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Extracts from Newspapers
Hartford, May 8th, 1766: Last Monday evening the long expected, joyful news of the
total repeal of the Stamp Act arrived in town; upon which happy event, the
General Assembly of this colony, now sitting here, appointed the Friday
following as a day of general rejoicing. The morning was ushered in by the
ringing of bells-the shipping in the river displayed their colors-at 12
o'clock twenty one cannon were discharged, and the greatest preparations
making for a general illumination. Joy smiled in every face, and universal
gladness diffused itself through all ranks and degrees. But sudden was the
transition from the height of joy to extreme sorrow! A number of young
gentlemen were preparing fire works for the evening, in the chamber of the
large brick school house, under which a quantity of powder granted by the
Assembly for the purposes of the day, was deposited. Two companies of
militia had just received a pound a man, by the delivery of which a train
was scattered from the powder cask to the distance of three rods from the
house, where a number of boys were collected, who undesignedly and
unnoticed, set fire to the scattered powder, which was soon communicated
to that within doors, and in an instant reduced the building to a heap of
rubbish, and buried the following persons in its ruins, viz.
Mr. Levi Jones, John Knowles, (an apprentice to Mr. Thomas Sloan,
blacksmith,) and Richard Lord, second son to Mr. John Hans. Lord, died of
their wounds soon after they were taken from under the ruins of the
building. Mr. William Gardiner, merchant, had both his legs broke. Doct.
Nathaniel Ledyard, had one of his thighs broke. Mr. Samuel Talcott, Jun.
very much burnt in his face and arms. Mr. James Siley, goldsmith, had one
of his shoulders dislocated and some bruises in the other parts of his
body. Mr. John Cook, Jun. had his back and neck much hurt. Ephraim Perry,
slightly wounded. Thomas Forbes, wounded in his head. Daniel Butler, (the
tavern keeper's son,) had one of his ankles put out of joint. Richard
Burnham, son to Mr. Elisha Burnham, had his thigh, leg, and ankle broke.
Eli Wadsworth, (Capt. Samuel's son,) is much wounded and burnt, in his
face, hands, and other parts of his body. John Bunce, Jun. (an apprentice
to Mr. Church, hatter,) wounded in the head. Normond Morrison, (a lad that
lives with Capt. Siley,) a good deal burnt and bruised. Roderick Lawrence,
(Capt. Lawrence's son,) slightly wounded. William Skinner, (Capt. Daniel's
son,) had both his thighs broke. Timothy Phelps (son to Mr. Timothy
Phelps, shop joiner,) had the calf torn off one of his legs. Valentine
Vaughn, (son to Mr. Vaughn, baker,) had his skull terribly broke. Horace
Seymour, (Mr. Jonathan Seymour, Jun. son,) two sons of Mr. John Goodwin, a
son of Mr. John Watson, and a son of Mr. Kellogg, hatter, were slightly
wounded. Two mulatto and two negro boys were also wounded.
Conn. Gazette, May 31, 1766.
Hartford, September 22d, 1766-There are the greatest
number of bears come down among the towns that ever was known; they
destroy great quantities of Indian corn, and make great havoc among the
sheep and swine. Last Tuesday morning a large he bear was discovered in an
enclosure opposite the Treasurer's, and being pursued, he took to the main
street, which he kept till he got to the lane that turns eastward by the
south meeting house, (notwithstanding his being pelted from every part of
the street, with stones, clubs, &c.) and was followed into the south
meadow, where he was shot. The number of people that were out of doors, to
see so uncommon an animal in the town made it dangerous to fire at him in
the street. In the evening he was roasted whole, and a large company
supped on him.
New London Gaz. Oct. 10th, 1776
Hartford, November 10, 1778-On Tuesday last, were executed on Rocky
Hill in this town, David Farnsworth and John Blair, who were tried and
found guilty at a Division Court Martial, held at Danbury the
18th inst.,
for being found about the encampment of the armies of the United States,
as spies, and having a large sum of counterfeit money about them, which
they brought from New York.
Hartford March 20, 1781-The following is an extract of his excellency
General Washington's orders of the 17th instant. Alexander Mc
Dowall, late lieutenant and adjutant of Colonel Welles' regiment of the
state troops of Connecticut, having been, by a general court martial of
the line, held at Hartford the 7th day of March, 1781, whereof
Colonel Heman Swift was President, found guilty of desertion to the enemy,
and by the said court martial sentenced to suffer death for the same,
agreeable to the sixth section of the first Article of War; which sentence
is ordered to be put in execution on Wednesday, the 21st instant, at Hartford, between the
hours of ten in the forenoon and three in the afternoon of the same day.
