LITOJEIFIELD

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION,

JULY 4th, A. D. 1876.

   

EEISTORIOAL ADDRESS

15 Y

GEORGE O. WOODRUEF.

HARTFORD:
PRESS O13‘ TIIE CASE, LOOJBZWOOD & BRAINARD COMPANY.
1876.

 

On the 17th day of June, 1876, the citizens of the Town of
LITCHFIELD, 091113., assembled at the Town Hall to provide for the
proper celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of our National
Independence, and by Vote requested the Town of Mosms (till
recently a part of this town,) to unite with Litchfield in such
celebration.

A Committee composed of the Hon. Origen S. Seymour,» J.

Deming Perkins, Charles B. Andrews, George M. Woodrufi, and '

Thomas L. Saltonstall, was appointed to make suitable arrange-

ments.

On the 19th day of June that committee reported as follows:

LITCHFIELD.

The citizens’ committee appointed to arrange for the corn-
meinoration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Declaration
of Independence, present the following

PROGRAMME.

July 3. The village bells will be rung from 8 to 10 o’clock
P. M., and houses in the village” illuminated during the same
hours.

July 4th. Atsunrise the bells will be rung for one hour-,
and flags displayed from all houses during the day and
evening. V

At 10 o’clock A. M. Public Exercises in the Congrega-
tional'Church, under the direction of Hon. '0. S. SEYMOUR,
President of the day.

Prayer by the Rev. ALLEN MCLEAN.

Reading of A the Declaration of Independence, by Hon.
TRUMAN SMITH. ' i V

Historical Address, by Hon. GEORGE C. Woounurr.

At 2 o’clocl< P. M. Exhibition in the Court House of Revo-

lutionary and Antiquarian Relics, which will be under the a

charge of a specialcomrnittee, and to which contributions are

. solicited. V A p
At 8§8O.1>. M. General illumination, and fire balls on the A

Village Green.

N. B. The citizens of Morris are particularly invited to

4 .
unite with Litchfield, and contribute to the exhibition in the
Court House.

LITCHFIELD, June 19, 1876.

The committee subsequently reported the Order of Exer-
cises as follows, viz :

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.

Order of Exercises, Congregational Church, Litchfield, Conn.,
July 4, 1876, 10 o’clock A. M.

1. VOLUNTARY,-~—-Organ and Cornet.

2. READING or CENTENNIAL PROCLAMATION,——HOn. O. S.
Seymour, President of the Day.
3. PRAYEE,——-Rev. Allen McLean.
, 4. SINGING,--Choir and Congregation, Hymn, “America.”
5. READING or DECLARATION or INDEPENDENCE,----H011.

Trurnan Smith.   A
6. SINGING,—-Choir and Congregation, Selection from
Wl1ittieI"s Centennial Hymn.

“Our fa.ther’s God! from out whose hand
The centuries fall like grains of sand,
We meet to-day, united, free——

And loyal to our land and Thee-—
To thank Thee for the era done,
And trust Thee for the opening one.

“Here, where of old, by Thy design,
The fathers spake that Word of Thine
Whose echo is the glad refrain
Of rended bolt and falling chain;

To grace our festal time---—fro1n all
The zones of earth our guests we call.

5

“ Be with us while the New World greets
The Old VVor1d—-—thronging all its streets,
Unveiling all its triumphed‘ won
By art or toil beneath the sun;

And untocoinmon good ordain
This rivalship of hand and brain.

“ Oh! make Thou us, through centuries long,

In peace secure, in justice strong;

Around our gift of freedom draw

The safeguard of thy iighteous law,

And, cast in some diviner mould,

Let the new cycle shame the old.”

HISTORICAL ADDRESS,---I-Ion. George 0. Woodruff.
SINGING,-————By the Choir, Kel1er’s American Hymn.

BENEDIOTION. ,
10. VoLUN'rAR.Y,--Organ and Cornet, National Airs.

5990'“

Citizens C0mm,itteie.———Ho11. O. S. SEYMOUR, Chairman; J.
Deming Perkins, Charles B. Andrews, Geo. M. Woodrufl,

Thos. L. Saltonstall.

Committee on Exhibition of Revolutionary Relics in the
Court House.-—Mrs. Ed. W. Seymour, Mrs. Harry W. Wes-
sells, Mrs. Harriet Kilbourne, Geo. M. Woodruff, J. Deming
Perkins. A

The programme was adopted and fully ‘carried out, both on 

the evening of the 3d of July, and on the day and evening of
the 4th. A
The illuminations and displays of fire-works were beautiful.
The exhibitionof Revolutionary a11d antiquarian relics was
interesting beyond the most sanguine expectations of its pro-

jectors.

The exercises on the 4th, after the voluntary, were intro-
duced by reading, by the president of the day, the following

A Proclamation of the President of the United States:

6.

A PROCLAMATAION.

The Centennial Anniversary of the day on which the people of the United
States declared their right to a separate and equal station among the powers of
the earth, seems to demand an exceptional observance. The founders of the
government at its birth, and in its feebleness, invoked the blessings and the pro-
tection of a Divine ]?rovidence. The thirteen colonies and three millions of
people have expanded into a natio_n of strength and numbers, commanding the
position which then was asserted, and for which fervent prayers were then ofi°ered.
It seems fitting that on the occurrence of the hundredth anniversary of our exist—
ence as a nation, grateful acknowledgment should be made to Almighty God for
the protection and the bounties which He has vouchsafed our beloved country.
I, therefore, invite the good people of the United States, on the approaching 4th
day of July, in addition to the usual observances with which they are accustomed
to greet the return of the day, further, in such manner and at such times as to
their respective localities and religious associations may be most convenient, to
mark its recurrence by some public religious and devout thanksgiving to
Almighty God, for the blessings which have been bestowed on us as a nation
during the century of our existence, and humbly to invoke a continuance of His
favors and His protection. ‘ ~

In witness whereof‘ I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the
United States to be aiiixed. i

Done at the city of‘ VVashington, this 26th day of June, A. 1)., 187 6, and of
the Independence of America the one hundredth.

(Signed) U. S. GRANT.

By the President.
HAMrLron Free,
Secretary of State.

V After a patriotic and fervent prayer by the Rev. Allen Mc-
Lean, and singing, the Declaration of Independence was read
by the Hon. Tl‘u11'13.11 Srnith, who read the same instrument at
a celebration in Litchfield just half a century ago. The read—-
ing was introduced and supplemented by appropriate remarks.
What he said was received with marked attention and inter-
est, and vvas eminently characteristic in manner and matter—-—-
indicating that the venerable gentleman still retained the
vigor and power of his manhood. A A

Then followed music by an exceedingly line and wyelly-in~ A

structed choir, specially organized for the occasion, aided by
the comet and organ, admirably played by Mr. Eugene: W.

Meafoy and Miss Ella Gribbud.

HISTORICAL ADDRESS

BY

GEORGE C. W0 ODRUFF.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

One hundred years ago these States, then colonies, com-
posed of only three_millions of people, declared themselves
Free and Independent. ,They renounced all allegiance to the
British crown, and defied the armies of Great Britain and the
power of its king. In support of such declaration our repre-
sentatives, relying on the protection of Divine Providence,
pledged their “lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.”
It was an act of rebellion by colonies, young, feeble, and scat»
tered, against, perhaps, the most powerful nation on earth.

An act apparently rash, as well as rebellious, though justified  

by the result, and ultimately proving to be of the greatest
good to the mother country, as well as to r ourselves,,aud, as
We believe, to the benefit of all mankind. A '

The measure was not adoptedwithout due deliberation. D It
was not the product of sudden excitement, but the conse-
quence of a long train of abuses and despotic usurpations, by
which the people had been educated up to the point of resist-
ance. .

a For years they had remonstrated with the British Govern-
ment. For ‘years’ had one colony or lesser community sym-
pathized with other colonies or communities in their sufferings,
until all rose as one, and declared they would no longer sub-

mit to at governmentconducted with a view to its own aggran-

. dizement at their expense.

8

This Declaration, so calm, so deliberate, so just, so bold,
and so fearful in its consequences in case of failure, was made
and signed by one of our own citizens. It is therefore emi-
nently proper that we should preserve the memory of those
local incidents, which led to and followed such action, and in
which he, in common with his fellowtownsmen, took a promi-
nent part. And it“ is to be regretted that those incidents
have not been collated by one able to give them, by his imag-
ination and eloquence, that polish, beauty, and interest to
which they are intrinsically entitled. '

It is a matter of history, well-known, that Connecticut,

with its “ Brother Jonathan,” acted no inconsiderable part in
the events preceding and during the war of the Revolution.
And I hazard nothing in saying that Litchfield (which then
included the present township of Morris) did its full share in
establishing our national independence.

