Class riQLf PRESENTED I'.V V Scale one mile to one inch. TOWN OF HADDAM, BASED ON THE SURVEYS F THE v s GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BY GONE DAYS IN PONSETT-HADDAM MIDDLESEX COUNTY, CONNECTICUT A STORY BY REV. WILLIAM C. KNOWLES RECTOR ST. JAMES CHURCH, PONSETT PRIVATELY PRINTED NEW YORK 1914 r /of SEP 11 1915 TO MY ESTEEMED FRIEND SAMUEL THOMAS HUBBARD THIS LITTLE WORK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR CONTENTS Page Introduction 3 Historic Landmarks 5 A Galaxy of Old Folks 25 Unforgotten Worthies 27 The Indian Population 34 A Noble Army of Martyrs 41 Chapter of Casualties 43 Ponsett's Picturesque Features 45 The Roll of Clericals 48 Public Worship 50 The Medical Profession 52 Ponsett in the Wars 54 About Our Ancestry 56 Old Documents 58 Index 63 Topographical Map, Town of Haddam Frontispiece Ponsett-Haddam Landmarks Facing page 24 INTRODUCTION At the urgent request of a friend, the writer has undertaken to give a description of Ponsett as it was before its consolidation with Little City District.* The object is to furnish for the former inhabitants of this locality, a brief account of the place and people with whom they once associated, of the rugged rocks and hills, the pleasant valleys, the gently flowing streams and the dear old roads over which as boys they trudged to school, or as young men walked home from evening meeting at the School House with best girl leaning on the arm. Happy days — how well we re- member them ! Before starting on our trip let us inquire into a little of our former history. Ponsett is the south west portion of the town of Haddam. The Indians called all the Southwestern part of the town of Haddam, Cockaponsit; leaving off the two first syllables of which, we have the remnant of a name in which we take pride. We have but little patience with the phrase West Haddam, inasmuch as the good old town of Haddam had appendages enough without being unnecessarily burdened with another. We first find our name on the town records about 1690, in which is mentioned "Land belonging to Nathaniel Spencer in Cock- aponsit in Haddam, being a house-lot containing eight acres more or less," and again, "Land belonging to John Baly in "Cocka- ponsit," and "Land belonging to Ephm. Baly at Cockaponsit." "It is probable that a settlement was made here very soon after the first settlement at Haddam in 1662. When the settlers of the town purchased of the Indians for "Thirty coats," the tract of land extending from the Con- *We write in 1907 By Gone Days in Ponsett-Haddam necticut River six miles westward, Cockaponsit was, of course, included in the purchase; though, which of the four kings, Sachus- quatevemapid, Keawaytahue, Turramuggus and Nabahuett, or the two queens, Sepunnemo pampcossame and Towkishe, the signers of the deed, were the original rulers of Cockaponset, cannot be ascertained. That this region was, at one time, well populated by the aborigines is evident by the arrow heads and other Indian relics which from time to time are unearthed even to the present day. A remnant of the natives of the soil lingered here for a long time after the coming of the white man, a few remaining into the beginning of the last century. Quite a number of Indian graves are to be seen in the old burying ground. By Gone Days in Ponsett-Haddam HISTORIC LANDMARKS. Let us now give a parting glance, as it were, to the old places and recall the forms and faces of the loved ones, many of whom have passed "over the river," while those that are living and widely separated, we may never meet again. We invite you, then, dear reader, to take a tramp with us over the Ponsett hills. We trust our journey will be a pleasant one. We shall pause at every old house-place and give as best we can its history, and occasionally some reminiscences of those who once lived there. The map at the end of this chapter shall be our guide. The outside borders may not be quite correct, especially the north western, but the roads, houses and sites of former houses are in the main accurate. Minor mistakes there may be which I trust the reader will overlook and rectify where needed. We first take up Killingworth turnpike at its upper boun- dary and proceed southward as follows : 1. House built in 1861, by John L. Morrill. He died in 1864 and is buried in a knoll a few rods west of the house; build- ing now unoccupied. 2. Hole in the ground, said to have been the cellar of one Ferguson a turner who had a dish-mill at the falls. Think the site doubtful ; more probable, site 38. 3. The cellar place of the house of John Turner, a black- smith, whose shop was site 8. 6 By done Days in Ponsett-Haddam 4. Collar place of a house built by Daniel Brainerd, after- wards owned by .James Spencer who kept a grocery in the base- ment. He died in 1839, and his brother Alanson Spencer occupied the house until his death in 1869. After the death of Alanson's widow, in 1883, the house was demolished. None of the family is now left in the place. 5. The site of a grist-mill built by Capt. Samuel Hubbard. With much labor he turned the water from "Great-brook," and also from the "Salt-peter" brook, and with both streams united, had sufficient power to turn a huge overshot water wheel. The mill was a good thing for the place, and a successful business was done here until the death of Capt. Hubbard in 182(5. The mill afterwards passed into other hands and eventually fell into decay. It disappeared about 1855. 6. Here was a dwelling house erected by Ebenezer Wilcox, who purchased the above mentioned mill property. The house was taken down about 1868. Mr. Wilcox was a shoemaker and had a shop on the premises. See site 7. 7. Shoemaker's shop, mentioned above. Building taken down some fifty years ago. 8. Site of John Turner's blacksmith shop. Buildings gone. U. Two story dwelling house erected by Sylvester Hubbard in 1820. Occupied by him until his death in 1872, then by his son Theodore until his death in 1896. House at the present time occupied by Bohemians. By Gone Days in Ponsett-Haddam 10. St. James' Protestant Episcopal Church, cornerstone laid in 1872, consecrated in 1877. 