Windham County

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 Fourth of July celebration on Thompson hill was held by the Jeffersonian republicans the same year-Doctor Knight (postmaster), Captain Jonathan Converse and Joseph Joslin, committee. A bower was put up on the treeless common, a band of music procured, and appropriate toasts prepared. Joseph Wheaton … Read more

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, and greatly enjoying the religious gatherings in their own school house. As Rhodesville grew up and both villages increased in population it was most interesting to see the families and foot travelers starting off on a fair summer morning for West Thompson, Pomfret and Killingly. … Read more

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 and a half square miles and 1,376 inhabitants had been taken from Thompson; seven and a half square miles and 275 inhabitants from Killingly; three square miles and 168 inhabitants from Pomfret. The population of the new town was thus 2,319. of which about three-fourths … Read more

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 Stratford, with the view of a settlement as pastor. At the same time it was voted to build a meeting house. In June it was voted that the county court committee set the stake on Lieutenant John Russel’s land. A subscription was started, the society … Read more

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, Isaac Kendall, John Pitts, Nathaniel Fuller and John Perry. On December 9th following the female members named hereafter were added to the number of original names: Sarah Hale, Abigail Mixer, Judith Ward, Mary Fuller, Mary Russel, Elizabeth Squier, Mary Fuller, Mrs. William Chapman and the … Read more

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 mostly from the Windham church, and it had only one pastor, Reverend John Storrs, a native of Mansfield, son of the minister in that town, and in the line of distinguished clergymen of the name. He was a faithful and useful man, but at his … Read more

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 west by Mansfield, in Tolland county. The surface is considerably hilly, and much of it is covered with forest growth which affords timber for building and other purposes. Much of the soil, however, is good, and agriculture may be successfully carried on. The New York … Read more

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 Haskin, and is a teacher at St. Paul; Charles, born in 1856, graduated at Eastman’s Business College, is a banker at Hampshire, Ill., married in 1884 Emma L. Sisley; Annie, born in 1858, married Robert AV. Stephenson of Hampshire, Ill.; Nellie, born in 1870. Merrick … Read more

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 its selectmen to purchase the ground, but its many urgent burdens and expenses compelled delay and reconsideration, during which interval Mr. Spalding proceeded to lay out the land and prepare a cemetery. July 4th, 1856, the first interment was made. Many persons secured lots, and … Read more

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 while in the prime of life, and after a long and distressing sickness died in 1785. Deacon Asa Witter died suddenly in 1792. Captain Ephraim Lyon, Nathan Waldo, Eliashib Adams, Jabez Ensworth, David Baldwin, Benjamin and Asa Bacon, Captain John Adams, Daniel Frost, Captain Stephen … Read more