»■» ♦ »-»^ » » » » Please handle this volume with care. The University of Connecticut Libraries, Storrs F 104.G84B9 Historic Groton; 3 T153 0077175^ hd O 00 /Z^S- HISTORIC GROTON COMPRISING Historic and Descriptive Sketches PERTAINING TO GROTON Heights, Center Groton. Poquonnoc Bridge, Noank, Mystic and Old Mystic, Conn. By Local Writers FULLY AND BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED Charles F. Burgess Editor and Publisher Moosup. Conn COPYRIGHT. I909 BY C F. BURGESS Groton Heights, or the Borough of Groton By MARY E. DENISON K(JTuX heights or Borough is beautifully situated on the river Thames, directl}' opposite New London, Connecticut, with which it is connected by a ferry and also by a drawbridge over which go many trains daily. One crossing the river to Groton sees the village spread out before him along the banks of the ri\'er and upon the hills above. There upon the summit, is the tall shaft of the monu- ment which commemorates that memorable day, Sept. 6, 1781, on which the bra\'e men of Groton and vicinity fought for home and country in the old fort, whose ramparts lie just at the south. Close to the monument is the house used for their meetings, and recent- ly enlarged by the Anna ^Varner Bailey Chap- ter of the Daughters of the .\merican Revolu- tion, full of interesting relics. Xear by stands the school house, where the children should early learn love of honor and of country as they liear about the heroic Leflyard antl hi'; '^■aliant followers who, caring more for honor than for life, pierced with man\ a wound, fell "Dead on the Field of Glorv." Xorth of the school house is our beautiful library to which the sclntol bo\s. more often than not of foreign Ijirth. come to see the sword of Col. Ledyard or to get a "Storv of the Revolution." Here is a fine collection of about five thousand books free to any who may care to read. A little distance no'-tli rf the library may be seen the tower of the fine new Congregational cliurch, which ancient or- ganization suffered so at the time of the nin<;- sacre. Still farther to the north is the Bap tist church, the second edifice of the society. Just at the foot of the hill on which the Bap- tist church is set is the old house in which lived the famous "Mother Bailey" after whom the local chapter of the D. A. R. is named. A few rods north of the "Mother Bailey" house stands what is left of the old Congregational church built in 1834, the third building of that societ}', to which "Mother Bailey" would never come, preferring to walk out to the old "black meeting house," about a mile away, where she would listen to the robins as they sang and hear the frogs croak. The pilgrim upon reaching Groton finds himself in the business part of the village, near the stores and post office. lie probablv sees the trolley, for this is the termiiuis of the Groton and Westerly line. Turning to the south he goes but a short distance before reaching the Ebenezer Avery house, now marked by a tablet, to which the wounded were taken after the battle. At the foot of Fort street is the Episcopal church. By this street one can go directly into the fort and then visit the points of interest which he has alread}' seen from the river. The town of Groton of which the borough is a part lies between the Thames and Mystic rivers and originally extended from Groton Long Point to the Preston line, until North Groton, now Ledyard, separated in 1836. mak- ing a large town by itself. Groton now in- cludes the Borough, Center Groton, Poquon- nock Bridge, Noank and Mystic. The town is diversified by high hills, deep valleys, and wide plains. Over these once roamed the red man, the fierce Pequot, until Capt. Mason and his followers on May 26, 1637 "in order to have justice on the Indian," took and destroyed the HISTORIC GROTON stronghold of their Chief Sassacus on Pequol Hiil and ended the Peqnot power in the colo- ny. This slaughter of the Pequots, who were so hostile to the English, took place before there were any settlements nearer than the Connecticut ri\er. In 1644 the General Couit of Massachusetts ga\e John ^\'inthrop, the younger, a grant of land in the Pequot coun- try and in 1646 he founded New London, of which Groton was a part, being called the "East Side." posite the eastern spur of ^^"inthrop's Neck, where was his home lot." With the advice and consent of Mr. Winthrop a grant of land lying north of his was gi\-en in 1655 or '56 to Thomas Bayley, who soon settled here and became a farmer. Other early settlers in that vicinity were the Starrs. Colvers, Lesters and P)Uddingtons. It is not easy to find who had land at that early date in what is now our borough, but Capt. Samuel Chester, who lo- cated in New London about 1663, had a grant GROTUX, LOOKING NOHTH FROM THE MONUMENT The land on the west of the river was first portioned out to the settlers for their hnnie lots, then that on the east for farming. The broad plains of Poquonnock were early taken for this purpose. W'inthro]) had a farm there, and among those who had farms and settled there as early as 1656 were James Morgan and James .\\-ery. both men of note in the community. The house of the latter, the original "Hive of the .\\'erys," stood until July. i8i;4. when it was burned bv a spark from a locomotive. A\'inthrop's grant on Groton Bank was "op- of land given him in (iroton where Fort Gris- wold and the monument now stand. The first house on (iroton liank was that beU)nging to Cary Latham, wlui had leased the ferry for fifty years from March 25, 1655. .\t his death in 1^185 he was succeeded by his son-in-law, John Williams, of whom Joshua Hempstead's diary says: "He kept the ferry when Groton and New London were one town, had but one minister and one cap- tain's company." The ferryboat then was a scow with both sails and oars. HISTORIC GROTON THE (iROTON MONUMENT HISTORIC GROTON Grants of land had early been taken in Po- quonnock and Mystic and in order to connect the scattered farms on the east side with Xew London a highway following the old Indian trail from Groton Bank to Mystic River was laid out in 1652, but beyond Fort Hill, it was a mere pentway until 1709. When King Phil- ip's war broke out in 1675 the men of Groton \'olunteered to fight against the foe. They with a remnant of the Pequots. were led by Capt. James Avery. The settlers upon the east side crossed the travelled to Hartford to the General Coiirt to bring this about. In 1702 permission was given them to build a meeting house thirty- hve feet square, to organize a church and to h.ire a minister at the joint expense of the east and west sides of the town. In 1703 the house was built at Center Groton, the most central location. Rev. Ephraim \\'oodbridge was the first pastor. Two years later the East Side became a separate township and was called Groton, in honor of Gov. Winthrop's home in Enarland. THE EBEXEZER AVERV HOISE Where wounded Americans were left at the Battle of Groton Heights river to attend church and were taxed for its support. Many of them had long distances to go and in 1687 it was ordered that for the fu- ture they might invite the minister of the town to preach on their side of the river every third Sunday during the four most disagreea- ble months of the year. About the year 1700 the people began to ask first for a church or- ganization of their own and then for a separate township. Capt. James Avery, who was a loyal supporter of the church in New London, In the division of Groton, children were to have the privilege of the schools on the west side ; the public ministerial lands were to be in common, while New Lon- don was to be allowed to cut masts for ships from the Pine Swamp of Groton. The story of our first town clerk, John Da^•ie, reads like a romance. He, like his neighbors, was a farmer, but a well educated man, a graduate of Harvard, and of a good old family. One day in 1707 while hoeing in his field a messen- HISTORIC GROTON came to Groton Bank and obtained a grant of land upon the river. Here he built two large ships, one of these being as large for her day as the big steamers lately built here. It was the largest ship that had then been constructed ger appeared who saluted him as "Sir John Davie." Upon his departure for England to enter into possession of his vast estates, he left uKiney for a handsome communion cup for Air. W'oodbridge's church. The cup bears this inscription: "The gift of Sir John Davie this side the Atlantic. This great ship of seven to the Church of Christ at (jroton." hundred tons was launched Oct. I2, 1725. A One of the early deacons of the church was crowd of people came to the launching. The John Seabury, whose grandson, born in North other ship of five hundred and seventy tons Groton, was that Samuel Seabury who was the first bishop of Connecticut and of the Episcopal church in the United State.--. When \\ hitetield came tn New England, Rev. Jona- than Liarbcr, who was then pastor of the church, Ijeing his tlevoted friend, invited him to \'isit Center (iroton. He came first in Feb., 1763, and preached in the old meeting house and again in June of that year he preached to a multitutle in front of Mr. Barber's house. In about I7')5 a new meeting house was built on Grotiin Hank on the old highway a "" - mile from the ferry. This house is sometimes -':^J/' spoken of as the old "black meeting house," from the fact that it was never painted and lkcitun i kki;\ then again as the "Knme meeting house," ,,.3, ^jjH^.i 4,,^ ^Jon Carlos and sailed for Lis- from the Rev. .\aron Kinne, the ])astor at the \)o\\ tmie it was built, and during the Revolution. Jeffrey was the builder of smaller ships as well; Oct. 26, 1738, John Ledyard, the father of John Ledyard "the tra\'eler," sailed for England in a new Snow built by Capt. Jeft'rey. John Led\-ard, called "the traveler," was one of Groton's noted men. He sailed with Capt. Cook on his second voyage around the world, of which he pulilished an account. Later he penetrated into the heart of Russia. Lie next became one of a party to explore the Xile, but was taken sick and died at Cairo in 1788, aged thirty-seven. The inhabitants, who were at first farmers, were now to a great extent a seafaring people, carrying on trade along the coast and with the West Indies and European ports until the Revolution put an end to all such traffic. Some of Groton's adventurous ones, as well as the men of New London, fitted out privateers and sent them out to damage the British ships which were 'harrying our coasts. They re- turned often with great prizes. Eight hun- dred and three recorded prizes were brought TKOLLEV TKRJIIM'S Slii])l_niilding was one of the town's earliest industries. Thomas Starr of Groton Bank, a shipwright, in 1710 sold a sloop called the "Sea Flower" which he describes as "a square- sterned vessel of sixty-seven tons and si.x- sevenths of a ton, Iniilt by me in Groton." Our village became famous fur the building of immense ships way back in 1725. About that time a ship builder, Capt. John Jeffrey, HISTORIC GKOTOX Z. Z HISTORIC GKOTON into this harbor duriny; the war. It is little wonder that the British were anxious to get possession of this stronghold of rebels. Groton was settled by men and women who took an interest in education, believed in civil and religious freedom, and those who succeed- ed them were filled with the same spirit. They were justly indignant at e\'ery measure adopted b}- Cireat Britain to curtail indepen- dence of thought and action among the colo- nies. This town, like many another, declared war for itself against George III of England. .■\. bold and ])atriotic spirit animated their town meetings. Foremost in their ])lans was Silas Deane of North Groton, until the Colonial Legislature sent him to the Continental Con- gress, by which he was later ap])ointed am- bassador to h'rance. Other leading men were the Averys. the .Starrs, the C'hesters, the Led- yards — William. Ebenezer and ^Hungs — and Thos. Alumford, who was one of the most effi- cient of the ".S(Tns of Liberty." Afr. Mumfnrd. with eleven other men of Connecticut in .\pril, 1775, formed the project in other places, a man whom (iow Trumbull trusted. In 1775 Mr. Mumford was one of a committee of the General Assembly to exam- ine the points of defence and report on the best THK (.HKSTEK HUl SE This house, the oldest dwelling in Groton, was l>uilt in 1V^2 1\\' Tlioinas C'liester. P^roiii it on Sept. (ith. i;si. four of his sons niai'clieti to tiie delenee of Foi-t Griswuld and two of tliein wei'e niortaliy wounded tliat day. The iioiise was in the Cliester family over a fentur.\'. In the war t)f IHTi a eompaiiy of sokliers were quai'tered there who were on iialrol duty on the foast. A British siiip fired a bhot one tiay whioli hit the (■hiiune.v, mailing a large hole and upsetting a pan of haiu wliieh was frying over the coals in the large lireiilace, thus, to the dismay of Madam, making a big gi'ease spot on her spotless white Hour. Tlie house is ill a good state of preserva- tion and the e.Kteriui- reuiaiiis the same as a century ago. Ihe farm is now owneil liy L'apt. John o. Splcer of Eastern I'oiut col KBKNKZKR .\AKRV HOUSE Tliis house was built about 172(5 by Col. I'^benezer Aver.\' who was born March 2:1. ITOt, and died in May, 1780. He re- ceived a commission as Lieut, of 1st Co. Sth Regiment of Colo- ny of Connecticut, .Ma.\'. 1728. b.v order of King (ieorge 11. He was made Caiitain in 17:^:?, Colonel in 17.'i9, and remained in of- fice under (.Veorge 11 and George III until the colonies declared their independence. .Vfter that he held his place as Colonel under the Flag of the Free. Col. .Vver.v's son Ebenezer lived at the homestead. On Sept. ti, 1781, when the alarm was given of the landing of the British, lie left his plow in the furrow and hastened to the defence of tlie fort where he met his death of taking Ticonderoga, which plan was suc- cessfully carried out. He was the first select- man during the early years of the war and was the financial manager of the affairs of Groton. He was in communication with fellow patriots means of securing the country from invasion. Groton Heights was one of the places selected ftir a fortification. The Groton patriots, ac- cording to Miss Caulkins, "With a spirit of en- thusiasm that did not wait for Iegislati\'e aid, \-oluntarily threw up intrenchments, excavated ditches, and erected breastworks and though Uiey had no ordnance, except a few pieces at the battery at the Heights, resolved to defend the position to the last extremity." Later the fort was finished and given the name of the Lieutenant Governor. Ledyard was the first actual commander, being appointed July, 1776. He later had charge of the forts on both sides of the river and at Stonington. A large number of men from Groton en- listed in the Continental army, the town car- ing for their families, Many of them were under Putnam at the battle of Bunker Hill. l'"ew were left at home to gather in the har- \ ests and defend the town which seemed of- ten in danger of an immediate attack, as many times British men-of-war were seen in the of- fing. At last on Sept. 6, 1781, came the dread- 10 HISTORIC GROTON til attack and a small garrison, aided by a few volunteers, were all who were left to meet the enemy. Bravely they fought and well, until, being obliged to surrender because of the over- whelming number of the enemy, the hero Led- yard was killed in the act of surrendering his sword, and such a massacre (followed that even the British officers could not endure the (JHOTON HEIIiH'rS (iliAMMAK S('HOIIL sight, one of them calling out to his men, ■"Stop, stop, in the name of heaven ! My soul cannot bear it." Many of those in the fight that day were very young men, several merely boys. Little Wm. Latham, called the "Powder Monkey," because he brought ammunition from the magazine to the soldiers, escaped in- jury and, being but twelve years old. was al- lowed to go free. Daniel Williams of Saybrook, a boy of fifteen, who was substituting for a neighbor belonging to the garrison, was killed, as was also Thomas .\very, aged seven- teen years, son of Park Avery, fighting bravely by his father's side. Belton Allyn died for his country at seven- teen and Thomas Starr at nineteen. Others might be mentioned as young, or but a little older. Sixteen of the defenders of the fort bore the name of .\very. Nine of them were killed, three were wounded and four taken prisoners. Fourteen of the brave men who died that day and three of the wounded were captains, having either belonged to the Conti- nental army or militia, or were captains of ships. In a letter written after the battle by Thomas Mumford to Gov. Trumbull, he says: "We have Lost the flower of this Town, both ir. oiiticers and respectable inhabitants. My house with the Chief of the others on the Bank are Burnt and many families Left desti- tute of food and Raiment." The village at this time had but one street, along by the ri\er, and when fourteen dwell- ing houses, four barns, two shops, two stores and one school house were burned, but few buildings would be left. The house of Ebene- zer Avery, to which the wounded were taken after being cruelly jolted down the hill, was set on fire, but the flames were extinguished in time to sa\-e it and the sufferers within. There were more than forty women of the Congregational church in Groton who that day were made widows, and no man was left at the ne.xt c(3mniunion to pass the bread and wine. .Notwithstanding all that the town had suf- fered, at the town meeting in November fol- lowing the battle it was voted to provide clothing for soldiers still in the field, and the ne.xt spring they voted again to send out more men, 1)ut the war soon closed making further (iKoTON HOUOl <;H hi :iLI(lN(i, TH.\MES STREET sacrifice unnecessary. Business of any kind was now at a low ebb, schools were poor, the church fell into a decadent state; some of its members not willing to be taxed to support religion, became Separatists, and held meet- ings in the historic Avery house. The Con- gregational church for thirteen years was without a settled pastor, when in 1811 Mr. Timothy Tuttle was installed over the two churches of Groton and North Groton. HISTORIC GKOTON i-! 'A (5 C3 eC r- 0) 12 HISTORIC GROrON In 1812 followed a second war with Great Railej^ who promptly dropped her flannel pet- Britain because of the impressing of seamen. ticoat and gave it to him with the wish that This town being the home of so many seafar- "the aim might be sure and the execution thor- ing men suffered in consequence. Again tho ough on the English." For this and other pa- P().ST UKKICE lrarl)or was l)]ocke(l ])y llritish men-of-war triotic deeds '"jMother Baile_v" was much and our own shipping went up the river. Fort lauded. Presidents and statesmen visited her Griswold was again manned. Rumors of an to do her honor. attack filled the air when one day Maj. Smith, From time to time after the wars with (ireat 1111; iiLli Ndirni LANK .SCIKIOLHOLSE who commanded the furt, found he lacked flannel for wadding for the guns, so sent out lor some. The stores and dwellings were for the most part closed, as the women and chil- dren had fled to places of safety, so none could be found until tlie messenger met Mrs. .\nna llritain had ceased scrs'ices were held, as in these da_\'s, on Sept. 6, in memor}' of the Bat- tle of (iroton Heights. .A noteworthy meeting was held in il~l |i|'.\( I-, I II Ml:> \\ll,l.l\\l II \l I \ I.K. I II AMES STItKKT KESIDEM'E (IK Ml{. THOMAS MINEK. ,M hich to live. In Dec, 1900, a petition was sent to the ( leneral Assembly of the state of Connecticut to create Groton Heights a borough, and a charter at the same time was asked by other |iarties for a Irolkw between (iriiton and W'est- erly. In ii;03 the borough was incorporated and about that time the trolle_\' was put through. The borough now owns its own water su])- ply and lighting facilities, the Groton Electric Light and Water Company ha\ ing sold its jilants to the borough. Mr. I'Tederic Bill has conferred a great gift upon Groton in establishing, building and maintaining a free public library, the "llill .Memorial Library." The beautiful building stands on a rise of ground under the shadow of the monument. The original building, wliich was dedicated in 1890, has lately been much enlarged. The book room was extended some eighteen or tw-enty feet and a large room intended for a museum was built at the north. In this room is now installed a large and rare collection of butterflies, another gift from Mr. ISill. who is much interestedin all nature stud- ies, also a fine collection of birds, the gift of his brother. Mr. Gnrdon Bill of Springfield. Mass. Beautiful jiaintings loaned liy Mr. Bill hang upon the walls. The building is lieauti- fully furnished and well lighted. The care- full_\- chosen books are by standard authors, new ones being added from time to time. Gro- ton people cannot too highly estimate the \alue to them of such a library. The .\nna Warner llailey Chapter, D. A. R.. l'a\e (lone much for the improvement of the \ illage in the \icinity of the fort and monu- ment. They have added a fine annex to the eld monument house. niSTOJilC GROTON 19 SB HISTORIC GKOTON UllKiE llnlSE, 1;KS11)EN('K (IF MK. MciKTON 1' ri.ANI ^ f - ^-yf^-:Mk. *^ ( "IT m I'tffliiiiVi '■''■' Vir'!'''^AV.I.!,' """ »"»i8 «S8S3 ssaiit ^'.^; liKSIDKXrE OF MR. MORTON F. PLANT. KASTKUN IMJINT Foruial <;;irden in the ForcjiTumul HJSTORIC GROTON Air. .ATni-ton F. Plant, wlin dwiis a fine es- tate here, e\'er since he came In (iroton has taken great interest in the place and done much for it. He has aided the D. A. R. in tiicir schemes for imprn\-inL;- the village. He hnilding' of colonial architecture, made of red lirick with stone trimmings, having offices in it for town clerk, judge of probate and the lioard of selectmen, and an auditorium for large gatherings. llol'Kl. (;l!l^^\V^l,l). K.\STKUN I'OINI'. KHKCTED I'.UIII-I'.KIT has done much fnr i mr highways, lately gix'ing On the day of the dedication a handsome $10,000 toward ilieir imprnxcment. His great- loving cup was presented to ]\[r. Plant by the est gift to the town is that nf the fine new townspeople as a token of their appreciation town hall at Poquonnock I'.ridge, erccte(i of his gift and their esteem and regard for the there l)ccansc that was the most central loca- d(-)nor. tion. It is a han(ls(imc and commodious HISTORIC GROTOX A Brief Sketch of the First Congregational Church of Groton By M. ADELAIDE RANDALL T is fitting that a liistory of the tiiwn ijf Groton should inckide a sketch of its h^irst Congregational Church, since that church had be- gun its work before Ciroton became legally distinct from New London, and for more than two hundred year^; has enriched the life of the community. \ church so ancient must ha\-e much in common with the history of the town which has grown up around it and a complete account of its pastors, its branches of work and forms of activity, its various houses of worship, and its members would in- clude a large part of the town history. Such an account would be very attractive, but in this short article much of interest must neces- sarily be omitted, and we must confine our- selves to a description of the formation and early history of that cliurch, and its three earliest meeting houses, and attempt to give only partial accounts of the lives of its pas- tors up to the year 1880. In 1687, while Groton was still a part of New London, it was voted in town meeting that the people on the east side should have, "liberty to invite the minister of the town to preach for them on every third Sabbath, dur- ing the most inclement months." In 1702 a separate organization was granted with the privilege of building a meeting house, thirty fi"^'e (35) feet square, of organizing a church and of hiring a minister whose salary should be 70 ])ounds a year. The year 1703 sn.v the erection of this meeting house at Center Gro- tiin near the juncture nf four roads, and to pay the expense of building, 300 acres of town land were sold. No pictures or descriptions of this church ha\e come down to us, but \vc know that it was in use until I7f>7, and that here the first four ministers preached. The first ])aslor. who wa^^ ordained on the eightli of NoN'ember, 1704, was Rev. Kiihraim W'ootlbridge, a graduate of Harvard college, lie appears to have been greatly respected and beloved by his people who made up practi- cally the entire population of the town. We find that within ten years his salary was in- creased to 100 pounds instead of the 70 pounds allotted to him, and that he was presented with a farm of one hundred acres, and it is fur- ther recorded that the town volunteered "to cut and cart his yearly firewood," substantial proofs of the esteem in which he was held by his flock. The church still cherishes one relic of his pastorate. In 1707, John Davie, a farmer and the first town clerk of Groton, came into possession of a vast English estate and baronetcy. Upon his departure for Eng- land he left a gift of six pounds to purchase |ilate for Wx. W'oodbridge's church. This gift has been preser\ed in the form of a handsome silver communion cup wdiich was used reg- ularly in our worship for nearly two hundred \cars. It bears this inscription: "The Gift of Sr John Da\ie to the Church of Clirist in Groton." On account of ill health Mr. \\'oodbridge ivas dismissed in 1724 after a pastorate of twenty years. .