R. Sollitt
33-C. Ramsey
54-Fairchild
74-A. Peffers
94-HI. F. Sherwood
14-C. Shattuck
35-M. Brown
55-N. Hitchcock
75-A. Boyd
95-K. Anderson
15-M. Holland
36-S. Brown
56-E. Holden
76-C. Stevens
96-S. Wakeman
17-W. Thorne
37-E. Reimer
57-G. Wright
77-J. Godfrey
97-J. Dooling
18-E. Dennert
39-C. Van Wyck
59-C. Warner
79-Wchaught
99-K. Noyes
19-A. Binion
40-H. Pell
60-T. Masiello
80-Byram
100-Wilcox
20-F. Coley
101-G. S. Jennings
102-Baker
61-E. Reynolds
1-James P. Fraser
21-R. V. Coleman
41-E. C. Birge
1234567890
8-Sam McCoy 9-Ralph Boyer
29-S. Carlton 30-Country Club
50-Bdgpt. Hyd. Co.
70-R. L. Jones
90-F. Elwood
. Shores
Compo
Beach
Ceadar A
WILTON
BURRS BRIDGES
COLEYTOWN
CHARCOAL
Supporteya
Nº15
77/A
Nº102
59
79
Nº38
· Nº 18
WESTPORT SIA
San
Madrida M Sure
Saugatuck
Mill
River * OWENCKE
Shorekauen
.00
88-F. Foster
48-H. R. Sherwood
68-Hunt Club
72- -C. Farrelly
34-N. Andersen
38-J. Young
58-N. Elwood
78-F. Bedford
98-I. Putney
(OVER)
72
Nº.90
Nº22
Nº62
Nº7G
Nº83
Nº16
1.9
Nº.63
N° 70
Nº23
River
MUMP CAN
by Edward John Acles
82-Bedford
24-G. Keith
16-Dr. Bass
N°78
WESTPORT IN CONNECTICUT'S HISTORY
EARLY OWNERS OF OLD HOUSES
1-Coley
52-Richmond.
2-Coley .
53-Andrews.
3-Coley .
54-Fairchild
4-Coley
55-Wyncoop.
5-Holden.
56-Chapman
6-Coley
57-Sturges
7-Gray.
58-Meeker.
8-Grumman
9-Adams.
60-Wheeler.
10-Sherwood
61-Ogden
11-Dykman.
62-Meeker
13-Finch.
64-Hull
14-Taylor (A.N.).
65-Sherwood.
15-Patrick.
66-Gorham.
16-Chapman.
67-Osborne.
17-Hanford.
68-Banks.
18-Hurlbutt
69-Andrews
19-Batterson.
70-Hyde
20-Hurlbutt.
71-Hyde
21-Taylor
72-Burr
22-Lyons
73-Adams
23-Nash.
74-Davies.
24-Gray
75-Hyde
25-Nash
76-Burr
26-Nash.
77-Nash.
27-Nash
78-Nash
28-Jarvis.
79-Burr Inn.
29-Hill .
80-Taylor
30-Raymond
81-Couch
31-Morehouse
82-Couch
32-S. Adams.
83-Phillips
33-Hill.
84-Jennings
34-Bradley.
85-Goodsell.
35-Rowland.
86-Beers
36-Buckley
87-Goodsell .
37-Botts
88-Thorpe.
38-Allen .
89-Ripley
39-Downs
90-Sherwood
40-Beers
91-Wakeman
41-Wheeler.
92-Wakeman.
42-Guyer
93-Sherwood
43-MacDonald.
94-Sherwood
44-Gray
95-Allen.
45-Scribner.
96-Wakeman
46-Richards
97-Allen. 98-Allen
47-Jesup.
99-Allen
49-Wheeler
100-Bennett
50-Wheeler
101-Sherwood
51-Jesup
102-Staples.
ADDITIONAL HOUSES - OTHERS NOT REPORTED TO COMMITTEE
Capt. Maltbie Allen . Allen C. M.
