Connecticut Historical Collections

In memory ol' Henry Obookiah., a native of Owyhee. His arrival in this conntry gave rise to ihe Foreign Mi.ssif>n Schoiil, of wliicli lie was a worthy member. He was once an Idohuer, and was (lesignLi! fur a Piieriin Priest; but bv the grace of God, and by the |)rayeisund msu iictii/iis ot f)i(in> liiendy, he became a' Christian. He was eminent lor piuiy and misSMnaiy zeal. When alrnosi prepared to return to liis native isle to preacii the Gospel, God lotik' him lo hinisell In his hist sickness, he wejn and prayed for Owyfice, but was submissive. He died without fear, wiih a heavenly smile on Ins countenance and glory in his soul, Feb. I7th, 1816, aged CG. GOSHEN. The township of Goshen was sold at New Haven, in December, 1737, and its settlement commenced in one or two years afterwards. The first inhabitants were principally from New Maven, Wallingford, and Farmington. It is stated that the houses of Gideon Thompson and John Beach, who were among the first settlers, were palisadoed in, for a defense against the Indians. Rlr. Beach's house was situated on East street, about i2i miles frotn the present South Congregational church ; the house of Mr. Thompson, stood on West street, near a mile to the southwest. Goshen was incorporated as a town in 1749, It is bound- ed N. by Norlolk, r:. by Torrlngton and Winchester, w. by Cornwall, and s. by LiichiicKl ; it is 9 miles in leniith and Ah in breadih. The central part is G miles h-om Litchfifld, o'2 west from Hartford and 42 from New Haven. It is the most elevated township in the state, but not generally mountainous; the surface being undulating, afibrding an in- teresting diversity of hills and vales. The soil is a gravelly loam, deep, 468 GOSHEN Strong and fertile, admirably adapted for grazing. This is one of llie best towns for the dairy business in the state. Large quantities of cheese are annually made, the fame of which is widely and justly celebrated, and the inhabitants are generally in pros[)erous circumstances. In neat- ness, in and about their dwellings, and in the appearance of general comfort and ))rosperity, they are not exceeded, if equalled, by any town in the state. iSuiuh view of Ciuihcn, [cciiintl jxut.) The above is a representation of the Congregational church and some other buildings in the central part of the town. The building seen on the right, with a small spire, is the Academy, w here the higher l)ranches of education are tauglir. '^I'lic cominou (ii>iii(.t school-house is of brick, the (irsl building seen in the engiavitig Mniih of the church. I'he other Congregational chnich in the lowii, is l\n\v miles nortlit;a.'^t from this. There was formerly an Efjiscopal church, siimiicfl ;il)out "2 miles to the northeast. About the time of the yVmerican iievolution, the E|)iscopal society, becoming very much reduced in iiurnhLis, sold tlieir house to the north Congregational society ; hut while they were endeavoring to draw it towards their section of the town, it was blown down by the wind. The first meeting house in the town was built of loi^s ; it stood about 80 rods below the church seen in the engraving. The elevated ground seen beyond the houses in the engraving, is called Ivy mountain. This is considered the most elevated point of land in the state. It afibi-ds a most extensive and interesting prospect, in almost every direction ; to the west is a view of the Catskill niountains for a considerable extent, their rugged features, and high and disorderly hills ; and to the east is a view of tiie elevated country east of Connecticut river. There is this rare and peculiar circumstance, with respect to what is called the East street, in Goshen ; that the rain which falls on the front of the houses, descends into the Housatonic river, and that which falls on the back 11 A R \V I N T O N , AG'J side into the Waterbury river. About one mile and a half west from the central part, is a collection of several mills, and some mannlacturing establishments, around which is collected a cluster of houses ; this place is called Canada village.* The Meihodist church is built in this place. The stream which passes this village is fed from a large |)ond in the vi- cinity, and is admirably calculated for water works, having an adequate supply of water, characterized by great uniformity, being neither alfected by droughts nor heavy rains. The first minister in the town, was the Rev. Stephen Ileaton. He was buried about a mile south of the Congregational church. His mon- ument, with a few others, stands at present in an open field, near the Litchfield road ; the following is the inscription. In memory of the Rev. Stki'hkn ITka'ihin, Y. I^. M. primus de Goshen, who was born at New'llaven, 30th ofNorr. 