\t that time the church had eighty-four members. The second pastor was Rev. John Owen, also a graduate of Harvard. He was zealous ill ]>ronioting re\i\'als, and in the church rec- ords we find that during revival meetings as many as eight}' people w'ere received into the church in six months, the entries being ac- coni])anied b\' such ferxent phrases as: "Deus laudetur," "(iratia tihi Domine." and "Christu:^ triumphans." h'rom these same records, we are led to beliex'e that ]\Ir. Owen thought it fully as im|)ortant that his converts should continue in grace, for of March twenty-fourth. 1752. we find this entry: "At a meeting of the I'irst Cliureh of Christ in (Irolon, after prayer. HISTORIC GROTON 23 it was vulcd b)- the Cluircli that such members of this church, whom the church thought Delinquent and walked Disorderly, should be called to an account before the church." Then they voted particularly concerning eight mem- bers (whose names are givenj "that they be notified to appear before the church and give their reasons wh)- they had separated from the public worship and communion of the church." At a meeting in April, when the delincpients had reported, the record continues: "This church having heard all the reasons they of- fered, and considered and weighed them, voted that they looked ujion the reasons as altogether insufficient to justify them, and that their conduct herein was disorderly, sinful and very olTensi\-e, and that therefore they lie suspended from coniniuninn until they are convinced thcrenf and make (ii)S|iel satisfac- tion." This j)crsi)nal supervision 1)y the jiastor seemed to agree with the church, fur during his twenty-si.x years of ministry, two hundred and three members were added to this cungre- gation. Mr. Owen was tlistinguished for his lil)crality toward those who differed from him in points of doctrine, and he advocated relig- ii us tolerance to such a degree that in 1744 he was summoned before the .■\sseml)l\- for heresy. He was dismissed on the gnuuid that his fault was not due to contempt of law. Init rather to a misguided conscience and oxer- heated zeal. Mr. Owen died in 1753, and his tombstone graphically states: "Mail of God. H faithful seer, Husband, kind, a father dear .'\nd indeed a neighbor near Was he, whose clay is lodged here." The third pastor was Rev. Daniel Kirkland who remained here only four years, and of whose pastorate there are but slight records. lie was followed i)y Rev. Jonathan F.ar1)er, the last pastor who preached in the Center ( iroton meeting house. He was graduated from ^'alc in 17,^0, and for awhile lal)ored among the Afohegan Indians. AMien George ^^'hitefield first came to New England in 1740. Mr. Rar- ber was among the first to ofifer sympath\- and co-operation, and NMiiteficld believed him sent as an answer to [irayer: henceforth their friendship was mutual ami perpetual. After Mr. Rarber was settled in Groton, W'hitefield visited him on February sixth, 1763, and preached in the old meeting house. In the fol- lowing June he came again and preached from a scaffolding erected from the second story window of the liarber house. The area around was thronged with people who had come from miles about to hear him. So inter- ested were they, that large numbers followed liis carriage when he drove to Xew London. That was a great day for Groton ! After a pastorate of ten years, JMr. Rarber died and was buried in the Starr cemeter}-. At his simple funeral, there was neither hearse, nor coaches for the mourners. The honored re- mains were borne upon the shoulders of many TUK KINNK .MEf;TIN<: mUSK chosen pall-bearers, each taking his turn, while a long procession followed, walking. No dis- I'day of any sort was indulged in, but genuine were all the expressions of reverential sorrow and lo\e. .\t this time, 1767, the second meeting house came into being. The first that had been used lor si.xty- three years had fallen into disrepair and as Groton Rank was evidently increasing in |iopulation. it was decided to move in that direction. The situation chosen was the cross- road running north to l^leasant ^'alley, where it joins the village road that runs np the hill to the Miner homestead. The new building- was quadrangular in form, a substantial structure of white oak, well clap-boarded, vhich for seating capacity compared well with our present church. .\s it was painted 24 HISTORIC GKOrON but once during its existence of sixty-seven years, it grew black, and that name clung to it although it is known in history as "the Kinne meeting-house." It had doors on three sides, the east, west and south, and as one entered the south door he faced the quaint old pulpit, perched high above the congregation, with its huge sounding board. .K straight wooden bench at the back of the pulpit provided the minister's seat, and over his head was a small window. On each side of the center aisle were the high-backed pews; a boy's chin would just come to the top of (.>ne. l^\ery part of the inside work was of clear nati\c ])ine and none of its rich coloring was e\'er ilimnied b)' paint. Around the walls of the room, was a row of pews interrupted l)y the aisles from the side doors. A galler_y ran around three sides of the house, and in the front sat the singers under the leadership of five choristers. lUit all these leaders were sometimes unable to hold the congregation to the tune as lined : it would persist in singing the most familiar one. On such occasions the singing would sometimes be interrupted, "to get a fresh start," and sometimes it would be allowed to proceed with somewhat inharmonious results. At first there were no cushions, carpets or fire in this church, but about 1818, in the face of much op- position, a bo-x stove was placed in front of the pulpit. Oftentimes staunch opposers of this luxury would complain of the "intense" heat and of the discomfort caused by it, only to be told that there was not one bit of fire in the stove. Into this new church, in ij'x), came Rev. .\aron Kinne, "tlie pastor of the Uexcilution." It is a matter c>f deep regret that we ha\e very slight church records of his pastorate, but from other sources we can judge of the trials through which he and his people passed. In those stirring days religion was somewhat tinged with ])olitics, and on the Sabbath, the minister's sermon was very apt to deal with the wrongs which the American patriots were endurnu and to suggest some remedx' tor them. Hut ibis congregation was not to be contented with mcrch' discussing the matter; it was to have an acti\e part in the new-born nation's struggle. On September sixth, 1781, in the Battle of Groton Heights, every male member of the church, except Deacon Solo- mon ]^Iorg'an, who was then a very old man, was killed. To Mr. Kinne came the sad duty of consoling and ministering to sixt_\' widows and three times as man_\- orphans, all made such in one da}-. It was due to his faith and energy that the church survi\ed this stunning l)low. But his conflicts did not close with the war. in 1783, for the people made an effort to rid themseh'es of the English custom of sup- porting religion by taxation, and when they found Mr. Kinne opposed to the abolishment of that custom, many of the influential persons set up another religious meeting. For awhile, Mr. Kinne preached as a missionary in Xew \ ork state, hiring a supply for his pulpit at home, but soon amicable relations with the (Iroton church were restored and he completed his pastorate of twenty-nine years, the long- est in the history of the church. After the dismissal of Mr. Kinne, this church v,-as without a settled pastor for thirteen years, and during that period moral depravity ruled. "The village was a mciral waste." In 181 1, Rev. Timothy Tattle's ordination took place in the Kinne meeting house, and a new order of things began to prevail. He was made pastor of two churches, the one in Xorth Groton, now Ledyard, which had only five members ; and the one at (iroton Bank wdrich had twenty- seven. Mr. Tuttle preached to each congre- gation on alternate Sundaws, hut chose his home in Ledyard. He was exceedingly faith- ful to his charges, and on many a stormy .Sunday, he made his eight mile trip to the Lord's luiuse. \\ hen he was settleil, the country was preparing for its second great war with England, in behalf of free commerce and sailors' rights. This town suffered es- pecially, since it has always been the h<)me of so many sea-faring men, and while the river was blockaded by British war \essels, both pastor and people were sorel\' tried. During his pastorate of twenty-three }'ears, sixty-nine niemi)ers were added to the church and the first Sal)bath school was o]ienerl. so the church HISTORIC GROTON 25 appears to have been flourisliing. Un the sixth of September, 1821, ^Ir. Tuttle dehvered in the Old Fort the "anniversary sermon" which by request was published and is still extant, so that if any reader feels so inclined he may come into touch with this interestiuL; man, through his own writings. In 1834, at his nvvn recjucst, Air. Tuttle was dismissed from this church, in order that he might gi\c his time wholly to the North Church. ( )n Jiuie si.xth, 1864, he was called to his (lod, and from his monument in Ledyard, he ever says to his |)eo]ile in both towns, "Remember the words which 1 spoke unto you while 1 was }-et with \'OU." call on one of his parishioners and was to take tea with the cordial lady. We can imagine that for the occasion, "Grandmother's" flow- ing blue china had been brought out, her verv best preserves and cake placed on the table and possibly some very choice tea came down from its shelf in the ckjset, since it was an open secret that Elder Tuttle was x'cry fond of tea. During the dainty meal she in(iuircd siilicit- ously of her guest : "Elder Tuttle, is your tea right?" "There's no bad taste to it," replied the Elder simply. This seemed rather nnappreciati\e mitil the hostess peeked into her tea-]iot an ilson Alhn. The dedica- tion exercises were held on October sixteenth, 1902, the two hundredth anniversary of the founding of the church, the dedicatory ser- mon being preached by Rev. S. H. Howe, D. D., of Norwich from the text, "What mean ye by these stones." In June, 1908, Rew James R. Danforth, D. 1)., was installed as our sixteenth pastor and we sincerely hope tliat for many years he may li\e among us "that good, diffused, may more abundant grow." One can not study the history of this church without feeling that in many ways, it has lieen especially blest. It had a most noble ances- try of men antl women who were children of the best early settlers upon the shores of Mass- achusetts bay, and in whose veins flowed the best blood of the mother country. Sturdy in body, keen in mind and fervent in sjiirit. the}' gave to this church a splendid birthright. It has been enriched by an educated ministry. Its pastors have all been graduates of col- leges ; men of intellectuality and culture who have done much toward maintaining a high standard of living here in Groton. It has also noble descendants. From it have gone forth half a score of ministers, among thciu the first Episcopal bishop in this countr}- ; and man_v useful men and women in all walks of life have received their religious training from this church. \\ ith one of her pastors we sav, ■ \\'ith a past so full of blessing and attain- ment, may the future of this religions house- hold be grand in hol\- usefulness." HISTORIC GROTON 29 Groton Heights Baptist Church By REV. GEORGE R. ATHA CHURCH that was organized in 1843 t-annot boast of "hoary walls and ancient halls," especially if it is worshipping in the second building it has occupied since that (hilf. \\l the writer of this brief record being l'ri\ile,L;ecl from time to time to hold the cups and plates of the old pewter conininnion set, has thus been led to think of the brethren who ].artook of the elements of the sacrament therefrom, and he cannot but rejoice in their history. The stor\' is brief, covering but si.\ty-six years, and it begins thus: "A council called by certain brethren and sisters residing in the lijwns of (iroton, New London and Jewett City, f(_ir the purpose of giving them fellow- slii]) as a church, to be called "The Haptist Church at (iroton Hank,' convened at the house of Deacon Robert A. .\very on Thurs- day, March 16, 1843, 'I'ld organized at 11 o'clock a. m. After due inquiry into the cir- cumstances under wliich the church came into existence, the council voted 'That when the church shall adopt the articles and the cove- nant, we extend to it the hand of fellowslii]> as a church in ( lospel order." h'ollowing this action the council adjourned to meet in the meeting house for the public exercises, the Congregational church having kindly ofifered their house for the occasion. The church came together and in the presence of the congregation adopted their articles of faitli and covenant, after which the serxices proceeded as folows : Reading of Scriptures and prayer by Rex-. ]!. V . ITedden ; Sermon by Rev. Pi. Cook, text, Kphesians 2: 19-20; Prayer of Recognition by Rev. I.. Coxill : Hand of Fellowship by Rev. IT. R. Kna])]) : Charge to the Chtn-ch by Re\'. T. R. .Stoward : concluding prayer by Rev. E. Denison. Such is the story of the beginning of the church. At the time of the organization there were 51 enrolleil as mendjers of the church. Ser- \ ices were held either at the North Lane school house or in the school house of District No. I, But temporary cpiarters did not long satisfy this little company, whose buoyant, optimistic and progressive spirit is borne wit- ness to in the following paragraphs taken \-er- hatim from the church records: I. .\t a meeting held un Mareh J5th, 1843 (nine days after the organization was effected) it was voted: "That we circulate a subscription to build a meeting liouse for the church." _'. On the i8th of July, 1844, it was voted; "That the building committee be instructed to accept proposals and build a meeting house for the Groton Bank Baptist Clnn-ch, according to their best judgment." T,. In May, 1845, it was voted: "That our meeting house be dedicated 10 the service of Almighty God on the 4th of June, 1845. and that Elder Jabez S. Swan be invited to preach tlic dedication sermon." This first meeting house ser\-ed the church as its place of worshi]) from 1843 until 1872. It still stands on Thames .St., just where }'ou make the turn in going to the railroad station. It was remodelled and has been used for some years now as a dwelling. In 1871, during the second pastorate of El- der Allen, the church building was found too small to accommodate the cinigregation, so the subscription list was again circulated with the result that $4,500 was raised, which with the value of the church property made a work- ing capital of o\-er $6,000. .\ building commit- tee was appointed and the work pushed for- ward \-igorously so that on the nth of July. 1872, the building was finished and dedicated, the sermon on this occasion being preached l;y Rev. John Davies of Norwich. The church edifice has been well ke])t and is in a good state of preserxatiim. In 1S74 it was freed 3° HISTORIC GROTOX in nil (k'l)l Ml far as the building fund was concerned, and during that year also a hell was placed in the tower by eight of the breth- ren (if the clinrch. Tn-day the growth of the Bible school and the desire for a more conven- ient arrangement for classes is leading the trustees and other officers to think seriously as to how they can best rearrange the ves- trys to facilitate and make more efficient this N'igorous dejiartnicnt of the church's work. Counting the ]iresciit iiicuiiibcnt, it may be interesting to note that the church has had (luring these sixty-six years thirteen jiastors, while (Ml three different occasions there have in frame and in heart he gave a splendid proof (if his ministry. Two hundred and forty-three were added tn the church during his pastorates and his name will ever be honored in this com- munity. Re\-. E. T. Miller's pastorate was next in kngtli, covering a period of eight years and seven months, and next again in point of time was the pastorate of Rev. L. R. Sears, who rounded out six years with this people. Elder I'.alleiitine would come next with fi.nir and a third years of sjilendid achievement in both material and spiritual things, ^\"hile many of the pastorates were brief, (iod's blessing was (iHorox UKKiirrs u.vrrisT (Hi i{( ii been so-called supply pastors. The pastors were, in order, as follows: Reverends Ruther- ford Russell. .\. T. .Mien, (first jiastorate"). Isaac Cheeseborough, Edgar Hewitt, George ^Fatthew-s, Elihu Dewhurst, X. T. .\llen (sec- ond pastorate"). Xoyes W". Miner, D. D.. ( leorge R. Darrow, George N. Ballenlinc. E T. Miller. I.. R. Sears and George R. .\tha. The suppl\- pastors were E. Andrews, M. M. llaveii. and William .\. Smith. Of this group none can compare, of course, cither in length (^f service, or in their grip upon the clinrch and community, with Elder .\llen. who for a period of almost twentv vears guided the affairs of the church. Earge not wanting in them as the records attest. Es- pecially is this to be noted in the brief minis- tries of Revs. Rutherford Russell. Elihu Dew- hurst and Dr. X. W. Miner, who though here for but brief periods, respectively, saw eighty- four, thirty-two and sixty-one added to the church. Re\-. W. .\. Smith who served as su])- I'ly-pastor. gratuitously. t(->o. be it said, had his service of love honored by twent\'-eight Iieing added to the church while it was under his care. God has indeed honored his servants here, in that over six hundred altogether dur- ing these years ha\e been brought into the fel- lowship of the church, and all have been jirixi- leged to share, not only in the sowing of the HISTORIC GROTON 31 seed, but alsu in the reaping ot tlie harvest, 'i'he years 1845, 1848, 1872-73 and 1882 were \ oars marked by special nianifcstatiuns of s]jirilual puwer in the eonxersiun uf men. It would be a difficult thing to determine just where one ouglit to stoj) if he attempted to make mention of the men and women, who during these sixty-si.x years have sought by Inving and painstaking service in this church li' honor ( lod and ad\ance the interests of His king(l(ini. ilut there are two names that no one writing of the church would be able to omit, so indelibly ha\e they been written in the church's histor}'. The first of these names is that of Deacon Robert Austin Avery, through "whose untiring and self-den_\ing ef- forts this church had its birth." For nineteen years he served as senior deacon, seldom be- ing absent from the services though he li\'ed some distance from the church. He died De- cember 20, 1862. The church records during those nineteen years indicate that the heart and hand of Deacon Avery were ever mindful of the church, and that he abounded in evcr_\- good word and work. JJesides him was Dea- con Charles 11. Starr, who also was with the church at the beginning even though his name does not appear as a constituent member, lie was elected deacon in November, 1843, and served the church in that office for a period of sixty-two years. A quiet, simple, straight- forward, good man, his sincerity and virtue impressed his brethren in the church and also his neighbors and fellow townsmen. This record is all too brief to indicate what the ear- nest faith and piety of these brethren meant in the way of blessing to the church, but without such mention of them any record would have lo be marked incomplete. Of the allied and auxiliary organizations to the church, the Sunday school of course stands first in the hearts of the people. It has an en- rolled membership of about two hundred and fifty, with an average attendance of one hun- dred and forty. Its nineteen classes give op- portunity for students of all ages to share in L'lible-study, and it manifests an actixe inter- est in all the varied missionary and philan- thropic enterprises espoused by the church. Other organizations arc the Ladies' Mis- sionary Society, the Ladies' Benevolent So- ciety, and the Baptist Young People's LInion. These give ample opportunity for expression and participation in the varied lines of work, and all are proving helpful to the work of the church at large in practical ways and in pray- erful ways, in studious paths and in ])aths where time and talent must be sacrificed that the church may be sustained, and the blessed gospel preached both here at home and yonder across the sea. HISTORIC GEO TON The Bishop Seabury Memorial Church By REV. C. S. M. STEWART HE Rev. R. M. Duff of St. James' Cluirch, Xew I.i-: \i;i i:n \ii:mi ii;i \i 1 11 \i'i,i. It mix m scr\ice was conducted hv him during tlie following June and continued until ( )c- toher of that vear, when the Re\ . .Millidt^e Walker, the regular appointed missionary, assumed charge of the work. Success crowned the labor of the missionary and soon sufiticient funds had been obtained for the construction of the present church edifice. The Rev. Mr. Walker submitted plans drawn liy himself to a committee appointed liy the board of directors of the the missionary society of the diocese which were found to be satisfactory ami ground was broken on the 20th of July, 1873. The first service held in the church was on Christmas ex'ening of the same year, and there the congregation continued to worship until the following Whitsunda}", June 4th, 1876. The church building being still in an unfinished condition, the services were held for a brief period of time in Mechanics' Hall, where pre\iousl}- the congregation had met for worship. .\ completed and churchly structure awaited the return of the congregation on .Sunday. Au- gust 13th, 1876, and the Rev. J. F. Taunt was the officiating clergyman. The Rev. Mr. Taunt having lieen appointed priest-in-charge by the bishop of the diocese, entered ujion his duties September 3d, 1876. The last mentioned clergyman was followed by the Rev. H. T. Gregory wliose ministration began Afarcli (ith. 1878. The Rev. ^\v. Gregory rendered the important service of lifting a debt of $1,750.00 wliicli had |irevcnted the consecration of the church. On Tnesdav, September 13th, i88t. the church was consecrated and set apart for- ever for holy worship under the title of Sea- liur\- Memorial Church, in reverential respect to the niemorv of the Risht Reverend Samuel .'^eabur>'. D. D . the first bishop of the .\meri- can church ;in(l of the diocese of Connecticut, who was born in Groton. Xovembcr 30th. 1720. HISTORIC GROTON 33 The Missionaries in cliar,L;c have heen : 1. The Kev. K. ^[. Duft— Lent. 1874. to iStli Siuulav after Trinity. 2. The Rev. .MilHdge \\ alker— 18th Sunday after Trinity to Lent, 1876. (The Rev. C. H. B. Tremaine — .\sh \\ ethies- day. 1876. to Whitsunday.) 3. The Rev. J. Ferdinand Taunt — utii Sun- day after Trinity. 1876. to Lent. 1878. 4. The Rev. Henry T. Gregory — Ash Wed- nesday, 1878, to Holy Innocents. 1882. 