Godfrey . Van Wych Brooks
Foote
Ida F. Guirnsey
Nash
Donlon
Nash.
Jelliffe
74-Cx
-
-------
---------
...
59-Godfrey.
12-Finch
63-Brotherton
48-Goodsell
WESTPORT IN CONNECTICUT'S HISTORY
TOWN OF WESTON
WESTPOR
CATHMOUNT
OF
TOWN
ASPETUS
FORD
UKON
AIN
NOISEZ
TOWN
TOWN
NTUNION
WESTPORT
CROSSHIGHWAY
0
ROAD
1680
ROAD
1
LOTS ROADS/ ORIGINAL LAYOUT
IN 1703
RENEWED
KINOS
ROAD
1
KIM
1
219, KAMMOIR
COMMON
MILE
ONE
BENJAMIN
THE
70
013440₦
HILL
11022
MILL FOND
16-
NY
CEORR POINT
ISLAND
FROST POINT
SOUND
FREE HAND SKETCH OF ROADS
75 -76
TOWN OF WESTPORT PRIOR TO 1835 PREPARED or INingFRAgy at
TOWN OF WILTON
TOWN OF WEST PORT
3
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Los
ONE MILE COMMON
RIGHTH_
TENTH
WESTPORT
OF FAIRFIELD
NMOS
DERDYR
PLAYOUT
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BRIDGE
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TURKEY 771H
JOKS
BRIDGE 1740
---
77.78
THE GREEN'S FARMS CHURCH
From an original etching by Kerr Eby. Reproduced by the courtesy of Mr. Eby.
79 .50
Westport
Greens Farms Connecticut
1635-1935
.
By Arthur J. Elder
MAP TOWN OF WESTPORT
4
JUANTUR
1850
--
Ssiand Sound
1
By Norman Camroux
MAP OF SCHOOLS - LIBRARY HALL
81. 82
VIEW OF WESTPORT 1878
----
83
WESTPORT IN CONNECTICUT'S HISTORY
OLD HOUSES OF WESTPORT
F THE houses built in the present limits of the town of Westport prior to 1835, the date of the incorporation, about 100 are existing today. These are all of what is popularly known as Colonial architecture. The usual classifi- cation of Colonial architecture into three periods-the first down to the Revolution as Colonial, the second from 1776 to 1800 as Georgian, and the third from 1800 on as Early Re- public-does not apply strictly to Westport.
Of the types of roofs, there are only two of the gambrel type, the Brotherton house on Division Street and the Langzettel house on Compo Road, formerly known as the Willcox house. Of the saltbox type there are about ten. The remainder of the houses are of the straight gable type, built during all the periods.
The earliest houses were of the so-called saltbox type, so named for their resemblance to the receptacle in common use for the storing of cattle and table salt. The oldest house in Westport, the Coleman house on Kings Highway, built about 1700, is a saltbox house. Its front leans back out of plumb about 6 inches, caused by the unequal settlement of the great central chimney. The Eby house in Coleytown is an unusually fine example of the saltbox type. This was built about 1766. The Schilthuis house on Cross Highway, the Wadsworth and Keith houses on Kings Highway and the Barbour houses on Clinton Avenue are fine examples of the saltbox. The usual fenestration for the saltbox house was three windows in the gable directly in line with the ridge, as seen in the Eby, Keith, Wadsworth and Schilthuis houses. The windows in the Cole- man house in the first story show an interesting variation.
These earliest houses had shingled sides; the clapboards now on them were added later as the shingles wore out. The blinds were also a later addition. The windows were always small-paned. Later some inhabitants changed to larger-paned windows.
85
WESTPORT IN CONNECTICUT'S HISTORY
Of the story-and-a-half saltbox houses there are three ex- amples-the McCoy house on the Easton Road, built in 1760; the Hitchcock house on Cross Highway and the Lewis house on Center Street.