And inasmuch as on an occasion like the present, a little
“ mutual admiration ” may be pardonable, I shall perhaps be

, excused for reading from an article published in a prominent

magazine several years since. The writer says:

“ There is no spot on this continent which has prhduced so
many eminent men, literary, intelligent, and practical, in
proportion to its inhabitants, as the State of Connecticut.
It appears, to sustain this assertion, that Connecticut has
been the birth—place of one-twelfth of all the United States

Senators; and Litchfield county alone, having a population of A

about one five—-hundredth of the whole country, has given birth
to thirteen of those Senators. Out of 3,200 Senators and
Representatives, whose origin is given in Lanman’s Dictionary,

252 were born in Connecticut, and 222 in Massachusetts, that A

State having a population averaging twice that of Connecti—
cut.” 2 ‘ S

9,

He then quotes the following story:

A number of years ago, says a writer in the Democratic.
Age, happening to be in Paris on the 4th of July, with many
other Americans, we agreed to celebrate “ the day” by a din-

  ner at the Hotel Meurice. There were seventy-two of us in
all. We had but one guest. This was M. de Tocqueville, who

had then rendered himself famous by his q ‘reat work upon de-
mocracy in America. During" the festivities of the evening,
after the cloth had been removed, and speechifying had com-
menced, some gentleman alluded en passcmt to the fact that
he was born in Connecticut. 7 '

“ Com/2,ect—cZe-coat,” exclaimed Monsieur de Tocqueville, as
he suddenly rose, with the enthusiasm of a Frenchman. “ Vy,
messieurs, I vill tell you, vid the permission of the presidente
of this festival, von very Zeetal story, and then I vill give you
von grand sentiment to dat little State you call Connect-de-
coot. Von day ven I was in de gallery of the House of Rep-
resentatif, I held one map of the Confederation in my hand-
Dere was one leetle yellow spot dat dey call Connect—de—coot.
I found by de Constitution he was entitled to six of his boys
to represent him on dat floor. _ But ven I make de acquaint-
ance personelle with de member, I find dat more than tirty of
the Representatif on dat floor was born in Connect-de-coot.
And then ven I was in the gallery of the House of the Senat,
I find de Constitution permit Connect-de-coot to send two of
his boys to represent him in data Legislature. But once more
ven I make de acquaintance personelle of the Senator, I find
nine of the Senator was born in Connect de~—coot. So den,
gentlemen, I have made my leetle speech; now I will give you
my grand sentiment: _ . I A

“ 0o7mect—de-c0ot, the leetle yellow spot dat make de clock-
peddler, de schoolmaster, and de Senator. I De first, give you
time; the second, tell you what youdo with him; and de
sird make your law and your civilization ; ” and then as he
was resuming his seat amidst roars of laughter, he rose again,
and with that peculiar gesticulation which characterizesyall
Frenchnien in inoments of excitement, he shook his finger,

2

10

tremulously over the assembled c0nf7'é‘:res, and exclaimed to y

the top of his voice, “ Ah I gentlemen, dat leetle yellow State
you call Connect—de—coot, is one very great miracle to me.”

One hundred years ago this town was in its infancy.
Scarcely fifty years had elapsed since white pioneers from the
east had invaded the previously undisturbed domains of sav-
age men and savage beasts.

‘ By grants from the aborigines, and from the legislature

of the Colony of Connecticut, the title to the township of

Litchfield became vested in the towns of Hartford and Wind-
sor, and certain inhabitants of Farmington. In the year 1718,
a company was formed for its settlement. The adventure was
divided into sixty shares, three of which were reserved for
pious uses—-—one to the first minister and his heirs forever-—
one for the use of the first minister and his successors--—
and one for the support of the school. Thetitle was con-
veyed to the adventurers, and in May, 1719, was confirmed
by the legislature, which granted leave to settle a town. at
Bantam, to be called Litchfield,

At the October session of the assembly of the same year,
a court of probate for the town was ordered to be held at
Woodbury. And at the October session, 1722, the town was

i annexed to Hartford County. 7

y The town was in length, east and west, eight miles, three
quarters, and twenty—~tl1ree rods, and in breadth seven miles
and a half. The cost to the proprietors did not exceed one
penny, three farthings per acre.

In 17 24, a formal patent of the town, signed by Gov. Salt-
onstall, was granted bythe Governor and Company of the
Colony, to Jol111i"Marsl1 and J ohniBue1l, and their partners.“* ,

ii’ The families of John Marsh and John Buell _-intermarried. Their descend-
ants had a family picnic in the grove of Mr. F. A. Marsh, on the shore of Ban-

11%

A few individuals commenced the settlement of the town

in 1720. In 1721, a considerable number, chiefly from the ‘

towns of Hartford, Windsor, and Lebanon, moved into the
tract. The township was divided among the proprietors, giv-
ing to each a home»-lot of fifteen acres, as nearly as could eon-

veniently be done. The choice of home-lots wa.s decided by

lot. The lot first selected was about half a mile south of the
court house, and next to Middle street or Gallows lane, the
second was half a mile further south, and on the corner op-
posite the residence of Mr. Arthur D. Catlin, the third three-

fourths of a mile west of the court house, known as the

Strong place.

The eleventh choice was the lot thirty rods next west of
the County House corner, which subseq_uently the town voted
was not fit for building a house upon. The Mansion House
corner was the twentieth choice; the corner now owned by
Mrs. Bostwick the twenty-fifth choice, and the County House
corner the thirty-third choice. Ten lots were selected on
Chesnut Hill, southerly from the school-house, and the last
choice (the 57th) was the lot on which is the dwelling-house
of Mrs. A. C. Smith. ‘

The home-lot of the first minister was the corner lately
ownedby Mrs. Weller, deceased, and the twenty acre division
appurtenant thereto was laid adjoining on the north, and ex-—
tended to the north line of the land of Mr. Charles Jones.

The highway from Bantam river, running westerly through
the village, was laid out twenty rods wide, and called Meeting

rHouse street ; that now called North street twelve rods wide,

and was called Town street; that now called South street,

tam Lake, Sept. 3, 1846, at which at least 600 of the family were present, and the
names of 581 were registered. Mrs. John Buell died in 1768, having had 13 chil-
dren, 101 grand-children, 274 great grandchildren, and 22 great-great grand
children. Total 4.10, of whom 336 survived. her. A

"12  

eight rods wide, and was called Town Hill street, the east line 1

1 of which terminated six rods east of the front of Mrs. Bosté

wicl<’s dwelling. Gallows lane, then Middle street, was twen-
ty-eight rods wide. The highway running southerly from
Mr. David DeForest’s house, was named South Griswold street,
and that running northerly North Griswold street. Prospect
street, then called North street, was seventeen rods wide.
The first church, court house, and school—house, stood
nearly in the center of Meeting House street; the court house
about opposite the center of Town street, and the church east,
and school-«house west of the court house. 1
1 The first white child born in Litchfield, was Eunice, the

daughter of Jacob Griswold, afterwards the wife of Capt.»

Solomon Buell. She was born March 28, 1721. The first
white male child born in Litchfield, was Gershom Gibbs, on

the 28th of July, 17 24. He was taken prisoner at Fort Wash- .

ington, in 1776, and died on board a Briti_sh prison ship, on
the 29th of December, of that year.

Mrs. Mary Adams was born in Stratford, in 1698, and died 7
here in 1808, aged 105. Mr. Reuben Dickinson was born in

1716, and died here in 1818, aged 1052.. Capt. Salmon Buell
was born here in 1767, and died here in 1868.

The first inhabitants of the town were particularly careful
that none but persons of good character should be permitted
to settle among them. If a stranger made a purchase in the
plantation a proviso was sometimes inserted in the ‘deed, that
the inhabitants should accept the purchaser, and that he
should c“run ‘rthe risk of trouble from the grand Committee.”
On the 1st of April, 1724, it was voted, That the Committee
of Hartford and «Windsor choose inhabitants. In case any
new are brought into town, and the town judge them not
wholesome, then to be judged by indifferent men, and" by

13
them judged good inhabitants, the cost to be paid by Litch-

field, if not, the cost to be paid by the committee that made
choice of‘ said inhabitants.

“ The first founders built log houses. The settlement pro-
ceeded as fast as could reasonably be expected. During the
frequent wars between England and France, the Canadians
and Indians often harassed our borders, and .Litchf1eld being
a frontier town was exposed to their ravages.” It is not
strange that the natives, accustomed to rove over these beauti-
ful hills, through these pleasant valleys, and about our delight-
ful lakes, (gems in e1nerald,) should have viewed with jeal-
ousy the approach of the white man.