11. Large two story house erected by Ashael Bonfoey ; was at one time a tavern. Passed out of the family in 1853 and was purchased by Willard Knowles. He, dying in 1883, it passed to his son Hubert W. who died in 1906. Now owned by his children. 12. Story and a half house erected by Hezekiah Sutlief, about 1833. His widow left it in 1855 and the property was bought by Asa Burr, Esq. After the death of Mr. Burr it was purchased by Wm. Edgar Spencer, who is its present occupant. 13. A one-story house erected by Roswell Sutlief. He died in 1861. The place has since changed owners a number of times. Mr. Roman Berchulsky, a Slav, then purchased it. 14. A one-story house with gambrel roof; erected by Ros- well Hubbard. The frame was raised at site 67, but the turnpike being opened about that time the frame was moved to its pres- ent site. David T. Bailey bought the property and came there to live in the fall of 1835. He died in 1883. His son Frank occupied the place until a few years ago when he sold out to Bohemians. 15. This is the New Cemetery, laid out in January, 1828. It is composed of thirty large lots. The first person buried here was Ursula Hubbard Spencer, wife of Alanson Spencer, who died February, 1828. 16. Small house built and now occupied by Frederick Wilcox. 8 By Gone Days in Ponsett-Haddam 17. One-story house set into a bank, making it two stories in front. Built by James Brainerd. Sold to two maiden ladies who lived here a great many years. Now unoccupied and falling into decay. 18. Large two-story house erected by Capt. James Thomas, soon after the Turnpike was opened. Was at one time a tavern. Capt. Thomas died in 1842. A few years later his son-in-law, Mr. Alfred Brainerd, came here to live. The present occupant is an enterprising Bohemian, Mr. Paul Jiroudek. THE MORRIS ROAD. 19. Here stood a log cabin. It is not known by whom built, but Aurunah Hubbard once lived here. In 1795 it was occupied by widow Naomi Gladwin. The cabin disappeared many years ago and the oldest inhabitant has no remembrance of it. 20. Here was the house of Daniel Hubbard, son of Daniel and Temperance Hubbard. Twelve children were reared here. About 1792 the family moved to New Durham, N. Y. A pile of stones marks the place where the house stood. The home lot is now overgrown with bushes. 21. Joel Hubbard, an elder brother of Daniel, had a large two-story house here with a lean-to. He was the father of twelve children, all, except the first-born, living to adult age. Mr. Hub- bard died in 1802. His son Capt. Abraham Hubbard, succeeded to the estate. He died in 1822 and his son Edmund kept the place for a few years and sold out to his father's sister Mary, commonly known as "Aunt Polly." Late in life she married Morris Hubbard and he came here to live. "Aunt Polly" died in 1850. The house was demolished by Chauncey D. Skinner in 1855. By Gone Days in Ponsett-Haddam 9 22, Here was a house but it seems impossible, at this late day, to find out who lived in it. It might have been the home of Abner Smith. The house was standing when "Aunt Polly" was a child. The home lot has been known for many years as the "Capt. Brainerd lot." THE NEW ROAD. 23>. A depression in the ground shows where once stood the house of Ephraim Spencer, one of the first settlers of the place. ROAD TO HADDAM. 24. Who the original owner of this place was is not known. About 1812 Betty Clark and her children were living here. Some- where prior to 1820 Hazael Smith caused the house to be removed to site 30. 25, The home of Richard Knowles which his father Lieut. John Knowles willed to him in 1752. A family of twelve children were reared here. After the death of Richard Knowles, in 1814, the property passed out of the family and the house was taken down . 2(5. A one-story house built by Richard Knowles 2nd, not far from 1790. After the death of his wife, in 1819, Mr. Knowles sold the place to Elizur Spencer. It remained in the Spencer family until 1864*. The house is now owned and occupied by Oscar F. Richards. 10 By Gone Days in Ponsett-H addani 27. Here is left a portion of the old village-green. It was formerly a triangular plot very much larger than at present. The old Militia used to "train" here. On this green stood the Chestnut- Hill School House, which, one hundred and twenty-five years ago must have been well filled with scholars. Harris E. Knowles has in his possession a receipt given by Elisha Knowles, Jr., to Richard Knowles, for the sum of 12s 6d, for the use of the school, in the last half of the 18th century. 28. This house was originally owned by Asa Walkley, a house-carpenter by trade. He was killed by lightning while sitting by the side window of the east front room. The exact date of his death cannot be ascertained, but it occurred not far from 1801. The widow remained here a few years after the death of her hus- band, when the property was purchased by Simeon Hubbard who sold to his nephew Epaphroditus Hubbard about 1839, the latter remaining here until his death in 1895. The property was then pur- chased by William C. Knowles who sold it to his son-in-law, Edwin W. Dickinson. It is now owned by Joseph Planata and brother. The house was originally but one story. Mr. Epaphroditus Hub- bard raised it, putting another story under the old building. The upper story is supposed to be the oldest house in Ponsett. 