The early houses had cellars under a portion only, usually under one-fourth. Two of them at least have inside stone steps leading to the cellar-the Coleman and the McCoy houses. The timbers were hewed and pinned, the floor boards, the roof boards and the sheathing boards were sawed. The exterior walls were shingled with split shingles, face nailed through the butts. The chimneys were large at the bottom, decreasing in size to the roof, and in some cases had fireplaces and flues in the cellar or attic for smoking hams. Clay mortar was used for the stonework and the ceilings were always low.
Probably all the saltbox houses in Westport were built as a unit, and not according to the theory of the evolution of the saltbox type, which is as follows: first, two rooms were built with a chimney at one end; later, two rooms were added to the end and the chimney doubled; afterwards an extension was built across the rear and the main roof carried down to cover the same.
The straight gable house appeared along with the saltbox type and has been built ever since; at first with a central chimney and the steep stairs across the front of the chimney, and later with a hall through the middle. Two fine examples of the central chimney, straight gable house are the Jones house on Hyde Road, built in 1795 by Joseph Hyde, and the Thorne house on Old Hill Road, built between 1795 and 1812. This latter is the only house with a captain's walk on the roof.
Between 1800 and 1835 were built the 'greater number of the existing houses. In this period also the style flowered its most delicate detail. The McNally house on Myrtle Avenue, the Horace Staples homestead house on Riverside Avenue, the newer part of the Edith Sherwood house on Hills Point Road, the Keeler house at the corner of Compo Road on State Street and the Congregational Parsonage on State Street were built. These houses, like many others of this period, have cornices that were modifications of the cornice of the old Elwood
86
WESTPORT IN CONNECTICUT'S HISTORY
house on Sherwood Island. This was built in 1787 and its cornice was apparently copied from that of the Banks house in Greenfield Hill, built in 1737. It is a beautiful, delicate and unusual cornice, and it is noteworthy that it appears on so many examples in the town of Westport and is found elsewhere on a very few houses only.
It was during this time that the change from the 24-paned windows to 12-paned windows probably occurred.
Within this last period a new interpretation of the Colonial style came into vogue, the style known as the Greek Revival. The erection of the Thaddeus house in Fairfield in 1790 un- doubtedly gave the movement its impetus in this vicinity. A very fine example of this is the Mary Coley house in Coleytown. Some examples were built in Westport before 1835, but many in the decade following.
These old houses of Westport have a quality of beauty often lacking in our modern houses. Their design followed certain definite lines. First, they were set low in the ground; second, their mass was well proportioned and the roofs were well pitched, never lower than a rise of 8 inches to 12 inches in all but the Greek Revival houses, where the pitch was flattened to as low as 5 inches to 12 inches; third, the chimneys were of a goodly size and height; fourth, the windows were arranged in a definite composition, somewhat formal but very pleasing. The windows at the side of the entrance were spaced close together so that a definite axis of interest was formed. This is true of the five-window front and the three window front, whether the doorway was in the gable as in the McNally house, or in the side under the eaves as in the Edith Sherwood house and the Thorne house. Fifth, the size of the window panes was kept approximately the same throughout, and the size of the windows varied by changing the number of panes. The width of the wood around the glass was smaller than in the modern window, and thus the windows had a greater per- centage of glass opening. Sixth, the cornices were well propor- tioned whether plain like the early work or more elaborate as in the later work. Seventh, the doorways were generally beautiful specimens of the woodworkers' art.
87
No. 21 JOHN TAYLOR, 1690
R. V. COLEMAN
** 1
-
88
-
89
No. 23 STRINGHAM, 1750 (Circa)
LOUIS RITTER
K. WILCOX ESTATE
No. 100 BENNETT, 1760
90
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ـتبمل عب طالب.بطبيعة
SAM McCOY
No. 8 GRUMANN, 1760
-
1
S
-
91
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92
No. 3-COLEY, 1766 (Circa)
KERR EBY
FANNIE L. ELWOOD
No. 90 D. SHERWOOD, 3rd, 1787
-
....