~ But of course our predecessors, the owners of the soil by
fair purchase, stood on their defence. “ Between, the years
1720 a.nd 1780, five houses were surrounded by pallisadoes.
One of these stood on the ground near the present court house,
another half a mile south, one east and one west of the cen-
ter, and one in‘ South Farms. Soldiers were then stationed
here to guard the inhabitants, both while they were at work

  in the field, and while they were attending public worship on

the Sabbath.” I n

“ In May 17 22, Capt. J aeobGriswo1d being‘ at work alone in
a’ field about one mile west of the present court house, two
Indians suddenly rushed upon him from the woods, took him,
pinioned his arnns, and carried him off. ,

“They traveled in a northerly direction, and the same day
arrived in somepart of the township called Canaan, then a
wilderness. The Indians kindleda fire, and*after binding
their prisoner hand and foot, lay down to sleep. Griswold
fortunately disengagixig his hands and feet, while his arms were
yet pinioned, seized their guns, and made his escape into the
woods. After traveling a small distance, he sat down and

14

waited the dawn of day, and although his arms were still pin-
ioned he carried both their guns. The savages awoke in the
morning, and finding their prisoner gone immediately pursued
him; they soon overtook him and kept in sight of‘ him the
greater part of the day, while he was making his way home-
ward. Whenthey came near he turned and pointed one of
his pieces at them; they then fell back. In this manner he
traveled till near sunset, when he reached an eminence in can
open field, about one mile northwest of the court house. He
then discharged one of his guns, which immediately sum-

moned the people to his assistance. The Indians fled, and ,

Griswold safely returned to his family.

“ The capture of Griswold made the inhabitants more can-
tious for awhile, but their fears soon subsided. Afterwards, in
1723, Mr. Joseph Harris, a respectable inhabitant, was atwork
in the woods not far from the place where Griswold was taken,
and being attacked by a party of Indians, attempted to make
his escape. The Indians pursued him, and finding that they
could‘not overtake him, they shot him dead and scalped him.
As Harris did not return the inhabitants were alarmed, and
some search was made for him, but the darkness of the night
checked their exertions. The next morning they found his
body and gave it a decent burial. Harris was killed near the
north end of the Plain, where the road turns to Milton, a
little east of a school-house, and for a long time after this
plain was called Harris’ Plain.”*

The place of his interment remained unmarked for more
than a century, but rested in the memory of the older inhabi-
tants. He was buried in the west burial ground near the
village of Litchfield. In 1830, a suitable monument, with an
appropriate inscription, was erected at his grave by voluntary
contribution. '

*Morris’ statistical account of Litchfield.

15

The summer of 1724 was a period of excitement and alarm.
The War between the English and the French was then pre-

' vailing, and the latter used great efforts to incite the northern

Indians to attack the frontier settlements of the whites.

The conduct of the Indians at the north and west during
this year, and especially their hostile movements in the vicin-
ity of Litchfield, induced the government to take such precau-
tionary measures as the occasion demanded, in order to
furnish protection to the weak and exposed settlements. A
line of scouts was established extending from Litchfield to
Turkey Hills, curving around the most northerly and westerly
settlements in Simsbury. On the 4th of June, 1724, Capt.
Richard Case of Simsbury was directed to employ ten men
on this scouting party to rendezvous at Litchfield. They con-
tinued in service until early in October.* C

During these difliculties some of the more timid of the
inhabitants deserted their posts, and the interposition of

the legislature was deemed necessary, and therefore the follow-

ing enactment was made, viz.:

“ A General Court holden at New Haven, October 11, 17 24,
upon the memorial of the inhabitants of the town of Litch-
field, be it enacted and ordained, by the Governor, Assistants
and Deputies in General Court assembled, and by the authority

of the same, that whosoever hath or ought to have been an  

inhabitant, and is a proprietor of any lands within the town
of Litchfield, or have deserted and left saidtown since difli-
culties have arisen there on account of an enemy, and shall,

neglect for the space of one month after the rising of this

assembly to return to the said town and there abide, or send
some man in their room or stead to perform and do the
necessary duties of watching and warding and the like during

*Phelpsi History of Simsbury.

16

C the continuance of the difficulties of the war, shall lose and

forfeit all their right and estate in and upon any and all of tl1e-

lands aforesaid, and their estate, right and interest therein, ~

unto the corporation of Connecticut. And further, it is pro-
vided, that if any other man being new a proprietor and
inhabitant, or a proprietor and ought to have been an inhabi-
tant in the said town, shall hereafter during the continuance of
fear and danger of the enemy, desert and leave the said town,
or neglect to repair thither, and there personally abide,
without constantly providing some other sufficient person in
his room and stead, there to perform all duties as before
mentioned in the caseof them who have already deserted,
shall likewise forfeit their estate in and on all the lands in
the town aforesaid unto this corporation. “
And further, it is provided, that upon complaint made to
the Committee of War at Hartford of or against any such
deserter, upon their satisfaction of the truth thereof, the said

committee shall declare the forfeiture, and the said committee
are enabled to admit any other person who shall go and abide

there in the room of the deserter, and perform the necessary
duties as aforesaid, and that he shall hereafter receive a grant

‘from this Court of the estate escheated as aforesaid for his

further confirmation therein. And it is further ordered, that
five shillings per weel: shall be allowed for billeting soldiers
in Litchfield for the summer past.” C
In 1726, upon news of the (Indian enemy coming down
towards our frontiers, the assembly resolved that thirty—five
effective men be raised to march to Litchfield for its defence,
to be under the command of Capt. John iMarsh. , .
Doctor Dwight, the former president of Yale College, wrote.
’°"‘ Not many years after the county of Litchfield began to»

be settled by the English, a strange Indian came one day into

an inn in the town of ,Litcl1field, in the dusk of the evening,

17

and requested the hostess to furnish him with some drink
and supper. At the same time he observed he could pay for
neither as he had had no success in hunting, but promised
payment as soon as he should meet with better fortune. The
hostess refused him both the drink and the supper; called
him a lazy good-for—nothing fellow; and told him she did not

work so hard herself to throw away her earnings upon such .

creatures as he was. .

A man sat by and observed that the Indian, then turning
about to leave so inhospitable a place, showed by his counte-
nance that he was suffering very severely from want and weari-
ness, and directed the hostess to supply him with what he
wished, and engaged to pay the bill himself. She did so.
When the Indian had finished his supper, he turned to his
benefactor, thanked him, and assured him that he should
remember his kindness, and whenever he was able would faith-
fully recompense it. I * * * * I *

Some years after, the man who had befriended him had
occasion to go some distance, into the wilderness between
Litchfield, then a frontier settlement, and Albany, when he
was taken prisoner by an Indian scout and carried to Canada.
When he arrived at the principal settlement of the tribe on
the southern border of the St. Lawrence, it was proposed by
some of the captors that he should be put to death. During
the consultation an old Indian woman demanded that he
should be given up to her, that she might adopt him in the
place of a son whom slie had lost in the war, He wasaecord—
ingly given to her, and lived through the ensuingwinter in

j her family, experiencing the customaryetfects of savage

hospitalty.
The following summer as he was at work in the forest alone, an
unknown Indian -came up to him, and asked him to meet him

3

18

at a place which he pointed out, on a given day. The priso-
ner agreed to the proposal, but not without some apprehensions
that mischief was intended him. During the interval these
apprehensions increased to such a degree as to dissuade him
cl‘Fectually from fulfilling his engagement. p

Soon after, the same" Indian found him at his work again,

i and very gravely reproved him for not performing his promise.

The man apologized, awkwardly enough, butin the best manner
in his power. The Indian told him he should he satisfied if

he would meet him at the same place on a future day which '

he named. _:The ‘man promised to meet him, and fulfilled his
promise. p A
When he arrived at the spot, he found the Indian provided

with two xnuskets, ammunition for them, and knapsacks. The I

Indian ordered him to take one of each and follow him.

..The direction of their march was to the south. The man

followed, without the least knowledge of what he was to do,
or whither he was going, but concluded that if the Indian
intended him ‘harm, he ‘Would have dispatched him at the
beginning, and at the worst he was as safe where he was as
he could be in any other place. mi

Within a short time, therefore, his fears subsided, although
the Indian observed a profound and mysterious silence con-
cerning the ohject of the expedition. In the day time they
shot such game as came in their way, and at night kindled
a fire by which they slept. After a tedious journey of‘ many
days they came one morning to the top of an eminence pre~
senting a. prospect of a cultivated country, in which was a
number of houses. The Indian asked his companion, whether
he knew the place. He replied eagerly that it was LITCHFIELD.
I-Iisguide then after reminding him that he had so many
years before relieved the wants of a famishing Indian, at an
inn in that town, subjoined, “ I that Indian ; now I pay you ;

19

go home.” Having said this he bade him adieu; and the
man joyfully returned to his own house.”

Mr. Kilbourn truly says, ‘.‘ It is difficult for us surrounded . 1

as we are with the blessings of peace and plenty, to realize 1

that our predecessors amid these very scenes were thus cx~
posed to the combined evils of war and famine; bringing
their food through a distance of twenty miles; tilling their
fields only when protected with an armed guard; men,
women, and children, from time to time flying in alarm to
the garrisons for safety; and the whole adult population of
the town compelled in turn to keep public watch and ward

through a succession of years; at the same time clearing off

the forests, hunting wild heasts, and fighting the common
enemy.” '

The lirst settlers of this town brought with them from
Lebanon the Rev. Timothy Collins, a candidate for the
ministry, to preach for them. And at the first town meeting

of which we have a record, viz_: Nov. 6th, 1721, he was

“called to a settlement in this place in the work of the

ministry.” He continued to be their minister till Nov. 15,
17 52. 1

Judah Champion 21 call to settle here, which he accepted. He

A graduated at Yale College in the year 1751; was ordained

July 4, 1758,‘continued his ministry till 1798, and received
his salary till his death in 1810, his 82d year.