29. A two-story house with a lean-to. A typical New Eng- land farm-house, built by William Knowles and his sons -John and Willard about 1796. William Knowles died in 1820, leaving his estate by will to his grand-children, William, Zeruiah and John H. Knowles, his son John to have the use of it during the term of his natural life. John Knowles died in 1836. John H. Knowles, who far many years was a sea-faring man returned to his home in 1837 and lived here until his death in 1870. His widow occu- pied the house until her decease in 1897. It is now the property of William C. Knowles and is occupied by his son John C. Knowles. The farm has been in the possession of the family for about one hundred and sixty-four years. By Gone Days in Ponsett-H addam II 30. Hazael Smith once had a house here. It was for his hired man, Timothy Jackson, a negro. The house, which was originally site 24 has long since disappeared. 31. The site of the ancient Knowles house. Lieut. John Knowles, in company with others, removed from Eastham, Mass., and settled here about 1742. He became an extensive land-holder, and at the time of his death in 1752, left large farms to his three sons Elisha, Richard and William. A copy of his will is printed elsewhere. 32. On the map are marks for two houses. The one the greater distance from the road line was the house of Elisha Knowles, son of Lieut. John Knowles. He died in 1801. His son Joshua became his successor. Hazael Smith purchased the prop- erty, and about 1810 built a new house which he occupied until his death in 1866. His son Davis Smith remained there until 1872. The property has since then changed hands several times and is now owned and occupied by John Novotny. 33. Here stood a house built by Irwin W. Smith, who moved to Pennsylvania in the early Forties. His brother-in-law, Benjamin S. Bailey, purchased the property. Mr. Bailey died in 1849. His widow remained here until 1856. Comfort J. Treat lived here a number of years. Finally the property was bought by Leroy S. Burdick. In 1867 he sold the house to Lyman Bailey who caused it to be removed to Higganum. 34. About 1742 Roger Thomas, who came from Eastham, Mass., settled here. After his death his son Ebcnezer remained here and built site 35. 12 By Gone Days in Ponsett-Haddam 35. This house was built close to the old one — site 34. Calvin Thomas, son of Ebcnezer, remained on the place. He died in 1847. The land was sold to Joseph R. Shailer. The house was bought by Benjamin S. Bailey and moved on to his near by prem- ises and used for a barn. Mrs. Thomas, who was Mr. Bailey's mother-in-law, reserved one front room for a weaving room. Here was her loom and all her appliances for weaving cloth and carpets. She died in Norwich in 1866. 3(>. The site of a house built by Ebenezer Thomas, Jr. His son Ansel remained here until the early thirties when he sold to Capt. Sylvester Brainerd. Capt. Brainerd died in 1843. His widow remained here many years with her son Benjamin, who mar- ried and reared a family. The property having finally passed into other hands, the house fell into decay and has now disappeared. THE DENCE PLACE. 37. This place derives its name from Prudence, otherwise called "Dence," the widow of Abram Simons, a Narragansett Indian. When or by whom the house was erected is not known. Abram was here a century ago. He died in 1812. A further ac- count of him will be ffiven elsewhere. DISH MILL HOLLOW. 38. Here is the site of the Elizur Spencer house which was ;x very old one one hundred years ago. Who built it or lived in it, previous to its occupancy by Mr. Spencer, is not known. It might have been the home of Ferguson the turner instead of site 2. Pos- sibly it was once owned by Ebenezer Mudge. The house has been gone many years. By Gone Days in Ponsett-Haddain 13 39. Garden of Eden. This is a narrow strip of land en- closed by surrounding hills and at one time lovely in its seclusion. It is now overgrown with forest and a home for wild animals. 40. House built by David Spencer, son of Elizur Spencer and occupied by him until about 1848 ; then by Felix Spencer until his death in 1878. The place is at present owned and occupied by foreigners. OLD PONSETT STREET. 41. This old house was the home of James Sutlief. He died in 1835, and Jonathan P. Spencer lived here a number of years. After him came Henry Hubbard. The place was purchased by Alvah W. Spencer about 1852. He lived here until his death in 1899. His son disposed of the property and it is now the home of John Planata. On June 19, 1906, the house caught fire and was reduced to ashes. 42. The Ponsett School House stood on this spot, Chestnut Hill having united with Ponsett in causing its erection. It was a one-story building nearly square on the ground. It had a stone chimney with a huge open fire place, which was used for heating the school room until the introduction of a box stove, when the stone chimney was taken away. At the east end of the building was a large rock, which for some reason or other it was thought best to remove. Accordingly, there was a general "turn out" of the men in the district, to demolish the rock, which was done in a manner satisfactor} 7 to themselves, perhaps, and an offset built of the broken pieces, which still remains. Why it should have been called an "improvement," the writer is at a loss to know. When the rock was demolished a kit of Indian tools was found hidden beneath it. After the consolidation of Ponsett and Little City districts the School House was taken down. 14 Hi) Gone Days in Ponsett-Haddam 43. Here stood the house of Jeremiah Hubbard. As the writer remembers, it was a two-story house with a lean-to across the east end. The house was very old and in a dilapidated con- dition when taken down in 1849. Mr. Hubbard died in 1803. His widow survived him seven years, dying at the advanced age of 95. She was the second wife, and not the mother of his children, three of whom, singular to relate, were born blind, Asa, Susannah, and Catherine. Deacon David Hubbard succeeded his father in the estate and lived here until his death in 1836. His son David suc- ceeded him. 44. This is a large four-roofed house built by Cyrus A. Hubbard in 1849. At the time of its erection it was considered by far the grandest house in Ponsett. Mr. David Hubbard and family were its first occupants, together with his three maiden sisters, Miriam, Rhoda, and Hadassah. The old ladies wept as they left the old house for the new one. Mr. Cyrus Hubbard came here to live sometime after the death of his father in 1872. A bachelor brother and widowed sister, Mrs. Ashley of worthy mem- ory, also lived and died here. Cyrus A. Hubbard died here in 1900. His widow moved away, and the place is now owned by a Bohemian family. 