5. Rev. t)rIando P. Starkey — Easter Day. 1883. to Lent, 1885. (The Rev. Peter L. Shepard — Lent. 1S85, to iitli Sundax after Trinitv.) 6. The Rev. James O. Ticknor — k\\\ connec- tion with St. Marks Parish. Mystic) — ttth Sunday after Trinity. 1885. to 8tii Sunday after Trinity, i88(>. 7. The Rev. William L. Peck — 17th Sunday after Trinity. 188(1, to 0th Sunday after Trinity, 18*^4. 8. The Rev. X. Alanson Weltou — 181)4 to i8<,K>. <> The Rev. Theodore M. Peck — i8o() to 1898. 10. The Rev. Paul F. Hoffman — ist Sunday after Trinity. i8t)8 to n;o2. 1902-1904 — The Rev. Millidge Walker. 1 904- 1906 — Sup])lies. 1906-1907 — The Rev. F. H. Stedman. 1907-1908 — The Rev. .\delhert McGinnis. 1908— The Rev. C. S. M. Stewart. 34 HISTORIC GROTON The Work of the Anna Warner Bailey Chapter, D. A. R. of Groton and Stonington By GRACE D. WHEELER IliOUT fifty years ago, tlicrc lived on the old Gershoni Lambert estate, near the borough of Stonington, Conn., a family 1)y the name of Day. Some years before they had left their home in Xew London, Conn., for New Orleans, La., where Mr. Day aceumnlated in business a handsouie fortune and upon returnnig north, for a summer home, saw and purchased this beauti- ful estate, later known as Walnut Grove or the Day Place. It is situated off the public road, but reached by passing through the gate at the lodge, where wending your way in a green meadow, under arching trees and over bridges, you reach at last, the handsome mansion budt there by Mr. James I. Day and beautified during his ownership, through the summer months and later, when he occupied it for the season. Here his family lived in luxury, entertaining friends and bringing not a little social distinction to Stonington. .\mong this family of several l)eautitul daugh- ters, was Abby, wdio married Cuthbert Harrison Slocomb, the wedding occurring amid nuich hap- piness in this house and later they went to live in Xew Orleans. After travelling much abroad and at home and experiencing many eventful e])i- sodes in social life, bearing w'ith fortitude the loss of her husband and with equal equanimity, the happy marriage of her daughter, to Count Di. Brazza Savorgnan of Italy, Mrs. Slocomb came back in later years, to her early home in Stonington and visited friends, while seeking a beautiful location for a home, which she found at Groton, Conn., where, after combining two or- dinary houses into the one modern and unique design, which stands there today, on Monument street, she named it "Daisy Crest over Groton." Perhaps living in the very shadow of Groton Heights' towering granite monument and conse- (|uently nearby Old F(.)rt Griswold, with its glo- rious and patriotic, but ghastly historic memory of Revolutionary days, was the cause of imbuing Mrs. Slocomb with zeal in the service of those Revolutionary descendants, who formed October nth, i8yo, in Washington, D. C, the National Society of The Daughters of the American Rev- olutiini. Certain it was, that she responded promptly to the call for help, which came to her from Mrs. H. \'. Boynton, \'ice-President Gen- eral, in charge of the organization of chapters, who desired that daughters of the heroes of the Revolution should assist in forming chapters in every city, town and county of Connecticut, which should foster patriotism and education in the principles of our government and also preserve the unwritten history of the struggle for inde- pendence that our ancestors endured. ?klrs. Slocomb came at once to Stonington seek- ing members for this new society and called at my home to secure help in tracing those eligible to membership. Thus my name stands first after the Regent, as the second charter member. In August, i8red photographs of the flags to the military and various libraries and societies at a cost of $250. We also published a booklet by Miss Benjamin on local histor}'. I'ixe large volumes, given by Mrs. Slocomb, were filled with a cartoon history of the Span- ish-.American war, prepared 1)_\' (lur historian, .Mrs. Ira Hart Palmer of Stonington, and sometime after Aliss Emma W. Palmer of Stonington completed a numjjer of volumes of cartoon history of the same war. The C. A. R. did a large amount of relief work during this war and two of their number became sol- diers of Uncle Sam. Our chapter was honored by d request from Washington to have its work, the state flag and monument house, forwarded as a report to the Smithsonian Institution, this being the first report including D. A. R. work, published at the expense of the government. It contained thirty plates, one of which was the monument house. In 1899, two of our silk flags were presented to the Third Regiment at Camp Lounsbur\' and in this year, plans were made to add to the monument house, a large hall, 47 by ij feet and one-third higher than the present building, to be called the Memorial .\nnc\ in memory of our heroic dead of the Spanish-American war, the first monument to be raised in the state to that cause. At this time, news of the assassination of King Humbert was learned with feelings of sorrow by the world. Our chapter, through the kind thought of Mrs. Slocomb, had Tiffa- ny prepare a most exquisite and appropriate memorial album, with the arms of Italy and illuminated lettering, on delicate white vellum, with siher and gold mountings, containing parchment leaves to be inscribed bv the offi- cers and mend^ers of each Connecticut chap- ter, and with the national officers also, ex- pressing to Queen Margherita, of Italy, the love and support of the patriotic American women. The volume was presented by the Countess Di Brazza, who was granted a long and delightful audience at the Queen's court. Before the Queen's reply had reached us our own jjeloved President had been shot and was l_ving wounded unto death. ( )ur chapter sent a letter of sympathy to Airs. AIcKinley, and later upon the President's death extended ap- propriate resolutions. Mrs. Slocomb made many appeals to Con- gress to secure the protection and adornment of the old forts, those important relics of the .American Revolution, and at last the point was gained. Instead of selling off the guns, ordnance and buildings of Fort Criswold, and then dismantling the fort, the old battleground was converted into a memorial park owned Ijy the State of Connecticut and in care of our chapter. All the guns, eleven cannon and pro- jectiles and 2000 cannon balls were donated to this chapter by the secretary of war, to deco- rate the park. Through the hearty co-operation of Miss May \\'illiams of Xew London our chapter be- came the custodians of one of Cncle Sam's Spanish-American war trophies, a gun from the Admiral Cervera's flagship, the "Alarie Theresa," which fired the first shot in the na- val battle of Santiago. So on the western slope of Groton Monument grounds the trophy can- non was mounted on its carriage on a substan- tial stone foundation, even the shield which protected it on the flagship being sent l)y the 40 HISTORIC GROTON goveninient. On June 17th, 1902, a great cel- ebration was held in Groton by the Anna Warner Bailey chapter and their friends. Capt. Richard P. Hobson, the orator of the day, was escorted by detachments of the va- rious local national organizations to Groton Heights, where the day proved an unqualified success, from the planting of the Constitution- al Oak, by little Cassie X. Bailey, to the un- veiling of the gun which Capt. Hobson des- ignated as an old friend, he having helped to raise it from the deck of the Theresa after the Ijattle of Santiago. He also said that he Revolution for the purpose of raising money to purchase land for a monument park. Later ^Ir. Morton Plant placed there a fountain, as a memorial to Capt. ^^'illiam Latham, who once owned the land, and was in the Revolu- tionary war at Groton Heights. At the un\eiling of the fountain a most in- teresting historical paper on the subject was written and read by Master Joseph A. Copp. Some months after work for the Colonial Dames, relative to descril)ing the old Colonial houses, was taken up by Miss Emma \V. Palmer. Miss Julia Copp and myself. THK MONIMKNT HOISK would "rather lie horn a citizen nf the I'nited States than a crown ])rince nf the proudest country in the world." President Roosevelt also having taken mucli personal interest in sa\-ing the old forts to our cha])ter, a \-ote of thanks was tendered him with a gift of a large and beautiful basket of red peonies. Mother r>ailey's favorite flower. Shortly after this our regent was appointed a member of the site committee, regarding the ])roposed Continental Hall to be built at Washington, D. C, and she had the honor of selecting the accepted location, an ideal spot in e\-er}' respect for this "Home of the Daugh- ters," on 17th St.. near the White House. In .\ugust a concert was gi\-en under the auspices of the Daughters and Children of the Our chapter was authorized to erect a me- morial annex on the east side of the present monument house, and a committee of six la- dies was appointed to supervise Fort Gris- wold's memorial park. The necessary $8,000 lo accom]ilish this task, seemed an almost im- possible amount to raise. The building was designed to harmonize with the old house and carried on to successful completion with eye- l>row windows and a Jonathan Brooks me- morial window at the east. Alcoves and fire- jiroof rooms, with a janitor's room, and cases to hold and protect loaned and donated an- ti(|ues, were designed for this museum, and much of the furniture was given. In Xoveniber, 1903, l^irt Griswold which was built by the slate, during the Re\-olution- HISTORIC GROTON 41 ary war and transferred to the United States Sentiment cnlniinated in a grand fair, which in 1813, now again became the property of netted $260. This, though a great lielp, was in- the state. Fort Griswold was no more. Shortly adequate, and when in October Mrs. \\'hitman after the C. A. R. and the school children of announced to the chapter that the remaining Groton raised a flag in Fort Griswold Memo- $2,000 had been given by Mr. Morton F. rial Park, the exercises being attended by our Plant, great was our rejoicing, as the gift was chapter, .\fterward, as Mrs. Slocomb's health entirely spontaneous and unsolicited. A trib- niade it necessary for her to lay aside many "t*^ o^ thanks to him should be here recorded duties, she tendered her resignation as regent ''>' ^^'^ ^"'^a Warner Bailey chapter, for his and Mrs. Clara B. Whitman was elected to tl'""8httul aid, prompted by his generous the position, which she tilled most acceptably. Mrs. Whitman began her work by asking heart in this patriotic work. We also record another gift of a memorial plate of l)lue and white china, designed bv John Tolcott .Vdams, the war department to turn over to the rort . ,• ^ ^ , ' , representmg Col. Ledvard. Griswold Commission, fiye gun carriages, \i/.. : w -.i .1 ■ 1 1 r,- ' ■ , ^ ^ \\ ith this load oft our minds, attention was Four barbette carriages for 8-inch Rodman ,i;r„„,„,i ^^ ,-o;-;„,, „ , , r ^1 1 r f directed to raising money for the purchase of gun, front pindle, and one barbette carriage .i,„ tr,,-»o i.f~ „„ ^i, .. -1 r .1 r . " ' ' ■ '=' tne tluee lots on the east side of the fort, for 20-pounder rifle, front pindle. They were „.i,;„i, ,.„„,,,■,-.. 1 - » • 1 .. \ i ^ •• ■ wliicli lequired as our regent said, .\ long already on the grounds and sodn became mir ,,,,11 ,, ..t,.„,,„ .^,,11 .,„ , ",, n ^ ^1 •• »" •^ pi"l, A strong pull and a pull all together. At property. 1^^,^ ^\^^ annex was entirely completed and the In 1904 we note the presentation to the ,„„„. anticipated opening day, June 28th 1907 State of Connecticut of a turnstile supported arriyed, bringing sunshine and blue skies for l)y cobble pillars, placed in the north wall of the manv guests, who came to d<^ honor not the lower fort, near the new highway, for file ,,„,,. j,, t,,^, patriotic dead, but to the patriotic perpetual continuance of a footpath through ,i,.i„j,._ ,,.,„, ,^.^,1 ^^,,,^,.^,1 ^,_, assiduously for he the forts, from north to south. A handsomely consummation of this work. painte.l sign was also placed at the foot of , ,„ _,,.,,^, j^^^.^ „^^.^^ ^^,^,,^ j,^^, ,,,,^,^^,^ j^^ ^^^^ School street, pointing the wa\ to the monu- ,„i| ,.,,,, .],„. .i,„ ;„f,,.- r ,1 1 -i ,• ' '^ • leii \ou, mat tlie interior of the building is '"^"'■' \vcll adapted to showing the relics. The roof Mrs. Whitman had now an ardu.ms task j, i,;^,^ ^,,,1 j,,^ ^,,,-,„^ ^^.^„ ji„.,^j^^, ^,^^ ^^.^,,_^ upon her heart and hands, to raise the neces- are ^h desi)otism, v\as submitted to the people, (Iroton cast a unanimous vote in its favor. Of the ultimate HISTORIC GROrON 49 elTect of the movement on the fortunes of the village we have spoken in our introduction. The division of the town, in 1725, into two ecclesiastical societies, the northern one corre- sponding to the present town of Ledyard was another blow at its prestige as a town center. In the tempestuous revival period, historically known as the Great Awakening, and continued in an intermittent way from 1741 to 1744, the two great leaders of the movement Parsons and Da\enport, preached there to open air con- gregations great in numbers, considering the widely distributed population from which they were drawn. Between 1720 and 1740 there was brisk land trading in which the Avery family, moving up from the lower Poquonnock valley along the Great Brook on the west, and the Smiths from the eastern shore of Poquonnock Lake, large- ly participated. Conspicuous in these deals were Thomas Dunbar and Samuel Cunning- ham who were among the earliest residents in the place. Samuel Daboll from East Hamp- ton, Long Island, became a resident in 1715. Joseph Belton came from Xew^port about 1725 and commenced buying upon a liberal scale, establishing his home near the foot of Candle- wood Hill on the northern side of the post road. Scarcely a trace of its site now remains. Later his son, Jonas Belton, erected the Belton Tavern in the clearing a half mile west of the corners, a building which was one of the land marks of the region for generations, and finally jierished 1)_\- the torch of an incendiary in 1852. Houses, mostly of small dimensions, arose on every hand in the suburbs, of which none are left and the names of the occupants even are no longer familiar. At the time of great- est expansion the smoke of nearlv a dozen chimneys ascended from as manv clearings amid the woods of Candlewood Hill. The for- est lias for the most part reclaimed its own, and even the deer has returned to browse by the springs whose once generous flow was the ]M-ime attraction to the sturd}- pioneer. The Meeting House ceased to be used for church purposes in the year 1768. It was taken down at the beginning of the Revolution, and a few of its interior panels used in the con- struction of the dwelling of Charles Smith, now the Daboll homestead, are all that reiiiain of it to-day. With the exception of the vener- able parsonage, whose history we have al- ready traced, the latter is now the oldest house ill the place. It was purchased in 1805 by "Master Nathan" Daboll of Sergeant Rufus Avery of Fort Griswold fame, and is a house of many memories. "blaster Daboll" whose name is linked in the educational annals of the country with those of Xoah Webster and Lindley ]\Iurray, was born a few hundred yards to the north and had received a part of his early education at the hands of the Reverend Jonathan Barber, but in the mathematical field in which his rep- utation was acquired, was a self taught man. He was fifty-five years of age when he settled down in the home wdiich was to shelter him in his later blindness, but his famous Navigation School was continued under its roof by himself and his son Nathan, and in an intermittent fashion by his grandson also. The Almanac issues, begun by him in 1773, have regularly gone forth from its office now for one hundred and four years. Of other associations we may later speak. The opening of the Revolutionary period found the place shorn of the most of the promi- nence thrust upon it at the beginning. Equi- distant between the church departed on the west, and the already veneraljle Eiaptist Meet- ing House on the east, it was an ecclesiastical center no longer. Nor was it a political center unless the occasional meetings of the town fathers at Belton's tavern had served to keep its title clear. The town had been formally divided into school districts in 1770, of which it was the first in number. In point of attend- ance it was also the first, but there was no edu- cational center now. It was, in appearance, as 'X ahva\s has been, a straggling village, but the many suburban homes of wdiich we have spoken probably swelled its po]nilation to a number greatly in excess of the present one. No post office was established anywdiere in the town until the }ear 1812. Correspondence was a luxur}- indulged in by few. The post- 5° HISTORIC G HO TON man rode, and the lumbering stages jolted at long intervals over what was now the King's Highway, and tired travellers refreshed them- selves at the tavern where "Xews much older than the ale went round." Some of the young men were early at the front in the battle for lifierty. one or two of them to remain there until the last gun was fired, but it was not till near the end of the strife that its blii(i(l\- spray was dashed into the \erv midst nf the hamlet. In the battle ami massacre at I'ort (iri>\\(ild on the si-xth of Septend)er, 1 781, the town of droton l(_)St more of her sons in one day than in all the other vears of the war put Ingcther: and to the list of \iclims Center (initnii contributed her full share. C)f seven persons who an- swered to the alarm i>uns on that fateful morn- l^'^^^r Eh i^i^^ W^lk /j ■H^nQ^ k -'V '■F^SnT^' «# jmH Mz*>(^R ^^^^1 ■H ^Ei HH^Bf "MaT^^^^H ^ fli:- ■^^^^-^■- THK OLD HARBKl; HOTSE WIuTo AN'hitftield I'veaclieil irig, but one escaped unhurt, and that one was carried away to face the dangers of disease and star\-ation on a prisi>n ship at New York. The oldest victim of the butchery, James Comstock. seventy-five years of age. was a \isitor at the home of his son-in-law. Xathan- iel Adams. Jr.. at the foot nf Candlewood Hill. The two went forth together, died together, and in the bitter chaos which followed were burietl in a common gra\e U])i)n the farther side of the Thames. The laurels belonging to the younger of the two have been for genera- tions mistakenly laiil upmi the grave of Na- thaniel .\dams, ."^eniur. who took no part in the battle, and who was buried years after- wards among the (iungywamp hills. Corporal Edward Mills answered the sum- mons from what is now known as the "Brown [■"arm" in the woods beyond the Great Brook northwest of Belton's tavern. Brave Anna Warner, his foster daughter, (the Mother Bailc}' of later stiir}- ) . hurraing tn the fort the ne.xt morning, found him still living, and re- turning to their stricken hume, 1)rought his wife to his side to see him die. Peter .\\-ery. aged seventeen, sallied forth frmn Belton's la\ern, jirobably accompan_\-ing Lieutenant larkc .\\ery, Jr.. who took with him aNd his son. Thomas, another boy of se\enleen from their home at Dunbar's Mill on (Ireat llrook at the west. The son earl\- in the acliim was slain at hi.s father's side^ the lieutenant horri- bly mangled and disfigured b\' British bayo- nets, sur\i\-ed his wounds for forty years to die finalK' in the original .\.\ery home on l'o(|uon- ncick I'lains. The boy I'eter, taken prisoner re- turned frnm the hell of the ])rison ship, lived lung at the lielton place an active farmer and trader, and ended his days in 1S45 in the fam- ous old house east of Candlewnod Ilill long known as the "llarry Xiles Tavern" and cele- brated as the scene of later "training" and barbecue. John l)alioll. Jr. (whose naiue is more or less confounded with that of another John, a brother of Master Nathan, who served in the Continental army from 1776 until it was final- ly disbanded), resided a few hundred yards^ west of the Great Brook. \\'ounded in the l.)at- tle he was saved from death in the massacre through the humane intervention of a Tiritish officer whom he was wont to describe in his old age as "The handsomest man I ever saw." "Squire John" was a familiar figure in churcli and town aft'airs for forty-four years after- wards. Our sketch, already too extended, must has- ten to its close. I'rom the Revolution down to the present, occasional happenings, not at all exciting in their character, attract the atten- tion of the annalist. The principal, and fir a time the only pli_\sician of any note in the town, made Center Groton his home earl_\- in the nineteenth centur\-. and the house 1)uilt by him at the junction of the Ledvard and (iale's HISTORIC GROTON 51 r'erry roads is still one of its landmarks, changed its title only after the elder Poqiion- though no one of his name has dwelt in it f(ir nock had had a dozen years in which to get more than half a century. Dr. John Owen accustomed to the modern name, which for Miner, grandson of the Ive\-. John Owen of be- convenience we have applied to it from the linked memory, was a well known figure in his beginning of this narrative, clay and generation. The opening of the Providence and New About the beginning nf the century the London turnpike, begun in 1818, made Center llale_\- homestead at the corners was built by (iroton a way station upon a busy stage thor- Kussell Smith. It was long an inn before it oughfare, and the building in the same rear of was purchased liy the Hon. Elisha Haley, an- the first woolen mill in the town on the site of other i)rominent citizen, wlm was bnth pdli- Dunbar's Mill, by the corporation kmiwn as tician and man of affairs for forty odd years. the Groton Manufacturing Co., attracted nu- "Master Xathan" Daboll died at the home- merous operatives, who recruited its d win- stead in iSiS. Three years later his son Xa- dling suburban population and revived to than, uhii was all his life a man of aft'airs. was some extent its waning trade. The mill diil elected town clerk of (iroton. From 1821 to a thriving business for many \-ears, Init shut 1837, the town records were kept in his office down in the aftermath of the panic of 1837, and and frcim 1839 tn 1843 the probate records as v.as destroyed by fire a few months later, well, during his incundiency, first as clerk and The post office, after nearlv seventy vears l;;ter as judge. lie also served in both of varying activity, was finally discontinued Ijranclies of the legislature as did his son, on the first day of Xo\-ember, 1902. Two in- David A. Daboll of honored memory. "Scpiire tersecting rural free delivery routes serve to Xathan" died in the old homestead in 1863, keep the inhabitants of the village in touch and his son in 1895. with the outside world. The telephone like- I'"or a time the lost prestige of Center Gro- wise cheers its solitude, but the troUev has ton as a political center seemed likely to be jia.ssed it by. The state is doing its best for renewed. I'.ut an attempt in 1831) to secure it it by making of the long defunct turnpike, through the erection of a town honse near the whose traffic was diverted l)v railroad and site of the meeting house of colonial days, steamboat more than fift^' \'ears ago, a finer was unsuccessful, and the setting ofl: of the highwa_\- than the original projectors e\er Second Society as the town of Ledyard in the dreamed of. Its neat and commodious chapel hamc year left it no longer e\-en a geographi- suggests that the sjiiritual interests in wdiose cal center. This was three years after it had behalf it was foiuided over two hundred years recei\-ed its belated christening l)y the estab- ago, are in nowise neglected. It is not, like lishment of its post office on the thirtieth of the "Sweet Auburn" of ( ioldsmith's melodious January, 1833. with tiilbert A. Smith as its numbers, a "Deserted Village:" but one of first [jostmaster. ^iiuilar memories, born upon the threshold of Incidentally we remark that the post office a \anishing era; which for obxious reasons i!ow known as Poquonnock riridge. dating has been unable to keep ])ace with an e\er Irom 1841, was first called "Peciuot," and hurrying procession. HISTORIC GKOTON Poquonnoc Bridge By MRS. CYRUS AVERY and REV. O. G. BUDDINGTON 111"', \illa,L;c' I if roquunnuck IJridge is \ery pleasantly situated in the southern part of the town of (Pro- ton, about two miles east of the Groton and New Lnndmi ferry, at the head of the river bearing its name. The river connects it with the waters of I'isher's Island Siiund, ahuul twci miles distant. This siream with its natural beaut}-, and with ils facilitv for transportation, makes a UK.ist de- sirable location fnr the xilla.