He was succeeded by the Rev. Dan. Huntington, and he by
the Rev. Dr. Lyman Beecher. A ‘A

Until the incorporation of the society of South Farms, the

”* At the May session of the Legislature in 1722, “liberty was granted to Litch-
field. to embody into church estate with the approbation of the neighboring-
churches, and to settle an othodox minister among them.”

On the 26th of February, 17 55%, this town gave the Rev.

20

H town constituted butone ecclesiastical society, and all votes

relating to ecclesiastical affairs were passed in Town meeting.

One of the earliest measures of our forefathers was the
erection of a church edifice. In April, 1723, the inhabitants
voted to build their first church, which Was finished in three
years. It was -'15 feet long, and 35 feet Wide, and without a
steeple. At the raising, all the adult males in the vvho1etovvn-
ship sat on the sills at once. It stood in the center of the
highway on the ground now occupied by the center park.

In 1762, the second church, 60 by 45 feet, with a steeple,
was completed, and was erected nearly 011. the same ground as
that occupied by the first. Its location was established by
the County Court. In 1829, a new church was finished upon
the ground occupied by the present Congregational church.
And in 1878, the present Congregational church was com-
pleted and occupied. ,

The Inembers of the Church of England in this town
associated for public worship about the year 1746. The first
religious service after the English ritual, was performed by
the Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson, President of King’s College,
N. Y. Their first church was erected in 11749, about one
mile westerly from the Court House, and named “ St.
Michaels.” Divine service was first performed in it bythe
Rev. Dr. Mansfield. Its first minister was the ‘Rev. Solomon
Palmer, a native of Branford, born in 1709, and graduated at
Yale in 1729. He was succeeded by the Rev. Thomas Davies
about the year 1768, and he by the Rev. James Nichols,
Ashbel Baldwin, David Butler, Truman Marsh, and Isaac
Jones, all now deceased, and byothers still living.

It appears by their records that the Episcopal Society in

Litchfield was organized" according to law October 26, 1784.
Their second church was erected in this village, and was
completed in 1812, and their third church, now standing, was

21

erected in 1850. They have churches also in Milton, and
Bantam Falls. ‘ i
The society of South Farms (now Morris) was incorporated
in 1767. Its first settled clergyman was the Rev. George
Beckwith, who was succeeded by the Rev. Amos Chase.
Previous to its incorporation, to wit, in 1748, the General
Assembly Resolved, that the inhabitants of South Farms
“shall and may have a meeting amongst themselves for
public worship, three months in every year in the winter
season.” And in 1761, Resolved, that they “be allowed to
have the gospel preached among them for four months in the
Winter season, and shall have liberty to build armeeting
house.” In 1764, they voted to build a Winter house thirty-
five feet long, and tvventy—five feet wide, nine feet posts, pro-
vided Justus Gibbs will do it for £70.10. It was soon erected.
In 1785, the Society built a new church, which in 184% was
taken down, and a neat. and tasteful edifice erected in more
modern style.*
The once celebrated Morris Academy was established in
SouthFarms by James Morris, Esq., in 1790.
y The Society Was constituted a town by act of the Legisla-
ture in 1859. " _ .
A The Society of Northfield was incorporated in 1794, and
the Rev. Joseph E. Camp was its first pastor. *

T The Society of Milton was incorporated in 17 95,and the

Rev. Benjamin Judd was its first pastor. .
. The church of the Methodist Episcopal Society in this
village was erected in the year 1836. The dedication
sermon was preached by Professor Holdrich of the Wesleyan
University. A 1 A 1
The West" burial ground, near the village-, was reserved for

4* They voted to build theirrfirst schoolhouse in 1747.

22

tlxdt purpose at the first settlement of the town. The East
burial ground, was laid out in 175-—l, and the grounds of

the Litchfield Cemetery Company were devoted to purposes of -

burial in 1866. ’  
This town was vfirst represented in the General Assembly

in 1740. Its first representatives were John Bird, and

Eberieziar Marsh."*  

For the encouragement of Fislieries it was, on the 12th of
April, 1779, “ on request of Capt. John Marsh consented, (by
vote) that he miglit have the exclusive pickerel fishing in the
Loon Pond, (so called,) for the space of twenty years next
after this day, provided, he shall at his own expense procure
pickerel to breed and propagate therein, in a reasonable time.”
It seems, however, that no advantage was taken of this
privilege. Twenty-eight pickerel were first procured in the
winter of 1809, from a pond in Southwick, Mass., and put
into Cranberry or Loon Pond. A few years since black bass
were put into the great lake. The progeny of both have so
increased that they are taken in considerable quantities in
all our lakes. , A‘ 1

In 1784, the fir-st newspaper press was established in Litclie
field; the paper issued was called the “Monitor,” and in
opposition thereto, the “_Witness,” was established in 18,05.

Slavery can hardly be said to have existed in this town
during the present century. In the year 1800 only seven
blacks were nominally slavessf  

9* The Grand List of the town was then $26,666 ,—‘i‘(,’7,,. In 1875, it was $1,935,-
.170 1%.. 1 r .

TDuring the latter part of the last century, the Blacks, in imitation of the
Whites, chose for themselves a Governor, and other State officials. Their last

Governor was Will, a resident of‘ this town, whose obituary appears in the Moni-

tor of Wednesday, March 6,, 1793,.as follows: “Died, on Thursday, of consump.
tion, WILL, a free negro (formerly ownediby Major Seyrnour,) G.ove1'nor of the

'28

Miss $arah Pierce opened a school in this town for the
instruction of females in the year 1792, which very justly
merited and acquired a distinguished reputation. The school
continued under her superiutendence for nearly forty years.
It was incorporated in the year 1827, by the name of “The
Litclifield Female Academy.”

The Hon. Tapping Reeve, one of the Judges of the Superior
Court, commen'ced a law school in Litchfield, in the year
1784. and continued it till the year 1798, when James Gould,
Esq., became joint instructor with Judge Reeve. The science of
law was more systematically taught in this school, than in any
other in the United States. J udge Reeve and Judge Gould
continued to he joint instructors till the year 1820, after

which J udge Gould lectured alone, being assisted in exan1i:ua—

tions by the Hon. Jahcz W. Huxitiiigtoii. .

Judge Gould closed his lectures in the year 18:33.

This school always enjoyed a liigli reputation, such as the
talents and extensive legal attain_1nents of’ the gentlenien who
conducted the institution were calculated to give it. Young
gentlemen from every section of the Union were educated
here, and not a few have been distiiigiiislied as statesmen and
jurists. 1

Many hooks in times past were printed and published in this
village. Amoiig others a volume of Reports-of cases in our
Superior and Supreme courts from 1785 to 1788, was pub-
lished here by the Hon) Epliraim Kirby in 1789. It was the
‘lirst volume of Law Reports published in the United States.‘
Connecticut derives from it the honor of having set an exam-

Black-: in this vicinity. His integrity and faitlifulness through life will, we hope,
~. entitle him to the rewards of the good and _;“az‘tIy“ul servant.”

24

ple to her sister states, which it has been their just pride. and
their high advantage to follow.*

The village of Litchfield was incorporated in Ma.y 1818,
and by its charter has the usual powers and privileges of a
Borough . ,

A branch of the Phoenix Bank at Hartford was established
here in 1814, and was succeeded by the First National Bank
of Litchfield, ,

The Litchfield l\Iutual Fire Insurance Company was incor-
porated in 1833 ; and the Litchfield Savings Society in 1850.

The present court house was erected in the years 1797 and
1798 ; and the present gaol and county house in the year
1812. ,

Litchfield county was organized in 1751, and its one hun-
dredth anniversary was celebrated at Litchfield on the 13th

and 14tl1 days of August, 1851. Citizens and returning 1

emigrants from the county, assembled in great numbers.
Speeches and addresses were made under a large tent in the
west park, by the Hon. Samuel Church, Gov. Dutton, Dr.

Horace Bushnell, Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson, Hon. Frederick ~

A. Tallmadge, and others, and a poem was delivered by the
Rev. John Pierpont.

But as the object of this paper is not to give a complete
history of this town from its first settlement, but simply a
sketch thereof, more particularly with reference to events re-
lating to the Revolution, I hasten to call your attention to
that sulject. 1 ‘

And it will be well to bear in mind, that Litch field Was then
an inland town remote from the principal routes of travel, and
in 1774, including the town of Morris, and parts of Washing-
ton and Torrington, it contained a population of only 1,554
persons. V W 1

*1‘ 1st‘Conn. Reports, p, -28.

0
I

25

An examination of our ancient town records strikingly

discloses the unanimity, zeal, sympathy, and spirit of self‘-sac- '

rifice which animated our forefatliers ; yes, and our l‘oremoth-
ers, who did as much, and suf1‘°eredas much in encouraging,
animating, and fitting out their husbands, and brothers, and
sons, for the Work, and in “ tarrying by the stuff” ‘at home,
and caring for it, as those who Went into the fight.