93
DUDLEY WADSWORTH
No. 22 LYONS, 1790 (Circa)
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4
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-
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TY
1:01:4Tz
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1
94
1
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....
95
No. 70 JOSEPH HYDE, 1795
RUSSELL L. JONES
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96
No. 93 D. SHERWOOD, 4th, 1790-1820
EDITH VERY SHERWOOD
97
No. 45 SCRIBNER, 1800 (Circa)
J. McNALLY
SAUGATUCK CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
-
No. 47 E. JESUP, 1810
98
ESTHER RAYMOND
No. 6 MARY COLEY, 1820
-
1
H
99
100
*
No. 102-HORACE STAPLES, 1828
PASCALLE ESTATE
No. 17-P. HANFORD, 1830
WARD THORNE
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101
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE CO.
.
No. 46 RICHARDS, 1850
102
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Daniel L. Webster, Sculptor THE MINUTE MAN, COMPO BEACH
BIRD SANCTUARY LAURA CHAPMAN MEMORIAL
103
A
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J. Clinton Shepherd
WORLD WAR MEMORIAL
104
F
.
by Robert Garret Thew
FOUNTAIN GREEN'S FARMS SCHOOL
105
.
WE WILL STRIVE INCREASINGLY TO OXICHED "PUBLIC SENSE CIVICDUY"
QUE WILL TRANSMIT This Town CREATER BETTER & MORE BEAUTIFUL MThANII WAS TRANSMITTED US
by James H. Daugherty
PAINTING IN BEDFORD HOUSE
.
106
--
107
by Robert L. Lambdin
JOAN OF ARC (PART OF WALL DECORATION) BRIDGE STREET SCHOOL
by A. R. Skidmore
DOE and FAWN, MANTLE PIECE, BRIDGE ST. KINDERGARTEN
108
109
by Ray Strang
THE STORY OF CINDERELLA IN THE GREEN'S FARMS SCHOOL
.
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THE ARTIC - IN JUNIOR BEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL
by Calcord Heurlin
G
L
110
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111
Gregory McLoughlin
WESTPORT TOWN SQUARE, 1890 IN LIBRARY HALL
ب- يوسفي
112
by Ralph L. Boyer
THE MECHANICAL AGE - STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL
باك الودية
by John S. Curry
FRESCO-THE DRAMA-BEDFORD JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
113
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by Thayer Grimes
PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN JUNIOR BEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL
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114
.
by Samuel E. Brown
PORTRAIT OF HORRACE STAPLES, IN STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL
115
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Elmer Hannon
PORTRAIT OF EDWARD T. BEDFORD IN BEDFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
116
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ELM TREE MORE THAN 300 YEARS OLD. INDIAN TREATIES WERE SIGNED HERE. CORNER OF TURKEY HILL AND LONG LOTS ROAD.
117
118