^e. .Vdded to this the (Irdtdii and .Su iiiinj;tnn Trolley Co.'s line running directly through the village, and the station of the Xew York, New Haven & Hart- ford railroad lea^"e nothing mure to be desired St'HOOLHorSE Oldest in Town for transportation facilities. The population consists of about one hundred families, for the most part consisting of resident, English speaking people, there being but an exceeding- ly small per cent of foreign element, ofifering a most favorable contrast to the modern Xew England village. .\s far as can be ascertained the first settlers ii; what is now the village of Poquonnock came from New London in the year about 1652-53. About this time Mr. James Morgan occupied a grant of land and built a house on a site near the ^-illage and near a house built later which has successively passed tlirough si.x generations of James ^Morgans. .\l)(_)Ut the same date Nehemiah Smith came fi'iim Xew I.I null in, and built on what is now known as the Smith homestead, near Smith's lake. This house was destroyed by fire dur- irig the Rexolntionary war, and a great grauil- son at a later date built over the cellar of the former building, and this house is standing at the present time and is occupied by descend- ants of the family. Smith's Lake, and Smith's cemetery are familiar sites and date back to those days of long ago. About the same date of 1652-53 James .\very was granted land situated west of the village and built what has been known as "The Hive of The Averys." The central portion of the house with later additions stood for above 250 years, being destroyed by fire Jul\- ,^oth, 1894. This interesting building was a land mark for generations, and its accidental destruction was greatly and generally regretted. The beauti- ful Avery Memorial Park and shaft now mark the site of the ancient building. These early settlers were men of sterling character, and occupied prominent places in shapin.g local and colonial affairs not onh- in their own locali- ties but in the colonies as well. Farming, railroading, and sea food produc- tion, are among the leading industries. Many large and fertile farms are found in the out- Iving districts, whose owners maintain them in high efificiency through moilern and up to date methods. Probably, what is known as the Gardner farm lying along the east bank of the river extending from its head to the sound, is the largest in the county, if not in the state. Railroading is a more recent industry, hav- ing been introduced with locating the exten- sive freight vards of the New York, New HISTORIC GROTON S3 Haven and Hartford railroad about the station which has been changed from Poquonnock to Midway as it is about half way between New York and Boston. In addition to the freight yards, the erection of a round house, coal pocket, ice house, and hotel has furnisucd employment for hundreds of men many of whom make their homes in the village. I'^rom time immemorial Poquonnock ri\-er and the adjacent waters of the sound have loeen reaches back to its earliest settlement. Here Elder Park Avery established a "New Light Congregational Church" in the days of White- field and his zealous coadjutors. The church declined as he grew old, but religious efforts were contimied. After a time a Sunday school was estab- lished and maintained which has continued to this day. The church which grew out of the Sunday school was constituted .\ugust i8th, I'di^l (l.\N(>( KKlIx noted for their abundant supply of sea food, both scale and crustacean. This has furnished occupation fur many, and members of certain families have followed it through successive generations until the highest skill and success has been attained. C)f more recent date the culture of oysters has been intrciduccd by pri- vate enterprise through the laying DUt and stocking of beds in the ri\cr. The history of Pocpionmick P.ridge P>aptist Church as such begins with the year 1856, l)ut the history of the Christian work on this field K AMI (HI i;< H 1856, witli twenty-five members. Rev. S. B. Pailex- was the first pastor, and continued with tlieni a]:)Out eighteen months. The next was Rev. George Mixter followed by Revs. Alfred Gates and John E. Wood who raised a com- ]iany of volunteers and went with them to the >>ar. Xext comes Re\'. Thomas Dowling fol- lowed liv Pevs. Curtis Keeney and William .\. Smith. Through the earnest faithful work of mem- bers, with the help of outside friends, the mone}' was raised for a new and larger church 54 HISTORIC GKOTON edifice, dedicated November 8th, 1871, with The church has a handsome Avery memo- Rev. Louis Sands as pastor. He \vas succeed- rial window presented by Jeremiah Harris of ed by Elders William A. Smith, Stephen Per- (iroton. whose mother was Alary Averv Har- kins, E. C. Miller, George \\'. Pendleton, C. E. ris. The fiftieth anniversary of the organiza- 11,1 > A\ l-.l: \ llciMhM I.AM Tullar, X. T. Allen, and F. H. Cooper. Re\'. lion nf the church was approjiriatelv celebrat- ( ). ("i. I'.uddingtnn the ]5rcsent pastor was a cd .\ugust njtli, igoO. (iroton boy, a graduate nf the Mystic \'alle}' I'he jiresent number nf mendiers is \ii. The A\'KU\ Mi:.M(ii:i Ai. I- \i;k Institute in 1S77. He ^upi.jjied the chr.rch from 1904 tn 11)07. \\hen he acce])ted a call to the pastnrate. nrticers are as fnlloAs: Clerk, l)aniel .Morgan; deacons. C\ru> .\\ery, William T. I'.urrows. (diaries C. Palmer: treasurer, C\rus .\\er\-. HISTORIC GROTON il A good graded school, well filled with pupils, j^robate judge, selectmen, with a large hall with a building centrally located is one of the for public meetings, and is thoroughly up to indispensal)le accessories to the intellectual date in its construction, and appointments. KKSIDKNCK tiTli I'.iilil Jiiil I.umt l'.ic|iiiiiiiiiic r.i:iil, jMt. 'riiciiiwiB pmiliiisiMl this Ijinl in isi;:. ol IMik \\ illi;iiii Avirv, lu-iiiK the snntliiTii purtiiin of llir (Mini kiinwii :is ■■ I'.inli I'hiins," niiil ii I'll il linni lln- Inl".' i>ii till' risi' III' fjiiiiiiiil :it tlw nmlli nl tin- Inriii ■■ On wliirh Hinli HcM'k likr ;i \^\'m\ j;iant stanils CovelL-il \ulll liiiiss :iiitaiii .lanii's A vii v. lo » 1 il was y;rantr(l in IGfvJ lilc nf the \illagc. The erection nf a new A race track wiih all necessary accompani- schiiiil hnusc al iiresciu is an agilalcd (|ues- incnts for athletic spurts and a riHe range es- tiiin. tablished l)y the state, for the iiractice of the A bcanlifiil and ciMiiiiindious tmvn hall has State militia, are ainnn"- th e many acquisi- GKOTON TOWN HALL recently been erected at a cost of above $25,- tions, pointing to a desirable and central loca- 000, thriiugh the generosity of Mr. Morton tion, and to an extensi\-e outlying domain, bv F. riant, a resident of the town. This mag- m. means }et exhaustetl, but invitingly open rificent building contains offices for town clerk, to future enterprise and growth. S6 HISTORIC GROTON Picturesque Noank By MARY E. BURROWS h)A.\K lies on the X. Y., N. H. & II. railroad, sex-en miles east Lif Xew London, on the point reach- ing;- out to the waters of Long Is- land siiund, where the Alystic river en-ipties into them. The scenery is son-ie of the most picturesque on the Atlantic coast. At the south lies the broad expanse of blue water of Long Island sound, bmken at the southern horizon by Fisher's Island as a sky line for the in-m-iense picture. Between that and the main land are dropped here and there Noank, or "Xauyang," has no hazy history, but clear cut and defined from the da\-s of 1614, si.x years before the landing of the I'il- grims. This was the sun-imer camping ground where the Pequots can-ie from their interior winter quarters above Mystic and Fort Hill (then Pequot Hill). Their nets, made of wild hemp, set across the north cove, gathered in the plentiful suppl}- of fish, or from their ca- noes they speared them, and caught the other game of the waters. The whole long sun-m-ier they ro\-ed independent and happy, gorging >i().\NK CENEKAI. \-IKW smaller islands of variiius shapes and forma- tions, some like round, green dumplings, some of solid rock, barren but grand, and some with rank vegetation with dwelling houses showing their bright colored roofs an-iongst the ver- dure. The widened n-iouth of the river forms a broad, safe harbor, and with the deep chan- nel makes Xoank's ship|)ing- facilities of great \alue. This is the "Xauyang" of old Indian cays, meaning according to Prof. Eno of Yale, "a point of land." themselves with the good things of the salt waters provided l^y nature in such bountiful cjuantities. Then, when the autumn came, Itack again inland where their corn had been growing all this while, back to business again, like other summer sojourners of modern tin-ies. to their idling, hunting, their intriguing, and preving on their brother neighbors. And Xau- yang was left to its fall beauty, its stillness and solitude, with only nature's own noises. The trees whispered softly, the sn-iall game HISTORIC G HO TON 57 scuttled here and there in search of food ; the squirrels chattered or scolded at each other as the case warranted, while they cunningly tucked their winter stores in the trunks of trees or the ground. The birds called each other together for their winter migration, and took their southward flight, and Xauyang was so still, so calm, so beautiful, while the blue waters of the great ocean rolled in through "Wiccopesette and broke with a swish — swish — lap — laj) on the east shore. And mi the west shore of "the point of land." it gurgled in and out among the rocks, then ran laughing out come down from Ledyard with their baskets for sale. In the lottery, the point where the light- house stands was drawn by James Morgan, hence its name. Alorgan Point light. The land where the little old house stands, the home of Rev. A. J. Potter, and owned by his grand- father, Thomas Potter, in Revulutionary times, v,as drawn by John Davie first town clerk of Groton. who afterwards succeeded to his ti- tle. Sir John Davie, and returned to England tr his title and estates. .\s the arri\-al bv water is much more beau- '!*^i''. STKEKT SCKXK. again to the cove, and found its way to the sound. Xauyang, ever beautiful, whether in the year 1614 or Xoank of the 1900s. ;\fter the raid of John Mason on the Pe- quots, and their dispersion, some of them finally wandered back to Nauyang, where they settled with "Cassasimamon" as their chief, until lb(^y. when they were sent to a reservation in the town of Ledyard. The land, in 1712, was drawn by the whites b_\- lottery, allowed and sanctioned by the Hartford as- sembly. The Indians were granted the right of hunting and fishing at .Xauyang as before, and as late as 1857 would make summer camp there for a short time, and in the early 60s tiful than the prosaic way by railroad or bv Irolle}-, let us trim the sail, ])Ut up the tiller, and rounil lighthouse ])oint. the extremity of "the point of land," and take a general view of the coast line of the town, which is Iniilt on both sides of a hilly ridge running nurthward about one mile. The shore line furnishes the best view of the industries of the place, so we will sail to the north dock and begin our ob- servations from there. As we swing slowdy to the wharf, we find that all is bustle and hurry, for some of the most hustling captains (if tlie community ha\e just arri\-ed with large cargoes of fish to be iced and prepared for shipment to Xew York. The wharf presents HISTORIC GROTON a grand mix-up of rubber boots, squirming and flopping fish, ice, barrels, liig strong hands and jokes. Every moment now must count that they may catch tb.e not train out. In a few hours time }'ou may see these same men lounging like Inrds of leisure, or slowly spin- ning some sea yarn, as though there was no liurry in the world ; but now it means get their fish to market, the Sdoner the better, the more money to them. The cargoes of these vessels, with things fa\-orable, represent a financial value of $5,000 or $6,000, while their running e\])enses will amount ti > $200 a week, a good reason for hus- tling. Slime of their largest cargoes are taken there, too, all are intensely busy. \\'e will step over there and see what enterprise they are piiimiiting. We can just run across lots at the erid of the wharf here, for e\eryone in Xoank goes across lots when they choose. Here we find a small marine railway fur the use of smaller vessels to haul out on for painting, scrubbing the bottoms, caulking or any slight repairs. .\ minute more we are at that "other wharf." '1 he man in the "seven league" boots, with a long-handled scoop net, is taking the tureen, snapping, fighting lobsters frnni a great car al the head of the dock, where they ha\-e been stored until they disgorged the bait they so greedily devoured, wdiolly indifferent to tlie SHORE SCENE directly tn Xcw \'i;rk in their vessels, others .-■■hipped as described. Cnuld we turn our gaze backward from thirty tn si-\t_\- years and view tlie shores, wharf and harbnr, we would see ;;. small city of masts, which belonged to the fi.'hing fleet, then flourishing, h'rom seventy- five to one hundred \'essels went out and came ii,, making their tri|)s to Xew \'ork for their market. .Many of those old captains have made their last port, and cast their anchors in the long haven of rest, and iinl\- their cosey little homes, so lovingly built by them, remain as their memorial. The younger generation ha\'e taken up other business, and the present numbers of the fleet are much less, iliough the l.'usiness is ^•ery jirofitablc. I'rom here the next wharf can lie seen and state of freshness or putridness it might have been in, or waiting until the proper time for Xew York shipment. These are scooped into large baskets, swung on to a set of immense scales til be weighed, then packed into barrels with ice, still fighting, grabbing at anything or any one. .\. fellow lobster cauglit in the great claw is relentlessly snap]ied, his claw crushed to atoms, or a careless handler will ha\e as nearlv the same treatment as said carelessness will allow. Mere are agents of Xew ^'ork firms l)uying from the lobstermen, such as wish to dispose of their catch in that wa\', while others send directly to dealers in the metro|jolis, or in near by cities. The amount of capital invested in the lob- ster business each \ear in Xoank is \-er\- con- HISTORIC GROTON 59 66 HISTORIC GROTON servatively placed at $40,000. In early years those in the business depended entirely on sail to reach the lobster ground, subject to the freaks of wind and tide. In 1893, A. V. and liis brother, W'ayland Morgan, made a depart- ure l)y introtlucing steam in their sail boats, r.sing a hollow mast, which served as a smoke- stack. This prn\-ed a success, as the pots cuuld be hauled l)y steam. Later, gasolene motors were installed, and now are the uni- \'ersal custom, and in the "wee sma' " hours of morning, from two a. m. and (in. according to the time of tide, one may sleepily hear the ]iop- pop of the motors, as they start upon their day's business, and we turn o\-er in bed to fin- ish our comfortable morning sleep, .\fter the lobster season, these boats fish until about l.^ec. 1st, shipping to the cities. .\ short walk to the south, or. if \ou prefer, a row boat, as the distance is hardh' worth getting the sail boat under way again, we come to the beginning of those fighting, grab- bing, disgusting looking, but delicious tasting, lobsters, the Connecticut state hatcher}', pre- sided over b}' Capt. Latham Rathbun, estab- lished for the purpose of artificially supplying the waters of the sound, so rapidly being de- pleted by the immense demand and consump- tion of the crustacean. It is intensely inter- esting to note the process. The work begins in May and lasts until about the third week in July. A tank is built in the upper story of the house, and the sea water from the east end oi the building ( which is built with a door opening directly on to the water), is pumped by gasolene or electricity into this tank. A large pipe leads from the tank down to the ground floor, connecting with small pipes run- ning the water into ,t;lass jars holding about two gallons, standing on a long table for that purpose, also to a recei\ing tank from tliere, and out again to the ocean waters from whence they came. The mother lobster, which is bought by the state superintendent, and is protected !)}• law for its spawn, is now relieved of the eggs by the hand and carefully separated from a lum|) that the water mav re- \olve each separately. These are now jilaced in glass jars, one-half million of them to a jar, and the water turned on, the force being regu- lated by a small valve at the bottom of the jar, that the eggs may revolve at a certain speed. The water running in forces that already there over into the receiving tank, causing a never ceasing rotary mo\'ement to the eggs that hatches the small lobster, which rises at once to the top and is floated over into the tank. These are about one-third of an inch long at that time, and immediately begin their life work of eating. They are taken away al- most immediate!}- and emptied into the waters tif Long Island sound. Un experimenting as to keeping them until larger and better able to care for themseh'es, it was found that in about three weeks they were in the fourth stage, that is, about three- (juarters of an inch in length, beginning to form shell, and perfect in shape. It is impera- tive at this stage that they should be turned out to provide for themselves, as they will die if they are kept longer. The forming of their shells gi\-cs them weight, wdiich sinks them to the bottom, and they naturally require heavier food. I'our to five years complete the growth to the lawful market size — nine inches. ()ne season's hatchery brings out fifty million }oung lobsters, which would seem on a fair way to restock the waters, but their minute size at time of ])utting them overboard causes great loss, as many are eaten by larger fish, and only a very small proportion mature. ( )n our way here from the lobster wharf, we passed by the firm of J. H. Paine & Sons, Inc., builders and repairers of steam and gaso- kne engines, marine and stationary, also their galvanizing plant, the whole with a capacity of twenty men. The sail loft of Mrs. J. Pal- mer Williams does a steady, lucrati\-e business each }ear. There are four firms for building small boats, of which Jeremiah Davis is the veteran liiilder of them all. Late }'ears, these are about thirty to thirty-two feet long, with twelve to fourteen feet beam. From that size they vary to skiffs of ten or twelve feet, also to motor launches. This enterprise of the villatre amounts in financial results to over $12,000 a }ear, running to about $15,000 some years, HISTORIC GROrON 6i The shipyard of R. Pahiier & Son Co. is in the lower part of the village, towards the "Light- house" point and extending well on to the "Narrows." This is one of the largest wood shipbuilding plants on the Atlantic coast, and employs about four hundred men. The ship- yard was opened in 1851 by John Palmer, who was ordained deacon of old Fort Hill church i.i 1821. and later served the Xoank church in the same capacity, when it was formed in 1843, till the time of his death. After his death, his two sons, John and Robert, succeeded to the Ijusiness under the name of R. & J. Palmer. at the expiration of seven years' service in that capacity, the records show he had cradled five hundred vessels safely without a mishap or error attributed to liis work. .\s the years ad- \'anced and his son, Robert, Jr., came to ma- turity, he became a member of the firm antl it became Robert Palmer & Son Co., each Rob- ert having his special department, but making ;i united whole. New methods of doing work called for modern machinery, which was in- stalled as the occasions demanded until at the ]>resent date it is one of the finest equipped \'ards in the countrv. - .^- "'r.Z-'. --""""^ 1 1 ^ wm '-r^fflB|Hfe|^ ' j^tt|^H^^^^^H^a^^| p A ^ ivfe k:^ ■ M r « i^'"' ^r 1^- " ^*N# ii' •' J ^^^RSE>Tm,iinsea>ca ■iiiti;i r n ^KiTVMCH^nal K^^^^^^>^TWI HJIr «.»•»»» «w«K- Nothine seemed too difficult foi THE SHIl'VARU these two Suppose we take a walk round the yard and men to attempt t<-i haul out on their marine see many things new to us and immensely in- railways and they always ended in success. teresting. This long red shop is the oldest The work enlarged until the death ni the older building. In the upper story we find the floor brother John, a man (if sterling worth and loyal Christian character, when it became the business of Robert Palmer. I'nder his man- agement the e\'er increasing l)usines called out tlie natural abilities and executive (pialities he possessed. The marine railways have been under the direction and superintendence, for a numl)er of years of Charles R. Palmer, only sur\i\ing son of John Palmer, the former member of the firm. His record does honor to the older members and their training when, coA'ered with strange lines, which to us seem onl\' a confused mass, meaning nothing at all ; but there stands a short hea\ily built, oldish man with short, gra}- hair — ?\Ir. Led- yard Daboll, who tells us. "that is the draft- nig of some new vessel," and he certainly ought to know, for he has drafted ou these same floors for man}' a long _\'ear, he says over fifty, and the years ha\'e used and touched him kindly. Xow here in this room, begin those vessels 62 HISTORIC GROTON nil tlic Stocks which we can see from the win- dows, looking toward the north, south and west. \'essels of various kinds and in differ- ent stages of prog^ress meet the eve. Tiiere SlIIOOMIor.SK is the staunch httle aggressive tug boat, JiuiU ti. l)reast all kinds of weather and hardshiji of life, its iinl}- object to get there with its tow. There is the dapper, s|)ick-span, dand\- yacht, like a society l)elle, designed onlv for pleasure and will sail the world over to find it; also the steamljoat of a passenger or freight Inie ciunltining some of the elements of both the iilhers. Then the just useful, without beauty, the railroad floats and coal barges. But tile wiinder of their construction and their great clumsy dignity of usefulness, strongh- ai:)peal to one as he goes from one to another watching the different stages and workman- ship. Here is one just begun by laying the keel : then comes the square body frame which is set up beginning at the middle of the craft and worked towards either end; then the kilson, cants, stem and stern post, next the ceiling or inside planking and the deck. .