Ten years before the Declaration of Independence, viz: in
1766, the minds of our people were greatly agita.ted by the
Stamyo Act, as it was called. 6 p

The British parliament ixnposed a tax on every deed, lease,
bond, policy, or mortgage, and none were legal unless it bore
the royal stamp. The people were excited, a meeting was
held at the court house, in February, 1766, for the purpose of
giving the clearest manifestation of their fixed and most ar-
dent desire to preserve those rights and privileges which be-
long to them as a free people, and of their readiness to pro-

mote the public peace and happiness which had been greatly

disturbed by the most alarming infririgements upon their
rights. A y ’“

They adopted sundry resolutions, therein claiming the
“right to dispose of their property at pleasure,” declaring
that God made mankind free, and that they would endeavor
to preserve ajiiid faithfully transmit the advantage of English
liberty to their posterity; that any office for distributing
stamped papers, appeared odious and detestable; that if any
stamped papers shall be imported into any part of this colony,
notice thereof be given, that the same may be preserved om-
toucheol for his Majesty.” l i a

After the passage of the stamp act, (which the British gov-
ernment was unable to enforce,) parliament passed an act
laying a tax on divers articles imported into this country from

4

26

England. The indignation of the people was aroused, and '

delegates were appointed in Litchfield to attend a convention
at New Haven, in September, 1770, to take into consideration

M the perilous condition of the country.

“The spirit manifest in the following proceedings of this
town (drawn up by Gov. Wolcott, a signer of the Declaration
of Independence,) upon the blockade of Boston, before the

' war of the Revolution, renders them worthy of remembrance.

“-The Inhabitants of Litchfield i11 legal Town Meeting As-
sembled, on the 17th day of August, 1774, taking into con-
sideration the distress to which the Poor of the Town of Bos-

ton "‘ may likely be reduced by the operation of an Act of the ’

British Parliament, for Blocking up their port, and deeply
commiserating the unhappiness of a brave and loyal‘ people,

who are thus eminently suffering in a General Cause for vin-

dicating what every virtuous American considers an essential
right of this country, think it is their indispensable duty, to

afford their unhappy distressed brethren of saidTown of Bos- A

ton, all reasonable Aid and Support; and this they are the
more readily induced to do, not only as the inhabitants of said
town are thus severely condemxied for their reluctance to sub-
unit to an arbitrary, an unconsented to, and consequently, un—-
constitutional taxation, but the whole of the great and loyal
Province of the Massachusetts Bay have been condemned un-
heard in the loss of their charter privileges, by the heretofore
unknown and unheard of exertions of Parliamentary Powers,
which they conceive is a power claimed and exercised in such
a manner as cannot fail of striking every unprejudiced mind

with horror and amazement, as being subversive of all those

inherent, essential and constitutional rights, liberties, and priv-»
ileges which the good people of this Colony have ever held
sacred, and even dearer than life itself, nor ever can wish to
survive ;not only every idea of property, but every emol-
ument of civil life, being rendered thereby precarious and
uncertain. ‘   A

27

In full confidence therefore, that no degree of evil inflicted
on said town and province will ever induce them to give up
or betray their own and the American constitutional rights
and privileges, especially as they cannot but entertain the
most pleasing expectations that the committees of the North
American provinces, who are soon to meet at Philadelphia,
will in their wisdom be able to point out a method of conduct
effectual for obtaining redress of their grievances; a method
which ( when once agreed upon by said committee,) this
town will look upon it their duty strictly to attend. And in
the meantime earnestly recommend that subscriptions be
forthwitli opened in this town, under the care of Reuben
Smith, Esq., Capt. Lynde Lord, and Mr, William Stanton,
who are hereby appointed a committee to receive and forward
to the Selectmen of Boston, for the use of the poor in that
place, all such donations as shall be thereupon made for that

purpose; as also to correspond with the Committee of Cor-—r

respondence there or elsewhere as there may be occasion.

We also take this opportunity publicly to return our thanks
to the members of the Honorable House of Representatives
of this Colony for their patriotic and loyal Resolutions passed
and published in the last assembly on the occasion, and order
them to be entered at large on the public records of this town,
that succeeding ages may be faithfully furnished with authen-
tic credentials of our inflexible attachment to those inestim-

able privileges which we and every honest American glory in

esteeming our inalienable Birthrightand Inheritance.”

It will be seen from the preceding acts,that this small

community, years before the Declaration of Independence, de-
clared that Grod made mankind Free; affirmed their fixed
desire to preserve their rights and privileges ; that they would
transmit liberty to their posterity; that they would assist
those condemned to submit to arbitrary and unconstitutional
taxation, in full confidence thatno degree of evil would ever
indhce the giving up of Americanconstitutional rights and
privileges; ,with the expectation of a n method of conduct

28

effectual for ohtairiinrfi redress of their grievances, to which
“ this Town would strictly attend.” All which they ordered
to be made a matter of‘ record, for succeeding ages.

Calm, but admonitory. The spirit of ’76 was thus clearly

indicated, and a method of redress Was foreshadowed, as set

forth in the declaration of one hundred years ago.

In 1774 and 1775, the celebrated Aaron Burr was a resi-
dent of Litchfield with his distinguished brother-in-law Judge
Reeve. Immediately after the battle of Lexington he Wrote
to his friend Ogden to come to Litchfield and join the army
with him. Burr did so, andthough Litchfield was nominally
his home, he did not thereafter permanently reside’ here.
However lamentable his subsequent career, he was a true

patriot during the War, and held a distinguished position on t

the staff of General Washington. It may be presumed that
while here he inhaled the spirit of‘ our revolutionary vvorthies,
and perhaps the inspiration was reciprocal.

In May, 1775, Col. Ethan Allen, a native of Litchfield,
captured by surprise the fortress of Ticonderoga, taking pos-
session of‘ the fort “ in the name of the Great Jehovah and the
Continental Congress.” Several of his little band of heroes
were natives of this vicinity. A

In December, 1775, the town appointed a Committee of In-
spection,.that all fees to the rights of British America may be

publicly known, and universally contemned, as the enemies

‘v of American Liberty, and voted, that theiiceforth we break off

all dealings with such. ,

Thevwar spirithad by this time become thoroughly aroused,
andin January, 1776, Capt. Beebe of this town enlistedia
company for the defence of New York. The order to raise
the company was received on Sunday, and on the Saturday
l'ollowing: the company had been enlisted, armed and equipped,

. and were on their march towards Fairfield, theplace of ren-

29

dezvous. The enlistment was as follows, viz: _“ We the sub-
scribers being convinced of the necessity of a body of forces
to defeat certain wicked purposes formed bylthe instruments
of Ministerial Tyranny, do solemnly engage ourselves and
enlist as Private Soldiers,” &c., and was signed by fifty-five
persons. 'l‘hose who have a knowledge of the leading men in
Litchiield County at the close of the last century, will recog-
nizein the list of signers the names of many of her most
prominent and influential citizens; men of position, wealth,
and enterprise, who, though surrounded by the endearments
of domestic life, voluntarily enlisted as private soldiers in that
dangerous expedition. They were mainly from the town
of Litchficld and adjoining towns, and were enlisted from the
21st to the 525th of January.

In May, 1776, a regiment was ordered to be raised for the
defence of the State,s11bject to join the continental army.
Capt. Beebe was appointed to commaand one of the companies.
The companywas raised, containing ninety—one men, a large
proportion of whom were citizens of Litchfield, and several had
been members of the company raised in January previous.

It will be remembered _that the contest with Great Britain

i had really begun before the Declarationof Independence, and

the previous action of this town shows its inhabitants were
prepared to sustain it with their lives and fortunes.

The French war had already in some degree prepared offi-
cers and soldiers for the struggle with the mother country.

Few towns in the State so far inland suffered more in propor- .

tion to their population, than Litchfieldl ‘during the Revolu-
tionary war. Almost every man of suitable age andability
was ready and willing; to aidin person and otherwise our
infant republic inits struggles for existence. With few ex-
ceptions the purcst patriotism pervaded all, attended with a
perfect understanding of their chartered rights and privileges.

30

Their hearts vyere loyal to their sovereign, but they would not
submit to tyranny, and were prompt to sustain their brethren
in other colonies in resistance to unconstitutional oppression.
They were Englishmen-—Ang1o«-Saxons, “ descended from t.he
same men and inheritors of the same principles of‘ indepen-
dence by which Magna Charta was established at Runny-
mede.” I I —

Upon the cominencernent of the war, this town with vigor
entered into the contest. The principal business at town
meetings for several years, seems to have been the adoption
of measures to sustain the cause, and to carry into effect the
orders and acts of the Council of Safety, and of the Legisla-
ture. Soldiers were encouraged to enlist; their pay was
guaranteed by the town ; bounties were granted them; cloth——
ing was provided for them, and provisions for their families.

