Windham County

The opening of Aspinock and Mashamoquet added to the importance of Woodstock, the mother town, with established institutions. These “borderers ” attended service at her meeting house, improved her grist mill, traded at the Corbins’ shop, and participated in the festivities of training and election days. The mill privilege had now fallen into the hands of James Hosmer, whose family retained it for many years. John Holmes added a fulling mill to his accommodations, and was also chosen and desired to make coffins “as there may be occasion.” William Lyon, grandson of William Lyon, Sr.. accepted the office of grave … Read more

The present Wilsonville occupies the site of the ” Child’s Mills ” of former generations. Elijah Converse came into possession about 1796, and conveyed them to his son, Mr. Riel Converse, who ran grist and saw mills. In 1822 he sold mills and privilege, with nine acres of land, to Mr. Zirah Preston, for 52,700. Mr. Preston in the following year sold land to Mr. Laban T. Wilson, with privilege to run a wheel for the purpose of manufacturing woolen goods. Mr. Wilson soon put up., and set in motion a small establishment, engaging in the manufacture of satinet. In … Read more

In the central part of the town and about three miles east of Willimantic, lies the peaceful village of Windham, known also as Windham Centre. This village exhibits but little of the activity and business life characteristic of the modern village, but here was once the proudest center of business and social and political influence in Windham county. Here passed scenes of political and patriotic prowess, and events of widespread fame which have become famous in the annals of the state, and made the name of Windham immortal. This was in early days the principal settlement of the town, and … Read more

Putnam’s facilities for extinguishing fires were long wholly inadequate. Its fire companies were hampered by a scant supply of water. In 1875 a fire district was incorporated, including the village and its immediate vicinity; a fire department was organized and new engines procured. But in spite of these precautions, very destructive fires occurred. The great fire of October, 1877, swept through the heart of the village, consuming Bu-bee’s and Brown’s blocks, with all their stores and offices. Hardly less calamitous was the fire of 1882, when Bugbee’s block and other valuable buildings were destroyed., Hydrants ready for instant fuse in … Read more

South Windham is a pleasant little village about three and a half miles southeast from Willimantic. It is beautifully situated, amid romantic surroundings of hill and marsh, cultivated field and wooded plain, winding through all of which the swift, dark waters of the Shetucket gracefully ripple on their merry course to the sea. It has stations on the Providence Division of the New York & New England, and on the New London Northern railroads. It lies thirteen miles north-northwest from Norwich. It is situated in the southern part of the township, not far from the line. It has a population … Read more

At Williamsville on the Quinebaug, in the western border of the town, is a factory village, the initial factory of which was erected by Caleb Williams in 1827. That first mill was what is now the north wing of the mill, in size 144 by 44 feet and four stories high. After Williams the mill was owned by S. & W. Foster. In 1849 they formed a corporation composed of Samuel and William Foster and John Atwood. The company has remained to the present time, except that some of the ownership has passed to the heirs of individual owners. The … Read more

In the early history of the town schools received less attention in Windham than might have been expected in a town of such prosperity and intelligence. ” A school to be kept in Thomas Snell’s house ” appears to-have been for some time the only provision made in that direction. The committee appointed to manage the schools may have ordered them in different neighborhoods, however. In 1711 the town voted to have no more school committees, but to leave the matter in the hands of the selectmen. In 1713 the town ordered two school houses, one to be eighteen feet … Read more

Willimantic has shown great liberality in the management of its schools. For this purpose the borough is divided into two districts known as No. 1 and No. 2. The grand lists of both amount to nearly four million dollars. The value of all school property in the borough is about fifty thousand dollars. The new school building in District No. 1 is commodious, cheerful and convenient. It is located in a large yard occupying the corner of Valley and another street, and in the -yard are two other school buildings. The oldest one of these was erected in 1857, and … Read more

The care of public schools was early made over to the three parishes. Each parish acted as a distinct school society, building school houses, hiring teachers and managing its own educational affairs. Under this system the common schools were well sustained, and turned out an unusual supply of competent and successful teachers. It has been said that no crop in Woodstock was so sure as its school teachers. Not only has it raised a sufficient supply for its own numerous schools, but a large number has been sent out to help enlighten the ignorance of other towns. Part of this … Read more

Public schools continued under the administration of the ecclesiastic society till 1797, when by a change of law it was recognized in the “capacity of a school society.” Liberty had been previously given to the several districts to tax themselves for the purpose of building and repairing a. school house, to choose a clerk and appoint a collector and treasurer. In 1798 it was further enacted ” that each school society shall appoint a suitable number of persons to be overseers or visitors of its schools, whose duty it shall be to examine the instructors, superintend and direct the instruction … Read more