\ large iron band, six inches by three-quarters inch in thickness, is then lidund round the to]), and iron bamls, three and one-half inches by one- half inch in thickness run down the sides diag- onally and cross diagonally, thus forming a slay (if iron in form of diamonds over the en- tire bndy e thorough, honest, inistw |)erfect in their knowledge of their bus- HISTORIC GROTON (^Z iness. Now conic ihc painters and the gen- eral finishing'. The boats are then thoroughly watered to test or find any leak. This may last three or four hours, going up one side, tlien the other. It is now time to prepare to launch by put- ling ways under, which are slightly inclined ]jlanes slushed with tallow nii.vcd with oil, on which the vessel slides to her future element. This ]ilant for sex'eral successive }'ears has av- Down below are great knees of 8 and 9 inches in thickness carefull}- marked in the shape desired. These are placed on the table and a saw so small and slemler it looks incon- gruous is poised above the depth of clumsy wood bulk under it, but a hand regulates the force, and hands guide the clumsy piece with its marks exactl}- to the saw, and with another little shrill shout the saw ploughs its wav e.xact to the line, and a knee is turned out .Sr.MMKK RESIDEXCK OK Til eraged a vessel constructed and launched every ten days. The gross income in ]ianic year was $741,000. While we are waiting for the tide to touch the highvfater mark, just strull round to the different houses where the various parts are prepared and made ready for their respecti\e places. Here is the sawmill where the im- mense logs are sent on the great carnage to be trimmed into shape. They roll along to the saw' wdiich strikes them with an angrv. exult- ant scream, as it buries itself in the huge bulk, and with a \-ell runs its entire length. K \.KXV. MR. EI.IHT SPICER as neatl}- as the shears would cut a pastebnard curd. That one there, iv where the trenails are sywed. .K s(|uare stick of locust about 22 inches in length by one and one-eighth inches square, is fed to the huiigr}' brute, llehuld! he grabs it, the Ijelt swings round and one schnist ! and a smooth, round trenail is the result wdiich goes to fasten that ]5lanking. One man turns 1800 of these trenails a day. So the numerous saws do each its own work. Over there is the blacksmith shop. The r(.)ar of the flames and the clank! clank! (if the amil is turning out those irini bands with which the 64 HISTORIC GROTON vessels are strapped and the other iron work required. There is a funny looking box thing and the}' are steaming planks to make them pliable to bend into place over a bulging frame. There is a most picturesque frescoed little building near the shore, the most artistic of them all. A few panes of glass missing from the window in the peak and daubs of all colored paints forming a rich dado as high as a man can reach without a ladder, red, yellow, etc. That is the paint shop. Then we visit the power house, that furnishes all the force that performs these wonderful things. The tide is now about full and the click-et- click of the men at work under the bottom warn you to get your place for viewing the kiunch. The rapping of th(ise men tightening up the wedges is very exciting to an onlooker, and causes them to wish they could do some- tiiing, too. A little lull in the click-et-click, then it comes again, "Did you see her move?" Xo, not yet. Click-ct-click ! "There she goes!" Some boy has noticed a slight advance from the marked line. "There she goes!!" from the older ones, and "Hurrah!!!" from the specta- tors and workmen. E\-ery whistle in the yard and e\ery saucy little nidtdr boat in sight (like the proverbial small Ijoy, always around ready to scream at the chance) send out their three times three. Hurrah ! Amidst the great jargon of good cheer, she slides over the tallow and oil, ploughs down into the water, and as the water buoys up the full length of her, she makes a graceful bow to the audience and the firm that has caused her being, and floats out for the mission for which she was built. The shipyard is certainly worth}- a visit, and the time is well spent in gaining much information as well as pleasure. On the brow of "Store Hill," (for in old days the general variety and grocery stores were at the foot of this hill, nearly at the head of the town dock, that they might conveniently sup- ply the vessels as they came in), turning to the right and walking through the deep lawn, we approach the P.aptist church, the oldest re- ligious bod}- in the ])lace. It is of verv plain architecture, painted white, l)ut its tapering spire with its situation on the hill, give it a picturesque effect. Far out on the waters of the sound, or l)ack into the distant country hills, that slim white spire can be seen, pointing- upward, seeming to pierce the blue skies and Clouds. This church is a daughter of the old Fort Hill meeting house, and grand-daughter ol Old Mystic church, the first Baptist church formed in this part of Connecticut. The Noank ISaptist church was formed in 1843, though it is so intertwined with the old Fort Hill church as to ha\-e actually begun its existence eighty years previous. Its independent existence be- gan with two hundred and twenty-three mem- l>ers, of which one hundred were converts of the meetings held by Elder Jabez Swan in Mystic a short time before. There are nine of those niembers still living. Its history has been at times almost dramat- ic, and at all times has it been as salt savoring tlie community. \\'e can here hardly touch on its power for good. There has never been in the history of Noank the open sale of liquors, ir into.xicants allowed. Public opinion, so im- )iregnated with the influence of that church's teachings to the young, and their parent^' in- lieritance before then-|, is such that they rise up nauseated and alarmed at such sales in their midst. Many times it has been attempted, and some times carried on surreptitiously for awhile, Init as soon as proof could be obtained, it was stopped. The present house of worshi]) was built in 1867, at a cost of $iJ,ooo, having a seating capacity of about four hundred. Since that time, improvements have been n-iade as times and conveniences have denianded, and at present it is lighted by electricity, has a fine modern pipe organ installed at the cost of $2,500, is heated with hot air, has a ba])tistry with water supply, a well equipped kitchen, and a large Sunday school room. The ^lethodist church was formed as a chapel, partially dependent on the conference for support, in the year 1878. .After years of using what was known as the chapel, it became athisable to build a better and larger house, which was done in 1903. They have now an auditorium with a seating capacity of two hun- dred and fifty to three hundred, fitted with modern impro\'ements. A well e(iui])ped kitch- HISTORIC GROTON 65 66 HISTORIC GROTON er., and Sunday schoul rooms are below the main auditorium. The total value of house and furnishings is about $7,000. The same year was built a Protestant Episcopal and also a Roman Catholic church. 1843, 't was used for meetings when occasion called, funerals being held there, as well as prayer and preaching ser\'ices. Many now liv- ing ha\'e a reverential feeling for the school house which now stands with its modern front BY THE WATER SIDE The schools, both District No. 11 in the cen- and l)ack added to the "big and little" jiarts of tre of the village, and District No. 6 in upper other days, which interpreted meant the rooms Noank, are so closely allied to the Baptist of the liig and little children, or the senior and L -nifr-' fitfb •AX EXQUISITE RETREAT.' ON THE G. ,lt S. church history as to be part and parcel with primary grades. The school house has now it in interesting reminiscences and personal five rooms with grades and classes up to date, spiritual experiences. The school house of No. presided over by teachers who efficiently hold ]i was built in 1837, and from that time until them up to the required standard, and when HISTORIC G HO TON 67 students are admitted to the high schools of other towns they take an advanced place, some 01 them nearl}- ready for the sophomore year. District \o. 6, upper \oank, carries the re- ligious remembrances still further back to nearly a century. It has always been called "the old school house." Before District No. II was formed and the house built, those who have passed to the great beyond, but would have long" passed the century mark at this time, wearily plodded over the hills with their little dinner pails from lower Noank on the shores, to that school, for their meagre advantages of learning to read and write. Our great grand- mothers, at four or five years of age climbe^l those hills, more than a mile, to school, and stopped to rest at the same house one of them old habit of "lining oE" from the one red hymn book held by the minister, while he gave them line b\' line to sing. The old house has METHODIST CHURCH . , went to live in afterwards with her }dung hus- band, which was her home until she died at nearly ninety-one years of age. She could tell of seasons of great religious blessings in the old school house, of prayer meetings and searching sermons. A musically inclined member discoursed on the singing schools, when the singing began to improve from the IJOUTHOI SK l.'een renuned, and a modern one takes its place, with modern methods of teaching and an up-to-date teacher. Though it is a mi.xed school it arrives at a good grade of scho'arship and has no reason to be ashamed. \\'e will return over the hills our great grandmothers trudged as they went and canie from school. The view horn hill to ocean is just as beautiful. Init the world has moved strangely and wonderfully the last century, and now we see from those hills the conven- ient trolley car gliding along the highway each half hour, connecting Groton with Westerly, R. I., and sounding its triumphant little whis- tle as it slips out of sight around some curve. A visit to the railroad station next. The telegraph operator is ticking at his machine, the freight agent is booking freight ; fish, lob- sters and general freight are going out. Flat cars are coming in loaded with lumber from the south, lumber from Oregon ordered months ago, knees from Sault St. Marie, Mich., floor timber from Nicollette, West Va., tre- nails from Canada, and lumber from other points near by. Immense anchors, their mam- moth chains, coils of hempen hawsers that call out an exclamation of wonder at the size, cav- ernous iron water tanks, etc., all for Palmer & Son Co., shipbuilders. Then there is the freight for the numerous grocery stores, markets and other stores. We find the amount received for freight in one month to be $7,000, at others 68 HISTORIC GROTON ^^&M&h:^WM. •\::m^^^^.. TROLLEY St'ENE $5,000 and $6,000. Amount received for pas- senger tickets to have been $1,500 a month be- There are two well equipped hotels for summer visitors. The Ashby house in the lower part of the village accommodates about fifty guests, and The Palmer in the upper part of the village entertains from sixty to seventy- five visitors. Artists from the large cities find abundant material in the beautiful scenic sur- roundings for their winter art exhibitions, which bring them fame and golden shekels, or gold certificates of Uncle Sam's, meaning" pros- perity in the world's goods. Quiet, unassuming Noank, making but lit- tle pretentions of its benevolent deeds and char- itable acts, though always ready to answer the call for sympathy of the great outside world, in its poverty and the distress of its poor. From the beginning, alert to answer the call of its country in the conflicts of the Revolution and the war of 1812, while the call of the Civil war to save the unity of the nation rallied the young men to its defence in enthu- siastic numbers, and gave their native village an honorable mention among men by their noble service to and for their countrv. HISTORIC GROTON 69 The Work of Fanny Ledyard Chapter, D. A. R. By MARY E. BURROWS KHI'l pioneer chapter of the Daugh- ters of the American Revolution in the town of Groton was the Fanny Ledyard Chapter of Mystic, ( )I(1 Mystic and Xoank. Tt was formed June 8, 1893. the chapter number being 10. ft was also the second chapter in the I'nited States to appoint a chaplain among its cfficers, who opens each meeing witli relig- ious exercises. To Mrs. Eliza A. (Miner) Dennison be- longs the honor of the first membership and the early promotion of the chapter. She was ac- cepted by the national board as a member and appointed regent of "A" chapter .April i, 1893. endorsed by Mrs. DeB. Randolph Keim state regent of Connecticut, her national number being 2966. As regent of "A" chapter the responsibility was placed on her of forming that chapter, and she immediately began her work of securing eligible members. The first member of the chapter was Mrs. Eliza (Deni- son) Brown of Xoank whose name comes on the charter following the regents as numljcr two. In a short time she had the required number for the charter (thirteen) and three more for good measure, making a roll call of sixteen for the beginning. These papers were sent to Washington the middle of .\pril ami accepted by the national board June i, 1893. The first regular meeting was held June 8, 1893, at which time came the choosing of a name. Several names were proposed when from one corner came a whisper, from as cjuiet and unassuming a gentlewoman as our chapter I'.eroine herself, to one of the ladies nearer the front row, "Why don't you name it Fanny Ledyard? She was the first to give aid to the suffering victims of F'ort Griswold?" The front row lady, Mrs. Sarah (Burrows) Buck- ley, audibly voiced that whisper and the name thus proposed was unanimously adopted. Fann}- Led\'ard was reincarnated and lives again to d(i deeds of mercy and kindness in the chapter which bears her name, and the D. A. R. CABINET Cabinet and frame of diartpr. made of wood from Fanny Ledyard's liousr : npi»L*i- shelf, picture of ••White Hall" gates; second slielf, iiicture of Hart- ford bridge; third .shelf, Fanny lAnlyard's plate, old hand woven lini'n and bundle of tlax ; fourth shelf, books of I). A. K. name was chosen for us by the honored school- teacher whom so many have risen up from her ministrations to call blessed — Miss Ann Au- gusta Murphy. yd^ HISTORIC GROrON ihe first taking up of the practical work uf the chapter was on September 6th, to com- memorate tne massacre of Groton Heights at the old tort, with invited guests from the chapters of New London and Aorwich. Ever since that date as the year rolls round, the day has been observed, and "the memory of the spirit ' of those heroes and heroines ot that dreadful day is perpetuated and newly aroused in each heart which attends these anniversa- ries. February 22 has always been celebrated with but one exception in the fifteen years — a perpetuation of the spirit of that great leader— the magnanimous Lhristian gentleman and the Moses of our country. Patriotic and literary exercises and colonial teas bring to mind the habits and costumes of "ye olden times," and each time arouse a new interest in historical research as to what and how our grandsires did and lived. Une early call to the chapter was not to pro- tect historical soil but to help make such. In the far state of California where no Revolu- tionary soil can be found, the Sequia Chapter planted a Liberty tree and sighed for histor- ical soil for its growth; a call was made for contributions from each chapter and that from Lexington was the first trowel full placed round its roots ; then across the broad Atlantic came that from the grave of Lafayette, and so on, from the various and far aways came the soil which gives growth to that tree. The Fanny Ledyard chapter sent hers from the grave of their patron saint in Southold, L. L, and so historic and revolutionary soil like the spirit has spread, and found a rich abiding place in the beautiful, bountiful Golden State. Soon after this a fund was started for a tab- let to commemorate the loving deeds of Fan- ny Ledyard in ministering to the wounded and suffering of the battle of September 6th, 1781. In June, 1895, the tablet was finished and placed on her grave. A delegation of the chap- ter with several Sons of the American Revo- lution accompanied by others not of either or- ganization visited Southold and held dedica- tory services appropriate for the occasion and its presentation to the village. The tablet was accepted by Rev. Dr. \\hittaker in behalf of the village. Visits are frequently made to the spot to pay respect and to keep an over- sight as fo its condition. When the house vvhere our heroine had always lived was re- moved, Dr. \\'hittaker saved some of its time stained oak and forwarded it to the chapter, from which was made a carved frame for the charter, and a cabinet in which to preserve relics. Another historical monument is the pair of gates at the old Whitehall burying ground just above Mystic, where Revolutionary patri- ots rest with the families of old Colonial sires. The grounds were cared for and ])ut in order, stones righted and work finished by placing fine iron gates at the entrance. Markers for the graves of Revolutionary ]iatriots were obtained from the generous Sons of the American Revolution, and one lone hero of Groton Heights sleeping about a mile from Noank was tenderly remembered, his grave made orderly and a marker placed there for David I'alniLT. .A. contrilmtion was made towards the pur- chase of Putnam's wolf den at Pomfret, Connecticut. April 7, 1897, the chapter became a mem- ber of the Mary Washington Association, the badge of membership to be worn by each re- gent while holding that office. To encourage Instorical research socials were organized for such study, papers were written, original poems composed, and so mind and heart were opened to the work before them. .\s the work of the chapter grew and so much was done for the country's good by its women, this work assumed other forms and the literary work came in at regular meetings and special anni- versaries. Among their cherished members have been three real daughters, Mrs. Nancy Lord Stanton, Miss Hilary Ann \\'hceler, Mrs. .-Mibyline Starr. These were each presented with the gold spoon given to real daughters. Miss Abigail Ledyard of Southold, L. T., great grand niece of Fanny Ledyard. is an honorary member of our chapter. Many historical spots have been visited. One trip which stands out in bold relief is that to Lebanon, Conn.. June 17, 1896. by invita- HISTORIC GROTON 71 tioii of the S. A. R. to dedicate the bronze tab- let in the Httle old war otifice in Jonathan 'rrunibuH's grocery store. Article 2nd of the constitution reads : "To promote as an object of priniar_\- importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowl- edge," a quotation from Washington's will. Under this heading we place first, as homage to the distinguished author, a contribution to the "National Universit}-" fund of Washing- ton. Contributions to the Southern i'lduca- tiunal Association for the education of the mountain whites; for a scholarship of the Connecticut Literary Institute at Suffield, and two prizes to the Mystic high schools for the best historical essays on the battle of Groton Heights, have been given. The insignia of the Daughters is a seal of American womanhood. It immediately es- tablishes a bond between the wearers reach- ing out to sociability and good fellowship; consequently this chapter has always extended most cordial welcome to any visiting Daugh- ter m tnis cummunit)' and is always pleased to be addressed by her on the work of her home chapter, i' roni time to time they have given to some prominent official to whom the) wished to pay tlieir respects, receptions reach- ing througfi the state to each chapter regent or her representati\e. Such honor was paid Airs. DeLl. Randolph kiem, stale regent, on two occasions, to Airs. Sarah T. Kinney, state regent; to Airs. Agnes (_Martin) Dennison, vice-president general of national societ} and previously registrar general; to Airs. Donald AIcLean, regent of New York City chapter and later to her as president general of the national society. These were one and all brilliant functions made so by artistic decorations of flags, the insignia, flowers, roses and ferns, gorgeous foliage, music, beautiful gowns, gentle women, their husbands and sons, with entertainment of wit, wisdom, and dainty refreshments. Then there have been the many calls for gen- erous thinking of others less fortunate. The "Alargaret" fund is put aside for the yearly dues of any one temporarily unfortunate, so making her mem])ershi]') a Imrden. From this fund is quietly handed the amount required and no publicity attends its payment. The flower fund is a penny collection each month to furnish flowers to the sick of their number. There was the call in "98 for hospital shirts for sick and wounded soldiers and sailors of the Spanish-American war. The response was the forwarding of eighty shirts, and a quantity of comfort bags so much needed. Alarch 17, 1899, came a call for contributions towards a monument for Aliss Rulinia \\ al- worth, daughter of one of the founders of the D. A. R. This heroine contracted disease while nursing the sick of the Spanish war for whom she laid down her young life. Aloney has frequently been given to elderly needy members. A donation was made loward a loving cup to our state regent, Airs. Sarah Kinney, for long and loving service. She most generously turned the sum at once into tue continental Hall fund. An appeal came from a Alemphis, Tenn., chapter, asking tor a doll for a bazaar to be held to raise money lor a monument to the daughter of i'atrick ilenry. I his call was also listened to and Aiiss i'anny Ledyard by name, beautifully garbed m lyth century costume of blue silk gown, black satin coat trimmed with dainty lace, and white CainsDoro hat of white chiffon and velvet started on her mission to Alemphis escorted by Air. Adams Express. Utlier contriljutions are to the New London County Historical Society towards the Shaw Alansion, New London; Groton Annex; Aa- than Hale school house; Franco Alemorial fund; Young Mens Christian Association; jellies for Boston Hospital; Ellsworth Home- stead, Windsor; Hartford Bridge celebration; Fanny Crosby's birthday present; and mem- bership and dues of an invalid S. A. R. Two successive years general literature, periodicals and games were given for the soldiers at Fort Terry, Plumb Island, and Fort A'lansfield, Watch Hill, R. I. An apportionment for the C^onnecticut column in Continental Hall was given, making the whole amount contributed 72 HISTORIC GROTON for the Continental Hall fund to date two hun- And with before us, the womanly kindness dred and fifty-one dollars. A heartfelt tribute of our patron saint whose deeds have raised to our martyred and lamented president, Wm. the most enduring memorial, the Fanny Led- McKinley, was written by ^liss Mary E. Bur- yard chapter, D. A. R., strives by her work and rows, and forwarded by the chapter to his deeds to do her honor, and also the country sorrowing widow. which she pledges to sustain. HISTORIC GEO TON 73 West Mystic By HORACE CLIFT ■.ST MYSTIC in the town of ( Iroton has an area of about two miles suilt around the chimney which was left standing. In those days a well built chim- ney with the large fireplaces, and baking oven was an important feature. The house still stands. The building which was taken down HISTORIC GROrON 75 i.- thought to have been built by the grand- father of Nathan, who was John 2d, grandson of Robert Burrows, a first settler. At the time the chimney was built the Bur- rows farm extended from the trolle_\- draw- bridge north to the top of Great Hill by the Peace Meeting grove, and west from these points to top of Pequot Hill, the house being quite near the center. It is a tradition in the liurr(_i\vs and Packer families, which the writer also heard his grandmother relate as fact, that after the great snowstorm in the winter ut 1740-41. the valley east of the house being filled with snow and banked against the ledge and house. Desire Packer Burrows, mother of .\athan, slid from the chamber window of the residence in a huge chopping tray over the river to near the Den- ison mansion. .