In the year 17 77, eight continental battalions were raised
in this State, of which the quota of this town was ninety-two.
A large portion of those taken prisoners at Fort Washington
were from this town, about thirty of Whotn died in the prison
ships and other prisons in that city. Throughout the War
our young men were constantly enlisted into the army. The
militia were fully organized, and drafts were continually made
upon them. In times of alarm they would turn out almost
enmasse. Cur Litchfield troops were found at the capture
of New York, on the Connecticut coast, on the Hudson, at
Boston, at Ticonderoga, and Crown Point; at the surrenders
of Burgoyne and Cornvvallis, the capture of Stony Point, in
the battles of White Plains, Trenton, and Princeton, and in
almost every military transaction worthy of note during the
eventful struggle. - I
S In theautumn of 1776, thirty-six piclceol men were placed
under the command of Capt. Beebe to aid in the defence of
Fort Washington near New York- _On the 16th of November,

31

as is well known, the fort, after a desperate resistance on-the
part of its defenders, fell into the hands of the British, and
all the Americans were either killed or made prisoners.
Their subsequent treatment and suffering is perhaps without
a parallel in the history of the wars of any civilized nation.
Crowded into a narrow space without air, and for several days
without food, contagion and death was the natural conse-
quence. Fearful diseases broke out among them, and very
few of the whole number survived the terrible ordeal. Only
six out of thirty-six, hale and hearty young men of the com——
pany reached home.

One of them, Oliver Woodruff, of South Farms, says: “We
were marched to New York, and went into difi'erent prisons.
Eight hundred and sixteen went into the new Bridewe1l,I
among the rest. Some into the Sugar-house; others into the
Dutch Ohurch. On Thursday morning they brought us a lit-
tle provision, which was the first morsel we got to eat or drink
after eating our breakfast on Saturday morning.

“ We never drew as much provision for three days’ allowance

as a manwonld eat at a common meal. Iwas there three

months during that inclement season, and never sawany fire, it

except what was in the lamps of the city. There was not a
pane of glass in the windows, and nothing to keep out the

cold except the iron grates.”

Capt. Beebe, in consideration of his office, was allowed the
limits of the city, but was compelled to provide himself with
food, lodging, &c., or go without. He was accustomed to
visit his ~men daily, but could do little to alleviate their
wretched condition. He was notexchangedwith the other
prisoners, but was confined within the limits for about a year
at his ownexpense.”

Ihave seen an r affidavit ‘made on the 3d of ,May, 1777, by

 

82

Mr." Thomas Catlin, of this town, (the father of the late Doc-
tor Abel O°atlin,) who was a lieutenant in the American army
at New York in 1776, in which he gives the following account:
in substance, of the treatment of himself and others by the
British, viz: . 1
That he was taken prisoner by the British troops on New
York Island, Sept. 15th, 1776, and confined with a great
number in close gaol eleven days; that he had no sustenance
for forty—eight hours after he was taken; that for eleven whole
days they had only about two days allowance, and their pork
was offensive tothe smell. That forty-two were confined in
one house till Fort Washington was taken, when the house
was crowded with other prisoners, after which they were in-
formed they should have two-thirds allowance, which consist-
ed of very poor pork, bread——-——hard, mouldy, and wormy, made
of canail and the dregs of flaxseed; that the British troops

had good bread. Brackish water was given to the prisoners, .

and he had seen $1.50 given for a common pail of water.
Thatfor near three months the common soldiers were con-
fined in the churches, and in one were eight hundred and
fifty. .That about the 25th of December, 1776, he and about
two hundred and twenty-five others were put on board the
Glasgow at New York to be carried to Connecticut for ex-
change. They were on board eleven days, and kept on black,
coarse, broken bread, and less pork than before. Twenty-
eight died during the eleven days! They were treated with
great cruelty, and had no fire for sick or well. They were
crowded between decks, and many died through hardship, ill
usage, hunger, and cold.

A letter written by Doctor Reuben Smith, of Litchfield,
dated May 12th, 1777, relating to the Danbury alarm, states

' that, “ Sunday morning, 27th April, about one o’clock, we

33

were alarmed; our people turned out spiritedly; came up
with the enemy next day a little below Wilton meeting-house,
and pursued them aboard their ships. Paul Peck was killed
in the last attack on the enemy.”

It is stated that on this occasion fourteen men, the last in
Litclzfield cctpctble qf beaawrzg cmvzs, were started at midnight to
aid in repulsing the enemy. .

Of Paul Peck, alluded to in the letter of Doct. Smith, it is
recorded, “ that he was the most expert hunter of the time in
which he lived. At the Danbury alarm he put his long gun
in order and followed the enemy to Compo on their retreat, and
took a station behind a stone wall. Every shot told, until he
was rushed upon by the enemy, who took his gun from him
and dashed his brains out with it.” ‘ He was killed April 28th,
1777, aged seventy-five years. ‘

During the war, Litchfield was a place of deposit for pro-
visions and other continental stores. Workshops for the
army were established here. Prisoners of war were here
confined. ,

On the 21st of June, 177 6, David Matthews, the English

‘ Mayor of ‘New York, was arrested by order of General Wash-

ington, in pursuance of authority from the New York Com-
mittee, for dangerous designs and treasonable conspiracies.
He was sent to Litchfield for safe custody, and while herehe
wrote to Mrs.’ Matthews, at Flatbush, a letter dated Litchfield,

Aug. 12th, 1776, in which he says:

“Ever since my arrival here I have" been. at the house of
Capt. Moses Seymour, who, together with his wife, have be-
haved in the mcst genteel, kind manner, and have done every-'
thing in their power to make my time as agreeable as possi-
ble. He is a fine,=merry fellow,‘ and she is a. warm Protest-
ant; and if it was not the thoughts of home were continually in

.5 '

34

my mind, I might be happy with my good landlord and his
family.” I .

He adds, by way of postscript: “The Congress were much
afraid I should run away if I had my liberty, but this good
man, with whom I lodge, and who never heard of me before,
has such an opinion of me that he has wrote to them that he
will be answerable for me whenever they shall call for me.”

On the fli19th of August, 1776, he was taken to Hartford,
and on the next day wrote to the Secretary of the Convention
of New York a letter dated, Hartford, Aug. 20th, 1776, in
which he says: “It is verily believed throughout this colony

that I was concerned in a plot to assassinate Gen. Washington, ,

and to blow up the magazine in New York. * "’*° °*" * 5*‘
Solely owing to this report, I have been obliged to decamp
from Litchfield, where I was stationed, and where the com-
mittee thought my life was in imminent danger. I arrived
here yesterday, and  shunned, as much as Lucifer would be.
* "* * i 9* Surely, if my life was to be made a sacrifice,
there was a more gentlemanly way of doing it ‘than of being

sent into a country to be fired at from behind a barn or stone-

fence.” 

.On the 22d of the same monthjhes was re-conveyed to
Litchfield. The original order of Gov. Trumbull directs
Capt. Moses pSeyn1our to carry Mr. Matthews to Litchfield,
and hold l1im in custody, permitting him to walk abroad for
the benefit of the air, and to attend divine worship. To his
letter of the 20th Mr. Matthews adds a postscript, dated the
22d,‘ saying, “I am now on mypmarch back to Litchfield
ggain. * * 9". What horrid treatment is this? our co11ven-
tion say I‘must be confined. It is too much for mortal man
to bear. I am now to stand fire at Litchfield. May God

I spare my life to meet my enemies face to face.”

‘ The British royalist evidently did not relish the atmosphere

35

of freedom prevailing at Hartford and Litchfield. Under
date Litehfield, Sept. 26, 1776, he writes: “ The committee
have been compelled to request my removal in order to pacify
some people. They insist I can blow up this town. 0 that
I could. I would soon leave them to themselves. The sheriff
has given orders that I shall not approach the gaol, lest the
doors should fly open and the prisoners escape. I should not
have returnedito this cold Wilderness had not the sheriff of
Hartford declared he must look me up in gaol.”

The first pleasure—carriage lorouglit into this town was by
him presented to Mrs. Major Seymour, and was in use as late
as A. D. 181:2. The Mayor’s traveling trunk is still here in
the possession of the Hon. Origen S. Seymour, one of Major
Seymour’s descendants. . .

It is stated in a letter received in ‘London, from a British
officer in New York, dated December 2, 1776, that “ Honest
David Matthews, the Mayor, has made his escape, and arrived
here this day.”