January 4, 1785-At the Supreme Court, now sitting in this city,
the following persons have been convicted and sentenced, viz. Moses
Parker, for horse stealing, to sit on a wooden horse half an hour, receive
fifteen stripes, pay a fine of ?10, be confined in gaol and the work-house
three months, and every Monday morning for the first month to receive ten
stripes and sit on the wooden horse as aforesaid.
Moses Fisk,
of Middletown, for counterfeiting Treasurer certificate,
to receive twenty stripes, pay a fine of 20 pounds, and be confined
six months.
Judah
Benjamin, for polygamy, (he having married a wife in Symsbury, when he had
another living in Massachusetts,) to receive ten stripes, be branded with
the letter A, and wear a halter about his neck during his continuance in
this State; and if ever found with it off, to receive thirty
stripes.
The Supreme
Court at their present session, has tried and convicted several persons of
the crimes of forgery, horse stealing and bigamy, and the villains
received their respective punishments. One of the rogues was sentenced to
ride the wooden horse, that wonderful refinement of punishment in our
modern statutes. Accordingly
on Thursday last, the terrible machine was prepared-consisting of one
simple stick of wood, supported by four legs; and by order of the sheriff
placed on the State House square.
Hither the prisoner was conducted, and being previously well booted
and spurred by the officer, was mounted on the oaken stud. Here he continued for half an
hour, laughing at his own fate, and making diversion for a numerous body
of spectators who honored him with their company. He took several starts for a race
with the best horses in the city; and it was difficult to determine who
were most pleased with the exhibition, the criminal or the
spectators. After this part
of the sentence had been legally and faithfully executed, the culprit was
dismounted and led to the whipping post, where the duties made him more
serious. The whole was
performed with great order and regularity.
Connecticut Courant, No.
1041
Connecticut
Courant, June 12th, 1797 - On Saturday the
10th inst. the sentence of death was executed in this town
(Hartford) upon Richard Done, a native of Ireland, for the murder of
Daniel McIver, on the 4th of July, A.D. 1796. As there had not been an execution
in this place for a considerable number of years, a large concourse of
people collected from the neighboring towns to witness this melancholy
spectacle. It is generally
thought there were from six to ten thousand persons
present.
At one o'clock, P.M. the people congregated on the east side of the
State House in this city, from the portico of which the Rev. Mr. Strong
delivered a sermon (by particular desire of the unhappy prisoner) from the
following words of the prophet Hosea, chapter vi. verse 6. For I desired mercy and not
sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offering. About three o'clock the prisoner,
guarded by two companies of militia, attended by several clergymen, the
high sheriff of the county of Hartford, and his deputies, proceeded to the
place of execution; and at half past four, the scaffold was dropped from
under him. As he had from the
first, so he to the last moment of his existence, persisted in denying his
having been guilty of willful murder. He told the same story
uniformly. On this occasion
every part of the exercise was performed with the greatest decency and
propriety; and we are happy to add, that amid such a number of people, no
unfortunate accident took place.
Hartland,
Litchfield County, Jan. 19, 1796 - There is now living in this
town, one Mr. Jonas Wilder, in the 97th year of his age, and is
a steady, industrious man, seldom losing one day in a month by reason of
infirmity and old age; he was one of the first settlers in said town, and
has in this town lived near 36 years; he was then the oldest person that
ever lived in said town and ever since has been, and still remains, the
oldest person by several years.
He has had two wives and both of one name, both Christian and
maiden, the last of which he hath lived with about 65 years; he has had 12
children and never lost one; his eldest child is now in the 73d year of
his age, the youngest in his 47th. His sons, though but seven in
number, have sustained the following honorable offices, beside town and
society offices, viz. one Colonel, one Major, one Captain, two
Lieutenants, three Justices of the Peace, three Representatives, and three
Deacons.
His
posterity was numbered in 1773, and found to be 232, of which he had lost
only 16, and how many hath increased since then is unknown, as two lived
near Boston, two at Upper Coos, and three at Genesee. Conn. Courant.
Simsbury,
(Wheetog,) July 28th, Last Saturday we had such
a storm of hail as perhaps has not been known in the memory of man. The forenoon of that day was
extremely hot; about noon a very black cloud began to rise, which in about
two hours produced a heavy rain, attended with violent thunder. When the rain abated, there came
on hail, which increased so much that the last hail stones which fell were
supposed to be full the bulk of goose-eggs rather bigger than less. It did much damage to the smaller
and weaker animals and vegetables.
The apple trees, grain, and gardens were considerably damaged, as
were also the shingles of some buildings, the glass suffered less than was
expected. Cut had not the
hail fell considerably perpendicular, but little glass would have
escaped. Several of the hail
stones were weighted, and amounted to three ounces each, so long after
they fell that it was supposed one third of their magnitude was
dissolved. "Tis impossible to
communicate a true idea of a phenomenon so rare, unexpected and
terrible.
