LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 012 608 958 2 Conservation Re$ource» Lig-Fre«e Type 1 Ph 8.5, Buffered f / Ancient AND Modern Windsor Ancient and Modern Windsor TR FarminKton River Published by the Wiqdsor Business Men's Association Windsor, Connecticut Copyrighted ItU • W7Cf )CI,A34S2(;0 ANCIENT AND MODERN WINDSOR While Captain Adriacn Block and his doughty Dutch crew were preparing to sail from New Amsterdam on that long voyage in the year 1G14, during which they found and explored the "Fresh" River (later known by its Indian name "Connecticut") it is unlikely that thev even dreamed that they were to achieve distinction in history as the first white men to gaze upon the virgin loveliness of the territory called "Matianuck" by the Indians, and in later years "Uorchester" by settlers from Dorchester, Mass. (who had come from Dorchester, England), and finally in \GM-i. re-named "Windsor," in honor of the royal abode of English sovereigns. Nearly two decades after Block's expedition Dutch fur-traders completed a fort called "The House of Good Hope" (at the place now named Dutch Point, on the Connecticut River, at Hartford), as a place to which they could retreat after consummating a deal for beaver skins with the guileless Indians. Hardly three months later "a large, new bark" owned by the Plymouth Trading Company of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and manned by a sturdy Pilgrim crew under command of Lieutenant William Holmes, sailed up the river Answering hails from the fort. Holmes brought the bark to anchor long enough to explain his mission. He was under orders to proceed north to Matianuck, which the Plymouth Company had lately arranged to purchase of the Indians through Nattawanut and other Indian sachems. This place was located at the junction of the ' Rivulet — originally named Scposc (Little) Tunxis (Crane) or Little Crane River by the Indians (afterward the "Windsor" and finally the "Farmington" River by the white men) — with the "Connecticut." A trading post was to be established there. As most of the Indians with furs to barter came down the river from the north, this scheme of the English to establish a trading post six miles above them was regarded by the Dutch with well-concealed, if any, joy. They commanded Holmes to return to Plymouth, but he curtly told them that he should follow his orders to the letter, and desi)itc threats from the Dutch that the two cannon in the fort would be fired upon the vessel, she weighed ancliur and proceeded on her way — and the cannon were not discharged ! -TMia «OC*^ Hlk«MS -»^v On Kidee Adjoinini; Plymouth Meadow, on "The Island' Later the Dutch reported to their New Amsterdam headquarters that the party reached "Matianuck" Sept. 26, 1633, and erected a house (the frame of which had been carried on the vessel) near the bank (of the "Connecticut") about 80 rods from what was then the location of the mouth of the "Rivulet" — actually a point approximately opposite Stony Hill (so called today). This was the first dwelling house erected in Connecticut. Two years later (1635) Jonathan Brewster, the Resident Manager for the Plymouth Company, wrote to his employers from Matianuck: "Ye Massachusetts men are coming almost dayly, some by water and some by land. ■Elmwood"— Homfstcad of Oliver Kllsworth. Third Chic-f Justice of the United Slates, now owned by Connecticut Society of Dauuhters of American Revolution Many of them Iciok at tliis place which we liave ... to be a great towne ami have commodious (Iwcllings for many years." This letter seems to refer to people from Dorchester and contains a mild complaint of the fact that while stopping at "Plymouth Meadow" (so-called) as guests of the Plymouth settlers, they gazed with covetous eyes upon "Great Meadow," which was directly north from "Plymouth Meadow" across the "Rivulet." Finally they hinted their intention to settle there but were told that "Great Meadow" belonged to the Plymouth Company by purchase from the Indians. Being thus repulsed, the Dorchester people went on up the "Connecticut" to find another place in which to settle. They returned shortly in a discouraged mood with reports of failure. During their absence a sailing vessel bearing a party of twenty (including men, women and children), headed by Mr. Francis Stiles, had arrived, and without so much as a "by your leave" of anyone, taken possession of "Great Meadow" in the name of "The Lords and Gentlemen, Patentees of Connecticut," an English company chartered to "rule New England in America." Mr. Stiles also acted under direct orders from his employers, in thus taking