The tradition is, that the public authorities did not Well

know how to deal with his case, and that one day when he
“ walked abroad forthe benefit of the”air” he neglected to

return ; very much to the satisfaction of all concerned in his I

detention. , ,
Doet. Smith, at the close of his letter of°May 12, 1777,
says: “Governor Franklin is confined in our gaol, and con-

stant guard is kept. We trust he vvill findit difficult to escape,

should he attempt it.” , '  '

This gentleman was the Royal Governor of New Jersey, A

and was the only son of the distinguished Dr. Benjamin

Franklin. He was accused of being a virulent enemy of the
United Colonies, and in June, 177 6, Congress directed that
he should be sent to Connecticut under a guard. In July,

I 1776, he was sent by Gov. Trumbull to Wallingford to reside

it

36

on his parole, and was soon permitted to reside at Middletown.
But on the 30th of April, 1777, an order from Congress was
received to confine Gov. Franklin, without pen, ink, or paper,
and directed him to be conveyed under guard, by the Sheriff
of’ Hartford County, forthwith to Litchfield jail. On the 19th
of September, 1777, an order on the pay table was drawn in
favor of Lynde Lord, Esq., for £100 towards the expense of
the guard placed over Gov. Franklin. On the 15th of J anu-
ary, 1778, another similar "order was drawn in favor of Mr.
Lord, who was the Sheriff of Litchfield County.
1 The following account of him was published in 18:56, viz:

“ DR. FnAN1{L1;N’s ONLY SoN.——-While the name of Franklin
has been so prominently before the public of late, in connec-
tion with the celebration at Boston, it may not be uninterest-
ing to give some account of his only son, William, about
whom we think little is known by the community at large.
Unlike his father, whose chief claim to veneration is for the
invaluable services he rendered his country in her ,greatest
need, the son was from first to last a devoted loyalist. Before
the Revolutionary War, he held many civil and military ofli-
ces of importance. At the commencement of the war he held
the oflice of Governor of New Jersey, which appointment he
received in 17 63. When the difficulties between the mother
couuntry and the colonies were coming to a crisis, he threw
his whole influence in favor of loyalty, and endeavored to pre-
vent the Legislative Assembly of ‘ New Jersey from sanctioning

the proceedings of the General Congress of Philadelphia. '

These efforts however did but little to stay the tide of public
sentiment in favor of resistance to tyranny, and soon involved
him in difiicnlty. He was deposed from office by the Whigs
to give place to William LlVl11gS13OI'1, and sent a prisoner to
Connecticut where he remained about two years. 9* it it
In 1778, he.was exchanged, and soon after went to England.
There he spent the remainder of his life, receiving a pension
from the British Government for the losses he had sustained
by his fidelity. 1 1

37

As might be expected, his opposition to the cause of liberty,
so dear to the heart of his father, produced an estrangement
between them. For years they had no intercourse. When,
in 1784, the son wrote to his father, in his reply Dr. Franklin
says: “Nothing has ever hurt me so much, and affected me
with such keen sensations, as to find myself deserted in my
old age by my only son; and not only deserted but to find him
taking up arms against me in a cause wherein my good fame,
fortune and life were all at stake.” In his will also, he al-
ludes to the part his son had acted. After inaking him some
bequests, he adds: “ The part he acted against me in the late
war, which is of -public notoriety, will account for my leaving

' l1i1n no more of A an estate he endeavored to deprive me of.”

The patriotism of the father stands forth all the brighter, when
contrasted with the desertion of the son.”

An elegant Equestrian statue of King George III, made
of lead, richly gilded, was imported from London and erected
in the city of New York, in the Bowling Green, at the lower
end of Broadway, on the 21st day of August, 1770, amidst
the discharge of cannon and music by the band. In 17 76, it
was thrown down and transported to Litchfield to be cast into
bullets for the useof our army. The bullets were cast by
ladies of Litchfield in the apple orchardiof General Wolcott,
now owned and occupied by Mrs. Harney. I A

At a meeting of the inhabitants of Litchfield on the 6th
day of January, 1778, to take into consideration the articles
of confederation, and perpetual union between the States, it
was I ,

“ Voted, unanimously, that the said articles of confederation
be approved, and that the representatives of said town be in—-
structed to use their influence and vote in General Assembly,
to invest the delegates of this State with competent powers
ultimately in the name and behalf of this State, in Continental
Congress, to subscribe and confirm the said articles of confed-
eration and perpetual union between the said States.”

38-I

Up to this period, “ Fair Wyoming on Susquehanna’s side,”
called Westmoreland, was claimed as ours. Its jurors and
_justices were officers of this county, and its civil processes
Were directed to the Sheriff’ of Litchfield County, were returned
to and decided hythe courts held in this village, and are now
among,our records. Settled from Connecticut, it may be
imagined what grief and consternation pervaded us when the
inhabitants of that infant settlement were massacred by the
“ Monster Brandt” and his Indian allies. 1

During the Revolutionary war Litchfield was visited by
Count Rochambeau in May, 1777, and by General La Fayette
as the guest of Judge Reeve. And according to Mr. George
Gibbs, on .the evening of Saturday, August 23, 1780, Gen.
Washington arrived here on his way from Hartford to West
Point, and was entertained at the hospitable mansion of Gen.
Wolcott, in South street (now Mrs. Harney’s). He spent
the night in the village, and on the following morning pro-
ceeded westwéird, arriving at West Roint about 11 o’clock on
Monday morning. It was at this time that he discovered the

treason of Benedict Arnold, who commanded at that post.

The next year he was here, as appears from the following ex-
tract from his diary. “ May 18th, 1781, set out this day for
an interview at Wethersfieid, with Count de Rochambeau,
and Admiral Barras. 19th. Breakfasted at Litchfield.” Again
hewas here with Count Rochambeau. I

Mr. Killiourn, in his history,. says that at the period of

yvhich we are writing, “Litchfield was the home of a re-

markable number of "educated thinking men, some of whom
were already distingiiished, and others who were destined to
act an important part" intheir country’s history. " Indeed no
town in the State could boast of a community more refined

and patriotic. Witliin our present borough limits resided

39

Oliver Wolcott, Andrew Adams, Reynold Marvin, Tapping

Reeve, Isaac Baldwin, Samuel Lyman, Isaac Baldwin, Jr., J

Elisha Sheldon, John Pierce, J r., Dr. Thomas Little, Lynde
Lord, Rev. Timothy Collins, Rev. Judah Champion, Dr. Lem—
uel Hopkins, Dr. Reuben Smith, Moses Seymour, Timothy
Skinner, Abraham Bradley, William Stanton, Ambrose Col-
lins, Elijah Wadswortli, and Ephraim Kirby.” '

To this goodly company were soon added Oliver Wolcott,
J r., Ashbel Baldwin, Ezekiel Woodrufl‘, Julius Deming, Uriah
Tracy, and Doct. Daniel Sheldon.

Sixteen of the gentlemen named were graduated at Yale
College, and one (Judge Reeve) at the College of New Jersey:
three were members of the National Congress, or became
such; seven were captains in the Revolutionary war, and four
rose to the rank of general officers; two became Chief Jus-
tices, and two Governors of the State?“ . J

“* The following named persons, citizens of Litclifield, have occupied the public
stations annexed to their respective names, viz :— V
Adams, Andrew, Chief Justice Superior Court.
Allen, Ethan, General Revolutionary Army.
Allen, John, Representative in Congress.
Allen, John W., Representative in Congress‘, Ohio.
Beers, Seth 13., Commissioner "of School Fund.
Beecher, Lyman, D.D., President Lane Seminary.
Beecher, Edward, D.])., President Illinois College.
Beecher, Henry W., Plymouth Church, Brooklyn.
Bird, John, Representative in Congress. "
Bradley, Abraham, Assistant Post Master General.
Bradley, Phineas, Assistant Post Master General.
Bushnell, Horace, D.D., Pastor and Author, Hartford.
Catlin, Julius, Lt. Governor. ‘
Church, Samuel, Chief Justice Supreme Court. '
Collier, John A., Comptroller, Representative in Congress, N.‘ Y.
Dutton, Henry, Governor, Judge Supreme Court.
Deming, Julius, Commissary Revolutionary War.
Gould, James, Judge Supreme Court.
Gould, William T., Judge, Georgia.
Gould, George, Judge Supreme Court, N. Y.
Hollister, G. H., Minister to,I-Iayti.
Holmes, Uriel, ‘J udge, Representative in Congress.

I0

‘F

40

The time will not suffice to embrace in this sketch bio-

graphical notices of gentlemen residents of Litchfield, distin-

guished for their patriotism, chivalry, a11d public spirit either
in the field, or in the, perhaps, less conspicuous, though not
less useful sphere of civil life.

I must, however, be allowed to make an exception in the

« case of the Rev. Judah Champion. He was in his prime dur-

ing the war of the revolution. He was exceedingly loved and
esteemed by his people; was an ardent supporter of the po~

Hubbard, John H., Representative in Congress. i ,
Huntington, Jabez W., Rep. and Senator in Congress, Judge Supreme Court.
Huntington, Charles P., Judge Superior Court, Mass.

Kirby, Ephraim, U. S. Judge, Mississippi.

Lyon, Matthew, Representative in Congress, Vermont and Kentucky.
Marvin, Reynold, I{ing’s Attorney.

Miner, Phineas, Representative in Congress.

Peck, William V., Judge'Sup. Court, Ohio.

Phelps, Samuel S., Judge, U. S. Senator, Vt.

Pierpont, John, Poet,‘ Pastor.

Pierpont, Robert, Lt. Governor, Judge Supreme Court, Vt.

Pierpont, John, Chief Judge Supreme Court, Vt.

Reeve, Tapping, Chief Justice Supreme Court.