45. A New England farm house built by Shailer Hubbard. After his death in 1832, his son Sylvester succeeded him. Syl- vester Hubbard died in 1864. Cyrus A. Hubbard purchased the property, remodeled the house into its present style, lived here a number of years and finally moved to site 44. George 1). Winchell purchased the property and lived here a few years. The place is now owned by Mr. Horocek, a Bohemian. By Gone Days in Ponsett-H addam 15 46. Here stands a horse barn built by Cyrus A. Hubbard, said at one time to have been the finest building of its kind in New England. It is supposed to stand on, or near, the site of the first Hubbard house, where lived Daniel Hubbard, the progenitor of the Ponsett Hubbard family and one of the largest land-holders in the place. There is a question, however, whether this is the true site of the old house or site 47. Daniel Hubbard died in 1755 and was succeeded by his son Daniel, who became the father of nine sons, eight of them marrying and settling in the place and each rearing a large family. It is remarkable that at the present time there are none in Ponsett who bear the name of Hubbard. That this is where Daniel 2nd lived, seems the more probable, as Dr. Field, in his history of the Hubbard family, says that Daniel Hubbard's house "stood near where his descendant Sylvester Hub- bard now lives," which is site 45, and according to tradition the coffin of Temperance, the widow of Daniel Hubbard 2nd, was laid, probably at the time of her funeral, on the rock at the south, on which rests a large boulder. A copy of the last will and testament of Daniel Hubbard appears later on. 47. Here is a hollow in the ground, evidently, where once was a cellar. The writer was told when a boy, that here stood a Hubbard house. Probably the home at one time of one of the Daniels. 48. The Eunice Sutlief place. Miss Eunice lived here alone for a great many years. She was noted for her skill in weaving linen and woolen cloths, coverlets and carpets. She died in 1844 at an advanced age. In her last days she was cared for by her nephew Hezekiah Sutlief, at whose house she died. It is thought that she inherited her home from her father Nathaniel Sutlief, The house was removed soon after her decease. 16 By Gone Days in Ponsett-Haddam 49. Here are the remains of the house of Jeremiah Hub- bard 2nd, commonly called "Captain Jeremiah." The building was a New England farm house, finished off in rather better style than most houses of that day. Captain Hubbard moved to Middle- town "Upper Houses," now Cromwell, in 1793. The house passed into the Spencer family and, for many years, was occupied at intervals by different families. Betty Clark and her children at one time made their home there. Various newly married couples set up house-keeping here until such time as their own houses could be built and made ready for occupancy. About 1852 or '53 the place was sold by Albert Spencer to Dr. Samuel Thomas Hubbard of New York, who for a time used it as a summer resi- dence. It finally passed into other hands and was suffered to fall into decav. 50. This house was built by Thomas Hubbard 2nd, between 1795 and 1800. Mr. Hubbard died in 1803, his son Amasa Hub- bard succeeded to the estate, living here until his death in 1864. Alburn C. Hubbard, the youngest son of Amasa Hubbard, occupied the house with his father. He died in April, 1864. His widow and family removed to Meriden in 1880. The place was soon after sold and at present is owned by Bohemians. The house is of the old New England style, two stories in front, the back having a long sloping roof with lean-to. There is also a large basement. 51. Here stood the house of Thomas Hubbard 1st. He died in 1795 and after the erection of the new house, site 50, the old house was moved a few rods south and used for nearly a century as a cow-shed. 5£. It was here that the first schoolhouse in Ponsett was erected near a large rock. After doing service for many years, Chestnut Hill united with Ponsett and built on site 4'i. By Gone Days in Ponsett-Haddam 17 53. Large New England farm house, once the home of Capt. David Spencer, who died here in 1850 at an advanced age. His son David and daughter Damaris, both single, lived here for many years after the death of their father. The place is at present owned and occupied by Mrs. Louis Florence, a French woman. The house is in excellent condition. 54. Story-and-a-half house built by Atwood Spencer in the early Forties, over the cellar of a house which was burned, and was formerly the home of Sergeant Abner Spencer, who died in 1802. Atwood Spencer died in 1852. His widow remained here for a number of years. Mrs. Wilcox, a daughter of Mr. Spencer has lately sold the place to a Bohemian family. Mention might be made that between 80 and 90 years ago Jehosaphat Spencer had a store here and dealt in general merchandise. ANCIENT HIGHWAY TO HIGGANUM. 