possession. However, in this emergency, the Dorchester people quickly made up their minds to dispossess Stiles, and occupy "Great Meadow" themselves, despite the protests of the Plymouth men. This they did by right of numbers and assigned to Mr. Stiles and his party a smaller meadow to the north, which in later years was known as "Sequester Meadow." Like many of the other earliest settlers, Mr. Stiles built a dug-out "cellar" in the bank, where he lived for some time. This "cellar" was on the site afterward built upon by Oliver Ellsworth, the third Chief Justice of the United States. His mansion, "Elmwood" (so-called from the thirteen elm trees he planted about it in recognition of the thirteen colonies) is now used for a museum and as State Headquarters by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Washington and Lafayette both visited Mr. Ellsworth here. The original (Bissell's) ferry across the Connecticut was north of here, just op|)osite the present Sixth District School House. The fact is recorded here for its interest only that for many years during the period of its greatest extent, the town of Windsor owned the territory (jceupied by all the Windsors on both sides of the Connecticut River, as well as Ellington and Wintonbury (now Bloomfield). These facts arc shuwn with interesting detail by ancient maps restored and copied witli intinitc difficulty by Windsor's present Town Clerk, Mr. George R. Maude, to whom, for his painstaking care and restoration of old records, which are among the most valuable historical documents in America, the town is much indebted. Mr. Stiles's dug-out "cellar" home has been referred to. These were usually walled inside with logs or stones. Anyone who is interested may still see the remains of one such on the "Island" near the old "Loomis House" on the original highway or "Meadow Road" to Hartford. Part of this house, whicli is pictured herewith, is said to have been built Ijclore 16"j8. Il was added to considerably between 1600 and 169.5. There are two houses of brick, the material for which "they say" was imported from England. In later years almost every farmer in certain sections of the town had a brickyard on his own farm and lirii kin.iking in early summer was part of the routine of farm work. Although considerably changed since the time that the old Moore liouse slooil on the Bowlulil Green (now- Broad Street Green), this, one of the oldest houses in Windsor, built prior to 1600, may now be seen on Elm Street. At the north end of the "Green" referred to, which was a small bit only of the east boundary of the Bow Field — (roughly s|)eaking, this seems to have been boumled on the cast by the present Broad Street and Poquonock Avenues, Si. Gahrids R. C. Church south by Stony Hill, west by Cook Hill and north by the high land adjoining Mill Brook) — the whipping-post and stocks stood in early days. Here is where, as recorded May 15, 1724, "Friend Shiveu sat in the pillory and his right ear cut off for making plates for bills." In recent years the public signpost stood at the same spot, which is now occupied by the guidepost indicating the roads to Windsor Flocks and Poquonock. A few hundred yards from the south end of tlie Green, about opposite St. Gabriel's Roman Catholic Church, one of the town "pounds," for straying domestic animals, was kept. Another was kept on the west side of Palisado Avenue, just north from the present Bissell's Ferry Road. The present bridge across the Farmington is the third one, the others liaving been destroyed. The "Rivulet Ferry," often referred to in the earliest records, was about 40 rods easterly from this bridge. This locality was the scene of Windsor's many years of experience as a busy Port of Entry, when coasting and foreign sailing vessels came up the Connecticut and Farmington Rivers (the latter was then navigable as far as Poquonock) and unloaded their cargoes, largely comprising rum and molasses, and carried away in exchange for same, cattle and other live stock, bricks, copper ore from the (Newgate Prison) mine at East Granby, and staves for the "pipes" (casks holding two hogsheads) in which the West Indians shipped their rum and molasses. These staves were made from wood gathered in Pipe Stave Swamp, on what is now called "Pipe Swamp Road," and were made into shape at a stave mill just north of the Holcomb place (the birthplace and boyhood home of the poet, Edward Rowland Sill), facing "Palisado Green." This Green gets its name from the palisade which was built around the meeting-house, the old burying ground (the oldest in Connecticut and still in use) and the houses of the