CAVERN NEAR TAR ROCK, WHERE BENJAMIN ALLEN WAS CONCEALED DURING RAID OF BRITISH IN 1777, (FORMERLY STEPHEN WAKEMAN'S PROPERTY)
119 - 120
TAR ROCK, WHERE SIGNAL FIRES WERE LIGHTED IN 1777 TO WARN DANBURY OF APPROACH OF BRITISH AND CALL CONTINENTALS (KARL ANDERSON'S PROPERTY)
by William Schomburg
DRAWING OF SAUGATUCK CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
121.122
WESTPORT IN CONNECTICUT'S HISTORY
KING W. MANSFIELD Chairman Executive Committee
. CENTENARY AND TERCENTENARY COMMITTEES
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
KING W. MANSFIELD- Chairman
EDITH VERY SHERWOOD -- Vice-chairman
STEWART HEMSON - Secretary DAVID SACHS - Treasurer
123
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WESTPORT IN CONNECTICUT'S HISTORY
EDITH VERY SHERWOOD Vice-Chairman Executive Committee
JUDGE AUZTIN WAKEMAN
FINANCE AND PROGRAM THOMAS H. LEONARD MRS. JOHN CRAWFORD
PUBLICITY
ANSON T. LEARY BRUCE LEE PATRICK POWERS
MRS. GARRETT THEW DONALD WILHELM RALPH V. SOLLITT GERALD MYGATT F
COMMEMORATIVE INSIGNIA
. WILLIAM F. LONDON
MISS MARGARET GURN MISS SALLY DOLAN DOMENICO DELANO
JOSEPH HOROSKY
WILLIAM SHROMBERG LAWRENCE LOCKWOOD
HISTORICAL DATA AND HOSPITALITY-W. T. I. A. 1 MRS. JOHN CRAWFORD-Chairman MRS. D. SACHS MRS. B. J. PALADINI
MRS. CHANNING HARRIS
MRS. W. GREEN LEWIS MRS. ROBERT BALDWIN MRS. HEREWARD WAKE
EXHIBITS
MRS. IRVING PUTNEY
MRS. T. W. TREADWELL
MRS. W. G. STAPLES
MRS. F. F. SHERMAN
MRS. N. SOKOLOFF MRS. EARL JAGOE
MRS. MORRIS BURR MRS. FRANK GAULT MISS DOROTHY ADAMS
MRS. WALTER PECK -
MRS. NORMAN LITCHFIELD
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124
-
BURTON DAVIS PHILIP SCHUYLER WAKEFIELD DORT
WESTPORT IN CONNECTICUT'S HISTORY
HOSPITALITY IN CHARGE OF OPENING RECEPTION AT EXHIBIT MRS. D. A. SHAMBAUGH MISS EDITH WHEELER MRS. HENRY WRIGHT MRS. HARRISON LILLIBRIDGE MRS. FRANK WAGNER MRS. HENRY JENNINGS
IN CHARGE OF REFRESHMENTS AT COSTUME DANCE, MAY 28th
MRS. S. M. FOSTER MRS. B. L. WOODWORTH MRS. GEORGE A. BUCHANAN
MRS. HERBERT BALDWIN MRS. ALMA BAM MRS. ERNEST JENNINGS
CHURCHES
REV. KENNETH MACKENZIE REV. ARTHUR H. MOFFATT REV. HARRY A. BARRETT
REV. EDGAR M. BROWN REV. RICHARD CARROLL REV. ALFRED L. CRAYTON
REV. HERBERT S. BROWN REV. RICHARD T. ELLIOTT
PERMANENT MEMORIAL
EDWARD C. NASH MRS. CLYDE BROWN JOHN B. MORRIS MRS. WILLIAM P. CLARK
GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH
MORRIS L. BURR MISS BESSIE JENNINGS JUDGE JOSEPH ADAMS MISS CARRIE CROSSMAN
WILLIAM J. WOOD, SR.
MEN, WOMEN AND MONIES CONTRIBUTED TO WARS
DONALD CRAWFORD JOSEPH DUNNIGAN EDWARD LINXWEILER
WESTPORT'S CONTRIBUTION TO LAW
JUDGE J. KENNETH BRADLEY HEREWARD WAKE EDWARD B. BRADLEY
EARL JAGOE HARRY R. SHERWOOD
TOWN GOVERNMENT-1835-1935 ALOIS FORGER EDWARD C. BIRGE
INDUSTRIES AND AGRICULTURE
JOHN W. KEENE
JOHN A. BAKER CLARENCE SNIFFEN
B. LOUIS TOQUET MERRICK H. COOLEY JOSEPH ADAMS
CHARLES E. CUTLER
ARCHITECTURE-COLONIAL W. CLARKE CROSSMAN SANFORD EVANS HORACE WAKEMAN, JR.