55. This is the Sutlief Place. The house has been gone, probably for a century and a half or more. The highway has long since been abandoned and the farm has become a forest. OLD ROAD TO CANDLEWOOD HILL. 56. The site of Calvin Hubbard's house. He died in 1820 and after the death of his Avidow their son Joshua Hubbard lived here. The house was finally deserted and fell into decay. THE GUNGER ROAD. o*. The cellar and foundation of the chimney alone remain to mark the home of Timothy Hubbard. After his death in 1809 his son Ashael succeeded him. Ashael died in 1842. A few years later Joshua Hubbard purchased the property and lived here until his death in 1866. The old house was soon afterwards taken down. 1* By Gone Days in Ponsett-Haddam 58. A small house built by Lloyd A. Wood in the early Fifties. The Wood family have moved away and the place- is now owned by Mr. Biza. 59. The Eli Hubbard house. Mr. Hubbard died in 1817. Alanson Spencer who married a daughter of Mr. Hubbard lived here for a few years. The property was finally purchased by Stephen Clark. After Mr. Clark's death his son-in-law Robert Brainerd took possession of the property and he occupies the house at the present time. 60. A small cottage built by Robert Brainerd and occu- pied by him until his removal to site 59. 61 . Site of the house of Aaron Hubbard. The family moved to Rockland in North Bristol, now North Madison, about 1792. 62. Site of the home of James Hubbard; a large New England farm-house which stood on a high elevation, commanding a magnificent view of the Ponsett Valley. On the east the view ex- tends for miles beyond the Connecticut River, while on the west the Meriden Mountains are seen in the distance. Mr. Hubbard died in 1808, and the family moved to New Durham. Some years later the property was purchased by Fredus Clark who lived here until his death in 1864. Some few years after the death of Mr. Clark the house was struck by lightning and all the buildings Hen- consumed. 63. A small house built by Henry Lee. a grandson of Fredus Clark. The place is now owned by Bohemians. By Gone Days in Ponsett-H addam 19 THE OLD POND ROAD. 64. A one story house with gambrel roof stood very near the dam. In the basement was a fulling mill, or clothiers works, where Asahel Bonfoey carried on quite a flourishing business for many years. On the west side of the pond is the lot where the teasles grew. With the influx of cotton and the manufacture of woolen cloth by machinery, the fulling of home-spun cloth was abandoned. Mr. Bonfoey built house at site 11 and left this place, which afterwards was occupied at different times, by Albert Thomas, Hoel Bowers, and by a Mr. Lantry. The house was taken down by Roswell Sutlicf in 184*7. 65. Here stood a large Colonial house originally owned by Samuel Spencer. After his death his widow was married July 27, 1778, to Doctor Eleazer Woodruff, who took up his residence here as a practicing physician. According to tradition, he had a negro slave who was buried on the highway, on the north side of the New Road and as the bank wore away his bones fell into the gutter. Dr. Woodruff dying or moving elsewhere, the property was purchased by Captain Samuel Hubbard. Mr. Hubbard was a very enterprising man in the place. He built the grist mill site 5. He died in 1826. His estate passed out of the family and the grand old house was taken down. 66. Here was a Spencer place and ancient tavern, once the home of Capt. Abraham Spencer. After the death of Capt. Spencer it became the home of Ruel Knowles, later of Daniel Knowles, and lastly of Roswell and Hezekiah Sutlief. The Sut- liefs, on erecting new houses (see sites 12-13) demolished the old houses. Naught but the well remains to tell that a dwelling house once stood here. The place was sometimes called the Pine-Tree place. A lofty pine tree once stood near the house, the stump of which was remaining a few years ago. 20 By Gone Days in Ponsett-Haddam ROAD TO GOOSE MILL. 67. Here is the site of an ancient Porter place. By whom the house Mas built cannot be learned. About 1785 a Mr. Porter lived here. He was either lost at sea or died on board a vessel when a young man. His widow married Walker Knowles. The property was purchased by Roswell Hubbard who caused the old house to be taken down. He afterward erected the frame of a new building over the old cellar, but the turnpike being opened about that time, he had the frame carried across the lot and put up and covered in another place. See site 14. 68. House erected in 1850 by James S. Thomas. He died in 1893. The house is now occupied by two of his daughters, Mrs. Olive B. Mooney and Miss Emily E. Thomas. 69. Site of a large two story house with lean-to, once the residence of Samuel Hubbard, third son of Daniel and Temper- ance Hubbard. Mr. Hubbard commanded a company of militia in the Revolutionary War. He died in 1813. His son, Smith Hub- bard, succeeded to the estate. Smith Hubbard died in 1844 and the estate became the property of James S. Thomas. The house was taken down in 1849 and a new one built. See site 68. 70. This sacred enclosure is known as the Old Ponsett burying ground. It was laid out in 1761. By Gone Days in Ponsett-Haddam 21 The three oldest inscriptions found there are the following, that of the first being misspelled Portor for Porter: In Memory of M RS - Naomi the Wife of M 8 Giles Portor Who died June the 18 th - 1762 In the 43D Year of her Age. In Memory of M R - Michael Clark Who died Nov' br the 11 th A D 1763 In the 50 th Year of his Age. In Memory of M RS - Anne the Wife of M K - Samuel Spencer Who died Fe" 21 st 1769 In the 19 th Year of her Age. 22 By done Days in Ponsett-Haddam 71. Said by some to have been the house place of one Porter, an early settler. Others maintain that a dwelling house never stood here because there are no marks of a cellar or chim- ney. The writer, however, is of the opinion that here is the site of an ancient cabin. 72. Originally a Thomas place. The first house was burnt and another of one story, was erected over the cellar. The last of the Thomas family to live here was Mary, the widow of Israel Thomas. Felix Spencer occupied the house for many years. He moved to site 40 and his son Jonathan P. Spencer took his place. He there lived until about 1875. The building has disappeared. 