principal men, as a protection against the Indians. Signs of this palisade arc still pointed out. Historic (.ontcreeutional Church, founded by Dorchester Settlers "Little Meadow," east of the General Electric plant, was in tlie spring for many years the scene of "General Training Day," an occasion when all the able-bodied men in town were called together for military instruction. These were occasions of much general jolliruation. FarminKton River above Po<|uonock The map shown on page 8 is reproduced by the courtesy of Hon. Lewis Si)erry from Stiles' "History of Windsor." It heli)s in following this necessarily sketchy story of ancient Windsor, which serves principally to remind of the record which makes Windsor's past history an inspiring one and a source of just |)ride to her citizens of today — a pride that stimulates and stirs their hopes and ambitions for her future. Broad Street and C«rcen in Modern Windsor, showing HB^^ MemorinI Fountain Old eliriB HhowD were set out Id 1755. ^PM* Methodist Church Union (UndenominiUioniilj Church, Wilson's Station Grace (Episcopal) Church 10 Modern Windsor, with its 4,250 inhabitants, comprises the closely connected villages of Wilson's Station, Windsor, Hayden's Station, Poquonock and Rainbow. Four of these villages have their own post-offices, and the whole town is fully served by Rural Free Delivery carrier. In addition to a pure, invigorating atmosphere, which makes Windsor an ideal place for children to grow up in, the town has practically all the desirable features of the ideal suburban residential place. This means that nearly all the modern social, educational and physical advantages and improvements that are available to city dwellers may be had here, without the city's disadvantages of noise and odor-laden atmosphere and houses too closely crowded together to make possible a reasonable privacy. A fifteen-minute trolley service connects with Hartford, six miles south, and a half-hourly service with Springfield, which is twenty miles north. In addition, as Windsor is on the main line of the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad (half-way between Boston and New York), seventeen passenger trains stop each day. There are three railroad stations, providing for different sections of the town. Special low rates are given commuters on both railroad and trolley lines. Good land may be obtained in Windsor for farming or building purposes at reasonable prices. Taxes are based on actual market value; the rate, as this is written, being 1 1 mills. Telephone service, and gas and electricity for lighting, cooking and power, are available at fair rates. Windsor's streets are lighted by electricity. Windsor has an ample supply of pure water and an excellent sewerage system. A volunteer fire department maintains good equipment, including a Gamewell Fire Alarm System, and gives willing and efficient service. High School 11 Old General Mather House. BuiU in 1777 There are nine public schools, including a $30,000 High School of exceptionally high educational standards. The building is now undergoing extensive enlargement. The Windsor Public Library- contains a large variety of books in all fields of literature. These books are chosen by a capable and liberal-minded reading committee and are in charge of a most efficient librarian. A Reading Room in connection with the Library offers all the principal periodicals. The Library Association is accumulating a valuable collection of curios and relics, principally associated with Windsor history, and asks donations of such articles from anyone who may have them. The Library temporarily occupies the old "General Mather" place, which is shown on the preceding page, pending the accumulation of a rapidly growing endowment fund. The new Loomis Institute, which was endowed many years ago with a fund which has become available only recently and amounts to $2,125,000 will break ground for its first building this spring and will open in September, 1914, as a boarding school for boys, with departments for day pupils of both sexes. It will be situated facing north on the "Island" — which is a part of the "Plymouth Meadow" tract, where the first settlers of Windsor located. It will offer courses of high-school grade in agriculture, business and domestic science, as well as the traditional college preparatory work. Properly qualified pupils from Windsor will be given preference over all others except members of the Loomis family. Through the generosity of the founders there will be no charge for tuition, the only expense to pupils being for board, lodging, books and other incidentals. The Campbell