RED CROSS
MRS. LESLIE SNIFFEN MISS KATHRYN MCCORMICK MRS. ERNEST JENNINGS MRS. WILLIAM T. THRUSH MISS IDA B. KEENE
EXHIBITIONS
JOHN WILLIAM FENTON
ROBERT L. LAMBDIN
RALPH BOYER ALICE RAMSEY
JAMES EARL FRASER KARL ANDERSON
JOHN STEUART CURRY HOWARD HEATH WILLIAM MEADE PRINCE
HAROLD VONSCHMIDT GEORGE H. WRIGHT
EDUCATION
GARRETT THEW MRS. JOHN A. BAKER MISS DOROTHY R. ADAMS
DANIEL DEDRICK MRS. EDWARD C. NASH MRS. MALCOLM SPANGENBERG DOUGLAS YOUNG EDWARD PARISH, JR. MRS. ANSON T. LEARY
NORMAN CAMROUX
125
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WESTPORT IN CONNECTICUT'S HISTORY
MEDICINE AND CHARITIES
DR. W. R. MUNSON DR. D. L. ELLRICH
DR. C. W. GILLETTE DR. H. S. PHILLIPS REV. KENNETH MACKENZIE
DR. W. O. MORGAN
MRS. D. W. MCFARLAND
LIBRARY
WILLIAM G. STAPLES MRS. W. J. WOOD, SR. SYLVESTER M. FOSTER
FREDERICK M. SALMON R. V. COLEMAN
REPUBLICAN PARTY
FREDERICK M. SALMON
MRS. FRANCIS DUNNIGAN JOSEPH MCGILL
MRS. W. BRADLEY KELLOGG
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
CHARLES LYMAN MRS. GEORGE WRIGHT
DR. HARRY M. AYRES
WILLIAM J. WOOD, SR.
JOHN J. MURPHY
MUSIC
MRS. L. SHERWOOD-NEWKIRK MRS. ALICE PERKINS
HERMAN W. STEINKRAUS GROBER EBERLE JAMES DEMARIA
DRAMA
MISS GLADYS MANSIR DR. SIGMUND SPAETH
MRS. FLORENCE GILMOUR
MRS. W. E. PIERCE
J. CARLISLE PEET ARTHUR J. ELDER
LAWRENCE LANGNER MRS. MOFFAT JOHNSTON
MISS JOSEPHINE GODILLOT MISS MARION CASTIGLIA ROBERT J. LAMBDIN GEORGE TOMPKINS
GARDEN
MRS. CORNELIUS STEERS MRS. FREDERICK W. O'NEIL MRS. FRANCIS CONVERSE MRS. LAUREN ARNOLD
MRS. RALPH SOLLITT
NATURE CLUB
MRS. WALTER D. ALLEN MISS ROSE COYLE MRS. STEPHEN BANKS
MRS. MERRETT GAULT MRS. REGINA ELWOOD
BOY SCOUTS
REMINGTON SCHUYLER
GRANVILLE BRUMBAUGH LESLIE SNIFFEN
HARRY WITHINGTON
GIRL SCOUTS
MRS. FRANKLIN BAILEY MRS. M. M. STERLING
MRS. R. A. CLARK MRS. D. A. SHAMBAUGH MRS. W. CLARKE CROSSMAN MRS. KENNETH LITTAUER
MRS. ANSON T. LEARY
WOMEN'S CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
MRS. M. I. ANTONIAZZO MRS. RICHARD FINNEGAN MISS ELIZABETH WALSH
MRS. JOHN COYLE MRS. WILLIAM QUINN
HISTORIC SITES AND REVOLUTIONARY HEROES
MRS. CLYDE BROWN
MISS EDITH WHEELER
MRS. JOHN WILLIAM FENTON MRS. LESLIE SNIFFEN MRS. IRVING B. STONE MISS ESTHER RAYMOND MISS JENNIE THORPE
126
FREDERICK B. HUBBELL MRS. NEVADA HITCHCOCK
MRS. R. FRANKLIN GAULT WILLIAM KRAUSE
MRS. CHARLES LYMAN DUDLEY WADSWORTH
MRS. FLORENCE GILMOUR
Photo Engravings by ARIEL & ECCLES, Inc. Bridgeport
Printed by THE WARNER BROS., CO. Bridgeport
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F846885.24
6057
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