Hartford,
July 25th - In addition to the account in our last of
the hail storm at Simsbury, we learn that it destroyed great quantities of
English grain, but did more damage to rye than wheat; many large fields of
the former having been since mowed for fodder, in which Jonathan
Pettibone, Esq. Mr. Thomas Case, and others have great sufferers. In the park of the above Case, a
deer had one of his legs broke, and was otherwise so much wounded that he
soon after died. Several hogs
had their backs broke, some of which died some days afterwards. Some horses, and other large
animals, were cut through the skin by the biggest and more ragged hail
stones. "Tis also to be
noted, that great quantities of glass were broke, which the compiler of
the former particulars was not apprized of when he communicated the same
to us.
Connecticut
Journal, June 22d, 1770 - We hear
from Poquonnuck, a parish in the western part of Windsor, that about half
an acre of the surface of the ground there has lately sunk or fallen to a
considerable depth below the common surface or level; not unlike to what
is frequently occasioned by earthquakes, though attended with no
eruptions, either of water or fire; for which event no natural cause has
as yet been assigned. And it
is more unaccountable, as the ground that is sunk was not contiguous to,
or bordering upon any precipice or declivity, nor adjacent to any
collection of water that should occasion it to
sink.
Hartford,
Feb. 27th,1767 - One night last week, a panther having
killed nine sheep in a yard at Windsor, the owner of the sheep, one Mr.
Phelps, the next morning followed the panther by his track into a thicket
about half a mile from his house, and shot him. He was brought to this town, and
the bounty of five pounds allowed by law, was paid for his head. New
London
Gazette, No. 172.
From the
Ancient Records of the town of Windsor: Aug. 17th, Mr. John
Drake, Senr. Dyed accidentally, as he was driving a cart loaded with corn
to carry from his house to his son Jacob's. The cattle being two oxen and his
mare, in the highway against John Griffin's, something scared the cattle,
and they set a running, and he laboring to stop them, by taking hold on
the mare, was thrown upon his face, and the cart wheele went over him, and
broke one of his legs, and bruised his body so that he was taken up dead;
being carried into his daughter's house, had life come again, but dyed in
a short time, and was buried on the 18th day of August;
59.
Extracts
from the Wethersfield ancient town
records
Feb.
1652.
The townsmen have hired Hugh Wells to beat the Drum for one whole
yeare from the 25th of Aprill from that time twelve month every
night and morning for the setting of the watch and off the watch in
the morning, and for to beate it every Lords day the Lecture daies and for
all other occasions of the townsmen shall stand in need and for the
townsmen have promised to pay him four pounds.
It was
voted that the bell should be rung noe more to call the Assembly together
on the Sabbath, and Lecture days, but that the drum should henceforth be
beaten at such times 26th day 1660.
June
12, 1663. At a town meeting at Wethersfield about a
minister, it was voted whether the towne would hire Mr. Cotton for another
yeare, and those that were of that mind should hold up their hands, and
those that are of the contrary mind hold up your hands, and there was no
hands holden up to the contrary.
April
the 2d, (1665-6.)
The townsmen agreed with Sargeant John Killborne, to burne the
woods belonging to the south end of the towne, (viz. the woods between us
and Middletowne) at such a time or times as may be most convenient for the
advantage of the towne, and they are to allow him for his paines, in this
work: six shillings. At this time, they also agreed with Enoch Buck to
burne the woods belonging to the other end of the towne.
July
3d, 1676. At the
same meeting Mr. Samll. Talcoat, Leut. Jon. Chester, Ensigne Goodridge, Sarget.
Kilburne, and Sargt. Deming, together with the townsmen in being, were
impowered to order the sitting of all persons in seats and places in the
meeting house.
Oct.
16. It was voted and
agreed by the inhabitants of this towne, that the towne shal allow 12s. to
every person that shal kill a wolfe in the bounds of this towne, wh.
Together with, 8s. the county will be 20s.
At a towne
meeting Lawfully assembled in Wethersfield on the 6th day of
July, Anno Domini 1710;--At this meeting Sergt. Nathll. Stadart and Jabez
Whittlesey, were chosen to take the oversight of the youth that sit in the
lower part of the meeting house, viz. all the youth that sit below, and
James Butler chosen to have the oversight of the youth that sit in the
galleries, these persons to have the care and oversight of ym. for one
year or more, to endeavour the keeping of ym. in due order, and that they
take especial care that said youth sanctifie the Sabbath and that they
make no disturbance in the time of public worship.
Transcribed & Contributed by Marla S.