\nother episode related by the same per- son perhaps it may be pardonable to relate. In one of his voyages, 1807-08, her husband had been gone so long without Ijeing heard from, it was thought by some that he was lost at sea, but she had believed he would return. Her father Isaac Denison was with her. A dog which Capt. L'lift had left at home com- menced barking in an unusual manner one morning, continually looking up the hill. It kept acting so strangely that her father said to her: "I believe Amos is coming home," and before noon they saw him riding horseback down the old bridle path. He had taken a cargo of oil and fish to Bordeaux, and then taken a freight for Caracas. Then as in more recent years Venezuela was in a revolutionary state, his vessel was seized antl he and his crew were detained. He succeeded in clear- ing himself and crew and reaching New Lon- don. It proved to be an unjust seizure and after some delay they were indemnified. Nathan Burrows liad made two trips to Bos- ton with his oxen during the Re\'olution with provisions for the patriot army. His brother John was an officer in the war. He moved to Chenango Co., New York, where he died in 1808. at the age of sixty-four. He has de- scendants in New York, Rhode Island and Connecticut, one of them being the present prosecuting attorney for the town of Groton. Amos Clift died in 1818 at the age of fifty, the same year that the first bridge across the river was being built, and High street from the New London road to Burnett's Corners opened. RESIDENTS IN 1800. Xorth of the Burrows farm, mentioned, was that of Elam Burrows, whose wife was Sarah, a daughter of Isaac Denison. Next north and extending west over Pequot Hill were the farms of Sands Fish, and wife Bridget GaUup, and Roswell Fish, and wife Isabel Phelps. North from them were Joseph Park, Jr., wife Abigail Ecclestone; Beriah Grant, wife Nancy Burrows; and William Smith, w-ife Abigail Willes. whose mother vvas .Abigail Park. Joseph Park erected a grist mill on the brook near his residence. North of the Smith farm was land of Wait and Thomas Wells in the Old Mystic section, with Rose Mason (colored) living near the line. West from the Smith farm were the farms of Paul Burrows, wife Catherine Haley; Samuel Park, wife Dolly Chappell ; Nathaniel Park, wife Phebe Burrows. West from these, and extending over to the north end of the Flanders road, were Shepherd Cottrell, wife Mar>- Wilcox; John Branian, wife Polly Park; Den- nis Burnett, wife Polly Noyes ; Peter Reed (colored), wife Irene, on land of Thomas Wells; and Nathaniel Xilcs; besides Elisha Nilcs, and wife Sarah. South from the Niles land was the farm of Holmes, Sylvester, and Philena Walworth (not married) whose father. Sylvester Walworth, was killed in the battle at Fort Grisw^old 1781. East, and between their farm and Pequot Hill, was Thomas Fish and also the saw and grist mill with dwelling house then owned by him and later by Edward McGuire until abandoned. South from the Walworth farm was that of Dea. Simeon Smith, wife Eunice ; east and also south of him the farm of George Fish, wife Sarah Hinckley; and on tlie west side of the highway, the farm with lanyard of Zobediah Gates, wife Eunice Packer; second wife Mercy Denison. South from the Gates and Smith farms were Charles Card, wife Bethany; Benjamin Hall, wife Huldah ; Nathan Mix, wife Phebe; Baker family ; Joseph Crumb, wife Eunice Tift, daughter of Solomon Tift; William Middleton, wife Lucy Walworth, daughter of Sylves- ter Walworth ; Cheet family ; Moses Latham, wife Leonora Smith ; William Latham, wife Sabra Ash- bey; he was wounded in the battle at Fort Griswold. On the Fort Hill farm, living south of the present town house, was Rev. Silas Burrows, wife Mary Smith, second wife Phebe (Denison) Smith. .\ little v/est of Fort Hill lived Samuel Edgcomb, wife Rachel Copp ; and also Solomon Tift, wife Eunice Burrows. Both of these men were in the battle in 1781. East from the Flanders district, along the New London road were Charles Packer, wife Abigail Latham; John Fish, wife Hannah Brush ; Elisha Packer, wife Lucy Smith ; Lodowick Packer, wife Delight ."Kshbey ; Ma- son Packer, wife Amy Burrow-s ; Joseph Packer, wife Hannah Packer; George Ashbey, wife Cathe- rine Packer; Edward Packer, (land sold to Jedediah Randall) ; and Daniel Burrows, wife Kesia Rhodes. East of Fort Hill and south of the New London road, Sylvester Clark, wife Abby Gates; Ebenezer Fish, wife Lydia Fish; (one of the name of Ebenezer Fish was in the battle of September, 1781, .Allen's History); Chester Fitch, wife Deborah Packer; Sam- 76 HISTORIC G HO TON uel Burrows, Lemuel Burrows, wife \ancy ; Daniel Eldredge, wife Pliebe ; he was in tlie battle at Fort Griswold; Joseph Ashbey, wife Mary Burrows; El- dredge Packer, wife Sabrina Packer; Guy E. Burrows, wife Fanny Eldredge; John Packer, wife Hannah Gal- lup; he was in war of the Revolution; Joshua Packer, wife Phebe Packer; and on the Noank line, Levi Spi- cer, wife Prudence Palmer. At the south part of Goat Point was Latham Fitch, wife Waity Burrows ; Elisha Rathbun, wife Lucre- tia Parker; next north, Nathan Ligham, wife Experience Fish. North of that section was Isaac Park, wife Mary Billinghaas ; Benjamin Packer, wife Mary Middleton ; David Lewis, wife Lydia Tift; Ca- leb Tufts, wife Rebecca Burrows ; William Murphy, wife Mary Park ; William Douglass, wife Ann ; Jo- seph Park, wife Lucy Packer; Asa Willis, wife Debo- rah Burrows ; Daniel Packer, wife Hannah Burrows ; he lived where his great grandson, Charles C. Packer, now lives. South from the residence, vessels had been built. Next north was Elani Packer, wife Catherine Fidias. North of the ferry landing was the residence of An- thony Wolfe, wife Mary Eldredge. He was in the war of the Revolution. In the house east of the Na- tional Bank building was Jonathan Wheeler, wife Nancy Thompson. His father, Lester Wheeler, was in the war of the Revolution and also her fatlier, Wm. 1 hompson. When the bridge was built in 1818 this house was owned by Ambrose H. Grant, wife Philura Brown : east of the residence was an open cove run- ning up to where the Episcopal church building now stands. The cove was mostly tilled tliirty years ago with gravel floated in on scows of Capt. Thos. Wil- liams, worked by Daniel Fisher. Tliis list of re.sidences at that period is be- lieved to be fairly accurate ; there may be a few iinintentionally left out. Assistance has been given by some wlio have knowledge of their ancestors. With the bridge across the river and the opening of High street, \\'est Mystic began to grow as a village. Being directly connected with the east side of the river there was also a corresponding growth of population on each side. The building of vessels of different grades and sizes which engaged in fishery and merchant trade with nearby and distant ports, owned and manned by residents, together with the whaling business caused a raj^id growth for a time. The highway from the west end of the bridge around by the machine works to the New London ruad was opened when the bridge was built. The road between Mystic and Noank was opened in 1833. The ri\-er road from West Mystic to Old ;\Iystic was opened in 1853. The road on the east side of the river to Old Mystic is older. The higli- way Ircim High street towards Centre Groton known as the Alden Fish road, the \\'est Mystic avenue, Pequot Hill avenue and then the Roswell Brown road from the Alden Fish road through to the Noank road followed in succession. Besides these there are a ntimber I'f short routes and cross streets which have been opened. The post office on the west side was called Portersville for a number of years iintil about 1844. it was changed to Mystic River. In 1848 the three Ijrothers Isaac, William, and Silas B. Randall with Wm. W Smith, -Xathan Chapman and Leonard W . Morse formed and started the '" Reliance .Machine Company," the first of dimensions in the town of (iroton. They built up a large business which nourished until the Ci\il war came on. The business was largely in cotton gins and machinery for the southern states. Slow pay- ments for their goods at that time embarrassed them, and the company was obliged to suc- cumb. Machine business has been continued here and the extensive fire proof btiildings t)f the Standard AFachinery Company imw doing a large business occupy the same grounds. 'I'he tract of land east of West Mystic depot being connected with both depot and river, has rare business facilities, liefore and dur- ing the war, ship building was carried on here by the firm of Maxson, Fish and Co. which included vessels for the government. The Holmes Motor Works now located near the former shi])yard are doing an exten- sive business in building fine yachts e<|uipped with engines of their own manufacture. .\ new' firm has recently started business here east of the depot, under the name of \\'est .Mystic Manufacturing Co. They are build- ing boats and motors. The Ciilbert Transpor- tation Co. with large shipping interests, which located in M_\-stic within a few years, have a yard for building and repairing south of Main street, by the west end of the bridge. They are also now occupying the former shi|)yard on the south side of Pistol Point, east of the river, where they are fniilding vessels. They have furnished employment for manv jiersons. The large four-story lilock for stores and offices erected by them is a decided ornament to the village. HISTORIC GKOTON n On the west side of I'earl street b.\- the ledge there was formerly located a manufactory for wagons, carriages, etc., by Charles Johnson and Elisha Denison. Hcsides the local trade, business wagons were shipped through agents to California during the gnld discovery period. Later the buildings burned down. The Mystic (n-anite and Marl)le Co.. of AlcGaughey Bros., anil alsi) the .McKin blacksmith works, are now located on the grounds. A little north of this is the carriage shoji of Charles 11. Johnsi.in, business from before California times until af- ter the war period. East from the shop was the Randall store managed by Dwight Ashbey, south from the blacksmith was the store of Simeon Fish and Son for many years, and then |. T. llattv. County Commissii:)ner, south of the store the coal yards of Benjamin Burrows, and further along by the river where now is the Kelsy Coal Co., there had been for some \-ears a store kept by Joseph S. A\ery. West from the Burrows coal yard, by the Xoank THE ITHLU LIKK.\RV a son of the former builder. \\'est of this K. Marston formerl}- worked the cpiarry and also had monumental works. Near the north end of Pearl street liefore the Civil war, was a shipyard where a num- ber of vessels were built b}' John A. Forsyth and E. ATorgan. This is now occupied bv res- idences and by the Cheney Cdobe Works. On tlic location where now stands the office build- ing of the drotou anrl Stonington Trolley Co., L)-man Dudley- did an extensive blacksmith road is Lhainnan's l)lacksmith and repair shop. South from this on the corner across the street in 1850 was the store of .Albert G. Stark, in which was the Mystic River post office. .\ little to the rear of the blacksmith shop at that time was an hotel, since burneil down. Main street, from the bridge west, is now the chief thoroughfare for stores and offices. ( hi the north side next to the bridge is River- side Ijlcjck, Central Hall building with stores 78 HISTORIC GEO TON and dffices. the drug store which Dr. F. M. ?\Ianning occupied a half-century ago, and in the next building at that time was the hat and cap furnishing store of Chesebro and Davis. Then the I. W. Denison & Co. lilock, where had been A. G. Wolf, blacksmith ; the Ketch- um block, Buckley's block with hall, at the east end of which stood the shop and office of the spar and block contractors, ^\"illiam, John and Oliver Ratty, who kept the cove which then extended from their building nearly to where the Episcopal church building now stands, — well filled with spars for masts, etc., of various sizes. It was in their shop building, then vacated, that S. H. I'.ucklev was supplying meats fifty years ago. At that time, next west was A. C. Tift's dry goods store and the present Kretser store building. Further west is the National Bank building, established over a half-century. \\'est of this is \N. E. Wheeler's block, where then was Roswell Brown's livery stal)le, north of which was the village bakery. On the south side of the street, where now is the bakery, a half-century ago D. A. Hall had a grocery store. East is Brown's block, the Braman block, Avery's block, Watrous' block, Edgcomb's block, and the store build- ing where D. N. Prentice then had a grocery store with L. A. ]\Iorgan, now an owner in Cen- tral Hall block and other interests, as clerk. Xe.xt comes the Gilbert block with stores, offices, and a public hall, their building extending to the river. Besides these there is also the P'earl street grocerv, farther north in the y\\- lage. In 1850 the only stores on Main St. west of the bridge were : On the north side, Elam Eldredge and Eldredge Wolfe's market, F. M. Manning's drug store, O. D. Xoj-es' fur- nishing store and .A. C. Tift's dry goods store; on the south side were Thomas Williams' paint shop, Martin Lawson, tin shop, and D. X. Prentice, groceries. In the present G. A. R. building on Pearl St. was the undertaking and repair shop of D. D. Edgcomb and Gil- bert ]\Iorgan. A short distance north were Thomas and Jesse Lamphere, dealers in fish and oysters. At the same period the Messrs. Gallup brothers, James, John and Benadam, car- ]ienters, had a sliijp and lumljcr yard on the east side of Gravel St. Previous to 1850, Amos Clift, then in California, had been a builder with a shop on the hill where his father had built his resi- dence in 1805. At this time and later, Henry Latham, an old resident was also in the carpen- ter business, his shop being south of the Xew London road. Also there were Gurdnn S. Al- len and Reuben and Roswell Chapman. .\ lit- tle later were C. E. Tufts, J. R. Stark and J. S. Heath, with Calvin Cromwell, all of whom l.ave passed away. Connected with these builders, who still remain, were F. B. Mayo, .\ustin Gallup and E. R. Wiliams, Civil war veterans. On the east side some younger and still active, there remain \\'illiam Murphy and Hiram Clift. Soon after 1850 and for many years Asa A. Avery and son Allen conducted an undertaker's and furniture business on Main St. It should be remembered that in those days there were master mechanics in mason work, Lanman, Denison anil Xelson Lamb, Xathan Lamb and Edwin and William Slack. The village is so connected that business on either side afifects the other. ( )n the east side a half-century ago and earlier the shipyards of George, Clark and Thomas Greennian : of Charles Alallory with Mason C. Hill, foreman ; and of Dexter Irons and (leorge Grinnell. \\'ere each driving business. At the time when ship building was prosperous there were two sail lofts ; one on the east side of the ri\-er con- ducted by Isaac D. Clift, David \\'eems and Ebenezer Beebe ; and on the west side by Gro\er G. King and Griswold Beebe. D. O. Richmond and Charles Eldredge were boat builders. Edwin R. Gallup, tailor, was post- master. The lumber yards of Joseph Cottrell, and coal yards of Isaac D. Holmes were the Lhief sources of sup])ly for those necessities. The stores were those of 1. W. Hcnisun & Co. where Thomas C. Forsyth, since master of merchant vessels, was clerk. This store had lieen that of Hoxsie and Palmer ; Asa Fish, who was probate judge for Stonington, and D. D. Mallory & Co. Besides these there was a con- fectionery store kept by the bridge tender at the east end of the bridge, also one under the old hotel. The bridge was freed from toll HISTORIC GROTON 79 rates in 1855. T. E. Packer and Charles Den- i^on were insurance agents. On the east side in Greenmanville section, there is a large woiilen factory, the Mystic Manufacturing Co., which has been doing business man}- years; and also the extensive Rossie Velvet Mill works. A little to the north of these are monumental works, and Drown's twine and rope factory. Not far north of the bridge, by the river side, is the manufactory of James W. Lathrop Co.. doing a large business in motor engines for all spe- cies of power. On Pistol Point is the spool factory. East from the depot is Packer's tar soap factory and storehouse; and a little be- yond, across the cove, is the large, new building of the Industrial Co.'s Ninigret Mills. .South from them is the \\'ilcox Fertilizer Works, now well established. There are two grain stores on the east side of the river. The G. E. Tripp's block, the Gates and X'cwbury block, and the Hotel Hoxie building contain stores and offices. The hotel was built by Messrs. Tufts and Stark about i860 for Mr. B. F. Hoxie. It stands on the site of a former hotel, which was owned by Capt. Nathaniel Clift. The Shore Line hotel is south of this, and across the street, west from tlie Shore Line, is the auto repair shop. The Cottrell Lumber Co. occupies the old lund^er yards,. 'There was formerly a sash and blind factory near the yard. There was also a large machine shop built on Pistol Point, which was unsuc- cessful and was changed to a woolen mill, but finally was liurned down. On the east side there are now three church buildings. The Methodist Episcopal church v,-as organized in 1835. The first pastor was Rev. William S. Simmons. The present pastor if Rev. C. T. Hatch. The Congregational church was organized in 1852. The first pastor was Rev. \\alter R. Long. The present pastor i; Rev. F. A. Earnshaw. St. Patrick's Ro- man Catholic church was organized with Rev. P. P. Lalor first pastor in 1870. The present pastor is Rev. C. A. Leddy. This church has recently dedicated a new temple of worship. A Seventh Day Baptist church was organized at Greenmanville, on the east side, in 1850 with Rev. Sherman S. Griswold, pastor for a number of years. He was a popular clergyman in the village, although quite outspoken on po- litical subjects, but that was an era of decided opinions. The church ceased as a public or- ganization three years since. The last pastor was Re\". ( ). D. Sherman. The first organized church within the lim- its of West Mystic, was the Second Baptist church ci{ Grottin. It was under the leadership ot Rev. Silas Burrows. The meetings were held mostly at his dwelling house on Fort Hill from 1765 until after the war, when a house I if worship was built on the crown of the hill north from his residence, and known as the Fort Hill church. There occurred a number of special revival seasons under his pastorate and that of his son. Rev. Roswell Burrows, who succeeded him. The father died in 1818 at the age of seventy-seven, and the son in 1837, aged sixty-nine years. Both of these pioneers of the church rest in the yard on the crest of the hill by the scene of their labors. Rev. Ira R. Steward followed as pastor un- til in 1844, ^ 'lew hinise of worship was built at Mystic. Si.nnc of the members had be- come connected with new churches started at Groton Bank and Noank. Another church was already established, at West Mystic, known as the Alariners' Free church, which was for a time alternately occupied bv minis- ters of different denominations and later be- came the Third Baptist church. The two houses of worship were not many rods apart and in 1861 the churches became united, and the buildings were connected by moving the Third church building a little to the rear, and moving that of the Second clunxh up to the front of it. They became the Union Baptist church, and the house was dedicated Oct. 9, 1862. .\fter the removal from Fort Hill to the new- house of worship in ^Mystic, Rev. Henry R. Knapp was pastor of the Second church five years ; Rev. \\'ashington Munger three vears ; Rev. Harvey Silliman two years; Rev. T- M. Phillips four years ; with supplies following his pastorate until the union. Rev. Erastus Denison was the first pastor of the Third church for two years, and was followed by Rev. John H. Baker in 1837 for two years. 8o HISTORIC G NO TON Rev. Erastus Dcnisoii was again pastor from April, i83(j. until April, 1848; Rev. Simon 11. Bailey, about two years; Rev. Franklin A. Slater, three years; Re\'. J. L. Ilolnian one year, and Re^'. \\illiam Cathcart about three years. Rev. Asa C. Bronson succeeded in iNlay, 1858, until the two churches united, and lie was pastor of the Union church until his resignation, taking effect April i, i86g. Rev. George L. Hunt was pastor from Jan. 2, 1870, iintil Jan. 2, 1881 ; Rev. Charles H. Rowe from Oct. 1881 to 1884; Rev. George H. Miner from July, 1884, to May, 1893; Rev. Archi- bald AN'heaton from September, 1893, to Sep- tend)er, 1900; Rev. Byron Ulric Hatfield from died. In July, 1896, Elias F. ^\'ilcox, John G. Packer and Louis P. Allyn were elected dea- cons. St. Mark's Episcopal cluirch was organized as a parish in February, 1865, Rev. Lorenzo Sears, rector; Daniel W. Denison, senior warden ; Roswell Brown, junior warden. Rev. Mr. Sears was rector until April, 1866, ynd was succeeded by Rev. W. Ingram Ma- gill, who was rector from July, 1866, until October, 1869. He was followed by Rev. O. F. Starkey from December, 1869, until Decem- ber, 1872, and Rev. J. D. S. Pardee from Jan- uary, 1873, to May, 1881. During his rector- ship tlie church being free from debt was con- El'ISCOl'AL CHIKCH AND STREKT SCENE December, 1900, to March, 1904; Re\-. Wel- come E. Bates, the present pastor, since July, 1904. The deacons of the Second church previous to the union were Elisha Rathbun, Albert Edgeconib, \\ illiam 11. Potter, Dudley Chese- bro. Those of the Third church were H. N. Fish, Nathan (]. Fish, George X. Wright, Lanman Lamb. The Union Baptist church continued X. G. F'ish, Albert Edgcomb, \\'. H. Potter and G. X. Wright. In i8()8 there were chosen as deacons Horace Clift, William 11. Smith, John Gallup and Leander Wilcox. In 1882 the first named of these resigned the a]j- pointment. In April, 1886, Robert P. Wilbur, J. .\lden l\athl)un and John O. I-"ish were elected. Deacons W ni. II. Potter, John ( lal- luj), Leander Wilcox and J. O. I'ish have since secrated by Ilishop Williams, April 25, 1873, im St. Mark's day. Re\'. W. 1'". Bielby was rector three years ; Rev. J. A. Ticknor one year ; Rev. Samuel Hall one year ; Rev. Joseph Hooper, six years; Rev. H. L. Mitchell, two years; Rev. Eugene Griggs, three years; Rev. 11. L. Mitchell, three years; Rev. A. C Jones, the ])resent rector, se\'en years. The iMrst Church of Christ, .Scientist, Miss Grace W . lulick, first reader, and Charles H. Latham, second reader, ha\c a hall in (!il- hert's block. Regular services are held Sun- day morning and Wednesday e\ening. The reading room is open daily. Before the steam cars were running, freight vas lirought in vessels, and about 1850 there were regular lines of sloops running to New ^'ork, and to New London and Norwich. HISTORIC GROTON 8 1 It can be seen that Mystic has become quite a business centre, and there appears no rea- son why it should not continue. It is cen- trall}'- located between New York and Boston. It has a good ri\'er channel connection with the sound and ocean. The .Shore Line rail- rc^ad depots are convenient for business, tra\'el and shipments. The finishing touch for con- \enience of travel has come with the Groton and Stonington Trolley Company, with ex- press cars for freight, .\lthough it ma_v not be classed an ideal section for high grade farming, there being some rocks and ledges, yet extra good crops of grain, fruit and ber- ries have been raised. It has, in cpiitc recent years, been somewhat noted for blooded cat- tle. There are streaks of good granite in a number of ledges in the village limits, which have been used for 1)uil(Iing purposes. It is a satisfaction to know that liy the liber- ality of a gentleman of large wealth, who has located in the town, the old highway from Mystic o\'er l''orl Hill and through l'o(|uon- nock is to be graded and macadamized. This is not the only instance of his generosity. Now in the prime of life, it is hoped that he may enjoy a serene old age with abundant resources and a continuous will to help im- prove and adorn the town. ■Changes are going on. They ntay appear hardh' perceptible at first, but after the lapse of time they show out distinctlv. In 1800, and for a quarter of a century later, the Flan- ders school district was one of the largest in numbers of any in the town. .-\t that time the Fort Hill church outnumbered others. It was the central place of worship for a large section of the town. During the pastorate of Rev. Roswell Bur- rows, from 1809 to 1837, more than 700 had joined that church. The place of baptism for that section was not far north on the Flanders road. It was on the east side of the highway, northeast of the present residence of Mr. Ira Mosher, and just north of where then stood the home of Nathan and Phebe Mix. .