73. Who originally owned this place is unknown. Frederic Piatt, a young man, and son-in-law of Joel Hubbard, is said to have died here not far from 1790. Hazael Smith was living here in 1802. The house, probabty disappeared in the Twenties. Ben- jamin F. Spencer built the present house in 1873 over the ancient cellar. Mr. Spencer occupied the house a short time and moved to Higganum. His father Jonathan P. Spencer left site 72 and lived here until his death in 1898. Alvin B. Spencer is its present occupant. THE LYNN ROAD. 74. Once the home of Capt. James Thomas. After he moved into his new house, site 18, this one was occupied by various families, viz., Charles Bailey, Capt. Sylvester Brainerd, Hoel Bowers, Willard Knowles, Joseph Treat and perhaps others. The house went down in the Fifties. By Gone Days in Ponsett-Haddam 23 75. Here was the home of Walker Knowles. The house was built about the time of his marriage to his first wife, Elizabeth Wells, in 1784. His youngest son Willard Knowles succeeded his father, and remained here until 1853 when he moved to site 11. The house remained unoccupied a few years and was then taken down. The once productive farm is now overgrown with forest. [The site of this house was on the west side of the road, and not on the east side as inadvertently located on the map.] MISCELLANEOUS. A. Site of the blacksmith shop of Capt. David Spencer, B. The site of the house of Job Hubbard Senior who died in 1822. The old house was demolished about 1853 having been unoccupied for some years. C. The new Ponsett School House, following the consolida- tion of the Ponsett and Little City districts. The building stands on, or very near the line which formerly divided the two districts. D. A one-story house built by Job Hubbard Jr. He died in 1853. His son Joseph B. Hubbard lived here until his death in 1872 or 1873. This is the birth place of Rev. D. B. Hubbard. Euzebe Florence, a Frenchman, purchased the property and lived here for a number of years and sold it to Mr. Snyder, a German. E. Little Dam, to enclose a small body of water for the use of Capt. Hubbard's Mill. F. A huge boulder. It is said that many years ago nearly all the able-bodied men in Ponsett turned out to try their strength in starting this rock rolling; but neither rum nor muscle were sufficient to so much as make it "wink." 24 By done Days in Ponsett-Haddam G. The old Pond. A dam Avas built here at a very early date, though for what particular purpose cannot be ascertained. Some have thought a grist mill was erected here by the early settlers. Later, the water from the pond was used in the clothiers works. In 1847 the dam was raised a number of feet higher and the water supply used as a reservoir for the Oakum works at Hiffffanum. »->» H. Remains of ancient saw mill dam. I. Bridge across Great Brook. J. The flume for Capt. Sanuel Hubbard's grist mill. The waters from the Great brook and the Salt Peter brook being turned, met here and formed, as the boys used to say, "a pond on dry land." K. Dish Mill Falls, and probably the site of Ferguson's Turning Mill. No trace of it remains. HA D-D AM LITTLE CITY PONSETT-HADDAM LANDMARKS. BEAVER MEADOW BURP DISTRICT By Gone Days in Ponsett-Haddam 25 A GALAXY OF OLD FOLKS. We record here some who lived to a good old age — all reach- ing four score and beyond : Hazael Smith, commonly called "Uncle Zell," lived to be 92 and died in 1866. He was always ready to talk to the boys and boast of his youthful exploits. He liked tobacco and chewed cut plug. Lusina Hubbard Richards, wife of Jehiel Richards, well known as "Aunt Lusina," passed away in 1892 at the ripe old age of 88 years. Two generations united to pay respect to her memory. Captain James Thomas, a hale hearty old man. Died in 1842 at the age of 89. Calvin Thomas, a feeble old man, died in 1847. He was the last person buried in the Old Cemetery. James S. Thomas, a grandson of Capt. James Thomas, died in 1893 aged 89 years. Captain David Spencer, died in 1850 aged 85 years. There were two Sylvester Hubbards born the same year. One died in 1864 aged 80, the other in 1872 aged 88. Willard Knowles, died in 1883 aged 81, and Minerva, his wife, in 1888 aged 81. Jehiel Richards, died in 1889 aged 81. He was carried to Haddam for burial. David Hubbard, died in 1872 aged 82 years and Julia, his wife in 1878 aged 85. He was a son of Deacon David Hubbard, who died in 1836, and may be remembered by some elderly people. 26 By Gone Days in Ponsett-Haddam Jonathan T. Spencer, died in 1898 aged 83. Epaphroditus Hubbard, died in 1895 aged 83 year-. He was a life-long resident of Ponsett. Cyrus A. Hubbard died in 1900 aged 83 years. We will here mention Mr. Roswell Sutlief, although he did not reach four score years. He was a veteran of the war of 1812. What pleasure it gave him to relate his experiences as a "war- rior"! He was quite a "songster" and usually interspersed his story with some fragment of an old song, something like this: "On yonder high mountain There shines a bright light, 'Tis a pilot for sailors In the dark stormy night." I'm an old warrior, I van! Was called to Saybrook to fight the British and slept on the salt hay, I van ! Day do de day, do de day, do de day, I van ! I been in the war ! Mr. Job Hubbard, a saintly old man, died in 1853, aged four score years. He often officiated at funerals when the services of a minister could not be procured. By Gone Days in Ponsett-Haddam 27 UNFORGOTTEN WORTHIES. We regret that so little information can be obtained of Deacon David Hubbard. We know that he was a life-long resident of Ponsett, that he held the office of Deacon in the Haddam Congre- gational Church for many years and was a man of exemplary character. His piety was of the Puritanic type, singularly de- voted to the doctrines of his church, and with little charity for those who differed from him in religious matters. But, withal, he was sincere and earnest in his zeal for his Master. He died in 1836, at the ripe old age of 87 years. Captain Elmer Wilcox Hubbard of the regular United States Army, and a great-grand- son of Captain Jeremiah Hubbard, a brother of the above men- tioned Deacon David