Sanford, David  Judge Supreme Court.

Sedgwick, Albert, Commissioner of the School Fund.

Seymour, Horatio, United States Senator, Vermont.

Seymour, Origen S., Repfin Congress,‘ Chief Justice Supreme Court.
Sheldon, Daniel, Secretary of Legation, France.

Skinner, Roger, United States District Judge, N. Y. ,
Skinner, Richard, Rep. in Congress, Chief Justice Sup. Court, Governor, Vt.
Smith, Joseph L., United States Judge, East Florida.

Smith, Truman, Representative and Senator in U. S. Congress.

Strong, J edediah, Representative in Congress.

Tallmadge, Benjamin, Major Revolutionary Army, Rep. in Congress.
Tallmadge, Frederick A., Recorder New York City.

Tracy, Uriah, Representative and Senator in Congress.

Wolcott, Oliver, Representative in Congress, Signer Declaration of Independ~

ence, Governor.

Wolcott, Oliver, Secretary of Treasury, U. S. Judge, Governor.

Woodrufi’, Clark, Judge, Louisiana. .‘ -

Woodruff, George C., Representative in Congress.

Woodrufii Lewis B., Judge Sup. Court, Court of Appeals, N. Y., and U. S. '

Circuit Court. .
Wright, John C., Representative in Congress, Judge, Ohio.

41

sition assumed in the Declaration of Independence, and per-
haps no man in this vicinity, in the army or out of it, did
more than he to encourage the hearts and strengthen the
hands of those engaged in the perilous conflict. He “threw
himself with all his energy and burning eloquence into the
struggle.” Mr. Hlollister in his history says,“ When the whole
country was in a state of alarm at the i11tellige11ce' that Lord
Cornwallis, with a large fleet and armaments, was approach»-

ing the American coast, Col. Tallmadge happened to pass

through Litchfield with a regiment of cavalry. While there
he attended public worship with his troops on Sunday, at-the

old meeting-house on the village green. The occasion was

deeply interesting and exciting. The Rev. Judah Champion,
then the settled minister of the ‘place-———a man of great elo-
quence, and of a high order of intellectual endowment-——in
view of the alarmingicrisis, thus invoked the sanction of
Heaven:

“ 0 Lord! we view with terror the approach of the ‘enemies
of thy holy religion. Wilt thou send storm and tempest, to
toss them upon the sea, and to overwhelm them upon the
mighty deep, or to scatter them to the uttermost parts of the

earth. But, peradventure, should any escape thy vengeance,

collect them together again, 0 Lord, as in the hollow of "thy
hand, and let thy lightnings play uponthem.

“ We beseech thee, moreover, that thou do gird up the loins
of these thy servants who are going forth to fight thy battles.
Make them strong men that ‘ one shall chase a thousand, and
two shall put ten thousand to flight.’ Hold before them the
shield with which thou was wont in the old time to protect
thy chosen people. Give them swift feet, that they may pur-
suetheir enemies, and swords terrible as thy destroying Angel,

, that they may cleave them down when they have overtaken
them. Preserve these servants of thine, Almighty God, and A
bring them once more to their homes and friends, if thou

A 6

’4.;2

canst do it consistently with thine high purposes.   Ii‘, on the

other hand, thou hast decreed that they shall die in battle, let

thy. spirit be present with them, and breathe upon them, that
they may go up as a sweet sacrifice into the courts of thy
temple, where are habitations prepared for them from the
foundations of the World.” ,,  

On another occasion, writes Mr. Headley :

“One pleasant Sabbath inorning. the coiigregatioii had
gathered together it and had just commenced the morning
hymn, when, through the still streets, there came the sharp
clatter of a horse’s hoof's—-—«alway's so ominous, at that time,
of tidings from the army. As usual, when the courier
arrived in any town on the Eiabbatli, he made sti'aigl1t for the
“ n'1eeti1;1g-l1ouse.i” Reacliing the door, he dismounted, and

lflinging the bridle over the horse’s neck, entered the build-

ing. The singing ceased, and every eye was turned on the
st1'a1i1ge1* as he Walkecl up the broad aisle and ascended the
pulpit stairs. He handed Mr. Cliainpion a paper, who, with
a smile of triumph on his face, arose and read “ St. Jblms is
tat/cm.” It must be remembered that this place had been
besieged six Weeks, till people began almost to despair of its
ever lieing; taken. The noble pastor, the moment he had
finished the sentence, lifted his eyes to heaven and exclaix;ned:
“ Thank God for the victory.” The chorister, sitting opposite

the pulpit, in the g;a1lei'y, clapped his hands and shouted:

“ Amen. and Amen .’ ” For awhile the joy was unrestrained,
but the pastor soon checked it by sayixig: “Tl1e1'eiis some-
thing more to be heard.” He then read a lengthy communi-
cation, stating that the army Was in a s11ffe1*i1'1g condition.
It ivas now the latter part of November, and there, on the
borders of Canada,.the Winter was already setting in, and
yet the troops were about to march for Quebec to undergo
the rigors of a Winter campaign. It described in vivid
language their suffering condition. They were destitute of
clothing, without shoes or stockings, and yetwere ordered to
traverse the frozen fields of the north.

Thetouching description lostnone of its pathos as read by



thepastor and connnentedon by him at its close. Whenhe
had ,finished, there was hardly a dry eye in the housej.
Especially the Women were overcome with emotion. As soon

as the congregation was dismissed, a few prominent ladies

were seen to gather round the young pastor with eager counte-

'nances. They were evidently asking him some questions,

and it was equally evident, from his benevolent smile and
nodding head, that he was aiisweriiig them satisfactorily.
Soon they began to move rapidly among the other Women
that, in turn, gatliiered into groups in earnest conversation.
A'fte:1_' a little While they all dispersed to their homes. When
the (3(i)I‘lg1‘Ggfll}lOll assembled for the afternoon service not a
woiuan was in the ehurch. The Wives, mothers, and maidens
had laid aside their f3aliha.tl1 apparel and drawnforth their
spinning-wheels, set in motion their looms, and hrouglit out

their l{1ii.tti.11g~11eedles and hand cards, and the village suddenly .

hecame a hive of industry. On that usually still Puritan
S%ILl)l.)f.1-i3l,”l ai'ternoon there now rung out on every side the hum
of the ‘wheel and the click of the shuttle_-—-«sounds never
before lieard in Litehfield on the Sahhatli day, and which con-
trasted sti'a.ng'ely with those of prayer and praise in the

i aclj¢):i11‘i1ig; sanctuary. Yet l)oth.helieved that they were serv-

iiig God. The women were Working for those brave patriots
who were ahout to march, destitute and barefoot, over the
frozen ,g'rouncl. to strike for freedom. Many years after, when
a venerable old man, Mr. Champion was asked by his grand-
dai:igl.11;e:i* how he could approve such a desecration of the
Sahhatli. He turned on her a solemn look and replied simply:
“ .ZlIe7'e3/ Z>é,_7‘i:29~e sacrzIy‘ic2e.”   ,

Ah, What a Hood of light does such a scene as this, on a
Sabbath afternoon in those strict times, throw on the state of
feeling that existed, Is it wonderful that a revolution which
had its springs so deep down in the human heart and was
sustained hy such prayers and such faith,7should succeed?
Its true history is not to he found on the battle-field, but in

these secluded villagesiand country parishes.”

Since the estahlislnnent of our national independence, this

44

town has been fOI‘~l3l1e_IIlOSl3l part harmonious and prosperous. A

No events have occurred therein to make it notorious in

history, and I may perhaps say in the Words of another,

“happy isthat country whose history is uninterestinoz” And
yet the veterans of the war of 1812 should notbe forgotten.
Some among us remember the inspiriting martial music which
enlivened, and the snow white tents which dotted our streets,
and the brave banner which floated over all, tvliile this
village was the station of Col. Joseph L. Smitlfisebattalion.

Most of our soldiers in our “Second War of Independence,”
have passed away. One only, an octogenarian, one of our
most respected citizens, may be seen daily traversing our
streets, with a tread as firm and elastic as most men of half

- his years.

And especially should it be remembered how the brave sons
of Litchfield rushed to the rescue in the great rebellion of
the last decade ; how the battle fields of Cold Harbor, and
Petersburg, miancellorville and Wincliester,Aritietain, and
others, were fattened with the blood of our brave ones.

Many veterans in the last struggle are still among us, but
fifty-two of them, whose names are inscribed on yonder menu-r

~ ment, “ died in the front rank figlitingl for their country.’’'‘‘*‘‘

*It appears from the records in the otliee of the Adjutant General of Con-
necticut, that during the late civil war in 1861-1865, the town of‘ Litchfield.
furnished three hundred soldiers at least, for the military service of the United
States. ‘ I

This town also paid for the support of soldiers, and to encourage enlietmeuts,
(luring that war, besides bounties and wages paid by this State, and by the

United States, the sum of - - - . .. . . $31,543 ”
and private individuals, —- - - - — — _ 300 .

Total. - - ~ — ,- - - $32,340»