Source: Connecticut
Historical Collections, John Warner Barber, pub. 1836
The corner stone of the "Tariff Woolen Factory," in
Tariffville, in the town of Simsbury, Conn., was laid on the
14th ult., in the presence of above an hundred spectators,
and an elegant address was delivered by W. H. Knight, Esq., one of
the founders of the contemplated establishment. The building is to be
of stone, 85 by 46, and four stories high. It is intended for
the manufacture of superfine broadcloth and will turn out 100 yards
per day. This place is beautifully situated on the Granville
turnpike, 11 miles from this city, and within 150 rods of the surveyed route of
the Farmington Canal. - Hartford Mirror.
Transcribed & Contributed by Nancy P.
Source: The Gettysburg
Compiler, May 11, 1825
A
powder mill and other buildings, the property of Erastus Phelps & Co.
of Granby, Connecticut blew up on the afternoon of Thursday, the
25th ult., and two unfortunate men at work in the buildings
blew up with them. It is supposed that the accident was occasioned
by the dust falling into the mortar, while the mill was operating.
The explosion was tremendous. Scattered fragments of the buildings
and pieces of the mangled bodies were found at a great distance and but
for the extreme exertions of those that escaped, the magazine containing
150 barrels would have been blown up too.
Transcribed & Contributed by Nancy P.
Source: The Gettysburg
Compiler, June 14, 1826
We
can name another remarkable instance of steady habits. The late
Samuel Wyllis was appointed by the people under the old Charter of the
then province of Connecticut, Town clerk of the town of Hartford and was
annually re-elected for sixty-one years and for sixty years was annually
chosen by the people of that state, Secretary of State, which office he
held to the time of his death, long after we separated from Great Britain.
Out
of respect to his memory the people of that state, emphatically of steady
habits, annually chose his son to succeed him to the time of his son’s
death, a period of twelve or fifteen years. We question if a similar
instance of public confidence being continued for so long a period in one
family can be found in ancient or modern history. – Baltimore
Amer.
Transcribed & Contributed by Nancy P.
Source: The Gettysburg
Compiler, November 15, 1826
Margaret Murphy of Hartford had an
inch of her nose bitten off by a dog last week.
Springfield Republican, June 19, 1888 -
Transcribed by Nancy Washell
Sad Death of Three
Children
Hartford, Conn., July 30 –
Raymond, 9; Leroy, 7; and Freddie, 4, the children of James W. Ganion, a
locomotive engineer on the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad,
who have been missing since Thursday evening, when they went to bathe in
the Connectient river, were found dead at 3 o'clock yesterday morning in
the closet of a freight caboose standing on a side track near the
roundhouse, not 300 feet from their home. The little ones had gone into
the closet, the door of which closed with a spring lock and imprisoned
them. They evidently died of suffocation, the weather being very hot about
that time.
Transcribed &
Contributed by Dale Donlon
Indian Chieftain; Vinita. I. T. (OK); August 2,
1894
Broke Leg Pulling on Boot.
Andrew J. Curtiss, of Bristol , a commercial traveler, broke a
bone in his right leg while engaged in the apparently simply operation of
pulling on his boot. This unusual occurrence has brought about a lawsuit
in which Mr. Curtiss is the plaintiff and an accident association the
defendant.
Mr. Curtiss declared that he broke his leg in
Granby on June 10, 1904, the left strap to his boot coming off suddenly,
“by which his leg was suddenly and violently wrenched to the right, said
wrench causing a fracture of the pubic bone and has caused him great pain
and soreness, which has continued to the present time."
He says that for more than
fifty-two weeks he has been totally disabled and unable to attend to his
business or any other, and for much of the time has been confined to his
bed
.(Source:
The Garland Globe, Feb 17, 10906, pg 3. Transcribed by Richard Ramos)
To Wed An Old Lover
An
Oregonian’s Sweetheart of Pioneer Days Comes West to Marry Him
To
wed her childhood’s sweetheart, whom she has not seen for more than forty
years, Mrs. Ruth Bradford Maxham, left Rockyhill, Connecticut, last
Thursday for Lebanon, this state. When she was a girl in Northfield,
Va., Ruth Bradford’s constant playmate was Chas. Green, an orphan, who was
taken into her home. When he grew up Green came to Oregon. He
corresponded regularly with his former playmate, and, after he had won a
home in the West, he invited her to share his prosperity.
Miss Bradford
had given her consent to marry Volney Maxham of Hartford two days before
receiving Green’s proposal and was forced to dash her lover’s hopes.
Green was so keenly disappointed that he enlisted as a volunteer in the
Civil War, in which he fought his way to a Captain’s commission. On
his return he married an Oregon girl, who died the next year. Maxham
died last year in Hartford and Green renewed his request and was accepted
by the widow.
(Thursday, November 15, 1900 - Lake County
Examiner (Lakeview, OR))
(Submitted by J. D. - A Friend of Free
Genealogy)
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