\ deep cut drain under the highway drains ofif the pond, but the basin in the meadow shows where it was. In those days a baptismal scene was one of the chief events, and this location being near the centre of the present town limits, there would l)e a large assemblage from all directions. Now the scenes have changed, the population and the churches are elsewhere. To those who cherish sentiment, who are descendents nf those worshippers, the old route from the meeting house to the baptistry, used for over half a centurv. seems hke consecrated ground. The Mystic River National ISank com- menced business in November. 1851, with Charles Mallory president. The Groton Sav- ings Bank commenced liusiness in 1854 with Nathan G. I-'ish, president ; and the National Bank of IMystic Bridge (east side of the river) was organized in 1864, with Charles r\[allory, president. In the first half r,f the last century the local physicians were jdhn (.). Mfjier of Centre Groton, Mason Manning of Old Mystic, and Benjamin F. Stoddard. A half century ago they were E. h'rank Coates, .Mfred A. Coates, John (jra_\- and .\. W. Brdwn, and of those who studied and practised with them, Oscar M. Barber and Frank A. Coates. The .generations which preceded, did not have present da_\" school ad\'antages; veryjew liad wealth, yet as a community of intelligence and worthiness, their descendents may justly honor their memories. The ])ul)lic schools in the village are graded. On the east side (Stonington district) a fine new school house is being erected. In West Mystic, Prof. A. L. Pitcher is principal with an able corps of as- sistant teachers. For several years a teacher of drawing has been employed, A'liss Francis E. Nye, who has gi\-en general satisfaction. The "Mystic Academ}'" building was first oc- cupied as an academy by John L. Denison, I'rincipal, and afterwards purchased by the filth school district. There are .-now nine teachers in West Mystic schools, one of 'them being in the Flanders district. In 1850 there were four teachers in all. One of the events at that period was a school exhibition during the winter of '49-50. I1 was held one evening in the school house, whi«:-h-stood a few rods north of the Baptist church building, on the second floor, which 82 HISTORIC GROTON n < H rrt H P5 O <5 CO Ed >5 si fa -? HISTORIC GROTON S3 was the room of the older scholars, with Wil- liam H. Potter teacher. Dudle.v A. Avery was teacher on the lower floor. It was the time when the California fever was raging, with visions of staking out claims and panning out the gold dust. It was a varied programme and the crowded building shook with the applause given those who took part. The teacher was on the stage and being a little apprehensive of danger retpiested the audience to be quiet and not stamp the feet. One of the pieces rendered was a popular song of the day by Frank L. Dudley. The visitors, some of whom were soon to sail for the land of gold, could not suppress their enthusiasm and joined in the chorus : "Oh, California! Oh. tliat's tlie place for me! I'm bound for Cahfornia with my washbowl on my knee." He was closing up the song with "wash- bowl" in hand and the chorus was making the welkin ring, when the floor began to settle, letting them all down amid much confusion and outcries. The stage also dropped in front, thus sliding most of the audience to the lower floor. No one was seriously hurt. The exhibi- tion was afterwards repeated in a conference house with a fee to helj) pa_\- the cost of re- pairs. The Oral School for the Deaf, located on the hill near the north line of \\'est Mystic. is a useful and successful institution. It re- ceives regular appropriations from the state. The pupils have recently numbered between forty and fifty. The L'niversal Peace Snciet\- hold their an- nual meetings in their grove on "Great Hill," which is south from the Oral school grounds. These meetings are largely attended and no doubt are productive of good. There may be differences with some of the views expressed ; but no person can doubt the sincerity of the advocates, nor the merits of the cause. The Mystic and Xoank Library was found- ed in 1892. The librar_\- corporation was form- ed in 1893 and consists of five trustees. This large and elegant structtire was the gift of Capt. Elihu Spicer. Some years ago he also purchased a farm home fur the dependent ones of the town. He has passed from us, but his liberality should not be forgotten. During the war of 1812-14, the people along the coast were harassed by the British fleet. Conunodore Hardy's men, besides their expe- rience at Stonington, also found their equals in this vicinity. During the year 1813. the sloop I'"ox, Capt. Jesse Crary, was capturetl. Within a few weeks more than twenty Amer- ican sails were captured. Capt. Crary had escaped, and immediately planned for the re- capture of his vessel. The sloop Hero was fitted out from Mystic with a privateer's commission, Ambrose H. Llurrows, captain. They were provided with a four-pounder, fire- arms and ammunition. Before reaching Block Island they saw the Fox standing in with double reef. She came within two miles of the Hero when she l)ecanie suspicious, tacketl ship and ran off. Both sloops were built by Fldredge Packer at \Vest Mystic and were fast vessels. The I'^ox was furnished with a six ])ounder. but the Hero keeping on her lee, she could not bring it to bear. The guns of the Hero soon forced the Fox to change her Course, and as she wore around, the Herw ran her bowsprit through the Fox's niaitisail; tiiey then grappled and fought hand to hand, '{"he battle ended just at evening with a vic- tory for the Hero. It took place the last day of April, about ten miles southeast of Block Island. The next morning while the British were in hot purstiit the Hero and Fox passed triumphantly up the ri\er. The victors were mostly young men, and a number of thein be- came masters of merchant vessels. In June the enemy had captured and de- stroyed a sloop near the mouth of the river, and atteinpted to ca])ture Capt. Jeremiah 1 la- lev's sloop, which had grounded on Ram Point, but they were driven off. The location known as Fort Rachel, a natural fortification of rock on its east and south sides, a short distance south from the ferry, was manned as a defence by the citizens. A company had been fonued, and Jonathan Wheeler the village fdacksmith, was chosen captain. It was de- cided to make .the attempt to capture part of the British fleet. 84 HISTORIC GROTON A barge was built and fitted up as a decoy, loaded with barrels and boxes. Capt. Simeon Haley, Paul Ijurrows, John Washington. Hen- ry Park and Ezekiel Tufts managed her so as to attract attention when a black barge from the ileet with an officer and a dozen men gave chase. After some manoeuvering the de- coy men were driven ashore at Long Point, west of Xoank, and fiercely followed up the bank by the P)ritish, who unexpectedly met the forces under Capt. \\'heeler, which were ed, and the atmosphere was one nf war with the tramp of armed men ready lor the frav. Isaac Park, one of the residents, was taken prisoner while otT in his fishing boat, and held on board the frigate se\'eral days. Learning that he was a pilot, they tried to force him to steer their barge up the river one dark night. He api^arently yielded and chose an hour when it was cpiite low tide. The barge was filled with men supplied with weapons. One of them kept his pistol j^ninting at Park, so VIEW OF SHIPYARD FROM THE liRIIKiE lying in ambush. .\t the first fire of the mili- tia, which killed one and wounded others, the pursuers threw up their hands and surrender- ed. They were taken in their barge around to the ferry landing and to the Randall house, where the wounded were cared for. The dead Pritisher was buried near the northwest cor- ner of the old Packer cemetery on the hill. The wounded recovered and later the prison- ers were exchanged. It was much like a camp ground around the "1(1 landing. .-V raid or an attack was expect- that he could understand he was to be shot if he attempted any trickery. They dipped the oars cautiously, but moved quite swiftly. W hen within range of the fort. Park veered his course and ran the craft on Clam Island, just south of the railroad bridge. As the \'es- sel grounded and the attention of the men was taken from him, he junqied from the stern and swam into the channel. In the dark- ness he escaped. They made no further direct attcnii>t to attack "that nest of wasps up the rixer." HISTORIC GROTON 85 Judge R. A. ^Vheeler's report of the battle i.\11'.\X V lers. It appears to be eas\- and natural to criti- cise past events, yet it may not be so easy to fully comprehend the situation at the time they occurred. Connecticut was like a wil- derness roamed by wild beasts and a savage race. Few in numbers and scattered, the col- ony realized the time had come to take ac- tion for their own safety. Massachusetts ga\'e some assistance and John Mason, a trained soldier, who had preferred life with ihe colony to being a major general, was chosen captain of the expedition. Blulif and courageous, he was a typical representative of 90 HISTORIC G HO TON that era, being regarded as a hero through- out New England. It was a perilous undertaking. The com- mander, and no doubt every man of them, had the intelligence to comprehend what would be their doom, with the probable fate of the colony if they failed. The Pequots were fleet of foot and were dreaded for their cruelty. Mason knew that his Indian allies, who cher- ished a fear of them, might not be relied on. It was a critical moment when the Pequots, serts itself. At the time of the battle on Pe- (juot Hill and for many years afterwards, civ- ilization appeared as in a morbid condition. It was not only in European countries, but also in Xew England, the air was surcharged with cries against "heresy" and "witchcraft," and punishment with a horrible death was often meted out. It seems a strange commen- tary that progress of civil and religious lib- erty should have to come through war ; but historv reveals the fact of the tendencv of liu- I'L.A^NT OK THK STANDARU MACHINERY rOMPANV after the first shock of surprise was over, came swarming out to repel the invaders. The liurning embers in a wigwam suggested the idea, which was seized upon to aid the con- (|Uest. The strife which followed was of short duration and terrible: but the colony was saved. .\ noted and experienced veteran declared with graphic emphasis, "War is hell ! " W lien contending armies meet for a decisive conflict ii means there will be destruction and death. In the hour of such extremity, the right of self preservation, nature's first law. usually as- man natiu^e when clothed with power to use it arbitrarily and unjustl)'. which has been a chief cause of war. Religious devotees have proved no exception to the rule. It was the reaction of this tendency which caused the article for religious freedom to be imbedded in the Constitution of the United States, for which there is cause to be grateful. Pjorn and reared in Xew England. ".Around lier hills and valleys cling the gentle recollec- tions of onr early life." Cherishing a feeling :ikin to reverence, it is not desired to sjieak litrhth- about the "awful \irtues of our Pilgrim HISTORIC GROTON 9' sires ;" for whatever their faults, their virtues were not excelled by those of any creed or any people of that epoch. Investigation and the diffusion of knowledge have helped to curb the spirit of fanaticism and intolerance which so widely prevailed. The time sliould not be far distant when education with religion — with the light of history as a guide, can af- ford some assurance of a continual peace on the earth. It is nearly two thousand years since the \'>'ords were spoken to His followers : "This is my commandment that ye love one an- other, even as I have loved you." In the hour of agony proving himself the exemplar of the sermon on the Mount, forsaken even by His disciples. He prayed for His persecutors : "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do!" A\'hen all the sects of Christendom exhibit that spirit towards each other, and a majority of the human race attain to that high plane of charity and love, it may reasonalily be expected that wars will cease. 92 HISTORIC GROTON Old Mystic By SIMEON GALLUP EAR the northeasterl}' corner of ID the town of Groton the Lantern Hill brook flowing from the north joins a stream from the west, and thence both continuing southerly are soon lost in the tide waters of the broad estuary known as the ^lystic river. In the narrow \allev haxini;" the elevated ridge df scHooLHors?: (Juakataug Hill in Stonington on the east, and the rocky highlands of Groton on the west, just at the junction of the two streams nestles the village of Old Mystic. Its beautiful sit- uation and charming natuial features have been renowned ever since the advent of the white man. Tradition tells us that people who first came into this section from the val- ley of the Mystic river in the vicinity of Bos- ton brought the name with them and gave it to this delightful river and valley. The early settlers of Gonnecticnt and Rhode Island were exposed to the inveterate hostility of the Pequot Indians and endured untold suf- ferings from their relentless warfare. In 1637 the Massachusetts, Plymouth, and Connecti- cut colonies joined their forces in an expedi- tion to exterminate them, and iGapt. .John ^lason with eighty men and three hundred friendly Indians was sent into the Pequot Cduntry for that pur])ose. The precise situation of the Pequot head- cpiarters was not known, but was believed to be in southeastern Gonnecticnt. The forces assembled at Hartford and sailing down the Gonnecticnt river, thence around into Xarra- gansett ba)\ the)' anchored on the west side in the harbor at W'ickford, and disembarking set out on their march westward in pursuit of the enemy. Grossing Rhode Island they ar- med in the e\ening oi the 25th of Ala}' at the -Mystic ri\'er, which they forded at its head where Old Mystic is now situated. Here they learned that they were already in the vicinity of the savages whom the}- sought, and as the tlay was far spent they marched only a short distance further in a southerly direction, and took shelter for the night in a glen between I'lgh and precipitous rocks in the range of hills on the west, at a place known as Porter's Rocks. The tired and hungry tri.iojjs remained ihrough the night for rest and refreshinent. intending the next morning at break of day to attack the Pequot stronghold, which was only about one and a half miles further south, on the highland known as Pequot Hill west of the Mystic river. The sentinels heard the carousing of the Pequots in their fort as they engaged in the war dance through the night, expecting on the next day to go out and find and destroy the English, whose' vessels they had seen pass, and they supposed the English dared not attack them in the fort. At two o'clock on the morning of Mav 26th, the English went forth and quickly found the strongly fortified Pequot village. The storv HISTORJC GROTON 93 (.)[ the desperate fight that followed, and the almost complete destruction of the Pequots there assembled, has been oft told in histories oi state and nation, and need not be here re- peated. An important chapter in the early history of Groton was enacted, and a great movement accomplished toward securing safe- ty for the white race. The place of this des- perate struggle is of historic interest and im- portance, as well as that of the camp at Por- ter's Rocks, and each is well worthy of soiue fitting mimument by the State. The hamlet formed by the first settlers was from its situation on the river familiarly called by its inhabitants and their neighbors, "Head of the River," a name given to many other villages similarly situated. The post ofifice was early called "Mystic" and was established on the east side of the river. The name remainef many important industries, that have contrili- uted largely to the prosperity of the whole \-il- lage, is by this restriction to town boundaries placed without the limits of this article. .Such" is the case with the early ship-building indus- try at the Leeds shipyard, the making of cot- ton goods which flourished at John Hyde's factories at an early date, and later the man- ufacture of woolen goods by Amos B. Tay- lor, the banking business of the Mystic Na- tional bank, besides other lesser industries and mercantile interests. The opening of the New I^ondon and Prov- idence turnpike about the year 1S20 brought to the growing village communication with the outside world, as direct and immediate as any large cities dependent upon land travel en- joyed at that time. It was a part of an im- portant avenue of travel from New York to Boston, maintaining daily trains of three or more four-horse stage coaches. The passing of these stages was an object of great interest to those living near the turnpike. The neces sary stopping of these trains of coaches at the taverns or hostelries along the route for relay of horses, and refreshment of travelers, brought a breeze from the outside world, and was an occasion of much bustle and commo- tion. .-Ml the idlers of the village and many others, too. drew near to see the passengers, hear the news, and take their fill of the ex- citement of the day. The stage drivers, in the (ipinion of that company, were men of vast importance, and the one who could pick a fly fiom the ear of his leaders with his long whip or could round up his frisky team at the ta\- ern with an extra flourish, was the greatest man of them all. There was such a turnpike tavern in Old Mystic fronting the triangular \'illagc green kept b_\' Russel Williams. The house was built in 1754 and is still used as a dwelling. The separate part of the house, de- OI.D TFRXriKE T.WERN signed as a barroom, and the extra cupboards and closets in hidden and out of the way places, signify to this day the kind of refresh- ment mostly provided for travelers. .\ prosperous tannery business was estab- lished not far from the turnpike ta\-ern about the year 1841, and conducted for many years bv John S. Schoonover who accjuired a hand- some competence in its pursuit. He employei' several men and was noted for his careful at- tention to the details of business and for the superior quality of the leather he manufac- 94 HISTORIC GROTON tured. By his liberality the village received ii valuable tower clock which was placed in the steeple of the Baptist church. Xo village could long exist without its black- smith. A shop for the pursuit of that calling stood just at the entrance of the tan-yard above mentioned, and many will recall the corpulent form and cheery countenance of the occupant, Stephen H. Wheeler, as he dili- gently engaged in work at his anvil. There was work, and there was also talk. It seemed to be the privilege if not the duty of the black- smith to acquire all the news the very earliest moment it came to town, and there was always a story to tell, while the roaring bellows and the ringing anvil furnished a vigorous accom- paniment. The farmer who came with horses or oxen to be shod, or tools to be repaired, could have his defective line of news improved and his stores of information greatly increased, while his real errand compelled him to wait. The sound of the blacksmith's anvil has passed with those who made it, and even the shop has been obliterated, and its place can be pointed out only by those who remember. But the shoemaker's shop of old was the most homey place of all the trades, where one could sit at ease while being measured for a boot or shoe, or watch the piece of work grow under the shoemaker's skillful hands. Such a place was the shop of William Crumb, who for more than sixty years used as his place of work the former bar-room of the old turnpike tavern. His business included re- ]iairing and making boots and shoes in the best style of the art known in those days, both for custom work and for the wholesale trade. About the year 1850 the manufacture of ropes was an important industry in New England, though now but little pursued. Two rope walks were then in operation in Old Mys- tic : one conducted by Joseph A. I.amb was situated in the grove across the river from the main street of the village : the other man- aged by Barton Saunders was at the north end of the village on the Norwich road. Those were the days of the inveterate \illage joker. Three of that class were one day looking for a victim as Mr. Saunders came up the street. with a heavy load of factory spools or rollers of coarse thread used in making ropes, and stopped for a few minutes at the hay scales. One of the watching trio quietly cut the long rope used in binding the load, nearly severing it, and when the load moved on, all followed at a shdrt distance in the rear to see what would happen. As the team went up Brim- stone Hill at Crumb's corner, when near the top and at the steepest place, the binding rope parted, and the whole load was quickly dis- charged, rolling down to the foot of the hill. Mr. Saunders looked around with dismay, and after examination to find the cause, he soon discovered what had been done to the rope. The three men almost immediately appeared, and when they profusely ofifered their services to help replace the load, he was at once as- sured who were the authors of the disaster. A water privilege with a corn and grain mill was established in 1853 on the stream flowing from the west near its junction with the river, at which milling is done the greater part of the year in addition to a large trade in grain and feed. The mill pond also furnishes the privilege from which a great part of the ice used in both Mystics is taken, and is of it- self an important industry. About one mile westerly up this stream stands the old Babcock grain mill, used as such a generation ago, that business having been superceded in later years by a line factory. The hamlet known as Burnet's Corners is located at this point on the turnpike, and is so called from the residence of the Burnet family at one of the angles of the highway crossing. The house was built about the year 1840 by Capt. Richard Burnet and kept by him as the "Pequot Hotel" during the last da_\-s of passenger travel on the turnpike. Its spacious hall was at one time a noted resort for pleasure parties, for dancing schools, balls and other gatherings. The house is now the private res- idence of members of the same family. The rpposite angle of the highway is the site of the district school house. Continuing westward up this same inconsid- erable but very industrious stream, there was a small mill known as the "Stone Factorv" HISTORIC GROrON 95 built for the manufacture of cloth, but after- ward used for grinding corn and grain and other purposes. Above this was a mill some- times called "Blue Ruin" used as a carding mill in which woolen rolls were carded for spinning and weaving by hand in the homes throughout a wide section of territory. Half a mile north from Burnet's Corners was the machine shop and business of Watrous and Bacon, which employed several men and con- structed machines of value and importance. The Welles homestead is situated on the turnpike about half a mile west of the village near which is a steam mill used for sawing various kinds of lumber. The Welles family have from the earliest times been owners of large tracts of land in Groton, one of which includes the historic Porter's Rocks and their picturesque surroundings. The school advantages in Old Mystic are now better than can be found in most towns outside the large cities. Formerly the north- eastern section of the town including the vil- lage was a part of the Burnet's Corners dis- trict. In 1851 that section of Groton was incor- porated with the sixth school district of Ston- ington, having its school house already in the \illage of Old Mystic. By this change, all the village and the adjacent territory was joined in one district. The school has now three departments, but all the grades of the sched- ule of studies for the town of Stonington are represented. The high school is identical in rank and grade with the three other high schools in Stonington, all having the same schedule of studies, the same tests of schol- arship, and pupils in all may graduate and re- ceive a diploma on comjiletion