Hubbard, has in his possession a Military Commission dated 1781 and signed iby Gov. Jonathan Trumbull appointing Jeremiah Hubbard Captain. The following are copied from the Upper Middletown, now Cromwell, Congregational Church Records. "1794. Jeremiah Hubbard and his wife are Recommended to our Communion and accepted from the Ch.h. of Ch.st in Haddam." "At a Ch.h meeting at the Meeting House Oct. 5, 1797, Dea. Timy. Gipson, Dea'n Amos Sage, and Capt. Jeremiah Hubbard were chosen a Ch.h Committee to Converse with those who walk disorderly, whether Ch.h Members. That is to say Communicants, Covenant Persons, who do not come to the Lord's Table, but claim a Right to Baptism for their children." "At a Ch.h meeting at the Meeting House Dec. 14th, 180? the Brethren made choice of Capt. Jeremiah Hubbard to officiate in the office of a Deacon by a unanimous vote." 28 By Gone Days in Ponsett-Haddam HEZEKIAH SUTLIEF. He was an ardent Methodist of the olden type, zealous in the Master's service and always ready, in the absence of a Minister, to offer prayer by the bedside of the sick and suffering. He died in 1858 aged 69. SHERMAN H. THOMAS. A native of this place, he filled the office of deacon of the Con- gregational Church in Collinsville from 1875 to 1879. He was again elected to the same office, in 1885, which he held until his death in 1891. A zealous and devoted servant of his Master, he died in his 63rd year. WILLIAM KNOWLES. He died in 1821 at the early age of 23, a young man of deep and fervent piety, and member of the Haddam Congregational Church. In February 1820 he married Miss Lovina Alcox, now Alcott, of Wolcott. In the Fall of that year the young couple set up housekeeping in his grandfather's house in Ponsett. The January following he was seized with a fever and died. The widow returned to her father's house in Wolcott where she died the 1st day of March following, aged 20. A few of William Knowles' letters to his sister Zeruiah, which breathe the spirit of a true piety, arc still extant. His rigid manner of life, however, would hardly be followed by the young disciple of the present day. The elders would be slow to recommend it and it would not now be considered a sign of a healthy religious life. Even to play a game of ball was considered by young Knowles as sinful. But. with all his Puritanic notions we never heard of any religious controversy between him and his young wife who wis an Episco- palian. By Gone Days in Ponsett-Haddam 29 JOHN H. KNOWLES. For many years he was a seafaring man, going on his first voyage about 1822, and following the water until the spring of 1837. During that time he visited the four quarters of the globe. He died in 1870 aged 66. MISS EUNICE SUTLIEF. A passing tribute should be paid to her memory. Undoubt- edly there could still be found at this late day some specimens of her handiwork, some plaid or figured coverlet, some piece of flannel or linen cloth, a remnant of Avhich Avould testif}" to her skill as a weaver. She was an eccentric woman, simple-minded and easily gulled by those who wished to amuse themselves by im- posing upon her good nature, and even her best friends were not above playing a practical joke upon her, according to the anec- dotes related by the elderly people. Living alone year in and year out, she followed the same round of domestic duties, still clinging to her loom and weaving until broken down by old age, and there came a day when mind and memory failed, and "aunt" Sally Knowles was called to minister to her wants. Lastly, a nephew took her to his own home and cared for her until her death. She departed this life in 1844 at the age of 88. BETTY CLARK. There are some persons now living who will remember her and her blind son, Orrin. In as many as three houses in this place they have at different times made their home, and, undoubtedly as many in Little City district have sheltered this unfortunate couple. Orrin was blind from early childhood and required con- stant care from his over-indulgent mother. He was afflicted with "rasho's" and when these spells were on, his mother must walk 30 By Gone Days in Ponsett-Haddam with him. As the "rasho" usually came on in the night, poor old Betty would have to turn out and walk the streets with him. Many a night have they walked up and down these roads of ours through cold and storm. How hard the woman worked to support herself and her son ! At length, worn out, she was obliged, with Or- rin, to go to the poor house where she only lived a short time. The "rasho's" still continued to afflict Orrin, and having no longer a mother to lead him about the streets his keeper was under the necessity of placing him under restraint. For many years he wore hand-cuffs to prevent his tearing his clothes or otherwise destroying things. Poor old fellow! He died with the shackles on his wrists. His attendant attempted to remove them but he begged that they might remain and his request was reluctantly complied with. MISS LAURA D. SMITH. The first piano in the place was owned by Miss Smith, who was a skilful musician and a very remarkable woman. Of her parentage there is no knowledge. About 1811 she was found, a small babe, in a basket, at the door of Mr. Jacob Brainerd of Higgnnum. The town fathers gave her the name of Laura Dwight and placed her in the family of Hazael Smith of Ponsett, where she grew up with his children, calling Mr. and Mrs. Smith "father" and "mother," and taking their family name. Under the guardianship of Mr. Smith and his good wife, she de- veloped into an interesting and accomplished young woman. She was supposed to be an Indian half-breed, her features bearing a strong resemblance to those of that race. Miss Smith died in Middletown in 1861. Her remains were brought to Mr. Smith's house, where the funeral exercises were held and laid to rest in the Smith family lot in the Ponsett cemetery. By Gone Days in Ponsett-Haddam 31 MRS. DEBORAH SMITH. Should the reader ever visit the old burying ground in Pon- sett there will be found near the entrance, the grave of Mrs. Deborah Smith who died in 1812 at the advanced age of 100 years. Mrs. Smith was the grandmother of Hazael Smith. Her maiden name was Spencer and she is supposed to have been born in this neighborhood. There was 23. 