The early politics of the town were strongly federal and conservative, and it was not till 1803 that sixteen votes were cast for the republican or administration party; but so rapid was its growth, enhanced by Methodist and Baptist votes, that in 1806 it cast 96 votes, only 13 less than the federalists. The first […]
As soon as it became manifest to the “gathering multitude ” that the villages in the vicinity of Pomfret Factory were to be consolidated into one comprehensive organism, plans were set on foot for the establishment of churches. The old inhabitants of Pomfret Factory were distinctively meeting goers, faithfully attending service in the adjacent churches,
As we have already seen, the town of Putnam was incorporated in May, 1855. After incorporation and organization the town set to work to adjust the many perplexing questions which naturally confront a new corporation just starting out upon its voyage of existence. Settlement with mother towns was amicably effected within a few months. Nine
The Congregational church in Eastford was organized September 23d, 1778; present at the organization, Reverends Stephen Williams, John Storrs and Elisha Hutchinson. The original members were: Andrew Judson, Benjamin Sumner and wife, Jonathan Chapman and wife, Samuel Snow, Elisha Wales, Simeon Dean and wife. In May it was voted to hire Mr. Andrew Judson of
November 26th, 1718, a church was formally organized in Ashford by Reverend Josiah Dwight, Mr. Samuel Whiting and Joseph Meacham, of Coventry. Mr. Hale was ordained pastor, and the following men subscribed to the articles of covenant: James Hale, John Mixer, William Ward, Joseph Green, Isaac Magoon, Matthew Thompson, William Chapman, Benjamin Russel, Daniel Fuller,
During the war of the revolution a small Congregational church was constituted in what is now the southeast part of Chaplin, on what is called Chewink Plains, a locality of flat land which was much frequented by the little birds in whose honor the name was given. The original members of this early church were
Chaplin, one of the smallest towns of Windham county, lies in the southwestern part, on the western border and next north of the town of Windham. It is bounded on the north by Ashford and Eastford, on the east by Hampton, on the south by Scotland (for a short distance) and Windham, and on the
Jirah L. Backus was born in Chaplin in 1828. He was educated at Chaplin, represented the town of Chaplin in the legislature in 1872, and has held various town offices. He was married in 1852 to Susan Dodge of Eastford. Their children are: Clinton, born in 1853, graduated at Amherst College in 1883, married Carrie
After town organization, the lack of a suitable burial place was painfully apparent. Having in his possession near his residence a tract of land (a part of the old “Mighill Farm,” Killingly) which he deemed especially suitable for this purpose, Chandler Spalding offered it to the town for a public burying ground. The town instructed
Reviewing the progress of the town after the revolutionary period we find Doctor Jabez Fitch prominent, occupying for many years the offices of justice of the peace, judge of probate and colonel of the Eleventh Regiment. He died in 1784. Colonel Aron Cleveland, so prominent in public affairs during the revolution, was struck with palsy