of the course of studies. Oldest Baptist Church in the State The history of this church reaches back to a date one year earlier than the organization of the town of Groton. In 1704, a few scattered Baptists residing east of the Thames river in New London petitioned the general court for a settlement as a dissenting congregation, and sent a request to Mr. Valentine Wightman, then a young Baptist minister of reputation in Rhode Island, to come and be their leader. He came without delay, and in 1705 gathered and organized the First Baptist Church in Groton, which small company was also the first formed Baptist church in Connecticut. By the gift of William Stark, who was after- wards the first deacon of the church, the young pastor was presented with a house and twenty acres of land, which for several generations be- came the home of the Wightmans. This par- sonage was situated on Stark's Hill, as former- ly called, near which the New London and Providence turnpike was opened many years later. The house is still standing after the two liundredth anniversary of the church. The first meeting house of the Baptists was built in 1718, on land owned by Deacon Stark, about half a mile southeasterly from the parsonage, on the traveled path known as the Post road, two miles west of the present house of wor- ship. It was a plain, square structure of small dimensions, without paint or embellishments of any kind and never had fireplace or stove for warmth or comfort. But it had a history and memories of gospel sermons and worship that greatly endeared it to the two or three generations by whom it was successively oc- cupied. Mr. Wightman was of a race and family of preachers and was the great-grandson of Rev. Edward Wightman of Burton-on-Trent, who was the last martyr by fire in England, having been burnt at the stake at Litchfield, .April 11, 1612. He was well adapted to the work of pioneer in preaching the gospel, and sowed the seeds from which Baptist churches grew to advocate liberty of conscience. In the days when men, women and children could be thrown into prison for holding a Baptist meet- ing, he, with his faithful band, maintained the vital points of Christian libert}- as well as Bap- tist faith. The following statutes were enacted as late as 1723 : "Whatsoever persons shall presume on the Lord's Day to neglect the worship of God in some lawful 96 HISTORIC GROTON congregation, and form themselves into separate com- panies in private houses ; being convicted thereof shall each of them for every such offense forfeit the sum of twenty shillings." "Whatsoever person not being a lawfully allowed minister of the gospel, shall presume to perform the holy sacraments by administering them to any per- son or persons whatsoever, and being thereof con- victed, shall incur the penalty of ten pounds for every such offense, and suffer corporal punishment by whip- ping not exceeding thirty lashes for each offense." Many instances could be cited of those who suffered fines and imprisonment. In the years that have followed we can partially realize the ^reat changes that have taken place in the minds of men. Intolerance has given way to liberality of thought, and independence of ac- tion is everywhere permitted, but it should be mentioned as the first deacon, two others are known to have filled that office, Isaac Lamb and Joseph Culver. Mr. Wightman continued with the church until his death in 1747 closed I'ls long pastorate of forty-two years. A ^\'ightman memorial, erected in 1890, marks his resting place in the ^^'ightman Burial (iround which adjoined the first two houses of \vorship. Rev. Daniel Fisk of Rhode Island was called to be his successor. During his minis- try began the "great awakening" under the [■reaching of \\'hitefield and Davenport, which deeply moved all the churches, and in many the impressions made resulted in divisions. In VILLACK GREEN AND CHURCH EDIFICP: BlILT IN IRfiT remembered that not a truth or principle taught b\- the early Baptists has been recanted, changed, or overthrown. I\Ir. ^\'ightman was greatly fa\-ored by hav- ing as neighboring ministers of the Standing r)rder, Ephraim Woodbridge and John Owen, whose liberality towards the Baptists was in marked contrast to the spirit of the times. W'ightman and Owen ever labored side by side in accord and in mutual friendship until the death of the former. Mr. ^^'ightman was in advance of his day and of his own people. He introduced singing as a part of public worship, and to meet the strong ojjposition to this innovation he pu1)- lished a book advocating its practice. During his pastorate, besides William Stark, before Baptist churches there were also divisicms into t>pen and strict communion, and after various efforts to reconcile these views, at length in 1754, the church was reorganized, adopting open communion. From this time Timothy \\'ightman, son of the first pastor, became the leader of the church, and in 1756 was ordained pastor. \\ith him were associated twenty-eight members, and their co\enant dating June 29^. 1754, is upon the church records which, from that time forward. ha\e lieen full}' preserved. About the year 1765, the First Baptist church of Groton. then the leading church of that faith in the state, as well as the first born, returned to its former practice of strict communion, in consequence of which some of the members HISTORIC GROTON 97 withdrew and formed the Second Baptist church of Groton, sometimes called the I'ort Hill church. A historran tells us that Timothy W'ightman was a "man of medium stature and erect form, affable manners, serious deportment and man- ly bearing, and was nigh a model man." As a I reacher he was fearless and faithful. His ministry reached through two great upheavals in the histor}- of our country ; the "great awakening" in church life, before referred to, and the revolution that inaugurated our na- tional independence. He taught his people to honor the right, and his church furnished its c|Uota of patriiitic blood in defence of liberty. On one occasion two members of his flock who were soldiers, having been allowed to visit their Ikjuics and finding a meeting in progress, came at once to the meeting in all their sol- dierly outfit. ( )n entering they received from the pastor this scrijjtural greeting and wel- come: ".\nd being let go they went to their own company." Three deacons were ordained during his ministry, Jdlm \\ ightman and Peter Avery in 1/57' ^'t' Thnmas Xnrthmii Xiles in 1778. Deacon I'eter .\\ery was a man of decided personality and a leader in church matters. He was loud and strong of speech, but of agree- able manner and reputed wealth. He gave the church (ine hundred ]iounds sterling and a sil- ver cup for communion service. He was dea- con for fifty years, until his death. .\ glimpse of the old-time church singing is here given in the quaint language of the church record : "Oct yc 3, 1778. Dea Xiles moved that somebody should be chosen to set the Psalm, when tlie chiircli made choice of Br Benadam Gallup, and in his ab- sense Br John Daboll to set the Psalm and likewise voted that they set as near the center of the meeting- house as they conveniently can." "April ye 3, 1779. Br Gallup moved that the church should reconsider a vote of theirs in October appoint- ing him and Br Daboll to tune the Psalm, as he found Br Daboll's gift to be superior to his. .\ccoi-dingly at Br Gallup's desire they appointed Br Daboll to be first in tuning the Psalm and Br Gallup to assist him." During Timothy ^^'ightman's ministry there were large additions to the church, which numbered two hundred and fifteen members at the close of his pastorate. In 1790, a second house of worship was built on the site of the former house. Mr. Wightman's death occurred in 179O at the age of seventy-seven, in the flirty-third year of his pastorate. An interval of four years followed during which Rev. Reuben Palmer of Montville preached as supply a part of the time, and more than se\-enty were added to the churcli. Among others, John Gano W'ightman, son of tlie late pastor, a young man of more than or- dinary ability, who had received a classical education at Plainfield Academy, was con- verted and baptized in 1798 at the age of thir- ty-one. Soon afterwards he accepted the call of the church to become its pastor and was crdained Aug. 13, 1800. John Gano W'ightman was a logical and riuent speaker, well versed in scripture and a successful minister of Christ. During his pas- torate not less than ten seasons of revival w'ere e.\i)erienced. greatly strengthening the church and repairing the losses l)y death and removal to cities and \-illages and to the far west. .A branch church was formed in 1831 as the Third Baptist church of Groton, afterwards known as the Mariner's church, located west of the river at .Mystic, then called Portersville. During his pastorate the following were or- dained deacons: Benadam Gallup in 1800, Samuel Lamb and Sands Fish in 1810, Stanton P. Babcock in 1828. and Coddington Colver and James C. Lamb in 1838. The church was blessed with faithful lav- men as well as officers. Joseph Colver, a lineal descendant of Gov. Winthrop of Connecticut, was a judicious and trusted helper, and a tower of strength to the church in his dav, and in faithful attendance his record is without a ])arallel. He carefully kept a diary and accord- ing to its pages he was absent from Lord's day service only twice in forty years. Two of his grandsons have filled important positions in the P.aptist ministry. Rev. Palmer G. Wight- man whiise name appears later as pastor of this church, and Rev. Joseph C. ^^■ightman an eminent scholar and divine. Another \-alual>le contributor to the spirit- ual life of the church was "Old Quash." as he was commonly called. Ouash Williams was a HISTORIC GROION slave in early life and never learned to read, but he was mighty in the Scriptures and knew them jjetter than man_\- whci teach them as their sacred calling. He could say with David, "Thy w'ord have I hid in my heart." His gift of exhortation was wonderful. His appeals were full of the lively imagery and fervid emo- tion peculiar to his race combined with such feeling and sensible application of divine truth, and expressed in voice and manner so effec- tive that his audience could rarely refrain from tears. His counsels were a \alual)le help ti_) man}', and in after years the memory of his services prompted the erection of a monu- ment at his grave. %/^^ I'KKSKNT HAPTIST CHniCll The first .Sunday school connected with the church was organized in 1827. Though not having means of conducting that work in the manner of the present day, it had in view the fundamental object of gaining and imparting a knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, in wliich it was eminently successful. Mr. \Mghtman died in 1841, having served the church as pastor forty-(.)ne }'ears. With his death closed a remarkable series of pastorates by father, son, and grandson, covering a pe- riod of one hundred and twenty-six years. It is impossible to justly review the history of this church without carefullv considering the lives of these men and their influence upon the peo]3le of their day. To them, with their unfeigned love of the truth, their piety, their sturdy maintenance of Baptist principles in face of all opposition, and to their wise and diligent leadership is due the ini])ressions which made all this wide section of country liecome special Baptist ground. That such is the fact, the five flourishing Baptist churches in the town of Groton, and five more in the ad- joining towns of Stonington and Xorth Ston- ington are continual witnesses. .\fter the death of John ( i;uio Wightmau. Air. B. Y. Hedden, a member of the Fort Hill church, was called to the pastorate, and was (irdained in April, 1842. IJuring his short stay of about one year the church seems to have been vmusually active, and a change of the lo- cation of the meeting house was advocated. On the twenty-second of February, 1843, a \ote was passed to remove to Mystic, as Old Mystic was then called, whenever a suitable liouse of worship should be erected at that place. In the same month a branch church \vliich had been maintained for a time at Led- yard was constituted an independent church. Also on the sixteenth of March a delegation from this church assisted in a council at Gro- ton Heights in establishing the present Groton Ileights church. In A])ril, 1842, Stephen Peckham, Avery Gallup and Uaniel Chipman were ordained deacons. Mr. Hedden was succeeded in 1843 '^y Re^'- L'harles C. Lewis who remained with the church less than one year. In the meantime the site for a new house ol worship was se- cured, located still within the town of Groton, where the present house stands, and a new church was built, which was dedicated Feb- ruary 22, 1844. The old house in Groton remained standing for a time and some were unwilling to give it up as a place of worship, and meetings were fiequently held within its hallowed walls. Like its predecessor it made no outward pretension to architectural beauty, but was a square, barn- like structure without spire or steeple or even ■A chimney. The pipe from its one stove after crossing the room horizontallv found its way HISTORIC GKOTON 99 nut tlirnugh a window, where a pane of glass iince had l)een. It had the square family pews III" those times, each one completely walled in li\' a high hoard partition in which the older occupants sat where they could see the preach- er, but the children were placed with backs to- \\ard the pulpit, and their \-ie\v was mostly confined to the inside walls of their prison, re- lieved only by the stern countenances of their elders. \ ivid recollections now come of ser- \ ices in that house when the sound of the preaching seemed something wonderful ; and when the hymn was sung by singers in the gal- lery, wholly out of sight from the children's place in the cavernous pew, after vainly trying to tind where that sound came from, the ine\'- iiable conclusion was reached that it came from heaven. Sometimes during service a bright-eyed scjuirrel would come a little way out from his hiding place and all unmoved by h.is surroundings, listen for a short time to the ]n-ofound preaching, then with a scamper re- tire to his own haunts. The interior work of the house was more highly finished, with hand wrought panels and mouldings, and the front of the lofty pulpit with much carved work, on all of wdiich no paint was ever used, but it remained in the natural color and finish of the wood. IJut the most striking feature of that room was its huge I'ear-shaped sounding board, hanging by a single rod of iron directly over the minister as he stood up to preach. A childish fear amount- ing almost to torture was continuously present that at some dreadful moment that mights- thing would drop and utterly extinguish the ]5oor preacher. Whether the sounding board greatly increased the volume of the speaker's voice is a matter of doubt, but in this case it was sure e\-idence of the regard a loving peo- jile had for a fatherly pastor, for in building that house in the later years of Timothy W'ightman's pastorate, when his speech had lost some of the strength and \igor of vouth, this device was added to increase the sound, that all might be able to hear his voice. Xo thought entered their true hearts of exchang- ing his counsels for those of another, even though the marks of time and weight of years were apparent in waning strength and voice. Little wonder that those who had been wor- shi])pcrs in that house were unwilling to give it up. for they had memories that stirred their hearts, and had an abiding affection for that house in its lieautiful retired place by the fra- grant forest, and for the quiet church yard where their loved and lost were laid to their king rest. There often indeed "The sounding aisles of the dim woods rang To the anthem of the free." Rev. Cyrus Miner was the first pastor to oc- cupy the new house, beginning his services in April following the dedication, lie remained only one year and was succeeded by William L'. Walker, who was called by this church to liis first pastorate in April, 1845. Though }oung, his loving disposition, genuine good will, and zeal for his Alaster soon won to him the hearts of his people. He was ordained in June at the session of the Stonington Union .Association, which was held with the church that year. During his pastorate of fi\-e years, the first additions were made to the church on its new grountl. The Sunday school received special attention from him, and from that time was made more attractive and important as a part of church work. Ill-health, which prevented continued elTort in public speaking, led to his resignation. The minister's support in those days does not now seem to have been a gilded attraction, as the records show the amount to have been but three hundred dollars per an- num, and even this sum was with difficulty raised and not always promptly paid. Rev. James Squier was the ne.xt pastor for about one year. During his stay an increase of interest was manifest and extra meetings were held. Among others who assisted in the services was Rev, Erastus Miner whose preaching greatly interested many, and who was eventually called to lie the next pastor. The church gained in numbers during the ear- lier part of his ministry, but later there was dissatisfaction and it grew so great that the church was divided and separate meetings HISTORIC GROTON were held. This state of things continued for a time after Mr. Miner had severed his con- nection with the church. Rev. John E. Wood was next called and came to his duties with a plan for laying aside all diflferences and reuniting the church on common ground, wdiich under his discreet leadership as pastor was happily effected. His active career and efforts awakened renewed interest in all church work. The Sunday school was reinvigorated and by his planning, the Simdav School Convention to the Stoning- BAPTIST PARSONAGE, OLnEST IN A-MEKU A ton Union Association was established, and the first meeting was held with this church in 1858. He resigned in Xoveniljer, i860, and was followed by Rev. Edgar A. Hewitt, who continued with the church three years. By a bequest of Mrs. Sally Gallup the church re- ceived a fund of about fourteen hundred dol- lars. Soon after the resignation of Mr. Hewitt, Rev, Palmer G. Wightman, grandson of Rev. John Gano Wightman, accepted a call to the pastorate and commenced his labors upon the field of his fathers in June, 1864. He was well fitted for the position, and began his pastoral work with unwavering faith, active zeal and untiring effort. The church responded to the s])irit and earnestness manifested by him, and there began a harvest of accessions to the cliurch. During the winter of 1865 and 1866, meetings were continued nearly every even- ing for more than three months, and within that time eighty-eight were baptised. In the extra work of that winter Mr. Wightman was c'reatlv assisted h\ Elder labez Swan of evan- gelistic renown, the two working in pertect accord with each other and with the church. Though no other revival of like power was experienced, many more were afterward add- ed to the church. During the twelve years of his pastorate two hundred and twenty-four new members were received, and the mem- bership of the church reached the highest point in its history, having been two hundred and ninety-six in 1875. ^^'ith increased membership and larger con- gregations the house of worship was found too small for the needs of the church, and it was at length decided to build a new house, which was erected on the site of the old one and ded- icated in October, 1867. The Sunday school was at this period under the superintendence i.;f Amos F). Taylor and continued to be for nearly twenty years, and was larger than at any time since its formation, numbering over two hundred scholars. \\\ the bequest of Zer- viah \Mghtman, daughter of Rev. John Gano \\ightman, the church came into possession of its present parsonage and a considerable sum (;f money as a fund for the support of gospel ]ireaching. In 1867, Thomas H. \'incent was appointed deacon, and in 1872, Allan Steven- son, Xeheniiah M. Galluji and Pjenjamin B. Hewitt were also appointed to that oiScc. Mr. Wightman resigned his pastorate in 1876, hav- ing been greatly instrumental in Iniilding up the church in numbers, influence and efficien- cy. Re\'. Eli Dewhurst succeeded to the pastor- ate the same year in wdiich Mr. Wightman re- signed, and continued with the church five years. During that time an effort was made t!P clear the church of infleljtedness upon its iiouse of worship, and by the sacrifices of many who contributed large sums for that purpose the w hi lie amount was raised and paid. ]\Ir. Dewhurst was followed by Mr, John Richard- son who was ordained by the church, and re- mained a little more than a year. During his pastoral term a number were received into the church. Re\". Homer A, King became pas- tor in July, 1883, remaining also a little more HISTORIC GROTON than a year, and was in turn followed, Jan- uary, 1885, 1)\- Kev. A. j. Wilcox who remained only a few months. In September of the latter year Rev. A. J. Chandler was called to the pastorate. With h.im an important re\'ival season was experi- enced, in which additions were made to the church, and it was greatly quickened in spirit- ual thought and life. In 1894 some changes were made in the interior of the house of wor- shi]3, rendering the whole much better adapted to all the needs of church work. Three dea- cons were chosen in 1887. .Simeon (Gallup, Wil- liam II. Lamphere, and Amos D. Turner. Mr. Chandler resigned in 1895, closing ten years of pastoral labor, and was succeeded in Xovem- ber of that year by Rev. Dryden W. Phelps, who continued pastor about three and one-half }"ears. A legacy of one thousand dollars, the gift of Mrs. Julia .\. Langworthy, was receixed by the church in 1899. In December of that }ear Rev. Henr_\- W. Wilson accepted a call to the church, and began a pastorate full of encour- agement and promise, which, howe\er, was brought to a sudden close by his untimely death June 5tli, 1902. About forty were re- ceived into the church during his labors. •Mr. ^^ ilson was fnljowed by Rev. Herbert B. Hutchins. \yho began his pastoral work in November of the same year. In June, 1904. the Stonington Union Asso- ciation held its one hundred and thirty-second anniversary with the church. At that session the associaticin presented the church a bronze memorial tablet "commemorating the found- ing of this, the first Baptist church of Connec- ticut in 1705, and the maintenance by it of the standard of Religious Li1>erty. and the self- sacrificing devotion of \'alentine W'ightman. its founder. Timothy W'ightman, his son, and John Cano W'ightman, his grandson, succes- sively its ministers for one hundred and twenty- six years." The year 1905 closed the second century of the existence of the church. In August of that year exercises were held commemorating that e\ent. beginning on Sunday, .August 6th, and continuing until Aug. (;th. At the public ser- \ ices held each day, addresses were delivered b}" prominent speakers from abroad in con- nection with (ither appropriate exercises. .Af- ter the address on \\ ednesday, Aug. 9th, the bi-centennial exercises were concluded with a bancpiet and sncial reunion. .\t the close of the second century of church life the number of members is two hundred and two. .Since 1754, the earliest date from x^hich a continuous record of meml)ership can now be traced, to the present time, twelve hun- dred and eight\-se\ en members have been en- rolled. Twenty-eight ministers of the gospel have gone out from this membership to their \vork in all parts of the land. If imbued with the spirit of the Dixine Master, and the cinir- age and devotion of some of the early fathers whose career has been here reviewed, another centurx' may show a powerful influence for godd from their labors also. Mr. Hutchins closed his pastorate in March, 1907. and was succeeded by Rev. J. M. 01m- stead, in Xovemlicr of the same vear. University of Connecticut Libraries