48 63 64 INDEX Page HUBBARD, DEACON 2.->, 27 HUBBARD, EDMl'Xl t s. I.: IIIHIUKD, EDI 18, II HUBBARD. ELMER WILCOX 27 HUBBARD, EMMA BRAIXERD 4S III r.I'.AIil). EPAPHRODITUS (Epaphro D) 10, 26, 33 HUBBARD, FRANK L 54 HUBBARD, GEORGE 56 HUBBARD, HADASSAH 14. II HUBBARD, HENRY 13 HUBBARD, IIKRMOX E 33 HUBBARD, JAMBS 18,54 HUBBARD, JEREMIAH, 14, 3d, 54, 56, 57, 58 HUBBARD, CAPT. JEREMIAH 2nd, 16 HUBBARD, JOB., SR 23, 26, 53 HUBBARD JOB., JR 23 HUBBARD, JOEtL 8, 22, 43 HUBBABD, JOEL 2nd 54 HUBBARD, JOHN 43, 53 HUBBARD, REV. JONATHAN BURR 48 HUBBARD, JOSEPH B 23 HUBBARD, JOSEPH S 48 HUBBARD, JOSHUA 17 HUBBARD, JULIA 25 HUBBARD, LUSINA 41. 42 HUBBARD, MARY (Aunt Polly), 8, !>. 22 HUBBARD, MATTHEW .V. HUBBARD. MIRIAM 14, 11 HT'BBARD, MORRIS 8 HUBBARD, OSWIX 44 HUBBARD, REUBEN 54 HT'BBARD, RHODA 14,41 HUBBARD, ROSWELL 7,20 HUBBARD, SAMUEL 20,54,62 HUBBARD, CAPT. SAMUEL, (1. 19, 23, 24, 32 HUBBARD, DR. SAMUEL THOMAS 16, 52 HUBBARD, SIIAILER 14 HUBBARD, SIMEON 10, 55 HUBBARD. SMITH 20 HUBBARD, SUSANNAH 14 HT'BBARD. SYLVESTER, 6, II. 15, 25, ">4 HUBBARD, TEMPERANCE ...8, 15, 20 HUBBARD. THEODORE 6 HUBBARD, THOMAS 1st 16, 58 HUBBARD, THOMAS 2nd 16 HUBBARD, TIMOTHY 17, 54, 59 HUNTINGTON, NANCY M 41 HUSBAND, R. W 36, 37 urn inxosox. DR 52 JACKSON, TIMOTHY 11 JIROUDEK. PAUL « KELLOGG, DR 52 KIRKLAND, MR 37 K XOWLER, ANCESTRY 56 KXOWLES, APPIHTA BANGS 56 KXOWLES, DAXIEL IP KXOWLES. MISS ELEAXOR 57 KNOWLES. ELI SUA 10. 11. 60 Page KNOWLES, ELISHA, JR 10 KXoWLKS, ELIZABETH WELLS... 23 KXOWLES, HRASTUS H 55 KXoWLKS, ESTHER 57 KXOWLES, HARRIS E 10 KXOWLES, HUBERT W 7 KXOWLKS, ENSIGN JAMES 54 K \< >WLES, .IEHIEL 25 KXOWLKS, JOHN ....10, 43, 53, 56, 58 KXOWLKS. DEBUT. JOHN, 9, 11, 54, 57, 59 KXOWLKS. OOL. JOHN 56 KXOWLKS, JOHN C 10 KXoWLKS. JOHN H 10, 29, 44, 49 KXOWLES, JOSHUA 11, 34 KXOWLES, MRS. JUDITH 47 KXoWLKS, MARY SEARS 56 KXOWLKS, MEHETARKL WALKER, 57, 60 KXOWLKS, MIRANDA 42 KXOWLES, RICHARD !), 10, 11,56 KXOWLES, RICHARD 2nd 9,60 KX( ►WILES, RUtBL 19 K X( VW LBS, SALLY 29 K X( > W LBS, SARAH 43 KXOWLES, SIMON 32, 55 KXOWLKS, TANSON M. CLARK. ..49 KXOWLKS. WALKER ....20, 23, 32, 54 KXOWLKS, WELLS 32,55 KXoWLKS. WILLARD, 7. 10, 22, 23, 25, 43 KXOWLKS. WILLIAM. 10. 11, 2S, 60, 61 KXOWLES. WILLIAM 1st 59 KXOWLKS. WILLIAM 2nd 10 KXOWLKS, WILLIAM C. (Rev. William Clark) 10,49 KXOWLKS. ZBRUIAB 10. 28 LANKIER (Lampier) WILLIAM. ... 43 L AX I in . MR 19 LEE, HENRY 18, 55 MATTII KWS. .1 OIIX 37 MAY, C. B 33 MILLER. DR. AMOS S 53 MooXKY. MRS. OLIVE B 20 MORRILL. JOHN L 5, 55 MUDCK. EBBNEZBR 12 MUNG E.'R. ELIZABETH 58 NABAHUBTT, KING 4 XOVOTXY. JOHN 11 PARMILY. MARY 5$ PHELPS, 'HARLES 57 PHELPS. WILLIAM 57 I'LAXATA. JOHN 13 PLAXATA, JOSEPH 10 PLATT, FREDERIC 22, 54 PORTER, MR 20,43 PORTOR, MRS. NAOMU 21 PORTOR. GILES 21 PRATT, LEMUEL 54. 60 RICHARDS, MISS EFFIE, 57 RICHARDS. MISS ESTHER 57 INDEX 65 Page RICHARDS, JEHIEL 25 RICHARDS, MISS JOSEPHINE 56 RICHARDS, LUSINA HUBBARD .. 25 RICHARDS, OSCAR P 9 SACHUSQUATEVBMAPID, KING . . 4 SEPUNNEMOPAMPOSSAME, QUEEN 4 SHAILER, JOSEPH R 12 SHAILER, KATHORN 57 SHAILER, THOMAS 57 SIMONS, ABRAM (Abraham), 12, 35, 36, 37, 38 SIMONS, ARR4M 2nd 38 SIMONS, DANIEL 36, 37 SIMONS, "DENCE", See Simons, Prudence. SIMONS, ESTHER 38, 39, 43, 44 SIMONS, PRUDENCE (Dence), 12, 38, 39, 42, 43 SIMONS, SVLVANUS 38 SIMONS, TAMAR 36, 38, 39 SKINNER, CHAUNCEY D 8 SKINNER, MRS. EUNICE 47 SMITH, ABNER 9. 60, 61 SMITH, AARON 54 SMITH, CHALLENGE 43 SMITH, DAVIS 11 SMITH, DEBORAH 30 SMITH, DR 52 SMITH, HAZAEL ..9, 11, 22, 25, 30, 31 SMITH, IRWIN, W 11 SMITH, MIiSS LAURA D 30, 41 SMITH, LUCY 41 SMITH, MARI AM 41 SMITH, MARY 41 SMITH, MEIIETAP.EL 60, 61, 62 SMITH, STEPHEN 31 SMITH, THANKFUL 41 SMITH, WILLIAMS 61 SNYDER, MR 23 SOBUCK, JIM, JR 34 SOBUCK, JIM, SR 34 SPENCER, ABAGAIL, CLARK 51 SPENCER, ABIATHA 55 SPENCER, SERG'T ABNER 17, 5 4 SPENCER, ABRAHAM 19 SPENCER, ALBERT lii SPENCER, ALANSON 6, 7, 18, 34 SFENI rfflR, ALBERT 16 SPENCER, ALVAH W 13 SPENCER, ALVIN B 22 SPENCER, ANNE 21 SPENCER, ATWOOD 17 SPENCER, BENJAMIN F 22 SPENCER, DAMARIS 17, 41 SPENCER, DAVID 13, 23 SPENCER, CAPT. DAVID 17, 25 SPENCER, DAVID 2nd 17 SPENCER, BLIZUiR 9, 12, 13, 34, 54 SPENCER, EPHRAIM 9 SPENCER, ESTHER ...7 41, 42 SPENCER, FELIX 13, 22 SPENCER, HANNAH 41. 42 SPBNCBR, JAMBS 6 Page SPENCER, JEHOSOPHAT 17 SPENCER, JONATHAN P.... 13, 22, 26 SPENCER, NATHANIEL 3 SPBNCBR, RUSSELL 55 SPENCER, SAMUEL 19, 20, 54 SPENCER, SAMUEL T 55 SPENCER, URSULA 41, 42 SPENCER, URSULA HUBBARD ... 7 SPENCER, WILLIAM EDGAR 7 "SQUAW" MOLL 34 STOW, BATHSHEBA 56 STOW, MARTHA 58 SUTLIEF, MISS EUNICE 15,29 SUTLIEF, HEZEKIAH ....7, 15, 19, 27 SUTLIEF, JAMBS 13 SUTLIEF, NATHANIEL 15 SUTLIEF, ROSWBLL 7, 19, 26, 55 SYMONDS, ABRAM, See Simons Abram. THOMAS, ALBERT 19 THOMAS, CORPORAL AARON .... 54 THOMAS, ANCESTRY 57 THOMAS, ANSEL 12 THOMAS, GAIiWN 12, 25 THOMAS, MRS. CALVIN 12 THOMAS, CYNTHIA 41 THOMAS, EBENEZER 11, 12, 54 THOMAS, BBBNEZER, JR 12 THOMAS, EMILY (Emily B.) 20, 32 THOMAS, EVAN 54 THOMAS, ISRAEL 22 THOMAS, CAPT. JAMES 8, 22, 25 THOMAS, JAMES ORISON 32 THOMAS, JAMES S 20, 25 THOMAS, MARY 22 THOMAiS, PRINCE 43 THOMAS, ROGER 11, 57 THOMAS. SHERMAN H 27 TOWKISHE, QUEEN 4 TREAT, COMFORT J 11 TREAT, JOSEPH 22 TREMAINE, DR 52 TRUMBULL, JONATHAN 27 TURNER, JOHN 5, 8 TURRAMUGGUS, KING 4 WALKLBY, ASA 10, 43 WARNER, DR 52 WELLS, ELIZABETH 23 WELLS, JOSEPH 32 WHEELOCK, DR 36, 37 WILCOX, ANCESTRY 57 WILCOX, EBENEZER 6 WILCOX, FREDERICK 7 WILCOX, JOHN 57 WILCOX, MRS 17 WILLIAMS, BISHOP 51 WINCHELL, GEORGE D 14 WOOD, DELIA A. CLARK 49 WOOD, REV. GEORGE 49 WOOD, LLOYD A 18, 49, 55 WOODRUFF, BLEAZER 52 WOODRUFF, DR. BLEAZER 19, 52 PRESS THE SCHOEN PRINTING CO. 13-15 VANDEWATER ST. NEW YORK