School for Girls is a private home school under the capable direction of A. H. Campbell, A. M., Ph. D., and Mrs. Marian Blake Campbell, O. M. The school is located midway of the beautiful village Green, known in earlier years as the Bow Field Green. The school is undenominational. Parents are asked to indicate which of the churches in town they would prefer their daughters to attend. These churches include the Union (undenominational), Episcopalian, Catholic, Methodist and Congregational. A charter has been obtained by business men of the town for the establishment of the Windsor Trust and Safe Deposit Company, and organization was effected May 21, 1913. The Windsor Hotel is a well-conducted and attractively located house, providing creditably for the entertainment of permanent or transient guests. Two well-equipped public garages are near by. The Casino building connected with the Hotel is used frequently for private and semi-public card or supper 12 parties and dances. Some of the frequent informal banquets of the Windsor Business Men's Association are given here. At these very popular gatherings interesting addresses arc given on various topics of live interest by specially invited speakers. Several public halls aflford meeting-rooms for various organizations and opportunities for all forms of entertainment, and the social activities of the town are such that, except for a small portion of the year only, there are no evenings when one or more of these gathering places is not engaged. L^ rrc': TtlC LOOUtS iNSriTVTC H C w T a IK I 13 "The Home"— Campbell School for Girls 14 ^;i., ^% Winpoq Fish and Game Cluh 15 "The Home"— Campbell School for Girls 14 ii!^.^. Winpot) Fi^h and Gume Club 15 The Emergency Aid Association was started at the suggestion of the town's capable and efficient physicians. Its purpose is to maintain and supply, as required, medical and surgical apparatus and supplies for free use in emergency. Just outside of Rainbow village is "Rainliuw Park," a favorite recreation resort during the summer for picnic, boating and fishing parties, Sunday-school excursions, and particularly patronized for the "Fresh Air Outings" given for the poorer children of the neighboring city of Hartford. Sage Park contains probably the best half-mile trotting track in New England. It is used principally as a training track and for semi-public matinees by members of the Sage Park Club, the Free-For-AU Driving Club, the Road Drivers' Club and the Speedway Club of Hartford. The Park is owned by Mrs. Louisa M. Sage, an enthusiastic lover of fine horses, who maintains it almost entirely at her own expense. Windsor offers what few suburban towns can offer, both a railroad freight station and an Adams Express office. These are required by the farming, manufacturing and tobacco-raising industries of the town. The farming is varied. The richness of Windsor's soil is proverbial. The extensive market gardens of Christensen Brothers in Wilson's Station represent a model farm of its kind, while throughout the town tomato-growing is largely followed, a ready market being found through the medium of the Windsor Canning Company, which has a thoroughly equipped cannery, handling apples, squash, pumpkins, and other vegetables and fruits. Windsor is famous as the very center of the great Connecticut valley tobacco-raising industry, upward of 2,000 acres being devoted to this crop. The principal manufacturing establishment in Windsor is the Eddy Electric Corporation, owned by the General Electric Company and employing about 300 men and women. Here also are the Bedortha level and cigar-box board manufacturing establishments and the ancient grist and saw mill (now owned by Chas. Lewis), both located on historic Mill Brook. The original mill was owned by John Warham, and was given him by the town. In Poquonock are the large factories of the Dunham Hosiery Company, the Health Underwear Company and the Hartford Paper Company, while at Rainbow are the mills of the Vernon Paper Company and the Merwin Paper Company. At Rainbow also the State maintains a forest nursery covering upward of 106 acres. There are several brickmaking establishments — the large one of the Wilson Brick Company at Wilson's Station being a model of its kind. 18 MASONIC ULILUING H) '1 St. Joseph's R. C. Church POOUONOCK VILLAGE As Windsor s earlier name, "Matianiick," came from the Indian tribe which occupied it and sold it to the Plymouth settlers, so that portion of the town called Poquonock was named for the tribe who lived there when it was purchased. It was settled in 1649, and in 1724 a Congregational Church being organize