1710, ordained Nov. 1710, deprirled ihisliCe llicSDlh of Deer. 1788, JE. 7i>. In his cluuaiei- appeared Friendsliip, I'auioiism, SociaLilily, Kindness and Charily, Benevolence, Viitue and Religion. Pallida Mors aquo pulsal Pede pauperum Tabernas Regumque Turres.t This is a copy of another in the same place. In memory of Mosks Lyman, Esq, who died Gih of Jany. 1708, in his 55ih year. Lyman so farn'd, so meek, so just, and wise ; He sleeps ! in hope, Thencease fiom tears, when Christ appears, his dust shall rise. H A R ^V I N TON. Harwinton originally consisted of two half townships, one i)art be- longing to Hartford, and the other to the Windsor pro|)rietors. The first settlers were also from Hartford and Winilsor. 'J'he town is said to have derived its name from the names of the towns Hartford, W^ind- sor, and Farmington, Har-win-ton. " The six first settlers were Mes- senger, Brace, Hopkins, Webster, Phelps and Wilson. These were on the lands before the division and sale of them in 1732. The set- tlement of the town is considered as having been made in 1731. It was incorporated in October, 1737. The first minister was the Rev. Andrew Bartholomew, ordained about the year 173G." Harwinton is boimded n. by J\ew Hartford and Torrlnglon, w. by the Naugatuc river, separating it from Litchfield, e. liy 13urlington, and s. by Plymouth. It is G miles in length, and upwards of 5 in width. The township is elevated and hilly, with granite rocks. The lands are best adapted for grazing, and the making of butter and cheese is a leading agricultm'al interest. There is one house for public worship in the town, which is for Congregationallsts. The central part of the town is 8 miles from Litchfield, 23 from Hartford, and 40 from New Haven. The number of inhabitants in ISIO was 1,713 ; in 1S30, the number was reduced to 1,516. ♦ This village is said to liavc deiived its name in the following manner: A man by the name of Frisbie, who was liie lirsl miller in this pkice, was frequently saying from year to year, that he intended the next year lo move to Cdnndn, and still cuntin- vied to stay where he was. The people finally agreed to bring Canada to liiin,by call- ing the place where he lived bv that name. + Pale death mrades with the same step, tlie liovels of beggais and the ])alaces of kings. 470 KENT. The tract now comprising the towns of Kent and Warren was sold at auction at the court house in Windham, in INIarch, 1738. Tlie settle- ment commenced the same year. The town was laid out in fifty three shares. The principal settlers were from Colchester, Fairfield and INor- walk. Payne, Washhurn, Wrii^ht, Hansom and Piatt, were from Col- chester ; the Comstocks were from Fairfield ; and the Slausons, Can- fields and Bassetts, were from Norwalk. Tlie town was incorporated, and vested witJi town privileges at the session of the Legislature in Oc- toher, 1739. The first minister was the Rev. Cyrus INIarsh, ordained in May, 1741. The settlement of the town was rapid. In May, when ]\Ir. ]\Tarsh was ordained, the church consisted of ten males only ; but before llie end of the year, there was an addition of fifty three persons, male and female, principally by recommendations from other churches. Nuithtabt xitw of the. J^piscaiml ( /luu/i, Kent. Kent IS characteristically mountamous; it is bounded n. by Sharon, E. by Warren, s. by New JMilford, and w. by the stale of New York. It is nearly 8 miles in length, and 6 in breadili from east to west. The manu(\icture of iron was formerly carried on to a considerable extent in this town ; there are at present three furnaces in operation. There are 3 houses of worship in the town ; 1 E[)iscopal, 1 Congregational, and 1 Methodist. The above is a representation of the Episcopal churcli in Kent, 50 miles from Hartford, and the same distance from New Haven. The Housatonic river passes at the foot of the mountain seen in the back ground. About a mile and a half below this building, on the opposite side of the river, the Moravian church or mission house was standing 30 or 40 years since, near the house of Mr. Raymond, which is just dis- cernible in the distance on the extreme left. The JMoravians left this KENT. 471 place about lialf a century since. Tlie Scatacook tribe, for wbose bene- fit this mission was established, occupied the interval on the west side of the river for about three miles. Tiie scenery in this place has a pecu- liar charm, bein^i; unconnnonly beautiful and interesting;. The river, calm and still, winds with grace and beauty through this fertile spot, while the mountain rises abruptly, high, rugged and precipitous, forming a back ground and finish to the picture. During the llevolutionary war this tribe fiu-nished 100 warriors. It is said that they were able to com- municate intelligence from the sea coast to Stockbridge, IMass. the dis- tance of 100 miles, in two hours. Tliis was ellected by Indian yells, or whoops, from their men, who were stationed at proper places along the borders of the Housatonic, from its mouth up to Stockbridge. Dr. Dwight, who passed tln'ough this place in 1798, says that there were sixteen wigwams remaining.